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Chapter 54Tallis paged listlessly through the massive collection of articles he had assembled before him. The return to Hogwarts had been flawless, the students wary of speaking of That Night in his presence. After seeing his raw pain so unabashedly displayed at his Father's "death" the students no longer felt any joy in gossiping about it. Instead they, as the rest of the world, turned their eyes to the more interesting drama unfolding before them: the issue of Harry Potter's alleged abuse.
Dumbledore had kept his distance from Tallis and everyone close to him. He was evidently aware that he had been drugged in some way but had no clue what it was or how to undo it. Tallis and his Father knew that it was only a matter of time though before Dumbledore broke through the spell. Not only was it performed by a witch and wizard who were much less powerful than the Headmaster but they had to, of necessity, perform the spell in English rather than Parseltongue.
Tallis and Severus waited anxiously for the day that Dumbledore would break through the shaky spell and expose them to the press. They could only pray that their plan of making Dumbledore appear insane at the trial would work and they would avoid detection. If they could only make it until "Harry" was safely ensconced at the Dursleys and Tallis was clearly still with his Father then their case for Dumbledore's insanity would be much easier to prove.
A new article caught Tallis' eye. Merlin, they had gotten outrageous. Mostly true, perhaps, but still completely out of control. No child deserved to have their private life splayed over the papers like that, especially when all of it was pure speculation.
Abused Boy Who Lived Suicidal!
As we look back over some of the events that have happened in the life of the Boy Who Lived since he entered Hogwarts one must ask herself: is the Boy Who Lived suicidal? Is he secretly trying to kill himself during one of his famous exploits in order to escape from his abusive muggle family?
In an exclusive interview with two unnamed Hogwarts students our suspicions were confirmed. "Of course Potter was suicidal. We could all see it. Why else would he chase after You Know Who?"
Another classmate elaborated. "Potter spends an unnatural amount of time in the Infirmary. Why else is he there if not to try to revive him each time he attempts suicide? Someday he won't be as lucky and the healers won't be able to fix him."
We agree that there can be no other explanation for his lengthy visits to the Infirmary. Can we, as responsible citizens, continue to stand aside and watch this boy drive himself to destruction in order to escape his horrific abuse?
Honestly. If he had ever been going to kill himself it would have been over the summer hols, not while he was safe at school. Idiots. Other articles were perhaps less amusing but equally panic stricken. Despite Dumbledore's reassurances, it seems that the Wizarding World had finally opened its collective eyes and seen their hero for what he was truly: a malnourished, abused child. Pity they hadn't felt like seeing it earlier when he actually needed their help.
The speculation about Voldemort's untimely arrival in the Great Hall had taken second place to the abuse scandal but it still merited a great deal of attention from the papers. The authorities had finally decided that Voldemort's spell must only work when the stars were aligned properly, in a specific way that was different for each witch or wizard as the necessary alignment was influenced by the stars that the witch or wizard in question was born under.
Tallis found that he agreed with them, having researched the issue extensively in the small amount of free time that he had when he wasn't worrying about the golem or the upcoming trial. Hopefully, they wouldn't have to worry again about Voldemort appearing in two places at once.
The abuse scandal though was getting entirely out of control. For some reason, the mere idea that the Boy Who Lived could have been abused had shocked the world into action, although that action tended to be longwinded and bombastic articles about how their hero was in danger and needed them. In a move that shocked him, even witches and wizards from other countries were getting involved, claiming the Boy Who Lived almost as their own in their need to defend and protect the elusive boy hero.
French and German Ambassadors Demanding TrialThe Foreign Ambassadors from France and Germany are demanding that the British Ministry find the truth in the Harry Potter abuse scandal. They claim that they will leave the embassy and return to their respective countries if Minister Fudge doesn't do something. Neither Ambassador wishes to imply that their country would support child abuse and they feel that standing aside in this case would imply support of the Minister's inattentive care for the orphans of the First War.
Along with the loss of these Ambassadors, we would lose the support of both France and Germany, something desperately needed in the fight against Voldemort. Once France and Germany leave, the potential for our other allies withdrawing support grows as well. Can we afford to lose such strong countries when our list of allies has grown so thin? We must implore our Minister to respond to these threats with an appropriate inquiry into Harry Potter's childhood regardless of Albus Dumbledore's claims that the Boy Who Lived enjoyed a perfectly normal childhood.
Tallis shook his head. This truly was turning into an international mess. The winter hols started tomorrow and hopefully the issue could drop soon. Tallis knew he was deluding himself though. This was just the beginning. The chaos would truly start once "Harry Potter" died.
He ran over the spells in his head again. Tonight, or more properly, early this morning, they would be calling forth the golem and investing it with a piece of Harry Potter. Tallis knew he should sleep but he found he couldn't bring himself to do so. After tonight, everything would change once more. He would be responsible for faking his own death. He was putting into motion not only a life changing event but a truly world changing event. The Wizarding world would shake on its very foundation when Harry Potter was killed by muggles.
"Can't sleep?" Draco asked softly, stealing into the room.
Tallis looked up in surprise. "No. You?"
Draco shrugged his shoulders. "It's my first Christmas without my family."
Tallis looked at his friend, sympathy clear on his face. He said nothing though, knowing that words would be inadequate. Draco sat down next to him on the sofa.
"I feel like a prat talking about it. You're dealing with much worse, really. Merlin. Don't you ever just want to punch me?"
Tallis cracked a smile. "Not recently. And you're not a prat for being upset. I know that Lucius wasn't the best Father ever but you can still miss him. Or the idea of him. I understand. I still miss my Mum and James sometimes, even though I don't remember them."
Both boys knew that Draco was, in many ways, an orphan now. His mother could not risk coming to him and she would not be able to see him again until the war was over, assuming both of them survived it. He was left with the small comfort that were it possible, his Mother would like to see him. He found the comfort cold.
Draco gave him a small smile, relieved that his friend understood. "What are you looking at?"
Tallis handed over a handful of articles silently. Draco glanced through it disdainfully.
"Why do you look at this rubbish? It'll be over tomorrow and you won't have to worry about it."
"It won't be over tomorrow. It'll begin tomorrow," Tallis said softly.
Draco hummed noncommittally. "In some ways. I mean, you'll still have the trial but your role in that will be pretty small. I mean that after you send the golem to the muggles tomorrow you won't really have to worry anymore about which choice of action to take. It'll be done. The worry can leave. We'll just sit back and wait."
"I guess that's one way to look at it. Maybe you're right. I just want it all to be over, you know? I just want to know I'm safe and that Dumbledore can't expose me. He's the only one I really fear for exposure."
"Let's stop talking about this," Draco said suddenly. "Let's just pretend we're normal for the night and stop worrying about my bastard of a Father and your terrible relatives and Dumbledore and the whole Wizarding World."
Tallis grinned. "What shall we do then?" he asked, thrusting the messy stack of articles under a book on the table.
"Let's go play some Quidditch. We haven't played in months. Go grab your broom and come on!"
Tallis' smile grew wider as he jumped up to run back to his room and throw on some proper clothes to play in. It was incredibly cold out and it had snowed the night before. It would be perfect. He rushed into his room as quietly as he could, not wanting to wake Bill. He emerged from his room dressed in warm clothes with his thickest cloak on and clutching his broom proudly. Draco returned at the same time, ready to play.
"Let's go," Tallis said, aching to play again.
The boys went off at a near run, eager to get to the pitch. They made their way quickly but quietly, not wishing to arouse the ire of Filch with their midnight ramblings. Draco had permission to be out of the dorms this late since he was accompanied by a professor but they didn't wish to deal with the angry custodian tonight.
Unseen eyes trailed after them, taking in the barely restrained excitement and a simple joy that he hadn't sensed in Tallis for many weeks now. The figure sighed and went after them, determined to keep an eye on the young men to allow them to have their fun without interruption or attack.
The young men ran through the halls, taking long and round about pathways in order to avoid detection, taking as much joy in the "secrecy" of their travels as they were in the idea of playing Quidditch. With the stress of the year's events they found themselves missing the old pleasure of sneaking out after curfew.
They reached the pitch breathless and more than ready to play. Tallis swung his broom up over his shoulder as they waded through the deep snow to the center of the pitch, neither one wishing to break the silence and beauty of the night yet with flying. They finally stopped as one and stared silently at the weak winter stars as they glittered on the pristine snow. They turned to each other, ready for old times again.
"Think you can beat me, Snape?" Draco taunted, returning to the old banter that he hadn't been able to enjoy with his friend since he had become a Snape for fear of accidentally exposing him.
"I could beat you with my eyes closed," Tallis returned with a grin. "Think you can manage to keep up?"
Draco snorted and let go of the snitch, both boys taking to the air after a few seconds to allow the snitch to lose them. They flew as recklessly as they had in the past, enjoying the competition for the first time since their wonderful games in previous years.
A second figure joined the lone man who was watching over the young men for quite a while, still unknown to them. "How long have they been at it?"
Remus turned to Severus. "About an hour."
"It's damn cold man. You can go back inside. I'll stay."
"I'm fine Severus. I like being able to watch out for him, you know? Its rare that he lets his guard down enough for me to get to do something like this."
Severus nodded, understanding completely. Regardless of his son's best efforts he had remained wary of opening up too much to his godfather. It was still difficult for him to be comfortable around the werewolf.
"He flies beautifully," Remus murmured. "He's much better than any of his parents ever were."
"James was a brilliant Quidditch player," Severus commented with a minimal amount of animosity.
"And Tallis outstrips him tenfold, as you well know."
Severus nodded once more before settling in to watch his son and his godson play. The months spent out of the air hadn't hurt Tallis at all and he still flew with an almost unnatural grace and skill. "We need to begin the spell in a few hours."
Remus nodded. "Do you think this will work?"
"It has to," Severus said, his desperation clear.
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Author's Note: PLEASE READ!
In the spirit of our recent elections (America-local gov't) I have decided it is time for another vote.
In our last vote we decided that there definitely will be a trial. Now up for discussion is what will happen after the trial:
A. Dumbledore and Dursleys sentenced to life in prison. We leave them to rot in their cells.
B. D and Ds sentenced to the Kiss. They lived their lives as soulless bastards…might as well make it official.
C. D and Ds sentenced to life in prison. Severus and Co. arrange it so that Voldemort decides it would be a good idea to have a little playtime with Dumbledore, the Dursleys or all involved.
Totally different option that I haven't thought of, decided by readers.
No matter what, Dumbledore and the Dursleys WILL be convicted. While it happens all too often in real life that a rape victim suffers through a trial only to have their rapist acquitted that will not happen in my fic.
Let me know what you think! I can't wait to hear your thoughts! The reviews are always so incredibly helpful to me in planning these fics. People always seem to ask the right questions or drop the right hints or make interesting requests that spark my muse. I'm eager to read what you all think on this.
Thanks!