Chapter eighteen

Two days past and not once did Harry leave the tower. When Ron and Neville had to go to class, Fred and George would disappear but they were with Harry. They had worked it so even if they ended up in detention, two people would be with Harry at all time.

Ginny followed Fred and George into the boy's dorm room to see Harry, Ron and Neville sitting on their beds doing their schoolwork.

'Flitwick told us to escort you to his office,' Ginny said.

'It's time,' Harry put his quill down, 'I'm nervous but I want it gone.'

'I'm sure you'll be fine mate, let's go,' Ron nodded.

The group kept Harry in the centre until they came to Flitwick's office, they saw their professor waiting for them.

'If anyone asks where Harry is…lie, say he was in the library, that he was outside, keep them looking all over the school.'

'We will professor, we've got plenty of idea's to keep them occupied all day,' Fred said then hugged Harry, George hugged him next then Ginny. Neville was hesitant but he hugged Harry before Ron did.

'I'll be fine, just don't let them figure out what is going on,' Harry gave a strained smile before he stepped over to his little professor, 'I'll see you soon.'

The four Weasley's and Neville watched as Flitwick and Harry disappeared, 'It's time to put finding Harry in to play,' Fred said.

'We're taking the top floors,' George said.

'Neville and I will take the first few floors,' Ron said.

'Me and Luna are going to take the grounds, let's go,' Ginny said and the group disappeared.

Harry was met by five hooded goblins, 'They are curse breakers and healers,' Filius said, he could tell Harry was nervous.

'If you will follow us Mr Potter,' Harry nodded then followed the goblins through a maze of corridors until they came to a steel door. They stepped inside to see a bare room with just a circle on the floor, 'You will need to remove your shoes and robes, then lie in the circle, head at the east, feet at the west, arms outstretched.'

Harry did what he was told, the floor wasn't cold so he realised there must by some type of warming charm. He watched as the five goblins spaced themselves evenly around the outside of the circle. They all held short swords, Harry thought they looked familiar but he didn't have a very clear view of them. They began to chant in gobbledegook as they thrust the swords into the air.

Back at Hogwarts Ron and Neville were eating lunch when the headmaster approached them, which they had expected.

'Where is Mr Potter?'

'He wanted to go to the library, we were hungry. Is something wrong Professor?' Ron asked innocently.

'That is none of your concern Mr Weasley, when you see Mr Potter tell him to come to my office.'

'Sure, we'll pass on the message, I doubt he will go though,' Ron shrugged then went back to eating.

Ron and Neville waited until Dumbledore huffed away before they grinned. Both boys knew that Albus Dumbledore was frustrated that he could not get Harry to reveal his visions. They also knew that the old man would never try legilimency on them or their parent's would have him arrested if he did. Harry had no parent's and no legal guardian in the magical world who could stop the old man. Sirius was Harry's guardian but until his name was clear he couldn't help his godson.

'How do you think its going?' Neville whispered.

'No idea, he did say it would be painful, that they will literally rip it from his head. I just hope he's okay when it's done.'

'What about…the polyjuice?' Neville whispered.

'Maybe they will tell Harry something before returning.'

'Let's hope it doesn't take long, I'm jumping at shadows. It's hard knowing someone is inside this school is one of you-know-who's.'

'Yeah, it is and even if we think we know who it is, we don't really know, not for sure. Things aren't always what they seem, we found that out with the old man.'

'Have you heard from your parent's since they left the order?'

'Just a quick letter saying they were out and not to tell the headmaster anything about the family or Harry. What about you, anything from your gran?'

'Just that she's going to check into it, the fact he wasn't given a trial made her furious. Then to find out about Harry's home life, she said we're lucky he didn't turn out like you-know-who since he was raised by muggles who didn't treat him properly.'

'It's true though, Harry could have done the same, he could have accidentally done them in. We all know what things kids can do when hurt or upset, our emotions are tied to our magic. That's what I don't get, the old man knew yet he never thought of the consequences of it going to far if Harry lost it.'

'Maybe it's part of his plan, there is so much we don't know especially why he won't help Snuffles. I hope gran can get something started. She is friendly with Madam Bones, they both believe Fudge is an idiot and they know half the Wizengamot are being paid by Fudge or they support Dumbledore, or you-know-who. But you know what Ron, damn it, Voldemort, Harry is right, why should we be scared of a name.'

'We shouldn't,' Ron took a deep breath, 'V…Voldemort, there, we're not dead so there is nothing to be worried about. Hey, how about Voldyshorts or Moldyshorts, that's better.'

Neville laughed, 'Imagine if his lot heard us call him Moldyshorts, we'd end up cursed.'

'Either way, if he returns we could all end up cursed or dead, so why not let them know how we feel.'

'I'm with you there, but since we've finished eating let's go to a few of the other floors so we can keep sending them on a wild goose chase.'

'Using muggle terms now Neville, what would your gran say?'

'I don't want to think about it,' Neville grimaced then left the great hall with Ron.

Back at Gringotts, Filius was talking quietly to his uncle, 'Will he be okay Uncle?'

'Yes, I know he's in pain right now nephew but the soul is latched onto his, they need to separate it before it can be pulled out.'

'The poor boy has been through enough. How are the plans going for the imposter?'

'They are finalised, we decided to wait until after today. We are going to sneak into Hogwarts tonight and take care of the problem. Will Mr Potter support us when we let everyone know the truth?'

'He will uncle, he is grateful for what you're doing and he is grateful to me as I believed him and did something about it. He doesn't trust Minerva and he shouldn't, she would go straight to Albus who would probably do nothing or work on a way for Harry to take care of it.'

'Does he want the boy dead?'

'I don't think so, but he is not against sacrificing Harry for his greater good yet he won't put himself in harms way. I believe he has been testing Harry, first year he was summoned to the ministry yet he decided to take a broom and fly. Normally Albus will just use the floo or apparate. He was gone when Harry discovered that Quirrell was going after the stone. It was only thanks to Harry, Ron and Hermione working together that allowed them to save the stone. I believe Albus wanted to see what Harry would do when he faced Voldemort even if he wasn't whole, just a wraith. Second year was worse, the basilisk and yet it took Harry to go down to save young Ginny Weasley and kill the snake. Albus could have gone into the chamber of secrets anytime, Fawkes is a phoenix, there is no type of barrier or ward that can stop a phoenix. In fact, Fawkes turned up to aide Harry, helped by blinding the basilisk then he gave Harry the sorting hat which allowed him to call the sword of Gryffindor. The message said the chamber of secrets has been opened, Albus should have had Fawkes take him straight down, but he waited until Harry worked out the clues, with the help of his friends.'

'It sounds to me like he was testing the boy or he expected the boy to die.'

'Yes, and now we have an imposter at the school and Albus has not done anything about it. I believe he has fiddled with the wards which would normally pick up someone using polyjuice potion or anything dark. We know Severus was a death eater, I am still not sure which side he supports to be honest. The way he treats the students is disgusting, but how he treats Harry is despicable. I do not know what Albus is up to and how he is still holding his position as headmaster.'

'I believe he may be using some type of potion or charm to keep his position, I know Fudge is an idiot but he is nowhere near as powerful as Albus Dumbledore. After what happened with Lucius Malfoy two years ago and how he was found with other death eaters torturing muggles after the quidditch world cup. The governors will not want to cause a problem for Albus or they will find themselves without a job. He may even be bribing them, as we know a lot of gold changes hands inside the ministry.'

'Yes, something needs to be done,' Filius turned back to Harry who had gone quiet, 'Is he okay?'

'He will be, we have repaired the damage done to his forehead and he has had potions to help with the pain. We found during out scan that this boy has had many untreated injuries, we worked out that he used magic to heal himself, even from a young age.'

'His muggle relatives that abused him are now in jail, hopefully he will be with someone that cares for him. How long before I can get him back to Hogwarts?'

'I would say an hour, his body is just adjusting to having the full use of his power. He will need to be watched when using magic, you will find that he will be more powerful now the soul is gone.'

'I thank you for what you have done for the boy, I will remain with him until he wakes.'

'I will go finish off our plans, keep well Filius.'

'I will Uncle,' Filius waited until the elders left before he sat beside Harry. One thing that would be noticed straight away is that his famous lightning shaped scar is no longer.