Magical Origins

Author Notes:

Year 5: New Years News

Harry grumbles as he walks down to the Great Hall after his first day back. He half expected Umbridge to place dozens of new decrees in the school.

Harry didn't look at the staff table, knowing Umbridge was watching him like a hawk, and looking for any excuse to punish Harry.

Harry could see countless students all talking to their friends about their winter holidays, trying to catch up and have last-minute fun before school begins once again.

Harry barely sits down when hundreds of owls started to fly downwards, dropping the current Daily Prophet in front of every student. Harry looks at the owls as they take off once again.

Harry barely grabs his paper when Granger lets out a cry in shock and dismay.

Everyone turns to Granger as she stares at the front page of the Daily Prophet.

Harry grabs his paper and holds it upright.

'Azbakan Mass Breakout'

A picture of eight wizards along with two witches could be seen on the front cover.

Antonin Dolohov

Bellatrix Lestrange

Augustus Rookwood

Cameron Travers

Rabastan Lestrange

Rodolphus Lestrange

Walden Mulciber II

Corban Yaxley

Terrence Synde

Flora Synde

Late last night, there was a mass break-in Azbakan top security floor. Ten of the most dangerous criminals manage to escape from Azkaban.

Harry sets his newspaper down as he looks around the Great Hall, to see countless students now talking about the top ten escapes from Azkaban and got the whole school buzzing.

In the paper, Fudge proclaims that he's summoned every Auror to track down and capture the escaped convicts. Fudge pressed, stating this escape wasn't likely their own doing, but instead, they had outside help. Fudge pressed on saying that intelligence as reported that Fenrir Greyback and Peter Pettigrew had staged the escape with other criminals, and the Ministry would bring the traitors to swift justice.

Harry says nothing and uses his ring, giving a time and date for the new meeting for the Circle, set for tonight. Harry knew Umbridge would retreat to the Ministry to talk to Fudge about adding additional security at Hogwarts. The breakout was finally the excuse they needed to place Auror on the school grounds for security reasons.

Umbridge absent would also allow them to meet on the weekday unseen without any wanted eyes as everyone was talking about the latest breakout.

Harry watches Lily gets up, and quickly disappears out the Great Hall, for an unknown reason. Umbridge herself could be seen shaking as she reads the newspaper, unsure of how this would play out.

Harry could already see Percy preparing a speech to give the Ministry justification to take over Hogwart's security, given the mass breakout.

Later that night, the Circle gathers inside the Chamber of Secrets once more, many of them converging to get any information on the mass breakout. Some of the students were victims from the escape Death Eaters who tormented their family members during the last war. No one had the greatest resolve than Neville Longbottom. The news of his parent's tormentors on the loose once more had stirred a shocking change within him as he stood among his peers.

"Quiet," Harry says as he stands on top before the group. "I know there are many of you who have questions and concerns regarding Azkaban's latest mass breakout. The breakout only confirms one thing, Voldemort is on the move, and he'll soon be ready for open war against the Wizarding World."

"You can't be serious," Marietta Edgecombe shouts out before anyone could say anything.

"I'm very much serious," Harry says coolly. "I warn Fudge after the Third Task ended last year, that Voldemort was going to make a move against Azkaban. One to free his Death Eaters who got lock up instead of renouncing him, and the second – is because Voldemort intends to recruit the dementor's to his cause."

The news that the Dark Lord intended to recruit the dementors did not sit well with many of the students as they all began to look around fanatic.

"The dementors are under the Ministry's control," Mariette hisses loudly.

"Not anymore," Harry says. "Voldemort can offer them far more freedom and more food than the Ministry can. The fact that this breakout happened over New Years only proves the dementors have joined Voldemort. Voldemort himself calls the dementors his 'natural allies' for their ability to kill."

"For this reason, we're going to be increasing dueling spells and lessons," Lily says, speaking up beside Harry "none of you are ready for the Patronus Charm, yet. So we're going to increase your workload. Do understand, this war – you're going to be fighting for your very survival."

Everyone looks on in excitement about learning the Patronus Charm, as it was something they've all been keen on learning. Many of them whisper towards their peers beside them about the Patronus charms.

"Get ready, we're going to be increasing the training," Lily says as everyone stood at the ready.

Meetings began to be held every day, mornings, and evenings. After breakfast and after dinner. Harry and Lily started to go over tactics and usage of spells in a battle.

That Sunday, Harry made his way towards his Head of House office. Harry knocks on the door and hears the curt reply of 'enter' as Harry walks in and closes the door.

"You're late," Snape says curtly, standing over a Pensieve as he pours his memories inside.

Harry stands there staring at Snape, knowing this was his attempt to belittle him for being his father's son.

"Good," says Snape. "you're controlling your emotion. Controlling your emotions is important in mastering Occlumency."

"Sir, may I ask a question," Harry says in a cold voice.

"Depends," Snape replies back coldly.

"Why are you teaching me Occlumency? Would another be better?" Harry asks, knowing the relationship between the two was strain at best. Neither trusted nor respected the other.

Snape says as he turns and places another memory into the Pensieve.

"For the past two years, you've been self-teaching yourself to master Occlumency base on the advice your Vassals and Godfather has been giving you. Professor Dumbledore knows while you have been excelling in self-teaching yourself the art, you've also been slacking in your Occlumency studies. I'm here to bring you up to speed to ensure the Dark Lord does not invade your thoughts and attempts to manipulate you through the art of Legilimency."

"Can he control me now?" Harry asks with concern.

"No," Snape replies curtly. "You are safeguarded by the walls and magic of Hogwarts. The Dark Lord doesn't have the power to control you while you are here. That being said, that doesn't mean he wouldn't be able to push you to do something that would benefit himself. For instance, he could show you an illusion of something happening that would force you to act."

Harry didn't like that at all. No more than he like Snape messing around with his head.

"Occlumency is very similar to repelling the Imperius Curse, not an easy feat mind you," Snape says curtly. Harry knew he was referring to the fact that he threw off Voldemort's Imperial Curse. "There is some difference mind you. There is a vast difference between bottling up your emotions and controlling your emotions. It generally takes years to master Occlumency, as it's not something one can master like casting spells. The approach I will take with you will be challenging and much faster than should help you master Occlumency. Be warned, this approach is very tricky, and I don't expect you to master this straight away."

Snape turns and faces Harry, waving his wand to clearing some space between the pair.

"You may take out your wand, and attempt to stop my assault anyway you can," Snape says simply. "I will attempt to break your mind with a simple spell. Brace yourself, Legilimens!"

Harry was caught off-guard he didn't have time to take out his wand. Harry found himself brought to his knees as his mind began to show him memories of his past.

"I think I'm touch," Snape's voice echoes in the back of his mind as he sees Lily hugs Harry in Grimmauld Place.

Harry began to realize in horror, the same memories he was seeing, Snape was also seeing. Snape could see his very childhood with ease.

Another memory begins to stir as Harry and Lily were inside the Chambers of Secrets talking to Tom Riddle before a Basilisks appears before them. Snape watches the pair tackle the Basilisk and kills it with ease and no difficulty.

"Reducto!" Harry cries out, forcing Snape to end his assault and casting the spell 'Finite' to cancel out Harry's spell.

"That wasn't a bad first attempt," Snape replies as Harry kneels on the ground breathing heavily. "you let me get into too deep, but you respond much better than I anticipated."

"So the memories I saw, you could see as well?" Harry asks between his heavy breathing.

"Indeed," Snape says, knowing this was the first time Harry experience Legilimency head-on. "in the past, it was often the Dark Lord's pleasure to enter the minds of his victims, tormenting them as he twists and takes away their memories. Putting in illusions of lies and deceit as he acquires information from his victim's minds. Only after the Dark Lord has taken every memory from his victims, when they are hollow husks of their former selves, when they beg him for death, does he kill them."

Harry finally understood why Voldemort was so feared among witches and wizards. What he did to his victims wasn't the fact that he could simply kill them. It would also explain much on how he was able to nearly bring down the Ministry the last time.

The lessons continue with Harry trying to resist Snape's mental assault.

Harry kneels on the ground catching his breath, knowing he would drop in his bed and fall asleep at once.

"Every night before you go to bed, I want you to clear your mind of all thoughts and feelings," Snape says, standing over Harry. "your emotions make will you weak if you cannot control them. You will be most vulnerable while you sleep. So calming your mind before bed will be vital in the upcoming months."

The next day, a new Ministry Decree appeared all over the school, where teachers were forbidden from talking to students outside of the subjects they were being paid to teach.

It had become a common sight to see teachers talking together in the hallway now to share information, no longer able to speak freely in the Teacher Lounge with Umbridge lurking in the area. They would always break off their conversation whenever a student got to near.

The school also allowed a Hogsmeade weekend trip given the current state of affairs currently going on within the school as there has been nothing but talk about the current breakout. Countless students remember last year when Harry announce the Dark Lord's return, he also warned there would be a mass breakout of Death Eaters.

Lily inform Harry she wanted to head to the Three Broomsticks at once. Rita Skeeter would be there, something Harry was dreading. Harry agrees, knowing the sooner the wizarding world knew the truth, the better the chances they could end the war.

When Saturday arrived, Harry and Lily walk with the group of students heading towards Hogsmeade. Filch gives a sniff at Harry while also glaring at him as if trying to figure out some way to hold him back and get him into trouble. After several moments, mostly due to the fact other students were waiting to go to Hogsmeade. Filch had no choice but to let Harry pass with a nasty look on his face.

Mrs. Norris watches Harry walk off with curiosity and was half tempted to follow him, as Filch has long ranted about Potter getting away with his misdeeds.

Ron Weasley also watches in disgust as Potter was walking with Lily. No doubt attempting to twist her into the Dark Arts. Ron knew he had to catch Potter red-handed, for he knew he was up to no good. Once he spotted Potter doing something that crossed the line, he knew the Ministry of Magic would have him expelled faster than he says 'Quidditch.'

Harry and Lily walk up to Hogsmeade, ignoring their peers talking about the mass breakout. It's been the latest conversation within the school, and nothing the students talked about explaining their own ideas on the breakout. Many were not satisfy with the Ministry's version of the breakout.

Harry and Lily lower their hoods and approach Madam Rosmerta to grab their butterbeer's before heading into the backroom where Rita Skeeter was waiting in one of the more private rooms. Harry closes the door and places several charms on the door to ensure no one would hear their conversation.

Harry sits down and looks at Rita Skeeter. Unemployment did not treat her well. Her hair, which she usually kept neatly curly, was now tied in a bun in the back of her head. The once glamours robes she wore were now single and plain.

Sitting before her, Harry would have assumed she was a different person if it wasn't for those square glasses she always wore.

"What's the big deal asking me out here?" Rita asks, sipping her drink.

Lily places a butterbeer before Rita knowing the witch didn't have any more money to buy herself anything decent.

"I'll get right to the point," Lily says as she sits down. "what's going on with the Prophet these days regarding the mass breakout?"

Rita takes a sip of the butterbeer happily, perhaps the first time she's tasted something so good since Lily has blackmailed her.

"My contacts in the Daily Prophet have all reported the same thing," Rita admits. "Fudge is leaning heavily on Peter Pettigrew and Fenrir Greyback joining forces to break out the Death Eaters and round them up for some new criminal enterprise."

"Is this a known fact, or is something Fudge is simply telling them to report?" Lily presses on.

Rita sets her butterbeer down as she lets out a heavy sigh.

"Its Fudge's word," Rita admits. "no one knows anything. The Daily Prophet is pressing for more information, but we're not getting much to go on. People want answers, but there aren't really any answers to go on. Fudge people have left a powerful presence within the Prophet. They have stoop to nothing but Fudge's messenger boys."

"What if I told you, there is an alternative answer to the breakout," Lily states. "you, yourself, knew there was going to be a mass breakout when we told Fudge in the Healer Ward after the Third Task, and he did nothing."

Rita lets out a bark of laughter.

"You actually believe him?!" Rita says, looking at Harry. "that You-Know-Who is back."

"I do," Lily says, cooly unaffected by Rita's criticism. "It's not something one would lie about, it's far too big and serious. As I told you in the letter, we want to start a magazine, but this might be well, rebellious. We need people to be aware of what's going on and the truth that the Ministry continues to deny."

"What about my compensation?" Rita asks at once.

"You'll be paid, the same as the Prophet paid you," Harry states calmly. "only you cannot write anything about me again without my consent. All you did last year is give fuel to the Ministry for his campaign that is threatening to destroy our country."

Rita looks at him coldly.

"What do you have?" Rita asks at once.

"For you to write the truth, you need to see the truth," Lily says as Harry conjures his pensive in front of them.

"I have some of my memories prepared for you to see, regarding Voldemort's return," Harry says, holding up a bottle with some of his hairs. "first, I must ask you this, Rita, how well do you know Voldemort's past?"

Rita flinches upon hearing the Dark Lord's name.

"Not much truth be told," Rita says honestly.

"I can tell you much about him if you put it in print," Harry says. "I've learned much about him, more than I would like to admit."

Rita looks at him surprise before she pulls out her quill and pen.

"Let's begin," Rita says.

The talks did last almost all day as they remain in the back of the Three Broomsticks explaining everything in great detail to Rita. Rita herself witness Voldemort's resurrection via the Pensive and written down everything he said and got the names of all the Death Eaters present at his return.

To say Rita was both horrified and giggly like a schoolgirl couldn't describe enough about what Rita was writing.

Harry told Rita she had to write using an alias and not use her own name. He also warned her she would have to find a place to stay hidden as he informed her there was a high probability that Voldemort knew of her Animagus form, given the Malfoy's were in his pocket and Draco knew of her beetle form.

Rita promise there would be a copy on Monday, as she was going to get some 'trustworthy' colleges to mass-produce the first edition copy of 'Weekly Sorcerer.'

Harry also told her how to get in touch with Samuel, who would provide her with far more juicy information to print that the Ministry didn't want to be known to the public and his blunders.

Harry and Lily return to the castle drinking their butterbeer, ignoring Filch who glares at them when they return. Half expecting the pair to be loaded up with snacks and items to make his life miserable.

Harry went back feeling good as he taught the Circle how to read magical attacks before they occurred. Warning them, if they knew the spells coming at them, they could for a brief moment counter curse their opponents.

It was a tough assignment, but one they happily did so knowing it would save their lives in the long run.

Sunday came, and Harry groans as he returns to his Occlumency lessons, where Snape was far more vicious than ever. Harry didn't do so well, but he did manage to keep Snape at bay, only for a brief moment.

When Monday morning arrived, Harry sits at the high table, ignoring the watchful eye of Umbridge, who watches him hungry. Harry sits down and eats his breakfast when several hundred owls appear above them, carrying a magazine in their talons before they drop them in every student's hand and within the teacher's table.

Harry opens the magazine to see it was the Sorcerer Weekly, and a picture of the Dark Mark over a graveyard could be seen on the front page next to a picture of Harry himself in his Triwizard robes

'Secrets Behind The Dark Lord's Return!'

The latest mass breakout of Azkaban has many demanding answers from Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic. The Ministry's story on the breakout has been vague and skeptical at best, with many unconvinced of his 'theory' of Peter 'Wormtail' Pettigrew and Fenrir Greyback have joined forces to start a massive criminal empire with some of the most dangerous Death Eaters we've ever seen.

In a shocking twist, inside sources within the Ministry of Magic, have stated Minister Fudge has known there would be a mass breakout from Azkaban for 'months' and has done nothing saying Azkaban is 'impenetrable' and 'inescapable.'

Harry Potter has endured many months of slander by the Daily Prophet under the words of Minister Fudge proclaiming him 'The Boy Who Lies.' Now for the first time, this reporter got the first-ever exclusive interview with the legend child who caused He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's first downfall and the end of the darkest days we've ever known.

Cornelius Fudge is pure and simple, in a simple state of denial, unable to accept the reality that the Dark Lord has return once again and walking amongst us. He believes that Albus Dumbledore, current Headmaster of Hogwarts, is after the job of Minister of Magic. A job, we the wizarding community for over fifty years, have wanted Dumbledore to take, but he's never taken the post.

Dumbledore turned down his fifth nomination to be Minister of Magic back in the spring of 1990. The reason why Albus Dumbledore won't accept the position of Minister of Magic is widely unknown, but given the fact he remains at Hogwarts as Headmaster, one cannot argue he loves teaching. His presence at Hogwarts assures many parents that their children are safe with the Headmaster's protection.

Harry Potter begins to tell this report much of what he knows about the Dark Lord, the Dark Lord who has terrorized the wizarding community for over two decades, remains elusive and is shrouded in mystery even to this day. Very few people know much about him.

'His real name is Tom Marvalo Riddle,' Harry Potter said. "when you rewrite his name, it spells 'I am Lord Voldemort.' The very name is an anagram of his birth name. A descent of Salazar Slytherin, but he's not a pureblood as he wants people to believe. He's a half-blood. His mother was a witch, but she died shortly after giving birth to him on new years eve in 1926 in a muggle orphanage. His father abandoned his mother when he discovered he was a witch. The Dark Lord killed his father muggle family for abandoning him before the start of his Fifth Year at Hogwarts.'

The murder of the muggle family 'Riddle's' who was a prompted muggle family in the early nineteen hundreds before they were murdered, the one who was sent to Azkaban for the murders was Morfin Gaunt, a wizard who lived nearby with a reputation for attacking muggles and leaving them distinguished. Morfin Gaunt would die in Azkaban for a crime he never committed.

Records regarding Tom Marvalo Riddle is scarce at best, all official records of him cease after he graduated from Hogwarts in 1945. He disappeared, never to be seen or heard from anywhere in the wizarding community.

Harry Potter, who won the Triwizard Tournament announce the Dark Lord's return before the crowd, a statement that Fudge quickly denounced and deny without bothering to question Harry Potter further on why he would make a statement, a statement that is too serious to lie.

Using a Pensive, I witness the very resurrection of the Dark Lord and his plans before the Death Eaters, who all arrived before him to renounce their loyalty to him once more.

Harry stops reading as he skims down the pages to see it was basically what he told Rita Skeeter.

Harry turns and looks up at the staff table, watching Umbridge's expression. She looks like she had to swallow a toad as she read each word within the magazine.

Umbridge gets up with the magazine in her hands and marches straight towards the Slytherin table.

"Mr. Potter," Umbridge says in a would-be calm voice.

"Yes, Madam Squib?" Harry says, trying to hold back the smile on his face. Every student turns to watch this confrontation with keen interest. Fred and George were trying very hard not to burst out laughing at Harry's insult to the toad-witch.

Umbridge flushes a shade of red at the lack of respect Harry was so bluntly giving her.

"When did you give this interview?" Umbridge demands at once.

"I hardly see how that's any of your concern," Harry replies coolly.

Umbridge flushes a darker shade of red in frustration.

"Mr. Potter, you will tell me what I want to know, or I'll put you in detention!" Umbridge barks.

"Ohh, you'll put me in detention," Harry says in a mock expression of fear. "bitch I've stared Voldemort directly in the eye, do you really think you frighten me?"

Umbridge looks beside her as she looks down at Harry. Her nostrils flaring as she tries to recover. Everyone in the Great Hall was watching with interest to see how Harry was handling the most hated woman in Hogwarts.

"Mr. Potter, if you don't provide me an answer, I shall take away your Prefect badge," Umbridge says calmly.

"You don't have the right to take away my Prefect badge," Harry states calmly. "only my Head of House has that power. Perhaps if you weren't such a bitch, I would tell you far more than on what's going on than you pretend is going on."

Umbridge took a step back in frustration. Harry could see Marietta Edgecombe look at Harry in horror and frustration as Harry continues to deny and disrespect Umbridge.

"Mr. Potter," Umbridge says calmly with that fake smile. "I'm only concern about your well being and safety."

"Bullshit!" Harry snaps at once. "Fudge has been having those articles written about me because he's jealous of my popularity. He knows if I speak out, I could easily have him kick out of office. He is discrediting me because he wants to remain the Ministry of Magic, even if that means publicly denying Voldemort's return, and he has to sleep with him to remain in office."

Umbridge didn't show any emotion as she looks at Harry.

"A month of detention, Mr. Potter," Umbridge says softly. "I will not have you show such disloyalty to the Minster."

Harry says nothing as Umbridge wakes off. Draco could be seen huddling with Theodore Nott along with Crabbe and Goyle talking in soft whispers. Harry knew why they were talking together, he had named their fathers as Death Eaters.

Harry says nothing as he gets up and walks out of the Great Hall before he gets surrounded by the sea of students bombards him with questions about the interview and Voldemort's return.

Harry became aware of Filch trying to trail him to see where he was going. Harry grew a sixth sense when someone was near, and Filch's habit of following him throughout his Hogwarts years was no exception. Harry turns the corner and quickly throws on his invisibility cloak before he goes up the flight of stairs to the Room of Requirements.

Percy Weasley looks at the new magazine and reads in horror, knowing the public backlash. Potter's interview was going to do to the Ministry. He grabs it and runs to the Minister looking huff and puff.

"Minister," Percy says, handing him the magazine.

Fudge looks at Percy with a raised eyebrow before he looks at the front cover. It took a few moments for Fudge to register what the new magazine title read. His face looks like he has taken a hit by a bludger.

Fudge holds the magazine with shaky hands knowing this article requires immediate action.

"Find out who wrote this article, and how Potter gave this interview," Fudge says at once with a shaky voice.

Fudge looks down around the atrium and could see countless Ministry workers, his workers were all reading the magazine with curiosity. He could see numerous of them all pointing to the strange facts that Potter presented in his interview about the Dark Lord's return.

Fudge retreats in his office and reads the statements Potter released to the public.

The deaths of Bertha Jorkins and Bartemius Crouch Senior were deaths all unanswered by Fudge. Potter revealed Bertha Jorkins ran into Peter Pettigrew over the summer near the Forest of Albania where he overpowered her and brought her before the Dark Lord himself where he tortured her for information, once he had extracted the information from Jorkins he killed her and had his familiar snake 'Nagini' eat her to leave no trace of her body anywhere.

Bartemius Crouch Sr was killed by his own son after he smuggled him out of Azkaban, his son, who was disguised as Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody at Hogwarts. Barty Crouch manipulated the TriWizard Tournament to originate the death of Harry Potter by his master's order. Potter went on, stating Barty Crouch Jr. had been kissed by a Dementor on Fudge's orders without even bothering to questioning the man first.

Harry goes on to explain that he dueled the Dark Lord, knowing he didn't have any way to get to safety. The duel enters a stalemate as their spells enter a deadlock, but the Dark Lord was clearly rusty and not as he was the same duelist as he was in the past. Another factor to the duel pointed out was how overconfident the Dark Lord was that, in the end, resulting in the destruction of his wand at the hands of Harry Potter.

Fudge continues to read the magazine and learns the Dark Lord had returned to the country hiding in the manor of his muggle father, where he murders the muggle caretaker for discovering his presence.

Fudge had to hold a press conference, as these facts, Harry Potter present would cause his political rivals to move against him. He had to reassure the public the Dark Lord was not back, and Potter was only spinning a tall tale story for mere attention.

The week proved some enlightenment as many students finally got the answers they wanted on the Dark Lord's return. Dolores Umbridge tried to put a stop to it at once, by posting a new Ministry Decree banning Weekly Sorcerer. Any student found in possession of the magazine would be expelled on the spot.

Umbridge would march up and down the school, stopping students at random, demanding they turn their bags inside and out to see their possession. Her relentless rant and attempt to prevent students from reading the article only caused more students to wonder if Harry Potter's story was true. The Ministry was covering up the fact that they were aligning with the Death Eaters.

Draco Malfoy and countless other students soon found themselves on an island by themselves shun by their peers. Harry had publicly announced their fathers as Death Eaters. The rest of the school looked at them with malice and shunned them.

Draco no longer felt safe as he knew it would be only a matter of time before someone attacks him. The Death Eaters were not respected in the wizarding community for the amount of death and destruction they've caused to countless families.

Umbridge had Aurors station within the school as a 'security' measure against the latest breakout. Already there were signs her hair was going gray.

Harry and Lily spent the week enjoying the misery Umbridge was going under as her actions only made Harry's article that more believable.

Countless students were several steps ahead of her. They had the Sorcerer Weekly enchanted so only they could see it or reveal it when they wanted to. Umbridge clearly didn't have any intellect when it comes to magic and its understandings.

Umbridge grew more paranoid as the days went by with many fingers pointing to the Ministry covering up the Dark Lord's return; and why Fudge wasn't taking any action when the truth was in his face.