Disclaimer: The usual- I don't own HP, wish I did though.
AN: I have been trying to come up with a decent chapter for this one, so bare with me. I hope you enjoy it.
AN: Sorry for the delay in posting this chapter. The reasons are many fold, but the top two are my innate laziness and trying to describe some of the memories of young Harry. WARNING: THERE ARE SOME DESCPIPTIONS OF ABUSE!
The Silence of Harry Potter
Chapter 3 – Waking up in a Strange Home and Memories
Granger Residence
The next morning
Harry woke up with the biggest smile that he had ever smiled in short life. The dream that he had had during the night had been the best ever as far as he was concerned. It had started off with two nice ladies showing up and taking him from the Dursleys. Followed by a trip to a fantastic place and meeting a group of people straight out of a fantasy novel. Then finding out that he was a Duke's son and should have never been placed with his relatives. The dream had ended with him meeting the girl that he had been dreaming about for as long as he could remember and falling asleep next to her.
Oh, well, he thought, it was a very nice dream and should help me make it through the next few days. I hope Uncle Vernon and Dudley leave me alone for a few days so my throat can heal, otherwise I might pass out. Hmm, almost time for Aunt Petunia to unlock the cupboard door and tell me it's time to fix breakfast and to be quick about it.
When he tried to stretch, Harry noticed that there was something warm and heavy lying next to him and partially on top of him. Opening his eyes, all he could see was a bunch of bushy hair. He also noticed that his arms were wrapped around the body of the person he was in bed with. Squinting around he tried to take in where he was. All he could tell without his glasses on was that he was in a very large room, and it wasn't his cupboard.
Realizing this, whatever sleep was left in his system disappeared instantly with the rush of adrenaline that hit his system. Rapidly releasing his hold on the bushy haired body, Harry clawed his way out from under his bed partner and the blankets. Diving off the bed, he rolled into the nearest corner panicking.
The rough treatment and the emotions that were coming across the bond were enough to snap Hermione awake. Sitting up in bed, she looked around to where Harry was crouched in the corner. She didn't need the bond to tell her that he was close to bolting from the room whether he could see or not.
Sending calming emotions across the connection, the rudely awakened girl slowly got out of bed. Reaching for Harry's glasses, Hermione carefully made her way to the panicked boy talking in a slow soothing voice. She caught a flash of what was causing his panic attack.
"It's ok, Harry," Hermione said soothingly, "nothing is wrong and you are not in trouble. I know that this is not your cupboard because you are in my room and you are now living with me and my mum and dad. You're safe here, Harry, perfectly safe."
By the end, she had reached Harry and put his glasses on his face. As his eyes were able to focus properly, his panic faded away. He could see that she was crouched down next to him. His emerald eyes bored into her chocolate brown ones.
Hermione, he thought with confusion. So I wasn't dreaming about what happened yesterday, it really did happen. Man, I was hoping it wasn't a dream.
Then he smiled.
My fondest wish just came true.
"And what is that, Harry?"
That I finally got to meet the girl of my dreams and I get to stay with her and I don't ever have to go back to the Dursleys!
Hermione just had to smile at that. Her smile was just as big as Harry's. Slowly, she reached out and pulled Harry into a gentle loving hug. As he stiffened, Hermione realized that they had a long way to go before Harry would even accept a gentle hug without thinking someone was going to hit him, but she didn't release him. Slowly, Harry relaxed into the hug and wrapped his arms around the girl holding him.
Harry instinctually knew that Hermione and her parents would never hit him or abuse him and that he was in better situation than he was a few days ago, but seven years of abuse and neglect is not turned off over night. His mind and body were still operating in survival mode.
A polite cough from the doorway caused both children to jump slightly and Harry immediately stiffened back up. He tried to pull away from Hermione, but she held on tight to him. She sent calming thoughts to Harry as she spoke out loud.
"It's ok, Harry, it's ok. It's just mum."
In a surprise move, Hermione kissed Harry on the cheek as she turned to see who was really standing in the bedroom doorway. She found out that she was right and her mum was standing there watching them.
"Everything alright," Sarah asked gently.
Seeing Harry blush as Hermione kissed him on the cheek caused her to smile. She could see that Harry had several expressions crossing his expressive face, surprise vying for top spot against shock. She also knew that it would take a long time to undo the damage that his former guardians had done to him. She only hoped that Filiwi would be able to do it and restore Harry's psyche to any sense of normalcy.
A low growl cut across the room. The two ladies looked at Harry with raised eyebrows.
"I see that your little monster is still hungry," Hermione teased Harry.
Harry just blushed.
It's not my fault that I'm hungry. I've eaten more yesterday than I usually ate at the Dursleys in a week.
Showing a flash of brilliance that was his natural intelligence, he leaped to a conclusion about the potions that Poppy had given him the day before. Hermione bristled at the thought of Harry being intentionally starved by his relatives.
I think one of those potions that the Healer lady gave me might be doing this. She said that they would help me and fix most of what was wrong with me.
You might be right, Harry. Come on, let's get ready while mum fixes us some breakfast.
Harry immediately started to protest, saying that he should be the one who should make breakfast for everyone and not Sarah. It was what he had been trained to do since he was old enough to understand, whether he could actually reach the top of the counter or not. His early efforts had led to several beatings and a starvation diet until he got it right.
"Harry," Sarah said kindly figuring out what the silent argument between the two children might be about, "it's actually a mum's job, my job, to take care of her children, not the other way around. Taking care of my children includes washing the clothes, cleaning up after them until you can do for yourself and making the meals around here. Ok?"
Shocked into mental silence, Harry simply nodded his head.
"Now," she continued, "if you want to help out while I cook, then that's ok, but it's my kitchen and what I say goes, alright?"
In awe of the woman standing in the doorway, Harry turned to look a Hermione.
Did she just say that I was part of your family, Hermione?
"Yes, Harry, I think she just did."
Hermione could tell that he was desperate to belong to a family. She could feel it in every fiber of his being and if she was right, her mum had just unconsciously included Harry as one of her children.
Harry did something that he thought that he would never do again, he actually hugged his third human adult. As soon as Hermione had finished speaking, Harry had broken free of her and launched himself at Sarah. Hugging her tightly around the waist, the emerald eyed boy cried silent tears.
Sarah being wise enough not speak, simply looked at her daughter with a raised eyebrow in question as she gave Harry something he had been wanting for so long, a motherly hug.
"Mum, whether you know it or not, but you just gave Harry one of his greatest wishes. You have called him your child and you have just included him in our family."
Sarah quickly thought back over what she had said. As she replayed the conversation, she realized exactly what it would sound like to Harry and gave him a motherly smile as he looked up at her. She could see the question in his teary eyes.
"Yes, Harry, you are part of this family. No child should have gone through what you did, but that life is over and done with. You will live with us now, Adam and I will make sure of that. Now I want you and Hermione to get cleaned up and meet me downstairs for breakfast, ok?"
Harry just nodded his tear stained face as he squeezed her tightly. Eventually, he released her so he could get ready for the day. Turning to Hermione, he asked her if she wanted to go first. Agreeing, the bushy haired girl quickly grabbed some clothes for the day and headed into the bathroom to prepare for the day.
Sarah watched him as Harry slowly gathered his only set of clothes. She noticed that they were not the same clothes that he had had on the day before. Sometime during the course of the night, Harry's clothes had reverted to their original state, that being Dudley's cast offs.
"Harry, where are the clothes that you were wearing yesterday?"
Harry gave Sarah a puzzled look, then simply held up the cast offs for her inspection. Kneeling down next to him, she looked at him and asked again. When he motioned for something to write on, she led him over to Hermione's desk. Grabbing a pen and a piece of paper, he started to write.
Stern lady, Minevra?, changed them with magic. She said that it may not last. These are Dudley's old clothes. It is all that I have ever had. It is all that they ever gave me.
Controlling her rising anger at the treatment of this gentle child, she gently put her arm around his narrow shoulders as she leaned over.
"Her name is Minerva, dear," she laughed gently. "Now are you saying that the only clothes that you have are the ones that you were given and that before that, that they belonged to your cousin Dudley?"
Yes. They had three rules: don't ask, don't speak and do as I'm told. Dudley is bigger than me. He also hits me when he can and blames me for everything that he does. Well him and Piers.
"Well, one of the things that we are going to do today is go out and get you some new clothes and a new pair of glasses. Those things look like that they won't hold together much longer."
Really? You want to get me new things? I promise I will be good and do what ever you tell me to!
Sarah could see the excitement and hope in Harry's eyes. She forced her anger to the back and gave him loving smile and kissed him on the forehead.
"Yes, Harry, really. It's called being a real parent and all I ask is that you be just as you are, a nice and sweet young man. Now, go take a shower and get ready for today, sweetie."
Seeing that Hermione was back from the bathroom, Harry grabbed his ragged clothes and dashed into the bathroom with a huge smile on his face at being called sweetie. The door closed and soon they could hear water running in the shower.
"Come here, honey, and let me brush your hair while it's still wet."
Doing as she was told, Hermione sat in the recently vacated chair as her mum picked up a brush from the desk. While Hermione read what Harry had wrote, Sarah tried to tame her daughter's unruly hair.
"Mum, what Harry wrote here is true. From the dreams that we have shared, I know that those PEOPLE never gave Harry anything other new. Everything that he has is what his cousin no longer wanted. And they made him sleep in a cupboard under the stairs."
"Honey," Sarah began slowly, "before meeting Harry yesterday, your father and I were on the verge of sending you to talk to someone about your dreams. Now that we know that what you were dreaming about really happened, we need to start making plans on how to help Harry deal with what has happened to him. I think that the biggest part of it will be just loving him and showing him how a real family works together. We also need to work out the sleeping arrangements."
Sighing, Hermione turned slightly so she could look at her mum.
"What Filiwi said is true, mum. For now, Harry and I have to be near each other or touching each other. I can't really explain it, mum, but I just know that it has to happen and as she said, the best way to make it happen is by sleeping in the same bed. Don't worry, mum, we are way too young for that to happen."
"I know, sweetie," Sarah sighed, "but still, the idea of you two sleeping in the same bed is not making your father and I very happy, but since it seems to help you two, we will let it happen. But the minute anything happens that shouldn't happen, you two will be sleeping in separate beds, ok?"
"Yes, mum!"
They both shared a quiet laugh, then sat there quietly, each thinking about the emerald eyed boy in the bathroom. One hoping to show him how a mother should be and the other just quietly broadcasting her feelings for him across the link that they shared.
While Hermione and her mum were in the bedroom discussing him and the sleeping arrangements, Harry quickly made his way in to the bathroom carrying his worn out clothes.
Shutting the door behind him, Harry made his way over to the sink and mirror. Stripping off his T-shirt, he stood staring at his skinny body. He could see that most of bruises that crisscrossed his body had faded away leaving behind healthy looking skin. To his surprise, even some of minor scars seemed to fading, but not the one on his forehead or some of the deeper ones on his back.
Deciding that he wanted to see what his newest scar looked like, the messy haired boy slowly peeled the bandage from his neck. What he saw didn't surprise him at all. A horizontal pink scar ran along his neck where is larynx should have been. It was about two inches across and had the tell tale train tracks of stitches.
Hmm, it should look worse than this, Harry thought. It's only been a few days.
Then he remembered that Poppy had given him several potions the day before and he smiled.
I love magic!
His stomach let out another growl. Smiling, Harry quickly brushed his teeth and showered. Since his only frame of reference was the Dursleys and how they had treated him, he finished his shower in record time for the Granger household.
Stepping out of the shower, he dried himself off and put in his cousin's old clothes. Sighing to himself, he took one last look in the mirror, then headed for the door. Upon opening the door, he stepped into the hallway and promptly collided with Adam.
Falling from hitting Adam, who grunted at being hit, Harry eyes widened in fear as he realized that he had just accidentally bumped into Hermione's father. Flashing back to the time when something like this had happened at the Dursleys and the beating that he had received, he curled up into a ball and waited for the blows to start falling.
Seeing Harry's response to accidentally bumping into him, Adam promptly moved back from Harry and kneeled down. Before he could say anything, a bushy haired missile streaked passed him and flung herself on top of Harry. He then felt a hand grip his shoulder.
"What happened, honey," Sarah asked him.
"I was on my way downstairs when Harry came out of the bathroom and bumped into me. I swear, love, that I didn't know he was there until we collided."
The both could hear Hermione trying to calm Harry down by telling him that Adam would never hit him like that and that he was safe. Slowly they could see that Harry was calming down.
Harry, for his part, had retreated so far into his mind that Hermione could barely feel him through their connection. It was the place he always retreated to when either Vernon or Dudley and his gang would beat him.
Harry! It's ok, Hermione shouted through the bond. Daddy won't hit you! You're safe, Harry. Please come back! Please, please, please come back. I'm here, right next to you in the hallway. Everything is going to be ok, Harry. Just come back to me. Please!
Ever so slowly, Harry responded to Hermione's pleas for him to come out of his self induced retreat. Only with her pleading and calming voice did awareness finally return to Harry's fear filled eyes. He clutched convulsively at Hermione when he realized that he was not being beaten and that the chocolate eyed girl was gently rocking him back and forth as she held his curled up body.
"It's ok now, Harry," Hermione said soothingly. "You did nothing wrong. Accidents happen, Harry. You don't have to worry about being hit or beaten up just because of an accident like bumping into someone. It's ok."
Are you sure, Hermione, came the hesitant reply. If I did anything wrong, Uncle Vernon or Dudley would hit me. Heck, they would hit me for no other reason than just for breathing. Are you sure your daddy won't hit me?
"Yes, Harry, I know daddy wouldn't do that. It was just an accident, so everything is ok."
Kneeling down near Harry, Adam tried to get his attention. When he was sure that he had it, he talked to him not at him.
"Harry, I promise you that it's ok. It was just an accident, these things happen. Bumping into people is ok, being hit and beaten for it is not. I take it that this is what has happened to you?"
Seeing Harry nod his head, Adam continued.
"We, meaning Sarah and I, don't believe in hitting children. Now that is not to say that if you do something that really is wrong, like getting into a fight with someone or stealing, that we won't punish you because we will. There are several ways of disciplining someone and hitting someone is not the best way to do it. Understand, Harry?"
You're not gonna hit me?
As if reading his mind, Adam responded.
"No, Harry, I am not going to hit you. Now why don't you and Hermione finish getting ready for the day while your mum and I make some breakfast?"
Harry just continued to stare at Adam with huge eyes, scarcely believing that he wasn't going to be beaten to within an inch of his life for bumping into Mr. Granger.
"We'll be down in a minute, dad," Hermione answered for the both of them.
Adam nodded his head in agreement and led Sarah downstairs to the kitchen.
The two children just sat there on the floor of the hallway for several moments. Harry just trying to calm down and slowly realizing that he wasn't going to be beaten. Hermione, for her part, was still rocking him gently back and forth, just holding him and sending soothing thoughts across their mental link.
Eventually, the smell of food being cooked in the kitchen wafted up to the clutching children. At Hermione's urging and Harry's rumbling stomach, the pair finally got up from the floor of the hallway.
"Come on, Harry, let's get my hair brush and that letter and go get some breakfast."
Ok, Hermione. Will I be able to sit at the table with you?
Knowing that he was very serious about that question, she told him that yes he would be sitting at the table with them and he would eat whatever he wanted to. After all, it's what families did together.
With happy thoughts of belonging to a family running through his head, Harry gave a shy smile to Hermione as she grabbed her brush, the notebook and pen, and the letter from the night before. Gently taking his hand in hers, she led him down the stairs and into the dining room.
While they had been upstairs, Sarah and Adam had held a quiet conversation while making breakfast.
"Honey, it looks like Harry was severely abused by his relatives. I mean just look at how he reacted to just bumping into me. It makes me wonder just how he is going to cope being here with us."
Sarah just looked over her shoulder at him with a raised eyebrow. Adam knew what that look meant.
"Now don't get me wrong, love, I think we will be good for him and he seems to be good for our daughter. And anything has to be better than where he was living. Do you think that that Lady Goblin will be able to help him?"
"I talked a little bit with Poppy during dinner last night and Filiwi. They both think that with the proper environment and Filiwi being able to actually go into his mind and see his memories, that Harry should be able to overcome his upbringing at the Dursleys. It may take a long time, but they believe it can be done. What we have to do, Adam, is provide Harry with a stable, loving home."
Adam agreed with his wife and set a place on the table for everyone.
By the time that the two hand holding children entered the dining room, the table was set with the food that Sarah had made. Harry paused at the table, eyeing the amount of food. Hesitating, he just stood next table waiting to see if Hermione's parents would actually let him sit at the table and eat with them.
Seeing him standing next to the table, Sarah gently tried to coax Harry into sitting down, assuring him that it was ok to sit down with them and have something to eat. Harry still didn't move, until Adam finally assured him that he was supposed to eat with them since he was a part of the family. Seeing that he was going to be allowed to sit at the table and eat a real meal, Harry shyly sat next to Hermione.
Knowing that Harry probably wouldn't grab anything, Sarah placed some eggs, bacon, and some toast on his plate. Hermione poured him some juice and put it next to him. With encouragement, Harry slowly ate what was in front of him. As soon as he was done, Sarah asked him if he would like some more. Shaking his head no, Harry tried to get up from the table and grab the empty dishes, but Sarah gently reminded him that it was her job to take care of him and not the other way around.
"I'll tell you what," Sarah said smiling kindly at him, "if you really want to, I will let you help me with dinner tonight. How about that?"
Grabbing the notebook and pen, Harry wrote out what he was thinking.
You mean you won't make me? Only if I want to?
He showed the note to Sarah.
"Harry," Adam said kindly, "we are nothing like your aunt and uncle. Eventually, we may ask you to do something, but we will not force you too. Sometimes, it will be up to you to it, sometimes it won't. It just depends."
Seeing his confused look, Adam and Sarah traded looks, then Sarah continued.
"Guys, Adam and I spoke last night about something similar to this. How you guys like to make some money by doing a few simple chores to help out around here?"
Hermione had a thoughtful expression on her face. She was imagining all of the books she could buy with the money. Harry, on the other hand, was shocked. The idea of getting paid to do something was new to him.
"What do we have to do, daddy?"
"Well," he said looking over at his highly intelligent wife, "how about two pounds per chore per week?"
Part of their discussion the night before had been how to help Harry improve his self esteem and his sense of self worth. They had thought that this might get the ball rolling in the right direction. They could see that Harry was still flabbergasted about the idea.
Not really trusting the adults yet, Harry turned to Hermione and asked her what she thought about it across the bond.
It's ok, Harry. I think Mum and Dad think that this will be a good thing for us.
Still seeing his confused look, she tried to clarify it for him.
Harry, I know that those people, her venom and contempt for the Dursleys clear, even coming across the bond, never treated you right, that they really treated you like the slaves that we studied in class this year. I know that they only way that you got food was if you did everything around their home for them. Well, what Daddy is saying is that if you want to, he and mum will pay us, give us money, for helping out around the house. We don't have to, but it is a good way to make some spending money.
The light finally clicked on in Harry's head.
You mean your dad will give me two pounds for mowing the yard? Or weeding the garden and flower bed? Or cleaning the house?
Well, I wouldn't go that far, Harry. More like doing the dishes say a few times a week or helping mum with the washing. Maybe helping daddy when he does the yard work, but not doing everything around here.
Ok, I think I understand now, Hermione. Thank you.
Smiling at him, she leaned over and gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek. Unlike most boys his age, he did not wipe it off. Instead, a dreamy smile crossed his shy features as his hand reached up and touched where Hermione had given him a kiss. Everyone could see the wonder in his eyes at the first kiss that he could ever remember. He started to blush slightly at the new sensations that were now coursing through him.
Why did you do that?
"Well, Harry," She answered out loud, smiling shyly herself, "I know that the only kiss that you can even faintly remember is one from your mum. We saw that last night with Filiwi. Mum also gave you a goodnight kiss last night when we were going to bed, but you were already asleep when she did it."
Ok, Hermione. Do you think that I should open this letter now?
"Of course, but first let's help mum clear the table and put everything in the dishwasher. And dad, we will do it."
"Good. We will discuss your chores later, now let's get ready for the rest of the day."
Harry just nodded his head in agreement and helped to clear the table. Within a few minutes, everything was put away and the dishwasher was going. With that done, the four gathered back in the dining.
Looking the other three people in the room, Harry reached for the little letter. Once he had it, he turned it over and looked at the seal closing the letter. It was stylized raven clutching a limb in its claws, simple yet elegant.
Touching the seal with his finger caused it to glow slightly as it made sure that the person opening was the one to whom it had been addressed to. Harry felt the same tingling from this seal as he had from the one that he had opened yesterday. It was over just as quickly as it come. With a puff of smoke, the seal vanished.
Everyone jumped slightly, since they still were not used to magic. The letter wiggled slightly in Harry's grasp, so he let it go. Once it was free from his grasp, it unfolded itself and floated several inches in the air. A soft blue glow surrounded the letter, slowly solidifying into a head of a woman.
Reaching solidity, the piercing emerald green eye stared straight into Harry's eyes. Coal black hair framed a slim beautiful face. A cute button nose sat between high cheek bones and above full luscious lips. A graceful chin finished off the slightly tan colored head. Slowly, a loving smile broke out from the lips exposing pure white teeth. Then the floating head spoke in a soft warm motherly voice.
"I bring you greetings to you, my grandson Harry. I am your several times removed grandmother Rowena Ravenclaw-Gryffindor."
Everyone was shocked that the talking head knew Harry's name.
"Please do not be to shocked that I know your name, Harry, for I am what is called a Seer, an Oracle. While I am nowhere near as good as the Oracle at Delphi, I am pretty good in my own right. Just so you know, what you are seeing is a simple charm that projects my face above this letter and speaks using my voice while actually reading the letter itself. Pretty neat huh?"
Harry and the others just nodded in agreement. The floating head continued, taking on a hard look.
"I also know, from my visions, that as you listen to this, that you have been rendered silent through no fault of your own, but by the actions of those to whom your care was entrusted. For this, all I can say is that I am truly sorry for what was done to you. My visions have showed me almost everything that happened to you. Draw what comfort that you can when I say that you will not be going back to that place again."
Tears welled up in Harry's eyes as Hermione and Sarah pulled him into a hug. This time, he did not stiffen up, much. The voice softened as it continued.
"From my visions, I can See that by this time that you have been rescued from there and have been taken to live with your bonded. This is where you truly belong, Harry. Remember that through your bond with Hermione and with the help of those that you have met recently, you will eventually heal from your injuries, but you will never have a voice to speak with. I can also See that you and Hermione will become very powerful in the ways of magic."
Sadness crept into her voice.
"I can also See that you have a dark road ahead, my grandson. You will face many trials and challenges, but you will be able to conquer them, and in the end, be triumphant. Along the way, you will gather your true friends and family, which has already begun with your Bonded, Hermione, and her parents. Others will come later."
"All that you have suffered so far," Rowena's charmed letter continued softly, "is because of a Prophecy that was made before you were born. I can not tell you the contents of it, for I do not know the wording, but I can tell you that two powerful wizards believe it to be true and thus your current situation, Harry."
A tear escaped from the left emerald eye of the raven haired projection.
"Because of this, my husband and I have decided that we will provide you with some necessary help in the form of certain items that have been left with the Clan Chief of the Clan Chiefs of the Goblin Nation and the bank that they have formed. What we will provide you will help you with what you have to do. Ask the Goblins if they know the contents of the Prophecy and for the items that Godric and I will be leaving with them."
A motherly smile crept across the lips of Rowena's projection.
"Trust in your bond with Hermione, Harry, and it will be the most potent force against the Darkness that will come. Believe in the love that your mother left in you, and you will win over those that will help you. Share your love with those that you trust, and you will influence people that you don't even know. Give your love to Hermione and she will return it in full measure. Accept her parents as surrogates and you will gain a family that will never break."
The floating head shifted to look at Hermione and Sarah.
"Hermione," it said softly, "show Harry how to love again and you will know what it's like to be loved beyond all measure. To you, Sarah Granger, love and protect him as a mother should and he will love you just like Hermione does."
The projected head turned to look at Adam.
"Adam Granger, I charge you with showing Harry how a loving husband and father should act. If you do, he will show you what it is like to have a son who is respectful, but will challenge you when you need it, as all children should."
The head turned back to Harry and gave him another motherly smile.
"Remember, Harry, ask the Goblins for what we leave behind. Who knows, at some point in time we may even meet after a fashion. Even though I have never met you in person, my grandson, I can See that you a very loving and caring person."
"In closing, I will say this, and I mean as only a mother and a grandmother can: I love you, Harry James Potter Gryffindor-Ravenclaw."
With that, the projected head of Rowena Ravenclaw blew a kiss towards Harry, causing him to blush and feel tingling all over.
"With all my love, your distant grandmother, Rowena Gryffindor-Ravenclaw, Duchess of Gryffindor-Ravenclaw."
The head slowly disappeared and sank back into the parchment. Silence reigned in the Granger household for several minutes. By the time that everyone had collected themselves, it was almost eight o'clock and the meeting with Filiwi and Brokenblade.
Cleaning themselves up as best as they could, Adam led everyone into the front living room. Hermione made sure to grab the letter, the hairbrush and the notebook and pen.
Hermione pulled Harry back into the recliner and seated herself next to him, wrapping her arms around his waist and laying her head on his shoulder. Harry, for his part, was still slightly uncomfortable with people touching him, but with Hermione he was getting used to it. The emerald eyed boy slowly wrapped his arms around Hermione and pulled her in tight. They both sighed in contentment.
Sarah and Adam chose to sit on the love seat, taking up similar positions as the children.
"I wonder what type of help that Rowena and Godric have left for you, Harry."
Harry just shrugged his shoulders at his bushy haired Bonded's statement and closed his eyes as he leaned back into the recliner.
Everyone settled in to wait for the two Goblins to appear. They only had to wait for a few minutes before a polite knock sounded from the front door. Adam got up to answer it. Filiwi and Brokenblade stood there wearing their glamour charms.
"Good morning, Mr. Granger," Filiwi greeting him. "How are you, Mrs. Granger and my Lord and Lady?"
Adam reached out and gently shook her hand then shook Brokenblade's. Leading them into the front room, he gestured for them to sit down couch. The two Goblins did so, sitting near each other.
"Well," Adam said softly, glancing the Hermione and Harry cuddled in the recliner, "we had a bit of scare this morning, two actually."
"Oh, and what was that?"
Seeing that the two children weren't going to answer Filiwi's question, Sarah did.
"Well the first one was when Harry woke up this morning. He kind of panicked when he realized that he was not at the Dursley's home. It took Hermione a few minutes to calm him down, then everything was alright."
"The other incident was when Harry came out of the bathroom and accidentally bumped into Adam. From Harry's reaction to bumping into Adam, I am guessing that when something like that happened before he was shall we say 'disciplined' to not do it again. It took Hermione a while to get Harry to come back, but I think he is ok now."
"Yes, mum, he is," Hermione piped up. "If something like that happens again, mum, Harry says that he hopes he won't react that way. And Harry, if you say you're sorry again, I'm will kiss you. On the mouth this time."
Harry must have said sorry again because Hermione did give him a quick kiss on the mouth, causing both of them to blush. Everyone smiled at that. It would seem that Harry was at least getting used to Hermione, but was still wary of the adults in the room.
"Milord," the glamour wearing female Goblin said, "I would like to do a small session again this morning before we get on with the day's activities. Is that alright?"
"Harry is asking is it really necessary," Hermione answered for him.
Before Filiwi could say anything, Harry grabbed the pen and notebook and began writing. Hermione looked at what he was writing and smiled. When he was finished, he looked at her and she nodded her head in agreement. Harry handed it to Hermione, who in turn handed it to Filiwi.
The Lady Goblin read it smiling, then handed it off to Brokenblade. He too had a grin when he was done reading it and passed it on to the adult Grangers. Filiwi responded to what he had written.
"If that is what you want, then we shall call you Harry and Hermione instead of milord and milady. And yes, I think that it will necessary to have a session with you at least once a day, at least for awhile, then we can talk about going to another schedule. Also, Brokenblade here has agreed to teach you and Hermione some ways to defend yourselves if you want. Is that ok?"
Harry and Hermione shared a look, talking through the bond.
Hermione?
I think we should consider learning how to take care of ourselves, Harry. If for no other reason than to make sure that we don't get beaten up.
Harry knew from the sharing of dreams that Hermione's school life was not pleasant. While she didn't get beat up, she was ridiculed by her peers in class for being a lot smarter than them and for blowing the grading curve. He had also seen that there were a few bullies at her school too.
Ok, we'll do it.
Hermione gave Harry a gentle squeeze and a smile. While he still stiffened slightly, it was not as bad as the day before. At least with Hermione, Harry felt safe.
"If you don't mind," Hermione answered for both of them, "we think it would be a great idea for Brokenblade to teach us how to defend ourselves."
"Do you mind if Sarah and I attend," Adam asked.
"I was about to ask you," Brokenblade said with a smile, "if you and your wife would like to attend the self defense training also. I would also like to see what you know since your file says that you were in the military and saw some combat. So I have no problem with it."
Adam and Sarah sighed in relief.
Filiwi turned to look at her Goblin partner.
"How about you take Adam and Sarah into the dining room and discuss the security while I work with Harry."
Brokenblade did as he was asked and led the Drs. Granger into the dining room.
Turning back to the seated children, she reminded them to get comfortable because this session might last a little longer than last night's session. Once everyone was comfortable, the Goblin Mind Healer began the spell to enter Harry's mind.
Ok, now remember, Harry, this is just like last night. What we will be seeing is your memories. They can't hurt you, but it will be painful to watch. I promise you, once we get through all of your memories, I will be able to help you.
Now that you have fully bonded with Hermione, you two will be able to fully share your memories, your magical cores and to a certain extent, your powers. It will be a lot different than the dream sharing that you are used to.
Now, Harry, concentrate on your fourth birthday. Remember everything will be fine, nothing can hurt you, these are just memories, Harry. I am here and so is your Bonded, Hermione.
Ever so slowly, a sense of closeness filled them, followed by the stink of old unwashed bedding. The light suddenly turned on, throwing the tiny room into sharp relief. Laying on the floor on top of a way to small mattress, was four year old Harry.
A sudden pounding on the door woke the young boy.
"Get up! You have five minutes to clean yourself then make breakfast! MOVE!"
The sound of a latch being undone and the door being ripped open caused young Harry to flinch.
"I said MOVE," screeched the horse faced woman that they knew to be his Aunt Petunia.
Harry moved as fast as he could considering the beating that he had received the day before for not getting all of his chores done. He took a very quick shower and put on relatively clean clothes, then headed back downstairs to fix breakfast.
Standing on stool next to the stove, Harry tried to make some eggs and bacon. He wound up over doing the eggs a bit and blackening the bacon. The toast turned out ok. Putting everything on the table, he stepped back, hoping to at least get some toast and water today.
Filiwi and Hermione could feel Harry's emotions as he relived this day.
Um, Filiwi, do we really need to watch the whole thing?
Why? What's going to happen?
Well, Uncle Vernon didn't like his breakfast and hit me hard. Dudley also hit me because his eggs were to hard. Aunt Petunia smirked at me and just gave me some burned toast and a glass of water. I spent the rest of the day cleaning the house, and doing yard work. Supper was pretty much the same as breakfast, only I was allowed two slices of bread and some water. Once I cleaned up the kitchen, I was sent to my cupboard under the stairs. I didn't get beaten that day. I guess you could say it was a kind of present, not being beaten.
And the next day?
Pretty much the same.
Ok. Can you show me a memory that isn't like this?
Since Harry trusted her and Hermione had already seen most of his memories, he showed her his first Harry Hunting game.
He had been out in the yard, mowing the grass, on a bright sunny day. He looked to be about five years old and was wearing some of his mini whale sized cousin's clothing. He was almost done mowing when Dudley appeared with his best friend Piers.
"Hey Piers," the mini whale that was Dudley said to his friend, "how about playing a new game?"
"What," the slightly dimwitted boy asked.
"Let's play Harry Hunting."
"What's that?"
When he saw Dudley pointing at his cousin, Piers got a malicious glint in his beady eyes.
Harry had just turned off the mower and getting the rakes out to clean up the clipped grass when he felt something was wrong. Looking over at his tub of lard cousin and his best friend, he just knew that they were planning on doing something to him.
"Oye, freak," shouted Dudley, "Me and Piers just came up with a new game and you're in it."
Harry's nervousness increased. When he asked what type of game it was, the answer caused him to start to shake slightly.
"It's called Harry Hunting and we thought that we would start playing it right now."
With that, the two bullies started running towards Harry. For his part, Harry dropped the rake that he was holding and took off as fast as his little legs could carry him. He managed to hold his own for about a block before he started to tire. His lack of diet was starting to catch up to him.
Pretty soon, he was caught by Dudley and Piers. What followed was the first of many beatings as both budding delinquents pummeled Harry. Once they were through, they left Harry lying on the ground, bruised and bleeding.
Slowly making his way back to number four Privet Drive, wished with all of his might for someone to come and take him away from this life. The shriek that greeted him when he opened the front door caused him to stop in his tracks.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! DON'T COME IN HERE LOOKING LIKE THAT, YOU FREAK! USE THE HOSE PIPE TO CLEAN YOURSELF UP THEN GET BACK TO WORK, YOU FREAK!"
Reluctantly, Harry did as he was told. Once he had used the hose pipe to wash most of the blood and dirt off himself, he continued to rake up the grass clippings.
By the Great One, Filiwi said angrily. How could they treat you like that? Are most of your memories like this two that we have seen?
Sensing that her anger was causing Harry some distress, she slowly calmed herself down.
It's ok, milord. I am not mad at you, but at your relatives. It's ok.
Hermione gently pulled him into a kind of mental hug. Filiwi joined in as Hermione sent calming thoughts to Harry. Once he was calmed down, he answered her questions.
That is how I was always treated and yeah, pretty much. At least until I started school, but Dudley made sure that I didn't have any friends there and Uncle Vernon made sure that I wasn't believed at all by the teachers. So when Dudley and his gang did something bad, I got the blame for it.
Can you show me some of them, Harry?"
Ok.
Both ladies could feel Harry's reluctance to show them the memories but they could also feel that he desperately wanted to please them also.
What followed was a parade of memories showing his time at school, from his first day up to the end of the current school term. The scenes showed Harry either being beaten by Dudley and his gang, being blamed for damage done to the school, or Dudley beating up anyone who tried to befriend Harry.
I take it that your home life was just as bad, Harry?
Yeah, for the most part. Only when I did better than Dudley at school, I would either get beaten and locked in my cupboard or just starved for several days.
Harry, you need to show her the poker incident and the one that caused you to lose your voice. Also, your Aunt Marge and the dog, that evil little animal.
Do I have to, Hermione?
They could both feel his reluctance to show Filiwi those two memories.
Yes, Hermione said gently through the bond. She needs to see them at their worst Harry. Then you can show her the time that you grew your hair back and that time you turned your teacher's hair blue. Also, show her the time that you wound up on top of the school. Remember, Harry, I am right here with you and I will never leave you.
Harry simply nodded and started the memories as he felt Hermione's love for him come through the bond. He tentatively returned them causing Hermione to glow slightly.
The first memory was of the time when Dudley hit his left arm with the fireplace poker when Harry reached for a candy cane that was on the Christmas tree. The sound of breaking bones was drowned out by Dudley screaming that everything was his. All Harry had wanted was some form of food. He was six at the time.
With his arm bent at an unnatural angle and tears streaming down his face, Harry tried to cradle it against his chest, but Vernon was having none of that. He grabbed Harry's broken arm and twisted it violently, commenting that is was definitely broken as Harry screamed out in pain. He was unceremoniously shoved into the cupboard under the stairs and locked in.
He spent the next three and a half days locked in that small room with little food until he was let out by Petunia and taken to the doctor's office to get his arm taken care of. Unfortunately, the doctor had to rebreak the bone since it had already started to heal in order to set it right.
Once they left the office, Petunia told him that if he wanted anything to eat, he would have to finish his chores before he went to bed that night. Somehow, Harry managed to do it and he was given some left over ham, some stale bread and a glass of water.
The next memory to fade in was just a few days old. Harry was standing off to one side of the table waiting for the Dursleys to finish the food that he had cooked for them. Once it looked like everyone was done, Harry politely asked if he could start to clear the table.
His one mistake was that he stood near Dudley when he asked this. Before he could react, pain flared in his throat as Dudley jammed fork in his throat. Harry had been looking at Petunia when he asked this, so he had not seen the malicious glint in Dudley's eyes. As soon as the fork struck home, Vernon backhanded him across the room, slamming him into the wall.
Harry slid slowly down the wall barely conscious. With his hands grabbing his throat, the emerald eyed boy tried to pull the fork from his throat. Once he did, he tried to stem the blood flow with his hands. Looking up with fear in his eyes, he saw his so-called relatives gathering around him.
"Bout time you got what you deserved, freak," Vernon sneered at the stricken boy. "Good job, Dudley."
Dudley beamed at his father's praise. For good measure, the baby whale decided to kick Harry in the side.
"Hope you finally die, freak," Dudley said calmly.
This got Petunia's attention.
"No," she said sighing. "We can't let him die or the freaks like him will find out and make our lives hell. Not that its hell having him here. Vernon, call your sister and see if she knows someone who can save the freak before he dies."
The memory slowly faded as memory Harry passed out.
Silence reigned for several moments before Filiwi spoke up.
I'm so sorry, the Goblin Healer said. Milord, may I show this memory to someone who can help bring these animals to justice?
Harry could feel the barely controlled anger that Filiwi was unconsciously projecting and his mind started to shutdown and pull back from her and Hermione.
As Harry pulled back into himself, all either of them could here was 'I'm sorry' over and over. Realizing that she was about to lose him, Filiwi quickly instructed Hermione to do whatever it took to bring him back as she broke the connection with Harry.
Once the Goblin Healer had regained her senses, she saw that Harry had tears running down his cheeks from his dulled green eyes as Hermione did her level best to tell him it was ok and that everything was going to be alright. That no one here was mad at Harry and could he please come back.
Hermione was reaching a panic state, when Sarah, Adam and Brokenblade returned to the front room to see what was going on.
"What happened," demanded Sarah as she took in Hermione clutching Harry and heard what she was saying to the near catatonic dull eyed boy.
The look that Filiwi was projecting was one of anger and contriteness. She quickly filled everyone in on what had happened while viewing Harry's memories, ending with her anger at the Dursleys causing Harry's current state. When she was finished describing the final memory, the other three adults were also unhappy with the Dursleys.
Sarah rushed over to the recliner and pulled both children into her lap, giving them both motherly hugs. Gently rocking back and forth, she added her soothing voice to Hermione's as they tried to pull Harry back from his mental refuge.
Filiwi was just to the point of casting a Revenerate spell when there was a knock on the front door.
Whew, that's that chapter done.
Again, sorry for the delay.
Please, read and review.