The Boy-King of Infinity
Disclaimer/Plot/Challenge Information/Author's Note: SEE FIRST CHAPTER
Recommended Reads: Raven, Magical Spider, Bonded, Widow's Vengeance, Wands and Claws and Reborn by JustBored21, Harry Potts and the Infinity Stones by samhaine, Master Potter of Kamar-Taj and He's definitely got the stones for it by Ryuko monogatari, Child of the Storm, Ghosts of the Past and The Phoenix and the Serpent by Nimbus Llewelyn, The War of Titans by PerseusPeverell092, A Fallen God by Hostiel, Kill me if you can and The Overpowered Gamer by PercyPendragon3, The Eye of the Phoenix by GrandSpaceWizard, Master of Death and Wielder of Infinity by bhanfhen, Do Not Meddle In The Affairs Of Wizards by Corwalch, Harry Potter the Mutant Obscurus Gamer by GnomeBob and Harry Is A Dragon, And That's Okay by Saphroneth
Key Pairing: Harry/TBD
Other Pairings: To be determined
Normal Speech
'Thoughts'
'Mental Speech'
/Parseltongue/
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INSTEAD:
After a reviewer pointed out a mistake from my previous posting, I embraced the crack-like nature of this story to come up with this funny, but also interesting add-in chapter;
Minerva, meanwhile, turned to Filius before she asked, "Filius, would you go down to the Common Room and use the fireplace to Floo call Director Bones? Tell her we've found a war-criminal who is long overdue an appointment with the Dementors! In the meantime, Potter; take twenty points to Gryffindor for not only recognising a magical gift, but also showing restraint against, what I can only imagine is a very black mark against your family. Lily and James would be proud of you for showing such mercy…"
"They certainly would," agreed Albus, again meeting Harry's gaze.
Chapter 9: Snakes and Ladders (Sorry, Lions)
"Inconceivable!"
"That's one word for it," said Harry, sitting with Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Flitwick and Sprout, as well as a stern-faced lady whom, when he met her, introduced herself as Director Amelia Bones of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement – or DMLE for short – and two scary-looking men, whom Harry had learned were Aurors.
One of them definitely looked scary, mostly because he looked like something that Dr Frankenstein had put together with his metallic appendages and a magical eye, as well as his many scars, and the dangerous, powerful-looking staff that he also seemed content to use as a walking aid.
As for the other, he was more scary-looking because of how, when Harry looked at him, he didn't know why, but he suddenly found himself thinking of Prince T'Challa – aka the Black Marvel – and that was reason enough for Harry to be wary, if not more than a little respectful towards this cobalt-blue-dressed, dark-skinned man.
It was Amelia who'd said what Harry responded to, even as the boy looked to the two Aurors, who had Peter Pettigrew bound in magic suppressing cuffs and tied to a chair. Amelia, meanwhile, had just finished administering something that she explained was called Veritaserum to get some answers out of Pettigrew.
Of course, as she explained to Harry, the full questioning would come at the trial, but, for now, the Veritaserum was necessary to confirm his identity and get the basics behind his reason for hiding with the Weasley Family.
"Well," said Amelia, pocketing the antidote as she explained, "Regardless of what the truth may be, I'm sure I won't be alone in thanking you for helping bring this injustice to light, Mr Potter. As a character witness and a member of the affected parties, I would like to invite you to attend the trial, which will be held in two days' time."
"Must it be so long, Amelia?" asked Dumbledore, though not before he noticed Harry's fingers twitch.
"With the Veritaserum in his system, even with the antidote, the prisoner will need two days to flush it out of him, so that we can safely apply the second dose for his trial," explained Amelia, earning a scoff from Harry.
"Couldn't he take an Ipecac or some Pepto or something to help speed things along, Madam Director?"
Smiling at the boy's apparent respect, as well as curious mind – both of which reminded her of her honorary sister, even though she didn't say it aloud – Amelia cleared her throat as she explained, "Unfortunately, Mr Potter, such methods of…speeding things along, as you put it, they don't affect Veritaserum. In fact, when tested, we actually found that trying it can lead to a form of mentally-induced poisoning and even infections of the bladder and kidneys, undoubtedly due to the magical side of the drinker fighting a non-magical influence. One person fell into a coma from the test and, when they awoke, they believed they were in the court of King Arthur! Poor man had to be heavily sedated and, sadly, returned to his coma until nature took its course."
"What if he came down with diarrhoea?" asked Harry, earning a soft titter from Alastor Moody – the scary, Frankenstein's Monster lookalike.
"If that happens, son, I'm sure we can get it done this…ugh!"
Suddenly, the scarred, deformed man let out a cry of disgust, as did everyone else, when, all of a sudden, Pettigrew's already-soiled, discoloured trousers turned a very nasty shade of pale-brown, accompanied by dribbles and small rivulets of actual shit that flowed down through his leg cuffs, staining Dumbledore's floors.
"GET HIM TO A CELL, NOW!" Demanded Amelia.
Though only Albus saw Harry's knowing smile and knew that, in some way, the boy had helped speed things along.
Infinity
"Scourgify. Evanesco. Ventus Aromatisse…Scourgify, Evanesco, Ventus Aromatisse…ugh, it's still smells disgustingly-foul in here!"
"And coming from Severus, you know that's saying something," drawled Filius, earning a soft titter from Albus, while Harry had moved to the spot next to the goblin teacher after Amelia, Alastor and Kingsley Shacklebolt had taken Pettigrew away.
Though not before the rat-faced man left a pretty damning last impression on the Headmaster's floors.
As the Potions Master returned to his own spot close to the Headmaster's desk, however, his eyes locked onto Harry as he asked, "However, now we are done with this apparent disruption to our classes, perhaps someone wouldn't mind explaining how it is that Potter even knew an Animagus was in Gryffindor Tower to begin with?"
"I've got a question, Professor," argued Harry, earning a scoff and a sneer from Snape, though Harry didn't bother rising to it.
Instead, he looked to Professor McGonagall as he asked, "Isn't anyone else curious about how Weasley was even in the Tower to begin with? I mean, I don't remember much about the Sorting Ceremony, but one thing I do remember is that Weasley got sorted into Slytherin, not Gryffindor. So why was he sleeping in the first-year dormitory in Gryffindor Tower and not in the Slytherin Dungeons?"
"You…I…well…" Severus began, before Harry actually smiled when Snape sniggered softly as he drawled, "Actually, loath as I am to admit it, he makes a very interesting point. Mr Weasley was indeed sorted into Slytherin House last night; I even remember him sitting as far away from his new peers as he could, undoubtedly because of his ingrained belief that all Slytherins are evil and want to murder sleeping babies in their beds."
"Ahem-Voldemort-ahem…" coughed Harry, earning a scoff from Snape.
"I just complimented your impressive sense of logic, Potter; don't make me take it back."
"Yes sir," said Harry, looking back to Professor McGonagall – which also meant he didn't see the very faint flicker of a smile that crossed Severus' face as he heard the innocent tone in the boy's voice and thought it just like…like her – before he asked, "So, Professor McGonagall? I know you told me to come and pay the Headmaster a visit last night, and I was both honoured and glad to do it, sir…"
He gave a curt nod to Dumbledore as he said this, earning a content smile and curt nod in response, before Harry went on, "But after that…I mean, I remember our nice chat, and then, well, I guess I must have fallen asleep in your office, Headmaster, because the next thing I knew, I was waking up in Gryffindor Tower myself…and put it down to tiredness or whatever, but…now I'm wide awake, I'm curious: how is Weasley in our House?"
"Did Weasley go with the Gryffindors or the Slytherins last night, Minerva?" asked Filius.
"As I had my business with Potter to attend to, I was not aware of it."
"Then perhaps you should ask the elder Weasley, Minerva," said Severus, earning a raised eyebrow from Harry as the Potions Master went on. "If my memory serves me correctly, it is usually the duty of the House Prefects in question to lead new first-years up to their dormitory. Of course, like Filius and Pomona, I also make a point of formally introducing myself to my new protégés, which also makes me realise that I myself did not see a flash of red amongst my new hatchlings last night…so…whatever, however it happened, it happened on the way between the hall and the dorms."
"And given his brothers are as bad as…as the Marauders for their notoriety and knowledge of the school, I would also imagine we should probably ask them about it, especially since Weasley's possessions were also in the Tower, along with the boy himself," added Filius, though not before he looked to Harry when he mentioned the Marauders.
Of course, Harry knew why, but Filius didn't know that he knew.
"Very well," agreed Minerva, heading for the door as she added, "I shall go and summon the Weasleys."
"No need, Minerva…Fawkes, if you'd be so kind?"
As soon as the words left Dumbledore's lips, Fawkes, the very beautiful-looking red-feathered bird that Harry had remembered seeing when he first visited the office the night before, vanished in a burst of fire.
While they waited, Harry indicated the perch where the bird had been nesting as he asked, "He's a phoenix, isn't he, Headmaster?"
"That he is, Harry; a point to Gryffindor for recognising him. He's also my oldest friend and has been with me for quite some time."
"Phoenixes know their loyalties, sir," said Harry, though he actually fixed his eyes on Albus as he said it. "Once they find their own, they are willing to do anything to protect them. And their powers…mysterious, legendary and powerful, maybe even…beyond what a human can understand."
Fortunately, Dumbledore got the message, "I agree, Harry; and, when a phoenix knows where one's loyalties lie, there is every chance that the phoenix in question can be assured that said loyalty will never be rescinded, even if certain accidents have already threatened that loyalty once already…fortunately, I have long-since believed we are all capable of earning a second chance, wouldn't you agree, my boy?"
A feeling of familiar calm washed over Harry, but, this time, he also sensed a familiar presence.
His Mum.
Smiling softly, Harry gulped as he said, "I think a second chance has to be earned, sir…but, if it is, then yes, I suppose I have to agree."
'Well done, sweetheart…I'm so proud of you for making that decision yourself…'
Smiling at the presence of his Mum's astral voice, while a small part of him also wished that he didn't have to hide the fact that she was still around, Harry looked away from Dumbledore just in time to see a second flash of fire, which revealed the confused, awed and even surprised, if not suspicious faces of Ronald, Fred, George and Percy Weasley.
"Sir?" asked Percy, standing to attention – much to Harry's amusement – like a soldier standing before his general as he asked, "It is an honour to be invited to your office. I knew my duties had earned some recognition, but to be worthy of a visit with you, Professor? I'll remember this day for the rest of my life!"
"Stop polishing the apple, Weasley," growled Snape, earning a laugh from Harry, as well as the Weasley Twins, though Harry suspected that they only laughed because their brother was being singled out for his toadying attitude.
Harry, meanwhile, listened, along with the others, as Snape addressed the Weasley Brothers as a whole, "Now, if we're all done kissing backsides, perhaps one of you can tell us why your youngest, and clearly most-ignorant of siblings was not in Slytherin House last night?"
"Because I belong in Gryffindor!" exclaimed Ronald, earning a warning look from Percy, before Ron turned his gaze on Harry, "Tell them, Harry; you want to spend the next seven years with your best mate, don't you? We'll play chess and talk about Quidditch and…"
"Braid each other's hair and sit up all night with cookies and drinks talking about girls?" asked Harry in a mocking voice.
"Yeah, sure, if you want," replied Ron, earning a facepalm from Harry, while the Twins roared with laughter.
"Are you really so dense that you don't recognise sarcasm, Weasley the Youngest?" asked Severus, though his lips also twitched in amusement as he saw Harry's reaction, as well as how quick and sharp the boy's tongue was.
Infinity
'Lily would be proud,' thought Severus, before his eyes widened briefly as he felt a stab at his heart, accompanied by a warmth he had not felt in quite some time.
A stab and a warmth that had only ever come from thinking about his oldest and dearest and, sadly, lost friends…
Infinity
As Severus had his moment, Harry looked back to the Weasleys as the youngest scowled in response to Snape's argument before he spat at Harry and the others, "I am a Gryffindor; I don't belong with those slimy snakes and Death Eaters. The Boy-Who-Lived is going to be my best mate and, if you won't do your jobs right, then I guess my brothers have to do it for you."
"How so?" asked Dumbledore, earning an eep from Ron, as though he'd only just realised the headmaster was even in the room, despite his elder brother's earlier toadying attitude towards said man.
"I…well…I…I…"
Ron tried and failed to get a sentence out.
Or so it seemed until, to the surprise of the others, the redhead's gormless expression softened and relaxed before his voice spoke in a surprisingly calm, even level-headed tone. "Percy caught me before the Slytherins could get me out of there and told me that I was coming up to Gryffindor Tower; if anybody asked, he had already made plans to use his powers as Prefect to kick up a fuss with the Board and the Ministry. Because Dad isn't a respected individual, it wouldn't be long before someone like Malfoy would make a generous donation and recommend a resort, putting me in Gryffindor where I could become Harry's best mate and keep him away from people he doesn't need. Maybe he'd even buy me a Nimbus or two, so I could prove why I deserve a spot on the Quidditch Team and then, with him at my side, I could finally be somebody."
"You mean apart from a lying, thieving, backstabbing glory-hound with delusions of grandeur and somebody who'd think that I need you to decide who I can and can't make friends with?" asked Harry hotly, earning a scared look from the Weasley Twins, while even Filius looked uneasy.
Even moreso when Ronald replied, "That's right; you only need to think about being the Boy-Who-Lived, Harry; we can have someone like that snob, Granger, or even Longbottom, to do everything for us. Plus, it'd be nice to have someone I can beat because you don't know anything about the important stuff like Quidditch, chess or even how to spend your money."
"I think I've heard enough," said Harry, rising from his seat before he looked to the teachers. "I'm going to breakfast, Professors…and a word of advice to you Weasleys."
The glow in his green eyes told the Weasleys to take notice as Harry shook his head slowly.
"Don't even think of coming near me and calling yourselves friends…especially since you two have something that belonged to my Dad and so, as his son, it now belongs to me…and you know what I mean, so don't pretend otherwise."
"It…it…it'll be in…in your…your dorm tonight, Mr Potter," said Fred, earning a nod from Harry as he turned and left, making sure to slam the door behind him as he walked out of the office.
"Meanwhile," added George, now looking to his teachers before he asked, "We're in trouble, aren't we?"
"Lying, breaking the rules, abusing power and station and also allowing your brother to have such delusional thoughts of ego, greed and vanity concerning a fellow student who is only out to be what he chooses to be?" asked Professor Flitwick, a look of warning and foreboding in his eyes as he shook his head, whilst glaring daggers at the Weasleys.
"There isn't even a number for how much trouble you're in this time, you Demons of Gryffindor House!"
So, a different Chapter 9 and it looks like corruption runs deep, especially for those with Ministry ambitions, but exactly how much trouble are the Weasleys in?
Also, with a convenient diarrhoea attack clearing out the pipes, how much trouble is Wormtail in?
More than the Weasleys? Less? About the same?
And what could be happening to everyone's least-favourite Potions Master?
Keep Reading to Find Out
Next Chapter: Harry attends his second meeting with Dumbledore, where certain truths are brought to light: also, Sirius gets his trial, which also gives Harry a taste of the way things are in the world: good thing he isn't someone that can change that with a snap of his fingers, should he choose to…oh, crap-balls!
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