The Leader

Chapter 42

Albus closed his eyes; he was beginning to realize that Harry Potter was in no way going to forgive him for his past actions. Which was quite concerning really, he needed the boy, despite the fact he could barely look at him, he was a loathsome vampire. Those creatures were against the natural order of the world. Nobody was supposed to be immortal, you live then you die, passing on to the next great adventure that was how it was meant to be. To get rid of vampires you had to rip it to pieces and burn it, even then it must be done properly so they couldn't return. He had been able to endure Lupin, knowing he'd come in handy, or assumed he would, unfortunately he hadn't been able to convince even one pack to stay out of the war or preferably join them. In other words he was useless, and all his work over the years had been for nothing. Now Black and Lupin were out there somewhere, with Grimmauld Place closed up. Albus abruptly cleared his mind, getting back to the matter at hand, the Dursley's, thinking of ways to get himself out of this little predicament.

"You surely realise that there is nothing I could do about your placement with your family, they were the only family you had left, and legally it was where you were to go." Albus said, his body slumping a little as if in defeat.

"Do you think me naïve or stupid? I know the timeline of what happened when Voldemort attacked," Harry said bluntly, sitting back gazing at Dumbledore derisively, ignoring the two Weasley's flinching. "So I know you illegally had Hagrid remove me from the destroyed house and transported straight to Privet Drive, nearly an entire day before Sirius Black was arrested. Black was and remains to this day, the godfather my parents chose for me. When they died it should have been him who gained custody of me…it was rather convenient that he did not. You were the chief warlock of the Wizengamot then weren't you? And you decided against questioning Black to find out what information you could get about Voldemort? After all, the Ministry were aware that he wasn't truly dead; the Aurors continued their search for Voldemort after he lost his body. Seems like an idiotic thing to do not to glean all possible information…is it not?" green eyes gleamed challengingly at Dumbledore, begging him to refute his statement.

Hermione's eyes were wide as she watched the confrontation between Headmaster Dumbledore and Harry. She knew this wasn't going the way the Headmaster had wanted; it was also obvious to her that he couldn't think of a single thing to refute Harry's statement. She understood the speechlessness, he had rendered her so the twice she had actually spoken to him. It was done in such a matter of fact way that you couldn't tell if he was being deliberately spiteful or not, especially with such an impassive look on his face. She liked to think he was stating facts, but the truth of the matter was…she feared he was being horrible because he could. She still didn't understand why? Because they hadn't looked for him more? It wasn't as if t hey hadn't written because they had so many times…maybe he didn't know? Maybe he hadn't gotten them?

"Harry…despite the fact the war was over, there were many Death Eaters pardoned wrongfully or remained under the radar, now Voldemort may have been defeated however temporarily, but the threat was still very real and ever present. It was very dangerous for you to remain in the magical world, I have it on good authority that they did indeed look for you and in all places they could get information…including Longbottom manor, the Death Eaters tortured two Aurors until they were insane, which quite frankly made me realize I was right to do what I did. Not only going to the Dursley's protected you, it also gave you a life long protection that stemmed from your mothers blood, she sacrificed herself for you, and in doing so gave you a momentum protection that the magical world hadn't seen before." Albus said his tone low and slow as if he was actually thinking of what he was saying as he said it. "Quirrell was just but a taste of what she did for you by sacrificing herself."

"He's very good at trying to lay on the guilt isn't he?" Harry said wryly, turning to face Severus, once again ignoring the three humans who were as always straining to hear what was being said.

"Always has been," Severus murmured, his dark eyes flashing with profound pain followed by anger just as quickly.

"How many times has he used my mother against you?" Harry asked dryly, for such a Slytherin to be manipulated that way was painful to hear, but even the most knowledgeable person can be manipulated, they just had to know which buttons to press and apparently his mother was Severus' button.

"Too many times," Severus stated sharply, he did not like talking about it. The knowledge he'd let himself be used, even after it just happened left a foul taste in his mouth.

"Well I know I'm grateful for once," Harry said seriously, "The Vow saved your life allowing me to realize I had found my mate."

Severus' lips twitched in turn, but he said nothing further. He had no desire to discuss what his life had been like with Dumbledore, least of all with Harry, who somehow regarded him with respect against all odds. He felt if Harry knew everything then that respect would diminish, it had been hard enough giving over the pensive memory of him trading his life away for the Dark Mark.

"And my two watchers?" Harry asked turning back to the matter at hand, taking great delight in watching Dumbledore's masks crumble as genuine surprise and shock cross his old wrinkled face.

"Beg you pardon?" Albus rasped out, his heart pounding erratically in his chest. He couldn't believe what had just come out of the boy's mouth. Why had he come here? To throw everything in his face? He was at a loss, there was no potion or spell he could use on the vampire that would stick, he had been looking since he learned about the boy's vampirism just in case it ever came to it, and he usually had three or four plans on the go with certain people even if he didn't use them. He'd literally exhausted all avenues, but he continued to search in hopes of finding something. Now he was more determined than ever, he knew, even as they spoke that Harry would not be amendable to his suggestions or manipulations. Him speaking of his mother sacrificing herself had not given one single emotion from the vampire. Despite the fact he knew, Albus also knew he had to continue trying, the boy was too important even if it caused a churning in his stomach to admit it.

Severus bit his tongue, he wasn't sure in his entire career he had seen such a genuine set of emotions brought out against Dumbledore's will before. Even when he was fighting he kept a genial mask up, trying to make the others seek redemption for their actions, ensuring that everyone revered him further. It was quite nauseating really, despite it though he had to concede Dumbledore was an excellent fighter if nothing else, which is what he mostly analysed instead of his empty words.

Harry just gazed at Dumbledore, his amusement obvious, "Didn't think I'd find out about them did you?" he asked, "Yes, I know about the old man you had keep an eye on me every time I went passed the wards, I also know about the squib you had placed nearby." truthfully it had been Kai who first got wind of something untoward actually, he had finished what he started later.

"Well of course, I had to ensure your safety, as I explained before Death Eaters were still around." Albus said, but the smell of half-lie wafted from him in droves.

"You aren't going to admit your own culpability are you?" Harry said shrewdly, shrugging his shoulders, he didn't care, nor had he really expected Dumbledore to confess anything, he'd been around too long to fall into anything he could surmount up. "Don't worry I didn't expect you to. I think I've just about had enough of this useless conversation, you coming?" he released Severus' hand intending on leaving.

"Mr. Potter," Dumbledore's voice became a warning without consciously realizing it.

"Lord Potter," Harry hissed turning to face Dumbledore his face in an ugly mask of rage. He would never let the old fool think he was intimidated by him. He stood to leave, he'd had his fun, and it was just beginning to get tedious now. He could hear the sound of a camera clicking…someone was disillusioned with a camera…he doubted it was Dumbledore's doing.

"Lord Potter," Albus corrected himself, looking a little dazed with himself, "There is important information that needs to be shared, its life or death for you, do you understand?" he knew he would have no choice but to get down to the dirty details and hope the boy had some semblance of a consciousness.

"If we are to speak one more word together, do not treat me like a fool, I've just about had it up to the back teeth of your condescending attitude." Harry stated smoothly sitting back down. "Get to it, I have another meeting to attend in less than half an hour." wanting Dumbledore to feel how he made others feel even for a brief moment of time.

"Do you know why Voldemort targeted your family?" Albus asked casting a silencing spell, getting straight to it, much to Severus and Harry's surprise.

"My family?" Harry blinked, "I assumed it was to do with the fact they joined a not so secret organization called the Order of the phoenix." his voice blunt and filled with assurance of his own rightness.

Severus didn't even so much as glance at Harry, so this was another test. He honestly wanted to reach over and slap Dumbledore on the back of the head, the old fool's eyes were twinkling as if he'd finally found a way to get his own way. He couldn't believe Dumbledore had so thoroughly bought that lie, Merlin Harry had figured out information a lot harder to figure than why his family had been targeted.

"I am surprised to hear that," Albus said brightly. "Especially seeing as Severus is aware of this particular piece of information." now this was perfect, of course Severus wouldn't have informed Harry he was responsible for his parent's deaths.

Harry turned to face Severus, his smirking a little on the side completely obscured by the humans, giving him a look to play along. "Is that so?" he said, his tone revealing nothing as he turned back blank faced.

"It all started a year before the three of you were born," Albus said, speaking of the two Weasley's and Harry, talking to them as if they were all in it together. He wanted the golden trio back together, and he would go to any lengths absolutely necessary to accomplish it. "I was interviewing someone for the Divination post in Hogshead; I of course, heard the entire prophecy whereas the one who overheard it only got to hear three lines. That person was Severus here; he relayed the information back to Voldemort. Resulting in the events that followed when you were fifteen months old."

Severus made no attempt at uncurling his lip as he glared at the trio, he would have un-doubtfully been furious at Dumbledore's manipulations if Harry hadn't already been made aware.

"And this prophecy says?" Harry asked, speeding it up a little, ignoring the slight wrinkling of Dumbledore's forehead he assumed it was annoyance at being interrupted or perhaps him not saying anything regarding Severus' actions.

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches, born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies; this was all that was heard. It was enough to send Voldemort on the path to seeking your death. What was unheard was…" Albus paused to gather his thoughts, he didn't like having to reveal this to Weasley, and the boy couldn't keep his mouth shut. He would need to get an oath from both of them so they did not spread it. "He will mark him his equal; he will have the power the Dark Lord knows not, either must die at the hand of the other…for neither can live while the other survives." Albus gave Harry time to digest the news, trying not to make any comments that would make the boy up and leave. Which by the way was much harder than he anticipated.

"How did Voldemort survive the night the killing curse rebound on him?" Harry asked an actual frown on his features.

Understanding dawned on Severus that was why he was here; he was subtly trying to find out if Dumbledore knew about the Horcruxes. He wondered what would happen if he determined that Dumbledore did know…would he actually work with the old man? The thought didn't sit well with him, but if it got rid of Voldemort then Harry may feel like he had no other choice. He wasn't even sure how many Harry had found if he was honest, he'd only seen the remains of the one Kai had pulled out of Harry and destroyed all he knew was there was more than one out there. A lot more if trying to kill Harry had caused the Dark Lord's soul to split without the ritual. He definitely had to ask him, and he perhaps could offer some insight, hopefully working for the Dark Lord could prove fruitful.

"I do not know for sure," Albus said slowly, "I have only a few suspicions but nothing to back them up."

Harry arched an eyebrow, well that was the truth, and Dumbledore had no idea about the Horcruxes. He obviously hadn't found any if he only had suspicions with nothing to back it up. "Telling me this prophecy was the only reason for this meeting?" Harry questioned him.

"Well of course, its imperative you understand your destiny," Dumbledore said.

Severus barely withheld a wince that was definitely the wrong thing to say.

"My destiny?" Harry asked amused. "It seems to me the prophecy spoke of what happened the night he attacked nothing more."

"No, Harry, neither can live while the other survives, only you have the power to defeat Voldemort," Dumbledore said urgently. "You must receive training, extensive training so you have a hope of defeating him and living through it. Voldemort believes the prophecy with all of his being, he will not stop coming after you, and his entire world consists on seeing that prophecy brought to a closure with him coming out the victor."

"Let me guess, you're the only one who can give me this 'extensive training'?" Harry queried.

"Me and a few others," Albus nodded confirming Harry's statement, assuming that he was coming around.

"You know next to nothing about me, why would you assume I need any training?" Harry asked, genuinely flummoxed by Dumbledore now. "Especially considering news of my duel with Voldemort must have gotten around." he'd always thought Dumbledore was better than this, at the game, but he was being let down in all ways. Could it be because he had expected it and felt nothing for his manipulative ways? Or had he raised Dumbledore's game greater than it was for years? Then again he had been eleven the last time he was manipulated by Dumbledore so perhaps he had felt Dumbledore was greater than he obviously was.

"There is always room for improvement," Albus said soothingly.

"If there is, others will see to it, professionals," Harry said standing, "I don't need or want your tutelage. I ask respectfully that you leave me alone, I do not want to receive another letter from you, otherwise I will go to the Ministry and get a restraining order against you."

"But what about-" Albus stood as well dumbfounded.

"What I do with my life is up to me, and as you say if Voldemort is determined to kill me I'm sure we will meet again some day." Harry stated using his wand to smash Dumbledore's silencing charms to pieces. Still not giving the true extent of his powers away. Silently he jerked his head telling Severus to go, he wasn't going to risk him, not with Dumbledore no doubt disappointed by how this went.

In the blink of an eye Severus and Harry were gone, leaving Dumbledore standing there utterly dumbfounded, almost bewildered how it could have gone so badly. Then he became aware of everyone staring, some quite openly so, struggling to reign in his masks, but it wasn't going well, he had to get out of there before anyone saw…the flashing of a camera right in his face made the decision for him and he Apparated away.

"So that is why you went meet him," Severus said, both of them obviously had the same idea as they had both ended up Potter Manors living room.

Harry glanced up at him curiously, arching his eyebrow.

"You wanted to find out if he knew about the Horcruxes," Severus explained further.

"Yes," Harry conceded, smirking a little.

"How many have you found?" Severus questioned.

Harry gazed at Severus critically for a few moments, "Including the one that was in me? Three." he informed Severus honestly.

"How many do you think he's created?" Severus then went on to ask.

"Come with me," Harry said, beginning to leave the living room, swiftly making his way through the manor with no time at all with his speed. Opening his bedroom door, he opened one of the portraits which was hinged to the wall, behind it sat a safe, one that did not have any sort of number reel; instead Harry pressed his hand against it, and hissed in Parseltongue. Opening the safe door, he fished out a bound blood red book, before closing up the safe again. "This is all information that I have compiled about them, also their locations…well the known ones at least, which were added to the map inside it."

Thank you all so much for your wonderful words, they mean a lot to me :) and I'm also sorry that I've not been on to update the past three/four days I ended up with an Abscess and a fever to join it, I couldn't get out of my bed let alone write anything! Anyway will Severus do something about his newfound thoughts regarding Harry (from the last chapter) will he take a jump on happiness or will it be pushed to the back burner when he finds out more about the horcruxes? Will Harry be able to successfully use the spell on another horcrux they find to bind all the pieces together making the next time they fight that Voldemort is mortal? will Harry time it so his people are ready to take over at that exact moment? will people be just too glad they've safe to care? Will there be any rebellions? Will Dumbledore head them or would you like to see him killed or arrested? placed to rot in the new prison? Didn't get a chance to add the twins either...damn oh well! Plenty of time for that I just need a good reason for the twins to suspect something a lot of you dont want to see them killed but will I have Harry's 'alias' paying for the twins store? :) R&R please!