Fourteen
Severus Snape was quite pleased with himself. Not only had he managed to get the Potter child removed from those abominations who claimed to be his relatives, but he'd managed to get Alastor on board and knock Albus down a peg or two while doing it.
Ah, the sweet smell of cunning in the morning.
Smiling happily (something that hardly ever happened these days), the usually dour Potions Master dipped his silver Occamy feather quill into a well of his infamous red ink and proceeded to cheerfully embellish some poor Ravenclaws' essay.
Severus sighed contentedly. It was on days like this that he actually liked his job.
Xxx
"He's in a good mood, Phineas." Albus said as he paced his office anxiously.
The portrait simply rolled his eyes. "And that concerns me… how?"
"He's never in a good mood."
The portrait only continued to groom himself in his frame. "Well, maybe he's had relations with someone. You know, Sybil has had her eye on him for quite some time. Perhaps she's finally managed to get somewhere with the old boy."
The Headmaster stared at the portrait in horror. "Phineas! Be reasonable!"
"Well… no, I suppose you're right. Severus Snape hasn't shown any inclination towards the opposite sex – or even the same sex for that matter – since Lily Evans married James Potter. The girl has been dead for years and you'd think he'd be over it by now, but…" The portrait sighed. "He would have made a very loyal husband, at least, and that's more than could be said for some."
"Yes, but his apparent fidelity is beside the point."
"Mmm… forgive me, Albus – I find myself easily distracted in my old age. What were we talking about?"
"Severus is happy. You don't think that's something that needs to be looked into?"
"Albus, I know that you feel it's your duty to be the end-all-beat-all in the Wizarding world, but I think that all your manipulation is causing you to miss certain finer points in life."
"Such as?"
"Well, has it ever occurred to you that the more people who are happy with life, the less there are to join and support rising Dark Lords? Maybe, just maybe, if these self-styled 'Dark Lords' had led more fulfilling lives they wouldn't feel the desire to take over the world."
The Headmaster stroked his beard in consideration. "No," he said shaking his head, "some people just like to cause mayhem. It's what they do."
Phineas sighed. Some people never learn…
Xxx
Loire picked up the mail and smiled as she picked out Harry's messy scrawl and Mark's precise script among the many envelopes.
"Let's see what the boys have to say this week." She said, opening Harry's letter and settling on the couch.
Dear Mum,
I really like Saint Bartleby's. Blake and Blaine are pretty funny guys. They always make me laugh. Artemis is really fun too. And smart. And he has black hair like mine.
Artemis has this really, really big guy that picks follows him around when we go on trips. His name is Butler. He's really, really, REALLY big. Bigger than Uncle Vernon, even.
Artemis says that when we have breaks his mom and dad let him have friends over. He says his mom says if you say it's ok I can come too next time. Can I mum? Please? I never had a friend to visit before.
Love,
Harry
Loire smiled. It was nice that he was making friends, but this Butler person sounded like a bodyguard of some sort to her. Shaking her head, she turned her attention to Mark's letter.
Dear Mum,
School is coming along fine, and I've managed to ace every test so far. Harry wrote me – apparently he's hanging around the Marquis brothers. I know their brother Bail, and he's an alright guy, if not a bit chipper.
Has he told you about Artemis yet? He calls me every other day, and I swear he starts off each conversation by recounting some tale of what Artemis did today. For a solid quarter hour, it's "Artemis said this" and "Artemis did that". If I didn't know any better (and perhaps I don't) I'd say that our Harry is in absolute awe of this Artemis fellow. It's kind of cute, in an odd, vaguely annoying sort of way.
Do you remember when I wrote you about that girl I met over the last weekend? Aimi? She and I were dating, but we're not now. Things got … complicated, I guess, and we decided to call it quits. Dave says she's dating someone else now, but I wouldn't know. Frankly, I don't really care. She can date whomever she likes, as long as it isn't me.
The football team will be playing at home this week, and I was wondering if you and Harry would be able to make the trip up. I figured it would be good for him to get out of St. Bartleby's for a bit. You know how he can get if he's cooped up for too long.
Anyways, write me back will you? I need to know so I can get tickets.
Love,
Mark
Loire smiled. It was just like Mark to pick up on the not-so-subtle subtleties. Sometimes Mark is too observant for his own good. She set their letters aside and flipped through the rest of the post, stopping when a thick envelope bearing a wicked green seal depicting an ornate 'M' with two wands crossed behind it. Breaking the seal, Loire pondered over the peculiarity of receiving a letter from the 'other' Minister.
From the office of Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister for Magic
Dear Ms. Baker,
This letter is being drafted because there are several instances that have occurred that I believe have bearing on you and your family. I do not know if you have at all kept up with Wizarding press as of late, but recently there has been quite a bit of public outcry against one Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. This man, who is also Headmaster of the very prestigious Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, has been found guilty of the obstruction of justice in the case of one Sirius Marius Black. Mr. Black had been falsely accused of murdering thirteen individuals, and had, until recently, been incarcerated in Azkaban Prison, sentenced for life.
This affects you and your family, Ms. Baker, because Mr. Black was named Godfather to your adopted son, Harrison James Potter. For security purposes, we have not disclosed your location to Mr. Black; however, I felt that is was in your best interests to be forewarned of these events. Mr. Black will likely ask to see Mr. Potter at some point in the future and he may even go so far as to try to gain custody of him. I do not at this point believe that you have any reason to worry about losing the newest addition of your family to Mr. Black. Although he was, at some point, young Mr. Potter's Godfather, his time in prison has likely left him unstable and therefore unfit to raise a child. The Ministry cannot, however, refuse him visitation rights. It falls to Mr. Potter's legally guardian (in this case, you) to make such a judgment.
Enclosed you will find a petition to restrict Mr. Black's contact with Mr. Potter, if you should choose that route. Simply fill out all applicable lines and mail it in the included pre-paid envelope at your earliest convenience.
If there is anything you have questions about or if you are in need of help in any way, please do not hesitate to contact the Ministry of Magic. We are here to serve and protect our citizens, after all, and you are, for all intents and purposes, one of us.
Sincerely,
Cornelius Oswald Fudge
Minister for Magic