Chapter 4 - Morning has broken
Harry groggily climbed out of bed after Ron shook him and reminded him of the time they had left to get some breakfast. Harry, on his was to the showers, saw Neville looking nervous as he tried to dress himself.
"Just hang tough Neville. It'll work out, you'll see." Harry encouraged the boy. Neville nodded but didn't look any better.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Ginny headed to the Great Hall for breakfast. In the Entrance Hall they were intercepted by Neville's grandmother. Nearby Amelia Bones stood chatting with her niece Susan.
"Gran, what are you doing here?" Neville asked, as all the colour left his face.
"No time to waste Neville! Mr Potter's notices of intent have already gone out to all the newspapers!" Neville's Gran stated briskly. Neville looked a little better as he realised his Gran was here because of Harry's request as opposed a meeting with the headmaster about Neville's expulsion. Harry came over to meet Neville's grandmother.
"Gran, this is Harry Potter, Harry this is my grandmother, Lady Hildergard Longbottom." Neville did the introductions quite formally.
Harry wasn't sure whether he should bow or kiss the offered hand of Mrs Longbottom like they do in the movies. He settled for just taking her hand and lightly shaking it for a second. "Pleasure to meet you at last Mrs Longbottom." Harry said.
"A great pleasure to meet one of Neville's friends, Mr Potter. I keep telling the boy to invite you and his other friends to the manor for tea but he never does!" Mrs Longbottom replied.
"Oh! He has invited me quite often," Harry lied without blinking an eye, "however my movements are limited because of… security concerns. It's a great pity, as I would have loved to come over for tea at any time. And please call me Harry, Mrs Longbottom."
"I understand entirely Harry. Well at least we will get to know each other very well over the coming months. Thank you for asking me to be your Matriarch of Proceedings. A rare honour these days." Neville's Gran replied.
"No, thank you Mrs Longbottom for doing this for me." Harry said. "I don't know of another person I would trust to do this besides you."
Mrs Longbottom looked very flattered by the compliments Harry had given her. "If I might have a few moments of your time somewhere private Harry, to ask about your requirements in a bride?" Mrs Longbottom asked Harry.
"Ah I suppose so." Harry answered.
"I am afraid that will have to wait for now, Hildergard!" Madam Bones announced coming over to the group. "Mr Potter and I have a little matter to sort out first. Headmaster's office lad. Let's get this mess settled!"
"Actually Madam Bones, I think you'll find the Headmaster in the Great Hall having breakfast at the moment." Harry replied.
"Lead the way then boy!" Madam Bones said forcefully.
Harry led the group into the Great Hall and towards the staff table. Every student suddenly hushed as they saw what was happening.
"Amelia, this is a pleasant surprise," Dumbledore said upon seeing Madam Bones approach. "And Hildergard always a pleasure."
Harry could tell that the Headmaster was rattled by the sudden appearance of Madam Bones. He didn't like situations were he was not in control.
"Albus, I received a very disturbing complaint from young Potter here last night. Best get these things settled right away." Madam Bones came to the point of her being there bluntly.
"Ah, I had hoped to talk to Harry this morning about this minor incident before he disturbed the governors unnecessarily." Dumbledore replied seemingly unconcerned.
"I would hardly call a staff member casting a slashing curse at a student a minor incident, Albus! The boy might have been seriously injured or even killed, if it had hit. Luckily it seems Mr Potter's reflexes were up to the job! Nice work Potter!" Madam Bones's loud commanding voice boomed around the hall.
"I get lots of practice avoiding curses, Madam Bones!" Harry replied calmly.
Madam Bones swung her head around and regarded the boy through her monocle. "I suppose you do Potter!" she said in a somewhat surprised tone.
"Amelia, why don't you and Hildergard join us for breakfast. Then we can go to my office to discuss the matter privately." The Headmaster replied.
"Sounds fair!" Madam Bones and walked around the table to take Professor Sprouts usual chair. Mrs Longbottom joined her sitting in Professor Snape's place.
Harry and the other students returned to their house tables but had no sooner sat down than Snape strode in. Instantly, there was silence in the hall. The students were stunned by his face, or what they could see of it because the metal brace and plaster covering his nose. His two wonderfully black eyes were highlighted against the white of the bandages. No one said a word. Snape strode to the staff table and found his usual seat occupied.
"Oh no, Gran!" Neville moaned.
"Madam, you are in my chair!" Snape hissed.
Mrs Longbottom looked up from her breakfast and regarded Snape standing over her. She didn't bat an eye, "Young Man!" she said imperiously, "There are plenty of others! Find one!" She told him as she gave a casual wave towards the remaining empty seats at the staff table.
The student's looked dumbfounded that anyone could treat Professor Snape to such a dismissive tone. Snape looked ready to explode.
"Professor Snape!" Madam Bones barked, "I am already here to investigate a complaint against your behaviour last night. Do not give me further grounds!"
Even from this distance Harry could see the vein in the side of Snape's temple throbbing. He heard Seamus whispered to Neville, "Nev, your Gran is awesome!"
Snape without a word walked over to Professor Trelawney's seldom-used place and sat down. The entire hall watched as he viciously stabbed a plate of sausages, place some on his plate and proceed to hack them apart viciously, eating little in the process.
Dumbledore frowned. This was not going well at all. He decided to stall for time while he thought about how best to overcome the complaint against Severus.
"Hildergard, I take it you are here to see your grandson, Neville?" he said conversationally. Unfortunately what he was about to hear back would not help his day in the least.
"No! No! I'm here to see young Potter. He has asked me to be his Matriarch of Proceedings! A great honour, I have always wanted to be one but my Frank refused and Neville has similar ideas." Mrs Longbottom replied cheerfully.
"WHAT!" Dumbledore yelled, startling everyone in the hall. It seems the unflappable Albus Dumbledore had been well and truly flapped!
Harry smiled at the reaction. He guessed the Headmaster had heard the news of his Courtship Ritual.
"What was that about?" Ron asked.
"Seems the Headmaster has heard of my upcoming marriage plans!" Harry said calmly. He enjoyed the shocked look on everyone's face.
Harry was saved from further explanation of his statement by the arrival of the owls. Many students subscribed to The Daily Prophet, all though Harry did not. Still it wasn't hard to see the headline. BOY-WHO-LIVED TO WED! People were fighting each other for copies of the paper. Groups huddled together to read over each other's shoulders. Some of the smarter Ravenclaw groups had one person read the article aloud. It did take long for one of the staff to confiscate a newspaper from one group and give it to the Headmaster. Harry watched as the Headmaster scanned the article. Dumbledore's head shot up and he glared at Harry.
"Man he is really ticked!" Harry thought to himself.
"HARRY!" Hermione's voice shrieked.
Turning back to his friends Harry saw that Hermione had gotten a copy of the Daily Prophet herself and had obviously read the article announcing his intention to marry.
"What is this?" she demanded.
"I believe its known as a notice of intent Hermione. It announces a wizards or witches call for suitors in proceedings to find the most suitable mate for marriage. It's a tradition that goes back centuries in the wizarding world Hermione. I read about it over summer. Neville's grandmother has kindly consented to be my Matriarch of Proceedings. That's the woman that organises and sorts through the candidates to find the most suitable. It's kinda like a matchmaker in the muggle world. When the most suitable candidate is selected, they get married!"
"But Harry it's almost like an arranged marriage. Its positively medieval." Hermoine shrieked loudly.
"I get some input into the process. Setting the attributes I find most important in a mate and meeting each candidate in formal settings. It's quite an involved process Hermione. I'm looking forward to it." Harry stated.
Ginny Weasley got up and ran from the table crying.
"What's up with Ginny?" Harry asked.
"Oh Harry, you are dense!" Hermoine stated shaking her head.
"But she said she was over me! She's dating Dean!" Harry said.
"Harry mate!" Dean said from along the table having heard the conversation, "there is no way for me to compete with you. I am just a little fling while she waits for you to notice her."
Harry gaped in amazement.
"Clueless!" Ron comment.
"Absolutely Clueless!" Hermoine agreed.
"Oh! Right! Like you two can talk!" Harry snapped.
"What?" Both Ron and Hermione said looking at Harry mystified. Everyone else around the table chuckled.
"Mr Potter!" Dumbledore's voice sounded angrily behind him. "You will put a stop to this nonsense at once!"
"What nonsense is that, Headmaster?" Harry replied turning around to find a rather large contingent of staff behind him.
"You will withdraw your notice of intent immediately." Dumbledore stated sounding quite put out.
"I do not believe that is a matter than concerns you Headmaster. It is a personal matter, not a school matter! Is that not so Madam Bones?" Harry replied.
"Quite so Albus. You have no right to interfere in Mr Potter's personal life!" Madam Bones stated coldly.
"I HAVE EVER RIGHT TO…" Albus Dumbledore bellowed.
"NO, YOU DO NOT!" Harry yelled louder.
The two glared at each other for a moment before Harry quickly looked away as he felt Dumbledore's mind attempting to penetrate his. Harry was not yet ready to test his occlumency skill against the Headmaster. They would either fail and leave Harry's plans exposed or they would hold and provide Dumbledore with proof that Harry had learnt a lot more this summer than he was suppose too. Either way Harry's main advantage of surprise would be lost.
"It is a private matter that does not concern the headmaster of a school." Harry replied calmly suppressing his rage back down.
"It is my concern when the school is disrupted, Mr Potter. And this will cause a great deal of disruption for no purpose. Mr Malfoy…" Dumbledore likewise had regained control of his temper and stated his arguments calmly and he hoped decisively but Harry cut him off at the mention of Malfoy.
"If disrupting the school is your concern then certainly I will accommodate you Headmaster. Mrs Longbottom, we will have to plan all activities around the school year. I suggest the first Hogsmead weekend for the presentation of formal candidates. Perhaps the Christmas Holidays for the first ball, Easter Holidays for the second and the conclusion over the summer months."
"Well that will drag the whole thing out a lot but it is probably best!" Mrs Longbottom agreed as she scribbled into a notebook with a quill.
"Does that sound reasonable to you Madam Bones as a governor of this school?" Harry asked.
"Yes Mr Potter, I believe you are free to do as you wish during your time away from this school. Certainly you can have no objections to this arrangement Albus." Madam Bones agreed.
Oh how Harry was praying for Colin Creevy to be taking a picture of the Headmaster's face right about now. It was scarlet and looked like Dumbledore had been sucking on a lemon. Dumbledore was silent as the grave. A sudden flash highlighted the room from behind Harry. Harry smiled and offered up a little prayer of thanks.
"Headmaster?" Harry asked innocently.
"Fine! Fine!" He spat.
"Now perhaps we can go to your office and discuss the matter I came here for?" Madam Bones asked.
Dumbledore nodded and lead the way to the doors.
"You best come too Potter!" Madam Bones announced.
Perhaps Mrs Longbottom should come as my de facto guardian, Madam Bones. Neville and Susan could come too as student witnesses.
Madam Bones thought for a moment, "Yes I believe that would be appropriate."
They all trooped up to Dumbledore's office. The headmaster was taken aback by the number of people filing into his office. Snape, before everyone could even get settled, stated loudly "I want Potter expelled for attacking me last night!"
"Professor Snape!" Madam Bones snapped, "I am here today to investigate a complaint against you attacking Potter. Mr Potter claims punching you was in self-defence and what I saw of the incident would support that claim. This very chair I am sitting in still bears the damage of your slashing curse! If you have an evidence justifying your behaviour now is the time to produce it!"
"You saw the incident?" the Headmaster asked shaken.
"Mr Potter supplied me with some of his memories of last night's incident. I have had them copied for the Wizagamond to consider criminal charges as well." With that Madam Bones produced the small pensieve Harry had sent her from her bag. The silver memories still swirled in the bottom.
The Headmaster paled. If Madam Bones had actually seen the meeting last night there was little he could do to downplay the seriousness of the attack.
"I wasn't talking about the incident in the headmasters office!" Snape bellowed, "Potter attacked me last night in the kitchens! He punched me in the nose again. I want him EXPELLED!"
"Is this true Potter?" Madam Bones asked.
"I never attacked Professor Snape last night in the kitchens, I swear. I was with Neville Longbottom all evening. Last evening we went to the owlery to send our letters to you and Mrs Longbottom. Professor McGonagall can vouch for that as she was waiting for us when we got back to Gryffindor tower just before curfew."
"That's true, Amelia! Both boys told me they had come from the owlery last night." Professor McGonagall added.
"HE"S LYING!" Snape bellowed.
"Longbottom, you were with Potter all last evening." Madam Bones asked Neville.
"Yes, Madam Bones" Neville replied going pale in the face.
"And you did see him punch Professor Snape?" Madam Bones asked.
"No Madam, Harry didn't punch Professor Snape." Neville looked about ready to faint but he held it together.
"It's no good asking that simpleton anything!" Snape raged at Madam Bones.
"HOW DARE YOU!" Neville's Gran boomed, seeing her grandson insulted.
"Professor Snape you forget yourself!" Madam Bones snapped.
"Amelia, I believe it is best that I deal with this matter internally." Dumbledore said sweetly.
"With all respect to the Headmaster, Madam Bones." Harry interrupted, "I made my complaint to the school governors because the Headmaster has for years ignored the abuses of Professor Snape against students. I am sure both Neville and Susan could recount many incidents of how they themselves were unfairly treated by Professor Snape although he does seem to have a particular grudge against me due to his rivalry as a student with my father. I insist my complaint goes before the governors!"
"I am sorry Albus but the boy is right. Susan has often told me of Professors Snape's abusive behaviour. You should have acted years ago to curb him. Now it's a matter for the governors and there will certainly be questions about your own abilities to control your staff."
Albus Dumbledore was speechless.
"Well Professor Snape if you have nothing further to add?" Madam Bones asked.
"This...This is all Potter's fault. He's a arrogant spoilt brat that deserves everything…" Snape raged.
"ENOUGH!" Madam Bones snapped. "Professor Snape you are suspended from Hogwarts for two weeks at which time you will face a full hearing before the Board of Governors for disciplinary action over this matter."
Snape looked outraged "HOW DARE YOU…" Snape spun and advanced on Harry Potter as he went for his wand. Harry was out of his chair instantly wand in hand pointed at Snape's throat. The speed of his move surprised everyone. Snape knew he was beaten for now. He turned and marched out of the office swearing as he went!
"Nice reflexes Potter. Susan tells me you want to be an Auror. I will look forward to having you in my department!" Madam Bones said happily.
"Amelia, you can't do this!" Dumbledore stated.
"I have done it, Albus. I suggest you look to your own affairs as you will also be before the governors to explain you actions with regards Professor Snape." Madam Bones told the Headmaster. "Mr Potter you will be called as well to give testimony. If you could find other witnesses to support you claims of ongoing abuse, they too could testify. If anyone tries to influence you in your testimony" Madam Bones said giving the Headmaster a nasty glare. "Owl me immediately!"
"Yes Madam Bones. I don't think I'll have much trouble finding other witnesses…" Harry replied.
"I give evidence!" Neville said behind Harry.
"So will I Aunt Amelia!" Susan Bones added.
Harry chuckled, "I think the whole school would like to give evidence Madam Bones except for the Slytherins."
"Just pick out the best ones then Mr Potter!" Madam Bones added. "Well, if that is all I will be going."
"Actually there is a private matter I would like your views on Madam Bones. " Harry asked.
"You are welcomed to use my office Amelia…" the Headmaster offered.
"That's all right Headmaster I have somewhere better in mind!" Harry interrupted.
"Lead on then Potter!" Madam Bones said.