Chapter 45:
Turning to look at the other two occupants of the room, Harry smiled lightly. "I am very grateful for your concern professor, Madam Pomfrey, but you shouldn't worry. I will be fine this summer, I've been making alternate arrangements," Harry said.
Severus picked up on the vagueness of the answer and narrowed his eyes. It wouldn't be unexpected for an abused child to lie. "What arrangements, exactly?" he asked.
Harry tried not to scowl at the man's insistence. "I would rather not say. It has come to my attention that it was Professor Dumbledore who placed me with my relatives and I would hate for him to be aware of my plans," Harry said.
"I see," Severus replied. He was impressed the boy had discovered that much, but his answer also worried him. Why did Potter not trust Dumbledore?
"You will be safe, dear?" Pomfrey asked.
"Yes, ma'am," Harry replied.
"I don't like this, but I've known Albus for years. He never listens to me when I tell him about children I fear come from bad homes. It's the reason I go to the head of houses now," she said, sighing. Harry was shocked by this and wondered how Dumbledore maintained his great image if his staff knew he ignored abuse.
Severus looked at Filius and saw that the man's eyes were hard. "You are aware of Mr. Potter's plans?" he asked.
"I'm aware of some of them," Flitwick replied.
"You trust he will be alright?" Severus asked. He respected Filius as the man would always go out of his way for his students.
Filius looked at the boy sitting in front of him and considered all he knew about Harry Potter. He was a mystery; he had friends within the goblin race and his abilities were beyond that of his age. He also knew a lot about this world for somebody who had apparently just entered it. However, he trusted the boy. He had seen him spend hours teaching wand movements to his fellow first years, watched as he united the houses.