Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Summery: Harry comes back for his third year of Hogwarts. The Dursley's were worse during this summer holiday and it leaves lasting damage. How will his friends react? Sirius is alive.
Note: This will follow the books. Just my own version.
Chapter Two
Harry rubbed his hands nervously. Remus had brought him to the muggle world to get an ear examination and see what the muggle doctors might be able to do for him. He had only been to a doctor a few times growing up, and that was only because his relatives had no choice. The law made them send him to school, and to go to school he needed to have check ups and shots.
A note pad was placed in front of him by Remus. They couldn't use the Quick Notes Quill because they were in the muggle world, so everything had to be hand written on a muggle note pad.
Are you okay? Was written in Remus' neat scrawl.
Harry nodded then began to write.
Just a little nervous, Remus.
Earlier in the week Remus has asked Harry to call him by his first name when they were not in class.
There's no reason to be nervous, Harry. Remus wrote on the note pad.
"I know." Harry said sighing. "I just don't have a lot of experience with doctors." Remus nodded in understanding.
"Remus Lupin and Harry Potter?" Remus heard and looked up to find a doctor waiting there. He motioned for Harry to stand up and began to speak with the doctor. The doctor was an average height, had light graying hair, and wore glasses.
"Yes, that's us." Remus said holding out his hand. "This is Harry." He said motioning to Harry. The doctor also held out his hand to Harry, and spoke to Remus.
"I'm Doctor Long." The Doctor informed Remus and motioned for them to follow him.
Entering Doctor Long's office Harry looked around as Remus and Doctor Long spoke. The room was mostly white, but had a few pictures and posters, most of ears and the inner ear. A tap on his shoulder gained his attention. Looking up he saw Remus who was holding out the notebook to him.
This is Doctor Long, Harry. He will be examining your ears, then we'll see what happens, okay?
Harry nodded. He had been forewarned already that he may not be able to get his hearing back, but he would be able to learn how to live deaf. So he kept from getting his hopes up. But he was at least happy that they might be able to help him in some way.
Doctor Long motioned for him to sit down in the chair, and he watched as Doctor Long moved around. He didn't understand most of what Doctor Long was doing. Doctor Long would speak at times to Remus.
"Is it known how he lost his hearing?" Doctor Long asked while looked through something that looked like a special muggle microscope into his ear.
"No, he hasn't told anyone, and we've been told not to push." Remus answered. "Would it help to know how it happened?"
"In the file you mentioned that you believe the hearing loss is due to abuse?" Doctor Long asked.
"Yes." Remus answered sighing. Doctor Long nodded but didn't comment. Finally he took his head away from the microscope and looked over at Remus.
"I don't believe knowing what happened would help us with giving him his hearing back." Doctor Long said with a sigh, obviously he was not happy about that outcome. "But I do believe it would help him emotionally to talk with someone someday about what happened."
Remus nodded. He'd been told the same by Madam Pomfrey after speaking with her earlier in the week. Doctor Long's voice brought him out of his thoughts. He noticed Doctor Long had moved to Harry's right ear and was now examining it through the microscope. "He has the same scaring in this ear as the left ear. Unfortunately there is nothing I am able to do."
"What do you suggest, then?" Remus asked. He was disappointed to hear that Doctor Long couldn't do any more to get Harry his hearing back, but also he'd expected as much, after talking with Madam Pomfrey. But maybe Doctor Long would know of some ways to make Harry's life easier being deaf. "I was told of a device that puts what is said into words. Would that help him?"
Doctor Long nodded. "Yes, I believe it would. But that isn't the only thing that could help. I'll provide you with some books on sign language. Are you his current guardian?"
"Kind of. Harry is in my care, but I have no legal custody over him."
"Is there any chance of his current legal guardians to get custody of him again?" Doctor Long asked. He was suddenly very concerned. If his patient had suffered his hearing loss do to abuse at the hands of his guardians and was forced to go back to their care that could be disastrous. And the fact that Harry wasn't talking about how he lost his hearing did not help matters. Currently there was nothing that could prevent them getting him back to there custody if they really wanted.
Remus sighed. "If they fight hard enough, yes. But they don't like him much, and I doubt they would fight for him. Also I believe the headmaster of the school he attends, and I work at, has legal custody over him as long as the school year is in session."
"Well try and get full custody of him to someone he trusts." Doctor Long advised. "Anyway, back to the original topic. I would suggest spending at least an hour with him a day going through the sign language books. He needs to learn it so he can understand the signs, and sign back should his speech become distorted because he can't hear himself speaking. But also those around him need to learn so it would be easier to communicate with him."
"That's not a problem. I think his friends will be thrilled to learn." Remus said with a smile. Over the past week his friends had been doing everything they could to try and help Harry. They spent as much time as they could with him, using the Quick Notes Quill to communicate, but it was kind of difficult for Harry to carry that around.
"That's good to hear." Doctor Long said happily. That was one obstacle for Harry out of the way with. "Also I will order the device you mentioned earlier. That will help him when he is around people who can't communicate with sign language. It should be delivered in a few days and I can get a hold of you."
"I would really appreciate that, Doctor Long." Remus said relieved. "But I'll have to give you the number of a friend of mine. The school I work at is so remote there is no phone access."
"That's fine. How long till you would be notified that I called?" Doctor Long asked looking over at Remus.
"It wouldn't take too long. A few hours maybe." Remus answered. He didn't want to give too many details because he was speaking to a muggle. Doctor Long nodded.
Doctor Long stood up from his seat and went over to his patient file and began to write his findings of his examination. "I'll be back in a moment." Doctor Long informed Remus before stepping out of the room.
Remus smiled as he looked at Harry. He began to write a note before giving it to Harry.
You okay?
Harry nodded.
Doctor Long says there is too much damage to heal your ears.
Harry nodded again sadly. He'd expected this outcome.
Doctor Long is going to give us some books to study on sign language. He's going to order the communication device and it should be arriving in a few days.
"Okay." Harry said nodded. He was happy to hear he was going to be given some things to better help him understand what people were saying. It was very odd seeing peoples lips move but not hearing any sound coming out.
At that moment the door opened and Doctor Long entered with an armful of books. He came over and stood next to Harry and placed the books on a small table near by and took out a note book of his own.
These are books I want you to study with Mr. Lupin. They are sign language books. A way of speaking with your hands. I have placed an order in for a device that will allow you to read what people say. It should be here in a few days.
"Thank you." Harry said after reading the doctors note. Doctor Long smiled and turned to Remus.
"Have you informed him of the outcome of his examination?"
:Remus nodded. "Yes."
Doctor Long nodded and wrote again on his note book.
It was a pleasure meeting you, Harry. I'll see you again in a few days.
Harry nodded. "Thank you."
Doctor Long nodded and showed them out.
Remus and Harry walked back to the Leaky Cauldron and they flooed to Hogwarts Headmasters office from there. Harry stumbled out of the fire place. He had never gotten used to flooing. And he had never learned how to stay on his feet when he came out. Standing up he looked around and noticed the headmaster who smiled at him. A moment later Harry saw green flames and Remus came tumbling out. Harry grinned, obviously Remus had never gotten the hang of flooing either.
Remus motioned for the note pad and pen, after Harry gave it to him he tapped the pen with his wand and it began to write on its own.
Why don't you head down to our rooms and I'll be there shortly. I need to speak with the Headmaster.
Harry looked at his watch to see the time. Ron and Hermione should be out of classes by now. "Can I go find Ron and Hermione instead?"
Remus looked at his own watch and nodded.
Come back to our rooms before supper.
Harry nodded and left the room.
After Remus sat down Dumbledore spoke. "How did the examination go? What did the doctor say?"
Remus sighed. "There is nothing he can do. But he did give us some books-" He motioned to his pocket. He'd shrunk them at the Leaky Cauldron so he wouldn't lose them through the floo. "-on sign language. I'll start studying with Harry tonight on them. And he ordered the communication device and said it should be there in a few days."
Dumbledore nodded. He was saddened to hear that the muggle doctor couldn't do anything, but at least he gave them some things to help Harry deal with being deaf.
"How is Harry handling things?" Dumbledore asked.
"As well as can be expected, I suppose." Remus said as he rubbed his face tiredly. "He doesn't talk about his relatives. Sometimes he'll mention something, but its always something small. He has nightmares almost every night."
"Has he told you what they're about?"
Remus shook his head sadly. "No. But they upset him pretty badly."
"How did he take the news that the muggle doctor couldn't do anything?"
"Pretty well. I don't think he expected much." Remus answered truthfully.
Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully. A few minutes later Remus' voice brought him out of his thoughts.
"I need to head to my rooms."
Dumbledore nodded again. "Have a good evening Remus."
"You as well, Headmaster."
Harry sighed as he saw his friends sitting in the almost empty Great Hall. They smiled as they saw him coming over and he sat down. His pen immediately started writing.
What did the doctor say?
"There's nothing they can do." Harry answered truthfully. "He did give us some books on sign language and ordered a communication thing. I'm told it works like a Quick Notes Quill."
When do you start learning 'sign language'?
"I don't know."
Can we learn?
Harry looked up and nodded. He'd love it if they learned too.
How long will it take to learn?
Harry shrugged. "I don't know. We were given about ten books." Hermione and Ron continued to question him about what went on at the doctor. Finally, Ron suggested flying for a while. Harry had been forced to quite the Quidditch team because of his hearing loss. He'd been devastated about that because that was a sport he really enjoyed. He was also not allowed to fly alone. He saw the reason for quitting Quidditch team and not being able to fly alone, but it still made him mad that he couldn't do these any more. Harry nodded immediately and they all grabbed their brooms and went flying.
A few hours later Harry realized he had to head inside. It was almost supper time. Ron and Hermione decided to accompany him there. Entering the rooms they found Remus in the living room with the sign language books in front of him and a cup of tea. He looked very absorbed in what he was reading.
"Hey Remus!" Ron said, effectively gaining the mans attention. He smiled as he saw them.
"Hey, did you have fun?" Harry read what was said on his Quick Notes and nodded.
"We went flying." Ron informed Remus.
"Can we learn sign language too?" Hermione asked Remus.
Remus smiled. "Of course. That will probably make things easier. Shall we start now?"
"Sure!" Hermione said enthusiastically.
They spent the next hour reading through the books and practicing the signs before it was time for supper. Even at supper Harry, Hermione and Ron still practiced, not noticing the teachers amused eyes on them. All except Snape, who as usual had his customary scowl.
Two days had passed and Remus finally got a floo call from his friend. Harry was with him in the living room going through his sign language books when the fire place burst into green flames and a head appeared to be floating in the flames.
The head had bright pink hair and a bright blue eyes. Remus stood as he saw their new guest and began to speak to her. A few minutes later the woman with pink hair's head disappeared and Remus turned around with a bright smile on his face.
That was my friend, Tonks. She just informed me that the communication device arrived at Doctor Longs. Shall we go pick it up?
After reading the short note Harry grinned. "Yes!" He cried excitedly.
Okay, lets get a muggle note pad and pen then head to the Headmaster's to use the floo.
Harry nodded and rushed to his room. A moment later he came rushing out and he and Remus walked to the headmaster's office. Remus told the headmaster where they were headed and he allowed them to use his fire place. From there they flooed to the Leaky Cauldron and walked to the Doctors office not far from the Leaky Cauldron.
"Hello, Mr. Lupin, Harry." Doctor Long spoke and signed at the same time. Harry grinned. He and Remus had been practicing sign language and he knew those words.
"Hi Doctor Long!" Harry spoke excitedly.
Doctor long smiled as well then signed again. "I see you've been practicing." This time Harry didn't understand all the words he signed and told him as much. The doctor just smiled and motioned for them to follow.
Once inside his office Doctor Long picked up a box and handed it to Harry. On the box there were pictures of the device. Harry pulled out a small black communication device. It had a screen on the front and a clip in the back, and on top it had what looked like a light bulb.
The doctor picked up the box and began showing him the parts of the device through the pictures. He was also telling Remus the parts as he did this. A moment later he turned it on and the screen lit up and the light bulb flashed a blue light as words began to appear on the screen.
"There is a microphone right here-" He pointed it out and Harry read the words on the screen. "- and it detects when someone speaks and puts it into letters so you can read it on this screen here."
"Thank you!" Harry said grinning. He was very impressed with the communicator. It would make a big difference. Suddenly it flashed again and began to write.
"I want you to still learn sign language, though." Doctor Long pressed.
Harry nodded. Remus had explained the importance of learning sign language. And personally, he agreed. If could help him if he didn't have the communicator with him, or it was broken.
"Thank you Doctor." Harry said again.
"Your welcome Harry."
Walking back to the Leaky Cauldron something stuck Harry. He liked the communicator. It could be a life savor if he were ever without anyone who could sign to him or a note pad, but would it work at Hogwarts?
"Remus? Will this work at Hogwarts?"
Remus nodded and opened his mouth, the light flashed and the words began to appear on the screen.
"Yes, we got a permit for it from the Ministry of Magic. Once we get to the Leaky Cauldron I'll cast a spell on it so it will work when in the Wizarding world."
Harry nodded. That made sense and he was immensely relieved.
End of Chapter Two
A/N: Well there is chapter two. I hope you all like it. I don't remember what color Tonks' eyes are so I just made them like Sirius'. Please REVIEW!
