Chapter 7: Over Exposure

“Albus, I just don’t think this is benefiting Harry. It’s been days and he hasn’t opened up. He sits quietly by himself, which isn’t normal for one his age.”

Albus studied his deputy headmistress. It was obvious that the woman was concerned but there was also an underlying sense of guilt in her words. Harry had been staying with her for almost a week and was the same reclusive boy that he had met back in Surrey.

“Indeed, Minerva. I have noticed.” His eyes glanced over to the alcove that the said boy was currently playing in. Just some parchment and crayons kept him entertained for the entire day.

“I feel as if I’ve failed him,” Minerva said softly in a defeated tone, following his gaze to the boy.

Albus turned sharply, surprised at her admission. “Failed him, my dear?”

“I don’t have time to give him the attention he needs or deserves. I spend most of the day pouring over paperwork while he sits and colors. He needs more then I can give him, Albus.” Minerva seemed to almost plead with the headmaster. Albus knew that it wasn’t that she didn’t want the child, but it was true that the older woman did have a lot of responsibilities.

“You haven’t failed him, my dear. It is I who left him with those muggles. That has been the ultimate failure,” Albus admitted with his shoulders slumped. He hadn’t slept well since meeting the Dursley family. A touch on his hand caused his gaze to look up and meet his deputy’s.

“Albus, we will find the best home for Harry,” Minerva promised.

A short time later…

Harry found himself in the presence of a very excited, and very small, man.  Honestly, it was an odd placement, and one that Minerva hadn’t been very convinced was the best. However, Professor Flitwick was determined to not let his size nullify his consideration for being Harry Potter’s guardian. Unfortunately, Harry’s placement there wouldn’t even last the day.

It was well after lunch when the Charms professor’s child rearing skills were put to the test. Excited to introduce Harry to the wizarding world, Flitwick had brought them to his classroom to demonstrate some simple charms, believing it would please the boy and entice him to open up a bit more.

“Your mother, Lily, was my best pupil, Harry,” Flitwick shared as he set out several different objects. “She had even started creating her own charms by the time she finished here at Hogwarts.”

Harry couldn’t help but give the professor a small smile. Despite being so far from home, he enjoyed hearing more about his parents. Harry looked around the room in curiosity. There were rows of desks where the students would sit. At the front was a tall stack of pillows that the professor was now climbing upon. Harry swallowed a giggle at the small man’s compensation for his height. The professor wasn’t any taller than he was!

“See here, Harry,” the Professor called out, gaining the young boy’s attention. Harry’s eyes widened as his stomach did a flip. The man had a wand out. It had been explained to him earlier that they performed magic that way. Magic still frightened Harry, believing that any sort of “freakiness” would demand a punishment.

“Why don’t I show you the first charm you’ll learn here at Hogwarts, hmm?”

Harry felt his stomach keep rolling as his new guardian raised his wand, uttered some words, and caused a feather to rise into the air. Spots started dancing before Harry’s eyes; he hadn’t noticed that he stopped breathing. His whole body started trembling as he backed himself into a corner, curling into himself. He couldn’t do those things!

But I can, a tiny part of him whispered. And I did. I did just what that short man has done. But I shouldn’t have.

In his mind, Harry was back at Privet Drive. He was a year younger, but not much smaller in size. Both he and Dudley were sitting at the kitchen table while Aunt Petunia served cookies. He wasn’t allowed to eat them and was forced to watch his cousin inhale the plate of double cookie chip goodness. Suddenly, a small glass of lukewarm milk was plopped in front of him. Still eyeing the cookies, he took a small sip. He really, really wanted some. The greedy boy across from him cleared the plate quickly, but there was still an entire pan on the stove. The delicious smell made Harry’s mouth water. Taking another small sip of milk, a shrill scream made both boys start. Aunt Petunia’s face was stark white as she watched the tray of cookies float across the kitchen and land in front of Harry. Magic! Before Harry could even snatch up one of the delicious morsels, his arm was gripped tightly and nearly pulled out of socket as his aunt dragged him and threw him into the cupboard.

“That’s where freaks like you belong!” she hissed. He had been locked in there for days with nothing more than some crusts of bread and a glass of water for food. He’d deserved it. He was a freak.

Harry groaned as he stretched. There was no knock yet on the cupboard door so he knew that he still had some time before he’d be forced to get up. He burrowed down into his pillow and pulled his blanket tighter.

However, something wasn’t. . . .

It didn’t take long for even a nearly 4 year old to realize this wasn’t his cupboard. He didn’t have a pillow and the mattress wasn’t nearly this soft. His green eyes shot open and he looked around. The room was well lit and beds lined the walls. Where was he?

“Good to see you’re awake, Mr. Potter,” a woman greeted, coming from a side door. She was dressed in a starched white uniform.

“Where am I?” Harry asked quietly.

“Hospital wing. You gave us all quite a fright, young man. Poor Filius needed a calming draught by the time he brought you here.”

Harry stayed silent, trying to remember what had happened. He didn’t pay much attention as the nurse prattled on. In fact, he was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn’t even notice the headmaster walk into the room and conjure a chair next to his bed r12; which was probably a very good thing.

“Harry?”

Harry looked up, startled from his thoughts. There was a comforting look in those twinkling blue eyes. It didn’t take all of Harry’s anxiety away but it helped settle the storm brewing in his thoughts.

“Are you okay, my boy? You gave me quite a scare.”

“Yes, sir. I’m fine,” Harry mumbled, overcome with embarrassment at all of the attention.

The headmaster seemed to study him for a long moment, as if searching for some hidden secret. “Wonderful. I do think it will be best for us to introduce you to magic in smaller doses, hmm?”

Harry’s widened at the thought. More magic? However, any further panic was prevented by his attention focusing on the nurse speaking to him.

“While I have you here, Mr. Potter, I want to examine on you. Make sure you’re well and healthy.” Harry eyed her wand with caution. The headmaster seemed to notice his nervousness.

“Harry, magic is a wonderful tool and can be used to help many people. Madam Pomfrey here uses it to make sick and hurt people better.” Harry listened to the headmaster, not taking his eyes off of the wand in the nurse’s hand.

“Now, Mr. Potter. This is a simple spell to see if everything is healthy in your body. You’ll probably just feel a bit of a tickle but that’s it.”

Harry gulped and balled up the blanket in his fists.

“We’ll only do it with your permission, Harry. I promise you that everything will be fine.”

Harry looked into the old man’s blue eyes and gave a small nod. At least it wasn’t him performing magic this time. He couldn’t possibly get punished for it, right?

Harry tightly scrunched his eyes closed and heard the rustle of Madam Pomfrey’s clothing as her wand ran over him. There was a slight tickle in his body like he’d been warmed and, despite his nerves, he couldn’t keep in the small giggle when it reached his ribcage.

“All done, Mr. Potter,” the nurse said. “Why don’t you get changed back into your clothes while the headmaster and I discuss some matters.”

Just noticing that he was dressed in a hospital gown, Harry crawled down from the bed and reached for his clothing that was folded on the bedside table. He couldn’t help but overhear the adults talking just outside of the privacy screen.

“He’s definitely malnourished, Albus. The boy is anemic and I fear that his immune system has weakened.”

“Any signs of physical abuse, Poppy?”

“Not extensive. Some history of bumps and bruises. No breaks. It seems that they stuck to neglecting him in regard to proper meals.”

“And love, Poppy. Possibly the worst neglect of all.”

The curtain moved to the side and Harry hurried to pull the shirt over his head. He knew they had been talking about him but it didn’t make much sense, not knowing what anemic or immune system meant.

“Harry, you’re going to have to take some pot- I mean medicines for a few months. They’re going to help you grow big and strong, okay?”

Harry nodded.

“There’s a good boy. You’ll take them at breakfast and dinner, so twice a day,” Poppy explained.

“I’ll have Severus brew a large batch of the iron supplement as well as a nutrient potion. Those with balanced meals should help with the deficiencies. He will most likely always be small for his age. If you do see any signs that Harry is coming down with an illness, he can take a Pepper Up potion. He’ll be more susceptible to illnesses until his iron and nutrition levels improve,” Poppy told the headmaster.

“I’ll take care of him, Poppy. You don’t need to look so worried,” Albus teased. It had been decided that the headmaster would now look after Harry for the time being.

“I’m sure you’ll be spoiling him with sweets in no time,” the nurse huffed before going back into her office to continue her inventory.

“Come, Harry. You’ll be staying with me now for a while. I do believe it’s about time for some tea and cakes,” Albus said happily, leading Harry out from the hospital wing.