Harry Potter The Surprise

The mind-healer thankful spoke perfect English, but reverted to cursing in Italian after hearing from Harry that this young witch had been possessed by Lord Voldemort - and he was the first mind-healer Ginny was seeing.

As the healer vented his frustration and anger by cursing up a storm, Harry was thinking the healer was dressed in the most stylish robes he'd ever laid eyes on - and that learning the Italian language would be a compulsory course at the institute.

A once more in control healer offered an apology. "I'm sorry, Lord Potter, but it is a disgrace how this young witch has been treated. That poor girl had so many competing compulsions in her mind, it's a wonder she was still able to function. A scandal - it is a crime too. I am duty bound to report this to my Ministry. In cases of children, they always act very quickly and take whatever action is necessary to protect the underage witch or wizard."

"While I can assure you everyone here wants what is best for Ginny, achieving that might be problematic. You see her father is a departmental head at the British Ministry, and we suspect the main culprit for messing with her mind is the Chief Mugwump at that very same Ministry. There is also another problem, in that the method Voldemort used to posses Ginny is a closely-guarded secret, the Ministry doesn't even know how it was done. Madam Pomfrey and I witnessed Dumbledore obliviating the British Minister of Magic to keep his secrets."

The mind-healer was now looking at them as if they had just arrived from another planet. "Lord Potter, I might need that information to treat your friend. My healer oath would keep that information confidential, and I would be prepared to take another oath - providing giving this other oath wouldn't harm Italian citizens."

"I'll tell you and Madam Pomfrey the information, you can then decide if another oath is required. Fred, George and Professor McGonagall, this information really has to be kept on a need to know basis - and you don't need to know. I will speak to Bill about it, offering him the same chance as the healer. We're working with Madam Bones on this, that's why she's coming here on Monday. This matter is totally outside the Potter Institute, and shouldn't affect us here at all."

While agreeing with every word Harry just said, McGonagall still wanted to help as much as possible. "Perhaps if the healer could explain to us what he found, we might be able to help in finding a solution to this problem? I'm also assuming the real problem will start when Albus and Molly discover their jig is up."

After Harry had introduced everyone, and explained what their relationship to Ginny was, the healer gave them a general overview of her condition. "That little witch's mind went through some severe trauma, she was possessed by your Dark Lord. Instead of being treated, it appears to me as if someone has messed with her mind in an effort to pretend the situation that caused this trauma never happened.

This is absolutely the worst way to treat such a thing. To make matters even worse, someone then added more behavioural compulsions on top of all that. I know you won't want to hear this, but my recommendation will be to remove that witch from the environment she is currently in."

"If you mean keeping Ginny away from the people who did this to her then you're wrong - that's exactly what we all wanted to hear. Fred, George, can you guys get together with Professor McGonagall and write to Bill. Sorry guys, but this news coming from you two would probably have your brother checking home to see if you were pranking him - and that's the very last thing we need right now. Remus, how are our relations with the Italian Ministry?"

McGonagall and the twins were standing almost in shock while watching Harry take command. Remus and Poppy though were getting used to it. "I would say very good. I've told them that we will be using local architects, builders and suppliers to get our school built, and again sticking to buying local for equipment and supplies - everything from desks to dinner plates. We've been welcomed with open arms, and also offered any help they can give us. Even in Italy, using Harry Potter's name opens doors that might otherwise have remained closed. The Boy-Who-Lived leaving Britain for Italy will be massive news here too."

While Harry was groaning after hearing that, the mind-healer was looking around him. They were standing in a corridor outside Poppy's bedroom.

"You are opening a school, here?"

"Yes and no. Yes we are opening a school, but not in this building. A purpose built school will be sited on the land that comes with this house. Ginny and three of her brothers are here on holiday with me. What we need is a method that ensures she stays here, and suits everyone involved. I'll work with anyone to see that's what happens."

Nodding in agreement, the healer reminded them though that he was still duty bound to inform his Ministry. While happy with that, Harry had another idea. "I would be keen to forge close links with your hospital and our school. Madam Pomfrey will be our healer, and will be setting up our infirmary from scratch. The British magical community are somewhat 'traditional' in their ways and methods. I was wondering if it would be possible for us to get a tour of your hospital, allow us to see things that you do differently - and that we might want to include here."

While not comfortable with it, Harry was taking a page out of Remus' book. Madam Pomfrey might not get shown around the hospital but they would roll out the red carpet for the Boy-Who-Lived. Nothing would be said about him having Poppy as his guest, amongst others.

The mind-healer couldn't of course speak for the hospital but Harry expected an invitation would soon be winging its way toward them.

Ginny's situation would now be in the hands of their Ministry, but he certainly wanted to be the mind-healer who worked on her case. The mind-healer was planning on removing a lot of the compulsions and meddling today. Only when they were all removed could the underlying problem - her possession - begin to be tackled. First though, he would need to talk with Lord Potter to discover exactly what happened to the young witch.

As the twins were leaving with McGonagall to write their letter, Remus had some last minute instructions for them. "Tell your brother to make his way to Naples and then owl us from there. If he gives us a pick-up point, either me or Sirius will go and bring him here,"

Remus himself was heading off to the Italian Ministry, something Harry discovered he was doing on an almost daily basis. Harry couldn't help but smile at the man, a smile and nod in return from Remus spoke volumes. They both knew Remus had originally thought Harry had created a position for him out of charity, not any more.

Remus was working his arse off, having to learn new skills every single day, yet loving every minute of it. Even in his time teaching at Hogwarts, Remus had never felt as needed as this. For the werewolf, it was a very unusual feeling - though one he could certainly get used to.

Now Harry was left with the two healers, it was time to tell his tale of a thousand year old basilisk and the darkest of magic that was a horcrux. He asked Dobby for copies of the newspapers featuring pictures of the basilisk. Seeing that, the Italian mind-healer might be more inclined to believe the rest of his story. Harry knew he wouldn't believe anyone telling him the story he was about to spin.

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