Happily Ever After…Or Not
Chapter 9
Is it too late?
"Hurry," yelled Severus, as his servants quickly ran up the stairs and into the castle, all the way to the infirmary with Severus close behind them. However, they ran into Tobias Snape.
"A servant? Is this some kind of joke?!" sneered Tobias, looking angrier than anyone had ever seen him.
"He's not a servant!" snapped Severus. How dare his father say such a thing about the one he loved.
"Looks like one to me. And not just any servant, but a Riddle!" snapped Tobias, stopping their progress to the infirmary. Harry was dying and Severus was getting angrier by the minute.
"MOVE ASIDE!!" yelled Severus furiously.
Tobias moved aside, stunned that his own son had raised his voice to him. Never in all his years had anyone dared raise their voice at him, he was not the king for nothing. He watched as they ran for the infirmary, Tobias more curious, now walked towards the infirmary.
"What is going on?" asked the queen who had been woken by the noise.
"Even I'm not sure," said Tobias looking troubled. He knew Severus must have been very emotional to have shouted at him like that. Even if they didn't get along all the time, they never shouted at each other.
"Why was Severus shouting?" asked Eileen curiously.
"He shouted at me," huffed Tobias; there were no secrets between them.
"Why on earth would he do that?" asked the queen, shocked; she knew her son would not do that for any trifle reason.
"I tried to stop him taking a servant to the infirmary," said Tobias.
"Hmm…let's wait andvsee if Severus will explain himself," placated Eileen. She too was curious to know who was in the hospital wing.
Walking towards the hospital wing, there was a flurry of activity. Severus was standing at the doors furthest away from the patient, but watching the scene with penetrating onyx eyes, making sure they didn't do anything wrong. Not that they did, they had worked there for many years, and he knew they were good at their jobs.
------------The Dursley's ---------------
"When the Prince spoke to you, what did he say?!" Petunia demanded of her daughter.
"Something along the lines of, "Serves me right for choosing a foreigner over your brother," recounted Poppy.
Petunia squealed, obviously over the moon with what Poppy had just said, unaware that the girl was lying to her.
--------------Back at the Hospital Wing----------
"Severus I demand an explanation!" said Tobias, not raising his voice, but the authority was nevertheless clear.
"There isn't an explanation. This is the young man I am choosing to marry," said Severus.
"I know you want to get back at me…but a servant?" said Tobias, looking older and suddenly weary.
"He isn't a servant," snarled Severus, obviously this was a sore spot.
"Then who is he? What is he doing with a servant's brand on him?" questioned the queen softly.
"This young man is…Harry Potter, son of Lady Lily Potter and Lord James Potter, the wealthiest couple to ever tie the knot," replied Severus, apart from the king and Queen of course.
"Impossible!" said Tobias, shocked.
"How did he become a servant then?" asked the queen gently. She knew her son would never raise his voice to her.
"Illegally. He is not a servant, his guardians forced him into it. He was just a child and did not have a choice. As far as he was concerned, his aunt became Lady and his uncle Because Lord. Harry knew about Lords and Ladies I assume, and thought he had no choice," explained Severus.
"Who would commit such a treachery?" snarled Tobias, and in his land as well! In those day everything no matter who owned it everything was the kings.
"Lady Petunia Dursley and Lord Vernon Dursley, their son also. Dudley Dursley," said Severus.
"They shall be punished at once," said the queen, a look of pure anger on her face. How dare those people do that to a child? They had no right!
"We cannot punish them," said Tobias.
"WHAT?!" yelled Severus, looking stunned.
"The injured party is still alive, he alone will decide their punishment," declared Tobias.
"Oh," said Severus calming down. He had thought his father was defending them.
"How is he?" asked Tobias to one of the nurses.
"He's stable. But we will need to keep an eye on him for the first forty-eight hours just to make sure, your majesty," answered the nurse respectfully.
"Will he wake before that?" asked the queen.
"No he will not. He is in a coma, your majesty. His body requires a lot of sleep to recuperate," explained the Doctor politely.
"Come son, no point in dallying around here, we have much to do," said Tobias angrily as he ushered his son out of the infirmary.
"Indeed," said Severus seeing the scheming look on his father's face.
"Who was the person to give you this information?" asked Tobias.
"Ronald Weasley," said Severus.
"Hmm…I want to see the boy at once," demanded Tobias.
One of the king's men quickly left the castle, getting on a horse and quickly galloping to the Weasley home. They knew everyone in this town, so it didn't take long for the man to reach the Weasley household.
Knocking on the door he waited for an answer.
"The King demands a word with a Mr. Ronald Weasley," said the King's men smoothly.
"Ronald Weasley!" yelled Molly.
"What?" asked Ron coming downstairs.
"What have you done now?" asked Molly, wide-eyed and scared for her son.
"Nothing, the King just demands a word," said the man lightly, understanding the woman's fear.
"Yes sir," said Molly looking a little calmer.
"Let's go," said one of the King's men, gesturing for Ron to get into the carriage. Ron did as he was told, wondering why the king of all people was taking a sudden interest in the Weasley's, or him for that matter.
They arrived back at the castle before they knew it. He quickly followed the guard to wherever he was to go. He found himself next to the Great Hall, on the throne sat the king, next to the King, the Queen, and in the end seat, sat the Prince.
"My Lord's, My Lady," said Ron, bowing and giving them the respect they were due.
"Is it true that you found out who Harry Potter really was?" demanded the King.
"Yes my Lord," said Ron bowing low.
"We ask you to uncover as much as you can on the Dursley's, whether they are paying there taxes, going bankrupt, everything," commanded Tobias.
"Of course My Lord," said Ron sweating, hoping against hope that he would be able to find something.
"Since you are employed, I demand you and your family move into the house next to the castle," said Tobias. Those houses got their own servants, got food sent to them, etc.
"It would be an honour, my lord" said Ron, bowing again and now wide-eyed. Finally his family was going to be properly looked after. No more struggling for food or warmth, he could not wait to get home with this news.
"Matthew will take you away, and bring you and your family back. He knows which house to put you in," said Tobias.
"Yes My Lord," said Matthew bowing. He was clearly stunned that the King of all people remembered his name.
"Thank you My Lord", said Ron bowing once more.
Ron and Matt were walking away from the throne room before they knew it. Getting back into the carriage he was on his way to his family's little home, with the best news in the world. They would no longer have to struggle. They could look forward to heat, warm food, as well as fresh food, and clean beds. Finally something good was happening to his family after all these years of hardship
