The Secret Society Chapter 27: The Headmaster's Show

Read previous chapter here

Character Images

A/N: I posted this story on a site called Royal Road. To get the story to catch on there, would you all mind rating it and following it on that site? I would appreciate it greatly :)

Harry was in no rush to speak first. If Ashwood wanted to sit and have some sort of staring contest, that would be fine with him. In fact, it would have been an excellent opportunity to see if he could use legilimency without detection if not for Dumbledore’s presence.

But wishes were not reality, and that was not an option. Instead of doing anything productive, Harry spent most of the time taking in Askwood’s appearance.

The first time Harry met him was when he wasn’t thinking in the correct state of mind, and the only thing he wanted to do was make Ashwood hurt, not what color of eyes the boy had.

Well, that answer was brown. A bland, dull, average brown. If Harry wanted to think of who had the most memorable brown eyes, it would have to be Hermione. They were so expressive that it almost wasn’t necessary for anyone to read her mind since it was all there in her eyes, at least what she was feeling. That wasn’t to say that was the only reason Harry thought of her as an example. He supposed that Hermione’s eyes were also beautiful.

Leaving aside the matter of Hermione’s beautiful eyes, the rest of Ashwood’s appearance was equally unremarkable. It was no wonder that he couldn’t recall ever having seen or had knowledge of the boy before he saw him bullying Lovegood.

It was like Ashwood’s destiny was meant to be the generic template of a wizard that would disappear in the crowd, never to matter again to anyone with genuine power. He might be able to console himself with the trappings of wealth Harry could see displayed in this manor, but what did that matter when someone powerful enough could come along and destroy everything on a whim?

Harry sneered at the boy, starting to get infuriated that he was being forced to sit across from him like they were equals. As if they both weren’t aware that Harry would be standing above a broken body if Dumbledore wasn’t watching over them.

"Well, my dear students, I daresay we've allowed ample time for the brewing of your frustrations," Dumbledore spoke with a twinkle in his eye, his voice carrying an air of cheerfulness. "Now, young Mr. Potter, it seems fitting that you take the lead."

Harry clenched his jaw when Ashwood tilted his head and looked down at him. The boy spoke mockingly when he didn’t say anything for a few seconds.

“Not so confident now, are you?”

Harry raised an eyebrow at the apparent disdain in Ashwood’s voice. “Not sure what you mean.”

“You can’t hide behind a girl’s voice to attack me from behind. If we had a fair fight, I could put you down and teach you a lesson of wizarding etiquette.”

Harry caught the warning glance from Dumbledore when he was about to tell Ashwood precisely what he thought of his assumption. He shut his mouth, though it was one of the hardest things he had done.

“… Right, Ashwood, I’m here to apologize.”

“Are you? For what, exactly?”

Harry stared at him for a second before glancing at Dumbledore. This was the best he could do. The Headmaster couldn’t expect to grovel.

"Alexander," Dumbledore's voice held a gentle yet firm tone, "I believe it is in everyone's best interest to maintain an open mind. Mr. Potter chose to come here because he genuinely regrets the events that unfolded. He has given me his word that returning to Hogwarts will not endanger your safety."

“Safe!” Alexander yelled, “I’m not afraid of that anymore! If anything, it’s Potter that had to watch his back!”

Harry ignored Ashwood’s bluster. He was occupied being amused that his first name was Alexander. Rather fitting that the second boy he wouldn’t mind disappearing was also named Alex.

"I understand," Dumbledore nodded gravely, his expression growing serious. "It appears that the time has come for me to address the matter of your actions toward Ms. Lovegood."

“… W-What?”

Harry decided that his previous thought was correct. Watching the wily old man targeting other people was entertaining to watch.

“After hearing Mr. Potter’s claims of why he went to such lengths, I instructed the staff to find the truth.”

There was a perfect amount of pause, which Harry admired, making Ashwood think the worst and visibly panic.

"Given that we have not yet reached a point of irreparable consequences, I am inclined to offer leniency, provided that your future conduct is rectified," Dumbledore stated firmly, his tone carrying a sense of strictness. "However, I must emphasize that even a single instance of similar behavior will be deemed sufficient grounds for expulsion."

Harry glanced at Dumbledore, wondering if there really was an investigation or if Ashwood just had his thoughts read like a book. If he had to bet, he would pick the former. Any sort of investigation would involve the staff having to talk to Lovegood, Hermione, or himself. That hadn’t happened.

“Y-Yes, Headmaster,” Alexander stammered in reply.

"Marvelous!" Dumbledore exclaimed with a bright expression. "In that case, I anticipate your return to classes by next week."

“What about Potter? He just gets away with this?”

"Of course not," Dumbledore denied with a firm tone. "Mr. Potter will serve a month of detention under my supervision. Speaking of consequences, I almost forgot about yours! Thank you for so kindly reminding me, Mr. Ashwood."

Harry covered his mouth and let out a stuttering cough, trying to hide the laugh that wanted to escape him. He had no idea why Dumbledore wanted him to tag along for this. Still, he appreciated the rapidly changing colors of the cowardly waste’s face. He didn’t believe that tripe about wanting to reassure Ashwood about safety. Not with Dumbledore seemingly satisfied with the few irrelevant sentences he had said so far.

"Indeed, the gravity of your actions warrants more than just detention," Dumbledore responded firmly. "For the remainder of the year, you will be assigned to detention with Professor Flitwick. In addition to that, it is imperative that you offer a sincere apology to Ms. Lovegood in the presence of your Ravenclaw roommates."

Ashwood’s face turned from pale white to red as he struggled to hold back his outrage.

"Professor Flitwick is eagerly awaiting the revelation of the names of all those involved in this unfortunate incident, which I hesitate to even label as 'hazing' due to its severity,"

Dumbledore stared at Ashwood patiently until the latter gave him a slight nod after a staring contest that lasted a few seconds.

"Excellent!" Dumbledore's tone shifted abruptly, shedding the somberness that had enveloped his previous words. "As I previously said, I anticipate your return to Hogwarts within a week. Is there anything else you wish to discuss, Mr. Potter?"

If Harry’s sense of time was accurate, it had been barely fifteen minutes since this ‘talk’ had started. And that was with including the silence at the start.

“No, Headmaster,” Harry stood up and nodded at Ashwood, “I hope we can move past this.”

“Ah! Forgiveness! It is indeed a beautiful thing to witness,” Dumbledore exclaimed happily, "Let us conclude our conversation on this uplifting note, shall we?"

Harry smiled as he nodded, not missing how the Headmaster conveniently stopped the retort that Ashwood was about to give him. They left the room to see the older Ashwoods waiting nervously, with the mother speaking first in a hurry.

“Were you able to convince him, Headmaster Dumbledore?”

"Not to worry," Dumbledore reassured with a gentle smile. "Young Alexander has been quite receptive to the idea of returning to Hogwarts. However, I must inform you that he has been made aware of the consequences he will face."

When Ashwood’s father turned red and seemed ready to argue, Dumbledore held up his hand to stop any protests.

"This matter is non-negotiable," Dumbledore stated firmly. "If you desire further details, I suggest you direct your inquiries to young Alexander himself."

Harry stepped aside to make way when Ashwood’s mother rushed into the room after Dumbledore stopped speaking.

"Ah, Mr. Ashwood, does your Floo connection happen to be linked with the Leaky Cauldron?"

“What?” Mr. Ashwood was distracted by his wife talking to their son, “Yes, of course, it is.”

“Splendid! Would you mind if Harry and I used that as the destination instead of Hogwarts?”

“Do as you will,” Mr. Ashwood waved them off as he rushed to join his wife when the voices started to get raised.

Harry stared at the Ashwoods arguing with each other until Dumbledore motioned for him to follow. He wasn’t sure what the Headmaster was thinking, but he wasn’t in the mood to go to Diagon Alley. Other than a few shops, most were of the uninteresting sort.

It seemed that Dumbledore sensed that.

"You have assisted me with young Alexander, and I feel compelled to repay your kindness," Dumbledore chuckled. "Rest assured, Mr. Potter, this trip will be in your best interest."

Harry hesitated as he followed Dumbledore back to the fireplace. He was starting to feel that while the Headmaster might not be his supporter or anything ridiculous, it didn’t mean that Dumbledore meant him harm.

“Could you tell me what that would be, Headmaster? I do have an essay I need to finish for Herbology. One that I have delayed for far too long.”

“Ah, I was delighted when Professor Sprout offered to donate that Melody Flower for such a cause! However, I assure you that what I have in mind will easily surpass the wonders of that marvelous flower. An esteemed former student of mine has returned to the Isle, and I believe it would be in your best interest to meet her. She is one of the foremost experts on magical beings."

Harry shot Dumbledore a sharp look, only for the man to continue, “Of all magical beings.”

Harry was starting to realize that Dumbledore hadn’t dropped the matter about Veela after all. Instead of pushing the matter himself, he would get this ‘old student’ to get the information to Harry. Perhaps this whole Ashwood business was just a reason to get him out of Hogwarts, hoping to make it more amenable to go elsewhere afterward.

He didn’t want to admit it, but that was precisely what it did. Partly because, yes, Dumbledore got him out of Hogwarts, so why not add Diagon Alley to that? And more importantly, what was so important about Veela that it was necessary to go to this length?

“Very well, Headmaster. Diagon Alley it is.”

“Excellent!” Dumbledore beamed, "You may proceed first, Mr. Potter."

Harry took a pinch of floo powder and stepped into the fireplace before throwing the powder down and saying, “Diagon Alley!”

Less than a second later, he was stumbling into a familiar pub, and it wasn’t long after that the fireplace roared back to life. Of course, Dumbledore stepped out of it like it was a breeze.

“Professor Dumbledore!”

“No need to worry about me, Tom! I'm simply taking Mr. Potter on an unexpected shopping excursion.”

“Ah, I see. Let me get the door for you in that case!”

Harry nodded to Tom as they entered the place that would lead them to Diagon Alley. It had been years since he had entered this place. It brought back some nostalgia since he clearly remembered his excitement with everything around him. Harry supposed that Dumbledore used this way as entering to avoid causing any apprehension by offering to apparate.

With a few taps of some bricks, the wall opened to reveal a much more subdued Diagon Alley. It must be the school time that slowed the foot traffic down… or perhaps it was the fact that Voldemort was ’secretly’ back from the dead.

That didn’t stop nearly everyone who saw them from gasping and pointing at Dumbledore like he was some type of mythical species of dragon. And Harry assumed it was nothing good with how most looked wary.

It was easy for Harry to forget that most of the people in the wizarding world were absolute idiots of Crabbe and Goyle’s caliber. There were no other explanations that could explain the gullibility of this level.

"Have you ever been to Carkitt Market, Mr. Potter?"

“Not yet, Headmaster. I haven’t had the chance.”

"Perfect! In that case, you shall have your first glimpse today!"

Dumbledore seemed to be able to ignore the looks they were getting, but this brought up a thought that had somehow escaped him. This trip had already become disastrous. Anyone who wished to know about this stroll through Diagon Alley would easily find out with how public it was.

The distant concern was the psychotic Death Eaters, but they were mainly a threat that Harry would always have. The more worrisome one was Umbridge. He could already see any goodwill he had gained go up in smoke, reduced to nothing unless he could come up with a sufficient reason to be seen with Dumbledore outside Hogwarts.

They turned onto a small side alley that quickly opened up to reveal the open space that made up Carkitt Market, a place where most shops were actually temporary stalls that generally changed every other week.

Harry saw Dumbledore beaming at a woman with silver-streaked dark hair who was manning a stall with a sign saying ‘Aurel’s Arcanum.’

It was a rather bold sign for what amounted to a shabby stall. Still, this was someone that Dumbledore called an expert, so Harry would hold his mocking until he had heard what she had to say.

“Professor! What a surprise! I didn’t expect to see you till next year with how things are going in this country.”

"Well, I do have a penchant for keeping people on their toes," Dumbledore chuckled warmly. "Allow me to introduce you, Mr. Potter, to the shockingly knowledgeable Cassandra Aurel."

Harry met the far older witch’s gaze and muttered a small greeting, to which he received a warm smile.

“Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Potter,” Cassandra looked back to Dumbledore as she asked, “I hope this is important enough to force me to leave this place so early? With the rumors flying around, I highly doubt the Ministry will allow me to keep the stall open much longer.”

"That is indeed regrettable," Dumbledore responded with a touch of remorse. "However, I must inform you that Mr. Potter has recently become acquainted with a Veela, one who surpasses our expectations for most. I was wondering if you would be available to provide young Harry with the pertinent information he needs."

“Is that so?”

Harry fidgeted when the woman stared at him deeply with gray eyes, startled when he felt the ring pulse.

“Oh my!” Cassandra blinked rapidly to regain her bearing. By the time she could focus, she saw Dumbledore standing between her and a fuming Harry to stop any further issues.

"How about we find a more private setting to discuss this?" Dumbledore suggested, handing both of them a piece of paper.

Harry could barely read what was written before the paper vanished into nothingness. He blinked in confusion before seeing Dumbledore holding out a hand to him.

"It seems that apparition will be necessary this time, I'm afraid."

Harry sighed in frustration. Dumbledore was pushing him a little further with every step, and since he had already come this far, why not take that extra step? Besides, he already had a burning desire to know what this Cassandra had to say.

As Harry grabbed Dumbledore’s hand, he wondered why an address was written on that piece of paper. What was at Number 12 Grimmauld Place?

Read next chapter here