Beta'd 1/11/2016

Chapter 10

Harry and Rose quietly made their way through the castle heading towards the headmaster's office. "You have lived here before and know where his office is, why is it that you are asking me to take you there exactly?" Rose questioned.

"Well, only four people outside of myself know that, have you noticed how I have been asking where things are and who people are? I have to feign some ignorance or I might be found out." Harry replied hoping she would understand.

"You don't think the headmaster would help even if he knew how dire the situation became?"

"No not really, like I said on the train I don't believe him to be bad or evil, I just think he would take that knowledge and use it to his advantage; in which case we would be in a whole different mess. He would probably also say it was his premature death that caused the whole collapse in the first place." Harry said truthfully.

"But isn't that kind of what you are doing? I mean you said you didn't mean to show up here but basically you are using what you know and manipulating the events how you want them to turn out." She shot back.

"I suppose that is true; however, two things, outside of me not saying my true identity I have yet to hide my true intentions. When this all ends and I am forced again to move to the political arena I will have my intentions well known. Second unlike our esteemed headmaster, I. Will. Never use people as pawns on a chess board." Freely showing his anger towards the end of the statement.

"Sorry, I know you want to help, I think." She sheepishly stared at the ground while they walked.

"Don't feel too bad I understand better than most, well seems we are here. Before you go, I know Hermione and you are probably ripping the library apart trying to find holes in my story." She blushed at that "While you are there, look up what a pensive is, how it works; specifically look at what is known as a 'court's pensive' or 'solicitor's pensive'. And tell Tonks and Hermione lets meet after breakfast in the library for this meeting please." She nodded and walked away.

-SAVING HER SAVING HIMSELF-

Harry turned towards the stone guardian and told it to open and to inform the Headmaster he was on his way up. Being Head of a founder's house had some benefits. Steeling himself and his mind for what was set to be an interesting conversation. This would either make or break how he was planning on doing things over the next year. He hoped he could deflect many of the old mans questions and keep him in the dark, but he would have to give something in order to appease him as well. 'Well let's see how this goes,' he thought reaching the top of the stairs. 'Of course he has that slimy fucker here for this meeting' He thought as he noticed Snape sitting in the corner.

"Ah, Lord Gryffindor welcome my boy please have a seat. I will try and not take up too much of your time, I'm sure you are busy getting to know your classmates and learn your way around the school." Dumbledore spoke in his most grandfatherly smile his eyes twinkling like mad. "I do have to ask, how was it you managed to get past the guardian downstairs?"

"Being the heir of a founder has its privileges, some are known but not all Headmaster." He responded looking as innocent as possible. Snape looked like he was in physical pain in the corner, face was nearly purple with rage and unable to respond. 'Huh, wonder how long till he makes an ass of himself' Harry thought.

"Yes yes I'm sure, Now Harry, you don't mind if I call you Harry do you my boy?" Dumbledore asked. 'I should have made a bet on how many times he called me my boy or maybe how long till he started using my given name before given leave to do so'

"Yes I do Headmaster, it would be improper for you to use my given name unless of course I may call you Albus." Any further response was interrupted by the mouth attached to the walking grease spill.

"Arrogant child, who are you to correct the Headmaster..." He however was cut off as Harry just looked at him. A look he was not expecting from a mere child, Harry's eyes looked to be glowing, like his eyes were the gate that held back his power and it was near bursting. For the first time in a long time he was scared.

"Enough Severus." Dumbledore snapped. "He is of course correct and it may have been a bit forward to ask it of him. I am sorry about that; my potions master is very defensive of me. That being said I was wondering why and how you managed to claim your lordship so young in life, do you not wish to enjoy your childhood before having so much responsibility."

'So that's the angle you want to play' "Contrary headmaster, the house had been too long without a proper head, and like most houses that have not had a head in a long time, many things needed to be addressed and I am happy to say I have had great luck thus far."

"I was very impressed with the grades you turned in from your tutors. Might I ask how far along you are in your studies? Also I am a bit confused how you were never given an owl to attend during what should have been your first year."

"Headmaster, I have a decent grasp of magical knowledge as I should for a starting forth year. The tutors my family arranged were some of the best in their fields and the oaths sworn are very restrictive for the both teacher and student. It was felt that I would not attend here unless I felt comfortable with both the pressure of being here and the ability to defend myself. As to how I did not receive a letter from the school, well that is a private family matter." Harry told him knowing the paperwork Ragnok gave him would cover his bases.

"Well that's good...might I ask who your parents were or where you came from, I find it very interesting that a true Heir has suddenly popped up out of no where." Again fishing for more information.

"You may of course ask Headmaster but sadly I will not divulge that information, they have passed and I have no wish to bring them back up. And was it not some twenty or thirty years ago that an Heir of Slytherin cropped up? My family knowing of its fame hid for a long time, but tragically it was not enough and I became the last." Harry told him not really giving away any information but never truly lying either. 'I can play with the best of them headmaster, eat shit old man.'

Harry began to feel a light tickle against his mental barriers, instead of doing anything he just reinforced his second layer and smiled at the old man. "Is that all you wanted to know headmaster? As you said I am trying to get used to my ancestor's home."

"Do you have any reason to try and change things here? I am sure you know the power you hold within these walls."

"Headmaster I see no reason, as of right now, to do anything. Is there a reason I would need to? I was unaware of anything that required my involvement?"

"No, no of course not my boy, I'm sorry, Lord Gryffindor, I was merely curious. Thank you for coming to visit me this afternoon. I do hope you approve of everything we have done in the name of your ancestor's legacy."

"I appreciate your invitation headmaster, perhaps we will get a chance to speak again this year. I would like to examine my ancestor's sword at some point." Harry said knowing full well it wouldn't be too long before he was back in this office. He nodded and headed towards the door.

"Oh, Lord Gryffindor, is there any chance are you related to any one in the student body?"

'He is trying to catch me off balance. Well let's see how he feels about this answer.' "I'm sure headmaster, there are probably several older families and possibly some new ones that have some Gryffindor blood in them." He said over his shoulder before walking down the stairs.

-SAVING HER SAVING HIMSELF-

"Did you manage to get anything from him Severus?"

"No, his mind was closed to me; I couldn't even get any surface thoughts Headmaster"

"Yes, yes I reached the same conclusion. He is a very well mannered bright boy I must say."

"I could try and do a more direct attack on his shields to learn anything..." However, he was cut of by a sharp glare from Dumbledore. "Listen very well Severus, this is very important, you must not attempt to do anything with Lord Gryffindor, he knows the laws and I do believe he knows far more than he alluded to."

"He is but a child headmaster, surely..."

"He can evict you from the castle should he feel the need Severus, do not test him. I do not believe I could protect you either if something like that happened. We must allow this the run its course. Perhaps when the time comes his name and influence might help us."

"Very well Headmaster." Snape said curtly and left in a billowing of his cloak.

-SAVING HER SAVING HIMSELF-

As Severus left his office the headmaster turned inwardly deep in thought. This changes things, but how much will it change. What if he tells that she can take up the mantle and leave her relatives? That would be bad but it might be worse if he is somehow related to her and is able to take guardianship away from him. That would be disastrous; however, he could bring more families to his, their, cause should things turn out bad.

This would require a lot of reflection. Maybe I need to look at him as a possible match for Ms. Potter; the union would be a boon to the light families and could easily allow them to create powerful alliances. But then I might lose the support of the Weasleys, this was going to require a lot of thought.

"What do you think Fawkes?" Fawkes just gave him a quick but uplifting note that seemed to give Dumbledore some hope as he continued to think upon this new situation.

-SAVING HER SAVING HIMSELF-

Harry left the office pretty sure nothing would change for now. He didn't think anything would change from his current plans, but he knew it could change faster if he tried to intervene on Rose's behalf. Anything he did would have to be carefully thought out before acting. Any rash actions this year could drastically change things further than he already had.

-SAVING HER SAVING HIMSELF-

Friday passed in a blur for everyone. Harry once again got up early to work out. Needing the release the pain gave him, it seemed to deaden the emotional pain he was feeling. It was getting more difficult to portray a generally normal and happy teenage boy while struggling with the losses he so recently experienced.

Arriving at breakfast before most of the students was new to him since he was a much lazier student his last go through. 'If Hermione could see me now' he thought sourly. As the hall began to fill up with students the mail owls came in. A Gringotts owl dropped off a package in front of him. He quickly read the note saying inside was a court's pensive and a few vials of Veritaserum and antidote. He would un-shrink it when he met with the girls on Sunday. "Has it only been two days since the train ride?' This was going to be far more difficult than he ever imagined.

It was while he was reading the note from Gringotts that the hall went quiet. He didn't think anything of it until he looked up from his note to finish breakfast and he noticed the whole hall seemed to be looking between him and something. 'For fucks sake, I really haven't done anything why are they staring at me.' He shot a questioning look at Rose and Hermione and they just shrugged having not seen what was going on. Luckily Tonks came over with her copy of the Daily Prophet. 'I guess I better read what it says, I knew it would happen at some point.

Heir of Gryffindor goes to Hogwarts?

You heard it here first from the Daily Prophet, apparently Lord Gryffindor as started Hogwarts this year. Harrison Gryffindor (14) was apparently sorted into his namesake's house this week starting his fourth year. We here at the Daily Prophet are attempting to gain information from both Gringotts and the Ministry of Magic to ascertain if his claims are true.

Letters have been arriving at many a parent's home since September 1st telling them about his sorting in to his namesake's house. Aside from knowing his name, age and house we know almost nothing. We here at the Daily Prophet ask that he prove his claim to one of our most distinguished houses.

"The Ministry of Magic is currently looking into his history to prove his claims but as of now we have nothing to disprove him." Minister Fudge said as he hurried off towards his office this morning.

"I sure hope the boy is who he claims seeing as how the offense of claiming such a renowned name in our world could prove to be disastrous." Wizengamot member Lord Lucius Malfoy said.

We cannot help but agree with such an esteemed member of our society. Should the boy claiming said lordship be proven false many fines may be leveled upon him and, should he be proven guilty, time in Azkaban could be possible for him.

Reporting for the Daily Prophet, Rita Skeeter

Harry's face continued to darken as he read the article. He should have known it would be her usual sensational crap but come on. I know for a fact my seat in the Wizengamot has been activated. 'I am going to squish Skeeter in this timeline'

Just as Harry's mind finished its very graphic and thorough image of him squishing the bug under his boots the doors to the great hall swung open as several people stepped through. Harry just groaned looking at who came through the door. 'Okay Fudge, I get that you are here and that toad is attached to your ass so of course she followed you here. But what is up with the full Auror team?'

Dumbledore arrived at the doors just as they were looking around the hall and began to talk to the minister. Harry just looked at the scene and sighed, 'time to go look like a big boy'. So he stood up from the table, straightened his robes and calmly walked over to the adults at the entrance to the hall.

"Go away boy can't you see the adults have more important things than talk with you." The Auror sneered.

"Auror, I do believe your mouth talks faster than your brain thinks, they," he said pointing at the three speaking in the corner "are most likely talking about me."

"And why would they speaking about you, runt?"

"Because I am sure the Minister is here to ascertain my legal claim to the Gryffindor name, now stand aside!" Harry commanded allowing his voice to be laced with a bit of magic making it sound full of authority.

At this point nearly the whole hall was watching the corner of the hall with the Minister interested to see what was going on. They might have seen the Auror going for his wand but faster than he could get it up it fell to the ground as the Auror dropped it because two hands were going for his throat. Faster than anyone had thought possible the new guy, Lord Gryffindor, had snapped out his hand and hit the Auror's throat. The Auror in question quickly dropped to his knees gasping for breath.

"Arrest the brat!" the toad hollered.

"Stay your wands, Aurors!" A new voice said as Amelia Bones came into the hall. "Collect Auror Dawlish's wand and haul his ass back to the Ministry, we will talk about his actions of drawing his wand on an unarmed teenager."

Harry quickly beat himself up over his lack of control and was just happy that Madam Bones arrived because that could have made things way worse. But he had to maintain his cover of calm for now as he would beat himself up later.

"Minister Fudge here are the documents you requested from Gringotts; I had thought you were going to wait until I had them to leave."

"Yes, well you see I thought we could get here and talk with Dumbledore and possibly meet with the person in question." Fudge responded while nervously playing with his ghastly green bowler hat.

"Very well" She said in an exasperated sigh "here the papers are, High King Ragnok greeted me as I walked in to make sure there was no confusion that these are valid." Harry smiled while Dumbledore looked over to Lord Gryffindor.

"High friends you have Lord Gryffindor"

"Of course Headmaster, High King Ragnok has always been a good friend to the Gryffindor family, without my ancestor they would never have been able to open the bank in the first place." Harry replied as Minister Fudge broke the seal, read it and then paled. He then handed it over to his toady, as she read the letter she began to get flustered.

"I trust Minister that the Ministry of Magic acknowledges my birthright? I would have assumed some one would have checked the Wizengamot to see if the seat had been reactivated."

"Of course Lord Gryffindor, I am terribly sorry for the trouble we have caused today. It was so ever good to meet you. Perhaps later this year, or after one of our meetings, we can have a chat. Maybe I could show you around the ministry?" Fudge asked trying to garner his support. 'You, sir, are a fucking moron,' Harry thought.

"I will have to see Minister; however, I think I will take you up on that offer. I will contact you to make an appointment when I have the time." Turning to Madam Bones, "I am sorry for the assault on Auror… Dawlish did you say? He seemed to think I was behaving in a threatening manner; I am sure it was just a misunderstanding." Harry said while Dumbledore and Madam Bones realized the significant overture he just made.

"You know how to protect yourself indeed, Lord Gryffindor" Dumbledore muttered.

"I trust there will be no further attacks on the validity of my claim, you have the proof from Gringotts now and I do wear the ring" showing everyone the signet ring for his house.

"N-no this should be enough, the ministry will go back and I will address the press myself today." Fudge replied trying to make the best of this mess.

"Thank you Minister, Headmaster, Madam Bones." He then turned and walked over to the girls, "Remember tomorrow after breakfast in the library" With that he then rushed from the hall heading to his room. He needed to get away from people as fast as he could. He had been having such a good day and almost ruined everything by letting his actions prevail over clearer heads. He could have just waited to be called to the office. He should have just played it out, he knew he had the proof and it would have been no problem. He had not even twenty-four hours ago reminded himself to keep his emotions in check and think before he took action.

As he got to his room and entered he took off his outer robe and threw it the chair in the corner and laid down on the couch gripping the side of his face. He could have easily ruined everything with his actions, actions that could have placed everyone in danger. His self punishment however was delayed further when the portrait to his door told him he had a visitor.