Okay, I'm not sure if I said this in the last chapter, so I'll say it here. That incident with the grapefruit nose was borrowed from Devil Child Vorn's fic with permission.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Thanks to Vanna, for being my only review for the last chapter. This one's for you, Van. And also for MegIshiro, my only other reviewer for this fic, period.
Sherbet Lemons are definitive proof that there is good in the world. Voldemort and his deatheaters can terrorize everyone, but as long as I can eat a sherbet lemon—or what is it Americans call them… Ah, yes, Lemon drops! As long as I have one of those, I know the evil hasn't entirely won yet.
That sounds rather silly, doesn't it? I suppose it is, but in times of trouble, it's the little pleasant things that make the difference between hope and despair. For some it's the company of friends, for others it's music or poetry. For me, however, nothing reminds me that there's hope in the world quite so much as a sherbet lemon and a clean pair of socks.
Marvelous things, socks. They can keep your feet warm, or you can wear them over your hands as mittens. You can draw faces on them and use them as puppets. You can even make those clever little Muggle toys with them—sock monkeys, they're called. And if the socks are old, why you can keep things in them, or use them as pet toys. Or unravel them and knit a new pair of socks! They're also good for freeing house elves, as young Mr. Potter discovered.
Harry Potter, the boy who lived. A heavy title for such a small frame. Especially as he was when I left him with his aunt and uncle. I've always wondered if I did the right thing for Harry. I never realized… never knew that he'd be treated with so little love. I thought… Perhaps I didn't think. I've always looked for the best in people, and expected to get the best. And it usually works. Almost always, in fact. I've found very few exceptions to that rule. And the Dursleys are among them.
They didn't beat him, I know that. But they didn't love him. Which confuses me immensely. How can someone not love a child? Especially a child as intelligent and loveable as Harry was? Perhaps I should have put him with someone else. But he needed the protection of his mother's blood. If it hadn't been for that one thing, he'd have been out of Privet Drive faster than you can say quidditch. I wonder if he'll ever forgive me.
Why should he forgive me? I've done nothing all his life but keep secrets from him, and put his safety over his happiness. And really, which is more important in the end? Safety or happiness?
This is too much thinking for an old man. I did what I thought was right at the time, and I can't change that. Might-have-beens make my head hurt. I think I'll go find Minerva and see if I can lure her out of her office for a cup of tea. And maybe some sherbert lemons.
Well, there you have it. Gloom, Doom, and Sherbert Lemons. I have the next chapter already written, even! However, this is my sixth chapter, and I only have three reviews. And one of those reviews was myself in a moment of insanity. I don't think I could possibly see my way clear to post another chapter until I have as many reviews as chapters. Hint Hint.