It's My Life
Harry just stood there as Dolores was fuming at the stunt Harry pulled with having copies of his completed work both in class and outside of. The brat actually made a smart decision to keep a record and now she would need a lie to get out of purposefully targeting a student. Harry only remained quiet as both teachers flipped through and Harry saw Minerva fuming angry, but Albus looked annoyed that what Harry said couldn't be contended with.
"You'll find everything is dated to when it was due and everything is correct. Do you want to know how I know that? Because ever since Umbridge gave me detention for two weeks straight; I had Professor Snape checking my work and telling me that if it were him, I'd be getting all O's on it. But assured, nevertheless, it was right. She's failing me on purpose." Harry stated.
"Albus, Potter is indeed correct and this proves his accusation. These assignments are correct and were turned in on time…" Minerva mentioned. "You're targeting a student and punishing them unfairly. That's grounds for dismissal."
"Let's just settle down," Albus raised a hand. "Dolores, I'm afraid the evidence is against you and I'll ask that in exchange for me not terminating you to adjust Harry's grades properly. If you refuse or continue this method, I'll have no choice but to remove you from your post here."
"I could have sworn they were not turned in. My mistake, I must have lost them…" Dolores grit out. "I will make this right immediately, Albus…"
"And how about an apology to Mr. Potter?" Minerva closed the folder and gave it back to Harry.
"My…Apologies, Mr. Potter, for what has occurred. I assure nothing further will happen like this again." Dolores ground out with the best smile she could manage.
"Excellent, then all is well." Albus smiled. "See, I knew a little meeting would clear things up."
"Could have been cleared up at the start of term if you just got rid of her for torturing her students…" Harry mumbled.
"What was that?" Dolores asked.
"Nothing, for now…" Harry gave her a look that suggested he could destroy her reputation if she pushed the matter.
"Harry, if you need anything else while Professor Snape isn't available; you come right to me. My door is always open," Minerva assured.
"Yes, Professor McGonagall. Thank you…" Harry nodded to her.
"Now, come along. I'll walk you out," Minerva offered.
"Not quite yet. There's another matter to discuss," Dolores stopped the two from leaving. "Albus?"
"I'm afraid she's right. Harry, I require you to stay…You may go, Minerva." Albus smiled.
"Do you want me to stay, Potter?" Minerva asked.
"No, I'll be fine," Harry promised.
"Right then. I'll see you tomorrow," Minerva left the room.
"Now, what do you want? I have homework to do." Harry asked.
"I've been informed by Professor Umbridge that you're hiding something from peers and teachers." Albus began.
"Not hiding anything, sir," Harry replied.
"Harry, my boy, what is that?" The man asked.
"What is what?" Harry shot back with a frown. "And I made it clear not to call me that."
"The glamour on your hand," The headmaster muttered.
"Oh, that," Harry stated, as if just realizing.
"Yes," The man continued.
"Well frankly speaking THAT, is none of your business," The young man deadpanned. "Nor hers."
"Harry, that's no way to speak to me," Albus stated with a frown. "I've been very good to you over the years."
'Good at getting me almost killed,' Harry thought. "Look, Headmaster, I obviously don't ask you what 'things' you may or may not have glamoured in your room, so I would like you to extend me the same courtesy," Harry stated. Dolores gagged at the thought of what Mr. Potter was insinuating. As if the Headmaster had something perverse stashed away in his quarters.
"My dear child, I just can't do that. Now, I have a right to know why you wear a glamour. We can't be too careful these days, how do I know it's not a sign you've joined the dark lord. I'll ask you to remove it." Albus remarked.
"Seriously? You're accusing me of being a death eater? Joining the guy who murdered my parents? Tried to kill Ginny second year, and actually killed Cedric last year. Have you lost your mind in your age, Professor Dumbledore? I'm offended…" Harry seethed.
"I have to be sure, so will you reveal the truth to prove your innocence?" Albus pushed.
"First of all…The dark mark sits on the left forearm, and the glamour is on my right hand. Second of all, I'm destined to destroy the dark lord no matter what some people think about the matter. I assure you I have not joined the murderous bastard and if I do see him again, I'll kill him…Right after I let him have some fun with the ministry, just so I can dance around and say I told you so to them." Harry said. "Now, if you're done accusing me of such outlandish nonsense…I have work to do." Harry turned to leave the room.
Just like before, a barrier was up and prevented him from leaving. "Harry Potter, I did not dismiss you. Now, what are you hiding?" Albus asked as Dolores grabbed his wrist and pulled him back towards the desk.
"Let go of me!" Harry demanded.
Albus pulled his wand and tapped Harry's hand as the glamour fell. Shit. The glamour gone left revealing Harry's two lordship rings on his fingers.
"Lordship rings?" Dolores asked. "You're not of age to claim anything, and you have nothing to take up!"
Harry jerked his arm away from Dolores with a glare. "It may have escaped your notice, but I descend from the Potter line which goes back to the twelfth century. I'm the last Potter alive, it's my right to take up." Harry remarked.
"You may be able to claim Potter, but that second ring is for Slytherin and that cannot be touched." Albus informed. "And Dolores is correct, only those of age can take up lordship. You're not seventeen yet, the power that rings grant you belongs to your magical guardian as proxy."
"Slytherin was won in conquest, for my defeats over the former heir, Tom Marvolo Riddle. Better known in this age as Lord Voldemort." Harry snarked.
"It doesn't change what I said, Harry. You're not of age yet, those belong to your proxy until you are seventeen…" Albus stood up. "And that is me with your parents dead, godfather as a felon, and second named guardian, Remus Lupin, ineligible due to his condition." He paused. "Now, you will surrender those rings."
"No." Harry refused.
"Don't argue, boy." Dolores grabbed Harry's wrist and went to pull the rings off, only finding herself shocked and propelled backwards away from him. "W-What?"
"The lordship rings cannot be removed by anybody but the current lord, or in death…" Harry glared. "I refuse to remove them, and even if you kill me…They go right back to the vaults in Gringotts." He informed.
"I am your guardian, I demand it. I will take you before the Wizengamot to request their removal, Harry. Don't make me have to do it…" Albus walked up on him, grabbing his arms hard.
"You dare place your hand on Lord Potter-Slytherin?" The teenager said. Harry held his ground against Albus. "You think you have what it takes to hold me down? Think again. Do it…I'm not afraid of you, or her. But you'll find that for once in the last fourteen years, you don't have any power over me." Harry told him. "You can't control me anymore…" A white aura appeared around Harry, which forced Albus to let go and see his hands had been burned.
Harry's aura now whipped around like tendrils and made Dolores and Albus have to step away from Harry, who curled his right hand to a fist and punched the barrier over the doorway, smashing the shield to pieces before walking out of the office. Harry powered down and stormed down the spiral stairs before he marched back to Slytherin dorms. Harry stalked through the doorway as the passage closed behind him.
"Woah, Harry…What's up?" Blaise asked.
"Stupid Umbridge and Dumbledore…" Harry growled.
Draco went over to his friend, and put his hands on Harry's shoulders. "Hey, hey…Relax," Draco comforted. "Take some breaths, cool down…" He offered. Harry sighed and followed the instructions. "Now, tell us what happened? Do I need to get my father involved?"
Harry flopped on the couch and Draco sat next to him. His friends surrounded him as Harry began to recant the story of what went down in the headmaster's office, even with what happened before that in Umbridge's office after class. It took about fifteen minutes to get through, and afterward, Harry just groaned out.
"Hey, no big deal, Harry. And good on you for standing your ground." Pansy grinned.
"She's right, they'll think twice from now on. Don't stress on it…Come on, let's just do our work." Draco suggested. "We should report this to my dad, Harry…It can be added to the investigation on Dumbledore."
"No…I'll tell Severus when he gets back, or tomorrow. I've done everything due tomorrow…I think I'm just going to go to bed, guys. I'm exhausted and have a pounding headache." Harry yawned.
"Go on…If you still feel that way later when we come to bed, let me know. I'll have Sev bring you a headache potion, okay?" Draco stated.
"Thanks, Dray…" Harry nodded before he got up and made his way to the fifth-floor dorms.
Harry quickly grabbed his night clothes and shower bag, then a towel before heading to the bathrooms in the hall. Harry used the bathroom first, then got the shower going before stripping down and heading into the cubicle to shower off before bed. Fifteen minutes later, Harry dried off and dressed in his pajamas. Harry brushed his teeth, and made sure his hair was dry before exiting the bathroom and returning to his dorm. Harry dropped his dirty things in the basket, which got collected by elves the next morning for cleaning, then he crawled into bed, setting his wand and glasses on the nightstand before covering up and closing his eyes once his mental shields were up.
. . .
At Malfoy Manor, the dark lord had summoned his death eaters to discuss the next phase of their big plan.
"What news do you bring me, Severus?" Voldemort asked.
"I am afraid nothing, my lord. Dumbledore hasn't called any Order meetings since before the start of term in September and it was only because Potter disappeared from the place he's being kept over the summers. I regret that I do not know where, only Albus knows. As I understand it, he'd only gone out for a short while." Severus stated. "The last incident was Potter seeing Nagini attack Arthur Weasley in the ministry. I've been instructed to teach the boy Occlumency." The potions master lied expertly.
"Ah, excellent. I assume that is going terribly because you're not really teaching him?" Voldemort grinned.
"Of course, my lord," Severus nodded. "I'm simply tormenting him with the idea that he's just like his troublesome father, having no talent, being lazy and arrogant."
"Wonderful news!" Voldemort stated chipperly. "I've heard a rumor that the boy has been re-sorted as well?"
"Yes, my lord," Severus nodded. "It occurred at the start of the term, the hat called Potter up after the first years were sorted and said it was fixing a mistake."
"And where has the boy ended up, Severus?" Rodolphus Lestrange, husband of Bellatrix, asked.
"Of all houses, and quite shocking, Slytherin…" Severus informed.
"Really now? I didn't take Potter for a snake…Tell me, Severus, as you own that house…Does he fit the bill?" Voldemort questioned.
"Indeed he does, my lord," Severus nodded. "It's taken me by surprise how cunning he truly is. From what I've gathered, the hat had wanted Potter there back in first year, but the boy argued it and ended up in Gryffindor. This time around at the re-sort, Potter didn't refuse the decision. The hat claimed that something within him changed and his goals have altered." He added.
Severus then continued, "He's clever, resourceful, ambitious, determined, powerful, and quite the leader. He's taken over the group that your son, Lucius, once managed. The snakes have welcomed him with open arms. I've never seen him truly thrive before, dare I say he's doing better in Slytherin than he ever did before as a Gryffindor. Hell, he's even following the rules…"
"Marvelous news all around. I'm quite pleased!" Voldemort grinned. "You will continue your spying, Severus…Things will be moving forward, I'd like to be kept aware of the old fool's decisions."
"Yes, my lord…Whatever you desire," Severus said.
"Good," The dark lord remarked. "Now…I need that prophecy you told me of years ago. I believe there may be more to it. You mentioned having been caught by the bar keep and tossed out during the reveal."
"It speaks of the boy, perhaps he is the only one who can retrieve it…You said you were unsuccessful with Nagini," Bellatrix offered.
"I've come to that conclusion myself. Now, I believe I can work him to get it for me…" Voldemort said. "It will take time to set up. Perhaps you're not teaching him, Severus, but he's become quite proficient in blocking me…"
"It's possible he's learning on his own, my lord." Severus said.
"Prevent it. I need access to his mind." The dark lord snapped.
"Yes, my lord. I will check his room while he's in classes or meals…See if he has books on the matter and remove them. If he's learning, it's weak as he still cannot block me. I will shatter his walls for you." Severus lied. He absolutely would not. Hearing this, he knew it'd been a good thing Harry wanted to learn to keep Dumbledore out and asked for help in learning how to do it properly.
Without warning, Voldemort closed his eyes and made no sound. It lasted a few moments, then his eyes opened once more as he smirked. "How interesting…"
"What is it, my lord?" Narcissa questioned calmly. "You seemed in pain."
"The connection the boy and I have allows me to feel his emotions and for a short time; his barriers were lowered." Voldemort said. That wasn't good as Severus caught the look Lucius and Narcissa glanced at him. "Dumbledore did something to aggravate him; I've never felt power like that before…Physically manifested and used as a weapon to defend himself." He chuckled. "Severus."
The potions master resisted flinching as he already knew what was coming. "Yes, my lord?"
"Discover the reasoning behind this. I don't want any surprises when the battle comes. And do find out why Potter is mad at Dumbledore…I could use that information to my advantage." Voldemort ordered. "I place you in charge of monitoring the Potter boy at school. Learn of his problems with Dumbledore, prevent his occluding, and find out the power he holds. I want to know more about how he did what he just did."
"I will not fail you, my lord," Severus bowed his head. Yeah, this was bad. Harry must have gotten angry and lost control, which affects his ability to occlude properly. They'd be having a talk about that. However, Severus would first see if Harry came to him to discuss what happened tonight.
"Dismissed for now…" Voldemort waved them away.
When the death eaters left and it was safe, Severus, Lucius, and Narcissa let out a collective sigh of relief.
"Severus, you need to find out what happened tonight…For Harry to have gotten so angry that even the dark lord felt it. We all saw it, for just a moment…He looked afraid and in pain." Lucius stated.
"I intend to. I didn't know Harry was getting summoned by Dumbledore tonight…I asked Minerva to safeguard him in my absence. It's barely been an hour since supper ended…Not even 9:30 yet." Severus remarked.
"What did the dark lord mean? When he said he'd never felt power like that and physically manifested as a weapon?" Narcissa wondered.
"I do not know…I've never heard of such before, but if so…We may have an advantage given the dark lord knows little as well." Severus informed. "I'll be returning to the school now. I'll see you at the next meeting, or if not before then, Easter holiday."
"Let us know how Harry is? I know he's not my blood son, but I worry for him and I feel that there is something terribly wrong. Ensure Draco is alright too, please?" Narcissa asked.
"Of course, Narcissa." Severus rose from the table and went to the fireplace to floo to his home at Spinner's End, then from there into the school where his office was.
It was still early, so Severus locked up his office and headed down the hall to get to the Slytherin common room. Of course, he found Draco and friends sitting around a table and doing their work. But Harry was nowhere in sight, which slightly concerned him.
"Uncle Severus!" Draco exclaimed with a smile. The potions master walked over.
"Where's Harry?" Severus questioned.
"Upstairs." Draco informed. Severus went to head up the staircase. "He's already asleep, Sev…" The teenager frowned. "Don't bother him, he's had a long night. I've never seen him so angry before. Truthfully, while we love him always and don't think differently of him; it was terrifying. Like we all felt that anger radiating off him in waves. The whole common room did."
"Explain…" Severus told his godson.
"Harry promised he'd tell you himself tomorrow." Pansy added. "He said tonight he just wanted to sleep because he was tired and had a headache,"
"Does it have to do with Dumbledore?" Severus pushed.
"And Umbridge…" Blaise nodded.
"Let him sleep, Uncle Sev…Harry promised to tell you tomorrow and he never breaks his promises," Draco said.
"Very well. Inform me if he needs anything." Severus turned and left the common room to get to his quarters.
As the time ticked away, eventually the males got upstairs and Harry was fast asleep. Draco did go over to check on his friend, and found Harry opening his eyes to look at him tiredly.
"What's up, Dray?" Harry asked tiredly.
"Just checking on you, Harry. How do you feel?" Draco questioned.
"My head is pounding, my scar is burning…And I feel like I'm gonna throw up, if you want honesty…" Harry confessed.
"Let me get Sev for you. He's back, he came to the common room about an hour ago to ask where you were. We said you were already sleeping and to leave you be." Draco mentioned.
"No, I'm okay…I think it's just stress," Harry waved it off. "I'm going back to bed. Goodnight." He slowly drifted off again.
The boys in the dorm room got themselves ready for bed and one by one all fell asleep.