AN: I do not own Harry Potter or the Wizarding World Universe.

Chapter 9

The large stone gargoyle on the third floor jumped aside when she gave the correct password. Pomona stepped onto the stone stairs and felt the staircase move upward. She mentally rehearsed the meeting, which would likely not go well. She and the Headmaster disagreed on several subjects, but for the most part, they had a cordial relationship. The bullying within the school was always a sore spot for her.

This problem would strain their relationship, likely because she'd asked two other Heads of House to join the meeting. First, the time for secrecy was done. If he hadn't already told Albus, Filius needed to explain what he'd found when he visited Potter's family. Severus needed to be there because he had the most experience with what she feared. Not from any personal experience that she knew of, but because of his charges. The old Pure-blood families would use torture, both mental and physical, to get the results they wanted.

The rather unimpressive spiral staircase stopped on a landing with Godric's door at the far end. Two wall sconces blazed to life as she stepped off the stairs. With a deep breath, she knocked on the heavy oak door.

"Enter."

She opened the door and quickly glanced around the spacious circular room. Always well-lit, the Headmaster seemed ready for a visit from anyone at a moment's notice. Many sleeping portraits of previous Hogwarts Headmasters and Headmistresses circled the walls, all focused toward the sole occupant of the large claw-foot desk.

Albus' smile looked genuine, but appearances could be deceiving. Actions always spoke louder than any words or hollow gestures. Her eyes flicked to the Sorting Hat on a shelf by the Headmaster's familiar, a phoenix.

"Good evening, Headmaster," she said formally.

The old wizard's smile slipped for an instant. "Please, have a seat," he said with a glance at the three seats in front of his desk.

She knew the Headmaster must already know that she asked the other two to come for her meeting. They were identical high-backed padded chairs, but she took the middle one.

Filius arrived next, and thankfully, before the silence stretched on for too long. He'd been off all term. There was also a stiffness in her friend around the Headmaster. Less than a minute later, Severus arrived. He stood in the doorway for a moment. She didn't need to turn around to know he surveyed the office before taking a seat to her right.

"I see we've all arrived. Pomona, I believe this is your meeting," Albus said with a smile.

She supposed it was her meeting, but she did it here out of respect for the Headmaster. What she would discuss did not need to happen during a Staff Meeting. "Thank you," she said first to the Headmaster and then her colleagues. "I did not feel this should be discussed in front of all," she said as she looked back to Albus.

"I asked you all here because first, I feel I need to be made aware of a rather delicate situation. Filius, I asked you here because you have intimate knowledge of the events I need information on," she said as she turned to her left. Severus made a noise. He likely guessed this was about Harry Potter. He hated the boy's father, and that hatred passed on to James' son. Physically assaulting him, no matter the reason, was evident enough of that.

She turned to him and looked him in the eyes. "And, I need your expertise in navigating this situation because it is far worse than I anticipated."

The Potion Master's eyes widened some as he glanced at Albus.

She turned to the Headmaster. "I also need… no… I don't need clarity; I need a reason why you allowed this to happen," she said. The accusation hung in the air.

"This is about Mr. Potter, correct?"

"That is correct," she said. She took a deep breath and looked at Filius. "You were the one that did the Muggle-born introduction. You were the one that, if I'm not mistaken, offered or informed Potter about the unique way you teach your N.E.W.T. students to study. He's taken it to heart, and now I have a few first-years who will likely have an excellent foundation if they keep it up. For that unexpected boon, thank you. However… you do not share that lightly. May I ask what made you decide to take Mr. Potter under your wing, even if briefly?"

Filius shifted on his chair. "I would like to be clear," he said squeakily. He cleared his throat. "I did not show favoritism to Potter. While I greatly enjoyed teaching Lily Evans, Mr. Potter is not Evans, just as he isn't James," he finished after a moment. No one needed to look at Severus to know who that last bit was directed at.

Filius went quiet for a moment.

"Yet, he uses your study technique and refuses to tell anyone where he got it from. He also does not take any credit for it. However, those who work closely with you have noticed and wondered. There is also the apology you claim he gave you during the first class. I am not here to recriminate but to understand… because Filius, you warned me to consider each step, but even… well. I'll get there."

"It might be good to explain why you feel so strongly about this," Albus said.

She looked at him. "I had hoped not to bring it up until Filius could speak. However, if you feel that best." She hoped it would be clear that when she spoke, the entire nature of this meeting would change.

"Minerva initially had Potter's introduction letter. The boy touched the letter but did not open it, nor did the magic recognize the connection required by the Quill of Admittance," her friend revealed. Filius looked at the desk. "Albus, you were dealing with the werewolf problem with the Minister. It was an anomaly that should not have happened if he were with a wizarding family. She already had a full list, so as Deputy Headmistress, she gave me the charge to investigate. I think she was a little put out that she couldn't go herself for obvious reasons."

Pomona understood. Minerva taught his parents and likely wanted to teach him as well. Filius' influence, even for one day, may have changed Harry's perception of Hogwarts and, thus, the Sorting Hat. He'd admitted to asking Potter to be in his House. It wasn't precisely taboo, but it wasn't common.

"The boy's uncle greeted me at the door and knew I wasn't just a little person. Unlike many of our kind, I pride myself in my ability to dress as a Muggle. He slammed the door in my face. Undaunted, I went around to where I knew the letter's magic left a mark," he continued before trailing off. He looked at each of them.

"Mr. Potter lived in what I understand to be a boot room or mudroom, depending on your definition. A twelve or fourteen-foot space, with a bench to sit and put on your shoes near the right side of the room. Against the right wall was a bench and storage space with a sleeping bag and pallet roll on the wood surface. I greeted young Potter, and then… the smell of sewage assaulted my nose. The door to this boot room was locked from the outside. The inner door was also locked from the inside of the house, and he used a large pot, likely one used for cooking at one time, for a toilet."

Pomona blinked at Filius. They kept Potter locked in a… She looked at Albus. He was the boy's Magical guardian after Black kidnapped him. The Headmaster seemed aware of the situation. Severus was not from the noise he made.

"I had words with his… guardians," Filius continued after a moment. "That was after I gave Potter the option to come with me. Thankfully, it seems he does not remember the kidnapping, or likely he would have turned me down. During the course of his introduction and even initial greeting, Mr. Potter did not speak. Pomona, I spoke about this with you. He likely saw it as the only thing he had any control over for years.

During the trip to and from Diagon Alley, Mr. Potter was, of course, curious. His eyes never stayed in one spot, and it was clear several times that he wanted to ask questions. Something… or someone held him back. He followed me around, a complete stranger, without a single noise of protest. As you are all likely aware, I take haggling seriously," he said with a smile that might have been a grimace.

She understood. It would be in his half-goblin nature to get the best deal.

"Potter showed… true interest once we entered Flourish and Blotts. It was there that I told him how I studied. Admittedly, it was a hasty decision. Under my direction, Mr. Potter purchased about nine hundred Galleons worth of material."

Pomona choked; she wasn't the only one. Even Severus made a noise.

"The boy will never need to work, should he wish not to. Also, there was a special on books. The true value was closer to double that, at least."

Filius went quiet for a moment.

"As we ate a late lunch, I told him he would be a good fit for Ravenclaw." He held up a small hand, but no one said anything. "Again, I do not normally do that. However, I stand by what I said. His thirst for knowledge is there. The Sorting Hat seems to disagree with me. As Pomona revealed, he apologized on the first day of class and seemed genuinely remorseful that he let me down. I told him then, and still feel the same, that the boy is in the correct House."

Pomona took a deep breath. "Thank you… it helps explain some things… but not everything."

"There was a misunderstanding during the first week between yourself and Potter," she said to Severus. A flat expression appeared on the Potion Master's face. "We discussed it before, and I'm not here to bring it up. Only to reference it because of the next thing I'm about to reveal."

She took a deep breath and looked at all of them.

"The events of the troll attack are still being investigated. However, I spoke with Potter the day after. In my… enthusiasm to show my support, I hugged him." She paused, not for dramatic effect, but because of the way he'd acted. "Potter went catatonic. He stood there and did not move. I thought it was something I did, but he was stiff as a board. I gently guided him to a chair and got him to sit down. After several minutes, he came back to himself and did not seem to notice how long he'd been like that."

Filius shifted on his chair, and Albus looked uncomfortable. At least he knew who she held responsible for Potter's wellbeing. Severus was a blank slate. Nothing showed on his face or the way he was sitting to give her an indication of what he thought.

"What… is further troubling is that he believed that he'd hurt me in some way. I must admit to have teared up at seeing that." She looked the Headmaster in the eyes. "It is clear Potter did not have a good upbringing. Likely, he has never been hugged since his parent's death. It is also very likely that he was beaten by the Muggles you chose for him."

She took a deep breath, trying to rein in her anger. "I am here, and asked both of you here, to understand and potentially offer ideas on how to move forward with this situation. Severus, some of the more… radical parents have done similar things to their children," she said as she turned to him.

Severus' posture was about as rigid as Potters had been. He seemed to consider her words. "As you know… every student is different, and the methods used by wizards are different than that of Muggles," he said carefully.

She wanted to argue that abuse was abuse but kept quiet.

"They are Muggles… and have no defense to Memory Charms," he continued. "As to his continued stay within Hogwarts, he seems to be adjusting well. Your House is likely his best option, and the Sorting Hat knew that."

She nodded. "Thank you for your kind words. If you have any other potential recommendations, I would be more than happy to hear them. He seems to stick to the rules rigidly… likely in fear of being expelled and returning," she added as if any of them needed proof Harry Potter did not share his father's pension for mischief. She looked at Albus. He looked as if he were contemplating something.

"How has it come to this?" she asked.

The Headmaster's head bowed slightly. "The night of Mr. Potter's attack and destruction of everything he had, I had to make a decision. His supporters were still on the loose, and the Longbottom attack is just one example of what might have happened. I trusted old magic to protect him. For two weeks, it did. Then, Black arrived and kidnapped him… that shouldn't have been possible, but Black did several inexplicable things in his life. Like turning traitor."

Severus muttered something so low that she couldn't hear.

"When Black was cornered, he fought when it was clear there was no escape. I couldn't trust the same protections for Potter again. With some help, his aunt and uncle were moved, and protections placed around a more secure home. I added a few of my own enchantments to ensure his safety. I also had a few that I trusted to his protection. Memory Charms were used to make this move as quickly as possible. Black had already circumvented the last protection and might have told his allies. An informant was placed nearby to watch over Potter's upbringing, but they didn't have as much access as we hoped."

Pomona frowned. "No one checked up on him outside this informant for years?" she demanded.

"His aunt and uncle did not like our kind. It took considerable effort on our part and eventually even a Memory Charm for them to take him back in," Albus revealed.

She heard both Filius and Severus shift in their chairs. This was beyond what she'd expected. Harry Potter was Albus' responsibility in the Magical World.

"This fell to you to correct. You were to keep him safe," she challenged.

"No… as much as I would like to take all the blame, that falls to Sirius Black. He had baby Harry for three weeks before an… old friend led him into a trap of my making. Black fully adopted Potter. My guardianship and what I was allowed to do was severely limited. We didn't know about it until after his death."

"Potter-Black," Filius revealed. "Gringotts has officially recognized Potter as heir to both lines."

Pomona wasn't ignorant of the power struggles. "That explains young Malfoy's attempts to goad Potter. With him out of the way, he inherits the Black name," she said aloud without looking at Severus.

"No, that will not happen. Arcturus Black, as Head of Black Household, had Narcissa stripped of the Black name. Another prank of his," the Potion Master sneered.

She wasn't sure how that was possible, but she nodded. She looked at Albus. "So, he has no guardian, then?"

"The guardianship falls to Remus Lupin… who is… not capable of performing the duties."

Merlin preserve her from stupidity. The lot of them. "Then am I to understand… there is nothing to be done about his life outside of Hogwarts? Albus, you are Supreme Mugwump and the head of the Wizengamot."

"What do you suggest I do? I have considered many possibilities, even finding a new family who would jump at the chance of adopting Potter. There is the slight legal and line issue of both Potter and Black ties, so they would only take guardianship, however… I know of many families who would happily take in The Boy-Who-Lived. There also lies another problem. He would need to accept it as well and enter into a contract. To do so, I would need to first find and then charge Remus Lupin as an unfit guardian. In doing so, it will publicly reveal the nature of what Mr. Potter has endured. If how he's acted is any indication, then there is a very real possibility that much worse was done."

Pomona looked from the Headmaster to her colleagues. They both had frowns and didn't seem to want to add anything.

"We do nothing then?" she asked, just trying to understand where the Headmaster's logic was. To do nothing was just short of criminal.

"Arrangements will be made for the summers until he is of age. Augusta Longbottom is one that I both trust and know will have Potters well being in mind."

Severus made a choking noise. Filius muttered something. Her own thoughts ran along the same lines. Neville Longbottom, while a bright boy, was timid and unsure of himself, likely from his grandmother's upbringing. His parents had been Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, but somehow, Longbottom ended up in Gryffindor.

"She can have a strong personality," Albus admitted.

"And that will be a good fit for Potter?" she challenged.

"I simply do not know."

Pomona nodded. There was a lot the Headmaster didn't know or didn't want to do. Potter was a Hufflepuff, and she would take care of it now that she knew Albus would take a hands-off approach.

"I see. Thank you all for your time," she said with a firm nod to all three of them.

Thankfully, after a few more pleasantries, she was allowed to leave.

Potter was not the first, nor would he be the last with a troubled past or come from a problematic family.