“Hello, Harry,” Dumbledore said cheerfully, “how are you feeling today?”
“Fine,” Harry said looking between Dumbledore, Lupin, Snape and Madam Bones.
“Harry, this is Madam Bones, she is the new Minister of Magic,” Dumbledore introduced.
She extended a hand to Harry, “Hello, Harry. We’ve met before, at your hearing for using magic out of school. I wish I would have a chance to meet you under good circumstances.”
Harry smiled back to her. He didn’t know what to say. She seemed to be businesslike, no nonsense type of person, like Professor McGonagall. She wore black robes and her hair was pulled back, but she didn’t look nearly as severe as his head of house.
Hermione moved to excuse herself and leave, but Harry laid his hand on her arm and shook his head. Harry noticed Hermione’s mum enter the room as well. Hermione got the message and sat at the foot of Harry’s bed. Hermione’s mum walked over and brought a chair to the foot of the bed and sat down herself. The rest of the party found chairs around the room and brought them to Harry’s bedside. Except for Snape, he refused to sit down but retreated to the far corner of the room and leaned against the wall watching.
Madam Bones began, “To begin with Harry, I want to offer my apologies. The former Minister of Magic, Mr. Fudge, was not as responsive to You-Know-Who’s return as he should have been. If certain steps had been taken initially, we could have spared you a lot of suffering. For that I’m truly sorry."
Harry still didn’t know what to say so he just nodded.
She continued, “I have been in discussion with Dumbledore and the cabinet about you and your safety. The Ministry realizes now that you are the primary target for You-Know-Who, for the same reason he tried to destroy you as a baby. You are the last of the Potters.”
Harry looked surprised, Voldemort was indeed after him, but it was because of the prophesy, not because of his family. Or was it?
Madam Bones continued, “Therefore, we are appointing a guard of Aurors to stay with you until your return to Hogwarts in the fall. Once you get to Hogwarts, your guard will be increased to help protect the school from attacks. Hogwarts is both more protected and more vulnerable than any other Wizarding site. We want you and your classmates to be protected, but we don’t want to completely ruin your school days either."
Dumbledore picked up, “We have been in search of a safe house for you until the end of the summer. The situation has gotten far too dangerous and complicated for you to stay here at Privet Drive. Your aunt and uncle have lives in the Muggle world, and our constant guard of you will cause problems. They will be safer if you are away from them.” Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled; he knew that Harry wanted nothing more than to be away from the Dursleys.
Madam Bones started talking again, “We have been searching for this place with help from your father’s colleague,” she nodded to Lupin, “and his cousin,” she nodded to Snape standing in the corner.
Harry reeled, his father and Professor Snape were cousins? Harry’s eyes flew to Snape in the corner, “You never told me that you and my dad were related.”
Snape’s eyes flashed and he said angrily, “It was never a fact that I was particularly happy about, Potter.”
Madam Bones continued, “Lupin here has been working on some property that your grandparents owned in Wales. It hasn’t been in use for many years, but he thinks he can get it shape for you to stay there in three of four days. We are going to take extra time to put a Fidelius Charm on the house. There are a several other charms that we’re going to attempt for added protection, a Muggle Repelling Charm for one.
“Additionally,” she went on, “I’ve asked Lupin to become your liaison to the Ministry. He will be kept up to date on all issues related to Death Eater activity. He will be our direct contact to you. He will also provide reports on your health and well being back to the Ministry, as a matter of public interest.”
Harry was confused, “As a matter of public interest?”
She looked over at Dumbledore before she continued, “There has been questions raised in the public, about your life and the intentions your parents had for you, given their will. Many people believe that your parents would not have wanted you raised by Muggles.”
Harry shrugged, “I was sent here for my own protection. My parents probably would have wanted me to be raised in a Wizard household, but I understand why I had to come here.” Harry finished his thought in his head, ‘even if I hate it here.”
“I understand that now, after discussing with Dumbledore,” Madam Bones stated, “the general world at large doesn’t understand that. As soon as you are moved to more appropriate housing for the summer, with your permission, I will release that knowledge to the public. It would stop the owls demanding the revocation of your Aunt’s guardianship.”
“Sure,” Harry said offhand, “it doesn’t really matter to me.”
“I would also ask you, Harry, to please refrain from making any statements to the press,” Madam Bones pressed Harry, some anxiety in her voice now.
“What do you mean?” Harry asked puzzled.
“Several months ago, you gave an interview to the Quibbler. I understand why you gave this interview. Fudge’s treatment of you at the time was unjust and in my opinion criminal. However, we are in the middle of a war. You are a target, some would argue,” she looked over at Dumbledore again, “the prime target of You-Know-Who’s new vendetta. That puts both you and us in a strange position. You will end up knowing a lot of the internal Ministry intelligence about his activities. I cannot allow you to share this information with the Quibbler or the Daily Prophet. It could undermine many intelligence operations that we have planned. For now, I’ll take your word that you will not release any confidential information. I will, in the near future, bring over documents that will ensure your silence. We are essentially going to be giving you high level government clearance. The paperwork will take some time. When the documents are ready, Dumbledore or Lupin can explain the significance of them and their consequences. Do I have your word that you will not release any confidential information to the public?”
“I guess so, sure,” Harry said unsure, “but how do I know it is confidential?”
“Let Lupin be your guide,” she said firmly. “He can let you know.”
Harry felt better, “Yeah then, that’s fine. I won’t release any information that Professor Lupin says I shouldn’t.”
“I know this is going to be tough, Harry, but please try and stay out of the public view for awhile,” she said with a smile, “I know that trouble always seems to find you, but it would be better for everyone if you laid low.”
“I’ll try,” Harry said with a frown.
“Good. Thank you for your time Harry. I’ll have those documents sent over to you as soon as they’re ready. Remember to try and keep a low profile. The Ministry will be in touch. Most importantly, stay safe, I’d hate to see you in another difficult situation.” She turned and with a smile to the adults in the room, she walked out into the hallway and Apparated away.
Harry wanted to stop and think about all the revelations that Madam Bones had just laid on him, including the fact that Professor Snape was related to him. But he couldn’t, there were still three other people in the room who needed to discuss more issues with him.
Dumbledore started up on a new topic, “How are you feeling, Harry?”
Harry hadn’t really considered his injuries since he woke up. His emotional pain had been all consuming. Now that Dumbledore asked, he realized that he was feeling better. There was still some pain, but he felt stronger, more with it.
“I’m feeling better, actually,” Harry admitted. “I’m not ready for a Quidditch game or anything, but I feel stronger.”
“That’s good, Harry. Those potions you took last night are helping. Severus, would you bring over the rest?” Dumbledore asked, turning to look at Snape leaning against the wall.
Snape pulled out another group of small bottles and walked over to Harry’s bedside. Harry looked over at him curiously.
“What, Potter?” Snape sneered at him.
“You and my Dad were really cousins?” Harry couldn’t help but ask.
“Yes, it is a fact that neither one of us was very happy about,” Snape said scowling.
“Why?” Harry once again couldn’t help but ask. He knew by Snape’s attitude that he was on shaky ground, but he needed to know why no one had told him. It seemed like a rather large oversight, why hadn’t anyone bothered to tell him that his potions teacher was related to him. Considering the number of actual relatives he had up to this point, it would have been nice to know. He had thought that all of his father’s family was dead.
“Well, Potter, your grandfather and my mother were brother and sister. My grandfather, your great-grandfather, Dean Potter, lived a double life. He had a wife and a son who lived on the Potter manor. They would be your great-grandmother and your grandfather. He also had a mistress and daughter who lived on a piece of property in Wales, my grandmother and mother. It all came out after he died. He called for a great deal of property to be settled on my mother from his estate. But your great-grandmother prevented any money being settled on my mother at all. She even evicted them from their house in Wales. My grandmother and mother were destitute, thanks to your family. Your father inherited the entire Potter estate and all the money, even though my mother was still living. My mother took her case to the court to petition for her part of the estate, now that her brother was dead. The court was in the middle of deciding the case when the Dark Lord killed your mother and father, leaving you an orphan hero. The court decided to give you the entire estate, saying that an orphaned baby needed the money worse than she did.”
Harry felt sick to his stomach. He has always assumed that his family was good people. He hadn’t realized that they could do something so wrong. That would explain the large number of galleons in his vault at Gringotts.
“Now, Severus,” Dumbledore said gently, “there is more to it than just that. You are leaving out some of the, shall we say, other details.”
“I think I covered it quite well, Headmaster,” Snape said coolly.
Lupin spoke up for the first time, “So you’re forgetting the fact that at the time your mother was petitioning the court, your father was on trial for being a known associate of Voldemort.”
“That is irrelevant, my father’s companions have nothing to do with the callous actions of my mother’s family,” Snape retorted angrily.
Dumbledore answered in a voice of utter calm, “But the actions of the court at the time do attempt to make amends. The court settled on your mother an annual sum from the property to be paid to her until her death, at which time the annual sum will be transferred to yourself. Since she is your step-mother it was good of them to do that. You aren’t related to the Potter family by blood, but they gave you rights to it as if you were. It doesn’t go nearly enough to repair the damage of past wrongs, but perhaps it will serve your mother well in her retirement.”
“Perhaps,” Snape said coolly, the anger replaced by the cold demeanor again. “In any case, Headmaster, I have the potions for Potter. The same three as before, a blood restoring potion and two general restoratives. I believe these will repair enough of the damage that he should be released from Muggle care by the end of the week.”
“Thank you Severus,” Dumbledore said warmly. “Would you bring them over again tomorrow?”
“Certainly,” Snape said with a look of pure disgust at Harry. “We can’t let our orphan hero down,” the sarcasm dripping from every word.
Harry’s anger flashed at his potion’s master, “I’m not a hero, and I didn’t ask for this. Do you think I wanted my parents to be murdered? For what’s it worth, I’m sorry that some great grandparent of mine that I didn’t even know treated your mother poorly. I’m sorry that my father, who I also didn’t know, treated you poorly in school. But there isn’t a whole lot I can do about it.”
For some reason this made Snape smirk a merciless smile, “But there is Potter, there is. You can stop the Dark Lord. If you are able to stop him, you will have done a lot for us all. And if you die in the process all the better, then my poor mother will finally have the wealth she deserves.”
“Now Severus,” Dumbledore said his voice with an edge.
“She can have it. Leave me enough money to get through school and find a job, but she can have the rest. Like you said, I probably won’t live through this anyway.”
Snape questioned sardonically, “Like you would just give your fortune away to a person you never met?”
“It sounds like it’s hers to begin with,” Harry said annoyed.
“That’s enough,” said Dumbledore quietly but firmly, “Thank you again Severus, I will expect to see you back here tomorrow. As for the matter of the Potter family fortune, that will be decided at a later time, when Harry has recovered.”
Snape nodded to Dumbledore and without another glance at Harry, he Apparated away.
Lupin stood up and started to fume, “The nerve of him, passing himself off as some kind of innocent victim in all of this.”
“You must understand Remus,” Dumbledore replied, “that he believes himself to be an innocent victim. He believes that if his mother had been given her share of her father’s estate that many of his problems would have been solved.”
“That’s supposed to be better?” Lupin asked.
“No, that’s just who he is. The sooner you understand him, the sooner you’ll understand that despite his apparent hatred of Harry, what he really hates is his family, and not necessarily Harry. Harry just looks so much like James, that he treats him like he treated James.”
“You’re defending him?” Lupin asked incredulously. “How can you defend that?”
“I’m merely explaining why he holds Harry in such contempt. At first glance, Harry is everything that he hated about James; he’s rich, arrogant, spoiled, and very talented. But you and I both know Harry, and understand that although in looks he is very like James, he is his mother’s son.”
For some reason that made Lupin look down, “Yes, I know. Harry is Lily’s. There is no doubt. He has the same kindness, acceptance, and need to help that Lily had. I have never known another person like her, and now him.”
Something about the tone of Lupin’s voice made Harry look at him closely. Lupin was talking wistfully, and his face was very sad almost mournful.
Lupin continued, “I wish things could have been different.”
Hermione, almost forgotten on the end of Harry’s bed spoke up, “Professor Lupin, what do wish was different?”
Lupin sighed, looked between Hermione, and Dumbledore, his eyes never resting on Harry.
Dumbledore prompted him, “Remus, you might as well let him know, Harry is learning the rest of the truth today, he might as well know your part in it.”
Lupin looked down at his hands, and then without looking at Harry he said, “I was in love with your mother. I loved her from almost the first day I met her. She was everything a woman should be, pretty, loving, kind. She always able to make me smile, and always there when I needed to chat. She found out from your dad that I was a werewolf, and instead of turning against me, she asked it there was anything she could do to make my life easier. She was the only woman in my life to have ever treated me that way. But James always wanted her, and I wasn’t going to get into the way. I couldn’t have given her the kind of life she deserved.” Lupin still was avoiding Harry’s eyes.
Harry didn’t know what to say.
Lupin continued, “That was why Sirius and I distrusted each other after your parent’s murder. I believed that Sirius was a spy and handed them over to Voldemort, and Sirius thought that I was the spy and handed Peter over to Voldemort. Sirius knew that I loved Lily. He knew that James and I had had a falling out about her. So he thought I was getting back at them, by handing Peter over. But you know the story behind that,” he said finally looking at Harry.
“So you loved my Mum,” Harry said tentatively.
Lupin looked down, “Yes, I did, I still do.”
“And my Dad knew it?” Harry asked.
“Yes, he did.”
“What happened?” Harry asked his head spinning.
“He asked me to stay away from her. He was worried that your Mum felt the same way I did.”
“Did she?” Harry questioned.
“I don’t know. I really don’t know. Sometimes I thought she did. But it didn’t matter. I wouldn’t have wanted her to be around me. I become a full fledged monster once a month and I can’t get work. That’s not the life that I wanted for her. She deserved so much; I couldn’t give it to her. So I never pursued it, I never talked to her about it. Eventually she and your father starting dating, and they were some of my only friends. Peter found out about my feelings, and told James that I was in love with Lily. I should have seen him for the rat he was then. Your dad and I had a row, and Peter, Sirius, and James forced me away, I was no longer welcome at your parent’s house. Up until the time of their death, your father believed that I was a traitor. Your mother knew better, but she couldn’t convince him. She continued to send me letters up until the day she died. She was so thrilled to have you Harry. She loved you so much. I got a very good chronicle of your life until she died. I should dig those old letters out for you, sometime. She talked about the new things you were doing in each letter. She was so thrilled when you learned to walk, and when you said Mama for the first time, she thought her heart would burst. You brought them so much joy, Harry. It’s really a shame that thing turned out the way they did.”
Harry was beginning to get a headache, his head was reeling with information overload.
Hermione spoke up from the end of his bed, “So you had a falling out with Harry’s Dad and Sirius right before his parent’s were killed.”
“Yes, we did.”
“Why then did you do so much for Harry in our third year?” Hermione asked, “if you disliked his dad so much.”
“I didn’t dislike James, and besides, Harry isn’t James. He might look like him, he might have as much talent as James, but his eyes are Lily’s. And I loved her, so much. Lily is alive in Harry and I would do anything to keep him safe.” Lupin finally looked Harry in the eyes, resolutely. “I know now Harry that I should have tried harder to help your parents. I should have aired my concerns about Peter, I should have tried harder to get back in their good graces. But instead, I was wallowing in self pity. I could have done more. I didn’t. Your dad will never know that I wasn’t a traitor, but at least now, you know that I’m not. It’s not the same thing, but it’s the best I’ve got.”
Harry was getting tired, for some reason, knowing that Professor Lupin was in love with his mother was more disturbing the finding out that he was related to Professor Snape. Snape was just one other relative who couldn’t stand him, Lupin’s confession had made a hole is his picture of his perfect family in his head. His mother would have really liked Lupin, Harry was sure of it. In fact, from what he knew of his mother, she probably would have liked Lupin more than his own father. And his father had turned away one his best friends over the love of his mother, and Harry couldn’t possible imagine ever acting that stupid. He couldn’t imagine ever turning away from Ron over a girl.
Mrs. Granger’s voice came over the room softly, “Excuse me gentlemen, but I think we need to wrap this up, Harry is looking like he’s getting really tired.”
Harry felt grateful to Mrs. Granger, what he really needed was some time to reflect and comes to terms with another new shift in his reality.
Unfortunately, the doctor popped his head into the room just at that moment and said cheerfully, “Hello Harry, how are you feeling?”
Harry looked at him and he really wanted to say that he felt better, but he ended up saying instead, “I’m tired, so tired.” Harry shut eyes and willed everyone in the room to go away.
Mrs. Granger spoke to the doctor, “Harry has been feeling better, I think. He’s just had some, shall we say, disturbing news from his school headmaster.”
Harry opened his eye to see Hermione’s mum looking over hard at Dumbledore.
Dumbledore said very softly, “Yes, you see doctor, I’ve had to accept the resignation of one of Harry’s favorite professors. Professor Lupin, won’t be returning to school this year. He was a good friend of Harry’s late parents. It’s regrettable that Remus won’t be coming to school this year, he is an excellent teacher. But it’s unavoidable; he has just accepted a new post as a government liaison. He is perfect for the job, and I must admit, the pay and benefits are better.”
The doctor looked between Harry, Professor Dumbledore, and Lupin. Dr. Hanne didn’t seem to buy the story. He said, “I seem to be getting a lot of interesting stories about you, Harry. But I’m not hearing much coming from you. Why don’t you tell me what’s going on?”
Harry thought for a moment. Technically everything Dumbledore had said was true. Lupin was his favorite professor, and he wasn’t coming back to school. Harry decided to stick with Dumbledore’s version of events. “Like Professor Dumbledore said, Professor Lupin isn’t coming to school this year.”
The doctor was still very skeptical, “And that’s enough to make you very tired? I mean I’m sure you’re disappointed and all, but this is all very irregular. First you come in with gunshot wounds. Then your school headmaster insists that you be guarded. Okay, I can buy that, it might be excessive considering the police arrested the gunman, but since your parents are dead, I thought it was good that someone seemed concerned about your welfare, considering your family situation. Then a bomb goes off outside the hospital, and your headmaster insists that you be brought back home for your own safety. From my information, the gunman was trying to do in your uncle, and the bomb was a result of teenagers messing around. It doesn’t have anything to do with you. You should still be hospitalized, you should still be under constant medical supervision, until I’m sure that you are going to be all right.”
Harry felt more tired than ever, before anyone else to say anything, he said, “Fine, whatever. Take me back to the hospital, or leave me here, or send me to the moon for all I care.” Harry looked between the doctor and Dumbledore and he said angrily, “I don’t care where I go. I’m apparently not old enough to take of care of myself, even though that’s what I’ve been doing for the last 15 years.” Harry looked at the doctor now, “You want to know how I’m really feeling? I’m ticked off. Everyone has kept me in the dark about my own life. No one has given me details that might have helped me make it through some long dark days.” He looked angrily at Dumbledore. “But,” he continued looking back to the doctor, “I’m actually feeling better. My pain is down and my wounds seem to be doing better.”
The doctor took the opportunity to check Harry’s dressings. He pulled back the bandages on Harry’s side. The hole was still there, but it seemed to be looking better. The doctor looked pleased and then checked Harry’s leg. That wound too seemed much better. The doctor took some vital signs, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature. He checked over a few other things as well and then turned to Mrs. Granger.
“Harry does seem to be doing better. His wounds are definitely on the mend. His heart rate and pressure are elevated, but that is probably his mood as much as anything. I don’t like this situation, I don’t like it one bit. But I have to admit, he’s made more improvement here than he was making at the hospital. The only reason I’m consenting to this at all is because you are a dentist and have medical training. If he shows any signs of any infection, even the slightest of fevers, I want him back in the hospital ASAP. If you don’t bring him in, I’ll have you brought up on child endangerment charges.”
The doctor turned to Dumbledore and continued, “This boy needs to heal, and he needs time to do that. I believe that you have his best interests at heart, but I don’t think you understand the kind of trauma he has been through. Please refrain from giving Harry any other bad news until his body has healed physically. Emotional concerns can really have an effect on how quickly someone recovers from something like this. I have seen cases where it takes months for someone to recover, just physically. The emotional scars can last much longer, Harry will likely start having nightmares. He’s going to need a lot of time.”
Dumbledore looked grave and said, “I know that Harry needs time, and I know that he will have emotional scars. I believe that he already has emotional scars, he still can remember the night his parents died.”
“Can you really?” The doctor asked Harry.
Harry nodded a curt short nod while the flash of green light and the sound of his mother screaming filled his head.
Dumbledore continued, “I’m making arrangements for Harry to have the time that he needs. As soon as he’s well enough, the he and the Grangers will go there for the rest of the summer. It’s an old cottage in the country. He’ll have fresh air, sunshine, and some peace for rest of the summer. He’ll have the time he needs.”
The doctor looked more satisfied, “As long as the Grangers are with him, I’ll consent. I would like to see him in late summer, before he goes back to school, to make sure everything is still healing well.”
“That won’t be a problem,” Mrs. Granger assured, “he’ll be back then. And if he develops a fever, I’ll bring him in right away.”
The doctor nodded to Mrs. Granger and then he said to Harry, “Please take care, and rest. If you need anything, let me know.”
“Thanks,” Harry said quietly. He appreciated the doctor’s concern.
The doctor looked at Dumbledore and Lupin and said, “Good day, gentlemen.” The doctor left the room.
“I’ll go reassure him some more,” Mrs. Granger said to Dumbledore and followed him out.
Harry relaxed back on the pillows and shut his eyes. Dumbledore brought over the potions that Snape had left. “Please drink these up, Harry. They’ll help your body to heal, and prevent any dreams.”
“Yeah,” Harry said drinking the first one in one gulp, “I can’t afford to dream. I can’t shut him out.”
“Harry,” Lupin said looking down at him, “it’s really going to be all right. Things are going to work out. I, more than your parents, or Sirius, am a realist. I know that things don’t always turn out the way we want them too, just look at most of my life. But I’m positive that you are going to get through this. And we’re not going to let you do it alone.”
Somehow, it made Harry feel better, even if it came from the man who shot a hole in his picture perfect family.
Dumbledore looked down at Harry and said, “As soon as we get your injuries all worked out, you’ll get to have a summer holiday, just like all the other students. We can worry about the prophesy when you are well and back in school.”
Harry finished all the potions, the last being the Dreamless Sleep Potion. He fell instantly into a dark refreshing place where he didn’t have to feel.