Only through the pain

Disclaimer: I have a lovely bunch of coco…wait…I did this bit….uh….I don’t own my soul I sold it for…..no, did that too….sad dance, swan lake….wait, wait….. a rabbi, a priest and a duck…..no….uh…..cry cry? Ah fuck it. I don’t own ‘em.

Warning: Warning, danger Will Robinson.

A/N: And finally, we find out what Dumbledore is up to (as you, my dear reviewers, have repeatedly asked for) in this chapter named for the Dennis Leary song, “I’m an asshole” simply because Dumbledore IS an asshole and if he were American, I’m sure that he would do the things in this song. This chapter is told from neither Harry nor Draco’s perspective but is instead, oddly enough, third person…or rather, first person narration not in the story, so is that second person? What is second person? Is there second person? I never did get how you jump from first person to third person. What about the person standing between the other two listening to the first guy talk about himself and the third guy speaking as if he isn’t actually speaking, saying his name instead of ‘I’? What’s his side of the story? Does he have a side of the story? Isn’t second person the verb ‘you’? So is the second person the audience? What does he think of all this craziness that he’s standing between, and why the hell does Larry keep calling HIMSELF Larry? For fucks sake, he IS Larry!!.....uhmm…..sorry….weird grammar rant over…point is, this is a narrative, but not told by either Harry or Draco, because it is not good for my plot for them to find out what’s going on so early. It completely gets rid of any chance for angsty-ness if their aren’t a few bad things that happen to them without their control!...wow, I am in a really bad mood. I apologize. I am in desperate need of 8 full hours of sleep for once, so this chapter’s gonna be a littler shorter then usual, I think. Enjoy, Dumbledore being a conniving asshole.

Chapter 8- I’m an asshole


Before the Hogwarts express pulled into the station, Dumbledore had been sitting happily in his office, sucking on a particularly large lemon drop, practically bouncing at the thought of the upcoming school year. He had plans, oh, so many plans. Yes, there was a minor glitch now that Draco Malfoy’s father had been sent to Azkaban and wouldn’t be personally inducting the young Malfoy into Tom’s inner-circle, but Snape would see to it that it still happened, and yes, the Dursley’s had been overly rough with Harry this summer…he’d have to have another talk with Vernon about that…but in all things would still work perfectly.
You see, he knew, because of dear Severus, that poor confused Tom did not want Draco Malfoy as a lieutenant, he wanted him for….other reasons. Then, when a weeping (and thoroughly broken) Draco came to his Godfather for help, Severus would convince him to be a spy for the light. As Tom’s toy, Draco would be party to many things that the Dark Lord (who’d only had a C average in Dumbledore’s class) would not even tell his followers, and then Draco could report that information to him. Of course, as Tom’s new plaything, Draco’s every move at Hogwarts would be seen by Tom himself either through occlumency or perhaps some sort of magical bugging system, so Dumbledore would have to remind the Order members to watch their mouth around him. A small price to pay for such invaluable information as a sex slave could bring them.
Harry, of course, was coming along nicely as well, moody, angry, and with no outlet except himself. One more year and Harry’s psychosis would be at just the right level for Dumbledore to subtly drop the hint that the only way to destroy Tom would be if Harry himself were to die. Yes, the boy had always been very righteous and ‘save the world’ which was admirable, but not enough. It is much easier to have a martyr…well…MARTYR themselves if they already WANT to die. They usually decided that it would be killing two birds with one stone, so to speak, and run straight onto that sword for the good of the world. Of course, it wouldn’t ACTUALLY defeat Tom, no, the only way to do that would be through sheer numbers, numbers which Dumbledore could rally through the death of the beloved Golden Boy. Why….every student in the school, except the Slytherins, would readily jump at the call to arms to avenge Harry Potter, Dumbledore had made sure of that already what with Quidditch, and finding a way to make Harry save the school every year. And, of course, everyone knew that young, untrained magic was the best for large scale attacks because it was stronger.
“Professor Dumbledore!” Dumbledore’s mental choreography of his victory dance was interrupted by a very flummoxed Ronald Weasley, panting and leaning heavily on his doorframe. “Harry’s having another episode; he passed out in Malfoy’s carriage on the way to school!”
Dumbledore laughed, “Now Mister Weasley, I understand that with your brothers gone you feel you should carry on the noble pranking tradition, but I must say this is not quite up to par.” He held out the bowl of lemon drops, “Sweet?”
“I’m serious Professor! Harry and Malfoy spent the whole train ride together, then they were riding in the carriage together and Malfoy said something and now Harry’s out!” Ronald exclaimed, helping himself to a handful of candy. “’Mione said I shouldn’t tell you it was Malfoy’s fault because I did the same thing last year, but I think Malfoy put a spell on him! They were acting like FRIENDS! And Malfoy kept looking at Harry’s…well, he was looking at Harry like he was a piece of meat or something! Merlin…you don’t think Malfoy LIKES Harry?! UGH!” he babbled, “no, Harry has to be under a spell, right Professor?”
“Indeed Mister Weasley,” Dumbledore said as he stood, happy plotting bubble popped, “Where are they now?”
“I left them in front of the school….” Ron said, but Dumbledore was already on his way.
This was bad, as far as Dumbledore was concerned. Not Harry’s episode of course, the more he had the closer he would get to the proper level of martyrdom, but Harry and Draco as FRIENDS. He simply could not allow it. He allowed Harry’s friendship with the Weasleys because they were simple minded fools the lot of them, except for that young Miss Weasley, but he had seen how fruitful her efforts to stop Harry down his self-destructive path had been and Vernon had been able to erase any good she’d done over the summer since Harry had been forbidden to leave his relatives that holiday. Miss Granger could be a problem, but all he had to do to distract her was give her a way to take more classes and then she would spend the entire year with her nose in a book, bless her heart….but Draco Malfoy could quite easily become someone that Harry would open up to. That would set Dumbledore back several years and by then he would not be able to call the Hogwarts students to arms because he would not have them massed at his feet! Not to mention that Draco forming a friendship with Harry would make his spying nearly impossible because Tom would be able to see his feelings for Harry and then kill the stupid boy! Damn!
Upon reaching the circle that surrounded Harry’s prone form, Dumbledore’s internal scowl deepened. Ronald appeared to be correct about one thing, Draco was genuinely concerned about Harry, which could only mean that the boys had bonded on the train. Double Damn….he would have to tell Severus to push up Draco’s induction date. If he was to succeed in pulling the boys apart, then Draco’s being a death eater would certainly help. Harry was very suspicious by nature….perhaps he could convince Draco, kindly, not to tell Harry, so as not to worry the boy…yes…yes…and perhaps he could arrange for Harry to find out….a vision or something….hmmm…yes….that could work.
“Now then….” He said, having dragged Draco into his office. The young Malfoy, sarcastic as always, confirmed that Harry and he had started a friendship. Dumbledore tried to needle him a little, but that hadn’t worked, so, he decided to pull out the big guns, but before he could remind Draco about his mother’s unfortunate social connections, that damned Weasley girl burst in with a message from Poppy. Poppy…that was another problem that would have to be dealt with….the woman was becoming far too insistent. But, when he reached the hospital wing, Madame Pomfrey was still busy fixing Harry’s wounds…yes…he’d definitely have to have a talk with Vernon as well…but in the meantime….
“Miss Granger?” Dumbledore smiled kindly at the insufferable book worm, “I hear that this little incident was mister Malfoy’s fault?” Hermione nodded after a moment and a slight glare at Ron. “Yes…you see, I had a little talk with him a moment ago and I have become quite worried about dear Harry’s safety. You know that Draco is planning to take the mark soon? Well….I think it would be best if you and Mister Weasley kept a close eye on Harry for me, let me know if anything….unusual happens between the boys. Can you do that for me?”
“I….I don’t know headmaster….Malfoy didn’t SEEM like he was trying to hurt Harry….” The girl wavered but was called away by Poppy. Well then, on two Ronald Weasley.
Dumbledore knew the Weasleys hated the Malfoys; surely Ronald wouldn’t be as easily swayed by Harry or Malfoy. “Mister Weasley, I’m afraid you may be correct in fearing that this was done to Harry by Mister Malfoy.” He said gravely, counting on the fact that Ron never listened to anything that wasn’t said directly to him. “I have it on good authority that Mister Malfoy will be joining the ranks of the Dark Lord soon, and the boy himself quite nearly confessed to me in my office that he had done this. I’m quite worried for Harry’s safety.”
“Albus? Could I speak to you in my office?” Poppy asked, and Dumbledore smiled and patted Ron’s shoulder. Surely that little tidbit would be enough to make the red-head keep his best friend away from Malfoy for a bit…now he had to prepare himself for another lecture on the need for a useless healer….ah…how difficult is the life of a headmaster trying to save the world.


A/N: There ya go guys, a sneaky peak into the inner workings of a twisted old man who likes candy just a bit too much.....now, off to bed with me. Review please, it will make me less grumpy! **sings along** A-s-s-h-o-l-e EVERYBODY! A-s-s-h-o-l-e!