A/N - Thank you to all who visited and read chapter one. Another thank you if you favorited/followed the story. I appreciate all of that. Now the fun part, if you are a fan of the game AFK Arena, the idea of Mind Cager comes from one of the characters, Mehira. I used her ability/description as a jumping off point since Legilimency is similar. As the description states, characters will be balanced. No OP, infallible, immortal characters.
Some of you noticed in Ch1 that students start year one at age 13. This makes relationships more believable, characters are at an age where reasoning and asking questions is more realistic, and the story can be more about blossoming young adults versus children.
This chapter was already in progress when I posted the first. Updates will not be this close together in the future. I also cleaned up the first A/N in a couple spots. I wrote it in one sitting at 10 pm last night - ha! I had a lot of thoughts I wanted to get across so hopefully everyone gets the gist.
As some of you have or will figure out - I am NOT a fan of Albus Dumbledore. As a kid I thought he was alright but looking back as an adult - what a manipulative asshole.
End A/N
Harry opened the door wider and raised his arm in invitation for the old pair to enter. The awkwardness had yet to abate but Harry didn't want to keep Madame Maxine waiting. As the trio entered the kitchen, Harry moved past the Hogwarts staff and prepared another two cups of tea. As he did so, he glanced at the group and noticed the darkened stare Dumbledore was leveling at Madame Maxine. To her credit, she didn't seem surprised and returned a less hostile glare. Once Dumbledore noticed he had been caught, his demeanor changed faster than a light switch - back was the twinkling eyes and grandfatherly voice. Harry set the cups at the table and cleared his throat - gesturing for the two to join them at the table.
"I am glad that you all know each other. Although, there seems to be some tension," Harry stated in a dry voice.
"We are just surprised, Harry," Dumbledore began with a smile, "Minerva and I were not aware that you were considering other schools since your name has been enrolled at Hogwarts since the day you were born."
Harry gazed impassively at the Headmaster before raising an eyebrow, "I am not sure how I would have made you aware of this - considering I just received both letters this morning."
"Very true, very true," Dumbledore hummed in agreement, "It seems that fate has brought us all together today. Quite fortuitous, I must say."
The twinkling eyes irked Harry but worse yet was the man's lies. He didn't dare attempt a deep dive into the man's mind but the last ten minutes of memories was available on the surface. "We both know that's not true, Mr. Dumbledore," the young wizard countered.
Dumbledore's face remained impassive while McGonagall let out a gasp. Never in all her years had she seen a student, well almost student in this case, disagree with Albus in such a nonchalant way. He seemed quite sure of himself and even Minerva had her suspicions about Dumbledore's sudden motivation for visiting Harry today. They had been in a staff meeting not even 15 minutes ago. The silver trinkets on the Headmaster's desk started making noise and vibrating. Next thing she knows, the Headmaster is requesting her to apparate with him to an undisclosed location.
"What does he mean by that, Dumbledore?" Madame Maxine asked, scathingly. On the surface she tried to be calm and collected but underneath she was furious. She expected Hogwarts to come calling for Harry Potter. Hell, she expected Ilvermorny, Mahoutokoro, and Durmstrang to attempt to persuade the young man. She hoped to have a half hour with him to gauge his interest. But, like always, Albus Dumbledore injected himself into something that he had no business in. It seemed that he had an unusual interest in the boy.
"I am not sure what young Harry is trying to play at. We had every intention of visiting today to see how he was doing. Normally my visits are more frequent..."
"Mr. Dumbledore," Harry couldn't continue to listen to this shit, "...again, we both know that is all lies. I have never met you or your companion until moments ago." Harry glanced at Professor McGonagall and the look on her face told him all he needed to know. Not that he didn't check their minds to make sure. "Which reminds me... when I answered the door, you had what I think is your wand - drawn. Were you expecting trouble?"
The old man's right eye twitched as Harry questioned him. He was perceptive and not afraid to ask questions. The young Potter was not as expected and the situation was slowly spiraling out of control. He gave his best grandfatherly smile, "I doubt you were here when I visited those times. I made many wellness checks to make sure you were getting along with your family. Your safety and the safety of all Hogwarts students are my top priority." Albus was not sure how Harry seemed so sure of himself and it irritated him that the boy called him out.
Harry gave Professor McGonagall a subtle hint to stay quiet before tore into the liar. He had a 'fuck it' moment and decided to comb through the old man's memories. Albus was a master at Occlumency so everything was neatly organized for Harry. He spied some interesting memories that would prove him wrong and fuck with his mind. Harry smirked, knowing this was going to be sweet justice, "Mr. Dumbledore, how did you know to do wellness checks? I was not aware that anyone from the wizarding world knew I was living here until today. My relatives decided that I was to never to go primary school so I spent - every - single - day - in this house. Not once did I see you here. Lastly, how can you keep us all safe when you couldn't protect Ariana?"
Again, if Harry was a betting man, he knew the old man was going to lose his mind at the mention of his dead sister. Was it a low blow? Yes. Did he know how he was going to explain his knowledge of her? No. Was he prepared to divulge his abilities? No. Was it going to get the reaction he wanted? Hell yes. Harry's first lesson in the folly of youth came with the final syllable of Ariana's name.
The mention of his sister's name was the final straw for the old man. The conversation with Harry was leading him to believe that a few alterations in his plans were necessary. But how the boy knew about someone that lived 114 years ago and a large portion of the wizarding world didn't even remember - it was disarming, enraging, frustrating, and unfathomable. Long ago, Dumbledore knew Voldemort wasn't dead. He was versed in many forms of magic, some Tom Riddle didn't know. Tom dabbled in soul magic which was taboo in the wizarding world. The Headmaster was able to discover early on what Horace Slughorn, the then potions master of Hogwarts, told the young Voldemort regarding Horcruxes.
The residual magic at Potter Cottage on Halloween of 2001 told Albus all he needed to know. Soul magic has a very specific feel to it, in regards to what is left behind. The residual magic feels greasy, thick, suffocating, and toxic. The second floor of the cottage checked off all those boxes - Dumbledore knew a Horcrux was created that night and the scar on the boy's forehead was where part of Voldemort's soul was held. The Headmaster spent years trying to figure out how he was going to destroy a living Horcrux. The wizarding world would never forgive him for killing their savior but sacrifices needed to be made for the betterment of all. All these facts coupled with Harry knowing about Ariana lead Albus to one conclusion - the soul piece had taken the over. This was no longer Harry Potter but Voldemort 2.0 - and that was something the world could not have.
Within seconds, Dumbledore was on his feet - chair skidding into the wall across the kitchen. He was screaming incoherently - curses, statements, or babbling as his mind was trying to catch up with his vocal chords. The sudden noise and movement caused Harry to lose his grip on McGonagall - whose mouth was open in shock and head swiveling between Albus and Harry. Dumbledore fired off a couple red beams of light and thankfully for Harry, Madame Maxine was able to raise a shield in time. Harry attempted to enter Dumbledore's mind and diffuse the altercation but soon realized that he lacked the proper focus to do so under duress. Minerva was finally on her feet, screaming at Albus to put his wand down - her own wand drawn. While Olympe was busy shielding Harry from Dumbledore's colored beams of light, Harry watched the front door fly off its hinges as a group of four people in maroon cloaks entered the home with wands drawn.
Harry looked up at Maxine and noticed the beads of sweat beginning to form on her brow. The Headmaster did not notice the door breach behind him and knew no more as four red beams of light struck him in the back. Albus Dumbledore crumpled to the floor with a thud. Maxine kept her wand raised as she kept an eye on the aurors and a hyperventilating McGonagall. Minerva had never seen Albus react so violently outside of a proper fight. Her jaw was moving but no discernible words came. Harry wanted to laugh at the way she was perfectly mimicking a fish but decided to remain in the background as much as possible. Maxine gave a glance at Harry before instructing him to stand behind her.
The lead auror, a tall black man, stepped forward from the group, "Aurors! Lower your wand! Now!"
Maxine's eyes narrowed, "I will not acquiesce to your demand just yet. This man," she harshly jabbed her finger at the body on the floor, "... attack one of my potential students before I was able to have a meaningful conversation. Clearly, he is... unhinged. I would have never thought I'd see the day where Albus Dumbledore attacks Harry Potter!" The aurors shared a look before the lead auror addressed her again, "Who are you? What is your business here?"
Olympe rolled her eyes and scoffed at just how easy it was to push around the British aurors. The French aurors would have had every person stunned and bound before questioning. "My name is Madame Olympe Maxine. I am the Headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic in France. I was here to gauge Mr. Potter's interest in joining our institution but my role changed to protector within minutes of that man entering the house. I could argue that he was attacking me as well and get the French Ministry involved. I also don't know with who I am speaking."
The aurors paled slightly and that thought of being connected with a potential international incident. "My name is Senior Auror, Kingsley Shacklebolt," stated the tall black man as he lowered his wand, "Behind me is Auror Dawlish, Auror Robbins, and Trainee Tonks. I apologize for the strong reaction of our force but muggle neighborhoods like this are monitored for active and residual magic. Obviously," he took a moment to give Dumbledore's body a glare, "...there was enough to set off our alarms." The remaining aurors relaxed their stance as they took in the disaster zone the kitchen was transformed to. "So..." Kingsley continued, breaking the group of magicals out of their momentary stupor, "...what happened here?"
Harry cleared this throat, "Simply, the Hogwarts Headmaster lied to those in this room regarding my life. He claimed multiple times that he visited here to check on my well-being. I called him a liar since I know for a fact - he never visited. I also asked how he knew I was here if I was supposedly hidden away from the magical world. He didn't answer that one but if I had to guess - he most likely put me here. Lastly, he said the safety and protection of myself - he also added the other students as an after thought - is a top priority. My response was a question of his ability to protect me when he was not able to protect his sister."
Kingsley wasn't sure how old Albus was but he knew the age of Harry Potter - common sense told him that there was no way any child in the magical world would specifically know about a sister of Albus Dumbledore. Hell, Kingsley wasn't even sure if Dumbledore had a sister if he were honest. "How exactly did you know about his sister - assuming he had one?" Shacklebolt raised an eyebrow at the young Potter, challenging him.
Harry wasn't sure if his last minute lie would suffice but he was out of his depth, "Simple really... judging by his looks and beard, he is of an advanced age. I think that we can all agree on that. Next the probability of him having a sister is 50/50 - I happened to guess right. The name I said was a long shot but my cousin, Dudley, was whining about not being able to go to an Ariana Grande concert just this morning. She's an American singer who according to him is 'bloody hot and fit' - that was the first name that came to mind." Harry made sure to finish with a sheepish look that told the aurors he was abashed due to his comment.
"There were inconsistencies in his claims and I was so angry that someone could place me here and not return within the decade to make sure I was well," Harry whispered, "Wouldn't that make you angry and question everything?"
To say that he surprised himself would be an understatement - while Harry used logic to make a solid defense, his last statement was a little too honest for his liking. He chanced a look at Professor McGonagall to see if she would refute his claims but the Deputy Headmistress' brain seemed to still be rebooting. Auror Shacklebolt was considering Harry's words and Madame Maxine was smart enough to know when to keep quiet.
The aurors collected all official statements from those present and grabbed Dumbledore before exiting the house. Kingsley stopped short of the threshold, "Mr. Potter, I will owl you if I have any other questions. If you decide to press charges, please let me know as soon as possible." Harry gave him a nod before he saw himself out. Pouring himself more tea, Harry sat down at the table and glanced at Madame Maxine who had a smirk plastered on her face.
"I don't know whether to be impressed or concerned with how manipulated that old man. Britain holds Albus Dumbledore in high regard while the rest of us - meaning Europe and other neighboring countries - find him to be nosy, overbearing, and manipulative. He holds a lot power and has done little with it to change or improve the wizarding world. When the newspapers get hold of this story, there will be a large number calling for his head. I digress... your spot at Beauxbatons is still being offered. Though, I hope you will treat my staff and students proper respect and tact."
"Of course Madame. In the words of Napoleon, 'Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake,' and I don't see either of those two as friends of mine. His wand was drawn when I answered the door which means was ready for a fight. In my experience, one is only ready for a fight after the alarm has been sound. The question is - who sounded the alarm?"
"Hmm... very insightful Mr. Potter. A strong argument with sound reasoning. As for your letter - I can give you a couple days to think it over," Maxine finished with a smile. Placing her tea cup in the sink, she made her way to the front door.
Harry followed her to the door, "Madame Maxine, two things - first, thank you for protecting me from Mr. Dumbledore's attack. Second, I would like to accept your invitation to Beauxbatons."
Olympe took Harry's proffered hand and shook it with vigor. Her smile was bright and Harry had a feeling it would remain there for a good portion of the day.
"Very well, Mr. Potter. If you're schedule is flexible, I can send the French Ambassador to pick you up in two days time. His daughter is an upcoming third year student and I trust him to look after you while collect supplies for the term."
"That works for me Madame. I wish you the best and will see you on September 1st."
As Harry closed the door he couldn't help but thank Merlin that the Dursleys were still grocery shopping.