Dumbledore sat at his office desk filling out a few forms. The work was never done running such a huge magic school. And with the tournament on the way, many other schools were on their way to help compete in it.
Suddenly, the doors to his office burst open. He raised an old heavy brow at the brashness as Snape walked in. Dumbledore felt himself internally sigh heavily as he saw two Snork's follow behind as well as Draco Malfoy.
Dumbledore put down his quill, his owl ruffled its feathers on the stand next to his desk. He watched Snape study him for a reaction and for answers.
"Head Master, we have a situation." Snape elaborated, explaining everything. Draco and Harry both went to interrupt but were silenced by a harsh glare from Snape. Dumbledore reluctantly silenced them as well. There could be no bias towards Harry, if there was, his true powers as well as his role in. this situation could be outed.
Snorkmaiden simply looked to the ground and politely listened. He really did enjoy that young lady already. It was such a pity she wasn't a magic user, she would be an audacious and patient student.
"-So, how do you intend to punish these...Kids?" Snape hissed the last part, looking to Harry in his new form. Harry glared back.
Dumbledore shook himself, truthfully not listening as intently as he usually would. He knew something like this was going to happen. Harry was too hot-headed, too stubborn and too righteous. And sadly, Draco was every bit how his father was at his age. Arrogant, meddling and vindictive.
Dumbledore interlaced his hands as he thought a moment...He wanted to let Harry off with a warning, after all, he was simply eating lunch with his partner. But...He could not.
It would ruin everything to show Harry special treatment.
Dumbledore cleared his throat, "Ah...Quite a predicament, isn't it Professor Snape?"
Snape scowled, "Yes...I feel we have much to discuss after you decide the punishment necessary."
Dumbledore hid his knowing glint in his eyes. He must be losing his touch for deception in his older age, he thought with mild amusement.
"...Both Mr. Moomin and Mr. Malfoy shall be suspended from attending classes for the rest of the week until we can decide any further conclusions from what we have witnessed." Dumbledore stood from his desk and walked towards Draco, who looked at him in alarm.
"Did you shoot magic at Harry?" He calmly asked. The boy looked terrified behind that scowl. He knew the boy acted out of defense to other issues. "Sir, I was attacked by him earlier today! He used his magic to strike me with a book in Professor Moody's class!... I simply wanted to return the favor." He scowled over at Harry hatefully.
Dumbledore sighed and turned to Harry. "Is this true?" Harry without missing a beat, "Yes it is, Sir."
Dumbledore secretly praised his honesty in his head. He knew if Harry did hit Draco with anything, it was most likely deserved. But, as Head Master, he couldn't be biased.
"Well, then I'm afraid I'll have to confiscate both your wands." Dumbledore opened his hands to either male. Harry looked at Dumbledore in amusement before putting on a theatrical sigh, "If I must…"
Draco, on the other hand, looked frantic, "You can't! Sir, my father-"
"- Will have to accept this. It's only a few days. Perhaps you can use these few days to reconsider your choices, young man."
Harry put on mock hesitation before giving Dumbledore the wand while Draco clung to his. Snape looked his nose down, "Malfoy. The wand." Draco looked to Snape with a scowl. Dumbledore saw the way they looked to one another. Dumbledore was aware of Severus's affiliation with House Slytherin. Knew the rumors of meetings at Malfoy house. But that's all he knew was rumors at this point.
Draco sneered, tears almost pricking his eyes as he placed the wand in Dumbledore's hand. Dumbledore turned to. Snorkmaiden. "I heard you were involved?"
Harry bristled and looked like he was ready to fight everyone in the room. Dumbledore chuckled to himself in his mind. 'To be young and in love.' He mused. Snorkmaiden politely nodded, "Yes Sir. I'm sorry for going to the cafeteria."
Snape interjected, "Yes if you would have stayed away this entire situation would have been avoided. " Snape looked distastefully at Snorkmaiden and Harry's fur turned redder and redder. Dumbledore felt his own irritation flair at the comment.
"You're interjections aren't needed, Professor. " Dumbledore passively warned. Snape looked taken aback at Dumbledore's tone but said nothing. Merely giving a curt nod.
"Since you were involved and since this school is more close-minded than even I suspected, your punishment is to help sort papers and books in this office. Understood, young lady?"
Snorkmaiden's face lit up, "Really?" She eagerly asked with a glimmer of hope in her eyes. Dumbledore openly allowed a smirk on his face as he whispered, "This is still work." Snorkmaiden blushed and nodded, thanking him.
Draco sneered at them all. "That's it?! He didn't use a wand! He could take shape of those beasts and bring one-"
"THAT'S ENOUGH," Snape growled, surprising everyone. He continued, "Despite anyone's opinions, you do not speak to your Head Master in such a manner. Reframe from it or I'll deduct points from Slytherin."
Draco looked angrily at them all before bowing his head to Dumbledore. "Forgive my...Tone." He reluctantly gave. It sounded like it was being ripped from him. Dumbledore sighed, "It's alright, Draco. You're all excused. Return to your rooms and I better not hear of anything else from any of you today. Understood?"
There was a collective, "Yes Sir." Before they departed. He watched from the corner of his eye as Draco left, he bumped Harry's shoulder and hissed 'This isn't over.'.
Dumbledore rubbed his temples. He knew this was going to happen but why couldn't it happen AFTER the tournament.
He turned back to Snape who folded his arms expectantly. "Care to explain, Sir?"
Severus sat at the table across from the older witch and wizards. Both once his mentors when he attended Hogwarts decades ago. He hid his emotions even though he was internally fuming.
He wasn't a fool. He could tell right away that Dumbledore KNEW of this disgusting farce!
It was bad enough that Harry looked so much like that bastard of a father he had. Severus felt color leave his face when the arrogant 'kid' walked into his classroom. Momentarily thinking James Potter somehow came back from the dead! As foolish as that little thought was. It was worse that he was almost a young man and just as arrogant and stubborn as his biological father, coming into his classroom and questioning something he studied before the brat was even born! Having his name put into the Goblet when he didn't even attend Hogwarts. To top it all off, he was in a disgusting relationship with a creature AND was an unregistered metamorphmagus! Now, allegations of using magic without a wand?
Severus was APPALLED. What would Lily think of her son now? Severus wanted to think the ideology of Lily he concocted in his mind would feel the same as him. But deep down, he knew that was a complete lie. Knowing his sweet and naive Lily, she would have loved her son no matter what. Just like she loved that bully James Potter, claiming he 'changed'.
Severus covered his mouth with his interlaced hands, his elbows on the table as he frowned at the two discussing the situation.
"Damn it all, Albus! What are we going to do? You know those Malfoy's won't stop until they bloody get everything their hearts and high egos desire." McGonagall grumbled.
Dumbledore sighed as he gazed elsewhere. "We don't have a choice. Harry revealed himself and...I had to contact the Ministry to get him registered."
"What? But Albus-"
"Minerva...We can't hide this like we wanted, not now."
Her lips pressed together in a frown, "If he would have just hidden his relationship and form, none of this would have happened! "
Dumbledore nodded, "Yes but what's done is done." The silence pressed on until Dumbledore glanced over at Severus. "You've been surprisingly quiet.."
Severus inhaled deeply, trying to maintain composure even though he wanted to lash out. "Don't you both think I deserve an explanation?" He monotoned. Minerva and Dumbledore both glanced at one another.
Severus wondered what they knew or didn't know. He was playing a dangerous game but he was still loyal to Hogwarts and his old mentors. They wouldn't understand his position of straddling the fence between the dark arts and the rest if they tried.
"McGonagall, Dumbledore. Explain everything now so help me." He drawled out. Minerva gave a scoff, "Severus, it's not that simple. We don't know everything ourselves."
Lies. He just knew it. Maybe not on McGonagall's part but most definitely on the Head Masters.
"Harry somehow ended up in Moomin Valley. A very far away place filled with strange and magical creatures. Harry grew up with a world of magic from birth and just so happened to be a morphamagus. He grew up alongside Snorks and Moomins resulting in his current engagement."
Severus narrowed his tired eyes. "That's it? You mean you willingly allowed a beast to come to Hogwarts and parade around as...As a fiancee?!" He couldn't help but feel revolted.
"I suggest you watch your tongue and keep any prejudice in check, Severus," Minerva warned.
Severus deeply respected Minerva but at that moment he was aghast. "It's a creature! How can you both allow this?"
Dumbledore gave him an irritated look, a rare thing to see on his old jolly face. "That creature is an intelligent being and she has a name. Her name is Snorkmaiden. You shall address her as such. Harry refused to come if she did not, so I gladly allowed it."
Severus huffed in disbelief. "This school has centuries of prestigious lineage. I cannot accept, no matter how much I respect you both, to allow such a disrespectful-"
"Save it, Severus." Minerva snapped in her Scottish accent. It seemed to come out the angrier she got. "We are well aware of Hogwarts rules and regulations. However, if we allowed some of the despicable wizards and witches that are now lowly death eaters to ever step foot in this school...Well, I see no issue in a fine and gentle creature attending as well. Snork, giant, elf, human or wizard will all be treated with respect at this fine school."
Dumbledore smiled at her, "Well said, Professor McGonagall."
Severus felt his stomach sink at her thoughts on death eaters, a bit of guilt seeped in that he tried in vain to ignore. He went to protest but sessed to. In truth, he knew what it was like to not be accepted. But...It just felt like too much! His mother being with a muggle is bad enough but at least they were both human!
"Fine...So, what do we do about this situation?" Severus relented and changed the subject.
Dumbledore folded his arms behind his back as he walked about the room. Minerva and Severus's eyes on him for answers. As if on time, an owl fluttered through the open window. Dumbledore looked to his fellow facility before walking towards the bird, retrieving the letter. He opened it and silently read. Severus watched, about to ask what it said as Dumbledore's eyes shut in disappointment.
"...The Ministry received my letter and shall arrive within the next two days. They're holding a council meeting on the decision of Harry."
Severus wanted to hate the young man but...Lily, Albus, and Minerva all would be devastated if something were to happen to Harry. Why couldn't he act and look like his beautiful mother? Be brave, sweet and intelligent with fiery red hair? Instead, the boy looked just like James and acted like him too.
At least he had Lily's eyes, he could hate him slightly less for that reason alone. It infuriated him to be near the smart-mouthed bastard! And it also pained him to look into those eyes. He secretly hoped the ministry would strip him of his magic and send him away! Not hurt him, but send him away to wherever he came from so he didn't have to look at those cursed blue eyes anymore! Even just a day and it pained him.
It made it bittersweet that he had to keep Voldemort's trust and in doing so had to run and tell the Dark Lord everything. He just hoped his two former mentors could one day forgive his actions.
Harry crashed on the bed in his Snork form, bringing a giggling Snorkmaiden close to him with a content sigh. She stopped giggling and cupped his furry cheek.
"Harry, aren't you worried?"
Harry cracked a bright blue eye open with a smirk. "Why? I didn't need that wand, I don't have to be in any of those classes...Though, Professor Moody was fun. I get to be in bed with you for days! I'm elated!" He kissed her cheek and she smiled but lightly pushed him away. "Harry, I'm serious. You showed this form to everyone and over something so stupid!"
Harry sat back from her blinking in shock as she glared at him. She ranted, "I can handle myself and you know it! You put yourself at risk over what?! Over pride?! What if that magic would have hurt you and you couldn't deflect it in time?! What if one of the others would have shot it at me at the same time?! I was perfectly content in gradually showing myself, not causing a scene! I don't like being treated like I'm less but I sure as the Earth don't want you risking your life over words! WORDS Harry! Have you forgotten why we're here?! That you have people that want you dead and you were SUPPOSE to lay low?! I LOVE YOU BUT YOU'RE SO STUPIDLY BRASH HARRY!"
She shoved herself away and got up from the bed, tail swishing as her ears were back, fur turning red. Harry wanted to defend himself but knew she was right. What if she would have gotten hurt because of his own temper? His ears dropped.
"I'm sorry...You're right, I just...When they insulted you I couldn't think!" He defended, she scoffed.
"That's for sure!" She turned away from him. He scooted to the end of the bed. "Snorkmaiden, I won't let anyone hurt or insult anyone I care about. You know that. It's how I discovered my abilities in the first place. But… I really am sorry. I should have grabbed your hand, took our lunches and got out of there. Instead, I showed this form and messed up. I'm sorry." His fur turned blue as he desperately watched her. She heaved her shoulder in a heavy insufferable sigh.
"Don't get too comfortable in this form, you don't know the punishment for it." She changed the subject. Harry lifted a brow. "What? Dumbledore wouldn't punish me for this form. Besides, I already received my 'punishment' earlier...Now, please turn around and talk to me Snorkmaiden. It really will be a punishment if I have to spend days in here with you mad at me."
Snorkmaiden rolled her eyes even when a smirk tugged her lips. "Argh, fine. But if you ever speak for me or do something this stupid ever again Harry Moomin, I WILL be mad!" She turned back around with a scowl. Harry nodded, "Alright, alright! You're a strong capable Snork that needs no one to save her."
Snorkmaiden gave an affirmed nod, "That's right."
Harry smirked, "Except when you fell in the ocean or got cornered by that bubblebrug or the time I had to kill that spider for you-"
She grabbed a pillow from the bed and whooped him across the face. "Shut up!" She exclaimed with a sheepish grin. Harry grinned back as he grabbed a pillow as well.
"Oh, it's on. " He readily aimed his hit while she blocked him with her own pillow. But they both stopped as a knock sounded at the door. Harry raised a brow and walked towards it, both dropping their pillows and sessing their fun.
Harry was surprised to see a glum Hagrid at the door. "Eh, sorry for waking u and ur lass at this late hour."
Harry smiled, "Oh no, it's alright. Do you need anything?"
He sighed as his huge chest heaved, "Aye. Dumbledore told me to send ya this. He told me bout it and...Well, jus read it yourselves. " He handed the already opened letter to Harry before sadly bowing his head and leaving, fairing them a goodnight.
"What is it?" Snorkmaiden asked as she came closer, Harry already had it open and read it. His face dropped and Snorkmaiden impatiently raced over. "Harry, what is it to make you have such a long face?"
Harry folded the letter and handed it to her, his fur a mix of green and blue and his ears completely down.
"The Ministry of Magic, the very people we were trying to avoid, wish to speak with us in a meeting. Tomorrow or the next day."