The not so Insane Dark Lord
On the eve of July 2nd 1993, the wizards and witches of Britain bearing the dark mark felt their arms blaze like fire. Their master was calling and they didn't even know how, when and where he was. Nonetheless, they knew not to ignore the call. What they got was not what they expected. On apparating, they landed on an old graveyard, in front of which stood a not so big manor House, the Riddle Manor.
The first one to arrive was Mulciber. He was shocked to see a very handsome man sitting on what looked like a throne. Not only that, but there were people present around him. Severus he could understand but there were Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Quirinus Quirell and what the hell were two kids doing there? That too Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy? Did Malfoy know his son was here? If not, he will know soon. He quietly went and stood in a corner.
Slowly, people began to fill the chamber. It was evident that this was meeting of the inner circle. It was also evident that the man sitting on the throne was the Dark Lord, but there was something different. When everyone had come and settled, Francois, or shall we say Tom, got up and addressed the masses, "My dear devoted followers, those who have not caught up yet, I am Lord Voldemort. Yes I have come back from the dead, with the help of my dear friend and brother in all but blood, Quirinus Quirell. Those intelligent enough must have also caught on the fact that things are different. For starters, I look like a 35 year old now. I also have revised my goals. Before I tell you my goals, I wish to retract the Dark Mark that you carry with you. Do not fret my friends. If after knowing my agendas, you wish to follow me still, you will stand by me as friend and ally not as follower. Now, the process is a bit painful but once the mark is gone so will the pain. Trust me my friends, it is better this way. This will also take away the mark of any marked death eater out in this world, but they need not know what happened. They are not my companions, never were. They are just sheep who follow the crowd."
With that, Tom hummed some incantation, unheard by anyone. There were one or two shrieks from the people while others pursed their lips and bore the pain silently. Within a couple minutes, the pain and the mark were gone. Once everyone composed themselves, Tom continued.
"Dear friends, my birth name is Tom Marvolo Riddle. My mother was a near squib and my father a muggle. Doesn't this show you all too are gullible in your choices if only you can gain power? Well, after my father left my mother and she died of child birth, yes my birth, I grew up in an orphanage where I was loathed and bullied because I was different. I became bitter. When the treatment continued in school, I took the wrong path. I was intelligent. I could have taken over the world without a drop of blood, but that did not happen. There are various reasons for that out of which the biggest is Dumbledore. As he ignored my abuse so has he ignored the abuse of many children who come under his care. In the last two years, along with Quirinus, a young man has helped me rediscover myself. That young man is Harry Potter, my arch nemesis. Turns out, we did not need to fight it till death. My new goals my friends are still power, but political this time. I want to gain full control over the Ministry through my companions. Once we have the Ministry at our disposal, we can make our world a better one. Let me share my vision of what I want to do once we have the Ministry in our hands. I want to retract the suppressive laws on what they call magical creatures. Their affliction is not their fault. Discoveries have been made to make sure that they don't hurt others. Other magical beings are also being treated badly. If treated well, they will serve us willingly and happily. On the question of mudbloods, every drop of magical blood is valuable. But these children are abused by their own parents and relatives and muggle community as a whole because they are different. Our Ministry will identify such children the instance they show signs of magic and monitor them. If they are mistreated, they will be rescued. We complain that they sully our culture. That is because they don't know our culture. I want to introduce Wizarding culture as a compulsory subject for muggleborn and muggle raised children their first two years of education. Muggle studies will also not be an optional subject but a compulsory one for all wizard raised children including purebloods these two years. Trust me my friends, muggles have invented quite a few fascinating things in these years. I know this last goal will not sit well for most of you but think over it. If not, you are free to go. Remember, once you step out of this room, you will not be able to speak anything of this meeting, not even among yourselves. Only people you will be able to speak to will be these four men standing here, Severus, Sirius, Remus and Quirinus. You all may go now. Lucius, please wait for a moment. I wish to talk to you."
Everyone trickled out of the Manor one after the other, contemplating looks on their faces. Lucius waited somewhat impatiently. When everyone except the five men, two children and Lucius were left in the room, Tom spoke, "Lucius, I have not asked to speak to you for any political reasons or to take away your choice. The people present here apart from you are very important to me. I may have changed my goals but my skills are the same, or rather better. If you even think of hurting Draco for associating with any of the others present here, trust me I will make you suffer. He is the mate of Harry, someone I now see as a son. You will do well to remember it. As for supporting me, the choice is yours. You may go."
Lucius did not say anything. He spun around and left. It was unlike him but he needed time to think. He did not want to antagonize these men if later he decided that he needed them for his success.
Once Lucius was gone, Tom let out a heavy sigh. Harry looked at him and said, "It was a rather tiring day indeed. What was the business about seeing me as a son? I have my dad you know. He is going to kill you if you so much as suggested an adoption."
" Don't worry Harry. It's more like Remus you know. Severus and Sirius are your dads but you are still like a son to Remus are you not? It's the same with me. May be in your last life everyone was unable to express it, but you are a son everyone wants. So, I am no exception. You can consider me in the category of not so fun uncle. Now, can ee please go back home? This house is creepy." He shuddered. Everyone laughed at that and they headed home.
The first one to contact them was Greyback. He contacted Remus. He said he, along with his whole pack, was willing to help in any way possible but he had a condition. He wanted Severus to brew their Wolfsbane. The Ministry regulated quality did not do anything for their mind or pain. They were a total of 23 werewolves, including him and 8 children, infected when few of his werewolves were not entirely in their mind despite taking the potion. The children were abandoned and left to die by their parents, 5 of which were from light families and the rest from grey. Both Severus and Tom accepted his offer and condition. Harry and Draco promised to help in the large-scale production.
By the end of July, ninety seven percent of Voldemort's inner circle was now a part of Tom's new order. There was no mark but Harry and Draco had devised communication mirrors with the help of Sirius and Remus for easy communication with the allies. The new members could see the importance of the boys in the new order. They were respected. People also noticed that suggestions were discussed and debated more openly and without fear of punishment. Both Yaxley and Pius Thicknesse were among the first once who came back to join them. They said how inefficient Fudge was being all the time. They needed a better order and they were ready to work for it. Lucius was not among them.
Harry's birthday that year was celebrated among family, at midnight, as had become customary in this life. Draco's presence this year made it even better. What made it even more special was the gift by Severus. He asked Harry to be his best man when he and Sirius got married. They had decided for a spring wedding, which was in a week. When did the bloody hell did they plan for that?
That evening, he was given a grand party, visited by all the new members of their cause and all of Harry's closest friends. The others were quickly accepted by everyone as they were as intelligent as the two young men they now so fondly talked to. It was during this party that Lucius arrived. Once the party was in full roar, the core members took Lucius aside. "I am willing to join your cause as long as it serves my purpose. I want a high position in the Ministry and a good position for my heir when he comes of age."
Tom answered him calmly, "Your position I can guarantee Lucius. As for your SON, he will do what he wishes. If he wishes to work in the Ministry, he will be welcomed. If he wishes to, say, play quidditch or open an apothecary, you will not come in his way, whether you support me or not. This I promise you Lucius."
Lucius just nodded. He knew when the Dark Lord saw someone as his own, he can go to any lengths to protect them. This was both a relief and frustrating for Lucius. After discussions over his role and agendas, he was given the communicating mirror and sent back to the party.
On the first of August, after sleeping off the effects of the wild party, Harry brought up Dumbledore's memories. The family of now seven men sat around the pensieve (inherited by Sirius from the Blacks) and viewed the memories one by one. From old to new, these memories had the power to destroy Dumbledore. If they played their cards well, Dumbledore will be a myth by the end of the year. They decided to go from new to old. The latest one was the one Harry deduced from the crumpled paper. It was the memory of Dumbledore arguing with the Sorting Hat to put the students in the houses he wanted. Before that was Dumbledore threatening Severus not to do anything about Harry's abuse situation. Another of him threatening the Sorting hat to put Harry in Gryffindor and Gryffindor only. Another which they selected was his memory of talking to Molly Weasley to set up her two youngest children after Harry. Another related to Harry was when he left Harry at the doorstep of the Dursleys. A few more related to his plans to Manipulate Harry and they were sure that the Wizarding World will listen; it was about their saviour after all. They made copies of the memories and sent them to Rita Skeeter, with a card of being her well wisher attached to the bag.
As expected, the news hit the wizarding world like a storm. People were outraged that their kids were not even given a fair sorting at Hogwarts. Dumbledore was buried in Howlers and letters wanting explanations. Even his staff looked displeased.
On the 7th of August, 1993, Severus Tobias Snape and Sirius Orion Black were lawfully wed, in the presence of their loved ones only. Remus stood as the best man of Sirius whereas Harry stood for Severus. Tom presided over the wedding. Severus and Sirius had decided for a complete bond, mind body and soul. It was simply magic. No other words could describe it for Harry. As a wedding gift for his dads, Harry gave them a document which he had procured with the help of Tom. It stated his name as Harrison Arcturus Potter-Black-Prince. Severus himself had taken up his lost lordship of the Prince estate when he became a father. There was apparently a clause in the Prince wills that if the son of Eileen Prince produces a male heir, he can take up the Lordship. So, as soon as Harry became his heir, Severus regained the Prince Lordship. So now he was Severus Eileen Prince. All of Harry's school records now reflected his new name. He was rather proud of it.
The next shock came to Dumbledore a week later, on the 14th of August, in the wizengamot. Severus sat at the seats which were earlier dormant. He was outraged and asked, "Why are you here Mr. Severus Snape?"
"As you can see Mr. Dumbledore, I sit here as proxy of my son Harrison Arcturus Potter-Black-Prince. And it will me Severus Prince for you Sir."
Dumbledore was gobsmacked. He composed himself and asked, "And why prey tell have you claimed the Slytherin, Gaunt and Peverell seats?"
"Oh! Those seats are also my son's through conquest. They reverted to him when he vanquished the Dark Lord in 1981."
"Be that as it may, I cannot allow you these seats."
"And why is that?"
"I cannot allow a known death eater into the wizengamot."
"Then prove that I am a death eater Dumbledore."
"It's as simple as that. Roll off the sleeves of your left hand please."
Severus very confidently rolled up the sleeve to show a bare hand. Dumbledore was shocked to see that. When everyone had seen his arms, Severus got up and spoke in a clear booming voice, "Now that it is proved that Dumbledore is indeed senile, I propose a vote of no confidence in view of my Unnecessary humiliation and the accusations put forward against him in the news reports."
Lucius quickly stood up and said, "I second the motion." Before Dumbledore could even react. Severus got up again, "The writer of the articles, Rita Skeeter is present in the wizengamot. I request her permission to come forward to prove what she wrote was based on truth."
Dumbledore came out of his stupor when he was pulled to get up from his chair at the head of the wizengamot. "Severus, you cannot do this to me. I have always treated you well."
"And how exactly have you done that? I came to you telling my father beats me up when I was your student but you did not move a finger. Not even when my mother died and I came back with two broken ribs, broken ankle, bruised and beaten body. When I became a teacher, I brought forward to you cases of abused children, muggleborn, half-bloods and purebloods alike. What did you do? Said not to worry. Nothing can be done. I brought forward to you the abuse done to Harry Potter. You threatened me not to do anything or I will lose my job. You were his magical guardian, it was under your power to help the child but you didn't. You let Gryffindors bully the other houses, specially Slytherin. They were just children. They could have been taught to give up hate. What exactly did you do for me and your students Albus? I used to respect you somewhat. You lost it the day you turned away from dismissing a teacher who was sexually abusing children. You are nothing but an opportunist."
Everyone was staring at Severus with wide eyes. Their idol, the leader of the light, supported abuse. Before anyone could refute, Rita Skeeter came forward, "I have memories of everything that I have published. Dumbledore's own memories. I have had it checked by experts in the Ministry itself. They are 100% real, only duplicated. I have been promised more, and I will keep writing till the whole truth comes out."
Madam Amelia Bones stood up, "Ms. Skeeter, are you willing to share the memories with me personally?"
"Yes I am."
"Very well. We will arrange the meeting soon. You will be notified. Now, people who are in support of Removing Dumbledore as the chief Warlock light your wands."
95% people lit their wands. It was evident that they did not need to take the other poll. A big goblet was brought forward in which each member was asked to put names for the now vacant position. The Goblet was a magical one. It selected three best candidates for the position of Chief Warlock. Then the other members voted and selected their chief. This time, the goblet selected Amelia Bones, Lucius Malfoy and Tiberius Odgen. All three were strong competitors. At the end, Odgen was selected as the Chief Warlock. Tiberius was a fair man, leaning slightly towards the darker side of grey. He had often protested about the laws passed against magical creatures and beings. He would be an impartial judge. At least Severus expected so.
That very evening, Rita was sent several more vials of memories. They knew Amelia Bones was not a lazy officer by any means. She will arrange the meeting with Skeeter as early possible, may be the very next day. These new memories were of Tom Riddle and Severus in school. It contained how Dumbledore neglected their being bullied by his star Gryffindors, the time Dumbledore rejected Tom and accepted a lesser candidate in front of him, how he betrayed his brother and left his sister to die. These memories showed that Dumbledore was a vindictive man in his real life.
The story hit the newspaper the very next morning. It was as if Rita sacrificed her night to bring the truth out to the public. She was working so hard for the first time in her life in all of Harry's memories. With the newspaper, came a call. It was from Fred and George and they asked Harry if they could come through to his house. His three older brothers and father were with him.
The conversation that followed was an enlightening one. At first, Arthur apologized to Harry about Ginny's behaviour and thanked him for caring about her even when she was out to harm him. He said he was ashamed, that he should have done something when he had the chance. He even had thought of Divorce several times but was always worried about the kids.
"Isn't wizarding marriage like permanent?" Harry asked.
"The marriage you enter willingly is. But you see, I was under the influence of a potion during our marriage so it was not permanent as you say. It was not a soul bond, even if she tried it to be."
"So why don't you divorce her now?"
"I have planned to. These five assure me that they will be by my side. Bill and Charlie are already established. Percy has only one year of school. Then he will also have a bright career as he is been doing summer jobs in the ministry since his fifth year. And Fred and George can fend for themselves as we all very well know. I have applied for a Ministry apartment and custody of Fred and George as they are still minors for a couple more years. Once the arrangements are done, the divorce will be all but formality. Most probably, this coming year, you will not be the only one with a new name. There will be two Prewitts joining Gryffindor."
"We are really sorry for what happened Arthur. If there is anything we can do, please let us know.", Severus said.
"Thank you so much Severus. It means a lot. Moreover, you have always helped my children in your own ways. Don't think I don't know. They are always on about you and the other kids whenever Molly, Ron and Ginny are out of earshot." Arthur smiled, then grew serious, "I also know about the Dark Lord and his new agendas and I fully support you guys. I and Percy will always help whenever necessary. My other four kids too will help from outside the Ministry."
"That's all we ask for Mr. Weasley. The world around us is changing. If we don't change with it, we will be left behind. We appreciate your help. And your kids here are very talented. They will make you proud some day." Said Tom.
"Thank you."
After tea and plannings to meet again, the Weasleys left. It turned out to be a good start of Harry's third year at Hogwarts.
On the other hand, Diana was still keeping an eye on Dumbledore. On the eve of 25th August, she flashed into the living room of Silva Cottage. Severus, Tom and Quirinus had left for school a few days before, as was customary for teachers. As soon as Harry looked into Diana's eyes, he began to panic. He stood and ran to his room. Remus and Sirius ran behind him, worried. When they reached his room, they saw Harry frantically searching for something. He came out of his drawer with the mirror and instantly called out Tom. "Tom, dad is in danger. He is locked in his lab, unconscious, with toxic fumes and no way out. Dumbledore has locked him there."
Before Harry could complete his explanation, Tom was already running towards the dungeons. On his way, he saw McGonagall but ignored her. She was not yet to be trusted. She followed him, seeing his worried demeanour.
When Tom reached Severus's quarters, he just gave the password and entered. True to his information, the door to the lab was closed. He tried every unlocking spell, every password, but could not open the door. He was losing hope and time.
On the other hand, Harry wanted to just run to Hogwarts to rescue his father. Sirius and Remus stopped him. Sirius said, "Harry calm down. This is what you did in your last life didn't you? Rushed into danger for your loved ones? We need a plan Harry. If Tom is unable to open the door as you say it is locked by Dumbledore, we need backup. Now, we cannot tell anyone about Diana. I am going to call Amelia for reinforcement and you will say that Severus did not reply on his communicating mirror and we are worried as he was going to work on a poisonous experimental potion for the Headmaster today. We have got news from school that they are unable to reach him and we need help. Is it clear?"
Harry calmed down a bit and nodded. With Amelia and three Aurors, one of which was Tonks, they landed in the Headmaster's office. Dumbledore was smiling evilly when they arrived. Amelia somehow caught the look. Harry quickly ran towards the exit with Sirius in tow, while Remus explained Dumbledore the gist and followed the Aurors out. Amelia had the foresight to drag Dumbledore along with them. She had a feeling she should not let the old man out of sight. She quickly indicated Gawain Robards to capture Fawkes in magical restraints so Dumbledore cannot escape that way.
When they arrived in the Dungeons, the door to Severus's quarters were open and some sound was coming from within. They got inside to see Professor Francois trying to break the lab door with a conjured sledgehammer. McGonagall was trying every possible spell she could think of. Harry joined her with his own feeble attempts. When nothing worked, he started beating the door with his fists, crying and shouting for his dad to come out. Remus pulled him back and hugged him tight and let him cry for his father to come out.
Even the attempts of the aurors was not sufficient for the door to break. At last, Amelia threatened Dumbledore to close down the school if the professor was left in danger for another moment. Dumbledore relented and the door opened as soon as he touched it. This was enough evidence for Amelia to arrest him and take him for questioning.
As soon as the door opened, Harry rushed to Severus and shook him to wake him up. Severus was green and looked sick. He did not open his eyes or spoke. Sirius and Francois hauled him up and brought him out. He was taken to St. Mongo's. Harry could not eat or sleep in his worry for his father. When Harry did not come down to eat for the third day, Sirius took matters into his own hands.
Harry was sitting by the window sill, looking outside, silent tears rolling down his cheeks. Sirius sat beside him. Instantly, Harry curled by his side. "Pup, he will be alright. But he will be very upset with you when he comes back home if you lose any more weight. He had worked so hard with you to make you gain some after all. Will you not eat, for him?"
Harry's cries turned to sobs now. He could not imagine to displease his dad. He dragged himself down with Sirius to eat. Days dragged by. Nobody could console Harry, not even Draco. He did not want to lose what he had just gained.
On the insistence of Sirius, Harry boarded the train on the 1st of September. Even the collective effort of all his friends could not cheer him up. Even seeing the seat of Dumbledore empty did not cheer him up. Nothing could, except his dad coming back. But his dad was in St. MUngo's, in a healing coma. The mediwizards of the hospital said that he will take some time to recover, if he ever recovers that is.
Tom had informed them that though nothing was proved yet, Dumbledore will not return as Headmaster any more. It was tradition that the next headmaster was chosen by the Sorting Hat, as it was connected to the Castle and had the essence of the founders. The Sorting hat had rejected each and every one of the other staff, even McGonagall. They suspected Severus could be its choice. It would choose another only if Severus did not return. That sent Harry's stomach to knots again.
Things went downhill from there. Ginny started to hit on Harry again, with desperation, as if this was her last hope. Sally sent her admiring herself once again, this time a little lustful towards oneself too. The other girls often found her pleasuring herself. It amused the others greatly, except Harry. Ron also tried to pick a fight several times but the twins handled that. They all became extremely worried as Harry played with his food and stayed up most of the nights. His performance in class was deteriorating and no one could do anything about it.
It was one morning, nearly a month later, that he heard behind him, "If you play with your food anymore, I will have to give you detention Mr. Potter-Black-Prince." Harry stood up and turned around with such speed that everyone was astonished. "Dad" he yelled and hugged Severus. He could not control the pent up emotions any longer and cried like a small child in the middle of the great hall. His sobs were heard in every corner of the room as he let go of the iron control and robotic manner he had adopted the last month. Severus pulled him out of the great hall and led him to his quarters. He sat in the living room couch, with Harry on his lap, for a long time, comforting his son.
Once Harry was quite, Severus called for a house elf to bring them some food. Harry did not complain but demanded that he be fed which Severus gladly did. Both father and son spent the night in the dungeon quarters, making up for the lost time.
Harry was more calm and happy from the next day. Within the next week, Severus was chosen as the new Headmaster, much to the annoyance of Professor McGonagall. The first set of affairs that Severus addressed to was to discontinue the contract of Professor Binns with the school. Nobody had realized it was such an easy task to accomplish and yet Dumbledore had not taken any action to replace a ghost with a more competent individual. To everyone's surprise, Remus Lupin was invited to teach the subject, who agreed immediately. Very few people knew that Remus had masters in not one but three subjects- DADA, Arithmancy and History of Magic. Severus outright declared to the board of Governors that he will hire competent teachers and they had no say in it. They will only interfere when their competence was questioned in any manner. With Lucius silent, everyone relented.
His next set of changes were to have an additional house teacher that students could go to apart from the head of house. As he himself could take only NEWT level classes, he had appointed a new Potions Master. He had asked for the help of his old Potions teacher, Professor Slughorn, to recommend someone as he refused to take the post himself. After several interviews, Severus had appointed Ethan Jones, a 1983 Hogwarts student, who had gained his masters in Potions as well as Herbology. He was a Hufflepuff in school. Ethan started taking classes from first through fifth years, using Severus's lesson plans, incorporating his own ideas as he proceeded.
For the assisting head of houses, Ethan was appointed to help Pomona Sprout in Hufflepuff, Remus was appointed for Gryffindor, Quirinus, who had returned as Muggle Studies teacher, helped Filius in Ravenclaw, and Severus himself took the help of Aurora Sinistra to maintain Slytherin. This proved to be a big eye opener for McGonagall as every evening she noticed students visiting Remus, girls and boys alike. They surely had problems and they definitely felt more comfortable with Remus to share their problems. She felt guilty but she was stubborn. She was not going to accept it, not yet at least.
Severus also had plans for the next year, which she surely will not approve of. But Severus was hard pressed and determined to take the school to the glorious height it was at, before Dumbledore destroyed it.
By the time Halloween came, the school had settled into a sort of routine. On All Hallows Eve, Severus called all the students and teachers to assemble on the Quiddich pitch, two hours prior to the feast. All the students and teachers took the bleachers while Severus stood in the middle of the open pitch.
"Dear students and teachers, Halloween or All Hallows Eve is celebrated in remembrance of our loved ones who have passed on from the world of the living. This is the day to remember their good deeds and the love you feel for them. Though in modern times the means of celebration have changed, but the sentiments remain the same. Here, in the middle of the pitch, will be lit the bonfire where you can offer your prayers to your loved once, if you wish. Those who do not wish to celebrate are free to go. If you wish only to observe, you are most welcome. This is your opportunity to see the festivities of the old ways, the ways of Merlin and Morgana. I think you should take it."
Harry, Neville, Blaise, Draco, Fred, George, Lee and Luna came out from the shadows, firewood in their arms. They quickly set up the bonfire and lit it with their collective magic. When they moved back, Severus was the first to stand in front of the fire, closed his eyes and prayed silently, for his mother and father too, for Lily and James and the numerous lives that were lost unnecessarily. As he finished his prayers, by adding his own log to the bonfire, the fire crackled a bright green and slowly calmed down to its normal amber. Slowly, people began to trickle down. Harry caught some muggleborn Hufflepuff ask, "Don't they burn animals alive as sacrifice?"
Harry took it upon himself to clear his doubts, "No. That's a false rumour spread by people who do not want to follow the old ways. There is no compulsory sacrifice in any festivity or ritual in the old ways. They are just that, rumours."
The boy looked contemplating, and then moved forward to pay his own tributes to his recently deceased grand parents. As he opened his eyes, the fire again lit green then calmed down to amber. He came back to Harry and asked, "Does that mean my prayers are accepted?"
"Yes" Harry said, with a smile. He too moved forward to offer his own prayers. Slowly, everyone came down except a few people. Ronald, Ginny, McGonagall and Professor Trelawny did not bother to leave their seats. While Ron and Ginny looked disgusted and accused anyone who came near them that they have gone dark, McGonagall could not bring herself to break her old habits, while Sybill just could not decide what her inner eye wanted her to do. All this while, students moved around the fire, occasionally tending it, and inter mingling, irrespective of their houses. Severus was quiet pleased that one little effort from him had resulted in a huge step in diminishing the long running house rivalry. They were so much enjoying themselves that when Severus announced for them to proceed to the Great Hall for the feast, none of them wanted to leave. At last, Severus relented and ordered the house-elves to set up tables on one side of the ground from where students could serve themselves and eat around the bonfire. The idea was an instant hit. All in all, the students left with a better understanding of the old wizarding customs and their importance.
It was the mid of November when they got any news of Dumbledore. Apparently, he was questioned under a double strength truth potion (he was rather resistant to the normal variety). Not only his manipulations and neglect against students, but several other things came to light. Seems that he could do anything to keep his power, even kill someone. Yes, he had killed an old order member when they had come to know about his actions and blame it on Tom at the time. Nobody was going to question the supposed Dark Lord if he murdered a good guy, would they? He also knew Sirius was innocent all along but had done nothing. He had known about Harry's treatment at the hands of the Dursleys all along but had done nothing. He admitted there were places Harry would have been safer, that there was no need to keep him within the wards in Privet Drive, but he wanted Harry to toughen up a bit so to speak. The squib that kept an eye on him in the muggle suburb, Mrs. Figg, was also arrested for child neglect and child abuse as she too knew everything and used to supply information to Dumbledore. The bad news was, Dumbledore somehow escaped. Now he must be really angry and after Harry.
Though the news was worrying, it did not deter Harry and his friends to perform well in their classes. They also practiced their meditation every night. On the 23rd of November, they all were sitting in meditation in a huge hall provided by the ROR, when they heard a sort of grunt. When they opened their eyes, they saw a beautiful black Dragon sitting in the place where Harry was. They all cheered for him and went back to their meditation while Harry concentrated to reverse back to human. He lay down to wait for his friends. The first transformation was difficult, or so the elders said. Draco soon followed Harry. To Harry, he looked beautiful. Not so surprisingly, Luna mastered her Caladrius form next, before anyone else. While the others were close, they did not manage their forms that night.
By the end of the week, the whole group was ready to show their transformations to Severus. Severus asked them to wait till the holidays, as he did not want others to know just yet.
A week before Christmas Holiday, Harry shared his fascination with tattoos and his desire to get a magical one. Draco too was fascinated with tattoos and promised to get them together. They shared various ideas and settled over a few. At the nape of their neck, they would get an identical tattoo of their entangled forms, just like the pendant. A dragon was quiet significant in the wizarding world, so nobody would suspect. Harry wanted to get all of their animaguses and those of Severus and Sirius, along with a grey wolf, like a band around his right bicep. They had grown quite a bit of mass in the last two years. And he wanted a very secret tattoo below his waistline, at his tailbone area, of a pretty little butterfly. Draco smirked at that and said he would like that. He also said that he wanted a belly button piercing to which Harry responded by pouncing on him and kissing him senseless. They decided to have them done on Harry's 14th birthday, together.
In the Ministry, Fudge was being as incompetent as ever, hindering the Aurors from finding Dumbledore. Frustrated, all the heads of different departments of the Ministry, unanimously, voted Fudge out of power. He had made them so mad that even the people who did not see each other eye to eye, were standing together to throw Fudge out. It was huge scandal and Rufus Scrimgeour was declared interim Minister, till an election could be conducted. Gawain Robards was appointed head of Aurors Department in his absence. Immediately, the aurors began their search for Dumbledore, without any more hindrance. They did find Dumbledore on 21st of December, but not on their terms.
Harry was out, shopping, with Sirius this time. Remus was at school, monitoring the remaining Gryffindors. He would join them on the eve of Yule, so would the rest. Harry and Sirius were happily strolling the streets, looking for various items on display in carts and windows, that they did not even realize someone was following them they should have known better than to lower their guards. As soon as they reached near an empty patch in the shopping area, near a dark alley, Harry was suddenly snatched away from Sirius, violently. When Sirius turned around, Harry was gone. He searched frantically everywhere, but to no avail. He immediately entered a nearby shop and flooed to Hogwarts.
Harry landed violently on his back on a cold hard stone floor. He frantically looked around and spotted Dumbledore standing above him. "I wanted a simple thing from you Harry, cooperation. You would have killed the Dark Lord when he came back and would have died in the effort. I would have again be hailed as the greatest wizard alive and all would have been well. Everyone would have been in peace. But no. You could not do that could you? Instead, you shook my life, my plans so much so that my own pawns started working behind my back. It took your mother's death to gain control over Snape and you took that control away from me as soon as you stepped into the wizarding world. I am sorry Harry. I do not want to do this but I have to. You will remain here while I prove to the wizarding world that whatever you said were lies and that is why you have run away. If that does not work, I will compel you to give a statement in my support. Till then, you will stay right here."
With that Dumbledore walked out the room and slammed the door shut. The harsh noise of the door brought Harry out of his stupor. He went and banged at the door and shouted to open the door. He tried using his magic but the room was most probably warded against it. Harry was now in a panic. What would he do? What if people believed Dumbledore? He will outlive his use and then be killed. Oh god! This was not good. He forcefully calmed himself down to think. Nothing came to his mind. He tried to meditate and may be convert into his animagus form but he was too tensed right now for it to work. He had not mastered it yet. He searched for anything that would help but nothing. After about an hour of calming exercises and meditation, a memory flashed in front of Harry's mind; the memory of Severus giving him the locket at the end of his first year. He had never taken it out. He quickly took it into his hands and rubbed it. There was no visible change in the locket nor it's temperature. Harry could only hope it would work.
As soon as Sirius had explained the situation to Severus, he had called the aurors and shared his suspicion that it was Dumbledore who had kidnapped him. The aurors agreed that it was possible and they started to search. Severus called in Tom and Quirinus too. They all spread out in the area of Diagon Alley where Harry had been seen last and began searching for clues to give them some lead. Severus was inspecting that same Alley which Sirius had indicated, with three other aurors, when he felt a buzz in his mind. He pushed it aside and began searching again. When it buzzed constantly for a few seconds, he stopped to think. It then came to his mind that this was the buzz of the locket he had made for Harry and his friends. Harry had not used it in the last two years, so he did not place it immediately. Severus sent red sparks towards the sky to indicate everyone to come to him. When everyone was there, he explained the locket he had made for Harry and that they should follow him.
It took Severus another half an hour to locate Harry. There were wards around the property. Dumbledore was probably not there, and he would not show up also if they tripped any wards. They searched the surrounding area for any hole in the wards to utilize. The building was an old abandoned ruin of a wizarding house. It looked like it belonged to a wealthy family some thousand or more years ago. There must be a house-elf passage somewhere, Severus reasoned. Then he got an idea. "Sally"
"Yes Master Severus? What can Sally do for you?"
"Sally, I want you to go around the property and find the house-elf passage."
Sally popped away and came back after about 4 minutes, while the others tried to gauge the wards. "There is a passage hidden under the bushes at the back, master."
"Well done Sally. Please lead the way. And stay with me. Harry may need our collective help."
Sally nodded and led the way to the secret passage. There was a thick growth of vines around the passage which took some time to clear. Within ten minutes, they were inside the kitchen of the old manor. Severus asked Sally to find Harry, without tripping any wards. Severus and the others moved forward, slowly, casting ward detection spells at every step.
Sally returned after a moment, indicating the stairs through the hall which led downstairs. She said Harry was there in a dark room and that she had informed him that they have arrived. She also said that the door had wards on them and she could transport any other being through them without tripping the wards. Severus took several breaths and then said, "Okay Sally. You will go back to Harry and tell him that we are outside, waiting for Dumbledore. Stay with him and keep him calm. We expect Dumbledore to be back soon and once he is in the custody of the aurors, we will get Harry out of here. Okay?"
Sally nodded and popped away. They all waiting all night, with no sign of Dumbledore. At last, on the very early morning, before the sun was up, they heard the front door click. They all stood up in alert. As soon as Dumbledore stepped into the hall area, he was hit with at least eight powerful stunners. The aurors immediately cuffed him in magic suppressing hand-cuffs and incarcerated him. As soon as Dumbledore fell due to the force of the stunners, Severus ran for the stairs leading to the dungeon. He blasted open the door one after the other of all the cells. He found Harry and Sally in the last one. As soon as the door opened and Harry saw Severus and Sirius standing there, he rushed to them. Severus picked him up like a small child and hugged him tight. Sirius hugged them both from behind, saying, "I am so sorry pup. It was all my fault. I should have been more careful. I am so sorry."
Severus turned to his side and pulled Sirius into a hug too. "Shh… it's okay Siri. He is fine. Everything is fine." The small family then climbed the stairs, Sally in toe. Severus was not ready to let go of his son just yet, or may be never. He has not been so frightened in all his life.
Yule thus was a subdued affair. Severus had sent sweets to all of Harry's friends, with apologies for not sending gifts. Draco had not left Harry's side since he was informed the next day and had sent all of their friends explanations about the reason they were not receiving any gifts from Harry this year. He had already shopped and sent his gifts before he had heard from Severus. To their surprise, all of their friends had shown up at Silva Cottage on the eve of Yule. They had celebrated together and Harry had felt much better to know that he had such great friends. Harry was indeed very happy that he had chosen to came back as an Eleven year old. He could have had all this in his last life if he had not been so desperate for approval from his first friend. That was not even destiny to be Ron's friend, but an orchestrated betrayal. That night, Harry had visited Thanatos in his meditative trance to thank him for the chance. Thanatos had also thanked him for avenging him and bringing Tom back to his glory. It had warmed Harry's heart to know Thanatos did not hold any more grudges against the man who was soon becoming a part of Harry's extended family.
When school started again, things were back to the normal routine. This was the twins' and Lee's OWL year so they were hard pressed in studies and all the rest helped them as much as they could, which was not much as they were all in lower years.
A week later, when Diana informed Harry that Ginny was planning another attempt, Harry had had enough. He contacted Arthur with the help of Severus and asked for his opinion. Arthur said Ginny Prewitt was not his concern and Harry should not tolerate any more problems created by her. So this time, Harry asked Sally to take his contaminated goblet to Severus's office and wait there for him. After getting the goblet checked, Severus sent for aurors for help. Though love potions were not banned by the Ministry but it was banned by the school, but he could not punish Ginny without proof.
That evening, during meal, Severus announced, "Dear Students, I have found a banned item in the food of a student of this school. As you well know, use of love potions are prohibited in the school. A strong dose have been found in the drink of Harrison Potter-Black-Prince. The Hogwarts house-elves have informed me that this is not the first time he is given this potion. The house-elves have not less than three times thwarted those efforts. I am hereby giving you the chance to come forward and confess your deed or if you have seen someone else doing it. If I don't have a name till tomorrow before breakfast, aurors will be called in to investigate. Till the investigation is complete, the whole Gryffindor will remain suspended. Trust me, surrendering yourself is the best option you have. I will have no qualms in sending you to Azkaban for targeting my son. Now, tuck in." Severus said with an evil smile. Harry controlled his bubbling laughter and covered it with a cough.
Nobody came forward to take the responsibility by the next morning. When aurors arrived, the younger years panicked. The aurors called each Gryffindor individually to interview. Everyone replied to their questions calmly. So, when a second year named Colin Creevey panicked, they knew they had hit a jackpot. After half an hour of rapid questions, Colin broke, and confessed he had seen Ginny Prewitt pour something in Harry's juice. He did not want to tell her name. Because he liked her very much. A distraught Colin left the class room the aurors were using for their interrogation after giving them his memory of the act. Skipping everyone else, Ginny was called in for questioning.
"Ms. Prewitt, let us come straight to the point. Did you mix the potion in Mr. Prince's juice?"
"No"
"Think again Ms. Prewitt. We have eye witnesses who have seen you do so."
Ginny looked grim but did not reply.
"Very well then. If you do not reply here, we have to arrest you as we have proof. In the court, the victim's father can request questioning under veritaserum and that would lead directly to Azkaban."
Ginny's eyes widened. "No… No please don't send me to Azkaban. Yes I gave Harry the Love and Lust potions. And it was me who has given them to him other times too. There, I have said it. You cannot send me to prison, Not alone at least."
"Who helped you brew and administer these potions Ms. Prewitt?"
"Mum brewed and sent it to me and my brother Ron stood by me."
"Very well. You may go. Headmaster is waiting for you in his office."
When Ginny left the class room, Auror Shaklebolt immediately sent a patronus to Severus, relaying their findings. The next day, the whole school came to know that Ginevra and Ronald Prewitt were expelled from school for the act.
Molly Prewitt was also given warning over her kids' actions and the reason of their expulsion. The three now did not have anything except the crumbling house and a resident ghoul who would not go away.
In spite of all this mayhem, the group kept up their studies for the exams. So, when they finally came, they were more or less satisfied with their efforts. After the exams were over, the group relaxed around in their free time in their personal common room or outside, near the lake. Surprisingly, Percy joined them often. Harry loved to hear Percy relay information on laws and customs like the back of his hands. They all took advantage of his knowledge before the vacation. He had written his NEWTS and will not join them next year. He aspired to join the foreign relations office of the Ministry. According to him, if British Wizarding Community was exposed to other countries like the US, Germany or France, it will benefit them highly. Fudge never bothered with such things. He thought them to be trivial. Now that he was out of office, and with the cooperation of all the people working for a better future, he wanted to make his own contribution.
By the time it was time to leave for the summer, changes could be seen in every aspect of life. Harry hoped that the coming years will only bring prosperity for the wizarding community.