Title: The Truth Behind the Name and the Lies
Pairing: future DracoxHarry,
Fandom: HP
Notes: An abused boy finds out he's a wizard and a hero; his tormented mind rebels. One person sees through the misconceptions to the real Harry and treats him the way he deserves. How does this change them both and those around them?
Chapter 23- The first tentative steps of the Lion
Harry blinked once more at the metallic flash that woke him. It wasn't the Snitch at all. It was a pair of glasses. How strange.
He blinked again. The smiling face of Albus Dumbledore swam into view above him.
"Good afternoon, Harry," said Dumbledore.
Harry stared at him, worried and a little scared of the manipulative old man. Then he remembered, Quirrell! The stone. Blaise was hurt.
"Calm yourself, dear boy," said Dumbledore. No need to worry. You are a little behind the times, been sleeping for days it seems. The Malfoys' healer said you were suffering from an advanced form of Altitude sickness. Your body went into such a state of shock that your magic nearly collapsed. If you were wondering Quirrell does not have the Stone."
"Then who does? Sir, I,"
"Alas the stone was destroyed before I could discuss with Nicolas what we should do with it. The temptation was far to great. It seems you, Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley managed to save the stone."
Harry stared at the creepy old man, "What…" no mention of Draco, or Blaise, he'd only heard one Weasley.
"Harry, please relax, or Madam Pomfrey will have me thrown out."
Harry swallowed and looked around him. He realized he must be in the hospital wing. He was lying in a bed with white linen sheets, and next to him was a table piled high with what looked like half the candy shop.
"Tokens from your friends and admirers," said Dumbledore, beaming. "What happened down in the dungeons between you and Professor Quirrell is a complete secret, so, naturally, the whole school knows. I believe your friends Misters Fred and George Weasley were responsible for trying to send you a toilet seat. No doubt they thought it would amuse you, foolish boys. Madam Pomfrey, however, felt it might not be very hygienic, and confiscated it."
"How long have I been in here?"
"Three days. Mr. Ronald Weasley and Miss Granger will be most relieved you have come round, they have been extremely worried. By the way, I was most impressed at your marks. You managed to exceed my expectations at doing well under pressure.
"Ron? If he's worried its only because if I died he'd have one last person to bully. Hermione is more then welcome."
"Now, I suggest you make a start on these sweets. Ah! Bettie Bott's Every Flavor Beans! I was unfortunate enough in my youth to come across a vomit flavored one, and since then I'm afraid I've rather lost my liking for them — but I think I'll be safe with a nice toffee, don't you?" He smiled and popped the golden-brown bean into his mouth. Then he choked and said, "Alas! Ear wax!" the headmaster made a face.
Harry was annoyed the man had dared touch his presents. Ear wax? The man deserved a vomit-flavored bean if there truly was such a thing. The school nurse was a nice woman, but very strict according to the twins and much distrusted by Draco. Why was he here?
Madam Pomfrey was trying to pull Hermione and the twins back to the door.
"Just five minutes," Harry pleaded when he saw them. Was Draco here too?
"Absolutely not."
"You let Professor Dumbledore in…"
"Well, of course, that was the headmaster, quite different. You need rest."
"I am resting, look, lying down and everything. Please Madam Pomfrey…" he begged unconsciously pouting at her.
"Oh, very well," she said. "But five minutes only."
And she let Fred, George and Hermione in.
"Harry!"
Hermione looked ready to fling her arms around him again, but Harry was glad she held herself in as his head was still very sore.
"Oh, Harry, we were sure you were going to…"
The twins panicked.
Harry felt a familiar hand in his, "I'm here Adder. You're safe." came the soft whisper, "I already told them what happened."
Harry smiled, "You saved me. Just like you promised."
"Of course I did."
"How's Blaise?"
"Fine. He had a concussion, mother kept an eye on him. Blaise's mother is gallivanting again. Probably looking for Husband number nine or is it eight? Don't remember."
The twins caught Madam Pomfrey's glare, "We're glad you're feeling alright. Hurry up the tower misses you." Fred blabbed while George nodded enthusiastically.
At that moment, Madam Pomfrey bustled over. "You've had nearly fifteen minutes, now OUT" she said firmly.
XoooooXAfter a good night's sleep, Harry felt nearly back to normal. "I want to go to the feast," he told Madam Pomfrey as she straightened his many candy boxes. "I can, can't I?"
"Professor Dumbledore says you are to be allowed to go," she said stiffly, as though in her opinion Professor Dumbledore didn't realize how risky feasts could be after what Harry'd been through. "And you have another visitor."
"Oh, good," said Harry. "Who is it?"
Hagrid sidled through the door as he spoke; he had a sense of uneasiness rise as the half-giant neared him. As usual when he was indoors, Hagrid looked too big to be allowed because he might break things. He sat down next to Harry, took one look at him and burst into tears. "It's…all…my…fault…" he sobbed, his face in his hands. "I know tol' the evil git how ter get past Fluffy! I tol' him! It was the only thing he couldn't a know, an' I told him! Yeh could've died! All because o' a drunken boast. I'll never drink again! I should be chucked out an' made ter live as a Muggle."
"Hagrid." said Harry, shocked to see Hagrid shaking with grief and remorse, great tears leaking down into his beard. Yet not feeling very sorry for the man who used money he inherited from his parents to buy him a bloody birthday gift. Not to mention Dumbledore's instance he spend time with foolish, untrustworthy oaf. "Hagrid, he'd have found out somehow, this is the Dark Lord we're talking about, he'd have found out even if you hadn't told him."
Hagrid's face paled, "What dija call 'im? No one calls him that but Death Eaters…"
Harry rolled his eye, "Whatever. I don't care. The stone's gone- destroyed, he can't use it. Have a Chocolate Frog, I've got loads." If only to shut him up. Those sobs were echoing through out the infirmary. It was a wonder the nurse didn't kick him out for it.
Hagrid wiped his nose on the back of his hand and said, "That reminds me. I've got yeh a present."
"It's not a stoat sandwich, is it?" Harry said anxiously, and at last Hagrid gave a weak chuckle.
"Nah. Dumbledore gave me the day off yesterday ter fix it. 'course, he shoulda sacked me instead — anyway, made yeh this…"
It seemed to be a handsome, leather-covered book. Harry opened it curiously. It was full of wizard photographs. Smiling and waving at him from every page were his mother and father. Harry gaped, what could the purpose of this be? He didn't trust Hagrid, not a bit, there had to be a catch?
"Sent owls off ter all yer parents' old school friends, askin' fer photos… knew yeh didn' have any… d'yeh like it?"
Harry nodded, dropping it on the bed. He would have Snape look at it after a bit just to make sure it was safe.
XoooooX
Harry made his way down to the end-of-year feast alone that night, he was more then a little disgruntled that he had been held up by Madam Pomfrey's fussing so the Great Hall was already full when he reached there. It was decked out in the Slytherin colors of green and silver to celebrate Slytherin's winning the house cup for the seventh year in a row. A huge banner showing the Slytherin serpent covered the wall behind the High Table.
When Harry walked in there was a sudden hush, and then everybody started talking loudly at once. He slipped into a seat between Fred and George with Hermione to his right beside George at the Gryffindor table and tried to ignore the fact that people were standing up to look at him. Not again….
Fortunately, Dumbledore arrived moments later. The babble died away.
"Another year gone!" Dumbledore said cheerfully. "And I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been! Hopefully your heads are all a little fuller than they were… you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts… Now, as I understand it, the house cup here needs awarding, and the points stand thus: In fourth place, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two; in third, Ravenclaw has four hundred and twenty-six; Gryffindor has four hundred and fifty-six and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy-two."
Would the old duffer shut up? He was hungry and annoyed…
A storm of cheering and stamping broke out from the Slytherin table. Harry could see Draco and Blaise each banging his goblet on the table.
"Yes, Yes, well done, Slytherin," said Dumbledore. "However, recent events must be taken into account."
The room went very still. The Slytherins' smiles faded a little.
"Ahem," said Dumbledore. "I have a few last-minute points to dish out. Let me see. Yes…first to Mr. Ronald Weasley…"
Ron went purple in the face; he looked like a radish with a bad sunburn.
"…for the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."
Gryffindor cheers nearly raised the bewitched ceiling; the stars overhead seemed to quiver. Percy could be heard telling the other prefects, "My brother, you know! My youngest brother! Got past McGonagall's giant chess set!"
Harry stormed to his feet, "Lies! Ron was nowhere near the Third Floor corridor. He didn't go with us. He was sleeping in his bed in the Tower." he pointed his wand at the thing that kept track of points for Gryffindor, "In the interest of honesty and giving credit where it belongs."
"My dear boy this experience has upset you greatly you are confused."
"No Headmaster, you are." he glared at his Head of House, "You made that chess set, on your Gryffindor honor tell them who really beat your chess set. Tell them who sacrificed themselves at the risk of their own life."
McGonagall had been shocked at Albus' announcement and even more so at Potter's reaction. She stood, "As Assistant Headmistress it is my duty to correct the mistaken Headmaster. My Chess set was defeated by Mr. Blaise Zabini of Slytherin. I commend him and give him 15 points for standing by a friend and 50 points willing sacrificing himself for the greater good."
Dumbledore was furious.
Professor Spout stood, "To Ms. Hermione Granger I award 25 points for discovering the nature of my trap and to Mr. Draco Malfoy I award 25 points for rescuing his comrades with quick thinking and 10 points for using a spell I would never have thought of."
Professor Flitwick squeaked, "I award Misters Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini 15 points a piece for their teamwork in overcoming my challenge."
Snape spoke quietly to the shocked Great Hall, "I award Draco Malfoy 20 points for correctly solving my riddle. Hermione Granger 5 points from discovering it was a riddle. 10 points each for Fred Weasley, George Weasley and Hermione Granger for seeing to it that their companion received treatment for his injuries." his voice dripping with distain. "20 points to Harry Potter for courage befitting a Gryffindor and 30 points for Draco Malfoy for going beyond what could be expected to protect a fellow student."
Dumbledore stood there angry at the reactions of his subordinates, how could they embarrass him like this? And Severus, after all he had done for the man he could betray him like this?
Hermione buried her face in her arms; Harry strongly suspected she had burst into tears. Gryffindors up and down the table were beside themselves. The twins were smirking.
Blaise and Draco were in shock.
McGonagall announced the new totals, "In fourth place, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two; in third, Ravenclaw has four hundred and twenty-six; still in second, Gryffindor has six hundred and twenty-six and Slytherin, in first place for the eight year, wins the House Cup with six hundred and forty-two."
Someone standing outside the Great Hall might well have thought some sort of explosion had taken place, so loud was the noise that erupted from the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables. Gryffindor lost the house cup again this time but only by 16 points…and they had held such high hopes at the beginning of the last minutes
Slytherin roared.
"Which means, McGonagall reluctantly admitted, "we won't be needing any change of decoration."
The hangings stayed green and the huge Slytherin serpent hung proudly from the rafters.
Professor McGonagall was shaking Snape's hand, with a horrible, forced smile. "Close but fair."
Harry caught a smirk directed his way from Snape, the man who was the closest thing to a father to him was proud of him.
He caught Harry's eye and Harry knew at once that Snape's feelings toward him hadn't changed one jot. This didn't worry Harry. It seemed as though life would be back to normal next year, or as normal as it ever was at Hogwarts.
It was the best evening of Harry's life, because he'd done the right thing. It didn't matter that he probably cost his House the cup but he'd made sure Blaise got what he deserved. That feeling was better than winning at Quidditch, or Christmas, or knocking out mountain trolls… he would never, ever forget tonight.
Harry had almost forgotten that the exam results were still to come, but come they did. To their great surprise, both the twins passed with good marks; Hermione and Draco, of course, had the best grades of the first years having tied. Harry and Blaise right behind them; Harry's exams and papers had outweighed his classwork as Draco and Snape said. Harry had nearly managed to tie Draco's Potions grade. Even Neville scraped through, his good Herbology mark making up for his abysmal Potions one. They had hoped that Ron, who was almost as stupid as he was mean, might be thrown out, but he had passed, too. It was a shame, but as Fred sagely said, you couldn't have everything in life. Draco had seemed surprised Goyle hadn't failed…
And suddenly, their wardrobes were empty, their trunks were packed, Neville's toad was found lurking in a corner of the toilets; notes were handed out to all students, warning them not to use magic over the holidays.
"I always hope they'll forget to give us these," said Fred Weasley sadly.
Hagrid was there to take them down to the fleet of boats that sailed across the lake; they were boarding the Hogwarts Express; talking and laughing as the countryside became greener and tidier; eating Bettie Bott's Every Flavor Beans as they sped past Muggle towns; pulling off their wizard robes and putting on jackets and coats; pulling into platform nine and three-quarters at King's Cross Station.
It took quite a while for them all to get off the platform. A wizened old guard was up by the ticket barrier, letting them go through the gate in twos and threes so they didn't attract attention by all bursting out of a solid wall at once and alarming the Muggles.
"You must come and stay this summer," Hermione said quickly, hugging the tiny boy. "I'd say all of you but that might overwhelm my parents."
"Thanks," said Harry trying to smile, "I'll need something to look forward to."
People jostled them as they moved forward toward the gateway back to the Muggle world.
Some of them called out:
"Bye, Harry!"
"See you, Potter!"
"Still famous," said Fred, grinning at him ruffling his hair.
"Not where I'm going, I promise you," said Harry glumly
Draco held him close, "Write us. We'll worry if you don't. Try to stay safe. We care about you."
The twins, Hermione and Harry passed through the gateway together.
"There he is, Mum, there he is, look!"
It was Ginny Weasley, Ron's younger sister, but she wasn't pointing at Ron. "Harry Potter!" she squealed. "Look, Mum! I can see —"
"Be quiet, Ginny, and it's rude to point."
Mrs. Weasley smiled down at them. "Busy year?" she said.
"Very," said Harry. "Thanks for the fudge and the sweater, Mrs. Weasley."
"Oh, it was nothing, dear."
"Ready, are you?"
It was Uncle Vernon, still purple-faced, still mustached, still looking furious at the nerve of Harry, carrying an owl in a cage in a station full of ordinary people. Behind him stood Aunt Petunia and Dudley, looking terrified at the very sight of Harry.
Harry started to shake, "Yes, sir.
Fred walked towards them, "His trunk is a bit heavy. Let me give you a hand."
"No need. The boy can handle it."
"I insist. He saved my life it's the least I could do." he wasn't taking no for an answer, the fib was excusable compared to Harry trying to drag the trunk himself.
"You must be Harry's family!" said Mrs. Weasley.
"In a manner of speaking," said Uncle Vernon admitted reluctantly. "Hurry up, boy, we haven't got all day." He walked away.
Fred followed him; grateful Draco hadn't witnessed this with one hand on Harry's shoulder and the other pushing the trolley as they followed the Dursleys.
This would a be a long summer…
What do you think? Outstanding? Exceeds Expectations? Acceptable? Poor? Dreadful? Troll?