Chapter 21: The Ministry
Harry smiles at those words before nodding energetically. Severus shakes his head at the child's antics but says nothing. He guides Harry out of their quarters heading towards the office in the sky.
The journey from their quarters to the office in the sky was in silence. Harry is absorbed in his own thoughts. Severus can tell that Harry was in his thoughts and he wanted Harry to think through whatever he was thinking about. They reach the gargoyle that is guarding the entrance to Albus's office. Severus gives the password and motions for Harry to start climbing up the stairs to the office, quickly following himself.
Harry waits for Severus at the top of the stairs waiting for Severus. Severus smiles when he saw what Harry was doing. Severus places his hand on Harry's shoulder before knocking on the door. They hear the headmaster call out, "Come in."
Severus opens the door and pushes Harry through the door frame before entering himself. Albus smiles when he sees that Harry is allowing Severus to guide him into the office. "How can I help you boys?"
Severus and Harry look at each other while smiling. "We were wondering if it was possible to go to the Ministry and get all the tests so that I can adopt Harry?"
Albus allows his smile to turn into a full out grin at the man's words. "Well, it just so happens that the ministry had just owled me saying that the adoption ward was having a slow day because there weren't many clients coming in. I am glad that you two finally see what everyone else has seen since Harry became your charge. Do you want to go now then?"
Severus looks down at Harry and says, "It's your decision Harry. I am not going to tell you what to do, we don't have to do this if you don't want to. I don't want to force you into anything Harry, this is completely your decision I don't want you to rush into anything that you aren't comfortable with."
Harry's face lights up and immediately says, excitement in his voice. "Yes! I want to do this!"
Severus and Albus smile at the child's excitement. "I think that Harry is sure that he wants this to go through." Albus says.
Severus smiles down at Harry and says, "I do too. Can we go now to the Ministry?"
"Yes. We can go and get this done. We are going to floo over there."
Severus nods knowing that Harry will still need to come with him as it is his second time flooing. "Harry, you are going with me again because you are still new to using the floo network so you will be going with me again." Harry just nods at the words knowing that it is for his benefit.
Albus walks over to the fireplace and says, "I will floo over first and then you two can follow after myself. Alright?"
"Yes. We will meet you over there." Severus says to Albus. Albus nods in response before taking floo powder and stepping into the flames, disappearing off to the Ministry.
Severus turns to Harry. "Are you ready for this? We don't have to do this if you don't want to, Harry."
"I want to." Harry says with determination taking over his features. Severus is shocked at the new-found determination on the young child's face.
"Very well. let's go." Severus says walking over to the fireplace himself, Harry following. Severus throws floo powder into the fireplace. Severus pulls Harry into and embrace and steps into the fireplace.
Harry starts to feel dizzy from the movement around him. As quickly as it started it stops. Severus holds onto Harry so he doesn't fall because he knows how unsettling the floo is especially when you aren't used to it. "Are you okay? I know how unsettling it is when you aren't used to it." Severus asks. He pulls out a stomach settling potion and hands it to Harry.
Harry sees it and smiles. He empties the vial in a swallow and hands the empty vial back to Severus. "Thank you." Severus lets go of Harry, now that he knows that Harry won't fall.
"Of course child. I knew that you would have issues after the floo because it takes time to get used to it."
Albus decides to cut in now. "Well, my boys. We have someone to handle the adoption process. It is Madam Bones Harry, the woman is the head of Child Services. She is very kind, Harry."
Harry just nods. "Hello Headmaster, Professor Snape and Mr. Potter. I am glad I can help you guys with this." A voice behind the trio breaks through.
Harry looks uncertain at the woman. "Harry, this Madam Bones. She will be helping us with the adoption process." Albus tells the uncertain child.
"Hello Madam Bones." Harry says timidly.
Bones sees the uncertainty in the eyes of the child and doesn't blame him. The ministry knows about what happened at the Dursley's because it is mandatory for them to say the reasoning behind filing guardianship papers. "Hello Harry, call me Amelia."
"Yes ma…. Amelia." Harry says obediently while blushing at his mess-up.
Amelia smiles. "Well. Why don't we continue this in my office?"
"Yes. I think that would be appreciated. Young Harry here hates all the attention that he tends to get wherever he is."
"That is understandable. I hate how people determine how they treat people based on what they do." Amelia says sympathetically while leading the group towards her office.
"Here we are. Take a seat please we are going to talk a little bit about what is going to happen and to make sure that this is what both parties want. First, I ask that you both take Veritaserum so we can ensure that what you are telling is the truth." Amelia says while handing each Severus and Harry a vial of the potion. Harry looks at it distastefully before looking up at Severus.
Severus sees the look that Harry is sending him and laughs. "Harry you have to take it. It doesn't taste bad at all." Severus says already having taken it.
Harry sighs and takes the vial, once again finishing it in a swallow. Harry feels his mind go foggy for a moment as the potion takes effect. He looks up at Amelia waiting for her to start talking again. "So to make sure that the potion is working each individually tell me your name."
"Severus Tobias Snape."
"Harry James Potter."
"The potion is working well enough. So Severus, tell me. Why do you want to adopt Harry? What are your intentions?"
"I want to adopt Harry because I love him like a son and don't want anyone to be able to take him from me. I want to give Harry the life that he should've had the entire time with the Dursleys."
"Okay. Harry, Why do you want to be adopted by Severus?"
"Because he is the first one that has ever cared for me. He makes sure that I eat enough and get enough sleep. He tells me over and over that he will never leave me but I know that if the Ministry wanted to they could take me from him and I don't want them too. I want to stay with Severus."
"I see. Good job you two. The potion should wear off in a few moments. We can't do the other test until the potion has worn off."
Severus nods in agreement knowing that what the woman said was true. Less than a minute later he feels the potion wear off. He looks at Amelia and says, "Okay. It has worn off now."
"Good. So the first test is complete now all we have is the heritage test. We do this so that both parties know their blood heritage before they complete the adoption so they can claim everything that they should. So first we do Severus. All I need is a drop of your blood in this vial."
Severus cuts his finger with a spell before allowing the blood to fall into the potion. He quietly mutters a healing spell and by that time his family tree is up.
PARENTS:
Eileen Snape (Prince) Tobias Snape
Pureblood Muggle
All above Severus's parents are their parents and theirs and so on. "I think that we knew all of this and there is nothing new is there?" Amelia asks after looking at the tree.
"No. Everything is as it should be."
"Okay. Mr. Potter. It is your turn now." Amelia says turning to Harry.
Harry just nods and is unsure of how to cut himself. Severus sees this and says. "I'll teach you the spell." Severus then teaches Harry how to wave his wand and then what the incantation was. Harry tries it and on his first attempt he gets it. He beams up at Severus.
"Good job. Let the blood fall into the potion. I am not going to teach you the healing spell now as that one is extremely advanced for your age."
Harry nods and allows a few drops of blood fall into the potion before turning to Severus to have him heal it. Harry turns back and is surprised at the results.
"What? Is that right? That can't be right! I would've known. At least you would've known." Harry exclaims confused.
They all stare at the results of the Heritage potion in shock. Those were not the results that they were expecting.
An/ Hahaha. Cliffhangers are amazing to write. Who do you think the parents are? Do you think that they are completely different than what they thought or just one? If one who do you think it is? Review what you think and I might just update quickly so that you can find out who they are. Sorry for the wait, I just got my new tablet to replace my old laptop so I have been getting used to it and getting everything that I need on it.
