AN: Oh my goodness! Almost (if not!) 100 reviews for last chapter! Thank you all sooooo very much! Especially with all you're answers to the survey! I was afraid nobody would answer it! And I'll definitely do alternate story lines picking up when the plot starts to twist depending on the results of the survey. A shout out to Shadow Lighthawk for the length of the review, and pointing out some main points as to why I should steer away from a few story lines, which I have taken into account.
Please review, and keep responding to the survey (but please, only respond once unless you change your mind on the survey) Added in that this is leaning towards Harry being deaged, formally claimed by Severus, and a few tricks kept up my sleeve!
And I apologise for the delay, but with the release of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" (which I've seen twice!) and Drivers Ed, I simply haven't had time to write. And I realise that this is rather short, and I apologise for that. Add to all that what happened Thursday, 13 July 2oo6. Someone backed into our car, causing us to miss our original train (9:10) and wait for the next (10:10) train, which got to our station and was then delayed when someone fainted. Then we missed out train (3:55) to come home cos the trolleybus took too long, and had to wait for the 4:40 train.
So without further ado…
Change of An Icy Heart (Repost)
Part the Sixth: Calm Waters Run Deep Pt.2
Britain's Ministry of Magic, London, England; Courtrooms; 7 July 1995
Glaring angrily, Vernon Dursley sat in a freak courtroom on counts of child abuse, child neglect, child endangerment and attempted murder. Vernon snorted, he knew that Wizarding laws didn't effect him- they couldn't, he wasn't a freak like them. "Vernon Joseph Dursley, you are going to be placed in the Ministry's temporary holding cells until one Harry James Potter is able to testify. Until the end of the trial, said minor will be in the custody of his secondary godfather, Severus Tobias Snape. Dismissed." The judge said, tapping her wand on the tabletop.
"Now just you wait a minute!" Vernon bellowed as two freaks in purple robes stepped forward, raising their wands. "I'm not a freak! Why in blazes should I be punished! You can't punish me, so let me go now!" He said with a smirk, knowing they had to release him. "Mister Dursley, under law seventeen clause nine, any crime inflicted against or on an underage wizard/witch by a Muggle will be treated as and tried in the Wizarding courts, where said Muggle will have a Squib attorney." The judge said, the smirk falling from Vernon's face as he spluttered, his face rapidly purpling. "Now listen hear-" The last thing Vernon saw was a jet of red light coming at him before everything went back.
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Petunia sat gingerly on a chair, chained to it. She knew exactly what would happen if she was convicted. "Petunia Ann Evans Dursley, you are held under counts of child neglect and child endangerment. Until minor Harry James Potter is able to testify, you will be held in Ministry holding cells separate from Vernon and Dudley Dursley. Dismissed." The judge said, Petunia bowing her head and allowing herself to be led away.
Severus Snape's Flat, Dublin, Ireland; 7 July 1995
Severus swore vehemently when he saw the in the morning. "Severus? What's wrong?" Harry asked curiously, pausing with a bite of scrambled eggs to his mouth. Anger evident in his features, Severus shoved the paper across the table.
Daily Prophet Exclusive! The Boy-Who-Lived, Harry Potter, abused by guardians!
It has recently been brought to Ministry attention that fourteen-year-old Harry Potter, famous for his defeat of You-Know-Who in 1981, was abused by his Muggle relatives. While the Boy-Who-Lived was unable to be reached, Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore did have this to say: "I had my suspicions that something wasn't right and sent Severus Snape to investigate and fetch Harry if the need arose. It did, and as a result claims have been filed on Harry's behalf." Other than that statement, anything else regarding the teenager remains hidden. Minister Fudge, Severus Snape, Harry Potter, and other Ministry officals and Hogwarts Professors have either been unreachable or responded with "no comment". As for Potter's former guardians, Petunia Dursley, sister of the late Lily Potter, is being held on counts of child neglect and child endangerment while Vernon Dursley is charged with child abuse, child neglect, child endangerment, and attempted murder. The date of the trial is yet to be set, as Potter is still recovering. Until the date is determined and trial set, he remains in the care of Hogwarts professor, and recently claimed godfather, Severus Snape. Con't page 7B.
Trembling and his face ashen white, Harry dropped her fork, shoving his plate away. "How- how did they find out?" Harry whispered, his voice barely audible. Severus got up from his chair, moving around the table to crouch next to Harry, placing a calming hand on his arm. "Fudge, most likely, Harry. Although it's likely Rita Skeeter's doing as well." Harry closed his eyes, trembling. "I- I thought… isn't there some sort of- of… confidentiality with this sort of thing? And- and being anonymous?" Harry asked in a strained voice, his normally smooth tenor shaky. Severus squeezed Harry's arm gently, onyx meeting pained emerald. "There's very little, almost nonexistent, anonymousness with child abuse cases because of how high in regard magical children are held. It is taken very seriously, which is why the trial will start once you've recovered and have a proper attorney who has interviewed you." Severus said calmly, Harry nodding jerkily.
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Severus stood, Harry standing with him and burrowing his face into his godfathers robes, trembling."Let's get you back into bed, Harry. You should sleep." Severus said once Harry had calmed, looking at the raven head nestled against his chest. "Okay," Harry said quietly, lifting his head. Severus kept one arm around the teens' shoulders, leading him to his bedroom for some much needed sleep. "I, I want to thank you for everything you've done for me, Sev." Harry said, unconsciously calling Severus by a nickname. Severus smiled, gently ruffling the messy raven locks. "There's no need for any thanks, Harry." He said, assuring the teen as they entered Harry's room.
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Harry suddenly froze, his eyes wide and breaths coming in quick, short gasps. "Harry?" Severus asked, confusion lacing his voice. Taking Severus by surprise, Harry's entire body went rigid, his muscles tensing. "Harry? Harry!" Severus cried as Harry let out a shrill scream, collapsing, Severus barely catching the teen in time. "Harry!" Severus cried as Harry began convulsing. He was at a complete loss and could do nothing as Harry continued screaming and convulsing in his arms.