Chapter 11 is here! I hope you like it; I will put out a warning then I'm sick at the moment so hopefully there's no big errors that I've missed. You all had me cracking up with all your Dumbledore comments, thank you so much for being so engaged with the story, they were fun to read.
Chapter 11
Harry sat completely frozen in shock as he looked up at a slightly younger looking Albus Dumbledore. His tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth as he struggled to think of something to say. The room remained silent as Dumbledore surveyed them all, blue eyes sparkling behind his usual half-moon spectacles. Orion scowled darkly at the others back but also seemed unsure of how to handle the situation, carefully reading the tension in Harry at the sight of the headmaster.
"Only from everything you've told me" Harry said woodenly, as he slowly stood and stuck out his hand. "It's nice to meet you Mr Dumbledore" he said with a vigorous, somewhat sweaty shake of the olders hand.
"It is wonderful to meet you, Harry Potter" Dumbledore said, and Harry did not miss the obvious name dropping. So, he knew who he was.
Dumbledore took a few steps further into the room as he continued to speak.
"A most interesting thing happened last night. As the quill was addressing all the Hogwarts letters getting ready to be owled to students I noticed that we had a new name added to our register, a Mr Harry Potter; Bedroom Number 4, 12 Grimmauld Place, London. Finding this most peculiar I hastened over this morning to investigate."
Dumbledore stared at him intently, but Harry knew enough after his years in the wizarding world, not to make eye contact. He also knew it was best to skirt the truth, he was a terrible liar.
"That's correct, I am a new student to Hogwarts this year" which was technically true, he was new to this particular year. He tried to look relaxed if mildly confused at the others presence.
"Harry has just moved here" Fleamont butted in, attempting to come to Harry's rescue. For whatever reason the older Potter could tell that Harry didn't feel comfortable telling Dumbledore the truth, at least not yet.
"My brother Charlus' son, who has been living with his mother's family in Greece since their deaths" Fleamont continued, and Harry was impressed with the impeccable way that he came up with the lie.
"Wouldn't his mother have been Dorea Black?" Dumbledore said bemusedly, to which Orion spoke up, putting on a haughty air that Harry had not heard him use before.
"Of course, and the Blacks have countless family and properties all over Greece. Both families decided it was what was best for him at the time but now that he is older, he has moved to London and is preparing to start at Hogwarts."
"Ah, that explains it" Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling around at them again. "I was rightfully concerned when a previously unknown Potter popped up on our list."
"Unknown to you, but he is very much known to the heads of both the Potter and Black families" Orion said firmly, and Harry took note of the way he yielded the power of both their families names in that moment.
Dumbledore nodded in supposed acquiescence. "Of course, well I apologise for the intrusion, I look forward to getting to know you this year at Hogwarts, Harry. I assume you have been tutored at home until now?" Dumbledore enquired, at Harry's nod he continued. "I will add you to the list to be sorted at the start of term feast."
Harry felt his inside squirm at that, he'd mostly forgotten about Hogwarts with everything else that had been happening.
Dumbledore hesitated for a moment, as though expecting someone to speak up and invite him to stay, but no one said a word. The room looked completely relaxed and comfortable, but Harry could feel the tension running through everyone.
With one final look and a swish of his plum coloured travelling cloak Dumbledore swept from the room. No one spoke or even moved while they waited to be sure he was gone. Finally, Kreacher popped in the room, "he has left" the old house elf croaked and everyone visibly exhaled.
Harry who had been frozen in the spot he had stood up in to shake Dumbledores hand, sunk back into his seat.
"What was all that about?" James asked curiously. "We could've told Dumbledore what was going on, we can trust him. He's a very powerful wizard and could probably help."
"I-I just don't want to tell Dumbledore, at least not yet" Harry said quietly.
"Why?" Fleamont asked seriously.
"Dumbledore, he just always has his own agenda. His own plans, he does what he thinks is best and doesn't really care who it hurts along the way."
"Like what Harry?" Euphemia asked. "Help us to understand."
Harry hesitated, playing with the sleeve of his shirt before answering.
"Well," Harry began, glancing up at Sirius. "He didn't tell me about the prophecy, didn't warn me that Voldemort would be trying to get it, might try to use me to try to get it. If he had I might not have been so stupid and fallen for the trick that ended up getting Sirius killed."
Guilt layered the words and Sirius' face fell at the sad picture that Harry made.
"Hey, that was not your fault, remember" Sirius said earnestly, and Harry just shrugged.
"But still," the green-eyed teen continued "he could've told me but chose not to."
"That is quite a serious piece of information to withhold" Euphemia agreed.
"Then in fourth year when I had to compete in the Triwizard Tournament I always felt like there was more Dumbledore could have done to get me out of it or at least help me along the way, but it was almost like he wanted me to compete, needed me to flush out whatever scheme Voldemort was currently working on."
"I did think it was strange all the things that he had allowed to happen to you over your years at Hogwarts" Orion mused. "Though the Blacks have never been a fan of Dumbledore. He sees the world as black or white when it's actually a thousand different shades of grey."
"He – I- I also think he knew about how I was treated at my family's home" Harry finished quietly and the faces around him turned grim. Harry hadn't explicitly explained by they all had a general idea of how poorly he'd been treated by his family. "My first letter came addressed to 'Harry Potter, The Cupboard Under the Stairs, 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey' and as we just saw, he sees the letters before they go out, he must've known."
Regulus tried to say something reassuring to Harry, but his brain had whited out in rage, the cupboard under the stairs! His brain screamed. He slept in a cupboard under the stairs! No one else had spoken yet either, he glanced over at Sirius only to find the same maniacal light that was no doubt shining in his own eyes, looking back at him. For the first time in a long time Regulus felt like he and Sirius were on the same page.
"And I mean" Harry continued, and Regulus forced himself to refocus, "he just dumped me at the Dursley's left me on the doorstep and never once checked up on me until I started at Hogwarts. Surely there should have been some kind of check in done. How is that even legal?"
"Its not" Orion said gravely. "You should not have been left on your relative's doorstep then forced to fend for yourself all those years. Even muggleborns have regular check ins by ministry officials once magic is detected, though they themselves are unaware of the process. I suppose Dumbledore thought it best to keep you hidden in case of any Voldemort supporters still being around, it doesn't explain why he himself didn't check in on you though."
Harry nodded sadly, "it didn't seem right."
The whole room sat quietly, lost in thought for a moment.
"I agree in not telling Dumbledore" Fleamont said grimly, he had always been a close supporter of Dumbledores, but he would not take the abuse of his grandson lightly. "Only if the situation becomes dire will we involve him."
"Agreed" everyone murmured and Harry felt relieved that they had believed him, had listened to him and taken his request seriously.
The happy mood that had permeated the room earlier had evaporated.
"That cover we came up with was as good as any though" Orion said rather smugly.
"It was good thinking" Harry agreed with a small grin.
There was another long pause.
"We were thinking, if you're interested that we might take you for a visit to Potter Manor tomorrow, Harry?" Fleamont said, changing the subject.
Harry's face lit up. "I've always wanted to see Potter Manor."
When it came time to leave the next morning though, Harry looked around to find that Orion and Regulus weren't present. Orion he could understand, he was a very busy and important man, but Regulus?
"Where's Regulus?" Harry asked Sirius in confusion.
Sirius snorted, "he probably thinks that going to Potter Manor is beneath him, he's never been James' biggest fan."
Harry frowned at that, that didn't sound like the Regulus he had been getting to know.
Harry raised his wand, his face setting in determination as he thought of the summoning charm he had practised for hours when preparing to do battle with a dragon.
"Regulus Black!" Harry said loudly and clearly, causing James, Sirius and Remus to all jump in surprise. Their looks of surprise morphing into amusement as Regulus came hurtling through the air toward them as though pulled by an invisible string.
The youngest Black landed in a heap in front of Harry, his face distorted in rage.
"What the fuck was that all about, Sirius!?" Regulus snarled as he stood up and shoved his brother harshly.
"Hey, don't look at me" Sirius said, putting his hands up in supplication. "It was Harry."
Regulus spun on Harry, he didn't push him or start swearing again, but he did not look pleased.
Harry rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly; he probably should've thought that one through a bit better.
"I'm sorry, are you hurt?" Harry asked as he moved forward and began running his hands over Regulus' arms, shoulders and chest, checking for injury and straightening his robes.
"No" Regulus said quietly, calming down at the touch. "I just don't like being summoned through the air like that."
Harry nodded, "I won't do it again" Harry said sincerely, looking up to meet silver eyes, that were turning molten as they looked at Harry. "I was just wondering why you weren't coming with us today?"
Regulus sniffed, "I have never been invited to Potter Manor before, I didn't think that today would be any different."
Harry's face fell at the obvious hurt that Regulus was trying to hide behind a cold shield.
"Well, I'm inviting you" Harry said with forced cheeriness as he glanced at Fleamont to make sure it actually was OK. "If you'd like to come, that is?"
Regulus looked non-plussed for a moment, clearly not having expected that. Green eyes stared up at him imploringly and how could he possibly say no? It was setting a very dangerous precedent.
"Fine" he huffed out, paying attention to the delighted look on Harry's face and not the looks of surprise on everyone else's.
"Great" Harry said, grabbing Regulus by the elbow with his free hand as though afraid the other might change his mind if given time to think about it, he marched them over to the fireplace.
Fleamont threw in the powder and called "Potter Manor" first, everyone following behind, Harry at the rear.
As he was spat out the other end, tumbling head over foot, covered in soot and his cane flying through the air he took a moment to think that he probably should have warned them about his abysmal way with travelling by floo.
"Merlin's beard!" James cried as he gingerly helped Harry to his feet. Sirius magicing away the soot and Remus grabbing his cane. "What was that!?"
Harry flushed darkly, cringing at the pain radiating through his leg at the rough landing. "I'm not very good with travelling by floo" Harry explained. Blushing even further at the flabbergasted looks on the others faces.
"That's a bloody understatement" Sirius laughed, "I've never seen such a terrible landing."
"You should've been there the first time I used the floo then" Harry chuckled self-deprecatingly.
Sirius crowed "you will have to show us the memory sometime! Father has a pensieve in his office."
Harry just laughed, "maybe. For now, let's start with the tour."
Harry walked around in awe for the next few hours, Regulus hovering beside him, before eventually wrapping his arm around his waist in support as his leg started to pain. It was a dream come true for Harry to finally be in his ancestral home. He had never got the chance to visit it in his last life and it was everything and more then he could've dreamt of.
James and Sirius ran around like excited puppies, keen to show him everything there was, while Fleamont and Euphemia trailed after them, smiling indulgently. Surprisingly, Remus stuck closer to Harry and Regulus rolling his eyes in amusement at his friends antics, as they walked through a huge kitchen and beautiful sitting rooms. A library that easily rivalled the one at Grimmauld place and had Regulus twitching to explore. A large orchard brimming with summer fruits, a spectacular quidditch pitch that James promised to take Harry flying on, as well as several large glass houses brimming with plants. There was even a potion lab down near the dungeons, yes, this place actually had a dungeon, from times of old apparently. Though the thing that really left Harry speechless, was when they entered Fleamont's study and he came face to face with the Potter family tree, and there at the bottom was his own name… beneath Charlus and Dorea Potter. He looked at Fleamont in confusion.
"It appeared this morning, I think the Potter magic is trying to protect you, trying to keep you hidden."
Harry was so moved he felt himself start to tear up, throat burning as his eyes prickled. First the Black magic literally saves his life by sending him back in time and now the Potter magic is covering his tracks. He reached out a shaky hand and ran it over the golden threads that made up his name, they warmed at his touched and Harry sent every grateful thought he'd every had into the tree, hoping that it would understand how thankful he was.
"This place is amazing" Harry said softly and Fleamont and Euphemia looked pleased.
"We will set you up with your own room, in the same hall that James, Sirius and Remus have rooms" Fleamont said, and Harry felt Regulus tense beside him.
"That would be great, then I can visit any time I like" Harry said happily.
"We don't just want you to visit" James said with a laugh, "you're more then welcome to move in. You're a Potter after all and this is Potter Manor, it's your home."
Harry was taken aback for a moment, though in hindsight it made sense that this was where things were going. It was such a kind offer but a part of him rebelled at the idea. Grimmauld Place was his home his mind supplied and even though he could hardly believe it, it felt right, his magic swirling around him as if in agreement.
Harry looked down in embarrassment.
"That is very kind of you" Harry began feeling awkward "but my home is Grimmauld Place. I would love to come and visit though, as often as you'll have me."
Everyone stared at him in surprise.
"Grimmauld Place" Sirius squawked "but that place is horrible."
Harry frowned deeply, "I like it, you forget that Grimmauld Place literally saved my life, besides I just feel like that is where I'm supposed to be, at least for the moment."
Sirius and James nodded slowly; it seems they had forgotten that Grimmauld Place was the reason Harry was currently standing before them.
Fleamont nodded gravely, "you're magic knows where you belong. I dare say you would've ended up back there had you tried to leave anyway."
"You are welcome any time though" Euphemia said, looking a little disappointed but also understanding.
"Thank you" Harry said warmly before he stopped suddenly, a thought obviously just occurring to him. "Is it OK if I stay at Grimmauld place?" Harry asked turning to look at Regulus.
An expression crossed over Regulus' face that he couldn't quite place before the other responded, "of course Harry, it is your home after all, in the future as well as now."
Harry felt like there was more being said that he was grasping, and he turned to find James, and Sirius scowling at Regulus. Unsure, he left it.
"Thank you, though we may want to check with Orion when we return home" and Harry thought he saw a barely there smile flit across Regulus' face.
"No need, I know he will be very pleased with my decision."
Harry looked around as Fleamont snorted in amusement, Euphemia holding a hand over her mouth as she tried to conceal as smile.
"Tea?" she said breaking the moment and Harry who couldn't deny the opportunity to rest his leg nodded in agreement.