Great Minds Think Alike

Chapter I

Sunday, June 30, 1996

Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape stepped out of the fireplace in the Headmaster's Office, and brushed themselves off. They had just returned from a meeting of the Order of the Phoenix.

Dumbledore looked pensive, which moved Snape to speech. "Your werewolf was most adamant this morning."

Dumbledore sighed. "Yes, he was." Dumbledore had hoped Remus would step up to fill Sirius' position in Harry's life, but had forgotten that such a move would mean Remus' taking Harry's interests as paramount as well as counseling the lad.

"Do you think that Tonks was backing him mostly because she agrees with him, or because she's interested in acquiring a pet?"

Dumbledore winced. "You know, Severus, Tonks is much more dangerous than she appears."

"I suppose she must be, but that doesn't answer my question."

"Some of each, I suppose, to answer your question."

"Mostly likely you are correct." Snape seemed to pause and think. "I suppose we may acquit Moody of that sort of interest in either of them."

Moody, Tonks, and especially Lupin had been loud in their demands that Harry be freed of the Dursleys as soon as possible, preferably that morning. Dumbledore could not deny their demands had some merit, but Harry needed to be where he was, safe (or at least relatively safe) under the Blood Protection. "Are you trying to tell me something, Severus?"

"You know I was in the boy's mind several times last winter and early spring."

"I do." Dumbledore had roundly scolded Snape for his failures in that attempt to teach Harry Occlumency.

"I was confirmed in my opinion that Potter is arrogant, reckless, and given far too much slack by you and the rest of the staff."

"But?"

Snape's eyes narrowed. "But I shall never call him spoiled again. You know, I believe, a fair amount about my childhood."

Dumbledore was shocked that Snape would mention it, considering how horrible it had been. He merely nodded.

"Then let me tell you, it took me several days to decide that while in many ways mine was the worst, I still wouldn't think trading my childhood for Potter's would be much better. I don't say this because those relatives of his are Muggles, Headmaster, but because they are loveless, worthless people. Even young Crabbe and Goyle have had more loving, supportive homes than Potter. The Blood Protections may have been worth the abuse when he was a child, but they are not now."

Dumbledore's face hardened. "Thank you for your opinion, Severus."

Snape looked out into some inner distance. "When I choose to think of my childhood, I do not usually think of the drunken arguments, the beatings, the belittling, the verbal abuse. Those memories still come, but I am at least mostly past them. I think of the Christmas when I was seven. My mother was sober, my father was actually kind. I think of how proud my parents were when I received my Hogwarts letter, no doubt the last time they ever agreed on anything."

Snape switched his eyes over to Dumbledore. "Potter's first happy Christmas was his first one here. He loves that owl of his because it was the first present he was ever given."

"That is all true, but irrelevant."

Snape frowned and started to speak. Dumbledore interrupted him. "As I said before, thank you for your opinion."

Snape scowled and left the room.

Dumbledore sighed and turned to Fawkes. "They don't understand," he said. Fawkes gave an angry squawk and turned around on his perch. "I see you don't like it either."

Dumbledore sat at his desk and looked at the five owls waiting for him. He relieved them of their messages and three took off, showing that they expected no immediate return.

Dumbledore looked at the other two messages. He knew both owls, and didn't want to read either. He sighed again, and read the one from Narcissa Malfoy. It was a long, poorly written, and ineffective letter demanding that Dumbledore find some way to punish the students who had hexed her beloved Draco on the train. She also wished to know the names so that she could recover the costs of having Draco and his two friends restored to normal. Even had the letter been from her now-imprisoned husband, Dumbledore would have refused to act, although Lucius' threats would have been both more inventive and more likely to be enacted.

Dumbledore drafted a quick reply and then stared at the second letter. "At least it's not a howler," he said, and opened the letter from the Weasleys.

'Arthur's handwriting, thanks goodness,' Dumbledore thought.

Dear Headmaster:

I am writing to you in part because whenever Molly tried, the letter turned into a howler by itself. Dumbledore winced for the second time. As you know, we and others met with Harry's guardians Friday at the station. I think you know me well enough to know that I have no prejudices against Muggles. Therefore, please believe me when I say that these Muggles are damaging Harry.

It is not that they are just hurting him. Even the best parents with the best children hurt their child's feelings at times. That is part of the conflict between adults and their charges which must be expected. However Harry, who was already depressed when he got off the train, physically recoiled at the sight of these people. Fred, George, and Ron reminded us afterwards that they had barred and locked him away after his first year, letting him out only once or twice a day to use the toilet. We didn't believe them then. We do now. We have told you before that Harry has been underweight every time he has come to us.

Headmaster, you know more about educating children than I ever will. Despite errors with Percy, Fred, and George, I think I can claim to know about raising boys than you ever will. Harry must leave those Muggles, and soon.

Headquarters would not be suitable, for reasons you know as well as I. Last summer, we had to stay there, because of the then-open nature of the Burrow. We have spent a year creating and reenforcing the wards of the Burrow. We think we are safe here. Bill, one of the best curse breakers in the business, thinks we are safe here. Moody thinks we are safe here. You claim we are safe here. If we are, Harry would be safe here, too. We would be happy to host Miss Granger, Miss Lovegood, and Mister Longbottom as well. Harry does not need to be swaddled with protection, especially not when it is only protection against You-Know-Who and not against the daily abuse of his relatives.

Let Harry come here, where he will be safe from both.

Arthur Weasley

"But he wouldn't be safe enough," Dumbledore muttered, and wrote a rejection.

Monday, July 1, 1996

29 June, 1996

Dear Headmaster:

While we have had few direct discussions, I have ample evidence that you have a good measure of the vast majority of your students. Therefore, while I may not know you as well as I would like, I believe you do know me.

Therefore, you should know I would never normally write such a letter as this. I believe in the right of authority to guide us through our youth, and have often been criticized for caring more for the rules than I ought. Rules are there for a reason, and I would like to believe usually for very good reasons at that. The chain of command is part of an ordered society, which is almost always better than chaos.

I must, however, say that you have seriously wronged Harry. You kept him isolated for much of last summer, in an environment that is abusive, malignant, uncultured, unenlightened, bigoted, and anti-magical. This past year, you allowed him to be tortured by one professor and sent him to be tortured by another. Within hours of his godfather's death, you told him something that sent him from a state of shock, mourning, and perhaps even a mild depression into a mental fugue which, if untreated or at least unalleviated, could turn into clinical depression.

It may be more physically dangerous for Harry to live away from his relatives than with them, but unless the only thing about Harry that is important to you is his mere physical shell, I urge you to free him before he is no more able to function than a person who has suffered a dementor's Kiss would be.

I know this will sound arrogant, but I will do my utmost to insure that Harry does not fall into such a state. I would rather be working with you than at cross-purposes. Nevertheless, I am first and foremost,

Harry's friend
Hermione Granger

Dumbledore shook his head, and sent off a slightly more curt denial to Hermione than he had to Arthur Weasley.

Early that evening, Hermione read the note, a frown forming on her face, followed by a look of pure determination. She glanced at the setting sun. "I swear, Harry Potter will be freed." She picked up her address book. She also decided to visit the book store in town.

Tuesday, July 2, 1996

30 June

Dear Dumbledore:

First, let me thank you for allowing me to take my daughter directly from the Hogwarts Station. Our initial trip to Göteborg was without incident, and we are now safely ensconced in the small magical area just outside of Luleå. Should we discover that the snorkack is not extinct, we shall be happy to provide you with the evidence.

Now let me get to the main reason I am writing. I was most distressed to learn that my precious daughter was one of the students who was involved in the fight at the Ministry last month. I am also very proud of her.

I was appalled, however, to learn the 'inside stories' of what happened last year. I have sent letters to my correspondents who have children at Hogwarts to see what corroboration I can find for the mistreatment of students by Madam Umbridge. Have you heard anything about her use of a cutting quill for detentions? If I can get legal proof of that, heads will roll at the Ministry!

Her treatment of Harry Potter will also be an issue. I am not writing to you in direct reference to that, however. Is it true that Harry Potter is forced to live with abusive Muggle relatives, at your insistence? I would hate to think that is true, but my daughter certainly believes it to be so. She does admit that this is second and third-hand information, but I feel I must look into this when we return in early August.

yours sincerely
Daniel Lovegood

Dumbledore winced, but set the letter aside. After all, he had six weeks to act.

That evening a very tired-looking owl dropped a large package in Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore was as tired as the owl looked, and he only noticed that there were two envelopes, and that the bottom one was red, when it started screaming on him.

ALBUS DUMBLEDORE, YOU LISTEN TO ME! YOU MAY BE THE GREATEST SORCERER SINCE MERLIN, BUT YOU HAVE LEARNED NOTHING THIS PAST YEAR, HAVE YOU? HERMIONE WENT TO A LOT OF WORK COLLECTING THESE MUGGLE BOOKS, AND YOU HAVE ONE WEEK TO COME UP WITH A DEFENCE THAT SATISFIES BOTH HER AND ME! IF YOU CAN'T, THEN I WILL START PROCEEDINGS TO HAVE HARRY'S GUARDIANSHIP TRANSFERRED TO US, AND THE GRANGERS WILL START THE SAME IN THE MUGGLE COURTS! YOUR PLANS BE DAMNED! HARRY'S LIFE MEANS MORE THAN JUST BREATHING!

"There can be no doubt," Dumbledore said, his ears ringing, "that Molly sends the most effective howlers I've ever heard." He glanced at the books and pamphlets, and saw they covered depression, stress, and grief management. There was also a three page precis, detailing what Hermione thought about Harry's emotional state.

Dumbledore opened the other envelope, which he noted was sealed with wax. Inside was quite an impressive piece of engraved Muggle stationary, with each of the Granger parents names, titles, and degrees listed. Dumbledore had to admit it had been a few decades since he had seen its match.

Dear Professor Dumbledore:

As you know, we were quite shocked to learn of the existence of your world. We have noted with increasing concern the growing bigotry and fear of violence in your world. Our first inclination was to withdraw of daughter from your school, and that is a thought which has crossed our minds many times since. Only our daughter's candor and bravery, and conversations and letters we have exchanged with the Weasleys and your Professor McGonagall and others, and letters we have exchanged with Professors Flitwick, Lupin, Sprout, and Hagrid have kept us from taking this course of action.

We say the above only to show you we have some idea of the seriousness of the situation. There is a wizarding Hitler out there, and we are his version of Jews or Gypsies. The key to defeating this Voldemort seems to be Hermione's friend Harry Potter, and he is not being treated well. We do not know, nor do we especially care, what constitutes legal child abuse in your community, or what the remedies or penalties might be. We are well acquainted with these definitions in our world, and the Dursleys have crossed the line. We will not stand for any child being abused to our knowledge. We are therefore taking steps to accumulate legal evidence of that abuse, should it become necessary to take legal steps to acquire guardianship of Mr. Potter.

Since it is also evident that everyone in your world needs reminding, first let us remind you that since we are well-aware of the magical world, it is against your laws to attempt to memory charm us. We have also taken steps so that, should you break your own laws, we will still relearn this information.

Dumbledore noted that the handwriting here changed from feminine to masculine. Second, while we are aware of how powerful a wizard might be, there are also many reasons why your kind cower in corners while we Muggles overflow the rest of the world. My daughter tells me that not one wizard in a thousand can create a magical shield strong enough to stand up to a well-placed bullet. Remember that, should you plan any unscheduled visits.

Very sincerely yours,
Rupert Granger
Emma Granger

"I do hope they will not do anything foolish," Dumbledore said softly. He wrote out slightly longer versions of his reasons for keeping Harry at Privet Drive, but did say that it might be possible to allow him to leave on his birthday for at least a week. He also reminded Molly that he had most of the authority over bringing such a case to the wizarding courts, and reminded the Grangers that the magical world had many ways of by-passing the Muggle legal system.

Wednesday, July 3, 1996

Dumbledore was able to get quite a bit of work done, as no more owls arrived concerning Harry's leaving his Aunt's. His last appointment of the afternoon was with Hagrid, who was going on another mission to the giants in a week, this time taking his half-brother with him.

"Was there something else, Hagrid?" Dumbledore asked as Hagrid hesitated by the door.

"Jus' the one thing, Professor Dumbledore, sir," Hagrid said. "You know, the house elves don' like takin' care o' Fang very much."

"Yes, but he's really too small to accompany you," Dumbledore pointed out.

"Oh, course I know tha'," Hagrid said, waving the idea away. "No, sir. I was wonderin', sir, if Harry might not come take care o' Fang while I be gone."

"What?"

"Well, students ain't allowed ta stay in the castle o'er tha summer, but my place is within the wards. . . ." Hagrid's voice died away when he saw the look on Dumbledore's face.

"No, Hagrid," Dumbledore said in a cold voice. "I appreciate the idea, but it is out of the question." When Hagrid opened his mouth, Dumbledore merely said, "Thank you, Hagrid."

Hagrid looked hurt, and left without saying a word. "I wonder who's next," Dumbledore grumbled.

Thursday, July 4, 1996

Dumbledore was just considering an early lunch when two owls, one of them one of the more elegant Ministry owls, sailed through his window. "I wonder what Fudge wants now," Dumbledore grumbled. Opening it, he was quite surprised to see that it wasn't from Fudge at all.

Dear Albus

This is just an informal note, but I will formalize my intentions if you insist. I spent most of yesterday afternoon speaking with Molly Weasley, Emma Granger, and Hermione Granger. I spent all of last evening speaking with my niece and her friend Hannah Abbott, who is staying with us. I spoke with Arthur and then with two of my aurors this morning.

I told them I would give you to the end of the month, but if they wished to bring suit to gain Harry Potter's guardianship after that for the remaining year of his minority, I would bring it to court myself. Of course, I have no influence over the Muggle court system.

Considering the stories of abuse, if they are even half true, you had best have a better defence than 'security'.

yours
Amelia Bones

Albus Dumbledore looked at the sherbet lemon with distaste, and reached for his third humbug. He only went for mints over citrus when his stomach was upset, and it had been all day. Lunch would not improve his digestion at all, but he might as well get the second letter over with now.

THE LEAKY CAULDRON Dear Albus

This is just a short note to remind you that The Leaky Cauldron offers total security for our guests. It is my understanding that young Mister Potter might be in need of some secure shelter this summer. We stand by, ready to offer him the securest of our accommodations, should the need arise.

your friend
Tom

Dumbledore sat in his office late that afternoon with a severe attack of indigestion. The four Heads of House had asked him for a formal meeting during lunch, and he had had little choice but to agree. Several portraits, especially Phineas Nigellus', had been hinting about attacks on the Headmaster's authority all afternoon.

Promptly at 5:29, Dumbledore detected the four Heads of House coming up his spiral stairs. "Come in!" he called, before any of them could knock.

Dumbledore looked at them in shock. Each was dressed in their formal House robes -- House colors, and with a medallion around their necks showing their position. They wore other decorations as well. McGonagall wore her Order of Merlin (Third Class), Snape his Master of Potions medal. Sprout wore numerous ribbons which she had won over the years of competitive horticulture. The diminutive Flitwick wore his Order of Merlin (Second Class) and his medal for being the World Dueling Champion (1929). Whatever they were after, they were serious.

As the senior Head of House, Flitwick took a step forward. "Headmaster, pursuant to the Hogwarts Charter, last revised in June, 1899, we have come to notify you that, in our unanimous opinion, a magical child, enrolled in this school, is living endangered in the Muggle world, and that this danger comes from living in that world. We therefore request asylum for Harry James Potter of Gryffindor House."

"As Head of Gryffindor, I second this request," McGonagall said firmly.

"As Head of Hufflepuff, I approve this request," Sprout stated.

"As Head of Slytherin, I approve this request, making it unanimous," Snape said without a trace of hesitation or even sarcasm.

Dumbledore started to speak, but Flitwick interrupted him. "You may not immediately refuse the request," Flitwick reminded him. "You may ask us to reconsider, but if we stay determined, the matter is automatically referred to the Board of Governors, which will meet on the Twenty-Second."

Dumbledore gritted his teeth. "Then I ask you to reconsider, and ask that you not refer this to the Board before the afternoon of the Nineteenth."

"As you wish, Headmaster," Flitwick said with equal determination. The four Heads bowed, and left. As she left, McGonagall dropped a letter on Dumbledore's desk.

Dumbledore shook his head. "Even Severus," he said, amazed. He decided to eat alone that evening. He looked at the letter, blank except for his name written on it with a very ornate style of calligraphy.

"I wonder who the artist is?" he mused, and opened the letter.

Dear Headmaster:

Hermione Granger telephoned me the other day with a request. After much consideration, I have decided I cannot directly do as she asked. As you might know, I live with my rather large family in a very Muggle part of London. Harry would stand out here, and I am worried enough about my own family that I would not wish to throw any more danger their way.

I do wish to tell you a little about what it's like to be a casual friend of Harry's. I have never really shared in what Ron has called 'Harry's adventures'. I can't say I'm sorry about that. Despite the DA training (I have received no real training in combat defence from the school, of course), I do wonder if I would have survived this last 'adventure'.

I am friends with five of the six students who went to the Ministry last month. I have helped put ointments on those deep wounds of Ron's. I have helped Hermione up the stairs when she was too exhausted to go much further on her own.

Most of all, I have heard Harry scream.

It's said that you know pretty much everything that goes on at Hogwarts. Have you ever heard Harry scream in agony? In terror? I sleep on the second bed from Harry, and am probably the lightest sleeper in the room, and probably sleep the least by disposition. Neville is a restless sleeper. Seamus snores. Ron mumbles, usually about Quidditch, girls, or spiders (or, the last week last month, brains attacking him). Harry has nightmares.

He has suffered from them since the early winter of our First year. By the late spring of that year, he had gained what I call his 'burden nightmares,' where he feels he has to help someone. Since the Third Task of the Twi-Wizard, he has had 'guilt' nightmares. I understand you have some idea of the new nightmares he acquired this last year, and of course there are his vision nightmares.

In his typical nightmares, Harry moves much like Neville does, and sometimes mumbles 'no no' or something similar very softly. During his burden nightmares, he is even more restless, but usually silent. He struggles during his guilt nightmares, and talks more loudly.

In the vision nightmares, he flips on to his back and grips the mattress. He shakes, sweats, and grits and grinds his teeth. And then, he screams like his soul is under torments of hell.

One of these days, I will be in the right place at the wrong time, and I'll be following Harry Potter into battle. Maybe I won't make it back. Maybe I'll be able to walk only through grit and guts like Hermione. No doubt, I'll have nightmares about whatever I face, like Ron has about giant spiders and brains.

I will follow Harry Potter. If the DA was supposed to be Dumbledore's Army, then I am a member of the Potter Brigade. Please, do what's best for Harry until that time. Don't cling to past decisions (at least that is what Hermione fears you are doing) just because they are easier to follow than breaking new ground.

Above all, don't take the Potter Brigade lightly. We are small in number, but we are more powerful than the Death Eaters could ever be, because we have made our choices freely, and out of love.

sincerely
Dean Thomas
Volunteer/Harry's Brigade

After a very unsatisfactory dinner ("You'd think the house elves sent me all the foods I like but which disagree with me on purpose," Dumbledore grumbled, not knowing that Dobby had arranged exactly that), the Headmaster decided to go for a long walk. Checking the boundary wards was always a good idea.

Coming back after twilight had turned into a cloudless, even slightly chilly night, Dumbledore was unsurprised to see Firenze studying the clouds.

"How are the signs tonight?" Dumbledore asked out of politeness.

"The paths are of course unclear," the centaur answered, "but even the most stubborn obstacle still has a choice to clear the Path of Light."

"Really?" Dumbledore asked.

"I am always amazed that even the wisest of beings may cling to their own errors in judgement, only because of pride."

Dumbledore frowned, bade the centaur good skies, and went off to a troubled sleep.

Friday, July 5, 1996

To his relief, Dumbledore was able to finish off most of his paperwork shortly after lunch. He still had to find a candidate for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position, preferably before the July Governors' meeting. He sketched out possibilities for this, along with strategies for the Order, until his one meeting of the day.

Dumbledore was not meeting his visitors in his office, but instead in the small, formal setting of the Board of Governors Room. As he approached the entrance, Dumbledore heard an unfamiliar voice say, "I must say, I feel rather foolish dressed like this."

A more familiar voice replied, "I understand you rarely wear them. I think you look rather splendid." This was the man who had asked for the meeting, the Speaker Brown.

The Brown Family had a very common name, but the Family was the largest magical family in the British Islands, and the Family's combined wealth was the largest as well. When the Speaker for the Family asked for an appointment, it was wise to give one. This was especially true now, when the Speaker was on the Board of Governors and most of the Councils of the Ministry.

Charles Brown was a very nondescript wizard. His very averageness made people under-estimate him. Browns could be found in any of the four Houses at Hogwarts: there were currently three Hufflepuffs, two Ravenclaws, and one Gryffindor. Charles had been a Slytherin, a prefect and then Head Boy

The Browns stood firmly against Darkness, although most of them, like most of the magical establishment, had resisted the idea that Voldemort had actually returned the year before. The Browns were perhaps Fudge's most powerful supporters who had never been linked to any Death Eater.

Normally Charles dressed down, in everyday work robes and modest trousers. Today, he was in a dress robe that was plain in cut, but clearly top-of-the-line in quality. Brown had said he was bringing some people with him, and the three men with him were brightly arrayed. Dumbledore knew two of them.

Sanjay Patil ran the British side of a very profitable import/export business, a family firm which predated the British arrival in India by more than a thousand years. He and his children (the youngest two still in school) were the only members of his family to attend Hogwarts. His robes harkened back to India's brightest past, in both design and color.

Roger Macmillan was also the head of a family firm. The Macmillans were the primary magical builders in Britain, and had been now for some 300 years. His grandson would be a Sixth year Hufflepuff Prefect, his granddaughter a Second year Ravenclaw. His robes were a mixture of the magical and the Masonic.

The fourth person was perhaps the most unusually dressed to Dumbledore's eyes, and the most uncomfortable. The robes were a rich red, with two rows of ermine across the back. Dumbledore blinked, realizing who this had to be.

"Ah," Brown said, "Headmaster. You of course know Sanjay Patil and Roger Macmillan, since they will be new governors this year. May I introduce James, Viscount Fletchley? Lord Fletchley, Headmaster Dumbledore."

"My Lord."

"Headmaster," Justin Finch-Fletchley's grandfather said with a nod.

"Shall we sit?" Brown asked. As they did so, Brown said, "First, I need to apologize. We, I, should have full believed you last summer. I have no excuses beyond wishful thinking, and I am authorized to state that the Brown family is completely behind you. Our first task was to get rid of the last two Governors who were Malfoy's tools and get two good replacements, which I think you'll agree we have done."

"Absolutely," Dumbledore said, pleased.

"No doubt some will object to my being on the Board," Patil said.

Lord Fletchley, a powerfully built man in his sixties, snorted. "Shame to see there are asses in every culture," he muttered.

"Yes, well, we've been foolish at the very least," Macmillan said. He turned to Dumbledore. "Do what you need to do to protect the school and teach the students to defend themselves. Umbridge was a complete disgrace! Bring that werewolf back if you have to, but get somebody who knows what they're doing and who will treat the students fairly."

"Werewolf? Are you . . . serious?" Fletchley asked.

"Yes," Brown said.

"The curse only takes over the victim completely at most one night per cycle, and incapacitates them for three days. There is now a treatment to prevent them from being . . . violent," Dumbledore supplied. Fletchley shook his head in amazement, but gestured for Brown to continue.

"Second, that idiot Fudge has to go sooner or later. I have the votes to get rid of him at any time, but not enough to put any one person in. I need a list of perhaps three to five viable candidates that you think can do the job. We'll see who can get the most support and see if we can convince the others to step back. No reason to get rid of Fudge just to open things up for someone worse."

"You two agree?" Dumbledore asked.

"Absolutely, yes," Patil stated, while Macmillan merely nodded.

"Third and last," Brown said, "we want Potter freed."

Dumbledore's smile dropped.

"We asked Lord Fletchley along for two reasons," Macmillan said. "First of all, to show it's not that Potter lives with Muggles that we object to. If there's some reason Potter should live with Muggles, that's fine with us. But, if half the stories we've heard of their treatment of him are true, he needs to be out."

"Well, you know how things are exaggerated. . . ."

"Well," Lord Fletchley drawled, "let us see." He pulled a file out from under his robe, and glanced at it. "It seems there were twenty-one complaints filed against these Dursleys by school officials between 1986 and 1991, twelve alleging neglect, six alleging emotional abuse, and three alleging physical abuse. This does not include twelve complaints filed against Potter's cousin Dudley Dursley and his little gang of thugs."

Lord Fletchley stared Dumbledore in the eye without flinching. "Strange, in every case, the charges were dropped and the person bringing them seemed to have forgotten all about them. In fact, one poor soul who brought nine of the charges was finally let go, and ended up in a mental institution. Seems she has almost no short-term memory. She does talk incessantly about being repeatedly attacked by Gandalf. Do I need to explain the reference?"

"I've read the story," Brown said.

"So have I," Patil added.

"Required reading in Muggle Studies," Macmillan stated. He turned to Dumbledore. "How about you, Headmaster?"

"I am also familiar with the work."

"Sounds like some poor Muggle was hit by at least one too many Memory Charms," Macmillan said. No one else said anything.

"I have no intention of being thought senile yet," Lord Fletchley finally said. "Neither does young Granger."

That surprised Dumbledore. "You know the Grangers?"

"I see even the most liberal of beings can be blind," Fletchley said. "My grandson was bloody petrified! Half the family members of all your so-called Muggle-born students who are 'in the know' even before that had formed something of a support group, and since then nearly all of are in it. So of course I know them all, especially the Grangers and the Creevys!"

His Lordship stared at Dumbledore, and then went on. "What? As I said, we're not stupid. If this Voldemort" (Brown, Patil, and Macmillan all winced) "attacks anyone, it's likely to be us first. We all know that if they get the drop on us, we're dead, and possibly very slowly at that. If any show up and we get the drop on them, well, if we're lucky at least a few of them won't make it."

"Still, that's not the point. Yes, Headmaster, we have our own network. We all have this information. We've been gathering it for years. Do you know why? Because guess who the only non-members of our little group are?"

"The Dursleys," Dumbledore said with a sigh.

"Bloody rotters," Fletchley said. "He's an arrogant bloody son of. . . ."

"James," Macmillan said warningly.

"Right. Anyway, we have a rough idea of what happened to the Potter boy over this last year. After that kind of experience, you DON'T send anyone, let alone a child, into that kind of hell hole to recover! I spent ten years in the army, two of them in combat in Korea. I know what I'm talking about."

"We all have a rough idea of why you think Potter is physically safer with these people than anywhere else," Brown said. "We also know that it is just about the worst place Potter could be. I offer any of the Brown lands or houses for Harry Potter to live, along with those people who need to be with him."

"I offer the Patil holdings, in Britain, North America, Africa, Australia, Indonesia, and greater India."

"I offer the Macmillan holdings."

"And I offer the estates I hold."

Dumbledore said nothing.

"The boy is central to morale at the very least," Brown finally said. "He deserves our help, and he will get it."

"So when you decide this third matter, let us know about the first two," Macmillan added. "If you have nothing to add, then I guess we shall have an interesting Board of Governors meeting."

The four men stood and left without another word.

Dumbledore sat quietly, if with great anger, for several more minutes, before leaving for his office. Once there, he took a plain sheet of parchment, and wrote

Dear Harry:

I am writing to tell you how much I regret the fact that you must stay with your relatives yet again this summer. In fact, I regret the necessity of your having to have stayed with them at all these past years. If there had been any reasonable alternative, please rest assured that I would jump at it with nearly as much alacrity as you.

It might bring you some comfort to know that you are not forgotten, not just by myself, not only by your friends, but by their families and many in the wizarding world, all of whom are pressing me to 'free Harry Potter'. Even members of the staff, led by Professor Snape, if you can believe it, have petitioned me to do so. I truly wish I could, not just from your relatives, but from your burdens as well.

At this point, I feel I can only promise you a week, ten days at most, most likely at the Burrow or the Leaky Cauldron (or a combination). The earliest these could start would likely be around the evening before your birthday. Which days, and which venue, would you prefer?

Finally, please feel free to drop in on Mrs. Figg any morning. If you wish, several people, including Remus Lupin, would be happy to meet with you and talk. I am uncertain if any of your friends could be there or not, but if you wish, I will look into making arrangements.

yours most sincerely
Albus Dumbledore

PS Please return this message with Fawkes, along with any decisions you might immediately arrive at.

"Would you care to visit Harry?" Dumbledore asked Fawkes, who, as was now his custom, had turned his back on Dumbledore when he had entered the room.

Fawkes trilled happily and faced Dumbledore.

"Now remember, those people Harry lives with are very . . . Muggle. Only appear to Harry when he is alone, and do so quietly. We do not wish to cause him any more problems."

Fawkes trilled an agreement, seized the parchment, and disappeared.

Dumbledore sighed. It was too early for dinner. "I need a drink."

Dumbledore had a very secure way of getting to The Hog's Head. He rarely used it, but he changed into his oldest, most worn and plain robes, and went to visit his younger brother.

Aberforth Dumbledore was not a particularly ambitious wizard, although he was a moderately powerful one He was interested in studying certain classes of charms, and was something of an authority on the effects of charms designed for humans on other mammals. He was more than willing to help in the fights against dark wizards, but preferred to fight in the background. Owning and running the disreputable Hog's Head allowed him to keep an eye on some of the less upright members of the local wizarding community, who, although not directly aligned with Voldemort, still had dealings with his minions and passive followers.

None of the slightly inebriated customers saw the tall figure slip into the office/den of the owner. Aberforth was the only member of the staff who caught the movement. He served another ale and slipped into his office. "Well, I wasn't expecting you. Can I get you something, or did you need to talk."

"Can't I just visit my brother?"

Aberforth, just as tall as Albus, but much thinner and with a wispier beard, nodded. "You can. You just haven't since about 1964."

"Then I'll take the drink first. Bring me a glass of the nastiest stuff you have, and don't let me have more than one."

"Oh, one of those days, I see."

Aberforth was back in a few minutes, with a glass of clear liquid. Dumbledore tried a sip and made a face. "That is awful. What is it?"

"It's a very poor example of a Mexican drink called tequila. Now, what's wrong?"

Albus sighed. "I am pursuing a course of action which I heartily dislike. I would like nothing better than to change it. Everyone wishes me to change it. However, I sincerely believe that if I do change it, it could lead to a greater disaster than pursuing my current course."

"My, that's vague, even for you," Aberforth said. He sat and thought. "Is this about Harry?"

Albus looked upset. "How did you know?"

"I didn't," Aberforth said honestly. "You always have so many plans in hand that only you could keep track of them all. Harry's imprisonment, after the trials he has suffered this past year, is the only one I was aware of that would meet your vague outline."

"He is not imprisoned. . . ."

"He is confined to a place where he does not wish to be, surrounded by people who hate him and have power over him. He may not leave, and I'm sure you would prefer that he not leave his house, or at least the property. That is a form of prison, and you know it. He is also imprisoned by his burdens, his guilt, and his fears. If he had access to drugs or alcohol, I would be worried he might take the same path that Black did."

Albus made some protesting noises, which Aberforth ignored. "Remember, I've been sending supplies to that household since the heir of the Blacks and his friend arrived. They went from a bottle of fire whisky a month to a bottle a week, plus a bottle of cheap Scotch and two bottles of gin, not to mention plenty of beer and butter beer. I know that one of the two permanent residents only drinks wine, beer, and butter beer, and I don't think they were entertaining that much."

Albus said nothing, but swallowed more of the tequila. "I hate that Harry is there, but he should be safer."

"You know that I also disagree. Now that other magical households are alerted, some of them should be nearly as safe for the lad as those Muggles. They will certainly be healthier for him than those disgusting people."

"You haven't even met them."

"I have, actually," Aberforth said. "Six years ago. I was posing as one of Ari Figg's cousins."

"Oh." At that point, Fawkes popped into the room, and dropped a parchment in front of his human.

"What's that?"

"I wrote Harry a short note, saying I thought he should be able to spend a week to ten days with his friends. He sent it back, with his answer."

"What does he say?"

After reading it, Albus hesitated but handed it to his brother.

Professor

My relatives are totally ignoring me, except for putting some food out for me at meal times. They are not, however, locking me in my room, although they have forbidden me to leave the house. I am to spend all my time in Dudley's junkroom or in the cellar, other than when I'm cleaning the house.

If I go anywhere, I don't see how I can come back. That would mean leaving around the 22nd of August. I hope that this could include a trip into Diagon Alley, as I really do need clothes which fit. Perhaps I could go to the Burrow around the 22nd, and we could stay for a few days at the Leaky Cauldron? Perhaps you could arrange the costs to come out of my vault, so the Weasleys don't have to worry about the costs. Or, if it's possible, could Impossibly leave for the Burrow the evening of 30 July and be sent back on 4 August, and then spend the time from the 26th or 27th at the Leaky Cauldron with my friends? Again, at my expense?

If these are not possible, please let me know as soon as possible, so I won't get my hopes up.

Harry Potter

Albus Dumbledore smiled a little wistful smile. "What a brave, stoic, lad."

"Stoic, eh?"

"Oh, yes. Rarely complains, rarely fusses, never cries."

"Albus," Aberforth said gently, "come here and look."

"What?" Albus got up and leaned over the parchment.

"Put your specs on and look closely." Aberforth pointed at the parchment. There were three blotches, where Harry's tears had stained the paper.

"Oh, Merlin," Albus whispered.

"Your brave lad is just that, a very brave lad. The poor boy is not yet even sixteen, Albus. If so many people are willing to protect Harry, let them. Let Harry be a boy for a few weeks, Let him fly and flirt and above all, live."

A fat tear ran down Albus' cheek.

"Go, brother. Go now. Go rescue the hero from his cage. He is the living symbol of Light's power over Darkness. Let him into the light."

---

"Boy! Stop eating so fast! You'd think we never feed you! Well, we do, and you're not getting any more than what's on your plate. You don't work out in the yard, you barely work around the house, I don't see why you should need even what we give you!"

"Because he is a growing boy, who would still eat less than a third of yourself or your son?"

Vernon Dursley fell of his chair. Dudley screamed and dove under the table. Petunia just stared.

"Professor Dumbledore!" Harry stood, shocked.

Dumbledore saw Harry had lost ten pounds he couldn't afford to lose already. His clothes were ragged, too short in the leg and arm and many sizes too wide. There were dark circles under his red eyes, and Harry was far too pale. 'Wan,' Dumbledore thought, 'that's what my mother would have said.

Vernon Dursley stood, nearly purple with rage. Dumbledore faced him, and the air actually crackled around him. "I would advise you to be silent. In fact sit down."

"How dare. . . ."

"SIT . . . DOWN!" Vernon sat.

Dumbledore turned to Harry. "Please pack your things, Harry. Pack everything, you may not be returning."

"But you said. . . ."

"I have been convinced otherwise. Please, go pack." Harry left.

Dumbledore looked at the Dursleys.

The Dursleys looked at Dumbledore.

"You have greatly disappointed me," Dumbledore said. "You have failed as human beings. You should be ashamed of yourselves, but I doubt you have the intelligence or the decency. So, I shall remove Harry from your house. I cannot remove him from your care, for you have never cared for him. Be glad that I do not punish you."

"You will stay in this room for thirty minutes. I suggest you also remain silent for at least five." Dumbledore left the room.

Vernon decided, for once in his life, to follow the orders of a wizard.

"What's the matter, Harry?"

"It won't all fit into my trunk, sir," Harry said. There were old papers and books he had kept hidden which he couldn't fit. Dumbledore waved his wand, and everything fit.

"Am I really leaving for good, sir?" Harry asked, amazement and hope in his voice.

"Yes, unless you ever wish to return. I shall never compel you again. I would not be so cruel as to suggest it and then take it away."

Harry sat back onto the small desk, shaking with relief.

Dumbledore put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "I am very sorry I thought this necessary. It may even still be necessary. However, we seem to have reached what is sometimes called the point of diminishing returns. As dangerous as the greater world is to you, living here outweighs the dangers. I hope, someday, you will understand and even forgive me."

"I understand now," Harry said. "It just has hurt too much for me to say I forgive you and mean it in my heart."

"Where shall I take you, my boy? You may stay a week with the Weasleys, a week at the Leaky Cauldron, or you may take up Hagrid's offer to watch Fang for a while starting in a few days. You may stay in the castle itself, and there are many other places where you shall be both welcome and relatively safe."

"May I go to Hogwarts for a few days, then the Burrow, and then watch over Fang?"

"As you wish," Dumbledore said, drawing Harry into an embrace. "I shall take you to Diagon Alley myself. I swear, Harry, I shall do what I need to do to keep you safe?"

Harry hesitatingly returned the hug. "Will you teach me, sir? I've been trying to master Occlumency. . . ."

"We shall learn together, Harry. We will face tomorrow, and learn, together."