FHarry Potter and the Shadowed Light

Chapter 24

Previously

"He's a traitor!" Ginny said, sending Neville a glare. She still hadn't forgiven him for making Harry laugh at her weeks ago.

Harry rolled his eyes at the irony. "They're my friends. Now, I think it's best if you left, Ms. Weasley."

Ginny gaped. "But—"

"Goodbye, Ginny," Luna said, sending the redhead a sweet smile and wave.

Ginny let out a small snarl and turned with a huff. If she didn't get Harry to start liking her back soon, then she was done for. Dumbledore was already angry enough about the Lockhart situation. She didn't understand how he could resist her—she was perfect! She was smart, funny, beautiful - she even liked quidditch!

What was she doing wrong?

November in Hogwarts always seemed to drag for Harry. Without Voldemort's yearly Halloween session and the fallout which would always follow, the month had no draw for Harry. In this life, October at least held Samhain and the ritual which solidified his friendships. December had Yule - which, this year, held the greatest importance for Harry as he would be starting the ritual to bring Tom back; it would also be his first proper Yule celebration with family and friends who wanted him only for himself, not his money or his name.

"You know, I think that somebody has your birthday wrong," Neville said, looking at the package Harry had received just moments ago.

Harry looked up and frowned. The parcel was wrapped in cheap, easily available brown paper and, although it was neat, it didn't have the finery he associated with either the Malfoys or Sirius. Even Ragnok tended to use high quality paper.

"I doubt it's a birthday present," Harry said.

"Open it," Susan said, peering up from her Daily Prophet.

Harry looked at the parcel and frowned once again. Opening his senses, he allowed his magic to wash over the package and found it clean. Picking it up, he used his wand to break the wrapping with a small severing charm.

Inside was a box of chocolates. Harry, remembering his last life, knew not to eat them and instead picked up the note.

Always yours,

XOX

Scowling, Harry picked up the box and placed it in his bag. Ginny had apparently upped her game if she was resorting to potions this quickly. Although he didn't have definitive proof, he recognised the childish handwriting. He had to wonder if Dumbledore had put her up to it; he knew the old man recognised his Heir ring - perhaps the girl and her mother were acting alone? Or at least without the council of the old coot.

"Not going to share, Potter?" came Ron's voice. He had been watching enviously from down the table. Harry frowned before a thought hit him, the smirk on his face making him look truly sinister.

"By all means…," Harry said, taking out the box and offering it to the redhead.

Ron looked surprised for a minute, the shock making him gape. "Oh-wha-? O-okay," he said greedily, his sense of entitlement overruling the little doubt he had.

Harry noticed his friends' confused looks and hoped they wouldn't question him. Seeing Ron eat the chocolate, Harry watched in fascination as his eyes clouded over for a second before clearing.

Taking the chocolates back, Harry hurried out of the hall.

"What was that all about, Harry?" Draco asked, recognising the smirk on Harry's face. It usually came before he destroyed somebody or made a fool out of them. Harry had been wearing it a lot recently—mostly around the youngest weasels and the peacock, as Harry had dubbed Lockhart.

"I think these have been doped with a love potion," Harry said conversationally, as though he was talking about the weather.

Susan and Hannah gasped, the Slytherins frowned before smirking, and Neville looked confused. Luna, however, looked slightly green. They had each realised now why Harry had let Ron eat one and, although none of them objected, their own personalities still came into play through their reactions. Neville took the longest to catch on but he soon joined the Slytherins with a matching smirk.

"You let Ron eat one?" Susan asked.

Harry shrugged. "He wanted one and I don't know for certain," he said.

Susan frowned before nodding. "Well, that's true, and anyway it's not your fault somebody wants to poison you."

"That's right. I wonder who would do such a thing?" Hannah said, frowning.

Draco laughed then. "Merlin! Imagine if it's the weaslette."

Luna just nodded. "Please don't, it's not a pretty picture."

Harry just smirked again. "That's why people shouldn't play around with love potions," he said, practically biting his tongue to hold back the manic giggle that wanted to escape.

"Love potions?"

The rest of the group looked up at the repeated phrase and all took a step back when they saw Severus appear, even the Slytherins.

"Yes, sir," Harry said, taking a step forward. He had been leading the group towards Severus' office to have the man check for love potions.

"What's this about love potions? Surely you're not brewing them, Mr. Potter. Although I doubt even Amortentia is beyond your ability, I had thought you had slightly more common sense. Perhaps I was mistaken?"

Harry smirked at the backhanded compliment. "Like always sir, you're correct. I've not been brewing love potions; however, I think somebody has. I was sent these and I noticed something was, well, off about them. Could you perhaps check them for me?" Harry asked, offering the box.

Severus took the box and noticed the missing chocolate. Raising an eyebrow in question, he held back his snort when he got a smirk back. He was coming to recognise that expression as being Harry's face for whenever he had done something devious and slightly amoral.

"Did you notice this... off feeling after consuming one yourself?" Severus asked just to check if the boy had been stupid enough to do such a thing.

"No, before," Harry said.

"Oh?"

"Well, Ronald Weasley thought I was being unfair to put away an entire box of chocolates. He clearly wanted one and, as I didn't know if my feeling would be correct as I am not a Potions Master, I had no reason to deny him," Harry said.

Severus, who like many of the teachers, had noticed the youngest Weasley's obsession with the Potter-Black Heir and immediately realised the potential backlash. It was only his years of training that made it so his face remained impassive when he realised the situation.

"I see," he said, making sure to sound monotone.

Harry and the Slytherins, however, recognised the tone and all shared smirks.

"I will let you know the outcome of the tests. If a love potion is found, then I will of course notify your Head of House and guardians. Love potions are highly illegal," he said.

Harry nodded. "Thank you, professor," he said.

Severus nodded and turned, taking the box with him. It was only when he closed the portrait behind himself that he allowed his laughter free, snickering until his eyes watered and sides ached. He hoped the female Weasley had been stupid enough to attempt to use a love potion - the pure horror on her face and that of her overly sanctimonious mother would make his year.

16th November 1992, the Great Hall, Hogwarts

It was a few days later, when Harry saw Flitwick walking towards him looking furious, that Harry found out the reaction to the chocolates.

It was dinner time and Harry and Luna were sitting at the Ravenclaw table alone for once. The rest of the group hadn't made it to dinner yet.

"Harry, I know you have not eaten yet, however an urgent matter has come to my attention and our presence is required in the headmaster's office," the part-goblin said.

Harry nodded and spared Luna a glance. "Will you be okay here alone, Little Moon?" he asked.

Luna nodded. "Yes. The nargles are not as bothersome this time around, my Lord," she said.

Harry nodded and stood, picking up his bag. "I'll see you later then, Luna," he said.

Following his Head of House out of the Great Hall, Harry saw how agitated he was.

"Is everything alright, sir?" he asked.

Filius sighed. He was furious, angry, confused, and concerned. Ever since last year he had been questioning the people and things around him and, although he didn't blame Harry in any way, he did recognise that it all started when he re-entered the magical world.

"No, Harry," he said. "It seems that the chocolates that you received really were doped with a love potion."

Harry nodded sagely and used his occlumency shields to hide his mirth. "I see."

"This is obviously a serious matter as love potions are illegal. However, the use of them are not altogether unheard of; we do sometimes get a few cases of young witches and wizards brewing them, usually unsuccessfully. However, that is not the reason for this meeting. Your situation is more complex."

Harry sent the man a look. "Isn't it always?" he asked.

Filius shared a sad smile. "It would appear that the potion was keyed to the youngest Weasley child and, when her brother ate one of the chocolates, the artificial feelings attached themselves to him."

Harry was happy for his success at mastering occlumency as he hid his reaction. "That's awful," he said, making sure to sound both shocked and disgusted.

Filius nodded. "Yes," he agreed. "Now, let's not speak more about it until we reach the headmaster's office. He wants the entire situation sorted out."

Filius thought the situation, although bad, was clear. He had seen Ginevra's obsession with Harrison and didn't doubt she had been the one to send him the potion but he didn't know where she would have gotten it. Although not dumb like her year older brother, Ginevra didn't seem the type to have the ability to brew such a complex potion. The situation itself was awful: young Ronald had thrown himself at Ginevra and kissed her quite forcefully. Thankfully that's all he had done, but the damage was done. Still, Filius didn't see why Dumbledore was insisting on a meeting between the Weasleys and Harry - it just added to his belief that the old man was abnormally invested in his young student's life. Harry had done nothing! Thankfully, Filius had seen to it that Sirius would be present as well as Severus, who had done the initial testing.

Harry followed his Head of House and wondered what Ron had done—probably an overly soppy love poem or song like he had written for Lavender in his last life. Reaching the gargoyle, Harry watched as Filius gave the password.

"Pumpkin pastries."

The Headmaster's Office

Entering the room, Harry was surprised to see both Sirius and Lucius sitting together with Severus standing behind them like a shadow. Both men were dressed in expensive robes, looking like the Lords of two Ancient and Noble Houses that they were. They contrasted drastically to Molly Weasley, who Harry was seeing properly for the first time in this life. The matriarch of the Weasley clan was dressed like she had always done: she wore a loose-fitting dress with a knitted shawl over it.

Seeing his guardian, Harry approached and gave him a smile before Sirius pulled him into a hug.

Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk, looking grandfatherly in yellow robes with silver suns. Seeing Harry enter, he picked up his lemon drops.

"Excellent, it's good that we are all here," he said before holding the bowl out to the young boy who had become the biggest pain in his side since Tom Riddle. "Lemon drop?" he offered.

Harry rolled his eyes at Sirius before looking at Dumbledore. "No, thank you. I've yet to have dinner."

Dumbledore frowned, the expression only becoming more pronounced when Ron immediately reached forward and snatched a handful of the sour sweets.

"Very well then, let's get straight to business," he said. "I'm sure you all know why we are here."

Lucius took that moment to intervene. "Actually, professor, I for one do not understand why we are here."

Dumbledore frowned. He hadn't expected Filius to contact Sirius so quickly or for the animagus to arrive with Lucius in tow. However, he should have realised their partnership - the two of them had been spending a lot of time together recently. Both of them most likely working together to undo all of his hard work and decades of progress.

"Yes, well—"

"Why is he here?" Molly Weasley demanded, pointing a finger at Lucius and looking at him like he was a bug under her shoe.

"He was invited to come with me as both a member of our extended family and the Head of the school governors," Sirius said, managing to sound snobbish, something Harry knew he struggled with.

Molly looked like she had sucked on a lemon before she harrumphed.

Dumbledore sent her a sharp look before turning back to Harry. "As I was saying, we are here about the situation about some chocolates," he said, playing down the seriousness of the matter.

Harry narrowed his eyes. "I see."

Lucius, however, wasn't done. "I do not understand why you have called this meeting. The situation is quite clear. Why haven't you contacted the DMLE?"

Molly let out a small shriek. "The DMLE?!"

Dumbledore hushed her. "What I'm sure Mrs. Weasley meant was that contacting the aurors isn't necessary."

Sirius growled. "Not necessary?" he repeated.

"Yes. Surely you agree, Sirius? What with your past pranks."

"That's Lord Black to you," Sirius snarled.

Molly turned. "After all he's done for you, you no good—"

Sirius, looking like he was about to lose control, went to stand before Harry placed a hand on his arm. "Headmaster, I too do not understand why this meeting is taking place without law enforcement. The use of love potions is illegal."

Dumbledore bit his tongue before taking a deep breath. "Yes, however—"

"There is no alternative here, professor. The law is the law," Harry said. "Surely you do not think yourself above it?" Harry made sure to ask the question as innocently as possible and watched as all of those standing in his corner smirk, even Flitwick.

Dumbledore frowned. "Surely you wouldn't want to take this further, Harry? You would be potentially running a young girl's life - and over what? A prank and school girl crush?"

Lucius stepped back in then. "If it was just a crush we wouldn't be here, nor would Severus. As it stands the potion used is not only illegal but exceptionally potent, as I'm sure Mr. Weasley the youngest can attest to." He sneered the last bit and Harry watched in fascination as both Ginny and Ron turned white while Molly turned red.

"Surely they have suffered enough?" Dumbledore continued, sending Harry hopeful looks.

Harry tilted his head. "Suffered enough? What about what I would have suffered? Do you know that line theft usually has a lifetime sentence to Azkaban?"

Dumbledore choked for a moment, Molly let out another shrill sound, while Ginny whimpered and Ron just looked confused.

"Now see here, nobody is talking about line theft. It's just a schoolgirl crush," Albus quickly defended.

Harry sent him a dark look. "It's a schoolgirl crush now, but then what? Would she have just stopped one day, hoping I would have fallen in love with her?"

Ginny picked that moment to speak up, "I would have! You will love me one day!"

Harry sat back, satisfied with the events, while Lucius shared a silent conversation with Severus. He saw that his friend was also surprised at how well Harry had played the room.

Sirius turned and gave the Weasleys the darkest look he could; the look the girl was sending Harry gave him the creeps. "I very much doubt that," he said.

Ron, thinking they were being insulted, forgot his fear and puffed up his chest. "Yeah? And why's that? You too good for us? Too rich and fancy?"

Harry snorted. "No, you fool. I'm gay."

Ron recoiled as though struck while Ginny shrieked, impressively sounding very much like her mother.

The Slytherins were shocked but hid it well. Lucius thought for a moment about the implications of this, but he, unlike some traditionalists, didn't mind same-sex relationships. The use of potions made it so heirs were possible, therefore he was all for the celebration of love in all forms. Severus too didn't mind, he was just shocked at the delivery of the news - it reminded him of Lily and how she would have announced something.

Albus, however, was gaping—this wouldn't do. He needed his Light warrior to be perfect, to be the ideal that people aspired to be. How was Harry gay? Surely his muggle relatives had beaten any freakishness out of him? Yes, Dumbledore could understand the weakness of flesh, him more than anybody, but Harry should be above it. He should aim to be normal, not happily spouting that he's gay!

"You're a freak," Ron said after a few seconds.

Harry responded by raising an eyebrow. "Yes, because being gay is so outrageous."

"You can't be gay! We're going to get married!" Ginny protested.

Harry sent the adults on his side a look as if to say, 'See what I have to deal with?' He turned back and sighed. "I will only marry for love and who I love will be a man."

Filius shook his head. "Not that this isn't important, but we have gone off topic," he said, speaking up for the first time.

"I agree," Severus said, reminding the room of his presence.

"Indeed. Now, headmaster, I demand that you contact the DMLE as both Harry's father and a member of the Board. And do not think I will be keeping this from them," Sirius said, using the title father for the first time and making Harry smile.

Albus floundered; how had he lost control? He was sure that Harry would be swayed once he realised the trouble Ginny would get in.

"That was not a request," Lucius said, managing to sound threatening without actually doing so.

Molly sent Dumbledore a panicked look. "Now see here, surely you're overreacting! Ginny is a good girl."

"A good girl who attempted to use highly illegal potions to poison another student," Severus said, happy to add to the woman's panic. He had never liked her and, out of her seven children, she only had four children he could tolerate. Well, perhaps just the oldest two. The twins, although gifted potioneers, were menaces.

"Poison? It was a love potion, for Merlin's sake!"

"A potion which alters the senses and free will of the victim. It is a poison, Mrs. Weasley," Severus said.

Sirius nodded and sent Snape a grateful look. It was the first time he had seen his schoolhood enemy and he was grateful to the man; not only for the help he had provided Harry, but for his support now.

Severus saw the look and nodded his head once, remembering Harry's letter about Black being a new man.

Albus stood and glared at the men in betrayal before sending Harry a disappointed look. "If this is what you really want, Harry," he said one final time.

"It is."

Making sure to sigh dramatically, Dumbledore stood and went to the fireplace.

"Albus!" Molly shrieked in betrayal.

Albus turned to her. "My hands are tied," he said, before throwing in the green floo powder. "Madam Bones office, Department of Magical Law Enforcement, British Ministry of Magic."

Soon Harry heard Amelia through the Floo. "Dumbledore, is there a problem?"

"Yes, Amelia. Perhaps you and one of your aurors could step through? We've had a slight issue with a love potion."

Amelia sighed when she heard the words. They would get one of these every few years and each time she would end up with a headache. "Give me two minutes," she said before leaving her office and pulling the first auror she saw along with her.

"Kingsley, with me," she said, seeing the tall black auror. She trusted and respected the man enough for this. "There's been use of a love potion at Hogwarts," she said as explanation to the man's look. Kingsley cringed - he hated love potions.

Stepping through the Floo, Amelia's gaze automatically locked with the emerald eyes of Harry Potter and she found herself looking up and praying to Merlin for peace.

"I should have known you would somehow be involved, Harry," she said to the boy, who was smiling sheepishly.

"Amelia—sorry, Madam Bones, it's lovely to see you again," he said making sure to act charmingly.

Amelia sighed and smiled at the boy. "Heir Potter-Black, this is my associate Senior Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt."

Harry nodded and looked at Kingsley - he hadn't changed much from the man he once knew.

"It's nice to meet you, Auror Shacklebolt," Harry said.

The rest of the introductions were quickly given and Madam Bones was swiftly brought up to speed. Once all of the information was given, she sighed and turned to look at Harry and Sirius.

"Lord Black, as your Heir is the victim here, it is up to you on how we proceed. Although it's not enough to convict Ms. Weasley with line theft, you still have the right to claim for the attempt of poisoning and the use of an illegal substance," she said.

Molly, who was listening, let out another harsh sound and brought Ginny closer to her while sending Albus looks of betrayal.

Sirius nodded and rubbed his neck. "May I speak to Harry in private, please?" he asked.

Harry couldn't believe his luck and once Amelia agreed, he turned to face Sirius along with Severus, Lucius, and Filius.

"What do you intend to do?" Lucius asked.

Harry smirked. "I have an idea."

Once he explained what he had in mind, he watched as the two teachers nodded. "That should work," Flitwick said.

Severus nodded as well, smirking.

"I have made a decision," Harry said, "that my father agrees with."

Amelia nodded. "Very well," he said.

"I do not want Miss Weasley to be kicked out of Hogwarts. She deserves a chance at getting an education and snapping her wand would just mean that there is another person out there more likely to expose us to muggles or cause damage to herself and others. Instead, I think she should serve detention every other night for the remainder of the year and every weekend bar one a month. She should also receive no special privileges. I know that the Weasley family is not well off it terms of monetary means, therefore I do not want them fined. Why should the entire family suffer for the actions of one? Instead, I think that it should be placed on her permanent record that she is guilty of trying to poison somebody with a love potion, so that the world knows what she has done."

Amelia nodded. "Very well. If that is all, then we can leave it here. This is now a school matter and not a matter for my department."

Albus nodded, glad she would be going. "Don't you think that's a bit harsh, Harry?" he asked.

Amelia, who had been about to leave, turned then and shot the old man an incredulous look. "Headmaster, you should know that Heir Potter-Black is being incredibly lenient. He could have demanded conviction and, being who he is, he may have gotten it. He could have even demanded excessive fines as compensation. He could have had Ms. Weasley kicked out of school. I, for one, think he is being more than lenient and should be commended on his compassion."

"Compassion? It's going to be on her record!" Molly screeched.

"Then she shouldn't have attempted to do something illegal! You should be grateful Heir Potter-Black is not pressing charges. If I had had to investigate, I wonder what I would have found concerning where the potion came from?" Amelia asked.

Molly immediately shut up and sneered.

"A whole year?" Ginny whined.

"Hush now, dear," Molly said to her daughter, still sending Amelia irritated looks.

November 16th 1992, the Ministry of Magic, Head of the DMLE Office

After taking her leave, Amelia sent a confused looking Kingsley on his way before taking out her wand and unlocking her desk. Picking up the folder she had hidden, she sat down and looked through it briefly.

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

Born: August 17th 1881
Mould-on-the-Wold, England, Great Britain

Blood Status: Half-Blood

Marital Status: Single

…

Not reading the entire file, Amelia instead wrote about their recent meeting and the implications of it. She knew there was something more going on between Dumbledore and the Potter boy, but she didn't know what. Dumbledore's recent behaviour was inexcusable and the information being brought to light about him made Amelia wonder about his past actions. His famous defeat of Gellert Grindelwald had made it so nobody questioned him too harshly—he was given untold amount of freedoms to do as he pleased and Amelia wondered what it was he had actually done. The rumours and allegations she was hearing and suspected to be true did not paint a pleasant picture.

What she didn't understand is: why? Why he was acting in such a way? What is his goal? The unknown answers frustrated her.

Meanwhile

Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts

"I believe we are done here," Sirius said, his tone of voice leaving no room for question.

Albus nodded and held his tongue. "Yes, you may use my Floo to leave."

"I think I shall walk and apparate. I wish to speak to my son," Sirius said.

"A splendid idea. Perhaps you would care for a cup of tea before you go? I wish to talk to you about Harry's classes," Filius said quickly. "Both Severus and Lucius are welcome to join us."

"Very well," Severus conceded.

The men all left the office after sending the headmaster cool looks, Harry following behind them silently.

Sirius smiled down at him. "So how's your year been? Dull?" he asked.

Harry smirked. "Dreadfully so."

"I've got to say pup, you really don't do things by halves—the Lockhart situation or gaining a crazy crush."

Harry shrugged. "Both were out of my control. Well, the Lockhart one wasn't really, but I didn't make other people follow my example."

"The Board is attempting to find a suitable replacement while the ministry is organising an investigation into his claims," Lucius said.

"Please do let me know what they find."

Severus snorted quietly. "I have a feeling you already know," he said.

Sirius looked up then and finally noted the change in Severus. The other man hadn't changed that much from school, but now he held an air of confidence he had once lacked.

Harry looked innocently at the men and batted his eyelashes. "Who me?"

Filius chuckled. "You may join us for tea as well if you fancy, Harry, or perhaps something to eat. I know you didn't have chance for dinner."

The words seemed to remind Harry's body that he was hungry and his stomach growled. Sirius frowned and looked over Harry with concern. He noticed that Harry was still small for his age, but it wasn't as dramatic as last year - and, although skinny, he didn't look ill.

"You've been taking your potions, right?" he asked. The evident concern in his voice made the others realise that Sirius Black really was taking being a parent seriously.

Harry nodded. "Yes, every other day."

"And you've been eating?"

"Yes, Siri, three meals a day and sometimes even snacks."

"Good. Over Yule we'll take you to see our healers to have another look at you. You may be able to come of the potions soon."

"Hopefully," Harry said. Although not the worst, Harry hated having to drink the foul-tasting concoctions every other day.

"How is your stock fairing?" Severus asked.

Harry tilted his head as he thought. "I think it'll last until Yule break," he said.

"If you need more, you know to ask."

"Yes, thank you," Harry said.

"Here we are!" Filius said, opening his office and waving them in.

Summoning a House-Elf, the part goblin ordered a pot of tea and five cups as well as some food for Harry.

"Just some soup and a buttered roll, please," Harry said, smiling at the elf.

Sirius frowned. "That's not a full meal," he said.

"I had a big lunch," Harry said.

When the elf appeared, Harry smiled. "Thank you."

The others watched as the elf's eyes grew wide and it squeaked before popping away.

"So, it's not just Kreacher who loves you?" Sirius asked.

"Nope," Harry said, popping the 'p'.

Sirius shook his head. "You wanted to speak to us, Professor Flitwick?" he asked.

Filius smiled. "Yes—and, please, call me Filius."

"If you insist. Now, what is on your mind?"

"I'm guessing Lord Malfoy is trusted by you?" Filius asked.

Sirius nodded his head. "Yes."

"Very well, then. I asked you for tea because I am honestly concerned about the headmaster's near obsession with Harrison."

Harry looked up from his soup. He was surprised that Flitwick had chosen now to speak up; he had thought it would take longer for the man's doubt in the Light leader to wane enough for him to speak up.

"I see," Sirius said.

"From what I have learnt in the past year, Dumbledore has done nothing for Harrison other than try to control his life. His actions just now show how he wants Harry for something - he has encouraged a relationship between the Weasleys when it is clear that the youngest two are nothing more than idiotic sycophants! This doesn't even take his obsessive observations into account. What I want to know is why? Why is he after my student?"

Sirius shot Harry a look.

Harry looked around the room and considered his options. Looking at the occupants, Harry made a decision. Flicking his wrist, he gripped his wand and set the strongest privacy and secrecy wards he knew. The ease at which he put them up shocked three of the four occupants.

Sirius looked at Harry surprised, knowing Harry was about to let more people in.

Flitwick reached for his wand and tested the wards. "These are professional grade, Mr. Potter, and yet you didn't say a word," he said.

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Magic doesn't need words. Words are just props; like wands, they allow easier access, but they're not necessary with the right level of power, skill, and control. Magic is about intent - it's alive, after all," Harry said, lifting his hand and focusing so a controlled ball of fire lit up and twisted around his fingers. He also allowed his shields to drop, exposing his magical potential and core.

Severus gaped at the boy in front of him. The power and control he was showing was beyond anything he had felt. Lucius, however, was conflicted. The blond man was both excited and smug; he knew the boy had power and potential and now he was going to get some answers.

Harry sent Sirius a look, hoping that the animagus would agree with whatever he was about to say.

"It all started with a prophecy," Harry said, startling Severus. Taking a deep breath, Harry recited the words that clawed his life away from him.

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies..."

In the quiet that followed the prophecy, Harry continued, "This prophecy was told by Sybil Trelawney to Albus Dumbledore at the Hog's Head Pub in 1980 during her interview for the Divination teaching position, which had just opened up. It referred to a boy born at the end of July who has the power to defeat Lord Voldemort. The timing fit both me and Neville Longbottom, so our parents, who had been fighting him both, went into hiding, not knowing which one of us was this child. Yet, by coming after me, Voldemort made it so I was the marked child. However, more recent events make me question the prophecy."

Severus sat back and stared at the boy. "You know?" he asked. Memories of his role flashed before him and the guilt made his knees weak.

Harry spared him a look. "About your part in the prophecy? Yes. However, it's not important right now. You hold no blame or responsibility. You were young and manipulated," Harry said.

Harry watched as Severus seemed to fold into himself. The rest of the room looked confused while Sirius, who knew, spared Snape a look - not of pity, but concern.

"Although this does explain his interest, it doesn't explain you," Filius pointed out, indicating the flame that Harry still had dancing in his hand idly.

Harry nodded. "As I told you before sir, my memory is rather exceptional. I have memories from when I was very young. I remember a few things about my life before my parents died; not a lot, but brief flashes. However, growing up, my memories left me confused. I was beaten for any instances of "freakishness", which I now know were moments of accidental magic, so my memories and their abuse conflicted. Why would I be punished for something that I couldn't control if they knew? I convinced myself my memories were just dreams up until I received my Hogwarts letter. When I returned to our world, I realised my memories were true.

"The first thing I did was look myself up. My memories lead me to believe I had magical parents, so imagine my surprise when I found out I was right and famous. This discovery lead me to the goblins. I did an inheritance blood test when I went after they realised I knew nothing of our world. The results were fascinating—I had a blood glamour placed on me, as well as many magical blocks and a core block. There were also some compulsions on me; however, my Heir rings nullified them. Still, not all things can be nullified by rings, so the goblins removed these blocks and compulsions for a price. During this process I gained their respect and they, mine.

"It was also then discovered that Dumbledore had been stealing from me; he was granted access to my family Vaults as my magical guardian. As I said before, I remember things about my past - which includes the night my parents died. Realising Dumbledore was my guardian made me think Sirius was dead as well as I knew he was innocent. However, I soon found out he was not dead but wrongly in Azkaban. I worked on freeing him and I did so. Dumbledore is the reason Sirius was sent without trial to Azkaban; he was the bonder for the ritual, he knew who the Secret Keeper was.

"I returned home after the removal but my family didn't take kindly to my presence. Their actions against me lead me to returning and staying at the Leaky Cauldron for the remainder of the summer where I studied all of the books I could get my hands on. With my eidetic memory, I was quickly able to learn and, from watching the people, I soon worked out how to blend. The removal of my blocks left me able to feel my magic and sense it on a deeper level - honestly, magic comes easily to me. Even without a wand I can manipulate my magic. It's a part of me. I can read about a spell once and get it right performing it after a few tries before I move on to the next. I can recall entire books, spells, and even rituals.

"After a few days of studying, another thought occurred to me and I started to see things clearly. Dumbledore had been sending money to my relatives, relatives who beat and starved me and, although I cannot prove it, I would bet he knew how I was treated. It's then when I went to see my healer and had the abuse treated. Why he has done these things I don't know, but he did them. He manipulated my life from the very moment he heard that prophecy. He wanted me to become his prophesized little Light warrior, somebody he could mould and manipulate."

Harry sat back then and allowed the flame to diminish, allowing the men to fully digest his entire story.

"That is quite a tale," Filius said after a long pause.

Harry nodded his head to acknowledge him. "Yet you believe me."

"I do," the part goblin admitted. It was a far-fetched tale, but he did believe it.

"Why you? You clearly don't think the prophecy has much credit. So why you?" Lucius said.

Harry knew the answer to this probably laid with his soulmate, but he didn't want them knowing about that, so instead he smirked darkly. "I was born under a lucky moon. A cursed star - maybe I kicked puppies in my last life?" He said sarcastically before adding in a normal tone, "I honestly don't know - yet."

"You think he set everything up. The prophecy and all that followed?" Severus asked, his voice sounding rough. That night he had lost his best friend and he had blamed himself. He had lived for years with that crushing guilt weighing him down.

"I find it odd that he would hold an interview in a pub during a period of civil unrest. A pub which is notorious for its reputation," Harry said.

Lucius nodded and Severus looked shocked as he too realised the facts made little sense. How he hadn't noticed before he didn't know.

"You suspect more foul play," Filius stated.

"I do. Either the entire prophecy is fake or just the delivery." Harry's words made the entire room silent again.

"So you've never trusted him? The entire time you've been in our world?" Filius asked eventually.

"No, and I never will. I am not the little Light warrior he wanted. I will find out what he has planned for me and I will have my revenge."

"You're Dark," Lucius said.

"My magic is Dark, but I am not evil. I am not, nor will I ever be, a Dark Lord. I would never murder innocents nor do I care about blood status, creatures, or other frivolous things like that."

"Not a Lord?" Sirius asked, surprised Harry felt the need to say that.

"Luna keeps bringing it up," Harry grumbled.

"You're building a circle," Severus pointed out.

"No, I have friends."

"Friends who would follow you, trust you, fight for you."

"I would never ask that of them."

"You won't have to, they will do it anyway," Lucius said, agreeing with Severus.

Harry frowned. "How did we get onto this? I have no plans on being the next Dark Lord. I honestly just wanted you to know why Dumbledore is obsessed with me."

Filius, who had taken a step back as he listened, laughed slightly. "Sometimes you don't have a choice."

"I trust you will all keep this information to yourselves?" Harry asked.

"Yes," they all agreed.

"I will also watch out for you around Dumbledore. I have been doing so more diligently this year but now that I know why, I will try harder," Filius said.

"As will I," Severus said.

Harry nodded his head. His privacy wards would make it so they kept their words, but he liked to hear them vow their silence. He trusted them.

I'm so sorry for the slow update- my laptop & external hard drive were stolen during a fire drill along with half of my classes. This means I am having to re-write all of the story I hadn't yet sent my beta which is pretty much all of it as I had only sent up to chapter 25. The good news is though, that I now have a sparkly new laptop thanks to insurance.

updates will be coming, I promise, but they will probably take longer than what you're all used to.

Hope you're enjoying the story!

~ Annie