Chapter 4
The week had flown by for Harry and Hermione. They had done extremely well on their apparation tests. Then they took as many OWLS as they could. Once the OWLS were done, they took four NEWTS, Defense Against The Dark Arts, Potions, Muggle Studies, and History Of Magic. Those they passed with O's, with Harry earning the highest Defense score in school history. Also both placed second and third in Potions behind Professor Snape.
With those out of the way, the young couple celebrated by taking a vacation to the Continent. Three days in France, where the ladies of the 'family' went shopping and the men, including Hermione's father, went to a Quidditch match. Then they spent a day at Euro Disney. Hermione didn't know who had the better time, Harry or Cedric. Then the group went to Italy, where it was the men's turn for shopping, while the ladies spent the day in a spa. By the time they returned to England everyone was relaxed and in good spirits.
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It was during this week that the Order met at Hogwarts since they couldn't get into the former Headquarters. Most were slightly upset at the new location as Grimmauld Place was centrally located to most members. Noticeably absent were Sirius, Remus, and Snape. Although no one really expected the first two to show up after the last meeting, and many could care less if Snape was there. He had made a few enemies of his order 'friends'. Dumbledore was in his element at the moment, total control of his minions.
"First, I want to thank you all for coming here tonight. I hope to get our former location back by the next meeting, after tempers have settled down. Now does anyone have any information to pass on tonight?"
Several members gave their small bits to the rest. After no more was being said Albus closed the meeting, asking Molly to stay behind.
"How is Harry doing? Severus would like to know and have you pass on a message to Harry. He wants Harry to know that he will be picking up his school supplies next week in Diagon Alley. We wouldn't want Harry to over exert himself now would we? Not in his condition."
"I really wouldn't know, Headmaster. We were given the choice of supporting Harry or you by Sirius on the night of the bonding. We as a family, except the twins, chose your side. I would have thought that Severus had gotten to Harry by now. After all that type of bond needs closure on a wedding night."
"Harry is proving to be just as stubborn as his parents I'm afraid. But not to worry, once the term starts he will be taken care of by Severus. Thank you for your time, Molly."
"Not a problem, Headmaster."
Albus watched the witch leave. He was furious over the fact that there was now no one inside that house to plead his case to the boy, making him see the 'light'. He had a sinking feeling that this was only the beginning.
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It took Severus a week to show his face outside of his home. Revenge against Potter would be very sweet. It had taken a direct order from the Headmaster to get him to show his face. He apparated to Diagon Alley and made his way towards Gringotts. It was part of the Headmaster's plan to take control of Potter's money. Severus was here to start that. He couldn't wait to see the brat's face when he found out that he had to deal with him for any funds. 'Let's see the brat pull another prank now', thought Severus with glee. He found an open teller and made his way there.
"I wish to speak with the goblin in charge of the Potter accounts."
The goblin looked Severus up and down. A flicker of distaste showed on his face. "That would be Griphook. Down the right hand corridor, third office on the right."
Severus grunted a response. He hated goblins. To him they weren't much better than first years. He found the office and knocked on the door since it wouldn't open.
"Come in."
Severus went inside and saw, to him anyway, the smallest goblin that he had ever seen. Not even remotely scary. That would have to change. "I understand that you wish to speak with me. How can I be of service?" Severus sneered. This goblin was too polite.
Severus sat down and pulled out a scroll of demands that he and the Headmaster had put together. "Mr. Harry Potter and I have bonded. As his husband I will be taking control of his affairs. I have a list of how the estate will be distributed. You WILL be dealing with me and not Mr. Potter." He handed the scroll to the goblin.
Griphook read it very carefully. If the Potters had not made that provision in the will, this man would have moved the entire estate to other vaults, never to be seen again. "I see, however what YOU want is irrelevant. Firstly Mr. Potter was already emancipated before your so called bonding ceremony. Secondly, the Potters' will states that no one who is not a Potter by blood, including spouses, can not have any control of the estate. In other words only Mr. Potter can do anything with his money. He has to do so personally. So I am afraid that you are out of luck, sir. Good day."
Severus was still in shock as he was magically forced from the office. 'This was not good' he thought. Now he was going to have to buy the brat's school things with his own money.
First stop was Madam Malkin's for school robes. Severus knew that the boy would need larger robes for when he got bigger. However he ran into a slight problem. It seemed that the boy had already gotten his robes for the coming year. Perhaps the boy was hiding the baby already and needed the new robes.
Continuing on he headed for Florish & Blotts to get the boy his books. Once again he was told that the boy had already gotten his things for the upcoming year. It was the same in each shop that he went into. Potter had already been there. Severus angrily returned to Hogwarts to inform the Headmaster of these latest developments.
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Harry and Hermione were trying to decide if they should actually return to Hogwarts or not. They were given the option of taking the rest of their NEWTS before September 1st. There were several points to consider on both sides. Instead they decided to take the Sixth Year exams and move ahead to the Seventh Year. It was something that most would not expect. They also made an appointment to take the rest of their NEWTS a week after the term started if they found that they were in danger at school.
Harry had to wonder what the old man was going to try and pull once he found out about their placement as seventh years.
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Severus returned to Hogwarts and went immediately to the Headmaster's office. He knew that Albus would not be happy with the outcome at Gringotts nor about Potter already being emancipated prior to the 'Bonding' ceremony. That might cause a problem. Severus had to wonder how the boy had accomplished that.
"Lemonheads." Severus hated these muggle candy passwords of Albus'. He knocked on the door of the office before entering. He saw that Minerva was already there. She waited for Severus to get comfortable. He decided to handle Minerva's problem first.
"Alright Minerva, what has you so upset?"
"Ms. Granger has returned her Prefects badge!"
"Well the know-it-all has done something stupid after all."
"Now Severus" admonished Dumbledore. "Why has she done so?"
"I found the badge with both Ms. Granger's and Mr. Potter's school letters on my desk. One of the elves found them on your office floor, Albus. She gives no direct reason other than she disapproves of how you have handled Mr. Potter. In her own words 'I believe Harry. What the Headmaster has done is nothing short of criminal. He has no say in Harry's life, outside of his academics. I will continue my support of Harry and try to be the best friend that I can possibly be to him.' I have also received notices from the Ministry that both Ms. Granger and Mr. Potter have taken their OWLS and some of their NEWTS. The other classes they have taken were the Sixth Year exams. I was impressed with their scores. But that leaves me with a problem. If they are to be Seventh Years then I will have to place them in another set of rooms. The Seventh Year dormitories are already filled."
"Harry's room should be no problem as he will be living with Severus. I do wonder why he has taken the test already."
"Perhaps he realizes the truth in what we told him and has accepted his fate. Being a Seventh Year will allow him more freedom within the castle."
"Perhaps, however I think we will need to fill that free time with some extra classes. Occlumency should be started and perhaps some extra dueling before he slows down due to his pregnancy. I think you should handle those Severus."
"Gladly, Headmaster. I look forward to the challenge that Potter brings."
"Was there anything else, Minerva?"
"Also in the letter from the Ministry was a statement says that both Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger are now emancipated."
"Harry's I had figured on, what with his bonding to Severus, but not Ms. Granger's. This will need careful planning. Anything else?"
"No, but what about Ms. Granger?'
"There are several empty rooms within the castle, find one. Make sure to place monitoring charms on the room. I want to know if Harry is there at any given time."
"As you wish, Headmaster, but there is a thing called privacy!" She left in a huff.
"Did you take care of everything at Gringotts?"
"Not exactly." Severus then told Albus exactly what had happened at the bank and in the shops.
"We need the boy to move that money soon; otherwise we could have problems later."
"I am aware of that. As soon as he gets here, I plan to 'persuade' him to our way of thinking."
"I leave that in your capable hands."
Just then two owls arrived with letters from the Ministry. One was for Dumbledore and the other for Snape. Both men had a look of surprise on their faces.
Severus broke the seal and opened the parchment. It read:
Professor Severus Snape
Potions Master
Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry
Dear Sir,
This letter is to inform you that the Bonding between you and Harry James Potter is now null and void. Mr. Potter filed a complaint with this office and after careful review we have agreed with the complaint, and we have taken the measures necessary in breaking the Bonding on the grounds that neither Mr. Potter nor his guardian, which is not Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, consented to the Bonding. If you wish to challenge this ruling you may do so at a hearing involving Headmaster Dumbledore's actions in this matter. The hearing will take place on August 1st of this year, at nine o'clock in the morning. Either way you are required to attend as you are to be called as a witness against the headmaster. A non showing will result in your arrest.
Sincerely,
Amelia Bones
Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
Severus looked at Albus. Surprise was written all over the older man's face. Minerva had returned to the Headmaster's office for her forgotten lists and saw the two men faces. Whatever those letters said had truly shaken Albus and Severus. Both men silently wondered how the boy had pulled it off, while Minerva was hoping that Harry had just pulled the rug out from under the two.