The Demon of Hogwarts
Disclaimer: See First Chapter
Author's Note: For a heads-up, I should point out that Harry is going to be showing different emotions depending on the company he keeps; he's also going to be powerful and have an attitude, language and understanding beyond his age. So, if you don't like any of these things, then for the love of Merlin, don't read this story. That's all I'm going to say about this one.
Dedication: I would like to dedicate this story to Winged Seer Wolf for helping bring back my darker nature; my recommended read for this story is The Rise of a Dark Lord by LittleMissXanda; an amazing Dark Harry story. I would also like to recommend the story Hadrian Potter: Darkness Rising by AvatarVecna; both of these are amazing stories in their own rights.
Harry/Daphne
Other Pairings TBC
Normal Speech
'Thought'
'Mind Speech'
Review Answers:
StormyFireDragon: Yeah, I was looking for a pretty action-packed encounter, Storm: I'm glad people liked it;
Winged Seer Wolf: It's just imagery and imagination combined together: the right thought at the right moment with the right words and anyone can do it;
T4: Thanks for your kind words and, as complex as that explanation was, it actually made sense;
WhiteElfElder: Yes, but as I revealed, he still possesses the Power;
Harry knew that this wouldn't be the last time he clashed swords with Tom Riddle…but next time, he'd be ready.
Chapter 14: A Suspicious Past
Harry was left to recover in the Hospital Wing for the better part of three days following his adventure into the forbidden corridor; with the Stone safely stored away and the current incarnation of Voldemort destroyed, the Demon of Slytherin felt like he could actually enjoy his year…or at least what was left of it. However, at the end of his second day within the Hospital Wing, Harry was visited by the one person that he'd tried to avoid all year: Albus Dumbledore.
The Headmaster of Hogwarts found his way into the Hospital Wing with ease and, as he approached Harry's bed, he seemed to put on an air of someone that you could trust with your life as he smiled at the boy in the bed and asked, "Harry, my boy, how do you feel?"
"Forgive my crude manners, Headmaster," Harry replied, more than aware of the attempted Legilimency against his Power-advanced barriers, "But I would prefer for someone I don't know and don't really call a friend to address me as either Mr Potter or Lord Potter. As for how I feel, I've been better, but Madam Pomfrey is quite the miracle worker."
"Indeed she is…Lord Potter," Dumbledore agreed, the sarcasm actually well-hidden with how he addressed Harry as he asked, "Would you care to answer a few questions for me while you're recovering?"
"That depends," Harry answered, shifting in the bed before he asked, "Are you here to ask me about what happened in your so-called forbidden corridor or are you here to ask me about my living conditions? Because one of those questions, I'll gladly answer since you're my Headmaster while the other is a question that you don't have the right to question me about."
"Then would you kindly explain how it is that you've been away from Privet Drive for so long, Harry?"
"And there's the question that you don't have the right to ask me," Harry smirked, keeping his defences in place as he added, "You may think you're my guardian, Headmaster Dumbledore, but since I invoked the Last Son's Rite and became Lord Potter, I have no need for a guardian. As for as far as things go magically-speaking, I'd say that right goes to my betrothed's Father, Lord Adrian Greengrass."
"I didn't authorise that," Dumbledore exclaimed, showing his hand without meaning to as he insisted, "I was recognised by your parents as your guardian and, as such, you must consult me on matters of betrothal, Harry. Furthermore, the Greengrass Family are known supporters of Dark Wizards and…"
"And I am the highest-ranking Slytherin in my year," Harry retorted, doing his best to keep his emotions in check as he added, "Not Gryffindor, Dumbledore, which is where your oh-so-lovely plans would want me to be. Face facts, old man: you've lost control before you had the chance to get it back; now, ask the right questions…otherwise, please leave: I need my rest."
Dumbledore was stunned gone scared: how did Harry know of the plans and ideals of the old man when he was sure that the boy had no real contact with any from his parents' past? Why was he a Slytherin and not a willing martyr wondering just how it was that Lord Voldemort couldn't touch him?
Trying to regain some footing, Dumbledore cleared his throat before he explained, "Harry, for whatever reason you have left your relatives, I ask that you go back to them: without your Mother's sacrifice empowering the wards, you will…"
"I believe I asked you nicely to address me as Lord Potter," Harry countered, keeping the smile of victory off his face as he added, "And, as Lord Potter, I believe I don't have to stay anywhere I don't want to: that is the benefit of the Last Son's Rite that was witnessed by my goblin liaison and proxy. Also, since you seem so keen on having me answer questions, then permit me to return the favour and answer me this, Headmaster: who had you set up two extra copies of my vault key with and whatever happened to the monetary withdrawals that were removed?"
Before he could stop himself – as Harry had laced his words with the Power – Dumbledore simply replied with, "Wouldn't you like to know?"
"I do know," Harry insisted, a Slytherin-worthy smile crossing his face as he asked, "I'm just wondering if you do, sir? After all, my original key was apparently kept by you and offered to Professor Snape when he met me. Oh, and as for him, I wouldn't go off on trying to discourage my arguments with him…because there aren't any. I buried my Father's hatchet with him and now, rather than hate, scorn and detest me as you would so wish, Professor Snape treats me like one of his snakes."
Dumbledore felt the strands of his plans falling away from him before he had any hope of building them up: clearing his throat, the Headmaster went back to classic bullshitting as he told Harry, "I merely helped provide your…your relatives with reasonable stipends towards your upbringing and, at your parents' request, I set up a separate account to help you when you came of age."
'Lying little bastard,' Harry thought, having already known that Dumbledore's separate account was one set up for the glorifying means that went with his so-called anti-Voldemort regime known as the Order of the Phoenix. Plus, Harry wouldn't be surprised to discover that Dumbledore himself was fingering that account for his own personal use.
Going with a last deciding question, Harry then asked, "Sir, one thing eludes me in everything I've learned lately: how did you manage to acquire a Potter family heirloom from a vault that is under strict goblin protection?"
"I…I don't know what…"
"I showed the Cloak to Professor Snape," Harry explained, once again fighting the laughs that echoed from inside him as he explained, "He identified it as my Dad's and also told me that the writing on the note was yours. And don't bother going to get some answers out of him: I've put him and my friends under my House Protections, which means you go after them, you deal with me."
This was wrong: Albus needed a way to get Harry back on his side and, preferably, out of Slytherin and away from these dark influences: for the Greater Good of the golden age that Dumbledore envisioned, it had to be done.
For now, Dumbledore heaved a deep breath before he spoke, "Harry…Lord Potter…I apologise if my cautionary actions have caused any offence with you; I knew your parents and simply wished to honour their memory. I see now that I have made some…unforeseen mistakes with that decision and…as their friend and yours, I acknowledge that you are now Lord Potter and hope that you know that you can come to me if you have any problems; any at all."
"I'll keep that in mind, Headmaster," Harry replied, though his fingers were crossed under his covers as he added, "For now, sir; I'm still a little tired: would…would you mind?"
"Get well soon, Lord Potter," Dumbledore remarked, inclining his head and, turning on his heel, he left the Hospital Wing, but he didn't leave the hope behind for Harry's place as ruler and harbinger of the Golden Age.
No, he needed to get the boy away from Greengrass and away from Slytherin influences;
Perhaps it was time to have another meeting with Molly…
TheDemonofHogwarts
"You were a bit risky in revealing the truth to him, Harry."
"I know, Daphne," Harry sighed as they travelled on the train back to King's Cross, the other members of the circle seated with them, "But I also led him into the false sense of security that he's obviously been feeling since day one. Otherwise, why would he choose now, when I'm at my weakest and after I've played the big hero, to speak with me? And, on top of all that, he didn't even mention the fact that the Stone was missing or that there was no real signs of struggle between me and Voldemort: he's too focused on whatever plan he has for me and that, my dear, will be his downfall."
"At least he's leaving you alone over the summer," Hermione mused, earning a nod from Harry, "Now you can have some fun, can't you, Harry? Like we did at Christmas?"
"I'll be continuing with my studies for most of it," Harry answered, looking to Blaise and Tracey as he explained, "Serena wants to arrange something special for my birthday, so keep an eye out for any invitations in your direction. Other than that…" he moved his hand so that it touched Daphne's before he told her, "I'd be glad to spend some more time with you, Adrian, Elena and little Tori: she seems to like me, doesn't she?"
"What gave it away?" laughed Daphne, "The not-leaving-you-alone at the party or how she seemed to be insistent that you keep me happy or you'll have her to deal with."
"When does she come up to the school?" asked Neville, though he had to laugh at the mock-frightened look from Harry as Daphne reminded him of Astoria's warning.
"Next year," Daphne explained, earning a confused look from Harry, which prompted Daphne to explain, "She may look young, Harry, but she's actually turned eleven years old at the end of May, so she's finally eligible to come up to Hogwarts. She's looking forwards to it as she can spend time with her honorary brother and the rest of us."
"She's certainly going to be a welcoming addition to the group," Blaise commented, earning a few nods.
"Especially if she's anything like Daphne," added Tracey, though Harry shook his head at that, an amused smile on his face that caused Tracey to ask, "What is it?"
"To best describe Astoria," Harry explained, "You'd have to take the grace and joy of any kid her age and throw in the hidden ferocity of someone like…well, I guess Hermione would be the best choice. Then you add bravery and a smile that can melt any man's heart combined with a streak in her that just can't stay still and you have her."
"Like a solid rock holding a diamond core," Daphne commented, earning a nod from Harry as she explained the reference, "Strong-willed and hard hitting, but with a core that shines and is both lovely and warm."
"Like I said," Tracey reasoned, looking to Harry as she laughed, "Just like Daphne: after all, she's the Silver Prince's Ice Princess and yet she's warm and likeable."
"Touché," chorused Harry and Daphne as the train rolled on towards King's Cross…
TheDemonofHogwarts
When they reached King's Cross, the Circle disbanded and Hermione said her goodbyes to her friends with a promise to write; as Harry went to say his own hellos and offer invites to Adrian and Elena and Astoria, a loud voice cut through the happiness as a female called in his direction, "Harry, dear: there you are."
Turning to the voice, Harry kept one hand in Daphne's while the other was holding onto his trunk, which cancelled out the desire to draw on the Power as he saw Ronald Weasley approaching with his twin brothers and the Prefect of Gryffindor, Percy, if Harry remembered right. However, the source of the voice had been a large woman with an overbearing air to her as her family seemed reluctant to stand in her way. She had wild red hair and was currently smiling proudly as she approached Harry.
"May I help you, madam?" asked Harry in his best formal voice, his eyes on Ron as the boy seemed to be eyeing Daphne while turning a Slytherin-worthy shade of green at the new clothes worn by Harry and Daphne.
"Now, Harry dear," the woman replied, "There's no need for such formalities: simply call me Mrs Weasley…or Molly, if you like: Professor Dumbledore asked us to watch out for you coming back and to…"
"I hate to interrupt your explanation, Lady Weasley," Harry cut in, still using his formal tone as he explained, "But whatever the Headmaster has told you to do for me is, simply put, ignorant and unwise. I told him that I have no desires in allowing him to manipulate my life outside Hogwarts walls and, no offence, but I can't see your son, Ronald, enjoying time with a Slytherin…let alone it's Silver Prince and Lord of said House."
"For once you make sense, Potter," sneered Ronald, but Harry ignored him as Molly opened her mouth again.
"I understand your situation, Harry dear; but the Headmaster has asked us to extend an invitation to our home should you need somewhere to stay," she seemed to be trying to avoid a conflict because of Harry's Slytherin tendencies. "You could get to know my sons a little better and even meet my daughter…you know she's quite taken with you."
"Well as charming as that is, Lady Weasley," Harry insisted, tightening his hold on Daphne's hand as he explained, "I already have a well-endowed home and protections enough. Plus, while we're on the subject, would you be so kind as to explain to me how it is you managed to get onto my premises when my home can only be found by those I invite onto the grounds?"
Molly was silent, but a quick telepathic probe from Harry – which was stronger than Legilimency as it drew on willpower instead of magical abilities and the core of its user – told him all he needed to know. Susan Bones had been chatting with the Patils about the party and, through one of the twins' Gryffindor loud-mouths, word had spread and Weasley had managed to get his hand on the invitation. With just the touch of the paper, Harry knew that the magic would recognise him: he would have to change that.
Clearing his throat, Harry continued, "Anyway, I admire your cunning mind in thinking I'd be interested in meeting a fan of my infamous legend, but, as your sons should know, I am already taken…by the lovely Miss Greengrass here."
"The git and his Death Eater whore," Ron hissed, earning a warning glare from Harry as he sniffed once and countered.
"Watch your words, Weasley," he hissed icily, "You and I are overdue having words after you endangered my best friend and nearly caused her serious injury against the troll while you shit yourself and fainted."
"I did not," Ron scowled, but Harry knew that the damage had been done: he also heard a snigger from the Twins as they heard about their brother's reaction.
"It makes no difference," Harry laughed, "Because by saving Hermione, I also, inadvertently, saved you: isn't that grounds for calling in a Life Debt if I had to?"
Again, the Weasleys were silent, earning a nod of agreement from Harry as he mused, "That's what I thought; now, if you don't mind, I'd like to be going: Lord Weasley, Fred, George, Miss Weasley; I shall see you again…I hope."
Molly, Ron and Percy all felt well and truly burned by Harry's ignorance to their presence; nonetheless, before they could say anything, Harry had turned and led Daphne away, the last thing that the Weasleys saw of him being the hem of his coat as he vanished into the crowd.
Harry, meanwhile, approached the Greengrass elders as well as Astoria before he told them, "Apologies for keeping you waiting, Adrian: it seems that there are things progressing beyond even my control."
"No trouble at all, Harry," Adrian replied, smiling to himself when he saw Harry offer his hand to Astoria, who shook his hand before she hugged him, clearly overjoyed at seeing her future brother-in-law so well and so healthy. Clearing his throat to hide a laugh, Adrian continued, "I'd also like to formally accept the invitation you extended to spend summer in your lovely manor estate: shall we just call on that elf of yours to come or would you prefer advanced notice?"
"Neither," Harry answered, indicating Daphne as he explained, "Before you left the party, I had Daphne help me key the Greengrass bloodline into my wards so that you could use my Floo services; now, I should warn you that my estate has three: one for the Inner Sanctum, one for the Outer Sanctum and one for the main Guest House, so be specific when you step through. When you arrive, Mixey or Zharka will show you to your rooms and I'll join you as and when I can. In the meantime, I'll return your daughter to you and say good-day: see you soon, Lady Elena, Miss Astoria."
"Until we meet again, Harry," Elena smiled, feeling slightly impressed by the boy's constant mannerisms against those he trusted.
With a soft kiss on the cheek to Daphne that had Astoria giggling, Harry turned on his heel, stepped through to the Muggle world and, finding a safe spot within an empty waiting area, he shrunk down his cases and Flamed away from King's Cross.
TheDemonofHogwarts
Arriving within the walls of his personal chambers, Harry discarded his things and, walking to the open window of his room, stroked Cronus' wings softly, the Imperial Great-Horned Owl hooting with his own welcome at seeing his Master before the lord of the manor turned on his heel and called, "Mixey!"
With the familiar pop, his loyal House Elf appeared, bowing low as she asked, "How may Mixey serve Lord Harry?"
"Could you prepare a light dinner and inform the others of my return?" asked Harry, settling down on his bed as he explained, "I'll take it out on the garden balcony…and make one for Serena as well."
"Yes Lord Harry," Mixey replied, vanishing with a soft pop, only to reappear as she added, "One thing more, sir: Lord Harry has one of his party guests waiting for him in the main entrance, sir."
"Thank you," Harry nodded, though he was curious as to who could already have come through to his home; moving down through the castle, Harry made his way into the entrance hall and, as he descended the grand stairwell, he was surprised to find that his guest was none other than Remus, who smiled as he saw his cub back at home. With narrowed eyes, Harry asked, "Remus, why the cloak and dagger stuff? You know that you can come and go as you like, right?"
"I know, Harry," Remus answered, shaking the boy's hand as he explained, "But while you were at school, I had a little talk with Amelia about a few things that haven't added up: things that, if you could, I'd like to know about if that's okay?"
"What sort of things?" asked Harry, leading Remus out onto the balcony garden where Serena was already waiting for him; with a smile to his elder sister, Harry sat down at the table with Remus before he asked, "What can I tell you that I haven't already?"
"Just one thing, really," Remus explained, looking to Harry as he asked, "How is it that you're Heir Primus of the Black Family and, if you don't mind me asking, what do you know about its current Lord?"
"Well," Harry answered, his voice calm as he explained, "I am aware that the current Lord is one Sirius Orion Black, a man whom, according to my parents' will, is named as my godfather, but also as a current absentee in the magical world for reasons I don't know. I also know that Sirius himself named me Heir Primus on the day that I was magically blessed, which is similar to a Muggle's christening event: as for anything else, I don't really know the details. I mean, I know that Narcissa Malfoy is a Black by birth as is the known Death Eater, Bellatrix Lestrange and the infamous magical lawyer, Andromeda Tonks, who has a daughter at Hogwarts with a name that men fear to mention for fear of…reprisals."
"Little Dora," Remus laughed, indicating Harry as he explained, "She was actually someone you liked back before your parents went into hiding, you know?"
"And I've seen her around the school too," Harry explained, "A sixth year student that doesn't really consider herself the friend-sort of person: I've thought about approaching her, but with everything else that I've had to deal with lately, I never really took that step. Anyway, what's with the questions about Sirius?"
"Well," Remus explained, "He's not an…absentee, Harry: in fact, he's in Azkaban Prison for…" he took a deep breath, sighed deeply and, with a look to his honorary godson, he added, "For…betraying your parents to Voldemort and thus, inadvertently, causing their deaths."
"THAT'S A LIE!"
Serena's yell of anger and outrage surprised even Harry, but he was also thankful for his sister's words as, when Remus had spoken those last words, a dark anger had risen in Harry that he hadn't felt since the days of tormenting and breaking the Dursleys.
Seeing her little brother's surprise, Serena cleared her throat before she explained, "I'm sorry for shouting like that, Harry, but Remus is lying: Sirius would never betray your parents. When they were growing up and around the time your Mum and Dad got married, this place was alive with laughs and jokes, both of which were usually caused by him. In fact, you were born in these halls and, since your Dad had fainted and your Mum was recovering, Sirius was also the first man to hold you: I was there."
"What…what was he like?" asked Harry, leaning on one elbow while three plates of dinner suddenly appeared, courtesy of Mixey; as he picked at his meal, Harry asked, "Sirius, I mean: what…what was he like if not a traitor?"
"He cherished your Dad's company and friendship," Serena explained, blushing slightly as she added, "And…other than you and…and Lord James, he…he was the only man I knew that was…was nice to me. He made me feel like you do, little brother; he made me feel like a person instead of an object. In fact…I was the one that…that he made the promise to when you were born."
"Promise?" asked Harry and Remus together, the eyes of the werewolf looking just as confused as Harry.
"He said," Serena answered, "And I quote: I promise you, Serena, by the grace of Merlin himself, I swear that I shall never turn my back on this little Prongslet: I will never hurt him and I will always love him just like his Mummy and Daddy do. Then he yelled at Lord James to wake up and stop being such a prat."
Surprisingly, Remus laughed while Harry wiped a tear from his eye, a tear that had to be the first one that he'd shed in a long time as he whispered, "Someone…someone out there…loved me like…like they did?"
"Yes," Remus answered, "And that's why it hurt when…when we were informed that he'd betrayed Lily and James, but, after hearing this, I find myself agreeing with Serena: Sirius couldn't have done it."
"That's because he didn't," Harry whispered, clenching his fists as he added, "In their will, Mum and Dad's first line was, and I quote: If anyone is hearing this will, then it means that we were wrong and Peter betrayed us. So, Remus, who's Peter?"
"Peter Pettigrew," Remus answered, a note of confused sadness in his voice as he explained, "Also known as Wormtail to the Marauders for his rat form, but that doesn't make sense: I mean it's common knowledge that Sirius cornered Peter and the guy yelled for the world to hear that Sirius had betrayed them before the street exploded and Peter was…was killed. All they ever found of him was a finger and…"
"And Sirius went to Azkaban," Harry finished, earning a nod from Remus, though it wasn't really a question, "Sounds a bit too easy to put together: I mean, you say that Peter was a rat Animagus, right?"
Remus nodded.
"So could it have been possible that he blew up the street and transformed, leaving behind a finger to fake his death?"
"Makes sense to me," Serena mused, earning a look from Remus that was both shock and disbelief.
"If that's true," he gasped, "Then it means…"
"There's an innocent man inside Azkaban," Harry explained, looking to the Head of House ring that shone on his finger as he added, "And it's just become my summer holiday priority to get him out."
"How?"
Meeting Remus' eyes, Harry smirked before he let his eyes glow with the full fury of the Power as he answered the man;
"If such means are necessary…any way that I have to."
TheDemonofHogwarts
After dinner, Harry took a long walk around the grounds, just enjoying the peace and quiet of the place without manipulative old gits and fearful relatives and idiotic students trying to get on his nerves. Once he was safe to do so, Harry then went for a swim in the indoor pool located in the Outer Sanctum and, as he completed another length, his head surfaced above the water, Harry smiled as he saw Serena sat on the edge of the pool, her pale skin covered by a sleeveless vest-top and a pair of shorts.
Surfacing from the water, Harry leaned on the edge of the pool before he asked, "What's wrong, big sis?"
"I…I was just wondering if…if I could make another big request of you, Harry," Serena answered, turning her head away as she felt a sense of embarrassment at seeing her little brother's better-toned body and healthier physique as he climbed out and sat next to her.
"What sort of request?" he asked, summoning a towel to dry his skin while he left his hair damp and falling over his fringe.
"Well, I was thinking about how…how you've helped me come out of my skin lately," Serena explained, her voice calm as she continued, "Then…then I was thinking of how your friends like me and how I enjoy learning with you when we talk about the Power and…well, I know it may sound silly, but…"
"Serena," Harry remarked, a smile of delight crossing his face as he told her, "Just say it: you know I won't laugh at you."
"Okay," Serena sighed, looking to her little brother, before she took a deep breath and, meeting his bright eyes, she told him her request:
"I'd like to go to Hogwarts next September with you and learn more about magic!"
Chapter 14 and suspicions rise with Dumbledore's actions, news about Sirius and now, to add to Harry's shock, Serena wants to go to Hogwarts: will it be possible?
Plus, can Harry exonerate Sirius before other forces try to get their hands on him to get to Harry?
Keep Reading to Find Out…
Next Chapter: Talks with a few friends and advisors gives Harry the chance to answer Serena's request: plus, Daphne feels stunned with Harry's revelation about Sirius and, as people begin looking into the truth, Harry has yet another confrontation with Lucius Malfoy while Amelia makes a suggestion on how Harry can help Sirius…
Please Read and Review