A/N: I apologize for the abrupt shift from rapid updates. I know what comes next in the plot, but the words were not coming to me. Hopefully, it was a dry spell that has concluded. I'll do my best to resume the regular rate of posting chapters. Thank you for your patience!
Chapter 20 - Another Normal Day
It turned out that Severus did indeed have a few things to discuss with Harry. He first and foremost had wanted to check that Harry was staying informed by his solicitor about issues like the exposé that was due to launch in the weekend edition of the Daily Prophet.
"Yeah," Harry told him. "Roarshirak has fixed it so that anyone who wants to print anything about me has to send a rough draft to me for approval before publishing it, or face me in court. I haven't heard a word from that Elvia Laurante and her interview with Umbridge."
"And have you begun to mentally prepare for your time before the Wizengamot?"
Harry drew in a deep breath and let it out loudly. "How can I even do that? The only good thing is I'll have my solicitor, at least."
"And you will not be required to present yourself alone," Severus reminded him.
Harry snickered in disdain, "Pffft, that's only if the Ministry honors its own rules."
"This is true." Severus nodded and then steepled his hands against his chest as he considered his next comment.
Harry contemplated him from where he sat on the sofa in Severus' sitting room, thinking about how different things were between them. The older wizard had brought him a present - a food present - for Merlin's sake. Harry supposed that could mean that he didn't have to worry too much that Severus was looking to make him miserable again. His potions professor was sitting in the leather armchair, leaning back fully, his elbows set upon the armrests, eyes narrowing as he focused on Harry. For some reason that made Harry want to laugh, but he managed to restrain himself to a crooked smile.
"I've thought of the means by which you will make up the points you've missed in my class."
Well, Harry, so much for that conclusion. "Oh," Harry said, and obviously his reaction to this announcement was clearly written on his face. But Severus was looking far too smug for Harry to not be curious. "Erm…. who is going to regret what I'll be doing for those points, sir? Me, or someone else?"
A smile struggled to pull its way onto Severus' face, but he fought it, preferring to smirk as he watched The Boy Who Lived wrestle with trepidation and curiosity. "The Headmaster informed me that he intends to celebrate his return by announcing an additional Hogsmeade weekend," he said slowly. He expected Harry's face to light up, but much to his relief, the boy's brow furrowed in disapproval. "There will be much movement, in and out of this castle, next weekend. You and I, and many others, will likely be called to attend interviews at the Ministry of Magic, perhaps as soon as tomorrow or Sunday, but most definitely by next Friday evening. I believe there is a plan to hold Night Sessions on Fridays and weekends in the courts. This means that we will be at risk of a repeat performance of our experience last Tuesday. This also means that, at times, the castle will be vulnerable without… shall we say, the presence of wizards who are capable of defense?"
Harry took a slow breath in and exhaled even more slowly. In all honesty, a very big part of his ego was soaring at this moment, because he felt quite certain that Severus had included him in that reference to those who were good at defense. "Well, if me, and you, Lucius, and Remus are allowed to stay together, I reckon we'll be fine in the court sessions. Do you think Hogwarts can have some aurors here by then? Or perhaps some Order members?"
"I believe that is the Headmaster's intention," Severus replied. He was still studying Harry with that narrowed eye stare.
"Hang on," Harry said suddenly, "what has that got to do with how I'll make up my lost points?"
Now Severus allowed a small, very brief, smile. "I am going to teach you how to brew a protection potion," he told Harry, whose eyebrows were raised in shock at the smile. "It's one you can carry with you and apply to these upcoming circumstances, where you'll need to be out in the public realm."
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Okay, that was cool, Harry admitted to himself as he headed back up to Gryffindor to start his weekend homework for DADA and Charms. He'd had a decent session in the Potions Laboratory with Professor Snape, who had been more stern than fun, but he'd at least explained that his tension came from his awareness of the volatility of the ingredients, should they not be handled with care. Makes complete sense, of course. Harry had told the older wizard that his students might benefit from hearing that little tidbit, but Severus had given him a look of absolute, (sarcastic) condescending disdain, suggesting Harry could learn a lot from choosing when to hold onto his power.
"I guess I have a different idea of what power is," Harry had said ironically. He had a feeling he'd planted a seed with the formerly greasy bat of the dungeons, however. I wonder if Snape cares what his students think about his classes? Harry genuinely could not get a read on that. There was a sense of camaraderie between them, and Harry had been so tempted to take advantage of it, to question Severus about the changes in his appearance. But he just couldn't think of how to pose the inquiry without using words like greasy, uptight, imposing, etc., as a basis for asking, so he'd kept his mouth shut.
Now he patted the pocket of his jeans, where a dozen vials of his special potion were neatly stored within a magically enhanced compartment that Severus had taught him how to create. The potions master was gifted in far more types of magic than brewing draughts. Harry had used his wand until he'd mastered the Pocket-Locker charm, but then had tried it wandlessly and silently, and had gained the same results. He would use it on all of his trousers so that he could keep the potion on hand at all times.
Probably the best result of the morning's activities had been that Harry's very suppressed worries about the as-yet-unrevealed horcruxes, and the unrepentant Voldemort loyalists still running amuck, had been dealt a sliver of relief. This potion gives me a decent bit of help. Besides, it's completely brilliant!
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The Common Room was nearly empty when Harry entered. Excellent, he thought. He could make a lot of progress on his homework. Severus had also warned Harry that he'd need to stay on top of his Potions assignments starting with the coming week, barring, of course further incidences of mayhem. "As I've seen for myself that you have had assistance with what you have completed this week, I believe, for your own sake, you should do your own learning for your classes, moving forward," Severus had informed him, in such a way that suggested he was not offering advice. It was a warning to Harry that he would be keeping track.
Harry slung his bookbag onto his favorite table by the back end of the large common area, where the big window overlooked the quidditch pitch. He glanced outside and understood immediately why Gryffindor was empty. Everyone's down watching today's quidditch practice. He shook his head, and forced his thoughts away from that line of thinking. If he let himself, he could get quite heated over the fact that he wasn't down there too, enjoying normal school life, like his housemates got to do.
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"Mr. Potter, how astonishing to find you here, so raptly engaged in your studies," McGonagall startled Harry out of deep concentration while he was struggling to write as quickly as his thoughts were dictating the conclusion to his essay on the Deflecto shield.
"I didn't even know about the practice," Harry told her bitterly. "Too much other stuff going on, I guess."
"Harry," she said, continuing into the room until she was standing in front of him, "I do intend to push Headmaster Dumbledore to restore your quidditch privileges. Soon."
"You do?" Harry asked in disbelief.
"Of course I do," his Head of House informed him tartly. "Why on earth should you not get to play, when Draco Malfoy remains eligible?"
Harry quirked a smile at her, but it shifted into a resolute grimness. "It's not like I'll have a lot of time for practice, what with school work and Wizengamot sessions," he reminded them both.
"No, you will not," McGonagall agreed, "but your presence at the Ministry will not be required forever. Let's look to the beginning of February to get you back on the team." She said, nodding in approval at his relieved grin. "In the meantime, I will have Mr. Filch return your broom to you. However, Potter, it's still not advisable for you to be outside of the castle on your own, understand? You should not go out flying just yet."
"Yes, ma'am," Harry said. "Thank you, Professor. It will mean a lot to me to have my Firebolt back."
Harry finished his rough drafts of both essays, and set them aside for Hermione to review. He was caught up on everything else, except History of Magic, but he wouldn't have that class again until Tuesday, so he gave himself permission to let it go for another day. Or, maybe I'll start it later tonight, after dinner…. for some reason, he had anxiety about staying on top of his assignments. He doubted it had anything to do with Snape keeping track of whether he was current in his classes.
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Severus and Lucius were in Severus' sitting room, watching the map of the school. They'd been strategizing all afternoon, attempting to anticipate all possible twists and turns in the upcoming episodes of the post Voldemort timeline that would consume their lives for the unforeseeable future. Harry had been at the forefront of their plans for upcoming interviews, and sessions at the Ministry before the Wizengamot. Of utmost concern was to keep themselves impervious to attack or ambush. A very close second was to be certain none of them were held accountable for having used magical violence in self defense, in any of the incidents, including the fight with Voldemort's Death Eaters, the confrontation on the Night Bus, and for Harry, his defensive response to Pius Thicknesse. As they'd conversed, the map had revealed Harry leaving his Common Room and making slow progress all the way up to the Astronomy Tower, where he was now idle.
"He likely needs time alone with his thoughts," Lucius had suggested, well aware that Severus was as worried about the young wizard as he. "How did things go last night? Did he stay here overnight?"
"He did," Severus answered. "We have had some deep discussions that have been tense, but have ultimately put us on common ground. I believe I have gained his confidence, enough that he knows he can count on my protection."
Lucius nodded in approval. "Good. That has to be a vast improvement from where things stood, just last week." Lucius was watching the still idle name tag of Harry Potter, presumably sitting in contemplation. "Severus, that boy has experienced a tremendous amount of violence, just in the last eight days alone: the head injuries, the shoulder injuries, the lashing." He stopped again, blinking repeatedly as he recalled his own violent confrontation with Voldemort nearly a week ago. "I myself have been off kilter since my stay in the school's hospital wing last Sunday. I have to marvel at that boy's resilience. Imagine Draco going through the same attacks as Harry! I'd be hard pressed to keep him from a stay at St. Mungo's Ward for Magical Maladies, for fear of a mental breakdown."
"I realize this," Severus said quietly. "He's also seen first hand, over and over, how unreliable the institutions in authority can be." He stood suddenly and began to pace. "Lucius, Harry applied for Emancipation in the muggle world." He paused to make eye contact with the blond Slytherin, whose eyebrows were currently raised in shock. "Hence the complimentary letters he forged from the two of us." He smirked. "At some point, I'm going to insist he let us read those…. but I digress." He resumed his pacing. "He's done his research. If he can successfully Emancipate in the muggle world, he will automatically gain his legal majority in our world."
"Severus," Lucius stood too, agitation rising, and instinct telling him to pour a draught of fire whiskey to fortify himself for a measured response this new complication, "that is both a brilliantly impressive and a highly troubling turn of circumstance." He eyed the decanter on the tray across the room. "Albus hasn't said a word, but he most certainly knows about this."
"If you indulge this early, you may be impaired when you are most needed," Severus advised his friend after checking his watch. It was nearly the dinner hour. He smirked at Lucius' reluctant acquiescence to his logic.
Lucius sighed. "I know this, Severus. It's only early evening on a Saturday in January. Merlin only knows what could happen, now that nearly thirty-six hours have passed since the last episode of lawlessness imposed itself upon us." He looked back at the map, Remus must have been studying it as well, because he was making his way up to the Astronomy Tower now, presumably to check on Harry. "What can we do to bolster the success of Harry's Emancipation, hmm?"
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Harry was staring off into the darkening sky and sighed in frustration. His thoughts had paralleled those of his two Slytherin mentors, unbeknownst to him, as he'd done a thorough recap of the events of the previous week and a half, and that had been a fast track to a cesspool of wretched reflection. The tendency to blame himself for the fact that people treated him hatefully was very strong, and always there. It was strange to him that he had such good instincts for self preservation, but then he'd go and turn on himself as soon as the dust had settled.
Ugh. He'd come up here to breathe, after a sense of being completely trapped had fallen upon him, out of nowhere, when he'd stopped his studies and wondered what to do next. I can't breathe was the only thing that had come to mind. So, he'd followed his instincts and sought out fresh air. And here he was, wallowing in bitterness, becoming distracted by the growling in his stomach, fingers aching from the cold, mood intensifying with the growing darkness, and only feeling more isolated than-
HOOT!
Harry's eye's darted up to see Hedwig headed his way with a letter. As usual, the sentimental lump came to his throat as she landed on his shoulder and gently nipped at the hair by his ear. "Hey, girl," he said quietly, his voice breaking slightly. "Good timing, I suppose." He took the scrolled parchment but paused to pet his beautiful snowy owl for several long moments before reading it. He'd pocketed some owl treats earlier, thinking he might seek her out for a visit as well. She ate a few treats, as if to indulge him, but then hooted in a way that suggested she was impatient to go hunting, so he shoo'd her away. "Don't worry about me, I'm just fine," he called after her sarcastically.
"Are you just fine, Harry?" Remus asked quietly from behind him.
Harry spun around in surprise. "Oh! Err… well yeah, I'm …fine," he said. He held up the letter. "Unless, of course this has bad news."
Remus cast a Lumos maxima and shook the ball of light off the tip of his wand so that it floated higher above them, providing Harry with adequate light to read.
"It's from my solicitor," Harry said. Then he read aloud, "Dear Mr. Potter, I require audience with you at my office at Gringott's Wizarding Bank, as soon as possible, specifically tomorrow, Sunday, Twelve January, at ten o'clock in the morning, to attend the reading of the will of Sirius Black. Afterward, we shall need to discuss the results of my review of your inherited Potter/Evans Estate, and the details of your upcoming sessions of interview with the Wizengamot. Please respond promptly. Yours sincerely, Roarshirak."
He looked up at Remus with raised eyebrows, just as a large gray barn owl flew right up to the parapet, beside which Remus now stood. The owl perched on the old stone ledge, flapping its wings relentlessly, as if to convey the urgency of its message.
"Yes, yes," Remus chided to the owl, "I'm quite certain your missive is of utmost importance." That comment was met with a HOOT that by virtue of the unexpectedly deep tone of the owl's voice, sounded quite haughty.
"Do you know the Malfoys?" Harry snarked at the owl, but he reached into his pocket and grabbed the last of the owl treats. "If you'll wait patiently, I'll have a message that you can return for me to the goblin Roarshirak."
In the meantime, Remus had read his letter and had conjured parchment, ink and quill. "This is from my solicitor, who invites me attend the will reading as well. That resolves the question of which of us should escort you to Gringott's in the morning."
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Harry got another letter delivered via Hedwig, this time at the breakfast table early the following morning, and she managed to just miss landing directly on his plate of bacon and eggs. She seemed miffed, and impatient, and Harry knew exactly why when he saw his name on the letter, written in the telltale scrawl of Petunia Dursley that visually conveyed her bitterness to the point that it literally felt like scratches on his skin. His stomach plunged.
WHERE ARE MY RECORDS? he could hear her screech through the muggle note paper she'd used for this message. Consider yourself orphaned, you wretched little freak! You have NO RIGHT-
Harry crumpled the message with shaking hands. Shite! He bit his lip, hoping to squelch the surge of panic that was coming as the carefully restrained terror of losing his chance to emancipate was unleashed by his aunt's announcement.
"Alright, Harry?" Seamus asked just before he spooned a large bite of oatmeal into his mouth. He was the only other fifth year present so early on a Sunday.
"No," Harry said, abruptly standing and rushing out of the Great Hall as his mind erupted in an internal rant. He literally never knew from moment to moment where he stood in this world! Was he ever going to be free of circumstances like these? His feet took him through the school's entrance and out into the cold courtyard and the stairs beyond.
"Mr. Potter," Severus' stern Professor Snape voice called after him, which only served to rankle Harry's nerves all the more. "Where are you off to? I saw for myself that you hadn't eaten most of your meal."
Harry stopped in his tracks. He didn't want to tell Severus about this. He didn't want to have the experience where both he and the older wizard had to face consequences for acting on a dumb idea that Harry had had.
"What's happened?" Severus asked. He closed the distance between them so that they could speak quietly. He could practically feel the tension reverberating from the teen.
Harry gulped and kept his eyes down. "I guess I didn't figure the Dursleys would be sent back to Privet Drive so soon," he said. There was a long silence while Severus digested what Harry was saying. He couldn't look up to meet his professor's eyes. But then a hand squeezed his shoulder.
"I did at least have a backup plan, although I'm not at all certain you'd consider it ideal," Severus told him. Now Harry was able to raise his eyes. "Both Lucius and I have had papers drawn up to take over your guardianship until the 31st of the month, in the event that your aunt relinquishes her responsibilities."
"What?" Harry choked as he flashed an alarmed look at Severus, but he couldn't keep the eye contact. Somehow he felt guilty for being angry that Severus and Lucius had done such a thing. It might have actually been enhanced by the odd expression on his professor's face, which if Harry had really forced himself to interpret, he'd have read vulnerability, first and foremost. He looked away in confusion as Severus continued.
"Lucius had his set drawn up in case my application was met with resistance, which it likely would be. I am a bachelor, and reside at Hogwarts, which, ironically could be considered a reason to deem me unable to accommodate your needs."
This additional information forced Harry to focus more rationally. If they'd had this exchange a week ago, he would have run for the hills. But now, both Severus and Lucius had shown sides of themselves that gave Harry more confidence that he could count on their help. But…. as a guardian? Even for just under three weeks?
"For nineteen days, Harry," Severus said quietly, echoing Harry's inner monologue. "That is all."
"Did you think your taking the records would cause this to happen?" Harry demanded. "Because if I'd thought for a second that it would, I-"
"Actually, I am as shocked as you that Petunia and her wretched family have been allowed to return home," Severus said carefully. His own tension was growing, and his desire to respond abrasively was about to get the better of him. "Frankly, I'd be quite relieved to have your guardianship held within the bylaws of the wizarding world while we navigate the next few weeks. It removes the extra vestige of peril that counting on your aunt presents, does it not?"
Harry felt like he might vomit. On some level, he knew Severus was right, and he nodded so that the older wizard would cease further attempt to convince him that this was a good thing. It's not like I have a say in it, is it? Story of my life!
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By the time Remus and Harry were ready to head out for the meeting with their solicitors, Harry had been sequestered to have a full breakfast at the table in Remus' quarters, which he'd done in silence while his three mentors discussed next steps regarding his guardianship.
"We're heading straight into meetings with our solicitors," Lucius now reasoned, glancing over at Harry and watching the boy wipe his mouth on his napkin and push his plate away. "Let's act immediately, shall we?"
"As in, before Albus can make efforts on Harry's behalf?" Severus added. He too was looking over at Harry.
Harry frowned at that. He briefly returned the assessing stare he was getting from both Lucius and Severus without responding, but cast his eyes off to the roaring fire after a moment. In truth, he could find no good reason to object. I guess I just don't like them making this decision on my behalf, even if they are asking for my agreement.
"I'll take on your guardianship, Harry," Lucius said. "Alright? It's the simplest solution, and we can resolve it this morning. One less obstacle to be bothered by."
"And there. It's settled." Severus' tone suggested he was fully aware of Harry's inner turmoil and struggling. "I see no reason why you shouldn't send your aunt a heartfelt reply to her letter," he added drily.
That made a grin creep slowly to Harry's face. He turned to flash it at Severus and found a blank parchment, quill and ink bottle bobbing precariously toward him. He made short work of writing his message, then asked as if in hesitation, "Erm, does this sound alright?" before reading it aloud, "Dear Aunt Petunia, KISS. MY. YOUNG. POTTER. ARSE." He looked at the adults with an innocent expression. "Is it too vague?"
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Severus bid them good luck as he parted ways to head down to the dungeons. He would have preferred to accompany them, but instinct had told him they'd be fine, and he was behind on marking parchments and planning for the coming week. This decision did however leave him feeling as if he was neglecting Harry in some way, for some odd reason. "You have your potion at the ready?" he'd asked the messy haired teen as they'd walked along.
"Yes, sir," Harry had said in a tone that suggested he was eager to try it out. He pulled it out of his pocket and slung his head back to drink it in one gulp.
"We'll see you later in the day, Severus," Remus said over his shoulder, leading the others away.
"In another lifetime, I was probably a goblin," Lucius revealed to Harry as they climbed the stairwell to Dumbledore's office to access the Headmaster's floo. "I love institutions that hold vast quantities of money."
Lucius was not at all indifferent to Harry's trepidation over the subject of his guardianship. But rather than act any further at attempting to reassure the young Gryffindor, he wisely realized that Harry's trust needed to be earned, and this would take time and consistency from him. He took it as a good sign that Harry did not object when he imitated the way Severus always pulled him close for a tandem ride through the floo network. And off they spun to the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley.
