It was after the preteen departed that the conversation continued, "Dumbledore, Harry did point something out, whether he realized it or not. If we are trying to shift attention away from him, what are we going to do about Hogwarts?"
The woman hummed thoughtfully, but not giving an answer, much to the two Potters' dismay.
James spoke up after his wife, "He is going to Hogwarts, correct? It might be easier to keep him home but…"
"I do not believe that would be best for anyone, especially Harry." Augustina interrupted, "He is dealing with quite a lot right now, and I believe having at least some normalcy that he might be able to relate to, a normal schedule with at least faces he knows and can focus his mind on will be healthier in the long run."
Both parents nodded and the redhead chose to continue with her original concern, "But what about his age Headmistress? If we want to convince the staff and press that Harry was raised by Muggles it is going to raise suspicions when he starts breezing through his classes as if he took them years ago."
Dumbledore said nothing. For a few moments until an idea popped into her mind. "A magic trick." She suddenly answered, drawing the curiosity of the two younger individuals. "Have either of you ever been to a Muggle magic show? I was lucky enough to attend one many decades ago and it was quite the experience. You see, Muggles don't have real Magic, not like us, but instead they focus on illusion and misdirection. Perhaps that is what we should do as well."
"Headmistress?"
"If we were to have Harry show outstanding results in one subject it might just draw enough attention away from his others, especially if he makes a conscious effort to lower those results. After all, how many took interest in your Charms scores when your skill in Transfiguration was apparent James?"
The man blushed slightly but nodded in understanding. Prodigies were rare, and if Harry could show outstanding results, it might just be the trick they needed.
****
'Potter family reunites with son'
It wasn't on the front page, in fact if Grace Riddle hadn't taken to the habit of glancing through every page of the Prophet, she might have missed it. Even then she did a double, then triple take.
To give up an infant that had no signs of Magic…
It certainly wasn't an unheard-of action, certainly not among older families and those already with a child, but for the Potters to do it seemed very out-of-character. They, along with most of those closer to Dumbledore, were in the 'Progressive' spectrum of politics.
This was the type of thing she would have expected from a more 'Moderate' family, such as the Malfoy's or the Blacks. A family with two, clearly magical, daughters also having a son with no ability? The choice would have been obvious for most, discard the weak and focus on the other two.
But the Potters didn't inhabit the same circles, at least as far as she knew, as those who would have been more likely to follow that path.
Still, logic warred inside of her head. The boy had been jumpy, clearly nervous, and maybe even a bit depressed, during the one time she had met him. Dumbledore had been naturally protective, and he was clearly related to the Potters. The evidence seemed rather cut and dry.
But the Slytherin in her thought otherwise.
School hadn't started yet, and even if he had received a letter through automated means, it didn't imply anything beyond normal levels of Magical proficiency. Hardly a reason to reunite with someone who they had already exiled.
In such rare cases a boy would have been given private lessons instead of public schooling, to better prepare them for future marriage contracts in terms of etiquette and establish a higher 'value'.
In the article it even mentioned they were taking him school shopping, but why? Had they been offered a marriage contract with another family and thus found a use for him? Was he to be given to a family with a witch already attending Hogwarts? It was the only reasoning she could think of off the top of her head for them to attempt to endear themselves to the boy after so many years, and in such a public way.
Still, it seemed off, a bit too convenient as if it was just an excuse thrown together at the last minute due to extreme circumstances.
Maybe he had been the result of an affair or an elicit breeding and the facts had been concealed until the boy had reentered their lives. Hell, maybe they hadn't even known until Dumbledore had seen the letter and contacted them herself.
But why the lie then? Why not just come out with the truth? What harm would it do now?
Grace frowned, before skimming over the article once more. The boy was a riddle wrapped in a puzzle and surrounded by mystery.
"Harry these are your… sisters, Harriet and Amaryllis."
It was… weird, uncomfortable even, to be introduced to what were essentially female versions of him. Well, at least one was. Harriet had black, untamed, hair, glasses, and dark eyes. Amaryllis, who immediately rolled her eyes and interrupted with a "Call me Amy" was a redhead and looked more like a miniature Lily Potter than him.
Apparently, their father hadn't exactly followed Dumbledore's orders and had immediately told both girls of his unique situation. Which meant the awkwardness was both better and worse.
Harriet was clearly shyer and gave him a slight wave while ducking her head and staring at the ground. Amy, on the other hand, had immediately moved forward and hugged him. It wasn't a bad hug, just a weird one, and Harry didn't exactly like giving strangers he just met hugs.
"Alright let your 'brother' go and let's get going. We need to finish your school shopping and get Harry's done as well."
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