45 Harry's little Rant

September 1994

Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

The silence in the room followed by Harry's words was extremely tense and awkward.

Snape's face had turned red, either from embarrassment or anger? No one knew.

Minerva was agape and the usually stoic professor had lost all her composure.

Dumbledore's expression turned grave and an expression of sheer disappointment came across his face. Harry could tell that this time the expression was truly genuine.

Though he was not sure about the cause of the disappointment. Was it his words that cause the disappointment or the fact that Harry knew all this?

Dumbledore began, "Harry," his voice grave, "Do not disrespect Professor Snape like that."

He then put up an expression of sage giving wisdom, "I understand, you may have learned a few things from the diaries of your parents, but that is just only one side of the perspective."

He continued, "Don't judge too quickly."

He gestured towards Snape, "Professor Snape have my full trust and so I would again say that you must respect him."

Harry was all ready for the little mind games and politics Dumbledore would have played but Snape's mere presence flared Harry's anger. He was not sure how much he would be able to hold himself back from smashing Snape into a bloody pulp.

Harry fired back, "Then put up a leash on your trusted dog. He insults me or my family one more time and he will see, what I can do."

Harry's voice cut off Dumbledore, before he could react, "I know very well about the past between my father and him."

Harry's voice boomed, "But does that give him the right to bully an eleven year old child who had not even known his father's name for more than few days? I dreaded even to enter his classes... every fucking time he would call out and target me and my family."

He continued, "And I am not defending my father's prank. I know those were times of war and his pranks had a general target of the aspiring Death Eaters. I know more about details and the reason they targeted their fellow students, but even so I assume that, those pranks which he might have deemed harmless, might have been bullying for someone."

Harry was not pulling any punches today, "And more than my father you are responsible for everything. Just like in present times, you allow this useless and incompetent man to bully the whole school except one house."

He continued while gesturing towards Draco, "Just like you allow this ferret to so whatever he wants as if he owns the place.... allow him to go away with calling Hermione a mudblood every fucking time..."

Harry's voice turned cold, "And what do you do? You preach forgiveness. You should have seen that whatever my father and his friends did never turn out into bullying. You should have seen that Snape's behaviour be of a proper Professor in the classroom. You should have seen that this Malfoy behaved properly."

He continued, "You failed. Why didn't you preach your forgiveness to your trusted dog so that he stops targeting me?"

Though Harry had a lot more to say and he could basically tear apart Dumbledore and Snape through his words, he decided to settle for all what he said till now.

Dumbledore ignored everything and said, "Harry I told you to respect Professor Snape."

Next to Dumbledore Snape was red in anger and he was glaring in Harry's direction as if he would burn hole through Harry's head.

Harry paid him no heed, "Then put your leash tight on him, headmaster."

Dumbledore frowned at Harry's behaviour, but considering many factors, he decided that if he pushed Harry any further it would only alienate Harry from him. He would need to talk to him in future and slowly manipulate Harry as per his wishes.

He said, "We will talk about this in future, Harry. For now, we should focus on the topic for which you were called. Your actions against Malfoy."

Lucius who had kept his mouth shut till now, involved himself, "And the punishment this boy will get for injuring my son."

He continued in his condescending tone, "I would suggest at least 2 weeks of suspension from Hogwarts to be included in whatever punishment you decide."

Harry smiled in amusement while Dumbledore frowned.

He could not allow Harry to remain alone for now, unless he learns all what Harry have discovered in the summer.

He replied, "I think suspension is a bit overwhelming Mr. Malfoy. I believe detention of few weeks along with 100 house points would be sufficient."

Lucius scoffed, "Mere detention and Point loss? What are you playing headmaster? He has injured my son; a proper punishment must be met out to him."

He faced Harry and spoke directly to him for the first time, "You should consider yourself lucky boy, that I am willing to settle this matter as an internal matter of school. Otherwise..."

Harry did not let him finish, "Otherwise just like Draco here, you would have also gone to your 'dad' to complain about me?"

Lucius stammered in anger, "You..you..."

Harry smiled, "Ah Mr. Malfoy, the newspapers made me believe that you are shrewd, kind gentleman and an experienced politician but it turns out to be that all this were mere rumours."

He continued, "Let me make it very clear. I will not be accepting any punishment from this school for injuring Malfoy. So, your only option is to call the DMLE and take the case to Wizengamot."

Harry sighed, "But let me remind you, Draco, here fired the first spell at me and threatened me. So, if we go to Wizengamot and, since my status as Lord apparent of Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter and Black is much higher than him merely being an heir to Ancient and Most Noble House of Malfoy, the laws are skewed in my favour. And me being the last survivor of the Potter blood can lead to charges like…. attempt to end a Most Ancient and Most Noble family would make thing more difficult for Draco."