Title: Judgement Day
Rating: PG
Summary: At the end of Harry's 1st Year Albus receives a visitor.
Warning: This is an "Odds & Ends" story, so typos and think's probably abound.

Albus Dumbledore stood at the end of a bed in the infirmary and looked in the low light at the sleeping boy and considered all that surrounded this boy. They had had a talk earlier this afternoon and when the boy had asked him why Voldemort had come after him and his family, Albus had prevaricated and said he was much too young to know. When was the right time to tell him though?

Deep down he didn't really want to tell him anything. He wanted the boy to have a childhood and yet, if he told the boy about the prophecy, then it was possible it would consume the boy … not that he had much to live for as things stood now the prophecy covered that too. There was the bit of magic and almost certainly a bit more that was in his curse scar. What should he say of it?

He shuddered as he considered that. Eventually he decided that the boy didn't need to know about what his scar really was and he'd wait as long as possible to tell him about the prophecy too; he really did know best in this case for he'd had ten years to think about this, not that he had really done anything to help prevent the coming war, he thought uncomfortably.

His mind made up on the matter he hadn't really planned on considering tonight nor had he planned this visit, he was about to return to his office when a bright light appeared in front of him. He pulled out his wand as he shielded his eyes. When the light was normal again, he dropped his hand and pointed his wand to where the disturbance had come from and was surprised to see a man who was glowing at the edges, giving him an other-worldly look despite looking human despite being dressed in what looked like wizarding robes. The "man" held up his hand in the normal sign for stop and Albus found he could not move.

"Albus Dumbledore," the being said, "I have come to bring you a message."

Despite his body being petrified, Albus found he could still speak. "Who are you and how did you get into this school?"

"I am a messenger from what you would call The Supreme Being, although he has other names."

"I don't believe in a Supreme Being," Albus returned.

"It matters not as your belief does not define him. However, if he did not believe in your existence, you would not be."

Albus thought the being was making fun of him and the slight smile on his face seemed to confirm that. "You didn't answer my questions."

"My name doesn't matter to you and I am here because, as I said, The Supreme Being sent me. Now listen to the message Albus Dumbledore.

"Because you have said in your heart that you will not tell this young man what he must know, because you have not purposed in your heart to fully help him, because you have harmed him by neglect and what little you have done has harmed him further still, judgement has been passed upon you. Many do not receive their judgement in this life, but it has been decided that you shall.

"Listen well, Albus Dumbledore, for our Supreme Being has shown you mercy and does not pass full judgement on you at this time but only a partial judgement. The evil that you have allowed upon this innocent boy shall be yours to conquer."

The glowing man held out one hand towards Harry's head and the other hand towards Albus's head. Albus could feel something happening that he couldn't identify before a searing pain burned on his forehead.

"Partial judgement is given," the being said as he lowered his hands. "Do not send him to those who hate him and answer his questions truthfully, or his full burden shall be given unto you. Choose wisely, Albus Dumbledore." The being faded out and Albus found he could move again.

Lighting his wand, he looked at Harry and gasped as he saw that the lad's forehead was perfectly unblemished. Conjuring a mirror, he looked at his own forehead and saw a lightning bolt scar just right of center just as Harry's scar used to be. He stumbled back a couple of steps before he fell to sitting on the bed that was now under him.

As he blinked and thought this thru, the first thing he considered was that if the curse scar and the magic that he thought was in it was now in him... In a slight panic he built his Occlumency shields around that new part of him as hastily as he could.

How did he remove this scar and what it held without killing himself? For Harry, Albus was sure the boy would have to die so he had done no research on this for the last ten years. Well, he knew what he was doing now for the summer.

As for the rest of the message he had been given, he hastily considered what he must do to avoid further punishment. There was still a week of school left, perhaps Augusta Longbottom would be amenable to putting the boy up; he'd contact her tomorrow. She wouldn't allow the boy an ego, which had been a large part of why Harry had been placed with his aunt. Longbottom Hall was fairly well protected too … or at least it was now.

Answering questions was tricky though. Perhaps he could come up with a child's version of the prophecy and explain that, then allow a little more each year. Maybe that would satisfy the requirement and yet still give Harry some childhood.

He looked at Harry again and shook he head in guilt. He'd known there were better options for some of his choices but those had ignored because... It took a moment before he would admit to himself that he... He sighed. He liked the power he had over others - the control. There, he'd admitted it.

Albus knew he was going to have to give up some of that control to save himself from this curse he now had. Giving up being Supreme Mugwump for the ICW was an easy one. That was mostly for the accolades and socializing. He'd also hire a personal secretary, he decided. His work with Nicholas Flamel ensured he had plenty of money. That secretary could handle most of his paperwork to give him more time. He wasn't sure he could give up being Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, at least not now, but he supposed that was an option too if he required even more time.

Still looking at Harry, he realized there was something he could do that was easy on his part. He'd make a list of books Harry should read over the summer; it was even possible the Longbottom Hall library would hold many of them. Perhaps he'd give the lad special lessons once or twice a month too starting next year – teach a little extra magic that would be useful in fighting a Dark Wizard.

Standing and rubbing his new scar, he headed for his office. It wasn't hard to guess that the idea to come visit Harry and think through what he planned to do with Harry long term hadn't been his idea, but something prompted … again if there really was a Supreme Being, whom he still wasn't sure about.

Back in his office, as he sat down at his desk a note suddenly appeared on his desk. Looking at it he read, "Yes, I really do exist." Albus blinked a few times as he stared at the answer to his thoughts yet again. When the message faded out, he considered that at least he didn't have another curse scar.

Grabbing a quill, his ink bottle, and some parchment, Albus started a list of books for young Mr Potter. After that he'd plan out how to tell him about the prophecy, vaguely at first, perhaps the historical part only, then he'd add in a little each year until Harry knew it all … maybe by his fourth year. Yes, he should be old enough to handle it all by then.

His resignation to the ICW would be written after that, followed by an advertisement for a personal assistant.

Lastly, he was going to need to come up with a story about why he now had a scar like Harry used to and why Harry no longer did. Hmm, maybe that Harry was cured finally while he hid his with magic? Yes, that might best.

He had a lot to do tonight and and new motivation to do more going forward.

— — —

(A/N: A little something that hit me and I felt like writing it since it was short. The thought of Harry's curse scar with Horcrux being transferred to Albus was amusing to me as I've never thought Albus tried all that hard to help Harry get rid of it, instead gambling on the idea that Voldemort would hit Harry with another Killing Curse to take care of it. I think Albus is now motivated enough to do the right thing so the prophecy wouldn't be transferred to him. Of course, that also means Albus will be doing more so Harry wouldn't have to do so much and would have a more bearable load.

It probably wouldn't be too hard to turn this into a full story where Albus is more helpful than in the books, but I have no desire to. So like all others in this series, it's up for adoption to a "good home".)