Disclaimer: I do not own HP. I repeat, I do NOT own HP. But, of course, you lot know this, right? If not, whack yourself repeatedly in the head with a blunt object until you do.
Chapter 28 – A Time For Forgiving
The Ministry Tricked!
It seems that Ethan Snape, the 'son' of Professor Severus Snape of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, is actually the Professor himself! And interview with 'Ethan' by Miss Lana Chaines reveals the truth of the disception.
"Why?" is the first question asked of Mister Snape.
"What would have been the student's reactions if they'd known that their professor was a teenager again?" was 'Ethan's' reply. When asked later why he was coming out now, 'Ethan' replied, "It's hard to hide the truth for long. Even from yourself."
A few short words with Headmaster Albus Dumbledore revealed that 'Ethan's' condition is irreversible. Potion's Master Demetrii Vorinhoff of the Durmstrang Insitute of Magic was, according to Dumbledore, sent the remnants of the potion. Vorinhoff (for those who do not know) is the foremost Potion Master in the Wizarding World and the teacher Severus Snape apprenticed under. He determined that the potion concoted during a Fifth Year Gryffindor/Slytherin Potion's class had no method of reversal. Leaving Professor Snape trapped in the body of his fifteen-year-old self.
Since then, 'Ethan' has become a student at Hogwarts, much like any other. A surprising friendship has developed between himself and Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived and who was revealed earlier this year to be an Heir of Slytherin. Even more surprising is the romance that has sprung up between 'Ethan' and Hermione Granger, a Muggle-born witch.
So that's the truth of the matter. Ethan Snape, Gryffindor and Keeper on the Gryffindor Quidditch Team, is Severus Snape, Potions Master and Head of Slytherin House.
"I rather like this Lana Chaines," remarked Hermione as she passed the copy of The Daily Prophet to Ginny to read. "She's better than that Skeeter woman."
Harry frowned at that comment and asked, "Herm, what did you do to her? You didn't let her out did you?"
"Um, no… Well, she did sort of get out."
"'Sort of?'" repeated Ethan-er, Severus.
"Yeah," mumbled Hermione. "Then she…well…"
"What?" asked Harry.
"ThenCrookshanksateher," mumbled Hermione really fast.
"Crookshanks ate her!" cried both Harry and Severus.
"Oh dear," commented Ginny, biting her bottom lip so as not to laugh.
Harry glanced at his chuckling girlfriend then began to laugh himself. When Hermione gave him a glowering look, he swallowed hard and said, "I'm sorry, Herm. But that is rather…"
"Funny?" blurted Severus.
Hermione turned her glower on him and he held up his hands in defense.
"Well, it is funny, Mione. Your cat eating the woman who insulted you several times? Just bloody priceless. I couldn't have thought up a better fate for that woman myself."
"Oh really?" challenged Hermione, arching an eyebrow at him.
"Really," answered Severus with a wry grin.
Boom! went the oak doors in the entrance hall suddenly and the sound of boots – many boots – resounded through the Great Hall. Dumbledore rose to his feet just as Cornelius Fudge walked in, flanked by three lines of Aurors.
"Why does this not look good?" whispered Ginny.
"Cornelius," said Dumbledore in a voice that resounded through a suddenly quiet Hall. "To what do we owe this…pleasure?"
"Pleasure my ass," grumbled Severus, scowling at Fudge.
Fudge frowned and said, "We are here to take Severus Snape into protective custody."
"Why is that?" demanded McGonagall, rising angrily to stand beside Dumbledore. The old wizard placed a hand on her shoulder but she shrugged it off, glaring at Fudge.
The Minister of Magic took a slight step back then coughed into his hand and answered, "According to the birth certificate of one Severus Snape, he will not turn the legal age of eighteen until the second of August. Therefore, his guardian at the current time is Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy, his half-sister. Lucius Malfoy came to me this morning to inform me that his wife wished Mister Snape to be removed from Hogwarts immediately.
"Bugger that!" bellowed Harry, launching himself to his feet. Ginny attempted to jerk him back down into his seat but he shook her off gently.
Fudge turned towards Harry and said, "Mister Potter, you have no say in these…"
"I don't care if I've got a bloody say in it!" yelled Harry. "Lucius Malfoy is a Death Eater!"
"And a murderer!" came Draco's bellow from the Slytherin table.
"That is enough!" yelled Fudge. He turned to the Auror's behind him and snapped, "Get Snape!"
"Albus!" came McGonagall's hiss from the Head Table, followed by Dumbledore's cry of, "No!" as there was a brief flash of light and Slytherin's sword appeared in Harry's hands. He was over the table in an instant, shoving Severus back as he drove forward. Emerald eyes flared black as he snarled at the Aurors, "You can't have him!"
"Harry, don't!" cried Severus, trying to get at the dark-haired boy even as Ginny and Hermione pulled him across the table, scattering plates and goblets.
"Enough!" came a sharp cry from the entrance hall.
Stillness permeated the Great Hall at that commanding cry. A figure in a dark, billowing hooded cloak stormed in, halting directly behind the Aurors. "Minister!" they cried. "You have no right to take Severus Snape from this castle!"
"I have the word of Mrs. Malfoy!" spat Fudge.
"No," said the cloaked figure with a little smirk in their words. They threw back their hood to reveal a pale, high-cheeked face framed by hair that may have been blond a few minutes before but was now streaked liberally with green and silver. "You have the word of my husband," finished Narcissa Malfoy.
"Mother?" came Draco's surprised cry from the Slytherin table, where he was being held back from rushing to the Gryffindor table.
Narcissa smiled in her son's direction then turned icy black eyes on the Minister and the Aurors. "My husband, Minister, wishes nothing more than to turn over my brother to Voldemort. And to force my son into his ranks. I will not allow either to happen."
"You-Know-Who is dead, woman!" yelled Fudge.
"Ha!" said Harry loudly, to which an Auror snapped, "You shut up, laddie." Harry scowled at the man and sneered, "Who's the one with the sword here?"
"Not quite, Minister," said Narcissa with a smile. "I may vouch for that. If you wish for proof, conduct a search of Malfoy Manor. My 'husband' will have abandoned it by now." Her smiled faded as she continued, "There is a war coming whether you like it or not. To ignore Voldemort's return any longer would be folly."
"Don't speak to me of folly, woman," hissed Fudge. He then looked at the Aurors around him and barked, "To Malfoy Manor!" before striding out of the Hall. The Aurors looked at each other then followed him out, leaving the Hall to mutter amongst itself.
Narcissa watched them go before she turned and stared at the much younger form of her half-brother. "Sev," she murmured and took a step forward.
"Cissa." Severus pulled himself away from Ginny and Hermione and clambered over the table, coming down beside Harry. He ran a hand back sheepishly through his hair and smiled slightly. "You're going to kill me for that deception, aren't you?"
Narcissa, with tears in her eyes, nodded and growled, "Maybe only maim and torture."'
Severus smiled and said, "I deserve it. I'm sorry, Cissa."
"Don't be," said Narcissa, reaching out to pull him into a tight hug. "I'm just glad you're alive."
"Same here."
"Aww, aren't they sweet."
"Draco…" growled both Severus and Narcissa at the same time, in the same tone. They turned to glare at the blond, who was standing on the other side of the table beside Ginny and Hermione.
"What?" said Draco, causing Harry to roll his eyes as he sheathed Slytherin's sword.
"Malfoy?"
"Yes?"
"Shut up."
"Mrs. Malfoy?" queried Dumbledore as he suddenly appeared at Harry's elbow with McGonagall lurking behind him.
"Please, Headmaster, don't call me that," said Narcissa. "Just Narcissa."
"Very well. Welcome to Hogwarts once again, my dear. Minerva…"
"I will go tell Dobby to ready a room," said McGonagall. "Harry…if you would follow me?"
The dark-haired teen winced and followed his Head of House as she left the Great Hall.
* * * *
"What on earth did you think you were doing?" demanded McGonagall as Harry followed her down the corridors towards the kitchen. "After that display, the Minister could have had you taken in!"
"I couldn't just let them take him," defended Harry, absently fingering the sword at his hip.
McGonagall sighed and stopped, turning to face him. Harry shifted nervously as their gazes met and held.
"There are many things that Albus has done wrong as of late. What he did to you is one of the worst." Harry's eyes swirled black at the memory of that and McGonagall placed a hand on his arm. "But," she continued, "he would never allow Severus to be taken."
"He doesn't trust us," grumbled Harry darkly.
"Trust doesn't matter," said McGonagall. "He knows that if he let's Severus get taken to Voldemort, you will be at his door."
"Bloody well right I would."
McGonagall smiled at that.
"Its still strange to remember that you two used to hate each other."
Harry looked surprised at that. "I never hated him," he said softly.
"Could have fooled me," said McGonagall, starting to walk again. Harry followed her, hands stuffed in the pockets of his robes.
"Hate's something I attach to Voldemort, professor," explained Harry. "Sev…he's different now. And even then…I never hated him. Wondered what broomstick got stuck up his ass, sure. But hate? No way."
"Hate is a strong word, Harry. Even for Voldemort."
"Maybe," said Harry with a shrug. "But you're the one who was asking me if I hated Sev."
McGonagall gave him a look and Harry grinned cheekily at her. The witch shook her head and said, "You are possibly the most annoying child I have ever met besides Severus."
Harry continued to grin cheekily at her and quipped, "Thank you!"