BLOOD OF THE MOTHER by BertaS Oct. 2005

Chapter 20

Description: the guys make plans and start them in motion.

Disclaimer: They are, sadly, not mine. They all belong to JKR

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Slytherin Schemin'

A couple of days later the guys woke to the smell of bacon frying and were served a wonderful breakfast by Dobby. They had plenty of post to go through; as the fan mail had not abated in fact the basket was completely buried in the mess. Severus did not have to banish anything most of it was 'thank you's', some well wishes and a few marriage proposals. What was surprising was there were some of these for Severus as well. Dobby informed them that he had already taken care of the howlers and bad things.

Harry had never thought of it before but when Sev made a semi-snide comment about the sheer amount of post and continually wearing out all the owls in Britain. Harry briefly wondered why he had never received this type of mail before. He should have been receiving at least the occasional letter from unknown fans.

The paper arrived and they glanced through it. There was little of interest, just an article about the imprisoned Death Eaters acting odd in their cells and a statement from the Minister Pro Tem, stating that every effort was being taken to protect the public from any Death Eaters that had escaped capture during the Battle of Privet Drive.

"Sev, what can you tell me about this guy?" asked Harry, tapping the picture of Richard Thornprick which showed a tall thin man with light brown hair, blue eyes and a pointy nose waving at the crowd in Diagon Alley.

Sev sighed, "Not much I'm afraid, Harry. He was a Huffelpuff in his seventh year, the year I started teaching, which would make him about four years younger than me. He was abysmal in Potions and I fail to see how he got into the NEWT class to begin with. He dropped out of my class before Christmas." Sev gave Harry an almost evil smile, "He is a pureblood. Not a Death Eater that I know off, although, the Dark Lord did not want, everyone to know everyone else. You can't rat out whom you don't know. That's part of why we wore masks, and why I did not know about Fudge."

Harry thought, "If you wanted dirt on someone, how would you go about getting it without anyone knowing?"

Severus had a strange look as he pondered that question, "You want me to dig up something to… ah…incriminating on...?

"Not necessarily, I just want to know what we are dealing with before meeting with him." Harry shrugged. "What kind of background does he have? Who are his friends? Why should I let him be my friend if that's what he wants?"

Severus nodded this attitude he understood. He was a little shocked the Gryffindor Golden Boy was being so Slytherin about this. "I will see what I can find out," he said slowly, "although many of my contacts are no longer available. For what you are looking for, Narcissa would know, and if she didn't, she could find out with in minuets just making a floo call."

Harry raised an eyebrow and grinned, "She was Lucius' brain wasn't she, the power behind the power?"

Sev nodded again shocked, this was a new side of Harry Potter, one he had never suspected.

Harry laughed, "I wonder if she noticed the gift she received the other day." He jumped up hunting for a piece of parchment and a quill. "I also wonder how she will react to finding out that I am the new head of the Black family."

Severus grinned, "She would be 'bound' to give you any information you need to further the family name." he accepted the writing implements and started writing. "When do you meet with the Minister Pro Tem, Harry?

"We meet with him tomorrow at three in the afternoon in Madam Bones' office. Sirius' will is to be read in the morning at nine." Harry was looking absently through some of the 'not fan mail' post and found an invitation to the Fall Cotillion. He grinned thinking a party would be a lot of fun but the note included with the invitation was strange. He laid it aside to discuss later when Sev handed him the note he had been working on.

Dear Cissa,

First let me express my condolences on loosing your husband. I have been asked by Mr. Potter-Black to inquire as to whether or not you received his gift? You should find in on the wall in the back stair well. I don't know whether or not you were advised of the passing of your cousin, Sirius Black. If you were not, I apologize for adding to your sorrow. My Liege informs me that the will, will be read at nine tomorrow morning at Gringotts. He would like you to attend so that he may meet with you directly after the reading. He has concerns about a meeting with the new Minister scheduled for later that day. Any information you could provide would be appreciated and rewarded.

Sincerely,

Severus

"Okay, will she know what we want? And will she give us the information?" Harry asked

Sev smirked, "Cissa has received similar notes in the past from me and others. She most likely will have his life history in a folder. She will of course verify that you are the head of the family before giving you any thing. She believes in blood supremacy but was not pleased that Lucius allowed himself to be Marked. I believe she has a file on the Dark Lord as well and knows who and what he was. If you can gain her trust she will be an invaluable ally."

Harry nodded, "Better to have her for me than against me. Correct?"

"You surprise me Harry. I did not know you had such a Slytherin streak." Sev smiled.

Harry pressed his ring into the sealing wax on the note and grinned, "Why thank you Professor Snape, from you that is such an extravagant compliment that I may develop as big a head as you always accused me of having." He started to laugh but at the look on Sev's face, stopped. "Sev, I'm teasing you. I'm sorry."

Severus' head shot up. "You do not have to…"

"Yes, I do, I can tell from your face that what I just said hurt." Harry laid his hand on the Potions Master's arm, "I didn't mean it the way it came out. Okay?"

Severus nodded, "Yes, I am alright."

Harry put the note to Mrs. Malfoy in the 'out' basket that had appeared on the table next to the 'in' basket thinking we should move all this out of the kitchen, to the office. He handed Sev the invitation to the DGW Fall Cotillion.

Sev read the invitation with a smirk, "Evidently some member of the Daughters believes that you would be a good catch. Or that you should be shopping for a wife."

Harry looked at him blankly. "Huh?"

The smirk spread into a grin, "One does not usually go to the market with out planning to make a purchase." he said as he waved the invitation.

The young man slouched in his chair and hid his face in his hands groaning, "What about this?" and handed Sev the note, "It was in with that."

Severus' grin faded into a frown as he read:

Harry,

Gran doesn't think you will want to come but I would really like you to.

Neville

There was a postscript from Neville's' Gran.

Mr. Potter,

It is with hesitance that I send this invitation and

have only done so at the insistance of my grandson.

You need feel no obligation to attend.

Mrs. Esmeralda Longbottom

"She does not seem enthusiastic about your attending. Mr. Longbottom standing up to her and insisting is quite unexpected. I have met her, and found her almost as intimidating as the Dark Lord." Sev smirked slightly.

Harry laughed, "Yeah, I thought she was scary too. But Nev is my friend. And while he may on occasion act the Huffelpuff he is a Gryffindor through and through." He looked at the invitation with its gold embossing and portkey entrance card. "This is a rich people; snooty pure blood party isn't it?"

The potions master snorted, "I would not have put it that way, but, yes."

Harry grinned, "So, there won't be a lot of Gryffs there? Mostly Slytherins and Ravenclaws will dominate, right?"

Sev nodded, "True, the Cotillion is a way for those young people of good breeding to be presented to the elders of other families. A 'coming out' if you will. It can also be used to announce a betrothal or proposed contract." He continued, slipping into an almost lecture mode, "Men routinely wear two flowers so that they may propose and gift the young lady with the second flower as a signal to others that she is spoken for. If a couple shows up wearing matching flowers they are essentially announcing that the contract is in negotiation and an engagement is expected soon. The responsibility to arrange contracts, dowry, pre-nuptial agreements, etc. falls to the Head of Family for any unwed member of their family. Those that are promised or already engaged frequently wear matching clothing. Everyone keeps their choice of wardrobe a secret."

Harry snorted and gestured to the basket of post, "Announce that I'm wearing... Puce, and see how many girls," he snorted,

"And guys show up in that color."

Severus laughed, "As long as you actually wear some other color, it might be quite entertaining."

Harry's grin was back, "So, we going or not?"

Severus Snape was not used to having such a wide range of feelings but the one that question triggered he was quite familiar with - Terror. He was able to mask most of it through long practice but Harry was aware that he was experiencing a reaction of some kind when Sev's head went down making his long hair fall across his face.

"You okay Sev?" The boy asked concerned.

Sev looked through his hair and in a slightly ruff voice he said, "Please, Master, do not joke about such things."

"You thought..." Harry sighed, "You prat. I didn't mean it that way; do you really think I would go to a party with a bunch of Slytherin children of Death Eaters with out some one I trust at my back? I mean I trust Nev with my life but he will have duties as a host, right." He grinned, "I can't think that it would be proper to hex your guests.

Sev gave Harry a shy smile, "I see your point. I apologize for misunderstanding."

Harry said, "It's alright, don't worry about it. So what do you think about going to this thing?"

Severus thought, "I don't know, Draco will most likley be there. He was being pushed to have children before, but with Lucius gone he will be Head of the Malfoy family and must produce..." Severus' head shot up, "Oh, Merlin, claiming Head of Family obliges you to have an heir."

Harry stared at the man as though he had grown a second head, "You're serious."

Sev had an internal fight with himself, do I use the tired old sarcastic, 'No I'm Severus; Sirius is dead.' But no, that would hurt his master so he simply nodded.

Harry let his head fall to the table banging it a few times, "I'm head of two families that means that I have to have at least two, right? I always wanted a lot of kids. I just didn't realize that I would be starting this soon."

Severus nodded again, "Yes, Harry, the sooner the better. I would recommend that you at least be engaged by the time you graduate. If you plan to have a large family I would suggest concubines as an alternative to expecting a Molly Weasley." He said the last with a small smile.

"Alright, I guess we go wife shopping." he said as he pulled parchment and quill toward him to let Nev know that he and his guest would be pleased to attend.

Next chapter: Sirius Gets Serious

The will is read and Harry and Cissa have their meeting

A/N When I started posting this story I was six chapters ahead, with this chapter I have caught up to myself. No more pre-written chapters which shouldn't be a problem except for the fact i am recieving a visit from Wilma today. I hope to keep to schedule but we'll have to see. Thanks for reading.