Growing Legacy

Chapter 14

Harry pursed his lips as his father continued to make his way towards the judges. Keeping him beside him the entire time. He felt shaky, sore and his magical core was seriously depleted. Who could honestly be surprised? He knew how to Apparate – as did all his classmates – he knew how to fly on a broom. However, he'd only ever had one lesson just before they came here, on how to fly without a broom.

It hadn't been skill; it had been sheer desperation that led his magic to doing his bidding. Everyone assumed it was 'accidental magic' when your wish magic reacted to your extreme emotions. They were wrong, it was a natural part of life, sometimes the Wizarding Britain was so backwards it was scary.

He kept quiet because he did not want his father distracted for a second. He knew if he gave a single sign of being in pain…his father would change tracks immediately. Take him to the Hospital wing and he would miss everything.

This wasn't something he wanted to miss, he thought with savage glee. Part of him was horrified that the spell had been cast at all. He'd never really dated anyone, there was someone he was interested in, he'd gone through puberty. Sure, he wasn't exactly planning on having a family yet. It was more of an abstract thing, but he did want to have children. More than one. He'd like any child he had to have a close sibling. If that spell had worked…Merlin help him, he wouldn't have been able to have a family.

As it turns out, Severus wasn't as oblivious to his ailments as he believed.

"Woah!" Josh yelped as he was deftly turned around by Mr. Regis, never hurt though, not even for a second. He could feel something on his back it was rather light. Craning his head, he glanced at what it was, an expanded potions kit.

"Just a moment, I need to get these potions," Severus murmured, his tone a little apologetic at using his sons' best friend as a piece of furniture.

"It's okay," Josh said, he could see Dylan grasping a hold of their best friend, as he took a woozy turn. He straightened up the second the kit was removed from his back, Mr. Regis then thrust three potions into his hands. Gesturing towards Harry, his eyes then unpleasantly narrowing in on the group of judges. Karkaroff was still attempting to leave, but Minerva's magic was quite well at work and preventing anyone from leaving.

Minerva had never seen Severus so pissed off before, and she'd seen him in a lot of moods. Albeit not as of late, but regardless, something had happened to wind him up this way. She knew she wasn't going to like what she hears either.

Oh, she had no idea.

It didn't take long for Severus to approach, a seething furious look on is face, "Who was responsible for the spells in that arena?" he barked out, making no attempt to smother his fury.

"What?" Minerva asked, stepping back, his magic was…hot, too hot and too cold at the same time. She felt the hairs on her body stand up in attention, everyone had stepped back, wariness exuding from them.

Septimus Regis was powerful…extremely so.

Not one you want to piss off, they realized all too late.

Mr. Septimus Regis after all was soft spoken, quiet, faded into the background, watchful for sure, a known author and Potioneer.

"Septimus…what is going on?" Talin was the only one in the group with the guts to approach the wizard.

It was difficult to say who was more pathetic, Karkaroff or Bagman who were attempting to hide behind Madam Maxime's rather large form for protection.

"Who. Was. Responsible. For. The. Spells?" he gritted out, his dark eyes flashing furiously, as his magic continued to lash out at everyone.

Talin paused, he realized that Severus wasn't going to let up. If he didn't get adequate answers…he might do something that may well give away his real identity. Severus might be going under a different name but his magical signature was still the same…and if there was anyone here familiar enough with it…yes, he needed to get this sorted immediately.

"There were three people below, the rest were spells from golems," Minerva spoke, a soothing lilt to her voice. "The Ice and fire were from the golems, all else was cast by the wizards we set up belong."

"Four," Filius corrected Minerva, as he approached the scene cautiously.

"Indeed," Severus sneered, "And whom exactly was chosen?" his temper not calming any, if anything he was more enraged. Minerva wouldn't have just sent anyone down there, no, it was going to be someone she at least moderately trusted.

"Septimus?" Talin asked, "Please, remain calm." As he winced, stepping back, Merlin, he suddenly recalled Harry's ability as a child…and that he'd been adopted by Severus. He suddenly had an understanding as to where Harry's magical abilities came from.

Severus' remained standing there, magic lashing out against the adults. If anyone had paid any attention, they would have realized that the children were all safe. Which, was when it dawned on them, naturally, that Mr. Regis did not have any trouble controlling his magic, even while pissed. "Names!" Severus stated calmly, a stark contrast to the warning being unleashed by his magic.

"Professor Flitwick, Professor Magee, Professor Frazier," Minerva informed him, "I trust them all explicitly. Now that I've answered your questions, how about you answer some of mine?"

"Flitwick said four," Severus managed through gritted teeth.

"Yes, Dumbledore himself was down there," Flitwick informed them all.

"What?" Minerva gaped, annoyance crossing her features, before dread took its place, what had Dumbledore done now?

Septimus moved so swiftly, he had Dumbledore's wand removed, and the wizard himself leaning back against the barrier that was there to prevent any accidents. His wand thrust into his throat, and Severus was graced with the pleasure of seeing Dumbledore fearing for his life for the first time in all the years he'd known the old fool. Not even Voldemort had elicited that sort of emotion from him. It made him feel strong, powerful, and just…amazing. "You dared…" seething so much that he could barely get a word out through gritted teeth.

"Easy, Septimus, whatever he's done…I'm sure the Ministry of magic can deal with it," Talin cautioned the wizard.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't just end your life right here?" Severus sneered derisively at Dumbledore. His anger was even more than in the past, when he realized what they had condemned Harry to…condemned him to death. Harry would have died if not for Gringotts doing the ritual. Now here he was interfering with his life yet again…and he wasn't even Harry Potter anymore.

Josh, Dylan and the others were all watching the scene, not with glee as they first proclaimed themselves to feel. No, they were tense, alert, worried, cautious, what on earth had actually happened?

"I don't know what you're talking about…" Dumbledore choked out, barely able to talk through the wand digging into his throat.

"Dad…you're a hundred times better than he'll ever be," Harry said softly, "He's a child killer, he might not have done the deed himself but he was just as guilty. If the wizarding world wants to forget that…then that's on them. At least when we press charges…he'll never get to hurt anyone else again…"

Everyone heard this, the spells Josh had erected allowed it. They were listening to everything that was being said, and watching the scene as it happened. The tournament forgotten as the watched the debacle that was currently happening.

Albus flinched as if Harrison Regis had literally taken a poker to his face. He disliked being reminded of his failures. He was trying very desperately to win back their good graces, and he'd slowly but surely began to be seen in a better light.

"Flitwick, Frazier, take Dumbledore to the dungeons in the tower, remain there guarding him until Aurors retrieve him. You move for nobody except the Aurors is that understood?" Minerva bluntly told them, "Septimus, perhaps you and I should summon the Aurors?" wondering what on earth she should tell them.

"Sir…" Frazier said, grasping a hold of Dumbledore's arm, ready to take him away. Should Septimus actually move, so they could march the old fool off. "Your son is right, he's not worth it…never has been. Do not let him ruin your life…he's destroyed enough people as it is…"

Septimus glanced briefly at Frazier in confusion.

"I was engaged to Marlene McKinnon," Frazier admitted bitterly, then half way through their courtship she began to change. Became convinced joining the Order was the right thing to do. That what she was doing was going to be for the greater good. He'd warned her how it would go, but she'd been so stubborn, so ready to do the right thing, despite knowing she was being 'manipulated' and she'd paid for that, her family had paid for her decision, her parents and brother had died for her decision. He knew she'd probably been broken and grateful for the death that came, after what she'd seen become of her family. If she'd survived…she would have most probably ended up in St. Mungo's.

"Aye, that explains it," Minerva muttered to herself, Frazier had never covered his dislike for Dumbledore. Made it clear he didn't think he should be around children at all. She'd assumed that he just disliked Dumbledore – as uncommon as it was – not that something personal was between them. McKinnon, beautiful lass, powerful, but she didn't have the mental fortitude to take part in a war, she was too loving, too kind, too good natured.

"We've got it," Frazier nodded curtly, he wasn't about to screw up the chance to get Dumbledore out of the school entirely. Out of the lives of impressionable young children, who soaked up everything he said despite his reputation. His appearance had something to do with it, a grandfatherly/Santa clause figure.

"I'll be taking that," Filius took Dumbledore's wand, setting it inside of his cloak pocket and whispering a sealing spell. Even if Merlin forbid, Dumbledore got the best of a duelling champion and the DADA teacher. He gave Severus a nod, but curious lingering look.

"Keep that with you at all times, it's the only proof I have that he cast a Sterilization spell at my son." Severus bit out angrily, "I've never seen such idiocy in my life and I've taught complete dunderheads in the past, I don't know how you thought you'd get away with it either!" he sharply retorted.

Everyone simultaneously gasped, even Karkaroff eyes widened in disbelief. He was many things, including a Death Eater…but bloody hell, to sterilize a child? It was…that was an automatic life sentence in Azkaban…admittedly that was usually when one was successful…what happened to those who cast it and were unsuccessful?

Dumbledore stiffened, his gaze sweeping up and down 'Septimus' face and body. He finally had confirmation after all, this was Severus Snape disguised. To make matters worse…he must have adopted Voldemort's child as his own. Raised it as his own. He had heard Harrison Regis' words while he went and laid into his students – and they were his – Hogwarts because they were rightfully disgusted by his ability…he'd had too many mannerisms, the way he spoke, the way he walked…it was all too reminiscent of a wizard that had left a few years back.

It had left him reeling. Had he been a fool to think that Severus could ever change? Should be allowed a second chance? In his world? instead he'd led him to believe he was repentant, all the while raising Voldemort's son in secret…and when it came time for him to attend school? He moved somewhere abroad changed their names, so he'd get into school, and settled down it appeared that it was GRMS they chose.

All this when he should have been raising Potter. Not that the wizard knew that at the time, it had been kept from him. Well, it was a relief he hadn't been, otherwise he would have been killed much sooner. Although, it would have let him off the hook.

He wonders if the brat even knew…or actually assumed Severus was his father.

Before he could even come up with a sly subtle remark that wouldn't be understood by anyone around him…he was jerked forward, Severus didn't let up his pressing on his wand into his throat even once. Which caused him to wheeze, choke and splutter and flinch in pain. Inevitably though, between Frazier and Flitwick, they had Dumbledore frogmarched, arms pinned behind him, as they led him in the direction of Hogwarts.

He heard Minerva whispering for the Aurors to be called, but Severus had already set his sights on his next target.

"As for you…" Severus twirled around, eyes still blazing. "You may think you're impressing your students, trying to make your school a success. Let me impress upon you just how utterly wrong you are. Everything including the results of each task are being recorded for prosperity's sake. All they will see is a petty pathetic Headmaster putting his student ahead by any means necessary. Making your champion seem weak in need of rescuing when in fact, he could win this without your cheating weaselling ways."

Karkaroff flinched as cheers rose up from the crowds, evidently everyone agreeing with Septimus Regis and his deductions.

"Viktor Krum is a hardworking, dedicated student - who thankfully in no way imitates his Headmaster! – who doesn't deserve the mar you're putting on his name. On the Krum name you insipid bare wanded little fool." Septimus gritted out, basically calling him a squib with the 'bare wanded' comment. "Yet nobody is going to be discussing just how much work he's put into the tasks because you designed to give everyone low scores…although I really cannot fathom the reason why you've chosen to have my son the subject of your ire." Severus paused, breathing heavily, regaining his breath, while waiting on the applause to die down.

Karkaroff, tried to back away yet again, but found himself still unable to go. His face flushed a florid red. Swallowing thickly, shaking his head, oh, he prayed this wouldn't be put in the news. If it was…Merlin, help him, for the Krum's would see to it that he didn't have a job tomorrow if they thought he was besmirching their name.

"He's right, as I've said, you should be ashamed of yourself," Minerva stated firmly, everyone had words with this wizard. Everyone tried to get him to be reasonable, and for naught. Never one to hold back, when she felt the occasion called for it.

"He has plenty of experience in being ashamed, don't you Igor?" Severus said, watching the wizard stiffen and burst with silent fear and indignation, Severus could see it draining the wizard of what little colour he had left. "It's not enough you've stained your own family name…that everywhere you go you stain everything around you. Everything you touch. If my son wins, it will be in spite of every single attempt you've made to sabotage him."

"YEAH!" Josh and Dylan hollered out in agreement.

"Does it make you feel powerful? Smart? Gleeful when you're sabotaging a fourteen-year-old boy? A boy that only wants to win to give his school international recognition? He doesn't care for 'eternal fame or glory' or the money that comes with the win." He continued on relentlessly. "I've seen you task after task consistently give my son lower scores and do you realize that he's said absolutely nothing against you? No complaints, no arguments…how does it feel to know that someone so young is far more mature than you'll ever be?"

Karkaroff swallowed none of his spells were working, which was making people laugh at his pathetic attempts. He could see the leers, hear the laughing and mocking. He didn't want to stand here and listen to this! Didn't have to! He'd rebuilt his life bit by bit! He would not have it completely destroyed once more.

He was suddenly grateful he hadn't been successful in having it held at Durmstrang. For if this had happened…he would never have been able to show his face again. Then again, he may just be unlucky enough for the entire thing to be recorded in the press. Someone would dig into his past; he just knew it.

"That is the Aurors," Minerva informed Severus, "Is Harry in any condition to go? Or shall we have them meet and talk in the Great Hall?"

Severus blinked, before he automatically sought out his son, who was leaning against Josh. "Do you wish to press charges?" Minerva asked Harry.

Harry glanced at his Dad, worry lurking in his eyes, what if their life was torn apart because of this? What if someone figured out who he was? What if the Ministry deduced who they were? He didn't want anything happening to his Dad.

"We are," Severus declared, he would not allow Dumbledore to destroy their lives. Too many passes had been given to the old fool. No more, no, he was going to pay for nearly destroying Harry's future. He'd need to speak to Harry soon, make sure he knew not to be so worried.

"It would mean having to come back here," Harry pointed out with a grimace. Making it clear to everyone here it was the last thing he ever wanted.

"I know, but for the duration of the trial only," Severus stated firmly, "Come, let us catch up with Minerva if you feel up to it."

Harry nodded, yes, he was up for it.

"I'll get the children back to the cabin," Talin stated firmly, "If you need me let me know and I'll have Ale watch over the students." He was becoming a bit more familiar with the school. Certainly, the outside far more than the inside, since the direction to the Great Hall and back was probably all he knew.

"Yeah, we'll see you later!" Josh said, "You really going to be alright?"

Harry nodded, "I will be, promise!"

"Then let's go," Severus murmured, easing Harry out of the stands, as they hastily made their way towards Minerva, unable to see her now.

"Septimus! Harrison! There you are!" Minerva called out, as she made her way hastily towards them. "I had begun to think you'd been swallowed up by the return of the Quidditch pitch!" she added jokingly, the task items had already been dismantled, as the Quidditch pitch had been returned to its normal state, the burn marks and holes made with the ice had disappeared. Everything was as it had been this morning before the alterations had been made.

"No, Harrison just felt a little woozy," Severus informed them, being formal due to the presence of the Aurors. After all, Minerva and he weren't supposed to know each other. "I've given him another magical replenishing draught; it seems it was a bit too overpowered for him in terms of carrying both of us."

"Sir, I'm Auror Proudfoot, I've been told you wish to press charges?..." trailing off waiting for Septimus to give him more information.

"Indeed, during the task there was a spell that was most definitely not part, aimed at both myself and my son. It could have been aimed at either of us, truly, I was furious and immediately after the task sought out to find out whom had cast those spells." Severus informed him.

"Back up a little, Sir, can I have your names?" the Aurors asked, trying to determine who they were. Giving a jerky nod to his partners to go and retrieve Dumbledore. Whom he had been informed was currently in the Hogwarts tower cell.

"I apologise, my name is Septimus Regis, and this is my son, Harrison Regis," Severus informed him, not playing the flustered father. Oh, no, he was still furious, but keeping it contained now that something was being done about it. "I want Dumbledore charged the maximum penalty for trying to hit myself and my son with a sterilization hex."

The Auror made a shocked sound, it left his mouth most unwillingly.

"Myself, it doesn't really matter, I don't see myself having any other children…but to risk my son's happiness? His future? I am furious that something like this was allowed to happen. Why was this man allowed back among society? Amongst children?!"

Proudfoot was nodded, almost in a placatory gesture, knowing how to calm victims and suspects alike. "I understand, Sir, what proof do you have? Did you or your son see him…?"

"No, neither of us did, but Dumbledore was seen where he wasn't meant to be," Severus informed him pompously. "Professor Flitwick has his wand, which will house all the proof you'll be liable to need."

"He doesn't like me because I can talk to snakes," Harry informed him, peering up at the Auror, with guileless green eyes.

Proudfoot swallowed, gaping a little and nodding, this small delicate little boy was competing with seventeen-year-0lds? Merlin, it was pure luck he hadn't been crushed already. He suddenly found himself very protective of the child, a child he didn't know. Then again feeling protective was nothing new, he was an Auror, he'd joined the force to protect people. "I see," scribbling that information down, prejudice. It was 80% of the call out reasons he got, honestly, it was terrible.

Minerva pursed her lips as she watched yet another person be wrapped around Harry's finger. She was pretty sure that he didn't even realize what he was doing. "I think perhaps you should inform the rest of the family before they find out and react before thinking." Minerva warned them to let Sirius and Remus know before they found out and came here and screwed everything up.

"If I have any more questions…where can I find you?" Proudfoot asked, able to wrench his eyes away from the younger. He did look like his father, but he definitely didn't get his eyes, they were like deep dark enraged tunnels.

"Next to Professor Hagrid's cabin," Severus pointed towards it in the distance, it was next to the cabin, or as close to it as any building structure it could get to.

Proudfoot nodded, "Go ahead, thank you for your time, we'll be in touch,"

Severus nodded curtly, before gesturing for his exhausted son, who was leaning against him to begin moving.

Proudfoot and Minerva began to walk towards the school, "My goodness, what a year this is turning out to be, eh!" he said shaking his head, "Just when we got the Aurors pulled from him he has to get himself into more trouble."

"Yes, I couldn't agree more," Minerva sighed, "I think it's best he's told he'd not to return."

Making their way up the gravelly road, "Can it be done?" he asked, glancing at her, he was obviously there for a reason…and that reason must be preventing Minerva from saying he isn't to return.

"He has no other home, he put Hogwarts as his bail address," Minerva said curtly, as she moved up the steps into the entrance of Hogwarts, making quick work of the corridors. "He had some pull, and succeeded with the determination that he never interacts with any of the children. Which he didn't do, from what I observed, while he was under those conditions." Her utterance grudging.

"Do you think he's guilty?" Proudfoot questioned, as he almost ran to keep up with the witch's swift strides.

Minerva sighed, "Well, lets put it this way, he's the one I trust least out of the four possible culprits."

"I see," Proudfoot murmured, mentally cursing his small stature, it was a good job he kept himself fit. Otherwise he truly would have had trouble keeping up with Minerva. "What on earth?" they could hear bedlam ahead, shouting and panicking.

Both of them picked up the pace, to find the Aurors leaning over both Filius Flitwick and Jamie Frazier, who were both unconscious.

"What has happened?" Proudfoot questioned as he skidded to a halt, wide eyed over what he was seeing. "He's gone! Dumbledore's gone…"

"He's coming around!" Auror stein proclaimed, "Sir? Sir? Are you alright? Can you tell us what happened?"

"Jamie? Who did this?" Minerva asked, concerned about both of them, more so Flitwick who had not been able to be roused so far yet.

"Flitwick…said 'It can't be…you're gone'," Jamie murmured, groaning softly, unable to focus on anything. Everything hurt like blazes, especially his head. "Didn't see or hear anyone…"

"Gone?" Proudfoot echoed. "It makes no sense," who could he have been talking about?

"Stay still, sir," Stein stated, getting the DADA professor on the stretcher.

"I want Regis arrested, I want him questioned for the disappearance and abduction of Albus Dumbledore," Auror Dawlish declared. "He's got a personal grievance with the victim."

"You forget that he was with me," Minerva snapped, staring Dawlish down, aware of how fond he was of Dumbledore and became concerned.

"The entire time?" Dawlish asked doubtfully, scorn deep in his voice.

"Except for perhaps twenty minutes," Minerva admitted sourly, knowing it was going to be used against him. The only thing that could potentially save Severus is if Filius woke up and pointed them at the real culprit. "What if he got away on his own? He could have overpowered them."

"We will consider all aspects," Auror Proudfoot declared, giving Dawlish a look that suggested he reign himself in. He was the Auror in charge today, he was senior to Dawlish after all. "Stein, Dawlish, bring Mr. Regis in for questioning and questioning only, am I understood? He is not under arrest."

"Yes, Sir," Dawlish replied, giving his understanding.

Minerva's professors were quickly escorted down to Poppy, who was more educated on how to deal with things of that calibre than Aurors who were only taught basic first aid. Hopefully Poppy would be able to help quickly.

Of course, Auror Dawlish went back on his word, and Septimus Regis was arrested in front of his son and the rest of the GRMS students.

Talin and Severus shared a look, "Keep an eye on my son," was all he said, in other words, this might be something of a plan Dumbledore cooked up, keep an eye on him, then Dumbledore may well appear.

They had no idea what truly happened. Had Dumbledore got away? Or had someone swiped Dumbledore out from under them? Either way it did not look good for him at all.

Dun dun dun dun...so has Dumbledore broken away on his own...or has someone else slipped away with Dumbledore before the Aurors could arrest him? Has Dawlish been a naughty Auror and going to lose his job for helping Dumbledore? or will it just become a mystery they can't solve? Will Septimus' identity be compromised? will Harrison's? will Harry finish the tournament under his true name before he returns to St. Lucia? R&R please and there will be an extremely important poll question regarding this story on my Facebook on whether it will have another sequel or not some time in the coming weeks!