I'm in awe at the support you've shown for this story!
: Dumbledork is next
Arthura: I am not completely sure yet. Harry's goal is to remove all traces of Alterans from Earth. Due to the ATA gene, some muggles and squibs will also need to go. I see a development of two distinct societies. One is a planet cut off from everything, where the old-timers will simply die out as their children are educated on Altera. Also, I see Harry as definitively establishing a difference between Dumbledore's version of magic, and his own. There won't be as many undesirables, because Harry will care less about dark magic, only black magic.
Macilnar: I am not sure about Harry saving Gaia yet. Daniel is a distinct possible recruit, but his lack of Alteran genes poses a problem. I hadn't considered the Flamels, but I will now!
Twztdwildcat: I will attempt to answer Daniel's questions about the migration of the Alterans from Earth to Altera.
JD: Here's your update!
Guest: Here's even more reason for Tom to be smothered in love!
Awesome: Harry will get to the rest of the ships in Pegasus. He sent ships back to Pegasus, but we haven't seen their end games yet.
Marcoglas92: Harry will keep them in stasis until he is able to safely bring them out of stasis and become helpful citizens of Altera, not old timers who drag their civilization backwards.
DesertSandBox: Ernest goes through the gate in 1945. I'm unsure as to whether I'll fast forward my timeline or not for him, but I don't see it. I have plans!
Chapter 4: Dumbledore
Hadrian stepped through the floo, and into the Headmaster's office for his appointment. At the last minute, he'd decided to ruin Dumbledore, immediately rather than merely scold him for interfering with business he should have no part in and then ruin him later. "Ah, Mr. Peverell!" The Headmaster enthused. "Or, is it Lord Peverell? Right on time then. Please, sit down."
Harry did so. "Hello, Headmaster. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. And it is Lord Peverell, but please call me Hadrian."
"Very well, Hadrian. And you must call me Armando! I hear you've taken custody of Mr. Riddle. Absolutely fantastic!" The Headmaster, Armando Dippet, was an older man, but kindly. His spectacles rested on the bridge of his nose, and his facial hair was vaguely reminiscent of Santa, but shorter. He was also very kind to Tom, the only orphan currently attending Hogwarts, and if his circumstances were different, it's likely he would have taken Tom in himself. "He deserves a good home and a loving guardian. I fear he's had a hard life."
"Yes, well, we're both lucky. It's an honor for me to have such a talented ward, and possible heir." Hadrian smiled at the old man. Dumbledore was about to get a lesson in messing with children.
"Indeed! What's this about again? I assume your ward, but your letter was rather vague."
"In a way." Harry said, hesitantly. "How well do you know your Deputy Headmaster Dumbledore?"
Dippet frowned. "He's taught here for a number of years. We're not close friends. Mainly he's deputy by seniority on the staff. Why? Has he done something?"
Hadrian ignored the question for a moment, sipping from the tea service a house elf had set out. "I see. And . . . has he been an adequate teacher?"
"Well, for the most part." Dippet sighed. "He has a tendency to revise his syllabi in an attempt to prevent some magic from being taught, and has slowed down the teaching of other arts. Frankly, if he wasn't such a good teacher, I'd have fired him by now."
"I see. As to your question, he has indeed done something. I received a letter two weeks ago, while I was away from Britain on business, from Professor Dumbledore. Within it, he danced around for a while, speaking about the sheer power Tom has, and of course his gift that is "obviously dark," referring to his gift of parseltongue, a gift I share, before implying that I had less than pure intentions for my ward. He suggested that I back out of my guardianship contract with the goblins, and had the gall to tell me that Tom was better off being taken back to the Muggle orphanage. In my anger, I'm afraid my magic incinerated the letter."
Dippet gasped. "Truly!" He shook his head. "Albus's father is in prison for the harming of Muggles. His sister is dead, as is his mother, and his brother no longer speaks to him. I know because it came up in my character check before I hired him. Perhaps these things have hurt his ability to recognize healthy and unhealthy relationships."
"Tom has also told me his Transfiguration professor assigns unfair detentions and removes more points for lesser crimes. In truth, he feels very singled out. I've told him to keep a record, but in light of this letter, I'd rather he was not taught by Dumbledore at all." Hadrian said in frustration.
Dippet nodded. "Yes, indeed. Unfortunate that you burned the letter. If I had proof, it would be grounds for dismissal. Instead, I will simply have to keep a closer eye on Albus. Although . . . I can change his status as deputy. Despite the seniority, I can appoint my choice as Deputy Headmaster. I've simply never worried enough about it before. He's certainly not doing right by the students now, though. Perhaps Horace Slughorn. I know he tries to shelter the students from any unfairness, and has created a club to help the talented succeed."
Hadrian nodded. "Yes. Tom mentioned him. Said he'd sheltered him from the worst of Dumbledore's cruelty, took most of the detentions and taught him advanced potions instead. Even gives him points for extra credit assignments. The sad thing is, Tom is incredible at transfiguration, and Dumbledore will make sure my ward struggles with his potential."
"Yes, Horace will do nicely as a deputy." Dippet said. "I must say, if he keeps going like this, Albus will be disgraced in the community. Interfering with children is a heinous crime. In fact, it's punishable by death, rather than Azkaban. And . . . I'll see about removing Tom from Albus's class. It's well within your rights to request it. I assume you'll hire a tutor to come and teach him?"
Hadrian nodded. "I will. I have a few names in mind, and the goblins have offered to help me vet them. Thank you for your help. Since I've received custody of Tom, he's been a delight, and I credit much of it to the majority of your teachers, and yourself. Tom tells me he speaks with you a few times a year."
"Not at all a bother. I try to watch over the children who lack a proper family structure. Thank you for bringing this to my attention." Dippet smiled. "Now, it's a Saturday, and classes are out. Would you like to visit your ward? I'm sure he can be found somewhere!"
Hadrian smiled. "I would love to see Tom. I confess, even with all my business, I've found myself rather lonely for his company."
Dippet tapped his wand on a globe Hadrian had thought to be a decoration. "My own design! Tom Riddle." He stated. The globe glowed, before elegant script proclaimed Tom Riddle to be in the Transfiguration classroom.
Exchanging glances, the two left in a hurry. There was no reason for Tom to be with Dumbledore on a Saturday. Thankfully, the Headmaster's office was near the classroom, and they disillusioned themselves before sneaking in the cracked door. Tom was trying to back away from Dumbledore, but was pressed up against the wall. The terror on his face was evident, and it pulled at Hadrian's heart. How could Dumbledore be so cruel? Memories thrust themselves to the forefront of his mind, of Dumbledore cornering him in much the same way.
"Don't you see, child. Snakes are evil. You must give it to me." The man insisted. His hand was outstretched, but Tom refused to obey. Instead, Tom clutched Etoile closer to his chest.
"No. Please let me leave." His voice wavered in fear. Harry had to shove down the rage and hatred in order to focus.
"I can't do that child. Your new guardian has poisoned your mind." Dumbledore cast a silver spell at Tom. It was one Harry recognized all too clearly. Dumbledore had cast it on him, as well. It seems Dumbledore was enough of a pervert to risk getting caught so early in his career.
Immediately, Tom's arms dropped away. "Yes, sir. How can I help sir?" He asked dully.
"Tom, would you please give me the snake?" Dumbledore's voice sent shivers of shame and embarrassment down Harry's spine. It brought back burried memories.
Without hesitation, Tom handed over Etoile, whom Dumbledore trapped in a glass box, which he sent to his desk.
"Very good. Now Tom, please come closer, so I can touch you." Tom moved closer, standing just in front of the teacher, hands behind his back. It looked like a practiced position. Harry knew that it was. The look on Dumbledore's face was something Harry had never been able to forget, and it sat there now.
Hadrian sucked in a breath, but didn't move to intervene. He didn't know what Dumbledore was up to yet. Was it molestation, or would they prove magic theft as well?
"Gellert showed me this." He said as he placed his wand on Tom's heart. Tom began writhing as his magic poured into Dumbledore. Snapping, Hadrian cast a sectumsempra at the teacher as he disillusioned himself. Tom crumpled. As Dippet moved to Albus bloody Dumbledore, Hadrian grabbed his ward and held his ward tight. "Et ego partem meam magicae cum vos." He cast desperately. As his magic surged into Tom, attempting to repair the damage Dumbledore had caused, Harry lifted his ward and strode toward the hospital wing. Who knows how many times that vile man had done this to Tom. No more. This was the last of Albus Dumbledore. He would never touch another child again. Rage and shame roiled through him. Dumbledore had brought up memories Harry had thought were dealt with. Clearly, facing his abuser had brought them back full force. With an effort, Harry shoved them to the side. He needed to focus on Tom now, and later, he could focus on himself.
When Tom awakened, he was surprised to find himself in a hospital bed. He ached all over, and couldn't remember how he got there. There was a pain in his chest, and his brain was pounding in his head. A heavy weight on his thigh had him turning his head, only to tear up. His guardian was asleep in the chair next to him, looking worse for the wear. His face was pale and gaunt, and had almost a week's worth of stubble. Bags under his eyed indicated a lack of sleep, and exhaustion was apparent even as he slept. As Tom resolved to merely go back to sleep and let his guardian rest, Hadrian let out a soft grunt and jerked awake.
Tom was surprised at the amount of emotion in Hadrian's eyes. "Tom!" He cried out, standing and moving to better hug his ward. "You're awake! You're alright. You scared me!"
"Yes. Da . . . Hadrian, what happened? The last thing I remember is Professor Dumbledore telling me you poisoned my mind. He was angry."
Hadrian swallowed hard. Tom had almost called him Dad, but after this, he was almost certain to retreat again. "A month ago, I got a letter from Professor Dumbledore while I was on a business trip. He said a few things, implying that I should send you back to the orphanage, implying that I took you in for reasons that were less than pure. When I got back from abroad two week ago, I immediately went to the Headmaster. After we discussed the situation and I pulled you out of Dumbledore's class, I went for a visit with you, only to find Dumbledore attempting to steal your magic. I interrupted him, but you passed out. You've been in a coma for two weeks. I was so worried about you!"
Tom blinked back tears. "You were?" He couldn't fathom why Harry was so worried. He was replaceable.
Hadrian frowned. "Of course I was. Why would you think otherwise?"
"It's just . . . I'm not your son." Tom said sadly. "I don't understand why you would care. You could always take in another child."
Hadrian squeezed him tighter. "Of course I care! Tom, I consider my son, no matter your decision on adoption. I love you, and it hurts me when you're hurt. If I ever take in another child, it won't be to replace you, but to give you a larger family and share my love with another lost child. And it will never happen without your consent."
"Oh.' Tom let out a soft noise, like a wounded animal. "I'm not sure I understand, but you keep telling me I will eventually."
"One day." Hadrian promised. Even if it took a lifetime.
"What happened to Professor Dumbledore?" Tom asked curiously.
Hadrian swallowed hard. Here came the news he didn't want to deliver. "Tom, Dumbledore was arrested for fifty-eight counts of continuous child molestation and obliviation, and ninety-two counts of continuous magic theft and obliviation. When the Healers come, there will be a mind healer to help you work through your memories and unlock them." His voice was choked with tears. Memories of his own were pushing to the surface, and the look on Tom's face was too close to home.
Tom shook his head. "No." There was obvious denial in his face.
"Tom." Harry's voice cracked. "It's okay. It's not your fault. Everything will be okay. I'll help you get through it." White hot anger at Dumbledore sprung anew. How could anyone harm a child?
"How! HE HURT ME!" Tom cried out. "How can you help me?" He burst into tears.
"I can help you realize that it's not your fault, that you're not dirty because of it. I can help teach you how to live a normal life afterwards, how to be able to stand someone hugging you without tensing up and feeling his hands on you. I understand Tom, because I had to help myself. I never told anyone what my uncle did to me, but I'm going to make sure that that monster never ruins your life because of what he did to you." They were both crying by the end of Hadrian's speech. Tom's shame was written on his face, and Hadrian's was written on his heart. Both needed to deal with the memories they had to face.
Two days later, Harry was able to take Tom home. The healers had unlocked the memories Dumbledore obliviated, and Tom's magic was recovering. If Harry hadn't shared magic like he had, the interruption of Dumbledore's magic theft might have killed Tom. School was canceled for the rest of the year, as the forty-nine male students still at Hogwarts were treated for their obliviation and new memories of molestation and magic theft, and the twenty-seven female students at Hogwarts were treated for their memories of magic theft. Nine boys were graduated from Hogwarts, and had to deal with the molestation and magic theft, and seven girls the magic theft. The exact numbers were known because Dumbledore had kept trophies. He's copies the memories of each child and kept them, as well as his own, in a pensieve.
It was a disaster. The public was outraged, and Dumbledore was Kissed very shortly after trial. Tom spent a long time locked in his room. Most of the children Dumbledore harmed were Slytherin and Ravenclaw, and all were from Dark or Gray families. Hadrian often had to drag him out of his room to meet with the Mind Healers, and since most of his friends were dealing with similar problems, they were unable to help Tom. Orion Black and Abraxus Malfoy had also been molested, and their memories were extremely vivid.
A month after he'd brought Tom home, Harry had enough of the moping. It wasn't doing any good, and it was probably doing him harm. Harry'd been older, more able to handle it, when his memories were unlocked. "Tom, come out of that room now!"
Etoile, Tom's familiar, recovered by Headmaster Dippet, slithered up Hadrian's leg, and coiled around his neck. *"My master is depressed. He cries, and barely eats the food you send to him. I cannot help. You must help him."*
Hadrian entered the room to find Tom curled up in the middle of his bed. His face was tearstained and his eyes red. He couldn't meet Harry's eye, and shame and humiliation were evident in the very way he presented himself. "Alright, enough of this! Get dressed. We're going somewhere."
Reluctantly, Tom dressed and followed his guardian out the door. He showed none of his previous care in his appearance, and his chosen clothes were dull and black. "Where are you taking me?"His voice was flat and listless.
"It's called Altera." Hadrian answered. "It's a new beginning, for the both of us."
He held out the floo powder when they reached the floo. "I'll be right behind you. Our first destination is LeFay Manor. It's password protected. The password is Atlantis."
Tom left in a flare of green, and Harry was seconds behind him. "Wokby!" Harry called. The elf appeared. "Would you dial up Altera for us please? We'll leave in a moment."
Hadrian took ahold of Tom's hand, ignoring his flinch. Physical contact was always the hardest to overcome. "We're going to the dungeons. They've been transformed into a gate room. You'll see what I mean. When we get there, we'll be taking a unique form of travel to somewhere safe. No one will be able to get you there. We'll talk, and I'll act as your mind healer for the trip. We're going to spend a lot of time talking and crying."
Tom shrugged uncaringly, and followed Hadrian, but stopped in shock when he saw the Astria Porta. "What is that?" He croaked.
"This is an Astria Porta, but in English, it's called a Stargate." Hadrian replied. "It's creates what Muggles call a wormhole, only they can't make one yet. It's years from being anything but theoretical to them."
"I don't understand." Tom said in shock. He still radiated shame, but his shock was overcoming his anxiety.
"No, but you will. Come along. It's time to see Altera, and I'll let you in on the biggest secret in the galaxy for the moment."
Et ego partem meam magicae cum vos: I SHARE WITH YOU MY MAGIC
So... I have no excuse for the delay in this chapter. It's a bit angsty. Deal with it.