Disclaimer: If you recognize it I do not own it… if you don't recognize it then I probably stole… er borrowed it… and on the off chance that it really is mine then please enjoy as that is the only payment I shall ever receive.
Summary: Harry Potter is found guilty of murder, attempted murder, aiding and abetting a known Dark Wizard, and being in the company of Death Eaters. He is sentenced to life in Azkaban. He avoids the Dementer's Kiss, but is put into solitary where he receives no visitors except Dementers and prison medical staff. It is now 10 years later. The war is at a stale mate… neither side having the power to win and not willing to risk losing. The people responsible for the crimes Harry Potter was accused of are captured and Harry Potter will be released. What remains of the kind, responsible, charismatic leader that Harry was becoming? How much of the young man that commanded respect… even from his hated potions teacher has lasted 10 years in hell? SLASH DM/HP Mpreg mentioned.
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Sara – Thank you, I may just have to take you up on your offer.
Mr. Happy Java Man – The timeline of the story will become more apparent as the plot progresses. And yes, there are Weasleys in this story and I hope that you will enjoy it anyway. Sirius is dead sorry.
Oracale, Guava‑Juice, Arwen, Alostblackcat, Ray - Thanks
Jonas – Thank you for your kind words and the bookmark. I am definitely seeing this story through to the end.
Sheree – You were my first Reveiwer… so thank you very much and the answer to all your questions shall be revealed… keep reading.
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A very special thanks to my two remarkable
Betas for this chapter:
Jonas and Sara
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Chapter Two: Prisoner of Consequence
Snape arrived at the docks and signed the appropriate paperwork finalizing the release of Harry Potter. Taking out a portkey, he disappeared… only to reappear in Hogwart's infirmary. Lying Harry down on a bed in a private room, he touched a necklace around his neck and whispered, "The Phoenix shall rise." Immediately, Hermione Granger-Weasley, Ronald Weasley, Ginny Weasley, and Draco Malfoy joined him. Ginny began evaluating his medical status, while the others conferred in low voices.
"Do you have all the necessary paperwork with you?" Snape asked Draco and Ron.
"Yes, I have Power of Attorney regarding all aspects of his medical and psychological treatment as well as custody per his wishes." Draco replied.
"And I have the court order enforcing said orders... let's just say that being his best friend allowed the judge to expedite the orders for me. The judge felt so bad that he simply wanted to do anything to help him be comfortable and begin to heal." Ron snorted.
Before they could discuss any further the door burst open revealing Albus Dumbledore, Madame Pompfrey, and Remus Lupin. As Madame Pompfrey approached the still form on the bed in order to compare notes and assist Ginny Weasley. They continued scanning and the low murmurs of various healing spells could be heard. Then Ginny turned and whispered in Madame Pompfrey's ear. Then they both turned to Snape.
"Severus," Ginny asked, "We need another opinion. Can everyone else leave for now please? The necessary people will be notified, but our patient is entitled to his privacy."
As she moved to push everyone out of the rather small room, Albus spoke up, "Now, child. Do you really think that is necessary? We are all friends of his and I am sure that he would want those present to be part of any decisions regarding his care."
"Do you have a written request regarding his healthcare choices?" Ginny asked.
"No, of course not as there was no way to anticipate the circumstances of his incarceration. However, I am the last guardian he had and as such would like to be a part of his recovery." Albus replied, eyes twinkling.
"Does anyone have such documentation?" she asked again turning to the others gathered in the room.
"Yes. I have power of attorney with detailed instructions regarding his treatment choices for both his physical as well as emotional recovery. It covers allowed medications, institutions, physicians, authorized personnel, and includes a sketch for both immediate treatment as well as long term treatment. As you can see it has been properly signed and filed with the proper Ministry Offices." Draco stated stepping forward with a notebook full of paperwork.
"I would like to see that," Albus said. "Not that I doubt you Draco, but you must admit it is rather questionable for such detailed information regarding his recovery when he had no idea he would be incarcerated in the first place."
"That is where you are mistaken on two counts Headmaster." Ron said. "Your first mistake was in assuming he did not anticipate that he would be framed for a crime that would result in him being sent to Azkaban. Your next mistake was stating that you don't doubt Draco. For if that were true you would never have brought it up. I know for a fact and have substantial documentation to prove that Harry anticipated many different possible actions on the part of Tommy Boy. And the papers you are now looking through were to be used if what happened was the path that Tommy chose. I also have a court order enforcing those orders as well as placing Harry Potter into Draco Malfoy's sole custody. Any decisions regarding his care, location, and caregivers must be approved by him and him alone." Turning to Draco, he asked whom he would like to stay in the room.
Draco told him only Ginny, Madame Pompfrey, Severus, and himself. Ron gently pushed the others out of the room and activated powerful privacy and protection wards on the small room.
In the room Severus and the Medi-witches conferred on Harry's condition. Draco approached the pale fragile man on the bed. "Severus how was he?"
"Well, Draco I must say that although the damage is severe there is much cause for hope. He speaks as a child and there is an innocence that was surprising to say the least. He has no reliable memories of Hogwarts or us... or I would say much of his life. His happy and positive memories are so interwoven with the more painful and negative ones that he has no way to put the things he sees and feels into perspective. Unlike Black who felt guilty although he was actually innocent of the crimes he was accused of... Harry knew on a very deep level that he was innocent and that his very presence in Azkaban was in order to protect Alexandra and you, Draco. I think that, which is a unique situation for a prisoner there, coupled with his Occlumency skills may be able to explain his current state of mind. I think that we should treat him as an adult... but with low expectations. Gentleness and Kindness will be the key. Also love. Draco, you need to let him know that you are his love. He remembers that there is a person that he refers to as love and he knows that person is very very important to him. But he has no memory of your identity. I believe that his memories and most of his personality will progress very slowly... but that he somehow keyed them to something. When if ever he is exposed to that something, he will simply remember everything. That is why I think his Occlumency skills played a part in it. I think he locked away himself for protection and left this younger more innocent self-aware. However, without the key we have no way of knowing how to speed his recovery along."
Turning to Ginny, Draco asked about his medical condition. Ginny deferred to Madame Pompfrey, "His spinal column has been crushed and there is evidence of physical abuse resulting in several other bones having been broken and healed incorrectly. We are going to remove those bones and use Skele-grow to replace them. But his spine is a critical area. We will need a specialized potion. The nerves are damaged but not severed. He needs surgery to carefully realign his spine. Then the special potions will be injected to encourage both new growth as well as to strengthen the existing bruised tissue."
"Do what you have to do. He needs to be as healthy as possible because you and I both know that as soon as he recovers or unlocks himself. He must be ready to fight. Please keep me updated. Poppy, please check and make sure that his ability to reproduce has not been damaged in any way. He was adamant about that. Oh, will he be able to stay here throughout his recovery? Albus is not to know anything except what I tell him. Will being out of the loop cause him to force us to leave?" Draco asked the room in general.
"Not if it is the opinion of the medical staff that he should stay here. And I assure you that the three of us agree that he should not be moved. Just ask the psychologist you have selected and see if she concurs... though if I have to venture a guess, Dr. Granger-Weasely will be able to enumerate an endless list of reasons as to why her patient should not be moved and back it up with more research than Albus Dumbledore would be able to read in a century." Snape said dryly.
Outside the room
"Would anyone care to explain just how Mr. Malfoy of all people wound up with sole custody of Harry!?" Remus Lupin asked incredulously.
"I must say that I too am curious." Albus said. "Mr. Weasley would you care to explain?"
"I am sorry sir, but as an Auror it is my duty to enforce the court order and I am not allowed to divulge any information that is not contained therein. I will not be able to answer your questions. I am sorry and I assure you that you will understand... eventually. Just know that these were Harry's wishes."
"I find that very hard to believe and ask that you explain yourself at once. You are not just an Auror; you are also a member of the Order. As such you swore an oath. I call on that oath now." Albus said firmly.
"Sir, I swore to the Order to give my life, my heart, and my service to the Order of the Phoenix to bring about the end of the Dark Lord and his Dark Wizards. Nowhere in the oath does it say that I may break other oaths given in order to satisfy your curiosity. I warn you sir, do not invoke the oath for so trivial a matter, or you may find that it is you, not I, who must suffer the consequences. Magic will be my judge." Ron replied with a firm and unwavering voice.
"And just what other oaths have you sworn that may be in conflict with the one you first swore to the order." Albus demanded.
"I can answer that."
Ron, Albus, Remus, and Hermione all turned to see who had spoken. Draco and Severus had exited the private room leaving Ginny and Poppy working on Harry.
"Ronald Weasley swore an Oath binding him into service as an Auror. Before that he swore an Oath binding him into service as member of the Order of the Phoenix. Both Oaths were sworn for the purpose of bringing and end to Voldemort and his Death Eaters and to help peace reign once again. But before either of these Oaths, Ronald Weasley swore an Oath to do whatever was necessary to end the reign of the current Dark Lord as well as any future organized threats to the wizarding world. Said Oath was given for a term of 50 Years. Only 11 of which have gone by. He swore that Oath to serve under Harry Potter and his designated Lieutenant. And he swore it a full 18 months before you requested he join your Order. Does that satisfy your curiosity Albus?" Draco asked tersely.
"No it simply raises many more questions. Just who else here has sworn such an oath?"
Sharing some quick glances and after a barely perceptible nod of his head. Draco motioned for the others to reveal themselves. Stepping up to stand next to Draco was both Ron and Hermione. The big surprise came when Severus joined them. Remus was speechless and a little hurt.
"Remus, before you think that you were excluded please know that Harry agonized for a long time before deciding not to approach you. You see, the purpose of our group is a bit different than the Order. And it was never his intention to invite anyone who was already a member of the Order to join his group. He had to make a couple of exceptions when said person possessed skills or knowledge that let them know of the existence of our group. And then he made it clear that at no time did he ever expect to place someone into a position where the two oaths would be in conflict. Please don't think he meant any slight to you, I know for a fact that you are a person that he dearly loves and deeply respects. He would probably have eventually made our presence and function known... however, due to circumstances beyond his control we all know he was not able to so. I will inform both you and Albus as soon as it has been determined he can see either of you. That will probably be much sooner for you Remus, than for you Albus."
Albus was far from pleased from what he learned and his eyes showed that he felt betrayed, not only by this new Oath that people had sworn to Harry, but that Severus had kept it hidden for so long. He had some thinking to do... if Harry was gathering followers before his arrest... maybe he was not as innocent as he had been led to believe.
"Draco, Severus, get in here now!" Ginny called from the private room.
They both rushed in as Ron and Hermione stood vigil outside the door. Together they ensured that no one could gain access to Harry.
