Sensing Magic
by Teddylonglong

Please refer to chapter 1 for my disclaimer and warnings. Thank you.


"Severus," Lucius greeted him in apparent surprise, after one of the Malfoy elves had taken him to his master's office. "You've made yourself rare, my friend."

Severus slightly inclined his head in silent apology. "The headmaster made me take in an orphan, who is the heir of Slytherin and the other founders of Hogwarts. Not because of this, but perhaps influenced by the matter, I have taken on the lordship for House Prince and blood adopted the child. Caring for the boy took all of my free time. I am sorry for simply sending a gift for Draco's birthday and not coming to visit."

"Apology accepted under the circumstances," Lucius replied, gracefully. "Who is this boy?"

Severus had to try hard to remain calm and not fidget in his seat. "I need you to swear me an oath to neither harm him nor give away his secret."

Lucius nodded. "I swear on my magic that I will not harm Severus' ward nor ask someone else to harm him nor give away his secret." He cast Severus a questioning look.

Severus nodded. "Thank you. It is Harry Potter. However, this should remain a secret, as by the blood adoption, he became Harry Prince and the heir to my family."

"Well done, Severus, ensuring yourself an heir. Why did you not bring your heir by the way? He must be of Draco's age."

"He is not ready for company yet. He was abused by his former caregivers and is suffering from the Epiales disease." Seeing that Lucius did not have a clue what it entailed, he elaborated, causing the blonde wizard to scoff.

"I can't believe it. After Dumbledore always said that he was safe with his relatives."

"Nevertheless, as he and Draco are of the same age, I'd like for them to become friends. Perhaps we can arrange a time for Draco to visit us at Hogwarts in a few weeks' time."

"Yes, we shall do that," Lucius agreed, seeming contented.

"Now, the reason for my uninvited visit tonight is the Wizengamot meeting on the seventeenth." Seeing that Lucius perked up in apparent interest, he continued, "I fully intend to take my seat on the Wizengamot, especially as it's going to take place during the holidays, so that I can easily attend."

Lucius nodded. "I shall introduce you," he offered, letting his right hand wander through his long, blond hair.

Severus inwardly sighed. "Minerva already promised to introduce me. However, there is something else, for which I'd like to ask you a favour. We, that is Minerva and I, would like to suggest a vote of no confidence in Dumbledore as the head of the Wizengamot. However, neither Minerva nor I are in positions that would allow such kind of action…"

"You want me to suggest the vote of no confidence?" Lucius asked in apparent understanding.

"I'm sorry for requesting…"

Lucius waved his hand, shaking his head. "No need to be sorry at all. It will be a pleasure to make the request and end the old fool's reign. It was a good timing that you told me today, as tomorrow evening, I will meet with the other lords to discuss the Wizengamot meeting. Feel free to join us tomorrow evening here at the manor. We should decide on a new head of the Wizengamot in advance, preferably one who would be accepted by the light side, too, so that we can push him through."

Severus nodded in understanding. "Thank you very much," he said, gratefully, before he rose from his chair and excused himself.

"Severus!" Lucius called him back, when he was just about to step through the door. "Well done. You're making progress. Now, you only need to find a wife."

"Yes sir," Severus replied, rolling his eyes in annoyance, as he followed the elf back to the entrance hall. 'Surrounded by meddling coots,' he thought, as he readied himself to step through the fireplace and return home.

HP

While Severus believed Harry to be fast asleep, in fact, the idea of being allowed to have his first birthday party kept him awake.

"Lulu, are you awake?"

The canine let out a loud yawn before replying. =Yes Harry, what's wrong?=

'Do you think we can get some cocoa?' He returned to mind thinking, although he was not sure why; however, relaxed, when Lucy readily jumped out of bed and kept close to him, as they headed into the living room. In surprise, he realised that Severus was absent, when Lucy sent him an image of a cat that was curled up in front of the fireplace.

'Is that Minerva?' Harry wondered in spite of the fact that he could clearly sense the professor's magic, before the feline transformed back into the older witch.

"Harry, what happened? I thought you were asleep."

'Severus allowed me to invite my friends for my birthday,' Harry informed her, as he lingered behind the sofa, uncertain if he was allowed to sit down at this time of the evening.

=Come, let's sit down and cuddle,= Lucy encouraged him, before she took the few steps around the sofa and made herself comfortable in their favourite spot.

"Harry, if you can't sleep, you may as well sit down and have some hot chocolate," Minerva offered, and Harry quickly sent a telepathic thank you to the kind witch.

An instant later, a large cup of hot chocolate that was decorated with cream and marshmallows appeared on the table along with an assortment of what had become Harry's favourite biscuits and a small bowl with dog treats.

Harry fed Lucy a couple of her favourite treats, before he took a small sip from his cocoa, savouring the taste.

"Harry, has Severus spoken with you about the regent for the Potter seat on the Wizengamot?"

Harry shook his head in confusion, as he had no clue what this was about. Severus had told him about the Wizengamot and that he was going to take the seat of House Prince, but he had not said anything about the Potter seat.

"Currently, Professor Dumbledore is regent for House Potter, because you need someone, who has your best interest in mind, to represent you until you'll be of age, when you turn seventeen." Minerva sounded very patient, as she explained what Harry needed to know. "If you wish someone else to take over from Professor Dumbledore, because your relationship to the headmaster might not be the best, you merely have to let the members of the Wizengamot know. It is your decision and not that of anyone else, not even if the person is the head of the Wizengamot."

Harry fiercely shook his head. 'I don't want Dumbledore to represent me. I don't trust him,' he firmly thought back.

"That is Professor Dumbledore, Harry, but yes, I understand you. Would you like your adoptive father to represent you?"

'I am enough of a burden to Severus,' Harry thought and made a decision. 'Excuse me, Minerva, but would you perhaps be willing to become my regent?'

"I would be happy to do so, but I already have my own seat, just like Severus has his seat. What about Remus Lupin? He is your godfather after all, and as he is not a werewolf anymore, I am sure that he will agree."

Harry nodded, eagerly. 'I'd like that. He was one of my parents' best friends, and he is really nice.'

"That he is, Harry." Minerva smiled, warmly. "Shall we call Remus here, so that you can ask him if he's willing to become your regent?"

Harry nodded, when a thought crossed his mind. 'Won't he mind though?'

"No Harry, just like myself, he has known you from the time when you were born and loves you very much."

Minerva called Malcolm and sent the elf to fetch Remus. While they were waiting, she suggested, "Harry, would you be willing to play on the Suikan for a while? Severus told me that it was beautiful, and I'd love to hear it, too."

=Do it,= Lucy encouraged him, nudging him to get up from the sofa to fetch the instrument.

Harry obeyed and hesitantly began to play, thinking of how good his life had become and how happy he was living with Severus and Lucy at Hogwarts. He neither noticed Remus join them, nor did he hear his adoptive father return home. The adults remained quiet and listened with growing amazement how the music, which had begun very hesitant, expressed pure happiness towards the end. All of a sudden, Harry noticed his audience and abruptly ended the music with a loud bang.

"That was unexpected." Severus smirked.

"But absolutely beautiful," Remus commended him. "Amazing, Harry. Very well done."

"Thank you," Harry replied, smiling, only to slap his hand against his mouth upon realising that he had unconsciously spoken aloud.

"It is wonderful to hear you speak, Harry." Minerva cast him a broad smile.

"It's a pleasure to listen to your music. You've very much improved since this morning. Why are you sitting here playing music by the way? I thought you and Lucy were both asleep." Severus quirked an eyebrow.

'I'm sorry, sir. I was too excited to sleep,' Harry replied, inwardly sighing in relief, when Minerva quickly informed her colleagues about their discussion concerning the Potter seat.

"While I'd happily accept," Remus spoke up, sounding pensive, "are you sure that they'll accept me as regent for the Potter seat? I am still known as a werewolf."

"Then we shall correct them according to recent developments." Harry inwardly chuckled at Severus' voice that was laced with exasperation, before he let out a huge yawn, which he could not stop.

"Now Harry, I believe that it's time for you and Lucy to go to bed."

Harry and Lucy immediately obeyed, having noticed from the professor's voice that it was not a suggestion, but an order.

=Tell them 'Good night' aloud,= Lucy instructed him, and Harry obeyed, before he swiftly returned to his own room, leaving the three adults happily discuss his newest progress.

'If they didn't make such a fuss,' Harry thought to Lucy, as she pushed herself against his stomach.

'They love you and want you to be happy.' The canine's response was soon followed by a snore, showing Harry that she had already drifted off to sleep.

'I am happy,' he thought, as he followed his familiar to sleep filled with dreams of happiness.

HP

In the morning, Harry was up very early and composed a letter, glad that Lucy readily scrambled out of bed to assist, even if she let out a series of yawns while displaying his workspace for him.

As soon as he was finished writing, he showed it to Severus, who voiced his approval and suggested that he should hand it over to Minerva during breakfast.

Harry nodded in consent and, as soon as he took his seat between Minerva and Severus at the breakfast table in the Great Hall, unobtrusively handed his letter to the old witch, who pocketed it without giving it as much as a glance.

When Harry telepathically informed her what it was, she cast him an inconspicuous nod, and Harry realised that she knew better than to read it in the headmaster's presence.

"Severus," Dumbledore caught everyone's attention, "as Minerva and I will be absent this morning, I'd like to ask you to guard the school for us."

Harry inwardly grinned, when Severus quirked an eyebrow, before he replied that Minerva had already alerted Professors Sprout and Flitwick to the matter, as he was going to take his seat on the Wizengamot as well.

"Do you think that's wise, my boy?" The headmaster cast the Slytherin head what Harry assumed was supposed a concerned look.

"Yes sir." Severus' response was short and firm.

"Of course, Albus." Minerva glared at the headmaster in apparent bewilderment. "Why would he not claim his seat now that he has finally accepted the lordship?"

Harry followed the conversation in amusement, while he fed Lucy a couple of the small strawberries from his plate, grateful that she allowed him to watch the expressions of the people around them.

After breakfast, he returned to their rooms with Lucy, knowing that he was going to have a lesson with Ms. Lestrange, before Misty was going to teach him until lunchtime.

HP

Severus and Minerva walked down to the apparition border with a very self-conscious Remus in tow.

"Do you really believe that it's a good idea for me to accompany you?"

"Of course," Minerva said, firmly. "First of all, anyone may sit in the visitors' gallery and watch the meeting, and secondly, you should be there if you wish to become the regent for House Potter."

Arriving at the Ministry of Magic, Remus headed to the visitors' gallery, while Minerva and Severus made their way to the Wizengamot chamber. He took a seat next to a young wizard, who told him that he was an Auror in his first year.

A few minutes later, Albus Dumbledore as the head of the Wizengamot opened the session. "Good morning, Lords and Ladies. Today, we have convened to discuss the ministry's latest finance plan…"

"Excuse me." Minerva rose from her seat. "Before we begin with the usual session, I have two points."

Dumbledore nodded, although he did not seem pleased at all. "Very well, Lady McGonagall, you have the floor."

Minerva nodded. "First of all, I wish to introduce Lord Severus Snape-Prince, who has recently accepted the lordship over the Prince family and wishes to take his seat."

Remus observed how Severus entered the chamber. 'These dark blue robes fit him well,' he thought. 'I wonder if Harry knows that Severus changed the colour of his clothes, when he adopted him. I'm sure that it's his influence.'

Severus was introduced and finally sat on the seat for House Prince, which had probably been vacant for many years.

"My second point," Minerva continued, before Dumbledore could interfere, "is that I have received a letter from nine-year-old Harry, the heir of the noble and ancient House of Potter."

Unfolding a parchment, she began to read. 'Dear members of the Wizengamot, I am nine years old and have only known about magic and my heritage for a few months, because Professor Dumbledore placed me with my abusive muggle relatives, who hate magic with a passion. For this reason, I do not trust Professor Dumbledore. I want Remus Lupin to replace him as regent for House Potter. Thank you in advance, Harry.'

"Minerva," Dumbledore was the first to react. "Harry is nine-years old and knows nothing about our world."

"Which is your fault," Lucius Malfoy spoke up, "because you placed him with abusive muggles, although many upstanding magical families would have been willing to take him in. It is fully understandable that the boy does not trust you."

Dumbledore shook his head. "Do you believe that Mr. Lupin would be an adequate regent? As a werewolf…"

"Albus!" The Minister of Magic growled, as she rose from her seat. "You know as well as I do that Mr. Lupin was the first person to be cured from lycanthropy. Lord Prince and his adoptive son Harry Potter-Prince saw to it and will both receive the Order of Merlin first class for the invention of their wolvescure potion tomorrow morning. For this purpose, Lady McGonagall as the deputy headmistress has invited me to Hogwarts."

Remus noticed with mixed feelings that Dumbledore was close to bursting with anger. On the one hand, it was amusing; however, on the other hand, the headmaster was his boss, while he was occupied at Hogwarts.

"Mr. Lupin, please sit on the seat for House Potter," Minister Bagnold called out to him, and Remus hesitantly stepped into the Wizengamot chamber, smiling, when the other members applauded in greeting.

"If the Lady McGonagall is finished, I have a point to make," Lucius Malfoy spoke up and was given the floor. He rose to his full height and took a moment to look around the chamber, before he continued. "I wish to call for a vote of no-confidence in Albus Dumbledore as head of the Wizengamot."

Minister Bagnold nodded in obvious understanding and rose from her chair. "As this concerns the head of the Wizengamot, I ask Amelia Bones as the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to lead the vote.

Madam Bones stood and nodded towards the minister. "Very well. Please send out green sparks if you wish to elect a new head for this chamber and red sparks if you wish Albus Dumbledore to remain on the position."

tbc...

Thank you so very much for the kind reviews for the previous chapter. Please tell me what you liked or disliked in this chapter and what you expect from this story. Any ideas are welcome, and my muse appreciates any constructive feedback.