Chapter ten

Harry waited until lunch time on the first of September before he did go out, he went to visit his godson. It was the only time Harry smiled, still not a proper smile but more than he ever did. He had come to love this little boy and was determined to be there for him whenever he needed him.

Harry did feel guilty that he never saw Neville or Luna, so when he wrote to them he again used the lie that he wasn't feeling well and he believed he had the flu, but he would try to see them during the holidays. He never said he would during a Hogsmeade visit he was worried that he might see his ex-friends even though they had been restricted. Harry didn't want to take the chance that they talked some of his other friends and told them Harry was lying.

One thing cheered Harry up though, it seems Arthur Weasley and Percy Weasley were now out of work. Minerva sent him a small letter explaining that their departments would not need them anymore especially now the ministry had decided to cut back on staff. Harry did wonder if someone had intervened on his behalf, or if it might have been his statement, or maybe it had nothing to do with him, it was just them. Either way Harry thought they were getting off easy for trying to trap him into a marriage with Ginny even after he told them he was gay.

Harry was trying to read that night, but he kept thinking about Hogwarts. He knew the students were finished dinner, they would be back in the dorm rooms now. He wondered what was happening, if his ex-friends were lying about what his interview said. When the fireplace flared Harry wasn't surprised as Severus stepped out.

'The three of them were being ignored the whole time during dinner, Miss Weasley and Mr. Weasley did try to say you were lying. It seemed the others were not sure, so when they asked Miss Granger and when she never responded one way or another, that gave them the answer, so I believe because of her reaction they know you are not lying, but they are. Daphne Greengrass informed me they were also alone on the train.'

'I knew they would try to say I was lying, Neville and Luna believe me, so I know they will say something if they have to.'

'Yes, they probably will,' Severus sat opposite Harry.

'Even though Hermione didn't lie I still won't forgive her for not telling me.'

'That is your decision but if it was me, I would not forgive them either. Now, I found out that since you were a child at the time, you would not need to testify and your name would be kept out of it. The chief warlock would need to see proof, so either memories of what took place, or the films if I find them will be needed. But you do not have to look worried Harry, he will be under an unbreakable vow to not release that information. The job of chief warlock is very important and comes with a lot of responsibilities; the vow is used for the protection of victims, informants or dangerous information.'

'Doesn't it have to be voted on by the entire Wizengamot?'

'No, not when the chief warlock submits his findings which is done using magic to prove he is telling the truth. I still need to find that house and the films, so you have time before you need to decide.'

'I've been thinking about it, they could be still out there doing that to more boys, there could be young girls being subjected to that as well. When I saw Teddy it really hit home because after the war so many kids are orphaned now just like he is even though he has his grandmother and me. One of them could have taken over for Dumbledore,' Harry stared down at his book, 'We have to stop them, so I'll do it, if you can find the films, I don't want someone to see my memories.'

'Then I will do my best, there is one thing I would like to ask. As you know, being a spy I was in contact with a lot of death eaters, but also a lot of unsavoury characters. I have a very good memory for faces even if I never knew their names. When you're ready, if you will help that is, I wish to go into your mind.'

Harry shuddered, but he nodded, 'Okay.'

'Good, now it's late, I better get back, you should sleep.'

'I knew you'd be here so I wanted to wait to hear what happened.'

'Now you have,' Severus stood and walked towards the fireplace but stopped beside Harry's chair, 'We will make sure they get punished and make sure they can't keep doing this, you have my word.'

'Thanks,' Harry gave Severus a small smile, when he disappeared Harry headed up to bed.

Harry was eating breakfast the following morning when an owl arrived, dropping a letter in front of him before flying back towards the laundry. Harry could see the minister's seal, so he knew who it was from and probably what it was about. Harry cleaned his dishes before taking the letter into his office.

"Dear Harry, it seems those rumours are true, you never arrived at Hogwarts. I'm not sure how I feel about that right now, I thought you wanted to be an auror and keep protecting our world. Being Harry Potter, the saviour would give you an advantage. So many criminals would see you and either run away or drop their wands, especially since word spread that you survived the killing curse for the second time.

You could still change your mind, I'm sure Severus would organise for you to return. The auror department need good people, but they also need people that are powerful enough to fight against dark witches and wizards. As you know there have been deaths inside Azkaban, so it could mean we are looking at another powerful dark wizard, we could use your help.

I am sorry about what the Weasley family did to you, I'm sure that was hard on you not to mention, painful. It seems we didn't know them as well as we thought. I hope to hear that you have returned so you can finally become an auror. Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minister for Magic."

Harry pulled a piece of parchment towards him, "Minister, sorry to disappoint you but I am not returning to Hogwarts, I have my own reasons why, personal reasons. I did want to be an auror, I even offered the head auror to do any test he wanted to on me, he turned me down, so now I turn you down, even if he offered me the chance to train as an auror right now the answer is no. I have decided to work for myself, open a business, probably in the muggle world, I'm still deciding on that, but as I have time I am going to take my time.

I am surprised you never mentioned my marital status since you saw the article in the Daily Prophet, I'm sure someone inside the ministry informed you I am married. Well, if you didn't read it then I just told you, so my and I partner are spending our free time together, he is helping me work out what business I might get into. He is a very clever man so I'm sure he will come up with a good idea for me, if I don't come up with something myself that is. But no matter what I cannot return to Hogwarts. Harry Potter," Harry put his letter in an envelope then went to find his owl, 'Take that to the Minister for Magic Oscar.'

Harry's thoughts drifted to the business he wanted to run or even just own. He knew quidditch but there was already a quidditch shop, then again having another quidditch shop could be good competition. Harry decided to write down everything he could about quality quidditch supplies which made him realise he would need supplies, then something else occurred to Harry. He used to love to craft pictures into wood, maybe making brooms would be something he could do. Harry realised he would need information on who made the brooms, and what charms were used and he wondered if Severus would know.

Harry realised that he seemed to turn to Severus a lot, he was beginning to count on him but it was more. Harry realised he had allowed Severus to take control, yet it did not worry him at all. Right now the last thing Harry wanted to deal with is what happened when he was a kid but he also didn't want to deal with anything to do with Dumbledore. Every time Harry thought about his old headmaster he felt disgusted, but he also felt angry.

Everyone still admired Albus Dumbledore, he still was down in history as a kind but powerful man, he was even known as the man that mentored Harry Potter which helped him defeat Voldemort. Harry could not refute anything unless he told the truth about his childhood, something he would never do.

Right now Harry hated the fact that the Weasley's and Hermione knew the truth, but he also knew they could never communicate about anything Harry told them. Harry realised that he kept thinking about it and he knew he needed to bury the past; he just had no idea how.