DISCLAIMER: I don't own Harry Potter or any of it's Characters, and if you would be so kind as to review I would be very happy. Thank You
A/N: Thank you for all the reviews…..I will be attempting to update this fic every weekend….at least that's the goal anyway…..Happy reading!!
Previously:
Neville came up on Harry's side with a small smirk on his face as he was holding out his wand forward.
"I thought today was going to be one of those days." said Neville
"You mean one of those days where we battle unbelievable odds, against a race that are magically and physically stronger then us just to stay alive?" replied Harry
"Yeah…..one of those days……shall we?" asked Neville with that smirk firmly in place.
" I suppose we shall……..but for the record…..I hate those days!" said Harry
Both Harry and Neville rushed out of the bank vault and into a storm of spell fire.
Chapter 19 -- Another Long Day
Stepping out the vault door, Harry headed immediately towards the far right of the entry way, closer to the tunnel wall, at full speed. Spells were shooting by him as he ran past but Harry's focus was firmly on the scrum of spell fire being brought heavily on a small Goblin stronghold that didn't look like it could hold for very long. Making his way closer, Harry's heart was pumping so fast, his adrenaline was through the roof, his only intent escaping this situation.
Suddenly time seemed to slow down, and it grew strangely silent. Harry turned his head from side to side and he saw Neville crouching down raining spell fire and covering his back. The bright blue spell hovered mere inches away from the tip of his wand, further down Harry spotted Whiplock crouching low behind several purple shields being cast by the four last remaining Goblins from Gladstone's troop of twenty. Whiplock looked injured, he had blood running down the right side of his face and his armor was torn and burnt. Gladstone was the only Goblin returning fire as he stood a little of to the side from where they were shielding Whiplock.
Looking even further down, He spotted at least thirty Goblins in dark black armor made out of some metal he wasn't sure. At the end of the hallway where the door that lead to the cart and out of this section, was indeed blocked by a cave in, there was no escaping.
Harry thought that this could be the end and that is why time seemed to slow down, well if this was going to be it then so be it, but he wasn't going down without a fight, he made that promise to himself long ago. Suddenly what he needed to do seemed to flow through him as if someone was whispering the answer in his ear. He raised his wand as time began to rush back, Suddenly a bright gold light burst from Harry's wand out towards the Goblins down the hall. A small explosion shook the rocky underground hallway knocking most of the black armored Goblins off their feet. Gladstone shocked, looked back and saw Harry and Neville running closer to them as the explosion faded. A few Goblins that weren't injured from the blast, got back up and started firing spells.
The purple shields that were protecting Whiplock began to flicker and fade. The four Goblin Guards were magically exhausted and could no longer hold it up. Harry turned towards the side wall next to where Whiplock was lying down and blast a strong REDUCTO that blasted into the wall, scattering dirt and rock in a huge dust cloud down the hallway, temporarily blinding everyone for at least twenty or thirty seconds.
The Black Armored Goblins walked closer as they cast wind charms to blow away the smoke and debris, getting ready to fire again, they were shocked at what they were seeing. A huge hole into the side of the tunnel that lead into the chamber over. Rushing trough the hole and into the other cavern, the Goblins turned and realized that the way was blocked off with a huge cave in. The Goblin near the front, lashed out in a fit of rage at the rock barrier but barely caused a dent.
"How did they escape!!!" screamed the Black Armored Goblin
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROCK CAVE IN
"Nice one Harry, how did you know that blasting the curse in that exact spot would lead into this cavern?" asked Neville
"I can't explain it Nev, I just did. We will talk about that later okay, right now we need reinforcements and we need to get Whiplock looked at by some healers." said Harry
"Nonsense Harry…..we need to get the guard and alert the council immediately. In all my long years, I would never have believed I would see Goblins fighting Goblins within these walls…….I am absolutely disgusted ………those Ex-Brothers of mine are going to pay……" coughed Whiplock as some blood spurted out onto his fist.
"Blocking our escape with the same method they used on us was wickedly clever Harry, I am sure that will annoy them to no end." laughed Rock
Stopping in front of the Cart Tracks, Rock snapped his fingers and two black shiny carts appeared from no where and stood before them as the little doors opened automatically.
"Cool" said Neville
Two Goblin Guards, Rock and Whiplock got in the first cart with Harry, Neville, and the other Two Goblin Guards taking the other. As the carts sped off, Harry informed Neville of what Dobby told him about Dumbledore approaching Privet Drive and everything that happened before he blaster that hole in the wall. The little time slowing thing had Neville completely confused. The carts began to slow down and Harry pulled his wand and got ready, somehow he knew that trouble was not over, not yet.
The carts pulled in on a rare track that actually lead right into Whiplock's office. As Harry burst out of the cart and rolled forward, coming out of the roll standing up and pointing his wand forward. Standing there, looking strangely back at the young wizard, were about fifty Goblin Guards wearing white linins with silver armor.
"My Lord, the bank has taken several attacks, all at once. It was a prepared and organized assault. We have narrowed down their numbers, and have them mostly trapped between corridors ten and below. We are not sure why or how, but several Goblins just started random shooting at the same time, all throughout the bank. Suddenly their outfits changed and we were in a battle, I have never seen anything like that in all my life." said the White hooded Goblin.
"We just came from Cavern twelve, it is completely caved in at the ends, we were ambushed. There must be at least fifteen to twenty Rouge Goblins in there, send a team in there and eliminate them all." said Whiplock
"My Lord we will as soon as our troops come back from the exploration missions. We are still gathering information and locating everyone to determine who is missing and who needs healing. The first troop back will be sent to cavern twelve." said the Goblin Guard.
Realizing that Whiplock was going to be okay and looked to be having a ton of work ahead of him, Harry got his attention and the two of them walked a little bit away from the others.
"Whiplock, it seems the Goblin nation supported Riddle a little more then we once thought, I was afraid I didn't have the list to all of them. Riddle must have known that we were closing in but didn't know who we had on our list so he forced his hand today. The upside is you now know who is and who isn't on your side." said Harry
"You are correct young Lordship, It appears that the London Branch of Gringotts will remained closed for a little longer the originally planned. I will meet with the Goblin Council at once, can I at least report that our joint mission was at least successful?" asked Whiplock hopefully.
"Yes you can, we indeed have the artifact along with some very interesting information, very interesting. I have the information to take care of it completely, Gladstone will fill you in before your debriefing with the Council. I hate to fight and run, but before this little rebellion started, I was informed that a very nosey Headmaster is attempting to breach my muggle residence. Do you think you can send me some information as to what I can expect for the will reading, and maybe….possibly a portkey. I am sure the Headmaster has some great rescue and escort mission all planed out, but I would prefer to arrive on my own terms, if not I can have Dobby take me if you can give him the coordinates?" said Harry
'Nonsense, I won't have any of that. I will call for Dobby with the details of the will reading and your portkey, please feel free to bring with you as many of your associates as you wish, that is your right as the main beneficiary." said Whiplock
"Thank You, Whiplock Sir. I really do have to go, let me know if there is anything I can do, I will stand before the Goblin Council on your behalf if you wish, you only have to ask." Smiled Harry
"Thank You Lord Potter-Black, now off you go, time for you to battle again, no?" asked Whiplock with a toothy grin
"I sure hope not…..But I will no longer take his shelter Harry crap any further. No one speaks for me, I am Lord Potter-Black, Heir to the throne of two very noble Houses, I refuse to take any more crap lying down." declared Harry
"That's good to hear Harry, once you brace the power within, you will be a formidable force."
"Lord Whiplock……We have a problem!" panted Gladstone running in from the side
"What is it Gladstone?" asked Whiplock as Harry braced himself for the worst.
"It appears Sir…….that…..that……Death Eater Malfoy has escaped. He should not be conscious …so someone must have rescued him……we have searched all through out the dungeons, he is nowhere to be found." said Gladstone
"Damn!!" shouted Whiplock
"It is no matter, he will return to his Lord, he will be punished by Riddle himself……if he survives Riddle's welcoming party, we will meet again, and there will be no escaping his fate that time." said Harry
Neville walked up, looking a little worn and tired. Suddenly Dobby appeared right before the two wizards just as Harry was about to summon him.
"Are you ready to return home Master?" asked Dobby
"Yes Prongs, please take us to Harrington One" commanded Harry
With a silent flash, the two wizards and one House Elf Vanished.
INSIDE HARRINGTON ONE….JUST AS THE ORDER MEETING HAD FINISHED……
"God….. the way that Headmaster talks about Harry….it's as if he thinks he's his Father. If I didn't know what I know about Harry, it would sound like he is some deranged dark teenager or something." said Jennifer with a frown
"Yes….but I think the Headmaster knows something……something that happened to Harry……something bad, and he is assuming that it is so bad, that there is no where for Harry to turn other then dark. It sounds like he is preparing for the day that Harry has had enough." said Luna deep in thought
"Or maybe …..maybe he has set things in motion……pulled the strings so to speak….maybe he planned for that something bad to happen to Harry…….maybe he is pushing him and pushing him until he does snap, then he can say, see everyone, he's turning Dark, lets lock him up!!" said Krista in a high pitched whiney voice
"But why would the Headmaster want that? Why does he want Harry out of the picture? There has to be more to it." said Luna as both Krista and Jennifer just sighed in frustration.
Winky was bouncing back and fourth between the fifteen note books that were charmed with auto-quills to record everything each ear dropper that was placed throughout Grimmauld Place picked up. Just as the girls were finishing their conversation regarding the motives of the Headmaster, all the notebooks began furiously scribbling away. Winky charmed them specifically to write in bright red ink anything being said by the Headmaster. Peering down at the fourth book from the left as it had a lot of red ink on it. Reading briefly, Winky paused as to what she was reading…..she needed the girls to read this.
"Misses….Misses….Come look at this one….Look at this one!!" shouted Winky and pointing at the notebook.
Luna spins the notepad around and reads the first few lines aloud
"Have you discovered what it was yet Severus?"
"I haven't figured it all out yet, but I have got some answers for you……It appears to have been a combo potion……quite powerful one at that……I am not sure as to what the elements being combined were…..I do know that you not remembering anything about the incident was no coincidence…..for half of the potion was a very rare….mind altering variation…..old magic…..as for the other half….I do not know yet"
"Very well……keep working on it Severus…..I know you will get to the bottom of this……now…on to another issue….Has the Dark Lord inquired about Harry at all from you?…..has he tried to recruit him?"
"Not that I am aware of….in fact he never really mentions the little brat…..he spends most of his time these days worrying about what you and your followers are up too…..that and protecting some very important artifacts of his….
"Important artifacts Severus?"
"Never mind about that…..useless it is…..remember our deal Headmaster…..what I do in my Defense Against The Dark Arts class is my business……I don't want any interference from you."
"I remember our deal Severus…….I know you still hold grudges against the boy for things he has no control over…….but I must implore you to not be so hard on him……you mustn't break him before he is ready."
"Don't worry…..I know just how hard to push the little attention seeker….trust me"
"very well Severus……I will turn a blind eye to you this year….but only this year…that was the deal. Let me know if anything important comes up at camp Voldermort……I am going to visit Harry at Privet Drive…..I feel I am finally well enough to break through those charms that were placed around Harry's residence……solving that question I feel is going to be very important…..if I can not get into his room….then I will pull the answers right out of Harry's mind myself…….I must know who or how he is doing this advanced magic."
"Good Luck with that Headmaster…..I should know…..that child's mind is a complete waste of space. I will return in two days. Good day."
"Oh Boy…..it looks like were going to be getting some company rather quickly….when was this written Winky?" asked Luna
As Winky was about to answer….she was interrupted by a loud siren and flashing red lights.
"Too Late……He's walking down Privet Drive now" said Jennifer
"Crap…..Winky, tell Dobby through your connection…..have him ask Harry what we should do?" said Krista
Winky did what she was asked and as the girls watched the Headmaster stroll across the backyard, he was approaching the back door when Winky got her reply.
"Master Harry says to be getting in the trunk and closing the lid……he says no matter what….the Headmaster can not enter the trunk…..we will all be safe inside." said Winky as she motioned for the girls to quickly enter the trunk.
After all three girls entered the trunk, Winky closed the trunk then she shut the surveillance system down, hiding away the monitors…..she then put up some new…last minute ward updates on the door to Harry's bedroom…then she popped away silently and into the trunk with the girls.
Finally reaching the back door, the Headmaster began rambling to himself out loud.
"Something very strange is going on here, those wards were no easy task to bypass, I am surprised any average wizard could even make it to the back door. How in Merlin could Neville Longbottom just walk down the street and knock on the door?"
Peering through the little window on the door, he could just make out a huge blob lying on the couch and another blur sitting on a chair. Albus reached out and knocked on the door, waiting to see one of the blurs moving closer to answer the door. But of course, that didn't happen. He knocked again, this time much harder, still no movement. Getting tired of this, he waved his hand over the door and nothing happened. He looked around to see if any of the neighbors were watching, then pulled his wand and cast many unlocking charms very fast but still nothing. No matter what he did, there was no effect what so ever on the door, there was no noise, no movement, nothing.
Thinking he might just have to remove the door completely, the Headmaster stepped back and raised his wand when the door opened to a very upset Petunia Dursley.
"I am so sorry Mrs. Dursley, I knocked several times and even tried to unlock the door to no avail. I was wondering if I could have a word with young Harry?" Albus asked while turning on that Grandfatherly charm.
Petunia was already walking away from the door and returned to her chair in the living room, leaving the old Headmaster standing outside with a confused look on his face. Snapping out of it, Albus entered the house then closed the door behind him. He then walked into the living room where all three of the Dursley's were sitting, none of them even acknowledged his presence.
"So….how have you been enjoying your summer so far?" asked Albus
No answer…
"I say…How has your summer been?" asked Dumbledore again
Vernon finally had enough and got off his lazy butt, throwing his newspapper down on the ground.
"I will not tolerate this freakiness any longer!!!……I have kept up my end of the bargain, your side is supposed to leave us completely alone, you hear me?…..COMPLETELY ALONE!!……..so just go upstairs already and leave us BLOODY ALONE!!" shouted Vernon as he face was changing a violent shade of purple.
Dumbledore looked shocked and confused….then he began to get upset…..who did this muggle think he was?…..he should know better then to speak to me in that way…..the valiant leader of the light. No…I don't think so.
"Vernon, I think you should re-think your strategy in regards to how you speak to me in the future, for this is the one and only time I will allow it without punishment." Albus said threateningly.
Vernon took several steps back at hearing that before finding his voice.
"Now you wait one minute here, let us remember where you are you old fool, you come in here….to our home and then have the stones to threaten us? We have made our selves very clear…or so I thought…maybe your kind aren't very smart….who knows….but let me make it clear once more…WE WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH THE LOT OF YOU!!" said a very purple faced Vernon
Dumbledore simply sighed and wrote it off as a lost cause…..maybe Harry wasn't exaggerating when he spoke of his relatives. No matter….I will have Minerva investigate this later. Making his way up the stairs…still shaking his head at the thought of the Dursley's. Dumbledore has met some very cruel and bigoted Muggles in the past…but the Dursley's took the cake.
Making his way up the stairs, he stopped in front of Harry's bedroom door and reached out for the handle when he felt the wards flex and rippled outwards. The effect was like a ten foot wave hitting you in the face. Taking a few steps backwards…Albus studied the wards protecting Harry's room. Much like before they were very advanced, but he was expecting this, although they were stronger then last time, but he was determined to gain access this time. He got right to work, dismantling the wards, one by one until they were all gone.
It took the Headmaster almost nearly twenty minutes and a lot of energy to finally bypass every last ward protecting Harry's bedroom. With a small sigh of relief he reached for the handle and turned the knob, and pushed open the door. What he saw wasn't at all what he was expecting. What laid before him was the master bedroom fit for a king, it was enormous and furnished with the highest quality furniture.
Walking in the room and closing the door behind him, he didn't know where to start. First thing was that Harry was not in here, second was that there were three other doors in the enormous room. Walking over to the first door, he reached for the handle and again, before he touched it, he felt the wards ripple outward again, hitting him harder then before. After a few minutes to diagnose the wards protecting whatever was behind this door. Just as he feared, they were stronger then on the previous door. It would take him at least an hour to breach that room, and he would be completely spent, so much so, that he would need a pepper up potion just to apparate back to Hogwarts.
Something very strange was going on here. When did Harry learn this kind of magic? It couldn't be him….then who?…maybe the Neville Longbottom that Granger and Weasley saw visiting was someone else polly juiced….someone who was very powerful….that has to be it….what else could it be?
Walking over to the other door he paused before reaching out for the knob, he was getting tired of these powerful wards slamming into his defenses. He was surprised there wasn't anything there, he opened the door and found a beautiful washroom. Similar thoughts went through the Headmasters head, who was casting all this magic, and why hadn't any of his magic detectors picking any of this up?
The Headmaster left the washroom and closed the door, he walked over to the third remaining door, and tested the wards. It was warded but not too heavily, it only took Albus four minutes to break it down completely and threw open the door. All that laid before him was a rather nice walk in closet with a nice size wardrobe and a very comfortable lounging area. Thinking about how Harry got all these clothes, The Headmaster was about to exit the closet when something caught his eye. Sitting in the corner, partially hidden by some hanging clothes was a magnificent trunk.
Walking closer, he moved some clothes farther down the rack so he could get a better look. It was exquisite! The craftsmanship and magic surrounding this trunk was something you rarely see these days. The trunk had a signature of something straight from the old world but it looked shinny and brand new! Albus reached out to open the lid when for the third time, a very aggressive ward spell slammed into him, knocking him all the way back against the wall in the narrow closet and off his feet.
Standing back up while rubbing the back of his head. The aging Headmaster peered furiously at the most astonishing trunk he has seen in all his years. Pulling his wand, Albus shot several diagnostic spells at the trunk, and everyone did absolutely nothing. Albus Dumbledore, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, was being bested by a trunk and bedroom of a sixteen year old half blood wizard.
Dumbledore was no man to give up, he had faced challenges that would scare the average wizard, he may be many things, but quitter wasn't one of them. Albus tried for nearly thirty minutes straight to gain access to no avail, in fact he couldn't even touch the trunk now, after the first spell he cast upon the trunk, it seemed the trunk could possibly be sentient, for it was reacting differently depending on what he did to it.
Completely spent, but not giving up, the Headmaster left the closet and re-entered the large bedroom and took a seat at the table and rested his head on the table for a quick second to catch his breath….just a quick second.
INSIDE HARRINGTON ONE:
A very tired Harry and Neville suddenly popped into Harrington One silently, thanks to one very powerful Elf, perfectly putting both Teens comfortably on the couches. Krista let out a small scream as both Luna and Jennifer pulled their wands.
"Geeez Harry….don't do that….not today….you scared the crap out of us!!" yelled Krista as Dobby was making his way over to Winky who then hugged her and both House Elf's silently vanished.
"We're sorry, it's not like we have any control over where Dobby takes us, I do have to say though, House Elf travel is the way to go!" replied Neville as he stretched out on the couch Dobby placed him on.
"Seriously….after what we just went through at the Bank, we finally make it home….safely….and this is how we are treated?" said Harry with a sad face.
"I hear you mate….we battle in a Goblin rebellion, spend at least twelve hours straight researching dark artifacts and the like, and retrieve a very special artifact of Lord Voldermort's, barely escaping with our lives……only to return here to yelling and shouting and mean, angry looks. Remind me why we included these girls again Harry?" asked Neville, winking to Harry so only he could see it.
" No!!…….wait!!…….were sorry!!" screamed all three girls at almost the same time so that it came out in stereo. The two tired teens were suddenly swarmed with love and affection from three very worried and extremely attractive teenage girls.
Harry looked back towards Neville and had to smile…..that dastardly Longbottom….he always knew just what to say…that would always find himself in some type of hug from one of the girls, and even sometimes a kiss from Luna. Although at the moment with Krista and Jennifer wrapped tightly around him, he became suddenly aware of just how curvy and amazing those girls felt in his arms.
"Please Harry…..don't shut us out…..we're sorry…really……I know we haven't really helped out much with everything…..all we have been doing is training and training, taking away precious time that you could be using doing something more important then playing teacher to us." said Jennifer as Krista continued.
"But I promise you Harry….that is gonna change ….we have already learned more with you then all our years at school together." said Krista beaming as Jennifer Nodded
Luna, who was slowly unwrapping herself from Neville added.
"They're right you know Harry, I could say the same thing…..between these last few summer weeks and last year with the D.A. I am beginning to feel like a real Witch."
"You are a real Witch Luna…..one of the best ones I know." said a beaming Neville who was rewarded with another kiss.
Harry smiled and took Neville's cue to add some encouraging words of his own.
"Stop worrying….I am not going to cast you girls out….and for the record….Teaching you girls….helping you become better witch's ….will help keep you girls safe….and that is never a waste of my time….never." said Harry sincerely.
The next thing Harry knew, he was flat on his back and he had three beautiful girls kissing him and hugging him….basically smothering him until Neville made a little coughing noise….that was enough to get the girls to come to their senses a little and climb off of Harry and then helped him up to his feet again.
"Sorry Harry" said Krista bashfully
"Yeah, we sort of got carried away there……it's just…" said Jennifer cautiously.
"What you said Harry….it's the nicest thing you have ever said to us." said Luna
"Yeah…..especially coming from you….I mean THE Harry Potter …..and all the responsibilities that lay on your shoulders…..and what are you concerned about?…..helping three crazy teenage girls." said Krista as the other two girls nodded
"Well….He's not the only one who's been helping you know." said a sad face Neville.
"Awww…..we love you too Nevie" said Jennifer as all three girls rushed over to smother him as well.
Harry looked at the beaming Neville and mouthed…"Nevie?"
With a shrug….Neville snuggled into the foursome hug with a very content look on his face.
"Can we get back to why we rushed back as fast as we did….if you don't mind…..I can't remember the last time I slept, and something tells me that my confrontation with Albus is going to take a loooong time" said Harry
"Ohhh right….well let us get you two caught up in what's happened." said Luna. With the help of the other two girls, both Harry and Neville were caught up with What Dumbles was doing in Harry's room.
"All right…you guys stay in here….what ever you do…don't leave the trunk…..don't worry about me…..I'm not sure what the Headmaster is up too….but if push comes to shove…..I will activate my portkey and return to here. Why don't you get some sleep Neville." said Harry
"That's a good idea Mate" said Neville as he winked at Harry and slightly nodded towards the girls that only Harry noticed.
Harry simply shook his head….wait till the girls back at school see this new, confident, and flirtatious Neville. He thought as he smiled at his friend.
"seriously though, I think I will get some rest, but Harry, I want Dobby or Winky to watch over you just in case Dumbles does something before you can activate your portkey. Better safe then sorry and all that." said Neville
"Okay, you make a good point there Nevie" said Harry
"Hey!….only the girls can call me that!" said an angered Neville
"Whatever Nevie!!" replied Harry as all the girls laughed
"Dobby….Winky…" said Jennifer as both House Elf's appeared silently.
"You don't need to say anything Misses…..we won't let the Headmasters harm our Harry" said Dobby with Winky nodding furiously.
"Good….no get out of here and get that manipulating bastard out of here, so we can relax in peace….I don't like him spreading his oldness all over everything, we are gonna have to disinfect the entire room." said Krista
Harry simply laughed as he had Dobby take him out of the trunk as the two of them landed in Harry's closet. Silently, Dobby winked at Harry and disappeared, Harry knew he was watching somehow. Harry opened the door to his closet very slowly and exited his closet, closing the door behind him. He then walked over slowly behind the Headmaster and pulled his wand. He silently cast a sonorous charm on himself and then he yelled "Hey!" very loudly, making the old Headmaster jump, falling out of the chair and shrieking like a little girl. Standing up quickly and stil looking a little pale white from shock, the Headmaster addressed Harry.
"Harry……why did you do that?….you could have given me a heart attack!" said Dumbles
"The more important question is why are YOU here?…….and why are you asleep on my table?….if you needed a place to crash Headmaster……there are plenty of hotels around here." said Harry with a slight smirk
"Very funny Mister Potter…..I think you know why I was so tired that I took a seat to rest and drifted off…..Harry…..who placed…..how did this room…..I mean….Harry…the magic signature that caused all of this…… is nothing like I have ever seen before." said Albus while waving his arm in a gesture around the massive bedroom.
" Honestly Professor…I don't see how that is any of your business?…….or do you break in and snoop around on all of your Hogwarts students?" said Harry
The Professor paused for a moment, staring into the eyes of Harry before Harry turned his head and looked down.
"Harry….Of course I don't……but ……My Boy….I only give this much attention because I care very deeply for you…..you have been through so much in your young life…..more then any full grown wizard should have to…..and I am most concerned about your safety, these are dark times were facing…..I want to make sure you know that you are not allowed in this battle." said a twinkling Dumbledore.
"I've been thinking about that Headmaster……I think the Potter line has taken enough casualties in this fight against Riddle. I don't think I want any part of this fight anymore. I have been thinking about leaving the country entirely and transferring to another school." said a pondering Harry
"Harry…you don't mean that…..don't you want to make your Father and Mother proud of you by avenging their murders?…… what about your friends…..would you just abandon them….leave them to be slaughtered by a madman…..and even worse……make all those who gave their lives to the cause, mean absolutely nothing."
Harry's expression grew very dark at hearing the Headmasters words. He knew just how to hit me….what I feared the most…..but those were fears of the old Harry…..that's what I used to be the most afraid of……but I have done a lot of growing up these past weeks….let's just see how far he'll let me take it.
"I don't think my Father and Mother would want me to face the most feared Dark Lord in the last three centuries……. I don't think they gave their lives just so I can get my self killed……they gave their lives so that I could live…..and that's what I am going to do….Live!……don't try to make me feel guilty for something I have had no control over….anyways….all of wizarding England is nothing but a bunch of bigoted self righteous morons, that could have snuffed out this evil bastard if they could just stand together. In fact, it was there stupidity and hatred against all things not pureblood that caused Riddle to snap in the first place!" spat Harry venomously.
Dumbledore stared down Harry as he let his words sink in. Of course he hated what he was hearing, even though he knew most of what Harry said was true. But this was not how things were supposed to turn out….he had a plan….a viable plan….but for it to succeed….he would need Harry at Hogwarts ….he had to turn this conversation around…he needed Harry back on the defensive.
"Harry….there are certain things……certain information that you are not aware of…..things have been put in motion that we can not stop now……no matter where you run too…..Voldermort will follow…..while at Hogwarts, you can be surrounded by guards as well as your friends to ensure your safety…….remember Harry that you are only fifteen." twinkled the Headmaster
"Soon to be sixteen……and what information?…..what has been put in motion?" Harry asked
"Alas I can not tell you Harry……It could ruin everything and there are a lot of lives at risk with that particular information…..remember you share a link with Riddle Harry…..if I were to tell you….he could pull that information right from your head." pleaded Albus, he knew he could tell Harry, for the secret was protected so that even Voldermort couldn't pull it from Snape after all the times he was in his head.
"Well I am sorry Headmaster…..all though your reasoning is sound in regards to sharing that information……I can no longer follow your lead on mere faith alone……I refuse to be involved any further in this war…..if Riddle come after me then so be it…..I will flee to safety and move on…..until he tracks me down again……or maybe I will just inform him that I am no threat to him and he can do what he wants for I am leaving the country. After all, that's what he wants anyways…right? To rule Wizarding England?" said Harry as the Headmaster lost his twinkle in his eye.
"Harry…..who performed all this magic?…..I know it was not you for I have not been sent ministry notices……I need to perform a few tests and clear their background to make sure they are safe to be associated with you." asked Dumbledore
"Again Headmaster…..I'm sorry but you don't have any say over who I can or who I can't be associated with….as for who performed all this magic…..lets just say it was a dear friend and leave at that…..it was very easy for him to do so too……the better question is why didn't you do something like this if you cared sooo much for my well being…..instead of living my first eleven years in a broom cupboard and then the next five years living as a slave every summer." asked Harry
"Harry….I didn't want for you to become a spoiled brat much like that of young Malfoy….. Also…I didn't want your relatives to become angered at you…..you know how they feel about magic…….I couldn't risk exposing our world here in an all Muggle community. As for me not having any power over you in regards to whom you interact with….I'm afraid I do…you see Harry….I am your Magical Guardian……until you come of age next summer…….so I DO have power over whom you associate with……so I will ask you again Harry….who cast all this Magic?" asked a stern Dumbledore
Harry just stared at his former Mentor….He was good….real good, Harry had no idea that the Headmaster was his magical guardian……he must have done that the day after Sirius died…..but what the Headmaster didn't know….was that Harry was already emancipated…..the Ministry itself would be finding out that bit of information pretty soon as well……but I am not going to tell the Headmaster that tonight….I'm too tired to start that conversation, thought Harry.
"I don't have any Guardians…..and I already told you…..it was a friend of mine…..and I don't have to tell you…no matter who you are……now if you don't mind…..I have had a long day and I would like to get some rest….thank you for checking in on me sir……I will let you know what I decide about where I'll be attending school in the fall…..whether it be here or in another country…..now please leave before we both say something we regret." said Harry
The Headmaster took another long look around the room as he thought……Harry was upset….how did he find out this information….who has been putting these thoughts in his head….he knew it wasn't Hermione and Ron…..if he left now….he would still have time to talk some sense into him before and after the will reading of his Godfather……making up his mind…Albus turned towards the door, stopping just before entering it.
"I will leave for now Harry…..but remember …whether you want to believe it or not….I am your Guardian…..but I am a fair one…..I will hear you out and make the best decision possible in regards to your safety first….then when you are of age….you may choose your own path…..but I made a promise…..a promise to make sure you reached your seventeenth birthday…… a promise I plan to see all the way through…..Goodnight Harry." and with that, the Headmaster left the room and closed the door behind him.
Harry let out a sigh as Dobby and Winky both appeared silently before him.
"A very dear friend…..Thank You Mas…Harry.:" said Dobby
"lets not get into this tonight Dobby……can you please re-cast the wards on my bedroom door and lets put some stronger wards around the property as well as on my closet door." said Harry as Dobby nodded
"I will get on it right now and will be done by breakfast time sir….you should get some rest Master……I have prepared a nice meal for you within Harrington One, I will not allow you to go another minute without eating something……it is staying warm sir…please eat it all before going to sleep….your visitors have all fallen asleep as well." said Dobby
Harry looked at his watch for the time…..how long was he going back and forth with the Headmaster….shaking his head….so much has happened in the last twenty four hours it's hard to keep straight…..if the whole school year goes like this…..it's going to be a long year. Thought Harry as he headed for his closet door.
"Thanks Dobby….Goodnight……..and Goodnight to you too Winky" said Harry walking in through his closet.
"Goodnight Harry!" said both House elves in perfect unison as Harry entered his trunk the old fashioned way, by lifting the lid and walking down into the trunk, closing the lid as he entered.
What a day, thought Harry…..I wonder what tomorrow will be like.