A New Day - HP

Chapter 8

"Are you ready to see their reactions when they get their letters from Gringotts?" Barty asked as we made our way to the Great Hall.

"I'm ecstatic," I replied. "They deserve everything that's coming to them." As we neared the hall we separated so that we wouldn't be seen together. I quickly made my way to the Gryffindor table and sat down. The Annoying Trio as I had taken to calling them in my head came and sat next to me. Ginny tried to sit in my lap but I immediately pushed her off.

"Harry! Why'd you do that?" the Know-it-all exclaimed.

"Because I'd like to have dinner in peace without a slag in my lap," I retorted.

"Harry, why would you say that about your girlfriend?" Ginny asked pouting.

"How often am I going to have to tell you that you are not and never will be my girlfriend?" I asked exasperated.

"Mate, why are you acting like this you know you and Ginny are perfect for each other," Ron said, mouth stuffed with food.

"We aren't Ronald because she doesn't have a cock. I'd never date her because I like cock," I stated simply. Gasps were heard from around the hall and I realized everyone had been listening to our conversation.

"Harry, that's disgusting and it goes against God," Granger said, matter-of-factly.

"First of all, it's not disgusting. That's just your opinion. Secondly, according to your God and religion, you should be killed for even having Magic. You are living with the mindset that you had growing up as a Muggle. News flash. This is the Wizarding World and things are very different here." Before she could respond, four owls flew into the hall and directly to Hermione, Ronald, Ginny, and Dumbledore respectively, drawing everyone's attention as owls usually only came during breakfast. I turned to watch Dumbledore.

As the shocking revelation unfolded before him, his expression turned thunderous. It was the look of a man whose very fabric of his carefully woven schemes were unraveling like threads in a storm. You could see him realizing that I was free of his web of enchantments and illusions, that I now stood liberated from his clutches. His eyes widened in horror. He pushed his seat back from the table and all but ran out of the Great Hall, the Annoying Trio fast on his tail.

I looked at Barty who smirked at me, an expression that looked immensely weird on Moody's face. I tilted my head minutely, subtly nodding towards the door. He nodded a slight motion that you would only notice if you were looking for it. I got up and exited the Great Hall. I quickly made my way towards Dumbledore's office knowing that that was where they would be congregating. When I was far enough to not be seen, I put on my invisibility cloak. I hurried the rest of the way, arriving in time to see the door close behind the Weasley chit. I stood beside the door, listening to Dumbledore throw floo powder into the fireplace and call Molly. They must have been worried about forgetting to cast a Muffliato but who was I to complain when it worked to my benefit?

"Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and I all received letters from Gringotts informing us that they would be recalling everything we had taken. I'm assuming from your lack of surprise that you received one too."

"Yes, it arrived just a short while ago. Albus, what are we going to do?" she all but whined.

"Do you think he knows?" Molly asked. "You promised me that my Ginny would be the future Mrs. Potter, Albus."

"No," Dumbledore replied. "This was Gringott's doing. We've been too careful in our plans for him to find out and he hasn't done or said anything to make us worry much. Ginny, I think you need to up your efforts in trying to date him. We continue with the plan."

"That's not going to work, unfortunately. Harry's been making a lot of noise about being gay and lots of people have heard him say that he would never date Ginny. If he started dating her now, everyone would find it weird," the know-it-all piped up.

"That puts a dent into our plans," he responded thoughtfully.

"We need to keep him under control," another voice chimed in, sinister intent dripping from every word. My heart broke as I recognized the voice. Of all the people to be a part of this plot, Remus had never even crossed my mind. The shock of betrayal surged through Harry like a bolt of electricity. I'd heard enough. Clenching my fists, I retreated silently from the doorway, my mind racing with thoughts of how to navigate this unexpected betrayal. The tendrils of betrayal tightened around me, but a fiery determination ignited within. I'd always looked up to Remus. I saw him as another god-father along with Sirius. To come to find out that he was conspiring with them hit me hard. I made my way down to Barty's office and slipped in. A few moments later, Barty came in. He immediately began casting privacy spells.

"Did you hear?" I asked. He didn't even need to answer. I could tell by the look he gave me that he had.

"I can't believe it," I said, my voice cracking. All the emotions I'd been feeling over the past few days swarmed to the surface and I broke into tears. Barty came and sat next to me, pulling me into a hug.

"I know how it feels to have a father figure betray you and hurt you. I'm sorry for all that you're going through. What do you want to do?" he asked after some time.

I took a deep breath as my tears slowed. I pulled back, looking him dead in his eyes. The sadness and betrayal that I'd felt previously turned to fury, a tempest within, a fury burning hotter than a thousand suns. Every cherished trust was shattered, replaced by the searing intensity of rage. My heart, once an open sanctuary, now pulsed with the venomous fire of resentment, a storm of emotions demanding retribution for the wounds inflicted by those I had once considered allies.

"I want revenge."