LAST GIFT BY TAKSHAK

Disclaimer: All Harry Potter works belong to J.K. Rowling.

AN: This story is an idea I got from "In Light of Silver Memories" by Taliath.

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Chapter 3

Harry was waiting patiently for headmaster's visit to collect him from privet drive ever since getting his letter in the morning. He has done all his packing, which hardly took him time because in reality he doesn't have many things. Except from his school books and robes he has few ill fitting and second hand cloths which Dursley's have given him over the years.

While waiting, his thoughts once again turned to Sirius. Thinking of Sirius once more, fresh tears started flowing down his cheeks. He had dreamed up so many plans in his head on how he and Sirius would live together. He delighted in thinking that finally he had someone, a godfather who will love him, whom he can call family, as he has always yearned to be part of a family, but once again everything has been ruined by Sirius's untimely demise. Once again, when the scene of Sirius slowly falling into the veil with a look of surprise on his once handsome face flashed in Harry's mind eye he fell into tremendous rage and immediately he felt his magic getting out of his control. He consciously tried to calm his magic to get it under his control, as he has done on numerous occasions after coming here from Hogwarts. He admonished himself once again for loosing his calm and almost doing magic and thereby giving ministry to cause him more problems.

Suddenly Harry heard the bell downstairs; he immediately dashed out for the door before any of his relatives. He opened the door and saw Dumbledore as he expected.

"Hello Harry, I see that your ready to go but I believe before going I will like to have some words for your relatives."

"Good evening sir come inside" Harry replied.

"Boy who is at the door" bellowed his uncle from down the hall.

"It's my headmaster from the school uncle" replied Harry.

Hearing this Vernon came rushing to the door, his face was beginning to heat up and it was getting steadily redder and suffused.

He started shouting "I will not have another of your freakish people in my home anymore. Hearing the noise petunia came out of kitchen and immediately paled at seeing the headmaster.

"Hello Petunia, I see Harry didn't inform you of my coming today."

While saying this Albus looked at Harry who blushed and started stammering about that how he didn't want to get his hopes high once again.

With that Albus starting moving inside the house, in spite of Vernon's incoherent mutterings of anger. Harry closed the door and made a beeline to the living room behind headmaster. At reaching the room Dumbledore addressed both the Dursley's " today I have come hear to collect Harry for one last time, therefore before going away I wanted to have some words with both of you" saying this he asked Harry "to go and collect his belongings from his room."

"Well why don't we sit down, it's no use standing unnecessarily and as you can see I am not as young as I once was."

Saying this he promptly sat in one sofa which forced Dursley's to in front of him.

"Petunia I must say I am most disappointed in you, you who I have entrusted with your nephew's care all those years ago, have thoroughly abused that sacred trust. You have not only mistreated Harry but also have encouraged your husband and son to harass and beat the boy."

Hearing Dumbledore berate them for mistreating the freak boy Vernon started to shout only to be silenced by wave of headmaster's hand.

Petunia was absolutely silent through the whole exchange. She could not even meet Dumbledore's eyes in which there was no twinkle, they were cold.

"Alas! Time to make amends is our, now you and your family will reap what you has sown. As I have said I am here to collect Harry, he will not be returning here ever again."

Listening to this Vernon started to smile but at one look from Albus he quickly tried to hide his glee at hearing such wonderful news.

"I could have left without informing you of the impending dangers, as you know I had placed wards all over your home when I left Harry with you which have protected him from any one intending to cause him any harm.

"They have also protected you and your family all these years as well. Now because of Harry's leaving they are going to fall very soon and your home will once again be unprotected from any body wishing you harm."

"My advice will be to relocate outside the country as soon as you can."

Hearing Dumbledore talk about the dangers they will be facing once Harry is gone petunia started shaking but Vernon was purple with anger, trying to shout at headmaster for his gall, to suggest leaving their home.

"This was all I have to say to you whether you heed my advice or not that's your prerogative."

"Now come Harry let us depart."

Hearing Dumbledore, Harry stepped into the room from where he was standing and listening what headmaster was saying to his relatives.

He was carrying his school trunk and Hedwig's cage, as he had already told Hedwig to fly to Hogwarts.

With a burst of fire Fawkes arrived and perched on Dumbledore's shoulder, Albus beckoned Harry and they both left with Fawkes transporting them through fire travel to Hogwarts.

Dark Lord Voldemort sat in dark room with very minimal lighting; he was in quite rage, angry at Department of Mysteries debacle. He had no plans to show himself at the end of the fighting but it was not to be. Moreover most of his high ranking death eaters were caught at the end except Bellatrix. Now whole wizarding world knows about his return from the dead as he was seen fighting that blasted old man in the ministry atrium, by minister and his entourage.

He has no plans for assaulting the ministry himself this early. He never wanted whole world to know of his return but it was not to be.

Now he has to change many of his plans regarding the wizarding world. Also minister Fudge has to resign in the aftermath. He was weak and easy to control but new minister Rufus will not be easily pliable. He was the head auror before becoming minister.

Voldemort was thinking of waiting before capturing the ministry, though he might succeed in overthrowing the ministry but he can't hold or run it with the strength of his death eaters presently. He has to drastically recruit new followers though that should be easy now as his return is known. People will once again flock to his banner either out of greed or fear.

He knew that in terms of power there are only three people in wizarding Britain who can conceivably match or outclass him.

One is Nicholas Flamel, second is Ollivander and third that old coot Dumbledore.

In terms of power both Flamel and Ollivander outclass him by considerable margin.

Though he himself has never fought against Flamel but he knew that anybody who is considered by Dumbledore as his mentor and is more than six centuries old will be a formidable foe. He have to be to last this longer.

As for Ollivander nobody knows much about the man, not where he lives, not how old he is or what are the powers he posses. Even it's not known that he is human or what. There are many myths regarding him like he is the same Ollivander who started wand making in 382 B.C.

He still remembers visiting Ollivander all those years ago for his own wand. His impression of Ollivander was that the man could see directly into one's soul. He got the feeling to never cross the old man and that encounter had left him shaken to the core. Till date he has never attempted any move towards him or his shop though he is in need of his expertise in decoding the phenomena that happened after his rebirthing ceremony, where both his and potter boy's wands were locked in battle of supremacy. He was surprised by that and still searching for answers. Is it because of prophesy or due to wands he doesn't know and not knowing something about magic which will surely affect him in future irritates him.

But he can safely say that he is in no danger from both these wizards directly, as both live somewhat outside the wizarding world. Both the wizards have never tried to intervene in wizarding affairs. Both are content to live their one life.

His only main opponent in wizarding world is headmaster Dumbledore. The man has been a thorn in his side as long as he remembers. Dumbledore was the only person who never fully trusted him even when he was studying at Hogwarts. He alone knows that Tom Marvolo Riddle is Lord Voldemort. Dumbledore has fought him numerous times always forcing himself to retreat. Dumbledore is less powerful than him but he has got prodigal magical acumen and skills and it's the only reason Lord Voldemort somewhat fears him. Headmaster is the only person because of whom he is still unsuccessful in realizing his dream of conquering Britain.

But Dumbledore is getting old, soon he will overcome him then whole wizarding world will tremble before him.

"Pettigrew come here you sniveling rat, call Bellatrix and send for Fenrir." ordered Voldemort.

Bellatrix entered and prostrated before Dark Lord.

"Yes my Lord how can I serve you." said Bellatrix

"Bella I need my death eaters captured in ministry raid, who are now incarcerated in Azkaban. To that end I want you to plan a raid on Azkaban very soon. I give you a week's time to come up with a plan; I will either capture Azkaban for my own fortress or raze it completely to the ground."

Listening her master speak Bella started cackling with glee.

Of course master I will have the plan ready to implement in one week's time.

Bella I once again will warn you how much I dislike failure and I won't be so lenient this time. Your and Malfoy's bunglings have forced me to set aside some of my plans. This will be the last time you fail me and let me show you just a little of what will happen if you fail me again

"Crucio" and Bella was on floor screaming his master for mercy.

She can feel from the power of the curse how angry her master was. After almost a minute Voldemort lifted the curse and Bella started trying to get of the floor. Her whole body was shaking with the after affects. She felt like her whole body is on fire, of course she has been under this curse before but this was different. She quickly bowed to her master asked permission to leave.

"Go and be ready in a weeks time."

"I will master" she once again bowed and left to plan for raid at Azkaban.

Both Albus and Harry landed in headmaster's room in Hogwarts.

Fawkes trilled and flew to his perch. Dumbledore beckoned Harry to sit and called an elf.

With a pop an elf appeared "what can Trilly do for headmaster."

"Trilly this is Harry and he will be living here with me so place his belongings next to my room."

At hearing this Harry started, he never imagined living with headmaster; he thought he will be sleeping in Gryffindor tower as always.

Trilly took Harry's suitcase and popped to his assigned room.

"Go Harry and get refreshed your room is through here" saying this headmaster started leading him through a side door within his office.

They came to the first room on the left, Dumbledore informed him that it was his own room, your room is next to it Harry.

"If you need anything just call Trilly, we will have food shortly and after dinner is over we will discuss the future plans. Both Minerva and Fillus will join us for dinner."

After getting refreshed Harry came out to find Albus sitting in his office talking to Prof. McGonagall & Prof. Flitwik. At seeing Harry enter they all stopped talking.

"Come Harry come and join us." Headmaster said.

"Good evening professors" Harry said while dragging the chair on Dumbledore's right to sit.

They all were sitting around small round table near the window in headmaster's room.

"How have you been Harry" asked Prof. McGonagall.

"I am well professor" replied Harry.

Though Harry can tell nobody believed his statement but thankfully nobody said anything. Headmaster called for dinner and everybody started filling their plates. Harry was little intimidated at sitting along side his professors while having dinner though he tried not to show his nervousness on his face. Dinner was over shortly with only just small talk.

After plates were cleared Albus called them to sit around his table while he ordered some tea. Harry could tell that it was something serious by the looks both the professors were giving in Dumbledore's direction.

An elf popped with tea, after serving tea headmaster said "now that we all are rested and have our stomachs full let us discuss what we all are here for."

Harry had a look of anticipation on his face; he was thinking what sort of plans Prof. Dumbledore has made regarding him. As he looked at Dumbledore's face he got a bad feeling about whatever professor was about to tell him.

"Harry as I have said to you in my letter I will once again like to apologize to you. Hearing this Harry started to protest but Albus silenced him with his hand and said no, no Harry listen as you and I both know that your living conditions while living with Dursley's were never good and I am the one responsible for placing you there."

"Also, as you correctly pointed out that I have ignored you for whole of last year, when you were last in my office. I cannot give you what you have lost all these years but going forward I promise to do right by you, to that end have made some plans which I will tell you shortly but first I have some grave news for you."

"I don't know how to say this but Harry I am dying."

Harry was shocked to the core hearing this; he couldn't imagine that Dumbledore can die.

At Harry's disbelieving look Dumbledore said "yes my boy I am very serious as I have already informed both Minerva and Fillus I have been very ill for quite some time. I contracted a curse some time ago while handling a very evil cursed object. The said curse is continuously robbing me of my energy. As it is I am barely keeping it at bay with my power and I am afraid shortly it will win its fight."

Harry looked up to see both Prof. McGonagall & Prof. Flitwik were weeping silently and he himself had tears coming out of his eyes.

"Don't cry on my behalf Harry, I have been ready for quite some time to begin my next great adventure and I had a very fulfilling life."

"I know that with the rise of Dark Lord grave time is upon us but do not despair I have some plans to counter both Voldemort and ministry."

"As I have already instructed Prof. McGonagall & Prof. Flitwik I will be stepping down from headmaster's post and Prof. McGonagall will be next Hogwarts Headmistress & Prof. Flitwik will be next Deputy Headmaster."

"Also they both will be conducting thorough inspection of Hogwarts wards within this week."

He summoned a book from his table and handed it to Harry "and you Harry will study this book for next two days."

Harry looked at the title of the book "Rituals", then looked at Dumbledore with a question on his lips "yes Harry you will undertake a few of those and I will explain my self more after you have read that book." Harry nodded at this.

"Now why don't we disperse for the night as it's quite late, we will meet again at breakfast here but I must caution you all to keep what we have discussed here to yourself. Do not tell anybody whosoever may be. It's very important that this and future discussions be kept secret for the future safety of Hogwarts."

Harry's mind was in turmoil as he lay in his bed that night. He was thinking what all headmaster has told him. It was very late in the night when Harry drifted to sleep with a very heavy heart.

AN: that's the end of third chapter

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