Disclaimer: All characters and places are the property of JK Rowling only excluding the name Karenov. etc
Red Heart, Blue Soul
Uprooted
"We have to take him back, James."
The chair creaked at the heavy sigh that followed.
"I know I just- I dont think I can face him. We can face him. We sent him away, for Merlins sake! I'm guessing he's not going to be hugely happy about being introduced to us after all these years!"
"It's for the best," Dumbledore continued gently, "He'll be safer under the eye of the Order."
"Will he?" James Potter asked weakly, "We're in the middle of a war."
"A war that, no matter where he is living, will eventually find him. Voldemort knows - has always known, that Will's brother survived too. It is only a matter of time now before he decides to use this against us."
"But what if he's-" James couldnt ask the question that had been plaguing he and his wife for the last few months.
"From what I have heard, he is not of a darkened inclination," Dumbledore replied, sitting back contemplatively, "Although his record is by no means clean either. You know of Durmstrangs reputation."
"And seeing the happy family life that we dismissed him from wont send him into a vengeful state of mind?" James asked bitterly.
Dumbledore smiled sadly at the younger man at the other side of his desk playing fitfully with the sherbet lemon in his hands.
"You did what was for the best. For all of us. His magic was unreliable, unsafe for all of us. You had to protect Will."
"He seems to have managed fine all the same." James muttered.
"That is because he was under the care of Lord Karenov - one of the finest wizards in Europe, if not the world. Do not beat yourself up about this, James. I know it is hard, but what has been done, is done, and whether or not the child chooses to make this easy for us we must have him back in Britain."
"How are you going to get him to come? I cant imagine he's going to come easily."
At these words Dumbledore shifted uncomfortably and allowed himself to look a little guilty.
"I'm afraid I used some slightly underhanded tactics to ensure he will come, but it was regrettably necessary due to the fact that, as you say, he probably wouldnt choose to come back voluntarily."
There was a heavy pause before James finally asked,
"He's not going to make it easy for us, is he?"
Dumbledore smiled a small smile.
"I fear he is not."
"Expelled! Expelled?! Didnt they read my results?"
Lord Karenov removed his glasses with a sigh and set them down on his dark-wood desk and waited for the tall doors of his study to burst open.
"How dare they? On what grounds do they think they can expel me? I'm their finest student! I've had essays published for Gods sake! Who do they think they are?!"
"Are you quite finished?" He asked, his deep voice calming the golden falcon that paced back and forth uneasily on its perch in the corner.
The seething young man before him was not as easily calmed, and continued to pace, waving the offending piece of parchment in front of him as if he were sending some intricate signal. He eventually ran a hand through his thick black hair and composed himself enough to bring his brilliant green eyes upwards to meet those of his father.
"What on earth is going on? Im guessing Karkaroff has finally lost it?" He asked, biting back the snarl at his ex-Headmasters name.
"Let me see the letter."
The glasses were momentarily retrieved from the desk as the parchment was read through.
"Ah."
"Ah? What is 'ah'? Do you understand any of this? I mean 'inappropriate behaviour'? 'Jeopardised integrity'? Since when has that school had any integrity?"
"These hysterics are most unbecoming, Harry. Sit down." Karenov ordered with a frown.
There was a pause during Harry considered disobeying, but Karenovs glare put an end to his uncertainty, and he sat down with an impatient sigh.
"I was wondering how and when this would happen, and I'm most unimpressed with the manner in which Dumbledore has decided to perform. This could have been done a lot tidier, and we could have avoided any unnecessary theatrics."
It was Harry's turn to glare as Karenov looked at him pointedly.
"What," Harry snapped, "Are you talking about?"
"It would seem, Harry, that Headmaster Dumbledore wishes for you to join him at his school in the United Kingdom. In order to smooth the way for himself, I imagine that he has blackmailed or scared your dear Karkaroff into ejecting you from your current education in order to offer you little choice in the matter."
There was a pause.
"What?!" Harry yelled, back on his feet in an instant, "How dare he even try to force me back to that country! They decided they didnt want me! I'm not going back now!"
"Harry, sit down." Karenov snapped impatiently.
"I only have two years left of schooling! Im top of the year! How can they-"
"Sit. Down."
Harry's eyes flicked back to those of the larger man, who was now standing. He recognised that tone and knew not to question it - he didn't have the time for injuries just now. He closed his mouth and sat down slowly, still huffing at the unfairness of it all.
"Dumbledore is a powerful man - it would do you well to remember that." Karenov said calmly, sitting back down also, "And I'm afraid it is out of my hands."
Harry opened his mouth in outrage but was silenced by Karenov's glare.
"I always guessed there would come a time when you would be recalled, but I'm unsure of the reasoning behind his timing. I'm assuming he wants you somewhere he can see you. For your own safety, of course."
"Of course." Harry replied, picking up on Karenovs sarcastic tone, "Does he expect me to join sides with their Dark Lord?"
"I do not know what he expects," Karenov replied quietly, "But if he has read your school record it does not take much of an imaginative leap to cause him to worry."
Harry rolled his eyes.
"It was all for educational purposes."
"As I have heard a hundred times. You have to understand though, that because of the war even the slightest hint of dark magic will be frowned upon over there. The views of Eastern Europe are very different to those of the west. I daresay they are rather more... stuffy."
"Well that's all fine and well, but it doesnt matter a jot to me what they do over there, as I'm not going." Harry said, folding his arms.
"You are going."
"Dumbledore can't force me."
"But I can."
Harrys resolve broke slightly at this, and he unfolded his arms without realising.
"What- What do you mean?" He asked, taken aback, "You want rid of me?"
Karenov sighed and stood once more,
"I do not want rid of you, but I'm not going to win this fight no matter how hard I try. I believe it is necessary for you to return to Britain."
"Necessary? For what? For who?" Harry questioned in confusion.
"For many people."
Harry shook his head at this response and threw back his chair in anger.
"If it's not going to be of any advantage to me then I refuse to go. This is my home! I have friends here! You'll have to force me!"
Karenov's eyes flashed dangerously, his patience running out rapidly.
"That can be done."
Harry gritted his teeth, knowing that he was in dangerous waters but determined to have his say.
"You're supposed to be my guardian." He ground out angrily, "You're supposed to- to protect me!"
"As I have done. I have educated, disciplined and groomed you to the best of my abilities, and now I feel that it is in your best interests to go back."
Harry blinked back tears of annoyance and anger that he could feel building behind his eyes.
"So you do want rid of me." He replied weakly.
If their Dark Lord comes looking for you, I cannot fight an army. I cannot protect you. Dumbledore can.
Harry let his head fall slightly in defeat.
"And what if it's Dumbledore I need protection from?"
Karenov smiled grimly.
"I have taught you to handle yourself well enough, but I doubt he wishes to do you any harm. You just need to keep your emotions under control."
"But what if I cant?" Harry asked, suddenly panicked, "You wont be there to keep me under control? What if something happens that I regret?"
Karenov moved forward and gripped Harry's shoulder tightly in reassurance.
"You are good at controlling yourself now. The biggest threat you pose is to yourself and I doubt very much that any disruption you cause over there will cause you to be regretful."
Harry looked up at Karenov's face, not wishing to appear weaker than he already did but desperately searching for the reassurance that he wasn't being discarded from his family as he had been once before. Karenov had never been a hugely affectionate man, but Harry was sure that somewhere, deep down, the man did care about him. The combination of these thoughts being both true and untrue made him feel suddenly sick.
"What about all my studies?" He eventually managed to ask.
"I'm sure the majority of them can be continued at Hogwarts." Karenov replied smoothly, frowning at the sudden paleness of his wards face.
At the same time as Harry wrenched himself out of Karenov's grip and made a dive for the sink in the adjoining bathroom, the grand fireplace flared into life, indicating that someone was trying to contact him via the floo network. He sighed after Harry in the bathroom and went to answer the call, already guessing who was calling.
"Alexis, my friend! How long it has been. How are you?"
"I have been better, Albus," Karenov replied dryly, "Could we not have done this another way? Was the expulsion entirely necessary?"
The older wizard back at him through the flames solemnly, eyes twinkling madly, "I'm sure I have no idea what youre talking about, Alexis."
Karenov sighed and sat back in an armchair next to the fire, grimacing slightly as he heard Harry being sick next door.
"The boy is of a delicate disposition. You should keep that in mind next time you decide to do something outrageous."
"Is that worry, my friend? I seem to remember several years ago that you told me adamantly you wouldnt allow yourself to become attached to the boy?"
Karenov scowled at Dumbledore as he kept that completely innocent look on his face.
"I obviously care about what is mine. I've worked hard on Harry and as such would hate to see him damaged in any way."
This was partly true. In order to quell the boys less desirable traits, and indeed dangerous magical outbursts he had had to instil some rather strict discipline, yet over time he had become attached more than he would like to admit. He did care about Harry although he had decided long ago that it was for the best to keep these feelings hidden from the boy. For his own good, of course.
"As is natural." Dumbledore replied quietly.
Karenov could see that the headmaster was slightly disappointed in this answer and sat forward, deciding that if he was going to get anywhere tonight he would have to play along with Dumbledore's antics.
"What is it I can do for you, Albus?"
"Ah, I'm glad you asked. You see, I've received news that dear Harry is in need of a new educational establishment for the upcoming year, and I would like to offer him a place at Hogwarts."
"News travels fast," Karenov replied thickly, "I assume we have little choice in the matter."
"By all means take some time to consider, Alexis, but I really feel that under the current circumstances it would be the safest place for him."
At these words Karenov looked the headmaster straight in the eye and could see that the man was being completely sincere. He sighed. Believing what he said was true and the words actually being true were still two different things completely.
With a glance at the closed bathroom door Karenov turned a weary gaze to the headmaster once more.
"What would you suggest is to be done, Albus?"
A/N: Et voila! Hope you enjoyed. Pretty much an introductory Chapter it all kicks off in the next one! x x x