Controlling

Chapter 43

Harry spent the rest of the year acting like any other student was at Hogwarts: worried and stressed because of the massive breakout, with possible fugitives coming towards them on top of school work.

He spent time with Tom, occasionally trading ideas when possible and needed.

And when, at the cursed Halloween, reports in the Daily Prophet started including articles about Sirius' appearance closer and closer to the castle each time it appear, he joined the line to sign the paper stating that he will not pass Christmas at Hogwarts.

He was summoned to the Headmaster's office the very next day, right after classes had ended.

Harry spoke the password given to him by his Head of House to the gargoyle that guards the entrance, watching it moving up brough back some unpleasant memories that he shook his head to get rid of.

At his level, sensing the wards placed upon the door to warn of who is it behind it to the one who put it there was easy, messing with it even more so.

Before he even knocked on it, Dumbledore told him to come in.

Harry took a deep breath and opened the door.

The office was just like he remembered, in red and gold, full with formerly  strange devices, painting of the previous Headmasters, a big window and the desk and tables where he once sat and seats once more.

His eyes were drawn to Fawnks, the phoenix, yet to burn and beautiful as always, who was singing softly.

"Do sit, my boy" Dumbledore said, a smile on his face as his eyes twinkle.

Harry did as told, a mix mask of nerves and determination.

"Lemon drop?" the man offered, taking one for himself from the bowl at Harry's left.

"No, thank you" Harry shook his head.

"Very well then" Dumbledore looked happy as he suck on the candy "How are you doing, my boy?" he asked "Is the Hogwarts treating you well?"

"I'm fine and yes, sir" Harry said, behaving as an anxious child, playing with his fingers and glancing around.

"Do not worry, my boy, you are not in trouble" Dumbledore assured him upon noticed it.

Harry instantly relax in his chair and offer a small hopeful smile.

"Really?" he asked.

"Yes" Dumbledore smiled faintly at the child "But" he paused, watching as Harry tense "I do find myself worrying for your safety" he said, concern laced on his tone.

"Eh? Why?" Harry asked putting on a confused face.

"You see, the people who escape Azkaban are all known followers of You-know-who" he explained as if Harry hadn't heard about it since the beginning of the school year "And they may go after you for revenge on behalf of their fallen Lord" he elaborate, liking the way Harry's widden with fear.

"Really?" his voice was trembling a bit and quiet.

"I'm afraid so" Dumbledore said sadly "That's why I would like to up some wards on your house, just in case, you see"

"Thank you for the kind offer, Headmaster Dumbledore" Harry shook his head "But it's not necessary as the house is under a charm, the Fidelius, i have been told" he explained, taking pleasure when Dumbledore's face turn dark for a second before turing to a large smile.

"I'm relived to hear that" he said "It calms this old man's heart to know that James and Lily's child is safe from the evil that took their young lives" he added and Harry can already see what answer the man expects.

"Did you know them, sir? My parents I mean" Harry asked, his young voice full of child like innocence, something he that he been robbed of him when the lies were exposed.

"Ohh, yes I did" he reply a smile on his face as he added with a wink "Your father, in particular, has been seated right there many times over the course of his stay at Hogwarts"

"Why so?" Harry asked, mentally rolling his eyes.

As a, now, proud Ravenclaw, how the Headmaster didn't expected that Harry did a full background check on his parents as soon as he was told of them, either here, through the school public records, or through the goblins by owl, was slightly offensive.

Even he had indeed done such thing when he first found out about it, unsurprisingly, it was the same day he did his first blood test and was told his parents' Will has been sealed along side their more private information and belongings.

"He and his friends were quite goods at causing mischief all through the school during their stay" he began "Always playing pranks and spreading joy during such dark times" he said.

And Harry had to pretend to be the little 13 years old he looks like and fake most of his joy and fascination at the stories told.

When he finally left, almost an entire hour after he entered, Harry made quick work of putting the tracking charm on a passing kid with a blue tie before finally going to the RoR where Tom was already waiting for him, head buried under piles of books.

Harry fondly shook his head, a small smile creeping on his face as he gaze at the tired looking Tom.

"What are you working on this time?" Harry asked, approaching the table and seating at Tom's side, after closing the door behind him.

Tom let out a tired sigh and push the papers to let Harry have a better view.

"A potion?" Harry said more to himself than anything as he gaze the calculations and names written in his mate's elegant writing "You want a permanent sanity curing potion?"

(Revised)