The next morning Alexander and Hermione were up before dawn, their bodies not needing that much rest even after the huge efforts they had done the previous day. Doing their normal exercise in the Room of Requirements, they quickly head towards Severus' rooms, not quite making it before running into Tonks, "Good morning professor."
"Harry, Hermione, what are you both doing up so early?" Tonks asked, her coffee spilling slightly from surprise.
"We're always up early, best time to get our exercise in. Did the goblins come around for the diary last night?"
"Yes, Bogrod personally came and asked that I send along his pleasure at your trust towards him and the goblin nation. Miss Weasley is currently at St Mungo's undergoing treatment from prolonged possession, as well as a psychiatric evaluation, she was very distraught at the loss of her 'friend' Tom. You can expect a visit from her father today, Arthur is a great guy and wants to thank you both for saving his only girl; of course bloody Molly saw it as a sign that Ginny and you Harry are meant to be together, freaking nutter. The meeting with my delightful uncle is set for lunch; he was very interested that his possessions were found in the castle. And as for Dumbledore, read for yourself," the Metamorph removed a sheet of parchment from her pocket and passed it over to the pair.
The demigods changed the language and read in amazement at what it said, "He's been arrested? That's great but how did it happen so quickly?"
Tonks got settled on a stair and smiled, "You both have many supporters inside of these walls, and even on the outside. Severus hinted to Amelia in the early hours this morning about your treatment at the hands of your relatives, and she went around to have her own look. Mind you it was at nearly 2am, but your relatives were very lucky to have survived after she spotted the cupboard where you lived. The kid was sent to his aunt's while both adults are sitting in a holding cell at the Ministry, neither pleased as to it either. On top of the child abuse charges, they are also facing theft of your property, and assault on an Auror, fat bastard got a hit on the boss as she was dealing with the wife.
"So after they were dealt with, she called together a meeting of the high powered members of the Wizengamot, Wizarding court, bar the person in control, who is Dumbledore. They voted him out of power there with a vote of No Confidence, and then drew up his arrest warrant for numerous things, and that's only with the Ministry, the goblins intend on taking their pound of flesh from him and the Muggles also," the woman had a devilish grin, "Minerva is the acting Headmistress until a decision is made concerning the old man, but even still, there is little chance he will be allowed back in power here; the Board of Governors has been waiting for an excuse to boot him for years now."
Lex smiled, "Well at least I won't even have to fake going to the Dursleys this summer, they'll be locked up. I think you should know professor; I haven't lived there since the last week of school before my 11th birthday and I would spend every weekend and holiday with the Grangers since I started school. But they were awful to me and deserve everything they have coming to them."
"Lucky you found Hermione then," Tonks laughed softly, "Best be off, got to head to see the Unspeakables soon. See you later."
"Bye"
The duo practically skipped down to the dungeons from happiness; with Dumbledore gone they had one less thing to deal with. Allowing the wards to recognise them, the Gryffindors walked into Severus' quarters only to find the man still sleeping, and they couldn't help themselves. Hermione carefully floated a small ball of water to be above the man's head, while Alexander created a weak bolt of lightning, knowing it would do nothing more than zap his friend, and stuck his rear with it.
Severus shrieked out, jumped and ran his head straight into the ball of water. When he settled down, and his heart no longer wanted to escape, he turned to look at the laughing kids, an evil growl forming in his throat, "Oh, I will get you both for that."
Lex and Mia raced from the room, Severus hot on their tail. He cornered them in the classroom, and could see that they were still laughing despite being chased, "Come on Severus, it was funny."
"Rictusempra," the pink beam hit both kids, causing them to roll on the ground, attacked by an invisible tickler.
"AHH! Severus!"
The potions master allowed himself a few moments of chuckling before releasing the charm, "Now, what do you say?"
"Sorry"
"Good, come on, I need a tea," the trio returned to the man's quarters and he got together three teas, "Not that I'm not happy to see you both this early, but what brought about the pranking mood?"
The pair told their friend everything that Tonks had told them, the grin on Severus' face threatened to break his face in half, "So now there are no immediate problems with Dumbledore."
"That's brilliant news, absolutely brilliant," Severus said, "I'm so proud of you both, not only for your studies but also your dedication to the other students, and the magical community as a whole. Had Hogwarts closed, things would have been irreparable for the reputation of the school, which would have meant more students would go to international schools, and parents would have seen less of their kids. If you are even half the people you could be, that's more than the majority of the world, and I'm privileged to have a part in the people you are already becoming."
Both blushed deeply, not thinking they had done much, and changed the subject, "The diary is ready?"
Severus nodded, pointing to the exact copy of the Horcrux resting on his bedside table, "Already has a tie inside, ready for Dobby to grab. After you free him, you realise that he will attached himself to you both?"
"We know but it's better than him staying in the abusive household he is in now, anyway, you can use all of the help you can; that porridge at Christmas was like rubber cement."
Growling at the pair, the potions master rose, pointing to the classroom, "I need to shower, you two can get started on the PepperUp Potions for Poppy."
Throwing him a playful salute, the lions ran from the room to get started, leaving Severus grateful that he loved them, otherwise he may have been forced to kill them years ago.
