Disclaimer.
J.K Rowling went out one day so I took her characters out to play.
We ran around, they laughed with glee,
All this fun and she works for free!
For Mark Darcy- only a week and a day!
Harry made his way to Dumbledore's office wondering why he had been summoned on a half term holiday. It was sunny and dry, just perfect for Quidditch practice. It was really inconvenient to be called away from the pitch. Stepping up to the gargoyle, Harry called out the sugar laden password.
"Crunch n Munch." Where did he get that from, Harry wondered as he wound has way up the spiral stairs before him. Entering the office, he spotted Shacklebolt already drinking tea before the fireplace.
"You wanted to see me Headmaster." Harry opened.
"Indeed Harry. Kingsley has some interesting news regarding this business with your Muggle family. Sit and have some tea." Dumbledore pointed to the other chair before the fire while he directed the teapot to pour another cup.
Harry sat and accepted the cup adding milk and sugar then accepting a cream bun offered by the Headmaster. "So what now? Do they want more money?" he asked before biting into his pastry.
"Not quite Harry." Replied Shacklebolt with a smile. "You see the public record shows that the Dursley's have applied for a building permit for their house. They intend to expand their conservatory, add a second story room above and add another bathroom."
"What?" asked an astounded Harry.
Shacklebolt continued, "We did a little judicious questioning of the builder contracted for the job. It seems Dudders is to have a bachelor pad with en suit bath for his supposed upcoming trysts."
"Bloody Hell." Harry put down his cup before he broke it. "Was there ever any real damage from the fireworks? Did they call the fire brigade, ever?"
Shacklebolt shook his head, "No Harry. It looks like they're just trying a little legal extortion hoping that they can get away with it while you're here."
Harry began to pace to and fro, so angry he had to move or have his magic explode in a release of his pent up emotions. Turning to the headmaster for help he asked, "Sir, there must be something I can do. I don't want them to get my money, they don't deserve it. I should be suing them for….for neglect or something. It's not fair!" He finished in exasperation.
Dumbledore sighed, "I know Harry. I have a Muggle solicitor coming this afternoon. I just wanted you to be prepared before hand so that you can, shall we say, compose yourself and not scare the poor chap."
Harry bit his lips but nodded his understanding, "Yeah sure. What time?"
Dumbledore stood and laid his hand on Harry's shoulder. "Come back at half past one Harry and do eat lunch. I try not to feed lawyers." He patted his protégé on the shoulder and showed him out.
Harry left the office still fuming at the news. His grim visage and quiet mutterings kept the other students he ran into at bay. Intending to go to the Room of Requirement and transfigure some pillows into stuffed mannequins of his family to blast apart, Harry passed Phaelan's portrait entrance. Just after Harry strode by, Phaelan came out and turned to go to her office.
Seeing him just ahead, she called out, "Mr. Potter, can I see you a minute?" but he didn't respond. Phaelan frowned as Harry usually didn't ignore a teacher and so she decided to catch up to him. She jogged down the hallway after him and as she caught up she called, "Harry."
Hearing his name just behind him, Harry stopped and turned to see his teacher. "Professor McKenzie, did you need something?" He asked.
"Yeah, what's up with you?" she asked seeing his unusually angry face.
"Nothing." he answered sullenly.
"I have eyes Harry, what's happened and where were you going?" Phaelan wasn't about to let him stew alone.
"I was on my way to kill my family in effigy." He told her.
"What?" now Phaelan was confused.
"I'm going to the Room of Requirement to practise some curses, would you like to come?" he told her seriously.
"Sure, lead on." She told him and they made their way to the portrait of Barnabas to pace.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Harry and Phaelan entered the Great Hall together for lunch. Severus saw them speaking together, each nodding at the other finally shaking hands. Phaelan made her way to the head table and sat beside him.
"Pass the coffee please?" she asked.
Severus put the pot in front of her and waited until she poured her cup. "Pea Soup?" he offered.
"No thanks just pass the sandwiches." She replied, knowing he was curious by the sideway looks he was giving her.
"I'm going to Dumbledore's office after lunch." She finally told him.
Snape frowned "Is this something to do with Potter?"
"Yeah, his family's trying to screw him over big time."
"What has that to do with you?" he wondered what she was up to.
Phaelan smiled, "It so happens that there is a little bit of business I need to conduct with the Dursley's on Harry's behalf so we plan to combine our plans."
"Phaelan, do I hear a Sinatra tune in the background? What devious plot am I about to be dragged into?" Snape knew she was planning something.
Phaelan gave him a look of pure innocence, "Me, plot? You wound me sir. Besides, it has nothing to do with you."
Putting down his goblet of juice he looked at her again, "What are you up to, Phaelan?"
"When it's all put together I might tell you. Until then I'll keep it between Harry and I and maybe Dumbledore." She told him before returning to her lunch.
Phaelan then felt the feather tickling in her mind that told her Severus was fishing for information. With an internal grin, she focused on a fantasy of her masturbating while sitting in front of Severus and fondling her own breasts while moaning his name. Suddenly, he had pulled out of her mind turning slightly pink at his body's reaction to the pictures she had imagined. He turned and looked at her as she peeled an orange. Phaelan began to slowly bite into the juicy flesh pausing to lick the juice off of her fingers one by one as she looked back at him.
"Mmm, that's good." She told him, smiling at his discomfort.
With a growl, Snape stood and strode quickly from the Great Hall, wrapping his robes about him. Sprout leaned over and asked, "What's up with him?"
Phaelan replied with a stone face, "Dunno, something must have got a rise out of him."
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Neville and his team along with Ron and Seamus were meeting in Room of Requirement for a training session with Shacklebolt. In the Boys change room, Seamus and Neville were posing before the bank of mirrors showing off new found muscles.
"My gran won't believe how much weight I've lost. All my uniforms are too big around the waist and too tight around me arms." Announced Neville.
"Yeah. Me mom says she won't know me when I get home. Watch this…Look." Seamus tensed and pointed at his midriff. "They're called Abs." he told his friend. "Just wait 'til I get to the beach this summer. I'll have the babes all over me I will."
Ron laughed at their antics "You lot are pathetic."
"S'all right for you mate," Neville told him, "You've got a girl."
"Yeah, I do." Ron smiled at the thought and then frowned. "You know, some of the talent around here has improved."
Seamus now laughed, "Bored already mate. Looking around?"
Ron threw a towel at him, "Piss off Finnegan. Really, have either of you looked?"
Neville nodded, "Yeah, I have. In fact, Luna has agreed to meet me tonight after dinner."
"Loony Luna?" Seamus asked.
"Don't call her that." Neville chided his friend. "She's sweet and I think she's pretty." He smiled and blushed. "She let me kiss her on Halloween."
"What's this then, another one falling?" Seamus teased.
Neville only smiled and stood. "Come on, we're here for a practice session, lets go." Then led the boys out.
Seamus looked at the girls in the room and decided Ron was right. The female members of the DA were developing nicely. Maybe he should wade in and test the water's. Looking around, he sidled up to Alicia Spinnet.
"Hi. We're supposed to pair up for practise, would you like to, ye know, with me?" he asked her innocently.
Her friend tittered beside her but Alicia just glared at her and turned to Seamus, "Sure, why not." She replied with a smile.
Seamus allowed her to lead the way to an empty spot on the floor. YES! He thought as he followed.
Wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Phaelan and Harry arrived at the Headmaster's office at the appointed time. Dumbledore was surprised to see the Professor but conceded Harry's right to have whomever he wished as an advisor. A man vaguely resembling Mr. Rogers from the American children's program was seated on a chair across from the Headmaster.
"Harry, Miss McKenzie, my I introduce Raptus R. Decipio , my solicitor in Muggle affairs." Dumbledore introduced the newcomer.
Coming to his feet, the man snapped a small bow at Phaelan, "Madam, Mr Potter; a pleasure." He greeted them tersely in a nasal voice.
Pushing down a temptation to ask how things were in his neighbourhood, Phaelan nodded in return and sat on the chair furthest away from him.
"Well Mr Potter, we appear to be in a spot of trouble with our family. What shall we do?" the solicitor began as he pulled out a pair of wire rimmed spectacles.
Harry decided he didn't really like the man. "Well since we agree on that, what do we suggest?" he asked in the same manner.
Looking down his nose at the sarcastic boy, Decipio sniffed in disdain. "Well, there are a few options actually. If you were able to produce evidence, we could refute the Dursley's claim in court that the damages were made by your property while you were absent. That would be a very remote possibility I gather."
Harry nodded in reply. Opening his briefcase, Decipio pulled out a folder.
"You could of course simply pay the damages and walk away but I gather this is not an option you would prefer?" he stated the obvious.
"Sir, you have not offered anything that I couldn't have figured out for myself." Harry told him getting a bit annoyed.
"Ahem. Yes quite. Allow me to explicate all the contingencies." He continued, seeming fond of his own voice. "You could attempt to have the Dursley's drop their suit which they're not likely to voluntarily concede to. They might reduce it with perhaps some negotiation. Lastly, you can take them to court in a counter suit refuting their claim for damages perpetrated by a third party." He looked for the boy's reaction.
"Counter suit? How would I do that?" Harry asked.
"Privet Drive is listed as your place of residence and your aunt and uncle were your legal guardians. You had reasonable expectations of the address remaining your home until you had moved out upon completion of your schooling. Had they advised you of their intentions to renovate and remove you?"
Harry frowned; they had made it pretty clear all his life that he was only there until he was of age. Then again, he still had some stuff there or he had until they chucked it.
"I hadn't told them I was moving out, I suppose they just figured I wouldn't be back."
"Not quite the same thing is it Mr. Potter. We could hold them on that because you can't be sued for damaging your own home." Decipio looked smug at his contention.
"What about getting them to drop the suit? How would I do that?" Harry asked, not really wanting to go to court at all.
Pursing his lips as he thought the idea was foolish, the solicitor pulled out some other papers. "You get them to sign the paperwork to drop the matter and have it submitted to the court and both solicitor's."
"Do you have the paperwork?" Harry asked.
The solicitor passed the sheaf of papers over. "I've filled out the relevant information on all the forms for all options and I'll leave them with you. You may take some time to make your mind up but we need to know before the end of the month."
"Thank you. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to speak to my Professor's alone." Harry told the solicitor.
"Very well." Replied Decipio as he stood to go, "Professor Dumbledore can contact me when required. Good Day all." He lifted his briefcase and left.
Phaelan spoke for the first time, "Do you really trust him?" she asked Dumbledore.
"I should think I would trust my own grand nephew." Smiled the old man. "Alas, he was born a squib but I made sure he did not lack in his education. Now, what was it you wanted to talk about?"
Phaelan smiled at Harry and pulled out some more papers. "It's about some paperwork and a visit to the Dursley's"
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Severus wound his way up to the tower for some fresh air. Damn woman had to think the things she did. It was hard enough – strike that thought – difficult enough not to get aroused around her without the pornographic images she had passed him. Leaning on the edge of the tower, Severus took the time to let the scenery relax him, inhaling the cool Highland breeze that carried the salt tang of the North Sea inland over the loch.
Taking a few more moments of peace, Severus turned his eyes to the snow capped mountains, remembering he hadn't taken a broom ride for a while. He noticed a speck flying purposefully towards Hogwarts, growing in size with every wing stroke. A few minutes later, a European Eagle Owl lit on the parapet in front of Severus who recognized it as one of the owls favoured by the Dark Lord. There was a scroll attached to its leg which Severus removed.
"I've nothing for you, go away." He told the messenger who looked at him coldly before taking a sharp nip at Severus hand, drawing blood, and flying away.
"Bloody hell," Snape swore at the departing bird, "Bad as your damn master."
Severus licked at the blood on his injured hand before opening the letter and reading. Shit, he thought before turning and leaving the tower quickly. He had to see the Headmaster. As he strode through the halls, the students did their best to become invisible. The dark look on his face boded ill, of that they were sure. When he reached the gargoyle, Severus grimaced as he announced "Crunch n Munch," to open the entrance. Taking the stairs two at a time, Snape quickly reached the top to find the door open waiting for him.
"Severus, you look perturbed. Come, sit, have a snifter of Cognac and relax." Dumbledore told him as he Accio'd a decanter and two glasses.
Severus sat on the chair facing the old man, tapping the letter on the surface of the desk. He took the proffered drink and passed the letter to Dumbledore to read. Albus adjusted his glasses and opened the scroll while Severus sipped the warming liquor. Finally with a sigh, Dumbledore sat back and sipped from his own glass.
"How long will you be gone Severus?" he asked.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Snape thought on what he had been asked. It was painful to let the mental agenda pass through his mind. The Dark Lord was ready to escalate his plans for the genetically mutated insect.
"The rest of the week, I should think. He expects me tomorrow." Snape replied.
The headmaster nodded, "I think Lupin and I can handle the potions classes between us and have Kingsley pick up DADA," settling the business of the school. "Now, what of your plans and those of the Muggle hostage?"
"I don't know Albus. I just don't know." Sighed Severus, already weary.
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Phaelan was sitting at her desk in her office catching up on marking when she heard a tapping at her window. Looking up, she saw an owl patiently waiting for her attention. She walked over and opened the window letting the mail owl in.
"What have you there?" she asked the barn owl, taking the letter attached to his leg. It had a US post mark and Muggle stamp. Getting a saltine cracker from her desk, she gave it to the bird who sat eating it while she opened the letter. With a hoot, the owl flew off after finishing his treat and Phaelan closed the window.
The letter was from Phaelan's lawyer in the US. She had contacted him regarding having the house in Maine opened for long term guests. Apparently everything was now in order including the phone service and satellite television. The two cars had been serviced and a housekeeping service had cleaned. Now, when were they coming and did they need a housekeeper?
Phaelan didn't yet know how they were getting there and she very much doubted a Muggle housekeeper would be permitted. She was expecting one more letter from the US but in the meantime, she had to get the travel arrangements finalized. How do wizards travel long distances she wondered? There was a meeting of the order tonight where she could have her questions answered.
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Severus sat at the head table playing with the food on his plate. He had lost any appetite he had when he opened the letter from his other master. The very existence of the letter was odd as the Dark Lord usually preferred passing on instructions in person with all the threat that implied. There had to be something else afoot and that boded caution. Phaelan joined him at the table and noticed the patterns he was drawing on his mashed potatoes.
"Didn't mommy tell you not to play with your food?" she teased.
Sighing he looked at her blankly, "Mummy didn't have much food to provide at the best of times and I preferred not having my father take it away from me for misbehaviour."
Phaelan frowned at his unusual mood, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to dredge up bad memories. What's wrong?"
Wordlessly, Severus passed her the letter. Phaelan quickly scanned the contents and passed it back.
"When are you leaving?" she asked quietly.
"Tomorrow morning. Albus and Remus will cover my classes." He replied in the same tone.
Phaelan felt a clawing fear gather in the pit of her stomach, suddenly finding any food abhorrent.
"I'm not hungry either, can we go for a walk?" she asked him.
"Get your cloak, we'll go outside." He told her, rising from his seat to pull out her chair. She left through the teacher's door to the side, seeing Severus whisper to the Headmaster before following her.
They met at the massive front doors and headed out.
"We might as well head for Grimmauld Place for the meeting." He decided, feeling her arm slip into his.
Phaelan leaned her head against his arm as they slowly made their way to the apparition point outside the gates.
"What are you going to do about the guy they're holding Severus? Have you thought of a way to approach him?" she asked of the hostage.
Severus pondered before replying, "He's no coward. He would never have survived this long if he had been weak. To be anything other than direct would be an insult. I won't do that to him. I have an idea and I will explain it at the meeting."
He stopped and pulled her against him. "Be careful while I'm gone. Don't leave the castle alone. Make sure to take someone with you if you go to town." He reached up and cupped her face pulling her into a gentle kiss.
"How long will you be gone Severus. This feels like a goodbye." Phaelan looked into the dark eyes she so loved seeking reassurance.
He shook his head, "I told Albus I'd be gone the rest of the week."
Phaelan stroked his cheek, "There's a BUT missing from that statement. What is it?"
"If my plan fails, I'm not likely to return." There, he'd finally said it to himself and her.
Phaelan didn't know how to answer that bald statement, settling for wrapping her arms around him and holding him tightly. He held her close, resting his cheek on her head. It wasn't the first time Severus had gone on a mission for the Dark Lord but he'd never left someone behind before. He'd never had so great a reason to survive, never wanted to return as much as he did now. It left him feeling joyously happy and profoundly sad at the same time.
Releasing her, he turned to walk the rest of the way to the gates pulling Phaelan with him, "Come, it's time we went to the meeting." He told her as they travelled on in silence.
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Harry, Ron and Hermione met at the Headmaster's office. They were to take a port key with him to the meeting.
"Ah, here you are then. All ready?" Dumbledore asked as they entered.
"Yes sir, is Professor McGonagall coming?" Harry asked.
"No, one of us must remain here. I will bring her up to date later. Now, shall we go?" He asked, pulling out a small box.
"Crunch n Munch?" asked Ron when he saw the port key.
Dumbledore smiled, "A delicious confection from Professor McKenzie. Grab on."
The three students took hold of the empty box as the Headmaster touched his wand to it and said, "Portus." A few minutes later, they arrived on the street before 12 Grimmauld Place. They quickly made their way to the house to get out of the November drizzle soaking their robes. As they entered, Mrs Weasley bustled everyone down to the kitchen. Hermione noticed Phaelan and Severus sitting at one end of the table. Both appeared darkly solemn and looked nowhere other than their hands before them.
"Some tea dear?" offered Molly to the strangely quiet Phaelan.
Phaelan looked up and smiled briefly, "Yeah, thanks." Phaelan took the mug from Molly and added milk and sugar.
Holding another mug out, Molly looked at the dark man, "Severus, you all right?" She asked as Snape took the mug.
"I'm fine." He managed to snarl in his usual manner.
Molly just nodded her head not convinced by his tone but the Headmaster was calling order and she let the matter drop.
"Let's start with the progress on settling the Grangers," Began Dumbledore, "Phaelan?"
"I've received a letter from my lawyer in the US. The house is ready. I believe you said something about some elves Headmaster?"
Dumbledore nodded, "Yes we'll make arrangements for a small team in the house with a contact I have in Alabama. He contracts elves for outside work."
"Fine. I have also contacted an old friend who is a dentist. I thought perhaps the Grangers may enjoy doing some locum work. They need to feel useful for their own peace of mind." Phaelan finished.
"Well then, we shall pick a date for the transportation by international Knight bus?" Dumbledore conjured a calendar. "Arthur, what have we got?"
"Well, it's circuitous but should offer some security. Hogwarts to John O'Groats to the Shetlands to the Faeroe Islands then to Hof in Iceland where we change buses. Then we're off to Greenland, Newfoundland then Boston where we'll port key to your house." He paused to look at Phaelan who was wide eyed.
Phaelan noticed his pause and asked, "Couldn't we just charter a plane?"
Arthur shook his head, "Too much Muggle paper work and passport mess. We'll have a Wizards Visa and the trace will be lost – I'll make sure of it. You travel one week from next Friday."
"All set then, good. Now, Severus your news." Dumbledore nodded to him.
"I will be attending the Dark Lord to finish the study of his new creature. I'll be gone for the rest of this week. During that time, I hope to have the chance to somehow defeat his plan. The details will be worked out when I am there." He kept his voice emotionless as if reading from a text.
Gillhooly shook his head, "Better you than me mate. How are you going to get away with it?"
"I may not." Snape spoke flatly. "Either way it must end."
The finality of the statement brought silence to the room. Time seemed to stop until Tonks dropped a bottle of butterbeer breaking the mood.
"Well then, any other news?" Asked the Headmaster.
Phaelan had heard enough and left the kitchen for the library where Severus found her.
"The meeting has adjourned and Molly has food if you want any." He told her.
"No, I don't want anything." She replied. "Severus….I…I don't want to loose you. I just found you." Phaelan felt tears coming and did nothing to hold them back.
Severus locked the door with a wave of his wand and came to her.
"Phaelan look at me." He asked turning her towards him and embracing her. "You know what duty is and I must do this if I do nothing else. We can't let him unleash this thing."
"Understanding duty has caused me more guilt and regret than I choose to remember. I had never realized loving someone could cause so much pain." Phaelan looked up at him. "You'd better come back, you hear me. You haven't learned how to drive the car or taken me to a move or…"her tears overtook her.
"Phaelan, I give you my word, I'll do everything I can to survive. If I don't make it, it's because I had no other choice or they intended my death all along. Don't cry so please." He stroked her hair.
Phaelan pushed away from him, "I'm sorry, I don't usually get so emotional." She sniffed and looked around for a tissue. Severus handed her his handkerchief.
"Why don't you Muggles ever carry one of these?" he asked in a light tone.
"Because we use Kleenex," she snuffled and laughed.
"Ah yes the disposable society," he quipped before cupping her face once again. "I love you Phaelan. I promise you I won't let a day pass without telling you at least once."
"I'll hold you to that Severus Snape. I'll consider it a serious breach of contract if you forget." She gave a weak smile and reached up to kiss him. "Let's go home."
"Wait," he told her as he pulled his wand out to pass it over her face to remove all traces of her tears. "We can't ruin your reputation among the young warriors. Now we can leave."
They retrieved their cloaks and left the wards surrounding the house apparating to the gates of Hogwarts. They walked back to the school in silence each going to their own chambers. When Phaelan had bathed and changed into a silk gown, she pulled on her overrobes and flooed to Severus' room. He was waiting on the leather sofa and rose to greet her. Wordlessly, they went to his bed and made gentle tender love as they had never done before sharing in touch the love they had spoken.
Severus rose before the dawn and checked the potions he intended to take. He searched for and found an ancient coin upon which he cast a Protean charm. He would gift it to Phaelan before leaving. Finally he packed a small valise and shrunk it to fit in a pocket. Phaelan had awoken alone and had thought he had left. She trotted into the main room just as Dobby had brought a breakfast tray for Severus.
"I thought you had left without saying goodbye." Phaelan told him. He looked at her and smiled at her appearance. She was still rumpled from sleep, her hair messy and her eyes still blinking in the light. This was the vision he would keep with him.
"God I'm a mess." she said taking in his smile.
"Here, I think you could use this." Severus held out a cup of coffee. Phaelan took it and sipped.
"When are you going?" she asked quietly between sips.
"In a few minutes. I want you to have this." He held out the coin. "When it turns warm, take it out and look at it. Watch." Pulling a coin from his pocket he cast the charm from his side. Phaelan looked at the coin in her hand as it heated and saw the words 'I Love You.' Appear.
"I couldn't break my promise could I? Now I must leave." He told her.
"Wait, I want to walk you out." she ran to get her robes.
Severus left through the hidden doors in the dungeons. Phaelan walked with him to where the path diverted to the Shrieking Shack.
"This is far enough." He told her.
"Please be careful Severus, come back to me. I love you." There was really nothing else to be said.
Severus pulled her to him for one last lingering kiss. "I'll see you on the weekend. Make sure you've got all your marking caught up. I think we deserve a Saturday night out." He touched her face once more. "I love you." Releasing her, he turned and strode quickly away without looking back.
How do they do it, she wondered, all the women she had seen standing on the dockside waving at the men on deck as they left for deployment. How do they keep smiling and waving. It took far more courage than leaving. How true it was whoever penned "They also serve who only stand and wait" for they suffered a pain as great as any serviceperson. She turned and walked slowly back to the castle to work and wait; to do her duty.
The solicitor's name Raptus R. Decipio pretty much means Screw or Deceive.