Dumbledore removed his half-moon glasses as he rubbed his eyes. Finally he looked up and said. "What would make you ever think I would ever harm these children Sirius or think of altering their memories."
Harry decided it was time for another strike to keep the Headmaster from finding firm ground. "Because you did it to Professor McGonagall the day you left me with my Aunt and Uncle," He said.
"How..." Dumbledore started and then composed himself. "Mr. Potter you are now making serious allegations that you could not possibly know of."
"Shall we call her in here and ask her WHY she was watching Harry's Aunt and Uncle's house that day?" Hermione asked. "We've already discussed it with her and I'm sure she'll eventually want to speak to you about it."
"You see Headmaster, according to her, as soon as Hagrid delivered me there that night you put me on the doorstep and left," Harry said. "Now exactly when did you put up those blood wards? Why did it take Hagrid an entire day to get me there?"
"And either you are a sadist or you didn't actually leave a one year old child on a doorstep for the entire night in November. Especially one, who according to Sirius was already flying toy brooms," Hermione added. A look of surprise on Sirius' face was quickly contained. He wasn't sure how the two of them knew about the broom he had bought Harry for his first birthday, but he knew they had found out some time in the future.
Dumbledore sighed as he realized the two teens had somehow started tearing apart secrets that he'd had for many years. He also knew he couldn't let the two of them leave and since they were obviously now protected by Sirius and the Ministry he couldn't change their memories. The righteous pleasure he had felt when he watched Voldemort disappear and the Minister acknowledged his existence now was only a memory as all that he had worked so hard to ensure happened was now unraveling before him. Dumbledore had been thrown for one shock after another all morning since that time. He couldn't understand why he hadn't been able to counter what had happened and regain his customary upper hand. As his secrets crumbled before him, he realized they had been like a house of cards built from exploding snaps. When one detonated the others soon followed. Another sigh escaped his lips as he contemplated the two teens. "Very well," He said finally. "Sit back down and we'll sort through what you think I have kept from you."
Harry looked at Hermione and a silent mental chuckle was passed between the two. They both returned to their respective chairs and sat back down and waited.
"Understand Harry," Dumbledore started again in his best grandfatherly voice. "Everything I have done, I did for you."
"For me?" Harry asked bitterly. "What do you think you've ever done for me?"
"From your ability to detect me earlier, am I to presume you and Professor Snape saw through your differences and he was able to teach you Occlumency?"
Harry snorted in amusement. "Snape?"
"Professor Snape Harry."
"No sir, since Snivalous will never teach me in another class, nor will I regard him as having any authority over me, I will call him Snape, Severus, or Snivalous, whichever he prefers."
"He is still a Professor at Hogwarts," Dumbledore responded in an irritated voice. "You will show him the proper respect."
"And we've already said we'll be glad to leave Hogwarts," Hermione replied.
"As for the git teaching me Occlumency, have you ever watch any of his classes sir? His method of instructing students?"
"What does that have to do with this Harry?" Albus asked.
"He teaches by putting the instructions on the board and then tells us to do it. Then he walks around making snide comments on the sloppy work," Harry explained. "He has us writing essays with no classroom discussions of the topics. That is how he tried to teach me Occlumency sir. Just like his classroom, he starts off by insulting me and then he pulls out his wand and performs Legilimency. No instructions at all. Tell me sir; was that how you were taught?"
"No it wasn't, but I'm sure Severus had his reasons," Dumbledore replied. "Obviously he must have thought it was the best method for getting you to learn it quickly."
"Or he just liked pillaging my thoughts sir. Either way it does not matter," Harry replied. "Hermione and I were able to learn it together. Thank you Miranda."
"You're welcome," The goddess replied. "Oh and excellent job last night. I was sent six bottles of Ambrosia by Death's office. Seems he's having fun with those Death Eaters that came through the veil. Been showing them reruns on how they were fooled by you and your friends while not letting on that you knew what was coming. I think he's planning a feast of roadkill for them tonight."
"Roadkill?" Hermione asked.
"Death Eaters...get it. They get to eat dead things, but not the good dead things."
"Uh…exactly how are they... I mean they don't have bodies or... do you really eat there?"
"It's all imaginary of course, just like you imagined your clothes to be there that day, but it's all very real to them."
"Well...uh...I hope Death's having fun," Harry said politely.
"Oh he is. He loves Death Eaters because of their names. He'll play with them for a century or two before turning them over for Final Judgment."
"Final Judgement? What happens there?"
"Normally I'm not supposed to tell you, but Death said if you asked, I could make an exception. He seems to like you," Miranda replied. "Final Judgment is where your soul is judged. There are three options, the first is you're passed on into the realm and you enjoy an nice eternity with your loved ones; the second is your soul is deemed not truly evil but unworthy and it is recycled to be given another chance, and finally your soul is deemed truly evil and you're sent to an eternity of suffering."
"Oh...uh..." Harry mentally uttered.
"Your soul is just fine Harry," Miranda said. "Yes you took lives but in doing so you saved innocent lives. You are not evil. Now get back to the long bearded idiot."
"Very well," Dumbledore replied. "We shall leave the issue of Severus for the time being. Though you must understand he has my full confidence. Obviously I am concerned you haven't learned Occlumency well enough yet since Riddle was able to penetrate your mind last evening."
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