*****Story Description*****
The Boy-Who-Lived had come to grips with one simple truth: I must be the one to end Voldemort or die trying. But when several events change from cannon in his life, Dumbledore and the Ministry make a different choice. Instead of war with Voldemort, they sue for peace. Now, the Boy-who-lived is no longer the center of a war, but the gender changed center of a peace treaty that Dumbledore desperately wants to control from the Greater Good.
Warnings: Dumbledore-bashing, Hermione-bashing, Overall Weasley-bashing.
Scarlet curtains surround the bed on the sixth-floor dormitory in Gryffindor. If Ron had entered, he would not have been able to part the curtains, because they were sealed with magic. On the bed inside of those curtains messy black raven hair spiked all over the place. Glasses lay down next to the trembling hands of the boy nearly man who sat head bowed in his dormitory bed. Tears were wet and still as they covered the exterior of the glasses.
Those tears also covered over the first page of the Wizarding World's famous newspaper, the Daily Prophet. Another copy on a nightstand across the room showed in clear words the words that had once decorated this particular paper.
Third Wizarding War Over Before It Starts
Just underneath that headline which at first seemed like good news was the words that had the raven-haired boy locked up in his bed.
Boy-Who-Lived to Change Genders and Wed He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named!
That paper which had been read over and over backwards and forwards lay crumpled beneath the broken boy who sat above it. Closer inspection of that paper explained this in greater detail.
London, England Ministry of Magic
In a surprising development, Albus Percival Brian Dumbledore, Cornelius Fudge, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and other trusted advisors met in a meeting during the early hours last night. In short, war between the Light and Dark Factions of the Wizarding World has been averted. How may you ask?
Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived who sixteen years ago rescued the Wizarding World from He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named will again step between our world and the wrath of the Dark Lord.
The terms of the treaty have been given to this reporter who was granted the privilege of being the only press able to see this momentous occasion.
Voldemort, the Death Eaters aligned with him, the British Ministry of Magic, the International Confederacy of Wizards, Albus Percival Brian Dumbledore, and Harry James Potter,
These powers being described in the present Treaty as the Principal Allied and Associated Powers being equally desirous that the Magical War in England should be replaced by a firm, just and durable peace,
The Death Eaters and Dark Creatures aligned with Voldemort consent to do the following:
Firstly, to cease any and all attacks upon Magical Britain and Europe
Secondly, to cease any and all attacks upon Muggles contained there-in, as long as the Statute of Secrecy remains in place
Thirdly, to cease any and all attacks or threats upon the person of Harry James Potter nor will they threaten his life anymore.
Finally, to cease any and all activity that is considered illegal by the Wizengamot and the International Confederation of Wizards
Voldemort consents to
Firstly, remove the withering curse that assails Chief Warlock and Supreme Mugwump, Albus Percival Brian Dumbledore
Secondly, to cease attempts upon the life of Harry James Potter
Thirdly, to remove the curses from Hufflepuff's Cup and Ravenclaw's Diadem and return them to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Fourthly to disband the Knights of Walpurgis, otherwise known as Death Eaters
And finally, to do all that he can to improve the lot of Wizarding Folk in Great Britain and the world.
The British Ministry of Magic and the International Confederacy of Wizards consent to do the following:
Firstly, offer a full pardon of all crimes to Voldemort and to the following Death Eaters as long as they do not break the treaty again.
Secondly, to reevaluate the term Dark Arts and the magic associated with it and create legislation that will allow for their way of life to be returned as long as it does not bring down the Statute of Secrecy
And finally, to grant the title of Lord Slytherin to Voldemort, granting him a position on the British Wizengamot.
Albus Percival Brian Dumbledore consents:
Firstly, to return the Gaunt family heirloom and any other heirlooms that have been unlawfully obtained.
Secondly, disband the Order of Phoenix
And finally, to allow for a ICW approved Dark Arts Instruction and Instructor at Hogwarts
To provide a guarantee against disputes between the powers listed, the International Confederacy of Wizards stipulates that the one known as Voldemort and the one known as Harry James Potter shall be consorted by marriage.
That is correct, my beloved readers. The Boy-Who-Lived will be the guarantee of the Magical Vow upon which this treaty is built. By changing genders and becoming the Dark Lord's bride, the Potter scion will force the Magical Vow upon both Albus Dumbledore and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. This will also provide for a guarantee against the loss of two very highly regarded Houses in our world, Potter and Slytherin.
The new name for the Boy-Who-Lived was not available at the time this paper was written. The signature of Harry's magical guardian, Albus Percival Brian Dumbledore stands in for the not yet of-age Boy-Who-Lived's consent.
On Behalf of the Daily Prophet and the Wizarding World, this writer would like to thank Harry James Potter for his sacrifice so that I and many others might be kept safe from another devastating war. Until we are able to get the soon to be Miss Potter's comments on this, Josias Winkle is out.
The front page was wet and torn beneath the boy who cowered in the sheets of the bed. Other pages lay scattered around that bed as well. The pages of the newspaper detailing the rumors and gossip of the coming nuptials, the name of the future Lady Slytherin and other details. Each conjecture lay scattered, wet and shredded around the knees of the broken boy.
For how long that boy sat there oblivious to the world around him except the confusing and terrifying pictures running through his head. He did not at first lift up his head or hear at first the cry of Professor Severus Snape who several times over had shouted.
"POTTER!"
Finally, the contempt and disgust of the man for the boy before him brought Harry from his stupor. He looked up, tears still flooding his eyes as he considered the face of his most hated Professor.
That face regarded him, with almost a pitying look for a moment, but it was not to last. Professor Snape's eyes hardened and his lips turned into a sneer.
"Potter, I was pulled out of correcting papers for my N.E.W.T. class to fetch you. The Headmaster believes it would be best if you were pulled away from the limelight for a little while." He turned to walk away, expecting Harry to follow him. When he did not hear the boy he turned again, a cruel smile on his lips. "Perhaps even in this you enjoy the extra attention and fame –"
But Harry came out of his stupor at the comment. He eyes narrowed at Professor Snape and then he got up.
He started to gather a few of his things, but Professor Snape interrupted.
"Potter," he growled. "Leave that for now." Then turning he called, "Dobby –"
Harry's favorite house elf appeared with a pop.
"What can Dobby do to be of service, Mister Snapey, Sir?" He asked.
"Gather all of Potter's things and bring them to the Headmaster's office." He replied.
Dobby looked at Harry, the same wonder that always appeared whenever he thought or looked on Harry.
"It would be my honor, Sir –"
At once, he snapped his fingers and Harry's clothes, books, and possessions all assembled in his trunk. Then the trunk was floating next to Harry as he followed Professor Snape out of the dormitory.
Harry made his way down the steps and found a crowd at the Common room. Everyone gasped as Harry entered. Hermione with her own tears in her eye looked across the room and tried to make a run for him. Professor Snape was clearly anxious for he had his wand out and had Hermione frozen in place.
"Potter is to be left alone," he said with a growl. Then, he marched Harry out through the Common room entrance and into the hall beyond.
Due to the fact that everyone had been in the common room hoping to catch a glimpse of Harry, the halls were very quiet. Professor Snape led Harry down hidden passageways that Harry thought only he alone knew. It felt like a long march to his funeral for Harry, but for Professor Snape he could not be done with the trip fast enough. With barely a word, he had the door open and Harry sitting on a familiar chair in the Headmaster's office. Then, he was gone.
Harry looked over at Professor Dumbledore, and as he looked on that kind face, he felt a bitter pain of betrayal at the man who had signed his life to his enemy. Professor Dumbledore sat at his desk, his face pinched with pain as he looked upon a boy he almost considered his own son.
"I would like to explain myself –" he whispered, his eyes looking through the tufts of hair that barely made Harry's bright green eyes visible. Harry barely met those eyes as he looked down at his hands in front of him.
"So, it is true then –" Harry said, his voice laced in bitter defeat.
Professor Dumbledore whispered, "Voldemort has promised to stop the fighting on his end, to stop the attacks against wizarding families and attacks against Muggles. He promises to remove this –" and at that he showed Harry the withered hand with his ring on it. "He has also promised that he will not kill you –"
"Yeah," Harry replied bitterly. "It will be worse than being killed." Then Harry's eyes looked up, the bitterness clearly revealed inside of them as he did. "But why did you have to sign it? Why didn't you ask me? I would have done it you know –"
Dumbledore's head looked down in shame. His eyes would not meet Harry's bright green eyes as they accused him. He had nothing to say to Harry's accusation and Professor Dumbledore had nothing he could add. According to the law, Harry could not make decisions like this until he turned seventeen. And Dumbledore had not been sure how Harry would feel about this treaty.
"Harry – " Professor Dumbledore said again, "You have to understand. After Horace's death … we couldn't discover what we needed to about Voldemort's horcruxes."
Harry did not say anything, unable to look his Headmaster in the eyes. He looked down at the carpet on the chair in front of him. He felt a buzzing in his ears, as his head throbbed, and his temples bulged from the anger he was feeling at all this.
"I know how you are feeling, my boy –" Dumbledore said very quietly.
At Dumbledore's words, Harry's anger came spilling out. "You don't know my anger –" and now he looked up, his eyes flashing bright green as he stared at him.
"It is okay to feel pain, Harry. You will be losing even more of what you love. Voldemort thinks he can strip away everything from you so that you won't fight against him, but everyone you love is what is what makes you stronger than he!"
"You don't understand at all!" Harry shouted, his head swimming in his rage. "How am I going to go back to the dormitory and visit with my friends? How am I going to answer their questions? How am I going to face Voldemort knowing that I have to be alone with him!"
"But Harry –" Professor Dumbledore spoke very softly. "You are just suffering now, and this still proves that you are a man inside. It is part of being a human being."
"BUT – I – WON'T – BE – A – MAN!" Harry roared and took the candy dish in front of Dumbledore and threw it across the room.
"I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!" Harry yelled. "NO MORE WIZARDING WORLD AND ITS 'SAVE US, HARRY'." "NO MORE WIZARDING WORLD AND ITS 'WE HATE YOU, HARRY'!"
Then Harry looked at Dumbledore, his eyes glaring dangerously. "You always make it sound like you care, but you haven't. All this time you send me to a house that hates me. You set up little tests for me to prove I am your chosen one. You force me to fight in a tournament that brings Voldemort back. You won't save me from Umbridge and her horrible pen!"
On and on Harry went. Professor Dumbledore just looked down, his eyes filled with sadness. When Harry finished his rant, Professor Dumbledore looked up, his voice very soft. "I do care, Harry –" he whispered. "I recognize that I am not perfect. I know I have made mistakes. But I am trying to do what is best for you."
"But who died and made you my grandfather!" Harry shouted.
Professor Dumbledore sighed quietly. "Your parents are dead. Your aunt and uncle are in no position to make such decisions. You are not even a qualified adult in the wizarding world or even in the Muggle world. I sympathize with what you are feeling Harry. Why don't you go back to the dormitory? Why don't you go off with your friends and spend a few more days with them? Then, you will be ready for the future."
Harry did not turn around to look at his once beloved Headmaster. There wasn't anything he could smash or destroy. He didn't look at him. He walked to the door. He seized the doorknob in his hand. He wrenched at it – and as opposed to half a year ago when he had last had a temper tantrum in this office, it opened. Harry walked through the door, slamming it behind him. Then he was gone.