Dumbledore had been walking through the castle for the past half-hour, for once preferring to deliver his own messages instead of through portraits or Fawkes. He'd gotten a few strange looks, especially as the professors were hard at work, grading exams so they may leave for holiday in the same vein as their students. Only a few select people stayed for longer than a few days after the end of the summer term. The others returned a fortnight before the fall term to prepare before the students arrived.

Dumbledore had gone to speak to those few who stayed. Several of them did not have homes outside of Hogwarts, like Professor Trelawney. She stayed in her tower, only coming down to talk in person on the rarest occasions. He was only too happy to let her stay here year-round, a way to keep an eye on her. Others had homes outside where they took short vacations, like Severus to his home at Spinner's End in Cokeworth or Minerva McGonagall, who still had her home and Hogsmeade and also went to visit her brother, nieces, and nephews. In fact, most of the heads of house stayed at Hogwarts the summer, to choose the prefects and head-boys and head-girls for the next years, as well as discuss other important things for running the school.

Most of the other professors headed off soon after. Madam Hooch took off to go to annual quidditch league training. Professors like Sinistra, Babbling, and Vector all went for their own Holidays. The DADA professor had not lasted until the summer for almost fifty years. The summer was always the time to find a new replacement, one of the first and most important things on Dumbledore's list besides Harry.

The caretakers of the various parts of the castle, Madams Pince and Pomfrey, Mr. Filch, and Hagrid stayed for the summer. Hagrid took over the care of the magical creatures from Professor Kettleburn, allowing him to go on expeditions. Madam Pomfrey spent the time restocking and going over medical records and the special needs of students for the coming year. She also attended a few sessions at St. Mungo's to make sure she was up to date in all healing techniques.

There was also, of course, those not living, such as Professor Binns and the many other ghosts that inhabited Hogwarts. Though some of them also traveled over the summer as well. Nearly Headless Nick, for example, was heading to meet the headless hunt to apply once again. Dumbledore knew very well how that would end, but it would not be to the Gryffindor Ghosts satisfaction. The others mostly minded their own business, as Peeves continued to do what he did best to peeve Filch during the summer cleaning.

These few Dumbledore had visited were slightly wary upon the Headmaster's unusual visit. None had questioned him too much, especially the Heads of House. He met with them once a month and again at the end of each term, though he waited until exams had been graded. Everyone had been busy with their summer work, but a meeting at the end of a term was not too unusual.

As he watched the planets rotating his watch, Dumbledore walked up the stairs from Hagrid's home back to his own office. He had seen McGonagall arrive with Harry as he went down to the groundskeeper's hut. No doubt she would come to report to him and find an empty office. Still, she would be waiting long enough to be there in attendance for this meeting. Dumbledore hummed pleasantly; happy it was all going well as he had planned.

He was halfway through the castle when he stopped, turning to the walls on either side of him. They were bare of portraits, with a small mirror of rusted bronze on the left and several classroom entrances scattered around. Several of the rooms were barely used, especially as Hogwarts population had shrunk in the time he'd been teaching. Hogwarts was old, and he knew he'd never figure out all of its secrets. Yet, he'd like to think he had started to become accustomed to sensing the castles' moods and little tricks. The magic in the air tingled around him. "Ah, Harry. I see you have arrived safely at Hogwarts then?"

Harry let the cloak fall to his shoulders, peering at the Professor curiously. "How did you know I was here?"

"A feeling," Dumbledore said simply. "I believe you have settled in?"

Harry nodded, then stopped. He took off the cloak completely, leaving him in slightly oversized striped pajamas. He looked at the Headmaster nervously. "Professor Dumbledore, why exactly am I here? I thought students weren't allowed to stay at Hogwarts for the summer?"

Dumbledore sighed, seeing he would have to have this conversation earlier than expected. "That is correct."

"Then why am I here? Did something happen? Or is this about the stone, I thought it was destroyed?"

Dumbledore crossed his legs and sat on the floor. He patted the ground next to him for Harry, who stood for another moment before taking a seat beside him. He stayed quiet as his green eyes met the dim blue of the Professor's own. The Headmaster hummed again. "It was destroyed. As for something happening, well I suppose that something was a conversation I had with you."

Harry's eyes widened but he stayed silent otherwise. Dumbledore took this as an opportunity to explain, ignoring the feeling coming from the hope slowly swelling in Harry's green orbs. "It is late tonight, but I will give you the answers you deserve tomorrow. We will both get answers during your time here over the next few days. It will be temporary, just until we can figure this little puzzle out."

Harry was not-quite frowning as he studied the headmaster's face. A quick series of emotions fluttered across his face. There was another moment's silence, and Harry looked down as he spoke, trying to hide the pleading in his voice. "Then what?"

"You will return home," Dumbledore said simply, turning away as well. There was silence for another few moments. Dumbledore twisted a ring on his finger, then nodded as he stood. "Now, why don't you return to Gryffindor Tower? It shall take a little off my mind and both our shoulders if you are safe there. After all, I am sure I just added to that by giving you plenty more to think about."

"Yes, sir," Harry said in a flat tone as he pulled himself back up, still staring at the ground.

"Good. I shall see you tomorrow. We will talk more then. Good night, Harry."

"Good Night, Professor."

Harry threw his cloak back on and tried not to cry as he fled back to the tower. He knew more than anybody how little tears could help. Yet, he'd never had so much hope before entering Hogwarts. To have Dumbledore play with it and destroy it, that hurt just as much as most of the things the Dursley's had done. Hedwig cooed at him as he reached the dorm, nipping at his ear to comfort him. Harry tucked his head into her feathers allowing himself a few tears as he stroked her.

Not far away another person wasn't far from crying. McGonagall huffed another time as she was denied entrance to Dumbledore's office. She'd been waiting since she'd gotten back with Harry, only to be told the headmaster wasn't there. It had taken almost all the strength she had left not to scream. She paced a few times, swirling once more on her back foot to demand an answer of the gargoyle. "Where is he then?"

"Gone."

"I understand that," McGonagall rolled her eyes in exasperation, it was all she could do besides throwing her hands up in the air and going on an all-out rant. "Gone where? He's in the castle, yes?"

There was no answer. McGonagall resumed her pacing and started to consider drawing her wand to curse the blasted gargoyle. She could not wait another moment. This time, Dumbledore would listen and then he would tell her the truth. She would not be left in the dark a moment longer when it came to the care of her students.

Suddenly, she was distracted from her thoughts by footsteps. Turning, she had two ideas of who it could be, the damned headmaster himself, or Harry repeating the prolictivity he'd inherited from his father for wander out of bed. Instead, she was greeted by Sprout, who smiled brightly at her with a wave. McGonagall didn't respond, only continuing to glower at the door.

"Now, Minerva, what has you looking so upset? Some particularly bad exams in your pile?" Sprout said approaching her, nonetheless.

"No," McGonagall said shortly. "It's Dumbledore and that damned gargoyle. He called a meeting, at least he could be here to have it."

"It is a bit strange," agreed Flitwick cheerfully as he appeared with short and quick steps. The other two heads of house turned and looked down to listen. "He doesn't usually have us meet until after the exams have been graded. What time did he call this meeting for?"

McGonagall didn't hear the answer, deciding that if the meeting wasn't just her and Dumbledore it was all for the better. She would have the others to back her up to her advantage. Her mouth thinned into a line as she decided how to approach the subject now that there were to be others involved in the conversation. She stayed silent as the other two heads of house talked, only moving when at 11 O'clock the gargoyle suddenly swung open. She marched straight up the stairs into the headmaster's office. She was not surprised to find it empty, yet it fueled her anger.

"Really, Minerva, what has gotten into you?" asked Sprout as she appeared from the steps with Flitwick lagging behind. McGonagall was still glaring at the headmaster's empty desk chair when they entered. Both the others exchanged a quizzical look.

They stood in silence for another five minutes before they were joined by the last head of house. Snape arrived on the heels of Pomfrey, much to the surprise of the others. She looked around, seemingly just as confused. "Is the headmaster not here?"

"No," McGonagall said sarcastically. "He's been here this entire time."

Pomfrey raised an eyebrow, the look was something Minerva did so often herself she felt she may be looking in a mirror. "Very well. He better hurry up then. Severus and I were going over the stocks in the hospital wing, there's plenty that needs to be brewed and restocked over the summer."

"I feel there were more injuries this year than normal," agreed Sprout. She turned toward Pomfrey with a kind and understanding smile. "Let me know if either of you needs something from the greenhouses."

"Do you know why the headmaster called a meeting then?" Flitwick ventured with an interruption. Pomfrey looked surprised and offered a helpless look. Snape's eyes flickered, but he showed no other emotion otherwise. The short charms master turned to observe McGonagall closely as she continued her stony silence. "It's hardly the normal heads of house or staff meeting. Obviously, the reason behind it must also be why Minerva is so upset. You must know something, then."

Fawkes chirped and flapped his wings in agitation when McGonagall spun again suddenly. "Maybe. Who knows how that man's head works?" she spat.

"I can't say I understand it much myself."

All the heads in the room spun to meet Dumbledore. He glided forward to try and calm Fawkes. He smiled pleasantly at McGonagall as if nothing was wrong and walked behind his desk. "I had forgotten to fetch Hagrid. He will be here shortly, then we can start. I'm sorry to add time to your already long wait."

He was looking straight at McGonagall now. She raised her eyebrows in a challenge, only to have the headmaster's normal twinkling eyes look back in response. She was almost relieved when the small talk ended and the others in the room stopped staring at her.

SLAM!

As residents of Hogwarts for so long, they should have been used to Hagrid's entrances. Most of the time they were able to handle them with grace, though this time Madam Pomfrey, Professors Sprout, and Flitwick jumped back. Hagrid stumbled in. "Sorry, I'm late. Didn't mean to take so long settlin' the thestrals."

Dumbledore nodded acquiescingly. He waved his wand and the entrance sealed behind Hagrid. With another wave, several chairs, one larger than normal, appeared around the room. The old man took a seat and gestured for all of them to do so as well.

"So, Dumbledore, why don't you tell everyone what this meeting is about," McGonagall said refusing to sit. She stood with her arms crossed behind the chair.

Dumbledore popped a lemon drop in his mouth. "I would like to hear what everyone thinks they are here for."

"We're hardly your students anymore. Do you really need to treat us like them?"

"There's no harm in it. It could be quite fun," Flitwick said to her appealingly. He scooted a little further back on his chair, swinging his stubby legs into the air. "After all, this is hardly a normal meeting."

Dumbledore sat back with his palms facing each other like a steeple. He thrummed his fingers against the other one at a time with a small little smile. "Who would like to venture the first guess?"

"Is this about a student? Has something happened?"

"Not Potter again," Snape said snappishly. "The year is over. The boy and our students are not any of our responsibilities."

"How can you say something like that?" McGonagall yelled. She looked between him and Dumbledore. "Any student, no matter who they are, should have the care and support they need from us! Wouldn't you want to know, if, for some reason, a student died over the summer? Don't you remember what life was like in your last few years as a student? There were family members dying every day, some students didn't come back from break. Would you not want to know what was happening?"

"Minerva, enough!" Dumbledore interrupted. He stood to match her height, slightly towering over her. "I agree, that perhaps, Severus was a bit callous. Yet, there is no need to match that with anger."

"I have good reason to be angry. Would you rather I direct it at you instead?" McGonagall replied back. Sprout grabbed her arm and shook her head pleadingly. McGonagall shook her off and sat down, both arms and legs crossed so tightly it seemed she was wound up. She narrowed her eyes but stared back in silence as Dumbledore seated himself again.

"Really, what is all this about?" Pomfrey asked looking between her two colleagues.

"The stone? Besides Poppy, of course, all of us were the ones to provide the protections over it," Flitwick ventured.

Dumbledore looked at him and hummed. "I suppose one could reason that way. It is more about the aftermath of the entire ordeal."

"Then Quirrell, I suppose? There must be more questions about that man's disappearance. I can happily confirm that he was heading toward some sort of breakdown long before this."

"Yes," Dumbledore gave a nod at Madam Pomfrey's direction in agreement. He stood once more, filling the room with more nervous energy. He started to stroke Fawkes with the back of his head as a long-suffering sigh left his mouth. "It will be a good enough explanation. However, Quirrell is not the matter at hand. Professor Sprout's guess was much more accurate. We are talking about the person who was with Quirrell and caught him red-handed."

I have brought you in as the heads of house and some of the most present members of the Hogwarts staff."

The aforementioned staff exchanged glances. Dumbledore continued. "Of course, I am talking about Harry. Severus was correct, this is indeed about him."

"Harry?" Hagrid asked with wide eyes. He looked around worriedly then turned to Dumbledore pleadingly. "What about him? He didn't get hurt 'gain, did he? Not just after he got better."

Madam Pomfrey tutted. "I should have kept him in the hospital wing. The boy needs someone to take care of him."

"Must I repeat myself? He is gone for the summer. None of us need to care for him during the holidays. He is at home," Snape said with a short snort.

Dumbledore shook his head. "I'm afraid this is where you are wrong. Harry is fine, but Minerva brought Harry back from King's Cross today. He will be staying here for another week at the least."

Snape narrowed his eyes. The others in the room had much different reactions. Flitwick was clearly thinking over this new information, while Sprout was gaping. Minerva McGonagall stayed crossed in her chair. It was a stark contrast to Hagrid who was looking around wildly as if Harry was in the room with them. It was Madam Pomfrey who remained calm and spoke, "He's here for the summer then?"

"Why?" asked Sprout.

Her quiet question wasn't heard over Snape's biting remarks. "Why does the boy get this special treatment? No student has ever stayed at Hogwarts over the summer. Why allow it with him?" Snape demanded. He looked away a little, but Dumbledore had managed to catch the resentment and slightly haunted look in his eyes.

Dumbledore took another deep breath bracing himself for the outrage as he evaded answers again. "I'm afraid I can't give you much of an answer. I am still piecing together a little myself. This will not be a permanent situation. I would like to monitor him for a short time, due to some things Mr. Weasley said while Harry was in recovery."

McGonagall shot back up again, her arm shook as she pointed at the headmaster accusingly. The entire room stared at her in shock as she yelled. "You! You knew!"

"I'm afraid I don't understand," Dumbledore said calmly.

She continued glaring at him resolutely, though he didn't move at all in response except to meet her eyes. "I will not play this game with you again, Albus. Not after what I saw today. That boy deserves so much better."

Sprout laid a hand on McGonagall's arm soothingly, but the taller woman shook her off as she shook with anger. The herbology professor resorted to pleading instead. "Minerva, you must calm down. None of us have a single clue what you're talking about."

McGonagall snorted, turning in a sweep with an angry glare to the other heads of house. "Are you sure about that? Albus had admitted Mr. Weasley told him something. Something that had him send me to bring Harry back to Hogwarts. Why not ask him what he knows? I will not be leaving this room without a straight answer this time."

Flitwick shook his head looking between the headmaster and his deputy. He sounded slightly amused, but not without a tinge of concern when he spoke. "Minerva, we all know Albus isn't always the most forthcoming. As long as Mr. Potter's family has approved of his stay there shouldn't be an issue."

Instead of calming her, his words had the opposite effect. She snapped looking in a crazed frenzy between Flitwick and Dumbledore. "Family? Is that the right word for them? I suppose if it is, then they approved his stay. In fact, they were happy to have him gone for a while longer. Does a family have no protest at all when told Harry would never be returning?"

"What?" Hagrid asked looking at her worriedly, then back at Dumbledore as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Yer talking 'bout those muggles. Aren't yeh? Knew they were no good. How could someone not want Harry!"

Dumbledore held up his hand to ask for silence. He walked forward. "I'm not sure what exactly transpired between you and the Dursleys. However, I'm sure they will be very happy to have Harry back home next week."

"That place is not a home," she growled in response marching forward. "Nor are they a family. I have already called the Muggle Police on them. Even if you do plan on returning Harry, they likely will not be there to return him too. If you even try, I'll take him myself and never let you near him again."

Dumbledore's eyes had widened. He studied her trying not to frown while the others asked her what she meant. McGonagall stood silently still shaking with a fixed glare as she was pestered from questions from all sides.

"What did they do? What happened with the Muggles?"

"Harry's okay? Isn't he? He's not hurt?"

"What happened at the house with that family?"

"The police?"

She was crying now as she looked at Dumbledore, her glare turning to a beseeching look. Still, her voice stayed strong as she asked him her questions. "I warned you that night. I should have taken him then, but you said it was the safest place for him. But I need an answer this time. I will not let you get away without one. I must know if you knew any of it. Any at all. I refuse to believe you never even checked up on him."

Dumbledore sighed looking around at the bewildered staff. He looked sadly at McGonagall but shook his head. "I never did go myself. No. And I'm afraid I still don't know what you're talking about, even if I can tell you truthfully, I had reservations as well on that night ten years ago. But I had Arabella Figg watch him well. She reported that Harry is a good child, polite, smart, hardworking, and helpful. He often was seen doing chores for his family. Perhaps, Petunia never spoiled him just as much as her own son. Yet, it seemed he was safe and living a normal life, something he'd never have had in our world."

Snape scoffed. "Please."

He was ignored as McGonagall stayed fixed on Dumbledore. "No. He wouldn't have had a normal life. But he wouldn't have been living like a house-elf either!"

Hagrid looked at her fearfully squeezing his hands. "A house-elf? I knew those muggles were no good, but…" He trailed off and stopped to blow his nose.

"No good might be an understatement," McGonagall said spitefully through her tears. "I don't believe you couldn't have known. There's no way he was happy in that home Albus. He slept in a cupboard!"

"So, the boy-who-lived suffered and lived in a small room. Perhaps that is what kept his head from getting as large as his father's," Snape commented snidely.

He was fully unprepared for McGonagall to whirl on him, jabbing him repeatedly with her wand as she spoke. "You will not speak of James Potter that way. You had your issues in school, but he died a hero. He would've have done anything for his son and wife. He did! But Lily and James Potter's sacrifice doesn't matter as much to the rest of the world as the Boy-Who-Lived! Yet, he's never acted like a spoiled celebrity, believing the world revolves around him! How could he? He's never thought he matters. I doubt the thought even occurred after the way he was raised. He was kept in a literal cupboard under the stairs! Shoved in there like cleaning rags and forgotten pieces."

There were gasps and Hagrid's tears grew wilder as he pounded his fist against his knee, talking about how Harry deserved better. Sprout's eyes welled up with tears as she stared in shock. Pomfrey had a hand to her mouth but looked otherwise unsurprised. Flitwick was looking down somberly, though not until after he glanced at Snape to see the man turn away haughtily with no sign of regret. McGonagall leveled her gaze back at Dumbledore. "Now, can you tell me honestly that you had no idea how he lived all those years?"

The man himself was looking down until she spoke to him. He looked up at her with a small shake of the head. "Maybe, you are right to blame me. I was so ready to believe I was doing the right thing, that it seems I blinded myself. But even then, I had suspicions. Mr. Weasley did raise them with his comments, but I ignored them in favor of something. Another rabbit hole and useless dream to chase. I continued to believe that Petunia could forgive and forget. She loved Lily once, I thought the tragic death and situation of her son would reignite that. Then the blood wards would keep him safe. Yet I was wrong, and the wards are nothing without the feeling of home that powers them. I thought and thought, yet I did nothing. For that I am sorry."

"Sorry is not enough Albus," McGonagall answered harshly.

"Well-deserved," Dumbledore agreed somberly. He looked at the other professors. "I believe this meeting has given us much to think about. We will leave the subject for tonight. I believe we will all need the time before any attempt to recollect in the morning."

McGonagall scowled but sighed after another moment. She could feel Snape's eyes on her neck, but when she turned, he was already gone. All that was left to see was the end of his black robe slinking down the stairs like a snake. The others departed slowly. Hagrid was stumbling as he still cried and mumbled to himself, while Professor Flitwick, barely able to reach the large man's hand patted it consolingly. Pomfrey was tutting as she made her way back to the Hospital wing. Sprout had given a sad smile to McGonagall and squeezed her hand in support. The deputy exchanged one last look with the headmaster before she swept back out leaving the old headmaster alone to collapse into his chair