Chapter Fourteen- Homework Task
Snape left the Burrow on Boxing Day to prepare for next term's classes. Harry stayed at the Burrow until a few days after New Year's. His mind drifted back to the unannounced visit from the Minister on Christmas. Snape had quickly put on his Glamour before the Minister saw him. Percy was also with him, the latter claiming the former wanted to see his family. Harry suspected that wasn't the case; he thought it more likely an excuse for Scrimgeour to talk with Harry.
His suspicions were confirmed when he chose Harry to accompany him on a walk around the garden. "I've been wanting to meet you for a very long time," he had said. "But Dumbledore has been protective of you which is understandable. I had really hoped to talk to you, but I have been prevented."
He had looked Harry up and down. "So, you have always been a magical fox; hidden by a long-term Glamour according to Dumbledore."
"That's right," Harry had replied grudgingly, recalling the reason Scrimgeour wanted to speak with him.
"And the rumors! Whispers of a prophecy and you being 'The Chosen One.' I assume Dumbledore discussed both with you?"
"We discussed it," Harry had said guardedly.
"And what has he told you?"
"Sorry," Harry had said lightly. "That's between us, I'm afraid."
"Of course," Scrimgeour had said, his tone also light. "If it's a question of confidence, I understand. In any case it doesn't matter if you are 'The Chosen One' or not."
"I'm not sure what you mean, Minister." In truth, Harry had a shrewd idea of what Scrimgeour was driving at but wanted to hear the man say it.
"People believe you are 'The Chosen One', you see. Think you quite the hero which you are. The point is, you are a symbol of hope to people. It would boost everyone's morale if you were seen popping in and out of the Ministry."
Ah and here it comes. Harry pretended to mull it over. "So, basically," he had said slowly. "You'd like to give the impression that I'm working for the Ministry; that I support what you're doing."
"It would give everyone a lift to think you're involved," Scrimgeour had pressed.
"Minister, I'm afraid I must turn down your suggestion."
"Now see here, young man…" Scrimgeour had begun, now sounding angry.
"No," Harry had said coldly. "I will not be a mascot for the Ministry." He had turned and stalked back to the house, tail swishing furiously and angrily behind him.
Harry came back to the present by the whooshing of Floo Powder at work. He stepped into them and shouted, "Hogwarts!" He whirled out of the Burrow's fireplace and into McGonagall's. As he got out, she said, "Evening, Potter. Severus is waiting for you."
"Thank you, Professor," he said as Ron and Ginny arrived. The trio trooped out of the office and up to Gryffindor, Harry staying long enough to get the new password. They had just reached the entrance when Hermione came rushing up the stairs. "Hi, Harry. Hi, Ginny," she said, ignoring Ron. "Password is abstinence. Oh, Harry, here." Hermione handed Harry a scroll and he eagerly opened it. "Tomorrow night," he whispered to his friends as Ginny went inside. Hermione smiled at that before she entered with Ron behind her. Harry heard Lavender's squeal of "Won-Won!" before the portrait closed. Harry snickered as he descended to his room. Ron dating Lavender amused him and was glad that he and Severus hadn't resorted to embarrassing nicknames.
The following day passed quickly, though it felt long to Harry. Notices had appeared overnight, announcing Apparition lessons. Ron had let it slip that Harry had been taken by Side-Along Apparition and the fox had found himself being asked to describe the sensation. All day long, Harry received requests to describe Apparition, right up to his lesson with Dumbledore.
He dashed up the stairs, knocked, and entered when told to do so. "Sorry, I'm almost late. Word is out that I've done Side-Along Apparition. Almost every sixth-year's been asking me to describe it."
Dumbledore chuckled. "Understandable, Harry. I quite understand. So, I heard you met the Minister on Christmas Day."
"Yes, sir. He was trying to persuade me to be the Ministry's mascot. I turned him down. He wasn't happy about it."
"I thought you would be against the idea; that's partly why I blocked his attempts to meet with you. Now, I have two memories to show you with the second one being the most important one."
Harry stood by the Pensive, eager to see these memories, especially the second one. The first one was short but no less intriguing. "So, he killed his Muggle family and made Morfin think he did it."
"Yes and Riddle also took his uncle's ring. Morfin lamented its loss until he died."
"Incredible," Harry breathed. "To be able to plant false memories in someone's mind."
"Oh, yes. He was very skilled. Let us move on to the next memory which was extracted with much difficulty." Dumbledore managed to pour the contents into the Pensive and Harry dove in, curious about what he would see.
Harry emerged from the Pensive not long after, disappointed. Dumbledore had said ti was the most important one and had been obtained with difficulty but he failed to see how it was important. The only things he took from it was the white fog and Riddle failing to get an answer to his question about Horcruxes. Harry wondered what they were and elected to ask Severus once he was back in their room.
"Intriguing, wasn't it Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
"Er…"
"By intriguing, I meant interesting. You see, the fog was Slughorn's attempt to obliterate parts of this memory."
"Why?"
"I believe he is ashamed of what he said and tried to rework it so he is shown in a better light. His attempt was crude and proves that the true recollection is still there, buried beneath the alterations.
"So, for the first time, I'm giving you homework. You will need to persuade Slughorn to divulge the true memory. I stress again, that this one is very important and will confirm a suspicion I have had for years concerning Voldemort. It is vital that you get that memory."
Harry nodded. "Understood, sir. I'll get that memory." Harry already had a few ideas of how to get it and now his need to get in good with Slughorn was clear. Dumbledore had asked Slughorn for the memory and, fearful of what it showed, Slughorn tried to rework the memory. But, it was a sad attempt that proved that the true memory was still there. It was up to Harry to get Slughorn to give him the true memory. It must have something to do with Voldemort; something very important and it'll confirm a suspicion that Dumbledore has had for years, he thought as he and Dumbledore bid each other good night. I will take a little time to plan. Hmm, perhaps my fox magic will help me in succeeding. I'll ask Severus.
"Horcruxes?" Severus repeated before frowning. "Horcruxes…I'm afraid I don't know that term Harry. It must be some kind of very Dark Magic. I have never heard or read about such a thing. Clearly, Horace knows and still has the true memory in him. I agree with the Headmaster: If anyone can persuade him to give the true memory, it is you Harry."
"Would I be able to do it with Fox Legilimency?"
Severus shook his head. "Our version of Legilimency is no stronger than the wizard version and Horace is no doubt an accomplished Occlumens if the Headmaster could not get the truth from him. I suggest you appeal to his better nature. Fox magic will not help you get the memory. Think back on all your classes with him and think of what he has said. Surely something in all that will help you."
