Keep on keeping on

“He will not be going back to that place!” Minerva spat, storming into Albus’ office. She’d gone straight there from the hospital wing, her blood boiling with anger.

“Good evening, Minerva.” Albus said calmly, looking up from his paperwork and staring at the irate professor over his spectacles. His eyes had the usual glint in them.

“Oh, spare me the pleasantries Albus. That boy, James and Lily’s son, is broken. Those people have destroyed him!” McGonagall’s voice was raised, her entire body shaking. Her eyes were flashing angrily.

“My dear Minerva, things cannot be as dire as you perceive them to be. Children exaggerate.” The professor’s voice was even, not a hint of remorse or sadness showed.

“Harry is not exaggerating! I just spoke with him. I had to take him to the hospital wing!”

“Whyever did he need the hospital wing?” Dumbledore asked.

“He’d gotten himself so distressed he scratched his neck raw. He’d punched the wall! He’d destroyed the classroom. He was so angry that he couldn’t talk, couldn’t express himself that he-” Minerva explained the evenings events breathlessly but stopped, a sob caught in her throat.

“Well, if he destroyed a classroom then he requires a detention, not the hospital wing.” Albus smiled coldly.

“A detention!” Minerva shouted “A detention is the least of what he needs. That child does not need more punishment! That is not what you should be focusing on Albus! That child needs love, and support, and kindness. He needs all the things he never got from those spiteful, horrible people that YOU sent him to live with!”

Minerva was seething, hatred pouring out of her. The man before her sat calmly behind his desk, hands poised perfectly in front of him.

“Well, it appears we have reached an impasse Minerva. Good night.” Albus dismissed his professor with a wave of his hand.

Next on Minerva’s list was Severus Snape. Her anger had not subsided, if anything it had increased at Albus’ dismissal. That man could not care less. That man did not care about Harry or the treatment he received at the hands of Dursley’s. McGonagall stormed through the castle, her heeled boots rapping sharply against the stone floor. Her hands were clenched in fists at her side. The professor reached the dungeons and knocked on Snape’s door. She immediately pushed to door open, not waiting for a response.

“Minerva. Can I help you?” Snape asked calmly. He looked up from his marking, eyeing the professor carefully.

“You took Harry to Diagon Alley?”

“Is that a question or a statement?” Snape sneered. McGonagall grew more frustrated at Snape’s comment.

“Don’t try and be funny. It doesn’t suit you. You took Harry to Diagon Alley. Yes, or no?”

“Yes. At the request of Albus.” Snape replied.

“What was he like. His behaviour? What were his relatives like?” Minerva asked, exasperated. Snape thought for a moment, figuring out the best way to explain his observations of the child.

“He was quiet. Reserved. Nervous. He had a panic attack after apparition. Flinched quite a lot. Did not like to be touched. His relatives were… his relatives were not accepting. They were not happy at my presence nor my request to take Potter to school. They did not seem to want him to go.” Snape explained, matter of factly. Minerva nodded along as he spoke.

“Yes, well that matches what I’ve observed. Any sign of abuse?” McGonagall asked cautiously.

“Some. Most children welcome touch, not shy away from it. Most children don’t flinch at sudden movements. But as he said nothing to me, I couldn’t gain any proof, other than my own observations.”

“So, he didn’t speak to you?”

“No, not a word. Why?” Snape asked, his interest piqued now.

“The child cannot talk, Severus. He won’t talk. Any conversations I’ve had with him have been manufactured through the eloquor charm.”

“I guessed as much. But I assumed that it was just because he was meeting new people – at least that’s what Albus suggested.”

“So, you believed that Harry couldn’t speak? If so, why in Merlin did you think it would be acceptable to pick on the child in your class and ridicule him! He told me you made fun of his parents! That you told him they were dead!” Minerva accused, her voice rising again.

“I have no excuse. There is no excuse. I disliked him because he reminded me of James. But I assumed he knew.” Snape whispered dejectedly, hanging his head and not making eye contact with his angry colleague.

“Well, he didn’t. He didn’t know. And you caused a panic attack. You hurt him further. He fainted because of you.”

“And how did you come to that conclusion?” Snape asked warily.

“After your bullying, he ran to a cupboard and got so distressed that he hit his head repeatedly against the wall. To the point that he passed out in his last class of the day.” Minerva explained. She gritted her teeth and tried to contain her anger. Snape had nothing to say in response, so he stayed quiet.

The two professors sat in silence for a few minutes, allowing the information to sink in.

“I need to ask a favour from you Severus.” McGonagall asked quietly.

“I do not know what I can offer you.” Snape replied.

“You are the most skilled occlumens that I know – besides Albus of course but he doesn’t seem to believe me when it comes to Harry. I need you to help Harry. I need you to work with him to help him talk again please. His magic is suffering.”

“Minerva. It’s not really my place. Potter already doesn’t trust me and occlumency requires complete trust.” Snape explained. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

“Severus please. I’m begging you. Harry needs some support. He needs our support.” Minerva pleaded. Tears were glistening in her eyes. Snape was conflicted. Every time he looked at the boy he was reminded of James Potter. And Sirius Black. And Remus Lupin. And Peter Pettigrew. He was reminded of all the horrible things that they did to him when they were at school. But he was also reminded of Lily Evans. He was reminded of her sparkling green eyes and her huge heart and her kindness. How could Severus deny her son the chance to be happy.

“Fine. I will help. I will talk to Potter.” Severus sighed.

“Oh, thank you Severus! Thank you so much!” Minerva stood up to leave and walked to the door. When she reached it, she turned back to the man.

“Severus. His name is Harry. Try using it. Might help that whole trust thing that you were saying is so important.”

From the second Minerva left his office, Albus had been pacing his office. His brain was going a mile a minute. He knew that Harry had to return to his home. If he wanted to stay protected, Harry had to stay. There were protective wards in place. He had to stay with Lily’s sister. Professor McGonagall was a problem. She would never let this go and neither would Hermione Granger. That girl was persistent. Yes, Albus had heard reports of neglect and mistreatment. He’d hear that Petunia and Vernon were not the kindest or the most attentive, but he’d never translated that to abuse. There had never been visible bruises. But it was clear that this new development wasn’t going to go away. But Albus needed Harry under his thumb. If that child was going to be the saviour or the wizarding world, he couldn’t grow to hate Albus. He couldn’t know that Albus was the one to send him to the Dursley’s. He needed Harry to continue to look forward to leaving the Dursley’s each summer so he would be excited by the wizarding world. He didn’t need Harry to be saved by someone other than him. So, Albus knew what he needed to do. Everyone needed to forget that there was anything suspicious about Harry’s homelife.

The next morning, Albus summoned Minerva and Hermione to his office, citing that it was to discuss support for Harry. The pair entered and Albus watched them from behind his desk. He stood up slowly and walked around it, leaning against it calmly.

“Albus. What is being done about this then?” Minerva asked coolly. Her tone was frosty and unfriendly. She had no time for his games.

“Professor. Harry need’s help and I can help him where I can, but he needs support from actual adults.” Miss Granger face was pained and full of hurt for her friend.

“I’m sorry but Mr Potter must stay where he is. For his safety.” Albus whispered. He raised his wand and waved it, willing for the spell to be strong enough for the two in front of him.

“Obliviate.”