The Other Side of the Coin Chapter 4, a harry potter fanfic

CHAPTER FOUR

The waning hours of the night found Harry seated in the kitchen of the old ancestral house, a sliced and browning apple sitting on a plate in front of Harry, untouched. The front door slammed, jerking Harry out of his stupor. He looked up to see Sirius sit down on the opposite side of the table. The man in front of him was trying to maintain his composure, but his eyes and the bags under them betrayed his weariness.

A moment passed in a silence neither seemed inclined to break.

Finally, "What happened?"

Harry started as Sirius brought his head up jerkily, the dark eyes boring into his own.

Another moment, before Sirius looked away almost sheepishly.

"Harry, this isn't something I really want to be talking about. And really shouldn't be talking about with an eleven year old."

"Tell me, Sirius."

He shook his head. "I simply can't, Harry. It wouldn't be fair to you. Especially not the details."

Harry thought for a moment. "Is it something I'll be able to read about in the morning Prophet?"

Sirius shook his head, considering. "There's a strong possibility."

"So just tell me now, before I find out on my own."

Sirius pushed his chair out and stood from the table. "There was… an attack."

Harry frowned. "An attack?"

"Several, actually."

Harry just waited silently for Sirius to continue.

"Two first year Hogwarts students were killed, along with their families."

Harry sat up sharply. "Who?"

Sirius sighed softly. "A girl named Hermione Granger, and a boy named Justin Finch-Fletchley. Both muggleborn. Did you know them?"

Harry shook his head. "Not particularly. Knew of them. Met Granger once, in the library. We didn't talk for long."

There was something surreal about the idea that a person he had known, a person he had spoken to only recently was no longer there, no longer existed on the planet. Harry's head swam. "How'd it happen? Who, why?"

"The houses were a wreck. The bodies… safe to say they weren't in any reasonable condition. This wasn't the Killing Curse, no. This was worse than that. I won't go any further describing the scene to you."

Harry swallowed hard. "But who did it?"

"We don't know. We're at a loss. A complete, complete loss. There were no traces of magic that we could detect, there were no trails leading in any direction, there was simply nothing. It was as if the culprit just appeared from nowhere, slaughtered these people without using magic, and vanished once more. There weren't even any signs of apparition. And the only thing the two families had in common was that both families were muggle by heritage but had a child in their first year at Hogwarts."

"Jesus."

Sirius suddenly seemed to shake himself from his thoughts. "Harry, you really ought to sleep, it is far too late for you to be up."

"I couldn't sleep. Even before this."

Sirius crossed around the table to Harry's side. "Harry, you need sleep. We'll talk more more in the morning."

Harry sighed wearily and relented, agreeing to at least make one more attempt.

Harry and Sirius didn't talk in the morning. The auror's job had become overwhelming, and they hadn't had the time to sit down and actually talk through Harry's concerns.

Knowing that would likely continue to be the case for a little while longer, Harry chose to accept Ron's invitation after all, and the next week found him in the dining room of the Burrow, surrounded on all sides by red hair. It was vaguely frightening, especially with the twins being seated directly to his left and right. Fireworks, he knew well, could go off at any moment. And he meant that quite literally.

And still, there was a subdued atmosphere to the holiday, which was almost certainly related to the attacks on the two muggleborn families. They'd tried to continue on as normal, but Harry could feel the strain, especially on Arthur, who was head of the department of magical law enforcement, and as such felt a great amount of pressure from the public to find the party responsible and enact swift justice.

The meal progressed, with the twins especially attempting to keep things light.

"So Harry," Started George, "would you mind terribly if we decided to prank the whole of Slytherin house?"

"George!" Mrs. Weasley admonished.

Harry smiled. He hadn't seen much of the twins while at school, and decided that he'd like to amend that. "Well, that depends on the nature of the prank. Would I be a target?"

Fred jumped in. "It would only be natural, after all, if everyone in the Slytherin house were hit except for you that would make you the prime suspect!"

"In that case, I'd prefer it if you didn't."

Fred and George grinned, with Ron smiling along with them. "I don't know if we can contain ourselves, isn't that right brother of mine?"

George nodded, and Molly threw them both a stern look. "I expect to hear nothing regarding pranks for this semester. You've got so much potential; I don't know why you won't take that energy and focus it on your school work!"

Arthur interrupted. "Now now, there's nothing wrong with a little fun, but do try to keep it in perspective." He raised his eyebrows, and the twins gave a nod. "And Harry, how has the school year treated you?"

Harry swallowed his portion of mashed potatoes before responding. "It's going well. I've been learning quite a bit. I'm especially fond of Defense class, Riddle is an excellent teacher."

"You only say that 'cause you're good at it." Ron interjected with his mouth still full. Swallowing, he continued. "Riddle is way too hard."

"Brilliant, though." Those were the first words Harry had heard Percy say all break. He turned to him.

"You think so?"

"I do. The man made quite a name for himself during the war and in the immediate aftermath. It is about time we had a competent teacher of the subject."

Arthur held up a hand. "Percy, you know Dumbledore hires the best he can find. There are precious few people wanting to take the post nowadays, given the way Grindelwald targeted those who did."

"Grindelwald's been dead for years!"

"And the stigma is just now wearing off. You'll see, Percy, even if Riddle doesn't stay for long, I expect that the class will remain up to the standards being set today."

Harry turned, inquisitively. "And why wouldn't Riddle stay?"

Arthur turned and gave Molly a glance before continuing. She sighed and nodded. "Well, to tell the truth Harry, there's little point for him to. The man's got a brilliant mind, and now that he's returned to the country, people will be clamoring for his services. I know that our department would love to have him back, in more of a leadership position certainly."

"I was under the impression that being a professor at Hogwarts lends someone a high level of respect."

Arthur nodded. "It does, but Riddle doesn't need it. He's a hero, Harry."

Harry went quiet for a moment.

"Harry, this is all just speculation. Of course there's the chance that Riddle remains your professor throughout your entire tenure at Hogwarts." Arthur smiled, but couldn't quite come across as if he really believed that statement.

Harry sat back in his seat and wondered.

"So what's it like living with Malfoy?"

"He leaves me well enough alone."

"Still, sounds awful to me."

Harry and Ron were sitting in Ron's room. After dinner, the family had dispersed their separate ways, both the twins and Percy shutting themselves up in their rooms, although likely for vastly different reasons. Ginny had remained with Mrs. Weasley, and Ron and Harry had made themselves scarce as quickly as possible.

"I mean, it isn't as if I enjoy the situation. But the others aren't so bad, Nott especially."

Ron grunted.

"How's Gryffindor treating you?"

Ron smiled. "It is absolutely great. I love it. The other first years are a mix, but they're all quite nice, and it's great being in the same house as the twins. So far, I think that's all that's kept them from pranking me silly."

"Yeah, I'm getting a little worried. They were pretty quiet during the first semester."

Ron leaned back. "They've been preparing something big. They won't tell me what or let me get involved, but I know they've been working for a while on it."

Harry laughed. "That totally eases my nerves."

A soft breeze fluttered in the room as a silence passed between the two.

"Harry, I have a question."

Harry looked at Ron's suddenly strained eyes. "Shoot."

"Did Sirius tell you anything more? Anything that the Prophet might have left out."

Harry sighed, knowing exactly what Ron was talking about. "No, Ron. Not really."

Ron sat up. "Because if he did, Harry. I want to know. I want to know what actually happened. I need to know who."

"Were you close?"

"We weren't… we weren't best friends. She didn't really have a lot of friends at all. She was sort of brainy, a know it all. But we got along better than she did with the others. Sometimes I felt like I was her only friend in the world."

"Ron, I'm sorry."

His eyes drooped. "Don't be Harry. It isn't your fault. Are you sure that there was nothing Sirius told you?"

Harry thought for a moment. The paper hadn't gone out of its way to describe how the murders had taken place. He guessed that the aurors had asked them to keep the details quiet. But he knew that those details also wouldn't help Ron any. Not at all, would likely just make things worse.

"No Ron. There's nothing."

Ron sighed. "Goodnight Harry."

It was the last day of the holidays, and Harry was not ready to go back, mainly because Sirius had been dodging the conversation he had promised. Harry wandered down the stairs from his room, and was surprised to hear several voices in the dining room. He made his way more silently, in an attempt to hear what was being said.

"That man is just driving me up the wall! I can't believe it. Dumbledore's an institution!"

It was Sirius' voice that he could first distinguish and pick out of the crowd. Another responded, a voice with which he was not familiar. "He's been working towards this for a long time now. Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if he was somehow involved in those murders."

"That's quite the accusation, Alastor. And I wouldn't worry, Sirius. I'm quite secure where I am."

That was Dumbledore, Harry knew. Sirius responded. "Are you sure, headmaster? We've still never solved the Troll's existence, and Lucius has been too aware of the goings on at Hogwarts for my taste. There's got to be a mole."

"Lucius isn't our true enemy, Sirius. Keep that in mind."

"And who is?"

Dumbledore sighed. Harry, trying to get closer to hear more, stepped too heavily on the last stair, and it responded with a loud creak. Harry heard swearing as Sirius jumped towards the staircase, wand out. Spotting Harry, he sighed. "It's only Harry."

Dumbledore's voice could be heard from the room. "Allow him in, Sirius."

Sirius gave Harry a look. "Come on." Sirius pulled Harry into the dining room.

Harry found himself across from Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts, and a man with whom he had no awareness. He had a large fake eye and a wooden leg. His face was scarred and a piece of his nose was evidently missing. As the man sized him up, Harry turned back to see Sirius.

"Harry, you of course know Headmaster Dumbledore, and this is Mad-Eye Moody, formerly my boss and head of the auror corps." Harry nodded to both. "Harry, I'd like to know what it was you heard."

Harry gulped. "I didn't hear very much."

Moody scoffed. "Tell the truth, boy."

Harry took a moment, but answered truthfully. "I didn't actually hear much, sir. Just something about Lucius and Hogwarts."

Moody and Dumbledore exchanged looks. "Harry," Dumbledore started, "It is absolutely essential that you keep the information you've heard to yourself. Do I have your word?"

Harry nodded.

"Thank you, Harry." Dumbledore turned back to Moody and Sirius. "The hour is late, I'm afraid I must be going. You'll keep me up to date?" He addressed Sirius.

"Of course, professor."

Dumbledore nodded, clapped, and his phoenix appeared on his shoulder. "Good evening to all of you." He clapped again, and vanished in a stream of gold.

Moody and Sirius sat down together at the table, with Harry still standing off to the side.

"Black, I'm afraid I'm not quite as optimistic as Albus."

Sirius gestured at Harry. "Sit, Harry, sit."

He did, as Moody leaned over the table. "So tell me son. What have you noticed during your time at Hogwarts?"

"Moody, there's no way Harry will have noticed. Don't you remember when you yourself were a first year? This sort of thing flies overhead."

Harry glanced at Sirius. "When you say noticed, what do you mean?"

Moody continued. "Has anything happened that you would deem out of the ordinary?"

"Well, other than the Troll?"

"Granted. Other than the troll."

"Nothing really. Malfoy shoots his mouth of about his father's influence, but that isn't out of the ordinary."

Moody turned to Sirius. "We could use that, you know."

Sirius cocked his head. "What are you saying, Moody?"

"I'm saying that your boy is in Slytherin. With the son of Lucius Malfoy. There's a chance that the younger one may have heard something, may be somewhat aware of what his father is up to."

Harry interjected. "There's no way someone would confide that much in Malfoy. He's something of an idiot."

Moody laughed. "Maybe so, son. But he still could have overheard. Are you averse to maybe trying to befriend the boy? To help your godfather and I with a little extra-curricular investigation?"

Harry turned to Sirius, who was looking back at him, wide eyed. "I could do it."

Moody stood. "Good man. Good man."

"What should I do specifically?"

Moody thought for a moment. "For now, just become his friend. Then, send me a message with that beautiful owl of yours." Harry looked at him curiously. "Sirius told me about your bird." Moody supplied. "That's all for now. Thanks for your hospitality Black."

Moody stood and turned out the door. Harry and Sirius were left alone in the gloomy room.

"You don't have to do this, Harry."

"I know."

"So why are you?"

"It sounds interesting."

"That's not a good enough reason."

Harry faced Sirius directly. "Tell me about Dumbledore."

Sirius sighed. "I don't know all the details."

"He was friends with Grindelwald."

"Yes."

"He supported his rise to power."

"At the start."

"And Grindlewald is the one who killed my parents. Lupin. Your best friends. The one who gave me this scar." He pointed to his forehead.

Sirius responded slowly. "Yes."

"Then how the hell do you stand in the same room with the man? How do you expect me to live in a school with him now that I know this?"

Sirius stood and spoke vehemently. "Harry, there's a reason that I follow the man. There's a reason he's the Headmaster of Hogwarts. The man is a genius, the most powerful wizard alive. Once he realized what his best friend was, what he had become, he separated himself forever from the man. He was instrumental in pushing Grindelwald out of the ministry, and used his magic and resources to help the aurors and other groups fighting the Dark Lord to survive! He's a good man, Harry. He's a strong man. And he feels that the darkness has not truly lifted, despite what Malfoy says, despite what the ministry says."

"Why did he never bring down Grindelwald himself? Or at least confront him?"

Sirius sighed. "I don't know, Harry. I'm not claiming that the man is without faults. But none the less, he is a very important man, and he is absolutely needed at Hogwarts."

"Grindelwald gave him that position! He's always been indebted to the man. That's why he never sought to destroy him personally!"

Sirius stepped towards Harry. "You don't know that. You can't know that."

"But it makes sense, doesn't it?"

"No, Harry, it doesn't. It doesn't make sense, because Dumbledore has devoted his life to fighting darkness. He's the bastion of Light in the world."

"So you say."

"So says the world!"

"Doesn't make them right."

"I don't know what else I can say Harry, other than give the man a chance. He's done nothing to harm you personally; he's only ever looking out for the welfare of his students. Give him a chance, Harry."

Harry thought for a moment, and then stood himself. "I'll try, Sirius. But I can't promise you anything."

On the school bound edition of the Hogwarts Express, Harry found himself seated in a compartment with Malfoy, Nott, Tracey, and himself. He also felt distinctly uncomfortable, having been seated next to Tracey when Nott and Malfoy had chosen the other two seats in the compartment. He had found Ron at the beginning of the trip, but he was sitting with Thomas and Finnegan, but who gave him nasty glares upon eye contact. Ron shrugged, and Harry continued on his way to the Slytherin compartment.

"And Father says that the ministry will be looking to progress even further, expansion of the individual departmental powers, along with the minimization of the Wizengamot, which can only be a good thing. The duffers made the right move with the muggleborn legislation, but they cater too much to the whims of Dumbledore and his merry band of idiots."

Harry tuned him out. In many ways, he wished he hadn't made that deal with Moody. Malfoy was a prick, and Harry was not looking forward to spending more time with him. He whispered to Tracey, "I don't know what you see in him. All he ever talks about is his father this, his father that."

Tracey shot him a glare. "Shut up, Potter."

Harry obliged, wishing at the moment that he were anywhere else. Or at least that he could switch seats with Malfoy.

"So Harry," Nott threw in, "Did your godfather teach you anything?"

Harry nodded. "We worked on dueling technique. Not spells, per say. But we did practice."

"Meaning?"

"Well, we worked on footwork, the element of surprise. The two spells we've learned from Riddle so far should keep us in pretty good stead."

"But he didn't teach you anything new."

"I wouldn't say that. He just didn't teach me any new spells. Although I think he promised to over the summer."

"You'll have to show us, Harry. With an auror's techniques we'd be pretty much unstoppable. Could put those Gryffindor's in their place."

"I'm still relatively certain that the upper years could wipe the floor with us."

Nott nodded his head. "Of course they could, but what about the other first years? They wouldn't stand a chance."

Harry grinned. "So wouldn't it make sense for me to keep this to myself, so as to have an advantage on you all?"

Nott glowered. "Now's not the time to finally start acting like a Slytherin, Harry."

Harry laughed. "Oh no? Well I'm sure Malfoy could teach you a few things. Your father tutors you at breaks, doesn't he?"

Malfoy looked at Harry for a moment, and then looked down. "An important man like that, he'd hardly have the time."

"Well then, I suppose you'll have to take lessons from me."

Nott jumped in. "Are you offering?"

"Sure, why not?"

Malfoy thought for a moment. "I'm in."

Nott agreed with a nod, while Harry turned to Tracey. "What about you, Davis?"

She gave him a curt look. "Shut the hell up, Potter."

Malfoy grinned and Nott laughed.

Harry just sighed, turning to look out at the passing countryside as the Hogwarts Express continued on its winding path towards the Hogsmeade station.