Harry Potter and the Sanctuary of Light
Chapter 10 Dumbledore
Soron walked through the halls of Hogwarts on his way to the headmaster's office. As he passed classrooms, he could hear the instructors teaching and the occasional babble of students. He was curious about why he'd been called to wizarding school and not the ministry. Finally, he reached the statue of a phoenix and stopped in front of it.
"Canary creams." The statue jumped aside and he made his way up to the office door. He knocked and heard the headmaster call for him to enter. The door swung open and he saw Dumbledore seated at his desk, with Fudge seated in a chair in front of it.
"Ah, you are Soron Isilmolor are you not?" The headmaster questioned, "Lemon drop?"
"Thanks, but no. May I ask why I am here?" He looked at the two men curiously.
"Ah, yes... er. There has been an unexpected revelation. As you know, there has been an extensive manhunt for Harry Potter." Fudge told both men hesitantly, occasionally reaching a hand up to wipe away nervous sweat. "And part of that was capturing known deatheaters and questioning them under veritaserum. One we questioned started bragging about kidnapping Potter against his will and taunted us about the boy's innocence. Naturally, we questioned the other deatheaters we had and their stories match up. You were right about Potter's innocence. Now we need you to help us locate him so we can get him to a safe location before Voldemort can get his hands on him." Fudge ended his explanation.
"Let me get this straight, you betrayed this boy. Threw a fifteen year old in Azkaban no less, and want him to just come happily back? I have been trying for months to get you idiots to see that he was innocent and now..."
"He's not innocent." Dumbledore stated, his face blank.
"I assure you he is Headmaster; it's not possible to lie under Veritaserum." Fudge insisted.
"And I'm telling you he's guilty." Soron noticed a strange gleam in the old wizard's eyes and used his elven abilities to examine him closely. What he saw shocked him. There was some type of magic imprisoning the headmaster's will. He was being controlled, not by imperious, but by something much stronger. Without hesitation, he immobilized both Dumbledore and Fudge. Fudge so he couldn't interfere and Dumbledore so the thing controlling him couldn't fight back. Standing, he ignored Fudges shouts to free him and walked around the desk to stand beside the headmaster's chair. Fawkes gave a happy trill, knowing the elf was going to free Dumbledore.
He placed his fingers against the temples of Dumbledore's immobile head and closed his eyes. Whispering in elvish, he fought against the thing that had a hold of the man's mind. It was a sentient thing and pure evil, but very subtle so that even an elf wouldn't know it was there unless they specifically looked for it. He continued chanting, taking one hand away and pulling a small clear stone from his pocket. He pressed the stone to the headmaster's head and continued chanting. Slowly, the stone started to look discolored, and then grew darker. He could feel the headmaster helping him now in expelling the thing from his mind. Finally, when the stone grew completely black, Soron opened his eyes to the now clear blue ones in front of him.
Fudge had finally shut-up somewhere through the process and stared at the two of them fearfully, as if he were next. Soron looked at the soul of the Minister, but found nothing and was saddened that the leader of the wizarding world put an innocent fifteen year old in jail of his own free will.
Dumbledore leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, exhausted from trying to fight the thing controlling him all these months. Fawkes flew over and rested on his shoulder, singing until Albus opened his eyes again. When Soron saw he was going to be alright, he turned to the Minister and released him.
"What did you do?"
"I've just released him from being controlled by some sort of sentient shadow. It looks like it's been there for awhile. Long enough back to insure C... Harry was put in Azkaban."
"Eight months." The headmaster said tiredly. "The same night Harry was kidnapped, that thing found it's way to my quarters. Fawkes tried to help me, but it was already too late."
By this time, Fudge was gapping, unable to believe the great Albus Dumbledore could have been controlled in this way. But he shook it off and spoke. "Well, very good then. Good to have you back Dumbledore. Now how about the elves helping us find Potter?"
Soron gave the Minister a cold look. "Absolutely not. Your world betrayed him. You're lucky he isn't spiteful or bitter enough to have escaped only to join Voldemort. Yes, I know where he is, but you'll never find him. Perhaps if your world shows how sorry it is for imprisoning an innocent and commit itself to uniting and defeating Voldemort, than maybe. Now leave. I have more I need to speak to the Headmaster about."
The Minister was indignant about being spoken to in such a way and annoyed at the elf's answer. He was sufficiently afraid of Soron's wrath should he voice any of this though, so he left in a huff.
The two sat quietly, lost in their own thoughts. Finally Dumbledore spoke, "How is he?"
Soron looked up and studied the headmaster. Liking what he saw he replied, "Happy." Albus's eyes regained some of their twinkle. "I ask you not to share what I tell you with anyone else, even his former friends. I wouldn't even tell you, except I know you couldn't help what happened and only want the best for him."
Albus nodded. "His friends and godfather will be shocked when they learn of his innocence, but they haven't earned the right to see him or learn where he is yet. If they inquire I will only tell them he is safe and happy."
Smiling in thanks, Soron continued. "He is living with me and my family." The elf continued and explained about the elven blood on Harry's mother's side and about the decision to become an elf. He also described Harry's animagus forms and Fawkes looked curious at the description of Talon in black and dark-silver.
"A couple of days after coming to Kalayaana, Harry was given the name Corintur which is the elven name for Harry. My children all love him, Laurea especially. A couple of months ago, Corin and 'Rea did a ritual and found they were soul-mates. Serie and I were ecstatic of course." Soron grinned. The two were talking back and forth like old friends now.
After a bit of discussion about how the ritual went and about Harry's elvish training in magic and weapons, Albus asked, "Do you think after you explain about my being controlled Harry will see me?" Soron could hear the hope in his voice.
He thought about it for a few seconds, "Yes, I think he will. Perhaps we'll give him some time to get used to the idea, but maybe we could have you come for his birthday party in a couple of weeks."
Albus smiled, "Yes that would be very nice. If he does agree, I think I'll bring Fawkes. They always got along very well."
With these plans in mind, the two said their goodbyes and Albus returned to his desk. He thought wearily about how he was going to explain to the staff and Harry's friends and adopted family about the boy's innocence. He knew a tough time for the wizarding world was ahead.
Corin sat out in the garden that night with Miri thinking. When Soron had explained how his meeting had gone after dinner, he'd been shocked to find out about Dumbledore being controlled and felt sympathy for the old wizard. That was one of the things that really hit me hard when I was arrested, Dumbledore's not believing me. He'd been my mentor for so long... I'm glad it wasn't of his own will. It will be good to see him at my birthday party.
Miri gave a cheep from his collar and he reached an absent finger up to stroke the little golden bird. He'd really found a friend in Miri that morning. The little bird was extremely loyal and hadn't left his side all day.
He sighed in contentment as he looked up at the stars. When he heard Laurea calling for him to come and play an elvish game similar to chess, he stood and headed inside.
While he was walking, he thought about his old friends and what their response would be to his innocence. He frowned. No doubt they'd try to find him and apologize. He knew he'd have to forgive them eventually, but not right away, his heart was still bruised from their betrayal. Someday I'll forgive them, but not yet.
