Chapter 22: Detention with the principal? No, just a quiet chat.

Harry looked at Dumbledore and couldn't help but smile. His lips moved into a smile, and he tried not to move his lips, but it proved a somewhat difficult task as he watched the headmaster cough. Harry could use Occlumency, but he didn't have to. There was nothing he had to hide, especially since the old man in front of him already knew what happened.

"Did you really have to make Dolores angry? With the Ministry watching our every move, you'll find them even more nosy than you think, Harry."

"But was I right?"

Dumbledore sighed a little and nodded:

"But you were right. In fact, Madame Longbottom sent me a letter asking about Dolores' class. And if she says she'll do what she says she'll do, which I see very possible, then she'll end up talking to the rest of the Board of Governors."

"And the members of the Board of Governors are part of the Sacred 28. All of them," Harry smiled, now not hiding it.

 "Greengrass, Longbottom, Abbott, MacMillan, and others. They may not have the same power and reputation as they did years ago, but they are still known and listened to, for a reason they are part of the Board of Governors."

"You had that planned, right?"

"Not at all," Harry waved his hands to the sides and shrugged. "I simply used what I already knew against that woman. And I think that's for the best. You know better than anyone that nothing would come of yelling and getting too upset with her."

"Besides, I don't think she'll last too long in her position."

"What do you mean?" Albus leaned forward a little and looked at Harry over his glasses.

"Do you know about the attack on Malfoy Manor?"

"Of course. Severus told me about it. Voldemort wasn't just..." Albus stopped as he frowned.

"It was you."

Harry nodded seriously, putting aside the smiles.

 "I won't tell you how I did it, because I don't want anyone to know. But I could see an argument between Draco and Narcissa. It seems that the two weren't too comfortable and happy with Voldemort hanging around the manor. Draco was even quite desperate."

"What did you do, Harry?" Albus asked, worried about what Harry was capable of now that he knew so many things.

"I protected them. I offered Narcissa a way out of her current life. I gave her a ward and something to make her undetectable. Draco also has wards on him. Of course, I didn't do this for free. In exchange for what I offered, Narcissa had to tell all of her husband's dirty laundry... to Madame Bones."

"That's why Sirius is now free."

"So... Voldemort won't be able to keep hiding any longer, even if he wants to, he can't," Albus said, surprised by Harry's cunning and intelligent movements.

 "In no time, the Ministry will not be able to hide or deny anything..." Harry said coldly, but Albus interrupted him.

"Sirius can now move slowly too. And with the capture of several hidden Death Eaters with the matter of the explosions, Voldemort doesn't have as many allies. Voldemort won't be able to hide anymore... And everyone will know about him. Not only that, Dolores will probably have to retreat too."

Harry extended his hand towards Dumbledore, tacitly indicating that he was right.

"And when Voldemort can't hide anymore, you'll have much more freedom to move around and thwart his plans."

"I didn't know Dolores Umbridge would be so hateful, much less that the Ministry had any idea of ruining the students' education. But when I saw what they were doing, I used what I had at hand."

Albus Dumbledore took out his glasses and rubbed his closed eyes. He never thought Harry was capable of thinking so much about things. But now Harry himself had shown him that he could plan and link a new plan to one already in motion. Perhaps it was too much to involve prominent families, but it had worked, at least so far.

"By the way, have you led any groups to Gaunt Hut?"

"No..." Albus sighed a little. "We haven't done that yet. In fact, I was planning to do that myself soon."

Harry nodded before warning Dumbledore.

"I don't know what traps there are, but you should be careful. The horcrux you had hidden thanks to Sirius's brother had deadly traps."

Saying his piece, Harry stood up.

"Well, it was a fun punishment, Headmaster."

"Please don't make fun of Dolores too much. We've had enough of her incessant protests."

"The Ministry may fund Hogwarts, but they don't work here. Worse yet, they haven't done a proper job. Also... don't forget that you're still the Headmaster. You're the person with the most authority, only below the Board of Governors."

Albus just smiled before seeing Harry turn around. But when he was about to open the office door, he stopped him.

 "Wait, Harry."

"Yes?" Harry looked at the headmaster again, this time curious.

"You seem to have a lot of plans. Voldemort, Madame Bones, and the Malfoys. Even the Ministry. Tell me, Harry, what do you plan to do in the future?"

Harry tilted his head slightly, confused by the headmaster's sudden question.

"I don't know yet. But I'm leaning towards starting a shop, or opening a small academy to teach more advanced spells than Hogwarts. Although perhaps a shop sounds much better than the other alternative."

"Shop?" Albus' eyes widened more than normal, surprised by the answer.

"I thought..."

"Would you aim higher? Maybe the Ministry?" Harry cut him off while smiling.

 "Please, Headmaster. I've had enough with Voldemort. I don't want to chase criminals for the rest of my life by becoming an Auror. Let alone deal with some people from the Ministry."

"I've had enough trouble in my life without me going looking for them on my own now."

"After this whole Voldemort problem is over, I'll continue studying and pass the necessary exams. I'll graduate. I'd also like to have a family."

Dumbledore couldn't help but smile happily upon hearing that. He knew that Harry could do great things if he worked at the Ministry, but he himself wanted the young man in front of him to live quietly. Perhaps he hadn't done a good job of helping him while he attended Hogwarts, but now he could remedy that.

"Did you choose Miss Delacour?"

Harry almost tripped upon hearing that. He was about to leave the office. But he had already screwed up by surprising himself.

"I should have used Occlumency from the beginning," Harry thought.

 "Who told you? I thought no one knew."

"I heard it from Sirius, who apparently heard it from Kreacher."

Harry sighed a little and said, "Ah, it seems I underestimated old Kreacher a bit. I didn't think he'd take such an interest in me."

"Well, at least you have a stable future planned for yourself and any family you have."

Harry nodded with a smile.

"Ah, one more thing before you go. Thank you for telling me about your plans. It comforts me to know that you trust me so much."

"I've seen part of your mind, Headmaster. Whatever little I saw or felt, it was enough to know that you also wish for peace and security for Hogwarts and this magical society of Great Britain."

Albus nodded before he leaned back in his chair. He looked at Fawkes as he heard the door to his office close.

 "It seems that Harry has his goals very clear, old friend. And this could all be over much sooner than expected."

Fawkes looked at Albus and made a happy sound.

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