Chapter 4: Changed and a new ally
Two days since the ritual had been performed, Harry opened his eyes to find he was laid up in Salazar Slytherins four poster bed with a mild headache. "Damn, that hurt," he groaned while rubbing the bleariness from his eyes.
His attention was drawn to the sounds of chuckling from the two founders. "Morning, child," Salazar gave a wry grin. "How do you feel?"
"Aside from the mild headache and some pain in my body, I'm all right. How long have I been out?"
"Two days," Godric replied, much to Harry's surprise. "What? Don't look so shocked, as this was the first of many rituals you will need to perform. Each one will be just as painful or more so. Luckily, you did this Friday, so you didn't miss any of your classes, and your elves have been thorough in making sure that no one has been able to find you. The one called Dobby has been taking care of you while you were unconscious."
Salazar nodded his approval when the boy got out of bed, "seems the ritual did you some good, my heir. You now look like someone befitting that of your station to our Houses," motioning for him to look into the mirror and take a potion the elves brought in.
He grabbed and downed the potion. Despite its bitter taste, he felt the pain leave and then looked at himself in the mirror. To his immense surprise, he grew three inches in height, and his facial appearance became more pronounced as he now carried a mixture of characteristics from the Potter and Black families. In truth, he felt more healthier than ever before, even after his treatment at Gringotts. Harry examined his new body; now standing at 5'3, while he filled out in some areas he knew that he knew this was only the start. He would need to train and perform the other rituals. The latter was not particularly something he was looking forward to.
Turning around, he looked at the founders, "thank you both," he grabbed his wand from the table and cast the tempus charm to see that it was 7 a.m. "Is there anything I should know about before I leave?"
"Your Headmaster has ordered the professors, prefects, and Head Boy and Head Girl to find you," Salazar informed. "We also had the elves bring the items you bought from Borgin & Burkes and your Grimoires here so that if any of the current members from the staff decide to look through your trunk."
The former Head of Slytherin sneered, "meddling bastards, the lot of them. Remember, if Dumbledore requests to see you be smart, don't let him bully you for information, and avoid eye contact with him. I trust you know why?"
Harry gave a curt nod when Salazar narrowed his eyes at him. "I will be back," collecting his family grimoire and putting it in his bag, then pulling the torch on the wall and ascending the stairs. He eventually came to the fifth-floor corridor. As the raven-haired young man went to Gryffindor tower to get a shower and a change of clothes, his mind wandered to the idea of creating some useful spells and probably getting a watch this summer. Then, of course, there was also what Salazar said about being prepared and having contingencies in place. It was a surprise that even though the man had a venomous tongue, he wasn't as evil or vicious as people believed.
After a quick shower and changing his clothes, he left for the Hall, where he sat next to a first-year Ravenclaw with blond hair and sky-blue eyes. "Hello, Harry Potter," he turned his head at her dreamy voice. "You seem to have only begun to change into something not what people have expected. Unique is good as you no longer care about the opinions of others."
"Um, sorry I didn't catch your name?" The girl surprised him.
"I'm Luna Lovegood," she introduced herself. "Though most people call me Loony for doing things differently than expected."
"For the longest time, I've tried to be normal, like everyone else. But I decided to stop hiding my true self. So, if I have to be unique, then so be it. There's nothing wrong with that."
"You're just the same as I am then," she smiled. The two continued talking, getting to know one another. Harry had to admit that he actually liked talking to her as she was like him. Different. She saw the world differently, desiring to be her own person. Her eccentric nature and dreamy expression aside, Harry could see that her expression was a front to hide her inner sadness. Something he was familiar with. When some of the other Ravenclaws came in, they were surprised to see him sitting and getting along with her. From that, it became clear what they thought of her. Selfish and stuck-up pricks.
Just when the food appeared, Professor McGonagall came into the Hall, and the minute she saw her lion, she made a b-line for him. "Mr. Potter, where have you been, and what have you done to yourself?" Last year her stern voice would have made him feel bad, but now it didn't seem to faze him.
"I have been in the castle. As for how I changed, that would be due to the fact that I've finally healed from what you and Dumbledore forced me to endure," he replied in a nonplused tone.
McGonagall's expression turned to shock at his answer. Was the boy's home life that bad? Yes, she knew his relatives were the worst sort of muggles imaginable, but did they do anything else? She knew life could not have been easy since he entered the Wizarding world, given the past two years. Quickly regaining herself, "be that as it may, none of the Prefects, Head Boy, and Head Girl, nor the Professors could find you. The Headmaster would also like to see you in his office."
"I find that odd as he seems to take a special interest in me as he is the one who put me in that fucking hell hole with those filthy muggles," the cold steel in his voice was evident. "Also, if you haven't noticed, professor, I haven't eaten anything. You can tell Professor Dumbledore to wait as I have other things to do than waste my time talking and be subjected to another mental intrusion."
Minerva was taken aback by his new attitude, as he had never acted like this. Furthermore, the cold edge in his voice showed he was still angry with the Headmaster about their last meeting and about his placement with his muggle relatives. She knew he had every right to be angry as Albus had no right to meddle in his life the way he's done, especially after the life he had to endure after that faithful night, and it was clear that he was hungry. "Come by his office at the end of your classes. Oh, and that will be twenty points for disappearing to parts unknown and your language," she went to the Head table.
"Harry, how could you talk to Professor McGonagall like that?" A shocked Hermione had just arrived with an equally perplexed Ron.
"Yeah, mate, and why are you sitting with Loony, of all people? Come on, let's go to the Gryffindor table and have breakfast," Ron's casual remark irritated Harry.
"Her name is Luna, dipshit," narrowing his green eyes at the redhead. Ron took a step back. "You ask why I'm sitting next to her? Well, I happen to like her company more than yours, as she is not a fucking git who likes to shove mountains of food into her mouth."
He then looked at Hermione, "as for you. I have my own business to settle with McGonagall and Dumbledore. I advise you not to meddle in matters that do not concern you less the consequences will be less than desirable."
The students listening were captivated by his new attitude and the cold darkness in his voice. For as long as the three have been at Hogwarts, they've been best friends who did everything together. Together they made the 'Golden Trio,' so this new Harry caught them off guard as he wanted to distance himself from them. The students who came after him for suspecting he was the Heir to Slytherin were equally stomped. Some of them believed they had pushed him too far this time.
Sending one final glare at them, Harry resumed his conversation with Luna, who smiled at how he defended her. "Do you have plans this summer?"
"I do, in fact," she chirped. "Daddy's taking me to visit my aunt in the country. What about you? Anything exciting planned?"
"If all goes well, my summer could be productive," he hoped with all sincerity that Professor Flitwick's contacts could come up with the documents so he could get away from the Dursleys. Dumbledore said they were his only remaining family, but those people were never family. While the thought of feeding them to the colony of Acromantulas, he felt like that would be getting off too easy for them. They deserved a more fitting punishment for what they did to him over the years. But first things first. He would need to be removed from their care once and for all. "Can I walk you to your class for the day?"
"That will be nice," Luna agreed.
When breakfast ended, Harry walked her to class, which so happened to be Transfigurations. Ron and Hermione tried to follow the two, and even after Luna made it to her class, they tried to corner Harry for information, but being in better shape, he outmaneuvered them on their way to Herbology. Partnering up with Neville seemed to annoy Ron the most as he couldn't sit next to Harry. The other seat next to him was occupied by Parvati Patil. When the bell rang, and Professor Sprout came in, she immediately asked them about the different plants they'd worked on thus far. Naturally, Hermione raised her hand to answer every one of them; not that much of a shock there. But what got everyone's attention, even Professor Sprouts, was that Harry and Neville raised their hands to answer a couple of questions and got them right. Hermione shot the former a frown because this was unlike the Harry she once knew. He hardly volunteered to answer questions unless called upon by the teacher.
For the rest of the day, things went well for Harry as he answered questions in class and did the work that was required of him without complaints. What surprised everyone was that in Potions, Professor Snape did not once criticize him or his work and instead took points from Weasley, who was partnered with Seamus. Finally, during the last five minutes of class, Snape spoke, "that's enough. Put a sample of your potion in a vial with your name on it and leave it on my desk. Potter," his black eyes settled on the boy as he filled his vial. "You and I are going to have a chat regarding your mediocre performance in this class."
Predictably Malfoy and his goons started snickering as they figured their Head of House would lay into Potter.
Harry, however, seemed unfazed as the usual coldness in Professor Snape's voice was absent and concerned him. "Yes, sir," he replied. Then, when Snape turned away, he discreetly took out his wand and muttered two tripping jinxes that made Crabbe and Goyle trip, knocking over their cauldrons and spilling their potions.
"Mr. Crabbe, Mr. Goyle, tell me, do the two of you believe I have an infinite supply of potion ingredients at my disposal." He glared at the two Slytherin boys. "If the two of you wish to have a future after leaving this castle, then I suggest you not be so careless."
"But, professor, it wasn't our fault as we tripped," Crabbe complained.
"Yeah, this is Potter's fault," Goyle added, picking up his cauldron.
"Incompetent fool. Potter may be arrogant and a mediocre wizard at best, but he is on the other side of the room," his gaze hardened. "Frankly, this is an attempt to not hand in your work. I will deal with the two of you later today. Also, you both will receive a zero for the day. Now get out!"
The two pudgy boys raced out of the room as the bell rang and once everyone except for Harry and the Potions Professor. Snape waved his wand, clearing the potions from the floor, then closed the door and added some privacy charms. "Sit," he conjured a chair in front of his desk.
Harry took a seat as his professor put his wand away. "Potter, I owe you an apology for how I have treated you thus far," Severus' black eyes became sad and filled with regret. "I received the chest and the letter from your elves."
"If I may ask, sir. Why do you hate me so much?" Mustering his courage. "From the first day of class, you've hated and singled me out of everyone else. I do not know the full story of what happened between you and my father, but can only imagine that it must have been more than a schoolboy rivalry."
Sucking in a breath. "Your father and I were about as close as you, and Mr. Malfoy are. From the first minute we met on the Hogwarts Express, we hated each other, and it only got worse when we were sorted into different houses. As you already know, Gryffindors and Slytherins have a frosty relationship at best, but it was much more severe in our case. We competed in everything, and where your father excelled at transfiguration and flying, I favored the Dark Arts and Potions. Not only that, he and his friends would either pull embarrassing and harmful pranks or just flat-out attack me when no one was around. Needless to say, I would retaliate in a similar way and respond with as much force, if not more. Most of our confrontations did not end so pleasantly, and the people watching would sometimes get caught in the crossfire."
"What about my mum? From what I can infer, the two of you were friends." Harry pointed out.
"Your mother was indeed my friend. Practically the only real friend I ever had. We lived in the same neighborhood as children and would spend our time playing together by a lake. That did not sit well with her sister Petunia, who loathed and was jealous that her sister could do magic. Due to her anger and jealousy, she resented Lily more after the Headmaster refused to admit her. Her animosity towards your mother grew worse from that moment and seems to have been transferred to you."
Clicking his tongue, "good guess. The horse neck bitch and that fat fuck she calls a husband hate me with a passion. They've made my life a living hell for eleven years and treated me like a slave."
Severus' black eyes burned with anger. He never liked Petunia and was sure the feeling was mutual, but to hear that she treated her sister's only child like a slave was too much. It made him think of how his father would treat him and his mother. The man did not like anything and often took his anger out on either him or his wife. At the best of times, he would be verbally abusive, and at worse, or when drunk, he'd hit him or his mother.
"I never liked Petunia. Even as a child, she was horrid. To hear that she would mistreat her nephew. . .someone who shares her blood is unfathomable." He began thinking of curses he'd like to introduce the woman to. Lily's sister or not, no child should have to live like a slave. After gathering his thoughts, he said, ". . .back to the point, your mother and father, along with his friends, were in the same year as me. Whenever your father and his friends would bully me, your mother would step in to defend me. For the first five years of our time at Hogwarts, your mother and I were as thick as thieves despite the mutual hatred between our two houses shared and the grief she would get from her other friends about associating with me. But our friendship started to decline as I started hanging around future Death Eaters and had a fascination for the Dark Arts. Something which she detested and tried to make me see reason."
Harry remained quiet as he felt something big was about to be revealed. "One day after our DADA exam, your father and his friends figured it would be fun to humiliate me and thus attacked me while I was reading. After I was disarmed, your father and Black continued until your mother intervened and told them to leave me alone. Yet, at the time, I was so angry and humiliated by what they'd done, not to mention exhausted from the exam, that I called her a mudblood." Shame and regret filled his entire being at the memory. "I tried multiple times to apologize, but it was too much for her, and we stopped being friends. It is one of my single greatest regrets. . .that I will never be able to see and apologize to her."
It soon donned on Harry as he watched the expression on his professor's face and saw the pain in his eyes, ". . .you loved her. My mum."
"Always and forever," a few tears came down his eyes. "If I had the chance—to make it up—to her, I would."
Harry sucked in a breath, "we can never change the past, no matter how we would want to. My mother believed in you even before and after you two parted ways. . .and while I'm willing to give you a chance to show me the person who she believed you are. I must ensure that neither Dumbledore nor the Death Eaters know what we discuss."
Severus picked his wand up from his desk and pointed it at himself. "I, Severus Tobias Snape, do hereby swear on my life and magic that I will not disclose any information between Harry Potter and myself without his expressed permission. So mote be it!" A blinding white light enveloped him, showing the vow had been taken. "That was my insurance to you. Believe me when I say that I have grown tired of having to deal with Professor Dumbledore's machinations and have no wish to be a Death Eater again. The latter is something I have regretted for years," rubbing his left arm.
Stomped by what he heard, though, there was no trace of deceit in either of his voice, micro-expressions, or body language. "Glad to hear that I am not the only one sick of Dumbledore's interferences and manipulations."
"Meaning?"
"My parents will, for one. It stipulated that I was not supposed to go to Petunia in the first place. I also found that he and Mrs. Weasley, Ronald, and Hermione have been stealing money from me. Not to mention he knew Peter Pettigrew was the one who sold them out Voldemort and sent my godfather to prison for a crime he did not commit. And used legilimency on me."
"He what?!" shouted Severus, immediately on his feet.
The young raven-haired Gryffindor had to do a double take when he saw the expression on Professor Snape's face as it was one of pure loathing. "Yeah, the last time I met with him, Professors Flitwick, Sprout, and McGonagall were present. It has always bothered me that he knows exactly what questions to ask whenever we meet. . .and now I know. He enters my mind frequently, and I assume he did it when McGonagall sent me to him after the attack on Justin in Hufflepuff and Nearly Headless Nick."
Severus anger soared to great heights as he listened intently to what Dumbledore's been doing. While he may not be a perfect person, given his usual disposition as being cold and cynical, that said even he had principles that he would never cross. He was also by no means a hypocrite as he would sometimes lightly probe the students' minds, but only to view their surface thoughts to see if they were planning something dangerous. That said, he never did it to the extent of what Potter described as Dumbledore's probing.
"What do you know about occlumency?" He asked after regaining himself.
"Professor Flitwick gave me a general description before I decided to look into it further. It's an old branch of magic that protects oneself from a legilimencer's attack who wishes to extract or manipulate our minds and emotions."
"Correct. However, I believe our discussion for the day has reached its peak. I will speak with Filius about giving you occlumency lessons. But remember that Dumbledore is a highly accomplished legilimens; he will instantly be able to enter your mind the moment he looks at you directly. So, be warned: Whatever you do, avoid looking him in the eyes." Cautioned Severus.
With a quick nod, Harry schooled his features the best way he could and left the room after the wards were removed. From there, he went straight to the Headmaster's office when he wanted to be elsewhere. When he arrived at the entrance, he was met by his head of house, who had been waiting for him. "Ah, Mr. Potter, so glad you could make it. Professor Dumbledore has been expecting you."
A breath came out of the corner of his mouth as he resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "And why is that? Does he intend to mind rape me again? Furthermore, what are you doing here. . .planning to make more excuses for him?"
McGonagall twisted her lips. She did not like his accusations, yet understood he was still angry about their last meeting in Albus' office. Narrowing her eyes at him, "Mr. Potter, I do not appreciate the tone in your voice nor those accusations. While I understand you are angry with me and the Headmaster, you will be respectful." She said in a firm voice.
"Respect is earned, not given on a silver platter," he retorted. "You lost my respect when you did nothing to prevent the other students from accusing me of being the one who sent a basilisk to attack the muggleborns. Or I should mention how you, Hagrid, and Dumbledore left me on the doorstep of those filthy magic-hating muggles. Thanks for that!" He took a closer to her. "Now, let's get this over with."
Minerva had been through many things in her life. But none could have ever prepared her for the cold anger and disappointment of her cub from her late friends and students. When she spoke the password to the Headmaster's office and watched the stairs open, her mind wandered to what had happened to young Harry while he was under the care of his relatives. Yes, she knew they were the worst sort of muggles and voiced her objection about leaving the boy under their care, but Albus was dead set about him living away from the wizarding world.
"Come in, Professor McGonagall and Mr. Potter." Before either of them could reach for the door, Dumbledore's voice came from the opposite side of the door.
Not needing to be told twice, Minerva opened the door and walked in, with Harry following along. Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk as he looked past his half-moon glasses at the person he had been looking for. "I must say, Mr. Potter, you have given your professors quite a scare. Where have you been the last two days, and what have you done to yourself?"
"Can you be more specific, Headmaster? I have never once left this castle as there are so many places one can go," he nonchalantly replied. "Also, as you can see: I am finally healed from the bullshit of your decision makings."
Minerva took ten points from him for his language. Albus narrowed his eyes slightly, "For the last two days, none of the professors, Head Boy and Head Girl, nor the Prefects could find you in the castle. Then suddenly you reappear and, with a minor growth spurt, is mildly concerning." Pretending to act like a caring grandfather, he expected the boy to come forward with some information but got nothing. "You went back to the Chamber of Secrets."
It was more of an accusation than a question, in Harry's opinion. "Perhaps, I was. . .despite being the home of a thousand-year-old basilisk that you failed to notice was attacking the students, it is actually a good place to relax."
"Har—I mean Mr. Potter," Dumbledore corrected himself. "I urge you to cease returning to the Chamber of Secrets in the future until I can verify whether or not it is safe. There are things you are not ready to learn, and I cannot in good conscience let you return unless you have my express permission."
"You misunderstand me as I neither want nor do I require your permission to do anything," Harry easily dismissed. "Maybe I will go back there to explore it more or visit some other areas of the castle."
"You forget my boy to whom you are speaking to," Albus stood up. "I am the Headmaster of this school, and therefore it is my job to ensure that all of the students are safe. That includes you, and as the person in charge of this castle, I hereby forbid you from ever returning to the Chamber."
He expected Harry to obey him, but once again, the child seemed unfazed and unsubmissive. Dumbledore's grey eyebrows disappeared as his eyes grew in surprise when he felt the atmosphere in the room go cold, and Harry let out a booming laugh. "That's pretty self-righteous of you to think I gonna do what you say. As for being the Headmaster of this castle, you are in charge of this institution. So maybe you can explain why a handful of students ended up petrified in the school under your watch? Why did you hire that fraud Lockhart to teach when it was clear that he knew next to nothing except how to bolster his reputation with his stolen accomplishments? Perhaps you can explain why you allowed a basilisk to roam free for a year? Or maybe a simpler question: Why did you not just buy the Mandrake Restorative Draught from the Apothecary in Diagon Alley?"
"You see, these are all questions that need to be asked to the person in charge. That means you."
Neither Albus nor Minerva knew how to respond, as Harry made some very valid points. They were driven away from their thoughts when someone burst out laughing. The three looked up at one of the former professors who had been watching. "Damn lad, you got balls. Despite being a half-blood, you are still a member of my House. . . Then again, you do possess some of the Black family features."
"Very astute of you, ancestor. What you say is the truth. Lord Arcturus Black's younger sister Dorea Potter nee Black, and my godfather Sirius Black." Harry replied. "Forgive me for my lack of decorum as the current Headmaster here decided to dump me on the doorstep of my filthy magic-hating muggle relatives. Where I spent the last eleven years treated like a slave. To add insult to injury, I never knew about my heritage."
The expression on Phineas' face was one of deep loathing. He may not have liked children nor thought too highly of his descendant Sirius for rebelling against the family. But that did not mean he was a heartless or manipulative bastard like Dumbledore. "You meddling goat fucking piece of shit," he roared with absolute anger. The Blacks were known to have a fierce temper and never took well to anyone meddling in their family business. "Where if I not dead, then I would drag you through the depths of hell and back! Then piss on your remains!"
Albus had never seen Phineas this angry before. The former Headmaster seemed ready to jump out of his portrait hole and strangle him with his bare hands. "Phineas, Phineas, please calm yourself," he then looked at Harry. "Now, Mr. Potter, there is no need to badmouth your family or exaggerate your treatment while you were under their care. As for not knowing about your heritage, I never intended to keep you away from them forever. Only until you were ready. Names, titles, and other House responsibilities would have been overwhelming."
"That was never for you to decide, as I had a right to know where I came from and who my family was." The boy retorted, his temper rising. A dark smile crossed his face, "what I do with the House of Potter is my business. You are irrelevant. And how do you know about my treatment with those filthy muggles? 'Far as I'm concerned, they can drop dead."
Minerva gasped. Never before had she ever heard a student wish their relatives to be dead. Albus narrowed his eyes in disappointment, "you should not speak ill of the people who raised you. I placed the wards around her house myself, and my instruments would go off if you were in any danger. The treatment you describe is wrong, as I have someone watching the house at all times. Nothing in that house happens without my knowing."
"Fuck your wards, instruments, and whoever you have watched the house." Dumbledore basically admitted that he knew about his treatment while under their care. "I care nothing for them as they are not my family."
"Do not say that," Albus hopped to his feet. He looked on top of the mantle of his fire to see if the instruments were still functioning. Then looked back. "You know full well why you have to stay with her. It is for your protection, and while you still call that place your home, no one can harm you. Until you are of age, you will remain under their custody. As your magical guardian, your safety is my highest priority, and you will remain at Privet Drive to recharge the wards. Then you will be allowed to leave and spend the last three weeks with the Weasleys. Molly has already agreed to house you."
Harry wanted to tell the old man to fuck off but held himself back. "That bitch wouldn't give a damn if I never came back. Her walrus of a husband would soon kill me the minute he gets the chance. They practically celebrate the day I leave as the 'freak' would be gone. Well, you know what? The feeling is mutual, as I don't give a fuck about them!"
"Mr. Potter, that will be thirty points for your language. "You have no right to speak that way," McGonagall admonished.
"Fuck you, bitch," Harry snapped at her with ice in his voice. "You put me in a hell hole, so don't try to absolve yourself of any blame for the part you played."
"Mr. Potter, that is enough," Albus stepped in; his eyes were devoid of their usual twinkle as a crestfallen Minerva backed away. So many emotions were running through her head. Most of all, the three were: anger, sadness, and shame. "What you did in that Chamber, was it worth it? What you sacrificed?"
As an expert in obscure magic, he could see the aura around the boy and could tell that he had indeed performed a ritual of sorts. The only question was which one did he perform, as he could not have Harry be too powerful or out of his control. His long-term plan for the boy and Tom must be completed at all costs; nothing must interfere with his plans. While Tom had created a Horcrux from how he controlled young Ginevra all through this year, having watched her from afar. He suspected something was wrong with her when he felt another magical aura around her. . .his suspicions were proven right when she opened the Chamber and instantly knew that Tom had succeeded in creating a Horcrux. Yet he never anticipated that he would create multiple Horcruxes. The only question was, how many were out there?
For all of his knowledge and skills in archaic branches of magic, there were still branches of magic he did not know of. . . Moreover, Harry's new attitude was concerning as the boy used to be so compliant and looked at him like a grandfather. The blocks he had put on the boy made it easy for him to enter his mind, but for some reason, that was not the case anymore as they appeared to have been removed, and he did not meet his gaze. This was most concerning as he would be keeping a closer eye on his weapon. Perhaps he should reach out to Molly and have her feed him more loyalty potions and a love potion tied to her daughter. If he remembered correctly, the youngest Weasley was infatuated with Harry, and her feelings have likely increased since he saved her from the Chamber. The Weasleys (Molly mostly) were staunch supporters of him and would do what he said without argument. Having Harry married into her family before he died would be good. They would get his money, and he would gain access to the trinkets owned by the Potter and Black families. . .knowing full well that Sirius would have wanted Harry to inherit the Lordship for the House of Black instead of Lucius' son Draco. His plans were set, and nothing must interfere with them.
"I did what I had to survive and gain my freedom. I'm done being everyone's punching bag," he declared.
"You have taken a step towards a dark path. Madam Pomfrey will give you a full examination, and I will find out what rituals you performed. I am very disappointed in you, Harry. Rituals are addicting and full of dark and dangerous magic. As of now, your head of house will be going through your belongings to ensure you are not reading anything unsafe. Furthermore, you are forbidden from ever returning to the Chamber of Secrets until I can ensure that it is safe."
"Kiss my arse, old man!" whirling around, he began walking away.
"Where are you going, Mr. Potter? I am not done talking to you."
"Well, I finished listening," slamming the door behind him.
Phineas barked out, laughing again. "Oh, I really like him." The former Lord Black's expression quickly changed when he looked at Dumbledore. "Do not think for one minute you and I are done with this conversation, Albus. . .there is a lot you need to answer for."
Pretending he didn't hear the older man, the current Headmaster sat back on his chair, massaging his temples, "Minerva, please," beckoning her to follow Harry and bring him back. For some reason, he felt like he was going to need a few glasses of Firewhiskey tonight.
Minerva followed after her cub; in a way, she could understand part of his anger at Dumbledore, but that did not give her the right to speak with him that way. A lot of people have disagreed with Albus's decisions in the past, with her being one of them, and even then, she would grudgingly go along with it no matter how it may have been. Just when she was about to round the corner, she heard, ". . .you are outnumbered, Potter. There's no one here to help you." The voice came from Mr. Goyle.
"You and Crabbe are hardly what I call threats," scoffing at the pair. "I am gonna give you two one chance to back off and let me pass, or the consequences will be severe."
Before a spell could be fired, Minerva made her appearance known. "That is enough," she looked from Harry to the two Slytherins who had their wands out. "Mr. Crabbe, Mr. Goyle, the two of you have detention for the next three nights for threatening another student."
"That's not fair," Crabbe protested. "Potter is the one that. . ."
"Will be another three detentions for you, Mr. Crabbe. Now leave," she ordered, leaving no room for argument. Grudgingly the two Slytherins walked away, but not before sending Harry a final death glare. "Mr. Potter, you will return with me to the Headmaster's office as he did not dismiss you. Your anger aside, you had the right to talk to him like you did."
Harry gave a sneer that would make Professor Snape proud. "And what if I don't? You going to stand by making excuses for him while he invades my mind, puts more block on my magic, or send me back to those fucking muggles. The people you, him, and Hagrid left me to be abused and treated like a slave. You are just guilty as he is. My grandmother, who so happened to be your friend, would be rolling in her grave if she found out what you did to her only grandson."
"That's not fair! I had no idea what your aunt and her family would do to you. That night we left you with them, I told Professor Dumbledore that they were the worse sort of muggles, but he was adamant you would be safe there. And how dare you suggest I do anything to offend Dorea. She and your parents were my friends, and I have and will always cherish their memories. As for the blocks on your magic, I didn't know anything about that."
"So that's it!" His anger started to rise. "Dumbledore says something, and it is automatically okay. Okay, to dump someone on a doorstep in the middle of the night?! You are associated with child abuse and neglect by putting me with them. The only reason why I'm not bringing you up for charges is because of their memory of you. You should know that in my parents will they left you some things, and you are not gonna get them until I decide." He pressed on after seeing the saddened look on her face, "consider that your punishment: whatever they left you will not be in your possession. Choke on that. If you want to bring me back to Dumbledore's office, then you will have to do it by force, as I will not go without a fight."
Minerva took a few steps back with tears rolling down her face as she could see the pain and anger in his eyes. Did she hurt him that badly? What did Albus and his relatives do to him? She watched as he turned around and marched away.
The son of her two favorite students and old friend, had changed. He seemed colder and more ruthless. Almost similar to Dorea when someone pushed her too far.
When Harry arrived in Salazar's personal quarters, he explained what happened in the Headmaster's office to his ancestors. Predictably they were angry with what happened; Godric violently cursed Dumbledore while Salazar did the same in parseltongue.
"But back to you," the former Head of Slytherin house looked at his heir. "You need to do a better job of controlling your temper and will need to be more careful around Dumbledore. He will no doubt keep a closer eye on you. I wager he will do just about anything to bring you back under control now that you see him for what he truly is."
"Salazar is right," Godric said. "I guarantee right now, he's having your head of house look through your belongings. Luckily, we had all your important things removed beforehand, but remember to be on your guard, as Dumbledore is resourceful."
"So, where do we go from here?" They knew it was a shrewd question. "Professors Flitwick and Snape have already agreed to start teaching me occlumency to better protect my mind."
For the rest of the day, before and after dinner, the two Founders explained what they would be teaching him from now on. Charms, Potions, Transfigurations, Ancient Runes, Enchanting, Rituals, Battle magic, etc. To say that'll be easy would be nothing short of a lie, as Harry would need to seriously apply himself and be willing to push through. Before entering the magical world, he was taught to never do better as it would get him in trouble with his relatives. But now he had something worth fighting for and was motivated more than ever to obtain his freedom from the people who made his life a living hell. Where others have failed, he will succeed in proving who he was and restoring honor to his family.
(0^0)
For the rest of the school year, Harry dedicated himself to his academic studies, resulting in him doing better than Granger as she was so used to being the best in classes. He would meet with Filius three times a week to practice his dueling skills, with Professor Snape sometimes coming in to offer some of his own knowledge. The two professors had a talk about what was going on and came to an agreement. Together would teach Harry to the best of their abilities; however, Severus had to keep his involvement a secret to not draw attention to him and alert Dumbledore. Along with his dueling sessions with Flitwick, Snape started teaching him occlumency. Would spend time in the Chamber of Secrets, learning from Salazar and Godric, practicing advanced spells from the books he got from Borgin & Burkes, and looking at some of the potential rituals he would want to perform. He made sure to steer clear of the rituals Voldemort performed on himself, not wishing to forsake his humanity for power. If he was going to do a ritual, he would read about it first and measure the sacrifices required to perform them. Then finally, spend some time in the Restricted Section under his invisibility cloak to learn as many spells as possible. Yet there was another problem brewing.
Like Salazar said, Dumbledore had been keeping a closer eye on him, but luckily he had a way of avoiding the old man. The day after the meeting in his office, Dumbledore cleared his schedule so he could be present during the examination. The school's matron had confirmed that something other than the phoenix tears and basilisk venom was in his system, but seeing as they were not illegal nor dangerous left it at that. When the Headmaster tried to press the issue, she refused him since it was nothing dangerous or illegal, and thus let the boy go. Dissatisfied with her answer, he tried to follow Harry to get the answer out of him, but to no avail, as the boy gave him the slip. There was also something else he wanted. The remains from the basilisk in the Chamber would not only fetch a high price but could be used for many different things.
Another thing that arose for Harry was another encounter with Crabbe and Goyle as the two tried to ambush him on June 16th. "We finally got you, Potter. There are no teachers around to protect you this time," Crabbe flexed his arms like Goyle, who tried to look threatening.
"Good thing I don't need saving, especially from you two. Tell me something when you two are not kissing Malfoy's arse. What are you doing besides becoming a waste of space like your Death Eater fathers." He taunted with his wand hidden in his sleeve, ready to call it out.
Goyle saw red, taking his wand out at the same time Crabbe did, and the two shouted, "tarantallegra!" Harry, of course, was ready. With his wand in his hand. He conjured a shield to block their attacks and retaliated with a banishing charm that knocked them back.
"Is that the best the two of you can do? I expected more of a challenge from a pair of Death Eater children," taunting them. He watched them get back up, obviously angry about his remark, and started firing spells after spells at him. Smirking to himself, he dodged their attacks with little to no effort as they had no technique and returned fire with cutting, bone-breaking jets of scorching hot water and tripping jinxes.
Little did his opponents know, Harry was holding back. While they received some injuries, he did not get so much as a scratch. A few minutes later, he decided enough was enough. Rolling under a cutting curse, he sent two disarming spells relieving them of their wands but was far from done. With another wave of his wand, he performed another banishing charm that sent them back, but unlike the last one, he made sure to put some power behind the spell and heard some crunching noises. A clear sign that some of their bones had been broken. He walked over to where they were, moaning and groaning on the ground in pain. Walking to Crabbe, he delivered a swift kick to the boy's groin and pressed his foot down on top of it, applying some pressure to it, making the boy scream in pain.
"What's the matter, Crabbe? Does this hurt?" there was no expression on Harry's face except for the cold fire in his eyes. "Well, you should have thought about that before you and Goyle decided to attack me." He then fired a couple bone breaking spells to both his and Goyle's hands so they couldn't pick up their wands.
"Consider this a warning because the next time you two decide to come after me will result in an even steeper punishment." Quickly putting him in a full body binding spell, he moved to a still groaning Goyle; grabbing him by his hair, he slammed him a couple of times face-first into the wall. Breaking his nose, jaw, and some teeth in the process before putting him under the same spell. "This is leniency. It would behoove you to remember that."
"Are you done hiding there?" Lifting his head up at the wall as a dark-skinned boy approached wearing the same Slytherin emblem. He was about three inches shorter than Harry.
"Easy, Potter. I am not here to fight," holding his hands up. "Would you mind lowering your wand, please I'm unarmed?"
"You will have to forgive me if I'm skeptical to take the words of someone whom I have barely spoken to and especially after the year I had," refusing to lower his wand.
"Self-preservation. How Slytherin of you," he praised. "I always wondered why you were sorted into Gryffindor. Despite what Malfoy and goons," casting a glance at the frozen figures of Crabbe and Goyle, "like everyone to believe you're more Slytherin than any of them put together."
"Believe it or not, the sorting hat believed I would be a good fit for Slytherin. However, I met the slimy git at Madam Malkin's, so you can imagine how that would turn out."
"So you don't hate all of Slytherin or think of us as dark wizards or witches in training like your friend, Weasley?"
"One: Weasley is not my friend, not that he ever was. Second: No. I don't hate all of Slytherin. Just Malfoy and the members of his gang," he replied. "However, I'm curious as to why the Heir of the Ancient and Noble House of Zabini is suddenly interested in me. It can't have anything to do with our Houses being allies."
The boy's eyes went wide. ". . .so you know about me and the alliance between our families. Interesting. My friends and I were right. You are smarter than you let on. But I can see you still don't trust me, so how about an olive branch?"
"I'm listening."
"I can erase these two's memories of the incident today so they won't snitch on you to the professors and put them in the broom closet there," pointing to the closet next to him.
Quickly weighing his options on whether he should trust Zabini or not. He came to a decision and gave him a nod. Blaise took his wand out and pointed it at Goyle, "obliviate." The memory-erasing spell removed the events from the last hour from his mind. When he was done with him, he moved to Crabbe and repeated the same spell removing his memory of his encounter with Potter. Then with a wave of his wand, "wingardium leviosa," the two boys levitated into the air and were transported to the closet.
Harry slowly lowered his wand when Zabini closed the door. "We better move before a Prefect or Professor comes. Follow me!" Leading the boy to an unused classroom on the fourth floor.
When the door was closed, Harry put up some silencing and privacy wards around the door so no one on the outside could hear them talk. "All right, Zabini. You did what you said, so I will hear you out, but make no mistake: I will defend myself should you try to attack me."
"Fair enough," he sat on a stool. "You may not know this, but you and I actually have a lot in common."
"How so?"
"For one, we don't like Malfoy. Say what you want, but it's the truth. If not for the git's father being so close to the Minister of Magic or his plea of being forced to serve You-Know-Who under the influence of the imperius curse, he would not have survived this long. What's more, he struts around the common room and castle like he's Merlin's gift and expects everybody to listen to him."
"I don't get it. You're the heir to an Ancient House. Doesn't that mean you outrank him?" Harry questioned.
"Yes, but you are wrong about one thing, as he is the heir to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black since his mother is a daughter of the House." Blaise raised his head when Potter started laughing.
"You're kidding, right?" Raising an eyebrow at the dark-skinned boy. "His mum may be a daughter of the House; however, that is all the claim he has." Materializing the Black family heir ring on his finger.
"What? You?" Blaise looked at the ring and could see it was real. "How is that possible? The only ties the Potters have to the Blacks is through Sirius Black, and he was sent to Azkaban."
"Time for me to give an olive branch." Harry sat straight like a proper heir. "My grandmother Dorea Andromeda Potter was born Dorea Andromeda Black. The younger sister of the previous Lord Black. My godfather, Sirius Orion Black III, was never convicted of the crimes pinned against him and named me the heir to his House the day I was born. In other words, my claim as the heir to the House of Black is much stronger than Malfoy's."
"Damn," Blaise's jaw hit the ground. "But you should know that if Lord Malfoy finds out you are the heir, he will have you brought before the Wizengamot and say you have attempted line theft."
"Oh, I don't doubt he will try. Though, there is no need to worry as I am working on a plan. One that will leave the Wizengamot and his supporters in utter shock. If everything turns out how they are supposed to, then Malfoy's family image will be the least of his concerns."
Seeing the look in his eyes, Blaise started chuckling. "I like your style, Potter. Now you got me intrigued. Boy, I give the shirt off my back to see the House of Malfoy in disarray."
"Then I'll be sure not to disappoint," laughing himself.
They spent the next hour or two getting to know onee another, and like what Zabini said, they had a lot in common as they both considered outcasts when it came to their different houses. Neither of them expected to get along with one other so well. Gryffindors and Slytherins were not exactly known for having the best relationships within the school due to their mutual dislike of one another.
(0^0)
During the final week of school, a good portion of the students and the professors were surprised to see a Gryffindor student and a Slytherin student getting along so well. However, the person most vocal about disliking this new relationship was Ron, who angrily shouted that Blaise was a dark wizard in training. That did not go well as Professor Snape happened to be nearby and gave him detention for four nights. Prior to his next meeting with Dumbledore, McGonagall pulled him aside after class though there was no sternness on her face. Instead, it was sad when she told him the Headmaster wanted to see him. He could tell she was still thinking about what he said those days ago, and while he was a bit ashamed of how he talked to her, it did not mean he would forgive her. This is how the young Potter heir found himself in the Headmaster's office with Professors Flitwick and McGonagall present.
For more than an hour voiced his disappointment about Harry going back into the Chamber without him. "I had hoped my warning would be enough to convince you not to return to the Chamber. Whatever wards you put around the entrance has made it so that not even Fawkes nor my greatest counter spell could penetrate its defenses."
"You mistake me for someone who cares about your permission," Harry could see the irritation in the man's eyes. "What's in that Chamber is mine by right of conquest. . .that includes the basilisk remains."
"Mr. Potter, I implore you to let the school have a cut of the spoils. Basilisk pieces can be used for several things, especially potion ingredients." Dumbledore said in his best negotiating voice.
"The answer is no. I already have plans for the basilisk," evenly responding. "Now, to clarify about this summer. I will go where I feel safe, but after that, I will be allowed to do what I want. Is that correct?"
Dumbledore gave him a grandfatherly smile. "I am so glad you have agreed to return to your aunt's house, and yes, once the wards recharge, then you will be allowed to leave. Arthur and Molly have already been notified."
"Then we are agreed. May I leave now?"
"You may," he watched as the boy left the office. However, did not notice the small smile on his face. He felt a surge of rely on as whatever seemed to upset Harry appeared to have died down, and this would be a lot easier to keep an eye on and mold him into his weapon.
Filius knew what Harry was planning, turning his head at Dumbledore. "You are a real fucking arsehole, you know that, Headmaster," was all he said before leaving him, and Minerva was at a loss for words.
Ten minutes later, he found himself walking toward his office, where he spotted Harry waiting by the door. He gave his apprentice a nod telling him to go in. Then, following behind, he closed the door and placed a series of privacy, anti-eavesdropping, and silencing spells on the door. "Nice performance in there. You very well could have been in Slytherin," Filius folded his fingers.
"Dumbledore believes I will go to those muggles, but I will spend my time in the Zone, attending the International Dueling Competition in Switzerland and at my ancestral home."
"Indeed. Everything is in place. I also have some news for you," the diminutive Professor said. Reaching into his desk drawer, he pulled out a stack of documents, "my friends at the Ministry were able to get these documents. All you have to do is get your aunt or uncle to sign in the appropriate areas saying they relinquish all custody of you. Now hold on," pulling the papers back when Harry made to reach them.
"The wards surrounding your aunt's house are illegal and extremely dangerous. My people in the Mage Order have verified that prolonged exposure under blood wards will result in the loss of that person's magic and eventually kill them. By tomorrow from two to six, you will have a narrow window of opportunity to use magic without setting off the alarms in the Ministry for underage sorcery and the instruments in Dumbledore's office."
"What about Mrs. Figg? Dumbledore put her there to keep an eye on the house." He had always been curious about the woman whenever he would visit when his relatives wanted to be rid of him for a couple of hours. It surprised him to learn that she was a squib and had been reporting to Dumbledore about their treatment of him. "Wouldn't she realize something was wrong with the wards?"
"I'm one step ahead of you," a satisfied smirk appeared on Filius' face. "Do not worry. She will not know that you or anyone else will be there."
"So long as she is not harmed, then I'm on board. Besides, I have some business to discuss with my so-called family." His wish to be free from his muggle relatives will soon become a reality.
A/N: Harry has endured the first of seven rituals. The potions he got from the healers at Gringotts have been beneficial, but they were taking too long to fix his body. By doing a ritual he was able to have his body restored to what it should have been in the first place. Painful yes, but worth it. Short term pain equals long term gain. Dumbledore was thrown off by Harry's new attitude as it beginning to show that he no longer has control over him. Just wait until the old bastard learns that he is no longer Harry's magical guardian and can no longer force him to live with his muggle relatives.
Let's face it people Ron was always a controlling and jealous prat and Hermione is an idiot who likes to believe she knows everything. They took Harry's friendship for granted. Well no longer since Harry knows their game and will make new friends. Ones that treat him like an equal instead of an object they can discard whenever they want.
Next Chapter: Time for the real training to begin