Chapter 12
And With That He Leaves
Harry's POV
After being told you are to be King, that you have several mates, that you have fallen for a girl of your rivaling house and that your best friend's cat is really an Animagus, you would expect for someone to be prepared for more shocks, but to know that Peter Pettigrew is a man that lived a thousand years ago as well as today still silences me.
But while I am silenced and while many students start to whisper about the fact that Salazar Slytherin was murdered, does my mind race with possibilities of what this could mean and then my eyes fall on the animal that is still in my lap, the animal I looked at when seeing Crookshanks be changed into Godric Gryffindor.
Realizing what it could mean for my godfather that an ancestor of Pettigrew is as evil as his namesake, do I ask: "Are you saying one of my father's friends has a murderer for a namesake?" Godric nods and then smirks at me and I suddenly remember that Crookshanks was present the day Sirius proved his innocence to me.
Begging him with my eyes to continue my plan, the man makes me feel as if a weight has been lifted off my shoulders as he says: "Yes, and those namesakes aren't the only things those two share. I was after all there, remember?" And I happily nod, Sirius even barking in response and making Hermione and Ron smile at him.
Gryffindor then looks at me and reverently asks: "Do you wish for my statement to strengthen thy the decision for Immunity, my King?" And instantly I realize that while Gryffindor and I had completely different plans that his is even better than mine and I once again feel the proud weight of Excalibur on my back.
Going with the instinct given to me by that very sword, do I stand up, causing for Sirius to stand by my side as I pull Excalibur out of its hilt, everyone looking at the sword with reverence and awe and while I strike the floor of the Great Hall with its tip, does Gryffindor stand in front of me and do I answer: "Yes, I do Lord Gryffindor."
Making the man smile at me with pride in his eyes, while the people that stood with Merlin now stand behind the man, all looking ready to help me where needed and then Gryffindor says: "I, Godric Gryffindor, hereby swear to the Crown that I witnessed Peter Pettigrew's presence be revealed on the 6th of June in 1994."
Everyone reacts to this in shock and I say: "The Crown recognizes this Oath in response to its own presence that day, together with its own presence to the evidence that was presented to it and that, by oath and heart, proved Sirius Orion Black not guilty of any crimes he was sent to Azkaban prison for, without any form of legal trial."
By now the shocked murmurs of 'Not guilty?' and 'has he lost it?' and 'Could Black be here cursing him?' have stumped down as soon as everyone heard me utter the words 'without any form of legal trial.' And while feeling as if the sword is guiding me where Arthur would have wanted me as King, do I say:
"Furthermore, does the Crown hereby decree Sirius Orion Black under official, law-abiding, oath-included Immunity of the Crown and all its services until either Minister Cornelius Oswald Fudge or any other member of the Ministry for Magic has seen it fit to redeem their mistakes made in November 1981.
By crown, by oath, by Magic, so I, Harry James Pendragon-Potter, swear, so Mote it be." And while I have no doubt that, through the wording and magic of my oath, Fudge is now being informed of his new duties, do I feel the magic of the oath settling over me and do I feel my magic get a boost, obviously to help me protect Sirius.
The man, who has by now transformed as well, hugs me tightly and whispers: "You are a true King to be, you know that? Just never go somewhere you know it's dangerous without an adult you trust again, okay?" To this I nod, while wondering how that will be possible as the only adults I trust aren't always around.
By this time do I hear the students around me screaming and do I actually see some of the people in the group conjure weapons that resemble both keys as well as swords and I quickly jump in front of Sirius, shouting: "If any of you are really meant for me, you will trust that I know this man and you will trust me."
The three that had drawn these weapons look shocked and then Lea again appears beside me, whispering softly: "Don't mind them, Harry, the story you told us just fights with what we were told last night and that story is still a little fresh. It was just a natural instinct of theirs, triggered by last night's story. Got it memorized?"
I nod at the man, somehow feeling a lot calmer thanks to that question he asked and then look at Sirius, my eyes roaming over the student body as I turn to him and feeling slightly guilty as they all look at the man in pure fear. Deciding that, as their King, I need to make sure they don't fear my decisions, do I say:
"You need not to fear this man. He is the reason my team won the Quidditch Finals in 1993-1994 and that I survived the First Task. Furthermore, was it my adventure to save – his life that allowed me to finally gain access to Excalibur and did I myself, the Weasley Family and Hermione Granger spend last summer and Winter.
This man deserves respect and honor, for he stayed within the bowels of hell, just to keep himself somewhere he can stay in contact with the outside world, because escaping at the wrong time would have made the effort to prove his innocence an impossible task, at least without the correct amount of evidence.
This evidence was found by him and by myself on the Sixth of June in 1994, however it escaped due to circumstances that were out of both of our abilities and grasp and therefore, has this man been hiding himself, just to be somewhere he can be of help and assistance to those that need it, including I myself and Arthur Weasley.
Arthur Weasley, who last winter was attacked by a Poisonous Snake and who had to be moved to St. Mungos, where he spent most of the rest of the winter holidays, all the way to the last day before school starts. During this period of time were the Weasley Family, I myself and Hermione invited at Sirius' household.
We spent our last Christmas there and we were not for a single minute in any danger. So if you truly wish to believe that Sirius Black is a danger, then ask yourself this. If I am Sirius Black's main target and he has been in my presence more than a handful of times, then why do I stand here before you on this day, alive and well?"
By now everyone has their mouths wide open, all of them shocked silent and then Hermione is the first to start clapping, a gigantic smile on her face and Ron quickly following her example, Sirius, Merlin, my group of mates and Godric following in their lead and Dumbledore being the one to inspire the rest of the Hall to follow.
Looking around I feel both relieved that I got through to these students and slightly embarrassed to again be the center of attention, but then I see proud smirks on the faces of many a Slytherin, under which Malfoy himself and I think: "This whole King thing might be worth more than just having a sword on my back."
Albus' POV
That boy is just full of surprises. I had, of course, expected for Harry to free Sirius first chance he got and while I wonder how much time it will take Cornelius to take action – or to prevent others at the Ministry from taking action – can I not help but wonder about whether or not there is a relation between Harry and myself.
Of course I have grown to care more for Harry than I do for most of my other students, just like I had done with Severus, Remus, Lily, Alice, Frank, James and Sirius back in their own days, yet I can't help but be amazed at how much Harry just sounded like me and how – at the same time – he did not sound like me at all.
Hoping with all that I am that Cornelius will get his head on straight before he finds out who the new king to be is – as his current connection with Harry and his current beliefs will only mean trouble for Harry – do decide to aid the young king to be and do I pass his mates, smiling and applauding him all the while.
Arriving at where he still stands, do I say: "As sign of agreement to our Majesty's new actions and Oath, do I hereby request of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to, once again, open up her majestic dorms and rooms, created solely for families, newlyweds or bonded and for those of Ancient Royal Lines."
And while many of the students look at me shocked, do I sense two sets of rooms opening up, a door even appearing between the two and one being meant for Harry and his many mates, the room having several rooms together along with one room for all mates to be truly together and the other meant for Harry and Sirius by themselves.
Then I also, to my shock, sense two other rooms opening again, rooms I have never been able to sense before and say: "It seems Hogwarts has recognized the return of one of its Founders and yours as well, Lord Merlin." The two smile at me and Gryffindor says: "I sensed the same and wise words indeed, Albus Dumbledore."
I nod, feeling amazed to be in the man's presence and then Merlin says: "Lea, come along and take your friends with you. I will lead you to your new rooms. Your Majesty? The rooms for you and your godfather are behind the portrait on the left of where your mates will be staying. Do you wish to join us on your track there?"
Harry seems shocked to be offered such a thing and then Lea whispers something in his ear, that makes the shock disappear, while Sirius had looked on with a careful glance, obviously already feeling like he needs to chaperone the whole bonding of his godson and his 8 mates, but when Harry looks at him, does Sirius smile again.
Harry then motions for Sirius to come along and Sirius nods, wrapping a proud yet protective arm around the boy before walking him and his godson out of the Great Hall, some of the students still looking at Sirius warily, while others look at the two of them in shock and again others look at Harry with newfound respect.
This makes me hope that Harry's new fame as king will diminish the consequences his fame as Boy-Who-Lived brings along and only when all eight mates, Daphne Greengrass, Harry, Sirius, Merlin and Lord Gryffindor have passed through the doors and to the Entrance Courtyard, does the grapevine of Hogwarts start yet again.
But then suddenly Neville Longbottom stands up and shouts: "Stop it right now!" Everyone looks at him in shock and he says: "Every year again you and your little grapevine come up with the most ridiculous stories and the most disgusting pieces of hearsay and every year again Harry gets the brunt of all that crap.
First year you all sent him to the Hospital 132 times in only three months time, 40 times of which he needed a Calming Draught and another 39 times of which it was done by his own House. Second year, you Hufflepuffs thought it right to punish him for something even you weren't sure of whether or not that was even true.
You thought he was the Heir of Slytherin and attacker of Muggleborns, but it took his BEST FRIEND being attacked for you to realize his mother AND best friend are Muggleborn. Third year, you amazingly enough went easy on him and left him alone for most part, even if the same can't be said for last year.
As last year, Gryffindor House was so happy to have a Champion, it took the most dangerous of all Dragon Kinds for you numbskulls to realize why the Tournament had been closed off in the first place and even then only Ron, I myself and Hermione had the actual common sense to ask: "Harry, how are you feeling now?"
By now many students are cringing in guilt and hanging their heads in shame, while most of the younger years have their mouths wide open, obviously shocked that this has happened in the years before they even came here and while I feel terrible that none of my teachers did anything to stop it, do I suddenly notice something.
Neville seems to be fighting something and it seems as if his anger is the source for him fighting whatever it is that keeps him from saying something that he obviously believes is further evidence of these misdeeds. But then suddenly Luna Lovegood comes over and lies her hand on his, making Neville stop fighting before he says:
"But this year, this year was the absolute worst." At this Severus and some of the older Slytherins snort derisively and while I sincerely hope that my colleague can lay his grudge to the side for the sake of his new king, are my hopes proven wrong as the man says: "Please Mr. Longbottom, as if you or any of your –."
But then Neville proves just how sick he is of everyone and their behavior as he glares with fury at the man – who I know was his biggest fear only two years ago and shouts: "SHUT UP, YOU OVERGROWN BULLY!" And instantly I know Neville hit Severus at his weakest spot, making Severus hold his mouth indeed.
The boy pants and sighs as he turns back to the student body, those in Gryffindor and other Houses, who of course knew of the Boggart incident of a few years back, look at the boy with awe and reference and he seems to calm down from this a little, especially as it proves he has their full attention and he says:
"Harry might have become famous almost fifteen years ago now, when he got that scar and when Voldemort lost all of his power, but he also did something else. Who here, that doesn't know Harry personally and hasn't spend more than a month time in Harry's active presence can tell me what this other thing is?"
By now many students look confused at how Neville phrased the question and even I wonder why Neville would do this, but then I hear the words: 'Something else?' and 'nothing else happened, did it?' and the worst of them all 'what else could have happened?' Making me look at the students around me with hurt in my eyes.
"YOU UNBELIEVABLE MONSTERS!" Neville then shouts and while Minerva wants to stand up, do I raise my hand at her, telling her I agree with Neville's statement and the woman sits back down, looking at me shocked before Neville goes on and shouts: "HE LOST HIS PARENTS, YOU HEARTLESS BASTARDS!"
And instantly all the students look down, all of their faces filled with shame at not remembering this and Neville says: "Voldemort killed Harry's parents. Now it's one thing that you have been believing two months of Prophet Slander over all the years Harry has been here, but actually forgetting what Harry lost that night?
I have no words for how deeply ashamed I currently am to have to call myself a Hogwarts student." And while I had hoped and silently sworn that no student would ever say these words while I lead it, can I only give young Neville right as he must have been open witness of all these terrible events happening to young Harry.
Then suddenly a thought comes up in my mind and I ask: "Mr. Longbottom, why did Mr. Potter never come to any of the teachers for any of this?" But Neville just rolls his eyes, while Snape seems to get his confidence back and smirks at the lad, who says: "Because his Head of House is the cause for the whole first fiasco."
Now I look at Minerva and Neville says: "Harry told me the whole story two days after that night you caught the three of us and he did it under his own Truth oath – yes, an eleven year old knows about Truth oaths. There really was a Dragon and the only reason none of the teachers knew of it was because Hagrid had the dragon.
It was given to him through some game by a stranger and he was in love with it, but he lived in a wooden cabin and he was abandoning his Game Keeper Duties, so Harry Ron and Hermione wrote to Charlie Weasley, who wrote them back, telling them he couldn't be seen with an illegal dragon, which made them –."
And here Neville halts, looking pointedly at Minerva, who seems whiter than I expected her and who softly says: "Be caught at the Astronomy Tower after midnight as it's the largest at Hogwarts and causes for perfect shadows to hide Mr. Weasley and his illegal luggage while they fly it back to the Reserve."
Neville nods and then spats: "Something you could have found out four years ago, had you simply sat down and asked us, instead of looking like a firebreathing dragon yourself and thinking Harry would pull something a like prank on one of his own Year mates. That whole theory of yours didn't even make sense in the first place."
He ends frustrated and I ask: "Why not, Mr. Longbottom?" As Minerva is still too shocked at hearing the truth to respond and Neville says: "If harry really wanted to pull a prank, he would have pulled it on Malfoy, not me. And if he really did, he would have been in the common room, enjoying it and catching me before I ran out.
That means Harry wasn't pulling a prank, that he didn't know I was involved and that McGonagall had no rights whatsoever to think he would. Why on earth did she think he would prank anyone in the first place?" He ends even more frustrated than before and I answer: "Because his father was the biggest prankster in the last 30 years."
Now Neville shouts in fury, which alarms me and he says: "And that's another thing! Another thing that bugs the absolute living daylights out of me. Because if it's not the students wanting to see their perfect little hero, who will never do them wrong, its all of you adults wanting to see his dead parents in him twenty-four seven.
I need at least all the hands of all the students at Gryffindor Table if I want to count all the times Harry was compared to his parents by a teacher in the last five years. And even if he is, it's only such small things, I'm surprised Harry even knows who those two are. Because all he hears about them is their achievements and how he resembles them.
Seriously, either you adults expect to see either Lily or James Potter in that little fifteen year old or these idiots expect to see some kind of human house elf that will play the hero and follow their every order. Who Harry is, what his character is like, what he thinks, feels and what he believes in – DO ANY OF YOU EVEN CARE?"
He shouts in the end, his fury almost high enough I feel worry as to whether or not it will mingle with his magic and while I feel absolutely terrible that Mr. Longbottom – and probably Harry himself – feel this way, does Neville say: "Harry once told me something, something I think will prove just how he thinks about you teachers."
Now I feel worried yet intrigued and even Severus has an upraised eyebrow, while I'm pretty sure he only has interest because Neville keeps screaming his anger and the boy says: "He told me at the start of this year, there are only two adults that he trust. One of them is Arthur Weasley, the other I today believe to be Sirius Black.
I believe this, because that day Harry told me and I quote: "You wouldn't believe me if I told you, Neville, but this man has supported me in ways only Arthur Weasley, Ron, Hermione and you have supported me, so he and you three and Mr. Weasley are the only ones, I trust with my magic, my heart and my life."
By now most of my female teachers – bar Minerva and Aurora – are in tears along with many of the female students and Neville says: "All Harry ever wanted was to be one of these students. To have a life of his own, to worry over his studies and his friends and to laugh and cheer whenever a House played a Quidditch match.
Instead of that does he have to constantly be on his guard, keep his eyes open to how his teachers are watching him, does he have to keep a constant ear on the grapevine to see what it says about him and does he have to wear a passive mask around everyone, whenever he walks out of his own bloody bed in the morning.
Harry has to fake, pretend and act almost twenty-four seven and that that boy hasn't had a heart attack, a mental break down, a loss of magic or a need to kill himself yet – I consider that a miracle I can call myself proud of as I am of the full 100% belief that my, Hermione, Ron, Mr. Weasley and Mr. Black's support have contributed to.
The sad thing is –." He ends with a sigh as he moves out of his seat, walks to the Great Hall doors while all the students and teachers look at him, all of their eyes wide with the need for him to finish that sentence and at the doors he turns to us and with a defeated voice says: "We're the only ones – who actually care." And with that he leaves.
