Chapter 7: Custody
When the trial concluded Dumbledore had magical restraining cuffs slapped on him before the door opened. He would glare at those responsible for this; Minerva, Ragnok, Amelia, and Bagnold. He knew Bagnold only agreed to this to cover her own ass after the mishandling of Sirius' arrest. He was sure Amelia threatened her by saying she's go to the press if she didn't allow the trial to take place immediately after the reading of the Will. There was nothing he could do…for now at least.
As Albus was led off, Minerva stood beside Remus and Sirius who were looking at each other lovingly as Sirius held Harry. Andromeda and her husband were also with them, and after the Wizengamot had been dismissed Augusta Longbottom joined them. "Minerva, excellent choice in judgement had I received that prophecy I would have march straight to Dumbledore and hexed him into next century, but you, you're a clever woman…are you sure you're a Gryffindor? I highly suspect Slytherin would have suited you well." The old woman told her.
Minerva smirked, "I like to think I have all the qualities each of the founders admired in a student." She respond.
"Except modesty eh Professor?" Sirius joked.
"Enough with the teasing," Minerva said narrowing her eyes at Sirius, as Severus joined them, "Now I see all the guardians mentioned in James and Lily's will are here except of course poor Alice, I'd like us all to convene at my manor to discuss what to do about Harry's Guardianship." She looked to Augusta, "Seeing as your lovely daughter-in-law is incapable of joining us would you please stand in for her Augusta."
Lady Longbottom frown a bit, "Certainly dear it would be my honor."
"You too Severus, come." Remus said to the dark haired man who was staying back a bit.
"Very well." Severus said.
With that the group left the court room and made their way to the Floo's at the entrance of the Ministry. Once they all arrived in McGonagall Manor's sitting room they all took a seat and except Minerva who remained standing, "Now as we all know…I am currently registered as Harry's legal and magical guardian due Sirius' foolishness, and the unfortunate circumstances that befell poor Alice. However, I do not wish to prevent any of the named guardians from being apart of Harry's life, yes Severus, that includes you." She said to the man, who was looking at her in shock, "Lily and James trusted you enough to name you as one of Harry's guardians you shouldn't shirk away from those duties."
Severus looked solemn, "Very well however after hearing Lily's message for me in the Will I must deal with this issue of 'Holes' in my memory." He told them, "I had peeked a bit while sitting in the courtroom after forcibly breaking the Imperius curse Dumbledore place on me, but I dare not delve deeper without a skilled Mind Healer present. It could cause me to go catatonic. So until I have resolved this matter I will put my duties on the back burner for a bit. Once resolved I wouldn't mind becoming a personal tutor to the boy thus fulling my obligations."
"What an excellent idea!" Minerva said with a smile, "Now," she turns to Sirius, "Sirius I know you were named as the number one guardian but your foolish choice to allow Hagrid to take Harry without putting up a fight, then running off to confront Peter ALONE has pushed that duty onto me!" she scolded him. Sirius looked down ashamed, "But James and Lily would come back from the grave to rip me a new one were I to keep you from Harry. So my suggestion is this. I'm fairly certain with Albus' removal from Hogwarts I will be receiving a letter from the Board of Governors very soon asking me to take up the role as Headmistress. This will keep me very busy so I'm thinking during the school year while I'm at Hogwarts I will leave Harry in yours and Remus' care, and during the Holidays he will stay with me. I would request you use that money James and Lily left you to find a suitable home nearby or even have a new one built so we will be in close proximity thus making the hand offs much easier. Does this sound agreeable to the two of you?"
Remus and Sirius looked to each other before facing their former head of house, "Yes." Sirius said, "I think that sounds perfect.
Augusta then cleared her throat, "What of Alice's obligations?" she asked, "She is currently, and will be for the foreseeable future, unable to contribute." The woman explained with a saddened expression, "I was not named in the will so I have no rights in this."
"True, but I believe James and Lily would haunt us all if we attempted to leave them out in anyway so how's about this," Minerva began, "Since I'm sure one of the reasons Alice was named second was to ensure Harry could grow up alongside Neville who is currently in your care. Would you be amenable to doing just that? Allowing the two boys who both lost their parents to grow up together as good friends will possibly help fill the hole that the loss of their parents will undoubtedly leave."
"I agree!" Remus said, "I think that would be just what all of them would want."
"I have no qualms with this." Sirius said.
Augusta had tears in her eyes, "Thank you so much." She said sniffling.
"Oh Augusta," Minerva said gliding over and hugging her old friend, "You make everyone believe you're a hard ass, but your such a softie."
Augusta sniffled and smacked Minerva's arm, "Stop tell everyone my secrets." The two women laughed heartily.
Andromeda stood, "As for me I would be happy to simply be able to babysit Harry any time it is deemed necessary. Such as during full moons so Sirius can help Remus, and of course anytime any of you would just simply like a break. I'm sure if he's anything like his parents he will be a handful." she said.
"Count on it." Sirius, Remus, and Severus all said at the same time.
"Now that that's settled," Minerva said looking to Severus first, "I believe you should get to St. Mungos and begin you Mind Delving, best to clear that up immediately cause as soon as I get my summons from the board you will be receiving a letter from me. I'd like to offer you the position as Head of Slytherin House and Potions Master since Slughorn is leaving the school."
Severus looked at her baffled, "Seriously?"
"Indeed and I expect you to properly educate young Slytherins on what it truly means to be apart of Slytherin house, I will not tolerate any of that pureblood supremacy under my castle, and you best treat all student fairly!" She looked at him sternly, "Favoritism will be frowned upon, are we clear?"
"Of course." Severus said as he stood, "Then I shall take my leave. I believe around the time Harry turns five will be a perfect time to start his tutoring I will draw up a separate lesson plan just for him." He looks to Remus, "Don't let that one," he points to Sirius, "corrupt the boy too much, and as soon as I'm healed I will be writing to you about this Lycanthropy cure Lily wrote about."
Remus bowed his head, "I would greatly appreciate it."
With that Severus Snape left the manor through the Floo. Then Augusta stood, "Well now I suppose I'll be heading off too. Once you're all settled send me an owl so we can start planning Harry and Neville's playdate. Good day." The Longbottom matriarch walked to the fireplace leaving in a rush of green flames.
Ted Tonks stood up beside his wife, "We should get going too dear. Dora will be happy to hear her favorite cousin is free and she'll soon have another to terrorize."
Andromeda nodded, "You're right." she looked to Sirius, "Write me any time you wish me to watch Harry. I'd love to get him acquainted with Dora before she goes off to Hogwarts so don't take too long." She said as she and her husband walked to the fireplace.
When the two of them disappeared in the green flames Minerva turned to Sirius and Remus, "Now until you find or build your new home the both of you can stay here at McGonagall Manor. Remus I expect you to act with decorum and not to allow your lover to convince into doing something scandalous under my roof."
"Of course Minerva." Remus says.
Sirius looks at him with a surprised expression, "When did you stop calling her 'Professor'?" he asked.
"Around the same time she told me she and Flitwit had a bet as to when we would become a couple." Remus responds causing Sirius to gawk at his former teacher.
"I won that bet according to Remus." Minerva smirked, "And you will drop the 'Professor' as well we're all practically family now Minerva will do."
"How bout I just call you Minnie." Sirius grinned.
Harry heard his 'grandmother's' name and shouted, "Nana!" and reached out for her
"I'm glad to see a month in Azkaban hasn't lessened you cheek Sirius." She said as she reached down and plucked Harry from the mans lap, "Now go wash up you haven't showered in a month, and destroy that wretched prisoner garb I'd rather Harry never see it again." She says as she turns and begins walking out to go give Harry a bath since he had been cling to Sirius for the last two hours the smell had started to rub off on the boy.
"Such a charming women." Sirius said looking to Remus.
"She's right though love…you reek." The werewolf pinched his nose together, "Go, its time for a bath." He pointed to the stairs.
Sirius gawked, "Et tu mi amor?"
"Now!" Remus demanded firmly.
Sirius sulked and stood, "Fine." As he sauntered up the stairs with Remus following behind him to show him their room. It finally seemed like things were about to get calm for Harry and his loved ones but that soon wouldn't last for long.
Albus Dumbledore was being transfer to Azkaban. He stood on the shore preparing to board the boat that would take him to the dreaded island. He had attempted, numerous time since leaving the court room, to silently summon his familiar Fawks to come rescue him, but the bird was not responding. 'Bloody fire chicken.' He thought. He assumed since being convicted of a crime the noble phoenix no longer saw him as worthy of being his master and has since abandoned him to find a new one. 'No matter I have other ways of escaping.' He said as the three aurors marched him up to the boat.
Albus suddenly stopped walking. "Move Prisoner!" Kingsley Shacklebolt barked.
"So rude to the man you once consider a friend Kingsley." Albus mused.
"You do not deserve my friendship." The man growled, "After Amelia saw what was in that Will she demanded every member of the Auror department get checked for potions, and more than half of us discovered you had potioned us as well. How dare you!"
"I was merely hedging my bets Kingsley." The old man said turning to face him.
Shacklebolt and Dawlish trained their wands on him, "Move."
"I'm sorry but I'm afraid we've hit a small snag." Albus smirked, "You seem to be under the delusion that I'm going to…what was that phrase? Oh yes 'Go quietly.' I hate to disappoint you, but I have no intention of going to Azkaban."
Shacklebolt and Dawlish prepared to cast stunners when suddenly both of them were stuck in the back of the head. The two men fell unconscious and Albus grinned. The other Auror, a young new cadet fresh out of Hogwarts, had his wand pointed at them, "Are you okay Professor."
"Indeed Mr. Whatley thank you." Albus said as he held out his hands to the boy, "Now take these off please." The young man rushes over and unchains his former Headmaster. Albus rubs his wrists, "Those shackles did a number on these old wrists of mine." He then looks to the boy, "My wand?" he asks.
"I'm sorry sir Amelia had it taken someplace as soon as you surrendered it I wasn't able to get it back." He said, "But I snuck into Hogwarts and got this from your old office." He pulled out the wand Dumbledore had procured from Ollivander's ages ago.
Albus sighed as he took the wand from the boy, "A shame, but expected. Amelia was thoroughly prepared."
"You need to leave the country sir!" Whatley exclaimed, "As soon as it is known you escaped the entire country will be after you."
"You are right about that," he says, "I will need to make a quick stop at Hogwarts first if the wards don't prevent me from entering, just to grab a few things. If I can't get in I'll simply leave, but before that…" he looks to his young rescuer, "This must appear as if I had outside help."
The boy nodded, "I understand." And stood their closing his eyes.
Albus pointed the wand he hadn't used in a long time at the young man, "Stupefy." He said the scarlet bolt shot out and struck the boy in the chest sending him flying back onto the beach. Albus sighed, "Such a helpful lad a shame I won't be around to dose him up with potions anymore as soon as they wear off he'll likely turn himself in. Oh well." He then turned and apparated from his spot on the beach.
Little did Albus know, the boy he had just stunned would be dead before the potions could wear off. After taking the stunner to the chest young Whatley had been thrown back about four feet and landed on the ground with a thud. His head had smacked against a small sharp rock that was hiding under the sand. The boy was now bleeding out and likely would die before the other two Aurors could wake up. By Monday morning Albus Dumbledore will be wanted for murder.
A/N: Welp Dumbledork has seriously fucked himself! And he doesn't even know it! How will Minerva react when she discovers that Albus has caused the death of yet another student? What will Seveus find out while delving into his memories? What do you think happens next? Let me know in the comments.
Up Next: Minerva is distraught. Severus discovers some startling information. And Sirius gets an unexpected guest at McGonagall Manor.