Chapter 13
'There will be no foolish wand waving and silly incantations in this class. As such, I don't expect many of you to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is potion making, however for those select few who possess the predisposition...I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory and even put a stopper, in death'.
Ebony, Evangeline and Hermione shared a look. That sounded a little over the top for a first year potions class. Nevertheless, they wrote down what professor Snape said. The man noticed this, and immediately rounded on Ebony.
'Then again, maybe some of you have come to Hogwarts in possession of abilities so formidable that you feel confident enough to not pay attention'.
Ebony looked up as professor Snape glared at him. He glanced at the girls, who were giving the man bewildered looks for trying to get Ebony into trouble for something as simple as writing down what he was saying. And for that matter, why wasn't he saying anything to them if he wasn't happy about it?
'Mr Potter, our new celebrity. Tell me what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?'
Ebony sat there quietly. He knew the answer, but he wasn't about to respond when he was called by a different name. Professor Snape took his silence to mean he didn't know and continued.
'You don't know? Well let's try again Potter, where would you look if I told you to find a bezoar?'
Again Ebony didn't answer. Hermione's hand was twitching, as if she was dying to stick it in the air. But she knew her friend knew these answers, and why he wasn't answering, so kept herself under control. Evangeline had discreetly activated her mirror when professor Snape first started talking to her brother.
'And what is the difference, Potter, between monkshood and wolfsbane?' the man then said, getting a little annoyed at the boy's lack of response.
When the boy didn't answer yet again he started to sneer.
'It would appear that fame is making you believe you are better than everyone else, Potter. Very much like your father'.
He noticed movement out the corner of his eye and barked at the girl.
'What is it?!'
Evangeline lowered her hand.
'Asphodel and wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of Living Death. You would find a bezoar in the stomach of a goat. And monkshood and wolfsbane are the same plant. My brother and I know this because our granny taught it to us. Ebony isn't answering you because you aren't calling him by his real name' she explained calmly.
Professor Snape glared at her.
'I did not ask you, girl! I remember the commotion at the sorting perfectly well, and I also know of Potter's disrespect towards our headmaster'.
He growled and crossed his arms.
'This charade has gone on long enough. Both of you have detention with me for a week for lying and disrespecting a teacher, as well as fifty points from Ravenclaw! And next time I ask you a question Potter, you will answer! Miss Meadow you will keep your opinions to yourself!'
The siblings shared a look, then got to their feet and started packing their things away.
'Where are you going?!' professor Snape hissed.
'Chapter four paragraph nine of the rules of Hogwarts: If a professor deliberately attempts to antagonise or bully a student, said student has the right to leave and take the matter up with a higher authority' Ebony explained.
'We'll see you later Hermione' Evangeline called as they headed for the door.
Professor Snape could only watch in fury as the two left the classroom. How dare they! He stormed to the door, ready to haul them both back in and give them detention for the entire year, but both had already vanished from the corridor. To angry to figure out how, the man turned to the rest of the class.
'If anyone attempts to backtalk me they will find themselves expelled from Hogwarts! Now turn to page three hundred and forty six!'
OOO
Junior and Miracle paused as they reached the cool outdoor air. Miracle was growling to herself, she couldn't believe how much of a bully professor Snape was. Junior agreed with her, stamping his hooves in frustration.
'Calm down you two' came a call.
The two glanced towards the mirror Miracle had placed on the ground.
'You had the right to leave the class, you weren't breaking any rules. Well done Miracle for calling me' Julian soothed.
Heaving a sigh the panther turned back into a girl.
'I just can't believe that was the man who was nice to you daddy. Are you sure he doesn't have a twin?'
Junior snorted and turned into Ebony.
'That's the last thing we need is two Snapes'.
Even Julian had to smile at that.
'Alright you two. I've already spoken with your grandparents and they've agreed we should all pay a visit to Hogwarts. I'll update them on your ten minutes of potion class as soon as I get home. Expect a visit in the next couple of days, keep out of trouble until then'.
The two nodded and Evangeline deactivated the mirror, putting it in her bag. She gave a frustrated smile to her brother.
'Maybe we should have gone to the same highschool as daddy'.
He snorted.
'Yeah. But then we might have never met Neville and Hermione'.
The two glanced up as a hoot came from the sky. Hedwig and Sapphire came down to comfort their humans. Ebony smiled and stroked his familiar's feathers while Evangeline hugged the Carbuncle. It was annoying, but he knew his presence in Hogwarts would cause problems. Especially with his new name. At least most of the teachers were nice. Ebony caught his sister's attention and nodded in the direction of the school. She sighed but followed him, the two making their way to find their head of house.
OOO
'I demand you expel them Albus! Arrogant selfish brats think they can walk into Hogwarts and parade around like they own it!'
The headmaster sighed. It had been three days since Harry arrived at Hogwarts, and so far he'd ignored each and every order Albus and Severus had given him. Neither the boy nor his "sister" showed up for their detention, or any others that Severus gave them. Nor had they been back to potion class since the first day. Albus had tried to tell them that they would fail their exam if they didn't attend, but the girl had responded that their grandmother had taught the two and they were quite capable of passing their potion exam. It was frustrating to say the least. Even Quirrell was having problems with the pair. They had taken one class with the man and decided to ignore him and work independently. Worse still a few other students had followed their lead and were doing the same. Albus hoped his Christmas gift of James' cloak will put Harry back under his control.
'Severus you know as well as I that Harry must stay at Hogwarts to fulfil his destiny'.
The younger man growled.
'Arrogant selfish brat just like his father! And that girl is no better, going around saying Potter is her brother. In it for the fame'.
Albus sighed and went to speak, when he was interrupted by his wards alerting him to visitors.
'We shall speak more on this later Severus' he said, waving the door open.
Grumbling the potions master stood and went to leave. He snarled when he recognised two of the visitors.
'Black! How you got out of Azkaban was anyone's guess!'
'I was going to say the same thing about you, Snape' Sirius growled back.
The two sized each other up, looking ready to attack at any second. Remus sighed and forcibly yanked his lover away, giving Sirius a stern look.
'We are here for the kids, not so you can act like a kid'.
'Lord Black. And Remus how good to see you both' Albus greeted warmly, wondering why they were here.
They greeted him and entered, allowing the rest of the visitors to come. These people Albus had never seen before, and he was curious as to what they wanted.
'My apologies for the disruption. My name is Jonathan Meadow and this is my wife Rose' the man said.
Albus couldn't believe his luck. He'd been looking for this man for years and now he finally had the opportunity to get Harry back with the Dursleys.
'Mr Meadow a pleasure to meet you. I have been looking for you for a while now. I assume you are here to talk about Harry? Please have a seat'.
He conjured some chairs, getting himself settled as they sat.
'Harry? I'm afraid we're not here to speak about someone called Harry. I received information that my grandchildren have been pressured and bullied by members of staff and we have come to know why' Jonathan replied.
Albus frowned to himself. So these people were going to continue this charade. Well, he could play this game as well.
'Now, now. The children are still settling in. It's nothing more than a big misunderstanding. Care for some tea?'
'No, thank you. From what I've been told, my grandchildren were verbally abused and given punishment for following the rules. I don't call that a misunderstanding' Rose said.
Anyone who thought this old lady to be helpless had another thing coming.
'We don't have to go as far as verbal abuse, do we?' Albus replied.
'My granddaughter told us that one of your professors was practically demanding her brother to respond to him, even though he wasn't calling my grandson by his name. Then when Evangeline explained why Ebony wasn't answering, this professor snapped at her and basically told her to mind her own business. He then called them liars, gave them detention and took points. And I dare not think about what he might have done had he been able to bring them back to class after they left' Rose followed.
'I have spoken with the professor in question. He asked the boy some questions to see if he had done some study work before coming to my class. I was told he was targeted because while the professor was speaking, he was ignoring the lesson and instead doodling. He refused to answer those simple questions. Your granddaughter then butted in, answering the questions without being asked, and tried to tell the professor that Mr Potter would ignore him until called by an entirely different name'.
'That is not what we heard, and we didn't raise our grandchildren to be liars. So you are telling me there is something wrong with someone being given a new name?' Jonathan asked.
Severus grumbled to himself.
'He is called Harry Potter. The entire wizarding nation knows this. Why you insist on making him believe otherwise is beyond me'.
'Perhaps because we adopted him. Perhaps because he didn't know his name when we first met him, and so we decided he could choose another. Perhaps because we knew the entire wizarding nation would demand his time had we chosen to keep his original name. We know who our grandson is. We also know of the tragic events that led to him being given a different name. Had circumstances been different he would have grown up as Harry Potter, but he would have done so with his parents by his side' Rose replied, a hint of steel in her voice.
Albus quickly jumped in.
'May I ask what the reason was for you adopting the boy? He had perfectly capable guardians looking after him'.
Rose was not about to let that stand.
'Those perfectly capable guardians left Ebony in a cupboard! Those perfectly capable guardians barely fed him, beat him, locked him outside to wander the streets while they had guests! Those perfectly capable guardians were the reason he thought his name was Boy Freak! Don't you sit there all serenely and tell me those people were capable guardians for my grandson. They aren't fit to raise a hamster, let alone a child!' she growled.
'Please, calm down. I'm sure the Dursleys were not that bad' Albus soothed.
'And how would you know? How many times since leaving our grandson on their doorstep did you check on him?' Jonathan countered.
Sirius and Remus sat in the corner, happily watching the chaos, confident that the Meadows had everything under control. At least they were, until Albus turned to them.
'Sirius, surely you wish for Harry to keep his name and live with family?'
'Harry can live wherever he wants. We're talking about Ebony right now' the man replied with a grin.
Sighing Remus continued.
'We may not have seen the Dursleys, but we've heard enough to know they aren't in any way suitable to raise Ebony. With the Meadows, he has a sister, grandparents, an older brother, and ourselves. Because of the Meadows, Sirius has been proven innocent, and I have been able to reunite with my remaining pack. Jonathan and Rose have made us feel welcomed and go out of their way to ensure we have as much contact with our cub as possible. Ebony is happy. Why are you so against this?'
Albus certainly couldn't say he wanted the boy meek and helpless.
'I just feel that he is better off with his family. There are protections on the Dursley home that would prevent any with ill intentions from getting in'.
'And you believe our home offers no such protections? Before you answer, I will say that I know all about those so called protections you speak of. Our home is warded to the max, anyone trying to get in with intention to harm will find themselves facing a nasty surprise. And should they by some miracle gain entrance, you can be sure they would not make it past the front hall' Jonathan replied.
He was interrupted by the entrance of professor Flitwick with Ebony and Evangeline.
'My apologies for the interruption headmaster. I was told you would be receiving guests and suggested Mr and Miss Meadow joined them'.
The little man clocked Sirius and Remus and gave the two a smile.
'Lord Black, Mr Lupin' he greeted.
The children were immediately fussed over by their family.
'Can't leave you alone for five minutes, can we pup?' Sirius grinned.
Ebony just stuck his tongue out at the man. Albus watched them interact, growing more and more worried. He needed the boy to be under his control, but this display of family love was a clear indication that it was going to be difficult to do so.
'Yes, thank you Filius. I'm sure you're a busy man and I wouldn't want to keep you' he said.
'However if you do have some time to stay, I would like to get to know my grandchildren's head of house. I am Jonathan Meadow and this is my wife Rose' Jonathan countered with a smile.
The little professor already found himself liking this man, and was happy to spare some time to stick around, much to the frustration of Albus.
'A pleasure to meet you. Your grandchildren are a joy to teach, always eager to learn new material. I've been hearing good things about them from the other professors as well. They already have many friends from the other houses and the only real complaint I have about them comes from professor Snape here'.
'Perhaps if they were less arrogant and rude then I would have no complaint against them' Severus spoke up.
Filius gave him a small glare, but continued.
'They are very polite children, you have raised them well. I will admit they have a slight fondness for pranks. Considering certain adults in their lives, I suppose I should have expected that'.
'Uncalled for!' Sirius exclaimed dramatically.
He prompted a few chuckles from the group.
'If we could possibly get back to the subject. As Harry's magical guardian, I insist the boy be taken back to his relatives. I shall have a word with them about their behaviour, and of course we'll have young Harry resorted. I'm sure he would be much happier in the house his parents were in' Albus said.
He was through with all this. These people would listen to him and obey.
Standing, and gently moving her granddaughter away, Rose stepped over to the large ornate desk, and the man sitting regally behind it.
'You would rather my grandchild return to monsters. You would rather he be beaten into submission. Forced to be a slave. To be under your complete control. And for what? So you can led him to his death!'
Albus tried to speak but was cut off.
'WHY did you condemn a man to Azkaban without a trial when you had the power to grant him one? Why do you allow prejudice to run rampant through the school when you have the power to stop it?'
'That is nothing more than childish…'
'AND WHY, pray tell, are you obsessing over the welfare of one child when you have let hundreds pass through those doors without a single passing glance?'
Albus was not used to being interrupted. Especially not by some old woman attempting to throw her weight around. He stood and glared at Rose.
'This happens to be my school and I will run it the way I see fit!'
He didn't get any further as Rose yet again cut in.
'The way you see fit is to allow those of pureblood to degrade and bully those they feel have tainted blood. The way you see fit is to ignore the safety of the children!'