Life On Mute

A/N: Just wanted to say thanks to all those who reviewed, and to appologize for the lateness of this chap. I'll try to be better about it. Hope you enjoy.


Chapter 4 To Hear


Someone was humming. It’d been a while since he last heard that kind of sound. Aunt Petunia always hummed to herself while she cleaned and Harry used to love listening to her - it always seemed to make her warmer. When she hummed, it was easy to pretend that she could be kind to him.

Harry sighed and cracked open an eye. He blinked at the blinding light and struggled to sit up, wanting to know where the sound was coming from.

The humming stopped.

“Good morning,” Madam Pomfrey greeted brightly as she swept over to his side.

Morning?

Poppy smiled at Harry’s small frown. “You slept the night away. I dare say your body needed it.”

Harry’s eyes widen before blinking up at her, bringing a hand to his ear. Her voice was so clear. Not once did he have to strain to hear her.

“An easy fix like I suspected,” Madam Pomfrey smiled at him. “Your hearing should be as good as new, now. Though I do recommend staying put for awhile - your equilibrium’s going to be off for a bit and I wont have you tumbling down the stairs.”

Harry stared at her, his eyes tearing up once again. She fixed his hearing?

Poppy stopped her fusing about and laid a gentle hand on the boy’s shoulder. “What’s the matter, child?” she asked in concern as she brushed a tear from his cheek. Harry sniffed and in the next instant, Poppy had her arms full of boy as Harry quietly sobbed in gratitude on her shoulder.

“Shh,” she cooed. “Its alright. Everything's alright.”

She rocked him in her arms, offering him the comfort he needed until his sobs subsided. Gently, she disentangled the boy from her and propped him up on the bed, tucking the blankets snuggly around him to keep him warm.

“There now, isn’t that better?” she smiled, brushing the hair from the boy’s face.

Harry nodded, sniffling slightly still. He could feel his chest tightening, swelling almost painfully around his heart. First Hermione...and now this kind woman, both with no reason to help him, and yet they did. He sniffed again, trying to prevent a new wave of tears. He was going to have to thank them both somehow. They deserved it.

Madam Pomfrey conjured a plate of food and settled the tray across the boy’s lap, sternly telling him to eat every bite with a warm smile.

Harry smiled back and began picking at the food as the witch fluttered about the wing, casting spells and jotting down notes. Harry suspected she was doing so to keep an eye on him, but he didn’t mind. It was the first time someone was making sure he actually ate. It took awhile, his stomach wanted to protest, but he managed it all.

“Now Harry, this is what’s going to happen,” the Medi-witch began after she banished the empty plate. “I want you to come back in for a check up next Friday after classes, and then we’ll get started on healing your bones correctly.” She paused for a moment, as if trying to find the right way to phrase something.

“Harry, has your relatives ever taken you in for a check-up before?”

Harry shook his head and gestured for something to write on.

“Of course,” Poppy smiled, withdrawing a self-ink quill and parchment from her apron.

“Thank you,” he wrote out first, smiling as he indicated his ears.

“You’re very welcome, Mr. Potter,” she smiled back.

Harry frowned then turned his attention to the next set of words he wanted to write. “Im not being sent home?”

“No. You’ll not have to worry about that ever again. I can promise you that.” The relief in the boys eyes was so strong, Poppy couldn’t help but pull him into another hug. “You’re safe here, Harry. No one can ever touch you within these walls,” she murmured, rubbing soothing circles on his back.

She could feel the boy’s breath hitching again and let him cry his tears against her. Merlin knows the boy needed the comfort.

Finally Harry pulled away and swiped his fists across his eyes, trying to dry his tears. He smiled weakly up at the Medi-witch as she handed him a handkerchief and blew his nose.

“Keep it,” Poppy grinned when he tried to hand it back. She cast a quick cleaning spell over it for him. “You never know when you’ll need a good cry.”

Taking a deep breath, Harry sat the cloth to the side and picked up the forgotten quill and parchment once more.

“How are you going to fix my bones?”

Harry held his breath as he let the Medi-witch read what he wrote. He hoped he spelled ‘bones’ right.

The Medi-witch sighed. “Its not going to be pleasant, I can tell you that.” At Harry’s worried look she continued. “You’ll sleep through the worse of it, and I’ll give you some potions to help with the pain. It wont mask it completely, I’m afraid, but it needs to be done. If we leave you as you are now, it can cause complications later on. Do you think you can handle that?”

Harry looked very worried but nodded anyway. He trusted her.

“Harry,” Poppy began again. Hesitantly. “I need to know what your living conditions were when you were staying with the Dursley’s. Did they ever touch you? Or do anything else bad?”

Harry bit his lip, his eyes filling with tears once more. He shook his head, pushing the quill and parchment away from him, not wanting to answer.

“It’s alright, Harry. You don’t have to tell me this instant. But you do need to tell someone soon. It’ll help to tell someone, to know that someone else knows, even if they might not understand - it can be quite the stress reliever.” Madam Pomfrey patted the boy’s legs and stood.

“Get some rest, Mr. Potter. We’ll talk some more when you wake.”

Harry nodded and snuggled back down beneath the blankets. He rubbed at his eyes and sniffed. He couldn’t tell anyone about the Dursley’s. Even if they did suspect some things. How could he tell on them when he knew they spoke the truth?

He sighed, pushing the thoughts away. He was promised he wouldn’t have to see them again, that would be enough. They didn’t need to know the details.

~~~~

“How is he doing, my dear?” Albus asked as he leaned back in his seat.

“Well enough. The poor boy was so thankful to hear correctly, he broke down in tears and about clobbered me over,” Poppy said with a sad smile.

“Did he tell you anything?”

“That would be a bit hard, wouldn’t you think?” Snape sneered from his position by the fire.

“Severus, come now, no need for sarcasm,” Albus chided.

Pomfrey sighed, settling her tea back on the old wizard’s desk. “He didn’t say anything. Just thanked me for his hearing and asked about his check-up.” She paused for a second, taking a sip of the tea. “He did ask if he was being sent home, though. He looked relieved when I told him he would never have to go back.”

“You did what?” Snape asked, turning back round to glare at the witch.

“Severus, I’m sure Madam Pomfrey was only trying to help,” Albus said, leaning forward in his chair.

Poppy looked between the two wizards, her eyes narrowing. “What?” she asked. “What am I not getting?”

Albus signed, running his hand through his long white beard. “Until Mr. Potter tells us exactly what’s been going on and how he got into such a state, I’m afraid there’s little we can do.”

“What!” Poppy stood, dropping her tea to the floor unnoticed. She stared down at the Headmaster, her anger and confusion radiating off her in waves. “But that’s...that’s ridicules. The boy’s malnourished, his bones are in a sad state, and not to mention the bruises and scars that’s littering his skin. Albus, how can you not do anything? The proof’s all there!”

“I know, my dear, I know,” Albus answered, the twinkle in his blue eyes long gone. “But I’m afraid it’s not up to me. It would appear that the Minister needs more than just supposition. The boy could of gotten those injuries from other sources. It’s our job to get the boy to admit what’s been done to him, only then will he be allowed to be taken from the Dursley’s.”

“He’s not going to talk, Albus, at least not anytime soon. He doesn’t feel safe enough for that yet,” Poppy sighed as she sank back into her seat.

“We have all year, my dear,” Albus reminded. He turned to Serverus and studied the man for a moment. Snape narrowed his eyes, not liking the look that was passing over the Headmasters face, a look that said he just came up with what he thought was a brilliant idea.

“No,” Snape said gently before the old fool could open his mouth. The damn twinkling was back and growing brighter with each shake of the Potion Masters head.

“My dear boy, you don’t even know what I’m going to say,” Albus all but laughed.

“I don’t care. Whatever you’re thinking, no. I refuse to be part of you wily concoctions.”

“Come now, Severus, my concoctions are not wily, as you so put it.”

Snape snorted. “Whatever it is, my answers no,” he said, standing his ground. He was not going to give in this time. No matter what the old man said, he was not going to break down and follow along.

“Severus, he trusts you,” Albus said with seriousness.

“Not after that display yesterday,” Snape reminded, smirking to himself. He knew it was the right decision to turn the boy away from him. Severus Snape was not a nice man after all.

Poppy stared between the two men, her eyes widening as she realized what the Headmaster was trying to get at.

“Severus, if I may be so bold...”

“You may not,” Snape cut in, turning his glare to the woman.

Poppy continued, ignoring the man’s heated glare. “The boy looks up to you. Or, he did. He turned to you when he was searching for help yesterday, if you were to give him reason to trust you, I’m sure he would do just that. It could prove helpful in the long run.”

“I’m not doing it,” Snape insisted.

“Severus, you know what Harry’s going through, to a certain extent at least,” she said. “How could you let the poor boy go back to those...people?”

Snape glared at the two, feeling his resolve starting to slip. Damn, but he was going to regret this, he just knew it. He sighed, rubbing at the bridge of his nose - he could feel a headache coming on.

“Please, Severus,” Albus pushed gentle, glancing quickly to the Medi-witch.

“Fine,” Snape huffed, dropping his hand and crossing his arms. “But I do not see how any of this is going to work. Even if the boy can trust me again, I doubt he’ll be willing to share his experience.”

“I’m sure you can think of something, my boy,” Albus smiled. “Perhaps teaching the boy wordless spells will give you a start? From what I understand from the other professors, Harry’s spell work is quite poor, though he has managed to cast a few spells.”

“Really?” Poppy cut in. “That’s quite fascinating. He could be quite the powerful wizard to learn wordless spells at such a young age.”

“Indeed,” Snape said dryly, fighting his desire to roll his eye’s at the two.

Albus beamed, clapping his hands together in delight. “Come now, Severus, have some tea,” he offered, pouring the man a cup of the steaming liquid.

Snape sighed in defeat and settled himself in the chair next to Poppy’s, trying hard to ignore the two smiling faces. This was going to come back and bite him in the arse, he just knew it.

~~~

“Shh! He’s asleep, be quiet,” a girls voice spoke softly.

“I am being quiet,” another voice answered back. Harry could hear the scrapping of a chair sliding across the floor followed by the rustling of cloth as his curtains were drawn back.

“No you’re not! Stop making so much racket,” the girl snapped.

“Lay off, Hermione, you’re being just as noisy.”

Harry smiled to himself as he turned onto his back and stretched, thankful that the two had come to visit.

“Now look what you did! You woke him up,” Hermione scolded as Harry opened his eyes and yawned widely. He bit his lip, trying to hide his smile as Ron rolled his eyes at the girl.

Hermione huffed at the red head before turning her attention back to the boy on the bed. “How are you doing? You never showed up for the rest of classes yesterday and when you didn’t return to the dorms last night, well, we got a bit worried,” she said, looking in concern at Harry as she helped him to sit up.

Harry closed his eyes again as a wave of dizziness washed over him at the sudden movement. He guessed the dizziness was what the Medi-witch had meant about his equilibrium being off. He opened his eyes once the spell had passed to find Hermione frowning at him. He smiled and shrugged, the only thing he could do to show he was fine.

“That greasy bat didn’t do anything to you, did he? Is that why you’re here?” Ron asked, pulling his chair even closer to the bed.

Harry shook his head and smiled weakly. No, his professor didn’t do anything, just opened his eyes to the fact that he wasn’t who he thought he was.

“So, why are you here then, Harry?” Ron asked.

Harry just stared at him before shrugging and looking down at his lap. It’s not like he was able to tell him, and even if he could, Harry wasn’t sure if he’d want to. He found himself extremely grateful that the Medi-witch had retrieved her quill and parchment while he slept.

“Ow! Why’d you kick me?” Ron spluttered as he gave Hermione a bewildered look, rubbing at his injured leg.

“Really Ronald, is it so hard to think before you speak?” Hermione chided as she glared at him.

The red head just looked at her in confusion, mumbling under his breath about psychotic woman as he tucked his legs beneath himself, away from the girls reach.

Hermione glared at him, trying not to kick the red head again. “Here, Harry,” she said instead, digging through her satchel and retrieving a chunk of parchment. “I took notes for you. I figured you didn’t want to fall behind so soon in the term. If you need any help, just ask, I’ll help you with them.”

“How come you didn’t offer to help me?” Ron asked with a pout.

“Because you attended the class and should of paid attention,” Hermione countered.

“Oh,” was all Ron could figure to say.

Harry scanned through the parchments and smiled at Hermione.

“You're welcome,” Hermione smiled back. “Oh, I owled my mum last night,” she stated. “I asked her if she could send any books on sign language. I figured that it’d be easier for us all if we learned how to understand you.”

“Huh?” Ron asked. “What’s that?”

“Sign language. Its where people who are either mute or deaf speak with their hands,” she answered. She smiled at Harry. “I bet you’d be able to help teach us pretty quick.”

Harry looked blankly at the girl and shook his head from side to side. He didn’t know much sign language at all, aside from the necessary thank you and sorry a couple teachers managed to teach him.

Vernon didn’t see any use in him learning the language, said it was a waste of time for a freak to learn something when no one could give a damn about it.

Harry shook himself from his thoughts to find Hermione frowning at him again. He gave her a questioning look and tilted his head to the side.

“Harry...you do know sign language, don’t you?” she asked, that concerned look she had when he first woke up graced her face again.

Harry tried to smile, but knew he failed miserably. He shook his head again, looking back down at his lap.

Hermione was quiet for a moment before she smiled gently and touched him on his arm to get his attention. “Then I guess we’ll all just have to learn together,” she smiled.

A small smile bloomed on Harry’s lips as he looked back up at the girl, not seeing any condemnation in her at all. He nodded. He would love to learn how to communicate with his new friends without the use of written words.

“Alright, that’ll be enough for now, you three, Harry needs to get some more rest if he’s to return back to the dorms tonight,” Madam Poppy said as she entered the wing.

She made her way over to Harry’s bed side, fluffing his pillow and tucking the blankets snuggly around him. She smiled down at him before turning and facing the two Gryffindor’s, her hands on her hips.

“And just how did you know he was here anyway?” she asked them with a stern look.

Harry could hear Ron gulp as he tried to fall deeper into his chair.

“We guessed, ma’am,” Hermione answered. “Harry never returned to the dorms last night and we figured that it was because he was here. We were worried about him.”

Poppy smiled at the two, dropping her stern stance. “Mr. Potter will be perfectly fine to return back to his dorm by dinner,” she said. “No need to worry any more.”

“Why was he here anyway?” Ron asked again, earning a smack from Hermione. He glared at her again, rubbing his arm.

“That is for Mr. Potter to tell you if he so wishes,” Poppy answered. turning to fuss over Harry once more, conjuring a tray of food for him. “Now, I suggest you let Harry eat in peace.”

“Alright,” Hermione agreed. “We’ll see you at dinner, Harry.”

“Yeah, mate. See you there.”

Harry nodded and waved his two friends goodbye, stifling a small yawn. He smiled as he felt the Medi-witch brush his hair off his face before patting him on the arm.

“Get some food down first, Harry, then you can go back to resting, alright?” she ordered gently, placing the stack of parchments on the bedside table.

Harry sighed, content to do just that.


TBC