Draco Malfoy caught a glimpse of Harry Potter sitting with Hermione, Lilah, and Susan at the Hufflepuff table.

He snickered. "Crabbe, Goyle. Get a load of Potter. What kind of boy only plays with girls? I don't think I've seen him very far from either that mudblood Granger or that other mudblood Darling." His cronies cracked nasty grins on their round faces.

He smirked. "Golden Boy indeed. Doesn't hang out with boys or even pureblood girls. He's a soft one. Soon enough he will see the error of his ways."


Next came Potions. Harry felt uneasy the entire time, as Professor Snape seemed to have it in for him from the very start, even though he had no idea why. He asked Harry the hardest questions and seemed to take sincere pleasure whenever Harry admitted his ignorance. He seemed to openly favor the Slytherin students, in particular Malfoy.

Harry even lost his house five points for daring to suggest that he defer to Hermione whenever Snape asked a question that Harry could not answer. The longer he sat in class, the more he felt the Professor was intent on mocking and humiliating him. What kind of instructor gets their jollies by taunting students, thought Harry. He breathed a massive sigh of relief when class was dismissed.

Nexf came Defense Against the Dark Arts, taught by Professor Quirrell, whom Harry already met in Diagon Alley. He seemed rather strange, with a bit of a stammer and an oversized turban covering his head.

Finally came Charms. This was the class that Harry was looking forward to the most since it was the class that Gryffindor shared with Hufflepuff.

Harry and Hermione waited for Lilah and Susan to arrive. Susan and Hermione sat together up front, and Harry and Lilah sat together immediately behind them.

The diminutive Professor Flitwick - head of Ravenclaw - taught Charms, and to Harry's delight, did not feel nearly as intimidated as he did in Potions, or even Defense Against the Dark Arts.

That day they learned a basic levitation spell, Wingardium Leviosa. There was a simple white feather placed in front of each student, and the goal was to levitate the feather several inches in the air.

"Any volunteers?" Professor Flitwick asked. "Don't be shy. Remember - swish and flick. It might take a few attempts, but you'll get it."

Lilah's hand shot up. Professor Flitwick smiled as he gestured toward her. "Ahh. How about you, Miss..."

Lilah smiled sweetly. "Darling, sir."

Professor Flitwick beamed at the girl. "Yes, thank you Miss Darling. Would you like to give it a go? Remember, it's wingardium leviosa. Simply swish and flick."

Hermione turned around and smiled encouragingly at Lilah. "You got this, Lilah. You can do it!"

Swish and flick, swish and flick, Lilah repeated to herself mentally. Here goes nothing. "Wingardium... leviosa," she said with surprising fluency, as she waved her eleven inch birch wand in the air.

The puffy white feather slowly started to rise in the air, wafting gently. Professor Flitwick chuckled. "By Merlin, Miss Darling! Masterfully done! Five points to Hufflepuff!"

Harry gave Lilah a side-hug, while Susan and Hermione turned around to give her high-fives. Lilah blushed slightly.

At the end of class, Hermione pulled Harry aside and whispered into his ear. "So, what do you have in mind for Lilah's birthday? I did a bit of light reading last night and I saw a few makeover charms... maybe a simple hair braiding charm, what do you think?"

Harry shrugged. "I'm sure she'd like that... but I also know someone who can help us. Remember Hagrid, that big bearded fellow that escorted us from the train to the castle? I think he can help us."

Hermione beamed. "That would be fantastic, Harry. Can you owl him?"

Harry grinned as he nodded. He's the one who gifted me Hedwig for my birthday. I can put her to good use. I'll take a note to her in the owlery shortly."


The next morning, Harry got a note from Hedwig when the owls delivered post at the Great Hall.

"I'll bet that's from Hagrid, Harry," said Hermione.

Harry unfurled the parchment:

"Hello Harry,

Thanks for reaching out to me. Why don't you stop by the hut after class? It's by the edge of the Dark Forest. I should have something for your pretty little friend."

- Hagrid"

Hermione wrinkled her nose slightly. "We need to be discreet about this, Harry. We don't want L-I-L-A-H to find out."

"Speak of the dragon," Harry said. Lilah and Susan came over to the Gryffindor table to say hello.

Lilah had a big smile on her face. "Hiya Harry! Hiya Hermione!" She embraced each of them.

"It's great to see you, Lilah," said Harry. "And hello Susan."

"Hi there, Lilah," Hermione greeted cheerfully. "Good morning Susan. How are you two this morning?"

"Hello you two," said Susan. "Just wanted to say good morning before class."

Hermione looked at Susan. "Would you come here please? I need to ask you something." Hermione whispered something into Susan's ear. Harry suspected it had something to do with Lilah's birthday.

"We had better get back to our table to get our things," Susan said. "We don't want to be late for class. We'll see you in a bit."

"See you later," said Harry.

"Thanks for stopping over," added Hermione.


Lilah remembered the message she got from the school owl the day before. She found Professor McGonagall's office on the first floor and politely knocked on the door.

"Come in, Miss Darling," the Professor trilled in a light Scottish burr.

"Good afternoon, Professor. I'm here about Harry Potter," said Lilah.

"Yes, dear. Please, have a seat," replied Professor McGonagall. "Would you care for some tea?"

Lilah smiled. "That would be lovely. And only a little sugar, please."o

"Here you go, Miss Darling," the professor said as she handed Lilah a small cup of hot chai.

"Thank you," replied Lilah. "I wanted to talk to you about Harry. There were some things on the train that I noticed about him and I'd like your advice."

The professor smiled at Lilah. "I must admit, I admire you, young lady. To have such empathy for a student outside of your own house is most refreshing to see. You are indeed a special witch."

"Thank you, professor," Lilah responded. "I've only known Harry for a few days, but I've become quite fond of him. We spent almost the entire train ride together from Kings Cross Station to Hogsmeade. He's a very kind boy, but I can't help but wonder about his home life."

"And what specifically gave you that inclination, Miss Darling?" asked Professor McGonagall.

"First of all, he's eleven, but many children eight or nine years old are his size, or bigger," answered Lilah. "He also ordered some treats from this nice witch pushing a cart on the train, but most normal kids simply nibble or munch - he practically inhaled his snacks. He must have literally been starving."

Professor McGonagall simply remained quiet and nodded.

"His glasses appeared to be damaged as well. I looked in a spell book and was successfully able to repair them with an oculus reparo spell, or whatever it was called, and his street clothes did not appear to be his size, they were clearly meant for an older or at least larger boy. I can't help but wonder if he came from an abusive household."

Professor McGonagall smiled. "You are incredibly observant, my dear. Most children your age wouldn't think anything of it, but you clearly saw something amiss. Tell me, are you from a wizarding family?"

Lilah shook her head. "I'm Muggle-born, ma'am. My mum is a social worker and my dad is a draughtsman."

Professor McGonagall's smile broadened. "That would explain your level of concern for Mister Potter. Did you try to talk to him about his home life on the train?"

"I did, but he didn't say much to me. He clearly didn't feel comfortable discussing his family with me," Lilah replied.

"Please listen to me carefully. What I'm about to say is strictly confidential - I implore you not to utter this to anyone else, under pain of untold house points lost and many nights of detention. You are not just any witch, so I feel you are trustworthy enough to share. Do I make myself clear?"

Lilah nodded. "Yes, Professor. Anything to help Harry."

"Very well," replied Professor McGonagall. "Years ago, when Mister Potter was but a wee boy, shortly after his parents' death, I observed the family Mister Potter was raised under before we delivered him on their doorstep."

Professor McGonagall briefly removed her spectacles to dab her eye with a handkerchief.

"The Muggles I observed were horrid people. I wanted nothing to do with them, and poor Harry deserved better. I pleaded with Professor Dumbledore on the boy's behalf, but he insisted that the Dursleys were his rightful stewards as they are his only living relations. I hate to say I-told-you-so to the headmaster, but your observations appear to be consistent with mine from ten years ago."

She smiled sadly at Lilah. "Unfortunately, there is little we can do as far as the Dursleys are concerned. They effectively live in a different realm than we do, and are thus bound to different laws and regulations than we are in the wizarding world."

Lilah's eyes widened a bit. "But what about Harry? Can we do anything for Harry?"

Professor McGonagall cocked her head somewhat. "Perhaps. Much like in the Muggle world, we have specialists who can serve as therapists. But we will need to have Harry open up about his experiences. And you may need to keep chipping away. He seems to be fond of you as well, Lilah."

Her eyebrows furrowed ever so slightly. "I know it's not always easy since you're in separate houses, but do what you can to keep gaining his trust. He will open up in time."

"Professor?" Lilah asked. "He's also friends with another girl who is under your house. Hermione Granger might be another good shoulder for him to lean on. They have become quite close lately. She is a very sweet witch and I am proud to call her my friend as well."

Professor McGonagall smiled. "Mister Potter is a lucky boy indeed to have not one, but two kind little witches that care so much for him. When he does start to open up, refer him to me and we can set up therapy sessions to help him heal. Until then, please remain patient and understanding. That goes for Miss Granger as well. You are friends, not professionals."

Lilah beamed. "Thank you, Professor. Thank you for hearing me out. I'll let you know when he starts to open up some."


Shortly afterward, Susan met up with Harry and Hermione outside the castle entrance.

"I'm here as promised," said Susan. "Lead the way to Hagrid's."

The three students marched all the way to the edge of the Dark Forest. They saw a crude hovel with a door large enough to fit two people on top of each other. "This must be the place," said Harry.

Harry knocked on the door. A moment later, Hagrid opened the door and greeted him with a warm smile.

"Hello Harry! Good ter see yer. I see yer've brought some new friends. Come in, please!"

Hermione was the first to introduce herself. "Thanks for having us over, Hagrid. I'm Hermione Granger."

Hagrid chuckled softly. "Pleasure ter meet yer, Miss Hermione." He turned to Susan. "Nice ter meet yer as well, Miss..."

Susan smiled. "Hello Hagrid, I'm Susan Bones. Thank you for inviting us."

"Miss Susan," finished Hagrid. "I'm delighted ter meet the both of yer."

"You had something in mind for Lilah's birthday. I'd like to hear your thoughts," said Harry.

Hagrid smiled. "I can make her a cake... purple icing should be good, don't yer agree?"

"Her name means purple," giggled Hermione. "That would be most appropriate."

"I should be able to make a card, and we can all sign it," suggested Susan.

"That would be lovely," said Hermione.

"I'd like to get her something simple, but special... maybe a bouquet of flowers," Harry said.

"I've done a bit of light reading before term, and there is a conjuration spell called Orchideous," Hermione said. "It is a bit advanced, so you may want to ask Ron's brother Percy tonight at dinner for some advice. He should have that one down as it's a fourth-year transfiguration spell."

"Perfect," replied Harry. "Thanks for the tip."

"As we're both Muggle-born, I was thinking of a craft of some sort. Maybe a friendship bracelet of sorts," Hermione mused. Maybe five pieces of coloured string - representing Lilah, Harry, Susan, Hagrid, and myself. I can braid them together."

She looked at Hagrid. "Do you have some bits of coloured yarn or something that I can use?"

Hagrid looked deep in thought for a moment. "I believe so, Hermione. I'll need a moment ter look." He headed over to the other side of the hut and rummaged through a drawer. "Let's see... got red, purple, yellow, blue, and green. Would that work? And she's a slender little thing as well, seven or eight inches should do the trick."

He cut each bit of yarn into eight inch pieces. "Here yer go, Hermione. She's going ter love it, I'm sure."

Hermione smiled. "Thank you, Hagrid."