Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter!
A/N: Part of two challenges.
If You Dare: 427: Mouthful of Grass
Are You Crazy Enough?: 660: (object) Kitchen table.
7 July 1995
Dear Help,
I awoke the following morning to the sunlight streaming in through the open window. I groaned internally and felt around for my glasses. I felt a hand brush mine as I grabbed them. I quickly shoved them on and upon seeing Sirius there - red-eyed as though he'd had no sleep in a while- I remembered everything up to blacking out. I remembered my tongue being cut out of my mouth, leaning over the edge of my bed, bleeding into a trashcan and passing out. I remembered Dumbledore coming to get me the night- day?- before and taking me to see Sirius. I remembered crying all over everyone. And then everyone crying over me. Then I blacked out, I thought.
"Hey, champ," Sirius said with a sad smile, "How'd ya sleep?" I winced and Sirius suddenly turned a bright shade of red and looked down awkwardly. "I-I mean, er, did you sleep well?" he stammered. He seemed to be still trying to get used to me not being able to talk. I nodded and waved my hand as though it was no big deal.
"I'm sure you wanna know why you blacked out." I looked at him with increased interest. It was only then I noticed that his eyes weren't red from lack of sleep but rather from crying. "Well, we think that it was just the stress and Madame Pomfrey- who stopped by twice- gave us the okay to let you out of bed when you woke up. Just make sure you take it easy." Sirius smiled broadly and ruffled my already messy hair and saying, "Now that that's out, wanna go get breakfast?" He looked at me hopefully.
I felt my smile falter, but Sirius didn't miss a beat. "Don't worry. The only people here are the Weasleys, Hermione, Lupin and I. And you of course." He started looking doubtful as to whether I'd want to go with him. Although I was slightly disappointed Dumbledore wasn't there, I nodded in response and swung my legs over the bed.
Sirius stood up, beaming brightly and yelled, "Race you!" He took off and I followed. I narrowly beat him, though I suspect he let me. We ran into the kitchen out of breath and Sirius almost knocked a plate of food out of Mrs. Weasley's hands.
"Stop running through the house!" she snapped harshly, thought her tone was light and she smiled. I knew she was really quite pleased to see me looking happy. She walked over to me and gave me a hug. "Are you feeling better, dear?"
I nodded and plastered another smile on my face. I was getting better at the whole acting thing. Because I wasn't really happy. I felt as though my world were a house of cards. Each card represented an accomplishment. Right now, the stack was unstable and shaking. One wrong move and the entire thing would collapse.
Mrs. Weasley grinned back and said, "Ron and Hermione are in the living room. I'm sure they'd love to see you."
I hesitated before nodding again, my mood beginning to decline at the thought of their rejection. I made no move to leave. Sirius put a hand on my shoulder and led me into the living room. Ron and Hermione were talking quietly in from of the fireplace, their backs to us. Sirius cleared his throat as we stood at the doorway. Ron and Hermione snapped their heads around to look at us.
Hermione immediately ran over to hug me again. I hugged her back. I really wanted to comfort her and tell her I would be fine, but I couldn't I also knew it wasn't true. Nothing would ever be the same again. I felt guilty because I would never be able to reassure her again. I would never be able to speak again. When she let go, I saw her swipe her hands over her eyes to brush away tears.
Ron sauntered over awkwardly. "Hey mate, you feeling alright?" he asked with difficulty, a small smile playing on his lips. I could tell he was nervous and didn't know how to talk to me. I nodded jerkily. I really wanted him to not have to be so awkward around me. I wanted him to be normal Ron. I wanted him to just be the Ron that always spoke his mind. I wasn't sure I'd ever see that Ron again.
Ron looked down at his toes and said so quietly I had to lean in to hear, "So, uh, do- do ya think you'd like to- or can you, I mean," he took a deep breath and squeezed his eyes shut. "DoyouwannaplayQuidditchanymore?" he said all at once. He chanced a glance at me and then quickly looked down at me. "I understand if you don't want to, 'cause, I mean all you've been through, mate, hell, I might not wanna after that..." He looked at me dejectedly again but this time didn't look away.
I grinned and nodded enthusiastically. Maybe I wouldn't completely lose Ron. I looked at Sirius for confirmation and I could tell he was torn. He looked as though he wanted to let me, but also didn't want me to get hurt anymore. I had similar doubts. I gave him my best pleading face. He laughed and finally gave in. "Oh, why not? But you can't here." When he saw mine and Ron's crestfallen faces he chuckled. "You know your mum would throw a fit, Ron. And besides, where are you going to play? There's not enough room anywhere! I'll make sure that you get to play, Harry, once you get to Hogwarts." He grinned at both of us. I nodded enthusiastically in response.
From the kitchen, we heard Mrs. Weasley's magically magnified voice echo throughout the house, "Breakfast, everybody! Come now if you want anything to eat!" I heard the loud sound of footsteps running down the stairs and followed Ron, Hermione, and Sirius into the dining where the food was laid out meticulously. I sat down between Ron and Hermione, Sirius sitting directly in front me.
As I piled food onto my plate, I was struck by a sudden horrifying thought. How am I going to eat without a tongue? I thought in alarm. I put my fork down and hastily got up and went into the bathroom, locking the door behind me. I collapsed against the wall, my breathing quickening. I tried to calm down but couldn't. I just couldn't stop the sobs that came racking over my body. I heard a knock on the door. I knew it was Sirius and I really didn't want to talk to him or anyone right now. I knew I wouldn't be able to hide the shame.
I heard the click of the door unlocking and the door creak open. Sirius saw me weeping on the floor and immediately closed the door behind him. He knelt beside me and put a hand on my shoulder. "Hey, it's okay. It's okay. It'll all be okay..." he kept repeating these words like a mantra to calm me down.
But they didn't help. I shook my head the tears coming faster now. I would die from starvation or otherwise be fed from a tube. I hated needles.
Sirius gathered me in his arms and rocked me back and forth to help me calm down. I knew he was only trying to help, so I let him. Eventually, my body stopped shaking and Sirius pulled me back to me in the eyes. "Now, I know that it will be hard, and possibly painful, but at least try to eat something. Mrs. Weasley made you oatmeal just for this reason. She knew it would be difficult and so is making you soft foods to help you adjust. Madame Pomfrey also patched up your, er, tongue while you were out and gave us the okay to let you eat soft foods. If it hurts too much, we'll just call her back and figure out something else. That's it, deep breaths. Are feeling up to eating now?" He asked, a concerned look still in his eyes.
I nodded in response and let Sirius help me up. We walked back into the kitchen where everyone else had already started eating. Mrs. Weasley had already exchanged my plate with the bowl of oatmeal, along with many toppings off to the side. I gave Mrs. Weasley and thankful nod and a small smile. She beamed back at me brightly and waved her hand to show it was no big deal. I took my place between my two best friends again and put brown sugar and honey on my oatmeal. I put a small amount on my spoon and put it in my mouth, well aware everyone had stopped eating to watch me anxiously. After fighting to get it into the back of my mouth, I finally managed to swallow it. I smiled at everyone to show them my success. Everyone started cheering, Fred and George being the loudest. I took another bite, this time putting the food more towards the back and swallowed it with much more ease. This caused more of an uproar from all around the table.
Not noticing his absence before, I saw Lupin enter the room. He looked around and said in a light tone, "Sounds like a Quidditch match going on in here!" His eyes finally landed on me eating. I took another bite to show him my accomplishment and his eyes widened as far as they would go. He joined in the cheering as well and said, "Good job, Harry!" He took a seat next to Sirius and filled his plate.
Eating resumed after that with much laughter and smiles. When everyone had finished, Mrs. Weasley told us to go look through more rooms of the house with Lupin and Sirius. "I know the perfect place!" Sirius exclaimed and we all raced off eagerly to help him with whatever he needed.
By the end of the day, we had barely finished one rather small room with lots of stuff crammed into it. Mrs. Weasley only called us down twice for lunch and dinner. We occasionally needed her help to do certain things, but other than that, we had no idea what she was doing. We suspected she was looking for different recipes to make for me. After dinner, there was an Order of the Phoenix meeting.
I had learned while we were cleaning all about the Order and what had been going on since Voldemort's return. I had taken a special interest in the fact that Snape, of all people, was part of the Order. I would need to figure out a way to communicate besides just head movements soon so I could actually take part in conversations.
I was completely exhausted by the time 8 rolled around. I tried to express with hand signals to Sirius that I was going to bed, and after much guessing on his part as to what I was trying to get across, he said he'd relay the message. I went up to mine and Ron's room and immediately started writing about the past two days.
As much as I wish that I could still talk, I know I can't. I really hope we figure out some way for me to express myself soon. I have high hopes for that. Anyway, as I said before, I'm completely beat- not literally, of course. I'll update you again tomorrow.
Well! Here's a much longer chapter for all of you to enjoy! I am so grateful for all the reviews I've gotten! The next chapter will include Lupin and Sirius helping Harry. I'm hoping to include Snape eventually, but I need your help. Should he be a git about it and act the same or possibly worse, teasing him for the fact he can't talk? Or should he be helpful and try to assist Harry's recovery? Let me know! Thanks so much again for reviewing! Keep them coming!
Lily Potter-chan - Lol! NO! Don't die! Haha! I'm glad you liked it. I wasn't sure it was funny at all. I thought it might be really lame. xP Apparently not though! Thanks for reviewing!
ADivergentPotterhead - Yup! Lupin will be in the next chapter, as I said above! I'm glad you like it! Thanks again for reviewing! o3o
Guest- If I regrew his tongue then there wouldn't be much of a story! Lol! And besides, your tongue is an organ, not a bone. They're very different. But I guess that could be seen as a plot hole. x3 Good question!
