Disclaimer: Harry Potter is owned by J.K. Rowling.
Chapter 9:
Balance of Understanding
Level ground, while seeming easy to achieve, is often a frustrating goal. Some materials, and people, are like sand, willing to agree with gravity, and flexible to our mutual desires. Others though are resistant, like soil and stone, requiring some amount of force to exert itself upon them to achieve mutual agreement. Talk, do not resist, it only makes it worse for every party involved.
**TDC**
Sunday, July 23, 1995
Remus Lupin left her office with a solemn look on his face. She thought it deserving. He had not either fired upon the children or agreed with the method of the group leader, yet he, while attempting to stop the attack, had agreed to take Harry to headquarters regardless of the boy's opinion. Amelia thought herself a woman of fair play. Good deeds should be rewarded and bad deeds and intentions must be stamped out. Besides, pressing charges against him would ruin what ability he had to get a job as it was. Werewolves were hardly offered enough of a chance.
The drunk, Fletcher, had been sent away long before because Amelia truthfully had no idea what to do with him. She couldn't arrest him and not the others, so she had to just let him go. She would though be having someone keep an eye on him. He was known as a thief after all. If they could just catch him in the bloody act then he wouldn't be an issue any longer.
Her eyes turned to auror Tonks who while standing steadily could not hide the fear in her eyes. She was a wonderful auror, but there could not be two pulls on her loyalty.
"Auror Tonks."
"Yes Ma'am."
"You reacted to a hex being cast at you by sending it away and returning only a stunner. The difficulty is the situation you were in. Essentially kidnapping two minors under the orders of an unlawful fool. From what I witnessed, you did not expect the fight either. I am willing to let you off with a warning, provided you make the right decision."
"Yes ma'am?"
"You cannot be in the Order and work for the DMLE. You have thirty seconds to either hand over your badge, or tell that man," she jabbed a finger at the Albus in question, "that he no longer has your loyalty."
Tonks looked entirely uncertain at first, glancing between Amelia and Albus before squaring her shoulders and turning to face the old man.
"Sir, I can't help you anymore like this. It creates too many conflicts with my job. I'm sorry."
Dumbledore opened his mouth to respond but Amelia cut him off.
"Good, now, we shall discuss exactly how wrong it is to have divided loyalties, later. For now, return to your duties. Dismissed."
"Yes ma'am, thank you ma'am."
The door snapped shut behind her and Amelia was left with two doltish old men' both of whom she had great respect for. This however was proving to be a very enlightening summer. If anyone might still be salvageable it was probably Alastor. She turned to Albus.
"I am not going to question you Albus, going by what I saw at headquarters, you have no intention of listening to reason. Perhaps over time you will consider matters more deeply. However for now, as I have no interest in constructing a cell that could hold you, I will say this. Due to your criminal actions of having two minors kidnapped, your abuse of power as a headmaster, and your inability to answer for your actions, I determine as the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, that you Albus Dumbledore must either relinquish your post as headmaster of Hogwarts, or step down from all government positions. That includes both your seat as Chief Warlock and as Supreme Mugwump. You are a member of the ICW because until now England has chosen you as its representative there; but actions like this are not those of a worthy representative for our country. You cannot have such influence and commit crimes Albus. You have to choose."
His mouth hung open for a second or two before it snapped shut.
"Look Albus, I respect you. You have accomplished so much, but you can't just manipulate lives like this. I am using this as a warning. No charges, no time, no cell. Learn from your mistakes. Please. Now, which do you choose?"
He considered his wrinkled hands on the table as he spoke slowly. "I couldn't leave Hogwarts, I think that would be too much for me."
"Then you relinquish your seats?"
"I-I do Amelia."
She let out a sigh of relief and nodded. "Acceptance is the first step to understanding Albus. I hate to do it but it must be done. I expect your letters of resignation to be sent soon and we shall determine your replacement at the next meeting. Good day Albus."
He nodded and hauled himself to his feet, swaying slightly. How old he truly looked now. The closer he got to the office door though the more he seemed to pull himself together, finally passing through it with his head held high.
Some part of her mind nagged at her that perhaps constructing a cell for him might have been the better solution. Ah well, hindsight was a bitch after all.
"I'd say yeh handled tha'un well Amelia. I may disagree with it, but yer a fair one."
And there was him to deal with.
She turned to look at him, and tried to see if anything looked different. Nope, still twitchy and as ugly as ever.
"Alastor, what made you, attack them?"
He showed his teeth, but not overly unkindly. "They needed practice. Isna' as though we were gonna hurt 'em. Ya let teenagers waltz around as if they're safe and they'll get hurt by someone much worse than us."
"I will admit that part of that is correct, but Alastor, you can't just kidnap children."
"It wasna' kidnappin' since Albus told 'em we were comin'."
"They didn't want to go with you though. What else do you call forcibly subduing and relocating two teenagers to a place they can't leave?"
"Protectin' 'em. Tha's what it is."
Amelia rubbed her temples. "Alright, do you at least understand why I have to do something about this?"
"I understand tha' yeh think yeh do."
"No, I do Alastor. You do not work for me anymore, so I will instead require that you see a mind healer."
He stared at her.
"Yes, a mind healer. Has no one suggested that since they took you out of the box you lived in for ten months?"
"No."
"Well, I'm sorry Alastor, but I have to do something. This is a diplomatic matter now. To start, you will see a mind healer once a week for an hour until they determine, to me, that you are well. Second, you will be checking in with Auror Shacklebolt every week also to be sure you are following the law. Third, I am going to need to see your wand. No, I'm not snapping it. I do though need to place a charm on it to monitor all spells you cast. Auror Shacklebolt may remove it at his discretion."
"Ya know how I said before yeh were fair?"
"Too bad Alastor."
"Buggerin' hell."
He smacked his wand down on the table and glared at her all the while as she cast her spell.
"I don't care if you are in the Order Alastor, you are retired. What you do with your time is up to you. However, no more vigilante work. Got it?"
This time when the door closed, it left a ringing in her ears.
To hell with teatime, she needed brandy.
Thankfully, the bottle wasn't nearly as empty as her soul felt at the present.
**TDC**
Monday, July 31, 1995
Harry woke slowly, blissfully slipping from the world of dreams to wakefulness. Someone was tenderly stroking his hair. He hadn't had a mother to do that as a child. It felt, peaceful, gentle. He smiled in relaxation and blinked his eyes open to look up in to the black eyes of…
Snape?
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!"
He sprang up from the bed and jolted in to true wakefulness still laying on the bed. The scream that tore from Harry's lips was as high pitched as they came and he was panting now, flinging himself out of bed to escape the monster who was no longer there. Hyperventilating on the floor, half naked and terrified, it took a few moments before he became aware of the laughter.
Harry scrambled to his knees and saw both of the Weasley twins and his child of a godfather rolling on the floor, consumed by laughter. Ron was sitting up in bed, a string of drool running down his chin, yelling at the pranksters. Standing in the door with her arms crossed and a faint smile on her lips was Hermione, a meek looking Ginny slightly behind her. Harry narrowed his eyes at the children and pushed himself to his feet, revenge in his heart. Before anyone could stop him he snatched up his wand from the bedside table and levitated his mattress, directing it right over the three prats on the floor. They saw it, but it was too late.
Thankfully, the mattress was both heavy enough to blot out their laughter, but also heavy enough that it took them a moment or two to extract themselves. Leaving them thus, Harry found a suitably clean shirt and pulled it on over his bare torso, ignoring the feeling of loss that had sprung up amongst all the terror. It hadn't been his mother, or even a girl for that matter. But, they hadn't meant it to hurt him, so he could just feel bad later.
A gentle hand touched his shoulder and he turned to find Hermione, ready to embrace him. She looked happy, and that mattered more than anything. So Harry sank in to the embrace, allowing any negative emotions to flow away in the wake of Hermione's joy.
"Happy birthday Harry." She breathed.
"Thanks Hermione."
Why couldn't she have been the only one to wake him? And it didn't seem like she wanted to let go of him either.
From the floor came the call, mixed with laughter from one of the twins, "Nightmare-Nougats!"
From the other, "Dissolve on their own!"
"Place 'em on the tongue!"
"And away they go!"
"With two delightful options!"
"Random!"
"And custom."
"Simply…"
"Alright you two! Shut up!" Bellowed Ginny.
The two who were still in the act of standing froze.
The twins looked at each other.
The twins looked at Sirius.
Sirius looked at the twins.
Then Sirius called, "Simply think of a terrible terror and tap it with your wand before you plop it in the dreaming dearie's mouth!"
Great, they'd corrupted him too.
Hermione slowly pulled away as the others laughed. Harry was soon being embraced by Sirius, the twins slapping his back, apparently feeling the need to congratulate him on surviving so long.
"Fifteen years and they haven't got you yet old chap!"
"He's survived a basilisk!"
"A tournament!"
"A dragon!"
"The dragon was in the tournament!"
"Right it was!"
"A dog!"
"A turban!"
"A dementor!"
"A Lockhart!"
"A who!"
"A who?"
"You know who!"
They dissolved in to laughter again and Harry rolled his eyes.
**TDC**
Breakfast was a rowdy affair as it seemed everyone had let go of all the stresses of the past half of summer and decided to drive Mrs. Weasley insane. The ringleaders, Gred, Forge, and their idol, Sirius, seemed determined to make this Harry's best birthday ever. This was of course rather simple, considering that it was really his first birthday not in the hellhole called the Dursleys'; but he neglected to remind people of that. It was a beautiful morning and he couldn't have asked for better people to spend it with.
Daela, it seemed, was able to write to him, if she used Hedwig. Midway through the morning while everyone was lounging and chatting in the closest thing they had to a living room considering the mess, Hedwig came tapping at the window. He ran to her, worry slipping away. After she hadn't returned, Harry wasn't sure if she would be able to after going to someone else. But the secret it seemed had connected with his beloved owl. He kept the letter sealed until everyone had dispersed in late morning. He and Hermione snuck away to his room so they could read it. Ron wasn't invited anymore seeing as he had decided to listen to the headmaster. Harry hadn't said they would no longer be friends or anything, but he needed to make it clear this was Ron's last chance after the tournament crap. The three of them had argued for a decent period before he decided to limit Ron's chances. Forgiveness couldn't be unlimited after all.
Hermione sat close to him on the edge of his bed, her head resting against his as they read the letter together. He had to keep thoughts of exactly where they were, and her proximity, out of his head so he could focus. Not easy.
**TDC**
Harry and Hermione,
I am glad you are not blaming yourself Harry. Even if it is an enforced acceptance. The matter you wrote of is as important as it seems. Please keep it secret until we can work it out in person. Please don't do anything until then.
In the meantime, I hope you have a lovely day on this the 31st, I know it has not been pleasant in the past for you. I will see you both soon. Most likely I will meet you on the Hogsmeade platform.
Your friend,
Daela
**TDC**
Someone knocked loudly on the door and the two teens jumped apart, blushing.
"Come in!" Harry called.
The door opened and Sirius poked his head in. Seeing them now sitting about two or three arm lengths apart with rosy cheeks, he grinned and came in.
"Hope I'm not interrupting anything?"
They shook their heads.
"Excellent. I was actually hoping to talk to you Harry for a bit? Do you mind if I steal him Hermione?"
She smiled. "Of course not."
Failing to hide her blush and smile by looking down, Hermione fled the room, Sirius closing the door behind her with a chuckle.
"Anything going on I might find interesting Harry?"
Oh no, was this going to be the talk?
"Um, no?"
Sirius laughed and sat down in a conjured chair. "Don't worry, it's not that talk. There's just been, well, a lot going on and I wanted to see how you're doing with it all."
"Okay, uh, pretty well I guess. There's been a lot as you said, it's hard to pick things out."
"yup, and that's okay. So, I guess to start I wanted to say sorry. I didn't realize until the other day that we shouldn't be forcing you kids to clean. Especially with how, the Dursleys were, I don't want to force you in to it. If you all want to help you can, but I talked to Molly and no one is going to expect it of you."
He had rushed the words out as if he were afraid Harry would stop him or be upset. It was, rather kind of Sirius to think of that, considering Harry hadn't really realized it himself. Come to think of it, it didn't really bother his since he was doing it with friends.
"Actually, I think I'm okay. I mean, I was always having to cook and clean alone, so it's kind of different now. But, honestly Sirius, that means a lot. You didn't have to think about that and you did, so thank you. It means loads."
They smiled at each other. "Are you sure? I just, I just want to do the right thing. I haven't been a parent, so I don't really know what I'm doing. You're all that's left really, of your family and I promised to protect you as a baby, so I don't want to mess it up now."
"Sirius, you're not going to mess anything up. I don't know what…" he broke off, holding back sudden tears. "I don't really know what its like to have a parent anyway, so how about we both give it our best shot and go from there?"
Sirius nodded, blinking back tears of his own. He stood and stepped closer, his arms open. Harry moved in to the hug and they took a breath or two to collect themselves.
Once they'd both seated themselves again, Sirius nodded. "Alright, I can do that. Would you be okay talking about what happened there?"
Harry hesitated. "Uh, I guess so. I mostly try not to think about it, and I don't want you running off to blow their brains out or anything."
"Tell you what, I won't personally go after them ever. If anything then we send Amelia to Surry. She seems to like you so maybe that would work out better."
"I don't really want anything to happen though."
"Nothing will unless you agree to it Harry. Don't worry."
With a nod, Harry hopped up and went over to his trunk. As full of mess as it was, he always knew where he kept it, one of his most prized possessions. Why wouldn't he? From the bottom left corner, he extracted the fated envelope and handed it to Sirius. Sirius looked confused then read part of the address out loud.
"The cupboard under the stairs…"
He sat still and watched Sirius's rage build. The envelope trembled in his godfather's hands and he could see Sirius trying not to rip it to shreds. Quietly Sirius asked, "Your Hogwarts letter?"
"Yes."
"He knew and didn't do anything?"
"They moved me to Dudley's second bedroom after Diagon Alley. They were afraid someone knew where I was sleeping."
"Second bedroom?"
Harry shrugged. "Its over now Sirius."
The older man glowered before handing Harry back the envelope. "You kept it?"
"Yeah. Its not the one Hagrid gave me though. I think uncle Vernon missed it in the burnings. I found it when we came back home, it was stuck between the house and the drain pipe. I'm surprised there weren't more, considering how many letters were flooding the place."
"Anything in particular that made you keep it?"
Harry tilted his head in thought. "Not particularly. I mean, it was really the first thing that made me feel, well, alive really. I kept this one instead of the other one because of the address. It's kind of a reminder of sorts. Not that I'll ever forget that, but more that I went from feeling like a nobody to this life which although makes me feel like I'm about to get killed every year or so, it still makes me happy. Everyone I met here. It's the start of my real life in a way."
"That, makes sense you know. I'm happy for you Harry. I know you've dealt with a lot of crap since you came to Hogwarts, but honestly you've become an incredible person in spite of it all. What if I may ask keeps you from exploding at everyone?"
Harry laughed. "Not sure Sirius. I keep asking questions and certain people keep saying I'm not ready for the answers, so I suppose I've gotten used to it. It does drive me mad though to be honest. Most of it though is Hermione. She keeps me from losing it."
"You've found a good one in her. If anything becomes of your interest, take good care of her. I know you will, but you two fit well together."
Harry blushed again. "Yeah."
"I'm sorry your friend Ron hasn't been treating you very well."
"That if anything I'm getting tired of. After what he did in the fall it makes me not want to deal with it anymore."
"Understandable." He seemed to think about something for a moment then, "Dumbledore offered me the professorship for Defense."
Harry perked up. "Really? Oh that's excellent! Are you going to take it?"
"Yes, in fact I've already accepted. Though I made sure to tell him I'm going to a yearly contract to see if it avoids the bloody curse on the job."
"Wow that's brilliant. Actually, why don't I ask Daela, maybe she can do something about the curse, or at least figure out more about it. It seems as if Dumbledore doesn't care much."
"I look forward to meeting her, she sounds lovely. I'm sorry you have to wait until the fall to learn more from her, I know you were enjoying it."
"Yeah well, it's just one more thing Dumbledore ruined. Any reason we still have to follow that?"
"Mostly? I am honestly worried about Voldemort, we have no idea now what he's capable of. Plus I just have a kind of bad feeling about it. I know its not what you want to hear and I'm sorry, I just, I couldn't lose you now."
"Its okay Sirius, you're right, I don't like it, but at least you're honest about it. It's okay."
And it was true. All his life Harry had just been expected to be a good boy and follow orders. Now that Sirius was talking with him honestly he felt much more agreeable to such things. Manipulation only created hardship and rebellion. Hermione would be proud of him following the rules.
"As far as lessons go, "Sirius went on, "I've asked Filius to teach you occlumency once you get back to school. He's a great teacher, and fun too. I think you'll like it."
"Okay, but is there any particular reason?"
"Most people who can afford it get training. I want to be sure no one has an advantage over you, for your own good. Also with Tommy and those dreams you've been having, I just want you to be safe. What do you think?"
"Yeah, I guess it could be fun. I'll give it a try."
"That's all I ask. Besides, I'm going to be one of your professors now, and I don't want to pressure you more than necessary."
"I think it'll be great though."
"It will, but we have to be careful to keep our connection separate from your schooling okay? That means as a professor I will grade you, I may scold you, and I may give or take points from you. However, if I ever start crossing a line between the two positions, I want us to be sure that we fix it right away okay? You can help me with that."
"Got it. I'm glad you're coming to Hogwarts Sirius. You'll be great."
"Me too Harry, me too."
**TDC**
August as it were, turned out to be a dull month, primarily filled with Hermione giving up on trying to get Ron to do his homework and corresponding with her family. It had taken many letters to smooth over the kidnapping with them. Understandably. The fact that the only word that fit was kidnapping made the entire thing a bloody mess.
It passed rather uneventfully, though Harry began to have difficulty sleeping without being assaulted by nightmares. Even dreamless sleep potions did no good, so he was condemned to taking naps like an old man. Or so he called it. They were all glad when September 1st arrived and they were free to go, this time, with Sirius along for the ride.
**TDC**
Thursday, August 31, 1995
The lemon drop flew across the room and had he been paying attention he would have been proud to know it plastered itself to the exact center of the office door. As it was his attention was absorbed by the article on his desk. How dare they!
The man had just started to stand up to Albus and they did this? Why! Why!
If he had still been allowed in the chamber he might have been able to stop it, but it was far too late now. Either something had gone wrong or they were all deluded. Perhaps they did need his guidance after all.
**TDC**
Shake-Up in the Wizengamot!
By
Rita Skeeter
In a surprise move during today's session of the Wizengamot, Albus Dumbledore resigned his post of Chief Warlock only to be replaced by the mysterious character, Sirius Black.
Surprised? It may calm you dear readers to learn that this reporter was likewise unable to put in to words the insanity of the day.
We do as a paper have to limit what we say about the Lord Black as his family owns a majority share in the Daily Prophet, yet we are still able to relay the facts as they are.
Albus Dumbledore was silent about his resignation and stated only that he feels the need to focus on his students. During an exhaustive voting session today, Sirius Black who spoke evenly and rather mildly seemed to capture the attention of the entire room. Though he only recently became exonerated after a twelve year imprisonment within Azkaban, he appeared to have been the healthiest man in the building.
He spoke about his godson, the need for solidarity within the government, and the need for politicians to stand together for their children.
The vote was close dear readers, very close, but when Augusta Longbottom surrendered her votes to the charismatic man, it tipped the balance.
As even Lord Black said to this reporter after the meeting, "I honestly did not expect to win. My speech came before the vote. But when they began to vote for me, I realized I had to stand up and make a difference rather than just talking about it. I am extremely thankful to those who supported me today."
This surprise has hit the people hard, but we all look forward to seeing the interesting changes brought by Lord Black to the Wizengamot.
We also give thanks to Albus Dumbledore to his many years of dedicated service to our people.
Until next time my faithful readers.
**TDC**
Thursday, August 31, 1995
This night his work was done beneath the silver moon rather than cramped in his basement. Before him upon the grass rested the shining portkey, the Tri-Wizard Cup. Bah, the fools. The fools to make a portkey that could pass through the wards unnoticed. They had given him the best weapon they ever could. A key.
A key to the home of his nemesis.
A key to the hiding place of one of his anchors.
A key, to Hogwarts.
A key to near impenetrable wards.
Fools.
To forget about something so important as the cup. They must think him a child to not protect themselves properly. Before the destruction of his diary he might have used this opportunity immediately, and wasted it. Now though he could plan properly and wait for the right moment. All he needed was time, and time he had plenty of. They however did not.
At first he had not known how to feel about the election of Sirius Black to such a powerful position. Honestly even he had been confused and surprised. How could something like that happen? If nothing else however, the dark lord was a master of turning situations to his benefit. At first he had thought that his supporters had been charmed, but upon interrogating them later he learned that given the short time frame, they had determined as a group that Black was the most likely candidate to win who was also easily manipulated.
At least the idiots had given him something to work off of and also given the image that they could vote toward a character who designated himself as either light or dark.
So far his alteration of the mark had worked brilliantly in his operational security as well as intelligence gathering. He had however encountered the flaw that the fidelius charm imposed. Severus had been able to give him all the information he desired, though in that extraction he had encountered a barrier. A secret could not be extracted even through loyalty enforcement. That would be added to the project list, breaking the fidelius charm reliably. Damned Dumbledore again for certain. What it was hiding he could not know, but the knowledge that there was one meant something important. Ah well, at least he had what he needed.
Tomorrow was going to be a beautiful day.
And so the self-proclaimed Dark God of England and soon to be the entire world plotted as his red eyes watched the spells he wove about the silver cup.
**TDC**
*Chapter Updated: 7th December, 2018
Elise