Chapter Ten

After Breakfast

1985, 12 August

Near the large open window that allowed in the pleasant day, Harry lay on his stomach with his legs bent at the knee, and crossed. With his chin on his fists the little boy listened as the book quietly read "The Wizard & The Hopping Pot"; the first in the collection of "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" to him. Seated in chairs by the fire with flames that exuded no heat were Albus and Severus. The two men spoke quietly and with a modified Muffliato that disguised their speech but Harry could still hear the pleasant hum of their voices.

"The mark… the lightning bolt… that is gone, Albus," Severus peered into the depths of his bitter coffee. "He is new. As pristine as a newborn."

Albus thin fingers that held his teacup drummed lightly over its surface. "You believe the Prophecy no longer matters, my boy."

"I do not, Albus. The boy that pertained to is dead. This child never met Voldemort." Severus glanced over at Harry whose feet were dancing despite the fact there was no floor beneath them. "I would highly suggest that you contact the Department of Mysteries, the Hall of Prophecies, and find out if the Prophecy still exists." What was not said but the Headmaster clearly heard was, 'If it had not been for you and that bloody Prophecy a child would not have died.'

For a moment Albums was silent. There was so much he knew; that he had learned but would not speak of now. The Prophecy. He hated to admit that it could be no more but he could not act without knowing the truth. Albus placed his teacup on his side-table and rose to kneel upon the hearth of his Floo as he threw Floo powder into the heatless flames. "Hall of Prophecy, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore!"

Minutes passed. Albus felt his knees protesting despite the Cushion Charm he always cast for the Floo. Finally an UnSpeakable with its face hidden by a heavy cowl stuck its head into the green flames. "Headmaster, what is it that you require?" The UnSpeakable gender was not revealed by its voice that was Glamoured by a charm giving the words a neutral tone.

"Would you tell me if the Prophecy of Harry Potter versus Tom Riddle still exists?"

The UnSpeakable replied quickly. "No, Headmaster. Their prophecy shattered on 31 July, 1985." Just as quickly the UnSpeakable was gone from the green flames and they faded back to the yellow and orange flames.

The elder man tried to rise from the hearth but his knees refused to cooperate. Albus raised his hand. "Severus, please?" Severus rose and helped the Headmaster to his feet. For a moment the old wizard leaned against his Potions Master. The younger wizard helped the elder man over to his chair. Albus collapsed into the cushions.

"So," said Severus slowly as he re-took his chair, "what will you do now without a Prophecy?"

Albus only shook his head and Severus knew not to press the question. There really was not an answer needed as he was now more certain than ever that the little boy with the dancing feet nearby would be able to grow up as a normal child. However, he did wonder about something else. "Albus, would you know how Harry's… Spirit knew to come to Hogwarts? He knows nothing of the castle yet he came straight here."

Albus picked up a lemon biscuit and bit into it. He allowed the sublime and tangy taste of the biscuit to push away his own thoughts of the Prophecy. He could not think upon it now. "I must confess to using a simple bit of Mother's Magic. The charm is one that mothers put on their children to detect when the child is in danger. The mother determines the possible risks and when a threat is detected the child would be portkeyed to its mother." His eyes twinkled as he shrugged one shoulder. "In Harry's case he would be sent to me."

Severus' frown deepened and his gaze became sharply accusing as his obsidian gaze pinned the Headmaster to his chair. "Danger. Risks. Threat. Tell me, Albus, what do you consider a threat to a child?" Severus sat straighter and put his nearly empty coffee cup down on the table by his elbow firmly. He did not allow the older wizard to answer his question as he continued with the unerring tone of a sharpshooter, "I Legilimensed that oaf Dursley. He broke - Three - Of Harry's ribs… his right wrist was broken - So - Many times… that it is a wonder he could even use the hand. Hundreds of bruises and as many cuts and scrapes. None of those grievous injuries were deemed a possible risk. Why, Albus?" His voice cracked with anger. He hissed, "Why did your baby charm not activate - Until Harry - was… Killed!?"

For a very long moment Albus said nothing beyond contemplating the bunnies hopping along the hem of his robe. The bunnies did not make him smile. Finally, "I cannot say, Severus."

Severus barked a short, derisive jolt of laughter. "Just as I expected of you, Albus." Severus collapsed into his chair as if to hide in it; he was both angry and disappointed.

Albus and Severus remained quiet for some time. It was Albus who broke the silence by saying, "I spoke to Kingsley Shacklebolt about Bellatrix LeStrange. He is dubious about the possibility that Voldemort is within the mad woman."

"Of course he is dubious, Albus. Kingsley must echo the words of his Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge. It was only the fact that Voldemort was so open about his divisive actions that forced Fudge to deal with the Dark wizard. If Voldemort has returned, of which I do not doubt he did, he will be more subtle this time around."

Albus smiled, "The portraits and ghosts have been organised to look for any possible entry into Hogwarts. This includes those passages known and forgotten. The House ghosts are working with the castle elves and they will report to Filius. Minerva has stationed The Armor Knights at various places outside the castle and upon the grounds. The wards are as strong as ever." Albus' eyes twinkled. "We have nothing to worry about, Sev…"

The Potions Master interrupted sharply, "Do not underestimate The Dark Lord, Albus. He has taken up residence in a mad but most talented witch, Albus." He then muttered, "How the Dark Lord came back in that b… witch…" He looked to Albus for an answer but none was forthcoming. Severus scowled and spoke louder, "I am afraid that all of your precautions will not be enough."

Albus was prevented from replying as Harry, tired of his fairy tales, had come over to the two men and leaned against the arm of Severus' chair. "Can I play sojiers?"

"Sojiers?" asked Severus in puzzlement.

Harry took a deep breath and pronounced the word carefully. "It's sooold-jers. Soldiers."

"How do you play soldiers, Harry?" asked Albus.

"Well, I never really got to but I seen a kid playing soj… soldiers on telly-bishun and you use lots of plastic soldiers to battle each other," explained Harry. "I figured, maybe, since I don't have to go back to the Dursleys I get to play soldiers now." He gave Albus a hopeful expression.

"Well, Harry, would a king with his knights and warriors do? Do you think you might play soldiers with them?" asked the Headmaster. Severus cocked his head in silent question at the old man.

Harry nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! I wanna have battles and stuff. D'you have some?"

Albus nodded. He then Summoned his chessboard which he hovered just to his side. "Hmm, come over here, my boy. I need to see how tall you are." Harry scurried over, glanced at the magnificent chessboard of marble with chess pieces of white and black marble trimmed in armor of either gold or silver, and then planted himself in front of Albus' knees. "Let's see… about 32 inches?" Albus looked over at Severus in concern. Harry was four but he was barely the height of a three year old boy.

"I will formulate a Nutrition Potion, Albus. We shall have Harry to normal height and weight in no time. Now, what are you planning with that chess set?" asked Severus as he tapped his chin with a slim index finger.

Albus blue eyes twinkled knowingly as he selected both kings, the knights, and five pawns from each side. He then sent the pieces flying through his open window where they vanished. The old man stood up and then took Harry's hand in his. "Let's go for a stroll to the front lawn, Severus."

Severus stood and once they left the Headmaster's tower headed for the Entrance Hall, Harry caught the younger man's hand in his so he was between the two wizards.