That afternoon in his last class Harry was handed a note telling him to go to the Headmasters office that the password was sugar quills. Harry headed to the office grateful once again that he had the map from his father.
Harry hoped this was him only getting a talking to because of baiting Draco. He wasn't sure what he would do if it was more. He did know that he didn't plan on looking in the Headmaster's eyes, pendant from his mum notwithstanding. Harry had only managed a couple of chapters of his occlumency texts but he'd learned that much. He got to the gargoyle guarding the office and said "Sugar quills" he rode the stairway up and settled to wait for the headmaster taking his charms book out so he could study while he waited.
Ten minutes later the Headmaster summoned him. Harry took a deep breath and mentally girded himself to face the lions. "You summoned me Headmaster." ' Headbastard more like.'
Albus was curious. Normally students summoned to his office were unable to retain their curiosity at his many nick-knacks and they broadcasted their emotions loudly, fear was common after all he was both the Great Albus Dumbledore and the Headmaster but Harry was outwardly very self- contained. He had come, eyes forward if slightly down, to just in front of his desk. "Would you care for a lemon sherbet Harry?"
"No thank you." 'My Aunt taught me never to accept candy from strangers, and they don't get much stranger than you.'
The Headmaster decided to scan him, Harry was afraid, distrustful, and wouldn't meet his eyes. Albus glanced over at Fawkes, to his surprise the bird seemed very interested in the boy. "Perhaps you would like some tea? Yesterday you said a few things that troubled me and I feel we need to get to know each other. Have a seat."
Controlling a desire to grimace Harry sat. He was surprised a second later when a large bird with red and gold plumage flew over and landed in his lap. When he got over his shock, he stroked the bird lightly, and it responded by trilling softly. Harry couldn't help it; he relaxed slightly.
Albus felt a sudden surge of relief. Despite Harry's placement in Slytherin he clearly couldn't be dark, Fawkes wouldn't have gone to him if he was. "Fawkes likes you."
"I like him, or is it her, too."
"Yesterday you baited Mr. Malfoy quite badly. It was poorly done of you, I know you grew up away from the magical world but there will be political repercussions because of your actions."
'Like I care, and whose fault is it I grew up away from the magical world anyway.' "Like I care, Malfoy's been asking for a set down for weeks. Screwing up my potions, he was messing with my grades. Insults fine, I'll ignore it but I draw the line when he started doing that. Someone needed to take the poncey git down a few pegs."
"I see. I quite agree, but surely there could have been another solution. Speaking with Professor Snape perhaps."
Harry couldn't help himself he snorted. "Professor Snape? You have got to be kidding. Professor, I will treat you as if you don't exist, if you irritate me by making me notice you I'll throw you in detention, speak to him? You got to be out of your ruddy tree! I've had detention all day both days of just about every weekend since one month into school because that…" Harry just barely stopped himself from calling the man an epithet. He collected himself then continued, "because that man has the maturity of a two year old and has a grudge against a man that has been dead a decade. He practically has me under house arrest and tries to tell me who I can and can't be friends with. Speak with Professor Snape, now that's a laugh. Besides I promised Malfoy the next time he attacked me I was going to hand him his ass, and I have every intention of following through."
"I see." Albus sadly did see. It appeared many things had gone wrong with Harry not just his sorting. "Mr. Malfoy's punishment is he can only do magic in the presence of a teacher for the next two years and he isn't allowed offensive spells of any kind until fifth year." He sipped his tea and noticed Harry hadn't touched his tea or the biscuit he'd placed on Harry's plate. He stood and retrieved a package from a cupboard. "There is your father's cloak. I had intended to return it to you at Christmas."
'Gifting me with my own belongings no doubt. Trying to engender warm feelings towards you and the magical world.' "Thank you. I suppose I won't beat the snot out of the little ponce, it wouldn't be cricket if he's not allowed to fight back."
"I am curious how you found out about your birth position in our world."
"A letter to me from my mother, left with the goblins to be given to me on my eleventh birthday along with my heir's ring."
"May I inquire what else was in the letter."
"My correspondence is private." Harry was tired of this. It was time to end this but it had to be ended by Dumbledore or he would lose ground he couldn't afford to lose to the old man. "The goblins told me you were the one to seal my parents cottage that night. Did you retrieve any mementos or valuables first?"
"No, I didn't want for souvenir seekers to gain access."
"I wonder how many of my things are ruined now because of that decision. I wonder if my mother or father kept a journal…" Harry cast a covert glance at the Headmaster.
Albus found himself in the undesirable position feeling guilty. That night he hadn't thought about the points Harry had just brought up. He grimaced, time to end this. "I'm sorry. Perhaps I can take you there during the Easter recess and we can see what we can salvage. But back to the matter at hand. Given you were the injured party and the unjust detentions already served, I think we shall let this matter go this time shall we? In the future if there is a problem with Mr. Malfoy you should seek out myself or the Deputy Headmistress."
"I will." 'When pigs fly. Like I am supposed to trust you, a man that would leave a baby on a doorstep in November, and woman who couldn't be bothered to fulfill the death wishes of two people that trusted her.'
"Enjoy the rest of your day Harry." Albus dismissed him calmly, and thought to himself that went well. He wouldn't have been nearly as sanguine had he seen the expression on Harry's face as he exited past the gargoyle.
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