Came out of the Darkness 25 – Trouble with Meddling
Characters created by J.K. Rowling. Still more movie-verse than book. Still not changing much (still have my reasons).
November 1st early evening. Harry glanced over to where Hermione was sitting with her chin propped in her hand. He tilted his head to look into her face and realized she'd dozed off.
"Harry," Katie Bell stooped, "Want us to take her up to her bed?" she nodded to indicate Alicia Spinnet and Angelina Johnson.
"I've actually got a better idea," Harry replied. "But I'd appreciate it if you took her books up."
"Sure," Katie said.
Harry gathered Hermione into his arms, Angelina helped him settle her against his chest, "sh, sh, sh," she murmured as Hermione mumbled.
Harry walked over and through the opening behind the tapestry on the Common Room wall. Crookshanks walked by rubbing against his legs. Harry turned and watched the cat scamper away up the corridor toward the main hallway. Then Harry walked down the corridor to their quiet room. He paused for a moment at the doorway. The sofa that had sat in front of the fire for the last two years had changed. It was now longer and wider. Harry carried Hermione over and gently lay her to rest on the cushions.
"Hey mate," Fred said from behind him.
Harry turned, "Wow, what happened to you?"
Fred's face was covered in soot, "Oh, nothing, minor accident. George did it."
"Didn't," George said.
"Did too," Fred insisted, then walked across to Harry with a brightly colored afghan in his hands. "I borrowed this from here last week. Thought you might need it."
"Thanks," Harry moved to take it then paused, "Wait. What did you do to it?"
"Harry," Fred reprimanded.
"We're hurt," George said.
"To think that we…"
"Would stoop so low…"
"You we'd prank…"
"Quick as a wink…"
"But little Lady Maya…"
"Never," the twins finished together. Fred walked over and covered Hermione with the soft blanket. He smoothed her hair back from her face with a smile.
Harry sighed heavily once the twins left and he was alone with the sleeping girl. He sat down opposite her and settled in to watch over her. He was just starting to doze when the soft padding of cat feet crossed the room. He glanced down to see Crookshanks sitting next to him. With the Sorting Hat in his mouth.
"What are you doing with that?" Harry asked. He took the Hat and looked at it. Then pulled it over his head. It once again slid down to his chin.
"Hello Harry Potter," the Hat greeted. "I told you I would come to visit you sometime."
"That was two years ago," Harry replied.
"Time is relative, as you well know. Two years out my thousand? Raindrop in the ocean. And you had no need of me… before today."
"And I need you today?"
"You need to know something today."
Silence stretched for a moment, "Can you tell me?"
"Showing you is better. Though I understand you may have some reservations. I do have a brain, blessed on me by Godric Gryffindor; I keep it in my tip however I will not show it to you. What I can do is show you Fate."
"Fate? Whose fate?"
"No my boy. Fate. The one who sent you back."
"Oh. What do I do?"
"Open your eyes."
Harry opened his eyes to see the darkness of the inside of the Sorting Hat. Then he blinked and saw depth in the black. Endless fathoms. Slowly a figure formed. Long flowing robe, hood, a glowing pale blue. The figure he remembered from immediately after dying.
"Hello Harry," Fate's voice was gentle and feminine.
"Hello."
"Did Hat show you his brain?"
Harry shook his head, "No."
"Thought not. He's very self-conscious of it you see, it's small, and gray, and squishy."
"Hey!"
Harry shrugged, "I think most people's are." There was silence for a moment, "What?"
"You are a uniquely polite young man," Hat replied.
"Time is short, Harry," Fate said, "Hermione will only sleep for another fifteen minutes. Last night while the students were in the Great Hall, Dumbledore pulled on the Sorting Hat and demanded a conference with me." Harry heard a low grumble coming from all around him. "Hat please. I was not pleased either, you don't hear me griping. Harry please allow me to show you." Fate swept out an arm and pointed (Harry assumed, he couldn't see any hand or fingers).
Against the darkness, an image slowly came into focus. Dumbledore paced back and forth in his office. Then he grabbed the Sorting Hat and yanked it down over his head.
"Fate. I insist you speak to me. FATE!"
"Yes."
Dumbledore was now standing in the darkness, facing the pale blue figure. "Fate. I must know what is coming. Harry is openly defiant and angry. It makes no sense!" He resumed pacing. "He should see me as his savior. And by now he should want desperately to be a part of the Weasley family. That was how it is supposed to be. The Weasley boy as his best friend. The girl to become his wife."
"You cannot choose another's destiny Albus," Fate warned.
"Destiny? His destiny was set before he was born! I heard the prophecy myself!"
"You put too much faith in the words of one woman," Hat said.
Dumbledore took a deep breath, "I must know what is coming. You must tell me!"
"No," Fate replied.
"No," said Hat.
"No? You DARE to tell me NO!" Dumbledore roared. "I am Albus Dumbledore."
"SILENCE!" came a loud female voice. And the world fell silent. Dumbledore turned and waved his wand. An image of the Great Hall appeared, showing children asleep in sleeping bags. Snape shot to attention; Hermione, Harry, Neville, Luna sat up; the twins awoke as one; Cedric and Flint rose.
"Castle? You woke the children," Dumbledore reprimanded.
"THE CHILDREN NEEDED TO BE WAKENED!"
Dumbledore glared at the darkness. Then he closed his eyes and his fists clenched. The air grew heavy and thick. Gray swirled amidst the black.
"Castle, I am Headmaster," Dumbledore said.
"AND YOU SERVE SO LONG AS IT PLEASES ME!" Lightning flashed, thunder rolled, and the floor quaked beneath Dumbledore. "I, Hogwarts Castle, stand for the Light of Magic. I *allow* you to represent me so long as you also stand for the Light."
The quake reached all the way to the Great Hall, where a shattering glass ended the silence. Dumbledore frowned as Harry curled behind Hermione to lie back down. Then he cast a spell that dissolved the image.
Fate stepped into the conversation, "You are not infallible Albus Dumbledore. You can be wrong. I've let you meddle too many times, changing things to suit you. No more. You can continue with your plans, but it will not change mine. I will tell you this – we tried things your way once and it ended badly. Very badly."
Dumbledore found himself thrust back into his office. The Sorting Hat drifted to the floor. He grabbed it and shoved his head back in, "What did that mean?"
"Means things will be changing, Albus," Hat replied. "Fate has spoken. She has her plan set into motion. You just have to believe… ha-ha-ha… that it is all for the greater good."
"Bah," Dumbledore ripped the hat from his head and tossed it back onto its perch. "I know I'm right."
The Sorting Hat yawned, "Knowing and being have always been two separate matters."
Harry blinked, "Wow." It took a second after the images faded to center himself. "So the shaking…?"
Fate nodded her hooded head, "Dumbledore tried to wrest control away from Hogwarts Castle. To impose his will. Others have tried. Everyone fails."
"What is wrong with him?"
"He's been told for so long that he is the Most Powerful, Most Amazing, Always Right, Never to be Questioned, Sees-All, Hears-All, Knows-All Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore that he's come to believe it whole-heartedly. He's not evil, Harry. He's just wrong. Yes the prophecy exists, and yes there is an element of truth to it, but it is not the ultimate answer to every question that he believes. Everything he's done since hearing the prophecy has been to ensure that it plays out the way he sees it should." Fate sighed. "And I allowed it. But this time, we'll try things your way. Be careful Harry. He will continue to meddle. But I will continue to guide you back onto the path of your choosing."
Harry felt a nudging on his leg. He brushed his hand down and felt tangled fur, then a rough tongue.
"Time to go, Harry," Hat said. "It wouldn't do if Hermione were to waken to see your head stuffed within me."
"Wait. I have a question."
Fate laughed.
"Just one," asked Hat.
"No, it's just… do you have names? It seems weird to think of you as Fate and Hat and Castle."
"We do young one," Hat replied. "But knowing a name gives you power. As knowing Voldemort's true name is Tom Marvolo Riddle gives you an edge. It's not that we don't trust you with our names; it's that we don't tell anyone. You may simply call me Hat. Remove me now."
Harry complied and the Quiet Room reappeared. Crookshanks was still at his side; Hermione was still asleep next to him.
Then a loud explosion came from the twins' Not-so-Quiet room and Hermione awoke with a gasp.
"We're OK!" called Fred.
"Nothing to worry about!" added George.
"Fire's out!" they yelled together.
Hermione yawned and rubbed her eyes, "What are we doing down here? How did I get here? Harry? Harry, what's wrong?"
"It's a bit of a story. You want some tea? This might take a while." With a loud pop, a tea set appeared on the table, a steaming pot, two cups, and a plate of cookies.
"Best be careful what you wish for Harry. Can you imagine if you said a sixteen course meal? We'd…."
SNAP, SNAP – two Kitchen Elves appeared. "Sixteen courses Lady Maya? Please say what courses Lady Maya and Lord Harry be wanting."
"Whoops," Hermione cringed.
"Talk about me watching what I say," Harry rolled his eyes.
"Sorry you two, I misspoke. We do not need any courses. The tea and cookies will be perfect for tonight. Thank you."
Silence. Then one Elf nudged the other. "Is there be anything you be needing?"
"No," Harry shook his head.
The Elves stared at them, they stared back. Then Hermione remembered, "Coins, Harry. You've been giving coins and things to the Elves that help you."
"Oh crap, I don't have any on me. Lady Elves, please forgive me."
The Elves gasped, eyes bulging, "No Lord Harry. We was wrong to expect."
"Wait," Hermione pulled a ribbon from her hair. "How about this?" She smoothed it out straight and used her wand to slice it precisely in half. Then she tied each half around the Elves' tiny waists. "How's that?"
"Most beautiful," one gasped.
"Truly great," the other began to cry. "Lady Maya is the sweetest Witch to grace Hogwarts."
*x*x*x*x*x*
Time seemed to move even faster after that.
Their first Quidditch match against Hufflepuff went horribly (again). The Dementors attacked, Harry fell from his broom, which ended up slamming into the Whomping Willow tree. Hermione had been prepared and was the one to slow Harry's descent, but the adults still insisted he be placed into Madam Pomfrey's care. Cedric came to the hospital wing personally to apologize for catching the game winning Snitch.
Snape substituted for a 'sick' Lupin and demanded they learn how to identify werewolves. Just to be a little shit, Harry did the requested essay along with Hermione. They both turned it in along with their potions homework that week.
Then the next Hogsmeade weekend came one cold snowy day in early December. The Friday before Harry walked determinedly up to where Dumbledore sat at the head table consuming his dinner. "Any chance of you recognizing Lady Longbottom's authority as it relates to Hogsmeade this time?" Dumbledore took a moment to glance across the obviously rapt gathering of students. He sighed and stood up, gesturing for Harry to follow him. "It's a yes or no question, sir, I don't think we need to go anywhere for it," Harry said, standing his ground. He stared straight ahead, not wanting to glance at Snape or Lupin.
"The answer is no," Dumbledore said. "The Governors will be holding a discussion on the matter in two weeks."
"Do I get to be a part of this discussion?" Harry snapped.
"Mr. Potter, return to your seat!" McGonagall commanded.
Harry stormed over and sat down between Neville and Hermione. He kept his eyes on his plate as he forced himself to eat a bit. After a minute, Hermione nudged him. He glanced at her and she nodded at the room at large. He lifted his head. Students of every house were glaring at the head table. A few got up angrily and stormed out of the hall.
"You may want to ease back a bit," Hermione whispered. "Unless you plan to start the revolution now."
Harry sighed heavily.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Fred asked softly.
"Always brother," George replied just as quietly.
"I think it's time to pass the torch."
"Well, one of them anyway."
It wasn't until Harry was trying to sneak off the grounds under his invisibility cloak, not until he was snatched under each arm by the twins, not until they carried him back into a hidden corner that he remembered. Thankfully he was able to wipe the 'oh, yeah' look from his face before they ripped the cloak from his head. And was able to act surprised when they handed over the Marauders' Map and showed him how to use it. He was surprised that they could still pick him up like that. He was so much bigger than he had been first year, but they were remarkably strong together.
He caught up to Neville, Ron, and Hermione in Hogsmeade, then snuck into the Three Broomsticks behind Professor McGonagall and Minister Fudge. He overheard the conversation again but this time he focused on what they were saying about Peter Pettigrew. It was a profound memory from their last trip through so he felt he needed to re-experience it this time.
Profound and infuriating. Again. Rage bubbled and he fled, shoving out of the pub, passing Neville, Hermione and Ron sitting on a bench outside, then running.
Hermione followed his footprints in the snow all the way to the clearing. She stooped and gently pulled the cloak away. Harry stared at her with tears in his eyes.
"He was their friend, and he betrayed them!" Harry shouted, "HE WAS THEIR FRIEND!" (1)
Hermione took him in her arms and he buried his face in her neck. She rubbed his hair and his back as he focused on slowing his breathing.
Ron shuffled his feet, obviously uncomfortable. Neville looked at him coldly, "It's worse when the betrayal comes from someone that you believe is a friend."
*x*x*x*x*x*
Two weeks later, Harry was summoned from Professor Sinistra's lesson. He'd just achieved a particularly difficult position, shifting from a regular handstand to balancing on one hand, when the door opened. A timid Hufflepuff first year squeaked, "Harry Potter?"
"Whoa," Draco's balance wavered, he tipped slightly colliding with Harry who fell over taking Cedric down. Cedric took out Flint and like dominoes, they all crashed to the cushioned floor.
"Whoops," Draco cracked up laughing. "Sorry." His mirth quickly spread to the rest of the students and the room was filled with laughter.
Sinistra tossed her hands in the air, "Guess that's it for the day. If anyone is seriously hurt come see me. Otherwise we'll resume classes after the holidays. Merry Christmas all!"
"Merry Christmas, Happy New Year," the students replied as they untangled themselves from each other.
"I'm Harry Potter," Harry said as he helped Hermione to her feet.
"You're wanted in the Governors' Meeting Room," the little boy said.
"Meeting Room?" Harry asked.
"Just to the left of the main entrance," Flint replied.
Harry glanced at Hermione who nodded for him to go. He thought about her as he walked away. She was looking paler and more drawn and tired every day. Neville and Luna had insisted on taking over the research to help Hagrid defend Buckbeak. Hermione had jotted down several scrolls of notes, things she'd remembered finding, books she'd found useful. Harry had no idea how she managed to do so much the first time through considering how overwhelmed she was this time.
"Harry," Lady Longbottom called out.
"Lady Aggie," Harry grinned and moved into her welcoming arms, "I didn't know you were coming today!"
"Neither did I actually," Aggie replied as she hugged him firmly then stood back to give him a thorough examination, looking into his eyes, testing his muscle tone. "Time to deal with this Guardian rubbish once and for all." She gave him a gentle shove into the Meeting Room. "Go on. I'll be in directly." He walked into the large room with a long oval table and a dozen chairs.
"Lord Potter?" a tall distinguished man greeted him. "I am Lord Gabriel Rosier."
"Yes, sir," Harry replied shaking the offered hand. "Any relation to Eva?"
"My daughter," he smiled proudly.
"How is she?"
"Engaged."
"I told you you'd regret having only daughters," Lord Lucius Malfoy said as he turned from the large window overlooking the grounds in front of the Castle. "They end up marrying men like us."
"True enough," Rosier nodded, "But Charlie Blishwick is a fine young man. Ahem. We need to get to the business at hand. What do you want Lord Potter?"
"Sir?"
"Lady Augusta filed to become your Magical Guardian. Headmaster Dumbledore had filed an objection claiming he was not notified. What do you want?"
"I want to make the decisions that affect my life," Harry replied before he could stop himself.
Rosier sighed, "You're thirteen, so no, that's not realistic. So let's get specific. What do you want in regards to Guardianship?"
Harry stood and just blinked at the man for a moment, "I want Lady Augusta to be my Magical Guardian. I want to be able to go to Hogsmeade with my friends. I want to be able to spend Christmas and Summer holidays at Longbottom Manor and Village."
"If I may interrupt," Malfoy said, "The idea of the Magical Guardian was to give the Muggle parents a connection to our world. An intermediary of sorts. It was not intended to take the place of your Muggle family. Though I hear rumor that your Muggle relatives are not entirely… understanding or compassionate, they are still your family. I suggest that we reinstate Lady Longbottom as Lord Potter's Magical Guardian until he comes of age. That she be responsible for all Magical matters such as permission to visit Hogsmeade Village or any other school related consents. Also as his relatives have not seemed to mind Lord Potter spending the last two Christmases with the Longbottoms, that be allowed to continue including this year. As for summer, as I said Harry, the intention was not to replace your family; therefore perhaps the summer holidays should be split between the two locations. A few weeks with your relatives, followed by time with the Longbottoms. Is that agreeable to you? Gabe, what say you?"
Harry nodded, "Yes sir. Most agreeable."
Rosier nodded as well.
Harry was thrilled. He'd have what he wanted along with what he needed. He knew he had to return to the Dursley household this summer in order to be able to return the following (Dementors, trial, forcing the truth into the open). "Lord Malfoy, when will the meeting take place?"
Lucius smiled, "This was the meeting. Lord Rosier and I were given full authority of the rest of the Governors to decide this matter. He and I agree that this is the best for all concerned. And since it is acceptable to you, it is so ordered." He walked over and opened the door, "Lady Augusta. Oh good, Dumbledore, you are here. Please come in."
"I asked to be consulted before this meeting took place," Dumbledore growled. He was trying to hide his anger, but Harry could see it. Harry quickly locked down the smugness behind a stoic façade.
"You asked. Our answer was no," Malfoy replied. He gestured to a quill that began writing on parchment. "Lady Augusta Longbottom is officially declared to be the Magical Guardian of Lord Harry James Potter until he comes of age. Lord Potter will spend the Christmas holidays with the Longbottom family so long as he is welcome and so chooses to do so. Lord Potter will return to his Muggle relatives at the end of term during the third week of June and will return home… sorry strike that," scritch scratch the quill drew two lines through the last few words, "will transfer to the Longbottom Manor and Village no later than July 24th where he will remain until the start of term. So ordered and signed Lord Lucius Abraxas Malfoy and Lord Gabriel Orion Rosier, Hogwarts Board of Governors, Subcommittee to Oversee Issues with Magical Guardianship Assignments." Malfoy took the parchment and signed it then passed it over to Rosier to sign, "I'll need you three to sign it as well."
"I still have concerns," Dumbledore insisted.
"Yes but as you refuse to discuss them with anyone, they were not taken into consideration," Rosier replied. "The point of this was to relieve you of the duty of being Guardian to so many students at once. A duty we fear you have neglected of late."
"Neglected!"
Rosier leveled his gaze, "You had several Muggleborn children petrified by a Basilisk last year, yet you *neglected* to contact a single one of their parents. You didn't even bother to contact Lord and Lady Craven when Miss Granger was injured. I met with Mr. Potter's Aunt last week. She advised that you've not once contacted her to advise of Mr. Potter's progress, of his extensive list of injuries and illness, or even of the obvious risk this year with Sirius Black on the loose."
"You went to the Dursleys'?" Harry was aghast.
Rosier nodded, "Dreadful woman. Surprised she let me through the door; thankfully my wife can be most persuasive. When I advised her of what we believed the outcome of this meeting would be, right on the money by the way Lucius, she signed an agreement form to abide by our decision, though she requested – ah-hem – that we keep the little freakish brat." He handed over a sheet of parchment with Petunia Dursley's signature on the bottom.
Dumbledore swept from the room without another word. He stormed up to his office. With a glare at the Sorting Hat, he walked over to look out the window. He'd tried to swing Fate back in line, but she had vexed him again. He knew he was right. He had a PLAN. He'd seen the PATH. He had to bring things back in line for the Greater Good. He opened the window and reached out with a finger to scan the area, he found a thread and tugged.
A breeze started in Hogsmeade. It slid under a doorway into a small house, where a child lay in bed. A mother wiped his sweaty pale brow and spooned a potion into his mouth. The child coughed weakly. The breeze stirred his hair, slid into his nose, down into his lungs, then out with the exhale. The little breeze then exited the house, soared up over the rooftops, up the hill to the Great Castle gathering more and more air as it went. It flowed in through the cracks in the window casements, under the doors, down through the fireplace. Out. Spreading. Finding.
Down in the Great Hall as the students began to gather for dinner, someone sneezed. Followed swiftly by another.
Then another.
And another.
*x*x*x*x*x*
(1) taken word for word from the movie – but that scene was one that hit me hard. That emotional scream from Harry just clutched my heart. Still does. Every single time.