23 Hidden Darkness

"Stupid idiots; does the whole wizarding world lack common sense?" Harry expressed his frustration, highlighting the apparent lack of common sense in the wizarding world.

Dumbledore, recognizing the need for Harry to learn more about the magical realm, proposed a plan for the rest of the holidays. "I think it would be best if you were able to learn more about the wizarding world. If you agree, I would organize for you to get a room in the Leaky Cauldron for a while."

He continued, explaining that Hagrid, the gamekeeper of Hogwarts, would assist Harry in exploring Diagon Alley and acquiring the necessary supplies. Harry agreed to the plan.

Harry then shifted the conversation to a crucial decision. "If I would accept the place at Hogwarts and found out that I absolutely couldn't get along with the teachers there or another issue turned up, would I be able to change schools?"

Dumbledore knew the weight of this moment. Harry's trust in him was fragile, and the circumstances surrounding Sirius Black's imprisonment raised valid concerns about the British wizarding government.

As Dumbledore contemplated the question, the scene shifted to the arrival of Healer Reggam and the cursebreaker, Staniel Wundermoor, at eleven o'clock to address Harry's curse scar.

"Good morning, Mr. Potter, this is Staniel Wundermoor, a curse breaker from Gringotts. We are going to see what we can do about your scar. I fear this will be a bit painful, but it is essential that you don't move. Therefore, I'll put you under a full-body bind. That will make sure we can work without disturbance," Healer Reggam explained, preparing Harry for the procedure.

"Sadly, as we don't really know what we are dealing with, we don't want to risk using a sleeping charm or potion on you just yet. It might have negative effects on the procedure. We have a pain potion ready in case you need it after we deal with whatever resides in your scar," Healer Reggam explained.

"I see. Well, nothing that can be changed about it. I'll just have to get through it," Harry replied, steeling himself. Pain was, after all, nothing he hadn't dealt with before.

"Good. Please lie down on the bed and relax; that'll make the body bind more bearable," Healer Reggam instructed.

Following the healer's guidance, Harry lay down on the bed. "Petrificus Totalus," Healer Reggam cast, rendering Harry unable to move. He couldn't even open his eyes anymore. The room fell silent, and then he heard words spoken that he couldn't make any sense of.

"That's indeed a nasty thing you have here, Reggam. There seems to be something small in the scar that has absorbed dark energy," Wundermoor commented. "I need you to cut the scar open a few inches deep to get the object out of there."

Harry felt his forehead being cut open, and a sharp pain shot through his head as something was pulled out. It resisted, as if reluctant to leave his head. The sensation was excruciating, and he wanted to scream, but he couldn't. After what felt like an eternity, the object relinquished its hold and flew out.

Harry's magic surged, flooding into a space previously blocked by a dam. It washed away the remnants, pushing every bit of residue out through the open scar. The sensation was strange, but Harry sensed it was beneficial. Despite still having a headache, it was better than before—more manageable, akin to a slight migraine.

Then he felt his body able to move again, and a glass was held to his lips.

Healer Reggam handed Harry a pain reliever potion, urging him to drink. Harry complied, feeling the fatigue in his bones. As the potion took effect, he opened his eyes to see Mr. Wundermoor holding a vial containing a black, one-and-a-half-centimeter-long, thin splint.

"That thing was in my scar?" Harry questioned in disbelief.

"Yes, and pretty deep inside as well. I guess it got in there when the killing curse backfired on You-Know-Who, blasting up your room. There was a lot of debris and destroyed furniture from what the reports on site stated. Wundermoor, can you tell anything about the dark residue?" Healer Reggam inquired.

Wundermoor conducted a series of spells to examine the splint, but as the results unfolded, he began to curse. The splint emitted an eerie, sickly green hue, making Harry feel repulsed just being close to it. The realization that it had been lodged in his head for nearly his entire life made him feel sick to his stomach.

"This is a huge problem. I need an expert on Dark Magic, best of all Professor Dumbledore, here at once," Wundermoor declared.

Concerned, Healer Reggam questioned, "Why? What is wrong with the splint besides the fact that it was in Mr. Potter's head for ten years?"

As Reggam examined Harry for any aftereffects of the splint's removal, a black oily substance started flowing out of the scar. Harry hesitated about involving Professor Dumbledore in matters related to his health. His trust in the old man was shaky. What could Dumbledore do that others couldn't? The uncertainty hung heavy in the air.

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