He saw the girl's crystal blue eyes light up with restrained intelligence.
"I appreciate that, Mister Potter, but I don't want to impose…"
"It's no imposition at all, really. Two hours spent listening to rambling politicos causes a lovely lady's company to be most enticing. Let's find someplace private and I'll give you a story so scandalous that the Valentine's Day Quibbler exclusive will seem as boring as an economic report by comparison."
"Well, you certainly seem to know the path to this girl's heart. We could Floo over to my apartment if you'd like."
Harry demurely placed an arm around the girl's petite waist and reveled in her blush.
"That sounds delightful. Allow me to regale you with the tragic tale of a young orphaned savior subjected to an abusive Muggle childhood by a self-righteous old man…"
Harry couldn't imagine a more perfect ending to his day. He had put effectively sliced out Dumbledore's knees by selling out his vigilance group and would now deal yet another crushing blow to the old man's image by telling the world of his suffering with the Dursley's. The headmaster would be reeling from this one-two combination well into the future. And soon the wizarding world would be under martial law with him pulling all the strings. He was ascending into power even now.
Interlude Two: Burning Day – The Order's Downfall
Diaclaimer: If you've seen it before, it belongs to J.K. Rowling. Otherwise, it's mine. Naturally, I'm making no money off this.
Albus Dumbledore was a tired man. He was exhausted, both in body and mind and especially in his heart. The sage who had five decades prior felled the Great Grindelwald now wearily surveyed his disorganized and injured forces from the Order of the Phoenix's new and wholly inadequate meeting place at Arabella Figg's home in Little Whinging. Several members had been furious upon hearing that Harry had disallowed the organization to continue using Grimmauld Place, but nothing could be done to change matters. The Weasley Burrow was too obvious to be a viable meeting place. The squib's humble abode was situated not even a block away from the Muggle household in which Harry Potter had passed his unhappy childhood. Albus now tearfully regretted having placed the boy in those monsters' care, the blood protections be damned. The Dursley family had thoroughly schooled the wizarding world's hope in hate and misery from the youngest age. Harry's recent interview in The Daily Prophet had made that much abundantly clear. Dumbledore had been able to sense the venom pouring from each printed word, unbridled resentment aimed directly at him.
The Dursleys would no doubt be receiving just recompense to their abusive ways soon. The public was in outrage about the horrible upbringing that their hero had endured and grumblings on the streets in Diagon Alley and elsewhere suggested that Vernon and Petunia would soon be meeting an incensed wizarding lynch mob, or Tom might slay them in order to send Harry a message. The young warrior was equally liable to return to Privet Drive and put them both to the sword personally now that he was free to move about unchecked. Albus could only pray that they would come to no harm. They were not the most tolerate or friendly sort, but their behavior towards Harry had been borne through ignorance rather than any truly premeditated hostility. Magic was a tangible entity that most Muggles simply could not comprehend and they therefore reacted violently to it due to pure natural instinct. Magical purebloods loathed Muggle science and technology in much the same fashion. Harry Potter had been a victim, but the old man would much rather the boy turn the resulting vitriol upon him rather than his relations. Albus understood his feelings, as he too had fallen into a towering rage upon fully realizing how Petunia had allowed his grandson to be treated, but still felt that to punish the Dursleys would be akin to slaughtering a caged and threatened animal when it lashed out: cruel and inhumane, and ultimately pointless.
"Here…do have some tea, Albus. Something tells me you could use a pick-me-up."
Dumbledore attempted to nod serenely but failed, managing only to jerk his head.
"Thank you, Arabella. A cuppa never fails to raise my spirits."
Had the Headmaster's teacup contained clear water rather than steaming black Earl Grey he might have been appalled with his reflection. Dumbledore was pale and haggard and looked every second the nearly two centuries old that he was. His long white hair and beard were straggly and unkempt and his robes where the same set that he had been wearing during the battle at Hogsmeade days prior, kept only somewhat neat and unsoiled by sporadic Cleaning Charms. The usual resplendent twinkle in his eyes was dead, perhaps never again to return. His slippers were mismatched and his breathing heavy and wheezing. Harry's betrayal had truly crushed him. The somewhat bitter tea did nothing to quell his depression as a familiar growling voice sounded behind him.
"Buck up, Albus. Three days you've been mopin' about. There's still a war to be fought."
Dumbledore let out a sigh and responded. During times like these he was eternally grateful for Moody's plan and unyielding candor. The grizzled ex-Auror never allowed his emotions to dominate him and always kept a level head in any situation. His old soldier mentality assuaged the Headmaster's rising despair far more effectively than teary lamentations or sympathetic looks and words. Albus usually looked down upon cold logic and emotionless action, but in this case it was most welcome and perhaps the only preserver keeping Dumbledore from sinking in his own regrets. Much work indeed remained to be done, with Harry Potter or otherwise. But even that thought wasn't enough to pull Albus from the maelstrom this night.
"I've lost the boy, Alastor. It's identical to Tom those many years ago. Another one has slipped through my fingers into the darkness."
Mad-Eye Moody grunted in annoyance as he clunked over to the wooden chair next to Dumbledore's recliner and plopped down, drawing his hip flask and guzzling a long draught. His magical eye remained stationary and leveled intently on the wizard who had led Alastor in battle through three dark risings. Moody had fought alongside Dumbledore as a junior Auror during Grindelwald's day and had served in the Order during both wars against Voldemort. Albus had never known a more stalwart and loyal adherent in all his years, not even Minerva or Rubeus. Moody was brutally honest and did not quail before the old sage's mystique, quite willing to gainsay Dumbledore when he disagreed with the Headmaster's policies. Like Minerva, Alastor had staunchly disagreed with Dumbledore's decision to place Harry with the Dursleys. Albus should have listened.
"Stop feelin' sorry for yourself, ye old coot. Potter made his own choices, but I never once woulda thought to see that boy turn to the dark side. He might have been a bit reckless and stupid at times, but I thought him to be a good kid. Seems like even my vigilant arse can be caught sleeping. Anyway, Riddle was evil from the start and you did everything you could to steer Potter right. Some things are beyond your control, Albus."
Dumbledore couldn't agree about Harry. He had tried too hard to keep the boy under control, foolishly forgetting the old maxim that a caged animal couldn't help but resist. Albus had been so very wrong to deny the boy his heritage and proper place in the wizarding world. He now knew that by being a proper mentor and helping the boy adapt to his fame and fortune, and training him both emotionally and magically for his destiny from the beginning he could have forged an unbreakable bond between them. He could have made Harry the grandson that Dumbledore had always envisioned him to be from the distance. Albus had instead chosen to deceive Harry due to some convoluted notion that he should have a normal childhood and had thus driven him to delve into the advanced sorceries alone and without guidance. The light's greatest champion had verily engineered Harry Potter's descent into dark magic.
"I could only wish that all were as simple as you say, Alastor."
"Seems like we're a bit shorthanded tonight. Not that I can say I'm surprised."
That was quite true, not that Arabella's little house could have sheltered the full Order. Molly had managed to stay her sobs long enough to request to be excused from her duties along with her children as they mourned poor Arthur's passing. Miss Delacour was likewise absent while supporting her beloved as Bill Weasley coped with his father's death. Remus was dead as well, no doubt raising a ruckus in the next world with James and Sirius, now liberated from an existence that had given him little other than contempt and oppression. The lycanthrope had made the ultimate sacrifice to protect a young man who spat upon the gesture with his reckless attitude and flagrant disregard for human life. The man would have been in tears had he seen his cub's actions later that morning.
The Hogwarts staff was unrepresented at this gathering, Alastor excluded. Minerva was a nervous wreck resulting from the words she had exchanged with Harry following his and Miss Chang's altercation with Dumbledore in the latter's office. The boy's Head of House had kept an impassive face whilst still in Harry's presence but had broken down in tears upon leaving his observation. Severus was still convalescing under Poppy's care due to the grievous injuries that Mister Potter had inflicted upon the Potions Master. Snape had been foolish to attack Harry in the boy's full battle lust, but Albus honestly could not blame him. Severus had seen Mister Malfoy as his own much the same as Dumbledore still viewed Harry now. Had anybody slain Harry as the latter had murdered Draco, Albus would have assaulted the perpetrator with ferocity that not even Tom or Alphonse had ever seen. Dumbledore had killed only once in his entire existence but would gladly have done an encore in that situation, and that would have included Severus had the man succeeded in what had no doubt been his intention against Harry.
Whatever Harry's accursed weapon truly was, its effects had devastated Severus. His amputated arm was only the beginning. The noxious energy that comprised the blade seemed to absorb magical power, as it had also taken in Dumbledore's last spell directed at Tom in Hogsmeade right as the Dark Lord had made his escape. Severus likewise reported that Harry had dissipated a curse with the weapon. The blade had apparently stolen the Potions Master's magic in the nearby tissue as well as violated its ability to regenerate. Severus could not ever receive a magical replacement for his destroyed arm because his body had no magic on the entire right side, and thus the spell could not bond to his flesh. The man could still perform magic with his other hand, but his magical reservoir being ruptured and permanently depleted on one side meant that his power was drastically weakened and unstable. Despite his dueling prowess, Severus Snape could not perform spellwork or battle on a level much beyond that exhibited by a junior student at Hogwarts. Dumbledore's heart bled for the man. Severus had always tried to combat his physical ugliness and constant loneliness through his considerable talents and now Harry had seized that away due to pure spite. He had destroyed Snape in nearly every fashion that a proud wizard could be and had made him live to suffer the indignity. He could not even function as the Order's spy any longer. Tom would no doubt view his debilitated condition as a liability and kill him should he attend another Death Eater gathering.
"…Albus, I'm talkin' to you here."
Dumbledore slowly halted his recollections and turned to Moody.
"My apologies. My thoughts are a bit jumbled tonight. I'll need you to repeat that."
Moody airily waved his gnarled and calloused hand about Arabella's crowded sitting room. Every face was somber and clouded with doubt. Morale within the Order was at its all-time lowest point due to Azkaban and Hogsmeade both falling and two highly respected members being killed in action in one terrible night, one being a skilled and powerful fighter in Remus Lupin.
"I said that you should get this meeting started. These people need some distraction."
"We will commence as soon as Nymphadora and Kingsley arrive from the Ministry."
Moody jerked his head in acknowledgement and Albus again became absorbed in his thoughts, which returned to the past few days' constant subject. Dumbledore had been wholly optimistic that the situation with Harry was going to work out marvelously mere days before the Halloween disaster. He had felt like a proud grandfather when Harry had confided the news regarding his engagement to Miss Cho Chang prior to telling even his closest friends. Dumbledore has always been amused with observing him as he pursued the pretty Chinese Ravenclaw. At one time he had hoped that Harry would notice Miss Ginevra Weasley's obvious infatuation with him and return her feelings, but the Headmaster knew during the boy's third year that it was not to be. One Miss Chang had gotten involved with Cedric Diggory during the Triwizard Tournament, several bored and frankly nosey faculty members had started a gambling pool as to which school champion would finally win her heart and when. Sadly, the question had been resolved with Cedric's premature death at Tom's hands. For his part, Albus Dumbledore had placed a heavy wager on Harry.
Dumbledore had seen several Potters come through Hogwarts during his tenure and had observed one singular constant. Potter men did not indulge in meaningless crushes. They selected their mates early on, just as James had with Lily, and pursued them with unrelenting fervor until their prey gave in and romance blossomed. Poor Harry had been sorely lacking in guidance regarding the fairer sex but had succeeded all the same. He was lost to Miss Chang the very moment he had laid eyes upon her in midair on the Quidditch Pitch, and vice versa. Their engagement had convinced Albus that Harry was not lost to the darkness. After all, light still remained with him so long as he could experience love.
But Harry had done the unthinkable and corrupted the heart's purest light. Miss Chang turned to the darkness along with him, willingly polluting her own gentle and demure soul in order to remain alongside her chosen. Rather than being his beacon and pulling out him from the abyss, she instead dove in with him and indeed anchored him down even more. The damned girl had aided Harry in placing this binding curse upon Dumbledore prior to their exodus by snatching his wand, and he had heard her attempting to prod him into returning to kill the Headmaster as they descended the staircase. Harry's inborn charisma was such that she was willing to accept the blackness within him and infect her own heart despite her initial beau being slain by a Dark Lord. Despite the boy's snide comments, love was an extremely powerful force, and Harry had somehow managed to twist it into an evil instrument.
Not that Albus should have been surprised. Harry had exhibited remarkable skill in swaying others to his bidding. Dumbledore recalled a younger Lord Voldemort making his bid to be hired on as Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor at Hogwarts not long after Albus had been appointed as Headmaster. Dumbledore had seen through his ruse and deciphered his true intention, that being to prep and recruit Death Eaters directly at Hogwarts. Harry had succeeded where Tom had failed, securing several students' loyalties through teaching the D.A. during the previous term. Even the subject had been identical. Those same children, as well as several others converted by said people, would later declare loyalty to Harry's twisted ideals. Albus now believed that Harry had indoctrinated them against both the school and the Ministry and educated them in the Dark Arts during their group excursions. The strongest, brightest and most creative students among the upper years at Hogwarts had departed the school in unison due to their leader's expulsion. Harry had recruited and trained a small army right under Dumbledore's nose.
Stereo Apparition cracks heralded the last two remaining members arriving near the front entrance to Mrs. Figg's house. Tonks had nearly landed on Arabella's cat. Mr. Tibbles let out a hiss and scampered into the kitchen. Both Aurors were dressed in their uniform robes and had their wands our. Kingsley's face was fixed with a stoic expression while Tonks appeared to be almost in tears. Albus immediately knew that something was amiss but opted to feign ignorance and smiled wearily. Moody seemed to get the hint as well and he slowly ceased his hand's descent towards his wand and growled out his greeting.
"It's about time you two showed up."
Shacklebolt made no move as he and Tonks separated and moved to create a perimeter. Albus stifled a curse as a low hum indicated Anti-Apparition wards being clamped down around the property. The Headmaster could shatter them easily enough given time, but time was not a commodity that he was likely to be granted in this situation. His energies were still drained due to his grueling battle with Tom in the burning village.
"We didn't want this to happen, Albus. I can only hope you'll believe that."
Dumbledore braced himself for the inevitable as the scene degenerated into an absolute din. Aurors and Hit Wizards began streaming into the little house, some via Apparition and others through the primary and rear entrances. Albus and Alastor immediately drew their wands and stood with their backs to one another. Dumbledore recognized a perennial Fudge lackey in Auror Dawlish heading a trio coming in through Arabella's Floo, effectively blocking the only remaining escape. Not that anybody would have time to use the fireplace anyway.
"Alastor…we cannot afford to battle here."
"I ain't going down without a fight, Albus. Unless you can see some other option…"
The situation was desperate. Dumbledore hadn't had time to ward Arabella's house against a hostile invasion such as this. The Order was outnumbered and outclassed. There were at least twenty combined Ministry wands present and less than ten belonging to Dumbledore's vigilantes. Albus and Alastor were the only capable Order fighters present and the Headmaster lacked the requisite energy to take down this many foes. Ministry Aurors had far superior training when compared to typical Death Eaters and wouldn't be incapacitated nearly as easily. The Ministry's forces weren't in perfect condition either due to their battle at Azkaban, but they were still more than enough to trounce the Order in its present state. Albus had to negotiate, praying that the Aurors would be sufficiently intimidated by his reputation to be willing to bargain.
"Put your wand down and surrender, Headmaster Dumbledore. The same to you, Retired Senior Auror Captain Moody. You people are all under arrest, charged with subversion and conspiracy to destabilize the Ministry of Magic."
Albus recognized the voice as belonging to Rufus Scrimgeour, the Auror Commander. He then lowered his wand but did not drop it. Moody stared gobsmacked at the old man and did not follow, though he made no hostile moves. The other Order members just seemed to be overwhelmed at the current situation. They had never seen any substantial combat and were quite helpless when lined up against trained wands. Dumbledore attempted to defuse the situation. The last thing that needed to happen was to have somebody lose their cool and start a battle.
"Be reasonable, Commander Scrimgeour. Nobody has committed any crimes here."
Rufus scoffed and retorted in a condescending tone.
"Hold your crap until the Wizengamot. Our source has told us all about your illegal vigilance group."
This had to be Harry's doing. So this was his new game, Albus realized with no small disappointment. Hiding behind the Ministry while he schemed, using the government as a shield to obscure his activities just as he had at Hogwarts. He was following the example that one Lucius Malfoy had set, manipulating Cornelius Fudge with slick words and hefty contributions. He had sold out the Order to cement his new alliance with the Ministry. No planted operative could have withstood Dumbledore's potent Legilimency. Kingsley and Tonks never would have betrayed the Order on their own. This move represented Harry's coup de grace against Albus. The boy hadstruck athis heart by going dark, had effectively delivered the death knell to his public credibility though his interview in the papers, and was now destroying his militia and subjecting good and well-meaning people to arrest and prosecution. Harry Potter had truly abandoned any shame and integrity he once had.
"We're clear here, Minister."
Albus looked up with cold fury in his eyes as some nameless Auror made this declamation and Cornelius Oswald Fudge swaggered through the main entrance, looking as though he had just been crowned a king.
"Dumbledore, old boy! You're looking like Hell, man. Seems like we've got you red handed this time."
"It would certainly appear so, Cornelius. I extend all the proper congratulations."
Fudge tutted and wagged his finger at Dumbledore.
"Don't be such a poor sport. Surely you knew I would catch onto you sooner or later."
"This is preposterous, Minister. There is no law against peaceful assembly."
"Ah, but you've been doing much more than that. I know all about it. Harry Potter has been more than happy to provide me with details about this Order's activities, trying to keep the boy a virtual prisoner in his own home during the summer and all that. Then there's the whole issue with you taking these weekend warriors and leaping headlong into battles properly left fought by trained Aurors. This gang mentality simply won't do, Dumbledore."
Alastor launched into a diatribe upon confirmation that Harry had sold out the Order.
"That stinkin', treacherous little cockroach. When I get my hands around his neck…"
Scrimgeour moved and pressed his wand against the retired Auror's throat, naturally covered by five other wizards.
"Don't implicate your person further by making threats, Moody."
"I'll say whatever I bloody well like, parchment pusher. I'd like to see ye shut me up."
"Enough, Alastor."
Moody clammed up at Dumbledore's authoritative tone. Fudge wasn't so bright.
"Now see here, Dumble…"
"I have seen and heard enough, Cornelius. Since this witch hunt is not going to end until I've been hauled before the Wizengamot, I will grant your desire. Allow my comrades to leave and I will surrender my wand and come along quietly. Decline and we will have no other recourse than to conduct battle here, and I can guarantee that the entire Ministry's might will not be sufficient to overcome this old man."
Fudge seemed to be deep in thought momentarily, but then nodded. His greedy eyes shone with anticipation.
"Very well then, that seems equitable enough. Come quickly now. This should be the very thing I need to get this new emergency measure passed in the Wizengamot. Albus Dumbledore leading insurgents bent on tearing down the Ministry. Not happening on my watch. Aurors Tonks and Shacklebolt, do escort the esteemed professor to a detention cell until we can question him."
Dumbledore curtly handed his wand to Scrimgeour and allowed Tonks and Shacklebolt to lead him away. Kingsley looked away with a scowl. He was obviouslytrying his damnedest not to curse Fudge into his namesake. Moody looked murderous as they led the old man outside. Once the trio was out in the cold morning air, Tonks finally lost control and hugged Dumbledore with tears flowing down her cheeks.
"I'm so sorry, Albus. There wasn't anything I could do."
"Do not fret on my account, Nymphadora. There are greater players at work here."
Dumbledore gave a reassuring smile and patted the young Auror on the head even as he listened to Fudge and Scrimgeour commanding the Order to disband the threatening treason charges should they be caught engaging in future vigilante activities. His anger towards Harry was boiling even more than it had been upon the boy's expulsion. He still loved Harry with all his heart, but he now discovered the resolve to deal with him as needed. The young wizard surely did not intend to remain loyal to the Ministry. He was no doubt already plotting to break Fudge and seize true political power now that he had effectively crippled Albus. The Headmaster believed that Harry was a better alternative to Voldemort, and even believed in the egalitarian society that his ideals would bring about. But still, change could not be forced. Harry was young and ambitious, and did not consider the pain and upheaval that would result upon tearing down ancient prejudices by simple decree. Changing the wizarding world was not nearly so easy, and yet more violence would surely come about once Harry realized this and lost his patience. Albus could not allow the people to suffer so.
But Dumbledore could do little against Harry at that exact moment, what with the Prophecy still protecting the boy and the Order now disbanded. He had little recourse other than to wait patiently and observe events as they developed. He would survive this trifling inconvenience and sooner or later Harry and Tom would have their final showdown and one would emerge the victor. After that the Prophecy would be voided and matters could be dealt with as needed. He could only pray that he would never have to raise his wand against Harry. Doing so would shatter the already cracked and bruised pieces that comprised his heart. Should that come to pass, Albus prayed that the battle would claim his own existence as well. He too deserved to die, as his unsteady hands were those that had molded Harry into the creature that he had become. Perhaps he could at least become the grandfather and mentor to Mister Potter in the next world that he had so miserably failed to be in this one.
(End Interlude Two)
Author's Note: Extremely tired at the moment, so comments are to come in when I get back from class tomorrow. Another full chapter hopefully to come this weekend. I know this wasn't the length that some would have wanted, but I wanted to get Dumbledore's take on recent events and the scene was too long to fit into my next chapter plans. No Harry/Cho S&M, simply because I think it would be too far OOC for him to play along with it. More extensive thoughts will be posted later, so check back late tomorrow should you be interested.