A/N: I am thrilled that I am able to create my own universes in the reality created by JKR. I own the ideas and characters and places which are unfamiliar. Anything you recognize belongs to the Creator.
Thank you for looking at the second chapter of the revision. To repeat, this is an expansion and elaboration of the original one-shot. So it is going to look a lot like the first chapter except it is more detailed. The original one-shot is up on the advice of my beta, alix33 to provide a comparison.
Harry ignored the tables as he entered, walking to the Head Table. He looked at Dumbledore. "Headmaster, I remember you telling me that help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it. I would like permission to speak to the students and staff at this time," While he had spoken in a low voice, the predictably loud voice of Severus Snape filled the Hall.
"Potter! How dare you! Even at his worst, your brat of a father never had the gall to ask to speak to the School! 200 points from Gryffindor, and two months of detentions with me might serve to force-feed you some humility!"
Before anyone else could react, Dumbledore spoke quietly, but with a chill in his voice. "I will remind you again, just this once, Severus. The final word on points and detentions lies with me, not with you."
Dumbledore looked at Harry, considering. Something has happened in the last few hours. Harry is growing into his full potential as a wizard, no, more importantly, as a man. It is as if James and Lily are speaking to him and guiding him. He is quite right, I did tell him that. Raising his voice and speaking to all present. "No points are removed from Gryffindor, and Mr. Potter will serve no detentions for making his request. Harry, say what you must. No one will interrupt you, at least no one with any regard for house points or detentions."
"Thank you, Headmaster."
Harry stood in the center of the Great Hall. For a moment, he seemed to shrink even smaller, then he straightened and his presence filled the Great Hall. "I need to make something clear from the start. Everything that happened on that horrible night last June happened just as I have told Professor Dumbledore, just as he told the three schools. For better or for worse, Tom Marvolo Riddle, who calls himself Lord Voldemort. has decided that the world is not big enough for him and for Harry James Potter." Harry ignored the predictable gasps at the sound of Riddle's made-up name. "I promise you this; I shall not 'go gentle into that good night'. I will fight and defeat Voldemort, not for the 'world', magical or not, but for those for whom I care, and for justice, justice for my parents and myself. I hold him responsible for all the ill in my life, from October 31, 1981, through this night and until he is gone for good. He will pay for this and by my hand."
"Look, I need the truth from all of you. Do you think I killed Cedric Diggory? If you do, please stand." Harry looked around and it and saw about 40 people sitting. That didn't particularly surprise him except when he saw Cho Chang sitting. "Thanks. That is about what I thought. It wouldn't surprise me it that is the way the entire Wizarding World sees me too.
"OK, another question. Are there any of you who dream about Cedric's death? Please stand." This time no one, save Cho stood. Harry continued, speaking to her directly. "I dream of it too, every single night. Always the same. The graveyard and the Death Curse. Surely I'll push him out of the way this time. Surely I will intercept the curse this time." Harry's face and Cho's were both awash in silent tears. "But of course it cannot be. The curse strikes and I awake with my screams filling my head, yet never reaching my mouth. I rarely sleep, and then only three hours a night, if I am lucky."
"Today, I have received detentions for telling the truth. Professor Umbridge, I apologize unreservedly for my outburst, not for my telling the truth. You bore the brunt of three months of my pain, anger, sadness. You did not deserve that and for that I am sorry. Of course I willingly accept the detentions I've earned"
"Now I have a challenge for the entire world, or at least Wizarding Britain. If you truly think I killed Cedric, why have I not been tried and punished? Seems the right thing to do. I know why. If I were tried the whole truth would come out. Another died that night, on the orders of Minister Fudge. I know what I experienced to be the truth. Sadly, we all know what would happen, if I tried to make a magical oath. So, I ask, no, I demand that my memories of that night be placed in a Pensieve, for all to view! I Demand to testify about that night, under Viritaserum! I DEMAND that the Wizengamot meet here, in the Great Hall, with the student body and judge my charges! I have nothing to hide, nor will I allow anything to remain hidden! If you refuse this, then we all know where disillusion and denial lie!"
The roar in the Hall was deafening. Harry held up his hand, silencing the hall. "There are a few who don't need this challenge to know I was truthful. I know who you are. You are not more than a dozen and a half. Some of you are not at Hogwarts. Know now that I love you, that each of you are so valued by me, that all the gold in Gringotts pales into insignificance. I must have all of you with me, if I am to survive, let alone live."
"I've only few things more to say now. Headmaster, would you and the faculty determine if I may have private quarters, where I and I alone shall sleep, but which has a common room in which I may see, talk, study and be with those about whom I have spoken. Should the answer to my request be 'no', then I humbly request that I be resorted into Slytherin House."
Professor McGonagall rose. "Harry, why these requests?"
"The first is a request for sanctuary, where I can be Harry and be with those who see Harry and not whatever flavor of 'The-Boy-Who-Lived' is being peddled this week."
"If I end up in Slytherin, I know where I stand. Three are among the ones I love. The first years mostly have yet to make up their minds. With the exceptions I mentioned, the second through seventh years hate me with a passion that is not likely to change much. So, if not sanctuary, at least a place that will be honest."
The faculty looked at each other, with a mélange of emotions on their faces: shock, dismay, admiration, and in all their faces more than a hint of shame. Then came the last voice anyone expected.
A sugary little-girl voice filled the hall. "Hem Hem. Mr. Potter, I accept your apology. Since the matter of your truthfulness will be publicly decided soon, I drop your detentions." Dolores Umbridge was well pleased with what happened. This attention-seeking delinquent would soon be exposed for the fraud he was. And the side benefit would be the complete fall of Albus Dumbledore. Then, the Minister and Ministry would finally be safe!
"Thank you, Professor Umbridge."
The Headmaster arose. Mr. Potter, your request for sanctuary is granted. Professor McGonagall with take you and your friends there after dinner. For tonight, the seventh year prefects shall escort them back to their common rooms at midnight. Afterwards, they must abide by the regular curfew." He waved his wand and a table, a quarter of the size of the House Tables appeared. "This is Sanctuary Table. Here, you and your companions may eat, study, socialize, and enjoy fellowship. At this table you will not be bothered by others, except for school business."
"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore."
Harry sat at the middle of Sanctuary, so he could be surrounded by and be close to those he loved. But no one else yet moved. "Please come and join me. All of us know who we are."
"I need my godbrother up here; Neville Longbottom. I need my godsister too, Susan Bones. Please sit here, on my left, both of you. Hermione, you are my best friend, now and evermore. Sit here on my right. Can't have a party without the Weasleys. Ginny, Ron, Gred, Forge. Sit here, across from me. Luna Lovegood, little sister, please sit next to Hermione. Finally, Daphne and Astoria Greengrass and Tracey Davis. Astoria, sit next to Ginny please. Daphne, will you sit next to Fred? Tracy, will you sit next to Luna?"
As they sat down, the Headmaster gazed at Harry, managing with difficulty to hide his astonishment. I underestimated. Somehow, Harry has spoken to James and Lily. He couldn't have known about Mr. Longbottom and Miss Bones any other way. I must accelerate my plans. Harry and his group must be taught and trained. After his trial, I must begin.
When they were all seated, plates, cutlery, goblets (the non-fiery variety), pitchers and platters of food appeared on the table. Harry's stomach growled and he grinned. "I don't know about anyone else, but I'm ready to eat."
A/N: Thanks go to alix33, who is my beta for this venture. Any further problems you might find are, of course, on me.
Story recommendation: Souls Abound, by Robst (id: 6035532) . An interesting 'What if' on the aftermath of the events in Chamber of Secrets.
Once more, Thanks to all you who read my efforts. Visitors, hits, reviews, follows, favorites, C2s are my only payment. Believe me, they make me feel rich!
Words 1,679
Posted 12/23/14; 03/31/2015