Legacy of Harry Potter- Chapter 87: Dumbledore's Confession (Patreon)

November 1994
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

At Dumbledore’s announcement, Harry kept his face completely neutral.

“I don’t what had happened that you have suddenly started to mistrust me,” said Dumbledore eyeing towards Harry. The quiver in his voice more prominent as he would cry at any given moment.

Dumbledore continued, “But know that, though the world may call me biased, I have always considered you my own grandson.”

Harry sneered at this internally.

“James and Lily were like son and daughter to me,” added Dumbledore. “They were the kindest of people with a heart greater than anyone. Their tendency of forgiveness was something that no one could even close to them.”

Harry’s magic started to flare at this moment. Using his parents name in such a blatant manner was a disrespect to their name. From the day Hagrid met him and introduced him to magic, Harry had been compared with his parents. It was not that he disliked that thing but he hated that people were not merely comparing him with his parents but were using his parents name as a tool to guide Harry on the path they wanted. He hated this fact of bringing his parents name in politics.

Unaware of Harry’s raging inner turmoil, Dumbledore continued, “Harry, my boy, when you were born, it was the happiest day of your parents’ life. They wanted you to become a great wizard and an even greater person.”

He sighed deeply as if lost in nostalgia of pain. The slight wetness in his eyes was now clearly visible to everyone, “Then the tragedy struck. They were killed protecting you. They made a tremendous sacrifice to keep you safe.”

Since everyone was so focused on Dumbledore, they failed to notice the small magical fluctuations happening at two locations in the Great Hall. The first one was none other than Harry who was raging in anger.

The second was at some distance away Kingsley Shacklebolt and Tonks who were questioning the Hufflepuff students. The person in question was Minerva McGonagall. Her eyes were narrowed dangerously and expression furious. The grip of her hand on her wand tight.

One little drop of tear had trickled down Dumbledore’s cheek, “When I received the news about their loss, I was taken back but then you came as beacon of hope. You were the last piece of James and Lily Potter.”

Dumbledore tightened his expression and the quiver in his voice was gone, “That time I resolved to keep you safe and sound.”

His shoulders slumped, “I admit what I did. I did that because, I was afraid my discovery would mark a blot on the image of James and Lily Potter. I was afraid that, I would tarnish the so loving memory of James and Lily.”

Harry’s rage was at the peak at this point and he was about to subconsciously get up when his eyes caught the face of Amelia Bones.

Madam Bones was staring directly into eyes and her expression was completely stoic. Harry got the message and took a deep breath and focused on his occlumency shields and sat down.

The Great Hall was in complete silence at this moment and no one knew what to react. Dumbledore stood at his position with slumped shoulders as if he had lost his entire world.

After moments Amelia moved. Her rhythmic footsteps echoed in the quiet hall until she also arrived in front of the teacher’s table and stood at some distance from Dumbledore.

“So, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, in presence of me as DMLE head, you just admitted that you intentionally misled the investigation and also allowed for one of the major evidences in form of any magical residue left on the Goblet go to waste? Do you admit your crime?” Asked Amelia in crisp and clear tone without any hint of emotion.

Dumbledore’s head jerked to his side and he looked at Amelia in shock as if saying that did not you heard such an emotional story with such an emotional face I addressed just now.

Even the students sitting below looked at Amelia as if they were looking at a such a heartless woman. The Slytherins who almost hated Dumbledore also looked at him in sympathy.

Amelia waited for some seconds but when she did not get any response, she said in louder tone, “Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, do you admit that you intentionally misled the investigation and also allowed for one of the major evidences in form of any magical residue left on the Goblet go to waste? Do you admit your crime?”

Dumbledore knew that he had no other option as he had already confessed it in front of the entire school, “Yes, I admit.”

He continued, “But I deny all the charges, Harry had pressed against me for putting his life in danger.”

Amelia nodded, “Very well.”

She announced, “Since you have admitted about your crimes, I believe I do not need to ask any more questions from you.”

“The students except Mr. Harry Potter will continue to give their statements,” she added further. “Also, the professors will have not to answer any questions today.”

She looked sternly towards the professors, “At any cost you all have to be present in Wizengamot at the time of hearing. You all may be called in as witnesses.”

“Any absence for any reason will not be tolerated,” warned Madam Bones.

She crisply walked down the podium of the teacher’s table.

“Mr. Potter, a word in private?” She asked Harry as she approached him.

He nodded his head and followed behind her to the outside of the Great Hall.