17 Crossroads and Choices

The floo in Albus Dumbledore's office sprang to life, revealing the head of Junius Reggam amidst the flickering flames.

"Junius, to what do I owe the pleasure of your call?" inquired Dumbledore.

"I have some questions regarding a patient of mine. Can I come through?" asked Healer Reggam.

"Sure," Dumbledore replied.

Soon after, the head disappeared, making way for the whole man who gracefully emerged from the fireplace, brushing off ashes from his robes.

"Thanks. As I mentioned, I am here regarding the treatment of one of our patients, Harry Potter, to be precise."

"I need to know what exactly was done for the boy from the point he was found in the ruins of his parents' house in Godric's Hollow to his placement with the Dursley family," informed Reggam.

Dumbledore nodded, aware that the healers had valid reasons to seek comprehensive information. The secrecy around Harry's residence was no longer imperative, as the protective wards had completely dissipated.

"I had Rubeus Hagrid, the gamekeeper here at Hogwarts, investigate the alarms I received from the monitoring charms around the Potter residence."

With Minerva's report on the examination results in mind, Dumbledore recognized the necessity of sharing every detail.

"I had only one sign of life. So, I instructed Hagrid to bring whoever survived to me. I equipped him with a portkey, thinking he would be the best suited for a potential forceful entry and swift extraction with minimal harm."

As Dumbledore recounted the events, he described Hagrid's discovery of the devastation – James lying dead in the entrance hall, Lily beside the baby's cot, and Harry crying amidst the chaos. Sirius Black, distraught and in tears, arrived on a motorbike and demanded Hagrid hand over Harry.

"Hagrid refused, stating he had orders from me to bring Harry to me. Sirius, in a seemingly emotional state, lent Hagrid his motorbike," continued Dumbledore. "Hagrid brought Harry to me using the motorbike, stopping at Hogwarts for Madam Pomfrey to examine the baby."

Dumbledore explained his hectic schedule at the Ministry, handling the aftermath of the Godric's Hollow incident. The urgency to contain celebrations and the need for Harry's protection occupied his attention.

"I made my decision for Harry to be placed with the only living remaining relative on his mother's side, his aunt Petunia Dursley," Dumbledore concluded, revealing the intricate web of events that led to Harry's placement with the Dursleys.

I crafted a letter for her, detailing the events and the protective magic I invoked to safeguard Harry.

"As she welcomed the boy into her home, the contract was sealed. I never anticipated the extent of mistreatment Harry endured at the hands of the Dursleys."

"I stationed one of my associates, a squib named Arabella Figg, in the same neighborhood to keep a watchful eye on Harry. She would inform me of any active abuse from the Dursleys or if the Death Eaters discovered his location."

"She informed me of neglect and unkindness, but I was unaware of the physical abuse. I believed that keeping the boy alive in the perilous climate was more crucial than ensuring his happiness."

"My convictions grew stronger when my ward's observations revealed five unsuccessful attempts to breach the protections within the first year of placing Harry with his relatives," Dumbledore admitted.

Healer Reggam nodded, recognizing it as one of Dumbledore's well-intentioned but not thoroughly thought-out plans.

"I can offer you one piece of advice: Tell the boy everything. If you don't, the consequences won't be to your liking."

I could see the concern on his face when I explained why I needed to speak with him about why nobody had properly examined Harry's curse scar before placing him with the Dursleys. The boy is exceptionally intelligent and trusts sparingly.

"He trusts no one at St. Mungo's beyond medical care. He avoids questions about his experiences with his relatives, revealing only what he believes will land the Dursleys in prison," Healer Reggam remarked. "He's at the point where achieving his goals matters more than pride, and I wouldn't be surprised if he were a natural Occlumens."

"Minerva shared a similar observation. Currently, I'm working on finding a family to take Harry in," Dumbledore disclosed.

"Don't attempt that. He'll only accept a place he chooses, not any other. He won't be forced to live where he doesn't feel safe; he'll run away. Considering his inheritance, he can vanish into the Muggle world, hiring tutors for magic. The boy stands at a crossroads."

"You're fortunate that Minerva intervened before anything truly disastrous occurred. Her actions might be what keeps him in Britain or, at the very least, within the wizarding world."

As Harry delved into the pages of magical schools in Europe, he found himself faced with a myriad of options. The words describing each institution unfolded like a magical tapestry, each school boasting unique strengths and specialties. Beauxbatons emphasized refinement and elegance, while Durmstrang prided itself on strength and discipline. Castelobruxo offered a vibrant fusion of magic and Amazonian culture, and Uagadou's focus on astronomy and alchemy intrigued him.

Amidst his research, Healer Reggam's advice echoed in his mind. Even if he chose Hogwarts, there were pressing matters to address. He decided to draft a letter to the school, outlining the need for a thorough staff review. With a thoughtful expression, he considered the points raised by Reggam.

"So, even if I choose Hogwarts, I should advise them to get the staff cleaned up," Harry mused to himself. "Especially Snape. I know he and my dad were enemies, but his attitude towards non-Slytherins could hurt the prospects of future aurors and healers."

Taking a quill, Harry began jotting down his thoughts. "Control Snape's behavior. Strictness is one thing, but outright bullying shouldn't be tolerated."

He continued writing, "And maybe Binns needs to be replaced. I've heard he's more effective at curing insomnia than teaching."

Meanwhile, Dumbledore contemplated Healer Reggam's suggestions. The urgency of Harry attending Hogwarts wasn't lost on him. Dumbledore, the sole possessor of the complete prophecy, understood the importance of guiding Harry in the face of the looming threat of Voldemort.

"Healer Reggam is right," Dumbledore conceded to himself. "I need to adapt, let Harry make his own decisions. Building trust is crucial."

Unaccustomed to relinquishing control, Dumbledore recognized the necessity of aligning with Reggam's certainty about Harry's reactions. The path ahead was challenging, but Dumbledore understood the need for change and adaptation to ensure Harry's trust and cooperation.

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