Chapter 16: Plans Come Together – unbeta'ed

While Harry was busy writing his letter Severus was thinking through the merger pans. The plan was well thought out, but something just seemed off with the plan. "Sloan, when you finished with that missive come down here I need to speak with you."

He sat back in his chair, and summoned Dobby. "Have a dinner made for all of us in about an hour. Then inform Luna and Cassius that Harry has returned. If they are not busy to please come and join the discussion down stairs."

"Yes, sir. Mr. Snape. I'lls tells them." With a muffled pop he was gone.

Luna was reading quietly in her room thinking about how angry and powerful Harry was to be able to break through the anti-apparation wards around the ministry. That's when Dobby popped in giving her Severus' message. "Alright, tell him I'll be down as soon as I change."

Cassius was still in wonder about a wizarding court trial. They had stuff that made you tell the truth, and chairs that acted on their own. It was nothing like that in the muggle world. Maybe that was why there was so little petty crime in the wizarding world. It was too easy to find out the answer. Dobby interrupted the train of though delivering Severus' message. He nodded and started pulling on his shoes.

Just before Harry started down the stairs to see what his father wanted the doors of the other two teenagers opened up at the same time. They both stopped and looked apprehensively at Harry trying to gage his mood.

"I'm fine…now. I want somewhere and worked off most of my anger collecting rare potion supplies for Severus. Now let's get down there and see what Severus wants." Harry then gave them a brief smile that reached his eyes before starting back down the stairs.

Both Cassius and Luna gave great sighs of relief. They both loved Sloan a lot, but his temper was quite ugly until he calmed down. They both joined him on the stairs wondering what this discussion Severus wanted them to join was all about.

Sloan re-entered the living room wondering what this was all about. He figured that every thing was settled—maybe Dumbledore had already answered. Severs watched as Cassius and Luna settled while he went over what he wanted to say in his mind. It was difficult to find the right words to express his concerns about Sloan's merger plans.

"As you know 'Harry' has officially abandoned the wizarding world through a very creative letter. Sloan is still planning on being a part of the wizarding world though as my son. He plans on making me his executor of his wizarding estate, and just picks up his life as my son. With a little help from Dumbledore he can have a background that would withstand investigation. As you can hear the plan is well thought out. I just want to know if it could be better."

It was quiet for a little bit then Luna spoke first. "Well in my opinion Sloan shouldn't just show up right away after Harry disappears; especially if you want to make Severus your executor. People will not readily accept 'Harry' leaving, and Sloan's sudden appearance may set some alarm bells off for the desperate."

Cassius looked as though inspiration struck him, literally before he started. "What if we let it be known that I am Harry's cousin, and have been placed in the custody of Severus. Harry left him as executor because of our family relation, and also so that I may use the estate as I still want to be a part of the wizarding world. It would throw off some of the suspicion of his choice. Especially with the explanation about my father's court trial. People will think it poetic justice or something that I am placed with him---or something…"Cassius' voice dropped out as he noticed that the others were quiet and still.

Harry came out of his stupor. "That's bloody brilliant, Cass. We can even make it known that with Harry gone Snape sent for his son and Luna to help train you up to enter the wizarding world. Some how we need to let it be known that Severus was the first to respond to my plea for help. It will explain to some why I wanted him to be my guardian if it ever leaks out."

Severus leaned back in his chair as he watched the childr—no young adults around him hash out and brainstorm more details to help cover some of the holes in Sloan's plan. He hoped that they could come up with something to make a hidden son more plausible. It was the biggest hole he saw. "Everything sound great, but we still need a better cover for a mysterious hidden son of mine."

The conversations stopped and everyone fell silent pondering their current dilemma. Dobby popped in a few minutes later announcing dinner. Every one moved in exodus to the spread laid out by the house elf. "Dobby you out did yourself," Severus praised the elf upon arrival at the table. Dobby ears did a happy flap, and he left them.

They were silent as the food was consumed, but it was comfortable. "Severus use a Slytherin and/or a pure-blood family. One family above reproach and the other family just have to be staunch pure bloods to give you back up for having a son. Maybe the Weasley and the Malfoy families; you have connections to them both. While the wizarding world already knows of the animosity with one another between the two families no one would suspect that both would be willing to work together to help you make a past for your son.

"Ms. Lovegood, you are a truly smart and talented witch. I am so proud that my son has the brains and taste to choose such a lovely young lady as you." Harry had to grin at the profusion of red flooding Luna's face. "Yes, I think we have it all worked out. Now we just have to see if the headmaster will be helping us out." The silence of dinner was broken, and Cassius, Luna, Sloan, and Severus continued the meal discussing what lessons that needed to be covered next.

Professor Dumbledore was in his office reading, his correspondence, and planning a general advertisement for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position that was once again open. He had just started to write it out so that it could be placed in the next day's paper when Hedwig arrived with a letter for him. Twinkling came to his eyes. If this owl was delivering the letter it meant that Harry was safe back at Privet Dr. again.

Opening the letter he quickly read through the missive before placing it down on his desk. So Harry had a plan for what he was going to do. Glancing at the clock that was to his left he noticed that it stated pudding. Albus decided it was time to drop in to see how Sloan/Harry was doing now that he was back.

Just had Dobby returned with treacle tart for pudding. The floo alarm went off announcing a visitor. Albus called out, "Hello everyone, I've come to talk about the letter I received earlier."

"And it's just a coincidence that the pudding just arrived," snorted Severus.

"Pudding you say? Why I would be delighted to join you --- that is if you have enough to go round."

"Join us Albus, and satisfy that annoyingly persistent sweet tooth of yours."

"You are too kind, Severus, my dear boy. Too kind indeed, "Albus twinkled back.

Every body at the table laughed at the banter of the grown men. They finished their puddings quickly and adjourned to the sitting room to discuss everything they had planed out.

After hearing the entire plan which surprisingly took about an hour half, because of all the detail they put into it He agreed to set a background that would help them. In fact he reminded Severus that Sloan might just be the answer to the Family's prophecy that has hung over his family. It would be very useful to creating a background for him actually it could be the only background excuse he needed.

"What prophecy?" Sloan whose mind had drifted to inappropriate thought about a certain blonde sitting quite close to him came back to reality. He repeated his question again a little louder, "What prophecy?" Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he gave on of his hidden meaning glances above Sloan's head.

It was a BIG mistake. Suddenly, a wind storm was in the room blowing things around. Small objects that decorated the room flew haphazardly around like little missiles without set targets. "NO MORE SECRETS," he roared. "YOU PROMISED."

Luna was barely missed getting hit by a small figurine. "Sloan?" she sobbed out and the magic stopped. Sloan turned towards her, and passed out from exhaustion.

A/N: Sorry this took so long to update. I sent it to my new beta, and she has yet to give it back yet. It's been two weeks, and so I decided to post it with all my mistakes. I will be updating the story with corrected chapters very soon. Chapter 17 is written, just needs to be typed. I am not taking chance using other computers. So I am writing out the chapter instead just typing them out. It should not cause a whole lot of delay though, as I type about 73 wpm. Last time I was tested that is. The poll is still open though it fairly obvious that you like Hufflepuff for Cassius and Hannah. I was hoping that more people would want to put Cassius in a different house, because he is different. Hufflepuff is known for their loyalty and writing a loyal Cassius is hard. I like challenges though. Please Read and Review and tell me how you like it.

Cherrity