The Fallout

"Sorry doesn't quite make up for the crap I've had to deal with this last month especially from my two best friends."

"I've always been there when you needed me but the moment I needed you, you both turn coward and run away or better yet, accuse me of being something I'm not.

"It amazes me just how little my two best friends so easily forgot that. You know, these last few weeks there's been a regret running through my head for the last month and you know what it was?"

They both shook their heads.

"My biggest regret happened in first year when I risked my life to save someone who would turn her back on me so easily. I guess we live and learn as we grow up and I learned to protect my own life instead of risking it for others."

Those words shocked to two of them so hard that they couldn't come up with any coherent words to respond.

Finally, Hermione regained enough composure to say "Surely you don't mean that it would have been better if I had died? Please tell me what I can do to make this up to you."

Harry softly said "There's no making up for this Granger. You should know by now I don't trust easily and both of you betrayed my trust. I don't know if you'll ever get it back and if it does happen, it definitely won't be anytime soon."

Albus Dumbledore managed to make it to the medical tent just as the last words had been said. "Now Harry, that's no way to act towards two of your oldest and dearest friends."

Harry huffed "No Sir, it isn't but they aren't really my friends are they? Besides, I think it's really my decision on who I should trust or not."

"Mr. Potter, you will apologize to the both of them right now." Behind him, he saw Ron smirk.

"No Sir, I don't think I will."

Albus scowled "That will be detention Mr. Potter. You will learn to be respectful of others."

Harry snapped back "Why? Where were the detentions when everyone was being disrespectful to me? I didn't see you flying in to save me from the harsh words and humiliation."

"That's beside the point. You will be serving detention with me this very evening."

Harry replied "Yes Sir, if that is what you wish but it won't change my mind about these two."

McGonagall said "Mr. Potter, you will show the Headmaster some respect."

He looked at her confused. "Ma'am? How am I being disrespectful? I'm only stating my opinion and considering the situation, I thought I was being quite calm about it."

"I won't have you back talk me young man."

Harry looked at her unbelievably.

"Ma'am? I am doing everything in my power to be respectful and reign in my temper as you have suggested I do on several occasions. To be honest, I think I've done a pretty good job of not exploding at the daily taunts I have been subjected to by my friends and everyone else. All I ask is to be left alone."

Minerva said "Well, from this point on, you will start socializing with your housemates once again."

"No ma'am, I don't think I will. You cannot force me to be friends with any of them after what they have done to me this year. Quite frankly, I don't trust the lot of them and am better off on my own."

Albus quietly said "Tom acted the same way Harry."

Harry turned around and looked him straight in the eye. "Sir, I can understand why if he had to go through the crap I've had to over the last few years."

Albus drew back in shock. "Surely you don't mean?"

"No Sir, all I'm saying is that if he was subjected to the same crap I have been, I would have preferred being alone as well."

"I won't have you isolate yourself any longer."

Harry stepped towards his bed. "Sir, I was the one who was isolated first. Since I've come to accept it, I find my own company preferable to others who would put me down and insult my parents. I am NO liar or cheater Sir."

"Never the less, you will be in the company of Miss Granger or Mr. Weasley at all times. In fact, I think the map and cloak should be handed over to Miss Granger for safe keeping."

"No Sir."

"What do you mean no sir?"

"I mean no sir, I won't hand over the only things I have of my father and no sir, I will not remain in their custody."

"You will do it or I will have you expelled."

"By all means Sir, expel me. I'm sure any other school would be better than this one."

The whole conversation was being watched by the other champions along with their Headmasters as well as Ron and Hermione. Cedric could see that it was getting ready to get out of hand and he knew there was nothing he could do to stop it.

Both of the other Headmasters stepped forward and said "Mr. Potter, if you are thinking about changing schools, we would be happy to discuss it with you."

He looked at the two of them and sneered. "Your students treated me no better than my own. Why would I even consider your schools?"

Albus said "Mr. Potter, you need to stop this nonsense and forgive your friends."

Harry's anger finally burst forth. "Oh, so it's okay for them to disrespect me but the moment I try to defend myself, I'm suddenly the bad guy. You know what, fuck this. I refuse to sit that detention."

Harry stormed out of the tent and ran straight into Remus and Padfoot.

He stopped and looked at them. "Oh so now you want to show up. Never mind answering my letters when I was pleading for help. For all the good you do me, I was better off before either of you ever reappeared in my life."

Remus muttered "Oh shit" and was answered with a bark from Padfoot as Harry stormed off. No one noticed the dark haired girl who slipped out of the medical tent and followed Harry to the castle.

The next time the three of them met; they talked about everything that had happened in the tent.

Realizing the subject was still a sore point for Harry, Cedric tried to change the topic.

"That flame freezing spell was incredible. How'd you pull that off?"

Harry snorted "I was lucky as hell. I had one shot that the dragon would be stunned by it and took my chance to try and talk to her."

Megan asked "You based you whole strategy on the chance you could shock her long enough to talk to her?"

"Yeah but I wasn't really sure if we could communicate with each other."

Cedric laughed "Typical Gryff, all power and no brains."

"Hey, I resent that. Just because I was willing to bet everything on a hunch doesn't mean I'm stupid. Just incredibly reckless."

"What would you have done if it didn't work?"

Harry laughed "I told you. Plan C was to summon my broom and get the hell out of there."

Megan said "Typical Potter move."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Hey now, I wasn't bashing you. It's just that the Potters are known for pulling incredible feats like that and walking away from it."

"I wouldn't know."

Cedric looked concerned and asked "What do you mean?"

Harry stood and started pacing. "I don't know anything about the Potters except that James and Lily were my parents and they died protecting me."

"Come on, you can't be serious…(Harry scowled).. Damn you aren't kidding. You don't know anything about the Potters?"

"Not really. I've heard a few things here and there but no one has ever told me anything about my family."

Megan said "That's just so wrong. I'll see if I can find anything. I might even write my dad, he's always going on about how he was friends with your dad in school. Say, don't you have a Godfather? Most of the old families did that just in case."

"Yeah, I've got one but he hasn't been much help. In fact, he's been ignoring me completely."

"Who is it?"

"I can't really say. It'll put him in danger."

Cedric said "If he's not doing his duty, then why should you care?"

"He's all I have left. I keep hoping things will get better one day but right now, he's kind of got to stay hidden."

Megan had been sitting there watching him and finally said "You're godfather is Sirius Black. Isn't he?"

Harry paled and then looked away from him. She nodded in understanding before saying "You know, you are the heir to House Potter and I don't think I've ever heard of Mr. Black having any children so I'd imagine you're heir to House Black as well."

Harry snorted "I don't know about all that but since he's ignoring me, I guess I'll never find out either."

Cedric said "Well then, I'd suggest having Dobby take you to Gringotts to find out."

"Not with Dumbledore watching me like a hawk. I'd have to make sure he's too busy to notice me leaving the school."

....

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