Chapter IV Harry Potter
Nov 2, 1981
When I received Bathilda's message I was with Hagrid and he insisted on coming with me to check on what happened. I hesitated to bring him at first, but he was so upset I knew he would go anyway and not knowing the situation in Godric's Hollow I felt Hagrid's strength and size could prove useful. As a half giant he is resistant to many spells and curses.
When we arrived we found one side of the cottage blasted away by a powerful curse. James was dead inside near the front door. He must have tried to hold off Voldemort to give Lilly a chance to escape. Lilly was dead in the bedroom next to the crib but the baby Harry was alive; crying and with a scar on his forehead but otherwise unhurt. Lilly must have run to get Harry and been trapped in the bedroom and killed by Voldemort.
Why wasn't Harry killed and where was Voldemort?
Then I remembered the prophecy, "And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not….". Could this scar be the mark in the prophecy? Was Harry not killed because he has power the Dark Lord doesn't? How could a baby have defeated a powerful wizard like Voldemort?
Before I could answer any of the other questions I had to find out about Voldemort. If he was still in the area we were all in danger. I sent a message to Snape to meet me in my study. I asked Hagrid to take Harry and see to it that he was safe. Hagrid has been close to the Potters since their days at Hogwarts and is one of the few I could trust with Harry's life. As soon as Hagrid picked up Harry and began to gather some of the baby's things I left to meet Snape.
Snape was in a rage. He said I had promised to protect Lilly and her family and I failed. I told him I did what I could but he is the one that said there was a traitor in the order but couldn't tell me who it is. Then I told him Harry was alive and said we could make up for our failure by protecting the boy. At first he refused, saying he wouldn't help the son of his enemy, James Potter. I reminded him the boy was Lilly's son to and he had Lilly's green eyes. He agreed to help protect Harry but I was not to tell anyone.
I thought at first he might be afraid of Voldemort or his death eaters finding out he was
helping me; but the look in his eyes told me he was ashamed of his feelings. He wanted to appear cold and hard and didn't want people to know he could love like any other man. I think he developed this attitude when Lilly rejected him while still in school and it was his protection from being hurt again.
I agreed, and began to question him about the whereabouts of Voldemort. He told me Voldemort had not been seen since he left for the Potter's cottage. Voldemort called a meeting of death eaters for later in the night but never showed up or sent word. The death eaters have a signal for calling Voldemort but he didn't respond to that either and some death eaters were now out looking for him.
The thought that Harry had survived struck me again; did he have a power the Dark Lord did not know of? Could Voldemort's killing curse had reflected back and killed him instead? I suggested it to Snape who responded by saying the death eaters did not believe Voldemort could be killed. Voldemort told the death eaters he had defeated death and if killed would come back to life. Snape admitted he did not know if this were true or if Voldemort was just trying to intimidate the death eaters by pretending he was more powerful than even death. I must consider the possibilities.
The next problem was what to do about Harry. James' mother had died during in October while the Potters were in hiding. Lilly's parents were dead for several years and the elderly aunt she had lived with before marrying James could not care for a baby. Harry's only relative I knew of was Lilly's sister Petunia and her husband; both muggles. They could not protect Harry should Voldemort still be alive or even from his death eaters seeking revenge.
I thought about how Harry survived and it occurred to me that if Lilly had died sheltering Harry which was likely; she would have produced a Morte Amore (I die for my beloved) charm over him. This would have shielded him and reflected Voldemort's killing curse which is what seems to have happened. Petunia was a blood relative to Lilly and I could extent the duration of the charm over Harry using this blood relationship.
I found Petunia's house and preformed the charm in such a way that as long as Harry was in the care of his mother's blood relation he would be hidden from and protected from Voldemort and all of Voldemort's allies. I sent a message to Hagrid to bring Harry to his aunt's house and wrote a letter explaining the situation to Petunia. I remember when Lilly first came to Hogwarts Petunia was jealous because she did not have magical powers. I was not sure how she would handle having this magical problem thrust upon her but if it didn't work out I would have to try something else.
There were many magical families that would be happy to adopt Harry. The Longbottoms were close to the Potters in that last year and I am sure they would care for Harry if necessary. Before Hagrid arrived with Harry, Professor McGonagall arrived and I explained the situation. I am not sure she agreed but at least she assented.
Headmaster APWBD
Nov 4, 1981
Hagrid told me as he was leaving the cottage with Harry that Sirius Black showed up on his flying motorcycle. He wanted to take Harry because James and Lilly had made him Harry's godfather and he felt it was his duty to care for Harry. Hagrid refused to hand Harry over telling Sirius I had ordered him to care for Harry until a final decision could be made. He told Sirius to talk to me but Sirius said as long as Harry would be cared for he had something important to do and he left.
That morning Sirius killed the Potter's other friend Peter Pettigrew. Witnesses claim Pettigrew confronted Black screaming that Black had been the traitor that betrayed the Potter's location to Voldemort and as Pettigrew drew his wand Black who was faster and magically more powerful blasted Pettigrew to pieces along with a dozen muggles that were nearby.
I find it hard to believe Sirius would be the traitor but the facts all point to him. He was the Potter's secret keeper and must have been the one to tell Voldemort. An entire squad of Aurors arrived and arrested Black; he was sent to Azkaban without a formal trial.
Headmaster APWBD
Nov 15, 1981
I have been watching the Dursley's house and Petunia is caring for Harry. Though neither she nor her husband seems happy about the situation they are at least keeping Harry safe. I will continue to check on him.
In the mean time there is still no sign of Voldemort. People are beginning to live normally again. Many people recruited by Voldemort claim they were under the imperious curse, controlled against their will by Voldemort. It is hard to tell who are the innocent victims, and who are death eaters trying to escape punishment.
Headmaster APWBD
Nov 17, 1981
The Longbottoms were captured and tortured by death eaters looking for Voldemort. The death eaters seem to believe the order has captured Voldemort and they can get his location from us. We managed to rescue the Longbottoms and captured four death eaters but the healers at St. Mungo's Hospital tell us the Longbottoms were torture into insanity and there is very little hope for them. They will most likely spend the rest of their lives in a closed ward at the hospital. The baby Neville is with Frank's parents who thankfully are able to care for him.
After starting to feel safe people are scared again. This attack on the Longbottoms who were well liked, and Sirius Black being a traitor, have panicked everyone. It seems the ministry will do anything to keep things calm including sending Black and the death eaters to Azkaban without trials.
Headmaster APWBD
Dec 27, 1981
I checked on Harry Potter and found out though his aunt and uncle are keeping him therefore protecting him; they are not treating him very well. He got no Christmas presents while his cousin received many. He is often left to cry and his clothes are hand-me-downs from his cousin. This may not be the most pleasant life but it is life; Harry is safe from Voldemort if he should return, at least until Harry is old enough and trained enough to protect himself. I will see to the training myself.
Headmaster APWBD
July 19, 1991
The time has come for Harry Potter to start at Hogwarts. I made arrangements for him to receive his letter by owl post. In the years with his aunt Petunia Harry has not had an easy life but he has survived. The spell I placed on Petunia's house will continue to protect Harry while there but he will be in danger while traveling once the death eaters find out he is alive and back in the magical world. I will see he has adequate protection at all times.
Headmaster APWBD
July 25, 1991
Repeated attempts to send Harry his Hogwarts' letter have been thwarted by his aunt and uncle. Petunia apparently never got over her feelings of jealousy as a child. I will send Hagrid to give Harry his letter personally. Hagrid will not be stopped by the Dursleys but will
not harm them either. I told Hagrid to accompany Harry to Diagon Alley, to get his money from
Gringotts, and to buy all the necessary magical school supplies Harry will need. Hagrid will also
provide Harry with sufficient protection from any trouble since Harry will be recognized as soon as he enters the Leaky Cauldron. I have been keeping the key to Harry's vault and told Hagrid to return it to Harry who is now old enough to take the responsibility for keeping it himself.
While in Gringotts I will also have Hagrid do another errand for me. My old friend Nicolas Flamel contacted me and told me of a break in at his house. The house was searched but nothing was taken and Nicolas thinks the thief was after his Sorcerer's Stone. Nicolas has the only one currently in existence and thinks signs left in the attempt to steal it show a powerful dark wizard was behind it. He is afraid that this dark wizard will realize that if the stone was not at the house it must be in Nicolas' vault at Gringotts.
Nicolas believes a powerful wizard will be able to bypass Gringotts security and steal the stone. He asked me to bring it to Hogwarts for safe keeping. Hogwarts is the only place as secure as Gringotts and with Harry Potter coming I have recently strengthened security even more. I agreed because I have a bad feeling that Voldemort could be the thief. Though he has not been seen for ten years the attempt to steal the Sorcerer's Stone that produces the elixir of life just when Harry is coming back into the magical world seems to be more than a coincidence to me. I remember what Snape told me about Voldemort claiming he could return to life if killed and I have been checking into the idea.
I found in the school library books on dark magic describing an artifact called a Horcrux in which a wizard can place part of his soul for safe keeping. While the Horcrux exists the wizard cannot die because part of his soul remains safely bound to this world. No instructions are given on how the wizard restores his body; but if anyone can do this Voldemort would be the one. I have no proof that Voldemort ever made a Horcrux; but the idea matches his boast to the death eaters and he surely knew more about the dark arts than any other wizard. I have removed all books with instructions about making a Horcrux from the school library and secured them in my study.
I have asked several of the Professors to design protective enchantments to protect the stone while in the castle and these are now ready. The problem of moving the stone without it being stolen was the only obstacle and I feel Hagrid will not be suspected of carrying it. He is loyal and his half giant blood makes him very hard to knock out or overcome by magical spells. I have given him a letter to present to the manager at Gringotts instructing the bank to turn the stone over to Hagrid while he is there with Harry.
Headmaster APWBD
Aug 1, 1991
Hagrid has returned with the stone which is now in the area prepared to store it. It seems I acted just in time. The thief broke into Nicloas' vault just hours after Hagrid picked up the stone. I am surer than ever Voldemort is behind this; I can think of no other dark
wizard powerful enough to get in and out of Gringotts without getting caught.
Hagrid also told me all went well with Harry.
Headmaster APWBD
Sept 1, 1991
I made arrangements for security at Platform 9¾ to keep an eye on Harry but it proved unnecessary. Harry met Molly Weasley bringing her children to the train and they helped Harry get aboard. Harry sat with the Weasley's youngest son Ronald and my people on the train reported no trouble.
Harry was sorted into Gryffindor House and is dorm mates with the Weasley boy, a Muggle born named Dean Thomas, a boy named Seamus Finnigan who's family I do not know, and I made sure Neville Longbottom is also in that dorm. He and Harry haven't seen each other since they were one year old and would not remember each other but I think they must get to know each other since their pasts and perhaps their futures have so much in common.
Headmaster APWBD
Sept 5, 1991
Hagrid reported he had invited Harry to tea. Hagrid always was the favorite of Lilly who visited him often to have tea and just talk. I am sure Hagrid remembers this and his being friends with Harry will give me one less thing to worry about. A guard like Hagrid can do Harry no harm. It seems Ron Weasley accompanied Harry to tea.
The Weasley family will also be useful in protecting Harry and I have sent an owl to Arthur and Molly explaining my worries and asking if they would be willing to help when Harry is out of school for holidays and the summer when he is most vulnerable to an attack by Voldemort's death eaters. They have agreed to do whatever they can.
Headmaster APWBD
Sept 8, 1991
Harry's first week seemed to go well. I asked Nearly Headless Nick the ghost of Gryffindor tower to make friends with Harry and he will keep me up to date on how Harry is accepting his return to the magical world. I have instructed the Fat Lady that guards the entrance to the Gryffindor common room to let me know immediately if Harry goes out after hours. I fear he may be like his father who roamed about the castle; but nobody was out to kill James.
All the Professors but Professor Snape report Harry to be intelligent and eager to learn about magic. They say he is polite and pays attention in class. Professor Snape I am sorry to say reports Harry to be arrogant and lazy. I guess his dislike of James has carried over to the son. I reminded him of his promise to protect Harry and he curtly responded that protecting Harry did not mean coddling him and allowing him to get away with everything like his father did. I will have to make an effort to see that Snape is not too hard on the boy.
Headmaster APWBD
Sept 12, 1991
The good news today is Harry is a natural on a broom just like his father. I remember seeing him as a baby just a year old flying around the cottage on his toy broom; but I thought perhaps not being on a broom for his ten years at the Dursleys might have dulled his skills. Professor McGonagall saw him make a dive and catch a glass remembrall in mid air. She has him trying out for the Gryffindor Quidditch team but tells me a tryout is just a formality; at eleven she claims he is better than anyone she has seen since Charlie Weasley.
The bad news is a Slytherin, Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, is the one that took and threw the remembrall belonging to Neville Longbottom. It seems Harry is already at odds with a Slytherin boy like his father was with Snape. I hope this doesn't cause the same problems we had back then. I wonder if anything can be done to stop this Gryffindor-Slytherin animosity feud.
Also Neville was injured by a fall off a broom. He needs confidence. His life with his strong willed grandmother, and dealing with his parents being confined in the mental injury ward at St. Mungo's hospital has made him self conscious and timid. I must remember Harry is not my only problem and to see Neville becomes more confidant and outgoing.
Headmaster APWBD
Sept 13, 1991
Harry is in trouble already. The Fat Lady appeared in a picture in my study to tell me Harry, Ron, and to my surprise a muggle born girl named Hermione Granger left Gryffindor
common room at eleven thirty in violation of curfew. In the hall they met Neville who was locked out of Gryffindor tower because he forgot the password. (I really have to get working on Neville's problems.)
The Fat Lady came to alert me as ordered and has her friend Violet following the children to find out where they are going. Violet appeared a moment later to say the foursome managed to avoid Mr. Filch and headed toward the trophy room. I preformed a disillusionment charm on myself and went straight to the trophy room to see what they were up to. On the way I heard Mr. Filch's voice and saw the children running my way. I quickly told Mr. Filch to go to my office and wait for me while I followed children into the third floor corridor which is off limits because it is the entrance to the vault where the Sorcerer's Stone was hidden.
When they went through the door and saw Hagrid's three headed dog "Fluffy" I thought they would all have to change their knickers. I cast a spell to hold the dog back for a moment and that gave them the chance to get back out the door. I followed them back to entrance of Gryffindor common room where the Fat Lady managed to look surprised that they were out after curfew.
Still hidden by my charm I listened to the story in the common room as they discussed their little adventure. I discovered that Draco Malfoy had challenged Harry to a duel at midnight in the trophy room. Ron was to be Harry's second for the duel; Miss Granger followed them because she was unsuccessfully trying to stop them, and Neville came because he couldn't get back into the common room without the password.
To my surprise Miss Granger then told the others that Fluffy must be guarding something because he was standing on a trap door. I will have to get some reports on her. She seems to be unusually quick minded and perceptive for an eleven year old.
After they went back to bed I talked with Mr. Filch and he told me that Draco Malfoy told him some Gryffindor students were planning to steal a trophy that night and he could catch them if he waited in the trophy room. Less than two weeks into the school year and Harry has a group following him into trouble. He is his father's son.
Headmaster APWBD
Sept 20, 1991
With Harry now knowing there is something hidden in the third floor corridor I have decided to start Harry's training by dropping him clues about the Sorcerer's Stone to see how
perceptive he is. I will arrange for him to find the clues one at a time and give him time to reason out the mystery. If I am right about Voldemort being the thief after the stone Harry has
to be made ready to face him sooner than I would wish. I hope my theory that Harry is protected from serious harm from Voldemort by his mother's charm is correct.
Headmaster APWBD
Oct 12, 1991
Harry has been quiet perhaps because he has been chosen as the Gryffindor seeker and has been at Quidditch practice three nights a week with plenty of homework in between to occupy his time. I have worked out a plan to give him a clue about the sorcerer's Stone and will start it in motion after his first Quidditch match is over.
Headmaster APWBD