47 47. Making a scene (2)

"There are some ways indeed. Headmaster has a Pensieve here that can be used to view your memories if you allow it." Flitwick promptly said.

" I can give you my memory of that class but someone might think that I have altered my memories. Susan Bones was beside me at that time, please call her and some other students. I'm sure everything will become clear." Harry said. He did not want to show that memory as he would be able to use them to make Snape's life miserable later but Dumbledore was being too stubborn for his own good so Harry had to do that.

"And this is something concerning Harry. How did you learn Occlumency and how did you manage to master it to that extent? Where did you learn to modify your memories? " Dumbledore asked gravely.

"I can see where your interest and priorities lie Headmaster.

Why do you think it is concerning if I'm proficient in Occlumency and memory modifications. Don't you know? I have been fighting Dragons and Nundus from a very young age. I have done so many extraordinary things. There are even books written about it. There's even a photo of me that shows how I used to look a month back." Harry said, looking at Dumbledore as if he was old and outdated.

Dumbledore furrowed his brows and Harry had to agree that if he did not know already that Dumbledore would not attack directly then he would have been worried. Dumbledore was not a good man and no matter how good his intentions have been, it didn't do Harry any good. Dumbledore was so used to people saying yes sir to his every word that he started thinking himself as someone who knows the best.

The most unfortunate thing, Harry thought, was that he forgave the bad guys but didn't even give chances to the good guys. He let Snape continue being the double spy, thinking that everything was under his control but when it came to the good guys, he didn't trust them.

This is the problem with the powerful people in this world, they start becoming overconfident in their own capabilities and underestimating everyone else.

"My boy, We all know that those are just fictions. The Wizarding world needed a hero in those times." Dumbledore said.

"Headmaster, so you knew that those are fictions, huh. Did you ever bother to think what I would have to face after all that.

Even if all the Wizarding population knows that those are fictions, they have subconsciously started having huge expectations from me already. And you dumped me at the doorstep of my magic hating aunt's family, away from the magic for my whole life. What did you think would happen when a completely ignorant boy meets with this magical world for the first time.

The greater the height the greater the fall, Headmaster.

Moreover, how did they even get to know about how I looked like? I never came in contact with this world before meeting Hagrid.

I'm sure you never gave some time from this grand life of yours to ponder on these matters." Harry breathed deeply and continued.

"Professor Flitwick, please help me take out the memory. I want everyone here- no actually not just here- I want the whole school to watch what happened to me."

"That would not be necessary Harry. I return to you the points professor Snape deducted and in fact I give you 20 additional points for bravely speaking about it. I also cancel your detentions so you don't need to worry anymore." Dumbledore understood that he indeed handled everything poorly. But he could not let Snape be punished as he was very important for his plans.

"Professor, Why are you stopping me from showing everyone what really happened.

It will not be solved just by canceling detentions and returning points. I want to solve this problem from the very root of it. "

"Harry, forgiveness is the way forward. It is not necessary to view your memories." Dumbledore said with finality.

Harry stared deeply into his eyes, not at all fearing any legilimency attacks, and said- " You know Professor, For the last month, everyday, I spent more than 12 hours reading, trying to find more about this side of the world, about me.

I read book after book, old newspapers, gathered all the information I could, so that I could prepare for my entrance into this magical world.

It helped me form my own opinions about it and its people. Headmaster Dumbledore, I respect you, you are a great man, a very powerful and strong man and a brilliant wizard.

Pardon my Impudence, but I also realised that, you are so stuck with looking at the world from your Perspective, from above, that you have forgotten what it felt to be at the bottom - to be weak - to be helpless. You are not without flaws Sir, as you are also but a human at last." Harry was actually bullshitting. He knew that he needed time to grow before he could truly confront Dumbledore. And Dumbledore would not hesitate to use all means to achieve his objectives, for his twisted sense of greater good. Harry said all that to first make Dumbledore believe that Harry really respects him and the situation is still salvageable and secondly to make Dumbledore believe that he has somewhat grasped Harry's thoughts and beliefs.

There was a pin drop silence in the office. Snape was shocked while McGonagall and Filius were sad but agreed. Dumbledore sat on his chair stumbling, a frown marring his face, his eyes lost some of the usual glows and his shoulders sagged.

After a long pause he said "You are right Harry. All these years, everyone treated me with awe and reverence. Even those very close to me -" He looked at Minerva " - have always agreed to my every word. There was no one to tell me where I was going wrong and that made me feel that I was always right.

After Hagrid told me about your conditions, I realized that I have failed. But I still need to carry this burden and move forward because there is no one capable enough to shoulder these burdens." At that moment, they could not see that majestic man, that grand sorcerer who everyone revered and fear. All they could see was a tired old man who was carrying all the burden of the world because of the lack of a capable young generation.

This also made Harry realize that Dumbledore is neither good nor bad, he is just a powerful, senile old man.