The Games They Play

Chapter 49

"Here is everything sorted and ready to sign," Severus commented, handing over the massive wad of different parchments, copies and all to Fred, George and Harry, who were quite comfortably cuddled together on the sofa they'd created in the Headmaster's office. "Read it over, and if you're happy with these amendments then sign them." it appeared as though the three wanted to definitely put the business as business and as far away from their private and personal life as possible. So they all knew where they stood, and Severus thought it was rather mature of them.

"Where's Blake?" Harry asked, surprised.

"He'll be back in a moment," was all Severus had to say. His body relaxed and posture one of amusement. Very different from the Severus they had just seen a week prior.

"I'm back already," Blake commented, as he entered the office, with three gifts in his hands.

"You got them in time?" Severus asked pleased, "He has always worked extremely fast."

"For a price, I almost thought I was talking to a goblin for a moment there," Blake laughed wryly, a sardonic grin on his face.

Severus smothered a snort, nodding in agreement.

"Do your parents know yet?" Blake asked Fred and George as he sat on the edge of the Headmaster's desk. Fawkes' beautiful cage was sitting near the open window, not that Fawkes needed a window to go anywhere, but it symbolised his freedom in a way Dumbledore had refused to allow.

"We told dad…but mum doesn't know yet," George spoke up, leaving Fred and Harry to read through the contract, which they were changing to be more business, than a partnership. If their relationship didn't last, they all wanted the comfort the contract would offer so they would know where they stood. It had actually been Severus' idea, a partnership and business partnership might not work long run, they were young, it might have turned out to be a bad idea. It was best to split it up and focus on each one individually.

"How did he react?" Blake asked, cocking his head to the side, genuinely curious.

George chuckled, "Very surprised, said something about Ginny and letters before cutting himself off and asked that he tell mum and Ginny after he said we had better take good care of Harry or he'd be extremely unhappy."

Harry flushed red, embarrassment and happiness co-mingling, it was nice to have people who cared about you. That the Weasley's still did after all that had happened…was surprising. Perhaps not, they had big hearts, although perhaps Molly hadn't forgiven him, she hadn't sent her usual gift at Christmas.

"Mum won't like it," Fred spoke up, "She's still pissed, and it wasn't even anything Harry did." which made him really annoyed with her.

"I didn't see anything concerning during the trial," Severus admitted, frowning in silent contemplation. She'd seemed her normal usual self, there was no disregard for Harry.

"Mum can be vocal but it's the little things she does that showcases her disapproval," Fred admitted, "She didn't give Harry his usual Christmas gift,"

"Such a shame you'll not have another knitted jumper," Severus drawled, not seeing just how much it meant.

Blake elbowed Severus, "It was the first Christmas gift he ever got, first thing that ever fitted him that was warm and comfortable and his." He hissed to Severus, knowing just how much it meant, for it had meant so much to him to.

Severus deflated a little at that moment, "I see," Severus murmured quietly, he'd had no clue it had meant that much. "I still cannot see why she would be angry at Harry, I must admit." Sirius' actions or even Blake's had nothing to do with Harry, "It's not as if she ended up back at the Burrow where it was unsafe, she had a home." until the war ended, the Weasley's were now back at the Burrow as far as he knew.

"As I said, mum can hold a grudge," Fred said, signing the contract, he passed it over to Harry, who did the same. Then of course, it was George's turn, who signed it with ease trusting that Fred had looked it over appropriately.

The magical binding contract flared, and a copy disappeared, an it was promptly archived at Gringotts from where it had come.

Three copies were left behind for Fred, George and Harry's own perusal. What they chose to do with those documents, was entirely up to themselves.

"I'd suggest putting them within your vaults, it may not be able to be tampered with, but it's information best kept private." Severus suggested, finally sitting down in his chair, very much aware of the heated look he received from Blake, and Severus himself felt hot under his collar. Vividly reminded of their…coupling last night, needless to say the rest of his correspondence had been left for this morning.

Harry nodded immediately, he had learned everything he needed to from Blake when it came to the Potter estate. He knew how important it was to keep all documentation safe from prying hands. No matter how trustworthy they were, even family at that. As Lord of the estate, it was his job to be suspicious of everyone, and ensure the family fortunes safety and continuance. Luckily he had Blake's help, and he knew the future, so he knew what best to invest in.

"Have you seen the paper yet?" Fred questioned, Blake and Severus.

Severus turned his attention to Fred and arched a brow, "No, not as yet," neither he nor Blake had even had breakfast yet. Despite their activities last night, which had been well worth the distraction, they'd both been up early and him to work, Blake seeing to the Potter estate and his own. The House-elves were going through all the mail Blake was getting, only his personal correspondence was getting through.

"Dumbledore isn't going to last long, St. Mungo's has reported that they don't think he'll last the week out." Fred explained, "They can't give him potions and his internal organs are rapidly shutting down. A news reporter got into his room and took a picture of him…he's rather yellow looking." It wasn't a nice sight to see actually.

Severus and Blake glanced at each other, "That explains the students…oddities today." They were rather sombre all things considered, despite knowing what they do about what he'd done…his past actions would always reflect awe and goodness in the old man.

"Oddities?" Severus questioned, frowning. He wished he'd known and would have prevented the newspapers from getting in. The last thing eleven-year-old children needed to see was someone ailing as they ate their breakfast, especially Dumbledore, who despite his actions, they had looked up to. pausing in his perusal of mail he'd received since this morning.

"Oh, yes, they've been rather quiet, it's unlike them," Blake stated, "They're in mourning." They knew just as well as everyone else what was happening.

"I see," Severus murmured, flicking through the pile, until something caught his attention. "Blake? You have multiple requests…from St. Mungo's," there would only be one reason why St. Mungo's was getting in touch with him.

Blake arched a brow, turning fully around, accepting the mail that had been sent to Hogwarts through the Headmaster's office. "Why on earth were they sending it through the school?" they all knew his full name, it had been reported multiple times in the paper.

"They're smart," Severus commented, sitting back, a wry tone in his voice. "They'll realize the mail will be getting directed. That people will be getting in touch with you in order to thank you."

"This way they'll be guaranteed it would reach me," Blake finished, conceding the idea was a smart one. "Indeed, it was a smart idea."

"Yes," Severus nodded, "Indeed,"

Blake ripped open the missives, arching a brow, "Apparently, it is Dumbledore's wish to 'speak to me'," Blake informed Severus as he skimmed through the letter that a Medi-witch had written for Dumbledore.

"But why?" Harry asked, "It's not as if he's going to get better and go to prison…in order to try and persuade you to release the charges. Even at that, he's no longer Headmaster…he can't convalesce here."

Blake sneered, "Forgiveness, he doesn't want to pass on without it," it was just a Dumbledore thing to do. "With forgiveness he believes he'd arrive at the other side for his next great adventure burden free."

"That…sounds stupid," Harry admitted, while Fred and George rolled their eyes, it did indeed sound stupid.

"Agreed," Blake replied, opening the other letters, finding more of the same thing, "Apparently he's been trying to get my attention all week…" with him weakening…he was becoming more desperate.

"Are you going to go?" Fred asked, undeniably curious.

"Perhaps," Blake mused, "But it won't be for what he wishes," he would never forgive the old fool for thinking he knew better. Not for this life and most certainly not for the past life.

Severus' voice made a shocked taken aback sound, as he opened his next missive. It was from Lucius, giving a gesture for Blake to come to him, he showed him what was in the box. The last copy of the book with the spell, affixed was a small piece of parchment. 'burn it or not, the decision is yours to do as you wish'

"Bloody hell," Blake mused, flipping through the book, "There's a letter," he added as the paper fell through the pages. This one was notably absent the Malfoy coat of arms, and the writing significantly different. He was ensuring it couldn't come back on him…unless, it was an old letter not meant to be posted.

"It's definitely Lucius," Severus stated, as if he was reading Blake's mind, "He may have attempted to hide his distinctive handwriting, but the Letters' L, M and S are too distinctive to be anything else."

"Papers new, it must be meant for us," Blake conceded.

"Why is Malfoy getting in touch with you?" Harry asked, pensively, just as an owl begun to peck on the window of the Headmasters' office.

"That's Pig," Fred exclaimed in surprise.

Severus groaned, "Please tell me that your mother isn't getting in touch with me," he did not want to deal with her, and if he didn't, there was little doubt she would immediately get on the Floo network to demand why an answer hadn't been given. She had done it numerous times with Dumbledore.

"I doubt it, she planned on visiting Dumbledore as far as I'm aware," George blinked, standing as he went to retrieve the letter from Pig. "Huh, it's for us," he murmured, Fred and George were clearly written across the front.

"Mum must be back from St. Mungo's then," Fred said, "What does she want?" he asked, from where he was sprawled across the sofa, his right arm wrapped around Harry, where it had been from the get go.

"Inviting all of us to dinner," George said, visibly distressed at the mere thought of a large family gathering. Their mother was overbearing on the best of days…they could only imagine how much worse she would be given a dinner party, and anything that wasn't just 'dinner' with family was treated as a dinner party.

"All of us?" Harry questioned, "As in…all of…us?" gesturing towards Blake, Severus and himself.

"Yes," George nodded firmly, "All of us,"

"Why?" Harry asked, visibly nervous.

"Dad must have told her," Fred said, squeezing Harry in comfort, "This is her way of celebrating,"

"But Severus and Blake?" Harry asked.

"Well, they're your family," George said, moving back over and sliding his own arm around Harry, causing him to relax between them. "Everyone in Order knows of Severus' and Blake's relationship."

"Oh? Is that so?" Blake asked with deceptive mildness, "And how is that?"

"Hermione and Ron saw you together…" Fred explained, shrugging his shoulders, "Told Mum, mum told everyone else…she can't keep a secret to save herself."

Severus and Blake glanced at each other visibly surprised, that was rather…daunting. "When was this?"

"Some time last week," George replied, frowning, "I can't remember the exact day."

"And why exactly is the Order still meeting?" Blake asked quietly alarmed.

"They had the last one I think just after you defeated him," George was the one to answer again, "You were still unconscious and they didn't invite…you," gesturing towards Blake and Severus when he spoke.

"Sirius told me he was invited last night but he didn't go," Harry added, "The war is over…and he just wants to move on he said."

Blake grinned, that and he was doing the last of the research on those he had given as a perfect witch surrogate to have his child. Sirius was…very excited by the prospect, he would definitely make a good father by the way he was being so diligent. He hadn't expected it, but Sirius was doing all the right things to prove that the mind healing was working. He'd chosen well, she was working wonders for him. "Good, because he's right, the war is over, it will not start back up again."

"You've got that right," Severus murmured, handing over a slip of paper to Blake.

Blake accepted it, and began to read through it, eyes steadily creeping further and further up his forehead. "Bloody hell," he muttered, "That's one way to go about it…we'll be reading about it in the newspaper during the coming days."

"Lucius is quite…innovative, with enough money I'm not surprised he's capable of it. Trusted as he is…he'll have no problem succeeding in getting them all. Saves me the trouble of doing it myself." Blake whispered, handing it back, getting someone to alter the Dragon Pox and giving it to the others…their deaths will be messy and painful. "I wonder why he took the risk of writing this down?"

Severus didn't waste a moment of burning the missive, reducing it to ashes before banishing said ashes. "Because he knows you," he answered, "You would have begun something similar yourself once the noise died down…to ensure there was no uprising."

Blake just blinked, not even doing Severus the discourtesy of trying to deny it. He'd already thought long and hard about dealing with the Death Eaters. Too worried that they would attempt to bring him back – as futile as it may be – and how many deaths they'd cause in their attempts. Just like the Lestrange's had after Voldemort's defeat by an infant Harry Potter.

Meanwhile, Fred, George and Harry were having their own quiet conversation. "Do you really think everyone is going to be okay with it?" not that he particularly cared, but this was Fred and George's family, he didn't want to come between them. The Weasley's had always been a close knit family.

"Eventually, took a while for mum to warm up to Fleur, but she's known you longer…she's always wanted you to be family." Fred said wryly, "Favoured you too." Vividly reminded of the car incident, and how she'd spoken to Harry after reprimanding them. They'd tried to express their worry about how Harry was treated…but their mother didn't seem to think it mattered.

Harry grinned, thinking of the very same thing, "Alright, when?" suddenly he couldn't wait.

"After school finishes," George gave the letter another look to ensure he had it right, "Will you be taking the train ride to the station?" doubting it but asking nonetheless.

"I don't see the point," Harry replied, "Neither Severus of Blake are going," Luna and Neville would be disappointed, but they'd have each other, so it wasn't all bad. It would just be a wasted journey and time best spent elsewhere.

"You can come to the flat then…or the shop…" Fred suggested, as always, making sure Harry knew he had a choice. Harry was…leery sometimes, about a lot of things. Not just because it was his first relationship, but because of a lot of things he'd seen during his childhood. Vernon and Petunia Dursley apparently might have pretended to have the 'perfect' relationship in front of the world and their son…but Harry knew different, and seen different and it had scarred him.

So for that, they were taking their relationship slow, not something Fred and George was used to. Fortunately, they were understanding and keen enough to try so that they were happy enough to take it slow.

They knew it wouldn't always be that way, and as the relationship progressed, Harry's confidence would too. They wouldn't wait to see it, Harry flourishing, happy, and just generally not shy to express himself.

They only hoped that Ginny didn't start anything, she'd believed as a kid she'd marry Harry. No doubt a lot of kids that age did…and she had grown up, she wasn't a shy little girl anymore. She'd had boyfriends of her own and that, no, she wouldn't attempt anything. Boyfriends who weren't intimidated by them, or their brothers.

"I'd like that," Harry said, excitement showing, "I'd love to see what you've been working on."

"We have dozens of new products," Fred said gleefully, and he began to explain each and every single one of them, George butting in finishing his sentences, and Harry actually avidly listened, and asked questions, much to the twins delight. Nobody ever listened to them overly long, hell, even their mother switched off when they tried to explain what they were doing, when she declared they were wasting their time and should be doing something more productive.

"What do you think? Should we pay Dumbledore one last visit?" Blake asked wryly, eyes gleaming with vindictiveness. "Perhaps let him know exactly what happened if things had gone his way?"

"You'll induce a heart attack if you do that," Severus said, snorting wryly, "Especially if he's as frail as St. Mungo's has indicated,"

Blake just stared back, not gracing it with an answer.

Severus' lips twitched, "Which is exactly what you want," he deduced, "The last word? Watch as he departs from this world with the knowledge of what he could have brought around…"

"Exactly," Blake said coolly, glancing briefly at Harry and the twins, all enraptured in conversation, clearly not listening to them at all. He felt his lips pulling into a smile, grateful that Harry was happy…and he wouldn't struggle in life like he had.

"You are quite vindictive," Severus said eyes bright in delight, "Do not ever change."

Blake snorted, "No chance of that," he replied, "Shall we go?"

"Why not?" Severus replied, "He's asked for only you, they may not let me come in." although, he was technically under arrest…the Ministry were still trying to question him on a lot of things…whether they were getting anywhere or not remains to be seen. Which means, even Blake might not get in.

"That, is what, a pensive is for," Blake purred, "Shall we leave the love birds to it?" still conversing about WWW products if his ears weren't deceiving him.

"We shall," Severus agreed, swiftly standing, glancing at the others before shrugging, "Inform them that we have gone to St. Mungo's once they've burst their little bubble." He told the previous Headmasters, and with that both Blake and Severus walked out, without disturbing the trio.

"Might be still there when we return, the twins could talk all night if anyone shows any interest. They are…I'm afraid, often ignored."

"Yes, I've heard their mother go on about it," Severus said, rolling his eyes, as they stepped off the staircase, and began to walk along the hallway at a brisk pace.

"She'll regret her dismissiveness when it comes to them, they are going to make a fortune. Certainly much more than Zonko's in a few years' time." Blake stated wryly, "Zonko's don't bother creating new things, sure in their place at the top of the joke industry, and that will be their downfall."

"I wouldn't know," Severus stated, he didn't care much for jokes, he'd been the butt of them too much in his life to care much for them. "I could, however, throttle Granger and Weasley," unimpressed and furious over the fact they had written of their private affairs to the Order.

"It's what they've been taught," Blake sighed, as they descended the stairs. "They're just...incapable of keeping anything quiet, Dumbledore encouraged them to reveal everything, every little detail, albeit mostly about Harry's life."

Severus nodded curtly, well aware of that fact, and he most definitely hadn't approved.

"Fortunately...or unfortunately, they didn't know everything about Harry's life otherwise the betrayal would have been…significantly harder to bear." Blake confessed.

"and they began to realize they'd been played," Severus pointed out, and it made them less forthcoming. Ignoring the students startling at the sight of him walking down the stairs. He had no desire to take points off them or anything such as that. He had a great many other things on his mind.

"Either that or they just grew up and realized what they were doing was wrong on a lot of levels." Blake sighed, "It matters very little now." Which was true, neither he or Harry were particularly fond of Granger or Weasley now. There was no chance of reconciliation, or rather a new friendship blooming, they'd only ever be acquaintances Blake reckoned. Not even that to him. They were children, not the adults he knew before their deaths.

"Yes, we do often make…questionable decisions as teenagers," Severus admitted, rubbing his temples just remembering the things he'd done. Regardless of age, he knew he would have done it anyway, he had been lonely, duped, his desire for acceptance and friendship – more than what he got from Lily – and understanding had made him accept. He hated Muggles, always would, and Lily hadn't understood that. Their lives had been vastly different, despite growing up very near to each other. Lily had loving parents…his…his had been horrific.

"And as adults, I don't see why maturity has to be blamed for all the decisions we make." Blake said wryly, as they stepped out of the main doors of Hogwarts and into the crisp cool sunlight.

"Because he's easier than admitting regardless of age…we would have done the same thing." Severus stated grimly, inhaling the morning air with relish.

"Mmm, true," Blake agreed, "The saying age comes with wisdom is a lot of bullocks, if that was true Dumbledore would have wised up, but he never did."

"Just sounds it," Severus agreed, at the end of the day, they just had to live with the consequences of their actions and hope they didn't repeat past mistakes.

They said nothing further the next ten minutes as they made their way towards the gates of Hogwarts in order to Apparate to St. Mungo's in order to visit Dumbledore one last time.

"Good evening, I've received a few missives from Medi-witch Stephen regarding visitation, Albus Dumbledore has requested my presence." Blake said, charmingly, but not overly so. "Is he even allowed visitors?"

"He is, Sir," the receptionist replied, "I must warn you…that he's… in very bad way, his appearance might shock you." She told him.

Blake muffled his amusement, keeping a straight face, "I thank you for the warning," nothing could shock him really, it was sweet of her to worry.

"Are you both going to visit? If so I need you to sign yourself in," she informed them, handing a clipboard over.

Severus signed both of their names.

"Are you able to discuss how long…" Blake trailed off purposefully.

"All I will say is that…it's a very good thing you're here, he's not going to be with us very long." She informed him sombrely, regardless of what had happened, the laws he'd broken, he was still human at the end of the day and allowed to die with dignity.

"Which ward and room is he in?" Severus asked, uncaring of his status or near death. After all Dumbledore had done, he deserved everything he was getting, he'd almost killed Blake…almost destroyed everything they'd worked towards this year. Almost made it impossible to defeat Voldemort once and for all.

He dared not think of what may have happened should Dumbledore have succeeded.

The receptionist leant over and quietly told them where he was and the room number. They'd had to move him due to the press finding out which room he'd been placed in. The audacity of them was shocking, utterly shocking.

"Thank you," Severus replied, and with that both Blake and Severus, nodded just once to the receptionist, before making their way passed security who let them through.

"I find myself…reluctant, now," Blake said, sounding surprised despite himself, as he continued on despite his words.

"Why?" asked Severus baffled, not pausing since Blake had not.

"Just worried it will cause a backlash," Blake admitted, "I'm not one for taking risky chances." the life he'd came from…if you weren't careful…you could cause a lot of death. The death of those depending on you to keep them safe, so the only risks they took were ones unavoidable.

"I know," Severus murmured, and it was true, Blake thought through everything, every possible action and reaction. It's why he now took so long to make up his mind on certain things. "Still time to back out," he said, as they both stared at the door to Dumbledore's room.

"No," Blake said, reaching out he opened the door, and both were greeted at the sight of Dumbledore. Dressed in the usual hospital fare, looking thinner than ever, and his skin and eyes had a yellow tint to it. "Not long indeed," he murmured.

There we go! now do you want to see the dinner with the Weasley's? IS Molly as accepting as the twins believe or will it cause drama with Molly, Ginny and Ron disapproving or will they just be happy for Harry for once? I'll give you all a few chapters before we skip to the future...will we see a few students approaching Severus in a bid to escape a neglectful family and have them be adopted by Sev and Blake? or will they have a child of their own (won't be mentioned how) R&R please