Chapter 30
He walked to the headmaster’s office with his insides in a knot. He may not like the man, but it was a necessity to go and see him. No, he could not go back to the orphanage, especially now that he has Eris. They would kill him, and he would have to be quiet about talking to his beloved pet snake. It was a few weeks till the end of the year, and Harry knew it should be enough time to fill in the paperwork, after all he wasn’t so stupid to believe this would happen in a day. Draco had already sent a letter to his Father two days ago, and Mr. Malfoy had confirmed it would happen under the permission of Albus Dumbledore, who was his magical guardian. And Lucius also made it a point to mention if the old coot didn’t accept, then he would personally take it to court. Bitter hatred shot up in him as he remembered that the old man had dropped him off at the Durley’s and left him there to rot. The man was almost as bad as a muggle! The sudden realization that he was at the door shook him out of his thoughts. Using his, admittedly weak occlumency barriers, but it was enough to stave off the hatred… For now. It was still sizzling underneath the surface, but at least it wasn’t as noticeable.
After a few minutes of guessing random types of muggle candy the door suddenly opened. Flinching at the sudden movement, he walked in as he regained his composure.
“Ah Harry, my boy! What brings you here so sudden?” Professor Dumbledore asked sweetly with his eyes twinkling.
Harry remained silent for a minute or two, making sure everything he says is clear and making sure he wont scream at the man. “Its about my summer lodgings, I have concluded that it is not fit at all. The Malfoy family had already offered to take me in…” He stopped for a second and continued, “And since you are my magical guardian, I need YOUR permission to allow this.”
“My boy, how on earth did you learn th-“
Harry cut him off quickly and sneered, “That information is none of your business Professor. You will get a confirmation letter from the ministry soon; I recommend you take it?”
The tension in the room stiffened a considerable amount, and he took this as a chance to observe his professor. His eyes were sad, but he was obviously angry by the clench in his saw and the stiffness in his shoulders.
“Tell me Harry, are you threatening me? You do realize that you are asking me to put you in the home of the supporters of the man who killed your parents?"
“Yes. But those where just allegations, it was proven that Mr. Malfoy was under the imperious curse.” He said darkly his voice raising slightly, letting his magic flow through the room. He didn’t mean for it to happen but some of the things on the headmaster’s desk started shaking, and almost looking kike they could explode.
“You need to calm down Harry. Let us discuss this with a nice cup of tea.” The older man flicked his hand at a tea kettle on his desk and tea started pouring into two small cups. The shaking objects seized the second the Professor did that too.
The barely concealed anger flooded to the surface, and Harry was currently having a battle with his own inner emotions. He wanted to scream at the headmaster, tell him how it is all his fault. How its his fault the Dursley’s beat him to near death, how its his fault that he was raised in a shitty orphanage. Its his fault he had to endure abuse from those filthy creatures called muggles, they were above them just by default. And filthy muggle lovers like Professor Dumbledore and the Weasleys are why the wizarding traditions are slowly fading away. He couldn’t fathom why some muggleborns even like the muggle world, everything was so boring and bleak. An awkward cough cleared him out of his thoughts, he was suddenly aware he was staring at Professor Dumbledore with the angriest expression he had ever done.
Keeping himself cool he sat down and took the cup of tea, not bothering to put any sugar in it. He muttered, “Thank you.” and took a sip.
“Harry, tell me why this year? You had all last year to inform me of this.”
“I was getting used to the wizarding world, I first had to remember all the correct terminology and holidays... Among other things. I didn’t want to sound like a muggleborn, it would have been terrible if I got moved into a wizarding home and got sucked into a situation, I knew nothing about.”
“Correct terminology? My dear boy there is little difference between muggles and wizards.”
“Yes, there is. Wizards and witches are ultimately better then the muggles, we can do things they can’t. Yes, they have better technology, but the same technology they make is slowly killing the earth as well. We have our own holidays, own everything. They are just so- so gross compared to us!”
“How about muggleborns then? They are raised just like muggles but have magical blood. DO you think your better than them because of your blood?”
Harry sneered, “No of course not. It is all because of their muggle upbringing. They should be educated about our world instead of them migrating and changing it. I do not hate them or find them lesser then us. But they shouldn’t be so simple minded to think they are right, and we are wrong. We are going past topic. Just tell me, will you sign the papers?”
“Okay, I suppose everyone is entitled to their own opinion… But remember my boy in the darkness there will always be a glimmer of light. Back to the subject at hand, I will once you tell me why.”
“Sir, I live in a muggle orphanage. They beat me for basically nothing, food is usually scarce, and they hate me because I go to a prestigious school, and I am independently wealthy. The only reason why I there is because I am too young to live on my own.”
“I will compromise with you. I refuse to allow you to live with the Malfoy’s…” Harry was about to interrupt but Dumbledore put of his hand and continued, “… BUT I will find another residence for you to live. I doubt you or the Malfoy’s will give up that easily, so if you insist get ready a lawyer and be prepared to tell the Minister the abuse you suffered in court. Harry, these people are not a good influence on you.”
Harry’s eyes widened, as the overwhelming anger flooded his veins. He knew exactly what the headmaster was trying to do, he was obviously going to pick a light family that worships the ground he walked on, and they try to manipulate him into believing the exact same thing. Not only that but they insulted the Malfoy’s the family who had taken him in, no matter what quirks he has… Taking the last gulp of tea he got up and said flatly, “I hate you. And I will resent my family for making someone like you my magical guardian.” And left before the older man could say anything.
---
Albus watched as the boy left in silence, his stomach was twisting leaving an unpleasant feeling of nervousness. He had thought it would be the right thing to do, after all the Malfoys were dark, no matter how much the Minister wanted to deny it. His mind now however was racing with uncertainty and things he could have said to make the situation better. Perhaps in the long run it may help him, after all, improvement will only work if some things become undone. Nodding in agreement he grabbed a piece of parchment paper and wrote a note to Remus Lupin.
He hoped that the younger man would accept it.
---
He sat on his bed staring at the wall, it had been hours since the incident and Harry is still fuming with unneeded anger and almost sadness. He knew it was illogical to feel this mad, and he desperately tried to calm himself down. But it still didn’t work. This was anger he felt before, it had always been there. Lurking underneath the surface of his mind, he didn’t usually hate the feeling. But know it was screaming in his ear, yelling at me to do something! He was tired but couldn’t sleep, his brain kept replaying what Professor Dumbledore said.
‘But remember my boy in the darkness there will always be a glimmer of light.’
He clenched his fist, he whispered under his breath, “Such bullshit.” What would Dumbledore know? He never experienced being beat up because he was born with magic, that things would happen when he was sad or angry. There was nothing positive in being bullied, beaten. He suddenly realized the tears were rolling down his face, he was crying. It had been so long since he cried, he wouldn’t be surprised if it was years since he cried. The immediate feeling of shame overpowered his emotions, he couldn’t help but feel weak. Forcing thoughts out of his head he forced his eyes closed and tried to sleep.
It didn’t work.