A/N: Had some time, so I put this little "filler" segment together. Enjoy!
Chapter 16 - Student Unity
Severus put his hand on Harry's neck and guided him to walk behind the rest of his classmates, onward to the Potions classroom. He was fit to be tied with a mixture of utmost rage, but also deep empathy and concern for young Harry Potter, who seemed to be in a state of shock and was remaining silent as he walked, very carefully, along. When they reached the room, Severus waved his wand to open the door, saying over the heads of the students, "Please find your seat and copy the instructions for the Potion. We will not be brewing today, but you will need this information for your assignment."
He kept Harry outside in the corridor with him until all but Miss Granger, Ronald Weasley, and Draco remained. He directed his question to Draco, "Was Miss Parkinson in on this ambush, Mr. Malfoy?"
"I don't think so, sir, but she wasn't any help at all when it was going down," Draco told him bitterly. He was eyeing Harry with a very disturbed expression. "Potter will need another set of clothes, Professor."
"We can ask for assistance from a house elf," Severus replied. He looked at each of the Prefects for a long moment and then tilted his head to gesture them all inside the classroom. He'd kept his hand on Harry's neck all of this time and was aware of the spectacle that this seemed to be for the fifth years, as he guided The Boy Who Lived toward the door in the far corner which led to his adjacent office. Over his shoulder he directed, "There are four Prefects in this class, and they are in charge. I expect you each to comport yourselves carefully. Once you've copied down the instructions, you may speak quietly amongst yourselves. I will return shortly."
The students watched solemnly as their professor escorted their wounded classmate through the door and closed it quietly behind him.
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"May I see?" Severus asked the top of Harry's head. The boy was keeping it ducked to hide his face. At Harry's nod, he carefully lifted Draco's robes away and laid them aside. "Harry, would it help to have one of your friends in here as well, perhaps Weasley or Longbottom?"
"No," Harry said quickly. This was such a shite moment for him, he didn't want any other witnesses.
Severus was turning Harry, to get a better look at his injuries. Merlin, he seethed. There was zero way to shield the boy from embarrassment, if he was going to properly heal these lash marks. "Let's start with your back, alright?" he said very quietly. He waited while Harry unbuttoned his ruined shirt and shrugged it off. The Map fell to the floor but neither of them acknowledged it. Severus determined that the healing would require both wand and salve to fully relieve and resolve the ribbons of sliced and inflamed flesh he was staring at on the boy's slender back. An extremely sympathetic lump rose in his throat and he swallowed hard to dislodge it. "I'll be as quick as I can, Harry. I've got to seal these closed and then apply a salve. That will do it."
"Alright," Harry said in a gravelly voice. Then he realized the same would be true for his backside next. Ugh. "Dobby!"
Pop! "Yes, Harry Potter-" Dobby stopped his standard happy-to-help declaration midstream. His ears flattened and his voice grew quite lethal. "Who has done harm to Harry Potter?"
"Pius Thicknesse," Harry admitted.
"Dobby knows this wizard," the little elf declared. No one asked for him to elaborate.
"Well, he's probably up in the Headmistress' office just now, waiting for Ministry officials to either come set him free or to take him off to Azkaban," Harry said resentfully. All this time, he had been aware of Snape casting the healing charm on his back. Now a cold balm was being applied. "Dobby, I need a new set of clothes. Can you bring them to me?"
By the time Dobby returned, Severus had finished with Harry's back. Harry looked at the stack of things Dobby had brought him and realized they must have been what Mrs. Weasley had promised him was coming today. New blue jeans and a red zippered jumper, along with black undershirt and boxer briefs, thick gray socks and a new pair of bright white trainers. Huh. The little elf picked up the Map and folded it carefully, setting it on Snape's desk next to the clothing.
"That should be fine," Severus said over Harry's shoulder, indicating the pile of clothing. "You will not return to classes today. I'm quite certain none of us will." He proceeded to take off and cast aside his chosen robes for the day which had completely obscured the fact that he also wore his black jeans and gray jumper beneath. He smirked at Harry.
Dobby had been watching their interaction, and seemed reassured that Harry was in good hands. "Dobby must leave, Dobby thinks he hears the Headmistress calling."
Harry turned to look at Severus with a frown of annoyance. "I can't remember what became of my book bag."
"Miss Granger had it, just now."
Severus waited while Harry donned the T-shirt and jumper. "Alright, now your lower half. I will be quite systematic. Count backwards from one hundred and we'll be finished."
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"You saw all of it, didn't you, Neville?" Dean asked angrily, but kept his voice very low. "What did that bastard do to Harry?"
The entire classroom had turned in their seats to face each other. With the exception of Crabbe, Goyle and questionably, Pansy Parkinson, every student was clearly on Harry's side. These three were ignored, and left to either listen or otherwise distract themselves. The others waited while Neville pondered what to share.
"Just tell us, Longbottom," Blaze Zabini urged. "You're going to need to give a statement to an auror at some point, so you'll have to tell it anyway."
"But that's just it, isn't it?" Ron whispered harshly. "There's no knowing how this is going to play out! The Ministry sent Thicknesse to try to put Harry off of telling his story, didn't they? And look what's happened! Harry killed Voldemort three days ago, and the only thing that's been reported was a bollucks story in the Prophet, based on an interview with the attackers! Think about it! No one, not Lupin, nor Snape, nor Malfoy's dad, nor my dad or my brother, or any of the aurors who were there and fought too, has been given a chance to tell what happened."
"I'm worried about how this is turning into a Hogwarts versus The Ministry of Magic situation," Hermione said nervously. The others nodded in agreement. "I wish my parents were magical, if they were, they'd be here, standing with the school." She said this intentionally.
"I'm going to owl my mum and dad straight away!" A quiet chorus of voices declared in unison, and parchments and quills were put to use while the discussion continued.
"Harry took a brutal beating," Neville finally said. "Thicknesse said it was a Ministry-sanctioned consequence for missing classes yesterday morning. But McGonagall had ordered Harry to stay out of class for the rest of the week. She's the Headmistress! She runs this school, but Thicknesse said he could override her! The parents, and the Board of Governors had better get the upper hand on this quickly, or any one of us could suffer the same thing Harry did."
That comment landed with even more impact than Hermione's.
The door opened and Professor Snape and Harry returned to join them.
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Harry was literally reeling from the very tight and very caring embrace, the kiss on top of his head, and the choked promise he'd just received from Severus Snape that he would rather die than see Harry suffer again. Harry had hugged him back, because he completely believed the older wizard meant every word, and also because it was the nicest and most comforting hug he'd ever experienced. It had helped quite a bit. Now Harry cast a quick look around the room to see who was friend and who was foe. Every face seemed friendly, even ones he'd not expected among the Slytherins. There was also a fair amount of gawking going on as they all took in Severus' casual ensemble.
"A scroll just came from the Headmistress, sir," Hermione said when Severus had come round to the front of the class to stand before them. "Classes are canceled, and we're to report to the Great Hall after this period ends."
Severus nodded, eyes watching Harry thread his way to the seat he normally took beside Neville.
"Which of you was present to witness the events this morning?" he asked the class at large.
"We saw from the point where Harry got the upper hand," Seamus said in an overly loud voice, as he was finally able to vocalize his shocked awe.
"Most of us were stopped at the top of the stairs by some seventh years," Lavender informed their professor. "Ravenclaws. One was a Prefect."
Severus inclined his head to acknowledge her. "This is good information, Miss Brown."
"So it was preplanned, then?" Blaise asked angrily. "Potter, most of us," he glanced challengingly at Crabbe and Goyle, and got benign, blank expressions in return, "most of us would have intervened if we'd seen what this Liaison chap was going to do to you."
"But sir," Theodore Knott asked Severus, "what could any of us have really done? Other than physically stopping him from attacking Potter?"
"It's a choice you would have had to have made in the moment," Severus said. "A choice to honor what you know to be fair and true, but requires you to break rules in a bold way. Or the choice to watch helplessly. I am not condemning either, mind you. You are fifteen and sixteen years old. You are not supposed to be faced with such a decision. More importantly, you should not have to suffer consequences for choosing the less popular option." He'd said this for Pansy Parkinson's sake. The young witch had covered her face during this exchange.
"That's what I did," she said, removing her hands. "I saw that I was outnumbered and would easily be overpowered." She looked anxiously around, and as expected was greeted with judging glares from the Gryffindors. She glared right back. "How would it have helped Potter for me to be injured? I ended up getting jinxed and knocked around anyway, as it was!"
"I don't want any of you getting hurt because of me," Harry said firmly. "After the way the Ministry has treated me all along, I don't wish their attention on any of you." He looked at Draco and Neville. "You guys went above and beyond for me, so thanks for doing that."
"But there are a still a lot of people in this school who can cause trouble," Draco pointed out harshly.
"I just keep thinking about Strickland, and how he felt just fine about trying to really harm me, because he had permission from the Liaison," Harry said.
"But that's just it, isn't it?" Dean added. "The whole intention of the reign of terror under… Voldemort was to allow some people to be violent, but the rest of us to just live in fear."
There was a collective agreement.
"This was a significant event," Severus said to the students. He had their rapt attention. "And it remains to be seen how this will effect the tides that have been turning toward allowing the Ministry complete control of this school."
"We were reflecting on that, sir," Draco informed him. "We've all written letters to the parents who won't have known what has happened today, to ask them to help."
Severus raised an eyebrow. "Then as a class, we should head down to the Owlery, should we not?"
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The class had just finished climbing the stairwell to the Entrance Hall when Lucius appeared. He immediately noticed Severus' and Harry's attire, and his son's missing robes. He went straight to Draco and looked him over, requiring a statement of confirmation from his son that he'd suffered no permanent impairment. "And Harry?" he asked as he surprised his son by slipping an arm around his shoulders.
"Better, thanks," Harry said, but he was deflated, and it showed.
"And where are we currently headed?" Lucius asked as he turned with Draco and joined the group in their walk.
Lucius managed to move, along with Draco, closer to Harry as they strode along, and reached his other arm out to circle Harry's shoulders, while Severus kept an eye on the rest of the students whose hastily formed alliance seemed to continue to hold strong.
"The damnedest thing just happened while I was up in the Headmistress' office," Lucius said ironically. "I could swear there was an interference in the room, perhaps under an invisibility cloak, delivering walloping smacks to Thicknesse's head." He sniffed, and Harry was certain if he'd looked up to see, Lucius' nostrils would be flaring as he added, "It was very reminiscent of the way a house elf punishes himself." He squeezed Harry and then dropped his arms from both boys.
That got a mild grin from Harry, at least.
"Who needs a warming charm for the walk?" Lucius called out after winking at Harry.
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The entire class climbed the long steep stairwell to the Owlery, and most of them sent off letters. Harry looked for Hedwig, but she wasn't there, which seemed curious, and after a few minutes made him quite nervous. Ron and Hermione picked up on this and flanked Harry protectively as the group began their descent. It was time to gather in the Great Hall, as McGonagall had directed.
When they'd reached the entrance, Harry heard Hedwig's hoot and turned to see her flying towards him. He stepped away from the others and kept his back to them, because once again the sight of her made him feel like crying. She landed on his shoulder and nibbled at his ear while he reached up to stroke along her beak. Then he untied her letter as he took more steps away from his class. Rivers were beginning to flood out of his eyes whether he liked it or not, and once again, he didn't want an audience. He swiped his eyes on the sleeve of his magically warmed jumper and opened the letter. It was from the goblin Roarshirack.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Your struggles and concerns are duly noted, and rest assured your rights will be protected, both in the magical and the muggle worlds. Your muggle petition for emancipation is processed and completed, and will take full effect on the 31st of this month. Note that this will also make you an adult in the eyes of the law in both paradigms, so these current volatile circumstances must be navigated very carefully. I've already received word that you've been attacked by a Ministry official, and have petitioned for an audience with the Wizengamot. I just received notice that I'm expected within the hour. I will keep you posted.
Other topics to be discussed include your inheritance from Sirius Black, and management of your Trust from your parents and their respective families. Additionally, all contributing writers at the Daily Prophet have received cease-and-desist notifications. They should not publish their pieces without providing you opportunity to comment upon, or to contradict their findings.
We will need to meet soon, as there is much to review.
Yours in service,
Roarshirack
Harry swiped at his eyes again and reread this letter. Finally, something was being done that was entirely about his interests and well being. He folded the parchment and pocketed it. Hedwig was still on his shoulder, waiting to be sure Harry was alright. He moved her to his forearm so that he could properly see her and stoke her head. "You did great, girl," he said. "I feel much better now." Hedwig nipped at his finger and hooted softly at him. Then she took off for the Owlery. Harry turned to head in and found Ron, Hermione and Neville waiting for him a few feet away. No one said anything as they walked in together. And just inside the Entrance Hall, Severus, Lucius and Remus watched for them. Harry surmised that Severus had filled the others in on how badly Harry had suffered because the lot of them had murderous expressions.
Now it was Remus' turn to assess Harry. He stood with his arms folded, waiting for Harry to be close enough to ask, "Severus was able to heal you? You're not suffering any longer?" His voice was raw with rage and sympathy.
"Yeah," Harry said softly.
"I'd really like a recap of what you did to Thicknesse. Lucius said he was quite beaten up," Remus added, looking around to make sure no students were listening.
"I guess I gave as good as I got," Harry said bitterly. Severus and Lucius closed in so that they were now in a circle, the gathering in the Great Hall be damned. "He had me pinned with my hands over my head. I couldn't focus right away to cast anything from my palms."
"What spells did you use when you did get free? And how much was through your wand?" Remus asked, and it was clear that he was mentally cataloging what the Ministry may try to hold against Harry.
"I got loose with a Finite, then used your extreme Bombarda first, without my wand," Harry told Remus. He snickered mildly. "That was excellently timed, what we did yesterday." He looked around at them. "I didn't really calculate why I did everything else with my wand after that, but ol' Pius wasn't completely down, and he tried to hex me, so I used Deflecto on him and got him good, then took his wand." He thought for a moment. "I don't even know what I did with that wand…"
"I think you may have dropped it," Severus said. "Draco gave it to the Headmistress."
"Speaking of the Headmistress," Lucius pointed out, as McGonagall moved to the podium to address the school.
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"Good morning," McGonagall said loudly. "You are all aware that there was a major incident in the school this morning, involving an attack by a Ministry official on a student." There was a loud murmuring among the students who'd not yet gotten details of why they'd been summoned to this assembly. "Quiet, please," McGonagall chided patiently. "At least ten students assisted in the ambush on Harry Potter, and proceeded to detain, violate, and even assault not only Mr. Potter, but four school Prefects and several fifth year students on their way to Potions class this morning.
Harry was a bit surprised at all of the detail she was providing. Maybe she's setting the record straight before ol' Rita Skiter starts spinning tales. He also was happy to still be standing near the doorway with his three adult mentors, rather than among the gossiping masses.
"This should result in expulsion of at least one student, and severe consequences for the rest," the Headmistress continued. This was met with a loud HUM of muttered commentary. "Quiet, please, students," she reminded them. "I have warned you previously, and I will do so again: using magic to harm a fellow student is forbidden and punishable with expulsion." She looked around at everyone to be sure she had every student's attention. "We are facing a dangerous situation as a school community," she said gravely. "Hogwarts is a place of learning, and until this past September, has been governed by a Board, and by the senior professors who teach here and devote their lives to the enrichment of our students. Minister Fudge has been convinced that we are encouraging lawlessness within these walls. Liaison Thicknesse was positioned here to instill fear, and seed discord. If this is difficult to comprehend, I will simply use Mr. Potter's experience today as an example."
Harry frowned while she retold his story of having been instructed by her to take the week off from classes, only to be held accountable without warning by Pius Thicknesse. She told them he'd been punished barbarically, and that until Umbridge had overturned it, whipping students had long been declared unacceptable, and in fact illegal.
"Now, there is argument that Thicknesse acted within acceptable perimeters, and there is question as to whether he will be held accountable and brought to justice for his assault on Harry today," she informed the now silent and galled student body. "And for that matter, if Thicknesse is deemed to have acted within acceptable perimeters, then Harry Potter could be charged with assaulting a Ministry official." She turned and looked over her spectacles at Harry, who was currently turning a very white shade of pale. "You each need to be aware of what's happening, right now. There is a battle for the soul of Hogwarts going on between the Ministry and the school elders and governors. What each of us can do in the meantime is to watch out for each other very carefully, and to only behave admirably, while we navigate these tumultuous times."
Harry had to remind himself it was still only late morning, because after that reveal, he was as exhausted as he'd been after the Night Bus debacle. He was absolutely stunned that McGonagall had spelled it all out so blatantly to all of the students. But then, how else can we get the upper hand back?
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The student body had been dismissed and sent to their Common Rooms to wait out the remaining ninety minutes until the lunch hour. Professors Sinistra and Trelawney manned Slytherin and Gryffindor for Severus and Remus, so that Harry's mentors could keep him with them, to stay behind and speak with McGonagall and Lucius.
"Much is already afoot," Minerva told them as soon as the students were out of earshot. "I'm hopeful that we won't have much more time in this treacherous state of unknown. Albus must have finally gotten his audience with the Wizengamot, because he's not responded to any of the messaging from this morning. I've owled him and sent scrolls as well."
"My solicitor has an audience with them, right about now," Harry told everyone. "He sent me an update just before the assembly. He want's to meet with me soon, as well." Lucius gave an approving nod, while Severus studied Harry with narrowed eyes. Harry ignored the clench in his stomach, refusing to register that now he was keeping a very big secret from all three mentors, and it would likely not go over well with them, when the time finally came to announce he would handle his own affairs, thank you very much.
"Perhaps there is some overlap with Albus' arguments about Fudge's despicable leadership and today's incident with Harry," Remus said.
"As in, 'case and point,'" Severus added.
Harry scrubbed at his face, growling in frustration, "Everything is such a mess," and looking up to find all eyes on him. "What?"
"What would make you feel better right now, Mr. Potter?" Severus asked. "What would you rather be doing?"
I'd mostly like to get my bloody Firebolt back and go out to fly, but even without anyone else's critical thinking skills added to the mix, Harry knew that was likely a dumb idea. "I need to think. Can I just walk the corridors for a bit? Are there any other rogue Prefects that I have to worry about?"
McGonagall put her hand on her chin, "I wouldn't know, Potter," she said. It was clear she'd been amused by what he'd just said, but she was also quite worried about him.
Harry frowned. What'd I do with my book bag?
Severus had watched Harry this entire time, including when the boy suddenly felt his shoulder as if looking for a strap. "You left it in my classroom. I'll get it back to you in good time. Unless you were thinking you'd like to study just now?"
"Not a chance," Harry said. But he shook his head in annoyance at how unsettling it was to have lost track of a detail like that.
"I think a walk around the castle is a good idea," Severus told him. "You've got your map so you can steer clear of anyone else who's out wandering. No one should be."
Harry nodded. "Do I need to come back for lunch?"
"You shouldn't skip a meal," Lucius pointed out.
They all knew he'd end up in the Room of Requirement.
