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The silence between them stretched for several tense seconds until Dumbledore finally looked up at Harry and nodded. "While I can't verify the truth of your words, they certainly resonate and are consistent with some of the memories I've uncovered regarding Tom's early life ... But that would account for six Horcruxes. What was the seventh Horcrux that he made?"
Harry drew a deep breath, bracing himself for Dumbledore's reaction. As he began to raise his hand to his forehead, he watched as a look of horror dawned on Dumbledore's face, realization dawning.
Brushing his hair aside to reveal the lightning-shaped scar etched upon his forehead, Harry met Dumbledore's gaze with unwavering determination. "When he killed my parents, he accidentally left a fragment of his soul within me ... I am a Horcrux."
To Harry, the seconds felt like hours after he finished his last sentence and waited for Professor Dumbledore to reply. Eventually he watched as the look of horror that had appeared on the headmaster's face slowly dissolved leaving behind a look of complete sadness on the old wizard's face.
"Harry …" he began before pausing, his voice catching in his throat, "… Harry, my boy, … I'm so sorry you've had to live with this. I … well ... honestly, I always suspected there was something more to the scar you received than simply a persistent reminder of that night but only in my nightmares had I ever considered it might have been something as terrible as a horcrux. Harry …" he trailed off once more unable to find the words as he reached up and wiped away the tears that had collected at the corner of his eyes.
Harry looked at the headmaster, momentarily surprised, not expecting the display of sadness and certainly not expecting the depths of pain and regret in his eyes.
Seeming to partially collect himself Dumbledore leaned forward, "… I can only imagine what this has felt like for you … to have a piece of Tom's soul … I'm hoping you will be able to forgive an old man's folly … if there was some way … any way I could take this burden from you and carry it myself to spare you, I hope you know I would do it without a second thought …" He paused, a look of concern flashing across his face, "Harry …" he began hesitantly, "… I am by no means an expert on the subject of horcruxes but I will admit it was an area of magic I have spent some time researching as a possible answer to the lengths to which Tom may have gone to achieve immortality … however while you certainly seem to know more than I would expect you to know … perhaps to a concerning degree … but I suppose for the best, otherwise I don't think I'd have this conversation with you just yet … do you know about the process for destroying them?"
Harry stared at Dumbledore for a second, before realizing what the headmaster was steering the conversation towards and nodding.
Another look of sadness flashed over Professor Dumbledore's face as he looked at Harry, "From everything I have read … only extremely strong or extremely dark magic can destroy a Horcrux … and unfortunately … the power of these magics … usually destroy the container as well. And while I have not come across an example of a living container for a horcrux … I imagine it would be the same outcome, you need to destroy both the horcrux and the container."
Harry nodded again, staring unblinkingly at the headmaster, resulting in a look of surprise on Dumbledore's face.
"Well … I must say Harry you are taking this remarkably well, although I suppose you have had …" he paused starting intensely at the boy across from him, "…time to process this before asking for this chat with me. However, if what you said is true and Tom has not yet regained his body … a fact I am sure he is working on remedying, especially if he has been getting stronger, which I suppose is likely if he had enough strength to create a horcrux over the summer … then we have some time to try and look into this in depth before having to act immediately. Although … its not as if books on this topic are as readily available as Newt Scamander's, 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' …" he paused, looking down at his desk, before shaking his head and looking up to Harry, making eye contact, a sliver of hope in his eyes. "There is hope though, before you brought in the diary and told your story, I had heard no mention of Basilisk venom being capable of destroying horcruxes … so there are likely other methods capable of achieving the effect we want. As I would not suggest we attempt to try Basilisk venom on you, as the fact that the basilisk venom did not destroy the horcrux, with your previous exposure, before Fawkes saved your life, supports the opinion that the soul fragment is as hardy as your own and is not easier to kill than yours through that method … likely you would have to die before the basilisk venom would destroy the horcrux within you."
Harry nodded, having come to that realization earlier, "That makes sense Professor, but informing you of the horcruxes existence and hoping you had another solution to deal with them are not the only reasons I came to see you."
He almost smiled at the look of surprise on Dumbledore's face, but even though Professor Dumbledore admitting that he did not know of another way to deal with horcruxes was not surprising, as previously Dumbledore had not known of another way and he had certainly had more time to look into the topic, it kept the mood in the headmaster's office serious.
"Oh …" the surprised looking Dumbledore said, "… what is it that brought you here then?"
Harry looked at him seriously, "I think that I'll need help with destroying the horcruxes." He said ignoring the small shocked gasp from the aged wizard across the desk from him. "I don't think that going after the horcruxes alone would be a good idea." He finished, remembering that other than destroying the diary which was done out of desperation, he had only ever managed to be involved in the horcruxes destruction when there were others to lend strength, and the one time Dumbledore had gone off to a horcrux byhimself, he had been cursed with a fatal curse that neither he nor Professor Snape could cure … only delay.
Thinking on this, Harry realized that perhaps Dumbledore had been previously correct when he had stated that the weapon Voldemort knew not was love and that it was love of friends that was needed to successfully destroy the horcruxes without falling prey to whatever traps and negative effects were in store for them.
Harry watched as Dumbledore seemed to weigh the idea in his head for a moment before he eventually nodded, "That's a wise precaution, we have no ideas as to what precautions Tom may have used … and even the most innocent looking of protections have led to the demise of even the greatest and most cautious witches and wizards in the past …"
This time, it was Harry's turn to look at the headmaster in surprise, as the last time Professor Dumbledore had gone off by himself. As he stared at the headmaster Harry wondered if it was the fact that Harry had brough forward this information and as a result Dumbledore was treating him as more involved in the process.
But whatever the reason, Dumbledore's voice roused him from his thoughts, causing him to look back up at the older wizard, "… spending as much time as I have learning about Tom, I have some suspicious as to where he might have put his horcruxes, but it will take some time to narrow …" he paused, seeing the look on Harry's face. "What is it, Harry?"
"Ummm …" he cleared his throat, "… I know where they all are … well … except the snake, but I'm pretty sure that's with Voldemort and whoever is looking after him right now … probably Pettigrew ." Harry said, unable to keep the venom out of his voice, remembering the man who had betrayed his parents and resulted in Sirius being locked in Azkaban for almost Harry's entire life.
This time the look of shock on Dumbledore's face was slightly less, perhaps getting used to the bombshells of information being dropped, as he stared at the dark haired boy sitting across from him. "Harry … you truly are a surprise. Although I must ask again, are you certain you are unwilling to share how you know this knowledge."
Harry nodded his head and set his jaw defiantly.
Dumbledore looked at Harry for several sevonds in silence before nodding his head and smiling slightly. "I suppose I didn't expect different … although even though this does give rise to a little concern, I will respect that for now, but I suppose this brings back my original worry that how can we be certain that this isn't a trap by Tom or an attempt to waste our time …"
Harry shook his head. "I promise you this is not, and Voldemort isn't aware I know about the horcruxes, must less that I know where they are."
Dumbledore stared at Harry for a second, before nodding and talking quietly, half to himself and half to Harry, "Is that a fact … then the only reasonable explanation I can come up with is that through your connection to Tom through the horcrux, you saw the information about the creation and placement of the other horcruxes. I suppose it is a good thing you have a more than passable occlumency shield otherwise I would strongly urge you to learn that skill, if Tom were to become aware of the connection … he would no doubt take advantage of it."
"Or … I guess … the only other explanation I could think of …" he paused looking over to a shelf of magical objects, most of which Harry had no idea as to their function. The headmaster's eyes stopping on a small hourglass supported by a golden chain, before they shifted back to Harry, appraising him quietly.
Eventually he shrugged, "You must realize the risk that is there with this information if you are hesitant to share how you know it."
Harry nodded, "I understand that Professor Dumbledore but at least for now, I … can't share."
Dumbledore looked hard at Harry for several seconds. However before he responded Harry continued on, "But I could show you one … Voldemort hid one within the castle …"
Professor Dumbledore's serious expression immediately changed to one of concern, before it diffused into a look of resigned acceptance as he shook his head. "I suppose deep down I was worried there might be one. This was the first and perhaps the only place Tom had ever felt like he had a home … it makes sense he would leave one here …" he paused tilting his head, as if considering Harry's offer.
"Is there any risk that a student might stumble across the Horcrux resulting into harm either for themselves or another student?"
Harry paused and thought on the fact that although he had been making some different decisions since almost the moment he returned, and a bunch of different things had happened as a result, including some things he had not expected, he didn't think he had done anything that would lead to the diadem being discovered … even by accident.
Eventually he looked back to the headmaster and shook his head. "I don't think so."
Dumbledore nodded and released a breath that he had apparently been holding, "Ok that's a relief. Although I suppose it's not as if Tom would have just left a Horcrux lying around to be accidentally found by a student."
He paused before looking back to Harry, "If the Horcrux is safe for now, then I suggest that we leave it be for now. The only ways I can think of for disposing of a Horcrux involve the destruction of the container and based on the list you had given me, it sounds like most of those items were chosen for their historical significance and it might be worthwhile being able to preserve them … and well as for the one in you …" he trailed off, looking at Harry sadly before shaking it off and putting on his grandfatherly smile. "Well … we can cross that bridge when we come to it. But until then, you don't come to be in the position I am in without accumulating a significant amount of resources and contacts, some of whom have access to certain rare or … dark knowledge sources … perhaps we could find something without … well perhaps we can find something."
He met Harry's eyes and smiled, "I want to thank you for trusting me and sharing this with me, Harry. I know in the past you have felt the need to go off and solve the issues by yourself and while certainly you are a very capable wizard, putting yourself up against more than is smart is not always the best decision. Perhaps there is a chance for us to stop Tom before he becomes an issue." He looked towards the desk, his gaze pausing on the diary before he looked up at Harry, "I must expect this was certainly not the conversation I had expected to have with you this afternoon, especially with everything else going on for you. Is there anything else you wish to chat about Harry or are you ready to head back to your classes?"
Harry nodded, "One last thing, Professor, I want to talk about Sirius."
Dumbledore nodded, "Well this is more a conversation I expected to happen. I must admit I was surprised I didn't spend the entire summer receiving owls from you regarding your godfather. What is it you wish to talk about?"
Harry looked at the ground feeling a little guilty that he had in fact not spent the entire summer doing just that nor had he been attempting to work on any other plan of action.
Eventually he looked up at Professor Dumbledore, "He's innocent Professor, there has to be a way to help him … he doesn't deserve to be far away in hiding."
Dumbledore looked at Harry and smiled knowingly, "He may indeed be in hiding but certainly not as far away as h should be … and getting closer everyday I believe."
Harry looked at Dumbledore in surprise, "How'd you … Hedwig?..."
The headmaster smiled mysteriously and shook his head, "Not your owl, my dear boy, I must admit I have never seen an owl so loyal as yours is to you. I imagine there isn't anything she wouldn't do for you …" Harry felt a momentary pang of sadness remembering the sight of Hedwig lit up with the green light after flying between the killing curse that had been meant for him. "… especially not let a letter from Sirius to you be intercepted. But just as with you Harry … I have some secrets." He finished with a smile. "For what its worth, while I do maintain that it will be much safer for him far away from Hogwarts, I can't help but think that being here, for you, will be good for him … not that I think there would be anything I would have been able to do to stop him once he heard you were chosen as a champion."
Harry smiled at the thought. Even though a part of him as worried about Sirius coming closer to danger a larger part of him was touched that there were people in the world who cared about him enough to put themselves at risk, not that he was willing to have anything happen to his godfather this time.
Looking back at Professor Dumbledore he nodded, smiling a little. "There must be something we can do though. He doesn't deserve to have to chose between being a prisoner of Azkaban or spending his life hiding in caves from the Ministry of Magic, constantly looking over his shoulder, because of a crime he didn't commit. We have to do something. Surely there has to be people who would believe the truth."
Professor Dumbledore nodded, "While he was locked up during the war when almost everyone was incredibly suspicious about just about everyone else and were much more in favor of swift punishment for those found supporting Voldemort. I believe that now adays people would be more willing to listen to the evidence and willing to believe in the truth, especially to those who knew Sirius and the relationship he had with your father. But in order to get him free … we need proof."
Harry opened his mouth but Dumbledore shook his head.
"I'm sorry Harry, but we have history working against us. Despite the fact that the Ministry keeps all the files of those cases related to the Dark Lord's supported classified, in an attempt to prevent the inspiration of others and stop copycats, pretty much every witch and wizard in the British magical community has heard the tale about how Sirius betrayed your parents to Voldemort before tracking down young Pettigrew and killing him and all the muggles in the vicinity."
Dumbledore help up his hand to stall Harry's next comment, "This prevents even me from viewing the case or trial against him to try and find fault with the procedure, despite my best efforts I find myself being blocked by the Minister and one of his undersecretaries. This means we need to find irrefutable evidence that Sirius was innocent."
"What about our memories? … What about his memories?" Harry asked.
Dumbledore shook his head sadly, "Secondhand pensive memories are not permissible in court … and I fear that Sirius would never make it to court to give his memories. I fear that Minister Fudge has become … accustomed to the perks of his job and appreciates the gifts from those who would not want Sirius free. Knowing he would have a … pardon the pun Harry … but a serious grudge against Voldemort's followers. Beyond this I believe the Minister wishes to avoid the potential for a political embarrassment of having to admit the incarceration of an innocent man in Azkaban … even though he was neither Minister at the time nor was he involved with the case."
Harry looked at the ground slightly dejected by the turn the conversation had taken. "Then what … there's nothing we can do?"
To which Dumbledore smiled, "Not at all, do not lose hope Harry. There is still hope and the choices we make can make a difference."
Harry looked up and was greeted by the passionate expression on the headmaster's face.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Well, Harry, since I was enlightened last year as to Sirius' innocence, I have spent significant tim attempting to use my political clout and influence, to re-examine the case against Sirius. That is how I learned that the whole case against him has been classified."
Harry's jaw dropped open, causing Dumbledore to nod.
"It was not entirely uncommon for that to have been done in cases against Tom's followers, preventing anyone who was not present from learning to details of a particular case. I believe it was a policy instated to prevent the general populace from learning the details of the horrors that had been inflicted upon the innocents and a method to prevent copy-cats from popping up. Unfortunately it means that even I, as Chief Warlock and Supreme Mugwump, am unable to access the files relating to the case without new evidence or reasonable cause, as I was otherwise occupied and was not able to return in time for the case that had been brought against Sirius …" he trailed off for a second, "… perhaps more concerning is that I have, as of yet, been unable to find anyone who had actually sat in on the trial …" he paused trailing off. "I might need to look into that." He said staring out the window before shaking his head and looking back at Harry a contemplative look on his face.
"But, beyond that current but hopefully not permanent, dead end, I have already acquired the services of several layers to undertake this case when, not if Harry, but when I'm finally able to make some progress with this situation. I believe one of whom is actually married to Sirius' cousin, though I have not revealed the identity of the individual I have hired them to eventually represent as I do not want any danger to come to them or to raise hopes with his cousin prematurely … I certainly don't relish the idea of Andromeda storming in here if she were to find out." He said with a shallow laugh that drew a smile from Harry.
"And finally Harry, myself and a team of experienced magical investigators have begun trying to reconstruct the events of what happened at both Godric's Hollow and then on the street corner where Sirius was supposed to have killed Pettigrew."
Harry felt his eyes shoot up in surprise. "After thirteen years?" he blurted out, unable to stop himself.
Dumbledore's smile faltered for a second before nodding to Harry, "Admittedly it has proven fruitless so far, but I better than most know that magic is truly capable of some miraculous and seemingly impossible feats and at the end of the day I'm not sure what it will be that will end up freeing Sirius … but it might be the most unexpected of actions, so best that we not leave any stone unturned in our attempts. However … at the end of the day, the thing I am placing the most hope on is finding Pettigrew … I have people out searching for him, finding him would make this entire process significantly easier."
Harry nodded to Dumbledore, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling, "Well … hypothetically speaking, of course … if you were to happen upon Sirius … an action which I of course would strongly recommend against and would find incredibly unlikely … with him being an escaped prisoner and you needing to sneak out of this castle … I would just make sure he is alright."
Harry nodded before an idea popped into his head, "Professor?"
"Yes, Harry?"
"I think I might need to go to Gringott's."
Dumbledore looked up over the rim of his glasses, surprise evident on his face, "Oh … why?"
"I don't want Sirius having to scavenge what he needs in order to survive or be forced to live in a cave, I imagine that him stealing or if someone saw him in a cave would draw attention to him and add to the danger of him being recognized and recaptured."
Dumbledore's eyes opened in surprise before he shook his head in disappointment.
"I don't think a trip to Gringott's is necessary for you Harry."
"But, professor …" Harry started to retort angrily before being cut off by Dumbledore who waved his hand as he shook his head.
"That's not what I meant Harry. You are of course correct. Sirius shouldn't have to be putting himself in more risk than I believe he is currently putting himself in by coming closer to Hogwarts. But it isn't your responsibility to get funds for him. The next time I am in Diagon Alley, likely within a couple days, I will get money from my own vault, Merlin knows I have more than I know what to do with." He looked at Harry a momentary look of sadness in his eyes, "I'm sorry Harry, sometimes I believe I focus more on the big picture and as a result I lose sight of the trees in the forest … I end up missing the small things that really matter. Perhaps keeping my own council is not without its drawbacks … But Harry … I owe the man …"
"Sir …?"
Harry looked up at Dumbledore who was looking at the floor with a look of shame clear upon his expression before slowly looking up and making eye contact with Harry.
"Sirius didn't deserve to spend twelve years of his life in Azkaban and recently I have … felt that it was at least partially my fault. He was a member of the … well he was a member of a group I had organized to combat Tom and his Death Eaters during the First Wizarding War and while they all knew the likely outcome of joining the group … you have to understand that at that time Tom seemed almost unstoppable … being wrongly imprisoned for killing a friend after betraying his best friend …" Dumbledore trailed off, " …when he needed me, I wasn't there …"
"What do you mean?" Harry asked as he watched as Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, his arm stretched out to pet Fawkes.
After several seconds, he seemed to gather strength from the phoenix and he leaned forward, staring at Harry, regret still in his eyes.
"Certainly it started earlier, but for the sake of time I'll start this tale the night of October 31, 1981 … the night your parents were killed. Tom had set up a diversionary attack on several members of the Ministry, which I had gone to believing him to be there. However, he had obviously used that as a distraction in order to buy time to go after your parents … who I had believed to have been safe." He paused, looking at Harry sadly. "By the time I arrived in Godric's Hollow, Sirius and Hagrid had already been there and departed. The latter taking you to a safe house that I had set up before hand with instructions for him to go to with anyone who survived should anything have happened to you or … well that's not important. But he was to stay there until I made sure everything was alright and I could come up with a plan. The former however … had headed off after Pettigrew likely having deduced that he was the traitor … unfortunately however I was none the wiser as to that fact." He trailed off shaking his head.
"When I entered the house I could feel the dark magic, that I had come to associate with Tom since he had taken up the name Lord Voldemort, so after finding the bodies of your parents it seemed logical that the reason Sirius had fled was because he had betrayed your parents secret to Tom, as only the Secret Keeper … the person who knew and could tell others the secret location they were hiding in … would be able to do that. And your parents had told me Sirius was to be the Secret Keeper but apparently they had switched the position to Pettigrew."
"I was in shock, not only were we betrayed from within our group, but all evidence pointed it to being your father's best friend and one of our strongest most vocal members as being the traitor. At that point, rather than reeling like many of group were, I threw myself into trying to take advantage of Tom's disappearance, as even then I had doubted he had died, but tried to make the most of the disarray his disappearance caused within his followers … unfortunately many got away but I did manage to apprehend a significant amount."
He shook his head, "In factm I was just dealing with a pack of werewolves that had allied themselves with Tom during the war but had fractured off and were on a rampage around the area of Manchester when I heard the news of Sirius supposedly killing Pettigrew and all of the muggles, however by the time I finished dealing with the scenario in Manchester and had made it to London … Sirius had already been captured, tried, and found guilty. He was within the Ministry awaiting transit to Azkaban … and that Harry is where I failed him horribly …"
Harry looked at the headmaster waiting for him to continue.
"While a part of me wanted to question him, at the very least to understand why or how he could have betrayed his friends … his best friend …" Dumbledore paused and looked at the ground. "… I just couldn't trust myself to stay calm, so I ended up avoiding him and by the end of the day he was transferred to Azkaban."
Looking up at Harry, he shook his head, "Perhaps I am not wholly responsible for what happened to Sirius but neither am I without blame. Surely if I had just talked to him, I would have seen then that he could not have done what he had been charged with … but I didn't. And for that I am embarrassed I have certainly made mistakes in my life Harry, more than I am willing to admit. And while some were significant, this one is up there with the worst I made …" He looked at Harry as if hoping he would understand before continuing. "So I will do what I can to make sure that everything is being done for him. And you have no need to worry about providing him with money. I will make sure he has access to money and when he is ready I will make sure he has access to somewhere safe to live … perhaps somewhere a little more comfortable than a cave … perhaps …" he trailed off a thoughtful look on his face.
Harry realized he was thinking about bringing Sirius to Grimmauld Place and struggled to contain the smile thinking that perhaps Sirius would actually prefer the cave to living there, despite the fact that it would be safer and at least moderately more comfortable … especially if Harry could manage to get Sirius to mend things with Kreacher.
Eventually Dumbledore finished with his musings and looked back to Harry, "I suppose that is it for now. This is a situation that won't be solved today, but you can be sure it is being worked on and hopefully sooner rather than later Sirius can be a free man. Does that work for you Harry?"
Harry looked at Dumbledore contemplating everything that the headmaster had said, wondering how much had been happening the first time that he just hadn't been aware of, but eventually realizing he couldn't think of anything more he could do for Sirius at the moment he nodded his head to Dumbledore. "It's a start at least, although I swear that I won't let Sirius live the rest of his life on the run for a crime he didn't commit."
Dumbledore nodded solemnly in agreement, "Neither will I Harry, he deserves more than that." Looking back to Harry he let a smile slowly creep onto his face. "Well … if there are no further explosive topics you wish to discuss, I can write you a slip for your class explaining your tardiness."
Harry slowly got to his feet taking the note that Dumbledore had quickly written, wondering just how well his seemingly improved relationship with Snape was going to take him walking into class more than thirty minutes late … even with a note from the headmaster.
Turning he headed to towards the door, before stopping when he heard Dumbledore coughing to get his attention.
"For what it's worth, Harry, … I'd seriously recommend trying a Spicy Bubotuber … they may sound unappetizing, but they truly are a delight." He said with a smile, grabbing one of the treats, which looked as unsavory as the name made it out to be, and popping it into his mouth.
Shaking his head, Harry left the office, having ignored the proffered bowl of treats, trying to hide a smile.
Kind Regards,
FavoriteAuthor
Hitsugana - Thanks for the high quality review! I agree while those characters have flaws, as does everyone, and it is fair to have those pointed out there seems to be a large amount of fics that go overboard. Although there are definitely some that I have enjoyed. I am glad that you are appreciating my take on this story. Thanks! And thats totally fair, if it helps the story is much farther along that where it is at now. Just editting further chapters. But I predict as some point I will start posting multichapters I just dont want to start posting too many chapters and catch up to the editting and then not be able to post further chapters or not be able to write.
dominiclambert00 - Thanks so much for the review. I appreciate hearing stuff like this. IF you have serious questions feel free to PM me. But I am glad you enjoyed it!
ThunderSphinx - Thanks so much. Oh Harry will be putting on a show. As for the time travel reveal ... I had tossed it around but couldn't come up with a way where it was a meaningful reveal and Dumbledore responded in a way that was more meaningful than what my other decision was. Which was a dramatic reveal ... although Dumbledore certainly might have suspicions before hand ...
hunzbookwyrm - Hope this met your expectations!
cameron1812 - Well if I learned anything from Dumbledore it was that perhaps not everything needs to be kept a secret. Although obviously Harry still has some things he needs to work on sharing. Glad you enjoyed it!
Darkantos - Haha loved that story note. I had really toyed with Dumbledore asking dramatically but it was honestly just so OOC. Thanks for the review and I hope you enjoy the ride!
CoffeeDragon 63 - Definitely agree, Dumbledore wasn't the greatest wizard of the age for no reason. I wonder what will happen.
Evergone the Great - I had originally had the chat as one convo but ended up liking the break where that happened. Dumbledore and Harry will definitely have an arc hunting/collecting horcruxes after Dumbledore has a chance to look into them a little more. So didn't feel the need to touch too much on that when I just planned to come back to it right after the first task ... I had originally had it planned out but in the end it didn't add anything.
Lucy Elizabeth Dawson - Thanks! Hope this lived up to your expectations.
RaiDaniels - Thanks for the review!
zega606 - Thanks so much and I definitely agree. Oh ... I have an assumption you will enjoy what is in store!
skotos07 - Thanks! I felt that a bunch of the fics I read had ways of dealing with the problems that just seemed so different from how I thought it would have been done and that ended up being one of the reasons I ended up writing this. Glad you are enjoying it!
Ariadne Venegas - That is a fair take and it might be true. I do know that there are definitely alot of fics that look into the Manipulative Dumbledore idea. But I just feel Dumbledore was a well meaning obviously powerful wizard who made mistakes. Maybe he knew Harry was a horcrux but just cause the horcruxes were confirmed in book 2 ... assuming Harry was one seemed like a stretch. And maybe Dumbledore did look into curse breakers ... this Dumbledore will definitely be detailed as looking into other methods. As for my take on him not looking into other ways would definitely be OOC.
DJ Scales - Thanks! It was a fun chapter to plan and write.
littleemberlou - This was an amazing review. I thought it was a reasonable take on what Dumbledore would have acted like. So used to being powerful that it was a habit to causually look into minds not for evil purposes but to help verify or speed along reveals but Harry's actions basically called him on it and caused him to freeze. Thanks so much! Convo's were definitely something that I try really hard on because I know its such an important part of describing a character and it was something I definitely struggled on when I started this and other stories. Appreciate the review.
jkarr - I really hope so as well!
Story Note 1 – I am sure many of you will notice that Dumbledore believes that there was a trial against Sirius as is a safe assumption if Sirius was given due process. And unfortunately, he was unable to correct that assumption as the file was locked, even from him … I wonder what will happen if … when Dumbledore were to learn there was no trial …
Story Note 2 – I know Dumbledore is a polarizing figure or at least his actions are. Some are staunchly against him (the amount of Dumbledore bashing stories can attest to this), while others find him to be a good if flawed character. I admit I am in the latter group and as such my interpretation and portrayal of him likely reflect this. However, I do appreciate feedback and if anyone from either side has feedback for how he is written please do let me know. But in general, I think Dumbledore is an extremely capable and strong wizard who is attempting to do what is right. That of course does not mean he does not make mistakes. It just means the mistakes he does make are amplified and likely have much more drastic repercussions based on his significance and what he was trying to do.
Story Note 3 – I was unable to find evidence when I was doing the research for the story that Harry actually knew where Voldemort/Pettigrew were during the events of Book 4. And as such I ended writing it that way. This chapter was not Harry choosing to not tell Dumbledore where Pettigrew was (which would have resulted in possibly his capture thus freeing Sirius) just for the sake of not changing the events of canon. Of course, in book 4 Harry eventually found out that the graveyard was in the same place Tom's father was buried but I don't think he knew where they were staying before hand (the old mansion). Otherwise, I think Harry would have honestly just said I don't care about not changing events too much. I'm going to free Sirius and try to capture Peter now. As he could understand how difficult it is to be hidden away and wrongly accused of stuff.
Thanks to those of you out to those of you who enjoy my stories, I promise to keep updating the stories as long as you enjoy them, and a special thanks to those of you who have taken the time to leave feedback or reach out to me directly.
Author Note 1 – All feedback is welcome (hopefully constructive!) Looking forward to what you think! Once again, thanks for all the reviews and feedback on this story, I'm pumped it has been well received. Obviously, I love people telling me they enjoy the chapters (keep it up if you do) but I really enjoy the constructive criticism as well. One of the earliest pieces of feedback I got was that Fred/George dialogue was rough – so as a result I changed it but really like the way it is coming across now (a sentiment that seems to be shared by the readers as well). Also please continue to share ideas or requests as to things you wish to occur in the stories. I love the suggestions. And try to incorporate what I can.
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