Author's Note: I'm working on the Snape side chapter. It should be up soon. Thanks for all your wonderful reviews!
Questions:
Harry's bruises/scars: The bruises he got while training with Sensei. The scars came from Voldemort.
Neville: He will not be "pulling a Wormtail". Neville was drafted for the Protectors because he fit Dumbledore's criteria.
Length of story/cutting things out: Long. / Okay, due to your demands (and threats), I won't cut anything out. It may take me a little while longer to finish and you getting all your answers.
Lessons with Voldemort: The response has been dramatic. I will not tell you what Harry is planning, what he meant by the score thing, or if he will be corrupted by Voldemort. You will all find out in time.
Family therapy/Dursleys: It's coming. Just not yet. Harry has a few things to talk about first.
Mass of OCs: Rick brought out one of Harry's issues. Sparky has an eating disorder. The mass of OCs will be important. Have some patience.
On to the story!
Remus climbed down from the bus and allowed it to speed away. He stood and regarded the little house sitting in front of him. He had just reached Number Four Privet Drive. It looked completely ordinary. Who knew that the Boy Who Lived grew up here? He knew that the Dursleys hadn't exactly been kind to Harry. He only hoped that he would be able to talk to Petunia long enough to be reassured that Harry was fine. It would be even better if Harry was fine and happy. He knew he wouldn't find out anything standing there staring at the house. He went up the walk and rang the doorbell.
A boy, a rather large boy, opened the door to stare at him. "Ah, you must be Dudley Dursley." The blonde boy nodded. "Is your mother at home?"
"Yes. Would you like to come in?" Dudley asked, eyeing Remus's cane. Remus gave him a smile and nodded.
"I would like that very much, young man. Could you tell your mother that Remus Lupin is here to speak with her?" Dudley rushed off after directing Lupin to the sitting room. Remus looked around the comfortable dwelling and knew that the furniture did not match the occupants of the house.
"If you're from that school, I have nothing to say to you." Petunia said from the doorway, disapproval covering her features. Remus turned and held out his hand in greeting.
"No, Mrs. Dursley. I am not from Hogwarts." He told her. "I think we've met before, many years ago." He told her.
"When my sister was in school. Yes, I remember you. Why are you here?" She asked.
"I am just a…well, I suppose you could call me a friend…of Harry's." Remus explained. Petunia gestured to an overstuffed arm chair. Remus sank into it and sighed as his weary bones settled. The Knight Bus was not the most comfortable method of travel. "Harry's headmaster told me that Harry has not shown up for the next term. He asked if I had heard from him, and I have not." He noticed that Petunia was glaring at him.
"If you think that I'm going to tell you where he is…" Remus smiled and shook his head.
"No, Mrs. Dursley." He let the words out with a small laugh. "I'm not here for that at all." Petunia calmed but still gave Remus a suspicious look. "I was wondering if you could tell me how he is. Does Harry like his new school? Is he happy there?" Petunia sat back in her chair.
"This is a pleasant change." She confided. "It is not the interrogation I had resigned myself to expect from you…magical folk." She paused and looked him over. "May I offer you something to drink, Professor Lupin?"
"Whatever you have handy, as long as it is not an inconvenience." Remus accepted. She nodded and left the room to return with lemonade and biscuits a few minutes later.
"How do you know Harry?" She asked. Remus smiled. It seemed that Petunia had gained a newfound interest in her nephew.
"I knew him when he was a baby, through his parents, of course. I was good friends with Lily and James before they died. I was also his teacher in his third year for Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"His teacher? Was he a good student?" Petunia asked. Remus smiled at the question.
"Oh, yes. Very gifted, very bright. He was very determined to learn something when he put his mind to it." Memories of the Patronus came back to him. "He managed a corporal Patronus that year." He told her, his pride evident in his voice.
"Is that…good?" She asked.
"Good? Mrs. Dursley, there are some fully trained wizards who still cannot manage it. The fact that he did it at thirteen…the mind boggles." He gave her another smile and took a sip of his lemonade. "This is excellent."
"Thank you." She pulled out some papers from her pocket. "You said you wanted to know how he is."
"Yes, I would." Remus told her. Petunia unfolded the papers she held.
"I just received a progress report yesterday." She looked over the papers. "I think that it would be easier if you were to read it." Remus took the offered report and looked down. Type print filled the page.
Harry continues to improve in his classes. His tutor is very satisfied with his progress and hopes to mainstream every subject very soon. His art teacher raves about his work on a daily basis and must beg Harry to allow his work to be displayed. His physical education teacher (I believe you met Sensei Leonard?) says that his progress is acceptable, which is high praise from that man. Harry's drama teacher loves Harry's talent for monologue and hopes that his physical acting will match. I'll allow Harry to tell you more about that.
Harry continues his progress with me and seems to be warming up to Joe. I will inform you of any serious issues and will schedule your first family session when Harry seems ready.
Dr. Paul Lauter
"A doctor?" Remus asked. Petunia nodded. "A doctor of what?"
"The boy changed from last year. Drastic changes. He had horrible nightmares to the point that he started sleeping during the day so that someone could wake him. He could not eat much, because those dreams upset him so much. He seemed to have lost interest in everything. I couldn't even interest him in his homework. I found someone who could help him." Remus filled in the blanks she had left.
"You sent him to a Muggle mental hospital?" he asked. She shook her head.
"It is a school with the capacity to help children who need it." She explained. "I've visited it and I liked what I saw." She drew herself up and stared down at him. "He is eating three meals a day, plus snacks. He can sleep through the night without nightmares waking him every few minutes. His doctor said that the boy made the decision to stay at the school without any outside influence, rather than return to Hoggity's. He's making friends and seems happy there." She stared at Remus as though daring him to object. "I think that's better than what that headmaster can claim." Remus thought over her words and smiled. She had a point.
"Very true, Mrs. Dursley." Petunia relaxed a bit. "He does seem to be faring very well." Remus's thoughts drifted for a minute. "The next time you see him, could you tell him I said hello?" He asked. "May I give you my address, should he want to write to me?"
"Certainly." Petunia handed him a pad of paper and pen. Remus jotted down his Muggle address and handed it to her. "Thank you for stopping by." Remus got to his feet and took up his cane.
'Thank you, Mrs. Dursley. I will sleep better, knowing he is safe and cared for." Remus left the house and walked down the street to the corner. He Apparated for his home. Harry was okay.
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"Well, young man, let's see what is wrong." Harry jerked his head up to stare at the strange man who had returned with Sensei. "Some nasty marks, there," He checked Harry's bracelet. "Evan." He gave Harry a warm smile. "I am Dr. Lansky, but you can call me Dan if you want. I'm just here to give you a quick look over. Sensei Leonard said you were hurt." Harry started to sit up, but Sensei's hand on his shoulder blades told him not to move. "Does this hurt?" Dan asked, tapping the spot on Harry's back.
"Not really. The ice numbed it." Harry answered truthfully. Sudden pressure on the spot caused Harry to gasp and try to move away. Sensei kept him in place. The hand left the spot.
"Ah, yes. That did hurt, didn't it?" Harry thought that Dan was talking to himself, rather than to him. Dan placed the ice back on his back and moved to Harry's leg. "How about now?" Harry felt fingers on his shin.
"Yes." He said when one of the fingers hit a particularly sensitive spot. Dan made a concerned noise and opened the bag he brought with him.
"You can sit up now, if you like." Harry waited until Sensei moved his hand before swinging himself upright. "Ouch." Harry noticed Dan staring at his chest. He wrapped his arms around himself until Sensei growled. Harry dropped his arms and tried to make himself smaller. It wasn't working. "I have just a few questions for you." Dan pulled out a clipboard and attached several sheets. "How long have you been injured?"
"Two days." Harry answered truthfully."
"Is the pain constant, or only when touched?" Dan made some marks on the paper.
"Only when touched." Harry folded his arms and looked down at the ground.
"Where did the scars on your back and chest come from?" Harry closed his mouth and tried to ignore the man. Dan looked him over and wrote something. "Did someone in your family do that?" Harry shook his head. "Are you sure?" Harry nodded. Dan smiled and rummaged in his bag for something. He moved his chair closer to Harry and patted his knee. Harry gave him a quizzical look.
"Injured leg here, please." Harry did as he was told. "This wrap will help support the injury and take some of the swelling down. You're lucky. Nothing's broken, just bruised and tender. No martial arts participation for the next seven days, when I look you over again. I want you to stay off this leg as much as possible. Your nurses will know that you will need to ice your injuries and will remind you to do so. I expect you to do so for an hour. Ten minutes on, and ten minutes off." Harry nodded his understanding. That didn't seem like a lot. He could study then. "You don't have a bruise on your back…yet. It'll show up in the next day or so. Ice it too." He clipped the end of the bandage and closed the clasps. "When it does show up, it will be a spectacular color." He allowed Harry to move his leg again and took out a bottle. "These are light painkillers. I'm going to give you two now and I'll make sure that there are two for morning medication tomorrow." Harry knew that some of his floor mates took medication every morning, while others, himself included, took medication at night. "If you're still in pain after that, tell one of your nurses. They'll know what to give you."
"Thank you, sir." Harry said quietly. Sensei gave Harry a water bottle and Dan held out the painkillers. Harry swallowed the pills and drank a little water. Dan dug into his bag again and brought out some lollipops. Harry looked at him, just a little perplexed. It was another Dumbledore!
"Come on, Evan. I don't bite." Rick danced in place next to Harry. Harry guessed that candy from a doctor was common and Rick wanted one. Harry reached out hesitantly and took a green one.
"I'm sick!" Rick gave a horrible impression of a cough. Sensei rolled his eyes. Harry had a feeling that this was a common occurrence between Rick and Dan. Dan smiled and gave Harry a wink before turning to Rick.
"Since you and Sensei were such good patients last time." Rick took a red one and Sensei looked like he was about to tell the man what he could do with the treats when he noticed Harry watching him. He took one, unwrapped it, and popped it in his mouth.
"Sugar-free." He turned and walked to his office. Rick laughed after Sensei left. Harry looked at him for an explanation.
"Dan could tell you some pretty funny stories about trying to treat my dad." Dan groaned and buried his face in his hands.
"Don't remind me. A more stubborn man could not exist on the earth." Harry smiled a bit. "If I tell the man to lie down for an hour, I'm lucky if he stays down for a minute. Let's just forget that I have studied medicine. He knows better." Harry smiled again. "You're done, Evan. Just remember to ice them, rest your leg, and ask for painkillers if you need them."
"I will. Thank you, sir." Harry went back to his locker and changed out of sight of Dan and Rick (Rick was trying to get another sweet) and went to Sensei's office. The door was open but he knocked anyway.
"Have a seat." Sensei said without looking up. Sensei stood and shut the door. Harry studied his shoes. Sensei seemed content to stare at Harry.
"The man who threatens you gave you those scars." Harry didn't need to confirm it. Sensei knew. "That is why you did not want to discuss them." Harry nodded. "Understandable." Sensei sat back and studied him. Harry decided to end this quickly so he could use his unexpected free afternoon to study his magic books. He could forget about this over the complexities of Transfiguration.
"I'm sorry, sir. I didn't think it was important." Sensei didn't say anything right way, but when he did speak, it caught Harry's attention.
"Do you really value yourself so little?" Sensei's comment surprised him. What did a person say to that? He valued himself! Does he want an answer? I don't think I don't matter. Do I? Harry decided to go with the cautious route: he shrugged. "Ah." Sensei did not give more of an answer. "Look at me, Evan." Harry raised his eyes to meet those of his teacher. "You are more than you know. You are my student, and it is an honor to teach you. In time, you will be able to take care of yourself, of that I have no doubts." Sensei stood, came around the desk, and crouched down in front of Harry. "Until that time, please allow me to protect you." Sensei reached out and put his hands on Harry's shoulders. Harry dropped his eyes and shook his head.
"People who protect me end up dead." Harry told him.
"I have faced death before." Sensei said. "Allow me to help you until you can protect yourself. That's all I ask." Harry stared at him.
"You can't follow me around all the time." Sensei's lips twitched.
"By the time I am finished with you, you will think I do." Sensei warned him. "Will you put yourself into my hands, deshi?" Harry didn't know what the strange word meant. Sensei held out his hands in front of Harry. Harry wondered what Sensei would teach him. They were already having private lessons. What more could Sensei offer? By the time I am finished with you, you will think I do. Harry pried both of his hands away from the arms of the chair. He reached out hesitantly, allowing Sensei time to move his hands if he decided he didn't want to teach Harry. Harry's hands rested for just a few seconds before Sensei tightened his own around them. "Good." Sensei had no need for further words. I am gaining teachers right and left. Sensei stood and pulled Harry to his feet. "Go. Rest." Sensei shooed him out the door.
"Yes, Sensei." Harry left and went to his room since he was excused from play practice that day. Two schedules of schoolwork, play practice, art club, and extra martial arts classes kept him busy. Therapy added to that kept Harry more occupied than he had ever been at Hogwarts. Well, that and his current plans for Voldemort.
He sat at his desk and put on the headphones Hermione had given him. He pushed the "play" button and Mozart started playing. Classical music had become his "study music." He seemed to work better while he was listening to it. More focused at any rate. Hermione had given him another CD that helped to calm him more than anything else while he was practicing his meditation. He finished his Muggle assignments quickly and pulled out his Mini-Messenger. "Lightsaber."
Hi, Skywalker. I had a busy first day of school. Let me tell you a few things, and then you can have your assignments. I had Potions and DADA today. Snape practically told us that we were the best and as such, expected nothing less than the best. Nothing exploded. He said that he demands all childish prejudices left that the door. The class was so different! It seems he uses the first five years as a test to see who actually wants to learn potions! Smart of him. Professor Snape asked me where you were. I shrugged and started to tear up. He mumbled something to the effect that you would show up just to spite him. He seemed unsettled that you had not shown by the e3nd of class.
DADA was very different. Our new professor is William Zareh. He tested us today, and you could tell who was in DA last year and who was not. (Don't worry, you're well ahead of the game.) He seemed surprised that some of us could produce a Patronus. Neville told him that you were responsible. Professor Zareh didn't bother looking for you, because no one answered for your name at role call. He said that he can't wait to meet you.
I sat with Ginny and Neville today at meals because Ron sat at the Protectors table with "Drake". Rona and Malfoy have given up their prefect status. There's an empty spot at the Protectors' table, and Neville says that there is an empty bed in their dorm for you. It seems that Dumbledore is expecting you to show at any second. There are some rumors about you. Some say you decided to turn Muggle. Others say you transferred. The debate is between Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, and America. Still others say you are in training.
I have a study group in just a minute, but I'll be back so we can talk. Your assignments:
DADA – Read chapter one in Primary Defense
Potions – Blood-Clotting Potion. Prepare for next potion – Wound-Binding Potion.
Essay: What is the difference between these two potions and how can one
be used in conjunction with the other? He set no length.
I'll be back!
Harry smiled and the message and pulled out his Defense book and opened it to the first chapter. It was a general chapter about defense and the different methods of defense. A quick glance at the title of chapter two told him that the next contained a history lesson. It looked like they did a practical lesson during class and read the theory at night. Harry smiled. That was a complete opposite of Umbridge. He read through his Potions material and finished his essay and was into another chapter of Of Wandless Magic when words appeared in his Mini-Messenger.
-Skywalker, you there?
-I'm here. I have dinner in ten minutes. I know you do, too.
-Yes, that's right. Did you get your assignments?
-I'm already done. Thanks for them, by the way. Mi, I have a question.
-Okay, what is it?
-What does "force of will" mean? Both the Occlumency book and Wandless magic books mention it, but I don't understand it.
-Hmm. I'm not quite sure. I'll ask around.
-Thanks. Oh, I need to go.
-Me too. Talk to you later.
Author's Note: What did you think?