Title: The Ties That Bind
Summary/ Warning: Dom/ Sub, HGRW, PPBZ, RLSB, NLDM, TNSB, NMLM, LVBL …and of course HPSS.
Beta: ShadowFax999___ but i think she must hate me.... haven't spoken to her recently.... but she did beta this chap.... lol
Authours Note: I give you permission to hate on Dumbles all you want.
Chapter 24: In Which Many Surprising Things Happen.
:Parseltongue:
"Conversational thoughts"
Private thoughts, shared memories
The rest of Wednesday flew by as Harry, Hermione and Ron tried to figure out what Voldemort was up to, with no luck. Even with Harry's connection to the Dark Lord they learned nothing about his plans or actions. Thursday morning greeted three very tired students as they stumbled to breakfast, having stayed up late the night before considering various things Tom could be doing.
Breakfast was nearly over by the time the Golden Trio finished eating, staring at their plates in exhaustion. Harry was nursing his steaming mug of bitter tea, staring into the distance, almost asleep again. Hermione and Ron were still eating slowly, ignoring the curious expressions of those around them. Even Seamus and Dean- who lived with the three- were wondering what was wrong with the trio.
"We learned nothing," Harry stated glumly, taking a sip of his tea and grimacing. Hermione snorted, and cast a Muffliato before answering.
"Of course we learned something, Harry." Her reproving tone of voice was entirely too robust for the two boys, and they shifted away from her as she spoke. "We know that V-Voldemort has somehow managed to regain his human form. That tells us that he's planning something secretive, and he doesn't wish to be immediately recognizable."
Harry grunted, contemplatively eyeing the last piece of toast on his plate. "That's nothing more than we already knew, 'Mione. He's always being secretive." Deciding to forgo the toast, Harry looked up at the brunette and sighed. "Now if he was being secretive for a reason other than normal, what with Nagini being missing, then we'd have something to worry about."
Ron chimed in as he finished his eggs. "Harry's right, 'Mione. Unless He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named does something outrageously stupid, we'll never catch up to him." Hermione huffed in frustration, and the two boys shared a commiserating look. They wouldn't want to be Voldemort right now, not with the way Hermione was miffed at him.
"Alright," Hermione said briskly, springing to her feet and rapping Harry on the head, "time for Potions." Harry sent her an evil glare as he massaged his skull, but stood. It was hard for him to remember a time when he'd been reluctant to go to his first class, but now he was usually happy to head there. Ron stood with a groan, stretching before gathering his things and following the other two.
The classroom was full when the three friends arrived, but Snape was nowhere to be found. Harry took his seat at the front of the room, and turned to Neville with a raised brow. The other Gryffindor might seem to be an odd choice to ask where the Head of Slytherin was, but he was with the Prince of Snakes all day. The boy shrugged and shook his head minutely, and Harry faced front again with a frown.
"Severus?" he called, voice curious, "Where are you? Class has started." Harry sent his mind out, seeking for Severus, and started in shock when he realised where the man was. "Why in Merlin's-bloody-name are you in the Headmaster's office?"
"Quiet. I am trying not to be fired."
Harry hissed at the caustic response, seeing red as he 'watched' the scene through Severus' eyes. Apparently the Potions Master had been in the office since before breakfast, but Harry hadn't noticed, given how tired he was. Dumbledore was present, as well as Minerva, Remus, and Lucius Malfoy. "I'm watching." He warned his mate, and relaxed a tad as Severus agreed.
"You have deliberately broken your contract, Severus. What other choice do I have?" Dumbledore's voice was calm and collected, his face as smooth and guileless as an innocent's. Minerva's lips were pinched, her body stiff and unhappy. Remus watched the proceedings with a sad expression on his face, wondering why he had been called in for this. So far, he hadn't spoken- or been asked to speak. And Lucius was seated next to Severus, expressionless as benefited a Malfoy.
"You were nowhere to be found, and as your Deputy Minerva is qualified to handle the information and forward it to you. I have done nothing to deserve this, and I will not let this matter pass quietly." Severus raised an elegant brow, and turned to Lucius. "And is it not the protocol to have the Board of Governors hear the case of the teacher in question?"
Lucius nodded, and turned to gaze at Dumbledore with a haughty expression. "Severus speaks the truth, Albus, as you well know. And I speak for the Board of Governors, which- I assume- is why my friend has called me here." He paused for a moment before adding, "I would be here in any event, but this… this is entirely unlike you, Headmaster. I am almost afraid of your reasoning." he added snidely.
Dumbledore chuckled softly, and sat back in his chair. "Mr. Malfoy, my reasoning is not what is in question here. What we are all here to determine is the matter of Severus breaching his contract- that which was signed before the Board and myself." A sincere smile appeared on the old man's face, and he gestured to Remus. "I have asked Mr. Lupin to be my advisor on this matter, as you are to Severus." Turning to Remus, the Headmaster gestured to Severus. "If you would state your opinion?"
Severus sighed as Harry growled in the back of his mind, and waited as the other man thought. But Harry's startled gasp of surprise intrigued him, and he turned his attention away from the others to his mate. "What is it?"
"The Order meeting!" Harry stated, telling Severus of his epiphany. "This is why Dumblefuck called one in the middle of the year! Remember when we left Sirius and Remus in the parlor, and he was at the end of the hall?" Severus sent his understanding, even as Harry spoke. "He'd planned this all along!"
Severus glanced over at Remus, wondering what the man was thinking. From what he recalled, the werewolf was the Sub as well. Would he have to obey Sirius in this matter? Would he side with Dumbledore? Would he remember his time with Severus and Harry? All those questions and others raced through Severus' mind, and Harry sent as much reassurance to his mate as he could. The warmth of a phantom hug surrounded the Potions Master for but a moment, enough to let Severus know Harry was there for him but not for anyone else to sense the magic.
"Thank you," Severus thought, and smiled slightly at the response. But he turned his attention back to Remus, and waited.
Remus hesitated as the others glanced at him, waiting for him to speak. But what was he going to say? To turn against Dumbledore would be tantamount to suicide, but to turn against Harry would be worse than betrayal. It would be breaking the boys trust, ruining his relationship with not only his mate but his Godfather, and perhaps driving the boy to insanity as he was separated from his mate at such an early stage of the Bond.
"I will support you whatever you decide," Sirius sent, letting Remus know where he stood. "Of course I want that old bat away from my Godson, but that's not what Harry wants. And if this matter must be decided by what our Godson wants, then so be it."
Remus sighed in relief as Sirius said that, removing one of the concerns from the decision. "Thanks, Siri."
"I don't know why I was called into this meeting, as my dealings with such matters have been very limited, but I will certainly provide you with my opinion on the issue." Remus paused as Dumbledore's face took on a smug cast, visible only to those who knew him well. "Sirius, we are about to make ourselves a very powerful enemy."
A snort sounded in his head, and his mate responded with, "Then that is what happens. Family first, as my dear mother always said, and that's the only thing she's ever said that I agree with. Besides," Sirius paused, and Remus got the impression of a wolfish grin, "the old coot has it coming to him, trying to control a life not his own. Do it."
"I think that Severus was well within his rights to seek out Minerva and pass along the information through her. He makes a valid point as she is your Deputy, and therefore legally permitted to know everything you do." Remus gulped as Dumbledore's face darkened, and only the reassuring presence of his Dom kept him speaking. "This matter, while certainly important, is not enough to end the man's tenure as Potions Master."
Lucius turned away from the werewolf with a pleased expression on his face, and arched a brow at the Headmaster. "Then this matter is settled, in accordance to Wizarding Law 29.17a. A civilian judge has decided the outcome in favour of the defendant, and this case can no longer be brought to trial in any form." Dumbledore made as if to speak, but Lucius didn't acknowledge him. "As Mr. Lupin is a civilian, and as I am a member of the Board of Governors, and you and Minerva are part of the case, along with Severus, he is the only one of us qualified to make this decision."
Standing, Lucius smiled politely to the shocked Deputy Headmistress and bowed politely. "Minerva," he murmured, "a pleasure, as always." Turning to Remus the elder Malfoy inclined his head with a polite smile, shocking the werewolf further. "Come, Severus. You need to be getting back to work now that this matter is settled."
Severus stood, ignoring the pleased warmth radiating from behind his ears. "Of course Lucius. Good day, Minerva, Remus." The two men left, leaving only the Order members. Minerva could only stand the tense silence for another moment before moving to the door.
"I have a class to prepare for as well. Good bye for now, Remus. Albus." She nodded to both men as she left, leaving Remus alone with the Headmaster. Dumbledore waited until the door was well shut before turning to Remus."Why did you go with that decision, Remus?" His voice was mild, but Sirius' protective side sprang to life in the back of the werewolves mind.
Remus shrugged, pasting an innocent expression on his face. "Well, I do think that Severus made a valid point. Minerva is your Deputy, and she does get to know everything you do. So what if she brings the information to you instead of learning it from you? You are both still informed, right?"
Dumbledore sighed, and smiled slightly at the other man. "I thought you would jump at the chance to rid the school of Severus."
Remus shrugged, uncomfortable. "While I don't like the man personally, and his teaching methods are questionable, he knows what he teaches better than anyone else in this country." A pause, then, "And he even got Neville Longbottom to understand Potions, which I hear is a fearsome task in itself."
Remus shrank away from the Headmaster at the expression of rage that flitted over Dumbledore's face, and stood quickly. "I am afraid I must go, Albus. Sirius is waiting for me, and I cannot make him wait any longer." Walking to the Floo and taking a pouch out of his pocket, he turned to the still form of the Headmaster. "Have a good day."
Tossing a handful of the powder onto the flames and warning Sirius he was coming, Remus shouted "12 Grimmauld Place!" and stepped into the emerald fire. He stumbled out of the flames a second later, coughing and sneezing on the ash as always.
When he could see again he immediately located Sirius, and ran to him. It was only when his mate's strong arms were locked around him that Remus allowed himself to react to what had happened. "He was so scary, Siri. I never thought he could be like that."
Sirius tightened his hold on the tawny-haired man, and snarled silently at the fireplace, where the remnants of emerald flames still danced. "You'll be fine, now, Remy. I won't let him hurt you." He walked them over to the couch, and drew Remus into his lap as he sat. There was no mistaking the honest fear in the werewolf, and Sirius struggled to reign in his sudden hatred of Albus Dumbledore.
Pressing a kiss to the slowly-calming male in his lap, Sirius realised what Harry must go through every day with Severus as his mate. And though it irked every part of him, he promised that he would try to be nicer to the old bat. But right now he needed to concentrate on Remus.
"Ha! That fuck-face can't control all of us!" Harry's exultant words caused a slight smile to form on Severus' lips, and he glanced at Lucius in amusement. But suddenly he remembered the Death Eater meeting, and stopped his friend with a raised hand. The elder Malfoy raised a brow in question, a sight smile on his face from besting the 'famed' Albus Dumbledore."Lucius," he began, unsure of how to broach the topic, "What happened at the meeting?"
Lucius' smile faded, and he glanced away quickly. Severus waited, knowing that the other spy needed to compose himself. It was never easy for the other man to speak of the Dark Lord when he wasn't at a meeting. "He wants Draco to be Marked come Christmas." Severus sucked in a breath, eyes widening in shock. The children aren't supposed to be Marked until they graduate!
"You've planned when they would be Marked?" Harry asked curiously, of course still listening. Severus shh'ed him, and turned his attention back to Lucius.
"Did he say why?"
Lucius chuckled brokenly, and shrugged. "You know how it is, Severus. He tells you what to do, and you do it. End of story. He didn't tell me why, though I suspect it is to try and gain a hold over Narcissa." A smile flitted onto Lucius' face at the very thought, but then he glanced over to Severus.
"Since when have you been training my son in the Dark Arts?" Lucius' voice was carefully neutral, but Severus laughed.
"Ah, but I haven't."
Lucius cocked his head. "But you said…"
"What I say is one thing, what I do is another. And I have not been training your son. I would have told you, you know that." Severus smiled at Lucius' pleased expression, and they began to walk towards the dungeons again. After a few moments, Lucius spoke.
"By the way, Severus. How were you able to lie?"
Severus chuckled at the well-concealed curiosity under the innocent question, and quirked a smile at his long-time friend. "Tell Narcissa and have her explain it to you." It was a risk, telling Lucius to go to Narcissa, but the Malfoy's deserved to know about this protection. And if Narcissa could do to Lucius what Harry had done to him, then it would be all for the best anyway.
"Not to be rude, Sev, but the class is getting antsy. Some of us are about to leave because you've been gone for the required time. Hurry!"
Severus thanked Harry for not making that last comment a command, and turned to Lucius outside of his classroom. "Please use my Floo to get home. It's secured by myself, and Dumbledore has no access to it." They gripped each other's hand, and Lucius smiled, a rare, genuine smile.
"Today was… interesting, to say the least… but I am happy to have helped. And thank you for what you have told me." Severus merely nodded in acknowledgement, and bid his friend goodbye as the blonde released his hand and walked to Severus' quarters. Taking a deep breath and holding it for a moment, Severus entered the classroom.
The immediate silence had an air of disappointment to it, but Severus didn't let that bother him. Surveying the class and seeing that everyone was present, he glided to the front. "Ten points to Slytherin and Gryffindor for obeying the standard." Turning away from the shocked faces, he flicked his wand at the board and began the lesson. "We will only cover the effects of Nimble Nutmeg and Hoppers Grass today, as my meeting with the Headmaster has deprived me of class time. Turn to page 947, and begin reading. In ten minutes I will being questioning your…"
Harry smiled at his textbook as his mate spoke, pleased for so many reasons. And the ten points to each House merely for waiting for their teacher to show was not the least of them. Though it certainly ranked up there, right next to besting Dumbledunce. Though he couldn't wait to speak to Severus later, right now he focused in on the words before him.
Who knew he'd actually be passing Potions, of all things? I guess actually wanting to impress the Professor is a good motivator for studying… Harry grinned, and read.
You know in college when your Professor doesn't show up? And you have to wait a minimum time before deciding that he/she ain't showing up and then you get to leave? Well, that's what the points were for. Because they all stayed.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you all enjoy!
Netrixie
P.S.: Lucius is a spy, yes. XD Sorry to spring that on you, but… you love me! Remember that!