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One year later..

Albus Dumbledore was furious at Lucius Malfoy, at Harry Potter and more importantly at himself. Lucius tried to harm his students in his school while he was there and he nearly succeeded. It was lucky indeed that children were only petrified. Now he assumed that when nearly 50 years ago young Tom Riddle attacked his fellow students that he was using some artifact left behind by Salazar Slytherin because it was impossible to domesticate a Gorgon, they did not lived for thousand years, they were not native to Britain and were most probably extinct. Indeed there was no Gorgon sighting in Greece for more than 600 years.

How was he supposed to know there was a basilisk in hibernation for last thousand years! And Lucius slipped the artifact capable of doing that to an 11 year old girl, simply for act of revenge and removing him from his job as headmaster.

Albus started to think inventive and most painful ways to remove Lucius from the plane of existence.

Maybe he should visit Lucius in the middle of night and simply remove his head from shoulders and be done with it. Wards at Malfoy Manor should not provide any challenge. Or he could delegate this task to Alastor Moody, he could certainly enjoy interrogating and squeezing last detail from the man and later dispose of the body. But killing Lucius has its own problem associated with it. The Malfoy fortune had grown considerably in last decade due to Lucius business acumen and shoddy business practice. After Lucius's death this fortune will fall in hand of his wife Narcissa and Albus does not have any idea of her political leanings and social views. And all of Lucius's acquaintance will group under the Theodore Nott Sr. While cunning Lucius was predictable. Theodore Nott however was not, he was more cunning than Lucius therefor more dangerous.

Albus was not really interested in locking horns with conservatives at the Wizengamot (read pure blood supremacists). Changes in wizarding world needed to be gradual. So Lucius could live for now and he would not dare to make any move in near future. Only good that came out of this affair was that Lucius will have no influence in Hogwarts from now on.

But Albus did not really like how Harry handled the situation. Rushing into situation knowingly going down chambers to face a basilisk. Albus attributed Harry's adventure in his first year as childish stubbornness but after last year and being part of wizarding world for 2 years boy should better. Albus shuddered to think what would have happened if Fawkes had not reached Harry when he did. It looked like boy's luck held and he came of little worse than wear.

Harry's tendency of leaping without thinking needed to be curbed. Granted boy performed admirably under pressure and what he did can be called as bravery by others. What Albus called it was stupidity. Harry was an average skilled 12 year old wizard. He did not yet possess skills required to come out of the situations he was leaping into, never mind that Albus did not want him in those situations at all. What Albus needed was to know where this lack of self preservation came from and remedy that. He had spent too much effort keep boy safe and out of harm's way, Albus owed Potter's that much.

He would talk to Harry but before that he needed to needed to pay Dursley's a visit. Albus got up and moved out of the castle. After he was out castle and put some distance between gates, Albus transfigured his robes to a gray English suit, he conjured dark brown overcoat and panama hat. That done he apparated to Little Whinging, Surrey.

-XXX-

Albus was angry at himself, he should have investigated when Hagrid reported what he needed to do in order to reach Harry Potter to give his school latter. After coercing truth out of Dursley's, Albus visited his teachers from primary school and some students in his class. He also returned to Dursley's to inform them that Harry Potter was not going to be under their care any longer and their monthly stipend of 2000 Pounds was not going to be available to them. He also told them while he could not do anything to them but after Harry was of age he could come to retribution of his treatment. Albus left Dursley's to think about their future.

Albus acknowledged that he made a mistake regarding Harry's placement but he had made the decision at that time as best as he could. Now he needed someone who could nurture the young man, left his self confidence. There was someone who could take up that role. He might need to call a favor or three but Harry needed someone who would take care of him.

-XXX-

Perenelle Flamel was enjoying sun at her private beach in Marseille, France. She and her husband typically spent their summers in France. Their house and area surrounding was concealed with number of protective spells making even wizards finding it impossible.

Suddenly she was disturbed by a small breach in wards and appearance of the phoenix. There was only one person in the world that could contact them in this way. Nowadays their correspondence was few and far between. Albus would never contact them unless it was not pressing. Albus was very busy man and Flamel rather enjoyed their peace and privacy. Once in a while Nicolas would a student or collaborate with someone promising. Albus was last such student.

Perenalle took the latter from Fawkes and called a house elf to bring some fresh grapes for the phoenix. The latter was indeed from Albus Dumbledore seeking a meeting with her to discuss a matter of importance. She was intrigued and decided to meet him. Albus typically talked to her about personal dilemmas and seeking her advice ever since she convinced her husband to take him as apprentice. She decided to meet him next day at their residence in Devon, England. She quickly summoned stationary and composed a reply. After phoenix enjoyed the hospitality, he took letter from her sung a musical note and disappeared in flash of fire.

-XXX-

Albus Dumbledore apparated at the boundaries of wards the covered the Flamel house located in Devon and begin his 5 mile journey to Flamel house. Flamel house in Devon was the official residence of Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel and thus was heavily warded. In the centuries they lived they were attacked numerous times to obtain the Philosopher's stone thus certain measures were taken by them to ensure their safety. The house itself was built near Ley line that went through Devon. The area in five mile radius is owned by Falmels and 343 stone tablets were buried all over the estate which created a massive ward system.

Only people who knew where the house was could locate it. Albus approached the simple the two storied structure with white wooden fence. The door opened as soon as he opened the fence door and let himself in. A woman in her forties came out of the house and greeted him.

"Albus, it's good to see you. If you had called Dippy, I would have sent Chestnut for you."

"It's good to see you too, Perenalle. And you know how I feel about horses? Must you do that every time."

"It's all in good fun, Albus. I remember the very first time you tried to ride Pearl. Come let's sit in the parlor. I have made scones."

"With Raspberry jam?"

"Yes."

After tea and scones were eaten Perenlle asked," What did you want to talk about?"

"Perenalle, I would like to cash the favors you owe me."

"Which one?

"All of them."

"I would like you to take Guardianship Of Harry Potter."