Next Time Around

Interesting Developments

Author's note:
So, a bit of a longer chapter. I just couldn't help it! It was really difficult to find a place to stop. But whatever- I'm sure youguys enjoy the extra reading. Happy Easter, by the way! Enjoy your day.

Disclaimer: me no own no Harry Potter. Me sad. Me cry now.

Enjoy!

It was the next day, and Harry was grumpy. Actually, he wasn't. He was furious. The insolence of that old coot was unmeasurable. Making himself his magical guardian, then using that position of power to get what he wanted from Harry. All that time spent creating Elias, and then Dumbledore goes and screws him over this way.

Harry took a deep breath and reminded himself that operation Elias was still on the road. This was just a temporary bump on the road. A very annoying, brightly-clothed bump. With twinkle-eyes that gave Harry migraines.

As Harry approached the gargoyle leading to Dumbledore's office, he ground his teeth together and balled his fists. Taking a moment to center himself, he took a deep breath. It would be just fine. Fine. Everything would be fine.

With a small, slightly strained smile on his face Harry repeated the password given to him earlier -Bone Bites- to the gargoyle. The statue let him pass and Harry walked up the stairs to the one man that still had legal power over him. He really hated that, the knowledge that Dumbledore could just decide stuff for him. Things being out of his control just brought him on edge.

Betrayal. Broken. Sad. Betrayal.

Harry had stuttered to a halt. 'Circe, dammit not here. Not now.' He muttered to himself.

Ginny simpering, fake. Hermione glaring at his back. Dumbledore controlling him.

He could normally see these things coming- and they didn't happen often! Why now?

Don't resist. Hurt. Accept it. Betrayal. Worthless...

Harry felt sweat on his forehead as he sat down on the stone step. He let out a shuddering breath. He was going to be late now. Fantastic. He didn't- couldn't deal with this right now.

Knowing by now that he just had to wait these things out, Harry sat on the step for a moment, trying valiantly to calm down. He wiped his forehead any quickly rubbed his hands over his thighs, as they had gotten clammy and sweaty.

It took a while, but eventually Harry pulled himself together (with the use of way to much Occlumency to be healthy) and stood up. He walked to the door of Dumbledore's office and knocked once.

'Come in.' He heard from behind the door.

Harry walked in with a tight expression on his face. He sat in the chair presented to him with an icy cool look on the outside, though he had to ball his hands in his pockets to keep them from shaking.

'Lemon drop?' Dumbledore offered.

'No, sir.' Harry answered tersely.

'Ah of course, Harry.' Dumbledore said jovially.

Harry stood abruptly, his right eye twitching, as well as his wand hand. 'Headmaster, for the last time, I am NOT "Harry" to you! Do call you Alby? Respect goes two ways! I've had NONE from you! Mister Potter! How difficult is it? You have been at this game for over half a year now, and I can't handle it now!'

Dumbledore blinked. 'Ah my apologies, mister Potter. I'll have to ask you though to stop shouting and to sit down, please.'

Harry's wand hand twitched again, but he controlled it and sat down slowly. 'I'm sorry for my impudence, sir, but I'd like to know why you wanted to speak to me.'