Harry and Ron - covered in muck and slime - stood in Dumbledore's office. Fawkes perched on a pedestal behind Dumbledore, who sat at his desk, examining the charred diary. He looked up, regarding Harry and Ron gravely. "Ingenious. Simply... ingenious. Of course, Tom Riddle was probably the most brilliant student Hogwarts has ever seen. I taught him myself fifty years ago. After he left, I would occasionally hear stories of his activities - dark rumours - but after a while, even the rumours stopped. When he finally resurfaced as Lord Voldemort, most people had completely forgotten the clever Head Boy he'd once been."
"He knew exactly what Tom was doing. He just knew it was too early to stop him." Zoe scoffed.
"I didn't know whose diary it was, sir. I swear. I found it inside my cauldron." Ginny said, then looked at the others. "The day we all went to Diagon Alley." Hearing this, Harry frowned in thought, recollecting... "But I understand if... given all the trouble I've caused... if you..."
"Wiser wizards than you have been hoodwinked by Lord Voldemort, Miss Weasley. No, I think you've endured enough. I would suggest a bit of bed rest, however. And perhaps a large mug of hot chocolate. I always find that cheers me up. Minerva, will you show Arthur and Molly up to the hospital wing?" Professor Dumbledore asked.
"if it were a Slytherin, they would be expelled..." Barty muttered.
"... But because it was a Gryffindor, they 'fell victim' and shouldn't be held accountable." Regulus said.
"Certainly, Albus." Professor McGonagall said.
As they left, Harry and Ron watched them go. Mrs Weasley's voice carries: "A diary that writes back to you! Honestly, Ginny! What were you thinking? Haven't I always told you? Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can't see where it keeps its brain!"
Harry and Ron turned back to see Dumbledore regarding them gravely. "You two realize, of course, that in the last few hours, you have broken perhaps a dozen school rules?"
"Yes, sir." They said.
"And that there is sufficient evidence to expel you both?"
"Yes, sir."
"Therefore, it seems only fitting..." His eyes twinkling. "That you both receive Special Awards for Services to the School. And - let me see - yes, I think two hundred points apiece, which, I believe, should be more than enough to secure Gryffindor the House Cup."
"That just proved out point!" Barty yelled.
"Thank you, sir." Harry and Ron grinned.
"Now, Mr Weasley, if you would, have an owl deliver these release papers to Azkaban. We need our gamekeeper back." Professor Dumbledore. Ron nodded and took the envelope and left. "First, Harry, I want to thank you. You must have shown me real loyalty down in the Chamber. Nothing but that could have called Fawkes to you. Secondly, I sense you're troubled by something. Am I right?"
"Why would you have Weasley send it? It should have been from the Minister. A child can't have someone released from Azkaban." Lucius said. "Otherwise, children would get their parents released."
"It's just, you see, sir, I couldn't help noticing certain things. Certain similarities. Between Tom Riddle and me." Harry said.
"You can speak Parseltongue, Harry, because Lord Voldemort can speak Parseltongue. Unless I'm much mistaken, he transformed some of his own powers to you the night he gave you that scar."
"Voldemort put a bit of himself in me?" Harry asked.
"Oh shit." Regulus gasped.
Sirius looked at his brother. "What's wrong, Reg?"
YOU ARE READING
The Truth | Draco Malfoy
FanfictionIt day began as any other, everyone in the great hall when a group appeared. They were watching movies; people from the past, present and future come together about: Harry Potter and Zoe Potter-Ollivander. Now the lies they told their children will...
