Disclaimer: I own nothing
Well here is an update. And after some tweaking...this chapter let's me have a few more about the school year. Oh and this whole story is not HBP or DH compliant!
Thanks for the reviews!!
Chapter 13: The Hearing
Harry awoke the next morning to a soft voice singing.
We're one, you & I
We're like the earth & sky.
One family under the sun.
All the wisdom to lead,
All the courage that you will need . . .
You'll find when you see
We're one . . .
He opened his eyes and put on his glasses only to find his aunt sifting through his wardrobe. "Morning," Harry yawned sitting up.
"Morning love," Alisia smiled turning around, "I hope you don't mind but I wanted you to look you best today so I picked out your clothes," she said placing the clothing on his bed.
"Okay; thanks…umm Aunt Alisia can I speak with you for a bit?" Harry asked nervously.
"Sure Harry. You can always talk to me about anything," she smiled softly sitting on the bed.
"Well it's about the hearing today," he said.
"You don't have to worry Harry. They'll ask you some things about each of us and gage your attitude then they'll take you out and question us. Then a short recess and they'll give their judgment," Alisia explained.
"It's not that…it's…well it's…" Harry sighed not sure what to say. He'd thought long and hard about this and was afraid to tell her.
"Harry just tell me," Alisia said brushing his messy hair back a bit.
He sighed and looked at her sadly. "I feel bad because I don't want to go with the Weasleys…but I don't want to go with you and Snape."
"Professor."
"Right…well I don't want to go with Professor/ Uncle Snape and you either. I'd rather live with my grandparents," Harry said hurriedly hoping it would cushion the blow.
Tears formed in Alisia's brilliant green eyes as she patted his hand gently.
"Don't tell mum just yet in case they decide differently…but I'm sure she will be thrilled if they choose her to know you chose her as well," Alisia smiled.
"You're not mad?" Harry asked.
"Sweetie I could never stay mad at James and I can't even try to be mad at you. But let's keep this our secret for now yes?" she asked wiping her eyes a bit.
"All right," Harry nodded and smiled. The two embraced warmly before she pulled back and stood.
"We're leaving in an hour so you'll want to hurry up for breakfast," she said. He nodded and climbed out of bed as she left the room.
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"I had a feeling he'd choose that," Severus said as he and Alisia were in their room dressing for the hearing.
"So did I. No one can resist mother," she sighed brushing her auburn curls.
"We'll still see him at school and on Holidays," Severus said bending down to her at the vanity so they were eye level.
She looked in the mirror at him and smiled. "You're right. You always are," she smiled and kissed his cheek.
"I know. Now let's get going. I have the feeling there may be a meeting tonight," he sighed, "will you please stay with your parents?"
"No."
"I didn't think so," he sighed, "at least keep Brian with you."
"Brian will love to have your side of the bed," she teased and kissed his lips softly as they left the bedroom.
Harry was sitting outside of the courtroom with the Weasleys and Hermione as the Minister and others interrogated the others. They had already interrogated the Weasleys.
"So what's it like having Snape as an Uncle?" Ron asked flabbergasted at all his best mate had told him since that morning…well not all of the secrets were told.
"I didn't really see him much he stayed in the basement a lot," Harry shrugged, "But he's good at poker."
"What about Alisia. She seems nice," Hermione interjected.
"She's great! You'd like her Hermione she's like some sort of genius or something…actually a jack of all trades," Harry grinned.
"Don't you mean an Alisia of all trades?" Ginny asked. The others laughed at the joke.
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"Minerva McGonagall tell us why you are a fit guardian for one Harry Potter," Amelia Bones replied.
"Lily Evans Potter was like a daughter to me in many ways. In the same fashion Harry is like a grandson to me. I believe that with me as his guardian he will have more stability and a better home life along with a better understanding outside of school of the wizarding world," Minerva replied.
"Very well you and the Headmaster may leave," Amelia nodded.
The Deputy and Headmaster bowed respectfully and exited the courtroom as Alisia and Severus were called to the stand.
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"Well how was it?" Harry asked jumping up as soon as Minerva and Albus came out.
"It went very well I think," Albus said with a wink.
"Professor why is it you want Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Many reasons Miss Granger. The chief among them is that I think he needs someone to rely on and more stability in his life," Minerva answered as Harry flashed her a smile.
Ten minutes later Severus and Alisia came out only to go in a corner and converse quietly together away from everyone.
Thirty minutes later everyone was called back into the courtroom to hear the decision.
"After reviewing all the material and listening to the testimonies form the child and petitioners we have made our decision," Madam Bones replied standing. The adults nodded and all came forward.
"Mr. and Mrs. Weasley we do not think it is beneficiary to Mr. Potter to have you as his guardians on the account of you already with seven children and limited means to provide. Professor Snape and McDore; though you are by blood Mr. Potter's aunt and uncle you have shown no care of having him until this moment. We do not believe you good for his well being and think you unfit to have him in your home. But there is no denying you are in fact his blood relatives."
"As for you Professor McGonagall…we are uncertain why an unmarried professor would want custody of one of her many students and not sure your schedule will give you the opportune devotion it takes to raise a child. Then of course we must realize that Mr. Potter is almost sixteen and will be an official adult by next summer. As such he will only be obligated to a home for a year. But still we must decide which home would be the best environment for him," Bones continued.
All three women grabbed their husbands' hands for comfort.
"After much thought we've decided that…sole custody of one Harry James Potter is to be given to Professor Minerva Catherine McGonagall. But visitation is to be granted to Alisia McDore. Case is dismissed," Madam Bones said and tapped her gavel as she and the other members of the hearing filed out of the room.
Harry said goodbye to the Weasleys and flew into Minerva's arms.
"I was kind of hoping it'd be you," he grinned pulling back a bit.
"Oh Harry," Minerva laughed and hugged him tighter. Albus chuckled and ruffled Harry's hair a bit.
"You think he wanted to stay with the Professor?" Ron asked as he and his family left with Hermione.
"Seems like it," Ginny shrugged as they left the room.
Harry let go of his grandmother and walked over to where Alisia and Severus were embracing. They pulled back and looked down at Harry.
"Uncle Severus…I'll see you at Christmas?" Harry asked.
"I suspect so if Alisia's parents don't invite us first," Severus said with a rare smile.
Harry laughed and shook Severus' hand and gave Alisia a hug.
"I look forward to having you in my potions class Mr. Potter… that is if you've gotten the required OWLs," she smirked handing him an envelope.
"Wh-what?" Harry blinked looking at the envelope.
"It came in the mail this morning. We asked the Weasleys to wait to give theirs to Ron and Hermione and they agreed. We all thought it'd be better if you all opened this after the hearing," she smiled.
Harry tore open the envelope and quickly reading through the letter. A smile graced his features.
"Good news?" Minerva asked with a smile. Harry nodded and handed the letter to Alisia to read aloud.
Dear Mr. Potter,
The following is your practical and theoretical scores in your O.W.L examinations.
Ministry of Magic Magical Examiner
Janet Ringing
Defense against the Dark Arts
Theory…………O+
Practical………O+
Transfigurations
Theory…………E
Practical………O
Potions
Theory…………E
Practical………E
History of Magic
Theory…………P
Divination
Theory…………P
Practical………T
Care of Magical Creatures
Theory…………A
Practical………E
Charms
Theory…………E
Practical………E
Herbology
Theory…………A
Practical………A
Astronomy
Theory…………A
Practical………P
Alisa finished reading and looked up at him beaming. "Harry these scores are excellent. And you are definitely in my class this year," she grinned.
"I look forward to seeing you do as well in Defense," Severus replied.
"Yes sir," Harry nodded.
"Come on Harry," Minerva smiled, "We'll go get your school supplies and some ice cream and then go home."
"Great!" Harry exclaimed.
"And I think a trip to Weasley Wizarding Wheezes for his excellent job is in order as well," Albus chuckled.
Alisia and Severs watched the family walk off before leaving themselves to home. Severus then had to go off to a meeting leaving his wife at home.
Alisia noticed it was very quiet without her parents and Harry and looked forward to having her little bundle with her; but for now she sat down and worked on her lesson plans for the coming school year.