Chapter Fifteen
A/N: I'm
sorry for not posting in a long long time but I was first sick and was in
Hospital for about a week then I had to bed rest and this is one of the most
important parts of the story so it's long, content full and interesting. So
have a nice potter-some day and review. Tell me what you think about this
story. And do put author alert if you have. Next one will be followed closely
behind and will be equally interesting and long.
Harry's Jaw
dropped down, his heart had stopped beating and his mind had some how frozen.
He was sitting still as a statue shocked to death by what Dumbledore had told
him earlier. The so-called little chat with Dumbledore turned out to be the
biggest in the world. Was he saying the truth or just pulling his leg.
"Harry and I would like to formally introduce
you to some people whom you'll be spending a lot of time around. Your new
protectors" said Dumbledore.
The door to Dumbledore's office opens rather
fiercely. Harry who was still in the process of recovery from his previous
shock was thrown beck against his chair at what he saw come through the door.
"This can't be happening to me," he muttered to
himself.
First came Mad Eye Moody whom Harry assumed was
the real one unlike in his previous year. He didn't really see any difference.
His magical eye was fixed on Harry as he walked next to Dumbledore behind the
desk with his normal eye fixed on Dumbledore. His presence alone was enough to
send chills down Harry's spine.
Then came another rather surprise. It was
professor Snape who had walked through the door. His gaze was fixed on Harry as
he walked towards Mad Eye Moody. His eyes were pleading for something just as they
had done before the others walked into the conference hall. As Professor Snape
settled himself into a rather elegant stance that was unusual for him, he could
see Mad Eye Moody throwing dark looks at Snape. It was common knowledge that
most of the past aurors much like Mad Eye Moody still suspected reformed death
eaters such as Snape. But the polyjuice Mad Eye Moody hadn't been much
different either because of his devotion to him master.
Finally three well-built muscular men along
with a woman entered the room. The four men and women were wearing some kind of
uniform robes. The uniform robes were a dark shade of navy blue and seem to
have thick golden strings and coin was embroidered on to the robes making it
rather elegant. But regardless of the clothing the four men and women had that
government department touch. They seemed so much in control of themselves from
their appearance alone that who ever is around them will automatically feel
insecure of themselves. Harry for some odd reason didn't seem to feel this. He
knew he was suppose to as he could see Professor Snape and even the legendry
Mad Eye Moody seemed to be suffering from lack on self confidence. Harry moved
his gaze back upon the three men and the woman in uniform robes.
The first of the three seemed to be blue eyed
and had dark black loose hair which feel down over his fore head covering it.
He seemed to be looking at Harry as if he was some kind of warlord. His eyes
seemed to be scanning Harry as if trying to see right through him but it lacked
that look which said he was successful like Dumbledore did. Next to him was the
second ma. He was extremely tall and had thick red lips. His eyes matched with
his hair. Both of them seemed to be a rather deep Moldavian sea green. But he
on the other hand had his attention on Mad Eye Moody. It didn't take much to
realize that he had just seen his life's hero.
Next was the third of the three men. He, to
Harry seemed completely different from the other two. He looked extremely kind
yet powerful. This was one of Dumbledore's unique features. If it weren't for
the green eyes, he would have thought he was a son of Dumbledore.
Finally he got the chance to study the woman.
She on the other hand was gorgeous. Her golden curly hair ran down the sides of
her face and had brilliant blue eye that surveyed him like a hawk. She seemed
second only to the vela he saw last year in Harry's beauty-meter.
At last he
turned to Dumbledore who was beaming at the four new comers.
"Ah!" he
said cheerfully getting up from his chair and walking to the front of the desk.
Harry not wanting to be the only one seated too slowly got up. Harry, Moody,
Severus, meet your co-protectors". With this he winked at Harry.
"This is
Jackson Fleming." He said introducing the first man. Next was the second man.
"Foster Alec" and "This is Mathew Sylvester" he said beaming at the third. Then
he turned his gaze upon the woman who nodded at Dumbledore in greeting. "The
gorgeous lady is Michelle Lucino. They are aurors. My guests and their job here
will be to protect Harry here. All attention once again centered on Harry. He
felt himself go beetroot red with embarrassment. He didn't want other people,
especially a room full of aurors thinking he couldn't take care of himself.
"Do have seats"
said Dumbledore and with a wave of his wand half a dozen chairs appeared next
to Harry's and the whole lot seated themselves but most of them still staring
at him, including Snape.
"Now Harry
here has been shot at with many new thinks but I dread to say that all is not
over. What you have been exposed to it is a shell in a beach, but we no longer
can keep you in the dark. Not anymore. Here it goes," said Dumbledore again
loosing his in-control expression.
"The reason
we a increasing the safety around you Harry is because you are Voldemort's
prime target. The reason for him establishing a army. I know these are going to
change your life dramatically but I need not emphasize the fact that you are
not a normal teenager. I apologize but I am powerless against destiny," said
Dumbledore again sounding helpless.
Harry
suddenly knew he was the reason Dumbledore was feeling out of control and
helpless. He had to do something, something to show what he truly felt instead
of sitting there like a duck. That he completely understood. Harry had always
expected this; it was just a matter of time.
"I
understand and I think it's time I too changed. Act for what is expected of me,
not on what expect of my self" he said calmly and this seems to have made a
great livening up in Dumbledore's side.
"Thank You
Harry. I really do hope people understand you, what your doing" he said sort of
dreaming off but was soon to get back to reality.
"Our
intelligence sources have told us that Voldemort is planning to launch a massive
attack against Hogwarts and I'm afraid we will be shutting down the education
when it does which is expected rather soon. But don't worry the student's will
be kept inside the castle since they will be otherwise exposed to dark magic if
sent home. Most of the families who've sent their children here can't protect
themselves so they shall be under the protection of Hogwart's ancient magic.
Harry was
both frightened and relieved. Relieved he didn't have to go back to the
Dursley's but frightened of the future. But why did they tell him this now? No
one normally told Harry anything. They just allowed him to find it out on his
own, with Ron and Hermione.
"Sir, why
are you telling me?" he asked both doubt and curiosity filling his voice.
Dumbledore
one again beamed at him like earlier.
"The reason
Harry is the reason for all of this. Something that was guarded and hidden from
you. But now, now is the time for it to be revealed. It is imprudent to keep it
hidden from you anymore".
"Harry I am
old, very old. I am getting weak and no longer have energy and power on his
side. Voldemort on the other hand is much younger and with his rebirth should
be even more so. He is powerful and might even be more so than me in my height
of power." Said Dumbledore and sighed.
"Harry I do
not have the strength or power to lead a force into battle. There s no hope of
Hogwatrs winning over Voldemort force as of now with me leading it. As many
expect to. I shall put up no challenge against Voldemort. But I have my
apprentice. He shall lead war for me. Someone younger, more powerful and filled
with energy. He has skill and power that he has only brushed the surface of. He
is you"
It had been
a shock that Harry would have never prepared for. His face turned to a horror
stuck expression and suddenly he seemed to have lost his voice. He? The great
Albus Dumbledore's apprentice? Him leading war against Dumbledore? This must be
a dream or a very very big practical joke he said to himself.
Harry felt
better now that he knew it mustn't be real. He smiled at Professor Dumbledore.
"Sir, You
must have been totally misled or must be under the influence of Fred or George.
They are bound to be behind this sir. Don't worry it is just a practical joke"
he said calmly and in a cheerful voice. The others stared at him stunned.
"Harry I
assure you that I am not under any influence or have not been misled by anyone
or anything. You are required to lead an army of Hogwarts into war with
Voldemort's. Please Harry take this seriously much depends on it" said
Dumbledore rather sternly.
Harry was
shocked. If Dumbledore spoke like that it had to be important, it had to be
true. But how? Why? He didn't have any of the things Dumbledore said. He wasn't
a powerful wizard and he certainly had no idea even how a wizarding war took
place or even if Hogwarts had an army now that he thought of it. If Dumbledore
didn't want to lead an army by himself he could have asked an auror, a
professor or even another student. Why him?
While Harry
was in deep thought, he didn't notice nearly everyone in the room staring at
him intently
"Harry you
are being asked to lead an army into battle. You too will have to fight. But I
also regret to say that if you accept or not, you shall be part of it. If you
don't lead, still Voldemort will come after you and will be forced to battle.
If you leave Hogwarts, he'll still-hunt you down. What I recommend is you do
lead where there will be other to aid you when Voldemort does attack. But these
six people in the room and my self will be with you no matter what you choose
to do. They shall guard you to the best of their ability as long as they can.
They are ready to give their lives for you and I must insist that they escort
you everywhere you shall travel. They will be in your classes, by your side
when you walk in the corridors and even eat beside you in the great hall. To
this I'm afraid you have no choice" he continued.
'This can't
be right' said Harry to himself. He didn't want to be another Draco Malfoy.
Walking around the school with two goons beside you. No! He'll be worse. He'll
have six instead of two and they'll be all grown-up trained wizards and
witches. At least they weren't idiotic and pathetic like Malfoy's and he didn't
have a choice.
He had to
give much more thought to leading the army. So it seems as if Hogwarts will be
attacked for sure. He was amazed how well he was taking this. Then again he had
faced a lot in the past few years. Especially last year. He had to lead. He
didn't want to leave Hogwarts. He'll surly die there, but leading an army into
battle was what he expected to do. He'll be responsible for so many lives and
does he even have a chance. Dumbledore sure seems to have full confidence and
from what it looks like Snape does too. What's wrong with him? Anyway if Snape
believes in him, he must be having a chance. A big one. In any case he wasn't
going to let go of the chance to lead a battle against Voldemort. Voldemort who
took so much away from him, who changed his life who made everyone's lives a
living hell. But he just had to ask why.
"Why Sir? Why me?" he finally asked.
"Dumbledore
gave nothing away from his face expressions, but just simply stared at him.
After what seemed close to a minute he answered.
"Harry you
are more special than you thinks you are. I'm grateful you think of your self
that way because if it were to be someone else, I doubt they could cope and I
also hope you show the same amount of strength if not more in the future. You
have a lot of responsibility on your shoulders, but more importantly at the
moment. They expect you to be a strong asset against Voldemort and some even
have gone far enough to make sure you lead this specific battle if it happens.
But for many others and me this is not merely to keep up our faiths in the Light.
We know you are powerful and that you are a skilled wizard even at this young
age.
You have
yet to find out your full potential and I have a feeling you will flabbergast
the whole when you do. But even more importantly my self and Voldemort have
already battle against each other and he knows nearly every trick that I have.
But you, you are different. You have never led a army into battle giving you
the element of surprise in strategy wise and more importantly Harry you have a
tendency to pull out a new trick every time the enemy, in this case Voldemort,
things they have you under control. Other than that we have no doubt about you
ability. And you will have each and every one of our supports. But my worry at
the moment is regarding your safety. But that is why these six people are here
today. You won't be going into the battlefield Harry but merely leading the
troops.
Don't get
me wrong Harry but it's not going to be easy, but it's going to be very Hard on
you. But you have our full confidence. If your worrying about your studies,
that has been taken care of. Unfortunately you won't be able to attend most of
the regular classes but you shall be privately tutored. It shall also include
an auror's training which I must say won't be easy. But in the end you will be
learning much more than you could ever dream of learning in your whole seven
years. It is for you to decide. You always have a option and this is no
different"
After that
Dumbledore sat silent along with the rest of the people in the room giving Harry
time to think.
Dumbledore
did have a point, but he didn't like one thing about the whole idea. He didn't
want to be some general who lead his generals to their doom and watches them
die. No! He wasn't going to allow it.
"Sir? I
will agree if you allow me to be in the battle field, not ordering people
around from across the country" he said trying hi best to be calm. It wasn't
every day he declined something that Dumbledore said.
Harry saw a
pure genuine smile spread across Mad Eye Moody's face but Dumbledore's
expression darkened for a second. It was a while before he replied.
"Okay Harry
but you will always have your protectors around you when you do go to the
battle field. If you agree to my request I shall agree to yours" he replied.
Once again
Harry started thinking. But in the end he made a decision. He wouldn't mind the
protectors if he could be there with everyone else.
Harry
simply nodded. He knew he didn't have to speak, as he knew that Dumbledore knew
what he had been thinking. His response was followed by a few seconds silence.
It seemed as if they expected it but still were surprised by something.
Finally it
was Harry who broke the silence
"Sir?
What's the story behind the attack at the Burrow?" he asked.
This had
been a question that he'd been waiting to ask fro a rather long time. He waited
patiently as Dumbledore thought before he answered.
"Harry, I
guess it was a random hit on someone whom you know. Please don't worry about
this. Most of the people you know will be here in Hogwarts and if not, we will
provide them security to the best of our ability"
With that
he turned his attention back to the protectors. He had feeling that he was
going to be spending a LOT of time with threes people. He of course knew
Professor Snape who had suddenly undergone a drastic personality change during
the past two weeks and Mad Eye Moody briefly. But the others were as good as
strangers. But professor Dumbledore interrupted his thoughts.
"Harry
these six people will be around you from now on always. This includes in your
dorm and common room. I trust them with my life and I hope you do the same.
They are very skilled and will be able to handle almost anything. But, your
significant involvement with the resistance will be kept away from everyone
except for the most crucial personnel for the time being. The professors and
Mr. Filch will be notified so you shall not get into trouble due to the
involvement. But you will have to keep this away from Mr. Weasley and Ms.
Granger too. The more they know, the more they will be at risk. We will inform
them in due time but for the moment, your excuse about the protectors to any
student including Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger will be because of the rise of
Voldemort. It is not entirely a lie. But your absence from class and such will
be hard. I suggest you tell them that it too is due to concerns regarding your
security. Do you understand Harry?"
Harry
didn't want to keep secrets from Ron and Hermione or anyone else for that
matter but he had a good reason for doing so. He hoped they'd feel the same way
when they find out.
He nodded
in agreement.
Dumbledore
smiled briefly but it vanished instantly. Harry felt bad seeing Dumbledore. He
was working so hard for the well being of others. He truly was great.
"In that
case you may return to Mr. Weasley and Ms. Ganger. They will be anxious to see
why you were suddenly called for a meeting. Sirius too will be rather anxious
to have a long talk with you. But I hope you keep your word"
"Yes sir"
he said and got up. At that very moment Dumbledore nodded towards Mad Eye Moody
and they too got up from their seats.
'Here it
goes' he thought for himself and turned towards the door. 'Here he goes indeed'
The
so-called six protectors to followed him closely from behind. Harry knew they
were fully alert and was watching him like a hawk. Times have changed. He knew
everything will change, but this he didn't expect. At least not this
early.