Friendship and Beyond 8/?
Rated: R contains mentions of rape and torture, although not actual scenes. Possible HP/SS in later chapters, also HG/RW.
Authors Notes: I do not own Harry Potter or it's characters, that would be JKR. Subject matter not for children, although nothing too graphic, but be careful when reading just to be on the safe side.
Also, I have gotten a few reviews requesting longer chapters, I will try to oblige, but since I write these when I have the time, would you rather longer parts updated less frequently or shorter chapters every five or so days? Either way is fine by me.
The Confrontation
As the three professors got a few steps ahead of them, Ron squeezed Harry's tense shoulder and mover closer to whisper in his ear.
"Harry try to stay calm. Let us do most of the talking. In the state you're in you are liable to blow up at him."
"Would that be so bad?"
"Not really, mate. But we should at least try to talk to the man before hexing him into oblivion, don't you think?"
"If you say so." Harry agreed reluctantly.
"I do. Trust me."
"Alright, as long as he doesn't piss me off further."
"Now that's settled," Hermione interrupted quietly. "We should probably hurry up, the others are getting a little ahead of us."
Once the six of them made their way up the stairs to Dumbledore's office, Fawkes flew right over to perch on Harry's shoulder. Not knowing precisely where to start the Headmaster transfigured five chairs and once everyone was seated took his own seat. The three professors sat facing Harry, Ron, and Hermione, waiting for them to start speaking.
"When did you find out they were taken?" Harry asked quietly, looking Dumbledore straight in the eye.
"I got a letter just before you came to speak to me about it." Dumbledore responded in a subdued manner.
"What are you two talking about? I do not see why I need to be here at all." Professor Snape hissed in annoyance.
"So there is someone in this whole bloody school who doesn't know?" Ron sneered nastily.
"I understand you're upset Mister Weasley but-"
"You understand nothing." Hermione unequivocally stated, looking fairly murderous.
"Will someone explain what is going on before I hex them." Ordered Snape imperiously.
"Would you like to do the honors Headmaster?" Ron asked sarcastically. "After all we're so 'unimportant' that I doubt the professor would trust our version."
Both Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore paled considerably after that comment, realizing just what conversation the children were privy to.
"Very well." Dumbledore agreed, for once actually looking his age. "While you and the others were at the Ministry attempting to restore order and arresting the few captured Death Eaters I received a missive from Voldemort. He informed me that he had Mister Weasley and Miss Granger captured in Nott Manor and was keeping an eye on them in the hopes that either myself of Harry would deign to meet with him. It was obviously a well-planned endeavor, since so many of my men were already at the Ministry. The wards were in place making apparation impossible."
"I see." Snape murmured, looking at McGonagall. "And you knew of this as well?"
"I found out about an hour later."
"There weren't enough of the Order to protect the Ministry and lead a rescue mission as well. Sending the few remaining trained wizards at Hogwarts on a rescue mission was too dangerous. We had no viable plan, and we couldn't risk more men on a suicide mission."
"Because we're not important enough." Growled Hermione.
"Miss Granger, Hermione, I am deeply sorry you heard that but the fact still remains child that we are at war." Dumbledore explained gently. "Voldemort is capable-"
"I don't think we need you to tell us what Voldemort is capable of." Ron interrupted angrily. "If it wasn't for Harry we both would be dead right now. So you explain to me how a seventeen year old partially trained wizard did what the whole of the Order of the Phoenix couldn't do in all it's power."
"Mister Weasley, I couldn't risk more lives in hopes-"
"You didn't even bloody try!" Harry snarled jumping to his feet stalking over to the now standing headmaster. "You did nothing. Nothing!"
"Harry please, try to understand." Dumbledore said softly, attempting to place an arm around Harry's shoulder.
"Don't you bloody fucking touch me!" Harry hissed jumping away from the professor's embrace, taking out his wand and pointing it straight at the older wizard, looking irate. "These 'children' were under your protection, as wards of your school they were under your care. Yet you sat behind your desk and didn't lift a finger to help them. I did what you didn't have the courage or honor to do!"
"Harry." Ron said trying to divert his attention before he did something he would regret.
"They're both manipulative hypocrites." Harry snarled looking toward Ron temporarily, before turning his attention back to his speechless professors. "How can they call themselves Professors and voluntarily sacrifice their students?"
"Harry, please sit down." Hermione begged softly, looking concerned for his state of mind.
Not wanting to upset his friends further he sat down silently stewing in his chair. Hermione started where he left off.
"We can not stay in a house where this is acceptable practice for the Head of Gryffendor." Hermione stated resolutely.
"What exactly are you saying Miss Granger?" Professor Snape asked in his normal silky voice.
"We want to be taken out of Gryffendor."
"What?" All three professors gasped in surprise. After all the Trio were the ultimate embodiment of Gryffendor House.
"You have been through quite an ordeal, if you were to talk about it perhaps you would feel better." Dumbledore suggested after he picked his jaw up off the floor. "Obviously you aren't in the right frame of mind to make such a monumental decision."
"We switch houses or we leave Hogwarts." Ron answered calmly, looking at his friends for confirmation. "The choice is yours."
"And quite frankly we both know that you'd like to keep an eye on me to make sure I don't turn out like Riddle." Harry added spitefully.
"Very well, which house did you wish to be placed in?" Dumbledore asked dejectedly after a few moments of strained silence. Although they had never discussed this option beforehand they answered simultaneously, looking cool and collected. Inwardly they were cursing the situation they found themselves in, that forced them to make this rather distasteful decision.
"Slytherin." The three friends responded.
Before the Headmaster got the chance to reply, Snape was on his feet looking furious. "There is no way I am having Harry bloody Potter in my house!"
"Severus," Dumbledore chided. "That is the least of our current problems."
Before Snape could continue his ranting about the 'Boy Who Just Wouldn't Bloody Die' Dumbledore continued speaking, looking at his three pupils.
"I expect you three to speak to your new head of house regarding your ordeal, before I move your belongings to the Slytherin dormitory." When it looked like the trio were about to argue Dumbledore glared, speaking over their protests. "This is not up for discussion. Until Professor Snape agrees you will remain in your current house. I expect you down in the dungeons in a half an hour ready to confide in your new Head of House."
With a single glance at each other, the three nearly-former Gryffendors agreed, standing up to leave.
"Ron, Hermione, I'll join you two in a second." Harry told them as they made their way to the exit. Looking back worriedly they left the room to wait for Harry down the stairs. Harry only turned when he knew that his friends couldn't hear him, looking at Snape, McGonagall and Dumbledore. Gone was the thin veneer of control that he kept in place so that his friends wouldn't worry about him. The room started shaking from the unadulterated magic flowing off of the 'boy who lived.'
"I just wanted to make two things perfectly clear." Harry stated, looking disgustedly at Professor Dumbledore. "I am through being a pawn that you can manipulate at will. I have been a major player in your power struggle with the Dark Lord since I was eleven, whether either of you noticed it or not. But make no mistake now, if you get in my way I will go through you to eliminate Voldemort. I will do what needs to be done and I don't particularly care for your methods. Secondly, if you," Harry paused to look at McGonagall. "Or you, ever deliberately sacrifice me or mine again, you won't have to worry about Voldemort taking you out, because I will do it myself."
Harry paused to regain control of his temper as he looked to see the impact his words had on his teachers. Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore both looked devastated, but frankly Harry was too emotional to care at that point. He didn't even spare Snape with a glance. "Headmaster, I have always respected you greatly, but you have no right to play god with people's lives the way you do. As far as I'm concerned you are on par with Voldemort, deciding who lives and who dies. You have absolutely no right to make that decision! I may understand your position on the matter, but I don't think I will ever forgive you for it."
Having said all he needed to Harry strode from the room leaving three gaping Professors behind him.
Rated: R contains mentions of rape and torture, although not actual scenes. Possible HP/SS in later chapters, also HG/RW.
Authors Notes: I do not own Harry Potter or it's characters, that would be JKR. Subject matter not for children, although nothing too graphic, but be careful when reading just to be on the safe side.
Also, I have gotten a few reviews requesting longer chapters, I will try to oblige, but since I write these when I have the time, would you rather longer parts updated less frequently or shorter chapters every five or so days? Either way is fine by me.
The Confrontation
As the three professors got a few steps ahead of them, Ron squeezed Harry's tense shoulder and mover closer to whisper in his ear.
"Harry try to stay calm. Let us do most of the talking. In the state you're in you are liable to blow up at him."
"Would that be so bad?"
"Not really, mate. But we should at least try to talk to the man before hexing him into oblivion, don't you think?"
"If you say so." Harry agreed reluctantly.
"I do. Trust me."
"Alright, as long as he doesn't piss me off further."
"Now that's settled," Hermione interrupted quietly. "We should probably hurry up, the others are getting a little ahead of us."
Once the six of them made their way up the stairs to Dumbledore's office, Fawkes flew right over to perch on Harry's shoulder. Not knowing precisely where to start the Headmaster transfigured five chairs and once everyone was seated took his own seat. The three professors sat facing Harry, Ron, and Hermione, waiting for them to start speaking.
"When did you find out they were taken?" Harry asked quietly, looking Dumbledore straight in the eye.
"I got a letter just before you came to speak to me about it." Dumbledore responded in a subdued manner.
"What are you two talking about? I do not see why I need to be here at all." Professor Snape hissed in annoyance.
"So there is someone in this whole bloody school who doesn't know?" Ron sneered nastily.
"I understand you're upset Mister Weasley but-"
"You understand nothing." Hermione unequivocally stated, looking fairly murderous.
"Will someone explain what is going on before I hex them." Ordered Snape imperiously.
"Would you like to do the honors Headmaster?" Ron asked sarcastically. "After all we're so 'unimportant' that I doubt the professor would trust our version."
Both Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore paled considerably after that comment, realizing just what conversation the children were privy to.
"Very well." Dumbledore agreed, for once actually looking his age. "While you and the others were at the Ministry attempting to restore order and arresting the few captured Death Eaters I received a missive from Voldemort. He informed me that he had Mister Weasley and Miss Granger captured in Nott Manor and was keeping an eye on them in the hopes that either myself of Harry would deign to meet with him. It was obviously a well-planned endeavor, since so many of my men were already at the Ministry. The wards were in place making apparation impossible."
"I see." Snape murmured, looking at McGonagall. "And you knew of this as well?"
"I found out about an hour later."
"There weren't enough of the Order to protect the Ministry and lead a rescue mission as well. Sending the few remaining trained wizards at Hogwarts on a rescue mission was too dangerous. We had no viable plan, and we couldn't risk more men on a suicide mission."
"Because we're not important enough." Growled Hermione.
"Miss Granger, Hermione, I am deeply sorry you heard that but the fact still remains child that we are at war." Dumbledore explained gently. "Voldemort is capable-"
"I don't think we need you to tell us what Voldemort is capable of." Ron interrupted angrily. "If it wasn't for Harry we both would be dead right now. So you explain to me how a seventeen year old partially trained wizard did what the whole of the Order of the Phoenix couldn't do in all it's power."
"Mister Weasley, I couldn't risk more lives in hopes-"
"You didn't even bloody try!" Harry snarled jumping to his feet stalking over to the now standing headmaster. "You did nothing. Nothing!"
"Harry please, try to understand." Dumbledore said softly, attempting to place an arm around Harry's shoulder.
"Don't you bloody fucking touch me!" Harry hissed jumping away from the professor's embrace, taking out his wand and pointing it straight at the older wizard, looking irate. "These 'children' were under your protection, as wards of your school they were under your care. Yet you sat behind your desk and didn't lift a finger to help them. I did what you didn't have the courage or honor to do!"
"Harry." Ron said trying to divert his attention before he did something he would regret.
"They're both manipulative hypocrites." Harry snarled looking toward Ron temporarily, before turning his attention back to his speechless professors. "How can they call themselves Professors and voluntarily sacrifice their students?"
"Harry, please sit down." Hermione begged softly, looking concerned for his state of mind.
Not wanting to upset his friends further he sat down silently stewing in his chair. Hermione started where he left off.
"We can not stay in a house where this is acceptable practice for the Head of Gryffendor." Hermione stated resolutely.
"What exactly are you saying Miss Granger?" Professor Snape asked in his normal silky voice.
"We want to be taken out of Gryffendor."
"What?" All three professors gasped in surprise. After all the Trio were the ultimate embodiment of Gryffendor House.
"You have been through quite an ordeal, if you were to talk about it perhaps you would feel better." Dumbledore suggested after he picked his jaw up off the floor. "Obviously you aren't in the right frame of mind to make such a monumental decision."
"We switch houses or we leave Hogwarts." Ron answered calmly, looking at his friends for confirmation. "The choice is yours."
"And quite frankly we both know that you'd like to keep an eye on me to make sure I don't turn out like Riddle." Harry added spitefully.
"Very well, which house did you wish to be placed in?" Dumbledore asked dejectedly after a few moments of strained silence. Although they had never discussed this option beforehand they answered simultaneously, looking cool and collected. Inwardly they were cursing the situation they found themselves in, that forced them to make this rather distasteful decision.
"Slytherin." The three friends responded.
Before the Headmaster got the chance to reply, Snape was on his feet looking furious. "There is no way I am having Harry bloody Potter in my house!"
"Severus," Dumbledore chided. "That is the least of our current problems."
Before Snape could continue his ranting about the 'Boy Who Just Wouldn't Bloody Die' Dumbledore continued speaking, looking at his three pupils.
"I expect you three to speak to your new head of house regarding your ordeal, before I move your belongings to the Slytherin dormitory." When it looked like the trio were about to argue Dumbledore glared, speaking over their protests. "This is not up for discussion. Until Professor Snape agrees you will remain in your current house. I expect you down in the dungeons in a half an hour ready to confide in your new Head of House."
With a single glance at each other, the three nearly-former Gryffendors agreed, standing up to leave.
"Ron, Hermione, I'll join you two in a second." Harry told them as they made their way to the exit. Looking back worriedly they left the room to wait for Harry down the stairs. Harry only turned when he knew that his friends couldn't hear him, looking at Snape, McGonagall and Dumbledore. Gone was the thin veneer of control that he kept in place so that his friends wouldn't worry about him. The room started shaking from the unadulterated magic flowing off of the 'boy who lived.'
"I just wanted to make two things perfectly clear." Harry stated, looking disgustedly at Professor Dumbledore. "I am through being a pawn that you can manipulate at will. I have been a major player in your power struggle with the Dark Lord since I was eleven, whether either of you noticed it or not. But make no mistake now, if you get in my way I will go through you to eliminate Voldemort. I will do what needs to be done and I don't particularly care for your methods. Secondly, if you," Harry paused to look at McGonagall. "Or you, ever deliberately sacrifice me or mine again, you won't have to worry about Voldemort taking you out, because I will do it myself."
Harry paused to regain control of his temper as he looked to see the impact his words had on his teachers. Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore both looked devastated, but frankly Harry was too emotional to care at that point. He didn't even spare Snape with a glance. "Headmaster, I have always respected you greatly, but you have no right to play god with people's lives the way you do. As far as I'm concerned you are on par with Voldemort, deciding who lives and who dies. You have absolutely no right to make that decision! I may understand your position on the matter, but I don't think I will ever forgive you for it."
Having said all he needed to Harry strode from the room leaving three gaping Professors behind him.
