40 Dumbledore's Question

September 1994

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

McGonagall and Harry arrived at the headmaster's office and just as McGonagall was to knock at the door, Dumbledore's voice came from inside, "Come in, Minerva."

Minerva followed by Harry entered the office.

Harry entered the office and found it to be exactly same as the previous time.

Brightly lit with lot of trinkets and decorations providing a welcoming environment in the office. Few book shelves and Fawkes on his perch. The sorting hat placed on one of the shelves.

And finally, the legendary and the splendid Gryffindor sword placed in one of the glass cases. The sword was rightfully his. Even if he would not have been Lord Gryffindor, the sword should have belonged to him. He had discovered the sword after it was missing for centuries and by Right of Conquest, Harry owned the sword.

On the chair behind the desk, sitting was Albus Dumbledore but what surprised Harry was Snape's presence in the office.

He was occupying a conjured chair in one side of the office.

Dumbledore waved his wand and a single chair was conjured at the other end of his desk.

He said, "Ah! Harry my boy, wonderful to have you back. Take your seat."

He turned towards Minerva, "Thankyou Minerva for escorting Harry," and dismissed her.

Harry walked towards the chair to take his seat and waited for McGonagall's response. He wanted to see if she would stay true to her word or abandon him.

From the corner of his eyes Harry caught the conflicted expression on her face.

She took a deep breath, "I am afraid, I will have to join the meeting Albus. As the head of Mr. Potter's house, he has requested my presence."

Meanwhile Harry had taken his seat and Dumbledore turned towards him, "I don't think that would be necessary Harry."

Harry remained impassive for few moments and took his sweet time to answer, "A lot of things are not necessary headmaster. I am sure even this meeting would not be that necessary."

Dumbledore frowned at Harry's expression and tried to give a 'disappointed' look to Harry, but seeing no other reaction from Harry, he sighed, "Very well, Minerva. I assume that you are more than capable enough to see to your seating arrangement."

Minerva and with wave of her wand, another chair similar to Harry appeared next to him. Minerva then occupied the chair.

Dumbledore began, "How have been your summer vacation Harry?"

Harry chuckled inwardly that he was going to enjoy pricking the old coot today.

Harry answered, "I think Hermione would love to have this conversation headmaster. I should call her."

Harry started to stand up but Dumbledore stared at him in confusion, "I wanted to ask you Harry. If I did want to ask Miss. Granger, then surely, I would have called her."

Harry put up a confused expression, "I thought you wanted to hear some interesting stories about summer vacation of students. As for my vacation, well I definitely enjoyed being locked in a small attic and having scraps of food once in day."

Minerva was horror struck at the answer and she looked, firstly at Harry and then at Dumbledore for answers.

Dumbledore kept quiet for a moment, "I see."

Harry again started to get up and again Dumbledore interrupted in confusion, "I don't think we are finished Mr. Potter."

Harry again sat back in confusion, "You didn't wanted to ask about my vacation?"

Dumbledore smiled, "I most certainly did, but we can talk about few more things."

Harry kept quiet and waited to for Dumbledore to speak.

Having no chance but to come clean at the lack of 'cooperation' from Harry, he asked, "Where did you learn about the Lord apparent thing?"

Minerva again looked at both of them in confusion.

Harry asked back, "I don't see my personal matter being related to my school business headmaster."

Dumbledore again sighed, "Harry I know you have lot of difficulties and flaunting your status in front of the whole world, specially talking about Black Lordship in front of Malfoys is a dangerous task. Even if Sirius told you about those things, you should not involve yourself with these things. I would say you should enjoy your school life for now, make friends."

Before Harry could respond, Snape snickered from the side, "What can be more expect from an arrogant brat. Flaunting his wealth, fame and position is all he could do."

Harry turned his neck sideways, and let go of a small portion of control he was having on his magic.

The atmosphere in the room turned thick and Harry's eyes glowed green.

Dumbledore could feel a small part of the astonishing amount of magic Harry had in his core and he wondered that if his magical binding has weakened or Harry again got stronger.

He had similar doubts, when Harry had cast the Patronus in his third year and he had checked Harry when he was unconscious, to find the magical binding intact.

Harry's voice boomed, "You know headmaster, if my mother or my father would have still been alive, what would have they done?"

He continued without giving chance for a reply, "They would have ripped this Snape's tongue out of his mouth, before he could have uttered a single word against me."

Harry turned back to face Dumbledore and pulled back his control, "Looks like I will satisfy your curiosity. Sirius did not tell me. Ideally, he should have, but thanks to a jealous, insufficient, incompetent man and definitely lacking the word you preach most often, 'forgive,' Sirius was not able to."

Harry's implication towards Snape was neither lost on Dumbledore nor Snape himself.

He continued, "Be it my luck or coincidence. I discovered some of my mother's old stuff. It contained two diaries. One of my mother and other of my father. Both of them contained a lot of information. About their school years, few particular incidents were mentioned in detail."

He continued, "As for enjoying my time in school. I am afraid that facing Voldemort's wraith in first tear, his soul possessing diary and a huge Basilisk in second year and hundreds of dementors in third year is not something I would call enjoying."

This time not pretending, Harry stood up, "Professor McGonagall, I would like to discuss few things. I would be waiting near your office."

Giving no time for interruption, Harry stormed out of room leaving complete silence.

Minerva glared at Dumbledore, as if saying prepare your answers, and then at Snape and she also left the office.