Sensing Magic
by Teddylonglong

Please refer to chapter 1 for my disclaimer and warnings. Thank you.

"We intend to go to Bally Sideways on Inis Rún, a small island between Scotland and Ireland," Regina informed him.

"The most interesting about this island is that there is an ingredient, which only grows there: Jellygrapes. They grow similar to sea weed; however, they look like small grapes made from jelly. Their juice can be used as an ingredient and gives any potion an enormous healing power. Apparently, it can be added to any potion to double the effect."

Harry's eyes widened in excitement. "Oh, that sounds interesting."

"Have you ever been to the seaside?" Severus quirked an eyebrow.

"Not here. Only on the Isle of Elves."

"Are you able to swim?" Regina enquired.

Harry nodded. "The elves taught me, when we were on the Isle of Elves the first time."

"That's good." Regina nodded in apparent relief. "Now, I only need to complete my Animagus transformation."

"Show me?" Harry smiled, before he invitingly transformed into his own majaroo form. He playfully did a few jumps of excitement upon realising that his mother managed to transform everything but her head.

=That's cool, Mum. Now, you will get the rest soon.=

"Sorry, Son, I am not able to understand you." Regina transformed back, letting out a deep sigh.

"It's still at least four weeks, before we'll able to leave for Inis Rún. By then, you'll probably be able to complete your form. Poor me, the sole lynx running along the beach after two jumping majaroos."

"Ah, poor Dad. Why don't you try for a second Animagus form, too? If you hurry, we could all go as majaroos."

Severus returned a glare. "Just because your magic is exceptional, you can't expect everyone else to be able to do things just because you can. Your mother and even Felix might be able to have multiple forms, considering that Regina received your magic along with your blood, but not me."

"Oh, all right." Turning to Regina, he suggested, "Shall we try for phoenixes next?"

"I'd rather try for a lynx next."

"Oh, right, I'm in." Harry grinned, broadly, resolving to work on both forms. "Dad," he added, thoughtfully, "you could at least try. Perhaps, even more people would be able to have more than one form if they only tried."

"I agree." Harry turned around to see Salazar in his painting nod, encouragingly.

Severus let out a deep sigh. "Well, you won. I will try, but don't get your expectations up. I don't think it's going to happen anytime soon."

Regina smiled. "Believe in yourself, dear. Your magic is strong enough."

HP

While it was only four weeks before the end of Harry's first Hogwarts year and the beginning of the summer holidays, several things happened.

One evening, the four heads of houses were assembled in the headmaster's office for a meeting with the headmaster, when Healer O'Brian, the head healer of St. Mungo's, stepped out of the fireplace.

"Good evening, Professors. My I disturb you just for a minute?"

"Of course." The headmaster nodded, encouragingly. "How can we be of help?"

"As you probably know, Lucius Malfoy and Dolores Umbridge are in the care of St. Mungo's." When everyone nodded, he continued, "They are in a situation comparable to that of the Longbottoms, before young Harry Prince healed them."

'Don't you dare involve my son in healing evil people,' Severus thought in trepidation, setting up the deadliest glare he could muster.

"We were wondering," the healer continued, slightly hesitant, probably having noticed his expression, "if young Harry would be willing to heal them as well, so that they would be able to undergo a trial and have themselves be sent to Azkaban."

Before Severus could even protest, Albus replied. "I am sure that Harry will be able to help."

"No." Severus glared at the headmaster. "I will not have my son use his valuable healing magic for Death Eaters. Even if they'd be sent to Azkaban, they might be able to break out, which is not far-fetched considering recent events. No, and as Harry's guardian, this is my last word."

"But Severus…"

"Albus, you've heard Severus, and I fully agree with him. Healer O'Brian, I am very sorry, but I'm afraid that we can't help with this."

Severus cast Minerva a grateful look, when Albus had the gall to insist. "But Harry will surely wish to help. It is important to give everyone a second chance, and as a natural healer, it is his obligation to help people."

Severus let out a snort. "Obligation? The only obligation Harry has is finishing his first Hogwarts year. Nothing else. Where was everyone, when he was abused and mistreated by the family you sent him to?"

"Exactly." Minerva added a second glare towards the headmaster.

"Please contact me if you decide otherwise." With that, the head healer took his leave.

"Albus, do not speak about this with Harry." Severus' voice was firm, and everyone who knew him better should have recognised the warning in his words.

HP

Nevertheless, as soon as the following evening, when Severus did not have a chance to speak with Harry yet, Dumbledore cornered him, when he was walking through the corridors just by himself on his way from Severus' private lab to the first-year study room.

Usually, he simply popped himself, but on this evening, he needed just a few minutes for himself to think. 'I urgently need to discuss the summer course for the new first-years and the muggleborns of our class with Narcissa,' he thought, when the headmaster suddenly stepped into his way.

"Harry, my boy, how nice to see you here. May I have a quick word?"

"Sure." Harry shrugged, feeling annoyed, but not worried, knowing that he could simply pop away at any time.

"You are a natural healer, my boy, is that correct?"

"Yes sir." Somehow, he felt uncomfortable at the approach.

"If there are two people at St. Mungo's in a similar state as the Longbottoms were, would you be willing to help them?"

"Of course."

Dumbledore smiled. "That's what I thought. Would you be willing to accompany me right away?"

Harry glanced at his wrist watch. "All right, but I'll have to be back at home in an hour at the latest."

"How long did it take you to heal the Longbottoms?"

Harry shrugged. "Perhaps five minutes per person."

"Then we'll be back on time. Let's go to my office and use the fireplace."

tbc...

Thank you so very much for the kind reviews for the previous chapter.