Harry Potter and the Year After

Chapter Sixty-three: Plans and Proposals

Chapter 63: Plans and Proposal

"So you enjoyed the match?" Orion asked. It was Saturday evening. Orion's shockingly blue and purple hair seemed to glow in the candlelit classroom.

"Of course," said Harry. They sat next to each other at one of the desks in the Defense Classroom attached to Harry's private quarters. "I went with Hermione, Neville and Luna. Ron did a great job as Keeper. He really didn't seem nervous at all."

"And Ginny?"

"Yeah, Ginny was great. She's the reason we won, for sure. Though Ron did his part too. They probably will get the Cup, even if Slytherin wins."

"You seem happy when you talk about Quidditch."

"I love Quidditch. I was the Seeker from first year until sixth year."

"Right."

"There's a party in the Gryffindor Common Room right now."

"Would you like to go to it?"

"Yeah, but there will be alcohol there."

"I think you're ready to be around alcohol again, Harry. You've done very well this past month. Trust yourself. You won't drink if you choose not to drink."

"Yeah." Harry looked down at a big stack of papers that Orion had brought with him but hadn't said anything about yet. It was tied with thin brown string.

"Alright, I'll bite. What's that?" Harry asked, nodding to the tied stack of papers.

"It's your chart from your elementary school psychiatrist, who by the way, was placed at your school by Dumbledore. She was really a healer at St. Mungo's until Dumbledore had her come and watch you."

"I'm not surprised," Harry said.

"How do you feel about the idea that Albus Dumbledore was aware of the abuse and neglect that you underwent as a child and he didn't do anything to stop it?" Orion asked, playing with the bow on the stack of papers.

"I needed the magical protection of my mother's love," Harry said, shrugging.

"But perhaps he could have given the Dursleys potions or charmed them into being kind," Orion suggested.

"He had more important things to do, I'm sure," Harry said immediately.

"More important than to ensure your safety and welfare?" Orion asked slowly.

"I don't see what you're getting at," Harry said coldly.

Orion watched Harry intently for a moment with a benign sort of look on his face.

"If you want me to sit here... and bash one of the only people who... who showed that they gave a damn at all about me... I won't do it..." Harry was fighting very hard to maintain control but he knew he was losing.

"These pages mention over and over how you would dissociate as a baby. A different healer came over once a week when you first were brought to your Aunt and Uncle's. Do you remember him?"

"Not at all." Harry shrugged. "What does 'dissociate' mean?"

"It means... you'd sort of stare off into space. You never cried as a toddler. You wouldn't go to Petunia if you hurt yourself or were upset. You would just go dumb, as in you wouldn't seem to see or hear anything and you'd just stare."

"Oh." Harry wasn't sure what he was supposed to make of this. He didn't remember it, at least not any specific memory. But it didn't seem to be a lie, either.