Dumbledore Weaves a Tale

November 1994

Diagon Alley

Dumbledore let his words settle for few minutes. The silence that followed his words built up tension and anticipation at the same time. He was a master of talking… on conveying his words… of convincing people of his words.

"Before I talk about the trial and what my considerations and reservations are about the trial, and before I talk of the secret which I have been holding," Dumbledore said as his eyes moved and landed on Lupin.

He continued, "Remus, I would like you to answer some questions… some questions about Harry."

Remus felt a chill in his spine and was anticipating something serious was about to happen. Even so, in the tense moment, he could only nod his head.

Dumbledore continued with the same grave face, "You have taught as a professor at Hogwarts and have remained there for a year."

"I believe you had gotten quite close to Harry in that period of time and had even taught him personally regarding few spells?" Dumbledore questioned.

Remus could only nod stiffly.

"And not more than few months have passed since those events?" Dumbledore continued.

Remus nodded, "Yes…"

"Tell me Remus," said Dumbledore. "What you believe of Harry's magical aptitude… his knowledge of the wizarding world, its politics and other aspects?"

"What you believe of Harry's power and capabilities in duelling?"

"Answer me these questions based on what you observed in that one year," Dumbledore emphasised.

Meanwhile, hearing these questions, Remus felt his throat going dry. The chill in his spine further intensified. His palms started to sweat and turn cold.

Sirius gazed intently at Remus for answers as he had been totally unaware of the life Harry had lived.

"Albus," Remus muttered slowly.

"Harry," said Remus. "Was undoubtedly a genius… a rare wizard to be seen in years."

"He was able to perform a corporal Patronus at the age of 14… in his third year of Hogwarts," said Remus.

"But…" Remus continued with a stammer in his voice. "He was not so powerful as he is now. The range of the spells he knew… were few. Basic spells."

"He would not have stood a chance against me, if I had duelled him with half seriousness," Remus continued. "He would take a long time to cast a spell… shriek their incantation before using them."

The more Sirius heard; his eyes widened in surprise. But Remus was not finished.

Remus continued, "Harry… his knowledge of our world… its politics was zero. He knew nothing."

"He did not know what being a Potter meant… what the title of Potter meant," Remus sighed. "He had no idea about his wealth… about the galleons even his trust vault might be holding."

At the mention of this, Molly's face flushed red. After all, apart from Harry's first year, he had never been to Gringotts and she had made all the withdrawals.

Remus chuckled slightly, as if purposefully trying to reduce the tension inside him, "I once choked on when Harry mentioned how powerful Draco's father was… how wealthy the Malfoy family was."

"He used to think that Malfoy was better… powerful family and was not aware of his own lineage," Remus concluded.

"Why?" Sirius let out an outburst. "Why?"

He turned towards Dumbledore, "Why did he not know all this?"

His voice was slightly enraged.

Albus, none the less was calm.

"We will come to that also, Sirius," he replied. "Have patience."

"As all of you heard," Albus said. "Harry was nothing like what he is just few months back."

"And with the vast experience and the immense knowledge I have gathered in my life," he continued in a firm voice. "There is no way… one person can grow so much."

"Not only Harry's magical reserves shot tremendously," Dumbledore continued. "He gained immense knowledge of spells of the politics."

"And no, he did not only gather mere information," Dumbledore stressed. "The way he used those spells, the way he played the politics… he behaved like an experienced old man."

"He acted as true lord of these house," said Dumbledore. "And the lordship of those houses itself is shrouded in mystery."

"Harry Potter transformed from a naive innocent child without any knowledge and experience," Dumbledore concluded. "To an experienced, shrewd lord with immense knowledge holding immense powers in his sleeves."

Dumbledore's monologue was followed by pin drop silence. The tension in the room was high voltage and everyone could feel the seriousness of each and every word Dumbledore had muttered.

Alastor Moody, who now had his full focus whispered after few moments, "What do you want to imply, Dumbledore?"

"Some kind of forbidden ritual?" He questioned in a deep tone.

Albus immediately shook his head in denial, "No, Alastor."

"If it would have been some ritual… I might have digested them," said Albus in grave tone.

"Even dangerous then forbidden rituals?" Alastor questioned in disbelief.

And everyone mirrored Moody's expression of shock and disbelief.

"Yes," said Dumbledore. "Have any of you heard of horcrux?"

Moody's eyes widened at the question while every other person in the room had an expression of confusion on their faces.