Have a Chat

Beta: My eternal gratitude to Scattered Logic for taking on my unfortunate comma fetish. May you be showered with Ginger Bears and cocktails. I owe her a great deal of gratitude for taking on a story that appeared brief at first, and then increased in size beyond even my expectations.

Author Notes: This story was written for Losille2000 in the Winter 2007 Exchange. Losille, thank you for such imaginative prompts. I had a hard time working out which one I wanted to write more, and so in the end, I wrote a story around prompts 2 and 3. I have loved writing this, and I hope you enjoy the story I discovered in amongst your ideas. I would never have written what follows without your requests.

Hermione's Clinical Notes are not grammatically correct, simply because they are quick notes, and are intended to look as though they've been hastily written.

Summary: In every war there are victims who survive against the odds. Hermione Weasley works as an observer and carer for some of the homeless of London. One day she finds herself with a new person to watch, and with it, Harry Potter's secret regarding the 'death' of Severus Snape slowly unravels.

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

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Preface

Clinical Notes:

Probable new client seen on a walk near The Leaky Cauldron entrance three weeks ago with Ron Weasley. Unable to stop and observe at that time.

Real Name: Unknown

Nickname: Have a Chat

Age: Unknown, though older than 30 and younger than 60

Address: NFA

Time on streets: unknown, but given his appearance, would guess he has been with no fixed abode for at least 12-18 months.

Muggle or Wizard: Unknown

Diagnosis: Unknown - possible spell damage and/or possible psychosis

Observations: Only words heard spoken by him - "'ave a c", hence nickname given by local plod. Emphasis on C – hard sound, repeats it over and over again, inflection never wavers. Unsure if word is chat – sounds more like cat or care. Noted to bang head on brick wall of alleyway on occasion. Snarls if approached suddenly, otherwise glares. Either sits with legs drawn up to chest, or crossed. Thin, malnourished, unsure of where he sleeps. Does not appear to move from alleyway until after dark, then unable to track. Does not have empty bottles, cans, etc scattered around him. Could be alcoholic, but not observed to sway, stagger or vomit. No evidence of drug use – again, cannot assess properly without approaching. Does not interact with other homeless. Waits until soup van is clear of other clients, and then approaches quickly. Takes food back to 'his wall' to eat. Eats everything, but have never seen him use hands to eat. Always uses fork or spoon. Flinches if anyone comes too close. Clenches knuckles, and flattens self against wall. Repeats the phrase, "'ave a c'" over and over again, until person moves away.

Clothing: dishevelled, grubby, long shaggy beard and hair, shot with grey flecks. Wears grubby trousers that appear to be black, but could be navy. Torn hems, back pocket half torn off. Wears t-shirt or singlet, grey white colour, looks as though he never takes it off. Jacket – old tweed, unsure of colour due to filth encrusted in fibres, leather patches on elbows. Wears boots, unsure of whether they end just above ankle or below knee. Black in colour, scuffed. Does not appear to wash often, though cannot get close enough to assess. Have had to assume poor hygiene, or lack thereof. Do not wish to use magic in case 'Have a Chat' is a wizard. Unsure of his reaction to any perceived threat. Have seen him wave his right hand, almost in a 'swish and flick' gesture, but has no wand that I can see.

Conclusion: Have observed 'Have a Chat' for last three weeks. Need to determine where he sleeps, though have been unable to do so due to other commitments. May need Auror support if I can ascertain that he is a wizard. Intuition tells me he may well be another of Voldemort's victims, but this is open to conjecture. Have nothing to base this decision on, other than gut instinct. Do not wish to notify MOM until I can make sure I have full assessment, and that I understand client's wishes re Ministry knowing his whereabouts.