Harry's Future, Part 17
Harry looked around the small waiting room at the sterile looking green walls. He thought Abagail could work wonders in here. He looked down at the subject of those musings and smiled. They were waiting for their appointment with Dr. Medford to see if the specialist that had proven so helpful to Harry in the past could offer any insight into his connection with Abagail. He looked past Abagail to see Fleur sitting on the diminutive witch's other side, their heads bent towards each other in whispered conversation. The silver haired beauty had insisted on accompanying the two for 'moral support' as she put it. Harry was convinced it was just an excuse to be able to spend more time with Abagail. He smiled a bit and shook his head.
A few moments later a witch dressed in a nurse's uniform appeared and said,
"Mr. Potter, Ms. Westwood, would you please come with me. Dr. Medford is ready for you now."
Harry stood and looked at Fleur.
"You'll be ok out here by yourself?"
"Of course, 'arry. I knew I would be waiting for you so I brought some theengs to keep me bizy," she said looking up at him.
Fleur gave Abagail's hand a squeeze and then waved them both off to follow the nurse. They walked down a narrow corridor that ended at a door which opened into a moderate sized room that contained two small hospital style beds and a stool. Dr. Medford stood between the beds and smiled as Harry and Abagail entered.
"Harry, it's good to see you again. And this must be Miss Abagail Westwood. My name is Dr. Medford and I'm very pleased to meet you, young lady," he said with gentle smile.
"Hello, sir," Abagail said timidly.
"Miss Westwood, I understand that you may be a bit nervous about this. But I assure you that there should be no discomfort. No poking or prodding. Harry can tell you that I have managed to work with him on several occasions and haven't done him any harm."
"He's right, Abagail. And I'll be right here."
"Yes, sir."
"Ok," the healer began, "first I'd like you to each to sit on a bed and I'll start the preliminary exam."
Harry helped Abagail up onto the one bed and then he gingerly maneuvered himself onto the other. That sat facing each other and Harry gave Abagail a wink and raised eyebrow. She smiled back and stifled a giggle.
"I'll start with Harry since he knows what to expect and you'll be able to see how he reacts," Dr. Medford said and then held up his hand in the way Harry had come to recognize as his way of asking permission to begin.
After Harry nodded the healer placed his hand on Harry's head and began the mumbled incantations that were part of the exam. Harry felt the familiar series of tingles and pulses. He was in clear view of the young witch opposite him and he looked at her with an expression that implied 'see, nothing to it'. Abagail watched wide eyed but smiled back a bit. Then the healer removed his hand.
"Well, Harry, all seems in order. All the patterns seem nice and stable," he said and then he turned to Abagail. "If I may, young lady?"
"Yes, sir," she replied, shifting a bit and then sitting up straighter.
"If you would, please, can you shift your hair back away from the left side of your head?"
"Like this, sir?" she asked as she pulled her long dark hair and let it all fall over her right shoulder.
"Perfect, thank you," the healer replied as he held his hand up and Abagail nodded consent.
In the same manner that he had examined Harry, Dr. Medford placed his hand on her head with the thumb at her temple and the fingertips along the back of the skull. He began his incantations and Harry could see Abagail's lips form an 'o' and her eyes widen a bit. Then she silently mouthed at Harry 'it tickles'. Harry smiled back at her. The examination went on for some time. Then the healer took his hand off her head and sat down on the stool.
"Well, that was certainly interesting. I can honestly say in my forty plus years as a Healer those were the most unique patterns of thought and brain function that I've ever come across. I don't say that to alarm either of you, just to point out that I have no frame of reference to draw from," Dr. Medford said as he took a deep breath. "Let me see if I can explain it. Any pattern that I've examined always has a, well, a closed aspect to it. The thoughts that occur in here," he tapped his head, "stay in here. We take things in with our eyes and ears and touch certainly but the thoughts stay inside. If we choose to share them we need to channel them out through speech or gestures or writing. Young Miss Westwood here has patterns that are exceedingly open. It may be that that is what allows her to take in what is going on around her and follow backwards as you've described," he said and then looked at Harry closely as he continued.
"Some of the patterns do closely resemble some of yours, Harry. It may be that is how you two are able to link as you do. Which one of you is the first to speak when you've connected?" he asked.
"I do, sir," Abagail said, barely above a whisper.
"Yes, I would have thought so," Dr. Medford said thoughtfully. "Harry, you've established that there is a family relationship between the two of you?"
"Yes, sir. It goes back a long way but we are descended from the Peverells."
The healer let out a low whistle.
"That's quite a powerful pedigree to say the least. Did you discover anything else?"
"Yes, sir," Harry continued, "Abagail is a fifth generation descendent of Cassandra Trelawney and there are several other witches and wizards in her line that were known for their mental abilities."
"The pieces began to fit then," Dr. Medford began. "I can't imagine what the finished puzzle would look like but at least it gives us some clues as to what we can expect. Now if you would both indulge me, I'd like to see if we can investigate the connection that occurs between you two. I can help you slip into that near sleep doze that you described Harry and if things work right I may be able to observe something of what transpires."
"I'm game," Harry said, "how about you, little one?"
"Yes, sir, this hasn't been so bad," she replied.
"Excellent. If you two would just lie back on the beds and prop yourselves up against the pillows I'll get in position between you here on the stool. That's right. Now let us proceed."
Dr. Medford sat on the raised stool so he could reach across each of his patients and place his hands on their heads as before. He began to mumble a different incantation this time, one that soothed and relaxed and Harry and Abagail felt themselves slip into that gray space that had become so familiar to them.
"Hello, sir," Abagail whispered.
"Hello, little one," Harry said as he thought a smile. "You know it occurs to me that I'll have to stop calling you that."
"Why, sir, I like it when you call me that."
"Well, Abagail you're fourteen years old now. A young lady. It's not really fitting, is it?" Harry replied.
"I doubt that I'm likely to grow much bigger, Harry. So it is accurate and besides, you're the only one that calls me that so it's special. It makes me feel special."
"You certainly are special, so if you don't mind then I won't stop," Harry said.
"Thank you, Harry," Abagail said then stopped. "Shhhh, sir. Don't say anything."
Harry was about to say, 'why not' but thought that would have been pretty pointless so he 'listened' in silence and tried to pick up whatever Abagail was focused on.
"Oh, dear," she said. "They're watching us, Harry."
"Who's watching, Abagail?" Harry said, concerned.
"Your mum and dad," Abagail said "and I think Sirius is, too."
"Can..can I talk to them," Harry choked out.
"I'm sorry but I don't think so. I tried but they don't answer. I think they are just watching to see how you are doing, sir. They still worry about you, you know."
Harry couldn't bring himself to answer and he began to struggle against the gray. He didn't want to stay anymore. Very quickly he woke up and sat upright on the bed and looked around. He could feel the tears running down his cheeks. He swung his legs off the bed and began heading for the door.
"Harry, what it is, what happened?" Dr. Medford asked but Harry was already through the door so he looked to Abagail. "What happened, Miss Westwood, can you tell me?"
Abagail took a deep breath and sighed,
"He found out that his family, his real family, was there watching us and he couldn't talk to them or see them. He couldn't bear to stay."
Dr. Medford stood up and he gestured to the nurse who had been standing nearby throughout the examination to help Abagail down and then follow. He then went through the door and down the corridor. He stopped at the entrance to the waiting room when he saw that Harry was standing by the window that looked out over a London street. At his side was Fleur, one arm around his shoulders, her head close to his as she spoke quietly into his ear. Abagail walked past him and came up to Harry on his other side and took hold of his hand in both of hers. Harry pulled his hand free and put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her in close. Dr. Medford whispered to the nurse who nodded and then hurried away.
In a matter of moments Dr. Medford was joined by another healer, a witch of advanced middle age, her hair heavily streaked with gray. She was of medium height and slender build. She neither spoke nor gestured. She simply stood and observed what passed between the three at the window. After another ten minutes had elapsed Harry seemed to stand straighter and with a last whispered comment and kiss on the cheek from Fleur he turned around to face the two healers.
"I'm sorry, Dr. Medford. It seems I can face down evil dark wizards and oversized dragons but some things I have trouble handling," he said with a tap to his forehead.
"My apologies, Harry. I had no idea things would turn out that way. Please, may we all sit down? I don't expect anyone else up here for a long while. May I introduce my colleague, Dr. Parsons? She works in my department. I thought she might be able to help fit of a few more of the puzzle pieces together. Dr. Parsons, this is Harry Potter, Abagail Westwood and …" he tailed off.
"This is Fleur Delacour Weasley. She's my soon to be brother-in-law's wife, but very much my big sister," Harry said with a smile.
"I'm very pleased to meet all of you. I'm very familiar with Mr. Potter of course. Dr. Medford has also consulted with me somewhat on Miss Westwood. I'm given to understand there was a bit of a problem during the examination. May we discuss it?" she asked, her face at once very professional but something was there that seemed very gentle and sympathetic.
Harry took a deep breathe and said,
"Well, I guess I'll start," and he began to discuss what had occurred.
Dr. Parsons would nod, ask a question here or there and soon Harry was delving into the previous sessions where he and Abagail had connected, giving details about his brief meeting with his mother's image, even the series of dreams during his coma. Fleur and Abagail sat silently as did Dr. Medford. It wasn't long before Harry and Dr. Parsons were deep in conversation, more like an interview where she questioned and he answered. Dr. Medford caught Fleur's eye and with facial expression and gesture suggested they leave the two alone for a while. As unobtrusively as they could, the two young women and the elderly doctor got up and left the room. Dr. Medford gave the receptionist outside the waiting room strict instructions that no one be allowed inside until Dr. Parsons came out.
He escorted Fleur and Abagail to the small commissary on the ground floor and secured a pot of tea and some biscuits and invited them to join him. As they sat Fleur looked at the man and asked,
"What ees that all about, Doctor? 'e was so sad when 'e came out, I 'ad to do some pretty fast talkeeng. 'e told me what 'appened. 'e misses them terribly even now," Fleur said, her face a sad mask.
"Dr. Parsons is a very skilled healer of the mind. She comes from mixed parents. Her mother was a witch, her father a muggle. He was what they call a psychiatrist, a doctor that treats mental and emotional disorders. It seems that the combination of the magic from her mother's side and listening to her father talk about psychiatry helped her develop an extraordinary ability to get people to open up to her. She's very good at getting to the root of someone's problems."
"Um, Dr. Medford," Abagail began with her airy voice. "Were you able to see or feel anything that went on while Harry and I were connected?"
"Yes, indeed. It was actually quite fascinating. Of course I couldn't tell what it was you were 'saying' back and forth to each other, but I could feel that the communication was taking place. Do you remember what I said about the patterns of your thoughts, how yours are so open compared to other people?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, it seems that when you both enter that place where you go, you appear to reach out and make contact. When you do Harry accepts that and the connection is made," Dr. Medford said with a small smile. "It was odd though. I got the distinct impression that on the very fringes of your patterns there were others, very small, very faint but there nonetheless. Might that have been his family?"
"I think so," Abagail replied sadly.
Fleur reached over and took her hand and they shared a sigh. The three sat there for over an hour and then Dr. Medford excused himself so he could check on how things were going. Half an hour later a note was delivered and it suggested they make themselves comfortable because it was likely to be a while longer. They took the time to walk to the gift shop and Fleur couldn't manage to stifle a small laugh when she saw that a small selection of the most benign creations of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes occupied a shelf near the checkout counter. She couldn't imagine how they had managed to talk the shop manager into carrying these items but she knew that Weasley men could be very persuasive when they so chose. After looking at every item in the store they settled on a book of puzzles and took it back to the commissary.
The puzzles were particularly challenging as they tended to change while they were being worked on. Abagail proved very adept at solving them as she seemed able to anticipate a shift. Fleur had to settle for sitting back and marveling at how Abagail was able to maneuver through the mazes, connect-the-dots and solve the word jumbles. They were half way through the book when a nurse stuck her head in the door and summoned them back to the waiting room. When they arrived they found Harry sitting alone but when he looked up at them he smiled widely.
"Hello, my beauties. Sorry we took so long. We sort of lost track of the time," he said.
"Are you ok, Harry," Abagail asked as she hurried over to him.
"Not bad at all. My voice is a little raspy. I don't remember ever talking that much. But other than that, I'm feeling pretty good. Did you two have lunch? It must be mid afternoon by now and I'm starving."
"We 'ad some tea and biscuits, 'arry, but that was per'aps two or more 'ours ago," Fleur said as she closely watched his face for any sign.
"Ok, then. Let's go to the Leaky Cauldron and I'll treat you to lunch. Dr. Parsons said she and Dr. Medford need to go over what they found out today and they'd be in touch. I mean it's not like we're dealing with an illness here so it's not a big deal if we need to wait a bit for any answers."
He motioned them to go ahead of him out into the corridor and they were on their way to the Cauldron and a rather pleasant afternoon. Neither Harry nor the young ladies would have been in such a good mood if they had been privy to the discussion that was going on between the two Healers as they left St. Mungo's.
"The young man is a ticking time bomb, Dr. Medford. You are aware of that, aren't you?"
"I know he has been subjected to enormous stresses in his life, but there's so much will and determination there. What makes you think it's as dire as all that, Dr. Parsons."
"He told me some pretty amazing things, Doctor. I mean we all know something of his life's story. He gave me a lot of details but it's not just what he told me but how he told me. The words he used and how he used them. Not to mention the expressions on his face when he said them. The intensity of the feelings that he radiates, especially with his eyes. I need to think about this for a bit but I believe I need to talk with his family, at least several members of it. I know you talked to them after that incident with the girl falling from her broomstick but I believe this to be much more important for them to understand."
"If you think it's necessary, I'll make the arrangements. Just let me know when you're ready."
********
The Saturday following the examination at St. Mungo's was another gathering day at the Burrow. The burgeoning Weasley clan had taken to using the day to come together to share what they had been up to during the week and reacquaint themselves with Molly Weasley's cooking. She didn't mind at all since thanks to Harry's Christmas present she had the room and the well equipped kitchen to mount serious assaults on the collective appetites that arrived in the backyard by noon. She also had the assistance of a very enthusiastic cook's helper.
At this particular time the helper was up to her elbows in flour as she prepared a mass of dough that would, when baked, provide the light flaky rolls that had quickly become her specialty. While she was becoming quite competent with other aspects of cookery it seemed she was something of a natural pastry chef. It was generally agreed that whoever the lucky fellow was that snared her, he was destined to have a serious weight issue if he wasn't careful.
It was only midmorning but the preparations for the mid afternoon meal were well under way. Arthur Weasley was a bit sulky at the way things were working out but Abagail had been fairly adamant when she insisted that her first obligation was to help Mrs. Weasley with the baking and then she could go 'play' with him in the shop, working on the pile of parts that had once been a rather bedraggled 1955 Ford Popular.
Out in the yard Harry, Ron and Ginny were lounging on the battered old chaise lounges. It was obvious that the improved fortunes of the Weasleys should have resulted in new chairs but these were like old friends and no one had the heart to get rid of them.
"Why no match today, Gin?" Ron asked. "I thought you pretty much played ever Saturday."
"It's the way the schedule works out, Ron. Odd number of teams so someone has to sit out a Saturday now and then. I don't mind at all. It's nice to have the whole weekend off."
Harry was lying back in his chair staring out towards the open field but not really seeing anything. Ron looked at Harry and then back at Ginny and made a gesture that implied something like 'what's with him'. Ginny just shrugged.
"What's up, mate? You look like your trying to count the leaves on the trees."
"What? Oh, sorry, Ron. I was just thinking is all. This business with the smugglers is making me a bit out of sorts. You'd think with what, twenty two of them in custody, at least one of them would have broken down by now and told us something worthwhile. Either they are really afraid of someone or they've been conditioned not to tell anything. Even with those French investigators here it's not helping. They don't know much more then we do. Just different places and players. I may have no choice but to bring Abagail into it after all. Either that or pump them full of veritaserum but then we couldn't use what they said as evidence. Either option is pretty dicey."
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Hermione, a welcome interruption as far as Ron was concerned. She hurried over to Ron and to his embarrassment pulled his head down and gave him a serious kiss. Ron flushed when she released him. He wasn't very comfortable with public displays of affection, regardless of who was involved. Harry looked over at Ginny, who just rolled her eyes.
"Hi, Harry, hiya, Ginny," she said enthusiastically. "I got some good news this morning, Harry. The Goblins are prepared to submit a proposal to us by the end of next week. This was a lot sooner then we thought possible."
"They're probably worried we'll change our minds on 'em," Harry said with a rueful grin.
"Harry, they wouldn't suspect you of doing something like that to them," she said with a frown.
"Me, no. But don't forget, Hermione. Professor Binn's class was full of dirty dealings on both sides. I'm sure there are least of few of the Goblins who thinks it's a trick of some kind and I'm just a dupe."
"My, who woke up on the wrong side of the grump couch this morning?" Hermione asked.
"Sorry, Hermione. It's just I've been banging my head up against those damn smugglers for months now and all we're getting out of it is a bunch of foot soldiers and a warehouse full of contraband."
Hermione could only smile in sympathy as she and Ron sat down side by side on one of the chaise lounges. Hermione kept hold of Ron's hand.
"So, on to happier things. The wedding is all set? I can't believe it's only a few weeks away," Hermione asked.
"As far as we know," Ginny said. "The gowns for us and the robes for the guys are all taken care of. Food, flowers, music, invitations. All taken care of by the master organizer. I swear that Mum could run the Ministry all by herself if she wanted to."
This got a laugh from them all. In the background they could hear the rattle of ancient sheet metal being tortured with hammer and dolly to overcome nearly half a century of neglect. Ron smirked and looked at Harry,
"Odds that it'll fly?"
"Not me, mate, that's a suckers bet," Harry said, laughing again.
**********
Around mid morning on the following Monday, a letter arrived by owl for Mr. and Mrs. Weasley from St. Mungo's. Molly Weasley was seated at the kitchen table having a second cuppa with Fleur and Abagail after cleaning up from breakfast. She broke the seal and read the message, her facing growing more somber as she went. When she was finished she looked up at the two young women seated across from her.
"Do you two know anything about this," she said as she handed the note across to them.
Fleur took it and held it so she and Abagail could read it together. It read,
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Weasley,
Regarding the examination of Harry Potter by the undersigned it is urgently requested that a consultation be had between us to include the following members of your family.
Mr. and Mrs. William Weasley
Mr. and Mrs. George Weasley
Ginny Weasley
Ronald Weasley
Hermione Granger
Abagail Westwood
Please acknowledge receipt and inform us when this meeting may occur. If convenient we will travel to you.
Respectfully yours
Doctor Medford
Doctor Parsons
Fleur placed the piece of parchment flat on the table and looked first at Mrs. Weasley and then down at Abagail. When she looked back at Mrs. Weasley she shook her head.
"No, Muum, they said nothing about thees to us. We told you what 'appened. Eet ees so odd, they talked for a long time but 'arry seemed een a good mood when we left. I do not understand."
"All right, well, the sooner the better. Go see if you can get Bill here. I'll contact Arthur and try and round up the rest. Let's see if we can do it this afternoon," she said in her best field commander voice.
As usual Molly Weasley was as good as her word. By two in the afternoon the kitchen table was occupied by the required family members. Hermione had the most difficult task. Harry had been sitting across from her in her small office when the message fluttered onto her desk. She had to keep her composure and quickly finish her business with Harry and then flee the building as quickly as she could. To her everlasting credit Harry didn't have an inkling that something was going on or that he was the center of a storm.
"Alright, Doctors. We're all here as you requested, now would you mind explaining what this is all about?" Molly said, the tension more then evident in her voice.
"Yes, Mrs. Weasley, we will do so. First, I'm sorry we had to do this but we, especially Doctor Parsons, felt this discussion was necessary. As you may recall, Mrs. Weasley, several years ago you and I had a discussion about what I felt was going on with Harry from the point of view of his unusual capabilities."
"Yes, I recall vividly. I was the one who had to explain it to Harry."
"Yes, ma'am," Dr. Medford said. For a moment he had the perverse notion that he knew what it was like to be facing a mother bear whose cub had just stepped into your trap but he soldiered on.
"Well, this is not unlike that discussion. My examination of Harry and Miss Westwood turned up some interesting insights but not much of solid fact. I'm sure you were told about what happened at the end of that examination and Harry's reaction. This is where Dr. Parsons comes in. She is a member of my department and is very experienced and skilled in diagnosing and treating mental and emotional illnesses. Now hold on," the Doctor said as he saw Mrs. Weasley's reaction. "Just as I assured you on that day that Harry was not suffering from a disease or disability I can assure you now that he is not suffering from a mental illness."
"But he is suffering from a very serious emotional disturbance," Dr. Parsons cut in.
"This is hardly news to us," Arthur Weasley responded. "Harry has been emotionally battered more then anyone we could ever expect to meet. We've all been dealing with it in one way or another for years."
This was met with nods from everyone around the table.
"I'm certain you have, Mr. Weasley. I ascertained that from my extended conversation with him and I'd like to say you've been doing a marvelous job. I'd bet my Healers robes that if it hadn't been for you all here that he would have completely fallen apart years ago. But I need to ask you? Are you aware of the depth of his disturbance, its source and its manifestation? And are you aware of the likely outcome and consequences of that disturbance if it's left unchecked," the kindly looking Healer said with a hint of steel in her voice.
Arthur looked sideways at Molly and then back at the healer and shook his head mutely.
"Well, with as much certainty that my years of experience in one of the murkier aspects of medicine will allow, I believe the following. But first I would not be remiss in referring to him as your son, would I?"
They shook their heads.
"Well, your son, the young man that has stood so strong for so long against the most insidious elements of our world is, at his core, a frightened child desperately clinging to any anchor he can find to keep himself from being swept away to what he considers to be his own personal hell. Being alone," she said quietly, never breaking eye contact with the elder Weasleys.
There was silence around the table until Fleur gave vent to what the others were thinking.
"Alone? 'ow could you possibly theenk that. Look around thees table. Does thees look like 'arry ees alone?"
"Please. I understand that you all love this young man. I applaud that because that is exactly what he needs. But you must listen to what I am saying and not what you think I'm saying. Harry isn't alone but he is desperately afraid of being so again. Yes, I said again," she said, her eyes sweeping around the table.
"As a boy he is raised in a household totally devoid of love. This is bad enough but in fact it was a house full of loathing. His aunt and uncle knew what he was likely to become and they despised him for it. He didn't know why but he knew they did. I imagine some if not all of you have heard him say that Ronald here was his first friend?"
They all nodded.
"Not his best friend, or his favorite friend, which I'm sure is true but his first friend, at the age of eleven. He couldn't have grown up more isolated if he had done so on an island in the middle of the ocean. But then he discovers he is part of a community and he comes to find friends and the beginnings of a family connection. Then along comes Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. One is his godfather and his dad's best friend, the other another close friend of his parents. And in a short span the one is dead coming to his rescue, again someone dead for him. Lupin lasts longer but in the end it's the same and Harry's own godson is orphaned. I understand he has assumed financial responsibility for the little boy, yes?"
The Healer took a deep breath and continued on.
"I know I'm not telling you anything you don't already know but I need you to understand where it leads. Harry told me about several very telling incidents. First of all would you all agree with me that Harry has a bit of temper?"
Again, knowing nods.
"It would be more accurate to say he has a barely controlled rage. A rage directed at anyone or anything that he deems is a threat to that anchor I mentioned before. The incidents I'm referring to are the time around that first Christmas when he went after those three housebreakers. Most saw it as an attempt on him; he saw it as a direct assault on his sanctuary and his family. When he was in that warehouse in Derbyshire he reacted to a threat to the greater community but it amounted to the same thing. That Death Eater was a direct threat to all of you in his mind and you know the result. The last was just recently yes? The young Miss Westwood. Would someone please tell me what they saw that day?"
No one spoke up until Abagail softly said,
"His eyes were on fire."
"It looked like he was possessed by a demon," Ginny managed to choke out.
The Healer looked at Ginny with sympathetic eyes.
"The human mind, magical or mundane, needs no demons, young lady, we tend to make them ourselves. But you're description is very apt. Harry knows this of course. I understand that he had a discussion the following day with three of his 'brothers'. When he spoke of it to me he was extremely distressed. One of the reasons our talk took as long as it did was the subject of anger management as they call it. And that brings me to the crux of my wanting to talk to you. Our young Mr. Potter doesn't give a damn about his own life where you all are concerned. No, I didn't say he was suicidal, what I am saying is that he would gladly lay down his own life if he thought it was necessary to protect any or all of you. I believe he already made that choice once before. It would be preferable in his mind to enduring the loss of another anchor. And just as importantly he would not hesitate to use his last ounce of strength to destroy anything he considered a threat. Considering how much strength that might be can you imagine the results?"
She could see this idea was sinking in.
"Dr. Medford once warned you that Harry's strength could pose a serious threat if he didn't learn how to use it properly. The issue now is he knows full well how to use it, the question is can he control himself?"
She sat back in her chair, having said all she could think to say. Harry's family sat in stunned silence. The things they had been dealing with, as Mr. Weasley had said, were merely symptoms of a much deeper issue that none of them had seen. Fleur, who had been huddled into the protective circle of Bill's arm leaned forward and asked in a much more subdued voice then before.
"Dr. Parsons, did 'arry mention een your deescussion what 'e and I talked about when we were at Beauxbaton?"
"Are you referring to what he called your dust up about his fears of taking the same path as Riddle that led to Voldemort?"
Fleur nodded.
"Yes, he did, but I'm afraid he didn't tell you everything, Mrs. Weasley. What he said about being afraid of slipping into that arrogant willful mode that he associates with Riddle isn't the whole truth. What he truly fears is that if he went that way it would separate him for all those that he holds so dear. He saw Riddle as a lone figure standing on some pinnacle, adored but feared by his followers and who held himself to be so far above them as to be alone. That is the true basis of his fear and that leads to his self deprecating tendencies."
Dr. Parsons looked more closely at Fleur and then said,
"I'd like you to understand something, young lady. With all due deference to your mother-in-law you represent an incredibly strong mother image for Harry," Seeing Fleur's confusion she continued on. "Yes, I know, he always refers to you as his big sister but remember for many children an older sister is seen as a surrogate mother figure. In Harry's case it is understandable. He has seen his mother in pictures, the mirror of Erised, yes I know of that, and then those images in his mind. He doesn't see his mother as she would be now, a woman in her forties, but of the young woman she was just before she died. You look nothing like her but you represent much that he would wish to see in her."
Fluer settled back into the circle of Bill's arm.
"What are we supposed to do," this came from Angelina.
"Much the same as you are now. He needs to know that he is part of a large, loving family that cares about him and appreciates that he cares intensely about them. Don't hesitate to show him that he is loved. He confided to me that he has no idea why he his subject to so many hugs but he wouldn't trade them for the world. Don't allow him to brood about anything. He may appear to want to be left alone but what he really desires is someone to share with. Just about anything," she said and then she looked at Ron.
"I understand that you two used to play quite a lot of wizard's chess."
"Yes, ma'am," Ron replied. "He gave me a beautiful set that one Christmas. I keep it up in my room. We don't get the chance much anymore."
"I'd recommend you find a place for it down here. He misses playing. And another thing, if he looks like his getting upset and his temper is building, talk him down gently. I know that most people will say it's better to let it just flare off but not when we're talking about this fellow. I understand that his fiancé is particularly adept at this," she said looking at Ginny. "He told me how you handled this latest crisis, and that's just what it was. Don't hesitate to continue that. He also said you were very good at interpreting his dreams."
Ginny went bright red and looked at her parents. Mrs. Weasley looked back at her daughter and smiled.
"Old news, my dear, don't give it a thought."
"Well, the one he was probably mentioning was about how frustrated he's been with an investigation he has going. He was upset that he couldn't see through some kind of fog and he was sure that something dangerous was out there and it looked like dragon fire…" she tailed off and then continued, "the dragon was the threat he couldn't see and he was getting angry and he was going to spell it but I woke him up. His skin felt like it was on fire."
"One last thing. As Harry discussed with the younger Mrs. Weasley he feels he has a sense of his worth. He's wrong. He's confusing his prodigious capabilities with a sense of humanity or esteem. Even his charitable tendencies don't really define it. The simple fact that he can't understand why someone wants to hug him is a more telling sign of his struggle with himself. I understand that some of you were present when he made some statements about not deserving what had come to him. And that later he said he had found a way to deal with it, yes?"
There were nods from Ginny, Hermione, Ron, George and Angelina, who had been with him on that dark afternoon in the shop in Hogsmeade.
"He dealt with it outwardly with smiles and good works to help others overcome what Riddle had done to them. He dealt with in inwardly by blocking it off. He told me of his visualization technique, very ingenious, but only as effective as his understanding of the problem, which unfortunately was and still is rather limited," the Healer said.
"When he starts in with the digs at himself, as he put it, don't hesitate to call him out on it but I suggest you find some gentler methods then those he described to me," she finished.
Ginny turned red again but rallied and asked,
"Should he know any of this, Doctor? Our wedding is only a few weeks away."
"Keep doing what you've always done, just look for those signs I've mentioned. I'm going to contact him and suggest we keep up with our discussions, perhaps every other week. I'll suggest it would be helpful to relieve his work related stress. The wedding should be of great therapeutic value. It will help cement his connection to his, this, family. After you've come back from your honeymoon trip we can work out how to bring this all to his attention. He is, at the bottom of it all, a very intelligent young man and presented properly I'm sure he can come to a full understanding," she said looking around the table and then she let out a long sigh and smiled ruefully.
"I understand what Albus Dumbledore's purpose was when he placed Harry with his aunt and uncle but I can't help wonder how he might have turned out if he had been placed in a more loving, supportive environment."
"We did offer," Molly said, "as did a number of others."
"Well, I understand this has been a great deal to lay at your doorstep so to speak, but we felt is was something you all needed to be aware of. I sometimes envy the healers who just need to set a bone or heal a wound," Dr. Medford said.
"We want to thank you for coming to us like this, Doctors," Molly began. "I apologize for my earlier attitude. You just caught us by surprise is all."
"I understand completely, Mrs. Weasley. I know that we've painted a pretty dire picture but I must say after being here with you today I'd never want to be someone that you all took to be a threat to Harry," he said with a crooked smile as he and Dr. Parsons rose.
Mr. Weasley showed them out while the others sat around the table in silence. Hermione was the first to break the silence.
"It's like he's some kind of hero from a Greek tragedy," she said quietly.
When she saw the uncomprehending looks she explained the fundamental idea of the tragic hero who succeeds in his great deed but instead of a reward he is fated to suffer some sort of torment.
"Perhaps, but this is no play. We just show him the love and support we always have and keep an eye on him. Let's try and be around him as much as we can. If he questions it just tell him we know he's under some strain with his work and the upcoming wedding and we just want to be there for him."
"I know there's one thing I can do for him," Abagail said in barely a whisper. "I'm going to look at every one of those smugglers and I'm going to peel them like an onion. I don't care what Harry thinks, there can't be anything more frightening in their heads then what I saw when he was walking towards that man that grabbed me."
"That's very admirable, dear, but what if he refuses to take you to them."
"I'll talk him into it. I'll start crying if I have to. Fleur said that almost always works."
"Abagail," Fleur blurted out. "Mon Dieu, do not geeve away secrets."
The brief laughter broke the tension but it was still some time before the family meeting adjourned.
***********
The following Saturday rolled around and once again the Weasleys were gathering at the Burrow to enjoy another day of good weather and family. Ginny was going to be late as she had a match that afternoon and Ron was going to have to leave early as he had a night shift to pull at Hogsmeade but right now he and Harry were seated at the kitchen table, the beautiful wizards chess set between them. As usual Harry was losing but he was putting up a spirited fight.
"This is great, Ron. We haven't played in months. What made you think of it?" Harry asked.
"Well a few of the Patroller trainees play and there's one grizzled old Auror who does as well. You wouldn't know it to look at him but he's got a mind like a steel trap. He pounces on any mistake and makes you pay dearly for it. I've played him a few times and he says I give him a real run for his money. Even Ms Muntab has stopped by and watched us play. It just reminded me we hadn't touched the board in a while."
"I'm glad you remembered," Harry said with a smile.
Harry was more then mildly curious, however. He had noticed a significant upswing in familial contact over the last few days. Not that he minded, he was always happy to have one or more of his family around but it just seemed to be an almost constant at the moment. Mr. Weasley had him come up for a talk about how the reorganized department was running. Ron had delivered some reports from the Patroller trainers and spent a few minutes shooting the breeze. Hermione had stopped by on several occasions to discuss some aspect of their joint project and while not hugging him as she had on that first day in the Director's office, there was always a smile and a hand squeeze when she left. On two separate occasions Harry had taken a turn around Diagon Alley and both times George and Angelina had insisted he come in for chats and from Angelina a cuppa.
This didn't include the attention from Ginny and Abagail when he was home but that was always pretty extensive anyway. Oddly, Abagail was getting pretty insistent about being allowed to view the smugglers. Last night he noticed her lower lip had started to quiver and he promised he would think about it and tell her Monday what he was going to do.
Now, Dr. Parsons had been right about Harry in that he was a very intelligent fellow. But what she didn't realize, since she didn't know him all that well yet, was that he also had excellent powers of observation and was a pretty fair mathematician and the numbers were starting to add up. So by the time the mid afternoon dinner had rolled around he had an idea what the sum total was. He waited until they were working on dessert when he said in an almost offhanded way,
"So, I imagine that the healers had something pretty interesting to tell you earlier this week."
It got so quiet that garden gnomes rustling in their hedge hideaways were loud by comparison. Arthur Weasley was the first to recover.
"What makes you think that, son?"
"Oh, I don't know. I just noticed that you all were being just a bit more attentive this last week. Not that I mind, it just got me to thinking. It was a few days after what happened at St. Mungo's. I realize that I pretty much poured out my life story to Dr. Parsons and I'd have to think that there had to be something there for her to see. I'll be the first to admit I'm a few knocks away from being a basket case. So, does anyone here get to tell me what's up or do I have to wait until next week. Dr. Parsons sent me a message the other day suggesting I come in for another little talk."
Harry let his eyes roam around the table and a few voices began to compete for his attention, included two Mrs. Weasleys and a soon to be Mrs. Potter. Ron simply stood up and came over to stand behind Harry and he put a hand on his shoulder.
"Come on, mate. Let's go take a walk."
Harry looked up over his shoulder at his first friend and nodded. He stood up and the two walked away from the table, where every eye was fixed on their retreating backs. They went out onto the road and walked to the furthest limit of the Weasley property where there was still a wall. Ron motioned for Harry to take a spot where he could rest against it and then the conversation began. Ron talked and Harry listened. Occasionally Harry would interject either with a comment or question and Ron would continue on. At several points Harry folded his arms across his chest and hung his head as if he was examining the ground at his feet but it would only be from a moment then he would look up into his friend's face and the conversation would continue.
After a while Harry looked back over his shoulder and focused on Ginny. She looked right back at him and finally Harry beckoned her to join them. She popped up and hurried over to where her brother and the love of her life faced each other in silence. When she got nearer she slowed down and Harry reached out his hand and pulled her into a one armed embrace and Harry spoke to her. Those who remained at the table could see Ginny nodding and looking at Ron who nodded in return and then there was more discussion. Finally, as the evening sky began to fade to darkness Harry released Ginny and stood up and walked a few steps away from them. He was looking up into the sky. After a moment Harry looked back over his shouldered and appeared to be saying something to Ron. After Ron answered Harry just nodded and gave his head a bit of a toss to indicate Ron should leave. Ron hurried back to the table.
"I explained everything to him. I think he understands what's going on. He wanted Ginny to confirm a couple of things, especially that whole Hogsmeade business. He remembered I'm due for duty in a few. Told me I better get going or he'd write me up," Ron said with a grin. "He said he'd be back in few minutes. Gotta go."
"Well done, son," Mr. Weasley said as Ron stepped back with a grin and then popped out of sight.
They turned their attention back to Harry and Ginny. Harry once more beckoned Ginny and she stepped up to Harry and he wrapped her in a full hug that she returned. It appeared that he was saying something to her and she was nodding in return. Then with his arm around her shoulders and hers around his waist they walked slowly back towards the diners. As he neared the end of the table he looked at each face at the table. He stopped for a moment on the face of Percy's recently introduced girlfriend, Audrey. He wryly thought to himself she must be wondering what she had gotten herself into. When he was done he smiled that signature half grin and said quietly,
"If someone told me there was a better group of people a bloke could call family I'd call him a liar. I'm not going to say I'm sorry because that gets tedious and beside it annoys Dad, but I will say that I appreciate everything you've ever done for me, from the first time Mum gave me directions on how to get to the platform to my first real Christmas present. I still have that sweater in my closet, Mum. Maybe now that we have some idea what's going on things might not be so dramatic but I can't promise that. I can't imagine my not going off the deep end when one or more of you might be at risk but I will try to get it under control," then he looked back at Audrey. "Percy's a great guy, Audrey, and this is a great family. I hope when you and I get to know each other better you'll understand what's been going on."
He then looked at his parents, who, by every definition, were indeed that.
"Mum, Dad, I hope you don't mind but I think I'd like to stay here tonight. Stay up late and talk. I don't think this is a time for private introspection."
"Yes, you certainly can and no it isn't," Mrs. Weasley said.
As if that was a signal those seated at the table rose and came to offer their support to Harry with hugs and words. He thought Fleur was going to crack his ribs but he wasn't about to complain. Even the Weasley brothers offered embraces to their black haired brother. The last was Abagail whom he lifted bodily off the ground so that her feet were dangling. When he set her down he lifted he chin with his finger and said,
"You'll come to work with me on Monday. But if I don't like the way its going I call it off, agreed?"
"Yes, sir," she replied, quietly but with a fierce determination.
It was a warm clear night so they all took seats again and started a conversation that in one form or other, was to last a life time.