Honestly I didn't expect to be able to post so soon, but if the plot bunnies call I answer them fatefully.

Please enjoy!

Chapter 8: Into the open

Fourteen year old forced into dangerous Tournament

Boy-who-lived-to-be-adopted

Saviour abused by muggles

Imagine my surprise dear readers when I arrived at the Weighing of Wands ceremony and found FOUR champions instead of three. Yes Harry Potter, our beloved saviour and boy-who-lived, was chosen to participate, against his will so the rumours have. Statements from fellow students confirmed that he swore his innocence as soon as his name was read. Others added that young Mr Potter looked very desperate and fearful. One would cry out for less, as Mr Potter is put against students three years his senior and having to face tasks that can prove deadly.

Your charming reporter did not manage to secure herself an interview with Mr Potter on the spot, but was instead approached by the infamous Potions Master of Hogwarts, Severus Snape himself. He invited me to lunch and a private interview with Mr Potter the next day. Naturally I jumped at such an opportunity and so it happened that I found myself in the snake pit the following afternoon. And what a shock! Instead of going for house pride and decorating his quarters like a Christmas tree, professor Snape has chosen a tasteful scheme in cream and brown. An excellent meal awaited us, coupled with yet another bombshell. It seems that professor Snape has finally taken up the mantle of Lord Prince of the Ancient and most Noble House of Prince!

Brace yourselves, my dear readers, for this was only the start of a very illuminating afternoon. Lord Prince, as I will refer professor to, is the only son of the late Eileen Prince, who started a scandal in the late 50's when she ran away to marry a muggle. Her father, the late Lord Augustus Prince, disowned her but for reason hitherto unknown he did not do the same for her son. As such Severus Snape is the last of the Ancient and most Noble House of Prince. When I asked what had driven Lord Prince what had driven him to accepting his inheritance at last, he told me that it was the only way to adopt Harry Potter!

This adoption brings us to the crux of the matter. After young Harry tragically lost both his parents on Halloween, 1981, he was taken to his only immediate family: Mrs Petunia Dursley née Evans. This muggle woman is Lily Potter's sister and the only person available to take Harry Potter in, or so Professor Dumbledore must have thought. Here he disregarded the fact that many purebloods are interrelated and that Harry Potter could have been taken in by a large number of people. Perhaps it was fear for Death Eaters getting their hands on the boy-who-lived that drove him to it, or something else yet unknown.

I voiced my curiousness as to the reason for the adoption, the enmity between Lord Prince and the late James Potter being a well-known fact, and got an answer that frankly enraged me. The Dursley family had abused and neglected their nephew. Mr Potter suffers from the long-term effects of malnutrition, hadn't gotten any shots and had several bones that needed to be regrown for they had never been set right! Any further enquiries where left unanswered to spare Mr Potter's privacy, although this fact in itself tells its own tale.

During all of this it was mostly Lord Prince who answered me. Harry Potter was obviously uncomfortable with the attention and even ashamed of the abuse. Wanting an honest response of the lost young man sitting before me, I asked about his new life with Lord Prince. I hit gold, lovely readers, for Mr Potter lit up and lost his shyness. Not only had he gotten his first proper wardrobe in his life, he had been taken to his parents' former homes and had visited their graves to pay them his proper respect. Lord Prince had encouraged him to rethink his study options and had given him plenty of support when he chose to change his optional courses. Not a bad word was said about Lord Prince; Mr Potter had only praises and thankfulness for his new guardian.

The two interacted very well with each other, only affection being expressed instead of the expected animosity. One reason for this might be the rather startling change in looks on behalf of Mr Potter. Previously the boy-who-lived wore rather unfashionable glasses and oversized clothing coupled with what can only be described as a bird's nest on his head. One has to wonder how we all missed the clear signs of neglect. Now however Mr Potter wears his hair long, as is becoming of an Heir of his status and has discarded the glasses, presenting his jewel like eyes to the world. When compared to photos of his parents, Mr Potter now shares a remarkable likeness with his mother instead of his father.

All in all we can only be happy that someone has finally stepped in and saved our saviour. It was clearly needed, as all adults in Mr Potter's life have done nothing to rectify the awful situation he was in. One has to wonder about our prejudice when it comes to all things Slytherin when such a case comes to our attention.

For the article on the Weighing of Wands ceremony, go to page 2

For more information on adoption of Heirs, go to page 5

For the most famous elopement scandals of the last 50 years, go to Page 6

Lucius Malfoy, Lord of the most Noble House of Malfoy, could honestly admit that he admired his wife's intelligence and cunning, or at least he could do so in the privacy of his own mind. Narcissa carried herself with marvellous ease, wonderfully masking her emotions in front of strangers, and most importantly their Lord. She had had objections from the start about joining the Dark Lord. Blacks bowed to no one after all. When their fathers had first introduced them to the ideals and plans of Lord Voldemort, she had been convinced of the advantages of supporting the Dark Lord. Her fears had been soothed and for a while she had happily served their Lord to the best of her abilities.

Then the Dark Lord had begun to lose his mental faculties and it had sparked the first of many fights. She had not changed her behaviour around their master, but Lucius knew it was only an act. His wife was not a master of occlumency and had gone as far as to keep referring to the Dark Lord reverently in her own mind so as not to slip up in his presence. Only at home did she allow herself to cut loose and speak her true thoughts.

Later Harry Potter vanquished their Lord and gave them a welcome reprieve. They needed the peace to raise Draco, which also meant he didn't put a lot of work towards searching for their Lord. He had feared the consequences, but here his Lord was: as sane as he had been at the beginning and far more capable. The ideas he had put forward since his arrival at Malfoy Manor were incredible, they would revolutionize the wizarding world! Lucius felt giddy as he thought of the glorious future that lay in wait.

Absentmindedly Lucius accepted the Daily Prophet from Libby and perused the front page. His eyes nearly fell out as he tried to understand what he was reading. Severus adopting the Potter boy? Playing house with their Lord's vanquisher?! What in the world was he thinking? Granted their Lord had declared that he had no issue with Potter anymore, but Severus couldn't have know that. He was somewhat pleased with his friend taking his rightful position in society, but it hardly seemed to matter when faced with this…

Pushing his chair back so violently it clattered to the ground, he rushed towards the rooms he had offered his Lord. Their Lord needed to know and quickly. Trying to hide it was impossible and it would only do more harm, not less. He feared for his friend's fate, even as he felt the sting of betrayal. He had known that Severus had disliked what the Dark side had become, but to go this far? And hide it from everyone until the truth couldn't be withheld anymore?

As Lucius reached the ornate doors he tried to compose himself a bit. Storming in like a madman was not sensible. His Lord was extremely fond his privacy and tended to curse those who startled him. A soft "Come in" followed his knock and he entered the guest room that hosted his Lord. Pettigrew had been dismissed swiftly after arrival and Hilly, an old nurse elf, had taken over the care for their Lord. She did her job well and in just a weekend their Lord looked rather healthy for a snake hybrid homunculus.

Kneeling before the chair Lucius offered the Daily Prophet, captions towards his Lord. It was taken from his hand, but he stayed in the same position, fearing the anger that was sure to follow. His apprehension grew as the silence lasted…and lasted. At last he heard a sound, but not one he expected. He raised his head in shock, unwilling to believe his ears. His Lord was laughing! Not screaming or cursing, enraged by what was surely a betrayal.

"Lucius. Stand up. There is no need to crouch before me like a spineless fool when you are far from it. Don't look so surprised. This is a very interesting bit of news. I've always wondered… I assume you can fire call Severus privately?"

Lucius wondered at the strange question, but answered it truthfully. He was a bit anxious at his next instructions, but understood the necessity of hearing Severus' side. Furthermore it would be no hardship to dine with his old friend.

Every single dread Severus had felt since he had adopted the son of his arch nemesis and sworn enemy of his Lord seemed to have accumulated in his stomach. Lucius' invitation for dinner was expected, the implication their Lord would be there as well not so much. Ever since Harry's description of the Dark Lord's soul, he had wondered about his state of mind. The move to Malfoy Manor and the dinner seemed to indicate a favourable change, but Severus was careful to keep his hopes locked up. He might have turned just before the war and therefore hadn't had the chance to really become a spy, but as things stood his first and foremost objective was to keep Harry save and sound.

The necklace made a soft sound as it came in contact with a button. He looked down at the simple, yet elegant silver lily he had turned into a Portkey. It was one of many precautions. Severus desperately wanted to survive this night to see Harry grow up. The adoption might have been because of Lily initially, but his view of Harry as either of his parents had long since changed. A glance towards a shut door steeled his resolve. He would come out of this on top so he could protect the treasure he had been entrusted with.

Dinner with Lucius and Narcissa had been slightly stilted, but pleasant. Narcissa was always a perfect hostess, not matter the circumstance and they had found plenty topics to ignore the elephant in the room. At one point a somewhat hysteric thought had entered Severus' mind; in school Lucius had once joked that if Severus ever got his Lordship and an heir, he would sign a betrothal to the Malfoy heir. It had been a drunken evening though and Severus wasn't sure why the memory came upon him now. One thing was sure: he hoped Harry wouldn't be interested in boys for a long time.

Afterwards they made themselves comfortable in a cosy sitting room, reserved for close family and friends. An old house elf had entered carrying what could only be their Lord. Severus hid his disgust at the absolute mess Pettigrew had created, instead trying to come up with ways to restore their Lord. It helped to calm his nerves and doubled as an excellent occlumency technique. Completely blanking thoughts out was stupid and suspicious when with a legilimency master like their Lord. Thinking something in line with your character was far more efficient.

Somewhat to Severus' surprise their Lord didn't demand bows and excessive prostrating. He didn't throw around the cruciatus curse like it was candy on Halloween either. He merely sat there, looking at Severus with those unnerving red eyes. The silence lasted long, almost too long, but in a way it was a relief. Their master might have regained his sanity, which was without doubt by now nevertheless he hadn't changed intrinsically. Human nature craves familiar patterns and a break in those is always uncomfortable.

"You have done well Severus. Without realizing it you have furthered my most imported plans concerning Harry Potter. I see you're surprised, although you've surely discovered my Horcruxes by now. You see, they took away my sanity, my intelligence even as they anchored me to life. Mr Potter did me a big favour Saturday night and I fully intend to repay him. He will not need to fear death by my hand. The prophecy is nothing to me now, though I regret that two capable people died such useless deaths. I know Lily Potter's death made a spy of you, it is all so clear now."

Severus reeled back. He had not anticipated that he would be found out so quickly. Still the Dark Lord made no move to curse or otherwise torture him. He quelled his anger at hearing Lily's death being described as useless. The Dark Lord meant unnecessary, nothing else and he knew it. The Potters had been a prime target anyway, what with taking such a prominent spot on the opposite side. It had been a matter of time before fate caught up.

"Your mind is as quick as ever. Don't try to shield it, I ordered to spike your food so your barriers would be weakened. I need you at my side, Severus. There is no Potion Master with your talent in all of Britain and you are one of my best duellists. You're most important quality however is your brilliant mind. Since I've returned to my original state of mind, I've been revising plans. War is not an option anymore, nor is our narrow-minded attitude when it comes to blood and heritage. It is time for change or we will face extinction, not only of our traditions but also of our world."

In his office Dumbledore lay down the paper to rub his temples. He could feel the headache building with this latest news, but smiled all the same. He had failed both boys in very different, but equally damaging ways. He truly believed he had done everything he could, even if hindsight proved him wrong. If he ever preached the Greater Good, he meant that of his precious people.

In Severus' case he hadn't known that the bullying had gotten so out of hand. His many jobs, pushed onto him by purebloods, kept him far too busy. When he had received the full account at last, it had been too late. Severus had been alienated from the Light entirely thanks to two spoiled children. Punishment for what happened at the shrieking shack was made impossible as well by Lord Black, who threatened with serious consequences should it ever be made public.

As for young Harry, Dumbledore fully acknowledged that he had acted too hasty and trusted the wrong people. In his defence, he had been anxious to prevent any pureblood Death Eaters from claiming and adopting Harry. His believe in family was naïve he saw that now. He should have known better with his own family! In his panic he had condemned a little boy to ten awful years and even more summers. Still if the Malfoys, who had had the strongest claim at the time, had seen their chance, Harry might have been dead by now.

Dumbledore stroked Fawkes over his head, the mere presence of the magnificent bird comforting him. He was growing too old to keep up all of this, but daren't let any job go. If a truly unsuitable person stepped in all would be for nought. If only he had someone he trusted. Someone who could replace him on the politic scene. There was so much he wanted to change in Hogwarts, so it could finally live up to its legend.

Last chapter someone commented on Narcissa being contradicting in not wanting to serve, yet addressing Voldemort as her Lord all the same. So I explained that in this chapter. My Dumbledore is an old man who has taken on too much, but can't let any responsibility go. He isn't evil, just silly and tired.

Hope you enjoy it!