Chapter Text

Being the only matron of Hogwarts wasn’t easy, far from it actually. The youngest students would often come after an unfortunate event of accidental magic while the older had experimented spells that were way out of their qualification. To not make her job easier the rise of the Dark Lord seems to make some teenagers think that they could try themself on casting somber curse. It mostly ended with the victim and the caster, who couldn’t control such dark power, in her infirmary.

Breaks were not even a thought for Poppy since the most serious cases that ran to her happened during the holidays, when fewer teachers could watch the turbulent students.

She could have an assistant. If they would comply to stay more than a month under her direction. For years now St Mungo’s Hospital had sent healer to Hogwarts to help her in her work but none had stayed long enough to actually make her feel less overwhelmed. Her longest assistant managed to stay one semester before they begged the Hospital to go back to it.

After so many resignations, both the school and the hospital decided that 1974 would be the last year to attempt a medical assistance to Hogwarts. And here the final assistant was already late and hitting on the nerve of Poppy.

The director Dumbledore was giving her an amused look that only shrank her patience even more while they were waiting by the chimney of his office.

« You seem quite nervous, Poppy, » he dared tell on his so soft tone.

« I have the right to be when a healer who is supposed to know how fast we need to be for our job seems to be lacking of this competence, » she responded firmly.

« Well now, student will be back to school in two weeks, the floo network must be quite of use don’t you think ? »

« St Mungo’s network is a priority line, he should know it’s the fastest way to come here. I suppose I should not expect him to understand all in one go if he’s this dense to not use this one. » She continued to argue while staring at the fire which had started to turn green.

« So arch words from you, dear, » before she could interject, the headmaster turned toward her with a grateful smile. « Your preoccupation for the students is always admirable but detrimental for the past assistants. Do not worry with this one thought, I’ve heard that M. Doe had delivered promising results. Besides, he apparently matches your temperament when it comes to healing patient. »

« My temperament ? »

She didn’t get the chance to ask Dumbledore what he meant by that as the chimney finally let appear a stumbling man who quickly dust off his clothes.

« Sorry, such a traffic today ! I almost got to the wrong address… » the man mumbled as he looked up to the two wide open eyed Hogwarts residents. After readjusting his glasses, he started scratching his wild dark hair while offering an opening smile « I’m Harry Doe, heard I would start this year with you ? »

The healer, if he didn’t have the name, had the look of a Potter. Merlin, if he wasn’t a Potter then Poppy was the actual Minister of Magic. Looking at Dumbledore, she only saw wonder, which could only mean one thing.

It would be a hell out of a year.

********************

« Dr. Doe, you are the next victim of Hogwarts’s Dragon ! » Proclaimed loudly on of the healer when Harry finished his shift.

The doctor sighted heavily. He had not been at St Mungo for long, only a few months after he managed to get back his professional licence. Well, in this timeline at least. In his future, he had been a certified healer and found himself quite happy with it. After so much destruction Harry couldn’t stand fighting anymore so, instead of hurting, he decided to repair what had been broken.

Ironically enough, his infamous luck managed to hit him even in the hospital when an Auror came injured with all the evidence he had found on the scene of a ritual conduct by some dark wizard. In the panic and still dazed from his fight, the Auror stumbled on his stuff and two unknown potions fell at Harry’s feet, bringing him nearly 35 years in the past.

If he had still been 18, being in the past would have been a blessing to repair every damage made by Voldemort but things had change with time. Now that he had the chance, he was now seeking for a normal life far away from any snake’s interest. Harry was tired of fighting, still having nightmare of many dreadful raids. No more friend would die because of him, he would save them and their family.

A peaceful life would be welcome after so much chaos, he needed it. Not only for him, but for his son. Because yes, his luck, always striking, wanted that, with no one to take care of Greg, Harry had to have his child with him at work. Greg was really clingy, especially with his last teeth growing, and of course it would cause him to be transport with his dad in the past.
Harry hated to cause this much trouble to his own son but he was also relieved that he didn’t had to be worried about abandoning him in a dangerous future.

Speaking of his son : « Who am I the victim of ? And please be quick I have to retrieve Greg from Solange, » he asked while putting a muggle coat on. Solange was a young squib who babysat his son and fond of the energetic boy even though his magical accidents happened frequently.

« Healer Pomfrey. The hospital always sends the newbies as Hogwarts’s medical assistance. It’s kind of a rite of passage, after you get there you never complain on your working condition again. » His colleague was laughing, remembering each return of apprentice. « I remember one coming back crying and begging to do all night shift in exchange of not going back to Hogwarts ! »

Harry arched a brow « Quite charming, » he mumbled. So his dear childhood healer had not aged bitter, she had always been like that. And that could explain why he never heard of any assistance back in his day, she must have terrorized them all. Even so, going back to Hogwarts could be useful, he would have a room, food and security. Exactly what he needed for his son, he might finally be able to keep an eye on him while working in a safe place.

« Don’t worry, if you manage a week or two, Mungo’s will accept your resignation in the twinkling of an eye. »

Harry kept that information in mind and leaved the room. He still had a son to retrieved and a few agencements to make for Hogwarts apparently.

As Harry quitted the place, another healer joined the break room and looked at the board to see his next shift.

« Oh my, Harry’s going to Hogwarts ? » He read on the list in front of him. He had done a few amputation in his company. Those Death Eater were quite vicious in their curse against Aurors and often end with a missing limb.

« Hi Sean ! Yeah, I start the betting pool for three weeks. He’s young and seems to have a good head on his shoulder. »

« You never worked with him do you ? »

The other man looked at Sean confused but still answered by the negative.

« I give him two months at least, » at that he gave Sean a scandalized face. « No really, I saw him scold more Aurors than I can remember my mom doing to me. And not only the injured one. He’s easier to work with than Healer Pomfrey but I’m telling you, we will hear about them. »

Well, it promised to be quite the year.