Chapter 13| Lemon Drops

Dumbledore didn't understand what was going on. He knew what he was doing when he laid that boy in front of the Dursleys' house. He knew that the Dursleys were magic hating, the perfect recipe for an abused weak boy. A boy he could control and manipulate, a lamb for the slaughter.

However, when he saw the boy walk up to the hat, he looked different. There was a peaceful look on his face, a knowing look. It was as if the boy had lived only a peaceful day. He walked up with a grace that no eleven-year-old should have. His head was held tall, his back straight.

He didn't like that. That meant Harry wasn't abused enough, wasn't hurt enough. He needed a weak-willed boy that he could control and mold. If he couldn't have that, then he needed to obliviate the boy and isolate him till he was ready to be a lamb.

Sighing, the Headmaster looked around his crowded office, popping a lemon drop in his mouth.

"That's disgusting." Phineas Nigellus Black, a noble Headmaster sneered at the current one.

Albus glared at the Dark Wizard but quickly stopped and instead focused on the reports on the boy. The other Headmasters never liked him, they claimed that he was evil, that he was a power-hungry bastard. He wasn't any of those things! He was the Lord of the Light! He was doing all of this for the good of-

"I'm hungry ya know." A voice called from a closed door.

The greying wizard scowled a little, however, he did summon a house elf- a weak, rawboned thing that was barely wearing anything rags- to get some proper food. The house elf bowed deeply, quickly popping away to collect whatever they could to fill a plate and mug. They wished that they could have a taste of the food, but they knew better than that.

When they appeared again, the tray was taken from them and they were brushed aside. Dumbledore may speak about unity and equality about creatures, but he rarely ever meant it. They were dark. They were evil. It didn't matter if they were forced to be what they were, they were still evil!

"You know... He won't like you." The person shifted some, the gentle jiggling of the heavily enchanted signally their silent movement.

"He will. I am the-"

"I've heard it thousands of before." There was a heavy sigh from the prisoner, who stared at the other with disapproving brown eyes. "You will lose."

Dumbledore scoffed, placing the tray on the small stool. He then turned to the person he had chained. The man wasn't looking at him anymore, instead just leaning his head against the metal cage he was in.

"I have plans. Your sight will help that if you-"

"I'm chained, and he isn't as foolish as you think... Besides, my sight will no longer help you." A smirk formed on the brunette's face, his eyes narrowing in amusement. "The others have found a solution~"

The greying Headmaster scowled, backing out of the room quickly. He watched as the Black Headmaster smirked down at him, glaring a little.

"Didn't go well?" He teased.

"Silence." With a wave of his hand, a silencing charm was placed on the frame.

Phineas smirked, relaxing in his portrait. He liked knowing his words were able to get under the collected Wizard. He hated how fake and manipulative the man was. Well, he was fine with those to a degree, a degree Albus had long since passed. Besides, this bastard had manipulated his family. No one manipulates a Black and gets away with it.

The manipulative monster hummed in thought as he popped in another lemon drop and went back to reading. It seemed the boy was adjusting easily, being something close to a prodigy. He seemed to have taken an interest in potions, charms, and transfiguration. He could agree with the last two, but he couldn't have the boy liking potions.

Suddenly, an idea came to him, a smirk on his face. Quickly, he began to write a little note for the boy. He'll just place a few more compulsions to make the boy act as he wanted him. He just needed the boy to act meeker and timid, maybe a little more stupid.

Harry looked at the small note that was handed to him by an owl the next day. He looked down at it, schooling his features quickly. He was wondering when the Headmaster was going to try and talk with him. Barely into the weekend, it seemed. Which he thought was good enough, it would help him figure out Albus's new tactic.

"Lemon Drops." He whispered to the stone statue that silently moved.

A soft grin formed on his lips as he saw that. Sure, he could've easily just said open in any language considering he had more than half of Hogwarts under his rule. Yet, he didn't want to give up that card just yet.

Walking up the spiral stairs, he noted how the walls seemed to renew in life. He would have to ask Evette about that. It was a curious thing... Was Hogwarts genuinely sentient? He wouldn't put it past the old Castle of Magic for being so.

Peacefully, he knocked on the door of the room. A sense of nostalgia bloomed inside of him. He couldn't help it. Being back was bringing back so many good and bad memories of being at the school. He loved it though. Every moment, whether manipulated or true, had made him the person he was. Had made him the Wizard that had fought so hard to live the happiest life he was allowed. Even if he had died a widow, he still died in a loving home with someone he cared about so close to him.

"Come in." The grandfatherly tone brought the young-looking Wizard back from his mind.

Easily, he put up his mental shields, something he had been working on for the longest time in his first life. As much as he doesn't hate Dumbledore for what he did, he won't allow himself to be manipulated twice.

"Hello, Sir." The boy gave a sweet smile, easily sitting in the free chair.

The twinkle in the man's eyes were dangerous and sadistic in a way. How annoying, but like he was dealing with a difficult child, Harry just kept a peaceful look.

"How are your classes? Going well I hope. Any classes you like in particular?"

"Of course, Sir. The classes are wonderful! I was quite happy to have read the material early, though I was a little sad that I didn't know about this wonderful place before. Magic... It's such a wonderful thing, isn't it?" There was a dreamy hint to his gentle voice, his eyes glowing with a form of love. He meant every word that he spoke too, making his reaction far more believable to the monster in front of him.

The other Headmasters raised their eyebrows, a confused look crossing their faces. They knew the boy meant those words, but unlike the current Headmaster, they knew this was a tactic. He wanted Dumbledore to let his guard down, something that he did with ease.

"That's good. Any classes you like?" The greying Wizard grinned in his grandfatherly way.

"Ah! Potions has been interesting! And Charms and Transfigurations!" The boy bounced a little, a grin forming on his face. The faux grandfather gave a joyous laugh, soon offering a bowl of his Lemon Drops. They were currently charmed, a dangerous gamble but it was worth it. The boy grabbed a piece of the candy and popped it into his mouth without a second thought.

"Your parents were good at Charms and Transfigurations, but Potions?" Dumbledore hummed, tilting his head some.

The boy's happy look faltered some before he bowed his head. He couldn't let the insane man know how much better his life was. He didn't want to be pulled away or have his Aunt take the blame for something she didn't do.

"At home..." He shifted as if he was uncomfortable. "I make the meals at home..."

The Headmaster nodded slowly, a soft frown on his face as if he was upset at hearing this. He wasn't. He could easily see that the Dursleys were causing problems for the boy, hurting him. Of course, he didn't want to seem eager, that would ruin his image!

"Do you like making those meals?" He hummed, leaning forward some.

The black-haired boy bit his lip before nodding slowly. He did genuinely like cooking, though, in his first life, it was difficult for him to not flinch when he was at the stove. It was something that he had to learn and grow from, something that Draco and George had helped him with. This time was different, he was treated fairly, and allowed to eat enough proper meals so as to not be nearly bone thin.

Taking a breath, the old soul looked up to focus back on Albus. The man's twinkling eyes were practically stars! Seeing the boy so weak and meek in front of him showed him that the boy was just being brave! A boy perfect for him to manipulate behind the scenes!

"That is good, my boy. I know spending time in the Muggle world, unknowing of this one... But, it would be a shame for you to leave it behind so quickly, yes?" He hummed, smiling softly as if he understood the younger man.

Harry gave an almost defeated nod. With that, the physically older Wizard dismissed the boy to enjoy his weekend. The boy walked out with a sadder note to his walk, at least till he met up with Neville.

The dirty-blond boy gave a raised eyebrow look as he tilted his head.

"Tried something?"

The older soul chuckled, rolling his shoulders back as he gave a sweet smile.

"His poisoned candy." He hummed. "I honestly think he only eats those because they're similar to him."

The Hufflepuff chuckled, rolling his eyes. The Gods had trained themselves to handle many variants of potions and poisons to make sure that they couldn't be controlled or killed so easily. Honestly if the current Headmaster was wanting to get them under control, he'd have to do more than poisoned candy.

Neville soon pushed off the wall, offering an arm to his friend. The shorter boy took the arm, beaming almost. It felt good to be around a genuine friend. He missed that.

"Well, let's go meet the others. We need to sort some things out, don't we."

"Yes, yes we do."

With that, the two of them hurry on their way to the Room. They needed to make sure all those that knew, know what was going on. Maybe the Moon would be there. It had been so long since he last saw her.

~1,868

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