Professor Potter

Chapter 3

Chapter 3 

It was late in afternoon, two Saturdays after the stunning confrontation between Percy Weasley and the muggle Mr. Bentley Dickerson. Harry was sitting in his very comfortable chair in the library at the Meadows, his latest acquisition, an ancient treatise on potions, lying closed in his lap. He sat with his eyes closed although he was fully awake. He was thinking back over the intervening two weeks. Against all hopes, Percy didn't open up about what drove him to thoroughly dress down the belligerent Dickerson when he and Audrey came to visit the following day. He simply stated that he had had a long week and something about the man had made him lose his temper and he was rather embarrassed by the whole thing and would prefer not to speak of it again. 

After the early dinner, Percy and Ginny were taking a walk around the house at his request. He said the first time they were there he hadn't had the chance to see much. Harry and Audrey had retired to the library to play some wizards chess. After the first few moves Harry looked across at Audrey and said, 

"So did Perc say anything to you last night or this morning about what happened yesterday?" 

"No, not a word. We went to the Cauldron right after and we both had a drink. Beyond saying he was feeling better, whatever that meant, he didn't talk at all. We went home, had some dinner and he said he was very tired and went to bed. This morning he behaved as if nothing happened. Except for what he mentioned before about work and his temper, he's said nothing," Audrey replied. 

Harry sighed, looking down at the move Audrey made while she was talking. 

"It worries me a bit," Harry said. "I remember what Dr. Parson's told me about holding things in and not being honest with yourself or others about what's bothering you. I'd hate to have him going around the rest of his life feeling guilty about what happened before. It's all over with." 

"Harry, it's all over with for you, yes. But you have to remember where Percy has been with all this. So much of who he was came from his work at the Ministry. He believed in what he did and what he thought the Ministry was about. To find out the truth, that he didn't see what was going on or the reality of your situation hit him very hard. Add to that the loss of Fred and the circumstances of his death, that's a lot to deal with. But I agree with you, I hope he can find a way to come to terms with it. I wish there was a way to put him in touch with your Dr. Parsons. I think she could be of some help," Audrey said with a sigh of her own. 

"That would be a good idea. Let me think on it. Maybe there's a way, I hope so at least." 

As he sat in the chair with his eyes closed he still hadn't figured out a way to put his brother-in-law and the talented mind healer together in a way that wouldn't upset Percy. At the other end of the equation was the younger Dickerson. Harry had had several more conversations with the young wizard as the boy worked his way through the readings that Harry had suggested. It was evident that he was learning more and trying to understand it. At the same time he was having difficulty dealing with the idea that his dad had been wrong. This was offset somewhat by the fact that he was getting some supportive messages from his mum with whom he was sharing some of his new found knowledge. 

Harry had to smile inwardly as he recalled one such conversation that took place the Thursday evening just passed. He was sitting at his usual spot at the end of the Gryffindor table and Dickerson had just come over to sit opposite when Harry heard a familiar voice. 

"Hello, Professor Potter, sir." 

The breathless, airy tone immediately identified the speaker. Harry turned his head to see Abagail standing just a few feet away. 

"Hello, Miss Westwoodl. How are you doing this evening?" 

"I'm doing great, sir. How are you?" she replied smiling brightly.