Chapter 20

The Deceit of Dumbledore

Harry, Luna and his aunt were having a barbeque in the backyard garden when a Patronus message came from Severus Snape "Dumbledore is in a ministry holding cell and they have released Grindelwalde from Nurem-guard in exchange for giving evidence against him. Grindlewalde's magic is to be bound for five years as a punishment for his delving into the dark arts."

Petunia looked puzzled but relieved at the fact that Dumbledore would receive justice.

"Is that good, Harry?"

"More than good but I may be called to give evidence as well."

Luna rubbed Harry's back as he took a deep cleansing breath. "I heard you crying out last night, Harry, more nightmares?" Petunia asked gently

"They aren't so bad now Dumbledore is being punished for what he did"

"I don't understand, Harry, they can't sentence him to death if he has three or more….Horcruxes"

Luna felt queasy just saying that word. A Horcrux was a very dark type of magic. You had to be willing to murder an innocent in a disgusting blood ritual and then split one's soul to contain it in a vessel. They had destroyed the first one. The vase that had come from the safehouse of the potters.

"I think that there is time to go shopping tomorrow before his trial and I might even be happy to treat the both of you to an exclusive lunch club. Did you say you had to get some robes with the potter crests on?"

Harry took a second look at his aunt. "I did go to your parents wedding. Lily and I even exchanged a few civil and polite words. Oh Harry, I was Jealous of your mother, bitter that she got to marry into the ancient and noble house of potter. I even found out about the traditions when your father explained them. I have no resentment apart from the fact that she wasn't here to see you grow up. My sister and James trusted the wrong person." A tear slipped down her cheek and then the floodgates finally opened leaving a stunned Harry feeling completely and utterly helpless. He just patted her back awkwardly until she calmed down and Petunia excused herself to wash her face.

"Harry, it's not your fault, no, don't give me the 'I should hit myself over the head' look. Your aunt has a lot of guilt to deal with and is trying to cover that up. Let her deal with her own guilt in her own way. Promise?"

Harry lifted his lips in a tight smile and nodded "Now, Mr Potter, I think that you will be very handsome on Monday and you will go into that court room looking every inch the Lord Potter-Black you are."

"Do you think so, miss love-good?"

"Yes, I also think you should stop stalling and kiss me now"

Petunia smiled as she looked out of the kitchen window. Hedwig hooted as he also watched his master kiss his soul-mate with joy in his heart.

A second owl dropped a letter into the open window and Petunia recognised Hermione's neat handwriting instantly. She ushered the two loved up teenagers in to read it at once

'Dear Harry'

"I wanted to write to find out if you knew about Grindlewald? Obviously not, Severus, sorry, Professor Snape has told me that Dumbledore is responsible for his sister's death, shocking, I know but that is when he created his first Vessel for a piece of his soul. Oh Harry, you are the only one I can trust, SS and I are engaged. We have been since the end of fifth year. Now Dumbledore can't hurt myself or him, we intend to marry when I graduate. Stay safe Harry and give Luna and your aunt my love and brightest blessings.'

Your faithful friend

Hermione

"Well, that's that" Luna said brightly "I always said that those two were suited"

"You did?" Harry choked out "Of course, I'm happy for her but she can't tell anyone else about their engagement, if Dumbledore breaks out and uses her as a bargaining tool against Professor Snape, I'll have to kill Dumbledore, I don't want to but if it's choice between right and easy, I choose the right way."

"I am proud of your logic, Harry" Petunia smiled

Vernon had picked up Dudley from college and driven him home. Dudley was making great strides in being kinder to his cousin and their conversations were awkward but polite.

"Hey, Harry, Luna, I passed my A level science" Dudley smiled as he went through to the kitchen for some water

"That's great Dudley, do you want a hamburger, we saved some from the BBQ?"

"Yeah, I am starving" The three went out to the garden and Vernon watched Harry for any tell-tale signs like dark rings under his eyes or that haunted look he got whenever he had a nightmare.

"How has he been?"

"I think our nephew is getting there, knowing he hasn't got a piece of Tom Riddle's soul inside of him has helped but he still sees the flashing green light that killed his mother in his nightmares."

"That Dumbledore, I never realised how close I was to the truth, he really was an old crackpot. Warped by power and greed. And those Weasley's, the youngest son was receiving payments for being his friend from Harry's own trust vault."

"I know Vernon, but he is a boy of both worlds. We can't suddenly expect him to walk away from the wizarding world. He is a wizard and we have to support his choices."

"I know, Pet, please let's not argue today?"

"Okay but try not to tar all the Weasley's with the same brush. Gred and Forge seem to like him genuinely. Ginerva is a bit of an obsessed fangirl. And Arthur is genuine also. "