Oh my goodness! I wasn't expecting quite such an incredible response! Thank you all so much!
Here's your reward
Bits and pieces taken from The First Task.
…
Sitting in the middle of a tent, surrounded by nervous teenagers was the last place Severus wanted to be, but here he was. After a horrendous morning of running backwards and forwards between classes and Potter, who had been throwing up spasmodically since he got up, now he had to wait here with the boy and try and stop him having a nervous breakdown.
Severus sighed. He had really thought he had done his duty by the boy last night, but as Minerva had pointed out when she came to escort the Potter to the Champion's Tent, Slytherins could be relied upon to listen to her, where the same could not be said for Severus and her Gryffindors. So, by dint of coddling irksome students, Severus was left to coddle the most irksome of them all.
A particularly loud cheer went up from the enclosure. Diggory had been competing for over ten minutes now and the commentary floating through was hardly encouraging. Bad enough they were forced to be exposed to this macabre spectacle, they had to endure that buffoons thoughts on the proceedings.
After the Champions had been officially told of their task – none of them had been in the least bit surprised – and Potter had naturally been saddled with the most vicious looking dragon Severus had seen, Bagman had actually had the audacity to try and talk to the boy alone. Severus had stopped it, of course, pointing out that Potter actually needed that time to prepare and it would not do for a contestant to be seen fraternising with the judges. His words had not seemed to get through to Bagman, but the ridiculous little man had understood when Severus had levelled his best glare at him.
The only preparation Potter had seen fit to partake of, however, was growing increasingly green and shaky. Not that the other two were faring much better, but they were not his concern. Potter squirmed, Lily's impossibly green eyes – now enhanced by the boy's new glasses – shining tensely.
The whistle finally blew and at Bagman's gleeful announcement, Delacour stepped outside, trembling from head to foot, but with her head held high. Severus could respect that. Judging from the look Potter was giving her, so could he.
Severus sighed. They didn't have enough time for him to mollycoddle the boy. He cast a silent muffliato over them and knelt down in front of the wriggling youth, hoping to get his attention.
Potter finally looked up.
"Do you have a plan?" Severus asked bluntly.
Potter shrugged. "I need to get the egg."
That wasn't a plan. "Yes. And how do you propose retrieve said object?"
"I mean," Potter scratched his nose. "I could maybe just summon it, now that Professor Flitwick has helped me I know I can do it… but they will have thought of that…"
"The judges have better things to do than trying to catch you out. This task is to test your strategy skills."
"And simple is best," Potter nodded. "That's what Moody said."
Severus supressed a growl and managed to nod round his ire.
"Be sure to specify 'golden' egg," he pointed out. Potter nodded.
"What if it doesn't work?" the boy whispered.
How Severus wished any other teacher to be present at that moment. Even Filch would probably have had a better idea of how to respond to what Potter was going through. He had been remarkably resilient up until now, and Severus could not blame him for having reached his breaking point, but now was not the time to fall apart. Reaching for his compassion, Severus awkwardly patted his scrawny shoulder, causing the boy to look at him as if he had gone mad.
He withdrew his hand and said tersely, "All you have to do is perform the spell and follow through with you plan, then you have fulfilled the requirements of the contract for this task, even if you fail. It is a total of three words, Potter. I'm sure even you can manage that."
"So…"
"So, you may forfeit, if you see no other opportunity. You do not need to wait until you are in imminent danger to exit."
Potter's fingers traced the lily shaped pendent portkey – donated by a tearful Pomona – that nestled under his robes, "But I thought-"
Merlin save me from dense Gryffindors, "The contract needs to be fulfilled to protect your magic. In this case, the Task is to come up with a strategy and execute it as well as you can. Beyond that, unless you desire to win, you need do no more."
"It kind of feels like cheating," Potter pouted. Then he sighed, "I just hope I can do the spell. Can you imagine what everyone will say if I can't even summon right?"
Severus could very well imagine.
"I believe Professor Flitwick has taught you some relaxation techniques to perform before your lessons."
Potter shifted and nodded, "Yeah, they seem to help loads."
"Well then…" he prompted.
Severus watched out of the corner of his eye as Potter attempted to relax his tense shoulders. Even as he went through the breathing cycles reasonably well, the boy wouldn't stop his infernal wriggling.
"What," Severus demanded. "Is the matter Potter?"
Potter blushed to the roots of his messy hair, "I need… I need to loo, sir," he sounded absolutely mortified. "I-
Severus smirked. He had honestly been quite worried that the boy was dehydrated after his morning's vomiting and was relieved to find that at least some of the peppermint tea he had forced on the boy had made its way into his system.
"Come then," he said, rising. "You will be useless if you are distracted."
"But sir-"
Severus glided out of the back flap of the tent, ignoring Krum's curious stare and checking continuously for a lurking Rita Skeeter. He didn't know what Dumbledore had been thinking, allowing that woman back on the grounds, even with curtailed access. He would just need to make sure she didn't get anywhere near Potter.
Once they were a reasonable distance from the tent, Severus motioned to a nearby tree and Potter darted past him, so red he could have been mistaken for a Weasley head of hair. Severus stood a respectable distance away, trying to discern the sounds coming from the enclosure. Delacour had been in there for about five minutes now and- there was the expected cheer.
Potter slipped back next to him, only slightly pink now and a lot more relaxed.
"Sorry, sir."
Severus said nothing and cast a quick scourgify on the boy's hands.
"Thanks," Potter murmured, glancing at the enclosure as a second cheer indicated the results had been given. Krum would be going out any minute.
By silent agreement, they ambled back to the tent, Potter clearly not wanting to re-enter before Krum's departure.
There was the whistle. They had only a few minutes now.
Severus began to chivvy Potter back to the tent, knowing that he would need what time they had to calm himself down. The boy was wound like a coiled spring.
"Sir."
Severus turned to see Potter stopped dead two metres behind him. His hair looked even wilder than usual and his eyes were fixed on a point just beyond Severus' left ear.
"I want you to know… I need to tell someone…"
Severus waited. He tsked impatiently. They didn't have time for this. "Yes, Potter? What?"
Potter swallowed. "I… I'm showing. I have a bump," he choked. "The baby… it- they're in there. They are real." He flattened his robes tight across his abdomen. Severus stared, but honestly could see no distinguishable curve.
"I just… someone should know. Even if something happens… they were there."
Oh, how he wished it was Minerva and not him there. "Mr Potter," he said, as gently as he could, which he knew was still quite biting. "Nobody can dispute that your baby is real and I promise that we have done everything we can to keep your child safe. You have a shield ward on the front of your robes, a portkey readily accessible, and the dragon-wranglers are ready to step in should anything look like it will go wrong," what else did the boy want from him? "All you have to do is step into the enclosure, perform one spell and step out. Do not work yourself up."
Unexpectedly, Severus' words seemed to have the desired effect. Potter squared his shoulders, his pale cheeks tinged slightly pink as though he were feverish and he marched back into the tent to await the whistle.
Fifteen minutes later, Severus was standing at the entrance to the arena. Potter had done a decent job controlling his breathing and had seemed slightly calmer for a moment, but all of that had gone out of the window when the whistle had sounded and he had walked to the enclosure as if he had had a jelly-legs jinx cast on him. The only good thing was, he was so distracted, he didn't seem to have noticed the jeers of the crowd.
"He looks terrified," Minerva said in a strained whisper.
Severus did not bother answering. The scene spoke for itself.
Potter was still standing stock still inside the entrance to the enclosure. From the set of his shoulders, Severus could just imagine how wide his eyes were. Not that Severus could blame him. Even standing on the other side of the aperture, the sight of a fifty foot fire breathing beast was a disconcerting sight.
Even worse, Severus could see instantly that the summoning charm was a terrible idea. The dragon was standing in front of her eggs, protecting them from invaders and staring straight at Potter across the enclosure, although she made no move. While summoned objects would bypass most obstacles, that did not preclude the possibility of her leg being tapped by the flying egg and she would certainly see the projectile as it came to the boy. Either scenario would probably be seen as a threat and cause her to attack.
Severus' heart was in his mouth as he waited for Potter to make a move. His hand was round his wand, ready to pull the boy out as soon as the inevitable happened.
Potter raised his wand. Severus gripped his wand tighter.
"Expecto Patronum!" Potter shouted, sending a magnificent silver stag galloping around the stadium.
Severus gaped, as the dragon reared up, following the spectre around the enclosure with her head and leaving Potter with the opportunity to-
"Accio Golden Egg!"
The golden egg whizzed through the air, into Potter's arms and before the dragon could turn away from the now dissipated stag and roar, Potter had thrown himself out of the enclosure and into Minerva's arms. The two professors dragged him away as the vicious Horntail, upon seeing her nest had been disturbed, let loose a torrent of flames and lashed her tail, shattering a large boulder. That was the wranglers' problem.
It had all been over in just a minute.
"Potter? Potter? Are you all right?" Severus demanded, as Minerva shooed away a lurking Hagrid and Moody. The boy clearly wasn't up to conversation right now.
Potter was visibly quivering and white as a sheet. Minerva released his arm to feel his forehead and the boy dropped like a stone. Severus winced at the crack his knees made against the hard ground and then again as the boy started retching up the little that had built up in his system over the last hour.
Minerva crouched next to him, stroking his hair and murmuring some inane nonsense as he gasped. Severus could see Poppy hurrying across the clearing from the first-aid tent.
The medi-witch knelt next to the wretched boy.
"Do you have any pains?"
Potter shook his head, "I think- I think everything's all right."
"Well, we'll just check," Poppy said gently, helping Potter up.
Potter winced as soon as he straightened his knees.
"The boy cracked his knees when he came out of the arena," Severus pointed out. "Apart from that, I witnessed no injuries."
Minerva nodded to confirm this and Poppy led Potter the short way to the first-aid tent. He limped all the way.
"I'll stay and wait for the results," Minerva said, twisting her hands. "I don't know how the students are going to react, with him being so quick."
It was true – the rumble of the stadium was becoming louder as the seconds ticked by. It seemed Potter's performance had only just caught up with them. Confusion seemed to be the reigning emotion.
"Tell me if there- tell me if he is all right," Minerva said.
Not happy with his allotted role, Severus trudged to the first-aid tent. When he entered, the first thing he saw was Diggory, covered in bandages, but sitting up. Severus guessed that with some burn salve, he would be fine in a matter of half an hour. He marched over to the canvas curtain, behind which he could make out the shadow of Poppy fussing over Potter.
He swished through the curtains and sighed in relief when he saw that the boy was smiling.
"I've put some disinfectant on his knees, but they're just scraped. They're all healed," Poppy said.
Potter smiled even wider, "And the baby's fine. Madam Pomfrey did the spell to let me hear the heartbeat again."
"I put up a privacy ward," Madam Pomfrey explained, as Severus started to berate the brat for being so foolishly loose lipped. "The baby's heartbeat is a little fast, which is to be expected after all this, but overall Mr Potter and the baby seem to be in good health.
"Good," Severus said.
"If you'll excuse me," the medi-witch said. She bustled out of the cubicle, waving her wand as she did so. "How does it feel now, Diggory?"
Severus turned to the euphoric boy in front of him. He looked happier than he had since the first few weeks of term.
"That was a well-executed patronus charm, Mr Potter," Severus complimented in a murmur.
"Thanks," Potter breathed. "I thought about the distraction things we talked about last night and thought that maybe it would be a good idea to have one and… I couldn't think of anything else." He shrugged sheepishly.
Severus inclined his head, "It was well done."
Before Potter could formulate a response, Miss Fawley shot into the tent like a whirlwind.
"Harry!" she cried. "That was amazing! Are you all right?" She bounded to the head of the bed. "Are you-"
"I'm fine," Potter said. "Really. Madam Pomfrey check and I'm absolutely fine."
"Oh good-" she noticed Severus in the corner. "Sir, Professor McGonagall is outside dealing with some Gryffindors. She seemed really worried…"
Severus inclined his head, "Thank you, Miss Fawley." There was really no need for him to stay, now that he knew that all was well with the boy.
He stepped out to find Minerva and came upon her just outside the tent, standing like a lioness between the flap and two very pushy teenagers.
"Mr Potter is well after his ordeal," Severus purred, pretending to ignore the outraged looks on the faces of Granger and Weasley.
Minerva relaxed immediately, "Very good, Professor Snape. I was just explaining to these two that barging into a medical facility is not seemly."
"You let that Slytherin in!" Weasley protested.
"That will do, Mr Weasley," Minerva said sharply. She turned to Severus. "They came to me on Sunday evening to inform me of Mr Potter's treatment by my House… much too late, I might add!" they had the good grace to look shame-faced. "Since then they have been pestering me to see him…"
Severus knew what she was not asking.
"I believe he is up to visitors," he mused. "And Madam Pomfrey is there should complications arise."
Minerva looked sceptical, but nodded.
"Very well, in you go," she shooed the two reprobates in. "But one hint of trouble and you'll be serving detention until the end of the year. They're on thin ice as it is," she added sotto-voce to Severus.
Severus' lips twitched.
Minerva frowned, "He's really well."
"Both he and the baby," Severus muttered, his mouth barely moving. He was aware of Skeeter lurking somewhere, even if he couldn't see her. "Poppy checked him thoroughly. Slightly raised heart rate, but nothing worse."
"Thank Merlin," Minerva breathed.
Raised voices could be heard floating from the tent, until a bark from Madam Pomfrey was followed by silence.
"Are you sure it was wise," Severus asked, "allowing Weasley and Granger to see him, after the way they have behaved?"
"None of us are above reproach," Minerva pointed out, looking at Severus severely over the top of her glasses. "And they did come to me on Sunday evening to inform me of Potter's ostracization of their own volition. They were extremely worried about him."
"You didn't tell them-"
"Of course not!" Minerva said. "I told them that we were aware of Potter's situation and that he was safe, as well as a few choice words. I believe they intended to speak with him yesterday but…"
"He was removed from classes," Severus supplied.
"Indeed. And I believe they were late to breakfast. This is the first, fair, chance they have to talk and it is now up to them how they proceed."
Before Severus could express his opinions on the folly of such a ploy, Percy Weasley shoved his head round the gate to inform them, pompously, that the judges were ready, if Potter was.
"I better go and fetch him," Minerva fussed, but before either of them could head back into the tent, three Gryffindors, side by side, and a rather irate Slytherin appeared.
"You were the best, Harry!" Weasley was saying. "Hands down. Cedric did this weird thing where he Transfigured a rock on the ground… turned it into a dog… he was trying to make the dragon go for the dog instead of him. Well, it was a pretty cool bit of Transfiguration, and it sort of worked, because he did get the egg, but he got burnt as well – the dragon changed its mind halfway through and decided it would rather have him than the Labrador, he only just got away. And that Fleur girl tried this sort of charm, I think she was trying to put it into a trance – well, that kind of worked, too, it went all sleepy, but then it snored, and this great jet of flame shot out, and her skirt caught fire – she put it out with a bit of water from her wand. And Krum – he was probably best after you – hit it with some sort of spell right in its eye. Only thing is, it went trampling round in agony and squashed half the real eggs – they took marks off for that, he wasn't supposed to do any damage to them."
Potter, who had been grinning like a Cheshire cat, crumpled at that revelation.
"Harry, are you all right?" Granger asked, grabbing his wrist.
Potter shook his head and said vaguely, "Yeah… just… it's a shame about, the eggs…"
"Loads survived," Granger pointed out. "And it's not like the dragon won't be breeding again. I read that breeding females are expected to produce ten eggs a year and only and a couple ever hatch."
Potter clearly didn't know how to react that, so Severus took it upon himself to shove the boy towards the enclosure and distractions. Miss Fawley came up behind him, watching the trio go into the arena with Minerva.
"They said they were 'really sorry' and that they believed him now and he just took them back," she scoffed. "He only hesitated for a moment."
"Did he tell them about… everything?" Severus asked in a measured tone.
She shook her head, "No. I don't think he trusts them fully yet. He really should make them work for it," she said as Weasley threw an arm haphazardly around Potter's shoulder.
"That is not the Gryffindor way," Severus said.
"And that's why I'm glad I'm in Slytherin. They'll just end up resenting each other in the end."
Severus wholeheartedly agreed, but just went to stand in the shadows of the gateway to see Potter's scores. It had been interesting to hear how the other champions had faired, Severus mused – while the spell craft sounded adequate, all of them seemed to have gone for flash, over strategy. He wondered how the judges would reward the simple but effective strategy… although he supposed he was biased. Merlin, could he be… proud of Potter? Certainly of the situation, if not the boy, he thought, as he watched James Potter's hair bob around in front of him. That invocation was enough to set his teeth on edge, as it should be.
The judges were seated on a raised dais on the opposite side of the arena, in seats draped with gold and looking far too over the top to be taken seriously. Severus suspected that the Ministry – who were still insisting on using this charade as a showcase of international co-operation – were behind it. It certainly would photograph well, Severus admitted, as he saw Skeeter's photographer snapping shots left, right and centre. He glared in the reporter's direction,n as the silly woman was obviously about to try and approach the boy.
"It's marks out of ten from each one," Weasley was explaining.
Madam Maxine was the first judge. She raised her wand in the air and shot out a long silver ribbon that formed into a large figure eight. Severus ground his teeth. He doubted very much her champion could produce a Corporeal Patronus, even without a Dementor present.
"Not bad," Weasley commentated, as the crowd cheered – apparently they had all decided to support Potter, now that he had shown his calibre. "I suppose she took marks off for you hesitating at the beginning and looking like you were going to faint or something…"
Severus saw the sharp look Potter gave Weasley, even if the red head didn't notice it. So, all was not fixed in paradise.
Crouch was next. He shot up the number nine.
"Looking good!" Weasley yelled, thumping Potter on the back so hard he stumbled slightly. Severus had to place a hand in front of Miss Fawley to stop her marching forward and giving the boy a piece of her mind. Minerva leant over and reminded Weasley to conduct himself with more decorum.
Next came Dumbledore: another number nine. The crowd cheered madly.
"He's doing better than the others," Miss Fawley explained. Severus rolled his eyes at the fickleness of those who just this morning had been jeering at the boy.
Ludo Bagman – ten.
Severus wasn't sure about that. After all, the judges knew for certain the boy was getting help and he would have thought that would have some bearing on the marks.
Potter apparently agreed. "But… I messed up at the beginning," he spluttered. "I hesitated and… what's he playing at?"
"Harry, don't complain," Weasley yelled. Even Granger was bouncing on the balls of her feet like a little child.
"If Karkaroff just gives you five you'll be in the lead," she squealed.
Severus could see Karkaroff had reached the same conclusion and looked like he was sucking a lemon. Severus smirked. Had the boy had just performed a summoning charm, then maybe he could justify a low score, but no one in their right mind could deny a partonus was impressive. He could see the man's beady eyes darting to Skeeter. He was clearly weighing up his options – have it reported to the world that his Champion had been blatantly bested by a fourteen year old, or have it reported that he had abused his position to try and cover up that his Champion had been bested by a fourteen year old.
Karkaroff raised his wand – six. Well, that was neither one thing nor the other. Both sides would be angry with him. The fool.
Potter was laughing with Granger hanging round his neck like a limpet. Weasley, on the other hand, was furious.
"What!?" he bellowed. "Six? You lousy biased scumbag, you gave Krum ten."
Minerva raised an eyebrow, but made no move to silence her errant student, which in itself was proof that she agreed. If anything, Potter looked even happier after the outburst.
Another of the Weasley brood – Charlie, if he recalled correctly – came running up to them as the arena started to empty and the students made their way back to the school, now that the spectacle was over.
"That was unbelievable, Harry. Well done! I've got to write mum and tell her how you did. She's been beside herself all week," he said, shaking his head. "They told me to ask you to hang around for a few minutes – Bagman wants to talk to you in the Champions' Tent."
Weasley and Granger were clearly wanting to wait for him, but Minerva and Severus agreed with a look that that would not be a good idea. After the joys of the day, the evening was going to offer quite a contrast.
"You two, back to the tower," Minerva ordered. "Potter has matters he must attend to."
"You are coming back to the tower, then, Harry?" Granger asked in a small voice.
Potter looked like a rabbit in headlights, "I… uh… I-"
"Mr Potter, a word," Severus said. The boy followed him without question. He looked the boy right in the eye, trying to ignore Lily staring back at him and said bluntly, "The Headmaster intends to inform the student body at dinner of your circumstances."
Potter's eyes widened. "Do I have a choice about that?"
"No," Severus said. "The Headmaster feels the students will be more willing to accept it if it comes from him first."
"They never had a problem believing the Prophet before," Potter grumbled.
"It is what the Headmaster has decided," Severus said stiffly. He was not about to argue with Potter about this. "You have the choice of either informing your… friends now, or they will hear it tonight."
Potter looked to his friends, who were still loitering, despite Minerva's instructions. Myriad emotions passed over his face which, without the aid of occlumency, Severus could not fathom.
"I don't know what to say to them… Can… I think tonight would be better…"
Severus nodded.
"I don't have to go tonight, do I?" Potter asked desperately. "They'll all stare and-"
"You may stay in the dungeons, if you wish." It was the obvious solution and if Potter was actually present when Dumbledore revealed everything, there was likely to be a riot.
"Thank you, sir," Potter said. He poked his toe into the ground and asked shyly. "And… can Lyra… I mean, I know it's not…"
Severus sighed, "If it would keep you calm and she is amenable, Miss Fawley may remain with you."
Another tentative smile.
Severus gestured and Potter returned to his cohorts.
"Um… guys… you should just go back to the Common Room. I'll see you later."
"Why does she get to stay and we don't!?" Weasley demanded, pointing at Miss Fawley. "Why are you hanging round with Slytherins? You know they're only out for themselves."
"Mr Weasley," Minerva began, sounding scandalised. "Such prejudices are-"
"Cunning and ambition don't mean selfish, just like courage and daring don't necessarily mean pig-headed idiocy," Lyra shot back.
Weasley swelled and turned a neat shade of beetroot, but before all-out battle could commence, Minerva stepped between the two.
"Really, Miss Fawley, that was quite unnecessary. Now, there has been quite enough malingering around here and Mr Potter has somewhere he needs to be. I cannot instruct you as to your movements, Miss Fawley, but you two are to return to the Common Room immediately."
Finally realising that their Head of Houses' patience had been used up, Weasley and Granger gabbled their goodbyes to Harry and ran back to the castle, with Minerva shadowing them.
"The tent, Mr Potter," Severus directed, simultaneously keeping an eye out for any other troublemakers hanging around. "Miss Fawley, please remain here."
The two teens separated and Severus rubbed the bridge of his nose as he prepared himself for the next part of this awful day.
…
Potter was safely inured in his quarters with Miss Fawley for company. Now he just needed to attend this staff meeting like Dumbledore had insisted. Hopefully he had dawdled in the dungeons long enough to miss the Headmaster's explanations of this mess – he had really gone over it enough the last few days.
He took a steadying breath and pushed open the door to the Staff Room. Sure enough, Hagrid was in the corner weeping into a tablecloth, while Minerva was comforting Charity. As the Muggle Studies teacher, she out of all of them knew what Potter's experiences meant. Severus sometimes forgot how few wizards understood sexual assault, as it was such a rare phenomenon in the magical community. Minerva had admitted to him that Dumbledore had had to actually explain the term 'rape' to Pomona, before Severus had arrived.
The prevailing emotion in the room seemed to be shock. Bathsheba had never taught the boy and just kept half opening her mouth, as if she had nearly found the words, but not quite… Rolanda was crying softly into her handkerchief, muttering about wasted talent. Severus scoffed. Septima seemed to be in a similar position to Bathsheba – beyond generic platitudes, what could she offer? Severus didn't think she had ever exchanged two words with the boy. Even Filch looked taken aback by the news, his eyes bulging out as he stroked his hideous mog.
Moody was worrying. The gnarled man hadn't seemed to react at all, except for an increased malevolence in his good eye. The Moody Severus had known and known of would have been tearing the walls of the castle down in his effort to reach Vernon Dursley and ensure justice was done. But, here he remained eerily still. Dumbledore was also watching the man warily. Oh well, the calming draughts Severus had in his pocket would adequately serve Sybill at least, who was on the floor in hysterics and was wailing some nonsensical nonsense.
"That would explain why he fell asleep in class last week," Aurora said quietly. Severus slipped into Sybill's vacated seat next to her. "I was- I was sharp with him." She covered her face in her hands.
"You weren't to know," Pomona said kindly. Aurora waved her off, sniffling. Severus handed her a handkerchief, which she took without looking at him.
"I suppose that's the anatomy books have disappeared to?" Irma Pince grumbled, her face as sour as ever.
Minerva glared at her, "I think you might find this is slightly more important than an overdue book, Irma," she said.
"Stolen, not overdue," Irma said snidely. "And shall I not bother to do the inventory, if you think it matters so little. It's these little expenses and inconsistencies that give the governors-"
"Thank you," Dumbledore interrupted, raising his voice. "I'm afraid, at this time Irma, I am inclined to agree with Minerva. We will be sure to talk to Mr Potter about the missing tomes, but in the meantime we must discuss the more immediate concerns."
"'Arry's 'avin' a baby," Hagrid cried. "An' he's only a mite 'imself."
"Yes, Hagrid," Dumbledore sighed. "And rest assured we are going to help him as much as we can, but in the meantime, I need all of you who have Mr Potter in your classes to check your lesson plans and see what might need adapting to accommodate his condition."
A general nod went round the room.
"We will meet on Monday to discuss progress in that regard. This is why Mr Potter has been absent for many lessons, as I am sure you can appreciate."
"Shielding charms and bubble-head charms should solve most of it," Severus said.
"Except for exceptional circumstances, yes," Dumbledore said. "It is the exceptional that needs to be identified. Speaking of which, I am afraid, Hagrid that Harry will not be able to attend your physical classes until the baby is born, although you may continue to set him homework and theory."
Hagrid's sobs redoubled, causing Severus to wince at the trumpet sound the giant man made as he blew his nose.
"Blast Ended Skrewts, while interesting, are not safe," Minerva pointed out, patting Hagrid on the shoulder. The man just nodded, still wet and miserable.
Dumbledore turned to Moody, "And Alastor, I'm afraid I have decided that you are simply not experienced enough to make the necessary adaptations and as Defence is such a hands on subject…"
Moody's eye darkened. "You think I'd hurt the boy, Albus?" he said gruffly.
"Not intentionally. We shall discuss it later, if you like, privately."
Moody pouted and clumped out of the room. Dumbledore sighed.
He turned to the remaining staff. "At dinner tonight, I shall be informing the students."
"Are you sure that is a good idea, Albus," Aurora asked. "They're so young."
"Indeed they are, my dear, but they will all be aware of the situation tomorrow morning and I would rather be sure that they understood than trust their closing reading of the Prophet."
"And it gives us a head start in answering any questions they might have before Mr Potter joins them in classes," Filius pointed out.
"I suppose," she said, chewing her lip. "They'll need help."
"They Heads of House will be on hand," Filius assured her, patting her hand.
"Now," Albus said, rubbing his hands together. "I shall leave Minerva to fill you in on the plans for punishments in the wake of the bullying young Harry has experienced." Filch's eyes lit up like Christmas had come early. "For now, I must go to my office to tell the Champions what provisions are being made for Harry in the Tasks. They have a right to be fully informed. Pomona, if you would…"
"This will ruin Cedric's day," Pomona sighed.
"Diggory has certainly not helped with the bullying," Severus reminded her. "Even if he did not play an active role."
Pomona looked pained, but could not disagree. She left to collect her Hufflepuff.
Severus rose, "Headmaster, should I-"
"You should check Harry is all right," Dumbledore said. "That is your task."
Severus felt the weight of those words acutely. He had never thought his vow would entail this.
Albus exited in a flurry of purple spangles, leaving a red eyed staff in his wake.
Minerva sighed. "Right, points…"
…
All Hogwarts students, as well as the delegations from Beauxbaton and Durmstrang stretched out before Severus, all happily sated from a feast to celebrate the completion of the First Task. It wasn't really a feast, per say; more of a large meal to mark the occasion and force all those who had been intending to host parties in their Common Rooms into the Great Hall. Everyone was so caught up in the festivities that none of them seemed to notice the sombre mood of the professors, or the Champions themselves.
Severus had fulfilled his task and had settled Potter fully back into his quarters. He and Miss Fawley were in the dungeons with dinner and a radio to keep them occupied… Severus remembered a neighbour in Spinner's End describing leaving her dog the same way.
Dumbledore stood, calling the Hall to silence with a single look.
"I think we can all agree that the Task this afternoon was a most entertaining spectacle, as well as a remarkable display of talent and quick thinking from all our Champions," the Headmaster began. A loud cheer went round the Hall, but rather than rising to the occasion, all three Champions present just looked embarrassed and slightly queasy.
Dumbledore continued, "I do not wish to detract from the joy of these events, or the delicious meal we have just shared, but I must. I must tell you of something that is to appear in the Daily Prophet tomorrow and which will be affecting one of your fellow students fundamentally. I wish to tell you, so you may absorb this information, and be better able to support this person and act as the true friends I know you all strive to be."
Minerva and Severus exchanged a look.
"As some of you may have noticed, Mr Potter is not among us this evening."
The Gryffindors had definitely noticed – they had been muttering about it throughout dinner, especially Granger and the Weasleys.
"Mr Potter is currently in a safe place within the castle. The place he has been staying this past week, since we discovered that he had been thrown out of Gryffindor Tower by his Housemates."
The murmuring around the Hall crescendoed until Albus was forced to yell, "SILENCE!"
The students settled down, although more than a few of the Gryffindors looked rather sick. Had they not expected to be discovered sooner or later? Minerva had been champing at the bit all week to confront the blighters, but Dumbledore had insisted everything to do with Potter be kept quiet for as long as possible. It was possibly even the case that the Prophet's article was a blessing in disguise for Potter. Students from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were glaring at the Gryffindors, although Severus knew they were far from blameless.
"This has brought to our attention most forcefully the bullying culture that has been allowed to grow in our school. No more," Dumbledore said gravely. "We have given you the benefit of the doubt over the years that your squabbles and feuds could be solved among yourselves, as we believed you were mature enough to master the basic practise of living and interacting with your peers without interference from the staff. Clearly we were wrong. When a person is forced to endure taunts predicting his violent death, it cannot be allowed. When that person is forced to watch his friends wear badges specifically designed to insult and demean him, it cannot be allowed. When a child is forced to live in a broom cupboard, because of the jealous actions of those who should be his allies, it cannot be allowed!"
Severus watched in satisfaction as at least sixty percent of the faces in the room went bright red.
"I realise that not all of you took active part in these actions," Dumbledore offered. "But that does not abrogate you of responsibility. Many, if not all of you knew that these things were happening, and not one of you came forward. Those of you we have put in positions of responsibility for the welfare of the lower years," his eyes swept over the prefects, lingering on Diggory, who was grey and unable to meet Dumbledore's gaze. "Those of you who are his friends," the Weasley twins were surveyed. "Just those of you who should know better. I do not claim that we teachers are above reproach either. As I said, we have let things rest for far too long and I must warn you that that will no longer be the case. Bullying will not be tolerated at Hogwarts."
Dumbledore paused for a moment to let his message sink in.
"Now, while I do not usually condone mass punishments for single infractions, I have decided, with the support of the Heads of House, that we must acknowledge what has been done. Because of that, the House Points now stand thus: Ravenclaw has fifty points – Professor Flitwick has witnessed many of you participating in the 'Potter Stinks' campaign, as I believe it is known, and none of you came forward to help Mr Potter. Hufflepuff has fifty points also – many of you were the most vocal exponents of insults during this time; Mr Diggory was offered the chance to have the points he garnered from the First Task added to this tally, but has said that he does not want that, as he feels responsible for not curbing the behaviour, as was in his power to do so. I have the utmost respect for his decision."
Diggory turned bright red and refused to look at any of his Housemates.
"Slytherin has fifty points. It has come to my attention that Slytherin House is the source of most of the propaganda aimed against Mr Potter, and Professor Snape and I were most disappointed by the behaviour of you all. If it were not for the fact that Miss Fawley, has been supporting Harry and helping him during this time, we would have been inclined to have been much harsher with your points."
Severus glared at his House. He already had a list of students to assign detention to. He had been far too lax with them, assuming that they needed the benefit of the doubt, considering the rest of the school's attitude to them, but the bullying had really gone too far. It was hard to look down the table and realise how many of his students probably were to the other Houses what James Potter had been to him.
"And finally, Gryffindor," Dumbledore said gravely. Severus worked to keep the smirk of his face as Minerva glowered beside him. She had actually wanted to be much harsher with Gryffindor to begin with, but unfortunately had been talked round. "You now stand at just thirty points. Your behaviour collectively has been abominable and I should tell you that if it were up to Professor McGonagall and if it were not for the pinches of support Mr Potter received from Messrs Fred and George Weasley and Mr Longbottom, your standing would currently be zero. I am disgusted with your actions and Professor McGonagall will be speaking to many of you later in regards to detentions for your actions." Dumbledore stared at them hard, not a trace of twinkle in his eye. "Mr Potter's forty two points from this afternoon's task will be added, if he decides that he is willing to return to your House, which at the moment is not a given."
Ignoring the outraged expressions plastered on most of the Gryffindor's faces, Dumbledore took a swig from his goblet. Considering the news he was about to deliver, Severus was fairly certain it was not pumpkin juice the Headmaster was imbibing.
"Tomorrow morning many things about Mr Potter's life will be made public. You're treatment of him will be included, but I doubt very much it will be noticed. Before this article is published, I must tell you of Mr Potter's circumstances: what they have been and what they will become, as this will affect not only him, but also Hogwarts as a whole in the long run."
Severus gritted his teeth. Stop prevaricating, old man. The students were getting more and more anxious with every minute that passed.
Dumbledore sighed, before raising his head and stating clearly, "Mr Potter has, since his parents' death, lived with his muggle aunt, her husband and his cousin. It was brought to our attention last week that this arrangement was not as happy as we might have hoped."
A murmur went round the Hall.
"After many years of secrecy, trained by his relatives not to speak of his abuse-" there was an intake of breath at that statement. "- Mr Potter has told us what has happened at the hands of relatives. I will not go into details here. It is not my intention to encourage the promulgation of gossip, but one element must be dealt with. Mr Potter has told us that his uncle has, for many years, been… sexually assaulting him."
The outcry was immediate. Some clearly didn't know what the Headmaster was saying, but were reacting to those around them - many were too shocked to even move, a select few started bawling loudly and the more obnoxious were proclaiming it to be lies. Severus stood and looked sharply at Draco Malfoy, who got the message and shut up immediately. Minerva's similar action seemed to have silenced the majority of the noise before it could really get started, although the occasional snuffle could be heard.
"Again, I do not tell you this for the purposes of gossip. Mr Potter's experiences are not the stuff of chatter and I trust you all will exercise discretion. Nor do I tell you simply to shock, or cause sympathy for Mr Potter. It was brought to our attention that Mr Potter is in fact pregnant – SILENCE!" Dumbledore was forced to bellow again. "There will be time enough to react, and I hope you all will think upon how your responses will affect Mr Potter before the morning.
"Mr Potter is currently fourteen and a half weeks pregnant. This means that we can confirm with absolute certainty that he did not enter himself in the Tournament, as the Goblet would never normally have allowed someone in his condition to be chosen, even if he had entered himself. His name should automatically have been rejected and we are investigating how this did not occur. Because of his condition, the judges have all decided that he will be allowed a teacher to assist him in his Tasks, and certain safety measures have been employed. The other Champions were informed of this this afternoon. He is not cheating.
"Now, I am sure many of you, if not all, will have questions about all this, however, for now, I think that is quite enough for us all to take in. Mr Potter will be rejoining his classmates tomorrow and I trust that you will all treat him with the dignity he deserves. Your Heads of House will be available to speak to at any time and I wish to reiterate what I hope you all know: if you feel in danger at home or at school, please speak to a teacher immediately."
With that, Dumbledore retook his seat.
Severus watched as Granger started to sob and Weasley just sat there, staring at her, about as useful as a tomato. Nothing much to tell Potter, who he knew would ask as soon as he walked through the door. None of the students were making a move to leave the Great Hall, as if it would not be real if they just stayed there. It was interesting to see the open guilt on many (too many) of their faces. Even with the evidence of the badges, Severus had clearly not comprehended the level of peer pressure the boy had been up against. Unwillingly, his estimation of the boy once again rose.
McLaggen – who he knew Minerva was ready to string up by his toenails – had shrunk into himself until he was virtually the size of a first year. The full scope of the situation even seemed to finally be dawning on Malfoy, who was opening and closing his mouth in imitation of a fish, while his peers quietly discussed the development.
"We need to get them back to the Common Rooms," Minerva whispered, breaking him out of his thoughts. "They can't just sit here all night."
Severus nodded. At an unseen signal, all four Heads of House rose as one and made their way to their respective tables. Upon seeing their House Master, the Slytherins all gathered themselves with barely a moment's pause and started to file out of the hall under Severus' watchful gaze. He was almost proud of them. The Durmstrang students who exited with them were hardly exhibiting the same level of poise through their shock, even if they did not know the boy.
A quick glance round the Hall told him that not all students were behaving with the same level of decorum, but all in all, it had gone as well as anyone could hope. Minerva especially seemed to be having a problem rallying her brave lions into action. Miss Weasley had worked herself into such a state that Severus found it necessary to slip his colleague a couple of vials of calming draught, which she took gratefully. Having seen to that, he followed his charges out of the Great Hall and down into the dungeons.
He stood at the Common Room entrance, watching the last of the students file in silently. Severus followed them in to the low ceilinged Common Room. It was rare for everyone to be present at once and, despite its sprawling nature, it suddenly felt quite claustrophobic. He couldn't imagine what Filius and Minerva were having to deal with.
After checking with a prefect that everyone was accounted for and seeing he had everyone's attention, Severus said, "I assume you all have questions."
They all did, but nobody wanted to ask them. After a minute a small second year girl – the younger Miss Greengrass – raised her hands. Severus nodded to her.
"What is sexual assault, sir?"
Severus sighed. He had known this would happen.
"Sexual assault is when a person is forced into sexual activity against their will. In this case, it included rape, which is to say, penetrative sex." He was not at all comfortable talking to the young children about this, but of course these questions would come up. He was just grateful same-sex couplings were accepted by pure bloods. He was still going to talk to Poppy about adding some kind of class to the curriculum.
"Isn't it incest if it was his uncle?" a third year boy asked.
"The man is not biologically related to him, so no," Severus explained. "The man greatly abused his position authority over Potter, but they are not related by blood."
"Has this been going on since…" Miss Parkinson trailed off, looking pained. Severus knew that the forth year Slytherins had been the most fractious with Potter.
Severus sighed. It was going to be in the newspaper anyway. "Mr Potter has been abused by his relatives since he was placed with them. The sexual assault started when he was around eight."
Miss Parkinson nodded, her eyes filling with tears. Miss Greengrass patted her on the back.
"I thought magic children couldn't be raped," Nott said belligerently. "That's what my dad said. He said only muggles would think of it as a possibility and at least we were safe."
"I will not tell you the details, Mr Nott," Severus said. "But insidious abuse is not something to be trifled with. And please bear in mind that generalising experience or actions is not helpful to Mr Potter and certainly do not minimise his experiences by claiming they could not have happened. The Aurors, DMLE, WCS and staff here at Hogwarts have all confirmed that it is true."
Nott reddened and lowered his eyes.
"Was that why he was in the dungeons?" Malfoy asked, his voice surprisingly unsure.
Severus looked at him. He had almost forgotten the boy's involvement a week ago, when all this had begun. He had walked in on Malfoy attacking Potter and using that disgusting language. He had punished the boy for the language, but nothing for a spell that could have harmed Potter irreparably. Malfoy was a fool for reminding him of that.
"Potter was coming to inform me that he needed help. Miss Fawley has since liaised in this regard," he said silkily.
"Is that where Lyra's been?" a seventh year – one of Miss Fawley's friends – asked.
"Miss Fawley has been most supportive of Mr Potter this last week, despite the need for secrecy, hence our House's retention of so many points. I should tell you that, upon close examination of certain students' reputations for antagonistic behaviour, I was inclined to not allow the Headmaster to be so lenient. I will not allow this behaviour to continue. Am I understood?"
Most nodded, a few looked angry, although some (the usual suspects) looked angry at his words. For too long he had given his students the benefit of the doubt. He could already see Malfoy edging to his Common Room. Severus sighed.
"If the… sire is a muggle, does that mean Potter is a bearer?" Mr Ostura, a fifth year asked. Of course his Slytherins knew what that meant.
"Yes. Mr Potter has been identified as a bearer."
"But-"
"The implications of that are private to Mr Potter," Severus stated, glaring down any of the students who looked too interested. He was going to have to warn Potter of the Slytherins' interest in his possible talents.
"Why didn't he tell anyone?" a first year Severus couldn't remember the name of asked innocently. Anyone who had been staring at their hands turned to Severus. That was what none of them could understand – Potter was the Golden Boy, beloved of all the wizarding world, who they had been told all their life lived in and beyond the luxury he deserved from his sacrifice… his mother's sacrifice. Why would Potter, of all people have kept quiet?
Severus sighed, "We are talking about a lifetime of abuse. It is rare for children from abusive backgrounds to come forward, for fear of retribution or being turned away. Again, I would remind you that Mr Potter does not wish to talk about this and is deeply unhappy that it is being made public in this way. All I will say is that concepts of 'normal' can often be skewed. And I would remind you of the Headmaster's message – if you feel in danger, or feel that the treatment you are experiencing is not as it should be, at any time, please come to us. I will remain here for another half an hour, if any of you have any questions, or simply need to talk."
With that, Severus sank into an available armchair and waited for the students to approach.
…
Well then, I'm afraid I can't offer you another bribe, as I've run out of chapters again. Next up will be Harry going back to classes and some Ron and Hermione drama. Lyra will be back more fully soon!
Even without blackmail, if anyone feels like feeding my review addiction, I would not be adverse…
Next update will be 7th December (CHRISTMAS IS COMING!)