Shadow Council 131D

*****

Albus looked around the interior of the keep as they made their way into the greeting room.

“I see the elves have been doing their usual superb job,” He said, “However things appear to be much… larger than the last time I was here.”

“My mail was being stored here,” Harry said as they entered the room and he gestured to a comfortable chair, “please, have a seat… anyway, apparently there wasn’t enough room for the mail so the elves took it upon themseelves and, well…”

He shrugged helplessly.

Albus just chuckled, “I see indeed, my boy. Ah well, it’s rarely a bad thing to have more space.”

Albus took the offered seat and smiled genially as Harry sat across from him. The Harris boy just flopped casually in a settee off to the side, not appearing overly interested in the conversation but staying close nonetheless.

“So what brings you by, Headmaster?” Harry asked as he glanced around before finally sighing. “Dobby?”

“Yes Master Harry Potter Sir?” The excited elf asked, appearing from the air and hopping from foot to foot as he waited.

“Drinks for the headmaster and myself,” Harry said before waving casually in Xander’s direction, “and the loaf over there too, if he wants anything.”

“I’m good, thank!”

Harry rolled his eyes as Dobby agreed quickly and popped away.

“Sorry, sir,” He said, “What was… oh yes, what brings you by?”

“I wanted to check on you, of course,” Albus said, “and on the wards, I was a little concerned that there might be some degradation in them, but they do appear solid enough.”

Xander snorted from the settee, but Harry just ignored him.

“They are,” He confirmed. “We had the devil of a time just getting close enough to get the elves’ attention in the first place. I don’t doubt that Voldemort could take them down if he had a mind, but most anything short of that?”

“Indeed,” Albus confirmed. “Barring a very few highly advanced curse breakers, whom I keep very close track of and know their locations almost constantly, only the Dark Lord himself is likely to breach them.”

“Good to have confirmation on that, thank you Headmaster.”

“Not at all, my boy,” Albus said as Dobby popped back in and set down drinks.

“Thank you, Dobby,” Harry said, accepting a cup of tea as the headmaster leaned forward to do the same.

Dobby quivered in excitement, “It is Dobby’s pleasure, Master Harry Potter Sir.”

Before Harry could say much more the Elf popped off, leaving him shaking his head.

“A strange elf,” Albus said as though confiding something secret as he took a sip of nhis drink, “but he does make a truly superb cup.”

Harry nodded, “Can’t argue there.”

“Well, now,” Albus set the cup down. “How has your summer been, if you don’t mind my asking?”

“Aside from the trial?” Harry countered wryly.

“Indeed,” Albus’ tone was equallty dry. “I wish I could say that such a thing would not happen again, however…”

Harry nodded, “I got the gist of the problem from Andromeda. What are you going to do about the Minister’s secretary or whatever she is?”

“That remains to be seen,” Albus replied honestly. “Her actions will dictate our counter, of course. Knowing her, I expect that she will attempt very quickly to push me out of the school and take my office for herself.”

Harry just stared, shocked, “And you’re letting that happen?”

Albus smiled soberly, “Ah my boy, your experience has led you to believe that throwing yourself directly at a problem is the only way through. That is likely my fault, and I apologize, though to be fair I really had hoped that you wouldn’t have to deal with such things at your age.”

Harry heard something that sounded suspiciously like a snort of amusement from Xander’s general direction and took a moment to flip his friend off.

Albus just watched the exchange with amusement.

“In the case of politics, it is often better to let your opponent defeat themself,” The headmaster went on as if the moment hadn’t happened. “The Minister will most likely come to regret his actions, and perhaps be of use in future matters if he manages to keep his position. Stopping him directly would have been easy enough, it is true, but I would have been forced to use various favors to do so, favors I expect to need very soon for other matters.”

Albus sat back, sighing deeply, “Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Harry frowned, “I believe that I do, but is it truly the best way?”

The headmaster shook his head, “That is a question I ask myself quite often, and I will be honest with you, my boy… I cannot say for certain that is it, only that I believe it is.”

Harry considered that, before reluctantly nodding, “I can understand that at least.”

He looked at the headmaster seriously, “You’re being unusually straight with me, Headmaster.”

Albus chuckled, “I suppose I am. Harry, these are lessons I had hoped you would not need for some time to come, but you have made them vital in the here and now. Andromeda will guide you well, I have no doubt, but I should do my own part as well. It is with deep irony, I suppose, that I tell you as forthwith as possible that the game of politics is often won by the least honest among us. Learn to see what people intend, not what they say, Harry… it is a skill that will serve you well.”

The headmaster sighed as he finished his tea, rising from his seat.

“We will continue with more lessons when the school year is in, but I’m afraid that I will be quite busy through the remaining days of the summer.” Albus said with a weary smile. “I did have one other reason for dropping by, however, my boy.”

Harry, rising to his feet, looked curious.

“What would that be, Sir?”

Albus looked around, “Well… there is a group of, shall we say, civic minded people w are woring against the Dark Lord even as we speak. I call it the Order of the Phoenix. You know many of them, of course, though not all.”

Harry frowned, “Are you asking me to… join this group?”

Albus chuckled, “Not as such… not yet at least. Be a teenager, Harry, as much as you can be. No, I was thinking of something else.”

He looked over to where Xander was lounging, his expression solemn.

“Might we discuss this in private?” The headmaster finally asked.

Xander glanced over and dropped his feet to the floor, “My cue, I guess. I’ll step out, if you want, Harry?”

“Please, and thanks Xander.”

“No problem,” The American said with a shrug, weaving as he headed out. “Doubt it’s anything I care much about anyway. Don’t give away your vaults, Harry!”

Harry shot him a scowl, rolling his eyes.

Albus just chuckled again, “Not bad advice,l but I assure you that what I’m asking for is somewhat less valuable.”

Harry cracked a smile, “I have no doubt, but what would it actually be, headmaster?”

“We need a saecure headquarters for the Order,” Albus said seriously. “It would be of inestimable value if you would allow us to use Potter Keep.”

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