02 Harry Potter in the Trophy Case

6 November 1994

In the Gryffindor common room Harry Potter sat was beside the fireplace, staring at the flames. And the frown on the young wizard's face kept the other students away from him. He'd had several conversations since the terrible events of Halloween that were changing his frame of reference for people, his possible future life, and people he could count on.

First, Dumbledore swore there was nothing that could be done about his 'selection' to be in the Triwizard Tournament. The headmaster pontificated that if Harry gave his best effort in each task, everything would work out in the end.

Then, Harry talked to Sirius Black, the heretofore unknown godfather, on a late night floo call in the Common Room. He was surprised when Remus Lupin, last year's DADA professor was also on the other end of the call through the flames in the fireplace. Both wizards swore that Dumbledore was right, and Harry just needed to perform to the best of his abilities. Neither man seemed concerned that Harry was ostracized once again by the student body and professors.

~~~~~*HP*~~~~~

Detention with Professor Charming

Frustrated with the lack of help from any adult, Harry cursed himself by thinking, 'It can't get worse.'

During Charms, Professor Flitwick gave Harry detention. He'd walked into the charms classroom to begin the detention, expecting to be berated much like every detention with Snape. However, the 'half-goblin' invited Harry into his office behind the classroom where multiple wards should prevent any listening charms, scrying rituals, or nosey portraits from eavesdropping on their conversation.

"Mr Potter, I wanted to speak to you about your performance in my class. It is important that you remain silent and allow me to speak without interruption during this detention."

These were Professor Flitwick's words, but the professor handed Harry a sheet of parchment with large printing that read, 'Listen and follow my lead. You will be reading important information during this detention about YOU, your parents, and this tournament.'

"Do you understand my instructions?" Flitwick when the young wizard looked up.

"Yes sir. I'm to pretend that I'm a statue and just listen."

'Read silently. You can ask questions when we're finished. Nod if you understand and agree.'

Surprised, Harry he nodded to signal his agreement to the instructions.

"Good," Flitwick said. "Let's begin."

With a knife, not a wand, the diminutive goblin tapped a large green stone on his desk. In the next second, Flitwick's voice began presenting his motivation speech for students beginning their fifth year at Hogwarts. The entire curriculum that year was designed to help them pass their OWLs.

~~~~*HP*~~~~

But Harry ignored the voice to read the parchment.

'Mr Potter, in many ways, I am a prisoner here at Hogwarts. And it is my own fault. When I was a young wizard, I wanted to prove myself to goblins and wizards that I could wield magic better than any human wizard. My years at Hogwarts taught me that wizards would never accept me because I am a mixture of human and goblin.'

'I worked harder than any other student and earned O's in every class but never was selected to be prefect and certainly not the head boy when I was in my seventh year. And after I got O's in every NEWT I didn't receive a single job offer.'

'I went to my bedrock at Gringotts and found my relations were more welcoming, but goblin magic is different than what I knew. I spent another year in the training there. Again, my bedrock helped me, and they gave me new goals – to use my unique training in human and goblin magics to become the best dueller in the world.'

'For fifteen years I travelled the world, fought in small tournaments, and battled to make a name for myself. There were victories and defeats, but I grew confident and learned how to beat the best humans and the other creatures. I won the European Dueling Championship twice in the 1960s and this brought me to the attention of Albus Dumbledore.'

'I like to think that he recognized my worth but today I think he just wanted to 'collect' me as a trophy to adorn his school. Look! Filius Flitwick, Two Time European Dueling Champion teaches charms at Hogwarts.'

'It didn't matter that I have won three other world titles, the information for Hogwarts just lists my two European championships.'

'And I cannot go anywhere else in Magical Britain to get a job. Hogwarts is my prison.'

Harry blinked and frowned.

~~~~*HP*~~~~

Flitwick handed over the next page.

'I gave you my history and how I became a trophy for Dumbledore to educate you that the headmaster collects trophies. He has an Order of Merlin, First Class, Headmaster of Hogwarts, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, and Supreme Mugwump of the ICW.'

'After collecting those prestigious titles for himself, he looked around and collected me. And seeing how well that worked, he kept his eye open for more collectables. He found another in the youngest potions master ever awarded that title. Your potions professor should be conducting experiments to develop new potions to defeat wizarding diseases or make food last longer. But unfortunately, Snape is restricted to teaching students how to cut up flobberworms and brewing potions to keep the infirmary fully stocked.'

'Like myself, he is a virtual prisoner in Hogwarts.'

Harry frowned and looked up with a blank expression on his face. He was not moved by the news that Snape was a prisoner at Hogwarts.

~~~~*HP*~~~~

Wondering why the boy was not sympathetic to Snape, Flitwick grimaced slightly but still pushed the next parchment over.

'Do not react out loud. You are the next 'collectable' person Dumbledore wants to make a prisoner at his beck and call. The moniker 'Boy-Who-Lived' was created mysteriously in the days after Halloween 1981. And the books of your adventures kept that name in front of the minds of all of Magical Britain.'

'I cannot say anything about your homelife or condition. Dumbledore placed a geas on the professors when it concerns you and your condition. Even Madam Pomphrey can't do everything she should. It is painful for me to write this much and must stop.'

"I hope your summers offer you some respite from the trials you experience at Hogwarts each year…'

Harry didn't continue reading, pushed the paper away and glared at the professor. Flitwick feared for his life if the young wizard's accidental magic struck him.

~~~~*HP*~~~~

Another paper was pushed forward, and Harry hesitated to read it. He refused to touch it. He used the spine of a book to pull the paper forward and read the news. This paper's text was printed neat and even.

'DO NOT TELL ANYONE THESE THINGS!'

'Not your friends in Gryffindor. Not professors or anyone in other houses at Hogwarts.'

'Never look Dumbledore in the eye. Never look Severus Snape in the eye. They can read your mind.'

'There are goblins in Gringotts who want to talk to you desperately.'

'You are rich as Heir Potter. And you will be even richer as Heir Black.'

'And even better, because you have been drafted into the Triwizard Tournament you may be emancipated – that means you will be treated as an adult. Gringotts will try to get an official ruling from the Wizengamot and Minister Fudge to affirm this status. If the ruling body of Magical Britain rules in your favour, Gringotts can move to help you.'

'Matters will come to a head this week – bribes have been paid to get this matter on the docket, Dumbledore is to be distracted by a matter with the ICW, and the bank's well-paid informants in the Ministry will help get this settled.'

'Once you are legally emancipated, you can leave Hogwarts every Friday. The only requirement is that you return before 7:00 PM on Sunday.'

~~~~*HP*~~~~

Flitwick was impressed that the boy kept his face blank though the professor saw a flash of Lily Evans' temper in the green eyes that looked so like his mother's.

After a moment, the boy motioned for Flitwick to continue. The next parchment included information written in a feminine hand about the courtship of Lily Evans and James Potter. At the end of the paper, there was a signature – Lily Marie Evans, soon-to-be-Potter.

There was another paper in a masculine handwriting. The wording sounded official because it named Sirius Black as the godfather of Harry James Potter, and in the second paragraph stated that Harry was the blood-adopted son of Sirius Black.

This paper was signed – Heir James Fleamont Potter.

Below that signature was another – Heir Sirius Orion Black.

~~~~*HP*~~~~

Harry looked confused and Flitwick pushed forward another paper, again the paper's text was printed neat and even.

'Gringotts fears that Mr Sirius Black suffered irreparable damage to his body and mind after twelve years in Azkaban. He will never be accepted by the bank or Black Family magic as Lord Black.'

'The bank has vault managers who protect your funds and keep Dumbledore from taking too much gold. If you are emancipated (by the tournament) and recognized (by the Wizengamot), you can get help with the tournament, your life, etc.'

~~~~*HP*~~~~

This was the last paper, and Flitwick used his wand to summon them back to his hand.

He tapped the green rock with his knife and asked, "What questions do you have Mr Potter?"

"None." The boy's one-word answer surprised and dismayed the mixed blood wizard.

A moment later, Harry added, "I need time to think about everything… about how to perform better in charms class, Professor Flitwick."

The charms professor dismissed the young wizard after casting a strong, goblin flavoured Notice-Me-Not on his robes. Potter would make it back to Gryffindor Tower without anyone – student or professor harassing him tonight.

~~~~*HP*~~~~