Chapter 9: The Group of Four
The next morning saw Harry waking up quite early, it was a habit of past. He had never got the required amount of hours to sleep peacefully, the training and urgency to end the War behold that comfort from him.
The dorm was as quiet as it possibly can with the LeStrange brothers snoring loudly, why didn't he put a silencing charm on their curtains again? It would've been quite peaceful that way, with a shake of his head he collected his toiletries and headed toward the bathroom.
Fifteen minutes later he was ready to leave the Slytherin common room for early breakfast, as he descended down the stairs he was surprised to see a figure seated on the couch infront of fireplace.
A step closer revealed it as Bellatrix Black, she was engrossed, a book lying on her lap. "Fear these" It pronounced. Harry had read the script, it highlighted some pretty nasty spells and their incantation. If ministries prospective taken under consideration, a very dark book, it was.
The girl was probably bat shit crazy if Sirius' words were to be believed, he ignored her presence and took the leave of the Slytherin common room. He never saw the girl raising a eyebrow at his back as he exited the room.
The corridors were deserted, early morning wasn't the most favourite time of the students. As he turned a corner a group of Ravenclaw could be seen climbing up the stairs, he passed them with a shift of his shoulder and exited the castle. It wasn't too early for elves to supply food, yet Harry wasn't feeling hungry.
With quick strides, he settled upon the boulder. His gaze following the length of the Black lake, with a sigh he flicked his wrist and his two-coloured wand appeared in his hand, the one without the trace. He gazed at the lake solemnly before raising his wand and flicked it clockwise, an icy blue spell sailed through the air before touching the water surface.
The surface shone blue before returning to its normal murky shade, his thoughts were on the alliance he had been trying to create. With the addition of Arcturus Black he had a powerful and cunning ally, Charlus was also a powerful influence, both politically and magically.
Still, he needed more than just a few lords. Voldemort wasn't the same snake faced abomination he had became in his time, he was more shrewd and calculative. He needed more allies, not just political, he had needs for wands. Frank Longbottom, Sirius and Remus could give him a strong team, yet that could be only if they shed their hesitation while fighting dirty. He'd have to wait for Tom to make his first move for that.
His musing stopped as the Huge clock of the Castle announced the time for breakfast, he slid off from the rock and started his walk to the Great hall.
He was about to enter the large hall when a voice called to him from behind, Harry glanced above his shoulder to see Sirius and James walking toward him. There wasn't any hint of Remus or Peter behind them, he waited for them to join him.
"Morning, Harry" Sirius greeted with a smile.
He smiled back and tagged along them to the hall, unlike last night the room didn't went silent, neither did the voices decreased. Yet he could feel several pair of eyes on him, instead of meeting those he focused on James who was talking about some theory related to Transfiguration.
He tried to separate from them to join the Slytherin table, but he was stopped in his track by a hand on his shoulder.
"You will sit with us, dear brother" James said with a grin. "On the Gryffindor table"
Harry looked around to see many of the students halt what they were doing to look at the trio curiously, Harry accepted with a nod, it wasn't like anybody could stop him from doing so.
His confrontation with the LeStrange should take care of anyone trying anything unruly against him from his house. He followed the duo and took a seat beside Sirius, the Gryffindor table descended into silence.
Many looked at him with unhidden contempt, while others with curiosity and lastly a group was looking appreciative of him. For what? He knew not.
"Cheer up, mate" Sirius said clapping him on shoulder.
"You look all sullen and sulky" James added taking one of the omelets from the table on his plate.
Harry shook his head and picked a omelette for himself, he wasn't going to give them a chance to tease him.
Soon, the table resumed its normal routine of students eating and conversing amongst each other. He could still feel a few pair of eyes on him occasionally, and a large number from the Slytherin table.
Yeah, he has already pissed many on his very first day at Hogwarts.
Soon, Peter and Remus entered the hall and joined the trio. Peter looked somewhat scared of him, while Remus had a astonished look on his face. He nodded at him before taking a seat beside James, the group quickly got settled and started conversing amongst each other.
After a few minutes even Peter joined their conversation, to give occasional and whimsical thoughts.
"You must be joking, Harry." James disagreed with his previous sentence.
"It's upon you to trust it or not, I am not lying though" He asserted lightly. "There is an another form of transportation apart from floo, port-key, apparation or Knight bus."
"And what would that be? Flying?" Remus asked skeptically with a hint of amusement.
"Yeah, that" Harry accepted between his bites.
"Blimey, mate. Don't joke around like that" Sirius replied with a shake of his head.
"You could fly on a broom, you know" Peter added innocently.
"That's not a mode of long travel, Peter" James denied, apparently they hadn't started calling eachother with their Marauder names before their successful transformation.
"He's talking about real flying, levitating sort" Remus explained taking out a book from his bag. He flicked through the pages before returning back to page 233.
He placed the book in the middle of the table.
"Read here" He traced his finger on a particular paragraph nudging James.
James turned an annoyed eye at him but pulled the boom toward himself with a sigh.
"Levitating, an art long forgotten in recent Centuries. It is said that wizards of Mediterranean or Gennie, as they used to call themselves could enchant carpets to levitate. Does that mean that they could apply that same charms to their cloth? Many have tried but failed...blah blah blah" James recited thoughtfully.
"That's an interesting thought, Jamie" A voice said behind James. "I could help you to try that theory, but it may just make your clothes float out of your body." Jane took a seat beside him, touching her shoulder with his.
She whispered the next words to his ears with a shit eating grin "And a starker James wouldn't look that interesting to our residential Redhead"
James blushed furiously before ducking his head down, and focusing on the sausage on his plate.
Sirius laughed merrily, and one could see a tug of smile on Remus lips. Harry just shook his head with a grin and levitated the book back to Remus wandlessly.
This garnered the attention of the brown-haired boy, he looked at Harry inquisitively.
"You are quite adept at Wandless magic—Can you cast dillusionment charm wandlessly?" He asked thoughtfully.
"Maybe, but not here" He replied in a whisper. Remus nodded quickly, knowing it would garner unwanted attention.
Peter chose this moment to leave the table with a excuse that he had to meet with Professor Gamplimp for some assignment.
"You should've waited for us, Jane" Lily's voice came before she took her seat beside the curly-haired witch.
She looked at him and then to James, and then again at him.
"You're sitting at Gryffindor table" He voice didn't had malice, just curiosity.
"Yeah, we dragged him with us here" Sirius replied with laugh.
"Oh" Lily pronounced, and with a last look started placing breakfast on her plate.
Soon, Marlene McKinnon, a girl Harry had seen in the original picture of Order of phoenix, Alice Longbottom and an another girl named as Keith Durban joined the redhead.
"So, I've heard you were studying abroad, Harry. I can call you Harry, right?" Alice asked quickly, eyeing him with smile.
"Yeah" Harry mumbled, uncomfortable as the attention shifted to him.
"Where were you studying though?" She continued her line of question.
"Somewhere private, it's a family secret" Harry returned without a thought.
James and Jane nodded in support.
Alice didn't askined more, she knew it wouldn't be appreciated, as it seemed the new Potter was a private person. Moreover, the scar on his face held her back from interrogating him further, even if she wanted just to do that.
"Back to our main topic, You said flying was possible" James resumed their debate. "Do you mean something like that?" He asked pointing toward the book sitting beside Remus' plate.
"More or less, It would be better if I show you, I can also teach you" He said with a sincere smile.
"Really? You're not pulling our legs, are you?" Sirius asked with wide eyes.
"What's this about flying? Are you talking about brooms?" Jane asked curiously. After the rituals it seems that some of that Potters' intrest in flying has caught up to her, she could feeling her heart thumping whenever someone discussed brooms.
Lily just rolled her eye, one of the Potter's regular brags about brooms.
"No, He's talking about real flying! Can you believe it?" James asked excitedly.
Jane looked at Harry questioningly, he just nodded in acceptance. It was the right move, if he could teach his brother, Lily, Sirius and Remus flying, that would eliminate the risk of them being stumped due to anti-apparation wards.
Lily and Alice perked at the statement of James, Harry could see gears running in the mind of Remus who was glancing toward him perplexedly.
"You know, you're too brilliant to be in Slytherin" Alice said dryly.
"Hey! I take offence to that, Slytherin house's base demands are cunning and resourcefulness" Harry returned with a smile.
"If looks could burn, You would be nothing more than a burnt crisp" Lily added glancing toward the Slytherin table, above his shoulders.
"Yeah, the snakes are glaring daggers at your back" James said with an edge to his voice.
Harry sighed before addressing him. "I am one of them, James. You would react similarly if Sirius choses to sit with his brother there"
"I will never" Sirius said with a definitive tone.
"My argument still stands" He said with a smirk.
(_-_-_X_-_-_)
"Look at him, mingling with the blood-traitors and mudbloods" Rudolphus sneered, his voice filled with loathing.
"He doesn't deserve to be in the noble house of Slytherin, Blood-traitor" His brother agreed with a scowl. A few fifth and sixth-year seated beside him nodded in agreement, cowards.
"I don't see the two of you expressing your thoughts infront of him, so if you idiots couldn't go and tell that on his face, then keep your damn trap shut" Bellatrix snapped from her seat, the LeStranges were moaning like bitches for the past fifteen minutes.
"Don't you see that, Bella?" Rudolphus questioned with wide eyes.
"Yes, I do" She conceded rolling her eyes. "My words still stand though, if you buffoons don't have balls to confront him then stop moaning like bitches"
Snape grinned inside his mind, the Black girl was just too blunt. He looked up and his black met with a pair of grey eyes of Regulus black, who was grinning openly.
"He's a Potter, even if he's sorted into Slytherin" Bella concluded, nodding to Narcissa who left the table to take her schedule from Slughorn.
"He seems close to that blood-traitor brother of yours, Regulus" Rebastian added with feral grin.
Regulus flinched inwardly, he had to have a discussion with Sirius regarding their accommodation change. It was a sore topic for him, how he'd behaved with his brother last year was still fresh in his memories.
"I've already warned you against picking on my kin, LeStrange" Bellatrix narrowed her eyes at the boy, really after spending the summer at her grandparents she could again think properly. Her mind wasn't in disarray anymore, the clouds in his memories had cleared somewhat.
The younger LeStrange ducked his head with a quick apology, Bellatrix smiled at Regulus familiarly before resuming her breakfast.
Snape looked up to see the new Potter laughing with the group, talking easily with Alice and...Lily. How he wished he could switch places with him? Why couldn't he be so comfortable around her?
The answer came in mere seconds, it was due to his standing in Slytherin house. If they caught him mingling with a Gryffindor, especially a Muggleborn, they wouldn't leave a chance to torment him.
He envied the new Potter, the boy has joined the school only the previous day, yet his standing was upheld by his name. A small part of brain kept arguing with him though that it wasn't just his name but also his actions, afterall he had outmaneuvered the notorious LeStrange brothers in their first confrontation.
The LeStranges were still wary of the boy, there was no doubt that they would try to re-assert their dominance over him. But with Marauders behind him, another notorious faction, he would be never an easy target.
Maybe—just maybe, if he plays his cards better he could ally himself with the new Potter. But was he capable of such, the boy was a carbon copy of James Potter without glasses and with scars. He could try atleast, it wouldn't hurt to try, right?
Another occupant of the table was also focusing his attention on the boy, she had seen him near the black lake this morning. He wasn't like James, no—not a single bit, her wayward relative was an arse to put in simple words. She could see her great-aunt in the boy, and her great-uncle. She shuddered at the thought, Uncle Charlus' aura was something she had never failed to notice.
Unlike her grandfather's, it was warm and comforting, except when he wasn't in sore mood. She can still recall the day he had a disagreement with her father regarding James' motive regarding blood purity, even her father was cowered after the debate.
She could feel that same presence whenever the boy was near her, that power, that resolve. It was both frightening and astonishing, she'll have to look into it.
Her musing was cut short as Professor Slughorn stopped at her chair, handing her hers schedule.
"I wouldn't satisfy with less than an O in your O.W.L, Miss Black" The plump professor regarded her with a smile.
She smiled back at him accepting the parchment, blimey, two periods with Sprout on Monday.
"Now, I can't find Mr Potter around here, could anybody inform me his whereabouts?" He asked looking around.
"He's at Gryffindor table with his brother, Professor" answered Georgia Fawley, just too enthusiastically.
"Thanks, Miss Fawley" With those last words he moved toward the Gryffindor table with a pleased grin.
(_-_-_X_-_-_)
Harry was enjoying his time with the Gryffindors, the hostiles glare were all but forgotten.
It was a happy Harry that could attest that Remus was a good judge of characters, when he had said that Lily was just too accepting of people, it was true.
The said girl was petting his raven affectionately who was enjoying her attention, it seemed that Orev was unnaturally drawn to the redhead.
"He's a beautiful bird" She said while rubbing her finger on top of his beak softly.
James, on the other hand, had glazed looks in his eyes as he looked at the auburn-haired beauty. Sirius and Jane were exchanging glances while sniggering silently, Remus was busy reading the parchment Harry had provided him with in respect to the notice-me-not charm.
"This is accurate, and more than descriptive" Remus said astounded with his finding.
"I've told you that, I had researched on the charm for a full week" Harry replied with a proud grin.
"Le'mme see that, Remus, please" Lily requested extending her hand toward him.
Seeing Remus hesitating a bit Harry duplicated his parchment and gave it to Lily, who took with a appreciative smile.
"That's a near piece of magic, my boy" A familiar voice intercepted from behind.
Harry stood up in form of respect, it would not do to slight his head of house. It couldn't bode good results for him, particularly when he wasn't in good terms with his housemates.
"Thank you, Professor" He accepted with a nod.
"You'll do my house proud, I can see it, Mr Potter" The heavy professor chuckled lightly, his walrus-like moustache twitching slightly.
"How was your holiday, Lily dear?" Slughorn asked with a genuine smile.
"Well, not the most enjoyable I had" Lily replied with a smile of her own.
"While it might be fun to hold a quick meeting here, I am here on teachers' duty, I'm afraid" He said handing Harry his schedule.
"One more thing, Professor Dumbledore has requested for your presence in his office at 8 in evening, a flying jelly head is surely an interesting story" The man said walked on toward his table before stopping once again.
"Ten points to Gryffindor for ignoring house system, and five to Slytherin for your courageous endeavour, Mr Potter" The pot-bellied professor added, and walked on toward his house table.
"That's—That needs thinking" Jane said with amusement lit in her eyes.
"Yeah, Old Sluggy doesn't donate points easily" Sirius added as an afterthought.
"What about a Jelly head?" Lily asked confused.
Harry and Hermione shared a look before Harry took his seat again.
(_-_-_X_-_-_)
As he entered the potion class his eyes landed on the guy on the first bench, dressed in black robes, more blackish than others. Snape.
Yeah, the boy was pretty much a prodigy in Potions around this time. The only student competing with him for the first place was Lily, and that told many things about the greasy-haired boy.
He took a seat on the desk beside Snape's, the marauders trailing behind him. Peter had joined the other three in the herbology class, where they'd studied about some type of snare.
Snape glanced in his direction and sneered at the Marauders before redirecting his attention on the cauldron boiling infront of the class. Harry laid his potion equipment set on the table, before setting up the burner and the cauldron.
From the corner of his eyes he noticed that Snivellus' potion equipment were fairly old and worn. It could be that he had used them too much during his practices, but the hole in one of his scales covered by a brass plate told another story.
Why was Snape using those old equipment? Harry, for the fact, knew that the Prince vault held gold more than Snape needed for a lavish lifestyle. Snape's mother was the only daughter of the family with no heir, even if she was disowned, that law didn't pertain to Goblin system. Sadly for the goblins.
She only had to send a parchment requesting inheritance pass to Snape, then she could withdraw any amount she wanted. Snape should not be bothered with worn and hand-me-down things, this certainly need insights and possible discussion with the greasy-haired git.
The marauders took a seat behind him, sending wary looks to Snape, who was succeeding in ignoring them.
Harry shook his head and returned to his book, the class filled within the next few minutes. Unsurprisingly, no one was keen on taking seat beside him, specially the Slytherins. Well, at least same was the case with Severus.
He diverted his focus on his book again, reading and working through the steps needed for the potion, he added a few notes around the more confusing instructions.
A weight settled beside him, he didn't spared a glance instead kept his focus on the book.
"Mhm" A throat cleared beside him, a feminine one to be more precise.
Harry look up startled, bright brown eyes filled with amusement looked into his.
"I don't think I am interrupting anything important, Mr Potter" The girl said with a soft voice. "Georgia Fawley" She extended her hand.
Harry graced with her a charming smile, undeterred due to the scars on his face, before brushing his lips against the back of her hand. "Lady"
The girl flushed red before pulling her hand gently, and busying herself with the bag to take out her equipments and book.
"You were saying something about him being a innocent bloke, weren't you?" Jane whispered to Lily and Marlene. The former looked at Harry with a dry look, while Marlene giggled silently.
"He's no better than his brother when it comes to girls, I accept that" Marlene returned quite amused by the light flirting of Harry.
"Idiots" Lily grumbled before focusing on her cauldron.
"You know who she's" Jane asked to Marlene who nodded her head.
"Georgia Fawley, third daughter of Robert Fawley" She whispered back. "They say every bloke from fourth-year to seventh wants to get into skirts, only a few could brag to do so, but none does." she added.
"Yeah, but it seems Harry has got her good, look how's she resembles a ripe tomato" Jane replied with a snort.
Lily turned an uninterested eye on the girl, and sure she was blushing furiously. She shook her head nominally, it seemed that Harry wasn't that different from his brother. Albeit he didn't flirt with Lily, still he was made of same material as James. The next few days would show if he was as big of a braggart as James or not.
"Hush..Hush, class" Horace said from his position gesturing them to become silent.
"Today, we will learn to brew one of the most important Potion of the O.W.L year, Befuddlement Draught." Exclaimed Horus lifting the cloth from the cauldron, red liquid boiled inside the pot.
"Now, you need sneezewort, scurvy grass..." He continued his instructions about the ingredients, and instructions.
Harry began cutting and grinding the ingredients as prescribed, he glanced to see Severus, Lily and Jane working through their potions efficiently.
He graced Georgia with a smile before returning to his cauldron, white liquid boiled ferociously, a pinch of skrewt blood and a pinscher of scorpion later it turned dark green. Perfect, untill now at least.
Harry pulled his sleeves to work on the tail of a rattlesnake, clockwise rotation only once. He chopped them finer than instructed to decrease the time it took to dissolve, a delicate hand over the cauldron and it shone red with liquid. Yet it was still lighter than expected, one last ingredient.
He glanced to see Georgia's potion turning cream instead of dark green, he quickly picked a scurvy grass and fined it before putting it in her cauldron. She looked at him questioningly, he signalled her to the cauldron which has turned dark green. With a grateful smile she returned to her potion.
An anti-clockwise stir and a last bit of scorpion pinscher, his potion turned to the colour it should be.
"Splendid, Mister Potter" Horace beamed walking to his desk.
"Ah, perfect colour indeed" he accepted.
He spied a look toward Snape, his cauldron was same colour as his. Only half a minute late.
"Ten points to Slytherin on a potion well done" Horace declared.
He felt an eye trained on him, he turned around to see Hermione sending him incredulous look.
"That bastard, messy-haired blasted git" Hermione muttered while adding the last of her ingredients, her potion turned crimson same as Lily.
Marlene looked at her worriedly while Lily seemed confused.
"Who are you cursing? and Why?" Lily asked curiously.
"Harry, he didn't told me he had advanced his brewing skill, he couldn't brew a pepper up properly last time we brew together" She seethed cursing Harry all around.
"Well, it seem he's also helped the damsel beside him" Marlene pronounced the word damsel with an edge.
"Miss Potter and Miss Evans, five points to each of you for completing the potion in amount of time." Horace boomed inspecting their cauldron, ignoring a muttering Jane.
The class was going fine, too fine for Harry's comfort. Harry knew better than ignoring his war-borne reflex, in a shift move he placed his hand on the stomach of Georgia, and pulled her back.
The girl slid back with a "eek" before facing Harry inraged, he just pointed his finger to the liquid suspended in mid air.
The softness of her belly made him nearly roll his eyes, the girl was surely packed with nice racks that he had ignored until now to focus on his potion. With it completed he could admire the beauty beside him, he could easily fit in the old routine that Sirius had worked through.
The enchanting moment came to a stop when the green liquid poured from above, the girls screamed while the boys scampered to get out of their way. With a flick of his wand he sent a surprised Snape back, avoiding the path of green glue that stuck to unfortunate students too slow to move.
The slimy green substance dripped a number of Slytherin under it, Harry could see LeStranges struggling under it with a few others.
The class descended into silence before erupting into chaos, most of the students laughed hysterically while other scowled at the successful prank. The latter mostly consisted of Slytherin, specially those ones that followed LeStrange brothers around.
Even Georgia giggled at them softly while being held close by Harry, he didn't want to recede his hand back and lose the feel of her body, but he was no molester and never intended to become one.
His eyes met with Sirius' who winked in Georgia's direction, Harry returned the gesture with a smirk and a knowing nod.
"Mr Potter and Mr Black, Detention at 8 with Mr Filch" Slughorn said disappointed with their antics.
"Wha—But we weren't even involved" James exclaimed loudly, with a expression of mock horror.
"I know who can do this, Mr Potter, I have been an educator for too long to not notice it" He said disapprovingly.
"Ten points from Gryffindor, now shu..shu" He waved with both hands.
With a shit-eating grin Sirius waved his wand muttering an incantation, the slime disappeared from the floor but remained on the teens, who were shooting daggers at James' back.
"Bye Harry, and thanks for the help" Georgia thanked him with a kiss to his cheeks, and walked on toward her next class with her gaggle of girls.
"You've got a splendid piece right there, lover boy" A voiced said from behind him as he exited the class, he spun around to find the three Marauders standing there.
"Correctly said, mate, she's also got nice rakes, if you know what I mean" James added with a sly smile.
"I can deduce points for your language, Potter, better keep it in check" Lily's voice threatened from behind Harry.
James spluttered incoherently before standing straight, Remus and Sirius sniggering silently behind him.
"Sirius was one to suggest" He defended himself quickly, seeing he could be seen in bad light for that.
"Hey! I didn't, certainly" Sirius exclaimed behind him with a frown.
Lily shook his head before joining Marlene to their next class.
"I think she heard you" Harry said with a sly smirk.
"Interesting finding, mate" Sirius said with a dry look before falling into laughter with Harry and Remus.
"Joke as much as you can, gits, I'm gonna get her attention someday" James said leading them to next class.
"Where's Peter, by the way?" James asked.
"Don't know, last seen exiting the great hall with a Hufflepuff" Sirius said with a shrug.
(_-_-_X_-_-_)
Harry knocked on the door of the chamber, the gargoyle had allowed him to the staircase with the right password.
"Come in, Harry" Headmaster's voice said from inside.
Harry opened the door to the familiar office of Dumbledore, he glanced at the glass cupboard filled with magical artifact before setting his eyes on Fawkes.
With a trill the bird dove from his perch to take a seat on Harry's shoulder, he really liked the phoenix. It had helped him in his most desperate moments, moreover, it signified that the power that the old coot wield wasn't just fabrication of myths.
"I see that Fawkes is fond of you, Harry. I first thought it was merely a fluke but he doesn't even comes to me when called, unlike your current interaction" Dumbledore grumbled eyeing the bird curiously.
"Well, I do know which feathers to ruffle to make him more happy" Harry replied rubbing the plumage of the fiery bird, electing trills again.
"I am afraid I've not called you to discuss my long time companion though, rather it's well predicted but unfortunate turn of events that's rouse that need" He said running his fingers through his long beard.
"Are you incapable of conversing in simple language?" Harry asked sending an annoyed look.
Dumbledore chuckled before sobering quickly.
"Tom's begun his raids" Dumbledore said, worry etched into his aged face.
"When?" Harry asked calmly, any hint of amusement disappeared from his face.
"Last night, he attacked a muggle district. Three were converted and 20 were killed, with 30 or more injured" He clarified.
"Converted, as in?" Harry asked, dreading the answer.
"Werewolves, it seems that Tom has aligned himself with our furry friends" Dumbledore answered.
"Furry friends? Really? You couldn't come with something better" Harry asked dryly.
"Forgive this old man's vocabulary, Harry" Harry could see Dumbledore wasn't any more apologetic than a moment ago, amusement flickering in his eyes.
"So, what are you doing about it?" He asked bluntly.
Dumbledore sighed before propping his elbow on the table, while covering his mouth partially with his hands.
"I've contacted the old crowd, a few outright refused while some accepted the challenge" He said mirthlessly.
It was clear that Dumbledore wasn't happy to call the veteran from the last war, they deserved the retirement unconditionally.
"What about the ministry?" He tried again.
Dumbledore sighed heavily. "Minister Jenkins is not an ideal head to lead us through a war, additionally, his indulgence with a certain section of Wizengamot won't come as beneficiary factor for us"
"Yeah, I get that now, that raise the need to quicken our pace to deal with her" He said with a sincere look.
"If you would, my boy, we could work together on that front." Dumbledore said with am approachable smile.
"No, I am afraid but we should work on this and other issues with two different perspectives." Harry denied without a thought.
He held out his hand to stop Dumbledore from interrupting.
"It's not like I don't trust you or I don't see myself working with you, instead I think if there are more than one faction with two different set of ideals and faces, it would be much easy" Harry worded it carefully, not intending to upset the headmaster.
"Can you elaborate what exactly do you mean by that?" Dumbledore's suggested that he was not indeed offended.
"You're the paragon of light, and thus the lightest of the families and individuals with high morals will follow you undoubtedly" He clarified his first point.
"On the other hand, my interaction and connection with Blacks would give me a more appealing position for neutral and a bit shady families" He added thoughtfully.
"That it would, but are you sure you can trust them, my boy?" Headmaster asked with a soft smile.
"You've to accept one thing, headmaster, our morals and strategic thinking differs from each other" Harry replied in a simple tone.
"While I am not truly the most forgiving person right now on earth, you, on the other hand, believes in second chances" Harry said bluntly.
"But, my boy, you can't possibly be a punisher that judges an individual for crimes, law enforcement system and Wizengamot are for that particular reason" Dumbledore approached with a frown.
"Do you really think the Wizengamot, the body that mainly consist of purebloods who will also support this whole agenda of keeping blood pure, will act against Tom riddle?" Harry snapped back in return.
"I knew you were inclined toward second chance theory of yours, but this is just ridiculous!" Harry interrupted before Dumbledore could reply.
"You need to understand, Harry, that my morals will never let me go through what you demand of me" Dumbledore sighed resentfully, he knew the boy was right in his opinion but he couldn't just kill people who support Tom.
"And this is why I don't want to work under you, you'll not lead this war against Tom, you're not capable nor that unforgiving" He asserted with out any preamble.
"You're making it difficult for both of us, Harry" Dumbledore frowned at him.
"No, I am making it easier for the wizarding Britain, and for you" Harry said before standing up.
"I will accept to share knowledges through a contemporary, I'll be from my side." Harry said walking to the door.
"And I urge you to ponder upon the thought again, atleast allow the members of your order to defend themself properly" He opened the door and left a thoughtful Dumbledore in his wake.
(_-_-_X_-_-_)
The week passed by and Harry settles into his new schedule, morning saw him early in great hall. From there he joined his classes regularly, spending the day in them before receding back to his common room to read the books he had brought with him from Knockturn alley.
His interactions with the Marauders remain close, while he could notice that Snape's hostility toward him has decreased from the beginning of the session. While he still sneered and taunted him occasionally, it was more of a habit that actual interest.
He couldn't say that his love life was going any worse, his back and fro with Georgia was advancing at a perfect rate. She was interested in him, that much she'd shown perfectly, but it wasn't for a steady relationship. And Harry was happy with that, snogging and a bit movement of hands was what he needed right now, not long-term relationships.
Yet, the environment remained hostile outside the castle. Voldemort was on loose, officially now. Although the ministry had refused to acknowledge him as a dark lord, and it wasn't due to lack of trying from Tom's side. In a week time, he had raided four more muggle districts on alternative days.
He had also sent a letter to his father regarding an empty but heavily warded property, it was to be used to contain the soul pieces of Tom. He knew he couldn't destroy them and risk Tom knowing that his secret was out, but still he could atleast hunt them and keep them in a warded house to be used at a right time.
Charlus has responded positively, there was an old storage mansion of Potters in the Scottish highlands. It was a heavily warded property formerly used to store food and other necessary items during the War with Grindlewald.
He was now planning to use that as the base camp for the group, it was faraway mansion than can't be reached easily. If he could connect its floo with one of the smaller property in London, it would be a two way safe house.
Today was Saturday, and Harry had requested Charlus to meet him in the Hogsmeade, it shall be best to discuss this in person rather than in letters.
He walked out of the common room ignoring the hostile gaze of LeStranges, crossing the corridor he climbed the stone stairs to entrance hall.
As he climbed the last stair his met with a pair of purple orbs, not even wincing at the encounter he quickly sidestepped to let her through. He wasn't in mood to acknowledge anyone unnecessary right now, she descended the stairs to the dungeons.
"Caw...Nekros...Caw" his raven swopped in from the entrance and landed on his shoulder.
"How're you my friend? Wanna come with me to the village" He asked the bird softly exiting the castle, away from the curious onlookers.
After a week of his presence, most of the students had stopped fearing him just because of his aura. It also helped that he was regularly seen with the four Gryffindors, yet his housemates weren't brave enough to taunt him regarding that.
They had tried to make his life difficult, but after a swollen hand as Rebastian LeStrange had attempted to rummage through his trunk, they had left him alone.
He crossed the grounds at a steady pace taking the path toward the village, a number of student can be seen walking toward the village.
His mind wandered to the last news that he has heard, Tom wasn't facing any opposition from the Ministry. That was both concerning and not unexpected, his political alliance was his first priority right now. If his alliance could get the hold of votes then they could remove the incompetent minister.
With those thoughts swirling in his mind he arrived at the village, he looked around to notice students scattered across the village shopping in different shops.
He took the way toward his destination, 'The Pale Horse' restaurant wasn't a very famous place. As the village was mainly visited by students and teacher of Hogwarts, the somewhat costly restaurant wasn't that famous unless you're trying to impress your date.
The institution looked pretty different from the others of the village, it didn't had that 'old and dingy but homely' feel. No, it was a proper café, as the magical were unware of the difference they simply called it a restaurant.
He entered the shop pushing the glass door, the café looked clean and sophisticated from inside. His fell upon the lone figure at the end of first line of tables, he strode forward and took a seat infront of his father silently.
Charlus was reading a copy of Daily Prophet, the headline screamed of another attack the previous night on a muggle neighbourhood.
"Mhm.." Harry cleared his throat to grab the attention of Charlus, who looked up with a hint of amusement in his eyes. He already knew that Harry was seated infront, he just wanted to annoy the boy.
"Ah, Harry" Charlus greeted him with a mischievous smile.
"Yeah, I get it, Dad. It's funny" Harry said dryly but the sides of lips twitched up, making it less effective.
"How's James and Sirius, and Jane?" Charlus asked placing his paper on the table eyeing the raven perched on his shoulder.
"They are fine." He replied lifting his arm the raven took flight and exited the cafe through the slightly ajar door, to keep an eye out for someone hostile.
Harry can swear that Orev was even more intelligent than Hedwig had been somehow, it understood him word to word, and he had taught it to keep an eye on anyone unwanted.
"Let me order something, then we will discuss all this" He said and called the waiter, a quill with notepad appeared at his table.
"One dark coffee, and a Cappuccino" Harry nodded in acceptance. "Also bring two Vanilla pastries" He added as an after thought.
"Now, why do you need the Falconern mansion?" Charlus asked straight forward, his tone couldn't hide his curiosity.
"I want a faraway place, warded to teeth and nails. It would work both as a safehouse to store something important but equally maligned" Harry explained his proposition.
"And what things are those, Harry?" Charlus asked cautiously.
Harry looked around before waving his untraceable wand three times, identified by the slight paler appearance, three layers of privacy ward erected around the table.
Charlus lifted an eyebrow at the advance spell, and Harry's non verbal incantation with bare wand movement.
"Do you know what's a Horcrux?" Harry asked tensely.
"Merlin's hairy balls, where did you hear the term, Son?" The man asked with wide eyes, his posture stiff.
"I had came across them in my previous life, and I'm confirm one of those are in castle" Harry answered honestly.
"Y-You, the artifacts you were talking about—you were talking about them, weren't you?" asked Charlus, the amusement drained from his eyes.
"Yes, there are certain artifacts that have been turned into those vile things, to house his soul." Harry said dejectedly .
Charlus revealed his wand, and grabbed Harry's arm hastily.
"I, Charlus Henry Potter, vow that whatever I have heard today from one Harry Potter can't be revealed by me under any circumstances without his permission, So I swore; So it mote be" A thread bound the vow tightly.
Charlus slumped into his chair, pinching his nose tiredly.
Meanwhile, Harry was shocked by this sudden move of Charlus. He trusted the man more than anyone in this life, except maybe Dorea or James or even Sirius. He wouldn't ever force the man to make a vow, but it was the right thing to do.
"You're not allowed to reveal it to any one" Harry bounded the vow completely now. Charlus nodded appreciatively.
"That's simply the most heinous thing one might do, dissecting your soul and placing the pieces in objects" Charlus breathed out. "Dabbling in soul magic; that too of the worst possible kind"
Harry nodded with his words. Yes, it was the worst kind of magic one could get access to. Harry, himself, wasn't an epitome of light magic. After the death of Teddy, Harry had ventured through the tomes that were considered dark for even that era. If you could make a list of the spells in his arsenal, sixty-percent would be dark and ten-percent out of them would be simply vile.
But Shamanism and light necromancy were where Harry drew a line, light and un-vilified necromancy was the worst he could associate himself with.
"How many exactly?" Charlus asked hesitantly, fearing the answer already.
"Two at least, three at most. He would make more unless I get hold of the artifacts he wish to use, he's an arrogant bastard and wouldn't chose common things as his soul piece" Harry answered without filter.
Charlus hands found his face. Really? Three soul piece, and planning to make more? That was just lunacy. This man was a lunatic that had somehow got hold of the most vile magic, even Grindlewald wasn't that barbaric. The man was a monster in every aspect, but he never dabbled in magic that disturbs the natural order.
"I will provide you with keys of the manner, and I suggest you add more security to one room where you'll keep them" Charlus accepted rubbing his forehead.
Seeing that there discussion was over on the sensitive matter, Harry lifted his privacy ward.
The flying plate placed itself on the table, his cup of coffee and pastry flew to him.
"I plan on using one of the most isolated room of the mansion, there's no need to waste the whole property if it can be avoided" Charlus nodded at his suggestion.
"I want to use it as our headquarters, the property is fairly isolated and big enough to be of our comfort" Harry added taking a sip of his coffee.
Charlus looked up with worried expression. "I don't think that's good idea with those artifact stored there"
Harry shook his head negatively. "No, that's why I said I'll use the most isolated room. Moreover, I will add my personal wards and additional security onto it, it'll be untouchable"
"If you think you can do that, then it's ok. Use the tower at the back of the mansion for that, it's still under the wards but not part of the mansion" Charlus suggested with a sigh.
"We need to inform Arcturus of this, he would be fairly unhappy if we hide this from him" Charlus advised after a quick ponder.
"No, I don't trust him" Harry denied stubbornly.
"I understand you don't trust them, Harry, but give Arcturus a chance. He's not same as his family, I mean he is—but not entirely" Charlus amended after a look from Harry.
Harry sighed before nodding, but he would first bind the man with a vow first. That gave away to another thought, this would give him chance to prove to Dumbledore that Arcturus is at their side only.
"I think you two should come to the Hogwarts tomorrow night, I will retrieve the artifact in your audience and can prove that it's all true" Harry purposed.
Charlus thought on his suggestion before nodding. "Yes, that can be arranged. That'll give us needed credence with Arcturus, you'll bring Dumbledore, I believe"
"Yes, It would strengthen our pull when he sees that Arcturus is with us on the right side" Harry agreed.
"It's set then, I will bring him to the gates of the castle tomorrow" Charlus accepted.
"Yes, you do that. Additionally I need you to connect it with a lesser property in London, and rename it to Wandhorn." Anybody that's been to there would forget the location if he adds his ward after that.
"Ok, anything else?" Charlus asked.
"No, We should conclude the meeting" He said truthfully.
Harry stood up from the table and after a brief hug to Charlus he exited the shop, he extended his arm, as expected his bird landed on it. He guided it to his shoulder before taking the other way from Hogwarts, he still had some businesses to take care of.
At the end of the alley, beside Zonko's, was the store he was looking for, he had need for more books. He hadn't completed the books he had purchased from the Knockturn alley, but he knew a few books that he had to buy immediately.
One of the books was about the various shamanic methods used by the people of Central Asia and South East Asia. Another one he had acquired from the same store about ritualistic limits, and lesser deities around the world.
Those books can only be found in this particular store, the store was invisible to regular eyes, unless you were invited here by the shopkeeper himself you can't know its location.
Harry pulled the cap of his cloak to cover his face, with a quick flick he cast a sight obscuring charm on his face, it would make his facial features unnoticeable.
He entered the shop and bought both the books, the books were pretty costly, 80 and 130 galleons. He paid for them silently before the exiting the shop, and entered an another alley beside it.
Making sure he was alone he cancelled the charm and readjusted his cloak before leaving the alley from other side.
(_-_-_X_-_-_)
Bellatrix saw the Potter boy returning to the common room after three hours, she was lounging on the sofa streaming through one of her new books.
The boy had two books in his arms, one with black cover and another with maroon. He climbed the stairs to the boy's dormitory, and returned a minute later with a different book. He settled himself on the armchair near the fire and started reading, the book he held didn't had a descriptive cover. Or it was that he had made it specially so? it could be, the boy was already known as being private.
And that wasn't surprising, through her connection with Dorea, Bellatrix knew that the Potter family wasn't the most public family of Britain. The family was always shrouded into mystique, they had been fighting Dark lords for ages.
It was a common knowledge or preconceived notion that the family was battle hardened. You could point atleast a single Potter in every war fought across the Wizarding Britain against a dark lord. William Potter, father of Henry Potter had fought Hendrick the third, Henry Potter had fought in the first war against Grindlewald, and Charlus Potter had been one of the war heroes of the second war against Grindlewald.
Her grandfather had always said that James didn't have half the power his father had acquired at that age, but not about the second Potter boy. He was sent to abroad to control his power, and the scars on his face told a tale of not a comfortable life.
Bellatrix wasn't a idiot girl, she had noticed the changes in demeanor of her grandfather while she stayed with him. He was arrogant, all Blacks were, although the old man had right to be arrogant. After all he was a war hero of the second war against Grindlewald. Even her father and uncle were afraid of him, but he could swear that he seemed more paranoid since the last time they had meet.
And Potter's sudden appearance at the same time was just too much of a coincidence, she knew there was a connection. She could also not deny that boy was hot, even with the scars on his face, Georgia Fawley wasn't the only girl falling head over heels to grab the attention of the boy.
Still, there was something different about him. The grace he involuntarily used to move around, the magical aura he excluded without even trying, his more than excellent performance in almost every class. Even then he didn't spend much time with his housemates, he can be always seen around his brother and her cousin.
She glanced up to see him fully focused on his book, she quickly looked down at her book, she didn't wanted to give him the wrong idea that she's interested in him.
(_-_-_X_-_-_)
Charlus was at the gates of the Hogwarts, Arcturus stood beside him eyeing the gates impassively.
Finally, the headmaster came to the gates opening with a swish of his wand, stood beside him was Harry.
He had persuaded the headmaster to let the Black patriarch and his father join them for this short adventure, he was reluctant at first but accepted it after a brief discussion.
"Dumbledore" Charlus greeted the man neutrally. While Arcturus only left him with a short nod, he joined Charlus without saying anything.
"Ah, Mr Potter. You have still to tell me what this is about." Dumbledore said to the boy beside him, the other followed them into the castle.
"It's about one of those artifacts, we talked previously about." He answered leading them up to the stairs to the second floor.
Before he could say further a voice called to them, he looked up to see Bellatrix black stood on the stairs that would join to theirs in a few moments.
"Grandfather" Bellatrix greeted the man respectfully. "I didn't knew you were here, Did Sirius pranked someone over the limits this time?" She asked attentively to her grandfather.
"Now...Now, Miss Black, whatever the issue is it can be resolved between me and your grandfather." Dumbledore injected with a smile, his eyes twinkling merrily. "I would advise you to return to your classes right now, I am sure that Lord Black will inform you of any such alteration, if they take place" He added.
Bellatrix scowled at the man for interrupting, but her eyes fell upon the other members of the convoy. The Potter boy was conversing with his father in silent tone, they weren't paying any attention to the interaction between the other three.
Bellatrix pursued her lips and nodded to her grandfather respectfully, before taking her leaving silently. Her eyes never left the back of the Potter boy as he led the group toward another set of stairs.
It was confirmed now, Her grandfather had acquainted himself with the Potter boy, and he was responsible for the sudden changes in the Black Patriarch. This needed to be investigated, she will have to observe the Harry Potter more often.
Meanwhile, Harry and the group has arrived on the seventh floor.
"Now, I must warn you all, the artifact that we're here to retrieve is priceless" Arcturus lifted an eyebrow at that. "But at no cost, you should try to touch it bare handed or place it on you head, it must've a confundus and compulsion charm on it" He warned them seriously.
Charlus nodded acceptingly, it was expected of a man who can dissect his soul in several pieces.
"What this artifact is actually? Charlus never informed me of that" Arcturus asked, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.
Harry sighed. "Not here, let's go in"
"In? But where?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
Harry begun pacing back and fro infront of the wall, the other three eyed him strangely before their widened by several fraction.
"Gentlemen, I present you with the Room of Requirement" Harry said with an extravagant gesture.
The three men looked in surprise as a door materialized infront of them from a stone wall, Dumbledore chuckled lightly.
"This was the same room I had came face to face with, I was in desperate need of a Chamber pot" The old coot admitted to himself.
Arcturus scowled at him while Charlus shook his head, Harry opened the room to mountains of mundane objects and artifacts.
"The room itself provide you with chambers that you're in need of, this...is the room of hidden things" Harry said walking in.
"Fascinating" Charlus whispered eyeing the piles of object with wide eyes.
"As I say always saw, Hogwarts holds many secrets that even its headmasters are unfamiliar with" Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling in astonishment.
"What's all this?" Arcturus said, his voice lacking its commanding weight.
"Things hidden by students since the foundation of the school, there are likely hundred-thousands artifacts" Harry replied swiftly, suddenly his mind caught to an event of his previous life.
He lifted his wand and whispered. "Accio Vanishing Cabinet"
There was a rattle, and a big crash as a cupboard flied to their position.
Harry rotated his wand and the cabinet shrunk in size to fit in his fist, he looked at it morbidly before giving it to Charlus.
"Put that in the mansion, and buy a similar look cabinet from Borgin and Burke's. Place that in same place" He instructed the man, who nodded without question.
"I'm afraid but that cabinet belongs to the school, Harry" Dumbledore interjected, Arcturus sneered at his back before looking at Harry expectantly.
"It would be better for you and the school that I take that thing, believe me" Harry replied, and returned back to his work.
He again flicked his wand, and whispered. "Accio books"
Pile and Pile of books flew to land beside the boy, after a few minutes the books stop coming. There were 50 piles of books of 15 books in each, 750 books in total.
"That's school property, Dumbledore, Call an elf and let them take these to library" Harry offered him.
"Binny and Hilly" Dumbledore called, two elves appeared with soft pops and short bows.
"Binny, take these books to Library, and Hilly, tell professor McGonagall to keep an eye on them until I come and sort them" The bearded man said with a smile, the elves nodded before following the orders of the Headmaster.
"Now to our main concern" Harry said twirling his wand, the garbage shifted as Harry walked forward toward the place he had found the Diadem.
He crossed the familiar Statue and reached to the upturned couch. Who was dumb enough to hide a couch in this room? That too rather posh looking, he flicked his wand leftward and the sofa flew to the other side.
Now the group could see a black box on the top of the pile. With a swish it floated to Harry's feet, he backed the others away.
"What's in that damned box? It reeks of magic darker than I've ever seen" Arcturus sneered, his eye catching that of Harry.
"I don't think it's wise to release this knowledge, it could be used against..."
"Shut up, You bearded git. I am more than eligible to know about this, I've aligned with him" Arcturus growled out.
"Calm down, You two... It's the magic of that thing, it's worsening your fears..." Charlus trailed off with a gulp.
"He is right, control your urges, it's making you more susceptible to your anger" Harry grounded. He pocketed his primary wand, and revealed his secondary with a twist of his ankle.
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow but retained from saying anything.
"I need a vow from you, If you want to know what this is then you'll give me one unbreakable" Harry said sternly, with room for arguments.
"You can't threaten me, boy. I'll not be giving out vows whenever you need, I have the right to know what's in there" Arcturus refused furiously.
"It's affecting him worse than us" Harry muttered eyeing the object disdainfully.
He pushed back Charlus gently, before forming shapes with his wand in the air. Runes, deep blue in colour were written in a circle of five. He rotated it horizontally with his free hand and pushed it down on the box forcefully.
The magic shimmered bright before settling down, the feeling of dire evil evaporated from the atmosphere.
"That was amazing, my boy. Only a number of rune master could do what you've done" Dumbledore complimented him rubbing his beard in surprise.
"Yeah, I've only seen Dorea do that and... Augusta. Mind you, both have NEWT in Runes." Charlus added proudly.
Arcturus was wide eyed as his glanced at the box resentfully. "It's something else, I swear I had felt there object" The man scowled.
"The Vow, uncle" Harry reminded him respectfully.
"Yeah, Sure" He said and gave the vow without any hesitation.
"Now, that this knowledge is secure. It's a Horcrux, made by Tom riddle" Harry revealed.
"Horcrux, an abomination." Arcturus whispered eyeing the box with wide eyes.
"Yeah, It's one of three" Harry said conjuring a marble table and placed it on that.
"Now, let work on securing this" Harry said drawing more runes in the air, a set of three, then five, again three and a last seven.
Over layering them one above others with five on the top and seven at bottom, he forced them down on the box. Runes begun appearing on the box, begun with five on top, three on each sides except seven on bottom. Harry rubbed the sweat accumulated on his forehead, before taking out a wooden tabled, the size of his thumb. The wood had several signs etched on it, Arcturus could swore that he saw a familiar sign on its back.
Harry placed the wooden tablet on the bottom of the box and it stuck there, with a grunt he left the box on the table.
Dumbledore moved forward and picked up the box, Arcturus and Charlus stiffened at his actions but relaxed when he placed it back.
"An excellent work, Harry. I have only seen curse breaker doing it, a multilayered ward keyed to the Horcrux. It's near impossible to break this" He said eyeing the box curiously.
"I need to leave the castle tonight, Dumbledore. I'll place this thing somewhere isolated, I have use of it in future" He said placing the box in a sack transfigured from the table.
"Why don't we destroy it? It will be one less abomination" Arcturus questioned with a scowl.
"He could feel it, if an individual has three or less Horcruxes, he's consciousness is directly connected to them" Harry said as the four left the room of requirement.
"Maybe, I could suggest you a right place to..." Dumbledore begun but Harry cut him with a shake of his head.
"I will not trust anyone with this, it's very dangerous magic and can be turned against us if it reaches in the hand of a naïve or twisted individual" Harry said sternly.
Dumbledore granted Harry with a leave after signing a small parchment of allowance, and left for his quarter.
Harry disappareted with Charlus and Arcturus to London.
Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter series; All rights are reserved for JK Rowling.