Here we go, the next chapter. This was going to be longer to include a Helena scene but rather than spoil things by just having a short scene at the end of this chapter I have decided to rewrite it and have a longer on in the next. Rest assured I haven't forgotten her, and she has a large role to play in the overall story arc.
Not really much to say. Read and enjoy.
Harry sat himself down on the Thestral drawn carriage with a sense of foreboding. It was like the calm before the storm, for he knew that once he set foot within those walls, all eyes would be on him. It was one of the disadvantages of being essentially missing for months on end. The whispers were inevitable and the teacher's suspicions expected. Harry, while not looking forward to this kind of reception, knew that he could expect nothing less.
He expanded one of his shrunken spell books and began reading but he soon found that it was no use. He was so nervous he could barely concentrate on what was written down. The book may as well have been written in German for all the good it did him at that moment. So instead, he just lay back on the seat of the carriage and closed his eyes, the only sound coming from the soft clapping of hooves on the stone path leading towards the castle.
He used this brief moment of piece to mentally draft what he was going to say when he was inevitably called up the Headmaster's office on his arrival. It was foolish to think that that wouldn't happen, since he knew the Headmaster's curiosity would get the best of him and he would no doubt as where he had been since his disappearance. Hell pretty much everyone was going to ask that question. The only difference now is that this wasn't just being evasive towards his friends this was the Headmaster, someone who knew every trick in the book. He wasn't going to be able to talk around the subject nearly as easily as he did earlier.
To get even the slightest advantage against the Headmaster in this situation Harry knew he had to know what the Headmaster was going to ask before he asked. Harry would need to have his answers already ready. He could not hesitate even once, for once he got the advantage in the conversation it would be hell trying to get it back. This was someone who knew how to play the game and play it well.
He knew this wasn't going to be easy. Not in the slightest, and as the carriage stop he sighed deeply before opening his eyes and exiting the carriage. The moment he left the carriage he drew his hood and activated the notice me not charms again. He actually wanted to get in before being harassed and with Filch at the door checking everyone's belongings it likely that the teachers would come running before he had even made it into the Great Hall. His friends have him a curious look as he put the hood but he answered by simply pointing to the grumpy old squib and they nodded in understanding.
When the doors opened he could feel his breath hitch slightly. This was it...he was back. So many emotions were running through him at that moment that he struggled to comprehend. For 6 years this building had been like a home to him and he had a real home to go back to, the castle felt odd to him. He knew it was all in the mind but that feeling was still there. He looked on as people quickly filled the Hall and sat down on their house tables, chattering all the way. Something felt different though. People were more nervous...jittery, and groups were more closely knit. The war outside had managed to grow a sense of paranoia inside the castles walls which unnerved Harry slightly, as Voldemort's return had only really been public a few months. He had worked fast.
After a quick observation, he made his way to the Gryffindor table. He quickly lowered the hood of his cloak, as he realised that keeping it up would just draw attention and make the wards he cast pointless. He only drew it up outside because of the cold. After he sat down, he didn't dare speak to anyone, as he was waiting for the feast to start. That way, he could lower his hood and his notice me not wards and not get disturbed by curious teachers and the like. Even the Headmaster wouldn't summon him while he was eating his dinner. As more people filled the Great Hall, he absentmindedly tapped his fingers against the table and waited patiently for everyone to be seated. He could see the Headmaster and the majority of Hogwarts teachers looking down on the Hall, no doubt searching for him should he turn up. He kept his hood firmly over his face, and made sure not to make eye contact with Dumbledore or Snape. He knew that anyone with enough willpower could see through the wards, so he did his best not to look up towards the table where he would expose his facial features.
Before long, Dumbledore tapped his glass gently, the Hall fell quiet and the sorting started. He could tell immediately which ones were the first years, as you could see their looks of childlike wonder taking in the wondrous sight around them. He recognised the look because it was the same look he had when he first came here.
Harry barely took notice this year, too intent he was in not being noticed until the feast had started. All he remembered afterwards was that the hat had sung yet another song about unity that would no doubt be ignored by everyone. He didn't even know why the hat bothered anymore. The Slytherins as a whole were about as social as a drunk troll, and he doubted a singing hat would change their mentality anytime soon. This made Harry firmly determined to try and make some Slytherin friends this year if possible. He had realised his social network had been a little...lacking for want of a better word.
Before long Harry had already had desert and was sitting in his chair observing the happenings going on around him. He could still feel the stares but they were much less strong now, and a more lot bearable. When the food disappeared from the tables, the hall fell silent once again, and Dumbledore rose from throne like chair to address the hall.
"Hello students and welcome to another year at Hogwarts. To all those new faces I say welcome, and I hope you enjoy your stay here. I myself found my experience as a student within these halls to be among the best in my life. You will make friends for life here, and if you strive to do well, have the potential to have fantastic careers. Now I'm sure you are all hungry so I won't hold you any further. May the feast...begin" He said with a clap of his hands, and as usually the plates in front of us filled with an exorbitant amount of food. Now Harry was sure that it was safe to do so, he removed the hood and turned off the wards before piling food onto his plate. With all of his anxiety on the train, he had forgotten to eat anything, and the lack of food was catching up to him.
Unfortunately, now the wards were down it also meant that people started to notice him. Obviously he expected this but it was still annoying, and he constantly had to brush off questions like 'Where have you been?' and 'The Prophet said you'd been captured by dark wizards'. Luckily, he had strategically sat himself in the middle of his group of friends, so most people were unable to get close enough to really make themselves a proper nuisance.
Once things had quietened down a little and he had had more of his meal, Professor McGonagall left her chair on the staff table and strode over confidently, before stopping where Harry was sitting down at his table. After all these years he still hadn't got used to the way her eyes almost seemed to see straight out the back of him. It made him involuntarily gulp.
"Mr Potter...the Headmaster wishes to see you in his office once the feast is over," she said in a stern voice.
"Thank you. I take it his password is some kind of confectionary? What's it this week?" Harry said, in a voice far more confident than he felt.
"Acid Pops" she stated.
"Hasn't he already had that one?" He said
"There are not enough sweets in the world for him not to have to repeat himself a few times. I'll see you later." She said with a scowl.
Lovely...she was pissed at him.
"You'll be there as well?" he asked. He knew it was too much to ask it to be a private meeting but he was still hoping.
"Of course. I daresay he's not the only teacher in this school that wants to know where the hell you have been." She said, her nostrils starting to flare. Ok I better head this off he thought, before quickly coming up with a reply.
"I'm sure he isn't...look let's do this later I'm rather hungry right now and I'm pretty sure if this goes any further then all we'd succeed in doing is starting a rather loud argument in the middle of the Great Hall...in front of everyone." Harry reasoned, trying to defuse a potentially difficult situation before it arose. He knew that his Head of House would probably take his disappearance especially hard, so her reaction was expected. At Harry reply she looked rather affronted but stopped herself from speaking further, seeing the obvious truth in his words.
"Very well. We will be talking about this later."
"Of that I have no doubt." Harry said flatly, before turning back to his food. McGonagall just sighed and left, walking back towards the staff table.
"Harry!" Hermione chastised
"What?" Harry sighed.
"You shouldn't just dismiss McGonagall like that. She's a teacher." she said with disapproval.
"She interrupted my lunch." Harry moaned.
"So?" she implored.
"So..." Harry went on, struggling to see her point. He was met by a look of frustration and stony silence before Hermione turned away shaking her head
"Forget it" she said in a resigned manner
"Thank you." Harry said, before picking up a leg of chicken and taking a bite.
"You know she'll get you back for that later right? She may be our head of house but...you know she's kind of scary." Ron said, finishing with a nervous laugh.
"Haha Ron I have no doubt what I just did will bite me on the arse in...give or take a few hours." Harry said, smiling away.
"You're lucky we didn't lose house points." Ron said while shoving what looked whole chicken in his mouth. Hermione gave him a long disgusted look, though Harry could sense some endearment as well in that expression.
"For god's sake Ron chew your food!" Hermione chastised.
"Wha?" he said, food practically falling from his mouth.
"Merlin..." Hermione sighed.
"Oh I think what's to come is going to be a little worse than house points..." Harry said with a grin, replying what Ron said initially.
"...good poin.t" Hermione conceded, finally taking her eyes off Ron's almost Neanderthal eating habits.
"Any idea who's teaching Defence this year?" Ron asked.
"How would I know I've been away? Anything has to be better than Umbridge though"
"I have a pet rock that's a better teacher than Umbitch- I mean Umbridge" Ginny chimed in brightly "Probably more useful as well." she added.
"I second that. I'm hoping for someone that actually knows what they are doing now the ministry have finally admitted there is some danger out there. My...guardian went into Diagon Alley one day and picked up one of the ministry's advice leaflets in inferi. One of the most useless things I've ever read."
"At least they are doing something now" Hermione said
"However useless it may be." Harry muttered under his breath.
"This just makes me more adamant to restart the DA. I mean even with a decent teacher I doubt we are going to get much fighting experience in a classroom. It's mostly just learning spells." Harry said passionately.
"Well that is rather important" said Hermione
"True, but nobody learns how to defend themselves sitting in a classroom being asked to shoot an immobile target that can't fight back. Death Eaters are hardly going to stand in one place and let you shoot spells at them." Harry said slightly sarcastically.
"The DA isn't a literal army Harry. I asked you to create it because our teacher wouldn't teach us anything." Hermione retorted.
"True but what was I teaching during those lessons? Just spells or how to fight with them? The DA's purpose was to help people learn to survive not just pass their exams." Harry said pointedly.
"Yeah Harrys right. I don't think we'd be here right now if it wasn't for the DA. I could definitely tell the difference in my spellcasting during the Ministry battle. We owe our lives to his teaching." Ron said, to which Harry blushed slightly. He wouldn't go that far.
"Well...I wouldn't say that. Remember who dragged you along in the first place." Harry protested, clearly uncomfortable with his praise.
"For the last time you didn't drag us along. We volunteered. You were all for us staying behind while you went off on your own." Ron said exasperatedly
"Yeah like that was going to happen" Ron snorted.
"It was a bit of a disaster though." Harry said, raising his eyebrow. To say it was a disaster was seriously underplaying how bad the expedition went.
"Harry since when has anything we have ever done turned out the way it was supposed to." Ron replied, looking at Harry as though he were an idiot.
"Er...never? Ok ok! I get your point!" Harry said hurriedly, not really wanted to talk about that night at all. The pain of Sirius's death was still etched in his memory, even if he had come to terms with it now. Harry took a sip of his pumpkin juice before going on "My point is that it's imperative I start the DA again, if only so more people know how to defend themselves. In the first war entire families were wiped out. I don't think much is going to change this time to be honest and the more people that know how to defend themselves, giving them a chance of escape the better." Harry said, trying to get his point across.
"You can't save everyone mate," Ron said to which Harry said firmly back
"I can try."
For the rest of the feast the group continued talking about unimportant things like classes and what they may learn in the coming year. Hermione went on in lecture mode like she usually did when talking about learning and listed dozens of new spells she had read about in her course books, causing Harry and Ron to both look at her with fond amusement. Ron then started chatting animatedly about Quiddich and how we were going to crush Slytherin this year. Harry couldn't help but smile at his antics. He always got so passionate about the sport.
"As usual I have the start of term announcements to deliver. Firstly, due to rather...unfortunate events" he said with amused smile "Professor Umbridge is no longer able to take the Defence Against The Dark Arts class" he said and was met with a thunderous applause from everybody 2nd year and above. Nobody had very fond memories of her and were glad to be shot of her. Even most of the Slytherins were cheering. While they obviously found amusement in the way that she seemed to punish any non Slytherin for breaking rules that hadn't even existed before she taught here, even they were very unhappy with the way she taught her class. The sound that now filled the hall was one of jubilant relief and it took a few seconds for Dumbledore to suitably calm them down.
"Yes yes I'm sure this would be seen as good news by most of you. However that has left us with quite a quandary, as we have been unable to fill the most since." He said. "Due to this unforeseen complication, I have asked that Professor Snape take both the Defence class and Potions for the time being, until the post of Defence Professor can be properly resolved." He said before any cries out outrage could be made. He gestured towards Professor Snape and raised his hand, asking him to stand up. This declaration was met with a lot less enthusiasm than the last, and quite a few groans could be heard throughout the hall. With reluctance, Snape rose from his chair and greeted the Hall in a somewhat resigned fashion before sitting back down again, looking as sour as he ever did. Dumbledore just chuckled slightly and carried on.
Although sharing the sentiments of most of the students in the hall Harry couldn't bring it upon himself to complain too much. As unpleasant as he was, Snape at least knew the material. That's more than could be said of...4 out of the last 5 professors he'd had in the subject. Ok 3, but considering Moody was a disguised Death Eater, then he didn't really count him.
"Once we can find a more permanent solution, an announcement will be made. I once again remind all of you that the Forbidden Forest is still forbidden. The clue is in the name and if it were any different we would have renamed it. Any students found wandering will be punished accordingly" he said again, looking at certain individuals in the crowd...Harry included.
"I've also been reminded by our caretaker, Argus Filch that there is a list of forbidden items posted on the wall outside his office. It has since been updated. Please look at that in your own time." He said, before his voice took a rather more grave tone.
"Before we all go to bed, there's something I would like to say. Once, there was a boy, who, like you, walked these corridors, studied in these halls and slept under this roof. His name? Tom Riddle" He said, his voice booming out across the hall "Today of course, he is known worldwide by a different name, but it is as I stand here looking out over all of your, that I am reminded of the sorrowful truth." He said sadly before continuing. "That in these times, this day...perhaps this very moment, dark forces are trying to penetrate these castles walls. But in the end, you are their greatest weapon. Now off to bed with you" he said, before stepping down from the podium, leaving a rather pensive mood among the students. He did leave a rather pointed look in Harry's direction before he left though, and quickly left the hall to make the journey to his office.
The Hall quickly started to empty, as children left to make their way back to their common rooms. Ron and Hermione gave Harry an apologetic nod look before they went off to help lead the Gryffindor 1st years to the common room.
"We'll see you later." Hermione said, before leaving to perform her duties.
"Yeah...good luck mate" Ron said quickly, before giving Harry a reassuring pat on the shoulder and following Hermione, leaving him alone among the crowd. Taking a deep breath, he pulled his hood up and started making his way towards the Headmasters office. It wasn't far, but the walk felt like one of the longest he had taken in his life. By the time he had got to the Gargoyle and said the password, he was almost shaking. Keep it together Harry he told himself.
He rushed through as soon as the Gargoyle stepped aside and made his way swiftly up the spiral staircase, intent to get this meeting over and done with. When he found himself in Dumbledore's office, he was greeted by almost the entire staff of Hogwarts standing there in wait. The room felt bigger, and Harry surmised that it must have resized itself to fit all the inhabitants. Sitting serenely on its perch, Fawkes eyes Harry curiously, but made no move to approach him. Dumbledore sat on the chair behind his desk, gently brushing his beard, while the other teachers talked among themselves. When they noticed Harry, they quickly became silent. For a few seconds nothing was said.
"Harry" The Headmaster began, as if he didn't know how to proceed. "You have no idea, how happy I am to see you are well. When you left Privet Drive I had feared the worst."
"It's been a trying few months. The order searched high and low for you and could not find a trace of your whereabouts. We were very worried." He said gravely.
"I was safe enough."
"You gave us quite a scare. I'm impress on you that you never do that again."
"Do what again exactly?" Harry asked, not quite liking the Headmasters tone.
"Go off on your own. These are dangerous times Harry."
"You of all people are trying to lecture me about what is dangerous?"
"Harry!"
"No Professor I would really like to see what is going through Professor Dumbledore's mind right now. Because apparently according to him I don't understand that there is a war on."
"Really? I suppose running off with someone that you had only just met was safe as well."
"I didn't have to have met them to know I could trust them. You should really be asking yourself a different question. Like how bad my home life must be there for me to leave with barely a moment's notice?"
"Harry we have been over this."
"I know we have, and 'you are protected there' is not really a satisfactory answer."
"I know you're not exactly happy there Harry but it's for your own good. You must return there every year for the wards to charge. It protects both you and them."
"I live somewhere else now. I really doubt the wards even exist anymore"
"They don't. However I still think it would be prudent to go back there. We can organise a protection detail to make sure the house is safe from attack."
"Professor there is nothing you could do to get be back there. Petunia hates me, I hate her. Vernon hates me, I hate him...Dudley I just feel sorry for." Harry stated firmly, though grinning slightly at the end.
"Harry this isn't funny! I would have thought after last year that you would be a little more careful with your actions." McGonagall said and immediately Harry's face darkened with barely concealed anger. There was no missing the jibe against Sirius's death there.
"And I would have thought after the previous 6 years that you would have learnt to trust me by now. I was safe."
"And how do we know you haven't just been ordered to say that by your kidnapper?"
"Kidnapper?" Harry laughed. It was as far away from a kidnapping as it could get.
"Is that really how you see this? I left completely voluntarily."
"Really? because I heard there was spellfire coming from the living room before you left."
"We had a disagreement which was resolved. Neither of us were hurt."
"She could have threatened your relatives."
"Possible but you forget that she managed to get within the wards themselves. Any idiot that knows wards knows that it's all about intent. Blood wards protect the person inside from committing harm to those within them."
"Harry I cast those wards myself I know how they work."
"If that's so then you'd also know that if someone wanted to cause me harm they would never have managed to get past the front door." Said Harry in frustration.
"It seems we are getting off topic here."
"No, you just can't handle being wrong."
"As usual Potter being arrogant-"
"Shut up Snape I'm not in the mood for your attitude today" said Harry, almost surprising himself by how venomous those words escaped his mouth. In all his years in Hogwarts this was the first time Harry had ever stood up to him and it showed, Snape's face going almost white from anger and embarrassment. He looked like he wanted to kill Harry there and then.
"Now Harry you must show-"
"He has never showed me a single ounce of respect since I've been here so don't even try it."
"I'm really trying to be reasonable here. Don't make it harder on yourself."
"You act as if I did something wrong."
"You left the blood wards Harry. You put your entire family at risk."
"Family? Those people were never my family. They were just people I had the severe misfortune of living with."
"Even so, now they are at risk from attack. I must ask you, why did you leave? I know Sirius's death must have been hard on you but that was extremely reckless on your part." He asked, eyeing Harry with intense curiosity. Now that the initial shouting had been over and done with, he was after the answers that everyone was all here for.
"An opportunity arose and I took it. While I had never met the woman that came to collect me I knew exactly who she was and that she could be trusted explicitly. Contrary to popular belief I don't go into all situations blind. Of course, if someone had shared certain information with me instead of a moronic attempt to hide information for no reason; that would likely apply to all situations."
"Are you not forgetting your pathetic attempt at-"
"I'm warning you, you pathetic waste of space... finish that sentence and give me a reason. That's all it will take." said Harry coldly. In less than a fraction of a second Harry had whipped his wand out from its holster and had it levelled at Professor Snape's head. Snape was about to go for his wand when Harry spoke once more.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. I've been practicing non-verbal casting over the summer. I'm a lot faster than you think." Harry added with an edge to his voice.
"Put your wand down." Professor Dumbledore shouted in an authoritative voice. "Now Harry." He commanded. "And Severus don't bait him please. You're supposed to be a teacher not a child." he added to which Snape sneered and looked away.
"You need to get a calmer control over your emotions Harry." Dumbledore chastised.
"Who says I wasn't in control?" said Harry with a malicious grin.
"Where was I? ...oh yes I was saying that I knew perfectly well what I was doing." said Harry said, ignoring the looks of murder he was receiving from Snape in the background.
"How could you have gone? This woman could have taken you anywhere. She could have been a Death Eater." Dumbledore reasoned.
"She wasn't a Death Eater." Harry affirmed.
"Look Harry I know who you think she was-" Dumbledore started.
"Wait you do? Then why are we even having this conversation? It makes the reason why I left with her abundantly clear." Harry said with surprise. If they really knew who it was that they were looking at when Harry left the house then dancing around questions like this were kind of pointless in Harry's opinion.
"Your mother is dead Harry. There is no spell that can bring back the dead. She can only be an imposter." Dumbledore said with a tone of finality, parroting the words he told Harry in 4th year after the prior incantatum, as if he had conveniently forgotten. Like seeing the echoes of your parents was a forgettable memory or something.
"Do you really think I didn't check her identity before I let her take me away? Why do you think there was a fight in my living room? The first thought I had was Death Eater!" said Harry
"You have never met her before how would you check her identity?"
"Her Patronus of course. You can't fake that." Harry said
"You wouldn't know what her Patronus was." McGonagall scoffed.
"No but I know my father's. It would make sense for hers to be similar...am I right in saying that the charm often changes it's form to mirror the caster?" Harry asked Flitwick, who didn't realise he was being talked to until Professor Sprout nudged him gently in his side to get his attention.
"Oh...yes you're right. Often the charm changes to reflect who the person is or alternatively, what makes them most happy." He said, looking slightly uncomfortably. Evidently this was an argument he really did not want to get involved him.
"That's not always how it works Harry." Dumbledore said with a sigh.
"I know, but it is most of the time it is. It was a Doe by the way in case anybody is interested." Harry said with a dismissive wave of his hand
"Could have easily been coincidence." The Headmaster implored.
"You weren't there, you didn't see the look on her face when she saw that I believed her...you can't fake that." Harry said, his voice slightly cracking at the end. This wasn't the time to get emotional...come on Harry he thought to himself. Keep it together. Just remembering the look on her face in that moment was enough to invoke that strong emotion, so he quickly put that out of his mind and focussed on the matter at hand.
"Harry she can't possibly have been your mother. She's dead. I've seen her body." Dumbledore implored.
"I think we should be asking him where he's been staying as well. We looked everywhere and couldn't find him anywhere." McGonagall offered.
"Minerva makes a very good point. It's important to know where you have been saying." Dumbledore followed up.
"I'm not giving her up professor. Drop it." Harry said firmly.
"She could be a Death Eater!" McGonagall shouted.
"No she can't! She's my mother, someone that I should have had in my life from the moment I was born but due to someone in this room that shall remain nameless, was taken away from me!" Harry yelled glaring at Snape so hard it looked like he was going to combust.
"Now I don't actually care whether you believe that she is alive or not. Considering I'm the one that has been staying with her for the last few months, I should know by now who I'm actually staying with."
"How would you? You have no memories of your mother you wouldn't know if she was acting herself or not. I understand that you think you've found your family and I really do sympathise but...she isn't your mother. Your mother was buried in Godric's Hollow over a decade ago" McGonagall said, trying to sound sympathetic. All this really did was make Harry angrier though, as he was fed up of people not believing him.
"Why are all the staff here anyway? It's only you two that are even talking to me what is this? Some attempt at intimidation? Trying to get answer out of me? Did you think I would just fold? If there is one thing my mother has taught me during the summer is to have a spine. What makes you think you even deserve to know the truth?"
"Harry whatever I have done was for your own good. I know the Durs-"
"They has nothing to do with the Dursleys! How about the prophecy? The prophecy that I bet you everyone in this room knew about before me, even though I am the person it most definitely refers to."
"Harry! While everyone present is aware please don't talk about it in public. It wouldn't be wise for Lord Voldemort to be aware you know the contents of the prophecy."
"Yes because it really makes a difference. He's going to try and kill me either way isn't he? It doesn't make any difference to me."
"Nevertheless would you please not spread that information around? If he hears that anybody knows the prophecy he will go after them."
"I know you're trying to guilt me but I get your point. It's not the prophecy helps anyone else anyway."
"Thank you. Now please, tell me where you've been staying." Dumbledore stated. Earlier he had phrased that as a question but now it seemed that he was starting to get impatient and more direct.
"I told you I'm not going to do that" said Harry flatly, exhaling in a frustrated manner.
"You know you're still a minor, don't you Harry? And as a minor, it is within our duty of care in this school to make sure that each and every pupil of ours is properly cared for. We cannot do that if you don't give us your address." He said in a light tone. The threat may not have been obvious but it was there. He had had months of time to prepare for this conversation and his mother had drilled into him how Dumbledore operates and how to deal with him.
Here was the perfect time to release his ace.
"Professor I'm emancipated." he said with a predatory grin, relishing the moment. The sudden change in Dumbledore demeanour from a look of victory to a look of defeat was so fast it was all Harry could do not to actually laugh. This was the moment that Dumbledore realised he really had no hold over what Harry did. Harry was now an adult by law, and as such, short of breaking the statue of secrecy or actually committing a crime, he was beyond the control of people like Dumbledore. In a single moment he had completely dismantled any plan that Dumbledore had and any advantage he had once had had now swung in Harrys favour. As long as he didn't do anything overtly stupid in the next ten minutes, this conversation had been won, and won well.
"You can't make me do anything. You could try and force the information out of me, but you would be committing a felony and as much as I hate the ministry right now, I would still make sure you regretted it." Said Harry confidently.
"You thought you could imply that you could maybe use Veritaserum on me or Legilimency. Sure you didn't say those exact words or even anything close but the implied threat was there for anyone with the eyes to see it. I'm not an idiot, don't treat me like one."
"Surely he wasn't thinking of doing such a thing."
"Professor I admire you for your loyalty but he would do whatever he felt it took to achieve his goal for 'The Greater Good'" Harry said. Now he had the momentum on his side, he started pacing the room as he spoke.
"Now we come to the real quandary don't we? You want to know where I live don't you Professor Dumbledore?"
He nodded, though his face was now blank and impassive. It was not a look Harry was used to seeing. This was a man who knew that he had no leverage and was not going to persuade Harry to do anything he didn't want to do.
"Why?" Harry asked pointedly.
"Because I want you safe obviously. If we can't find you we can't protect you." Dumbledore stated. His voice had taken on a more begging tone now.
"Exactly my point! Youcan't find me! None of you can! You had the entire order out there looking for me and you couldn't find a thing...not even a lead. So if you couldn't find me then what makes you think that Voldemort could? I was a ghost. My house is so well protected that unless you already know where it is, you're not going to find it."
"I...Harry-" He started, slightly flustered.
"No Professor...don't even try it. This conversation is done. Anything else?" Harry asked.
Dumbledore looked taken aback for a few seconds at the dismissal before regaining his wits. He obviously wanted to pursue the subject further but chose against it. Instead he changed the subject to different matters.
"There is actually. This year you will be taking private lessons with me to prepare you for the war against Voldemort." He said, catching Harry off guard. Dumbledore had never before had any interest in teaching Harry anything.
"What exactly will I be learning?" Harry asked.
"A little of this a little of that." Dumbledore said rather evasively which made Harry snort in derision.
"You're going to have to give me a little more than that." Harry stated.
"I promise you it is of the utmost importance for the war against Voldemort." said Dumbledore wearily, to which Harry sighed. Sometimes he just wouldn't answer a straight question properly it was infuriating so Harry pressed on.
"That doesn't quite tell me anything does it. Are you going to be teaching me any spells? Transfiguration or Defence magic perhaps?"
"What I teach you will be done, in private in this office. I will let you know in due course when I'm available to take these lessons." Said Dumbledore, somewhat evading the question further.
"So that's a no then, since no magic of any note can really be performed in such a confined space. What exactly are you hoping to achieve here?" Harry asked irritably.
"Harry I assure you-" Dumbledore started.
"Professor every time you start a sentence with 'I can assure you', what you usually assure me goes horribly wrong." said Harry with a wry smile
"However I'm at the point where I don't care...do what you want." He continued with a dismissive wave of the hand, earning a scowl from his head of house. She was obviously still on Dumbledore's side. Never mind he thought, she'll mellow out over time.
"Is there anything else? I'm tired and want to go to bed." Harry asked.
McGonagall then cleared her throat and stepped forward, a look adorning her face that said that whatever she was about to say, it really pained her to say it.
"Mr Potter...due to the fact that you were shall we saying missing, I was unable to give you this." she said, before taking something out of her pocket. It was a small golden badge that Harry recognised immediately.
"You're making me quiddich captain? I thought Katie would be next in line seeing as she's older"
"She declined it on the basis that she wanted to focus on her NEWTs this year and thought that she would be unable to do that with the added responsibility. As unhappy as I am with you at the moment you are the next best choice." She said with a slightly bitter edge to her voice. Evidently she didn't like giving Harry such an honour considering what he had done over the summer but it didn't matter. All that mattered was that he was being given the captains badge which made his pride soar. It had been something he had never really expected to get but now he had it...he felt so happy. He was going to tell his mother about this the first chance she got. She would be so proud of him. It was an odd thought to someone that never had someone in his life he wanted to make proud.
"Thank you Professor. I won't let you down." Harry said in a sincere tone, taking the badge in reverence. He palmed the cool metal with his hand for a few moments before sliding it gently into his cloak pocket.
"So that's in then. I will see you later Professor. I'm sorry that you don't have the answers you sought but this is my life we are talking about, and I will chose to live it as I want. You can believe me if you want about my mother's mortality but don't make the mistake of thinking you could control me. Those days are long gone. Goodnight Professors. I apologise for my...outburst earlier." Harry said before turning to Dumbledore.
"May I leave now?"
"You may." He said in resignation.
"Goodnight. I'll see you in class tomorrow." Said Harry before he turned on his heel and walked confidently out the room, leaving a room full of surprised professors in his wake.
This meeting had not gone at all how Dumbledore had expected. He had expected Harry to come back in one of two mindsets. Either Harry would be relieved to be away from his capturer, and readily accept his role in his fight against Voldemort like before, taking guidance and acting as he had before or he would be angry and unstable, his capture tipping him over the edge and changing his mentality towards the more darker arts.
The latter Dumbldore felt could have dealt with in due course. He had the utmost confidence he could have got through to him eventually and turned him back to his side but this...this was something altogether different. This was a boy who was confident and composed, able to divert questions with ease and stare calmly at him while he made his case...and what a case it was.
Dumbledore knew he should have been more careful when he placed him at the Dursley residence. His claims were evidence of that. Sure he may have denied them to the room at large but he knew that he was only really kidding himself and the only reason he bothered to deny it was because if he didn't Harry would be able to completely control the conversation from then on. He pretty much did that anyway but at least he stood a chance...now...now he didn't know what to think.
His claims about his mother were very alarming. At least he knew now exactly what prompted him to leave. His home life may have been terrible but to leave with a stranger was not something he was predisposed to do. He was careful and didn't place his trust in those he didn't deem worthy. It was a trait that he admire in him and hoped would continue. If he made too many emotional attachments it would make it all the harder when he had to make his ultimate sacrifice. He didn't think he was a cold hearted man. In truth it sickened him at what might have to be done to bring peace to the wizarding world but at this time he couldn't think of a way to remove the Horcrux within Harry without killing him. He would continue to look there was no doubt of that but he was running out of time.
Now add Lily into the equation. Now he resolutely doubted that the woman that Harry was staying with was indeed his mother. Nothing could raise the dead...nothing. If there were a spell that could be used to raise the dead then he would bring back his sister and parents in a second. It always broke his heart when he looked back on those days and the misspent time of his youth. No... this couldn't possibly be Lily. Maybe someone that looked a bit like her or was disguised as her but not the woman herself...if Harry was lucky she was merely a copy of the original though Dumbledore didn't even think a spell could do that either but it was the closest thing that fit.
In Dumbledore's mind he had to try and find a way to persuade Harry to see reason and tell him where he'd been staying...it was crucial. This woman could be danger and who knew what kind of crazed ideas she had put in his head. He had already seen a change in Harry...one that slightly unnerved him. That was not to say Harry reminded him of Tom. Harry didn't have the cold look in his eye or the feeling of evil coming off him. This was a feeling of collected confidence and purpose. It was like he was planning something but he couldn't put a finger on to what. He would keep a close eye on him this year. A very close eye.
"So what do you think?" He asked the room at large. He had spent enough time in his own Head for now. Contrary to popular belief, he did listen to his colleagues, as it provided insight onto which he makes his decisions. Few a few seconds, the contents of the room shifted on their feet, slightly uncomfortable.
"I'm...not sure Albus. A lot of things didn't quite add up." said the charms professor, Filius Flitwick.
"He certainly seemed different I'll give him that. Normally you would expect a student to be somewhat nervous coming up here but he didn't seem phased at all. It was like he was expecting it."
"Of course he was expecting it. He had disappeared completely for over 2 months. I don't even know why we bothered looking for him. He obviously doesn't care." spat Severus angrily.
"Ah but Severus, according to him, he was in a safe place that couldn't be found... which is correct seeing as we couldn't find him. Why would he care?" Filius replied diplomatically. You could hear from his tone that he really disapproved of Severus's bitter attitude towards the teenager.
"He should have at least sent a letter or a note of some kind. Then we could have maybe sent a reply and tracked its source."
"And did it occur to you that may be why he never sent a letter? He's lazy, not unintelligent." McGonagall replied with a scowl. "Nevertheless it's...troubling. The way he spoke about this person he was staying with. His mother? How preposterous! She's been dead for over a decade. She's obviously an imposter of some kind"
"Of that I am pretty sure yes. However, at this moment in time I think it would be safe to say Harry is unwilling to provide us the answers we seek. He's also legally exempt from interrogation, so we can't question him without legal ramifications. He will simply have to tell us on his own"
"After the past year, I really doubt he's going to trust us with that kind of information." Minerva said sceptically.
"That is why I hope you will talk to maybe Miss Granger about the possibility of trying to get Harry to open up? I'm sure once you explain the situation to her she would gladly comply"
"I will not let you use one of my lions to subvert information out of him Albus! If he were to find out about this you could cost him one of his only friends. We do not use children to fight the battles of adults" Minerva bristled angrily while glaring at the Headmaster. It was an intimidating sight and his hand almost twitched towards his wand before he remembered who he was talking to. The last few hours had made him rather jumpy.
"I suppose you do have a point...my hands are tied for the time being however. Severus, I do implore that you don't antagonise Harry in class. Right now I'm not entirely sure on his mentality"
"I am not scared of the brat Albus I'm pretty sure I can handle him."
"That is not why I'm asking this of you Severus. It's imperative that he trusts us. If he sees a single one of us acting against him, it could be impossible to regain the trust we have lost."
"So this is what we are reduced to doing? Pandering to the whims of Potter?" Snape drawled, contempt written all over his face. It was obvious that he didn't like being told what to do. Or rather, he didn't like the instructions he was given.
"Don't be so naive Severus" Pomona Sprout interjected, as she glared in Severus's direction. "This isn't about bending to someone's whims, this is about helping a young teenager that has been through hell and back because of our mistakes. I may not be as close to Mr Potter as perhaps Minerva or Albus is but even I can see that he's not a happy child and hasn't been for quite some time. I was ashamed of my house 2 years ago when they ostracized him over his name coming out the Goblet. It was clear to anyone that dared look at him that he didn't do it but we still let the school think he did. It would have taken no time at all to just announce that Harry had not put his name in but we didn't did we? And last year...I don't know much I will admit that but from what I hear he lost the closest thing to a father he's ever known, a man we all mistakenly thought betrayed his family and what do we do? We forget it happened and don't even bother to check up on him when he's sent home. He should have been signed up for magical counselling for Merlin's sake!" she ranted, catching the room rather off guard. She was usually such a mild mannered woman and most people didn't see that side of her, but hearing her now, it brought a few home truths crashing down on the staff. They had failed him...and terribly.
"Septima? Your thoughts?" Albus asked. The young Arithmancy professor was perhaps one of the sharpest minds in Hogwarts, and one that was often overlooked. She was a prodigy with numbers and could see patterns and little details that other people often missed. It was due to this that Albus called upon her for guidance now. She had an uncanny ability of seeing through people's lies with effeminate ease, and deducing motives behind and action otherwise unexplained. It was also due to this that she led a rather lonely existence, as people were often uncomfortable around her analysing stare. She was the kind of person that you could easily overlook without trouble. It went without saying that it was likely nobody saw her enter the office at all. As Septima took a measured step forward, her cobalt eyes locked onto the Headmasters, staring almost unflinchingly. Even to him...it felt uncomfortable and he fought the urge to look away.
"It's hard to say at this point what the truth is. He wasn't lying I know that much but we all know that he could simply believe what he is saying is true. All I can say with any definition is that there was no deception in his words." She said casually, as if she were talking about the weather and not something that in Albus' mind, was very important.
"His attitude?"
"Now that could be down to a number of things but I think the first reason has to be his upbringing...or at least his current one. He shows all the signs of someone that is well adjusted and happy. The only reason you didn't see it is because you are used to the way he has always been; a kind, mild mannered boy that never questioned you. You saw what you wanted to...don't try and deny it we both know it. Now he is acting with an air of independence. You were never planning on telling him that Sirius made a will were you? Or if you were I doubt you were going to let him onto the fact that he was now emancipated. I'm sure you had your reasons and I don't care either way. You asked me to explain the change in behaviour not judge what decisions you may or may not have made. I also noticed that he knew what you were going to say in advance, indicating that he expected to be summoned here. He didn't let you finish many of your sentences, so he knew what you wanted from him. This wasn't someone who came here unprepared." She said analytically, pacing slightly.
"So do you think we should be worried at all?"
"Worried? No...this was the look of someone who was confident in himself, nothing more. He may well have an agenda but I don't see it being malevolent..."
"And you can be sure of that?"
"What am I a seer? I can only tell you what I have seen, I can't tell you what is to come."
"Very well...it looks like for now we will have to just wait and see as much as I hate to say it. We cannot afford to do anything that would break his trust in us" said Albus in a rather pensive voice.
"I thank you for coming up here tonight. I know that head of houses would have wanted to address your first years and I think we can all agree that will have to wait until tomorrow now." Albus continued, before gesturing to his office door. The meeting was over. There was nothing more that could be gained by sitting around and chatting about it. It would be best to just wait for now, and see how things play out. Right now there were too many anomalies.
"I think we are all tired now and I'm sure you have lesson plans to finalise. I shall see you all tomorrow." He said, as his colleagues shuffled out the room.
"Keep any eye on him won't you?" he said to Minerva, to which she nodded, before turning to follow everyone outside.
Alone with his thoughts, Albus Dumbledore had more questions than before. The change in young Harry was striking, and it seemed that even with the insight of his colleagues he was still at a loss on what to do. It seemed that this year was going to be another year of surprises and he would have to be on top of everything if he had any hope of weathering the coming storm. He was planning to show Harry Toms history this year, hopefully giving him an insight into the way the darkest wizard of the 20th centuries mind works. It would also fit in nicely with his explanation about Toms immortality. He didn't want to put such a burden on the young man at this point but he had little choice. If Albus died then who else would he be able to trust to hunt them down? He could maybe trust his colleges to do the job but they would probably make it a group effort and in doing so, the knowledge would become more widespread, and he couldn't have Tom knowing that he knew about his methods of gaining immortality. If that happened...he didn't want to think about it. Tom would likely remove all his horcruxes and keep them on his person or close at hand, rendering it almost impossible to destroy them...no, Harry was the best option at this moment...or was it? He really didn't know. This evening had thrown him for a loop that was for certain. Hell the last few weeks had thrown him for a loop.
The mysterious woman he had encountered in Little Hangleton was weighing heavily on his mind. The way she alluded to Harry's disappearance before he knew about it himself then disappeared without a trace troubled him, not to mention how she managed to bypass the castles wards completely. She was an unknown quantity, and one that he was determined to figure out. At first he thought that maybe she was the one that took Harry but this woman looked nothing like Lily, and while it was possible she could be using disguises, just didn't have that feel about her. No this other person was something else entirely and someone that needed looking in to.
As he sat down on his throne like office chair he poured himself a glass of firewhiskey before conjuring some ice and placing them in the glass. He drank it down in a single gulp, relishing the burn that came thereafter. Albus wasn't normally one for drink but with all that had been going on, he needed something to take the edge off.
The way this year had started, he was going to need it.
As usual Read and Review and any questions PM me :)
Next chapter features Helena and Harry's first day of the new school year :) Sounds interesting doesn't it!?
As usual thank you to my beta Kathryn518