Disclaimer: I own nothing other than the plot. The original concepts belong to JKR and Warner Brothers. Any concepts brought from other fictions are either coincidental or will be used in their own way, and no plagiarism is meant.
Chapter 22: Honesty
June 14th, 1994
Ancient Runes Classroom
Harry rubbed his temples, sighing at the question for the Runes exam. So far, they had already completed Transfiguration practicals and theory, and History of Magic, and today was Ancient Runes, Charms, and Astronomy. Unfortunately, the questions were far simpler than he had thought they would be, and he was getting a migraine from staring at the parchment. He was itching for something challenging. He plotted, and came up with a fantastic idea.
As soon as class was over, Harry darted from the bathroom, ignoring Hermione wanting to ask how the exam went. The instant he entered, he felt someone invisible in the corner, and though he was proud he managed to sense them, Harry also knew it was likely himself. Grabbing the time turner, he twisted himself back to the night before. He greeted Salazar, before taking a headache draught and a nap. When he awoke, he returned to the front room by the fire feeling far better.
"Can I get a Hogwarts elf?" Harry called out. One appeared instantly, "Can you bring me the sorting hat, and ensure that Dumbledore doesn't notice?"
The eager creature disappeared before returning with the hat, only lingering long enough to drop it off before vanishing. "Shouldn't you be in class Mr. Potter? Wait, this is Salazar's quarters, isn't it?"
"Yes it is my quarters! Now, why the hell did you call Godric's decaying piece of cloth in here?" Salazar demanded.
"Decaying piece of cloth? You are a bloody portrait!" The hat yelled indignantly.
Salazar went to retort, but Harry coughed. "What?"
"Do you two have a problem with each other?" Harry asked patiently.
"He started it!" Both replied.
"Look, I don't care what happened. Get over it. Both of you are helping me defeat Riddle, and you two arguing like children isn't helping. Either get along, or I'll take the hat to the chamber and do this instead. I'm not picky on where I do this." Harry said.
He looked between two, and when neither said a word, he continued, "Good. Now, hat-"
"Call me Alistor." The hat cut in.
"Alright… Well, when we last talked, you offered to give me some of Godric's memories to teach me how to wield a sword. Is that offer still there? I'm bored with these exams." Harry whined.
Salazar nodded in approval, but smiled slightly seeing Harry act like a child. Sometimes he wondered how much Harry had really matured over the past years.
"Sure, but it'll be one hell of a migraine. Think you can take it?" Alistor asked. Harry sighed, but nodded.
"How many memories are we talking about?" Harry asked.
"Well, with your Occlumency being well developed, I could likely put a hundred or so. I'll find a good place for all of the memories, and push them into your mind. You will likely take on several aspects of the memories, as subconsciously, the memories will become a part of you. Understand?" Alistor asked.
"Yea. Let's do it." Harry replied, picking the hat up.
Salazar said nothing, but was greatly intrigued by Harry's decision. He knew the hat wouldn't harm him, but it was interesting, Harry wanting to learn sword fighting, and he couldn't see a downside to it. Godric had been the best of their age in sword combat, and had been devastating with a sword in his hand.
Add in the fact the sword could channel elemental magic, and he was a butcher in a fight.
His only concern was what those memories would include. He knew how brutal and bloody things were compared to now, and he only hoped that Harry wouldn't see that much of it, but that what he might see would help him with his future. Only time would tell though, as neither moved, though Harry's face was scrunched up some in pain.
What may have been only an hour for Salazar, felt like ten years for Harry as he groaned and fell back, the hat falling off as he hit the floor. It took him several minutes to sit up without puking, and he was quick to down a pain potion and headache potion delivered by an elf. The hat vanished with the elf, but Harry had expected that. After nearly twenty minutes, he felt well enough to speak.
"That was terrible, but instructive. I think I'll need some practice of course, adapting and subconsciously using the sword properly, but it'll work well." Harry spoke quietly.
"What did the hat show you?" Salazar asked.
"A lot. Probably equal to nearly seven years of training and fighting. The memories never extended past the fighting though. It was… well, I don't have words for that. It was inspiring, but also bloody. There were fights, one alongside the Centaurs some time before the school was built. Another was near the coast, against some muggles and soldiers. Several against groups of wizards." Harry replied quietly.
The memories were bad, some of them anyway, but it also helped him realize what he may end up doing in the future, and caused him to stop, wanting to think more on how he wanted to end Riddle. To kill like that, to tear enemies to pieces.
"Good. I can tell it is making you evaluate how you plan to fight in the future. I won't push you either way, but if you need advice or to talk, feel free to ask me." Salazar said kindly. Harry nodded.
It was ten minutes before Harry stood, and made his way to the training room. He still had a migraine, but he was feeling better, well enough to do smaller movements with the sword. He twisted it around, swinging at imaginary targets and letting off small bursts of fire and lightning. It didn't last long though, before he sighed and vanished the sword.
"Pretty good, about as good as when I met Godric, and he was amazing then. The rag was actually useful." Salazar said as Harry turned to him.
"Yea. I noticed that even my walking shifted slightly to account for the sword being on my hip, though I think that will vanish soon enough as most of the later memories had the ruby sword." Harry replied, checking his watch, "I need to be going, I have to be back in the bathroom in ten minutes."
"Good luck on your exams Harry." Salazar replied, watching his heir make his way from the room. He smiled at the child's back, almost feeling like he had a child again, and also feeling like the child took after Godric just as much. Perhaps if Godric saw him, he would be proud.
June 15th, 1994
Abandoned Classroom
"Hey pup. How's your exams going?" Sirius asked in the mirror.
"Good, though I am bored. I am used to dueling and learning advanced things. The Runes exam was so boring I had to sneak off for an extra long break." Harry whined causing the man to laugh.
"Well, I know how it feels, I have spent a lot of time sorting paperwork out, and I was at the Wizengamot meeting last week. They are hosting the Quidditch world cup here in England this year, though it is uncertain who will be playing." Sirius replied, "And they are attempting to bring back the Tri-Wizard Tournament."
"What is the later one?" Harry asked. He had never heard of it.
"Well, it was a suicidal competition. Basically, three contestants, one from Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang, would fight creatures, each other, and other competitive objectives. Most times the tasks ended in death, and there were several times there wasn't a winner." Sirius responded, "It is supposed to be kept quiet though, and it isn't certain yet. It won't be until July's session. It is more than likely though. The ministry sees it as a way to bring a lot of money in, and nothing makes the bureaucrats move faster than extra coin."
Harry laughed, "Well, I think I will sit this life-or-death event out."
"It isn't like you have a choice. The contract for the event and the judge would prevent a binding to the tournament if you aren't of age." Sirius responded. Harry frowned.
"How old is the cup?" Harry asked.
"No one knows. Roughly ancient roman probably?"
"Hm. Not good. It needs to specify that the age is seventeen or else the cup could still do it, as the cup was created so long ago. Besides, 'of age' is incredibly vague and could be interpreted in several ways." Harry responded.
Sirius frowned, but nodded, "I will bring it up at the Wizengamot. Maybe mentioning it would be a good way to target heirs too young to survive it. Some of the families have children your age or younger that will be at Hogwarts, and magicals have a long memory." Sirius responded.
Harry nodded, feeling better that he wouldn't be a part of it.
"Speaking of Hogwarts, has Albus spoken to you?" Sirius asked curiously.
"No. Well, not more than in passing or when I blew up Filius' classroom." Harry replied, "Why do you ask?"
"He asked for my permission to speak with you privately on matters outside of education. I believe he intends to apologize for things that have happened. He was upset when I mentioned your treatment at the Dursleys." Sirius said quietly.
Harry frowned, "Well, I wish you had mentioned that he knew about that, I prefer that as few people know about my childhood, what little I did have anyways. However, I did try to get him to let me stay here, but it isn't his fault for their treatment of me. That was Pettigrew's."
"He still feels responsible. I think it is that other than having someone watch for attacks from free death eaters, he never checked on your happiness, and he feels like he let you and James and Lily down." Sirius responded, "Though I think he may reveal things to you when he speaks with you. He was evasive when I asked him about the topics, and said you would tell me if you wished."
Harry nodded, "I'll hear him out. He seems to encourage me to do well, so clearly he is trying to help me, but I've learned to always be wary of people's motives."
"Good, now, how are things with the girls!" Sirius asked. He laughed as Harry blushed.
Harry would curse whoever told the man about Katie and him sneaking off.
June 18th, 1994
3rd Floor Corridor
Harry sighed, wondering if this meeting was the best of ideas. At dinner, an owl had dropped off a note, requesting Harrynto meet the headmaster after breakfast for a non-academic chat, and that it was only a request, and that he could refuse if he wished. It seemed that Dumbledore knew that Harry may suspect the topic in question, but truthfully, it didn't bother him much. He just wasn't up for a meeting with the man. He had done a ritual the night before and Salazar said it was unlikely the headmaster would be able to tell, but it still put him on edge slightly.
Controlling his emotions, he barely opened his mouth to speak the password, not even starting before the gargoyle stepped aside. "You are always permitted to enter, even if the headmaster bars it." Its voice rumbled. Harry just nodded, before ascending the stairs.
"Enter."
Harry knew he wouldn't have to knock, so he had his hand already towards the handle as he slowly made his way in, "Ah, welcome back Harry. I hope finals went well for you?" Dumbledore asked.
"Well enough. I was bored during several of them, but in the end, I think I did well." Harry replied casually.
"Good good. Go ahead, do sit. Lemon drop?" Dumbledore offered, "Or perhaps tea, or Butterbeer?"
"Tea please, no milk but some sugar if you have it." Harry replied.
"Well, perhaps we will try my latest collection for black tea, Ceylon. I just managed to get it from a muggle store, after I was told it was one of the best. Shame the magical world is stuck on the more basic brews." Dumbledore replied cheerfully, pouring a cup for each of them. "Try it without sugar first, I've heard this one isn't bitter."
He wasn't wrong. The tea actually tasted pretty good without anything in it, and was quite calming. "I do hope I am not pulling you away from anything major?"
"Not at all. Dueling won't be again until tomorrow, and most of my friends are still in bed or just getting up. Only Hermione was awake and she wanted to go off and practice some spells I showed her." Harry replied casually.
"And how are you doing?" He asked.
"I am better. It has helped to have some time off from doing strenuous things, and giving my body a break." Harry replied, "I've been working hard all year, both academically and otherwise, so it's a nice change. However, I was guessing we didn't meet to talk about classes?"
"You are quite right Harry, we did not." Dumbledore replied, sitting his cup down. "You know, you remind me a lot of several people, your parents, Sirius, Remus, and though it may be shocking, Tom Riddle." Dumbledore said.
Harry felt his eyes widen slightly, "I almost think I should feel insulted." Harry replied evenly.
"I meant it as a compliment. You and Tom are far more alike than you know. Both of you were the best of your classes, academically. Yes Harry, you have ranked at the top of all of your classes all year. You even exceeded Tom in several aspects, and you are far more accomplished with a wand than anyone near your age. You are a prodigy, even if you didn't know it or attempt to deny it." Dumbledore replied. "Tom was too. He was the best of those who attended in his time."
"I see what you mean, but I still think I should be insulted for being compared to my parent's murderer." Harry replied, and Dumbledore winced.
"Perhaps not the best comparison, I apologize for any insult Harry. But I digress, you both were the best, but you have been better than he was at your age, and you are a far better person morally than he ever was. Both of you grew up without parents, and both of you had a rough childhood." Dumbledore picked up his tea, taking a long drink before sitting it back down.
"You both endured a rough childhood, but he became bitter, vengefully. You see, he was born in an orphanage, and his magical mother passed not long after his birth. They had discovered he was something different, and bullied him. He fought back, harming those who wronged him. He even asked, like you, to stay at Hogwarts. Dippet refused him just as I did to you. Admittedly, I might've played a small part in the refusal. I had always been suspicious of Tom in school, and kept an eye on him, but I missed the signs of what path he was treading until it was too late." Dumbledore had looked at him the whole time, a sad but reminiscent look on his face. Shaking his head, he continued on.
"You see Harry, when Sirius told me about your relatives having been, at best, neglectful, I realized that I could have made the same mistakes twice. I could have been the cause for you to be just like he had been. I should have checked on you, it was my responsibility, I should have done better to ensure your care, but I did what I thought was easy and the best at the time, I left you at your relatives while searching for information."
"Information?" Harry repeated. He was stunned at everything the old wizard had said. Riddle had been an earlier version of him, perhaps far more driven, and without a moral compass, but the man certainly wasn't holding anything back.
"Your scar, Harry. Remember in your first year, when you said it hurt in the presence of Voldemort?" Dumbledore asked, causing Harry to nod, "I had discovered it was a form of dark magic. The blood magic I used around your relatives was also supposed to protect you from its influence, and I had done a small core binding, one that should have faded when you were eleven though perhaps it failed and stayed until the chamber incident, we will never know. However, I had no idea how to remove your scar, at least, not without you dying."
"Without me dying?" Harry asked. He already guessed the man was talking about the Horcruxes, and the one in him. At least he knew where the core binding was from. Pettigrew had denied it, and there was no one else really to have placed it.
"Your scar was a form of extremely dark magic, one that has no way of being destroyed without destroying the host. Or so I had thought. I had long searched for a way to remove it, until recently." He replied.
"What happened then?" Harry asked.
"You told me you had been bitten by a basilisk. You see, basilisk venom destroys unnatural magic to almost anything, other than goblin silver. Your own magic was unaffected, because it is natural, but your scar, and most likely Pettigrew's bindings on you, were destroyed by the venom. I had no idea when you had returned to Hogwarts how it had happened, until before christmas, but it is truly a blessing." Dumbledore replied. Harry wondered how much he could get from the man.
"What was the dark magic professor?" He asked. Dumbledore hesitated, before speaking.
"Do you know Occlumency?" He asked.
Harry nodded, "I stayed at my Grandfather's cottage and found a book on the art. His portrait and the book have been very instructive. I think I am doing well." Perhaps the olive branch will encourage him to be more open.
"May I test it? I do not wish for anyone to gain the information I have found." Dumbledore asked.
"Of course." Harry replied. He felt a warmth through his mind, and an itch in his eyes, but he knew that thanks to Death, the wizened wizard had no chance at getting into his mind.
"Astounding. I must admit, other than a small glimpse of your feelings, which is something I could've observed, I got nothing. You are nearing mastery in the subject." Dumbledore said, "Now, the magic in question is one of the few truly dark magics in the world, called Horcruxes. Firstly, you can never tell anyone, I mean anyone, about them, other than perhaps Sirius."
He stared at Harry, causing the child to nod, "I understand, though not what a Horcrux is?"
Dumbledore nodded, "A horcrux is a soul container. It is broken off using several dark ingredients in a ritual and then committing an act of murder in cold blood. Using a nonliving container, they are nearly indestructible, other than basilisk venom or FiendFyre, cursed fire that is nearly uncontrollable to almost all wizards." Dumbledore said, but Harry frowned, "What is it?"
"Would a killing curse work? Or perhaps a Dementor?" Harry asked, "Both affect the soul right?"
Dumbledore's eyes widened, "Excellent thoughts! Yes, I believe you are right. However, I was unsure whether a killing curse to the scar would work, and well, Dementors wouldn't target a part soul when there is a whole one available, but yes, both would likely work against a living or nonliving container as long as the caster can use the killing curse, or push a dementor to the Horcrux."
"Alright. So with my scar being gone, is Riddle?" Harry asked.
Dumbledore's mood fell, "I don't believe so. I suspect he made either three or seven, seven being more likely. I believe your scar was an accident, caused by his soul being unstable. You have already destroyed one, the diary was clearly a horcrux from its behavior, so I believe there are four or five more, saying he made them all already." Dumbledore replied, "I have begun searching for them, but until recently, I spent my time working on getting the one in you out. Now that it is gone, I will begin searching for them once certain events are organized."
"Alright. May I help?" Harry asked.
Dumbledore hummed in thought, stroking his beard, "Perhaps. I believe next year I will give you some material to learn, spells and other knowledge you won't find anywhere, and after next year, I will have you come along, perhaps Sirius too, and we will search for them. I also have the Flamels working on this, but they are content to stay behind their wards for now. Right now, I am still searching for information on what the Horcruxes may be, but I will try to keep you updated."
"I thought the Flamels were… they had passed away?" Harry asked in confusion. He remembered Dumbledore saying that the stone had been destroyed.
Said old wizard chuckled, "No my dear boy, they are still well, and yes, they still have the stone. They prefer to keep the illusion it was destroyed and that they have died, and even went through the process of faking all new identities and changing their looks and where they live, but they are alive. You will get to meet them one day, I am sure." He responded kindly.
Harry nodded, happy. He had thought for the longest time that he had failed and caused two of the most renowned and oldest living wizards alive to die, and it was something that weighed on his mind occasionally. "Awesome. That's… that's fantastic news."
"I am sure you understand the necessity of keeping this as quiet as possible?" Dumbledore asked, his tone turning grave. Harry nodded. "Good. I believe Sirius can know, and perhaps he may find information in his family library that I have been unable to find. He would also be good to bring along. He is an excellent fighter, and knowledgeable in many less common magical arts."
"I will talk with him soon then. Once we are home. Perhaps I can ask my grandfather's portrait as well. He was an unspeakable and knew about obscure arts?" Harry suggested.
"Excellent idea! Yes. He perhaps may know something about Horcruxes. Just ensure no one else can hear you. Perhaps I could speak with him in the future as well, we were good acquaintances at one time." He replied.
"It would be after the dueling tournament, but I don't see a problem with it." Harry replied.
"Excellent." Dumbledore replied.
Harry nodded, before frowning. "Would you answer a few questions for me?"
"Of course, if I can answer them." Dumbledore replied instantly.
"Did you intentionally keep my heritage from me? Or the will sealed? Why didn't you ensure that Sirius was guilty when you knew he was best friends with my father?" Harry asked, each question back to back.
Dumbledore took a deep breath, thinking on the best way to respond to this. "Harry, I owe you an apology for keeping such information, and for not investigating Sirius sooner." He started.
"Truthfully, I was afraid that perhaps you would end up possessed, and knowledge of your family magics would be given to Tom, or perhaps it was fear that you would grow to powerful, and with the Horcrux, it would mold you into another Tom, but I never should have kept it from you. It was your birthright, and perhaps we might have found a solution to your scar had I taken you and ensured you knew about your family and heritage."
"As for Sirius, I genuinely didn't know. I had never seen the will, and though I knew that Sirius and Alice were the first listed for guardianship, I also thought about the protections blood could offer. Admittedly if you so wished to, you could take this in front of the Wizengamot, but I would hope you wouldn't." Dumbledore said warily.
Harry stared for a minute. Sirius had mentioned that it was possible, admittedly entirely unlikely for a conviction, on Dumbledore kidnapping him from his rightful guardians, and even line theft if they really pressed it, but Harry hadn't and didn't see a point to it. He knew, even if it was grudgingly admitted to himself, that Dumbledore was extremely important in the world, and in defeating Riddle once and for all. After all, he probably knew the man better than anyone, and was one of the most knowledgeable people alive.
Harry didn't press the conversation any more, and left a short while later, deep in thought. While he may not forgive the man yet, at least Dumbledore was being honest and open with him. It was shocking though, knowing he was so similar to the person who killed his family, who killed hundreds of people, but also eye opening. It showed him that had he been heartless, perhaps been angry at his relatives, or held onto his anger for Dumbledore, he could've become something similar.
A monster.
He shook his head of those thoughts. He knew he had people there for him, people to prevent that, and he wouldn't go down that path, it would be an insult to his parents. No. What was concerning is that Dumbledore was hunting the Horcruxes. He hadn't found any yet, but Harry had destroyed one, and would have to explain it later. He would need to talk to Salazar about this.
Deciding there was no better time than now, he searched himself for tracking and listening charms, and not finding anything, made his way to the founder. He was unsurprised to see the man sitting there, waiting.
"So… what first?" The portrait asked.
Thirty minutes later
"We will find an explanation in time. Perhaps borrow the locket from this Kreature, and come up with some bs that you felt the magic and acted on instinct to destroy it." Salazar said.
"As for him giving you spells to learn. Take it. He has things I may not have. He also created dozens of spells himself and is just below having a mastery on Magical Theory. It is a good resource to take advantage of." Salazar said.
Harry nodded, "I planned on taking advantage of anything he would teach me. After all, he isn't called one of the best for nothing. However, I don't believe he intends on keeping much from me. A shame that I forgot to ask about the prophecy though. I should ask him next time we meet. Do you think he would tell me?"
"No idea. Only time will tell." The founder replied. Harry nodded.
"Thank you for coming to discuss this with me. Now go enjoy your last days here. I hear it's nice out, go spend some time with your friends by the lake, perhaps ask the elves for a basket of food for a… picnic? I think it's called?" Salazar suggested. Harry nodded.
"Thank you for the idea. It's nearing lunch so I will go to the kitchen. I'll see you later!" Harry replied. Standing and leaving the room.
A quick trip to the kitchen, if it could be called quick, resulted in him carrying a charmed basket with enough to feed the whole Weasley family and then some. He quickly gathered everyone, and pulled them down to the lake.
The party consisted of the whole quidditch team, Neville, Hermione, Ron, Susan, Hannah, Justin Finch-Fletch who had been with the other two Hufflepuffs, Leanna, and Percy and his girlfriend, Penelope. Overall, everyone had fun, talking about summer plans, joking about different things, small harmless pranks and many facefulls of food occasionally, and Neville taking a swim in the lake, courtesy of the twins and a bet by Harry. Even Percy wasn't being a stickler about rules, joking with his siblings and participating in the fun.
I definitely need to thank Salazar for this. Harry thought.
June 29th, 1994
Salazar's Quarters
"So you mean to tell me that if enough power and intent is put into the right spells, what the spell does can be changed?" Harry asked.
"Possibly. For instance, in the first case of FiendFyre, it was done by a non-verbal fire spell, coupled with a lot of anger. It warped the spell, and created an uncontrollable fire. It wasn't intentionally created, but it was intentionally kept, and shared to cause more destruction." Salazar explained.
"Is there an ice version of the spell?" Harry wondered. He was shocked when Salazar nodded.
"It is actually easier, but the ice spell, directed, reaches near what muggles call absolute zero, or to a point where the item is frozen completely." Salazar responded. "I will teach it to you next year, later in the year most likely." Harry nodded, yawning.
"Go rest, you are tired from dueling yesterday and you have practice shortly."
Harry nodded, cursing slightly before going to lay in bed. His body, despite its faster healing, hurt. Flitwick certainly wasn't wasting time, and enjoying the longer sessions, as he strived to keep Harry dueling for ten to fifteen minutes at a time, simulating longer duels that showed an equalness in ability.
Salazar woke him up roughly twenty minutes before practice, and sent Harry on his way. Harry had come back when he had woken up, so he simply had to be on time instead.
Not that Harry would ever be late after the first time.
Flitwick, of course, pushed him to his limits, stunning him, reviving him, and going again after three minutes of rest. After two hours, Harry couldn't duel any longer, choosing to instead stay on the floor, feeling like he might puke or black out, he couldn't tell. He was proud to note that the dueling master seemed to be sweating more often than before, but had also seemingly become undefeatable again. Obviously the part-goblin had been building his confidence up by letting him win some, while still making it hard to accomplish, but now, there seemed to be no mercy.
"Good job Harry." Flitwick said, "You have nearly no chance of losing the tournament. I believe only two would give you problems, but they might not be a match for your higher power level."
"Thanks." Harry sighed, "But question, how many of you are there?"
"Only one?" He responded confused.
"Ah. Well I see three." Harry laughed slightly, "Also, the room is spinning…. And orange, with sparkles everywhere."
"Oh! Finite!" The professor said, "I think you were hit by my disorientation hex. Something minor in terms of damage on its own, but it makes being drunk seem like nothing."
"I wouldn't know about the drunk part, but Merlin that was horrible." Harry replied, slowly sitting up.
"And a perfect spell in a fight or duel." Flitwick responded.
"Agreed." He replied.
June 30th, 1994
Great Hall
"And another year gone. My how the time passes. For those of you who have finished your seventh year, congratulations. I wish you the best of luck, and you are always welcome to write to any of us for advice should you need it. To those who will return next year, congratulations on completing another year." Dumbledore called out.
"For the Quidditch cup, again, congratulations to Gryffindor, and their Captain, Oliver Wood, who had signed on with Puddlemere United. I wish you the best of luck!"
Cheers erupted for every table, with even several Slytherins clapping politely. Even they understood the achievement, as it wasn't easy to sign into a major team right out of school.
"For the house cup, the very narrow standings are as follows. In fourth place, at 326 points, is Ravenclaw. In third place, at 349 points, is Hufflepuff. In second place, with 351 points, is Slytherin. And the winner, in first place with 357 points, is Gryffindor!"
Cheering erupted as it was announced. Harry wondered if they would even win it when he hadn't done anything extraordinary to win a bunch of points, but they had come through. Dumbledore didn't have any other announcements, and as such, the feast began. Everyone chowed down, and enjoyed themselves. After the feast, they all headed back to the common room to celebrate, the Weasley twins having gotten butterbeer.
Overall, it had been a great night and year, and he felt like despite all that had changed, he was looking towards a brighter future.
July 1st
Hogwarts Express
"Potter." Malfoy spoke, having opened the door after knocking, something completely new from his normal behavior.
"Malfoy?" Harry replied in kind. Generally there was some insulting, a complete lack of disrespect, and some laughter from his missing bookends by now, only for him to lose the battle of wits moments afterwards, and storm off angrily.
"Could we talk for a moment?" The blonde asked, and after catching the others watching, he amended his words, "Alone?"
"Harry! Don't go! It's probably a trap!" Ron called out from the window seat, Hermione muttering in agreement and Neville watching, oddly silent. Harry just shook his head.
"He would know that I am capable enough to take most students in the school after I blew apart the Charms classroom. I'll be back in a few." Harry responded, standing and following the blonde down the car. It was only four compartments and across the hall that they found an empty one. The instant the door was closed, Harry drew his wand and nonverbally casted privacy charms.
"What did you wish to speak about?" Harry asked, his wand held loosely in his hand.
"I promise that no one is going to attack you, nor will I. I owe you an apology, several actually." Malfoy said carefully, eying the cherry wand.
"Continue."
"Firstly, I am sorry I immediately singled you and Weasley the first week of school, or all of the times I've hexed or insulted your friends or your parents. Admittedly, you had slighted me by not shaking my hand, and well, Weasley does enough to slight most purebloods in school with his behavior, which is worse than any of his family, but I was still out of line." Malfoy said genuinely.
Interesting. Harry thought. It was true, disregarding a handshake was a major slight on someone, mainly as it was a complete dismissal of them, whether you were of high standing or not. The eldest house could get away with snubbing some, Harry sure could, but it was highly frowned upon and made the person seem snobbish and arrogant. Even without their standing, House Weasley was still acknowledged and almost any family would shake Arthur Weasley's hand if he offered, as he is the Head of his house.
"Why apologize now?" Harry asked in confusion, "As for apologizing to my friends, go to them for that, not me."
Malfoy dragged his hand through his hair, "My father raised me believing that I would be equal to you, that I was the Heir of House Black. Of course, he was wrong." Malfoy sighed, "And he knows he owes you and Lord Black apologies, and has been apologizing to my mother over and over again, as she knew I probably wouldn't be the heir."
"What I am trying to say is my mother always was firm in the belief that blood mattered most, not if you were pureblood or not, but to family and to the Lord of the House. Lord Arcturus never sided with the Dark Lord, neither did my mother, as her loyalty was always to the head of her house." Malfoy said, staring at Harry, "She believes that we should try to be friends, cousins too. She has lost faith in the pureblood movement, and even my father is questioning their actions lately. No matter what the Malfoys have stood for, we were never one to betray the ancient laws that protected our own, the same laws that were violated and saw Lord Black wrongfully in Azkaban." Draco finished.
"So you want to be peaceful with each other? Attempt to be friends?" Harry asked disbelievingly.
"Yes?" He responded with uncertainty. "Mother believes there is a chance we could be friends. If not, then be peaceful with each other. Besides, you saved me from serious injury or even death from the… Buckbeak."
"Doesn't Slytherin, and by Slytherin, I mean literally your entire house, hate me?" Harry asked with a frown
"Uhhh… well you see Potter, since you started recognizing our culture and honoring your house, a large number of them don't have a problem with you. Sure, there are probably three or so dozen from extremist families, like the Carrows, who hate you, and would gladly hex you, but they also fear you. Not only has it become apparent that you are extraordinarily powerful, and more recently showing your intelligence, but they also fear you, or revere you, because of your ability to speak to snakes." He replied casually.
Harry was entirely conflicted. "Where does this leave me, and my friends, with you and Slytherin then?"
"Well, I cannot speak for all of Slytherin, and I can't say anything about Weasley, but I believe that you, Granger, and Longbottom have all come to respectable positions in the Slytherin house. In case you hadn't noticed, since Christmas, your group hasn't been targeted much, and since Lord Black was cleared, no one has insulted you with any true heat behind it. I only ask if you could convince Lord Black to meet with my parents?" Draco asked.
Harry searched his face for anything indicating he was lying, but found nothing, but that didn't mean he wasn't leaving something out.
"Fine, I will ask Sirius. I can't promise anything though. For what it is worth though, if you're serious about this, then I am sorry too for my insults to you and your father." Harry replied.
How much he believed the blonde was up for debate, but truthfully, the less enemies he had, the better off he was. He preferred not to be fighting everyone. Slytherin especially, as a number of the darker families could, and would, likely teach their children some less than acceptable magic. The other houses were less concerning, as Ravenclaws were mostly to themselves, and Hufflepuffs only went after those who harmed their house, rare as it was.
Perhaps it was the fact that attacking one of them led the whole house to retaliate, but Fred and George never targeted them with the extreme pranks. Harry forced his thoughts back on track though, as Malfoy spoke.
"Acceptable, and thank you. You should expect a letter from me at some point. My mother is convinced that this will happen, and I don't doubt she will force me to write, or even write to you herself." Malfoy said, standing and holding his hand out. Harry shook it before the boy made towards the door. As Malfoy opened it, he spoke one last time.
"And one last thing, call me Draco." With that, the blonde walked away, not giving Harry time to respond.
Harry stood there, entirely stunned by the conversation he just had with the one person he never believed he would be peaceful with. After he gathered his wits, and rewatched the memory in his head twice, he sighed, whispering three words as he made his way back to his friends.
"What the fuck."
A/n: So I hope you like the plot twisters. A few things to note in this chapter, that I will address before people begin to question me on them.
Yes. It was intentional that Harry did not ask about the Prophecy, or that Dumbledore did not willingly give that information up. The Prophecy will be addressed at another point in time, where it will be more appropriate. I also believe that never would the Flamels have given up the real stone, nor would it have been destroyed after the incident. The Flamels will play a role later on though.
No, Remus was not fired, nor did he quit. That will be explained another time, but yes, he will still be teaching DADA in fourth year.
Yes, Draco Malfoy is redeemable. I believe, based on the books, that either he was always intending on being bad, following his father and Voldemort, or was redeemable, doing what he could to protect his family. As this story has a lot to do with family ties, I am using him in such a way. There is another purpose to this, which will be seen later.
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. If you haven't voted yet, be sure to do so, only vote once though please! Only a few chapters til I will quit accepting them. Until next time!
Votes:
Direwolf: 24
Snake (undecided breed): 5
Eagle/Hawk: 7
Black Panther: 4
Sabretooth Tiger: 2
Raven: 5
Bear: 1