Author's Notes: A quick, but short update this time!

I have received some criticism about how I've portrayed Ron and Dumbledore. The only thing I can say is – you haven't heard their side yet. What you've read until now is what Harry thinks about things. Things may or may not be exactly as they seem. I intend to post a chapter reflecting Dumbledore's thoughts – I'll do it sometime during the fourth year – between first and second tasks to be precise. At present, it's hardly a thousand words long! For now, let there be a tiny bit of suspense. I'll try to do justice to each character and avoid excessive bashing.

The Bottom Line – This is a fan fiction. What's the point of writing it if everything is same as in canon?

There was one change in the first year that can't be explained through flashbacks – Ron wasn't Harry's best friend, that spot was claimed by Ginny. He was a friend, but not as close as in canon. In fact, Harry was closer to Hermione than Ron.

That said, Read, Review and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter 10: Interrogation and Confession

Harry woke up on the last day of the holidays, thinking he must have missed the Weasleys' visit to Diagon Alley. Well, he'd get to see them – especially Ginny – on the Hogwarts Express tomorrow. He got up, dressed, went for a last look at the Firebolt, and was just wondering where he'd have lunch, when he was jumped by a petite little redhead – looking incredibly freckly.

"Harry!" squealed Ginny, hugging him fiercely.

"Hey Freckles!" Harry hugged her back, but he let go pretty quickly – in case a certain idiotic redhead was around. Thankfully, that wasn't the case – there were no other redheads in sight.

Ginny punched him lightly on the arm, "Don't call me that, you prat!" she said, trying to glare, but failing miserably.

Harry laughed; he always found an angry Ginny to be amusing – well, as long as she wasn't seriously angry.

"What's so funny, if I may ask?"

Shaking his head, Harry replied, "Nothing Gin, I'm just glad you're back."

Ginny's features softened, "So am I, Harry. By the way, you didn't have to buy me an owl, you know."

"No, I didn't have to; but I wanted to. Next summer, you won't have to worry about Errol – if he survives that long."

Ginny giggled, "I named him Ptolemy. You should have seen Ron's face when he realised I had got an owl for myself. A bit of warning – be prepared for a massive Ron tantrum."

"I'm not worried, I'm sure you'll save me from your brother's wrath," said Harry in an overly dramatic tone, "my knight in err—black robes."

Ginny swatted him on the head, "Prat!"

"You still like me!"

Ginny stuck out her tongue, "Doesn't stop you from being a prat!"

They continued their banter for a few minutes. Finally Harry became serious, "I think we should go find your brother before he comes looking for his baby sister and assumes the worst."

They found Ron outside Magical Menagerie. He was, predictably, arguing with Hermione – over a ginger cat she had bought.

"….nearly scalped me!" Ron was saying.

"He didn't mean to, did you, Crookshanks? And you will not call him a monster, Ronald Weasley!" said Hermione, glaring at Ron.

"You two just can't stop bickering, can you?" said Harry, loudly enough for Ron and Hermione to hear. Both of them turned around, looking slightly embarrassed.

"Harry!" Hermione enveloped him in a hug – still a little pink in the face. "Where have you been? We went to the Leaky Cauldron, but they said you'd left. Then we went to Flourish and Blotts, and Madam Malkin's, and –"

"I got all my school stuff last week," said Harry, cutting across her rambling, "Hello Ron!"

"Hey Harry," said Ron unenthusiastically. Harry and Ginny weren't fazed. Hermione, on the other hand, had a frown on her face. Harry groaned; he had an interrogation coming as soon as he was alone.

They spent the rest of the afternoon discussing their summer. Harry didn't say anything about Dobby – he was sure Ron would blurt it out at some point or other. Ron had lightened up considerably when Harry had described the incident with Marge – this had probably something to do with Harry taking them to his favourite muggle restaurant for lunch – at his expense.

Harry returned to his room a little early that night, hoping to begin with third year Charms – only to find someone sitting on the edge of his bed – a bushy brown haired someone – with her nose buried in one of his books.

'Here comes the interrogation,' thought Harry. "Hermione?"

The said bushy haired witch looked up from the book. "Harry, we need to talk," she said in her usual bossy voice.

"Err—right now?"

"Yes, right now. It's rather hard to find you alone, you know!"

Harry sighed – there was no getting out of it this time – Hermione had him cornered. He crossed the room and sat beside her.

"Okay, what do you want to talk about?"

"It's you! There's obviously something wrong with you!"

Harry raised an eyebrow, "Care to explain?"

"I don't know where to begin…"

"Maybe at the beginning?" Harry added helpfully.

Hermione gave him an annoyed look at being interrupted in what must have been a well rehearsed speech. "It started at the beginning of our second year. You became awfully close to Ron – I'm not saying that's a bad thing – but it was like – you simply agreed to whatever he said. The Harry Potter I knew in our first year was nothing like that! You used to think for yourself!" She paused for a moment, "Do you remember, the two of us had decided to opt for Arithmancy and Ancient Runes? You even persuaded me not to take Divination and Muggle Studies. How come you ended up signing up for Divination and Care of Magical Creatures yourself?"

She continued when Harry didn't answer, "Then there's Ginny – the two of you used to be very good friends. Then suddenly you started avoiding her like plague! I talked to her – and she said she didn't know why. And you have been distant from Ron and me ever since I woke up. It just makes no sense whatsoever! What happened?" She looked at him with questioning eyes.

Harry had maintained a neutral face throughout the explanation. He wasn't sure of what to think – could this be an attempt to gain his trust? But looking into her eyes, he somehow knew that she was sincere – she really didn't know anything.

"Hermione, before I say anything – can you promise me not to repeat what I'm going to tell you – to anyone?"

"Of course! I thought you trusted me!" she said in an accusing tone.

"By anyone – I mean the teachers – and especially Dumbledore," said Harry, ignoring the last part.

Hermione looked confused, but promised anyway.

"Tell me, Hermione, what do you think of our first two years at Hogwarts?"

"Err—I don't understand…"

"Is it normal for students to have near death experiences twice in two years?"

"Oh no, not that again!" she said in an exasperated tone, "We have talked about this – why would Dumbledore endanger the lives of the students? He must have had his reasons to protect the Stone the way he did! And how can you even suggest that he had anything to do with the Chamber?"

"He didn't plant the diary on Ginny, alright – but how could he not know what was inside the Chamber? I mean, how many beasts can petrify students like that? And how many beasts fear roosters? On top of that, Salazar Slytherin was a well-known Parselmouth…" he shook his head, "I refuse to believe he had no idea! In fact, he had a head-start over us – he knew Myrtle had been the victim last time! No, he just sat back and watched!"

Hermione looked ready to protest, but Harry silenced her with a gesture, "I know for a fact that he had been dosing me with Draught of Slavery throughout the year."

"WHAT!"

"Keep it down, will you?"

"Sorry, but how..."

"You remember how I used to have trouble with spells even though the wand movement and incantations were correct? And the restricting feeling I told you about? That's because my magic is bound. The block is a seven stage block – one of the worst. All seven stages can't be applied at once – not without killing the victim due to magical starvation. It has to be done over a period of two or three years – maybe more – for a child. I have several memory blocks in my mind – something that a minor should never have – it may cause serious brain damage with tiniest bit of mistake. These are things no ordinary wizard can do. And I'm supposed to be safe at Privet Drive – protected by blood wards – tell me, who else could have done it?"

Hermione tried to say something, but he cut her off, "That's not all! I had multiple tracking charms placed upon my cloak and glasses. I still have them on my wand – I can't do any magic without informing him."

It was Hermione's turn to cut him off, "These are all speculations – while there's some chance that Dumbledore might have done these things – there is no conclusive proof. Why would Dumbledore do such horrible things? And how do you know these things were done to you anyway?"

"I have got someone helping me – someone with far more knowledge of magic than Dumbledore. No, don't ask me who it is – I can't tell you right now. Besides, you won't believe me if I told you."

"Try me," Hermione challenged.

"Just drop it for now, please! Anyway, I do have conclusive proof. About a week into the term, Ron took me to see the Headmaster, who used active Legilimency – the art of reading thoughts and memories," he added at Hermione's confused look, "to break into my mind – which is a crime in itself. I'm a natural Occlumens – which means it's very difficult to break into my mind. He had dosed me with some potion to damage my natural defences. Then he ordered me to forget all about my suspicions and consider the block on my magic to be natural and obey Ron without question – all in the name of some Greater Good bullshit. I had no choice but to obey – thanks to the Draught of Slavery. That's what Ron has been using to control me – he ordered me to avoid Ginny. Is that conclusive enough for you?"

Hermione looked horrified. "I'm so sorry, Harry, it's my fault. I asked him about the things you suspected. He must have somehow guessed it was you who had raised those questions!"

"And you accuse me of not trusting you! You think the world is perfect like your books. Authority figures can never be wrong, can they?" he sneered. "How many times do you have to be proven wrong to accept it? Quirrell, Snape, Lockhart, Dumbledore – how many more do you need? Your moment of brilliance nearly lost me my free will – and nearly got Ginny killed – and Voldemort resurrected!" Harry's wasn't shouting – but there was no mistaking the tone – he was angry – very angry indeed.

Hermione broke into sobs, "I'm s-sorry. I never thought – D-Dumbledore, of all people! Give me another chance – just this once – I'll do anything – I'll never b-betray you again. You were the first – and o-only – real f-friend I ever had. Please!" she was literally begging.

"How do I know you won't go running to Dumbledore, or some other teacher – for that matter?" Harry asked coldly.

"I swear! I'll think before speaking! And I won't talk about your secrets – even indirectly. Please give me a chance to redeem myself!" Hermione begged.

They sat in silence for a while – Harry was trying to control his anger while Hermione was crying with her face in her hands. The rational part of him knew that Hermione couldn't possibly have known the consequences of her actions – and Dumbledore would probably have used Legilimency anyway, but the angry part still blamed her for all of it.

After a couple of minutes, Hermione got up and moved towards the door. When she was there, she turned and said, in a sad voice, "I know what I've done is unforgivable and I have more than likely lost you as a friend. But if there is anything I can do for you – just give me a chance to repay my debt. And I'll never repeat anything you said tonight." She reached for the doorknob, but the door burst open before she had even touched it, to reveal a distraught looking Ginny

"Harry! It's awful! I just heard Mum and Dad talking –" she stopped at the sight of Hermione.

"What is it, Gin?" asked Harry, "Don't worry about Hermione, she can be trusted."

Hermione looked up hopefully at his words.

"I'm sorry, Hermione. I shouldn't have said all that. You had no way of knowing – and Dumbledore would probably have used Legilimency anyway. I'm really sorry… Look, we both made mistakes – can we leave them behind. Can I have my friend back?"

Hermione nearly bowled him over in her eagerness to hug him. When she finally let go, there was a wide smile on her face.

Ginny, who had watched the exchange with confusion, cleared her throat to get their attention, "Mind telling me what is this all about?"

"I'll tell you later, Ginny," replied Hermione, "She knows, doesn't she?" she asked Harry.

"Yes – that makes the three of us. Now, what did you want to tell me, Gin?"

"It's Sirius Black! He broke out of Azkaban to kill you! That's what Dad told Mum – they were arguing about what to tell you. Apparently, Fudge and Dumbledore have forbidden them to say anything. Dad wants to tell you, but Mum thinks you'd be terrified."

"That's why Fudge was here! That's what he was hiding – it all fits now! He told me not to venture into muggle London and even had some people watching me round the clock! Makes sense – why bother telling me – it's not like he can kill me unless I know about him." Harry finished sarcastically.

"Aren't you scared?" asked Ginny, while Hermione was staring at him, open-mouthed.

"What's so new about it? Someone's always trying to kill me. And Sirius Black can't be more dangerous than Voldemort, can he? "

Hermione finally found her tongue, "Harry! You'll have to be careful. Don't go looking for trouble."

Harry laughed, "I never go looking for trouble, Hermione. You should know that better than anybody. Trouble usually finds me – I can't help it! By the way, did I tell you about my girlfriend?" Harry asked, trying to lighten the mood up.

"G—Girlfriend?" stammered Hermione, as if she had never heard the word before.

Harry dragged a blushing Ginny to his side, "Freckles here, agreed to be my girlfriend last June."

"I told you not to call me that!" Ginny glared at him, "And I thought it was supposed to be a secret!"

"But you are too young – especially Ginny!" protested Hermione.

"Relax Hermione, we aren't actually doing anything. We'll officially start dating sometime in my fourth year. I just eliminated any competition before it even began!" said Harry, with a smirk.

"For now it's like best friends – with a bit of snogging," added Ginny, with a smirk.

"Hey, I am yet to snog you," protested Harry.

"Would you like to do it right now? I'm sure Hermione won't mind," said Ginny. Her tone was mischievous.

In an attempt to drive the conversation away from snogging, Hermione interrupted, "Is there any way to stop them from reading my thoughts? You said something about Occlumens…"

"I can teach you some basic meditation exercises for now. You need to sort your memories and build some defences before moving on to the advanced forms of Occlumency. How is your Occlumency coming along, Gin?"

"I think I can keep them at bay long enough to break eye contact – and I can repel some weak attacks. The twins gave me some very good pointers," replied Ginny.

Hermione spent the next hour learning basic exercises for Occlumency. Ginny had returned to her – and Hermione's – room after sharing the pointers the twins had given her, in case somebody decided to check on them.

Before leaving, Hermione pulled Harry into another hug, "Thanks for giving me a chance, Harry. I'll make sure you don't regret it."

"I know, Mione, I shouldn't have said all those things either..."

Hermione released him and turned to leave. She was nearly at the door when he said, "Remember to behave normally – we don't want to raise any suspicions. And one more thing, you are going to get some serious competition for the top spot this year," he added with a smirk.

"Bring it on!" she said with a smile.

The next day, they reached King's Cross with ten minutes to spare. The Ministry had provided two cars for the occasion. While Mr Weasley had said they were just doing him a favour, Harry knew their exact purpose – they were there for him – not that he was complaining. He had already given Dobby some money and told him to take a vacation. The elf was reluctant at first – but had agreed when Harry had promised to call him whenever he needed something.

Mr Weasley crossed the barrier leading to platform nine and three-quarters with Harry. Before the others could follow, he dragged him behind a pillar.

"There's something I've got to tell you before you leave –" said Mr Weasley, in a tense voice.

"Sirius Black is after me, isn't he?" asked Harry emotionlessly.

"You know? How could you know?"

"It was some of the things Fudge said," Harry lied easily. "It's the only explanation that makes any sense. And you just confirmed it."

Mr Weasley smiled, "You are quite sharp, Harry!" Then his face became serious, "Listen, I want you to give me your word –"

"—that I'll be a good boy and stay in the castle?" asked Harry, once again showing no emotion.

"Not entirely," said Mr Weasley, who looked more serious than Harry had ever seen him. "Harry, swear to me you won't go looking for Black."

Harry stared. "What?"

"Arthur!" called Mrs Weasley, who was now shepherding the rest onto the train. "Arthur, what are you doing? It's about to go!"

"He's coming, Molly!" said Mr Weasley but he turned back to Harry and kept talking in a lower and more hurried voice. "Promise me, Harry, that whatever happens –"

"Why would I go looking for someone I know wants to kill me?" said Harry blankly.

"Swear to me – whatever you might hear –"

He was interrupted by a loud whistle.

"Arthur, quickly!" cried Mrs Weasley.

Harry ran to the compartment door and Ron threw it open and stood back to let him on. They leaned out of the window and waved at Mr and Mrs Weasley until the train turned a corner and blocked them from view.

"Let's find a compartment," said Harry.

"Go away, Ginny," said Ron. He was in a bad mood because of his arguments with Percy and Hermione that morning. Percy had accused him of spoiling his girlfriend's photograph and bewitching his Head Boy badge while Hermione had said she'd let Crookshanks out on the train.

"No, come with us, Gin," Harry overruled him, glaring at Ron. Ron's ears turned red – Harry knew a tantrum was coming soon. Fortunately, Ron managed to restrain himself for the moment and followed them in search of a compartment – looking angry.

All the compartments were full – or taken by unfriendly people – except for one at the very end of the train – which had only one occupant – a man sitting fast asleep next to the window. The stranger was wearing an extremely shabby set of robes that had been darned in several places. He looked ill and exhausted. Though quite young, his light brown hair was flecked with gray. Hermione found his name – Professor R. J. Lupin – stamped on his case in peeling letters. The case itself was battered and was held together by with a large quantity of neatly knotted string.

They spent a couple of hours talking about various topics like Hogsmeade, Quidditch and Sirius Black. Nobody mentioned the conversation Ginny had overheard last night. Ron had stopped sulking after some time and enthusiastically described how the Chudley Cannons had finally managed to move up in the league. Harry had a mad desire to bang his head against something – Chudley Cannons had been at the bottom of the league for last seven years – and they hadn't won the championship for thirteen – not since their legendry Seeker and Chasers had retired. Besides, he enjoyed playing Quidditch – or flying, to be exact – not listening to endless rants about it!

They were spared by the arrival of the food cart. As usual, Harry bought a bunch of sweets for them to munch on. They debated on whether to wake Professor Lupin; but decided against it. They spent another hour in peace before they were disturbed – by Malfoy and his cronies.

"Well, look who it is," said Malfoy in his usual lazy drawl, pulling open the compartment door. "Potty and the Weasel."

Crabbe and Goyle chuckled trollishly.

"I heard your father finally got his hands on some gold this summer, Weasley," said Malfoy. "Did your mother die of shock?"

Ron stood up so quickly he knocked Crookshanks's basket to the floor. Harry, on the other hand, smirked, "I heard somebody dropped a smelly sock on your father's head, Malfoy – and he's so thick that he gave it to your house-elf. Did you spend the summer cleaning your house, Draco? Daddy gave you an elf's job?"

Malfoy turned red, "Watch your mouth, Potter! My father…"

"…is an idiot – just like you." Harry finished he sentence. "Well, if the three of you are anything to go by, we can't really expect much from bigoted purebloods."

The look on Malfoy's face was priceless – Ron, Hermione and Ginny burst out laughing. Malfoy pulled out his wand while Crabbe and Goyle cracked their knuckles threateningly. At that precise moment Professor Lupin gave a snort and Malfoy noticed him for the first time.

"Who's that?" said Malfoy.

"New teacher," replied Harry. "Now, why don't you tuck your tail between your legs and go back to your compartment?"

Malfoy's pale eyes narrowed; he wasn't fool enough to pick a fight right under a teacher's nose.

"C'mon," he muttered resentfully to Crabbe and Goyle, and they disappeared.

"That was awesome, mate. You shut Malfoy up – without hexing him," Ron said in wonder.

"You could've done it too, Ron – if only you used that brain of yours," said Ginny.

Ron turned pink and left he compartment, mumbling something about visiting the twins

Harry wasn't paying attention. Malfoy visit had just reminded him of the diary. Finally he spoke, in a voice barely above a whisper, "It was Lucius Malfoy who planted the diary on you, Ginny."

There were cries of "What?" and "How do you know?" from the two girls.

"Last year, at Flourish and Blott's – he picked up a book from your cauldron, insulted you Dad and got into a fight with him. Then he casually replaced the book. If my memory serves correctly – it was the Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration…"

Ginny gasped, "That's the book I found it in! Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"I never got a chance. I realised the truth at the platform, when I saw Dobby dragging Draco's trunk. He confirmed it later."

"You were the one who freed him, weren't you?" asked Ginny.

"Oh yeah, it was me. I couldn't leave the poor little elf with them, could I? And it turned out to be a good thing too," replied Harry, with a smirk.

"What do you mean?" asked Hermione.

"He came to visit you? I mean – I saw him vanish moments after Malfoy – and you said he confirmed it later..." said Ginny.

"I'll tell you later," Harry said with a glance towards Professor Lupin.

Ginny took out her wand and cast some charms around them. "Basic privacy charms – Bill taught me," she explained.

Harry smiled, "Nice one, Gin. You must teach me!" Then he proceeded to tell them everything about his summer – including Dobby's role and his visit to Gringotts. The girls were furious when he told them that the Dursley's were being paid to keep him.

"Ah, that reminds me, can I borrow some parchment and a quill, Hermione?"

He wrote a letter to Gringotts, telling them to stop transferring money to the Dursleys. He had decided not to stop the money going to the scholarship fund. He didn't want to be the cause of some poor student having to abandon their education – and he was sure Dumbledore would know if he did that. Dursleys didn't have any means of contacting Dumbledore – not that they would want to – so the old geezer won't know anything until the next summer.

"Listen; keep all of this between yourselves. I don't want to face Lucius Malfoy right now. And I'm sure Ron will do something stupid and land us all in trouble if he finds out."

The girls nodded. They sat in silence for a while, thinking about the things they had learned. After a while Harry stood up.

"I think we are almost there. Do you think we should wake him up?" he said, looking towards Professor Lupin.

"We can't be there yet," said Hermione, checking her watch.

"So why are we stopping?"

Harry Potter was lying in his four-poster bed – seething. How could the morons at the Ministry even consider deploying dementors around a school full of children? Those foul creatures couldn't distinguish a child from a criminal! It was a good thing the Headmaster had refused to let them enter the grounds. He shuddered to think what the life at Hogwarts would have been otherwise. Sooner or later, some students would have been kissed for sure. All of this was being done to catch one criminal whom they didn't even affect – according to the conversation Ginny had overheard between her parents. How stupid the ministry could be! They could simply have setup wards and deployed Aurors.

Earlier, those foul creatures had searched the train for Sirius Black. The effect those things had on people! He had passed out and was forced to relive the worst moments of his life. He had heard a woman pleading with someone, a cackle of cold, cruel laughter and the two fateful words – Avada Kedavra. He had heard the last moments of his mother's life! A few hours ago, he'd have given anything to remember his parents – but not like this! On top of that, the whole school had heard of his fainting – Malfoy had made sure of that. As sleep finally claimed him – he vowed to learn how to drive them away – or even destroy them, if that was possible.

Author's Notes: A heartfelt thanks to all those who reviewed!

I'm dropping Riddle's offspring idea for this story – it's too complicated – and most of you don't want it anyway. I'm keeping it for a new fic!

If you have any innovative ideas about the trunk, please let me know. It doesn't necessarily have to be a trunk – the only requirement is that it should be a movable home – like a tent or something – which he can carry on his person.

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More Reviews = More Motivation = Faster Updates

So, please review!