Chapter- 31 : Interrogation Part - 6

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"Then it would be in your best interest not to anger me further and stop arguing about something that by rights you should have done anyway." Harry sneered at the lot of them as they glanced around uneasily. These people were willing to fight for what they believed in, but paying for some clothes for their kidnapping victim was a step too far? Good to know about their priorities, at least.

Dumbledore cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention back to him. "I'm sure we can scrounge up some funds to pay for a few items in the short term. The offer of a job as Professor of Divination really is quite generous, however, and the salary is substantial enough for you to get on your feet."

"And yet it does not sound quite that appealing when I would rather not spend time with you at all," Harry said bitingly, before once again stopping himself lest the conversation degenerate into a shouting match.

So far things were working. They had agreed to pay him at least a little for the damages they'd caused, which was more than he had before, but now he mustn't squander the ground he'd gained in a bout of immature anger.

He pushed away from the wall to plant his weight firmly on both feet and once more crossed his arms over his chest, lifting his chin slightly in defiance. "I am far more inclined to simply leave and make my own way in the world."

Dumbledore sighed. "Many people desire such, but sadly life often has different plans for us all."

Well, that sounded ominous.

The Headmaster interlaced his fingers and shot him a piercing look over his half-moon glasses as some of the ever-present joviality left them. The twinkling blue turned steely and the harmless-looking old man was suddenly replaced with a battle-hardened war-veteran.

"Let me be blunt, Mr. White, because you appear to appreciate candour. You were called here to do a job and magic herself will see to it that you complete it. As the Muggles say, the die has been cast. None of us understand the role you play exactly because we expected a more straightforward solution to our problems, but we do know that the role is yours. My apology was sincere – it is most unfair that it has fallen to you – but we nevertheless ask you to remain here and not drag this out longer than it needs to last."

Harry's eyebrows slowly climbed up to his hairline during that little speech and his fists were clenched tight enough for his nails to leave marks in his palms.

"And if I choose to leave?" he asked through clenched teeth.

"We ask that you do not," Dumbledore said evasively but Harry wasn't buying it.

"I don't for a moment believe you've suddenly turned into decent people that would stop at asking so you might as well lay all your cards on the table right now. Be blunt, as you promised."

The corner of Dumbledore's mouth curved upwards in a wry smirk as their eyes met. His held sadness and determination, the eyes of a man willing to do almost anything, no matter how deplorable.

Harry's gut clenched as he realised that the answer would be unpleasant at best.

"Were you to flee we would summon you back," Dumbledore said with sad finality. "We have your magical signature and a ritual that has locked on to it so we would simply execute it again, delivering you to us once more."

Harry shuddered and a bead of sweat carved a cold trail down his back. Merlin, being sucked in that thundercloud again?

"Please understand though that we do not want to do that," Dumbledore said softly. "Despite what you seem to think of us we are not bad or heartless people. We don't ask you to do anything difficult or distasteful. Simply take the job and spend time teaching children. It is most rewarding and pays well, while offering you room and board. What else do you want?"

Harry took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he counted to a hundred in his mind. He had already resigned himself to teach Divination, though he had imagined the old man would threaten him with legal repercussions instead of bodily dragging him back and making him do the job. Anger wouldn't help anything, he reminded himself for the thousandth time. Instead it was time to negotiate.

"What I want is not to be be involved with you at all," he said softly, mostly to himself, "but that does not appear to be an option, does it? So you had better be willing to make quite a few concessions for forcing me in this situation."

Harry scratched his chin with his index finger as he thought before nodding decisively. "First off is the compensation we talked about and it had better be generous."

"That is... not unreasonable," Dumbledore agreed slowly and Harry ploughed on.

"Secondly, I want any and all information, books, notes and thoughts you may have had on the ritual that brought me here."

Heads swiveled, looking from him to the Headmaster, like spectators at a tennis match.

"Again, not unreasonable," Dumbledore said, though much slower this time as he mulled over the repercussions.

"Thirdly..." Harry said before trailing off. What else did he want from these people? They weren't going to let him go, but at least they weren't forcing him into one-on-one combat with the Dark Lord either, which he wouldn't put beyond them. What else could they offer him?

Harry bit his lip as it came to him. "I want to be left alone," he said, eyes blazing. "No invitations to Order meetings, no trying to drag me into your little squabble with the Dark Lord, no prodding or hinting or maneuvering."

"And in return," Dumbledore asked after a thoughtful silence, "you will sign the teaching contract right now, cease your attempts to have us prosecuted-?"

"No." Harry shook his head violently. "I will postpone legal action until you deal with your Dark Lord, but I will not let that go. What you did was wrong and even now you don't really regret your actions and are instead using them to extort me. However, those innocent family members you were so worried about would remain safe in the mean time, which is a major concession on my part."

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If you're eager to delve deeper into the story, consider joining my Patreon for exclusive content and early access to new chapters

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