A/N: The "Dangerous" Dai Llewellyn Ward of St Mungo's was where Mr Weasley went after his snakebite. Hippocrates Smethwyck is the Healer-in-Charge there.

Apologies for the inconsistencies with using "Pomfrey" and "Poppy." I am starting to prefer the latter, myself. (Your thoughts on this are most welcome!) I feel there are places where it might be better to use her first name, but since I'd already started out by referring to her as "Pomfrey," there is that dreaded issue of inconsistency… Speaking of which, I just came across Madam Pomfrey being refered to as "Matron," in Harry Potter Wiki, and saught out this: "UK English; the head nurse or director of nursing." So, I will hopefully catch them all to change in the future.

And most importantly, I hail the return of my beloved and talented beta, Katse_Boston, who pointed out several glaring inconsistencies in the timeline and sequences of events, which I have hopefully corrected.

Chapter 19: Two (Clueless) Peas In A Pod

Poppy Pomfrey was thoroughly overtired. As she gathered Harry's security blanket, clothing, a grooming kit and a few of Harry's favorite books, she was interrupted by no less than one half-giant (Harry's 'pet' had gone missing, and Hagrid was inconsolable at the thought of how disappointed Harry would be when he found out), one Headmistress (who insisted on a detailed update on Harry's condition and prognosis) and one house elf (Poppy didn't even want to think about her encounter with Dobby). Once she had dispatched with her three unwelcome visitors, Poppy's mind returned to the unsettling meeting she had just come from. It had been with Perseus Vanes, an insufferable man, but also the Healer who might just hold the key to helping Harry.

~o~ ~o~ ~o~

"Matron, have a seat," said the Healer, his tone perfunctory. He remained seated behind his desk and did not look up from his writing when he spoke.

Poppy did as she was asked, though she bristled at the title the man had used. She was here as Harry's guardian, and she was not going to perpetuate any archaic hierarchical Healer/Matron notions this man might harbour.

"It's 'Madam Pomfrey'," she corrected primly, taking in her surroundings as she sat in the visitor's chair before the desk. The small office was unusually dark and strangely dank - given that they were on the third floor. It was rather sparse, with just the Healer's desk and chair, the visitor's chair that she was sitting on (which, she fleetingly noticed, was not particularly comfortable) and a dark-coloured settee by the shuttered window. She next studied the Healer himself, who was at this moment continuing to write in a journal of some sort. This was the person who was to help Harry? She had asked both Rose Chang and Hippocrates Smethwyck (the Healer-in-Charge of the "Dangerous" Dai Llewellyn Ward, and a former colleague of Poppy's) to recommend a Mind Healer for Harry, and both had suggested Vanes. Their faith in his ability to help Harry certainly wasn't based on his manners - that much was clear, as the man appeared to be pointedly ignoring her. Poppy was so exhausted from the previous evening's upsets, that she found herself in a somewhat fragile state. So much so, that in reaction to this Healer's brusqueness, she began to feel much like a schoolgirl at detention. Realizing that she was acting quite unlike herself, she cleared her throat self-consciously, straightened up in her chair and affected her most stern, no nonsense Matron's voice. "Healer Vanes. I am here about my charge, Harry Potter."

The quill stopped. The Healer closed his eyes momentarily and took a deep breath, which he let out in a huff that somehow managed to convey both scorn and impatience.

Poppy's initial reaction was to respond in kind. She could give as good as she got! But she thought better of it; that had been her fatigue talking. If this man could help heal her Harry, then she could endure a bit of churlishness.

"You come highly recommended by two colleagues whom I deeply respect," she continued.

The Healer set his quill down and met Madam Pomfrey's steady gaze with one of his own. With no preamble, he said, "I wish to perform Legillimency on Mr Potter."

Poppy sat stunned for a full minute, and once again, had to quash her first impulse. By the smug, measured look he gave her, she could tell that Vanes was quite aware of that fact. She closed her eyes and took her own deep breath.

"I hardly think that Legillimency is a safe course of action."

When the Healer made no reply, Poppy looked up in time to see him trade his glare for an affectation of patience.

Poppy continued, attempting to appear unperturbed. For Harry, she reminded herself. "I'm sorry. Of course I meant no offense. Your reputation is impeccable, it's just that I understand you primarily work with adolescents, and Harry here is… well he's a great deal younger than he appears. And because so little is understood about his brain injury, the Healers who initially treated Harry ruled out Legillimency, as it is not performed on young children for fear it might interfere with their still developing –" Poppy saw the Healer's eyes narrowing, and realized too late, that she was rambling. What was wrong with her? She added a hasty finish, "Though I'm sure you must be aware of Prewett's case studies…"

"I do have occasion to glance at The Prophet from time to time," Vanes replied icily. Harry's condition had been front-page news for weeks on end. "And, I am in the habit of reading my patients' charts before seeing them - strange as that might seem to you."

Despite her resolve to remain absolutely calm, Madam Pomfrey felt her cheeks heat in anger.

"Further, I am well versed in the theories of Kimberly Prewett's treatise on Legillimency and its effects in early childhood and I have taken that into account. I am not suggesting that I go plowing through the boy's mind like a niffler after gold. I do fully understand the risks involved in using Legillimency on children and victims of trauma - of which Mr Potter is both."

Poppy started unexpectedly at that. It had been such a long time since she had thought of Harry as a trauma victim. But he was a trauma victim. Traumatized. Again. She clenched her jaw and held herself in check, saying nothing.

"I want to meet the boy first, of course, before I consider proceeding with Legillimency. Additionally, I need to build up Mr Potter's trust in me in order to avert the stresses that might otherwise accompany this avenue of treatment. I have in mind a number of effective strategies for accomplishing this." The Healer stopped speaking abruptly. "Are you quite alright, Madam? You look too pale of a sudden."

"I am quite well, thank you," Poppy swallowed. "Please. Continue," she said, nodding and sitting up straighter. When had she slid down in her seat?

"Do you have very much experience with Legillimency, Madam Pomfrey?" Vanes' voice then was, if not kinder, less…hard.

"I do not, Healer Vanes."

"I assure you I do not go into this lightly, Madam Pomfrey. As I stated before, I do understand the severity of this situation. Whomsoever the patient may be in particular is of no consequence to me." Vanes paused to clear his throat. "But I have found, in my extensive work with the orphaned and abandoned children of Death Eaters," and here the Healer paused to make his point, "that opening up to Legillimency performed by a trusted mentor can be cathartic. It can be a catalyst to recovery."

Poppy sat in uncustomary silence, numbed by the severity of the situation. Though it was unfathomable, Harry was hurting himself.

"Will you give your consent to permit this course of action?"

As she opened her mouth to reply though, Vanes held up a hand to forestall her answer. "And allow me to proceed as I see fit, without interference?"

She closed her mouth, swallowed her objections, and said simply, "Please proceed, Healer."

Vanes nodded solemnly. "Then I will come to meet Mr Potter after my scheduled appointments."

As Poppy stood to leave the Healer's office, she said, "Thank you, Healer Vanes. I'll just Floo back to Hogwarts to gather some of Harry's things. We'll see you a bit later, then?"

"Indeed," the Healer nodded curtly.

Hastening her steps towards the lift, Poppy thought she spied the Malfoy boy in the waiting lounge as she passed. While usually she had continued interest in the welfare of her former patients from the Hogwarts Infirmary, Poppy barely spared him a moment's thought before returning to the problem of Harry.

~o~ ~o~ ~o~

Normally, Poppy could easily brush aside interruptions and continue on her way. Instead, it had taken considerably longer to gather Harry's things and return to the hospital than she had intended. Wasn't she eager to be back by her charge's side? That was so, yet there was a part of her that dreaded seeing Harry in such a poor state, and so Poppy had consoled Hagrid, given Minerva a full accounting of events and tried her best not to hex Dobby before stepping into the floo.

Now that she had returned to St. Mungo's, Poppy clutched the small valise of Harry's belongings tightly under her arm and sped down the long hallway to the lift. Opening the door to his private room, she found Healer Chang casting a diagnostic spell over Harry.

"I stopped off to meet with Perseus Vanes," the Hogwarts Matron began, coolly.

"I know. I shoulda' warned ya. Has a bit of an attitude, tha' one."

"Hmph. A bit? The man is insufferable," said Poppy under her breath. More loudly she added, "Well. I expect he will be here shortly to meet Harry."

Rose merely arched an eyebrow. She felt it best not to mention that the Healer in question had, in fact, already visited Harry. He had sent word for her to clear out of Harry's room for a bit, and she didn't relish explaining to her mentor that she had done so without knowing the reason for this 'request'. The irony of how similar Madam Pomfrey and Healer Vanes were was not lost on Rose. She wisely kept this thought to herself and said instead, "He began t'stir a bi' not five minutes past."

"Thank you, Rose. I was worried he would be frightened if he woke while I was away." As she spoke, Poppy set the valise on the foot of Harry's bed and withdrew a piece of dark cloth from it. "Harry's 'security blanket'," she explained at Chang's quizzical look. "He calls it his 'Dayco Seeve' - and please, don't ask." She placed it beside his head on the pillow, and brushed Harry's fringe back from his bandage. At that very moment, Healer Vanes entered. Without so much as a knock or a 'by your leave', Poppy noted testily.

Her reaction to the new arrival did not go unnoticed by Chang. "Ehrherm," she cleared her throat before speaking. "I'll jus' lift th'sticking charm on th' bedding, shall I?"

Poppy merely nodded. Vanes, who clearly wasted no time on pleasantries, simply stood by and said nothing.

"Uh, F'nite Incantayt'm," said Chang breaking the uncomfortable silence. "Well, I'll jus leave you ta it then, right? I'm certain th'two of you'll be able t'sort th'boy out in no time," she said brightly and made a hasty exit.

As soon as the charms were removed, Harry turned on his side, curling up into a fetal position and sucking on his thumb. With his other hand, Harry reached out blindly, feeling for his Draco Sleeve and brought it up to press against his cheek. He let out a contented sigh.

Madam Pomfrey made to wake him, gently touching his shoulder and calling his name. "Harry. Harry, dear. It's time to wake up, now."

Harry stirred and made a sleepy noise in the back of his throat. It took him several more moments to orient himself. "Pah-ee," he slurred around his thumb. "We a'Mungo's?"

"Yes, Harry, we are," she answered softly. "Harry? Do you remember what happened last night?"

Harry sucked vociferously on his thumb in response and wouldn't meet her eyes.

"Well, we came to St. Mungo's so the Healers could help you, Harry. "

Harry's eyes roamed the walls and ceiling of the room, but still he made no response.

Poppy put her hand over his. "Harry?" she said, voice stronger now. Harry must have sensed the change, for he looked up. "I want you to say a proper 'Hello' to Healer Vanes."

Harry slid his thumb out reluctantly. "Hullo, sir," he said softly.

"Hello Harry," Vanes nodded in return.

Poppy felt a swell of pride at Harry's good manners, particularly given the current circumstances. She smiled down at her charge and patted his hand. "There's a good boy, Harry. Healer Vanes is going to help you - to help us sort this all out."

Harry gave the man a fleeting, wary look before returning his attention to his Draco Sleeve. His thumb had crept back into his mouth.

"Indeed," the healer affirmed. "We shall do precisely that."

~o~

Harry had returned home after two days to a warm reception from Ginny, Ron and Hermione (though Poppy had had to shoo Dobby and his three helpings of treacle pudding out the door before Harry saw him). Harry mustered smiles for his beloved friends but wouldn't say much.

The 'new trio' (as Poppy thought of them with some sadness) did their best to cheer Harry. Ginny had brought him a puzzle with a picture of Wizard Glick trying to fly on a mop, Hermione, unsurprisingly, had a new book for Harry and Ron just looked sort of sheepish, holding a well-used quaffle. But their efforts were to no avail. It was so painful to watch that Poppy eventually sent them all off and asked that they take turns visiting over the next few days. She thought it best to make an early night of it, as she didn't want to tax Harry on his first night home.

Even though she knew Harry's bandage was spelled on securely, so that he couldn't reopen his wound, Poppy herself had a mostly sleepless night. She was thinking that there was a part of her that wanted Harry to protest his friends leaving or whinge about having to go to bed – to show some defiance. Anything of his old self would have been most welcome.

However, Harry had continued to be anything but himself since they had returned home. His manners were above reproach. He said "Please," "Thank you" or "Okay" to everything, though there were markedly fewer "pleases. " And that was because Harry never asked for things anymore. Not for pumpkin juice or second helpings of pudding. Not for outings with Hagrid. Not for Hermione, Ron and Ginny to read to him or play quidditch. Not to see the jarvey (which was a relief, given that its whereabouts were unknown), and not even for his Draco Sleeve - though he clung to it each night when he went to bed. He didn't even whinge about having to leave it in his room in the mornings. Gone was the fire from his eyes. Sometimes, when he didn't realize Poppy was looking at him, Harry would raise a hand to his forehead and futiley pull at his bandage. It was all too baffling.

Poppy was so upset at this new, docile Harry, that she was practically relieved when the day of his first session with Healer Vanes had arrived.

~o~

"Hello again, Harry. Madam Pomfrey," the Healer nodded to each in turn.

"Thank you for coming, Healer" said Pomfrey.

"Hullo, sir," said Harry, softly.

"Harry, I would very much like you to take a walk with me. It's a beautiful day, perhaps we could walk to the lake." The man then cleared his throat.

Harry looked to his guardian, and when she nodded, Harry said flatly, "Otay, sir."

"I'm told you have a fondness for magical creatures. We're sure to see the giant squid this time of year."

"Yes, sir," answered Harry without interest.

And then, Severus Snape, in the persona of Healer, Perseus Vanes, said something he never thought he would say. To anyone. But most especially not to one Harry Potter. "You are not required to call me 'sir'." He couldn't help but be a little rankled.

"Otay, si- otay den."

"Harry," Madam Pomfrey said as cheerily as she could, "I have some things I must attend to in the hospital wing. You go along with Healer Vanes and I'll see you directly after your walk." She knew better than to ask a yes or no question to a youngster, for you invariably got a 'no' in response, but she couldn't help adding, "Will that be alright, dear?" In the hopes he would show some defiance.

But Harry merely sighed and said, "Otay. Dat be nice." Though he looked like it would be anything but.

Still, he obediently followed Vanes out the door, and when it closed behind them, Poppy took a deep breath and let it out in a sorrowful sigh. She couldn't help but be piqued that Harry went so willingly with that haughty man.

She wondered if Vanes would be able to get anything out of Harry on their walk. She hoped that he would; yet she was also feeling quite hopeless about the whole situation. And most frustratingly, she felt helpless. She couldn't help her Harry. And he was hers, just as much as the children she birthed and raised. Harry was her child. And clearly she was not giving him what he needed, else none of this would have happened. Well, that's quite enough of that, she thought. Berating herself would do no good to help fix the situation, one jot. Instead, she vowed to do better by Harry in any and every way she could.

~o~

Snape and Harry approached the tree by the lake - the very tree under which Harry's father and his marauder cronies had tormented a younger Severus Snape. The irony that he was now here to help James Potter's son was not lost on Severus. But he was able to keep himself in check with practiced ease. Still, he was finding that this new role he was undertaking was, in some ways, nearly as challenging as his role as a Death Eater spy. He had to gain Potter's trust. No. Harry's trust - he reminded himself. And he could ill afford to fail.

Yes, the end of the war had changed Severus. He now had purpose to his life outside of Potions - something he never thought would happen. To create a Potion that would revolutionize the wizarding world had been a long abandoned dream of Severus'. Working for the Dark Lord had quelled any such ambitions. But now, working with these displaced and often maligned children – known as the "Slytherin orphans" – he was a revolutionary. When no one else would (or even could – had they bothered to try) help these survivors of war shed their parents' illicit legacies, it was Severus who understood exactly what they needed and how to guide his former students back into life. In a way, his current work was very like Potion making. Adding a word here, an idea there. Trying to find just the right balance of 'ingredients' to guide his Slytherins out from the mire of their families' ill-fated loyalty to a madman.

Snape's musings came to an end when he heard a small gasp from Harry. They had been sitting quietly under the tree, observing the lake for signs of life, when the squid raised a few of its enormous tentacles out of the water as a bird flew overhead. Severus was a reader of people, and he was puzzled by what he saw pass across Harry's face. Excitement, worry - when he realized he had been heard - and then an attempt at a neutral expression.

"Have you seen the giant squid before?" Snape asked. It felt so foreign to be there, casually chatting with Harry Potter, and he was glad to have the persona of Vanes as his shield.

Harry nodded in response.

And that was the extent of Harry's communication (such as it was) throughout the whole of their time together. Snape asked questions and Harry nodded or occasionally shook his head in answer.

"It's quite an amazing creature, isn't it, Harry?"

Harry flicked his eyes to the Healer and back to the few residual ripples on the lake, nodding.

"I have an acquaintance whose fascination by cephalopods is equal to your own."

At Harry's quizzical look, Severus amended, "I have a friend who, like you, enjoys watching the giant squid."

Understanding dawned on Harry's face and, unsurprisingly, he nodded in acknowledgement.

"In fact, I believe you know him. Mr Malfoy?"

Harry merely shrugged and shook his head.

"Draco Malfoy?"

At this, Harry's face lit up and he smiled his first genuine smile since they had embarked on this excursion. "You know my fend, Dayco?"

"I do. I see him quite often at St. Mungo's."

"Hims at Mundo's?"

"He is. Perhaps you would like to go with me sometime to visit him. We could have tea."

"Yes, pease, sir. Dat be so nice. My visit Dayco a'day?"

"A day? Er, yes. Though I'm not sure which one," said the Healer, misunderstanding Harry's meaning. "We shall have to consult Madam Pomfrey to arrange it."

"Otay!" Harry said, getting up from the grass in a rush. "Yet's go bat." Harry was so impatient to get back to the castle so they could ask his guardian, he paid little mind to the path and kept stumbling in his haste. This Healer was much nicer than Harry had first thought him to be, and Harry could hardly believe he was finally going to see his friend, 'Pretty Boy', today!

—

Next is chapter 20: Things Get Complicated