Reshaping Destiny

Author: Lahori Ajnabi

Summary: Harry dies after a very mediocre life and is appalled he didn't do better, so when Death gives him a chance, he grabs the opportunity to go back. HP/DG Time-Travel to Sixth Year.

Chapter 5: Mundungus Fletcher

Harry raced towards the statue of Gregory the Smarmy. Gregory's statue was a bronze figure inlaid in the wall of the 4th floor corridor. Harry tapped Gregory's double chin with his wand and pushed his way into Gregory's belly. After some initial resistance, he stumbled into the secret passageway.

"Lumos," he whispered and his wand lit up.

A narrow, earthen passageway lay before him. If he followed it all the way, it would lead to the alley behind Gladrags Wizardwear, but he didn't need to go all the way. He just needed to get outside the range of the Hogwarts wards. It was slow walking, for the way was interrupted by gnarled roots bursting out of the ground and slippery gravel that, with the downward incline, could easily trip him and have him tumbling down several feet.

Some enterprising Seventh Year had marked the spot where the wards ended. Stepping several feet past, Harry cast a quick detection charm and the ward line shimmered into existence. Satisfied, he spun on his feet and apparated away, reappearing in the attic at Grimmauld Place.

"Kreacher!" he cried, aghast, for Kreacher had a small fire going on which he was heating several pokers. Mundungus Fletcher sat next to him, bound and gagged, tied to a pillar with his eyes popping out as he watched the house-elf. On seeing Harry his eyes lit up and he started struggling afresh, moaning for help.

"Kreacher is getting everything ready for Master," said Kreacher. He gave Mundungus a very ugly look. "Kreacher is wanting to get a head start, but Kreacher is waiting for the half-blood master. Kreacher is a good elf."

"Yes, yes, thank you Kreacher," said Harry hastily. He had only just won the elf's loyalty and didn't want to lose it again by criticizing him. It had taken many years to temper his Black family excesses last time. "Remove the gag please."

Kreacher tugged the gag off, more violently than was strictly necessary.

"'elp, Potter, 'elp!" cried Mundungus, scrambling away from the elf. "It's gone barmy, save me!"

"He," emphasized Harry, "has you here on my orders. Thought you'd come back into my house and steal more of my things, eh? What'd I tell you about stealing from me?"

Dung's eyes widened. Realizing that Harry wasn't about to save him, he started screaming. "'elp, 'elp, somebody 'elp me!"

"It's no use," said Harry grimly. "I got a silencing ward up. No one's coming to save you, Dung."

"I'll get your stuff back, Potter. Every bit of it," said Mundungus desperately. "Thought you wouldn't miss it, that's all. Sirius never cared, see."

"Don't," spat Harry, "mention Sirius's name. What did you do with my stuff?" HIs fingers itched for his wand, but the memory of his encounter with Death was fresh in his head. Kreacher, however, had no such scruples.

"Would master like the poker now?" the elf asked, holding up a red-hot poker. Mundungus shrieked in terror.

"I sold it," he screamed. "Most of it, I've got some left; just let me go, I'll get it all back for you. You won't see me lifting anything that's not mine, I swear. Old Dung'll go honest, you'll see."

Harry didn't believe him. He doubted that this was the first time Mundungus had experienced a shakedown.

"There was a locket," he said slowly. "A locket with an S on it that looked a bit like a snake. Where's my locket?"

Mundungus flinched. "See, I can't recall exactly…"

"The poker, Kreacher," said Harry, holding out his hand.

"Okay, okay!" screamed Mundungus, trying to scramble away from him. Kreacher had bound him so well though, he was only able to writhe a foot or so further away. "I… I lost it. Some Ministry lady; she looked a bit like a toad. She saw me selling some… er, some of my property without a license. Had to bribe her to get out of a stint in Azkaban."

Harry groaned. Umbridge already had the locket then.

"I'm giving you one week," said Harry. "You are to go with Kreacher and get back my locket. I don't care how you do it, get it back. After that you will track down every single item you stole. Got it?"

"Yes sir," said Mundungus desperately. A glimmer of hope appeared in his eyes. "You'll have the locket in a week, I swear."

"He's lying, master," grunted Kreacher. "The thief will run."

"He won't," said Harry. "Bring me a piece of parchment and Master Orion's blood quills."

Kreacher perked up. "Half-blood master is smart," he said gleefully. "Smarter than the thief. Smarter than old Kreacher."

"Parchment?" asked Mundungus, confused, but Harry ignored him. Kreacher popped away and came back, holding a ratty old piece of parchment and a black quill. Realization flashed across his face. "Those are illegal, they are! You don' need one o' those, Potter, I swore I'll get the locket back!"

"Because you're such a paragon of honesty, are you?" snapped Harry. Quickly, he scribbled out a basic contract. He didn't need it to be iron-clad - just strong enough to keep Mundungus honest. "Sign," he said, roughly shoving the parchment towards Mundungus. Kreacher loosened his bonds just enough to release his wand hand.

Mundungus made no move to take the blood quill.

"What's it gon' do to me?" he asked fearfully.

Harry grinned. "You're just going to have a hard time using magic except to get my belongings back. You'll be free when they're all back."

"I ain't signing that," said Mundungus. "No magic? Who knows how long it'll take…"

"Shame," said Harry, pulling out Mundungus' wand. "Guess I'll just have to snap this guy."

"Master," interrupted Kreacher respectfully, "Master Orion used a magic binding ritual. It costs some blood, but master could bind the thief's magic for a very long time."

"Good thinking, Kreacher," said Harry. He actually recalled running across the ritual Kreacher had mentioned, but he would never use it. It would have tied the binding to his blood which would make it really easy for the Aurors to trace it back to him. While Orion Black could get away with dark magic like that as long as he greased the right palms, Harry Potter had a reputation to maintain. Of course, Mundungus didn't need to know that.

"No, wait!" howled Mundungus. "All right, all right, I'll sign, give me the damn quill."

Kreacher pushed the black quill in his hand and held the parchment up as Mundungus signed it. Harry felt the contract's magic settle over him. He tossed Mundungus's wand over to him. The man grasped it and without even undoing his bindings, disappeared with a crack.

"Master?" asked Kreacher in wonder. "Kreacher can feel the thief."

Harry grinned. "It's part of the contract. Too bad he didn't read it. As long as he isn't somewhere unplottable, you should be able to follow him."

"Clever, clever master," praised Kreacher. Harry didn't think he'd ever seen the elf so happy.

"Make sure he gets back the locket," said Harry. "But you're not to risk yourself, you understand? I don't care about him, but if you're in danger, you're to get out, understand?"

"Yes master," said Kreacher, bowing deeply. "Kreacher will get the locker back. Kreacher will make Master Regulus and half blood Master proud. Kreacher promises." He disappeared with a pop.

It was astonishingly easy, Harry reflected to get back to Hogwarts. He apparated back to the secret passageway and clambered up the path to Gregory the Smarmy's statue. The thought lasted about as long as it took him to exit the passageway, for on the other side, Professor McGonagall was waiting for him with a severe expression on her face.

"And where have you been, Mr Potter?" she snapped.

"Err…" said Harry, but McGonagall wasn't interested in a response.

"Never mind," she said. 'What were you thinking, risking yourself like that? To the Headmaster with you. You can explain yourself to him."

She marched him over the Headmaster's office. Harry noticed that her hand was trembling and she was walking so fast he had to jog to keep pace. Was she nervous? Why was she nervous?

"Candy Cane," she said and the gargoyle let them upstairs. She knocked on then door.

"Enter," came Dumbledore's voice. She opened the door, and Harry understood why she seemed so upset, for sitting at Dumbledore's desk with very satisfied looks on their faces were Rufus Scrimgeour and Percy Weasley. "Ah, our wayward student," said Dumbledore jovially. "Welcome Harry, now we can get started."

Dumbledore pulled out his wand and conjured up two armchairs for Harry and McGonagall.

"Thank you Headmaster, but I'll stand," said Harry. McGonagall, too, made no move to sit down.

"As you wish, my boy," said Dumbledore. "Now Harry, the Minister was just telling me about a curious case of underage magic during the school year."

"Was he?" asked Harry politely.

"I was," said Scrimgeour. He held up a piece of parchment. "We detected it about an hour ago and I thought I would come here personally to deliver the expulsion letter."

He handed the letter over to Harry.

Dear Mr H Potter,

We have received intelligence that a case of magical apparation tied to your magical signature was detected near Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on the 9th of May at 8PM. As you know, under age wizards are not permitted to perform spells outside school, and further spell work on your part may lead to expulsion from said school (Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, 1875, Paragraph C).

On account of your record and given the lack of an apparation license on file, you will be expelled and your wand will be snapped.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this decision, please contact our office

Your Sincerely,

Mafalda Hopkirk

Improper Use of Magic Office

Ministry of Magic

"Of course," said Scrimgeour smugly, "if you've had some time to think about what we discussed over Christmas, I might be tempted to lean on Mafalda and reduce this to a probation."

"I wasn't aware that the Trace was tied to specific magical signatures," said Harry coolly.

Scrimgeour faltered. "Ah well, you see, given your record…"

"A hover charm by a house-elf and a patronus cast in self-defence?" asked Harry, raising an eyebrow.

"Ah, yes, well, regardless, the Ministry placed some special tracking charms…"

"Without my consent," noted Harry. "And how do you imagine that would hold up in front of the Wizengamot, Minister?"

"A letter was sent to you," said Percy pompously. Harry wondered if Percy was the one who had concocted this scheme in the first place. "If it was lost, that's not the Ministry's fault."

"Straight out of Fudge's playbook, eh?" said Harry, softly. "Very well then, I can see when I'm beaten."

Scrimgeour and Percy exchanged victorious looks. Dumbledore, who was watching the whole thing with an amused look, opened a drawer and pulled out a lemon sherbet that he popped into his mouth.

"Lemon sherbet?" he enquired, holding out a bowl.

"Good, good," said Scrimgeour, ignoring the Headmaster, who didn't seem offended at all. "Glad to see you're being an adult about this. You can really make a difference…"

"I'm afraid you misunderstand, Minister," said Harry. He pulled out his wand and held it out to the Minister. "You did say you were here to expel me, correct? Go on then."

Scrimgeour stared at him. "What? What? You understand there's no going back after I snap your wand, right? No appeals, nothing."

"Completely," said Harry. "I wish you the best. The Headmaster did tell you the contents of the Prophecy, did he? I certainly hope he's got another Chosen One lined up for you. It might be a bit hard for me to beat Voldemort without a wand, but the law is the law, wouldn't you say? And I am guilty as charged."

"Now, see here boy," said Scrimgeour with an ugly look on his face. "The public…"

"I don't give a rat's arse about the public or the Ministry," said Harry with a snarl. "If you're going to snap my wand, do it. Otherwise get out."

"Dumbledore, you can't let him talk to me like this," said Scrimgeour, swinging around wildly to face the Headmaster.

"Quite right, Rufus," said Dumbledore jovially. "Five points from Gryffindor, Harry, there's no excuse for disrespecting your elders."

"Surely you can convince him," said Scrimgeour desperately. "The boy listens to you…"

"I'm afraid Harry has made it very clear what his boundaries are, Minister," said Dumbledore mildly. "If that's all, I would like to discuss his punishment for being out of bounds."

Scrimgeour looked from Harry to Dumbledore and back. Finding them both stone-faced, he growled and grabbed his cloak.

"Come, Weasley," he ordered, and grabbed a fistful of floo powder. Percy Weasley, who was now as red as his hair, glared at Harry and got up to follow the Minister. Two flashes of green later, the Ministry wizards were gone.

"Now Harry," said Dumbledore heavily as Harry sat down. "Will you tell me why you felt the need to leave Hogwarts?"

"I left for Headquarters," said Harry with a shrug. "I had to take care of some Black family business. I couldn't have been outside of the wards for more than two seconds."

"It would not be beyond Voldemort to have laid traps for you at the exits," said Dumbledore. "Peter Pettigrew, as you recall, helped make the Marauder's Map and knows it well."

Harry honestly hadn't thought of that.

"Then why haven't you blocked them?" he asked. "Any trap for me could as easily be tripped by someone else."

"An oversight," said Dumbledore softly, sadly, "that perhaps I need to correct. I've found the passages to be useful in giving students an outlet. I would dislike for Hogwarts to be perceived as a prison. But perhaps, in these times, better care should be taken. Still, I expect you to be more careful, Harry, you who know what is at stake. If you feel the need to conduct business at Grimmauld Place, my door is always open and I am happy to escort you to wherever you need."

"Thank you Headmaster," said Harry, not choosing to bring up the fact that the Headmaster was rarely available and his office's password wasn't public.

Dumbledore's expression became somber.

"Now Harry, there is one more thing I wanted to discuss with you. Professor McGonagall discovered Mr Malfoy was discovered hanging upside down this evening not far from the entrance to the passage you took."

That was why she had been so upset, realized Harry.

"He insisted," continued Dumbledore, "that you attempted to cast the Cruciatus Curse on him."

Harry sighed and slumped back.

"I attempted it in a moment of anger," he said, deciding to be honest. "I did not succeed. I regret it."

"For that we must be grateful," said Dumbledore. "Not even Rufus would be able to turn a blind eye if word got out that you cast an Unforgivable, and especially not on a Malfoy. I must ask why, Harry."

Harry shot Dumbledore a level look.

"Mr Malfoy insists that Mr Potter tracked him down and accused him of being responsible for the earlier attack on Mr Potter," said McGonagall, stepping forward.

"And," said Harry coldly, "did either of you you verify that accusation?"

"The portraits confirmed that the altercation took place between you two," she said, a frown plastered on her face.

"Did they say who cast the first spell?" asked Harry.

"No," said McGonagall. "But…"

"And just to be clear, we're talking about the same portraits that any sixth year with a nominal understanding of the Confundus Charm could confuse?"

"Mr Potter, you just admitted to…"

"I admitted to trying," said Harry, his voice getting heated. "And yet you won't even consider that maybe he was the one who cast the Cruciatus on me?"

"Mr Malfoy is a student!"

"As am I," roared Harry, jumping up again. "Did you roll up the sleeve on his left arm? Would you like me to show you mine?"

They both stared at each other, breathing heavily.

"If I may," ventured Dumbledore. "Mr Malfoy's situation is delicate and being handled by myself and Professor Snape. I would ask you both to trust me."

Harry didn't respond. He knew that the Headmaster didn't have his best interests at heart. The war and his misguided quest to redeem the Malfoys came first for him. Harry knew that it was doomed to fail, but Dumbledore did not.

"Now Mr Potter, you did go out of bounds and you did attack Mr Malfoy," continued Dumbledore. "Detention, I think, this Saturday, with Professor Snape and ten points from Gryffindor."

"And what was Malfoy's punishment?" asked Harry.

"Professor Snape will handle it," said Dumbledore calmly. "I understand it may seem unfair, but the situation, as I said, is delicate. You must trust me."

Harry ground his teeth. He wanted to argue with Dumbledore, to push back, but he would just draw more attention to himself and be forced to restrict his movements. He wondered again, if the Headmaster knew that Snape had attempted to obliviate him. Would the Headmaster just have brushed that off for the greater good as well? No harm, no foul?

"Very well," he said. "If that's all, Headmaster?"

"One last thing Harry," said Dumbledore. "The Dark Arts are a path that is very difficult to walk away from, once you start down it. Having experienced the temptation and choosing to deny it speaks volumes to your character. I am proud of you for it."

"Thank you Headmaster," said Harry formally. He shot McGonagall a cold look, angrier at her than he had ever been in his past life. "Good night, Professors."

AN: Some folks have complained about Harry not calling Dumbledore out more. Please understand that Harry's being deliberate and working behind the scenes and he can't really do that by being confrontational with Dumbledore.

Next chapter we should get some more Daphne. I hope you enjoyed this one!