Chapter Seven
Over the next few days, Harry and Dudley spent a lot of time at home under the supervision of Remus. Petunia was busy getting things lined up to take over the Evans seats. Petunia wasn't about to ask Molly to have the boys stay with her, not after what she had said in front of the members of the Ministry. So, Remus was her only choice. Besides, Petunia was starting to admit that Remus wasn't that bad of a guy. He was also very knowledgeable in the workings of the Ministry. He was helping Petunia deal with all the red tape the Ministry was shoving her way.
This afternoon, Remus was working on paper work dealing the Potter Estate, while Harry was reading his mother's journals again and Dudley was watching TV. Remus had noticed that Harry had been reading Lily's books almost nonstop over the past few days. The boy was so into it that he hadn't stopped at all, not even to reply to his friend's letters. Remus was starting to worry about Harry. In fact, he was close to confronting the boy on this when he found Harry staring at him.
"Are you really a werewolf?" Harry asked.
"You got to be joking?" Dudley said looking up from his TV. "Like the guy in the movie A Werewolf in London?"
"No, not like that movie," Remus said not liking any movie made about werewolves.
"But are you?" Harry asked.
"Um, yes," Remus said suddenly feeling very uneasy all of a sudden. "I guess you read that in your mother's journals."
"Yes, that and something else," Harry said looking down at his feet.
"Which is?" Remus asked wondering what Lily could have written to cause this kind of reaction in her son.
"I started skimming over things. I don't know why but I wanted to find out about that night? I wanted to know if mum knew it was coming. I guess the bit about the blood wards caught my attention. I also wanted to know how Professor Dumbledore could have known about them. And what else there was he was hiding from me about that night," Harry said.
"And?" Remus asked worried what Harry could have found.
"I wish you could read it because it is hard for me to explain," Harry said and he placed the journal on the table in front of Remus.
Remus noticed that he could read what was written at this the page that Harry was pointing. So, he took the book and started to read. He noticed the date was a few days before Lily and James had gone into hiding. Remus started to read and the more he read the madder he became. "I'll kill him! I'll hunt down during a full moon!"
Dudley looked at his cousin asking, "What is going on?"
Harry ignored Dudley and asked, "Is it true? Did they switch? Did Professor Dumbledore know?" Harry asked.
"He had too," Remus said.
"Then why didn't Sirius say this at his trial?" Harry asked.
"Because he didn't have one," Remus said sadly.
"WHAT?" Harry yelled jumping to his feet. "Are you telling me that my Godfather is in prison and he never got a trial? Why?"
"Because everyone thought he was guilty including me," Remus said suddenly very sad. He betrayed him. He turned back on the only friend he ever had because one old man told him too.
Remus jumped up knocking everything on the table before him on the floor. He stood there screaming an animal like cry of pain. The boys looked at him in shock backing up. Remus stopped suddenly and said, "I'm sorry. I'm upset. Albus had told us that Sirius was the secret keeper. He said that…" Remus stopped talking.
"It is okay. I know what he said and why. I read rest of it remember, Mum wrote in her last entry that she didn't like the idea of making Sirius the target but she knew why he was doing it. She was proud of him for taking such a risk even thought sometimes he could a real prat," Harry said quoting his mother's words.
Remus laughed. "Yes, your mother and Sirius never got a long. He was free spirit," Remus said suddenly sad again.
Harry and Dudley didn't know what to do or say. So, they just walked about of the room leaving Remus alone with his thoughts. Harry started thinking as well. He realized his view on Professor Dumbledore had changed. He no longer trusted him. Harry was also having trouble trusting his friends. He didn't know what, but something was bothering him. The boys went out front and sat on the stoop together talking.
As they did so, Susan Bones and Neville Longbottom walked over to them. "Hi, Harry," Neville and Susan called out as they approached the two boys.
"Hi, guys," Harry said. "I didn't know you lived around here."
"I live with my aunt right across the street," Susan said.
"And the Longbottom home is just a few houses down," Neville said.
"Well, at least we have kids to play with," Dudley said realizing they were not the only kids on the block any more.
"You must be Dudley," Susan said. "I'm Susan Bones. I'm in Hufflepuff."
"I'm Neville and I'm in the same house as Harry," Neville said. "Will you be going to Hogwarts?"
"I think so. I need to be tested for Lordship or something, or at least that is what Mum told me," Dudley said.
"So, it is true. You are magical? I heard my aunt talking about it with one of her friends. She said it was shocking that your mother had to hide your heredity because of your father's feelings towards our world. She said he reminds her of some of the purebloods in the wizarding world," Susan said.
"Like Draco Malfoy and his father," Neville said.
"I think we met him when we were staying at The Leaky Cauldron. He didn't say much," Dudley said.
"That is shocking," Susan said. "Draco usually always has something to say and normally isn't nice."
"No, the guy is a real prat," Neville said.
The kids sat around talking about Hogwarts filling Dudley in on everything there was to know about the school. Harry even admitted when telling the others about houses about talking the sorting hat of placing him in Slytherin. "Wow! I wonder what the school would have said about the heir of Gryffindor getting sorted into Slytherin?" Susan said shocked.
"Don't tell anyone. I know from Ron that only dark wizards get put in Slytherin," Harry said.
"Ron Weasley is a real prat; not all dark Wizards were in Slytherin. I know several from our history that were not in Slytherin. Slytherin house doesn't make you dark. The reason most of us don't like the ones in Slytherin house is because most of them are from the pureblood families that think they better then everyone else," Susan said shaking her head in disgust.
"I didn't know that. I wonder where Ron got the idea from." Harry wondered out loud.
"Harry, how did you meet Ron anyways? They bring you through the floo connection or something?" Neville asked.
"Floo connection?" Harry asked puzzled.
"Yeah, didn't you know? We arrive at the Station through the floo network every year. I didn't see you there when I came through. I always thought that you arrived early with the Weasley's. Molly normally has them there early because she is in charge of making sure all the muggle born children get on the train. She stations herself outside the barrier to make sure everyone gets through," Neville said.
"Just her or does her family go with her?" Harry asked.
"No, just her," Neville said.
Harry felt hurt and betrayed at this. He realized that his friends or people he thought were friends had lied to him. Harry wondered what else they had lied about. Harry started to review conversations, questioning everything Ron had ever told him. He wanted to know more about this world and the people in it. Susan and Neville were glad help. It helped Dudley as well for he got picture at what to expect when got to school.
It was later on that Harry sat down and wrote this letter to Ron…
Ron,
Mate, I need the truth from you and the future of our friendship depends on it. I was talking to some of the kids in the area and they told me things. Things that made me start doubting your friendship. I hate saying it but after learning about all of the Headmasters lies that I no longer can trust people as freely as I once had. I realize if he could use me. Who else is? I never thought that it was possible that you could be one of them. You were the first real ever had. I told you everything and I never lied to you. I always assumed you never lied to me either. Ron, I hate asking you this but did your family set me up? Did you arrive through the barrier because you normally do or did you do it just to find me? If so, what else are you hiding? I need to know. If you can't tell me the truth now, then don't brothering reply to this letter because we are no longer friends. This goes for every Weasley!
Harry
Harry sent the letter to Ron with Hedwig. He then wrote to Hermione telling her everything that had gone on and asking her questions that he hoped she would answer. He hated the fact that he doubted the people he thought were his friends. He blamed Dumbledore for that,
for he had lied the most about everything. He had used Harry. He didn't know why and this moment Harry didn't care. The only thing he cared about was finding people that he truly trusted and that were willing to become his friends. Not for what could do for them but just because they liked him.
Ron and the others were just sitting down to dinner when Hedwig arrived with Harry's letter. Ron took it and from the snowy white owl and read it to everyone. He at first thought it would be like Harry's other letters but as he slowly read it turned differently. When Ron finished, no one at the table said a word. Finally it was Arthur that spoke.
"Is Harry telling the truth? Did you go to school through the barrier, not by floo?" Arthur asked.
"Albus asked me too," Molly said. "He said that Hagrid forgot to tell Harry how to get on the train and that I should bring the children with me so Harry would feel more comfortable going through with me," Molly said.
"Anything else?" Arthur asked.
"He told us not to bring up Harry being a Lord. He said he didn't want us to make big deal of it. He also asked me to make sure that Harry never heard the others talking about it either. I would always drag Harry away when the subject would come up," Ron admitted.
Arthur nodded at this but before he could say anything Molly broke in. "What is Harry talking about when he said Albus lied to him. He is just trying to protect the boy? What kind of lies is that woman telling Harry?" Molly snapped.
"Molly, Harry over heard everything that was said when we were there. He knew Albus had asked Petunia to stay with her husband even after he tried to harm the boy. It did not make the Headmaster seem to care too much about the boy. Now did it?" Arthur asked.
"Arthur, Albus would never…" Molly started to say.
"We know that Molly, but we have known Albus longer then Harry has. It doesn't help that Petunia's husband was brutal not only to Harry but his Aunt as well, or at least that is the stories I'm hearing. If I was Harry, I would doubt what Albus said to me as well and anyone else that did what he asked, "Arthur said looking his children. "I normally don't tell you what to do or think, but on this matter I am. I have heard talk about what Harry's life was like living with his uncle and none of it is good. A Squib neighbor was brought in and question yesterday about what
she saw at the house. I'm sorry to say the stories got out. It seems Vernon had been seen dragging Harry into the house on several occasions beating on him. He has also been seen with bruises and broken arms from time to time as well. She also admitted that she reported to Headmaster about what she saw asking him to remove the boy. He ignored her requests as much as he ignored Petunia's pleas. Now, I don't now why Albus has done this and while I'm sure he had good intentions, Harry doesn't understand. So, if Albus asked you to lie to Harry about something, I suggest that you tell Harry the truth about it. That is if you want to still be friends with Harry. I don't want you to do it just because Harry is Lord of our world and that he can give you things. I think the boy is looking for real friends; not people that can use him," Arthur said and he got up and went to his shed to work. He had some thinking to do and he wanted to be alone. He had never questioned Albus actions before, but he was now and didn't know what was going to come of it.
Ron went up to his room to think. At first he was upset with Harry because he didn't think he had done anything wrong. But then he started to put himself in Harry's place and wondered how he would react. He realized he would get angry and tell everyone off. Harry wasn't like him; he just wanted the truth. So, that is what Ron did. He sat down and wrote a letter back to Harry telling him what the Headmaster had asked and what Ron had done. He said he didn't do it to hurt his friend. He just thought that if Harry found the truth then he wouldn't want to hang out with someone like him. He wasn't rich. His father worked for the Ministry and didn't have a voice in the political world. He was a nobody. He understood why Harry wouldn't want to be his friend any more because of this and thanked Harry for being his friend up until now.
Albus Dumbledore should have known that Fudge couldn't be trusted. He sat at the teacher's table that evening getting dirty looks from everyone around him. The evening paper had said it all. The news reported some of his actions towards Harry and had made the front page. Minerva was sitting beside him tight lip and quiet. It was never good sign when she was quiet, Albus thought to himself as he ate.
Slowly one by one everyone finished their meal and left. They said good night to each other but ignored the headmaster. Minerva was just about to get up and leave herself when Albus asked, "Are you going to ignored me too?" he asked.
"Yes, I am," she said calmly.
"Minerva, I had my reasons," He said.
"Yes, I'm sure you did. You did what you thought was right even if you were completely wrong," Minerva said and she walked away.
Albus Dumbledore sighed and turned to see Severus Snape watching him sadly. "What about you Severus? What do you think?"
"Nothing my Lord," Severus said and he left.
This hurt Albus more then being ignored by his friends because he knew who Severus was comparing him to. The trouble was he wasn't ready to admit that he was wrong. He thought he was right. Harry was the savor of the wizarding world. It was important to keep him safe no matter what it cost Albus or anyone around them. If anything happened to Harry, they were doomed.
Severus left the headmaster and went back to his labs. He liked it there as long as he didn't have to teach. He hated teaching. He would be the first person to admit that he wasn't a teacher. He just loved to brew potions and would be doing it now if he hadn't made one mistake. He took the Dark Mark. His reasons were good when he was seventeen but then again a lot made sense back then that seemed foolish as he matured. Now he was older and had lost two good friends. One to death and the other, well… That one would never talk to him again; he knew that, not after everything he had done.
These two changes in his life made Severus realize what a fool he had been. He now works for another master. This one wasn't as cruel, but he still used him. He asked him to do things he didn't want to, but had to. Oh, he said for the good of all but at what cost? Would he be around to enjoy the peace that was promised? Severus doubted it and he knew he didn't deserve it. He should be dead today. He would have been if Albus hadn't transferred the life debt that he had with James to Harry. He had forgotten about James saving his life until the moment he felt James die. He knew the second the man stopped breathing. He also knew he played a part in causing his death. The headmaster found him dying just outside the school. He did a spell that transferred his oath from James to his son. Harry now controlled his fate and the boy didn't even know it. This was why Severus truly hated Harry. The boy was his master as much as the headmaster.
Albus was the one controlling him at the moment. He forced him to play the character of the evil potion master, being nice to men like Lucius Malfoy and the others that managed to hide their loyalties to the Dark Lord. Last year was the first test to how far Albus would want him to keep his loyalties a secret. When he saw Harry that night at dinner, Albus had wanted him to take a look into boy's head. He had tried but couldn't do it. He had tried several other times during the year but nothing worked. Harry's mind was closed to him and Albus. The old man let that slip one night when they talked.
Severus remembers when he mentioned Harry's natural Occlumency to Albus. It had puzzled the old man, but he didn't seem to dwell on it at the time. It wasn't until later that Albus wondered aloud to him if Harry would become the next Dark Lord because the boy kept his feelings closed up and didn't trust adults.
Severus laughed at this as he started to gather the supplies that he needed for a potion that he was going to brew for Madam Pomfrey. "Whose fault was that?" he asked himself out loud. "You ignore the signs of abuse and now you are worried if Harry will turn dark?"
Severus shook his head sadly. "I don't know who the bigger fool. You or me, for listening to you?" Severus thought to himself as he put the supplies on the table before him. He saw a burnt spot and groaned. Classes would begin soon. Albus would ask him to test Potter again pushing the boy to his limits. Then another boy came to mind as he looked at the burnt spot again. "More Longbottom!" Severus groaned. "I hate teaching. I wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't for Albus. I wonder if Azkaban is as bad everyone says it is?" Severus asked himself. Now, it wasn't teaching all together that he hated. He didn't mind teaching the ones that passed their owls. He managed to weed out the dunderheads by that time. They were scared of him to go on or they couldn't pass his requirements to go on. Longbottom would be one of those.
Now, Harry was another story. He wouldn't be that bad at brewing potions if he worked at it. He wasn't like his mother. No, she was a natural. Harry was more like his Aunt Petunia. She could do it but she didn't like it. She just did it because she had to. Severus didn't tell Harry that. He was ordered by Albus to make sure he compared the boy to his father. This puzzled Severus because he didn't understand why. Why make sure that Harry thought more of his father then his mother.
He didn't want Harry to think about what his mother was like. When Severus asked why, Albus admitted that he didn't want the boy to think about the night his mother died. Severus knew there had to be more to this and he was right. He found out listening in on the Headmaster's conversations with Fudge that there was a blood ward around Harry. Lily had put it there before she died. Albus had assumed that as long as Harry lived with Petunia that he was safe from wizards with the Dark Mark. This was at least what he told Fudge; in truth Harry was safe from Voldemort himself. The Dark Lord was unable to touch Harry. This made sense to Severus to a point, but to him there was something missing. He didn't know what it was but something just didn't fit. There had to be more to it than that and Severus was going to find out what it was. He owed it to Lily, maybe to James and defiantly to Harry. He had to keep the boy safe and if he is anything like his father it was going to be a very difficult job.