Apologies and Explanations

Albus Dumbledore stood at the reception of St. Mungo's, contemplating his visit to Harry Potter. The weight of responsibility hung heavy on his shoulders as he considered the options for Harry's living arrangements.

The Weasleys were ruled out due to their already large family, and Arabella Figg's delayed intervention made her an unsuitable candidate. Remus Lupin, despite being a caring individual, faced societal prejudices against werewolves. The other members of the Order were either too old or lacked the capacity to provide a stable home.

Alice and Frank Longbottom, both aurors, would have been ideal if not for their current condition in the long-term spell damage ward. Augusta Longbottom's overbearing nature further complicated matters.

As Dumbledore approached Harry's room, he exchanged greetings with familiar faces from their time at Hogwarts and other events. He reached the door, knocked, and heard the invitation to enter.

Inside, a figure resembling James Potter sat on the bed, a book in hand. The differences in the eyes and facial structure marked Harry as a unique individual.

"Good morning, I am Professor Albus Dumbledore, and I have been informed about certain... well, problems with your living accommodations with your relatives," Dumbledore began, his expression sincere. "I first want to express my sincere apology."

He continued, acknowledging the gravity of the situation and expressing regret for not intervening earlier. Dumbledore spoke of the importance of family in the wizarding world and the profound betrayal that occurred.

"I assumed it would be the same way in the Muggle world, and that nobody would intentionally hurt a child. I am really sorry for not seeing my error earlier," Dumbledore concluded, his eyes meeting Harry's with a mixture of remorse and sincerity.

Harry, ever perceptive, studied the old man's face and eyes for any signs of deception. The air in the room hung heavy with the weight of unspoken emotions as the two figures assessed each other in this pivotal moment.

Professor Dumbledore appeared sincere, and Harry cautiously inquired, "I accept the apology, but I want to understand why you placed me there without checking up on me once." He was careful, waiting to see what the old man could offer.

Aware of Dumbledore's prominence in wizarding society, Harry hesitated to make an outright enemy of the headmaster. Collecting information and maintaining a wait-and-see position seemed a more prudent approach. He wouldn't trust Dumbledore, given the man's impact on his life, intentional or not. However, alienating the most powerful figure in the country, who also owed him, wouldn't serve Harry's goals. Dumbledore held crucial positions, allowing him to complicate Harry's life if he chose to do so.

"I guess I owe you that explanation, even if I'd have preferred that this could have waited until you were a little older," Dumbledore began, acknowledging Harry's right to know.

He delved into the night of Harry's parents' murder, highlighting the ultimate sacrifice Lily made for her son. Dumbledore had scanned the magical residue in the house on November 1st, 1981, revealing signs of an ancient magical ritual. Lily's selfless act invoked ancient protection, creating a magical shield against those who sought to harm her child.

With this understanding, Dumbledore outlined his plans to protect Harry from Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Though uncertain about Voldemort's survival, Dumbledore acknowledged the dark wizard's determination to continue his quest. The strongest protection, derived from Lily's blood, required a living relative closely related to Harry. Petunia, as Lily's sister, was the only viable option.

Dumbledore explained, "I wrote her a letter, explaining all that to her the night I left you at her house. By accepting you into her house, she sealed the magical contract, and the wards were created." The headmaster's solemn tone conveyed the gravity of the situation, but Harry still harbored reservations about the man's actions.

Dumbledore sighed, his gaze heavy with remorse. "I thought that by having you reside with your relatives, the magical protections would keep you safe. I believed that, as long as you could call it home, you would be shielded from the darkness that pursued you."

Harry listened, a mixture of understanding and frustration welling up within him. The concept of protective wards made sense, especially considering the attempts thwarted by those magical defenses. Yet, the absence of regular check-ins left a bitter taste.

"Why didn't you ever check up on me to see if I was okay?" Harry questioned, the hurt evident in his voice. "I even tried to get the police involved. Having Vernon out of the house would have made a huge difference. Petunia I can deal with, but Vernon is the brute."

Dumbledore's gaze softened, and he admitted, "I wanted you to grow up away from the chaos of your fame, to have a chance at a normal childhood. I feared that regular check-ins might expose you to the magical world too soon, and that wasn't what I envisioned for you."

Harry's frustration lingered, but he understood the reasoning behind Dumbledore's decisions. The delicate balance between protection and the desire for a semblance of normalcy had shaped his upbringing, leaving him with mixed emotions about the choices made on his behalf. The revelation of the magical wards and their effectiveness added a layer of complexity to the already intricate tapestry of Harry's life.

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