A/N: How the hell do people do this! I have had such a hard time with Dumbles it is not even funny! Bangs head on desk Stupid brain now is NOT the time for a writes block.
In Harry's opinion the day went by far to quickly. As he stood outside Dumbledore's office, holding Artie, unease began to creep up on him again. He gave the password and headed up the staircase, if he was going to do this he wanted to get it over with as soon as possible. Pushing open the door, he approached Dumbledore's desk.
The two were silent for a moment, before Dumbledore instructed Harry to sit down. "Would you care for a lemon drop?" Harry declined, waiting for the other shoe to drop, while petting Artemis for comfort. "I called you here because I am worried about you, Harry." Dumbledore began trying to employ his grandfatherly act.
Harry, not believing the act for one second, resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Why would you be worried about me, sir?" Harry asked, playing along, still petting Artie. Dumbledore glanced at the fox a bit skeptically.
"You have changed so much in the past few weeks. You are more confident and independent. I know you don't want to hear this but you are bonded to two wizards known for the Dark Arts. I just want to know that you are not going dark on us. If you do it could backfire and cause the destruction of our world. I need to know that you are still the same, lovable boy you were." Dumbledore was trying to see if Harry was still loyal to him or if the boy had started to rebel against him.
"I honestly don't think I've changed, I think I've stopped hiding who I am. Draco and Severus only use the Dark Arts if need be, and no I am not going dark. I will continue to do all I can to end this war but I refuse to be your pawn." Harry stated coldly, not taking well to what was said about his pack members.
"I don't know what you mean by that last statement." Dumbledore said, but there was a note of worry in his voice.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about. You are not as benign as you seem, old man." Harry didn't miss the shift in Dumbledore's demeanor. Suddenly the atmosphere was much more dangerous. Artemis' fur started to bristle.
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow at Harry as if to say 'Do you really believe that?' Harry raised his head and glared at his headmaster, daring him to deny it. He didn't. "You are more observant than people give you credit for." He stated simply. Harry didn't Notice Dumbledore casting a spell at him to make him remember a different conversation, but Artemis did. She dispersed the spell before it could take hold, not alerting anyone to her interference.
They sat in silence for a time before Dumbledore dismissed Harry. Harry had reached the door and shut it behind him before he took off running. There were a few times when he almost ran over people in his haste. Harry was desperate to get as far away from the old man as possible.
He made it to the dungeons on record time and went to his rooms. Severus, Remus, and Draco were sitting near the fire with tea, obviously waiting for Harry to get back. They all looked up at his entrance.
"That didn't take long, what happened?" Draco asked; eyes narrowing as he took in Harry's breathless state.
"Nothing much. We just talked." Harry put Artemis down and held up his hand to stop Draco. "I am going to show you the pensieve memory anyway, so don't get your knickers in a twist." Harry threw a cheeky grin at Draco.
As Severus went to retrieve his Pensieve, Harry ended up in Draco's arms on the couch. "Dumbledore creeps me out." Harry said to no one in particular. And Artemis let out a low growl. The three humans currently in the room turned to face her.
"What is it Artemis?" Remus asked calmly, if a bit worriedly.
"That man is more than 'creepy'. He is down right evil." She ground out.
"Care to elaborate?" Severus said reentering the room, Pensieve bowl in hand.
"He is the worst kind of evil. He thinks he is doing it for 'The Greater Good' or at least he did at first. Now it has evolved into him thinking he is god-like and can control peoples lives." Artemis said all this in an angry monotone.
A tense silence fell upon the group and Harry was the one to break it. "So…I guess I' not the only one who thinks Old Dumbles has a secret agenda." There was some dry chuckling throughout the room. "Anyways… back to the Pensieve." Harry took the bowl of misty liquid from Severus and sat it on the table, putting the memory in. The other three quickly dove in while Harry and Artie stayed back.
When the others emerged from the memory, they took their seats around the room. Severus and Remus each in separate armchairs, Draco and Harry back on the couch, and Artemis claimed the rug in front of the fire. "Well," Severus said, "other than you basically calling Dumbledore out, that was pretty basic. There isn't really much to go into."
"Oh, there is one thing." Artemis said. "Dumbledore tried to cast a spell to alter Harry's memories. He wanted to make Harry see the barmy old man rather than the corrupt, manipulative leader of the light side of a war."
Harry could feel the anger building in the room, and stood. " I know you are angry at Dumbledore right now, but we should talk about this development tomorrow. I am tired and going to bed." This would give everyone a chance to cool down before they made a rash decision.
"It's only five o'clock, Harry. We haven't had dinner yet." Draco pointed out.
"I know but this day just needs to be over. I can't handle anything else today. I need sleep more than food right now. Goodnight." And with that Harry closed the bedroom door.
A/N: I worked through the writer's block because I didn't want you guys to wait anymore. I don't like this chapter. And in my defense I had a weird day. I was sitting on my SRT (study hall) when two people dressed as bananas came in, handed out papers, and left. Like they didn't sing or anything! D: There was also another spider incident. In my room the other day it was a Recluse and today in the bathroom it was a Black Widow. So yea it is midnight. I have had too much sugar and I am going to sleeeep since my keyboard is swimming out of focus.