Author's Note
Hey guys, I just want to clarify something. One of the things that come up in this chapter was never addressed in the books or movies.
Why does Dumbledore have so much control over Harry? Now many fanfic authors have used the same concept over and over again.
I see no need to reinvent the wheel so please just bear with me. The second thing is the issue of James Potter's mother.
According to canon, his mother's name was Euphemia. Many authors though, prefer to use Dorea Black as his mother.
I'm going with Dorea. That being said, there won't be any complicated noble family business and all that being part of my story.
Likewise, the Blacks won't really be playing any significant role. Just wanted to give a heads up.
The rest of the weekend sees me combing through more dry legal texts. It distracts me from something I don't want to think about.
This fiasco that's set to take place at the Ministry on Monday. I'm genuinely torn about what I should be feeling.
Part of me thinks this is all just ridiculous. I was just doing my job after all. Or rather, what I see my job as. I'm the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
It's my duty to protect the legacy of the Founders. This school and all of its inhabitants. I didn't do any of this for glory. I'm no Gryffindor.
That being said though, the more practical side of me sees the benefits. This award and the recognition it will bring me, will cement my position.
Nobody will question if I'm actually qualified to do this anymore. To add to that, it paints me as competent and capable in the eyes of the public.
Unlike Dumbledore, who is still facing heavy criticism. Now, nobody will be pushing for me to step aside and for him to retake his former position.
Not that it would change anything. I'm legally the Headmaster of Hogwarts. I signed a magically binding contract. The wards are fully under my control.
Once they're fully repaired, I won't have to worry about them trying to take the school by force either. It won't be possible.
That's a few months off however. It's centuries of neglect that has to be fixed. Still, by Saturday night, I've resigned myself to what's going to happen on Monday.
On Sunday, after lunch, I have Harry Potter brought to my office. He looks faintly nervous, but he offers me a hesitant smile, one which I fully return.
" Hello Harry. Please, take a seat. There's no need to look nervous. I just need to ask you a few questions. That is, if you're okay with that. "
He looks a bit confused but he nods anyway. " I wished to speak to you about your home life. I know I've been to your house before, but I'd like you to tell me, do you want to continue living there? "
His eyes widen. No doubt, this isn't what he was expecting when he was called to my office. He doesn't hesitate however.
" No, I hate it there. They treat me like a slave! I have to do all the cooking and housework while I'm there, while my cousin does nothing. I don't understand though Headmaster. "
" Professor Dumbledore said it's for my own good that I'm there. They're my only family. " I sigh. With a casual flick of my wand, the teapot that's standing to the side starts pouring us each a cup.
Sugar cubes float and drop into the tea and milk arcs into the cups. Once completed, a cup floats to each of us. He takes his, but doesn't drink immediately. He's studying my face.
I sigh again. " It's true, they are your closest blood relatives, but they aren't the only living people that you are related to. "
" I've done my research into your family tree. Your father's family tree to be specific. As you know, magicals place a lot of emphasis on bloodlines. "
" Your father's mother came from a particularly wealthy and distinguished family. The Ancient and Noble House of Black. "
" Many of whom were still alive when you were orphaned. You'd never have been placed with any of them though. There's a number of reasons for that. "
" The Black family have a reputation of being blood purists. Now I must say, not all of them hold such views, but the majority do. "
" A number of them were also Death Eaters or married to one. So you can see the issue. It was further complicated by Sirius Black. " Here I give him a serious look.
He'd been listening raptly as I spoke. I could imagine why. This is likely the first time he's had his magical relations mentioned.
" Sirius Black was the Heir of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. He was also in many ways the antithesis of his family. "
" He was headstrong, brash, outspoken and wildly popular. What's more, unlike everyone in his family, he was sorted into Gryffindor. "
" Yes, as you can imagine, it was a big scandal. His family had all been sorted into Slytherin for centuries and then he came along and broke that tradition. "
" As you can imagine, his family didn't take it very well. This all came to a head in his Fifth Year. He ran away from home and went to live with his best friend, James Potter. "
Harry gasped. " Indeed Harry. He and your father were the best of friends. They met on the train as First Years. By all accounts they were inseparable. He was the best man at your parents wedding. He's also your godfather. "
Here I raise my hand to forestall any questions. " The reason he didn't take care of you after your parents died is because he was arrested and thrown into Azkaban Prison. "
He looks confused now and wary. " He was charged as being You-Know-Who's accomplice. Your parents were hidden away under the protection of the Fidelius Charm. It's very powerful, obscure magic. "
" Suffice it to say, it can only be broken with inside help so to say. That help was Sirius Black. Or so the story goes. I recently came upon very troubling information. "
" As you know, Hagrid was arrested and sent to Azkaban. When he was released, I thought I'd treat him to a drink. Hagrid however, is wont to speak without thinking of the consequences. "
" During our conversation, he mentioned that he was put near the Death Eaters that are imprisoned, though he didn't try to speak to any of them. "
" That's when the subject of Sirius Black came up. He informed of something that I never knew. Something that was never public knowledge. "
" Something that confuses me for many reasons. You see, when Hagrid entered the wreckage of your family home, Sirius Black was already there. "
" He was holding you. Rocking you to be specific. It calmed you down. According to Hagrid, Sirius had tear tracts running down his face. "
" Sirius wanted to take you with him. He was your godfather after all. Hagrid however was insistent. Professor Dumbledore had sent him to collect you. You were to be taken to your aunt. "
There's a storm of emotions on Harry's face. I don't pay too much attention though. Focused as I am on controlling my own emotions.
While I do believe that it's best that he knows all this, there are some things that are best not known to a twelve year old. Such as my suspicions.
For as I uncovered who Harry's godfather was, so too did I find out who his godmother is. Alice Longbottom. The Longbottoms were only attacked a few days later.
Why wouldn't the boy have gone to his godmother? Wizarding Law is quite clear on that point. The claim of someone magical trumps that of a muggle.
There's a lot that doesn't make sense here. Unfortunately, the only person that knows the answers to all my questions is Professor Dumbledore and he would never answer them.
There's something here that doesn't feel right. I intend to get to the bottom of it. I need to be careful though. If my vague suspicions are correct, then there are many parties that will oppose me. I sigh internally.
" Sirius was arrested a few days later. He had gotten into a fight with another friend of his and your father's. Peter Pettigrew. In the end, thirteen muggles died as they were caught up in the crossfire and all that was left of Pettigrew was a finger. "
Which is strange, I muse to myself. Only cutting curses are so precise and if that were the case, they would have found the rest of his body in pieces as well. That's not even speaking of the aftermath.
" Sirius was arrested on the spot. Ranting, raving and laughing like a lunatic. He's been sentenced to life in Azkaban, which isn't the mercy you imagine it to be Harry. Yes, I see the look on your face. "
" Azkaban is not like a muggle prison. For starters, it's in the middle of the North Sea. A small, desolate island upon which rises a black stone tower that chills the heart. "
" It's the guards of Azkaban though, that inspire the most fear. Creatures known as Dementors. They are non-beings. Creatures neither living nor dead. "
" Their very presence steals all the hope and happiness from you. Literally. They are so wretched, that wherever they are, it adversely affects the weather. Clouds gather fast and the temperature drops suddenly. "
" They have a terrifying ability called the Dementor's Kiss. Ironically named. They literally suck the soul out of your body, leaving nothing but an empty shell behind. "
" So you see Harry. Everyone would prefer death, rather than being subjected to their constant presence. But I digress, all this backstory isn't why I called you here. "
" Hogwarts predates the Ministry of Magic by centuries. As a result, this school and it's Headmaster, have several unique powers and attributes. "
" The Founders didn't just build Hogwarts as a school. They built it as a fortress to protect magicals from muggles. Remember, in those days witch burnings were the norm. "
" I have read the Hogwarts Charter from top to bottom and have found something interesting. Even though this right hasn't been exercised by a Headmaster since the fifteenth century, I have the power to provide sanctuary. "
" That means that I can offer you a haven away from your relatives. I will warn you however, there are many that will contest this. Knowing all that, do you wish to live at Hogwarts until your education ends? "
He's gaping at me. I give him time to come to terms with what I said, calmly drinking my tea. What I said was true, though I vastly understated things.
When muggleborns attend Hogwarts, their Heads of House become their Magical Guardians for the duration of their education.
Harry Potter is no muggleborns. He might as well be though. The thing is, Professor McGonagall was never his Magical Guardian. I checked.
From the moment he was orphaned, Professor Dumbledore assumed that position. Why that is, I'm not sure. I don't know whether there was a will or not.
Unfortunately, I can't just go snooping in the Ministry. During my rumination, it appears that Harry has finally gathered himself together.
" Yes! There's nothing I'd like more Headmaster. Hogwarts has always felt like home to me. " I smile then and clap my hands as I rise.
" Excellent. Now listen carefully Harry. This is how things will work. " Yes I think to myself. Deciding to teach at Hogwarts was the best decision I've ever made.