Disclaimer: The disclaimer can be found in chapter 1!
Chapter 20
The plan was set; Minister Fudge called the press conference three days after Percy's revelations. It was a good thing that polyjuice potion had a shelf life of at least three months. Harry would reappear in his original look, back in clothes too large for him, and those awful glasses that he hid behind for many years. Cassius, Luna and Sloan would stand in the background while Harry refuted Fudge's lies, and laid the ground work to get the minister booted out of office. Of course for all the players to be there someone had to be going dressed, or polyjuiced as Sloan.
That was what everyone in the Dursley home was currently trying to decide. Who was available to take the potion …be Sloan, and not missed. Hermione and Ron would be expected at such a public appearance as this. In fact, Sloan still had not explained or sent letters informing the reasons for their best friends of his latest decision.
Sloan wanted to call Neville and see if he would help them out. Neville was always a true friend and there was no wavering in that fact. When things were bad and the world would seem against him, Neville was always there for him. Luna thought that it was a brilliant idea, but Severus would not go for it. Even though in the last year the boy had improved considerably in his studies, and confidence he would still give off the air of shyness and a fear of Snape. It would not be conducive to the picture they were trying to project.
Luna then suggested one of the members of the DA, but Sloan was against this as well. The DA was well known unfortunately, and if they showed up someone would notice that one person was missing from the group unexplainably. Also the issue of someone comfortable with Severus was still into play.
Severus knew who he wanted in the roll to play his son. He just didn't know how the reactions were going to be to let this specific person in on their secrets. All the years of spying and trying to set an example for his house were paying off. Though some were still planning on pledging their selves to the dark lord, one that he was absolutely sure that he had lost to their cause came to him on his own accord, and asked for a way out. Many believed that there was some kind of relationship, familial or otherwise between them, but that was not the case.
Draco's mother and he had been very close, but Lucius would not approve of any man that he saw as a threat to his status near his wife. Making a deep sigh preparing for the war ahead of him to get everyone's agreement for his choice Severus threw Draco's name out into the discussion. The reaction was not what he was suspecting how it would turn out. In fact it was the total opposite.
"That's a brilliant idea, Dad. I would have never thought to use him, and no one would ever believe that he would do me a favor with our history. I can't believe that we didn't think of him before." Luna just nodded her head in agreement, and Cassius really had nothing to add in since he had never met Draco before.
"Well, that was easier than I thought that it would be...why?"
"Dumbledore, and I have an agreement to not keep secrets anymore, and I now know all the key spies in the order. We both agree that it is too risky for me to know all members, but I must know the ones who I can trust if I ever get into a really bad situation. I know about Draco, and three others that are spying in one arena or other having to do with the war. It is part of our working on our trust issues. Draco is perfect. Do you want to contact him or go through official channels?"
"It would be better to go through official channels Sloan. Therefore there are no questions about my involvement, and we can relax some about who knows at school. Maybe you and Draco can start over again. I know that you have wanted to try having a friendship with him. I'll fire call Albus, and let him know that we need Draco tonight so that we can explain everything, and prepare him."
"Alright, now that everything is settled – Luna and I are going into the kitchen and starting lunch. While Dad contacts Albus. Cassius, my man you're on your own." Sloan grabbed his girlfriend's hand, and pulled her in the direction of the kitchen. Severus just shook his head, and left to write an owl. Cassius grabbed the next transfiguration book that Luna had recommended that he read, and made himself comfortable in his chair.
The Order meeting that night was anything, but dull. Only the people involved with the plans to attend the press conference were there, and the plans were refined and completed, before the full meeting started. At the full meeting people were shocked to see Sloan in attendance. Though he was not a member of the Order, Dumbledore apparently had invited him for an introduction, and for some strange reason did not dismiss the boy after that.
It didn't matter anyway. Albus pretty much kept things light. They discussed some of the information that the spies had collected, but mostly about up coming events scheduled in the wizarding world, and how they were to provide cover just in case something with the Death Eaters happened. There was also talk about Harry showing up the next day. Surprise and concern was the most forefront feelings in the room. Harry was a formidable opponent when angry. And Harry would definitely be angry about the current situation.
The next day dawned bright and early. Everyone at Privet Drive was ready for the press conference. New robes had been delivered, and special care was taken in everyone's appearance. It was a formidable group that left the muggle neighborhood that day. Catching the Knight Bus was their best option seeing as Cassius was new to their way of travel, and it was safer and less messy.
The bus let them off in front of the Leaky Cauldron a couple of hours before the press conference. Draco was with the group looking for all intents and purposes as a friend of Sloan's. He was joking and laughing with the boys while Luna was reading the latest edition of the Quibbler. It was the perfect set-up, and no one took notice of them, except to comment that Sloan was definitely a Snape.
They shopped around Diagon Alley stopping at Flourish & Blott's to look at books, and then to the Quality Quidditch Supply. When they left it was to the apothecary, and when Draco made his excuses to leave. Stating that his father wanted him for an important meeting with the goblins of Gringotts. He left, and changed into another set of immaculate robes that he had carried around shrunk in his pocket. It was time for him to prepare.
After Draco left the others went back to the Leaky Cauldron. They needed to get to a certain phone booth in the heart of London. Cassius hailed them a cab, and gave the driver a prearranged address that Severus had told him was near to where they wanted to be. It was a short ride, and it was spent in tense silence as they all watched Sloan become someone who was now quite the stranger to them. Harry was truly gone in their eyes, and to see him looking so much like his golden boy persona was a little disquieting.
They exited the cab, and Cassius paid being the most proficient with the muggle currency. Quickly all four of them descended through the phone booth to the atrium of the Ministry. It was already crowded with reporters, and the Group quickly made its way over to the Fountain of Magical Brethren. It was here that Sloan rejoined them, and the Group of five overtly positioned themselves closer to the podium the Minister of Magic was already standing on.
"Your attention, your attention, please. The Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge will now take the podium and start this press conference. Please keep the questions to a minimum per reporter." Percy announced, as Fudge stepped up, and cast Sonorous on his voice.
"Wizards and Witches thank you for coming out in record numbers for this press conference today. I would like to address some of the issues and concerns that have recently come to my attention about Harry Potter. Our Savior has made the announcement that he no longer wants anything to do with us, and that we are in fact on our own. Right now you are probably still trying to figure out all that he perceives as mistakes made by the ministry towards him. When in fact the ministry is least of all to blame, for the problems that the boy has faced.
It has come to our attention that Harry Potter's muggle family was not the best environment for him to grow up in, and his placement there was solely based on the recommendation of Albus Dumbledore. Albus Dumbledore placed protection wards on his aunt's house. These wards were supposed to keep the boy safe. Mr. Potter after his return to the wizarding world at age eleven made numerous requests to in fact stay in the wizarding world. His appeals ranged from staying at Hogwarts to staying with friends during the school breaks.
We also believe that his illegal relationship with his godfather, a relationship that was supported and encouraged by the Headmaster, proved to be harmful. Especially the death of the escaped convict last year during Voldemort's return attack against the ministry caused extra tension with our hero. This boy was led to believe that not only was it okay for him to foster his relationship, but that his godfather was falsely accused for the crimes that he was in Azkaban for.
It also goes without saying that the boy was allowed freedoms that overwhelmed him. He had access to the press, and permission to compete in a competition that was geared for those who were years ahead in training. Mr. Potter was led into many challenges and trials that put him and his friends in danger. Not only did he not have the safety guaranteed at home, but also at school. These incidents have caused the boy to have a swelled head, and also seek attention that may not be healthy. While the ministry does admit that he may have been correct in his announcement that the Dark Lord had returned he did not go about it in the proper manner.
This caused the next problem. Mr. Potter has not had the best of luck with the press. On many occasions he has been ridiculed or plane misquoted. His attention seeking was getting on the nerves of others, and Dumbledore did not provide the boy with the adequate skills in this arena. Mr. Potter was always seeking good and bad press. He was known to make up vicious lies, and create havoc where there was nothing to be found. Many times we found him in questionable circumstances. Although each time he was found innocent it still did not behoove his reputation and his attempts to find his place in the wizarding world easier."
The minister would have gone on further, but Sloan had had enough. He whipped off his cloak and stormed the podium. The crowd recognizing him moved out of his way. The whispers and exclaims coming from them drowned out the Fudge's speech. All around people said, "Harry Potter?" and "Look over there." Sloan did not slow down at all. He just kept walking and glanced back only once to make sure that Severus was behind him all the way.
Minister Fudge was getting quite upset. Not only was no one paying attention to his speech anymore, but someone was approaching his podium. By the looks of things this person planned to take over too. Sloan smiled his Golden Boy smile, and greeted the minister. "Hello Minister Fudge. Some friends," he gestured towards Severus, Luna, Sloan, and Dudley who were standing behind him, "thought that I should come and explain my reasons for leaving the wizarding world behind. When I heard that you were giving a press conference on the same subject I thought that I would show you my support."
"Well of course, Mr. Potter you are most welcome up here with me. I was just about finished any how. Is there anything I may have forgotten, or that you would like to say?"
"Thank you, Minister there are but a few minor things that you may have left out, and I would like to say my formal goodbyes.
What the minister said earlier was true. My muggle family was not the nicest or the kindest people. I did have a harsh childhood with them. Yet, it was not Dumbledore's fault. His protections that he set upon my muggle family's house were set dealing with the relationship of my aunt and cousin. They were not the ones that were mistreating me. It was my uncle, and if they tried to intercede on my part. Usually they were punished just as bad as I was, sometimes worse.
My experiences at Hogwarts while on the adventurous and dangerous side of things. All of them except one did I go into willingly, and even then the triwizard tournament was an experience that I do not regret the experience or the people that I met and came in contact with. I think I learned the most about the wizarding world that year than any other year.
In response to my so called attention seeking ways…in every instance it has been proven that not only was I correct, but many times the articles that came out about me in the various news medias did not include any comment by me. In fact the reporters had a tendency to interview known personal enemies of mine. Other times people at school used the opportunities to take advantage of everyday life. Pictures were taken and interpreted any way the writer or reporter felt that the picture represented. Many times that articles and interpretations were unfounded.
Yet all these things did not drive me away from the wizarding world. Truthfully, all these things annoyed me, but I decided to leave when once again I was ignored by the ministry. I have requested over the years for the ministries help, and each time I have been told that I was wrong, or the ministry has made decisions for me stating that they are doing it for my well being. I am at just shy of the age of adulthood in the wizarding world. I am in need of a guardian temporarily until my seventeenth birthday. The ministry did not ask my opinion, and I was not given a choice in the matter. Knowing though that I would need a guardian I requested a teacher at Hogwarts that has in the past year become a close mentor and friend.
This is the same wizard that came to my rescue recently. He is the one wizard I trust to help my cousin acclimate himself into the wizarding world. I am trusting him with the management of my accounts that I leave behind, and yet the ministry tells me that he can not be trusted just days after he saved my life. In fact our all that was needed was the signature of the head of family affairs. Why then was Minister Fudge the one to deny me. I am sick and tired of the Ministry trying to over compensate when they are not wanted in my life. So until I feel that I can enjoy my life the way I want to. I do not plan to return.
It is time for the wizarding world to grow up. It is time that those extra allowances be either denied to all or opened to all. It is time to be fair. Our world is under attack by a terrorist, and yet people are still fighting about house placements from school. They are still continuing family feuds that no one that is currently living knows what actually started the fight. This world is waiting on a child, no young man to defeat a wizard that is scary. Yet no one tries to band together with their hero. It is more of a throw him to the werewolves thing. I am tired, and do not plan to be the pawn, hero, easy out that everyone is looking for. Yes, I got lucky the first time Voldemort attacked me, but no longer am I willing to fight alone. If I go up against him there better be a wizarding world behind me, because so far everything that I had worth fighting for has either been taken away from me or I was denied access.
For those who have stood by me through the years. I would like to thank you. You few have been what held me together, and I could not have made it this far without you. I will miss you dearly, and when I am ready I hope that you will be able to forgive me my abrupt departure."
Sloan was finished. He stepped back and posed with the others silently. Then they vanished from the stage. The portkey took them away from the chaos that 'Harry' started. Severus and Luna told him how powerful it was because he didn't raise his voice. Draco who was ecstatic to return to himself gave him a Malfoy's version of approval. All in all it was a pretty good day.
I am soooo sorry about how late this update was in coming. Unfortunately I had completely shut down and forgot about some of the important things. My grandmother lost her fight, and her death crushed me. I am hoping to post smaller chapters, but the updates will be a whole lot faster that way.