Chapter Two: The Healer of Hogwarts

September first approached far too quickly for Severus. He, along with the rest of the staff, had been engrossed in the difficult task of trying to accommodate for the arrival of Haley Kent. The staff was excited, albeit a little uneasy and worried. Severus, on the other hand, was calm. He knew by now that worrying over something would accomplish absolutely nothing. He had his class ready to go for Miss Kent, and that was all that mattered.

"I wonder what house she will be Sorted to," the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Remus Lupin, was saying to a rather bored Severus, as the older students arrived for the Start-of-Term Feast and began to take their seats.

"I don't know, Remus," Severus replied, "but we will find out soon enough."

"I am sure Minerva would be thrilled to have her in Gryffindor," Remus continued excitedly. "She must be quite brave. Could you imagine being blind and coming here? That must take some bravery, eh?"

"I would love to have her in Ravenclaw," Filius squeaked, beaming. "I imagine she is quite intelligent. She must be if she navigates the world without sight. Absolutely marvelous!"

"Hufflepuff would be lovely for her," came Pomona's soft reply. "No doubt she is sweet, kind, and has plenty of lovely friends."

Severus groaned.

"Oh, come now, my boy," Albus said, "you can't tell me you aren't at all curious?"

Severus scowled. "No more with her than the Potter boy."

"Oh, Harry!" Filius squeaked. "Harry Potter is coming to Hogwarts! Merlin's beard, I nearly forgot!"

Albus chuckled.

Severus rolled his eyes at the old man, taking a sip of his water.

"My boy, you really should drink pumpkin juice," Albus said. "It is quite good."

Severus was spared a reply as the doors to The Great Hall burst open, and a boy with sandy hair rushed in and ran up to the staff table.

"Professor Dumbledore, Harry Potter fainted."

"Stay here," Albus told Remus as he made to get up. "Severus, come with me."

Severus desperately wanted to argue with the Headmaster but didn't. He knew why he was requested. He always had a supply of potions on hand, especially in the first few weeks of term. Often, his first-years would panic, and he would need to administer a calming draught.

When Albus stood, whispers swept through the hall. "Remain seated," he called out. Turning to the student, he said, "Lead the way."

The boy led Albus and Severus out of the Great Hall and into one of the small chambers off the Entrance Hall. Students crowded loosely around a crumpled figure on the floor.

"Step aside, please," Albus called. "What happened? Where is Professor McGonagall?"

"She went to get something," came a bushy haired girl's reply.

"Sir?" A chubby, blonde-haired, blue-eyed boy stepped forward. "I'm Dudley, Harry's cousin. He… uh…"

Albus eyed the boy, smiling slightly. "You know what happened?" he asked.

Dudley shifted, nervously looking around at the other students, all of whom were staring at him. "I… um… Yeah."

"Do you wish to speak with me in private?" Albus asked, noticing the boy's uneasy demeaner.

Dudley looked relieved and nodded slightly.

"Very well," Albus said. "We will speak momentarily."

"What is going on here?"

Albus turned and smiled slightly at the fast-approaching form of Minerva, carrying a three-legged stool with an old hat atop it.

"It appears Mr. Potter has fainted," Albus said.

"Fainted?" Minerva said. "He seemed just fine earlier."

Albus nodded. "Not to worry, Professor, Professor Snape and I will take him up to Madam Pomfrey. Kindly proceed with the Sorting if you will."

"I… of course, but Mr. Potter…"

"Will be taken care of," Albus said reassuringly.

"Right," Minerva said, straightening. "The rest of you, come with me."

"Sir?" Dudley peeked up at Albus. "May I come with you, please?"

"Do you know something that can help?" Albus asked.

Dudley shrugged, biting his lip.

"Very well. You may come along." Albus flicked his wand, conjuring a stretcher and levitating Harry onto it.

"Headmaster." Severus spoke quietly. "Miss Kent is not present."

Albus looked around at the retreating students. He hurried up to Minerva and spoke quietly with her before returning to Severus, shaking his head.

"She has not been seen?"

Albus shook his head. "Perhaps she missed the train," he said. "It might be worth checking into. Bring her here. I imagine it must be very nerve-wracking for her."

Severus scowled. Yet again, he was tasked with something he didn't want to do.

"Severus, I cannot," Albus said, gesturing to the still unconscious Harry.

Severus sighed, but nodded, brushing past Albus, out the doors to the Entrance Hall, and down the castle's steps. As he was making his way to the gates, he spotted Hagrid coming towards him.

"Professor Snape," Hagrid greeted. "Is everythin' all righ'?"

"A student is missing, Hagrid," Severus said.

Hagrid blinked. "All o' them got off the boats."

"She missed the train."

"Oh. Yer goin' ter get her

then?"

Severus nodded, reaching the gates, tapping them with his wand. The gates silently rolled back, and Severus exited the grounds. Once he was past the Apparation wards, he turned on his heel and disappeared, reappearing in the alley near South Williams Street. Adjusting his cloak, he set off, scow in place. He could easily have changed his clothes to fit in more, but presently, he did not give a damn what he looked like.

Striding up the street, Severus paused near number 28, tilting his head to the side. Frowning, he approached with caution and listened.

"I told you to keep her quiet!" came Rowan's familiar voice. "The neighbors will hear."

"Oh, she's fine," came a reply. "Aren't you, Haley, darling? You're just fine. It's almost over. Hang in there. Just one more to go."

Severus raised his hand, but just as he was about to knock, there came a shrill scream from inside. Severus flicked his wand at the door, unlocking it, and burst in, pausing in horror at what he saw.

Five people stood around the prone form of Haley, one by her head, two at her feet, and one by either arm. Severus immediately recognized Rowan and Miranda Davis as the ones kneeling by Haley's arms, both holding large carving knives that were already covered in blood. In contrast, the remaining three, two wizards and a witch, stood, wands pointed at Haley, as she writhed and cried out in obvious, excruciating pain.

"Enough." Severus' voice was quiet when he spoke, yet it carried clear to the group as he strode forward, raising his wand. "Step aside. Now."

One of the wizards looked up and sneered. "Who are you?"

"Never mind who I am," Severus spat. "Step. Away. Now. Or I shall make you."

When no one made to move, Severus disarmed the Davises and the wizards, before restraining the group with invisible ropes that shot out of his wand and levitated them into a heap on the floor on the far side of the room.

"What is the meaning of this?" Rowan asked. "You can't just barge into my home."

"And you can't just harm an innocent child of your own blood, yet here we are," Severus spat. "Now, silence, before I curse you."

"Curse us?" Miranda asked, a maniacal look in her eyes. "You don't understand. We are doing this to help Haley."

Severus flicked his wand at the group, silencing them. "Save it for your trial," he growled. "Expecto patronum." A silvery doe burst from the tip of Severus' wand, paused for a moment, then disappearing out one of the open windows. "The Aurors will be here soon."

Severus knelt next to Haley and inwardly swore. The child lay in a growing pool of blood, her hair and clothes quickly turning a deep shade of red. She appeared even thinner than she had since he last laid eyes on her. As he watched, she turned her face towards him and lifted a trembling hand.

"People-Professor?" Her voice was quiet, barely audible to Severus' ears.

Severus gently laid a hand over Haley's. "Yes," he said quietly. "You are safe now. I will bring you to Hogwarts."

Haley nodded, her eyelids fluttering, her hand falling limply to her side as she fell unconscious.

Severus considered conjuring a stretcher but decided carrying Haley would be a quicker and much safer option. Scooping the frail child into his arms, he turned on the spot and Disapparated.

As soon as his feet touched the ground, Severus was sprinting towards the gates of Hogwarts, running through them and up to the castle. He made his way up to the hospital wing, thankful not to run into any students, and burst through the doors, calling out for the matron, Madam Pomfrey.

Poppy Pomfrey turned at the sound of her name and rushed over to Severus when she saw Haley.

"Set her here," she indicated a nearby bed.

Severus laid Haley down and stepped back to allow Poppy to get to work, noticing Dudley sitting in a chair next to another bed, where Harry Potter sat, reading a book.

"Sir, who is that?" Dudley asked, as Harry looked up from his book.

"Never mind that right now," Poppy said. "Severus, I need your help."

Severus moved to stand next to Poppy, conjuring curtains around them so the boys could not see what was going on.

"What is it that you need, Poppy?"

"Potions," Poppy replied shortly, bending over Haley. "Blood replenishers. Pain relievers."

Severus nodded and flicked his wand, summoning the required potions from Poppy's supply. Brushing Haley's hair back, he tilted a vial of the Blood Replenishing Potion into her mouth. Instead of swallowing however, Haley promptly gagged and spit it up. This was odd, given that she was now in a magically induced unconscious state so that Poppy would have an easier time of treating her.

"Keep trying," Poppy said.

Severus tried. And tried. And tried. With every potion he tried to get Haley to take, her body rejected it. "Poppy," he said. "Something's wrong. Her body keeps rejecting the potions."

"Rejecting potions?" Poppy asked. "But that sounds like something…"

"I know," Severus said quietly. "You would be correct."

Poppy sighed. "That would explain the runes."

"Runes?" Severus asked sharply. "What runes."

"I noticed some dark magic when I was scanning her," Poppy said. "There are three. Well… almost."

Poppy moved a strand of Haley's hair and pointed to a cut near the base of her throat. She moved the blanket that had been covering Haley and pointed to another rune on her chest, near her heart. A third rune connected the one on her throat to the one on her heart but hadn't been completed. Each rune had clean, precise edges, but ran deep.

Severus took a moment to compose himself as he studied the runes. He could sense the dark magic emanating from them, and he did not like it.

"Do you know what they mean?" Poppy asked.

Severus shook his head.

"If she cannot ingest the potions, there is another way." Poppy left the curtained area but returned quickly, carrying an IV stand. "Some Muggle-borns find it difficult to drink potions at first," she explained, setting the stand up next to Haley.

Severus moved the blanket to uncover Haley's arm and stared down at the many neat cuts lining it. "Poppy," he said, voice quiet.

"I know," Poppy said. "We will discuss those later. Right now, she needs blood."

Severus readied the IV stand as Poppy wiped Haley's arm and pierced the vein with the needle.

"We will need to draw her blood and duplicate it," Poppy said.

"She has already lost enough blood," Severus said.

"Yes, but you and I both know what it means when the body will not ingest potions like this. It's risky, but it must be done. Be sensible."

Severus sighed but nodded. He didn't like this, but he knew Poppy knew what she was talking about. She was the Healer, he wasn't.

Poppy set about drawing a small amount of Haley's blood. Once she had enough, she duplicated it multiple times, then set to work feeding it back into her body. "She will need more than this," she said. "Can you make a revised blood replenisher? Remove the magical ingredients and leave the rest?"

Severus nodded. "It will take me time."

Poppy nodded. "We'll make do until then," she said, as the hospital wing doors opened, and Albus entered with Minerva.

"Madam Pomfrey?" Albus called.

"Behind the curtain," Poppy said. "Professor Snape and I will be out in a moment."

"Is everything all right?" Albus asked.

"No, Headmaster, it is not," Poppy said briskly. "Give us a bit, won't you?"

"Of course," Albus said. "Hello Dudley, how are you feeling?"

"I'm okay, sir," Dudley said, voice quiet.

"And you, Harry? I see you are awake. How are you feeling?"

There was no reply, but Severus assumed the boy had shrugged or done some other visual action, because Albus chuckled.

"How did you boys like the food?"

Severus tuned out Albus' voice as he and Poppy worked together to stabilize Haley. While she took notes and filled scrolls of parchments with scans, Severus practiced major self-control. He was furious with the Davises for harming Haley. It had been their job to nurture her and raise her like one of their own, but given what he had walked in on, he doubted this child had ever been treated with kindness.

As Severus and Poppy were finishing up, the doors opened again, and Remus entered, leading in a tall man with black hair and grey eyes, and two Aurors, one male, one female.

"Ah, Remus," Albus greeted. "And Sirius, my boy. How have you been?"

"Better, thank you, Headmaster," the black-haired man replied. "Much better."

"Ah, that is good to hear," Albus said. "Amelia, my dear girl, how are you? It is wonderful to see you have fulfilled your dream of becoming an Auror, working in the Crimes Against Children department, if I'm not mistaken?"

"Yes," the female Auror said. "It's taken some time, but I'm here now, and I couldn't be more pleased. Professor Snape. How is she?"

Severus exited the curtained area and turned to the bronze-haired, blue-eyed female. "Miss O'Sullivan," he greeted.

Amelia inclined her head towards the curtains. "Is she all right?"

Poppy was about to speak, but Albus raised his hand to stop her. He cast a privacy charm so they could not be overheard by Sirius, Remus, and the boys, then nodded to Poppy to continue.

"She is stable," Poppy said. "She has multiple lacerations on her arms and body as well as runes carved into her skin with a cursed knife for a purpose I am still trying to work out. It's clear that she struggled against her captors. She's got a concussion, a few broken ribs, one of which punctured her left lung, and a fractured tibia. Even after I give her Skelegrow, she'll need a walking cane for a few days while the leg heals. Of course, that's assuming I can give her Skelegrow. Her body appears to be rejecting the potions I give her. I suspect it has something to do with the runes. Her leg may have to heal the Muggle way."

Amelia paled. "What did they do to her?" she whispered. "Oh, Haley."

"Did you know any of this was going on?" Severus asked.

Amelia sighed, eyes watering, and shook her head. "I used to babysit Haley when I was home from school. I lived down the road from them. The only thing I ever noticed was that they liked to go out a lot, but I just assumed they needed a break from taking care of her. I never could've dreamed all of this happened to her. Do you know how long, Madam Pomfrey?"

"I've not yet done a full exam. My priority was to stabilize her. You understand. Once I am certain she is out of the woods, I will be able to make a proper assessment of her condition in its entirety."

"We understand," the male Auror said. "What is your theory on her body rejecting potions? It sounds like dark magic to me."

Severus nodded. "I have seen this before," he said. "It was used as a means of torture. In short, the body cannot be healed with potions, slowing down recovery, and possibly killing the victim. How this relates to the runes, I don't know."

"I have taken pictures and will bring in our runes professor, Professor Babbling, to have a look," Poppy said. "It appears one rune hasn't been finished, but whether or not this has an effect on Haley remains to be seen."

"Send us a copy of your full report when it is done," Amelia said.

Poppy nodded, knowing the drill.

"What about Mr. Potter over there?" Minerva asked. "What happened, Poppy?"

Poppy sighed. "It is a good thing you are here," she told the two Aurors. "It is beyond clear that young Harry has been abused. I noted a few bruised ribs, open wounds on the back and bum, severe scarring, and old, improperly heled fractures and breaks. His eyesight is atrocious, and he will likely need to visit an ophthalmologist, as the glasses he was given do nothing to help his vision. Furthermore, both children are severely malnourished. Harry can take a Nutrient Potion, but for Haley, again we must treat this the Muggle way."

"Well, it is unfortunate we needed to be here, given it is never under pleasant circumstances, but I am glad we are here for both children," Robert, the male Auror, said. "What about Harry's cousin?"

"Dudley has no physical injuries." Poppy said. "The mental ones, however, remain to be seen. I am sure you would like to speak with both boys, but they have already had a trying day and still need to be sorted. You may return tomorrow. Harry will be staying here until I deem him fit to leave my care."

"We understand," Amelia said. "Headmaster, may we stay for the Sorting? I presume Haley will be being sorted as well?"

"Absolutely not," Poppy said firmly. "Haley needs to rest and recover."

"Poppy, my dear," Albus said, "I urge you to reconsider. Haley has been through a lot today, I agree, but after all of this and missing the train, the least we can do is sort her with some of her peers."

Poppy sighed. "Very well," she said after a few moments of thought. "Retrieve the hat. I will wake Haley."

"Excellent," Albus beamed. "Roddy."

There was a small pop and a short creature with long, floppy ears, and large, yellow eyes appeared and bowed to Albus.

"What can Roddy do for Professor Dumbledore, sir?"

Albus smiled at the elf. "Roddy, could you please fetch me the Sorting Hat from my office?"

"Certainly, Professor Dumbledore, sir," Roddy said, and with a pop, was gone.

"Whoa, what was that?"

The group turned to see Harry sitting up, watching the spot where Roddy had stood.

Albus removed the privacy charm and strode over to Harry. "That was a house-elf," he explained. "They assist with various tasks around the school. He has gone to fetch the Sorting Hat. We will be sorting you into your houses. You, Dudley, and another student, Haley."

"Sorted?" Dudley asked. "What does that mean?"

Albus was about to answer when Roddy reappeared, clutching the Sorting Hat in his hands.

"Roddy has brought Professor Dumbledore the hat, sir."

"Thank you, Roddy," Albus said. "Shall we get you two sorted then? All you need to do is—"

There was a loud clap of thunder and a newly awakened Haley jumped, a small shriek escaping her lips, as she covered her face with her hands and rocked slightly.

"Haley. Haley, it's all right," Poppy said. "It was just thunder. You're all right, dear."

Haley made no move to acknowledge Poppy's words. In fact, she rocked harder.

"Haley, you're safe," Poppy said. "You're safe. Everything is all right."

"Professor Snape, perhaps she will respond better to you," Albus said.

"Why me?"

"She knows your voice," Minerva said.

"She knows Amelia," Severus said.

Amelia shook her head. "I doubt she will remember my voice after so long. Please, Professor. She's terrified."

Severus sighed and moved to kneel in front of Haley. When he spoke, his voice was firm, but uncharacteristically gentle.

"Haley. Haley, listen to me. You are safe. You are at Hogwarts. Nothing will harm you here. You are safe, child. Breathe. Everything is all right."

After a few moments, Haley looked up and removed her hands from her face.

"Better?" Severus asked.

Haley nodded. "Thank you," she said softly. "Madam Pomfrey, what were you saying about Sorting?"

"I was asking you if you were ready to be sorted," Poppy said. "The hat is here."

Haley nodded. "Where are the others?" she asked. "You said there were other students."

"Yes," Poppy said. "Mr. Harry Potter and his cousin, Dudley Dursley. Say hello, boys, so Haley can learn your voices."

"Learn our voices?" Harry asked, confused.

"Haley is blind," Minerva said. "I trust you know what that means?"

The boys nodded.

"Hi, Haley," Harry said. "I'm Harry. Nice to meet you."

Haley smiled. "Hi Harry."

"Hi Haley," Dudley said. "I'm Dudley. Are you okay? You seemed a bit scared."

Haley shrugged. "I'm okay," she said. "The thunder was just loud."

Dudley nodded. "Yeah, I jumped too." He hadn't, and everyone knew it, but it was clear he was trying to make Haley feel better.

"Who else is here?" Haley asked.

"Hello Haley," Albus said. "My name is Professor Dumbledore. I am the Headmaster at this fine magic school."

"Good evening Haley, I am Professor McGonagall, Head of Gryffindor House."

"What's Gryffindor?" Dudley asked.

"One of the Houses at Hogwarts," Minerva explained. "We will explain further in a moment. Professor Lupin?"

"Hello Haley. I am Professor Lupin. I teach Defense Against the Dark Arts here. It is, in my humble opinion, one of the more fascinating subjects taught here at Hogwarts. That's not to say the others aren't useful, but Defense Against the Dark Arts is both fascinating and challenging, and many of my students find it to be quite riveting."

"Hey Haley," Sirius said, beaming at the small child. "I'm Sirius, Professor Lupin's partner. I don't teach here. I'd be rubbish if you asked me. I'm the cool one though, so don't you worry. If dear Professor Lupin gives you a hard time, let me know and I'll see to it that he pays dearly."

Haley giggled.

"Hello Haley," Robert said. "My name is Robert. I am an Auror for the Ministry. Think of me as a magical version of the Muggle police."

"Haley," Amelia said, stepping over to her cousin, tears in her eyes. "You may not remember me. It's Amelia. I used to babysit you when you were younger."

Haley beamed. "Mia," she cried, bringing up her arms.

Amelia leaned forward and gently hugged Haley. "You remember me?" she asked.

Haley nodded.

Albus chuckled, eyes twinkling merrily behind his half-moon spectacles. "Excellent!" he exclaimed. "Now that introductions have been given, shall we continue with the Sorting?"

"Shouldn't we get Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout?" Minerva asked.

Poppy shook her head. "This hospital wing is not a place for the entire school to gather," she said. "If anyone is placed into Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw, then we can bring in their Head of House, but as of now, no one else is to enter."

"Right," Minerva said, turning to the children. "The Sorting is simple. The hat is placed on your head and will determine which of the four houses you belong to. The four Houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Revenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house will gain or lose points depending on your actions. Your triumphs will gain you points, while any rule-breaking will lose them. At the end of the year, the house with the most points will win the House Cup. Do you understand?"

The children nodded.

"Normally this is done in alphabetical order, but seeing as how the circumstances are different right now, would anyone like to go first?"

"I'll go" Dudley said.

Minerva nodded and took the hat from Roddy and placed it onto Dudley's head.

"Slytherin!" the hat cried, making Haley and Harry jump.

"Who's next?" Minerva asked.

"Can I go, Haley?" Harry asked.

Haley nodded, smiling slightly.

The hat was placed onto Harry's head, hiding his face from view. Remus and Sirius watched, staring intently at the hat.

After a minute or so, the hat shouted, "Slytherin!" again making Haley jump.

"Two for two, Professor," Sirius said, looking amusedly at Severus. "Think you can get a clean sweep?"

Severus shrugged.

"Haley, are you ready?" Minerva asked, moving to stand by Haley, hat in hand.

Haley nodded.

"I am going to place the hat on your head, is that all right?"

Haley nodded again.

Minerva slowly lowered the hat and stepped back.

The tear near the brim of the hat opened, and rather than shouting out a House, the hat said, "Which one am I Sorting?"

Albus eyed the hat, confused. "What do you mean?" he asked.

"There are multiple people in this mind," the hat said. "Which one am I Sorting?"

"Multiple, distinctive people?" Poppy asked.

"Yes."

"Sort Haley independent of the others," Albus said after a few moments thought.

"What are you talking about, Headmaster?" Minerva asked. "The others?"

Albus held up a hand for silence, watching the hat, an unreadable expression on his face.

"Better be Slytherin," the hat said, loud enough for the room to hear, but not shouting. This time, Haley didn't jump.

"Excellent," Albus said, seeming to shake himself from his thoughts. "Well, Professor Snape, it appears you have managed a clean sweep after all. Madam Pomfrey, it is late. Would it be all right if Dudley spends the night tonight? I must speak with everyone here."

"Certainly," Poppy said. "Choose a bed, Dudley."

"I haven't got pajamas," Dudley said.

Poppy flicked her wand, summoning a pair of pajamas from one of the shelves and handing them to Dudley. "Harry, back in bed, please. Haley, how is your pain? Do you need a refresher on the Numbing Charm?"

Haley nodded. "Yes, please."

Poppy pointed her wand at Haley and muttered, "Torpidum. How is that?"

"Better," Haley said.

"Good," Poppy said. "We will get you some Muggle morphine for the pain, but it will take time. For now, this charm will have to do. Now, I must speak with the adults. We may need to speak with you, but do not hesitate to fall asleep. I will not wake you. You have had a long day, all three of you. Merlin knows you could do with some good rest. Should any of you need me, call out. I will hear. Headmaster?"

"Professor Lupin, Sirius, if you two would like to wait for me in my office, you may," Albus said. "The password is Sherbet Lemon."

"Still fond of the candy, eh?" Sirius asked.

"More than should be healthy," Remus said, as the pair walked out of the hospital wing. Once they were gone, Albus followed the rest of the adults into Poppy's office.

"Now," he said, once all were seated, "Miss Haley Kent. Poppy, if you will kindly answer Minerva's earlier question?"

Poppy nodded. "Given what the hat just said, it is fair to say, Haley has a condition the Muggles call multiple personality disorder. We, however, call it dissociative identity disorder."