Quoth the Raven, Nevermore

Disclaimer: See chapter 1. If you don't recognize a character, chances are they are OC's. Reviews are welcomed, flames aren't.

Chapter 9: Entreating Entrance

Edward Atwaters had always described himself as a level-headed man with a very stable career. He was a middle-aged wizard with a receding hairline. Edward was also an over-worked and under-paid medi-wizard, well-liked in his position, in that his patients loved him. The parents were a different story. His forthright manner offended many of them.

Many of the older families didn't like the idea that the most dedicated and talented pediatric medi-wizard was a Half-blood with strong Muggle ties. Pure-blood politics aside, when their children were hurting, it was Medi-Wizard Atwaters that was called in to help.

'And Merlin be damned if I don't charge accordingly,' he thought with a slight smirk as he placed the last of the documents on his desk in his out box. Of course, he had his detractors. What Muggle-born or Muggle-raised wizard didn't?

When he'd gotten in a spot of trouble a few years back, he'd thought he would have to return to the Muggle sector to continue his practice. He held a license to practice medicine in both worlds so that hadn't been a problem. However, thanks to a perky little witch in the Muggle Liaison Office, everything had been cleared up and smoothed over. He was able to continue his work in the wizarding world.

So when Amanda Kensington flooed him that morning to say she needed a favor, he was curious to see what she wanted. He knew it would probably prove quite interesting.

Edward called for tea and cleared his desk just as his nurse announced that Miss Kensington was there to see him.

"Amanda, dear heart," he called as a warm smile lit his friendly brown eyes, "what a pleasure. Come in, come in. Have a spot of tea?"

Amanda smiled and agreed. When she was comfortable, she got straight to the point. That was what he liked about her - besides that perky smile.

"Edward, I need a favor and a secrecy oath," she said, setting down her teacup.

"For you, Amanda, dear, anything, but you know I am already under several privacy oaths through the hospital." He wondered just what problem she had taken on this time.

"I know, Edward, but this is different, of the highest priority. I need you to make a house call and keep what you learn a secret, even from your superiors. I have a patient for you that can't be discussed with anyone, not even the Head of the Board of Directors." She held up a hand to forestall his objections. "I wouldn't ask if it wasn't absolutely necessary."

She took several sheets of parchment from her briefcase. "Here, see for yourself."

He recognized diagnostic parchment when he saw it; he was, after all, the one that kept Amanda well-stocked with the paper. She never knew when she might need to use it to document a case involving muggle-born children.

As he scanned the parchment, his eyebrows rose higher and higher before they turned into a deep frown. "How old did you say this child was?"

"First the oath, Edward. Then I'll fill in the details," she insisted. She took out her wand and made sure that no-one was listening in. She knew his offices were secure, but with the matter she was dealing with, she couldn't be too careful.

"The child, male, is five. His parents were killed at the end of the war. He was sent to live with Muggle relatives and, from what I could find out, no-one in the Wizarding world even checked up on him. Now take the bloody oath!"

Edward knew that he had pushed as far as he could. He pulled out his wand and gave his oath of secrecy.

"Now who is this child? And can I take it that, with you involved, things could get messy?"

Amanda blew out her cheeks, and nervously ran a hand through her hair. "Lord Hadrian James Potter."

"This is a joke, right!"

Amanda shook her head and pulled out several more scrolls. "He appeared as a fledgling raven last spring, injured and very under-fed. At first it was assumed that he was just a baby bird. That is, until he changed in front of Muggles."

"But the Oblivation Squad? Surely, it was reported . . .?"

Amanda shook her head. "All the rumors you hear about the Tower of London are true. There are wards in that place that are older and darker than anyone alive today has ever seen. They totally blocked incident from the Ministry sensors. Thankfully, where Hadrian is now living, there are wards within wards."

"But . . ."

Amanda stood, taking the files back. "Well, come on. Your patient is waiting. I'll fill you in more on the way. We'll have to travel by Muggle means as the closest apparation point is several blocks away. I have a limo waiting. Don't worry about the Tower Wards, I have special dispensation from Her Majesty. It covers you as well, since you are now covered by your oaths. Come on."

0o0o0o0

Hadrian was sitting at the kitchen table drawing in a pre-school work book. Maggie had decided to test Hadrian on his school-work to see just what needed to be done. Thankfully, a couple of the wives that lived at the Waterloo Barracks with their Yeoman husbands were retired school teachers. Between them and Maggie, Hadrian should get all the basic learning he needed.

Plus, Queen Anne had regally informed Ben that she would take over Hadrian's deportment lessons. She would not take no for an answer. The royal spirit announced that it was her duty to teach the young duke his court etiquette, even if it was several centuries out-dated.

Maggie shuddered. She didn't like the fact that several spirits would be traipsing through her flat but she didn't have much of a choice. Spirits came and went as they pleased, and there was nothing she could do to stop them. At least the more violent and malevolent ghosts stayed behind the inner wards of the Tower.

A knock on the door signaled the arrival of their guests. "Hadrian, dear, we have company. Put away your work for later," Maggie requested as she went to the door.

Hadrian smiled as he saw who it was. He liked Amanda Kensington. He stopped when he saw she wasn't alone and hid behind Maggie.

"Now Hadrian, dear, This is Healer Atwaters. He's going to look you over and tell us what we need to make you healthy," Maggie said softly, turning to bend closer to comfort him.

Hadrian shook his head. "But the Lady said . . ."

Maggie smiled. "The Lady also likes us to be able to help ourselves. She hasn't spoken to us on what to do, so we have to do it as best we can. Now, can you be a good boy and say hello?"

"Hello."

The adults smiled as they went into the kitchenette to sit around the table. Hadrian went over to Maggie, who pulled him up onto her lap.

"Hadrian, what are you working on?" Amanda asked when she saw the work books.

"Aunt Maggie says I c'n work in these. They're new! An' mine! Aunt Maggie got them just for me. She says I'm smart, not like my Aunt 'Tunya. Aunt 'Tunya says only good boys c'n learn, not freaks like me. But Aunt Maggie says I'm not a freak, so I c'n learn!" Hadrian seemed proud of himself. "I learned my numbers. See..." He started to count; he was mixing up the numbers, but at least he could say them.

He never noticed the adults giving each other telling looks as he counted.

"Very good, Hadrian," Healer Atwaters said when Hadrian paused to catch his breath. "Do you know what this is?" He held up his wand.

"Uh..." Hadrian paused, trying to think, then shook his head.

"It's my wand. And if I do this, I can make pretty green sparkles..." The Healer gave the wand a swish. However, Hadrian, who was no longer focused on getting a new family, started to remember something from his dreams.

"No! NO! Go away! Bad man! No make green light!" Hadrian screamed,starting to struggle in Maggie's arms, trying to get away. "Hurt Mummy . . . No hurt..." He sobbed, clutching Maggie desperately.

Appalled, Healer Atwaters dropped his wand. "Well, I . . ."

"I'm sorry," Maggie said as she tried to calm the hysterical child. "I try not to use magic here at the Tower as the wards don't like it. When Hadrian did accidental magic two nights ago, he didn't see me fix the bathroom. Suds and bubbles everywhere. Ben had his hands full dealing with a wet, frightened five-year-old. Hadrian never saw me use my wand."

"He didn't react when I used my wand in front of Her Majesty," Amanda said over the loud cries, as she thought over the day. "Although, he was mostly out of it."

"That explains that," the Healer said as he reached in and pulled out a vial. He quietly conjured a small glass of juice and poured a bit of the potion into it. "Here, give him this. It'll calm him."

Once the Calming Draught took effect, everyone sighed with relief. Hadrian sat drowsily in Maggie's lap as she ran her fingers through his hair.

"Could it be possible that he remembers that night?" Amanda asked quietly so as not to disturb the child.

"It's possible. We'll just have to do this a different way," Edward said as he invoked a scanning spell. Thankfully, Hadrian was facing away from him. "Hmmmm. Interesting. There is some Dark magic residue around his scar, and it is just now starting to heal. I wonder if this child has ever seen a Healer after that night."

"If Albus Dumbledore is as involved, as I suspect, then Madam Pomphrey may have seen Lord Potter that night," Amanda said. "I am still tracking down his files with the WCS."

Edward snorted. "Poppy is many things, but she isn't a pediatric Healer for younger children. She is a school nurse specializing in trauma and simple illnesses." He motioned to Maggie, "Lay him on the table, would you, my dear? He should be out of it for a bit more."

Indeed, Hadrian had gone to sleep, So the examination didn't take long. Edward made several notes, swore softly under his breath a few times, and, in the end, threw up his hands at the stupidity of the Wizarding world.

"You don't leave a toddler with Muggles when he is suffering from a Dark curse! What is wrong with this world! Merlin! This child is not only suffering from malnourishment, but has a broken arm that was set badly. He also has several burn scars on his hands and arms - from what, I can't tell. He hasn't had his inoculations since he was one! He is underweight, undersized and suffering from complete magical exhaustion. Tell me you have removed him from his present guardians?"

"By Royal decree, Edward," Amanda said, pulling out the necessary document. "Her Majesty has placed Hadrian here for his protection since he asked for her help."

"Good!" Edward started to make out a list and health plan for the child. "He needs these potions. Since you can't bring him to St Mungo's, I'll stop by tomorrow to start him on his regimen of potions and vaccines. As for his mental health, I highly recommend that he doesn't move between guardians. He seems to have bonded with you and your husband here, madam. I'm sure I can help you with anything you need to bring the child back to perfect health." He picked up the sleeping boy. "If you would be so kind as to show me where he sleeps?"

Maggie did so. The Healer was pleased with the room and the partner waiting to be cuddled. "Excellent. The bed toy will help in his recovery. But why a raven?"

Maggie smiled. "It just seemed appropriate," she replied.

"Indeed, madam, indeed."

0o0o0o0

A/N: Some of you might recognize the Healer in this story from Poison Pen. He was too good a character not to use him again.

Until next time –GF and the Frau