A/N: CaseLC reminded me that I needed to provide protection for the newest Snape, so here it is. Thanks.
Trick or Treat!
"Theo?" Draco called out to the newest member of the Snape family. The brunet looked toward the blond curiously. "Serena has a gift for you, if you'll follow me." Nodding, Theo went with Draco into his shared dorm room, walking up to the serpents' nest to look inside. There were still a few younglings twining around each other, but as soon as the Slytherin's magical signature was felt, two serpents disentangled themselves from their siblings and made a beeline toward the boy. Startled, Theo backed up a couple of steps, running into Draco. "It's all right," the blond chuckled as he put a steadying hand on the other boy's shoulder. "They're your protection whilst you are out in the castle."
"Oh," the Slytherin replied eloquently. He knelt down a little nervously and held out his hand, surprised at the enthusiastic way the serpents had twined up his arm to his shoulders, where they draped themselves around his neck.
"You should have received them when you became Hadrian's brother," Draco explained with a shrug. "I'm sorry it took a while to inform you, but we've been so busy, and I kind of forgot. It was Sylvan that reminded me that two of their young had yet to bond with you."
"They were really meant for me?" the brunet asked incredulously.
"They were," Serena replied from her place around Draco's neck. "Since you became my master's mate's sibling, you were to be protected. The two that are around your neck could feel your magical signature calling to them. They kept insisting that they wanted to be with you; I tried to explain human ways to them, but they could not understand. Their impatience had finally reached our limits, so Sylvan reminded our master of their desires."
"What are you going to name them?" Draco asked with a roll of his eyes, resigned to being called 'master' by his friends.
"I'm not sure," the brunet replied softly, looking at the two serpents happily. "Are they male or female?"
"I am male," said the dark maroon snakeling on the left side of his neck. Theo stared at the serpent's face for a moment, before his dark eyes brightened.
"You will be Lyaeus. It's Latin for 'wine', because you are the deep burgundy color of a fine claret."
"I am female," said the other one excitedly, anxious to hear the beautiful name with which her master would grace her. She was an iridescent white, the color of moonlight.
"I will name you Moonbeam. You are the exquisite color of the shimmering moon." She hissed happily, tightening around his neck in a serpentine hug and flicking her tongue against his cheek. Theo giggled at the enthusiastic show of instant affection, considering himself blessed once again to be included with people who genuinely cared about him and his happiness.
"If you have any issues with trying to get your point across until they're more comfortable with English, just talk to your brother. He'll be able to translate some of the more difficult concepts for you."
Hallowe'en was upon them and everyone was chattering loudly in the Great Hall at breakfast. The Slytherin table was especially loud, with the Weasley twins holding court. They were telling stories of Hallowe'ens past, before they came to Hogwarts, with Ron and Ginny being the targets for most of their pranks and jokes. Laughter rang out, filling the Great Hall and surprising the students at the other tables with how at ease the Slytherins had become since Hadrian had come to school. Dumbledore scowled darkly, not liking in the least the horrifying turn of events that looked to strip him of his hard earned prestige and reverence. It starts tonight, he thought angrily as he watched his puppet laugh at something the Weasleys were telling him. I must find out if he'll be capable enough to battle for the wizarding world. The stone is in its place underneath the castle; a few dropped hints and a couple of compulsions charms should push the child in the right direction.
"Don't miss out on the Feast tonight," Fred murmured as they got ready to go to classes. "We have something special planned. You'll want to see it."
Greetings, Headmaster Dumbledore,
After weeks of intense examination in the matter of Hadrian James Snape, formerly Harry James Potter, we have concluded that you are to be charged with several rather serious crimes. Below you will find the list of charges, and their possible punishments.
1) Subverting the rights of the named godfather, Severus Tobias Snape, to take custody of his godson: In this case, you took little Hadrian Snape away from the wizarding world, before matters of his custody could be examined. Minimum sentence is six months in Azkaban.
2) Abandonment of a magical child in the muggle world: You deliberately left a fifteen month old child on the doorstep of a muggle residence, without care for his safety or well-being. You left but a note of explanation, and did not bother to even keep watch over him until the residents of the home could retrieve him. Minimum sentence is five years in Azkaban.
3) Depraved indifference and gross neglect of a wizarding child: You did absolutely no research into the background or personalities of the people with whom you had placed the child. You did not check to see if they were in any way suitable to raise a wizarding child. Minimum sentence is five years in Azkaban.
4) Falsifying records in order to claim magical guardianship over Hadrian James Snape: You filed paperwork with the Ministry, under false pretenses, claiming yourself as magical guardian for the orphaned Potter heir. Minimum sentence is six months in Azkaban.
5) Grand theft: You used your illegal status as Hadrian James Snape's magical guardian to siphon off monies from the Potter estates and vaults. Minimum sentence is five years in Azkaban for the theft, as well as full forfeiture of any vaults and holdings to compensate Heir Snape for his stolen monies.
Be advised that we are, at this moment, gathering evidence and witnesses, and will pursue legal action as soon as we have enough with which to charge you. Do not, in any way, think that you will be able to sweep this matter under the rug. What you did to a wizarding child is reprehensible, and you will be punished for it.
Francine Greenbriar
Legal counsel for the Wizarding Child Welfare Office
"You've got to help me," Albus said as he sailed into the office of his solicitor. Wallace Lafayette stared at the old man for a moment, irritated at his high-handed way, before he waved the headmaster to the seat in front of his desk.
"What is this about, Albus?" he asked, heaving a long-suffering sigh. He'd been dealing with the old man's crises for a very long time, and lately he had been entertaining the notion of retirement. He had more than enough money to do as he wished; however, he wasn't too keen on abandoning many of the clients that he genuinely enjoyed helping. Albus Dumbledore, sadly, was not amongst that very small group. The old man handed him the letter and sat back, waiting patiently for his solicitor to say that he'd be able to take care of it. As Lafayette read down through the charges, his eyes widened more and more with each charge, before he raised his head and stared at the old man in front of him, aghast. "What do you expect me to do about this?" he barked incredulously.
"Why, I expect you to make those specious charges disappear, of course," the headmaster replied arrogantly. "After all, they can't possibly believe that they have the right to charge the great Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore for any crime, especially since I am not guilty of any of it." Wallace heaved a long, put-upon sigh, before tossing the letter into one of the wire baskets on his desk.
"I'll see what I can do," he muttered, glaring at the headmaster. "Now, if there's nothing else? I'm a very busy man." Stinging a little at the abrupt dismissal, Albus rose and left the solicitor's office. As soon as Lafayette heard the outer door close, he sent off an owl to the Wizarding Child Welfare Office, requesting a copy of all the pertinent information relating to the case. He collapsed back into his chair and rubbed his hands roughly over his face. Retirement is beginning to look better and better, he thought tiredly. Perhaps I can find a relatively secluded place, and just keep the clients I want to help.
Greetings, solicitor Lafayette,
Enclosed you will find all the pertinent data pertaining to the case of the Wizarding Child Welfare Office against Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. As you can see, the charges are in no way specious. We intend to prosecute Dumbledore for his crimes, and are gathering together the evidence necessary to take this to trial. I wish you luck and may Merlin be with you. You're going to need it.
Francine Greenbriar
Legal counsel for the Wizarding Child Welfare Office
Wallace Lafayette perused the enclosed papers carefully, looking for anything he could use to protect his client. As he continued to read through the evidence that had been gathered at that point, his eyes widened further and further, shocked at the callous disregard the headmaster had shown for a defenseless wizarding child. I wonder what else he's been up to, the man thought, mind spinning. Perhaps I should send a request to Amelia Bones. She may have some additional information that could, perhaps, mitigate this situation. He pulled a piece of parchment in front of him and began to draft a request for information from the Wizengamot head. He sent the missive off with an owl and sat back, thoughts still tumbling over one another. He definitely went above his station and duties when he as good as abducted Harry Potter and put him in the muggle world. For what purpose? Voldemort was dead, and a good number of his Death Eaters were imprisoned. He would have been safer in the wizarding world, behind ancient family wards. The owl returned in good time, and he removed the scroll from its leg, giving it some chicken livers he kept under a stasis charm before sending it off to the owlery. He opened it, eyebrows skating into his hairline in shock at what was revealed.
Greetings, solicitor Lafayette,
I understand that you are looking into the charges brought forth against Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, and have requested additional information. Enclosed you will find a copy of the letter, sent to him in the third week of September, chastising him for his careless disregard for a first year student. I hope this helps you in some way.
Sincerely
Amelia Bones, Chief Witch
Wallace pulled out the other parchment nervously, sure that he wouldn't like what was on it. He read through it, anger mounting, before he crumpled it up and threw it away. "Roxanne," he bellowed, startling a few screams from the people on the other side of his office door. Instantly, his secretary was before his desk, trembling. She had never heard him this angry before. "You will draft a letter to Albus Dumbledore, that I will dictate. Then you are to secure another office, preferably as far away from this mess as possible. Then I want you to contact the list of our preferred clients, informing them of the move. Finally, you are to pack up every single item here and have it transferred to our new building. I am going into official semi-retirement as of this moment. Send everyone else away."
"Yes sir," Miss Willard replied with a head bob before she fled the office.
Albus Dumbledore
I regret to inform you that I will not be able to take on your case. I have decided to retire, and am closing up shop. I suggest you find some other stooge to do your dirty work. I'm done.
Wallace Lafayette
"What the hell?" the old man barked out incredulously. "He cannot simply abandon me like this. There are consequences for such blatant disrespect." So thinking, he bent over his desk, quill to parchment as he drafted yet another letter.
Wizarding Bar Association
Pan Swayze, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer
Dear Sir,
Enclosed, please find the note sent to me by my solicitor of record. I had gone to him with a legal issue, hoping that he would be able to adequately represent me in the matter. I received this note shortly after I had returned from the visit. I would like to bring him up on charges of legal misconduct, as well as lack of adequate representation. I await your reply.
Sincerely
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster
Dear Sir,
I regret to inform you that you have no legal or criminal grounds for a complaint against your former solicitor. He is well within his rights to refuse your patronage, if he feels that the case is infeasible, or if he believes that it would somehow damage his reputation. He is a fine, upstanding solicitor, with a stellar track record. He has submitted, to me, the bulk of the case against you, and I understand his reluctance. As far as I'm concerned, you have two options:
1) You throw yourself on the mercy of the court, and hope that the punishment isn't too severe.
2) You find a public defender hungry enough to try and make a name for himself defending you.
Either way, I wish you luck. You're definitely going to need it.
Sincerely,
Pan Swayze, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer
Wizarding Bar Association
"Well, shit," the headmaster mumbled. "Now what am I going to do?"
The Great Hall was alive with the chatter of hundreds of students, all milling about as they stared at the decorations. Festooned about the Hall were carved pumpkins of every shape and size. The first years had spent their time in Flitwick's Charms class carving their own pumpkins, with the little professor giving out prizes for the best. Draco had won, with an almost perfect rendition of the headless horseman. Ron had come in second with a carving of a gigantic, hairy, nightmarish spider. All of the pumpkins carved, however, were used in the Great Hall, filled with candy and surprises. Some even floated above the tables, with candles in their centers, to provide a gloomy, ghostly light to the party.
Little black cauldrons, as well as golden goblets, littered the tops of the tables, also filled with candy and treats. Live bats by the dozens clung to the walls and ceilings, and occasionally a group would flutter over the tables in the hall, making the candles flicker. The tables were shielded against the inevitable bat droppings, but the floor soon became slick with it as the flying rodents wheeled and dived, snatching insects out of the air.
"Welcome, everyone, to the annual Hogwarts Hallowe'en feast. Tonight is a night of mystery and mayhem; of ghosts and haunting. Let the feast begin!" The headmaster sat down, humming happily as he eyed his plate. At the Slytherin table, the Weasley twins watched, eyes twinkling mischievously as Dumbledore plowed through his food. Hidden amongst the treats was a puking pastille, one of the prank products that the thirteen year olds had developed for a future joke shop. They had told their Head of House about their plan to 'test' their products on the headmaster. Severus had laughed until he cried, once again glad that he wasn't on the wrong side of the demon twins of Slytherin.
"Get ready," Fred murmured to his friends. George had been whispering up and down the table, letting the rest of their House in on the gag. "He's about to put it in his mouth."
"What does it do?" Neville whispered excitedly. His shyness had been slowly worn away, and Trevor spent more and more time in his terrarium. He didn't mind, though; he was just happy that his human was having fun.
"You'll just have to wait and see," George replied. All eyes were on the head table as they watched the headmaster lift what looked like a sweet pastry toward his mouth. It was small and orange, soft and moist.
"What about an antidote?" Draco queried. "I don't know what it does, but I'm sure you'll need an antidote for it."
"We told Madam Pomfrey about it," Fred answered, eyes gleaming as everyone watched the sweet get closer to the headmaster's mouth. Sprout interrupted him for a moment, giving the teen time to explain. "She has the antidote. We're thinking of creating something called Skiving Snackboxes, which will give the customer the opportunity to skive off of class. We'll blend the two bits together later. Right now, we just want to make sure that this part works."
Finally, Dumbledore put the sweet into his mouth. He chewed for a couple of seconds, before turning an alarming shade of green. His hand flew up to his mouth, but he was unable to hold it in as he began to spray the top of the table with his projectile vomit. Groans and shrieks erupted from the students, and a few tried to flee, but the Great Hall doors were locked. Trapped for the moment, they could only watch in horror as a Technicolor display of emesis spewed from the old man's mouth.
"Albus? Are you all right?" McGonagall asked worriedly.
"No, you stupid bint, I am not all right," he managed to snarl in between bouts of retching. The old tabby gasped, deeply offended. She turned to Sprout. "Take him to the infirmary," she snapped angrily, flicking her wand at the Great Hall doors and unlocking them. Relief washed through the students as they fled the grisly scene, the whole of Slytherin House laughing until their bellies hurt as they staggered away.
"Fifty points to Slytherin for a masterful prank," Severus murmured quietly. Sirius and Remus nodded their agreement, wide, malicious smiles on their faces.
"We'll have to send a memory of this to Lucius," Remus said.
"Oh, yes," Sirius concurred happily. "He's going to love it."
