28. Reluctant

"Sherbet Lemon", Harry said. Finding the password correct, the stone gargoyle leapt aside revealing a door. Harry entered.

The room was revealed to be the headmaster's office. It was a splendid room. Circular in construction, the room was full of all sorts of interesting noises. Silver instruments stood on eloquently carved tables. On the walls were portraits of previous headmasters and headmistresses, who were sleeping at the moment.

Behind the most worn out desk was Headmaster Dumbledore, old eyed but pleasant. "Ah, Harry, I did not expect you back in my office so soon. I hope you haven't found yourself in peril this late in the year", he said good-naturedly.

It brought a smile to Harry lips. "I don't have that kind of trouble. But I do have a bit of a… not a problem per say, but an issue. "

"Then, do sit down. I'll try to help you resolve it to the best of my abilities", the elderly wizard promised.

Harry sat down on the comfortable chair and looked the headmaster in the eyes. He found it frustrating that he was hesitating now. To be frank, the subject matter was embarrassing. But, he was the second wisest person he knew.

And there was no way that the Pale Lady was going to hear any of this.

Building his courage, Harry began, "Have you ever had someone you were truly and deeply fond of?"

This caused Dumbledore to pause for just a moment, before softly replying, "Yes, I have. We shared so many ideas and ambitions. Alas some bonds are far too poisonous, too dangerous, to continue. Forgive me if I sound doubtful, but what are your feelings for this person?"

"I guess it might sound silly to you, but she really makes me feel. That's how I can best describe it. It's not any one emotion, but so many different ones. Her disappointment hurts, her curiosity brings mirth, and then there's her smile." Harry smiled softly at the thought.

"If there's one thing I've learned to respect, it is the emotion of individuals." Dumbledore asserted firmly. "We of the older generation tend to brush aside the feelings of the youth. Never mind us, when we speak harshly, we speak not to you but who we once were. The air of scorn, condescension, disappointment, and fear are directed to our own past feelings. There's triumph to be had in believing that the heartache of then wouldn't have occurred if they had not been young. No I shall not say your feelings are any less than mine due to your age. I can't belittle them, because I am not living your life. You are the one that will reap the benefits and losses." Slightly sad eyes roamed to Harry. "You ask for my advice? Know that I will speak freely and not too happily."

Harry took a moment to hear the headmaster's warning. In his mind, there was a storm of feelings crashing around. The boy felt almost light headed by the giddiness of revealing his heart to another. Advice from Dumbledore would surely be eye opening, but did he want it? From the sounds of the warning, he wouldn't like all he heard. But if he avoided the unpleasant facts of life, how would he gain the courage to bring to light to the Pale Lady. In the end, Harry nodded in response to the elderly wizard's question.

Dumbledore just barely smiled as he sat up in his seat. "Keep in mind that this is very much my own personal view on the subject. Attraction is merely the desire of an ideal. It's easy to form and detach oneself from. You may find yourself attracted to a number of people at any time, be it due to their hair, appearance, or just how they hold themselves. Love, on the other hand, does not come with a finite charm. Too many threads of expectation, memories, and heartache weave into your core and become a very part of you."

Seeing the difficult look on the student's expression, Dumbledore simplified, "If you really just like that warm bubbly feeling you get around that person, keep the relationship as it is. There is little harm and you may find yourself shifting your sights on another down the road. But if you're prepared for complication, hurt, and confusion, push to change the relationship to something deeper. Beware to chasing one that doesn't wish to be chased after and make as few assumptions on that person's motives and feelings as possible. As embarrassing as it is, directness can be a powerful tool in a successful relationship."

Harry said his thanks and left the office. That had been a deal more somber than he had expected. It only brought forth some questions to his mind. What had Dumbledore experienced to come to such conclusions?

Frankly, it was none of his business, it was wholly dependent on Dumbledore's willingness to share. Just a bit, Harry grew concerned for the man. As amazing as the office seemed, there wasn't anything, as far as he could see, in it that connected Dumbledore to people.

Magic was nice, but people were just as aspiring. Harry wasn't sure that he would like that loneliness. The thought of not having a friendly face like the Pale Lady's until reaching Hogwarts sounded like a nightmare.

Shaking his head to hear the jingle of his headpiece, Harry went to pack for his trip back to his relatives.