Harry Potter and the Sealed Gateway
Chapter 4: The Gifts from the Headmaster
Harry, Sirius and Hagrid arrived on the Hogwarts lawn, right next to the Giant Squid's lake. The squid was basking in the sun, occasionally picking a crab off of the shore for a snack. Harry smirked as he imagined telling Ron that he had arrived at Hogwarts in a flying vehicle for the second time in his life. As Lupin undid the Disillusionment Charm and Hagrid picked up Avery, Harry surveyed the grounds. The Hogwarts castle towered about 50 yards in front of them. As he looked toward the forbidden forest and Hagrid's hut, he noticed 20 small cottages around the boarder of the forest. Curious, he turned to ask Hagrid about them, but was distracted by Avery, who was now coming to.
"Dormiens," Lupin said, waving his wand at Avery, "Harry, we'd better get him to Dumbledore."
"I'll be goin' then," Hagrid said gruffly, "Got ter check up on summat. Later, then, 'Arry." He began walking toward his cabin.
Harry and Lupin waved goodbye, and headed toward the front doors, a Gargoyle statue on either side.
"Student's at school 'alfway through the summer," the one on the left said, "Ne'er seen such a thing in my life, Dort."
"Nor 'ave I," said Dort.
Lupin opened the door, and Harry and he found themselves alone in the Great Hall, the sun smiling at them from behind clouds on the enchanted ceiling. Harry had never realized just how big the Great Hall was. With hundreds of students eating in it, it didn't seem as monstrously large as it now did.
"Quiet, isn't it?" Lupin smiled.
"Yah, it's so empty…"
"Well that'll all change in a few weeks, when the term starts."
They winded up to the stairs to the stone gargoyle, discussing the O.W.L.s (especially Defense Against the Dark Arts) and Harry's career choices.
"Aurory is a great field, Harry," Lupin remarked sagely, "but a very difficult one. I'm proud that you decided to take that path."
"Sir, why didn't you become an Auror?" Harry questioned. Lupin was very skilled at Defense Against the Dark Arts and seemed to know enough about the other subjects to become an Auror. The wistful look that appeared on Lupin's face told Harry exactly why he didn't become an Auror.
"The Ministry hasn't been very keen on hiring werewolves, Harry."
"But Dumbledore…"
"Dumbledore would give me a job in a second, Harry," Lupin said quietly, "but I wouldn't take it, and he knows that. The truth about werewolves has to be understood before I'll work anywhere. Besides, I do enough Aurory in the Order."
"But you change the way people think," Harry began. But just then he walked right into tiny little Professor Flitwick, his charms teacher, and knocked him backwards.
"Sorry, Professor!"
"It's OK, Potter. Hope you're well. My goodness, your summer must be quite dull indeed if you'd rather be at an empty Hogwarts," he squeaked, before noticing Lupin. "Hello, Remus! Are you back to…"
"No, I won't be teaching this year, Professor."
"I see…my goodness! Where did he come from?" Flitwick asked, noticing the Death Eater floating above their heads.
"He attacked my house, sir."
"So that's why you're here! Well, you had better see Dumbledore straight away. He is a Death Eater, then?" Class! Harry suddenly remembered that he hadn't opened his Hogwarts letter yet. He reached into his pocket at examined it.
His class schedule and booklist accompanied the usual notice that the term started on September 1st.
N.E.W.T. Defense Against the Dark Arts: The Advanced Book of Black Magic by Septimius Cog
N.E.W.T. Transfiguration: Advanced Guide to Transfiguration and Beginner's Untransfiguration, by Professor E. D. Jeersong
N.E.W.T. Charms: New Book of Advanced Charms by Urmius Sapp
N.E.W.T. Care of Magical Creatures: Dangerous Creatures of the World by Swed Snogtail
N.E.W.T. Potions: Please bring an silver cauldron for this year's advanced and dangerous potion making.
Harry was astounded. He had made it into N.E.W.T.-level Potions? He was sure he heard McGonagall tell him that Professor Snape only accepts those who receive an "Outstanding" on their Potions O.W.L. He read a handwritten note scrawled on the bottom of the page.
Mr. Potter: Please note that I have registered you in these classes bases completely off of your O.W.L scores and you're career choice. But I thought you might enjoy taking "N.E.W.T. Care of Magical Creatures." You may send an owl to the school if these classes don't suit you.
Professor Minerva McGonagall.
P.S. Yes, you are taking Potions, Potter.
Lupin and Flitwick were still talking.
"But don't you usually go home for the holidays, Professor?"
"Yes, I'm only visiting here to be sure that the Borkkleburgs get settled in nicely. After that, I'll be headed home!"
"So--they've agreed to come?"
"Agreed? Over 20 families! They were dying to come, it's more protection than they've ever dreamed of."
"But they are the protection…" Lupin stopped. He and Professor Flitwick looked nervously at Harry.
"Well, good-bye Remus. Harry, I'll see you in class. Congratulations on your O.W.L.s!" he winked at them and scurried off down the stairs.
"What did you mean, protection? Who are they?" asked Harry, bemused. He wondered what they were protecting and from who. He was sure that they didn't need protection from Voldemort within Hogwarts…He was afraid of Dumbledore and he can't Apparate inside the grounds.
"Never you mind that, Harry."
"Don't be too speedy with the delivery, Remus?" said an old, familiar voice. Dumbledore was standing right behind them. He wasn't upset; he was smiling at them over his half-moon glasses. Harry looked down. He hadn't left Dumbledore on a happy note last year. It had been right after Sirius died. The vision of the Veil flashed before Harry's eyes again, the anger at himself rising. Why had he been tricked so easily? It was his fault…his stomached tightened.
"Harry, how are you?" asked Dumbledore, gently.
"Fine, Sir," Harry lied.
"Why don't we go into my office." Harry and Lupin started toward the door.
"Wait," said Dumbledore, "Guests first." And with those words, Avery's body floated up the stair case (where just moments ago, the gargoyle statue had been). They all ascended the stairs after him. Dumbledore flicked his wand, and three chairs were conjured. Avery sat on one, Lupin and Harry on the other two.
"Please, Remus, give him the Veritaserum," Dumbledore commanded. Lupin nodded and unscrewed a bottle of liquid that he put in Avery's mouth. "Ennervate."
Avery's eyelids opened, but barely. Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Why did you come to #4 Privet Drive this morning?"
Avery did not look at any of them. His half-opened eyes stared straight ahead. "I wanted to kill Harry Potter and bring his body to the Dark Lord. He would be pleased with me."
"And did the Dark Lord order this?"
"No. I wanted to surprise him. He has been most displeased lately."
"His plans are failing."
But Harry had just remembered something. "Professor, he said Voldemort was in London!"
Dumbledore's eyes narrowed. "Is this true?"
"Yes."
"Why has Voldemort gone to London?"
"We do not know."
"That should do. Dormiens." Avery nodded back into deep slumber.
Dumbledore stood up. "Remus, alert the Order at once. Please take Mr. Avery to Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Voldemort will not be aware of his absence for a few days, nor will he ever know that Avery attacked Harry. Tell Madam Bones to modify his memory as such. I need to speak with Harry."
Lupin nodded, but before he left, he gave Dumbledore a parcel and whispered something into his ear. Dumbledore nodded. Lupin said good-bye to Harry and he was gone.
"Harry. I'm certainly glad to see you safe and sound. Of course, I knew that you wouldn't be harmed, but all the same, I'm glad to see you're OK," Dumbledore said, studying Harry over his glasses. "Now, it seems that your Aunt Petunia has broken her Fidelius Charm and revealed to you that she was, although briefly, once a witch at this very school. But beyond that, I do not know what she said."
"She told me about my mom, and how…how Voldemort killed my grandparents too. And that's why she left." Harry was getting angry. Why hadn't Dumbledore mentioned this before? And he told Harry last year that he would tell him everything.
Dumbledore looked sad. "Yes, I thought she might have," he said quietly. "Well, that is one of the reasons you're here. It is true, Harry, that the Lord Voldemort, did, indeed murder all four of your grandparents."
Harry swallowed and noticed the empty cage that usually housed Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix. He was quite angry at Dumbledore for not telling him any of this.
"Harry, your father's parents were both great wizards. They had been very vocal about the Death Eaters of their generation and the weaknesses of each one. Voldemort was not, of course, fazed at all by the fact that he had to murder two muggles in the process." Dumbledore paused and looked sympathetically at Harry. "You may be wondering why I haven't mentioned this before?" Harry nodded. Dumbledore sighed and continued. "Harry are you aware how a Fidelius Charm works?" Harry nodded again, but not so confidently.
"It is an immensely complicated charm. There must be one secret keeper, and that keeper is the only one who can reveal the information to someone who already doesn't know it. I was your aunt's secret keeper, and therefore, only I could reveal the information to someone who didn't already know. The people who did know the information, however, do not forget it. They simply cannot reveal it to anyone else. Sirius knew your aunt was a muggle, as did Hagrid, Remus, Professor McGonagall, and numerous others. However, if I told you about your grandparents or your aunt, I would have broken the Fidelius Charm and made it possible for anyone to find out about Petunia Evans. Now it seems that Petunia has willingly allowed that information to be passed freely throughout the Wizarding World. I do, however, ask you not to parade this information around school."
Harry stared at Dumbledore in amazement. "Is that why she took me in?"
"Yes and No. I believe that Petunia Evans, despite what she says, deeply misses her sister. On the other hand, she did make this request to me shortly after you arrived on her doorstep. I believe that she wanted to be assured that you could never find out. Her worst fear was, I assume, that her husband or son would discover her secret."
"Dudley found her with a wand. That's why she told me," Harry blurted out, "she wanted me to modify her memory."
Dumbledore nodded. "That explains a great deal. Of course, no wizard or witch would agree to make another forget about her magical powers. I expect that hers was the wand that conjured the Full-Body Bind on Mr. Avery?"
"Yes."
"Did you give her wand back to her?"
"Yes."
Dumbledore looked at him contemplatively. "Harry, do you remember me telling you that your parents had escaped Voldemort narrowly three times?" Harry nodded. He had briefly forgotten about the Prophecy that Dumbledore had revealed to him.
"Was that the first time?" Harry guessed.
Dumbledore nodded and smiled again. "Harry there is another thing that I need to discuss with you. There is an imminent danger here at Hogwarts this term. Although I feel that it is best that you do not know the full details of this threat, I will tell that not all of Hogwart's ancient protections remain in effect this year."
"Then why am I staying here."
"Lord Voldemort has not the slightest idea where you are, Harry. He will not attack until he is sure you are here. He expects you to be at Privet Drive all summer, and the last place he expects you to be is here."
Harry looked at him blankly. Did Dumbledore think Voldemort had a plan to kill him? Harry remembered the Prophecy… "Either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives." This meant that he or Voldemort must kill the other. Harry's thoughts depressed him. Sirius's death and the mysterious connection between he and Voldemort that would result in a murder…and Voldemort had a plan to kill him.
"Are you all right, Harry?" asked Dumbledore, looking quite concerned.
"Yes, Headmaster, I'm fine," Harry lied. He didn't want to talk about Sirius or the Prophecy to anyone, least of all Dumbledore, who he still felt was responsible for the death of his godfather.
"Very well, then Harry. I also have something to give you." He reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a small golden lion pin, engraved with a "P." Harry looked at him curiously.
"But there are only two prefects in each house," Harry argued.
"I have decided that a third prefect in the sixth and seventh years would help to make the students feel more secure about their safety here at Hogwarts,"
"Even though they aren't safe," snapped Harry. He didn't know why he was angry--he should have been grateful. How dare Dumbledore not tell him how and why they were all in danger…he had been through more than any other student at this school.
Dumbledore sighed. "Harry, I want to assure you I have taken every precaution against intrusion at Hogwarts," he said firmly, "as you will no doubt be finding out soon enough." This answer didn't satisfy Harry at all, but he felt too tired and weak to continue.
"Also," continued Dumbledore, "Professor Lupin wishes that you receive this. He thinks that your Godfather would have willed it to you." He handed the parcel to Harry, who didn't open it.
"By the way, Harry," said Dumbledore, standing up, "Sirius has willed Number 12 Grimmauld Place to you, as well as his possessions. I trust that you will permit the Order to continue its use as a Headquarters."
Harry nodded half-heartedly. He was getting very tired.
"You had better get some rest, Harry."
Harry got up, collected his badge, letters, and his parcel. "Er…Professor…where I am supposed to be…"
Dumbledore smiled, "Why…wherever you'd like. There isn't anyone else here. But if you'd like to sleep in a familiar place, the password to the Gryffindor common room is 'graagdegooklejuk'."
"Eh…what was it?" Dumbledore had said something which Harry was quite sure wasn't a word at all.
Dumbledore chuckled. "grah-ahg-deg-oo-kla-juck. Accent on the 'kla.' It's Gobbledegook for 'graefruit,'" Dumbled explain, and seeing the look on Harry's face, added, "Gobbledegook is the language of Goblins."
"Eh…Professor…why is the password…why is it Goblededook…or whatever it is?" Harry asked, trying to be polite.
Dumbledore smiled at him. "It's good to brush up on our foreign languages every so often."
Harry was distinctly puzzled, but yawned and turned to head back to the Gryffindor common room. But something was bothering him. "Professor Dumbledore?"
"Yes?"
"Where is Fawkes?"
Dumbledore said plainly, "Fawkes has taken up permanent residency in the Astronomy tower."
Harry thanked Dumbledore and exited his office, things in hand. As he walked up several flights of stairs chanting, "Grah-ahg-deg-oo-kla-juck," he noticed how empty and eerily quiet the castle was during the summer. The clock nearest to him told him that it was nearly 6:00. Harry arrived at the secret entrance to the Gryffindor common room, a portrait of a snoring fat lady in a pink dress, around 30 minutes later.
"Grah-bah-lug-uh-deh-judd."
The Fat Lady stirred. "Nice try," she said groggily, "but no."
Harry cursed under his breath. How was he supposed to remember Gobbledegook? "GRAH-AHL-AHB-OO-GLEH-GOO!" He shouted.
"No need to yell it, sir," the Fat Lady said, now fully awake. "I can hear quite well."
"Was I right?"
"Afraid not."
"ARGH!" stormed Harry. He stomped his feet. He was so furious with Dumbledore for picking such an outlandish password…
But then the Fat Lady swung open.
There was already someone in his common room.
Chapter 4: The Gifts from the Headmaster
Harry, Sirius and Hagrid arrived on the Hogwarts lawn, right next to the Giant Squid's lake. The squid was basking in the sun, occasionally picking a crab off of the shore for a snack. Harry smirked as he imagined telling Ron that he had arrived at Hogwarts in a flying vehicle for the second time in his life. As Lupin undid the Disillusionment Charm and Hagrid picked up Avery, Harry surveyed the grounds. The Hogwarts castle towered about 50 yards in front of them. As he looked toward the forbidden forest and Hagrid's hut, he noticed 20 small cottages around the boarder of the forest. Curious, he turned to ask Hagrid about them, but was distracted by Avery, who was now coming to.
"Dormiens," Lupin said, waving his wand at Avery, "Harry, we'd better get him to Dumbledore."
"I'll be goin' then," Hagrid said gruffly, "Got ter check up on summat. Later, then, 'Arry." He began walking toward his cabin.
Harry and Lupin waved goodbye, and headed toward the front doors, a Gargoyle statue on either side.
"Student's at school 'alfway through the summer," the one on the left said, "Ne'er seen such a thing in my life, Dort."
"Nor 'ave I," said Dort.
Lupin opened the door, and Harry and he found themselves alone in the Great Hall, the sun smiling at them from behind clouds on the enchanted ceiling. Harry had never realized just how big the Great Hall was. With hundreds of students eating in it, it didn't seem as monstrously large as it now did.
"Quiet, isn't it?" Lupin smiled.
"Yah, it's so empty…"
"Well that'll all change in a few weeks, when the term starts."
They winded up to the stairs to the stone gargoyle, discussing the O.W.L.s (especially Defense Against the Dark Arts) and Harry's career choices.
"Aurory is a great field, Harry," Lupin remarked sagely, "but a very difficult one. I'm proud that you decided to take that path."
"Sir, why didn't you become an Auror?" Harry questioned. Lupin was very skilled at Defense Against the Dark Arts and seemed to know enough about the other subjects to become an Auror. The wistful look that appeared on Lupin's face told Harry exactly why he didn't become an Auror.
"The Ministry hasn't been very keen on hiring werewolves, Harry."
"But Dumbledore…"
"Dumbledore would give me a job in a second, Harry," Lupin said quietly, "but I wouldn't take it, and he knows that. The truth about werewolves has to be understood before I'll work anywhere. Besides, I do enough Aurory in the Order."
"But you change the way people think," Harry began. But just then he walked right into tiny little Professor Flitwick, his charms teacher, and knocked him backwards.
"Sorry, Professor!"
"It's OK, Potter. Hope you're well. My goodness, your summer must be quite dull indeed if you'd rather be at an empty Hogwarts," he squeaked, before noticing Lupin. "Hello, Remus! Are you back to…"
"No, I won't be teaching this year, Professor."
"I see…my goodness! Where did he come from?" Flitwick asked, noticing the Death Eater floating above their heads.
"He attacked my house, sir."
"So that's why you're here! Well, you had better see Dumbledore straight away. He is a Death Eater, then?" Class! Harry suddenly remembered that he hadn't opened his Hogwarts letter yet. He reached into his pocket at examined it.
His class schedule and booklist accompanied the usual notice that the term started on September 1st.
N.E.W.T. Defense Against the Dark Arts: The Advanced Book of Black Magic by Septimius Cog
N.E.W.T. Transfiguration: Advanced Guide to Transfiguration and Beginner's Untransfiguration, by Professor E. D. Jeersong
N.E.W.T. Charms: New Book of Advanced Charms by Urmius Sapp
N.E.W.T. Care of Magical Creatures: Dangerous Creatures of the World by Swed Snogtail
N.E.W.T. Potions: Please bring an silver cauldron for this year's advanced and dangerous potion making.
Harry was astounded. He had made it into N.E.W.T.-level Potions? He was sure he heard McGonagall tell him that Professor Snape only accepts those who receive an "Outstanding" on their Potions O.W.L. He read a handwritten note scrawled on the bottom of the page.
Mr. Potter: Please note that I have registered you in these classes bases completely off of your O.W.L scores and you're career choice. But I thought you might enjoy taking "N.E.W.T. Care of Magical Creatures." You may send an owl to the school if these classes don't suit you.
Professor Minerva McGonagall.
P.S. Yes, you are taking Potions, Potter.
Lupin and Flitwick were still talking.
"But don't you usually go home for the holidays, Professor?"
"Yes, I'm only visiting here to be sure that the Borkkleburgs get settled in nicely. After that, I'll be headed home!"
"So--they've agreed to come?"
"Agreed? Over 20 families! They were dying to come, it's more protection than they've ever dreamed of."
"But they are the protection…" Lupin stopped. He and Professor Flitwick looked nervously at Harry.
"Well, good-bye Remus. Harry, I'll see you in class. Congratulations on your O.W.L.s!" he winked at them and scurried off down the stairs.
"What did you mean, protection? Who are they?" asked Harry, bemused. He wondered what they were protecting and from who. He was sure that they didn't need protection from Voldemort within Hogwarts…He was afraid of Dumbledore and he can't Apparate inside the grounds.
"Never you mind that, Harry."
"Don't be too speedy with the delivery, Remus?" said an old, familiar voice. Dumbledore was standing right behind them. He wasn't upset; he was smiling at them over his half-moon glasses. Harry looked down. He hadn't left Dumbledore on a happy note last year. It had been right after Sirius died. The vision of the Veil flashed before Harry's eyes again, the anger at himself rising. Why had he been tricked so easily? It was his fault…his stomached tightened.
"Harry, how are you?" asked Dumbledore, gently.
"Fine, Sir," Harry lied.
"Why don't we go into my office." Harry and Lupin started toward the door.
"Wait," said Dumbledore, "Guests first." And with those words, Avery's body floated up the stair case (where just moments ago, the gargoyle statue had been). They all ascended the stairs after him. Dumbledore flicked his wand, and three chairs were conjured. Avery sat on one, Lupin and Harry on the other two.
"Please, Remus, give him the Veritaserum," Dumbledore commanded. Lupin nodded and unscrewed a bottle of liquid that he put in Avery's mouth. "Ennervate."
Avery's eyelids opened, but barely. Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Why did you come to #4 Privet Drive this morning?"
Avery did not look at any of them. His half-opened eyes stared straight ahead. "I wanted to kill Harry Potter and bring his body to the Dark Lord. He would be pleased with me."
"And did the Dark Lord order this?"
"No. I wanted to surprise him. He has been most displeased lately."
"His plans are failing."
But Harry had just remembered something. "Professor, he said Voldemort was in London!"
Dumbledore's eyes narrowed. "Is this true?"
"Yes."
"Why has Voldemort gone to London?"
"We do not know."
"That should do. Dormiens." Avery nodded back into deep slumber.
Dumbledore stood up. "Remus, alert the Order at once. Please take Mr. Avery to Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Voldemort will not be aware of his absence for a few days, nor will he ever know that Avery attacked Harry. Tell Madam Bones to modify his memory as such. I need to speak with Harry."
Lupin nodded, but before he left, he gave Dumbledore a parcel and whispered something into his ear. Dumbledore nodded. Lupin said good-bye to Harry and he was gone.
"Harry. I'm certainly glad to see you safe and sound. Of course, I knew that you wouldn't be harmed, but all the same, I'm glad to see you're OK," Dumbledore said, studying Harry over his glasses. "Now, it seems that your Aunt Petunia has broken her Fidelius Charm and revealed to you that she was, although briefly, once a witch at this very school. But beyond that, I do not know what she said."
"She told me about my mom, and how…how Voldemort killed my grandparents too. And that's why she left." Harry was getting angry. Why hadn't Dumbledore mentioned this before? And he told Harry last year that he would tell him everything.
Dumbledore looked sad. "Yes, I thought she might have," he said quietly. "Well, that is one of the reasons you're here. It is true, Harry, that the Lord Voldemort, did, indeed murder all four of your grandparents."
Harry swallowed and noticed the empty cage that usually housed Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix. He was quite angry at Dumbledore for not telling him any of this.
"Harry, your father's parents were both great wizards. They had been very vocal about the Death Eaters of their generation and the weaknesses of each one. Voldemort was not, of course, fazed at all by the fact that he had to murder two muggles in the process." Dumbledore paused and looked sympathetically at Harry. "You may be wondering why I haven't mentioned this before?" Harry nodded. Dumbledore sighed and continued. "Harry are you aware how a Fidelius Charm works?" Harry nodded again, but not so confidently.
"It is an immensely complicated charm. There must be one secret keeper, and that keeper is the only one who can reveal the information to someone who already doesn't know it. I was your aunt's secret keeper, and therefore, only I could reveal the information to someone who didn't already know. The people who did know the information, however, do not forget it. They simply cannot reveal it to anyone else. Sirius knew your aunt was a muggle, as did Hagrid, Remus, Professor McGonagall, and numerous others. However, if I told you about your grandparents or your aunt, I would have broken the Fidelius Charm and made it possible for anyone to find out about Petunia Evans. Now it seems that Petunia has willingly allowed that information to be passed freely throughout the Wizarding World. I do, however, ask you not to parade this information around school."
Harry stared at Dumbledore in amazement. "Is that why she took me in?"
"Yes and No. I believe that Petunia Evans, despite what she says, deeply misses her sister. On the other hand, she did make this request to me shortly after you arrived on her doorstep. I believe that she wanted to be assured that you could never find out. Her worst fear was, I assume, that her husband or son would discover her secret."
"Dudley found her with a wand. That's why she told me," Harry blurted out, "she wanted me to modify her memory."
Dumbledore nodded. "That explains a great deal. Of course, no wizard or witch would agree to make another forget about her magical powers. I expect that hers was the wand that conjured the Full-Body Bind on Mr. Avery?"
"Yes."
"Did you give her wand back to her?"
"Yes."
Dumbledore looked at him contemplatively. "Harry, do you remember me telling you that your parents had escaped Voldemort narrowly three times?" Harry nodded. He had briefly forgotten about the Prophecy that Dumbledore had revealed to him.
"Was that the first time?" Harry guessed.
Dumbledore nodded and smiled again. "Harry there is another thing that I need to discuss with you. There is an imminent danger here at Hogwarts this term. Although I feel that it is best that you do not know the full details of this threat, I will tell that not all of Hogwart's ancient protections remain in effect this year."
"Then why am I staying here."
"Lord Voldemort has not the slightest idea where you are, Harry. He will not attack until he is sure you are here. He expects you to be at Privet Drive all summer, and the last place he expects you to be is here."
Harry looked at him blankly. Did Dumbledore think Voldemort had a plan to kill him? Harry remembered the Prophecy… "Either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives." This meant that he or Voldemort must kill the other. Harry's thoughts depressed him. Sirius's death and the mysterious connection between he and Voldemort that would result in a murder…and Voldemort had a plan to kill him.
"Are you all right, Harry?" asked Dumbledore, looking quite concerned.
"Yes, Headmaster, I'm fine," Harry lied. He didn't want to talk about Sirius or the Prophecy to anyone, least of all Dumbledore, who he still felt was responsible for the death of his godfather.
"Very well, then Harry. I also have something to give you." He reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a small golden lion pin, engraved with a "P." Harry looked at him curiously.
"But there are only two prefects in each house," Harry argued.
"I have decided that a third prefect in the sixth and seventh years would help to make the students feel more secure about their safety here at Hogwarts,"
"Even though they aren't safe," snapped Harry. He didn't know why he was angry--he should have been grateful. How dare Dumbledore not tell him how and why they were all in danger…he had been through more than any other student at this school.
Dumbledore sighed. "Harry, I want to assure you I have taken every precaution against intrusion at Hogwarts," he said firmly, "as you will no doubt be finding out soon enough." This answer didn't satisfy Harry at all, but he felt too tired and weak to continue.
"Also," continued Dumbledore, "Professor Lupin wishes that you receive this. He thinks that your Godfather would have willed it to you." He handed the parcel to Harry, who didn't open it.
"By the way, Harry," said Dumbledore, standing up, "Sirius has willed Number 12 Grimmauld Place to you, as well as his possessions. I trust that you will permit the Order to continue its use as a Headquarters."
Harry nodded half-heartedly. He was getting very tired.
"You had better get some rest, Harry."
Harry got up, collected his badge, letters, and his parcel. "Er…Professor…where I am supposed to be…"
Dumbledore smiled, "Why…wherever you'd like. There isn't anyone else here. But if you'd like to sleep in a familiar place, the password to the Gryffindor common room is 'graagdegooklejuk'."
"Eh…what was it?" Dumbledore had said something which Harry was quite sure wasn't a word at all.
Dumbledore chuckled. "grah-ahg-deg-oo-kla-juck. Accent on the 'kla.' It's Gobbledegook for 'graefruit,'" Dumbled explain, and seeing the look on Harry's face, added, "Gobbledegook is the language of Goblins."
"Eh…Professor…why is the password…why is it Goblededook…or whatever it is?" Harry asked, trying to be polite.
Dumbledore smiled at him. "It's good to brush up on our foreign languages every so often."
Harry was distinctly puzzled, but yawned and turned to head back to the Gryffindor common room. But something was bothering him. "Professor Dumbledore?"
"Yes?"
"Where is Fawkes?"
Dumbledore said plainly, "Fawkes has taken up permanent residency in the Astronomy tower."
Harry thanked Dumbledore and exited his office, things in hand. As he walked up several flights of stairs chanting, "Grah-ahg-deg-oo-kla-juck," he noticed how empty and eerily quiet the castle was during the summer. The clock nearest to him told him that it was nearly 6:00. Harry arrived at the secret entrance to the Gryffindor common room, a portrait of a snoring fat lady in a pink dress, around 30 minutes later.
"Grah-bah-lug-uh-deh-judd."
The Fat Lady stirred. "Nice try," she said groggily, "but no."
Harry cursed under his breath. How was he supposed to remember Gobbledegook? "GRAH-AHL-AHB-OO-GLEH-GOO!" He shouted.
"No need to yell it, sir," the Fat Lady said, now fully awake. "I can hear quite well."
"Was I right?"
"Afraid not."
"ARGH!" stormed Harry. He stomped his feet. He was so furious with Dumbledore for picking such an outlandish password…
But then the Fat Lady swung open.
There was already someone in his common room.