Chapter 20: Things Get Complicated

Poppy was about halfway through taking inventory of her stores. This was something she traditionally did at the start of the summer hols. She liked things orderly and was never able to relax and enjoy her holidays when she knew there was yet work to be done in the hospital wing. Of course, this year, her routine had been disrupted by Harry's arrival and subsequent needs. But the new term was fast approaching. In a few weeks, the halls of Hogwarts would be filled with new and returning students, which meant that her hospital wing would be receiving a steady stream of young visitors with everything from broken limbs to wand-backfiring injuries. Poppy knew she would not be able to fulfill her role as Matron in the coming term. In fact, she wondered if she would ever again be able to do so. Now her first priority was to tend to Harry and ensure his continued welfare and improvement. And it would be so for as long as he needed her.

Though neither of them had spoken of it, it was understood between Poppy and Minerva that things would need to change. But if Poppy was no longer the school's Matron, where should she and Harry live? Was Hogwarts even the best place for Harry? She had no doubt that, if it was determined to be the case, Minerva would find them suitable living quarters, if the new Matron required her current residence. But might an entirely different environment be more appropriate? How would Harry's former classmates react to his condition? How would he feel about being so different from all the other children? The small flat she sometimes sublet for the hols was completely unsuitable for Harry.

It was thoughts like these that sent Poppy to the cupboard for an extra-strength headache potion. And, as insufferable as Professor Snape had been, she had to admit he was the best Potions Master she had ever encountered; the potion took effect at once. She did not like the thought of her students making do with sub par potions, and would miss the man at least on that account.

As she was returning the bottle to the cupboard, she heard Harry's excited voice calling for her as he came rushing into the room. And to her amazement, he looked happy. It had seemed ages since she'd seen him so animated. But in the next instant her anger flashed as she realized Harry had entered the wing alone. Where in Merlin's name was the so-called 'reputable' Healer who was supposed to be watching Harry?

She didn't get the chance to ask Harry, for Vanes strode through the doorway in the next instant. For some reason, though, Poppy found it difficult to tamp down her rage at the thought of Harry being left unattended – even though it was clearly misplaced.

Oh. Yes. Clearly misplaced indeed. Harry was happy alright. Happy after spending just a short time with Vanes. How had the Healer been able to make Harry smile, where she – who knew him best – had failed? Recognizing her own jealousy did little to cause her feelings to abate.

"Pomfee!" cried Harry breathlessly, "DaHealersaymyseemyfendDayco –a'day!" He was positively beaming. "Hims at Mungo's, Pomfee. We go dere now, Pomfee? Pease, pease?" Harry's chest was heaving from his sprint to the castle.

"Calm down, Harry. And take some slow breaths. My stars, what did you do, run here all the way from the lake?" Poppy had been making a jest, but Harry gave an enthusiastic nod as he gulped in air. The Healer arched an eyebrow in confirmation.

"What has got you so excited, Harry? And slow down this time, so I can understand what you're saying."

Harry took a few more gulps of air before speaking. "Da Healer say I go visit Dayco a'day at Mungo's. We tan go now! Pease say 'yes', Pomfee. Pease."

Poppy raised her own eyebrows at this. She didn't appreciate Vanes making arrangements for Harry without speaking to her first. Oh, but he had, hadn't he? 'As I see fit, with no interference'. Well, still, the least he could have done was show her the courtesy of informing her first before making such appointments for Harry. She composed herself before speaking as calmly as she could manage.

"Today? Well. That's awfully sudden. But –"

"Excuse me, Madam Pomfrey," the Healer clarified. "In fact, tomorrow would be best."

"Bu-but, but you said 'a'day'… s-sir." Harry's entire bearing changed. It was as though he had sunk several inches into the floor. His shoulders drooped, his mouth dropped open in disbelief, and he averted his tear-filled eyes and took deep breaths again. Only this time, it appeared it was to stop from crying.

At this, the Healer looked somewhat nonplused. It was a look that seemed out of place on him. But before he spoke, Poppy explained what she presumed the miscommunication to be. "Healer Vanes, Perhaps you are unaware that when Harry says 'a'day', what he means is 'to-day'." She felt slightly better at this reminder that she did, in fact, know Harry best, and Poppy felt a little guilty that she relished enlightening the man. But she did.

"I see, "said the man, in a tone suggesting his displeasure that he hadn't 'seen' before. He turned to Harry. "Harry, tomorrow would be a good day to visit Mr Malfoy – Draco, that is," he amended. "Draco will not be expecting visitors today. I'm certain you would not wish to see your friend before he was ready to take company. And… I give you my apologies for misleading you – unintentionally." He looked up at Poppy at those words. "As I said, tomorrow will be best. Harry, Madam Pomfrey. I shall take my leave. We shall meet in my office at ten tomorrow," and with that he left.

Poppy watched the man go with a bit of shock. 'My apologies' indeed! And not even bothering to ask if ten was a convenient time for her and Harry. How rude that man was! She turned to see Harry, now sitting on the floor, staring at the empty doorway the Healer had exited. His lips were pressed tightly together and he was blinking back tears.

"Harry," Poppy crouched down by Harry and put her arm around him in comfort. "There, now, Harry," she gave his arm a reassuring squeeze and Harry stiffened slightly at this. Oh, my poor Harry, worried Poppy. "Tomorrow is not so far off. One day is not so very long a time to wait. And don't forget, Ginny is coming to see you later. Won't that be nice?"

When Harry merely nodded once at this, Poppy knew her words were empty to him. For a little boy, tomorrow was an eternity away. She was furious at the Healer for getting Harry's hopes up and dashing them so insensitively.

The project of finishing her inventory forgotten, Poppy stood and held out a hand to Harry. "Come on, Harry. You can choose what kind of bickies we'll serve to Ginny."

Harry swallowed. "No fank you," he whispered. "My go a'my nurs'ry now, Pomfee? My jus'… tired."

"Very well." Poppy tried to suppress a sigh. "Maybe an early nap is in order; you don't want to be too tired when Ginny arrives. Let's get you settled." Sensing he did not want to hold her hand, Poppy gestured for him to get up and precede her out the door, and they walked in silence back to their apartments.

~o~

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose in consternation. He didn't like being wrong, and he liked being seen to be wrong even less so. Though he believed that he was misunderstanding Harry, he had not been expecting that. He had no intention of springing an unannounced visit on Draco. He felt the boy needed a bit more preparation and instruction as to how to behave around Potter. He had made an unaffected exit, disallowing himself the haste he desired. He did not want to be witness to the inevitable fallout from his pronouncement – both from the Hogwarts Matron and her charge. Too, he did not like the melancholy that threatened to overtake him whenever he visited Hogwarts. What passed was past. That life was over for him and well he knew it. Severus liked the work he was doing. Actually liked it. And he was respected and admired at St. Mungo's, not for spying, double-crossing or creating the vilest of potions to do the Dark Lord's work. He was a Healer. But when he was in this castle, he found it difficult to hold on to that knowledge and he longed for his potions lab. How he had changed. Even Albus wouldn't have recognized him, he mused, as he made his way back to his office.

~o~

Severus…? It was nigh impossible for Draco to believe his godfather was alive. So much so, in fact, that upon waking in Healer Vanes' office, he was convinced that it had all been a dream he'd had during his last 'fade out'. But there was Vanes, sitting at his desk, quill in hand, regarding Draco. The expression on his face had been too familiar. Despite the man's altered appearance, this was most definitely Severus Snape.

And then his godfather had proceeded to explain – as if nothing out of the ordinary had just happened and they were simply continuing a previous conversation – that Draco was to pull himself together and act like a Slytherin. And, that Severus was calling in Draco's Life Debt to him.

And how, exactly, was Severus proposing Draco pay that back? By assisting 'Perseus Vanes' in healing The Boy Who Lived, in whatever way Severus ordered him to, "Without question or hesitation." And Draco found this gruff manner comforting in a way that the man's previous gentleness was not. It was… familiar.

Severus had informed Draco that sessions with Harry would begin three days hence. Draco hadn't a clue as to what "sessions" entailed, but again, he wouldn't dare ask. It had been strange to hear his godfather talking of actually helping Harry Potter. Stranger still, that he was even here, at St. Mungos'. As a Healer, no less! Draco didn't expect proper bedside manner to be in his godfather's repertoire, or that the man would have any amount of patience with the infirm. But Draco was learning that there was a great deal he didn't know about Severus Snape. And now it was time to start thinking like a Slytherin. Maybe, maybe if they could fix whatever was wrong with Harry, they could earn a place of respect in the Wizarding World and Severus could come out of hiding and stop taking polyjuice potion – or whatever it was he was doing to maintain his disguise. Draco had wisely resisted the urge to ask about that, as well.

~o~

Harry couldn't sleep. He knew the real reason the Healer had changed his mind. He must have been able to tell how bad Harry was becoming: Running and shouting at his caretaker; asking for things when he shouldn't. The Healer could probably see that Harry didn't deserve to see his friend, because he had turned bad. But how could he fix that, when they wouldn't let him near his scab to get the bad blood out? Whenever his bandage was changed, Harry had to sit on Hagrid's lap, and Hagrid always held Harry's hands. And try as he might, when Harry was alone in his bed, he could not remove his bandage or budge it one bit. It was as if something slippery was on it and Harry's fingers and nails could find no purchase.

His mind continued to race with these thoughts, and when he couldn't bear it another minute, he got out of bed and went to the door. He could hear low voices talking from the parlour. He stopped to listen. Ginny was there with Madam Pomfrey.

"…do whatever you can."

"I don't know how much I can help him, Madam Pomfrey, but I'll try. Shall I go wake him now?"

At that, Harry panicked. It wasn't nice to listen to other people's conversations. He knew it wasn't nice, yet he had done it anyways. He quickly turned and rushed towards the bed, only to stumble over his pile of wooden dragons. He fell headfirst onto the footboard of his bed and saw stars. A moment later, the nursery door was flung open and he heard the two witches call his name as he started to push himself up on all fours.

"Slow down, Harry," said Madam Pomfrey. "Are you hurt anywhere?"

"Unh uh," he said as he turned over to sit with his back against the footboard of his bed. That's when he saw he'd broken a wing off his Hungarian horntail that Hagrid had carved for him.

Ginny saw it too. She took out her wand and cast a quick "Reparo."

Madam Pomfrey pursed her lips at that. After examining Harry for injuries and finding none, she said, "It was very kind of you to fix Harry's dragon, Ginevra." Then she turned to Harry, saying gently, "But Harry, if you had put your toys away as I had asked you, you wouldn't have tripped and broken it in the first place."

Harry looked crestfallen. "Yes Pomfee," he whispered solemnly.

"Well, as you're not hurt there's no great harm done. But the next time you use your dragons Harry, I expect you to put them back in your toy box when you're done." She spoke in calming tones, adding, "You and Ginny can spend some time together now and then we'll have a nice tea.

"Why don't we play chase with your dragons, Harry?" offered Ginny. "I'll help you clean them up after."

"Fank you, Nee Nee."

The dragon chase game didn't get very far because Harry's heart just wasn't in it. So Ginny animated two of the dragons and she and Harry watched them play chase. By the end of it, Harry was even smiling at the little toys' aeronautic antics. After that, Ginny read a somber Harry a few of his favorite books and then Madam Pomfrey was calling them out to tea.