Magical Origins

Year 6: Farewell

All lessons have been postponed.

Half the school was emptied as parents quickly withdrew their children.

The Patil twins were gone the day after the attack.

Seamus Finnigan got into a shouting match with his mother regarding his withdrawal from Hogwarts. In the, she reluctantly agreed he could stay until after the funeral.

Harry sits in the Great Hall, grieving over Tracey's Davis death.

Albus Dumbledore also died during the attack.

The Hogsmeade attack proved to be nothing more than a distraction. Death Eaters' second strike team had infiltrated the Castle and killed Albus Dumbledore.

Several students had been caught in the attack, resulting in injuries.

The loss of Albus Dumbledore weakened from his duel with Harry was a severe blow.

Both Draco Malfoy and Snape fled the Castle with the Death Eaters.

That wasn't what disturbed Harry.

The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore

By Rita Skeeter

Three days after Dumbledore's death, Rita published a book regarding Albus Dumbledore.

Harry knew Rita liked to twist the facts around for sales.

What bothered Harry was how she wrote that he befriended future Dark Lord Gellert Grindelwald shortly after graduating from Hogwarts.

"You okay?" asks Artemis.

"I don't know," said Harry.

The death of Tracey Davis had been a severe blow.

Daphne informed her parents of their daughter's death.

"Professor McGonagall wishes to speak with you," said Artemis.

Harry looks at Artemis with red eyes.

He gets up and walks toward Professor McGonagall's office.

Harry knocks on her door.

"You wished to see me, Professor," said Harry.

"Yes, Mr. Potter, come in," said Professor McGonagall.

Harry enters the office and sits down.

"How are you feeling?" Professor McGonagall asks sincerely.

"I don't know what I feel," Harry said honestly.

Professor McGonagall looks at him.

"It is difficult. You learn to live with the pain," said Professor McGonagall.

She pushes a box towards him.

"Professor Dumbledore left these for you," said Professor McGonagall.

Harry looks at it and slowly accepts the box.

"Potter. I know you are leaving, and I won't stop you. Just remember this… Hogwarts will always welcome you," said Professor McGonagall.

Harry looks at Professor McGonagall and smiles.

"Thank you, Professor," said Harry.

Harry gets up and leaves.

Harry returns to the tower and places Dumbledore's box inside his small bag.

Harry turns and walks outside where Albus Dumbledore's burial will be held.

Harry says nothing as witches and wizards from all overpay their respects to Albus Dumbledore.

Harry stands up with his bag.

"Mr. Potter," said Minister Rufus Scrimgeour.

"Scrimgeour," said Harry.

Percy Weasley looks angrily at Harry for his lack of respect for the Minister of Magic.

Scrimgeour says nothing regarding the lack of respect Harry gave him.

"Can I have a word with you? Alone?" said Scrimgeour.

Lily walks up and holds Harry's hand.

"Say your piece already," said Harry.

Scrimgeour looks at Harry slightly angrily.

"Harry, I need to know what happened between you and Professor Dumbledore," said Scrimgeour.

"That's a personal matter between myself and Professor Dumbledore," said Harry.

Scrimgeour flushes red in anger. He does what he can to hold his anger in check.

"Albus Dumbledore is a great wizard. We all had our disagreements with him, as you know. No one knows better than I.…"

"The answer is still no," said Harry.

Harry could see Scrimgeour trying to butter him up into accepting his proposal.

"You understand I could offer you great protection. I can even give you a squad of Aurors under your command. All exchanges for…."

"Lying to the public by saying you're doing a great job," finishes Harry.

"To raise the public's morale!" snaps Scrimgeour.

Scrimgeour found himself irritated at the lack of progress and respect he wasn't receiving.

Harry shrugs his shoulders.

"If you want a poster boy, why don't you ask Weasley over there to do that? Oh, that's right, he doesn't have my name nor influence. Dumbledore didn't agree to it. What makes you think I will?" Harry scuffs at the Scrimgeours lack of intelligence.

"I'm no stooge for another. I'm very independent and follow my own beliefs. You still don't understand that. I'm not someone who will listen to others regardless of your status or how important you think you are. Respect is earned… not given. I don't agree with your methods, Minister.

"Fudge has allowed Voldemort to operate unopposed for nearly a year. You're not even trying to find the Death Eaters. You're simply arresting people for public image. Unless you start acting like the Minister of Magic and start taking the fight to Voldemort instead of arresting civilians, you'll get no support from me," said Harry.

Scrimgeour looks angry at Harry.

"I trust… all is well," said Isabelle.

Isabelle and Samuel walk forward, looking at the Minister of Magic.

"You have a good day, Mr. Potter," said Scrimgeour.

He turns and leaves with other Ministry officials.

"He doesn't give up, does he," said Lily.

"He would be smarter in listening to Harry and Dumbledore instead of trying to cox a plan to gain their support," said Isabelle.

"Harry, are you still going through your plans," said Samuel.

"I am. Nothing has changed in that regard. We should expect the Ministry to fall this summer. Scrimgeour doesn't understand his false sense of safety and security will lead to his downfall. It's what happened to Fudge. Even still, my plans haven't changed," said Harry.

'Voldemort's new powers make him dangerous. It can't be a mere coincidence that this 'shadow' he's become is the source of his strength. I need to learn more… about Voldermort's recent powers… and the truth Dumbledore has been hiding from me.'

"What happened between you and Albus Dumbledore?" asks Isabelle.

The story of their duel had become legendary.

The real mystery is what caused Harry and Dumbledore to duel in the first place.

"Best we talk in private," said Harry.

Everyone walks in and sits in a private office.

Harry explains what Trelawney told him regarding her employment. How Snape originally overheard the Prophecy and told Voldemort at once. Dumbledore rebuffed Harry's statement by stating that Snape made a terrible mistake and didn't mean any harm.

"Dumbledore believed him! Snape hated James!" said Sirius.

"It seems I was mistaken," Lupin mutters sadly.

Lupin has been defending Snape over the years. It was clear that Snape had a bigger role in the death of Lily and James than any of them thought.

Harry looks down sadly as Lily holds his hand.

"Does Rita Skeeter's book bother you?" asks Olivia.

Harry says nothing.

"Harry, you can't trust anything that witch writes!" said Olivia.

"Rita Skeeter is known to twist the facts, but she does get the information correct. She found something. I need to know the truth," said Harry.

"Did any of you know that Dumbledore had a sister?" asks Lily.

"Unfortunately, no. It came as a shock to us that Ariana Dumbledore even existed. I had to double-check to see if there ever was an Ariana Dumbledore. I found one, and she would have been old enough to be at Hogwarts. She died apparently at the age of fourteen," said Samuel.

"What was the cause of death?" asks Sirius.

"Unknown," said Samuel.

"There have to be some truths to what Rita Skeeter wrote. I need answers. There is only one person who has them," said Harry.

"Harry… you can't trust him!" said Olivia.

"I don't think he'll do anything. I mean… he's remained locked up all these years, hasn't he?" said Isabelle.

"Are you guys talking about who I think you're talking about?" said Lily.

"Yeah. The Dark Lord… Grindelwald!" said Harry.

"I still think it's a bad idea," said Lupin.

"It may be a bad idea. I still need answers. I can't fight Voldemort if I'm conflicted inside," said Harry.

'I want to believe Dumbledore is a good wizard and mentor. I don't want to believe everything I knew has been nothing but a lie.'

"This war is going to get bloodier," said Samuel.

"The Aurors may be forced to fight an underground war," said Harry.

Harry couldn't understand how they were losing. It was like the leaders of the Ministry were completely incompetent.

"I'm leaving tonight. I'm sorry, but… I need answers," said Harry.

"We don't blame you," said Olivia.

"There are a lot of unanswered questions, and it's hard enough dealing with that when you should be living your life as a teenager."

"I'm going to create a portkey for some others who will be staying," said Harry.

"You take it easy, Harry. I'll see what I can do to help the Aurors," said Sirius.

That night Harry and Lily disappear from the Castle without speaking to anyone. They bypass every Aurors and Security detail without anyone knowing.

Dark clouds began to gather. A sign dark days were ahead.