Chapter 6
Disclaimer. I do not own Harry Potter or any of its elements, its ownership remains with JK Rowling.
Albus Dumbledore sat behind his grand desk in the serene yet imposing office at Hogwarts. The air was thick with the scent of aged parchment and the soft ticking of the numerous magical instruments lining the shelves. The walls were adorned with portraits of former headmasters and headmistresses, their eyes following his every move. Fawkes, the phoenix, perched quietly, observing the headmaster with his wise, golden eyes.
A sudden tapping at the window broke the tranquil silence. A nondescript owl, its feathers a dull grey, hovered just outside. Dumbledore, curious about the unexpected visitor, rose from his seat and opened the window, allowing the owl to swoop in and drop a letter on his desk before flying off.
Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled with curiosity as he inspected the letter for any spells or enchantments. Satisfied it was safe, he opened it, revealing elegant handwriting on fine parchment. As he read the letter, his eyebrows arched in surprise.
'''
Headmaster Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore,
I extend to you my highest regards and sincere greetings. Allow me to introduce myself; I am Heather Potter, the aunt of one of your esteemed students, Mr. Harry Potter. I write to you with the hope of arranging a meeting with my nephew at the earliest convenient opportunity during a school weekend this incoming school year.
I direct this request to you, as I understand from various reputable sources that you were instrumental in selecting Harry’s guardian upon his sabbatical from the magical world. It is my understanding that you are regarded as his guardian by the Ministry, similar to the arrangements made for Muggle-born students entering our society, given that no magical relatives were found following the tragic passing of his parents.
Having recently overcome several obstacles that prevented my active engagement in the magical community, I am now in a position to fulfill my long-held desire to connect with the remaining member of my family. As I am not currently aware of his exact whereabouts, I kindly request your assistance in facilitating our introduction.
I eagerly await your favorable response.
Yours sincerely,
Heather Potter
The Most Noble and Ancient House of Potter
'''
The letter bore the verifiable seal of the Potter family, a mark that immediately authenticated its legitimacy. Unlike previous claims Dumbledore had encountered over the years, this one had substance. He folded the letter thoughtfully, contemplating the potential implications for Harry and the larger wizarding world.
His contemplation was abruptly interrupted by the sound of his office door slamming open. Severus Snape, with his robes billowing dramatically behind him, stormed in, his face a mask of barely restrained fury.
“Headmaster, I must protest most vehemently!” Snape began, his voice dripping with disdain. “Have you heard about the latest decision from the Ministry? Dementors, Dumbledore! Dementors stationed at Hogwarts! This is beyond absurd!”
Dumbledore looked up calmly, setting the letter aside. “Ah, Severus. Yes, I have been made aware of the Ministry’s unfortunate decision.”
“Unfortunate? It is a disaster! Dementors, in proximity to children! The sheer volume of potions I will need to brew to combat the effects of their presence is staggering. And that is to say nothing of the constant vigilance required to keep those creatures in check!”
“I understand your concerns, Severus. The decision was not mine to make. The Ministry, in its wisdom, believes this is the best course of action to safeguard the students from Sirius Black.”
“The Ministry’s wisdom? It’s nothing but a farce! And to add to this farce, you have hired Remus Lupin to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts! A man who, need I remind you, was a part of the same group that made my school years a living hell.”
Dumbledore’s expression became more serious. “Remus Lupin is a competent and knowledgeable wizard. His personal history with you, Severus, does not diminish his qualifications to teach. He will be welcomed here professionally and gladly.”
“You expect me to welcome him with open arms? After everything? And what of his… condition? Do you truly believe it safe to have a werewolf teaching at Hogwarts?”
“I am fully aware of Remus’s condition. Precautions will be taken to ensure the safety of all students and staff. Wolfsbane Potion will be provided to him, and you, Severus, are uniquely qualified to brew it.”
“So not only must I deal with dementors, but I am also to be responsible for brewing Wolfsbane Potion on top of my usual duties? This is intolerable!”
“I appreciate the burden this places on you, Severus. But I ask for your understanding and cooperation. Remus Lupin deserves a chance to prove himself, just as anyone else does.”
“A chance to prove himself? He had his chance years ago and squandered it alongside Potter and Black. And now Black is free, and we are to believe he poses a threat to the students? Do you not see the irony, Headmaster?”
“I see many things, Severus. Including the pain of the past that still haunts you. But we must move forward. Sirius Black’s escape is indeed troubling, but we cannot let it cloud our judgment. We must remain vigilant and protect our students, but we must also be fair to those who seek redemption and a chance to make amends.”
“Redemption. Amends. Fine words, Dumbledore. But words do little to ease the reality of what we face. Dementors do not differentiate between the guilty and the innocent. And Lupin’s presence will only add to the chaos.”
“Your concerns are valid, Severus, and I do not dismiss them lightly. But trust that I have considered all aspects of these decisions. We will work together to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone at Hogwarts. Including Remus Lupin.”
Snape’s expression darkened further, his voice lowering but still filled with bitterness. “Very well. But do not expect me to extend any courtesy to Lupin. Professionalism is all I can muster.”
“Professionalism is all I ask, Severus. The rest will come in time, perhaps. Now, about the dementors…”
“Yes, the dementors. How do you propose we deal with them? It’s not just the potions, Dumbledore. Their mere presence is a threat to the students’ mental and emotional well-being.”
“We will need to keep the students as far away as possible from the Dementors. For now, proximity is the most effective defense we have against Dementors. I will also discuss during our staff meeting the need to keep the students, especially Harry, safe from the threat of Sirius Black, as he has already shown a remarkable aptitude for attracting unavoidable trouble.”
“Of course, Potter. Always Potter.” Snape scowled. “Very well, if it must be done, it must be done. But do not underestimate the strain this will put on all of us.”
“I do not, Severus. Your contribution is invaluable, and I will ensure that your efforts are recognized and supported.”
“I should hope so.” Snape paused, rubbing his temples. “I will begin preparations immediately. But know this, Dumbledore: if Lupin steps out of line, even once, I will not hesitate to act.”
“I trust your judgment, Severus. And I trust Remus to prove himself worthy of our faith. Together, we will navigate these challenges. Hogwarts has always been a place of learning and growth, for students and teachers alike.”
“We shall see.” Snape nodded curtly. “Now, if there is nothing else…?”
“That is all for now, Severus. Thank you for your time and your dedication.”
With a final, imperious swirl of his robes, Severus Snape turned and left the office, leaving Dumbledore alone with his thoughts once more. The headmaster sighed, returning his gaze to the letter from Heather Potter, contemplating the many challenges and events that seem to become harder and tougher at the passing of every year.
The Weasleys had just returned from their vacation in Egypt, the warmth of the Mediterranean sun still lingering in their memories. They booked rooms at the Leaky Cauldron for the remainder of the summer holiday, the familiar coziness of the pub a welcome change from the exotic adventure they had just experienced.
One evening, as the pub hummed with the usual din of chatter and clinking glasses, Arthur and Molly Weasley sat in a quiet corner, discussing the latest rumors circulating in the wizarding world.
Arthur folded the newspaper and set it aside. “Molly, have you heard the latest from the grapevine? There's talk about a newly discovered Potter relative.”
Molly paused in her tidying, her brow furrowing. “Yes, I’ve heard the whispers. A witch spotted in Gringotts with the surname Potter, apparently. Do you think it's true?”
Arthur sighed, leaning back in his chair. “It's hard to say. The wizarding world is buzzing with rumors, but there hasn’t been any official confirmation yet.”
Molly sat down beside Arthur, her expression one of concern. “I’m worried about Harry. With everything that’s happening, especially with Sirius Black on the loose… And now this.”
“I know, Molly. Harry’s been through so much already. The thought of someone new claiming to be his family... it could be a lot for him to handle.”
“Do you think we should tell him? He deserves to know if there’s a possibility of another family member out there, but...”
Arthur shook his head. “But it’s all speculation at this point. We don’t want to give him false hope. Besides, with Sirius Black out there, Harry has enough to worry about.”
Molly sighed deeply.