AN:
Heyo!
First, I am so sorry for the long wait! I really wanted to get this out before I went on vacation at the end of August, but my brain just wouldn't let me buckle down and write. Plus, I had some preparation for said vacation to do. When I came back, my brain was like "No, let's conceptualize a Mario Kart game that will never happen." THEN Disney Dreamlight Valley came out, and it was like "No, let's play that instead." So, yeah, my brain has been all over the place for the past couple of months. I really thought I could get a decent schedule going, even if it was just once a month. But I couldn't even do that. So, I'm letting y'all know now that updates may be sporadic, but I will see this story through to the end!
Second, I know I could've let y'all know that my brain wasn't cooperating in an author's note update, but I'm trying to have each update have a chapter instead of just a note explaining what's going on. I've been on the other end where I see a story updated only to click it and find an author's note, and it can be disappointing. So, I'm trying to spare y'all that disappointment.
Third, I got a guest review on FF saying, and I quote: "harry potter is not gay so making him gay in a fanfic makes no sense."
Yeah, you read that right. They were nitpicking me making Harry gay in a FANFIC.
FAN. FIC.
Let that sink in for a moment.
. . .
Ok, now that you've had a moment, let me remind that person and anyone who thinks alike that this is a FANFIC. More specifically, it's MY fanfic, which means that while I don't own the characters (except Ivy) or the settings, I can do WHATEVER I WANT with them and their personalities as long as I'm not profiting off of it. So, if you want a straight Harry story, go read the books/watch the movies, or find another fanfic.
Fourth, someone in the comments on Ao3 mentioned Charlie being on the quidditch team in canon. I forgot about that, and as such, I forgot about that being something he and Harry would share in this AU. So, I added a couple parts in relation to that in Chapter 1 when Harry is reminiscing about Charlie. I also added a couple of parts about Remus abandoning Harry and blaming him for Sirius' death, so we'll see what THAT will lead to!
Finally, I want to thank all of you so much for the love you've given this fic. I love reading and responding to your comments, so please keep them coming!
Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk of an author's note. I hope y'all enjoy these chapters!
Key:
Text = Thoughts
P-Text-P = Parseltongue
G-Text-G = Gobbledygook
Synopsis: When Petunia and Vernon leave for their trip, Dudley seeks redemption by taking on the housework and giving Harry a break; Severus prepares to help Harry get away from his relatives for good; Ginny overhears a startling conversation between her mother and the headmaster.
Severus Snape was finishing the last of the potions he needed in his home in Spinner's End. He had taken the time he had to brew many potions, as well as reflect on his past behavior towards Harry Potter. He had always hated the boy for being the splitting image of James Potter, his tormentor when he was a student at Hogwarts. He may have vowed to protect the boy, but he figured that didn't mean he couldn't give himself the comfort and vindication he felt he deserved by being cruel. After all, he had heard how the boy was spoiled and waited on hand and foot by his relatives from the headmaster, so in his mind, there was no difference between his long-gone bully and his spawn.
He couldn't have been led further from the truth.
Tensions between the Potter boy and the potions master had reached new heights during one of their occlumency lessons, which Severus shamefully realized were more opportunities for him to punish the boy for the sins of his father. Having had enough of the boy being "just like his father," Severus had gone into Potter's mind and was shaken by what he saw.
He did not see the boy or his childhood as the headmaster had described it.
He saw a thin, frail boy being forced to do all the chores in the house, only to be rewarded with physical and verbal abuse. The boy was also denied food, and kept in the cupboard under the stairs.
Not only that, but a sickeningly familiar face was responsible for the boy's pain.
Petunia Evans.
The headmaster had placed the Savior of the Wizarding World with Lily's magic-hating sister.
And Petunia wasn't the only one causing Harry such pain. While she inflicted most of the verbal abuse, the physical abuse was done by a whale of a man (presumably her husband) and an overweight boy (likely their son).
Looking back on what Severus saw in the Potter boy's mind led him to reflect on all the signs he missed before. And the hard truth was that the signs were always there. As someone who was abused in his own childhood, Severus recognized these signs. Not just in the Potter boy, but in too many of his other students.
But while he saw to the care of his other students, he was still determined to hate the Potter boy; to pass off his skinny form as ungratefulness toward whatever his relatives were feeding him, and his small portions at Hogwarts meals as ungratefulness toward whatever the house elves in the kitchen had made. The cuts and bruises? Probably the result of reckless actions. The flinching? Well, the boy probably thought he was too good to be touched by beings he felt were lesser than him.
But that was not the case at all.
The Potter boy likely saw Hogwarts as his first-ever home where he could grow as a young wizard, make friends, and be comfortable.
But Severus did not offer the Potter boy the comfort, encouragement, and help he should have provided. No, he felt he deserved vindication after what he went through at the hands of the boy's father, and was cruel to him instead.
What's worse was that potions class was the class that the boy had been looking forward to the most. Severus knew this because in the memories, he had seen the enjoyment that Potter got out of cooking, even though the recipients had not been deserving in the slightest. When the boy had heard about potions, he was excited due to their similarities to cooking.
But Severus ruined that for him.
And so, Severus was forced to see himself as the truly miserable bastard he had become.
But he was also forced to see that the Potter boy needed help and that soon, he would be in a position to provide that help.
He was going to be on guard duty on Privet Drive within the next few days. It would be his first time, since the year before, he was busy running errands for the Dark Lord. Until recently, he was busy doing more of the same. This guard duty shift was his only chance to help the boy, and he wasn't going to let it go to waste.
But first, he needed to go to Gringotts. It was clear that the headmaster wanted to keep the boy he saw as his ultimate weapon with his abusive relatives, as the abuse would make him more malleable to do his bidding. It wouldn't bode well to have the old man discover that the boy was missing and force him to go back. Severus needed a way to make it seem like the boy was still in the house, even though he wouldn't be. If any beings had any tools with such capabilities, it was definitely the goblins.
He also determined that the boy would need some friends on the other side of this. And given what he heard about the youngest Weasley boy and Granger, he figured a certain pair of twins would be the best option.
With all this in mind, Severus retired to his room for the night. The next day, he would begin his road to redemption.
***RotLP***
Vernon threw Harry into his room after yet another beating. The boy was starved, as usual, and was caught trying to smuggle leftovers from dinner into his room.
"FREAKS DON'T DESERVE EXTRA FOOD!" The land whale bellowed, followed by the slam of the bedroom door.
Well, that was just stupid. Harry thought as he struggled on his way to his bed. You'd think I'd have learned to be more careful after all these years. But then again, what's the point of even trying to be careful when fate insists I be caught and beaten every time?
What was worse about this particular beating was that Dudley joined in to double the pain. He realized the mistake he made in hoping Dudley was turning for the better. He also realized that fate was being an even more sadistic bitch than usual by somehow ensuring that Harry doesn't learn his lesson and keeps hoping, only to be trapped in a never-ending cycle of disappointment and hope.
P-Those vile monsters! Just say the word, Harry, and I will end their miserable lives!-P Ivy hissed with a vengeance. P-Of course, your cousin would be spared since he has not harmed you at all lately.-P
P-Believe me, Ivy, nothing would make me happier.-P Harry hissed vindictively. P-But as I've said before, you can't. First of all, the headmaster has his lackeys watching me, and second, I don't want to risk them killing you. And as for my cousin, I would say kill him, too.-P
Ivy wondered why Harry would want his cousin to die until she came to a startling conclusion. P-No… He didn't…-P
P-But he did, Ivy!-P Harry hissed angrily. P-Do you see now?! I had hope!-P The boy spat out the word like the curse he believed it was. P-I had hope that Dudley had changed after last summer, and look where it got me! I also had hope that I could get away with smuggling some food up here for us.-P
P-So, you were hungry as a result of being starved by your relatives and tried to smuggle food up here. The way I see it, your relatives being the despicable excuses for human beings that they are is what got you beaten, not your hope.-P Ivy corrected.
P-What I meant to say was that when I have hope, it always leads to disappointment.-P Harry hissed dejectedly.
P-Tell me, Harry. If your cousin was the same as he was before you saved him, then why would he wait until now to beat you?-P Ivy asked
P-That was fate toying with me through him. That was fate using his "new attitude" to give me hope, only to crush it by having him go back to his old ways.-P" Harry hissed.
P-You don't know that for sure, Harry. You don't know what may have transpired in your cousin's mind since that day.-P Ivy said.
P-Key words: may have.-P Harry hissed cynically. P-Also, he pointed to me when Vernon asked what happened to him. I'm sure you can guess what happened after that.-P
P-Anyway,-P Ivy hissed in an annoyed tone. P-There is a possibility that your cousin may have just been putting on an act to fool his parents.-P
P-I may not know what transpired in his mind since that day, but I do know two things.-P Harry said. P-One, Dudley isn't smart enough to pull off such an act. Two, I know my life. And based on how it has gone so far, fate will continue to make it worse for her own sick enjoyment. They will continue to give me hope only to crush it, trapping me in a never-ending cycle of hope and disappointment.-P
P-First of all, that cycle would actually end when you die.-P Ivy said.
P-Yeah, the jury is still out on whether or not that'll happen. I wouldn't be surprised if fate decided to make me immortal so that her favorite show doesn't end.-P Harry hissed bitterly.
Ivy took a deep breath. She didn't want to get angry at the boy, but he was really irritating her with his self-depreciative remarks. P-Second, I refuse to give in to such toxic beliefs. As I said before, I believe that fate has something far greater in store for you than being your relatives' punching bag or your headmaster's weapon of war. And I will keep saying it until you believe it.-P Ivy encouraged.
P-Oh, really? Then why hasn't fate stepped in to offer me a way out from under their thumbs? Oh, right. It's because I'm her ultimate bitch. How could I forget?-P Harry hissed sarcastically. He then thought to himself that fate actually had made him forget, only to hit him with unbearably cruel reminders on many occasions.
P-Perhaps fate has been busy setting the stage for you to rise to whatever greatness she has in store for you.-P Ivy offered.
P-How can you be so infuriatingly optimistic?!-P Harry hissed irritably.
P-Because you are so heartbreakingly pessimistic. Therefore, I must have enough optimism for both of us.
P-Whatever.-P Harry hissed with a huff. P-Just give it time. One of these days, you'll see that I'm right.-P
P-I flip that statement to you, Harry.-P Ivy said, but Harry did not respond. He pulled the sheets over his body, took his glasses off and put them on the nightstand, laid his head down and closed his eyes. Not because he believed he would actually get any sleep – Fate was sure to plague his mind with nightmares the whole night—but because he wanted to keep his promise to Ivy that he would try.
***RotLP***
Dudley felt even sicker than he had a few days prior.
He knew his actions would make it difficult to get Harry to trust him over the next few days, but it couldn't be helped. He had to participate in the recent beating in order to further convince his parents that he could be left with Harry.
He was getting ready for bed when his parents came into his room.
"We just wanted to hug you goodnight. We'll be gone by the time you wake up," Petunia said as she and Vernon hugged the boy. "Remember, keep the cupboard locked, and keep him locked in his room unless he's doing the chores."
"Or unless you're punishing him," Vernon added. Dudley scoffed internally. Abusing was a more fitting word.
"And he's allowed no more than a slice of toast and meat, no more than twice a day," Petunia continued. "He'll be even more useless to us than he already is if he starves to death."
"Don't worry, mum, I've got this," Dudley assured.
"I just worry about leaving you alone with him," Petunia fretted
Vernon turned his wife to face him. "Pet, remember what we talked about. Where is his stick?"
"Locked away in the cupboard," Petunia answered.
"And who will have the keys?" Vernon answered.
"Our little Dudders," Petunia answered
"And why does he have the keys?" Vernon asked.
"Because he's free from the freak's spell," Petunia answered.
"That's right," Vernon said. Dudley gave his parents a blank stare, but inside, he was disgusted. The scene would have been more wholesome if it wasn't based on abusing Harry.
Vernon turned to face Dudley. "Give it to him good for me, Dud."
Never again, Dudley thought. "I will, dad. Have a good trip."
"Oh, we will," Vernon said triumphantly. He and Petunia left Dudley's room,
"Goodnight Dud, we love you," Petunia said on their way out. They closed the door, leaving Dudley to think.
When he first went to Smelting's Academy, the headmaster mandated physicals for all students. Since Harry's school is also a boarding school, he figured their headmaster (or headmistress, he didn't know) did the same.
If so, wouldn't Harry's report have set off some red flags? And wouldn't they have been able to get more in-depth information – such as who caused his injuries and when they happened—by using magic?
It was strange, Dudley thought. He could only conclude that Harry was overlooked and never got examined. Because if he was examined, the school staff might have figured out that not all was well where he lived, and have gone through the proper channels to have him removed and placed somewhere else (AN: Oh, Dudley… You're giving most of the adults in the UK Wizarding World way, WAY too much credit.).
But what about that giant man that came to retrieve him in the middle of the ocean (Dudley shuddered as he remembered said giant man giving him a pig's tail)? Or what about those redheaded friends of his (Again, he shuddered, remembering how the twins pranked him)? Surely, Harry must have told them.
Then again, Dudley did some research on the type of abuse his parents had inflicted on Harry. He found that victims are often too scared to come forward due to their abusers threatening them, as well as drilling it into their minds that no one would believe or want to help them. So no, Dudley didn't think his cousin told any of them.
Then again, again, his redheaded friends rescued Harry in the summer of '92 in that flying car. They would have had to pull off the bars that his dad put on the window, which definitely would have led to more than a few questions.
Dudley's brain was starting to hurt with all this thinking. He figured the only way to know for sure was to ask Harry himself, but he would need to gain his trust first.
Dudley had a long day ahead of him. He had watched Harry complete his chores over the last few days under the pretense that he was waiting for him to mess something up so that he could let his parents know. But really, It was so that he would know how to do them, that way he could give Harry a well-deserved break.
The life skills classes he had taken the past year at Smelting's were also a big help.
Knowing he would need his rest, Dudley turned off his bedroom light, got into bed, and slowly fell into a deep sleep.
***RotLP***
Harry sat up quick in a cold sweat. As he expected, he had another nightmare. This time he had reached the next life, only to be rejected by his parents and Sirius for getting them killed, and to be sent back by fate to be abused more.
He wouldn't be surprised if that actually happen at any point later in his life.
His aunt and uncle were out of town, which meant Dudley was in charge. He needed to get busy soon before his cousin found an opportunity to beat him.
He got dressed and left his room, leaving Ivy to sleep. He wanted so badly to bring her with him, but her life and friendship was too precious to risk losing to Dudley.
That wasn't to say that fate wouldn't orchestrate him losing her in another way. In fact, he was sure it was only a matter of time before that happened. But he would still cherish her as long as he had her.
Harry made it downstairs to the kitchen, expecting to find a list on the table.
But there was no list.
Instead, there was Dudley, making what looked to be a breakfast big enough for the both of them.
Dudley heard Harry come into the kitchen and turned to face him. "'Morning, Harry. Breakfast is almost ready if you want to have a seat at the table."
Harry could only stare and blink. It was as if, by magic, he woke up in an alternate universe. Either that or Hell finally froze over.
The young wizard was confused. Just the night before, Dudley had helped his father beat him to a pulp, and now he was making breakfast. For both of them!
"I don't understand," Harry finally said.
"I'll explain in a bit," Dudley said as he finished cooking sausages and turned off the stove. He put the sausages on the serving plate and set it on the table, along with the rest of the food. "Go ahead and fill your plate."
But Harry refused. He didn't feel right about this at all. "You helped your dad beat me last night, and now you're making me breakfast. Why?"
"You don't trust me. That's fair," Dudley started. "Look, Harry… when those monsters attacked me last year, they made see things in a way I never did before. I saw myself the way you, and others like you likely saw me; a cruel spoiled bully who only finds happiness in tormenting others." Dudley's eyes began to pool with tears. "I hated it. I never wanted to be that person again."
"Yet when your father asked you what happened, you pointed the finger at me! And you know what that led to!" Harry snapped.
"I know, but I didn't mean to blame you," Dudley told his cousin. "I was trying to tell them that you saved me, but the attack left me unable to talk for a time." Dudley was letting the tears fall now. "I know I have treated you unforgivably. And I know just saying 'I'm sorry' isn't enough, but Harry, I am so, so sorry for hurting you all those years."
Harry was shocked. Here was his cousin, who hurt him for eleven years and four summers of his life, tearfully apologizing to him. He didn't even consider that the dementor attack would leave him unable to speak.
No… He wasn't ready to trust this. Not yet at least. "What about last night?"
"I really didn't want to Harry, but I had to further convince my parents that I could be left with you this week. I was planning on using their absence to make up for all the pain I've caused you," Dudley explained.
Harry thought about what Dudley said. It made… some sense. Unlike Vernon, Dudley actually held back a bit on his punches and kicks.
But what made more sense to Harry is fate being her usual sadistic, bitchy self, and orchestrating these events to get him to let his guard down, and wait for the perfect moment to crush him.
But another small part of him thought what if Ivy was right?
He immediately pushed down that thought when he remembered what he was up against.
"How do you plan to do that?" Harry asked. "To make up for years of denying me friendships with the other kids, and beating me mercilessly with the help of your gang is quite a task. Because I can tell you now, It'll take more than just a week."
"I know," Dudley said as he wiped his eyes. "Look, I know you've got studying to do before you go back to school. So I unlocked the cupboard. You can get your stuff out of there and spend some time catching up."
"What about the chores?" Harry asked.
"I'll take care of them. The only reason I watched you do them the past few days was so that I could pick up on how to do them. That, and the life skills class I took this past year at Smelting's helped me learn how," Dudley explained.
"What about your gang?" Harry asked. He needed to know every aspect of this "new and improved" Dudley before he gave this situation even a microscopic amount of his trust.
"I dropped them last year," Dudley answered. "I became friends with the people I used to bully. You could say I'm also their protector now since Piers and the gang still bully them."
"And they just decided to trust you?" Harry asked in a suspicious tone.
"Of course not," Dudley replied. "It took time to gain their trust. I was able to prove myself to them through my actions. I'm hoping I can do the same with you."
Harry had to think hard about this. There was no doubt in his mind that this was another one of Fate's sick games, but he needed a break, and he desperately needed to study so that he would have more time to practice his magic when he got to Hogwarts.
"I can't trust you right away. But I'll accept your offer to do the chores while I study," Harry said.
The two boys then ate their breakfast. Once finished, Dudley got started on the chores, while Harry took his books out of the cupboard and went up to his room.
P-Good morning, Harry!-P The snake greeted as Harry walked into the room. P-What are you doing with your books? I thought those monsters locked them in the cupboard under the stairs.-P
P-They did.-P Harry confirmed P-This morning has been… weird, to say the least.-P
Harry then told Ivy all about his breakfast with Dudley.
P-See, Harry? What did I tell you? This is only the first step to things turning around.-P Ivy hissed smugly.
P-Don't go getting on your pedestal,-P Harry hissed irritably. P-This is more like the first step in another sick game orchestrated by fate.-P
P-Of course it is.-P Ivy deadpanned. P-And yet, here you are, taking your cousin's offer.-P
P-Not because I trust him.-P Harry hissed with a scoff. P-The only reason I'm studying is to give myself more time for much-needed magic practice at Hogwarts. Or did you forget that I've been shouldered with the very adult job of slaying a megalomaniacal, genocidal dark lord?-P
P-No, Harry, I haven't forgotten.-P Ivy hissed. P-They are true idiots for having placed such a burden on you.-P
P-I know.-P Harry said. P-But the prophecy demands it.-P
P-Two people who believe in the prophecy demand it.-P Ivy corrected.
P-I never thought about it like that,-P Harry admitted. P-But I highly doubt there's any changing their minds. As such, this is the path I am forced to walk, which means I really need to get studying.-P
As Harry dove into his books, Ivy could only look on in sadness. She longed for the day that Harry would break free such ridiculous expectations, and find that he was able to live a full life for no one but himself.
She would help Harry live and do whatever it took to see that day.
***RotLP***
Severus stepped out of the floo and into Diagon Alley early in the morning. It was time to prepare to help the Potter boy get away from Petunia, her whale of a husband, and their pig of a son for good.
His first stop was Gringotts. He made his way to the grand, white building in the middle of the alley. Once inside, he made his way to a goblin teller.
"State your name and business," The goblin stated gruffly. Severus well understood the gruff behind the goblin's tone. He knew that goblins often did not like wizarding kind due to how they looked down on them, figuratively and literally. He couldn't fathom why wizarding kind would treat goblins in such a way when they can financially break them.
"My name is Severus Snape. My reason for being here is rather… delicate. I have reason to believe that a student of Hogwarts is being abused, but before I take him out of the environment, I need something to make certain people believe that he is still in the environment even though he is not… Something only the goblins would possess," Severus explained.
The goblin teller looked puzzled at the man before him. The student he was referring to couldn't have been any ordinary student if such actions were needed to rescue him. There was only one Hogwarts student he could think of that wasn't ordinary; a student whose account manager had been trying to get in touch with for years, but failed to do so each time. If the man before him confirmed his suspicions, then perhaps he could also enlighten them on some things. "What is the name of the student?"
"Harry Potter," Severus replied
So, it was Harry Potter, the goblin teller thought.
"Wait here," The goblin told Severus.
The goblin went to the office of the Potter account manager, Griphook.
G-What is it, Fangblade?-G Griphook asked.
G- Sir, Potions Master Severus Snape has come in need of one of our wooden puppets to help Harry Potter escape from his abusive home.-G Fangblade replied.
G-Finally, someone who can help shed some light on this situation! Bring him in!-G Griphook ordered.
G-Yes sir!-G Fangblade replied. The goblin went back to the atrium where Severus was waiting.
"Follow me," Fangblade commanded Severus. The potions master did as he was told and followed the goblin. This was most unexpected, but he hoped it would lead to him getting what he needed to help Potter.
Fangblade and Severus reached Griphook's office, and Fangblade opened the door.
"I have brought you Severus Snape as you requested, Griphook," Fangblade said.
"Thank you, Fangblade. You are dismissed," Griphook said. Fangblade left, and Severus stepped into the office and took his seat.
"You're probably wondering why I wanted Fangblade to bring you in here, Master Snape," Griphook said. "We've been trying to reach Harry Potter for several years in regard to his parents' will, but he has not responded to any of the many letter's we sent him. You said he is being abused, correct?"
"Unfortunately, yes. Normally, I would rescue the child immediately, but I need certain people to believe that he is still in the home, so I need a device that would project such an illusion," Severus explained.
"We'll get to that later. But first, when did you discover that Potter was being abused?" Griphook asked.
"This past term at Hogwarts. Forgive me for not coming to you earlier, but I had prior commitments," Severus said.
"I suppose it can't be helped," Griphook lamented. "How did you find out about the abuse?"
"In a rather unethical way, actually," Severus admitted. "I was tasked to teach the boy occlumency. Due to my history with his father, I chose to antagonize him and see him as a carbon copy. In a fit of rage, I pierced into his mind with legilimens and saw everything the boy went through."
"I believe it is all for the best that you found out," Griphook assured the man. "Now, who are you trying to fool into thinking that Potter will still be in the abusive environment, even though that won't be the case once you retrieve him?"
"Albus Dumbledore. He is the one who placed the boy there after the Potters' deaths. He wants the boy to remain there so that he can easily manipulate him to being the weapon of war he wants him to be," Severus explained. "It is likely that he is also the one who is keeping your letters from reaching the boy, as he might know that the Potter's will would be able to help the boy escape from the abusive environment."
"Of course, he would know," Griphook snarled. "That barmy old man is the one who sealed it."
That was new information to Severus. When the time was right, he was going to strangle that old goat to death with his own beard.
"I also knew the boy's mother. We were friends, and I know for a fact that she never would have willed that her son be placed where he was in the event of her death," Severus said.
"How do you know?" Griphook asked.
"Because the boy was placed with Petunia Evans," Severus said the woman's name with a well-deserved sneer.
Griphook's eyes darkened in anger. From the short time he had known the Potter Lady, he had heard all about what a terror her sister was. "You mean to tell me that Albus Dumbledore placed Harry Potter with a known magic-hating muggle?!"
"Yes, unfortunately," Severus lamented. "And her equally awful husband and son. The old bastard wanted the boy meek and desperate for any sort of affection, which he would be the first to give. He could not have picked any worse sort of muggles."
"Clearly, Dumbledore has a goal he is trying to achieve, and to him, young Lord Potter is just a means to an end," Griphook said solemnly.
"So, you see why I must get the boy away from Petunia and her family," Severus said. "But first…"
"Yes, I know. I have just the thing you need," Griphook said as he got out of his chair and went to his cabinet. He pulled out 2 wooden puppets.
"These may look like ordinary puppets. But when you drop a certain person's blood on them, the magic will turn the puppet into exact duplicates of those people," Griphook explained. "And by exact, I mean in looks and personality. Normally, these would be 50 Galleons each, but for your help in unraveling this mystery, I am giving you two, free of charge. You never know when or if you might need the extra."
"Thank you, Griphook," Severus said as he stood up and accepted the puppets.
"Once you have retrieved the boy, bring him straight here," Griphook instructed. "Not only does he need to unseal his parents' will, but given the situation, he may also need intensive healing."
"I will," Severus assured as he made his way out of the office. "Thank you, again."
"I should be thanking you, Master Snape," Griphook said before the potions master walked out the door.
Severus made his way out of Gringotts and through Diagon Alley to floo back home. He needed to process what transpired, and he needed to make more potions before he moved on to the next step.
***RotLP***
Ginny Weasley was annoyed. Of course, having lived with six older brothers and an overbearing mother, that was pretty much her constant state of mind whenever she was at home. Now, however, she was more annoyed than usual. The cause of her extra annoyance was her brother, Ron, who abandoned his best friend; someone Ginny had grown to see as another one of her brothers.
She looked back cringingly on the huge crush she had on Harry Potter. Most of her feelings were based on what she read about him in the books written about him. It made her feel silly. Of course, there was no way Harry could have done all the things that were written at the ages of only three to five years.
She was glad she got over that crush. Otherwise, she would have missed out on the feelings she developed for her girlfriend, Luna Lovegood, whom she had met and grown close with over the last year.
Ginny honestly did not understand what had gotten into Ron, or Hermione. How could they just abandon Harry after everything they went through? It didn't make any sense… Or at least it didn't until she remembered Ron abandoning him over the Goblet fiasco in her third year.
Apparently, there was only so much danger they could take before they called it quits. When Ginny confronted Ron, he told her that if she were smart, she would drop Harry, too.
Ginny could only scoff at that. So what if she had a broken bone at the Department of Mysteries? She couldn't blame Harry for that when she accompanied him and the other DA members willingly. It would be much smarter to stay by Harry's side. He would need the support, now more than ever, since You-Know-Who's return has been made public knowledge in the Wizarding World, and since Sirius fell through that veil.
So no, she was not going to drop Harry like her coward of a brother.
Feeling the need to relax, she went downstairs to brew some tea, and mix it with a calming potion. She was about to turn into the kitchen, but for some reason, felt compelled to stop and hide when she heard her mother speaking with Headmaster Dumbledore.
***RotLP***
Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts, as well as many other titles, had stepped out of the floo into the Weasley home not too long ago. He had come to drop off some potion ingredients for Molly Weasley.
His plans were dependent on Molly's potion crafting skills. Although she was not nearly as skilled as Severus, her loyalty to the greater good was unrivaled by any except his own.
As for the other aspects of his plans that did not involve Molly's skills, things were moving along nicely. Sirius Black had been removed from his weapon's life and said weapon was being properly reconditioned by Petunia, her husband, and their son. He just needed to get rid of Cornelius Fudge, which would be easy since the man was so deep in denial against Voldemort's return, and place one of his most loyal followers in the running for minister.
If things kept going the way they were, it would only be a matter of time before he got the recognition he felt he deserved for keeping… most wizards and witches on the right path since he defeated Grindlewald.
"I can't thank you enough for supplying me with potion ingredients over the years, Albus. Especially now when I was so close to running out and losing Arthur," Molly said.
"It is no trouble, Molly dear," Albus said. "I am happy to ensure that the Weasley family continues to be seen as champions for the light."
"If only Ginny would follow suit. That Lovegood girl has a darkness about her, for sure. I fear she will lead my daughter down a dark, dangerous path," Molly said, worriedly. "I honestly don't know where I went wrong with Ginny. I did everything as you instructed, from the books to the reassurances that she would be with the boy one day."
"You did, Molly," Albus assured the woman. "But her awareness of the boy's true nature and her captivation with Ms. Lovegood were unforeseen factors."
"Well, that's where these compulsion potions will come in handy. I'll have them baked into my fudge bars, which Ginny will take with her when she goes to the Lovegood's tomorrow evening. They'll realize they don't belong together, and Ginny will resume her quest to be with Harry," Molly declared proudly. "Speaking of the boy's 'true nature,' I do hope you continue to fix that."
"I am doing my best, Molly," Albus said, "But in spite of my efforts to keep him malleable by keeping him with his relatives, as well as the many blocks, compulsion charms, and potions we've put him under, a small part of that nature still manages to break through."
"I'm just glad we were able to separate him and Charlie. If they got any closer to unblocking their mateship, we would have lost him." Molly said. "Although, it was hard, driving Charlie away. I had hoped I could be a mom to all of Arthur and Gideon's children."
"I know, Molly. But you did what you had to do for the greater good." Albus comforted. "There should be enough to brew potions for Ronald, as well."
"Ah, yes! He was beginning to worry about Harry," Molly fretted.
"Send me any potions you will not be needing so that I may continue to potion Ronald while he is at Hogwarts," Albus instructed as he went to the floo. "It is imperative that Harry remains isolated and focus on defeating Voldemort, as well as courting Ginny, once we have him on love potions."
"Of course, Albus," Molly said.
The headmaster disappeared in a wall of green flames, while Molly went to craft and brew the potions. She was determined to ensure that Ginny married the Potter heir so that she and her family would get the riches they deserved for all they did to keep Harry on the right path.
Little did she know that Ginny was hiding on the other side of the kitchen entrance, having heard every word.
AN:
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