AN: Winding down now, next chapter will be the epilogue. :)


The auror offices had a break room nestled behind several large bookcases of crime magazines and curse books. It became an informal meeting room as the aurors were busy in the lower levels corralling the Death Eaters and Umbridge, and starting the hunt for Fudge. Snape sat at the end of the break room table, calmly stirring a cup of tea as he waited for the others to settle in.

"Mr Scrimgeour," Tonks said, passing him a cup of tea and accidentally spilling a few drops on the table.

"Thank you," Scrimgeour said. Amelia Bones was sat next to him, daintily pinching the bridge of her nose as a cup was placed in front of her.

"If I am to believe what has taken place this evening," Bones started, nodding at Kingsley as he closed the door quietly, "Dolores Umbridge has been trying to undermine Cornelius Fudge and the Ministry for the past five months."

"Thereabouts," Snape said. He sipped his tea carefully, the steam swirling up over his face.

"And she used both her knowledge of Voldemort's death in the spring and the support of Death Eaters to achieve this goal," Bones continued.

"To attempt that achievement," Snape corrected. "I expected something as such to happen and had thus prepared to monitor for this exact situation."

Kingsley carefully put The Monster book of Monsters on the table and sat down, yawning slightly.

"It's been a long couple of months," Kingsley said.

"I thought you said you found this on a raid of a malicious wizard's house?" Tonks glared, pointing at the book.

"I did. It came from Severus' house," Kingsley grinned. "I was visiting to talk about what was happening and the book kept trying to bite my feet."

"One can never be too careful with the motives of visitors," Snape dryly said, sipping more tea. Bones had a brief smile on her face.

"I brought you a Battenberg and you set your book on me," Kingsley protested, pointing his finger at Snape.

"It was, as you'll agree, thus proven as the perfect spot to place evidence," Snape said.

He curled his finger under the lower jaw of the book and it purred, before relaxing back and allowing Snape to flip through the pages.

He pulled out photos of Umbridge sneaking in and out of The Daily Prophet office, a work order for Azkaban dementors from July, a photo of her in discussion with the Master of the Hall of Prophecies, and then a statement from him. Lastly, Snape withdrew every proclamation that Umbridge had set upon Hogwarts.

"One of your aurors, James Kemper, is compromised," Snape said. Kingsley's expression lost its mirth as Snape pulled out more photos, ones of Kemper talking with Umbridge and meeting with her in muggle London.

Bones reached over and picked up the photos, frowning at them. Scrimgeour was scowling.

"This is what prompted the evidence collecting? Kemper having a conversation with Dolores Umbridge?" Scrimgeour asked. "It seems a little suspect that you went to such an elaborate scheme.."

"Scheme?" Snape silkily asked. "When has the Ministry ever been consistent in their behaviour when it comes to such serious matters? Bagnold was told in 1981 that the Dark Lord was not fully dead and ignored this advice. She passed the information to Fudge, who continued to ignore it up until he couldn't. I worked on my own to protect Harry Potter because it was evident that the Dark Lord would try to kill him again."

"Alone?" Bones asked.

"With Albus Dumbledore, though we didn't always see eye to eye," Snape admitted. "The end result was that we were right and he came back to try to kill Harry again. I ended Riddle properly, and in the subsequent meeting, which was called a cover up by the very Minister of Magic himself, I began planning for when this information was leaked."

"Did you leak it?" Bones asked. Snape gave her a sour look.

"Most certainly not. I asked Kingsley to watch for any suspicious activity regarding information files on myself, Harry Potter, and Tom Riddle. I suspected that anyone trying to use the news of the Dark Lord's death for their personal gain would start there first."

"Shacklebolt, you stepped out of bounds on this," Scrimgeour warned. "All investigations must be properly documented, and members of the public are not to set the terms."

"Respectfully, he's not just a member of the public," Kingsley said, spreading his hands out around his own mug of tea. "Severus was a spy in the Death Eater organization in the first war. His work with Albus Dumbledore over the past few years not only uncovered the methods of Voldemort's immortality but also the answer to killing him, all the while being actively ignored or thwarted by Cornelius Fudge's administration. I was at that meeting, Rufus. It was specifically called a cover up by our own Minister. When Severus later asked me to monitor his files, I did not question the validity of his request."

"And when did this turn into a hunt against the Ministry specifically? Fudge has been made to look a fool," Bones said.

"Fudge made his bed," Snape muttered.

"Once the suspicions were confirmed. Dolores Umbridge was an undersecretary who had no legitimate reason to be aware of this event. Neither did Lucius Malfoy, and they were not as careful as they thought whilst asking questions about it. You will find all the documentation for the investigation within that book."

Kingsley nodded at Mr Monster Muffins, which had crawled over to Tonks for more pets.

"When did you realise that Umbridge was behind the release of the Death Eaters?" Scrimgeour asked.

"She's not the only one to do research," Snape smugly said. "She failed her apparition test four times."

Scrimgeour raised an eyebrow and Kingsley rolled his eyes before explaining.

"Severus told me to keep an eye on the portkey office. A portkey was requested by her, to Azkaban, an hour before Bellatrix Lestrange's escape."

Scrimgeour sighed.

"I'm not pleased that this was happening without my knowledge," he said, giving a stern look to both Kingsley and Snape.

"All of the attendees at the cover up meeting who were not myself, Potter, or Dumbledore were Ministry employees. Specifically, the Minister for Magic, and the rest were aurors. I deliberately did not expand upon the investigation to Kingsley or anyone else, knowing that an auror would likely be culpable or at the very least involved," Snape said.

"This is also why the evidence was kept in that book," Kingsley said. "I could not risk my desk or things being searched."

"None the less," Scrimgeour said.

"It is perhaps an opportunity to reorganise the Ministry, Rufus," Bones said. "Clearly our rules, process, and security have become lax in times of peace, and given the weaknesses exposed, we can tighten those."

"Yes," Scrimgeour muttered, scratching his beard.

"There is just now the small issue of the arrest of Severus Snape. A murder charge is not something easily revoked."

"I think you'll find it can be," Snape said, finishing his tea. "By the very action of Bagnold and Fudge refusing to acknowledge that Voldemort had survived, Tom Riddle has been officially recorded as dead since 1981. It is not possible for me to have killed a dead man."

Both Scrimgeour and Bones stared at Snape, who calmly stood to take his tea mug to the sink.

"I will leave the evidence with you," Kingsley said. "It will bite if you're not careful."

Tonks frowned, continuing to pet the book that was purring in front of her.

….

It hadn't taken long for the Atrium to become quiet and still as the captured Death Eaters were taken away to the lower levels. Harry, who couldn't sit still quite yet as the last of his adrenaline had yet to dissipate, walked around the statue and watched the goings-on, trying to look like he wasn't staring too much at his Weasleys had arrived at some point during the battle, as Harry remembered seeing a lot of blurry red hair every which way he looked as he was watching for attack. Mrs Weasley was grilling Ron to make sure that he wasn't hiding any more injuries other than his broken fingers, and Mr Weasley had clapped Fred on the shoulder and looked proud of them.

Harry took a few more steps around the statue, looking further into the crowd of who was left. Dumbledore was talking with a few of the aurors and Lupin, and a Healer had arrived to check in on Harry's other friends. Harry knew that Snape would probably check in to see if he was okay, and he'd felt good knowing that Snape had been in battle with him, and had trusted him and his skill levels to fight.

But he rather wished Snape was there now, as Harry was starting to feel tired and wanted to go home. Wanted to be told he'd done well. He had to wait though, as Snape had gone off to talk with the severe-looking head auror about what exactly had happened.

Harry wandered over to a bench that was by a series of Ministry office windows and sat down. He'd battled with Death Eaters. All the training he'd done with Snape, and what he'd tried to teach Dumbledore's Army, had been put to use and they'd survived. Harry knew that it hadn't been an even fight and that they'd suffered more injuries than the Death Eaters had, but they'd all survived and they were all okay and the people that needed to be arrested had been.

"Well," Sirius said, sitting down on the bench next to Harry. "More exciting Monday evening than I was expecting when I first went to Gringotts."

Harry smiled.

"The first time I went to Gringotts there was a break in at one of the Vaults."

"Really?" Sirius said, his eyebrows raised. "You'd have to be mad to break into Gringotts."

"Voldemort," Harry shrugged, by way of explanation. "I was with Hagrid and he was the biggest person I'd ever seen. I felt pretty safe."

"What about now?" Sirius asked. His hair looked a little ruffled, but other than that he did not look like he'd been in a fight at all.

Harry shrugged and scratched at his jeans.

"Still feel pretty safe. Snape's taught me a lot, and so have you and the Weasleys and Dumbledore. Never thought I'd lead a group to the Ministry to break someone out though."

Sirius smiled.

"It's something your dad would have done."

Harry gave a half laugh.

"Would he also have crammed six of his friends in the side car of your motorbike and almost crash into that fountain at Piccadilly Circus trying to get to the Ministry?"

"You drove along Shaftsbury during rush hour?" Sirius laughed. "You were on a magical bike!"

"I can't exactly fly it in front of muggles!" Harry said. "I've definitely been in trouble for that before."

"You and me both," Sirius said, knocking his shoulder against Harry's. "But you did well to get here, and seems like the plan worked. At least what I know of it did."

"Yeah," Harry said. "Snape out of jail, Umbridge arrested, everyone knows now what happened in the spring."

He leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes a bit. Earlier in the year Harry had naively thought that once Voldemort was dead that his life would be boring and uneventful. Snape had ruined that calm, reminding him that a secret would not remain as such for long, and people would find out about his adoption as well. Now that those were out though, and there was nothing left to hide, Harry couldn't help feeling a little pang of hope for a normal life.

"You called Mrs Malfoy your cousin earlier," Harry slowly said, trying to puzzle out the familial connections as he opened his eyes.

"Yes," Sirius said, giving Harry a calm look.

"Which means, that Draco Malfoy, you…"

"We are all distantly related, Harry. The pureblood families I reckon all are," Sirius explained. He seemed to be absentmindedly rubbing one of his tattoos on his hand as he spoke.

"But you're so different," Harry said.

"My parents weren't. Nor was my brother, not at first," Sirius said, with a small sigh. "We grew up with them, the Black sisters."

"Why did you yell at Draco's mum right away?" Harry asked. "Why not Bellatrix?"

Sirius gave Harry a smile that was not a happy one.

"Bellatrix likes chaos and violence. She follows directives, for the most part. Narcissa has always been the brains of the operation," Sirius said, frowning at the now-reddened skin on his hand.

"What's Mr Malfoy then?"

"The hair."

Harry let out a snort and Sirius smirked. "He's a good politician, good at getting his way behind the scenes and manipulating people in useful positions. Narcissa has wanted to be the quiet, powerfu,l high-status family since she was a child, and he was a long-term plan to get her there," Sirius said.

"Sort of explains Draco," Harry said. "Always threatening that his father will hear about anything at school that he doesn't like."

Sirius nodded.

"Lucius was like that as a student as well."

Both Harry and Sirius looked across the atrium as Ron yelped out of nowhere. The Healer had moved on to checking out the Weasleys and it looked like Ron had not enjoyed the spell used to fix his broken fingers. Neville, whose legs were still slightly twitching from the spell he'd been under, was patiently waiting for his turn with the Healer as Hermione and Luna chatted with him. Fred and George had been seen to already, and were trying to keep Ginny away as she kept poking at their bruises.

"Bellatrix would have done it, wouldn't she?" Harry quietly asked. "Tortured him. She sounded like she knew who he was."

Sirius looked at Neville carefully for a moment before answering.

"Yes. She knew of him. Just as he was very aware of her."Harry went to ask something else but Sirius shook his head.

"You will have to ask Neville if he wants to share more details. Suffice to say, despite him being underage, she would not have held back."

Sirius sounded only the slightest bit remorseful, which Harry found weird. He scuffed his feet against the glossy black floor tile.

"Will you get in trouble? You killed her."

"I don't think so. She was an escaped convict attacking people in the Ministry. They have surveillance; they can see she was about to curse him."

"What about your soul?" Harry quietly asked. "Dumbledore and Snape told me what happens to it when you murder someone."

"Time will tell," Sirius shrugged. "There are layers to murder, and committing the act during a battle to save someone else… well. Perhaps Dumbledore knows better than I. I don't regret saving your friend's life."

"Do you think you'll be arrested for it?" Harry asked, concern at the edge of his voice. Bellatrix had been Sirius' cousin, and for a second, Harry thought about Dudley and the bully he'd been as they'd grown up. Could Harry have done the same, if Dudley had become more violent? He couldn't tell, and felt uncomfortable thinking about it.

"If I was, at least it would be because I actually did it this time," Sirius grimly said.

Harry frowned. They heard some footsteps by the hallway where the lifts were and looked up to see Kingsley and Snape in some sort of heated discussion as Tonks followed, rolling her eyes at whatever was being said.

"You were great back there. You have James' natural talent for fighting, but you're quicker anticipating curses and dodging the fall out," Sirius told him, his voice quiet as if he didn't want others to hear him as they stood up. "He taught you well."

Harry's head turned quickly to glance at Sirius as Snape approached.

"John," Snape said, looking at Harry and ignoring Sirius. "Harry. Time to go."

"All charges cleared?" Sirius asked, his eyebrow raised as he stared at Snape.

"Mine are," Snape haughtily said. "I assume you'll want to interview with the aurors on whatever pending charges you have, once again."

"Severus," Kingsley said. "Spoiling for another fight already?"

"I have no idea what you mean, Shacklebolt," Snape said, crossing his arms. Harry raised his eyebrows in surprise but Kingsley didn't seem too bothered by it as he winked at Harry and gave him a wave.

"Nice job, Potter. See you later!"

….

Harry waited for Snape to give the correct password before hopping into the fireplace and leaving the Ministry. He hadn't even asked where they were returning too, but he had assumed Hogwarts and wasn't surprised to find himself in Snape's flat in the dungeons.

Snape moved to the kitchen and stared at his table, which was still covered in a layer of paperwork, books, several stirring spoons, quills, and a plate, and cast a spell on it. Harry watched, to his great amusement, as Snape conjured a rigid black board that slipped under the layer of detritus and then lifted it all up toward the ceiling of the room. It floated right into place and then stuck itself there, the very definition of out of sight out of mind.

Harry nodded at the now-cleared kitchen table.

"Can I use that for cleaning as well?"

Snape glared at him as he washed his hands at the sink.

"Set the table."

"For what? Wait, we're actually going to eat at the table?"

"We eat at the table all the time," Snape said, his head going into the fridge as he looked for something.

"Yeah, at home, not here," Harry said, plucking out cutlery. "I've never actually seen what this table looks like."

"Very funny," Snape said, carrying a large container of parmesan cheese from the fridge and picking up an extra set of cutlery. Harry had half a second to look confused before the fireplace flared green and he heard someone arrive.

"Voila," Kingsley said, walking in and placing two large takeaway bags on the kitchen table. Harry didn't recognise the name on the bag, but the restaurant's post code was from London.

"Victory pasta. Where's all the rubbish from the table?"

Harry bit back a smile and sat down, choosing the spot nearest the charmed window. Kingsley sat across from him with a satisfied look on his face, pulling out the containers of pasta, and then, like a muggle magic trick, pulling out packet after packet of parmesan cheese.

"I'm not sure they gave me enough," Kingsley deadpanned, piling the packets in front of Snape's plate.

"There's no need to be rude," Snape said, glaring at the packets as he sat primely in his chair and took the largest container to portion out.

"Severus, I'm pretty sure you eat more parmesan than any other wizard alive," Kingsley laughed, unwrapping a foil bag of garlic bread. It smelled absolutely amazing and Harry was temporarily distracted by the bread instead of the conversation.

"Hearsay," Snape muttered, despite dumping a large amount of cheese on his pasta.

"So," Harry said, ripping apart the garlic bread. "Is everything done? With Umbridge and Voldemort and the Death Eaters?"

"Everything is done," Kingsley said. "At least from my end; Amelia Bones will be reviewing Ministry policy and I believe will step in as temporary Minister. Scrimgeour will be taking care of Umbridge, and returning the Death Eaters to Azkaban."

Harry nodded and turned to his right.

"What about you, Dad? The charges were cancelled?"

"Of course," Snape said, with a bit of a smug smile. "Exactly as to plan."

"Thanks, of course, to all the evidence that I collected," Kingsley said. "Risking my livelihood, my safety, my future in the Ministry on a plan that your Dad hatched over a conspiracy that almost no one knew about."

He had a mischievous grin on his face as he spoke, which only got wider as Snape rolled his eyes.

"I'm certain that your Ministry aspirations are completely unharmed, and in fact, even bolstered by your actions," Snape said, spearing more pasta on his fork.

"I don't think Tonks has forgiven you though," Harry said. "She seemed really attached to that book."

"That bloody book," Kingsley said, shaking his head. "Took me weeks to get it to like me enough so I could give it paper without it wanting to shred it."

Snape looked both amused and pleased at this, and Harry figured that Snape had no issues with the book and found it funny when others did.

"Where is it?" Snape asked.

"Mr Monster Muffins? Back in the cage in the office. You're mad if you think I'd be allowed to dispose of it."

"They're going to keep it?" Harry asked. "As a mascot?"

"When I left, Tonks was showing it to The Daily Prophet photographer and talking about giving its cage a makeover," Kingsley darkly said.

….

"Going back to your dorms?" Snape asked, crossing his arms as Harry unearthed the blankets that he normally used on the couch.

"No," Harry said, plunking himself down on the couch. "It's too late."

"Harry," Snape said. "You are not to take advantage…"

"Dad," Harry interrupted. "I'm always the one being talked about in the papers and by others, so I reckoned I'd give them time to talk to people, without me there. Sometimes Ron gets jealous."

"How altruistic," Snape dryly said. He moved into his bedroom to change out of his daily clothes, something he did when he didn't plan on leaving the house. Harry knew this also meant he wouldn't be kicked out to the dorms. Kingsley had left after dinner, citing that he'd had enough of Snape to last him for a few weeks.

"I mean it though," Harry said, conjuring a pillow for the couch. "I'm glad Voldemort is never coming back but I never wanted this and I just want to live as a wizard without always being in the papers or… without having to watch around the corners for the rest of my life."

Snape came back out of the bedroom with a pensive look on his face. He moved toward his desk and started putting away some of the papers and notes related to Umbridge.

"Bold to assume that you will never have trouble through the rest of your life."

"I don't know why you always assume I go looking for trouble," Harry said, rolling his eyes. He flung one of the blankets out along the couch.

"Because despite my years of teaching you, you still act without regard for consequence," Snape answered. His tone wasn't harsh, but Harry bristled at the response.

"I followed the back-up plan exactly tonight," Harry said,

"You used sectumsempra," Snape said, cutting off any further argument. He pulled an article about the Ministry off the pinboard and turned to look at Harry, his expression suspiciously neutral. "What exactly is that spell, Harry?"

Harry could see the words in his mind, in the spidery script that was very familiar. For Enemies. Snape knew exactly what the spell was as Snape had created the spell, and there was no point at all lying about where Harry had learned it.

"It's a cutting spell," Harry slowly said. He'd looked up the Latin when he'd first read the potion book. "It cuts things."

"And do you think that was an appropriate spell to use?" Snape asked. "It does not stop cutting without specifically ending the spell. You could have killed someone."

Harry thought about that, and thought about who he'd used it against. He'd only managed to sever some of Bellatrix's hair and cut her cheek, so his spell hadn't been fully on target. Had it hit, he could have caused serious damage before she was able to stop it. But he suspected she had no plans to go easy on him either.

"I think she would have killed me as well," Harry said. "I don't think the Death Eaters came for an after- school duel."

"That particular group of Death Eaters have not been known for holding back," Snape agreed, sitting down in his armchair. "I have taught you many spells that are useful for duelling, and some that can indeed cause damage. And I know where you learned that spell."

"From you," Harry said. "Your book."

"Yes," Snape said. "But my question to you is, what kind of duellist do you want to be? One that wins intelligently, or one that wins by murder?"

"That's not fair, it was a no-holds barred fight," Harry said, standing up and pacing in front of the fireplace. "We knew there was a chance of them being there, and them coming after me, and you, for killing him."

"And," Snape said, his elbows resting on the arms of the chair as he steepled his fingers in front of his chest.

"And what? You taught me to do everything I could to win," Harry said, almost losing his train of thought as he noticed a small photo of himself on the fireplace mantle.

"Not my question."

"I don't know what you're asking then," Harry said, narrowing his eyes.

"Would you have used the killing curse?" Snape asked, stopping Harry's pacing immediately.

"Have you killed anyone?" Harry asked, buying time.

"Other than Voldemort?" Snape dryly asked. "No. I have not."

Harry paced again, thinking to himself. Sirius had done it. He'd killed Bellatrix in the heat of the battle, but it had been a deliberate act. Could Harry have done that? Likely not. But accidentally…

"No," Harry finally said. "I don't think I could use the killing curse deliberately. But I can see how a spell could get away from me and cause someone's death."

Snape nodded, relaxing back in his chair.

"You need to practice your awareness in this sort of situation. It is very easy to escalate your spells in the heat of battle, but you must always monitor the situation and use appropriate ones, lest you go too far and face consequences by either other combatants or the law."

Harry flopped back on the couch.

"I thought Snapes didn't care about the law."

"When you're in the middle of the Ministry, where there is surveillance and witnesses, we certainly do," Snape said. He lifted his hand and summoned for a house elf, requesting a cup of tea for himself and indicating that Harry should do the same. Harry knew he must have been tired as Snape normally preferred to make his own drinks.

The tea arrived within minutes, and Snape settled in with a muggle magazine about video games, that Harry recognised from around Lower Tarrow but that he'd never seen Snape actually read.

"Why'd you have to question me like that? You could have just said 'good job, I'm proud of you, by the way make sure you don't get carried away in your next duel'."

"Because I wanted you to actually think about it," Snape told him, with a smug smile that he mostly hid behind the magazine.

"Fine," Harry said, sipping his hot chocolate and reading his own Smash Hits magazine. There was a special interview with Oasis in it that Harry wanted to catch up on. Five minutes in, when Harry was absorbed in the history of the band's big break, Snape spoke up again.

"Harry. I'm proud of you."

This time it was Harry's turn to hide his face behind the magazine, as he couldn't quite control his pleased grin.

….

Normally Harry and Ron would arrive at breakfast near the end of the open hours for it, grabbing the last of the rashers before rushing off to class. Snape went to breakfast earlier though, and had no qualms about waking Harry up in time for a proper and unhurried meal. Dumbledore was also planning to give an announcement, which had been shared with students through Heads of House and prefects.

Harry was unsure of the reception they'd receive that morning though. Dumbledore's first conference had happened only yesterday afternoon, and Harry was quite certain that news of Snape's arrest afterward had raced through the school like fiendfyre.

"Leave the tie alone," Snape said, as he led them up from the dungeons.

"It's not sitting right," Harry grumbled. He'd not missed the Slytherins and Hufflepuffs that they'd passed staring at him, but he was pretending to ignore it. Harry wasn't sure if most people knew that Snape was out of the Ministry's jail, but it appeared that maybe they weren't.

"Anything I'm not supposed to say?" Harry asked, as they approached the Great Hall.

"Do not reveal our home address," Snape said, not breaking his stride.

"Well, no, I know that," Harry stammered.

Snape glanced back at him with his eyebrow raised, waiting to see if Harry would say anything else. After a second, Snape's expression softened ever so slightly.

"Anything about Umbridge or that was in the papers may be shared. I prefer to keep the rest, and my involvement in the first war, quiet."

Harry thought about that for a beat and then nodded.

"Okay."

Snape narrowed his eyes and stopped Harry from opening the Great Hall door.

"Harry."

"I know," Harry said, looking back with a tiny smile. "Doesn't mean you're embarrassed to be my dad. And I can talk about it."

"Precisely," Snape nodded. He held his head up snobbishly high and walked through the door, seeming to revel in the hush that immediately spread through the room.

….

"Well," Dumbledore said, standing in front of his speech stand. "Twice in one week, I suppose I should have practised more had I known I would be giving so many speeches."

There were some murmured comments and a laugh as Harry looked around to see if he could spot Malfoy. Both Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy had been arrested the evening before, and Harry didn't know what that would mean for turned back to listen to Dumbledore and absentmindedly chewed on a scone. Draco's parents were in Azkaban, and his aunt was killed the night before. Harry knew he probably should feel some sympathy but found that he had very little.

"No doubt many of you are very curious as to the events of what happened yesterday evening," Dumbledore said. "I'm sure that the rumours flying around Hogwarts will sufficiently cover most of what happened. As you can all see, Professor Snape is here and unharmed, and not in the clutches of Ministry aurors. You will also all note that Dolores Umbridge is no longer with us, as she is, alas, in the clutches of Ministry aurors."

A cheer rose up through the Great Hall and Harry gave a hearty clap along. McGonagall looked like she was trying to hide how pleased she was at the news, and Hagrid didn't appear to be trying to hide it at all.

"The information I gave yesterday regarding the death of Voldemort, or Tom Riddle, remains true. I am certain that a full report will be filed by the Ministry, and another, perhaps less full, report by The Daily Prophet. I would like to emphasize that Voldemort is gone for good thanks to the concentrated efforts of several individuals both in attendance and not, and that you should not worry about him ever returning. You are, as always, completely safe at Hogwarts."Lastly, a reminder to all students that with the Christmas holidays coming up to please inform your Head of House if you will be staying at the school during the break, and the last Hogsmeade weekend for third years and above will be December 16th."

Dumbledore stepped back from the podium and chatted a bit with McGonagall at the table as chatter rose in the Great Hall again. Snape managed to eat his breakfast whilst at the same time glaring over the room in general, suggesting that anyone who would want to enquire about his arrest and subsequent freedom re-think their curiosity.

"You staying here for the hols?" Ron asked, shovelling some baked beans on his plate.

"Dunno," Harry said. "Snape usually stays here but I think his parents want to have dinner at some point."

"Plus, you've never really had a real Christmas at home, have you?" Hermione asked, sipping some pumpkin juice.

Harry coughed a little to cover his blush, and shook his head.

"You think Snape knows how to do a real Christmas?" Ron asked, spearing some sausages.

"Hey Potter."

Harry looked up to see Marcus Belby and a few other Ravenclaws towering over him.

"Loony Lovegood says you went to the Ministry last night and fought Death Eaters," Belby said, with a small laugh.

"Don't call her that," Harry said. Ron and Hermione scowled at them.

"Yeah, we did," Neville said, at the same time. Neville had a gash across his face that didn't match with his calm but firm tone.

"Come off it," Belby said, nudging the shoulder of one of his friends. "You and a bunch of other scrawny students fought off actual Death Eaters?"

"You want us to show you how?" George said, walking up to Belby and standing behind him.

"We'd be happy to demonstrate," Fred added.

Belby looked at them, eyeing the bruises that Fred had on his neck and George had around his right eye.

"Nah," Belby said. "I don't need to prove anything in a fight."

"Probably for the best," Harry said. "Can't prove imaginary things."

Belby, who'd taken a step back, looked furious at Harry's comment.

"Big talk for a little…"

"Guy who fought Voldemort twice?" Harry said, standing up. "Bloke who trained a bunch of students in defence spells well enough that everyone survived last night? Or were you going to mock me and say that I'm only saying that because Snape's my guardian and you think he'd back me up?"

"Woah," Belby said. "Just a little banter, mate. We all know who you are, but you know how Loony–Luna makes stuff up. And it's Snape. I mean, you could have left him there and no one would really be mad about that."

He laughed a bit with his friends but Harry scowled.

"That's his dad, you twat," Ron said, standing up as well.

"And let Umbridge take over the Ministry? That was her plan, Belby. That's why she let the Death Eaters out."

He looked confused at this and Hermione knocked her mug down on the table.

"And here I thought you Ravenclaws were smart enough to infer information from what you're reading. Or do you just let the words pass through in your head until you pick up the next edition of The Daily Prophet?"

"Ah lads and ladies," Madame Hooch said, nudging her way into the group. "As much as I do love that pre-quidditch match fighting spirit, it is just a Tuesday morning. Clear out, or else."

"Bye," Ginny said, waving at Belby with a fake grabbed an apple to go as he stood up from the bench, waiting for his friends to walk to class with him.

"Can't wait for this to die down," Harry said. "Do you think I could pay someone to do something dumb and take all the attention away?"

They'd started walking toward the doors of the Great Hall and Fred and George clapped Harry on the back from either side.

"Something dumb you say?" George asked.

"Give us a few days and you'll be all sorted," Fred said, with a grin as wide as his brother's.

They yelled at Lee Jordan to wait for them and jogged away, not noticing the confused and slightly concerned looks on Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny's faces.