Ron walked alongside Hermione and Neville as they followed the ghost Nearly Headless Nick to Professor McGonagal’s office. Hermione was still in a frenzy and looked exhausted from them trying to find Harry all day. Her hair was a mess and she was still wringing her hands. The group had even skipped dinner as Hermione pushed them onward to keep searching.

Neville looked worried about the sudden call to McGonagall’s office, glancing at the ghost every so often. And Ron… Well, Ron wasn’t sure how he felt. He just couldn’t come up with a good explanation for what was happening. Harry's emotional reactions. Why Harry was writing so badly on his assignments? It just didn’t make sense.

The trio walked into the office and the ghost lifted itself before it phased through the ceiling. Ron stopped walking as he saw who was inside. Snape, and… Harry was inside along with McGonagall. Hermione rushed forward as she saw Harry, who flinched as she approached.

“Harry! We’ve been looking for you all day. I’m so sorry I made fun of your essay, I didn’t know. My big stupid mouth… Are you okay? Can you forgive me?”

Ron watched as Harry opened and closed his mouth. Harry looked stunned.

“You’re… You still want to be friends? After seeing how stupid I really am?”

Neville shifted to the side so he could see past Hermione. He spoke in a wavering voice. “You’re not stupid Harry. You answer everything in class right, you have a perfect memory. If you're stupid then what does that make me?”

Harry blinked. “Neville, you are intelligent though? You got better grades than me on the assignments.”

“Blimey, Harry. There’s more to smarts than tests!" Ron said, "Some dumb piece of paper that won’t matter in a few years anyway. You’re still better than all of us on the practical spells, that’s what really matters.”

Harry looked up, his posture much more open. “It does? The written tests don’t matter? Only the practical tests?”

McGonagall cleared her throat, and everyone but Harry and Snape jumped.

“Now, do you see Harry?” She said, “Your friends don’t seem to care all that much. They were worried about you.”

Harry glanced between all of them. Something wet glimmered at the corners of his eyes.

“Really? None of you hate me and going to tell everyone how much of an idiot I am?”

Ron scratched his head. Sometimes he couldn’t understand Harry’s thoughts at all. Why in the world would they hate him just because he did badly on some homework?

“Nah, mate. I’m not sure why you thought that, I’m not some snake that would stab you in the back like that.”

Snape cleared his throat and Ron jumped.

Bloody hell, I forgot he was here!

“Watch your words, Weasley. But regardless, we are here to provide some clarity on Harry’s situation. You see, it is likely Harry here has been cursed to impair his reading and writing. Something known as a Commutare Linguam curse. We are not sure yet, but it fits his symptoms. It was likely applied years ago while he was in the muggle world.”

Hermione gasped and looked over Harry as if she would find some massive curse symbol somewhere on his body. Neville stood frozen and Ron’s thoughts were racing. He had overheard all sorts of nasty curses that his dad had to deal with from the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office at the Ministry. Door knobs that would make your fingers fall off. Newspapers that could never be put down. Shoes that would force people to walk in circles forever. Some wizards got sick pleasure from enchanting such things and just leaving them around where a muggle would find them. Had something similar happened to Harry? Wait, years?

“Harry, you haven’t been able to read or write properly at all for years?” Ron blurted out.

Harry nodded. He seemed much calmer now as his eyes continued to dart around and scan the trio’s faces.

“My whole life. It took all my effort to even manage to pass any of my classes.” Harry said.

“Blimey… That must be horrible.”

Harry rubbed the back of his head. “I suppose. I didn’t know it was a curse, I thought it was just the way I was.”

Hermione was standing in place, seeming frozen by the revelation. “You couldn’t… read properly? How did you read the textbooks before school?”

Harry turned to her, his face growing calmer by the second. Ron felt oddly relieved as Harry’s emotions seemed to slide off of him. It was so bizarre to see Harry acting so emotional before.

“I spent almost the entire two weeks before school reading nonstop. I only finished about three chapters for every class except History of Magic where I read further. I haven’t had time to read more while I was doing all the homework assignments in school,” Harry said.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“I love reading. That curse is revolting…” Hermione muttered.

A moment’s silence from all of them. McGonagall broke the silence. “Well, Professor Snape and I will discuss it with the headmaster. I expect Harry will be sent to St. Mungo’s tomorrow for treatment.”

Snape sent her a sharp look that she ignored as Ron watched. Ron frowned. Why would Snape not want Harry to go to St. Mungo’s? They were the best wizarding hospital, if they couldn’t solve the curse then it was likely nobody could.

McGonagall continued. “I’m sure it has been a very stressful day for all of you. But it is getting near curfew soon. Best for all of you to run to bed for now, Harry will have a big day tomorrow.”

A chorus of, “Yes Professor.” came in response from the students. Harry stood and joined them as they all walked out, leaving the professor’s behind.

Harry still looked faintly worried, so Ron nudged him as they walked. Harry turned. “Yes, Ron?”

“Don’t worry so much, mate. St. Mungo’s the best. Best wizarding doctors in the country.” Ron said.

Neville piped up. “Ye- Yes. Don’t worry Harry. They deal with way worse stuff every day. I’m sure they’ll fix you up in no time.”

Harry turned his head to Neville and his face grew blanker. “Thanks, Neville. Ron... Hermione. I appreciate it, I’m sorry I ran away earlier.” Harry said.

Hermione shook her head. “No, I’m sorry Harry. I was being really mean, even if I thought the essay was from someone I didn’t know. I’m just glad you can get that curse fixed.”

Harry kept walking and Ron thought he saw the corner of his lip twitch. The same thing as a wide grin coming from Harry usually. “I’m glad too. I really am. Thanks for still being my friends, guys.” Harry said.

Then they went to bed. Ron had difficulty going to bed after what had happened. Not Harry though, he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. But eventually, Ron’s eyes closed too and he slowly drifted off to sleep.

— — —

Minerva McGonagall was furious. She strode forward and the straggling students making their way to bed that saw her rushed to get out of her way. Severus trailed behind her, looking both smug and worried at the same time somehow. Severus should not have been the one to tell her all this. It should have been Albus. She reached the gargoyle.

“Here to see the Headmaster,” she barked out. She impatiently tapped her foot as she waited with Severus. The second the gargoyle opened the stairway she rushed up it. She entered the headmaster’s office, Severus not far behind.

Albus looked up from his desk. “Minerva? Severus? What is this?”

“Harry Potter. That’s what this is. Severus told me about his curse, and how the boy has been living in fear of being discovered for his disability ever since he arrived here. Apparently, he thought you would be doing something to help him.” Minerva said.

Dumbledore’s eyebrows furrowed and he glanced at Severus.

Severus shrugged. “I thought she deserved to know. Especially given today’s revelation of a possible second curse.”

Minerva snapped. “Albus, what possible justification could you have to not send the boy to be treated? You should have seen him. He almost cried when his friends didn’t reject him after finding out what he’s been suffering through.”

Albus looked caught off guard. “Minerva, it was only until after the Board of Governors. If he is expelled then all of this will be nothing…”

“No, Albus don’t give me that. We both know the boy being cursed will only make him more sympathetic to the members of the board. What is the real reason?”

Albus seemed to struggle for words. “We can’t afford anything to go wrong, Minerva. If the boy is expelled then there will be little I can do to protect him from the former death eaters that will attack him. Who knows what the staff at St. Mungo's will find or how long it will take once he begins treatment? Lucius Malfoy must not be given time to solidify his influence and sway the votes.”

Minerva scoffed and turned away. She felt the respect for the man she had followed for years drop. She would never thought he would do something like this. It had already been two weeks since Draco’s wand had been snapped, and whatever Lucius Malfoy wanted to do to influence the governors was already done. And while the stakes were high, that was no excuse to just stand by and do nothing. Albus was playing his own game that had nothing to do with Harry.

“Albus, Harry Potter will start treatment at St. Mungo’s tomorrow morning. Do you understand?”

Albus opened and closed his mouth, before slumping. He let out a sigh, “I understand, Minerva. I will make the arrangements.”

“Then a good night to you, Albus. I will see you in the morning, with Harry in tow.” Minerva said before she turned and swept out of the room in a huff.

— — —

“I appreciate the support, Severus,” Dumbledore grumbled as Severus remained behind. Severus sniffed. “In case you couldn’t tell, I agree with her. Good night, Headmaster.”

With a flick of his black cloak, Severus left as well. Dumbledore was left alone again, his old paperwork forgotten. He had a lot to do. Getting Harry admitted to St. Mungo’s would only take moments. But placing the right people and making sure they were the ones assigned to Harry… That would be far more difficult. Especially given that most of the people he trusted had already left work at the hospital at this late hour.

Dumbledore sighed as he took out a blank single use parchment. Once unsealed from its envelope it would burst into flames after a minute or two. Just enough time for the recipient to read it before the evidence was destroyed. He started to write.

Dumbledore had thought to work subtly so as to not tip off the dark faction to his moves. But the timetable was too tight, so Dumbledore would have to be more overt and take more risks. No unauthorized staff could be allowed access to Harry during the boy’s treatment, especially during the initial questioning. Even if Dumbledore had to call in significant favors to do so. And the boy's second 'curse' must be covered up. If it was an indicator of the boy's magical potential then the rest of the world must not learn of it until Harry Potter was strong enough to stand on his own.

No matter what, Harry couldn’t be allowed to leave the Dursleys. His staying there was the only way he could remain truly safe over the summer. Harry’s stay with the Dursleys activated an immensely powerful defensive blood ward, keeping all the old followers of Voldemort away from the boy. Or anyone with hostile intent from finding Harry or his relatives. Even if Harry stayed at Hogwarts, then he wouldn't be nearly as safe as he was under that blood ward.

But the blood ward only would work if Harry and his remaining blood relatives stayed together in a place they all considered their collective home. The Dursley's were Harry's only living relatives, the only people for which the ward would successfully activate. Harry had to stay there at Privet Drive, no matter what. There, safe with his relatives. No matter how uncomfortable it might be for the boy to do so.