A/N: Note that this chapter and all following are not beta read and may (most probably will) contain mistakes… Responses to reviews can be found on my homepage (the link is in my profile)…

Chapter 6

Albus Dumbledore was happy. Another day began and his goal to control another powerful wizard would soon be completed. Harry Potter was alone now with nobody to go to and if his plan went well he wasn't with child anymore.

He smiled at the few students already in the Great Hall, sat down and cheerily started eating his own breakfast while the Hall was slowly filling with more students and teachers.

After a quarter hour the hall was filled with the majority of the inhabitants of Hogwarts, the signal for the owls to deliver the post and newspapers. It didn't take long for an owl to deliver his issue of the Daily Prophet. He ate the last bit of sausage before focusing his attention to the newspaper in front of him. With a smile on his face he wondered what they were writing about today. However, once he saw the front page and its headline his smile was whisked of his face.

HEADMASTER ALLOWED ABUSE OF BOY-WHO-LIVED!

After a summer full of abuse and a miscarriage he had planned to kill himself on the first night back at Hogwarts. Why he had not done so before is not known, but that this is only the top of everything is no secret. Apparently the abuse went on since the day Harry Potter was placed in the care of his muggle relatives. That makes one wonder what Albus Dumbledore did all the time. After all it was he that placed our saviour there.

Did he never check upon Harry Potter or did he know about the abuse all the time and simply let it happen? Events of the end of last school year indicate the latter!

First he forbids his relationship with his soulmate (a fact that wasn't known at that point in time) by placing his mate under threat of loosing his work as a Hogwarts Professor although there wasn't one single proof of the Boy-Who-Lived being favoured by that teacher. A while later Harry Potter was found pregnant. Both Harry Potter and Hogwarts resident medi-witch Poppy Pomfrey tried to convince the Headmaster that it would be better for Harry to stay at Hogwarts, but he refused. Not even the knowledge of a diet his cousin had to make which as a way to encourage him the whole family had to undergo did convince him although it is widely known that a diet is very dangerous for a pregnant witch or wizard. He did not even speak with Harry Potter's relatives about it!

As a result Headmistress and Head of Gryffindor Minerva McGonagall, Poppy Pomfrey and Harry's soulmate, whose identity is kept secret, pressed charges against Harry's relatives and Albus Dumbledore. This reporter will try to find out more information and keep you up to date.

Rita Skeeter

How had they found out? Why didn't he know that Harry wasn't attending lessons or spending the night outside of Gryffindor house? He had visited Poppy last night and knew that Harry wasn't in the Hospital Wing. How would he be able to get out of this mess? He had too little information, he needed more time to find out more.

Albus was startled out of his thoughts by angry shouts from students and professors. He looked up and saw Minerva standing in the middle of the hall between the tables of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. She was pale and for a moment he wondered why. His Deputy was after listed as one of the three that filed the suit.

Minerva hurried to the Great Hall. After the trouble she had at the Ministry yesterday (it was not everyday that someone wanted to charge Albus Dumbledore with anything) as well as the secrecy measure they wanted to install. They had decided together that it would not be wise to let the whole wizarding world find out what had happened to Harry, at least not without asking him first.

When she finally arrived in the Great Hall she was greeted by a very disturbing scene. Students and teachers alike were shouting their misgivings about something, some of them waving with what appeared to be a newspaper while others were sitting on their places motionless. Minerva did not need to be a seer to know what had the whole student body as well as the teachers in such an uproar. Someone must have found out about Harry somehow. It was not good. She knew from the spell placed on Harry that he had woken up last night and this article couldn't be good for his healing.

Hermione sat on her house table, tired and with little enthusiasm for her lessons. Ron was still his usual self and was badmouthing Harry although he still wasn't among them. He didn't even seem to realise this. Hermione wanted to say something to shut him up, but didn't even have enough energy to reprimand him. The revelations from yesterday had kept her up most of the night and they still occupied her mind. She was feeling guilty about what she had done, but knew that what had happened happened and nothing could undo it. She knew that Harry would need her support and not her feeling guilty, reminding him what happened.

She was startled out of her thoughts by shouts. Once her attention was back on the hall she saw students of all houses standing and exclaiming protest loudly, others sat on their places in shock. The head table was no difference, with the exception of Albus Dumbledore, he was paler than she had ever seen him be.

"That serves him right, that fag!" with this shout directly across from her, Hermione was once again called back to her house table. She did not have to guess who said this for not even a second later Ginny Weasley had turned to her older brother and said in a deadly voice, "You do not mean this. He used to be your best friend!"

"And how I meant it! And he isn't my friend. I am no friends with a fag… unbelievingly that I once considered him a brother and shared a room with him!"

Severus woke a few hours after his conversation with Harry again and for a second he wondered where the warm body next to his came from. He wondered until the events of the last two days came back to him. It was strange to be lying next to Harry again after months without him. Therefore Severus took his time to study the face of his lover, something he couldn't get enough of while they were still together.

Instead of the more or less untroubled face while asleep there was now a deep frown upon his beloved's face. Severus knew better than to be surprised by it. After all that Harry had to go through it was a wonder that his sleep was still untroubled before the holidays, but no one could expect it to stay that way. Who wouldn't have nightmares after that kind of summer? After the ultimate betrayal of Albus Dumbledore? Severus was aware that he did not know everything the Dursley's did and for the good of Harry's relatives and the Headmaster he hoped that he would never find out.

These thoughts brought his mind back to the letter and he remembered a few other things that had been written down by his love. Severus reminded himself that he would have to ask Harry what he meant with these things. How he knew what Albus did and from where he knew that Albus was aware of the Dursley's treatment of him and most importantly what he meant with the abilities he mentioned, the ones that no one knew of. What did he hide? And why did he hide it? Maybe he had thought about it and had decided against revealing them, afraid they were seen as evil as his ability to speak with snakes. Severus could remember only to well how the whole school had reacted upon finding out that Harry was a parselmouth.

Suddenly Severus was startled out of his thoughts by an owl that flew through the open door. Severus mused that he must have forgotten to close it the night before, after Harry's attempt to leave; he was otherwise occupied after all. He took the newspaper and searched for some Knuts to pay it.

Once the owl had left the room again he took a closer look at the Daily Prophet.

What followed was a stream of cursing the Ministry and one Rita Skeeter. He could not understand how they found out about this. Before he could think more about this, he was startled by Harry asking sleepily, "What's wrong?"

Severus was so deep in thought that he did not even realise that this was the first time that Harry spoke of his own accord since he arrived in his quarters two days ago.

"Poppy and Minerva went to the ministry yesterday… to file a case against Albus and the Dursleys. They said that they had taken every security measure available, but somehow Rita Skeeter still managed to find out. It made the front page news," said Severus defeated.

Severus gave the newspaper to Harry without further words of explanation, that way he would be able to read the article himself if he wanted so. Severus hoped that it wouldn't make things worse now that Harry seemed to be in a better shape than last night. Maybe it did help that he got his lover to cry over the loss.

He watched his lover closely, while he read the article, waiting for any change in demeanour. Severus did not have to wait for long until Harry visibly paled. He could only guess what the cause for this reaction was; there were quite a few things that would be able to get such a reaction out of his lover. It could be the fact that the wizarding world knew about the abuse, or the fact that he actually begged or the miscarriage.

It was only by chance that he saw the clock on his bedside drawer. Realising that he was late for breakfast he started cursing again, before he took a deep breath to tell Harry what was wrong now.

"I am late for breakfast and like every other head of house I have to be there. I sometimes hate these rules... especially when I want to stay with you and never leave you again."

Harry only nodded and continued looking at the paper in his hand, staring as if it would go away if only he did it long enough.

Severus hurriedly dressed and turned around to Harry again. "If you need me you can call a house elf and tell them to fetch me, no matter what time. If you want you can eat something. And if you think about leaving: Minerva, Poppy and I placed charms on you to alarm us if you're waking up, getting worse or leaving the bed…"

He kissed him goodbye and left the room, hurrying to reach the Great Hall before the Headmaster decided that he was late and send someone for him.

He entered the Entrance hall in time to see a group of Aurors entering the Great Hall. He wondered why there would be Aurors at Hogwarts, but realised after some time that the article in the Daily Prophet must have sped up the process of arresting Albus Dumbledore. The ministry could not wait long after all and risk the displeasure of the witches and wizards living in Great Britain after all. He hurried to reach the doors since he doubted that he'd ever have the fortune again to watch the great Albus Dumbledore being arrested by Ministry officials in front of the whole school.

The chaos that had erupted due to the Daily Prophet article was silenced by the arrival of 3 Aurors and one ministry official. A few students could be heard whispering to each other, but the group ignored them and went to the Head Table. Once there they came to a halt and the ministry official pulled a letter out of his pocket, before facing the Headmaster and reading out loud so the whole hall could hear:

"I, Paul O'Sullivan, am here on order of the High Ministry of Magic to arrest you, Albus Dumbledore, for crimes done to a citizen of the Wizarding Community of Britain. The crimes you are accused of are the following: sending a minor to an abusive, risking the health of a student, knowingly sending a pregnant person to a place of danger which led to a miscarriage as well as keeping that person from his soulmate. Until the Judges has come to a decision about your involvement in this you shall be in the custody of the Ministry. During your absence Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall will be acting as Headmistress until a decision is made."

Once he had finished reading the Aurors went behind the Head Table and disarmed the Headmaster before handcuffing him magically. They lead him to the Ministry Official and together they left the Great Hall. The moment the group had disappeared behind the doors chaos broke out once again. Minerva still stood rooted on the spot. She had thought that she would have at least another day before she'd have to lead Hogwarts.

She doubted that the students would learn anything today. Not only had they found out that their saviour lived in an abusive household and had a miscarriage over the summer holidays, but they had also witnessed the arrest of Hogwarts' Headmaster.

Quickly she went to her place at the Head Table and tapped her glass. Once the Great Hall was in order again she said for all to hear, "Due to recent events all lessons for today will be cancelled."

The moment she had said this she saw Severus leaving the Great Hall again. She didn't need a seer to know where he would be going. Minerva quickly left the Hall as well and hurried after him. She wanted to know how Harry was, after deciding last night that Severus had more than earned the right to have some alone-time with Harry last night.

Minerva reached the Severus's quarters at the same time as Poppy and both entered with the password they had been given the night before.

They arrived just in time to hear the end of Severus berating Harry, "… You're not strong enough yet. All you've got to do is ask and if it is only a house elf you're asking. I just got you back, Harry. I don't want to loose you again."

When they entered the bedroom they saw an annoyed Harry lying in the bed, "I did not faint, I did not even feel dizzy. So I'm perfectly fine with going to the loo on my own…"

Poppy decided to interfere before the argument could escalate, "I will check you over and will decide whether you can go to the toilet alone or with help."

She did not wait for Harry to protest and cast a few diagnostic spells which produced a differently coloured mist each. After a few minutes she finished her examination and declared, "Harry will have to stay in bed for the next few days up to two weeks, but I think he can manage the short way to the toilet, but for nothing more." At the last words Poppy send a stern look at Harry, hoping to discourage any ideas although she had no doubt that Severus would make sure that his soulmate staid where he was.

She nearly had to smile at the antics of the two when Harry stuck his tongue out when he got allowance to go to the toilet alone or the pleased look that appeared on Severus face when the former was told to stay in bed. She had no doubt that those two were deeply in love and whatever they had spoken about when Harry had first awoken last night must have gotten partly over the events of the summer already. She hoped that it stayed that way and that no other disaster would test their love.

While Poppy had been caught in her thoughts silence had descended upon the room. Thoughtfully the mediwitch and the two professors had sat themselves in the chairs they had occupied the night everything had begun.

Chapter 7

No one knew what to say although everybody felt the uncomfortable silence. Harry just looked away trying to ignore everyone, while Severus held his hand and tried to keep his lover's mind with him. He did not want Harry to get lost in his memories like he did when he had first woken up. Occasionally he squeezed his lover's hand, trying to give some sort of comfort. He would prefer lying in bed, right next to his soulmate, but this was not something he had planned to do in front of other people, even if it were the two persons closest to him after Albus Dumbledore. Although he had to admit that this was something that he had always known the headmaster to be capable of, he just never wanted to believe it, therefore he denied it to himself, making him blind to the manipulations the headmaster had going on.

Having given up looking at Harry, seeing how he wouldn't face any of them he watched Minerva and Poppy. He could see that neither of them knew how to ask Harry how he felt. Both knew him enough to know that he wouldn't admit to a weakness. He couldn't wait until Albus Dumbledore would be punished for what he did to his Harry. The thought of the headmaster gave him an idea. If he knew Harry well enough, which he was sure he did, than he would have enjoyed seeing Albus's expression when he realised what was about to happen and that he had no way of stopping it.

"You know Harry; I wish you could have come with me to the Great Hall this morning. I'll have to show you my memory once you're better… You should have seen Albus' face when he realised that he had no time to work out how to get out of this mess or when the ministry official announced the crime he's been accused of and arrested him. It was full of shock and horror. I doubt that he would have ever thought that anyone would dare to go against him…"

"They arrested him? You said you went to the ministry yesterday or does the Ministry of Magic always work this fast? I know that Muggles need a bit longer they have to check the charges first after all…" asked Harry. Despite him trying to sound (and look) shocked, neither of the three watching him couldn't miss the smile that fought desperately to appear on his face. If he could still smile, if only a little, than there was still some hope left.

Their moment was broken when the portrait of Salazar Slytherin, the person who normally guarded the entry to Severus quarters, spoke from the only painting, a beautiful landscape, in the room "Sorry to interrupt your conversation, but there is a very impatient person at your door who doesn't want to wait any longer to speak with you."

Severus sighed before answering, "I'll be there in a minute."

He gave Harry a quick kiss and promised to be back soon. On his way out he could hear Salazar complaining about the impatience of the modern youth. He was sure that if not Minerva, although he was sure that she would agree on at least a few accounts, than most surely Poppy would agree. She always complained about students wanting to leave the Hospital Wing prior to their release and he had had this discussion with Salazar often enough. He was reprimanded by the portrait himself after all and he knew the arguments well enough by now. Severus felt pity for Harry who had to listen in on it and all that because one of his students had the urge to speak with him now! Didn't they know that he had more important things to do in his free time? There was a reason why he had set times where he was there to listen to any problems they thought they had.

When he opened the entrance to his quarters he couldn't help but sigh when he saw none other than Draco Malfoy stand there. He had the urge to tell him off about coming to him now, but before he could say anything the young man in front of him started speaking already.

Draco was sitting in his common room; thinking about everything that had happened within the last few hours. He knew about the role that Harry Potter played in this war and he knew that Albus Dumbledore wanted all powerful wizards under his control, but he would have never thought that the old wizard would go that far. Many would say that he did not get along well with Harry Potter, but that was not the truth. The only reason for the public arguments was that it was expected. Under normal circumstances he would have simply ignored him, but everybody thought they knew on which side he stood and who was he to not act as expected? Draco wanted to know how Potter was and maybe even struck a truce. He had no urges to follow into his fathers footsteps and defy everything he was taught. Was it not his father who taught him that a Malfoy bows to no one? And what does he do? Whenever that maniac calls his father faithfully bows in front of his so called lord like an obedient lapdog. Not exactly what he had planned on doing, but Dumbledore wasn't that much better. With the latest developments things changed. Maybe he could side with Potter, he was strong enough and from his observations of the last six years he knew that the other wizard did not want to be above anyone else. But how to approach Harry Potter when he did not even know where he was? There was only one person he could ask, his Head of House, Severus Snape. The only problem was that if there were no lessons he did not want to be disturbed.

Draco contemplated the risk of angering Severus Snape and possibly getting seriously hurt or waiting to talk about this until the evening. Realising that he couldn't wait until evening he stood up and went to the entrance of the common room, leaving to an uncertain meeting. He hoped that he would survive with everything still intact and in working order.

Draco was startled out of his thoughts by the portrait in front of him swinging open. He saw the annoyed look on the face of his Professor and decided to better hurry with what he had to say before the Potions Master decided to do something to him.

"I'm sorry to disturb you sir, but this is pretty important and…," Draco knew that Snape was a Death Eater, but his father had called him a traitor often enough. So should he trust him or not? Well, now it is too late to think about that, if I just decide that the reason I came isn't as important as I said than I'll be dead for sure, thought Draco to himself and continued with what he started, "It's about Potter. I know that I never showed anything different, but I don't hate him. In fact, after today's article in the Daily Prophet I came to the conclusion that Potter might be the perfect alley… and…"

Before he could say anything else he was pulled into the room behind the portrait and the entrance closed itself. Severus Snape had a strange expression on his face, one that the young Slytherin could not identify and he was unsure on whether he should continue or not. That decision was made, when his Professor said, "I doubt that what you were about to say should be discussed in the hall where everybody can overhear you, now what were you about to say?"

Not needing to be asked twice Draco continued. "My father always taught me that a Malfoy bows to no one and yet he is doing it at every meeting he goes to and let's just say that this is not where I want to end up, but Dumbledore is not much better, with the Dark Lord you at least know what you're at. Due to the article I realised that maybe Potter is not Dumbledore's puppet as I thought and I think that he might be just the right alternative to both the Dark Lord as well as Dumbledore and I wanted to ask whether you knew anything about what went on with Potter and…"

Before he could continue he was distracted by Minerva McGonagall coming out of an adjourning room.

Severus wondered shortly why the young Malfoy heir stopped before he turned to see what he was staring at. He was surprised to see Minerva there, but before he could ask any questions she was already inviting them into the next room, "Severus, I think that this is better discussed with the rest."

Nodding his head he indicated his student to follow him and returned to the next room. Worrying how Harry would react to Draco Malfoy suddenly appearing.

While Severus went to answer the door Salazar continued to complain about the lack of patience of the people around him, soon followed by agreements from both Poppy and Minerva. Harry couldn't help but feel as if Poppy Pomfrey was complains were mostly about him, he remembered only to well how every time he was in the hospital wing he wanted to be released sooner than the medi witch would like. 'Although', he thought to himself, 'I got more patient lately.'

Which was no wonder with Poppy deciding to explain more about healing to him lately and Harry had to admit that it was an extremely interesting field. Maybe he would decide to become a medi wizard one day. Hearing a faint conversation from the next room he decided he wanted to know who had come, but with the discussion the rest of the room was holding he could not hear anything he could decipher.

Thinking quickly he interrupted the Poppy Pomfrey mid-sentence, "I hope you are not thinking about me with that. You have to admit that I got more patient and am no more annoying you by asking when I'll be released."

This got the required effect. All three suddenly turned to him and seemed to realise that they weren't alone in the room. None of them was able to think about a reply and Harry was finally able to hear what was said in the next room. It didn't take long for him to realise that he was the topic of whoever was speaking. The young wizard would have sworn he recognised the voice as Draco Malfoy's, but why would he want to join his cause? On the other side he did not seem to care about what the article said about him… Harry quickly threw a questioning look at his teacher. As if reading his thoughts she turned to him and soon said, "I'm sure that we all want to hear what Mr. Malfoy has to say. I'll go and ask them to join us."

Harry nodded and watched the witch leave.

Draco wondered what the Head of Gryffindor was doing in his Head of House's living quarters, but only shrugged with his shoulders. He would find out soon enough. However, nothing could have prepared him for what followed. Not only was he led into what was apparently Severus Snape's bedroom, but the bed was also occupied by none other than Harry Potter himself.

TBC…