Harry isn't sure how much time has passed, but he really wishes that Dumbledore would speak already. If Dumbledore can't handle talking about yesterday, he never should have told Harry to come here. It's not awkward, it's terrifying. Every passing second swells Harry's anxiety until he feels like he's going to burst. Why didn't Dumbledore decide what he was going to say before hand? Does he not realize how hard this is for Harry, or does he just not care?

"Headmaster," Potter speaks up, "I need to study for Potions class. If you're not going to say anything, I should be going now."

"Yes. Yes, of course." Dumbledore sighs and faces Potter. "My dear boy-" His voice seems to fail him. Harry inwardly rolls his eyes. Drama Queen.

"I don't suppose you've remembered how you got that wound?" Dumbledore asks. Potter shakes his head, so the man continues, "I don't know how to tell you this, but it appears that you were severely abused. And… Well. It's a muggle condition, I don't know much about it, but… Harry, do you know what Multiple Personality Disorder is?" The Headmaster misinterprets the shock on Potter's face. "I'm not saying that you have this! Please don't misunderstand, I'm not an expert…"

It's too late. He's said the magic words. Petal jolts to her feet, almost pushing the chair to the floor. "I do not have multiple personalities." Dumbledore's mouth falls open before he can get a hold of himself. Petal continues, voice low and dark. "I am not a f-cking crazy! And how DARE you accuse my Aunt and Uncle of abusing me! You low life scum."

Harry doesn't think that she could pack more scorn into her voice if she tried. Glaring daggers doesn't begin to describe the look that she's giving the man in front of them. Inside, her thoughts are racing, searching for something, anything, that will convince Dumbledore that he's wrong. When she starts reaching for magic, Potter intervenes.

"I'm sorry, sir." He sits back down. "What exactly do you mean by multiple personalities? And severe abuse? Severe? Wouldn't I remember that, sir? Wouldn't someone have noticed? I don't understand. It's just a scar. I'm sorry for overreacting- both yesterday and today- but it's stressful trying to adjust to a new school and having magic." He lets out a small laugh. "Not that it's not amazing, but."

Dumbledore swallows heavily and seems to choose his words carefully. "By multiple personalities, I mean exactly that. I believe that you have alternate personalities inside of you, and I believe one of them just surfaced. If you can remember what they do, that's very good. Your mind isn't completely gone, then. That would be why you don't remember the abuse. And Harry, I have no doubt that you were abused. I'm so sorry."

"I still don't understand, sir." Potter's voice is soft, but Harry hears the venom he's struggling to hide. What does Dumbledore mean, completely gone?

"Perhaps another time, then. I don't think that it would be right to rush this. I don't want to scare you." Dumbledore looks relieved by this excuse. Suddenly, his brow furrows. "Harry? Did you feel, ah, strange when you were sorted?"

"I don't—I don't believe so, sir. I was nervous, yes. If you're asking if I was an alter-" Harry winces slightly at his wording "-I really don't think I was."

"It's possible, though. Very possible… I wonder if perhaps you're not as Slytherin as we thought?"

That slimy bastard, Potter shouts, hurt flashing across his face. What does this man have against Slytherins? They make up a fourth of his school, for God's sake!

That's my phrase, James smirks. Potter looks at him in surprise, and James tenses. What, I'm not allowed to front just for the Hell of it? Potter shakes his head and moves aside. James closes his eyes and settles into the body. He surveys the room and realizes that Dumbledore is watching him closely.

"Are you Harry's Slytherin alter?"

James's face is almost comical. "Excuse me?! I am not a bloody Slytherin! I'm as far from Slytherin as it gets, thankyouvery much! I am not a snake! I am not evil or a bully or even ambitious! I'm a Gryffindor, you prat!" The indignation in his voice is strong, and what he's doing now can only be described as sulking. Potter bites his lips hard, muffled snorts shaking his frame. James glares at him, and Harry dissolves into laughter.

Dumbledore's eyes widen. "A Gryffindor, you say?" Harry doesn't like the man's smile. "Well, I'm very glad to hear that! I must admit, it does make me weary to think that Harry could be a Slytherin through and through. It would make a great many people very nervous."

Yeah, Potter sneers, people like you. James just smiles widely. Only Harry feels the slight annoyance reminiscent of only I can insult him like that, you prick!

"Really, though, I am very glad to meet you. What is your name?"

"James," James nods. He doesn't miss Dumbledore's surprise. "Yes, like our father. I was named James before we learned about that, but I guess some part of us still remembered." James shrugs. Dumbledore looks to be beside himself with joy.

"It is a real pleasure to meet you, young man! It may be too much to ask, but I wish I could see you more often. You seem very pleasant."

You've known him for all of five minutes! Potter rages. James smirks, and Harry backs away inside. James catches his drift and sighs loudly.

"Sorry, Headmaster, but we really do need to be going soon. We don't want people asking unfortunate questions, you understand. Besides, Harry kind of doesn't know about me yet, and I don't plan for him to." Despite Dumbledore's earlier comment about the horrors of losing time, his eyes are twinkling. For show, James lets his head fall to his chest before he moves inside and gestures to Potter.

All yours, he mouths. But try to give him a good show, alright? Potter rolls his eyes, but reluctantly agrees.

"Sir?" Potter asks, acting disorientated and confused. He shifts on the seat, blinks heavily, and tries to look as if he's deciding to forget something. "Can I please go back to my room now?"

Dumbledore nods and smiles kindly. "Yes, you may."

Potter gets up and walks to the door. He pauses and decides to take a chance. "Can I still go home over the summer, sir?"

Dumbledore fiddles with a lemon drop on his desk. "We'll discuss this later."

A/N:

Apologies for the shorter chapter, but it seemed like a good place to end things.