Chapter 2: Revelations Part 1

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. It belongs to J. K. Rowling and the various publishers. This story is written with no commercial aims. I do not make any money from it.

AN:Here is the betaed variant of the chapter! This story was proofread by Zanthraxone. Thanks !


1 November 1995, Hogwarts

Harry Potter, a war veteran, lord of not one but two Most Noble and Ancient houses, and at that moment of time one of the most dangerous men in the world, was kneeling on a cold stone floor with tears running down his face. He smiled softly at the slip of a girl who was the source of his current predicament.

He had thought how to approach Rose while he was walking on the way between Hogsmeare and the school. Harry knew that convincing her of his identity and intentions, with his sister being gryffindor and probably fed the usual propaganda where slytherins were concerned, would be somewhat problematic. And if his gut feelings were right, Rose's education where her rights and position, not to mention various laws, in the magical world was seriously lacking. Just as his would have been if it was not for his friendship with Blaise and Daphne.

"I guess that you'll have a lot questions, Rose. But first, do you have the marauder's map on you? It will help proving my identity. Though a magical oath won't hurt..." Harry trailed off. "You know, Rose, you are really cute when you pout like this."

The red head blushed and glared at him with confusion evident in her eyes.

"How... What?" She sputtered.

Harry could see how his sister confusion was starting to turn into anger. He decided to be straightforward and summoned his wand from its enchanted holster. Rose froze when she saw his movement and her eyes darted to the piece of masterfully crafted wood that appeared in his right hand.

"I won't hurt you, Rose." Harry said quietly. "Far from it."

He took a deep breath and suppressed his rising anger. Even without using the passive forms of his Legitimens, he could perceive a lot from his sister. She was hiding it well but for him it was obvious that she was distraught and terrified by the reception she was expecting in the great hall. The fact that Rose was alone, with none of her friends for support also spoke volumes for her situation. 'Well, that in no longer true. She is not alone anymore.'

"I Lord Harry James Potter, swear on my magic and life, that I will not intentionally harm, lie or mislead Rose Lilian Potter..."

Rose looked at the man with disbelief. Part of her was engulfed by simmering anger for his gall of pretending to be her dead brother. She gripped the handle of her wand with a shaky hand. The logical part of her brain was astonished at what she presumed to be a madman who was in the process of becoming a squib or even dying in front of her. Yet, something deep down within Rose was stirring, buried under countless disappointments and the betrayal of her friends. It was irrational hope...

"... I swear on my life that I am Harry James Potter, son of Lillian Jane Potter and James Charlus Potter. So mote it be."

As the veteran spoke the formal phrases of the unbreakable vow, motes of golden and emerald light surrounded his body. When he finished pronouncing the last phrase, the magic itself responded to his pledge and he become a conduit for a pillar of energy which surrounded the last two surviving Potters. The brother and sister stayed frozen for long seconds in the center of a whirling torrent of raw magic. Hogwarts itself responded and the castle shook as it absorbed the river of power pouring in front of the great hall. The excess magical energies were channeled into the heart of the building – a granite stone, two meters high, which was pulsing with silver light. It recognized the signature of the wizard causing the upheaval as belonging to the heir of one of the founders and released a chime of delight. The joyish sound echoed through the whole castle.

The magic storm which had gripped the siblings dispersed and left in its wake a confused Rose, who was blinking owlishly. She glared at the madman who was still alive. The black-haired young man flicked his wand and after a quiet whisper of "Lumos" its tip glowed with soft, white light. He had retained his magic too... 'But the vow...' The green-eyed girl had felt it in the way the magic itself had sealed it, making it valid. That meant...

"Harry? How"

His name was whispered with as much feeling and hope as Rose could put into a single word. She hated the way she said it – with a trembling, almost broken voice, as if she was once again a little girl who was crying herself to sleep and hoping that her parents would come and save her from her cupboard.

"It is a long story, kiddo. One best told somewhere with not so many unfriendly ears around. You should know by now that the walls in this castle do have ears, sometimes literally. Not to mention meddlesome old men and greasy bats."

Rose snorted at the all too true description of Snape. She was about to ask another question when the brief reunion of the siblings was interrupted by the sounds of hurried footsteps.


Albus Dumbledore was sitting on his throne like chair with inscrutable expression on his aged face and looked at the assembled students and teachers in the great hall. The children and most of the adults were abuzz with conversation about the events of the previous night. On his left professor Snape was speaking with Karkaroff, no doubt berating poor Rose. On his right, madam Maxine was quietly talking with Minerva and Hagrid. While the other two headmasters were seemingly calmed down, the hopes which Albus had for the Tri-Wizarding Tournament were ashes scattered by the winds. Dumbledore's intentions to use the games for making bettering the relations with the other two big schools within Europe and the governments of their respective countries (and acquiring allies for when Tom inevitably returned) were endangered. To make things much worse, the root of the problem was the entrance of the Girl-who-lived in the tournament. Whoever was responsible had masterfully executed two pronged attack against Dumbledore's plans for the future, not only sowing discord between the schools but also within the ranks of the Hogwarts students, not to mention placing Rose in deadly peril. To top it all, thanks to the magical contract all three headmasters had entered; Albus would be unable to personally train or provide much help to the girl. The situation was a disaster in the making and he was helpless to stop it from spilling out of control. He glanced at the piece of cake in his plate and poked it with a fork. Even his appetite was not working properly. 'It could not possibly get any worse unless Voldermort himself appeared.' The headmaster thought. Naturally the universe decided to prove him wrong.

A massive magic surge exploded behind the main doors of the great hall and shook the castle. Albus felt the wards fluctuating wildly but that was all, Hogwards gave him no more information on what was happening. And that chilled the blood in his veins. The school had the best wards in England or so he believed. Despite that whatever was causing the commotion was already inside. The headmaster wasted no time and stood up, activating a wandless Sonorus charm. His voice echoed through the shaking hall.

"Don't panic and move away from the doors." His automotive voice was enough to make most of the kinds near the door start moving in somewhat orderly fashion, those being the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students. At least the prefects were keeping it together and directing their housemates.

"Minerva, Filius, come with me." The headmaster added with normal voice and headed to the entrance. He saw from the corner of his eyes how Severus hurried to join them while the rest of the faculty moved to position themselves between the doors and their students. Moments later the four professors were at the entrance. Dumbledore waved his wand and the doors flew open. What they saw froze them in place. A much younger copy of James Potter was hugging the Girl-Who-Lived. To make the situation even more surreal, the young man was decked in strange dueling robes which were in full slytherin colors. All but Snape were looking at the ghost made flesh with shocked expressions on their faces. The potion master's features were a mask of pure, unrestrained loathing.

"James!" Minerva whispered in a hoarse voice, which was immediately followed by Severus who spat the name of his nemesis as if it was the vilest of curses:

"Potter!"

Harry squeezed lightly the right shoulder of his sister and smiled thinly at the professors. The veteran looked the headmaster in the eyes and his smile grew wider when the old man tried a Legitimens probe which shattered at the elder Potters Oclumens shields. Dumbledore frowned at the young man and asked:

"Who are you and what are you doing with Miss Potter?"

The lord of Slytherin smirked.

"Why, it should be obvious, headmaster. I'm getting reacquainted with my sister. And trying to decide if there is any reason not to withdraw Rose from the mad house you are running."

Dumbledore opened his mouth to speak again but professor Snape's tongue was faster.

"Why, you little..."

The amusement drained from Harry's face and his features became a grim mask. The younger man glared daggers at the potions master and spoke with a cold tone:

"Severus Snape, from the minor house of Prince. Choose your next words carefully. "

The headmaster looked at James doppelgänger with raised eyebrows. The green eyed youngster raised his left hand and a golden ring with the Potter seal revealed itself. Albus eyes widened. He needed more information before escalating the confrontation. The elder wizard knew that ring and could the magic in it. That was a head of Noble house ring, and only the rightful owner could wear one of those without dying slow and painful death. The headmaster spoke hastily.

"Severus, enough!"

Minerva and Filius, who had recognized the ring, were looking at the young man with a silver of hope.

Harry glanced at the two professors and shook his head sadly.

"No, I am not my father. I am Lord Harry James Potter, Head of the Most Noble and Most Ancient house of Potter. "

"Little Harry? But he is... you are ..." Minerva was at loss for words when she heard the name.

"That I am, professor. How it came to be is for me to know."

The half goblin professor was gazing at the Potters, deep in thought, while Snape had gone whiter than a chalk. Meanwhile, Dumbledore's mind was racing. If this was truly Harry, it could be a very good thing if he could place the young man under his influence. On the other hand, the lord could spell doom to all his carefully crafted plans for the Greater good. But whatever the outcome, first he had to chance the place of the conversation to somewhere with no additional witnesses. At any moment someone could decide to exit the great hall and investigate what was happening.

"We should go to my office to talk without being disturbed. Besides we already interrupted the breakfast for long enough and I am sure that miss Potter is hungry. "

"Grand idea, headmaster. However Rose comes with us."

"But.."

"Everything we will be discussing concerns her. Born as the seventh month dies headmaster. Should I continue?"

Dumbledore became even paler that his potions professor. No one was supposed to know about the prophecy! He had to get ahead of the situation somehow. For a moment Albus contemplated attacking the young man but almost immediately discarded the option. He did not know what precautions, if any this man has taken, neither if he was alone. After all, he had infiltrated Hogwarts undetected.

Harry saw the brief hesitation, the moment when Dumbledore made the decision not to attack him immediately, and smirked.

"Wise choice headmaster. Lead the way to your office then." Albus narrowed his eyes at the comment but nodded and waved at the corridor to the right.

"This way."

"After you headmaster. I insist."

Harry and Dumbledore glared at each other for few seconds and then Albus nodded and headed down the corridor on the right.

"Severus. Come." The headmaster stopped Snape, who was about to protest. The potions master sneered at the Potters and followed the old wizard, with his robes blowing as if picked up by a strong wind. Harry caught gently his sister's arm and went after Dumbledore. The other two professors walked behind them as escorts.

"There will be some interesting revelations during our little chat with the headmaster, Rose. And after that I'll give you the answers you seek."

The red headed girl huffed with annoyance. She wondered if the day could become any more stranger. While they walked to the headmaster's office she was glancing at the man who was supposed to be her dead brother and hoped that finally someone will gave her at least few straight answers.

A ride on the infamous Hogwarts moving stairs and an animated stone Gargoyle later, the group reached the headmaster's office. Dumbledore tried to dismiss professors McGongall and Filtlick but was politely rebuffed by Harry who was examining the room. It was the same as he remembered from his time in school, down to the rafters with intricate metal and crystal gadgets which were tied up in monitoring Rose. Meanwhile Albus went behind his desk and his professors took positions around him – with Severus on the left and Minerva and Filius on the right. The headmaster assumed his grandfatherly persona and smiled.

"Now, I must insist that Miss Potter leave us. This is not a conversation suitable for a child."

Harry shook his head. 'So the old man will be as obstinate as ever. Just great.' He waved his right hand and conjured a small, comfortable looking sofa in front of the desk. Rose, who had his left hand in death grip stiffened and gaped at the display.

"But that's impossible!" His sister babbled making a passable imitation of Hermione when the bushy haired witch was confronted with something that was contrary to the books she had read.

"Really, headmaster? You don't teach wandless magic anymore?" Harry smirked for a moment and gently moved his still babbling sister to the sofa. Then he glared at the old man. "Mister Dumbledore, you seem to misunderstand the purpose of this meeting." Harry retrieved a scroll, sealed by an enchanted goblin wax seal and levitated it to Minerva.

"And what is this conversation about?" Filius asked, without tearing his eyes from the parchment which was already in the deputy-headmistress hands. Thanks to his mixed heritage he was familiar with the faint magical signature emanating from the sealed document. It was the real deal. Most curious.

"Whether I'll let Rose to continue attending this madhouse you have disguised as a school."

"Harry..." Albus started speaking but was interrupted by the cold voice of the young man.

"It's Lord Potter to you Albus. Let's see... In Rose's first year you had Voldemort teaching here." All but Rose and Dumbledore flinched at the casual use of the Dark Lords name. "Then she had to kill the man possessed by him in self defense." This time it was Rose who stiffened at the reminder of what she had done. "She had to deal with a bloody basilic next year and the one after that this castle was dementor central, with the damned things attacking Rose multiple times. Not to mention your crowning achievement headmaster. Last night, instead of canceling the selection and redrawing the champions you approved my sister as a competitor and bound her to play in this sick game. So tell, me headmaster, why should I let her spend even a second longer here?"

A shocked Minerva and Filius glared at the headmaster.

"Is it true, Albus? Did you intentionally left Rose as a champion? The tournament is open only for sixth and seventh years for a reason! "The transfiguration professor's voice was deceptively calm.

The warlock cringed. He knew he should have studied the damned contract better but he just never found the time to do so. Seeing the headmaster's expression Harry muttered:

"So at least that was not malice, just incompetence. Are you going to try convincing me that Hogwarts is still safe for my sister? Or that she'll have to return to our "dear" aunt for the summer?"

"That will be for the best. She'll be safe there." Dumbledore responded immediately.

Hearing the last sentence, Rose jumped from her seat and frantically shook her head in panic.

"No! I'm not going back!"

Harry hugged the distressed girl and gently petted her hair.

"It will be fine, Rose. You are not going back to those... people. No matter what some meddlesome old men think."

"Headmaster, how long will you continue to tolerate this nonsense?!" Snape sneered. His patience was fraying.

"Harry..."

"Its Lord Potter to the likes of you, headmaster." Harry snapped. He pointed his right arm at the wall on which the gadgets tracking Rose were siting. He clenched his fist and every one of them imploded with the sound of thousands shattering crystals. He waved his arm as if fending of a persistent fly and the twisted remains of the expensive devices were banished. The stunned silence that followed his outburst was short-lived.

"You've been monitoring Rose long enough old man. What she does outside of school is not your concern."

Albus clenched his teeth. Years of hard work and planning were dissolving in front of his eyes. He had to keep his rising anger in check.

"Tracking me?" The red headed girl quietly asked.

She looked the headmaster in the eyes. He was still projecting his grandfatherly image but his eyes were no longer merely thinking. Despite what some people said about her, Rose was a bright girl. She had seen the myriad of strange devices before. Besides it was not hard to figure out that even when you count multiple redundancies, there were just too many gadgets for them to be only location trackers. The blood drained from her face when she really thought about it.

"You knew..." she whispered. "You bastard! You knew and sent me back each summer!" Rose screamed at the headmaster who looked at her with surprise.

"Typical spoiled brat." Snape sneered again.

"Professor Snape! That is quite enough!" Minerva said as if admonishing an unruly child. She had enough of his attitude toward one of her cubs.

Harry ignored the by-play between the teachers and squeezed Rose's shoulder in an attempt to reassure her.

"Rose, they won't hurt you again. I promise."

"Mister Potter, you don't understand..."

"Headmaster, are you going senile? It is Lord Potter! "The young noble snapped. "And what I do not understand? That there are blood wards at Pivet drive? That they might protect Rose from the Death munchers but do nothing to save her from our so called relatives? Besides there are better ways to keep her safe, which have the immediate benefit of keeping her away from abusive bastards. Or are you talking about the prophecy? What is your plan when that little tidbit of information is concerned? To sent my sister against Voldemort unprepared and hope that he Avada Kedavra's her?"

"Albus would never..." Minerva whispered. And what prophecy?

Harry ruffed his sister's hair and gently traced her lighting bold scar with the thumb of his left hand. She leaned into his touch. Despite knowing this man for less than half hour she felt at ease around him. Somehow his touch did not make her flinch.

"Even if he believes that she is a soul anchor for Voldie?"

"The scar..." The charms professor muttered and looked at Rose with pity.

Albus was about to deny those accusations but that single sentence stopped him in his tracks. Minerva and Filius gasped while Severus gazed at the headmaster. Many strange events and actions made by the headmaster suddenly snapped into place like pieces of jigsaw puzzle. It made sense after all. Albus had always been too fond of divination and talk of fate for the potion's master taste. He glanced at the girl who was a mirror image of her mother, a living reminder for how the single mistake that cost him everything. A monument of his sins. Was this really what Dumbledore was planning?

"I wonder, old man, how long it will be until you try to challenge my custody over Rose and my Lordship? Will you sent her again to our magic hating aunt? For the greater good, of course. Is it the same Greater good for which your friend Girndelwald drowned Europe in blood?"

The head master looked as if he was on a verge of receiving a stroke. Severus smirked at the old man's predicament. It was not often that someone knew most of Dumbledore's secrets and had the balls to throw them in his face. He noted with satisfaction that Minerva and Filius were also glaring at Albus, who would have some fast talking to do if he wanted to salvage something from this disaster.

"But I digress. Deputy-headmistress McGongall, I will be taking Rose away for a week on House Potter business. You already hold copy of the relevant documents. Have a nice day." Harry smiled cheerfully at her and he and Rose, who he was still hugging disappeared with a pop. Pandemonium insured.


1 November, 1995 London

The Potter siblings appeared in one of the London flats which their family owned. Harry had visited it earlier that morning and updated the wards to accept him, Rose, Blaise and his mother Elisa. He had to keep his sister steady because she was disoriented by the use of the portkey. It took her few seconds to recover after the abrupt travel and then her fierce eyes turned to her brother.

"So, on top of everything now I get kidnapped!?"

Harry grinned at her mischievously. 'So there is still some fire left in her. Splendid.'

"Well, technically I probably just saved you from a bunch of kidnappers. We'll have to check mum and dad's wills to be sure but I do not believe even for a moment that they would have wanted any of us to go to the Durskaban if something happened to them."

"What?" Rose seethed.

"Ah. You didn't know. I think that a trip to Gringotts is in order to clean up some of the confusion. I believe you have a lot of questions that need answers."

"You think!?" She deadpanned.

"Well, we are up for few really long chats. There is a reason I decided to pick you up for a week, and that is beside all the paperwork we'll have to deal with thanks to Dumbledore's meddling. But most answers will have to wait until we visit the goblins."

That earned him a confused look. She pursued her lips and glared at him. Rose pointed at him imperiously and declared:

"Explain!"

The effect however was somewhat reduced by the growling of her stomach. Rose blushed and another grow was heard, this one was even louder.

"Food first then."

Rose put her hands over her rebellious stomach and refused to meet the young man's eyes. Sure, she had only few bites for supper last night and no breakfast but this was just embarrassing. Harry looked at her lithe frame critically and smiled.

"I hope that couple of sandwiches will protect me from the ravenous beast. And after we finish with our work with the goblins I believe that an early lunch will be order."

Harry led the hungry girl to the kitchen and was amused when she made beeline to the fridge. He decided to leave her to choose what she wan for breakfast and went to make some tea.

"So how have you been lately, the obvious mess excluded?"

Rose closed the fridge with her shoulder and moved to the kitchen table carrying a load of ham, butter and tomatoes.

"Well, if you don't count certain slytherins, it was fine until last night. Stupid tournament." She looked around searching for something.

"The bread is in the wooden box to your right. Which snakes give you grief?"

"Malfoy. And all his fans."

"Ah. Him" For Harry, the blond menace had not been a problem after the second year when he had officially become the Earl of Slytherin. That change of status had made his life in his house much better but naturally scared the crap out of the rest of the school. 'Well, that's new. I suddenly have the overwhelming desire to wring the neck of the little ponce. Great, I have a sister for few hours and I am already homicidally overprotective... That was unexpected.' Harry thought with amusement.


While the last of the Potters were having breakfast and tea, Blaise Zabini was entering Saint Mungo. He and his best friend had a very long night but they had managed to do a lot, which allowed him to visit his mother first thing in the morning. He entered the reception area and looked around. It was strange to see this place intact, even more so because the waiting patients looked to be injured by ordinary (by warding standards) accidents. Just people with extra appendages here, a man holding his detached left hand and amicably chatting with the one siting next to him – a male who had green skin and a thorny vines growing from his right arm. No sight of combat injuries or overly dark curses. He had forgotten what was a magical hospital during a peace time. Blaise went to the receptionist, a pretty middle aged which, who was dealing with the organized chaos that was this are of Saint Mungo.

"Good morning, madam. I would like to visit lady Elisa Zabini and her attending healer when he is free."

"Good morning, sir. " The witch returned the greeting and flicked her wand few times while muttering quietly. A long parchment appeared on her desc and she scanned it quickly.

" I am afraid unless you are relative I can't allow you to visit this patient. "

Blaise smiled thinly.

"That is all right. I am Lord Blaise Zabini, head of the Noble and Ancient house of Zabini. I believe that I qualify to visit my mother." He presented his head of house ring for inspection.

"I am terribly sorry my lord. A healer will be here momentarily to escort you to your mother."

"Splendid. Have a nice day, ma'am."

Less than a minute later, a young healer in training arrived to escort Blaise to the long term care ward. He was led to a single room, where under snow white sheets was laying a striking woman. Her long black hair framed a heart shaped, beautiful face.

"Mum..." Blaise whispered. He stood at the door rooted in place. She looked so peaceful, with no sight of the ugly injuries present from the last time he saw her. He had to remind himself that lied far in a future that will no longer happen. He went to the bed and looked at the still form of the sleeping woman.

"I'll wait here for her attending physician if that's all right."

"It is fine my lord. Healer Barthram should be here within the hour, right after he finish making his rounds."


1 November, 1995 Gringotts

Harry and Rose appeared on the apparition platform in the massive entrance chamber of the goblin bank. The siblings headed to the nearest free bank employee. That turned out to be as muscular scarred goblin who missed his left eye.

"May your enemies die screaming and your coffers overflow with their plundered gold, master goblin."

The cutthroat playing cashier grinned in a way most people would find disturbing.

"Ah, a wizard with manners. It's a rare to meet one of those. May your bathe in your enemies blood and your vaults be forever full. Not with the pleasantries out of the way... What do you want?"

"Drag the Potter account manager to the nearest free meeting room. We need to have a little chat. "Harry showed his ring as a matter of identification.

"Ah. I see, Lord Potter." The goblin tapped a runic array which was engraved into his desk, and after few seconds nodded.

"A guard will escort you to a conference room. Account manager Skullcracker will meet you there momentarily."

"Have a nice day terrorizing the idiots that pass for wizards these days." Harry smiled at the goblin, who smirked in answer.

After the exchange, Rose, who was quiet so far, tugged Harry's hand and whispered:

"Is that really the way to greet goblins or are you and that bloody pirate puling my leg?"

"They are warrior people, sister of mine. Luckily for today's wizards, they have chosen to channel their aggression into the financial world. "

A heavily armed and armored female goblin ( if it was not for her breasts you won't be able to tell the difference) approached the Potters.

"My lord, follow me. Manager Skullcracker will join us shortly."

The female goblin led them to a small room which was furnished with a round table around which were arrayed comfortable looking padded chairs. There was an elder goblin wearing an old fashioned black suit and glasses. Despite his outfit and apparent age he carried himself and the many stars visible on his disfigured face, in a way befitting a man who had survived many battlefields. For an endless moment, the old goblin studied Harry. Their eyes met and both of them could see the eyes of veterans. The goblin stilled cheerfully.

"So, the rumors are true after all. It is good to see you Lord Potter. Lady Potter."

The grizzled old man gave them small bows, which Harry returned immediately and after few seconds Rose followed suit.

"May your sword arm be forever strong and your strikes always deadly. Per Tribulatio Victoria ( Through Hardship Victory), my lord."

"And may all your enemies be lay dead at your feet, master Skullcracker. Now, I hope you have a very good explanation as to why my sister has not yet received her heir apparent ring for the House of Potter and all privileges following from that act."

The account manager looked away angrily.

"There is, my lord. As her magical guardian, Albus Dumbledore could delay her claim until she is seventeen. He did so. He used his station to block her from assuming her rightful position and went further and as a chief warlock sealed your parents wills. With no other member of your magical family alive he had uncontested claims, citing her safety as a reason. Despite trampling the spirit of the law what he did was legal."

Rose gasped hearing that. Another betrayal by someone she used to trust.

"Well, he is no longer Rose's guardian. Have the Heirship ring brought to us. And I think that an inheritance test will be in order. You never know what else Rose could be heir to. "

Skullcracker nodded to the female goblin that saluted by thumping her right fist over her heart and left the room.

"Now, I believe that you have Dumbledore's hmm... decree to prevent Rose from claiming her rightful position in writing."

The old goblin smiled widely, showing two rows of razor sharp teeth. He looked at Harry speculatively.

"But of course. While they won't hurt him much in court..."

"It is more than enough ground for a honor duel, one he will be bound to accept."

Rose was until now trying to follow the conversation and finding out that she knew much less about the wizard world than she thought before meeting her... brother. She was still trying to wrap her head around that he was somehow alive and few years older than her, to accept it as a fact. Yet, being near him for only about a hour, she could feel an undeniable familiarity. The few time he had used magic, the power had resonated within her. She felt she knew it just as she knew her own. Magical oath notwithstanding, she simply knew that he was not going to hurt her. Or perhaps it was all a delusion made from her desperation and the way everyone turned their backs to her. And then suddenly Harry and the scary goblin were talking nonchalantly about her brother challenging Dumbledore in a duel. She nearly lost it.

"What!? Harry, you can't! He is the most powerful wizard in the world!" She screamed.

"Rose calm down. It's good to see that you care. That is just a possible course of action, depending how much more he'll poke his oversized nose where it does not belong. Besides, you are grossly underestimating my chances. When you claim you Heir ring, and we run a few errands, I will be able to tell you some of my history so far. It will make things clearer."

Rose huffed. He was sick of secrets and people running her life for her. She was about to tear in her brother when her attention was redirected.

"Lady Potter, do you know what is Legilimency?" Skullcracker decided to intervene. He really did not want to deal with a pissed off teenage witch.

The red head tilted her head to the side and looked thoughtful.

"Hmm. Hermione mentioned it once but I am not sure."

"It is a magical discipline which allows to read people minds. It has two variants, active, which is more powerful and requires wand and passive for which only eye contact is needed. One of the features of the Heirship ring is an enchantment that block such intrusions. While it is illegal to be used against minors, without the consent of their parents or guardians..." The short explanation was given by the goblin. He trailed off at a nod from lord Potter.

"Rose, both Dumbledore and Snape are master Legilimens. With the headmaster as your magical guardian..." He did not need to finish the sentence.

Rose looked at her brother with tear linden, haunted eyes.

AN: As far as Dumbledore is concerned, in my story he is not evil. It should be noted that he has to fill the roles of at least four different persons. A headmaster of a school, with him doing a poor job of it. The chief warlock of magical Britain, the supreme mugwump of ICW and the leader of the Order of the Phoenix. Depending of the circumstances those all could be full-time jobs. Now on the top of all of this you should add his fascination with the prophecy. As we saw in the books and movies his plan for the end game was for Harry to walk up to Voldemort and hope that the Dark Lord will AK him instead of using something else (or ordering someone else) to deal with him. Even if the plan somehow succeeded, and Harry survived with the only the soul fragment gone, then Potter without real combat training and sufficient experience would have to deal with not only Riddle, but what death eaters remained at that point. To me what happened in canon was an one in a million chance, not something on which to stake the outcome of a war. So at best Dumbledore is an old man with too much on his plate who is going senile and has questionable judgment. That however does not make him and evil incarnate. End rant!

Please review!