20 Chapter 20: “The Path Unchosen”
The next day, in the temporary quarters of Hogwarts that had become a makeshift home for the Potter family, a palpable tension hung in the air. It was a silent testament to the unresolved issues and emotional turmoil that lay beneath the surface.
Sirius's absence was notably felt, his departure the night before marking a rift in the group after his unsuccessful attempt to sway the decision regarding Harry's fate. James, Lily, and Remus each wore a facade of normalcy, yet their forced smiles and the way their gazes drifted into the distance when they thought Harry wasn't looking revealed their true states of mind.
Lily's eyes were often filled with sadness, while James and Remus wrestled with their own inner conflicts.
Harry sensed something was off with the behavior of his parents but chalked their mood off to the attack at Longbottoms yesterday.
Initially, in the chaos following Voldemort's defeat, Harry harbored fears of being sent to live with another family, or worse, being sidelined—an outcome he had read in many fandoms. However, as time went on and life within the temporary home returned to a semblance of normality, with his parents showing him the same love and attention as before, Harry gradually dismissed these concerns. The thought that his parents might actually be planning to send him to live with the Dursleys, of all people, never once crossed his mind.
The day stretched on with an awkward atmosphere in the room, each hour more tense and monotonous than the last. Harry decided to focus his attention on his younger brother Charles, just to pass his time. He teased Charles throughout the day, eliciting a few laughs but mostly tears until either Lily or James intervened to comfort their younger son.
As dusk settled, Dumbledore, unaccompanied by McGonagall, made his appearance in the wing. His solitary presence signaling the gravity of the situation. Dumbledore's gaze lingered on the sleeping Harry, whose peaceful expression remained oblivious to the life-altering decisions being made around him.
Dumbledore, after a moment of contemplation, gently cast a sleeping charm on Harry, ensuring he would remain undisturbed during what was to come.
Lily, tears glistening in her eyes, whispered a tender goodbye with a kiss on Harry's forehead, a silent promise of love and protection whispered into the night. James, his expression a complex mix of relief and regret, after a moment's hesitation placed his hand on Harry's head, a silent gesture of farewell.
Dumbledore then carefully picked up Harry, and the small group quietly exited Hogwarts, their silent procession marked by a shared sense of solemnity. After a brief moment that allowed the Potters to say their final goodbyes, Dumbledore, with Harry securely in his arms, apparated away to a predetermined destination.
A few hours later, Dumbledore arrived at Privet Drive, a street that prided itself on its normalcy, where the most exciting thing to happen was perhaps a neighborhood barbecue. Number 4, Privet Drive, was a perfectly ordinary house, with a well-manicured lawn and flowers that seemed to scream 'respectable.' It was the kind of place where one would least expect to find anything related to the magical world. It was here, in this most ordinary of settings, that Dumbledore planned to entrust Harry's care.
Here, Dumbledore found Professor McGonagall waiting for him, disguised as a tabby cat.
McGonagall, still in her cat form, watched from the shadows, her feline eyes reflecting her concern. "Albus, are you sure about this?" she asked as she transformed back into her human form. "I have been watching them all day and from all my experience with the muggles, I can rightly say that the Dursleys are the worst sort of Muggles."
"I am sure you are exaggerating, Minerva. I am aware of a few of their shortcomings, but I have spoken to Petunia. She understands the importance of taking Harry in. I will take steps to ensure Harry receives the care he needs," Dumbledore replied, his voice carrying a weight that silenced further objections.
"But what if Harry decides to run away? He is not going to like this. Albus, Harry's resourceful, even at his age. The likelihood of him trying to return to our world is not insignificant," McGonagall pressed, her voice laced with worry.
Acknowledging the validity of her point, Dumbledore reassured her. "Rest assured, Minerva. I've implemented safeguards to prevent just such an occurrence. Harry's safety and well-being are my utmost priorities," he stated, a hint of finality in his voice as they prepared to leave Harry in the care of the Dursleys.
Unbeknownst to Professor McGonagall, Dumbledore had intricately woven a series of charms around Harry, creating a protective cocoon designed to shield him from the outside world and prevent any untimely re-entry into the magical realm.
This web of enchantments included a subtle tracking charm to keep tabs on Harry's movements, an owl ward to block any early attempts at magical communication, and a memory charm specifically tailored to blur Harry's recollection of his past interactions within the wizarding community.
Additionally, Dumbledore had cast a magical suppressant to curb any accidental magical outbursts, a necessary precaution for a young wizard growing up in a Muggle household.
Each spell was meticulously chosen, representing a strand in the complex safeguarding of Harry's new, isolated existence—one devoid of any wizarding influences until Dumbledore deemed the moment ripe for his reintegration.
Dumbledore justified these measures as essential safeguards, not just for Harry's well-being but as a bulwark against potential threats from those still loyal to Voldemort's cause. He acknowledged the physical and magical toll these charms might extract on Harry but consoled himself with the belief that such sacrifices were justified for the broader protection they afforded.
However, Dumbledore was unaware of the broader implications of his enchantments.
The memory charm, in particular, had a profound effect, dulling not only Harry's recent memories but also obscuring the deeper, recently awakened memories from his past life. This unintentional memory suppression effectively reset Harry's awareness to that of an amnesiac four-year-old.
Had Dumbledore just applied the memory charm to just a couple of years of memories, the whole plan would have failed since with memories of life years above his current age, Harry would have easily seen through the motives of Dumbledore and escaped easily.
Similarly, the charm designed to isolate Harry from Sirius inadvertently also blocked Mira, Harry's house-elf friend, from locating him, thwarting any alternate plans for escape or assistance.
The next morning, when the sleeping Harry wakes up, he will be a clean sheet without any memories. He will be confused and at the mercy of the Dursley family. Things did not bode well for our protagonist.
As Dumbledore gently positioned Harry on the doorstep of Number 4, Privet Drive, he did so with a sense of solemn responsibility, wrapping the boy snugly in his blanket against the chill of the night.
Dumbledore had initially considered placing a Squib member of the Order of the Phoenix near Harry for added protection and supervision. However, upon reflection, he decided against it. He reasoned that with James, Lily, and Charles drawing the attention of the wizarding world, Harry would likely remain under the radar. There seemed to be no need for extra protection or expenditure.
Dumbledore earnestly hoped Harry would have a good life at Petunia's. He had visited her that afternoon, outlining the benefits of taking Harry in and impressing upon her the importance of family. After all, a family would always take care of each other. That was the power of love.
Before departing, Dumbledore finalized the wards he had meticulously prepared around the Dursley residence. These wards, innovative and potent, were designed to both conceal Harry from magical seekers and to be powered by the presence of love within the household—a safeguard rooted in one of magic's most profound and least understood forces.
This warding system was contingent on the Dursleys' treatment of Harry. Should their care falter, indicated by a weakening of the wards, Dumbledore would be alerted to Harry's plight, enabling him to intervene if necessary. This measure was Dumbledore's safeguard against replicating the neglect that had shaped Tom Riddle's early years.
With a final, lingering look at the slumbering child, Dumbledore whispered a quiet wish for Harry's well-being. "Good luck, Harry Potter. We'll meet again when the time is right." Then, with the soft rustle of his cloak, Dumbledore disappeared into the night, leaving Harry with a new life that would shape him in ways yet unknown.
