Knowledge is Power

Disclaimer/Plot/Author's Note: SEE FIRST CHAPTER

Dedication: I'd like to dedicate this story to my many good friends and loyal fans: my recommended reads are Saviour of Magic by Colt01, For Love of Magic by Noodlehammer, Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality by Less Wrong, Partially Kissed Hero by Perfect Lionheart, Harry Potter and the Daft Morons and Angry Harry and the Seven by Sinyk, Harry Potter and the Prince of Slytherin by The Sinister Man, Harry Potter and the Rune Stone Path by Temporal Knight, A Study in Magic and A Study in Magic: The Application by Books of Change, Dark and Light by Pleasedial123 and Harry Potter: My Life Is My Own by Sashian

Pairings: Eventual Harmony; Others TBD

Normal Speech

'Thoughts'

/Parseltongue/

Review Answers:

So, NO responses here since attempting any might spoil things I have planned: instead, a HUGE thank you to everyone who enjoyed and reviewed the previous chapter because, I admit, it was a very tough one to write; also, this story continues to gain popularity among my friends and loyal fans, so thanks for that too.

And, finally, a special thanks and shout-out to guest reviewer 'Tenchi' for being one of the few who actually gets why I'm writing Harrison as I am and giving such kind words in their guest review;

As everyone stared in silence, Harrison's eyes seemed to shine before he blinked, looking almost lost as well as curious about what was happening before, to the surprise of the spectators, as well as his defeated opponent, Harrison did something he should have done several minutes back.

He started screaming in pain, clutching at his chest even as he fell to the ground.

Chapter 17: As the Dust Settles

Harrison was in the Hospital Wing for the better part of three days following the end of his duel with Malfoy.

In that time, he had more than his fair share of visitors, including, but not simply limited to the students of Gryffindor House.

While he rested up, often being fed potions to restore his strength and aid his recovery, Harrison was also visited by students from Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and, in a really surprising way, Slytherin. Many of them seemed curious and even relieved at the fact that Harrison was recovering as quickly as he seemed to be while others came with gifts and well-wishes or, in the case of every House bar Slytherin, congratulations and amusing anecdotes about how Harrison had made the big, scary, Prince of Slytherin Draco Malfoy look like nothing more than a worm before him.

Of course, many of them also came with the same question Harrison had often asked himself, even in the moments where he was alone;

How had he done whatever he'd done at the climax of that duel?

This question was also fielded to Harrison by Professor Dumbledore himself, as well as Professors McGonagall and Flitwick and, not to Harrison's surprise, his most-frequent visitor, Hermione.

Knowledge is Power

When she turned up, sometimes accompanied by Neville as they both sought to check on the recovery of their friend, Hermione would ask Harrison questions about how he'd felt in that duel and how he'd managed to use magic so well that he didn't seem to realise he was using it himself.

Of course, as his friend, she'd give him time to recover from his wounds, but when he wasn't recovering, the two were speculating more theories than a gathering of geniuses the size of the London population.

One thought was an out-of-body experience he'd endured when his blood had been shed.

Another was that there were two Harrisons and the second had come out leaving the other to hide from the reality of the injuries he'd sustained.

At one point, Neville even suggested Harrison's will was so hell-bent on being the scholar that, as with the out-of-body theory, he might have gone into a trance where his more-war-born side came out and used his magic as it thought was necessary before relinquishing control back to Harry.

In this state, Harrison felt no pain, knew no remorse and only thought of the ultimate victory and to hell with the consequences.

Then there was the theory that Harrison's apathy had actually divided his true emotions from his mind in such a way that, like the out-of-body theory and the drone-Harrison-state theory, this created another persona where rage in spades like Harrison had experienced in the duel when his blood had been shed brought out an inner evil or an inner power capable of Merlin-knows-what.

Sort of like Accidental Magic on a much-higher scale to the point where Harrison was literally under the control of his own emotions, which Harrison didn't like one bit.

He was the master of his own fate, not the unknown power within him, whatever it was.

Whatever the truth of said occasion, however, Harrison knew one thing that would never be dictated under any terms;

However he'd done it, he had won the duel and now, he had one request waiting to be granted by Lord Malfoy.

Although Harrison didn't seem so quick as to want to fulfil said request.

Knowledge is Power

On the third day of his stay in the Hospital Wing, Harrison was a little surprised to find his solitude broken just after he'd finished breakfast.

This time, it was Headmaster Dumbledore, who seemed to be a little less-alert and happy-go-lucky as he usually appeared to be.

He actually looked like he'd gained a whole new mass of wrinkles on his aged features while his blue eyes were rimmed with bags, showing how he had suffered from several sleepless nights. In one hand, the Headmaster had a rolled-up scroll of parchment while the other held what looked like a small, heavily-wrapped bundle, which he set down on the end of Harrison's bed before, drawing his wand, he flicked it once, conjuring a comfortable chair for him.

Without saying anything, Harrison politely inclined his head to Dumbledore, who smiled thinly as he asked, "How are you today, Mr Potter?"

"Almost 100%, Headmaster," said Harrison, his eyes looking into Dumbledore's as he asked, "What brings you here, sir? Not that I'm not honoured to receive another audience with you, sir, but surely there are more important matters to deal with than visiting a first-year like me."

"The welfare of my students is one of my top priorities as Headmaster, Mr Potter," replied Dumbledore, setting the scroll he'd been carrying next to Harrison before he went on. "As for why I am here, now that you are almost back to perfect health, I was hoping we might discuss this favour you have won from Lucius Malfoy."

"You mean you're hoping I'll confide in you so that you can counsel me on it, even though I've told you time and time again that I don't need your counsel, nor do I need you to hold my hand, Headmaster," added Harrison, taking a slow breath while he licked his lips as he added, "Either way, it's neither here nor there. Like many of the best, I plan on waiting until opportunity knocks before taking advantage of the boon handed to me by Lord Malfoy, not waste it like some mere child would do."

"That…that's a very mature thought, Harrison," said Albus, earning a scoff from Harrison.

"Still don't like you using my name, Headmaster," drawled Harrison, leaning back against the headboard behind him as he added, "Unless you're ready to fill in the blanks about my being placed at the Muggles, whom abandoned me and left me to become the boy you see before you."

As he'd expected, Harrison heard Dumbledore clear his throat before he muttered, "Well…perhaps we might move onto other matters; you see, in light of your exemplary display of magic and honour in your bout with Mr Malfoy, I've been asked by all your mentors…"

"Even Snape?" asked Harrison incredulously, earning another clearing of the throat from Dumbledore.

"Well, with the exception of Professor Snape, Mr Potter, but still, at the request of your other teachers, I've been asked to grant you 100 points to Gryffindor for your pride, honour and showing such fortitude and resilience in your duel."

"Then split it between the four Houses, since I am a student of all four, Professor," argued Harrison, lifting his eyes to the ceiling as he added, "And before you remind me I'm representing Gryffindor this year, let me remind you that what happened had nothing to do with Gryffindor House, so I think we can waive that little clause just this once, don't you, Professor?"

"I…well…yes, I suppose we can," agreed Dumbledore, a part of him stunned at Harrison's sense of fairness as well as the inter-House loyalty he showed given his unique Sorting circumstance.

While Harrison smirked, closing his eyes as he did so, he let out a sigh of contentment as he added, "Good: now we've sorted out your ill-advised desire to get involved with me and dealt with the positives of the duel, is that everything, Headmaster? It's still early and I need to be sure I have the all-clear from Madam Pomfrey."

"One last thing," said Dumbledore, moving the parcel he'd brought with him towards Harrison as he explained, "In light of your superb talents and the fact that you handled not only the precursors of the duel, but the main event itself, with such grace and honour, I have decided that it was about time I return something your Father entrusted to me."

With another flick of his wand, Dumbledore saw a glint of interest show on Harrison's face when he saw a long, silvery-coloured fabric unfurl from the parcel, forming a large piece of cloth that draped itself across Harrison's bed in an awe-inspiring manner.

As Harrison stared at the item, he gulped before he looked at the Headmaster as he asked, "Is…is this an Invisibility Cloak, Headmaster? I heard they're supposed to be extremely rare and just as valuable."

"It is and they are," answered Dumbledore, indicating the cloak while he explained, "This Cloak has belonged to several generations of proud and honourable Potter witches and wizards and now, as the Last Potter, I feel it is only fitting that you possess this family heirloom."

"And you just conveniently decide this when I come to Hogwarts, participate in a dangerous duel and show honour and mercy to another student, do you?" asked Harrison in his usual matter-of-fact tone, his green eyes looking to Dumbledore once again as he explained, "If this belonged to my Father, I can understand him leaving it with you, Headmaster. However, any real ally of my family's would have given this back as soon as they knew I was coming to Hogwarts unless you spent time improving it with tracking charms or some sort of loyalty-compelling blend?"

"Harrison," argued Dumbledore, a note of sorrow filling his words as he said, "I don't understand where this intense mistrust of others, specifically elders and adults such as myself, comes from, but if there is one thing I can assure you of, it is that I am your friend and ally. I know my actions might seem a little uncouth and perhaps a tiny bit deceiving at times, but you must understand: I lost your Mother and Father, both of whom were as close to me as though they were my own children, because I made mistakes…I…I admit it…"

Harrison just snorted in response while Dumbledore lowered his head as he said, "But if there is one mistake I cannot…I will not ask for forgiveness or permission to take back, it is doing what I believed was best for the sake of their only son. Neither will I apologise for what you have endured in your childhood, because they were events beyond my control. However, now you are here, I want to help you…as Professor Flitwick helps you, and Miss Granger and Mr Longbottom as well."

"Trust is a two-way street and must be earned, Headmaster," argued Harrison, looking away from Dumbledore again before he told him, "I respect you, Professor, for your accomplishments and talents; also, despite whatever happened three days ago, I know I'd be a fool for going up against someone with your experiences in the field, Headmaster, so, instead, I choose to keep you at arm's length because, for the time being, respecting you and trusting you are two different things…with all due respect."

For a moment, Dumbledore was stunned by Harrison's resolve and his will, especially since he'd practically admitted to the boy that he was willing to give him the answers, if only to get a foot in the door towards helping Harrison better himself.

What he didn't tell Harrison, however, was the fact that, as Filius had suggested, Albus had talked with Ollivander about the events that had taken place in the wandmaker's office and, when he'd been told the truth by the eccentric craftsman, Dumbledore hadn't known whether to be alarmed, worried, proud or just-plain intimidated and confused by the words;

Flashback Start

"As I told Filius several months ago, if Harrison James Potter ever chooses to walk the same destructive path as Riddle and Gellert, there will not be a power in all magic that can stop him, not even you. So, if I were you, Albus, I would lay my demons to rest with him. And don't try and use him for the Greater Good, because if you do, you may just wind up creating a monster that even you cannot lay to rest. One with the power to save us all or let the world burn just to warm him in the winter cold…"

Flashback End

What Garrick had meant, Albus didn't know, but as he looked at Harrison now, the Headmaster felt his years catch up to him as he looked from the boy to the scroll he'd brought with him.

Handing said scroll to Harrison, who eyed it with a sceptical glare, Albus gulped as he explained, "In…in that case, Mr Potter, allow me to at least present you with this signed affidavit stating that, until you are fully-recovered, if only until after Winter Break, you may be excused from any lessons you feel would…agitate your injuries further."

"Then I guess Snape can breathe easier since I won't be attending Potions for a while," drawled Harrison, sniffing once as he rubbed at his chest where even Albus knew there were still scars from the Sectumsempra the young boy had taken from Mr Malfoy.

Sensing an opportunity to perhaps rebuild a burned bridge, if not try and help another problem that was arising between two members of his school, Dumbledore politely cleared his throat as he said, "You know, Professor Snape has experience with the wounds sustained from that particular curse, Mr Potter. If you asked him, I'm sure he…"

"No offence to your advice, but compared to the thought of owing a man who hates me so much, he actually teaches such a spell to my opponent, I'd sooner suffer in silence if it's all the same to you, sir," argued Harrison, cutting off Dumbledore before he could finish his explanations while the boy picked up on his as he went on, "Madam Pomfrey's done an adequate job and, besides, if my future at Hogwarts is anything to go on, I suspect this will not be my first scar…not that it is already, right, sir?"

Here, Harrison tapped his forehead provocatively, earning a curt nod from Dumbledore before the young boy added in a sincere tone, "However, I appreciate the permission to miss lessons due to my injuries; it gives me more time to look into what exactly happened back there."

"Harrison, you don't need to…"

"Headmaster," argued Harrison, holding up a hand to stop Dumbledore's arguments as he went on, "This happened to me, using my magic to achieve feats that I've certainly never considered using. I mean, the Lightning Whip people say I used on Malfoy like a master might whip a beaten dog sounds interesting, but I can honestly say I've never even considered looking into such Elemental Magic, let alone wandlessly."

"Are…are you sure?" asked Albus, earning a coy smile from Harrison as he nodded.

"I never forget anything, sir, so yes, I'm pretty sure," answered Harrison, adjusting himself on the bed before he laid back as he added, "Now, if you'll excuse me, Professor, I'd like to rest up before Madam Pomfrey gives me her decision, but thank you for returning my property to me."

"You're quite welcome, Mr Potter," answered Dumbledore.

However, as he went to leave, deciding to let the boy rest as he desired, he was cut off when Harrison gave one last, parting shot.

"Just be aware that if I discover any attempts of foul play, even after you've said you're my ally, Headmaster, any hopes you have on gaining my trust will be lost…forever!"

A short 'aftermath' Chapter 17 and it looks like the display of Harrison's mysterious power has brought Dumbledore to his senses, but will he be able to earn the trust he seeks, especially with Harrison still so closed off?

Also, could Harrison's strange experience have anything to do with Ollivander's warning to both Filius and, now, Dumbledore?

Keep Reading to Find Out

Next Chapter: Christmas comes to Hogwarts, but Harrison's feeling Scroogey, much to Hermione's shock; fortunately, Neville has an idea that might just put the smile back on their friend's face…figuratively-speaking;

Please Read and Review