Chapter 17

Uncertainty

The summer had gone by much faster than Harry would have liked, something he was surprised to find himself admitting. The year before, Harry couldn't have been more excited to leave the house and go to Hogwarts. Although he loved the castle and would enjoy the new term, home had become a much more pleasant place.

There was a time around mid-term that Harry had come to think of Hogwarts as his home, but this summer had changed that outlook. Hogwarts would still be a home to him of course, as well as Potter Manor. Things had changed, what more could he say?

He knew that Lily and James had honestly tried their best to give him attention, but with Dumbledore practically breathing down their necks Harry could understand why it had been difficult for them. Now though, it seemed the old man had laid off a bit, or perhaps he'd found something to busy his time. Good riddance.

Their trip to Diagon Alley was yet another example of how things had changed in the Potter household. It was an unspoken agreement that Harry would accompany them, and he was allowed to choose whatever he wanted, just like Miles had always been able to. They went to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor as well, but unlike the last time, any silence that the family experienced was comfortable rather than awkward, a pleasant change. 

The real twist happened when they entered Flourish and Blotts however. Harry walked in first, Miles right behind him and their parents following shortly after.

"Well, I'll be! If it isn't Miles Potter!" A booming voice greeted them. 

Harry turned to see Miles immediately attempt to leave the store but to no avail. Wizards with cameras had converged on their group, as well as a startlingly large amount of people. Harry couldn't recall the shop being half as crowded as it was last time. 

A man pushed his way to the front of the crowd wearing a set of extravagant robes. He had wavy blond hair and upon making it to the boys flashed a smile that reminded Miles of the people on some of Sirius' old magazine covers. 

"Miles, it's a pleasure to finally meet you," he said, putting out his hand for Miles to shake. 

Miles hesitantly took it. "You as well... Mr. Lockhart."

Yes, Miles knew of Gilderoy Lockhart. Being famous in the wizarding world meant that you needed to know your peers, though it had always been a little awkward for Miles. All the witches and wizards who'd made themselves household names had worked for it, even Mr. Lockhart, though according to Remus the man was a total fraud. Miles, on the other hand, hadn't had to lift a finger to get to where he was today. He hated it. 

Lockhart's gaze shifted to Harry. "And who's this lad?"

"My brother sir, Harry Potter."

"Harry Potter," Lockhart repeated, trying the name out. "How would the two of you like a picture?"

"Well, we-" Harry started but wasn't able to finish. 

Lockhart ushered the two of them towards the back of the shop, where a sea of cameras surrounded them. "Yes, yes, I'll take a photo with you two, anything for my fans." 

Miles looked at Harry as the man said this, already knowing what to expect in his brother's eyes. Harry was sporting an expression of complete incredulity, and when he caught Miles' eyes on him he mouthed, Why are we doing this?

Miles couldn't help but grin. Welcome to the world of fame little brother, he mouthed back.

Harry scowled at the last bit and turned to face the cameras. It wasn't anything new for Miles, so he was able to smile with no problem. Harry, however, wasn't used to the flashing lights, and Miles knew for a fact that the final pictures would showcase a pained smile on his brother's face. Lockhart, one arm around each boy, was milking in the moment of course, and still acting as though he was doing them a favor. 

At last, they were freed, though not before getting free copies of all Lockhart's works for school, freshly signed. Once out of the man's sight, Miles proceeded to give the books to another student, and Harry followed his lead. James snickered. "Hasn't changed much."

Lily tried to conceal a smile. "No, no he hasn't."

After buying their books, they turned to leave the shop when they were encountered by none other than Lucius Malfoy.

"Well... if it isn't the Potters."

"Lucius." James acknowledged tensely.

Malfoy paid no mind, instead turning to Harry. "Suppose you enjoyed that little taste of fame, didn't you Potter?" No one missed the scathing tone in his voice, though Miles was confused as to why. 

Malfoy, at last, turned to Miles. "Miles Potter, we meet again." 

James and Lily whipped around to face Miles. "What?"

Draco suddenly came running up to the group. "Yes, father, you met him when Harry came to visit me over the summer." 

Lucius smiled in response, though it looked more like a pained grimace. "Yes, of course."

They went their separate ways after that, but as they made their way down the cobblestoned street to the Leaky Cauldron, Miles couldn't help remembering his meeting with Draco's father.

✮

Miles emerged out of the floo into Draco's house, attempting to brush the ash off his clothes in a dignified manner. 

"Oh, that's alright Miles, don't worry about it."

He looked up, startled, having been under the impression that he was alone in the living room. "Good afternoon Mrs. Malfoy." 

"Good afternoon," she responded with a smile. "Lucius is in his study, I believe he's doing some sort of work for the Ministry. In the meantime, Draco's in his room."

"Thanks," he responded, as he crossed the room and made his way up the stairs. 

He was met with Draco's voice as he lightly knocked and opened the door. "You've got some explaining to do." 

Miles sat down on the edge of Draco's bed as the other boy shifted around in his desk chair to face him. "What do you want to know?"

And so Miles recounted Dumbledore's actions. From the old man's tendency to keep information away from him to Miles just wanting to know the truth. How a small part of him wanted to learn something about the Dark Lord that even Dumbledore didn't, something that he could use as leverage against the old man if the time ever came. 

Draco listened thoughtfully, and once Miles was finished, nodded. "Well, in that case, I completely support you. Do I think you meeting up with my father willingly in the middle of summer to be mad? Yes, yes I do, but I support you nonetheless." 

Miles was relieved. He was thankful to be in the good graces of at least two people in this house because the third was going to be a hard one to get through to. They talked for a few more moments before being called downstairs by Dobby, the Malfoy's house elf whom Miles liked quite a lot. 

"Dobby is being sent to fetch Mr. Potter sir."

"It's just Miles Dobby, and thank you," he said, allowing the elf to lead him to the room. Draco gave him an encouraging smile as he left, and Miles marveled at how easily Draco could mask his emotions as he left the room. 

The first thing that he saw upon making it to the living room was Lucius Malfoy, sitting in an armchair with an impatient look about him. Although Miles was the one who'd requested an audience with the man, he now wished that he could bolt out the door. Summoning his nerve, he made his way towards the man, who stood up to greet him.

"Greetings, Mr. Malfoy," Miles stated, extending his hand.

"Mr. Potter, to what do I owe the pleasure," Malfoy replied, accepting the handshake. 

Miles took a seat opposite Lucius' armchair. "Well sir, I have a few questions for you."

Lucius sat back down as well. "So this is an interrogation. Surely, Mr. Potter, I'd have expected you to know better in my own house."

"Not at all, sir. I meant... I have reason to believe you have information about the Dark Lord. Things that not many were aware of."

Malfoy's face instantly hardened, and Miles feared he'd pushed his luck. At last, the man spoke. "Why do you inquire into such things? Are you not with the light?"

Miles sighed. "I'm not sure sir. I was born into the light side, I'm expected to lead them against Vol- the Dark Lord, but now I'm not sure."

"What changed?"

"Albus Dumbledore sir, he's been hiding information which I believe I have a right to know. I want to be the one with leverage for a change."

The man stroked his chin, contemplating him with a curious expression. At last, he spoke in just above a whisper. "There is something. His original intentions were not to kill you or your brother, you know. He was looking to see if he could recruit you when you were older."

Miles recoiled in shock. "Recruit? As in join his cause? Why us?"

"I'd have thought that would be obvious."

The words of the prophecy that Dumbledore said had determined the events of that fateful Halloween night rang in his head once more. He shall have power the Dark Lord knows not.

The realization was like hitting a brick wall, something that he had experienced, as he'd accidentally done so when looking for the right pillar at King's Cross Station. That was a story for another time, however. "He didn't see us as a threat."

Lucius nodded. "You would have been a welcome addition to his ranks. As would your brother."

"So... why'd he do it?"

There was no need for him to elaborate further. "We don't know. If that's all, I believe you should be going now." Lucius' tone was now icy, and Miles knew he'd struck a nerve. 

"Of course sir. Thank you for your time." 

He quickly went up the stairs to say goodbye to Draco, and then made his way to the library to bid farewell to Mrs. Malfoy before stepping into the fireplace to get home. 

That night, he lay in his bed, pondering what he'd learned that day. He knew he'd touched upon something important. Voldemort hadn't had ill intentions when he'd gone to Godric's Hollow that Halloween night after all. Now, however, yet another question had arisen. What had changed?