Chapter Text
Albus Dumbledore was sat in his office in Hogwarts with his thingy-mabobs twirling and making muted noises as he read over that morning's Daily Prophet. Nothing seemed out of order and his big plan was in motion, the letter sent to Privet Drive that very morning and he was glad to see it read ‘The Cupboard Under the Stairs'. It meant Petunia and her whale of a husband had done their job. Hagrid was aware he was to pick Harry up and the boy would have the best introduction into the wizarding world...one he approved of.
This calm wouldn’t last...
A moment later an eagle owl swooped in and let out an almighty screech as it landed on the corner of his desk with several envelopes attached to its leg. Dumbledore sighed before pulling the letters off and throwing some dried treats at the impatient owl who screeched again and took off out of the window. Looking at the top one he broke the seal and saw it was from Gringotts, no doubt his summons to attend the annual meeting with the Hogwarts accountant to discuss financial issues and the such. When he pulled out the parchment he felt his pulse quicken as it wasn’t addressed as Headmaster as he had expected but instead it went:
Mr Albus P W B Dumbledore,
We at Gringotts are writing to inform you that as of July 25th 1991 at 03:32am you have been removed as magical guardian to Heir Harrison James Potter-Black as he has claimed his lordships.
Sincerely,
Accountant Onyxfire
The bookshelves began to shake the more he read and one of the shelves that held trinkets broke under his anger. Who told him he had lordships?! Petunia wouldn’t as she hated all magic and its not like anyone could access him due to the wards not being tripped. Growling, Albus ripped open the next letter but this only served to increase his anger
Albus Dumbledore,
Due to recent changes (see previous letter) we have been doing an audit on the accounts of Potter and Black and found that you have been removing funds quite illegally. We ask you return all money and anything taken from the vaults within the month or you’ll be sanctioned harshly and an enquiry started with the Ministry.
It would be wise to heed our warning
King Ragnock,
King of Goblins
“How dare those filthy creatures!!” Dumbledore spat as he threw a paper weight from his desk at the wall. Chuckling was heard and the headmaster whipped round to see the portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black watching him from the portrait on the wall. “Loosing a grip on your ‘big plan' eh Dumbles?” pulling out his wand Albus stalked closer to the painting “Cease you insults Phineas or I will find a way to relocate you.” Phineas didn’t speak just smirked as Albus returned to his desk. “He is Black blood, I cannot wait to see the fine young man he becomes.” Glaring a final time Albus ripped open the last letter which was indeed the meeting time to discuss Hogwarts finances and he rubbed his temple.
How does the boy know about his Lordship? Who could he have met? Its of no concern, he is eleven and not much of a threat to the great and powerful Albus Dumbledore, defeater of Gellert Grindelwald and leader of the Light. He was a mere lamb for slaughter that he had raised up until now. He would have Hagrid go get him today and nothing would change. And besides the Hogwarts letter should have done its job with the compulsions. Before he could stand to summon Severus to make a trip to Little Whinging his floo began to make an incoming call noise and as soon as he accepted the shrieking of one Molly Weasley began “Albus! What is this about Gringotts and the business with the Potter Vault! Why have you demanded the money back?!” Albus rubbed his bridge of his nose and sat down “Come through the floo Molly, we need to talk.”
After informing Molly of what had happened they made a plan for the Weasley family to meet Harry on the platform and guide him oh so subtly to the Light families and then when he was in Hogwarts Albus would summon him within the first week to discuss things. The portraits around the office were horrified by the old coot and wanted nothing more than to remove him as headmaster but only a founder’s family could and there hadn’t been one in at least 300 years. “Albus...” Molly began as she shuffled towards the floor “I need some more money for the children’s equipment list from Diagon, do you still have the key?” Smiling genially he handed over the Potter Vault key and smiled “Consider it a gift Molly, get them something good.” Smiling, Molly left and Albus couldn’t help but groan. The brat was already ruining plans and he wasn’t even at school.
Calling for Severus via patronus, he took a headache relieving potion and put his office back in order. Three sharp knocks sounded at the door and as he called out, Severus came strutting in with his cape weirdly billowing behind him. “Ah Severus my boy, thank you for coming so quickly. Lemon drop?” Severus sneered at the bowl “No thank you Headmaster, why have you called me away from a rather complex potion in the middle of the summer holidays may I add?” Albus kept us his grandfatherly act, steepling his fingers and looking over at Severus “I’m afraid I am in need of your Legilimency skill Severus. It seems Harry Potter has gone missing and I have a feeling his aunt or uncle may know where.” Severus sneered at the name as he had always done “Why must you send me? You are just as proficient in the mind arts as I...I will not see that brat more than I have to.”
Albus sighed wearily, it was days like this he regretted bringing in Severus. He had never gotten over his little grudge with James Potter and it was grinding on his nerves. “Severus my boy, this is just one simple thing I ask of you. Go to Petunia Dursley and ask her where Harry is. Once done and you’ve got the memories then you can have the rest of the summer to yourself.” Severus sighed but stood and left his office in a huff. Albus had no worries he wouldn’t do the required task, he would just hold his vow over him until he did.
An unhappy trilling sounded from the corner and Albus narrowed his eyes at his phoenix, Fawkes. The bird had refused to bond to him so with some minor magic he had to bind the bird to Hogwarts rather than himself, after all one cannot lead the Order of the Phoenix without a phoenix familiar. “Oh shut up, don’t you start to regal the woes of your life. I have a whole other problem to deal with which surrounds a certain Boy Who Lived.” Any onlookers to the conversation would say that the glare the bird sent the headmaster was almost human but then who would believe these onlookers? A portrait in the far corner of the office stood silent and unmoving, not because the spell on the portrait had worn off but because they had been spelled to not move nor speak...the four occupants smiled in hopes that this child would destroy Albus Dumbledore and finally free them from their prison of a frame .
Albus took one last look at the letter and set it aflame, he would not be heeding the goblins advice, he was Albus Dumbledore and the strongest wizard alive...he had nothing to pay back nor apologise for and they should all be bowing at his feet for ridding of Gellert and Tom. Reaching over to one of his lemon drops he stuck in his mouth and sighed as the calming draught they were laced with took hold. He would get Harry back on the right path and then he would begin to test how well his blocks and compulsions have held up over the years. His recklessness to act and compulsion to be a self sacrificing hero should mean he can go after the stone and Ron and Hermoine would play their part in guiding him to the information needed.
He need not panic, children’s minds are often the easiest to mould because they trust far too easily and if given the right push and the right amount of support he will have Harry walking to meet his death willingly. Albus looked up at the previous headmasters and smirked at Phineas “You know Phin, I don’t think I will need to silence you but know this...There is nothing you can do to protect your Heir. He is of little knowledge of this world and does not know the politics like I do.” Phineas fumed in his portrait, Albus was of course right but that didn’t mean he had to like it. Maybe if Phineas could get his Heir alone then they could talk?
Somewhere in the deep heart of Hogwarts there was a collective sigh of sorrow. Hogwarts, whilst not sentient as such could see be considered alive and she was in pain and desperate for her Heir's to return. She had felt the letter sent to the one and knew he would be here soon but the current headmaster was being cruel and changing her too much, always on the defensive and making her bend in ways she wishes she couldn’t. She sent a small blast of magic through the castle to give strength to those in it...hoping it would be enough until her heir crossed the ward, he magic would be released to him then and back to full health. Careful in her magic, she avoided the Headmaster and giving him anything but she sent hope to the Founder portrait and to previous headmasters that this would not continue.
Hold onto hope, our heir returns...the magic seemed to whisper as it entered every nook and cranny of the ancient stone building.
