hpml291-300

Chapter 291

Bathsheda looked between the Headmistress, himself and Harry. Finally she leaned over

the boy, whispered something and followed the woman out the door into the hallway.

Dumbledore peered down at Harry and slowly shook his head in sorrow. "You are certain

that Voldemort has returned, Harry?" he asked. There were remarkably few reactions from

the assembled personnel. Normally such a thing would have greatly reassured him but

now…they were too entrenched with Harry to fear anything else it seemed.

Harry snorted and looked at Dumbledore incredulously. "Considering he tried multiple

times to kill me in the past hour…I'm going to have to say, yes. He's not the only one who

tried to kill me tonight though is he?" Many of the eyes in the room turned to Dumbledore

in accusation. He gave his best grandfatherly sigh and opened his mouth to begin weaving

the web when he was interrupted by a shout from just beyond the doorway.

"WHAT?! In his office?!" A dull murmuring could be heard as all eyes in the room turned to

stare at the portal where Bathsheda's voice was yelling. "He knew. Newton, you'll have

your prisoner tonight."

The runes professor stalked back into the room and fixed her stare on Dumbledore. He

raised his eyebrows at the woman. He couldn't help pulling back slightly in shock as she

raised her wand and pointed it at him with the tip glowing. "You son of a bitch! You

goddess damned arrogant bastard! Not content with just assassination attempts on your

own, huh? You had to let Tom fucking Riddle – Voldemort himself – do your work for you?"

Dumbledore frowned. He kept his hands in plain view and well away from his wand. This

situation was best diffused without violence for the moment. She had no proof after all

and was making a fool of herself in front of – Dumbledore glanced around the room and

his thoughts froze. Nearly everyone present had their wands trained on him as well. He

was strong and skilled, but…this many…even he would be hard pressed to fight against this

many, let alone memory charm them all. "I am afraid that I don't know what you mean."

"You know damn well what I mean, old man," Bathsheda snarled as sparks shot off her

wand. "The Hogwarts Ward Anchor is in your office! The Aide takes its names directly from

the wards. The only way it could have swapped Crouch and Moody was if someone toyed

with the wards. Someone who knew exactly where the Anchor was. Someone who was

familiar with the construction of them. Harry, you and I are probably the only people

familiar enough with runes and wards in the castle to be able to manipulate them in any

sort of decent timeframe."

Nymphadora's hair had turned crimson as she narrowed her eyes at him. "You were near

me and Moody during the Yule Ball. You disappeared halfway through my conversation

with him…you are why the name changed as we checked him out!"

Inwardly, Dumbledore began to sweat. This was unexpected. He could play off many of

tonight's events as unfortunate circumstance or intriguing coincidence, but this was not

something he had planned on being forced to explain. No one was ever supposed to know

about that little tidbit…the only ones who even knew of the Anchor's location were long

dead or retired to foreign countries. He'd have to divulge quite a bit more than he had

intended in order to satisfy them. "The situation is far more complicated than you are

aware, Bathsheda."

"Complicated my arse!" she snarled. "You've pulled Umbridge's strings this entire year!

She was too much of an idiot to realize just how much you manipulated her, but she ranted

long enough to be pretty clear about who gave her the ideas for her rampant sabotage

each Task. You've been trying to get Harry killed this entire time and you knowingly let a

Death Eater roam the castle!"

"Two Death Eaters actually," Harry's quiet voice rang out throughout the room. "Three if

you count Karkaroff though we all knew about him already. I wonder just how many

people knew that Snape was one too though?"

Dumbledore sighed. "Severus defected during the last war for reasons that are not mine to

disclose."

"I've already said that I fully intend to tell the press about Snape if you don't disclose them,

Headmaster," Harry said with a flippancy that did nothing to hide the threat. "But we can

come back to that. I'm far more interested in why you let Crouch wander around."

"As am I," Amelia said her tone so monotone and quiet that it demanded all attention.

Even Minerva stayed quiet as Amelia stepped forward and the old Scott looked fit to lock

him up in irons and throw away the key.

Dumbledore's lips curled and his eyes narrowed. Who were these people to claim to

understand? He had been dealing with this situation for longer than many of them had

even been born! "Better the devil you know than the unknown opponent. With Crouch

nearby I knew exactly what he was doing and where the enemy was."

"And yet you were criminally negligent by allowing a known murderer to interact with

children and not informing anyone," Amelia's voice dripped disgust and sparks started to

issue from her wand as well. This was not going correctly at all.

"Again there are deeper concerns present."

Sirius laughed. There was no humor present in the sound. "Perhaps you should start

explaining those then if you want to end up anywhere but at the mouth of a Dementor?"

Dumbledore scowled his grandfatherly façade dropping. "There is a prophecy concerning

Harry Potter and it must take precedence. Everything I have done is for the Greater Good

of our world."

A pin could've dropped in the room and sounded like a canon. Su Li was the first to break

the silence. "For the Greater Good was Grindelwald's motto."

"Oh course it was his motto!" Dumbledore said brushing off the girl. "He took our

philosophy and perverted it. I have stayed pure."

"What is the prophecy?" Granger asked softly. Several eyes turned to her questioningly but

she continued to stare resolutely at Dumbledore.

He shook his head. "Unfortunately I do not believe it wise to reveal that particular piece of

information at this time to this many individuals. It could cause disaster should it fall into

Voldemort's hands."

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Chapter 292

Laughter rang out throughout the small room and everyone stared between Tonks and

Sirius who were both chortling. Sirius was the first to recover and he wiped his eyes while

raising his eyebrows at Dumbledore. "Seriously? That's your excuse? 'Oh there's a

prophecy! Oh I understand the prophecy! There is only one way to know what it means!'

Please. Everyone knows that prophecies only make sense in hindsight. Come on then, let's

hear it."

"Fool. I have lived for over a hundred years! I would think I can interpret the significance

quite a lot more efficiently than you."

Amelia smiled dangerously. "Allow me to make something clear, Dumbledore. Tell us your

reasoning fully, including the prophecy or I will see you in Azkaban before dawn."

"I am afraid I cannot," Dumbledore said leaning back and folding his hands calling her

bluff.

Amelia laughed. "Very well. Have it your way, Albus. Harry, tomorrow morning I'll escort

you into the Hall of Mysteries and we'll take a look at their record ourselves. If the

middleman is going to stonewall we can easily cut him out."

Dumbledore paled. That would not do at all. He had to salvage this situation. Perhaps he

could gain some goodwill by telling them the initial part. Sighing heavily he said, "You

would go so far despite my concerns, Amelia?" She simply raised her eyebrows at him.

"Very well. You force my hand. The prophecy is as follows:

"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 rest?" Tonks asked. Dumbledore frowned at her as did many of the others. "What?

You all think that's it? That he was worried about that little two line thing? That he would

give up something he's been obsessed about enough to try and kill Harry over with a

simple threat? He's keeping something back. I want to know what it is."

Neville nodded in agreement. "She's right. There's no way that's all there is because that

thing could easily apply to me. I'm also born at the end of July and my parents turned

down Voldemort three times before I was born too."

Dumbledore scowled at the boy. When had he gotten so intelligent? When had he started

to grow independent enough to think logically? When had any of them? "I related what

Voldemort already knows."

"So that's why he went after my family," Harry murmured. "That's why he was coming for

me and said he'd let my mother go if she had stood aside. But how did he find out…"

"Someone must have overheard that part and told him. They probably got a huge reward

for it too," Bathsheda growled.

"Reward…he said my mother was a reward…" Harry paled before his visage morphed into

pure fury and hatred. "Voldemort claimed my mother was a reward for a follower with

'bad hair, a surly attitude and brilliance with potions'! Snape told him that part of the

prophecy and Snape asked for my mother in return! YOU PROTECT HIM?!"

Dumbledore could feel the boy's rage swirling around the room as a heavy wind whipped

aside several curtains. Madame Pomfrey moved forward with a calming drought in one

hand but Harry just batted it aside. Dumbledore shook his head sadly. "You presume far

too much, Harry. Yes, I will admit that Severus informed the Dark Lord about that aspect.

But he did not ask for your mother as a reward for his service. He asked for Voldemort to

spare her when he realized her family was being targeted and came to me afterwards to

plead for my assistance as well."

"Her! Only her! He didn't give a toss about my father or me! She never came out of

Voldemort's wand with the Prior Incantatem! For all I know she's locked in a dungeon

somewhere under him!" Harry shouted. Several of those present had frowned in confusion

when Harry said Lily Potter's echo wasn't present. Dumbledore was not one of them. He

knew that the exact workings of brother wand will battles were not so easily understood

and it was folly to assume that was the case.

Dumbledore shook his head and sighed heavily. "Again you assume far too much, Harry. I

personally witnessed your mother's dead body in the ruins of that house. I was not even

the first there. Hagrid and Sirius both arrived prior to me and found her first. You can ask

either of them. Your mother is quite deceased and not 'locked in a dungeon' as you put it.

Severus loved your mother. She was quite possibly the only person he ever had loved. He

would not do something as debased as what you imply."

"You're just protecting him because gave you a sad sob story," Sirius growled. "Screw you,

Albus. We'll find out the truth of that particular situation soon enough."

Remus nodded emphatically. "That we will.

Lavender Brown held up a hand while her wand stayed centered on Dumbledore. "Excuse

me everyone, but, he's avoided answering the initial issue. What's the remainder of the

prophecy?"

Dumbledore gaped at the girl. He'd been rather successful with his diversion…how in the

blazes did Brown of all people see through his sacrifice of Severus?! "Again. I caution

against revealing anything further. The consequences – "

"NOW!" several different voices at once shouted out.

Scowling again Dumbledore's control slipped. "Fine! You all wish to know the truth? Fine!

"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…

"Do you see now? Do you understand?!" Dumbledore yelled. "Harry Potter has no chance

of defeating the Dark Lord. He is a mere fourteen year old boy while Riddle has decades of

experience, followers and power building rituals behind him! But if Harry Potter dies than

Voldemort can be killed by another as the prophecy will no longer be in play!"

"What?" Harry asked blinking at him. Everyone else was perfectly silent.

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Chapter 293

"The prophecy is quite clear!" Dumble snarled. "Either must die at the hand of the other.

Voldemort will be the one to kill you. I had hoped that perhaps Crouch entering you into

this Tournament at his orders would be close enough to sway things, but clearly I was

wrong. Fate has conspired time and again to save you from impossible situations at

unbelievable odds! That more than anything proves what I say. You will die at Voldemort's

hand and then someone else can destroy his evil taint forever."

The silence again reigned supreme. After several long moments it was broken by a small

chuckle from Harry. A chuckle which quickly turned into a laugh. A laugh which spread

among nearly half of the watchers in the room. The rest – including Dumbledore – looked

on at those laughing as if they'd gone mad. Wiping his eyes, Harry finally quieted and

shook his head. "You…are such an idiot. I don't understand how people could've ever

looked up to you if you always thought this way. Even assuming that thing is completely

accurate and perfectly literal there's dozens of ways around it. Hermione, you want to take

this?"

Granger glared at Dumbledore and held up her hand flicking up her fingers up as she began

to speak. "A powerful memory charm on Voldemort. Then, literally everything could be

'the power he knows not'. Concealment and a piercing spell through the brain from the

back. Draught of Living Death administered in his sleep. Actually, anything performed

while he's sleeping would satisfy that condition. Aurors, Hit Wizards, or really anyone

subduing him and calling for Harry to perform the final execution. Harry telling a pack of

mercenaries or Hit Wizards 'go act as my Hand and kill Voldemort for me'. Some trap

involved the insane runic inventions Harry keeps coming up with. The prophecy doesn't

even specify Voldemort! Any two-bit wizard could go around calling himself a Dark Lord,

scratch Harry and be the one it's referring to. You've apparently tried to kill him all year – it

could just as easily be talking about you! That you assume your interpretation is the only

interpretation is utterly moronic and frankly embarrassing!"

By the time Granger was done speaking even the people who hadn't been laughing were

nodding their heads in agreement.

"You fools!" Dumbledore snarled. This little witch thought she was better than him? That

she was smarter than him? He'd lived for a century! He'd experienced more loss and

combat and subterfuge than anyone in this room! He'd heard countless prophecies and he

certainly knew what he was doing in regards to this one! They didn't have all the

information and they dared to look down on him?! "You don't have half the facts and you

assume you know everything. You follow a nascent Dark Lord and you smile about it!"

Eyebrows rose, wands sparked and wings grew from Delacour's back. The first to speak

though was Bathsheda. "Nascent Dark Lord? You're speaking about Harry?" she asked in a

quiet, even tone all the more dangerous for its lack of inflection or emotion. "The boy who

has only ever displayed a worrying lack of self-preservation and a nobility streak larger

than Big Ben? The boy with an incurable case of chronic hero syndrome? The boy who

tried to negotiate a peaceful resolution with a basilisk? The boy who has ignored long

standing House divides and made friends in every single House? The boy with the love of

three young women? That boy? That's your 'nascent Dark Lord'?"

"He is corrupted!" Dumbledore yelled surging to his feet and pointing at Harry. "You blind

yourself to what you don't wish to see! His every action broadcasts his disdain and

contempt. He waltzes through tradition and culture with nary a glance. He gains followers

and confidants and allies just like Riddle's early years. I've already watched two Dark Lords

rise through my own inaction. Not again! I can see the signs even if you cannot! He will

turn and he will destroy any who stand in his way. He has already been seduced by the

Dark! The Horcrux has corrupted him and – " Dumbledore slammed his mouth shut with

an audible clack. Too far. He'd let them push him too far.

"Horcrux? With Harry?" Sirius asked, his eyes slits. "Explain."

Harry frowned. "What's a Horcrux?"

Greengrass shook her head and hugged her arms around herself shuddering. "Evil. Pure

evil. It's like those Soul Jars you showed us over the summer in that…Dungeons and

Dragons game thing."

Granger frowned. "Like a phylactery? It safeguards one's soul preventing death? I suppose

that could explain why Voldemort survived as a wraith…but what does that have to do

with Harry?"

Of course Greengrass would know of Horcruxes. Black was no surprise either. But

Granger…had Harry been so corrupted that he brought an innocent Muggleborn into his

long term schemes? Dumbledore stayed resolutely silent. Amelia shook her head and

sighed. "Tonks, go to Ministry and get the veritaserum."

"On it," Nymphadora moved to brush past him when Dumbledore scowled and shook his

head.

"Stop." The ex-Auror turned to raise her eyebrows at him and Dumbledore's visage

darkened further. Veritaserum. He was skilled at avoiding the questions, but he knew he

did not approach Moody's level and they would break through eventually. If he was going

to be interrogated then he was going to control the interrogation. "I will explain."

"We're waiting," Harry said laying his hands carefully down on either side of the bed.

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Chapter 294

Dumbledore glared at the boy. "Of course you are. But just who is waiting? Harry…or

Voldemort?" No one spoke as Dumbledore continued to stare at their leader. Finally he

grunted and shook his head. "You fools refuse to see it. Voldemort created his Horcruxes to

defeat death. The diary was one. You already destroyed that," he said gesturing to Davis

who flinched back into Lovegood who wrapped the girl in a hug while Greengrass squeezed

her hand. The house elf also cringed and wrung his hands. "Did you think that a mere

magical artifact would be able to possess and drain the life of another to take on its own?

Preposterous. Perhaps something the Ancient Atlanteans had created might be able to do

such a thing but certainly nothing from the present time period. That Voldemort continued

to be a presence afterward proves he had more. If he created more than one certainly he

would have gone for a magically significant number.

"Harry is his last," Dumbledore continued scowling at the group. "Likely an unintentional

one. Voldemort would have expected to have little resistance that night and would have

already prepared the initial ritual only requiring the significant death and associated object

to be imbued with the Horcrux. When he was instead vanquished himself, the prepared

soul shard was thrown loose and attached to the boy as the only other living being present

in the vicinity. I saw the taint immediately upon my arrival at Godric's Hollow and ensured

that appropriate steps were taken to ensure that the effects of the corruption were

minimized."

"The Dursleys…" Harry whispered.

Dumbledore nodded. "Of course. With your will beaten down, either your magic would

surge to protect you – reinforcing the barriers holding back the Horcrux's influence – or

you would be consumed by it. Once the Horcrux consumed you the prophecy would likely

have been considered filled as Harry Potter as a distinct entity would cease to exist. I

would be forced to complete what Voldemort started in order to safeguard the rest of the

population. It has already begun. Your actions prove that you have been influenced and

corrupted. Voldemort's soul has turned you down a Dark path and you follow in his

footsteps. I will not allow a third Dark Lord to arise on my watch. I am sorry. But I cannot

allow it to happen. Even if you have avoided full corruption, you still must die to destroy

the Horcrux anchoring Voldemort to life."

Dumbledore's mouth set in a stern line and he flicked the Elder Wand into his hand. He

cast a silent immobilization spell on the room. It would only hold for two or three seconds

against this many people, but it would be long enough. Raising his wand for what might

very well be his last act, Dumbledore cast the strongest reducto spell he could at the bed

containing Harry Potter.

Harry watched frozen as Dumbledore adjusted his aim and let loose his spell. If he could

move he would probably be in hysterics at that moment. Surviving a duel with Voldemort

just to get slaughtered by Dumbledore? The universe certainly had a sense of humor.

"Prewk!" A loud squawk sounded throughout the room as Fawkes flamed into the

Infirmary between Harry and Dumbledore directly in the path of the old man's spell. The

curse collided with Fawkes and a pile of feathers tumbled to the bed below where the

phoenix had materialized.

"Fawkes? Why? Why would you…why?" Dumbledore uttered with his mouth gaping open

and his wand held limply.

The room unfroze. Harry summoned the old man's wand with his Accio tattoo. At the same

instant, nearly thirty spells converged on Dumbledore from the people in the room.

A cacophonous bang rang out almost equal in intensity to Harry's Boomstones. Shaking his

head to clear it, Harry peered down the length of his bed to see Dumbledore crumpled

onto the floor nearby. He had obviously been hit by several different spells in addition to

the standard stunning and disarming hexes. The Headmaster had sprouted boils, tentacles,

bat bogeys, burns, some bleeding and it looked like part of his beard had been wrapped

around his neck.

Harry let out a low whistle and looked around the room. "Remind me never to piss you all

off, yeah? Thanks guys. And thank you, Fawkes. You saved my life." The baby phoenix

crawled out of the pile of feathers, let out a soft trill of appreciation and sorrow before

hopping up and nuzzling Harry's neck settling in on his shoulder.

Several people were breathing hard, some of from anger, others from worry. Most of the

latter group were from the members not in Harry's core team and they seemed to be

taking both Dumbledore's attack and their own counter-attack much harsher. Pomfrey

took charge and shuffled forward to start casting diagnostic spells at Dumbledore. "Well,

he'll live. Though at this point I'm not certain whether that's a good thing or not…"

"It is," a resigned voice said from the doorway. Harry turned and nodded to Newton and

Paracela as they came into the hospital ward. "We'll take over from here."

"And just who the bloody hell are you?" Amelia said glaring at the two alchemists and

stepping between them and Dumbledore. "This man has to stand trial and be imprisoned

or executed for crimes. I don't care who his friends are, he attacked a student – a House

Lord – with intent to kill in front of thirty witnesses. He can't get away from this one!"

"And he won't," Paracela said calmly pushing Amelia's wand to the side and glaring down

at Dumbledore. "I told you he'd gone round the bend, Nic. Sorry…Newt."

"That's a horrible pet name," Newton muttered. "Should've thought better before

choosing Newton…"

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Chapter 295

Paracela shook her head ignoring the incredulous looks of most of the occupants of the

ward. "Too late now, dear. He's senile. Utterly and completely bonkers. How he managed

to hide his condition for so long is amazing. He should still have had several decades before

getting that bad. Poor old fool. Should've asked for help before trying to murder innocent

kids!"

"I'll ask again, who are you?" Amelia hissed through gritted teeth with her fingers

whitening as they clutched the wand handle.

"Newton and Paracela Fulcanelli. Or if you prefer, Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel," Paracela

said with a sigh. Loud gasps sounded and Harry thought he caught Padma fainting

momentarily. Gabrielle's mouth dropped open before widening into a huge grin. "We'd

very much appreciate it if you all keep that under wraps. We much prefer to fly under the

radar so to speak."

Newton grimaced as he looked at the blank faces. "To use a more wizarding appropriate

phrase, we go shopping with a Notice-Me-Not up." Harry snorted as he said heads

suddenly bobbing in understanding. Muggle Studies was so woefully out of date.

Paracela turned to Amelia, McGonagall and Flitwick who had also stepped forward to

block her progress. "The old man may be mildly insane – "

"Mildy?" Tonks muttered drawing an assortment of dark chuckles.

"Yes, unfortunately, mildly. As I was saying, he's not fully wrong." A cacophony of shouts

rang out before Paracela glared around the room at everyone waiting for them to quiet

down. "If you would all let me finish…thank you. He's not wrong in that, Voldemort did

obviously create Horcruxes. Annoying blasted things. Every few decades someone decides

it's a good idea again. The knowledge of how to create them or who had decided to use

them should not be spread. All it would take is one delusional megalomaniac with an

ounce of sense and it'd be easier to move to Mars than kill him."

Newton sighed and nodded. "She's not really overstating that either. I highly suggest you

all take a vow to only speak of this to each other in order to safeguard it from prying

minds."

McGonagall slowly lowered her wand as did Flitwick. Both looked between each other and

sighed. "I have to agree. This sounds like the darkest and most dangerous of magic. Filius

and I will craft a sufficient magical vow. Everyone please remain present until we are

complete."

Amelia didn't look happy but she nodded as well and lowered her wand. Shiva stepped

forward and fixed the two alchemists with a hard stare. "And what he said about Harry?"

Harry shifted uncomfortably on the bed. In less than a second he felt three different hands

on him and felt a bit of tension leaving him with the reassurances of the women he loved.

He noticed from the corner of his eye, Daphne shift slightly in his direction before planting

herself back in place.

Newton shrugged. "I'm an alchemist not a soul worker. Don't ask me. Once we're done

interrogating Albus I'll let you know if he has any specific spells to detect a Horcrux or if

he's just going with a gut feeling. Say two or three weeks. Maybe a month or two

depending on how good he is at evasion under potions."

"We can do that perfectly fine," Amelia said.

Sirius sighed and took her arm slowly drawing the DMLE Head back. "Let it go, Amy. He's

right. We have very few Aurors, even less who wouldn't be intimidated by Dumbledore

and none with the right skill set to ask the correct questions. I doubt, I have the right skill

set and I've made it my mission in life to avoid answering direct questions if possible just

because it's funnier when people get frustrated by it." He turned to the Fulcanellis. "What

will happen to him after you're done? I don't want him ever coming back to threaten my

godson." Shiva made a noise in her throat that could loosely be termed as agreement.

Harry thought it sounded far more like something that Midnight would let out when angry.

Paracela sighed. "We already told Fleur, Harry and Bathsheda the initial plan. No matter

what we'll bind his magic. After that it'll depend on what shape he's in. Honestly with the

amount of spells you people hit him with, I'd be amazed if he wakes up in a month.

Dumbles is not a young man after all."

Newton nodded. "Agreed. If his mind is mostly intact we'll see about turning him back

over to you for judgment. If he's truly as far gone as that rant made him appear and if your

spells have pushed it even further…well to be honest your government is horrible with

punishments. He'd likely escape anything beyond being left at St. Mungo's until the end.

I…would prefer the first option if that is the case. Albus would be…comfortable at St.

Mungo's. I don't really think that's an ideal solution anymore. However, Harry, you have

final say. You were his target after all."

"Harry Potter Sir should have Whiskers stabbed with his Demon Sword," Dobby muttered

from the bedside.

Harry turned and smiled down at Dobby. "As poetic as that might be Dobby, there is a

difference between killing someone in battle and killing them in cold blood. I agree though

that if he's senile he'd probably be sent to St. Mungo's and it's too cushy there for him. Go

with the first thing you told us earlier."

"Very well," Paracela said nodding. "We'll just take Dumbles then and be on our way. Let

us know how this turns out, yes? I don't think we'll be staying around the area what with

the megalomaniac on the loose again. Besides, Comic Con starts up soon. Things to do.

People to see. Collections to improve. Ta!"

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Chapter 296

Much later that night, Harry was sitting up and speaking with his girlfriends, Daphne, Shiva

and Sirius. The girls had glanced at Daphne initially, but Hermione had taken her aside,

whispered a few words of which Harry only caught "later" and most of the tension seemed

to diminish. Remus had intended to stay as well, but Amelia had recruited him to help her

clean up the fallout and deal with the Wizengamot along with the Delacours.

"Are you alright, kid? Not the bullshite you fed before to the others. Seriously, are you

alright?" Shiva asked frowning down at him.

Harry sighed loudly and flopped back into the pillows piled behind him. "Pomfrey said I

was in shock. With that and the calming potions she gave me after it wore off I don't think

I could really feel much strong emotion at all at the moment. I could be a lot worse. I can

tell you that. My hand is killing me though. Daphne, we're going to have to retouch up that

tattoo when I get out."

"Sure, Harry," Daphne said nodding. "That's really not that important at the moment

though."

Harry groaned and wiped a hand through his hair. "Tell me about it. We have like three or

four issues that just jumped to the top of the priorities list…"

Sirius leaned against the wall and chuckled. "Just three or four eh, pup? I'd say closer to 20,

but hey good to know you have priorities, Harry! Hey by the way, did you try and use the

Sword of Gryffindor on Riddle? It seems like a good primary plan if we know it'll work.

Even if his soul is split like…Dumbledore thought, well a Sword that eats souls would

probably be useful."

Harry shrugged. "Never got close enough to try. Well, I was close enough maybe once, but

I was a bit too distracted to try and summon it. Also, same problem as with Midnight.

Between the duel itself and my hand, I doubt I'd have been able to concentrate well

enough."

"Hey I'm not criticizing," Sirius said holding up his hands. "I was just asking."

Tonks sat down on the edge of the bed, her hair shifting to a dark blue color that hung

halfway down her back. "So what's on the top of your priorities, Wonder Boy?"

Harry frowned. "In order? The soul shard that is in my head. Finding out if my mother was

laid to rest correctly. Fixing the tracekey. Then I can worry about the possibility of

Voldemort having more Horcruxes that we have to hunt down and destroy."

"So you are not worried about ze prophecy?" Fleur asked. She slipped under the covers

next to Harry and snuggled as close to him as she could eliciting a few raised eyebrows.

The relieved sigh she let out and the way that the remaining down covering her arms faded

away however only resulted in knowing smiles from those surrounding Harry's bed.

Harry draped an arm over Fleur and pulled her closer while shrugging. "Not really. Like

Hermione said, there's a gazillion ways to interpret that phrasing without having to

definitely focus on a one-on-one duel to the death. Knowing my luck, it's probably going to

come down to it, but I'm not going to needlessly stress over it at the moment. And Nym

and Sirius are right, prophecies only truly make sense in hindsight."

"Good. I left to you to battle zat monster alone once. I have no intention of leaving you

alone against him a second time," she murmured into his chest.

"Fleur," Harry said slightly exasperated. "You didn't leave me alone. I pushed you and you

hit the portkey. If you want to blame someone for me being alone blame me. And I'd do it

again in a heartbeat." Harry's face darkened and he knew Fleur could feel his heartbeat

pick up since she squeezed him tighter. "You didn't see how close Pettigrew's Killing Curse

came to hitting you. It passed through your hair, Fleur…"

Hermione moved to Harry's other side and lightly kissed his cheek. "But it didn't hit her.

And you are both alive which is the important thing."

"Just for the record," Tonks said. "We also don't know for sure that you do have a bit of

Riddle in you. That sounds like a load of shite to me. I mean, anyone who spends five

minutes with you when you aren't pissed should realize that, Wonder Boy. Besides the

snake tongue thing I can't see it." She paused and continued in a much quieter voice that

was barely audible, "And I really like the snake tongue thing."

Harry's lips twitched upwards for a moment before he lost his good humor and shook his

head sadly. "It's not shite. I wish it was. When Voldemort was mind raping me, he…found

something. It let him jump straight to my deepest layer of defenses. And when I followed

him, I saw something. Something that shouldn't be there. A door with…something behind

it. The door disappeared almost immediately, but…I know what Dumbledore meant when

he said I'd be corrupted. I…" Harry grimaced and clung to Fleur. Hermione frowned and sat

down leaning into his other side.

Taking a deep breath Harry nodded and kept going. "Voldemort switched gears. All of a

sudden he was willing to do a lot to turn me and keep me alive. That was when he said

that my mother was a prize for Snape and he offered me an – incentive I guess. He said you

guys would all be spared if I stopped fighting and joined up. I stared at the wall where the

door disappeared and…I wanted to take the deal. I wanted it bad." Harry shuddered. "It

was like I could see a glimpse of Evil Overlord Harry, but worse. And not worse because I

was being as amoral and callous as him, but worse because I wasn't. I was perfectly in

control, just ruthless and selfish."

"Oh. Well…shite," Shiva said succinctly summarizing pretty much the entire group's

feelings.

Harry snorted. "Yeah. Agreed. I don't think I'm quite up for it yet, but once we get home,

Shiva I'd really appreciate it if you help me find that door in my mindscape. I think it's

there, I just can't see it. I'm pretty sure I can put up more barriers around it and wall it off

if someone can show me where it is exactly."

"Sure, kid. As soon as we get home, I'm all yours. I might not be the best person to do that

though. Mind magic isn't exactly my thing. Are you sure you want me in your head?"

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Chapter 297

Harry nodded. "I trust you, Shiva." He winced and looked at Sirius guiltily. "I mean, I trust

you too Sirius it's just – "

Sirius smiled and waved off Harry's concerns. "Don't worry about it, pup. I understand. I

was never as good as Andi anyway so I'd probably suggest her. Then again, I certainly

wouldn't want my girlfriend's mother in my mind." His grin widened and he waggled his

eyebrows at Tonks. "Especially considering what my cousin has apparently been teaching

you."

Fleur, Harry and Hermione's faces lit up like Christmas lights while Tonks' stayed perfectly

normal. Though it was pretty obvious that she was concealing her own blush with her

powers since her hair flashed through several colors before settling on bright red.

"Yes, haha, laughs all around. Thank you for that, Lord Black," Daphne said crossing her

arms and glaring at the man-child. "I think we really ought to hit on the elephant in the

room though. What the bloody hell are we going to do about this hitchhiker?!"

The silence could be cut by a knife after that. For a full minute no one spoke. Finally

Hermione asked in a soft voice, "Could we just…cut it away from him?"

"Mione, I love you, but I don't zink it will be remotely zat easy," Fleur said raising her

eyebrows at the brunette.

Harry on the other hand had a thoughtful expression. "Actually, it might be…maybe. I'd

have to craft a rune that could visualize souls as auras or something so we could see if it

was centered on a specific body part – like my scar. If it is centered instead of diffused

throughout me, then I might just be able to cut off with the Sword…"

"The Sword that eats souls…" Shiva said frowning. "I'm not liking this plan. Not at all."

"Well it doesn't eat our souls. That is what the Dementor Anchor is for after all, Shiva,"

Harry said his grin growing to manic proportions.

"Yeah in theory. It's not like we can test that aspect of the darn thing! Look can we at least

agree that this will be a backup plan? Like a Plan Z or something? There's got to be a better

way than lopping off pieces of your skull with a Sword. And that's not even counting that it

has basilisk venom infused into it, kid."

Harry turned his head to stare at Fawkes. "That's where Fawkes comes in! I know we're not

bonding little guy, and we probably can't. Hedwig likes you, don't me wrong, but she'd kill

me if I let myself bond with another familiar." He leaned his head down to whisper

conspiratorially to the phoenix. "She's not as understanding as Mione, Nym or Fleur."

A loud bark sounded from the direction of the windows and all eyes turned to it. A snowy

owl was sitting perched on the bed frame nearest the window and glaring at Harry. Harry

paled and clutched Hermione and Fleur closer shifting slightly so that Tonks was between

him and Hedwig. "Hey, girl! I meant that in the nicest way possible! You know you're the

only bird for me!"

Hedwig bobbled her head to each side several times continuing to glare at Harry the entire

time. Fawkes let out an amused trill and Hedwig finally barked and flew over to perch

above Harry's bed. He let out a relieved sigh and turned back to the phoenix. "Yeah, real

good friend you are," he said grumbling. "Anyway, considering you've tried to save my life

twice now, would you be interested in perhaps crying some tears into my wound if I end up

being stupid enough to cut into my body with, as Dobby called it, the Demon Sword."

Fawkes gave another amused trill and bobbed his head up and down. "Thanks buddy. I

appreciate it! See, Shiva, problem solved!"

She glared at him and muttered several choice curses while Sirius dissolved into laughter.

Daphne groaned and wiped a hand down her face. "Pomfrey needs to cut down of the

cheering potion dilution in the calming droughts. What were you saying about your mother,

Harry? Laying her to rest properly?"

Harry's laughter stopped and he leaned back into the bed. "Honestly," he said sounding

suddenly very, very tired, "I don't know anymore. Brother wand effects can't be well

documented or consistent, and that certainly wasn't ideal circumstances in that graveyard

so I suppose it's possible Voldemort did kill her even without a ghost-echo. He certainly

thinks he did. Dumbledore thinks he did. Sirius thinks he did. Hagrid obviously thinks he

did. I know I said Snape might have her in a dungeon or something, but now that I'm

calmer I can't see that being the case. He'd probably be a lot less of an arse if he had her

locked away somewhere."

Harry shrugged. "I don't know what to think. I'm half convinced now that Pettigrew was

there that night, that she survived Voldemort's attempt to kill her, but that Pettigrew

finished her off. All I know for sure is I need to see her body now. I may not be able to get

answers, but I should hopefully at least get closure. I shouldn't have let the Tournament

distract me from it when the goblins offered back at the start of the year."

Shiva looked distinctly uncomfortable as she nodded and reached over to squeeze his

shoulder. "I'll talk to Snapfist, Harry. We can go either the day we get back or the day after

okay?" He nodded. "Alright. Get some sleep, kid. You need it after tonight. We can work on

the tracekey over the summer. Term ends in a few days. Get your rest." She stood and

started walking to the door. "Sirius, Daphne, come on."

Sirius waved goodbye to the rest and started to follow Shiva out. Before either got far,

Harry called out to her. "Shiva! What happened to Umbridge? I forgot to ask with

everything that happened."

"Don't worry about it, kid," she said shaking her head and not looking at him. "She's not a

problem anymore. She ran into some acromantulas. Didn't make it."

Harry frowned. "That's not everything…"

Shiva turned and gave him a sad smile. "You know me too well now, kid. Don't ask, Harry,

and I won't tell."

His frown deepened. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Harry."

Slowly he nodded though the frown remained. "We're going to talk about that when we

get home then, yeah?" It wasn't a question.

Her smile shifted a bit into something less sorrowful and nodded her assent. "Night, kid.

Daphne, you coming?"

Daphne looked at the group on Harry's bed for a long moment before nodding and turning

away to follow Shiva and Sirius out.

The hospital wing's door closed and Tonks frowned at it. "Girls, we need to talk to her. If

not before term ends then on the train back."

Fleur nodded into Harry's side. "Oui."

Hermione lifted her head and stared confused between the two other females. "Wait, how

are you both riding the train back with us?"

Tonks cocked her head at Hermione and chuckled. "After the craziness that just happened

a few hours ago you seriously think I'm letting Wonder Boy ride back without some adult

supervision/protection?"

"Zat goes double for me," Fleur said. "I have already spoken with Madame Maxime. I do

not need to be on ze carriage back or at ze closing ceremonies for ze graduation. I do not

have many friends at ze school anyway. Gabi was ze only one who would miss me zere but

she is returning with Maman and Papa so ze point is…moot?"

"Yes, Fleur, that's the correct expression," Hermione said shaking her head with an amused

grin. "You two could've said something earlier. I thought I was going to have to watch,

Harry's back all on my own."

"Not going to happen, Mione." Tonks smiled as she looked at Harry with his eyes closed

and breathing lightly. "He is so adorable when he sleeps like that." Two sounds of

agreement from Hermione and Fleur met her statement along with a quiet bark from

Hedwig and a soft trill from Fawkes. Tonks shifted and laid down so that her head was

resting on Harry's chest while Hermione and Fleur both snuggled closer. "Goodnight, girls.

Sleep well and let's keep everyone's nightmares at bay for tonight."

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Chapter 298

"Severus," Babbling said standing in front of Snape as he walking into the entryway of

Hogwarts. "Welcome back; walk with me."

"I am extremely busy at the moment, Babbling. It will have to wait," he said in reply eyes

narrowing. Why was she accosting him immediately upon his return? He hadn't

immediately attended to Voldemort until after the Potter brat returned. The boy surely

couldn't have told her about him returning to the Dark Lord…could he? Would Riddle have

said anything? He certainly wouldn't have put it past the bastard. Scowling, Snape decided

it didn't matter. Dumbledore would protect his precious spy.

Spy. Sure. More like potion slave. Snape never received any credit for the mass amount of

work he did keeping the castle stockpiled on salves and potions. With the amount of

injuries Potter received on a yearly basis Snape was certain at least half the budget the

staff always complained about was channeled directly down the brat's throat.

Babbling's scowl matched his own as she stepped forward nose to nose. "I really must

insist, Severus."

"I have just returned from a strenuous outing and I need to update the Headmaster

immediately. Out of my way." Which was entirely truthful. That he was going to make a

short stop to his private supply and grab a few painkillers and something that should help

with post-Cruciatus recovery wasn't something she needed to know.

"The Headmaster won't be receiving any reports from you, Snape." She couldn't hide the

small predatory grin that flashed across her features. It set Snape's alarms ringing.

"You should know that should I disappear…steps will be taken," he said slowly fingering his

wand.

Babbling had the gall to laugh in his face. "I'm not threatening you, Snape. Not yet at least.

That's why you need to follow me. That way we can see if you need to be threatened. No,

I'm merely commenting that our dear, esteemed Headmaster Albus Percival Wulfric Brian

Dumbledore has left the premises. Hopefully for good. Hogwarts is under new

management. Now," her good cheer fell away and she glared at him with wand in hand.

"Teachers' Conference Room. Now."

Dumbledore gone? What?! Numbly he set off towards the Conference Room. If Albus was

gone then who was he supposed to report to? Who was to ensure that he received

appropriate updates and sacrificial operations to deliver to Voldemort? How was he

supposed to toe the line between the two sides without the primary leader in play? How

he supposed to survive without Dumbledore?!

The door slammed shut behind Snape jostling him back out of his thoughts and he looked

up at the table in the center of the room. The only hint of surprise he let show was

widening eyes as he looked down upon Amelia Bones, Filius and Minerva. "What is this?"

"An inquiry," Minerva said with a slight rise in her eyebrows and a tinge of Scottish brogue

leaking into her voice. Babbling took her seat next to Minerva causing Snape to begin to

sweat as he sat down in the lone chair across from the other four.

"Please lift up your left sleeve, Severus Snape," Amelia Bones said calmly. She might have

been discussing the weather for all she seemed to care.

Snape did what he always did when confronted. He attacked. "I believe that it is against

the law asking a private citizen to reveal anything he does not wish to without proper

authorization. I will assuredly be lodging a formal complaint with the Minister's office as to

your lack of proper procedure, Director Bones."

"Well, according to Statute 12, the Department Head can conduct a pre-investigation if

there is reasonable suspicion that underage personnel are in danger. Considering the

recently resurrected Voldemort himself called you by name near Mr. Potter, that already

grants me the right," Bones replied still completely calm. Snape clutched his wand under

the table tighter. Of course Potter had blabbed! "In addition, you disappeared shortly after

the return of Mr. Potter – also suspicious. To further muddy the situation you, Severus

Snape, have been consistently protected by a man who just recently admitted to

attempting to murder Harry James Potter for over a year!" Snape's eyes widened and his

sneer was replaced with open-mouthed shock. What the bloody hell had happened in the

day he'd been gone?

Amelia leaned forward all hints of civility dropped. "We already know you used to be a

Death Eater, Snape," she hissed. "I can check court records perfectly fine. I wanted to see

how you'd react. The answer is 'not well' if you're curious. Now here's the situation you

pathetic bastard: I know Dumbledore helped you in the past. He tried to pass off some

story about you turning to protect Lily Potter. If that's true then as much as I personally

despise you, I have a hard time believing you'd have been helping Dumbledore this year

with his insane little attempts on Harry's life. We can't be certain of that though. So you

are going to drink this vial of veritaserum, answer our questions and we will proceed in the

most appropriate manner from there."

Snape leaned back into his seat and finally succeeded in closing his mouth. Amelia leaned

across the table and deposited a small vial of potion in front of him. He tried to come up

with a response, a question, a rebuttal, a refusal…anything. Nothing came to mind. Albus

Dumbledore tried to murder Harry Potter? His protégé? His 'Golden Boy'? Finally, Snape

shook his head in simple denial and grabbed the vial tipping his head back and dropping

three drips onto his tongue.

"Severus," Minerva said, "where did you just return from?"

"Attending the Dark Lord Voldemort," he replied monotone. "He was quite displeased it

took me so long to respond to his initial summons. I barely succeeded in convincing him I

still served him and that my position so close to Dumbledore was perfect to spy for him.

Afterwards, he kept me longer so that I could treat his wounds from the duel with Potter."

Filius closed his eyes and his lip curled upwards in a silent snarl. "Do you still serve the

Dark Lord?"

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Chapter 299

"No," Snape said. He breathed an internal sigh of relief as the other four visibly relaxed

slightly. The potion still allowed for feelings even if they couldn't be expressed. "I ceased to

serve Voldemort once he killed Lily. Had he left her alive, I might have returned. But he did

not. I serve Dumbledore as he has promised he knows how to kill the man. Voldemort took

the only thing I have ever cared for and crushed her under his heel. I will see him

destroyed. Beyond that, my loyalty is to me alone. This entire country can destroy itself for

all I care. I just want to see Voldemort dead first."

"Revenge…" Filius sighed but nodded. "I find you distasteful to the extreme, but at least I

can understand that motivation. Amelia?"

The Director nodded at the Charms Master and turned back to Snape. "What did

Dumbledore have you do?"

"In the past decade I have brewed potions for him primarily – things for both the castle

and his personal stock. Last night, I informed him of Dark Lord's summons and he directed

me to return and embed myself into Voldemort's Inner Circle again so that I could spy for

him. I intended to report major engagements back to Dumbledore and bring whatever

information he specified back to Voldemort to convince the Dark Lord I was his spy."

"And you have never tried to harm, injure or murder Harry Potter?" Babbling asked.

Snape sneered even through the haze of the potion. "I have allowed Potter to harm

himself multiple times since he arrived at school. Primarily during lessons where I allowed

him to test clearly defective potions on himself. None that would cause true damage or be

too dangerous, but all had painful or embarrassing effects. If any potions were actually

dangerous I stepped in and questioned his intellect. I have allowed Slytherins such as

Malfoy to add ingredients to his potions to increase these occurrences as well as and to

jinx him in the hallways. I have belittled him and his close allies. I have taken excessive

points from him and ordered him into numerous frivolous detentions. He is a fool;

impulsive and reckless. He is exactly like his father and the only thing in him of the woman

I loved is his eyes. I have however, saved the boy in his First Year when Quirrell cursed his

broom. I have done nothing further to aid him. I have never done anything that would

cause lasting harm."

Babbling looked ready to spit fire at him and Snape was very thankful that others were

present as it should prevent her from sending him to the hospital wing at least. What the

woman saw in the child…what Greengrass and Davis saw in the child for that matter, was

beyond him. All Potter ever did was get himself and those around him into trouble. Just

like James Potter. At least the son managed to avoid bullying those less fortunate than

himself.

"Did you know Albus was trying to kill Harry Potter?" Minerva asked breathing deeply.

Snape shook his head. "No. I wish the boy humiliated, not dead. As much as I hate it, I

never satisfied a life debt to the boy's father. And at the end of the day…he is still Lily's

son." Babbling pushed back from the table and stalked to the wall grabbing a calming

potion and downing it before sitting back down. For a moment Snape wondered if perhaps

he had gone a little too far with his torment of the child. Potter was after all just a boy.

"Do you know anything about how Voldemort has maintained his life?" Filius asked.

"It is certainly some form of Dark Magic. I suspect at least one Horcrux," Snape said. He

grimaced internally. If they spoke of this outside these walls…if any hint reached

Voldemort that he suspected the man's greatest secret…

Amelia smiled and nodded. "Do you know where they might be or what they are?"

"No. It is something I hope to discover while spying on him."

Amelia leaned back and sighed. "Damn. Well it was worth a shot. Anyone got any other

questions? No? Okay then." She handed Snape another potion vial which he took.

Feeling the effects of the veritaserum fade he peered cautiously at the Department Head.

"What happens to me now?"

"Now," Amelia said, "you work for me. Albus Dumbledore has left the building. If you wish

to run feel free. I almost hope you do since then I can just let your old fellows track you

down and you can be Voldemort's problem. If however, you want to stay, then you can

continue your spying and inform me instead of Dumbledore of all important developments.

You can tell Voldemort whatever the hell you want to in order to make the lie convincing."

Minerva leaned forward with her lips in such a thin line that they had almost vanished.

"And if you wish to maintain employment at this school you will be conducting yourself in

a fair manner from this point forward! Consider your Head of House privileges revoked as

soon as term ends. I don't care what your position is with the enemy or your importance to

the war effort, this school and these children are my priority! If I had had my way, you

would have been curbed years ago! Now that I am Acting Headmistress you will behave or

you will find yourself out on your arse, Severus Snape. Do I make myself clear?"

Snape narrowed his eyes, but gave a curt nod.

"Oh and Severus," Babbling said flippantly with a false smile. "Stay the hell away from

Harry Potter."

Harry had just managed to get released from the hospital wing in time to make it to

breakfast the morning before traveling home. When he walked into the Great Hall he had

to suppress a smirk looking up at the Staff table and seeing McGonagall in Dumbledore's

old chair. From what Shiva had said, Fudge was trying to suppress news of the man's

breakdown and 'arrest'. The current story circulating in the Prophet was that Dumbledore

had experienced mental trauma in the aftermath of the Triwizard Cup and was busy

recovering. Amelia was apparently furious and Shiva had said it was only a matter of time

before the actual story got out. Harry had privately asked Luna if she'd wait until about a

week into the summer before printing a story in the Quibbler.

As he sat down at the table he found the seats on either side of him taken by rather

unusual guests. Su Li sat down to his right, the Patil twins across from him and Millicent to

his left.

"Good to see you out and about, Harry," Su said grabbing an apple from the table. Harry

just nodded and raised his eyebrows in a silent question. "What? Did you think we'd all run

after what the ex-Headmaster said?" Harry shrugged noncommittally. The core group was

never in question, but the others were somewhat unknown quantities after all. Su snorted

in reply. "Please, I think we'd have been able to see an up and coming Dark Lord. At least

I'd hope so…" She shook her head and took a small bite from the apple. "Anyway, I would

like your permission to speak with some members of my family back in China about your

potential little problem over the summer. No names will be mentioned and nothing

specific will be discussed unless they have a non-lethal solution."

Harry's eyes widened. "You seriously think they might know something?"

Su shrugged. "Probably not, but it couldn't hurt to ask. Either way, I'm willing to teach you

some martial moves next year. I'm pretty handy with daggers and I might be able to show

you something with your sword if you want. I expect things to ramp up once we all come

back from the summer hols. All I ask in return is you teach me some of those spell chain

things that Flitwick was showing you. Or something with runes, but I doubt that's

something you can easily teach."

Harry laughed and smiled holding out his hand to shake hers. "Deal. And yes, as long as no

names and specifics are mentioned feel free to ask for some help."

Su smiled back and left the table letting Hermione slip into her vacated spot. Harry turned

to the Patil twins where Padma just smirked. "She already said pretty much what Parvati

and I were going to say. Does that same permission extend to us and our families in India

as well?"

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Chapter 300

Harry nodded. "Excellent," Padma responded. "We'll let you know if we find anything. For

what it's worth, I don't think you have much to worry about long-term. Short-term yeah,

definitely. But long-term I think you've have enough bad karma to balance things out and

leave you with enough good karma coming your way to make it through."

Parvati laughed. "Or at least to get rid of the hitchhiker. Having three partners might tip

the scales a bit there. Oh and Lavender is still behind you too. She's busy consulting her

crystal ball to see if she can see anything. I think she'd have more luck with the tea leaves,

but hey, she prefers the ball." Parvati shrugged and both girls rose waving goodbye to

Harry and letting Luna and Tonks shift seats.

Millicent smiled and lightly punched Harry's shoulder. "The way you gather allies, Potter,

you should've been in Slytherin. You would've ruled the dungeons. You already know

where I stand. Before we headed out I just wanted to thank you again for setting me up

with Viktor. I'm visiting him this summer. Father has even been talking with him about

moving to Bulgaria long-term if we start getting pressured to join up with Malfoy's lot.

Viktor's basically been directing the Durmstrang operations since Karkaroff pulled a runner

otherwise he'd stop by and say something personally. He did want me to pass along a

message though that 'if the tagalong gives up any decent Dark Spells feel free to share the

wealth'. That goes for me too." Millie smirked again at her boyfriend's joke and got up to

go sit back with the Slytherins while Fleur slotted into her usual seat beside Harry.

Harry looked around at his friends in wonder. Everyone started chuckling at roughly the

same moment.

The Hogwarts Express had just left the station and Harry was settling in when Hermione

stood and moved towards the compartment door. "We'll be back in a few minutes, Harry,"

she said when Tonks and Fleur moved to follow her. "Do me a favor and do try not to get

into another life threatening situation while we're gone?"

"No promises, Mione," Harry said smirking. "Me and deadly problems are practically

neighbors it seems. They like to come and ask for a cup of tea or pound of butter."

Hermione groaned while Tonks just laughed. "Wonder Boy, if they do come knocking you

just slam that door in their face."

The compartment door slid shut and the girls went searching for their target. Only a few

sections down they found her. Daphne was inside leaning up against the window with

Tracey beside her and Luna across the way. "Daphne?" Hermione said. "We really need to

talk for a few minutes."

Daphne turned to them, sighed briefly and nodded. Tracey also looked at the three girls

filing into the compartment. She snorted and murmured, "Told you to look for them first.

Good luck. Come on, Luna, let's go for a walk." Once Tracey and Luna had left, Fleur cast

several privacy wards around the compartment.

Daphne grimaced and set her shoulders. "Before you begin, allow me to apologize. I never

should have kissed Harry, I know that now, I knew that then. I was just…for a moment all I

could envision was him not coming back from the last Task and he was sitting there being

so noble and heroic and concerned and…I panicked. So I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

Hermione crossed her arms and her lips thinned into a line. "Harry defaults to noble,

heroic and concerned. You've been our friend long enough to know this Daphne."

Daphne wiped a hand across her face and groaned. "Trust me, I do. That's the problem."

"Daphne, we are not adverse to the idea of you seeking a relationship with Harry. But to

just up and kiss him out of the blue is not acceptable."

"I know," Daphne nodded and leaned back in the cushion. "I know. Again, I'm sorry. I'm

not exactly used to being this concerned about someone. The only one that's ever come

close is Tracey and she's never been in situations where the odds were strong she'd die.

Well…besides the Chamber thing…"

Fleur gave the Slytherin a small smile and reached over to squeeze her leg. "We

understand zis. What we need to know now zough is what your intentions are."

"My intentions?" Daphne asked confused. "I intend to sit here and try to forget it ever

happened."

Tonks groaned and her hair flashed through a few colors before settling on pink. "That's

probably the worst option. Look, you like him, right?"

"Everyone likes Harry," Daphne retorted with a raised eyebrow.

"We both know that is not what I meant," Tonks said staring steadily at the blonde.

Daphne stayed silent for several moments eventually responding with a small nod. "Okay.

Unlike the two beside me, this actually surprises me a bit. However, I've gotten glowing

recommendations from both Hermione and Fleur regarding your character and suitability

for our partner. Ignoring having feelings for Harry isn't going to work. Trust me on that one

– I tried it for months. That said you appear to be in a relationship already," Tonks said

gesturing towards the door where Tracey had walked out with Luna.

Hermione picked up the conversation thread. "Hence why we really need to know your

goals here, Daphne. Luna said that you and Tracey have an arrangement. That is none of

business until it begins to involve Harry. Do you want to end up with our boyfriend or do

you want to end up with your girlfriend?"

Daphne stared back out the window frowning. Again a long silence hung in the cabin.

Finally, Daphne whispered, "I honestly don't know." She continued louder, "I never

thought I'd enjoy being with a girl, but Tracey has been my friend since before I can

remember. To my immense surprise we fit extremely well together. I don't want to lose

that. But with Harry…I can't stop looking at him. I can't get him out of my head and I can't

stop thinking about how he's everything I ever dared to hope for in a potential husband.

He's smart, funny, good looking, willing to stand up for what and who he believes in

and…he's my equal. I trust him enough to let him put a runic tattoo on me!"

Daphne scowled and glared at a passing tree. "That's why I'm going to sit here and try to

ignore that kiss. The last thing I want to do is toy with that boy. Or with Tracey or with any

of you. Do I like him? Yes, okay, yes I do. But I need to take more time to figure out things

out. Tracey has been pushing me to tell him. Well now he knows. Now I need to figure out

what I want."

Fleur moved to sit next to Daphne and wrapped an arm around the girl. "You wish to have

zem both?" Daphne winced and slowly nodded. "Daphne…Daphne look at me." Fleur

reached out gently turned the blonde's head to meet her eyes. "Hermione, Nymphadora

and I are all dating each ozer as much as we are dating 'arry. We understand."

Daphne rolled her eyes. "I know, Fleur. I'm not talking about dating you three though. I'm

talking about dating someone else. That…" she frowned searching for the right word. "That

wouldn't be fair to you three. I would be the outsider in the group and that doesn't seem

right. I like you all, don't get me wrong and I certainly wouldn't mind joining you in the

bedroom every once in awhile." That comment caused Hermione's face to flush though

everyone mostly ignored it. "I'm just not interested in dating any of you. You all have a

good thing going with Harry. I refuse to be the one to screw that up."

Hermione frowned. "So your solution is to ignore your feelings entirely?"

"Yeah. Just for the summer though I think. If I still can't get the boy out of my head by the

time school starts again, we can revisit this."

"Daphne…" Hermione said softly, "when I was trying to determine who would be a good

partner for Harry besides myself, you were always at the top of the list. I don't think this is

the best way for you to go about dealing with your feelings, but I'll respect your decision."

Hermione stood and nodded moving to the front of the cabin.

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