SOLDIER
Disclaimer: See chapter 1. Reviews are welcomed, flames are not.
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Chapter 16: Asking for it
"Harry, come here," came Muramasa's voice. He was standing in front of a small curio cabinet.
"What's up?" Harry asked as he and Sirius stepped over to stand by the zanpakuto spirit.
"Whoa!" Siruis exclaimed. "I wish he wouldn't do that!"
Harry chuckled as he scanned the cabinet. "Hmmm. . . I see what you mean." He raised his hand and a small locket floated out.
There was a sudden pop and an elderly elf appeared. "Master Regulus' locket. Poor Kreacher failed good Master Regulus. Kreacher was unable to do what good master asked of Kreacher. Good master wants Kreacher to destroy locket, but Kreacher can not." The old elf stood, head bowed in shame, wringing his hands.
Harry performed a small Kido spell to wrap a barrier around the locket. He frowned. "Are you sure Muramasa?"
"Yes, Harry. It has the same taint as the one that was inside your scar."
Sirius and Remus gasped in shock at that revelation.
"Well, as evil as it feels, it's a sure bet it'll go straight to hell. According Ichigo the gates are massive, as well as ugly, so I really don't want to do a soul burial here."
Kreacher twisted his hands cruelly while staring at the locket, moaning about how he failed his poor, dead master.
"Kreacher," Harry said sternly, bringing the house elf abruptly back to reality. "Tonight, I will cleanse this locket just as your master wanted you to. Can you tell me a bit about it?"
Kreacher muttered to himself. From what Harry could understand from his mumbling response, Regulus had become disenchanted with the Dark Lord when he learned the mad man was splitting his soul and creating horcruxes. He decided to betray him by collecting the horcrux he knew of and destroy it. Retrieving the locket had cost Regulus his life, and so its destruction fell to his faithful elf, Kreacher.
Sirius plopped onto the nearby couch in shock. "I. . . I didn't know. . . I. . .I had . . .no idea. . ."
Remus went over to the liquor cabinet and poured two shots of fire whiskey. "So, now what? We need to research how to deal with. . ."
"Oh, that's no problem." Harry broke in, interrupting him. "Ichigo and his friends deal with this type of thing all the time. But we can't do it here. Not safe. How about tonight after curfew, in the Forbidden Forest? It's big enough and far enough from people. It'll probably attract unwanted guests, though." Harry sigh ruefully.
Much to Sirius and Remus' surprise he pulled out a cell phone and hit speed dial. A quick call to Japan, and everything was arranged. "There, it'll be early morning for them, as they are a day ahead of us, but Ichigo, and maybe Shinji, will come." Harry tucked the small phone back into his pocket as he spoke.
"Your cousin? I would like to meet him," Sirius said, after he downed a second shot quickly.
"You should be able to see him in his Shinigami form," Harry mused, looking over at Muramasa. "We Wizards can see ghosts all of the time, especially at Hogwarts."
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Upon returning to Hogwarts that evening, Harry had a bad feeling that his luck just took a turn for the worse. After all, his duel had been broadcast around the world. The odd thing was no one was waiting for him as he entered the castle. "Hmph, almost too quiet," he murmured as he entered.
Harry stepped into the Great hall as dinner was being served, just as he had promised his head of house. He was still wearing his fighting robes, scarf and kenseikan, sans Fudge's blood of course, and looked every inch a noble lord. He was thankful that he had taken the time to clean up and unwind at Sirius'.
As people started to notice him, silence fell on the Great Hall. He paused and stared coldly at them before turning towards the Gryffindor table.
He glared at Ron and Seamus before sitting down by Neville. "My honor has been satisfied—in blood. Do I need to prove it to you children as well?"
"Uh No, I'm good," Seamus stuttered. "That's alright. ."
"Yea mate," Ron said, between mouthfuls. "You did good. Showed them what's what."
Hermione said nothing, just wrung her hands.
Harry sniffed and looked at the food in front of him. He was hungry, he hadn't eaten all day. It looked like the elves had outdone themselves tonight. There was rice, and his favorite Japanese curry, waiting for him.
"What's that, mate?" Ron asked reaching across the table to steal the bowl of curry.
Harry glared at Ron and raised his hand to stop him. "Hado . . ."
"Harry!" Several voices shouted at once.
Ron quickly snatched his hand back in fear.
Harry lowered his hand and didn't finish the spell. "If you must know, it is Japanese curry and rice, made especially for me as my stomach can no longer tolerate the sauced and heavy English fare."
"I only wanted a taste, mate," Ron said, returning to his plate of food.
"You have no manners and eat like a pig. I did not want your gross behavior to spoil what the elves had prepared for me," Harry said as he helped himself to the rice dish. "Once I have had my fill, you may try it."
"Mr. . . I mean Lord Potter," came Professor McGongall's stern voice, just as Harry was able to take two bites of his dinner.
"Yes, Professor McGonagall?" Harry asked, elegantly wiping his hands and lips on a napkin.
"The headmaster wished to see you as soon as you returned. He isn't to be kept waiting."
"As soon as I've finished eating, Madam," Harry replied, taking another bite. "I haven't eaten since breakfast and I am hungry."
"I am afraid it can not wait. Up! You are to come with me immediately," the professor said, pulling her wand.
Harry sighed and looked at his plate. The elves had gotten the curry just right, too! He took two more bites and stood, dabbing his face and wiping his hands on the napkin once more. "If you must insist, professor, at least you could have waited until I was finished. This behavior is exceedingly rude and ill-bred."
Several nearby students muttered in agreement. They had hoped for drama tonight. Looks like they might be about to get it.
Harry stood in front of the indignant professor and stared coldly at her. "Well, Professor, let us get this over with quickly so, at the very least, I can get something to eat in the kitchens before they shut down for the night."
"Well, I never!" she huffed.
"I am sure you have not, more's the pity," Harry retorted as he took a sip of his water, wishing for a decent cup of tea.
Lord Kuchiki was quite clear on how to deal with underlings. They were, according to him, not worth your time or your anger. He'd taught Harry that, to true nobles, they were invisible and to be ignored,unless they had proven their worth and loyalty. The only reason Ichigo got away with half the stuff he did with Lord Byakuya was because his cousin had earned the captain's respect through his skill by beating him at the bankai level.
Professor McGonagall didn't realize it, but she had lost Harry's respect a quite some time ago. It was highly unlikely she would ever be able to earn it back. He would never again treat her with the respect she thought she deserved.
Harry turned his back to her and walked towards the Great Doors. "Well, Professor? Are you coming or not?"
"The headmaster wishes to see you alone, Lord Potter," she said.
"I see, so you do not consider yourself my head of house, then? When did you resign your position?"
"I. . ." she sputtered in rage. "20 points from Gryffindor for showing such disrespect to a professor!"
"I only give what is earned, madam," Harry said looking at her over his shoulder. He shook his head and sighed.
"As I'm sure you know, according to the charter, a student of Hogwarts should have their head of house accompany them when called to see the headmaster. Clearly madam, you are denying that position if you do not accompany me." Harry's voice carried over the silent hall.
"He's right, Minerva," came the voice of Pomona Sprout from the head table. "I always go when one of my badgers are called. I've not once heard, in all your years as Head, that you have ever stayed and fought for one of your lions. And you know he always has Severus there, so I doubt he will be seeing him alone. I never thought I would actually see the day when you would fail to do right by one of your lions." The scorn in her voice was clear to all.
Harry watched as Minerva looked at the Gryffindor table and the stunned faces of her lions. It was obvious by the shocked looks on their faces not one of them knew this rule. Others had a clear look of resignation, knowing all too well that she only defended her favorites.
"Very well, Lord Potter." A red faced McGonagall snapped.
"Professor, for the record, respect once lost must be re-earned. You lost mine a very long time ago," Harry told her loud enough for the listening students to hear as he walked out the doors.
"30 points for standing up for what is right," came Filius Flitwick's voice as the doors closed behind the pair. Several of the staff nodded in agreement.
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Albus had been informed by the portraits that Harry was back. He gathered up the Weasleys, Remus Lupin and several other members of the Order, to wait with him in his office. It was too bad that Severus had been called away to tend Tom. He could have used his opinion, not to mention his legilimency skills.
He wondered what was going through Harry's mind to go the route he did with Cornelius Fudge. According to the healers, the man might live if he survived the night. His hand had been reattached to his arm by the healers, but he would have very limited use of it and the scar ringing his wrist would be a reminder of his failure for the rest of his life. But still . . .
Amelia Bones had been very close-mouthed about the duel. She'd had a 'ring-side seat' as the muggles put it. And it had proven to her satisfaction that Cornelius was nothing but a spineless coward. Something she'd never doubted, but it had been interesting to see it confirmed so publicly. All she'd said in the aftermath was, "Lord Potter knew what he was doing, and did it all legally,"
"He's here, Albus, just as you ordered," came Minerva's voice as the pair entered his office.
"Thank you Minerva, you may go," the headmaster told her.
Harry glanced at her to see what she would do. After the dressing down he gave her in the Great hall he was curious to see if she took it to heart.
"I am sorry Albus, but the Charter says that the Head of House must be present when you call for a student," she huffed. "I had that clearly spelled out tae me in the Great Hall. I will be staying."
Disappointed that the woman refused to take his lead, Albus turned to the teen. "Harry, my boy. You've been busy I see." Albus twinkled.
Harry just glared at the man before he took in the group of people in the office. Of course. He just couldn't meet with the headmaster alone.
"I find your form of address offensive Dumbledore. It is Lord Potter, and I am not your 'boy'," Harry informed him coldly. "As you should know, since you were supposed to be my guardian. You were required, by law, to take me before the goblins to claim my inheritance at age eleven. Instead, you sent a guileless servant and reneged on your responsibilities to me. Makes one wonder if you were truly my guardian after all, with so little concern for my welfare."
"Harry James Potter! Show some respect to the headmaster!" Molly Weasley demanded loudly, scowling.
Harry turned to her. "I don't need a thief to tell me what to do Mrs. Weasley! What!?" He looked around at the shocked faces surrounding him. "Did you not know that there was more than 500 galleons missing from my vault after I gave Mrs. Weasley my key to make a withdrawal on my behalf—since I was refused the right to do it myself.
"Of that 500 plus galleons only about 100 of it was spent, by Mrs. Weasley, on my school supplies. The goblins tell me it was your doing, madam. You were the one with my key, you were the only who could've done it. I also know that you are still paying them back, with interest and penalties for the theft. So I suggest madam, that you be quiet."
Arthur Weasley groaned as Molly gave a shriek and rose from her chair to lunge at the teen. He was too late to try and stop her.
Harry, however, had prepared by raising his hand at her shriek of fury, and said just before she could reach him, "Bakudo #61: Six Rods of Prison Lights!"
Six bright lights shot out of his hand and impaled Molly Weasley, pinning her arms to her waist.
"Be thankful madam that I am a gentleman, I could easily have done something much more lethal."
The members of the Order gasped and backed away from Harry, staring in shock as Molly fell to the floor, trapped with six rods of light radiating from her waist.
Harry waved a hand and said, "Silencio!" Molly's piercing shrieks were abruptly cut off.
Albus looked at Harry and then at Molly. "Harry! Release her! My boy, you don't want to go down that dark path!"
Harry looked at the old headmaster, turning his back on the entrapped woman. "What path is that? The one that leads to proper punishment for a thief? The one you are constantly trying to force me on by leaving me alone, unsupported, a prisoner unless you have need of me? Or the one that has me fighting Riddle, and you claiming the victory while naming me as an incipient Dark Lord whom you promptly ship off to Azkaban without a trial? How convenient.
"No longer. I can recognize true darkness when I see it," Harry said, gazing directly at the headmaster. No, I will go down the path of my own choosing – and leave you all to face this war alone. The British Wizarding World has given me no reason to risk my life for their well being. It has cost me enough."
The members of the Order of the Phoenix gasped and vocally denied Harry's statements. "Deny what you will, not one of you stood for me against the Ministry propaganda this past summer. A woman I trusted stole from the vault of an orphan. And you allowed one controlling old man to place me with abusive muggles, despite the fact my parents will stated otherwise. What then do I owe you?"
Harry looked coldly at the old wizard across from him.
'Harry, someone is in here with me,' came Muramasa's voice.
'Deal with him, Muramasa. I'm busy.'
'A pleasure, Harry Potter.'
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Muramasa looked at the bearded old man who had stepped into his master's inner mindscape. The nursery was Harry's sanctum, and not to be violated.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" the white clad spirit raised his arm and wiggled his long fingers and even longer finger nails. "You have no business being here old fool. Leave."
"Wh. . . who are you?" the old man asked as he looked around at the over-large nursery. "What is this place?"
"A place you do not belong."
Muramasa smiled as he sent threads around the old wizard's body. This was the controlling old fool that sent his Harry to abusive adults for what he claimed was 'the greater good'! The threads choked the old fool more tightly with each strand.
"And someone that you do not want to deal with. Leave!" the spirit demanded. "Harry Potter is well protected. Leave before I kill you."
The old man's eyes widened as more thread-like hands started to squeeze, choking him, cutting off his air.
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Albus came out of Harry's mind suddenly, gasping for breath. His hands scrabbling at his neck as he reeled in his chair, checking to see if he really was being strangled,.
Harry looked at him with cold disdain. "I should've warned you to stay out of my mind Headmaster, but then, you would've just ignored the warning, as usual."
Many of the order looked at the headmaster with disgust, others with curiosity.
"Using Legilemency is illegal on a minor," someone snapped.
Professor McGonagall looked appalled at what Albus had just tried to do to one of her lion cubs.
Harry turned to leave. "This is rather unproductive. I have missed dinner, which my healers warned me against. I will now see what I can find in the kitchens. Excuse me."
"Wait! You can't leave yet!" called Arthur. "Molly. . . "
Harry waved his hand as he walked out the door and the Kido spell broke.
"Well that was informative," Remus said with a wry smirk.
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A/N: For those that review that Harry is going dark. . . we asked where do you come up with that idea? He's just fed up so quit channeling your inner Dumbledore.
Please don't get use to two chapters back to back. We seem to be on a roll, so please don't jinx us.
Thanks for all the positive reviews. Until next time. – GF