Severus and Vanessa manage to leave the school grounds quite easily after her Professor…godfath-…dad?... mentions to the Headmaster that the goblins were being a bit difficult and they'd need to return to Gringotts that morning for the test. He then informs the Headmaster that he'd taken temporary guardianship of the girl until they could find out more. The old man readily agreed.
So here they are, preparing to meet with the Hogwarts Board of Governors. The two are talking quietly when Lucius arrives, he being the first of quite a few. He watches the two curiously for a few moments before something clicks in his head.
"You!" he snarls as he storms over to the both of them.
Vanessa meets his gaze with a raised eyebrow straight out of the Severus Snape Handbook of Sardonically Raised Eyebrows.
"What could I do for you, sir?"
The question is asked so calmly, mixed with the perfect amount of genuine curiosity that he feels momentarily unsure of himself. Then he remembers exactly who he is, and snaps out, "You! You're the little whelp that put my Draco into the hospital wing!"
She cocks her head to the side, puts on an overly dramatized thinking face, and hums. "Hmm. Doesn't ring a bell. Are you sure?"
"Of course," he responds in his most entitled tone, "my son would never think to lie to me. And he described you perfectly."
She stares at him for a moment before responding with a barely withheld smirk, "While I'm sure you have an absolutely wondrous relationship with your son, you should keep in mind that he is still a Slytherin and would lie to your face for nothing more than a chocolate frog as soon as he thought he'd be able to get away with it. Now, do you have any actual proof or are you simply making assumptions and throwing around wild accusations? Because I would so hate to have to resort to an honor duel because you smeared my family names, of course."
Lucius Malfoy is not generally one to be intimidated, and never by some little witch that looks as if she's barely of Hogwarts are, but something in the way she spoke reminded him quite of a man his father used to tell him stories about. It's what made him decide to join the man's ranks in the first place. That shiver that ran involuntarily up his spine, in addition to the warning look on his old friend's face, made him rethink his next words carefully.
Just as he is going to speak, however, the rest of the Board trickles in. The girl smiles at him and it is both innocent and malicious, sweet and chilling. This girl will be a force to be reckoned with.
X
As soon as that meeting is over, Lucius is decidedly relieved that he had prevented himself from being rude the girl any further. His earlier words could be seen as a father's protective side. Anything further, however, and he'd likely have lost everything and ruined the family name. He follows them into the foyer and asks them both to accompany him for a spot of tea.
The girl smiles politely and informs him that they really can't, as they have to get to the Ministry to get her sworn in before Albus Dumbledore realized what was going on.
He, of course, is delighted to accompany them, since he'd be called in anyway.
The trip to the Ministry is as simple as taking the floo. They walk calmly into the atrium from the floo room meant for Wizengamot members, and from there the trip to the Wizengamot chambers is uneventful.
Vanessa represses the feral grin that wants to make an appearance on her face as they walk through the chamber doors. She stays close to her Professor-dad as they walk to the waiting area. Lucius makes his way up to the seating area meant for voting members.
Then, the man himself, Albus Dumbledore, Head of the Wizengamot, enters the room. He's smiling happily, but his expression is tense. He takes his seat without noticing either Severus or Vanessa. As the Wizengamot prepares to begin the session, Severus can't fight off the smirk entirely. The old man was about to get the shock of a lifetime. Maybe he'd have a heart attack and keel over. A man could hope, anyway.
As soon as the thought exited his mind, his focus turned to the court proceedings. He's glad he's done so, of course, as Dumbledore reads off the agenda.
The old bastard's brow creases as he reads off, "The first thing on the agenda for today is…the induction of a new member of the Wizengamot?" he pauses for a moment before he regains his footing and glances at his audience. His eyes widen as he takes in Severus Snape and his prized student. He blinks, then he can't help but to be filled with delight. He'd been trying to convince his Potions Master to claim the Prince title for years. It appears as if he'd finally listened! No wonder they'd had to take a second day! That was quite the to do list! His eyes twinkle merrily at his ever so prized puppet, and finally, he clears his throat. "Would the party to be inducted please step forward?"
X
Vanessa would cherish the memory of the look on the face of Albus Dumbledore in that moment forever. He looked so utterly shocked he was actually gaping at her when she stepped forward.
Without waiting for him to recover, Vanessa began to speak. And oh, a speech it was!
"Witches and Wizards of the Wizengamot. I stand before you today to claim the seats I rightfully own through being borne of mine own bloodline. On mine own magic, I, Vanessa Starla Nagana Ward, do claim the seats belonging to the Founders Four, as a daughter of the bloodlines. So do I claim the seats borne by the families Peverell and Ward. I do claim these seats thirty five, with magick presiding over me. This I do declare, in the name of Morgana, so mote it be."
As soon as the words finished leaving her lips, her entire body glowed bright white. Magick pulsed around her, and she gives a true smile at the feeling of peace that fills her. She allows herself to bask in the feeling for but a moment before she composes herself. As soon as the glow is gone, Albus Dumbledore stands to speak, a look of murderous rage on his face before he covers it quickly with forced patience.
"Child, you're only twelve. How could you possibly carry such responsibility on your shoulders? You must focus on your schooling, child."
"Headmaster. Chief Warlock. I will address your concerns, however I would first like to point out that I am, actually, thirteen. Yes, I am in my second year, but my birthday fell only a week after the cutoff date for entry into Hogwarts. As such, I have had an extra year to go through political records, collect data, research, and gain a fine understanding of the basics of the way that our b-" and before she could finish, the old man cut her off.
"But my dear, the basics are not-"
"Sir. With all due respect, I do not know how you wish me to explain my actions, abilities, or even capabilities, if you are to interrupt. Now, as I was saying." Vanessa ignores the flabbergasted, then angry, expressions on his face as she continues to speak. "I spent a year reading up on the politics and current issues of the wizarding world, in addition to all legislature that passed through these hallowed halls for the past two centuries. Though I have no first hand experience within this world's governing body, I do understand politics.
It should be noted that, in accordance with Gould's Law, passed three hundred and twenty-four years ago, you cannot stop me from taking what is rightfully mine. As it is, I have no living relatives that can take the seats in my stead, and my family lines have all but died out. Due the circumstances, I cannot be denied either my Ladyships, or my Wizengamot seats."
"My dear," the old man interrupts again, "You cannot possibly hold your seats and attend school. You would be away far too often and your grades would suffer. I would be remiss in my position as headmaster to allow you to attend meetings during the school year."
"Actually, Chief Warlock, you would be remiss in your duties to deny me. After all, it is written in the school's charter that any students with Lord or Ladyship duties will be permitted to attend to such as needed, so long as the student informs their head of house before leaving with information as to where they are going. If this right is denied by the Headmaster, they can be removed with majority vote from the Board of Governors. Unless, of course, a Founder's Heir is present, in which case, the vote is decided by that person or persons. Also, as such, I am currently breaking and resetting National records with my grades. I don't think they will possibly suffer that much."
He stares at her, speechless.
"Now, if I have addressed all of your concerns?"
He nods dumbly. He seems unable to think of a response.
Vanessa curtsies to the Wizengamot as a whole, before she moves to sit amongst them. She sits in her Slytherin seat, showing clearly her house pride. It may or may not happen that this seat is quite close to the Prince Seat. Right next to it, in fact.
As Dumbledore collects himself and goes to move on, he is once again cut off. This time, it's Severus Snape that is stepping forward. Albus is unsure what to think, at this point. So he simply twinkles his eyes at the man and hopes this will turn out in his favor.
"Witches and Wizards of the Wizengamot, I, Severus Tobias Snape Prince, do claim the seats of House Prince that belong rightfully to me as Lord of said House. I do claim these seats six, with magick presiding over me. This I do declare, in the name of Morgana, so mote it be."
The white glow envelopes him, though not as brightly as it had his goddaughter, and he moves to sit with the witch. He's stopped, however, before he even reaches the stairs.
"Severus, my boy, come now. You are a head of house and professor. Surely I could not allow you to just-"
Severus cuts him off by stating, "Chief Warlock," and he ignores the ripples of murmurs that sweep through the Wizengamot. He had just subtly but clearly stated his true allegiance to everyone present. "While your concern is…touching…you have been pestering me for years to take up my seats. May I ask why you have so completely changed your mind? Do you not support me?"
The room tenses. Vanessa's eyes narrow. She knows what is coming by the feeling of contempt radiating off the old man.
"No. I do not. You serve the Dark Lord Voldemort-" she ignores the flinches all around, "-and I must say, I am sorry I tried to see the good in you from the beginning. Obviously I was mistaken."
Before he can become long winded, Vanessa interrupts. Again.
"Chief Warlock, you seem to miss quite a lot."
Every eye in the room turns to face her. She takes in each expression before she continues. Her reputation will recover. Her Professor-dad's will not. "You see, I know for a fact that the Headmaster pays no real attention to his students." She takes in the expressions of surprise, one knowing look, one watching her with calculating eyes like a proper Malfoy should, and one face with rage boiling in his eyes. "You see, everyone knows that the invitations to new students are not hand written. This is understandable. It is also common knowledge. I'm sure you all also know that the headmaster is supposed to look over the file of each incoming student to check for inaccuracies. Yes?" She waits a moment for all the nodding heads in her peripheral vision, but doesn't take her eyes off the branching face of the headmaster. "Since you all know that, you'll, of course, be shocked to realize that until yesterday, I was a homeless street urchin with no guardians at all. I'm a second year, of course, but around three years have passed since I received my Hogwarts letter and it was only yesterday that the headmaster noticed that I had no guardians on file." Gasps fill the room at that bit of information and many accusing eyes turn to face the man that now seemed to be under interrogation. "You see, until yesterday, I had no idea who my parents were. I was shocked, of course, to learn that such a gross amount of neglect and miscarriage of justice on the Headmaster's part led to my homelessness and near starvation in youth."
At this, many looked very confused. She tilts her head to the side and states, quite plainly, "You see, when I went to the goblins for my hereditary test, the found many…interesting facts. One such fact being that I actually had godparents. One of which could have taken me in at any time, and did, in fact, do so, until, when I was but three months old, the bonds were bound." This time, a Lady actually fainted, and screams of outrage permeated the room. The old man sat frozen, his face projecting his guilt. She waited until the noise died down to continue, "My godfather was then obliviated." More outrage. "Yes, yes, I know. Now, an important fact that you should know is that, at that time, You-know-who was still at large, and nobody seemed to have a chance at stopping him. Dumbledore needed a spy." Dead silence. "You see, this was the same time that my mother died in childbirth and I was left with my beloved godfather to be raised. He adored me, and treated me as his own. With me to care for, my godfather abandoned any simple childhood notions about dark or light, good or bad, and instead he focused solely upon caring for his beloved new daughter. And I shall tell you all today, that my godfather did not, at that time, bear the Dark Mark." The Wizengamot shifts uncomfortably, some knowing where this was going. "In fact, he did not bear the Dark Mark until after he was obliviated and my infant self was sent away to muggles." More shocked gasps. "Yes, they were quite horrid to me. That is a story best left in the past, however, as it is irrelevant. As I was saying, he didn't bear the Mark until after. And that, I would say, was not of his own free will. Not truly." Wide eyes and shock, all around. She glances at Severus, her Professor-dad, and he gives the tiniest of nods."
"I would like to point out that Albus Dumbledore claimed Severus Snape Prince began spying for him immediately after this event. Though, of course, not publicly. I have, as I stated, read through all of the records. I have to ask you all, if he was willing to get involved, would he not have done so before I was taken from him so cruelly? Was it, perhaps, with a guiding hand that he agreed to spy? Is he truly accountable for his actions in receiving the Dark Mark after he had been so forcefully obliviated, even if Albus Dumbledore didn't do it himself? Wasn't he just taking advantage of a young, vulnerable man with feelings of grief, loss, and a missing something that he just couldn't explain since he couldn't remember? Just because the bond was bound, did not mean it was destroyed. He could feel the grief of losing a child, a part of himself, even without knowing exactly what he was grieving for. So I ask, is it truly right for Albus to use and abuse him, then simply throw it all back in his face, abandoning him, when the man does something he doesn't approve of?"
Murmurs of agreement spread throughout the room and it's only a moment before everything hits the fan.