Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns all public characters, and the world of Harry Potter. There is no intention to violate copyright.

Ministry Corruption and Rushed Decisions

Wednesday, December 15, 1999

"Catnip scented yarn balls." The gargoyle moved away, and I glanced over my shoulder to see if anyone heard me utter that ridiculous password. Perhaps, I should wrap those for her Christmas gift. The idea sounded amusing, and I wondered if George Weasley might have something of interest. The stairs stopped moving, and I knocked on her door. Why did she send for me?

"Come in, Severus."

McGonagall's informal greeting caused concern, and I wondered if something happened to the new Slytherin head of house. Was this about supervising students over the holidays, or that ridiculous gift exchange between staff members? Rosmerta already persuaded me to volunteer at the Yuletide Ball. What else could she want? The door opened at my touch, and I offered the Headmistress a nod in greeting. "Why have you sent for me, Minerva?"

My gaze landed on Gedion, and I dreaded the answer to my question. I offered him a respectful nod, and he returned the gesture. McGonagall motioned to the empty chair. "Please have a seat, Severus. We need to discuss personal matters." I understood what they wanted, but I would not stay for that conversation.

My hand reached for the locked door, and I tried to force it open. Magic didn't work; Hogwarts itself sealed the portal. I detested people knowing me well enough to expect my actions. Gedion stayed in his chair, but he spoke with a soft voice. "We need to talk, and don't have much time."

Arms folded across my chest, and I spun on my heel to glare at them. "Do not feign an interest in my opinion. You will continue your pursuit of carnal pleasure-despite my objections."

McGonagall gasped, and glanced at Gedion, but he honoured his agreement with Potter. The healer didn't chastise my rudeness, and her lips thinned in thought. Would she admonish him for not defending her dignity? A stern glare focused on me, and a commanding chill entered her voice. "Severus, I refuse to accept your slanderous comments." She waited for a response, and I tried to gaze at her in defiance. Instead, I noticed the hurt in her eyes, and I lowered mine.

Gedion motioned me to the chair beside his own, and I relented. "Son, I agreed to ignore parental authority when it concerns you." His eyes flicked to McGonagall, and she looked surprised by his admission. Would she accept the same restrictions? "Minerva didn't deserve your misplaced vulgarity, and I would appreciate you offering her an apology."

A snarl answered the healer, and I occluded further into my mind. Could I avoid the discussion? Their silence made my task easier, but it prolonged the conversation. "I suppose, I cannot substantiate my earlier statement. Perhaps, I misspoke."

McGonagall sat rigid, and gazed at me with a stern expression. "I fail to understand your animosity, but we need to discuss our plans." My eyes closed, and I didn't want to acknowledge more life altering changes. They deserved happiness, but I yearned for stability. I had two masters, and lived with freedom gained through solitude. Now I served one, but I answered to many. "Our relationship will become public knowledge."

My eyes popped open, and hands gripped the armrest. What did she mean? "Gedion conveyed your interest in a quiet courtship. When did that change?"

The healer placed a hand over my whitened knuckles, and waited for Minerva to explain. "Severus, do you recall a wizard by the name of Elphinstone Urquart?"

"Was he the man you courted in the eighties?" Minerva bit her lower lip, and nodded. "Indeed, how could I not remember? Professor Sprout blamed herself for his death, but he shouldn't have gone near the Venomous Tentacula. Why does this conversation concern him?"

Gedion walked behind McGonagall's chair, and placed his hands on her shoulders. He gave them an affectionate squeeze, and waited for her to answer. She glanced down without another word. The healer bent to whisper in her ear, and he received a nod. "Son, you need to listen. Elphinstone and Minerva married in a quiet ceremony."

None of that made sense. "Impossible, elopements cannot happen in pureblood wizarding families. It would scandalise House Urquart to marry their son into one founded by a muggle. She could not keep her name."

McGonagall raised her head and shrugged off Gedion's offered comfort. She waited for him to retake his seat, and her stern gaze fell on me. "We married late in life, and children were not a consideration. Why should I change my name to accommodate a paternalistic society?"

Did she know nothing of tradition? "House Urquart had a higher social standing. He would have become a McGonagall if the opposite were true. How could you not understand? Did muggles raise you?"

Gedion's amused snort earned a glare from the matron, and he quieted at once. She missed his sly grin, or chose to ignore it. "Indeed, my muggle father didn't approve of magic. Why would that matter?" She received a shrug in response. I knew her mother married a muggle, but I didn't realise they raised her in non-magical Britain.

That explained her refusal to accept wizarding traditions. How could the head of Gryffindor not understand their importance? Was she the main reason those families ignored our customs? The gradual shift in attitude happened while she taught at Hogwarts, and I wondered what impact she had on our changing society. McGonagall inhaled, and continued with her explanation. "His family head repudiated my surname, and the Ministry refused to acknowledge my muggle connections. They made me a ward of House Urquart instead of an official member."

What did she expect? It would outrage traditional wizarding society, and students would never forget the scandal. How did they avoid publicity? Gedion squeezed my hand, and I glanced at the elder healer. "Severus, we sought companionship. We didn't have offspring considerations forcing us into a marital arrangement, and we expected to enjoy a lengthy courtship."

"Gedion, we are running out of time." McGonagall said with a sense of urgency. What were they trying to tell me?

"Did either of you stop to consider the implications of marriage? House Urquart would receive a prized bull. They would use our relationship to their political advantage!" The McGonagall family came from muggle roots, and they lacked the power to abuse our connection. I didn't have concerns with him joining their house.

Minerva hesitated to answer. "You should tell him."

Gedion nodded his agreement. "Severus, we understood what it meant. I received wedding proposals from families who wanted control over you. They would have gained the same advantage if you had married one of their daughters, and they offered Harry vast sums of money for me to become a member of their house. Mr. Potter would disallow their parental authority, but you would suffer from disgrace. Mr. Urquart wished to rid his family of the blemish caused by Elphinstone's marital scandal, and he agreed to reassign the wardship of Minerva to House Prince."

How did this affect their courtship? McGonagall stopped nibbling her lower lip, and finished what Gedion meant to say. "Severus, will you stand with me during the wedding?"

It started slow with one shelf on my left, but a ripple caused the rest to explode in a violent burst of accidental magic. Parchment scraps fluttered through the air, and the intense mortification obliterated my emotionless mask. I clenched fistfuls of hair, and leaned forward to hide my anguish. How could this happen? Dark magic strengthened my core when we destroyed Merwyn's portrait-I no longer had issues controlling my power.

We sat in stunned silence with parchment falling around us. Multiple pops announced the sudden arrival of a house-elf brigade. Did they come to rescue McGonagall? Four elves formed a protective barrier around me, and two on the Headmistress. A seventh scanned the office before signalling the others. Did they think someone attacked us? Could this situation become anymore humiliating? Occlumency dominated my focus while the elves straightened her office, and repaired the damage caused by my accidental magic.

Soft pops announced their departure, and McGonagall cleared her throat. "Severus, do you have any questions?" Would she ignore the incident, and pretend it never happened? That was my hope.

The healer gave my hand a gentle squeeze, and I rejoined the conversation. "Why do you both speak with a sense of urgency? What are you hiding?" They exchanged nervous glances, but they didn't answer my questions. "When did Mr. Potter sign the marital contract?"

Gedion swallowed, and tried to explain the situation. "Harry completed the documents this morning, but House Flint called an emergency session to invalidate them. Wards could join any family without social repercussions, and our contracts ruined his plans. He wished to force me into marriage with a woman from his house."

Mr. Flint was the minister who refused to allow Gedion into the Prince family. Did he use the immigration to gain control over me? The healer became my dominant focus, and I listened to his explanation. "I would join their House, but Mr. Malfoy notified us of the situation. Harry responded by arranging a marital ceremony in the Room of Requirement. Severus, Mr. Flint could win if we don't complete our binding before they reach a decision. Lucius promised to delay them, but he didn't know how much time we would have."

"House Flint wants to control me, do they?" Those arrogant self-centred dunderheads! How dare they mess with my family for their personal gain. I flew from my chair, and stormed to the door. "You should have gotten married! Why spend your limited time trying to gain my approval? What were you thinking?" My acceptance relieved them, but I questioned their sanity. McGonagall apparated us outside the Room of Requirement, and we rushed inside.

A dozen guests surrounded a large fireplace connected to the public floo, and we noticed Malfoy's face within the flames. Potter motioned us ahead, and we heard Lucius's warning. "House Flint will soon present their closing arguments. Mr. Potter, you must complete the ceremony before they finalise their decision. It doesn't look good for you, despite Minister Shacklebolt's solid arguments against invalidation." Lucius vanished from the flames, and the connection died.

A loud swoosh announced the arrival of another, and we stared in awe at the Minister. Potter swallowed and asked what everyone wanted to know. "Did they arrive at a decision?"

Shacklebolt shook his head. "Mr. Malfoy told me of your plans, and I came to offer my services. Did you find someone to officiate the wedding?"

Aberforth Bellowed from the front, "Please take over, Minister. " They asked the barkeep to do their ceremony. How desperate were they? They had no time to wait for my agreement, but they did. What if my reluctance caused their plan to fail?

Minster Shacklebolt nodded at Aberforth, and called everyone together. "You do not need a lecture on the virtues of marriage, because you taught them to me." Minerva smiled at his comment, and I wondered what he meant. I would have to ask. "Do you wish to personalise your vows?"

The couple glanced at each other, and Gedion shook his head in answer. Love didn't exist in their relationship. Would companionship be enough? Shacklebolt turned the couple to face one another, and had them clasp hands. He fastened a ribbon around their wrists, and started the binding ritual. They repeated the standard vows to love, honour, and respect one another.

Shacklebolt called for Potter, Rosmerta and I to witness. Few could contest a binding supported by the Head of House and all adult children. We placed our wands against the ribbons fastened around their wrists, and Shacklebolt ended the ritual with a tap from his. A blue aura surrounded their hands, and relieved sighs soon followed. The Minister turned towards the gathered. "I now present Mr. Gedion McGonagall, and Mrs Minerva McGonagall." Aberforth shouted his congrats, and the others joined with wild cheers. Was it possible for Gryffindors to celebrate without causing an uproar?

Exuberant shouts prevented us from hearing the floo, but a hushed silence followed Lucius's arrival. The elegant aristocrat bowed to Shacklebolt, and we watched in anticipation. "Mr. Malfoy, have they reached a decision?"

Lucius stood with a rigid posture. "They have, Minister." He paused, and we waited to hear his answer. "You completed their marital bindings before they could officiate their decision." Wild cheering startled the elder Malfoy, but he managed to compose himself without drawing attention. The man had an impressive restraint.

None would question the Minister of Magic's ability to do their wedding, and the Ministry couldn't officiate their decision without his authorisation. Did Shacklebolt risk his life? Perhaps, but I suspected he needed the boost to his career. He would do anything to remove corruption from the ministry.

Well wishers continued to enter by floo, and people soon forgot the emergency session. The noise rose to agonising decibels, and the room enlarged itself to accommodate the new arrivals. "Severus, I will never understand Gryffindors. Why do they need to cause a ruckus?" Lucius received a shrug in answer, and I contemplated casting silencio.

Malfoy smirked at my grimace, but Rosmerta distracted me. She placed an arm around my waist, and motioned to an area where couples began to gather. "Dance with me, Severus." My sharp inhalation caused her to wince, and she turned her attention to Lucius. "Will you..."

She wanted to dance with him? My glare hardened on Malfoy, and I grasped Rosmerta's arm. "Indeed, I will join you." She met my accusing smirk with an innocent smile, and I led her to the dance floor. It was then that I realised she manipulated me, and I grinned at the cunning little vixen. "Rosmerta, I have no doubt of you being sorted into Slytherin." Her laughter caused me to smile.

Couples swayed in rhythm to slow music, and I wondered about Gryffindor propriety. People meshed as one, and others kept a proper distance. What were their expectations? My embrace tightened, and I pulled Rosmerta closer. The golden beauty rested her chin on my shoulder, and brushed her lips against my ear. She followed it with a whisper. "Mum is watching." That ended my interest, and we decided to follow the proper rules of decorum.

My voice lowered and I glanced at the elder couple. "Will they consummate their marriage?"

Rosmerta stared at me with a mystified grin, and her lips slowly widened. "Does that bother you?"

"No."

She cocked her eyebrows in disbelief, and challenged me with her smile. "Right, of course not. Why do you want to know?"

The question made me pause, and I realised the answer. "Perhaps, I would rather not." Rosmerta snickered at my admittance, and brushed her fingers across my ear. A pinch on my earlobe caused me to gasp, and I felt the beginnings of arousal. "Rosmerta, please. You know what that does to me."

"Shall we continue this in our suite?"

"Indeed!"

Later That Night

The newlyweds agreed to meet at Prince Manor. We had many issues that needed discussion, but I had one that demanded immediate attention. "Minerva, I want to change the seating arrangements for the head table. My suggestion is to have Gedion, yourself, Mr. Potter, and then me."

The elder witch leaned further into her chair, and stared at me. "Whatever for, Severus?"

Gedion inhaled, and crossed his right leg over the left. "How will that work with your treatments? I prefer to note your intake, and to see where you have difficulties."

Potter's teasing allowed me adequate preparation for this conversation. "Do you believe my Master less capable of communicating the necessary encouragement?"

Gedion thought on my words, and nodded his consent to McGonagall. The elder witch acknowledged his assent, but she hesitated to give her agreement. "I fail to understand your concern with the seating arrangements. Do you have issues with us?"

How could I explain? Gedion's lips twitched, and the corners of his mouth crept upwards. "Minerva, Severus doesn't want to sit between his parents."

The conversation made me uncomfortable and I noticed a scuff on my boot. It needed immediate treatment. Mental casting renewed its polish, but a quiet cough drew my attention to McGonagall. "Why is that a problem?"

Gedion bit back a retort, and he tried to hide his grin. A scowl from McGonagall alerted me of his failure. "It offends his masculinity."

McGonagall scoffed in disbelief. "None would question Severus. His dominant nature makes him the most feared professor in Hogwarts, and I cannot imagine masculinity ever being an issue."

It never was a problem, but her tenaciousness would change that. "Despite the obvious, I refuse to sit between my Mother and Father."

A pat on my hand told me to quieten, and I raised my gaze to Gedion. Could he sway her opinion? "Minerva, how can you fail to understand the implications? Students spread rumours to make him less threatening, and our seating arrangement will generate gossip. They don't care about the truth. They refer to him as a greasy git, but I see nothing wrong with his hygiene." McGonagall gave me a knowing smile, and I rolled my eyes.

I no longer had greasy hair; Rosmerta's beer wash formulae ended that problem. Gedion placed his hand on McGonagall's knee, and his voice became more serious. "Minerva, no man wishes to work for his mother. Severus won't tolerate students gossiping about his being a mummy's boy, and he will leave Hogwarts. We need to change the seating arrangements."

McGonagall sighed and nodded. "If you both see a problem with the situation, then I must relent. Severus, you will sit beside Professor Potter. It may prove helpful to have our defence teachers seated together."

"You have my appreciation." Gedion helped explain the situation, but I didn't care for his comments. It tempted me to send a stinging hex. My Slytherin nature rebelled at an obvious attack, and I needed something more devious. Weasley Wizard Wheezes would have my answer.

A/N: Now to return focus back to Harry and Severus