Harry Potter and the Secrets of Dumbledore

Harry Potter and the Secrets of Dumbledore

Chapter 1

The New Headmaster

It was a perfect summer's day. The sun was shining down through a deep blue sky illuminating the lake, the forbidden forest, the Quidditch pitch, and the rest of the grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It was a sight Harry Potter had seen hundreds of times since his arrival at the age of eleven. A sight he had never grown tired of.

This view seemed a bit different all of a sudden. Harry was standing at the window of his new office. An office he had been in many times over the years. An office he held in very high regard, even if he had pretty much destroyed it at the end of his fifth year as a student, right after the death of his godfather.

Harry ran his fingers through his hair and softly stated, "I've got to be out of my mind for allowing myself to be talked into this." At that moment there was a gentle knock at the door. "Come in" was all he said while continuing to stare out the window.

"Good afternoon Headmaster," said a soft female voice.

Harry turned around to see Minerva McGonagall standing there with a small smile. "I thought I had asked you to just call me Harry?" he said in a rather self-conscious tone.

"It is something you need to get used to hearing. After all, the new school year starts in two weeks and there will be hundreds of students addressing you in that manner. It is part of who you are now. You should be very proud of it. You are now the youngest Headmaster that Hogwarts has had in its' entire history."

Harry crossed his arms in front of him and shook his head. "I still can't believe that I was talked into this and still don't know why I accepted. Albus was the type of person to be in this office, which he was... for decades. It's still hard to believe he's gone."

"Please sit down Harry and listen to me closely." Minerva used a tone that Harry hadn't heard since he was a student. Without a word, he did as he was told. "Albus was a wonderful, kind and unique man. He was also an extremely powerful wizard. Above it all, he was a man. To have lived for one hundred and seventy nine years is an impressive life, even for Albus Dumbledore! I know you miss him, so do I. But we must celebrate his life and the relationship we had with him. After all, it was he who suggested you follow him in this office!"

Harry sighed and looked at the desk with the high back leather chair behind it, purposely not meeting her eyes. "Minerva, I'm only forty years old. Teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts was one thing. But what do I know about running an entire school?"

"After all these years and everything you have accomplished..." she paused and looked into his eyes, "one would think you would have outgrown this lack of self-confidence that still shows itself on these rare occasions."

"I guess there is a part of me that will always be that little boy living in the cupboard under the stairs on Privet Drive. It would help though if you would call me Harry instead of Headmaster... at least when there are no students around. Not to mention, I will need a great deal of help and advice of how to run this place. I hope I can count on you?"

Minerva had an almost hurt look on her face. "Well of course, I will help in any way I can. Did you really have to ask after all these years."

"Well, I still feel that you should be in this office instead of me."

Minerva looked him straight in the eyes again. "I am perfectly happy, and comfortable, in my position as Deputy Headmistresses, head of Gryffindor house and Transfiguration professor. I think that is quite enough for a ninety nine year old witch!"

There was a booming knock at the door which caused both Harry and Minerva to jump a bit. They shared a smile and then Harry said, "Come in Hagrid."

Hagrid walked in carrying a large, narrow package that was wrapped in brown paper. "Good afternoon Headmaster...Professor."

Harry held up his hand before Hagrid could say another word. "As I was just telling Minerva...I'm Harry, just Harry. Unless there are students around." He looked up at Hagrid and noticed a strange look on his face and that his eyes were glassy. "Hagrid, what 's the matter? Are you alright?"

It seemed a bit difficult for him to get the words out. Finally, he said "It's just...well... that is exactly what you said to me the night I went to get you at that cabin on the island on your eleventh birthday."

Harry just stared at him and said, "What?"

"Yea', when I first told you that you were a wizard. You looked at me an said, 'No, you must be mistaken...I'm Harry... just Harry.' And look at you now, Headmaster of the school you had never heard of." A tear leaked out of one eye and disappeared into his graying beard.

"I can't believe you remember that so clearly. That night is just a blur to me except how happy that I was leaving the Dursley's, not to mention how nervous and excited I was about the news and how fast everything was happening."

All three of them stood there, wrapped up in their own memories of a time almost forgotten. Finally, Harry broke the silence and asked, "What have you got there, Hagrid?"

"Oh, I almost forgot, it's Professor Dumbledore's portrait for the wall. He'll be joining all the other former Headmasters and Headmistresses. Have you decided where you want to hang it yet?"

"I thought I'd put it over there, close to both the desk and to Fawkes," he paused, looking at the Phoenix standing on his perch. "I'm very happy Albus left Fawkes to me. He's a beautiful bird and has helped me on more than one occasion."

Hagrid unwrapped the portrait and carefully hung it exactly where Harry had specified.

Minerva was getting a bit misty eyed, cleared her throat and said. "I think that portrait looks perfect there. He won't wake up until tomorrow as it takes awhile for the magic to fully engulf the new home. I don't know who will have more questions Harry, you or Albus." Now she had a mischievous smile and asked, "Will I see you at dinner Harry?"

"Not tonight I'm afraid. I still have to get the guest house ready for my new permanent house guest," he paused, slowly shaking his head and continued with a heavy sigh, " Who would ever have thought things would have turned around so dramatically?"

"Good luck with your preparations, I'll see you in the morning headm...I mean Harry. I'll get it yet." With a ruffle of her cloak she was out the door.

"Sit down Hagrid; let's talk a bit before I have to leave."

Hagrid sat down beaming at Harry. "I always knew you were special and going to do great things, but you have done far more than I ever imagined Harry."

Harry looked down at the floor blushing. "Hagrid, I..."

Hagrid interrupted him, "I know you don't like hearing a lot of praise and that you think you have only done what you had to do all these years. The fact is, that whatever the reason, you have done all those things. It doesn't matter if it was a small personal thing just to help out a friend with a problem or starting and teaching friends and fellow students defense against the dark arts in Dumbledore's Army. Who knows how many of them survived the war because of what you taught them."

"Some of them died in that war."

"Of course they did. That is bound to happen in a war. Most survived because of what they had learned from you. It goes without saying that you saved millions when you defeated Voldemort . Then you found those unheard of magical powers deep down inside yourself and actually rid the world of the Dementors; a feat that even shocked Dumbledore!"

"Stop the list already. I wanted to know how you've been doing since Olympe died? You two were so much in love."

Hagrid looked out the window with a sigh and said, "I miss her everyday. I never thought I'd ever find someone to love, much less marry. We had eighteen wonderful years together and I'm thankful for that time. I still talk to her first thing every morning and again just before I go to sleep every night. She will always be with me. I still have my animals and classes to keep me busy. I'm still lucky at what we had.... especially when I look at so many others."

Harry stood up and walked over to one of the many strange instruments in the office as if to study it. He had decided to keep the office pretty much the way Dumbledore had left it, making only a few minor changes here and there.

So far the occupants of the gallery hadn't had much to say to him except for the usual polite greetings. He turned to face his large friend and said, "I don't know Hagrid. I feel some new type of evil is out there...waiting..." his voice trailed off and he was staring at the floor again.

Hagrid walked over, raised his bushy eyebrows and put his finger under Harry's chin, raising his head until he was looking him straight in the eye. "I told you this before...there's no good sittin' worryin' about it. What's comin' will come, an' we'll meet it when it does. Besides, now you have those special powers and the... 'er, special communication powers too."

"How did you know about that? Nobody, except for Albus, knows about that," he said almost in a whisper.

Hagrid's eyes started darting around the room, avoiding having to look at Harry. Finally he took a deep breath and said, "I heard you and Dumbledore talking awhile back. I was bringing some stuff up to this office, and when I came up the stairs, the door was open and you two were talking. I heard only a little about it and dropped one of the packages so you'd know I was there. I've never said a word to anybody Harry, no one at all!"

Harry smiled and said, "I know you haven't, and let's keep it that way for the time being." Hagrid just nodded his head in agreement.

"Well, I think I need to take a walk around the castle and the grounds to see how preparations are coming along for the opening of the new term. I'll see you later." With a smile on his face, Harry walked out the door.

As he walked through the castle, Harry couldn't help noticing how large and quiet it seemed without any students around. He stopped and sat down for a few minutes in the Great Hall. Memories of his seven years as a student passing in front of his eyes. Friends and enemies, good times and bad, holidays, feasts, the dueling club, etc. His eyes fell on the High Table, trying to picture himself greeting the students at the welcoming feast, and he still had no idea of exactly what he was going to say.

He continued his walk out on the grounds and found himself entering one of the greenhouses. Neville turned with a start when Harry sneezed as a schnozzle flower let loose it's powerful pollen straight in his face.

"Oh, hello Harry. What are you doing down here?" asked Neville, trying not to laugh at Harry's misfortune with the flower. "You must remember to watch certain plants in here, especially some of the new varieties I've added this year."

"Brilliant, I'll be sure to do that," Harry replied in a rather sarcastic voice. "So, how is the new arrangement between you and Professor Sprout working out?"

"Actually it's working well for both of us. She is still head of Hufflepuff and comes down and putts with the plants whenever she likes. In the meantime, I get to teach and spend plenty of time with the family. The kids, as you know, are all in school here, so I see them all week. Then I'm able to spend the nights and weekends with Ginny. Thanks to you're special arrangements!

"Well, I'm just glad we were able to work things out to everybody's satisfaction."

With a distant look in his eye, Harry continued. "With Bill heading up Gringotts' Paris operations and Fluer teaching English and Charms at Beauxbatons , their lives are pretty full. At least their kids are a bit older and pretty much starting their own lives."

" Charlie, is still too busy with all those dragons to ever worry about marriage."

He paused and then continued with a big smile, "Of course, who would ever have believed that Fred and George would become such successful businessmen. From that one joke shop, the have opened a franchise that covers all of Europe. Now they are making plans to cross the pond into the American market," he continued shaking his head, "with all that, they somehow find the time to be playboys too!"

At that point Neville chimed in, "The ones that really amaze me are Ron and Hermione. With Ron heading up the Bureau of International Muggle Relations and Hermione as the new Minister of Magic, how do they find the time to raise those triplets?"

Harry started laughing, "I don't really know, but I usually get a good laugh every time I go to the Burrow. It helps a lot that they moved in with Molly after Arthur died. If anyone has experience with children, it's Molly. In fact, I'll be seeing them shortly. They are going to help me with the final preparations on the guest house so that all will be ready tomorrow."

Neville interrupted, "In my wildest dreams, I never thought I'd see this happening."

"You and everybody else I know...and that includes ME most of all! Well, I'd better get going. See you later." Harry left the greenhouse, walked along the shore of the lake and spending some time at the Quidditch pitch before heading back to the castle.

Harry found Minerva in her classroom checking it over and making sure every thing was exactly the way she wanted it. The only question was...why? That room wouldn't dare to be any different or there would be hell to pay!

"Minerva, I won't be in until Monday. There is going to be a bit of adjustment around the house and I think it best if we have some time to ourselves. Obviously we've done some talking, but there is more to be discussed. I still have a few thousand questions I hope to get answered. If you need me, just send an owl."

"Don't worry about a thing, we'll be fine. Good night and good luck...Headmaster." Harry looked at her with a smile, rolled his eyes while he shook his head, and left.

He returned to his office long enough to say goodbye to Fawkes. He then picked up the crystal paperweight on his desk and was gone.