A/n:
Right, so it turns out that I couldn't stomach writing the abuse the Dursleys put Harry through at this time. As such I apologize for taking so long on the chapter and plan to move on to dealing with the Goblins shortly. Enjoy!
*+ovo+*
"Just out of curiosity... is anyone else bothered by how easy it seems for these threats to not only get into the Castle Hogwarts but to get to this specific young mage?" the dwarf representative growled. "Not to mention the very consistent presence of your own laws either being ignored or not applied?"
"Believe me, I noticed," Madam Bones grimaced. "It makes me want to strangle various people with Dumbledore being foremost on that list. At this point I would, very unofficially, recommend simply getting him under someone else's laws and diplomatic immunity under all wizarding laws. This is happening far too often and far too conveniently for too many people in powerful positions and nearly always to Dumbledore's dubious benefit, to say nothing of his previous vice-like control of Mr. Potter until recently."
As that thought processed in their information battered minds the goblin representative was faster off the mark than anyone else and faster than anyone thought he could manage. Risking his very life and the reputation of his clan he put in his bid before anyone else could speak.
"Gringotts would lay claim to this young warrior and his two existing family members. The young mage has consistently passed various incidents that qualify him as a full warrior among my people As his life is dependent on that of your Dark Lord we will happily handle him and accept Potions Master Snape among our own Potion Masters," the goblin announced quickly. "Treatments for the Dark Lord's stupidity will, if I remember correctly, take at least a few years. Something that will be far easier, safer, and faster if we can simply lay claim to him and keep him in the hands of the healers until they are done with him."
What the goblin wasn't going to say was that part of qualifying to work with Gringotts on potions had required Severus to establish dual nationality with his people. It was something that wasn't actually told to the various people in similar positions on the pay roll or any wizard that hadn't actively applied for goblin citizenship. Unless asked flat out the goblins would let them think they had simply earned a few perks and respect. All of that meant that when Harry had been adopted the magic at Gringotts had updated his status to being one of the nation's children. It was something the representative wanted to avoid revealing as it would lead to the revelation of dual citizenship that Snape held. Even if he could play it off as having been a one off it was still part of his nation's official secrets. As a result finding an alternative way to claim the Potions Master and his young mage of a son was extremely important. Claiming the Dark Lord on the other hand just made sense for monitoring and treatment as it got around many of the human's additional pesky regulations. It also meant that if he got out of hand again his punishment would be under goblin law. Besides, the man's combat capability was undeniable and adding such a warrior to their ranks, after certain remedial honor training, would be well worth the effort!
"I have a few objections to that plan but as long as my concerns are accommodated I see no real issue with it," Voldemort offered quickly. "I have no wish to be little better than a rabid dog, attacking everything around me for no sensible reason. Thus far keeping young Harry close has served that purpose but I do not wish him to be trapped constantly at my side. It would be an injustice to him and would likely cause him harm in some fashion regardless of my intent on the matter."
Harry's look towards Voldemort and Snape of hopeful happy astonishment was heartbreaking to most of the courtroom. It was clear that, against his better judgement, Harry had latched on tightly to his small new family.
"Imp," Severus muttered before drawing his son into a tight but careful hug with kitten-Hedwig caught in the middle. The familiar clearly didn't mind overly much but she did quickly switch to Phoenix form and perch on Harry's shoulder after Harry was released.
For the rest of the discussion Hedwig smugly perched on his shoulder and preened his hair. She also was found to randomly glare at those who watched her Harry-chick just a bit too closely.
"We should finish up so that things can officially move forwards," Lord Nott put in after about an hour of discussion on exactly how stupid it was that Harry had been left so vulnerable. "Now, is there anything else or can we adjourn at least for the day?"
"One last set of memories," Madam Bones insisted quietly. "Three separate regular days at home both before and after you received your Hogwarts letter."
Harry immediately blanched and started shaking his head no as he tried and failed to scramble backwards away from her. His two Slytherin family members caught him and held him close, alternately glaring at the woman and fussing over their imp. Hedwig had taken up a position on the floor in her dragon form between the small family and the rest of the room. Only the three parselmouths could understand the creative insults and threats she was throwing around for scaring her "Harry-hatchling".
"Child, we need to see how bad it was," the Veela representative explained with careful softness.
"It will be handled," Voldemort said in a hard voice even as he shielded the other two wizards from the eyes of the rest of the room.
"I can't stop you but if you display the bodies could you place them somewhere that anyone underage wont see them?" Madam Bones requested levelly, mentally wincing at the admission. She had basically just handed those who had hurt a wizarding child over to the Dark Lord for death and torture. There would be no restful nights until she knew how it turned out, one way or another.
"I can do that," Voldemort allowed. "I will leave Umbridge in Ministry custody... for now. Her use of Blood quills against the students, including my Harry, had best be handled properly. If not then I will be forced to revert to tearing down the Ministry in the hopes that I can put something half way effective into place before war with the muggles breaks out. I am trying to save as many of us as possible but it becomes difficult when the majority do not wish to be saved from the coming slaughter."
"Understood," Madam Bones answered, her voice barely shaking. The room was dismissed after that and Voldemort whisked them away without comment to anyone else.
Lucius Malfoy, understanding his current role, first helped them to escape and then mingled with those who did not leave immediately. Quiet conversations and pointed comments in various important ears would do much to help his house guests and their faction of the Wizarding World. This day was going to be sending ripples of shock through their world for years to come.