Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling.
Some of the concepts that will be in this fic are from other Fan fictions about Harry Potter with my own twist on them. So I would like to acknowledge all the Harry Potter fan writers on this site for great work and hundreds of hours of reading. This is an AU story.
Chapter 18:
Companions and Confrontations
"Herbology then double Potions before lunch." Harry heard Neville saying to Susan as he walked up to them. Harry's eyes were back to green with hints of yellow in them as his good humor returned.
"Susan, let me see your schedule for a minute?" asked Harry.
Susan handed her schedule to Harry, who looked it over before pulling his own out. After comparing it to his own schedule he turned back to his friends.
"Okay, I'll set up a study schedule for us. I have a meeting with Professor Flitwick sometime around dinner. Meet me here after dinner and I'll take you both up to the tower." Harry finished.
"Harry, who are you going to be having classes with?" Susan asked.
"The Gryffindors, so I'll at least be with Neville all day." Harry said happily.
Susan looked down for a second, shuffling her feet before saying, "Wish it was the Hufflepuffs, I didn't get to spend as much time with you this summer as Neville did." Neville looked uncomfortably between his best friends, and started inching discreetly towards the door.
"Don't worry Susan; we can spend more time hanging out in the tower. Wait till you both see it, it's amazing!" Harry excitedly replied.
"We best be off though, don't want to get detention on the first day of school." Harry grabbed Neville's arm and moved speedily through the main doors. Neville looked grateful to be getting away from the awkward conversation, but Harry didn't seem to have even noticed the tension that had hung in the air. Susan followed quickly behind them as Herbology was an all house class.
As he walked to class, Harry thought about Susan's puzzling behavior. He liked Susan as a friend, but he wasn't into girls the way that Susan acted like she wanted him to be. Sirius teased him about it whenever Susan was at the Manor, making Harry want to run away in mortification, so Harry was well aware of Susan's 'interests' and made sure that Neville was always with him when she came to the Manor. It didn't dampen or strain their friendship much; Harry honestly thought she was in on some big joke set up by Sirius just to get under Harry's skin. It was definitely something that would appeal to Sirius' mischievous sense of humor.
Harry, Neville, and Susan crossed the grounds to the greenhouses for their first class. They had to run to get there before it started because of the Dumbledore hold up. Harry wasn't surprised that neither Dumbledore nor McGonagall offered a pass to be late to class.
They both got there just as the last bell rang. Panting heavily they found seats in the back of the class. Harry waited for the Professor to start while Neville pulled out parchment and ink to take notes. Harry looked around at the other kids. He recognized all of them from the sorting the night before, the class being made of all the first years from all the houses. He could see Ron Weasley sitting next to another Gryffindor named Dean Thomas.
He also found Draco "No Name" sitting with the two thugs, Crabbe and Goyle. Draco sneered at him as their eyes met. Harry just ignored him and continued looking around the room. He spotted Hermione sitting with a group of Ravenclaws and Susan had moved to sit with a group from Hufflepuff.
The greenhouse was nothing like the Potter greenhouses; it wasn't even expanded on the inside. Everything else looked like what you would find in a normal greenhouse. Plants covered every available surface and empty pots spilled out from underneath tables, slightly dirty tools hung from a shelf on the back of the door, and soil spilled out of bags piled haphazardly in the corner of the room.
A dumpy looking witch strode into the middle of the class, she had a smudge of dirt across her chin, and loose hairs were flying out of her messy bun. "Attention class! I am Professor Sprout and I will be your Herbology Instructor for the next five years or possibly seven years if you continue in to my NEWT class…"
Harry sat listening through the entire class looking over at Neville sitting next to him every few minutes to see if he was as bored with it as Harry was. Harry liked Herbology; he would even go so far as to say he enjoyed it, but not enough to go over the same material he had learned months ago. Neville seemed to be paying more attention than Harry could muster and was nodding to himself every once in a while.
Harry whispered. "You do know we were taught this stuff several months ago."
"I know, but it is a good review, and well, you know how I am about…" Neville started defensively, but didn't get to finish the sentence as Harry held up his hand to answer a question Professor Sprout had just asked.
"Dragon Dung, Professor Sprout."
"That is correct; Dragon Dung is the best fertilizer for most plants. Five points to…" Professor Sprout stopped, not knowing what house to give the points to.
"To Slytherin would be fine Professor. If you like, you can just alternate between the houses for any points I get." replied Harry. Harry glanced around at the other students and could see that some looked outraged and others thankful. Harry saw out of the corner of his eye Ron Weasley turning red and had a hateful look on his face. Draco didn't look much happier than Ron, though several of the Slytherins looked happy that they had gotten the first points.
Harry and Professor Sprout both spotted the excited hand of Hermione held high to get the professors attention.
"Ms. Granger?" asked the Professor.
"Professor while Dragon Dung is good for most plants there are a few that it would be harmful to, such as Night Shade and Devil's Snare. Both of those plants like dead soils to thrive in and Dragon Dung would be harmful to them." Hermione expanded on Harry's answer.
Harry visibly flinched at having been out done by Hermione but only Neville caught it.
"Very good Ms. Granger, five points to Ravenclaw.
Harry then raised his hand again. Neville let out a soft grown, Harry had a competitive side to him.
"Yes, Lord Potter?" Sprout turning back to him.
"Yes, Professor, though the dead soil used for Night Shade and Devil Snare can be reused for other plants because both Night Shade and Devil Snape actually put nutrients into the soil that they are getting rid of." Harry added more information to the continuing answer.
"That is also correct Lord Potter, five points to Hufflepuff." the professor said, moving to the next house to give it the points. Harry smirked in Hermione's direction. She gave a hummmff and turned to look at the professor.
When the class was over, Harry packed up his book; he didn't need to have it out having read it months ago for his classes at the Manor. He only took it out for show, which he planned on doing in all his classes. He wasn't going to hold back in class, but he didn't want to show off. As book smart as Harry knew he was it was the practical side of things that he needed to learn, to be hands on so to speak.
Outside of the greenhouse Ron was waiting for him.
"Why did you give the Slytherins those points, their all evil, all Slytherins are evil?" Ron confronted him.
Harry's eyes turned that icy blue again as he replied. "Really, what does everyone say about Gryffindor? I assume they're all saints?" Harry asked in a cold tone.
"All Gryffindors are on the light side, everyone knows that." Ron replied, his voice quivering seeing Harry's eyes turn again to that icy blue.
Harry just looked at him for a moment before replying in an even icier tone. "You know that rat, the one that joined Voldemort, betrayed my parents, the one that's been living with you for how long? He was a Gryffindor. So don't tell me Slytherin is evil and Gryffindor is good. Ambition doesn't make them evil just like courage doesn't make you good."
Harry turned away from Ron and walked away with Neville next to him.
During the little encounter several of the Slytherins had been close enough to hear what Harry said and started talking amongst themselves. One boy in the green and silver group listened with a thoughtful expression on his face, but didn't say anything.
Harry and Neville made their way down to the dungeons for Potions class. It was a double period, and Harry was wondering who would be teaching it since he knew that Snape was still trapped in his mind.
Entering the class Harry could see the Headmaster standing at the front of the classroom. Harry and Neville found seats near the front and started taking out their books. After everyone was in the class Dumbledore cleared his throat.
"Welcome to first year potions." Harry got an idea at that moment. He focused inward for a second allowing Snape to see and hear the outside world as a projection on the wall of his little prison.
Dumbledore continued, not knowing his Potions Master was watching. "We will begin with basic principles and go over the types of equipment used in brewing."
The lecture continued for the entire first half of the class after which Dumbledore displayed the recipe for a basic potion to cure boils. Harry and Neville partnered together and brewed the potion the way they had been taught in their private lessons. They finished the potion a good ten minutes before anyone else.
During the first half of the class Harry could hear Snape mumbling to himself. While he was brewing Snape was yelling in his mind that he was doing it all wrong until the potion was finished and it turned out better then the recipe on the board. That shut Snape up. Harry was going to have to deal with Snape soon, having decided on a course of action that included copying Snape's entire potion brewing memories to his library.
Harry knew that the Headmaster was watching him closely. He could feel Dumbledore's eyes on him during the entire class. When Harry and Neville turned in their completed potion vials, Dumbledore gave them full marks. He awarded Harry five points to Gryffindor for the perfect potion, and completely ignored Neville's contribution. Harry could easily see through the old man's attempt to win him over by rewarding and praising him, well Harry certainly wasn't going to fall for that.
Harry and Neville caught up with Susan outside the Great Hall for lunch, and the three walked in and sat at Harry's table. Not long after they arrived, Hermione came rushing into the hall and sat down across from Harry and stared at him. It didn't take more than a second before the questions started flying.
"What classes have you all had this morning? What did you think of your dormitories? What was the Founder's Tower like Harry? Are the teachers really going to let you stay there all by yourself? When did you learn about being the heir to the founders? What does that entail exactly? Does that mean you have special responsibilities and privileges like a prefect? Did you know about the new tower? I couldn't find any reference to it. Are there lots of books? You know if there are they belong to Hogwarts and should be moved to the library so everyone can use them, they're not yours." All the questions came out in rapid fire and would have continued if she hadn't been interrupted.
Harry slapped his hand down on the table startling Hermione who hadn't notice his eyes turn that icy blue. Neville and Susan sighed breaths of relief that the interrogation had ceased, until they caught sight of Harry's eyes. Neville and Susan slid a little further away from Harry. They knew a lot of people had been pushing Harry's buttons all day and that his patience was already thin. Sirius had pushed Harry too far once; he regretted it for a week as Harry practiced his stinging hex at every opportunity. They didn't want to be in Harry's line of sight at the moment, fearing some of the attention would fall on them by proxy.
Harry looked at her and in a tight controlled voice, which sounded a bit strangled asked, "Hermione how long did you spend in the loo getting ready this morning?"
"THAT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!" Hermione blurted out loudly.
"Just like not everything is your business? My life is not yours to know unless I am willing to share it. I am not a book you can just open and get all the answers you want out of." Harry's eyes turned from icy blue back to green with just a hint of blue.
"I…"
Harry continued in a more normal voice. "I have known you for all of one day; do not presume to think I will tell you everything about me, how I'm feeling, or what I'm thinking. Lastly, do not tell me what to do with what I own." Harry paused to let that sink in.
"In case you did not realize it yet, I own this castle." That was the first time Harry had come out and actually said it. He had been avoiding that little fact ever since he found out he was the heir to the four founders.
"But…" Hermione's face was flushed red with embarrassment.
"Hermione, I think I understand you, I'm the same way, and I want to know everything. But you will not see me asking you personal questions unless I feel you are willing to tell me, not everything is my or your business."
Just then Harry felt a presence behind him. Looking over his shoulder Harry found Professor McGonagall.
"Is there a problem Miss Granger?" She was giving Harry a stern look.
Hermione gave a quick glance at Harry before answering. She could see that he was not very concerned about the Professor standing there watching him. She could also see more of the blue coming back into his eyes.
"No Professor, I asked some personal questions that Harry wasn't willing to answer."
"I see, please refrain from any more outbursts. Lord Potter, I am informed that Professor Flitwick will meet with you in his office after dinner." McGonagall stood there waiting for an acknowledgement.
"Thank you Professor." replied Harry in a normal conversational tone. Harry didn't have all that much against Professor McGonagall.
Yes, she had allowed Dumbledore to leave him at the Dursley's that night, but she had continued to inquire about his well being for several years after. He understood that she was just blinded by the trust and loyalty she had in the headmaster, but he wasn't going to give her any slack unless she came to him first with at least an apology.
After the Professor departed, Harry turned back to Hermione before starting to fill his plate with food. "Hermione, everyone has secrets, some more then others, I have a lot of secrets. I share some with friends I trust, some only with the friends I trust can protect their own minds, and some I keep to myself." Harry took a bite of his sandwich.
"I'm sorry Harry, it's just who I am, if there is a mystery or problem I can't solve I don't stop until I solve it. I'm sorry if I offended you. You're a mystery to me, what you told me on the train just didn't fit in my world, yet what you told me is true." replied Hermione while she had a chance.
"I'd really like to be friends with you; maybe eventually you can trust me enough that you'll tell me some of your secrets." Hermione gave Harry a shy smile and tentatively stuck out her hand.
Harry leaned across the table and shook her hand. "I'd like that too," Harry grinned, "but as to the whole mystery thing, you're just going to have to deal with it, your welcome to join us in the tower later, but what you see or hear stays between us."
Hermione grinned and nodded, but then got a thoughtful look on her face. "What did you mean 'friends who can protect their minds'?" asked Hermione tentatively, she had caught that little detail, but she was wary of making Harry mad again.
"There are forms of magic that allows others to invade and read your mind, it's called Legilimency and there is a form of magic that can protect your mind, it's called Occlumency. Neville, Susan, and I are all trained in Occlumency, Neville and I more so than Susan. The points is, unless you want some wizards, like the headmaster, poking around in your head, you better learn it. Oh, and it also makes your memory and recall a lot better."
"The headmaster would never do anything like that, would he?"
"Dumbledore has already tried with me once; he got a headache for his troubles." Harry smiled his eyes turning yellow.
"Harry, it's about time for our next class, we need to go." Neville poked Harry in the side.
Harry and Neville told Susan and Hermione they would see them later and made their way to their next class. History of Magic turned out to be a waste of time for both of them. Professor Binns was a ghost who was stuck on the goblin conflicts of the past and all he did was lecture from his place at the front of the class, not even looking to make sure the students were paying attention. Harry had no choice but to pay attention, he would remember the class even if he sat there reading or daydreaming.
After the class was over Harry followed Neville out. "I am going to have to do something about Binns. Does he even know that he's dead?" Harry asked.
"Gran told me about Binns. He was teaching history when she went to school. She told me he was like that even in her time. I heard some of the older students telling some first years last night that Binns died in class and his ghost just kept on teaching." Neville replied.
"Dumbledore should have replaced him." stated Harry as they got close to the door to their last class of the day.
Transfiguration turned out to be very interesting at the start. Harry found a seat at the front with Neville and pulled out his book. It looked like Professor McGonagall was going to be late, but Harry knew about the large tabby cat that was sitting on the professor's desk watching the students find their seats.
It was several minutes after the last bell, when Ron Weasley and Dean Thomas showed up and found some seats it the middle of the room.
"Thank Merlin McGonagall is late." Harry heard Ron say.
The cat then leaped off the desk turning into Professor McGonagall mid leap and walking toward Ron.
"Wow that was bloody brilliant." Again that was Ron.
"Thank you, Mr. Weasley for that colorful critique. Maybe I should transfigure you into a pocket watch so at least one of you will be on time to my class in the future." McGonagall gave both boys a stern look.
Harry watched Ron gulp as he quickly pulled out his books.
"I am an Animagus, and it is one of the most advanced forms of Transfiguration. You may have the opportunity to learn it in your seventh year. Today we will go over the rules of my class and start on the basics." McGonagall started the lecture; it was a double class so Harry settled in for three hour class.
Everyone was listening to the Professor and taking notes. As Harry listened to McGonagall his respect for her as a teacher increased. She was able to hold the attention of the class through the boring stuff.
"Lord Potter, do you feel you need not take notes in my class?" asked McGonagall about half way through the class. Harry had been paying his full attention to her but had not been taking notes, he didn't need to.
"I'm sorry professor, I am taking notes." Harry replied.
"I do not see a quill or parchment?" questioned McGonagall as she looked down on his desk. Harry just looked up at her.
"Lord Potter, please see me after class." She stated after Harry didn't answer her.
"Yes Professor."
The rest of the class continued as McGonagall started in on the principals and theory of transfiguration. They would not start doing it until their next class later in the week.
Harry waited after class for everyone to leave; Neville was going to wait outside.
"Lord Potter, do you feel you are too good for my class. That transfiguration is not worth paying attention to?" McGonagall started right in on him.
"Professor," Harry started in a normal voice, he just didn't feel like letting his temper get to him this time. "I was paying attention and taking note of everything you said during class."
"You obviously…" Harry didn't let her finish, he started reciting her lecture. McGonagall stared at him for a full five minutes while he recited what she had said during the middle of the class and it was word for word.
"Lord Potter?" she finally stopped him.
"I have an eidetic memory. I remember everything. I remember the night you and the Headmaster dropped me on a doorstep without even making sure I was taken into the house." Harry's eyes had turned black. McGonagall sat in her chair looking at Harry like she had been slapped across the face. She was feeling the shame of her actions from that night so many years ago. Lily Potter had been a friend and Minerva had allowed her son to just be dropped off on a doorstep like a bottle of milk.
"Is there anything else Professor?" Harry asked after a minute, waiting for McGonagall to reply.
Minerva snapped herself out of the memory and looked up at Harry.
"Lord Potter, I… I apologize. Your mother was a good friend and I feel I have let her down." The normally stern looking professor's face cracked a little.
"Professor McGonagall, I accept your apology. If you would please not tell the Headmaster about my ability I would appreciate it. He has much more to account for and Professor you can call me Harry." Harry smiled.
"Thank you, Harry. I will keep what I have learned to myself. Are you planning on telling anyone else?"
"Just Professor Flitwick since he is my Head of House."
"Very well, if you need anything, I am here to help. You may go."
"There is one thing Professor, do you know where my parents are buried?" asked Harry.
"I remember the funeral but I don't remember where they were buried." Minerva looked like she was trying to remember.
"Thank you professor, I believe the Headmaster has them under the Fidelus Charm. It is one of the things the Headmaster needs to account for." With that Harry turned around and walked out of the room.
Neville was waiting for him outside the door.
"So...? What happened?"
"We cleared the air." Harry replied. Neville just nodded his head in understanding. After the past year Neville and Harry knew each other almost like twins. Harry had spent enough time in Neville's head during Legilimency and Occlumency lesson and vise versa that neither needed to say much to know what the other was thinking.
As they walked down the hall toward the Great Hall it was the first time all day that the two were alone, Neville asked. "Did you capture him?"
"Yeah, I have him bottled up for now. I learned a few things that are disturbing, I have a plan though."
"Just be careful." replied Neville. Just as they were passing the second floor on the stairs two redheaded boys popped out from behind a suit of armor.
"Oi, Lord Potter," started the first redhead.
"Mr. Longbottom." continued the second.
"May we have a word with the two of you?" finished the first.
Harry and Neville looked at each other and grinned.
"The Weasley twins, we meet at last. I have heard of the two of you." started Harry.
"We assume it was you that had something to do with the prank this morning." continued Neville. Sirius had taken the time to look through Hogwarts: A History to see if any good pranks had been pulled since the Marauders, the Weasley twins names had come up a lot over the past two years.
The twins looked at each other grinning.
"It is annoying when we do that…"
"Twin speak? I do believe we have been told that once or twice…"
"A handful of times,"
"Somewhere around, daily perhaps hourly,"
"I can't quite recall exactly, but I'm sure the ladies appreciate it."
"Oh, indubitably."
"Then we should continue, ah, but back to the point." The twins looked back at the two first years.
"I'm Fred Weasley and this handsome gentleman next to me is my brother George." spoke Fred.
"Are you sure your Fred, I thought I was Fred."
"Okay, what do the two of you want?" asked Harry.
"The Marauders, you know the Marauders…" replied Fred.
"We want to know the Marauders" finished George.
Harry looked at Neville who was grinning like he had just found a new plant. "How do you know about the Marauders?" asked Harry.
Fred and George shared a look before Fred reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded up old piece of parchment. Before Fred could say anything the parchment flew out of his hand straight into Harry's waiting palm. Fred and George both looked at each other and then at Harry who was pulling out his wand.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." Harry intoned the password as he touched his wand to the parchment.
"Padfoot and Moony were wondering where this had gotten to. Last they had seen of it, it was in Filch's office." On the parchment appeared the "Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs, purveyors of aids to magical mischief-makers, are proud to present the Marauders' Map"
The parchment did something the twins had never seen before. Instead of showing the map it started writing on itself. Harry moved over to the doors of a classroom and entered, Neville and the twins following. Once in the classroom Harry looked at the map.
"Prongs detects a descendant to my Noble line."
"Padfoot agrees with the distinguished Prongs."
"Moony can smell the truth of Prong's words"
"Wormtail concurs."
The twins were looking over Harry and Neville's shoulders.
"You're the son of Prongs?" asked George.
Harry just nodded his head with a big smile on his face. The twins immediately dropped to their knees and started chanting.
"We're not worthy, we're not worthy." bowing in time with the chant. Harry started laughing along with Neville.
"Get up you two, I'm just Harry unless you prank me in any way, then we'll be back to Lord Potter." Harry had a smile on his face, and his eyes had turned a bright yellow.
-oo00oo-
Harry knocked on the door to Professor Flitwick's office. Neville, Susan, Hermione, and the twins, were waiting down the corridor just around the corner for Harry to finish his meeting with the Professor. Harry had promised them they would get to see the tower afterwards. Harry had allowed the twins to sit with him and the others at what he was now calling the founder's table during dinner.
"Come in." Harry heard from inside the office. He opened the door and walked in to find Professor Flitwick sitting atop a stack of books behind a nice desk that was strewn with papers, books and other things. The small professor looked up from what he was working on.
"Ah, Lord Potter, I have been expecting you. Please come in, come in, the Headmaster told me you requested me to be your adviser." Harry walked in and sat down in the chair offered.
"Thank you for taking the job Professor, and please call me Harry, I only make people I don't like call me that." replied Harry.
"I do have to ask the question Harry, why me and not Professor McGonagall, or Professor Sprout?" asked the diminutive Professor.
"The reasons I did not want Professor McGonagall were and still are personal, though we have come to terms with that issue I still feel the professor and I need time to adjust. While I have no issue with Professor Sprout and I understand she is well liked and respected, you Professor came with a recommendation." explained Harry.
Professor Flitwick looked at the young man in front of him trying to think of who would have pointed the young man in his direction.
"Oh, who is this someone?"
"Ragnok the leader of your goblin clan at least your goblin half." replied Harry.
Professor Flitwick almost fell of his stack of books hearing the name Ragnok. It took him a moment to steady himself again; he took a moment to re-evaluate the young man sitting respectfully in from of him.
"Harry, how do you know Ragnok?"
Harry switched to the Goblin language. "Ragnok is the Potter account manager, I see him regularly. We have become very good friends; Ragnok has also helped me out of a few issues and is still working towards resolving some. He asked me to pass on a message to you. He tells me you should get out of the castle and look in on your goblin family sometime."
Harry had to hold in a giggle as Professor Flitwick almost fell off of his book stack again. While the Professor was situating himself Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out a letter.
Switching back to English harry continued. "Professor I was also asked to give you this." Harry handed over the letter.
Professor Flitwick being half goblin and raised by the goblin side of his family was still in shock that Harry was a personal friend to the head of the biggest goblin clan, the next in line to be goblin king if anything should happen to the royal family. He was equally surprised that Harry could speak the Goblin language so well.
"You need to work on the role of your tongue; it gives a bad accent to your pronunciation." Flitwick replied as he took the letter from Harry with a steady hand even though he was felling anything but at the moment. The letter was sealed with Ragnok's own personal seal and the Gringotts Bank seal. This was both official and personal.
He opened the letter and started reading his eyes getting bigger and bigger the more he read. After finishing the letter he looked up at Harry.
"Anything you tell or show me will be strictly between us and those you indicate, even though I have not lived outside of Hogwarts for many decades, I am still bound by the Goblin laws." Flitwick looked down at the letter again and smiled. 'This is going to be fun' he thought to himself.
"Would you like to see the Tower now, Professor? I have some friends waiting to see it as well." asked Harry.
"Yes. Yes. I would love to. Did you find any books? How do we get there?" Flitwick asked with a big smile.
Harry was just about to tell the Professor that they needed to go back down to the ground floor when he received a mental image from Hogwarts showing a portrait of two oak trees with a cat climbing up and down one of them. It was just down the hall from the Professors office and quarters.
"Well it looks like there is more then one way to get to the tower professor, There is an entrance just down the hall."
"Oh good that will make things easier." Replied Flitwick as he jumped down from his stack of books and walked around to the front of the desk.
"Well best not to keep your friends waiting Harry lead the way." Flitwick indicated the door.
-oo00oo-
It was a couple hours after curfew, and Albus was still waiting to hear from Professor Flitwick. He was starting to think his only option was to just back away for a while and let things play out. Albus was worried about Professor Quirrell; it was obvious after observing him for most of the day that he was not himself. Albus had several listening charms in the Professors quarters, hoping to catch some confirmation that Voldemort was in possession of him.
The trouble with Harry was still bothering him as well, he needed to guide Harry to his destiny, but the boy was already out of his reach at least for the moment. The revelations over the past couple of days would take some time to plan around and for. All of his original plans were up in smoke.
Fawkes had returned and for that Albus was grateful, but the phoenix was keeping a very close eye on him. Albus was truly afraid of what his long time companion had suggested to him by leaving the day before. Was he, by his actions or inactions, going down a path that only someone with a truly dark heart would follow? For the greater good was starting to sound hollow, even to his ears.
Fawkes trilled a happy note. Albus looked up to his friend meeting his eyes. Fawkes had always been able to follow his thoughts and give his approval or disapproval. This time he was approving of what the headmaster was thinking.
"Thank you Fawkes. I wish you could tell me what to do. Voldemort is not dead; he will regain a body and his power at some point."
Again Fawkes trilled a kind of yes.
"The Prophecy, only Harry will defeat him."
This time the trill was not so encouraging. Fawkes flew down to Albus's desk and walked over to the morning Prophet. Fawkes tapped his foot on the article that had appeared there that morning. Fawkes tapped his foot on the last article.
Albus picked up the paper and reread it. He looked up at Fawkes who had flown back to his perch.
"I know about Lockhart." Albus stopped there. He hadn't known about Trelawney's involvement. When had Lockhart and Trelawney gotten together? It was another problem he didn't have the time to deal with.
As Dumbledore sat at his desk contemplating all that had happened, he was surprised to see the portrait of the first headmaster of Hogwarts swing open like a door and Professor Flitwick step out of a passage he didn't know existed.
"Good evening Headmaster, I apologize for the late intrusion but you requested that I report to you when I was done with young Harry. " Professor Flitwick conjured a chair suitable for him and sat in front of Albus's desk.
"Yessss…" Albus was at a loss for words at the moment. He just stared at the portrait of the original headmaster that was smirking back at him.
Professor Flitwick looked back over his shoulder at the portrait and smiled. "Forget it headmaster, the tower is… is like a Gringotts high security vault, by invitation only of the owner."
Dumbledore pulled his eyes away from the portrait. "And Harry controls who is allowed…" it was said as a statement but was also a question. "How many passages are there?"
Flitwick stared at Albus for a long moment. "Albus there are some things I can tell you and some I cannot. I will tell you that you need to stay out of young Harry's way for a while. He knows that you are not a bad person, but you have wronged him greatly and the list is long and painful to listen to. Albus I have known you and been your friend a long time, but if you ever cast that elf ward in my presence I will turn you over to the Aurors myself."
Albus was rocked back in his chair, if Filius had ever seen a fish out of water he would be able to say that Albus was doing a great impression of one now. "Albus he could take you before the Wizengamot right now and charge you with the Merlin Law and win. Please just leave the boy alone." Flitwick stood up from his chair and walked over to the office door.
"I will keep an eye on Harry and his friends to make sure they stay safe. I have given him permission to allow Mr. Longbottom, Ms. Bones, and Ms. Granger to move into the tower with him at his request. I think Founders House is an appropriate name." with that parting information, Professor Flitwick left the office knowing full well that he would not have gotten away with that if Albus wasn't already distracted and off balance. Everything Harry had told him had him off balance and his respect for Dumbledore had dropped considerably, but Harry had pointed out that Dumbledore was still a great wizard and good person just a little misguided.
Albus sat at his desk well into the night going over and over what Filius had told him. It was clearly evident at this point that he needed to reconcile with Harry any way he could and at the moment, leaving him be was for the best. Harry could sink him in one day if he wanted to and Dumbledore needed to be where he was when Voldemort returned.
-oo00oo-
Gilderoy was running, he had been running since that morning when the Daily Prophet was delivered to his home. At the moment he really was running down a crowded muggle street somewhere in London. He wasn't even sure where he was, all he cared about at the moment was finding someplace to hide from the Aurors that were chasing him.
He had apperated several time to different hiding places he had to hide for a few days, but each time the Aurors that had shown up at his home that morning were able to follow him quickly. He didn't know how they were tracking him; the Aurors didn't have time to tag him with a tracking charm and he had checked himself twice not finding anything.
Gilderoy turned down an alley hoping to lose whoever it was that was following him. He was out of breath from the running and the muggles were giving him strange looks, like he was crazy. He felt crazy at the moment and frightened, since leaving the Obliviators
Department at the Ministry of Magic he had never been this scared.
He had met Sybill Trelawney two years after starting at the Ministry. He was the top Obliviator in the department, but he could barely do anything else. "Master Obliviator" that was what she had called him that day she came looking for him. Trelawney was working in the Department of Mysteries, more specifically in the Hall of Prophecy; she had been studying them for several years and had come up with a spell that would register as a true prophecy.
Trelawney was a brilliant researcher; she could take small facts from many sources, come up with a probable future outcome and then give a false prophecy. She had more then twenty prophecies stored at the Ministry that she gave to some principle player in whatever scheme they cooked up. She had tempted fate, going too far and giving a prophecy to Dumbledore about the Dark Lord. Now she was a virtual prisoner at Hogwarts, the old man not wanting her out of his sight.
"If we work together we can be rich." That was all it had taken for Gilderoy to sign on to her little scheme. There were no longer any records of either of them having ever worked at the Ministry. She had been able to destroy everything that had there names on it while he had Obliviated almost everyone at the ministry that knew they had worked there. It took months to do, starting in their departments. Trelawney was sure that they had gotten everyone in the Department of Mysteries, Gilderoy was never too sure.
Now he was running, it was all coming down around him, the Potter boy had slipped his leash, and Dumbledore had lost control of him. Trelawney reassured him she could deal with it. Somehow she knew it was the boy who was behind Sirius Black getting a trial. Gilderoy didn't have the slightest clue how she knew. He was sure she had listening charms all over the ministry, special charms created in the Department of Mysteries.
"Lockhart, it's so nice to see you!" Gilderoy was snapped out of his thoughts as he had just turn down another alley and run straight into Kingsley Shacklebolt. The Auror just smiled at him. Gilderoy gave a little twist to apperate but it didn't work.
"Don't bother; we have anti-apparition charms up all around." Gilderoy snapped back around pulling his wand at the same time. "OBLI…" His wand flew from his grip directly into Shacklebolt's waiting hand, and then he saw a red light and blackness overtook him.
-oo00oo-
Harry lay in bed that night in the tower looking at Snape's memories. He wanted to copy all of the gits potions knowledge to his own library, but was finding it very difficult to do. The knowledge was too integrated into the man's own memories that if Harry tried he would have to copy all of Snape's memories, and he really didn't want to do that, Snape had too many dark memories for Harry.
Harry spent an hour removing Snape's memory of the past couple of days. For Harry's plan to work Snape could not be allowed to remember that it was Harry that had defeated him. He could remember that he was defeated, but not by who. Harry ripped out the memory of the last person Snape was looking at during the feast, and all of the following night and day's memories. Snape would wake up not knowing what had happened; only that he had dueled with someone and lost.
Harry used the Hall of Doors, which he had found out earlier were secret connections to many important places in Hogwarts, to sneak around the castle discreetly. Each door was more like a portal to a small room at each location. The small room was then concealed behind a portrait or hidden in some other manner. There was a door to each of the four houses' common rooms, the hospital wing, headmaster's office, and a dozen other locations.
Harry slipped into the Hospital Wing and made his way to where Snape's body was laying on one of the beds. He had to do this fast, he wasn't sure if Dumbledore or the nurse had alarm wards up around the git. Harry walked up to the side of the bed leaning over Snape. He then pried open both of the gits eyes and looked directly into them. He forced a connection and then forced the mind of Snape out of his own.
Snape started to blink quickly as Harry scurried to the hidden room and the portal back to the tower. Moments later both Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey rushed into the room to find Snape sitting up in his bed looking around confused with a scowl on his face.
"Severus, do you remember what happened to you?" Dumbledore asked, not even worried about how his Potion Master was doing at this moment.
Severus looked up at the approaching Headmaster. "Why am I not in the Great Hall enjoying…" Snape stopped. "I lost a duel…"
"Do you know who it was Severus?" asked Dumbledore a second time.
Snape's scowl deepened as he tried to remember who it was he was fighting. He remembered looking around the Great Hall in disgust. That Potter brat was the four founder's heir. He remembered making eye contact with several students including Draco. In fact the last person he remembered making eye contact with was Draco, but he knew Draco didn't have any skill in the mind arts.
"The last person I looked at before waking up just now was Draco; he does not have the skill to defeat me. I know this because I have trained him at his father's request." He searched his memories again; even that place where he keeps really important memories had nothing. "I do not know Headmaster. May I return to my quarters I have classes tomorrow."
"Not before I check you out Severus, you have been out of your body for twenty six hours." Madam Pomfrey told him.
Snape's mind stopped. He had lost a day and didn't have a single memory of it. Dumbledore could see that Severus was troubled by the news and figured that he had been obliviated of the entire event.
"Get some rest Severus, I will take your classes tomorrow to give you time to recover." Albus told him.
Snape just nodded his head and laid back down on the bad. For the first time since the Dark Lord had disappeared, he was afraid, whoever had done this was as good or better then the Dark Lord at… those thoughts stopped as he realized the implications.