The Leader

Chapter 18

Capture Of The Rat

"Go on then, make haste," said Harry, handing over the documents to Dobby with explicit instructions to give them to Madam Bones when she was alone. He wasn't taking the chance of Dumbledore getting control of his fortune even for a minute. If that was done, he would know about all his properties, the amount of money he had... he may as well just tell Dumbledore himself what he was doing if that was the case. He would just have to live with the fact the wizarding world would soon know; at least it was now and not later. He had enough people in the Ministry that his plan could still continue to go on.

"Yes, Sir!" replied Dobby eagerly; accepting the scroll he disappeared from Potter Manor. Despite the fact his Master didn't show much emotion, he was better than his old Master had been. He never got punished here, and even without the spells he would always remain loyal to his Master Harry Potter. In fact he wanted to curse Dumbledore for messing up his kind Master's plans.

Sighing softly, Harry leant back in his desk chair shaking his head, feeling extremely exasperated. He always was when it came to Dumbledore though, either that or downright pissed off. He should be feeling angry, but Dumbledore's persistence was something to be admiring. Only a fool would not admire such tenacity; he wasn't a fool, and to get the public onside, he would have to wear Dumbledore's reputation to the ground. The public were so fickle; it wouldn't be a problem, as long as he did it properly.

"Come in," said Harry, sensing the presence at his study door, before they could knock; he had a headache and didn't want it getting any worse.

"The potions have been completed," stated Severus, entering the study, which felt much different from the last time without a handful of vampires in the room. "Is everything alright?" he asked eventually, watching Harry closely; since he didn't show a lot of emotion it was hard to tell when he was upset or irate. The only emotion he was positive of was anger, and that was because his magic fluxed around him, magnificent in its glory.

"Just rearranging my plans," confided Harry, smirking at the surprise he could see on Severus' face for actually talking to him about something. "Dumbledore it seems has begun stepping on my toes; I knew it would happen eventually, it was inevitable. Yet now that it has happened, the urge to bring him down right now is very strong."

"Then why don't you?" asked Severus, sitting down and eyeing Harry cautiously. If there was anyone that could do just that ― it would be this man in front of him.

"Revealing his past could have the potential of making the public feel sorry for him, which is the opposite of what I want. Revealing any of his misdeeds could lead to the exact same thing or the public not believing the news and since we have no real definitive proof, it's all hearsay," Harry told him bluntly, his green eyes staring eerily at him.

"True," conceded Severus, his mind racing, trying to think of something, anything, that could help. "You never did say why you hated Dumbledore so much; from what I saw…during your year at Hogwarts you…seemed to adore him." A grimace left his mouth as he said the word 'adore' but really there was no other word for it.

Harry's left eye and hands twitched as if he was physically fighting with himself against strangling Severus. He did not like being reminded of the time where he was so stupid and naïve. Sighing grudgingly, he supposed it wouldn't hurt to reveal that piece of information ― it wasn't as if he could share it outside the group. A few of them even knew about it, so it wasn't a complete secret. "That is because I did. I was raised by my Aunt and Uncle; they both detested magic. Needless to say, when Dumbledore showed me attention I soaked it up like a starved pup." Harry scowled just thinking about it.

Severus nodded in understanding, knowing how it felt to grow up with adults who detested every breath you took. His own father had loathed him, from the very first time he displayed accidental magic. At least he'd had his mother and Lily, he wasn't sure if Harry had anyone.

"During Christmas I received my first few Christmas gifts, a package from Mrs. Weasley, the same she gave to all her children. I also received a gift from Hermione Granger, as well as a mysterious package stating that the gift had been given to him by my father, James Potter, and that it was time to return it to its rightful owner. With 'use it well' attached at the bottom ― it was unsigned. It didn't take a genius to figure out who sent it though," Harry told him. "It was an invisibility cloak; I found out then that they were extremely rare."

"That is how you successfully managed to sneak around," Severus stated irritated, of all the irresponsible things, giving an eleven-year-old an invisibility cloak? He could have gotten into some serious harm, which of course he had done, just not with the cloak... Anything could have happened regardless.

"With Dumbledore's constant pushing, yes. Hagrid took me to get my school things the same day he took out 'you know what' from vault 'you know which', stating that it was 'secret Hogwarts business'; of course I was curious," revealed Harry, smirking sardonically, imitating Hagrid's voice at certain parts.

Severus snorted, shaking his head, finally understanding without Harry having to reveal more. He wished he could say he was surprised, but he wasn't ― this was Dumbledore they were talking about.

"It was in the newspaper that the very same vault was broken into the very same day I was there... just hours afterwards actually," said Harry, "It wasn't until the staircase moved on us abruptly and we ended up seeing 'Fluffy' for ourselves that made us realize whatever Hagrid had taken out was in fact at Hogwarts."

"How on earth did you manage to find out what it was?" demanded Severus completely thrown. Unless of course Dumbledore had somehow found a way to make sure they did?

"Hermione Granger; she took out a book containing the information about it for a bit of 'light reading'; whether or not she was set up to look at it, I do not know," replied Harry coldly. "If I found out she was part of it, it would be the last breath she ever took." He didn't have to worry about Ronald Weasley being part of it, he couldn't keep a secret to save himself.

Severus said nothing to that; if Granger had he would almost, almost feel sorry for the girl. That's if he hadn't been forced to put up with her for six additional years as a student, and then of course in the damn Order! She was a child, she had no place in war, and the fact Dumbledore let her in infuriated him. As usual, his advice was listened to, then promptly ignored: in one ear and out the other.

"He even made sure the Mirror of Erised crossed my path; he was there each time I visited it. I of course didn't realize that until much later. There are certain things humans dismiss as noise that as a vampire I now understand to be something else," stated Harry, his eyes expressing his fury over Dumbledore's actions.

Severus winced, talk about gross invasion of privacy. He may as well have performed Legilimency on the eleven-year-old; it would have been by far more merciful. He had been tempted himself to gaze upon the mirror, but with sheer force of will he had stopped himself. Not for the reasons that Dumbledore believed, 'that it doesn't do to dwell on dreams and forget to live,' but because he knew what was in that mirror was beyond his reach. At least he had assumed so, now he was free, of both the Dark Lord and Dumbledore, as well as teaching insipid brats on how to brew potions.

"He paved the way for me to confront Voldemort, and risked my life, as well as that of Granger and Ronald Weasley," stated Harry sharply. "If it wasn't for my mother's protection I would have died down there, and as smart as he is, there is no way he could have anticipated the protection working the way it did."

"So you decided against coming back to Hogwarts?" assumed Severus.

"When I woke up after it was all over, I sat with Granger and Weasley in the hospital wing and we all came to the conclusion that Dumbledore had set it up so I could confront Voldemort. When they left, I couldn't help but think to myself, why were they so alright about what Dumbledore had done? Headmasters and people in authority weren't supposed to do stuff like that. They were supposed to protect you, not send you off on wild adventures that could potentially kill you just to test me. The fact they didn't seem the least bit put out, especially Granger who revered all authority figures…I realized how alone I was. He wanted something of me, but I just didn't know what it was. It became apparent he was trying very hard to win my favour, especially with what he did during the leaving feast, by awarding Gryffindor so many points," stated Harry sharply. "I preferred Hogwarts to the Dursleys, even with Dumbledore's manipulative ways. I had made up my mind to stick to studying, and just do nothing to see how quickly it would annoy Dumbledore."

"What changed?" enquired Severus. Harry was finally talking about his past, he couldn't believe it really. He'd avoided everything private since he came here. So why change now? Why did he suddenly trust him? He'd known right away anything he said couldn't leave his lips anyway, so yes, he did want to know why.

"I saw an owl going into Arabella Figg's home late at night; I had been forced to tend to the garden when they had their dinner. I was never allowed to sit with them and eat; that was when I ran," replied Harry tersely.

"She lived nearby you?" asked Severus surprised. She was an order member; Dumbledore must have used her to keep an eye on Harry.

"She did, she also knew about the Dursleys... she never once told me the truth despite the fact she knew I thought my parents died in a car accident," said Harry viciously. "I was also told that they were unemployed louts; I wanted nothing to do with the magical world anymore. While on the run I ended up running into Kai, he took me in out of the rain without a second thought. Even before he found out who I was, and I finally found a place where I was safe. It was a favour I wanted to return, a vision that Kai had and shared with me. I started this in his name, needing a way to release the anger pent up inside."

"Have you ever though you might be the way to truly besmirch Dumbledore's name?" suggested Severus, an idea striking him.

Harry raised an eyebrow silently enquiring Severus to continue talking.

"The public would follow you to hell itself; they love you. Dumbledore was old news when you defeated the Dark Lord," added Severus. Well, until they realized their little hero wasn't in the magical world, and that they wouldn't get to see him until he attended Hogwarts at any rate.

"While most people I've met do not care that I am a vampire, the public are not so opinionated." stated Harry sharply, "They would not like the fact I am a vampire and would most likely side with Dumbledore." He did not really care what they thought, but for everything to work out he had to have them onside.

"Not if you spun it in your favour with a very public confrontation, one that Dumbledore cannot work the audience into agreeing with him, or try and hide," suggested Severus. "Or there is the option of appearing human to them all, and still confronting Dumbledore."

"You mean telling the public the truth about my past?" sneered Harry, grimacing in disgust at the thought.

"They would turn on Dumbledore quicker than lightening could strike him," said Severus, smirking viciously. "Poor orphaned Harry Potter, betrayed by his mentor and forced to live on the streets, just to feel safe. They would eat it up and post it in the paper and make it out to be ten times worse and even those that saw and heard everything would be drawn in." His voice was passionate, he truly believed it might be the best way to go about it.

"It will send the journalists digging themselves, and they will find everything they need. Including all the legislations he has passed over the years, which directly contradicts everything Dumbledore says he's about," Severus added. "The dark and neutral families see past the masks he wears, but the light believe all the tales he spins. You'd be surprised by how many families are actually not that bothered about him or loyal. The Order only has thirty Order members, that should tell you more than anything else, and nine of them are in one family."

"Interesting," commented Harry, his tone thoughtful.

"Just think on it, it might work," suggested Severus. "If not then you can―" Severus abruptly stopped when Harry got up, his face and entire body tensing, the leader in him coming out. Someone must be out there; curiosity had him following Harry, or at least attempting to. Harry was still too fast for him to keep up with, but that would change soon.

"Pettigrew," snarled Severus, upon seeing the lump between Rick and another vampire― he wasn't sure what his name was, or if he had been introduced to him yet. His seething look spoke about the evil deeds he wished to enact on the disgusting unconscious coward.

"I see you finally got a chance to try the new cuffs," smirked Harry, staring at Pettigrew coolly.

"He cannot change, not for the lack of trying; it's very amusing watching him squirm," Rick told Harry, amused. "You were right, he hardly bloody left, and this is the first chance we've had to catch him."

"He thought he could outrun us as a rat," added Howard, his tone filled with incredulity.

"Take him to the dungeons and leave him to get comfortable," commanded Harry. "You've both done well, thank you. No doubt the others at the warehouse will be pleased to hear from you," he said, letting them know without saying anything that they were free to go and to tell the others. Although Brecon would probably be worried about Rick; he wondered when they were both going to confess their feelings and start dating ― the sexual tension between them was reaching ridiculous heights.

Howard picked up the unconscious wizard, and flung him over his shoulder like an overgrown sack of potatoes. He left the room without saying anything, but heard the conversation the others were having without a problem.

"No problem," said Rick, "Dale might need some help from you, he's not quite ready to take on a job at curse-breaking yet." At least according to Bill, and Dale would only have one chance to impress the Goblins ― there were no second chances with them, so he had to make it good. The other wizarding companies couldn't hire a vampire; it was against the law for them to do so. Same with werewolves really, there was some prejudice involved obviously, but legally their hands were tied. Gringotts had laws of their own, and did not care for 'human' laws.

Howard entered the room once again looking a little too satisfied; Severus wouldn't be surprised if he had done something to Pettigrew.

"I'll see what I can do," Harry told Rick grimly, pinching the bridge of his nose. He couldn't think of a single thing he needed done. "Here, take this, give it to Jack; it's for Reg's wand." Harry threw the bag of coins at the vampire, who caught it easily. They both Apparated out afterwards knowing they weren't needed.

Severus said nothing but he was surprised by the fact Harry helped them by giving them money. It shouldn't surprise him but it did, it was little wonder he kept a close eye on Gringotts and invested his money heavily. It did take a lot to run a side in the war, without splashing out whenever someone needed it. Hats off to him, he really cared; he was beginning to see what everyone else did for Harry as a leader. He was pretty much perfect, in every sense of the word. Voldemort and Dumbledore didn't care two iotas, never mind enough to give them money freely without strings attached.

"Be ready for Black storming in here at any minute," Harry told him sternly. "Hopefully Lupin can warn him against it."

Severus didn't even try to suppress the smirk at the thought of what would happen to Black if he did try what Harry suggested he might. To see Black brought to heel by his own godson…well, the thought quite frankly aroused and excited him more than anything else ever had.

Harry snorted, "Have you created the fever reducer and level nine pain reliever you'll need, as well as the potion to de-age you?" he asked.

"You do not have them already?" asked Severus sardonically.

"Are you forgetting how many werewolves are under my care?" stated Harry coldly.

Severus nodded, painfully conceding the point. "Then I'd best get started."

"Should you desire quiet company, you are welcome to use my own lab," said Harry, before he walked out, cursing under his breath. He wasn't quite sure why he'd said that, perhaps to stop Severus from avoiding him for days, and he did like his company when he wasn't asking endless questions. Although oddly enough, it was getting less annoying, the more attached he became to Severus. Without much effort on the wizard's part... damn this attraction to hell, it was making him act out.

Harry shook off his thoughts determinedly, he needed to brew his version of the Veritaserum for Pettigrew ... he wanted to know everything before he sent the rat to Amelia Bones.

Soon, very soon, the wizarding world would know of its hero's return.

"What got you into Potions?" enquired Severus, watching Harry closely, as he brewed two potions simultaneously. He prepared it with a finesse he wasn't used to seeing these days from anyone other than himself. Although he probably couldn't do as many as Harry, solely on account of Harry being a vampire: he could move more swiftly than him. It was odd to think that pretty soon he would able to move with the same speed. The pain, though, he could do without, but considering the pain in his arm radiating from the mark, he'd take the temporary pain of turning... at least he thought that NOW. He wasn't sure he would be thinking that when it was actually happening; it didn't help that the book was extremely vague. It was as if it had been purposely made vague, and the fact Harry was telling him he would need level nine pain relief wasn't helping matters either.

"It certainly wasn't you," said Harry dryly. "In fact I was rather looking forward to potions, but your attitude bled that right from me."

"I had a reputation and a part to play," said Severus, not sure why he was even attempting to explain himself.

"And that was the only reason you did it?" asked Harry, gazing at Severus with a smirk, as he added in his next ingredient.

Severus didn't reply, he didn't lie.

"I thought as much," stated Harry, when he didn't get a reply, but he understood what wasn't said.

"How did you come to be such an expert at potions?" Severus asked, wondering why Harry was so talkative, at least that was the only word for it really. Harry had rarely spoken to him when he first came here, yet he'd learned more in the past few days than he ever thought he would. Great at potions, can converse in Gobbledegook, has respect from the creature races in the magical world, and he had people in high paying positions in the Ministry. He'd successfully gotten Amelia Bones onside, a woman who was strict, fair and honest at her job, it was truly a miracle ― out of anyone he could have guessed, she definitely wouldn't have been on the list.

"Kai taught me; education was important to him…I certainly learned more from him in two months than I did an entire year at school," confessed Harry, giving a dry laugh as he remembered that particular conversation. "He was shocked and disgusted by the lack of education at Hogwarts, especially the lack of progress in Defence, which is why he overcompensated in that department. It turned out to be one of the best decisions he'd ever made." He trailed off grimly.

"I see," said Severus, not sure what to say. He didn't know who this 'Kai' was, but he'd been mentioned before if memory served him right. He might be emotionless, but his eyes revealed a whole different thing. His green eyes had a slightly saddened look in them; he had a feeling that ― whoever this Kai was ― he was the one that also turned Harry into a vampire. He didn't dare ask what had happened; perhaps one of the others might be willing to tell him. "Is my blood even safe for consumption?"

"I'll make sure it is," replied Harry firmly, and he wasn't in the habit of making mistakes. He was grateful for the change of conversation. So far Black hadn't made an appearance, but he wasn't holding his breath. He'd gone after the rat seventeen years ago; he'd probably come after him again. He was too impulsive to listen to anyone, but if he came here he would learn one way or another.

"Do the cuffs only restrict the Animagus forms?" asked Severus shrewdly, after a few seconds of silence. Placing the ingredient he'd just ground into the potion, he watched it turn the exact colour and consistency he needed.

"No, it also prevents the use of their magic, not that we need to worry, he doesn't have much," sneered Harry viciously.

"Remind me to examine them," said Severus impressed, was there nothing Harry couldn't do? It certainly seemed that way. If anyone could change the way the wizarding world was at the moment ― he would bet it was him.

Harry chuckled softly, his face still impassive. Oh, Snape was perfect for him; sooner or later he would have him ― he just had to wait until things got a little less hectic. That's if he could hold off, he wanted this wizard more than he'd ever wanted anyone... and that said a lot.

Here we go another edited chapter done! :)