Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. However, I do own OC, non-canon and fictional magic.

A/N: Oh, I came up with the Goblin maxim since I first heard it referenced during a chess match, lol :-). And basically Dumbledore is playing souls as pawns to achieve his aim. In a way, it is a good foil to the Goblin interests. And I chose the 'Carbon Copy Charm,' since I liked the concept (I know it is entirely Muggle but I liked it nonetheless). Besides, I think Purebloods copycat whatever is going to give them the most advantage. They just will not admit it if it came from anyone else's means or brilliance and claim it as their own.

Ch. XIV: Dumbledore Dealings

Dumbledore decided he was much too impatient to wait any longer for Harry. I'll get to him after his Quidditch practice. He thought. He'll be too tired to resist anything and I can verify my compulsions. The old wizard tapped his fingers against his thigh as he rose to make his rounds to the fifth years' classes.

I do have to be careful. He thought cautiously. I don't want the staff to cotton onto my methods. And, I don't want to over-exacerbate the situation since he'll deteriorate faster than I need him to. He walked and smiled in his grandfatherly way at children and professors alike with his long strides eating ground. I think after we announce the Triwizard Cup is when I'll start actively pursuing the boy for my plans with magical means.

His beard hid the cold smile that did not quite reach his twinkling eyes.

Harry managed to work diligently throughout his day. He knew he was in serious trouble when he ran into Oliver while dropping off his previous class materials in Gryffindor Tower before heading toward History and later Potions with Snape. He grimaced in preparation and then gulped as he looked at his Quidditch Captain.

"Well?" Oliver snapped at Harry. "Where the bloody hell were you?"

Gryffindor Common Room silenced.

"I got sick last night." Harry said quietly.

"You don't look sick to me." Oliver said irritably. Harry internally flinched. For a moment, he sounded just like Aunt Petunia.

"You owe me an extra-long practice, Potter." Oliver continued as he brushed past him. "And you'd better not be late!"

"Yes Oliver." Harry muttered, embarrassed as he gathered his things and made his way to the boringest Hogwarts class. Harry did not like it when Oliver referred to him by 'Potter,' and not Harry. It made him feel like his training had not earned him his name despite being the youngest player on their team.

He actually caught up on his rest during class much to Hermione's disapproval. Usually students used History of Magic as a free study hall while the rudest students slept throughout. To Harry's credit, he never slept until now unlike Ron. He vowed to not make it a habit. If only because he did not want a certain Muggleborn witch to be cross with him.

I seem to be rather talented in that area. He thought in askance. Making someone cross with me should get me a prize since it's now on a daily basis.

He rolled his shoulders back and followed his friends to the dreaded Potions class. Unfortunately for Harry, it was once again with the Slytherins.

Who makes up these pairings? Harry wondered, rolling his eyes. Because I wish I could hex some sense into them.

Harry was not disappointed when he saw the Head Cheese Malfoy. Harry almost laughed when he thought of that new nickname for his sworn rival. His blond hair does look cheesy slick 'n' easy.

"Ooh!" Draco taunted. "If it isn't sickly baby Potter. Care to blow up anything else?"

Harry felt Hermione and Ron come on either side of him and it gave him strength. He walked past Malfoy. It irritated him more on the 'baby,' part since it reminded him of how Sirius said it lovingly while Malfoy ruined the word.

Draco tripped Hermione and she nearly plowed into Harry if it were not for his Seeker's reflexes and he quickly placed her behind him.

"Ow!" She angrily exclaimed, her brown eyes furious and her teeth clenched.

"Clumsy little Mudblood." Draco said dismissively. Everyone gasped on the Gryffindor side while chuckling on the Slytherin side.

Harry's eyes flashed and his silver serpentine pupils appeared behind his glasses. His attention centering on the blond boy in front of him. He could feel an icy hot rage burble inside him like one of Snape's deadlier brews. He wanted to rip and tear Malfoy apart. He had no idea what Draco just called Hermione but he could see Hermione's eyes widen painfully, and he could detect a sheen in them even as he turned his attention to Draco.

And that...angered Harry beyond belief.

"If anyone's clumsy, Malfoy." Harry hissed icily. "It's you. How pathetic do you have to be in order to attack a girl from behind?"

"10 points from Slytherin," Snape said silkily. "And Potter? You will see me after class."

Every student froze.

It must be the first time in Slytherin's history to have lost House points from Snape.

Malfoy gaped at Snape. For once he could not come up with a demand or a sputter at the outrage.

Shrugging, Harry took Hermione's elbow and put her between him and Ron as they filed in line for Potions.

Hermione did a double-take at Harry's eyes. Surprising the boy, he raised his black brows and the silver serpentine pupils faded.

She shook her head slightly and gave him a watery smile before quickly taking her seat.

"Granger and Weasley." Snape said smoothly. "Both of you may sit together but Potter remains alone."

Harry tensed as Ron opened his mouth to protest Harry kicked his friend under the table.

Payback. He thought, as his own shin is still bruised. Ron scowled at Harry and followed Hermione to another seat while Harry remained in the back.

It was a long, tense lesson for Harry. He managed to concentrate on his potion. He had to wear a special mask since the main potion ingredient is foxglove*.

He managed to make an average potion and frankly? Harry was quite proud of himself. He kept studiously on his potion and did not look at Hermione for any help.

When the lesson finally ended and Harry cleaned up after himself as Snape used a mild Ventus Charm* on the potions laboratory.

"Professor?" Harry asked.

Snape studied him long enough to make Harry squirm.

"You will write me an essay regarding Basilisks to be turned in tomorrow without fail." Snape said simply. "Or I will give you a week's worth of detention. Have I made myself clear?"

Harry quickly nodded and said "Yes sir," before walking away with his threadbare clothes and messenger bag behind him.

Snape frowned after Harry.

Something's not right. Severus Tobias Snape* and his colleagues charmed all of Hogwarts to inform them if there was another Basilisk sighting.

His radar had gone off when he heard that hated word, which cost Severus his only friend and true love.

He stared after Harry's form and frowned as he pictured Harry with his hair and his name.

Shuddering, Severus took out a small glass of brandy he kept in his desk when no one was around and threw back his head for a swig.

Hermione stared at Harry for a long moment. She knew she had not imagined Harry's serpentine eyes for a moment. Truthfully, she was a little scared of Harry at that moment. Although, she could admit deep down she was flattered by how protective Harry was.

"What's up?" Harry asked curiously. His emerald eyes focused on her.

She glanced away and gave him a slight shake of her head signaling she will speak about it later.

Harry shrugged. "Do you happen to have a book on Basilisks?" Harry muttered to her. She frowned at him.

"Snape's punishment." Harry continued. "I have to do research on the beast. I mean, I could just write what I actually did?" He snorted.

Hermione thought for a moment. "I have a few books I could charm so no one sees what you're reading."

Harry arched an eyebrow. "Brilliant!" He said laughing.

Ron looked at his friends. His jealousy reared its ugly head. He noticed something odd between those two.

It was just us, Ron thought enviously before you came along Hermione.

Dumbledore's trinket in his office began to glow from orange to putrid green. Fawkes tilted his head in confusion. He had no idea what was going on with most of the trinkets in his Master's office. The only one he knew for sure was the globe one connected to Harry's magical core which he diligently kept warm unless Dumbledore was in the room.

He carefully hid his jealousy behind a snort at Harry's response and rolled his blue eyes at Hermione for effect as the Golden Trio continued with their day.

Harry dropped his bookbag inside his trunk and grabbed his Quidditch training robes. He quickly changed and grabbed his Nimbus 2000* and put over his shoulder as he caught up to Fred and George on their way to the Quidditch Field.

"Be careful, mate―," Fred said in low voice.

"Oliver's in rare form today―," George added in an equally low voice.

"He didn't do so hot in Transfiguration with McGonagall―," Fred continued.

"Just work hard." George said, clapping Harry on the shoulder.

Harry gulped and nodded.

Oliver spied him and immediately said. "You're up first, Potter."

Harry mounted his broom. "Today you're doing 30 drills. Fred, George," Oliver said. "Throw everything you've got at Potter."

Harry nodded to the grimacing twins.

It was 4 p.m. and Oliver worked Harry until 8:09 p.m. He dismissed the rest of the team right before dinner and matter-of-factly ate a muffin from his pocket while Harry trained. By the time Harry completed his first 'punishment,' he was famished, smelly and starving.

However, Harry did not complain. Oliver acted too much like the Dursleys for Harry's tastes and he went into autopilot silence and deliverance on every move Oliver commanded like a trained monkey.

"Come down, Potter." Oliver said hoarsely.

Harry flew downward and dismounted from his Nimbus 2000.

"Anytime I find you lacking is when you'll train harder." Oliver continued between bites. "Just don't disappoint me again, got it?"

Harry nodded, feeling tense as Oliver escorted Harry down the corridor on their way to Gryffindor Tower.

Dumbledore smirked and timed his appearance as his wand's Point Me* spell turned him toward Harry. His ground-eating strides unhurriedly walked into Harry as Harry blinked in confusion. Perfect timing, my lamb.

"Professor?" Oliver asked.

"Ah, hello Mr. Wood and Mr. Potter," Dumbledore said smoothly. "Why don't I escort you both to Gryffindor? So as not to alarm Mr. Filch, hm?"

Both boys nodded and Harry only half-listened to the polite chatter between Oliver and Dumbledore.

For some reason, Harry felt very cold and wary.

As they made their way toward the Fat Lady, Dumbledore drew them up short.

"And here is where I must speak with Mr. Potter," Dumbledore announced to the boys. Oliver bid them both goodnight and walked away. His burly form retreating behind the Gryffindor portrait.

"Well my boy," Dumbledore said as he put a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Did something happen earlier today?"

Harry bit his lip and nodded. "Yes, Professor." He said thickly. "There was some sort of folder with my―my parents in it...and it was…"

Dumbledore used wandless magic to check Harry's vitals while Harry spoke.

Hmm, the dust disappeared somehow. Albus thought intrigued. I'll have to use something stronger...but not too strong or else I'll overdo it.

"Where is this folder now?" Albus asked. The proper word is folio. He mentally rolled his eyes. Well, I did essentially make you a Muggleborn so I guess I'll have to accept your primitivity.

That cold wariness wrapped around Harry again. Oddly, Harry felt like he could trust it. So he did.

Harry grimaced. "I―I threw it into the fire," Harry lied, glancing down. He is a terrible liar. Thankfully, his discomfiture is easily explained by the subject matter in Dumbledore's mind.

"I see," Dumbledore said, internally swearing. Stupid boy! "Well, should anything arise of a similar fashion my office is always open, Harry."

Harry nodded, emerald eyes glancing at his Headmaster. "Yes sir," he murmured.

"Best be off with you then," Dumbledore said kindly as Harry turned and walked toward the Fat Lady. He glanced over his shoulder as he muttered the password to her and she swung open her portrait to allow Harry entry.

Harry could not shake the uncomfortable feeling. But it's just Professor Dumbledore. Harry thought, rolling his eyes. I'm sure it's nothing a hot shower can't fix. You're acting barmy.

As Albus headed back to his office he eyed the putrid green trinket and grinned.

Oh, I think it's time to turn Mr. Weasley against his very best friend...then perhaps that Granger girl will shut up for five minutes and notice being with Harry isn't a smart policy.

He cracked his hands and got ready for the night.

Still Phase One...but I can isolate him further and he'll be much easier to manipulate.

References:

Foxglove: highly poisonous plant used in the medieval ages to cause cardiac arrest. We use it today under laboratory conditions for tuberculosis medicine (general Googling for this one).

Nimbus 2000: I know Harry received the Firebolt from Sirius (and he still will in this FanFiction) it is a matter of timing :-).

Severus' middle name: really is Tobias according to Harry Potter Wikia and he really did use the derogatory term 'Mudblood,' to Lily Evans and she ended their friendship. She would have fallen for Snape had he not been so involved with the Dark Arts and became a Death Eater. It is known as Snape's Worst Memory in canon.

Point Me/aforementioned spells are canon: It acts like a compass whenever someone says 'Point me X Person,' as opposed to directly summoning (Accio). I believe summoning is for lost things and Point Me is used for an actual person. Ventus is a wind blast charm.

Yes, I know Oliver is not actually a bully but he rubbed me the wrong way and I wanted to showcase how Harry handles most situations.