Chapter 38
A Discussion With Dumbledore, Part 2
Warning: Minor Character Bashing: Albus Dumbledore
Friday, August 29th, 1994 – 9:45 AM
The six remaining occupants of the office looked around at each other in silence for a moment.
"Alright then," Amelia said, "What shall we discuss next then, Albus?"
"I would like to hear more about these security details, Director Black," Albus said. "As much as you're willing to tell me."
"Well, I haven't finalized every detail yet," Amelia said. "I am meeting with Rufus Scrimgeour this afternoon to make all the final arrangements. He is currently going through a list of Aurors and Third Year Aurors-In-Training to bring here."
"Why Aurors-In-Training?" Albus asked, "Their third and final year is very important, is it not?"
"Indeed it is," Amelia said, "Which is why in their off-time, a few official Aurors will be training those Aurors-In-Training with lessons they would miss this year. The reason we're recruiting Aurors-In-Training is because we don't have enough manpower in the Auror Department to spare the numbers we need. We'll be bringing in about half the Auror Department here to Hogwarts already. The Aurors-In-Training will fill the rest of the list. As I stated, Sirius and James will be in charge of the security detail."
Amelia glanced at Dora, then smiled. "In fact, we already have at least one Auror-In-Training confirmed to be part of the security. But she has a very special job, that doesn't include being part of the actual security detail. Isadora, would you please introduce yourself?"
"Greetings, Headmaster," Dora said, "Name is Isadora Regina Black. But you might know me as Nymphadora Tonks. I finished my education here in June of '92, and now I am back for an undercover role as Isadora Black, fourth year Gryffindor."
Albus frowned. "Why is this the first I am hearing of this?"
"Because this is when we planned on informing you about it," Amelia said, smiling.
"I don't see the necessity of having an Auror," Albus said, "especially an Auror-In-Training, being an undercover student."
"I believe we already alluded to the fact that the children of known Death Eaters are students here," James said. "We'll refer to them as 'Junior Death Eaters' from now on."
"Lord Potter!" Albus admonished, "I am surprised at you. That is quite an accusation! I've had no reason to believe any students here could be 'Junior Death Eaters'."
"Marcus Flint," James said; Albus' lips turned into a frown, "Oh, did you forget about him? He finished his education here two months ago. Now he is in Azkaban because he joined his father, Uncle and the rest of the free Death Eaters – at least at the time – to cause chaos, destruction and murder at the Riots."
"He was an exception, I admit," Albus sighed, "An unfortunate one."
"An exception?" Sirius snorted, "So you honestly believe none of the Death Eater parents nurtured their children, preparing them to be future Death Eaters, like Matheus Flint and Stefan Selwyn did for Marcus Flint?"
"While it is a possibility," Albus said, "We here at Hogwarts try to guide those specific students on a different path."
"Oh, really?" Sirius asked, with another snort, "Who is in charge of that? Let me guess! Severus Snape, their Head of House! After all, most of the 'Junior Death Eaters' are Slytherins."
"Peter Pettigrew was an exception," James said, "and the main reason we need to be cautious and watch for possible 'Junior Death Eaters' outside of Slytherin House."
"I do not appreciate the insinuation you are making about Severus," Albus said, "I have given plenty of evidence about him no longer being a Death Eater."
"Then why have you been asking Snape to chum up to the Death Eaters?" James asked. "Asking him to do deeds for the Death Eaters?"
"Yes, I am aware he told you that," Albus said, "I do not appreciate the fact that you interrogated him without my knowledge."
"Your knowledge?" Amelia asked.
"He is my employee," Albus said, "I should have been there as his representation."
"Albus, I had no idea you were a Solicitor!" Amelia exclaimed in a gasp of mock-surprise; Albus frowned, "Oh? Are you not? Then you were not qualified to represent him. If you wanted him to have representation, you should have told Aurors Shacklebolt and Jones when they came to bring him in. We are, of course, aware that you were there attempting to persuade the Aurors against taking him in."
"And yet you found out he was not a part of the Riots," Albus said, "Just like he and I told the Aurors! You had no right to ask him any of those questions you did, or expect him to give you information. Especially nothing that didn't pertain to the Riots!"
"Oh, so you do know what we asked him, do you?" Amelia asked. "Did you watch the interrogation through his memories in your Pensieve? If you did, then you probably know that we know you interfered in the original Death Eater trials."
"I simply stopped confidential information from getting to the public, and to those who shouldn't have it!" Albus defended himself.
"I would love to know why you trust Severus, Albus," Lily said.
"I am afraid I cannot go into those details, Lady Potter," Albus said. "If only for his own good and safety. As you were once his friend, as you once cared for him, I am sure you can understand that."
James looked at his wife to see if Albus' words affected her. But her expression was simply stone-like. He realized she was trying to keep her cool with him. After all, they were still trying to give Albus the impression that they trusted him, even with the confrontation today.
"If you won't trust us with those details," Amelia said. "Then you can't complain about us not going into details about security."
Albus frowned, and sighed. "If you feel that way, that is your right, Director Black."
"It is, and I do," Amelia said, "Miss Tonks – ahem – Miss Black is here to be a fourth year Gryffindor student, so she can keep a close eye on those suspected Junior Death Eaters, to make sure they do not interfere in the Tournament."
"Then why is she not going to be a Slytherin?" Albus asked.
"Because of my role's fictional history," Dora said. "It is too dangerous for me in the Slytherin House. I am, after all, the daughter of Regulus Black, a known Death Eater. The Junior Death Eaters would try to recruit me, and when I refuse, they would harm me. I will be in Gryffindor with my friends – Harry, Rose, Hermione, and Eli. I will also be volunteering in the Experience."
"Why?" Albus asked. "You're... what... twenty? Twenty-one?"
"Twenty," Dora said, "As a Volunteer it would deepen my undercover role."
"And yet you will be with fourteen year old students," Albus said. "Isn't that illegal?"
James barely stopped himself from rolling his eyes. Yes, what Dora was doing could be seen as immoral, if not illegal. But wasn't that the same exact opinion the opposition of the Free Use Experience had? That it was immoral, and borderline illegal. There were some who referred to it as 'legal rape'.
"We cross moral lines all the time as Aurors, Albus," Sirius said, "It is part of our job. Dora is a future Auror. She will be specializing in undercover. In her position she will be doing many things that cross moral lines. This is just an example."
"Then I suppose we need to finalize arrangements for you as a student, Miss Black," Albus said.
"Only a few essential staff members will know who she really is, Albus," Amelia said. "You, of course. Professor McGonagall as her Head of House. Madam Pomfrey as the Healer. And Alastor Moody."
"Why Alastor?" Albus asked.
"Because he was my mentor in the Corps," Dora said. "He knows me personally. Sometimes I think he knows me better than I do. He'd realize who I really am during the first week of term."
"Yes, I can see your point," Albus said. "Very well. I would also ask that Severus would also be 'in the know'."
"Absolutely not," Sirius said. "He would probably let his 'Junior Death Eaters' know that she is investigating them!"
"I will advise to him that he does not do that," Albus said.
"If we are to agree," Amelia said, "Then I have two provisos."
"Which are?" Albus asked.
"If he does anything to interfere with Miss Black's investigation," Amelia said, "Which includes telling the suspected students of her role, we will arrest him for interference with DMLE procedures and see him in Azkaban for many years."
"I do not see why that is necessary," Albus said, frowning.
"It is either that, or you agree with my second proviso," Amelia said, "He takes an Unbreakable Vow with me, to agree that he doesn't interfere with Miss Black's investigation, or reveal who she is to anybody. He will not speak of Miss Black's identity to anyone. Not even to discuss it with you, and anyone else who is 'in the know'."
Albus sighed. "I will agree to your first proviso."
"Very well," Amelia said. "We will make sure he knows exactly what is at stake."
"Fine," Albus said.
"Albus, this is my only warning," Amelia said, "Trainee Auror Tonks is involved in a very serious and risky investigation. If it is discovered her role is sabotaged, believe me, we will discover who is responsible for it, and they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
"Understood, Director Black," Albus said.
"Let's continue with Miss Black's enrollment," Amelia said, "After all, she needs her school list so she can buy her things tomorrow."
Albus agreed, and for the next several minutes, Dora and Albus discussed her enrollment and the details for it. When everything was finished, Albus gave her a school list for a fourth year student. Isadora Regina Black was now an official Hogwarts students.
"I can give you a few more details about the security," Amelia said. "At least one Auror or Auror-In-Training will be in a classroom during every class. They'll also be in the House Common Rooms, as well as doing rounds at the dormitories."
"Why?" Albus asked.
"Because if there isn't Auror presence in the classrooms and Common Rooms," Amelia said, "Any students who wish to discuss plans to interfere with the Tournament, will use those locations if there is no security around."
"You do understand that the security presence will interfere with the Free Use Experience?" Albus said, "I do not think I need to remind any of you what can take place during class, when assignments are finished. During evenings on weekends in the Common Rooms. And what about the private Experience Rooms? You can't tell me you're going to intrude on the privacy of these students during such an important time in their lives?"
It was only then that James realized he hadn't thought of that little detail. They would indeed have to be on patrol during these times. He knew there would likely be a chance he would be witness to one, or both of his children participating in the Experience by the time his duties were finished. It was almost inevitable, unless he didn't volunteer to patrol during the usual hours of the Experience. Even then, sometimes the Experience happened in the classrooms... and if he volunteered to patrol during his children's classes. He shuddered lightly at the thought.
"The Aurors and Aurors-In-Training are young enough to have taken part in the Experience themselves, Albus," Amelia said, "They know exactly what happens during the Experience. They will not intrude, but they will be on watch. After all, potential culprits could use this privacy as ways to discuss plans of attack."
Albus sighed. "I'm sure we'll have complaints about that."
"We'll handle any and all complaints we receive, Albus," Amelia said, "You don't need to worry about that. You need to worry about the safety and security of the participants taking place in the Tournament, and the hundreds of Spectators watching the events. The security will be here for that very reason. So we don't have another fiasco like the Riots."
"I suppose you are right," Albus said, with a nod.
"We will, of course, give a good explanation why the security will be here," James said. "We won't tell them exactly why we are here, due to the fact our suspects will be listening, and we don't want to warn them before they're caught."
"We'll have Aurors – along with the Prefects – escort the students to their Houses on that first evening," Amelia said. "Those Auror escorts will explain to all the fourth years and above about how their presence will affect the Experience."
"I suppose that makes it a bit easier to swallow," Albus conceded. "Will Aurors be escorting students to every class, and to their meals and the Common Rooms?"
"No," Amelia asked, "Unless we feel there is a reason to do that, all students will have most of the same freedoms they had when we weren't here. Next, Aurors and Aurors-In-Training will be patrolling every floor of the castle and Grounds. During Tournament Tasks, and Hogsmeade weekends, we will double our numbers here. Those additional Aurors on those days will patrol either the locations of the Tasks, or Hogsmeade village, and the rest will continue their own duties.
"I also request one half of the fourth floor for the Auror Quarters. The half of that floor that isn't dedicated to the private Experience rooms, of course."
Before the Free Use Experience had been created, the fourth floor had been used for private quarters for those students who were Lords and Ladies, or those who were married and had requested private quarters. When the Free Use Experience began, half the floor was changed into private rooms where students could participate in the Experience. The other half were still Quarters, and would be perfect for the Aurors stationed there.
"If you give me the desired necessities for the Auror Quarters either today or tomorrow," Albus said, "The elves shall have the Quarters ready for Sunday."
"I will send an owl to you tomorrow morning with a report of everything I can tell you about the security detail," Amelia confirmed.
"Very well," Albus said.
"I believe that is all I need to tell you about the security detail at this moment," Amelia said, "We can continue with other topics now."
"I'll go next," James said. "Yesterday, I met with the Free Use Committee to discuss the new sub-law dedicated to the male-oriented Metamorphs. I was an aggrieved parent, whose child and main Heir to my position as Head of House was affected by this sub-law."
"Yes, I am aware of the details of this new sub-law," Albus said.
"Obviously, as you wrote to my son about it," James said, "I've heard other details too. As far as I understand it, Albus, the late Victor Vane met with you to inform you of he new sub-law. Before he met with me and my son about it."
"I did not know he hadn't met with you or young Harry until he informed me of that," Albus said, "I expressed the need that you and Harry would like to know as soon as possible. I volunteered to write to Harry about it, because Harry knows me. He doesn't know Victor Vane, and I thought he would want to hear such delicate news coming from someone he personally knows, and not a total stranger."
"Your letter specifically said you met with the Head of the Committee about the law," James said. "Lord Marcus Montgomery is the Head of the Committee, not Victor Vane."
"I wrote that?" Albus asked, "My apologies. It was an old man's mistake."
James resisted rolling his eyes. "When did Victor Vane meet with you? You see, I was informed that the law was created at the start of the month. I was also informed that Victor Vane told the Committee he'd meet with you as soon as possible – and this was after the law was created."
"Lord Vane met with me on the first Saturday of the month to inform me of the law," Albus said, "Then he met with me on Sunday, because he wanted to know whether or not I had sent the information about the law to you. You see, he thought he would have been contacted by you about the law and he hadn't."
"So Lord Vane knew my son was a male-oriented Metamorph?" James asked.
"Yes, he did," Albus said. "I believe his daughter informed him of that. Anyway, I wrote the letter to Harry Monday afternoon, the day after Lord Vane met with me for the second time."
"Why the delay?" Lily asked. "Why did you wait for so long to send us this information?"
Albus sighed and frowned. "I had hoped I could reverse the law. I did not know that the Committee followed the same rules the Wizengamot did until Lord Vane told me on Sunday. I was shocked to hear that the law would be in effect until next August at the very earliest. Until I learned that, I was trying to do my damnedest to figure out how to make it so young Harry wouldn't have to go through that. I had planned on going to the Ministry this past weekend to meet with the Ministry. I wrote to Lord Vane to tell him I was wanting to meet with him and the Committee about trying to do away with the Metamorph law. He told me it was impossible. I was quite put out when I discovered that."
James frowned. He couldn't tell whether or not Albus was lying about that or not. It was a fairly convincing story.
"I would very much like to try to help Harry with this unfortunate part of the Experience as much as I can," Albus offered. "I already have some examples, and now you are here, I can suggest them to you."
"We're listening," Lily said.
"Forgive me, I need to ask," Albus said, "Does Harry have a female form yet?"
"Yes," Dora said, "I helped him with it Tuesday afternoon while we were at the Quidditch World Cup campgrounds. He said it was his first time Morphing into a girl since before he began his Hogwarts education."
"He spent the whole day yesterday – starting with a few minutes after he awoke – in his girl form," Lily said, "And actually he hasn't changed back to his normal form yet. He slept the entire night in his girl form, and he's still in it now as we speak. He's at Sirius and Amelia's Manor with Rose and Hermione."
James noticed that Dora looked shocked at this information. But it seemed to be a happy shock, because she was smiling too. Albus' eyebrows were raised to his hairline.
"So can I assume Harry is... comfortable in his girl form?" Albus asked.
"He told us last night that if he has to be a girl for twice a week," Lily said, "Then he is going to try to enjoy it."
"I am impressed," Albus said, "I feared it would take weeks for him to reach that level of comfort."
"I'm not surprised," Dora said, "It is natural for a Metamorph to be comfortable as both genders. I encouraged him to do so. Now that he has Morphed into a girl and has spent so long as one, he's beginning to get comfortable being a girl. That does not mean he'll want to be a girl all the time. But if he says he'll 'enjoy his time' as a girl and be comfortable with it, then I believe him."
"Has Harry expressed any interest in having a female name when he is – ah – Miss Potter?" Albus asked.
"No," Lily said, "Actually he is very much against it."
"Very," Dora echoed.
Albus sighed. "I would ask that you try to influence him to have a female name while in his female form."
"Why?" Lily asked, narrowing her eyes at Albus.
"Two reasons," Albus said, "The first is to prevent problems when Harry is in his female form, and his twin sister is in the same area, or in class with him. If he is truly comfortable as a girl in his girl form, I hardly believe he is going to want to be called Mr. Potter while in his female form. And my Professors and I can't exactly say 'Miss Potter' to him. There are two of them now, as you know."
"So why can't you and the Professors call him 'Harry' in his girl form?" James asked.
"That is my second reason," Albus said, "I believe it would make Harry feel more confident and comfortable in his girl form if he has a female name. And I also believe it will make the students who associate with him in his girl form more comfortable too. Especially the – ah – young wizards who will be – shall we say – intimate with him during the Experience. Could you imagine a young man discussing his time with Harry in her girl form, to another friend, especially another young man? Expressing that they were intimate with Harry, a boy's name, may be – well – embarrassing."
"More embarrassing than my son having to lay down with a wizard and be used by them?" James asked.
Albus sighed and frowned. "I suppose not. But I believe it would make it easier. Harry isn't exactly a girl's name, you know. Well, it could be short for Harriet, but I know your family has a tradition with flower names, Lily, so Harriet might not be an option."
"I doubt Harry would want to be called Harriet," James muttered. "Sounds like boys will make fun of him using that. Like an insult."
"Then inform him of that, Lord Potter," Albus said, "And tell him it is easily preventable by giving him a female name he can use as a counter argument. Imagine trying to defend his name 'Harry', against people calling him 'Harriet'. As I said, Harry could be short for Harriet."
Lily sighed. "We will discuss it with him, Albus. I can't make any promises."
"Of course, that is all I ask," Albus said.
"What other suggestions do you have?" Lily asked.
"I imagine Harry will be utilizing both the boy's and girl's dormitories?" Albus asked. "In his girl form, he should be welcomed up the steps to the girl's dormitory."
"Yes," Lily said, "He bought a separate trunk yesterday to leave in the girl's dormitory with his female stuff."
"I wonder if it would be less embarrassing for him if he spent every night in the girl's dormitory," Albus said. "It would prevent his dorm-mates from harassing him, after all. Or, shall we say, trying to persuade him into changing into his girl form so they can... be intimate with him, especially when they have no other options at that precise moment. On those days when he doesn't have to be a girl, anyway."
"He's already spoken to Sirius and Amelia's son, Eli, about his girl form," Lily said, "According to him, they came to an 'understanding'. I'm sure he and the other boys can do the same. He's also written letters to every friend he has and told them about his new predicament."
"He has?" Albus asked, "I see. I didn't expect him to do so until he was in his girl form for the first time here at Hogwarts. Or at least the night before his first time. I thought he'd introduce his girl form to everyone at the same time."
"He didn't want to offend his friends by delaying telling them," James said.
"I understand that now," Albus said, nodding.
"So your suggestion that he spend every night in the girl's dormitory," Dora said. "That would mean he has to Morph into a girl every night."
"Yes, there would be that obstacle to cross," Albus said, nodding, "I was merely worried for his comfort with his peers and dorm-mates. After all, as I alluded to, he will be participating in the Experience with them in the future."
"As I said," Lily said, "I am sure they can come to an understanding."
"Fine," Albus said, "But if there is a problem with his dorm-mates, I will have to suggest he move to the girl's dormitory for his safety."
"We'll inform him of that," James said. "Albus, Harry and Rose had an interesting theory as to why the Committee wanted Harry to be a girl twice a week. Actually they said Dora – er – Miss Black helped them with it."
"They told you about that, huh?" Dora asked.
"Yes, and, in turn, I told the Committee," James said, "They didn't deny the theory. Do you want to tell it to the Headmaster?"
Dora nodded, and turned to the Headmaster. "We believe that the Committee wants Harry to be a future wife and mother, along with being a future husband and father. You said the Committee didn't deny it, Uncle James?"
"No, they did not," James said, "They told me – and I quote – 'Polygamy is legal' after all. They're encouraging him to have a wife and a husband in the future. They want him to spend the next four years searching for a compatible husband."
Albus sighed. "Perhaps it may surprise you to know that doesn't surprise me, Lord Potter. The Committee is so... committed... to the growth of our society through its population. If Harry is capable of both siring and giving birth to children, the Committee would very much favor him doing that. They would want a child – at least one – to come from Harry's own womb."
"Harry doesn't need a husband," Dora snorted. "I, too, am capable of siring children."
"You would volunteer, Dora, if it ever came to it?" Lily asked.
Dora blushed. "If it came to it."
Sirius barked a laugh. "That could be very interesting!"
"And a good way to calm down the Committee's worries that Harry wouldn't be a mother to a child," Amelia said.
"They're still going to make him seek out his compatibility with the young men here at Hogwarts," Albus said. "As I said, he has to do his part in this for at least his entire fourth year. I even imagine their offer to cancel the law next August would hinge on whether or not Harry will do well enough to satisfy the Committee's expectations."
"What do you mean by that?" Lily asked.
"If the Committee is satisfied that Harry doesn't need a law to test his compatibility with wizards in his girl form," Albus said, "They might do away with the law, so it isn't mandatory. Let him decide, between his fifth through seventh year, when he wants to take part in the Experience in his girl form."
"Albus, that makes it sound like they are specifically targeting him," James said, "Which they denied."
"Just because Harry may be the only known male-oriented Metamorphmagus," Albus said, "Does not mean they are specifically targeting him. I made the same assumption myself, as it seems quite the coincidence that this new law was created the year Harry volunteers. Lord Vane told me they weren't targeting Harry. He simply said they had found a new way to help their goal of improving society growth and took it."
"But only after Harry volunteered," James said, "He was required to state in his volunteer form that he was a male-oriented Metamorph."
"Yes, I am aware of that," Albus said, "When Lord Vane discovered there were such things as male-oriented Metamorphs, he did his research and discovered they were capable of childbirth. So he took it took it to the Committee."
"Lord Vane told you that?" James asked. "I was under the impression it wasn't his law to begin with. I believed he was parroting it from someone else."
"If that is true, this is the first I am aware of it," Albus said, "Why do you believe he was parroting it?"
"Because he had no motives to pass such a law," James said. "He only had a daughter and no male heir. Nobody for Harry to test their compatibility with who would favor him specifically."
"Lord Potter, forgive me, but I believe you're too hung up on how it affects your son," Albus said, "That is called tunnel vision."
"So what is your theory?" James asked; he hated knowing Albus was right.
"I said it already, didn't I?" Albus asked, "He might just have been the one to read Harry's volunteer form and was curious about male-oriented Metamorph. He found out they were capable of bearing children and ran with it. No need for ill motives toward your son, Lord Potter."
"Yes, well, we may never know what his intentions were, unfortunately," James said, "Because he is dead."
"Yes," Albus said, with a sad sigh, "A tragedy that was. I was most grieved to learn of his death. His daughter and those other lost students will be very missed. We will honor them at the Welcome Feast. Now, is there anything else you would wish to discuss with me alone? Or shall I summon Severus here so you can speak to him?"
James frowned. By summoning Severus, Albus was giving them no choice but to meet with him here.
"I have two more topics I'd like to discuss with you, to get your opinion on," James said, "But we can discuss them as we wait for Snape to arrive."
"Blinky!" Albus called.
A house-elf appeared near the desk. "Yes Master Head Dumbledore?"
"Ask Severus Snape to come to my office as soon as possible," Albus ordered the elf.
The elf bowed and vanished.
"He should be here in the next ten to fifteen minutes," Albus said, "I think we have enough time to conclude any discussion of topics between ourselves."
"The next thing I'd like to know," James said, "is this: On Wednesday, you specifically said during the Death Eater trials that Lord Voldemort is dead and gone. I think we're well aware that you knew you were lying to everyone. Voldemort is not dead, and we know he will be back eventually."
Albus sighed and placed his hands together on his desk, as if in prayer. "Lord Potter, Cornelius Fudge is a peacetime Minister. While he is in office, he will make sure the Ministry will also be acting as if it is in peacetime. Even if Voldemort were to return tomorrow, Cornelius would not believe us if we told him that."
"Yes, I thought as much myself," James said, "He won't believe it until he sees Voldemort for himself."
"Exactly, my boy, exactly!" Albus said, nodding.
"So why don't we prepare for Voldemort's return as soon as possible?" James asked. "Call a vote of no confidence in Cornelius Fudge, and get someone in office who will prepare us for possible wartime?"
Albus frowned. "I do not see the reason to act on that so soon. We have no real reason to believe Voldemort will come back within the next few months."
"You're lying, Albus," James said. "You know as well as I do that the Dark Mark on the Death Eaters' arms is growing darker. That only happens if Voldemort is growing stronger. He will return soon, and we must be prepared."
"While I agree, we must not make our preparations too loudly, Lord Potter," Albus said. "Otherwise Voldemort will find out. He may already know that the majority of his Death Eaters are now in Azkaban. Including most of his Senior Circle."
James glanced at Lily, and silently asked her if he could reveal their son's nightmare to Albus. Lily hesitated a moment, before nodding. He looked at Sirius and Amelia, who also seemed to realize his intentions. They nodded too.
"Albus, we have evidence that Voldemort does know that information," James said.
"How?" Albus asked.
"My son," James said. "He had a nightmare about Voldemort and when he woke from it, his scar was burning fiercely."
Albus' eyes widened. "I see... does he remember the details of the nightmare?"
"Albus, the last time Harry's scar burned," Lily said.
"Yes, yes, I know what happened!" Albus said, hastily, "His scar burned because Voldemort was near. Because of the connection they have. Please, Lord Potter. Does your son remember his nightmare?"
James could hear the desperation in Albus' voice. It was this more than anything which made him recount the details of Harry's story of his nightmare. He did not miss the shock in Albus' eyes when he told that Harry had seen the nightmares from the apparent eyes of a serpent. He told Albus of a man named 'Junior', and how Voldemort was in some kind of baby homunculus form. How Junior was apparently responsible for casting the Dark Mark. How Junior had some type of mission Voldemort expected of him, and Voldemort forbidding him to search for any free Death Eaters or sympathizers, because Voldemort didn't want Junior's identity discovered. He told him how Voldemort was in some type of manor near a village. How the nightmare ended with Voldemort 'ordering' Junior to kidnap a child for Nagini to feed on.
This was the first time Dora had heard the tale, and she was white with shock and fear – almost quite literally. Albus was staring into space as he considered James' story.
"If Voldemort is in a homunculus form, then he is indeed close to returning to his former strength," Albus said, "It could be within a year, perhaps before next summer begins."
"Do you have any theories who this 'Junior' is?" Amelia asked, "Or where this Manor is that Voldemort could be at?"
Albus sighed. "Many theories, Director Black. So many it will take me much time to sort them out."
"So what do you reckon we should do, Albus?" Sirius asked. "We have evidence now that he is coming back soon. We must be ready."
"We will be, Lord Black," Albus said. "But we cannot be too hasty, or we will make too many mistakes. I will need time to process this information and consider how we should move next. For now, we lay low. If only to make sure that Voldemort does not know that we know what we know. Knowledge is power, after all."
James silently huffed. Albus was, once again, trying to be the general. Trying to take charge of the upcoming war, because only he believed he could do it. He was quite sure Sirius and Amelia had the same idea he had. That they would prepare for Voldemort's return, even if it was without Albus' knowledge. They needed to be ready for war.
"How is Harry, may I ask?" Albus asked, "I mean – how is he reacting to this nightmare?"
"As of last night, he said he hadn't thought about it too much," Lily said. "In fact, he had nearly forgotten about it. It might have been the distraction of being in his girl form all day."
Albus raised an eyebrow. "I see. So... he hasn't spoken of it since he told you of his nightmare?"
"Yes," James said, "I guess he is letting us deal with it, instead of him dealing with it personally."
"Which is exactly what he needs to do," Lily said. "He doesn't need to think about this right now. He has way too much to deal with at the moment, what with the Free Use Experience, and this new law further complicating his part of it!"
"I completely agree, Lady Potter!" Albus said, smiling, "Yes, let him focus on his education and the Free Use Experience. Like any normal teen his age should be doing. Let him be a teenager. Ah, that reminds me. Lord Potter, I am very curious about the fight your children and their friend, Miss Granger, had with the Death Eaters during the Riot. I wonder if I could ask your permission to speak to them personally about it? I would even like to get a copy of their memory of that fight."
"Why?" James asked.
"Alastor Moody is going to be teaching the fourth year students dueling techniques this year," Albus said, "I would like to see the fight, so I could see if your children could be used as a... ah... a template for the lessons. I would very much like if it Alastor could teach his students spell-chains like you did with your children. If I know how your children fight, maybe I can inform Alastor how to help improve their techniques."
"I will speak to the twins about it," James said. "If they agree, then they can give you a copy of the memories of their fight. But only if they agree."
"Of course," Albus said, "Thank you, Lord Potter."
He then glanced at the small gargoyle statue on his desk and smiled, then turned back to his guests.
"If I am not mistaken," he said, "I believe Severus will be arriving within moments."
James glanced at Lily, noticing her pensive look. She was about to be face-to-face Severus Snape, for the first time in over fifteen years.
James knew from the look on her face... that this was about to get very interesting.
Cliffhanger! Whew, I very much hope you liked this chapter. I was trying to do my best when it came to the information that was going back and forth, what Albus revealed, and what his guests revealed. How each of them reacted. Yes, it might be controversial that James told Albus of Harry's nightmare, but it seemed like the proper thing to do, if only to see how Albus would react.
Albus told James and Lily the Prophecy before they moved to Godric's Hollow, and they told Sirius and Amelia around the same time. Harry and Rose do not know it yet. The Prophecy wasn't referenced in this meeting by any of them, because Dora was there, and she doesn't know it. Albus dared not speak of it with Dora, Sirius and Amelia in the room, since he believes none of them know of it.
Next Chapter: James, Lily and Co. speak with Severus!