AN: Hmmm...I am really glad that most of you liked last chapter. For those who didn't, I cannot honestly say that I did not expect some of the negative reactions. I kind of like it, you know, shattering your hopes sometimes. :p
On a serious note though, when I was an avid fanfiction reader, I too kind of wanted Harry to just have fun with the heroine and forget the 'traitors'. But...I can't hate Ron as some people do. I am actually playing Lego HP these days and I again watched the first two movies yesterday. And I can surely say that Harry Potter wouldn't feel like Harry Potter without Ron in it. Still, I tried to make him as remorseful as I could.
As for the Fleur and Harry reunion, they do have feelings for each other but what do you want me to do? Have them rolling on bed in the next chapter? I did that in one of my stories and got such pathetic reviews...They have feelings for each other and they will act on them but let them take at least some time people.
RANT DONE: Enjoy.
Ch 14: Crookshanks
"What happens to the boy now?"
"Not sure, Aragon. They haven't decided on the future of the tournament yet."
"Fools, the lot of them. There's a madman out there dabbling in the worst kind of magic and they want to play!"
"We cannot forget that they aren't as accepting to the situation as Albus is."
"I am with Elizabeth on this one Limbert. They are in denial and this could and would cost them grandly in the near future."
"Albus would find a way. He always does."
"We all know that Albus is shrewd but Cornelius is a fool, and Merlin knows a fool is always more dangerous than a shrewd opponent. Just look at what that Bagnold woman did in the last war. If it weren't for Harry Potter, we all would have been doomed!"
"We are already doomed, Armando! You are a painting."
"We are not here to discuss semantics Amrose."
"Be that as it may, I have faith in Albus."
"We all have faith in Albus but the hero of this war, I think, is surely Harry Potter."
"He is a child, Vulpus. You can't surely be saying that a child can defeat You-Know-Who."
"Come on! Stop using that irritating phrase. For the last time, I don't know who!""
"Why? It's a fancy title."
"I like The-Boy-Who-Lived better."
"What about He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."
"I would like to know who actually used that one for the first time and strangle that idiot with my bare hands."
"You can't do that."
"Albus can do it for me."
"Albus wouldn't hurt a fly."
"Oh, he will. He definitely will this time."
"Still, I think-"
"Idiots! Why don't you all just shut up for once? My ears are sore!"
"Mind your tongue, Phineas."
"Why should I? You all grate on my nerves. I am the greatest Headmaster Hogwarts has ever seen and-."
"Self-proclaimed!"
"I was awarded-"
"-Witch Weekly was a rag then and it is a rag now!"
"At least I got awards. You were famous for your pigtails. And leggings."
"You dare…"
"Oh yes, I do."
As another quarrel began between Phineas Nigellus Black and Amrose Swott, the other occupants who lived in the Headmaster's Office groaned collectively.
These occupants were the ones to whom the aforementioned office once belonged to and to which they now belonged. Every Headmaster of Hogwarts is given the honor and responsibility to serve the school for as long as they can, even when their bodies are no more and their souls have departed the mortal plane.
"You are a mudblood, you filthy little girl. Be in your limits."
"What good did your pure blood did to you, you swine? Murdered by an innocent witch for harassing her."
"I did not-"
"You sure did-"
Despite the occasional fights, all the different headmasters of Hogwarts were wise and celebrated people of their age. Their portraits, thus containing their essence, were a gift to the future heads to gain knowledge and advice in matters ranging from as simple as a student's detention to as complex as the security of the castle. They also served as the eyes and ears for the Headmaster of the school. They were his spies, his intelligence network. All these past heads in this office headed the other portraits and reported virtually everything to the current head.
"Have you forgotten how you died? Stabbed by your very own husband to death."
"It wasn't any of my fault that he had violent tendencies."
"Why, it was all your fault. He found you repulsive. He found you abhorrent. You were not satisfying his-"
"Stop your vile insinuations Phineas. We are not children here."
"Oh sure, Brian. You would of course know. You, after all, found her screwing your wife one day and were gallant enough to join them in bed! Ha."
As the other portraits gasped and Elizabeth Burke moved to comfort a distraught Amrose, Brian Gagwilde took out his sword and roared, "YOU HAVE CROSSED YOUR LIMITS."
And he ran towards Phineas' Portrait.
Phineas, though a Slytherin, was not a coward. He took out his wand as well.
The duel started as colorful sparks began flying, swords met, and others watched. They ran from portrait to portrait, blasting painted pieces of furniture, fruit, utensils apart, cutting through trees and cloth and spewing painted blood on various frames.
It is to be said at this point that these portraits, though not human, had perfect sentience. They had their individual opinions, morals, codes and ethics that they wished the current headmaster would follow upon. This usually resulted in various cat-fights amongst the portraits themselves, such as now, accompanied by a long painful headache for the current chairperson.
An eternity was a long time. Thus, these duels were quite common and happened more frequently as Headmaster after Headmaster joined the ranks of Portraits.
No one could kill the other. So finally, they always returned to their own frames.
"Silence! Albus is coming."
"Let him," shouted Brian. "This isn't my fault this time."
"MOVE BACK TO YOUR FRAMES." thundered Everard, the first Headmaster of Hogwarts, who spoke rarely but when he did, others followed.
Needless to say, all was in order when the door opened to reveal a smiling Albus Dumbledore on the other side. He came in with a purposeful stride singing a jaunty old tune and sat on his throne-like chair, resting his head on the cushioned back with a sigh of pleasure and relief.
"You seem happy, Albus." commented the headmaster from the nearest portrait, plucking out a yellow leaf from his hair and flicking it away carelessly.
"Oh yes, Quinten. I am. Harry and his friends are back together."
"Ah ha…come to their senses now, have they?"
"Don't be too harsh on them now. They are children. They make mistakes." Albus said.
"I am not harsh. I just don't think one should forgive traitors so easily!"
"There is a difference between being a traitor and making an error in ignorance or doubt or envy." preached Limbert. "You can't say that there were no reasons to not trust the Potter boy that night."
"They should have trusted him."
"Blind trust can be fatal, you fool. As the boy should know after what happened to his parents." snapped Phineas, as the others turned to him with scowls on their faces.
A thick silence descended on the office as Albus closed his eyes and remembered that night fourteen years ago with pain and regret in his heart. He should have been able to save those two, no those four. Frank and Alice were as lost as James and Lily. And poor Neville…
"You should keep your Slytherin tendencies to yourself sometimes Phineas." said Dilys Derwent at last.
"Why? I am the only one from Slytherin here. Justice says that I should be granted at least twenty-five percent of the total discussion time."
"Someone kill that man…" Phyllida Spore muttered.
Albus began massaging his head.
"When is the boy due Albus?" Dippet asked.
"Any second now."
"What have you-"
A knock on the Headmaster's office alerted the various headmasters of the arrival of the boy they were all patiently waiting for.
"Quiet," whispered Albus Dumbledore and everyone stilled. "Come in, Harry."
Albus Dumbledore himself was someone to be said about. Considered to be the most brilliant headmaster by a majority (with the exception of Phineas Nigellus) to grace the halls of Hogwarts, Albus was distinguished. Not only was he an excellent teacher, in the most profound sense of the word, but also an accomplished politician. It had never happened before that the portraits had gained so much exposure to the outside world in this very office, except Albus's tenure.
Oh, and what a tenure it still is!
They had seen and heard things that were enough to rock the foundations on which the Wizarding world was built upon. And they all knew that it was about to get more interesting as the boy, who was already a legend, finally entered with three of his companions. The two girls, who were both newcomers here, looked around the office with a mixture of curiosity and interest on their faces. The Veela seemed more composed compared to the other girl who was almost bouncing on her toes as she eyed Albus' collection of books.
"Good Morning Headmaster." said Harry Potter, as he took his seat.
"Good Morning Harry. To you as well, Ms. Delacour, Mr. Weasley, Ms. Granger. I see we are all back together."
The red headed boy and the fuzzy haired girl reddened. "We're sor-"
"No need for all that now, Ms. Granger. Even the best of us can sometimes fall in the worst of ways. What matters is to gain back your feet in time." Albus said in his all-knowing grandfatherly voice.
Phineas Nigellus wondered what would happen if they all knew that their beloved headmaster actually collected quotes to use in these situations. There was a book here somewhere lying around…
The girl nodded and ducked her head.
"I see you are in good health now, Harry." Albus said to Potter.
Harry just gave a short nod.
Albus looked at the boy over his half moon spectacles and urged him to say something. The silence continued for quite some time.
Harry Potter sighed. "Are you going to say something or what? Why are we having a staring match here?"
"I was merely waiting for you to begin the discussions in a way you are comfortable with."
"Comfortable?" asked Potter incredulously. "What part of 'Voldemort is Back' do you feel I am comfortable with?"
The granger girl gasped. "What?"
"He is back, Hermione." Potter answered.
The room fell silent.
"So…" Weasley finally said, "You-Know-Who really kidnapped you last night?"
Granger turned to him, "You knew?"
"I had heard rumors about some 'dark lord' and made the connection. You can't really avoid Malfoy stuttering around even more than usual." said Weasley. "He was practically bouncing with glee after the task yesterday. He even summoned a meeting of the entire Slytherin house."
"How do you know that?" Harry asked.
"We were trying to find you after the task. So I borrowed your..." Weasley trailed off and looked around uneasily.
"Map." Potter nodded and looked at the Veela. "Fleur here saved me."
The French girl smiled and nodded towards Albus. "Dumbledore waz there az well 'arry."
"Yes. Yes. Playing with Voldemort…" the boy muttered, though everyone heard him quite clearly.
"'Arry-"
"What? He could have killed him, you know."
"I am here Harry," said Albus in a weary voice. "You can talk to me directly."
Harry turned to face the older man. "You could have killed him last night. Instead, it seemed you were exchanging tickling spells."
"I assure you Harry, that phoenix I created was a beautiful piece of spell work-"
Harry snorted.
"-and no mere tickling charm."
"You know what I mean! Why didn't you kill him when you had the chance? I know you were holding back for some reason. Yesterday, Voldemort might have been weak due to the ritual but next time, he will wreak havoc! What would we do then? Why didn't you just finish him off?"
"Tell me Harry, what was it that you did thirteen years ago?"
"That was different!"
"How?" asked Albus. "He would have returned sooner or later and you would have had to fight him. And I might have been dead by then. I am old, Harry. What if I die and you are left alone? I want to aid you in your fight against Voldemort however I can."
The expression on the face of Harry Potter was one of confusion and then of fright. It was clear that he had never considered that Albus could die someday. He had always taken his headmaster and the secure heaven he provided in Hogwarts as granted. But that might not be the case in the future.
"'ow does 'e actually return from the dead 'eadmaster?" The Veela asked. "'ow many times do we 'ave to kill him to make the change permanent?"
Harry Potter looked up. "Right. I didn't think of that before, Dumbledore. Normal people can't really live after their bodies are destroyed but Voldemort was – not a ghost exactly – but something in my first year."
"And that diary Harry." said Ron Weasley. "Remember, you said it was sucking Ginny's life force."
"And that hideous baby you were seeing all summer in your dreams Harry." said the Granger girl. "That was surely physical. How did he gain that form if he was a spirit before?"
"What dreams, 'Arry?" asked Delacour.
Potter rubbed his scar. "I sometimes have visions from Voldemort. They have been more frequent this year."
Delacour's eyes widened in shock. "Visionz?" she repeated.
"Yes. An old man dying by his wand. A man serving Voldemort and promising to do some task for him…something related to me, I think. A snake sometimes. I don't know. Sometimes I remember them quite clearly, sometimes not."
"You never told me before."
"It never came up."
"That iz not normal." She turned to Dumbledore. "What is zis link, 'eadmaster. I am not getting a good feeling out of this."
"Why do you think it's a link?" asked Albus.
"Izn't it obvious?" The blond replied. "You English say something...um...yes...Once iz an accident. Twice iz a coincidence. But after zat..."
"...it's a pattern." completed Granger.
Dumbledore stroked his beard thoughtfully and looked all of them in the eye, one by one.
"There are questions and answers and then more questions in those answers. I do not know what all I am prepared to tell you all at this point." He said at last.
"But Harry should know." said Granger. "If there really is a link...it can answer so many questions. We can even use it-"
"NO!" roared Dumbledore and Hermione flinched.
Everyone looked at Dumbledore's suddenly furious expression in shock and how he bored holes at Hermione. Hermione couldn't believe how the gentle headmaster could look so very dangerous in that one moment. This was why not even the Minister could dare to cross him. This was why nobody wished to be on his bad side. This was why Voldemort was said to be afraid of him. And now, she was afraid as well.
She felt Ron's gentle grip on her hand and tried to concentrate on it, away from the headmaster.
"Calm down 'eadmaster." said Fleur, levitating a glass of water towards the headmaster.
"Cut the dramatics Dumbledore. We get it. Now sit down." said Harry from his side.
Dumbledore sighed and settled back on his seat.
"I am sorry Ms. Granger. Forgive me for losing my temper."
Hermione opened and close her mouth but then she nodded her head. "Um..N-no problem sir."
Dumbledore smiled but remained quiet.
"I am not ready." he said finally. "This is not something you should know. Not now."
"But-" Delacour started.
"I said I am not ready."
Harry got angry.
He stood up with a force that sent his chair skidding backwards. He then proceeded to lock Dumbledore with a glare of such intensity that all the Gryffindor portraits actually smiled at the boy. Though he obviously didn't notice.
"Tell. Us. Everything." he practically ordered Albus.
"Harry-"
"It doesn't matter if you are ready or not. I want to know."
"Harry-"
"I swear Dumbledore, if you keep anything and I mean anything from us, I will pack my clothes right this instant and head off to party with Sirius, never to see Hogwarts or Voldemort ever again in my life or death. No matter how many people he finishes off here, I will hide myself and my friends in such a remote corner of the planet that not one of your owls would be able to sense me, let alone find me!"
"You cannot hide Harry. We are wizards. Not from me, at least." said Dumbledore, with a smile.
"Try me." challenged Harry.
Dumbledore chuckled, completely at ease again. "I sometimes think that you are the perfect blend of your parents."
"I know." replied Harry. "I met them yesterday. Fleur told me it was something about the brother wands. Don't try to switch the subjects though."
Dumbledore sighed. "You are quick to anger these days."
"And I am quick to learn. I have learnt apparition and the Hogwarts gates are not too far."
Dumbledore remained silent as a statue.
"Sit down Harry." Hermione said and Fleur actually pulled him down.
Albus eyed the poor boy with remorse on his face. "You are not ready, my boy. I request you to give me some more time."
"Let's take a vacation Fleur. How did you say France looked this time of the year?" asked Harry.
"Harry-"
"Everything. Now."
"You should-"
Harry stood up.
"Okay then." said Dumbledore in a not-so-dumbledorish tone. "But you should know the proverb 'curiosity killed the cat'."
"Crookshanks is fine, Headmaster. Right Hermione?"
Dumbledore looked down as Fleur again pulled Harry in his seat.
After some time, he began, "I don't know everything-"
"You are lying."
"'Arry please."
"He's lying."
"I don't know everything." said Dumbledore forcefully this time and Harry took the hint. "But as I was saying before you so rudely interrupted me Mr. Potter-"
"Are we really playing at names now?"
"Harry…"
"Fine. Speak up."
"As I was saying, I know some things that should not leave this room. If I tell you and this information falls in the wrong hands, you cannot begin to imagine the damage that would take place." said Dumbledore severely.
"Cut the crap, Dumbledore. Speak-"
"'Arry Potter. You weel shut up and sit like a quiet boy or you cannot begin to imagine what damage I would do to you."
Harry obediently kept a finger on his mouth this time.
"Before I begin," continued Dumbledore with a tired smile, "Harry, I want you to be sure that you trust everyone here present in this room with your life."
Ron and Hermione looked at him and Harry met their guilty expressions with a smile full of reassurance. He then looked at Fleur and pointed at the finger he still kept on his lips.
Fleur nodded with a huff.
"Now that I have your permission to speak, Fleur darling," said Harry, ignoring the glare from Fleur. "I trust everyone present in this room with my life Headmaster, provided Snape is not lurking around in an invisibility cloak somewhere."
Hermione began saying something but Harry cut her off.
"That is done, Hermione. Forget it. I won't stop trusting Ron or you for one stupid mistake which I know you won't repeat in future. Either I don't give my trust or I trust completely. There's no midway. Especially for you two."
Dumbledore smiled. "I must admire your decision Harry. It shows that you are not a child anymore."
"Whatever." Harry said.
"Very well." he said. "I think I should give you some well deserved answers now. But before I begin, I must tell you Harry, Knowledge is a terrible burden. Are you sure you want to-"
"Not again, Dumbledore." Harry groaned.
Dumbledore sighed for the third time. "As you wish."
"At last." a voice muttered from somewhere.
Harry and the company looked up. "I think I heard-"
Dumbledore shook his head. "It's nothing."
"But I-"
"Nothing Harry. Believe me."
Harry nodded with an unsure expression and Dumbledore smiled. "Do you remember Harry what you asked me at the end of your first year?"
"Ummm…" Harry scratched his chin. "About the stone?"
Dumbledore shook his head. "Something I refused to answer at that time."
"Err…why Voldemort is after me?"
"Yes. I think its time you know the answer to that question."
"What about the link?" asked Harry, suddenly at edge for some reason.
"After that." said Dumbledore, with a frown.
"Well then. Why?" asked Harry.
"Before you were born, a true prophecy was made by a seer that I was interviewing for the post of Hogwarts Divination Professor. It foretold of the boy who would have the power to defeat the dark lord. You."
Hermione looked horrified, Ron had a strange look on his face and Fleur just grimaced.
Harry rubbed his temple. "So I will kill Voldemort?"
"You have the power and you will surely fight him but it doesn't specify who would actually win in the end."
"Great." Harry muttered.
"Hey. Of course, you would." said Ron with confidence. "That isn't the question. The real question is that it was Trelawney who gave this prophecy, right?"
Dumbledore nodded.
With a flick of his wand, his pensieve floated on the table from somewhere nearby and Sybill Trelawney's face appeared before all of them as she began reciting the prophecy. They all listened in stunned silence.
Nobody said anything for a while.
Then, Ron looked at Harry. Harry looked at Ron. And they both promptly burst into laughter. Thud, Thud, Thud echoed around in the room as they slapped their palms on the Headmaster's table wildly.
While the others just watched them in confusion, their eyes filled with tears and they struggled to control themselves.
Fleur, annoyed, finally sent a single stinging hex at each boy.
"Oye. Merlin Harry. That bat is predicting your death from before you were even born." Ron said, wiping spittle from his mouth.
Harry too finally controlled himself and a scowl formed on his face. "Stupid old crony. Why not just poison her sherry?"
"Harry, shut up." Hermione intervened. "It's not like what she does in classes. Dumbledore is talking about a true prophecy. She probably doesn't even remember what she said all those years ago."
"Yeah, I understand Hermione. I am not an idiot. She predicted Pettigrew would escape in our third year and he did." Harry's eyes widened as he realized he had forgotten something important. "What happened to Pettigrew after I lost consciousness yesterday? I completely forgot about the bastard."
All color left Dumbledore's face as he said something in a quiet voice.
"Sorry? I didn't hear you Headmaster."
"He was kissed."
"WHAT?" Harry shouted at once. "Have you gone mad? I gave him to you in paper wrap and you gave him to a dementor. What about Sirius' freedom?"
Dumbledore sighed yet again. He was getting too old for this.
"My mistake, Harry. I should have informed you of the happenings since you were gone before I had dumped new information on you." Dumbledore said. "I assume Ms. Delacour told you about Barty Crouch Jr. and his role in your kidnapping."
Harry nodded.
"After we came back to the castle, I had to remove some of our Minister's memories related to Ms. Delacour attacking him. I fed him a half lie that you were kidnapped by Pettigrew and that Sirius Black is in fact innocent. He, at first, refused to believe but the evidence, namely the man himself, was irrefutable and thus, he had no choice. Peter was taken into custody on the spot."
"Why not tell him the whole truth?" Harry asked.
Dumbledore nodded at Fleur. "'e waz not very enthusiastic to ze news 'Arry. That black swine –"
"-Snape-"
"Oui. 'e brought ze news of the rebirth before our rescue mission. I believe he is a death eater-"
"Why am I not surprised?"
"Blimey! Me neither."
"Shut up, Ron. He's a Professor."
"-and the 'eadmaster thinks he's on his side."
"I know he's on our side, Ms. Delacour."
Fleur ignored him. "Anyway, zat Fudge peon refused to believe even after evidence being thrown in 'is face. And that pink toady-"
"Who?" Harry asked.
"One of his lackeys. Madam Umbridge." supplied Dumbledore.
"-waz talking about arresting Dumbledore and filing conspiracy charges."
"What?" Hermione shrieked.
"Oui. She waz generally wasting ze time and you were cursing yourself and thinking about dying. So I stunned them both."
Harry gaped at her. "Wait! How do you know my thoughts at that exact point of time?"
"Before zat task yesterday, I placed a very rare spell upon you so I could guide you if you needed me too badly."
"Hey," Harry cried. "You really were in my head yesterday, weren't you?"
"Oui. Yes. I believe I told you quite clearly zat I am real."
"But but-"
"You were saying something about others being there az well."
"I was missing Ron and Hermione."
Ron opened his mouth. "You were missing us when you were supposed to die. So that we could accompany you?"
"Ronald…shut up. Thank you Harry." Hermione said with a bright smile.
"I was jooooooking." said Ron with a sigh. He then smiled at Harry. "Thanks Harry. I am sure that I too would miss you pretty bad if I were to die in the future."
"No problem," Harry replied and turned to Fleur. "So you really were there in my head?"
"'Ow many times do I have to tell you?"
"I mean, really? You were talking to me in my head?"
Fleur gritted her teeth. "Yez. That's eenglish. Understood?"
Harry grinned. "But you said you lo-"
Fleur petrified him.
Ron and Hermione exchanged horrified glances. Dumbledore seemed mildly amused and a little more thoughtful as he watched Fleur and Harry closely with one of his twinkles in his eyes..
Fleur moved closer and looked Harry in the eye in a way that their noses almost touched. She spoke very slowly and clearly. "Eef you keep quiet, then I promise we will talk about it later. But if you open your mouth 'ere, then I will either obliviate you or keep you petrified for ze rest of ze meeting. Blink once if you understand and agree."
Harry blinked.
"Finite" said Fleur and Harry loosened up, literally.
Fleur gave him a look and he kept his mouth shut.
"Mate," Ron spoke in his ear. "I thought only Hermione could be that scary."
"You have no idea." Harry whispered back.
"Hem hem" Dumbledore cleared his throat.
Harry looked up. "Yeah. Well, so the Minister won't listen and will probably put you in jail for defying him if we say Voldemort is back."
Dumbledore nodded.
"Then what happened to Wormtail? You said he was arrested."
"Yes. He was. But today I was summoned to the Ministry and informed that he has been the given the kiss."
Harry scowled. "Just like that? On whose orders?"
"No one knows. Cornelius says he didn't order it but now that there is no evidence, Sirius cannot be pardoned."
"Of course he can be pardoned if he gets a real trial."
"He too will get a kiss if he gets a trial Harry. There's enough evidence against him."
"There is no evidence against him because Sirius is innocent."
"We know that," said Dumbledore patiently. "Not them. Sirius was found laughing like a maniac with a wand on a street full of dead muggles and a finger of the dead Wizarding War Hero Peter Pettigrew."
"But-"
"Peter wasn't found in records."
"That's blatant corruption." Harry cried.
"That's the Ministry Of Magic." replied Dumbledore.
The table again felt silent for quite some time.
"You didn't answer our first question Headmaster," said Hermione. "How is Voldemort still alive? Harry isn't the only one to survive the killing curse after all."
For a moment, it seemed that Dumbledore was about to scowl at the girl but controlled himself at the last moment. "You are very astute Ms. Granger. I had thought I would save myself from answering that question for now."
Hermione blushed.
Dumbledore chuckled and then turned serious but before he could begin-
"Where is the sword of Gryffindor?" Harry asked, wondering aloud.
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows. "How would I know Harry? You were the one wielding it and slaying deadly creatures yesterday."
"Yeah Harry, how did you get it? It was awesome." said Ron. "We were like 'what the fu-' Ow. Sorry Hermione. Sorry."
"I don't know. I was a mess by that time. I think I just threatened Godric Gryffindor with all my will power."
"Really?" Fleur and Hermione asked skeptically and then looked at each other.
Harry smirked. "Yeah, well, I am Harry Potter, you know."
Fleur sighed. "Where iz the sword 'Arry?"
"I like it so much when you say my name like that." Harry said with a dreamy smile.
"Petrificus-"
"I don't know." Harry cried, waving his hands in front of her.
"Maybe you should try summoning it again." advised Hermione.
Harry shrugged and did what she said.
Nothing happened.
"I think it will answer if you are in need of it Harry." said Dumbledore.
"I hope so," Harry said. "Now, where were we-"
"How did You-Know-Who-" began Ron this time.
"Yes. Yes. He did not die because he took some measures beforehand." Dumbledore finally told them.
"Measures to cheat death?" asked Hermione, horrified.
"Yes, I am afraid. That diary in your second year Harry, remember how it said it was a memory?"
Harry nodded.
"It wasn't. It was his soul."
Silence.
"Did you say soul 'eadmaster?" Fleur asked with trepidation in her voice.
"I too was shocked, Ms. Delacour and I assure you it takes something too terrible to shock me after all these years."
"But Voldemort's spirit was already running around at the time. How can he be at two places at once?" Ron asked.
"It was his soul, his essence. Not his spirit. That was in Albania, at the time, I believe."
"I don't think we are getting this Dumbledore." said Harry. "Plain English, please."
"As you say, my dear boy. Voldemort split his soul Harry. Several times. He cannot be killed until all his soul pieces are destroyed. They are called Horcruxes. I don't know how many are there." said Dumbledore, marking each point with one of his fingers. "They are made essentially by murdering an innocent in cold blood. I haven't gone into the details. You destroyed one. And you are one. "
Everyone stilled. It was as if someone had succeeded in smuggling a basilisk inside the small room. Every eye in the room rested on Dumbledore and only Dumbledore in that one moment.
"Bugger..." a small voice sounded from somewhere but was largely ignored.
Dumbledore popped a lemon drop in his mouth.
"That, my boy, is the link you wanted to know about." he said, making chup chup noises from his tongue.
"Errr..."Ron was the first to speak. "Professor, I think we heard you wrong. Could you please repeat your last point."
"Harry is a Horcrux, Mr. Weasley." Dumbledore repeated calmly. "That's the complete truth."
Fleur bumped her head on the table. Hermione started crying on Ron's shoulder. Ron just looked between Harry and Dumbledore and back again.
And Harry. Harry was lost.
He was carrying a part of Voldemort's soul?
He had no idea, none at all, on just how to react in this situation. Was he supposed to cry? Or laugh? Or kill someone just for the sake of it, mainly the white bearded old man sitting in front of him with a serene expression on his face.
"There. You wanted to know in plain English." commented Dumbledore. "And I have told you. I am not keeping anything from you now because I can't afford you to run around the globe instead of fighting Voldemort. As you have of course, as you said, learnt apparition."
He wanted to cry, he decided. But it was too difficult for now; not because his tears were refusing to spill, for he was having hard time controlling his emotions; just because he wasn't ready.
Hence, he gave Dumbledore a bitter smile. "Thank you. So I am a hor-what?"
"Horcrux. Your scar."
"Right. So I need to die for Voldemort to die."
"I believe if Voldemort kills you with a killing curse, he would inevitably destroy his own horcrux and you would hopefully be able to come back in your body." explained Dumbledore.
Harry, for the first time ever, raised a single eyebrow. It was a reflex. "So you want me to throw myself in front of his killing curse next time I meet him."
Dumbledore nodded.
"And then I will die and come back?"
"I believe so. You will die, surely, but coming back is still debatable."
"Just for knowledge's sake, you knew this from how long?"
Dumbledore began stroking his beard yet again. "I had an idea when I examined your scar for the first time but it became a surety when you brought me that diary in your second year."
"So, when were you actually planning to tell me if I hadn't blackmailed you?"
Dumbledore had the audacity to shrug innocently. "If everything had went according to plan, I might have dropped you a hint around the end of your seventh year."
Harry took a very deep breath. "Right. You do know that I really really reaaally want to kill you right now?"
"I have a fair idea, my boy. I told you that Knowledge is a great burden beforehand. But alas, it was your wish-"
"Can you please just shut up for one small second?" Harry shouted. "Please. Shut up. SHUT UP. I am trying to cope here."
Harry decided Dumbledore was an overgrown Dobby. "That's the only way Harry. I am very sorry. Of course, if you wish, I can obliviate you all and tell you of this tragedy at a more opportune moment. When you are ready to sacrifice yourself."
"You have really gone senile. I think I should just leave this school."
Dumbledore took out his wand.
"Do you really 'ave a death wish, 'eadmaster?" asked Fleur scathingly.
"I was merely adjusting the position of my pensieve, Ms. Delacour. Have some faith in this old man."
Harry sighed.
He tried to summarise some facts. "So, what you are saying is that I have to kill Voldemort who is actually He-Who-Cannot-Be-Killed. I cannot kill him before killing myself. Now, if I am somehow able to survive another killing curse or as you say, come back in my body, I might have a minute chance at killing him. But before that, I actually have to find Merlin knows how many of his scattered soul pieces, which are waiting for me Merlin knows where. And for that matter, nobody actually believes that Voldemort is back. Except us few. Right? Right? Fuck you, Dumbledore. I AM OUT."
Dumbledore popped another lemon drop in his mouth and relaxed as one by one, all of them filed out of his office.
"You actually told him everything." Armando Dippet stated as his door banged one last time.
"I told him repeatedly not to pressurize me but he was insistent. Besides, I finally realize it's not my war. It's his. Let him fight it in his own way." Albus said quietly.
"In other words, I want to get retired." Phineas Nigellus commented.
"Perfect truth, my friend. Perfect truth." said Albus and laughed a throaty laugh for the first time in years as he felt all his burdens lifted from his shoulder. It wasn't an easy task and he knew he was being selfish but Harry had someone else in his life now who will keep him alive at all costs. " I will, of course, aid him when he needs me."
That was all he ever wanted.
He could finally sleep now. All would soon be well.
"And stop muttering obscenities when I have guests in my office Brian."
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