Pairings in this chapter: Meantions of NCS (Vernon/Harry)
Disclaimer: Not mine. Not getting money. I wish. Ryliatin and the Verifel are mine. Hayaka Minokura is mine. Macabre is mine.
Chapter 20 : Made To Feel The Way That Every Child Should
Exactly one week before the 1st, Snape, Remus, the boys, and Rylia filed into a stuffy courtroom. As soon as they arrived, murmurs filled the room from the watchers. Even the Judge looked awestruck. Standing among them was Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, the Destroyer of Voldemort. Harry took it all in a serious silence, his face betraying nothing. They sat where they were suppose to and waited.
And then THEY walked in. Fat, skinny, fat, the three in their nicest clothes. Vernon, Petunia, and Dudley Dursley. Dudley was terrified, his eyes wide as saucers as he took in all the wizards surrounding him. Petunia was pale, but trying to hide her fright. Her hands shook at her breast. Vernon's face was an awful shade of purple, his eyes beady and vicious. His long mustache couldn't hide the snarl at his lips. With them was their lawyer, who looked out of place and uncomfortable in his suit.
Harry shuttered and looked away from them, scooting closer to the redhead at his side. Ron glanced at the trio and glared as he put an arm about the other boy's shoulders. On his other side, Draco shivered. He could only wonder how Harry survived with behemoths like that.
The court was called to order. Harry let himself fall into a half conscious state, but the voices of those around him were still strong. He closed his eyes and laid his head against Ron's shoulder. The trial went quickly for him as lawyers spoke to both judge and jury, things of nonsense to Harry's mind. He didn't care.
Then the testimonies started. Harry still barely listened. A few med wizards he didn't know went up and gave their analysis. Madam Pomfrey was the last of them and gave the court a detailed history of his medical needs and of his condition when he was brought to the hospital wing of Hogwarts. A few teachers were called as well, including Professor McGonagall. They gave their impressions of both Harry and Snape and their thoughts on the issue. After so many people's testimonies, lunch was declared and Harry filed out of the courtroom with his companions, staying very close to Ron's side.
Outside, Harry was quite overwhelmed by the amount of people. Ron noticed and led him to a bench to sit. He rubbed the boy's back as Harry curled in on himself, hands over his ears. He didn't uncurl himself until a hand ran gently through his hair. It was too small to be Ron's. Harry looked up and was amazed.
Before him stood Hayaka Minokura, but never had the doctor looked so radiant. Hayaka wore beautiful silver robes embroidered in white. It was still Japanese in style and clasped across his chest before going downward, the frogs made of white robe. The frogs went to his waist before the rest was left open. Under it was a white slip that fluttered at his legs. The whole thing flowed all about him and made him look airy and light, like an angel. His long, silver hair was pulled up with various elaborate clips and other parts braided to make a beautiful arrangement about his head. Trundles of silver framed his face, a long braid sitting over both shoulders from the back of his head. The kind doctor's shining blue eyes were lined in startling black, which made the light color of his eyes stand out even more.
Hayaka inquired about the boy's health but little of material was said. The doctor joined their group for lunch at a local café. Harry ate very little and wouldn't have eaten at all if Remus hadn't persuaded him. They returned to the courthouse after they ate and filed into the room for the trial's second half.
The muggles were first to be called. Vernon outlined a version of Harry's child, setting out to make the boy seem as horrible as possible. The boy didn't listen, of course; Vernon's voice set him on edge and he simply leaned against Ron and blocked it out. Hearing it made him think of the man's hands on his skin. Petunia was next and she stayed with her husband's allegations. Dudley did as well.
After them came Snape. The Potions Master spoke of Harry's state when he arrived and of the boy's quiet, withdrawn nature. Hayaka went next and told them of his evaluation, including the allegations of rape and abuse. The audience interrupted at this part with denials and vehement cries against the muggles. The court was silenced and Hayaka went on, telling the court more. By the time he was finished, there were more muggle haters in the room than not, and of those few, most were willing to make an exception.
At last, Harry took the stand. Vernon's lawyer was first to cross examine him. The man was vigorous and asked without moral anything he thought might turn the Boy-Who-Lived's image around. He even got up in Harry's face at one vicious round of questioning, nearly making the boy go into a panic attack. He was already in a cold sweat. Finally, the man was done and the next came. He was more gentle in his approach, but no less damaging. This lawyer, a handsome and kind looking wizard in fine robes, wanted Harry to tell them about the abuse. It took a moment for the boy to compose himself before he could begin. Then, it simply dropped from his lips in fast, sporadic bursts. He tried his hardest to stay calm, but his body shook with remembrance at every deed he could recall, every cruel word… Harry nearly ran back to his seat when he was released. Ron opened his arms to him and Harry dove into them, clinging to the strong body as he tried to calm himself again.
The rest of the trial was a blur to him. He simply wanted to leave, away from the loud voices and continuous memories. Finally, the jury left. They didn't take long and were back within ten minutes. Snape was declared Harry's legal guardian and the Dursleys accused of Child Abuse. They were to return at a later date for trial.
Snape stayed behind to fishing some things. Remus took the boys and Rylia home. Nothing was said on the way. Harry was too numb to notice the worried glances of his companions. When they got home, Rylia took Harry directly to his room. Since the black haired boy refused to let go of Ron's hand, the redhead followed. Rylia tucked both boys into the large bed and, after a kiss to Harry's head, left them to rest. Ron's large, tanned hand stayed securely around Harry's pale one the whole night.
Rylia diligently started on the housecleaning at dawn, as she always did. The young Verifel was a creature of habit and those habits were the only things keeping her mind off the events of the day before. It broke her heart to think of Harry's words. It made her cry to remember his expression as he did. Being the strong woman she was, Rylia hated crying.
By the time anyone woke up - Snape was first, of course - breakfast was on the table in the sparkling kitchen. Most of the house was done by then and Rylia was too busy in her desperate cleaning to join her master for the meal. He was soon joined by Draco. Neither spoke to each other as they ate. After, Snape sipped his coffee as he looked over the Daily Prophet and Draco took to slowly drinking his glass of tea. He idly noticed that Rylia made a perfect cup and wondered if she'd made Snape's coffee just as perfectly.
"You're brooding," Snape murmured without looking up. Draco blinked and set down his cup, watching the swirling brown liquid. He sorted his thoughts before speaking.
"You'll be responsible for both of us?"
"Yes," replied the older man.
"Then we'll all be living together?"
"Yes, until you're eighteen." Snape glanced at the boy, one brow raising. "Is something wrong with that?"
"No, I just…" He paused and sighed softly. "Just getting it straight."
Snape stared at him blankly, eyes narrow as he took Draco in. "Draco, you know you can talk of anything to me. I am your godfather, after all."
Silver eyes glanced up at his face for a moment before falling back to the cup. He muttered something quietly and Severus arched a brow again.
"What was that?"
"I said I…" Draco's shoulders hunched. "I…have a crush…on Harry…"
A snort from the older man surprised him. The boy glanced up to see Snape had turned back to his paper.
"What?!" Draco said, annoyed and embarrassed.
"Draco, the sexual tension between you and Harry always has been thick enough to cut with a knife," muttered Snape. "It's so obvious, only the dumbest Hufflepuffs would miss it."
"What?!" Draco's cheeks burned before he groaned and covered his face. "Please don't tell me I'm that obvious…"
"There is a fine line between love and hate," replied Snape almost kindly. "When it changes, you're usually the last to know."
Draco fell quiet again as he thought on those words. It wasn't long after before he got up.
"Thanks," he said quietly. Snape only gave a nod. Draco put his cup in the sink and left the kitchen. Moments later, Remus slipped inside.
"Is he all right now?"
"He's still brooding," Snape said and set his paper down. "Thank you for giving us time."
Remus smiled softly and sat down next to the other man. He loaded up a plate, glad for the enchanted bowls and plats that kept the food pleasantly heated, and started to eat. Snape merely sipped more at his coffee. If either men noticed how suddenly relaxed they were in each other's presence, they didn't show it.
Harry found he very much liked the garden. It was calming and beautiful, warming his heart just by being there. The morning air was cool and sent goose bumps up his arms. A soft wind played in his long hair. He contemplated cutting it short again, but decided not to bother.
"My prey… itssssssss the end for youssss…"
He blinked and looked around but there was no one. Frowning, Harry shrugged his shoulders and went back to looking at a wilted Dandelion. He wondered if there was anything he could do for it, as the little yellow flower was just as nice as Draco's roses.
"To latesssss… ssssstop moving… Youssssss mine now!"
With a jerk, Harry drew back as a little green snake rushed out from the garden at small black cricket near his dandelion. Harry started while the snake happily engulfed her lunch.
"So that's who was talking…" Harry muttered to himself, peering closer. The snake wasn't very big and not at all dangerous. It was a simple garden snake. Smiling, he reached over and pet the pretty reptile, two fingers running along its back. The snake shuttered at first and lifted her head to peer at him.
"Why isssss youssss touching me?" the snake wondered aloud, but she didn't slither away. She seemed content with the petting.
"You're a beautiful snake," replied Harry, grinning as the snake was visibly taken aback.
"Talker!" the snake cried in surprise and happiness. In a flash, the little snake was curling up his arm. Harry laughed at the feeling and smiled when the snake came to his shoulder, her little tongue flicking out to taste his cheek. "Macabre likessssssss talking human!"
Harry laughed again and gently stroked her head. "I'm Harry. It's nice to meet you."
"Macabre will ssssssstay with Harry," she replied with a definitive nod of her little head. "Protect the Massssssster!"
"I'm no one's master," said the boy with a smile. "But I wouldn't mind a friend."
Macabre thought a moment before agreeing. With happy hearts, the two talked into the afternoon.
A/N: Okay, I have a bone to pick. Who the HELL do you think you are, Death? I crack one fucking joke and you get all pissy? WELL SORRY! I happen to be trying not to go FUCKING NUTS right now! Jokes are the only little bit of comfort I have! I'm going through a custody battle right now and I have the fear of being taken away from my goddamn mother and sent to live with my father because HE'S A FUCKING ASSHOLE WHO WANTS TO PUNISH ME FOR BEING WHO I AM! So FUCK YOU! I don't HAVE to have your 'affection' but I damned well deserve a little credit! I don't write PWP! And I don't write smut! SO FUCK YOU FOR THINKING I WOULD!
...sorry...but that really fucking hurt...I know you guys are just reviewers and all that, but seriously! Give me a little credit! Do you see PWPs in my story list? Do you see smut? Fuck no. I can't write either well so I don't.
My comment was a joke. There are multiple pairings in the sequal, but it is NOT a series of PWPs. It does have a plot and I'm sorry to have given anyone else the impression that it didn't.
I hope you pass by my rant without it effecting you and enjoy the story.