Chapter 2: The Guardian
Harry sucked on the lemon drop happily as Ron carried him. He had no idea where he was going, but he didn't care. Ron was the first person since his Mommy and Daddy to carry him, and he was going to enjoy it while it lasted.
"Harry? Are you hungry?" Hermione asked. Harry hesitated, and then nodded. Whenever he told his Aunt and Uncle that he was hungry, he'd get hit. He didn't want to get hit, but he was hungry. He looked at the two of them wearily and cautiously.
"Good choice, mate. I'm starved," Ron said gleefully. Harry smiled up at his happy carrier. As he had no idea where they were going or how long it would take to get there, Harry was quite content to rest his head on Ron's chest and suck on the remains of his lemon drop. To Harry, it seemed as though Ron was quite content to carry him. Ten minutes later they were entering the Great Hall. All conversation stopped as the hall, seemingly as one, noticed the small child that Ron was carrying. Harry stared back in alarm. There were so many people! And they were all staring at him! Harry's eyes went wide. Why were they staring at him? Fearfully, Harry buried his face into Ron's chest for the second time that morning.
"Shh, Harry. Don't worry about them. All they need to do is mind their own business," Ron said, stating the end louder so the whole hall could hear him. Harry heard the shuffle and the clang of utensils as the hall turned and continued to eat. Harry felt them start walking again. Harry's hands tightened in Ron's shirt as he tried to put him down.
"No…" he whimpered. He was frightened of all the people in the hall. He knew it could be dangerous to refuse to let go of Ron, but he didn't want Ron to go away. He felt Ron sigh, and he heard a small laugh from Hermione. Then there was some maneuvering before he felt Ron sit down on the bench below him. Harry lifted his head to look up at the man holding him. Ron was smiling, amusement in his eyes. That simple smile made Harry's worries drain away. Ron wasn't angry and, as he looked over at her, neither was Hermione.
"I'm guessing that you want to eat on my lap?" Ron asked with a grin. Harry nodded shyly, "Pwese?" Ron relented, "Aright." Happily, Harry turned and settled on Ron's lap.
"So, Harry what would you like, hmm?" Hermione asked, a child's size plate in her hand. Harry looked at the food, then up at Hermione blankly. He shrugged helplessly. Hermione smiled gently. "What do you like?" Again, Harry shrugged. Hermione sighed. Sure that she was going to get angry, Harry pointed at something. Turned out it was roasted chicken breast. Hermione nodded and put a small piece on his plate, "What else, Harry? Do you like mashed potatoes?" Harry nodded and after a few seconds his plate was being placed in front of him. Ron's plate was beside his and Ron himself was eating one handed, the other hand was busy holding Harry. Harry looked around and, hesitantly, picked up the small fork. When no one took his plate, Harry started eating, still watching those around him wearily. Ron seemed to notice this, "Harry, no one's going to take your plate. You don't have to protect it." Harry looked up, startled. "Yowr'e not?" Ron looked at him sadly and shook his head, "No, Harry, we're not."
As Harry looked at Ron's sad face, he felt guilty. He had obviously said something to make Ron sad. "I's sowwy, Rwon. Down't be sad," he said. Ron smiled, "You have no reason to apologize, Harry, you didn't do anything wrong. Now let's finish eating, 'cause I'm still hungry." Harry grinned and nodded in agreement. Harry finished before Ron and Hermione, so he sat and watched the people near him. Next to Hermione was an awkward, dark haired boy who smiled at him; there was a pretty, red haired girl next to Harry and Ron. He smiled up at her and she reached up to ruffle his hair.
"Are you finished, Harry?" Hermione asked. Harry nodded, "Yes, 'Mione," he replied. He yawned; he was sleepy, but he didn't want to bother them with it. However, both spotted the yawn; both smiled as Harry discreetly rubbed his eyes.
"Sleepy, Harry?" Ron asked. Harry nodded, "But I's down't have to seep."
"If you're tired, Harry, we can go up stairs and take a nap, then we'll play, okay?" Hermione compromised. Harry smiled and nodded; then he shyly asked, "Will you show me magic, latwer?"
"Of course, Harry," Ron said, "After you take a nap."
"'Kays," Harry murmured sleepily. Harry felt Ron pick him up and hold him close to his chest. He felt Ron wave to the people at the table as his eyes drooped. Harry was asleep before they left the hall.
Harry awoke in a large, warm bed. He still felt a little sleepy, but he was excited. He was going to see magic! Until this morning, he had never believed in magic, but now he was going to see it! Harry opened his eyes to find Ron lying beside him and Hermione sitting in a chair nearby reading a book that was bigger than him.
"Well, look who's awake! Sleep good, Harry?" Ron asked with a smile. Harry nodded, returning Ron's grin. Hermione closed her book and walked over to the bed. She sat beside Harry and smiled at him. Harry sat up and looked at the two older people in the room.
"Will 'ou show me now?" Harry asked, hopefully. Ron and Hermione laughed.
"Hold on, let's go down stairs first," Ron chuckled. Harry slid out of the bed with Hermione's help and together they headed down stairs. The awkward, dark haired boy was there, along with a dark skinned boy and another dark haired boy. They smiled at him.
"Hello, Harry, I'm Neville," the first boy said. "I'm Dean," the dark-skinned boy said. "My name's Seamus," the last boy said.
"Hi," Harry replied, coyly. There was a small, unsure smile on his face. Harry looked up at Ron, "Now?" Ron chuckled, "Alright, now. What do you want to see?" Harry looked surprised. "Um…" He looked up at Ron helplessly. Ron grinned, "I have an idea. Have you ever seen someone's hair change color?" Harry giggled, "No." Ron pulled out his wand and pointed it at the hard working Neville and murmured "Novo crinis viridis." Harry giggled as Neville's hair turned from dark brown to bright green.
"What?" Neville asked when he looked up to find Harry laughing at him.
"Yow're haiwr is gween," Harry giggled. Neville reached up and pulled a lock of his hair into his eyes. He looked back up at Ron, who was failing miserably at looking innocent.
"Ron!" Neville cried, as he launched a wadded up parchment ball at his head. Harry reached up and caught the ball before it reached Ron's head. Ron stuck out his tongue at Neville, "You missed."
"Only because Harry has good reflexes," Neville retorted. Harry had no idea what reflexes were, but he figured that is was a good thing. Harry handed the ball to Ron, who lobbed it back at Neville. Harry looked over at Hermione, who rolled her eyes and grinned. Harry's attention was drawn back to Ron as he yelped. Harry laughed at Ron's bright blue hair. Both Neville and Ron looked at the laughing boy and grinned at each other. Together they cried, "Novo crinis cruentus!" Harry squealed as he was hit by the two spells.
"Ron! Neville!" Hermione scolded, while attempting not to laugh. Both looked at her innocently. Harry tugged his hair and saw that it had been changed to a blood red color.
"Hey!" Harry yelled, "No faiwr!" But the festivities were halted when there was a knock at the portrait hole. The occupants of the Common Room looked at each other. Hermione looked at the boys before rolling her eyes and standing. She walked over to the portrait and opened it. Startled, she just looked at her black robed professor.
"Miss Granger," Snape greeted, "I'm here for Potter."
WHEEEE!!!! I'm still alive! I'm very sorry for the wait, but I hope you enjoy. My nephew (the inspiration for baby!Harry) just celebrated his 4th birthday the tenth! I'm going to need new inspiration!
To all those lurkers (I know you're there!) thanks for reading! To my reviewers, I give you a cookie and a new chapter. (See what you get for reviewing?)
PLEASE REVIEW BECAUSE I GIVE COOKIES!
Finished: 7/12/07
Artimis Potter