Chapter 13
Can I Live Here Too?
As Albus pushed his way through the crowd that surrounded Harry and Tom, he knew that he wasn't wanted there, and if he ever found out who tried to trip him, they'd be expelled.
"Harry I must speak to you alone in my office. I have questions that I need to ask you." He said, and immediately got laughed at.
"Umm no. I don't think so Headmaster. I'm not going anywhere alone with you." Harry said, looking him right in the eye. "And you know why."
"Harry, all this nonsense that you believe, is just that, nonsense. I wouldn't hurt you."
"Just like you wouldn't hurt Tom Riddle?" Neville asked, looking at Dumbledore pointedly.
Dumbledore rounded on Neville and glared at him. "I didn't hurt Tom Riddle."
"Yeah, and I'm the Gingerbread Man." Tom said rolling his eyes.
"Who in the bloody hell is the Gingerbread Man?" Draco asked.
"Is he kin to us?" George asked, and everyone laughed.
Tom grinned at Draco. "I'll explain later."
"Point is Headmaster, I'm not going anywhere with you." Harry said, turning his back on Dumbledore.
"You know what Harry? I think you should go. I'd like to hear what he has to say when you get back. Not to mention, I'm sure Lily and James would like to know what lies Albus wants to spin." Sirius said. "Besides, I'm sure Hogwarts herself would be looking out for you, and would alert us to any mistreatment that might happen to you."
"We'd know if he gets thrown in the dungeons." Tom said with a smirk. "HOGWARTS! WOULD YOU PLEASE KEEP A WATCH ON HARRY AS HE SPEAKS TO THE HEADMASTER ALONE?"
"Of course I would. As my owner, he has my full support. I will not allow any harm to befall him."
"THANK YOU HOGWARTS!" Harry shouted.
"You are most welcome Harry Potter."
"Very well Headmaster. I will speak to you."
Dumbledore scowled at them, but then turned to address the great hall. "All students can return to their houses, after Harry and I have left!" He said loudly, and swept toward the doors, not even bothering to see if Harry was following.
"We will be listening." Tom whispered quickly.
Harry nodded, and felt Luna grab ahold of his robes as he followed Dumbledore out of the room.
When he got to the Headmaster's office, Harry felt a little nervous. He had no idea what Dumbledore was going to do. Luna let go of him as soon as they got into the office, but he knew she would stand in one of the dark corners of the room. He also knew that Dobby was probably here too, seeing as he never strays far from her. This made him feel a lot better.
He almost burst out laughing though, when the window behind Dumbledore's chair and desk seemingly opened by itself, and a bunch of Fred and George's extendable ears popped into view. He knew the others were hovering outside the window listening, and as long as they kept quiet and Dumbledore didn't turn around, they wouldn't be seen.
However, before Dumbledore could start speaking, cries of protest came from some of the portraits on the wall as Salazar, Godric, and Merlin entered the room.
"We have every right to be here, and Merlin is here as our guest!" Salazar shouted, and the protests stopped immediately.
"Merlin!" One of the portraits exclaimed.
"It is such an honor to have you among us sir. You can share my painting!" Another exclaimed.
Suddenly all the past Headmasters started shouting for Merlin, but Dumbledore didn't let it continue.
"PLEASE, PLEASE!" He shouted, and it all died down quickly. "Thank you. I can assure you that Harry is perfectly safe, and I will not harm him."
"Yes, because you're so honest and trustworthy." Salazar said sarcastically, as he shared a painting with a delighted looking Phineas Black.
"Harry, if I may, I suggest you call for Fawkes." Merlin said. "It would certainly put me at ease if you had a way to escape quickly."
"Indeed." Godric said. "Call for Fawkes Harry."
Harry did, and Fawkes flashed into the room and circled around before landing on Harry's shoulder.
Dumbledore sighed in annoyance. "I assure you that none of this is necessary." He said. "I'm not about to hurt anyone, much less Harry."
"Is that because you'd rather have Voldyshorts do it?" Harry asked. "Tell me Headmaster were you planning on turning me into a dark wizard too? After all, you left Grindelwald alive just in case your plans for Riddle failed, but old Voldyshorts turned out to be better than you could have ever dreamed. Your quest for fame and glory was right on track, until the night you had Voldyshorts try and kill me. Isn't that right?"
"Are you even a Gryffindor?" Godric asked, before Dumbledore could answer. "Because I'd much rather believe you were a Slytherin."
"I take offence to that Godric." Salazar laughed, and Godric smirked at him.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he was. He's probably lied about that too. Think about it lads. He strives to be me. I was a Slytherin, but these days it seems that all Slytherins are considered bad. People would much rather have a Gryffindor hero." Merlin said. "Besides, who is alive today that can say otherwise?"
"Aberforth!" Harry blurted out, as he paced back and forth across the office. "I had almost forgotten about him."
"And who is that?" Merlin asked curiously.
"His brother." Harry said pointing towards Dumbledore. "He owns the Hog's Head in Hogsmeade."
"How do you know about Aberforth?" Dumbledore asked, raising up from his chair. "Did Alastor tell you about him? He was in the First Order of the Phoenix."
Harry stopped his pacing, and smiled at him. "I know lots about you. Shall we talk about your sister Ariana, or your father Percival that died in Azkaban for killing three muggle boys?"
Dumbledore paled. "How do you know about my family? Not even Aberforth talks about them."
Harry smiled at him. "It all makes sense now. I've always wondered why you yourself have liked muggles, but you don't, do you? You have just created this façade to protect the image you wish to convey. Voldyshorts however, is the embodiment of your hatred towards muggles. After all, it was because of muggles that your father died in Azkaban, and left you saddled with the responsibility of being head of your family at a young age. Muggles are the reason your sister became what she was. I think you generally like muggle borns, because after all, they have magical blood. Voldyshorts went a little too far with the Death Eaters in their quest to eradicate muggle borns, and you didn't necessarily like that, but it did give you more reason to swoop in and save the day. In fact, I'm willing to bet you did the same thing to your childhood friend, Gellert Grindelwald that you did to Tom Riddle. Am I right?"
"You think you know me Harry, but you don't." Dumbledore said coldly, glaring at him.
"But I'm not wrong. I noticed you didn't deny it."
"Tom Ringo is working for Voldemort." Albus said.
Harry snorted. "A subject change. How very like you Professor. Ok, I'll bite. Why do you think Tom is working for Voldyshorts?"
"Because of this." Dumbledore said, reaching into his desk and pulling out the stabbed diary. Dumbledore looked at Harry to gauge his reaction, but Harry only laughed. "The one you gave Amelia is a copy, and I forged one I think. You have me all wrong Harry. I'm not the monster you think I am."
"Yes you are." Harry laughed. "My information about you comes from an extreamly reliable source. Not a copy of Voldyshorts's diary."
"Who is your source?"
"Someone who is beyond your reach and influence. In other words, I'm not telling."
Albus scowled. "What did Voldemort do tonight?"
"Just what Tom and I said he did." Harry said shrugging his shoulders.
"Did he say anything to you?"
"Nope, but I do think he knows what has been happening here. I think he knows he owns half of Hogwarts."
"That's because Tom Ringo is feeding him information."
Harry laughed again. "You just don't give up do you?" He said shaking his head. "Tom is not working for Voldyshorts."
"How did you meet him?"
Harry laughed. "When I first met Tom, he accidently knocked me to the ground. It's a classic really. I hit the ground and he helped me up. We sort of hit it off and became best friends. We have a lot in common."
"You were set up."
"No I wasn't. I knew Voldyshorts was back, and was not about to trust any ol' person who comes along. I'm not an idiot."
Albus scowled at him again. "Getting back to what happened tonight. I would like to view your memory of the event. You are familiar with my pensieve."
Panic suddenly welled up inside Harry. Why hadn't he seen this coming? He kept his face calm and free of emotion though, a trick Snape had taught him over the summer.
"Why? I told you what happened."
"I would like to see for myself."
"I'm not sure how to remove a memory from my head."
"I could do it for you."
"That's not going to happen."
"I INSIST!" Dumbledore shouted, jumping out of his chair, and making Fawkes squawk angrily.
"Welcome to Hogwarts Mr. Voldemort. How may I assist you?"
Harry nearly fell out of his chair, and several shocked faces suddenly appeared in Albus's office window. Tom's being the main one.
"Yes, Tom Ringo is a decendent of Salazar Slytherin, and I have recognized him as an owner, but you are the rightful owner, alongside Harry Potter." She said.
What in the bloody hell is she doing? Harry thought, as he looked around for some kind of answer.
Dumbledore stood still as a statue, with a look of horror on his face.
"Yes, Harry Potter is aware of what really happened the night you killed his parents. He knows you were imperiused by Albus Dumbledore, and that it wasn't really your fault. He also knows that everything you have done is because Albus Dumbledore had imperiused you." She said, and there was a short pause. "Yes, I could do that. You have every right to live here. This is your home, and yes I can provide you protection from Albus Dumbledore while you live here inside the castle. I have the ability to make rooms appear and disappear." There was another pause. "Well I can tell you that every resident inside the castle is afraid Mr. Voldemort. Harry Potter himself seems a little shaken at the moment, and Albus Dumbledore does also." Hogwarts paused again. "I can do that. Residents of Hogwarts, I can assure you that Mr. Voldemort…I'm sorry, could you say that again sir?" She asked, interrupting herself. "I'm sorry. It seems that Mr. Voldemort doesn't really like that name, and wishes to be referred to as Tom Riddle, Tom, or Mr. Riddle. Very well then. Residents of Hogwarts, Tom Riddle has assured me that you have nothing to fear from him. He has come to claim what is rightfully his and has no intentions of killing or harming anyone. In fact he intends to prove it. You will periodically see him throughout the castle wearing a black hooded cloak. I will protect you from him, and I will protect him from Albus Dumbledore, who has caused him great pain and suffering throughout his life, as many of you already know. Tom Riddle, I can tell you this, you have friends in both Slytherin and Gryffindor. Yes, a shock I know. Most of Gryffindor house stands against Albus Dumbledore. All of Slytherin does of course, and some in Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. You still have a long way to go with those two houses however." There was another short pause. "Harry Potter, Tom Riddle wishes to speak with you. He realizes that you may wish to do this surrounded by friends and family so that you feel safe. He will attempt to find you in the great hall at breakfast in the morning. He requests that you bring Salazar and Godric. Mr. Riddle, may I assume that you want to include Merlin in that group?" There was yet another pause. "Yes, this happened just recently. Merlin himself is inside the castle as a painting."
What is going on!? Harry shouted in his head. I don't understand any of this!
"Very well. Yes, Harry Potter please bring Merlin along with you. Where you would like your living quarters to be?" She asked. "I can provide you with that. Please follow the path I have created for you. Goodnight Tom Riddle, and welcome back to Hogwarts. I hope this time will be a more pleasant experience for you."
Dumbledore ran out of his office leaving Harry behind, as he threw the door open and hurried down the stairs. Merlin, Godric, and Salazar disappeared from view, but with all the other Headmasters there, Harry didn't dare ask Luna what she was up too. Fawkes however, flashed out of the office in a burst of fire.
When they got to the hallway though, Harry stopped running. "Luna?"
"I'm here." Came her disembodied voice. "It will all be explained when we get to the Room of Requirement. Dobby, can you take us?"
"Dobby can Miss Luna." The invisible elf said.
Harry felt Dobby grab his hand, and they apparated to the Room of Requirement.
When they arrived, everyone else was already there. They had all decided to gather in the Room of Requirement for answers when Luna made the surprising announcement. However, they were just as clueless as Harry was. Even Sprout and Flitwick were there, and were looking extreamly confused. When Luna took her cloak off though, everyone started to talk at once, but she laughed.
"I think he would be the best one to explain everything." She said, pointing behind everyone.
They turned around and came face to face with Lord Voldemort, who was standing in front of the closed doors.
Everyone looked at Tom in confusion, but Tom pulled himself up to his full height and glared at the imposter. "I demand to know who you are, because I know you are not Lord Voldemort."
'Voldemort' laughed. "What? You all don't like my disguise? Perhaps I should have flooded all the sinks in Hogwarts first."
"You again!" Moody shouted. "I hate the fact that this blasted eye can't see through your trickery!"
"I'm sorry, but I do need my own form of entertainment. Yes, it's me." Death said, returning to his normal appearance. "I asked Luna to say what she did for a number of reasons. One being to shake Albus up. Two, to stop him from viewing Harry's memory, and three, to help clear your name." He said pointing to Tom. "I know you want to be Tom Riddle again, but you can't do that without my help."
"And you're willing to masquerade as that ugly and revolting looking creature?" Tom asked, looking stunned.
"Lily's orders." He said with a smile. "She says I'm not polite and that maybe this will help humble me."
Sirius laughed. "Sounds like Lil." He said, and Remus grinned and nodded.
Tom laughed and looked at Harry. "I like your Mum."
"Taking Dumbledore down is the main priority, but clearing Tom's name is not. When Lily learned that, she demanded that it be made a priority, so here I am."
"Is there a way I can thank her personally?" Tom asked quietly.
"Only if you go through official channels." Death grinned. "Harry, I believe you have a way."
Harry grinned. "I keep this on me at all times, just in case." He said, taking the stone out of his pocket.
He turned it thrice in hand, and Lily and James appeared. Sprout and Flitwick gasped in surprise. Then Death gave a brief explanation of what the stone was, to a still shocked Flitwick and Sprout.
"I even like the way it all played out." James said with a grin, after Death finished his explanation. "Reminds me of a prank we once pulled on Moony. Doesn't it Padfoot?"
Sirius laughed. "Yes, you drank polyjuice potion and turned into me for a whole day. We had Moony so confused Harry. It was hysterical."
"I didn't think it was funny." Remus said, but he laughed anyway.
Lily looked at Tom. "You don't have to thank me Tom. You have suffered because of Albus too. It's the least I can do."
"I am still thankful." Tom said, giving her a hug.
"You're welcome." Lily said with a smile. "Besides, it might just humble Death. He can be very intolerable, and I think it's because he's stuck in his office all the time. I think it will be good for him to get out for a while."
Death shook his head. "Why is everyone against me?" He asked with a sigh.
"We aren't, we just think you need to get out more." Lily laughed, then she turned to Sprout and Flitwick. "I know you two have reservations about Tom, especially after what happened with Umbridge tonight. Which I don't approve of by the way." She said, waggling her finger at him. "But please give him a chance."
Flitwick nodded tearfully. "For you Mrs. Potter, I will."
"Lily, I'm so sorry for not seeing the truth about Albus. I should have tried to protect Harry better." Sprout said, through tears. "I'm so sorry."
"Pomona, it's alright. It's being fixed. There is no way you could have known." Lily said, wrapping her arms around the distressed witch. "It will be alright."
"What will happen to Madam Umbridge?" Flitwick asked, looking at Tom.
"Nothing really." Tom answered. "The only lasting effect she will have is the scar on her forehead that says…Voldemort was here. She was willing, and did, put a similar scar on Harry, so I don't feel sorry for her." Tom said pointing to Harry's hand. "I just reversed the effects of the blood quill, charmed the parchments, and boiled her blood. Which actually sounds worse than what it is."
"Boiled her blood!" Flitwick gasped.
"Yeah, I kind of let my Voldemort side overtake me." He said. "Boiling her blood caused her pain, but not as much as you would think. I made it hot and slightly painful, but most of the pain came from her own blood quill that was carving the inscription on her forehead. That's why she was screaming."
"Well I can't say that I approve of it Mr. Ringo." Flitwick said. "Pranking her and giving her grief is one thing, torturing her is another."
"I know and I understand that. But I also don't expect you to understand my position. I am who I am. I may not kill or harm anyone who is innocent, but I will not stand by and let that evil woman torture children."
"Professor Flitwick, I can honestly say that in my future past life, Umbridge used those blood quills on first years. During the war, in my future past life, she rounded up muggle borns and claimed that 'they stole magic from real witches and wizards' and had their wands snapped and had them thrown out as outcasts of the wizarding world. These are just a few examples of what that woman is capable of. Now, I'm not saying that Tom didn't go too far, because I kind of think he did, but she was not getting anything that she wouldn't have gladly given to someone innocent." Harry said.
"Mr. Potter is right Filius." McGonagall said.
"Perhaps this will help you understand." Death said, touching the very tip of his scythe to Flitwick's head.
Flitwick gasped as the memories flooded his mind. "Oh my goodness! Merlin's beard! How could she…that woman…evil!"
When Death started to do the same for Professor Sprout, she side stepped his scythe. "Please no." She said looking at Flitwick, who was still gasping and stuttering. "I don't want to know. I'll trust what you all say."
"I'm like you." Tom said. "I don't want to know either."
"Really?" She asked looking at him in disbelief, and Tom nodded.
"I wouldn't be able to live with knowing the amount of pain I caused, the number of people I killed, and the families that I ripped apart. It's bad enough just dealing with what I have done. Learning of what I did/could have done, would send me over the edge."
"I don't blame you." Flitwick said with a shiver. "The Battle of Hogwarts was just awful."
"So I've been told." Tom said quietly.
"I can say that I do understand better." Flitwick said. "But I still don't approve."
"And that's ok. I understand that." Tom said with a nod, but then he paled. "Oh no. What will Madam Bones say? She said that if I hurt another living soul…"
"I have already dealt with Amelia." Death said. "She feels much the same as everyone else, but is willing to overlook it. Umbridge has skeletons in her closet and when they are brought to light, will help Amelia throw that woman in Azkaban right beside Albus. However, she wants me to warn you not to go too far, or she will not be happy with you."
Tom nodded. "Thank you. Please tell her I will be more careful."
"I will." Death said.
"Where is our esteemed Headmaster at the moment?" Salazar asked.
Death laughed. "I currently have him running around in the dungeons looking for Voldemort. He thinks Severus is down there helping him."
Everyone burst out laughing.
"And where will you be staying old boy?" Merlin asked, with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Right here with you." Death answered with a grin. "You and I have a lot of catching up to do, and because Neville has done an excellent job of locking down this room, I won't be discovered. I may even take part in helping you all with the Student Order, as Voldemort of course." He said with an even bigger grin.
"That will go over well." James laughed.
"You have no idea." He said, and everyone laughed again.
"What should I tell the Slytherins?" Tom asked. "They already know that this is a ruse."
"I'll deal with them. Don't worry. They won't say a word." Death said. "Now, I suggest that you kids get back to your dorms. Professors, you will find Albus running around the dungeons, so go make an appearance. As for the rest of you, seeing as how 'Voldemort' will be looking for Harry at breakfast in the morning, I suggest you all stay here tonight. Oh Harry, Tom, and Neville, check your trunks. Since Salazar has been absent from his painting in the dorm tonight, Hermione has put a tracking charm on Harry's skates and Ron has cursed Tom's with a biting jinx. Neville, all of your school robes have been charmed to shrink when you put them on, so unless you want your toes eaten, your every move known, or clothes that are too small, I suggest you remove them." Death chuckled, and the three boys narrowed their eyes and glanced at each other. "Also Harry, Ginny will be making a Love Potion soon, so be careful." He warned.
"That girl!" Arthur suddenly yelled. "I swear to Merlin…"
"Really?" Merlin asked, looking a little startled. "What does all of this mean? I'm afraid I don't understand why people are using my name to..."
"Nevermind that." Death laughed. "I'll explain it all to you."
"I'll watch out for Harry, and keep my eye on Ginny." Tom said, looking at Arthur. "I've dealt with over obsessive witches before. Namely Bellatrix."
James laughed. "I'm sorry."
"Me too. I can't imagine" Lily said, shaking her head, but then she looked at Harry and smiled. "Harry, we must go. We love you, and are always looking out for you. Get Death to tell you what we are doing to Petunia. You will love it." She said with a grin.
"Alright Mum." Harry laughed, giving his mother a hug. "I love you both."
"We love you too son." James said, giving Harry a hug.
Everyone said goodbye to Lily and James, and headed off to their different destinations.
Needless to say, most of the castle did not sleep that night. The Slytherins all slept just fine because they had nothing to worry about. The others houses however, weren't as sure. After all, this was a living, breathing 'Voldemort' they were dealing with now, not just stories they had heard from Harry and the others. Albus had the Professors running around the whole school looking for 'Voldemort' all night, but after a while, most of them just shuffled off to bed, seeing as they had classes to teach the next day.
Harry seemed to have had a suspiciously restful sleep, seeing as he didn't remember his head hitting his pillows the night before and he dreamed about nothing except rainbows and unicorns. However, when Harry woke up the next morning, he felt uncertain. He laid in bed and stared up at the ceiling as a new set of thoughts churned around in his head.
Was this really going to work? He thought to himself, as he continued to lay there.
He wasn't sure. A few weights seemed to have been lifted off his shoulders, but a few had also been added. Harry felt better that Death was now residing inside the castle, and that he wouldn't let anything to horrible happen. He knew he still couldn't let his guard down though. Death had already told him that there were things he couldn't do or prevent, but still, just having Death inside the castle was a comfort.
How ironic is that? Death being a comfort. He chuckled. Mum would love that.
He knew Albus would be more focused on 'Voldemort' rather than any of them now, and the fact that Albus wouldn't be able to imperius 'Voldemort' also gave him comfort. The thought of anyone being able to curse Death, or use an unforgiveable on him, was ludicrous, and if Death actually allowed himself to be cursed, it was for a damn good reason.
On the other hand though, how was Death going to handle the fact that Umbridge had been attacked by 'Voldemort' not more than twenty-four hours ago? Would parents start arriving immediately to jerk their children out of school? How would Death handle the accusations of the murders that he supposedly committed? How would Tom himself react when a student comes up to accuse 'Voldemort' of murdering their Mum, Dad, or other relative? Harry didn't know the answers to those questions, but he was about to find out one way or the other.
Luna's morning announcements jarred him out of his thoughts. He rolled over and smiled when she said her customary good mornings to the whole castle and himself, Neville, Fred, George, Tom, and now, Tom again by name. She let them know that Albus had been running around all night looking for 'Mr. Riddle' with no success. She also welcomed Sirius and the others to the castle, and reminded them of the meeting with 'Voldemort', but what really got Harry cracking up with laughter was the very funny scolding she gave Hermione and Ron for cursing Neville's robes, and Harry and Tom's skates. However, she informed all those who may have been concerned that the curses had been discovered before they could do any harm.
Harry could hear Tom and Neville laughing loudly on either side of him, and Dean and Seamus, were laughing equally as loud on the other side of Neville. He heard Ron jerk back his bed curtains, stomp around to get his clothes on, and stomp out the room with Salazar correcting every little thing he did.
"Shut up and go back to the dungeons where you belong you stupid slimy snake!" He yelled, presumably to Salazar, before slamming the dorm room door shut. That only made the others laugh even harder.
Harry laid in his bed still laughing as Dean and Seamus dressed and left, and finally opened his curtains after the door had shut. Tom opened his curtains too, but they both stopped suddenly when they spotted a purple potion on each of their night stands.
"What do you think it is?" Tom asked, raising an eyebrow at his brother.
Harry shrugged and yawned. "Don't know, but I'm not touching that with a ten foot wand." He answered, as Neville made his way toward them.
He stopped too and looked at the potion suspiciously. "You don't think Ginny has made the love potion already do you? And why would she give you both one?"
Harry pushed back his covers. "I don't know, but I'm not going near it." He said jumping out of bed. "Ouch!" He cried, wincing in pain when his feet hit the floor. "Holy Merlin! That hurt!" Harry looked down at his feet and saw several large blisters and groaned. "Blisters from those skates. That was such a stupid idea."
Tom looked at his feet too. "I got some as well, and yeah, they hurt." He said wincing, as he gently placed his feet on the floor.
Curiosity got the best of Neville, and he picked up the potion on Harry's night stand, then he started laughing. "Instant Blister Removal." He said, reading the phial's label. "My favorite room has a picture of your mother and I in it." He continued to read.
Harry's eyes lit up. "Snape!" He exclaimed, grabbing the potion and drinking it without any more questions.
Tom grabbed his too and laughed. "Mine says…Instant Blister Removal…You once said I was your unofficial friend. Definitely Severus." He said, also gulping his down.
Both boys looked at their feet, and sure enough, the blisters were gone.
"I'm still wearing mine." Tom grinned. "But I think I'll put cushioning charms in them to keep this from happening again. Not to mention it'll annoy Hermione to no end."
"Good idea!" Harry laughed.
Neville burst out laughing. "Says the guy who just said skates were a bad idea."
"Who said that?" Harry asked innocently. "Skates are awesome."
"You lads better get going. It's almost time for breakfast." Salazar said with a chuckle.
Tom looked at him and grinned. "You couldn't just tell us that Severus put them there?"
"Actually I didn't know. He must have teleported them because he never came up here."
"A likely excuse." Harry grinned. He was in a good mood. Between Luna's scolding, Ron's ranting, and Snape's excellent foresight, not even the pink toad and Merlin imposter could ruin this day.
The three boys quickly got dressed and made their way into the common room. To Harry's shock, the entire house was waiting there. He looked around at all their faces, and some looked worried, some looked terrified, but when He, Tom, and Neville walked (or skated) in, they looked relieved. However, Ron and Hermione looked angry, but Ginny seemed to not want anything to do with them. Harry could only guess why.
"Harry!" Angelina cried when she spotted him.
Harry looked around at them quizzically. "What's going on?"
"We decided, as a house, though with a few exceptions," she said darkly, glaring at the two spies, "that we will all go down to breakfast with you."
"You guys really don't have to do that."
"We tried to tell them." The twins said together, with grins.
Angelina rolled her eyes. "We know, and we also know that Sirius and Professor Lupin are here too, but we thought it would send a message to Voldyshorts."
"We all believe you mate. About what Dumbledore did to Tom Riddle and you, but this is Voldyshorts in the flesh. We want to see if he has really changed. We want to make sure this isn't some kind of trick." Seamus said. "If it is a trick and Voldyshorts tries something, we want to be ready."
"He can't kill all of us!" Alicia shouted.
"We are with you Harry!" Colin Creevey yelled, and the rest of them cheered.
Harry noticed Ron and Hermione roll their eyes and leave, but Harry looked at the rest of them. He knew without a doubt that they had nothing to fear, but he also knew that they didn't know that. He glanced up at Godric, who was beaming at those in his house with unmasked pride. Even Salazar and Merlin looked proud, as the two Founders and their friend stood in Godric's portrait. A sense of gratitude welled up in Harry, and he looked around and smiled.
"Thanks guys. I really do appreciate this. I also know that there is no way to talk you out of this, but you know what, I wouldn't want too. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you." He said, and he had meant every word.
"Does that mean we can go eat now?" A hungry looking first year asked.
Harry laughed. "Yeah I'm hungry too. Let's go eat!"
A cheer went up in Gryffindor tower as everyone let Harry go first, though Fred joked loudly they should all surround him so that he wouldn't fall because of his skates. You couldn't joke about the message of it all though, it was plain as day. If you mess with one lion, you mess with the rest of the pack.
Just before Gryffindor house exited the portrait hole, Minerva McGonagall stood outside and was about to enter. She wanted to know why Sirius and the others, along with the two spies, were the only ones who were seated at the Gryffindor table. She stopped though, and pressed her ear up against the portrait. The Fat Lady was sobbing at what was being said inside the common room, and Minerva's heart was bursting with pride. When the final cheer went up though, she back away quickly. As Head of House, she was determined to lead them. That would show Albus.
As Gryffindor house drew closer to the great hall, the happy smiling faces turned almost fearful. They were nervous, Harry could tell, and from the glances that Tom, Neville, Fred, and George gave him, he knew that they knew it too. Whispering was breaking out everywhere, and Harry heard one nervous 7th year wonder out loud if Voldyshorts was already there.
When they entered though, they saw no sign of him, some seemed disappointed, until Neville pointed out that Dumbledore was there, and that this message was partly for him too, and this cheered everyone up a bit. They entered the great hall in mass, and glared at the Headmaster, who looked shocked.
Harry looked around at the rest of the hall as they headed to their table. As to be expected, Slytherin was going about their business as if it was a normal day, but all of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw looked terrified. He noticed that Angelina was talking hurriedly and quietly to McGonagall, who was smiling and nodding, and Harry, Tom, Neville, Fred, and George were ushered to the front of the hall toward the Head table. McGonagall conjured up a rather large red and gold chair and placed it at the very head of the table. Harry looked at her curiously, but she just grinned. Sirius sat right next to the conjured chair, with Mad-Eye right next to him, then Harry, Tom, Mr. Weasley, and Bill. On the other side, McGonagall sat right next to the conjured chair, with Remus, Tonks, Neville, Fred, and George right after her. Once those seating arrangements were done, Angelia got to work on the rest of the house. Seventh years were the closest to the front, followed by 6th years, 5th years, and so on till the first years were all at the back of the room farthest from the conjured chair.
Harry looked around in confusion. "Professor, what…"
"Angelina just wants to take precaution." She whispered with a smile. "Given their position, I don't blame them. She asked me to conjure the chair, and when Mr. Riddle arrives, she wants me to formally invite him to sit with us." She said motioning to the conjured chair. "She believes that if we take the extra step and extend an offering friendship that it will show that we, as a house are willing to forgive. She said that he took the initial step in even coming here, where he knows that he could be killed on site."
"Remind me to hug her later." Tom whispered, and Harry grinned. "I'll say it was from you." He laughed, before getting up and sticking Salazar and Godric's painting to the wall behind them. The Founders and Merlin showed up a few seconds later.
"We thought you forgot about us." Merlin said.
"Never sir." Harry laughed.
The owls arrived with the morning mail, and when Tom got his copy of The Daily Prophet he nearly spit his pumpkin juice all over the table.
"Merlin!" He cried.
"What?"
"Not you sir." He said waving him off absentmindedly, as Bill burst out laughing.
"What is it Tom?" Mr. Weasley asked.
"It seems that someone has leaked snippets of Tom Riddle's Diary to the press, and it says here that, they will do this every day for the foreseeable future." He read aloud. Then he quickly scanned the page. "It's mostly about what Dumbledore did to him."
"But this is good though." Harry said. "It's one thing for everyone in Hogwarts to know, but the rest of the wizarding world needs to know too."
"I know, and I can't believe I didn't think of it." Tom said eagerly, with his eyes shining. "This is brilliant!"
"So you're ok with it?" Neville whispered.
Tom nodded. "Of course. I wonder who did it."
"Amelia Bones probably." Sirius said.
"Remind me to send her a love letter." Tom laughed.
Harry snorted, but then the great halls doors opened and the room suddenly grew still as everyone looked at the black hooded figure that walked in. He walked in slowly, and seemed to look around cautiously before venturing further in.
"I can't tell if he's milking it for all it's worth and loving the attention, or if he's truly acting the part of an unsure former supposed Dark Lord." Bill whispered, which caused Harry and Tom to snort, and the others to grin.
"YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE!" Dumbledore stood up and bellowed.
Umbridge, who had already been let out of the hospital wing, whimpered in fright at the sight 'Voldemort'.
McGonagall jumped up from her seat and glared at him. "Since Hogwarts herself has extended a hand of welcome, I do believe he is! More important than that is the fact that he owns half of this castle!" She shouted angrily, but then she turned to 'Voldemort.' "Mr. Riddle, I am Minerva McGonagall, and I am the current Head of Gryffindor house. The students of my house have decided to offer you a place at our table, to prove to you that they are willing to hear your side of things. They wish to offer you a hand of welcome, however, they will understand if you prefer to sit at the Slytherin house table."
Dumbledore glared at her, but 'Voldemort' raised his hood and looked at her.
"Thank you. You are most kind to offer me this chance." He said in the same cold high voice Tom used to possess.
"Oh he's good." Tom whispered, causing Harry to snort again.
'Voldemort' started to make his way over to the Gryffindor table, and everyone he passed by shrank back in absolute terror as he passed them. Dumbledore watched his every move, Snape seemed indifferent, and the other Professors looked on in a mixture of fear and curiosity.
"He's milking it." Bill whispered, as 'Voldemort' nodded at each person he passed.
"Yep." Harry and Tom said together.
Harry stood up as he neared, and went to offer his hand for 'Voldemort' to shake, but Albus 'Merlin Imposter' Dumbledore jumped up.
"Don't touch him Harry it's a trick!" He cried drawing his wand, but everyone at the Slytherin and Gryffindor house tables jumped up and aimed their own wands at the Headmaster.
"Now Albus, what kind of hospitality is that?" 'Voldemort' asked. "I am not here to harm anyone, seeing as I'm not under your control, and I think these young people know that. It would be wise for you to lower your wand."
"You're all being controlled!" Albus yelled looking around at all the wands pointed at him. "Can't you all see that!? Ringo! That boy Ringo is working for him! Ringo must have put you under the imperius curse!"
"Headmaster," Angelina stood up and said. "Are you really that barmy? Last time I checked, everyone in at least 5th year and up has been placed under the imperius curse because of Crouch Jr. last year. No offence Mr. Moody." She said, nodding at him. "We would know if we were under the imperius."
"Not to mention that I was put under the imperius many more times than anyone last year." Harry added.
'Voldemort' turned to Harry. "Yes I know. If Crouch got one thing right, it was teaching you what it feels like to be under the imperius, and from his reports throughout the year, I was happy to learn that you succeeded in throwing it off every time. Something that I myself was never able to do."
"He's right." Tom whispered in Harry's ear.
"So sending Crouch Jr. to Hogwarts was a ruse in order for me to not end up like you?" Harry questioned.
'Voldemort' nodded. "Yes, and Mad-Eye, I wish to apologize on behalf of the practically dead fool for his treatment of you. I told him to make you comfortable. Being locked in a trunk must have been his idea of comfortable, because it certainly wasn't mine." He said, knowing full well Tom had already apologized.
Mad-Eye grunted. "I accept your apology Riddle."
"Thank you for being kind."
"Harry that sack of dragon dung tried to kill you!" Ron stood up and shouted.
"Because Dumbledore told him too!" Harry, Tom, Fred, Neville, and George shouted back at him in unison.
"Tom, please forgive the village idiot." Harry said with a sigh. "He's one of three out of all of Gryffindor who are loyal to Albus."
"I've dealt with my fair share of village idiots Harry. There is no need to even acknowledge them." He said, but then he looked at Ron. "However lucky for you Mr. Weasley, Dumbledore doesn't have me under his control, or else I would have killed you where you stand. Not even my most loyal Death Eaters would get away with calling me 'dragon dung'."
Ron paled and sat down quickly.
"He's right." Tom whispered.
Harry laughed. "I can imagine. Please, come sit down Tom." He said motioning toward the chair.
"Thank you." He nodded, and began to sit down, but Terry Boot, a Ravenclaw, stood up.
"Wait!" He called out. "Mr. Riddle, if I m-may. Why-why-did you crea-create the Death Eaters?" He asked nervously.
'Voldemort' smiled. "For two reasons my friend. One, because Albus wanted me to build an army to terrorize the wizarding world with, and two, for protection from Albus himself. Though, only a few of my Death Eaters knew of the second reason. Had someone like Bellatrix Lestrange for example, known of my own personal reasons, she likely would have killed me herself. I personally have no problems with muggles or muggle borns. I was raised by muggles in an orphanage when my mother died. My father was a muggle. I am in fact, a half-blood."
His answer caused a low murmur to fill the hall, and a few people glared at Dumbledore.
"That is not true!" Albus roared. "Have you all forgotten who he is?" Albus shouted, which only made everyone glare at him more.
"Given the evidence of the crimes you committed against Harry, and what Mr. Riddle wrote in his diary more than 50 years ago at the age of eleven, we are willing to give him the benefit of the doubt!" Seamus shouted.
"Was Lucius Malfoy ever one of your Death Eaters?" Hermione asked loudly.
'Voldemort' fixed her with a cold stare that caused her visibly to shiver, and Draco to glare at her from across the room.
"I don't even know who he is." He answered, and Draco smirked.
"You liar! Don't you see he's lying!?" Ron yelled. "Harry, how can you believe him!?"
"Because I know things you don't!" Harry shouted.
"Was Severus Snape ever one of your Death Eaters?!" Hermione yelled, earning her a sharp look from Snape.
"Severus yes, though that is hardly a big secret. Everyone and their Grandmum knows that he was a Death Eater. I can honestly say though, that he never killed or tortured anyone, but given that he turned spy for Dumbledore at the end of the war, he was cleared of all charges. He in fact helped me to know where Albus was at all times, though to his credit, he didn't know that Albus was the real Dark Lord. I never told him what Albus was doing to me."
"How many people have you killed?" Susan Bones, a Hufflepuff, stood up and asked.
"Under Albus's control hundreds, my Death Eaters have killed thousands on my orders because of Albus's control. Willingly I have only killed five people, and they were my own Death Eaters. I killed them because they took a fancy in brutally torturing and killing muggle children. They deserved to die. My Death Eaters, to my knowledge, have killed zero, because I never gave the command to harm anyone when not under Albus's control. The very few times he let me go I tried to escape and hide from him, but he found me every time."
This caused another mummer to erupt from all the students, but Susan held her head up high and marched up the aisle between the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor tables. She marched up to the Head Table, looked directly into the Headmaster's eyes, and slapped him hard across the face. The sound echoed throughout the silent great hall, and everyone's jaw dropped. Susan however let lose a tirade against the old man.
"I LOST MY ENTIRE FAMILY BECAUSE OF YOU!" She screamed, slapping him again. "I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! How DARE you run a school filled with children who are orphans because of your sick and twisted mind!? How DARE you sit up here and pretend to be our friend when you're the cause of our suffering and loss? I lost my mother, father, my grandparents, my cousins, my aunt, and both of my uncles! They may have died by his hand, and the hands of his Death Eaters," she said, jabbing her finger at 'Voldemort', "but it was because of you!" She said with as much venom as she could muster. "I HATE YOU!"
Her knees seemed to give out as she tried to turn and walk away, and she fell to the floor and started sobbing. McGonagall, Tom, and Sprout were on their feet the second she hit the ground, but Tom was faster given that he was on skates. He skidded to a stop right next to her, fell to his knees, and pulled her close to him. Harry saw the tears in Tom's own eyes, but he couldn't hear the words he was whispering in her ear. Harry knew that Susan didn't know who Tom was, because Amelia, Susan's Aunt and last living relative, said she didn't want her to know until the proper time. As Harry looked at the scene in front of him though, it seemed appropriate that Tom was the one who was holding onto her and rocking her back and forth. Susan clung to Tom, and seemed determined to not let him ago anytime soon.
Snape seemed to collect himself before anyone else, and rushed over to them. He pulled a potion out of his pocket, and nearly forced it down her throat. After a few moments, her loud cries of anguish turned to soft sobs and lots of sniffling, and Harry knew then she had been given a calming draught.
'Voldemort' walked over and knelt beside them. "I'm so, so sorry."
She looked up at him with tear stained cheeks. "For years I blamed you. For years I've hated you, and for years my anger has been directed at the wrong person." She said. Then she did something that shocked everyone even more than her slapping Dumbledore. She kissed 'Voldemort's' cheek. "I'm sorry that I blamed you."
Even Death looked genuinely shocked by her actions, but he looked at her and smiled. "I accept your apology. If you can accept mine."
"I can." She whispered.
"What is your name?" He asked gently.
"Susan Bones. My last relative, my Aunt, is Amelia Bones. She is head of the DMLE, and she will be hearing about this."
Tom and 'Voldemort' helped Susan off the ground, but Tom looked at her. "Do you want to go to the hospital wing?"
She shook her head and took a deep breath. "No, I think I'm ok now. I want to go and finish my breakfast."
"Ok then, I'll help you walk back."
"Thank you." She said, smiling back at 'Voldemort' who was also smiling at her.
He nodded at Tom and walked back to the Gryffindor table, as Tom helped Susan back to the Hufflepuff table to sit down in her seat. Harry took a moment to look around. Whispering about what just happened had already begun in the great hall, but Dumbledore looked ready to explode at any minute. And he did.
"Susan Bones! You are hereby expelled from Hogwarts!" He yelled. "You attacked a Professor not only out of anger, but also unfounded accusations!"
Harry leapt up immediately. "Susan, as half owner of this castle, you are welcome to stay here and sit in your classes! He might be able to 'expel' you, but he can't force you to leave!"
"Thank you Harry. I think I'll do just that!" She said loudly, glaring at Dumbledore.
"Deplorable!" Merlin shouted. "You should be ashamed of yourself Albus Dumbledore! You might try to be like me, but you will never succeed! Miss Bones is right! You are a sick and twisted individual!"
"Shut up you meddlesome idiot!" Dumbledore shouted, and shot a blasting curse at the paintings.
Thankfully Neville was quick to throw up a shield charm, but the Founders and Merlin glared daggers at the old man. Harry even took a few steps back, because all three men looked downright pissed, and ready to do some serious harm to the barmy old codger.
Godric pulled himself up to his full height, glared at Dumbledore, and began to speak loudly.
"Attention Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!
To every portrait, ghost, statue, and stone,
Every window, door, and stair,
From the lowest dungeon, to the highest tower,
I am Godric Gryffindor, and I proclaim myself HEADMASTER!"
The entire castle gave a violent shake, and the very floor beneath their feet began to vibrate. A deafening roar came out of every corridor, as every portrait and ghost in the castle began cheering. There was an enormous burst of energy, and a brilliant flash of white light. Dumbledore was thrown backwards, but somehow managed to stay on his feet. He straightened up in just enough time to see Godric, Salazar, and Merlin step out of their paintings, very…much…alive.