Chapter 12

The times went slowly; Ron was a disgrace to the Weasleys and to the Wizarding world. Everyone knew what he had done and they hated him for it. He had, after all, chased away their savior. Now no one could save them. Dumbledore now had people begging him to do something about it. Something that Severus had taken delight in telling Harry all about. The old man got more and more angry at the pleading looks and cursed the day he had lost control over his puppet.

He had no one to blame for everything that went wrong anymore. Not just that, he realized Harry had deceived him for much longer. Harry had delivered a statement to him; a Gringotts' statement, of money he had withdrawn from his vault. The money he had been getting for many years had stopped. No one knew that the Dumbledore funds were non-existent. However, if he did not get Harry back under his control they were going to find out very soon.

Conversely, Harry had gotten most of the money back that Dumbledore had taken out of his vault. That was really the only clue that Dumbledore had that Harry was still in the Wizarding world, if not perhaps still visiting the Wizarding world at the least. He had people on the watch for him.

"What was one person against the whole Wizarding world?" thinking everyone would agree him, the Minister of Magic had people watching, too. The Minister of Magic even thought that by kidnapping him they were going to get him to do what they wanted.

Things were slowly going downhill for Albus Dumbledore and he still had a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher to find. Severus had not even applied for the post; something he usually got a laugh at when he got it. He would never give a Death Eater the post of teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Dumbledore had lost control over the Weasleys. Now that he was not supplying them with money they had more or less told him to shove it. Thankfully, Molly and Ginny slowly got better. The control Dumbledore had over Ginny was now gone. She had burst into tears at her own actions while under the influence of a potion that not only made her submit to anothers will but also acted as a love potion. She just hoped, some day, Harry would forgive her.

Unfortunately, when the Weasleys looked for what was controlling Ron and Hermione they found nothing wrong. They had been shocked when they realized that Ron and Hermione were acting on their own free wills. They thought they knew Ron, but apparently not. Hermione had been promised money, books, and personal training/apprenticeship from the great Albus Dumbledore. Hermione had slowly become more selfish and greedy as she grew older, so much easier to control, too. All Dumbledore needed to do was ask and she would comply.

Ron and Hermione used to bring in good information for him from the things said around Gryffindor common room and about Harry. Of course, he was presently beginning to understand just how much Harry had not told them. He thought that Harry told them everything. Hermione lost her money as well as her books, every single one of them, to pay back the debt she owed Harry.

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"Hey Sev," said Harry putting his book away.

"You missed something amazing today, Harry. You should have seen Gangers face." said Severus with a dreamy, glazed look, remembering what had happened.

"What happened? Did she get her letter from Gringotts?" asked Harry with a smirk.

"Not quite, the Goblins appeared in the great hall, summoned all of Granger's valuables, and, then, gave her the letter. She literally screamed in rage. It was highly entertaining watching her try to get them all back. Of course, the Goblins would have none of that. She was left not only battered but defeated," laughed Severus.

Harry laughed along with him and then questioned, "Why did they take her books?"

"She still owed you money, Harry. They will sell the books to get the money back for you. They auction them off. Gringotts has many auctions every day. There are always new things to bid for," said Severus.

"Just another thing about the Wizarding world I didn't know. Is there a way to find out what is being auctioned? I would love to see what other kind of things they sell," said Harry curiously.

"That's easy; just ask them to give you a description and a photo of the items that are going to be put up in auction. Offer them two sickles and they'll do it right away," said Severus.

"Why two sickles? It's nothing," said Harry looking, at Severus strangely.

"Not to Goblins, it's not. They are lucky to get paid a sickle a month, apart from any of the goblins that manage Pureblood vaults. For example, I have someone looking after the Prince vaults, the vaults from my mother's side. I pay them two sickles a month, but the Malfoys vault manager gets three. Yours, however, I don't know. Do you have someone looking after your vaults?" asked Severus.

"No, I just might get Griphook to do it. I'm sure he will be happy to then I'll ask him about the auctions, too," said Harry thoughtfully.

"Good, never leave your vaults without a manager," said Severus.

Harry just nodded his head.

"So how are the children?" asked Severus looking more than eager.

"Severus, it's only been three days! They're fine; Damon and Damien, as well as Harrison, are never out of their room. They absolutely love their potions books. I just wish I had thought of that. They seem quite attached to you," whined Harry, practically pouting.

"Don't worry; if they want anything just ask me. I will point you in the right direction, as for more potions books just ask the toddler-preschool shop. You can owl them," recommended Severus thoughtfully. "And never think for a minute that you are a bad father. Your children love you to bits." Severus gave Harry a look.

"Thanks Sev. I'm not used to looking after them like this and I have so much to learn. I mean to defeat Voldemort, but I won't have my children grow up stuck in a manor."

"There's nothing wrong with that," stated Severus turning his head away.

"Sev, they can't grow up in a manor. I won't have it. Children need fun outdoors and sunshine, fair enough they have helped in the garden, even now it's still not safe enough for children to play in."

"I see, well then what are you waiting for," said Severus still not looking at him. 'What the hell is wrong with me?' thought Severus. 'I always have control over my emotions! However, near them, it is useless! I just melt under their stares. I cannot do this. How did I get so damn attached to them so quickly? I do not want them to leave! It's probably an excuse to leave here, being polite as always; oh Harry, how I wish you would stay.'

"Sev?" asked Harry confused.

"If you want to go Harry then leave, you don't need my permission," said Severus turning his tormented eyes on Harry.

"I don't want to leave! It's just that I don't want them stuck here forever. I want to end the war. In fact, I hope you will follow us wherever we may end up. Sev, the children love you and I would love you in our lives," said Harry, afraid of what he might see he looked away. It was the first time he had

ever admitted to the man that he wanted him in his life.

"Really?" asked Severus stiffly but slowly becoming less and less tense.

"Yes," said Harry with a sigh.

"I would love to be part of your family, forever Harry," said Severus giving Harry's shoulder a slight squeeze. He was happy with just friendship from Harry, if that is all he could get.

"Is that all that happened at Hogwarts?" asked Harry changing the awkward silence.

"Yes, mostly Dumbledore is getting more annoyed by the day. It is so amazingly funny. All those people looking at him with begging eyes pleading him to end the war. As you know there is increasing Death Eater activity every day."

"And you have not been called again?"

"No, I'm brewing a potion. It's very delicate. It causes pain to course through the body, though it won't cause any permanent damage," said Severus softly.

"I'm not here to judge you Sev. Now, do you want to feed Samara?" asked Harry curiously.

"I would love to," said Severus smiling.

"Well Madeline will be through with the bottle any minute and you can feed her. I am going up for a shower while I have the chance, if that's alright with you?" asked Harry somewhat unsure.

"Sure," replied a gob-smacked Severus.

Severus was still in awe of the trust Harry showed in him; it made his heart warm. Not even a cold winters night could make Severus' heart cold when Harry and his children were around. He retrieved the bottle when the elf popped in and then fed the little girl, who had been brought in by another elf. He pondered extending the wards past his potions garden and putting a fence up. He wanted to let the children get out and about. He knew the children were probably used to going out all the time at home. Nodding his head, he thought that it might just work. He knew that the back garden would need doing. Looking out, his jaw dropped.

The garden was much nicer than he remembered. The grass was cut and the weeds were pulled out. The trees were still there, it looked as though Harry was doing it bit by bit. There were children's shovels and shovels out there, so he knew that the children had helped. Smiling in a way he had not in many

years he walked back into the sitting room.

"Hey, sorry I took so long," said Harry looking better, more relaxed. He only then saw the tan that Harry had gotten from being out side.

"It's ok, ah perfect timing," hissed Severus.

"He's calling?" asked Harry looking somewhat fearful.

"Yes."

"Go! Don't be late, I do not want you hurt and come back here. I know what potions you need. I will help you."

"Goodbye, sorry, Harry." Kissing the baby on the forehead he passed her to Harry and left. He would have kissed Harry, but he did not want to ruin their friendship. If Harry wanted him, he would make the first move.

Severus, thankfully, came back unhurt. He stayed for a while before he had to go. His door at school alerted him that someone had knocked, possibly looking for him. Flooing into his room, he spelled the mess off his robes and floor, making sure to leave no traces that he had gone out. He found it had been one of his Slytherin students. After the student was gone, he decided to start his potions.

He told Dumbledore about the meeting the next day. The Dark Mark was more often burning than not, though it was not painful, just uncomfortable. It was alerting him that there was a meeting and that he was not there and there was nothing he could do. It was to make him feel useless. He did visit Harry occasionally but not very often, it was mostly to see the children. Unfortunately there was hardly a minute when they could sit and talk themselves because he was needed at night and the children were awake during the day.

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No one in St. Mungo's could tell who had controlled her. Whoever it was, had known what they were doing. They left absolutely no trace of his or her magic and Ginny knew better than to tell anyone. Her family, however, knew. They had been truly disappointed in her and she had sobbed the whole story out.

Ron had been disowned, Fred and George who had been true to their word told their mother that under no circumstances would they stay in the family if Ron was allowed to remain part of the family.

"Oh Fred, George, I can't, don't make me choose," sobbed Molly.

Molly hadn't been left the choice; Arthur had done it for her. He was not having Ron destroy the family. Ron had nearly killed his wife and only daughter and to think, the others could have been home too. Shuddering, he had gladly gotten rid of Ron; Fred and George were right. Their brother held no remorse in his body and he would always be that way.

Ron, after that, had not been half as cocky as he used to be. Not actually having spent any of the money he got from Harry, he didn't owe him any money. Nonetheless, he had lost his family and his home. He had nowhere to live but thankfully Hermione had let him live with her. However, if he had listened properly he would have realized she said he could stay the summer at her house, but made no mention of taking him in.

Word got out to the Daily Prophet that Ginny had been given a potion, Harry had been glad to hear that Ginny wasn't acting of her own accord. He liked the Weasley family. They had always sent him food packages over the summers though they did not have that much themselves. Harry smiled more knowing he had a truly loyal family on his side.

Severus had been secretly pleased that Harry was gay. He would have hated the little bint, if she had taken Harry. He knew that she had to have already loved Harry for the potion to work. He hoped Harry never asked him about the potion. he knew Harry now, but he was afraid that the boy would turn into the hero of the wizarding world again and marry Ginny out of expectation.