The Leader
THE GUEST REVIEWER - IF YOU HATED THE STORY SO MUCH WHY ON EARTH DID YOU READ UP TO CHAPTER 41? AND THE REASON SOME OF MY STORIES AREN'T COMPLETED IS BECAUSE I'M STILL WORKING ON THEM! SO YOU SEE ABSOLUTELY NO REDEEMING QUALITY TO THIS STORY TOUGH? AND SO WHAT IF IT ISN'T HALF WAY DONE AT CHAPTER 40? WHO ARE YOU TO TELL ME WHEN TO FINISH MY STORY! TO SAY THAT I DON'T FINISH MY STORIES?
Chapter 41
Severus couldn't deny the simple pleasure he felt at being able to do something simple as win a bet with Harry was strangely liberating to say the least. He wasn't used to interacting with a lot of people, he was a secretive, abrasive wizard, and most people wouldn't take the time to see beyond the front he put on. Not that many got the opportunity due to the fact Severus had rarely left the safety of Hogwarts during his tenure of Hogwarts professor. Not because he was scared, but because Hogwarts had always been the only home he ever knew, more so after he became a professor and he didn't need to deal with being bullied. The only people he had ever left through his masks fully had been Lily, and her son in turn saw through them regardless of his abrasive nature. Although one could argue Harry had the capacity to be just as brusque as him.
Harry gestured for Dumbledore to sit, he wasn't going to sit before him, and he wondered if the old fool realized it was a sign that he didn't trust him as far as he could throw him. Judging by the twinkle dimming Harry was able to deduce that he had indeed worked it out. He refrained from sneering both at Dumbledore and the two with him. Honestly he wished he could say he was disappointed that Severus won the bet, but the truth is as soon as Severus had said those two were the ones they'd bring, and he (Severus) would bet him ten galleons he had heavily suspected he may just be right. So upon opening the door to the Leaky Cauldron and met with the sight of them he had merely wanted to groan in resignation.
Severus blinked when Harry sat down before him, he hadn't expected it at all, but he refused to let it show, obviously Harry was putting on a show for the Headmaster. Amusement shot through him, doubling at the feel of anticipation rising from the others, smoothly claiming the last available seat in the four seater table. Were they truly looking forward to the day Dumbledore was completely destroyed? What was he thinking? Of course they were they were salivating for the day where Dumbledore paid for his crimes against them, both Lycans and vampires alike.
Albus gazed at Harry, trying to keep his excitement tampered down, he knew vampires could sense some emotion, only heightened ones of course. Still the last thing he needed was for the boy to get wind of it and end up more difficult to deal with. The silence was daunting, he hadn't expected it, nor had he expected the brusque greeting either. The boy had changed a lot over the years; he was no longer the shy downtrodden child he had been when he was eleven which could pose a problem. "You have no idea how relieved I am to see you are alive and well, Harry, these past years have been stressful to say the least." Albus said chiding him softly but wrapping it up in relief being the most prominent feeling right now, which was true.
"Alive is a relative term is not?" Harry said dryly, his lips twitching in delight at the old wizard's attempt at manipulation.
Severus struggled to keep his face impassive, his muscles continued to twitch regardless; truly, he was getting a greater satisfaction out of this than he should. Thankfully though his years of playing spy enabled him to keep his cool. He doubted anyone had seen the slightly twitching of his jaw…or so he told himself for his own sake. Instead he tried to concentrate on something else, and he just happened to catch sight of Granger and Weasley, wait…not Granger, he thought catching the glimpse of the silver wedding ring on her finger, which had probably been handed down the family, seen as Weasley did not have a job and Granger didn't have one either unless you counted being an Order member to be something noteworthy. It was disgusting to him that this generation had no jobs; he had graduated with a Mastery in Potions at their age. Granger wasn't stupid by a long shot and must have gotten at least decent grades, while Weasley he predicted barely passed his classes and that was probably only due to Granger anyway.
"Alas, you are correct," Albus said smiling, nothing showing how tense he felt, "I must admit a curiosity to what happened, Harry,"
"What can I get you?" Tom asked standing at their table, an enquiring look on his face. His gaze mostly strayed towards Harry, an awed look on his face, he unlike others weren't scared or intimidated by vampires or even werewolves, he got to know some of his patrons, a great deal of them vampires due to the fact he was the only one who sold blood, at least the only reputable business, he was sure there were others down in Knockturn Alley who sold what the vampires needed.
"Ah, Tom, perhaps three Butterbeers and…blood for you both?" Albus said beaming, trying to show Harry that he didn't mind his condition, after all he very much doubted the child had asked for it. This had to work out, hopefully better than he expected. "It has been a long time since I indulged in a Butterbeer,"
"Not for us," Harry stated, giving Tom a respectful nod, just to dig his mistrust in Dumbledore's face further, given the smile on his face it had gone completely over his head.
"Have you fed recently?" Hermione asked her eyes alit with curiosity, always eager to learn new information no matter what it was from. "What do you drink? How does it feel?" books didn't reveal much about vampires, it was all so secret. All that was ever written was they had good eyesight, very fast, desire for blood, and they could smell different emotions, but only if they were really strong. Of course, she believed everything she read so she didn't consider for a moment that Harry could sense every single one of her emotions if he so desired.
"I would very much prefer it if you did not treat me so informally, Miss Granger," Harry replied, having no intention of leading them on or worse still asking those demeaning questions. Vampires were elusive creatures for a reason; none of them wanted the magical world to know their full capabilities.
"It's very insulting to ask those sorts of questions, Hermione," Albus soothed the stricken girl, "There was no offence meant, Harry, unfortunately the school is suffering through the lack of a good Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, due to the curse that Voldemort placed upon the position." sighing in relief when Harry didn't so much as flinch or wince, he was neither afraid of the wizard, or a follower since the mark hurt upon the mere name being mentioned.
"Given the amount of reading Granger did during her education…I'd deduce she was already aware of this," Severus sneered, not letting Dumbledore brush off her complete and utter regard for anything but herself.
"I am married now, it's Mrs. Weasley," Hermione stated, speaking mostly to Harry, "I sent you an invitation…letters…but I didn't receive any reply," unable to conceal her hurt. She no longer went by her horrible Muggle name, she was hoping it would get her a job in the Ministry of Magic now, her grades didn't seem to be enough to get her the position she wanted. Of course, she completely ignored everyone telling her she had to work her way up; you didn't get a prominent job at the Ministry out of Hogwarts. What they had refrained from saying was that she had no chance, the Ministry were prejudice as well, they rarely hired Muggle-born's ninety-five percent of the ministry were pureblood's with only five percent being half-bloods. For any hope of getting a good job one had to lie about their lines, impossible to do when you had just an obvious Muggle name and nature to back it up.
"Yes, you sent someone who you hadn't seen or spoken to in eight years an invitation to your wedding," Harry replied sardonically, "In a back garden if the invitation was correct…my apologies for not replying, that was inconsiderate of me, but I had absolutely no desire to mingle with people I didn't know or be stared at." most of the people who had been invited had been Order members according to Bill.
"You would not have been judged my dear boy, we do not mind your condition," Albus said soothingly, "After all it is hardly your fault, I blame myself, and perhaps I didn't show I cared enough for you, that you felt the need to run away instead of coming to me. You would have continued your Hogwarts education; you aren't the first one who's been infected to attend Hogwarts. In fact your father's best friend was a werewolf, he attended Hogwarts himself."
Severus stiffened at the insults, and he could feel the others filling with anger over the insults as well, condition? Infected? They were not diseased, they were people! Who had family, who were happy now, especially having the protection of an extremely powerful vampire. He had been so stupid, why was he denying himself happiness? He should never have doubted Harry's sincerity, it didn't matter if he was a leader, and he just wanted happiness too. Cursing his stupid stubborn nature, he was brought out of his thoughts by sensing the momentous feeling of Harry's magic building up, he was furious, more so than anyone else there but when it came to Dumbledore he was slightly less in control due to the immense anger he felt for the old man. Under the table, he linked their hands together, his thumb absently stroking back and forth, and somehow it did ground Harry and his magic subsided, judging by Dumbledore's face he evidently didn't feel the danger he'd been in.
"Calm down, I think he's testing the waters to make sure you're 'alone'," Severus whispered, his mouth moving only slightly, so that Albus couldn't even try to read his lips, it was obvious to the trio that they were talking though. Having to withhold his glee when he noticed Dumbledore's eyes dimming, no doubt he had correctly deduced that he was going to inform Harry of all his little 'games' he liked to play so much. Of course there were other things he could be up to; Severus wasn't all knowing he was just giving Harry the most likely one.
"No doubt," Harry said in agreement, reigning in his temper, which seemed to just explode whenever Dumbledore was brought up, but oddly enough Severus' presence was taking the edge off.
Rick had to refrain from hissing at the old fool before biting him; he's been utterly stunned for a few seconds before righteous anger took hold. This was why he hated the magical world, hell he had a lot more respect for those who outwardly displayed their contempt, and at least they weren't afraid to show their real feelings on the subject. But people like Dumbledore? Who hid behind their genial masks, proclaiming that he cared for equal rights yet did nothing but pass of the blame around whenever it was questioned why nothing had been done.
"Did I say something wrong, my boy?" Albus asked, as Tom returned with three bottles and placed it on the table before departing.
Harry's eyes narrowed, "Call me that again and this meeting will be cut short, do you understand Mr. Dumbledore." emphasising the fact Dumbledore wasn't his headmaster, professor nor did he have any title of noteworthiness. "My name is Lord Potter, and I was under the impression that this meeting was and I quote 'Of the utmost grave importance' I would prefer if you would get straight to it, my time is extremely valuable after all and very limited."
Ron gaped, his jaw unhinged as he watched the scene in front of him. He had never heard anyone speak about Headmaster Dumbledore that way before, let alone to his face. Hence for the first time in his life…he was utterly speechless. His heart jerked a little remembering that perhaps it wasn't the truth. He'd been mute for days after he learned his little sister was dead. Their mum had been just as mute, but those troubled eyes had told each of her children she blamed them for not being there for their sister. Especially with twins and Percy, to a lesser degree him. It didn't help that they couldn't bury her.
"It's Headmaster Dumbledore, Harry, what is wrong with you?" Hermione asked aghast, "You've changed." she added sounding heartbroken for who her naïve little friend used to be and the bitter vampire he had become. When Headmaster Dumbledore had contacted them about Harry, how he was meeting with the elusive Boy-Who-Lived hope had almost bowled her over. With Harry Potter as friend again and the Weasley name she'd have a much more prosperous future.
"Very well deduced, it seems you have not changed at all, your head still seems lodged up the rectum of any authority figure you come across." Harry replied smoothly without pause. He blinked only slightly at the feel of Severus' grip becoming tighter; he would have assumed it a warning if it had not been for the amusement wafting from him in waves.
Hermione's jaw dropped in indignation and embarrassment, her face flushing unattractively, how dare he say such things? What had she done to deserve them? She had been a good friend, and would have continued to be one if Harry hadn't disappeared from their lives. Hurt began to thrum through her; he was so nasty, why? Was it because he was a vampire? Was it a vampire's nature to be so cold, hard and unforgiving? Her eyes began to tear up slightly, before she looked down, trying to hide her turbulent emotions from them. For once in her life she had no retort to give, and Ron? Well he was as useless as always and probably didn't even realize she had been insulted.
Albus paused briefly; the meeting wasn't going at all like he had planned, and each direction he'd gone in seemed to cause an adverse reaction and NOT having the teen questioning him for more knowledge, like Remus Lupin. Nothing about getting his OWLS and NEWTS. Was he irked over the fact he had forced Harry's hand into coming out due to the fact his inheritance would have been taken from him? Or was there something deeper in the hatred the boy held for him? He didn't want to bring it up just in case the boy was ignorant to his part in it. It made his stomach churn at the thought of calling the boy Lord Potter; he was never supposed to take up the mantel. He had lost quite a few seats, since he had been the Proxy for the Potter seats ever since James' father had died, James had absolutely no desire to go the political route, just as he had ensured.
"My apologies Lord Potter," Albus said, barely withholding a grimace, his disgust however, could not be hidden from the vampires in the Leaky Cauldron. "You are quite correct, perhaps we should get to business, if you would allow me to ask some questions before we get there I would greatly appreciate it."
"You may," Harry said as if he was allowing him a great honour, taking great pleasure in Dumbledore's attitude. "Do not be surprised if I elect not to answer." although it irked him something rotten the way Dumbledore was deliberately ignoring Severus, as if to show the wizard that he was insignificant. He didn't want that at all, the urge to show Dumbledore was strong, but he didn't want Severus closing him out any further.
"Did you take your exams?" Albus asked softly, a concerned look on his face, "The law does state that someone who hasn't taken their OWLS cannot have a wand, it will be snapped if you haven't," and that was the last thing he wanted, especially with the twin wands, it could come in handy.
"I appreciate your touching concern for me, but it is unwarranted and unneeded, if you had been attending the Wizengamot meeting that answer would have already been known. I was taught at home, I passed both my OWLS and NEWTS at the age of thirteen." Harry replied sardonically.
"That's impossible!" Hermione blurted her eyes wide with astonishment and disbelief.
"The correct term is improbable," Harry corrected her dismissively, "But I assure you that I did indeed take the exams, fourteen outstanding passes for my NEWT grades," smug satisfaction Harry did not even attempt to hide.
Hermione spluttered incoherently, not only for being corrected by Harry for her grammar of all things, but fourteen outstanding results? Did that mean he had taken fourteen subjects or potentially more he just said fourteen outstanding, he could have other results that weren't quite up to par - as if Harry Potter having fourteen outstanding wasn't shocking enough. Harry had never cared about school work or anything of the sort, she'd had to constantly bully him and Ron to get their homework done and try to do well in class. She had only taken ten subjects, nine outstanding and an Exceeded Expectation for DADA. What on earth had happened? She felt as though the world was spinning alarmingly on its axis.
"I see…" Albus said slowly completely blindsided, "Well congratulations, Hogwarts would have been proud to have your attendance with grades like those." biting off the urge to say 'my boy' realizing the vampire was serious about leaving, he couldn't have that.
"How many subjects did you take?" Severus asked him, his voice too low for the humans to hear.
"Fourteen, I told you, being able to retain all information was…an advantage to say the least," Harry answered him, facing him, letting Dumbledore, and the two newly wedded Weasley's to see he valued Severus more than them. His lips twitching, he was proud of himself, he had worked very hard whether he was able to remember everything he read or not.
"What happened to you? The last we saw of you nine years ago all seemed well, we interviewed a lot of people while trying to find you, you were reported as missing presumed kidnapped." Albus asked, blue eyes full of worry, inwardly however he was pissed off at the relationship Harry and Severus seemed to have. He was smiling at the wizard who had made his life hell at Hogwarts for an entire year, he had done no such thing yet he was being treated disdainfully, he didn't like it at all. "There have been no sightings of you since, and it appears to me that your…infection was recent, a year or so at most I would deduce."
Harry's eyes narrowed, "Imply my nature is somehow diseased once more and you will not like the consequences, do you understand me?" he growled deep in his throat, green eyes flashing furiously. He had let it go too many times, he absolutely refused to let it continue. He ignored everyone turning to stare at him, even his own people who were doing extremely well in blending in, but that wasn't a surprise it was why he had chosen them. His entire body screamed oncoming violence, not that it was needed, and his growl had everyone stiffening in fear of the oncoming confrontation.
Both Severus and Harry grimaced, ceasing their breathing as the smell of urine hit their delicate noses. Ronald Weasley had peed himself, if it had been any other situation Harry and Severus would have had a good laugh about it, as it stood now wasn't the best time to do such a thing. Their eyes however were twinkling madly, the mad quiet cackling from Rick, Jessie and Rachel if he wasn't mistaken did not help the reign in their hilarity at the situation.
"What is that smell?" Brecon exclaimed suddenly, gagging as he placed his cloak over his mouth, glancing around him until he looked at a completely humiliated Ronald Weasley who was red from head to toe.
"Someone needs their nappy changed," Alan chortled, flicking his wand and clearing the air surrounding them. Ducking down when Dumbledore glanced at both he and Brecon with disappointment on his face, pretending to be embarrassed, it was expected of them after all.
Hermione unobtrusively cast a few spells on her new husband, utterly embarrassed that he had wet himself in public. She prayed that it didn't get around, this was just humiliating, while Harry's growl had been terrifying it was no reason to wet ones pants.
"It seems we both keep gripping the wrong end of the stick, Lord Potter, once again no offence was intended," Albus said, sighing in silent exasperation. "Being away from ones creator so soon must be difficult for you, how are you handling it? Was he or she ever in the picture?"
Severus snorted lightly, if he couldn't get answers out of Harry, he very much doubted Dumbledore would even with those unsubtle questions.
"My creator is dead," Harry stated sharply, his eyes narrowing just slightly at the pleasure and pleasant surprise he was sensing from the old fool.
"He believes you did the deed," Severus murmured quietly, which would also imply that he had been turned most unwillingly. Which of course wasn't the case, he had agreed to the turning when Kai asked, and had also loved his creator, like a father, but of course Albus didn't see this due to how cold Harry had become upon mentioning him.
Harry nodded, it was the impression he had intended to give, for now, there was no need for Dumbledore to know how and when he had been turned. That would remain a closely guarded secret amongst his most trusted. Glancing at the time, "Anything else you wish to know? I have somewhere to be," he was getting bored, he had better uses of his time.
Dumbledore frowned, he hadn't even got a miniscule of information he wanted yet, and the boy was all but ready to leave? He couldn't have that; he had to get him focused, but how? He was giving absolutely nothing away. "What happened? The wards around your home should have protected you from any magical attack." he detested calling vampires magical, they were abominations, and so were werewolves to a lesser extent, but at least they were only dangerous once a month while vampires were a threat to everything - to their way of life.
"Aptly put, magical attack indeed, too bad it didn't protect me from abusive muggle relatives, reminded me again who put me in their oh-so-wonderful care?" Harry asked darkly, refraining from growling, he truly did not want to smell Weasley wetting his pants again. Gleefully watching Dumbledore pale, his Adams apple bobbing up and down showing his nervousness whereas nothing else did. Of course, Dumbledore knew, he had begged the old fool to let him remain at Hogwarts, about the Dursley's but all the old man had said was relatives always have disagreements but he needed the protection the wards offered him.
Sorry you had to all see the words to the guest reviewer i was extremely furious to receive it to say the least, and i sincerely hope that none of you feel the same in regards to my stories and this story as well! Anyway enough about that...
There we go! We saw the first sign of Severus giving in, will Harry show how much he cares by slightly openly displaying their relationship? Lifting their clasped hands to the tabletop? Or perhaps kissing him openly in front of them? Admittedly it doesn't seem like something Harry would do with someone he doesn't trust (Dumbledore I mean) but he would to rub it in Dumbledore's face...what do you think? R&R please