Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction ❯ (Harry Potter) How to Defeat a Dark Lord ❯ Five ( Chapter 5 )

Chapter FiveBefore his professor could start asking questions, Harry gave a slight flick of his hand asking him to wait. He was astonished to see that along with Snape, the Dane and Gidean also gave the sign of acknowledgment. The smirk of amusement on Snape's face was enough to snap him out of his shock.Knowing that the Dane was the one who bound Dumbledore, Harry turned to him with another bow of respect. gMy lord, could you please release the Headmaster? I have a few questions for him that I need answers to.h

gOf course young one, but I am not your Lord, therefore, I would be honored if you called my by my given name, Damean.hWith a smile that lit up his eyes, Harry nodded his agreement, not knowing what a tremendous honor that really was. Allowing his eyes to grow hard once more, he turned to the Headmaster. gSir, I would like to know what right you had to tell my aunt and uncle about my godfather's death and my vaults. I would also like to know why you keep insisting that I spend time in that house every summer.h

gMy boy, you know the reason I send you home every summer. You need to spend time with your family in order for the blood protection to work. I knew that your family could help you with the death of Sirius. As for your vaults, they had a right to know that you had the money to pay for your own school and clothing. I know that they have troubles making ends meet in order to keep you and your cousin dressed. Otherwise, I'm sure that you would not be wearing second hand clothing.h The Headmaster tried to explain himself.

gOh, that's rich, sir. You send me to that hellhole every summer to protect me from Voldemort. As soon as he used my blood to bring back his body, the blood protection no longer worked.h Harry started only to be cut off. As the Headmaster once more lost the twinkle in his eye, he stated in a cold tone of voice. gHarry, I will not be spoken to in such a matter. I do believe Professor Snape has been correct in saying that I gave you far too much leeway over the years. Trust me when I say that it will not continue over the next year. I should think you have more respect for your elders by now.hHarry's eyes flashed a dangerous green as he glared back at the Headmaster. gDamean, please replace his binding. I really do not want to be interrupted again while I explain a few things to this man.h Seconds later, an outraged Dumbledore once more sat bound and gagged against the chair.

gI'm only going to explain this to you once, Sir. After that, I would like you to leave, either with help or by yourself, I really don't care, so youfd better listen closely. First, I would like to say that I have total respect for my elders, when they in turn respect me. Those people have never been my family and that house has never been my home. My home is Hogwarts. There I only had to worry about being blasted by a certain snarky Potions Master, whose dislike of me was well known. I had everything I needed there to defend myself from a madman. My family consists of the Weasleys, Hermione and the professors at Hogwarts. They all did their best to help and defend me. I know for fact that I would have been dead after my first Quidditch match if it where not for Professor Snape and many more times over the years if he had not stepped in. As I've already said, because Voldemort used my blood, the blood protection from my mother no longer worked, which you knew. Since the time I first landed on their doorstep, I was never safe from the Dursleys. I was turned into a slave and locked in a small cupboard under the stairs. I was starved and beaten, all because I could do magic. I was dressed in Dudley's old clothes because according to them, a freak like me didn't deserve anything. The only type of abuse I didn't suffer at their hands was physical sexual abuse but have no doubts, the sexual abuse was there, the only reason why they didn't go any further, was because they didn't want to soil themselves on dirty garbage. I never told them about my money because I knew they would find a way to take it from me. The only thing that kept me safe from them between the summer of my fourth year and now was the fact they were afraid of my godfather, who they believed was a mass murderer. That all changed when they got your letter. They knew that I had moneyc more money then I could ever spend by myself. Just like they also knew that if I were dead, being my guardians, they would get it all.h Harry stopped here, closed his eyes and tried to get his temper back under control. He knew from experience that nothing good ever happened if he lost control. After a few minutes, he reopened his eyes and met the shock in the blue ones across from him. Taking a few steps back to bring himself next to Professor Snape, Harry started speaking softly once again. gI have physical proof that I'm not lying. I will show you that proof, but understand this: I do not trust you, Headmaster. After the death of my Godfather and the things you have kept from me over the years, never mind what happened this summer, I don't know if I will ever trust you again. I have only trusted one other person with this. He promised me that he would never tell. If I could get away with it, I would not show you but at the moment, I really don't think that option is available to me any longer.h Harry slowly slipped off the shirt that had been found for him, before looking down at Snape. gPlease, Professor, would you remove the glamour you placed on me?hProfessor Snape knew this was coming and that this step was necessary, but he had to make sure that it was truly what the teen wanted. gAre you sure you want to do this?h Receiving only a nod in answer, he pulled out his wand and removed the glamour that he had cast after he found out about the scarring.Keeping his gaze locked on the Headmaster, he watched as tears filled those old blue eyes as he took in the damage on the young man's body. Harry turned around so that scars on his back were also visible. After a minute, Harry replaced his shirt but kept his back turned so he no longer had to look at the elderly wizard. After it was back on, he felt the brush of familiar magic that hid the scars once again. Still not looking at the Headmaster, Harry said in a soft voice, gI hope you understand now. I really don't want to see or talk to you again this summer. Please leave.hHarry walked towards the window and stared out of it while he listened as his Headmaster was released from his bonds and slowly walked out the door. Heaving a sigh of relief at no longer having to see the older wizard, he turned back to the three men remaining in the room. Looking his Professor in the eye, he stated in a weary voice. gWe are going to have to leave. He's not going to stay away.hProfessor Snape nodded in agreement. gFor once, Mr. Potter, I agree with you. We will leave here as soon as Granger and Weasley arrive.hGiving a small smile, Harry just shook his head. gI'm sorry Professor. If you plan on waiting, then youfre going to be waiting a long time. I let Ron know that he was not to use the portkey or trust anything the Headmaster told him. I have a feeling Dumbledore will be going to The Burrow and telling Mum and the rest of the family that I was not myself when I wrote that note. I've warned Ron not to trust anything the Headmaster says. He knows that I'm now with you, and that I'm safe.h

gAnd pray tell, Mr. Potter, just how did you tell him all that? You only sent a short note,h Snape sneered.

gSimple, really. I told him that black-eyed pixies hate the sun and prefer to trust hunting at night. He'll understand,h Harry told him, while making sure that he was out of the direct line of fire.Damean was still in shock from what he heard and saw. He tried to make sense out of the code phrase but was unable to. Gidean, on the other hand, was trying to hold back his laughter when he saw the look of outrage on his cousin's face. gI can't believe you called Sev a pixie,h he snorted.Harry just grinned while still keeping a chair between him and Snape. gI didn't. Ron came up with that one. Hermione didn't understand why I refused her suggestion of 'old bat' so I had to give in to Ron before she could start asking questions. The sun refers to the Headmaster of course. The term 'prefers to trust hunt at night' lets them know that I'm in hiding and they should be getting another letter from me within a day.h

gIndeed. It's nice to know that you finally learned something from me over the years. I believe, though, that I shall be talking to those two about their lack of respect,h Snape said. Taking in Harry's pale complexion, he knew that he should be ordering the teen to rest but also knew that it was no use. Trying to force that boy to do things he didn't want to do was futile when things needed to be done. Harry's next words proved that he was right.

gSir, I know that we have a lot to talk about. I was wondering, since it's not yet time for lunch, if we could perhaps do some shopping. I need to replace everything and I really don't want to do that with Ron and Hermione around.hDamean finally found his voice again. gI agree that we need to take you shopping, Harry, and that we should do that before we make our way to another safe spot. But don't you think that you should rest some before we leave?hSnape answered before Harry could. gNo Uncle, that really is not a good idea. For one, Potter will not listen. He's never had any respect for doing what is best for him. Two, if we stay here, Dumbledore will find away to bring the whole Order here in an attempt to make Harry do what he wants.h Harry just nodded his head in agreement.

gIf the two of you are sure, then that's what we'll do. I do believe that we will join the Clan for the rest of the summer. But I was wondering though if it was possible for the two of you to use each other's first names. This last name business is starting to get really annoying.h Damean requested.

gYes Sev. I'm sure if you tried, you could convince Harry that youfre not a pixie," snorted Gidean.

gThank you very much, cousin, though I would ask that you don't encourage Harry; he's bad enough in his disrespect of me as is," Severus said, glaring at the giggling teen before focusing on Gidean.

gAw, Sev, if I didn't know you better, I would swear you actually cared,h Harry snickered.

gThat's enough out of you, Brat. You should see if you can contact your birds and tell them we will be joining the Clan so that they don't have to search all over for you.hHarry gave the Potions Master a deep bow and managed to say with a perfectly straight face, gOf course, Master. Your wish is my command.h

gInsolent whelp.h

gRather that than a bat. Or a pixie.h Harry rejoined.Damean and Gidean watched the two of them joke back in forth as they got ready to leave. Gidean finally managed to voice the thoughts of them both. gI take it the two of you were putting on an act for your dear Headmaster?h

gNot really, when in public I always use Sev's title. But since you asked us to drop the formalities and the Bat actually used my name first, I followed his lead,h Harry explained. gIt's safer for both of us this way.h Severus just nodded his head in agreement.Damean watched as Harry moved around the room. He felt a kind of kinship with the teen and needed one question answered before he could do what he felt was right. gHarry, I know you asked us to wait until later for any questions we might have for you. But in order to help you in anyway that I can from an official point, I need to understand a few things.hSeeing the Dane emerge, Harry looked to his professor to find out what he should do. Sev nodded his head in encouragement and Harry turned back to The Dane. gI'll do my best to answer your questions, Sir.h

gThank you Harry. First, other than those Muggles, do you have any other blood relations?h

gNo Sir. I am the last of the Potter line; there is no one else from the Evans line.h

gI see. Have the Weasleys ever wanted to legally adopt you?h

gNo Sir. At least, not to my knowledge.hAt this point, the Dane hesitated. He was unsure how to phrase the next question without hurting Harry in some way. Fortunately for him, Severus knew what he was trying to say.Professor Snape asked the next question. gMr. Potter, I do believe what my uncle is trying to say is that after tonight, he can no longer help you without permission from a guardian. Which is why, in his own bumbling fashion, he was asking about the Weasleys. In the eyes of the magical community, the Dursleys are no longer your guardians. I filed that paperwork the day after you where brought here.hHarry was shocked. gI really don't have to go back to them Sir?" he asked softly, hope unfolding in his eyes.

gNo Harry. You never have to go back to that miserable house again,h was the equally soft response.

gThank you, Severus.hNodding his head in acknowledgment, Snape went back to the subject at hand. gThat still leaves us with a problem, though. Dumbledore knows the bond is broken so that cannot be used, and anyone in the Order will listen to him, so they cannot be trustedc not even Remus. I'm sorry, Harry.hThey all watched as Harry started to think everything through. When Harry started to smile, Severus groaned in dismay. He knew that look all too well, had learned over the years to dread it.

gJust what Gryffindorish thought just went through your head? I know you well enough to know that you just came up with a rather foolish idea," Snape snapped.At this, Harry started laughing. When Snape glared at him, he started to laugh even harder. gI'm sorry, Sir. I'll try to explain. In order to understand you're going to need to think like a Gryffindor that has no choice but to think like a Slytherin.h

If looks could kill, Harry would have had no doubt that he would be dead, but to his way of thinking, this was the only solution. gHonestly Severus, if you put yourself in my parentsf shoes, the answer should come to you. They both knew the Headmaster to be a meddling old fool and, if push came to shove, he would do what was best for the Wizarding World and not their son. They also knew that, sooner or later, the Dark Lord would come after them because of the prophecy. Under those conditions, they would have to assume that their Secret Keeper may not live and that the godfather of their son might also die before he came of age. What would you do?hHarry watched as all three men thought about that. Damean was the first to answer. gUnder those conditions, I would have made a second will, naming a second guardian for my son.hGidean was next, gA person that I could trust no matter what and that I also didn't care for so no one would expect them.hHarry nodded his head in agreement, then asked his Professor one last question. gAfter asking yourself who you knew met those requirements, who would you pick Sev?hSilence.

gYour father would not have done that,h Snape said slowly.

gBut my mother would,h came the immediate reply.

gYou would need to prove it.h

gI know. Where would the safest place for that kind of information be?h

gGringotts.h

gThatfs what I thought also.h
Damean and Gidean listened to the final part of the conversation, confusion evident in their eyes. gWould one of you like to explain what the two of you are talking about?h Damean broke in.

Harry smirked and Severus sneered before giving in and telling his uncle what they thought. gThe boy is finally using that head on his shoulders. He has figured out that his parents made two wills. One of the wills was hidden in the most secure spot in the Wizarding world: in their Gringotts vault. Harry is under the impression that James and Lily gave me custody if anything should happen to his godfather. I believe that he may be correct but only to the degree that it was temporary: until I could find a better guardian for him.h
Damean looked between the two before he started to smile. It looked like they had found a small loophole to work with. All they needed to do now was hope it was true.