Title: Truth behind the name and the lies P.2
Pairing: DracoxHarry,
Fandom : HP
Notes: An abused boy finds out he's a wizard and a hero; his tormented mind rebels. One person sees through the misconceptions to the real Harry and treats him the way he deserves. How does this change them both and those around them? Please read P.1 otherwise you maybe confused…
This story will vary more so then Part 1 did from Sorcerer's stone. I had some comments that they were too similar- was still wary of how much to drift from the canon then.
Lone-Angel-1992-
'Dumbledore's reactions were amusing and it paints him with the shadow of a bad guy, expecially when he hissed. I'm surprised Veritaserum, truth potion, hasn't been added to the trials yet. I can't wait to see the Dursleys go down, and of course to see who Dumbledore tries to stick harry with next. Oh yes please I would like to see the bashing of Ron, and perhaps Molly and Ginny; thank you.'- He isn't necessarily bad...actually I haven't decided that yet. He's furious, this Dumbledore will admit everyone makes mistakes but will not acknowledge if he does. By defeating Grindelwald he countered the mistake of falling in love. Molly Weasley makes an appearance this chapter. Thank you for reminding me about Veritaserum it also is discussed quite early on in this chapter. Plenty of Ron bashing in Pt1- imagine Ron without Hermione to help him with essays or to study. He has to rely on Percy...Harry refused to be his friend because he said bad things about Draco. Ron makes being in the first year dormitory difficult for all the boys. I don't think he has any friends. As for Ginny, I'm sure she's home with Percy...or Arthur. She'll come in later in the story since she's starting at Hogwarts this year.
mithrilandtj -
Meddling old coot!- Yes indeed. Glad too see you back!
Zwolftd
'Geh! I wanna get rid of Dumbledore. Really! He deserve can he make himself blind for Harry's condition? Harry's sake?
Worst wizard than Voldy I assume. I hate him. hope Black and malfoy can win this court. Draco protect Harry make him to be a happiest boy in your world. wait to the next chapter' - Pride goes before a fall and Dumbledore has too much. He thinks he's the next Merlin and he doesn't make mistakes lesser beings do. He wants his weapon...so he thinks he's the only one who can raise Harry to sacrifice himself. I really dislike Ron...
bookworm19065
'Interesting! I can't wait to see Harry and Draco again! Also, I would never think that Serverus would show Amelia who he was since the only people he showed it to before were his closest "family"...'- Severus wasn't Severus at court. He stood up as Amicus Curia- 'Friend of the Court'. Which I think means he isn't really claimed by either side of a suit. a Legally Neutral party. An anonymous Witness must at least alert the judge to their identity. He had hoped she wouldn't ask but had to keep his word when she did. She did promise to keep his identity a secret which due to her honor code she would have to keep. He implied he switched sides to her.
Lucius was right, Severus came more to see Harry after he was hospitalized then to see Draco. Because though he had no love for James, Harry's sweet nature was like his mother's and being told that he was the closest thing Harry had ever had to a father changed him. Harry wants Severus not James and that makes Severus happy because James was a bully. He hopes protecting Lily's son will honor her memory and perhaps he'll be forgiven for what he did. We know Severus, he'll never forgive himself.
Chapter 7- Battle continues
August 13, 1991
Before the trial of the House of Black vs. Vernon and Petunia Dursley could officially resume Amelia asked, "Are Hermione Granger, Fred and George Weasley present…"
"Yes Madam Bones, my trouble-makers are here." came Molly Weasley's voice from the gallery.
"I'm right here. Haven't left." Hermione stood up, "I want to see the Wizarding world's definition of justice."
"It has come to my attention that you three have been charged with using Magic in presence of Muggles, threatening a Muggle with magic, illegal use of a flying car and other charges. Are you planning to speak to the court in this case."
"Yes Madam. I'll accept a fine for the use of alohomora to save Harry's life but expulsion? Seems a little overreaching."
"Yes the possible saving of our Savior's life must be taken into account. And Mrs. Weasley."
"I've punished my sons severely for causing such trouble. Breaking into someone's home? Threatening a woman? Flying cars, I didn't even know it could fly until I got the notice."
"Will they be speaking…" Amelia asked.
"I don't know. Honestly, I don't know if they can be trusted to tell the truth." Molly Weasley said shaking her head.
"Then would you permit the use of Veritaserum…"
"Excuse me Madam Bones."
Amelia raised an eyebrow, "Yes Ms. Granger."
"Isn't it true because some wizards and witches can resist its effects and others cannot, Veritaserum is "unfair and unreliable to use at a trial", and thus cannot be used as definite proof of guilt or innocence. Muggle polygraph machines are viewed the same way." Hermione said sharply.
"Indeed but in we are only trying to get the facts. Are your friends unreliable…"
"They are pranksters Madam but when the situation warrants it they rise to the challenge. They play as Beaters for our House team and the situation the Healer mentioned that occurred last May that resulted in Harry's near collapse of magic they were present for part of it. They are like big brothers to us all, most of us are only children. When Harry's broom went erratic last year during a Quidditch match, it was the twins who tried to get to him. When that failed they did the next best thing, circling and hoping that if he fell they could somehow catch him." Hermione stated truthfully.
"You trust these boys with your life…"
"Yes, Madam Bones and with Harry's, I would trust any of my friends with my life. I have had to. On October 31 of last year a Mountain troll entered the castle, my life was saved by the twins and Harry, but…he didn't want anyone to know he was there but it was Draco who pulled me to safety. If it weren't for the four of them I would have been killed.."
"Why did young Master Malfoy not want to have his assistance rewarded…"
"Simple, He is a Malfoy. Who in their right mind would trust him to be decent to the Boy-Who-Lived and not teach him bad things? He was smart enough to realize this and did his best to encourage Harry from the sidelines. After this, I don't think he can do that. Harry needs him and he needs Harry." Hermione snorted.
"I see. So in your opinion the Weasley twins would honestly ask questions…"
"I'm staking my magical education on it." Hermione said seriously.
Fred and George just stared.
"Ms. Granger you shouldn't." Molly Weasley protested.
"They managed to get high marks last year and receive points for special services to the school and you doubt them? They're my friends, like Harry these people are some of my first friends. I didn't have any before Hogwarts and not until they saved me from the troll."
"How do you know they didn't let the troll in as a joke…" Molly muttered.
"What!" Hermione shrieked, "Professor Quirrell did that. He had a nasty gift with them. He's the one who tried to kill Harry. It was Fred and George who ran into the bathroom and tried to distract the troll. When it tried to attack George, Fred jumped on it's back…"
Molly gasped.
"Your boys merely love trouble more then some. They like pranks because life should be fun. Laughter is good medicine."
"As entertaining as this is I'll have to end it. The matter of underage magic used in the presence of Muggles as it has to do with the nature of this case therefore falls under the jurisdiction of this case. The question of whether circumstances dictated such actions are yet to be determined." Amelia turned to barrister Montague, "Are you ready to proceed…"
"Yes Madam."
"Call your next witness."
"Wait…" came a young proud voice. "He wants to talk…only if they go away and I can come."
Amelia looked up to see a small boy curled up in Draco Malfoy's lap. "Really? He wants to talk…"
Draco looked down at Harry, nodded, "Only if they and Professor Dumbledore leave."
"My dear boy, I'm his guardian." Dumbledore attempted to change his mind.
"Harry won't talk if you're here. Besides, with Sirius imprisoned guardianship reverts to his Head of House. You're a half-blood you know that. I don't know what you got to decide such a thing you could have just let Aunt Andromeda have him. She'd have treated him better."
"I don't have to be insulted by a child. Your father would do well to teach you to respect your betters."
"When you earn it professor you'll have it." Draco sneered.
"Fine. I don't wish to be present to be insulted by a thoughtless child." Dumbledore flounced out of the courtroom.
The Dursleys and their unhappy Barrister not far behind.
"We'll come down now." Draco levitated them and they landed gently in front of the witness chair. He sat with Harry in his lap.
Amelia smiled at him, "I heard you go to school with my niece Susan. You had Herbology together I think."
Harry nodded.
"The healer said you were hurt really bad is that true."
Harry paled squeezing Draco's hand, "yes…" his voice came out in a whisper.
Amelia nodded, "Can you tell me what happened."
"I…talked back…"
"About what sweetheart…"
"Hedwig. Uncle Vernon was mad because she was hooting. He padlocked her in her cage. She's a bird. She has to fly. He didn't want to be to be talking to freaks like me."
Amelia bit her lip, "He thinks you're a freak…"
"He says my being a wizard is unnatural…they…thought they could beat it out of me."
Amelia gasped, "Oh. The auror who checked out your aunt's house said the cupboard under the stairs looked like someone used to live there."
Harry shook, "I did…before that…it was under the kitchen sink until I was three."
"What? No one would make a child sleep under a sink." Molly yelped.
"Be quiet Mrs. Weasley. Please." Amelia said exasperated.
"It's okay Adder. Just tell the truth. You're safe. No one can hurt you again. I promised. You trust me right…" Draco gently lifted his chin.
"I'm telling the truth. I trust you Draco. You saved my life…four times. You're my friend. My first friend." Harry said in a choked sob.
Amelia was shocked, seeing the Savior of the Wizarding world so broken and tiny was overwhelming. "So you were punished for telling your Uncle that your owl needed to fly…"
"No…" Harry said quietly, "he punished me for talking back."
"Why was your window bared…"
"Because…he thought I couldn't receive letters that way."
"Why did you have to go back to the Dursleys after your first year…"
"Because I'm supposed to be safe there…protection wards or something."
Amelia blinked, wards? On a Muggle dwelling? "I'm sorry Harry. I want you to take a minute to calm down okay? I want to ask the auror a question…"
"Okay…" Harry curled up and pressed his wet face to Draco's shirt.
"Hush now Adder…" Draco whispered rubbing his back.
"Auror Nickerson? Are you here…"
"Yes Madam Bones." the auror stood.
"Tell me were there any wards on the Dursleys' home."
Auror Nickerson looked surprised, "Why no Madam Bones. This is the first I've heard of it. The only magic we sensed there was that of the four magical children who were present and left echoes."
"Those would be Harry, Fred, George and Hermione…"
"Yes Madam."
"Thank you auror you may sit."
"Who told you there were wards Harry…" Amelia turned back to the two boys.
"I…"
Draco hushed him, "I would assume the Headmaster. Harry is scared of him."
"Why would he be scared of him…"
"Wouldn't you be if you were told this great and powerful wizard decided that the safest place for you to be after your parents were murdered was with a couple who beat you? Made you sleep in a cupboard? Never noticed you were sick? Starved you? Didn't let you have friends? Encouraged your cousin to bully you? Never gave you a present for Christmas or your birthday? They sent a half-giant to tell him he was a wizard. Not a Professor, a groundskeeper. He stole Harry's money to buy him his owl and told him it was a gift. The first person he met from our world betrayed his trust. Then this same thoughtless fool thought it was great fun to take him into the Leaky Cauldron and tell everyone there he was Harry Potter. The poor boy was still trying to understand he was a wizard and that what his aunt and uncle said about his parents were lies. Lily and James Potter were heroes, they fought to protect their son. James Potter was an auror. Harry was told his father was a drunk, became a drunk after he was born. That Harry's birth destroyed their marriage. That the scar on his head was carved there by a Drunken James."
Severus' voice rang out, "What! Petunia did what? I never thought much of James but he would never have hurt his son. James loved Harry, his birth didn't destroy their marriage it made it stronger. James did drink on occasion if he was out with his friends but after Harry was born he grew up."
"I know that uncle Sev. Please be quiet. After all the lies he'd been told all his life he gets told he's a wizard. Can you imagine the effect having a pub full of fans being told you're there? He was practically mauled."
"How do you know that happened young Master Malfoy. I doubt your father would let you in a place like the Leaky Cauldron."
"I saw Harry right after. He was shaking, he was terrified. I've been trained as an Occumentus since I was six. Madam Bones he looked me in the eye and I was pulled into that memory. I saw it, I felt his terror. That experience changed me. All the stories I'd heard about him came crashing down, all I could see was a terrified little boy with crooked fingers. Me, the next Prince of Slytherin marked by meeting this boy. He needed so much care and attention. When he's scared I feel it, like a crushing weight. When he needs me…I am pulled to his side." Draco looked up at the woman, "When they started to beat him, I felt it. I screamed." his eyes filled with remembered pain, "I felt him call for me. He needed me. I've only not come to him twice before. Once when the Headmaster showed up in Gryffindor Tower, again when he was nearly killed in the Quidditch match between Slytherin and Gryffindor. It was too dangerous to let myself be pulled 75 feet in the air to broomstick that is being jinxed by Dark Magic."
Amelia stared, "Why has this person not been arrested for an attempt on Harry's life."
Draco sneered, "They're dead. Killed by the reflection of their own magic. If I'd figured it out sooner I would have made sure you got a hold of them first."
"Killed by the reflection of their own magic? How is that possible." Amelia had never heard of such a spell.
Draco shook his head, "I will use whatever means I need to keep him safe. Professor Quirrell tried to use a nonverbal Strangling hex. I merely used a particular shielding spell that reversed it."
"Where did you learn this spell? Your Father…"
Draco shook his head, "I've always known it. I have no intention of explaining that spell. I merely know what it does."
"I see. It could prove useful to Magical Law Enforcement."
"Perhaps, but I don't want to chance it being learned by another." Draco frowned, "Honestly, it takes a lot of power to cast and control. I doubt most could use it anyway."
"If it's that difficult how can you control it."
Draco shrugged, "Magic is easy for me. I can brew just past the level of O.W.L.S. potions. Astronomy is child's play. History is easy to memorize. Transfiguration and Charms merely take pronunciation and adequate concentration. Defense Against the Dark Arts? You need to have mastered one skill, nonverbal spell incantations. Once you can cast nonverbal you gain an advantage. Second you need to able to think on your feet. Disarming is a good first reaction if your opponent doesn't expect it or hear it. Unless they can use wandless magic. Unless you know your opponent you can't be sure. Powerful shields can be used to protect yourself or another while your opponent is wearing himself out. Then with a well preformed jinx or hex you can win a fight."
Amelia just stared, "You're twelve? I don't think I've ever gotten such a response from a senior auror."
"I was well instructed and received a pure-blood education in elementary magic from the time I was three until Hogwarts. I did a little studying this summer besides homework." Draco shrugged. "Harry had no such education and he caught up quickly. He tied my marks in potions. He's brilliant. He just needs some self-confidence."
"Yes, wealthy pure-bloods to prefer to have their children enter Hogwarts with some semblance of a Magical education. There are primary schools and private tutors." Amelia acknowledged. "Attended a primary school myself."
"I had a tutor. A very wise man, who has taught me that honor is very important. He also told me that we make our own paths in life. That we must bear the consequences of our choices."
"A very wise man indeed."
"You've met him. Not many people can look beyond the veil of the past and see a terrified little boy who just needs to be loved and appreciated." Draco smiled.
"Draco…I'm okay now. Can I talk." Harry said quietly.
"Of course Adder. Anything you want."
Harry looked up at her, "Please. I don't want to go back to the Dursleys. They hate me. If you're going to decide who I can live with. I want to live with either Snape or Draco."
The gallery was loud with exclamations of surprise.
"Why Snape Harry…"
Harry smiled, "He doesn't want anyone to notice but he's really nice. He was my mother's best friend. He loves me. Professor Snape is the closest thing to a dad I've ever known. He helps me with my homework. He makes me potions when I'm sick or hurt. He let me see Draco. I know he is a good person. I love him."
"What about Mistress Black? Would you like to live with her…"
Harry blushed, "She's nice. She's Draco's aunt. She made sure the Healers took care of me. I'm glad she wants to take me away from the Dursleys but I don't know her very well yet. Draco said she's a good person and very brave so I can trust her but…she's not Snape."
Amelia asked, "If Draco said someone wasn't nice, you wouldn't trust them…"
Harry nodded, "Draco promised to keep me safe. He's my best friend. Then there is Hermione and George and Fred." he looked up at Draco, "Can I tell her about our other friend."
Draco smiled, "It's okay. He said you can. Besides, you got him 65 points at the End of Term feast."
Harry grinned, "Then there is Blaise. He's really cool. He's really good at Wizard Chess and really smart. He helps me with my Transfiguration homework. Blaise and Hermione came in third in marks for potions."
Amelia was struck at Harry's honesty, "Is Blaise here…"
Harry nodded, "Yep. He's sitting with Mr. Lucius and Mrs. Cissy." he waved, "Hi Blaise."
Draco chuckled as his friend waved back awkwardly.
"So, you don't want to live with the Dursleys…"
Harry shook his head, "They're mean. They hate me. They locked my trunk up. I didn't know I packed my first present away."
Draco stiffened beneath him.
"Your first present."
"It was something Draco made for me. I normally keep it hidden beneath my glamour."
"You use a glamour…"
Harry nodded, "The Wizarding World thinks I'm some kind of hero. They…don't want to see what I really look like."
"Are you wearing a glamour right now." Amelia asked gently.
Harry bit his lip, "Yes. I wouldn't have come here without it. I had to strengthen it. It collapsed. It uses very little magic but when it collapses…it…causes my magic to…crash…"
Amelia asked softly, "If I asked you to turn it off would you do it…"
Harry whimpered, "Do I have to? I don't know everyone here, they still might not believe me."
Draco rocked him gently, "It's okay Adder…"
"I thought Mrs. Weasley liked me. She sent me a sweater and fudge. Now she sounds mad at me."
Molly flushed.
Draco smiled, "She's just mad at Fred and George."
"But they saved me." Harry protested confused.
"I know they did Adder and so does she. She's just embarrassed because they got in trouble for it."
Harry looked at Amelia, "How can they be in trouble for saving me…"
Amelia sighed, "Because they used magic when they were out of school and in front of Muggles. It's against the rules."
"Can you help them? If they get in trouble because of me it's not right." Harry asked softly.
"It is okay in extreme situations. I'll do what I can. You've been a very good boy and very brave. It's lunch time. I think you and Draco need ice cream. When we come back I want to talk to Ms. Granger." Amelia said, the poor kid needed a break and a reward.
