Author's Note:
I appreciate everyone telling me that Harry is extremely overpowered and unrealistic, don't worry, I can't explain why until a few chapters from now
April 2nd 1941
"Mr. Dumbledore, why did you resign from your post as Transfigurations Professor and Deputy Headmaster and Hogwarts Witchcraft and Wizardry?" Basil Skeeter, reporter for the Daily Prophet asked.
"I wanted to help with the war effort as much as possible." Albus replied shortly. This wasn't an interview he wanted to have at all but he knew that Mr. Skeeter would just make up what he said otherwise.
"Why didn't you try to defeat Grindelwald earlier on?" Basil pressed, looking up intently from the piece of parchment where he was writing down what Dumbledore said.
"Obligation to help Hogwarts, I was worried that leaving for even one year could have a drastic impact on some students' knowledge." Albus said lied.
Basil glanced down at his notes. "Please run down what happened after you found Grindelwald."
"We started dueling, he knocked me out, next thing I know. Him and his followers are Stupefied next to me." Dumbledore watched him write down 'powerful unconscious, wandless magic.'
Skeeter stared questioningly at Dumbledore, "what about all the followers that were found to have died from various diseases, some of which we thought were no longer a threat to wizards while some we've never even seen before?"
Albus frowned, "I believe it is due to the powerful defense wards Grindelwald had in place. His followers must have run into them. What wards he used were probably very dark magic."
The two men looked each in the eyes for a few seconds before Skeeter turned back to his parchment.
"A squib in the area informed us that there were cloaked figures in the area who were battling the followers, are you saying that he deceived us?" The reporter asked.
"Of course not, I thought his followers had died due to wards is all." Dumbledore felt the hairs rise on the back of his neck. He hadn't wanted the Unspeakables to be brought up at all. But it only got worse for Albus.
"Someone in the Ministry also enlightened us on a mission that Unspeakables were sent to assassinate Grindelwald." Skeeter pushed, daring Dumbledore to contradict him.
'He has resources that tell him about what Unspeakables are doing? No wonder he is the top reporter for the Daily Prophet.' Dumbledore thought, he swallowed. "Unspeakables, really? I find it surprising that Unspeakables would bother interfering in something as frivolous as a war." Albus said, hoping that Skeeter would agree with him.
"So who do you think the cloaked figures are Mr. Dumbledore?" The reporter inquired rhetorically.
"Cloaked aurors...?" Albus replied weakly.
Basil Skeeter shook his head in disbelief, "Mr. Dumbledore, thank you for coming today, this was most... educational."
April 3rd 1941 (6:30am)
Harrison was at home having breakfast with his family when his father, Arcturus Black III spat out his coffee, dropping the Daily Prophet on the table. Harry and Orion instantly hurried to read it.
The Daily Prophet Frontpage:
The Truth Behind Grindelwald's Imprisonment and Albus Dumbledore's Role in it, REVEALED
Hello dear readers,
You may recall Deputy Headmaster Albus Dumbledore when I told you about him being suspended 4 years ago. Now, I wish to reveal to you the pinnacle of his hubris. While interviewing him on how he had defeated the Dark Lord Grindelwald, I realized that his story conflicted with other more reliable sources I had. Questioning him more deeply, it was clear to me that he was lying to the authorities when he said that he had triumphed against Grindelwald.
I'm here to denounce and discredit Dumbledore. To begin with, we believe that it was Unspeakables who assassinated Grindelwald, this is due to some inside sources we have and eye witnesses of seeing Unspeakables duel Grindelwald's followers. Dumbledore even said that he was knocked unconscious, how did a Professor defeat a Dark Lord when unconscious? He didn't. Even though there is hardly anything known about Unspeakables, we do know that they spend all their time in the Department of Mysteries in the hopes to uncover the truth behind magic, love, and death. But, we now know we can rely on Unspeakables protecting Wizarding Britain in her time of need.
Furthermore, I interviewed a few of the students that Dumbledore teaches.
"Can you believe that your Professor did something like this?" I asked him, a young brilliant boy from the most prestigious House of Malfoy.
"I can't say I'm surprised, but it still hurts that he would lie about something so serious just for some fame." Mr. Malfoy told me. (Edmund Malfoy)
I asked another student, a Mr. Black (Alphard Black) who had Dumbledore for quite a while and is currently at the end of his 5th year at Hogwarts responded more surprisedly.
"It's quite shocking, first our Professor leaves to go kill some Dark Lord and we're stuck with a new Professor who has a completely different teaching style and expectations. Then he lies about defeating the Dark Lord in the first place?"
Cantankerous Nott, the famous writer and father of a student at Hogwarts explained to me of his displeasure at the school.
"Honestly, he was already suspended once. Who says there aren't more instances like this that were just covered up? I have lost all my respect in Dumbledore. If the school doesn't fire him, I may have to consider removing my son from Hogwarts."
Finally, I questioned the current Supreme Mugwump Wilmer Colden [successor of Cottismore Croyne], who told me that he was going to appoint Albus Dumbledore in his place. After that, I heard that the Wizengamot was going to appoint him as Chief Warlock and give him an Order of Merlin First Class. Not only this, but he would have received the status of Grand Sorcerer.
That a liar and fraud could hold so many positions of power and respect astounds me. But that is what I'm here for, to bring the truth, no matter how crushing or unbelievable, to every witch and wizard.
Flip to Page 2 for Dumbledore's Past.
Flip to Page 3 [If you have the Special Edition Copy] for Unspeakable Happenings.
Flip to Page 4 [If you have the Deluxe Daily Prophet Packet] for a Special Interview
Subscribe to the Special Edition Copy of the Daily Prophet for an extra 24 knuts.
Subscribe to the Deluxe Daily Prophet Packet for an extra 53 knuts.
Subscribe to the Young Witch or Wizard for a free toy each month with your Daily Prophet Paper for only an extra 10 knots. [Not recommended for witches and wizards under the age of 5 months]
Page 2
Dumbledore's Past
Albus Dumbledore was born in 1881, not many people know that he had a brother. His name is Aberforth Dumbledore, currently a bartender/pub owner. But what changed between them? What caused Dumbledore to be so well known versus his brother? A boy called Gellert Grindelwald.
Yes, you read it correctly, Albus Dumbledore and Dark Lord Gellert Grindelwald used to be the best of friends. But to uncover how such an unlikely or likely friendship bloomed, we must delve back further. Back to the trial of Percival Dumbledore.
In 1891 Percival was tried and sentenced to Azkaban for attacking 3 muggle boys. The two boys must have met, and shared the same pureblood purity beliefs. Grindelwald because he was a pureblood, and Albus because his father was a strong believer.
Although I don't have any definitive sources to tell me how the two boys separated, it is safe to conclude that they must have fought. Leading to Grindelwald to go further down the path of the dark. While Albus is struggling to appear as light as possible, even at the detriment of others.
Page 3
Unspeakable Happenings
Witches and Wizards in the area where the Unspeakables defeated Grindelwald have been marking the site with assortments of letters and gifts. As a way to say thank you to the mysterious Unspeakables who saved their lives. This is slowly catching on as more and more people are learning that the Unspeakables were the ones who saved them. Furthermore, Albus Dumbledore has been reported to receive numerous Howlers insulting him.
Flip to the Frontpage for more proof on how the Unspeakables were the ones who ended the war
Page 4
Special Interview [EXCLUSIVE ONE-TIME ONLY]
You're probably wondering who is so important that I have dedicated an entire page of our interview together. This is due to an Unspeakable deciding to sit down and speak with me about what happened.
"Were Unspeakables really on a mission to assassinate Grindelwald?" I asked.
"Yes, it was supposed to be extremely classified however witnesses came out about seeing Unspeakables. This led into Ministry investigations which led to the uncovering of the secret assignment." The Unspeakable answered.
"Are you allowed to reveal who the Unspeakables who Stupefied him are? Why didn't you intercede earlier in the war?"
"I'm not allowed to divulge in an asset's identity. We didn't view Grindelwald as a threat earlier on in the war, we assumed that the aurors would be able to handle him."
"What made him a threat?"
"We gained information that he was trying to gain a weapon that may be very powerful. Also, the aurors' inability so far to end the war."
"What was the weapon? Are you saying that auror's are incapable of protecting the regular witch or wizard? Will Unspeakables be stepping up now, acting against large threats?"
"I will not disclose the weapon, but it is currently safe." The Unspeakable lied. "The average auror is definitely competent enough to handle a dark wizard, but not a dark lord. This was a rare situation and it is unlikely that Unspeakables will interfere again."
I could feel the conversation drawing to a close, so for one last bid for information, I asked him. "Is there a way for me to interview any of the Unspeakables on the mission? I would love to have a more reliable first hand account of what happened. Especially the Black Massacre." For those readers who may not know, the witches and wizards living there are calling that night the Black Massacre because of the blackened bodies.
"I cannot contact the Unspeakables from the assignment."
"Why not? Are they on another operation?"
"No, they resigned."
Imagine my shock at this. I don't know who you Unspeakables are who did this. But I want to say on behalf of the Wizarding World, thank you.
Forever looking to uncover the truth for you
-Basil Skeeter
Harrison could feel the hairs rise on the back of his neck. The Black Massacre, possibly the worst thing they could call it. He didn't want to have to remember it, least of all hear witches and wizards thank him for killing other humans. Other witches and wizards just like them.
Flashback
"Well done," Re'em said to the 4 Unspeakables. "I'm afraid you don't get any medals but 100,000 galleons have been deposited in each of your accounts under war reparations-" the Unspeakable started saying before Glenn cut him off.
"I wish to resign," he said confidently. Re'em nodded, "you're allowed to keep your cloak, it's charmed so only other Unspeakables can see it when it's not on anyway."
"I as well," Harrison said, before following Glenn out the door.
Threstral walked out soon after, leaving Tebo and Re'em to talk about her next mission.
Harrison stepped out of the building in his cloak, heading towards the nearest public floo to get home when someone grabbed him.
A familiar voice whispered.
"We need to talk."
Harry turned around, raising his wand to point it at the man's throat only to feel a sharp wooden rod touching his neck. He kept his head down, his breaths coming out raspy and short, "who are you?"
"Why did you kill all those people?"
"Believe me, I regret it deeply," Harry muttered, looking at the battered pathway of the alley.
"Why?" The voice asked again, cutting through Harrison's remorse.
"We had a mission, we were supposed to carry out no matter the cost."
"Nundu, I know you, you're not cold and heartless."
"You don't know me," Harry mumbled, thinking about his old life. Grabbing the wand out of the air and watching in triumph as Voldemort's body fell to the ground. 'NO! NO! Snap out of it!' He yelled to himself, he heard the screams loudly followed by the sizzling sounds of flesh. The ruined body of Walter Snape. The one moment of frozen shock and betrayal on Grindelwald's face before it was lit by the red light of a Stupefy. He felt the man shake him, "Nundu!"
"That's not my name!" Harrison yelled, his magic exploding out his body, pushing the man onto the floor.
"Tell me your name then," Harrison looked at the man, the familiar cloak.
"Quin?"
"My name is Glenn, what's yours?"
"This is betraying protocol, Re'em said-"
"What's your name?"
Harrison sighed, "my name is Harrison."
"Well, Harrison, what troubles you?"
Harry stared at Glenn for a moment. "I killed countless witches and wizards. Now why are you trying to help me?"
"You saved my life Harry, can I call you Harry?" Harrison nodded, "by killing, you save my life and possibly every muggle from enslavement. Every non-pureblood from death. You say you're not afraid of death, but I know that quite a few people are."
Glenn stared at Harrison's hood for a while before flipping his hood back. He had black hair that was very short. Light skin tone and dark almost black eyes.
Harrison took off his own cloak. His hair was longer than it had been when he had left Hogwarts, now it was almost Edmund's length, nearly down to his shoulders and pulled into a ponytail.
They talked about their own experiences for a while, Harrison soon found that Glenn was a wise man despite only being in his late twenty's. In the end, Harrison felt better about the horrible things in this life and his previous life. Locking them away in his mind using Occlumency. They swore a vow on their life and magic that if they talked about meeting each other or anything discussed in the alley, they would die.
After that, they shrunk their Unspeakable cloak and floo'd away.
April 3rd 1941
Harrison breathed in and out deeply, locking away the memories again like how Glenn had taught him.
A screech owl landed on the windowsill. Around its leg was a letter. Harrison untied it.
Dear Mr. Black,
You're expected to report for your internship on April 10th 1941 at 8:00am each day except for Saturdays and Sundays at the Ministry level 4. You have a total of 10 sick days in a year unless you notify me ahead of time by 10 hours. After I decide you work in a satisfactory way, you may become a full-time employee.
Sincerely,
Abraham Skobiak
Head of the Goblin Liaison Office
Author's Note:
- Trump won the election, I watched the debate while I wrote this
- In the Daily Prophet, that's not what actually happened, just what Basil believes to have happened and he's passing that as fact. Basil is an unreliable narrator
- I love alliteration and double entendres
