Pretty Boy

Chapter 53

Loses And Gains

Harry, Sirius, Remus and Severus were sitting in the living room of Snape Manor. The Prince suit of armour gave way that it hadn't always been named as such. Severus had admittedly changed it out of spite; his grandparents had disowned his mother. They'd never once helped her or him. He'd gone to Hogwarts in second hand robes, and with books his mother had once used. It was ironic really, when one paused to look at the facts. In his youth Severus had daubed himself 'The Half-Blood Prince', it definitely had a nice ring to it. Certainly much better than 'The Half-Blood Snape'. One didn't have to like the family to take on the name. There was also the added fact the Snape name was well known in the academic circles. There wasn't a Potions Master or apprentice that didn't know his name. He was the youngest Potions Master in the world after all. Everyone aspired to be as good as him, if not better but so far nobody had succeeded in beating his scores or his title.

"All this paperwork is irritating," grumbled Harry, he'd spent the last fortnight filling in everything, only after reading it. Goblins whether they could be trusted or not, weren't on Harry's list. He read everything that passed through his banking information. Checking everything that required his signature thoroughly. "Dumbledore just took the money and left everything in disarray. Nothing has been signed since my parents died, I've even cancelled a few charities they were donating to and started a few others, more worthy ones."

"When he stopped being able to get your money he began taking it from mine." said Sirius snorting, "You're quite lucky, otherwise I'm not sure what the old fool would have done." he had no chance of getting the money back, since he had willingly given him access to one of the vaults. It had just been a small one though, at least compared to the other vaults he had. Most of it had probably gone to financing the Order though, so he couldn't complain too much.

"Now wait a fucking minute," said Harry staring at the parchment in irritation, shaking his head, he shouldn't be surprised and to be honest he wasn't really.

"What is it?" asked Severus leaning over, cautiously wondering what was making Harry irritated.

"Wraith has successfully given me nearly everything that was taken by Dumbledore. The vaults, the ones he's empted weren't just in Dumbledore's name. He's just informed me that they belong to the Grangers and two youngest Weasley's. Why the hell would he be giving them money? And out of my bloody vaults?!" said Harry furiously, "The Weasley's were getting it two months before I even met them."

Sirius and Remus winced, he had stopped obsessing over them, but now it was going to be brought back.

"Oh I'm such a bloody idiot," cursed Harry his green eyes glittering dangerously. "I met the Weasley's at the train station. Want to guess what they were doing?"

"What?" asked Remus blankly, wondering what they could have been up to.

"She was shouting at the top of her lungs about platform nine and three quarters, and something about Muggles. I'm not quite sure what she was saying actually but Muggles was brought up. It was designed to bring my attention to them." said Harry, having met her; he realized Dumbledore could have tricked her easily. She certainly hadn't been getting paid for it anyway. She would be very easy to dupe, she loved everyone and had such a sickening outlook at life. Everything was light, sweet and goodness to her, anything that didn't fit it was shoved aside. Although she was finally realizing that herself, she knew she'd messed up with Bill and was making up for it. He was happy for Bill; he'd missed his family desperately. Only the thought of revenge on Dumbledore had kept him going; now he didn't have to worry about it. He still wasn't a Weasley anymore, he'd have to stay a Prewitt otherwise the name would be lost.

"Why would she do that?" asked Sirius scoffing, "She's been at that bloody platform like fourteen times or something. Bill and Charlie had left Hogwarts by the time you went, Percy only had a few more years left!"

"Exactly." said Harry bluntly, he could calculate himself.

"Dumbledore," said Remus shaking his head, his depravity knew no bounds. Setting Harry up to be friends with Ronald Weasley, paying him for it. "What was the purpose?"

"I was told by both Moody and Ron that Gryffindor was the best house. That my parents had been sorted there and that every Slytherin was evil, dark and in league with Voldemort. If it wasn't for them, I would have ended up in the snake house. I'd wanted to badly to stay with my new friend and made everyone, including my parents proud. I talked the hat out of placing me there."

"Naturally, to survive abuse one has to becoming cunning, pretend to be weak. Perfect masks, and keep safe. I've had a few abused students to grace Slytherin. It's perhaps why the hat wanted you to be placed there. I would have realized what was going on, I would have acted. As you know I vowed to Dumbledore and Lily to keep you safe. Dumbledore did make me break my vow without even knowing about it." said Severus. "It looks like Dumbledore predicted a great deal of things that were coming to pass." he hadn't heard about that piece of information. Harry hadn't told him about the hat choosing Slytherin for him. Then again he had put himself first and ran; he hadn't stayed and went willingly to the slaughter that was a Gryffindor trait. He should have worked out it sooner, but he knew now that's all that mattered.

"Well all their work was for nothing, its back where it rightfully belonged." said Harry his lip curling into a satisfied smirk. He wondered if it would make them more desperate to get him, or if they'd realize how futile it was. She was nineteen years old; she should be out getting boyfriends, a job not fixating on him. He wasn't a total bastard, but if they kept it up they'd find out just what kind of man he really was. Underneath his passive enforced armour lay a man, who'd do anything to survive and be left in peace. "I wish I could see their face the next time they try and withdraw something."

"Granger will probably try today," smirked Severus, "There's a new book out, sounds interesting I've ordered it." Granger was the biggest bookworm he'd ever seen, worse than Lily had ever been. Then again it might have something to do with her learning everything from him. They'd say in the part for days at a time discussing the Magical world, admittedly mostly about Potions once the expected questions were asked.

"I'm too busy to hang around Diagon Alley today," grumbled Harry, most of the Alley was back to normal. The bookstore, the ice cream shop, the potions shop which hadn't really been touched. Even Madam Malkin's had been reopened. Good thing really, since Harry and Severus were getting married. People needed to buy outfits to attend it after all. Nobody turns up to weddings in their every day clothes and cloaks. There were a few shops that still had structure problems, and fewer items on sale. Especially the Quidditch shop, fifty brooms had been burnt, ten of them being the brand new model. That wasn't including all the Quidditch gear, sets, and little memorabilia things, posters, statues, and trading cards. All of which were extremely expensive, and until his insurance came through, he'd be selling what he could, what was left that wasn't damaged. Tomorrow was the big day, and in their character they didn't go crazy. A small ceremony was all they wanted, nothing extravagant. Which by the way they could have done, since they were both rich enough to do so. It was a bonding, and they were simply showing their love through their chosen bond.

"We need to go to Diagon Alley actually, the outfits need picking up, I also need to pick up the rings." said Severus wryly. The rings he'd had special made, paying for them, unlike the engagement rings. The bonding rings were important, very important to the couple being bonded. The metal that had called out to them had surprisingly enough been Platinum.

"Then we might be lucky enough to see them," said Harry wryly, "Oh I have a question, is the Potter cabin the same as the Black one?"

"It's completely different; the land was only thirty years ago or something. The construction started on it when I was sixteen. I remember Mr. And Mrs Potter taking us during the summer before our seventh year - on holiday. I avoided the Black cabin as though it were the plague." said Sirius, which had been for nothing, since there hadn't been any relatives living there. "It's modern, comfy and spacious, there's two bedrooms Ensuite. Proper kitchen as well, but I'm not sure if the house elves are still there."

"Good," said Harry, it's where they were going for their honeymoon, but this time they were going to go to the nearest town. He was excited to see more of the place; he hadn't got that opportunity the last time.

"Lunch is over with, I must get back, more legislations to abolish, what fun," said Sirius dryly, he was only staying Minister until the re-election and wasn't applying again. It was hard work yes, gratifying work too but he wasn't cut out for it. He was abolishing the legislations and making sure they couldn't be made again. So he had nothing to fear when he stepped down. To avoid another war, they realized all creatures had to have the same rights as wizards. Otherwise they could risk another war, and having just survived two, they certainly didn't want it happening again.

"HA!" laughed Harry, Sirius had moaned constantly since becoming Minister, and it was making Harry very happy he hadn't applied.

"By the way who's invited to the bonding?" asked Remus curiously, as Sirius got up, getting ready to leave.

"Bill, Draco, Narcissa, Minerva, Filius, Tonks, Kingsley, you and Sirius of course." said Harry.

"That's it?" asked Remus slightly depressed; both men truly were antisocial as they come.

"Yes, who else is there? I don't know anyone." said Harry, and he was happy with that, he'd never be a social butterfly.

"How about Hagrid?" asked Sirius.

"Hagrid? I've never spoken to him before." said Harry amused.

"That's not like him, how about Poppy? I thought you liked her well enough Severus?" said Remus.

"Actually I had completely forgotten about her," said Severus, slightly embarrassed.

"You worked with Sprout for years as well!" pointed out Sirius.

"Doesn't mean to say I was friends with them," said Severus rolling his eyes, his lip curling at the mention of friends. Years ago he would have said he didn't do the friend thing, yet having been friends with Sirius and Remus for a while; he realized it wasn't such a bad thing. It was rather depressing that he knew more people than Harry did, but he knew Harry didn't care for friends. They were both alike that way, preferring solitude to a gaggle of friends around them.

"Alright, alright!" said Sirius wryly, holding his hands up in surrender. "I really have to go."

"See you later," said Harry pushing the paperwork away, folding up the paperwork requiring his signature. He'd hand it to Wraith; they were going to Diagon Alley anyway. Hermes and Hedwig hooted in protest, and flew out the window. Harry just shook his head; the animals were moody as hell just like him and Sev. Even Severus' owl was just as irritating, but he was already outside. He heard the Floo activate and saw Sirius and Remus leave, back to the Ministry of magic. "Let's get going to Diagon Alley and get everything done." tomorrow would be a busy day indeed, for everyone.

"I'm here to pick up my order, it's Snape." said Severus at the counter, Harry was having a nose around Madam Malkin's. He had more clothes than he knew what to do with, but Harry revelled in the fact. He'd never had a full wardrobe of clothes before, any colour he wanted and none of it was casts of from his cousin or from a charity shop. They were brand new and everything fitted him perfectly.

"Of course," said Rachel, immediately wandering through to the back, searching for the orders. She found it, all bundled up and ready for them. Rachel took them back through and asked, "Would you like to see them before you leave?"

"Yes," said Severus curtly, better safe than sorry, it could be the wrong order, or that they might not fit. Tomorrow would be too late a time to find out, so he would make sure.

Rachel quickly unwrapped it carefully, making sure not to rip the package. "Here you are sir," she said. Handing both robes over, smiling kindly at him, they were already paid for so she required nothing from them.

Severus allowed the robes to unfold, holding his against his body before nodding in satisfaction. He checked Harry's and found that they were perfect, a spell had them refolded and in the package. They would need aired and straightened before the wedding, but that took two simple spells.

"Ready to go?" asked Severus watching his soon to be bonded with fondness.

"Yes," said Harry wandering back over, as both left the shop. They only had one other shop to attend before they were done. No make that two, he wanted to go to Hogsmeade and get some chocolate from Honeydukes. He wanted to take some chocolate with him on holiday; the supply he'd bought six months ago was gone. He'd eaten a lot during the times he suffered from the connection with Voldemort.

Entering the jewellery store, he decided to look around again; most of this store had remained intact. Only suffering a minor blaze and broken widows, it looked brand new though. He still had to buy something for Severus, but he couldn't think of what to buy other than potion ingredients. Sev didn't wear jewellery, he had nearly every book in existence, and it was in other words extremely difficult to buy for.

"I'm here to pick up the Order, its Snape." said Severus bluntly; in fact it wouldn't be tomorrow. Tomorrow both of them would be Potter-Snape's; they'd decided to hyphenate their names. Harry didn't care much about it, and would have become a Snape, but the Potter name was important. As just a Snape they wouldn't get as much respect as they'd get for Potter-Snape. Not many chose to hyphenate their name; in fact it had been generations since it occurred.

"Of course si-sir!" stuttered the twenty years old, stumbling into the front of the shop.

Harry just snorted in amusement from the back, where he was currently browsing.

"Is there anywhere else you'd like to go?" asked Severus, as he waited.

"Honeydukes actually," said Harry, "I'm out of chocolate."

"Didn't you go last week?" asked Severus curiously.

"Yes, but the place was packed, I wasn't trying to fight my way around them." said Harry. "The Weasley's and Grangers were there as well if I remember correctly. I just got out of there as quickly as possible."

"Ah," said Severus in understanding.

"H-h-ere you are sir," said the guy still clearly overwhelmed by Severus Snape's presence.

Severus accepted the package, opening it and finding both rings nestled in their spaces. He nodded in satisfaction; they were plain aluminium, no jewels and certainly no bulkiness to it. It was thin and would fit on their hands without the 'show off' factor. "Perfect, thank you." said Severus grudgingly, his mouth twitching at the relief pouring of the shop assistant. He was surprised the man didn't swoon to the floor in relief.

"Ready?" asked Harry making his way back to them, obviously already loosing interest in the gems.

"Yes," said Severus wryly, "Honeydukes?"

"Yup, but if you want to go get your book I'll meet you back there." said Harry in suggestion.

"I can wait," said Severus stepping forward, "I won't be doing any reading on my honeymoon. I'm further certain you won't be doing anything Mr. Potter-Snape." he drawled sexily, biting his earlobe before backing away as if nothing had happened.

"You never know, I just might," smirked Harry, his green eyes glinting in amusement.

"We shall see," said Severus his own eyes flashing with desire.

Harry's breathing hitched, other than that he seemed unaffected by Severus' words. They both Apparated to Hogsmeade, which was pretty much back to normal. They hadn't been attacked but they'd spent a lot of time helping repair the shops. The wizarding world was determined to stick together from now on.

"I'll wait here," said Severus his lip curling at the amount of students gouging themselves on sweets. He had never done that as a child, and found it utterly ridiculous that they spent their money on sugar. Of course if his childhood had been normal, he would have been doing the exact same thing as them. His eyes narrowed in on the familiar foursome, they'd been getting his fiancé's money, had they known? Is that why they'd been so desperate to get Harry? And worse still a niggling question wondered…had they known Harry's magic was bonded? It made him sick and disgusted thinking about it.

Harry grabbed a basket, making a beeline for his favourite sweets, he didn't want to linger. He had to squeeze in around people, taking which ones he wanted, as he evaded being shoved and prodded. Why did the damn shop have to be so busy all the time? And why did they only have small premises? Oh he knew he wasn't that small, it's just all the room the supplies took. They should have realized this and bought much larger premises, one where you could walk around without being trampled on.

"Oh sorry," said a voice after bumping into him, smiling and batting her eyelashes at him in a flirting manner. It would have worked of course, if Harry wasn't one hundred percent gay. "Hi! Nice to meet you I'm Ginny, Ginny Weasley."

Harry arched an eyebrow did she seriously think he hadn't saw her doing that? She was completely idiotic if you asked him. Sneering at her, watching her face turn a nasty shade of red. "I'm surprised you can afford anything in here." sneered Harry before he walked off, putting the basket on the counter. The look on her face was bloody priceless.

"Would you like to try our new product today sir?" asked a plump woman, smiling widely at him as she rung the total for his supplies, placing them in plastic bag. A few shops in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley had started doing it instead of packages. It quite frankly saved time, and with a simple spell made everything fit into the one bag.

"No thank you," said Harry eyeing one of the sweets in particular, he didn't like it and he had not put them in his basket. No Ginny Weasley had, he'd seen her doing it, and he did wonder what was in it.

"Three galleons please," she said still smiling pleasantly.

Harry removed the three galleons from his pouch, handing it over he left the shop.

"Give me the bag," said Severus immediately looking infuriated.

"Noticed as well did you? Wait until we get home, I want her to think she succeeded." said Harry, before Apparating, knowing Severus would follow right behind him.

"We did it," said Ginny smugly, as she returned to her brother and two friends. Soon Harry would be hers, and she would be rich and famous. It wouldn't be trouble giving it to him again and again after this time. Although she didn't want to have children and ruin her figure, she would have to, the Potter name did need continued. Plus if she was figured out, she'd get plenty money through the heir.

"It's not going to be easy you know." commented Hermione whispering, "You'll have to get him to break the engagement, get married as soon as possible and pregnant."

"I know," said Ginny smugly. He was gorgeous; she would enjoy seeing what he was like in bed. Although she certainly would be the one dominating, she probably had more experience than him anyway. He might never have taken a woman before either; he'd need to be introduced in how to please a woman. Soon Harry Potter would be hers, they hadn't even noticed the sweet she'd slipped in. "He said something odd though, that he was surprised I could afford anything in here."

"Snape probably exaggerated and told him you were all poor," said Hermione flippantly, obviously not brothering to think about it to deeply. If she had, she would have realised the Potions Master didn't exaggerate about anything. In fact he told it how he saw it, and the truth.

"How will he find me?" asked Ginny, visions of her life flashing around her eyes.

"He will, you don't have to worry, finally everything is going according to plan." said Ron smiling widely. When they had Harry where they wanted him, he could convince Sirius to step down as Minister and his girl would become the Minister of Magic. The Weasley name would be known for its greatness, not poor and being a 'blood traitor'.

"Come on then, lets get to the book store," said Hermione radiating excitement.

The three others rolled their eyes in fond exasperation, honestly Hermione would never change.

They Apparated from Hogsmeade to Diagon Alley, and found the bookstore quickly. It was easy to find, since it was a new release a thousand of them were lying around the store with special offers on them. Hermione sighed, if she wasn't so ambitions, this was where she'd be working. She loved books, cared for them and knew them from back to front.

Taking the book as the others waited on her, she took it to pay for it, not interested in any others.

"Five galleons please,"

"Here you go," said Hermione handing over the key, already taking the book and starting to read the first page. Waiting on the teller to take the money from her Gringotts around, her hand out waiting for the key.

"I'm sorry ma'am it's been declined," said the shop assistant removing the book from her surprised numb hands.

"It can't be, you must have made a mistake, please try again," said Hermione trying to remain calm.

Sighing in exasperation, managing to maintain a calm smile, she ran it through again for the results to be the same. "I am sorry it's been declined; please take it up with your bank."

Hermione grabbed the key looking confused; digging into her cloak she pulled up the necessary gold coins and paid for it. What had happened to Gringotts? Had the network been affected by the attack on Diagon Alley? Were none of them working? She'd have to go to Gringotts to find out.

"What's wrong?" asked Ron, seeing the look of confusion on Hermione's face.

"My key was declined," said Hermione baffled, "It must have something to do with the attack, everything must still be wonky." although deep down, she began to suspect it. Not that Hermione would let herself think it never mind say anything.

"I used mine to get sweets days' ago." said Ron shaking his head, "It can't be the attack."

"I must get to Gringotts and find out!" said Hermione her brown eyes fearful, the thoughts stirring like a raging inferno - had her money been taken? No impossible, it was in her vault and it couldn't be touched.

"Let's go," said Sara, worried about her own account now.

"You don't think he did…do you?" asked Ginny her eyes wide as she remembered Potter's earlier words.

"No, he can't do that." said Ron adamantly, as they crossed into the side street that would take them straight to Gringotts.

"I'd like to find out what's happened to my account please," said Hermione kindly, treating the Goblins as she did all magical creatures, as if they were stupid and didn't know what they really wanted. "It's not working is there something wrong with the service?"

"Key please," the goblin ground out between clenched teeth. He was over seventy years old in goblin years, far older than this…human. Yet she had the nerve to speak to him as though he was a baby? By Merlin it sickened him to the core. Why wouldn't she have gone to one of the other goblins?

Hermione haughtily handed over her key, thumping her foot impatiently waiting on an answer.

"This key is no longer in service," said the Goblin a grin unconcealed upon his face. The key burst into flames on his hand before evaporating into steam. Leaving nothing behind, not even a burn mark to show for it.

"What did you do that for?!" shrieked Hermione gathering attention from all the other customers. Who stared unashamed in naked curiosity at what was going on. They all knew her after all she'd tried out to be Minister and lost to Sirius Black.

"Your account is now inactive and closed," said the Goblin straight faced.

"How can that be? I had money in it!" hissed Hermione getting in the goblins face. Jumping back in shock when goblin spears surrounded her and her friends.

"It wasn't Albus Dumbledore's to give, he stole it and its all been replaced." said Wraith making an appearance.

"Now leave this bank," said the goblin that Hermione had started with.

Hermione knew better than to argue, Goblins were ruthless. The amount of wars they'd won attested to that. Stepping down the stairs, all of them looking haggard and worn, if Hermione's was gone…they all knew theirs would be too.

"Ginny Weasley you are herby under arrest for attempted tampering with an illegal love potion. You do not have to say anything; anything you do say will be used against you in front of the Wizengamot. You have the right to a lawyer, if you cannot afford one, the wizengamot will procure one for you." said Shacklebolt.

"WHAT?!" shrieked Ron trying to protect his sister, shoving Shacklebolt out of the way, only to be bound as well. Only then did he realize that Hermione, and her sister were receiving the same treatment.

"What did I do? I didn't stop you!" protested Sara her brown eyes filling with tears.

"For aiding and abetting, you do not have to say anything; anything you do say will be used against you in front of the Wizengamot. You have the right to a lawyer, if you cannot afford one, the wizengamot will procure one for you." said Smith.

"I didn't know!" screeched Sara, "I swear I didn't know." she sobbed as she was led away, Auror Smith paid no mind and force Apparated her to the Ministry of magic. The others received the same treatment.

Auror Shacklebolt took Hermione Granger, Auror Tonks took Sara Granger, and the Head Auror Scrimgeour, took Ronald Weasley.

I know this is supposed to be the last chapter but the ending is just soo abrupt! i want to smoooth over everything, fill out the endings which would cause plot holes and etc...so you will find there's one or two more chapters to do despite my earlier prediction...lol R&R PLEASE!