Chapter 2
The whole room went to dead silence, some were looking at Ron and Hermione. Ron and Hermione were confused themselves. How could a child sneak away so easily? The young ginger and brunette could have some insight on where he had gone, because they were the closest to him.
“He wouldn’t be in small spaces, the Harry that’s our age is pretty claustrophobic.” Ron spoke, breaking the silence. Using information from the older version probably isn’t the greatest idea since people change from 4-13 but it was the best they had. No one really knew anything about what Harry was like before Hogwarts, this might be a great way to find out.
“We should look everywhere anyways, he couldn’t have left the room without us hearing.” Snape said, quite confident but showed none of it on his face. Ron couldn’t help but glare at the greasy-haired teacher. There was a creak from somewhere within the room, which Remus went off of. Remus had slightly heightened senses, with so many people in the room Remus couldn’t pin-point a smell, but he can tell where a sound came from.
Remus walked towards a small cupboard, and Ron looked slightly shocked. Remus must’ve stopped within five feet of the cupboard, due to very quiet shuffling. Like the thing inside wanted to get away desperately, something that saddened Remus. Remus got a little closer, and a thud was heard. He probably hit the end of the cupboard, and couldn’t go back any further. He knocked on the cupboard door, waiting for a noise or response from inside. Snape got tired of waiting, and swung the door opened.
Harry was in there shivering in the corner, knees shoved as close to his chest as they could go and hiding his face. Snape slightly lessened his grip on the door, cringing away from looking. Remus smiled and made a gesture for Harry to get closer. Harry did not move, but instead stared at Remus’ hands that were waving around. Remus gave up after a while and nodded at Snape so he could try. Harry did not like the sight of an annoyed Snape, and wished the cupboard was bigger.
“Get out of there, Potter. You’re lucky that your younger, or else points would be taken and a detention would be placed!” Snape sneered. Harry was slightly reminded of Petunia. If it was actually Petunia she would’ve dragged him by the hair and gave him a slap or two for disobedience. He got up and walked towards the two adults, very hesitantly. Snape immediately slammed the door after Harry got out. Harry looked at the floor and hoped that no one was too angry.
9
“Right, now that he’s back- Ron, Hermione, hold on to him or something?- We can figure out what to do with him.” Dumbledore continued like nothing had happened, going back to his loud and happy volume. “So it’s decided he can stay here, but, all of you are held accountable for him! I’m slightly busy, so I can’t, but I’m sure you guys will be great role models! Tell me if anything important happens!” And just like that Dumbledore left. Leaving multiple people in the room very shocked, some more than others.
Harry had already forgotten most of their names, hopefully they’ll introduce themselves again. Ron held onto Harry’s hand, noticing the slight confusion. But Remus got to it first.
“Would you like us to introduce ourselves again? Lots has happened and I’m sure you forgot?” Remus spoke gently, crouching down to Harry’s small size. Harry nodded, embarrassed.
“I’m Remus, but like before you can call me Moony!” He looked at Minerva.
“I’m McGonagall, your head of house. We’ll explain the houses later.” The older lady said, now looking at Snape, who rolled his eyes.
“You should have remembered-“ Minerva elbowed him, “Professor Snape. Call me that. If you learn to speak.” He groaned, obviously hating this every bit he could.
“And I’m Ron, don’t feel guilty for forgetting some of our names. It happens.” Ron grinned, and Harry held onto his hand tighter as he smiled back.
“I’m Hermione, me and Ron are your friends! Or well, supposed to be. You haven’t met us yet at this age.” The brunette spoke, giving Harry more questions than answers.
“It’s quite late, have you eaten yet Harry?” Remus asked, he was slightly put off by the small frame and clothes far to large. Harry didn’t quite know which answer was best. He couldn’t read them as well as the Dursley’s because he just met the people in the room. Truthfully, he hadn’t eaten. But it was because he got in trouble yesterday and his punishment was no food for two days. What if he gets in trouble for saying no, but if he says yes, what if they know he’s being punished and it’s a trick question? Though one got tired of the silence.
“It’s a simple question Potter, your reluctance to answer is annoying. When you decide to answer, answer verbally while your at it. You agreed to being able to talk, use those talking skills you nodded to having.” Snape glare down, why would he treat younger Potter differently than normal Potter? Snape decided to ignore the dirty looks shot at him from the ginger and rabbit-teeth.
Harry also decided to ignore Snape’s wanting for a verbal response(or any response at all) and stood there like he didn’t hear either of them. That way he’d get in trouble for not listening, instead of going against the punishment.
“Are you deaf or just dense, Potter? It’s rude to ignore adults when their asking you something.” Snape asked, smacking his hand on his forehead.
“Harry,” Ron spoke, “Are you hungry? It’s ok to say yes or no. It’s also ok to nod or shake your head, ignore the git who keeps yelling at you for not talking!” Harry smiled, he liked Ron a lot more than Snape. Hermione nodded in agreement to Ron.
“I’m still your teacher Weasley, and I’m taking 5 points away from Gryffindor for disrespect to a teacher.” Snape frowned. Hermione, Minerva, and Remus had decided to stay out of it. Ron rolled his eyes and giggled, making Harry grin a little. Harry saw that at least Ron wouldn’t get mad at him. So he decided to answer truthfully.
“So have you eaten, if so are you hungry, if not then we’ll get you some food!” Ron asked Harry, who looked slightly more comfortable.
“I-I haven’t eaten… and- I’m p-pretty hungry..” Harry spoke for the first time in a while it seems. His voice was slightly strained and raspy, he also seemed to have a stutter. It sounded like it was almost painful to talk. Maybe he was dehydrated, along with some obvious malnutrition.
“Well, how about this, Me and Ron go and get you some food, and you’ll stay here?” Hermione asked, walking towards Ron. He could handle being away from Ron for a moment, he shouldn’t be picky. He began to open his mouth to answer, but Ron stopped him.
“Ah, we can tell it probably hurts to speak. Don’t worry we’ll get you water too.” Ron walked away with Hermione, leaving Harry alone with three adults. McGonagall, Remus, and Snape. He felt slightly more uncomfortable now. Although Remus and Mcgonagall smiled so kind, he couldn’t help but feel as if it’s a trap. He doesn’t even know how he got here, and just met the three in front of him.
He watched with high alert as Remus went to grab something inside of his coat. He pulled out a small stuffed toy, Harry looked at the small blue lamb. It was just like one he had in his cupboard, but cleaner, and before Dudley took it. He watched as Remus leaned to give it to him, simply looking at the toy. Unsure if he should grab it, he looked up to Remus for permission. To which, Remus nodded, dropping the toy into Harry’s lap.
Harry grabbed it and started to silently play with it. Smiling as he does so, he missed the toy. He hated Dudley for taking it, but he couldn’t do anything about it.
“Your father gave that to you, before he died, of course.” Remus said, sitting next to Harry. The kid looked up and frowned, now hating Dudley even more. “He had two versions, the one he gave to you and the one your playing with. I was a friend of your mother and father, I’m sure Petunia told you all about us…” Remus looked at Harry, Minerva was smiling like a proud mom. Snape was simply at his desk, already trying to come up with a cure. “I’m also friends with your godfather, I’m sure you’d want to see him.”
“G-godfather?” Harry asked, he wasn’t quite used to being spoken too in such a calm tone.
“Yes! Unfortunately he won’t be able to take you in for another year he just got out of Azkaban, but I’m sure I can ask Dumbledore to let him visit and see you.” Remus answered, “His name is Sirius, you might know him by ‘Padfoot’.”
Harry looked at ‘Lamb-y’ and back at the scarred adult. Harry didn’t know how to respond, so he didn’t. He went back to playing with the plush. Remus wanted to keep him verbal, but wasn’t sure how to do so.
“Did you name it?” McGonagall asked, pointing at the toy. Harry nodded, “What’s it’s name?”
“Lamb-y. Dudley c-calls it ‘stupid’, though.” Harry spoke, still playing with it.
“Well this Dudley kid sounds mean.” Minerva placed her hands on her hips, in a childish manner to attempt to humor the kid. Harry shrugged. As he and Remus both looked at the door.
Ron and Hermione walked in, with 3 trays of food. One tray was filled with sandwiches and string cheese. Another was filled with drinks, such as water and some type of juice he presumed. The third one was filled with various foods he couldn’t identify.
“Everyone had left the great hall, but the elves were willing to make us some food so we could all eat. We tried to get stuff that everyone in here would eat so we went off of what we see when your eating.” Hermione places the gray with unidentifiable food on a desk, for the teachers, they also placed the drinks there as well.
Harry grabbed a sandwich that was the smallest on the plate, and also grabbed a string cheese. He ate it quietly and tried to be quick. Something that maybe someone had noticed is that they hadn’t seen Harry walk. They only saw him scoot away, or just disappear like he did earlier when no one could find him. So it was no surprise when Harry didn’t get up to walk over to get a drink. Maybe he was just uncomfortable, and didn’t feel like moving in case it made him more vulnerable?
Harry straightened out his legs for the first time he had been here, as he ate. Once he finished his sandwich and grilled cheese he went back to playing with Lamb-y, ignoring the others that were eating. “Harry, are you still hungry? There’s still two sandwiches up there.” Hermione said, eating a sandwich herself. “Did you get a drink? You should go get one, your probably really thirsty.” Harry looked at the water on the drink tray, than the teachers sitting next to it. Harry got up and limped over to the drinks. He grabbed a water and limped back to where he was sitting.
“Your leg ok? You seem to be limping a lot.” Minerva asked, smiling to hide apparent worry. Harry nodded.
“I f-fell down the stairs.. hurt my leg a l-little bit. But it’s ok n-now.” Harry said, before he took a large sip of the water. He was lying, but the others didn’t have to know that. He hoped it was believable and continued to drink his water.
Minerva has heard that excuse so many times by her lions, and Snape has heard it from his students as well. Remus can’t smell dishonesty, but he can hear it. He can tell from the tone that it was a lie. He was very good at trying to hide that it was a lie, but it wasn’t enough to cover it up. He looked knowingly at Minerva and Snape, who looked back. They would talk about how they would talk about it.
Everyone finished eventually, and now it was time to sort out sleeping arrangements. Should he go to the dorm and sleep in his normal room, or should he sleep in a teachers dorm or lounge? McGonagall did say that maybe he should sleep on a couch in one of the teachers dorm, but Harry insisted with staying with Ron and Hermione. By ‘insisted’ she really meant that Harry hugged Ron extra hard, and shook his head at the idea. So Harry went to the Gryffindor dormitory to sleep.
XXX
“So… Harry messed up on a potion, and got turned into a kid. He’s not very talkative, and he’s very jumpy. Don’t scare him too much, he needs sleep.” Ron explained to some close friends in the dorm, as Harry held onto his leg. Neville looked over at the small child. Harry was always short but he looked so small. Neville thought little Harry was cute, as did a lot of others in the dormitory. Harry was sitting on the floor next to Ron, he was petting Crookshanks. Ron was talking to Dean and Seamus, while Hermione went up to the girls bedroom. Neville slowly approached Harry, he knew what it was like to be a scared kid.
“Do you like frogs?” Neville asked as Harry turned to look at him. Harry nodded and smiled. Neville got up and grabbed something before sitting down again.
“Why d-do you ask?” Harry’s voice wasn’t as strained as it was before, but it was still a little raspy. Neville smiled and revealed a frog. Harry seemed to really like the frog. Neville handed the frog to him.
“This is Trevor, I usually lose him a lot. Do you think you could watch him until bedtime?” Neville asked, Harry nodded eagerly. Neville didn’t get up, instead he took some bonding time with Harry. Neville knew what it’s like to be a total fish out of water, so he wanted to show Harry he wasn’t alone. Harry was like a cat, oddly.
Ron hasn’t seen Harry talk so much ever since he got turned.
Eventually it was time for lights out and Ron lead Harry to the boys bedroom. Ron pointed to the bed in the corner, it was bigger than what he was used to, and softer. Harry didn’t feel comfortable, but he didn’t want to bother Ron anymore than he had already so he laid down trying to sleep. It had to have been the middle of the night, when everyone is sleeping and softly snoring, that Harry was still awake. He had heard some footsteps and got scared, so any tiredness he had was gone. It was too dark He heard bedsheets crinkle and his eyes shot over to where Neville was not sleeping anymore. Instead, Neville had sat up still half asleep. Neville felt eye’s on him so he looked around the room, only to see Harry sitting up staring over where he was.
Neville jumped and almost hit his head in something, but brushed it off with a smile. Neville noticed it was super dark and wondered if Harry was scared of the dark, he was four after all. Neville was terrified of the dark, and always needed either a nightlight or someone to sleep in the same bed, to ensure safety from the evil darkness. Neville wasn’t sure what to do, but he got up and walked over to where Harry was and kneeled down beside the bed.
“Are you scared of the dark?” Neville whispered so quietly, Harry barely heard it. He nodded, embarrassed. He didn’t like being so vulnerable. Neville went to grab his wand, but Harry flinched at the quick movement and almost fell of the bed. Neville doesn’t even know how he’ll react to magic, he’s sure he’s heard Harry mention that his aunt and uncle hated magic. So he probably wouldn’t react well. “Do you want me to stay with you, so you have protection from any monsters lurking in the dark? I’m quite good at fighting off monsters, not to toot my own horn.” Neville winked, and Harry smiled a bit and nodded. He wasn’t feeling as vulnerable as before. Neville sat at the edge of the bed on the floor.
“Is it alright if I get on the bed?” Neville asked, not wanting to scare Harry. But Harry nods again, and Neville sat at the edge on the bed. “If you need to talk to me, or wake me up again don’t be afraid to do so.” Harry lied down and eventually went to sleep. Neville saw this and allowed him to start trying to go to sleep. He eventually fell asleep as well, laying right next to Harry, in case he woke up and needed him again.