32 Dumbledore's Folly

<Dumbledore's POV>

As I saw the boy walk in I instantly knew it was him. Even though I hadn't seen him since he was a baby I could sense that his magical signature was identical to the baby I placed at that door all those years ago. This is a day I've been looking forward to for 10 years now and finally it has arrived.

When the sorting ceremony commenced however, I locked eyes with that boy, Oz, in Slytherin. I tried to peak into his memories for a second and read his feelings but the block on his mind is powerful, something that even I can't peer into. During the summer break it was said that a descendant of Merlin was found, im almost fully convinced that Oz is that descendant...

As Harry walked up to the sorting chair I felt myself smile. With his father and mother both being placed into Gryffindor the boy should indeed follow suit, then all I have planned for the boy should go accordingl-

{SLYTHERIN}

...What?! what went wrong! The boy actually ended up in Slytherin! I couldn't believe my ears when the sorting hat spoke, I almost wanted to obliviate the entire room and redo the selecting but such a feat would definitely cause issues. All the plans I had laid out for him in the years to come... I'll have to rethink all of them!

I looked around at the teachers sat on their table, all of their faces were shocked. Even that Severus' face was dumbstruck by the result. As I watched Harry walk towards the Slytherin table I saw him sit next to Oz and start talking to him. My mind rolled as I realised again.

Oz is the centre of all of these problems. The descendant of Merlin appeared around the same time the master enchanter 'Lee Oswald' made his appearance as well, such a thing is surely not coincidence and I already surmised that both the descendant and enchanter must be the same person or at least related. However, Oz is a boy in his second year, such knowledge and forward thinking is something he shouldn't possess! The theories flowing into my head left more questions than answers.

Did Oz already have an idea on Harry's situation? Did he create the Health Specs out of coincidence or did he actually plan to expose Harry's abuse and in turn my negligence? If all these theories were correct then I fear the boy is far more intelligent than I first expected him to be... If I could somehow bring him under my wing then the fight in the years to come against Tom will be much easier.

I sighed at my last thought, the boy doesn't seem like the type to move under someone's banner. He seems more like the type to raise his own banner and march on even if he goes on by himself. It may be best to come to a mutual understanding with that boy instead of trying to reel him in. I need to see why he went down this path and what his motives are.

I think I'll need to speak to that boy soon...

.

After the reveal of Oz's identity the rest of the room fell into a deep silence. Some of the people in the room held a modicum of fear and reverence in their eyes now looking at Oz. People in Slytherin after all value lineage greatly and Oz's lineage was of the highest order, connected to one of the greatest wizards in the known millennium.

Oz looked around the room with a smile on his face.

"I wish you all a good night".

After speaking, Oz looked down at Harry and ushered him on. Harry then walked off to his own room, Oz following suit soon after. As he got to his own room he sat down on the bed thinking of the situation that just occurred.

'I knew eventually that my lineage would be exposed or that I myself would have to reveal it... but the goblins sold the information way to quickly. Those greedy bastards... I knew they would try to sell the information eventually but selling it to Lucius Malfoy of all people? It looks like Ill have to confront them when possible...'

Oz felt his rage rising at the goblins misconduct, he knew the creatures were greedy but they could at least have lasted a bit longer.

'I wonder what sort of artefact Lucius ended up giving the goblins to find out my identity... I hope it pained him to part with it whatever it is, at least then I can find some joy in his anger at Draco for foolishly exposing me because of his hubris'.

Oz felt his rage simmer down as he thought of the troubles Lucius probably went through to get the information just for it to become public knowledge almost instantly.

'I really wanted to come out with an epic reveal too...'

Oz casted his silly thoughts aside instead opting to rest as he laid back on his bed and began to close his eyes. A few seconds into his rest however, someone knocked on his door. Oz instantly shot up as he called out to the door:

"Come in".

At that, in came Severus Snape. A coldness filled the mans eyes as he looked at Oz sat up in his bed.

"Uhh... Hello Sir, can I help you at all?"

Snape looked around Oz's room before turning and looking at him, snorting he uttered.

"I'm hearing a ridiculous rumour around the dungeons that you broadcasted yourself as the descendant of Merlin... Is this true?"

Oz looked deeply at the head of his house.

'Snape... A misunderstood man who stuck by the good side up until his death. In some ways the man is naïve but his dedication is something truly admirable, especially when it comes to his dedication in love'.

"What you're hearing is correct, I did indeed say that. I went for an inheritance test throughout the summer after all".

Snape's face froze as Oz confirmed the rumour. Seemingly shaken by this realisation, he turned around to leave. Just as he was about to leave however he told Oz:

"The headmaster, Dumbledore is asking for you. I suggest you don't keep the old man waiting and head up their immediately".

As Oz watched Snape leave he processed what he had just told him.

'It seems Dumbledore finally can't sit still, especially after his precious Harry ended up in Slytherin and not Gryffindor'.

Oz spent a while collecting himself, using occlumency to its fullest he masked his emotions completely and locked him memories away even more firmly.

'This conversation will be incredibly important. As a matter of fact it could dictate what happens in the years to come. I need to reprimand Dumbledore harshly and hopefully start changing his mind on a lot of things... If he shows the ability to change his ways then maybe down the line we can work together... however...'

Oz looked down at his wands in either hand. grasping them firmly he continued.

'If he shows no sign of stopping his manipulative ways, then he can't blame me for being impolite in the future...'.