Harry Potter and Grief's Wisdom
Poetheather
A/N: Sorry for the delay, it was unavoidable. Tomorrow I am having surgery so I wanted to get this out before hand, so you would all have something to enjoy while I am lying around knocked out due to pain meds. Enjoy the read.
This is a work of fiction using the characters created by J.K. Rowling. They are not used with her permission. All actions follow the events of book five of the series. Any similarity between any person living or dead is purely coincidental and unintentional. If you happen to find your life reflected in this piece I'll be impressed and perhaps a little scared.
Chap. 11
There were aspects of this summer that Harry was rather enjoying, such as talking to Hermione at least daily and going over to her house every couple of days. Being able to hang out with friends over the summer was something that was always denied him and to be able to do this gave him a feeling of happiness that he probably didn't deserve. He was a little discouraged about the fact that it was impractical to take a bus to Ottery St. Catchpole or to talk to Ron with the ease he could Hermione due to the muggle/magical communication barrier but he was certain that he would see them at some point that summer, given that's how things had gone since the end of his first year. What surprised him the most was that after the revelation about wrackspurts, Luna and Hermione became even closer friends with the blonde over at her house more often than not. Knowing a bit of both their histories, Harry could see that it was making both of them happier. There was no way he was going to get between them.
So far the three of them had worked out together, talked a great deal, and read from the growing library of books bought to replace the ones checked out from the Little Whinging Library. And the collection of books wasn't just military, there were also books on exercise, self-help, and any other bit they thought might actually help them. There had even been a pillaging of the Granger's home collection, which had been an amusing tiff to overhear. And of all things, Hermione actually went out and bought a new, top of the line, multi compartment trunk that had more storage space in it for the collection. She had even gone so far as to design a personal shield that was on it. There really was no question whose trunk it was when you saw the book with the words Gnothi Seauton across the middle,a wand diagonally across it along with an otter on top swimming in a figure eight thanks to some animation spell. He really liked it.
Today however, instead of having fun with his friends Harry was at Privet Drive, working on one of his chores, the ever so exciting polishing of silver. It wasn't like his Aunt had a lot of silver, but she demanded that it be properly maintained and polished, which was not a task she wanted to sully herself with. Thanks to that Harry knew far more about cutlery than he had ever wanted to, not like it was really needed at school. That morning he had been presented with a list of twenty-seven items, all of which would take a while. There had been a threat of no food if they weren't completed by that evening. So, it was a bit worse of a day compared to the usual. Uncle Vernon was being loud and obnoxious, as per usual, with Big D only adding to the lowing that he phased out, a skill that he had developed early. He was working on the ladle when there was a knock at the door. This was a break in the way things usually went and he lifted his head questioningly.
"Diddykins, can you answer the door?" asked his Aunt from behind her magazine.
"Yes mum." Grumbling, Dudley walked to the door and opened it. "What?"
"Ah… hello young Mister Dursley, are your parents in?"
The voice was familiar, very familiar, making Harry put down his polishing rag. What would Professor Dumbledore be doing here?
"Dad! There's a freak here to see you!" yelled Dudley.
Vernon grew red faced before he bellowed out, "Shut the door Dudley, we don't want any freaks in our house. We're already beyond quota."
The door closed softly, which surprised Harry. He had to admit that he was less surprised to see Dudley backing into the room, hands firmly clutching his rump, eyes wide, preceding Professor Dumbledore like a parade balloon. Vernon struggled out of his chair, hands fisted tight, clearly irritated past normal. "Now see here!"
Talking as if he weren't aware of what the Mr. Dursley was saying, Professor Dumbledore smiled his all-knowing grandfather smile and said, "Thank you for having me. Your hospitality is always wonderful. It is a long time since my last visit… I must say Petunia, your agapanthus are flourishing."
This was new information that confused Harry a little; Professor Dumbledore had been here before? Why hadn't he said anything? Why had he let this treatment of him go on? His Aunt spoke up in a shaky voice as she stood, trembling slightly, "Please leave, we don't want or need you here. We are doing just fine without you."
With a dismissive wave, Dumbledore said, "I am merely here to inform you that I am collecting Mr. Potter here and to request that you take him in one last time next summer."
"No! No! If there is a choice then we want nothing to do with him. We will have none of your mumbo-jumbo shenanigans in my house!" Vernon's words hurt a little though it wasn't exactly unexpected. In so many ways this was not a home but a prison. This last just confirmed that beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Dumbledore turned a disapproving look towards Petunia. This was something Harry had seen before. It must be a stock look. "Remember my last."
Paling some, Petunia winced, wringing her handkerchief as she swallowed heavily and said, "He can stay, but no longer than his birthday."
The look switched to pure sunshine, "Thank you Mrs. Dursley. I shall endeavor to have young Harry here out of your house no later than his birthday."
Harry looked back and forth, trying to make sense of what had just happened. There was so much coded language that there was no doubt that there was something else being said. Remember his last? Was Dumbledore the source of that odd message before? It made sense but it just showed how much Dumbledore was controlling his life. While the notion of leaving here appealed to him, the idea of having to face this… gaol again was less than appealing. Just as he was about to say something, Professor Dumbledore faced him with his knowing smile, saying, "Once you are packed Harry we can be off."
Putting down the polishing cloth until next year, Harry stood and headed upstairs. He was still irritated with Professor Dumbledore and this new information did nothing to help that. In some ways it made things worse. Once he reached his room it didn't take long to throw the few things that had been outside his trunk back in. He set Hedwig free, letting her know to look for him with the Weasleys first. Picking up his trunk, a task that had been made far easier due to his exercise, he headed downstairs, a sense of elation coming over him at the prospect of leaving. Once there, his Headmaster shrunk Hedwig's cage and trunk before handing them back over. "There you go… that should make things easier."
"Thank you sir."
"Did you want to say goodbye?" asked Dumbledore.
Schooling his features so that his surprise would not register, Harry turned to face his relatives, who had different stages of shock and outrage on their faces. This was going to be so very awkward. "Take care and I will see you next summer."
Harry walked out, not even bothering to look back. He pulled on his shield hat, knowing that it would help hide his distinctive hair. This whole thing was stupid and he sighed in frustration. It wasn't like he wanted to come back here ever again but like Dumbledore would give him that option. Have to keep his prophecy boy in his cage. Sirius could have given him an out, but since he had still been a wanted felon that hadn't been practical. What had him confused is how Dumbledore, the bloody head of the Wizangamot had done nothing to help Sirius out, at least as best as he could tell. No one had ever questioned him about the events, events that should have guaranteed his freedom. And now Harry was without him, having lost his last real connection to his parents. With his godfather gone and his godmother tortured into insanity there really were no connections left. Staying at the Weasley's would be nice but again like that would really come to pass. There is no way that he would ever be able to spend time apart from the Dursleys. There had to be a reason and he had no clue what it was. Professor Dumbledore walked out of the house with that pleased smile on his face.
"Ah Harry, before we go I have a quick question. Can the Order still use your Godfather's old house?"
Frowning, Harry realized that the wards of the house had to have transferred to him. That was good. The problem was that it allowed people like Snape free access to everything and giving him an opportunity to destroy more of his godfather's legacy. "Let me think about that first sir. I probably will be okay with that but I'm not sure. I'm still dealing with what happened."
"Very well Harry, now are you ready to go?" The Headmaster extended his arm. He seemed perfectly content with that answer.
With a nod, Harry reached out and rested his hand on Dumbledore's arm. There was that terrible squeezing sensation that came with apparation and suddenly they were on an empty street somewhere else. Feeling something odd under his hand, Harry took a closer look at Dumbledore's arm and noticed that the hand looked withered. There was no way that was normal. "What happened Professor?"
Trying to cover his hand subtly, Dumbledore said, "Nothing for you to worry about my boy. I was just a bit careless and its being treated. Now as to why we're here. I am trying to elicit the services of one Horace Slughorn. The man is a brilliant Potions instructor and I would like to hire him for the coming year. He will be resistant but he does have a peculiar weakness we can exploit."
Harry looked at him oddly, trying to figure out what in the name of all hells he had to do with hiring of a teacher. "Which is…?"
"Horace is a… collector one might say. Instead of trinkets or dare I say even socks, he likes to collect and cultivate friendships with people who have the greatest possibility to find themselves in positions of prominence later on in life. The man is the best judge of talent and future success I have ever met."
"Wait… you want me to talk to him because as the Boy Who Lived I would be one such friendship he would want?" Harry was not pleased by this development. It sounded far too Slytherin for his comfort. This was a level of manipulation that really made him uncomfortable.
"Exactly. I knew you would understand. Come, he is staying down this way."
The walked through the streets slowly, with the Headmaster scanning the buildings. Thankfully there was little traffic but even then there were few people who noticed them. Harry gathered that Professor Dumbledore had cast some sort of muggle repelling ward or something. Finally finding the house, Dumbledore tutted and then headed inside. When they walked in they both drew their wands as it looked like there had been a fight in there, with furniture overturned and everything. Harry scanned the room, wary of any sort of assault. Walking into the living room, Professor Dumbledore walked up to one of the few remaining upright pieces of furniture and said, "Ah Horace, wonderful camouflage. The rather plush cushions are an excellent touch."
The chair stood up and became this older, balding gentleman who seemed rather nervous. His voice was a bit shaky as he spoke, "Albus, what brings you here? I had been afraid that you were a Deatheater."
"You hadn't responded to my correspondence regarding teaching this year. I simply wanted to check in."
Slughorn looked at Dumbledore as if he had lost is mind. "You know I don't want to do it and you know the reasons why! I haven't had a decent night's rest all summer thanks to being followed."
"I thought that perhaps you might have changed your mind. That has been known to happen." The Headmaster shrugged noncommittally.
"I have no interest is setting myself against the Dark Lord. You know that."
Dumbledore gave him this pitying look, looking more like a disappointed grandfather than ever before. Harry thought he had to have been an excellent actor when he had been younger. "If that is your choice then I will have to accept it. If you will excuse me, I believe I will avail myself of the facilities before we leave. Horace."
Harry had been watching this like some sort of odd tennis match. That Dumbledore was trying to manipulate this Slughorn fellow seemed rather obvious. What was worse was that it was clear that the man knew that was what was happening. It galled Harry to know that he was a tool of that manipulation since Dumbledore apparently wanted him to convince this person to return to Hogwarts. Slughorn looked away from where he had been glaring at the departing Headmaster and turned to face Harry, apparently noticing him for the first time. Slughorn started, looked closer and said, "Dear me… has anyone told you that you look a bit like Lily Evans?"
Hearing a different way of saying that was unique, Harry looked rather intrigued, "You knew my mother?"
"Mother? Good Lord, you must be Harry. I'm sorry I didn't recognize you. You look well my boy. I haven't seen you in years, ever since Filius and I were arguing over who got to help her obtain her Mastery. You couldn't have been more than eight months old at that time. My how time flies."
This was news to him. His mother had gotten the chance to obtain two masteries? Why hadn't anyone mentioned that? "Yes it does sir."
"You do have your father's hair which is more the pity." Slughorn pointed out.
Harry grinned. This was not something he had ever heard and he drank up all the new facts about his parents, especially his mother. People tended to focus on his father more and that left a glut of information that Harry desired. This Slughorn was proving to be rather interesting and he had to admit that if he were at the school they could talk more. "It is a bit untameable."
Slughorn looked towards where Dumbledore had vanished and then back at Harry with a rather keen and penetrating look. There was a great deal of intelligence in that look. With a sigh of resignation, the man asked, "I suppose Dumbledore asked you to tempt me into working at the school?"
With a shrug, Harry replied, "Honestly sir, I have no real idea what the Headmaster wanted me to do. He wasn't exactly clear with his directions. I kind of feel more like bait than anything else."
With a shake of his head, Slughorn said, "I… am a man of connections. This was something your parents knew well and back in the day I relished helping talented individuals finding the best paths for themselves. Being a sort of mentor you see which allowed me an in with these people. Albus knows of my weakness for helping others reach what goals they may desire because… well, frankly I don't do it out of any altruistic desire I can tell you that. People tend to look… kindly on such mentors and provide them with assistance when they can. I try not to exploit that aid but I do use it to make my life easier. To link myself with men and women of skill and talent is a selfish act even if they get a great deal out of it. Albus using you as bait is why I am telling you this. He is using you to tempt me back to Hogwarts due to my knowledge of your heritage and your potential. You would be a mighty prize indeed to someone like me. I have no issue with you knowing this, best to be up front and all that. Damn the man!"
This response was a bit unexpected and Harry felt a bit of a connection to the man, as he had bared a part of himself to Harry in a way few adults ever had. This was a disturbing act by the Headmaster, as it was clear they were both being manipulated by this one act. That awareness made him uncomfortable. "Is this your home sir?"
That Slughorn wasn't expecting this question after all that he had said was obvious. "What? No, I am staying here secretly, to throw off anyone who might be following me. The family is away on holiday and I figured that it was unlikely that I would be searched for in a muggle area."
"Wouldn't Hogwarts provide a bit more security?"
Nodding despite himself, Slughorn said, "That is true young Harry but then I'll have played into his hand you see. I loathe the notion of being beholden to anyone."
"However, if you make the choice to do this of your own free will, knowing the Headmaster is trying to get you to do this, won't you be taking charge of things instead of letting the Headmaster have all the control?" Hanging out with Hermione and Luna was really having a positive effect on him. They really had helped him get far more used to thinking on his feet in order to keep up with them. He needed to do more of that to get better in practice.
Looking thoughtful, the chubby man nodded his head slightly, "Very wise Harry… I do believe that sounds like a workable solution. Thank you."
"No problem sir."
Harry was listening to a story about his parents in potion class before they had started dating and how competitive they were with each other when Dumbledore walked in. "Do you mind if I take this magazine Horace? It has the most lovely knitting patterns."
Slughorn waved a hand magnanimously, "That's fine Albus. I am sure the family won't miss one magazine. I assume that the date for teachers to report to the school is the same?"
With a broad smile the Headmaster nodded. "Indeed it is. Well, come along Harry. We need to get you to the Weasleys."
Harry noted that Slughorn almost laughed when he rolled his eyes so only the other man could see them. Perhaps this would be a teacher he could work with. He already knew there was a bit of a Voldemort connection there, due to his history, so that couldn't be sprung on him when he least expected. This wouldn't suck. Surely the man was a more competent teacher than Snape.
Once outside, Harry took Dumbledore's arm and with a pop they left.
