Chapter 2: More Betrayal

Fred and George insisted that Harry stay with them in their flat above their shop, for his own protection. Harry insisted that he sleep on the couch then, so as not to put them out. Besides he was shorter than either of them. He fit it better.

The morning after the revelations Harry decided to hide at Hogwarts. There he could practice magic and research in peace and quiet. He would stay in the Room of Requirement until his birthday. Using the invisibility cloak Harry snuck into Gringotts with Fred one morning to set-up an appointment to go over his inheritance without everyone else knowing about it. He was trying to keep the Order and the Ministry in the dark. He then visited several shops, whispering orders to Fred and getting thing delivered at a later date.

One week after learning of the Weasley's betrayal, Harry was apparated to Hogsmeade by both Fred and George. They were going to create a diversion so that Harry could sneak into Hogwarts using the invisibility cloak and map. It went like clock work and soon Harry found himself in the tunnel leading towards the statue of the one humped witch. Before going through the exit Harry made sure that the cloak was on and that the map was in front of him so he could read it.

Seeing that there was no one around, Harry made his way up to the seventh floor. But before he got to the Room of Requirement, he glanced at the map and nearly fell down the staircase. A voice echoed in his brain, sounding like Moony's. 'The map never lies'. If the map didn't lie then Albus Dumbledore was still alive! Unless it was his ghost talking to Professor McGonagall. Harry had to be certain and headed in the direction of the two professors.

'Well he's not a ghost', thought Harry. Anger, turning to rage, filled him as it dawned on him what this man had done. He had lied, bribed, and stole Harry's childhood, what little there was anyway. He suddenly saw the last six years in a whole new light. Everything that Harry had been put through, including Snape, was because this man wanted him under his control. Well not anymore! Harry was through being pushed around and manipulated. Every detail of his life being directed by either this man in front of him or old Snakeface. He wondered what they would do if he just quit the whole thing and left the wizarding world all together. Not that he would. Too many innocent people would suffer for it. His conscience wouldn't allow him to do that. That was the one thing that stopped Harry from simply walking out and finding a far off place to live out a normal life, in peace and quiet. It was then he heard his name being mentioned.

"Are you sure that you are doing the right thing, Albus? Harry loved you like a grandfather. He will not like what you have done and I hesitate to think how he will take the news when he finds out that you are still alive."

"Minerva, Harry will be fine and well looked after by the Weasleys. He'll be coddled and loved within an inch of his life, just like he has always wanted. They have played their parts well. At least Arthur and Molly have, along with their two youngest. After all I pay them well enough to do so."

"I still cannot believe that you pay them to befriend Harry. Any number of families would have taken him in, treated him like one of their own without you having to buy them."

"I have told you, Minerva, I wanted no interference with how the muggles treated the boy. I need him to be as dependent on me as possible. When he kills Voldemort, the Ministry will have a 'trial'. Either they will kill him by sending him thru the Veil, having a Dementor kiss him, or placing him in Azkaban for the rest of his life. Unless his injuries kill him first. He's too powerful to be allowed to do as he pleases. The last thing we need is another Voldemort on our hands."

"Harry's too noble for that to happen, but I don't think that you will get your way. Already he's showing signs of rebellion. You may find that although he isn't dark, he won't stand for what you have done. Leaving you without taking Voldemort out."

"That, I believe, is normal teenage attitude more than anything else. When he returns at the start of term and I will tell him that I faked my death so that I could search for the so called Horcruxes. The boy will be over come with emotion to have me back."

"Believe what you will but I feel that the boy will never be dark. He couldn't even do a proper Cruciatus curse on Bellatrix LeStrange at the Ministry after Sirius died. If that isn't an indicator to you then nothing will be."

"Just because the boy couldn't do the spell properly doesn't mean that he can't do it at all. I intend to make sure that he stays under my control. Which reminds me. I need to owl the aunt's house and make sure that Harry is 'properly' treated after he arrives."

"I still can't believe that you left him with those awful muggles. I told you they were the worst kind there were, but you had to leave him there anyway."

"Yes, and they are being well compensated for their trouble. By making sure that he is as low in esteem as he can be, they receive protection from the Ministry. As well as a substantial amount of money each month. How else could I be like a grandfather to the boy if I didn't seem to rescue him each summer? He'll do whatever I ask of him now. They toughened him up, made him stronger. "

"Made him stronger!?! To have him raised by them, his own flesh and blood, without love or understanding is low even for you Albus. I've been having some serious doubts, now more then ever. If you wish to continue in this way I shall have to go against you and stand with Harry. I will do everything in my power to make sure that he survives the final battle and that he has a happy life."

"I can't let you do that, Minerva. I'm sorry but this is more important than our relationship, public or personal. Obliviate!"