Underestimated

Underestimated

A/N: Well, here’s chapter two…Hope you enjoy! I don’t own anything but the plot!

Summary: Its dangerous to underestimate some one, deadly if you keep doing it. Harry has learned how dark the light side can be and now Harry is pissed. Dark Harry.

Pairings: Nope, not gonna give it away just yet...better yet, lets play a guessing game, and let me know who you think after this chapter ends.

Last Chapter:
Shaking his head in disbelief, Harry responded, “Where have you been the last six years, Ron? You really are an idiot. If you think money, fame, and going down in history are so important, why don’t we have the lawyers take my name out, and put your name into this contract…you seem to think its such a great idea and all?”

And with this last statement, while Ron and several others in the meeting were sputtering and going on about the absurdity of such a proclamation, Harry stood and left, heading back to his piano to work out all the emotions boiling within.

Chapter Two: Never Judge A Book Buy Its Cover
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Once again the group congregated on the balcony of the Auditorium, only this time instead of hearing the melancholy music from before, they were overwhelmed by Harry’s anger, which was freely flowing through his every stroke of the ivory keys.

As Harry continued to take out his hostility on the piano, the Light side filtered down towards the stage, noticing as they got closer that the music became even more violent in its sound. When the music stopped suddenly, the intensity of it still echoing around the hall, Harry was breathing hard and turning cold and callus eyes to the group, he questioned, “What could you possibly want from me now?”

It was Hermione who, through some misguided and warped sense of righteousness and bravery, stepped forward and said, “Harry, how could you say that to Ron and then just walk out. I don’t understand how you could be so selfish and leave the wizarding world at war because you feel your part in all this is unfair.”

Realizing too late that her statement had been the wrong thing to say, Hermione backed up into what she hoped was the protection of many against her furious would be friend. The imposing site of the new Harry Potter was one that commanded the attention and respect of anyone, and when he stood, that’s exactly what he got.

“It never ceases to amaze me how magnanimous the Light side can be. I don’t see any of you giving up everything…every want, every hope, every dream you ever wished just for a world that is to weak and stupid to stand up for itself. The minute I suggested Ron do just that, you people get up on your righteous horse and start defending his hopes and dreams…well, where were you all when it was mine that were being destroyed. As I said before, if Ron wants the job of saving this ill begotten world, he can have it.”

“Harry, my boy, please be reasonable. It is not Ron that the Tom has asked for, it’s you. Are you willing to throw away months of work and peace for this world over a few technicalities of a contract?” asked Dumbledore, using his ever present twinkle to try and manipulate his wayward young protégé.

Glaring at Albus, Harry stated, “Dumbledore, your ‘twinkle’ lost its effect on me long ago. You must think me completely stupid if you think I didn’t know the spell you cast every time your eyes twinkle…or that you can guilt me into this stupid contract with your lame argument of saving the wizarding world. It…will…not…work!

“You know, I find it strange that everyone is so adamant that it be me who is contracted. If Tom would be willing to take Ron, or Hermione, or hell, even you Dumbledore, in order to bring about the end of this war, then why not jump at the chance. I don’t get why it has to be me, and me alone…and don’t give me any of your bullshit, I at least deserve the truth for once.”

“Harry, the prophecy states that you’re the only one who can defeat the Dark Lord, therefore it must be you who fulfills the contract.” answered Dumbledore, grasping for anything by this point.

Giving a sarcastic snort, Harry answered back, “Don’t even try that path. Going by your argument, the prophecy clearly states that either must DIE at the hand of the other…not that I be contracted as Tom’s personal whore! Once again I’ll ask, are you going to tell me why you’re so bent on me being named in this contract, or are you going to continue lying to me and everyone else here?”

With a shake of his head, Albus tried to make Harry see reason by saying, “I am not lying to you, my boy…I know that when you heart, mind, and soul bond with Tom it will essentially ‘kill’ you therefore satisfying the prophecy. I will not beg you Harry, but I will say that deep down you know what is the right thing to do; what your parents would want you to do and the peace they died trying to obtain.

“Are you willing to throw their sacrifice away for your own selfishness? Think hard on this Harry because, as Ron pointed out earlier, what ever decision you make today will decide what history has to say about the man you choose to be.”

Having heard enough of the guilt trips and fake reasoning’s behind Dumbledore’s desire for him to sign the agreement, Harry began to unravel a few of the lies, one at a time.

“It’s a sad day when you have no better argument to give than what some idiot has to offer. As far as my parents are concerned, who would they be more inclined to defend; me, their son, or you and YOUR treachery. It really is amazing the information Goblins are willing to give an heir to families that are old and prestigious, especially ones as old and WEALTHY as the Potters and the Blacks.

“Do you want to know what I’ve learned? I’ll tell you regardless and give your wants and wishes the same consideration as you’ve given mine today. I learned that you, Dumbledore, as executor of the Potter estate, was the person my father trusted to ensure his will was carried out; including that his only child and heir was raised with someone from a list that both my parents provided to you listing the people they chose to raise me, not the magic hating muggles you decided to leave me with.

“I also learned, after paying for a magical scan of my relatives home, that there were never any blood wards in place, the very thing you claimed as reason for my placement with them and why I needed to return every year…but, I’ll go into detail over what the scan did show at a later time. Do any of you know why there were never any blood wards at the Dursley’s? There’s a simple explanation for this…I’m not blood related to any of them, as the Headmaster has claimed.

“I was shown documentation that you were the one to cast the Fidelius Charm at Godric’s Hollow and the one to switch Peter for Sirius as the secret keeper, thereby knowing and able to prove this whole time that Sirius was innocent, and that Peter was the one who really betrayed my parents. What will history have to say about your roll in this war and the man you have chosen to be? When I’m done with you, it will not be good, that I can guarantee.

“As you can see, you underestimated my potential. I’m not the uneducated and naïve person you hoped I would be; however, let me set you straight on this account. I AM a young man who is smart enough to know that I have information that could ruin you and the brains and cunning needed to do just that if I so choose. I’m also a man who knows several more VERY important facts that you hoped would stay buried forever, and THAT is the REAL reason you are so adamant that I be contracted to Tom.

“Well, you’ll not win this time. I am not signing that ridiculous agreement, so I guess you had better start renegotiating with Tom on just whom he’d be willing to take as an substitute.” finished Harry, a look of loathing on his face as he took in the now much paler and non-eye twinkling Headmaster.

By this time, the remainder of those that had initially stayed up on the balcony made their way down to be within hearing distance, and most were completely shocked to have learned all they had in just a few short minutes.

Bill, being an ex-curse breaker, was used to keeping his head in difficult situations, now scanned the group and noticed a few who did not seemed to be surprised by the information they had all just received: namely, Tom Riddle, Manuel Zabini, Blaise Zabini, and Lucius Malfoy.

Noticing Bill’s keen eye, Harry gave him a slight nod acknowledging that his assumptions were correct; Harry had been in contact and had confided with these four, as well as knowing full well what was to happen today, prior to this meeting.

When no one spoke, Tom decided that it was time to put the nail in the coffin so to speak, and with a smirk firmly in place, he said, “I believe Mr. Potter has made his views very well known, and that we have more negotiating to do. Although, I will say that I am intrigued by the possibility of gaining Mr. Ronald Weasley as my consort…the idea does have merit. I have always like red heads.”

“WHAT!! I…WHAT!!” yelled Ron, not believing the turn for the worse this day had just taken. When he woke this morning, Ron figured his involvement in the meeting and some of those leading up to today would cost him his friendship with Harry, but the rewards far outweighed any remorse he might have felt. Now, he was facing the very real possibility that it would be his life signed away, not Harry’s.

Molly and Arthur were beside themselves, with Molly wailing at the thought of her son being a sexual slave and most assuredly tortured by the soon to be ex-Dark Lord. Hermione had gone as pale as a ghost, whispering under her breath, “No, no, no, no…not my Ron.”

Harry took in all the chaos, and smirked at the one person who he loved and the one that meant more to him than anyone else; who also knew what the already preplanned outcome of this day would be. After receiving a loving smile back from said person, Harry leaned into Ron and with scorn playing on his voice, quietly said, “The view from where you’re standing doesn’t look so good anymore, does it Mate?”

“HOW COULD YOU! HOW COULD YOU TAKE EVERYTHING AWAY FROM YOUR BEST FRIEND! I HATE YOU!” screamed Hermione, now moving past disbelief to anger at what was essentially ruining her life as well.

In response, Harry calmly retorted, “You reap what you sow, Hermione. It’s just as I always thought…MY life and MY dreams meant nothing to you people…and you wanted me to give them up FOR you…I think not.”

“Harry, you know that Ron and I are together and planning a wedding, a family…besides, your not even seeing anyone…your not giving up someone you love to fulfill the contract!” Hermione said with no small amount of desperation in her voice.

“I’m not seeing anyone? You know this how? Is it because I do not rudely flaunt the fact by snogging my significant other in public, giving no care to how nauseating it is to the others around me like some people I know. Maybe, I’m seeing someone that does not attend Hogwarts? Tell me again, Hermione, how is it that you know I’m not seeing someone and planning a future with this person?”

“Well…you…you never speak of any special girl in your life and I’ve never seen you receive mail from anyone we don’t know.” responded Hermione.

“So, you assume it’s a girl that I’d be interested in. You know what they say when you assume, Hermione…you make an ASS out of U and ME. Let me also state for the record, if you ever read my mail again, you will learn the hard way just what I’ve been learning this year, understand?”

Now in full hysterics, Hermione yelled, “Are you telling us that your GAY?! That despite this fact, you still want Ron, who’s definitely heterosexual, to be tied into a male/male relationship!? Do you have no heart?”

“I didn’t say that I was gay, Hermione. Simply put, I’m merely implying that you assumed I was single because I had not been seen with a girl, and that if I was gay, that would then resolve that issue. As for me having no heart, well, I’ll once again quote a muggle saying that should be familiar to you…what comes around goes around.”

“Harry…PLEASE, PLEASE don’t do this to Ron, to us. Has our friendship meant nothing…all those years…and it means nothing?” asked a now clearly desperate Hermione.

“Let me put it this way, Hermione; they mean about as much to me as they’ve meant to you and Ron…which going by what’s been said today amounts to nothing. There is still hope, I suppose…Tom hasn’t actually chosen yet, so Ron may not be picked. Maybe if you’re lucky, he’ll choose Dumbledore or Fudge instead.” Harry ended, chuckling slightly at his little joke.

Tom gave a purely disgusted look while saying to Harry, “Wash you mouth out, boy! That is just to grotesque to imagine; and anyway, I believe I will pick young Ron here…he has such a fiery little temper that should keep me amused for years to come.”

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO….” screamed Molly, while Arthur collapsed in a dead faint, right beside the now unconscious Hermione.

“Tom, I do not believe that will be possible…the contract is already written and we must stick with it. Besides, Ron and Ms. Granger have recently been engaged, therefore making him unavailable.” tried Albus, knowing that this was a futile attempt.

Still smirking over the drama being played out, Tom said, “Albus, as you well know, the contract has not been signed yet, therefore nothing is unchangeable; after all, that’s what today was about, ironing out of the little details. In regards to Mr. Weasley’s engagement, it can be broken easily enough.”

For the first time that day, Lucius stepped forward and added, “If I’m not mistaken, and Mr. Tomlinson can let us know if I am, this is a quick and simple fix and since this seems to be the only area of contention, we can all sign the contract and be done for the day. Cornelius, Manuel and I have a Ministry event to attend later, so let us get this finalized. Keep in mind, Cornelius, you could make the announcement tonight that the current war is over and that the ‘Peace Pact’ has been signed.”

“Yes, yes…quite right you are, Lucius. I see you make an excellent point…the sooner our world realizes we have an agreement, the better for everyone.” finished the Minister of Magic, quite assured that he would be re-elected without contest with a solidified contract.

“Cornelius, what are you doing agreeing to this? The contract details that Mr. Potter must be dead or cease to exist in some other way for Tom to be able to pick someone else…we must stick to the contract.” said the now panicking Dumbledore. These new circumstances certainly were not how he envisioned the day going.

Harry’s amusement was now lost with the Headmaster’s latest statement, so intending to finally end all future retorts from the man, Harry said, “You leave me no choice but to reveal one of my most guarded secrets…but, it will at least silence you. Before I let you all know what that is, Manuel, do you have the paperwork I requested?”

“Yes, Harry, I do. Would you like to sign it all now?” responded Manuel Zabini.

“That is precisely what I would like to do.” said Harry as he began signing the documents where Manuel indicated he should sign.

When he was done, he turned back to the group and said, “Now that that’s done, I’ll let you know why I can’t and won’t sign this contract; well other than the fact that it is an idiotic document. You see, as Dumbledore is fully aware, it is against the laws of magic, not to mention our society, for closely related family members to be bonded or married, and by my being bonded to Tom, that would be considered incestuous, would it not, Uncle?”

“Yes, Nephew, it would be.” said Tom back, enjoying the game a foot.

Pandemonium is the only word that could describe the scene. When several chaotic minutes passed, the one question Harry had been waiting for finally came.

“How can this be?” asked a somewhat overwhelmed Cornelius.

With all eyes on him, Harry answered, “My mother was Tom’s twin sister, and both were sent to the orphanage after their mother died. When Tom started Hogwarts, my mother disappeared until, 1959 when she was supposedly born Lily Marie Evans. The best explanation we can come up with for the gap in years is that Dumbledore used of some very old magic in conjunction with a de-aging potion or something along those lines.

“What we do know for sure, is that Dumbledore placed my mother with her adopted family and altered their memories to make them believe they had had her naturally. Why he did this, only he can truthfully answer that, but knowing that Tom and my mother were the last two descendants of Slytherin, I would venture a guess that it had something to do with his want to end the line.

“My theory is that when my mother died, that only left Tom and I, and by us bonding together, the magical backlash of two so closely related attempting to merge in such a union would most likely have killed us both, considering how magically powerful we both are. What you, Dumbledore, didn’t bank on was that I had learned of my lineage. Once again, you have underestimated me. That has always been one of your failings; thinking yourself so much more than you are and thinking so little of everyone else around you.

“You are not the be all end all of everything, Dumbledore, and you don’t know everything as you would lead the world to believe. Listen closely people, I’m going to give you a new piece of information, and let you in on another little secret…Albus Dumbledore is not a god; he’s a human with all the flaws and imperfections that come with.”

After Harry finished, and after several silent but tense moments went by, Amelia Bones, Head of the DMLE asked, “Albus, did you really know and do all of what’s been said?”

When Dumbledore answered that he had suspected the relationship between Harry and Tom, and that he never had any plan or plans as sinister as he was being accused of, Harry, Tom, and Lucius all gave knowing smirks…at some point in the very near future, Dumbledore was going to find himself tangled in his own web of lies and deceit. But that would have to wait a few days…Harry just wanted to be done with this day, and begin working on the future another day.

By the time the group reassembled in the conference room, Ron was so overdosed with calming draughts that he was like a walking pile of goo, his mother and Hermione not much better.

Mr. Tomlinson made the necessary changes to all the documents and finally, they were down to the signing of the ‘Peace Pact’. Mr. Tomlinson began, “Gentlemen are there any other points of contention that need to be gone over or any other requirements to be added?”

When no one answered, the law wizard continued, “Very well then, Mr. Riddle, Minister Fudge, Mr. Dumbledore, and Mr. Weasley, please sign here, here, and initial there, and again, sign here and here. Thank you, gentlemen. Now, Mr. Riddle, when would you like to take possession of Mr. Weasley and do the bonding?”

Looking directly at Ron, Tom said, “I will take him with me now, and the bonding will take place in three days. There are several potions to administer to my soon to be bonded in preparation for the event, and many rules left to go over to help him understand his new position in my life. I will, of course, let everyone know when and where the event will take place.”

“Very well. If that is all, gentlemen, I believe this meeting is over. Minister, Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Zabini, I know I will see you all later tonight at the Ministry Ball. Mr. Potter, a pleasure to meet you. Mr. Riddle, Mr. Dumbledore, and all the rest in attendance, I bid you good day.” and with that, Mr. Tomlinson, Cornelius, Scrimegour, Amelia, and Rudolphus all left.

Giving what he hoped was a look that would make Harry realize just how disappointed her was, Albus said, “I hope your satisfied, Harry. What you have done to the ones you called family and friends will not be remember fondly.”

“Yes, I am quite pleased with the way the day turned out, and in response to your other statement, I could give a rat’s ass if I’m remembered well. You people amaze me, really…when it was my life, you didn’t seem to feel any semblance of guilt, but yet that’s the first thing you try and lay on my shoulders. Well, how does it feel to be the ones manipulated and controlled…welcome to life as Harry Potter. It’s not so great, is it Ron? As a matter of fact, it pretty much sucks, doesn’t it.” finished Harry.

“Yes” was the one word response whispered by the now defeated Ron.

“On that note, Tom, Lucius, Manuel, Blaise, Draco…thank you for your support today and I’ll see you later this evening. I have to go get my dress robes now or my date will kill me.” and with a wink to said date, Harry turned and left without another word or look at the Light side.