Chapter 89: "Meeting the Headmaster"

The following day at Hogwarts, despite the lingering mystery from the previous night's quake, life resumed its normal rhythm. The students and faculty were preoccupied with their usual schedule of classes and homework, pushing aside any confusion left from the event.

On his way to an afternoon class, Harry decided to take a detour through the library. He was curious to see its condition after the destruction it had suffered. To his relief and satisfaction, he found it fully restored, as if nothing had happened. Whether it was Dumbledore's Elder Wand or the house elves' diligent work that had repaired the damage, Harry couldn't be sure but was happy to have an intact library back.

That evening, after finishing dinner and heading back to his dormitory with his friends, Professor Flitwick intercepted Harry.

"Mr. Potter, a moment of your time, please," Flitwick called out.

Harry motioned for his friends to go ahead without him. "Sure, Professor. What's up?"

Professor Flitwick replied, "Mr. Potter, the Headmaster wishes to see you in his office. The password is 'Lemon Drops'."

Inside, Harry felt a wave of resignation wash over him. Since the beginning of the term, he had been skillfully avoiding a direct encounter with Dumbledore, the so-called Leader of light.

However, this expected summons after last night's events left him no room to maneuver. Harry was well aware that Dumbledore, seizing any opportunity to justify a meeting, wouldn't pass up this chance to meet him and learn more about him.

Harry responded, trying to mask his reluctance, "Of course, Professor. May I ask what this meeting is about? I'd prefer not to meet unless it's strictly concerning academic matters."

"It's about last night," Flitwick explained. "The Headmaster needs to discuss your whereabouts during the quake. It's part of the investigation."

"Understood," Harry acknowledged. "But, Professor, will you be accompanying me as my Head of House?"

Flitwick offered his assistance, "If you believe you need my support, certainly."

Harry thought for a moment, "No, I think I'll manage on my own."

Then, Flitwick asked something that took Harry by surprise. "If you don't mind my asking, why did you choose to skip the Halloween feast?"

Harry patiently explained, "Professor, you seem to overlook the fact that Halloween, or the 31st of October, isn't a day of celebration for everyone. On that day, I lost my grandparents to that monster. While I understand the rest of the wizarding community has much to celebrate on Halloween, including the festival itself and the end of the war, I prefer to spend the day in solitude, remembering my family, rather than participating in the festivities and possibly dampening the spirits of others."

Flitwick's expression softened, and he responded with genuine empathy, "I'm truly sorry, Mr. Potter. In our celebrations, we often overlook the sacrifices and losses others have endured. It was thoughtless of me not to consider your feelings on this matter. I'm deeply sorry for bringing up such a painful memory."

"It's alright, Professor. I'll head to the Headmaster's office now," Harry said, excusing himself from the conversation.

With that, Harry set off toward the Gargoyle Corridor, ready to face whatever Dumbledore had in store for him.

As Harry made his way to the headmaster's office, he couldn't stop thinking about why October 31st wasn't treated as a day to remember those who fought and lost their lives in the war against Voldemort. Harry thought it was pretty clear that this day should be a reminder of the war's cost and a call for peace. Just having a memorial in Godric's Hollow, which hardly anyone visited, didn't seem enough to honor the bravery that helped win the war.

Harry could not think of any reason for why this was not the case. Why had the wizengamot not passed such an easy resolution to commemorate the end of the war properly? 

Lost in these thoughts, Harry arrived at the entrance to the headmaster's office, marked by the imposing stone gargoyle.

"Lemon Drops," he announced.

The gargoyle sprang into action, moving to reveal the staircase leading up. Harry went up the stairs, ready to face Dumbledore. Unlike many, Harry had no fear of the headmaster. Thanks to the strong backers in his corner, Harry walked with the confidence of someone well-protected, far removed from the caution a lone protagonist might practice in a similar situation.

As Harry stepped into the spacious, circular chamber, he was immediately taken aback by its grandeur. Moonlight poured through several windows, casting a serene glow on the countless books that lined the room, while the portraits of past Headmasters and Headmistresses looked on from their perches with an air of silent judgment.

Before Harry could fully take in his surroundings, his attention was drawn to the three figures standing before him: Albus Dumbledore, flanked by his deputy Minerva McGonagall, and the ever-imposing figure of Severus Snape.

Dumbledore greeted him warmly, "Harry, welcome to the Headmaster's office."

However, Harry was quick to set boundaries, "Headmaster, I'd prefer if you called me Mr. Potter or Hadrian. We aren't on familiar terms."

This request seemed to irk Snape and McGonagall, though they chose to keep their objections silent.

"Understood, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore acquiesced gracefully. "Would you care for a lemon drop?"

"Thank you, but no, Headmaster. I avoid sweets for health reasons," Harry replied, maintaining his stance on personal well-being.

Dumbledore chuckled, "Ah, your morning exercises around the castle haven't gone unnoticed. I too have contemplated reducing my sweet intake for health's sake, yet find it a challenging habit to break."

With the small talk out of the way, McGonagall took the lead in the questioning, "Mr. Potter, could you inform us of your whereabouts during last night's feast?"

Harry explained his absence, "I didn't attend the feast. Instead, I dined in the kitchens."

Snape retorted sharply, "Don't fabricate tales, Potter. How would a first-year like you even know about the kitchens? I suspect you were causing trouble, much like your father in his day."

Harry remained calm, "I'm not lying. The house elves in the kitchen can vouch for my presence. As for how I knew about the kitchens, it's through one of the many stories my godfather shared with me about his Hogwarts life."

Snape's disdain was evident as he spat out, "Black!"

"We shall verify your claim," McGonagall stated, trying to bring the conversation back on track. "Yet, I'm curious. Why choose to miss the feast? Your absence was noted."

Harry explained calmly, "I simply wasn't in the mood for celebrations last night, Professor."

Before he could say more, Snape cut in sharply. "Excuses. The real reason is that you sought a special dining experience in the kitchens. Did Black tell you they serve special food in the kitchens on special days?"

Feeling annoyed by Snape's attitude, which reminded Harry of dealing with a difficult teenager, he replied, "I'm being honest. And I'm pretty sure I didn't break any school rules yesterday. May I be excused now?"

Dumbledore, with a twinkle in his eye, interjected, "We believe you, Mr. Potter. However please understand that the Halloween feast is meant to be a joyful occasion to share a meal with fellow students. I hope you'll join us next year."

Harry, however, was firm. "I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, Headmaster. I can't see myself attending the feast."

Snape, barely hiding his anger, said, "You think you're too good for it, Potter. You won't get any special treatment. You'll attend all future feasts."

Harry responded coolly, "I don't think so. You can't force me, Professor."

McGonagall, looking puzzled, asked, "Mr. Potter, why do you not want to attend the feast?"

Harry, surprised by the question, replied, "Isn't it obvious? I thought you, of all people, would understand why that day is painful for my family."

The room became quiet as Harry's voice grew stronger, "For your recollection, on Halloween, many years ago, I lost my grandparents to a crazy dark wizard. I assumed that the supposed leader of the light and his deputy would remember the significance of that day and the sacrifice of my grandmother that helped win a nearly lost war."

At Harry's words, realization seemed to dawn on the others, though only McGonagall appeared truly remorseful for not remembering the night and considering Harry's feelings.

Dumbledore offered an apology, "I'm sorry, Mr. Potter. With my advanced age, sometimes specific dates slip my mind, even the important ones."

Snape, however, disagreed, "There's no need for apologies, Professor. The boy is merely seeking pity by bringing up his grandparents. He's just craving attention, as I've mentioned before."

Harry, unfazed, replied sharply, "It's understandable, Professor Snape, that you'd prefer to forget that day. It must have been hard for you when you learned that the dark lord you once wholeheartedly served was defeated by my grandmother that day. I didn't mean to bring up such unpleasant memories for you."

Snape's anger flared at being replied to in such a manner. Overcome with rage, he drew his wand and aimed it directly at Harry.

Harry stood his ground fearlessly, "Go on then, attack me. But remember, one scratch on me and my godfather will have you in one of the Auror holding cells before you know it. I can imagine the headlines now: 'Former Death Eater Strikes at The Boy Who Lived's Brother. A Revenge for His Master's Defeat?'"

Seeing the tension escalate, Dumbledore intervened to calm the situation.

"Professor Snape meant no harm, Mr. Potter. I apologize for any offense on his behalf," Dumbledore said, attempting to defuse the tension.

Snape reluctantly lowered his wand but his anger remained visible.

Harry, feeling bored of arguing with the adults in front of him, asked, "May I go now?"

Dumbledore, attempting to prolong the conversation, said, "Let's not rush, Mr. Potter. We've resolved one matter. Perhaps we can discuss another topic?"

Harry asked, "Is it regarding school matters?"

Dumbledore shifted the subject, "Actually, I wished to speak about your parents. They deeply miss you."

Harry decided to end the discussion, stating, "If it's not about school, then I should leave. My relationship with my parents has been broken beyond repair. They listened to an old man who believed he knew what was best for everyone, leading to the abandonment of their eldest son in an unhappy home."

He added, "I don't wish to associate with parents who, manipulated or not, left their son and never once checked on his wellbeing, nearly leading to his death. So, Headmaster, if you're thinking of fixing that relationship, please don't waste your time."

McGonagall, concerned, inquired, "Were you not treated well by the Dursleys, Mr. Potter? Albus, you assured me you had taken measures to ensure his safety."

Harry, ready to leave, replied, "For more information, you should ask the headmaster. He's been made aware of the circumstances of my stay there. Sirius has shared my memories and the near-fatal situation I faced at the Dursley home."

With those final words, Harry exited the room, leaving behind a mix of emotions.

McGonagall appeared frustrated, Dumbledore seemed contemplative, and Snape, unexpectedly, was silent, not taking the opportunity to gloat about Harry's life.

Harry felt a sense of relief as he left the Headmaster's room, eager to return to the normalcy of his daily life at Hogwarts.