The Games They Play
Chapter 45
Severus was roused from his sleep, blinking blearily wondering what on earth had woken him. Easing himself out of bed, making sure not to jar or disturb Blake who was sleeping deeply beside him. As soon as the meeting was over, he'd eaten some stew Dobby made and gone straight to his bed, after Severus had offered it up, it would be significantly more comfortable than the couch and the bed conjured for Blake when he was injured had been turned to its original fixture. He'd woken briefly an hour ago to take the potion when the pain came so unbearable it had affected his sleep. Then one thank you kiss he was out of it again.
Aurors, there were Aurors at the doors of Hogwarts, and the school was probing at him. Demanding that he get up and attend to what they wanted. Groaning softly, he plucked his wand from his bedside cabinet and dressed himself, mentally opening the doors, which he could feel grinding, it was the oddest experience of his life. The control he had over the school…the power it wielded, he prayed it didn't go to his head like it had to Dumbledore.
"Severus?" Blake murmured groggily, even doped up on pain relief draughts he still woke up at the slightest movement.
"I'll be right back, just sleep," Severus said softly, watching over Blake to the point of possessiveness. He couldn't believe it, he had Blake in his bed, soft and pliant beside him, trusting him. It was the most beautiful sight in the world. The fact Blake had risked their friendship on the off chance…he was a braver man than he.
He must have spent too long gazing at Blake, unable to wrench himself away from his sleeping form. Even in sleep though he was a little delicate with his body, even with the muscle relaxant he had added to his potions for him. Hogwarts mentally prodded at him, indicating to where the Aurors were, and with a silent grumbling complaint, Severus left his quarters as silently as humanly possible.
Once his quarters door was shut, he took off, his gait long and smooth as he exited the dungeon and made his way rapidly towards the entrance hall, where it seemed the Aurors had stopped. They remained there while Severus swiftly made good ground.
"Can I help you gentlemen?" Severus questioned as he approached from the shadows, smothering his amusement at the fact both jumped in fright, but at least they didn't shriek like little girls. Newbies, they had to be, which begged the question…why were they were?
"We need to speak to Headmistress McGonagall," the Auror said bravely stepping forward, trying to cloak himself in authority and failing spectacularly. At least with Severus who had seen many men command rooms with just their entrance.
"I'm afraid you've been misinformed if you believe that the Head teacher is McGonagall," Severus said smoothly, "I am the Headmaster of Hogwarts. Appointed by Hogwarts herself." Then to his disbelief they relaxed their shoulders and nodded in utter acceptance. Pureblood's they had to be, otherwise they wouldn't have accepted his declaration. Either that or wizarding raised.
"Headmaster Snape, we're here to execute an arrest warrant," he explained, handing forth the parchment.
Severus' heart sank, wondering if they were here for one of his snakes who perhaps had taken the dark mark. He was aware that the Auror force was working overtime to arrest the Death Eaters. Thankfully his position as spy had come forth so no arrest warrant had been issued for him. When he unrolled it he blinked in muted surprise. Hermione Jean Granger was signed on the arrest warrant paperwork. One of his professors must have informed the Aurors immediately after the meeting…and he figured he knew whom. Pomona Sprout.
"I shall need to get her Head of House to escort you to her dorm room." Severus explained, lips pursed, neither of the Aurors or Severus would be able to get up the girls dormitory. "She is in essence her magical guardian at the moment." At least until she made a decision on whether to remain HOH or DH.
"Understood," the second Auror, his ID identifying him as Oswald Orman, now that was a name he was familiar with, a Slytherin, he graduated seven years ago if he recalled correctly. It was good to know he was thriving.
"Follow me," Severus informed them, stalking towards Minerva' quarters, which were quite close to both her Transfiguration classroom and office as well as Gryffindor common room. All Head's of House's were close to the common rooms for a reason, not that Minerva had cottoned on apparently. The knowledge Blake had revealed earlier had been a surprise even to him. He had not realized just how little Minerva was involved in her students lives. Now the entire faculty was aware of her shortcomings. The professors had been surprisingly silent during the meeting, either too stunned to vocalise anything or they'd been vaguely aware and weren't at all surprised.
Severus sent a Patronus message to the witch, hoping she'd receive it and be ready for them.
He was very pleased when he noticed that Minerva was awake and at their door as they turned the corner and approached. Apparently the Patronus message had worked like a charm. He almost chuckled at his own response, but refrained, he didn't want anyone thinking he was insane after all.
"What is going on?" Minerva's entire body acted like it had been electrified the second she noticed those familiar red robes. Why on earth were Aurors at Hogwarts? And more importantly…why was she needed? Severus was the Headmaster, her presence wasn't needed she thought bitterly.
"These Aurors need escorted up to the girls dorms in Gryffindor common room," Severus explained, wondering if an explosion was about to follow. "They're here to arrest Hermione Granger." Who was sixteen-years-old, legally an adult in the Muggle world…but not quite legal in the magical world. Although, her trial might not happen until after she reaches her majority depending on what the MPS decide, Magical Prosecution service had the last say whether they had enough evidence or not.
"WHAT?" Minerva shrieked, "Are you out of your mind? She's underage! A child! What are the charges?" she demanded, looking ready to spew fire from her nose.
"Ma'am, please calm down," Auror Callum requested, his face pinched as if her shrieking at set off a particularly bad headache. "Your hysterics won't help your student, who will be arrested regardless of your actions tonight, if you try to help you will be arrested as well." his tone booking no arguments from her.
"As for her crime, the use of underage magic, the use of an illegal obliviate without due care or experience." Oswald informed her, it was illegal for someone not practiced and legally given permission to use the spell. You needed permission from the Ministry, and most of those 'permissions' were for those that worked in the Ministry of magic itself in the department for magical accidents and catastrophise. It was rarely awarded outside of those working in the Ministry, and there had to be a very good cause. Anyone caught using that spell…well, let's just say it didn't bode well for this Ms. Granger at all.
"Minerva, escort them to the dorms," Severus ordered in annoyance, he was tired, he just wanted to get back into bed with Blake and sleep. Well, that wasn't entirely true, he wanted something else…something he would get for months while Blake healed.
"You may act as Ms. Grangers legal counsel," Oswald added, "She will need you or legal counsel with her when she's questioned." Which was true enough, without parents she had no money to afford a lawyer but she could seek out one that came with the Ministry that she didn't need to pay for.
Minerva puffed up, "I will!" like a small animal trying to appear more threatening, more intimidating. It almost made Severus snort in amusement, but he knew it would just worsen the situation. Any other time he would have been all for it, but right now, he just wanted to get this over with.
It took all of four minutes to reach Gryffindor Common room, and right away it became apparent there would be no need for Minerva' presence. Severus wished he'd known that before wakening her up. Although, there was no getting out of telling her one of her students had been arrested. It just meant he wouldn't have had to interact with her at all.
Whispered started up immediately upon the Aurors arrival, all of them gossiping on what they could be there for. All of them blatantly staring at the Aurors, eager to hear and see what was about to happen.
Severus pursed his lips, giving Minerva a pointed look, it was well past curfew. Every single one of them should be in bed, should be sleeping. Yet here they were, it was the same thing teenagers did when their parents let them run amok.
"Students go to your Dorms immediately!" she shrilly demanded, "Ms. Granger, remain a moment,"
Hermione's eyes widened, panic hidden within those warm brown eyes. She did remain outwardly calm, perhaps assuming wrongly that it couldn't have anything to do with what she did. she'd gotten away with it for an entire year almost now, so her confidence wasn't exactly misplaced.
The students did not heed McGonagall's demand, at least not straight away, "Do not make me begin taking points, GO NOW!" annoyed beyond measure that they were not doing as she asked, especially in the presence of Aurors for Merlin's sake.
"Hermione?" Ron asked, gazing at her in silent concern, he knew what she'd done, and knew there had to be a good reason the Aurors were there…it wasn't good. He wasn't the smartest person in the world…but he wasn't utterly stupid.
"Just head up Ron, I'll see you tomorrow," Hermione answered, staring at the Aurors, but they gave nothing away.
"Come on, Ron," Ginny said, propelling Ron towards the boys dorms with a shove, as everyone eventually left.
Severus could hear them crowding just out of view, listening. Typical teenager behaviour, he did nothing to deter them. Being a little bit too vindictive, but hey, it would be a learning experience.
"Hermione Jean Granger you're under arrest for the illegal use of an obliviate, the use of underage magic, you do not have to say anything…but it may harm your defence, when questioned in court of law. Anything you do say will be used against you, do you understand your rights?" the Auror explained, flicking his wand and Hermione's arms were bound, preventing any harm coming to him and his partner or anyone in this room.
"WHAT? No! you can't!" Hermione protested, struggling when the Auror advanced and grasped a hold of her arm. "I have exams to study for! I can't be arrested right now!"
Severus closed his eyes, embarrassment and disgust warring within him. How could someone so bright be such an idiot? There was no denying that Granger was smart…but it was apparently only to a certain extent. Merlin help him, and save him from stupid hairbrained idiots.
"Be silent Hermione," Minerva cautioned her, summoning her cloak, ready to leave Hogwarts with her student.
"Tell them! I didn't do anything wrong," Hermione protested still being dragged from the common room, all the students were now spread out across the staircases, blatantly watching the free show.
"Ms. Granger for once shut your mouth before you make things worse for yourself!" Severus snapped, pinching the bridge of his nose. Her grating voice getting on his last nerve.
At the same time Minerva cautioned her, "Hermione," with her warning voice, not that it worked.
"I had to save them!" Hermione protested, and that sealed her fate. "I didn't want anything happening to them! They can't fight back! I had to protect my parents!"
"MISS GRANGER! YOU WILL BE SILENT!" Minerva all but shrieked, as the common room door closed, and Severus could imagine the burst of conversation that happened the second the portrait clicked closed.
Severus winced, Merlin she sounded like a damn harpy. He couldn't help but wonder if the witch had a harpy somewhere in her family tree.
"But you believe me right? I was just protecting them!" Hermione insisted, twisting to look at her Head of House, desperation lighting up her eyes, giving an insane gleam to them.
"Please, be silent!" Minerva told her, horrified to see the way the girl was crumbling right in front of her. Severus and Blake's earlier words rattling around in her mind, making her feel deeply uncomfortable and worried.
Unfortunately for Severus, Hermione Granger didn't shut up, she continued to vehemently protest her treatment. Insisting she'd done it for the greater good, that she had to protect her parents from the Death Eaters who wanted to kill them because she was a witch.
Severus couldn't have been more glad when they finally, finally, they left Hogwarts grounds. Rubbing his temples, glaring at the group of four, Merlin he'd be lucky enough to get back to sleep tonight after all this ruckus. Once he felt more than saw the gates closing behind the Aurors – it was too dark to really see much of anything out there – he stepped back inside ordered the castle to be locked for the evening once more, before swiftly turning and stalking back to his quarters, calling on Dobby as he did so.
"What can Dobby do for Headmaster Snape?" the House-elf called, quite chipper considering he must have been resting surely.
"Make sure that every student from Gryffindor are in their beds within ten minutes, any that are not will receive a total loss of fifty points and detention for a week. Make sure they know that it was me who demanded it." Severus stated, continuing to walk fast, despite the fact Dobby would struggle to keep up. It would ensure that the students knew he would keep his word, and Dobby no doubt would gladly inform him of anyone who disobeys.
"Yes, Sir!" Dobby said, ceasing his attempts to keep up with the wizard, now that he had his orders he popped away to deliver them.
Severus was grateful when he got to his rooms, stripping of his clothes, he slid back into bed. His lips twitching, fondness welling within him, just being back in Blake's presence. He knew it was pathetic of him, that he was so far gone that it wasn't even funny. Yet he couldn't care less, he had Blake beside him, it was all he wanted.
"What's happening?" Blake murmured, sounding groggy but his eyes were boring into Severus' own fully aware.
"The Aurors arrested Granger, now go to sleep, my head is throbbing," grumbling in complaint as he sidled closer to Blake, being careful of his injuries. Sighing softly, he burrowed his nose into Blake's neck, the uninjured side of course.
"Huh," was all Blake had to say regarding that particular matter, before he relaxed back into bed. It was a show of proof that Blake no longer harboured any fondness for the girl. Certainly didn't express missing any particular person in his past, and Severus' old future.
They would create a whole new future. Together.
Severus dreamt of that future that night, and despite the early rise he was feeling rejuvenated.
A muted thump roused Severus from his very, very pleasant dreams, confusion swamping him for a moment. Then he lurched up in bed, noticing that Blake wasn't present, but judging by the heat still lingering at his side…he had vacated it very recently.
A groan had Severus leaning over the bed, only to find Blake lying with a across between a scowl and a grimace on his features. He was quick to levitate Blake, especially when he realized that he had fallen on his injured side. "I'll get Poppy…" these things were bound to happen from time to time, especially with someone as stubborn as Blake.
"No," Blake retorted, "I need the damn toilet," he grumbled, "I didn't break anything, again,"
Checking the time as he levitated Blake through to the bathroom to use it. A mere five minutes before his alarm would have woken him anyway, it could have been worse he could have been up for hours before required. Standing at the bathroom door, he summoned Blake's first potion for the day, the strongest one he gets, which would allow him to get about for a bit truly unaided.
He waited until Blake was finished his normal morning routine in the bathroom, face and hands washed after he did the toilet, before giving him the uncorked potion he drank it down before continuing to stand at the sink.
"Have you heard anything about Mrs. Redfern?" Blake asked absently, putting toothpaste onto his toothbrush and beginning to brush his teeth, the lack of sugar as a kid had done wonders, they were still in pretty good shape.
Severus frowned, "No, I don't really expect to," he confessed, the woman wasn't a student at Hogwarts. Poppy wasn't legally obligated to inform him of any emergencies. This was a grown woman she was dealing with, a very heartbroken and grieving woman who lost her husband so suddenly and was lashing out. At least she was lashing out at the correct person. "I can ask Poppy for an update should you wish?" deciding to do his own morning ablutions while they were at it.
Blake wordlessly shook his head, spitting out the paste, "No, I'm not that interested," he murmured, giving his teeth one last quick brush before gargling and spitting. "I was just curious, it was the other way around last time, he lost her." And he'd never recovered, as long as his kids were safe he honestly hadn't cared about living. He did it for them. The family was never going to suffer financially, he knew the guy had made a boatload of money doing the work he had done. His wife and kids were going to be finally secure for the rest of their lives, unless she was a big spender. Very big spender.
"What do you intend to do today?" Severus asked, arching his head around to see him, as he did the toilet.
"Find out what I can about the Death Eaters, name the ones that aren't known and see about making sure they're taken down." Blake frowned, "Not really sure how to go about it without drawing suspicion upon myself. It's not like Shacklebolt is the Minister…"
Severus snorted, he couldn't help himself, "He becomes Minister?" had Blake told him that before? It didn't ring of repetition, but after everything he'd learned…such a little inconsequential thing probably flew right by as he processed the more alarming details.
Blake just grinned wryly as he wiped his face, drying himself up, "Ah well, it I can't think of a way to get them then I'll just do it my way." A dark gleam in his eyes, a cold hard promise that he wouldn't let even the Death Eaters threaten what he'd just designed for Harry. To give the wizarding world better hope for the future, to give them the chance to thrive and flourish…if only they'd grasp the opportunity.
Severus pursed his lips, the knowledge that it might not be as over as one liked to believe made him want to sneer in frustration. Of course, just because the Dark Lord was gone…did not make them all safe, if anything some might be liable to strike out in their own rage. Then again… "I don't think that will happen, what they learned before the duel, it will prevent them acting up. Too grateful not to be following a Mudblood to care."
Blake conceded Severus point with a tip of his head, true enough. "Perhaps," he guessed they'd wait and see, "Where are the Daily Prophets from the past few days?" reading them would allow him to scope out whether there would be trouble or not.
"Under the table, amongst the letters and documents," Severus answered, things that weren't thrown out in other words. It's where he had suggested Harry leave them for Blake, the House-elves all knew what not to touch. And thus he didn't have to worry about the House-elves rushing off with them. although, here was a copy archived in the library every day, so it wasn't as if there wouldn't be one available to him.
A ping alerted Severus to mail, finishing up, he moved towards the fireplace and the shoot that was next to it, which did indeed have a letter at the bottom of it.
Headmaster Snape
It was official, he was the Headmaster of Hogwarts, and everyone knew it. At least everyone within the Ministry of magic did. Still, what on earth did the Ministry of magic want with him? Minerva was still there with her, she didn't need aid.
"That was fast," Severus murmured, reading the missive wide eyed.
"What was?" Blake enquired, causing Severus to stiffen a bit before relaxing. Even while he was injured he was capable of being extremely evasive and sneaky, and more importantly quiet enough so that even he didn't hear him.
"There's already a trial set for Granger," Severus informed him.
Blake's eyes widened, "They've already found the Grangers? Damn, maybe we should have called upon them ourselves." He and Severus had absolutely no luck finding them, admittedly it hadn't been their primary goal, just a side job. The Horcruxes and defeating Voldemort had definitely been more important.
"There is every guarantee they haven't yet," Severus pointed out, it stung that he couldn't fully trust his professors to keep their mouths shut. Unfortunately, it was asking a bit much, it wasn't a simple school matter, what Granger had done was…illegal, and he should just be grateful that they hadn't arrested him and Blake for simply knowing about the matter and keeping quiet. Perverting the courts of justice. It came with a heavy fine and price, that did include prison time.
"No, they'd need proof before they arrested her, which wouldn't have been easily gotten this quickly unless they found the Grangers." Blake mused, "Nobody else actually knew what she'd done so they couldn't exactly confess to knowing what she'd done."
"You're talking like they care whether there is proof or not before they're arrested," Severus snorted derisively, the Ministry didn't care for that. Black was a very good example whether he liked the guy or not.
"The people are looking to them far more than ever right now, the panic and celebration isn't as immense as it was in the past. They're aware of what happened the last time…and will be watching closely." Blake replied, "He hasn't caused the devastation he did in the past, when is the trial?"
"Tomorrow," Severus replied, "I still can't believe they've put it that soon, it's unnatural." They normally took at least a week or so to set up a trial.
"Only here," Blake shrugged, wincing as he did so, shit, he kept forgetting. Rubbing his shoulder delicately. "Muggles sent people to a court right away sometimes, before either sentencing them or deferring that sentence to later." The magical world were more theatrical than that, liked to make a song and dance out of everything…including bouts of accidental magic.
"So have you been called as a character witness?" Blake asked after sitting himself down, grinning when breakfast was set in front of him. Thank you Dobby. He was starving, quite frankly he could eat an entire Hippogriff.
"I do believe Filius, Pomona, Minerva and myself have probably been asked to come forth." Severus replied. "Nobody surely believes I would make a good character witness,"
"That makes sense, core classes, only one really missing and that's DADA but so many teachers passing through, asking it just stupidity since they wont get a chance to know the students." Blake mused. "Not for the defence maybe, depending on the person, prosecution on the other hand…" he added wryly, green eyes gleaming.
"So much for getting back to normal," Severus gritted his teeth, this was beyond the pale! If there was going to be continued disruptions he was going to demand the exams were postponed for a few weeks – which he knew was unlikely to happen – but he had to try if they were going to continue on like this.
"Take them to the Ministry," Blake suggested, "It would be a warning to those considering other actions and well, frankly a learning experience for them." it had absolutely nothing to do with humiliating Hermione Granger, Blake didn't care enough one way or another in order to wish it upon her. At least this time she was going to get her parents back…he assumed anyway.
Severus frowned thoughtfully, the idea was a good one, but there was no way all the students would fit. So, perhaps only so many should go, as many as would get permission on such short notice anyway. He couldn't remove the students from Hogwarts – even if it was just to the Ministry of Magic – on a whim, you needed written parental consent for such a thing. "Perhaps third, fourth and fifth years? I think only ten at least of the year groups will gain permission before it's time to go. anyone else would be too far away or uncomfortable about giving their kids the go ahead to attend the Ministry."
"Twenty of each group, maybe more," Blake refuted, "Ironically I think more Muggle-borns and Half-Blood's will attend more so than the pureblood's." they wouldn't be able to help themselves, they'd want to see how things worked in the magical world.
"Yes, the parents will still be in a panic," Severus conceded, he hadn't thought of that, many of the students' parents were Death Eaters. They knew their kids were safe in Hogwarts, but perhaps not so quick to agree to allow them to go elsewhere. "To do this will require more effort than just cancelling classes so that Minerva, Filius and Pomona can go," the Ministry workers definitely hadn't concerned the upheaval they'd cause demanding all four of them! This close to exam times! They evidently DID NOT have any siblings, children or cousins at Hogwarts right now, otherwise they wouldn't have demanded this.
"I wonder how long it will take for Harry to show his face again," A wicked smirk on his face, it became a full out grin when Severus frowned clearly confused. He waved Severus' probing expression away, he was not going to tell Severus why Harry hightailed it out of there…he didn't want to risk things becoming tense.
"It seems I'm going to have to get things sorted," Severus sighed, wondering why he was contemplating Blake's idea. It was ludicrous to take so many students to a trial. It was an open one, so the Ministry couldn't say anything.
"Indeed you should," Blake agreed, "Sooner the better, after her trial things will hopefully settle down."
Severus nodded, pinching the bridge of his nose, and stalking towards the door.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Blake asked a thinly veiled taunt in his voice, puckering his lips playfully.
He snorted in amusement when Severus did return and kiss him before a moan was wrenched from him. Licking his lips he watched Severus leave with a satisfied smirk and he actually felt like pouting. "Bloody tease," he grumbled, before eating the remains of his breakfast.
He ended up asleep within twenty minutes, his body still recuperating after his brush with death.
"Okay, Harry, what's wrong?" Blake asked the teen, he had been very quiet since he'd slunk in after lunch. It had been over an hour and Harry had barely said more than a few words.
"Nothing," Harry said, shaking his head, burrowing his head further into the book.
Blake just stared at the book hiding Harry's face, seriously? He was going to pretend there was nothing wrong? Sighing dramatically, he begun to tap his hand against the armrest, and waited. Tiredness was already beginning to pull at him, and he'd only been awake an hour and ten minutes.
"I want to help the twins start up their own joke shop," Harry eventually blurted out, flushing red as if he expected Blake to know exactly why he wanted to help them so much. "They're trying to save up enough buy a place in Diagon Alley, one's just become available, they're worried they won't be able to save enough to buy it before its sold to someone else."
"Ah," Blake murmured, knowing they do eventually save enough to buy it, but as far as he was aware, the twins bought it around about this time…they must have done something after leaving Hogwarts to ensure they had enough….something they obviously hadn't thought of in this time having stayed at Hogwarts. "Third partner or a silent partner?" he questioned, leaning forward, ready to give Harry advice.
Harry swallowed, relief that he wasn't just being dismissed, "Um…what's the difference?"
"Third partner means everyone will know you're part of the shop. Silent partner is a piece of the business and nobody knowing you're part of WWW." Blake explained, "You'll get the same percentage either way." He hadn't in his time of course, he hadn't wanted anything in turn for giving Fred and George the tri-wizard winnings.
"You know…they succeed?" Harry asked, tone hopeful and perking up, Blake knew their name! They'd only just came up with it. Weasley Wizarding Wheezes.
"For a while before the war got too severe and they had to abandon shop," Blake explained with a grim look. "That won't happen this time, but what will happen is you'll sign a contract getting a percentage of the shop." It did well enough that it would be a very sound investment for him.
"Oh," Harry murmured before brightening up, nodding eagerly, "Okay!" any time spent with the twins was one well spent.
"Is there anything else bothering you?" Blake asked, wanting this done with while Harry was in a chatty mood.
Harry vehemently shook his head, no.
"You can talk to me about anything, Harry," Blake stated, "Nothing you can say will be used against you,"
Harry swallowed, looking entirely too conflicted before he blurted out, "I like the twins,"
"Yes, everyone happens to like them," Blake said, staring blankly at him.
"No, I mean I really like them," Harry whispered, staring down at his hands, entirely too conflicted.
Blake blinked before his eyes widened a little, okay, that hadn't happened before. Then again, he'd become very close to the twins, during the summer and remained so, despite different years and classes, during the school term.
"As in both of them," Harry said, cheeks flaming red.
"They are identical twins, it makes sense," Blake said slowly and carefully, not wishing to land on a mine, "There's nothing wrong with being attracted to two people you know. The twins are bi, they don't care for gender," even though George had married Fred's girlfriend, he reckoned it was more for companionship and closeness to someone who had known his twin the way he had. Things had obviously changed drastically.
Including Fred's death.
"I can't just ask to date both of them!" Harry said, sounding scandalised.
"Oh? Why not? It's hardly illegal in the magical world," Blake said wryly, "If you like them both Harry, tell them, and decide together what you'd like to do." Neither were dating at the moment. "Don't wait until they're leaving or worse…dating someone else. Trust me, life can be way too short…Fred died in two years in my time…George never recovered from that loss, not fully, just tell them how you feel. Don't waste your life on worries and fears…the worst that can happen is them telling you they aren't interested. You can go back to being friends and you can get over them and find someone interested in YOU."
"But Incest…" Harry blurted out, eyes wide.
"Sirius Black's parents were cousins, plus, nobody is asking the twins to have a sexual relationship with each other…just you," Blake cut him off before anything more from the Dursley's twisted belief's became too apparent.
Harry's face went bright red in the matter of fact way Blake was talking. "You've no room to talk! You've wanted Severus for ages and never made a move!" he protested, trying to get the heat off himself.
"Yes, I did, but I had no idea whether I would survive…Harry, and the last thing I would have wanted to do was leave a partner grieving for me." Blake said softly, "Life is too short. Talk to them. I think you'll be surprised…"
Harry nodded solemnly, the future where Blake was from wouldn't happen, but it didn't make him any less right or knowledgeable.
"Talk to them about how you feel first before you bring up the possibility of becoming a partner in their business." Blake cautioned him, "Bring them down after dinner, I'll have my lawyer write up a contract now." Hopefully Harry would heed his advice, he might be too young and naïve to realize showing them the contract then telling them how he felt might make things seem as if he was doing this in turn for a relationship. Not that the twins would think badly of Harry of course, but just to be on the safe side.
Harry nodded again, looking as if an entire weight had been sloshed from his shoulders.
"Go on, I'll see you after dinner," Blake said quietly, smiling a little, exhaustion weighing him down again, he knew he'd be asleep again within minutes.
"Okay, I'll see you later," Harry said, sounding much more chipper than when he'd slunk into the room looking worried and depressed.
"Bye!" Harry said, before leaving, determination radiating from every pore of his body.
He was going to take Blake's advice.
So will it be Fred/George/Harry or will Harry have his heart broken for the first time? Mpreg (mere mentions in the last chapter) or adoption? What about Severus/Blake? OR will they just spoil Harry's kids and have none of their own since they aren't exactly the friendliest of people? As for the idea to have them at the trial not my own it was suggested :D and the idea was a good one! :D R&R please!
