5

Harry had gone down to breakfast early. He expected another meeting with the headmaster. A few minutes after the owls delivered the morning copies of the Daily Prophet, Harry was once more called to the headmaster's office. He was looking forward to this. It was time to take Dumbledore to task. He also wanted to see if Professor Flitwick would tear strips out of the headmaster. His head of the house was still visibly upset with the bastard.

{S}

"Headmaster, we need to stop meeting like this. People are already starting to wonder if you have an inappropriate lust for me, one of your students!" He wanted to see how much he could provoke the old man in front of his deputy and the other three heads of houses.

The headmaster was beyond furious. The fact he was outed as Harry's magical guardian was a disaster. The article, in the best case, could turn the public against him. In the worst case, it would bring the investigation and harassment from the DMLE. Magical Britain would not understand. What he did to Harry was for the greater good after all. The boy had to be broken down, friendless, and willing to sacrifice himself after all. A pawn that would have no issues dying for the magical world. Something he wasn't since he changed where he lived in the muggle world.

He also had to punish the boy. After all, Harry went ahead and spoke with the press again. How could Harry do this to him? The boy had said that he would not!

"Mister Potter, we have discussed this! You agreed not to talk to the press." he jabbed his finger at the front page of the Daily Prophet sitting folded on his desk before him, "

"You have now placed the lives of your aunt, uncle, and cousin in peril! It will not take long for their location to be discovered if it hasn't already. I'm going to have to take steps to see they're protected even further. That's time and resources I do not have to waste."

"First, Headmaster," replied Harry. "Why would you need to, as you put it, take steps to protect them? You placed me there because you said it was safe, and that was yesterday. You even put it in writing. At least that is what you put in the form to grant yourself my guardianship, remember?"

"Second, I really couldn't care any less whether my so-called relatives are protected or not. As far as I'm concerned, the wizarding world could come down on them like a kiloton of bricks, I would cheer them on! I would love to see them burning at the stake; as one of the dark factions suggested. I would bring s'mores."

"Since I am sure you knew what was happening there. So how do you think Magical Britain would respond when they heard the story?"

"Plus, I did not speak with the press after our last talk. It seems that articles were written before I came to Hogwarts. Too bad, you cannot stop me from talking to them in the past. Now I have a class. As does Flitwick." Harry said with a large smirk. Flitwick was not even hiding his enjoyment at the headmaster's distress.

Dumbledore realized he needed to get back the control. "How did you know about what I put on the guardianship form? That file was sealed."

"Just like how I know you sealed my parents' wills. When you fucked with my life, it created a paper trail. That trail leads to you."

Dumbledore frowned. "It would take a lot of effort to find that." Dumbledore needed to know what the boy knew. Did the boy see the will? Did he see the contract with the Weasleys? How much had this boy seen? "That is why my muggle guardian paid so well for my solicitor. They are good about finding out information people don't want to come out. They have the documents you signed about me."

What did the boy know? Had his legal firm found everything? Albus knew fighting the boy on this was a lost cause. The bureaucracy had required him to fill out lots of forms to do his manipulations of the boy's life. Now it was coming back to roost.

The brat just admitted he had copies of what the paper had printed. What other copies did he have? He should have none; they were sealed. But were they? No, unless it came out in the Prophet, he would assume the boy did not know about anything else. What was the next article? "How many more of these articles can we expect, Mister Potter?"

With a shrug, Harry called back. "How should I know? I am just a student here. But since you have no authority when I am in the muggle world. It would be sad if my muggle guardian permitted me to talk with them." Without waiting for a response, he left.

When he left Albus was still in a right state. Harry was defiant, not submissive, and willing to sacrifice himself. Harry knew too much. He spread that information to the sheep of the country. Albus must stop all of this.

Maybe he could try insinuating information about the brat in the papers? He would say that on his current path, Harry would go dark, especially if the brat did not follow his orders, just like Tom.

That might work, but for the masses; Harry must remain a champion and then a martyr of the light. All for the greater good of course. If his faction lost faith in his weapon; he would lose power. So, it would not work.

He had to think of how to reign Harry in. To control the boy. To keep information from him. It was even more important to prevent Harry from learning more about Albus's manipulations or the magical world. If the boy did; who knew how much damage that would cause to the greater good? The biggest fear; was that the boy would find out about his contract with Ginevra and share it in a manner that would appear as line-theft. It was, but the public could not know that. The public would lynch him for line theft.

{S}

The next day, Dumbledore's perfect school became a little less perfect. It all started with the first class of the day. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff had potions. It was Harry's first class with the potion master. Harry wasn't that worried; he was not a Gryff. Everyone knew the teacher had it in for the lions.

It started well; Snape did a monologue in class. Harry thought the monologue was great, no matter what else he had heard about this teacher; stoppering death was an awesome feat. Then he realized the bat was targeting him.

"Mister Potter. Our resident celebrity. What would I get if I added a powder root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

"The draft of the living death, professor. But why would you ask a first year about a potion that we do not brew until after our owls?" Harry shot back. Harry realized he shouldn't but he refused to back down.

"Ten points for questioning a teacher. Where do you find me a bezoar?"

"Since poisons and antidotes are not part of the curriculum until the second year. Why would I need to know it is found in the stomach of a goat?"

"Ten more points from Ravenclaw. The next time you question me, it will be detention. What is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?"

Harry didn't respond and got up to leave. "Where are you going, Mister Potter?"

"To see my head of the house. Since you are not treating me fairly, I will see about self-study of potions. I will not tolerate this abuse."

"You will sit down, and answer my question now! You also have a week of detention with me, you arrogant boy!" Snape shouted. Harry had to smirk. The memories from all the students would sink this death eater. The press would have a royal parade. Now, how to provoke the bastard that last step.

"Make me, you death eater piece of shite!" Harry bellowed back. Could he provoke the idiot enough to draw his wand?

The class was shocked when Snape pulled his wand. They were even more shocked when Harry had his wand already out.

"Stupefy" Harry barked.

Snape slammed into the wall, unconscious. Grinning, Harry got up, gathered his things, and headed out the door. Harry was happy; he got self-study plus he got to stun a teacher. The most bigoted teacher in the school at that. But first was the owlery. His solicitor and aunt needed to know about this tripe, definitely Amelia Bones too. He went to the owlery. He sent three school owls with messages and memory vials. Let this place burn.

{S}

"Harry my boy, you are a wands width from being expelled."

"Shove it, headmaster. I am not your boy. Now, as far as Snape, he was purposely trying to humiliate me. He was asking questions a normal first-year would not even have in their books. If he will ask me questions that aren't even in the first-year potion class, I am sure he will not treat or grade me fairly. Plus, he took points and threatened detention because I had the audacity to ask why he was asking questions that was not even in my first-year book."

"Then I did the appropriate thing, at least according to the school by-laws; and got up to leave the class. However, when I tried to leave to go talk with my head of the house and the Deputy headmistress, he drew his wand at me. I was afraid that since he was a death eater, he would want to finish what his master started."

Smirking, Harry continued. "I want the Department of Magical Law Enforcement in here investigating that shit and I will self-study potions since I do not feel safe in his class. You are just lucky I shot a stunner not a piercer or you would need a new teacher."

"He is a professor. You will respect his authority to run his class how he wants to! I am the headmaster here; I will not summon the DMLE."

"Respect? Bugger off, he drew his wand first. I did not know if he was going to cast the killing curse on me. Next time he draws his wand on me, I will kill the fucker. Also, I demand my head of the house is here. You know that is what the bylaws require."

"You will serve detention the rest of the year."

"For what cause? Let's take this to the Wizengamot, school board, and press to see what they say about a death eater drawing a wand on the boy who lived. Maybe even casting another killing curse at me. The press will be having a field day. How is it going to look that I had to defend myself; that you feel that it warrants a year's long detention." Harry said while glaring daggers at the headmaster. "As I said, I want the DMLE in here."

"Harry, you have to turn from this dark path and listen to me. The DMLE is not invited to my castle unless a major crime happens."

"No, I don't headmaster. If expelled, you would lose my magical guardianship. I would leave England. Even better, since my muggle guardian has a magical relative, no obliviation. So, we could move somewhere else. A place where the binding on my magic would be reversed. Then how hard would it be for me to get a new wand? After that, I could even start at another magical school. My muggle guardian taught me French, German, and Japanese to name a few. I am fluent enough to get into other schools. What would happen to you and the minister when that got out? It would be fun for me to watch magical Britain tear you and the minister to pieces!"

"My boy. While you are in this castle; you will obey me." Albus demanded. The boy was not listening. Not obeying.

"One, I am not your boy. I loathe you. Two, when it involves fair treatment; or real schooling, I have no problem with if I break the rules and am fairly punished. When it comes to hazing or bullying; I will not either accept bull shite punishments or even worse treatment from the staff. If I am drawn on by a professor, I hope they know how to dual or die."

"You wouldn't dare!" Albus demanded, the boy couldn't do that. That would cost him his job or worse. The boy couldn't be that dark.

"Why not headmaster? Why should I take abuse or lethal threats from anyone? Take Snape, my mom was great with potions. I want to be just as good. I cannot learn from a teacher that is so hostile to me."

"I am sure you are exaggerating my boy," Albus said. He had to get the boy to submit.

"Again, I am not your boy; quit the degrading talk. Snape asked questions just to humiliate me. Questions a normal first year could not have answered. Then he drew his wand on me when I refused to take it and tried to leave the class to see my head of the house. Which is allowed by the by-laws. I am here for my magical education, not to be someone's punching bag. You said you don't like articles about your school. I am sure that Rita woman will make a lovely article about what happened today."

"You know that bat is a problem. From what I have heard in the Ravenclaw common room; Snape is not fair to any other house than his own. I wonder how many other students could come forward to Rita." Harry smirked. "So, what will it be, headmaster, a whole bunch of bad press forcing you to remove that asshole or you let me self-study. Choose wisely. Oh, and I already sent a copy of the memory to my solicitor before going to the hall for a snack. Can you imagine what Korshak will do with it?"

"Harry, you must change your path. You are going dark like this!" Dumbledore was in a panic. Had the boy sent the memory? Albus was sure what the boy said to happen. But that is the greater good. Snape would bully the other houses and be extremely hostile to the muggleborns. That is what he wanted the potions professor to do.

"Dark that is bullshit again. Standing up for myself is not dark. Let me guess, do as I say, not as I do. If I don't, I am instantly dark. Such bullshit. You want to see me go dark; next time I have a wand drawn on me, they get a crucifigere to the chest or head."

"I forbid that. I forbid you from using any of your dark spells. If you are attacked and do not have a choice but to defend yourself. You will only use the stun or disarming spells. Do you understand?" Dumbledore roared; the boy must follow his orders. The light side needed a weapon that did not kill.

"You are not my head of the house. You cannot bind my magic to enforce your stupid request. I will use any spell I know short of the three unforgivables. I have no issues killing people now that I have had to defend my life. No thanks to you. So, test me, arsehole." Harry retorted in a fury. He was looking forward to killing a professor or two.

Grumbling: "Leave." Dumbledore stated. Dreading the next morning.

{N}

THE BOY WHO LIVED ATTACKED BY A TEACHER

We at the Prophet received a memory of the potions class yesterday. The Hogwarts' potion professor asked the first-year questions, which were for a fifth-year or later potions classes.

Surprisingly; Mister Potter was able to answer the questions. However, the potion master tried to punish the boy; when he asked why he was being asked such advanced questions.

Then Severus Snape drew his wand to try to cast on Harry Potter. Potter beat him to the draw. We do not know what spell Snape was planning on casting. Mister Potter only stunned the professor.

The reason Snape drew his wand? He wanted to stop Mister Potter from leaving the room and going to his head of house; which is allowed in the school's by-laws.

How can the headmaster allow the situation to happen?

Neither Albus Dumbledore nor Hogwarts responded to our request for comments.

Rita Skeeter - Correspondent

{S}

Dumbledore's week kept getting worse. Harry's law firm was suing the school and Snape. He would have to use his gold to prevent Snape from rebelling or the school board from getting involved.

The school board suspended Severus for a month. Albus could not commute that.

The last straw; the boy's request to get the DMLE involved; had happened. It was not from the boy's request, but the paper that caused it. But Albus now had to fight with Amelia. That was always a losing proposition. At best; he would use favors to keep Severus out of Azkaban.

Albus sighed. The only good point of this year; he had not been able to stop the stone from being in the castle. Now if only he could get the boy to go after the stone or follow Quirrell when he goes for the stone. Harry did not have the attitude for him to care about the stone. That was intolerable. It might have been perfect. If the boy died at Quirrell's hand; he would even give up the Potter fortune now. The boy had aggravated him that much.

The school year was not going as planned. The brat was not in Gryffindor. So, he had to find a couple of spies in Ravenclaw. That was hard; he would have to offer knowledge the children should never have access to, to get them to spy. That was not something he wanted to do but had no choice. After all, Albus needed to know what Harry was doing and thinking.

His headache was not all due to Harry. Two other students changed out of Gryffindor. One of them was the Longbottom brat. Neville was Harry's replacement if the brat died before he should. Longbottom was not treated as squib by the badgers. They respected his abilities with plants. Since only magicals with large cores could survive working with some of them.

The rest of the students were not helping. It was almost impossible now for Albus to cultivate spies from any students in houses other than Gryffindor. The fact it was his own bias towards the Gryffindors that soured the other students; was not his fault.

The brats should accept that his actions were all for the greater good. That good included making the lions the top of the food chain.

The lions were the only house that did not call him to task for the Saint Mungo's report. Even the snakes hated him for the harm Harry received from his relatives.

Children were not the only pains. He had to deal with Sirius Black. Even with all of his favors, he couldn't stop the man's trial. That was because of what was in the Prophet. He had to allow the trial so he could keep the Potters' wills sealed.

After canceling a few more debts he had been owed, he was at least able to ensure that if Sirius was freed until he had mind healers sign off; he could not try for magical guardianship of Harry. This was going to be a disaster when Sirius took over the magical guardianship. It was just a matter of time. If only the dog would have remained loyal. Just because he sent the dog to Azkaban did not mean Sirius should refuse his owls.

{M}

Albus Dumbledore

After reviewing the memories of my client; Harry Potter; us at Adams, Adams, & Adams; are filing a restraining order against one of your teachers, Professor Severus Snape. He cannot come within 10 meters of Harry Potter. You must find another way for him to learn potions. Mister Potter agrees to drop the rest of the litigation for the small sum of one hundred thousand galleons and our fee of twenty percent of Harry's sum.

Benjamin Brafman

Solicitor at Law

{S}

It was a bad day for Dumbledore; he had to stop by the goblins to pay off the boy to start it. Then he had to attend the Wizengamot.

He had a bad feeling about this meeting.

Amelia had come in and put her name in the queue without answering why. He knew about the trial that he couldn't stop but he did not want to see what else could happen. Without locking her time for just a trial; she could go after many other issues he would not want to be brought in front of this august body.

Composing himself, it was time to address the Wizarding body. Once the initial process was done and everyone was seated, he asked, "Who would like to start the meeting off today?" He was hoping someone would have a point of order to stop what he knew came next.

At that moment, the head of the Department of Law Enforcement stood up "I do Chief Warlock," Amelia said in a stern voice. Albus was not happy; Amelia was smirking.

"The chair recognizes the Head of the Department of Law Enforcement, Amelia Bones" he informed the others and inclined his head to her. "The floor is yours," he said to her.

"Thank you, Chief Warlock, Members of the Wizengamot, I am the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement!" she said. "As we know from the Prophet; ladies and gentlemen; ten years ago, we were in a state of war with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. During that time, many innocent lives were lost; families were destroyed."

Dumbledore was scowling. He saw that many of the Wizengamot members remembered the devastation that occurred back then. He wondered how many would remember his actions and in-actions that caused many to die needlessly.

She let them have a brief moment to think before continuing "The only reason the war ended was because he was defeated Halloween night on a fluke."

"So that is the history. Why we are here today, sometimes things happened in that war that violates our laws. It is my job to correct the issue, to make sure the law is followed." Amelia wanted to make sure everyone knew the public would crucify anyone stopping her today. She also wanted to remind the group that Dumbledore had broken the law with what he did to Sirius Black.

"It may surprise many here, but someone never received a trial. That person was one Sirius Black." Amelia said playing to the press; knowing that everyone here already knew that. However, since no one wanted to be sent to jail without a trial. Even the death eaters were appalled; if it could happen to a Black; if Fudge was replaced by the wrong sort; they would be next. There were angry murmurs.

Deep down Albus was scared. Just from the reactions, he knew he would no longer be able to keep Sirius locked away. But he must; Harry must remain under his thumb for the greater good.

Amelia banged her gavel; "Order!" She waited until it was quiet again. She was enjoying herself. Albus looked constipated. All the factions did not want this precedent to stand. "It is my job to make sure that law and order are being upheld," she said with fury. "A man was carted off to Azkaban without a trial. We do not give life in prison, or capital punishment without a trial. The law clearly states that everyone deserves a trial. "Something our chief warlock ensured he did not." She wanted those points' front and center so it did not look like she was going after the leader of the light. Just her being an upstanding law officer.

Lord Dominic Greengrass snapped. "If the man was indeed sentenced to life in Azkaban without a trial, then it becomes necessary that we give him that trial." Internally he was smiling. He had gotten the documents about Sirius. He planned on using this trial to attack Dumbledore. A wizard that had threatened his family because they wanted to stay neutral. Giving Sirius his freedom was given.

"Then, let us start the trial of Sirius Black; right now. Members of the Wizengamot we have found proof that Sirius Black is innocent of the charges he's been accused of." Amelia said before turning her head to the entrance "Bring them in" she yelled. She was watching Dumbledore. She could tell he wanted to find a way to stop this train wreck; but couldn't.

Everyone's attention was turned to the entrances as they saw the preserved corpse of a balding man being floated in by an Auror. Just behind that, two other Aurors brought in Sirius and put him in the chair where he was immediately chained. Sirius looked defiant except for Dumbledore, Albus saw hatred. He was now concerned with what the mutt may say.

"Ladies and Gentlemen; what we have here is the fresh corpse of a man who was presumed dead years ago and a man who was sent to Azkaban without a trial for his murder. We will now have Sirius Black's testimony under veritaserum. Aurors administer the serum, so we can begin." Amelia said; she couldn't lose her smile. One of the Aurors came out of the shadows and poured the three drops of the potion down his mouth, his eyes became glassy as he was now ready.

Madam Bones immediately asked her questions "You are Sirius Orion Black, correct?"

"Yes," he said

"The sworn godfather of one Harry James Potter?" This question upset Dumbledore; he knew this was going to be worse than he thought. Amelia was not just freeing Sirius; she was coming after him. There must be a way to stop this. Didn't Amelia understand the greater good should trump the laws? Sirius needed to stay in Azkaban and away from Harry Potter. Harry must live with his relatives, not his loving godfather.

"Yes".

"Alright the potion appears to be working," she said to the other members of the Wizengamot.

"Sirius Orion Black did you betray the Potters to You-Know-Who?"

"No, I would never harm James or my godson!" "Do you know who did?"

"Since Peter was the secret keeper, it could only have been him."

"Did you kill the twelve Muggles in the street?"

"No, I did not."

"Who did?"

"Peter shot a bombarda maxima at the street then it exploded killing the muggles. He then turned into a rat and disappeared. It wasn't until later did I find out about his finger."

There was a collective amount of gasp that rang throughout the meeting. People were muttering about how the man was framed. Dumbledore stood. "With that colleagues, we should call for a vote."

"You are out of order, chief warlock. We need all the evidence out before this august body can decide on a vote." Greengrass shouted back. "Continue, please, Madam Bones."

"It was believed that James and Lily wanted you to be their Secret Keeper, can you explain why that did not happen?" Amelia asked; Sirius would be declared innocent now; but how much damage could she do to Albus; she wondered.

"We thought it would be for the best; as no one would have suspected Peter of being the Secret Keeper, or at least that is what Albus said. I disagreed since I knew how weak Peter was but Albus said he would not cast the spell if I was the secret keeper. Albus did that when we had no choice but to use Peter. James, Lilly and Harry was already at the cottage."

Bones ignored the murmurs Sirius's comment created. "Describe the events of what happened October 31, 1981?"

"I was at Hogshead Tavern waiting for Peter to contact me, when he didn't, I became concerned. So, I immediately got on my bike to go to his flat. He wasn't there so I went to the Potters. By the time I got the house, it was in shambles and I immediately knew that Peter gave them up."

"I was about to head in when I saw Hagrid come out of there with Harry Potter in his hands. He told me that James and Lily were dead, but Harry survived, I immediately told him to hand Harry to me as I was his godfather and my responsibility. Hagrid refused and told me that he was to take him to his muggle aunt and uncle by Albus Dumbledore. I pointed out that Harry was to stay with me, but he refused because as he said, he had strict order from Dumbledore to deliver Harry to his aunt and uncle. He also stated that Dumbledore ordered me to track down the rat that betrayed the Potters. We fought for a while then my mind grew hazy. I do not know why I gave Hagrid my bike while I went after Peter for what he did to James and Lily."

The members were flabbergasted at what he said. Many of them were outright furious. Amelia and Dominic were happy. This was worse for Dumbledore than they had hoped. "All, notice that per Hagrid, Dumbledore knew that Peter was the criminal at that time. Also, the sudden change in Sirius, it is almost like someone either confounded or imperioused him." Amelia pointed out. Then she continued the questioning. "What about what happened with Peter and those muggles" Bones asked sternly.

"I been tracking Peter for days and finally cornered him in a muggle area; not too far from his flat, when he hit me with the imperius, blew the gas pipe with a blasting curse, cut off his finger, transformed into a rat and escaped through the sewers" he answered honestly. "I did not know about his finger until later though. When I saw a paper while in Azkaban."

Madam Bones looked at the members while smiling. She wanted to drive it home again, how Dumbledore was part of this. "Sirius, can you please tell us who knew about the switch and who cast the fidelus? Based on what I know about the fidelus charm only the occupants, the secret keeper and the caster are the only ones who know where the location is."

"Madam Bones, that is not relevant!" Albus shouted. He knew that freeing Sirius was not the only thing Amelia wanted from this trial, now. How dare the woman go after him, he was the great Albus Dumbledore.

"Part of Sirius's supposed guilt is that he betrayed the Potters. So, tell us, Mister Black." Amelia retorted. The press would be screaming for Albus's head.

Sirius answered "Albus cast the charm and knew we switched. He forced the switch."

When he answered everyone was sporting looks of anger, hatred, and rage; it was all directed at Dumbledore. Damn, that woman. Certain things he did could not be shown in the light of day for the greater good. The biggest, he had set up the Potters so he would control young Harry. Harry's parents were just collateral damage.

"That is all the questions I have. The only other evidence I will present is the documents to send Sirius to Azkaban."

"Madam Bones, there is no need to submit those." Albus tried to stop her. He realized that he was also on trial now.

Amelia smirked. "Sorry, Chief Warlock, but we have to expose all of the injustices in this matter. The fact that you, the head of the DMLE, and the Minister at the time, signed the documents that sent Sirius straight to Azkaban without a trial is part of that injustice. The documents show that there was no trial."

Amelia was satisfied and motioned for one of the Auror to administer the antidote, Sirius was brought out of his trance. He flashed her a look of gratitude which she returned to him.

Another Auror passed out copied parchments. One plainly showed that from the time he was arrested; until the time he was sent to Azkaban was just under two hours. A second showed that this was the first trial of Sirius Black. The chief warlock put in writing; that there was no need for a trial. Dumbledore was now worried. These documents showed that he had; at the minimum, railroaded Sirius.

At this point, even some of his supporters would question his actions.

"Last piece of evidence is the body of one Peter Pettigrew. There is more to this story. If he was a hero, why did he not come forth after Sirius Black was locked up in Azkaban? Why did he not register that he was an animagus? Why did he hide from the day Black confronted him until he was revealed by a stray curse on the Hogwarts Express?" Amelia cast a spell on the corpse and Sirius, the spell ripped off the sleeves of both. "As you all can see, Peter had the dark mark while Sirius does not! Given your lack of reaction; it makes one wonder if you knew that Peter was a death eater, Albus" Amelia said.

The Minister then took control "Well I believe we have heard enough. All those in favor of clearing Sirius Black of all charges against him show of wands; red for innocent." It was unanimous but it seemed like some were reluctant.

"Sirius Black you are hereby, cleared of all charges effective immediately. The ministry offers its apology and will set up a compensation agreement for your unjust incarceration" he said looking down at him. "You will also be sent to St. Mungo's for treatment."

The Aurors released him of his chains and he immediately chanted "I'm free".

"Not yet, Lord Black, you need to go to Saint

Mungo's to get better. Then you will be free." Madam Bones smiled. She had set free Sirius and now if Fudge would do the right thing.

"Madam Bones!" Cornelius shouted.

"Yes, minister." She replied.

"Investigate all who signed the documents to send Lord Black to Azkaban and determine how much of his recompense they should pay." Fudge said while staring at Barty Crouch. He forgot that Albus would also be in the line of fire.

"Yes, minister. I also want to investigate how a powerful legilimen, did not know that Peter was a traitor." Amelia said with a harsh look at Dumbledore.

Now Dumbledore was pissed; he could not afford to have the head of the DMLE investigating his manipulations of the events from that October and November. He still had things that could not come to light. Would she find them, or worse, would she find out about his line theft with the marriage contract between Harry and Ginevra Weasley? Being caught doing that would earn him time in Azkaban.

Harry must not know about the contract until they were married. When thanks to a fertility potion and lust potions, Harry would have an heir. Then Albus would make sure Harry, Ginevra, and their child would die of course, for the greater good.

"I will approve it as part of the recompense investigation," Fudge said. Now Dumbledore would have to do damage control and probably lose more gold to stop this.

{S}

Dumbledore was scared. He had many new problems. He now had to find a way to both damage control his reputation and stop Bones from finding out so many things.

He was pretty sure Amelia would find out that he did know that Peter was the traitor. If she could prove it; was another matter. Second, Peter had been behind the betrayal of the Longbottoms, and the killing of her niece's parents. Once Amelia found that out; she would forever be his enemy.

It was worse than his plans. Now, there was no way he could prevent Harry from learning what he had done with Sirius Black; it would be in the paper. It was possible that the boy would never trust him again.

At least he could keep the mutt away from the boy for a time. Who knew what all the mutt knew? The only hope he had was that Sirius did not see the Potter's will. The Sirius Black issue would haunt him now. Since Sirius was free, would this lead to Harry finding out about any of the other manipulations? No, Albus had covered his tracks. But would this start the boy looking? It could change the boy from distrustful to total rebellion. The boy could decide to not follow his orders. The boy had to obey; his greater good demanded it.

Though there was still a bright side. There was no way Harry would find out about the marriage contract with Ginevra Weasley. He was sure of it. Only Molly, the goblins, and he knew about it. With enough gold, the goblins would say nothing. He paid a traitor in the goblin ranks to ensure this. So, no matter what the DMLE finds, he did not need to fear Azkaban.

Albus shook his head. It seemed this trial may have started the brat to look at himself. He heard from Minerva that Harry had asked all about the Weasleys. If he was intelligent; he would realize that the Weasley had been to the platform over sixty times. Molly asking what the platform was again would be proof that the Weasley meant to do him harm. Maybe that was for the better. So, there would be no way the boy would find out about his bride-to-be. Maybe he should tell the boy before he finds out before he figures it out himself.

No, he would wait until Molly potioned the brat and young Ginevra was pregnant before that chestnut would come out. Then the boy would do the right thing. That was the way of proper purebloods.

But before then, what was the correct course of action for the boy? After all, there were restrictions on the actions he could do to the boy. Harry needed to die by Tom's hand and leave a widow with a child and money under Albus's control. The poor widow and orphan. It was too bad that they would not last much longer after Harry was in the ground. Molly would soon die before her daughter was in the ground. They all must die, after all, it was for the greater good.

{S}

Harry was having a good morning. His godfather was innocent. Sirius was free. Now he only had to wait for Madam Bones to respond to his owl. He wanted the transcript of what was said. He would use it against Dumbledore.

Then, there was what he learned from a talkative Gryff. The whole redhead family was his enemy. Now he had no qualms about killing them. Not even his future bride.

He was not bothered about some of the fall out of the trial. He had been told by Professor McGonagall that it would be at least summer before he would get to talk with Sirius. He found it amusing that she had told him that. Almost as if someone had ordered her to. It was almost as if someone didn't want him to think of Owling Sirius. Letting him communicate with the man earlier than someone's stupid plans. Such idiots. He already sent a note via owl to Sirius.

The other good news was he would be allowed to do self-study of potions. No more dealing with a hostile teacher. He was sure he would do better than with that bat.

The only fly in the ointment; is his unease in the defense against the dark arts class. Or whenever he was near Professor Quirrell. There was something not right there.

{S}

Things were going well, but today was Halloween. Harry was on edge all of today.

It did not help when a group of Gryffindor girls bullied one of his fellow ravens in charms class.

Who cared that she tried to help them with casting a spell? That was no reason to be mean. The fact he thought she was cute, of course, did not bias him, he laughed to himself. He did not see her and now it was the feast. He was going to sit with her. He thought she could be a friend. Since she changed house after the hat debacle; he was sure she was not a Dumbledore lickspittle. He felt she would understand him.

Now, he had been ordered to attend the feast. It still pissed him off to be ordered to celebrate his parents' deaths. He found out that the order came straight from Dumbledore. Harry was glad Flitwick agreed with him. Flitwick thought forcing Harry to celebrate his parents' deaths was crass. The professor told him to leave the feast early. Harry was grateful that Flitwick wasn't a Dumbledore sycophant.

"Troll! There's a troll in the dungeons!" Professor Quirrell yelled as he ran into the room and barely even reached the center of the room before fainting.

After they started to head back to the tower; Harry remembered the girl. He also wondered why Dumbledore sent the Slytherins and Hufflepuffs to the dungeon area if the troll was there.

This coming from the supposed smartest wizard of the century; he was stupid for sending students into danger. Or was he sending students to be his canaries? Either way, it proved that the headmaster should quit his vaunted position.

The more he thought about it; he was surer it was the second option. During the first war against Voldemort and the war on Grindelwald; Albus didn't care about casualties. He also wondered why the Head Master couldn't use the wards, ghosts, or pictures to find the troll. Well, he would have to save the girl. It was time to see if he was up to killing a troll.

Racing down the corridor and stairs, he made it to the second floor just in time to see the back side of the troll goes into the girl's bathroom. It was grey and huge. Running into the bathroom anyway, he was almost knocked over by the stench of the creature. A girl's scream brought his attention back to the matter at hand. The troll raised its large club and swung, knocking a stall door off its hinges and violently throwing it across the room to break a sink. Knowing that the girl was in danger, even if they were not friends at the moment, Harry pulled his wand out and ran, jumping on the back of the troll, and throwing his arms around the troll's neck. Praying he could distract the troll and allow the girl to escape, he jammed his wand into the troll's ear. He whispered bombarda maxima.

Harry was surprised at the results. The other side of the troll's head instantly passed the far wall. Then the troll fell to the ground. He was now impressed with himself. He had not just beaten the monster; he had killed it.

The girl was still crouched in the corner but with her mouth wide open. Next to Harry, on the floor was the troll. Most of its head was missing. Steaming meat chunks squelched down the wall of the bathroom. Harry got off the troll. He then stuck out his hand. "Hi there, my name is Harry. Who are you?" A gentleman had to be polite after all. Besides, he just killed a huge troll for the girl.

"Y-y-you, you saved m-my life. I w-w-was going to d-die and you saved my life!" She was starting to sound more hysterical as she talked. "Okay, we can deal with that later, who are you?" Harry said calmly. Not wanting the girl to know he knew who he saved.

"Mister Potter? Miss Granger?" Professor McGonagall's shocked voice sounded in the small bathroom. "Is that…? How…? Are… are you two hurt?" she finally managed to say.

"We're okay, Professor." Harry returned with a smile.

"How did this…?" The teacher abruptly cut off as a piece of the troll's brain slipped from the wall and dropped an inch in front of her.

"What the blazes?" Professor Flitwick squeaked as he came around the older woman. "What happened to its head?"

Miss Granger started to answer, from the floor, still staring at the troll. She shook her head, stood up, and moved to stand with Harry. "Harry killed it, ma'am. He stuck his wand in its ear and…" She could not finish. The gore was too much.

"Impossible!" Snape sneered.

"Mister Potter? Perhaps you should explain what just happened," Professor McGonagall could barely tear her eyes from the troll's twitching remains long enough to glance at the students.

"Miss Granger didn't know about the troll because she had been in the bathroom, Professor. I ran to get her but the troll was already there. It was trying to kill her so I jumped up on it and cast a bombarda right in its ear." Harry looked down and grimaced. "I also thought it was stupid for the headmaster to send two whole houses to where the troll was supposedly located. Harry noticed the blush on McGonagall's face. He had scored a hit with that one. A very palpable hit. He saw that a group of prefects and the head boy and girl had caught up to the teachers and also heard his comment. It would get around the school that Dumbledore didn't care about their lives.

"Please don't punish, Harry. He was only here because of me. I should be the one punished. It was going to kill me and he only came to help," she pleaded. The tears threatened to fall again and Harry reached out and squeezed her hand.

"50 points to Ravenclaw to you Mister Potter for immediately coming to the aid of a classmate in trouble and triumphing over incredible odds," Professor Flitwick commented as he poked at the troll's body.

Harry thought this could be good. He and the girl started talking on the way back to Ravenclaw tower. Her name was Hermione Jane Granger. She acted like she was already his friend which he liked.

He wondered if magic was involved. If not now, he had a life debt on her now that he could call at some point in the future. Plus, the girl seemed nice; she was sort of cute also. So, he gave her his bracelet. He would get a new one from his aunt. It would not be due for either of them to be potioned or poisoned. He felt Dumbledore would stoop that low though.

{S}

Albus was in his office; thinking about the day. The day had not gone as planned.

First was the troll. Harry killed the beast. His first and only spell was lethal. The boy was too powerful; too willing to kill.

That scared him. He had to find a way to stop the boy from gaining any more power. If he was this powerful with his core bound; unbound; he could challenge Tom and himself. This required him to again review Harry's health report from Madam Pomfrey. The binding he had put on the boy's core was still there. Only now the medi-witch could detect it. That had required him to obliviate the woman. She had wanted the curse broken. It must remain for the greater good.

The second was the stone. The brat was supposed to either follow or beat Quirrell to it. Both were to use the troll as a distraction, beat the traps, and fight in front of the mirror. Then Harry could be killed by Voldemort. After all, Harry had to die. He could not just be killed. No, he had to die in the correct manner, in the right setting, at the right time, and by Tom's wand. Instead, the boy went after the girl. So, he had to send Severus to ward Quirrell off. Severus got bit in the process.

Another problem of Harry's choice was that damn life debt. The boy had a life debt. He had to get the boy to give it up. Harry could use it to create a family despite the contract for Ginevra. From what Minerva said, the mudblood slag was too smart. Maybe the smartest witch in the castle. Her intelligence and knowledge might eventually rival his own. She might learn stuff or worse teach stuff to Harry that would be bad for the greater good.

Then there was Filius. The Ravenclaw head of the house was on him to address the situation that led that mudblood to cry in the bathroom.

He didn't care about the girl. The Wizarding World was being eaten away by the radical ideas that were being brought into it by the likes of Miss Granger. That poor girl didn't understand that applying muggle values and systems to the magical world would tear it apart. No, it needed to remain stagnant. Dumbledore believed this; therefore, it was true. For was not he Albus Dumbledore, the greatest wizard alive, all-knowing and never wrong?

As to the Ravenclaw's head, he refused. Dumbledore had spent his life molding the young. The abuse of the mudbloods was part of that. It was also why he'd set limits to the punishments that the Professors could hand out. If the purebloods were held accountable; they might agree with concepts like equity or other foolish muggle ideas.

{S}

After that day, Harry always had a friend, a confidant, and maybe a slave. Once he gave Hermione orders, she quit being bossy and did as she was bid. Then she wanted to talk to him.

He finally found a friend.

Hermione saw it a little differently than he did. Her body felt weird at the idea of being controlled by Harry. Her magic liked it. It was forcing her to be more subservient to Harry. She loved that. "Harry, there are a couple of things we need to talk about. It is not safe for a muggleborn like me to live in the wizarding world. Would it be possible for me to become your vassal?" Hermione asked.

Harry was stunned. He did not know what to say. "Aren't we too young for this?" Harry asked. "I do not even know anything about having a vassal."

"At the moment, yes, we are too young. But I am talking about the future. It will make my future easier." Hermione replied. She didn't want him to know about her vague desires yet. She had read some of her mom's romance novels. The idea of serving her man was intriguing.

"Is that the only reason?" Harry asked as a joke.

"Umm, Harry…" Hermione stammered and blushed "Can we talk about that when we are older?" Still not wanting to talk about it yet. She was sure the boy would also want to avoid the subject until he was older.

"Then I need you to figure out what I need to do, Hermione," Harry said with a smile. He knew by that blush; Hermione was thinking about something more adult than they were currently ready for. He had heard from one of his tutors; the smart ones were usually more exotic lovers. Hermione kissed him on the cheek.

Harry internally laughed. The girl was falling under his power. He also had a life debt over her. He would have to find out what he could do to a vassal. Especially if the girl was willing, hell; she seemed even eager. More important; she was book smart, and had innate intelligence better than his own. She could help him in the future, he was sure. Plus, he felt something inside himself; for the girl. He didn't know what it was, but he wanted time to figure it out.