The Trusted Hero
Disclaimer: I obviously don't own the idea of Harry Potter or any of the money making forms of it.
Summary: This is a what-if spin-off from the fanfic 'The Hidden Hero' by Evebb, answering the question: What would have happened if Dumbledore had believed and supported Mark (a.k.a. Harry) at the end of chapter 19? Mentor!Sensible!Dumbledore Enabled!Light!Harry
IMPORTANT NOTE: It would be best if you have read the first 19 chapters of 'The Hidden Hero' or this will not make any sense to you because I start this story in the middle of a scene in chapter 19. At the end of this part I will have a quick sum up of 'The Hidden Hero' up to that point (spoilers) but, again, it would really be best if you have read Evebb's work at least up to Ch 19.
A/N 1: Some snippets of scenes will be used from 'The Hidden Hero', but due to the cascading consequences of Dumbledore's choice, things will soon diverge from Evebb's plot.
A/N 2: I will do my best to post a new part every week.
Special thanks to my soundboards: Chereche (also beta), LadyKnightofCelestia, and BlackRosedAlice
And a specialspecial thanks to Evebb who gave me permission to do this :)
Chapter 1: The Choice
Harry's eyes fell on the dead body lying on the floor. He felt as if he had been punched in the stomach. Slowly, he approached the body. Was this a trick? Was Moody pretending to be dead? If not, who had killed him?
Just then, the door of the office burst open. Instinctively, Harry raised his wand and prepared to battle whoever was there.
"Expelliarmus!" shouted Dumbledore. Harry's wand flew out of his hand and the headmaster caught it. Professors Snape and McGonagall were on either side of the headmaster. The Minister followed on their heels.
Everyone looked around, taking in the scene at a glance. Professor Moody lay dead on the floor and Mark Twist was standing over the body. Shocked eyes stared at the boy.
Realizing what they were thinking, Harry shook his head vehemently. "No!" he said. "I didn't kill him! He tried to kill me! I don't know why! He said he had put my name in the Cup and that he would kill me for Voldemort." Harry hesitated. Then, remembering, said, "No. That's not right. He said that he'd do something else that Voldemort would like more. He said I'd be blamed for Cedric's death and I'd go to Azkaban." There was a beat of silence. "I didn't kill Cedric!" Harry's voice rose shrilly. He could hear himself start to sound hysterical.
Dumbledore obviously thought so because, although his eyes were hard and cold, he spoke quietly, trying to calm the boy. "So, you killed Professor Moody because you thought he was trying to kill you?"
"No!" yelled Harry. "I didn't kill him. He stunned me and, when I woke up, he was dead. I don't know how or who killed him. I didn't kill him! I swear! This must be some plot of Voldemort's."
The Minister flinched at the sound of Voldemort's name and spoke up. "There is no plot by You Know Who. You killed Diggory and then Moody. It's obvious: you wanted to win the Triwizard Cup and you killed Diggory when he got there before you. Then, Moody must have found out the truth somehow. Maybe he finally figured out how you were able to trick the Triwizard Cup into naming you champion. You killed him to protect your secret."
"That's not true! I saw Voldemort reborn, I tell you. Voldemort killed Cedric! I wouldn't have hurt Cedric, I swear. I wouldn't hurt anyone! Please. You've got to believe me." Harry looked from one adult to the next, desperately seeking some friendly face.
Fudge clearly didn't believe a word Harry said. It was difficult to tell with Professor Snape, who regarded Harry with narrowed, considering eyes. Professor McGonagall looked like she was about to be ill. Finally, Harry looked at Dumbledore and begged him with his eyes. Silently, Harry thought, 'I'll forgive you. I'll forgive you for leaving me with the Dursleys if you just believe me now and help me. Please help me!'
Dumbledore stared at Harry without saying a word for a long moment, his blue eyes, normally twinkling, now as unyielding as iron.
It was in this moment that Dumbledore recalled everything Mark Twist had done in the last four years he'd known him, every instant he had surprised or worried him, every major choice he had made and every notable word he had said.
His thoughts strayed to how frighteningly familiar the boy was. How much he reminded him of Tom Riddle, even without him being a parselmouth. So independent and untrusting of adults, so strong and regal. A natural born leader with immense magical potential. So much potential that Dumbledore privately admitted it may even rival what Riddle's had been at Twist's age. Dumbledore thought about Twist's sorting, how he seemed to sometimes hold himself back and wait to act until the situation moved in his favor. He recalled the visit to Twist's house where he learned Twist's family was devastatingly poor, wary of magic, and (if his father's words were anything to go by) almost dismissive of Mark. And then, of course, there were the lad's impenetrable occlumency shields.
It was all so unnerving, but Dumbledore refused to act on impulse.
Instead, he continued to gaze into the pleading eyes of the young man who had stopped Voldemort from gaining the Philosopher's Stone, saved Ginny Weasley from the basilisk, destroyed Tom Riddle's diary, freed Dobby from Lucius Malfoy, cast a corporeal patronus to protect a man (for good or ill) from dementors, revealed the false Harry Potter, and demonstrated true nobility in trying to save all of the hostages in the second task. Year after year, when it counted the most, the boy had done what was right instead of what was easy.
This boy was no murderer.
Dumbledore glanced at Moody's body, narrowing his eyes as he suddenly realized something. Why had Alastor not taken Mark to the infirmary as he had asked? Alastor would never disobey an order from him, especially considering the circumstances. Something was definitely wrong here.
"I believe you, Mark," Dumbledore said finally, looking back into the boy's eyes.
Harry's legs almost gave out from immeasurable relief. Someone believed him!
The Minister sputtered. "N-now see here, Dumbledore, even you can't deny what the evidence is saying. Check his wand!"
"Very well." Dumbledore touched his wand tip to Harry's wand. "Priori Incantato!"
As Voldemort's wand had done such a short time before, Harry's wand started to regurgitate a shadow of the spells it had performed, in reverse chronological order. A flash of green light filled the room. McGonagall gasped aloud. Harry's mouth dropped open. Dumbledore's jaw clenched. Harry's wand belched out a few flashes of light indicative of stunning spells and the impedimenta jinx. Finally, after the group saw a flash of light signaling the use of the expelliarmus spell, Dumbledore lifted his wand and Harry's wand fell silent.
Harry raised stunned eyes to the headmaster, his throat so tight from horrified disbelief that he could barely breathe. Dumbledore's expression was rigid.
"It would appear, Dumbledore, that Mark did indeed kill Professor Moody. He no doubt killed Cedric too," Fudge exclaimed.
Harry adamantly shook his head even as his body began to shake. "No." The word was thin and low, reminiscent of a gasp from a dementor.
Fudge snorted. "It's clear. He took Diggory's wand. You saw the expelliarmus spell. He probably used Diggory's own wand to kill him. Twist thought he'd get away with killing Diggory because everyone would think he had been killed by one of the dangers in the maze. Everyone knows the Tournament is dangerous. But, by killing Moody, he gave himself away for both murders."
"Voldemort did this! I…I just don't know how," Harry cried before giving a start at feeling a hand come to rest on his shoulder. He slowly looked up and found it was Dumbledore's hand.
"It is true, Headmaster, that the Dark Mark that was branded on me when I was a Death Eater has been growing clearer all year. When the Dark Lord touched the mark of any Death Eater, we were to Disapparate, and Apparate, instantly, at his side. A short while ago, it burnt black. Why do you think Karkaroff fled tonight? We both felt the mark burn. The Dark Lord may indeed have returned," Severus said.
The Minister backed away from Snape. "You're mad. Insane. You-Know-Who has not returned."
"There have been signs, Cornelius, as I have been telling you," Dumbledore stated. "Looking at all of the pieces, this very well may be an elaborate plan to make an innocent boy take the blame for the murder of two wizards — all to hide the truth of Lord Voldemort's return."
"No, this is just some attempt to save your student!" Fudge retorted. "I should have known you would try to shield him — a muggleborn!"
Dumbledore's hand tightened on Mark's shoulder, but instead of being painful, Harry f00ound it reassuring.
"Well, justice will be done here, Dumbledore! He will be tried for the murders of Cedric Diggory and Alastor Moody. The truth will be made known, and then he will go to Azkaban where he belongs!"
"I will not stand in the way of justice, Minister, I promise you. Mr. Twist will stand trial, as circumstances demand it, but since he is innocent, he will cooperate fully. Right, Mark?" Dumbledore said.
Harry nodded numbly. He felt so raw that he was beyond feeling any gratitude or fear. He swayed on his feet. Suddenly his injuries were making themselves known.
"I will accompany Mr. Twist to the infirmary and, once he is healed, I will deliver him to the Ministry so he can wait there for his trial as the law demands," Dumbledore stated.
"Aurors will handle that, Dumbledore; that is their job, after all," Fudge sneered.
"I insist, as he is one of my students, but the Aurors are welcome to join us, of course."
"Peh. This will make no difference, Dumbledore. Do as you wish!" Fudge said before storming off.
O
Hours after being healed in the infirmary, Harry turned over in his cot and faced the wall of the cell at the Ministry.
He let out a ragged breath as he placed his hand where Dumbledore had gripped his arm before he left, telling him, again, that he believed him. He honestly couldn't remember a time an adult had ever told him that and it made him feel. . . . Well, he didn't have a word for it, but it took away some of the pain he was feeling and helped him ignore the hateful looks he was receiving from the guards.
He only hoped the investigation turned up something that could refute all the evidence currently stacked against him.
O
Muggleborn on Rampage
Terror at the Triwizard Tournament
By Rita Skeeter
Tragedy struck at Hogwarts last night when a muggleborn student at the school killed another student and teacher in cold blood. Readers may recall that, last Halloween, muggleborn Mark Twist had deceived the Goblet of Fire so that he was named as one of the champions representing Hogwarts at the Triwizard Tournament being hosted this year at the school. Last night was the final task and, fearing that Cedric Diggory, a wizard with far superior skills, would win the Cup, Twist shocked the school by killing the handsome pureblood.
Minister Fudge confirmed that, in an act of the utmost cowardice, Twist apparently stole Diggory's wand and heartlessly used that wand to kill its owner. Then, having discovered a taste for blood, Twist killed Alastor Moody, a renowned ex-Auror who had taken a temporary teaching position at the school. Headmaster Dumbledore himself confirmed that Twist's wand cast the killing curse. It is suspected that Moody discovered that the muggleborn had killed Diggory. To prevent his teacher from revealing this secret, Twist murdered Moody. Twist was caught in the act of killing Moody and was taken into custody.
"It is a terrible tragedy," said Fudge late last night. "It's hard to believe that such a young boy could be so evil. What is even more troubling is that Dumbledore is falling for his lies despite the evidence clearly showing that he's guilty."
"He's so disturbing," said one of the guards at the Ministry. "When asked what had happened, he says that You-Know-Who has returned and that he's the one who killed Diggory and Moody. It'll give you chills to hear that boy call You-Know-Who by his name."
Perhaps Twist plans on entering an insanity plea when he is tried before the Wizengamot this week on two counts of murder. We have seen how devious he is already. He may be hoping to avoid Azkaban in favor of a soft cell in St. Mungo's. We can only hope that the Wizengamot sees through the sick lies of a depraved mind.
This reporter predicted the danger Twist posed to the champions. We must ask why the Ministry and Hogwarts did not do more to protect our children, the most precious resource we have.
A concerned parent, Narcissa Malfoy, whose son, Draco, is in Twist's year at Hogwarts, had this to say. "I shudder when I think that my son was so close to this psychopathic killer every day. I know that people don't want to admit it, but blood will tell. It's no coincidence that this heinous act was committed by a muggleborn. Those born of wizard blood have too much nobility to behave so heartlessly."
With the recent news that muggles were responsible for abusing Harry Potter, it is no wonder that many question whether the wizarding world should reconsider our relationship with muggles. While not everyone will agree with Mrs. Malfoy's views (at least not publicly), more parents are expected to put pressure on Professor Dumbledore to halt the practice of permitting muggleborns to attend Hogwarts.
Meanwhile, Mark Twist is under heavy guard at the Ministry. "He's clearly a Dark Wizard in training, if you ask me," said another official, speaking on condition of anonymity. "Everyone knows the rumor that You-Know-Who killed his first person at the age of sixteen. Twist is only fourteen. If he's not stopped now, he'll be worse than He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."
In the name of Harry Potter, Cedric Diggory and Alastor Moody, we call upon the Ministry to stop Mark Twist. Stop him now.
Dumbledore pursed his lips as he all but slammed the paper down. Sitting alone in his office the morning after the murders of Cedric and Moody, Dumbledore felt sickened by what was happening.
Snape had returned to Voldemort while Dumbledore accompanied Twist to the Ministry. Using his well-honed cunning, Severus convinced Voldemort that he was still loyal while discovering the truth.
Barty Crouch Jr. was alive and, unbelievably, had been impersonating Alastor Moody for the entire school year before killing the real Moody and framing Twist. He had also been the one who had placed Twist's name in the Triwizard Cup so as to bring the boy to Voldemort. Shock followed shock. Peter Pettigrew was alive as well, having framed Sirius Black, just as Twist had said — and it didn't end there. Peter, on Voldemort's orders, had killed Diggory before performing the ritual that had given Voldemort a new body.
Dumbledore was now immensely grateful that he had carefully evaluated the situation and had supported Mark. He imagined things would be much worse if he had denounced the boy.
However, things were still looking pretty bleak.
With the Daily Prophet stirring up hatred against Twist (and all muggleborns), Dumbledore feared that attacks against muggles would increase once more, as they had done in the weeks following the news that Harry Potter's muggle relatives had abused the boy. He also knew it was going to be extremely difficult to convince the Wizengamot that Twist had not murdered Diggory and Moody — no small thanks to that morning's article.
But he wouldn't let Twist take the fall. Doing so would go against everything he believed in and had fought for since defeating Grindelwald.
He only saw two lawful options. Convince the Wizengamot to use veritaserum on Mark or have Severus completely obliterate his cover by taking the stand. He hoped the first option would be enough, but if not, after discussing it with Severus, he would give up his spy.
Thinking it over, it wasn't really a hard choice. Sacrificing an innocent boy to Azkaban could never be justified, and having Severus take the stand would prove to the Wizarding World that Voldemort had returned, especially if he brought his pensieve. He was certain, if done correctly, that would force them into action, particularly with Madam Bones as Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. That would be worth losing Severus as a spy.
Although the corruption in the Ministry ran deep, Dumbledore strongly believed it was not beyond repair. There were good people in the Ministry, they just lacked cohesive motivation. Dumbledore sighed. Harry Potter might have been able to provide that motivation, but with his disappearance and the circumstances surrounding it . . . a 'cause' of the worst sort had formed instead. Dumbledore pinched the bridge of his nose in disgust. Such a mistake. He should have pushed harder, refused to give Harry to that family and refuted the law by looking deeper. Why had he not suggested an assessment period for the Dursleys? Ensure the muggle family was the best choice?
But he already knew the answer. The wards had held too much promise and the fear of another tragedy like the Longbottoms occurring had been raw in everyone's minds not long after Harry had been placed. And he had hoped and believed a woman whose son was near the same age as an orphaned child before her would open her heart and welcome him in.
If only she had.
He glanced at the clock and got up. He needed to reinstate the Order of the Phoenix and get things moving. Their first meeting in over a decade would be held in Hog's Head in an hour and there was much to begin.
O
Harry stared at the breakfast they brought him. He was starving, but he didn't feel he would be able to keep it down. His thoughts strayed to Cedric. It seemed so wrong that he should eat while Cedric. . . . His stomach throbbed in hunger and he guiltily nibbled the edge of the slightly burned slice of toast. Slowly forcing as much as he could down, he pushed the tray away.
He wondered when Dumbledore would be back, or when someone would come to get his statement (interrogate him). He hugged his knees. Voldemort had certainly done a fabulous job of framing him, but he had a trump card Voldemort didn't know about. Harry relaxed a bit.
It was time to reveal that he was Harry Potter. Once he did, there was no way he'd be sent to Azkaban. Everyone would believe that Voldemort had returned and fall over themselves to apologize. He closed his eyes. It was really a good thing that he wasn't really an unknown muggleborn. The prejudice in the wizarding world was arguably worse than most places in the muggle world! Harry glared at the wall. Once he had resumed his real identity, he would remind everyone that his own mother had been muggleborn!
Lunch came and went, the guards leaving and taking his tray without saying a word or even meeting his eyes. It was really disconcerting.
Finally, hours later, he heard the key turn in the lock of his cell and the door opened. Dumbledore swept into the room. Harry bounced to his feet, a tentative smile on his face.
"The Ministry has almost finished their investigation and I have finished preparing your defense. I have proof that you did not kill Cedric Diggory or Alastor Moody, but I'm hoping I will not need to reveal that evidence," Dumbledore promptly explained.
Harry frowned, confused. "I don't understand. How else will my innocence be proven?"
"I plan on convincing the Wizengamot to administer veritaserum, if you'd be willing. Giving it to a minor is frowned upon, but considering the circumstances, I can't imagine them putting up a fuss," Dumbledore explained.
"I'm willing, but are you sure that will be enough?" Harry asked, realizing this would fit right along with him revealing his true identity.
"If it's not, I'll disclose the other evidence I have," Dumbledore promised.
"What is the other evidence? If you don't mind me asking," Harry asked, quickly adding the second bit after a thought.
"I can't tell you that, Mark, but I will do everything in my power to prevent the Wizarding World from making the same mistake they had with Sirius Black," he said pointedly.
Harry's eyes widened. "You know he was framed? That I was telling the truth last year?"
"Yes, and I'm sorry for not believing you when you had told me, but at the time. . . ."
"Well, at least you heard me out," Harry said distractedly.
Dumbledore stilled. "Have you contacted your parents?" he asked after a moment.
Harry thought for a moment before shaking his head, deciding his words carefully. "Not yet. I'm hoping I won't have to tell them anything, but . . . if things don't work out . . . I think I'll tell them that I've been accepted into a study abroad program. I wouldn't want them to worry if there's nothing they can do to help me."
Dumbledore frowned. "You won't be convicted. The truth will be known one way or another."
Harry smiled softly, imagining the Wizengamot reacting when they hear him say his true name under veritaserum.
"I'm sorry, I need to go now, Mark, but I will act as your defense during the trial which should be in a few days. I may not be able to visit you until the day of the trial though," Dumbledore said, turning toward the door. "The next few weeks are likely going to be very difficult, so just do your best to remain calm. Being aggressive now would only cement feelings against you."
"I understand. Thank you, sir," Mark said, standing to see him leave while suddenly wondering if he should tell Dumbledore who he was right there.
However, before he could utter another word, Dumbledore stepped out and closed the door.
O
AN: This will not be as long as my other stories, nor as dark as Evebb's original fic; which is to say, some people may consider it predominately light and fluffy. With that said, some elements will still be fairly dark, although nothing excessively/overly descriptively so. I've rated it M to be safe, and (assuming I even have a pairing) the pairing will not be Harry/Ginny and will not be included until the epilogue.
SPOILERS BELOW
ROUGH SUM UP of 'The Hidden Hero' chapters 1 through 19:
After the accidental apparition onto the roof event, Aunt Petunia takes Harry aside and (not so nicely) tells him the truth about magic, the prophecy Lily had told her, his parent's death, and Voldemort. She tells him she knows he's going to go to Hogwarts soon and wants no part in magic. She then tells him she's kicking him out in the morning. The next morning, he focuses on hiding himself and not looking like Harry Potter anymore—understanding dark wizards will likely want to harm him. His magic responds and Mark Twist is born - he has a long nose, light brown hair and slightly small, brown eyes. A simple face that can fade into the background. With his desperation urging his magic to help him, he can apparate and change his appearance (including age) at will. It is also later learned, due to his untrusting nature and need to hide, he is a skilled Occlumens. He leaves and finds work busing tables and things. One day, he sees some kids playing and, wanting to play as well, he ages back down to 11 (still as Mark Twist). Soon after, he gets his letter.
The next few years major canon events occur, only with Mark Twist in the place of Harry. He enters Hogwarts as Mark Twist, a poor muggleborn (no one even suspects he's really Harry Potter), and Dumbledore is concerned over the similarities between him and Tom Riddle throughout - although pleased when he does good (protects the stone, saves Ginny, frees Dobby, etc).
Key events to know within The Hidden Hero:
In third year, 'Harry Potter' is found. In the end, the real Harry reveals who he really is (a runaway Muggleborn from the States). The search for Harry Potter resumes.
At the end of third year, no one believes Sirius Black is innocent, not even the Order. They believe Sirius confounded Mark. Mark was also unable to tell Sirius who he really was before Sirius had to flee.
That summer, Dumbledore goes to Mark's place of residence (a Boarding House), to meet his parents. Harry does some quick maneuvering and manages to meet with Dumbledore as Mark's 'father' without Dumbledore any the wiser.
Harry/Mark is not as close to Hermione or Ron/The Weasleys as he was in canon (though he still considers them friends)—in fact he's not really all that close to anyone. When his name comes out of the Goblet, no one believes he didn't put his name in, not even Ron and Hermione after the First Task. The only person who eventually comes to believe him before Voldemort returns is Cedric.
By Chapter 19, NO ONE knows Mark Twist is really Harry Potter.