Chapter Ninety-Seven

Harry Potter: Villain or Victim

By Rita Skeeter

Over the last few days, the country has been shaken by the violent death of Albus Dumbledore. There has been much debate on what events resulted in disgraced former Headmaster, former Chief Warlock, former Supreme Muwump Albus Dumbledore being stabbed seventeen times. Now we have received a statement from Hadrian Slytherin.

"On the eighteenth of August I was at Malfoy Manor. Lucius woke us up when we the wards were breached. Lucius went to distract Dumbledore. Sirius and I were confronted by eight members of Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix. Sirius fought them and I was forced to flee.

"Just as I was about to get out Dumbledore arrived and pointed his wand at me – he told me Lucius was dead, he knew that due to my pregnancy I wasn't able to use magic, but he was not concerned if I miscarried or not as he could always "rebreed" me.

"I was terrified. I was under wandpoint from the man who had kidnapped and abused me my whole life and had just threatened to rape me! My lover was dead. My godfather was fighting eight witches and wizards so might well be the same. My father had no idea I was in trouble. I could not use any magic.

"I'd been carrying a knife on me since the Three Chasers incident … I didn't want to be defenceless like that again! I just wanted to away from him so when he got to close. I didn't mean to kill him, but when I started, I couldn't stop! It was an accident!"

So that is the answer to Dumbledore's death.

Albus Dumbledore attempted to kidnap his former victim. Hadrian Slytherin was pushed to the brink and did something unthinkable to save himself and the life of his unborn child. Can we really blame a young man for doing so? That is certainly what the DMLE seem to think as Amelia Bones has this to say.

"The DMLE will not be pressing any charges at this point as it seems to be a clear-cut case of self-defence."

But can we really condone such a horrific act of violence?

There are many amongst our population who remember only to good that Albus Dumbledore has did, and not the terrible acts he has been found to be accountable for.

There are many concerned with the fact that such a young child could be responsible for such a horrendous act of violence. If Hadrian Slytherin is capable of stabbing someone nineteen times at the age of seventeen, what would he be like in a few decades time?

However, it should be remembered that Albus Dumbledore broke into the home at which he was staying at and attempted to kidnap him. Albus Dumbledore did almost kill Lord Malfoy with Dark magic and Sirius Black is still fighting for his life in St. Mungo's.

If Heir Slytherin did not act as he did, we may very well be looking at his murder case!

'Albus, you bloody fool!'

Aberforth Dumbledore's lips curled in disgust as he put the newspaper down on the top of dirty bar that never seemed to be properly clean. The DMLE had given him the bare bones of Albus' death. That the man had been killed in self-defence attacking Heir Slytherin and Ab hadn't pushed for more. After all, Albus had been going after that family for months. Ab had guessed, of course, from the injuries that it was inflicted by the boy as there was no mention of any magic involved.

Ab was sure that his brother's little cult would never believe that Albus would be willing to rape a seventeen-year-old. But Ab knew that Albus wouldn't see it as rape – he would see it as necessary sacrifice. He would see the fact that he was just artificially inseminating the boy as a procedure rather than assault.

Plus, there was nothing his brother wouldn't do for power!

But going after a child like that must have been up with his worst crimes.

Second only to Arianna's death.

Hadrian Slytherin wasn't that much older than Arianna had when she had been killed by his brother's selfishness. How many children had Albus Dumbledore destroyed? Arianna, Ab, Hadrian Slytherin, the Weasley girl. And those were just the four that Ab knew about. There was likely countless more.

It was the reason that Ab had wanted nothing that Albus had touched. Ab couldn't guarantee that anything his brother owned did not come from theft, corruption or been involved in some other foul deed. After all he had apparently been embezzling from both Hogwarts and the Slytherins for years! Any of his belongings could have been funded from that.

Still, Ab couldn't help but feel grief at his big brother's death. Albus may have hurt him, hurt Arianna, hurt innocents, but despite all that he was still his big brother. As much as he hated Albus Dumbledore a part of him remembered a time before Hogwarts before Albus had been consumed by the praise and awards and accolades that Albus had been addicted to at the age of eleven.

But that child was long gone.

Albus Dumbledore was an adult who should have known better, should have done better, should have been better. Ab was not going to waste tears on a man who destroyed everything he touched. Still Ab wished as he turned back to cleaning his dirty pub that things had been better, that they could have been better.

Minerva sighed as she placed the Daily Prophet down. It wasn't that it was a surprise to learn that Harry had been the one to kill Dumbledore. She had suspected it when she was had read the original article four days.

But it was still sad. Minerva remembered Harry when she had first seen him when he was eleven. He had been such a sweet boy – kind, generous and fiercely loyal to those who were his. And now he had killed someone.

What had they done to him?

But Harry's actions weren't what disturbed her the most.

No, it was what Harry claimed Dumbledore had threatened to do to him.

Rebreed.

Or in other words rape.

Minerva wanted to dismiss the notion of Dumbledore doing something so heinous to a young boy. Dumbledore had never shown such … predilections beforehand. Surely, she wouldn't have missed something like that.

But at the same time Minerva had to take a step back and look at Dumbledore's actions objectively. Dumbledore was obsessed with the boy and had attempted line theft against Harry, with Ginevra Weasley. Was it really such a stretch that he would beget him with a child that he would have a strong legal claim to so in that case it wasn't about sex at all, just more of Dumbledore's need to control the Slytherin line.

No, she couldn't deny it to herself – not anymore. Minerva felt sick that a man she had trusted and admired so much could even think about doing something so heinous. Worse that she was glad the boy had escaped Dumbledore even if she did not approve of the how he had done so.

'HOW CAN THEY THINK THIS IS RIGHT?' shouted Ron. 'SLYTHERIN KILLED DUMBLEDORE AND THEY'RE JUST LETTING HIM AWAY WITH MURDER!'

'Because Dumbledore attacked him in his … well his partner's home,' Uncle Cadmus grimaced at the last sentence. 'The Wizengamot is not going to convict anyone, especially not one of their Heirs for killing in self-defence.'

'And if they did there would have been a load of convictions of Aurors and civilians in the last Wizarding War,' Aunt Seppy said sharply.

'That's different!' Ron said.

'Because Dumbledore was your friend,' Uncle Cadmus said simply.

Ron opened and shut his mouth.

'We understand that it is difficult for you, Ron,' Uncle Cadmus said. 'Of course, we do. But if it was you – if Lord Slytherin came to your home and tried to kidnap you, threatened to hurt you, told you that your loved ones were all dead. What would you have done to escape?'

'HE KILLED DUMBLEDORE!' Ron yelled.

'Yes,' Aunt Seppy said. 'And it has nothing to do with you!'

'Ron,' Uncle Cadmus said. 'You are already on your last warning with Hogwarts. If you do anything further, you will be expelled and if that happens your career prospects are down the drain. Being expelled will leave a stain on your record you can't wash off.'

Ron looked at his Uncle and Aunt incredulously – they were really expecting him to just sit back and do nothing. Let Slytherin off with another murder. First Hermione, now Dumbledore. And just like with Moaning Myrtle's murder Slytherin was getting off scot free with a pat on the back for a job well done.

How many would have to die before they saw the truth?

Well, his Aunt and Uncle may be cowards. May be content to sit back and watch as their world was burnt down around them. But Ron was not! Dumbledore may be dead but as long as people were still loyal to him his ideals would live on. And Dumbledore would want Ron to do something about Ron.

Only Ron had no idea what.

Dumbledore had the plans. Mum and Hermione the ideas. Ginny the passion and guile to enact them. What could he do all alone to stop the Slytherins when even Dumbledore had fallen to them? What could any of them do now that Dumbledore was gone?

Fred and George used Percy's pass to Floo to Diagon Alley – today was the day of their sales pitch to get funding for their company. Immediately, they were assaulted by pictures of Harry on every newspaper. Naturally, Fred had bought a copy from the stand in the Leaky Cauldron.

Fred couldn't feel any shock coming from George. It wasn't anything they hadn't expected after all. George felt sadness at what Harry had been put through and what he had to do to survive. Fred, however, felt anger at Dumbledore and what he had tried to do to Harry.

You're glad he's dead.

Fred didn't detect any disgust from his twin, only understanding. Albus Dumbledore was a murder, and abuser! He had hurt Harry again and again. Had corrupted Ginny and Ron. Had torn apart both Harry and their families. At least now he could never hurt anyone else.

Yes. I'd rather he die, than hurt Harry anymore.

It was different than Hermione who had done awful things but was still a child. Fred understood that Harry was in a complicated situation. That he had felt it was either her or him and had made the best of a bad situation. Still, he didn't like the idea that Harry was willing to kill but he knew that Harry didn't like it either.

Come on we have to go.

George didn't argue or tell him to calm down. Although, they didn't always agree, George understood him in ways that no one else could. Fred couldn't imagine living without George there with him always.

He would rather die!

And his mother thought it was evil, wanted to destroy it, destroy them!

He would rather die!

Arthur waited patiently for his breakfast to be brought in alongside the daily newspaper. It was the most exciting time of the day (unless he was called in for questioning) as he tried to make the newspaper last the whole day as it was his only form of entertainment. And more importantly it was the only way to keep up with the happenings of the outside world.

But the headlines made him freeze.

Harry Potter: Villain or Victim.

Had the Dark Lord finally been outed as such?

It wouldn't make his situation any better, but it would take the power away from Him! But as he read the article, he realised that that was still unknown. However, the article did detail Dumbledore's death.

Harry had killed him!

Of course, if Dumbledore was right Harry had killed at least one person out of loyalty to his father so it shouldn't be surprising. But Arthur couldn't help but remember the brutal nature of Dumbledore's death. It took effort to stab someone as many times as Albus Dumbledore had been done!

And Harry had done that!

It was so brutal that Arthur had been sure it must have been the Dark Lord or Malfoy. It had never even crossed his mind that it could be Harry. Harry who had been gentle, sweet, kind … before their betrayals had pushed him right into the arms of a monster! And now he was responsible for the brutal slaying of Albus Dumbledore.

How had it come to this?

'So, Lord Slytherin decided to go public about the nature of Dumbledore's death,' Scrimgeour said.

They were having breakfast in Amelia's office. Amelia had got in early hoping for news about Dumbledore's allies but to no avail. After all, they were not as smart as Dumbledore surely, they would find them before another attempt on Heir Slytherin's life.

'I'm not surprised,' Amelia said. 'Lord Slytherin is smart enough to know that secrets like this always have a way of making themselves known. And at least this way he has control of the narrative rather than if a reporter he does not have a contract with should get hold of it.'

'Mmmh,' Scrimgeour agreed. 'There will still be backlash. Skeeter may be painting him as a victim who was pushed to his limits.'

'Which he was,' Amelia said quietly. 'You didn't see him that day – he was terrified … barely knew where he was. If his father hadn't been there to calm him down well, we might have been forced to restrain him for both his and our own good and that might have caused him to miscarry.'

'Well, it's good Lord Slytherin was there,' Scrimgeour said. 'Because otherwise the lawsuit that the Department would land with would be a nightmare.'

Amelia privately thought if that had happened, she would find herself looking for another job.

'Still not everyone was there,' Scrimgeour said. 'And whilst some might sympathise with his plight. There are many more who will see the act itself as barbaric and turn against him.'

Amelia nodded, 'let's just hope that Doge doesn't use it as recruitment drive.'

'It will give them further incentive to harm the boy,' Scrimgeour said.

Amelia snorted, 'nothing would stop that! They think of him in the same was as Arthur did Mordred in the ancient histories, and we all know what he did in attempt to kill that boy. They will be coming for him; we just have to track them down before any more bloodshed can result.'

'We said the same about Dumbledore,' Scrimgeour said darkly.

'Elphias Doge is many things, but he is not Albus Dumbledore!' Amelia said.

'You think it is Doge running the show?' asked Scrimgeour. 'Doge has always been a follower and never a leader.'

'True,' agreed Amelia. 'But he was Dumbledore's most trusted ally so he might feel honour bound to take up his oldest friend's mantle.'

Elphias wished that Albus was here as Hestia Jones finished the article. There were eight of them gathered around a small breakfast table in an even smaller flat in a rather deprived area of Muggle London that made Knockturn Alley look an upmarket area in comparison. Eight that was all that was left of the noble Order of the Phoenix. And none of them were particularly useful in a fight.

Himself, a Lord of the Wizengamot who had long ago put up his wand for words.

Four retirees (and a grandchild).

One Floo technician.

A Healer.

No one who could stand up to the Dark Lord in a fight.

'He killed Dumbledore!' Ilbert Moon said angrily.

'It just proves what Albus said the whole time,' Elphias said. 'The boy is just as evil as his father and has to be dealt with!'

'Surely, the Ministry will do something now!' Ilbert said.

'Not bloody likely, Illy,' snorted Ruud. 'From the sounds of it they are ruling it as self defence and aren't going to charge the boy with anything.'

'Even if they did,' Elphias said, 'with You Know Who's control of the Wizengamot there is no way that they would convict him. And Madam Bones knows that, which is likely the reason she is not pushing for a conviction – it would be career suicide!'

'She's turning a blind eye to murder for political gain!' Ilbert said sounding horrified. 'She's a Hufflepuff!'

Elphias shrugged, 'do you have another explanation for her turning a blind eye to murder?'

None of them had any answer to that.

'So, what do we do now?' asked Ilbert.

'We follow Dumbledore's plan,' Elphias said simply.

There were instant mutterings of dissention from Elphias' fellow Order members.

'That's impossible!' burst out Ilbert. 'Louise and I may have been Aurors back in the day, but we haven't seen action since before You Know Who rose to power!'

'Albus was older-'began Elphias.

'We are not Albus Dumbledore!'

'We don't stand a chance!'

'He's going to kill us all!'

'We're all going to die!'

'We can't fight Him!'

'We don't have to,' snapped Elphias finally losing his patience. 'We do what Dumbledore was planning to do. We capture Hadrian Slytherin, wait until he gives birth, kill him and take the child. Then we raise the child with the knowledge that his grandfather killed his bearer, turn him against his family and then use him as a weapon against You Know Who!'

'But could take years,' Hestia said biting her lip.

'Not necessarily, as proven before the Heir doesn't need to be capable of doing anything to destroy You Know Who!' Elphias said.

'You want to set up another Godric's Hollow,' Betty Nevin murmured.

'That day saved us all years of bloodshed,' Elphias said.

'How are we going to get the boy?' asked Koralia. 'If the attack proved nothing the boy is not afraid to kill.'

'But he can't use magic,' Healer Knopp said. 'As long as we are not surprised like Albus was he won't be able to do anything more than wave his knife at us.'

'But the question is how we are to get to him,' Elphias said.

Betty nodded, 'yes, the botched attack will have He Who Must Not Be Named's back up. I am sure he will be keeping the boy locked away.'

'And we don't have any way in to get to the boy behind those wards,' Ilbert said sharply.

'He has to come out at some point,' Elphias said. 'To do maternity and baby shopping if nothing else. If we are able to distract You Know Who and then nab the boy. We have to stake out the major magical villages and hope that we can spot them.'