Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. If I did I wouldn't be writing here.

vballgurly: You don't know how much that means to me. Thanks for the suggestion.

Little Morqsi: Thank you. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

J: I can't believe I forgot to change it! Originally Harry was entering his sixth year but do to certain things that happen in the story later I decided to change it to seventh year so he's actually sixteen right now. (It's July 23)

Insanity-of-the-Owl: Thank you so much. I hope you like this chapter.

sweetpixi: Thanks. This one should be longer.

Healing the Heart

Chapter Two

Harry's feet hit a stone floor and he staggered, trying to keep his balance. When he was firmly planted on the ground he looked around to see where in the castle he had ended up. Much to his surprise, he looked up to find the familiar office of the Hogwarts Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. The man himself was sitting at his desk, pouring over a large old book.

"Hello, Harry." Dumbledore said in a calm, smooth voice, without looking up.

"Hi," Harry responded, not bothering to ask just how Dumbledore had known it was him, knowing he would get a vague answer and smile in return. "Umm…sir?" he continued.

"Yes."

"Could you-where," he stammered, not exactly knowing what to do with the child who was currently looking around the office in a curious manner. "Her," Harry said shortly, gesturing to the child.

Dumbledore looked up from his desk. As soon as he saw the girl in Harry's arms, he got up and walked around to the seventh year boy. "Who's this?" he asked.

"She's…well…I found her. When I went to the orphanage, she kind of got my attention. She lived there, you see. I thought that I should come here." Harry finished his small explanation and looked up at the Headmaster, who had a familiar twinkle in his eye.

"Do you know her name?"

"Ilori." Harry said shortly.

A smile grew on Dumbledore's face and he walked around to his desk. "Come look at this, Harry," he said.

As Harry walked around the desk he saw an entry in the old book proclaiming:

Ilori Castira

Born to Hailey and David Castira

July 3, 2000

"Is that her?"

"Yes, Ilori is a witch. This is a book that keeps the names of all witches and wizards born in Great Britain until it is time for them to come to Hogwarts."

"Soo…in eight years she'll attend Hogwarts?" Harry asked.

Dumbledore nodded his head and then turned his attention to the girl. "Do you know what Hogwarts is?" he asked her.

"No." Ilori said shortly.

"Very well, Harry will be going to his dormitory for tonight. Would you like to stay here or go with him?"

The girl tightened her grip around Harry's neck as if she thought she would be forced to leave him and shook her head rapidly.

Dumbledore smiled again and addressed Harry, "She can sleep in Mr. Weasley's bed. Good night."

A minute later Harry was treading the familiar steps to Gryffindor tower.

"Are you a wizard?" Ilori asked, startling Harry.

"Yes."

"And I'm a witch."

"Yes."

"This is a school right?" Harry merely nodded and Ilori carried on, "It's for witches and wizards to learn magic?"

"Yes." Harry said shortly.

"Okay." With that the small girl settled her head into Harry's chest and closed her eyes. By the time they had gotten to the Fat Lady, Harry could hear her slow, steady breathing that signaled she'd fallen asleep.

To Harry's surprise, the portrait opened without a password and he stepped inside the familiar common room. It looked just like it had when he had left it last year. Everything from the inviting arm chairs to the scarlet carpet. Nothing had changed.

Harry went straight up to his dormitory. Dumbledore had said Ilori could sleep in Ron's bed so he put her down. Something drew Harry to the girl as he pulled the covers up to her chin. He couldn't be sure what it was.

It was just the pale face surrounded by the mass of black hair and the peaceful expression. For about a second, he felt a strange feeling in his chest. He couldn't be quite sure what it was but at that moment Harry felt he would do anything to the small child safe.

Harry awoke to an insistent shaking on his right shoulder. Groggily, he opened his eyes and focused on the slightly blurry figure in front of him. Harry suddenly found that Ilori was standing in front of him shivering violently.

"I h-h-had a n-nightmare."

Harry looked blankly at the girl. He had no idea what to do. Never, in his entire life, had he gone to someone because he had a nightmare.

"Er…," Harry stammered, "Um…"

"Can I sleep with you?" Ilori asked, her wide eyes starring into Harry's.

"Uh…sure." Harry moved over enough for Ilori to have space on the bed. There was plenty of room but still the small, trembling body scooted her back right up to Harry.

The sixteen year old boy was surprised for a second. Then he carefully put one arm around the girl and she stopped shivering, giving a sigh of contentness.

Harry lay awake until the room was filled with slow, rhythmic breathing. Then, he allowed himself to slip slowly into a peaceful slumber.

A/N: Thanks to all my reviewers. I hope you guys liked this chapter. I know what your thinking 'Gosh it better be good. We've waited long enough'. Actually, this chapter was pretty near done two weeks ago but I didn't have time to finish it and post it until now. So, tata.