Can they make a difference?
Chapter 18: Recovering
Pairings: G/V, HP/DM, SS/RL, RW/HrmG
Disclaimer: I own nothing except newborns and OCs
WARNING: Go back to chapter 1
Notes: I'm updating! I would like to say thank you to all who have reviewed
V: I'm sure that you will figure something out with the computer part, but I'm glad to hear from you. I'll email soon. We have some catching up to do, miss chatting with you :-)
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The Governors seated themselves at the extended table for the hearing that was about to commence. A few minutes later Minister Fudge walked in.
"We're not going to waste any of our time with this hearing Fudge. Basically the incident that happened in Hogsmead should never have occurred," the Governess opened, hands resting folded on top of a manila file folder.
"We were told by over a dozen Aurors and civilians that the conflict was brought about by the illegal arrest of Vegeta, who just so happens to be the Crown Prince of Vegetasei. I am sure that you are well aware that because of this Prince Vegeta has diplomatic immunity from our laws," another Governess spoke, clearly irritated.
"What do you have to say regarding this Fudge?"
The Minister was fidgeting in his seat not able to look any of them in the eyes.
"I did not know that he was even in the holding cell until he appeared exiting the building," Fudge said in his weak defense.
The Governors whispered among themselves. The first Governess spoke again, "We have here a written order for the arrest of Son, Vegeta. Signed by you."
Fudge fumed at the accusation. "I never gave that order!" he shouted. "You forged that document!" Fudge pointed a fat finger at Malfoy.
The aristocrat didn't bat an eyelash. Lucius was used to people of accusing him of one thing or another. He lifted an eyebrow amused. "I assure you I had nothing to do with your blunder. In fact, we've had the parchment examined and found that it has your magical seal of approval on it," Lucius responded.
Lucius paced the length of the table in front of the other Governors. His shiny black dress shoes echoed in the stillness of the courtroom. Stormy grey eyes were unreadable. "Fudge as the Minister of Magic you are supposed to know at all times the activities of each and every facility. Clearly, you are no longer fit to keep up with the demands of Wizarding Law Enforcement."
"We will take a short recess and return with the final verdict."
The Governors exited the side door leaving Dumbledore and Fudge alone.
"The Board will not rule against me. How could they side with Vegeta over one of their own?" Fudge insisted.
"Prince Vegeta is eligible to be our Wizarding Monarch because of his family's history. Besides his use of ki, which can be considered to be magic, he also possesses a high level of telepathy. If he so chooses, Prince Vegeta can lay claim to the vacant throne and rule the Wizarding world."
"That's not possible! He's nothing – nothing more than a common Muggle. Albus, you can't stand there and tell me that animal is a telepath. Telepaths have long since vanished from the earth, so how can he, of all people, be one?"
"Like I said before, his family has long history of magic. That was one of the reasons Frieza was after King Vegeta and his wife and sister-in-law. It seems that telepathy usually skips generations; King Vegeta and didn't have any type of telepathic abilities. According to historical records, another inherited ability that skips generations is the ability to move objects…"
Fudge small eyes expanded at that realization. "Telekinesis?"
Dumbledore nodded his head and continued, "The king and queen were both telekinetic. Now since the Prince didn't inherit that ability I'm quite sure his daughter will start showing signs of one if not both."
"You planned this…" Fudge gestured around the room. "What are you trying to do me, Albus?"
"You did this to yourself Cornelius. If you listened to Harry the first time about Voldemort's return all of this unpleasantness could have been avoided. Although, I do feel that you had an active role in the Dark Lord's most recent scheme," Dumbledore accused, looking over his wire-rimmed spectacles.
"Damn you, Albus! How dare you even consider that I would-" Fudge was cut off as the Governors returned with their verdict.
Malfoy stood and unrolled a parchment. "Cornelius Fudge, you are hereby relieved of duty as Minister of Magic for the reckless endangerment of lives. You are also fined 500 thousand Galleons and sentenced to one year of community service for the damage done to Hogsmead." Lucius read the order and gazed hard at Fudge. "Have your office cleared out by the end of the week, and just so you know you have no possibility of re-election in the future."
The senior Malfoy smirked as the ex-Minister turned beet red from anger. The only thing that ran through Fudge's mind was - /Voldemort played you Fudge…/ Snape's voice rang out in his head like a sledgehammer.
Fudge exited the courtroom only to bump into "Weasley!"
"Oh, hello Minister," Arthur greeted him with a cheery smile.
"What the devil are you doing here?"
"I was just told to come for a hearing. I have no idea why."
Just then Professor Dumbledore peered from behind the chamber door. "Arthur, the Governors are ready for you now."
"Well it was good seeing you again, Fudge," Arthur said before entering behind the Headmaster.
As soon as the senior Weasley walked in Lucius confronted him.
"It seems once again that any one can be in charge," Malfoy sneered.
The statement confused Arthur until Dumbledore clarified. "The Governors have decided unanimously to appoint you to the position of Minister of Magic, Arthur."
"I thought Fudge-"
Lucius scoffed. "Has proved in a time of emergency that he is utterly worthless."
"So the rumors are true?"
"Yes, it's true! He let those barbaric Saiyans rip Hogsmead asunder. The Governors and I are still amazed that he didn't let them near Hogswarts," Lucius hissed through clenched teeth. "Merlin only knows how damn close they were."
Arthur was floored. He couldn't believe that he just landed the position of Minister but that would mean…
"I heard that Professor Snape was arrested?"
"Oh, yes," Lucius deviously smirked and handed Arthur a sealed document. "Your first official duty as Minister will be presiding over Snape's trial." If Arthur's eyes didn't jump out of his head when he was promoted then they did now.
"All the information and accounts are in there for you to review. You have one week. The trial is scheduled for this coming Monday. Now, if you all will excuse me – I'm meeting my wife for lunch."
Lucius strode purposefully out of the chamber. The other Governors congratulated Arthur and slowly filed out as well. Arthur's head was still reeling. He couldn't wait to get home to tell his family. He knew Molly would be thrilled.
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Vegeta was sitting up in bed by the time Madame Pomfrey made her rounds. She did a complete check-up and released him to finish recuperating back in his tower. He was to remain in bed for the rest of the week.
He didn't move when the door creaked open. He recognized the fresh earthly scent of his lover.
"Geta?"
Silence.
"Geta, please. I'm sorry – I didn't mean to hurt you. I just got carried away," Kakarott half sobbed pleading with his mate to forgive him.
Obsidian orbs hesitantly looked-up to acknowledge the sorrowful voice.
"It wasn't you Kakarott," Vegeta finally whispered. "It was that fuckin' snake. He spelled the room to suppress my ki. I couldn't do anything."
Kakarott tried reaching for his lover but Vegeta shied away from his touch.
"I'm sorry Kakarott but I can't…not now…give me some time."
The other Saiyan quietly raised from his seat and left. He could do nothing but abide by his mate's wishes.
Vegeta sadly watched his mate leave the room. He hadn't told Kakarott why he couldn't face him - Voldemort had used a potion to look like the Earth-raised Saiyan when he was attacked. The prince turned away, reaching over to the bedside table to grab the phial Poppy left. He pulled out the stopper and downed the Dreamless-Sleep potion. He wanted a peaceful rest before going back to the tower.
How in Kami's name was he going to be able to face his mate again? Would Kakarott still want him after another male had had his way with him? Vegeta promptly fell asleep with a lot of questions on his mind but the answers were going to have to wait until morning.
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Remus woke to the sound of deep breathing coming from behind him. Golden eyes focused on a tan arm draped across his distended belly. He looked over to his husband sleeping contently. Remus exhaled slowly. As carefully as he could, the werewolf untangled himself from his lover's secured embrace to waddle to the bathroom.
He winced a little from the dull ached from between his legs as well as something else but couldn't quite place the texture. He could only guess that it was something slender with a bulky feel to it. Remus limped slightly as the pressure from his full kidneys became more noticeable.
To his horrified discovery that something slender and bulky was a pad Poppy no doubt placed there. He noted some clear fluid mixed with blotches of blood. Why would he have blood? Unless…
Remus' heart rate sped up and he placed his hands on his stomach, but he couldn't feel the babies to see if they were doing all right.
"Remus?"
A muffled call of his name startled him. "In here Poppy," Remus shakily answered from inside the bathroom. He put all other thoughts aside and went about relieving his bladder. After he washed and dried his hands, Remus greeted the mediwitch with a bright forced smile.
"How are you feeling today, dear?" she asked while lighting candles around the room.
"A bit sore. Overly tired and hungry," he answered after settling back in bed. Severus still hadn't woken.
"You came close to miscarrying, dear. Thankfully, I managed to stop the contractions. I've dressed you with a pad because when Severus brought you in Remus you had some bleeding. Well, let me have a look at you."
Poppy ran her hands over Remus' stomach. She smiled every once in a while as the babies moved under her gentle touch. At this point Severus stirred to lowered voices in the room.
"Good afternoon Severus," Poppy beamed as she propped-up Remus' legs for a below the waist exam. The lycanthrope turned red. He hated this.
Severus nodded his head and turned to his lover. "About bloody time you woke-up. I've been so worried about you," he said. His voice still groggy with sleep but the silkiness of it was ever present.
"I – I panicked when the building starting to collapse in on us. Where's Vegeta? Is he all right?" the werewolf instantly remembered the Saiyan.
"Remus must calm yourself. Vegeta will be fine. Now relax. Any more stress might cause fetal distress. Your babies can't take any more," Poppy chastised as gently as she could. She didn't tell him how badly the prince was hurt.
Severus went into the bathroom in order for the mediwitch to finish with her patient's exam. He came back freshly dressed and showered.
"All done," Poppy suddenly announced. "Here are some more changing pads and a mild calming potion. Take only if you need it."
"How are they?" the Potions professor inquired.
"Fine, but like I said before no undue stress. Also, the birthing canal has begun to form. It's only a matter of time now and you still have about four weeks left. Severus, Remus cannot be alone. We need to keep a watchful eye on him- "
"Stop talking about me as if I'm not here!" Remus roared. "We know what's going to happen…either way we're going to lose them."
The silence that followed was broken by the werewolf's sobs. Remus lay back on the bed, turning away from his husband and witch.
Severus wrapped his arms around his lover. Remus didn't protest against the gesture as he continued to cry his eyes out. Nothing ever seemed to go right in his life.
Poppy gave a sad look to the professors. Remus was right – if Severus was found guilty at his trial he would not only lose his children, but his life mate as well. The mediwitch quietly left the couple to go check on Vegeta. Hopefully, he was fairing better.
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The day crawled at a snail's pace in Harry's opinion and his friend's couldn't agree more. He still wasn't allowed to see his godfather, which had caused him to lose control over his magic. Luckily, the damage done outside the hospital wing was minor. He was only told Remus was doing much better than when he was first admitted into the infirmary.
Over the next few days Harry saw very little of Vegeta after he was released from the medical wing. He also saw a lot more of Goku, who had taken up residence on the sofa in the common room. Harry knew that it had to do with Vegeta's short captivity by Voldemort. He was worried. The Saiyan prince was now even more withdrawn than before. Harry was quite sure it was going to be awhile until the short male was his arrogantly charming self.
During the Sunday feast the Great Hall was filled with hushed rumors about why professors Black, Lupin, and Snape were absent. However, conversations took on a different spin when the Potions Master sat down at his usual place, carrying on as if nothing had happened.
However, metallic eyes weren't fooled. Draco saw the dark circles underneath black pools of ink. He knew that his godfather was not having an easy time with Remus and everything else that was going-on. He just wished that there was something he could do to help.
The blonde peered across the table at his fiancé and Hermione. Both she and Harry were making last minute decisions about the fast-approaching ceremony. Mrs. Weasley and his mother owled them constantly with changes and questions about their robes and rings. Draco just let Harry handle everything. He couldn't be bothered with tedious details he felt were meant for women. He knew better than voice his opinion to Harry, so he simply told the green-eyed Gryffindor that he didn't know what he was supposed to do it was much safer for him.
The Slytherin prince prayed that everything would work out. The possibility that something could go wrong was something Draco didn't want to dwell upon.
oOoOo TBC oOoOo
A/N: Wow! Was this a lot to take in? Yeah, it was for me too. Poor Remus so much it happening to him but don't worry he will get his cake and will be able to eat it. Will Vegeta and Goku over come the darkness that has crippled their relationship? Have we seen the last of You-Know-Who? You tell me. Harry and Draco's wedding is nearing will everything go as planned? Dunno, stay tuned and find out.
Nemesis
oOoOoOo Teaser for Chapter 19 oOoOoOo
Mistakes, I've made a few
The defense attoney paced in front of the witness thinking carefully how to phrase his next round of questions.
"Ms. Briefs, you said 'recently'. By that you mean a few years correct?"
Blue hair shook negatively. "No. I mean only by a few month. Professor Snape just went through a heat cycle and claiming ritual, which brought out his fighting and protective instincts. He is very aggressive but he craves to fight just like any Saiyan. The need to fight has been laying in wake for the right opportunity to make itself known."
Enjoy!