DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended
a/n: only a few very minor changes this chapter
Chapter 9
Harry nervously sat and waited for Remus and Snape to come back. He hoped Dumbledore hadn't been so angry that he cursed them or something. But soon he saw Snape's flowing robes as he entered the sitting room.
Harry said, "Where's Remus?"
Snape said, "He has gone with the headmaster to retrieve your new godparents. Apparently the wards fell at your relatives as soon as we left."
Severus walked over to the bookcase, retrieved a book and handed it to Harry. It was A History of Dark Curses He said, "I want you to read the sections on the Cruciatus curse and write an essay on the effects of the curse both on the caster and the victim. If the essay is not thorough, you will be redoing it. Understood?"
Harry nodded. He knew there was no way Snape was going to let him get away with having cast an unforgivable, so he knew there was going to be something said about it at some point.
Severus said, "I suggest you go put away your items from your mother's lock box before the headmaster returns. I will see you at dinner. Don't forget you will be working in my lab this evening." Snape turned, and with a twirl of his robes left the room.
Harry stalked up to his room and threw the book across the room. He didn't know why he was so angry. He knew Snape would be saying something about the curse he used. But didn't she deserve it? She had killed Sirius after all. He flopped down on the bed. Calypso noticed his movements and said Iss ssomething the wrong, Masster?
Harry sat up and reached over so Calypso could slide around his wrist. Yess, I am upsset becausse the woman who killed my godfather iss sstill free, yet I am in trouble over cassting a cursse on her.
Calypso didn't say anything, but continued to let Harry rant and talk about how much he missed Sirius. It helped to talk to someone Harry knew wasn't going to judge him. They had been talking for about an hour when there was a knock on the door.
Harry looked up. "Hey, Remus."
"Hi, Harry. Everyone's here and there is a meeting downstairs. You forgot your charts, so I brought them up for you."
Remus handed Harry the genealogical charts and Harry said, "Dumbledore isn't trying to make me go back to the Dursleys is he?"
"No, he was quite upset, but I think he has come to understand that there isn't much he can do about it."
Harry put Calypso back in his aquarium and followed Remus to the sitting room, where he saw Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Snape and Dumbledore. Snape motioned for Harry to sit down and said, "The headmaster has some things he needs to tell you, Harry."
Harry turned to Dumbledore. He said, "Harry, since you agreed for Severus to be your guardian the wards around your relatives house fell. We have moved them to a safe house, but their home was attacked and burned to the ground."
Harry wouldn't look at Dumbledore but said, "Do you expect me to feel guilty? Because I don't. I'm glad they weren't hurt, but I'm not going to feel guilty for getting to go to a better home. They treated me horrible for 15 years, maybe they're just getting back some of what they deserved."
Remus said, "I don't think anyone expects you to feel guilty, Harry. The headmaster just wanted you to be informed."
Dumbledore said, "Why won't you look at me, Harry?"
Harry said, "I haven't mastered occlumency yet, so I think it's best if I don't look you in the eyes until I do. We both know what might happen."
Dumbledore sighed and then said, "That is very sensible of you. I want you to know that I don't agree with your decision to change guardians, but I realize you are of an age to decide some things for yourself. If you truly think Severus and Remus will be better guardians for you, I will not interfere. I am quite pleased, however, with your choice of godparents. I hope that you will feel comfortable going to them if you have any problems you cannot resolve with Severus or Remus."
Harry felt angry and Dumbledore's statement about Snape and Remus. "I do think I have better guardians now. They promised to look after my interests, not the wizarding world as a whole. The fact that I have decent clothes to wear and food to eat makes it better than where I was. Can you really tell me you didn't know what kind of life I had growing up? I know for a fact that Mrs. Figg saw the black eyes and bruises I would get from Dudley beating up on me, and my first Hogwarts letter was addressed to the cupboard under the stairs. Do you realize that I got my first motherly hug when I was 14 after the Triwizard tournament? Why did you leave me to grow up like that?"
Harry was on his feet, shaking with anger. The headmaster seemed to be at a loss for words. When he didn't answer, Harry continued. "I also know that I might be related to Professor Snape. Why didn't you search for wizarding relatives? And don't tell me it was just because of my mother. I found out yesterday that my great-grandmother was a squib. Surely she has some relatives that aren't dead yet."
Dumbledore looked grave. He said, "I promise you, Harry, I did not know of these relatives. I thought your aunt was the only remaining family you had. I regret that your life with the Dursleys was so harsh. At the time, I felt it was the only way to protect you. As I told you earlier this summer, I had forgotten what it was like to be young, and I failed you. Remus and I discussed this at great length while we were waiting on your godparents. Tell me, is there anything else that you are upset about?"
"Yeah. Why didn't you tell me about Mrs. Figg earlier? Once I started Hogwarts I was old enough to keep a secret from the Dursleys. It would have been good to have someone to go and talk to that understood. Then I would have known where to go when anything bad happened, instead of feeling like I was trapped with the Dursleys. How do you know Voldemort couldn't have gotten to me after he took my blood? For their house to burn down so soon he must have known where I was."
Harry sat down, crossed his arms, and waited on the headmaster's response. Dumbledore said, "I have no easy answers to your questions, Harry. I'm sure after the dementor attack last year that once the dementors left Azkaban, they informed Voldemort that you were in Surrey. I am not sure if Voldemort already knew where the house was and couldn't break the wards, or if it was discovered once you had left. We may never know the answer to that question. As to Mrs. Figg, in hindsight I see that I should have let you know about her. I apologize again for not informing you and keeping you in the dark for so long. We will work out a way for you to receive the knowledge you need from now on. It is my understanding that Severus and Remus already have plans for this. So I will leave it in their capable hands."
Harry just glared at the floor since he couldn't glare at Dumbledore. Remus said, "I know that you are angry about all this Harry. Are you still so angry that you don't trust the headmaster?"
Harry said, "Yes. I mean as strange as it sounds, I trust Professor Snape more than I trust the headmaster. Snape was mean at times, but it seems like everything he told me that I once thought was a lie, ended up being true. And you are the only one, except for Sirius, that has stood up and said that I should be allowed to know what is going on. Since I didn't know what was going on, I didn't take the dreams and occlumency lessons serious enough. It's horrible that it took someone's death for all this to happen."
Remus said, "I understand that you don't trust the headmaster but there are a few things he needs to discuss with you. Are you willing to listen to what he has to say?"
"Yeah, I'll listen."
Dumbledore said, "You will be happy to know that both your guardians will be at Hogwarts this year. I have asked Remus to take the position of DADA instructor. With the blunders the ministry made last year, they are more than happy to comply. But there is something else I need to discuss with you. Severus and Remus told me about the quill Ms. Umbridge used. May I see your hand?"
Harry showed the headmaster where the quill had written into his hand. Dumbledore continued, "In addition, I received a letter from Miss Granger in which she stated that Ms. Umbridge admitted to sending the dementors after you, along with threatening to use the cruciatus curse on you. Is this true?"
"Yes."
"Then there are some complaints I need you to sign. Several students have already signed each one. I think we may be able have charges brought against Ms. Umbridge, but you may be called to testify. Would you be willing?
Harry said, "Yeah, what she did was wrong. I just hope the papers don't go back to saying I'm just doing it to seek attention like they were saying last summer."
Remus said, "I don't think you have to worry about that, Harry. The word is out that you were being honest all along."
Dumbledore handed the parchments to Harry and he read and signed each one. He noticed that Hermione and Ron had already signed them, along with several other students.
Dumbledore said, "Is there anything you would like to discuss?"
Harry reached into his pocket, got the letter he had written the headmaster and handed it to him.
Dumbledore took a moment to read the letter, and then said, "This is a very good idea, Harry. Do you have any other ideas that you think might help?"
"Am I and Voldemort the only ones who have come to Hogwarts that are orphans?"
"No, Harry. There have been several students over the years."
"Well, maybe some sort of mentor program for orphaned children, especially if they have grown up in an orphanage or muggle household. It's quite a shock to enter the wizarding world, and even harder when you don't have anyone to talk to about it."
"That is another good idea, Harry. Feel free to write me if you have any others. Unfortunately I didn't get your first letter. The house burned before I was able to get the note from it. Is there anything that was in it we need to discuss?"
"No, it just mainly said I agree with my new guardians and that I am still mad at you."
Severus said, "I think that's enough talk for now. I am sure the house-elves are ready to serve dinner. Let's adjourn to the dining room."
Harry looked up at Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. They had been strangely quiet throughout Harry's tirade and discussion with Dumbledore. Mrs. Weasley came over and sat next to Harry. She said, "Harry, I just want you to know that we are on your side, dear. I want you to let me know anytime you need one of those motherly hugs."
Harry just nodded. He didn't trust himself to speak. Then Mrs. Weasley pulled out some letters. She said, "Ron and Hermione wrote these. They are worried about you. Is there anything you would like me to tell them?"
"Tell them I'm ok, and I'll write soon if I can. I'm not sure if writing by owl is a good thing right now. "
"That's very sensible dear. But Professor Lupin gave us one of the mirrors. I'm sure you and Ron can chat using that."
"I wondered what happened to my mirror. I'll ask him about it."
With that Harry and Mrs. Weasley got up to join the others for dinner.
a/n: I want to thank all my reviewers. In the next chapter: the adults discuss Harry's anger and guardianship, and Severus prepares to receive more teenagers.
