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Author: twins-rule Story: Harry Potter and the Secrets of the Mind Rating: Teens Setting: Pre-HBP Status: WIP Reviews: 27 Words: 125,959
Disclaimer:
Back at the Burrow, Ron and Ginny relayed that morning’s events to Hermione. Together they watched their brilliant friend attempt to digest the news about their Harry. She struggled to wrap her complex mind around a very simple problem. Harry’s relatives beat him. Harry was abused. Ginny eventually gave up on watching Hermione and began pacing restlessly. Why hadn’t they heard something by now? Ron, however, enjoyed staring at Hermione. After awhile he joined his sister in pacing, must be a Weasley thing. The longer the pacing went the more worked up the two red heads got. It reached the point where they were both actively attempted to contain their tempers, but more importantly they tried to avoid taking their tempers out on each other. Unfortunately, they failed miserably. With no other outlet for their frustrations, the youngest Weasleys lashed out each other, and soon Ginny and Ron were engaged in a full-blown row. After ten minutes of yelling, Hermione finally decided to try and play peace-maker between the two warring siblings. Her fruitless efforts did not stop the row and only served to draw her into the fight. “Yeah Hermione, you should’ve seen what Ron wrote to Harry.” “How do you know what I wrote to Harry?” Ginny ignored Ron as she continued. “Well Hermione, you know how Harry missed the Farewell Feast last year?” Upon Hermione’s nod, Ginny continued. “He missed it because he was looking for Nearly Headless Nick to ask him about Sirius becoming a ghost. So my clueless brother wrote Harry and said, ‘Look mate, it’s a good thing about Sirius not becoming a ghost. Really, if he’d turned into a ghost he would’ve been worse than Peeves!’ Can you believe that?” “Oh Ron, how could you?” Ron looked defensive for a moment, what was so wrong with that anyway? It’s true; Sirius would be a horrible ghost … even Harry thought so. Since he was caught off guard by Ginny’s attack he fell back to an old chess strategy that worked wonders in chess, when attacked, go on the offense. “Yeah well, what you should be asking is Ginny why a girl with a boyfriend is writing letters to another boy.” “WHAT?” (This question was screamed by both young women.) “Yeah, Ginny, we all know about your crush, even Harry! I can’t believe you’re throwing yourself at him when you’ve already got a boyfriend!” Ron hissed angrily. He looked like he was going to continue, but whatever it was he had to say was interrupted by a resounding. . . SMACK! Ginny shook her stinging hand while her mouth opened and closed a couple of times. Finally she gave up trying to speak and turned to walk to the stairs. She had nearly made it to the stairs when tears of anger started to course down her cheeks. “Stay away from my best mate!” Ron shouted triumphantly at the stairs and his sister’s retreating back. Ron watched with a sinking feeling as Ginny stopped and turned back around. Internally he recoiled at the furious glare on her face. Ooops. “You … you … you … ” She had trouble speaking and she could not get past the ‘you’ stage, but this time Ron saw he might have gone too far. To his relief, he saw Hermione jump up and stand between them. “Ginny wait. You’re both angry, and I’m sure Ron didn’t mean what he said.” Ginny’s cold fury turned away from Ron and focused on Hermione. While she had been too furious to say anything to Ron, Ginny knew that Hermione had just made herself a tempting target. “Don’t talk to me Hermione! How dare you defend him after some of the heartless things he says! You’re no better! You know that you ought to be ashamed of yourself!” “Excuse me?” She asked indignantly while shaking her hair out of her face and placing her hands on her hips. “Oh, give me a break. You knew how Harry was raised. Yet you still felt compelled to make snide comments to him about his behavior last year. Of all the things you said to him last year, the worst had to be that ‘whole saving people thing!’” “What’s so wrong with that? It’s true anyway! I think the whole Sirius incident proved I was right.” Ginny’s face paled dangerously. “Is it so important that you be right all the time? Think about what happened today and all the horrible things you’ve said to him up until now. Just … think about it.” She glanced dangerously at both of them. “Neither of you follow me to my room or speak to me anytime soon.” With a flick of her red hair she stormed out of the room. Once she was on the stairs she succumbed to the tears she desperately needed to shed. In the silence that resulted from Ginny’s departure, Ron and Hermione looked at each other warily. They moved to separate chairs and sat pensively for a while. After an hour of silent contemplation, their thoughts were interrupted by the opening of the back door of the Burrow. ***** At Privet Drive Madam Pomfrey was just applying the last poultice to Harry’s ribs. “That should just about do it, Molly. If you can just help me with wrapping his chest up, we should be done for the afternoon.” Together they gently wrapped his ribs snuggly and settled him down into his narrow bed. “I think I can handle it from here, Molly. You should get back home and take care of your kids. Go on, shoo … say hi to Ron and Ginny for me and tell them that I don’t want to see them in the Hospital Wing this year.” While she had been speaking, Madam Pomfrey had quickly and efficiently hustled Molly Weasley out of the room. Before she knew it, Molly stood outside in the hall staring at the closed door leading to the smallest bedroom at Number 4 Privet Drive. She allowed her eyes to follow the long line of locks that adorned the outside of the door. When she got to the bottom of the door she noticed a strange device. Turning to her son she asked a simple question, “George, what is that?” Tonks answered her gentle question. “It’s a cat flap, Molly. Muggles use them on their outside doors to allow cats to go in and out.” “Why is it on Harry’s door then?” George answered this time. “Mum, remember when we borrowed Dad’s car and rescued Harry? He was locked in here with bars on his windows. They pushed what little food they gave him through that thing.” “Are you saying that they had him locked in here and didn’t let him out? Not even to eat?” After the injuries she had seen on Harry that day, she should not have been surprised. Yet, somehow, she was surprised. How could he have lived like this? “Now you know why we borrowed Dad’s car to rescue him,” Fred added softly. Molly was silent for a moment as she considered what she had just learned. “Boys, did I ever apologize for yelling at you about that?” “No.” “Sorry then.” ***** When Ron heard the back door open he rushed into the kitchen to see the tired and sad faces of Fred, George, and his mum. “What happened? How is he?” Hermione announced her appearance with her own question, “Is he going to be all right?” Before anyone who had been to Privet Drive was able to answer, Ginny arrived. She, however, did not have a question, only a simple request. “I want to see Harry.” The only answer to her request was a sharp CRACK of someone Apparating into the room. Arthur Weasley looked around the room and felt the tension hanging in the air. Remus had told him the situation with Harry. When Remus told Arthur that Molly was leaving with Fred and George to go back to the Burrow, he decided to follow them home. “We’ll all talk about this later. Harry is too sick and tired to see anyone, but for now he seems to be doing as well as can be expected. Let’s all sit down at the table and get out of your mother’s way.” Sullenly Ginny walked over and sat at the table. All her anger had vanished the moment she realized her mother had returned. Her anger had quickly been replaced with worry. Now as she sat at the worn old table in the kitchen, all the mood swings she had felt that day crashed down on her heavily, leaving her exhausted. She was only dimly aware of the forced conversation taking place around her. As she stared at the table and the scars that years past had left upon it, Ginny never noticed the intense study she was under. ***** After some quiet staring at Ginny, Hermione glanced down at her watch and announced that she had to leave. After she had left, any effort to force conversation faded out, leaving only silence punctuated by the sounds of Molly preparing dinner in the kitchen. While Molly worked, she kept a worried eye on her youngest daughter. Anxiety and exhaustion were clearly evident on her youngest. Her little girl was truly in a sorry state. Ginny’s hair, which always seemed to have a life of its own, hung limp and listless. Her smile, which could light up a whole room, creased in a tense frown. Her lovely brown eyes, always so full of warmth and life, were dull and flat. That is if you could get past how bloodshot her eyes were from of all the crying she must have been doing in her room earlier. Molly knew about her daughter’s crush on Harry. Molly had some hope that by exchanging letters this summer, Harry and Ginny might be growing closer. It was a first for both of them. Molly knew that Ginny could use a fine young man in her life instead of that Corner boy. It pained her knowing that her little daughter was dating a boy. Even if it was innocent, as it always was at that age … Molly remembered being fourteen once herself. Forgetting about her daughter for a moment, Molly turned her thoughts to Harry. How could his relatives hit him? From the injuries she could tell Harry did little to try and defend himself. Well enough was enough! She was going to make sure that Harry came to the Burrow tonight. If Dumbledore would not allow Harry at the Burrow, then they would move to Headquarters. Molly and Sirius had many disagreements last year with how he was attempting to parent Harry. Molly did not object to Sirius wanting to take on a greater role for Harry; she had only objected to the way Sirius attempted to achieve this. She simply wanted Harry to have a chance to be a child. By extension, this would allow her own children their childhood. She knew they would follow Harry wherever he led, and she also knew she could not prevent them from following Harry. In hindsight she should have realized that hiding information from Harry would cause issues. The boy would go to the ends of the Earth to save someone. He would run even faster if it was for someone he cared about. It was one of the things she loved about him. Harry was definitely a person of action. She could tell that when she offered Harry comfort after the events of the Triwizard Tournament. His reaction made her believe that it was the first time he’d remembered being held. How could a child grow up not knowing what love or simple human comfort was? Even better, how did that child grow up to be such a strong and caring young man? Well, he had lived a bit over a year with loving and devoted parents. That must have counted for something. She looked over at Arthur, and they locked eyes. Molly knew it was time to take a more proactive role in Harry’s life. Both she and Arthur already looked at Harry as another son, and she was sure her own children looked at Harry as a member of their family. Perhaps it was time to extend her family to cover Harry as well. He needed love and support. It was that simple. While not sure of his role in the coming war, she knew it had to be important. Both Dumbledore and Voldemort’s actions had already proved that Harry would have some role to play, and apparently it was a major one. She needed to step up and be there for Harry. She knew Arthur would support her. Now they just needed to work on Albus. Almost as though he was reading Molly’s thoughts, Dumbledore’s head appeared in the fire. “Good evening Arthur and Molly, could I prevail on you both to come to Headquarters? We need to discuss the day’s events.” “Certainly, Albus”, Molly replied, turning to her children she added, “Okay you lot, stay in doors and get some of your summer homework done.” She knew that they would not work on their homework, but she still had to try anyway. She grabbed a pinch of Floo Powder and followed her husband to Grimmauld Place. When she stepped into the kitchen, she noticed that Remus looked ready to kill. This instantly put Molly on guard. Molly turned her attention to the third occupant in the room and noticed that Tonks did not look pleased either. In fact she had grown out her hair to long flowing white and altered her facial features to mimic Dumbledore’s, except for the large purple wart she added at the end of the far too long and crooked nose. At least now Molly could reasonably guess as to why the tension in the room was so high. “Headmaster?” Before Dumbledore could speak the gathering was interrupted by the arrival of Professor Snape from the fireplace. He was garbed in his trademark black robes. Everyone in the kitchen knew however that these satin robes were far different then his usual choice in clothing. They also all knew why. “My apologies Headmaster: your portraits informed me of your presence here. I came over directly because I have some important information to share with you.” Snape spoke softly in his oily voice. “Thank you Severus. Please give me a moment to finish here. We can go back to the castle together. You are aware of what happened earlier today?” The sneer on Snape’s face deepened as he nodded. “Too bad I was not there to join in. The events appeared to offer some enjoyment.” As he had hoped, that comment caused no small amount of consternation among the gathering. As the kitchen exploded into angry retort after angry retort, Dumbledore leaned back into his chair. He was tired and this day made him feel even older than his hundred and fifty plus years. “Please calm yourselves.” As the snide comments died down, Molly spoke up, “How do you think that Ginny knew about Harry being hurt?” Snape interrupted with a pointed look at Tonks. “How did the boy wonder’s vaunted guards fail to step in and give him the protection he needs so many times?” Tonks paled at the question and her eyes flashed in a mixture of anger and shame. Before she could respond, the Headmaster strode into the fray. “Severus and everyone, please let us set aside our differences for a moment. Molly, your question is interesting, but without having the opportunity to speak with Harry I do not know what to make of it. In all probability Miss Weasley was simply projecting her own pains into a concern for Harry, which in actuality had little to do with his condition.” Dumbledore glanced around before continuing. “Arthur and Molly, as I was beginning to explain to Remus, I’ve negotiated with Harry’s relatives and have successfully managed to get them to agree to continue allowing Harry to live in their home until at least his birthday this summer and to accept him back next year until he obtains his majority as an adult on his birthday.” Arthur interrupted at this point, “Albus! Surely you can’t be serious.” Remus replied with a hollow angry voice, “No, Arthur, he’s serious, and there’s nothing I can do to change his mind.” “Albus!” Molly shrieked as she shook off her husband’s cautioning hand. “How can you even contemplate keeping Harry in that situation? I saw the wounds on his body. He didn’t even try to defend himself! Those people should be locked up in a prison. You know as well as I that in either world what they did is a criminal offense.” Arthur struggled to sooth Molly before he continued the fight. “Albus, I don’t understand your thinking in this. Because of the events surrounding Harry throughout his life, it’s clear that there is something important about him. How can he complete whatever task you’ve in store for him if he’s injured or worse? We never would’ve known his condition if Ginny didn’t have a feeling something was wrong with him. How can we continue to tempt fate since Harry is in an obviously dangerous place?” “Harry is in the safest place he can be at this time.” Remus took his opportunity to interject. “He may be safe from Death Eaters, but how about the people who are supposed to raise him? You know Albus, Sirius told you last year how abused he was as a child and yet you continue to subject him to that place. His body may be safe, although that is questionable considering the condition I found him in this morning, but what about his head and his heart?” “Exactly Albus, Arthur and I’d already decided that we’d take Harry and help him this summer. He needs to be around his friends and people that love him. We’re even prepared to live the rest of the summer here if you don’t think the Burrow is safe enough with the new wards.” Molly added. “I understand all of your concerns. Please understand this isn’t a decision I’m reaching easily. However, Harry must remain with his relatives until his birthday. I had to talk very fast and work hard to keep his protection at Privet Drive.” When Dumbledore noticed Molly and Remus about to object again, he simply held up his hand said, “This decision isn’t open for negotiation. For reasons I’ll not get into tonight, Harry must stay where he is. I’m sorry to take such a forceful line with you, but its imperative Harry remains until his birthday, and then we’ll work on a plan to remove him to another location.” Molly was ready to continue the fight until Arthur spoke with her softly. Remus was hanging his head in mute acceptance, but it was painfully obvious that he was not happy with the outcome. He would accept Dumbledore’s words on this, like he had always trusted Dumbledore in the past. Tonks looked at Remus and leaned over and gave him some soft words of support. Dumbledore knew he did not have happy people around him, but at least they were willing to go along with his plan. Dumbledore continued. “Now then, since we’re in agreement with the need for Harry to stay where he is,” Dumbledore chose to ignore Molly’s head shake at the moment, “We’ll need to arrange for someone to spare Madam Pomfrey. I’ve been able to convince the Dursley’s to temporary vacate the house for the week it’ll take to nurse Harry back to full health. I was hoping Molly that we would be able to prevail upon you and your family to help.” “Of course Albus, we’ll help out with tending Harry.” Molly said, before she added, “We would’ve anyway.” “Splendid, I was able to convince the Ministry to attach Arabella Figg’s house to the Floo network, so the youngest Weasley’s will be able to visit Harry as well. I think seeing some of his friends might help his recovery as well.” “Albus,” Molly interrupted, “George mentioned to me earlier that you were trying to find an accommodation with the Dursley’s to allow Harry to stay. Can you tell me what it was?” “It’s true I had to speak very fast with the Dursley’s for them to agree to allow Harry to stay. Eventually I had to agree to provide them with money to cover the expenses of them leaving the house on a last minute vacation and some, shall we say, extra money to ease their pain and suffering. Also we have new rules were none of us can even be on the same side of Privet Drive as Number 4.” “You’ve paid them off?” Arthur asked incredulously. “After all that they’ve done?” “Yes.” Dumbledore replied softly, “I had to pay off Harry’s relatives for crimes that should have rightfully landed them all in prison. However, these are not normal times and some decisions are not easily made.” Molly jumped up with an angry shriek. “You reward people who beat him within an inch of his life? Albus! How could you do such a thing?” The room watched as she struggled to contain her famous temper. With obvious effort, she was able to control herself enough to continue. “I’ll work to arrange a schedule to see to Harry’s needs, but I can’t begin to express to you how disappointed in you I am. I’m through here tonight. Please send over word later with what you need from us.” With that Molly turned to the fireplace and Floo’ed home. She stepped into the kitchen to see all her children (minus Charlie and Percy) looking at her in concern for her obvious distress. As Molly struggled to hold back tears, she heard her husband arrive behind her. With a steady voice Arthur asked everyone to leave them alone in the kitchen since he knew his wife needed to vent. Arthur totally agreed with her. It was remarkable how galling Dumbledore’s actions were. He was dangerously close to causing a serious rift in the Order. Arthur had always trusted in Dumbledore’s actions before, but this move was very questionable. With several curious stares the Weasley brood silently left the kitchen. Once outside, however, the mood evaporated from compliance to open questioning. Bill quickly cast a spell on the door so it could not be Imperturbed. With that action done he turned to the twins, “Well pull out those ears; I’ve no intention of missing this talk.” With a feral grin the twins pulled enough ears out of their pockets for everyone. They all settled in for a long wait. An hour later, Ron pulled his Extendable Ear out and hurled it to the floor. “How could he? I’ve half a mind to go over and grab Harry right now! And to pay those bloody louts off! For beating him to a pulp!” The twins glanced at Ron with a small measure of respect, since his sentiments exactly measured their own. They were eager for action and had been since they had seen Harry that morning. “Quiet! I hate the situation too, but let’s allow Mum and Dad to handle this, trust me I don’t think this will last for long.” Bill had moved over and taken a sobbing Ginny in his arms. Bill was angry at the situation, but he controlled his anger since his little sister obviously needed help at the moment. Bill was not sure what was going on with his little sister and Harry, but he could tell she felt deeply for him. For his part, Bill could not be happier. Granted he would have to tease Harry for a while and act the older brother, but Bill definitely liked Harry, and Harry was about the only person he could think of that would be good enough for Ginny. Yeah, Harry was perfect all right, unless he hurt Ginny, then Harry better watch out. With another glance at Ginny, he looked at his brothers. “Come on boys, clear out; we don’t want to be caught here when Mum finishes her crying spat. Get upstairs and stay out of sight.” Bill then turned his attention to Ginny, “Come on little red; let me carry you back to your room so you can lie down. Maybe we’ll be able to get you over to visit Harry soon. What do you think?” ***** To the south in an affluent Muggle suburban of London a lonely teenager walked around her home. It was quiet and dark. Her parents had been in bed for sometime leaving her alone to wander in her big silent home. She still had not been able to forget Ginny’s words from earlier. Her wanderings took her past the fireplace. Hanging above it, visible in the dim light leaking in from the windows, was a family portrait. It had been taken the summer after her eleventh birthday: The summer she found out she was a witch. She gazed at the portrait, her proud parents standing over her with their hands on her shoulders. She was sitting prim and proper, smiling shyly. It was not a smile she recognized anymore. Not because her teeth no longer required braces; (Madam Pomfrey had fixed them in her fourth year) no, it was the shyness she didn’t recognize. Hermione knew she was no longer smiled like that. Now her smile was beaming and happy. She knew why her smile had changed. Before she went to Hogwarts Hermione had always been a lonely child. Brilliant and studious in school, her brains and effort separated her from the children in her class. The isolation she felt caused Hermione to close in on herself and hide within the shell of a … well … ’bossy know it all’ as she had been called some many times. Consequently, Hermione had no real friends. Things had not been any different at first when she had gotten to Hogwarts. Her driven attitude combined with the fact that she was Muggleborn did not bring her any more success in finding friendship there then it had in primary school back home. It took an evening encounter with a troll in a girl’s lavatory to bring Hermione out of her shell. For the first time she had friends. Real true friends that accepted her for who she was. They had driven her out of her shell and helped her lighten up. Hermione broke her eye contact with the portrait and moved to the stairs. As she climbed the steps to her room she allowed her thoughts to crystallize on one of her best friends. Not the gangly red head that so often occupied her brain, but the raven haired one. She had known that his childhood had been hard. She always had known, or at least suspected, it was far worse than he had let on. It had not been a conversation she had ever really pursued with Harry. How could she, an only child with two adoring parents, even relate to him about that? When she had been at the Burrow she had stared openly at Ginny thinking. What had Ginny been trying to imply with that comment? That question had been in the forefront of Hermione’s thoughts since Ginny had said it. While she had originally been inclined to hope that it was simply an angry retort, after careful consideration she had reluctantly dismissed that notion. Ginny had been too precise and calm, in an angry way to be sure, when the comment was made. So if Ginny had meant what she said … but what did it all mean? By the time she had reached her room and had lain on her bed, the tears had started falling uncontrollably. She grew up not wanting for anything, except maybe some friends. She knew that she was a rich person. Not rich in the terms of material wealth, even though her family had plenty of money, she knew she was rich in life. Predictably, as in times past, her sobs had awoken her mum. Silently she felt the bed shift as her mum sat down and gathered her into a loving embrace. This only served to make her cry harder, because she finally understood Ginny’s point. The loving comfort she was receiving from her mum was a comfort that was forever denied her raven-haired friend. As she cried on her mum’s lap, her thoughts turned to her raven-haired best friend. Oh Harry … ***** Later that evening Dumbledore was listening to his spy’s report. “Headmaster, tonight’s meeting was most interesting. The Dark Lord was very pleased. He said he had a great plan in the works, and although it was not proceeding quite as well as he hoped, it was almost guaranteed of success. I wasn’t able to deduce the point of the plan since he seems to be holding it tight to the vest. But he’s happy about something that occurred last night and into today. He also had me brew a mind-inhibiting potion. I made the Draught of Openness; you are familiar with its effects; are you not?” “Yes. It can be used to lower someone’s Occlumency shields and makes a person’s mind more open to external intrusion. Thank you Severus, I’ll consider what you have reported tonight. I cannot say that I understand Voldemort’s actions with the potion. Do you believe the potion is intended for you?” “No Headmaster, for the potion to work its best, it needs to be a surprise to the one taking it. It is a difficult potion to prepare, but others, including the Dark Lord himself, could have brewed it easily. Although it would amuse the Dark Lord to skewer me with a potion of my own brewing, it does not make sense to tip his hand if it is intended for me.” “Splendid Severus, your report is interesting; I haven’t seen any overt moves by him yet but I shall be on guard. Once again, thank you for the report. Why don’t you try and get some sleep.” Snape bowed his head in acknowledgement of the dismissal. As he retreated towards the dungeons, Snape was concerned at how tired the Headmaster looked. Albus Dumbledore sighed deeply as he gazed around his familiar office. His eyes settled on the table where his many instruments resided. Sadly he recalled that horrible evening when he had finally shared the truth with Harry. Most of these instruments had been broken in Harry’s resulting rage. The physical damage had been repaired easily. Dumbledore was afraid that the emotional damage would take far longer to repair. Gently he picked up one particular instrument. He gazed down at the silver machine. Quietly he listened to the gentle clicking as it worked through its complex machinations. A soft light continued to issue gently from a singly point. The light was dim now as Harry was sleeping. Last night Albus noticed the silvery white light turn a dark crimson red. It was not the first time in Harry’s life at his relatives that this instrument foretold the physical pain that Harry was obviously receiving. No, Dumbledore was not ignorant of the treatment Harry received. Blood Charms. Albus Dumbledore had not been entirely honest with Harry when he discussed the nature of the charm used to protect him. Voldemort was not terribly familiar with Blood Charms since he had discovered at an early time that Blood Charms were terribly capricious. Voldemort with all his maniacal ways preferred predictable and stable magic. Even the dark rituals which have given him seemingly immortal life were predictable, provided one was willing to pay the price. The nature of Blood Charms differed greatly from such orderly magic. When applied in a certain way, the nature of the Charm could be inordinately powerful. Take Harry’s protection for example. The magic is so powerful that it can work without conscience thought or application. At the height of the Charm, it literally could prevent Voldemort from even touching him. It also worked with barely magical people, like Harry’s Aunt Petunia. She nearly had enough magic that if she had been born to a pure blood family then she would have been considered a squib. Even without her ability to perform magic, she still had the same benefits of the Charm, its fine protection. The Charm also protected Harry’s ancestral home, in this case Privet Drive, from external scrying. This was important in preventing any of Voldemort’s followers from finding the house. In some respects the effect was similar to the Fidelius Charm, if not quite as powerful. Obviously the Dursley’s being a Muggle family and needing to exist in the Muggle world could not have a completely hidden home. The Charm also prevented witches and wizards with intent to harm the family from entering the home. Unless of course a person from the home invited them in, which is not very likely in this case. It was a good thing that no one outside of the Order and only some select members of the Ministry even knew where Harry’s home was. Albus Dumbledore looked back down at the instrument in his hands. The first time Dumbledore had seen the light on this instrument turn red was an evening shortly after the night Neville Longbottom’s parents, Frank and Alice, had been tortured insane by some of Voldemort’s more fanatical followers. Albus had been shocked when he noticed the red light. It did not just show physical pain, but intentionally caused physical pain. Dumbledore had immediately fled to Privet Drive to only observe unseen Vernon Dursley cruelly smack baby Harry on the bottom repeatedly for crying. Albus’ first thought had been, how dare he? Fortunately, his reason re-inserted itself at the last moment. He could remove Harry, but by doing so, he would invalidate the Blood Charm. That night, Disillusioned in the front yard of Number 4 Privet Drive, Albus Dumbledore debated with himself the wisdom in keeping Harry with his relatives. He had suspected even when he made the initial decision to leave Harry here that his childhood would be very difficult. Lily and Petunia certainly did not see ‘eye to eye’ about many things, not the least of which was magic. In fact Petunia and her new family went to great lengths to refuse to even accept that magic existed. Eventually the unhappy events surrounding Neville Longbottom sealed Harry’s fate. Dumbledore did not feel he could ensure either Harry’s or his aunt’s protection if Harry was removed. Therein lay the real dilemma. The nature of Blood Charms allowed the blood of one to be used against the other. Dumbledore knew that Petunia would not allow Harry to stay for his protection. In fact, Dumbledore doubted she would take Harry in to even protect herself. If however, she was led to believe that keeping Harry would protect her whole family, including Dudley, then so much the better. Dumbledore knew that Petunia’s life centered itself on her young baby Dudley. He was the apple of her eye. Shaking himself from his remembrances of the past, Dumbledore recalled his conversation from that afternoon. Where Vernon had seemed inclined to keep Harry if the ‘monetary figure’ could be matched, Petunia needed more persuasion. Eventually it took Dumbledore to continue his little ‘white lie’ and remind Petunia that her Dudley’s protection would be lost if Harry was removed from the home before his birthday. Thus this afternoon, Dumbledore’s dual goals, protecting Harry and Petunia Dursley were met again. The cost was mounting, however, and Dumbledore feared that it might be getting too high to pay. Dumbledore was shaken from his thoughts by one of his portraits calling to him. He glanced over his shoulder to Phineas Nigellus, “Yes Phineas?” “The metamorphmagus and the werewolf raged about you for some time and then left the house to go out to Muggle London and drown their sorrows in great quantities of alcohol. I believe the metamorphmagus said something about a rave.” Phineas reported. Phineas debated for a moment before continuing, “Your announcement did not go over very well, Albus, and you’re treading dangerous ground within your organization. I must caution you that I believe you might be close to pushing them too far.” “I know Phineas, I know, but eventually I hope they’ll come to understand my situation.” Albus knew he was straining his relationship with the Weasleys and with Remus, but the success of the war was worth it. Dumbledore walked over to the window that overlooked Hogwarts. Again he reconsidered his decision to house Harry with his aunt and uncle. He had guessed Harry would suffer, and he now knew Harry would continue to suffer. He had spoken with Madam Pomfrey. Harry’s injuries were terrible, and this beating was far worse than any he had received before. Dumbledore also knew that as with most of his injuries, magical medicine would patch Harry up as good as new … physically. Why did his choice have to be so difficult? Subject Harry to abusive relatives who despise him and care little for Harry’s own protection, only using him to protect their own child (however misguided this assumption was) or take him to a family like the Weasley’s who would love and accept him, but make Harry and those close to him more vulnerable to attack. Dumbledore knew that Harry would not be able to handle the loss of a Weasley in his current condition. Truthfully the protection of the Weasley family and his friend Miss Granger caused the Headmaster no small amount of lost sleep. A deep loud sigh issued forth from his long white beard as he contemplated the difficult decisions he faced. If only the charm did not need to be recharged. If only the last blood relatives Harry had could at least accept him, if not love him. If only Voldemort had not used Harry’s blood in the Rebirthing Ritual. However, as long as his location remained a secret from Voldemort, and Harry could call Privet Drive his home, then that is where he would stay. He had to remain until his birthday so that the blood magic would be renewed for yet another year. Dumbledore had failed to get Sirius to accept his reasoning for keeping Harry with his relatives last year, and in fact, Molly, Arthur, and Remus’ arguments were much the same as the ones Sirius had used. Albus did not relish the thought of what would have happened had Sirius been alive today and his beloved godson so beaten. At least Dumbledore had been able to salvage the situation with Harry’s relatives, even if the solution was going to cause some consternation with the people in Harry’s life. Albus knew he was playing for higher stakes than everyone assumed. Yes, he did care for Harry, but he had learned in his previous wars, that love and caring could only go so far. The true test of success was victory. Albus had fallen into the trap of caring too much, and lost Sirius, very nearly losing Harry as well. Dumbledore could not face Voldemort and succeed. True, he had just fought Voldemort to a draw, but Dumbledore had been tiring quickly, and if the Ministry had not shown up when they had, they would not have obtained the small victory achieved there. Harry was the only hope for the Wizarding and Muggle worlds. It was too big a burden to place on such slight shoulders, but those were the facts. Harry needed to live for their world to live. The situation was not perfect, but that was the way things were. You had to play the game with the cards you were dealt. This was Dumbledore’s hand, and he intended to win. The cost of failure did not bear contemplating. Dumbledore again sighed deeply. The time for Harry’s confrontation with Voldemort was drawing closer far faster than Dumbledore wanted. He knew he was playing for large stakes with Harry’s life. These thoughts led him to remember the night following Voldemort’s return. Dumbledore remembered the triumphant feeling that had surged through his body when Harry explained Voldemort’s Rebirthing Ritual. That triumphant feeling fled just as quickly when Dumbledore realized the implications. He turned away from his window and slowly moved towards one of his bookcases. He had known the night of Voldemort’s return that he had been handed a mighty weapon indeed. He also knew that the danger to Harry had increased dramatically. It was at the moment Voldemort was reborn with Harry’s blood that Dumbledore knew he desperately had to continue to protect another, in addition to Harry. Voldemort’s actions had condemned Harry to more time with his relatives. Standing in front of a certain bookcase he looked around covertly before kneeling and reaching behind it into a hidden cubby. Dumbledore carefully removed the item contained therein and caressed the cover slowly. In his hands, Dumbledore knew he held the key to defeating Voldemort.
As always, thanks for reading and thanks for reviewing. A huge thank you goes out to Kelleypen my new beta. She is awesome and has been a huge help getting this thing back on track. So I know some people will not be happy with Dumbledore, and I know even more people will not be happy with yet another cliff hanger, don’t they ever stop? :-) The thing I can say about Dumbledore is I put the best arguments out there for his reasoning, in this specific situation. How about Molly apologizing to the twins? I really liked that moment; it’s one of my favorites in the story so far. Thanks again for reading! It helps to know that the effort put into the story is appreciated.
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