Petunia smiled, amused as she watched Cornelius Fudge blunder his way into the infirmary, turning back to her nephew as he greeted Madame Pomfrey as if he was Merlin himself; with the grace of a walrus. "Minister Fudge," she greeted him, inclining her head. "I'd like you to meet my nephew, Harry James Evans Potter."

"Mr Potter, its wonderful to finally meet you. My secretary tried to owl you so we could meet, once you entered Hogwarts, for some reason the owls couldn't find you." Fudge's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. Oh he knew he wasn't clever, but he knew very well that his popularity would soar higher with the backing of the Boy Who Lived and his aunt. Especially now that Dumbledore's own popularity was rapidly declining. Petunia Evans-Dursley would be a veritable mine of scandalous information, and a ticket for re-election.

"It's an honour to meet you, Minister." Harry replied smoothly, firmly shaking the overenthusiastic mans hand.

"And you, my boy, and you. I was so happy to hear of your recovery. The nerve of Dumbledore to keep such a dangerous thing around you!" Fudge sat down opposite the pair and helped himself to some tea. "Myself and two Aurors have inspected the school, as well as the so-called 'security' surrounding the Mirror. We didn't find any. Albus still claims he was holding it for a friend. What it doesn't explain was what a Cerberus was doing on the third floor, or an Unspeakable finding the Philosophers Stone doing inside the Mirror itself!"

Petunia quirked an eyebrow in surprise, glancing at Harry. "Would this have anything to do with Hagrid asking you to tea every week, Harry?"

"Rubeus Hagrid?" Fudge questioned.

"Yes, him." Harry confirmed, looking to Petunia for help, relaxing when he received an almost imperceptible nod in return. "He was very odd when I visited, kept blurting out things, like Nicholas Flamel being friends with the headmaster. And he did say something about a three-headed dog named Fluffy."

"Fluffy?" Fudge burst out, eyes widening in shock. "He named that monstrosity Fluffy?"

"It's something well-known in the halls of Hogwarts, that animals Hagrid endears as such, are the ones to be a cause for concern." Harry replied, watching as Fudge swallowed nervously. The half-giant was known even outside of Hogwarts for his love of animals.

"Yes, well..." The older man croaked out, clearing his throat as he cast about for something to say. "Ah, Mrs Dursley-"

"Evans, just Evans, please." Petunia interrupted.

"My apologies, dear. As I was saying Ms Evans, I must ask. The statement you gave to the Daily Prophet - was that truly your reason for faking your death?"

"Yes, it was."

"Then that suffices for me. Back to the investigation, the Wizengamot have decided to, ah, relieve Albus of his duties as both head of our judiciary and representation at the ICW." Fudge's smile was the first real one, or at least convincing, one he had throughout the meeting.

"And the neglect charges, for leaving me on Aunt Tuney's doorstep? It's to my understanding there is no statute of limitations for such a charge, sir." Harry queried, having been taught the game of politics long ago.

"Probation, Mr Potter. He shall be monitored whilst he is still headmaster, and should he be remiss in his duties, we shall intervene."

A dark shadow suddenly dropped over Fudge, who turned around and bolted out of his chair as Severus voiced his approval. "Something I'm sure we're all glad to hear, Minister."

Turning to Petunia and Harry, Fudge quickly made his goodbyes and all but fled out of the infirmary.

"Erm..." Harry felt extremely uncomfortable. He knew there was a history between his aunt and Professor Snape, but he was both tired and confused by the dour mans behaviour, especially after the man gave him his mother's bracelet.

"Sit down, Severus!" Petunia snapped, cutting through the tension sharply. She sat back and smirked as she watched the his lips curl into a sneer, and then into a scowl as he complied. Only someone with years of knowledge would know that it meant he was completely flustered and didn't have a clue what to do.

"Enjoy your stroll in the forest, Potter?" He sniped, absolutely not yelping at another stinging hex from Petunia, causing Harry to snort.

"I think someone has some apologies to make, don't you?" Petunia pointedly looked at Severus, daring him to defy her.

"I think not," he haughtily replied, before another scowl etched onto his face.

Petunia stood and made to leave. "I'll come and visit you later, Harry." She hugged him tightly and then held him at arm's length. "You know how to reach me if you need me. Talk to me if you feel this way again, alright?" She ran her fingers through his hair before straightening up. "And you," she rounded on Severus. "Let's see what happens if you don't do what I say, shall we? I have to see Minerva to see what we're going to do about our colourfully-robed coffin dodger now." She sniffed before briskly trotting out of the infirmary.

"Professor, I..."

"What, Potter?" Severus bit out. He bit down his remark about overemotional Gryffindors, grudgingly accepting to himself that whether Harry was Potter's child or not, he was not the reincarnate.

"Thank you, for, you know. The bracelet."

Clearing his throat, Severus nodded. "You're welcome." He mustered up his courage before clearing his throat again. "Potter, I-"

"Harry."

"What?" He questioned sharply, the little bugger had the nerve to interrupt him!

"Call me Harry."

Severus swallowed back a retort. He thought he may as well, seeing as Tuney wanted him to make nice with him. And maybe play happy families, eh old boy? His mind quipped. "I... apologise. For the way I've treated you. You are obviously not your father." There. It was done. Tuney had no reason punish him now. Honestly, he thought to himself. The woman's a bloody menace.

"Thank you, Professor." Harry beamed. He could get used to a nice Snape. Of course, he know it would be a slow process, the man would still be as gruff and sarcastic as he had always been, but he knew if he wasn't, Aunt Tuney would strike a deep fear within him.

"Severus." The man corrected.

"What?" Harry replied, confused.

"Call me Severus, Pot-Harry." He couldn't believe he was doing this. "Seeing as we're probably going to spend more time together, outside of school, now that your Aunt has no need to hide anymore."

Harry's eyes were as wide, he definitely didn't see that coming. Quickly, he got over his shock and smiled slyly. "Okay, Severus. I can do that."