Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created by JK Rawling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books, Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Thank you for reviewing and for your encouragement to continue this story. CBeMe
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Innocence Lost
By CBeMe
Chapter 2
Found and Lost
Portkeying with two owls and an injured teenager was an experience Severus decided he could forgo in the future. He wasn't sure where they had arrived but it appeared that they were expected. Following the goblins instructions he laid Harry on the couch. He stepped back just a bit so the goblins could inspect the young man.
"Fetch a healer," one of the goblins called out. Severus recognized this goblin as the one who had given him the coins just a few days ago in his vault. "He is worse than we thought."
It seemed the boy had passed out upon their arrival and now he lay limply on the couch as the goblins fussed over him. Was that a female goblin? Severus had never seen a female goblin before. They usually kept out of sight. But here there was one, tucking a pillow under Potters head and covering him with a soft, warm blanket. Human comforts, goblins did not use such nonsense.
"Where is that healer?" groused the female goblin. "Useless…"
Severus agreed with her, useless indeed. From what little he had seen before Potter had been covered up he looked very ill, and extremely thin. He knew the young man had always been on the small side, easily the shortest in his year. School had let out nearly a month ago, if had been locked in that room with the little food Severus had seen in the doorway, then yes, he could have lost a lot of weight since the year ended. He looked at the bruises that marred the unconscious teens face. There was more here than Severus had ever suspected. The question he was asking himself was why hadn't he noticed? He was trained; just as all the other Professors were, to pick up on anything unusual about their charges. He had helped other students in difficult circumstances. But with this boy, Potter, he had not only missed the signs he had a complete set of false memories. Things he knew now but had been either twisted or completely falsified previously. How could he not have noticed? Severus was an accomplished Occulmens as well Legilimens. There should have been no possible way for this to have happened to him. Yet, it did. And it had taken an owl to undo it. There had to be something special about Heros. He patted the owl on its head and shifted a little closer as the Healer hurried in.
"Back off now," the Healer ordered. "I need some room to work."
Only the goblin that initially ordered the healer and the female goblin remained close, puzzling Severus in the extreme. These two seemed especially concerned about Potter's well being.
"Merlins sake!" gasped the healer. "What happened to the child?"
Severus stepped forward. "I retrieved the boy from his relatives not long ago. This is the condition I found him in and why I removed him."
"And you are?"
"Professor Severus Snape."
"Potions Master at Hogwarts?" at his nod she continued. "I may need a few things later. Will you be able to make them?"
"Anything I can do to assist."
As the Healer worked Severus took the opportunity to examine his surroundings. They were in an office. Behind the desk was a large window looking down over Diagon Alley. The couch Potter lay on was pushed against a wall covered with heavy wooden bookcases. Another wall held file drawers. Two guards stood in front of the door, Severus assumed there were more outside. The entire office was well and comfortably appointed but he didn't see any personal artifacts that might help him to discern whose office it was. He looked back toward the desk and examined it more closely. On the corner sat a gold nameplate it was labeled simply 'Ambassador.'
The healer worked steadily for nearly two hours before she stepped back. "He is stable, but he will still need fever, pain relieving, and dreamless sleep potions, skelegrow, and bruise salve. And I will need to notify the Aurors of this abuse."
Severus was sure that his heart stopped. "It cannot get out that I had anything to do with removing the boy from his home. I would lose my job."
"Nonsense, Professor. Part of your job is to protect the children under your care. You would not be dismissed for carrying out this part of your duties."
"You do not understand Madam. This young man was placed in his relatives care by Headmaster Dumbledore himself. He was very insistent that the boy should stay there and no one was permitted to contact him. The Headmaster even redirected the teen's owl post to come to himself instead of to the boy. I not only visited him and took him a letter against orders, I removed him. I would most certainly be fired."
"Why would the Headmaster be so involved with this child's home life?" asked the healer.
Surely the woman could not be that stupid, Severus glared at her.
"Madam," the goblin called. He waved a hand over Harry's forehead uncovering his famous scar. "You understand now why this is a delicate situation and why he is here, one of the most secure places in the wizarding world."
The Healer gawked at the boy she had minutes before been working on. "That is Harry Potter?" The woman blinked in disbelief. "How could something like this happen to Harry Potter? I thought he was protected?"
"He was protected, from wizards who might want to do him harm. There was no protection from his Muggle relatives," stated Severus.
"He is Harry Potter! How could anyone not notice what was happening to him at home?" the Healer glared at Severus. "You are one of his professors aren't you? You see him all the time during the school year. How could you not have noticed?" she shrieked.
"I have no excuse. My memories of Mr. Potter seem to have been tampered with. I have no idea how or why. Only that this owl released some of them."
"Heros released your memories?" asked the goblin. He looked thoughtfully at the owl. "I think it is more likely that Harry released your memories through the owl. Heros belongs to Harry. They were together from when Heros was first given to Harry until he was sent to live with the Dursley's. There was a very close bond between the two, perhaps it has not faded."
"What about this owl?" Severus indicated the snowy owl on his other shoulder.
"Another gift, from Mr. Hagrid I believe." He looked at the sick owl. "Send for food for this owl and a two owl perch, also whatever Professor Snape needs to make these potions." He ordered one of the guards and handed him the Healers list. "We were not prepared for this. We needed Mr. Potter here for the reading of Mr. Blacks will, but he cannot return to that family." The goblin paced in the center of the room. "Send for the Aurors and sound the alert to secure Gringotts."
Having no idea what the goblin meant by his last request Severus paid close attention when he walked over to a large painting on the wall and touched the frame. The image disappeared leaving in its place a map of the world labeled with white lights indicating the different branches of Gringotts Bank. Severeus' eyes widened, the goblin had ordered the securing of Gringotts worldwide. One by one the white lights changed to blue except for the light in London, England. It changed to red. A guard entered and announced the arrival of Bill Weasley. The goblin left to meet with the man, leaving the door open enough that the occupants could overhear the conversation.
"Griphook," so that was the goblins name. "Why are we on red alert when there is no indication of an attempted robbery?"
"We are protecting." Griphook answered.
The words rang through Severus' head. Protect that which is ours. He looked at the young man stretched out still on the couch. Potter was a human boy, not a goblin.
Footsteps approached. "Griphook,"
"Mr. Moody, not that I am not ungrateful but why has a retired Auror answered our summons?"
"A report of child abuse, submitted by a bank, was considered suspect at best. They weren't going to investigate. I volunteered to check it out. I've never known Gringotts to submit a false report."
"Child abuse is why we are on alert?" asked Bill.
"You swore an oath upon you employment with Gringotts Bank, yet I hear of your involvement with an organization called 'The Order of the Phoenix' can you explain?"
"My parents are members."
"I am a member as well," reported Moody.
"Then I ask you both, where do your loyalties lie?"
"My loyalties are with Gringotts." "My loyalties are with the law." They answered immediately.
Griphoook thought about their answers for a minute before asking them to follow him and ordering the guard to bring in the potion ingredients. Severus had moved to a corner of the room hidden by shadow and now watched them enter.
"Harry Potter?"
"What is the meaning of this?"
"We sent Mr. Potter a letter requesting his presence for the reading of Mr. Blacks will. We included a portkey, understanding that he is underage and would be unable to apparate. He arrived in terrible condition. This Mediwitch attended to him before you were called."
Moody looked at the teen. "He was worse when he arrived?"
"That is correct."
"Then how did he use a portkey? He doesn't look like he could read a letter let alone travel."
Severus stepped out of the darkness. Moody would continue searching until he found the truth, hiding was a waste of time. "I retrieved him using the portkey Gringotts sent."
A fake eye examining you is disconcerting, but Severus didn't show it.
"About time you got a backbone," commented the grizzly Auror. "Your memories been tampered with as well?"
"Yes."
"Never eat or drink anything at Hogwarts."
"At Hogwarts?" asked the Professor.
"It is a potion enforced by a spell. I don't know who is responsible but they keep changing which food or drink it is placed in. It is easiest to simply avoid eating or drinking anything at all. Bring a personal house elf to the school to see to your needs."
It was an old practice. The Headmaster had ended the privilege of allowing students to bring a personal elf to school as soon as he was promoted. Only one of the professors still kept a personal servant instead of using a school elf for their needs, Trelawney. Severus did not have the means to purchase an elf nor did he want to be kept in such eccentric company. He would have to find another way around the tampering.
"It would not be out of order to protect yourself at Grimwald Place as well."
"My mother would not…"
"Your mother might not notice if an ingredient she was using had been interfered with," interrupted Moody.
"I am not going to run around with a hip flask like some overly paranoid idiot."
"How did you find out your memories were being altered?" asked Severus.
"I always take several counter potions when I return home from outings, just to be safe. I found the memory modifications years ago. It was what made me start using the flask." He tapped the metal container in his pocket. "I can go without eating, but I sure get thirsty."
Severus meanwhile was contemplating doing exactly what Bill Weasley was refusing, using a flask. The Headmaster insisted that staff, especially the heads of the houses, eat in the great hall. If he could put the counter potion in the flask he might be able to neutralize the results before they affected him.
Moody looked toward the Healer. "You have a list of his injuries and possible causes?" he took the list form the Mediwitch and looked it over. "Professor Snape, tell me about his condition, surroundings, and everything that happened with your retrieval of Mr. Potter."
Using the desk as a work table, Severus started the pain reliving potion as he explained the evening's activities to Moody.
A grunt from Moody ended the tale. "I don't know how we are going to get past the wards to check this out. Dumbledore strengthened them in the spring. Even the guards cannot get closer than a couple blocks away. How did you get in?"
Severus looked at the owl.
"No, Heros didn't get you past the wards. They are blood wards, only blood relatives could enter the area. It was even warded against Goblins," insisted Griphook.
"I have no blood relation to the Potters," growled Severus, insulted.
"Harry wouldn't have a blood relation to the Potters either without the adoption."
"I do not have any brothers, sisters, or children," he insisted.
"No brother or sisters that you know of. I think I remember something about you being disinherited," mentioned Griphook.
Severus stopped arguing. He had been disinherited in his seventh year at Hogwarts right after his parents discovered his Dark Mark and allegiance to Voldemort. They needed another heir, and would do everything in their power to have one. Boy or girl, just one more child. The boy on the couch had dark hair, and pale skin. He would have been born a year or two after Severus' graduation. No, he wouldn't even think it!
"As for how to get past the wards, they will come down with the reading of Mr. Blacks will."
"We will need Dumbledore to be otherwise occupied at the same time, so we can investigate unhindered."
"He was trying to get the Letter we sent to Mr. Potter, correct?" asked Griphook.
Severus nodded as he counted stirs of the skelegrow potion.
"I don't like the idea but why don't we invite him to the reading? I am sure that is why he was so interested in the letter. He is powerful, yes, but not as formidable without his wand. I am sure we can keep his interest long enough for you to get in and out of the Dursley home. The problem will be protecting Mr. Potter from our dear Headmaster during the reading."
"That my dear friend is easy," said a kindly old voice. "I hope you do not mind my intrusion."
"We welcome you Lord Dumbledore," Griphook bowed to the new arrival.
"You simply request the presence of the entire Council for the reading of a brother Lords will. I will attend, leaving my younger brother in control of only one seat. The Council will once again be in balance. Albus may not be especially talented in wandless magic but several other members are. He will be restrained by the very organization he has long fought to control."
It seemed that Alberforth Dumbledore was not quite as 'eccentric' as his brother had led everyone to believe.
"It will be done as you command, my Lord. Should we invite the heirs as well?"
"Yes, let the boy meet his equals."
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Hours had passed since Severus Snape first arrived, the sun now shone brightly through the window. Potter had been awoken just enough to pour several potions down his throat, the dreamless sleep returning him to his former state. Owls had been dispatched. Moody had left to assemble his team. Bill Weasley was now pacing the floor attempting to bring some semblance of order to his thoughts. And Severus sat in a leather armchair, watching an injured young man sleeping peacefully on the couch, and waiting for Lord Snape to arrive.
The reading was scheduled for 11AM, but the first Lord arrived at 9AM. It had been many years since the council had been allowed to meet, but Lord Snape had always been a leader. His wand had been left at the door. No one would be permitted to enter Gringotts with a wand until the alert was over. Its absence did not affect his purposeful stride or powerful voice. Severus had never seen his father hug anyone beside his mother and himself, but there the man was, hugging the Lord of Dumbledore. He took just a minute to welcome the man back before asking what was so important about this will reading. He had not yet noticed his son, Severus, waiting for him.
Patience is not a word often associated with the foul tempered potions master. "Father," he asked sharply, his right hand gripping his left arm. He was going to get his answer first, before anyone else. "Did you have another son?" He had the man's attention now. Unfortunately, he was not receiving an answer. "I retrieved that boy from behind blood wards." He indicated the still form of Harry Potter.
His father followed his gaze to the couch. "Yes," he replied tersely. "We needed another heir."
"You sent him away?"
"After what happened with you, we felt we had to protect him better."
No further explanation was needed. Severus knew very well what had happened with him. It did not however change the condition of the young man on the couch. Severus knew his parents very well and knew, without a doubt, that had they kept the child he would not be in the state he was in now. Yet they had sent their second son away, because of him.
Lord Snape walked over to the teenager and pushed the fringe off his forehead. "I had no idea."
"We now know how he defeated Voldemort as a baby. At the time the curse was cast the child was the Lord apparent of Potter, and an heir thrice beyond that. Tom Riddle is only the heir of Slytherin. Had Harry been casting the curse instead of it rebounding off him, Voldemort would have been destroyed for good." Lord Dumbledore stated quietly.
"An heir thrice?" questioned Lord Snape.
"He is heir to Dumbledore through his adoptive mother."
Severus choked a sob. The boy he had belittled for so many years was his brother. His brother was sprawled on the couch recovering from broken bones and starvation. Albus Dumbledore had sent his brother to live with those Muggles! He pulled is wand from his sleeve and pointed it across the room. "Revealos Familia." There it was. Floating over the sleeping teen, names connected by lines, was a simple family tree. The spell revealed not one, but three sets of parents and a spare.
"Yes, today Mr. Potter will receive his second Lordship." Griphook stated.
Griphook. That was one of the names. Glade was his partner. We will protect that which is ours. A goblin had adopted a human child.
"Many people wanted to protect this child," explained Griphook.
Goblin proof wards at Privet Drive, the updated wards at Hogwarts, Grimwauld Place. "When Sirius Black was sentenced to Azkaban Mr. Potter should have been brought to you?"
"Even before that. If Mr. Black had received custody he would have brought Harry to see us. It is in the Potters will."
"Was the Potter's will ever read?"
"On the orders of the head of the UK's Wizard Council it was released to Albus Dumbledore."
By 10AM the bulk of the council had arrived, by 10:30 they all understood that they were needed to help keep order. At 10:45 Albus Dumbledore arrived, bargaining with the guards to permit him to keep his wand. 10:55, Albus was escorted into the meeting room wandless, questioning the presence of the Council of Lords. At 10:59 Harry Potter was carried in by Lord Alberforth Dumbledore.
"How did Mr. Potter get here? I will see to his interests, he must be returned to his home immediately," reproached Albus as he moved to take possession of the wounded young man. "He should not have left."
Several goblin guards moved to intercept Albus preventing him from reaching his goal.
"Mr. Potter was attendance was requested for the reading of Mr. Blacks will. If you return to your seat we can proceed," snarled Griphook.
"I think Mr. Potter's safety is more important than his presence here. This is only a reading, I can tell him about his inheritance later. It is not worth risking an attack from Voldemort. He must return home."
"Perhaps you are underestimating our other guests. Voldemort has taken many steps to increase his power and prevent his death, but he would be foolish indeed to attack a room filled with the entire Council of Lords. Mr. Potter will be quite safe during these proceedings."
"The longer this lasts, the more time Voldemort has to plan an attack when we return him."
"We can make further arrangements after the reading. Mr. Potter will remain."
Harry was tired, having just been shaken out a deep sleep, still under the influence of the dreamless sleep potion he had been given early that morning. His body still ached, but he was relieved to be able to breathe without the sharp chest pains that had accompanied the movement previously. Without his glasses, which had been broken by his uncle several weeks before, he could see little of the room he was being carried into. After he was set down at a table in the front of the room, a bell sounded signaling the start.
"Those who are named in the will of Sirius Black, please take a seat at the table." Several people stood and started to move. "I will call your names."
Harry wasn't sure he wanted to be here. Should a person attend the will of someone they killed? He was certain it was his fault his godfather was dead. If only he had not believed that false vision from Voldemort. But, he was already seated at the front so he assumed he was on the list and he was far to exhausted to walk out.
Harry Potter
Remus Lupin
Nymphradora Tonks
"We will begin. Mr. Potter, Mr. Lupin, Ms. Tonks will you please touch the globe on the table?"
As Harry reached a limp hand across the table he caught Professor Lupin watching him with concern. When his hand reached the globe a light shot out of it forming into a glowing white model of Sirius Black.
"Hello, and welcome to the reading of Sirius Blacks will, presented by your host, Sirius Black. Hey, this is great. Everyone important is here, and a few extra important people," the light figure of Sirius said looking around the crowded room. He turned back towards Harry. "I am sorry. I never intended to leave you. I hope I died living my life. If I died at home in my sleep of old age I am not happy! I wanted to be there when you graduate from Hogwarts, meet the woman of your dreams and had children of your own, but if you are watching this then I won't be. I am with you mum and pop now, wherever we are. Albus calls it the next great adventure. Remember Harry we are watching out for you, you will never be alone. And whatever happened to me, it was not your fault! Knowing you, you are probably blaming yourself for my death. It doesn't work that way kiddo.
"Now I'd better get on to the details. Due to the messy deaths of all the other males in my family, I am the sole surviving heir. Now that I am no longer surviving, and had no children of my own, the Black family could have ended, our Lordship forgotten and our name no more. I however, could not let that happen. Harry, when your parents asked me to be your godfather we took the usual proceeding a step further and included an adoption clause. It stated that if I died without a son you would become my heir in name and blood. Actually you would be an heir even if I had children but would be the heir if I had no sons. I don't know if this is making any sense. Regardless, congratulations! You are now Harry Black-Potter and have two Lordships to your name. And you haven't even graduated yet, aren't you cute. I assume that is why all these other important gentlemen chose to attend. You get, well, just about everything! Now, before you get all excited this will is tied to your parents will. I have come to understand that their will was never read, it needs to be. The exception is one of the houses, you know which one. That house is yours. I know that I did not speak fondly of it but don't let that stop you from making a home out of it if you want. You have full control over who you have in your house, and who you do not. If you need any help kicking people out see the goblins. Gringotts will be the trustee until the instructions in the Potter will are carried out or you become of age.
"Just one more thing, Harry, I am sure a lot of people will be willing to help you with the Lordship thing. It can be difficult to know whose advice to accept. I suggest Snape. Not that Snape, Lord Snape, his father. My father absolutely hated him, which is as good a recommendation as you can get. He is known for being fair and honest, I trust him to give you good advice. I am giving him and only him consent to take you to meetings of the council, if there are any it hasn't met for about 70 years, until you become of age. Relax the Snape family is one example of the apple falling far, far from the tree. Just like the Blacks!
"My dearest Nymphradora, your ties to the Black family were nonexistent due to the disowning of your mother. I hereby restore them. Your future as a Black is your fealty to your Lord. There is nothing more I can give you.
"Now, my dear friend Remus, I know I said Harry got everything but that wasn't quite accurate. I do have a small gift for you, one hundred thousand gallions kind of small. There is just one thing that you need to do before you receive the gold. I am tying your inheritance to the Potters will as well, with just one little change. Harry will inherit upon coming of age regardless, for you however the will must be read. I don't care if it takes a hundred years! Harry deserves to know what his parents had to tell him. I am leaving it in your hands to help him find out. And no, the interest goes to Harry until that will is read.
"I love you all, take care of each other."
If he hadn't already been numb from pain relieving potions Harry was certain he would have been crying before Sirius finished his introduction, as it was he was blinking repeatedly trying to keep the tears from falling by the end.
"I don't know how Mr. Potter got here, but he needs to be returned to his home immediately," ordered Albus Dumbledore as he pushed by Lord Henderson.
"Professor Dumbledore, it looks to me like Harry belongs in the hospital. Perhaps taking him to St. Mungos would be more appropriate," stated Neville Longbottom loudly. His loyalty to his friend gave him the courage to speak up to the Headmaster.
"Mr. Longbottom, what are you doing here?"
"All of the Lords and the Heirs were invited to this reading, Headmaster. I am heir of Longbottom."
Severus Snape stood in a far corner hidden by shadows. This was the first time in many years that his mind was unclouded and he was anxious to see how everyone behaved.
"I don't want anyone to be hurt," whispered Harry, his head pillowed by his arm on the table.
"Yes, Mr. Potter everyone will be much safer when you are back at your home. You wouldn't want Voldemort to attack innocent people at the hospital trying to get to you, would you?"
A mental snort revealed Severus' opinion of the obvious guilt trip the Headmaster was playing on his student. He wondered how often the respected wizard encouraged the youth to set aside his own wellbeing for the supposed benefit of others. Was this where Mr. Potter's recklessness stemmed from?
"Are you calling Gringotts Bank unsafe, Professor Dumbledore?" growled Griphook.
"Of course not, Gringotts is one of the safest places in the wizarding world, right along with Hogwarts. But he cannot stay here. Mr. Longbottom is correct. Harry Potter needs the care his family can provide. One should be with those that love them in difficult times."
"We have a healer here for him." Griphook waved toward the mediwitch waiting by the door. "He can remain until he is well. This is, as you said, one of the safest places."
"He is just depressed. He refuses to eat what his family provides and is not caring for himself. Once he gets past his grief he will be fine," retorted Albus.
"What exactly are you doing to help him 'get past his grief' may I ask?" inquired Alberforth Dumbledore.
"It has been many years since you have been seen, my brother. May I inquire as to what brings you out?"
"I was summoned as Lord of Dumbledore. It was my duty to attend."
"I have been seeing to the interests of Dumbledore. You needn't have bothered yourself."
"As much as your assistance was appreciated, your close attendance to family duties will no longer be required. I am sure you could better use your time in your responsibilities at Hogwarts. Here, I will assist you." Alberforth waved his hand and the Dumbledore crest on Albus' cloak clasp changed from Lord Gold to Heir Silver. "Let your burden be lightened."
With his eyes narrowed into an appraising squint, Severus snape watched Albus Dumbledore weigh the room. The men who surrounded the man were his equals, his betters actually. He bore no relation to the house he had asserted Lordship of. Without the ability to exercise his brothers rights the Council in balance again. The Council would not permit Albus to remove their brother Lord, they had made that clear. There was nothing more he could accomplish here today.
"Good day gentlemen," Albus Dumbledore turned and left.
Severus Snape watched and waited. There was no reason to reveal his presence just yet. He examined the room, or more accurately the heirs in the room. There were a few that still attended Hogwarts, Longbottom, Rice, Zambani, Ethbert, and Potter. Longbottom, Zambani, and Potter should have already received their full Lordships. Being the eldest living, or capable in the case of the Longbottoms, age should have made no difference. Imagine being a Lord before your second birthday. Zambani was different. His father had not died until just a few years ago. When the young man was eight, Severus believed.
Moves had been made long before these boys were born to prevent underage wizards from leading their houses. He remembered his father raving about the decision when he was young.
"The children will just be pawns. Someone else will really be making the decisions," his father had mocked.
Not that giving the children their rightful Lordships would have made a difference, at that time. It was years later that another dual Lord arose, one that could challenge the combined house of Dumbledore and Slytherin. The day Sirius Black was thrown into Azkaban, the toddler Harry James Potter took control of the Black Family as heir instead of the full Lordship he should have claimed.
Many controversial laws had been passed in the past fourteen years. Increased restrictions on magical creatures, expansion of the dark magic classifications, reduction of muggle spouses of wizards rights, all had been publicly opposed by Albus Dumbledore. All had been passed by the head of the Wizards Council without a vote, or even meeting, of the full Council. A second dual Lord would have been an equalizing power forcing, at least discussion, if not voting on Council decisions.
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Meanwhile, two blocks east of number four Privet Drive, retired Auror Alastor Moody moved his team into position. The five aurors he had accompanying him had not been told what they were investigating only that it was top secret. The wards would come down sometime during the reading of Sirius Blacks will, scheduled to begin at 11:00AM. His team needed to be quick and efficient. Dumbledore could show up at any time, ruining their investigation.
"They're down! Go," ordered Moody.
Evidence was collected, pictures taken, and the Dursleys were interrogated asked for blood samples and then obliviated. Moody's team was in and out within thirty minutes. They could have spent longer but the sound of an apparition nearby necessitated a quick departure. Still, the evidence was enough to paint a very disturbing picture of Harry Potter's life at home with his muggle relatives, enough for a warrant for the arrest of Vernon and Petunia Dursley and enough for an investigation into the placement of an infant Harry Potter into their home. Before submitting a copy of his report to his supervisor, Alastor Moody delivered the original to Gringotts. It would not do for the only copy of such a controversial report to be accidentally misfiled.
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Exhausted, Professor Snape dragged himself up the entrance path to Hogwarts. Between the meeting of the Order of the Phoenix at Grimmauld Place that afternoon, and Voldemorts summons that evening, he had not had a very good day. Snape was unsure of which of his two masters were angrier, Dumbledore because Harry Potter had 'run away' from the safety of his relatives home or Voldemort because the Council was now meeting again undermining his control of the wizarding world through the Minisrty of Magic. Neither of the gatherings had gone well for him.
Severus had escaped the Headmaster's attention at Gringotts that morning. So several hours after the conclusion of the reading when he joined the rest of the Order he were welcomed warmly. Albus Dumbledore's announcement that Harry Potter had run away from Privet Drive was greeted with surprise. Feeling a strong gaze upon him, Severus looked up at Moody who took a long drink from his flask. The message was clear. Severus had a part to play. He could not be discovered yet.
"Thinks he is too good for his own family now, does he?" sneered Snape.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled merrily. "Severus, he is most likely overcome with grief and not thinking clearly. Perhaps Hermione and Ron would be kind enough to write him outlining the danger he is in away from Privet Drive. We wouldn't want him to be hurt, or taken by Voldemort."
"Of course we will help, Professor. We will write him right away." Hermione and Ron ran out of the room, followed by Ginny.
"I don't think being abandoned at Privet Drive without contact with anyone was the best thing for Harry, Professor. Are you planning to send him back there when you find him?" asked Fred Weasley, his twin nodding beside him.
"It is the safest place. I can do no more to protect him," stated Albus sadly. "I saw a queue outside Gringotts when I passed by there during my search, do you know what it was about?"
"Some security issue, I understand," answered George.
"There were no reports of a break-in, I checked with the Aurors. I hope it is not a rebellion. It is that last thing we need right now. Perhaps I should move my assets to a more stable place."
"Albus, regardless of the nonsense Professor Binns teaches. Goblin rebellions, as you well know, are exceedingly rare. There has not been a time in recorded history that a goblin rebellion has occurred without being preceded by extensive negotiations on their part to try to settle the disputes. This heightening of security should not be cause for alarm. Personally, I am happy to see them increasing their vigilance."
"That is off our topic," retorted Albus. "I have already attempted all magical means of locating Harry. He has somehow masked himself from magical detection. We must find him before Voldemort does. I will assign each of you an area to search. Be thorough, he could be hiding anywhere."
Relief flooded Severus when he was assigned Diagon Alley. Not even Albus' private instructions pairing him with Bill Weasley to investigate Gringotts bothered him. Plans had been set in motion that afternoon to protect young Mr. Potter from both Albus Dumbledore and Voldemort. Searching Diagon Alley put Severus Snape in the perfect position to carry out his part in the arrangement.
Albus Dumbledore was correct about one thing. Harry Potter would not remain safe at Gringotts for long. Tomorrow actions would be taken to assure the young man's protection.
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