Disclaimers: I do not own Harry Potter or the characters mention in the books or gain money out of it.
Sorry for taking so long this month has been hectic and for the record I changed chapter three thinking the website would considered it an update but it did not happen. Well sorry for the wait and hope you enjoy. Please anyone volunteer for to be my beta writer I am in desperate need of one.
Heir of Merlin: Blood of a Prince
Chapter 4: The kingdom falls
Lily felt a great depression once she set foot on the Great Hall and there was not even a shadow of her ex-best friend Severus Snape. Ofcourse she knew he would not show up, Remus had told her at the train but that did not stop her from searching for a tall young lad with greasy hair and green robes. And once her search left her empty handed the sadness she had shelter increased. She was sure her Severus was gone forever now; she will no longer see him.
Tear filled her eyes as she bend down to prevent them being seen by any of her friends.
The sorting past briefly and it was finally time for the Headmaster to make a speech; which usually consisted of three random words that made no sense together. But today the Headmaster showed an expression of grief and sadness. He silenced the hall with ringing of a bell as he slowly looked at every student.
"Welcome to another year of Hogwarts where we hope you befriend new people and learn the art of becoming an outstanding citizen for our community. For the first years the Forbidden Forest in truly forbidden, hence the name." Many laugh at this.
"Also I expect the older student to help the younger settle in and in any way possible with their work for that is the reason of Housing to help the young the way an older sibling would help their young brother or sister" Many nodded and a few grim at the announcement.
"I am sadly to announce some terrible news. I am sure you have all heard of Lord Prince a generous man who has donated much money to our dear school for the past 20 years" This got the attention of all the student including those who were sneaking food to their mouth. Many knew he donated about 3/5 of the money Hogwarts received. Any news about him was worth hearing.
"Our dear Lord has heard about many discriminations and assaults occurring in Hogwarts and has decided the school is no longer worthy of receiving any more funds from him" An scandalous started as many could not believe what they heard. Removal of 3/5 of the donation could be fatal in any way. And it just happens this year was the ten year renewal of supplies for the school. Without that money they would not have enough funds to get new materials for any classes. All students knew this after hearing their professor complain about their old cauldrons, brooms, etc. and how they could not wait to have new ones next year. Whispering in the Hall became extremely loud where you could not even hear yourself think. The Headmaster rose from his seat and pointed his wand to his neck.
"SILENCE!" The room froze as all heads turn to their Headmaster ashamed they close their mouth and returned to complete serenity.
"The Lord had given us until December to solve this problem. Starting in January he would send two family members to check and inform him of the statues of student behavior" He finished by bowing his head.
"This is all Gryffindor's fault always bullying innocent people" were heard from the Slytherin table as many silently agree with the shouter. "You should not talk you racist pig" James Potter shouted back as his friends nodded and repeated the words of their friends.
"Oh shut up"
"Oh please you should not talk"
"This all your fault"
The shouting and accusation dissolve into screaming until once more not a single word could be understand in the hall.
"SILENCE! This kind of behavior is why Lord Prince no longer was to help an outstanding school like Hogwarts. I understand you wish to blame this on someone but first you should see if you have something to be blame of before blaming someone else." The twinkle on his eyes had banished and replaced with two blue stone which at the moment show no mercy. "We will continue this tomorrow morning." These words were the key for their release from the hall.
In the other hand the teachers did not move a muscle until the last student exited from the Hall. "Well, that went well" Commented Panoma. "Oh please that was horrible we should not only blame the student for this after all we had an immense role by allowing it to get out of hands all this years." Minerva informed to which many answer by looking away with shame.
Albus looked at his staff and with a serious question asked. "Do you know why Mister Snape was removed from the school?" All of them shook their heads implying a no. Removal of a student in late years was rare, especially from an outstanding school like Hogwarts. Usually students would transfer from other schools to theirs. "We should worry about the problem at hand and not on a single student who decided to leave the school" The head of Slytherin inform to which many agree.
"Mister Snape is the key as to why Lord Prince had remove his donations" The Headmaster explain as he let this sink in before continuing "The day he showed up to tell me about his retraction he first asked me about promising students who could be given scholarships." Many looked confused at him. How a conversation of good fortune led them to this.
"I gave him a list of what I believe were promising students commented by many of you. He asked me why Mister Snape was not present." Many looked at one another with worried.
"What were his grades in class?" asked, the aged Headmaster in general. Silence covered the Head table when they all whispered the same answer 'Outstanding'.
"For how long has he kept these grades?" He questioned them again. A brave soul at the end of the table answered "Since he entered Hogwarts."
"Why do tell, an amazing student like him has not received any positive comments from any of you?" Horace was the first to recuperated and answer. "The boy cheats Headmaster he could do any work in the classroom but refuses to answer any question when asked."
"That does not necessarily mean he's cheating it could be that he's shy" Madam Pomprey informed. "What have you all done to prove this theory?"
"I gave him an extra test after every class" Minerva informed stiffly when she discovered the other teaches eye on her. As Deputy Head she had to set example and meant taking any problem and scan it deeply. "The boy pass with flying colors" The hope in the other teachers banished. They had followed Minerva's example with the same results. The only difference between them and her she could not place comments because being Deputy Head meant no favoritism.
"So this outstanding student has been shout out by every single one of us"
Once everyone had entered the Gryffindor's common rooms the shouting started again. "What am I going to do if the Lord Prince doesn't not donate I cannot attend school next year my parents cannot afford Hogwarts" About all muggle-borns agree on this considering their tuition was paid by such donation.
"I don't want to go back to muggle-school it's horrible"
"That's beside the point we are Wizards we cannot go back there"
Serius could not understand why people were crying over a rich man who decided he would not donated anymore and he betted the only reason he was retreating his money was because he found out he was helping muggles-borns. Probably a Slytherin when he was at school. He looked at the prefects who had taken the job of their Head House in helping the first years settle in. Since they were occupied he decided he would light up the mood.
"Come on guys why are you are all brooding? you know what you all need? A good laugh. How about a prank on the Slyherins should turns those frowns upside up" He informed them. Instead of sparkly eyes and smiles he expected he received many disgusted looks. That hurt his ego a bit as he tried to looked for a face that would light it up.
"That's the type of behavior it gut us on this disaster. You are a disgrace for the Gryffindor House" Frank Longbottom comment him to which he received many nods of agreement from their House mates. Serius turned his head at his friends who were receiving the same looks from everyone. He had a feeling this year was not going to be a sweet year.
Why? This should have been the perfect year with Snivillus finally out of Hogwarts. He bet the slimy git had something to do with this probably went to one of his pure-blood friends to tattle tale about them.
"Why are you blaming us it's those Slytherins always disgracing your blood-statues remember" Serius shouted to the comment room. Many seem to agree with this to which he was glad.
"Then maybe all you should had been Sytherins considering you are no different than them" Lily shouted angrily. "I bet you are the reason Severus left this school he could no longer stand and see your disgusted faces, he was more Gryffindor than you will ever be" Silence set on the common room.