Harry's dinner was interrupted by a clearing of a throat behind him. He turned to see the severe face of his head of house. When his attention was on her, she frowned slightly.
"Mr Potter, the Headmaster has requested your presence in his office immediately. He asked me to inform you he prefers ice mice at the moment." You could see the disdain on her face. Harry was unsure whether this was directed at him, towards being used as a messenger, or the Headmaster's password. Regardless, she did no even await a reply or acceptance before she turned to stride away.
"Professor" Harry called in a firm voice, "I would appreciate my head of house accompanying me to this meeting." He saw her pause, her head turned slightly to the side as if considering his request.
She then strolled away, calling back to him, "I think not Mr. Potter, you got yourself into this situation."
Harry let out a small puff of frustration, ignored by most around him who had gone back to their meals as soon as professor McGonagall had left. One set of brown eyes, however, were intensely focused on the frustrated teen. When his green met hers, the look shared held a whole conversation of her apologies.
With another sigh, this one showing how tired he was, Harry Potter stood from the table and strolled purposely out of the hall. He could feel various pair of eyes following him, but after the way he had been treated since his return to the magical world, he cared little for the opinions of people with nothing better to do than share unsubstantiated gossip from well known frauds and liars.
As he approached the gargoyle to the Headmaster's office, Harry reflected on his time. While his first three years at Hogwarts were less than pleasant, they were vacations when compared to the two most recently concluded years. Fourth year was the tournament from hell while fifth included the world's most perfect example of lawful evil. Thus far, sixth was not bucking any trends. While he had recently begun to make up with Hermione after disputes over the book and Malfoy, life was far from good.
Some days he even wondered if it was better than his time at the Dursleys.
After giving the password to the statue and riding he stairs to the top, Harry prepared to knock. He shook his head when a voice from within bid him enter.
Before him stood the individual Harry currently hated above all others. This bastard had cost him more than he could ever say and no matter what anyone old him, he would always hate and loathe this individual.
It was then that he noticed Professor Snape also standing in the corner and his bad mood turned more tumultuous.
"You demanded to see me Headmaster?" You could almost hear the lack of respect in his voice. Not quite petulant, but certainly not appreciate of the greatest wizard since Merlin.
"Yes, come in my boy. Would you care for a lemon drop?" The lack of disrespect did not appear to even register with the elder statesman. After Harry declined the treat, he was seated and waited for something further to be said.
"Mr Potter" Uh-oh, it would appear Harry was going to be held accountable for someone else's actions. That was the only time Dumbledore ever referred to him so respectfully. "I have heard about today's positions lesson."
"Oh?" Harry quirked an eye brow. If the headmaster wished to be obtuse, Harry would oblige.
There was a tense and definitive pause as both sides waited for the other to say more. After a few minutes, Harry decided to have some fun. He let out a sigh.
"So I supposed I am here so Potions Master Snape can apologize for his blatant abuse of authority in accordance with the Hogwarts charter and you are informing me that my punishment will be awarded to the individual who broke the written rules of Hogwarts, as documented by the portraits in the area? It is their purpose for being found all over the castle after all, Headmaster."
You could see the pained expression on the Headmaster's face. It was the rather violent reaction from Snape that spoke volumes, however.
"Again Potter, you speak as if you actually know the rules. There are no such details and the portraits do no such thing. They are there to pass on their wisdom. If they did more, your father would have been held accountable for his heinous actions."
Harry nodded. "You are correct potions master Snape, had they been utilized as the rules of Hogwarts state they should be and had the current Headmaster followed the approved rules, he would have been help accountable on several occasions."
This brough Snape up short and Dumbledore decided to intervene.
"Mr Potter, the actions of your father, unfortunate as they may have been, are neither here nor there at the moment. And I am not allowed to change and overturn punishments without proof."
"In accordance with section 53, subsection III, paragraph Q of the Hogwarts charter, as last updated by the Board of Governor's in 1947, as all portraits in the castle are bound to speak the truth to the headmaster, their word is allowed to serve as proof should he request they speak about the events. Paragraph R of the same portion states that students can demand the Headmaster provide such service when in dispute with any professor. It was written there and you as Headmaster must follow it, as must all professors when they took their oaths."
Harry could see the Headmaster squirm here and Snape's jaw was first very tight before falling very slack. Suddenly the headmaster's wand flashed a spell at the potions master who collapsed unconscious on a chair that suddenly appeared behind him.
Harry turned his attention back to the headmaster.
"It also states in those rules that I, as headmaster, have the same rights as lord of Hogwarts and can implement things as necessary to defend the realm. As such, Mr. Potter, I must ask that you stop with this foolishness. Professor Snape has informed me of the incident and your punishment stands."
"I see." It took everything the younger mage had in order to control his emotions and keep the sneer off his face as he stared at the hypocrite before him. "And what of Mr. Malfoy's actions that almost led to the deaths of 7 classmates?"
"Ah, indeed. This is a case where discretion and forgiveness are important. Professor Snape informed me that Mr Malfoy apologized for his shortsightedness and as such, he will be given another chance. It is important to stand by those who deserve redemption." That genial look was back on the old fool's face.
"Yet my own punishment, awarded for stopping him from killing anyone, will stand?" Harry would claim later that he did not grind his teeth. The pensieve memory would disagree with that assessment.
"Indeed, there must be a lesson for what is done when one breaks the rules. As you know since you seem to have read the rules, magic by any student is forbidden in the hallway."
Harry took a deep breath before standing. "Thank you for explaining things sir. May I go now?"
Dumbledore casually waved his wand and envenerated Snape. The professor's face had a confused look on it.
"Of course my boy, as soon as you apologize to Professor Snape for calling him a liar." The professor's face shifted to an almost predatory gleam as he stared at Harry. The headmaster's genial face hid the hardness in the old man's eyes.
"No." Harry turned and walked out.
"That will be another week of detentions and 20 more points from Gryffindor Potter!" Harry stopped at the door and looked at Dumbledore almost in askance at Snape's declaration. The old man smiled apologetically once more.
"You did disregard a reasonable request from the Headmaster. I saw it with my own eyes my boy." Harry turned to continue out the door when Dumbledore's voice stopped him once more. "I should ask, where did you find a copy of the rules? There are handbooks which lay out the basic regulations, but the full ruleset has been locked away in order to protect it since Grindelwald came to power, only being brought out at the request of the Board of Governors and only when they decide a change is needed. As such, you can understand why I am concerned that you seem to have found something so closely guarded."
Harry paused before slowly turning to call back over his shoulder. "As you once told me, Help will always be available to those who ask. Goodbye Headmaster."
Harry did not slam the door, but did find himself in the Room of Requirement in short order. Some blasting hexes were just what his anger management needed.
XVXVXVXVXXVXVXVXVXXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVX
After watching the door slam closed, Dumbledore waited for Snape to rant himself out before interjecting his own opinion that the boy was just being a boy and would grow out of it. He was bidding the professor adieu when he noticed it.
There was a folded parchment laying on the ground where young Harry had been sitting. His curiosity got the better of him after a moment. He picked up the parchment and unfolded it while walking back to his desk. Initially the words he found intrigued him.
Lessons Learned from the Great Albus Dumbledore
As learned by Harry Potter
Sad intrigue shortly turned to horror as he kept reading
Never Forgive, instead hand out punishments so those who cause trouble learn their lessons vicariously through someone else's punishment
Child abuse is acceptable if you hide it to keep yourself from being shown in a bad light
Death for innocent victims is acceptable if you can possibly save the soul of a single dangerous individual
Only place your absolute trust in thieves and murderers
The list went on and on with various situations based on how Harry saw his actions. The most damming one, to the old man, was the last.
When a decision has no moral justification, simply refer to an anonymous "greater good" that you have never attempted to define
Dumbledore looked at this list and felt the tears begin to form. Staring back at him was possibly the greatest evil he had ever seen. He knew everything from here on out was his fault.
When he watched Harry Potter at the end of the year slice Malfoy's hand off before Snape killed Dumbledore.
When he watched from the next great adventure as Harry Slit Snape's neck with a well placed severing curse.
When he watched Harry cast the killing curse to get rid of the locket as soon as they found it.
When he watched Harry utterly ignored Ron in favor of his new relationship with Hermione after the former ran from them.
When he watched Harry shove such a small being in front of the knife in the Malfoy's manner escaping with Dobby.
When he saw Harry drive the sword of Gryffindor into the neck of the Goblin who had been keeping the dragon from attacking them.
When Harry did not walk out to meet Voldemort in the forest, but instead sat in the great hall surrounded by others, waiting the final fight with blood lust in his eyes.
Dumbledore cried for what he had done.
XVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVX
Harry sat up, his entire body throbbing. The room…space…area he found himself in was pure white, except for the crying bundle of filth under the bench. As he rose, decidedly avoiding the bundle, and sat on the bench, he heard someone approach. As he turned, he saw that hated face once more.
"Harry my boy…what have we done."
This seemed to confuse Harry. His answer confirmed his confusion.
"What?"
"I did not mean to push you towards this path. This violence, this damage to your soul." There were tears in the old man's eyes.
"And how did you do that?"
"I found your list. That meeting about your punishment shortly before I died. I found the list. And such harsh lessons, pushing you to such evil acts. I never meant to damage your sol in such a way."
Harry did not deign to respond. Instead he stood and looked around.
"So how to I get back?"
This brought the elder mage up short. A sudden realization hit him as he stared at the black-haired teen in horror.
"You can't go back Harry. Haven't you done enough already? No, I won't let you return. I will stop you, as I should have as soon as I found that list." It was then that he noticed Harry was not looking at him, but at another being behind him.
This being would meet any definition of death. Well over seven feet tall with a black cloak that scraped the ground. The hole where the face would be was nothing more than a dark pit. In the hands, wrapped in the dark shroud, was a scythe. And the feeling this being gave was pure darkness.
Not evil. Just lacking life and warmth.
Dumbledore gasped once more, remembering that he had seen Harry claim all three hallows. "No my boy, do not give in to temptation!"
Harry snorted before facing Death once more. The being sliced through the whiteness around them, creating an opening for Harry, who jumped through shortly thereafter. Dumbledore's calls and chase were stopped when the hand of death fell upon his shoulder. He turned to face the being, terror plainly visible on his face, when he heard the softest, more pleasant voice ever to grace his hears.
"Peace young one. You fail to see the trees for the forest." This certainly confused Dumbledore. He turned and looked through the gap just in time to see a living Harry cast the final blow against the Dark Lord.
"You see, when young Harry cut of the Malfoy child's arm, he removed his dark mark, freeing the boy of that evil. He had seen Snape's true goal's during occlumency lessons and you really were a fool to trust that one. His methods removed things that led to more trouble for the three when he used righteous anger to destroy the locket. This removed Ron's excuse for abandoning them and gave Harry the courage to pursue Hermione. It was a death eater used to Block Bellatrix's dagger, which you would have known had you stayed to watch. And that goblin went out of its way to abuse that dragon. He kept everyone in the wards he and Hermione established around the great hall, preventing countless innocent lives being lost. And he took my mantle as Death's champion for a reason."
Here, the being drew back it's hood. Standing before Dumbledore was the embodiment of death. Standing before Dumbledore, with Milky white eyes that had a green tint to them, was none other than an ancient looking version of Harry Potter. He was joined shortly by another, a woman who glowed brighter than the sun. Her joining Death allowed Dumbledore to stare in shock as an ancient and lovely version of Hermione joined the regal Harry before him.
"They have a destiny, as our time draws to an end. Old fools who cause problems would see the world ended for their arrogance and vanity. It will be best the world remembers you the way Harry saw you."
Once more, Dumbledore cried as he watched an all too familiar piece of parchment flow through the chasm to suddenly appear on the Headmaster's desk that Harry Potter now stood beside.