Chapter 01 Reasons and Truths Told
Harry opened his eyes and saw something that he hated: Hogwarts' Hospital Wing. That was the last place that he expected to be at that moment. He expected to be dead.
He saw his arms and noticed bandages around his wrists. There were a line of red blood in them. He didn't need to ask why there were those lines there: he had tried to kill himself cutting his veins.
"Why did they have to save me?" Thought the teen to himself.
That summer his life had became a hell. Dumbledore sent a letter to him and his family saying that Harry couldn't leave the place that summer and telling his family what had happened in the Triwizard Tournament. This was the biggest mistake that the Headmaster could ever do: the Dursleys saw him now as a murderer and treated like one.
His Uncle Vernon had beaten him every night. It wasn't just because the events of the Tournament, his company was broken and he accused his nephew of all his troubles.
His nightmares were another problem. Every night he revived the events of that night, Cedric's death, the Priori Incantatem and Barty Crouch's revelations. He also saw Voldemort's attacks and tortures of Muggles and Wizards.
The last straw was Sirius' death. He was killed sometime in the summer and it was published everywhere. From that moment his life was worse than ever. The Dursleys destroyed all his things: books, broom, robes and killed Hedwig.
The only things he had saved were the album full of pictures of his parents, his dad's invisibilty cloak, his wand and the knife that Sirius had given to him the last Christmas.
Then, Harry took the decision to commit suicide. In that way, nobody could use, leave or abuse him anymore. Before he did it, he had left letters explaining everything and 2 letters for his best friends.
"I see that you are finally awake, Mr. Potter." Said Madame Pomfrey going to his bed when she noticed that he wasn't sleeping anymore.
"How long?" Asked Harry closing his eyes and leaning in the pillows.
"Four days since Professor Dumbledore brought you here. You had all of us worried." Said Poppy seriously checking and changing the bandges of his arms.
Harry didn't answer. He didn't want to speak. He just wanted to be alone.
"I'll tell the Headmaster that you woke up." Said Pomfrey going to the door.
"I don't want to see him yet." Said Harry in a decided tone of voice.
"I'll tell him to come after dinner if you want." Said the matron slowly before she left the Infirmary.
Harry just nodded before he closed his eyes and tried to ignore everything and everyone. He just wanted to be alone.
****
Madame Pomfrey went to the Headmaster Office to inform him that Harry Potter was awake. When she reached to the door she heard Dumbledore talking with Minerva McGonagall, Head of the Gryffindor House and Deputy Headmistress of the School, and Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of the Magic.
"Where is Potter, Dumbledore? I'm sure that you know it!" Shouted Fudge.
"He's at safe, Cornelius. Why do you want to know so desesperately where he is?" Asked Dumbledore looking not happy with the Minister's visit and his insistence about Harry Potter.
The relation between the Headmaster of Hogwarts and the Minister of the Magic was hard, tense and not friendly. Fudge accused Dumbledore of trying to sabotage him and saying lies about the Third Task. Albus Dumbledore, who ussually had a lot of patience, was a little exasperated with Fudge and his blindness about Voldemort's return. They hated each other in that moment.
"He has a lot of questions to answer about Cedric Diggory's death! Actually how he killed him!" Shouted furious Fudge.
That phrase was the last thing that you should say in presence of Albus Dumbledore. If with Fudge's visit he was angry, now he was definitely FURIOUS.
Minerva McGonagall had known the Headmaster for more time than any other Professor and she was proud to be his right hand. In all the years she had known him, she saw Albus in that state only 2 times: when he knew that James and Lilly Potter, his son-in-law and daughter, had been killed by Voldemort and betrayed by Sirius Black, although it was what everybody believed in that time, and last year with Barty Crouch's impersonment of Alastor "Mad Eye" Moody and all the things that he had done that year. She knew that Albus Dumbledore like that wasn't something good.
Before any of them could say something else, there was a knock on the door. A few moments later, in the office entered Madame Pomfrey.
"Minerva, may I speak with you?" Asked the Matron politely to the teacher. She had heard enough of the argument to know that the Headmaster couldn't be disturbed in that moment.
"I'll return in a few minutes." Said McGonagall following Poppy out of the Office.
"He's awake. He told me that he doesn't want to see anybody yet." Said the Matron to Minerva seriously.
"At least a good news. I guess that you have heard the argument, right?" Said Minerva with a sad smile.
"Enough to know that the Headmaster and the Minister won't have a nice chat never again." Said Poppy angrily.
"If they talk to each other again without shouting, consider it a miracle." Said Minerva flatly.
"If you or the Heamaster want to see him, I'd suggest you to wait at least till after dinner. He's not in mood to see any of you right now." Said Poppy seriously.
"Thanks. I'll return there before they forget that killing someone is a crime and they start to shoot courses to each other." Said Minerva entering the Office again resignated to listen more shouts and arguments.
****
Later that day, Minerva decided to pay a visit to the student.
Although not many people knew it, Harry Potter was her Godson. His mother, Lily Evans, had been a very good friend of her. Minerva became Lily's confident during her School's years and after she left Hogwarts too. When James had proposed her marriage and when she knew that was pregnant of Harry, Minerva was the first person who knew it. Her death had hit her very hard. She had suffered a lot with it.
She always wondered why she had bever told Harry that she was his Godmother. She never found an answer that satisfied her. In his 4 years at the School, she had tried to protect him as much as she could: letting him enter in the team in his first year, not expelling him after his arrival in the Weasley's flying car in his second, all about Sirius incident in his third. But she felt that she had failed him last year. She couldn't do anything for him and she hated herself for that.
Now he had tried to kill himself and was alone like always. She promised to herself that she would be near him as much as she could. It was obvious that he needed someone, especially after Sirius' death.
"I hope that he can forgive me." Thought Minerva entering the Hospital Wing and spotting the boy.
Harry was looking at the ceilling with his look lost. He didn't look like a teen, it was like seeing an adult. His face looked like an old man's one: scars that were not only the visibles, there were inside him too. His expression was of a haunted man and not of a 15 years old boy.
"How are you, Mr. Potter?" Asked the Head of Gryffindor sitting next to his bed.
"How do I look, Professor?" Asked Harry without looking her.
"Why?" Asked Minerva dreading the answer or his reaction.
"I'm tired of everything: of being used like a tool that is sent to somewhere where is useless till the people who put him there decides that he's needed again, tired of the abuse, tired of the lies, secrets, tired of being seen as a God, tired of not being listened. Do you have any idea how does it feel, Professor McGonagall?" Said angrily Harry facing his Head of House.
"No, I don't." Said Minerva defeated.
"I thought so." Said Harry returning his attention to the ceilling once again.
"I'm sorry." Said McGonaggal after a few moments of silence.
"What for?" Asked Harry confused.
"For being part of the secrets and lies. For hidding something that I should have told you a long time ago. For not being able to keep a promise that I did to your mother. I'm sorry." Said McGonagall not facing the teen.
"I don't understand you, Professor. What do you mean?" Asked Harry completely confused about his Professor's words.
"When your mother was here studying, I became her confident. It's unusual, but happens. We created a special friendship. When your father asked her to marry him, I was the first person who was told. I never saw her so happy, believe me. I still remember her face that day." Said McGonagall not able to hide a little smile.
"That's why you appear in a few of their pictures, right?" Asked Harry remembering her presence in photos of his parents. He never paid atention to that detail.
"Yes, I gave Hagrid many of those ones. If you want, I can give more of them. I must have more than 100." Smiled Minerva.
"How well did you know her?" Asked Harry sitting on the bed interested in her words.
"Besides James, I knew her betten than anyone. I'll never forget the day that she knew that she was pregnant of you. I was in the middle of a class, and she entered there and said: "I'm pregnant." I was transforming a desk in a eagle in that moment, I think. When she said that, the desk became a dragon and began to breath fire everywhere." Chuckled Minerva at the memory.
Harry burst out in laughter imagining that scene. Although he stopped when his ribs began to hurt a little. He began to take deep breaths till the pain dissapeared.
"Are you ok?" Asked McGonagall concerned seeing his breaths.
"Yes, I am." Said Harry continuing with the deep breaths. Then something hit him. "If you were so united to her, it means..."
"Yes, Harry, I'm you Godmother. She asked me that class to be it. Don't ask what happened to the desk when she did it." Said the Transfiguration teacher not happy with the memory.
"Thanks." Said Harry smiling.
"Why?" Now was Minerva who was confused.
"For everything. I guess that it was hard to you having you Godson like a student in your own House and not being able to tell it to him that. Thanks for not expelling me, letting me enter the team in my first year, for everything that you did." Said Harry leaning on the pillows again.
"Harder than you can ever imagine." Said McGonagall seeing the boy closing his eyes.
"Goodnight." Said Harry before he fell asleep.
"Goodnight, Harry." Said Minerva kissing him in the forehead before she left the Infirmary and went to Dumbledore's Office.
****
Albus Dumbledore was a nice man, quiet and patient. That summer he was something different. He lost his usual twinkle in his eyes the day that Voldemort had reborn using Harry's blood.
The deaths of Sirius and Remus had hit him hard. Both of them had been working for him when they were attacked by Death Eaters who killed them. Both Marauders were like sons for him. Their loss had caused him a great pain in him.
The other thing that caused him more pain was Harry's suicide attempt. He would never forget the sight of the teen laying on his bed with his wrists opened and bleeding. Every time he closed his eyes could see it clearly.
His decision of leaving him with the Dursleys was one of his biggest mistakes. He regreted not following Minerva's advice of that fateful night and let him live at Hogwarts with his Godmother and him, his Grandfather. It was a secret at voices. The only people who knew it were Minerva McGonagall, James Potter, Lily Potter, Sirius Black and few other chosen ones.
He took a framed picture of his wife and Lily's mother. It had been taken a long time ago. When it was taken, Mirielle was pregnant of 5 months. Both of them were in a dinner with Nicholas Flamel and his wife. Mirielle was Nicholas' wife best friend. She was 20 when they married. In that moment Albus was 35. They were married for almost 20 years when Lily born. Mirielle died when she gave her birth.
Albus, with the responsability of the School and the fear that she could be hurted for being her daughter, gave her in adoption to the Evans. They were old friends with him. They never had problems with Lily and loved her as their own daughter. Unfortunately, the relationship between Lily and Petunia was anything but good. It came obvious with Petunia's feelings and behavior towards Harry.
He was stopped of thinking when someone knocked the door.
"Come in!" Called Albus putting the picture in its place again.
"He's awake." Said Minerva entering and sitting in a chair.
"Poppy told me a few minutes ago. How is he?" Asked the Headmaster clearly worried.
"It was like seeing an adult. In the bed there was nothing but a 15 years old teen." Said McGonagall tiredly.
"Did you tell him?" Asked Dumbledore.
"He took it well. I don't know how he will take your part." Said Minerva seriously.
"You know why I didn't tell him, Minerva. Did you forget Lily's letter?" Said Dumbledore very serioulsy.
"I didn't." Said the Head of Gryffindor seriously, before she asked: "What will happen with Fudge?"
"He still wants to question him. I don't know what will happen. If Harry doesn't speak, he'll be seen as if he did it. If he does, only God knows the reaction of everyone." Said Albus stroking Fawkes' feathers.
"The problem is that Harry isn't coping with it very well." Said McGonagall sadly.
In that moment, Severus Snape, the Potions Teacher and Head of the Slytherin House, stormed in the Office. He was breathing hard and didn't look very well.
"Severus, what happened?" Asked worriedly Dumbledore helping the teacher to sit down.
"Fudge... is... one... of... them." Said Snape trying to recover himself.
"Fudge is a Death Eater??" Asked shocked Dumbledore.
"He works for Voldemort. He doesn't have the mark, but yes, he is one." Said Snape calming himself a little.
"That's why he wants Harry so much. He wants him to deliver the boy to You- Know-Who." Said Minerva shocked by the news. She knew about Severus' work as a spy for Dumbledore. She trusted both of them with her life.
"The problem is that Fudge doesn't know where Potter is. Voldemort isn't very happy about that fact. He put everyone under the Cruciatus today." Said the Professor shaking and trembling a little, trying to recover himself.
"He musn't know that he is here, Albus." Said Minerva to Dumbledore seriously. The old wizard nodded in agreement.
"Potter is here?" Asked Snape confused. He had been out of the Castle for almost a week and he didn't know about Harry's presence or the reasons behind it.
"Hospital Wing. He's been here for 4 days, Severus." Replied Albus.
"Why?" Asked the Head of Slytherin more confused.
"Suicide attempt." Said Minerva slowly and simply.
Those words were the last ones that Severus Snape would have expected. He never thought about the posibilty of Harry Potter, his most hated student, being able to commit suicide. He was shocked to say the least.
"When? How? Why?" Asked the Professor trying to recover himself from the shock of Minerva´s words.
"Four days ago. He tried to cut his veins. According to his own words, he was tired of everything: the abuse, secrets, lies. I guess that Sirius and Remus' deaths were the last straws." Answered slowly and sadly the Head of Gryffindor.
Severus went silent after those words. He always thought that Harry Potter loved the fame he had. Now he saw his mistake. Although that was one of his reasons to hate him, not the main one, he never consider him as a normal student. His treatment to him was based in that thought. He promised to himself to change his relationship to the boy, before it was too late.
"I guess that Harry will have to face Fudge. We'll play his game, but we'll have to do it with our rules. Minerva, talk with Filius and ask him to research about the Imagus Mentalus spell. We'll need it." Said Albus to the witch seriously.
"Are you considering doing it, Albus?" Asked McGonagall shocked by the request. That spell wasn't something pleasant when it was casted in an adult. In a teen, it would be like a hell or like the Cruciatus ten times worse.
"It's our only chance to show what really happened that night and convince everybody of Voldemort's return." Said the old wizard, who understood Minerva's shock perfectly.
"I'll speak with him right now." Said McGonagall leaving the Office and going to speak with the Charm's Professor.
"Severus, go to rest a while. You look like you need it." Said Albus dimissing the Professor and staying alone lost in his thoughts once again.
****
The next morning, Harry woke up feeling someone shaking his shoulder gently. He put on his glasses and saw the smiling face of Albus Dumbledore, his Headmaster and Mentor. Harry sighed deeply, he wasn't ready to face him yet.
"Good morning, Harry." Said Albus watching the teen carefully.
"Good morning." Said Harry yawning. Then he added sheepisly, "Sorry."
"What for? Trying to kill yorself? I guess you had much pressure on you, more than you should. I'm the one who must apology for sending you there again." Said Dumbledore seriously and meaning every word that he had said.
"You couldn't know it." Said harry simply before he asked: "I guess you want to talk about something with me, right?"
"I guess it's time to tell you a few things that have been kept from you many years. Harry, Minerva isn't the only relative that you have in the Castle." Said Albus seriously.
"Another relative? Please, tell me it isn't Snape!" Said Harry not liking that idea at all.
"Don't worry, Severus isn't related to you. Although you must admit that it's a funny idea." Chuckled Dumbledore.
"Sure, it's so funny as Vodemort making the sign of peace and love to muggle borns." Said Harry sarcastically.
"That would be something comical, you have to admit." Laughed softly the Headmaster.
"Who is the another one?" Asked Harry dropping the matter of fun about Sanpe and Voldemort.
"Harry, I'll tell you a story. When I was young I was married. My wife, Mirielle died when she gave birth to my only daughter. You can imagine that being related to me would be something dangerous. She was given in adoption." Explained Albus with a serious tone of voice.
"What does it have to do with me, Professor?" Asked the teen confused with his words.
"My daughter was Lily Evans, although you know her as Lily Potter. Your mother was my daughter, what makes you my only grandson." Said Dumbledore seriously and waiting Harry's reaction.
Harry was shocked by the revelation. He didn't wait something like that at all. Dumbledore was his granfather?!
His first feeling was of rage because Dumbledore didn't keep him at his side. For making him live with the Dursleys for 14 years, make him live a hell.
Harry began to take deep breaths. He knew that he had to control himself before everything exploded and needed to think everything clearly. He couldn't let the anger take control over him.
When he calmed down a little, he began to think everything with a different point of view. If anyone knew it, it could put both of them in danger. If Death Eaters knew about them being family they could kill one of them to hurt the other. After all, they were the reason of Voldemort's downfall and the person that he most feared.
"Did she know it?" Was the first thing that he could ask with a little of calm.
"She found it out in her Sixth Year, making a work for Professor Binns. The only people that know this are Minerva McGonagall, both of your parents, Sirius knew it last year and a few ones. You can imagine what would happen if the wizarding world knew about this." Said the Headmaster.
"When were you going to tell me this? Or better, why didn't you tell me before?" Asked Harry trying to keep his anger at bay.
"This letter can answer that question better than me. Your mother left it before they went under the Fidelius Charm, in case you survived and neither me, Minerva or any of the Marauders could keep you with us." Said the Headmaster giving Harry an old parchment.
Before Harry could begin to read it, Minerva came in the room looking angry and fruious.
"What's wrong, Minerva?" Asked Albus confused by her state.
"We have a guest. Guess who paid us a new visit?" Said McGonagall trying to control her anger.
"Stay with Harry, I'll attend Mr. Fudge." Said Dumbledore leaving the Infirmary angrily.
"What does that stupid git want now?" Asked Harry angrily, putting his mother's letter in the bedtable to read it later.
"Question you by Diggory's death. He thinks that you killed him." Said McGonagall angrily.
"WHAT?????" Yelled Harry in disbelief at his Godmother's words.
"He wants to take you to a trial. We discovered that he is..." Began Minerva but Harry cut her off.
"Death eater, I know it. He appeared in many of my dreams about Voldemort." Said Harry closing his eyes and laying over the pillows.
Suddenly both of them heard shouts louder and louder every time. They recognised easily the voices of Dumbledore and Fudge. When they came near the Hospital Wing, Minerva closed the courtains around Harry's bed and told him to stay quiet for a while. The teen nodded and listened the conversations between the 2 Professors and the Minister.
"Where is he?" Asked Fudge yelling.
"He's resting, Minister! If you haven't noticed, this is a Hospital Wing and there are persons that are ill and need their rest!" Shouted back Minerva bewildered with Fudge's actions.
"He killed someone! He must be taklen in custody by the Ministry! He's a murderer!" Shouted Fudge furious.
"What proof do you have about it, Minister?" Asked Harry opening the curtains and facing Fudge with a not friendly face.
"It will be decided by a Judge if he must be sent to Azkaban! He killed Diggory!" Shouted Fudge not answering Harry's question.
"You aren't answering the question, Minister: What. Proof. Do. You. Have. To. Say. That. I. Killed. Cedric." Repeated Harry remarking every word of it.
"If you don't answer it, we'll think that you don't have any." Said Minerva with a flat tone of voice.
"There are witnesses that saw him killing Diggory!" Said Fudge to Minerva pointing at the teen.
"Who? Your Master, Voldemort and his servants, the Death Eaters?" Said Harry with a challenging tone of voice.
"Are you acussing me of being a Death eater?" Said Fudge bewildered.
"I don't acusse, I tell it." Said Harry flatly.
"You are insane! You-Know-Who is dead and I'm not one of his servants!" Shouted back Fudge indignated by Harry's words.
"If you say so." Said Harry simply leaning back on the pillows.
"Of course I say it! I'm the Minister of the Magic!" Said Fudge more and more furious.
"I always thought he was the Minister of the Stupidity." Whispered Harry to Minerva, who was standing next to him.
"ALL OF YOU OUT, RIGHT NOW! THIS BOY NEEDS HIS REST!" Roared Madame Pomfrey shooing everyone of the Infirmary.
"I've never been so happy with Madame Pomfrey shooing someone like now." Said Harry with a grin.
"We'll see each other again soon!" Said Fudge and he left the Hospital Wing still furious.
"We'll talk later. Now rest, Harry." Said Dumbledore leaving the place.
Harry fell asleep inmeadiately after Minerva left the Infirmary too. He was tired and need to rest a while and process everything that had happened the last few weeks.
****
When Harry woke up again, the first thing he did was take his mother's letter. He wanted to know why everybody kept the secret of Dumbledore being his grandfather. He unrolled the parchment and began to read it eagerly:
"Dear Harry,
If you are reading this, it means that your father and me have died at Voldemort's hands and you survived. I'm sure that Albus have told you that he is your grandfather and was my father.
It also means that neither him, Minerva, Sirius or Remus were able to take you to live with them. If it happened, you went to live with my sister and your life wasn't sompething pleasant, I'm sure.
Before you hate your Grandfather for not telling you this, you must know that I asked him to no do that.
Why? Easy, if you survived the attack, you would become a celebrity and if you are like me or James, you'll hate the fame.
I hope that you could have a good childhood, although living with Petunia doesn't make nothing sure.
Remember that I'll love you always and don't hate your Granfather. This is so hard for him too.
Your Mother,
Lily Dumbledore Evans Potter.
P.S.: If you want to take a revenge towards Petunia and Vernon, ask Albus the tittle of property of Privet Drive 4. It's your house if you want it."
When Harry finished the letter, he had tears in his eyes, and didn't try to avoid them. He went on crying for a few minutes, before someone pushed his shoulder gently. He dried the tears and looked up to find his Granfather.
"I see that you've read the letter." Said Albus giving him a handkerchief. The only thing that Harry could do was nod.
"Thanks." Said Harry giving him back the handkerchief. After a few moments, he asked: "What did she mean with Privet Drive is mine?"
"Harry, you were sent there, not only by Petunia being your half Aunt. You'll see, when her adoptive parents had a little money trouble, they asked me help. I decided to buy them a new house but put the condition that it would be for Lily's descendant when they wanted or needed it. They didn't see any problem, especcially because they would leave many thing to Petunia. That house has many protections, because you are the owner." Explained his Grandfather with a smile.
"Does it mean that I can though them out of there if I want?" Asked Harry grinning with a smile that meant revenge.
"Exactly." Said Dumbledore seeing his intentions.
"I want them out!" Said Harry smiling.
"I'll take care of that." Replied the old wizard with a smile, before he turned serious again: "We have a big problem."
"Fudge." Said Harry with anger in his voice.
"Like you heard early, he wants to take you to trial for Cedric's death. I know that you aren't in condition to repeat the story once more, so we decided to do something more practical." Said Dumbledore seriously.
"What?" Asked Harry eagerly.
"There is a spell called Imagus Mentalus. It shows the memories of a person. We want to do it on you. In that way you would prove your inocence and show that Voldemort has returned." Explained Albus.
"Let's do it." Said the teen determined in his decision.
"I must warn you something Harry, it will be painful. The people who used it, described it as worse than the Cruciatus. If it was the effect in an adult, don't want to imagine about the effects on you." Said Dumbledore in a tone of voice that meant that he wasn't joking at all.
"I'll survive." Said Harry seriously.
"I'll arrange the date of the trial with the Minister. Now, rest." Said Albus firmly.
Harry nodded before the dream gained him once more and fell asleep very quickly.
Harry opened his eyes and saw something that he hated: Hogwarts' Hospital Wing. That was the last place that he expected to be at that moment. He expected to be dead.
He saw his arms and noticed bandages around his wrists. There were a line of red blood in them. He didn't need to ask why there were those lines there: he had tried to kill himself cutting his veins.
"Why did they have to save me?" Thought the teen to himself.
That summer his life had became a hell. Dumbledore sent a letter to him and his family saying that Harry couldn't leave the place that summer and telling his family what had happened in the Triwizard Tournament. This was the biggest mistake that the Headmaster could ever do: the Dursleys saw him now as a murderer and treated like one.
His Uncle Vernon had beaten him every night. It wasn't just because the events of the Tournament, his company was broken and he accused his nephew of all his troubles.
His nightmares were another problem. Every night he revived the events of that night, Cedric's death, the Priori Incantatem and Barty Crouch's revelations. He also saw Voldemort's attacks and tortures of Muggles and Wizards.
The last straw was Sirius' death. He was killed sometime in the summer and it was published everywhere. From that moment his life was worse than ever. The Dursleys destroyed all his things: books, broom, robes and killed Hedwig.
The only things he had saved were the album full of pictures of his parents, his dad's invisibilty cloak, his wand and the knife that Sirius had given to him the last Christmas.
Then, Harry took the decision to commit suicide. In that way, nobody could use, leave or abuse him anymore. Before he did it, he had left letters explaining everything and 2 letters for his best friends.
"I see that you are finally awake, Mr. Potter." Said Madame Pomfrey going to his bed when she noticed that he wasn't sleeping anymore.
"How long?" Asked Harry closing his eyes and leaning in the pillows.
"Four days since Professor Dumbledore brought you here. You had all of us worried." Said Poppy seriously checking and changing the bandges of his arms.
Harry didn't answer. He didn't want to speak. He just wanted to be alone.
"I'll tell the Headmaster that you woke up." Said Pomfrey going to the door.
"I don't want to see him yet." Said Harry in a decided tone of voice.
"I'll tell him to come after dinner if you want." Said the matron slowly before she left the Infirmary.
Harry just nodded before he closed his eyes and tried to ignore everything and everyone. He just wanted to be alone.
****
Madame Pomfrey went to the Headmaster Office to inform him that Harry Potter was awake. When she reached to the door she heard Dumbledore talking with Minerva McGonagall, Head of the Gryffindor House and Deputy Headmistress of the School, and Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of the Magic.
"Where is Potter, Dumbledore? I'm sure that you know it!" Shouted Fudge.
"He's at safe, Cornelius. Why do you want to know so desesperately where he is?" Asked Dumbledore looking not happy with the Minister's visit and his insistence about Harry Potter.
The relation between the Headmaster of Hogwarts and the Minister of the Magic was hard, tense and not friendly. Fudge accused Dumbledore of trying to sabotage him and saying lies about the Third Task. Albus Dumbledore, who ussually had a lot of patience, was a little exasperated with Fudge and his blindness about Voldemort's return. They hated each other in that moment.
"He has a lot of questions to answer about Cedric Diggory's death! Actually how he killed him!" Shouted furious Fudge.
That phrase was the last thing that you should say in presence of Albus Dumbledore. If with Fudge's visit he was angry, now he was definitely FURIOUS.
Minerva McGonagall had known the Headmaster for more time than any other Professor and she was proud to be his right hand. In all the years she had known him, she saw Albus in that state only 2 times: when he knew that James and Lilly Potter, his son-in-law and daughter, had been killed by Voldemort and betrayed by Sirius Black, although it was what everybody believed in that time, and last year with Barty Crouch's impersonment of Alastor "Mad Eye" Moody and all the things that he had done that year. She knew that Albus Dumbledore like that wasn't something good.
Before any of them could say something else, there was a knock on the door. A few moments later, in the office entered Madame Pomfrey.
"Minerva, may I speak with you?" Asked the Matron politely to the teacher. She had heard enough of the argument to know that the Headmaster couldn't be disturbed in that moment.
"I'll return in a few minutes." Said McGonagall following Poppy out of the Office.
"He's awake. He told me that he doesn't want to see anybody yet." Said the Matron to Minerva seriously.
"At least a good news. I guess that you have heard the argument, right?" Said Minerva with a sad smile.
"Enough to know that the Headmaster and the Minister won't have a nice chat never again." Said Poppy angrily.
"If they talk to each other again without shouting, consider it a miracle." Said Minerva flatly.
"If you or the Heamaster want to see him, I'd suggest you to wait at least till after dinner. He's not in mood to see any of you right now." Said Poppy seriously.
"Thanks. I'll return there before they forget that killing someone is a crime and they start to shoot courses to each other." Said Minerva entering the Office again resignated to listen more shouts and arguments.
****
Later that day, Minerva decided to pay a visit to the student.
Although not many people knew it, Harry Potter was her Godson. His mother, Lily Evans, had been a very good friend of her. Minerva became Lily's confident during her School's years and after she left Hogwarts too. When James had proposed her marriage and when she knew that was pregnant of Harry, Minerva was the first person who knew it. Her death had hit her very hard. She had suffered a lot with it.
She always wondered why she had bever told Harry that she was his Godmother. She never found an answer that satisfied her. In his 4 years at the School, she had tried to protect him as much as she could: letting him enter in the team in his first year, not expelling him after his arrival in the Weasley's flying car in his second, all about Sirius incident in his third. But she felt that she had failed him last year. She couldn't do anything for him and she hated herself for that.
Now he had tried to kill himself and was alone like always. She promised to herself that she would be near him as much as she could. It was obvious that he needed someone, especially after Sirius' death.
"I hope that he can forgive me." Thought Minerva entering the Hospital Wing and spotting the boy.
Harry was looking at the ceilling with his look lost. He didn't look like a teen, it was like seeing an adult. His face looked like an old man's one: scars that were not only the visibles, there were inside him too. His expression was of a haunted man and not of a 15 years old boy.
"How are you, Mr. Potter?" Asked the Head of Gryffindor sitting next to his bed.
"How do I look, Professor?" Asked Harry without looking her.
"Why?" Asked Minerva dreading the answer or his reaction.
"I'm tired of everything: of being used like a tool that is sent to somewhere where is useless till the people who put him there decides that he's needed again, tired of the abuse, tired of the lies, secrets, tired of being seen as a God, tired of not being listened. Do you have any idea how does it feel, Professor McGonagall?" Said angrily Harry facing his Head of House.
"No, I don't." Said Minerva defeated.
"I thought so." Said Harry returning his attention to the ceilling once again.
"I'm sorry." Said McGonaggal after a few moments of silence.
"What for?" Asked Harry confused.
"For being part of the secrets and lies. For hidding something that I should have told you a long time ago. For not being able to keep a promise that I did to your mother. I'm sorry." Said McGonagall not facing the teen.
"I don't understand you, Professor. What do you mean?" Asked Harry completely confused about his Professor's words.
"When your mother was here studying, I became her confident. It's unusual, but happens. We created a special friendship. When your father asked her to marry him, I was the first person who was told. I never saw her so happy, believe me. I still remember her face that day." Said McGonagall not able to hide a little smile.
"That's why you appear in a few of their pictures, right?" Asked Harry remembering her presence in photos of his parents. He never paid atention to that detail.
"Yes, I gave Hagrid many of those ones. If you want, I can give more of them. I must have more than 100." Smiled Minerva.
"How well did you know her?" Asked Harry sitting on the bed interested in her words.
"Besides James, I knew her betten than anyone. I'll never forget the day that she knew that she was pregnant of you. I was in the middle of a class, and she entered there and said: "I'm pregnant." I was transforming a desk in a eagle in that moment, I think. When she said that, the desk became a dragon and began to breath fire everywhere." Chuckled Minerva at the memory.
Harry burst out in laughter imagining that scene. Although he stopped when his ribs began to hurt a little. He began to take deep breaths till the pain dissapeared.
"Are you ok?" Asked McGonagall concerned seeing his breaths.
"Yes, I am." Said Harry continuing with the deep breaths. Then something hit him. "If you were so united to her, it means..."
"Yes, Harry, I'm you Godmother. She asked me that class to be it. Don't ask what happened to the desk when she did it." Said the Transfiguration teacher not happy with the memory.
"Thanks." Said Harry smiling.
"Why?" Now was Minerva who was confused.
"For everything. I guess that it was hard to you having you Godson like a student in your own House and not being able to tell it to him that. Thanks for not expelling me, letting me enter the team in my first year, for everything that you did." Said Harry leaning on the pillows again.
"Harder than you can ever imagine." Said McGonagall seeing the boy closing his eyes.
"Goodnight." Said Harry before he fell asleep.
"Goodnight, Harry." Said Minerva kissing him in the forehead before she left the Infirmary and went to Dumbledore's Office.
****
Albus Dumbledore was a nice man, quiet and patient. That summer he was something different. He lost his usual twinkle in his eyes the day that Voldemort had reborn using Harry's blood.
The deaths of Sirius and Remus had hit him hard. Both of them had been working for him when they were attacked by Death Eaters who killed them. Both Marauders were like sons for him. Their loss had caused him a great pain in him.
The other thing that caused him more pain was Harry's suicide attempt. He would never forget the sight of the teen laying on his bed with his wrists opened and bleeding. Every time he closed his eyes could see it clearly.
His decision of leaving him with the Dursleys was one of his biggest mistakes. He regreted not following Minerva's advice of that fateful night and let him live at Hogwarts with his Godmother and him, his Grandfather. It was a secret at voices. The only people who knew it were Minerva McGonagall, James Potter, Lily Potter, Sirius Black and few other chosen ones.
He took a framed picture of his wife and Lily's mother. It had been taken a long time ago. When it was taken, Mirielle was pregnant of 5 months. Both of them were in a dinner with Nicholas Flamel and his wife. Mirielle was Nicholas' wife best friend. She was 20 when they married. In that moment Albus was 35. They were married for almost 20 years when Lily born. Mirielle died when she gave her birth.
Albus, with the responsability of the School and the fear that she could be hurted for being her daughter, gave her in adoption to the Evans. They were old friends with him. They never had problems with Lily and loved her as their own daughter. Unfortunately, the relationship between Lily and Petunia was anything but good. It came obvious with Petunia's feelings and behavior towards Harry.
He was stopped of thinking when someone knocked the door.
"Come in!" Called Albus putting the picture in its place again.
"He's awake." Said Minerva entering and sitting in a chair.
"Poppy told me a few minutes ago. How is he?" Asked the Headmaster clearly worried.
"It was like seeing an adult. In the bed there was nothing but a 15 years old teen." Said McGonagall tiredly.
"Did you tell him?" Asked Dumbledore.
"He took it well. I don't know how he will take your part." Said Minerva seriously.
"You know why I didn't tell him, Minerva. Did you forget Lily's letter?" Said Dumbledore very serioulsy.
"I didn't." Said the Head of Gryffindor seriously, before she asked: "What will happen with Fudge?"
"He still wants to question him. I don't know what will happen. If Harry doesn't speak, he'll be seen as if he did it. If he does, only God knows the reaction of everyone." Said Albus stroking Fawkes' feathers.
"The problem is that Harry isn't coping with it very well." Said McGonagall sadly.
In that moment, Severus Snape, the Potions Teacher and Head of the Slytherin House, stormed in the Office. He was breathing hard and didn't look very well.
"Severus, what happened?" Asked worriedly Dumbledore helping the teacher to sit down.
"Fudge... is... one... of... them." Said Snape trying to recover himself.
"Fudge is a Death Eater??" Asked shocked Dumbledore.
"He works for Voldemort. He doesn't have the mark, but yes, he is one." Said Snape calming himself a little.
"That's why he wants Harry so much. He wants him to deliver the boy to You- Know-Who." Said Minerva shocked by the news. She knew about Severus' work as a spy for Dumbledore. She trusted both of them with her life.
"The problem is that Fudge doesn't know where Potter is. Voldemort isn't very happy about that fact. He put everyone under the Cruciatus today." Said the Professor shaking and trembling a little, trying to recover himself.
"He musn't know that he is here, Albus." Said Minerva to Dumbledore seriously. The old wizard nodded in agreement.
"Potter is here?" Asked Snape confused. He had been out of the Castle for almost a week and he didn't know about Harry's presence or the reasons behind it.
"Hospital Wing. He's been here for 4 days, Severus." Replied Albus.
"Why?" Asked the Head of Slytherin more confused.
"Suicide attempt." Said Minerva slowly and simply.
Those words were the last ones that Severus Snape would have expected. He never thought about the posibilty of Harry Potter, his most hated student, being able to commit suicide. He was shocked to say the least.
"When? How? Why?" Asked the Professor trying to recover himself from the shock of Minerva´s words.
"Four days ago. He tried to cut his veins. According to his own words, he was tired of everything: the abuse, secrets, lies. I guess that Sirius and Remus' deaths were the last straws." Answered slowly and sadly the Head of Gryffindor.
Severus went silent after those words. He always thought that Harry Potter loved the fame he had. Now he saw his mistake. Although that was one of his reasons to hate him, not the main one, he never consider him as a normal student. His treatment to him was based in that thought. He promised to himself to change his relationship to the boy, before it was too late.
"I guess that Harry will have to face Fudge. We'll play his game, but we'll have to do it with our rules. Minerva, talk with Filius and ask him to research about the Imagus Mentalus spell. We'll need it." Said Albus to the witch seriously.
"Are you considering doing it, Albus?" Asked McGonagall shocked by the request. That spell wasn't something pleasant when it was casted in an adult. In a teen, it would be like a hell or like the Cruciatus ten times worse.
"It's our only chance to show what really happened that night and convince everybody of Voldemort's return." Said the old wizard, who understood Minerva's shock perfectly.
"I'll speak with him right now." Said McGonagall leaving the Office and going to speak with the Charm's Professor.
"Severus, go to rest a while. You look like you need it." Said Albus dimissing the Professor and staying alone lost in his thoughts once again.
****
The next morning, Harry woke up feeling someone shaking his shoulder gently. He put on his glasses and saw the smiling face of Albus Dumbledore, his Headmaster and Mentor. Harry sighed deeply, he wasn't ready to face him yet.
"Good morning, Harry." Said Albus watching the teen carefully.
"Good morning." Said Harry yawning. Then he added sheepisly, "Sorry."
"What for? Trying to kill yorself? I guess you had much pressure on you, more than you should. I'm the one who must apology for sending you there again." Said Dumbledore seriously and meaning every word that he had said.
"You couldn't know it." Said harry simply before he asked: "I guess you want to talk about something with me, right?"
"I guess it's time to tell you a few things that have been kept from you many years. Harry, Minerva isn't the only relative that you have in the Castle." Said Albus seriously.
"Another relative? Please, tell me it isn't Snape!" Said Harry not liking that idea at all.
"Don't worry, Severus isn't related to you. Although you must admit that it's a funny idea." Chuckled Dumbledore.
"Sure, it's so funny as Vodemort making the sign of peace and love to muggle borns." Said Harry sarcastically.
"That would be something comical, you have to admit." Laughed softly the Headmaster.
"Who is the another one?" Asked Harry dropping the matter of fun about Sanpe and Voldemort.
"Harry, I'll tell you a story. When I was young I was married. My wife, Mirielle died when she gave birth to my only daughter. You can imagine that being related to me would be something dangerous. She was given in adoption." Explained Albus with a serious tone of voice.
"What does it have to do with me, Professor?" Asked the teen confused with his words.
"My daughter was Lily Evans, although you know her as Lily Potter. Your mother was my daughter, what makes you my only grandson." Said Dumbledore seriously and waiting Harry's reaction.
Harry was shocked by the revelation. He didn't wait something like that at all. Dumbledore was his granfather?!
His first feeling was of rage because Dumbledore didn't keep him at his side. For making him live with the Dursleys for 14 years, make him live a hell.
Harry began to take deep breaths. He knew that he had to control himself before everything exploded and needed to think everything clearly. He couldn't let the anger take control over him.
When he calmed down a little, he began to think everything with a different point of view. If anyone knew it, it could put both of them in danger. If Death Eaters knew about them being family they could kill one of them to hurt the other. After all, they were the reason of Voldemort's downfall and the person that he most feared.
"Did she know it?" Was the first thing that he could ask with a little of calm.
"She found it out in her Sixth Year, making a work for Professor Binns. The only people that know this are Minerva McGonagall, both of your parents, Sirius knew it last year and a few ones. You can imagine what would happen if the wizarding world knew about this." Said the Headmaster.
"When were you going to tell me this? Or better, why didn't you tell me before?" Asked Harry trying to keep his anger at bay.
"This letter can answer that question better than me. Your mother left it before they went under the Fidelius Charm, in case you survived and neither me, Minerva or any of the Marauders could keep you with us." Said the Headmaster giving Harry an old parchment.
Before Harry could begin to read it, Minerva came in the room looking angry and fruious.
"What's wrong, Minerva?" Asked Albus confused by her state.
"We have a guest. Guess who paid us a new visit?" Said McGonagall trying to control her anger.
"Stay with Harry, I'll attend Mr. Fudge." Said Dumbledore leaving the Infirmary angrily.
"What does that stupid git want now?" Asked Harry angrily, putting his mother's letter in the bedtable to read it later.
"Question you by Diggory's death. He thinks that you killed him." Said McGonagall angrily.
"WHAT?????" Yelled Harry in disbelief at his Godmother's words.
"He wants to take you to a trial. We discovered that he is..." Began Minerva but Harry cut her off.
"Death eater, I know it. He appeared in many of my dreams about Voldemort." Said Harry closing his eyes and laying over the pillows.
Suddenly both of them heard shouts louder and louder every time. They recognised easily the voices of Dumbledore and Fudge. When they came near the Hospital Wing, Minerva closed the courtains around Harry's bed and told him to stay quiet for a while. The teen nodded and listened the conversations between the 2 Professors and the Minister.
"Where is he?" Asked Fudge yelling.
"He's resting, Minister! If you haven't noticed, this is a Hospital Wing and there are persons that are ill and need their rest!" Shouted back Minerva bewildered with Fudge's actions.
"He killed someone! He must be taklen in custody by the Ministry! He's a murderer!" Shouted Fudge furious.
"What proof do you have about it, Minister?" Asked Harry opening the curtains and facing Fudge with a not friendly face.
"It will be decided by a Judge if he must be sent to Azkaban! He killed Diggory!" Shouted Fudge not answering Harry's question.
"You aren't answering the question, Minister: What. Proof. Do. You. Have. To. Say. That. I. Killed. Cedric." Repeated Harry remarking every word of it.
"If you don't answer it, we'll think that you don't have any." Said Minerva with a flat tone of voice.
"There are witnesses that saw him killing Diggory!" Said Fudge to Minerva pointing at the teen.
"Who? Your Master, Voldemort and his servants, the Death Eaters?" Said Harry with a challenging tone of voice.
"Are you acussing me of being a Death eater?" Said Fudge bewildered.
"I don't acusse, I tell it." Said Harry flatly.
"You are insane! You-Know-Who is dead and I'm not one of his servants!" Shouted back Fudge indignated by Harry's words.
"If you say so." Said Harry simply leaning back on the pillows.
"Of course I say it! I'm the Minister of the Magic!" Said Fudge more and more furious.
"I always thought he was the Minister of the Stupidity." Whispered Harry to Minerva, who was standing next to him.
"ALL OF YOU OUT, RIGHT NOW! THIS BOY NEEDS HIS REST!" Roared Madame Pomfrey shooing everyone of the Infirmary.
"I've never been so happy with Madame Pomfrey shooing someone like now." Said Harry with a grin.
"We'll see each other again soon!" Said Fudge and he left the Hospital Wing still furious.
"We'll talk later. Now rest, Harry." Said Dumbledore leaving the place.
Harry fell asleep inmeadiately after Minerva left the Infirmary too. He was tired and need to rest a while and process everything that had happened the last few weeks.
****
When Harry woke up again, the first thing he did was take his mother's letter. He wanted to know why everybody kept the secret of Dumbledore being his grandfather. He unrolled the parchment and began to read it eagerly:
"Dear Harry,
If you are reading this, it means that your father and me have died at Voldemort's hands and you survived. I'm sure that Albus have told you that he is your grandfather and was my father.
It also means that neither him, Minerva, Sirius or Remus were able to take you to live with them. If it happened, you went to live with my sister and your life wasn't sompething pleasant, I'm sure.
Before you hate your Grandfather for not telling you this, you must know that I asked him to no do that.
Why? Easy, if you survived the attack, you would become a celebrity and if you are like me or James, you'll hate the fame.
I hope that you could have a good childhood, although living with Petunia doesn't make nothing sure.
Remember that I'll love you always and don't hate your Granfather. This is so hard for him too.
Your Mother,
Lily Dumbledore Evans Potter.
P.S.: If you want to take a revenge towards Petunia and Vernon, ask Albus the tittle of property of Privet Drive 4. It's your house if you want it."
When Harry finished the letter, he had tears in his eyes, and didn't try to avoid them. He went on crying for a few minutes, before someone pushed his shoulder gently. He dried the tears and looked up to find his Granfather.
"I see that you've read the letter." Said Albus giving him a handkerchief. The only thing that Harry could do was nod.
"Thanks." Said Harry giving him back the handkerchief. After a few moments, he asked: "What did she mean with Privet Drive is mine?"
"Harry, you were sent there, not only by Petunia being your half Aunt. You'll see, when her adoptive parents had a little money trouble, they asked me help. I decided to buy them a new house but put the condition that it would be for Lily's descendant when they wanted or needed it. They didn't see any problem, especcially because they would leave many thing to Petunia. That house has many protections, because you are the owner." Explained his Grandfather with a smile.
"Does it mean that I can though them out of there if I want?" Asked Harry grinning with a smile that meant revenge.
"Exactly." Said Dumbledore seeing his intentions.
"I want them out!" Said Harry smiling.
"I'll take care of that." Replied the old wizard with a smile, before he turned serious again: "We have a big problem."
"Fudge." Said Harry with anger in his voice.
"Like you heard early, he wants to take you to trial for Cedric's death. I know that you aren't in condition to repeat the story once more, so we decided to do something more practical." Said Dumbledore seriously.
"What?" Asked Harry eagerly.
"There is a spell called Imagus Mentalus. It shows the memories of a person. We want to do it on you. In that way you would prove your inocence and show that Voldemort has returned." Explained Albus.
"Let's do it." Said the teen determined in his decision.
"I must warn you something Harry, it will be painful. The people who used it, described it as worse than the Cruciatus. If it was the effect in an adult, don't want to imagine about the effects on you." Said Dumbledore in a tone of voice that meant that he wasn't joking at all.
"I'll survive." Said Harry seriously.
"I'll arrange the date of the trial with the Minister. Now, rest." Said Albus firmly.
Harry nodded before the dream gained him once more and fell asleep very quickly.