AN: Thank you so much to all my reviewers! It made my day to see that I've gotten feedback from people already, and I can only hope to get more as this story progresses.
Read and enjoy, and please review at the bottom when you're done.
Also, this chapter is dedicated to my very first reviewer, greenlover2! Thank you so much for not only reading and enjoying, but for commenting on my story. It was so soon after posting that is was such a big surprise, and thats actually what encouraged me to get right on writing this chapter.
BTW, The mental 'twin-speak' will be in italics and with only one quote, like this. 'Twin talk'. Just so you know.
The Love of Family
Chapter 2: Awakening and Much News
July 7, 1991- 5:30 pm, Hospital Wing; Hogwarts
It was dark, so dark. He tried to move an arm, a hand, a finger, but his body wouldn't obey his command.
Was he back in his cupboard? Did that old horror hurt him so badly this time that he was paralyzed? Why couldn't he move?
Harry Potter was about to begin a full-blown panic attack out of terror when he remembered one part of him that was always accessible- whether he was asleep, awake, hurt, in pain, numb, tired, or chipper (though that one wasn't often common with him). He opened his mind, and tried to reach out to the one bright spot in his life- his brother.
'Matty? Matty? Are you there?'
'HARRY!' Came the enthusiastic mental shout. Harry mentally winced from the volume, and Matt calmed down as he apologized. 'I'm sorry, I've just been so worried!'
'Where am I?' Harry questioned in bewilderment. He figured that was more important than asking why he couldn't move. At least now he could talk to his brother, and so the rest wasn't as important. And he knew he wasn't on his mat in his cupboard in the orphanage- this surface he was on was by far the most comfortable he'd ever felt. The whole paralyzing thing seemed much less scary when Matt was with him.
'You're in the hospital wing at Hogwarts- you've been asleep for three days!' He'd told Harry all about Hogwarts and the magical world right after Rosie finding out, and after that all new discoveries were told to Harry at the next opportunity. Feeling Harry's curiosity, he elaborated, 'Remember that Professor Rosie told us about?' They always talked in the 'we' form when communicating, even when something really only happened to one of them.
He felt Harry's mental nod, and continued in a soft and gentle tone, 'Ry,' he said, using his private nickname for Harry, 'You were hurt really badly. When the Professor came over to my house she instantly recognized me. She said I look like dad with mum's color hair and that you're the exact opposite! When I told her you needed help, she called the headmaster. I think you might remember her, Harry, because you have the good memory. I was able to dredge up memories of Auntie Minnie, and I think they were yours originally.' The twins often had trouble knowing whose memories of their early life were whose, but after once examining them, it seemed the majority were originally Harry's.
'Auntie Minnie?' Harry exclaimed, 'She used to read to me all the time! You mean she came to get me?'
'Yes, Ry, exactly. She's been looking for us for years, apparently, and she was crying when we found you. You were really beat up and unconscious, tossed into that damn closet!' Harry mentally soothed his upset brother, who wondered at the irony that Harry was the one comforting him in this situation.
'Anyway, they wouldn't let me stay with you till you woke up, like I wanted to, so I'm home now. But Professor McGonagall, Auntie Minnie, wants to care for you this summer. Like guardianship, and such. And we'll be able to visit each other all the time!'
Matt was obviously worried, assuming that Harry would want to be with him. But as much as Harry loved and adored his older brother, he had heard about the chaos that could occur in a household with three children from the twin's past nighttime chats. He didn't think he could handle the commotion right now.
And Matt was able to feel the relief in his twin's mind. 'I understand, Ry, really. And I don't mind at all. I think that Aunt Minnie is the best person to look after you. I saw it- she really cares. She loves you.'
He was talking about the twin's unique ability to tell people's intentions, and to feel emotions at times. But while Harry believed his twin always, and knew Matt would never purposely lie to him, he wasn't so sure about that last statement. After all, the only love he could really remember beyond fuzzy memories was Matt's. And Matt's love was so solid and unwavering, and had always been there, that he couldn't imagine any other kind from someone that hadn't been there all along. Even after all Matt's reassurances over the years, he still wasn't sure he was loveable, or that he deserved love in the first place. Besides Matt's, that is. It was thanks to his brother and his steadfast loyalty and support that Harry had even an ounce of hope left in him, and that he would even admit to himself the piece of him that yearned for a parent's devotion.
Matt felt all this in the heartbeat that it flew through Harry, and decided to change the subject.
'I would've thought you'd want to know what's wrong with you the moment you woke up, Ry.'
Sheepishly, Harry admitted, 'I kinda forgot. Everything is easier to deal with when you're there, and nothing seems as bad.'
Mentally, Matt smiled with pride. He was glad that he was alone in his room waiting for dinner to be called, because he was pretty sure that he smiled physically as well. He'd have to be careful of that- if he and Harry were going to talk during the day now, it could get awkward for those around them.
Matt was proud because he was the older twin, by over ten minutes (according to Professor Dumbledore). He'd always known that he was older, and he felt that it was his responsibility to protect his brother no matter what- especially when Harry was living such a horrible life while he, Matt, was part of a loving family.
He was still smiling as he answered his brother, 'I'm glad, Ry. I always feel better talking to you, too.' He felt Harry's smile and joy flow through the bond before continuing, 'There's absolutely nothing wrong with your body, except that it's not ready to wake up all the way just yet. In order to heal all your injuries, the Healer, Madam Pomfrey, gave you a strong sleeping draught/spell combination. The Headmaster warned me that the bond might wake you up sooner than your body wanted. So I've been waiting for days.'
'Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you,' Completely typical of Harry, he had felt Matt's worry and had been guilty, when Matt should be the one fussing over his sick and injured brother. Matt sighed.
'You have nothing to worry about.' He assured his brother, 'Now, I have one more thing to talk to you about, while you're not waking anyway.'
Experimentally, Harry tried wiggling a pinky. Nothing. 'Okay, what Matty?'
Matt smiled at the nickname, and then sobered as he recalled what he'd told the Headmaster. 'Ry, I did something that you might not like, but I was just looking out for you. If you want me to change anything after I tell you, let me know. I thought this was for the best, but it's all changeable before term starts. I just wanted to warn you.' As flustered as he was, his 'explanation' made no sense, and came out stumbled.
Utterly confused, Harry agreed. He felt that his brother was sincere, and worried, but mostly just honestly concerned for Harry.
'Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall met with me, because even though this concerns both of us, you weren't awake yet, and they didn't want to worry you with this when you awoke. I was allowed to make the temporary choice and then get your opinion. The deal is, we're apparently famous in the magical world.'
'What!'
'Yeah, yeah, I know. That evil guy, the one that hit you with the green light- remember him?'
'Of course I do! He killed mum!'
'Yeah, Harry, he did. And when you protected me, he disappeared. He'd been terrorizing the world for years, but you vanquished him for the time being. We're famous because of it.'
He paused for a moment to let this sink in, but hurried on when he felt his brother's horror.
'I got the option of letting us attend school as the Potter twins, though I'll go by Peterson, or the Professor's gave us another option, knowing I'd choose what you would want, too. But we can still switch plans if you want. I chose to have us attend as strangers. You will stay Harry James, and I'll stay Matthew Peterson. No one knows what we look like except people who knew mum and dad. Those people are either dead, or will keep the secret for us. They're going to cover your scar on your forehead, and mine on my palm from that fallen beam, and because of your past Auntie Minnie also offered to put glamours on you to prevent anyone recognizing you. Apparently they think that I'm different enough that strangers won't put anything together, but Mum's eyes were really unique and you have them. And our middle names were never released in the press, so we're safe that way. Although Harry's a rather unique enough name that they were going to discuss changing it, but that's a discussion for later. This was the plan I chose, anyway…'
Matt trailed off, but Harry didn't understand his brother's hesitation, and why he was still nervous. He voiced his thoughts.
'Ry, if we choose this way, we'll be two separate students who don't know each other. We can 'become' friends, obviously, but we won't be twins. I'm a muggle-born to the population, and you'll most likely be a wizarding orphan that Auntie Minnie took in… It would be too awkward, because the teachers want you living Auntie Minnie at first because of your past, and there should be no way we know each other without spinning elaborate tales, and Professor Dumbledore is concerned that with too many stories to keep straight we'll slip…' realizing that he was rambling now, Matt trailed off. Harry spoke after absorbing this information, speaking slowly as he analyzed his feelings and thoughts.
'I… understand, I guess. Matt, there's no reason to be worried. You were choosing best for me, and you're right, anyway. I would rather be anonymous than talked about and stared at, even if it's at the expense of you. But… we'll still...'
'Of course!' Matt burst in when Harry couldn't continue and he felt where his brother was going, 'We'll talk everyday, every night, and even if we're not in the same house, then we'll work for house unity and see each other in shared classes! There's no question of that!'
Harry sighed mentally in relief. 'Good.'
'There was no question about that, Harry. But I also wanted to tell you what happened next.'
When Harry made a questioning noise, Matt sighed and brought Harry into a memory of what the end of the meeting contained.
Flashback
Dumbledore was nodding, smiling at Matt who was sitting between his mother and Professor McGonagall across from the Headmaster's desk. McGonagall looked tired, and Matt knew she'd been worrying about Harry for the past thirty-six hours.
"The plan is a good one, Matthew. You will be anonymous students beginning Hogwarts for the first time, though because we don't want too much gossip about Harry, who will already be talked about from his living situations, you won't be acquainted previously. What was the story, Minerva? Were you going to announce you had taken Harry in two years ago? And so that no rumors of the abuse start, we'll say that he's just staying with you because the guardianship was recent and he's still in an adjusting period? Although there have been teachers in the school with children before, and it's not unheard of for them to stay with their parents."
"Yes, but actually three years, Albus, because that was when I was last in the States visiting my niece and her family. I'll say I met him there but that he's from Brittan originally, and that's why he doesn't have an American accent. He was living at my Manor home for the past few years with the house elves and my great-niece who is nineteen and who cared for him while working from home. I'll say I visited him on weekends and holidays, and since I was gone for the past few years' worth of holidays visiting the States anyway, it fits with the story. The rest of what you said is correct, of course."
Dumbledore smiled again, looking pleased. "This should work well for all involved. Tell me, Minerva, would you ever look for more than guardianship? Such as adopting Mr. James?"
Matt sat in shock as McGonagall gaped at the old man. He'd never considered Harry being adopted, but why not? He, Matt, was adopted. Didn't Harry deserve the same, and even more, than his brother? He needed it…
McGonagall broke in here. "Albus, be reasonable! The boy doesn't even know me yet!"
"Actually, we both remember you a bit," Matt broke in, "And Harry has always had the better long-term memory. He'll remember even more when I remind him, when he wakes up. And nobody deserves more than Harry to be adopted, so I'm sure if you get to know him and then ask, he'll be thrilled."
That seemed to settle the matter as McGonagall still looked numb with surprise, and Dumbledore's eyes just sparkled some more. Anna Peterson just patted Matt's shoulder in silent approval. She hadn't been involved much with the meeting, but was there for support and to hear about her son's past.
"Now, Matthew," Dumbledore began with a slightly less cheerful tone, showing that the previous topic was closed, "I have just one more question to ask you, and it might be one you cannot answer or one that is painful, but I must ask you to answer honestly for both your sake and your brother's. Do you know which of you defeated the Dark Lord that night on October the thirty-first of nineteen eighty-one? Because one day your identities will become known in one way or another, and I'd like to be prepared in case that happens sooner than we plan for. A good plan is one which has alternatives for every mishap, after all."
Matt swallowed hard- he didn't want to answer this. Running through his head were newspaper articles, snide comments and hostilities that his brother would have to endure when the news came out. His little brother, who had been abused for ten years for some unfathomable reason, who still retained his sense of right and wrong, and who loved Matt despite the fact that he should be insanely jealous of his twin's life.
Harry, who cowered when someone so much as raised their voice when within twenty feet of him. He could just imagine what Hogwarts would be like for Harry; his brother probably would get a panic attack from a muggle mall!
His mind steadied with resolve and he looked up. It hadn't been more than a minute that all those thoughts flashed through his mind, and he knew the adults in the room would just think he was trying to remember the events from so far back.
He began in a whisper, only one thought going through his mind, keep Harry safe.
"It- it was a dream a few years ago," he whispered to his lap, but he knew the other three caught every word, "There was a lot of screaming, and a pretty woman with red hair was crying." He decided to stick with the truth as long as possible, as Matthew Peterson didn't really approve of lying and had been brought up that way. And the subdued tone of his voice wasn't faked- this nightmare haunted both him and Harry.
Besides, he'd do anything for Harry, even telling white lies these people.
He looked up through his eyelashes, only to see Professor McGonagall with tears running down her cheeks, and Professor Dumbledore looking not much better.
"Lily," came McGonagall's agonized whisper. Matt moved on before they could get sidetracked or before he'd loose his resolve.
"Then there was a green glow, and it's kind of blurry. It's the clearest memory we have from when we were babies, but still not clear enough," he didn't even notice that he was speaking in the plural, but he noticed Dumbledore's eyes regain some of their twinkle.
"What we do remember," he said, "is that a green light flashed to Harry from a dark figure, and it almost hit him,"
At the word almost he could almost see McGonagall sit taller and see Dumbledore's mind whirling. That nearly changed his resolve- he hated, hated, misleading these people who were so nice to him, not to mention his mother who was sitting next to him listening with rapt attention (though she didn't understand the significances as well, or know what 'green light' had to do with anything).
Nearly, but it didn't change- this was for Harry.
"I somehow moved him front of him," he whispered, looking up he showed them the horizontal scar on his right palm. "The light hit me here, and then there was a gold circle around us. And that's the last thing we remember," he finished rather anticlimactically.
He could feel the gazes thinking, evaluating, and worrying (in his mum's case). He sent her a small smile to reassure her, and then waited silently for Dumbledore's verdict.
Did he buy it?
He did.
"Thank you, Matthew, I know that must have been difficult for you to recall. This won't have any impact on your life for many years, I hope, but I feel it is my responsibility to tell you that I don't think Lord Voldemort is truly gone from this world."
"Professor?" Matt asked in question, though he knew what the man was saying- this whole fuss about their identities, as the vanquisher of Voldemort, wouldn't be such a big deal if it were just for publicity. They could hide their identities forever, in that case.
But he didn't see how a baby could kill a powerful Dark Wizard completely. Voldemort was probably hiding, and the twins had always had a sense from that nightmare that the dark figure they saw wasn't gone from this world. (Of course, that feeling in their nightmare took on a whole new meaning now that Matt knew of the magical world and his brother's place in it).
This was apparently Dumbledore's thinking, too, about Voldemort's current state of living.
"I meant that I don't think Lord Voldemort was killed ten years ago- I think he was stripped of his powers and followers, so he ran to make a new plan of action. He is in hiding, it's true, and years of halts from attacks was more than anyone could hope for ten years ago in the midst of war. But one day he will be back, and he will be looking for the Potter twins."
Matt could feel his mother stiffen with anxiety, and he squeezed her hand for reassurance. But he knew they'd be having a long talk when they got home.
"Well then, it's a good thing the Potter twins have never been found Headmaster, correct?"
Dumbledore smiled at Matt. "Correct, Matthew, but someday he'll know. I need to make plans for that situation in order to protect you. It seems that you are the boy-who-lived."
End Flashback
The scene in their minds faded into nothingness, and Harry was silent as he felt his brother's silent fear and worry radiating through. If Harry was anyone else, and if they were speaking in person instead of through their minds, Matt would never let his feelings show so blatantly. But he was terrified that Harry would be angry with him, maybe even enough to close the bond again.
Harry wasn't sure what he was feeling- though anger certainly wasn't part of it. He was feeling kind of blank- empty- but at the same time lighter than he ever had.
He felt relief- that's what that was. Unknowingly to himself, he'd been worrying about his reception into the magical world, and ever since the word famous came from his brother's mind, he'd been slowly winding himself up with anxiousness.
But now he was relaxed, calm and collected, as he gathered his emotions.
And sent only one feeling back to Matt- love.
And Matt relaxed as well; still holding onto the feeling Harry had sent him.
'Ry, you're not, you're not angry with me?'
'Never, and certainly not over something like this. I feel relieved, Matty, and like I can finally just be a normal student like everyone else. You made it so that no one will know about the past ten years, and even when people find out who we are, you've planned it so that I won't get most of the spotlight. But Matty, are you sure you're okay with doing all that for me? I mean, you did lie to the Professors, and it'll be a lot to handle when that day does come around…'
'Of course I'm sure! I'd do more if it meant making you happy. Harry, when they brought up the possibility of people knowing who we were, I was terrified. I was imagining all the ways people could hurt you. I'll be alright- I'll have you and my family- but I never want you to have to go through that. I'll stay our 'boy-who-lived' for as long as I can, though one day the truth will come out completely. But we'll be ready.'
Harry was silent for a moment, just taking in all the warmth and comfort that his brother was radiating towards him. 'I know,' he said at last, 'After all, I felt and heard everything you felt and thought just now, and I know your thought process. And I am so thankful that you're doing this for me.'
'There's nothing to be thankful for. It comes with the big brother territory.'
Harry thought that was a little extreme for just big brother protectiveness, but he didn't say anything. He loved the feeling of having Matt take care of him- especially after so many years apart. He couldn't wait to see his twin in person.
Matt caught that thought. 'I know, I can't wait too. I'll see if I can get permission to come over tomorrow and see you. Professor Dumbledore got our house hooked up to the floo network- remember I told you about it after reading one of Rosie's books, the way of traveling through fireplaces- so I can floo straight to Auntie Minnie's home anytime. Of course, I need both her and my parents' permis-' he broke off. 'Ry!' he exclaimed, 'You scratched your forehead!'
And it was true. Caught up in what his brother was saying, Harry hadn't noticed that he'd moved his hand up to his face and back down to his side. Now he concentrated on moving his fingers- all ten wiggled!- and then on his arms. Then, ever so slowly, he cracked his eyes open.
He listened to his brother's mental whoop of joy, and cracked a small smile- the first ever, physical, genuine smile he could remember making.
Matt was back to talking now, 'Ry, sorry, but I've got to run! My mum's calling me for dinner, but I'm so glad you're awake! I'll come visit as soon as I'm able!'
And then with a last mental hug for Harry in return for Harry's mental wave, Matt was gone from his mind. The only remnant was the warmth from the back of his mind that was always constant and always there- the reminder that Matt was living and breathing and cared about him.
July 7, 1991- 6:03 pm, Hospital Wing; Hogwarts
Harry sighed lightly, drinking the fifth- or was is sixth?- repulsive potion that Madam Pomfrey had thrust to him in the last twenty minutes. She had not been pleased at all when she had come out of her office to find Harry awake and sitting up without having called for her.
After trying to protest that he hadn't known he was supposed to, he gave up and followed her directions obediently. Truthfully, her abruptness scared him a bit. Matt had assured him that Pomfrey was completely trustworthy, very kind, and extremely caring, but Harry had never met anyone (that he could remember) besides Matt that really cared for him- at least, not in the past ten years. He was used to sharp words and tough personalities, though, and so he decided being quiet and meek might keep the strict nurse from getting more upset than it seemed she already was.
He was just lying back on the bed after an examination of his legs (she had re-broken a few bones while he was sleeping, it seemed, to heal them correctly) that had proved them to be almost completely healed. Then the door to the Hospital Wing cracked open, and a soft voice was heard.
"Poppy? May I come in?"
The nurse spun around to face the door. "Of course, Minerva! Come right in!" She paused in her puttering long enough to wave at the transfiguration teacher, but then continued to the back of the ward where her office was located.
Harry watched with interest- and a little nervousness- as a woman entered the room. He was shocked to see that he hadn't just thought that he remembered Professor McGonagall, but that seeing her brought back real and happy memories. Granted they were fuzzy and he didn't have any detail, but he remembered her voice reading him a story, the same voice singing him a lullaby, and her hands tucking him under a blanket on a couch in front of a fire.
The good memories brought tears to his eyes- he hadn't realized he had any good memories buried beneath the horrible ones of his childhood. He blinked quickly and looked away to mask the wetness. He studied the room he was in. Seeing as it was summertime, the ward was empty. There were no students in the school to get sick or injured, after all.
There were about a dozen beds, and his was located somewhere in the middle of the ward, across from a doorway that led to a bathroom, and next to one of numerous cabinets that housed all sorts of nasty concoctions that Harry had to admit worked quite well.
A noise by the door caught his attention. The Professor was still standing there, regarding Harry with caution.
He understood suddenly- she didn't want to upset him. He could fairly feel the concern and genuine care coming off her. That particular talent was the only one he fully trusted when it came to judging people. As a child, being wrong about whom to trust or listen to could get him a worse beating than he otherwise would've gotten. He'd felt that underneath Pomfrey's rough exterior she was a kind and caring person, she just used bluntness to get cooperation and efficiency.
That didn't mean he trusted her, but that's why he had listened to her.
Professor McGonagall felt completely genuine, though, and it seemed as if she wanted to let him lead this discussion.
He flushed slightly, but called over to her, "Hello, Professor."
He saw her small smile, as she took that initiation of contact to mean she could approach him. "Hello, Harry. I didn't know if you'd remember me, but it seems that you have some idea of who I am?"
She sat in the chair next to his bed with an almost feline-like grace, and a familiar feeling that Harry took to mean she'd spent some time in it already.
He remembered a stray thought of Matt's he'd caught during the memory Matt had shown him, She's barely left the Hospital Wing since they brought him in, and he realized that she had been staying with him most of the time he'd been unconscious.
The feeling of someone caring enough to do that was completely unfamiliar, but comforting and nice at the same time.
He smiled shyly at her. "Matt was talking to me earlier- my mind woke up before my body, it seems."
She smiled- she had a very nice smile, kind and warm. "Ah, yes. A boy after my own heart, it sounds like. I know what it's like to have an inquisitive mind that doesn't like to be shut down. I suppose it was a good thing you had your brother to keep you company, then?"
"Yes, ma'am." He replied politely.
"You don't have to call me 'ma'am', Harry," she admonished gently, "or even Professor, as you aren't a student yet. And I assume Matthew told you of the arrangements we've made for you?"
"Yes," Harry nodded, "But what should I call you, then? I don't think 'Auntie Minnie' feels right after all this time…"
She sat still for a minute, looking at him with something akin to shock. "Do you remember me, Harry? I mean Matt had said, but I wasn't so sure…"
"Yes, a bit," he murmured, "I had some fuzzy memories, and seeing you brought more forward. You would always read to me, and sometimes you'd sing me to sleep."
The woman's eyes looked wet, but she smiled at him again. Receiving that smile made him happier than he could have thought- she was the first person he could recall in the last decade who had smiled at him (he didn't count Matt's mental smiles).
That smile would be the start of a bond between them, though neither knew it, yet.
"Yes Harry, I would always do those things. You were closer to me than your brother was, as a baby, and I loved and cared for you very much. I've been so worried for the past ten years. You have no idea how relieved, and yet frantic, I was when Matt told me about you after I met him. I finally knew where you were, but you were so hurt…" she trailed off, "anyway, I think that if calling me by my old nickname is too awkward after so many years, how about shortening it to 'Aunt Min', or you can call me 'Aunt Minerva', if the formal title is more comfortable."
"I like Auntie Min, if that's alright with you," Harry said shyly. He didn't know what was going on with him- he had never ever trusted someone this easily before.
But she just felt comfortable; warm, kind, and safe. The safeness was one of the best things Harry had felt in a long while, and so he was already finding himself trusting her instinctively.
"I like that too, Harry," she confided to him in a soft tone. "Now, I have a few things to talk to you about. Are you all right for listening now? How are you feeling?"
Harry took stock of his body. Actually, this was the least painful he could every remember being. All he felt was a little stiff, and rather weak. He smiled a real smile up at Minerva.
"I don't hurt! I'm weak and a bit stiff from not moving, but none of my cuts or bruises hurt, and my head isn't pounding like it was all last week!"
Harry thought this was akin to a miracle, but it brought tears to Minerva's eyes. "Harry, you shouldn't have to worry about things like hurting all the time from cuts and bruises. It shouldn't be normal to you. However, since we can't change the past, I promise you that you never need worry about things like that in the future. I suppose your brother got you all up to date- Harry, how do you feel about coming home with me to my summer home? I'd like to show it to you, and if you enjoy it this summer I will gladly become your guardian if you wish, and it will be your home during the holidays as well. Though I often have to stay at the castle as a head of house, you will also have your own room here."
"Really? You actually want me to stay with you?"
"Harry, dear heart, I would love nothing more than to take you in and care for you. I think you need someone take care of you for once, and I can't deny how lonely my home can get with just me there. It would be the highlight of the past decade to be able to share it with you!"
Harry giggled slightly. He used his 'gift' to see Minerva's intentions, and she was completely sincere. She really wanted him? Why? No one had ever wanted him before. Matt cared, but he didn't really count, seeing as he was a blood brother of Harry's and had always been in his mind.
Why would Minerva choose him?
And then a voice that was so like Matt's sounded in his mind- and though he knew it wasn't his brother speaking (Matt was still at dinner with his family, and cut off through the bond) he still half thought his brother had figured out a way into his mind (besides the usual, that is).
You know, just because you've been told you were unlovable all your life doesn't make it true. Matt got adopted by a loving family, what makes you think you don't deserve the same?'
I'm not special, like Matt. Everyone gravitates towards him because he's so open and nice and welcoming. I'm a scrawny little nobody who can't even clean floors properly.
Well maybe Auntie Min doesn't want you because of your fabulous floor-cleaning abilities. One voice in his head said sarcastically, maybe she wants you because she actually cares about you, like her emotions say!
After that, Harry shut up the voices in his head. He didn't think having conversations with himself was very healthy, and he was trying to be normal now, after all.
Poor Harry was never told that Potter men have a hard time being normal.
He looked up at Minerva shyly. "I would love to stay at your house this summer, Auntie Min," he finally replied, and the tension left her shoulders as she relaxed back into her chair, "I just didn't understand why you'd want me, I guess."
"Oh Harry," she shook her head slowly, "Every child needs love, and seeing you again brought out all the protective feelings in me that scream to help you. I don't see why someone wouldn't want you. You are a polite, kind, and sweet young man, and that's from the perspective of someone who has only spent ten minutes with you!"
Harry smiled shyly. "Thank you, I guess. I've never heard anyone say something like that before, about me…"
"Well you deserve it, Harry. I'm going to go talk to Madam Pomfrey and see when you can come home with me, all right? I think she's healed all the physical parts that she can, and the rest can be done with you in a more comfortable environment than this."
She looked distastefully around the pristine Hospital Wing, and Harry smiled. "This is the most comfortable bed I've ever been in," he volunteered, "its not so bad, here."
"I promise you, Harry, that your room at home will be a hundred times better than this."
"Home?" Harry whispered. He'd never had a home before.
"Yes, home." Minerva whispered back, "As long as you want it to be." Somehow sensing that the fragile boy wouldn't be able to deal with a hug just yet, she reached out and squeezed his hand slightly. "I'll be back in a moment."
The she stood up and walked briskly to the cracked door at the end of the ward, and slipped through to the Healer's office.
Harry sat in the bed for a moment, rather bored and lonely. He was used to feeling lonely, but normally he was too tired to really embrace the fact that lonesome meant nothing to do and no one to do it with. At the orphanage, by the time he was done with chores he was hurting and wanted to sleep. After talking to Matt he had no energy left for anything else.
Besides reading, that is. Though he'd never had any formal schooling of his own, Matt had taught him at night, when they were both supposed to be sleeping. Harry hadn't learned as much as a child his age should have in school, but he excelled at reading. Matilda had kept a small shelf of books in the dank and unused 'library', but she never read them. They were for 'show', as if there was anyone to show them to. Harry privately thought that Matilda couldn't read, but she did get a newspaper sometimes, so he supposed she'd have to be able to read that.
But because that shelf of books was never touched, she didn't notice that Harry would sneak a different book out every month, while replacing it with his last borrowed one. And whenever a new child came, if they had any books in their possessions, they would join the shelf and be forgotten, adding to new material for Harry.
Quite quickly, he had surpassed his brother's reading level as well as Matt's commitment to reading, finding a comfort in stories that real life couldn't give him.
He read of fantasylands with elves and dragons and enchanted rings.
He read of the Knights of the Round Table, and their reigning King.
He read of country boys playing pranks and going on adventures down a river.
And he imagined that it was he going on those adventures, fighting the evils of the world, and coming home to his family and friends in the end.
So sitting on his white, starched sheets in the impeccably clean Hospital Wing, he brightened upon seeing a book sitting on the bedside table. He looked around, fugitively.
He didn't know if he was allowed to look at books here, but it was sitting next to his bed. And the people seemed to be nice here- none of the rules were the same as the ones he had grown up with.
And from all he'd heard from Matt, this was a school. Minerva was a teacher. Aren't schools and teachers supposed to encourage reading?
With those thoughts, he reached over and quickly snagged the book, before sinking into his blankets to peruse it.
He smiled at seeing the title- it was a favorite tale of his, called 'The Hobbit'. Knowing that it was a normal edition (if wizards even had their own copies, he didn't know either way) from the publisher's name and address in London, he wondered who had brought it here. Maybe Minerva liked fantasy books. He hoped so; it would be fun to talk about them with her.
He settled back into the pillows and flipped through the book. It was in good condition, but obviously not new. It had the look and feel of a well-loved and often-read book. He flipped back to the front, reading of the home under the hill. He had always loved the image the book projected of the Hobbit's home. It felt warm, comfy, and safe.
As he lost himself in the book, he stopped paying attention to his surroundings. He figured he'd know when Auntie Min came back.
But that also meant that he didn't hear when the door to the infirmary opened again, and it meant he didn't see the man that swooped into the room in a flurry of black fabric and fierce scowls.
But he did feel a cold stare on him, so Harry jerked up from his book and looked around frantically.
He was getting scared now. There was a feeling in the air that he hadn't felt since Matilda, and that being only days ago, was all too fresh in his mind.
He felt loathing, anger, and irritation. The undercurrents were regret and despair, but the dominant emotions were enough to freeze him in place.
This man felt dangerous, and for some reason, he hated Harry.
Frozen and too terrified to move, he absently noticed the black, lank hair falling over dark, furious eyes, and a slightly hooked, long nose. The mouth was twisted into a hideous scowl, and the long, black, silky robes gave him an air of a swooping creature of some kind.
Harry couldn't force himself to move, to react, and he didn't know what to do. Wasn't he supposed to be safe in this school?
The man got visibly more irritated at the staring figure on the bed, and he swooped across the room to tower over a quivering Harry.
"What, boy?" he snarled, using the exact same infliction on the title that Matilda used to, "Just what exactly are you staring at?"
Harry just cowered into a smaller ball on the bed, feeling from the flying emotions that his inability to answer was irritating the man more, but still incapable of finding his voice.
The man lifted his hand as if to strike the boy in front of him, and Harry found his voice.
He didn't even realize that he was speaking in his mind as well as out loud, not having bothered to close his end of the twin connection.
"No, please, I'll be good, I will, Matty! Matty, where are you?"
And then the emotions in the air doubled and tripled as Harry felt concern, worry, and fury coming from the back of the room. He was overwhelmed and completely disconnected from the world around him, though he could feel that tears were running down his face.
And then Matt was in his mind, concern blasting across the bond as well as in his mental voice, wild with anxiety. 'Ry? Ry? What's going on?'
And then there was darkness- blissful darkness- and Harry knew no more.
AN: Sorry for the cliff-hanger- I really didn't mean to, but it seemed to work so well here, and the chapter was getting over seven thousand words. It also leads perfectly to the next segment.
Thank you for reading! Please, once again, review. Please, I know I'm begging, but it'll make my day! :)
Oh, and all reviewers will get a preview of a couple of paragraphs from the next chapter if they review! That'll be out in the next few days. Just as a little reward...
-Golden Sun
