A/N: Hello. In this chapter we'll have the most awaited confrontation between Harriet and Dumbledore. He won't be bad or evil, just so set on his ways that he couldn't accept anything different or new.

More secrets about Cassius will be revealed too.

Enjoy!

Chapter 7: The confrontation

Cassius led Harriet away from Weasley. He could feel the turbulence in her magic, it wanted to lash out and punish those who had hurt her.

"Let's wait for the scores, it's just a formality, you did better than all of them combined."

A slight dust of pink colored her cheeks at his praise:''I don't really care; their opinion means nothing to me. I know I did well, but it wasn't them I wanted to please."

Her emerald eyes widened at her slip. She looked so endearing when she acted her age; he was used to her being mature and behaving like an older girl. Many forgot that the Girl Who Lived was only fourteen, they expected so much from her, pressed her for more. Cassius wanted her to be at ease, to do what she liked without thinking twice, without worrying about others' reactions, so he asked slyly:"Then, who did you want to impress?"

She narrowed her eyes and held her head higher. He liked that about her too, Harriet was a good-natured girl but at times, she sported a temper hotter than fire.''You know the answer, why ask then?"

Cassius squeezed the hand that was still holding his:''I know nothing Miss Potter.''

She huffed:"Fine, I tried my best for you and for all those who helped prepare me for today. Are you happy now?"

"We are definitely elated Golden Girl, you would've regretted it if you did poorly today."

Jena's voice cut their moment short, damn his cousin.

Harriet's grip loosened around his hand, he let her go.

"Harriet! I'm glad you're fine. I was worried since you got the meanest dragon out of the four. Your luck sucks sister."

Sister? So Harriet and Longbottom were really godsiblings? It would give her more protection. No one wanted to deal with an angry Dowager Longbottom.

"Thank you Nev, I'm used to it by now."

"And now, let's found about Miss Potter's scores." Bagman's voice boomed making them wince."Miss Potter, despite her young age, not only used advanced spells, but managed to restrict her dragon showing a spectacular control of her magic. Anyone who thought that they could write her off must be eating their words now."

Cassius smirked; of course they should be feeling pretty foolish right now. The little lioness was splendid. What he saw a little while ago wasn't a simple trial to win some points but a demonstration of a powerful, ruthless warrior in the make. Harriet might be unaware of the magnificence of the control she exhibited. But surely, the hawk eyes that followed her weren't.

The judges resumed their position and the chatter died down. Madame Maxim stood up and held her wand straight, a silver ribbon shot in the air and twisted itself in the number nine.

"Not bad Potty", Adrian snickered,"she took a point just for spite.''

Harriet shrugged and gave him an impassive look.

Crouch came next and shot up the number ten. Cassius noticed that Harriet was glaring at the stony faced man. So Black told her everything? Well, he shouldn't have done it, why did the bloody fool give her more things to worry about?

"Quite amazing." Greengrass stated,''It's not easy to impress someone like Crouch."

"Believe me it wasn't my intention.'' Harriet said through clenched teeth. Longbottom looked worried about her sudden mood swings.

Bagman shot another ten, sporting a big smile and winking at her. Cassius stiffened, what was his game?

Karkaroff stood, glared at Bagman and shot a five.

Well, someone was showing blatant favoritism. Krum gave the dragon a severe eye injury and got a ten. It seemed the Ex Death Eater needed a visit, Cassius didn't trust him at all.

"Five? Is it even allowed to be biased like this publicly? Harriet was the best." Longbottom looked outraged but Harriet shook her head and said calmly:''What would you expect from a Death Eater? The real question is why was he allowed inside the walls of Hogwarts.'' Longbottom's eyes widened, the innocent boy was unaware of many facts and maybe including him in some meetings would help.

Finally, Albus many names Dumbledore stood, his blue eyes twinkled when he spotted Harriet, Cassius wanted to stand before her but knew that it would backfire. She didn't need a shield, she needed a companion. Cassius liked that about her, he liked witches who went after their goals as aggressively as wizards did. He liked intelligent girls with fire, like Harriet. He liked powerful, independent girls. He liked Harriet Potter.

It was not a surprise that the king liked a queen. Because that was the thing, right? The king didn't look in the direction of damsels in distress, didn't like doing any saving. His queen couldn't be a hurdle that's pulling him down. She would be his pillar and he would be her strength.

"Well that makes you ranked first." A new voice made him turn his head. The Gryffindor quidditch team members were standing next to their small gathering. The girls were smiling even though it was clear that felt uneasy in the presence of many members of his house. The evil twins from hell were observing the strange group. Whoever thought that they were simple pranksters with no ambition whatever was foolish. They were so perceptive for their own good. Spending six years with them made Cassius quite aware of their intelligence.

Hearing approaching footsteps, he turned slowly and cursed inwardly.

The last person he wanted near Harriet right now was standing before them.

"Harriet, you did great today." Dumbledore smiled genuinely, his eyes were darting between him and Harriet. "I want to have a word with you later, for now enjoy your win. Your friends are you strength my girl, never forget that. You may have some bumps all along the road, but never give up on that bond."

"I'll meet you later, sir." Harriet answered neutrally. Her lips quivered for just an instant before settling into a hard, determined line.

"I'll be in my office. Now enjoy you time together, I feel a sudden need for some pepper imps." He winked at her before leaving.

Everyone looked puzzled at the weird conversation, but Harriet seemed to understand what he meant.

"Are you alright?" He asked trying to cut the awkward silence.

"I'm fine, I don't know what he's playing at. We hadn't talked since the champions' selection. What does he want now?"

"Maybe he'll explain his reasons for leaving you to fend for yourself since October." Adrian interjected coldly.

Cassius cast his best friend a dark glare, though he had nothing to do with Dumbledore's unwanted visit, it wouldn't do to speak too freely in the presence of Gryffindors. They were another undetermined variable. It was too early to know if they were allies or foes.

"I think you should go now Pucey, I can see that Urquhart is waiting for you. Did you forget what you had to do?" His made his voice soft and his expression wore a mask of calm he wished he felt.

Adrian inclined his head and left dejectedly.

Fred Weasley rolled his eyes before he said:"Well, Dumbledore likes to talk in riddles. Do you think Georgie that he would volunteer to test our new candies? He seems to like sweets."

George Weasley grinned mischievously:''I like how your brain works my smart brother, maybe our dear Harriet will ask him later? Right my dearest sister? It's for the greater good after all." He winked at Harriet whose eyes widened at his last words.

Everyone stopped talking and looked at the twins, they were sporting naughty smirks. Their eyes locked with Cassius for a moment:''Warrington, I think we should meet later."One of them said. "Harriet, we'll have a party in the common room, don't you dare disappear tonight. Well, ladies and gentlemen, we must leave and start preparing for the festivities. Gryffindor people see you later." They bowed before leaving.

It seemed he wasn't the only one who hated the 'greater good' that Dumbledore liked so much.

He never liked that word. It was because of the greater good that many good witches and wizards decided to leave the country, and get away from Dumbledore's reign.

It was because of the greater good that people voted for the likes of Fudge to represent them in spite of the fact that he was only a puppet.

In a way, the greater good was the root of all evil. Decisions based on it were impulsive and almost always had dire consequences down the line. Ones that could be dangerous or lethal even.

With a heavy heart, he turned towards Harriet:''It won't do to let your friends wait. You should celebrate tonight; you deserve it more than anyone." He smiled when she blushed again, taking her hand, he lifted it for a tender kiss. Gasps echoed behind them, her Gryffindor friends were looking at them wide eyed. Harriet spun around and glared at the group huddling behind her, shooing them away. Cassius took this opportunity to lean closer and whispered in her ear:"I'll meet you later in our room. Don't make it a long wait."

"I'll be there."She promised, then her lips lifted in a wicked smile that matched the ones he used to give her."I am not giving up on our nightly meetings, of that you can be sure."

Cassius offered her a small bow:"That sounds very tempting, it's a date then."

Harriet was escorted by the girls to their common room. And even though she agreed to sit for a while and party with them, her mind was wandering elsewhere.

The twins outdid themselves with the decorations, but Dean's painting amused her the most. It was a moving picture of her knocking off the other champions of their brooms and letting them fall in a Horntail's open mouth.

Ginny and Angelina took the seats next to her, after exchanging a sly look, the redhead started:"So, you and Warrington? I didn't know that you set such high bar for your boyfriend, I thought you were merely disinterested in boys."

Angelina snickered:"Why Ginny, of course our Harriet deserves the best. Even though he's a slytherin, I have to admit that I can't find a fault with him. He's gorgeous, courteous, intelligent and most importantly we never had quarrels with him. He never uttered a word against Gryffs or muggleborns since I met him six years ago."

Harriet gave them a sideward glance, trying to hide her nerves:"Do I have a say in all this? It seems you are stating facts not asking for the truth."

Amusement danced in Ginny brown eyes when she gained a mischievous look:" Please, don't insult our intelligence. There's something going on between you two." When she opened her mouth to object, a new voice added:"Don't you dare deny it Potter, our sight is perfect you know.'' Katie smarted.

"Fine!" She huffed indignantly,"I find Cassius…..likable."

The three girls roared with laughter, Angelina whipped her tears before getting serious all of a sudden:''Harriet, this is Cassius Warrington we're talking about. You can't call him likable.

We were classmates since first year. The guy is something else; he oozes predatory dominance. Every single thing he does reveals his power and supremacy over everyone in the castle, including Snape. You don't see the way he treats him in the potions' class. I think he's the only student that the bat stays clear of his way. He's probably the most handsome student in Hogwarts and maybe the wealthiest too, but the way he carries himself lets you know how ruthless, cunning and cold he can be. You can see it in his eyes. Are you sure that you can handle all this?"

Harriet said nothing for a moment, everything Angelina stated was true. Cassius's intensity and self confidence could make others feel uneasy. She knew that the way he dealt with her was special; it was full of care. The heir Warrington Hogwarts knew was totally different. He was so calculating, a predator waiting for his prey to slip.

She looked into her friend's compassionate eyes:''I know Angie, but there's a side of him that few know about. He trusted me enough to show it to me. He's a good guy, a friend that you can count on in your time of need. For me that's more important than which house he belongs to or what others think of him. He can be lethal and cynical but he's soft and caring too. I know that mother would've liked him."

Ginny and Katie shoulders were shaking softly and she knew they were laughing, she almost stomped her foot but she didn't want to be called childish, so she let them have their fun even if it was at her expense:"Oh Harriet, you're so whipped."

"I hate you, you know." She hissed glaring at them.

After being tormented by her friends for a while and almost getting deaf from the egg's wailing when she opened it, Harriet left for Dumbledore's office.

She would think about the second task later, she owed it to herself to have a little break.

"Pepper imps." She whispered at the gargoyle dreading this meeting. It had been a while since she was summoned to the headmaster's office. She had wanted so bad to be called when she was abandoned by her friends and hated by almost everyone in the school, but Dumbledore ignored her silent pleas and acted like she didn't exist. She shook her head in dismay as the statue allowed her passage. Without a word, the door opened and she found herself facing the man she considered a grandfather for three years.

He smiled softly:"Take a sit my girl. Did you enjoy yourself?"

Harriet looked ever his shoulder while talking:"Yes sir, you know how the twins like to make everything gaudy and flamboyant." She gave a warm smile despite herself. She liked the Weasley twins so much; they could always make her forget about her worries.

"Very well then," He stayed silent for a moment, looking lost in his thoughts, before giving her a piercing look:"you must think that I abandoned you, but there are many facts that you don't know yet. There are many things that I have to do and I don't have much time in my hands. I'm sorry if I let you down my dear."

Harriet was stunned; she couldn't find anything to say. For a moment she wanted to scream and roar. Whose fault was that she was so ignorant and lacking? Who gave him the right to hide things that concerned her and keep them to himself?

She wanted to smash Dumbledore's trinkets, but as she noticed the exhausted look on his face, she knew that keeping her cool was the best way to deal with this unwanted meeting.

When she didn't utter a word, Dumbledore's expression became crestfallen.''Harriet, don't you have anything to tell me?"

''I'm fine sir, you don't need to apologize.'' her tone was distinctly proud and she found herself looking away before she could dissect the emotion behind his eyes. The headmaster wouldn't take offense to it. He didn't owe her anything.

When she looked at his face again, he was looking contemplative but happy:"I think that I've never been prouder of you my dear. You did grow up so much; it saddens me that you didn't get the chance to enjoy your teenage years but maybe it's for the best."

The best for whom? She wanted to ask, but bit her tongue before she lashed out at him.

Harriet noticed that he was staring intently at her face, as if trying to find something.

It had to be a deliberate play on his end to get her to spill her secrets, but she wasn't stupid. Not anymore.

The silence stretched on for longer than she was comfortable with, it took her a considerable amount of restraint to not break first and try to fill the void with chatter.

"Harriet I noticed that you formed some new friendships this year, and while I do encourage you to broaden your circle, I ask you to proceed with caution. Not everyone has good intentions towards you."

Any doubt that she had evaporated the moment he finished talking. So that was it? He wanted to interfere with her life again. Why did he care about which friends she chose? Was he even allowed to do so? For a moment her hands trembled and she felt a spark of magic that radiated from her fingers. ''What do you mean sir?" She said solemnly even though her anger was fighting violently against her impassive exterior.

Dumbledore sighed sending her a sad look:"My dear girl, you've surrounded yourself with Slytherins. I'm not implying that they will do you harm and I'm not presuming that they are bad, they are after all children. But why did you give up on Mr Weasley and Miss Granger? You three overcame many hardships; do you think it's wise to let them go in times like these? You know that Voldemort is somewhere out there waiting for the right moment to show up."

Harriet gritted her teeth, what did he know? He was pretending that she didn't exist, he told her nothing that could help her survive and now he had the gall to criticize her?

It was the same since she entered the magical world, everyone thought that they had a right in her life, that she was a public property. She was her own person and the master of her fate. No more bowing, no more following.

"With due respect sir, but how is the matter of my friends relevant to our Voldemort problem? You said earlier that my friends are my strength, Ron and Hermione definitely weren't.

I'm grateful for their help in my previous 'problems' but that doesn't give them the right to treat me so poorly. I admit that at first I was angry and resentful, then after pondering on the matter, I found that it may be for the best. People change, circumstances and beliefs change too. They were the best I could have for the previous three years but not anymore. Questioning my honesty and my integrity made me realize the trust wasn't really mutual. I don't begrudge them anymore, but I'm not ready to open up to them again. I found what I need with my new friends and I don't care what house they're from, it won't really matter in the long run. Like you said, I can't fight Voldemort and his cohort with feeble bonds. I need more. I need better. After all we have to make sacrifices for the greater good, sir."

For a moment Dumbledore looked taken back, and then sadness and grief filled his cerulean eyes:"I think that the damage is more extensive than I thought and I fear that I did you a great disservice my girl. I shouldn't have let you alone for so long. I'm terribly sorry."

Was it a year ago, Harriet would feel remorseful for causing the forlorn expression on Dumbledore's face, but not today. Her opinion of him dwindled significantly over the last months. She had always thought him infallible but she had enough of his riddles and his manipulations. He had some work to do if he wanted to gain her trust again.

"Do you have something else you want to say sir? I'm terribly tired." She murmured softly, her voice almost breaking due the raw sadness she was feeling.

The headmaster looked contrite for a second, then he cast his eyes downward. "I wish you luck for the rest of the tournament and I ask you to think about what I said. I know that I'm not always there for you but if you need anything you only have to say the word. I'll do my best to help you."

"Thank you sir. I'll be taking my leave.'' She said in a clipped voice, feeling hollow and drained.

Cassius was lying on his four poster bed holding his father's letter and thinking about today's events.

To say that Lord Arkeus Warrington was angry was an understatement. After what happened to their family, he hated nothing more than injustice. Cassius wished that his father was whole, that he could've done more, but he knew that he was doing his best considering the circumstances. Losing Maximus and Amadeus almost destroyed him. After all nothing in this world can heal the loss of a twin, the link was one of the most sacred for magical people, losing it meant losing a part of your soul. It's by cheer stubbornness and inner power that the current Lord Warrington was operating.

For now, he was talking to his allies and looking for a way to give Lord Black justice.

Cassius hoped that he would have some good news soon.

Abruptly, he felt a familiar warmth nearing and he groaned inwardly. Adrian knocked once before entering. Even having his own room couldn't protect him from the little monster.

"Don't you have any respect for your king's privacy Pucey? I didn't give you permission to come inside."Cassius said trying to look serious even though he needed some company at the moment.

"I'm terribly sorry my liege." The bastard snickered, "We both know that you detected my signature a mile away."

Cassius shook his head; it was useless to argue with his childhood friend. He was the only person he could act so casually with. No one saw his real face bar Adrian.

"Let's keep it short, what do you want?" He sighed.

"We finished our meeting and everything is going well, Vaisey and Urquhart made sure that no one bothered or taunted dear Potter after the task, everyone stayed clear from the chubby Longbottom. Little Mafoy is mostly keeping to himself; there's still hope to save the albino. Zabini is testing the waters with Bones, Abott and Turpin, you know how that boy can charm the ladies. Oh! How did it go with the twins?"

"It went well,"Cassius said as he rubbed his forehead, "I was right, they are aware of almost everything and they are willing to help. Congratulations Pucey, you gained two new buddies." He smiled evilly.

"Damn it! How long are you going to torture me? You know that I still have nightmares from their last prank. We don't even have quidditich this year so I can't trash them and have my revenge."

Cassius shook his head at his friend's antics.

Adrian gave him a teasing glace before continuing:"And how did it go with the future Lady Warrington? Your little stunt after the task is taking the first spot in Hogwarts' rumor mill. Congrats my king, once again you are the center of the spotlight.''

Cassius groaned and turned to look up at the ceiling allowing his eyes to drop slightly as he murmured:"You know that I had never wanted to be the king or to rule but I had to. No one was raising a finger to salvage our house's reputation, the previous upper years didn't care for the younger, and the court was abandoned for too long, no one dared to take the test since Regulus Black. I had to do it Adrian, gaining power and surrounding myself with allies is the only way I had to protect us. The old ways must come back again. And there is Harriet, you know what she is to me." Cassius closed his eyes and felt like he was crumbling under the weight of his burden.

"You are not alone Cassius."Adrian's voice was serious for once,"We're here for you. We're in this together and we trust you to lead us to victory. Oh, and don't think that you had a choice in the matter, you was always meant to be the king, it was just a matter of time. Where can we find someone as cold and as bossy as you?" His banter was making the atmosphere feel lighter.

Cassius rolled his eyes and snickered:''Why Pucey, I would've never thought that you placed me in such high pedestal. Thankfully I know how recompense you." Adrian paled slightly at the look in his eyes which made his grin broaden:''The Yule ball is close and as your king and your best friend I'll help you get a certain blue eyed brunette as your date, It's my duty to ensure your happiness."

Adrian closed his eyes and then dropped his head and groaned:"You are utterly evil."