Flitwick called Snape's floo. "Please report to the Headmaster's office."

This was it. They had come to arrest him. Ever since the inquiry he had expected it. He had made all those potions… He had known about the rapes, and his only option, thanks to Dumbledore, was more potions. Emasculating potions for a number of his upper class wizards were illegal, but what else could he do? He was courting numerous Blood Feuds.

They had not offered him Veritaserum, which would bring to light the foolish vow he'd given Dumbledore, the one he couldn't speak about and still breathe…. At the time, he thought it would help Lily. But she died, anyway.

And now he was waiting for Amelia Bones to pick apart a hundred memories before pressing charges and throwing him in Azkaban. He had an unbreakable rune work monitor on his ankle, preventing him from leaving Hogwarts.

"You could, of course, chop off your foot, but we would be alerted and pick you up before you could get away. So then you'd be in Azkaban, minus a foot." Madame Bones' smile was chilling.

He had four potions brewing for Poppy. He called the only house elf he trusted to finish a potion. "Mopsy, I do not know how long I will be away. Could you finish these for Poppy?"

The elderly elf studied each potion to determine their status. "Me can do, Professor Snapey."

Severus was surprised to see Flitwick sitting behind Albus' desk. No Aurors present. "Where is McGonagall?"

Flitwick had an odd beverage, a foot tall crystal flute with a silver patterned base with a handle. Goblin work, exquisite. Steam rose from it. The aroma...Jasmine?

"What are you drinking?" His potion master's curiosity overcame his fear and the danger of his situation. The hopelessness of it all.

"A goblin restorative. I spent last night in a goblin medical ward being uncursed and potion flushed. There were many rare potions in my system, to help a wizard Obliviation work on me. The goblin healer, of course, was successful.

"For the first time in Hogwart's history the castle wards were held by the head House Elf, Mogi. It seems even Hagrid had potions and charms affecting him. All the others saw Andi or went to St. Mungo's. Due to his heritage, Hagrid remains in the goblin infirmary. St Mungo's refused to treat him, you know."

"They did not check me," Snape said. "They only took my memories. And gave me the monitor."

"Lord Black got the staff treated correctly. Amelia's crew caught a bit of it, but most was concealed by strong notice-me-not charms. Amelia is going to be incandescent with rage when she finds out." Flitwick chuckled.

"Well, my man, eventually every jot and tittle of Dumbledore's actions will be known, so I expect you'll be minutely examined. Lord Black has declared Blood Feud against House Dumbledore, so we are all drawn into it. And Amelia Bones is developing a case against Dumbledore in the event he slips out of the Blood Feud."

"There is a new Head of House Black? I saw a man with Harry and Petunia Dursley in Diagon Alley."

"No, there is a restored Arcturus Black. Family Magic removed a long term curse. He looks and acts like a man of forty. He is more powerful than ever. Mage level, I suspect. I have a nose for that, you know.

Snape did not know that.

"He has searched family records and called Black relations up to sixth cousins. My own family, the Flitwicks, have been invited into House Black. Free schooling at Black Towers for all my many nieces and nephews, who would not be accepted here."

Snape digested this. Lord Black had been ill for more than a decade. "Why did you call me up here?"

Flitwick looked at him, a deep, knowing look. "You are an unpleasant man, not personable at all, no charm or even good manners. But there is no crime in that. You were never taught. Certainly not at Hogwarts. You joined the Death Eaters at age seventeen, possibly an ill-thought-out decision of a young man with no good counselors in his life, and few options.

"I doubt the Dark Lord used you for his murder and rape squads. I suspect he had you practically chained to a potion's lab. It is pretty obvious he used rituals and potions to increase his power. Too bad they ruined his handsome face. His grace and beauty drew many to him, and he was nearly as vain as Lockheart. All that hand-embroidered acromantula silk with goblin silver thread…. No doubt he wanted to restore his physical attractiveness."

Severus leaned back against his chair, shocked. "That is perceptive of you,"

Flitwick smiled. "I've never been accused of being a fool."

Snape was silent for a long time. Flitwick handed him a cup of tea. "My action to prove myself worthy of the mark was to brew a rare, magical core stabilization potion. I did not go to attacks or revels— nor did I want to— in case I needed to perform a healing ritual. I couldn't be tainted like that and then use magic to heal. He had plenty of low level wands for the attacks. I was— special." His lips twisted as he spoke the last word

"The Dark Lord did a ritual, an ancient Parkinson Family Magic ritual. It killed Lord Parkinson, who sent his heir to Sri Lanka for a year before the ritual began. The ritual did increase his core power level, but it was unstable. There was the possibility of a power backlash. We could not begin to address his snake-like features until his core stabilized. Glamours didn't work correctly. I was able to stabilize his core, but it took three years and a lot of gold. We started on his appearance when he was finally stable. And then it was October."

"You may not be innocent," Flitwick said. "But you may also have extenuating circumstances. If I were you, I would go before Lord Black. If you are guilty of crimes against Family Black, he'll kill you outright." Flitwick took a sip of his still steaming beverage. "It's a better outcome than Azkaban or a Dementor's Kiss."

Snape considered this and nodded."Why are you telling me this? You owe me nothing."

Flitwick frowned. "I don't think that is true. You were once a student in my care. A troubled, talented student. I knew it, back then, and did nothing to help. I thought Lily would save you. I know Dumbledore's actions against me encouraged me to stay silent. But it was still my responsibility. There are a number of students I did not help at the time, but will try to help now. My Family Honor demands it."

Snape was silent, Finally, "Thank you."

"You are dismissed." Flitwick waved his hand toward the door.

Snape checked on his potions. "Very good, Mopsy. Could you deliver a letter for me? It's just a short note. I'll write it immediately."

"Mopsy will deliver it quick-quick!"

Petunia and Narcissa decided they needed a baby and toddler friendly parlor, so the house elves had set one up on the fifth floor nursery, a combined sitting room and playroom. It had large windows with royal blue and cream striped curtains, comfortable squashy furniture in blue and green brushed velvet cloth, and the tables, window sills and fireplace had no sharp edges. It also had plenty of shelves and a tiny kitchen area where the mothers could find snacks and bottles for the children. It connected to the playroom.

Petunia had purchased the twins a whole range of muggle baby toys, including wind-up swings and bouncy jumper seats. She had also bought a number of educational toys, manipulative blocks and baby books, finding the wizarding selections lacking.

Petunia had purchased Cami a number of muggle kitchen toys and a toy kitchen in bright blue, along with dolly cradles, and little furniture in bright colors. Toys, filled the lower shelves. Many of the toys were supposed in the nursery but both mothers could relax with a cup of tea and a magazine or novel while little ones played.

Narcissa was delighted. The twins were active, busy babies who found floor time a favorite activity. Narcissa liked it also since playing so much helped them sleep well.

"I confess this is a bit new to me," Narcissa said, "I did not spend hours with Draco each day, He spent much of his time with house elves in the nursery. Which is typical in Pure Blood Households."

"The elves are lovely. But I am concerned about their language development. Did you know many don't read English well? They have elven books for their own learning."

"I had no idea," Narcissa said.

"I read many books on child development when I was expecting Dudley. I had all the educational toys. Vernon got mad, but when Harry was small I had him playing with Dudley. It made my life so much easier."

Narcissa put her tea down. Their hot tea was in a muggle no-spill cup, in case Cami bounced around. "Petunia...Gore has decided we shouldn't see each other anymore."

Petunia was shocked. "I thought he was crazy about you."

Narcissa nodded. "I think he is. But he is a Black now and will need to marry or adopt. He is quite young, you know. He never thought he would find a wife. But now he is a Black with wizard blood strong in his veins. His magic has always been strong…. He needs to look to his responsibilities to the family."

"But why not you and him?"

Narcissa took a deep breath. "I'm just a not ready to remarry. I was betrothed at age sixteen and, until now, my life was not my own."

"I understand. And you are so busy."

Narcissa nodded. "So is Gore. We are getting a potions assistant for Andi. But I will be teaching, Draco and the twins…"

"Well, I am sorry it didn't work out."

Narcissa nodded. "Andi said it stands to reason that the first man I meet after the debacle with Lucius won't be a long term relationship. And, frankly, I wasn't even looking for something like that."

Narcissa took Antares from the swing and put him on the floor under an arched stand with dangling toys. Adhara was sound asleep in her swing. He began flailing his arms and legs. Narcissa grinned. "They are so different! He is one big wiggle, and she is a sweet cuddler."

"It's pretty neat, isn't it, Harry?" Dudley asked.

The younger boys' dorm room was bright and sunny, painted cream, with sage green curtains and trim. The beds were on a platform, with a private desk and bookshelf area underneath, big enough for a squishy chair called a beanbag. The beanbags where in bright colors. First through third years would be using this dorm.

"I think I'll stay in the dorm," Dudley said. "How about you, Harry?"

"It is nice, but I'm going to stay in my room. Milly is right down the hall. Plus, I will have lessons with Uncle Arcturus and the aunts most evenings." Harry loved his big private room, and it was nice that he and Milly could meet in the family parlor or the schoolroom.

Sylvester leaped onto a bright blue beanbag and wagged his tail at Draco. "Can we have our dogs here?"

"Yes, but Ervi will take them to the kennel while we are in classes," Dudley said. "Why, are you thinking of staying in the dorms?"

"I think it sounds like fun," Draco said.

"I'm staying at home, so I can see my mom and dad at night," Neville said. The others nodded.

"There will be a muggleborn boy named Dean who is actually a Crouch, so some kind of cousin," Draco said. "A second year boy who doesn't have a mom and his dad is an Auror. Amos Patters. The Weasley twins, who will have extra lessons. I mean, I can see Harry. He is Heir to Black, and it's huge," Draco said.

"It's because they are super smart," Harry said. "I heard Aunt Petunia and Uncle Arcturus talking. People think they are just wild and, well, naughty, but Uncle Arcturus said they are geniuses that need to be trained. They will take Enchanting lessons with Stormi's grandfather and extra potions."

"I think I'm going to like school," Neville said. "Let's go to the stables. Maybe we can ride."

Minerva floo called Flitwick. "I'm finally being released, so I should be at Hogwarts by dinnertime. Anything urgent?"

"Hmm. I'm going to check on Hagrid. Seems he had a hard time. The rest of the staff have been flooing in this afternoon."

"How are they doing?"

"I'd say the atmosphere is….spitting mad. Livid."

"We'll have a meeting tonight,"

"Good. Did you know Hagrid has a Cerebus in the forest? And two trolls? I, personally, had to feed them. The elves refused."

"Merlin. I'll contact Amelia."

"While you're at it, could we rid the forest of the acromantulas?"

Minerva groaned.