Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter! Boy, talk about explosive.

And the plot just got more complicated again. Hi.

Interlude: From Melinda and Hellebore

The Daily Prophet

September 16th, 1994

MINISTER CALLS FOR SOLUTION TO HARRY POTTER SITUATION

Calls Potter's Current Situation 'Disgraceful'

By: Melinda Honeywhistle

Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge, in an unexpected response to the allegations of abduction and mistreatment made by Harry Potter two weeks ago, has responded with a plea for a change in Potter's living situation.

Potter, 14, was interviewed by this very paper, and in that interview, his unusual home situation was emphasized. He is currently under the guardianship of Professor Severus Snape, of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, despite having two living parents. Of these parents, one, Lily Evans Potter, has been stripped of her magic under mysterious circumstances and is no longer considered a fit guardian for a young wizard, particularly one as magically powerful as Potter.

Potter's father, however, is James Potter, once a famed Auror, responsible for the capture of the Death Eaters Rodolphus and Bellatrix Lestrange. Before he retired to live with his young family in a special isolated home, out of fear of Death Eaters targeting the infant Boy-Who-Lived in vengeance for You-Know-Who's fall, he also accomplished many other acclaimed deeds. He is currently in residence at Lux Aeterna, the Potters' home for the last several generations.

Minister Fudge noted this and several other facts about Harry Potter's home situation in a special press conference given yesterday, and attended by select members of the press.

"Harry Potter is a child," he declared, to the accompaniment of several charts that traced the evolution of laws meant to protect young wizarding children from unfit guardians and parents. "That he reacted as he did to what was actually a very innocuous Ministry procedure is understandable. However, it is my duty as Minister not to allow this misperception of Mr. Potter's to continue.

"Mr. Potter has been under the guardianship of Professor Severus Snape for nearly a year, due to an unfortunate mistake made by members of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and some lost paperwork. At one point soon after the fall of You-Know-Who, Severus Snape was tried as a Death Eater. He was cleared on the word of Albus Dumbledore. But it seems that we may have been wrong about him after all. It seems that he may have been poisoning the boy's mind against the Light."

Minister Fudge expressed his horror and surprise at the discovery, and his dismay that the odd situation had been allowed to continue for as long as it has.

"Of course, now I completely understand and forgive Mr. Potter's accusations," the Minister explained. "He has come young to his power, and he has been receiving inappropriate guidance from a Dark wizard. He needs to be in a loving home, with parents who can raise him in a good understanding of the Light."

The Minister is confident that such a home can soon be found.

"After all," he said, as he closed the press conference, "his twin brother is living proof that a young wizard can be very powerful, even powerful enough to defeat You-Know-Who, and yet able to believe and walk in Light. I humbly admit the Ministry's part in not making sure that young Harry got the same kind of treatment sooner. It's disgraceful. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my apologies to Mr. Potter, and my sincere wishes that he finds a new home soon, with all possible happiness involved."

Hellebore Shiverwood

Ministry of Magic

Department of Magical Family and Child Services

September 16th, 1994

Dear Mr. Potter:

Greetings from the Ministry of Magic! We cordially extend an invitation for you to attend a private meeting, to be held in our offices in the Ministry on the autumnal equinox. This is the ancient day of balance, the day of readdressing grievances and righting wrongs, and we would now like to address a very great wrong. On this day, custody of you will be transferred back to your blood father, James Potter, who has completed all appropriate forms.

Please bring your current guardian, Professor Severus Snape, with you. With any luck, this will be a quick and efficient process that will return you to the best living situation for you as soon as possible.

Have a wonderful day, and a very happy late summer to you!

Hellebore Shiverwood.