The Contract
Chapter 33
Three weeks had passed since Albus Dumbledore was removed as Headmaster of Hogwarts, along with his deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall. Not that there was anyone in the school to be outraged about it, no, they were hearing all about the details from the Daily Prophet, at least those who get the newspaper. Most of the first year students did not get the magical newspaper so were pretty much in the dark about the whole thing except for the letters that were mass distributed for the parents to keep them updated on what was going on with the Hogwarts closure and to give them reassurances and ideas on how to educate their children in the meantime, and what ideas they had in order to allow their children to return to a 'schooling environment' so to speak.
"I do believe I have an idea regarding the children's schooling matter," Lord Slytherin spoke, his voice soft and soothing, as he regarded the wizengamot and the council of magic with an air of regal authority. Which was quite befitting his name, Aurelius Adamos-Slytherin, having changed his last when he 'officially' took up his Slytherin titles. He wouldn't have been able to claim the title otherwise, you had to use the last name of the Estate one took.
"Then you have the floor, Lord Slytherin," came the voice of the chief warlock, graciously allowing the wizard to give his ideas. A little flustered himself, with so many people packed into one room, the arguing was horrendous and was giving him a sore head. At this point he'd have a migraine by the time they were done this afternoon.
"A temporary room set up in the Leaky Cauldron or a building temporarily put up in Diagon Alley," Lord Slytherin informed them, "Those who already have tutors can have the opportunity to decide to allow their children to attend this primary day school of sorts, the close proximity to Muggle London will allow the Muggles to drop their offspring at the Leaky Cauldron for the day and return at night to retrieve them. I'm sure the professors at Hogwarts wouldn't disagree with the new regime as temporarily as it may be." None of his sheer distaste for Muggles showing through, he was doing this sorely to prevent the pureblood's being further aggrieved and kept back even more.
"One room? What good will that do?"
"Agreed it's no use,"
"We'd need at least twenty rooms!"
"There's hardly any space in Diagon Alley to accommodate that!"
"We have the ability to expand rooms, you're all thinking like Muggles," Lucius sneered, not quite able to keep his own distaste hidden, but he never had really. He felt no need to keep his disgust at Muggles at bay.
"He's quite right," Madam Bones agreed, "We are thinking too narrowly, we cannot keep dismissing all the ideas or we won't get anywhere." Removing her monocle and rubbing her eye tiredly, they were all exhausted to some extent. They just wanted the meeting to be over with, so they could go home and get some sleep.
"What about one of the empty shops?" Corvus suggested, "That would give at least five rooms, that's before any expansion charms." He put forth his own 'idea' as if he had just thought of it, but the truth was, it was a collective manipulation on various fronts. The wizengamot and the council of magic were exceedingly predictable, it was truly remarkable how much they could be predicted.
"I do believe there are two shops currently empty in Diagon Alley, more in Knockturn Alley, but I think we can all agree that isn't suitable for the students." Cornelius put forth his own suggestion, puffing out as if he had came up with a spectacular idea that deserved applause.
"Indeed," Lucius replied wryly, his lips twitching, an offhanded remark earlier had heralded Cornelius' own idea of course.
"The one next door to the sweet shop is biggest, the other is unsuitable," came the remark from the council of magic section, "It used to be the Daily Prophet's old station, which means offices, perhaps two or three?" only for the higher up for somewhere to call an office while the others wrote in a single room.
"I had forgotten about that, it is more than ideal!" another voice agreed from the council of magic section.
"There is the added benefit that the passage is a short one, which won't have Diagon Alley overrun with students all the time." Madam Bones mused, like Honeydukes, the old Daily Prophet station was three doors down from the entrance to Diagon Alley. "We will have to come up with times that they're allowed out so it won't be a huge disturbance to the other patrons that frequent Diagon Alley."
"With the students buying things for their break and lunch, you'll find that their income will shoot up, not decline." Lucius drawled, "Even if a few patrons will begin to avoid the Alley when the students come out for their allotted free time." If anything when Hogwarts started back up, they'll find themselves disappointed with the lack of revenue the students brought. Their biggest selling point was August through September when the students got ready to return to Hogwarts for the beginning of term. Hogsmeade was definitely prime real estate for those opening up shop, it had always been.
"Hundreds of students won't fit in that building even with expanding charms," Doge pointed out, sounding as crabby as usual, but for once he was actually making sense. It was true enough there wasn't enough room to house hundreds of students.
"Perhaps the fifth through seventh years should come to the Ministry of magic?" Lord Slytherin suggested, "Those are extremely important years, and they will need all the help they can gather to enable them to pass their exams which will loom closer before we know it."
"Well…there are rooms we don't use…" the chief warlock conceded, brow furrowed, "But the professors cannot be in two places at once." To ask them to go back and forth constantly was asking a bit much. "We don't have the proper rooms for potions and such." At least none they could use, nobody could disturb those working in the labs.
"How about using passing it to soon-to-be junior field agent Aurors?" came the suggestion, "They aren't allowed in the field quite yet, this could be considered another task? It would allow us to gauge how they do under pressure, at doing the unexpected and interacting with teenagers?" normally they had to be taught this would give two birds one stone ideal.
"Except for potions, of course," as accomplished as they were, they couldn't teach teenagers potions, that required an experienced Potions Master, which Hogwarts did indeed have.
"They can make the trip to the shop for their potions class," Corvus gave his own input, "Since it is one of the classes that cannot really be catered to and moved." To set up temporarily potion labs would be careless. They needed wards put up in case of accidents, and accidents were to be expected with students still learning.
"They will require Portkey's to get into the Ministry, so many people trying to gain entrance the Muggle way will raise too many questions." the chief warlock added, Ogden felt hope that they were finally getting somewhere.
"Nor do we wish for so many Muggles' coming in and out, Merlin forbid if they get lost," Greengrass added wryly, everyone knew Muggles were too curious for their own good. "Especially if they find their way down to the Department of Mysteries." Suitably scaring them into ensuring that the families didn't bring their children to the Ministry.
"Creating portkey's for everyday use isn't a problem," the sudden agreement rang out, no problem at all, everyone agreed, and considering there were hundreds of people in the room, it was a bit of a surprise. Especially as many of them were Muggle lovers, but at the end of the day, there was an element of truth in the statement, and most of the Muggle lovers were agreeing to prevent any nasty accidents happening to them.
"We are in agreement then?" Ogden called out to them, "First through fourth year will go to Diagon Alley every day and be taught there, while fifth through seventh will be taught at the Ministry of magic?"
There were a few murmurs but most agreed, the lit wands housed all agreements and it was more than half, way more, allowing them to pass the bill as temporarily as it was.
"Are there any concerns? If you do have any speak now!" Ogden called out strongly, staring at both sides.
"How are we going to find qualified Rune Master? Or someone who can teach the students Arithmancy? Alchemy?" those subjects were extremely difficult.
"You must be behind times, Lady Smith," Lord Slytherin explained with pity, "Alchemy is no longer taught at Hogwarts, in fact, after doing some digging a great deal many subjects have been dropped from the curriculum in the last few decades. Including advanced art, music, Alchemy, Wandless magic classes, I could go on…" he trailed off purposefully.
"But Alchemy is an extremely important subject, sure it's not always been the most popular class due to how difficult it is but…" Lady Smith gaped in disbelief, shocked to hear that so many classes had been cancelled, she'd read that in the paper but one doesn't believe everything they read in the Daily Prophet. Apparently, however, it seemed for once, they had gotten it correct.
"Indeed it is," Lord Slytherin agreed, "Which is why I am eager to see the subject back and taught at Hogwarts."
"I'm beginning to see why Hogwarts declined so badly," came the clear mutter of disgruntled disgust from the council of magic section.
"I shall elect myself to find someone to tutor the students in Ancient Runes, Alchemy and Arithmancy," Lord Slytherin declared, "I will need to find more professors regardless for the classes I intend to bring back." Brushing it off as something he would need to do anyway, so as not to rouse anyone's suspicion.
"How long before we can have this up and running?" Lord Adam Greengrass asked, his daughter was driving him up the wall, even with tutors, she didn't like being confined to the manor after having such freedoms at Hogwarts.
"As I said I've already been looking for prospective professors for Hogwarts…I have interviews lined up all week," Lord Slytherin said, looking slightly exasperated, as if it wasn't something he was looking forward to doing, which was the opposite. Everyone he would employ would be more than qualified but most definitely on his side. He was rather grateful for the forethought not to mark absolutely everyone. He only marked those he thought were…worthy of the Dark Mark, in all his insane riddled thoughts. He had to make it look legit, these people were not complete imbecilic after all. At least not all of them he amended his gaze meeting Doge's who obviously knew who he was. Dumbledore had told him no surprise there. Judging by the looks, the old man wasn't sure if the old fool was correct due to the fact he was doing 'so much good' for the magical world. Plus, his identity was fool proof, nobody would ever believe he was anything other than who he said he was. Money definitely worked wonders in the magical world and with his connections.
"Would the Hogwarts professors be able to begin working with the first through fourth years immediately?" Lady Abbott enquired, "Hannah is quite eager to return to her schooling." Her father was fully recovered, and was teaching her when he wasn't working. "I would donate towards the temporary school and the measures one needs set up to get it going."
"There will be no donations needed, the Daily prophet building belongs to the Ministry," Lucius stated before Cornelius could open his mouth and eagerly agree to any and all donations put forth. He greased enough money into his own pockets without something like that being put into play. Plus, if he had more than enough money…well, it would make bribing him much more difficult. "Anything else we need can be brought from Hogwarts, and the students still have their books and equipment."
"This is true, it will cost us nothing," Cornelius agreed, warming further to the idea, now that it wasn't going to cost the Ministry additional costs. Although, he was rather vexed with Lucius for shutting down the idea of more donations, it could have come in handy, the amount they could have made could have been substantial.
"Shall I inform my professors that they will return to work tomorrow?" Lord Slytherin asked, eyes gleaming in satisfaction.
"I think that's quite doable, I'll have a few Aurors clear the building and make it habitable for the students." Cornelius jumped in to agree, nodding eagerly, "It will be fully prepped in a few hours." He would make sure that there were a few reporters there too, it would look good for his image. Especially if he was involved in aiding the students education, it was the most important thing after all.
"The lab will take the longest," Amelia mused, "We will have to make Potions classes at the end of the week."
"I do believe you should leave that preparations up to Severus Snape, he does have exceedingly high standards and I doubt if its substandard that he would agree to teach the students." Lucius announced, his friendship with the wizard was well known, nobody doubted his word. "The protection of the students in his class have always been his highest priority."
"Doesn't sound like Snape," came an embittered voice, murmurers of agreement shot out, they'd all heard just what Snape was like as a professor at Hogwarts from their children or grandchildren.
"Just because he cares little for accolades or making the students like him doesn't make him a bad professor. Potions is an extremely volatile subject, and in his tenure as Potions Master not a single student has been hurt, no other professor of Potions can say the same." His curt reply came immediately, defending his friend and godfather to his son. Reminding him that he was a Potions Master and one of the best too. Despite his teaching he still brought out new potions and made existing ones extremely more potent.
That shut up the grumbling immediately.
"Quite right," Greengrass declared, agreeing fully. "Slughorn was professor while I was at Hogwarts and even he had his own share of unfortunate accidents." And they all knew how well liked Slughorn had been during his tenure as Hogwarts professor.
"I shall give the news to Master Snape myself," Lord Slytherin declared, pretending that he wasn't going to order him, or that he knew him full stop. Giving him the respect his title deserved. Writing down this new 'task' to perform while he had so much already on his plate.
Nobody argued with him, they all pitted Lord Slytherin actually, Snape wasn't exactly the most friendly of wizards to be around.
"I'll have the Aurors head out immediately after the meeting," Cornelius added, grateful that this meeting was over.
"May I ask what became of the investigation into Douglas Doge and Chris Armitage?" Corvus enquired, his gaze focused on Emily Montague, who was the chief leader of the council of magic, the first female to hold that position too. The investigation had been handed to the council of magic while the wizengamot went after the 'bigger fish' so to speak.
"It's still ongoing, but we've found numerous blocks on Chris Armitage's memories, he's due to be at St. Mungo's today to have the blocks removed, accompanied by the Aurors. We believe that his memories have been altered and he might actually be innocent." Emily spoke for the group, "As for Douglas Doge…I'm afraid there are no such block's to be found, and he's highly likely to remain incarcerated."
Doge winced, that was his nephew they were talking so callously about, and he would not do well in Azkaban. He'd told him to remain silent, it was his only hope, not that it was much of one. So far he had remained silent, but he wasn't sure how long that would hold up. Everyone was terrified of Azkaban, for good reason.
"I see," Corvus nodded, giving thanks for the information.
"Speaking of investigations, before we head off for this evening, how is the investigation into Hogwarts finances?" Emily asked in turn. It had been a fortnight, and still they'd heard nothing at all about it, considering decades of information had to be ploughed through nobody was really surprised, but it didn't stop them wanting what answers they could get.
"That would be my investigation," Lucius corrected Emily's belief that Corvus was in charge of that particular investigation. It was understandable, Corvus was probably the best suited for it next to him, but he had too much on his plate to have agreed to take it on.
"My apologise," Emily said dipping her head, giving Lucius her full undivided attention. Everyone else was suspiciously silent as well, all of them wanted to know the state of Hogwarts affairs, and how much work was going to be required to correct it.
Lucius pursed his lips, but conceded their right to know, "I am nowhere near completed with my report, but what I have so far is rather…disgusting." Causing everyone to reel at the amount of revulsion in Lucius voice, whatever had caused it must be bad. "There are still 'wages' being taken out of the Hogwarts accounts for professors who aren't there, or classes that no longer exist and this has been the case for decades. For example Professor Binns, who does not require rooms, food and pay, still has money being withdrawn for him, funnily enough it goes directly into a vault belonging to Dumbledore."
"That could amount to hundreds of thousands of galleons a year, how many wages are being given out for non-existent professors?" Lord Slytherin feigned rage, he was well aware of the results, and hadn't been surprised truly. Harry's little 'dig' had been quite accurate and they'd asked Lucius to specifically look into it, and to no surprise, they'd been informed as such.
"Six," Lucius revealed in disgust, "All of which are put into the same vault under Dumbledore's name." he hadn't made much of an attempt to hide it, but he thought himself above suspicion and had no need to do it.
A horrified silence befell them all, as more and more shocking news regarding Dumbledore's character was revealed.
"Is there anything left?" Cornelius rasped out rattled to the very bone. He had always been aware Dumbledore wasn't as light as he liked to portray but this? This was beyond his scope of imagining when it came to Dumbledore's misdeeds.
"In the private vault or the Hogwarts coffers?" Lucius asked wryly.
"B-b-both," Cornelius stuttered out, eyes still wide as he is unable to contain his shock.
"I've been in touch with Gringotts, I've yet to hear back, but it is very unlikely, from my understanding he had to go to Gringotts to pay off the fines he received. It's very likely that Dumbledore had nothing left."
"Either that or he didn't want to touch it," came the suggestion, "We can only hope that's the case!" with how many years he'd been Headmaster…it horrified them all that he might have been stealing for decades all the while the school declined.
"There is also the matter of the professors not getting anywhere near the wages they should, especially for their profession and tenure position." Lucius admitted, with a harsh frown, normally his features were impassive, but it really bothered him how little they got for the job they did. "They're barely getting ten galleons a year more for the additional duties as being Head of House." Yes, they got room and board, yes they got all their food, but they should still get more money than they were, every single professor there were being ripped off.
"When will you be complete your report?" Lady Abbott asked, her eyes darkening considerably. "My husband wishes to see everything for himself."
"I believe I should have the full report finished sometime tomorrow evening, barring any further emergencies or interruptions," Lucius informed Lady Abbott.
"Anything else before we finish up?" Ogden, Chief Warlock asked, looking around, more than ready to see this meeting done. Unfortunately, it wasn't the end of his day, he had more meetings to attend, Dumbledore truly had them all in a right state.
"Yes," Doge said, speaking up, staring at them all, one eye closed further than the other.
"Then speak," Ogden prompted the wizard, glancing at the time, making it more than clear they were rushed for it. They had been twenty-minutes ago, hopefully his question would be a quick one.
"I've been asking around, Sirius Black's lawyer is getting impatient with all the push back's, I want a date set for his trial and I want it kept." Doge informed them sourly, "Do you know how much we could be sued for wrongful arrest? Especially to a pureblood like Sirius Black? If we keep pushing it back, it makes us look as though we have something to hide."
"Who exactly IS Sirius Black's lawyer?" Lord Slytherin asked, a look of gentle enquiry on his face, that contradicted who he truly was. He did it more often to Doge just to see the look on his face, cross between disgust and surprise. It was clear he was warring on whether to believe that he was the big bad Voldemort he'd spent decades fighting.
"Bill Clearwater has taken on the case," Doge answered, his lips quirking a little, he was working the case pro bono. It had taken Dumbledore everything he had to get the wizard on the case. Using what the wizard owed him as recompense. Which frankly Doge found highly insulting, he should have agreed right away, it was Albus Dumbledore asking, and he wouldn't have asked without a good reason.
"I've heard of him," Lord Slytherin confessed, "He's good at his job, if Black is innocent he will be able to help him." he agreed with Doge's assessment, knocking him sideways.
"Indeed," Corvus replied, blank faced, hiding his mounting concern behind his pureblood façade. Out of all the lawyers, it had to be him, he'd wrongly assumed, whoever had taken the case couldn't care less. It hadn't seemed like he was doing anything anyway, not for his client. Damn, Harry wasn't going to be happy to hear this news. Bill Clearwater was quite ruthless, just won less cases than Antonio, making everyone prefer Antonio. Liking the odds of Antonio Abbott more than Clearwater, who just wasn't ruthless or cunning enough.
"Very well, Wednesday at three o'clock," the chief warlock declared the date for Sirius Black's trial. The information writing itself down on the book at his side, it would show up on all copies, and that was the only opening they had for the next few weeks. They would need to change the dates of other trials if an emergency once again caused them to change their schedules, which he immensely disliked doing and was happening all too frequently.
Corvus pursed his lips, even from prison Dumbledore was still managing to run things. It was unacceptable, they needed to get Doge out of the wizengamot at least. He was old, he supposed something could be arranged for the old fool, a heart attack or something. His eyes travelled to the Dark Lord's and saw the similar irritation reflected back, perhaps he wouldn't need to act.
As soon as Ogden raised his wand, three long bangs came from within it, shooting out red sparks. It was official, the meeting over, nearly everyone stood, eager to get out of the hall. Thankfully, they were adults about it, and there were more than a single door, allowing them all to exit at a decent pace without too many people getting impatient or annoyed enough to begin pushing.
Harry looked up when he heard the door opening, placing his bookmark in his page. His green eyes observing Voldemort and Corvus, "What happened?" Harry then asked Corvus, book forgotten as he waited to see if they would tell him or not. He hadn't seen them all day, he'd eaten breakfast and lunch on his own, and dinner was almost ready judging by the smells wafting from the kitchen.
"I'm afraid things with Sirius Black just became more complicated," Corvus explained, he had never once treated Harry with kid gloves, and he wasn't about to start now. Yes, he should be given a chance to have a childhood, to be free of the burdens that sometimes even drag downs the most stalwart of adults. Unfortunately, that time had long since passed, to keep information from Harry would just have him backing away instead of trusting someone to have his back. Put more burdens upon him than just revealing this information.
"Okay, why?" Harry asked calmly, he had barely thought about him in the last few weeks, Corvus had explained that the constant upheaval was causing many trials that were considered unimportant to be pushed back so other more prominent ones could get over and done with, the public outcry had ensured that. The seething fury the parents were going through when they found out how unsafe their children had been under Hogwarts roof…they were braying for blood. The Ministry had quite rightfully, directed it straight at Dumbledore's door and his potential accomplices. He trusted that Corvus would keep him up to date, and that trust hadn't been misplaced.
"His trial is set for Wednesday," Corvus told him, taking a seat on the sofa across from him, allowing Harry to continue lying spread across the sofa and soak up the warmth of the fire. "I doubt very much it will be moved again, Doge has pointed out who Sirius Black's lawyer is and how much the Ministry stands to lose if they go through a lawsuit. Especially given that it's one of the last Black heirs." He would always be a Black, unless Harry disowns him of course, but he would never be Lord Black, that title Harry had well and truly taken. He'd done the smart thing and did it in the meeting with both the COM (Council of magic) and the Wizengamot. They'd be too bloody worried to dare mention the suggestion of pushing it back.
"Doge did?" Harry asked, doubt projected through his green eyes.
"You're quite correct in your suspicions, yes, it's more than likely Dumbledore is still working from within Azkaban. It's regretful that he will continue to do so, he won't give up control easily." Voldemort agreed with Harry's suspicion, what could he say, the boy was smart, thankfully not in the usual way Ravenclaw's were. There was a reason he didn't have many Ravenclaws in his service. Book smarts were nothing in the grand scheme of things, especially when what he needed was street smarts.
"How can he be getting visitors that aren't family?" Harry asked visibly upset.
"It's entirely possible that Doge was informed what to say through Aberforth Dumbledore, but enquires would need to be made to see if that is who is visiting him." Voldemort conceded.
"But our sources suggest that neither wizard get on, and that Albus would be the last person Aberforth would want to visit in the prison." Corvus stated, "In fact, word is that they hate each other and have done for decades. We couldn't get exactly what happened out of anyone though." Which could have been immensely rewarding to know. Especially if it was something that could be used.
Harry clenched his fists, "I don't want to live with him," in a very rare show of anger, his magic reacting to his intense emotions causing the fire to flare as if someone was using the Floo Network, but more dangerously.
The flames roared out of the fireplace, and would have hit Harry directly in the back if not for Corvus' very swift reaction having the flames doused immediately. Corvus was pale and drawn, clearly shocked by what had just happened, never in his life had he seen such a violent outburst of accidental magic.
Harry after a lifetime of reacting to 'unexpected' things happening around him so ingrained that he acted before thinking. He curled up in on himself, frozen, body just bracing for the blow he was sure was coming.
"Harry!" Corvus moved to aid him, had the fire got to him? Was he hurt? Did he need a potion? "What the…" confused and rather angry when he felt himself being drawn back by Tom. The wizard wasn't even remotely concerned about the show of accidental magic, the swiftness of it, but he had a look on his face, one that spoke of a deep seated understanding…Corvus wasn't sure he'd ever seen that look on Tom's face before.
"He's not been hurt, you'd smell it," Voldemort stated sharply, the smell of burnt flesh was very distinctive, being way too curt but he knew it would be the only thing to get through to Corvus right now. If he needed any further proof that Corvus considered Harry a son…well, it was cleared up. He'd only ever seen Corvus panic like that over Rodolphus and Rabastan. "Look at him, he's withdrawn into himself, talk to him but do not touch him." yes he was familiar with what could cause flashbacks and what would cause Harry to withdraw further into himself.
Corvus stiffened in Tom's hold as the words finally penetrated his terrified mind that Harry had been burnt. Millicent had informed him of course, that Harry might have lapses, things that reminded him of the past, but he'd stupidly thought that Harry wasn't going to have any of those kinds of episodes, he'd been fine so far. This however, was his first bout of accidental magic since he'd joined the magical world…so perhaps he should have expected it.
Corvus gave a short curt nod, indicating that he had heard and understood. The grip Voldemort had on him slackened, as he backed away, giving them privacy in a rare move of selflessness. The truth of it was, that it had surprised Voldemort too, and made him dwell on his own childhood in a way he hadn't done since his own youth.
"Harry?" Corvus said quietly, kneeling in front of the sofa, Tom's words circling his mind. he hadn't thought for a second to get some 'what if's' from the healer, so he truly had no idea how to deal with this. The urge to touch him was so strong that it nearly took his breath away. Yet he realized it was a very bad idea. "Harry can you tell me who I am?"
Corvus didn't receive a reply.
"You aren't in trouble, accidental magic happens, to everyone," Corvus continued as if he wasn't having a one sided conversation. "You know Rabastan actually summoned his broom in the house and ended up breaking a marble statue we had as a matching pair on the staircase? Oh, yes, it was going fast enough to pulverise it. Fortunately, it was easily repaired, since it wasn't magic itself that had been used on it."
Corvus noticed Harry twitching a little at that, so he proceeded to regale the scared teen with a plethora of tales about his sons own magical displays. There were many to choose from, so he didn't end up with the lack of things to talk about.
"Are you back with us?" Corvus asked Harry, who's eyes had steadily become more alert, and a whole lot more sheepish and embarrassed.
Harry swallowed thickly, "I'm sorry," he murmured, staring at the sofa as if it was the most fascinating thing in the world.
"About what?" Corvus questioned, he didn't want to make any mistakes here, he needed verbal clues on how to proceed. He did not want to say the wrong thing and have Harry reacting negatively again.
Harry startled at that, glancing at Corvus, brow furrowed, wondering if he was being made fun off.
"For your accidental magic? As I said Harry, it happens to everyone, just not quite as dramatic as yours," Corvus said wryly, smirking at the teen, "But you never do take half measures, now do you?" trying to show Harry that he'd done nothing wrong, the only way he could, apparently it was the correct way to go, as Harry relaxed further, his cheeks flushing red.
"As for the damage, well, I always wanted to redecorate in here," Corvus said looking around, "It's nothing that cannot be replaced. I'd rather the fire got material items than you."
Harry smiled, it was tremulous but there, as always very easily pleased.
"You will not be punished for accidental magic in any form, now I think perhaps you should go have a bath. You may wear your nightwear for dinner tonight, or have it in your bed just this once." Corvus reassured the teen. "Nushala?"
"Yes Sir?" Nushala appeared before them, her eyes didn't so much as widen at the damage she could both see and smell.
"Bring me a calming draught," Corvus asked, Harry definitely needed one. Fortunately, it was one of the potions he could take despite the regimen he was on.
Nushala bowed and disappeared with a pop to do as her Master asked.
"Now, do you want dinner with us or shall I have it sent up?" Corvus asked, clutching the teens hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze, letting him know that everything was truly okay. That it wasn't some sort of trick and he wasn't going to turn around and punish him when he least expected it.
Harry licked his dry lips, "With you," he didn't want to be on his own, it was the last thing he wanted, he'd spent too much time on his own stuck in a cupboard.
"Very well," Corvus nodded his agreement, when Nushala reappeared, he took the draught without a thank you or acknowledgement, he turned back to Harry, uncorked the potion and handed it over.
Harry drank it down without a word of protest.
"Run a bath for Harry, then put some nightwear on his bed for when he gets out," Corvus informed her curtly, "Hold dinner for half an hour,"
"Yes, Sir," with that she was gone yet again.
"Now would you like my help or do you think you can go yourself?" Corvus asked, ready to do whatever Harry needed to recover from his scare.
"I can do it," Harry reassured Corvus, he just needed a few minutes to figure out what the hell had happened and why it had happened. It was so embarrassing, he needed to make sure it didn't happen again.
Unfortunately, for Harry, these sort of things were beyond his control.
As promised, Lily, this is for you thank you for the donation! So, poor Harry! Will Doge meet a sticky end causing a little trouble for Dumbledore? Will Sirius' trial be pushed back or will we see him released in the coming chapters? Will Corvus be as sneaky and dirty as needed to make sure that Sirius doesn't get custody of his godson? Will they reveal who Harry is betrothed to in order to try and delay the inevitable? R&R please!
