The Boy
Chapter 14: No Thank You, Dumbledore
Professor Severus Snape did not expect to be dragged to Forks, Washington by Albus Dumbledore, who had given him the excuse that Charles Swan and Harry Potter had met Severus before and might be much more approachable with a familiar face.
Of course, Severus had argued against going along. Oh why did he even think about being a fly on a wall for even a second? Dumbledore, of course, had merely spoken over his complains and had told him to get ready for the trip.
The portkey trip over had been horrible as ever. Snape hated that form of travel and had told Dumbledore so. He had spoken so many complains about it, but deaf ears are as strong as they come, especially with Dumbledore and his I-am-always- right ways.
That very notion of Dumbledore being always right stank like those dung bombs the mischievous dunderheads in the school loved so much. No one can 'always be right'.
They had rested for an hour to rid them of the long portkey travel lag and then Dumbledore had insisted they apparate to somewhere within the town's borders. Snape side-alonged Dumbledore to within the forest and then they had walked towards the house that stood innocent and quiet amongst the others in the neighborhood.
Severus had thought that maybe no one was home when they rang the doorbell, which he had to because Dumbledore wasn't familiar with such a simple thing as a doorbell, and then the door opened and before them stood a woman with long glossy back hair and russet colored skin proclaiming her as one of the natives of the land they found themselves in.
"Hello," she greeted them politely, though she had a small frown on her forehead that Severus knew didn't bode well for them.
"Good day, my dear," Dumbledore spoke jovially, a small smile upon his lips that frankly looked quite ridiculous to Severus Snape. "Is this the residence of Charles Swan?"
Snape wanted to roll his eyes at that. Did the old fool think that he brought him to the wrong address? How utterly preposterous of him. Severus mentally sniffed at that very notion.
"Um… yes,"the woman said, her frown deepening as she took a better look at the two men before her.
"Then may we enter?" Dumbledore asked, "I wish to speak to him."
The woman folded her arms across her chest, her eyes narrowing at Dumbledore. "I am sorry, Mister, but Charles isn't here. He had left for work already. He won't be back until tonight." She unfolded her arms and reached for the door with the obvious intend to close it.
"Wait, my dear," Dumbledore said quickly, "If you would just let us in, I can explain why we are here."
The woman sighed and opened her mouth to say something when a girl, who looked like a miniature version of her, came to stand beside her.
"Mom, Harry and Rachel are fighting again."
The woman face palmed, a sigh escaping her lips. "Oh, those two," she muttered. She turned back to the two men. "My apologies, but I cannot let you in as it isn't my house. I am only helping Charlie with something." With that said, she closed the door right as Dumbledore opened his mouth again.
Severus had to hide the smirk at that. Take that, old man, he thought, suddenly feeling quite pleased for coming along after all.
Dumbledore turned to him, looking quite disappointed. "I cannot believe the nerve," he said, "She could at least have given us the work address of Charles Swan."
"Yes, Headmaster, but I don't think she would do that. We are strangers to her and we haven't even introduced ourselves. She probably thinks of us as rude me-
The door opening, cut him off and he had to quickly stand aside when three girls and a boy came rushing out of the house.
"Sorry," the boy apologized over his shoulder as he ran after the giggling girls.
"Was that?" Dumbledore asked as the children ran down the street.
Severus folded his arms across his chest, hiding his hands in his sleeves, saying, "Yes, Headmaster, that was the Potter brat."
"Severus!" the old man chastised, looking appalled at his casual answer.
"What? He is Harry Potter, so that means he is Potter's brat," Severus stated.
"You can at least-
The door opened again and the woman stepped out of the house. "Are you still here? I thought I told you that I cannot let you in."
Dumbledore turned those ridiculous twinkling eyes of him towards the woman. "My dear, we simply want to speak to Charles Swan. If you can point us to where he works, we can be on our way."
The woman looked at them for a moment before sighing and then nodding. "Fine," she said and proceeded to give them directions to Forks Police Department. Then she left them, walking back into the house with not so much as a "Goodbye". Snape was not happy, but he held his tongue, leaving the Swan property with Dumbledore without looking back. After all, with Dumbledore's foolish persistence, they will be back there soon enough.
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"Chief Swan, there is an incredibly old man here to see you. He looks like one of those hippies I've seen on TV the other day. Though the suit he is wearing…." Deputy Sawyer shuddered in disgust.
Charlie had become Chief of Police in Forks and the surrounding counties when his former boss decided to retire when Bella and Harry were nine. The two of them had been quite excited for him when he came home with the news that memorable day.
"What's wrong with his suit, Deputy?"
"It's a bit too…uh…colorful. You should see his socks. It gives me the creeps."
Charlie shook his head and waved the Deputy out of his office. "Just send him in, Roy. And send Mags in with coffee."
"Will do, Chief." Deputy Sawyer saluted him playfully before leaving, causing Charlie to huff in amusement.
A few mere moments later a long haired and long bearded old man dressed in the most colorful suit that Charlie had ever seen walked into the office, followed by none other than Severus Snape. Charlie felt his mood sour because he had an inkling who the old man could be.
"Back again, Professor Snape?" he drawled, getting to his feet from behind his desk.
"Yes, Mister Swan," Severus said. "Headmaster Dumbledore here wanted to come speak to you about your nephew. I was only the unlucky one who was dragged along for it considering that I already had been to Forks."
"Ah, I see," Charlie said then waved them towards nice leather chairs before his desk. "Well then, have a seat, gentlemen. Then we can talk."
Both of the men sat down, but not after Dumbledore discretely made his own chair soft and comfortable. Snape wanted to snort at that, but said nothing as he watched Charlie sit down again, and a moment later a woman possibly in her late thirties brought in some refreshments.
When she left, Charlie told them to help themselves, apologizing that there was no tea. Dumbledore waved it off and helped himself to some lemon biscuits, looking like he was in heaven as he ate them. His unmannered behavior made Snape look like he ate a particularly sour sweet.
Charlie watched them with little amusement, wondering why they had truly come. If Dumbledore thought that he could take away the child that he had raised as his own, he should think again. Harry is his child. No one can dispute that. Even if he is still Lily and James Potter's also.
"Why are you here?" the words slipped from his lips unbidden. His tone wasn't kind. He had to fight for Harry now, and won't let them see the fear that he might lose him.
Dumbledore placed his cup of coffee down on the tray between them and looked at him, the twinkling in his eyes gone. "We….I am here to speak to you about young Harry coming to Hogwarts as his parents intended for him."
Charlie pursed his lips, a look of disdain forming on his face. "Unfortunately, Headmaster, Harry has chosen another school and has already sent an acceptance letter to the school's headmaster. Thus, you are too late." He folded his hands together on his desk. "He and my daughter chose the best school for them and it is here in the States. They won't have to leave the continent, which is a bonus to us."
Dumbledore scowled, his voice becoming cold as he spoke in an accusing tone, "So, you have chosen to keep him away from his heritage….from his father's legacy? Have you no shame that you are doing so? The boy needs to go to Hogwarts as his parents wanted him to! You have no right to deny him this."
Charlie stood, shooting a glare at the man. "Who are you to speak of such things, Dumbledore?!"
"I am an old friend of James and Lily. I am also Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards. I have all the right to speak of such things, Mister Swan."
Charlie snorted. "So this is about politics, huh? Sorry, Headmaster, but Harry will definitely not be going to Hogwarts. This conversation is over. Drink your coffee and then remove yourself from this building."
He didn't sit down again. Instead, he walked out of there, holding his head high and his back stiff. He won't be letting Dumbledore walk all over him with his grandstanding and all. He had no time for such silliness. Besides that, if he let Dumbledore take Harry away to that school, who was to say that the boy would be safe?
Thanks, but no thank you, Dumbledore, he thought as he left the office, even knowing that it is rude to do so.
He simply did not care. He only cared about his nephew's wellbeing and no Supreme Mugwump or whatever had any right to interfere.
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Sorry for taking my sweet time. And sorry if this one is short. Hope you are all well.
