Harry woke up feeling more rested and peaceful than he had in a while. He had dreamed about some good things for once after he had fallen asleep reading in the Wizarding Culture book. He found out that as the Lord Black he would have a Wizengamot seat waiting for him. Him, a politician. Could it get any stranger? It was so weird. First he was a no name orphan, then he became a wizard, the boy-who-lived. And now, now he was going to be an actual Lord.
Look at that Auntie. Harry wasn't a worthless freak after all.
Still, that meant he really needed to know more about the laws and politics of the Wizarding World as soon as possible. Harry knew he wanted a lot of things to change in the Wizarding World. If he survived the war, he wanted to be someone who could change things even if that meant going into politics. He just would have to try his best. Be his best.
Harry also came to know more about the Potter family from the Wizarding Culture book. General information yes, but still interesting.
While the Potter family wasn't a noble one, it was an ancient one. The Potter family had a history that could be counted more than a thousand years. The first mention made of the Potter family was even before the early Roman times. Those were rumours yes, but still amazing for an orphan who knew next to nothing about his own history.
There were also a few important last daughters of other Houses who had gotten married into the Potter family and brought their family fortune, books and secrets with them because they were the last of their family. Like Iolanthe Peverell, the last of the Peverells who had married Hardwin Potter, Harry's direct but distant ancestor.
The Peverells were famous in the Wizarding World. Something insane about mastering Death? Wizards were strange people, surely it wasn't actually possible to master Death?
Harry really liked the Culture book Sirius had left for him. He did wonder why something like this wasn't available in the Hogwarts library. It certainly would have been helpful for a lot of muggleborns or muggle raised students. Hermione would have loved this. He would have to sent it to her when he was done with it.
But back to the information he found about his own family.
The official title of House Potter was The Most Ancient House of Potter. On the otherhand, the House of Black was both old and a noble House so the official title of that family was The Most Ancient and Noble House of Black. The first mentions of the House of Black seemed to start in the early Roman times. Were they had quickly risen to be very a important and very rich family.
Suddenly Harry got an urgent nudge from the wards. Harry shot up in his bed with wide eyes. There was somebody outside the wards! Harry grabbed his wand and ran downstairs in his new PJ's to discreetly watch through the window looking out to the front porch. With the wards at full power it wouldn't be possible for intruders to enter the house but Harry still had to be careful. He didn't know who it was. Probably the Order but there were other people out there looking for him, he was pretty sure.
Harry took a careful look out the window and relaxed a bit. He sighed in relief, it was just Remus. At least he was relieved until he heard Remus talk to someone hidden behind him. And what he said was not good.
"As you can see, Professor, the wards are indeed active but I don't think Harry is here. He wouldn't know how to manage the wards after we made sure that Sirius wasn't alone with him long enough to teach him. It is probably just a defense mechanisme since the last Heir of House Black has passed away." Remus said quietly to a slightly blurred form behind him.
Harry could just make out the sound of a voice murmuring something back which he thought might be Dumbledore's voice from the almost invisible shape behind Remus. Moony had kept him and Sirius away form each other? Why? But it got even worse when Remus answered the murmur coming from behind him.
Remus seemed very serious when he said, "Yes Professor, Sirius probably made a safe house for Harry somewhere else. Probably somewhere far away from the bad memories he had of this house."
Harry had the slight hope that Remus was covering for him towards Dumbledore but he got a sinking feeling in his stomach that told him otherwise. There was some more mumbeling and Harry had to strain his ears to hear the rest of their conversation.
"I know you said that it will be the best for Harry to return to the Dursley family as soon as possible, but are you sure?" Remus asked, "It's just that maybe those muggles aren't the best for raising a magical child, James and Lily's son."
Harry was relieved to hear Remus say that. Maybe he could count on his parents old friend after all. But then Remus continued speaking and all Harry's hopes got dashed into pieces.
"No, I know the boy is a bit childish and that the Durleys would be good to get rid of such things. James needed some extra tempering too for him to grow up into the man he only got to be for a short few years. I suppose they have been his legal guardians for a while now and will know how to handle him and his moods."
That when Harry got mad. Handle him? Remus wanted the Dursleys to handle him? And what had the man meant about his father? This was just horrible. How could Remus say all those things? This didn't seem right. The Professor had been kind to him in his Third Year.
Then Dumbledore cancelled his spell for the first time as he stepped closer to the door. He seemed to be checking the wards again. It did mean however that Harry was able to hear the words he spoke for himself. And Harry could clearly see where Hermione got her impression that Dumbledore was getting unstable.
Dumbledore spoke calmly towards Remus, "Sirius was clearly a bad influence on young Harry." He said in that wise-old-man voice of his, "We can't have anyone influencing Mr. Potter if we want the boy to be a bit more biddable. We need him to listen to us, Remus. It will be for The Greater Good of us all."
Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. He knew that Remus wasn't a person he could trust with his wellbeing after his abandonment for thirteen long years of his life, but this? He was both hurt and disappointed and so when Remus and the hidden Headmaster came even closer as if to touch the door, he commanded the wards to throw them out. And throw them out the ward did, gleefully even.
The Headmaster visibly struggeled when the magic of the wards touched him as both he and Remus went flying. They got shoved hard and far away by the wards. Harry hoped that the landing hurt.
Harry was glad that Sirius never got to hear how they really thought about him. It would have broken his heart all over again.
He was so disappointed by both the Headmaster and the man that was supposed to be his uncle Moony. He really thought better of them both. Remus might have tried for a little bit but he quickly folded when the Headmaster expressed a different opinion. It seemed like Remus always did that.
Remus was weak. He might have been kind to Harry in his third year but he was never the uncle he was supposed to be. He wasn't the cowardly bad man Pettigrew was but he still listened way to much to Dumbledore and didn't seem to try for very long to form his own opinions. It wasn't safe to trust him.
But at least he now knew for sure that he couldn't trust the Headmaster with his life. Harry just had to make his plan work around the Headmaster and the Order. Easier said then done, but at least he had a starting point now that he was away from the Dursley's and had found out more information to work with.
Harry needed allies and quickly too. He would ask the goblins for help and he was also thinking about asking Amelia Bones for help. He thought she was trustworthy and he did know for sure that she had the reputation of being honest and fair. Susan Bones did always talk highly of her Aunt Amy when he was training her and the rest of Dumbledore's Army.
Merlin, did he regret that name now.
He was also thinking about asking Madam Longbottom for her help, she seemed like a good person to have in your corner. He knew from Neville that his grandmother was a tough but fair woman who had been a very good politican in her younger years. It was something to think about.
Harry turned around now that the threats were gone so that he could get dressed and eat his breakfast. But when he turned he saw Dobby standing there with dropped ears, sad and tearful green eyes.
"Professy Dumbles be bad wizard? Dobby be helping bad wizard before bonding with Great Master Harry Sir? Dobby be bad Elf?"
Harry felt his heart break a little when he heard Dobby's questions and he quickly said, "No Dobby! What other people do or order you to do is not on you. You are the best Elf a Wizard could have, Dobby, and I am so glad we have bonded. Dumbledore's actions are not on you, do you understand me?" Harry wished he could start following his own advice there but he still had his own little problem with guilt.
Dobby nodded and seemed to cheer up a bit. At least his ears had perked up again. Harry patted him on his head and said with mischief in his voice, "Say Dobby, would you like to help me plan a prank for when I have to get back to Hogwarts?"
Dobby looked up at him with his big watery green eyes and said as a sly smile starting to grow on his face, "Dobby would be liking that! Very much indeed Dobby thinking of something nice for professy Dumbles for even thinking about harming his Master Harry Potter Sir. Master Harry never be going back to bad muggles if Dobby and Kreacher have anything to say about it!" The House Elf started rubbing his hands together all the while smiling evilly.
Harry almost felt sorry for the Headmaster but decided he just didn't care anymore. Dumbledore pretended to care for him while making the worst decisions possible for Harry. And what right did he even have to make decisions for Harry outside of being the Headmaster of his school? The man wasn't a relative, a close friend of his parents or even appointed guardian their will. At least for the last thing he didn't think his parents had made a will. He would have known if they had one surely.
"Shall we eat our breakfast together and plan out our prank for the school? I had a few ideas myself for the prank." Harry said as they walked towards the kitchen.
"Dobby would like that." And so they went to eat their breakfast together while planning a school wide prank in the honour of Sirius with some extra as revenge on Dumbledore. He really should know better then to mess with a Potter and a Black who had an a House Elf friend out for revenge with him.
After another delicious breakfast made by Kreacher, Harry went to get dressed in his workout clothes- Dudley's old clothes re-sized to fit him- so that he could get some practice in with his new wand. Kreacher had told him about an unbreakable room where the Blacks used to practice their magic.
He had read about a few spells he wanted to practice in the books Sirius had left for him:
One was Alarte Ascendare. It was the spell Dumbledore used while batteling Voldemort and it was supposed to throw a object or a person high in the air. A bit like the wards did to Dumbledore today, Harry thought with a smirk.
Aparecium was a revealing charm that seemed useful to know. Bombarda Maxima spoke for itself, really.
Defodio was a spell that gouges through things. Deprimo was able to blast holes in stuff and Ducklifors just for fun, because could you immagine Voldemort's face if you turned him into a duck? It would be awesome! Harry promised himself he would try to do it at least once if he ever got the opportunity.
Cantis seemed like a handy spell because if your oppoment is forced to sing loudly he couldn't curse you.
The Conjunctivitis Curse was what Krum used in the first task to damage his dragons eyes and seemed also like a handy spell to know.
There were a lot more curses, charms and spells Harry felt he should know but for now he would try to master those few first. He also knew that there would be a lot of new magic in the Black familie grimoire but he could only get to the grimiore after he had claimed the Lord ring and the family vault.
Harry had a small hope that perhaps the Potter family had made a family grimoire too. It would be brilliant to learn more about his own family. Things actually written down by his ancestors for later generations.
The practice room was a very big room that really shouldn't have fit in this house but that's what happens when you are in an old magical house. The room was shaped like a square and had a bunker-like feel to it. It also had a panel with Runes next to the door probably to up the difficulty or something.
It was a professional dueling room. The Blacks had an actual professional dueling room in their town house. Was that normal for pureblooded families? Either way, it was brilliant to have so close by for Harry.
On the other side of the room Harry could see four human shaped dummies. He decided that since he didn't know enough yet of Runes to mess with the panel he would leave it for now. He focused on the dummies.
He walked until he stood a few meters from the dummies, took a deep breath and got in position to start casting.
A few hours later he got interrupted by Kreacher popping in saying, "Master be working hard but it be time for lunch. Growing Wizards be needing lots of good, healthy food. Lunch be served in dining room in five minutes." Kreacher said sternly and he popped away again with a quiet pop.
Harry wiped his forehead for sweat and nodded to himself. He was truly glad to see Kreacher looking a lot better than last night. He looked as if a weight had been lifted and he almost looked happy. In the last few days Harry had forgiven Kreacher more and more for his part in Sirius's death. It wasn't easy but he had done it for both himself and Kreacher. For their new family.
Harry was tired but satisfied with the magic he had learned to cast today. Some of them were complex spells but Harry got them to work. His new wand was brilliant and it had made casting the spells so much easier.
He cast a refreshning charm on himself and went to the dining room as his most cranky Elf had commanded him to do.
Lunch was as always delicious and to his surprise when he walked to the living room he saw that the handsome eagle owl was back with a letter from Hermione. And he was yet again sitting very close to Hedwig. But as Hedwig seemed to tolerate the owl trying to cuddle up to her, Harry decided to keep his mouth shut. This time.
He untied the letter from the owl he started reading,
Dear Harry,
My parents and I are relieved to hear that you are alright and safe where you are. I completely forgot to mention it, but the owl has been named Othello, my parents new owl. They brought him so they could get in contact with me instead of waiting for an owl to come to them. Isn't he just lovely?
Crookshanks seems to tolerate him, I'm glad to say. I wouldn't know what to do if those two didn't get along.
I know, Harry. I know that Dumbledore isn't to be trusted with you. Dumbledore is planning something shady. I finally talked with my parents about everything that happened in our years at Hogwarts and they said that it sounds like someone is grooming you for something! Grooming!
And Harry, I think that they might be right. Why else would everything happen as it did? Why did no one help us? Why were we the only ones doing something? Why was it always you?
It is very fishy when I think back on it.
I think we need more adults we can be sure to trust and then make a plan. We need help Harry. Promise me you will think about it? This is not the time to be impulsive.
You are important to me, Harry, and we need to start making our own plans to make sure we survive this war. I need you to survive this.
And yes, you are forgiven for leaving your books since you did have a good reason. But don't do it again, young man!
And do your homework soon!
I can meet you in Diagon Alley on the 24th of August. If the date is alright with you, shall we meet in front of Gringotts? We really do need to talk in person. Owl post may not be safe as you said in your last letter so we have to careful with what we write. I assume that muggle post isn't an option where ever you are?
Love,
Hermione
PS. Have you heard anything from Ron?
This letter really would have been a shock to read about a week ago but now it only confirmed what Harry already thought about Dumbledore. He was relieved that he didn't have to convince Hermione about his suspicions about the Headmaster.
Hermione used to have such respect for the teachers at school, but not anymore he was glad to see. Also a bit sad since it meant that they couldn't trust them as they should have been able to do. The blind trust she had in adult just wasn't healthy or smart in their situation. Or normal really for a teenager.
He was happy that he and Hermione were finally in a place were they could take about their feelings a bit more. And then he meant feelings like those friends felt for each other. Really. Just friends. Nothing more.
But seriously, even if there had been more between them he wouldn't want to risk their friendship. She was too important to him to risk it.
Althought Harry did wonder for a moment if the blood-adoption made him more emotional than he used to be. He just kept feeling so many emotions lately. The Black family, from what he had seen did seem to be very... emotional. Lets just keep it on that. Not unhinged at all as with some cases in the Black family. Looking at you Walburga, Bellatrix and even Sirius at times.
Later he would write his agreement back for the date they would meet. They really had a lot to talk about, she was right that they needed more adults to help them. He also needed to tell her the full Prophecy. She deserved to know it all and maybe she would have a few ideas herself about what it could mean. As for the allies, Harry had a few ideas for that already.
But still, what exactly was Dumbledore grooming him for?