CHAPTER TWO—THE TRUTH

Harry couldn't believe Dumbledore was making him wait for all that. All his life he had been waiting to hear something about his parents, to hear a moment of truth, and now he was going to. So why did Dumbledore keep it away from him?

After a fitful night of pseudo-sleep and hours of tortuous classes, Harry waited for the bell to ring so he could run up to the Headmaster's office. He went the exact same route as he did before, minus the bathroom detour, and knocked fearfully on Dumbledore's door. He began to think—what if Dumbledore really was loony? What if he didn't know what he was talking about, and had progressed further on the path of senility?

He raised his fist again, preparing to knock, but the door flew open in front of him. Dumbledore, twinkling, stood in front of Harry.

"Come in, Harry come in! We have very many important things to discuss, so let's not waste any time!"

And once Harry was seated and they had finished the pleasantries, Dumbledore began to talk.

"It all began nearly 17 years ago..."

"17 years ago, your mother, a siren of the name Seaglory, fell in love with a Hungarian Horntail. Nobody knows who he is or where he came from. He can't even talk, really. The young couple had a child, a strange being who resembled both parents remarkably. He had the scales of both his parents, claws of his father, and the voice of his mother. But, from what happened, it seems obvious that the dragon only stayed because of the lure of Seaglory's voice. He left as soon as she became pregnant—once they become pregnant, siren's temporarily lose their ability to sing.

"The siren, unable to protect her strange baby from her kin and the outside world decided to sacrifice her love to you and send you away. Her good friend, Lily Potter, took you in and brought you to me to change your appearance so you'd be safe and accepted in the wizarding world.

"I believe Lily and James planned on telling you at some point, but since... well, we may never know, now. All that I know has been told to you."

"But... why did I live with the Dursleys? Why didn't you return me to my real mother then?" All the questions from the last meeting still seemed unanswered, bouncing in his mind from side to side.

"You didn't return to your mother because she couldn't be found. No one knows who she is, or where she'll be. The sirens migrate every year. I'm afraid that if you want to find out more, you will have to seek your parents. Your real parents."

"Professor... I'm still not sure that I believe you."

"Harry, what reason have you to disbelieve? Think on it—I've hear you've a wondrous voice when singing in the dormitory shower."

Harry thought. It was true that he sang unusually well around water. And he had felt a strange affinity for the Hungarian Horntail when he competed in the Triwizard Tournament, not to mention an weird feeling of brotherhood with the Mermaids, despite their ghastly looks. Plus, he was the youngest seeker in over a century, and his flying skills were nearly legendary by now. He looked up, almost grimacing.

"But—but Sir, how can it be true? I mean... I mean... that just doesn't—it's just not right!"

"You will have to search your own heart to find the truth, Harry. I have done all I can for you."

When he got back to Gryffindor Tower, Harry talked privately to Ron and Hermione, not wanting to break the news as Dumbledore had to himself.

"What do you two think... of dragons? You know, as a friend?"

"Are you thinking of Norbert again, Harry? He was just a beast, nearly burned Hagrid's house down!" said Hermione.

"Yeah, he bit me pretty bad. But it'd be bloody wicked to have one in a properly controlled environment—Charlie does that all the time," Ron added.

Harry frowned. So his only two friends would think of him as a beast, or at best, a dangerous pet. He made his decision.

"You know that I'm leaving Hogwarts, then? It's for... I have to... I need some training, if there's another confrontation... with Voldemort. You know, that stuff," he finished rather lamely.

Ron and Hermione blinked, and Harry mentally steeled his mind for the outburst.

Five hours later he had packed his things and was ready to leave on his journey to find his past so shrouded in mystery.

END OF CHAPTER TWO

A/N—Did you like it? I know it's a bit more boring, but the next chappie starts with Harry's adventure! Stay tuned!

By the way, no one answered about HOFBrINCl!