Dumbledore\'s Folly

Chapter 1: The Capture of Harry Potter

Since the start of summer, no one had seen Harry Potter. No one had spoken with him, he had written none of his friends, nor had they written him, as a matter of fact. The only sign that he was alive was the note that he sent to the Order of the Phoenix every three days saying just that.

Harry had thrown himself into his studies, vehemently reading up on various branches of magic including the Dark Arts, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, Occlumency, Legilimency, and Wandless Magic. He searched like a madman for any and all spells that could be useful in a duel.

For the most part he had been successful. He knew the theory of more spells than any student at Hogwarts. However, his study habits did not come without intense sleep deprivation. He would study spells for about twenty hours everyday, only getting a few hours’ haunted sleep. Always dreaming of Sirius falling through the veil, or of Cedric’s death, or of Voldemort killing his parents.

Not even Hermione had ever studied like this. Hermione’s study habits were born from the desire to learn or natural curiosity.

No, Harry Potter’s study habits were the immediate by-product of the need to survive. No, perhaps survival wasn’t what drove him. It was something else, something insatiable. A desire to end another’s life, Lord Voldemort’s life.

In all actuality Harry Potter was at the dark place in his life of not caring whether he lived or died. All he cared about at this point was exacting the revenge he so hungrily sought. Harry Potter was absolutely determined to defeat Lord Voldemort. He was dead-set on avenging the deaths of his parents. He was even more determined to avenge the still excruciatingly fresh death of Sirius Black.

It was the death of Sirius Black that sent him over the edge to begin his manic studious habits.

Within a week of returning to Number 4 Privet Drive, Harry had procured three volumes on the study of Occlumency, which he finished reading before the sun rose the next day; five on the study of Legilimency, which took the better part of two days to complete; one on Dark Magical Creatures, this one he completed within six hours; six books on advanced Transfiguration, these took the full two days to complete; five books on hundreds of Charms, including the Fidelius and others, this took him the better part of 3 days too read, due to the massive bulk of three of the books; nine books on Potions, which he read carefully over the span of four days, Potions was not his best subject, so he had much work to do there; two books on animagus training, these he blazed through, reading them both before the sun set; eight books on Defence Against the Dark arts, these he very interesting, several of the curses and jinxes he learned from these books were going to be infinitely useful, though perhaps not against Voldemort himself; he procured more than a dozen books on the Dark Arts, with these he had a morbid fascination.

It had been very difficult to obtain these books, as most of them had to be purchased from Knockturn Alley shops. Most of the non-Dark Arts books had been bought from Flourish and Blotts as well as a new store in Hogsmeade by the name of Dark Arts’ Bane Bookshop.

Dark Arts’ Bane had a fascinating roster of ‘light’ and ‘neutral’ spellbooks. It did not stock any Dark Arts books, which was Harry’s main criticism, but it had a vast array of other books for Transfiguration, Potions, Charms, Defence, and the like.

The source of Harry’s Dark Arts books was most often Morbid Fascination Books in Knockturn Alley. This shop was relatively knew to Knockturn Alley and was one of its hotspots. It was not like Flourish and Blotts, but it was very sufficient in providing him with an array of Dark Art Curses and Potions. Yes, it more than sufficed in its specialty.

The source of most of Harry’s study, however, was put into the art of Wandless Magic, which Harry considered himself to have a gift in. Wandless Magic was something he could practice without fear of the Ministry tracking him down and expelling him. You see, for the Ministry of Magic to detect underage magic, the magic must be performed with a wand. Every wand sold has a magic detection spell on it, and when it is sold its spell is registered with the Ministry.

There was a counter-spell to the magic detection spell that Harry knew. From what Harry understood, the Ministry of Magic would not be able to detect the spell being counteracted. The problem was, without his wand he could not previously perform the spell upon his wand.

This is where Harry’s Wandless Magic abilities came into play. If Harry could become proficient enough to counteract the effects of the spell on his wand then he could more openly practice his new favorite curses, charms, hexes, jinxes, and transfiguration spells. So that is why Harry could be found next to a pile of Wandless Magic books, about twenty or so in all, reading fervently.

The use of Wandless Magic has for the most part died out, due to both Ministry bans on the practice, as well as the fact that most wizards and witches simply were not capable of performing the act of Wandless Magic. “Well that’s comforting”, Harry thought miserably. How was he supposed to perform a bit of magic that very few people are capable of?

Most practitioners of Wandless Magic can do little more than perform a simple Summoning Spell. However, Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the Dark Lord are capable of mild stunning spells. Not even Merlin himself was capable of doing much more than a stunning spell without a wand or staff.

“Great!” Harry thought, more glum now than he was before, “Now I’m attempting a bit of magic not even Bloody Merlin was capable of!”

To perform Wandless Magic, the practitioner must imagine his or her Magical core. One must feel the magic flowing through his or her veins. One must push the magic from their core through their arms until it reaches their fingertips. At this point all one must do is concentrate on the spell they wish to perform. Incantations are not necessary, but some feel more comfortable performing magic with an incantation.

At this point Harry did as the book asked. Focusing quite clearly on his magical core, he imagined it as being like the inside of a volcano. Dragons soared in the sky above the molten lava, in Harry’s mind. Pushing the lava he saw in himself through his veins and to his fingertips, Harry began to feel a faint tingling sensation. Is this it? Harry wondered.

Continuing to push more magic from his core into his hands, his hands began to glow faintly with something Harry could describe only as raw magical energy.

Excited, Harry pushed more magic to his hands and slowly the magic enveloped his entire body in a white glow. Standing up, Harry felt more powerful than he ever had before. He felt invincible, although he was perfectly aware that he was not. As Harry took a step toward his night-stand where his wand lay, he suddenly became very tired and the magic began to fade. Slowly the magic retracted from his body and returned to his hands, then his fingertips, and then the glow was gone altogether.

Falling on his bed from exhaustion, Harry closed his eyes and lost consciousness.


*~*


“I hereby call this meeting of the Order of the Phoenix to order.” said the voice of Albus Dumbledore.

Every one in the room looked attentively to the head of the table where the Headmaster sat. The dark room of the basement of Number 12 Grimmauld Place was cleaner and less dank and dark than it had been previously. In the room all was quiet as Dumbledore called the meeting to order.

“Severus, what do you have to report?” asked Dumbledore.

“The general consensus amongst Death Eaters is that a major attack is being planned. We do not know where or when, but the Dark Lord has been more reclusive as of late, torturing his servants less and less.

“It would appear that he is planning something so important that not even his Inner Circle knows of it. This is worrisome, because if the Dark Lord is planning something so important that not even his Inner Circle is aware of what is taking place, it stands to reason that he will be attacking a major target. Most believe it will be an attack on the Ministry, Azkaban, Hogwarts, Headquarters, St. Mungo’s, or perhaps even Potter himself.” Snape said, spitting the last name. Potter is not worth the effort of killing! Snape thought indignantly.

“That is indeed most worrisome, Severus.” Dumbledore said, clearly deep in thought. “What we must determine is when and where these attacks will take place.” continuing his look of deep thought, he suddenly looked up at Snape and said, “How long in advance do you believe you would know of the attack, Severus?”

All eyes in the dark room went from Dumbledore to Snape as he began to speak, “I can not guarantee more than perhaps twelve hours ahead of time.” Snape, too, looked deep in thought for a moment, then said, “Perhaps less, if the Dark Lord is becoming more and more secretive, we may not know until as little as an hour before hand.”

Every face in the room became compressed into an expression of deep thought, mimicking both Snape and the Headmaster’s. “This is indeed a most unfortunate position to be in, Severus. We will not be able to protect the Ministry, Hogwarts, Harry, and here, Grimmauld, at the same time.” Dumbledore’s face became the image of deep thought.

“Professor, perhaps we should move Harry here, which would leave us with fewer potential attack points.” Arthur Weasley said to Dumbledore. Upon this pronouncement there was much murmuring of approval for the plan when Dumbledore spoke up.

“No. Harry must stay at his relatives all summer.” Dumbledore said forcefully. All eyes in the room turned back to the old man at the head of the table. The inquisitive looks on the faces of Order members asked their questions.

Dumbledore, pretending not to notice attempted to change the subject, “Ms. Granger, has Harry attempted to make conta—“

“Why don’t we move Harry here, Dumbledore? Surely it would be better for both his mental and physical health to be safe from both those Dursleys and the Dark Lord?” Alastor Moody questioned.

“He must stay in that house he entire summer. The reasoning for this is the same reason as why he must not be written to whilst there. It is unfortunate; however necessary, that Harry feel isolated from his friends. This will force him to come to me, which is exactly what has to happen for him to defeat Voldemort—“ there were shudders across the room, which Dumbledore promptly ignored “—which is all that matters. If he comes to me, I will be in a position ideal for any negotiations of his magical education.” Dumbledore explained.

“It truly is imperative that he come to me. I can train him things that none of his teachers can; things that he will need in order to defeat Voldemort. And that is why he must stay at the Dursleys; he must come to me on his knees. Only then will we have a chance against Voldemort.” said Dumbledore.

“I do not approve of your ways Albus, you make it seem as though what Harry wants is insignificant and unimportant.” Remus Lupin accused.

“And they aren’t! It is not important if Harry has to go through hell and back to defeat Voldemort!” silence followed this pronouncement. Remus Lupin and all but three of the Weasleys looked mutinous. Ron, having already been aware of Dumbledore’s plan, no longer cared what Harry wanted. It was indeed insignificant. Neither Ginny, who was not allowed in the Order meetings, nor Percy, who still had not returned to his family, were present.

“You mean to tell us that you’re just using him for your own ends, Dumbledore?” Lupin asked angrily.

“In a way, yes.” responded Dumbledore.

“Then that settles it; I’ll go get him myself! I won’t have you using Harry as some kind of weapon, Dumbledore!” Lupin pronounced in the same angered manner.

Lupin stood up, strode to the door and was about to open it when Dumbledore flicked his wand in Lupin’s direction and Lupin fell to the floor, petrified.

About half the Order looked ready to attack Dumbledore, the other half looked either confused or defiant.

“You will all sit down and we will resume this meeting. Harry is indeed a weapon. Without him we will not win this war. If that means we have to sacrifice Harry’s mental wellbeing, so be it.” Dumbledore commanded.

Much of the room looked ready to storm out, but having seen what happened to Lupin, thought better of their actions and settled for indignant glares directed at the Headmaster.

Sighing, Dumbledore said, “This is why you were not informed of my plans earlier. Look what has happened when someone tries to interfere. I cannot allow you to try and circumvent my plans.”

“Now, please, can we proceed to other orders of business?” half-asked, half-commanded Dumbledore.

Reluctantly, the meeting progressed, though not without the mutinous glares of the Weasley family and the newly counter-cursed Remus Lupin.


*~*


Harry awoke the next day after being asleep for what felt like days. Harry’s already skeletal frame looked paler than he had remembered and he realised he wouldn’t be capable of much magic in this state.

Standing up, which surprisingly demanded a superlative effort, he began the trek to the kitchen. His knees wobbled as he worked his way towards his destination, barely supporting his weight.

He wondered vaguely why the Dursleys were avoiding him as much as they were now, but he wrote it off as the Dursleys being so shocked by his leaving his room for reasons beyond using the loo, that they were terrified he’d turn them into bats or something.

He had not really eaten, nor had the will to, in more than a week, and this is why he could be seen shaking from the physical effort of walking toward the Dursleys’ immaculate kitchen.

Panting and shaking from the endurance race of walking from his room to the kitchen, Harry opened the Dursleys’ refrigerator.

Rummaging around for a few moments, he eventually selected a deli-made ham sandwich. After grabbing the cold sandwich he forced himself over to the table of the Dursley home.

Having sufficiently gorged himself, Harry made the trek back up to his room where, upon making it to his bed, promptly passed out again.


*~*


“Rise, my loyal Death Eaters.” said the imperious voice of Lord Voldemort. One by one, the five Death Eaters rose from their customary position of robe-hem kissing and stood, facing the Dark Lord.

“Tonight, you four,” he indicated the four on the right side of the group, “shall raid the home of Harry Potter. I wish to know how well protected the boy is. Kill any and all resistance. If it is possible capture Potter and place him in the room with my ‘pet’ until I come to deal with him. Is that clear?” Voldemort commanded his Death Eaters.

“Yes, my Lord.” said four voices in unison.

Voldemort smirked at their compliance with his every request before addressing the fifth Death Eater, “Severus, I wish for you to inform the Order of the Phoenix that Azkaban is to be attacked tonight. Lead them to believe that it will be a massive attack.” commanded Voldemort.

“Of course, my Lord. Anything to harm Potter.” Snape said, clearly very happy to aid in Potter’s potential death.

Voldemort smirked at Snape before turning to another Death Eater and saying, “Narcissa, you shall lead the assault on Potter’s house, and if possible, you will retrieve Potter. Once securing Potter, use your Portkeys and return here.” Voldemort ordered.

Narcissa merely smirked at the opportunity to capture the boy that had sent her husband to prison. “Of course, my Lord.” she said with an unholy grin.

“You three will simultaneously set fire to the house, and defeat any guard the Old Fool might have placed there.” Voldemort said.

“Yes, my Lord.”

“Now go, attack Potter’s home and bring him to me alive!” Voldemort said with self-satisfied glee in his voice.

With that, four Death Eaters Disapparated to Number 4 Privet Drive whilst the fifth went to Number 12 Grimmauld Place.


*~*


The four Death Eaters Apparated into existence outside of Number 4 just before a lone guard sent a stunning spell at the group. Dodging out of the way, four voices said in unison, “Stupefy!” before the body fell to the ground, having succumbed to the red lights.

“You three, do not set fire to the house until I have retrieved the Potter boy or until I give the word, is that understood?” Narcissa drawled.

The three unidentified Death Eaters bowed their heads slightly in acquiescence. “Good, now, get ready to set this place up in blazes!” Narcissa said to them before turning away and starting up the path that led to the front door of Number 4.

Walking cautiously toward the front door of the home, she thought about how much Lucius would love to be doing this. That thought spurred her faster, and she strode quickly to the door and cast a quick, “Alohomora!” before the door swung open.

Entering the house she looked around and saw that it was immaculately clean. She proceeded toward the drawing room when she heard three voices talking about something called “freak”.

“I say we just cast him out, Petunia! What could they do to us?” a clearly male voice asked in frustration.

“I want him out mum! He takes up too much space!” Whined what Narcissa thought was a young girl.

“We can’t kick the freak out; they could punish us for it! They could do that on us in revenge!” said a snappish female voice.

Walking quickly over to the door, Narcissa opened it slightly and saw two fat men and a thin woman with a horse-like face conversing seriously. One of the men in the room looked as if he had been crying, this must be the one I mistook for a little girl, Narcissa thought.

She opened the door more widely, stuck her wand out and muttered, “Avada Kedavra!” at the fat man. He fell to the floor before she quickly did the same thing to the other two occupants of the room.

Just then she heard a door close upstairs. She quickly left the room, ran quietly toward the base of the stairs and began to walk up them. At the top of the stairs she reached a room with a light on inside. Presuming this to be Potter’s room, she opened the door to see Potter seemingly passed out on his bed. He looked extremely skinny and deathly pale, but he obviously had become an easy target.

“Mobilicorpus!” she said as she pointer her wand at Potter’s unconscious body. She lifted the body into the air and proceeded to walk back down the stairs and out the front door.

Once the three Death Eaters outside of the house saw Narcissa walking out with the floating body of Harry Potter in front of her they said in unison with their wands pointed at the house, “Incendio!”.

The house quickly caught flame. Narcissa held her wand above her head and shouted, “Morsemordre!”. The Dark Mark was now high above Privet Drive.

The other three Death Eaters gave shouts of victory before Apparating away. Taking this as a good a time as any other to leave, she used her Portkey and returned to her Master’s hideout.


*~*


Severus Snape appeared in the middle of the kitchen at Number Twelve Grimmauld Place, doing his best to look disheveled. Seeing Dumbledore conversing quietly with McGonagall, Snape strode over and said to the Headmaster without preamble, “The Dark Lord’s forces are going to attack Azkaban within the hour! He is using mass-Portkeys to transfer us there! We must fortify the prison!” Snape said in a quick and urgent voice.

Dumbledore, looking alarmed, said at once “Return to the Death Eaters, Severus. We shall prepare for the assault.” with that Dumbledore rose from his chair, walked purposefully to the other side of the room and cast a complex alerting charm.

Soon the entire Order of the Phoenix was standing in the room in various states of dishevelment. “What is it, Headmaster?” Tonks asked.

“Azkaban is being attacked within the hour; we must get all Auror and Order forces there immediately. Nymphadora, Kingsley, I shall leave it to you to inform the Ministry. In the meantime, the rest of us will Apparate to Azkaban now.” Dumbledore said urgently.

All members of the Order of the Phoenix then proceeded to Apparate away to their respective places.