So here's the third chapter – at least partly and later than planned. Unfortunately my external hard drive crashed and destroyed the document so I had to rewrite the whole thing :( What I have here is actually only the first part of the third chapter, the second part with the Board meeting will be added as soon as I've finished rewriting it.
Now, about the questions and comments in your reviews:
About the portrait: I'll say now that he's not an OC but a canon character. Harry's about to learn his identity and I do not want to spoil this chapter.
About pairings: I have to admit that this story actually started out as a kind of back story to a slash plotbunny which took on a life on its own and has now become independent. I probably won't include outright slash in this fanfic however, at most I'll keep it like my Star Trek Enterprise story 'New Realizations' which is somewhere between friendship and pre-slash, depending on how you look at it.
About Harry and Snape's relationship: For now they still have to develop a normal student-teacher relationship which isn't easy, both because Harry has still trouble really trusting adults and because Snape is still a spy and has to act accordingly.
About Harry's guardian: You'll learn who it is at the end of the meeting with the Board of Governors.
About Umbridge: For now, she's been arrested and is awaiting trial. While Snape's direct involvement with her is over, Umbridge is in no way safe from the repercussions of her actions (remember, she pissed of Slytherins).
About Dumbledore: Of course the Board will discuss him in this chapter but he will not show up directly until some chapters from now.
About OCs: I know the problem of keeping track of too many OCs, both as reader and writer. For your help and my own, I'll add a chapter with short descriptions of the truly important OCs, excluding those who are merely added to "fill the room".
Chapter 3
Harry once again went to the unused corridor to talk to the portrait. During the past four days, he'd spent much of his free time there. It had quickly become known that Umbridge had been arrested because of his testimony, so once again students were staring at him. Some had even thanked him "for being brave enough to dare and testify". They didn't know that it had nothing to do with him being brave and more with not being able to disobey Snape. Well, that and the fact that Snape actually seemed to care about the students.
Another reason for him to make himself scarce was his own Head of House. She had repeatedly tried to get him alone to ask why he hadn't confided in her, why he hadn't asked for her help or help from another teacher when it had all started. But what could he tell her? That he didn't trust any adult to care about his being abused because in the past no one had cared enough to see the signs and get him away from the Dursleys? He'd rather not get that discussion started, although he wasn't sure if it was because he didn't want anyone else to know what had happened or because he didn't want to know if the other teachers had already known. But then again, he might not have a choice. Snape had let him know that the Board of Governors would come to Hogwarts on Saturday to find out more about the cases of abuse. Of course the students only learned of some cases, mostly when the abused student was taken to a trusted family member or, in especially bad cases, to St. Mungos to receive treatment. He had to admit, he wasn't too surprised that Neville was one of the students taken to St. Mungos.
Snape had already told him that it would probably be his and Neville's cases that would be discussed before the Board of Governors because theirs had been the worst. Neville couldn't be there because they were still trying to save his magical core. He did not have to be there when they discussed it either but he'd decided to go. He wanted to know what they would decide and possibly even take part in the discussion rather than having others decide his future. He'd already written to Remus, asking him and Snuffles to be there. They would find out sooner or later, at the latest when he didn't return to the Dursleys (something he was slowly starting to believe), and he'd rather they all find out together so he didn't have to talk about it again.
But while that was a prospect he didn't like, it was not what had him hurrying to his new confidant.
"Good afternoon, child," the portrait greeted him when he finally arrived in the corridor. At first he'd balked at being called child but the man in the portrait – from what he'd told him he'd deduced that he'd once been a teacher at Hogwarts – had pointed out that, given his age, he considered everyone living in the castle a child, including the teachers, so in the end he'd accepted it, especially considering it was his own fault that he wasn't called by his name. He hadn't given him his name in an attempt to further prevent anyone from learning of his abuse without his knowledge.
"Good afternoon, Sir," Harry greeted. He sat down in his customary spot across from the portrait.
"You look troubled again. Has anything happened since yesterday?"
"Snape told me this morning that he's taking me to Privet Drive to gather the last of my things later today," Harry admitted.
The teacher nodded. "I understand that that will be difficult for you but knowing Severus, I believe he has a good reason to take you along."
"You know Snape?" Harry asked, surprised and somewhat suspicious. If he knew Snape, did that mean that he already knew his identity?
"Really, child, I told you that I've been here for centuries. Is it really so surprising that I know a teacher who was also a student here?"
Well, put like that it truly was understandable, especially considering what he knew about Snape's school years.
"By the way, have you received a reply yet from your parents' friends? I would feel better knowing you will have someone with you at the meeting."
"They will both be here," Harry replied. "I just wish it were all over already."
The ex-teacher smiled sadly. "Understandably, child."
Before Harry could reply, Snape entered the corridor. "Mr. Potter, I believe I told you that I would be expecting you in the Entrance Hall at five o'clock. It is now half past."
Harry wanted to defend himself but when he got a good look at his teacher, he could only stare in shock. Instead of the habitual black flowing robes, Snape was wearing a black Muggle suit and had his hair pulled back in a low ponytail. He looked... like a Muggle.
"Don't blame him, Severus. I have been keeping him longer than planned," the portrait injected.
Snape inclined his head. "I see. It is good to see that you are still supporting students in need, Salazar. I'm afraid my colleagues and I will be needing help with all the cases of abuse we have discovered."
Harry whirled around to stare at the portrait. "Salazar? You're Salazar Slytherin?"
The ex-teacher nodded, amused. "Yes. And you are Harry Potter, it seems." He looked to Snape. "You should warn your colleagues, my boy. I'm afraid Godric will throw a fit when he learns that Potter was one of those who were abused and Hogwarts might react to his anger."
Harry looked from one to the other, confused by what he was hearing. "Godric? Like Godric Gryffindor? You... you're actually talking?"
"And why wouldn't we?" Salazar asked. Then he understood. "Ah, you mean because of that rumour concerning our supposed falling out. Really, I have no idea who came up with that. But we can discuss that another time. I believe you and Severus have an appointment now." Seeing Harry's unsure expression, he offered gently: "If it'd make you feel better, I can ask Godric to spend the day here tomorrow so you can talk to him as well. He'll want to see you either way."
Harry hesitated, not sure if he should trust the Founder of Slytherin but nodded finally. He'd come by briefly to see if Godric Gryffindor would really show up – after looking up his appearance so he'd know if it was a trick.
"Come along then, Potter. We have to be at Privet Drive soon," Snape said, starting back towards the Entrance Hall.
"I don't understand why I have to go there at all. Sir," Harry quickly added, following after the potion master.
"For one we need to make sure that you have all your belongings so that you will not have to return there again. As for the second reason, you will see when we arrive there," Snape replied. He considered the boy. "You will need to appear more like a Muggle as well." The white buttoned shirt, tie and grey trousers of his school uniform would serve quite well to blend in in the Muggle part of Surrey. It was more his robe that would be suspicious, so Snape transformed it into a suit jacket. "That should be sufficient."
Harry had jumped when Snape had drawn his wand, then slowly relaxed again when he pocketed it again but didn't relax completely. He was not ready yet to trust Snape completely but, given the last four days, decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. What was more, he didn't like that there was now one more reason for him to be stared at. And students were staring. Partly at him – again – but also partly at Snape. Judging from the confusion, then shock in their eyes, it was especially Snape's Muggle attire that was drawing their attention.
He was relieved when they finally left the castle and the stares behind them. "Professor? How will be get there?" he asked.
"Well, Potter, since we are late, we will be apparating directly to Privet Drive instead of flooing to Arabella Figg's residence," Snape replied, arching a brow.
Harry swallowed a cheeky reply. "Yes, sir," he instead said simply.
When they reached the edge of the wards, Snape laid a hand on Harry's shoulder, then apparated them to a hidden corner of Privet Drive in Little Whinging. He looked around carefully, then led Harry to the Dursley residence. Harry was surprised to see not only his uncle's car in the driveway but also another private car and a police car. He started when he heard shouting coming from Number 4 but Snape urged him towards the door, a surprisingly gentle hand against his back.
The potion master rang the doorbell, not surprised that it took a while for someone to answer, nor that it was a strange woman who answered. "Ah, good evening, sir. If you're here to see Petunia or Vernon, I'm afraid today is… not a good time." She glanced back towards the living room where Vernon was yelling at some policemen.
Snape nodded to her, then to a policeman who'd come to see who was at the door. "I am Professor Severus Snape, a teacher of Harry Potter, Mrs. Dursley's nephew. We are here to pick up his belongings."
"Good evening, Professor. I am Inspector Stewart. You may enter but I will accompany you, both for safety and procedural purposes," the policeman said.
"Excuse me, Professor, but you say you are the boy's teacher. So you work at St. Brutus's Secure Centre for Incurably Criminal Boys?" the strange woman asked.
"Most certainly not, Mrs. ...?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm Emily Grunning, the wife of Vernon's boss. But I do not understand. Petunia admitted that her nephew is attending St. Brutus's," she said.
"I'm afraid she was not honest with you. I work at Hogwarts, a school for particularly gifted students," Snape replied.
"But why would she lie like that?" Mrs. Grunning asked, confused.
"I cannot be sure but given her jealousy for her sister who was also a student there, it might have been done in an attempt to make her own son appear better," Snape said.
Mrs. Grunning looked shocked, then she turned to Harry. "Oh, you poor boy. I have a highly talented son as well. I know how difficult it is at first because they have difficulties adjusting, so I was relieved and proud when we finally learned the reason. Spreading such lies..." She shook her head. "Really, they should be proud you're special. You should be proud."
Harry was taken aback. He hadn't expected that, especially of a friend of his aunt Petunia's. "Ah... thank you, ma'am."
"Now, if you plan to actually remove his belongings, you will have to get them now," Inspector Stewart said.
Snape inclined his head. "Of course, Inspector. Mr Potter, where are your belongings?"
Harry hesitated a moment, then motioned to the cupboard. "In there."
Inspector Stewart looked surprised. "In a cupboard? Well, since my colleagues and I have not yet had a chance to check in there, I will need to take a look first."
Harry bit his lip. He'd actually hoped that he could just quickly grab his things and they'd go. He should have known that, sooner or later, people would find out about the cupboard but he hadn't expected it to be today and in his – and worse, Snape's – presence at that.
But it was too late already. Inspector Stewart had opened the door – only briefly surprised by the locks – and leaned in to get a good look. Harry could tell the second he discovered the scribbling on the wall because he froze, then pulled back and stare at him in shock.
"Inspector Stewart?" Snape asked, curious what had caused the reaction. He went closer to the cupboard but before he could see inside, the other man stepped in front of the open door.
"I will first have to take some pictures to perpetuate the evidence," the Inspector replied, "then you may take his belongings."
Harry fidgeted nervously. He just wanted to leave again as soon as possible, preferably before the Dursleys noticed him. He glanced inside the living room where the Dursleys, two other policemen and another man, probably Mr Grunning, were talking. He jumped when Vernon suddenly yelled: "For the last time, I've never hit the fr... the boy!"
"Yes, you did," someone replied. Harry was confused for a moment, not sure who had dared contradict Uncle Vernon. To his surprise, it had been Dudley.
"D-Duddlekins, what are you talking about?" Petunia stuttered.
Dudley was frowning, then haltingly said: "You and Dad did hit him. You said that's what you have to do with a freak like him. But they say that that's abuse. And he did save me last summer."
Vernon gasped in shock, then quickly turned to his boss. "I assure you, Mr Grunning, I have no idea what Dudley is talking about." To the policemen, added: "I've told you, I haven't abused the boy."
One of the policemen stepped forward. "I believe we've heard enough."
"This is all a mistake," Vernon protested. "Mr Grunning, I'm sure this will all be cleared up soon."
Emily Grunning stormed into the room. "Well, I've certainly heard enough as well. Robert, I do not want someone like him associated with our company. Not someone who'd mistreat a child simply because he's more gifted."
"But... but Emily..." Petunia stammered.
"Don't you dare address me that familiarly again, Dursley," Emily hissed. "You can be sure that I will be telling the rest of our... of my group what I have learned here today. No matter how the trial ends, you and your husband won't get a job in England again."
Harry was distracted from what was happening after that by Inspector Stewart. "Alright then, Mr Potter, you can take your belongings now, just show me what it is that you're taking."
"Thank you, Sir." Harry knelt down in the door, then started to look through his things which his uncle had kept locked up in the cupboard, deciding carefully what he really wanted to take.
When the Dursleys were being led out of the room by the policemen, Stewart and Snape stepped in front of Harry, shielding him from view.
Petunia stopped short when she saw Snape. "You! This is all your fault!" she screeched. "Yours and that of the other freaks!" She looked around at the policemen. "Are you part of this, too? Are you also freaks?"
"That's enough, Mrs Dursley," the policeman leading her out said, urging her out.
Snape watched her go, smirking, then turned to the man beside him. "Inspector Stewart, what will happen now?"
"Well, they will stand trial of course. And judging from the evidence and testimonies, I'd say that they'll be found guilty and sentenced to years in prison," Inspector Stewart said.
"And what about their son?" Snape asked.
The Inspector considered the question carefully. "Well, first of all he'll have sessions with a psychiatrist. From what we were able to gather, they conveyed a rather screwed picture of society and how to act. He will also have to stand trial but in his case, the outcome will depend on how the sessions with his psychiatrist go."
"I see." Snape then turned back to his pupil. "Well, Mr Potter, have you found all your belongings?"
"Yes, Sir." He looked up in surprise when Snape offered him a bag for them. "Thank you, Sir."
"You're welcome, Mr Potter," Snape replied. "If you are finished here, we will go to Arabella Figg's now from where we will then floo back to Hogwarts."
Harry looked back into the cupboard, then let his gaze wander over the house. It slowly dawned on him that it was truly over. He would never have to return to Number 4 Privet Drive again. It took a moment for him to remember Snape's words. "Uh... yes... yes, I'm finished." He followed Snape to the door where they turned to back to the Inspector. They thanked him for his help, then said goodbye.
"You're very welcome. I wish you a safe journey and please say hello to Amela for me, Professor," the policeman said.
Harry looked confused but Snape simply inclined his head. "Of course."
Harry wanted to ask who Amela was. And if they both knew this Amela, did that mean that they also knew each other? Finally he couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. "Professor? Did you know they'd be here today?"
Snape smirked. "You'll find, Mister Potter, that carefully prepared plans tend to work better than the spontaneous 'plans' Gryffindors seem to favour," he simply said.
Harry was taken aback for a moment, then hid a smile. That was a 'yes', he'd say. He was a bit surprised that it was Snape of all people who had taken such an interest in helping him, especially given how his Occlumency lessons had ended. But then again, from what Healer Gallagher and Salazar had hinted at, he seemed to care for all cases of abuse.
When they arrived at Arabella's, Snape turned to his student. "We will keep our visit very brief. You will floo directly to your common room, using the password for the portray at the entrance to the Gryffindor Tower."
Harry nodded, relieved to be able to return. He hung back when they entered Mrs Figg's house, returning her greeting but preferring not to let himself be drawn into a conversation about her cats. He just wanted to get back to Hogwarts quickly, preferably without drawing to much further attention, so for once he was grateful for Snape's snide remarks. He gratefully accepted the floo powder, casting it in the flames and quickly stepping through.
He had barely stepped out of the fireplace when Hermione and Ron spotted him.
"Harry, where were you?" Hermione asked. "Where did Snape take you?"
"And was that really Snape?" Ron added. "He looked so... so..."
Harry had to grin. "Yes, Ron, that was really Snape. He took me to Surrey."
"Surrey? Isn't that where your family lives?" Ron asked, worriedly regarding his friend.
"Yes." Harry's grin grew. "I just saw them being arrested. I got to pack my stuff so I'll never have to return there ever again."
"Seriously? How did that happen?" Ron asked.
Harry looked around, then led them over to an unoccupied corner of the common room. "Okay, so you saw me leave with Snape. We apparated to Surrey and then..."
His two friends listened curiously. They knew better than to interrupt or ask too many questions about the exact reasons for the Dursleys' arrest. They had their suspicions and the few hints in his telling of the last hour confirmed them. But when he finished, Hermione couldn't contain one question: "But Harry, if the Dursleys are in prison, where will you stay? You're not of age yet, so you need a guardian."
"You could stay with us," Ron offered. "You know Mom would love to have you stay for the whole of the holidays."
Harry smiled. "Thanks, Ron, but I can't answer yet. My future guardian will be decided this weekend when the Board of Governors comes to Hogwarts."
His two friends exchanged a long look. "Harry, why didn't you talk to us? You don't have to do this alone. We'd like to help you make sure that your new guardian is good to you," Hermione said.
Ron nodded. "I could ask Dad about the procedure for deciding a new guardian. I wouldn't even have to tell him that it's about you, there are a few others in our House who need a new guardian."
Harry hesitated, then nodded. "Alright, I guess you could write to him. But please just write as if you're curious about it in general, not in my case." He'd rather not have the whole Weasley clan here. While he enjoyed spending time at the Burrow and genuinely liked Mr and Mrs Weasley, he felt a bit overwhelmed by Mrs Weasley's very affectionate manner.
Hermione added eagerly: "I can also take a long in the library. I remember a mention in 'Hogwarts: A History' that..."
Ron sighed and rolled his eyes. Sometimes her quoting that blasted book could get really annoying.
"Actually, Hermione, I need your help to find another piece of information. Are there any pictures in a book of the Founders?" Harry quickly interrupted.
"Well, of course they included them but why do you ask?" Hermione replied.
Harry quickly explained about the portrait of Salazar Slytherin and how he might be meeting the one of Godric Gryffindor the next day.
"We're coming with you tomorrow," Ron said at once, Hermione nodding in agreement.
"Alright. So tomorrow after our last lesson, we'll go up to the sixth floor..."
"...and then left and here is the unused corridor," Harry said, leading his friends through the corridors to his usual meeting place with the portrait.
They stopped, a bit surprised to find four people crowded in the portrait instead of just two. Hermione sucked in a breath, then hissed to the two boys: "That's them. All four Founders, I mean."
Godric pushed himself to the foreground when he noticed them. "Harry, child, are you okay? Are you healing all right? Did your uncle try anything yesterday?" He growled: "I swear, if I could get my hands on them... or Dumbledore, for that matter..."
Salazar squeezed his shoulder. "Godric, calm down. Don't overwhelm him." Then he turned back to the children. "But I have to say, child, we are all rather curious. How did your visit go?"
"It went well. It was actually a relief to be there because I got to see them being arrested," Harry answered, smiling slightly at the memory.
Salazar turned to Godric. "See, I told he's okay. Given the circumstances, I mean."
"It seems so, yes." A dark haired woman said, then continued to Harry: "But I'm a bit curious who your friends are. I am..."
"Rowena Ravenclaw," Hermione rushed out, then slapped a hand over her mouth. "I'm sorry, ma'am."
Rowena smiled gently. "Do not worry, child. I understand that it is always a surprise for students who stumble across our portraits."
Hermione breathed a sigh of relief, happy that she hadn't angered the Founders. "I am Hermione Granger and this is Ronald Weasley." She elbowed Ron who was still staring at the portrait. "Say something," she hissed.
"You're actually talking?" Ron exclaimed.
Godric looked amused. "Of course we do. Given that you're already in your fifth year and that you are from a Wizarding family, I'd expect you to know about talking portraits."
"I think what he meant was that you three are talking to me," Salazar interjected gently.
The Founder of Gryffindor whirled around. "And why wouldn't I be talking to you?"
"But...everyone knows how you fought because Slytherin started all that pureblood stuff and tried to kill off all Muggleborn. Some even say that you others finally drove him off for it," Ron said.
It was Helga who started to explain while Salazar was whispering softly to Godric and rubbing his arm soothingly. "It's true that Salazar didn't want to accept Muggleborn at first but he never wanted to kill them."
"It also had nothing to do with pureblood fanaticism," Rowena added. "You have to remember the situation back then. Generally speaking, Muggle children were rarely educated. Only the sons of rich families could afford to receive an education. The children of pureblood families on the other hand were all educated. Salazar didn't want to spend years teaching the students how to write, read and calculate."
"Another reason was the way Muggles reacted to magic and wizards. They often attacked and sometimes even tried to kill wizards and witches, especially children who didn't know yet how to defend themselves. So it was actually not surprising that he – and Rowena, for that matter – preferred to keep ourselves strictly apart from them," Helga finished. "And we certainly didn't drive him off. It was for personal reasons that he had to leave and he died before he could return."
"So you don't mind Muggleborns?" Harry asked his...confidant? friend? He wasn't quite sure what Salazar was.
"Not at all. I do not mind Muggleborns but I still think that the Ministry should keep an eye on them and their families since there are still Muggles who react aggressively to magical children," Salazar replied. He shook his head. "I saw too many cases here, even in recent years."
Godric wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "Well, you told us that the Board finally knows. And Sev asked us for help so we can make a difference and perhaps even help prevent further cases."
Salazar laughed. "Still a hopeless optimist, aren't you. I doubt it's possible to prevent something like that from ever occurring again." At Godric's look, he conceded: "But it might raise awareness and result in measures that will help abused children when they start at Hogwarts."
Rowena and Helga shot them an indulgent look. "Now, Harry, do you know yet what will happen at the meeting of the Board of Governors?" Rowena asked.
"The way I understood it, they plan to look into what has been happening here at Hogwarts. That's why they'll mostly question the teachers..."
"...and afterwards they also want to ask about students about the abuse. Both by Umbridge and others."
Remus considered Harry carefully, considering all he and Sirius had been told. "And about which one will you be questioned?"