CHAPTER 5:

THE DECISION TO STAY

As funny as it was to see Taiyang and Yang nearly beat the crap out of Dumbledore, the quartet from Earth hastily intervened, and explanations were exchanged. Ruby and Yang gravitated towards Fawkes, and the Phoenix preened at being given so much attention by the two girls. They soon got down to business.

"I'm afraid the situation back home is abysmal," Dumbledore said. "After you left with that Raven woman, I got in touch with Amelia Bones of the DMLE, and had her view my memories of what happened, at least prior to that woman knocking me out. While Amelia agreed that there was sufficient cause to reopen the Black case, Cornelius has ordered her to drop the matter, and has threatened to fire her. I fear Cornelius has discarded any possibility of Sirius being innocent from his mind, and what Raven Branwen did hasn't helped matters. Complicating matters is Remus' transformation and attacking you all, as well as infecting Miss Granger with lycanthropy."

"…They want to execute me, don't they?" Lupin asked.

"I'm afraid so," Dumbledore said. "And Miss Granger will be expelled from Hogwarts at the very least. That dreadful Umbridge woman is goading Cornelius. And Harry's plight is as great as Sirius' and Remus', due to destroying so many Dementors."

"Why the hell is that?!" Yang demanded angrily, her lilac eyes briefly flashing to crimson. "Given what Mom and these guys were telling us about these Dementor things, you'd think they'd be glad to be rid of them!"

"Oh, I agree, Miss Xiao Long," Dumbledore said. "Personally, I believe that Dementors are one of those creatures that shouldn't exist, and certainly should not be used as guards. But the Ministry made a Faustian pact to allow them to guard Azkaban, and to execute their worst prisoners. They view them as indispensable. Harry's ability wiped out many of them at the same time…and that has people afraid. They worry about what Harry will do if he could use that power on others. That very same power, he used to vanquish Voldemort in his first year, and I believe, given my own investigations, that Voldemort may actually be gone for good. He used vile means to make himself immortal, means which were destroyed when Harry used his powers. And Voldemort's former followers are capitalising on that. They've launched a smear campaign against you already, Harry."

Harry gritted his teeth in anger, clenching a fist, and he could feel Hedwig gripping into his shoulder with her talons. "Professor…" Hermione asked. "My parents…do they…?"

"I have already notified them of what had happened, and what will happen if you return. They are, understandably, upset. I sent an owl to them, as I promised, once I realised Fawkes could ferry people to this world. I believe they are considering following you to this world," Dumbledore said. "And Miss Branwen, I notice she isn't here…?"

"She isn't. She never is," Taiyang said, in a tone that suggested that was the end of the discussion. "Qrow is on a mission for Professor Ozpin."

"Ah, yes, the headmaster of this Beacon Academy," Dumbledore said. "I would like to meet him before I go back to Earth. In any case, Cornelius' actions are disturbing many within the Wizengamot, particularly towards you, Harry. I believe a no-confidence motion will be mooted before long. But it's too little, and too late, I believe."

"And the Weasleys?" Harry asked.

"All worried about you two," Dumbledore said sadly. "Harry…I have failed you so many times already. Indeed, I have failed all four of you. The option is here for you to come back to Earth…but I fear there may not be anything left for you to come back to. You won't be welcome back at Hogwarts, no matter what I do, Harry. If Cornelius does get ousted in favour of someone like, say, Amelia, it may be different, but…you have family here. Having failed you so many times already, I won't take you away from here if you feel you may be happy here."

"You'd better not," Taiyang said. "He's had enough turmoil in his life lately. I won't say he's safe here: no place on Remnant is truly safe with the Grimm around. But he doesn't have to deal with this 'Boy Who Lived' garbage. Did these idiots you teach seriously expect him to be their messiah?"

"They believed him to be such when he, or rather, the ritual Lily used, vanquished Voldemort," Dumbledore said. "But people are fickle, and their heroes can turn into villains if they don't meet expectations."

"Snape always saw me as nothing more than a spoiled brat," Harry muttered.

''Yes, indeed. Severus…I fear I truly did underestimate his spite. He learned that you were adopted somehow. Part of the reason he helped you, grudging though it was, was because he believed you to be Lily's child. But when he learned the truth…he decided that his vow to help you didn't matter."

"Why would he help me because I am Lily's son?"

"Because he had the hots for her," Sirius said.

"I would not have put it so crudely, but yes. Learning the truth sent him through a psychotic break…and I wish I could have stopped him from making the mistakes that ended his life. It's certainly not the first mistake I have made, and I doubt, even at my age, it will be my last. Still, if you wish to come back when things blow over, you're more than welcome to."

"You mean if they blow over," Lupin said.

The discussion meandered around for a time, before Dumbledore brought out something they'd need: money. Or rather, things they could convert to money. Dumbledore had, after realising he could reach Harry and the others, had gone to Gringotts and had converted some of Harry's monies into bullion and gemstones (the Goblins had even given Dumbledore a receipt for Harry to sign). At a ruinous cost from the Goblins, but gold was still a valuable metal on Remnant, thankfully, and there were places to convert it into Lien. There was more than enough gold to potentially buy not only Scrolls for the quartet, but also pay for room and board for a time, as well as any clothes needed for now. Dumbledore also brought along the trunks of Harry, Hermione, and Lupin.

Given that the newcomers had had to sleep mostly on futons this time (Harry was lucky that he got the spare bed), they were grateful that Lupin had a couple of wizarding tents in his trunk, though Taiyang and his daughters were, understandably, bemused at the vast space inside them.

Dumbledore left with Fawkes, promising to bring back communications from the Weasleys and the Grangers later. And they retired to bed.

Harry couldn't sleep though, and he found himself outside, looking at the stars, and the shattered moon hanging in the sky. Hedwig flew off to hunt. And he found himself sitting there, just outside the house, barely noticing the presence of Hermione until she said, "Can't sleep?"

"No. It's hard to, with this whole situation. Hermione, I'm…"

"Don't. Don't apologise. You're not the one preventing me from being taught at Hogwarts anymore."

"But I dragged you on all those adventures, and…"

"Yes, I know…but…Harry, pursuing Quirrel aside, it's more about things happening to you." She looked up at the moon. "If anything…I'm actually glad that we're here. I mean, it was wonderful enough to come to Hogwarts, the prejudice aside…but a whole other world? There's so much to learn about it."

"Like about the homicidal beasts trying to kill humans?" Harry asked wearily.

"Harry…it's just…our world is filled with dangers too," Hermione said quietly. "I'm not saying Remnant is perfect, but it's just so…well, if my parents agree, I'd be happy living the rest of my life here. What about you?"

"I dunno. I'm still trying to get a handle on the moment," Harry admitted. "But Taiyang's a nice guy, and Ruby and Yang…well, they seem like they'd be good relatives, though the Dursleys set the bar pretty low."

"I understand," Hermione said. "It's Qrow and Raven you have problems with."

Harry nodded. "Raven…she spied on me, stole my letter, and she didn't seem like the nicest person. Qrow…well, he may be my father, but he hasn't been there for me, and, well, he's a drunk, and…I don't really look at him like a father. I was probably only born because he forgot to use protection or something."

"That doesn't matter, not to me. And I think he's a good guy, when he isn't being drunk. Ruby and Yang like him. What about Ozpin?"

"Well, he manned up and apologised the moment he met me," Harry said. "Better than Dumbledore in my book for that. Plus, if there's anyone we need to consult for information we can't normally get, it'd be him."

"That reminds me, what did he talk to you about?"

Harry looked at Hermione, before he said, "You need to keep quiet about this. He said something about Silver Eyes being harmful to Grimm. It obviously hurt Voldemort and the Dementors too. Ruby has them, but to awaken them, she needs to undergo emotional trauma, apparently. As for the other thing…apparently I can turn into a partial Grimm. Ozpin thinks my mother was kidnapped and I was experimented on before I was born. Remember the letter? Apparently the leader of the Grimm is called Salem. She sounds like another Voldemort, only worse."

Hermione contemplated this for a time, before she said, "If you do have those abilities…Harry, this Salem will come after you."

"…I know." He chuckled mirthlessly. "It never ends, does it?"

"…I'll be with you all the way, Harry," Hermione said. And that little bit of affirmation did much to reassure him.

Yes…maybe he would stay on Remnant…

It was rumoured that Professor Ozpin never slept, but in truth, while he slept less than most, he still needed sleep. Nonetheless, there were nights when he could not sleep, and he spent those nights, wandering Beacon Academy, sometimes sitting at the statue commemorating the end of the Great War, or looking out over the Emerald Forest. Sometimes, he'd go to the airship dock, and look at Vale, which was what he was intending to do now, a mug of cocoa in his hand.

Not for the first time, he cursed the brother gods in his head for inflicting immortality on him. It would have been bad enough if he was unaging and undying, but no, every time he died, his soul would attach itself like a leech to another's soul, and gradually merge with it. More than once, he had committed suicide, only to wake up in another's body. Hell, he had tried enough times to write a monograph on methods involved.

All because he failed to stop Salem. Oh, he had tried his best, but the brother gods had considered that not good enough. And while Remnant needed people to remember Salem, and to work against her, Ozpin felt that there was a vindictiveness behind his curse of immortality. He had known Salem, back when she was human…and perhaps there was more he could have done to stop her from falling into darkness.

He thought about Harry, and the opportunity he presented…and the risk. The combination of the Silver Eyes, and a part-Grimm form could be potent…but would Salem be able to manipulate Harry the same way she could other Grimm? And, perhaps more pertinently, would Harry trust him?

As he approached the airship dock, he sensed the disturbance behind him first, long before he saw the glow silhouetting his shadow, or heard the song, a melancholy and yet uplifting song. He heard the footsteps behind him, and was about to challenge the newcomer when he heard the voice. "Excuse me, my dear fellow, but I am looking for Professor Ozpin."

Ozpin turned around to find a bearded old man in garish robes and with twinkling eyes, and with a flame-coloured bird that seemed to be a Phoenix perched on his shoulder. "Your search is over. Given the descriptions I was given, you must be Professor Dumbledore."

"Indeed," Dumbledore said. His eyes peered at Ozpin in scrutiny. Eventually, he remarked, "You share the eyes of my friends Nicholas and Perenelle."

"Hmm? In what way?" Ozpin asked, taking a sip of cocoa.

"You look young…save for your eyes. I wonder why that is."

"A curse, even if many would think it a blessing," Ozpin remarked. "If I had my way, duty aside, I would rather not be."

Dumbledore nodded sagely, and Ozpin noticed that the old wizard seemed to relax slightly. "Those who seek immortality are often those to be wary of," Dumbledore said. "In any case, I came to discuss a delicate matter…namely Harry Potter…"

CHAPTER 5 ANNOTATIONS:

So, Dumbledore's dealing with some things, and Harry and Hermione are all but ready to stay on Remnant. Plus, two old wizards have met.

Review-answering time! A few of you figured out the Cu Chulainn reference in my previous review answers section. Well done. However, a few of you still seem to think that Harry still has the Horcrux in his scar. Dumbledore stated above that Harry's Silver Eyes got rid of all of the Horcruxes…including the one in Harry's scar. He checked after the Philosopher's Stone incident.

comodo50: I usually update my newest fics faster. It boils down to inspiration more than anything else, and I know there are authors worse on updates than me. If a fic hasn't been updated lately, then it's due to inspiration. Unfortunately, it will probably get worst in the future. I generally don't delete fics over 20K words, even if I haven't updated them for some time, but if they haven't been updated for some time, then it's safe to assume they're on hiatus. I don't abandon fics if I can help it.

coduss: I see your point, and I'm not necessarily making her a good guy straight away. Rather, that she breaks out of this whole 'tribe before everything' mentality. In terms of morality, I was thinking, for example, of Kerr Avon from Blake's 7, a similar sort of ruthless mentality coupled with an innate self-centredness, but nonetheless allied, even if only tentatively, with the good guys, or maybe Sabalom Glitz from Doctor Who…if he was more competent and ruthless, anyway. Raven, however, will still begin to reach out to Yang more, and eventually to Harry. By the time of RWBY canon, Raven and Yang are at least on speaking terms, and Harry will have a détente with her, a professional relationship. Speaking of how she gains the Spring Maiden's power, I actually finished writing Chapter 11, which ends with a scene with Raven contemplating how, and while it's still a pretty nasty thing, I deliberately wrote it so that Raven didn't actually kill the Spring Maiden out of a desire for power, but in a way that her justifications to Yang in canon are true…albeit 'from a certain point of view', to quote Star Wars. You'll see.

jgkitarel: He actually discusses this in a later chapter.

Manda Jr: That was a joke in very poor taste. Shame on you.

No numbered annotations this time.