Okay, here's the next chapter, hopefully it's a bit longer than the previous one. Thanks for all the reviews! You guys rock!
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After Harry finished up with Dumbledore, Professors McGonagall and Snape were told to show him to his rooms. Harry didn't mind, all the better to figure out how they would filter into his plans. He had hoped that Snape would be over his prejudices, but apparently not. No matter, Snape wasn't important at the moment.
"You will be in the dungeons with Professor Snape, Harry," McGonagall gave him a slight smile as they walked toward the specified area.
"Bloody wonderful," Harry mumbled under his breath.
Snape sneered, "Believe me, it wasn't my first choice either."
They exchanged glares filled with mutual loathing, "As long as no onegets in my way, I have no qualms with it."
McGonagall and Snape stopped walking and stared at him. Minerva cleared her throat, "Mr. Potter, we are only doing this because school is almost in session and you have no remaining family."
Harry was surprised, "What about the Dursleys?"
"Surely you are intelligent enough to remember that they died a year ago from a freak accident on the muggle highway?"
"Severus, really, didn't you hear Rosemerta at the meeting? Harry has been through something traumatic, it is only fitting that he cannot remember some things," McGonagall scolded the man. They began walking again and finished the tip to Harry's room in silence, "Hear you are dear, the password is Ragnarok."
Harry smirked, "Fitting."
McGonagall gave him a surprised glance, "Dinner is in a few hours, the Order is having a meeting directly afterwards. You will be needed I believe."
She turned and left, leaving the two men behind.
Snape sneered, "I watched you die Potter. I don't know how in the hell you are still here, but rest assured I will find out." He swept away and Harry started to think that he would have to permanently harm the Potions Master if he was to be able to carry out his plan. Or if the meeting was any indication, he'd have to harm just so the man would stay out of his way.
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"Albus, honestly, Severus watched the boy die! It is inconceivable that he is still among us!" Albus again thought that Frank Longbottom was on the verge of a stroke. The man was easily excitable, not a good characteristic in an Auror and a Defense teacher.
"Frank, please, just trust me. Have I ever let you down before?"
"Well no, but still-"
"Trust me Frank, I have not reached the position I am in now by being stupid."
Frank flushed, "I know that, but the boy was dead and-"
"Was he? Was he really?" Kingsley Shacklebolt said from his perch by the window.
"I agree with Kingsley, who knows what might have happened, Snape only saw the torture and the body after the boy was taken away, he never actually witnessed the death." Nymphadora Tonks mused.
"Actually, yes I did. Lucius Malfoy did the honors," Snape's cold voice washed over them as he entered the room, "I watched the boy die and you want to know what his last words were? 'Veni Vidi Vici.' The Dark Lord was not pleased. Albus, I want some answers. How is it that boy is still in this world?"
Albus gave a sly chuckle, "Just wait my dear colleagues, just wait and watch."
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The first thing Harry did was organize all of his things and draw up his plans. He had already gotten Dumbledore on his side, next on the list was convincing the Order. Then he had to keep watch over all the major players in the war, including the ones at Hogwarts.
Thad didn't include just the teachers. From the war in his own reality, there had been alot of major players that were students. Most of them had been in the DA with him, but there were also a few Slytherins. Surprising there, especially with Crabbe and Zabini switching sides, but they were the only ones that had really been important in the Slytherin house.
Cornelius Fudge was still the Minister of Magic, and certain pureblood families still had him under their thumb. He had to get a pureblood family on his side to sway the others. He knew he was asking for a miracle but, Neville needed allies, he, at least, could do that much.
He still had to read up on all the magical beasts of the magical world and try to figure out how to sway them to the Light side. He would have to take a trip into the Forbidden Forest and ask the animals there first. Perhaps he could start with the centaurs, but then again, he winced as he remembered his fifth year and the hostility Bane and the others had shown him. Perhaps the unicorns would be his best shot in the beginning.
He set a course for the next week and went to get ready for dinner.
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One should never eat with the Hogwarts staff when more than half hated you. Harry realized this as soon as he tried to get a piece of steak. Frank got to it first. None were left. He tried to get the funny looking green jello. Sinistra got to it first. None were left. He tried to get a piece of slightly roasted ham in place of the steak he was denied. Professor Vector got to it first. Once again, none was left. Harry was starting to think that he was not welcome in the gracious abode called Hogwarts. He saw a piece of lemon meringue pie, the last one left, and jumped for it; Snape got it first.
Harry swore softly and turned to glare at the Headmaster. He was twinkling as always. Harry continued to think black thoughts until the dinner was up. He was still hungry.
He grumbled about it all the way to the door when Dumbledore called after him, "Harry! The meeting, surely you didn't forget?"
"Wish I had," He muttered as he stomped after the Headmaster.
They continued toward a large room that was filled to overflowing with loud, noisy people. They immediately quieted as they saw who came into the room. There were a lot of suspicious looksgeared toward Harry and he scowled fiercely. Dumbledore motioned toward a chair and Harry sat down and crossed his arms and glared at everyone around the huge table.
"Now then," Dumbledore twinkled at everyone, "I'm sure we all know why we're here," he gave a small chuckle. Harry turned his glare on him and wondered how in the hell anyone could ever be so cheerful. Damn it all, he was still hungry!
"Personally," a rough voice cut through the silence that Harry identified as Alastor Moody, "I would love to know why Harry Potter of all people is still among the living."
There was an outbreak of noise as various people put in their two cents' worth about Harry's supposed death. He snickered quietly; this could be fun to watch. He felt his good mood returning.
"Quiet please!" Dumbledore said, "Now, if you'll let me explain. Most of you are unaware that along with Severus Snape, Harry Potter was a spy for the light."
"WHAT!" Many people yelled this as they scrambled to their feet, "Albus! This is an outrage! He is but a child!" This was said by an unidentified person.
"Professor Greenwood, please understand. Harry and I reached a mutual agreement. He was only happy to help."
The nondescript man, now known as Professor Greenwood, stared at Harry in disbelief, "Impossible. He is just a child. No wonder he nearly died, no doubt because he does not have the maturity needed to complete such a task."
Harry's eyes narrowed, something was off about that man, he knew it, and hedid not want to find out precisely what it was.
Tonks scoffed, "Honestly Gerard, you have no respect for the juvenile do you? No wonder your students hate you."
Greenwood flushed, "That is none of your concern, Auror."
"That is besides the point Gerard," Snape snapped, "You said that the boy almost died. You were wrong. The boy did die. I saw it myself. And I want to know why you are still alive Potter."
Harry gave a mock pout and examined his nails, "Ah, Severus, and I thought you actually cared. I guess you're still upset about me not being dead, yes?"
Severus glared at him and said very softly, "The Potter I knew was intelligent and cunning. He wasn't brash and neither was he brave enough to say that to me of all people. I am curious to know what changed your personality. Or are you simply an imposter that even got past the great Albus Dumbledore?"
There were outraged gasps at this and Dumbledore shot Snape at curious look, "Severus, where are you going with this?"
Snape shot him a look that Albus interpretated as, just wait and see.
Harry shrugged, "Brushing so close to death, it is only natural that my outlook on the world has changed a bit."
Snape leaned back in his chair and smirked, "Yes of course, however, if it is not rude of me to ask, I would like to know exactly what happened when you…almost… died."
Harry froze. He hadn't thought of that, "Well Snape, you were there, joining in on the fun, you tell me," he tried to counter smoothly.
Snape sneered as curious whispers washed over the table, "Fancy that Potter. Looks like you don't know."
"Severus, the boy was probably half mad with the pain and you expect him to remember?" Arthur Weasley was the one who spoke up.
Severus slanted him a glance, "Oh I expect him to remember, because at the meeting, he wasn't tortured," it was a lie, but no oneelse knew that, "In fact there were only a couple of slashing curses and a crucio before Lucius killed him. Voldemort despises traitors, yes, but he has a certain type of honor that will not allow him to consort with traitors. Quite obviously, Mr. Potter here, is not the real deal."
Harry smirked, he was good, he was real good. He clapped a couple times, "Always knew there was more to you than a hook nose and greasy hair Snape."
Snape went red, and barked out, "Then who the hell are you!"
"Harry Potter."
"No you're not! HARRY POTTER IS DEAD!"
"I know."
"YES HE- wait a minute, what?" Snape was quite thoroughly confused and it overrode his embarrassment at the moment.
"I said I know Harry Potter is dead. The Harry Potter of this world anyway."
Kingsley Shacklebolt stood up and pointed his wand at Harry, "Then who are you?"
"Wait a minute," started Minerva, "You aren't from this reality are you?"
There were shocked faces around the table at this new revelation. Harry smiled, "And the early bird gets the worm."
Kinsley slowly lowered his wand, "Why are you here?"
"To help."
"Why?"
"Because I am needed."
"That makes no sense. Why help us when you know your person from this world is in disgrace? No one likes you here," Tonks really did want to understand this new Harry's reasoning.
He flashed a smile around that table again, but a few people caught the pain in his eyes, "All I want to do is help. I just want the people I knew to have a good life."
"The people you knew?" Mrs. Weasley asked, "What's that mean?"
Harry waved a hand airily, "Nothing serious, I'm just going to help defeat the Dark Lord then leave. You're just going to have to put up with me until then."
Dumbledore smiled. Things were going to be okay, "I'm sure we won't mind. Have a nice stay. Dismissed."
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Harry walked back to his rooms, exhausted. It had hurt to see all those people he had known before, sitting around that table. He knew almost next to none trusted him, but it didn't matter. He was going to fulfill his, mission, quest, saving the world thingy. No matter what happened, these people would live. He'd make sure of that.
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Oh wow, this was, like, really, really long. Sort of. Well, it was longer than most of my chapters. And about 2,000 words, a magnificent feat for me. I know it was sort of boring, but more exciting stuff comes next. I think this was strangely formatted, but I'm not sure, so if it is, so sorry. And thanks again for all your reviews, keep 'em coming!
Ciao!
Lady Silverhawk