a different harry potter

Wildwood

As Harry moved towards the bookshelves to examine them, Septima had asked to speak with a healer experienced in dealing with abused children. As she waited by the entrance desk, she wondered if this was the right move to make. Perhaps she should have fire called Minerva first to get her advice. As a blonde haired woman in healer robes approached her, she pushed aside her doubts.

"Hello, Ms. I am Healer Stanhope, how may I help you?"

"Is there someplace we could talk privately for a moment?" Septima enquired keeping her voice low.

"Certainly, follow me," and with that Healer Stanhope lead the way down the hall and disappeared into a room about midway down it. It appeared to be a basic exam style room with a bed, a couple of chairs, and a small table. The healer motioned to the chairs, but Septima declined to sit. Instead, she cast a few privacy charms and locked the door. The Healer watched warily, but did not object as she also chose to stand.

"I delivered a letter earlier today to a child who will be starting Hogwarts this fall, and I suspect that the child has been abused and neglected by his family. I have removed him from his family's home for the moment. Would it be possible for you to examine him at his current location, and to keep his identity and the entire appointment private for now?" Septima watched the healer carefully as she explained the basics of the situation.

"Healers are often requested to take an oath to keep the confidentiality of their patients, but the Ministry also expects us to report cases of possible abuse and neglect of a child. After all, if the family is abusing or neglecting the child, then it may be necessary to remove the child from the home permanently

"I understand that, Healer Stanhope, and if the family has truly abused and neglected the child as I suspect, than I would want them to be prosecuted. However, I just met the child today, and he has not made any allegations of abuse or neglect. I suspect neglect based on what I have observed. His situation is rather unique as well, and I do not want to make things worse for him."

"It unusual to see a child without a guardian's permission, but suspicions of abuse or neglect are certainly mitigating factors. I will take an oath to not reveal the identity of the child or yourself to anyone except for in the context of reporting or substantiating charges of abuse and neglect against the family without alerting you first. Will that suffice?"

"No, Healer Stanhope, that will not suffice. I want to help this child, but I need to know that I can trust you completely, and that the child will be protected," she insisted worrying that perhaps this was not the best plan. She should have contacted Minerva for ideas or perhaps Madame Pomfrey would have been able to keep things confidential.

"I will make an oath to protect the child and his identity to the best of my ability," Healer Stanhope tried again very curious now.