A/N: I am sooo sorry about the long period of this update. I am giving you this little bit because I have been having computer problems. I actually had typed for this chapter about 16-17 pages. My computer didn't save it. I cried (literally). Here you go. I am retyping the 11 or so pages missing, and the finish to this chapter. I will not repost this chapter.

For those of you who want my stand on the HBP... I haven't read it. Yes, you read correctly, I haven't read it. Don't plan on reading it for some days yet. So this story is now and probably will be for some time AU. It will not touch on anything the HBP has to offer.

Chapter 10: Moving Things Along

Harry woke up the next morning ready to face the world; he thought about what the day would bring. Professor Dumbledore was supposed to show up and they were to talk about the upcoming trial of his Uncle is wizard's court. Also, they were going discuss the pathway that he had chosen to take with Severus.

Dudley was a little nervous, worried what exactly might happen to him because his mother was not fit to take over guardianship. That was another topic that they were going to have to discuss. Dudley had no clue as to what the family assets were. He only knew that his parents gave him everything and he was quite spoiled. There were bills that needed to be paid and the houses upkeep while they both were at school, also withdrawing and transferring from his last school. His aunt Marge was another problem she would try to take over, and get guardianship of him.

Luna knew that today was basically a day off for her. She did not have to tutor Dudley, because of the owl Dumbledore sent the previous night. Not wanting to be far away in case Harry needed to talk she decided to have a lazy morning, breakfast in bed, soak in the bath, and maybe write some in her journal or some letters.

Albus Dumbledore knew that the next few days ahead were going to be tough for the members of Privet Drive. Not necessarily for Luna but all the others. The trial date for Vernon Dursley surprisingly came a lot quicker than expected. The wizarding world still recovering from backstabbing their hero last year is trying to make up for lost time. Vernon's case is taking precedence. Gathering his papers and some floo powder he left for Privet Drive.

Severus and Dudley were talking in the kitchen while Harry and Luna were still up stairs. They discussed how he felt his lessons were coming along and if he was having any problems with potions. Dudley asked a few questions and got some clarification on some aspects. It caused Severus to realize that the questions he was asking were some things that all children from a wizarding background would know, but not a muggle raised child. It made him think about some adjustments that may need to be made in his approach to teaching; not that he would be admitting it out loud.

The fireplace flashed green and Severus sent Dudley upstairs to get Harry. Dumbledore removed the soot from his robes and papers before turning towards the kitchen. "Hello? Where is everyone?"

"I'm in here Albus," Severus answered, "the kids are upstairs, Luna took a tray in her room and Harry and Dudley should be down in a minute. I want to talk to you after we prepare them for the trial. Do you have enough time?"

"That would be fine with me. Don't worry about time constrictions I have pretty much let it be known that if I am needed Minerva can find me." The sound of a stampede coming from the stairs heralded the arrival of both boys. "Good morning, gentlemen I see that you are doing well this morning."

"Yes, headmaster," came the answer from Harry. Dudley stayed silent. "How are you feeling this morning?"

"Fine. I bring news this morning with me. The wizengamot has decided to set the trial date for your uncle Harry. It will start tomorrow in court room ten at 10:30. We will be taking a portkey to get there. Any questions yet?"

"Just one…will I have to testify against my father? Harry said that there may be another way for my testimony to be taken."

"I am sorry Mr. Dursley, but you will be testifying. Both you and Harry will. Yours will mostly be about this summer only. If they try to go into past summers I will object stating relevance. I realize that before this summer your relationship with your cousin has not been the best, but in your father's litigator will try to turn the attention from him.

Harry you are a different case all together. When the litigator brings up the past answer even if he pulls in Dudley's past actions; it is my understanding that your uncle encouraged the attention that his son gave you. Make sure that it is known, but don't worry if he doesn't allow you. I will come back and answer those questions.

I may even call you back up Dudley to answer about things in the past…questions that will show your father's involvement. That and what happened the night that you retrieved help. Everything else will be answered by your neighbors, the lies that the family told about you, how your appearance was while you were growing up, and just general questions by observers. Are there any questions about what will be happening at court tomorrow…I think that I covered everything?"

Albus stopped and looked around the room. Dudley, Harry and Severus said nothing, and all gave affirmative nods. "Good! Now we can move on to the next piece of business. It is my understanding that since both of you will still be underage that Severus is supposed to take guardianship over the both of you. I have all the necessary papers here to be filled out. May I suggest that we change Mr. Dursley's name, Dudley Snape does not have a nice ring to it. Harry on the other hand the choice is up to you. It will not be necessary to keep or change your name. The path that you and Severus have chosen to take in your relationship will not be affected by a name change.

Also, it has been brought to my attention that you Dudley, and you Harry have not been living up to your true potential. Ms. Lovegood has written to me to discuss the fact that Dudley has a problem with his reading, and that you Harry have been reverting to your early childhood teachings of not overshadowing others with your intelligence. As Dudley is scheduled to take his Owls at the same time as the home-schooled children of the wizarding world you Harry will be retested at that time as well. I expect the true scores that would have happened if you tried, and not what was expected of you. You shine in Defense Against the Dark Arts because it is expected that you can, but it is my understanding from both Severus and Luna that you are quite advanced in your other classes.

Dudley you will be tested by Professor McGonagall to figure out what type of reading problem you might have later today. From what Luna has told me we believe that it is a common problem found in boys around the world. There are things to correct this. I think that you three need some time to talk about names and fill in the paperwork before tomorrow. Professor McGonagall should be around sometime after lunch. Have a good day gentlemen." All three of them sat there in silence contemplating all that had occurred and what Dumbledore said.

Dudley showed the most agitation, because he did not want anyone else to know that he had a problem reading. He knew that he was not the brightest of children, and his reading problem proved that. It was too late now, and that teacher was coming to test him and figure out if there was anything that could be done.

Severus was still in shock over Dumbledore's revelations. Harry was very smart, and not showing all that he was capable of. That is something that most Slytherin's would do, but not a Gryffindor. Gryffindor's were supposed to be boastful. Not Harry, the boy keeps showing him a new layer each day. That could also explain the excellent work that he was producing these holidays in the lab.

Now all he had to do was bring up what they were going to do after the trial. He wanted custody of the both of them because neither was of age yet. Harry would probably not protest too much because of their familial relationship already. It was Dudley he was worried about.

Harry was dismayed that he would have to retake some of his owl examinations. Of course, it was not the fact that there was going to be some serious revising made in the near future of all he learned these past years. Actually he has already been doing that working with Dudley. No, his problem was that somehow Dumbledore found out. Not one person knew of his secret, and now it seemed that everything was coming out into the open.

Severus noticed the time and decided that they had been sitting there long enough. "Dudley, Harry it is almost lunch time. How about Dudley and I set up the living room so that we can all eat there, and you Harry go and get Luna to come down. I will call a house elf to make some sandwiches."

Harry raced up the stairs to Luna's room wanting to tell her what Dumbledore had discussed with them. Knocking and entering at the same time he was very surprised to find a topless girl standing there in shock. He quickly turned around wanting to give her some time to finish dressing. "Uh … Se-Severus s-s-says it lunch and to come down when your ready. I'll see you down there." He exited quickly a very nice read color—almost the same shade that Gryffindor proudly display. Harry quickly exited the room imprinting to his mind the delectable picture that was Luna. They may not be in a relationship, but he was male and anyone could appreciate what he just saw.

Meanwhile ... Severus took this time with Dudley to approach the sensitive subject of what was going to happen to him after his parents' trial. "Dudley, I know that you have heard some of the plans that are being made towards Harry's guardianship. Well, yours needs to be settled also. I don't quite know how things will work out, but I am planning on doing some type of adoption where Harry will legally become my heir. His name is going to change to Potter-Snape. Would you like something like that to happen too, or do you want me just to ask for guardianship?"

Dudley continued with his sandwich preparations. He was wondering what was going to happen to him after his parents trial. Aunt Marge would surely take him in, but it made him shudder to think of it. He really wanted to stay close to his new family. For if anything that is what was becoming of the three men. Making his decision as he heard Harry starting slowly down the steps, "I would prefer if we dropped Dursley all together at the adoption, and Dudley Snape does not sound proper. Maybe a new first name as well."

A/N: Next chapter I promise will not take so long to update, and also it will be the finished part of S. B. Snape! Thank you my faithful readers and reviewers!