First Place - Angst

Harry had spent most of that day in reflection. After he woke he had a light lunch and then examined his reading of the headmaster. It had come quickly, like being hit by a train. Dumbledore was almost blindingly bright like Harry expected, but his raw power was not stronger than Harry's. He just had more training and experience. Why Harry's own magic didn't appear so bright was a mystery, but he knew somewhere deep inside that he was just as powerful, if not more powerful, than the headmaster.

The emotions were what had nearly paralyzed him. They ran the full gamut of feelings. There was a very complex man. The strongest by far was a sense of responsibility, almost overwhelming to the headmaster himself in its insistence from all angles of his life. The whole world relied on him, much as they did on Harry even if they didn't know it.

There was also tremendous guilt and pain. Harry knew that a great deal of the guilt was because of the anger he still felt towards the headmaster. He also knew that while Dumbledore was not fully aware of the extent of the mistreatment he received at the hands of the Dursleys, he knew much of what had happened and his imagination had probably filled in the rest.

For the first time Harry wondered about the headmaster's family, if there even was any apart from his brother. Harry had lost many of those he cared about, or who cared about him, but he had so many others left to him. Who did Dumbledore have?

Their dueling lesson on Monday night had been the most open and free session they ever had and half of it was spent talking rather than dueling. Harry learned that after losing most of his own family Dumbledore had seen his grandfather, Aaron, as a surrogate son, and James, by extension, as a grandson.

Dumbledore heard a few stories of Harry's childhood, and Harry had focused on positive events like the peace and comfort he got from his cupboard when his relatives had meant it as a punishment.

"Aren't you ready yet?" Ron called from the doorway.

Harry rolled his eyes, "Just a minute."

He looked himself over in the mirror. There was nothing to be done about his hair... unless... He cast a quick charm and his hair grew just long enough to be tied back in a ponytail. Harry stole Ron's brush for a moment, conjured a strip of leather, and pulled back his hair neatly.

His robe was a deep crimson and closely tailored on his torso, the lower portion gradually flaring out. He had no idea what the fabric was but it was both thick and flowed like water. It was one of the many robes that his father had selected in Diagon Alley on his birthday. His black boots laced up to his knees but were covered to the ankle by straight black trousers. The boots gave him another inch or two of height with their thick soles. The necklace from the dragon handlers was hidden under the robe.

"Nice," Ron commented as Harry joined him. "Your Dad has good taste."

"How do you know I didn't pick this out?" Harry objected. Ron raised his eyebrows and Harry relented. They were both hopeless when it came to clothes. "The twins did a good job too."

Ron's robes were the exact same blue as his eyes, "How did you..." Ron's eyes went out of focus for a moment and then he came back. "Oh yeah, the money was from you. In that case, thanks for the robes Harry."

"We should get going," Harry grinned. "Hermione is waiting I'm sure."

Ron was picking her up outside the Head Boy and Girl common room. They were all arriving in the great hall before it was opened to the student body at large. Malfoy and Anna Fawcett would also be early, as Malfoy and Hermione had to make sure the hall was ready and go over a few last minute things.

Hermione was standing outside the statue waiting for them, facing away as they approached. Harry let himself feel the sudden racing of Ron's pulse as he saw her and smiled as the sharp intake of breath. There was no question about it, Hermione was stunning.

She had on new robes in a soft buttery yellow that accentuated her coloring. There were streaks of blond in her hair, made to look natural. She wore the amulet that Harry had given her at her birthday party in Gryffindor Tower.

Harry hung back while Ron walked up to her. The redhead ghosted a hand along her lower back and she turned into the circle of his arm and kissed him. She was beaming as he stammered out what Harry hoped was a compliment on her robes and makeup and hair change.

"If you weren't my best friend, surrogate sister, and occasional replacement mother all wrapped into one convenient package I would try to steal you away from him," Harry smiled and gave her a quick peck on the cheek.

Hermione wiped away a tear and swatted his arm, "You're going to ruin my make-up."

"Are you a witch or aren't you," Harry teased, echoing Ron from their first year. Impervious!

Hermione rolled her eyes, "I taught you that one!"

"I know," Harry grinned. "You should have used it yourself."

Ron watched them quietly and Harry felt a touch of jealousy from him, but mostly appreciation of the friendship they had. There had been a time when the three of them were all equal, but that had changed and there was no going back.

"Well," Hermione said businesslike, "are my escorts ready?"

She held out both arms and Harry and Ron each took one and led her down to the great hall. Without the added height from their shoes Harry and Hermione were of equal height, but her heels gave her an inch over him, leaving Harry the shortest member of the trio.

They went in through a back entrance of the hall, usually only reserved for staff members. Malfoy was flicking his wand at the enchanted ceiling, changing the coloring of the lights in a few places while Anna relaxed at one of the small tables set around the perimeter of the room to make a large dance floor.

"It's larger," Harry remarked, gazing around the room.

Hermione grinned, "We wanted enough room for everyone to sit for the feast and for dancing without changing anything midway through the evening."

"It's excellent," Ron said and kissed Hermione's forehead. He then leaned towards Harry, "Git at two o'clock."

Hermione's hand tightened on Harry's arm and he schooled himself into a calm state, almost slipping into meditation. He would not let Fudge embarrass him. He had his own plans to fully humiliate Fudge.

"Let's get this farce over with and have a good night," Harry said even if he didn't believe his own words. Halloween would never be a good night.

"Don't do anything stupid," Hermione cautioned, though she was fully aware of his plans. She and Ron had helped him form them.

"Minister," Harry said loftily, mimicking the aristocratic tone he had heard from Malfoy many times. The blond in question had noticed and shot Harry an amused smile.

"Ah Harry my boy," Fudge was as pompous as ever, "it is so good to see you."

"Rita is not here yet Minister, and none of your public is either so we can dispense with the falsities for the time being," Harry was perfectly polite in tone if not in word. "You spent a year trying to convince the world I was an attention seeking lunatic and get me expelled. Where do you wish to do this?"

Fudge flustered, not at all comfortable, "Headmaster Dumbledore has set up the staff table nicely. It should do well."

"Good evening Harry, Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley," Albus's voice came from behind Harry. "I had nothing to do with the decorations Cornelius. That was all under the purview of our Head Girl and Boy. Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy create a very elegant setting, and still in keeping with the theme of the holiday."

The headmaster was right, though Harry had never suspected that Halloween could be made elegant. Silver shimmered in transparent fabric all over the hall, layered with a soft, pale silky orange. Flowers ornamented each table, deep reds, oranges, and the green of the foliage. Rather than having floating jack-o-lanterns all around the hall, the carved pumpkins hovered in each window and cast their light onto the dance floor, creating a criss-cross of both funny and scary faces. The candles above their heads were black, though something in their wicks made the flames a variety of colors.

"Yes, well, good job," Fudge said shortly to Hermione.

Hermione ignored his tone, "Thank you Minister. We worked hard, though all the prefects helped. Ron, we should be helping Draco, not socializing just now. Minster. Headmaster."

Ron nodded to each figure as Hermione did and the two of them joined Malfoy in making last minute changes to the hall. Harry ignored the Minister of Magic and spoke to the headmaster.

"Have you had a chance to read the letter I gave you sir?" Harry asked. It was the only warning he would give Dumbledore of what he planned for that night.

Dumbledore bowed his head slightly. He was dressed as garishly as ever, his robes bright orange and yellow with bats flapping all over them, "Yes Harry I did. Thank you for giving it to me. It was most touching."

Harry had his senses scanning at the barest minimum so he wouldn't be overcome when the students entered. He felt his father approaching from behind with another person. The extreme distaste he felt from both sides told Harry who Snape was escorting.

"Dad, Rita," Harry greeted them as he turned, ignoring Fudge's reaction to what Harry knew seemed like near-omnipotence on his part. "Thank you for coming Rita. I am sure you had other plans for the holiday."

"I wouldn't miss an invitation from you for the world Harry," Rita's smile was sickly sweet. Harry felt that she disliked the Minister nearly as much as Harry did. It was an interesting piece of information.

"In that case," Harry remembered the last Order meeting he had attended that summer, "perhaps we should have dinner sometime. There are a few things I could tell you that you might find interesting."

The investigative reporter in her was instantly intrigued, "Name your night Harry and I'll be there."

"I would have to arrange a few things," Harry smiled politely, "like permission to leave school grounds."

The headmaster and Snape both laughed. Harry's father put a hand on his shoulder, "When has permission ever stopped you before?"

Harry waved his hand, "That was always to save someone from Voldemort," he took pleasure in Fudge's nervous jump, "or an alleged murderer."

"He was sentenced to life in Azkaban Harry," Fudge tried to make his point lightly.

Harry was having none of it though, "A sentence without a trial is not valid, and Sirius Black was never tried for the crimes he was accused of."

Fudge blinked at Harry, "Surely..."

"Bartemious Crouch threw him Azkaban and he was conveniently forgotten for twelve years," Harry looked at Fudge sternly and the man swallowed.

"We are about to open the hall Potter," Malfoy called from across the hall.

It was a deliberate slight to the Minister, and even to Dumbledore though the latter of the two was merely amused. Harry nodded to Malfoy and the Head Boy and Girl headed towards the doors.

"We should get in place," Dumbledore motioned towards the platform.

Harry and Snape led the way, with Fudge behind them and Dumbledore following. Harry had no idea how Dumbledore had managed to get Fudge to leave behind the various aides and protective group of Aurors that traveled everywhere with the man but he was thankful.

"Kingsley, Tonks, and a few others are outside," Snape whispered to Harry. "Kingsley is the senior Auror present and he said that Fudge would be perfectly safe with Albus and they should keep an eye on the grounds for any possible threat."

Harry snorted a short chuckle. It was even better than he hoped for and he suspected that his father had gleaned onto his plans and said something to Kingsley. Harry gestured to Rita and pulled her aside for a moment.

"One of my classmates is rather shutter-happy," Harry said quietly. "I'll have him develop his pictures tonight and you'll have an owl with several images by morning. There will probably be some good ones of Fudge."

Rita smiled at him, the smile that had once made Harry dread what was coming next. Now it was to his benefit though and he couldn't help but be bolstered by her eagerness for this story.

Students poured into the hall chattering loudly. The conversation picked up tempo when they saw the Minister standing at the head of the hall with their headmaster, Harry, and his father.

Rather than finding seats the students gathered on the dance floor for the best view of the excitement. As predicted, Colin Creevey wedged his way to the front and instantly began snapping pictures. Harry forced himself to ignore the urge to throttle Colin and smile plainly while Dumbledore welcomed them all to the Ball.

"Before we begin," the headmaster finally got around to them. "As you can see we have a guest this evening. I will hand the floor over to Minister Fudge."

The Minister smiled brightly at the students, some of whom clapped politely, others glaring. The DA glared, as did every student who was affected in some negative way by Dolores Umbridge. They knew exactly who had appointed her.

"It is good to see so many bright young faces," Fudge posed for the camera that was snapping. "My purpose here tonight is to honor one of your own who has long been a shining example of young wizardry. The Ministry has seen fit to present Harold James Potter with the Order of Merlin, Third Class, as a reflection of his efforts to bring to light the evil which threatens our world."

Which you did your very best to deny, Harry's inner-commentary remarked.

"Please step forward Harry," Fudge gestured grandly and Harry took a single step forward. Fudge had to cross to Harry then, who was smiling almost condescendingly while Snape almost glared down at the Minister from behind Harry. "I hereby bestow upon you the Order of Merlin, Third Class."

A purple ribbon with a gold wand pendant hanging from it was draped around Harry's neck. He scanned the award first to make sure nothing had been sneaked by the Minster... like another Portkey. Fudge also handed him a rolled piece of parchment, the official certificate. "May you wear it proudly and represent the community which you join with integrity and honor."

"I accept the award in memory of James and Lily Potter, my father and mother, who died sixteen years ago this evening so that we might all live," Harry said clearly, a solemn look on his face. He held out a hand and Ron stepped out of the crowd and handed Harry several pieces of parchment. "I find that the anniversary of their deaths, which served to save not only my life from Tom Riddle, but the lives of countless others, is an appropriate time to right a wrong committed in the same string of incidents. I speak of the wrongful imprisonment and persecution of Sirius Black, by law my godfather.

"This is a letter written to me by my father on the night of my first birthday, and a letter written to Sirius Black on the same night, both found in the Potter vault in Gringotts on my seventeenth birthday," Fudge looked momentarily shocked, then gathered himself, but not before Colin got pictures. "In both letters my father wrote that Peter Pettigrew was the secret keeper for my parents and states that if the letters are being read, then Peter was either tortured or betrayed them.

"Minister," Harry gave the man a hard look, "I have told you the truth on multiple occasions and each time you chose to ignore me. I now have irrefutable evidence. Will you still uphold this miscarriage of justice?"

"I...," Fudge saw Rita Skeeter and the entire student body of Hogwarts hanging on his every word. "The letters must be authenticated."

"Headmaster?" Snape spoke from behind Harry. "I can attest that the letters were found in Potter vault and that my own letter reveals the same information."

"The letter written to me by James tells the same," Albus's eyes were twinkling brightly. He waved his wand over the letters briefly and Harry saw them glow golden. "They were written by James Aaron Potter and imbued with his magical signature."

Harry twisted his hand and took his fake wand in hand. He cast duplicating charms on the letter to Sirius and handed a copy to Rita and a copy to Fudge. They both read the letter over quickly.

"In that case," Fudge looked cornered, "I declare Sirius Black innocent of all charges and restore to him his full estate and liberty, and charge Peter Pettigrew with murder, betrayal, conspiracy, practice of illegal dark arts, and service as a Death Eater."

There was a hush over the hall.

"Unfortunately Minister," Dumbledore said gravely, "Sirius Black is deceased."

"Dead? How?" Fudge demanded irately.

"He discovered I was in danger in the Ministry a year and a half ago and died defending me and my friends from Death Eaters," Harry explained quietly and Fudge's head snapped back towards Harry. "He was cursed by his cousin Belletrix Lestrange and fell through the veil in the Department of Mysteries."

Harry saw Remus across the crowd and knew there were tears in the werewolf's eyes. Harry made eye contact with him and Remus nodded.

"I... we... that is to say the Ministry...," Fudge blustered, his plans for the night no doubt in ruins.

"Yes Minister?" Snape said coolly.

"Condolences for your loss Mr. Potter," Fudge looked like he was having difficulty with the words. "We all make sacrifices for the cause."

"And I am everyone's favorite lamb," Harry said softly, hoping that not everyone heard. Fudge paled though, so it had some effect, and the hand on his shoulder tightened briefly.

"Yes... well...," Fudge regained his composure. "I look forward to seeing you again Mr. Potter."

"Not likely," Harry heard from their audience.

"A pleasure as always Minister," Harry smiled, though he felt like going to Remus and sharing his grief, perhaps bringing his father along and the headmaster as well and maybe the Weasleys and Hermione. He wanted to be with family, not the entire school.

After Fudge left the hall burst into applause for Harry. He flushed from head to toe and left the raised platform quickly. Flitwick had charmed instruments to play on their own and the music started. Students began to find tables to sit at and Rita pulled Harry aside for a few more words.

The night went by in a blur of talking, eating and dancing. It seemed that every student wanted to get a word in with Harry and every one of them wanted to admire the award. Every girl wanted to dance with him and for the first time Harry was thankful for the dancing lessons. He saw McGonagall watching him from the staff table with approval. None of the staff members were drinking as they had at the Yule Ball. Harry knew they would be alert all night in case of Death Eater trouble.

Couples slowly drifted away from the great hall as evening wore on. At Harry's rather strong suggestion Colin had his pictures developed by the end of the ball and together with a few others they selected a batch to copy and send to Rita. When he at last deemed it late enough to leave Harry almost ran to the top of the highest tower in the school for some fresh cool air. There would be no couples there, none of them willing to climb that many steps for a place to find a dark corner that would be that cold.

He gasped in the cold night air and sank down to sit on the cool stones. The past few days had been trying and it wasn't over, not until he knew what Voldemort was doing that night. Harry almost wished for the connection to Voldemort to come back just so he would know if something was happening.

As she usually managed, Hedwig knew that Harry was upset and found him on the tower. She perched on his arm and he stroked her feathers while he poured out his fears and anxieties to her.

It was very late when the snowy owl flew back to the owlery and Harry finally left the tower. He wound his way through the corridors on an indirect route to Gryffindor Tower. He would accept the detentions or loss of points if he was caught, though half the people who might catch him would just be worried instead of angry.

A moan, and not one of pleasure, caught Harry's attention and he ran towards it. At the base of a staircase, twisted and bleeding, Draco Malfoy was lying in a heap of expensive dress robes.

"Malfoy!" Harry skidded to a halt and knelt down. "Draco can you talk?"

"Hurts," Malfoy's voice just barely rasped out, "fell."

"Like hell you did," Harry growled. "I can't move you in case your back is damaged."

Harry cast as many diagnostic spells as he could remember offhand and the results he found weren't pretty. They did support his falling down the stairs claim but Harry would bet every Galleon he had that Malfoy was pushed. He cast healing spell upon healing spell but still couldn't move the Head Boy safely.

A tingle rose up Harry's spine as he swore with frustration. He kept asking Malfoy simple questions, keeping him conscious in case of a head injury. Harry closed his eyes and concentrated. He had almost done it the night before, and now he had incentive. There was a 'pop' and Harry felt a freedom he had never known before. There was a task at hand though. Harry leaned his now feathered head over Malfoy's mouth and dropped pearly tears inside. He then went over to the wounds he could now sense in his phoenix form.

"Potter... what the...," Malfoy was pushing himself into a sitting position. "You're a bloody phoenix animagus! No, don't change yet!" Malfoy examined him carefully and Harry knew there no injuries left. "You never stop, do you?"

Harry changed back with a 'pop', "What do you mean?"

"An animagus should always be a normal, muggle animal," Malfoy explained with a shake of his head. "Half the purpose is hiding and blending in. You just can't help it can you?"

"You don't choose your form," Harry said with a touch of irritation. "Look, you can't tell anyone..."

"I know Potter... Harry," Malfoy snorted. "I'm not an idiot."

"Neither am I, Draco," Harry looked at him sharply. "You didn't fall."

"Well, I won't give you detention for wandering the corridors after hours," Malfoy said with a frown.

"We should both get back," Harry ran his fingers through his hair. They both started walking towards their rooms.

"Harry," Malfoy stopped him before they parted ways, "thanks."

Harry just nodded and they both walked away in silence.

Finding the Key - Chapter 27

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