Dumbledore had attempted to apologize many times to the boy, but he knew that he had failed Harry. He had made an assumption that a nice looking married couple with a couple of boys already adopted would be fine. There had been no previous signs or reportings of abuse, after all. But that didn't change what had happened. He had failed Harry.
The boy was noticeably more withdraw than when he was five and had been left with them by his uncle. He was more serious, whereas, before, Harry could have been coaxed into playing with the other children easily enough. Dumbledore could have swore the child was a statue, as he watched him watch television with loaned glasses or read a book. Harry spent a great deal of time studying, he noted to himself.
More people had come to adopt Harry. Dumbledore wasn't sure it was the best thing for Harry to be adopted again, but it was obvious the boy needed someone, a family to give him the love he desperately needed. However, it never worked out.
Harry refused to have anything to do with any of them, almost to the point of being rude. He was always returned like a pair of clothes that didn't fit after no more than a month. Dumbledore could almost see it in his mind: 'no, this one isn't quite right, let's try on this one next'.
It was heartbreaking for the elderly man to watch and he could only imagine what it was doing to the boy.
Finally, when Harry was fifteen, he put a stop to it. Dumbledore would not allow anyone to else to attempt with Harry. He knew that as children got older, they became less desirable and eventually, they were ignored all together. Even if Harry chances weren't good anymore, Dumbledore just wouldn't have it.
No one could adopt Harry Potter.
hr
A sixteen year-old Harry was sitting in the front play area, helping to watch over the younger children. He couldn't help but to remember when he was their age and wonder; had he been like them?
The majority of the little ones were cheerful enough; it hasn't gotten to them yet, Harry guessed. But he wouldn't be the one to burst their bubbles. Unlike them, Harry dreaded adoption days. He knew no one wanted him, at this point, after getting no offers of adoption for a year, but Harry was still nervous for the other children.
He knew that not every was like the Prewetts; Harry also knew their was always a chance one of the others would get hurt by someone just like them and the thought brought anger to Harry.
Harry was watching a seven year old girl, trying to understand how someone would want to hurt her, when he noticed an odd movement, out of the corner of his eye as the front door opened.
/Great. Here comes another one.../ Harry thought morosely as he watched a man enter the building. He was fairly tall and his hair a dark color, dark brown or black from what Harry could tell. The man seemed to look around at the children for a moment, before shaking his head, almost sadly, and continuing through the next set of doors that would eventually lead to Dumbeldore's office.
"Harry, come play!" He was distracted when a boy tugged on his shirt, pulling him towards the blocks he had strewn across the floor.
"Sure." Harry smiled slightly. He just didn't understand it...
hr
Harry was relieved by a volunteer, after about an hour, and decided to go ask Dumbledore if he could take a walk. He wanted a few moments to clear his head.
The door was open, as usual, however there was a quiet shouting that Harry could here coming out.
Harry questioned what could be making the normally calm old man, so agitated, so he decided to listen in, if only for a moment.
"I'm sorry, but as I have said, I cannot grant your request." He heard Dumbledore speak.
"And I can't accept that. I've spent years..." There was a pause. "You won't even let me speak to him! Don't I have that right?!" A man's voice, sounding equally anxious, if not angered.
"Yes, but I can't allow it. I won't get his hopes up, just to to be destroyed all over again. Now, if you insist on calling the authorities, I will be forced to give into your demands, but the decision on adopting him is up to me and it won't happen. We have been through this several times, and I would like for you to leave, sir. I am asking for the last time, and I am about to call the police. That would not be very good for you, Mr. Black."
"But..." The man seemed to give up after that.
"Do I have to have you forcibly removed?"
"No."
Harry panicked as he heard the man's chair get pushed back. Should he run? Harry knew that it had been a private conversation he had heard. But, Harry was frozen in place when the man came around the corner. He was the same guy from earlier.
The man stared at Harry for a moment and seemed to almost reach out a hand to him, before letting it fall to his side.
"No. I'll do this right." He heard the man mutter to himself, staring into Harry's eyes, before turning away from Harry and leaving.
hr
Mr. Black continued to show up about once a week. Harry always felt uneasy uneasy when the other man was around. He never spoke to anyone but Dumbledore when he showed up, who always seemed to turn him away. His eyes always seemed to drift towards Harry, they looked more curious than anything. It was obvious, that after overhearing his conversation with Dumbledore, that he was searching for someone. Harry only hoped it wasn't him.
Unfortunately for Harry, it was only a month later that Dumbledore called him into his office. It was rare for the old man to call for him, so Harry knew that something had happened.
He was right, Mr. Black was also there, causing Harry to feel more than slightly uncomfortable.
"Harry, this is someone who I think you should meet, Sirius Black. He's your godfather."
Godfather? Harry could only stare at the man, who had those same sad eyes on him. He didn't know what to think. A godfather? Was this a good thing or bad thing?
Somewhat dismayed by Harry's lack of reaction, Dumbledore continued. "I'm not sure this is best for you Harry, to live with him. But I would like for you too spend some time with him. I do not want for you to make the decision to live with him right now. Mr. Black would like to visit you here, if you will allow it. He has promised to stay away, if you don't want him around."
Mr. Black was looking at the teen, clearly anxious, and Harry could tell both he and the old man were waiting for an answer, and he came to one soon enough.
"No."