CHAPTER 8-Blowing Up The Kitchen
Alice and Severus took Cassy directly to the infirmary to have Poppy check her out. As they walked through the castle Cassy's eyes got bigger and bigger. She was trying to take everything in, especially those talking pictures. While her curiosity was alive and kicking, she held tightly to Alice, not ready to let go of her security.
Poppy melted, of course, seeing the cut little girl with such big brown eyes. "Who do we have here Alice?"
"This is Cassy and we rescued her from the Dursley's. Remembering the shape the last child we took from their home was in it would be wise if you check her over and we will need any documentation of abuse Poppy."
Poppy just shook her head and said "Bring her over here to this first bed, take off everything but her underpants and I'll get my kit".
Alice had a difficult time getting Cassy to let go of her but finally convinced her to sit on the bed. "I'll be right here with you the whole time, don't worry."
"I need to go speak to Albus while you're busy here and we can meet up later when you're through" said Severus. He then took off to his rooms first to change back into, what the kids referred to as, his 'Bat Costume' or as he would say 'his work robes'.
Arriving at the Headmasters office entrance he met up with Flitwick. "Hi, is Dad in his office?
"I was trying to catch you and let you know you need to get over to the Longbottom Mansion. There has been an attack and Augusta Longbottom has been killed. Don't worry, Neville is still here but has not been told yet. Albus says you can floo over instead of apperate since all the fighting is over."
"Is Alice here?" asked Flitwick.
"Yes, she is up with Poppy replied Severus. "We found the "Cassy", a six year old girl, that Dad was wondering about at the Dursley's and brought her here to be checked out."
"I'll go up and be with her then and give her the news" said Flitwick.
"Be careful, we just had the Dursley's sign over guardianship of Cassy to her so this has turned into a real emotional day for her."
Flitwick just nodded as he walked off toward the infirmary, then turned around and said to him, "The code has been changed, it is now 'Mars Bar', whatever that is."
Severus nodded and spoke the words allowing the doors to open and the stairs to rise to his Father's office. Once there he floo'd to the Longbottom Mansion, wand at the ready.
Once there he immediately saw Mrs. Longbottom's body lying near the fireplace, covered with a sheet. She looked as if she had been trying to escape. He noticed the Ministry had arrived and were scurrying around doing their thing. Then he spotted his Father. What he noticed most about Albus was that he looked so old and so sad, it broke Severus' heart.
"It was the killing curse, she didn't suffer" said Albus. "For that I am grateful as she was a grand old Lady, and a wonderful friend."
Severus reached over and gave his Dad a Hug...to hell with what the ministry thought and they were staring at him. Albus hugged his son back and then they broke apart.
"I'll be fine Son, you need to come with me outside" said Albus.
They walked outside and Albus pointed up. When Severus looked, to where he was pointing, he saw the Dark Mark, Voldemorts' mark. "You know Dad, not many wizards know how to do that spell."
Albus nodded and said, "There is a bad omen in the wind. Let's get back to Hogwarts, there is nothing more we can do here now. The ministry will take Augusta to
St. Mungo's."
With that the two of them floo'd to Albus' office at Hogwarts where they found Flitwick and Alice waiting for them.
"Where is Cassy", Severus asked Alice.
"Poppy wanted to do some more testing but Cassy flat refused to relinquish her underpants. That little one can be very stubborn when she wants to be, there is a lot of fight in her. Anyway, Poppy didn't want her to be anxious so she gave her one of those sleeping suckers. She should sleep till morning, giving Poppy time to do all her tests. So far there is not much evidence of abuse so maybe we arrived before they could damage her too much."
"What happened with Mother Longbottom?" asked Alice.
As she was looking directly at Severus, he decided to kneel down beside her chair and share what they knew so far, which was not much. When he finished he hugged her and said "You're mother will be taken to St. Mungo's and you can pick her up there when you are ready to have a service."
Alice took the handkerchief offered to her and dried her eyes. Then she got up and said "I need to go find my son and let him know" and she walked out of the office.
"Alice, before you leave" Albus said, "The kids all have to be in their dorms by nine so we will be having a meeting of the Order tonight and I would like you all to attend if you can."
They all nodded and walked out. It was while Severus was walking toward the dungeon that he heard voices coming from one of the rooms. Knowing no one should be in those rooms he crept up and slid the door open just a fraction. Lupin was sitting with Draco and Harry. They were both crying. He silently stood at the door and listened for a while.
The boys didn't look like they were in pain, at least not physical pain. It looked like they were hurting with heart pain. Maybe this counseling stuff will work, at least they were not killing each other and that had to be a good sign.
Lupin had asked the boys to meet with him earlier thinking that they would want to go to Hogsmeade with the others. When lunch time arrived they were in the middle of a heavy conversation so Remus ordered lunch in and let them continue talking.
At first there was the regular sparring and trying to act tough with each other. Remus quickly told them that they were here to talk about a very personal issue, one that both of them were experiencing. They were to shut up and allow him to start the dialogue then they could participate if they so desired. If they didn't want to talk they could just sit and enjoy the quiet for the two-hours of scheduled time.
First he asked them if either of them knew the difference between discipline and abuse. Both of them blushed and quickly looked down at their shoes. They now knew what the topic of conversation was going to be and they were both very uncomfortable.
Neither of them wanted the other one to know something that personal about them as it would just be used against them in the future.
Remus knew what they were thinking and felt now was the time to set the major ground-rule that would dictate their future meetings. "I know that you're feeling vulnerable right now I am going to ask you to take a Wizard's vow. You will agree not to divulge anything said in this room to a third party without the consent of the other. Most Wizard vows punish the offender with death, but in this case I will make the punishment a soapy mouth curse for one whole month.
The boys looked at him like he was nuts, then at each other. They were both thinking that the punishment of death was probably preferable to what Professor Lupin just said.
Remus knew that both boys thought that they were the only one to go through such an experience and he hoped that when they found out they had shared experiences perhaps they could bond to a certain degree.
He didn't expect them to become best friends or anything but Harry had helped Draco to his room when he was hurt and Draco had stepped in and helped Harry when Snape cornered him. He was hoping that these experiences would provide enough foundation to build on.
They all sat quietly for a few minutes and the silence was oppressing. Finally, Harry said "I will if he will". Draco looked at Harry and responded, "Ok".
After the wizards oath Remus started things off by explaining some things to them.
"Punishment is when a caregiver wants to do something that will prevent a youth from causing serious harm to themselves or others. Youth have a tendency to be impulsive and do things without thinking through the consequences of their actions."
"Sometimes, but not always, physical force is used to cause a kid pain but only for the purpose of correction or to teach them to control their behavior. The purpose is to change behavior and encourage moral, physical and decision making skills. It is used to try and instill a sense of responsibility for themselves and those around them."
"Spanking is an illustration of this kind of punishment. It might warm your bottom, sting, and make sitting a bit difficult. It is not pleasant to receive a spanking. But, it should never leave lasting marks or damage on your body.
"Hopefully it causes you to remember the consequences of your action next time you are faced with a similar decision and make the right choice."
"Now abuse is when a person goes over the line and inflicts physical injury through punching, kicking, beating, biting, burning, shaking or substantial bruising. Abuse is the adult expressing their need to lash out through their anger, and it has nothing really to do with the child."
'When an adult punishes a child it should always be carefully related to the offense. It should be administered when they are calm and not angry. It should always be fair. Finally, spanking should not be the only tool used in punishment but only occasionally and should be brief."
"The one receiving the punishment should have known that they were doing wrong way before the punishment is administered. The rules should have been expressed through dialogue and discussion, or laying down expectations and sharing with the youth the consequences for breaking the rules. A youth should never be caught in a position where they are surprised that they are being punished. There should be no unstated expectations. That means no blind-siding, hitting-up-side-the-head, kicking them in the butt, or slapping."
Now having said all that I want to ask you if you feel you have ever been abused?"
"Are you going to go tell the adults our parents what we say in here?" asked Draco.
"No, in your case your father will hear nothing about these sessions. Harry, the Headmaster might get a summation from me as to your progress, but never what you have shared."
"Well, said Draco, looking at Harry, then back down at his shoes, I have been both abused and punished."
"By what you said I guess my Dad is always abusing me because I never quite know what's coming next."
"But" continued Draco, "I have been punished by my Godfather, Severus, a few times and it's a lot different."
"If you tell anyone Potter I will bust your chops, so help me."
"I have been abused most of my life I guess" said Harry in a very low voice, not looking at Draco. I don't ever remember being punished, if what you said constitutes punishment."
"And I won't say a word if you won't Malfoy."
"Draco, when you say your Godfather punishes you, what is different?" asked Remus.
Draco looked at his shoes for awhile and then with tears in his eyes said, "He is strict and has a lot of rules but I always know when I have broken one of his rules, I always know what he is going to do about it, I always know it's going to hurt like hell, and I always know...sob...he will hold me when he is done, and tell me he loves me."
Severus gently closed the door and continued his walk to his office, with tears in his eyes and a burning sensation in his heart. Maybe he wasn't the rotten person he always felt he was?
Harry buried his head as he was crying to. How could he have been so stupid as to believe that Draco lived a charmed life with no problems in the world. They had more in common that even Harry was comfortable with.
Draco got up and went over to get a glass of juice, trying to calm himself. What was wrong with him, crying in front of the Golden Boy, pull it together, he told himself.
Before Draco could return to his chair he heard Harry clear his throat and say "My uncle stripped me and hung me up on a hook. Then he proceeded to beat me unconscious with some cane poles. I probably would have not made it if it hadn't been for Professor's Dumbledore and Snape showing up about then."
Draco started breathing again. He hadn't realized that he had stopped breathing. He expected Potter to make some snide comment but he sure didn't expect what he heard.
How could he have been so stupid as to believe that Harry lived a charmed life with no problems in the world.
Remus took a deep breath and said; "I think we have all had enough for today. Why don't you guys go find something to do like flying, reading or feeding the Squid. Think on what we have talked about and we will meet again next week."
Nobody said anything, they just got up and left, each to their own space. Remus didn't expect them to heal in one day but they had made a lot of progress, more than he had hoped for.
The twins had returned early from Hogsmeade with Hagrid who had to come back early. Their only reason for going was that they needed a couple of things to finish off a prank they were planning. Things were just too serious around the castle and they felt the need to bring some levity to breakfast the next day.
While the twins were seriously at work on their prank the rest of the horde returned all excited over their new purchases. Alice was waiting for them in the common room and asked Neville to take a walk with her. Everyone noticed that she looked so sad and so serious, it must really be bad news. That kind of took the warm-fuzzies out of the room and they all went to put there things away.
Later as everyone congregated for dinner the kids noticed that Neville was very quiet and it looked like he had been crying.
"What's the matter Neville? Are you in trouble?" Ginny asked.
Neville looked up at her, and then the rest of them and told them what had happened. By the end of his story they were all in tears and telling Neville how sorry they were. "I'll be so glad when I grow up and can go after whoever is doing these terrible things" said Neville. "I mean what in the world did a 98 year old lady ever do to them?"
"They were probably not out to get your grandmother" said Ginny, putting her arm around him to try and comfort him."
"More than likely they wanted to get you or your Mother" said Hermione.
"That's what Mom said, so we are going to have to move into Hogwarts with you guys for the time being. Professor Dumbledore said he was looking for a dueling professor anyway and Mom used to be one of the best."
About that time about fifty House Elves marched into the Great Hall. There were two groups of them and each group was carrying a twin. Each twin had tape over their mouths and they were trussed up like a Christmas Goose.
The House elves marched up to the head of the table, next to Professor Dumbledore, placing the twins on the ground. Honcho, the chief Elf stepped forward and stood quietly until he was sure he had Professor Dumbledore's attention.
"Sir, these two cretins, decided to mix up a potion...a potion...A POTION...in our kitchen. Needless to say, looking at Professor Snape, no insult intended sir, but they have not listened to your instructions Sir, as their POTION blew up! It blew up all over our kitchen...ALL OVER OUR FOOD...ALL OVER YOUR FOOD.
Please excuse me sir, I will punish myself directly."
He took a deep breath and looked at Professor Dumbledore again and said, "Sir your dinner will be an hour late, I am sooooooo sorry!"
Professor Dumbledore was struggling very hard too keep a straight face but he managed.
He turned to Honcho and said, "That is perfectly alright Honcho. Please do not punish yourself as all of this was completely out of control. It will not harm us to wait another hour to eat so please take your time."
"You may leave the cretins with me and I will make sure that they are made aware of their indiscretions."
Honcho bowed low and said "Thank's Boss, and we will get right on dinner!" Giving the Cretins a really dirty look he turned around and led his army out of the Great Hall.
Once they were gone Albus couldn't hold it any longer and lost it in a roaring laugh. Everyone seemed to join with him except Severus of course. Even Alice and Neville felt a bit better because of the comic relief.
Albus then gave Arthur a questioning look and said, "Well Arthur what do you think?"
Arthur looked down at the twins, then looked over at Severus saying, "Severus it would seem that it is your reputation as a Potion Master that has been tarnished, so I will allow you to do as you will with them, within reason of course."
Severus had not been smiling but he began to smile now and it put chills down the backs of all his students. He stood up and pulled out his wand, and with the hover charm, Severus and the Cretins left the hall, last seen headed for the dungeons.
You'll have to come back to see what happens there...