Chapter 5
Minerva was amused and shocked that Potter had some how out maneuvered the great Albus Dumbledore. That he also brought Severus Snape down a peg as well was just icing on the cake. She had the house elves clean a set of rooms off of the Gryffindor common room. She had a feeling that Potter and Granger were going to need all the privacy that they could get and that the Headmaster was in for a rude awakening. She placed several false monitoring charms on the rooms before leaving.
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Madam Pomphrey sat down on the nearest bed in the infirmary. She read over the summons again. She was not supposed to have been caught. Those two idiots couldn't do a simple thing, right? Now she was going to have to do some damage control. In a huff she left the infirmary, never seeing Peeves with a water balloon. It exploded in front of her, causing her to slip on the moving staircase. She fell straight down several floors to her death.
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Harry woke early on his birthday. He spent the pre-dawn hour holding Hermione, thinking that at only fifteen, his life was almost perfect. He was also starting to get slightly excited about what the others had planned for his birthday. It was a day at the beach. Something that he had never done before. He felt a slight twinge of guilt over not going to the Burrow for the birthday tea that Mrs. Weasley had planned on. But he was afraid that the Headmaster and Snape would also be there and he wasn't ready to face them yet. Not while trying tokeep his anger under control. The howler that returned after he sent his regrets was still making the house shake to wherever Sirius banished it to.
He must have moved or something because Hermione started waking up. Turning over to face him, she gave him a kiss. "Good morning, Birthday boy."
"It is now", he said getting another kiss from his wife.
"Flatterer."
He grinned at her as she got out of bed, resisting his attempts to pull her back into the bed. "Now you stay in bed. Ced and I are going to bring you breakfast in bed."
"Spoiling me, huh?"
"Not at all since we'll be joining you."
Harry didn't have to wait very long. Cedric came toddling in, carrying a present.
"Dada!"
He reached Harry, who reached down and picked him up, settling him on the bed. "Hey there little man, what do you have?"
"Dada." said Cedric, throwing the present at his father before scrambling up next to his father and putting his feet under the covers. This action brought chuckles to both of his parents as Hermione entered the room with the breakfast tray.
"Go ahead and open it."
Harry looked at the package. It was obviously a book of some sort, but not what he was expecting. It was a photo album. Inside were photos of their time at Potter's Castle, including ones of him carrying Cedric and baby photos of Cedric himself.
"Hermione? How? When?"
"Did you think that we wouldn't document such an important event? I know how much family means to you. There are a few blank pages in the back that I thought that we could fill up today at the beach. Do you like it?" she askedas she settled on the bed next to Cedric.
"Like it? I love it. It's the perfect present." Harry leaned over and kissed her, causing Cedric to giggle in between them.
"Thanks to you too, little man." He planted a big, wet kiss on the boy's cheek, causing the boy to giggle again. The three of them then settled in to eat their breakfast. After breakfast they joined the others and headed to the beach for a day of fun in the sun.
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Harry and Hermione arrived early at the Ministry the next day for the hearing. Both wore their best robes, with the Potter family crest on them, although Hermione's was under a glamour charm. They went to Amelia Bones' office as she had asked them to. She didn't want too many people to know that the boy-who-lived was in the building.
"Good Morning, Lord and Lady Potter. How was your trip?"
"Excellent, Madam Bones" answered Hermione. Harry looked to be in deep thought.
"Something on your mind, Harry?"
"This may sound unusual but I've been having a strange dream over and over about a hallway with locked doors. When I described the hallway both Remus and Sirius said that it sounded like the Department Of Mysteries. Can you tell me what that department holds?"
Amelia was stunned. "May I ask why you would really need to know?"
"Voldemort is trying to get me to go there, probably using my 'curious' nature. To me it's obvious that he wants me to get something in there. He always leads me to a certain door. Inside the room is a bunch of crystal balls. Always I'm led to row 94. Then I wake up. I have enough mind control to know that Voldemort is behind it and I want to know why."
Instead of answering Amelia scratched out a note and sent it flying off. "Come with me."
Amelia led them down to the hallway that was in Harry's dreams. Inside the circular room was a hooded, cloaked figure, an Unspeakable.
"What do I owe the pleasure for this visit, Madam Bones?"
"Lord Potter, here, has been receiving visionary dreams from You-Know-Who about the Hall of Prophecy. Is there a prophecy concerning them?"
To Harry it seemed that the Unspeakable stiffened slightly, probably surprised about the question asked. "As a matter of fact there is. Do you wish to hear it, Lord Potter?"
"Yes."
"Very well, follow me and please do not touch anything. It might kill you."
The three others followed the Unspeakable through the door that led to Harry's destiny.
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Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape arrived fifteen minutes early at the Ministry building. They made their way down to the court room. Surprisingly they found that the hearing was to be closed to the public. Potter and his 'family' were already there, seated on the main floor at a long table. Amelia Bones was with them as their representative. Albus led Severus over to the opposing empty table and sat down. They were all alone. The room was deadly quiet. It was almost unnerving.
All too soon the members of the Wizengament filed in, Fudge leading the way with his two under secretaries, a Weasley and Umbridge.
"This hearing will come to order, Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic presiding. Do any of the parties involved wish to offer a protest before we continue?" No one said a word.
"Very well. Due to Madam Pomphrey's death, the investigation with her involvement has been stopped. Albus Dumbledore, you are charged with officiating a bond between two wizards, without the consent of Mr. Potter or his guardian. The charge is furthered by the fact that you have claimed that you are Mr. Potter's magical guardian, which no such paperwork has ever been filed within this Ministry. Do you have a reason for these actions?"
Albus Dumbledore stood. "I do. The bonding between Professor Snape and Mr. Potter was done in accordance with the law. That bond must be re-established. The health of Mr. Potter depends on it. As for the paperwork, I did fill it out and thought it to be filed. I had no reason to think otherwise."
"Why is it that the Bond must be re-established?"
"Mr. Potter is pregnant with Professor Snape's child. That is why I bonded them. Our law states that a pregnant person must marry to provide two parents to raise the child. Since Professor Snape is the other 'father' it was reasonable to bond them."
Amelia Bones stood up. "I have proof that Lord Potter is not now nor has he been pregnant in the last year. Lord Potter voluntarily went to St. Mungo's and was tested by three different healers. The results of all three came back the same, negative."
Harry couldn't tell who was more surprised Dumbledore or Snape. He had to hide the grin that threatened to come out. Sirius had no such qualms. He outright laughed at the two. Even Hermione let loose a slight giggle. Several members of the Wizengament looked the papers over.
"I do not understand how this is possible. Madam Pomphrey did the tests right after the tournament. They came back positive. That was the reason I forced the Bonding. I still maintain that I am Harry's guardian as James and Lily would have wanted. I think that they would have given their consent if they knew of Harry's 'pregnancy'. I hereby formally request that I be made Harry's guardian."
"James and Lily would never have given you control of Harry. You used them to the point that they were getting ready to leave the country for good just to get away from you and all your 'for the greater good' plans. That was something that you didn't want to happen. You needed your 'weapon' and that's why they were sold out to Voldemort and died. Why I was sent to Azkaban without a trial. Now you have lost all control of him and those that would protect him from harm." shouted Sirius. Several member of the Wizengament were muttering their agreement with what Sirius had said.
"Order! Order in the court!"
"Albus Dumbledore, due to the evidence this court has no choice but to reiterate that the forced bond between Professor Severus Snape and Harry Potter is still void and will not be re-established. Because of your obvious disregard for our laws we are forced to remove all titles and offices that you hold. You may remain Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry but your duties of office will be severely limited. Further more neither you nor Professor Snape may have any contact with Lord Potter, outside of academics. Nor can you punish him by any means you feel necessary. If he requires a punishment it will be handled by Professor Minerva McGonagall. I understand that Mr. Potter has taken some of his NEWTS, including that of Potions, so I see no problems with this restriction. Lord Potter no longer requires a guardian as he is now emancipated under the law. Do you have anything to say?"
Severus Snape couldn't sit still. "I have to be able to punish Potter. He always is the cause of trouble within the school. He defies authority at every turn. I could care less if he has finished his classes. He needs special training that only I can give him as I know how the Dark Lord thinks and operates. Give Potter to me and I will make sure that he will kill the Dark Lord, saving you all in the process."
Hermione had to physically restrain Harry from attacking the Potion Master. Sirius, also, had to be restrained. Several aurors arrived too protect the Minister and the Wizengament.
Fudge wasn't as stupid as he seemed, at least at that moment. "Professor Snape, the judgment stands. If you break it you will go to Azkaban for a minimum of five years. Do you understand?"
"Yes", muttered Snape.
"This court is now dismissed."
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Albus and Severus returned to Hogwarts singed but not burned. Some how they had to get the boy back under their control. Severus would be extremely limited as the boy had passed his class and would no longer be required to be near him.
"Severus, perhaps it is time for you to switch subjects."
Severus stared at Albus. "You mean that I can finally teach DADA? Without interference? From anyone?"
"Yes. I think that young Mr. Potter will find that while he passed Potions he will still need his DADA. Use this gift wisely."
Severus' smile slowly grew to that of a Cheshire cat. Little did either of them realize that Harry had already taken that particular NEWT.
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The rest of the month was rather quiet for the Potters. Professor McGonagall met with both Harry and Hermione to discuss their sleeping arrangements.
"I don't quite understand why or how you have done what you have done but I applaud your resourcefulness. Now I have been trying to figure out what to do with the two of you. As you might realize both the seventh year boys and girls dorm are completely full. I have, with the help of some of the house elves, found a set of chambers connected to the Gryffindor common room that you can use. It has a portrait of a couple in a rowboat guarding the entrance. I believe for your safety that only you and Ms. Granger should know the password."
"That would be acceptable Professor. Also due to my accelerated studies I won't be able to play Quidditch this year, even if Dumbledore lifts the ban. I'm sorry"
"No need, Mr. Potter. I do understand and I am the one that is sorry for all the trouble that the Headmaster has caused you. Now here are your new book lists and I will see you at the start of term."
Hermione went out the next day, taking her mother and Tonks with her. They bought everything that they would need for the upcoming term. Harry stayed home and played with Cedric, teaching the boy how to fly on a child sized broom. Hermione would have a fit if he saw him doing that.
"You know Hermione and Emma are going to have a fit if they see Cedric flying again."
"What they don't know won't hurt them, Dad. Besides Ced likes to fly, don't you?"
Cedric giggled and nodded his head. Now if his Daddy would let loose the ball he would really have some fun. But before that could happen his Mama came home.
"HARRY JAMES POTTER! WHAT IS THAT BABY DOING?"
Harry fled behind his son. "Umm….. flying on a broom?"
"WHY IS OUR SON FLYING IN THE FIRST PLACE?"
"Because he likes it?"
Apparently that was the wrong answer as Hermione dropped all of her packages, came over and grabbed Cedric off of the broom. "No flying until at least the age of five or you going to find the sofa very comfortable for a very long time, Potter. Understand?"
Harry winced at the use of his surname. She was well and truly pissed. He could only nod in agreement. Dan snickered.
"You think this is funny, do you?" asked Emma Granger. She didn't look any happier than their daughter.
"Nope, not at all dear."
"Good because the same threat goes for you as well." She, too, left the room, following her daughter up the stairs.
Tonks smiled slightly at the savior of the wizarding world hiding from his wife. However Hermione needed Harry at that moment.
"Harry, you might want to go see Hermione. She got rather upset today thanks to Ron."
"What. Did. He. Do?" Harry asked in a cold fury.
"He tried to talk to her as he was leading her towards the Leaky Cauldron. What he actually said I don't know but she was furious with him and punched him right in the nose, breaking it."
"That's my girl" said Dan smiling.
Harry didn't say anything just headed upstairs to find Hermione. He found her sitting on their bed. Cedric was no where to be found. Harry assumed that he was in the nursery since that door was closed. He came in to the room and sat down next to her.
"What did the prat do this time?"
"He wanted to know if I had come to my senses yet."
"What do you mean?"
"He wanted me to know that he was ready to take 'our' relationship to the next level and become a couple. He also said that because you were already 'married', you're off limits to me. That no one else would want me but him."
"THAT SON OF A…."
"Harry! Language!"
"Sorry, but I sometimes wonder why I ever kept my friendship with him."
"I know. However I informed him that you were not 'married' to the greasy git and that I was all yours."
"Bet he didn't like that." chuckled Harry.
"No he didn't. Then he grabbed my arm. That's when I hit him in the nose."
"Serves him right", said Harry, pulling her into a hug.