As I am NOT the original author of the Harry Potter series, who as anyone should know is the wonderful JKR who lets us play with her world. I don't own a darn thing here. On with the story.
Chapter 38 Hogwarts Happenings
That night down in the dungeons of Hogwarts Professor Severus Snape sat in the hidden lair he created shortly after taking over from the collector of favors that preceded him as Potions' instructor. Enjoying letting his finger caress his special overstuffed chair that he'd had covered with the tanned skin of his victims during the first reign of the Dark Lord. Remembering the pleasures each one had bought before, during, or after death. Despite his other fault's Goyle had proven to be an excellent tanner even able to keep the hair intact when requested he remembered fingering a particular fond v shaped blond patch.
In his honest moments he would admit his fighting skills were slightly below Bellatrix and Lucius, He felt it was the lack of sheer joy those two felt when killing someone that allowed them to surpass him. However only his master and mentor the Dark Lord himself surpassed his dark charm skills while none rivaled his skill in potions. Take these rooms for example, while it was true the wards weren't as good as the Dark Lords Severus felt most of that could be traced to the fact he decided it wasn't really necessary to use virgin witches as sacrifices to anchor and power the wards. He felt the muggle virgins that he sacrificed instead once a year during the summer where sufficient. Although they did rank below house elves in usefulness they were good enough for what he required. What I miss in quality I make up for in quantity was the way he thought about it. This his own "Chamber of Secrets" if he was feeling colorful, was where he brought the special potions ingredients those rarest of the rare items the Dark Lord seemed to be the only one that could acquire; vials containing the blood, hair, and other body parts of a veela, werewolf, and vampire; basilisk venom and actual basilisk body parts to name a but few. When the Dark Lord had fallen he'd salvaged these from the ruins of the building hiding them from the ministry and those who wished to profit from them. He knew if he could get around the ministry selling them would bring him untold riches, more than enough to retire on. The look on his Lord's face when he returned those ingredients to him the summer he'd returned was worth far more than mere money, his joy only increased when in front of all the other death eaters his Lord had said, "Well done my fateful servant."
He relaxed enjoying going over his plans for when the Dark Lord destroyed that walking toothache called Harry Potter. If things went according to plan he would offer Draco his choice between the weasel girl and that Mudblood bitch. Severus planned on using the other one to properly charge his wards then have a little fun. He'd found young girls tended to scream less once they were dead and it didn't bother his enjoyment much at all.
Draco, his godson, a fact He'd been forced to reveal to Dumbledore in his pleading to keep the boy at Hogwarts as the Dark Lord wanted. Draco had seen his opportunity and taken it with great skill, too bad he hadn't succeeded. He'd finished questioning the boy just before Dumbledore had summoned him and together they were able to deflect the old man's suspicions. He had encouraged Lucius years ago to insure his son was a passable Occlumens by this year Draco was outstanding. He could cause a Legilimens to think they were viewing a real memory while insuring they were viewing a false memory. A talent that had proven it's worth today.
Severus knew his mind was drifting but that was one effect of his special potion. It had taken him several years of research and more than one or two test muggles but they were always willing to try something if there was the promise of a high to go with it. The final potion was non-addictive in the medical sense. But the peace and relaxation it created within the imbiber were unparalleled. It allowed him total detachment and relaxation while keeping a very slight sense of the real world. Reaching over he grabbed a shaker situated beside his chair and shook the contents putting a coating on the potion that was more like putting a dusting of nutmeg on eggnog than anything else, This slight addition changed the properties of the potion allowing his mind and senses free reign the feeling strongly resembled what the muggles called tripping.
Naturally to anyone who knew the Potions master there was a second shaker one kept locked away, even in this room, the contents of that shaker when added to the potion caused blind obedience to the first voice the imbiber person heard. Of course he also had it combined in a potion that proved to be quite useful around virgin teenage muggles.
The burning on his left arm brought his slight grasp on reality back to the forefront of his mind. 'Damn and I was right in the middle of a good one.' Snape thought as he forced himself out of the chair staggering over to where a flask stood by the only entrance to these chambers. 'I've got to improve the taste of this' he thought taking a quick sip of the counter potion. He was in full possession of his facilities before he exited into the corridor outside the potions lab. He didn't stop to notify anyone as he rushed to the one closest spot where he could apparate to the Dark Lord. The last thought before he left was how funny it was that the wizards of the light claimed it was impossible to apparate to a person yet every death eater did it automatically when summoned to the Dark Lord's presence.
"Severus you're late again as usual." Wormtail said releasing him from the secure apparition room.
"I am also the only one who has to get out from under anti-apparition wards. The Dark Lord is aware of my restrictions. Any hint of what he wants?"
"Lucius received an owl shortly before HE was asking for you, that is all I know."
'Draco must have complained to his father about his treatment.' Snape thought as he steeled himself to enter the Dark Lord's presence.
"Severus my loyal follower, Lucius brought me news this evening of the goings on at Hogwarts. It seems a child of my loyal followers was hospitalized with injuries and Draco has been restricted to the common room. Additionally all this time there are Goblin guards walking around guarding a mudblood! But do you know what is the worst part of this…" Voldemort stormed.
"No my Lord," Snape ventured knowing he was in for it regardless of his actions.
"That I had to find all this out from a child. My loyal death eater on the Hogwarts staff failed to inform me the goblins were guarding the Mudblood! Curio!" Voldemort called out his wand pointed at Snape who promptly fell to the floor his body shaking with spasms as the pain coursed through him. Voldemort raised his wand releasing Snape after 45 seconds.
'That wasn't the worst one yet.' Snape thought as laid still recovering only to hear "Curio," as his master re-cast the curse on him.
60 seconds later Voldemort once again raised his wand and waited for Snape to recover his senses. "Severus the knowledge of the goblins appointing the Mudblood as their ambassador should have come from you instead of my contact at the ministry. I now have to change my approach in dealing with them. Bellatrix educate Severus as to what is expected of him in the future. I find he needs a lot more persuasion than most. I need deal with the death eater who was negotiating with the goblins."
Severus had enough time for the thought 'Ahh crap,' to enter his conscious mind before he heard twin voices call out "Curio!"
The next morning the fifth year Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students were making their way to the potions lab then they were intercepted by Cho Chang, the Head Girl saying, "Potion classes have been canceled for the day." As an impromptu cheer when up Cho decided this was the reason she'd been selected to give the notice here rather than in the great hall during breakfast.
Naturally it took only a few hours before the last student was notified and the speculation was well underway as to the cause of the cancellation.
The truth was Snape, while actually at Hogwarts, was in no condition to teach. His body still had tremors from the Cruciatus Curse severe enough that standing for any length of time were problematic at best. They also caused his hands to shake so badly it rendered him unable to brew any potions. Dumbledore had offered to brew some fresh Cruciatus relief potion but Snape had declined saying he had sufficient quantities on hand. Aware that Dumbledore may drop in to visit him he relaxed in his normal rooms while constantly wishing for the greater comfort his lair held. There he would have been able to disconnect his mind until his body recovered sufficiently to teach.
All he could do now was try relax in his overstuffed chair in front of the fireplace and curse the source of all his misery, 'Harry bloody Potter. If only Lily had responded to my pleas with her not to marry James Potter. Unknown to either of us at the time I had fallen for her during our first year but it wasn't until their fourth that we had dated officially. Shortly after Halloween our fifth year I did done something stupid and she'd gone on a date with James Potter on a dare. That had been the end of me. She'd married James right after school and so close to nine months later that there was talk Harry was born. I'd heard the first part of the prophecy when Dumbledore confronted me about what I'd heard I pleaded for time to think. Instead I quickly apparated to the Dark Lord and confessed all. He shown me how to hide information within his mind and when Dumbledore re-taught me Legilimency so I could be his spy the old trusting fool never penetrated far enough into my mind to discover my duplicity'.
A sip of his nerve potion taken with shaky hands interrupted his thoughts for only the time it took to raise it and lower it again, 'If only Lily had allowed the dark lord to kill the infant, The Dark Lord would have been victorious and nothing would have been left to stand in his way. With James and his offspring dead we could have married and raised as many yard rats as she wanted, but no matter how much I begged her that night to relax and let the Dark Lord deal with the infant she refused. Despite my holding her struggling body away from the boy so she couldn't interfere somehow she made a last ditch effort to save that brat. It ended up killing her as I held her in my arms while saving that same Harry bloody Potter and causing the Dark Lord to disappear. Every time I see the boy it reminds me of that night when the love of my life died in my arms protecting that useless spoiled brat son of a Potter. I don't suppose it would have hurt so much if she had married anyone but one of that gang of Gryffindor bullies.
'The night two years ago when I was summoned once again into the Dark Lords presence for the first time in over a decade was a joyous occasion. I begged the Dark Lord to let me return to Hogwarts and kill Harry Potter. I initially thought he might allow it until my Master looked around at his other death eaters and decided that Harry Potter was his alone. I repeated the request every few meeting since until I was finally convinced to drop it once and for all. Of course when that command was accompanied by a Cruciatus spell it was easier to obey,
'Still yesterday's was the worst episode of punishment he's ever dealt out to me. I knew he wanted to be informed but I foolishly thought it was a minor issue. It finally came home that I am at Hogwarts to provide information for him. From now on that will be my focus. I must devise a method to communicate with him. If I use Malfoy or any of the others they will use my information to advance their own standing. Perhaps Wormtail can be of use?" Snape thought as he took another sip taking comfort in the fact he now had the weekend to recover before facing a classroom of those brats.
As the fifth year Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students were celebrating their relief from a day of potions. Hermione was in her Advanced Wizarding Health class with the other girls practicing the pregnancy-revealing spell on each other then on her. "Now Mrs. Potter's pregnancy is advanced beyond the stage where this spell is normal performed but on the whole the positive indications you are getting will serve you well when you are performing this spell on your girlfriends. All I ask is you refer any positives to me if they are Hogwarts students, so that proper care can be started." Madam Pomfrey said looking over the class.
"Madam I…" one of the girls started to say.
"Trust me, if you make it through even one of these two years without being asked I will be very surprised. One reason being I will tell the head girl she can now refer your housemates to you if she is asked." Madam Pomfrey replied.
Another girl nodded saying, "I've all ready been asked."
"I will trust you all to use discretion when dealing with your classmates. I believe Mrs. Potter was the only young lady in the last ten years that did not panic when I informed her she was pregnant. Do the spell in private and only when your housemate has time to recover from the news. If you are uncertain or uncomfortable refer them to me. I believe a discussion of proper care of a pregnant woman is in order, Mrs. Potter would you care to discuss the changes that have occurred."
Hermione looked at her classmates saying, "The first change is this class. I was planning on taking sixth year potions but this year's potions might not be good for the babies if something goes wrong."
"I thought the potions we brewed at Hogwarts were safe?"
"For teenagers yes for fetus not at all." Madam Pomfrey said curtly.
"I've also had to watch my diet."
"Mum said she ate like a pig when she was carrying me." A second classmate offered.
"I can tell you I'm eating a lot more but I try to eat healthy. More fruits and vegetables go easy on the cravings."
"Cravings?"
"The stories about pregnancy resulting in odd cravings are based in truth. Right now I'm in a pickles and strawberry ice cream phase."
"Yuk," On classmate said as a few others turned green.
"I know it sounds bad but right now it tastes great to me."
"What about sex?" the first classmate asked.
"What about it? I'm married, it's legal," Hermione replied unfazed.
"Isn't it bad for the babies?"
Madam Pomfrey caught the look Hermione gave her and spoke up, "Not at all the babies are in a totally safe and secure environment right now, one that allows for normal marital relations to occur. Naturally she should not play Quidditch or participate in other violent activity but with care a normal lifestyle can be maintained."
The remainder of the class discussion progressed to how they should council a classmate who came to them.
Harhook looked at Hermione and Harry as she said, "Ragnok has requested that I teach you Gobbledegook. I believe it is an exercise in futility but I have my orders. Before I begin I need your magical promise that you will not teach anyone else without approval from Ragnok or his successor.
Harry and Hermione quickly pulled their wands saying, "I promise on my magic not to teach anyone else Gobbledegook unless I have Ragnok's or his successor's approval."
Harhook nodded then began "Gobbledegook is very different from English. The same sound can have several different meanings depending on inflection and context. From what has been observed humans fail to catch those variations. Tonight I will speak several of our more common words that are confused. I would like you to listen and try to repeat those words back. If you can master this then there is hope for you."
Harry and Hermione spent the next three hours working but finally did master the nuances of one word before going to bed exhausted.
Saturday evening was time for the "Ministry six" as they thought of themselves to get together. It had started at the end of their first week back as a way of allowing the other four to question Harry and Hermione about their summer and it had continued shifting to the evening after that first day to allow time for Quidditch and other activities to take place not surprisingly girl and boyfriends were normally excluded from this meeting.
"Mom wrote the minister was in a right state after you left the ministry Wednesday." Ginny said as they sat around the Potter's living room sipping butterbeer and relaxing.
"I can't imagine why, he's been after the goblins for years to amend their treaty allowing the ministry more control over Gringotts and the goblins themselves. Now he finds out they've appointed a witch to represent them. I'm sure dad will have something to say about it in the next issue." Luna added.
"So you aren't anything special to the Goblins Harry?" Neville Longbottom asked.
"No for a change I'm just Harry, well actually I'm Jimhook the consort of Janehook, Goblin Ambassador at large to the Magical and Muggle world." Harry said smiling at his wife as she sat beside him with his arm around her shoulder.
"You missed it Harry, you should have seen Malfoy's face when you two walked into the Halloween feast with goblin guards around you. I thought he was going to explode right at the Slytherin table. It was great." Ron said beaming at the memory.
"That was not intentional. I told them I was eating in the great hall and was quickly told the only way that would happen was with four guards around me." Hermione said.
"So what's the latest on Millicent?" Hermione asked her concern obvious.
"She's been released by St. Mungo's but they want her to rest for a week so she went home. I hear she will be fine eventually, According to what I heard it was a little worse than if she'd actually had a baby. All those contractions without something there to push against strained the muscles in her… you know." Ginny said going pink.
"I know quite well." Hermione said her hands resting on her twins.
"I imagine their birth will be quite magical. I can't wait to experience it myself." Luna said sounding dreamy.
"Despite what Mrs. Longbottom might think I'll wait thank you." Ginny said.
"Oh sounds like there is a story there." Harry said.
"Yes there is. Once Neville informed his grandmother that we were dating, she was on the floo inviting my mother for a visit." Ginny said glancing at Neville.
"Not sure what they talked about really." Neville said shrugging his shoulders.
"I'll give you a hint. Your grandmother now knows my family's history back at least three generations."
Neville looked at Ginny trying to determine just how upset she was but before he could respond Harry said, "There should be no problems there."
"There isn't, it is just the nerve of her to inquire about that. It is like she's making sure I'm good enough to pump out the next wave of Longbottoms."
"Now you know that isn't true." Neville said firmly his eyes locked on Ginny's.
"I know Neville. It just upset me that she wouldn't trust your judgment." Ginny said wrapping her arm around his.
"What about you Ron, do you have any news to share?" Harry asked looking at his friend.
"Nah, though you do have several other girls acting like Luna."
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked sticking up for her friend.
"They are all lovey dovey thinking about having babies. That's not for me. I'm spending a few years playing professional Quidditch and the field before I settle down. There are too many lovely ladies out there not to have a look around first." Ron replied not noticing Luna's mask slip for a moment revealing the sad girl behind it before she had it quickly back in place.
Ginny however had noticed it replying, "So you think Harry and Neville are bonkers for hooking up with Hermione and I?"
Ron as always engaged his mouth before his brain countering, "Now Harry and Hermione I can see but for the life of me I can't see what Neville sees in my scrawny kid sister."
"Stupefy!"
Moments later the door opened and one of the goblin guards asked, "Is the Ambassador alright?"
"Yes one of our guests accidentally hit her brother with a spell. There is no problem." Hermione replied.
"Accidentally my foot. He deserved that and more." Ginny replied her wand still out.
"Now Ginny I'm sure Ron was only teasing you." Neville said.
Ron was still on the floor where he had fallen with Harry over him wand out but he was waiting until he was sure Ginny had calmed down before removing the curse.
"Well he can damn well stop it. I don't need him and your mother both on me about that." Ginny said tears at the corner of her eyes.
"I'll deal with gram you need to relax. Why don't you let Harry know you won't curse Ron if he releases him." Neville said wrapping her up in his arms and pulling her to him.
Ginny looked over at Harry and nodded before turning back to bury her head in Neville's broad chest.
Harry turned to Ron and cast Finite Incantatem releasing Ron but Harry kept his wand out as he said, "Ron time to smarten up and stop teasing your sister. She is a young lady now who isn't going to put up with your constant teasing. If you didn't figure that out lying on the floor."
"He tries anything with her and I'll take him apart." Ron muttered under his breath looking at Neville.
Ginny spun in Neville's grasp looking at her brother as Neville kept his arms around her lovingly taking each of her hands in his as she reached up to play with them, "Nothing is going to happen between Neville and I that I did not want to happen. Now unless you want Mum to find out what you have been up to with your various girlfriends I suggest you butt out of my life." She said
"You wouldn't!" Ron sputtered suddenly wondering just how much his sister knew.
"On the contrary dear brother, you know I would and Mum will believe me." Ginny replied her eyes locked on Ron watching as he looked between Neville and Ginny before turning to Harry for help.
"Don't look at me. I'm on their side." Harry said.
"Ron don't think of trying anything with Neville. If I find out you've been anything but a good friend to him Mum gets an owl." Ginny said.
"Ginny let's go for a walk." Neville said gently escorting her towards the door.
Harry saw Ron start to open his mouth and quickly whispered, "Shut it and keep it shut," as he poked his wand into Ron's side.
Once Neville and Ginny had left Ron spun on Harry saying, "You know he's going to take her to a broom closet!"
"I sure hope so." Luna said causing Ron's jaw to drop.
"What?"
"Ron, Ginny needs to calm down and Neville has become quite good at that. I don't think you noticed Neville was keeping his arms around her for your safety. The way he was holding her she couldn't use her wand without him releasing his hold. That mate of yours you were ranting at was trying to save your skin. I suggest you take a long walk and think about what you would do if the situation was reversed and it was you dating a young woman with such an overbearing older brother." Hermione said motioning towards the door.
"I think I'll be going too, same time next week?" Luna asked heading for the door right behind Ron.
"Of course, you be careful my friend." Harry said looking her in the eyes.
Luna smiled then turned leaving the Potter's standing together wondering just how this was all going to work out.
Sunday morning breakfast brought little change Neville and Ginny were sitting together while Luna was quietly eating at the Ravenclaw table with Ron nowhere to be seen as Harry and Hermione looked down from their seats at the head table. "He's probably sleeping in this morning." Harry muttered as he dug into a good sized stack of pancakes while watching his wife demolish an even larger stack and her customary croissant this time covered with strawberry jam.
"Don't you dare say a thing Harry Potter I will have you know Madam Pomfrey checked me out yesterday during class and I am right on the mark for my weight given my height and how far along I am." Hermione said before taking another big bite of pancakes.
Harry was saved from replying when a postal owl dropped a letter in front of him. "Looks like it's from the twins," Harry said noting his name on the outside in multicolored ink.
"Perhaps they finally managed to make a deal with Oliver's new team." Hermione said hopefully. She really wanted Harry to get an outside interest. His classes with the first three years were just not enough to keep him out of her hair. He was always around wanting to make sure she didn't over due, like Winky would let her. 'I swear she took lessons from Mrs. Weasley,' Hermione thought recalling the scolding the house elf had given her once they were alone after the incident in the hall.
"Tryout this Wednesday," Harry said softly.
"Does he sound hopeful?"
"Fred wrote the team's second string seeker is injured and it is looking like he will be out for a while. Something about muggles getting to him first after a bad fall at his home. The team just wants a body incase the first stringer goes down. The team's owner and coach were at the game I got my ban at and if I can fly as well as I did then…" Harry said excitement creeping into his voice.
"That sounds just perfect for you."
Harry nodded and hoped this coach wasn't the tyrant the previous one had been.
Harry returned to their quarters Wednesday night a smile on his face.
"Looks like you're happy." Hermione ventured watching her husband bounce around their living room.
"It was great. They had no problems with me using my Firebolt and they had me doing some hand eye drills down on the ground that I've got to teach the seekers here. Everything went well and they've extended my tryout contract so I'll be able to practice with them a couple of times. If they are satisfied after the practices then you and I will have to go up there. They want to announce my signing at one of their games." Harry bubbled.
"I really should see the contract first to make sure it's…" Hermione started to say then stopped as she realized this was a decision for her captain to make.
"You are right of course. It might interest you to know the team will draft up the contract just in case and they have agreed to give us a copy for our to review prior to signing it."
"Oh,"
"Hermione I told you I want you to stand by my side and help guide me. Looking over legal contracts and such before I sign them is part of helping me."
She realized Harry was right. She was far better at understanding all the jargon that was used in legal documents than he was. "Alright I'll translate them into English for you, but the captain still makes the final decisions."
Harry smiled taking her into his arms as they slowly but surely made their way to bed.
"Good show Harry." Hermione said encouragingly.
After they finished breakfast Saturday morning November 23ed Harry and Hermione approached Dumbledore saying, "Headmaster my wife and I have been invited to a Quidditch game this afternoon."
"I don't think that would be a good idea Harry. There isn't enough time for me to arrange for protection let alone the cost of tickets for your guards."
"I wasn't asking permission I was informing my boss that my wife and I would not be on the school grounds this afternoon." Harry said formally.
"Harry I am afraid I can't allow you to leave Hogwarts proper." Dumbledore said stopping Harry in his tracks.
He was grateful to Hermione for the discussion they'd had last night about this. She'd played devil's advocate allowing him to be prepared for the Headmaster's statement. "I am sorry you feel that way Headmaster however my wife and I are both legally adults and as such not under your control. If however you chose to use her status as a student and mine as a professor to control our actions I am prepared to inform you that effective immediately my wife and I resign as students and Professor. We will then leave Hogwarts anyway and begin living elsewhere."
Dumbledore sat back in his chair shocked not one of his Professors let alone a mere student had dared talk to him like that. Unconsciously he started to gather his power only to stop when Harry spoke up saying, "I wouldn't do that if I were you. My wife not to mention her guards might consider it a threat to one of us and you do not want the result of that. We will be returning after the match unless we are notified our return is not welcome. Good day Headmaster." The couple quickly left the great hall with a guard detail heading outside the wards guarding Hogwarts then via port key to 93 Diagon Alley and the twins shop.