Harry Potter and the Heir of Gryffindor(01) - Sahits

"Your parents?""Yes." He folded his arms, lowering his voice so that Imelda and Roger couldn't hear, though no doubtthey were eavesdropping. "Do you know why Voldemort couldn't kill me? It had nothing to with me, butmy mother. See, he came to kill my father and myself. My mother refused to let him kill me and . . .""She sacrificed herself instead. . ." Sophie finished, her voice cautious and tense.Harry nodded. "It was a spell that she cast upon me. A simple one, an ancient one, and Voldemorthadn't suspected it and when he cast his death spell upon me, it instead flew back upon him.""And it didn't kill him. . ."Harry shook his head. "No. . . although he was very near death. Voldemort had spent his entire lifetrying to unlock the secret to becoming immortal. He did terrible things--he did anything in an effort toreach his goal, and after years of countless potions and spells to lengthen his life. . . I guess that's whythe death spell didn't completely destroy him. . . and now . . . he's back.""What do you mean 'he's back'?""He's rejuvenated himself. He's come to power once again-""Sophie," Imelda spoke up from the front seat. She'd been listening to the entire conversation. "Harryis exaggerating, dear. There is no proof that the Dark Lord has--""Oh, but there is evidence! And I'm it!""The Ministry of Magic would have been informed of the situation. To date, it is still just a rumor. NowHarry, I understand that the death of your friend Cedric was most unnerving and-""Imelda! It's the truth! I know it, Albus Dumbledore knows it--there are even people in the Ministry thatknow it's the truth!""Cornelius Fudge has made no such statement or-""Cornelius Fudge was there the day that Cedric died! He knows it's the truth! He's just too much of acoward and a power fiend to admit it! He knows that if he came before the Ministry with such a claimthey'd boot him from office."Imelda had turned and was facing her from the passenger seat. "Cornelius Fudge has taken a solemnoath that as Head Minister, his first and foremost obligation is protecting the lives of the wizardingcommunity. If he knew this to be fact, as you claim it Harry, then he is bound by that oath to act on it.The fact that he hasn't proves that there is no such need. . . " she paused and then added, as ifobligated, "at this time."By the time the Dursleys arrived home, he'd quite forgotten about they even lived there! He'd been insuch a fantastic mood for such a long time, that nothing - not even the Dursleys - could snap him outof it."And how was your holiday," he asked pleasantly, taking Aunt Petunia's coat from her as they heavedtheir luggage in the door.Of course, she eyed him suspiciously. "Why? What's happened? What have you done!" Her eyes wentfrantically searching the house for something out of place. Harry even attempted kind words withDudley, who merely grunted at him and trudged upstairs."And you, Uncle Vernon! Wasn't Majorca lovely?"Uncle Vernon looked as though he would have loved to squash Harry into oblivion, but merelyanswered with "None of your damn business, boy."Harry kept his smile and pranced upstairs, happily scratching a cooing Hedwig, and sat down to finishthe remainder of his homework, unfazed by the Dursleys return. What did they matter, after all?He had friends.** *18