The Real Truth

Series 1 Chapter 8

The Real Truth
Series 1 Chapter 8

Harry sat at Ron's desk with a quill in his hand. He had only reached out to his father to find out if he really did have a sister, who turned out to be Hermione. So, naturally he shouldn't feel tempted to write a letter to him again, right? He couldn't help but think back to what Voldemort's letter had said.

Though I would like to discuss more than that, perhaps why you think that sharing your name will get you killed? Until then.

Harry kept re-reading this last part. Voldemort had expected a reply with the owl he sent, that's why it had stayed in the window cil. Harry couldn't give him a honest answer, nor did he plan to, but this little sentence told Harry he'd be talking with his father again. It wouldn't be up to him to decided. He cursed himself inside his head. He'd have to first prove that he was his son, then he'd actually have to have a conversation with the man. Then a thought came to Harry. The owl knew where to go, which means that Voldemort -or whoever sent it- knew Harry was at the burrow. So, did he already know that it was Harry who sent the letter? Or was it actuality a Gringots owl that was kept in better shape and had different training specifically for pure-bloods?

Harry groaned.

"What's the matter Harry?" Hermione walked into the room and took a seat on Ron's bed.

"Voldemort."

Her face became serious. "What happened?" She demanded.

Harry sighed, "He knew I was here. I- Idont know how but the owl that delivered the letter... that wasn't a Gringots owl. They're not that well crept and never wait for a reply. On top of that he seems to think that we should have a further conversation but I have to prove that I'm actually his son before that. Of course I don't want to talk to him but now I have to."

Hermione thought for a moment. "He knew you were here... or whoever sent that letter knew you- well, Hadrian was here..."

"But how? I used a transfigured owl, didn't say anything about myself expect for the two year early inheritance and being adopted, but that could've been anyone!"

"I-... I don't know... Maybe you should just focus on the task at hand."

"So... proving that I'm his son?"

"Yeah."

"How am I supposed to do that without giving myself away?"

"Maybe there's something we can remember... that only we know?"

"Hermione, I've been thinking about this since I got this letter. If there was any memory that could help me I think it would've come by now."

"Maybe not... what do you remember so far?"

"Not much, what my room looked like, what your room looked like, I kinda know my way around the manor- whatever manor we lived in. A few lectures on 'mudbloods' and 'blood traitors' and how to 'hold yourself like a pure-blood'. I remember Naigni, Poppy, the house elf that took care of us," He quickly added after seeing Hermione's confused face. "and not much else really."

"Is there anything he might've said in a lecture that you could repeat in a letter?"

Harry thought back to the bits and peices of his childhood lectures. "No, it's all stuff people could predict him saying."

Hermione nodded. "Well, you haven't gotten any sort of follow up and I think that is he really knew you were here he would've already had Death Eaters storm here looking for you. If you can't prove that your his son then don't."

"But then what do I do if I get a follow up letter?"

Hermione shrugged, "Throw it out. If you don't want to interact with him anymore don't."

"I don't have a choice Hermione. If he really does know I'm here then he will have death eaters storm here if I don't reply."

Hermione but her lip. "Then you better hope that you find a way to prove your his son."

Harry would've laughed at Hermione going back on herself if it wasn't for the situation he was in.

"Maybe I should just give myself away..."

"What!? Harry! What are you thinking!?" Hermione exclaimed. "You'd be putting yourself in danger!"

"He may already know Hermione. If he doesn't how could I possibly be putting myself now in harms way then I already am?"

"I don't know if you've noticed Harry but they know things we don't! We can't risk anything."

"Then what am I supposed to do?! If I don't prove that I'm his son he storms here and finds me by brute force possibly taking out the Weasleys in the process! If I do prove who I am I reveal myself and possibly put myself in harms way!"

"I don't know!" Hermione took a breath, "Maybe we should talk to Dumbledore..."

"The same guy who placed compulsion potions on us and split us up? No thanks."

"I'm sure he had a good reason Harry."

"His reason is probably that Voldemort would've killed me. If he really wanted me dead don't you think he would've done it before I turned four? Who knows what Dumbledore's been lying about?"

Hermione didn't answer.

"Dumbledore..." Harry picked up his letter and read through it again. He remembered the memory that had haunted him for years, the murder of Lily Potter, he fell backwards onto his mattress.

. . . . . .

Green light filled the room as Lily Potter fell screaming to the floor. The light faded, her still body not making a sound. A face came into Harry's view, a mans face. He had pale creamy skin, jet-black hair, and dark brown eyes. He reached down for the baby when a wall was blasted through. The man raised a shield and Harry turned onto his side getting a full view of what was happening. The man that had come through the hole in the wall had long blue robes and a beard that almost reached the floor.

"Albus." Said the cool voice of the first man.

"Tom."

They stood, wand to wand, staring at each other.

"You'll pay for what you did."

"And what was that?"

A vicious hiss came from Tom. "You know very well old man." He spat, "Avada Ka-"

"Avada Kadavra!"

The blinding green light shot from Albus Dumbledore's wand as Tom fell to the floor, dead.