Chapter 4-Questions and a Place to Call Home

Mr. Dumbledore

We have found evidence against you of theft from the Potter family vaults, ignoring your duty as a will-keeper and lastly, neglecting your charge as Harry James Potter's magical guardian. For the first crime, the money you have stolen has been deducted with interest from your personal and group vault dedicated to 'The Order of the Phoenix'. For the second, your vaults have been voided. The remaining 1000 Galleons are enclosed in the envelop. As for the last offense, it is not punishable by wizard law. However, a behead on sight order has been passed on you, should you ever dare to step on goblin lands again.

Head Teller

Gringots

Terse and to the point. Exactly what made a wizard fear for his own skin.

He sighed heavily as he read the letter over again. As said, a thousand Galleons had been enclosed in the envelop. That's all he had left now. Even the order vault had been drained dry then voided. Not only that, the goblins seemed to have gone out for blood against anyone who took from the vaults. This morning, he had listen to Molly Weasley's legendary rants as she screamed out how her personal vault had been bled dry and voided. He had given her Harry's trust vault key quite some time ago. He knew well about her greed and was certain she would help herself as much as she could. But he had hoped that she would in return be grateful to Harry and help him out. Also, it wouldn't hurt to have his staunch supporters in a better state. Now, as he looked back he was sure it backfired. She had shown a bit care for Harry but he was certain it was fake. Ronald Weasley, the one who he had hoped would become Harry's best friend was coward, and simply backed out when needed the most. He also remembered the boy calling Harry the 'Heir of Slytherin'. And now Molly had come up to him about a plan of marrying her only daughter to the boy, to make sure she or her daughter could dig their claws in again. He always felt that the Weasley's are staunch supporters of the light, even now. But he was not so sure about Molly. "Something has to be done. Or she will cause more damage." He thought aloud. "Ginny is a good girl. She won't try anything on Harry just because her mother told her to." He assured himself. Now he had to deal with the biggest problem of all.

Harry Potter.

For some reason, both Harry Potter and his aunt had disappeared in thin air. Why he could not tell. But he was sure by now that the soul fragment of Voldemort was no longer in the boy. This made him feel relieved. The boy may still play his part in the dark lord's defeat, but now he no longer had to die to do so. He was also certain that it was Harry who had informed the goblins of his 'takings'. He sighed. All he ever did with the money was take the fight to darkness and try to help Harry get a family. 'Look how that turned out.' He mocked himself. Now, well he had to disclose his plans to Harry and hope to get the funding he needed again. Or beg others. If only he could find Harry.

Though the question that racked his mind was not where Harry was, but why had he left. As far as he knew, Harry was a kind but wary soul. He had been orphaned, it gets to a person's heart. He had been living with his aunt. She was a lonely woman and more than happy to take him in. There was love between the two he was sure. So maybe because he had to face all these 'problems' in his two years at Hogwarts. It would also explain his neglect of charges as a magical guardian. He should not have let Harry face any of it, but he had no choice. He had to see if Harry was the child of the prophecy, one who could fight off Voldemort. His weak magical core had him in doubt, but Harry had overcome all odds with his intelligence and courage. He had to do it, to make sure Harry was ready to face a threat whenever necessary. But now he realized that Harry was but a 13 year old boy when he faced the dark lord. Not an age to fight, let alone the most feared being in the wizard world. He's classmates had not been very supportive either. He had he's own secrecy to blame for that. Hiding Harry's valiant actions had cost the boy deeply. Even his only friend now hated him.

'Well done, Dumbie. You practically screwed the boy over. No wonder he left.' He thought. He promised himself that after Harry had been found, he would keep no more secrets. He would train him, guide him so he can be his own. But until he was found, what would he say to the world? The school year was not far away.

For the first time in his life, Albus Dumbledore felt like a blind old fool.

[...]

Harry was eagerly waiting for Mrs. Inkheart. Last day, when they exited (tumbled down for Harry) the fireplace in her office, they had found it empty. On her desk was a note saying she had gotten stuck in her duties and would visit them tomorrow morning. She had also requested to write down their address so she would not have a hard time searching in case she forgot. Beside which was another note, typed in saying their new home was named Breezehome and to use the floo to come in. So Harry promptly wrote the name on Mrs. Inkheart's note and with his aunt, left for their home.

When they arrived (or flipped over in Harry's case, for some weird reason even aunt Petunia was graceful in her exit) they found themselves in a house that screamed of comfort and even luxury. Harry saw a goblin awaiting them with a smirk on his face. After that well, he chuckled as he remembered his aunt's expression when told that all her favorite furniture was thrown away. That changed within seconds when she was informed and shown that now they were proud owners of antique furniture from a french baron's place, courtesy of Ragnok. The house was large, with a drawing room, guest room, dining room, kitchen and storage room downstairs. Upstairs was a study, two bedrooms not counting the master and another room where Harry was told he could practice magic without worrying about causing any damage. The outside was just as lovely. The house was covered in front with a garden that had only cleared off the pathway to the house. And there was a huge pool in the back. Not only that, now they had two house elves, Grumpy and Booker to look after the place. Petunia looked more than excited and wanted to take a tour, but Harry felt exhausted. So after the goblin left, Harry said goodnight and just dropped on his bed. He slept like a log.

Harry was awakened by a gentle push over his shoulder this morning. He saw his aunt smiling at him out of the corner of his eyes as he stretched. "Rise and shine sweetie." She was jumping up and down with excitement. "What will you do today?" She asked. "Guess I'll just take a tour. And Mrs. Inkheart did say she'll come." "Okay. Breakfast will be ready in 15 minutes," She said leaving. So he simply went up and around the house taking a tour. He found that the house looked like it had been renovated recently. The walls had been painted with tasteful colors. The furniture and decorations only added to its beauty. Despite all its richness, he felt at home. He met the two elves who seemed to be excited to have a new family. Then he had the largest breakfast in his entire life found himself in his room again, awaiting Mrs. Inkheart.

He didn't have time to dwell on his thoughts however, as he heard Petunia's voice from downstairs. "Harry, Mrs. Inkheart is here." "Show time." He muttered as he got up.

[...]

Alessandra Alexis Inkheart was a no-nonsense, steel-nerved woman who had little tolerance for bullshit. But yesterday when she was informed that Harry Potter, The Boy-Who-Lived of Britain was knee deep in trouble and asking for a way out of the country, shit reached an entire new level. Britain's golden boy leaving Britain? That sounded like an impossible idea. "Damn it Lily." She muttered as she reached for the bell. Somehow, her best friend was right again, even years after her death.

She was of course, more than happy to know that she would finally meet Harry, not the Boy-Who-Lived mind you but the boy who was her best friend's son. She just hoped the boy was not an attention seeking self-praising brat like his father was. She never did like James, but after that happened she outright hated him. She pushed those thoughts away as she waited. She would have to be focused for the upcoming conversation. Dumbledore probably didn't tell him shit. She felt bad yet proud for him. For what he had to face at such an age, and that he pulled it off with flying colors. 'Here goes nothing.' She thought as she greeted the woman she suspected to be Lily's sister. "Is Harry home?"

"So, Harry." The boy before her looked a bit under for his age. Yet his eyes, to her they seemed like they had seen a lot. And the way he held himself spoke of one who had gone through a lifetime of experiences. She felt him searching her very soul with those. Just like Lily. She took a sip of water from her glass to calm herself. "I take it that Dumbledore was one of the reasons why you left?" Harry nodded carefully, watching her. "We'll talk about that later. First thing first. I am Alessandra Alexis Inkheart, Headmistress of The Salem School of Wizardry and Witchcraft. But more importantly, I am your mother's best friend and she is mine. Now that introductions are done, I would like to tell you things you may or may not have been told. I want you to promise me that you will not not judge or show any emotions over what I say, or ponder over it or question me before I am done. If I miss anything I can tell you after. Okay?" He seemed a bit nervous, but he nodded yes. "Good. I'll be as brief yet informative as I can."

"Petunia, could you please leave? Whatever I say next is very personal to both Harry and Lily. If it gets out…."

"I understand." Petunia left the room. "Let's begin, shall we?" She asked as she set up privacy charms.

[...]

"Harry, if you need time to process what I've just said then it's okay. We can continue tomorrow." He felt her gentle hands on his shoulder.

He was crying. He was crying for his parents. For everyone and everything he ever lost. For the world being so unfair. "Why me?" He asked himself more than her. "All I ever wanted was a normal life with my family. Why can't I have that? I just wanna see my mum and my dad again. Is that too much to ask?"

"Harry, I know it's not fair. That damned prophecy took my best friend, my only friend in the world. I miss her a lot. I know she's your mom, but I remember her. It hurts when I remember at every turn of my life that she's not here anymore. I…."

"Tell me about her. What she was like."

He heard her take a breath. "She-I met her when I was eight years old. She had cut her hand and needed help. So I took her home. Mamma was a witch. She healed her. That's when she first learned about this world. She was my best friend ever since. She was kind and loving, always helping when I needed it. Sometimes I didn't even have to ask. She'd just come up and smile, then give me a hand. Later she went to Hogwarts, my family moved to America. I went to Salem. We'd write each other. She sent a necklace one day, a portkey. We'd visit each other in secret. God, I loved her so much." She looked lost in her memories.

"She graduated and married your dad. You were born. She looked so happy with you in her arms. She loved you so much. Never let you out of her sight, not even once." She smiled as she seemed to relive those memories. "And then the goddamned war began."

She looked at him. "She changed. Became distant and quiet. Tucked herself away in her books and researches. Once she heard the prophecy, she immersed herself in her studies even more. She even refused to take you and hide. Your dad forced her to do it."

"And now they're gone." He felt oddly calm. "She was trying to break the prophecy wasn't she?"

A surprised gasp met his question. "She was, at least that's what she said so. Voldemort had to mark you to make the prophecy active. She said she couldn't let that happen."

"Enough with the history. Tell me if mom told you anything that can help me kill those bastards." He said in a cold voice. His hands were shaking with rage.

"Your mother called me just the night before they went into hiding. She told me what would happen. I didn't believe her. Then she told me there was no way to stop the prophecy anymore. She gave me her journal. Told me I'd see you one day and to pass it on. Then she made me do a ritual." She stopped as she looked at him, her eyes filled with emotion.

"What ritual?" He couldn't help but ask.

"One that bound me to you as your Godmother." She replied.

"But, don't you just name someone? And I didn't see your name on the will either." He was confused now.

"By blood Harry. Your blood is coursing through through my veins." She held up her right hand, and he could see a circle with runes just under her wrist. "She made me promise on our friendship that night, that when the time comes I will help you to fulfill your destiny, to become the man that she'd be proud to call her son. I took an oath on our friendship that I'd give you a choice no matter what. Harry, your mom left me as her last option to give you a life. She even left you free of any responsibilities you might not want."

"Okay. Like what?"

"She never completed the ritual. You or your mom can willingly allow me to give you my blood, making us family and compelled to each other. She left that choice to you." Did he hear hope I her voice?

"Mrs. Inkheart, I don't know what to say. I can tell you that I want to go and kill Dumbledore right now. He probably placed my family there so that the prophecy can be activated. Then Voldemort. I want to wipe him out of existence, just so that I can get my revenge. But I know that's not the way to do it and nor am I ready. You say my mum left you to make sure I can overcome my obstacles. Then what are we waiting for?"

"Well said. But remember Harry, this isn't going to be school anymore. Sure you'll be studying in Salem but this will be preparation for a war. I'm gonna make sure that you get a shot at your goals and if that means I'm gonna have to work you to near death you be sure I'll do it. As many times as I have to."

Harry felt a feral grin forming on his face. "When do we start?"

"Tomorrow. And skip the Mrs. Or no deal."

[...]

Harry was sitting on his bed, lost in thought. Today was productive. He met Mrs. Inkheart, er, Alex today. He finally knew about the doom looming upon his head. And he had a way to train and to fight back. Not bad. But he still had questions. And he knew he wasn't comfortable or trusting enough to ask her about it, yet. 'Damn it. I need to know.' He thought. Suddenly bright blue light filled his room. 'Miss me?' He heard as a smile lit up on his face.

A.N. Sorry for the long wait. I kinda got wrapped up in my work. Anyway, here's the next chapter. And, the reason why I skipped the prophecy is that we have read it so many times that I think most of us can say it in our sleep. So why bother? If not, then I'm sticking with the original prophecy. Go ahead and search.