Dark Memories

Book 4 - Part 4: Culture Shock

Albus Dumbledore closed his eyes as he leaned back in his office chair, sucking on a lemon drop.

It had been rather quiet of late. Voldemort had once again fallen off the map, as well as his surviving death eaters and other dark allies.

But that was not what had him concerned. It was Harry and his friends.

They were different, particularly Harry, Draco, and Neville. Especially Neville.

After speaking with Augusta, he learned Neville had been able to feel more than what he had previously thought he had. Neville had felt some of what it had been like for Augusta in that place, however brief, and some of what Bellatrix fhad done to her. That, he supposed, explained his recent reclusiveness, that and the fact one of Harry's 'guardians' had fallen while rescuing Augusta and the others.

That would affect anyone with a heart, and Neville had a rather large one.

The only one thing he was relieved about was that his friends, particularly Harry, were right there for him, offering verbal and silent support. Part of him had initially been worried that Harry's calm persona would somehow change and shift into anger because of what had happened (for one can only take so much), but Harry once again proved himself to be more mature than Dumbledore had believed possible.

Dumbledore shook his head.

He had spoken with Sirius not long after the funeral to once again see how the last Marauder was doing. Despite everything, Sirius seemed to be doing rather well, though he could see he had been teetering on the edge of depression for too long of a moment.

His talk with Sirius was what had really concerned him, though, about Harry.

According to Sirius, he hadn't seen Harry grieve, not a single tear. Dumbledore wasn't a judging man, but even he had to admit that was a little odd, though, this was Harry. If his visit to his parents' grave was any indication, Harry was able to take in a great deal, process it quickly and then accept it before rising to whatever was before him — however, this seemed different.

Harry was sensitive, giving and understanding toward others. His treatment of Neville during the past week was proof enough of that. So why did he appear so emotionless? Did he feel nothing for his own loss? Was he hiding it? If he was, it certainly couldn't be healthy, and if he wasn't . . . what could that mean?

It just didn't make sense.

Or did it?

Harry knew, just as well as he did, if not more so, what could happen if he lost control of his emotions. Perhaps Harry was afraid of expressing what he was feeling because of what his magic might do, and how that would in turn affect his heart. But then, maybe he had already grieved in private?

Dumbledore decided to hope that was the case while he decided to continue keeping an eye on him.

But some things were still not adding up, like Harry's reaction to the news.

It was almost as if he had already known. Had been expecting it.

But what could that mean?

Dumbledore pinched the bridge of his nose, thoughts whirling about.

'But why would they do that?' he asked himself. 'Certainly they would know we were going to tell them as soon as we could? Why had the Custosae told him? Had they told Neville and the others as well? That would explain a great deal of their reactions. Most of them were, overall, a bit off.'

Dumbledore sighed, the lists of students joining them this year from the other schools sprawled across his desk.

Dumbledore had spoken briefly with Mage not long after the attack. He had seemed solemn and resigned, but determined and strong. As if he had accepted something important and had set himself to a task he would not allow himself to fail in.