information gathering

The floo in Albus Dumbledore's office flashed to life and the headmaster of Hogwarts saw the head of Junius Reggam in the flames.

"Junius, to what do I owe the pleasure of your call?" He asked.

"I have some questions regarding a patient of mine. Can I come through?" Healer Reggam asked.

"Sure." Dumbledore answered.

A few moments after the head was gone, the whole man stepped out of the fireplace and cleaned his robes from the ashes.

"Thanks. As I said, I am here regarding the treatment of one of our patients, Harry Potter to be precise. I need to know what exactly was done for the boy from the point he was found in the ruins of his parents' house in Godric's Hollow to his placement with the Dursley family." Reggam informed Dumbledore.

Dumbledore nodded. From what Minerva had told him about the results of the examination the healers had good reason to have to know everything. And keeping Harry's place of residence a secret wasn't important anymore, the wards were now completely gone.

"I had Rubeus Hagrid, the gamekeeper here at Hogwarts investigate the alarms I got from the monitoring charms around the Potter residence. I only had one sign of life. So I gave Hagrid orders to bring whoever survived to me. My thought was that with a portkey I equipped him with he would be the one best suited to go in, in case it was needed forcefully, and get out with little harm done to his person. He saw the house burning in an area, and a huge part of the roof blown away and went inside to see if there were any survivors of this obvious attack. He found James lying dead in the entrance hall, his eyes open in shock from the killing curse. Then he heard a baby crying upstairs and ran there. He found Lily lying in front of the baby's cot. Harry was in the cot, crying loudly, blood on his forehead. Hagrid took Harry out of the house. Outside he was witness how Sirius Black appeared. Sirius demanded Hagrid to hand Harry over to him as he was the boy's godfather, but Hagrid refused, stating he had orders from me to bring Harry to me.

"Sirius then lent Hagrid his motorbike. I still don't understand the reason why. Hagrid told me Sirius was distraught and in tears. At that time Hagrid thought because Lily and James were dead, now it looks more likely it was because Voldemort found his match that night. Hagrid brought Harry to me using the motorbike as you know that you only use a portkey with an infant if you have no other choice. With no immediate danger visible Hagrid decided to take the longer, but healthier route for Harry. The only stop he made in the meantime was at Hogwarts to have Madam Pomfrey examine Harry. The plan was to place Harry with his aunt and uncle the following night. I was busy at the Ministry, coordinating the chaos that had started when people heard the rumours from Godric's Hollow. It was most important to at least contain the celebrations somewhat to not have the muggles find out about us. And I needed to make preparations for Harry's protection. I had informed Hagrid I would be in Surrey in the evening where Harry's aunt and uncle lived.

"Once the Dursleys were all asleep, I saw that Minerva was also present. She had watched them over the day. While she was against placing Harry with them, I was convinced that only a strong blood ward would be able to keep Harry safe from the remaining Death Eaters who would surely try everything to get revenge for their fallen master, or thinking that killing Harry would bring Voldemort back, try it for that reason. From my scans of the house in Godric's Hollow I found out that Lily did an ancient form of sacrificial magic. By sacrificing her life for her son, willingly and fully aware of it, she invoked the strongest protection for Harry, based in his very blood. Therefore I made my decision for Harry to be placed with the only living remaining relative on his mother's side, his aunt Petunia Dursley. I prepared a letter for her, explaining what had happened and just what kind of magic I had invoked to protect Harry.

"As she took the boy into her house, she sealed the contract. I really didn't expect the Dursleys to mistreat Harry like they did. I placed one of my associates, a squib by the name of Arabella Figg in the same neighbourhood to have an eye on Harry and inform me if the Dursleys actively abused Harry or if the Death Eaters found out his living place. She told me they neglected him and weren't nice to him, but I didn't know about the physical abuse. I thought keeping the boy alive in the dangerous climate we were still living in, was more important than to keep him happy. I felt even more proven right when my observations of the wards informed me of five failed attempts to bypass them within the first year after I placed Harry at his relatives." Dumbledore confessed.

Healer Reggam nodded. That sounded like one of Dumbledore's well-meant but not completely thought through plans.

"I can only give you one piece of advice. Tell the boy everything. If you don't, well, you won't like the consequences. I could see it on his face when I told him I had to speak with you why nobody had checked his curse scar properly before he was placed with the Dursleys as you were the only one capable answering that and other questions. The boy is highly intelligent and doesn't trust easily. He trusts no-one at St. Mungo's further than taking care of medical issues. He evades all questions about the things that happened at his home under the care of his relatives which go farther than what he already told us. And that is definitely only because he wants to see the Dursleys in prison." Healer Reggam said. "He is past the point where he cares too much about pride, only seeing his goals realised is making him reveal a limited amount of information. I wouldn't even wonder if he was a natural occlumens."

"Minerva told me something similar. I am currently trying to find a family to take Harry in." Dumbledore said.

"Don't try that. He will only accept a place to stay that he chose, not anybody else. He won't let himself be forced to live anywhere where he doesn't feel safe again. He will run away if you try that. And face it, he has inherited enough money to do it and he can vanish in the muggle world without any problem, getting tutors for magic. The boy is at a crossroad. You are very lucky that Minerva got to him before anything really bad happened. Her actions could be what hold him in Britain or at least the wizarding world. Give him options what is possible and let him choose what he wants. He is currently reading up on European magical schools. He will choose the one that offers him the best education. I know that he isn't sure if he should go to one of the muggle schools that offered him scholarships or attend a magical school yet. He is collecting information to weigh the advantages of both against each other.

"So even if he chooses Hogwarts, I would advise you to get the staff cleaned up. You know that you have problems with some teachers, especially Severus Snape. I know he and James Potter were bitter enemies. With his normal behaviour to all students that are not Slytherins, he has already harmed the prospective applicants for the auror and healer jobs. Get him under control. I have nothing against him being strict, but outright bullying and degrading of students by a teacher is something that shouldn't be allowed to happen at a school. And perhaps you should replace Binns as well. I heard from many patients that come in and talk about their lessons at Hogwarts that he is only good for taking naps in class. They recommended getting him to cure insomnia patients." Reggam advised.

Dumbledore pondered what Healer Reggam had said. It was important that Harry came to Hogwarts. He (Dumbledore) was the only one that knew the whole prophecy that Sybill Trelawney had made. And from his spies he knew that Voldemort wasn't dead. He had survived, even if he was more or less powerless at the moment. He needed to be there to guide the boy and that would only work if he got Harry's trust. Which would now obviously be more difficult than he ever thought. He wasn't used to letting people make their own decisions. Most people just followed his advice. But if Junius Reggam was this sure about Harry's reaction, he would need to do it that way.

Harry had just finished the information about Durmstrang and didn't think that it would be the right school for him. While it was one of the leading schools of magic in Europe they were too racist in his eyes, not letting muggleborns into the school and favouring the purebloods. Then there was the fact that Durmstrang taught the Dark Arts. He had a rational opinion in that field from what little he had managed to find out so far. You needed to know about them to defend yourself against whatever an opponent could be able to throw at you, but if you really wanted to, you could reach your goals without resorting to gruesome spells. It was the same for weapons in the muggle world. Magic was nothing but a weapon that could be used for good or for evil. And of course the grey parts that many liked to not mention, but he knew about perfectly thanks to having to live in the grey areas to survive so far.

After the magical outburst, as he now knew it had been, when he was nine, he had been able to ignore the commands of the Dursleys thanks to them being afraid. Before that he had started already to find ways to get what he wanted and needed. Nothing that could be called illegal, but using information he gathered from observation to have his classmates or older children in Little Whinging keep silent about things he didn't want the Dursleys to know had worked well for him. They for example didn't need to know that he regularly spent time in the library reading up on topics far above his class level.

He would have to start collecting information on important people in the magical world too if he wanted to get to the top here. Not that he would forget about the advantages some things the normal world offered. Seeing people writing with quills was so backwards. No, considering all those factors Durmstrang was a definite no. Next was Beauxbatons. Their course plan was very similar to the one Hogwarts offered. A main difference was that at Beauxbatons the OWLs were taken at the end of sixth year instead of fifth year. That had both advantages and disadvantages. Students had one more year to prepare for their OWLs, but it also lessened the time you could concentrate on your NEWTs. The main question was which ones would be more important for your career plans and how the material was taught. If the French OWLs included some of the material that was needed for the NEWTs it might work out better than the English model.

Beauxbatons was somewhere in Southern France and the school was an old palace that had been remodelled to become a school. A lot like Hogwarts which was in a castle. Beauxbatons also had mandatory classes in traditions and etiquette. Not necessarily a disadvantage. Being able to fit in with high society was always good. Beauxbatons also allowed all kinds of students. They didn't discriminate against those with creature heritage or muggleborns. But the school was following a really strict code of behaviour. It seemed very restricting to him.

There were also schools in other countries, but their options for classes weren't as wide spread as the ones the three leading schools offered. For Harry it wouldn't matter if he went to Hogwarts or Beauxbatons if he chose a magical school. He spoke both English and French. After his deputy headmistress had taught him German for a year, he had wanted to add another language. Being able to communicate in two countries that were part of the G7 was useful for a boy like him who wanted to get to the top. So he had asked her if she knew a way for him to also learn French. He reasoned that as a teacher she would probably know someone.

He had been right and she introduced him to an old fellow student from her university time who was teaching at a school in a neighbouring district. It only took Harry twenty minutes with the bus to get there. Mr Smith was a teacher at the secondary school of the district and offered additional courses for students that were interested in learning French. Harry was by far the youngest at nine and a half years of age, but he was one of the fastest learners there. So by now he had had a bit more than one year of French lessons and could communicate fairly well. If he chose Beauxbatons the rest would come to him quickly. Having to speak a language all the time would take care of that. The only problem was that he would like to have more time for his decision. He needed to accept any offer for his schooling by the end of July. Only twelve days remaining. And he still didn't know if any American Schools were better suited for his goals.

He didn't know if changing schools would be possible once he had started somewhere. It shouldn't be difficult, but he didn't know anything about the magical world and he didn't know who would become his guardian. He knew ultimately the decision would be made by whoever was named his guardian. Well, he wouldn't just accept any guardian. He needed somebody he felt he could trust over time. Somebody who supported his goals and shared his ideals. Shortly, somebody he could respect. He had another thought; did his parents make any plans of who should have taken care of him in case they didn't survive the war? After all, they were fighting one of the strongest and evilest wizards ever. So the thought wasn't that far-fetched. And his mother had to have known how Petunia regarded magic.

Was there a will? Perhaps he would find out more during his appointment at Gringotts.

It was the morning of the last day Harry had to stay at St. Mungo's. He had got the vaccinations for the magical diseases all children needed yesterday evening and would get another dose in six weeks by the nurse at his school. After that he would be protected. He had read up on the best paying jobs in the wizarding world and came up with four interesting sounding jobs. There were healers, with them having huge responsibilities and having to study intensively to get really good, they earned a lot in a year. Second were aurors and hit-wizards, the equivalent of high class policemen. Hit-wizards were the advanced form of aurors. Like elites that took care of special missions. They were the ones hunting down dark wizards and were kind of the army of the wizarding world. Third were cursebreakers. They were tasked with lifting curses from objects or places. Some of the best got paid really well. The last ones were masters of any kind, but especially Runes and Charms.

Some of the most expensive magical devices were based on rune engraving and charms that powered the runes. Wards that protected houses worked with rune stones as their anchors. Really competent rune masters were rare as it was a difficult subject to study and required a lot of travel in the beginning to study the runes of different cultures. Workers in several departments at the Ministry of Magic also didn't earn badly, but it was nothing outstanding. The other possibility was having your own business, but that required a good product that was not easy to get from anybody else. From what Harry had seen in Diagon Alley, there mostly were only one or two choices for shops. Obviously the demand wasn't that big, or the Ministry granted monopolies, which didn't sound good in his opinion.

He had also read up on sports. Like in the muggle world there was one sport that practically everybody loved, Quidditch. A game similar to basketball with three hoops on each side of the field, with a few additions. There were three kinds of balls. The quaffle, the normal playing ball to throw goals with, the bludgers, the balls intent on disturbing the plays of the players and the snitch, the tiny golden ball that if caught ended the match and gave the team that caught it a huge bonus. He would have to see if he had talent there. He had good aim from football training, but that was with his feet. He needed to find out if he could also play chaser, the position that was the most active in the game. He didn't see himself being keeper or beater, the only alternative to chaser he could perhaps see was seeker, but it seemed a bit boring to him to only look for a tiny ball all game and not to be in the action the other time.

In Hogwarts a History he had read that there had been cases where first-years were taken into the house teams. Well, even if not, if he was good at the game, he needed to find out about his abilities in flying first, he could try out for his house team, in case he chose Hogwarts, from his second year on. The idea to go professional had its charm. Like all athletes Quidditch players earned much money if they were good. Playing for a certain period and then taking up another job was possible. From what he had read graduates from Hogwarts applied for their jobs regarding the grades they got in their OWLs and NEWTs. Apprenticeships were only given to those that were really good in a subject. There was the second option of going for a mastery on self-study though. In the end, both apprentices and self-taught students had to test for mastery at the Ministry of Magic. Though those that learned under a master were much higher respected, well, depending on which master they learned their craft under. Some masters also preferred to take part-time apprentices, which was interesting for Harry.

So he could combine either self-study or part-time apprenticeship and a professional Quidditch career if he chose so. And being famous, for his actual abilities that was, offered great possibilities. He was extremely ambitious. He wanted to be the best. After having to fake his grades to appease the Dursleys he had decided he would always reach for the top. No more accepting anything but doing his best. If somebody managed to be better than him he had to accept it, but only if he knew he couldn't have done any more than he did. That was the mentality that had made him successful at his primary school and that was how you had success in life. Of course you couldn't be seen as a nerd; that was why also playing football had been so important for him. Everybody loved the members of the sports teams and nobody would think him a boring nerd if he was good in sports. It would just make him more popular if he could be good both in sports and his classes as long as he didn't show off too much.

He knew from the description of the houses he would probably be a Slytherin. There was just one problem. After Voldemort there was a huge prejudice against members of that house. He didn't need to be thought to be a dark Lord in training. Fame was fickle, he had seen that when celebrities in the muggle world had been torn apart in the press for one misstep or the other. If he didn't want to be seen as the next dark Lord, they could after all think he only defeated Voldemort through dark magic, stupid, but obviously wizards were stuck in the late Middle Ages in their culture, which was the time where people believed that because somebody had a certain trait they were witches and wizards. Accusations, once spoken, were hard to refute and until the guilt or innocence was proven, many just believed the person was guilty.

Harry knew as soon as people found out he spoke parseltongue, the language of the snakes, he would be seen as dark. He knew since a few weeks ago that he had that ability. During the visit at the zoo where the Dursleys couldn't avoid taking him to due to Mrs Figg having broken her leg, he had found out he could understand the snakes in the reptile house. He had briefly talked with a boa until Piers came too close and Harry didn't want to raise suspicion. Salazar Slytherin had been a parselmouth, which was the reason the symbol for Slytherin house was a snake. Perhaps his family was descended from the founder; it didn't really matter to him. He would for now have to hide that talent.

His best option would probably be Ravenclaw. He knew he had the intelligence. If he only knew how the first-years were sorted into their houses. Then he could decide on how to avoid being put into Slytherin. If he wanted to be seen for his abilities and not for the event that cost him his parents and a happy childhood, he needed to not be given any negative label early in his life. But that would only come to pass if he didn't find a better option in another country for now. He had the sinking feeling that with how much fuss the magical world made about him, he wouldn't be able to easily choose a non-magical school and hire tutors. There might be people who would try and interfere. Well, perhaps he could milk that for all it was worth. If they really wanted him at Hogwarts so badly, he might be able to get some advantages from it.

Albus Dumbledore stood in front of the reception of St. Mungo's to visit Harry Potter. He had thought about what he could offer Harry for options where to live and had come up with nothing permanent. He couldn't ask the Weasleys as they already had seven children to look after. That wouldn't be fair on Molly and Arthur. Arabella was out as Harry probably wouldn't take well to her not getting him help earlier. He had considered Remus, but the Ministry would never allow a werewolf to have custody of a child, especially not Harry Potter. Most other members of the Order were too old to look after a child. If Alice and Frank wouldn't be permanent inhabitants of the long term spell damage ward, they would have been perfect. Both were aurors, therefore able to protect Harry, and Neville was only a day older than Harry. But Augusta was very overbearing and didn't seem to really value her grandson like he was. Poor boy. Having been thought to be a squib for a long time was not an easy thing to go through for a child.

He got the room number of Harry and started his walk there. He greeted many people he knew from their time at Hogwarts and some other events. Then he reached the room's door and knocked. He heard the call to come in and opened the door. On the bed with a book in his hand sat a very close image of the late James Potter. But there were certain differences. The eyes of course and a slightly different facial form.

"Good morning, I am Professor Albus Dumbledore and I have been informed about certain … well problems, while a too weak term it will be suitable for now to use, … with your living accommodations with your relatives. I first want to express my sincere apology. I didn't think that your aunt, while not on that good terms with your mother, would go as far as she did. I never thought it possible for somebody to abuse a child of their own blood. You see, in the wizarding world, family means everything. Blood is the strongest bond there can be and betraying one's own blood is the greatest shame in many people's opinion. I assumed it would be the same way in the muggle world and that nobody would intentionally hurt a child. I am really sorry for not seeing my error earlier." Dumbledore said.

Harry looked intently on the old man's face and eyes. Many people, even if they had learned to hide their thoughts, gave subtle signs on their face and especially in their eyes if they lied. Professor Dumbledore seemed to be sincere.

"I see. I accept the apology, but I want to know what reasons did you have to place me there without checking up on me once?" Harry asked cautiously.

He would see what the old man could offer. He knew that the headmaster of Hogwarts was an important man in wizarding society and making an outright enemy of him would be stupid. Better to collect information and take a wait-and-see position. He wouldn't trust him, no way after what that man had put him through in his life, no matter if intentional or unintentional. But alienating the most powerful man in the country, who also owed him, wouldn't bring him what he wanted. Albus Dumbledore held most of the really important positions in this society and therefore he could make Harry's life more difficult if he really tried.

"I guess I owe you that explanation, even if I'd have preferred that this could have waited until you were a little older. On the night your parents were murdered, your mother made the ultimate sacrifice. She willingly and knowingly offered her life for yours. I did scans on the magical residue in your house on November 1st in 1981. There were the signs of an ancient magical ritual, the sacrifice of one life for another, the sacrifice of a loving mother for her child, even if she didn't have to die, invoked an ancient protection. If a witch or wizard selflessly sacrifices his or her life out of love for others, those people will be protected against attacks from the one who spilled the blood of the one who sacrificed himself." Dumbledore started the explanation in a solemn voice.

"With this in mind, I made my plans to protect you from Voldemort and his followers, the Death Eaters. I knew Voldemort hadn't died. Why, I don't know yet; I am still trying to find clues about that, but what I know is that he won't give up. Having been defeated by you is a smudge on his record. He'll do everything to finish what he started. At the moment I think it's safe to say that he isn't an immediate danger, but I know he is out there, somewhere. Voldemort spilled your mother's blood, so the strongest protection I could give you was through her blood. The only living relative you have on her side though that is closely enough related for the magic to work is your aunt Petunia. She knows that. I wrote her a letter explaining all that to her the night I left you at her house. By accepting you into her house she sealed the magical contract and the wards were created. While she might not love or even like you, she didn't want you dead.

"I thought that her taking you in was enough to make sure that she would at least treat you neutrally. But it seems I was horribly mistaken there. The magic made sure that as long as you could call the place where your mother's blood lived your home, Voldemort couldn't touch you there. As his followers are branded with his dark mark on their left forearms, they couldn't harm you there either if they found out where you were living. And those wards stopped five attempts to get to you from Death Eaters, Voldemort's servants, before one year of your stay there was gone. I also didn't want you to grow up having your head filled with the nonsense people came up with due to your fame." He admitted. "I thought growing up as a normal boy would be better for you. To not have to cope with the fame until you were old enough to understand what was going on."

Harry pondered what Professor Dumbledore had told him. It sounded good in theory. With him having the Death Eaters after him and perhaps even Voldemort, the wards sounded like a good idea. Especially as they seemed to have done their job. But why did nobody ever check up on him?

"I can understand that you wanted to protect me, but why didn't you ever check up on me to see if I was okay? Hell, I even sent the police anonymous letters to get them to investigate. Having Vernon out of the house would have made a huge difference. Petunia I can deal with, Vernon is the brute. Petunia only shouts or resorts to slaps." Harry asked.

"I had somebody watch you, I know you know her. Arabella Figg is a squib that was also part of the resistance group, the Order of the Phoenix, that I had founded to fight Voldemort. A squib is a person who can't use magic and is born to magical parents. The opposite to a muggleborn in fact. She had an eye on you, but besides that you were neglected and that your cousin sometimes beat you with his friends, she couldn't tell me anything more. She never noticed signs of physical abuse. Had she noticed something like that I would have come and interfered, but knowing that Petunia didn't like magic, I thought it would be easier for you if she wasn't confronted with the magical world constantly. I didn't want to risk that you lost the protection from the blood wards. Now that is not an issue anymore. The Dursleys will be put on trial. A member of the magical law enforcement patrol, Cannion Vasparion has already got your things out of the house. There also were some things that had remained from your mother on the attic. You will get those things as soon as it is decided where you will be living.

"The Dursleys will have to defend against charges on child abuse, embezzlement of funds they got for your care, and I think there are also suspicions of tax evasion." Dumbledore explained.

Harry nodded. He had suspected something like that from the moment he heard his parents had been well to do.

"I guess having a strong magical healing was a slight disadvantage then. I know from Healer Ickings that my magic healed me from the injuries they gave me. Broken bones, the concussions, the cuts, and any infects. If Mrs Figg only looked out for those she would have had problems. I normally was healed from them the next day. What remained were scars, but those were hidden by my clothes. The only exception was a broken arm when I was perhaps four. It hurt horribly for four days, I wasn't allowed to cry and when I did, Vernon only got madder. Then over the night the pain stopped and in the morning it was gone. And the rags I had to wear hid a lot." Harry sighed.

"It was both good and bad, Harry. Your magic did what was necessary to help you survive. But sadly, yes, it hid the signs others could have spotted too well for anybody not schooled to see more than obvious things to react." Dumbledore admitted.

"What options do I have for my living place?" Harry asked.

"Well, the most probable option will be that a magical family takes you in as a foster child until you come of age or get to an age where you can request being emancipated. Coming of age in the wizarding world happens on your seventeenth birthday, emancipated you could get after you passed your OWL exams." Dumbledore explained. "In the magical world there are no orphanages, so if you refuse to go to any magical family you would be placed in one of the muggle orphanages."

"I see. What about old friends of my parents? There must have been arrangement for my placement in case they didn't survive the war." Harry asked.

"They did make those arrangements. But sadly none could be used. Your primary guardian in case your parents died would have been your father's best friend and your godfather Sirius Black, but he is in prison. It was found out that he was the one who betrayed the hiding place of your parents to Voldemort and after they had died, he was cornered by another friend of your parents, Peter Pettigrew. Sirius was the better and more powerful wizard though and he killed Peter and thirteen muggles that were in the place where Peter cornered him with one blasting curse. Only a finger could be found of Peter after that. We all didn't think Sirius would ever betray your father, they were closer than brothers. But seemingly Sirius only pretended and was actually a spy for Voldemort." Dumbledore said sadly.

"How could you be so sure he was guilty? From the little I have read about curses in the history books I have, whenever the Death Eaters used them there were more remains. And only a finger being left sounds fishy to me. And if this Sirius was so close with my dad, wouldn't he have noticed if he behaved strange? What did he say during his trial? Why did he do it?" Harry asked.

"Well, the evidence was clear, so he was sent to Azkaban immediately after he was arrested." Dumbledore said.

"What kind of bullshit is that?" Harry thundered amking the doors of the wardrobe in the room rattle. "That's the most obvious cover up story I have ever heard! Under the law of the crown every subject of her majesty the Queen has a right to a fair trial. And I have found nothing that makes witches and wizards exempt from that right. While the wizarding world may have gone into hiding after the passing of the Statute of Secrecy in 1692, we are still subjects of the Queen or King. King John by signing the Magna Carta granted the wizards the right of self-government as long as they still followed the British law. No king would have given up the power over a good part of his subjects. To this day the Minister of Magic keeps contact with the Prime Minister. The monarch of our country also always knows about the magical world. So for Sirius Black not even been given a trial is a clear breach of the treaty the British wizarding society signed with the Crown.

"More, how did you know he betrayed my parents?" Harry demanded to know.

Dumbledore was really shocked. He hadn't expected something like that. And sadly the boy was right. He, as the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, should have made sure all supposed Death Eaters got a trial.

"Your parents were hiding using a powerful enchantment. It's called the Fidelius Charm. You hide a secret in the very soul of a person, the so-called Secret Keeper. If the Secret Keeper doesn't talk, the secret can't be found. But only a week after the charm was performed, Voldemort turned up in Godric's Hollow. Sirius Black was the Secret Keeper for your parents. And the muggle witnesses of the fight between Peter and Sirius reported that Peter asked Sirius how he could have betrayed Lily and James."

"I believe it when I get his statement. I have heard too many lies from adults in my life to just believe anything that has so many holes in it. I mean, was anybody there when the charm was performed? Anybody besides the muggles? Where was Pettigrew's body if they found the bodies of the thirteen muggles? After all, without finding the bodies nobody could have told the exact number of victims. There should at least have been traces of blood of Pettigrew. Were they checked against Pettigrew's blood? This sounds like somebody had an interest to get Sirius Black out of the way. Or somebody who had no other interest than looking good in public opinion. Politicians often try to sway public views by doing flashy things. Any normal investigation would have made absolutely certain that a person is proven guilty without a doubt. I have read mystery books, especially Sherlock Holmes and he has one saying: If you've eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. In my opinion, having a man blasted up with one curse and only leaving a finger is impossible. I would have to test it with a dummy, but I'm pretty sure I'm right. So who says it wasn't different?" Harry said.

In the boy's eyes Dumbledore saw absolute certainty. He wouldn't let this rest. He thought he would be capable to involve the Prime Minister if necessary. He seemed to know an awful lot about muggle law and the ways it reflected in the wizarding world. It was remarkable considering that he had only found out about magic two days prior. How fast could he read and comprehend information if he was that far already?

"I'll see what I can do. At least I'll go to Azkaban and hear Sirius out." He promised.

"That's a start. Don't make any mistake. Things in my life have been so messed up that I won't hesitate to see my interests properly represented. I'm used to decide on my own. I'll accept advice; it would be foolish not to use experience of those older than me, but I've learned to only truly trust myself. I don't believe that authority figures are always right. They didn't help me when I needed them after all; I take everything I learn with a grain of salt until I can ascertain new information. It served me well. The only thing I'll accept is a fair trial for Sirius Black to hear with my own ears that he did or didn't do it. I know there are methods to be certain somebody lies or not. Like magical oaths. I know there are more, but I didn't get through the whole book on politics yet. I concentrated on education, culture and history. If I don't see the trial taking place within three months, a letter with the information I will find out until then will go to the office of the Prime Minister." Harry said.

"Do you really think you can force the Ministry of Magic to do anything?" Dumbledore asked sceptically.

"I indeed do. Did you forget that I'm the most famous wizard alive? I read the books on the war against Voldemort and I read also about the duel you had with Grindelwald in 1945. People fell over themselves to do your bidding, Professor Dumbledore. Those that defeat Dark Lords are favourites of the masses. If I told the public about my doubts and that I only want that our Ministry, the place where justice should be served, gives my godfather a fair trial, and that they didn't do their duty, with a little mention that it could have been them that could have been sent to Azkaban without a trial, don't you think people would riot?" Harry asked with a calculating look.

"You would really go that far, Harry?" Dumbledore asked shocked, not liking at all how calculating this eleven year old boy was and how far he was willing to go to reach his goals.

"I indeed would. I'm a firm believer in upholding the law for everybody. And every politician fears how he looks in the eyes of the public. Massive negative press leads to loss of political clout. The only thing they will have to do is giving Sirius, and while we are at it, everybody who perhaps also didn't get a trial after the war, said trial. Nothing more. It shouldn't even be an issue at all." Harry said. "Well, as that is settled, I think you wanted to tell me more about other people that couldn't take me in. I don't think if Sirius was meant to be Secret Keeper, in case he was and this wasn't all a huge deception, they would have relied on one person." Harry changed the topic easily.

Dumbledore was taken aback by the thought it could have been a deception. The marauders would have been capable of thinking something up to throw Voldemort off.

"Yes, well there was one other very good friend of your father, Remus Lupin, but because of a certain condition he has, he hasn't been allowed to take care of you. Then there were Alice and Frank Longbottom, good friends of your parents, who have a son your age too. Sadly they were attacked by Death Eaters shortly after the defeat of Voldemort and, well, they were tortured to insanity. They are staying here at St. Mungo's in the long-term spelldamage ward, unable to even recognize Neville when he visits them." Dumbledore told Harry.

"That's horrible. What happened to Neville?" Harry asked honestly shocked.

"His grandmother raised him. But with all the people that your parents trusted not being available to take care of you, well you see the problems." Dumbledore said.

"What kind of condition prevents Remus Lupin from taking care of me?" Harry asked.

"He was bitten by a werewolf when he was a child. Therefore the Ministry classifies him as a dark creature. He is a very nice man and was a loyal friend to your parents, but with him transforming once a month into a beast, nobody would have allowed for you to grow up with him." Dumbledore said.

"Hm, I don't see the problem if that is only an issue for one day a month. I mean, he is human twenty seven days of twenty eight each month. Only the full moon transforms him and I don't think my dad would have been his friend if he was dangerous to others during that time. I would rather think there were precautions taken. Otherwise the muggles would have found out already about the magical world. People turning into werewolves are only part of horror stories." Harry pondered.

"I'm very happy you can see the difference. Most witches and wizards can't and only see the beast." Dumbledore said smiling.

"Stupid idiots; does the whole wizarding world lack common sense?" Harry asked.

"Sometimes it seems like that. Well, for the rest of the holidays until school starts, I think it would be best if you were able to learn more about the wizarding world. I guess with your love for reading you would like to get a few more books as well. If you agree, I would organize for you to get a room in the Leaky Cauldron for a while. I have asked the gamekeeper of Hogwarts, Rubeus Hagrid, if he would look after you over the days and help you get an idea of the wizarding world. He agreed. He would floo to the Leaky Cauldron every day at a certain time and take you to Diagon Alley for you to look around and, in case you decide to accept your place at Hogwarts, to get your supplies." Dumbledore said.

"I can agree to that. I wanted to know something regarding the choice of school as well. I know in Europe my best options are Hogwarts and Beauxbatons; both would be possible for me to attend as I am fairly good at speaking French already. I have something of a knack for learning languages. If I would accept the place at Hogwarts and found out that I absolutely couldn't get along with the teachers there or another issue turned up, would I be able to change schools? I have decided I need to get trained in my magic, but I hesitate to make that step, especially as there seem to be many things that need to be changed in the British wizarding world if they allow people to be thrown into prison without a trial." Harry said.

Dumbledore knew this was a deciding moment. While Harry had accepted his apology, he hadn't completely forgiven him, and didn't trust him at all as it seemed. Being under his direct influence probably played into the decision as well. And the case of Sirius really didn't look good for the British magical government.

"Yes, that would be possible. But you would also need the permission of your guardian once he is chosen. As you are currently a ward of both the magical and the muggle governments, the responsible departments would take your choice into consideration and only if your choice wouldn't make any sense would deny you your choice." He said.

"Good. I will use the remaining time to get the rest of the books read and get some more options of magical schools covered. I want to know more about American schools as well. Are there possibilities of arranging for me to take the end of year exams in the muggle world as well? And while we are at it, can I bring in tutors for the non-magical subjects? Perhaps a witch or wizard who was raised in the muggle world like me and continued with the non-magical education, either after magical school or during that time would work. I think other muggleborns or muggle-raised children would agree to that. I don't want to give up on my normal education. I worked too hard to forfeit my chance to go to university in case I don't like my options in the wizarding world. I can be a wizard and still work in the muggle world if necessary." Harry asked.

"I'd have to ask the Department of Magical Education if there are possibilities for us to arrange the tests, otherwise you would have to ask the muggle department that deals with that kind of actions. I don't know of others that chose to do both. Most think the workload is too much." Dumbledore informed Harry.

He had not even thought of offering additional classes for muggleborns to continue their non-magical education. But if that was what was necessary to get Harry to come to Hogwarts he would find a way to do it. And if the boy connected to others during those classes, he might be less inclined to change schools if an issue came up.

"That wouldn't be an issue. I have an excellent memory and know certain techniques to easier remember things. I'm already ahead in the subjects I want to continue with anyway. I guess I could pass the tests for two years ahead of my age group. I guess Professor McGonagall told you I could have skipped fifth year at primary school and just be put into sixth year. Well, my teachers gave me more advanced material to learn after that. It's one reason I got those scholarships offered." Harry said.

"Yes, I heard about that and I am really impressed how well you did in primary school. I hope you decide to attend Hogwarts; I would enjoy having you as a student. I will arrange for the room at the Leaky Cauldron. Perhaps you should get a hat or something like that to cover your hair and the scar if you don't want to be mobbed directly. People have waited for ten years for your return; they will want to welcome you back." Dumbledore said and stood from his chair.

"I'll think about it." Harry said.

Dumbledore nodded and left the room.