Author's Note:
Hi! I know it has been a long time since I updated any chapter. Unfortunately, updates are going to be slow and unpredictable. I haven't been doing great emotionally due to my new job, student loans, toxic family, and more. I've been struggling with writing more than 2,000 words for this fic since I want to write more words for each chapter, but I just couldn't. Especially now that I'm about to lose the place I call home due to new additions to my family.
I want to thank you so much for the 936 favorites, 1,110 follows, and 126 reviews. These are the things that help me move forward with the story, and I always love reading your reactions and suggestions for my stories.
Anyways, I'm removing all Author Note chapters to have a continuous flow of the story, if an author's note chapter is added after this one it will be eliminated with a new one. I hope you enjoy the chapter and until later!
After Severus spoke, there was a deadly silence in the room. Between the revelation and the sudden bonding between Fawkes and Potter jr. If looks could kill, Dumbledore and McGonagall would be six feet under. "Severus, my boy, I'm her magical guardian," Dumbledore said.
"I would disagree, headmaster," Severus explained. "During the summer, I was summoned to Gringotts. They were kind to inform me Lily gave me guardianship over Harriet after her death."
Dumbledore stuttered. "B-but, that's impossible."
"According to the goblins, their wills were sealed. It wasn't until Petunia's death that they were able to unseal it," Snape added, "It just makes me wonder why it was sealed in the first place."
Dumbledore was shell-shocked. There was no way he could excuse this act. He always believed his plans would go swiftly. After fooling Grindelwald and winning the fight, he did this for the greater good. His greater good. Dumbledore didn't know where everything went wrong with her. The Dursleys were very malleable whenever he coughed up the money. Arabella was giving him updates like she was hired to do. "Be that as it may, I am only trying to do what is best for both Harriet and the child."
The Potion Master arched his eyebrow, skeptical of the lie. "It doesn't matter now," He said, "Potter and her son are both under my care, and I have already dealt with all problems surrounding the infant."
"You must be kidding me, Severus," McGonagall interrupted, "Just the last year, you were hating the girl!"
"Indeed, but recent events have come to pass. I've seen that the happy and spoiled girl the headmaster insisted on portraying was nothing but an abused child that we all failed," Severus stated.
Both Headmaster and Deputy were flabbergasted. "It seems there had been countless reports of abuse from the Dursleys, but somehow every report disappeared."
Dumbledore was going to respond before SJ interrupted the conversation with a fit of giggles. All thanks to Fawkes. "I believe both student and child should return to their routine," Severus said, "The child will remain in Ms. Potter's custody as she has proven she can take care of the child. If there is a matter of lodging and care, Ms. Potter has her house-elf taking care of SJ while she takes classes."
Harriet thankfully sighed; as she brushed SJ's hair. "I believe Ms. Potter, we are both late for class."
Harriet nodded and left immediately for the Potion's class. Albus was fuming after Harriet left. "How could you not tell me you gained custody of Harriet Potter. It doesn't bode well that she lost the protection with her family."
"However you put it, she was never protected with Petunia," Severus said. "Now, it's our first day, and I will not leave those dunderheads alone in my classroom."
Harriet rushed out of the office before any other professor could stop her. Before any professor could do the same, Dumbledore asked for Snape to stay. McGonagall and Dumbledore were both fuming towards Snape's indifference to the new Potter heir. "Severus, how can you possibly agree to her to keep that child," She yelled, "She's a student, and under the He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named watch, that will be his first target, just like he did with Black."
"Minerva, I am well aware of the target both of them have. I'm also aware we, her professors, have no right whatsoever to dictate what she will do as we all failed her for the past six years she has been here." The Potion Master explained.
"Severus, when have you cared for Harriet?"
The Potion Master glared at the "Leader of the Light." "You made me swear for her safety. You, the Great Albus Dumbledore, you made me protect the Potter child when behind our backs you left her with the worst person suitable to care of a magical child!" Snape sneered. "Now, if you excuse me, I have dunderhead to teach." The angry professor left the office with a dramatic flair.
Severus Snape was fuming with rage. Even if he had months to process all of Dumbledore's plans, it infuriated him the continuous manipulations.
Ever since he saw Harriet Potter bleeding, all sense of loyalty towards the "light" ceased to exist. At that moment, he stopped picturing James Potter. All Severus saw was the defenseless child who swore to protect but failed to do so. Spending time with her made him realize how he let himself get manipulated. Harriet Potter was an amazingly brilliant child. No matter the circumstances were thrown at her, she flourished. Not to mention she did a great job caring for her soon-to-be two-year-old. Somehow, that kid warmed his way to his cold heart. The only downside was spending time with the mutt, although he had to admit that he wasn't that bad a company. Even if it would take a long while to forgive him, he was standing his company more and more.
He kept thinking of how to aid Harriet's plans. Severus stormed into his classroom, scaring the first-year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. I have a letter to send, he thought.
Meanwhile, the teenage mother was running like her life depended on it. Thanks to Dumbledore, she was officially late for her DADA class. She had no time to leave SJ with Poppy or Dobby. "Okay, buddy, mummy has to go to class. So, we have to be very, very, very quiet," She whispered as she caught her breath. SJ giggled at how weird his mummy was speaking.
Harriet pushed the classroom door open to find every student staring at her as she got to her seat next to Ron. Harriet was about to ask her friend if the professor had started the class before she was interrupted. "Good morning class, I am professor Redwood. I've been told these past years your defense classes haven't been as adequate," He said, "I also know some of you had a study group that helped with your OWL scores. Am I correct?"
Most students nodded their heads. With this confirmation, the defense professor continued explaining his syllabus. Students perked up with the idea of practicing wandless spells and were excited about casting the Patronus charms. Before Voldemort could continue with the class, he was interrupted by little SJ feeling uncomfortable staying on his mommy's lap. "Ms. Potter, I believe this is not a class for a child," He said.
"I know," She explains. "I wasn't able to leave SJ with his caretaker since Dumbledore kept us all morning."
"All right," he said hoping, SJ would behave. "All right, we will begin a mock duel just to see if you are up to par with your year's requirements. Since we are an uneven class, one of you will be paired with me. Any volunteers?"
Every student in the room looked at each other worriedly. It was in their good conscience not to duel a professor. They didn't want to be the joke of the week, or worse, the whole year. Seconds turned to minutes, and Tom wasn't going to waste the class with nervous students. "Since there aren't any volunteers, Mrs. Potter, you are up," He said.
Harriet jumped with surprise with the sudden attention and was bewildered as SJ clapped the moment Tom called her. Ron took SJ from her hands as the little boy clapped for his mom.
Once Harriet reached the podium for dueling, Tom started giving instructions. "Are you aware of the rules for dueling," Harriet nodded after he asked. "Very well. All duels, as I said, are to see your skills in DADA. There will be no use of dark magic or the Unforgivables. Ready Miss Potter?"
Harriet nodded.
Both student and teacher had their dueling stance ready until the professor made the first move. Harriet immediately cast a Protego, followed by the first spell that popped into her head. "Rictusempra!"
Voldemort dodged the spell giving the teen an incredulous look that she shrugged. "Incarcerous," he yelled.
Harriet dove to the floor as a way to dodge another spell. At this point, she knew he was doing this to annoy her. She began to cast as if she was back in the ministry and fighting Voldemort for real. The fight kept on for at least 20 minutes till Harriet had enough. She yelled, "Expelliarmus," putting all her strength into the spell.
Surprised, Voldemort couldn't dodge that one and got blasted to the other side of the room. At this, all the students cheered that a student beat a professor. Tom cleared his throat and straightened his robes. " Great dueling, Miss Potter," he replied, "I see the tales of your excellence in DADA were not wrong. Now, students, we will be dueling for the first week of class. Miss Potter, you are excused; the rest of you grab a partner. We will evaluate your progress and how to proceed from there."
Students partnered up and made a line to the stage. The class moved with ease; because of it, Voldemort was able to see how advanced Harriet's little club was exceeding expectations compared to the other students. Once class was over, he asked Harriet to stay. SJ immediately ran towards Tom. "UP," he yelled as he stretched his little arms.
The Dark Lord carried the little boy in his arms and smiled. "You were a good boy today," he replied, "A very good boy. What did Dumbledore want?"
Harriet sighed, "He wanted to take SJ away, but I called for Severus before any decision could be made."
He sighed, "I'm afraid it will get worse from today onward," he bounced the little boy to keep him distracted. "After SJ's Daily Prophet debut, there will be a small window of grace where Dumbledore might use it against you. Lucius will notify me once he schedules an interview with a reporter."
"No, I don't want to talk to any reporter," She shook her head, "I don't care what others say anymore. I'm tired of it. I don't want to expose SJ to anything anymore; today's article was enough."
"It will be worse if Dumbledore replies first to any allegations the Daily Prophet has made today," He sighed. "Dumbledore will find a way to keep you under his thumb and destroy all the progress you have made this summer!"
Harriet looked away as she took SJ in her hands. She knew confronting the media about SJ before Dumbledore, but she wanted to hold her son's privacy close. "I know speaking to them will tear down any story Dumbledore wants to create," she sighed, "but I want to hold onto SJ's privacy a bit more."
Tom sighed exasperated, "He'll always be in the spotlight because of who his mother is."
"I need to go," She picked up her things before leaving the room.
"Speak with Severus about this, but I suggest you speak to the media before the Daily Prophet attacks Dumbledore's role as your guardian, and he gives an interview." The Dark Lord replied as the teen left the room. She didn't want Tom to be right; if she didn't move forward with her plans, Dumbledore will have the upper hand. If that were to happen, she would lose what she holds dear in her heart.
