The Shadows Solace Book I: The Growing Years Prequel

Chapter III: A Healer's Hand

Petunia was surprised to see a woman around her age come through the fire followed by Ragnok. It seemed that the wizard world taught their children young and well to be able to have jobs so soon after graduation. She wasn't sure what would be similar to an apprenticeship to witches and wizards, but Petunia saw the wisdom in her eyes as she came through the fireplace.

She was of medium height and had long  and very dark-brown hair that reached her mid-back. Most of it was pulled into a high pony-tail that had a round braid of her hair around it. The rest was left hanging loose underneath.

(Healer Moon in picture above while differently attired)

She smiled and had a kind face. Her eyes were blue and had a warmth to them that made Petunia relax.

"Mrs. Dursley and her husband, I assume." She said politely as Petunia nodded and stood while clutching Harry to her like a lifeline to shake her hand, but the woman shook her head.

"No need. I know why Ragnok summoned me. I assume you are nervous of this, since you are not a witch yourself?" She asked and then eyed Harry as her eyes brightened and her smile widened, "May I hold him?"

Petunia was hesitant but passed her nephew to her and watched her warily. Healer Moon's eyes shined in happiness as the first glimpse of tears appeared.

"Hey little Prongs. Remember me?" She said softly to the boy and Harry looked to her before he grinned, "Moo." He squealed as she rolled her eyes and smiled

"Yup, little one it's me." She agreed and lightly tossed him up and Harry squealed loudly in delight as she caught him, "I am so glad to see you are okay little one. Lily would have never forgiven me if I let you die and had been alive."

Harry then quieted down and his eyes dulled, "Mum."

Petunia, Vernon and Healer Moon went still and silent to that. Harry knew internally that something had happed.

The woman handed Harry back to his aunt gently, "That is a sign he knows what happened that night. He may even have memories of the attack while he does not understand it, but he recognized Lily as 'Mum' so Harry knows something has happened to her and James."

She eyed them, "He may, at times, experience nightmares that cause his magic to become twitchy. If this happens, there is not a lot we can do for it yet. He is too young to give any sort of sleeping potion to even if the severity of the dreams is bad. The best thing would be to calm him by humming, singing, reading to him or even giving him a bath."

She then sat opposite, "Now, I am formally called Healer Adriana Moon, and until recently I served the Lord and Lady Potter as the personal healer to them and whoever happened to visit while residing in their home at Godric's Hollow alongside them.

I wasn't there on Halloween when he came, and I know that even if I had been; there would have been nothing I could've done to stop what has occurred. The Dark Lord wasn't known for mercy and even fewer people ever lived to tell of his attacks." She said quietly, "I regret that I wasn't there to help them, but I cannot change it."

She sighed and then smiled slightly as a sadness took to her eyes, "I, as a personal healer, attended to all of the household's medical needs. This meant if James came home wounded from a fight since his work dealt in apprehending rogue wizards; that I would see his injuries healed."

She smiled somewhat now, "Lily would tend to injuries if she was free and was quite adamant that she see to her son whenever she could, but as the Lady of a large estate; there was always something for her do and Harry kept her on her toes along with all else she had to do."