Chapter 36 - Aftermath
A/N: Standard Disclaimer is still valid - I only own the plot of my stories, some of the spells & Potions & of course my OCs. I do not own HP, or it would have ended differently.
Who will be the new Headmaster after the unexpected demise of Albus Dumbledore? And how will S-Unit and the students and members of the staff react on these revelations? What sort of punishment will be Narcissa Black doling out for the rebellious Potions Master?
The Great Hall was still in shock about everything that had occurred in the last hour. It was too much to digest for them. Dumbledore had been the host for a demon? Who were the two companions of their Potions Professor?
Marten had whispered to Wolf, that he would inform Colonel Merryweather and ask him to come as soon as possible to Hogwarts. Only the Colonel would be able to make a wise decision. They would have try to find a new Headmaster or Headmistress before someone informed the Ministry about the unexpected vacancy.
And what should happen to the two toddlers in the Hospital Wing. Hermione Granger and Harry Potter were now de-aged, nobody could say if it was permanent as it had happened to Neville Longbottom. And if they had to grow up once more. Should that be the case, then they would need suitable guardians for those de-aged students.
It was pure chaos, hopefully their superior had a solution for these problems. Tigress hadn't been with them, instead she had spend time with Poppy and the two toddlers in the hospital wing.
"What a mess", groaned Wolf. He would have preferred to ensure that Panther get a full check-up by one of their Meds, before the Colonel lectured him once more about unnecessary risks and therelike.
Filius had recognized as one of a few the demonic whip, which Dumbledore had used on Severus. His Goblin clan had a very broad knowledge about weapons of any kind, which came in handy, he would need to contact his clan and ask for a medical remedy. Severus had been injured by the demonic whip, those whips were the worst of all weapons a demon can use on his opponents. Oh, he had almost forgotten that Severus had been injured as well by the acidic claws of the demon - what was his name – Malphas – that didn't bode well.
Wolf had silently ordered Draco to him. And the teenager obeyed, still carrying the toddler on his hip.
"I want you two go directly to the Hospital Wing and report to Tigress. And ensure that the little one will get a check-up from the nurse, too.", commanded Wolf calmly.
"Aye, Sir. We'll go at once.", replied Draco automatically saluting to Wolf with his right hand, while the left hand hold the toddler on his hip, before he left the Great Hall. He was very worried about his Godfather. As the whip slung around Severus' neck his heart had stood still. He realised after everything was over, that he could have lost his godfather to this demonic fiend.
At the Ministry Dolores Umbridge had followed the instructions of her old and new Master – Lord Augustus Prince - she should take a couple of Aurors and bring Severus Snape to the Ministry as soon as possible. He and his son have to be taken at once in protective custody, while Minister Fudge would contact Lord Prince so that he would have the chance to talk with his stubborn grandson and heir on neutral ground.
She and Fudge should used the next session of the Wizengamot to propose a new law, that would automatically gain custody of all male bearer in Wizarding Britain for the Minister, when their Head of House haven't got access to them. The Ministry had the most important task to find the best spouse for each and every male bearer. And to place an invisible and eternal tracking charm on all Male Bearer for their own protection.
Dolores couldn't stop herself from giggling like a school girl, as she imagined how grateful the young Potions Master would be, after they showed him the error of his ways. He shouldn't be anywhere near the old coot.
Marten had in the meantime successfully contacted Colonel Merryweather and the Colonel had agreed to come at once to Hogwarts. He wanted to get a clearer picture from this mess and to speak with his team and of course with Severus.
"We will go immediately to Hogwarts. Marten, you will brief S-Unit about the new orders. I want either the doc of S-unit or the mediwitch at Hogwarts do a very thorough check-up of Panther. You and Wolf will sit together and make a surveillance plan, and at least 2 of you will patrol the grounds and the castle, to ensure the safety of staff and students."
"Yes, Colonel. Should I fetch the doc, as well? Panther could never stand him, he hated his regularly check-ups, Sir.", inquired Marten.
"Fetch him, I'm sure the mediwitch will be pleased about the additional support. Hopkins is a good man, most of the times. Especially when she have to tend for two toddlers. Who have supported her with those little ones?", asked the Colonel interested into learning more about the accident.
"Tigress, Colonel. She always had a talent for child care.", smirked Marten.
Colonel Merryweather nodded and was already on the way to the apparition spot, while Marten fetched Hopkins and his medical bag. Everyone of them had a special portkey, that brought them directly to the Great Hall. Should the colonel be worried about it, then he didn't tell it his subordinates.
"Hey, Colonel. Everything is under control.", grinned Wolf. "What a pity, that you couldn't see the dinner entertainment, which Panther had provided for us."
Peeves floated into the Great Hall and was accompanied by the portrait from Phineas Black, which he had carried in his arms.
"Pink Toady is coming to Hogwarts to take away Potions Master and little Master. She is working for evil Lord Prince. He controls Pink Toady and Minister with dark spells. He had them signed a contract with a blood quill."
"I can confirm everything, Colonel. I have heard them talk about their plans. Augustus Prince would like to control Potions Master Snape and he isn't willing to give up. He was never a nice nor a good man. His own children have feared him. I know that his daughter Eileen had even used a spell, that had cost her dearly, just to ensure that he wouldn't be able to track Severus.", reported the former Headmaster Phineas Black.
"That's not good at all. How is he at the moment?", asked Colonel Merryweather aggravated.
"He was overtired, Lord Slytherin had suggested that he will dose him with dreamless sleep, after the duel, that happened earlier in the evening, Colonel."
"I do not want him to be left alone. At least two of you, should stand on guard near his chambers. As I know him quite well, he will have some tricky wards in place. Wolf, take a couple of men and guard the infirmary as well. Where is his son?"
"I have send him with Peacock's son to the infirmary, Colonel. He looked a bit shaken. He's a good kid, but not used to our line of work, yet."
"All students have return at once to their common room, where their dinner will be served. All common rooms will be placed under lock down, until the danger is stopped. The adults will accompany us to the teachers' lounge for a war council. Peeves, you got free hand to welcome the Pink Toady. Nothing lethal, but the message should come across."
Peeves somersaulted 3 times loudly whooping, before he left the Great Hall, leaving the portrait of Phineas Black behind. He wanted to use a prank, he had seen in a movie some years ago. In the late 1980s a small group of Ravenclaws and Slytherins have managed to adapt a room in the lower dungeons, so that you can watch TV or listen to music. Instead of electricity, it runs with the help of advanced runes and magic. This room was a hidden jewel, where Slytherins and Ravenclaws could meet and spend time with each other. Only those who have passed their entrance tests, got the secret password and the access to a whole new world. The Poltergeist spend many days and nights in it, he enjoyed the horror films, but the comedies as well. And "Carrie" was his all-time favourite followed closely by "Drop dead Fred".
This was the reason, why he flew to the kitchen to convince the house elves to fill him at least two buckets with red food dye. He would place it over the entrance, and when the pink toady enter, it would hit her and trench her distasteful clothes in food dye. Maybe he could get one of the house elves on his side, so that he got pictures from this remarkable prank. It was worth a try.
Colonel Merryweather looked up and saw the strange trio near the dais of the professor's table. "Who are you three? You look very suspicious.", asked the Colonel.
Lady Magic and her two companions smiled, before she replied:
"You do not need to know, Colonel. Au revoir!", and the trio vanished suddenly from the Great Hall. Only a slight breeze could be felt, which left the Colonel fuming, but he couldn't do anything do at the moment. Panther aka Severus Snape-Prince, couldn't be interrogated at the moment. They would have to wait for this until the next morning.
And those magical folk, don't care to give any straight answers, when they could speak in riddles, sometimes he just wanted to scream and rant. But he had a better control about his own emotions. And he wouldn't sink on their mediocre level. He swore under his breath as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Yes, it was a bad day and who knows what comes next. They would need a new headmaster or headmistress, before the Ministry learns about the unexpected vacancy.
Colonel Merryweather growled as he walked into the teacher lounge, and he was suddenly enclosed in a bright light, and a happy female laughter could be heard, that greeted him:
"Welcome, Headmaster Merryweather. I wish you good luck with this job, you're going to need it." - Lady Hogwarts had made her decision and she was final. The sentient castle know, that Minerva enjoyed teaching too much, to become Headmistress and the other heads of House wouldn't want to let their students without guidance in this trying time.
Remus Lupin could be eventually trained to become Head of Gryffindor, after he had proven himself worthy, but this would be a long way. He would have to take his Wolfsbane on his own, without reminding from a third person – be it professor or house elf. Stop bullying, no matter the house and openly admitted his own shortcomings and crimes as a student at Hogwarts.
They interrogated Dracula, but the vampire smirked and refused to tell them much, except the fact, that Severus was his true mate. This was the reason, why he tried to protect him, with more or less success. Normally he had opted for a classical courting, but the actions of the Death Eaters have complicated it unnecessarily. He had grown up in Romania and had attended a military school in his youth. He may belong to the Romanian nobility, but he seldom used his title, anything else wasn't he willing to answer, except to confirm that he was a vampire and followed a special diet.
After the interrogation they discussed for the next hours about the steps to ensure the safety of Hogwarts, the staff and the students. As the chime could be heard, Minerva and Colonel Merryweather left the teacher lounge to go to their hiding place near the entrance Hall. And Dracula greeted them politely, before he used his bloodtracking to find the way to the chambers of his mate. He was overjoyed, even as he didn't showed it outwardly, as the wards allowed him to enter.
Vlad walked into Severus' bedroom and sat down on the bed, where his mate lay asleep. Without a moment of hesitation he removed his shoes, his shirt and his trousers and laid them on a stool beside the west wall of the room. He went into the bathroom, finished his ablutions before coming back and cuddled his sleeping mate to his chest. He calmed himself down as he hummed a Romanian lullaby and stroke softly over Severus' body.
Draco and Neville had reached their destination – the Hospital Wing at Hogwarts and were greeted happily by the two toddlers Harry and Hermione. Tigress and Madame Pomfrey have very carefully managed to convince little Harry, that he wasn't a freak, but a lovely little boy, who deserves happiness as much as any other child. He and Hermione had been seated on a very comfortable, colourful baby mat and played with blocks. Hermione or Lyra, as she wanted to be called, had chosen blocks with big letters on it. She tried to create words, although Draco gulped heavily as he read which word the little girl have managed to spell out CRUCIO, where had she even heard this word? He was baffled and a bit scared. In her current age the similarity to his slight insane aunt Bellatrix wasn't possible to overlook, but it still left open questions. How had she ended up with Muggles? Did his Aunt and his Uncle knows about it? What would happen to her, shouldn't they be able to re-age them properly.
She talked about "Mummy", "Uncle Tom", "Uncle Rab" and "Secrets", which worried Draco. What did she meant with it?
Harry played with the simpler blocks, built houses and towers, but he was very happy, that nobody scolded him for being a bad boy, nor take away the toys. They had been fed well and both women hadn't hold back with praises, when they toddlers did what they have been told to do.
As a shadow fell on the play mat, the little boy looked up and saw a bigger blond boy, who had a toddler on his hip. He smiled at him and ruffled his hair softly, before he asked the toddler, if he wanted to play with Harry, while Draco would talk with the grown-ups.
The teenager drew his wand and erected a silencing spell around the three children. It would be better when they couldn't eavesdropped on their conversation. As Draco couldn't be sure how much of their old life they could still remember. Better safe then sorry thought the young Slytherin.
"What has happened in the Great Hall this evening, Mr. Malfoy?", asked Madame Pomfrey. She had already with Tigress' help fed the two toddlers and handed a plate with apple slices to Neville, followed by a sippy cup of cold milk. The toddler thanked her politely before he munched on his snack. He was a bit worried about his daddy, but he did trust Draco and Tom to protect him.
Draco opened his mouth to answered, as the floo flared up and Tom stepped out. With the help of a vial of dreamless sleep he had gotten his future bondmate to sleep, after he had bathed him and changed his clothes to a pair of green pyjama bottoms, which covered his black boxershorts. Only after he had ensured that he couldn't fell out of his bed and slept without any sign of discomfort, did he left him to retrieve Neville.
"Oh, excuse me. I only wanted to retrieve Neville, so that he can sleep near his daddy.", murmured Tom embarrassed. He hadn't expected so many people in the Hospital Wing.
Lyra had heard his voice and looked up at the strange man, before she squealed happily and toddled to him. With the help of his leg, she managed to keep her balance. She fixed him with a glare and demanded:
"Up, Uncle Tom. Now!", and tossed her arms in his direction.
Speechless stared Tom at the little girl. How did his goddaughter ended up here? She should be in her teens now, but somehow she had become a toddler once more. Did Bellatrix know that her daughter was here? "Great Merlin, what a mess.", thought Tom as he automatically obeyed and flung her twice in the air, before he cradled her to his chest.
"Er, where would those two slept for the night?", asked Draco, he was glad over the short break, and he didn't want to discuss anything, when the toddler were still nearby.
"Hm, why do we not take them to the chambers of your godfather, Dragon?", suggested Tom, after adjusting the little girl on his hip.
"Is that wise? After all that happened, Uncle Sev should get the time to rest.", said Draco doubtful.
"No need to worry, Draco. He is asleep at the moment. I have dosed him with a vial of dreamless sleep and will spend the night in his chambers. And I'm sure that the vampire will soon come to us, after their discussion. We only need to transfigure or conjure some toddler beds, I have his bed already warded, so Neville could sleep with him, should he wished it.", explained Tom patiently.
"Maybe that would be the best solution. However all 4 of them have to be here tomorrow at 8 a.m sharp for a check-up. And I want a complete report of what happened this evening in the Great Hall.", added Madame Pomfrey her two knuts to the discussion.
"As you wish, Madame. Can we bath them here? It would save a lot of time, and it would be better if we eat with them dinner, first, before we used the floo for the trip.", asked Tom.
"I'll order something to dinner for us and the toddlers. One of you can conjure the table and anything else we need for our little get together.", proposed Tigress as she went to the floo and ordered food and beverages for 3 adults, 1 teenager and 3 toddlers to be delivered to the Hospital Wing as soon as possible.
Madame Pomfrey nodded approvingly, in the short time as she had known Tigress, she had really liked what she saw. This young woman seems to know what to do and didn't shy back from any menial task. She has told her a bit about herself, S-Unit and of course her friendship with Severus. She conjured a table and 7 chairs - 3 high chairs and 4 normal ones. Draco helped her to prepare the table and the chairs, before he seated Neville in a high chair on his right and Harry Potter in the high chair on his left.
Tom had put Hermione in the last free high chair and sit down beside herself and Neville. After a quick nod, Draco took his place between Harry and Neville, while Madame Pomfrey sat on Harry's other side and Tigress took the last free place at the table.
They enjoyed a peaceful dinner and afterwards they embrace their fate and bathed the three toddler. This task fell to Tom and Tigress, who had their hands full with lively toddlers, while Draco informed Madame Pomfrey about anything that had happened at Hogwarts during the day.
After hearing that Severus had been injured by the demonic whip, which Dumbledore or Malphas as he had called himself has wielded, Pomfrey couldn't suppress a shudder. Her determination was unbroken, she wanted to give him a through check-up on the next day and told Draco it was his task to convince his stubborn godfather to agree to it. He should invite his mother as well. Woman Power could be the only solution to convince Severus to be reasonable about it.
Especially as Poppy was very sure, that Narcissa would give him her two knuts about his disappearing act, the interaction with those two strangers and not to forget, that he tried to duel a powerful demon only a few days, after he had almost completely emptied his magical core. Oh yes, it was overdue, that they read the Potions Master the riot act.
Peeves and the Bloody Baron had hidden near the entrance to the Castle. The new headmaster and his deputy waited in an alcove on the other side of the hall, while the rest of the teacher and the second stranger (Dracula) were still cooped up in the teacher's lounge.
The Baron had made himself invisible he would only act, after Peeves had started his prank. He had given his own task to ensure that the pink toad failed. Severus Snape and his son would stay at Hogwarts and the ministry wouldn't be able to change it.
They didn't have to wait long, as the pink toad entered with the squadron of Aurors at 9 p.m – Amelia Bones had delayed the warrant, which allowed to take Severus Snape-Prince and his son Neville into protective custody for as long as possible. However more than 12 hours weren't possible, or the pink toad would realise that they tried to hoodwink her and her goons.
With the loud sound from the clock tower, which had been located near the Astronomy tower, the game was on. Dolores Umbridge entered the school, gleeful, without knowing that she would only enter the stage of her biggest humiliation in her entire career. The content of the two bucket hid the pink toad fully, and splashed partly on her entourage.
Dolores screamed like a banshee, while the baron used the distraction to remove the warrant from her robe and flew invisible to the nearest fireplace to burn it to ashes. She hadn't even realised that somebody had taken the important document from her.
Peeves somersaulted at least 2 dozen times in the air, he hadn't had so much fun in ages, and the red food dye could only improve the looks of the pink toad, when you asked him for his opinion.
Colonel Merryweather and Professor McGonnagall stepped into the entrance hall and looked silently at the result of Peeves' latest prank in front of them. Both have hidden a smile behind their strict façade, although they would cherish this memory for years to come.
"Good evening, may I learn, why you consider it important to disturb us to this late hour?", asked the Colonel politely.
"Who are you?", inquired Madame Umbridge annoyed.
"This is headmaster Merryweather, the former Headmaster Albus Dumbledore has suddenly met his demise. Therefore he would have been chosen to take the leadership for our school.", replied Minerva coldly.
"What? Why haven't we been informed about this?", screeched Madame Umbridge.
"As I said it was very sudden. It has occurred a few hours prior to this meeting, Madame.", answered Minerva.
"Why are you here, Madame?", asked the Colonel.
"I have come to take Potions Master Severus Snape-Prince and his son into protective custody. After hearing the news, that those garish Death Eater and their despicable leader once more trying to destroy or home country, it isn't safe for him here anymore. The Minister in his vast wisdom had decided that it would be better for Professor Snape and his son to be hidden at a safe location, which will be only known to a small circle of insider.", explained Madame Umbridge.
"I don't think so, or do you really are as daft as you look, Madame?", refused the Colonel her wish."
"Who do you think you are?", screamed Dolores. "I haven a warrant to take them both with me. Look for yourself you brute." But as she tried to find the warrant, she only touched empty air inside the pocket of her robe.
"If I were you, Madame, then I would leave, before Hogwarts will evict you and your goons violently. Severus Snape-Prince and his son will stay here, except they want to leave of their own free will. This you can tell your precious Minister, Madame. Go, before I sic our Poltergeist on you. I will count on three and should you still be here, he wouldn't hold back any longer. 1 … 2…."
"How dare you. You will pay for this audacity. I will come again and then you will all obey the Ministry.", threaten Dolores them, before she turned in a huff and left with the Squadron of Aurors Hogwarts.
"Well done, Peeves. We should go to bed. It was a long day.", decided Colonel Merryweather. Minerva agreed and both went separate ways.
After bathing the toddler and changed them into their nightclothes, they had brought the three toddlers via Floo into Severus' chambers. Lady Hogwarts had already expanded the bedroom and even prepared three toddler beds for the little children. Tom and Tigress put them to rest, while Tigress left soon after.
Tom closed the floo for the night and changed into his nightclothes, before he snuggled into the bed on Severus' other side and snuggled closer to him. Within minutes he slept as well, and you could only hear a soft breathing from the occupants of the bedroom.
A/N: What will happen next? How will Severus react to finding not only three toddlers into his bedroom, but the two men, who claimed to be his mates – one dark lord and one vampire in his bed and at his side? Will Minerva be a part of the group of women who read Severus the riot act? And how will they punish him for his latest antics?