Chapter 31: Mysteries and Secrets

A/N: Two chapters in a week! I want to apologize for the last chapter, it kinda sucked. I was stuck on it for months, but I couldn't get it write so I just said "fuck it" and put out what I had. I will try to rewrite it later, but I needed to tie up the loose end with umbrige, I didn't want to rewrite the whole of book five. I think this one is better. I'm going to breeze through book five, as we really don't need the D.A. as Tonks is teaching and Umbridge is gone. We're now into the end game. I don't know how many more chapters we have but we are in Horcrux territory now. Book five will have for sure one more, maybe two chapters before the summer. I know how this is going to end, just not how long it's going to take us to get there. Enjoy.

Atticus White was bored. When he had first gotten his job as the London correspondent for The New York Ghost, he had been thrilled. Afterall, ithad been exciting last year. Between the Quidditch World Cup and the Triwizard Tournament he had enough news to keep himself writing. The summer looked promising with reports that You-Know-Who was back, but his editors had told him to drop it else the local government would make him persona non grata and send him on the first portkey back home. So here he was in the atrium of the ministry, listening to a sanitized version of what happened to Corbin Yaxley. He knew from his research that Yaxley was accused of being a Death Eater and probably was but was able to buy his way out of prison. His other sources reported that he had championed for the toad Umbridge during a duel and got himself killed after trying to AK the other witch after she had won.

Not that he was hearing that now. What he was being told was that Yaxley died in the duel after Tonks, a disgraced former auror, had cheated by using techniques technically legal but dubious in nature and that legal rules around dueling would have to be changed to address this blatant miscarriage of justice and blah blah blah, so on and so forth. Honestly Fudge made him sick.

Then, about ten minutes into the press conference, all hell broke loose. In the middle of answering a question about You-Know-Who and repeating his statement that Potter was delusional, and that Dumbledore was fear mongering, a scream rent the air as the Dark Lord himself stood before the minister, holding a glowing orb. Silence held for a second before the voice of Albus Dumbledore could be heard from the sphere.

"Sorry Tom, you are too late. Harry and I have already paid a visit to the Department of Mysteries and acquired the prophesy as per his right. A good friend of mine in the department approved replacing it with this portkey, a portkey tied to the minister's location. Oh, and dear minister Fudge, please do arrest this man, he is Tom Riddle Jr., also known as Lord Voldemort. I warned you he was back, well now you know. Good day Tom, Harry sends his regards."

For the next five seconds silence reigned as everyone looked at the Dark Lord returned. Then in a flash Dumbledore was there, and from his robes he removed a simple necklace with a small silver pendent.

"Ah Tom, I see you got the message I sent you. Good day to you. I hope you don't mind, but I decided after placing the portkey in the hall of prophesy to place another on my person so that I might be here to assist the minister in his time of need. If you wish we may duel here, though I would think you would like to have more of your servants near to you, and I myself would prefer fewer innocents in the way. Of course, if you would like you can give yourself up and we can set a trial for you. I am still chief warlock of the wizengamot."

"DIE" Voldemort hissed as he cast a spell that Dumbledore was able to bat away and sent his own curse. Several aurors were also casting spells now that they were over their shock and seeing he was outnumbered he disaperated in a loud crack.

"You fools! Why didn't you cast disaperation wards?" shouted Fudge, coming up from behind the podium.

"There was no time," said Dumbledore. "You know the wards take about two minutes to be established. Also, that would have been very unwise. There are only two aurors here, and if one were casting the ward it would leave me and one other to fight Voldemort. Tom does not like being outnumbered. He would have killed the aurors quickly to even the odds, and he would have probably used some of the civilians for shields or as bargaining chips.

"Minister Fudge," said White, who had regained his wits, "Atticus White of the New York Ghost, Do you still maintain that You-Know-Who hasn't come back? If so how do you explain what you just saw?"

"Minister Fudge, August Pyle of the Daily Prophet, do you still maintain that Dumbledore was lying and Potter is unbalanced?"

"Minister Fudge, Patrick O'Reilly of the Emerald Spector, did you examine the memories of the aurors and Dumbledore after they had reported seeing Voldemort returned? How would you explain your actions in light of the return of…"

Dumbledore quietly stepped aside chuckling to himself. He would be sharing this memory with Harry later. Fudge wouldn't last more than a week now that Voldemort was exposed, maybe not even the night. He needed to be going though, he had to return to see Sirius. Black had been back in Britain for a few weeks and had already turned up a likely location and he needed to plan their expedition.

Late May 1995

Sirius Black entered into the headmaster's study. It was late, but Dumbledore's note had asked him to come by after ten. He saw the headmaster staring at a stone basin he knew to be a penseve.

"Headmaster?" he asked, and saw Dumbledore's head raise up from the basin, looking tired and worried.

"Hello Sirius, please have a seat. I asked you here to discuss your career plans. How are you enjoying teaching?

"It's alright, I mean it's not my first choice but I'm glad I could do it this year. It's great seeing Harry all the time of course and that little spitfire he has as a girlfriend. James would be so proud."

"Indeed. I had always thought that Harry's ability to love was his strongest asset, and it seems young Ginevra has certainly helped him to develop this more ancient and powerful magic, a magic with no spells or incantations or wand movements. But I digress. Sirius, I am afraid I need to dismiss you from your position at the end of term."

Sirius looked gobsmacked. "I thought I did alright. I mean, it's not my ideal job but what have I been doing wrong?"

"Oh nothing dear boy. There are two reasons. One, the position is cursed. No one is able to complete two whole years in the position, and I'd rather fire you than something unfortunate happen at the end of term."

"you don't honestly believe in that old curse rumor Albus?" The rumor had started around the time he had started at Hogwarts and he never believed it.

"oh, I'm afraid it is quite true. Not many know this but before starting his reign of terror, Voldemort had applied for a teaching position at this school as DADA professor. Naturally, I denied him this position as rumors of his evil were already starting and I had reason to mistrust him after his school days, but before he left, he cursed the position. I have not yet been able to undo this curse, despite my many efforts."

"And what's the second reason?" asked Sirius.

"I need you to complete some tasks for me. Over the years I have been trying to delve into the background of Voldemort should he return. This went from a curiosity to a necessity two years ago."

"What happened two years ago?" Sirius asked, playing along.

Dumbledore reached into his desk and withdrew a small book with a hole burned into it and placed it on the desk.

"Is that, is that the diary that possessed Ginny?" Sirius asked.

"Indeed. I assume Harry told you the story?" asked the headmaster.

"Yes," said Sirius, "though I don't understand how a cursed object could possess a young girl."

"Normally it can't," Dumbledore said, his eyes darkening with suppressed rage, "Possession requires an active intellect, that is a soul. It is my belief that this diary was a horcrux."

"WHAT!" Sirius shouted.

"I take it you know what that is. I shouldn't be surprised, with your families proclivities. Yes it was a horcrux, a horcrux intended as a weapon and entrusted to Lucius Malfoy who knew only that it was linked to the Chamber of Secrets. That it was a weapon and I have had reports of Tom regaining strength coupled with Harry's entry into the tournament leads me to one conclusion….He made more than one."

"Bugger me…"Sirius exclaimed.

"Alas I am disinclined. You are far to young for me, and I currently am involved in a relationship as are you. Besides I find myself in my old age preferring the company of women" Dumbledore said with laughter in his eyes.

"Really? You old goat who's the lucky witch? And does that mean you used to…ummm, never mind" said Sirius. He had his suspicions on who was sharing the headmaster's bed, he always seemed rather close to the deputy headmistress, but the implication that Dumbledore may have been bisexual was unexpected.

"Let us return to task, shall we?" he said changing the subject. "I have done some research into his past, and after discovering the diary horcrux I have been attempting to identify them. I had planned on involving Harry in this hunt when he was older, but I don't want to wait and I can think of no one better suited, with your connections and your familiarity with the dark arts. After your nuptuals, I would like it if you would start this search for me and inform me if you think you have a location. I will then go to obtain and destroy the Horcrux."

"I accept, on two conditions. One I want to approve of who you hire to replace me, I don't want anyone I don't trust teaching Harry. Two I want you to take me with you when you find the Horcrux. Maybe take Bill Weasley with you. You're not young man anymore and I think a curse breaker could help."

Dumbledore looked pensive. "Very well, but I will need you and Mr. Weasley to take wizards oaths to keep this secret, and I will need you to learn Occlumency as well as William."

"Bill already knows it, Gringotts requires it, and I know a little. Hestia will help me get up to speed.

"Very well, You man inform your wife as well then. I trust you will be able to give me a good reason to dismiss you?"

Sirius grinned. "I think I can think of something."

Present day

Dumbledore apparated outside Sirius' home by the sea. He took a deep breath and relished in the breeze. He would have to go back to the sea sometime, he knew. It always left him feeling refreshed. He walked to the front door and knocked. Sirius threw the door open and stared at the old man with his mouth open.

"What the fuck Albus, you just stood and portkeyed out, what the Hell is going on?"

"I had to pay a call to the minister. Tom had attempted to obtain the prophesy tonight and found my surprise waiting for him. Thankfully no one was killed. I don't think out poor minister is having a good evening. I highly recommend reading the paper tonight or tomorrow. Now you were saying before I had to step away?"

"Right. Well I viewed the memories of Ogden that you showed me, and it occurred to me I recognized the large house in the background…I think it was the same one we saw from the graveyard. Of course, Harry said Voldemort used the bone of the father, so I supposed Tom Riddle Sr. was buried there. I visited the village the other day. I could sense dark magic all around the house…I think Voldemort was staying there for a time. I then looked for the Gaunt shack and by Merlin the dark magic coming off that place...I think we should check it out Albus…"

"I agree. I will contact William, he's back in Britain now. Let us plan to go around 10 o'clock in the morning on Saturday?

Yeah, sure. And Bill is in London now, he's dating that Veela bird from the tournament now, the French girl. Told him he's lucky I got hitched otherwise I would fancy a….ahhhhh" and Sirius was hanging from his foot in midair as Hestia stood in the doorway tapping her wand against her hand.

"You were saying sweetheart?" she said in a syrupy sweet voice.

"Ah fancy a visit to complement her on her choice of a nice young man of course….Headmaster a little help?"

"I find it not wise to meddle in domestic disputes." Said the Headmaster with humor dancing in his eyes. Just then a ministry owl swooped in, depositing a letter with the headmaster. He opened it and read quickly. "I must depart in any case, an emergency session of the Wizzengamot has just been called. Hestia my dear I'm afraid as he is a member, I must collect your husband." And with a wave of his wand Sirius crashed to the floor. With a quick kiss to his wife and his assurances he was joking earlier and to please forgive him, the two wizards disapparated to the ministry.

AVO

Harry was feeling great. Umbitch was gone, Tonks' classes were fantastic and even Snape was being less of an ass this year. Yesterday he had played his first quidditch match of the year. Gryffindor had flattened Slytherin 360-20 with Ron effectively shutting down the Slytherin offence. Malfoy had tried to be nasty and taught Ron, but Ron's time with the Cannons and working with Gwen over the summer had paid off and he was simply amazing. The only two goals he had let in were the results of some really rough plays from the opposing beaters, but each time he had shrugged off the goal and gone back to work. Ginny was simply poetry in motion. With Alicia graduating the year before she was now a starting chaser. While Katie, Angelina and Alicia had always been a formattable team, Ginny was in a class of her own. She had scored ten goals by herself and had assisted in the other 11. Harry had caught the snitch at the two-hour mark securing a Gryffindor victory. Then that night after a very satisfying snog with his girlfriend which included a good amount of fondling, he felt his mirror heat up. Sirius had a few quips about how flushed Harry looked but then warned him to check the prophet in the morning which he was buying every student for a special announcement.

This all lead to Harry sitting in the great hall, Ginny practically in his lap, waiting for the post. Then they came, a swarm of owls dropping newspapers at every place. The headmaster looked on tired but pleased. Harry unrolled the paper and stared shocked at the headline.

"VOLDEMORT REVEALED TO MINISTRY, BOY WHO LIVED AND DUMBLEDORE VINDICATED, FUDGE SACKED!"

By Augustus Pyle

The ministry was shocked last evening when in a press conference covering the death of Corbin Yaxley in a duel, none other than You-Know-Who arrived by portkey. Apparently, the Dark Wizard had infiltrated the Department of Mysteries and attempted to steal a prophesy that concerned Harry Potter, the boy who lived, and himself. Unbeknownst to him, Dumbledore and Potter had already retrieved the aforementioned prophesy and replaced it with a portkey, which exposed Voldemort to the press core and the minister. Dumbledore arrived shortly after and after a brief duel Voldemort escaped. Later that night the Wizzengamot voted Fudge out of office, replacing him with Amelia Bones of the DMLE. For more information on the Yaxley, see page 3. For information on the ministries censoring of the press including the Prophet, see page 5. For a full retraction of articles against Dumbledore and Potter, see page 7.

Harry set the paper down and Ginny turned his face towards her and kissed him soundly.

"Well it's about bloody time," said Ron, who had also finished the article. "I mean honestly that wanker fudge is finally out of office."

"Language Ron," said Hermione, though without much feeling as she clearly shared her boyfriend's opinion.

AVO

Saturday at Ten O'Clock saw a sight that hadn't been seen for decades. Wizards were outside the Gaunt house, or what remained of it. The wards radiating from the house were stifling.

"William," said Dumbledore, "I can overpower these wards, but tell me what do you sense?"

"I think they are tied to a password, we've seen some of these in Egypt, but I can't think of something Voldemort would use."

Dumbledore was pensive and then stated. "I think they are protected by parsel tounge. I would retrieve Harry, but I suspect after the events in the graveyard he no longer has that ability. But in any case I don't want him exposed to danger again if we can avoid it.

"If what you told me is true professor, he probably has retained it. I think the magical ability would be retained by his own soul after the fragment was destroyed, but we don't need him here now," said Bill.

"It's Albus, you have graduated, but please continue." Said Dumbledore

"Well," Bill explained. Three years ago he went to Egypt with the family and he was able to use parseltounge to open a tomb. I copied the memory and viewed it several times, and the phrase is now used in curse breaker training. We've managed to open a half dozen new tombs since then. If I may?"

Dumbledore nodded and stepped aside, and Bill hissed at the snake nailed to the door and instantly they felt the wards fall around the property. They walked into the shack and Dumbledore started chanting in a low voice, trying to sense out hidden things in the shack. He stopped after three minutes and waved his wand at a floorboard, revealing a small box. He levitated the box to a table and using his wand opened it. Inside was a ring with a small black stone containing a triangle with a circle inside, bisected by a line. Dumbledore's breath hitched. It was….it had to be the resurrection stone. He reached out for the ring and was about to grasp it when Sirius grabbed his hand and forced him away.

"Albus, didn't you just hear Bill?" he shouted.

"Wh…what?" asked Albus.

"I was just telling you it has a deadly curse on it, didn't you hear me?" shouted Bill.

"I…no…my apologies…. go ahead Bill." Dumbledore said, shaking his head.

Bill started casting a complicated series of spells as Dumbledore looked on. The Stone. The Resurrection Stone. His opportunity to speak once more to his beloved sister, to see his mother and father…but what would he learn…. was it he that cast the curse on his sister? Would she forgive him? Did he want to force her back to talk to him… He was suddenly glad to have these two young men with him, to ground him and keep him safe from himself. Suddenly a flash of light went off on the ring and Bill sat it down.

"There, the curse is gone, it's safe to handle, though we still need to kill the Horcrux. I know Fyndefire will do it."

"That won't be necessary," Dumbledore said. With a flash of flame, Fawkes appeared holding the sword of Gryffindor by the hilt with his talons.

Bill gasped. "Albus, is that…"

"Yes," replied Dumbledore solemnly, "it is the sword of Gryffindor. Harry pulled it out of the hat to kill the basilisk. When he did so it became impregnated with the venom of the serpent. It now contains deadly poison. If you would place the ring on the table over there…"

Bill did so and Dumbledore sliced the sword down, splitting the ring in half and dislodging the stone. The ring let out a shriek as he did so and a dark mist rose from the broken form and hovered for a moment, before blowing away like ash in the wind.

Dumbledore cast a spell and conjured a box. "Sirius, please put the stone in the box and deliver it to my brother Aberforth. He'll know what it is…it's no mere family ring Tom perverted. I…I can't take it…"

Sirius gave Dumbledore a strange look and then picked up the stone and put it in the box. Promptly he disaparated, as did Bill, leaving Dumbledore alone with his thoughts.