January 3rd 1992
McGonagall greeted her still quiet students. Even the Weasley twins were on their best behavior. "Students we have multiple changes this year, first, I'm no longer your transfiguration teacher or head of house, as I'm your new Headmistress. Next up, I'll introduce your new head of house and transfiguration teacher Sirius Black." Sirius stood up to a very reluctant applause. "And now your new Slytherin head of house Professor Sinistra." A round of applause was given again. "Now your new Potions teacher, Amelia Bones." She stood up, smiling, wishing her niece's death didn't lead to this course of events.
"Next your new History of Magic teacher, Aleysa Trean." The woman new to the workforce stood up. McGonagall noticed no one complained she was muggleborn and declared to keep an eye on the students as she thought this year was going to be too quiet. "Next, your new defense against the dark arts teacher, Molly Weasley." Ron blushed red as his mom stood up. "She just has to embarrass me." "Shut up, Ron." Fred harshly whispered, "Some of these people wish they had relatives to embarrass." After that display, McGonagall continued, "We also have an applicant that is a year younger than the rest of the students due to ministry decree, Ginny Weasley." Ginny stood up, feeling awkward from sitting at the staff table. "Speaking of new changes, first years may try out for the quidditch team if Madam Hooch's approval. All members of the Quidditch teams will be using school supplied brooms. Also, in order to get books out of the restricted section, all four heads of house must approve.
All students may come to me anytime. My office is always open. All house points have undergone a system change, your teachers are aware of, so there is no more discrepancy in points lost or gained. Now, Ms. Weasley, I believe as you are a special circumstance, you should be sorted."
Ginny sat under the hat. "Asking your mom to start early. Arthur even cashed in a favor at the ministry. Also practicing on brooms when your brothers are away, interesting. You also have been practicing with your brother's wand due to the trace not being on you.
You do have your family's Gryffindor streak, but Slytherin is also suitable for you." "Either is fine." Ginny didn't really care where she ended up. Yes, Ron would judge her if she was Slytherin, but her other brothers and parents wouldn't. "Very well, Slytherin."
Ron's face paled, "My sister a death eater!" Was said louder than he intended. "Ronald Weasley." His mom's face was beat red. "Don't think just because I'm your teacher, I'll ignore my mother duties, you apologize to your sister right now!" "It's okay, mom." Ginny took off the hat and sat at the Slytherin table which had a few students she didn't recognize, all staring at Ron. "It's not okay, dear." Molly continued, "Ronald Weasley, detention." Dudley, who was sitting beside Ron stood up and walked towards the Slytherin table, sitting beside Ginny to the remaining Slytherins confusion.
Later, Ginny was trying out with a now clean slate Slytherin team, monitored by their new head of house. "I know this is an odd and tough year for you guys. But, every team is starting at 0 and scores have been removed, so look at this as a clean slate. Not only for Quidditch, but for our reputations." Ginny was beaming when she was chosen as seeker.
Fred and George lifted her up and started screaming, "A new Slytherin seeker, Ginny Weasley. This is our sister!" Ginny turned red, "I gotta meet my teammates." "Yes, tell us all their secrets. We'll be sure to watch your practice." The Weasley twins stated.
The next day Ginny was watching Ron, George, and Fred try out for the quidditch team. Ron made keeper, and the twins both kept their position as beaters.
"Congrats!" Ginny declared and Ron mumbled, "Yeah thanks." As Sirius Black helped the team put away their supplies.
Dudley joined the Weasleys and shook Ginny's hand. "Dudley Dursley." Dudley got over his fear and was made chaser. After all, when his cousin became comfortable with magic, it was his job as the older cousin to protect him.
When Dudley got a visit from Professor McGonagall who looks quite relaxed in comparison to the stern look on her that day, the Dursleys were shocked. "I'll be a target!" Dudley exclaimed.
His parents nodded, while his uncle spoke up, "I already have to worry about what you people will do to my nephew!" Petunia looked thoughtful, "It may be best if we learn from our mistakes with Harry." Petunia sighed, she never meant to cause Harry to be at constant risk of death, and wasn't going to let Dudley have that same risk too, "After all, since Dudley has magic, he can protect himself, along with Harry. After all, we all want both boys to be safe." Vernon nodded, "Very well. I expect you to use that rambunctious nature of yours for good boy." That day, Dudley vowed to learn everything he could about magic for when the inevitable came.
"Ginny Weasley. But, you know that." "I'll come to your practices if you watch mine." Dudley stated in a awkward introduction. "Sure."
While Hogwarts went on, Snape was giving Harry his biggest test yet. Leaving him home alone. It wasn't that Snape was worried about Harry doing anything he shouldn't. He knew he would, like, eat an extra piece of candy, which Snape was only pretending to be dismayed at. The boy was eating! And that was great news! It was that Harry was scared to be alone and would always be near an adult he trusted. He neglected to tell Sirius this fact as Snape was still reluctant to force Harry to deal with that fear, and didn't know if Sirius would force the issue.
Snape checked his pocket watch, "Just one hour." Harry's muggle therapist suggested this test.
Meanwhile Harry was pacing, "Harry, no one will hurt you." Harry didn't know how true that statement was. Snape put up every ward he could think of and then some, testing them himself. Even a house elf couldn't get in without his permission. After all, an ex-death eater, the chosen ones, and a squib lived there, and that was enough to make the house a major target among any wizard with bad intentions.
Deciding to take his mind off things, Harry started practicing one of his dad's assignments. Harry wasn't allowed to perform spells without his dad's supervision due to risk of accident so he started on his occlumency homework which was just meditation and blocking his mind. Which was a good thing as he felt an attack. Harry forced it out with a tad bit of struggle.
"What's wrong Severus?" Neville asked his guardian. "I can't reach Harry's mind." "He may just be doing homework." Why did I give him that homework today of all days, Snape berated himself. He couldn't bear if something happened to either of his boys, especially not after Draco.
Snape ran into Draco's killer himself. "Albus." Snape gripped both his companions' hands rather tightly. They were not going near the man!
"I must say, I notice one of your charges is missing." "That is none of your business." Snape sneered, "Especially since some of your charges died." "Now now, Severus, it was an accident." "You sent the Hufflepuffs and Slytherins to their dormitories where the troll was! And a Gryffindor died!
And don't think I forgotten." Snape warned, "You neglectful old bat! Students shouldn't be sent to die." Snape was seething, "I'm glad you were fired." Snape moved on, knowing he was cleared of all charges as he had to endure a trial last week, as Dumbledore's word now meant nothing.
"Severus Snape, you admit you were a death eater." "Yes." "You claim you have changed sides." "Yes." "Why did you do so?" "Lilly Potter was a target." Snape remained honest. After describing everything that led to his change of heart, he was met with appalled stares.
"You are now raising the chosen ones, Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom." "Yes." "Why aren't they at Hogwarts?" Kingsley asked. "Sit down as this is a long story."
That it was and Snape was grateful Wizimengot was overwhelmed with cases or even more faces would be staring at him in horror. At the end it was decided due to Snape proving his allegiance by protecting the chosen ones, he would be let off with a stern warning. Snape had a feeling if he even stepped a toe out of line, he would meet the wrath of the ministry.
"Severus, I admit I made a mistake, but we should still prepare-" "I am preparing. The way that should've been done. Goodbye Albus." Neville felt Snape's grip tighten more as he turned around, becoming grateful for it as Dumbledore tried to pull him towards him, "Snape!" "I got you, Neville." "Now now Severus, a boy like him should be protected." Everyone knew about Neville's status as that was impossible to keep a secret along with Harry's magical fear, those weren't secrets, but Dumbledore's insistence they remain ignorant was. The old bat's eyes twinkled, "And that's living like a muggle." "Back off!" Neville bit Dumbledore's arm, only to have a wand laid at him. Refusing to let go of either of his companions, Snape subtly got in the way of Dumbledore putting himself and Ms. Figg in an awkward position. "You will not touch my boy!" Snape declared as an Auror's attention was now on them.
"What is going on here?" "He's trying to kidnap the squib!" Lucius declared, if only to get Albus in trouble. "Can you five please come with me?" Snape whispered in the officer's ear asking to inform Black so he can explain his delay to his other son, which the auror agreed, after processing a Snape and Black could ever get along.
Sirius rushed to the address on the note and knocked on Snape's door, remembering to mention slimeballs, after hastily informing the headmistress where he was going. "I Sirius Black am here to deliver slimeballs." Harry opened the door and rushed Black inside. "Hi, Mr. Black." Sirius supposed he had to get used to the formality from his cub. "Hi Mr. Potter." Sirius matched Harry's formal tone, resolving to take his cues from Mr. Potter. "Your dad." That was so weird for Sirius to say, referring to Snape, but it was true. "He is going to be gone for longer than anticipated due to a unexpected meeting with Albus." Harry's eyes widened in shock, "Dad warned me about him! He didn't hurt my brother did he?" "No no. Your dad protected your brother. An auror witnessed the whole thing along with Malfoy." "Oh okay. Sir?" "Yes, Mr. Potter." "Can I see your animagus form? I just want to know what you look like just in case." Sirius, not really knowing what to make of Harry's question, obliged and turned into a large black dog. "Cool!" Harry exclaimed, forgetting Sirius was doing magic and started scratching Sirius behind the ears. Sirius supposed this was typical for young kids.
The Snape chargin was shocked to enter to Harry reading an animagus book, especially one with moving pictures. "Well, Sirius, you did something right for once." Snape sneered. "I had to eventually, didn't I?" "It's 11, why don't you boys head to bed. And Harry, I'll make an extension on your practical homework." "Okay." Harry practically ran to bed. "Does he ever run out of energy?" Sirius inquired. "No." Snape sighed. "And that is a good thing." After both of the boys were asleep, Snape explained that Albus was arrested for attempting to kidnap Neville to Sirius' horror. "Neville already has a therapist due to past abuse, but I would inquire if you can keep a watchful eye on him from a distance, since I can't keep an eye on both boys when they're separated." Sirius agreed. "Anyone lays a hand on either's head. I'll play the worst prank I have yet."
The rest of that year was rather uneventful with an added Dursley to the mix. Oh yeah, Neville started calling Snape dad, while both now referred to Ms. Figg as mom.