Chapter Four: Witless
"Leo. Leo, sweetheart, wake up. Leo."
Leo jolted awake and sat up, forgetting the body was not supposed to move that fast. He fell back against the pillows and spotted Poppy standing at the foot of the bed, frowning with concern.
"Are you all right?" she asked.
Leo nodded, wincing slightly. "I've done worse," he said. "What's going on? What's happened?"
"Nothing," Poppy said. "You were having a bad dream. Are you sure you're all right?"
Leo shrugged. "Probably shouldn't have moved that fast, eh?"
Poppy shook her head and waved her wand over Leo, casting The Numbing Charm. "Better?"
Leo nodded.
"Leo?"
"Yes?"
"Why are you using Haley's voice?"
Leo blinked. "Force of habit," he muttered, clearing his throat, reverting to his own register and accompanying English accent. "I smell food."
"Typical male," Poppy said with a laugh. "I brought breakfast for you and Harry. Dudley has already left for his classes for the day. It's nearly nine. You and Harry slept in."
"Where is Harry?" Leo asked. "I don't hear the snoring."
Poppy laughed. "The snoring was Dudley. Harry is in the shower. Which reminds me, when he comes out, how would you like me to address you?"
"Call me Haley until I figure out whether or not Harry can be trusted," Leo said. "Nothing against him, I just…"
"I understand," Poppy said. "And how about the curtains. Would you like them to remain up, or would you like to eat with Harry?"
"I'll eat with the kid," Leo said. "Gives me a chance to get to know him. He seemed nice yesterday. So did Dudley."
"Both him and his cousin are very nice, yes," Poppy said. "And aren't you a kid?"
"Pardon?"
"You called Harry a kid. Aren't you a child too?"
"Do I sound like a child to you?"
"Your voice still sounds a bit young."
"Because this body can't sound exactly like me. This is the lowest I can go. Though I imagine it will improve as the body ages. But no, I am not a child."
"How old are you then, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Old enough," Leo said with a smirk. "Now, I smell bacon."
Poppy laughed and removed the curtains from around the bed, as Harry came into the room. He smiled when he saw Leo, obviously having no idea it was Leo and not Haley. He waved, then seemed to remember Haley couldn't see. Leo almost laughed. He loved people watching when they had no idea he could see them.
"Hi, Haley," Harry greeted.
"Hi, Harry," Leo said, reverting automatically to using Haley's voice and speech patterns.
"How did you sleep?" Harry asked.
Leo shrugged. "I slept okay," he said. "You?"
"I had a dream about a flying motorbike," Harry said.
Leo tilted his head, curious. "Really? What happened?"
"No idea," Harry said, as Poppy brought over trays of food and set them on a table beside the bed. "I just remember the bike and some lights. Oh! That looks good."
"It smells good," Leo said, stopping himself from agreeing with Harry's visual observation, as the food did indeed look quite good.
"Pull up a chair, Harry," Poppy said. "What would you like, Haley?"
"Bacon," Leo said.
"Anything else?" Poppy said with a laugh. "How about some eggs and toast?"
Leo nodded. "Sounds good to me," he said.
Poppy put some scrambled eggs onto a plate with some bacon strips and two pieces of toast. "There is plenty here," she said, setting the plate in front of Leo. "Don't hesitate to ask for more, either one of you. I would advise you to listen to your bodies, however, and if you feel full, stop eating."
"This is really good," Harry said, tucking into his porridge with gusto. "You want some porridge, Haley?"
Leo smiled, liking the boy. "No thanks," he said. "I probably won't be able to eat much."
"Okay," Harry said. "Hey, Haley? Can I ask you something?"
"Sure," Leo said, picking up his toast and taking a bite. The bread was still warm, and the butter had soaked in, which Leo found quite enjoyable, as he was used to dry toast.
"When we were being sorted yesterday, the hat said something about not sure who to sort. What did it mean?"
Leo considered the question. He didn't really want to tell Harry, but so far, the kid seemed very nice. Perhaps it would be a good test to see how people here would react to them. Maybe he would prove to be a good friend to have.
"Well," Leo said, looking at Poppy. "Madam Pomfrey, can you explain?"
"Do I have your permission?" she asked.
Leo nodded.
"Well, Harry, sometimes, when a child has been through a lot, the mind can't handle all of the stress and trauma that is happening to them. When this happens, the brain creates other people to help deal with that trauma. Because Haley has been through a lot, she has other people inside her mind who can help her in various ways, some big, some small."
"So, Haley has imaginary friends in her mind?" Harry asked.
"Not quite," Poppy said. "These people, called alters, are different from each other. They all have their own likes, dislikes, favorite things, and memories. Some might hold memories that Haley can't handle. Others might have no memories of trauma at all and are there as a reminder of what a trauma-free childhood is like. I can't say what Haley has, since I only know one of her alters. Think of it like many people in one body."
"Oh, that's neat," Harry said. "Are they nice, Haley?"
Leo grinned. Harry was genuinely curious and wanted to learn. He had been right to trust him with this information.
"Haley doesn't know about us," Leo said, using his own voice again. "She thinks she's imagining it. She thinks this is normal. That everyone has friends in their head."
"Whoa," Harry breathed. "Your voice changed. So, who are you then?"
"My name is Leo," Leo said. "It's lovely to meet you, Harry. My voice changed because I was mimicking Haley. I had no way of knowing how you would react to this, so it was safer to act like Haley."
Harry blinked. "What did you think I would do, tease you?" Harry asked.
Leo nodded. "Some have before, yes," Leo said. "Of course, they didn't know we had DID. They thought we were playing games."
"What's DID?" Harry asked.
"That is the official name for what Haley has," Poppy said. "It stands for dissociative identity disorder."
"Neat," Harry said. "How old are you, Leo?"
"Older than Haley," Leo said.
"Oh, come on, Leo," Poppy said with a laugh. "You won't even tell Harry?"
"No," Leo said, smirking, "because you'd hear."
"How much older than Haley," Harry asked.
"Don't try to be sneaky with me, young man," Leo said, grinning. "You won't get an answer that easily."
Harry grinned. "I tried, Madam Pomfrey," he said, a fake apologetic look on his face.
Poppy laughed. "Thank you for trying, Harry," she said. "You boys behave. I will be in my office, straightening up."
"Bye," Harry and Leo said in unison.
"Harry, you got syrup on your nose," Leo said.
"Wait, you can see?" Harry asked, wiping his nose with a napkin. "I thought Haley was blind."
"She is," Leo said. "Olcan and I can see. James can see from close-up. The others are all blind."
"Whoa," Harry said. "Why is that?"
"I don't know," Leo said honestly. "Just how the brain works I guess."
"So yesterday, with the thunder. Was that you too?"
Leo shook his head. "That was one of the children, Olivia. She doesn't like storms. Once she had calmed down, however, I was able to front again."
"Front?"
"Front," Leo said. "I've only just learned what that was called recently myself. Have you ever seen a car?"
"Yeah, loads of times," Harry said. "I lived with people who couldn't do magic. Muggles."
"Ah, then you will understand this," Leo said. "When someone is fronting, it's similar to when someone is driving a car. The driver is in control of where the car goes, similar to when we front. We are in control of the body and what it does. Sometimes more than one person can be near the front. That's like when someone is in the passenger seat. Sometimes we can hear clearly what is going on, other times, it's faint."
"Oh, that makes sense," Harry said. "Who else fronts?"
"We all do," Leo said. "Well, most of us, some more than others. I always know who is fronting and what is going on while they are out. It's my job."
"Is it hard?"
"It can be. Especially when I need to send someone out to deal with something traumatic. That is quite difficult."
"Sounds like it. So, what do you like to do?"
Leo shrugged. "Honestly, Harry, being in charge of things doesn't really give me a chance to do much. When I can get a break, however, I like to sit and watch the water. We live on an island, and the view is quite lovely."
"You live on an island?" Harry asked. "That's wicked."
Leo laughed as the hospital wing doors opened and a tall, slender woman with jet-black hair entered and looked around.
"Hello, children," she said. "Where is Madam Pomfrey?"
Harry pointed towards Poppy's office. "She's busy though," he said.
"She'll make time for me," the woman said snootily.
Leo stared at the woman, eyeing her openly.
"What are you staring at?" the woman asked, her icy blue eyes landing on Leo.
"Oh, that's Haley," Harry said. "She's blind."
"Oh," the woman said. "Sorry. Haley?"
Leo nodded.
"I'll be speaking with you shortly."
"Oh, hell no," Leo muttered, as the woman disappeared into Poppy's office.
"What?" Harry asked.
"Disrespectful," Leo said.
"You got that just from her asking where Madam Pomphrey's office is?"
Leo nodded. "I notice things like that. Thank you for covering up for me, by the way."
Harry nodded. "She doesn't need to know who you are," he said.
Leo grinned. "You're all right, kid," he said. "I like you."
"I like you too," Harry said. "Can we be friends?"
"Absolutely," Leo said. "I'm sure Haley would love you. She's very nice. A bit shy, but nice."
"Can I meet her?" Harry asked.
"Not right now," Leo said. "Once things settle down, absolutely. For now, it'll be me who's out."
"Okay," Harry said. "Can I tell Dudley about you?"
"Only if he's nice."
"He is," Harry said. "People think he's mean, but that's because he had to act mean around my uncle. I don't think we're going back there, so he can be more like himself now. You'd like him."
"I already do," Leo said. "He tried to make us feel better yesterday, when Olivia got frightened."
Harry nodded. "He said he jumped. He didn't. He wanted to help you feel better."
Leo smiled and looked up as Poppy entered the room with the blue-eyed woman.
"She doesn't look happy," Harry whispered, glancing sideways at Poppy, who did indeed look irritated.
Leo nodded slightly, watching the two as they approached.
"Leo, this is Whitney," Poppy said. "She is here to speak with you. She is a social worker from the ministry."
"I am from the Department for Crimes Against Children," Whitney said.
"Yes, that," Poppy said through gritted teeth. "You can finish your breakfast once you are done. I apologize your meal was interrupted." She shot a pointed look at Whitney.
Leo nodded, setting his tray on the table. He lowered himself into the wheelchair Poppy had brought over and allowed her to push him into her office. As he was about to enter, Leo looked back in time to see Harry giving him a sympathetic look.
"Right," Poppy said. "I will join you two in a moment. I need to attend to something first."
"Not to worry," Whitney said. "Haley and I will just get acquainted here."
"Leo," Leo said firmly.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Call me Leo. You already know about the DID. Show some respect and address me by my name."
"Sorry," Whitney said, clearly anything but. "Leo. I am Whitney. As I mentioned before, I work for the Department for Crimes Against Children. Madam Pomfrey tells me you came in with quite the number of injuries, including runes carved into your skin."
Leo nodded.
"That must have been painful to endure."
Leo scowled.
"Other than what Madam Pomfrey has shown me, there is no further evidence of abuse. We need a full examination done for our records."
"I imagine Madam Pomphrey would have performed a full exam after I had finished breakfast," Leo said. "I did only just wake up after all."
"Of course," Whitney said. "Since she hasn't done the exam, however, I need to know everything you have been through. I will need to speak with each of you to get the details."
"Why not just come back later once Madam Pomphrey has the exam?"
"I'm here now, and I don't want to come back unless I have to."
"Seems a bit lazy to me, but your call, I suppose," Leo said. "You may speak with everyone except the children."
"No, I need to speak with them too."
"Absolutely not," Leo said firmly. "Whatever questions you have for them, you can ask me. I know what everyone has been through."
"I need to speak with the children," Whitney said.
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"I am the adult here."
"No, you are an ass who needs to learn respect. These children are traumatized. We all are. We work hard to keep that trauma from Haley. You are not speaking to the children. It's either me or no one."
"Listen here little girl," Whitney snapped. "If you don't let the children tell me what happened, you will be going back there. Do you want that?"
Leo didn't have time to process what Whitney was saying. The room began to blur, as if seen through a fog. He caught a glimpse of Poppy standing in the doorway, Severus behind her, before Olivia took over his view, tears in her eyes. Desperately, he tried to regain control of the body.
"Liv," he soothed. "Liv, it's all right. You're okay. Let me take over, baby girl. You're safe."
Leo's words had no effect on the child, who was now fronting and in control of the body, crying hysterically, though no sound escaped her lips. Leo swore to himself, but sat back to watch, waiting for a time when he would be able to front.
Poppy rushed forward, Severus at her heels. "That is quite enough, Whitney," she snapped. "You clearly have no respect for this child. Get out of my office and leave this school. You are not speaking with any more children here."
"Just who do you think you are, trying to tell me what to do!" Whitney cried.
"You are in my hospital wing, and I have every right to remove you. Not even the Minister for Magic has more authority than me."
"We'll see about that," Whitney snarled, and turning, nearly collided with a startled Albus Dumbledore.
"My dear, I think it is best you leave, now," he said. "I will be speaking with your supervisor. Come with me and I will escort you out."
Whitney gritted her teeth but followed the old man, slamming the hospital wing doors as she left.
"Good riddance," Poppy muttered, turning to Olivia. "Oh, you poor thing. What's your name?"
Olivia didn't respond. She hunched forward and covered her face with her hands.
"Sweetheart, can you tell me your name?" Poppy asked. "I can tell you are someone new. You seem upset. We want to help, but we need your name, honey."
Olivia shook her head, still crying silently.
"Is everything okay?" Harry asked, entering the room. "I saw that woman leave with Professor Dumbledore."
Poppy shook her head. "That woman managed to trigger out a new alter."
"Oh," Harry said, walking over to stand by Olivia. "Hi, I'm Harry. Are you Olivia?"
Olivia nodded.
"Leo told me about you," Harry said. "He said that was you last night, with the storm."
Olivia nodded, rocking slightly.
Severus carefully moved past Harry and knelt in front of Olivia, speaking softly.
"Olivia, my name is Professor Snape. You are safe here. Everything is all right. No one will hurt you."
"How about a stuffie?" Poppy asked, grabbing a stuffed bear from one of her shelves and handing it to Severus. "It's an enchanted bear. It'll hug you if you hug it."
Olivia lowered her hands from her face and held them out. Severus gently placed the bear into her hands and leaned back to give the child some space.
"Go on, dear," Poppy gently urged. "Give it a squeeze."
Olivia brought the bear close and hugged it. Slowly, the arms moved and wrapped around Olivia's arm.
"See?" Poppy said. "Isn't it lovely?"
Olivia nodded slightly, hugging the bear tight.
"Maybe she can have some hot chocolate," Harry suggested. "I had some on the train yesterday and it made me feel better."
"An excellent idea, Harry," Poppy said. "Nelly."
There was a small pop as the elf appeared, making Olivia jump and shrink away.
"Easy there," Poppy soothed. "It's just Nelly, my elf. Say hello Nelly."
"Hello," Nelly said, smiling at the child. "I is Nelly, Miss. Nice to meet you."
Olivia looked up from the bear and smiled slightly.
"Nelly, could you bring Olivia and Harry cups of hot chocolate with marshmallows, please?"
"Of course," Nelly said, beaming. "Would either Miss Olivia or Mr. Harry like whipped cream?"
"Yes, please," Harry said.
"And what about for Miss Olivia?" Nelly asked.
"Why not: Poppy said. "Give them both the full experience."
Nelly nodded and disappeared with another pop.
"Madam Pomphrey, why did you give me hot chocolate?" Harry asked. "I'm not the one who needs it."
Poppy smiled warmly at the boy. "You've earned it," she said. "You have been a big help. We wouldn't have known Olivia's name, had you not said anything."
"How did you know her name?" Severus asked.
"I was talking with Leo, and he mentioned Olivia and the thunder last night. He said she was scared, but he was able to front once she calmed down. I guess I kind of assumed this was Olivia, since she did the same thing she did last night—covering her face and rocking."
"A very good observation, Mr. Potter," Severus said. "Ten points to Slytherin."
Harry beamed, proud to have won points for their house.
"Take another ten for being so kind and understanding with Leo and now, Olivia," Poppy said.
Harry looked positively delighted.
Nelly returned with a tray laden with the hot chocolate and plates of various cookies and biscuits along with individual bars of chocolate.
"Thank you, Nelly," Poppy said.
"Nelly wasn't sure what else to bring so brought this," Nelly said.
"A wise selection," Poppy said. "Harry, help yourself. Olivia, would you like some hot cocoa?"
Olivia held the bear tighter and looked at Poppy uncertainly.
"You can keep the bear," Poppy said. "No one will take it from you. Here, set it next to you. It'll be safe there, and you can use your hands to hold your cup."
Olivia moved the bear so that it sat next to her in the wheelchair and held out her hands for the cup. Poppy placed it into her hands, making sure she had a good grip on it before letting go.
"There's cookies too, Olivia," Harry said. "And chocolate. Want some?"
Olivia looked confused.
"Have you ever had cookies?" Severus asked.
Olivia shook her head.
"Biscuits?"
Another shake of the head.
"What about chocolate?" Harry asked.
Olivia shook her head yet again.
"That's a shame," Harry said. "I think you'll like it. Try it. Try the hot chocolate."
Olivia brought the cup to her lips and took a tentative sip of the warm liquid. When she looked up, she had whipped cream on her nose, making Nelly giggle.
"Here," Nelly said, placing a napkin onto Olivia's lap. "You have whipped cream on your nose. Would you like Nelly to help Miss Olivia?"
Olivia eyed the elf hesitantly before nodding. Nelly took the napkin and gently wiped away the whipped cream.
"There you go," Nelly said. "Prettier than ever, Miss Olivia."
Olivia smiled, taking another sip of the cocoa, this time, mindful of the whipped cream.
"How is it?" Poppy asked. "Is it good?"
Olivia nodded.
"Would you like to try a cookie?" Poppy asked.
Another nod.
Severus gently relieved the girl of her hot chocolate, saying as he did so, "I have your cup. I will return it to you once you have tried the cookie."
Poppy handed Olivia a still warm chocolate chip cookie. She bit into it and grinned.
"See? They're good," Harry said. "There's lemon ones too, but I like the chocolate chip ones best."
Olivia nodded, munching on the cookie.
"Would you like to try a lemon one?" Poppy asked.
Olivia nodded.
Poppy placed a napkin into Olivia's hand. "For your cookies," she said. "You can set them on your lap, or I can give you a plate."
Olivia set the napkin onto her lap, placing the chocolate chip cookie down and accepting the lemon one from Poppy. She took a tentative bite and made a face.
"Don't like it?" Poppy asked.
Olivia shook her head and put the lemon cookie on the napkin, snatching up the chocolate chip one and taking a big bite. She chewed for a few moments before swallowing and looking up, making a face.
"What's wrong?" Poppy asked. "I thought you liked the cookie."
Olivia shook her head. "Liv does. I don't. Not as much, anyway."
"Oh," Poppy said in surprise. "Hello there. Who might you be?"
"Sorry, ma'am," the new alter said. "My name is James."
"Hello, James," Poppy said. "Where are you from?"
"I don't really know, ma'am," James said. "The south, but that's about all I know."
"I see," Poppy said. "Is everything all right with Leo?"
James nodded. "He's okay," he said. "He's a bit tired from earlier. I told him to rest, and I'd come out and take over once Olivia was calmed. He thanks you for being so kind to her."
"Of course," Poppy said. "Oh, Headmaster, you're back."
"Not interrupting am I?" Albus asked, entering the room.
"Not at all," Poppy said. "Harry, bring James back to his bed, please. Professor Snape and I need to speak with Professor Dumbledore. Nelly, please bring the tray for them, then check to see if any of the packages I ordered yesterday have arrived."
Harry moved to stand behind the chair, as Nelly grabbed the tray, ready to follow.
James held up the bear. "Would you like this back?"
Poppy shook her head. "You keep that for Liv and anyone else that might need it."
"Thank you," James said. "Let's go, Harry."
"James?" Albus asked with a curious glint in his eyes.
"Leo is tired," Poppy explained.
"Ah," Albus said. "Now, what happened with Whitney?"
"Is she gone?"
Albus nodded. "Yes, but I need to know exactly why I am to speak with her supervisor."
Poppy scowled. "She came into my office, demanding to speak with Haley. When I told her the children were eating breakfast, she told me they could finish eating later. I showed her the pictures of the runes and mentioned Haley's DID, as is, unfortunately, required. I further explained I hadn't had time to perform a full exam, and that I would once time became available. She proceeded to tell me I wasn't doing my job right, then muttered under her breath about how Hogwarts hires incompetent people.
"I brought who was then Leo into my office and got him situated. As I was leaving to send for Severus, I heard Whitney calling Leo Haley. To Leo's credit, he firmly corrected her, demanding she respect him and use his name."
"Poppy and I arrived in time to hear Whitney asking to speak to the children," Severus continued. "Leo informed Whitney that she was to ask him any questions she had for the children. Whitney refused, demanding to speak to the children. When Leo denied her request, she became irate, and it appears she triggered one of the children out. We are not exactly sure how, but it appeared that the child was terrified. We both stepped in to attempt to calm the situation, but Whitney was insistent on being…"
"Snotty," Poppy supplied.
"Quite," Severus agreed. "As you saw Whitney out, we managed to get the child, Olivia, calmed enough to allow James to front."
"Excellent work, the both of you," Albus said. "I do apologize for allowing Whitney into this school. Rest assured she will not be allowed to set foot in this castle ever again. So, you met another one of Haley's alters. I wonder how many she has."
"I am sure we will figure that out if, and when, we need to," Poppy said pointedly.
"Of course," Albus said jovially. "Now, as much as I do enjoy your company, I must send that owl to Whitney's supervisor."
Poppy nodded. "I best get started on that exam now."
Severus nodded. "Knowing my first-years, they have managed to blow up at least one cauldron in my absence, even with Remus overseeing them."
"Have fun with that," Poppy said, laughing at the scowl the Potions Master gave her as he left.
As Poppy entered the main area of the hospital wing, she spotted Harry sitting on the edge of James' bed, talking animatedly to him, the tray of sweets nearby.
"I bet Transfiguration would be fun," Harry was saying. "Maybe Potions. What about you?"
James considered the question. "Defense Against the Dark Arts for me," he said.
"Why?"
"Seems fittin'," he said. "I don't know how to explain it."
"I loved Charms and Potions myself, when I attended Hogwarts," Poppy said as she approached.
"Really?" Harry said. "When do you think we can go to classes?"
"You, Harry, can start tomorrow," Poppy said. "I will be releasing you after dinner. James, however, will have another few days before he and the others can start. They need more time to heal, since they can't heal with potions like you can."
"Why?" Harry asked.
"Let's just say, people were cruel to us, Harry," James said. "We'll need to use the Muggle methods for a while because of them."
Harry frowned and patted James' hand. "I'm sorry," he said sympathetically.
James shrugged. "So am I, because it wasn't me who had to deal with it."
"Leo?" Poppy asked quietly.
James nodded.
"No wonder he's exhausted."
James nodded again.
"Do you feel like you can handle a full exam?" Poppy asked. "Or is there someone else who might be more equipped to handle it if you cannot?"
James shook his head. "I'll be fine," he said. "It's best that it be Leo or me, especially for this."
"Can I ask why?" Poppy asked.
"One of us can't handle touch at all," James said. "Luckily, they are nowhere near the front area."
"I understand," Poppy said. "Forgive me for prying."
James gave Poppy a small smile.
There was a small pop as Nelly appeared, clutching packages. "Madam Pomphrey, Nelly has the packages you ordered."
"Excellent!" Poppy relieved the elf of her burden. "Thank you, Nelly."
"Is that the medical supplies?" James asked.
"Yes," Poppy said, opening the packages. "I ordered a host of syringes, IVs, medications, and an array of other items, should we need them. How is your pain?"
James shrugged. "It could do with another refresher of that Numbin, Charm..
Poppy shook her head, holding up a bottle. "Would you rather an IV or oral medicine? I can work with whatever you would prefer."
"I'd rather the pills," James said. "An IV might be faster for pain relief, but we don't particularly like needles. It was a good thing you removed the IV before we woke yesterday."
Poppy nodded. "I can give you some pills, and while we wait for them to kick in, I can refresh the Numbing Charm. How does that sound?"
"That sounds great."
"How long have you been in pain?" Poppy asked, waving her wand over James.
"A while," James said.
"James," Poppy sighed. "Were you ever going to tell me?"
James shrugged. "Madam Pomphrey, we are used to pain. It's become second nature for most of us to ignore it. Some handle pain better than others, but we are also used to not saying anything"
Poppy sighed sadly. "I understand," she said. "Try to remember to tell me, won't you? I need to know these things, so I can help you. I cannot take the pain if I don't know when you're hurting."
"No promises," James said. "We will try. It depends on who is out. Leo is much better at taking care of us than I am."
"It will take time: Poppy said, pressing two pills into James' hand.
James downed the pills with some water and laid back down. "Will this help with the headache too?"
Poppy nodded. "When did the headache start?"
"Just after Leo went to rest. I think having Olivia out and he not able to do anything might have caused it, but I'm not sure."
Poppy nodded. "Ready for the exam?"
James shrugged and nodded.
"All right then, Harry, why don't you do some reading while I'm busy here?"
Harry nodded. "I'll read the book I started yesterday."
"An excellent idea," Poppy said.
Once Harry had left the area and was over by the bookshelf, Poppy conjured the curtains around the bed and cast a privacy charm so they could not be overheard.
Half an hour later, Poppy sat on the edge of the bed and looked at the small body beside her. The list of discoveries she had made within the half hour made her positively furious. The child before her had been through so much, both physically and mentally. The parchment that held the results of the scans was over four feet, as it included both past and present injuries that had and had not, been healed. The physical damage done to this body was enough to bring the Healer of Hogwarts close to tears. In her many years at this school, she had seen a lot, but this… This topped the worst case of child abuse she had seen thus far.
"Those people were horrible," she said quietly, wiping at her eyes. "James, I am so sorry. So, so, so sorry for what you all have been through. This should never happen to anyone. I will be available to talk, should you or anyone in your system need to talk. Looking at these scans here, I'm going to keep you until you can move without pain. And just so you know, no one needs to see this in-depth exam. I will write up a summary to include in my records, which will be shown to anyone that may need to see it. This, of course, does not apply to the Aurors or new social worker, but everyone else will get the very brief, need-to-know version of this exam."
"Thank you,' James said. "And as for the social worker, as long as we don't have to deal with Witless, we'll be fine."
"Witless?" Poppy asked with a laugh.
"That's my name for Whitney," James said. "Witless."
"Fitting," Poppy said. "Witless."
