The Headmaster

"I am dreadfully sorry for eavesdropping, but I did not know what you were doing..." Dumbledore apologized as he stepped up to Harry to shake his hand. Harry shook his hand out of respect, but he was unsure of what Dumbledore's intentions were. Harry looked at the man in front of him, and if not for the fact Harry knew this was Albus Dumbledore, Harry wouldn't even know the man was a wizard. He looked far too modern for that.

Dumbledore was wearing a silver suit, and his beard was trimmed down almost to his skin. It was shocking, and even his signature long hair was cut as well to a shorter length, but it still had a ponytail.

"It's okay, I was wondering when you'd show up after you left me that present." Harry smiled, referring to his wand as he pulled it out of his pocket. "Although I'm afraid you should take it back."

"Why would I take the wand back when it's rightfully your's?" Dumbledore asked with surprise in his voice.

"Professor, you might not be able to tell but I'm not exactly able to use magic. I haven't used magic in four years."

"Four years? You've been gone for five," Dumbledore rubbed his beard softly wondering what that meant.

"Professor, I was able to do wandless magic for a while, but I'm no longer able to do any magic of any kind."

"So, that's why we haven't been able to find out where you were. All underage wizards and witches are able to be tracked by their magic signature. We weren't even able to find you that first year you were gone. I was afraid you had indeed perished, but I never lost hope. Neither did Ms. Granger or Mr. Weasley."

"How are they? Are they safe?" Harry asked, and Dumbledore nodded.

"They are alive and well my friend. They do not know that you are alive, but I do believe that within the next few days, perhaps a week Ms. Granger will find out about you. The muggle news have you plastered over the television screens."

"I know, I don't even know what I would say to them, or even if I would be able to bring myself to get within a mile of them."

"Why would you be unable to?" Dumbledore inquired as Harry walked with him towards the treeline. "They would be absolutely exhilarated to find out that their best friend was alive after all this time."

"I'm afraid that I wouldn't be able to because of what I've become. I mean, I'm certain that if you know I'm alive then you've been watching me for a little while."

"Ah," Dumbledore sighed as he adjusted his spectacles and put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "You are referring to the warehouse."

"Yeah, I am." Harry admitted, lowering his head. "You probably think I'm a monster, don't you?"

"A monster, of course not Harry. I would never think of you as a monster, you are still the same boy I watched enter Hogwarts with the brightest smile because he knew for once in his life he wasn't alone." Harry smiled at the memory of it, and even Dumbledore's gesture. "I don't know what happened to you in those five years Harry, but I know it changed you greatly. That would be almost impossible to not notice."

"I went through Hell, Professor. I don't think I'll ever be the same as I was before."

"That's a good thing Harry, whether you realize it or not. You aren't supposed to be as you were before, you're supposed to change as time goes on. You wouldn't be human if you didn't."

"I don't think you understand what I'm talking about. I'm not going to be the person they want me to be. I don't want to be seen as the Boy Who Lived. I want to be seen as Harry Potter, or even then maybe someone else."

"Who do you think you are then?"

"I don't know, that's the problem. I'm two different people now, and I don't know how I'm going to balance them out. On one hand I'm just Harry Potter, the castaway that survived for five years on an island in the Yellow Sea, and on the other hand I'm..." Harry tried to find the right way to say what else he was.

"What else are you?" Dumbledore narrowed his eyes as Harry lifted his sleeve up to reveal the tatau, and almost immediately Dumbledore's eyes grew wide.

"I'm a monster. This has been on me since I was thirteen, and every time I kill, I can feel that tatau get a stronger hold on me.."

"So, that's why your magic is no longer working, interesting."

"What do you mean that's why?" Harry asked suddenly.

"Harry, this is a special kind of dark magic, it gives and takes at the same time. It gave you abilities that you never had before, am I correct?"

"Yes, it helped me become what you saw in the warehouse." Harry explained, slowly beginning to understand what Dumbledore was trying to say, and it was far too clear for him to not realize. "Wait, are you trying to say..."

"Yes, I'm afraid so. This tatau as you call it is siphoning the magic you have within you and is giving you these abilities, which are still growing to this point. As long as it is siphoning that magic away, I am afraid you won't be able to use any. That is why you believe your magic is gone, it's not, you're just very weak right now."

Harry looked at the tatau and his stomach almost threatened to turn upside down as he clenched his fists. "That's not the only thing different about you, is it? There's something else. I saw you punch that tree, no dark magic I have seen can cause a person to gain such physical strength. Only a curse like that of a werewolf can."

"That would be a serum I was injected with when I was fourteen. I was dying after an explosion, and in order to save myself and my friend, the one that was on the island with me, I had to inject myself with the serum. It healed me of my wounds, and made me stronger, a lot stronger. However it gave me fits of rage that I can't always control, and I almost lost my mind." Harry went on to explain the Mirakuru situation and slowly Dumbledore began to develop a theory in his mind about it. "Honestly, the malnutrition I had was cured from the Mirakuru."

"Hmm, interesting. You know what I'm wondering..." Dumbledore started, resting his chin on his hand. "I believe that this Mirakuru as you call it, it didn't only improve every aspect of your physical state, but I think it might have affected your magical core as well."

"What do you mean, affected it?"

"Harry, our magical core can be strengthened, or weakened. Dark magic in itself has to use some natural magic as a basis, and from there the darkness grows. This tatau, it siphoned some magic off of you in the beginning, and with that it would develop your abilities slowly, but as the stronger the source of power it pulls off of, it takes more and becomes stronger itself."

"Oh, you're saying that the Mirakuru improved my magic and because of it my abilities were developed far quicker because the tatau's dark magic siphoned more magic all at once."

"Precisely. However, I do not know of anyone that can remove a dark spell such as this..."

"I do, but that's merely because he survived in Azkaban with some of the worst wizards and witches we've ever seen walk among us."

"Oh, I was wondering where he went off to, that was you that broke him out?"

"Yes... it was."

Harry had done the impossible two years ago with the help of Oliver... he had helped Sirius Black escape Azkaban. Many thought it was the only prison that couldn't be broken out of, however they never said it couldn't be broken into. It was a long night, and a few dementors might have been damaged, but Harry and Oliver had gotten Sirius out of there. That was also the night Sirius gave Harry that mirror, the scrying mirror or whatever it was called, it still slipped Harry's mind at this point. Sirius was currently living undercover at the Leaky Cauldron as sort of an informant for Harry about events that might concern him.

"So, Professor... I don't think you came here entirely to talk about past events and to catch up, did you?" Harry asked noticing how Dumbledore seemed almost unwilling to say what was really on his mind.

"No, not entirely. I came here because eventually the news of your death being false will break out in the Wizarding World, and they will come looking for you. I came to see if you would be willing to make a public appearance, or whatever you felt was best."

"That's not exactly something I want to do, I'm done with the Wizarding World. I have no use for it anymore, it's not where I belong. I don't want to be called the savior of some place that is corrupt and set in its old ways that it won't see what's really happening in front of them."

"Ah, but things have changed Harry, it's a new age for everyone. I'm almost sad to say that your death as it were, set off a chain reaction in the community."

"A chain reaction, all because of my supposed death? I don't really believe that."

"Well, it might just be my hubris when it concerns you."

"I wouldn't be too proud when it concerns me Professor. After all, nobody should be proud of a killer."

"Oh, but what of the war heroes that return. They have killed, have they not? Most of the aurors have at one point killed, even your own parents did."

"When they were with the Order of the Phoenix?"

"How do you know about that?"

"Professor, I wasn't always on the island, and when I was off I learned things about the Wizarding World and my own family. I know about the Order of the Phoenix, I know that Sirius didn't betray my family, it was Peter Pettigrew, I also know that there were people working to force me into the Twiwizard Tournament in an effort to bring back Lord Voldemort by using me as part of a ritual. However, due to my death their plans were foiled. As we speak they are trying to make a plan to bring him back, but unfortunately what remains of Voldemort is kind of, in the form of a baby. Even if they find out I'm alive, which I'm almost certain that they will, unless I can conceive some new form of identity or a way to make them think I'm not the same Harry Potter that they are searching for, they won't be able to take me."

"You've become very informed over the past five years."

"See, Professor... it's better to tell people what needs to be told when it concerns them rather than hide it from them. I trust you would have told me everything yourself if I had been at the school."

"I suppose that would only be discovered in a different life." Dumbledore admitted, unsure of what he might have told Harry if he had been in school all these years. "I would like to ask you a question Harry, and forgive me if I upset you."

"What is it?"

"I was curious if you would like to start up some form of curriculum to make up for your lost time. I won't have you come to the castle, but perhaps on your spare time you could take to studying ways to use your magic or rather your knowledge in a way that might benefit you."

"Professor, are you offering to help me?"

"I'm merely offering to help you get to where you should be."

"Teaching me how to use spells that could harm people isn't exactly a smart move, considering who I am now."

"Yes, this... persona you've created, the one that uses the darkness within you as a weapon against your foes, it would be foolish to give you such a weapon." Dumbledore smiled lightly. "However, it would not be for weapons... it would be defense."

"Defense?"

"Yes, instead of what we taught at Hogwarts with Defense against the Dark Arts, it would be a different form for you. I believe you are not a monster Harry, but you need to learn to control the darkness inside of you, because everyone has that darkness within them. It's how we use that darkness that defines whether we are seen as a monster or a hero. You are a troubled young man, and while yes, violence without purpose is something I do not condone... you are not fighting without a purpose. You are fighting a war of your own."

"Yes I am, Professor. Starling City is poisoned, with the same kind of people that made the Ministry so fearful before Voldemort's fall. They might not have magic on their side, but they are resourceful. I'm not going back to England to stay, if I go back it's to get what is rightfully mine out of my family's vault, and then I'm going to come back here, and I will never return. I hope you understand that."

"I understand, although I don't know the reasons as to why you feel that you have no home there anymore."

"I didn't say I have no home there anymore... I know Hogwarts will always welcome me back with open arms, but I'm not the person I want to be if I were to go back."

"That is fine, although I would like to know two more things..."

"Yes?" Harry asked with a kind tone that made Dumbledore smile lightly knowing the old Harry was still there within him.

"If you are to be consumed by your darkness, what then?"

"Oliver will know what to do, we've talked about it. He knows that next time I lose control, I might not come back from it... and I don't want to hurt innocent people again."

"But would he be able to do it if the time came?" Dumbledore asked him, and Harry sighed. He wasn't sure if Oliver would, but he had to hope that choice would never come. "Harry, about the other question I have, it's concerning Ms. Granger and Mr. Weasley. Do you want me to hide your status from them? Ms. Granger is currently studying under Ms. McGongagall to become a teacher at Hogwarts, however she is more inclined to being in the Muggle world as of late, she may end up hearing about your survival."

"Professor, as much as I would like you to tell them secret, I think it would be best if you just keep it that way for a while. If they find out, I want it to be on my terms."

"Alright... So, what are you going to do about the tatau on your arm?"

"I'm not sure yet. I don't want to become reliant on my magic by far, but it could become useful in the field when I'm fighting. For now though, I think I'm going to leave the tatau the way it is, and eventually if I feel like it's needed, I'll talk with my friend about getting the dark magic removed from it; as for the curriculum, I think for now the best step going forward is to just give me textbooks on healing potions. I feel like I'll need it. Otherwise, I think it's best if I keep the Wizarding World out of the Red Arrow's exploits, it might make things... too easy."

"As you wish. I do wish you the best of luck in your fight to save Starling City," Dumbledore stopped in his tracks. Harry couldn't help but smile at him.

"Thank you Professor, and I was almost certain you were going to look at me like I was a monster because of what you had seen. I'm glad to be wrong for once."

"Harry, it doesn't matter how anyone sees you, it's what you're fighting for that matters. A word of advice though, watch your surroundings."

"Always," Harry nodded before shaking Dumbledore's hand. "Also, I must say I like the new look. You look different than I remember Professor."

"Well, things are different, and it's about time we changed too. You obviously have, so it's only natural we change as well. Be safe, Mr. Potter."

"You too Professor... wait, how did you find me?"

"I watched public television." The headmaster explained before Harry watched as Dumbledore disappeared, apparating away to god knows where. Harry smiled as he looked at the wand in his hand.

"Yeah, I am different."

Harry walked inside to see Oliver entering the house and all he could think of was that Oliver did not look happy. "Hey," Harry greeted as Oliver stepped in front of him stopping. "How did the talk with Laurel go?"

"It went as expected, but it wasn't for nothing. I got a lead... I got a laptop coming in a few hours, find out as much as you can about Adam Hunt as you can, he's the first target we have."

"Adam Hunt? Why does that name sound familiar?"

"You might have heard about him on the news. The owner of Hunt Multinational," Oliver explained as they went up to Oliver's room and locked the door behind them. "He's essentially the kind of scum you would expect in a metropolitan city. His crimes go deeper than fraud and theft, but he's been able to bully, bribe, or kill anyone who's gotten in his way. He hasn't met us yet. So, find out as much about him as you can. Tomorrow we're going to have a chat with him."

"So, the plan's been pushed forward then?" Harry asked, and Oliver nodded.

"The kidnapping has forced me to get things going far faster than anticipated, but that doesn't matter. What matters right now is that we get the job done."

"Alright, I'll get on it. I had a chat with someone from my past today Ollie... and he's made some things very clear for me."

"What kind of things?" Oliver asked, noticing how Harry almost seemed to be in a fresh new light.

"Well, for starters he helped me figure out why my magic isn't working."

"What is it?"

"It's the tatau. It's siphoning it to basically give me abilities... almost like I'm selling my soul to the devil to get what I want most. Only difference is, I can get rid of the deal while keeping the abilities."

"Are you going to do it? Get rid of the tatau?"

"Not right now, too many things to worry about before we even think about that. Who knows, maybe after our business with Hunt is done and over with we'll deal with this, but right now we need to focus on the mission."

"Alright."

Harry smiled as he uttered the worst pun he could have come up with in that moment: "The Hunt begins..."

There's the chapter, and yes I intended this chapter to be just Harry's talk with Dumbledore. It wasn't that much but I figured it would be good to do and I figured it would be fast and easy, which it really was. From the time I updated last night at like... 10 PM, I got the entire chapter done. In all honesty by midnight I had the chapter done but I wanted to wait a little bit that way I could make sure it was to my liking.

Thank you all for the comments, they were very helpful. I think I am going to go with Harry/Thea, and I will be open to ideas as to how that might unfold. As for the magic, we now have a reason and a way to get it back, but it is still a divide because as you all have said, there needs to be a way to not make him OP with the magic considering he already has the Mirakuru as a bonus.

So, just as sort of a quick question, do you want Harry to have more than just a bow and arrow when he fights, like say escrima sticks or something? If you guys do, let me know in the comments.

I will be back very soon with another chapter, until then guys please review and thanks.