Chapter 12

A visit to the dentist

A week later Rufus was in the minister's office.

"I hate to admit it but Snape and Dumbledore's story has checked out. A number of the portraits reported his presence in the castle all day and mostly with Albus Dumbledore, and the wait staff at the Three Broomsticks confirmed the four of them were there until closing. I had a team keep the Weasley homestead under observation. With the protective wards you can't see anything so we made four unannounced visits to ask Molly questions. We saw a number of red haired children. No one else was seen. I don't think they are harboring anyone. I sent a team to review where Petunia Dursley and Snape grew up and confirmed they were neighbors. I went to see Remus Lupin in St Mungo's and he confirmed that Snape and Lily were good friends but had a falling out when he was 16. He also had very harsh words about Petunia. He said and I quote verbatim: "She's a vile, evil, spiteful, angry, judgmental and constipated woman who hates everything about magic and hated the fact her sister was a witch." End Quote. I didn't have the heart to tell the poor bloke about Potter. He's depressed enough as it is. I also had a team check the house again. No trace of a wizard being there. They found some residual magic on a cupboard under the stairs and a coo coo clock and it appears to be accidental children's magic. The muggle police have been investigating the Dursely's. It seems there were several claims of abuse and he threw his weight around and things got swept under the rug. He has a reputation for treating people in rough manner. With Potter missing, they are asking a lot questions and they have the two of them into police custody for questioning. The muggles will prosecute under their laws with what we provided them. It is certain they will serve jail time."

"They should have jail time," Answered Fudge.

"I really don't think a magical person did this and most probably it was someone who they offended in some way who got to them. They just blamed him because she hated him and had an excuse."

"Dam it, I thought we'd get rid of Snape and Dumbledore on one fell swoop," fumed Fudge.

"I know your disappointed minister. I don't think the punishment they received had anything to do with Potter and they cannot slide on how they treated him. The muggles will punish them.

o0o0o0o

Two weeks had passed and Harry had gone to Hogswarts almost every day and had private lessons with Professors Snape, Flitwick and McGonagall. He enjoyed the time with the little charms professor and Harry was quite adept at levitating small objects now. He was having a harder time with transfiguration but Professor McGonagall was patient and Harry had done his first transformation this week. But Harry liked potions and defense against the dark arts the best. Processor Snape had taught him defensive spells, a shield, disarming and petrifying charms. They practiced these three every lesson. He was teaching him some others but they were a little too advanced but he practiced anyway. He was also teaching him to meditate which he said was the first step towards learning how to protect one's mind from intrusion from a Legilimens. He liked potions, especially the past week where they went into the green houses and the fields and forest looking for magical plants. He and Harry took their large sketch books and colored pencils and inks and when they found one, they sat and made an exact drawing. Harry was surprised at how well he did these. He did not know he could draw, but with a little coaching from Professor Snape he made rapid progress. Then Professor Snape showed him how to harvest the plant and prepare it for brewing. Harry had learned that there were many magical plants that could not be cultivated and grew wild only. If he recognized them and collected and prepared them carefully the apothecaries would pay him good money for them.

Each day when he returned from his lessons, Harry, Ron and Ginny would go off and Harry would try and teach them Charms, potions and defense from his notes. They searched for plants because Harry told them Professor Snape would sell properly collected and prepared plants for them. Molly would help with transfiguration. Harry had not actually done any brewing yet. He was learning all about the ingredients and what they could do, how to recognize them, collect them and prepare them. Next week he would make his first potion, a fever reducer.

Harry loved going to school now. Before he was miserable in school as no one dared defy Dudley and his friend so he was always lonely. No one would sit next to him. It didn't matter if and when Harry made a mistake, or asked a question, because he didn't get beaten or locked in a cupboard anymore.

Molly was intrigued and amazed at the progress the three children were making with magic. Harry was still skittish around adults but he was beginning to come out of his shell the more time he spent with Ron and Ginny. The three interacted splendidly together.

o0o0o0o

It was Saturday morning at the Burrow and Molly was busy lecturing her children who were all gathered around her kitchen table, dressed in their best muggle clothes consisting of blue jeans or kakis with polo shirts. Molly stood at the head of the table with a stern look on her face and her hands on her hips with a wooden spoon held out at an angle. As she talked she emphasized her statements with a wave or poke of her spoon.

"Now you all must be on your best behavior," said Molly as she stared at the twins. "I don't want any, jokes, no pranks, absolutely no funny stuff, nothing but your best behavior. I mean it Fred and George. Nothing is to happen like last time. All of you bring a book. You will wait quietly in the waiting room for your turn, you will be polite and no trouble. We only go to the dentist twice a year for cleaning and checkups and I'm not asking too much for you to behave a few hours. So I'll warn you now, if you step out of line I'm locking the brooms up till after Christmas. Fred & George I do not want to have happen what happened last time," stated Molly as she stared at the twins who sat quietly with their heads down, afraid to look at Molly.

"Am I clear?" The entire clan, answered in unison, "Yes Mum."

Harry sat silently and fidgeted nervously.

"All right you lot, breakfast is over, go and brush your teeth and come back down here in ten minutes as we have to leave."

The children all raced up the stairs to see who could be first in the bathroom to brush. Harry lingered behind. "Mrs. Molly mam?"

"Yes Harry?"

"I'm scared. I've never been to the dentist. I don't even know what a dentist does."

"Your Aunt never had your teeth looked at?"

"No Mrs. Molly Mam? Uncle would tell her I'm a freak and didn't need to go."

Molly hugged him. Don't you worry; it will be all right, just a routine checkup. Let me put the glamour's on you so you blend in with my tribe." She waved her wand and muttered a number of incantations. Harry heard Crimson, among other incomprehensible things. He felt his hair and nose lengthen, freckles appeared on his hands. He looked into the mirror and saw a very different person. He had red hair, long, and tied in a ponytail, freckles on his face, his black glasses were now in silver and his green eyes now brown and his scar was gone!

"Thank you Mrs. Molly, Mam. Oh, what did the twins do last time?"

"They embarrassed me is what they did. Now off you go and brush your teeth."

"OK you lot we go in three groups. I'll go first with Ron and Harry, and then the twins and Charlie and Bill will bring up the rear with Ginny." Percy would have to go when he got back from his camping trip with Oliver woods family, thought Molly. "Remember Richards Pub. It is the nearest public floo to where we have to go," as she threw floo powder in the flames, shouted, "Richards Pub," and stepped through into the rustic wizards pub. She was quite surprised to see paddy exit and shake his coat to get rid of soot also. He finished and sat down next to Harry. In a few minutes, she brushed soot off everyone, deposited a few sickles in the cup on the mantelpiece, bade goodbye to the proprietor and set off for the dentist with her brood in tow.

o0o0o0o

A few minutes into the walk Harry felt he was on familiar ground. This was the route he took in leaving his Aunt and Uncles. He got very excited when he spied the park he had slept in and met the bushy haired girl. He was almost leaping for joy when Molly turned into the park and told her children. "We are almost 45 minutes early. You can play in the park," and fixing her twins with an icy stare: "Don't get dirty, and stay in the park. All right off you go;" as she sat on the bench by the entrance.

Harry looked at Molly and sat on the bench next to her.

"Harry it's ok to go and play."

"Mrs. Molly, Mam, I've been here before. When I left my Aunt and Uncle's house I slept on the bench at the back of the park the first night and the next day I met a little girl. I think she is a witch. She told me she comes here almost every week. I hope she comes by this morning. I want you to meet her."

Molly sighed. "You are full of surprises Harry. Go play and keep an eye out. If she comes we will talk to her."

Harry smiled and ran over to Ginny and Ron. He had felt Molly's anguish when he told her that he slept on the bench. Why? That was his life and he did not know anything else but hardship. He had seen how Molly and Arthur treated their children. What was the norm? Were his Aunt and Uncle the way things were or was it Molly and Arthur's? He wished he knew what most children experienced.

Harry liked Ron and Ginny. He'd never had friends before. They were fun to be with. They just treated him the way they treated each other. He never felt any bad emotions from them. On the contrary, both of them were always happy to be with him. Harry followed the two siblings' from swings to seesaws' to rocking horse carousel finally ending up on top of the monkey bars.

The three rested catching their breath. Harry sat thinking and looking around hoping that Hermione would show up at the park. Ron's brothers were nice too. He especially liked Forge even though they tried to prank him. Ginny had yelled at them and Molly had given them a "talking to". But Ginny had also said that if they didn't like him they would have ignored him. Harry had told Professor Snape about them and asked if there was a potion that he could use to prank them in return as they had got him good a few times. Professor Snape asked Harry if he liked them or wanted to hurt them. Harry had assured him that he wanted to do something funny, like turn their hair blue, or make their voices squeaky or have them have very bad breath. Professor Snape laughed and told him that on Monday, which started his last week of lessons before the school year started, that they would brew something for Harry to use on the twins. He had a lot to think about. The past month had been a whirlwind. Harry remained vigilant looking around for the little girl but he had not seen her when Molly called them all to her to make their way to the dentist. But it was a lot later in the morning then when he had met her that time. Perhaps he missed her, she was already here and gone. He followed the group to the dentist office and sat in the waiting room and took a sketch pad out and began drawing the plant that was in the corner. Soon Ron and Ginny had their pads out and were doing the same. Harry finished very quickly as it was easy to draw, nothing more than a stalk with a few leaves in a brown pot. He chewed the end of his pencil for a minute and then started to sketch Hermione from memory. Ginny was taking quick peaks and wondered who the girl was that Harry would draw her face. Harry felt her confused emotions and looked at her but she quickly looked away as a faint blush crept up her cheeks.

Mrs. Weasely spoke to the lead Dentist. Doctor, I have another child this time. I'm fostering a young boy who came from an abusive family. His name is Harry and unfortunately he's never been to a dentist before and he's a little uncomfortable around adults. Oh it's just a coincidence that he has red hair like my children."

"No worries Mrs. Weasley, I'll see to him and go easy;" answered the dentist. But she paused a moment and thought back a few weeks. She remembered a little boy in the park named Harry with a black dog. But he had black hair? Must be a coincidence or I've forgotten the name.

One by one the Weasley children went into one of two offices to be seen by one of the husband and wife team of dentists. Finally they were all done and Mrs. Weasley looked at her children and told them to behave with a steely glare to the twins and went into the Drs. Office to settle their bill.

"I could bill you Mrs. Weasley;" said the Dr.

"No, no I prefer to settle up as I go;" replied Molly.

When done the dentist cleared her throat. "Ah, Mrs. Weasley, may I ask you something; ahem, ah, personal?"

"Please call me Molly, no need to be so formal. Is it about one of the children? Did the twins do something inappropriate?"

"No, the twins were perfect young gentlemen this time; no as I said before it is remarkable how healthy all their teeth and gums are; even Harry who you say has never been to a Dentist before. I, oh I just don't know how to do this Molly. I have wanted to ask you something personal for the past year or so as I'm seeking advice and I think you may be able to help me but I've been afraid of offending you."

Molly looked at the doctor. "Go right ahead and ask; I don't bite. What's on your mind?"

"You see, I've observed you and your children for years, since you started coming to me. And you are shall I say; a little eccentric. In the way you dress, the way you pay for things, you seem uncomfortable with money. But more than that, sometimes strange things have happened here when your family is here. Like the last time with your twins. That is why we schedule you all together on one morning. I don't know how to ask this…."

Molly looked at the dentist with a feint blush creeping up her cheeks.

The doctor continued. "Molly are you a magical person, a witch?"

Molly drew a sharp breath. "Oh my, what am I going to do now;" thought Molly as violating the Secrecy Act flashed through her mind.

"No, no don't be frightened Molly. I need your help. I think, no, no I'm sure, my daughter is like you and your family…"

o0o0o0o

Meanwhile back in the waiting room, the door opened and it framed a little girl about nine years old with very large and bushy hair waving goodbye to someone.

"Thanks for taking me to the library Betty! See you next Saturday," she turned around.

"Oh! hello everyone!"

A chorus of hello's came from every side of the room as the Weasley children sprawled on chairs, couches and the floor answered the pert girl. Ron sat up immediately as he saw the girl with the big mass of bushy brown curls.

Harry looked up and first looked at Ron, then at Hermione and smiled. Ron was intrigued with the little girl and could not take his eyes off of her. He felt Ron's excitement. Something he had not felt before. He would have to talk to him later.

Ginny looked from the girl to Harry' sketch pad and began to blush again. It was the girl Harry was drawing!

Harry felt a strong emotion from Ginny and looked at her catching her eyes. She turned away blushing. "What was that," thought Harry?

"Harry turned and looked at the little girl and stood up. "Hermione! I, I thought I'd never see you again!"

She turned to see who had called her with an excited look on her face that slowly melted into a perplexed frown. "I thought I recognized your voice but you don't look like anyone I remember."

All the Weasley children were now sitting up at attention and listening closely to the conversation.

"It's me, Harry, I met you in the park about six weeks ago. I had a dog with me. Don't you remember?"

"You don't look like the boy I met in the park."

Harry's face fell at this, but then he noticed Ron who circled his hand around his face while looking at Harry. Then he remembered he had glamour's on and looked like a Weasley!

Hermione had continued to talk: "He had dark hair going every which way, clothes too big for him and a curious scar on his forehead. You don't have any of that. But you do sound like him. How do you know me?"

Just then Paddy came out from underneath the couch where he was napping and poked his nose in her hand and licked it. "Woof".

"This looks like the dog, though. I'm confused. You sound like Harry Potter?" Why do you look different?"

The Weasley children gasped as one as Harry let his wand slip into his hand from his forearm holster.

Bill yelled out "no Harry."

Harry looked at Bill and shook his head. He then pointed at his head, waved his wand and said "Finite" and a blast of white light jetted from his wand.

Hermione stood there stunned as Harry's appearance transformed and the little scruffy boy she had met in the park appeared in front of her. She yelled and hugged Harry as the glamour's fell away and revealed the dark hair and the lightning bolt scar on his forehead. Harry was startled and stiffened up but then relaxed as he felt the pure joy from the little girl but at the same time he felt the same emotion from Ginny that he had felt before from her and he looked at Ginny and she immediately turned her face away blushing. He would have to think on that. What did he feel from her and why did she blush?

Bill stood up. "Harry you should not have done that, it's too dangerous."

"I'm not afraid of Hermione Bill, she's my friend and one of us, she's a witch!"

Everyone sat in stunned silence. Hermione looked around and a big grin crossed her face.

"I am, aren't I? Come on Harry, you have to meet my mom, now," she said as she grabbed his hand and led him into the dentist office!

"Mom, Mom it's Harry, the boy I told you about he's here, he's here," as she burst through the door, causing Jean Granger to jump a mile in her chair.

"Mrs. Molly Mam, this is the girl I was telling you about in the park!"

"OK, Ok everyone sit down."

The Weasley children crowded into the doorway with the shortest in front looking in respectfully.

Molly looked at Jean Granger. "Hermione dear, your mother thinks you may be a witch. Harry does too. So let's do a little test. Here take my wand and just go like this" demonstrating a swish. Hermione tentatively took the wand, grasped it and swished her arm in arc releasing a stream of gold and blue stars and sparkles.

Hermione and Jean Granger stood there dumbstruck.

"See I told you, you were like me Hermione;" said Harry. Hermione turned to him and hugged him again. "Oh Harry, I'm so glad to see you again."

Ginny looking on from the door way felt herself getting warm and uncomfortable. She did not like the little girl hugging Harry so freely. Could she be; was she jealous of her?"

"Molly spoke first: "Well there is no doubt your daughter is a witch. I take it you and your husband are not magical, are you?" Jean could only shake her head.

"Well I think you and your husband will have to have a long talk with me and my husband. There is another world out there hidden in plain sight and your daughter will be part of it. Best you start to understand what you can expect. Perhaps tomorrow afternoon I could come here with my Husband and we can talk?"

"Mrs. Molly Mam, can I come with you, and can Ginny and Ron come too? It would give us a chance to play with Hermione. Pleeeeeease?"

Molly was amazed. Other than asking if Ron and Ginny could visit him in the hospital this was the very first thing Harry had asked of her since he came to her on the Knight bus. How could she say no to such a simple request? "Yes Harry the three of you can come along as long as it's ok with Dr. Granger."

"The dentist smiled and leaned over to look Harry in the eyes. "Yes Harry, of course you and your friends can come tomorrow. I'm sure that Hermione would love to have friends visit."

Hearing all of this Ginny smiled and felt better. Harry thought of her and asked for her to be included. Why did he cringe when someone touched him? What had happened to him? Once they got home and she could get him alone, she would try and get the story out of him.