~~This is for the last time, but AN is bottom now. But also, I do recommend rereading the fic before you start this chapter. because it's a reference-heavy chapter. Like, super heavy. If I as the author had difficulties keeping track, I'm sure you will too. But I'm dumb so, maybe not. ~~
~~Thank you so much Tillerton for beta-ing the chapter!~~
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The stairwell up to the actual office was well lit even though Harry couldn't actually see any light source. It's like the stones glow but… they don't. Like, the light just exists? The light level in the office was slightly brighter, but not by much to his eyes.
Harry's attention, however, was fixated on an anomaly.
There was another person in the room that Harry did not recognize. He wore a silk black cape and a peculiarly stoic look on his dark-skinned face and he didn't seem happy. I can't feel much from him, but he is angry at the very least.
I wonder if he's related to Blaise? Bald seems to be a fashion. Or shaved. Shaved works too.
Professor Snape had rushed towards the headmaster after they entered the room. Harry wasn't feeling cooperative, so he stood just a few steps in front of the entrance, watching the whole event happening.
Harry watched the potion master greet the man and the headmaster. Minnie was standing to the side, sneaking glances of relief and concern towards him that he ignored. He was determined not to meet anyone's eyes.
He watched how there was a muted disagreement amongst the three adults. Harry was pretty sure it was related to him, but he didn't really care.
I'm not going to say anything. He paused his gaze at the headmaster's phoenix familiar. Yeah, not the same one. This one's more orange and red.
I wonder if they'll try anything. I kinda wish they would. I can… claim self-defence. If I could do it. I don't know. Minnie's here and she's… well. In the end. She's on my side first.
Harry closed his eyes and then breathed deeply several times. No, it's ok. I don't need to feel guilty about… that and… yes. He searched for something else in the office to fix his mind on. He saw The Sorting Hat on a bookshelf on the right under a glass bell. Interesting? Well, it can teleport somehow, so. I guess it's to keep the dust out. Maybe. So, them… Still not sure about, uh, what to think about the… founders. They could be like the portraits but more advanced or something right?
He recalled the emotions. They said they sacrificed. I wonder if they did something like voldie? Horcrux… Nah, right? I mean. Can… just magic create emotion?
There's so much I don't know. I want to know… ? Do I? I mean, if it turns out the Founders created a Horcrux,.. Horcruxes? would I rather not know or would… What? Ignorance is Bliss?
Who says that? Like. It sounds so stupid. But… I mean… some…
Harry's mind showed him a memory of Minnie. Ok, stop. Mind. Stop! Ok… Well, there are things I rather not know. I guess maybe just, it's true in certain circumstances. Still though… I mean, it's not like that's a bad thing to know- Stop.Harry's eyes darted away. Before he found something, the headmaster called for him in a gentle voice which he does not, trust. "Mr Potter, would you like to sit down with us?"
Harry saw a rectangular table and chairs where the headmaster and the other adults were. He saw there was some food and a pot of tea on top of the table. Scones, cream. Hmm. He looked away. Make me. Oh, and don't look down on the floor. Keep my head level, my eyes move before my head. Slowly.
This time Harry heard them murmur something to each other.
There was a curious feeling of attention on him. When he searched for it, he found that it was from the headmaster's phoenix. Oh, him. His eyes met the bird's and it was just tilting his head side to side looking at him. I can feel the curiosity, but why?
He heard a chair being pushed back and the footsteps on the stone floor that followed. Minnie's. He froze at first before forcing his mind to ignore everything and relax. The professor stood in front of him to his side. He pointedly turned his head away.
I haven't heard her voice in a long time. "Harry, is… are you alright?"
Duh. He didn't move.
"Umm…" Her voice started trembling slightly. Bollocks. Of course she would be sad… No. Harry steeled his heart. Not this time. Not. "We… we want to ask you several questions, but it's alright, you're safe now,"
Should I say something?
"You can just sit down?" Harry could just tell that she had a forced smile on her face. "If you want, you can have other snacks too," She ended on a hopeful note. Even her words are forced. No… I am not going to. Do. As. They. Want.
I just ate.
Anxiousness. Distress. Harry set his eyes on the sorting hat. The moment is important.
He ignored the awkwardness. The three men on the table started murmuring. Minnie inched closer to him. "Do… you want to… go back to your room?"
Not yet.
Minnie tried to coax some sort of response from him, but he was determined. It hurt him to do it.
I need him to come. He. Stands. And then…
Moments after moments passed.
Minnie's coaxing became sparser each time.
Something inside Harry felt like it was dying.
The men at the table finally stood up. A fair bit after Minnie's voice sounded like she was on the verge of tears. She sobbed once already. Harry's mind is numb. He's suppressing all his emotions. I won't.
Finally. Dumbledore spoke. "Mr Potter, is there anything you'd like? We just want to help,"
His voice, now nearer to him, was rage-inducing. His face was unmoving, but his fist clenched.
Now.
He turned around, reaching into the cloak pouch at the same time. He swiftly pulled the cloak out. In a second, He vanished from sight.
He walked down to the bottom where the gargoyle was. He knocked on them twice, making no noise, but the gargoyle still moved. Stone grinding against stone in an unexpectedly swift movement.
He didn't walk out.
He just turned around as the gargoyle slid back into place.
He heard the sobbing before he saw it. Minnie was standing off to the side with her hands both covering her face. Professor Snape was awkwardly standing behind her, his face revealing his hesitance. The fierce-looking man was looking very disapprovingly at the headmaster.
"As I have said, professor, there is no need to bring the boy." Harry's eyebrow twitched. "As much as Malfoy wants answers for his son, he couldn't put pressure on us," He has a very deep voice. And that's a huge gold earring he's wearing. Enchanted?
Dumbledore sighed. "I had hoped he would be… more amicable," Sadness. No. Dejected? Dejectedness? Disappointment. You bloody shee-
Calm down. I need answers.
Harry saw Snape very lightly and awkwardly patting Minnie on the back. Nothing there yet.
The dark-skinned man sighed. "Whatever had happened, there are no missing students, no dead ones," He thinned his lips at the headmaster.
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. Offended? "And the message is of no concern?"
Resignation. The other man shook his head. "Not to Bones, we both know how she is,"
Bones? Susan?
"Regardless, I need to make sure my students are safe. If the same incident happens, not even I can emerge unscathed," Dumbledore stroked his long white beard once halfway through his sentence, looking like he was thinking about something.
The man looked down, crossing his arms together. His brows furrowed as he thought something through. "Maybe she'll spare a trainee, but I can't promise much,"
What are they planning? Trainee? Trying to keep the school safe? Harry was distracted from his thinking when Minnie's sobbing stopped. She was coaxed to sit at the table by professor Snape. The other two men took one look at each other and then followed behind the two professors, sitting down as they did.
Harry slowly walked behind them. I think I remember Susan saying her aunt was some… Department Head at the ministry? She has no parents… No other relatives actually, right? She was just with her aunt at the party.
Dumbledore suddenly spoke up. Harry snapped out of his thoughts and saw that he was speaking with the man again. "I heard a certain… talent, had passed her exams?"
Why is he giving him that weird look?
The man frowned. "Hmm…"
The headmaster leaned in, whispering conspiratorially. "We can both put some pressure. It would be a low-risk task, she just graduated and knew the school well." Almost as an afterthought, Dumbledore added. "We can recruit her," Giddy? No… just excitement I think.
The man looked uncomfortable. Hesitation. "I'm not sure professor, I looked into her background,"
Dumbledore let out an audible breath through his nose. "Hmph," Indignation? Not quite the same feeling… "And I watched her grow up into a fine young woman, she has a heart of gold. And perhaps she can retain some of that with our help," He seemed to finish on a happy note, yet his emotion did not change.
The man crossed his arms tighter, he seemed to be thinking harder.
Who is this girl with a… Talent? And what's wrong with her? What are they recruiting? I don't understand!
The man gestured at Dumbledore. Curiosity. "Do you have a plan?"
Dumbledore shook his head. "Perhaps," He gave the man a sharp look. "Amelia is tricky to manoeuvre around,"
Right… Amelia Bones. Harry remembered certain details about the women then shook his head. I think Susan was a bit mad at me because she noticed? I have to follow up soon.
The man groaned. "Just don't make me lie to her too much, I'm bound to be caught sooner or later,"
Dumbledore shook his head "No, I don't think any internal route is viable,"
"Frank?" The man replied after a second of thinking.
"Hmm" Dumbledore stroked his beard again. "He's rather busy lately, but perhaps,"
The table was silent once more. Snape was still looking at Minnie worriedly and the woman still had her hands covering her face. Harry had to force himself to look away.
This is all… confusing. But… Frank and Alice are definitely under Dumbie's influence then. Somehow. Part of the Order of.. uh... Phoenix? Maybe. Nah, definitely. I think this dude is also part of… the ministry somehow? He might work under Susan's Aunt. I'm going to have to ask Susan what she works as.
Humour. The man tapped on the table, gaining Dumbledore's attention. "We can always try… that route," He then smiled lopsidedly.
Dumbledore grimaced. "I rather not owe him any favours,"
"Then maybe waiting is the best option, we've done all we could," The man then leaned back, his whole body relaxed.
Slight anger. "I do not like hidden dangers among my students Auror Shacklebolt," There was a hint of unnatural feeling in Dumbledore's voice.
Magic in voice? What? And Auror? Ooh.
The Auror seemed oblivious to what Harry felt. "Nor I," His posture and prose did not change. He simply sighed after a few moments. "If only Poppy isn't under oath,"
That's promising to hear.
Any hint of anger seemed to have disappeared from the older man. "I think she wouldn't have told us anything even if she wasn't," This time, Dumbledore leaned back into his chair. "She's more than fond of that young man,"
Shacklebolt's reply seemed nonchalant. "I would be too if I was her," He looked up to the ceiling and then let out a narrow breath. The gesture seemed rather odd to Harry. "Poor kid,"
Dumbledore nodded even though the Auror wasn't looking at him. What is he feeling? I don't understand… "He proved himself… more promising than I planned,"
Still looking up, the Auror replied. "Not one of your best looking moments,"
Dumbledore deflated and seemed tired. Resignation? I'm pretty sure this time. HE slowly reached over to the teapot to pour himself a cup of tea. Then after he raised his cup halfway up, he replied. "I could only work with what I know,"
The headmaster drank as the Auror spoke. The man finally lowered his gaze. "Hogwarts's protections wouldn't fail anyway,"
Worry? "I know. But in this… particular incident, it might"
"Thinking about that again?" The auror tapped on the table several times. "What's her name… Warren?"
Dumbledore nodded, his expression now grim.
The Auror did not change his posture as he stared at the older man. "Honestly Albus, the case file might be right, maybe they dragged her in,"
What is that emotion? Like vexation? What does that even mean?! "I wish I could be certain," Dumbledore's reply was soft.
That had the Auror's attention. He seemed taken aback and flustered. "Well," He scratched the back of his right hand. "With any luck, the people responsible, and their methods, died during the skirmishes,"
With that, silence reigns once more.
Harry automatically looked over to Minnie. She had put her hands down. Her eyes are closed and she seemed to be trying to control her breathing. Occlumency thing?
Dumbledore apparently did the same thing he did. The old man spoke in the grandfatherly voice Harry hated with all his heart. "He'll come around Minerva…"
Minnie shook her head slightly. "I failed him…" Her voice still wavered slightly.
"We all did," Professor Snape softly said to her.
She shook her head more vigorously. Everyone in the room had all their attention on her, waiting for her to speak.
But she remained silent.
Professor Snape coughed, bringing the old man's attention to him. He gave Dumbledore a nod and an intense look. "Would you like me to… try professor? Mr Potter seemed… neutral with me,"
If I was, I'm not anymore git.
Dumbledore replied. "I am tempted, but it seems that the timing might be…" He seemed to be deliberately trailing off, but then he finished his words. "Not ideal."
Snape pursed his lips. Only a short moment passed for him to think of a reply. "Perhaps in a month or so."
Dumbledore briefly frowned before his face lit up. Everyone in the group with the exception of Minnie seemed to have arrived at a certain conclusion. He turned to the Auror. Excitement? "We'll try to get Amelia's help by then,"
The dark-skinned Auror did not smile explicitly, but Harry could feel how Dumbledore's excitement had infected the other two men.
A different emotion hit Harry. It was from Minnie, and she was not happy. Outrage. Sadness. Grief. Guilt. She let out a sound that almost sounded like a cat's hiss.
It drew everyone else around the table out of their elated mood "Minerva?" Dumbledore cautiously inquired.
Anger. Guilt. Regret. There was no response from the distraught woman..
The old man gave her a sad look. But no emotion. "I'm sure he'll come around, just-"
Hostility. The glare that Minnie produced did not merely exist within her facial expressions. The air seemed charged. Aura.
Somehow, no one could meet her eyes on the table. Even Harry himself. Intimidation? No… intimidated. I think that's the emotion? Feeling?
After what felt like a minute of glaring, Minnie politely stood up, pushing her chair back. She pointedly turned towards the exit. "I'm leaving." She curtly said and then marched away. Her footsteps were light, yet the sound seemed to further convey her disagreeability.
Minnie… I can't follow her… Not yet. There's still more. Harry tore his gaze away from the entrance, determined to follow his plans through.
The three men remaining looked at each other uncomfortably, but not everyone felt that way. Dumbledore only emanated a feeling that almost felt like concern to him.
Snape then gave Dumbledore a peculiar look. Clearly non-verbally saying 'I told you so,'.
The old man noticed it and then let out a sigh first in reply. "Yes Severus, you've said so before,"
Snape acknowledged his reply with a nod. "Make amends, that's all my advice,"
"Yes, yes," Dumbledore said while shaking his head. He fell silent to think of something before adding to his words. "I'm not sure, however, that it is still an option,"
Harry felt a tinge of anger swelling up in him, but he was determined to remain focused.
The Auror finally spoke up, eager to sate his curiosity. "What is the issue, professor?"
"It is a… long story," Dumbledore started with weariness in his voice. "I'm afraid I have misjudged the boy's-" Fuck you. "-reactions and it backfired on us pretty harshly. Minerva has warned me many times but… perhaps hubris was my downfall after all,"
Auror Shacklebolt interjected quickly, perhaps sensing that the Headmaster wasn't done speaking. "The Immortals?"
Who?
The headmaster merely nodded. "I admit, I was playing with fire with that scheme," He chuckled. "I believed, we've arranged enough precautions with the extra surveillances, extending the wards-" Dumbledore stopped suddenly. Then he closed his eyes and shook his head. "I shouldn't give excuses at my age, I simply failed to account for too many things, and now…" Dumbledore merely gestured at the entrance to his office as if it explained everything.
Bull. Bloody liar! Calm down… listen…
Snape spoke up, allowing Harry to latch onto his words. "Some tact will be required if you still want to recruit him, professor,"
"A boy so young?" The Auror turned to Snape.
Hesitance? Dumbledore looked a bit uncomfortable as Shacklebolt kept his gaze switching between the two other men. Snape kept his eyes on the old man.
"We all need to know about it sooner or later," Snape sounded, looked, and felt calm to Harry. Now both men waited for Dumbledore to explain.
The old man crossed his arms. "I was planning for a gathering soon,"
The Auror's reply wasn't dismissive in tone. Still dismissive though. "We have time now,"
Dumbledore let out a long breath. "Very well," Instantly, a feeling of urgency reached Harry. They feel it too. "This is a matter of utmost secrecy,"
The Auror nodded. And… it felt like… snape wanted to nod?
The headmaster cleared his throat a little before speaking. "There was a prophecy-"
"Bollocks, I thought so!" Shacklebolt muttered loudly.
Dumbledore did not stop to acknowledge the interjection. "-regarding Voldemort's possible defeat," He stopped. Anticipation?
This time with more irritation, the Auror muttered again while massaging the bridge of his nose between his eyes. "Prophecy children," He then fixed his eyes on Dumbledore. "It's confirmed then?"
"He still lives," The old man's voice was grim.
Dread. "Merlin damned the living," The auror muttered again.
Dumbledore partially clasped his hands together and put his elbow on the table. His voice was surprisingly unchanged despite his mouth being practically hidden. "I have been acting on certain… assumptions,"
Surprise. The look that Shacklebolt gave Dumbledore was one of disbelief. "You professor? Meddling with prophecies?" hmm?
The grimness in the headmaster's voice seemed to persist out into the air. "We cannot let Voldemort trample upon the Kingdom again,"
"I hoped you were mistaken, professor" The Auror was full of tension before, but he deflated almost instantly into his chair. "I was hoping that he's dead for good," He tapped the table thrice, his eyes locked with Dumbledore. "Phylactery?"
This time, Harry felt magic being infused into Dumbledore's voice. "Horcrux," Fear? But why?
The effect was immediate on the Auror. The emotion was… really transmitted? No… implanted. "Merlin," Shacklebolt slid his hands off the table to cross his arms.
The old man added in the same tone, but without the magic this time. "More than one…"
Shacklebolt's brows furrowed. "That… explains many things,"
"Indeed," Snape nodded to him.
"Ok, ok." The Auror adjusted his posture, sitting up straighter. "I was only listening, but you were," He leaned forward. "planning something for the Potter Heir?"
Dumbledore now wore a sad expression. No emotion? Nothing I can notice at least… "Mr Potter… became his vessel,"
Snape scoffed. Accidentally? Shacklebolt was dumbstruck. His mouth had to open and close several times before he spoke in a low voice. "It would be mercy to-"
Dumbledore interrupted him."I was planning to raise him into a martyr,"
Anger from Snape… Ok.
Shacklebolt looked down onto the table for a few moments. "I'm not sure raising a child for that is any more merciful,"
Resolutely, Dumbledore replied. "I argue killing a few months old baby is worst,"
There was another long pause in the conversation. Look at you acting calm. Git. I will…. Ugh. Stop. I need to think, not… get angry. Not yet.
Shacklebolt started speaking first. His eyes back on Dumbledore. "You said that 'was' the plan, professor?"
The leader of the men nodded "As I've said, Mr potter proved himself to be very unique,"
Shacklebolt raised an eyebrow.
Snape answered first. "He managed to remove the Horcrux attached to his soul," He spoke in a calm and smooth manner.
That reminds me, he's not really… drawling at all?
Shock. Disbelief. "Impossible," The Auror whispered.
"We overlooked… certain things," Dumbledore simply said. He doesn't like the conversation topic I think.
"Do we have any idea how?" Shacklebolt turned to Snape. Harry felt that he seemed to have sensed the same thing he himself noticed.
After a nod and a slight glance towards Dumbledore, Snape explained. "Mr Potter appears to be a Natural Legilimencer with the unusual capability of raw magic manipulation for his age," It looked like a thought stopped him. Snape gave the Auror a careful look. "Pardon me, but are you aware of the soul and magic aspect of legilimency?"
The man being addressed nodded.
Snape gave one nod back. "We do not know to what extent, but Mr Potter was able to cast dispel using the very magic of his external probe,"
Uh?
Surprise? No… not shock either? Shacklebolt took his time to process what had been revealed to him. "Truly?"
Dumbledore answered it for Snape. "Mr Potter proved it in this very room, he dispelled a linked conjured object I made without a single sign of struggle, I felt my magic being torn apart,"
Not sure if…
Snape diplomatically added. "We also theorized, that the soul shard within Mr Potter was also not anchored as traditional Horcrux would have been,"
The Auror nodded slowly. "I see…" He turned to Dumbledore "How did you miss that?" Huh, good question.
I'm pretty sure that's frustration. This time none of what Dumbledore felt was seen in his posture or expression. "I assumed the magical bindings were hidden within his astral body and would probably only reveal themselves when threatened, like at the great expense of the host," Excuse me? "In hindsight, that should have been an impossible outcome considering the circumstances,"
"Alright," Shacklebolt seemed content with the explanation. "Are we finally recruiting from D.O.M. then?"
He wasn't the one being addressed, but Snape answered the question. "I've been looking into it, but it's probably impossible unless we… have someone from our ranks join in from the beginning,"
"Typical," Shacklebolt sighed. He crossed his arms, closed his eyes, and then shrunk in on himself to think. A few legs shakes later, he opened one eye to look at Dumbledore. "We are definitely recruiting the boy then?"
The old man concurred. "Yes, by any means,"
Both eyes are open now. "What about the Girl-Who-Lived?"
At that inquiry, Dumbledore grimaced. "As sure as I am of Mr Potter's status, I can't discount her from the prophecy." He avoided the men's gazes. "I was entertaining the possibility of her…" His expression turned grim. "Being forced to lead her brother to death,"
Screw me. Insane. Bloody… arghhh
The Auror sucked in air through his teeth. Apprehension. "Merlin's Goddess professor."
Dumbledore hurriedly clarified. "It was not a possibility I was working towards."
"Still…" He's really not happy with all these crap. "I don't like this- these… types of meddling. You know the history,"
Note to self. Learn more about Prophecies.
"I do, but our future is worth fighting for," Resolution. Surety. At my expense.
"Anything else?" Shacklebolt asked with an air of finality.
Dumbledore shook his head. "I'll explain things during the gathering, but for now, our top priority is to know more about what happened," He glanced over to Snape. "Is dear Bathsheda working on the entrance?" Weird.
Snape simply replied. "She's still trying to decipher them,"
"Hopefully… Hogwarts wouldn't impede her progress," Dumbledore looked up at the portraits. Wait what? How did I miss those? "I'll be meeting Amelia this evening then," He stood up and then walked to his desk. Without looking at the Auror, he ordered him. "Auror Shacklebolt, run interference for me,"
The man swiftly stood up. "Will do," He patted around his pockets and pouches as he readied himself to leave. As soon as he confirmed whatever it is that he needed to, he promptly walked to the side of the room where the fireplace was. With no time wasted, he threw the Floo powder into the fire and then stepped into the raging flames.
Dubledore had sat down in his office chair and Snape had moved to stand in front of the table in the time it took for the Auror to leave..
Dumbledore held up a piece of note. He glanced up briefly at the other man after reading it. "Mr Malfoy woke up earlier today?"
"Indeed," Concern. Why? "He was delirious… and seemed to have lost a lot of his memories,"
Dumbledore put the note down. "Any idea who the mind healer would be?"
Impassively, Snape answered. "No chance there,"
"A pity," That was all Dumbledore said.
While the old man busied himself, flipping through parchments, Snape spoke up. Hesitance. "I could… gain access,"
Dumbledore stopped and sat up straight to focus on Snape. "Ah yes, but could you be undetected?"
"I brewed Yrneddon's Mist, it's expiring in a few weeks," He did not speak differently, but Harry felt that he was a bit cagey.
The old man nodded and then continued to pour over his documents. "I'll have Minerva rewrite the records,"
Snape did not react.
The old man continued going through his documents. Should I walk over to…
Harry moved without finishing his thought. As he circled around the table, Dumbledore asked Snape in, what he would consider, a rather rude manner.
"Any news?" Dumbledore did not look up or even stop his actions.
Just, can't stand too close.
Snape responded in a slightly noticeable bored tone. "Not too much, I caught some students bullying as usual,"
Oh god, he wears awful perfume. Harry recoiled as he leaned closer to read the written notes.
The two men continued their conversation. "I remember… a while back you mentioned Miss Greengrass and Mr Potter were acquainted?"
Wizengammot meeting minutes. W.I Reports? M.I Reports? Staff notice…
"I heard some students gossiping that she tried to visit him yesterday,"
He's holding a note by Frank… I think that's his sign, right? Tutor reports, Rose doing really well, I'm exceeding expectations? Prone to wandering alone… What the bloody hell?
"Could that be…"
Ah you git I was re- What? Relationship… report… Harry felt his hairs standing, a chill seemed to have swept through his entire being.
"No," Snape cleared his throat. "Lord Greengrass is a dangerous man to cross, it was an unnecessary risk,"
Often visited each other's room?! Practising magic together outside of tutoring… Shite. 'Mr Potter' likes to eat meals alone…
"We do not have to be that direct,"
Discovered to be sitting very close to each other at times… Miss Potter had drawn a portrait of 'Mr Potter'… I… What… ?
"She was rather disliked by her peers, especially after it was known that she was well acquainted with the boy,"
I need to stop reading this. Harry glanced at the paper on Dumbledore's other hand. Oh, that's Snape's student body report? Crabe sneaking food… Carrow twins bullying rumor… Flint detention for excessive hazing… Nott harassing- Dumbledore took another piece of parchment, covering Snape's report.
"Ah, is that why Frank mentioned how unexpectedly easy it was?"
Continuation. Ok… Greengrass cursed Warrington… no detention… Davis returned to the common room wet… what? What does 'related' mean? Report of unknown Hufflepuff students ambushing Flint… minimal injury… possible retaliatory motive…
"I would wager so,"
H.E found a contraband stash, seized but no suspects… Major detention for Vaisey, hair album… ? What's a hair album? Lord Parkinson's request for visitation was denied… Huh? The conversation had stopped for too long. Harry shifted his focus and found Snape making a face that indicated he was thinking about something. He was about to lean sideways to study Dumbledore's expression when the old man spoke.
He had looked up from his parchments. "We'll see if time will give us more options then," His tone seemed to indicate that Snape had been dismissed.
Snape nodded. Oh shite.
He turned and Harry quickly jogged to catch up with the very quickstepped man. Following closely behind him.
Down the stairs.
The sound of grinding stones made Harry feel fairly disappointed.
####
It was a lot for the young Heir of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter to take in. His mind whirled, flitting from one information to the other, trying to find any connection he could. Contemplating the meaning of the obscure references he had heard.
I mean, he did want me to die. And now he expects me to… what? Join his posse? Posse? Whatever. But for what? I get he doesn't like Voldfart too, I mean, he did some real terrorist thing. Like. IRA? But like, way worse. But what's the deal here? What's the goal? End goal? Does he want more… power? What's the future? Whose future? Not mine that's for sure.
And Rose. They want Rose caught up with whatever they… want. I don't get it! should I… like, pretend? But.
Him. No… I don't want to. But maybe I have to? I need to think about it.
And… a bunch of things. They know… a lot. Is everyone watching and reporting? And Daphne's dislike? Because of me?
Guilt welled up in his stomach. I should talk to her about it. But…
OK, they want to know stuff. I can't understand a lot of things but. Politics right? A lot of it is about that? Malfoy's dad wants to know. They want to use Bones… Like, Susan? I think she mentioned her mother works for the Ministry once. Like… Ah, the party! She's like the head of magic police or something. Yeah.
I really need to know about a lot of things. I need to protect Rose. Right? Do I? She's family… She's my… Real. Family. Blood. But… Do I need to protect her? Well, of course right? We're twins but. I'm the older brother and stuff. It's natural. Normal?
He shook his head.
What should I do? Just… I'm so weak. I can't hide well enough it seems. Well I'm twelve. Is that an excuse? Unreasonable? I need to be free. Of all of this. But how?
I can't even fight a giant snake.
Maybe it is unreasonable. Or maybe I shouldn't be weak. Pathetic. Coward. Murderer.
He stopped.
No… Justice. It's justice… I… I'm justified…
He walked again after looking around, noticing that his room was just around the corner.
I don't believe that. Can I believe that? Ugh, I need to think more. I don't even know what I believe. And… I… Need to know why I believe? No, I need to choose why to believe. Choose.
I was going to die.
Harry turned the corner and saw Minnie standing in front of his room. She has her back on the wall. He walked closer and felt the sadness, anguish, conflict, and a myriad of other emotions from her.
I'm… going to have to, aren't I.
He walked over hurriedly to the door then hesitated.
His voice stuck to his throat.
Do I? Of course right. I… have a choice? I don't?
~"…."~
He had opened the door and felt the hesitation and hope from Minnie. He felt that it would be cruel to leave her like that, especially after what he had done.
He waited for her to go inside and followed afterwards. HE didn't quite have a plan so he just removed the cloak which gave her a short-lived shock.
He had spread out his hands for a bit after seeing her slap her hands to her face.
Then he was hugged. She scooped him up, letting his feet dangle.
Can't… struggle…Shouldn't have offered. Argh. Calm down. Clarity is king…
Relief. Sadness. Regret.
"I'm sorry…" She whispered as she held his head against her neck, crying. Dragging him slowly to the bed.
What do I say…? I'm sorry too, but. I can't say that. Minerva sat down
Harry had to tap her repeatedly when she suddenly started making sad noises and hugging him harder.
Those arms are stronger than you'd think. He was finally let go and allowed to just sit on the bed beside her. The silence was deafening to him.
Should I? tell her some things maybe. Can't tell her everything. Not that for sure. But. Some things? Make her promise not to tell? I didn't think about this. If Sheda iss here maybe I can… No. I can't tell Sheda much. I don't want to.
Nervousness. Guilt. Minnie interrupted his musings. "I've… been trying to put you at arm's length," she said, quietly.
Ok? Harry stared at her, wondering what she meant. She was looking down at her hands on her lap, fidgeting.
"It must have been confusing for you," Strong regret.
I still don't…
After a long pause, she spoke again. "You know… Sheda was really angry at me,"
I know. "Why?"
That was the first word he actually spoke to her, and it filled her with hope and happiness. Just a word…
She sniffed. "Because… I shouldn't hae bin caught up in… in his… damned plans!" Regret came back. She raised one hand to her mouth, almost leaning into it. "I don't… understand how I could have…"
Regret filled Harry.
"I… I'm not angry at you," He had to struggle to keep his voice from wavering.
He couldn't look at her.
"I…" Is there anything I could actually say? "I just want to be free from… everything,"
Sadness? Regret. Anger. Minnie couldn't stop the tears from falling. She didn't have the time to even cover her face up.
Harry was dumbfounded.
When she realized that tears had started falling, she tried to wipe them off, but it didn't stop. The emotions kept intensifying. Guilt. She first started to sob.
When her emotions intensified. Her agonized cry…
Paralyzed him.
####
Harry ran away.
I mean. I don't know what to do? Should I have… gotten help? For what? 'Hey, Sheda, I made Minnie sad.'? Like. But I should. Maybe? I'm not sure if that was honourable. What is honourable? Why am I thinking about that. Stop. And…. And why does it feel so odd?
Breathe.
Harry stopped walking. The periodic crunching of leaves and twigs ended, leaving the soft lapping of water and the rustling trees echoing throughout the lake shore.
Was it something I said? Like, I don't get it. Ugh. No, there's no use. Even if I dove into her mind… no. I don't want to do that. Should I have called for Sheda? Eh… I mean, she might be in class. What day is today? Friday? Saturday? I think it's Friday, so she might be teaching.
I think she'll make time for me. But… I don't want to bother her.
Minnie will probably be fine right? I hope. It's Dumbledore.
Him. His fault. He did it. Could I have done something? I mean. Hug her? Ugh… no. I can't do that. I don't deserve it.
You know what.
Maybe I don't have to think about it.
I can always just… ignore it. Like always. It'll work for a bit.
Maybe I'll figure something out by then.
"Blackie" Harry tried to call out as loudly as he could.
Shouting in snake speak is weird.
He waited for a while. Seconds into a minute, but there was no change. Not one curious snake came out to greet him. He felt that it wasn't that odd, so he continued his walk.
I'm kind of getting more worried about her. Nah, she's fine. I think. I don't think she was hurt… but why was she gone from my pouch? She's not… I mean, she did say she's my familiar, and I still need to find out exactly what that means, but did she try to attack Draco? Did he… uh, voldraco… no. He can't.
A presence entered his senses from the right. Harry turned, it was barely within his range. A fish? No… It was at least a few meters underwater and while the water was clear enough with the sun halfway up the sky, there was no way he could visually confirm what or who was there.
Na'a?
Harry walked nearer to the water, but he saw only shadows and reflections that meant nothing to him. The presence underneath the surface seemed to be idling. Is it… watching me? Oh wait.
Harry turned around, moving his focus away from the distant presence to his surroundings.
There's nothing? His ears only now recognized the source of its discomfort. Not even… insects? No birds? Fish? What's going on?
~"…"~
Slowly, life returned. His ears once again were adorned with buzzing and chirpings of a forest filled with life. A part of an experience so familiar, he did not consider its absence because of how integral it was and how impossible it should be.
The presence was gone. It didn't even come near… just, swam off? But… What's going on? I don't… understand? Did something change? I don't think I did anything… bad today?
He decided to return to the castle because he didn't dare to enter deeper into the forest. It felt unwelcoming even though he was safe under his invisibility cloak.
Where is she?
He decided to search for the room where he was tricked by the possessed Malfoy Heir. He wished Blaise was conscious so that he could simply go and ask him what had happened.
As he walked up the stairs to the castle, a feeling of dread filled him.
She's not… I've… I mean, it felt lonely. Like weirdly. But maybe it's because she's just not with me. Right? Yeah…
I wonder if they knew about her? I only ever showed her to Daphne and… well maybe she told some people? Argh, I can't… speculate, like even start to. I just need to find her first, everything else comes later.
Please be alive Blackie…
####
~~Chapter Summary~~
Harry hatched a plan to spy on Dumbledore's conversations, and he managed to gleam many tidbits and snippets, but he was too unprepared. Unable to comprehend the full extent of what had been said. All he really managed to get was confirmations about certain things. After he had to leave, he had a brief encounter with Minnie, an encounter that he knew he couldn't avoid. He ran away soon after things turned ugly, quickly latching onto something to focus his mind away from certain issues, but perhaps his timing was not the best.
~~end~~
~~Eyy, sorry guys, i'm a working man. And also, I went on a date when I was free, soo. Uh. Sorry again? Anyway, it's just going to get busier in the foreseeable future tbh, and uh, i can only promise one chapter next month if things don't slow down at work. I have plans, like, making summaries of the chapter and stuff, and with this i'm going to experiment. Dunno if it will help. Like, i don't want to like, brag that my fic is good or anything, but my fic is rather complicated and not very accessible sort of. There are many flaws yeah? Anyway, it was pointed out to me that its rather hard to just, keep track of things. And yes! it is! cause fuck me my notes don't even help me sometimes. And i forget things very easily. The problem with chapter summary is... a matter of what to convey really, Like, i don't want to mislead people too much outside of the actual writing yknow. I even would spoil certain thingse if you ask! Anyway, I'll try tho, and do my best!~~
~~No drama, no smooth transition, a pity. Anyway, Discord guys, come come~ : gg/gteTCUMe2m ~~