PART 8
Look how quick that was!!! Aren't you proud of me? Also, Harry's thoughts are in BOLD font, and for that I have reasons…**smiles devilishly** Read and review!!! As always, I own nothing. Luv ya! Ooh, I thought I'd post this before Sarah's Bat Mitzvah party!!! I'm SOO excited!!!! He'd BETTER dance with MEEE!!! If I manage to get a few good pictures I'll post them under my profile, so check back!!! (And I'll be changing the dumb words, too, if anyone cares…)

Quillow: Carpe diem! I was too impatient to wait…you got off! Argh.

Chris: No, you have Neil! I want Charlie!!!! No, here we go: You can have Neal and CHARLIE, and I can have Nuwanda!!!! Hehehe.

Audiaa2: Huh? Um, well, he actually IS in their world…so anything that happens to him there happens to him physically too…um…yeah…

Rufus: Thanks for the input…Am I back on your faves yet? Haha…Actually, I feel for you, imagine my agony when Brazil lost the Cup!!! I was sooooo pis*** off!!!! We ALL know that game was rigged…

Ple-pla-whatever (you know who you are): Thank you soooo so soooo much!!! "It's a guest, it's a guest, goodness me well I'll be blessed!!! Something something something pot, goodness me is that a spot?" MRS. POTTS RULES!!! Actually I'm head over heels for Cogsworth…"And here you see the tapestries dating back to the late Baroque period…as I always say, if it's not Baroque, don't fix it! Ahheeheehee. Now if I may direct your attention to the flying buttresses…"

Dumbledore's True Love: You're a sweetie, thanks!

Archwiz: No!! Haven't I been reviewing? Oh dear. The interview part was absolutely fascinating…is Relana the heiress of Ravenclaw or Rowena's reincarnation or something? Ooh…so is there a lot more left? There's so many good fics…how shall I keep up with them all?

Dunno: Are you following my fic or not? Palmer: If you ever read this, I KNOW you just wanted to eat my words about the cheesecake in the poem!!! Lotsa fists (my compliments, of course). Thanks for reviewing!!! Metal Mouth: I keep forgetting to send, and I won't be able to get on the rest of the weekend, so I thought I'd post and get it over with. Sorry!!!! :o(

And thanks to anyone else who reviewed, you made my day!! And if anyone reviewing is an author, do me a favor and plug me, will ya? Especially if you have a wide audience!!! (Or if you're about to end…hint, hint, Quillow…and I sent it to you this time…you're the shady bum, not replying to my Ims…)

Luv ya all!!! (And if you didn't get a note, I love you anyway, but you probably only reviewed once so I dunno if you're part of my quote unquote 'following'. Luv ya anyway. Right…Here we go…sorry if it sucks…**drumroll**….

PART 8

"Sirius, I have something to tell you."

Something to tell you. The words, unreal, rang in Sirius' head. I have something to tell you. We've got something to tell you. Lily and James are dead. Harry's missing. Ron's dead. All manner of horrible words could follow that foreboding introduction. "What?" he asked. "It's Harry, isn't it?"

"Yes, well, he's a…Maybe it would be better if you saw for yourself…"

"Is he all right?" said Sirius frantically.

"I think so-"

"What do you mean, you THINK so?!? Either you know or you don't!!!!"

"Ask Dumbledore!"

"Ask Dumbledore, what kind of bullshit is that?"

"You can ask Harry, if you want, for that matter!"

"He'd better be okay, or I'll kill whoever's responsible for whatever's happened…Or whoever's nearest. I'd suggest you get out of my way when I get really mad, Remus."

"I always do. Let's go, shall we?"

Sirius transformed, and followed him to Dumbledore's office.

The first thing he saw was Harry, apparently sleeping, in a chair. He seemed fine…But he knew from experience that looks could be deceiving.

"I've put a spell on him so that he can rest for a bit," said Dumbledore gently from behind his desk.

"Is he all right?"

"He should be fine."

"Should be?" snapped Sirius. "What exactly are you meaning to tell me?"

"He's a Necromancer," said Lupin quickly.

"What?" said Sirius. This wasn't what he'd been expecting.

"He can talk to dead people."

"James and Lily?" was Sirius' instant reply.

Albus sighed heavily. "I'm afraid not. Nicholas said it was against the code, or something like that. Logically, if he were powerful enough, he might be able to, but I don't think it'll ever happen, or not for a while, at least."

"Oh," said Sirius, bitterly disappointed.

"I'm sorry," Remus said softly.

"As are we all," interrupted Dumbledore. "But there are far more pressing issues at the moment. Perhaps in a time of peace Harry can figure out how to contact them. Now. Sirius, I think perhaps you should be a bit more comfortable with this, aware of the dangers it poses to Harry, etcetera."

"Dangers?"

"Possession-"

"Just read the book," he said, pointing to a bookshelf.

Sirius turned around to pick up the volume he was motioning to, but it flew into his hands before he could take a step towards it. It was blue, and quite thick. "What language?" he asked suspiciously, peering at the silver symbols inscribed on the cover.

"English."

"So should I…leave now?" inquired Sirius.

"If you hang around, you'll get to watch me interrogate him and possibly see him in pain caused by the aftereffects of the healing…"

"I'd rather not. May I speak to him later?" He hated seeing Harry in pain and being helpless to stop it. And he didn't want Harry to see him upset again…Everyone (that is to say, Dumbledore and Lupin) had been telling him how much Harry needed a 'strong, male figure' in his life, and he didn't think he could afford a complete breakdown in front of him.

"Of course."

"When?"

"Any time before dinner."

"Okay. I'll go now," said Sirius.

"And I have Gryffindor's first period," Lupin commented, looking down at a timetable.

"All right. You two go about your business and I'll do some paperwork until he wakes up. Read some of it before you come back, Sirius."

"What about when they ask where Harry is?"

"When you take roll and you call his name, you just say 'excused.'"

"Okay." Lupin walked to the door and opened the it for Sirius, who had already transformed and was waiting patiently for Remus.

Dumbledore opened one of the many drawers in his desk and took out a piece of parchment and a quill, sighing.

September 2nd, 1995 A.D.

Esteemed Governors-

Due to recent events, it seems that Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, has been keen to see me removed from my post as Headmaster of Hogwarts. I wish to avoid a conflict, and thus offer you my resignation. Please take this as a sign of my full cooperation with Minister Fudge's wishes, as well as your own, and accept it without reserve.

Your support is greatly appreciated.

Cordially,

Albus Dumbledore

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Headmaster

Order of Merlin, First Class

Dumbledore looked at the parchment, the ink glistening. He read it aloud softly to himself, putting a copy in his files, unaware that Harry was awake and listening. He's RESIGNING?!? thought Harry in disbelief. No. That's impossible. No way. No…He can't!!! If he resigns, then they'd fire Lupin, and Snape, and they'd find out about Sirius, and certainly about me…WHY?!?!? Has he told anyone else about this? Does he even know I'm awake? I hope not. I mean, if he wanted to tell me, he would have, right? Yeah, I think he would have. But why wouldn't he tell me? Well, I suppose he will when he thinks the time is right…

Dumbledore stood up and went down the staircase and walked to the Owlery, intending to mail the letter. He read it over once more and put it in the envelope, sealing it with his wand.

Damn! He's really going to! Wait, if he's there and I'm here, then how do I know what he's doing…maybe…if I thought something to him, he would listen? The idea sounded feeble even to him, but anything was worth a try.

Albus was in the process of tying it to the owl's leg when the Nagging Doubt struck. A little voice (presumably his conscience) started talking to him. What about everyone here? They need you, Albus. Without you, Hogwarts will surely fall.

No, Minerva is capable…

But what if they appoint another? You resigned; you have given up all intervention in the school's affairs.

Yes, but I'll win the election for Minister and then I'll have power to do what's needed to prevent an attack.

Will you really? You know the Minister is just a figurehead. What about the students? And their parents? You make them feel secure. It's the only reason you have any pupils, you do realize that?

Hogwarts is a respected school. It will have sufficient enrollment no matter who is Headmaster or Headmistress.

Are you sure? And what about Harry? He needs you. How do you expect to train him if you're in London gathering support for your campaign?

Lupin can take that responsibility.

Are you sure that whoever they appoint as your successor will want to keep a werewolf on their staff? And what other teacher are you going to have that'll let Sirius on the grounds? His Animagus form is too useful for spying, you know it has to be undiscovered, that's one of the reasons you haven't had a trial.

Why haven't I had a trial? Wormtail's form is much more useful, and they know Sirius is a dog…Or Wormtail and Voldemort do…

Indeed. Pettigrew is simply Wormtail in their circle, and they all still think Black is a Death Eater. Are you sure you're doing the right thing in keeping an unregistered Animagi? That's an illegal act in itself, being unregistered, and should they use Veritaserum in his trial, it'll come out you were concealing him.

But-

Work out all the logistics, Albus. Think about this carefully. Remember, the power you stand to gain may be less than you expected…

What do you mean?

Think about it. Look before you leap. I can't make all your decisions, can I?

Dumbledore smiled, looking down at the letter. "Afuego," he said without hesitation, pointing his wand at it. It burst promptly into flames, and he surveyed the ashes cupped in his palm with satisfaction, sure he'd done the right thing.

***

He re-entered his office to find Harry sitting awake and pensive.

"Hello," said Dumbledore.

Harry looked up. "What happened?"

"I don't know."

"Oh."

"Did Nicholas do that to you?"

"The blood? No."

"Who?"

"Different people. Dunno who. Don't think it really matters."

"Doesn't it?"

"No-except for him. I'll see him again. Yes."

"Who?"

"Grindelwald."

"But I killed him!!!!"

"Yeah. He doesn't like you very much."

"That's to be expected."

"Of course. He says he's more powerful than Voldemort?"

"He may well have been, if I hadn't stopped him."

"Are you sure you stopped him?"

"You sound terribly like my conscience."

"Is that bad?"

"Well Jiminy Cricket certainly knows a lot."

Harry looked away nervously. He'd had a little bit to do with who-what Dumbledore had been talking to in the Owlery.

"You didn't by any chance have anything to do with that little voice, did you?"

"Er-well…Sort of…Not intentionally…"

"How did you know that I've still not decided whether or not to register Sirius?"

"I didn't. I'm really sorry…That whole figurehead thing, that wasn't me."

"How do you know the inner workings of my brain? And you actually had me thinking that I was talking to myself. You sounded like me, at some points. And how on earth did you figure out that I was going to run for Minister?"

"I didn't! I heard you read your letter, and I knew you were going to mail it-"

"I didn't say anything out loud. I read it, but how did you know I was going to the Owlery-"

"So are you going to resign?"

Dumbledore grinned. "No. I've burned it. Speaking of which, I should burn the copy, as well."

"YES!"

"Thank you for-partially, I suppose- making me see sense. Though I still don't know how you did it."

Harry smiled wryly. "Lucky chance."

"I'd hate to think that that was some strain of the Imperious Curse…"

"Do you think it could have been?"

"Perhaps. But it would have been unwittingly on your part."

"I didn't know what I was doing."

"Well, you have telepathic connections with the dead, so why not the living?"

Why not indeed.

"Sorry?"

"Excuse me, Sir?" said Harry, slightly confused.

"Did you just say that-"

What in hell's name is he talking about?

"Don't swear!" reprimanded Dumbledore.

"I didn't!" Harry was getting very flustered.

"Are those your thoughts?"

These?

"Yes!"

"Well, yeah. You can hear them?"

"That would seem to be the case."

"So does that mean I can hear yours?"

This is unbelievable. Harry? Why, oh why. The inner workings of this school will never be safe again.

"That's not very nice. I do have respect for your privacy."

"I'm sure."

"I know that was sarcasm."

"You know too much."

"Not necessarily. There're a great deal of things I don't know jack about."

"Do you think this is just with me or that you're all around telekinetic?"

"No…This is just a little part of it…it'll be much more intense with the exorcist."

"Could you with anyone, though?"

"If I know them well enough, yes, I suppose so."

"Nick wasn't…"

"I'm not him, am I?"

"Gryffindor was. But…I…yes!" He opened a drawer and pulled out a book. "Heir?" he said, almost to himself.

"Albus, I thought you'd have figured it out by now. Of course he is."

"What-you're-Harry-not-what?"

"Of course I'm not Harry. Don't you remember me, you old geezer?" Harry's eyes had changed from green to a sparkling black.

"Nick?"

"Who else?"

"Good to see you!"

"Most emphatically the same. I'd hug you, but this isn't my body."

"Why are you in there?"

Nick shrugged. "Caprice, you know me."

Dumbledore laughed, but his expression quickly became somber. "What happened to him in there?"

"Nothing unusual. Possession attempt, it'll happen again. It's a bit uncomfortable…was there corporal harm?"

"Bruises, bleeding…"

"That's not good." He looked down. "Excellent, you've healed him already. You'll need to find the exorcist, if it's starting this early."

"What's starting this early?"

"The side effects. Harry'll explain. Once you've found him, do not allow them to be separated…Under any circumstances…Keep them close…"

"What about his telepathy?"

"To be expected. It's not very strong yet, but it will be."

"Can he with anyone?"

"Lawrence, most definitely. Even I can sometimes pick up thoughts of people. Whether or not they are sensitive enough to pick up his is a completely different issue."

"I must be, then…"

"Not surprising. You probably know him well enough, then. And he picks up yours?"

"He interfered with my judgment. I thought he was my conscience."

Nicholas laughed. "The resignation?" Dumbledore didn't even bother to ask how he knew. "He was in the right. I don't know how you've managed to lose your sense of direction, less than three years after I left!"

"Nor do I, my friend."

"How's Penelope?"

"Passed away right after you did."

"And the estate?"

"Bequeathed to one of your greats, just as you requested."

"How are their financial affairs?"

"They've asked me for loans, but their credibility is very bad. I only help out those who I know and trust, you know that."

"None better than I."

"I've recommended them to your former agent…"

"He's well, too?"

"Still number one in the business."

"Excellent. I knew I should have given you my property…"

"I would have sold it. I have no use for a mansion in England. And you wanted it to stay in the family."

"Thank goodness your brain is still functioning."

"I like to think so." There was a comfortable silence.

"Harry's struggling," said Nick suddenly. "This can hurt him…I have to go."

"Goodbye, my friend."

"Until we meet again."

"Until then," agreed Dumbledore solemnly, shaking his hand.

Nicholas (still in Harry's body) closed his eyes.

Harry felt a cold wind pass seemingly through him. He was still in his brain, he thought, but he couldn't control his body. He wanted to very much. GET OUT!!!!! He screamed mentally, pushing at the walls of his invisible prison. Unending blackness…

"Thank you, Harry." Flamel's voice reverberated in his head. "You can have your body back now."

Harry felt himself assume his normal shape again, but even his own body felt rather small and crammed.

"You'll get used to it."

"Thanks," replied Harry gratefully, happy to be back where he belonged. He opened his eyes, and found himself looking into those of Albus Dumbledore.

"Glad to see you among the living."

"You have no idea," said Harry wearily, slipping into a chair.

"Sirius wants to see you."

"Please not now…"

"You have classes, still."

"I do?!"

"I'm afraid so."

"I have Potions."

"You might."

"Anything but Potions…"

"Remus said he had your class in Defense. That should be about halfway through."

"Will Snape mind when I fall asleep? Wait, don't answer that…"

"Look, if you're really tired, don't go."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes."

"Thank you so, so, so, so, so much."

"You're not just trying to get out of class?"

"No."

"Feeling okay?"

"By whose standards?"

He knew full well Harry wasn't open about expressing pain, so he overlooked the question. "I'll help you back to Gryffindor Tower. I can't have you in my office all day."

He stood up, and Harry began to do the same, but couldn't support himself. He fell back into the chair.

"In that case, perhaps you'd better stay…"

"One second…" Harry took a deep breath and stood up, trying to ignore the pounding in his head and the varying distance of the floor, which seemed to be spinning. He took a step and stumbled, but managed to regain his balance as he walked purposefully, if somewhat slowly, to the door.

Dumbledore was impressed if somewhat skeptical, but he said nothing, curious to see how Harry would handle the stairs.

Harry grasped the banister and allowed the stairs to carry him downward, shutting his eyes in an attempt to block out the spiraling motion, which always made him a bit ill.

Albus followed close behind, ready to help him if he fell.

The gargoyle sprang open and Harry walked into the hallway, staying near the wall, and turned towards Gryffindor Tower. A few minutes more than it would have taken him at his usual pace, he found himself in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"Ronald Weasley," he said halfheartedly.

She smiled at him and swung outwards, and he climbed in. The hole closed immediately after him.

"Why, good morning, Albus!" she said energetically.

"Hello."

"You're not down here very often, are you! I haven't seen you in what, three months?"

"Something like that. It's good to see you too."

"Is there something wrong with what's his name? The little black haired one. He's the sweetest little dear!"

"Harry? Not that I know of," he lied.

"Wasn't he friends with the red-haired one? He died, didn't he?"

"Yes, he did. He and Harry were good friends."

"Oh, that would explain his antisocialness!!!"

"I don't know." Dumbledore walked away. The Fat Lady was a gossip, he knew that. He hated talking about Harry to anyone who didn't know him, as their conceptions were often wrong.

Harry, meanwhile, was standing behind the portrait, listening with increasing anger. Dumbledore talked about him?!? And lied, none the less.

And I trusted you.

What? Oh. Harry.

Yeah, it's me. You lied to her, Professor.

Trying to stop rumors from spreading.

Any reason?

I thought you'd appreciate it.

I can deal with rumors.

I was just trying to-

Help. Right. If you really wanted to, you could just go and convince Fred and George and Ginny that I didn't kill Ron.

They don't think that.

Yes, they do.

Harry-

I know you only pretend to care because of the necromancy bit!

That's not true-

Don't kid yourself.

I care about YOU, not the necromancer…

Shut up.

Harry, listen to me…

But there was no one there.

*****

Harry fell into an armchair and let the tears of frustration flow freely. Dumbledore didn't care, that didn't come as too big of a surprise, after all, he was the Headmaster, he probably didn't want to be involved in his student's lives.

Does Sirius feel the same way as him? "No" was the obvious answer. But he SAID I was my father's son. What if it's just because I AM his son…He was quickly becoming very confused, and only cried harder.

Meanwhile, during the class change…

Remus had just let out his Defense class, and he and Dumbledore were talking very quietly inside the now-empty classroom.

"Telepathic-hates me-"

Hermione, listening outside the door, heard snippets of their conversation. She'd have to tell Draco…

Albus was genuinely upset, Remus could tell. Strange, he doesn't normally get worked up. "I'm sure he doesn't."

"Maybe not, but he's certainly very angry."

"Why wasn't he in class?"

"He's exhausted. I put him under the Dormeins charm during most of your class, but then Flamel possessed him, so he was in even worse condition…and I somehow doubt seeing Snape'll make his condition any better."

"You've healed him?"

"First thing I did."

"I'll go and talk to him during lunch, see how he is and such. I won't mention this, as he'll probably assume we were talking about him behind his back, which we sort of are, but that's okay, he needn't know…"

I already do.

"What?"

You heard me. I dunno if you're the same as him, but…

"Remus?" Dumbledore's voice cut into his reverie.

"You said he was telepathic?"

"Yes."

Harry, I know you're there.

I should hope so.

What exactly are you thinking at the moment about Albus?

That's none of your business.

No more so than your eavesdropping on my conversations, correct?

So you're pissed at me too, is that it?

Not at all. I'm just slightly worried that you'll try to shut out me and Sirius, too.

Probably not, but well-

What?

You really give a damn about me because of who I am and not because of who my father was or what my past's been like?

Why would you think otherwise?

Can I tell you during lunch instead?

Why?

Because Professor Dumbledore is wondering what exactly you're doing. He just asked you how you thought I should get to London to find the exorcist. And I don't want him to be asking me that stuff right now.

Okay- He suddenly was aware that Harry was not there…."Er, wouldn't Apparition be safest?"

"Could he manage it, though?" asked Dumbledore, unaware of the pause in their dialogue, or if he was, he didn't make it obvious that he'd noticed.

"He probably could…we all know he's pretty capable."

"But if he ended up in the wrong place…"

"Then he'd get himself back somewhere safe. He's pretty bright, I think he could handle it."

Nice to have your vote of confidence.

Any time.

"You sure?" Dumbledore persisted.

YES, you're bloody sure. I've got to prove him wrong.

You're really conceited, aren't you?

Me?

Yes, you. "I think he's up to it."

"Will you talk to him about it?"

"Yeah."

Students began trickling in. "Well, I've got a class to teach."

"See you later, then."

Dumbledore left, and returned to his office…

THE POTIONS CLASS

"Granger."

Draco's cold voice echoed across the dungeon. It was much deeper than the previous year, and, Hermione realized, a pleasant shiver running up her spine, much sexier.

"Yes, Master?" she replied meekly, going to his side.

"Not so loud. Have you found out anything about Potter?"

"I overheard a conversation between the Headmaster and Professor Lupin. I assume it was about him. They mentioned Gryffindor Common Room, and why he didn't show up for Defense."

"Is he coming to Potions?"

"No Master."

"Why?"

"Dumbledore said that he was tired because Flamel possessed him."

Flamel? Nicholas Flamel? But he's dead… This was rather interesting. Draco would have to report this to Voldemort. "You will find out all you can about this incident."

"As you wish." Hermione bowed slightly and went to her normal table, where she was quite alone.

My Lord will reward me…this is exactly what he wanted…Draco smiled. His casting of the Imperious Curse had been quite successful, he just had to ensure its continued secrecy, or face the punishment…both his Master's and the Light's. But Dumbledore would not find out…Granger could not resist…if Snape told, he would be terminated…Voldemort suspected that he might be a spy…

He would bring honor to his family.

Thanks to Rufus for telling me it's ok to stop there! Likenesses are neither claimed nor implied, and characters are the intellectual/physical/sexual/oops property of Joanne Kathleen Rowling and the WB.

Coqui the Mighty Frog ~_^

(Don't forget to review!!!!)