Chapter 25

"Taking everything into account. I have reached this verdict."

"I find Vernon Dursley…. Guilty of all charges! The memory is concrete evidence and no teen could tamper with their memory."

Vernon roars in protest. "This is an outrage, a scandal! I never hurt that freak! He is lying, I never did anything of the sort!"

Cornelius gets angry at Vernon's words. "Considering the fact that you have yet to call the child by his name and just referred to him as a freak says otherwise. Aurors, take him away. Spectators, take your leave, I don't want you staying after. It has been a hard day for Harry and the last thing he needs is to be interviewed."

Harry flinches at the loud tones from the men. Severus pulls Harry close. "Don't worry Harry. You will be fine. He is just upset that he was caught. He can't hurt you, I promise."

Vernon stands up and makes his way towards Harry. He gets close enough for him to grab Harry's arm. Severus growls and stands up, putting himself between Harry and Vernon.

"You will NOT touch my son!" The aurors manage to get Vernon back under their control. They start to lead him away but Severus holds up a hand, stopping them.

"That freak is not your son. His parents got themselves blown up and we got stuck with him."

"You are lucky that you got to even talk to him. He is a wonderful child and it is shocking how the child still became so wonderful when he grew up with you as a role model."

"The freak is lucky that we didn't just drop him off at an orphanage. We gave him food and provided shelter for him. He should be thanking us for all we did."

Severus growls. The aurors decide to take Vernon away from Severus. Vernon is yelling the entire time. Well, that is until one of the aurors cast a silencing spell on him.

Severus turns and sees Harry trembling. Without thinking he picks Harry up and rests the teen on his hip. Harry curls into Severus, burying his face in the man's shoulder.

Albus and Remus make their way over to the pair. Remus places his hand on Harry's back and Albus places his on Severus's.

"I'm glad that is over. I can't imagine how hard that was for the two of you." Remus says softly.

"Me too. I was struggling to keep from attacking Vernon whenever a word passed his lips." Severus says honestly.

"I know how you feel. The wolf in me was fighting to surface."

"Do you want to go back to Hogwarts?" cuts in Albus. He wasn't liking where the conversation was going.

"Yes. I want to avoid any lingering interviewers."

Albus nods in understanding. Cornelius makes his way over to the group. He sees Harry and gives Harry a pitying look.

"Thank you. I am glad that you saw what we did." Severus says when he sees the Minister.

"Of course. A blind man could tell that Vernon was abusive. I am glad I could help."

"Well, we should be getting back. I want to get Harry out of the public's eye."

"Of course. I won't hold you any longer. Go ahead and celebrate."

"Thank you again. I am glad he is finally gone and I am sure that Harry is as well."

Cornelius just nods before walking away.

Severus, Remus and Albus make their way to the fireplace so they can floo back to Hogwarts. They are stopped by a voice.

"Severus? I was wondering if I could talk to Harry?"

Severus's blood freezes. He sends a look to his father before turning back around and looking at the owner of the voice.

Harry buries his face in Severus's cloak. He recognizes the voice and even though he didn't want to convict the owner of it he still isn't comfortable with her.

Severus looks at Petunia. "I don't know if that is a good idea. He has had a very long day and I want to get him back to Hogwarts."

She sighs. "I understand. I just want to talk to him. I know that today can't have been easy for him."

"I know. Right now is just not a good time." Severus says.

"There might be a way still." Albus cuts in.

"How?" Petunia asks curiously.

"Normally muggles, non-magic people, cannot get to Hogwarts. However, since I am the headmaster and do what I want, you can come with me and the wards will ignore the normal procedures."

"That is possible?" Severus asks.

"Yes my boy, that is possible."

"I never knew that." Remus says, for the first time.

"Why will that work?"

"Harry will be more comfortable in a place that he knows well. Especially if he is out of the public's eye." Remus interrupts.

"That makes sense."

"What do you say Harry? Are you willing to talk to Petunia if we go back to Hogwarts?" Severus murmurs to Harry.

"Are you going to be there?" Harry asks in a soft voice.

"Of course. I will not leave your side."

"Yeah, okay. I'll talk to her. Please, just get me home."

"Of course Harry, we can go home." Severus confirms in a voice that can be heard by all.

Severus starts walking towards the fireplace all while murmuring softly to Harry.

Albus, Remus and a very confused Petunia follow Severus to the fireplace. Without waiting for the others, Severus grabs some floo powder and steps into the flames. He calls out, "Severus's Chambers."

Petunia gasps when Severus and Harry disappear in the green flames. Remus smiles at the woman before copying his brother's motions.

When Remus is taken swiftly away by the green flames Albus turns to Petunia.

"Okay. So the first thing I am going to tell you, is this is not going to be pleasant. When we get to Hogwarts you will be given a stomach soother potion to help. Secondly, you can not let go of me no matter what. I don't want to lose you in the wrong grate. You will be disoriented but don't worry, it is normal. Alright?"

Petunia just nods. Albus stops in front of the fireplace and motions for Petunia to follow. He grabs a fistfull of floo powder and steps into the fire and pulls Petunia with him.

"Close your eyes, you won't get as dizzy." Petunia does as he says.

Albus throws down the powder and calls out his destination. In the blink of an eye they are in Severus's living room. Albus keeps his hold on Petunia so she doesn't fall.

Petunia opens her eyes and sees that she is in a completely different room. Her eyes look around and she sees that Severus is sitting on the couch with Harry curled into his side. There is a severe looking woman that she has never seen sitting across from Severus talking.

The woman looks up and surprise takes over her features. "Albus. How is that possible? She's a muggle. No muggles are supposed to cross the wards."

"Ahhhh Minnie dear. You forgot that I am the Headmaster and can do as I please."

Minerva just nods still eyeing Petunia.

"Hello Petunia." She says cordially.

"Hello Ma'am." Petunia responds, anxiety evident in her voice.

"Call me Minerva. Come sit down."

Petunia nods her thanks and makes her way to the other armchair. Albus and Remus take the loveseat. The group sits in silence for a few moments before it is broken by Severus.

"You had some things you wanted to talk about Petunia?"

"Yes. I did. I just wanted to know how Harry was doing? I haven't seen him since the night we signed the adoption papers."

"Yes, well, it's not like it would have been possible before either. But, ask Harry yourself. He is capable of talking."

Petunia has the decency to blush. "I know that, I just didn't know if he would be comfortable with me talking to him, he clearly wasn't in the courtroom."

"He was in the eye of the public, which he hates. With it being just us, he is relaxed."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I am."

Petunia's gaze falls on Harry. "How are you Harry?"

"I'm fine, how are you?" Harry responds softly.

"I'm glad and I'm fine thank you for asking. Okay, I know you have absolutely know reason to trust me but I need to ask this. Are you happy with Severus?"

"Yes. I am extremely happy with him." Harry says without any hesitation.

"I had to make sure that you were happy. Even though I never treated you nicely before that doesn't mean I never cared for you. You are still my nephew."

Harry just looks at his aunt. Petunia smiles down at the teen. "Yes, I care about you. You are my nephew after all. You look so much like your father, but you have Lily's eyes. I truly am sorry for the way you were treated. I am so glad that you are happy with Severus. Severus, you truly care about him, I can see that."

"I do, I truly do. He is my son." Severus says, running his hand through Harry's hair.

Harry looks up shocked, which Severus sees. "Yes Harry. I truly see you as my son."

"Can I call you… Nevermind, it's stupid."

"No Harry. What is it you want to know?"

"Can I call you dad?" Harry whispers.

An/ What do you think is going to happen? How will Severus react? Let me know, I want to hear from you. Hey! I updated early this time instead of late! Go me. Well, I have had my first mental breakdown of the school year this week. It was horrible, sometimes it is just too hard for me to get out of my own head without going to drastic measures. Not to mention the fact that my dad has been worse than normal lately. Oh well. Enough about my poor excuse for a life. I hope you enjoyed the chapter.