J K Rowling owns all the rights to the books and the amazing characters she created. I write only to satisfy my imagination and use my creativity and make no money from my writings.

Chapter 4 – And Now for an Entirely Different War

Albus Dumbledore RULED MAGICAL BRITAIN. Most knew it and accepted it, even if it wasn't an "official Ministry of Magic proclamation" or law. Some fought it by fair means or foul, even if it meant leaving the land of their birth forever and, since January 1, 1985, leaving one's child/children behind as well as their land and wealth. You see the "Great Legislator" – another one of Dumbledore's titles – had passed a law "to save and allow the population of Magical Britain to recover from the recent terrible war" by passing a law saying that any child born in Magical Britain after January 1, 1979 MUST ATTEND HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY or suffer the loss of their Magic by having it bound.

The law was designed to keep children in Britain and to prevent a population drain from occurring as so many people, families and ancient lines had been lost that unless something was done NOW to stop it, soon there wouldn't be enough young people left in Britain to breed and keep up the population. It was estimated (by Dumbledore's "experts") that it would happen within fifty years if drastic measures were not taken and put into effect immediately.

So it was done and even if your family had fled before October 31, 1981 (the official end of the war) your child had to return to Britain and be educated at Hogwarts. If you didn't return with them you still had to pay their tuition and all expenses and they remained in Britain. In other words return or lose your children forever while still having to support them and they would live in Britain.

The Goblins also benefitted from the new laws because if you tried transferring money out of Britain you were heavily fined. For example, say the Diggorys wanted to leave. Their son Cedric was born in 1976 so missed the education cut-off date. However, if they decided to leave before he went to Hogwarts, they'd be leaving most of their money and property behind because retroactive to January 1, 1979, you could only take out a certain amount of money from Gringotts per month unless you were buying something, or investing.

For example, you wanted to send money out of the country or at the very least change your money into Muggle currency and start a Muggle account. Once you had a Muggle account you could then transfer it out of the country. Many people had tried to do this until the Goblins alerted the Ministry – and Dumbledore. You could not take more than G1,000 per month out in cash unless you could prove you were buying something otherwise you were fined 10% by the Goblins and 5% by the Ministry. That was why so many people had the Goblin equivalent of a credit card or used the merchants' accounts as this circumvented having to pay a fee/fine even if you were just shopping. Bottomless bags were monitored by the Goblins also.

The only exceptions were for investing via the Goblins or using them to purchase property such as jewelry, artifacts, etc. for personal use and goods to sell if you were a merchant. It ended up very complicated due to all of the special rules and regulations involved which you had to have a Goblin explain (another fee). It did manage to keep people from leaving Britain even if they didn't have school aged children because they had to use galleons as that was the official currency of Magical Britain.

Only the very rich and powerful Purebloods and a few Half-bloods were able to get around the restrictions due to paying some very heavy bribes to certain Goblins. If they needed to take out G100,000 immediately and/or get some Muggle currency for some reason, they would only have to pay the G1,000 fee/fine if a Goblin was paid enough to "make a mistake" and as long as Gringotts received a fee (and a cut of the bribed Goblin's money), no one cared.

Such a thing had recently saved the life of Lucius Malfoy when the Dark Lord demanded a large sum of cash in payment of a "fine" he had levied on Lucius. Seems Voldie found out about "the diary" and what happened to it and Lucius had to pay this fine so that Voldie could replace "the diary" or at least that was what he told his people. In any event Lucius had to get Voldie G1,000,000 and the same amount but in Pounds Sterling, the U.S. Dollar and silver and gold ingots or else the Malfoy line would end – painfully.

Naturally the Ministry and now Dumbledore didn't know a thing about it. The Ministry was too busy "rejoicing" at solving the "Mudblood Problem" and they were still raking in those heritage fines but the most important thing of all, or at least in Cornelius Fudge's opinion, now that Harry Dark Lord was dead and forever disgraced, all of those "silly rumors" about You-Know-Who being back were stopped. Even Dumbledore had to keep his big mouth shut.

Potter's dying had ruined most of the plans Dumbledore had made for the past twenty years. Only he, his followers and naturally Tom and his Death Eaters knew the truth. There was no way that Dumbles could force Tom into the open as "the lies had stopped" and Tom was now able to plan, recruit, gather strength and it was just possible that Tom would take over Britain without having to cast a single dark curse or hex.

Drastic measures needed to be taken but as things stood Dumbledore simply didn't have the manpower, enough money and no potential recruits as he had lost many followers simply because they were Mudbloods. Although some Half-bloods had shown promise, some were now blaming him for the exile of Muggleborns.

There were also a few intelligent people left in Magical Britain who thought that now that the Mudbloods were all gone and not coming back, even if You-Know-Who had come back like Harry Dark Lord said, since one of his major goal had been accomplished, there wasn't much left other than getting rid of Albus Dumbledore

Logically some people knew that Voldemort would never attack Muggles as it just wasn't feasible. Many remembered he just wanted to ban Muggleborns or at least take them from their parents and raise them in special orphanages because there had been too many near catastrophes when the Muggleborn's family threatened the safety of the Magical World by purposely or accidentally revealing Magic's existence. Early in the war he had been willing to negotiate this but definitely not the second and in the estimation of many, the most important thing – stopping Albus Dumbledore from destroying Magic.

Ever since Dumbledore had defeated Gellert Grindelwald the world had been his proverbial oyster. He quickly gained not only the gratitude of many but a lot of political power. Even before he became Headmaster of Hogwarts people listened to him. When he finally got his dearest wish and became Headmaster, he totally revolutionized the school to his way of thinking, namely, he immediately halved the courses offered at the school and by the beginnings of the 1960's only a third of the courses were taught and then very watered down versions. It was his "life's work" to do away with all dark magic with him being the arbitrator and last word on what Magic was considered dark and what wasn't. He had even done away with most of the clubs and a few sports leaving only Quidditch as the only sport allowed to be played at Hogwarts.

He had gone so far as to change how holidays were or were not celebrated. Yule became Christmas, Samhein became Halloween and although throughout the centuries of its existence all religions were allowed to be practiced at Hogwarts (as long as you didn't go around proselytizing) once Dumbledore came to power he forbad all religions from being mentioned let alone practiced, especially the "old religions" which most of the Magical World practiced. His reason was he didn't want to scare off the Muggleborns.

Dumbledore prided himself on his defense and protection of Muggleborns, or at least that is what he always preached. It was said he was their "hero" and their "savior" but he really wasn't as he just used them for his own purposes. Always had and always would…until now.

Intelligent people knew that Dumbledore had to go for many, many reasons and this would be one thing Voldemort would not negotiate. Dumbledore knew it also and was not going to allow this to happen. He preached about the "Next Great Adventure" but he definitely didn't plan on going there anytime soon, if ever, if he could help it.

He had to expose Voldemort's existence and once again discredit him and his goals. Ever since he found out that Tom Riddle's wand core contained one of Fawkes' feathers, he had been able to "influence" Tom's magic when he used his wand. It had been the same with Harry Potter. Dumbles had been able to "convince" Tom to do some very destructive things due to the dark spells he used and this had slowly but surely led to Tom doing some insane things.

Best of all, Tom had no idea it was happening to him. Due to the dark magic Dumbledore used, he was able to subtly "persuade" Tom into doing frightful things as well as slowly driving him insane. The only puzzling thing was that Dumbledore didn't know exactly what Tom was doing until he did it. He had a hunch what it might be but had no proof. All he knew was that it was working and was changing Tom into a fiend.

Unfortunately, a fiend he might be, but Tom was still very intelligent and magically powerful and Dumbledore didn't know just how much magic Tom knew about. Tom was also a much better general than Dumbledore. Dumbledore also had a reputation to live up to as the merciful, caring Leader of the Light who preached redemption and demanded mercy for the "mislead" wizards who had turned to evil and joined Voldemort. He had even convinced the Ministry not to use lethal spells or curses as it might cause the Death Eaters to die "unsaved" and in darkness.

It did sound great on paper but in reality, much to his great shock, Tom was winning despite having turned into an insane darkest of lords and even Dumbledore couldn't stop him unless the Greatest Wizard since Merlin changed his tactics. But that would "sully" his reputation. So the prophecy was "discovered" not only to save Magical Britain but Dumbledore's good standing as Leader of the Light.

Dumbledore manipulated people to do his bidding and thus Lily Evans married James Potter because it was a way to defeat Voldemort. Somehow the child had survived and although Voldemort "died" Dumbledore knew that he really hadn't. He had quickly seized custody of the boy and hid him away from the world and had him raised according to Dumbledore's special needs. The boy's life was his to command and use and the child had no free will, love, knowledge and…well he would never have a chance at a decent life let alone the one his heritage called for.

Dumbles made certain he received the other wand with Fawkes' feather. He spelled his wand to make the boy reckless, foolhardy and many other things. That along with the blood wards and treatment by the Dursleys, the various, guilt, laziness and inescapable loyalty charms directed mostly to Dumbles and lesser ones to the Weasleys and served to further trap the boy. The wand was spelled so that Harry could never, ever harm or cast a defense spell against Dumbledore, any Weasley or a teacher and to a lesser extent Hermione Granger. With Tom Riddle it had been the opposite as he tortured, abused and killed even the most faithful of followers and hadn't known why as it was totally illogical and counterproductive.

Now the boy was dead (without permission) but at least there was one less Horcrux to deal with but Tom hadn't been outed which would have been the next step or "test" for the boy. Dumbledore had planned on doing the same old, same old but this time with different results – he would win, defeat Tom and do it as quickly as possible.

However, now it wasn't working and that meant only one thing – Voldemort had a new wand. And he did. In fact he had several and he had had a complete specialized magical diagnostic examination done outside of Britain and had found out many, many interesting things. He had them corrected, absorbed two of his Horcruxes and – VOILA – a new, improved Voldemort was back and was never going to be spelled, hexed, cursed or used by ANYONE ever again but especially Albus Dumbledore.

Of course he hid his new body under a glamour so everybody would think he still looked like a snake and was still insane and not able to think and plan like he had when he started his crusade. He had to fool all otherwise he would be betrayed as, like it had been his entire life, ' .ANYONE!

Everything was on hold as Voldemort healed and gained strength, planned, recruited new and competent followers while weeding out and eliminating some of the more depraved scum which in his insanity he had recruited and used.

It was now only a matter of time before he went after Dumbledore and Albus knew it. He had to prevent this and what he needed besides more willing fools and tons of money and spies – good ones, who would not be found out like poor Snape had been. Snape had been summoned to a meeting and never returned. The Goblins wouldn't tell Dumbledore if Snape was dead as "it is none of your business" so he was either dead, imprisoned or more likely now that Potter was dead, working for Voldemort.

Yes, Albus Dumbledore the real ruler of Magical Britain was having many bad days. He was down but only temporary and was positive that he would soon "win" by defeating Tom Riddle and be back on top with even more power and positions than he had had. He had one sure fire way of saving the day, saving himself and defeating Tom Riddle, but it was very, very risky and he would only use it if everything else failed.

Unfortunately it looked like he would have to do it because he had no other choice. It might kill the followers he had left but then, he would be in a position to obtain more and in many cases, far better ones than he had ever had. It would start when all of the students returned to Hogwarts after the holidays.

The students and even a few teachers had mixed emotions. Those students who had Muggleborn friends and relatives were naturally upset at what had happened and happened so quickly. Most teachers knew it was the beginning of the end and with the exception of a giant pink toad, none of them liked it.

Horace Slughorn had been forced out of retirement to replace the missing Snape as Potions Professor. Personally he had nothing against Muggleborns and knew some he had taught were far more intelligent, powerful and talented than many a Pureblood of "impeccably pure blood" but he always went with the flow in politics although he did try to use his influence to help the truly deserving ones.

Lily Evans had been one example but she was doomed because James Potter wanted her at all costs and apparently Dumbledore had several uses for her. When James Potter had actually married her most people (like McGonagall) thought she was set for life and had a bright future ahead of her, but Horace knew better as she would be nothing more than a prize, a possession to James Potter and as his wife, she would never be allowed the opportunity to grow and use her talent and intelligence for anything other than perhaps tutoring any child she might have.

In the end even that had been denied to her when she met her death. Despite what Dumbledore told everyone and the official Ministry position on the matter, if anyone had laid the foundation to defeat someone like Voldemort it had been something Lily had done, not her 15 month old child. But she was a Mudblood and no one would believe a Mudblood could be that powerful or that learned to defeat someone like Voldemort. Therefore, it was probably something in the baby's blood and magic – inherited from his Pureblood father – which defeated Voldemort.

Horace knew better as did anyone, especially a teacher, who knew James Potter. Granted the Potter Clan was known for certain talents and levels of intelligence but not on a scale powerful enough to defeat a Dark Lord like Voldemort. Potters were good at Transfiguration and dueling and some of them, like Charlus, James' father, were financially saavy. But the Clan was usually neutral in politics, Charlus had been the first Potter in three generations to be sorted into Gryffindors and although he did not agree with some of Tom Riddle's politics, he was definitely not a Dumbledore supporter and never would be.

Unfortunately for Charlus, once the spoiled, arrogant James went to Hogwarts, Dumbledore seduced him to the Light Side and James was lost forever. Charlus had lost his son and the Potter line was in great danger of extinction for many reasons, but before Charlus died, he made an ironclad, totally unbreakable if only to avenge himself against Albus Dumbledore. James had basically been disinherited and if the child in Lily Evans Potter's womb was not found worthy, then he too would be given just a trust vault (albeit a very generous trust vault) and it would continue until either a Potter was worthy to inherit or the line ended. For once not even Dumbledore could do a damn thing about it.

Horace had not been the only one to laugh at Dumbledore and the very arrogant James, when Charlus' Will was read. The real details had been hushed up but some people found out and some even took similar steps to safeguard their heritage and estates from the very great possibility that Dumbledore would have access to it. James had been bragging that when his father died, he would be turning over his Wizengamot vote to Dumbledore and donating all the money Albus wanted to fight the war from the Potter estate. Given that Charlus was in excellent health and James' cruel (and extremely stupid) bragging, nasty people (or rather people with common sense) whispered that James "had a feeling" that his father wouldn't live to survive the war, and rumormongers hinted that perhaps Charlus' untimely death had been planned. Naturally Voldemort was blamed but rumor also had it the Dark Lord himself denied having had it done.

But it didn't matter now as Harry Potter had died and the Potter wealth was trapped in Goblin vaults and after 1,000 years, it would be divided between various charities with Gringotts taking and the Ministry of Magic getting their cut or rather fees and taxes. But who knew if the Magical World would survive for another 1,000 years.

Horace was thinking about this and many other things over a glass of excellent brandy. It had been gifted to him by a grateful student who had made a success of himself and believed that it had been Horace he had to thank. In some ways he did but the student had had talent, ambition and drive otherwise Horace wouldn't have looked at him twice. But it was good that people thought Horace had contributed to their success.

He had reaped many rewards over the years and had been extremely angry when Albus Dumbledore forced him into early retirement so that he could keep his latest, talented but helpless pawn under his thumb. Albus claimed that Severus "owed" him for saving the boy from Azkaban, but Horace knew the real reasons. To use a crude expression, Albus had Snape by the balls and would never let him go as Snape was too talented, intelligent and magically powerful. People such as Snape were ripe for the picking and if Albus hadn't been able to trap him into a life of guilt and slavery than he would have simply insisted he be sent to Azkaban or had the man quietly killed.

In was a well-known in certain privileged circles that Albus had Snape brew all of the potions needed by the Hogwarts Infirmary to "save money" yet that money was used for something else which did not appear on the books. It was whispered that he had Snape brew potions for Albus' personal use but no one dare whisper it too loudly or Albus would hear them and put a stop to the offending person's rumors one way or another.

One of Horace's non-negotiable terms for returning to Hogwarts was that he would not brew any potions for the Infirmary unless it was an absolute emergency as no Potions instructor before Snape had been tasked with all that brewing and he simply would not do it. Naturally Albus had tried to cajole him into doing certain "favors" in regards to brewing and Horace not only refused but reported Albus to the Board of Governors. Albus denied it when questioned but although the Board believed Horace they adopted a wait and see attitude hoping that in the end Albus would slip up and they could sanction him. It was hoped that if there were too many sanctions something could be done to force Albus to retire although everybody knew that would never happen - voluntarily.

Horace finished the brandy and decided to retire. As he rose from his very comfortable Italian made leather chair (another gift) he saw it. There in front of him was a ghost in the form of a boy. From the looks of the boy one would think he was younger, perhaps 12 or 13 instead of the 15 years Horace knew was the boy's age. He had never met Harry Potter in life but he saw pictures of him to know that this ghost was the late slandered child.

"Hello" said the ghost. "I'm sorry to disturb you sir but I don't have much time and from what I have heard you are the only teacher in this school who has not been forced to sign that employment contract or take the oath of employment which Dumbledickhead has been forcing on people for years. You are Professor Slughorn?"

Horace hesitated for a moment before replying due to shock but then replied "Yes. Yes I am. And do I have the honor of addressing the ghost of Harry James Potter?"

The ghost smiled sadly "I've never heard anyone refer to it as an honor to meet me or at least not since the day I was told by Hagrid that I was a wizard and taken to Diagon Alley to get my supplies. There were some people in the Leaky Cauldron who mobbed me and shook my hand and confused the hell out of me as I was brought up to think I was nothing more than a freakish, worthless waste of space which should not have been born or drown shortly thereafter. However, I seriously doubt any of those people would still be of the same opinion."

"Oh Mr. Potter," Horace began sadly, "I assure you that there are many people who…."

"Not to call you a liar or anything other than trying to be nice and trying not to hurt my feelings, but I must disagree with you all things considering. I know exactly what people think about me. I can count on one hand those who miss me or are even sad that I have been declared dead. Thanks for being polite and considerate though."

"Unfortunately" the ghost continued "I don't have much time and I really need to warn you. Dumbledore is going to be doing something to regain some of the power he lost. He knows Voldie is really back, hasn't been able to control the war which hasn't been declared and won't be and he knows that if he doesn't strike soon, he will be lost because this time a new and improved Voldie will win and Dumbledork will be worse than dead as his legend, his legacy will be destroyed."

"Albus is always scheming, getting away with things for years but this time I think he will be stopped" Horace beamed. "Your death has seen his star fade and…."

"But it won't because he will be doing something so truly dark and evil that maybe even Voldie wouldn't stoop that low. I've heard from a reliable source that you know the real Albus Dumbledore and have been one of the few teachers to escape his manipulations due to your friendships and 'street smarts' which is why I am here. Please listen and take the necessary steps or else you can kiss Hogwarts and Magical Britain goodbye."

Then the ghost told Horace Slughorn what Albus Dumbledore was planning on doing. Horace had seen and heard much in his long life (he was over 100 years old) but he couldn't believe what the ghost was telling him. He knew Albus Dumbledore was a bit unscrupulous but this…he just couldn't… it was so wrong, so very wrong. It just could not be allowed to happen.

Just before he finished the ghost began to fade and the last words he said to Horace Slughorn were "It's up to you to stop it. If you don't then…."

The ghost faded from view and Horace poured himself another brandy and gulped in down. He would definitely have to visit a former student, an Unspeakable at the Ministry and be thoroughly checked to make sure it hadn't been a dream and that he wasn't hallucinating. If it was true…then the ghost was right. ALBUS DUMBLEDORE HAD TO BE STOPPED…whatever the cost.