Raffle

Harry had finished supplying his official statement. The Aurors had acquired many memory orbs from the students and physical evidence. The students were a bit surprised to have someone doing something about Umbridge finally but they provided more evidence to use against the woman.

Dumbledore, at some point, became aware of the Aurors and Madam Bones and tried to interfere with the gathering of evidence but the professors and Madam Pomfrey supported Madam Bones and Dumbledore's objections were quickly overridden. Harry believed that Ronald Weasley was the reason Dumbledore became aware of everything as the boy seemed very smug the next day as he bragged about how Dumbledore was able to get rid of Umbridge.

"He didn't, you newb," Dean grumbled as he buttered his toast.

"Auror Harris was questioning me when Dumbledore entered the room." Lee Jordan rolled his eyes. "Stop acting like Dumbledore cares about anyone except those he views as his pets."

"He has shown that over the years. How many times has he given the House Cup to Gryffindor?" Marcus Abbott snidely commented from the Slytherin. "Anything to make Gryffindor look as if it is the best house."

"Gryffindor is the best house. You're nothing but a slimy snake. Only good snake is a dead snake." Ron almost roared as he stood up, waving his spoon in the air, causing droplets of milk to land on several students.

"You are disgusting." Several students pulled out their wands to clean their clothes.

Harry inhaled deeply as Ron opened his mouth and started spouting off about Dumbledore, Gryffindor, and how amazing Dumbledore was the greatest wizard in the wizarding world. Harry tilted his head toward Neville. "Let's get out of here before we get dragged into this mess."

Neville grabbed Seamus and Dean as he stood up. The four boys left the Great Hall as wands were being drawn. Harry glanced at the Head Table and felt bad for the only professors were Hagrid, who would engage the students in defending Dumbledore, Madam Hooch, and Sybill Trelawney. Harry hoped the Great Hall would remain intact. They headed for the kitchen. Once seated and served by the elves, Neville looked at Harry. "So when do you plan on getting the youngest whiners removed?"

"Me?" Harry gave Neville an innocent look.

"Save it, we have been waiting for you to deal with the pair of them since you got Granger arrested." Dean didn't bother to look at Harry. "We have been talking a lot over the Yule break. The Aurors weren't free on information but they weren't above hinting at certain things."

"It started during our first year if we are being honest. So much didn't make sense and we started asking a lot of questions that year but we never put it together until we sat down in the RoR and talked about things during Yule." Neville nudged Harry. "We should have tried harder to see past what Weasley and Granger were doing."

"It's not your fault." Harry pulled out his wand and cast a privacy charm. He used pasletongue to make sure his spell wouldn't be broken. He began to explain what happened since he started at Hogwarts and included the test results from Gringotts. Harry explained about the Order, his past, and how he started to uncover things.

"So this Miss Figg is the reason you started to question things?" Neville wondered.

"No, she couldn't say much because Dumbledore used some spell to make sure she couldn't tell me things but she was able to hint and guide me to information. Once I discovered the information the spell seemed to loosen up and she could provide me with more information."

"Oh, I know that spell, it is the Tongue-Tying spell. Only people who know the information can speak of it. So once you learned it, she was able to speak about it." Neville explained. "My gram mentioned it before regarding the Order when she was speaking about my parents."

"She didn't know the name of it but she did mention when I learned the information after I started Hogwarts she could provide information. However, she could add anything about the Order and other aspects until I learned of it myself. She was the one who told me to check out different magical contract laws."

Dean and Seamus started laughing. "So, the one he wanted to watch you is the one who freed you," Neville smirked. "Who did you write to with the secret messages?"

"I had a few questions and needed some answers so I followed Malfoy's advice. I wrote to his father and told him. After all, according to Malfoy, the man must spend his days eagerly awaiting letters from his son regarding what is happening at Hogwarts." Harry didn't supply Voldemort or Severus' involvement and skipped over several other key issues that those who supported the light would object to. "Malfoy's dad just provided me with the laws I should review and how Gringotts could provide help."

"What do you plan to do to protect Miss Figg? Dumbledore will soon start to wonder who provided you with the information." Dean looked at his friend. "He is a master chess player and he won't care for his pawns breaking ranks."

"Agreed and she is protected. She has already moved and I believe the DMLE is dealing with the relatives. Madam Bones will send me a letter once they have arranged for the proper handling of them. She didn't mention what the DMLE would be doing but I didn't ask either." Harry was aware that the Dursleys would be paying deeply for their abuse of him. Voldemort, Lucius, and Severus wanted to express their displeasure with the Dursleys. Narcissa wanted to have some time with them and Harry shivered at the thoughts of what Narcissa wanted to use on the Dursleys. Harry understood why Tonks' comment about the women in the Black family were dangerous.

"Good. Now, let's skip the good two-shoes aspect and get the nitty-gritty." Seamus looked at his friends. "Where do we sign up for your side?"

Harry looked a bit puzzled. He glanced at Neville before facing Dean and Seamus, who were sitting opposite him and Neville. "My side?"

"Come on, Harry, while they may believe you are Dumbledore's pawns, it is clear to see when you broke their compulsions and let yourself be seen. We tried to speak to you but it didn't take long before you were dosed again." Seamus leaned back in his chair a bit, causing two of the legs to come off of the floor before setting the chair back on four legs. "Granger and the youngest Weasleys aren't exactly subtle in their views of how they were to be your only friends. Their policy of no one sharing anything about our world, unless it was approved by them, didn't send too many warning bells either. I wrote to my Mum about everything happening and she was the one who mentioned it was time to speak to you."

"Harry, Seamus is right. Surprisingly as it is. The raffle was a huge clue you were breaking free of Dumbledore and his clowns. Many have viewed our world in two ways those who support Dumbledore and You-Know-Who. You could collect those who don't want to join either of the two extremes." Dean smiled at Harry. "Many will support whoever you support. It is why Dumbledore has been making sure you are under his control."

Harry was a bit surprised. He wasn't expecting Dean, Seamus, and Neville to fully support him so completely. The raffle was just a way to get away from Dumbledore and his relatives. His life had taken a complete turn as he learned more and more information. He certainly never expected to be on speaking terms with Voldemort, Lucius Malfoy, and Severus Snape. Granted his plans removed Granger and got rid of Umbridge. He was eagerly looking forward to removing Dumbledore and the rest of his clowns.

"It was the test results that changed you from just getting away from Dumbledore and his pets. I understand why you did the raffle and why you needed to get away. I get why you started asking questions to Lord Malfoy. Are you interested in learning what being a wizard is about?" Neville turned his seat and looked closely at Harry. "I am sure Lord Malfoy and several others have hinted at what has been hidden from you regarding being a wizard, an heir, and eventually, a Lord. Gram mentioned how many things had to have been hidden from you if you did the raffle." Harry looked puzzled. "I am speaking about a lot of our holidays, traditions, and even forms of magic. Magic that Dumbledore has made sure hasn't been taught in Hogwarts for a long time."

"What magic? Traditions? Holidays?" Dean and Seamus asked at the same time.

"We don't have enough time for me to explain everything. However, we should set up a time to meet again and speak of this in more detail. I will have my Gram send me books. We can set time aside for us to discuss this by using the RoR." Neville cast a tempest. "We have class in ten minutes."

Harry pulled out his map. He looked at his friends. "This is how we can guarantee we won't get caught and keep away from my former friends." He opened the map. He inwardly cursed as he owed Severus a favor. Severus had bet him that Harry had more supporters and friends than he thought. Lucius and Voldemort were going to have a good chuckle over this as well. He was going to have to write to Miss Figg. She was going to love this as well. He wondered when his life was turned into such a laugh tract for everyone else.