A/N: Do not own. I know, I know. You waited a month and I give you something less than 5k. I try, I try. But this chapter is interesting, I promise! Thanks go to rowanlyn-mirrim for the room idea. Harry is here, as is Alexis. Enjoy and use your words! Also, x's are scene breaks! Italics are usually thoughts! More author note at the end!

-x-
Harry sighed, kicking his feet against the armchair. He hadn't seen Teddy today, which was bothering him a lot. Teddy had not been in the cabin this morning, nor at breakfast. The other boy was probably fine, at some silly activity or another. But he was worried. He had seen Teddy leave last night, but he figured his friend wanted time alone, just like he did. It did not help that he was now at his scheduled appointment with Tim, although he'd rather be here than playing football. Football was just..uck.

Tim surveyed the silent child for a moment longer, stifling a sigh of his own. Working with abused children was not an easy task, especially when they often refused to say anything on their own. "Harry? What's on your mind?" He questioned finally. They had been here for ten minutes and Harry had not said anything so far. It looked like it was going to be a long day already, and it wasn't even noon yet!

Harry shrugged, stilling his feet briefly. He glanced up at the healer, being careful to not meet his eyes. He did remember his uncle's rules, after all. Even if the healer was constantly asking him to look at him, he couldn't really want him to. After all, who would want to look at a freak? But Tim had said he wasn't a freak, as had his guardians, so didn't that mean something? He didn't think they would lie to him, but he knew he couldn't believe them. Not yet. "Where's Teddy?" He asked suddenly, resuming his battering of the chair. It wasn't his fault that his feet did not touch the floor.

"Teddy was taken to the infirmary this morning, he will be alright and should be back to camp in no time. He just wasn't feeling well." Tim replied quietly, sighing softly. Teddy would be fine, eventually. Charlie had taken the child to the infirmary when the boy's leg started bleeding in his sleep, a few hours after they had found him. He had run tests on the child and discovered the cause, it was merely a precaution that the boy was still in the infirmary. "Do you enjoy being with Teddy, Harry?"

Harry frowned, staring at his trainers for a moment. Teddy was sick? That wasn't good. He liked Teddy, the mousy brown-eyed boy was more fun to play with than their peers. The other kids didn't seem to get it, to understand that they were the unwanted ones, that no one cared about the camp kids. But Teddy did and he could talk honestly with Teddy. For the other boy would keep his secrets, just as he would keep Teddy's. "I like Teddy. He doesn't push." He shrugged finally, glancing up at the older man.

Ah, so perhaps he pushed then? Or someone else pushed Harry to talk, like the group therapy sessions the counselors held every evening. He knew it was tough for some of these children to talk about their lives and it was unsettling how much these children did not know about life. Many of the Muggleborns knew very little about Wizarding society, even magical games and toys. Some of these children had no idea what to do with themselves, now that they were not escaping punishment or protecting siblings or worrying about the next fist or harsh word. Or worst. But sometimes these children needed a bit of a push to talk, it was his duty to heal minds. Tim was well aware that talking helped greatly in that. After all, he had not started as a mind healer, but as a patient, years ago. "Could you tell me more about Teddy, Harry? About why you like him?" He questioned finally, smiling at the child.

Harry hesitated for a moment, stilling his feet briefly. He would keep Teddy's secrets but did that mean he couldn't say his own reasons for liking Teddy? Without revealing his own secrets of course. He wasn't quite sure. He had friends before Teddy, well two or three anyway. But he didn't trust Ron to keep all his secrets, he hadn't even heard from the boy yet this summer! Perhaps talking about Teddy wouldn't be a bad thing, it would keep the healer from asking about him, anyway. He didn't want to think about Uncle or any of that. Ever, if he could. But they always wanted him to talk about it and he just didn't want to. It wasn't a big deal, after all. He was a freak and his uncle had treated him as freaks were suppose to be treated. It was the adults here that were confused, they needed help. Not him. He sighed, wishing Professor Severus had not gotten his fringe cut, he missed hiding beneath it. "Erm well...He's nice and he taught me how to play Dragons. He gets needing space and he's just...different than the others. He's not a kid, like they are. He's like me and Karrie." Harry shrugged finally, looking up. Karrie was part of one of their 'talking' groups. She was their age, unlike the others, and she didn't act like a kid, like the others did. She got it too, that they were unwanted.

Tim kept his face calm but he knew his eyes showed that spark of sadness. Teddy, Harry, and Karrie...the three youngest members of the "E" group, the extreme abuse, in any and all forms. Two of the preteens had suffered sexual abuse, that they knew of; all three had suffered from emotional and physical abuse, as well as neglect. All three practiced varying forms and degrees of self harm. He knew that the three children might have trouble connecting with the others their age; he would never have guessed that the three children saw the others as children but not themselves. Or perhaps, if he thought about it, he might have eventually come to that conclusion. It was just disconcerting to hear it from the mouth of a child. "I am glad that you like Teddy, and that you are able to talk to Teddy. Now Harry, as we are running out of time, I wanted to talk to you about the running. I know it doesn't always occur to you to tell someone first, and that is alright sometimes. However, I spoke with the Headmistress, as well as your guardians and counselors, and we found a way to make it easier for you. You told me yesterday that you sometimes run because you need space?" Tim remarked finally, glancing at the clock. He did have something pressing to tell, and show, Harry after all. Even if he would rather just let the child talk, when he was talking, instead of changing the subject.

Harry merely nodded, folding his arms and scowling. He didn't want another lecture about this, although Tim hadn't really lectured him about it. The healer had only asked why he took off so often. He needed space, it was true. But sometimes he was angry or upset and it just helped to be alone.

"The Headmistress asked and the castle designed a room specifically for you, so that you can have a safe place to go when you need space or when you are upset and just need a few minutes to collect your thoughts. That doesn't mean one of your counselors, including me, or your guardians will not come talk to you there, but we will all give you time to be alone. I just ask, however, that if you do take off, that you go to this room, instead of running blindly. Could you do that for me, Harry?" Tim explained quietly, watching the child closely. His reaction, what little of it made it past the mask, was better than expected. The child did not appear angry, at least.

Harry forced his face to stay bland, even if he was a bit weary of this. Perhaps this room would be a good thing, if it gave him a place to go. But he wasn't sure if he wanted adults checking in on him whenever they pleased. "Yes sir." He responded dryly, staring back at his trainers.

"Would you like to see your safe space, Harry?" Tim asked, biting back a smile at the rapid nod. He stood, moving slowly toward the door and opening it. "This way please." Harry followed him out of the room and down the hallway. His office was on the fourth floor, as was this new room. Or rooms, rather. Alexis had asked for one for each of their three runners and a few empty rooms that they could customize for other children if necessary. All of the rooms were warded against self harm and each had a charm that would allow the relevant counselors to know when their charge was in their safe room, as the charm would cause a pendant the counselors wore to heat up. The hallway of rooms was only two hallways away, but far enough that the children would hopefully feel like they had space away from their healers. Tim stopped in the hallway of once unused rooms, locating the second door to the right. "Here you go, Harry." He opened the door and stepped inside, gesturing for the boy to follow. He was well aware that the child would not like it if he was behind him; blows often came from behind after all.

Harry stepped into the room and gasped. It was different from his bedroom, of course, but it was a large room with muted colours on the walls and a thick plush carpet. There was a brown couch and armchairs, as well as a low table. There was also a bookcase filled with books and a desk that held art and writing supplies. There was a punching bag hanging from the ceiling in one corner and a door on the opposite wall. The room just felt so...safe but also a bit overwhelming.

The child looked overwhelmed and he knew that the room was a bit busy at first glance, but that was the wonders of magic. "The room can be changed Harry, so that you feel safe here. The idea was that there would be books if you needed to escape into somewhere else as well as art and writing supplies so that you could calm yourself by expressing your feelings on paper. Do you think that you might be able to use this room when you need space? Or would you like us to change it?"

Green eyes darted everywhere as he slowly explored the room. A glance in the other doorway revealed a simple loo, which was a brilliant idea actually. That way he wouldn't have to try to find a nearby loo if he needed one. He really did like the room, he could feel the wards here and the magic. It was so welcoming and the overwhelming feeling had disappeared. He knew Hogwarts' had made this room for him, he could feel it, just as he could feel the headmistress' magic in the room. "Yes sir. I..can use it." Harry grinned, finally turning to look at Tim. The healer merely smiled in response, leaning back against the wall to allow him to explore for a bit longer.

-x-

Alexis paced the length of her office, glancing occasionally out the window. The windows in her quarters, and the view from the Head's walkway, showed much more than this, but at least she could see the front of the castle from here, in case unwanted guests arrived. Not that she was worried about that, as she had recently strengthened the wards with the help of her Heads of Houses. No, right now she was more worried about her students, her children. The one she had just seen in the infirmary, before they released him back to camp, for one. But she was equally worried about her other wards. Nineteen children in her care, with her as their acting guardian. It was a bit...overwhelming at times. She sighed, turning gray eyes to the floo as it went off. She smiled at the floating head in her fireplace, gesturing for him to come through. A moment later and she stopped pacing as the older wizard stepped out of the floo. "Welcome, Lucius."

Lucius Malfoy turned critical eyes on the Headmistress' office for a brief moment before turning to greet her properly. The office was much neater and more proper than Dumbledore's had ever been, although there were stacks of parchment littered everywhere. "Alexis, my dear. A pleasure as always." Many annoying gossips always questioned if they were related and Alexis had merely been discarded from the family, but even if their eyes were similar in colour, they were not blood kin It was true that few people had gray eyes, but his were a shade darker than her's; also, she was not a blond. Nor would he had discarded such a woman from his family. He was quite glad that Severus had introduced them a few years back, she was a smart, talented witch; a powerful one. His lips quirked into a small smile, as he settled into the armchair she indicated. "I must offer my congratulations on your adoption." He drawled, forcing down a grin when she scowled briefly, before her own mask was firmly in place. For those who rarely let down their masks, it was difficult, even in the presence of friends, to just react without hiding emotions.

"Severus?"

"No. Filius." Lucius drawled, eyes taking in the appearance of the young woman. He knew from the bit of information that he managed to gain from Severus that Alexis was not at her best, health wise. He could not, however, see through glamours. It had not been a necessary skill when he was a foolish youth.

"Old man is a gossip." Alexis muttered, sorting through her piles of paperwork quickly, before removing two sheets of parchment. "You will be at the ceremony, yes? Filius has promised to keep it small..." She trailed off, glancing up at him. Lucius was much like an old friend, even if she had only known him for a few years. She had known his wife for much longer, as they had met in her home country, before Dumbledore called in his 'favour'. She studied the older man for a moment, before holding the parchment out to him.

"Narcissa and I would be honoured to." Lucius responded, accepting the parchment with a small frown. He scanned the first sheet, before reaching for a quill. He grimaced, frowning at one clause and quickly scratching it off with his quill. He added another clause and signed his name at the bottom. "Bain's paperwork should not take long to go through, as he has no one to claim him. As you know, it is a six month wait from guardianship to officially adopt; however, due to Bain's age, he is magically an adult, but not capable of supporting himself. At most, it should take two months for him to become yours. You have discussed this with him?" He stated after several minutes of silence, in his business mode. This was, after all, the reason he had come to Hogwarts today.

"I have. He has signed the other forms and will undergo the proper adoption ceremony." Alexis drawled, biting down a grin at the shock in the eyes that so closely mirrored hers. She would not just legally adopted Bain, but offer the child a permanent home and family through an official adoption ritual, which would make him of her blood. It was the same ceremony that Filius was doing for her and Severus. Lucius did not surprise her as he once did, but she knew she still surprised him. The older man had turned away from the past dark lord after the supposed end of the first war, out of choice. He made a mistake and he spent years working his way back into society's good graces. He had also gained a university education and legal certification. He was a child advocate, though Narcissa often told her that he had too big of a heart to deal directly with the children. He handled adoption cases and often represented a child's interest in court cases. He was by no means a social worker, but he used his political power to save children like those of his friends, as he tried to have laws rewritten to protect children of all blood statuses and races. A child was a child, it did not matter who their parents were.

"I see. That is quite the development. I have made a few minor changes to some of these clauses, which you should look over, but everything else is in order here. Now, what is that?" Lucius remarked finally, finding his voice once more. He had a feeling that he would be filing quite a few applications for adoption this summer. He did have one he needed to bring to her attention, though. But it could wait for the moment being.

Alexis took the paper and read it quickly, before nodding and handing it back to him. Lucius vanished it to his office so that he could file in later, turning impatient gray eyes to meet suddenly stony gray eyes. "This is an application to terminate guardianship." She purred.

Lucius forced down a shudder; he would not want to be that child's parents, if the tone she used was anything to go by. "Who is the child?"

"Theodore Nott."

Ah. The child was a pure blood though, which often made it difficult to wrestle custody away from their parents. His father, however, had done heinous things to the boy, so it might not be as complicated. "I take it you have documentation of his injuries?" Lucius questioned, accepting that parchment. He glanced over it, signed the bottom and vanished it to his office. He would file it immediately upon returning.

Alexis silently removed the boy's file from her desk, tapping it with her wand to duplicated it. She passed the duplicate to Lucius, before returning the original to her desk.

Lucius rifled through the file for a moment, before finding the healer's reports and official medical scans, as well as a few notes from the child's mind healer. He read through the medical report, paling slightly. He had known, of course, when Teddy was removed from his home, that it was bad. And he knew from brief conversations with Severus and Alexis some of what the child had suffered. The child had never told anyone, even though he often spent a week during the summer at the Manor with Draco. He had know that Theodore Senior was not a very pleasant man, but he had not thought that the man would abuse his own son. Especially not this horrifically. He set aside the medical scans, glancing at the notes from the mindhealer. He blanched suddenly, looking up at Alexis.

"Killing him will not help Teddy, Lucius. I have thought about it, but I have kept my staff from killing nearly fifty sets of guardians, as I have contained myself. Teddy's is not, sadly, our worse case, as you know. But his guardianship needs to be terminated, if for nothing other than Teddy's peace of mind."Alexis stated softly, watching the man with understanding. It never did get easier.

He drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair for a moment, snapping the file closed. "I will give this to his social worker. His guardianship will be terminated as soon as possible. He will need a guardian, though." He remarked finally, forcing his mind to calm.

"I plan to adopt him, if he agrees."Alexis replied quietly. If Lucius was shocked, he hid it well.

"I do have one more order of business, Alexis." He sighed, vanishing the file back to his office. If he could get his hands on that man...but it would be easier to let his crimes slip. The sane prisoners, in the lower levels of Azkaban, were not keen on child abusers, of any form. Much like muggle prisoners...he'd be dead in a week. Hm, that was food for thought. But later, for this piece of information would not go over well. At her raised eyebrow, he elaborated. "A family has filed for adoption of Mr. Potter."

She blinked, gray eyes turning to hard stones. "I'm sorry, what?"

"After Dumbledore's death was published last week, a family placed an application to adopt Mr. Potter. How they thought they would remove him from his biological family without contesting that guardianship is beyond me, but they are petitioning to take the child. I have stalled all such attempts, as the social worker and I agree that Mr. Potter is with a family that will take care of his needs physically, mentally, and emotionally. I have not spoken to Severus or Remus about this, yet. The family has no reason to contest their guardianship, nor can they adopt the child without six months of guardianship. They already have a large brood, so the courts are very likely to deny them either way." Lucius scowled, resting his head in his hand for a moment. This recent rush of cases was overwhelming for the child welfare offices, which meant him as he was one of the major advocates. So he was tired, and he knew her response would not be pleasant.

"I see. Who is this...family?" Alexis sneered.

He grimaced, shaking his head. Technically, it was a breach of privacy. But she was the child's Headmistress, so she was entitled to information that might affect the child's emotional state while he was under her care. And since the child in question was currently in the school and she was not likely to tell anyone, he felt no reason to not tell her. "The Weasley clan." He had not expected the muttered curse that followed, however.

"Of course. Mrs. Weasley recently sent me a...howler, informing me that a...witch of my upbringing had no business running a school and that she was seriously considering withdrawing her five brats." Alexis hissed, magic crackling along her skin. She had burnt the howler immediately, considering it complete rubbish. After speaking with Tim and Filius, separately, she knew that the Weasley matriarch was a force onto herself. Of course, she had already known the name Weasley, after all she had spent a year in Romania as a mind healer for the dragon riders and handlers, while their healer was on leave. The Weasley she had met was a nice young fellow, with anger issues. Apparently, he got those from his mother.

Lucius blinked, mouth twitching. He was a pure blood aristocrat, he did not gap like a fish.. But it was a just thing. "Your upbringing? The woman does not even know you, she cannot judge you unfit to take over Hogwarts. Nor could she fight with the legitimacy of the wards accepting you, as well as the approval of the board of governors." He growled, regaining his control. The Weasley woman had always been a bit of an annoyance, but surely she would not withdraw her children over the castle's choice of headmistress, especially after all of the damage Dumbledore had done to Hogwarts!

Alexis sighed, gray eyes softening slightly. There was so much work to do; people like that Weasley woman just made her life harder. "I believe she thinks I practice 'dark' magic. Apparently, she missed the lesson that magic is neither light nor dark. It is the intent behind it. Perhaps it is also the addition of new courses. Gods forbid that our children actually know how to read and write; know more than basic maths and have a thorough understanding of the world around them." She scowled, staring at the cup of tea that appeared on her desk. She took a deep breath, slowly sipping the tea. That was her elf's way of telling her to calm down. Or that she forgot to eat, but that had been happening with less frequency lately.

Lucius snorted, not bothering to hide his opinion on the matter. Alexis? Dark? That would be a cold day in hell! Only here, under the British fool of a Minister, was magic polarized into Light and Dark. On the continent, especially where Alexis hailed from, magic was a force that was honoured, not taken for granted. It was neither light or dark, but shaped through the users intent. He had seen one of the worst cutting curses used in a kitchen by a chef. The intent had not been dark, so his use of the spell did not make it dark. But he also knew that confusing notion had not been taught at Hogwarts. "It is her lost." He shrugged, standing stiffly. He had been sitting for too long that day, he knew.

"No. It is her children who will lose. Thank you for the help, Lucius." Alexis stated quietly, standing as well. She stepped around the desk, smiling slightly for a moment. "You will visit soon, yes?"

"But of course. It had been a pleasure, as always my dear. I will take care of these cases and let you know as soon as I know something." Lucius replied silkily, before dropping the bland mask to smile at the young woman. He stepped forward and embraced her for a moment, before stepping out of the hug and into the floo. "I look forward to a time for tea that does not involve business." He added, disappearing in a flash of green fire.

She sighed, brushing black stands away from her face. Things to do, things to do. She had a school to organize, a camp to watch over, students to tend to and care for. So much to do, so little time. And she knew one of her counselors was ignoring her orders... One day without problems, tantrums, fights, or break downs, one day. Was that too much to ask? Clearly, it was.

A/N: Yes, I am evil. We have already established that point a few chapters back...Now, in case you were wondering, Teddy's illness will be discussed next chapter. I swear it will. Weasleys are not necessarily bad here, nor is this Weasley bashing exactly...but I can't promise that Harry will remain friends with Ron. After all, he sees Ron as a child, but not himself.