It's My Life
Those on Harry Potter-Snape's side knew there was too much evidence for Albus Dumbledore to walk free for his transgressions, but what wasn't expected was for Albus to be questioned so thoroughly by Lucius Malfoy that it came out Harry was always meant to sacrifice himself against Voldemort. And the news was so powerful that Harry went into a panic attack and blacked out in his father's arms in the middle of the courtroom that was bustling with anger and shock of what Albus revealed.
It wasn't just that Albus wanted to raise Harry up to die by self-sacrifice, it was that the man had willingly sent Harry to die so many times and things failed when Harry would emerge victorious over the Dark Lord. Albus interfered with Sirius taking Harry when the Potter's died. Albus admitted he wanted Sirius out of the way and willingly and knowingly sent an innocent man to prison for crimes he did not commit.
It was a travesty and truth be told without the jury ever convening to talk about their decision, Albus Dumbledore was guilty and of everything accused. However, the trial was forgotten when Harry passed out. And of course, no one knew what Albus had whispered to Harry.
Albus was hauled off to the cells while people worked together to get Harry to St. Mungo's for treatment. It wasn't as easy as Harry being shocked by the news because here they were two days later and Harry was still out, laying still on a bed in the hospital. Severus, of course, never left Harry's side for a moment.
Maybe the bathroom, or to shower, in which case, one of the Malfoy's would remain ever faithful to Harry's side. Severus only told Minerva to handle things at school with people wondering why Harry wasn't back yet. Amelia Bones had come by too to check on Harry, but was saddened when she discovered Harry was still unconscious.
"I just don't understand." Severus sighed.
"What part? Albus's truth or why Harry is still out?" Lucius asked.
"All of it." Severus closed his eyes.
"I'd personally like to know how he got rid of your marks," Draco whispered. "I know how mother's was removed, but yours, Father? And you, Uncle Severus?"
"We don't know either…We were just as shocked." Lucius informed. "A question for Harry, whenever he awakens."
"I assume the decision on Albus is being held off until Harry awakens?" Narcissa wondered.
"Assumingly, we haven't heard anything." Severus informed.
"I've spoken to mine and Harry's friends, including his Gryffindor ones…They send their love and wishes for his fast recovery." Draco mentioned. "I talked to them last night through Harry's two-way journal. I know they're linked up much like the Defense Coins."
"You have to return to school tomorrow, my Dragon," Narcissa reminded. "We'll speak after classes and let you know about Harry-," She stopped when Harry began to shift and groan.
"Harry?!" Draco said quickly.
"Don't crowd him, Draco," Lucius stated.
Harry moaned and his head turned to the side, then his eyes started to flutter open. "Son?" Severus asked.
"D-Dad?" Harry asked.
Severus took Harry's hand carefully. "I'm here. I'm here, Harry," Severus used his other hand to lightly pet the top of Harry's hair, his thumb going over the scar. "Are you alright?"
"My body feels stiff and my head is throbbing…" Harry muttered. "What happened?"
"You passed out at the trial after Albus admitted there was a prophecy surrounding you defeating the dark lord," Draco moved to Harry's other side.
"Where am I?" Harry inquired.
"St. Mungo's," Severus told his boy. "You went into a panic attack, and told me you didn't feel good, then blacked out. We couldn't awaken you with the normal means, so we had no choice but to bring you here for treatment."
"B-But the trial, what happened to Dumbledore?" Harry asked quickly.
"Settle down," Severus remarked calmly. "Amelia had Albus hauled back to the cells after you passed out, and trial is being held until you're well enough to return."
"Well, I'm up now…And fine. I want to see Albus found guilty. I don't see how anyone could vote otherwise with what he admitted." Harry informed as he tried to sit up, but his body refused to obey commands, so he flopped back. "Let's get back."
"You will stay down, Harry. You only just woke up after two days of being unconscious with multiple failed attempts to wake you normally and magically. You're staying right here until the medi-witch approves you to leave." Severus said firmly.
"You gave us-," Draco began.
"Wait a minute…" Harry stopped him. "Did you just say I've been out for two days?"
"Y-Yes, Harry," Severus nodded. "It's been two days since you passed out. Today is the 9th of June, Sunday…"
"Harry, did Albus do anything to you?" Draco wondered. "He had grabbed you, pulled you closer to him. Did he slip you anything?"
"N-No, he was just…" Harry stopped. "I can't even remember what he said. He whispered something to me, it's…Why I got scared and panicked."
"It'll come to you eventually. Don't try so hard…" Narcissa patted Harry's shoulder gently.
Harry nodded as he closed his eyes and tried to relax. "Am I allowed up to use the bathroom?"
"Yes, that you can do. I just meant you're not leaving the hospital until cleared to do so." Severus replied as he shifted to help Harry to his feet.
"I'll take him, Uncle Sev." Draco offered as he got Harry's arm around his neck and then took over supporting his boyfriend over to the in-room restroom. Severus allowed it and sat back down after the door closed.
"Are you alright, my old friend?" Lucius questioned.
"I'm worried about my son, what that fool said to make Harry black out for two days." Severus sighed.
"Only Harry knows, so we'll have to wait for him to recall it…" Narcissa stated. "Be patient. What matters is that Harry is alright now and Albus will likely never see outside of Azkaban before he succumbs to old age.
"I suppose there is that to be grateful for," Severus agreed.
"I'll grab the medi-witch," Lucius left the room, and Narcissa went with her husband.
After five minutes, Harry exited the restroom on his own and Draco was just to the side of him to ensure he didn't fall. Harry got back to the bed, but stayed sitting upright. "Ho-How's Sirius and Remus, do they know what happened?" Harry asked.
"Everyone knows what happened, Harry. If you recall, it was allowed for reporters to be in the courtroom. It hit the papers Friday night that Albus admitted to everything, including that he willingly sent Sirius to Azkaban to get control of you, that Pettigrew is who sold out your parents." Severus said.
"Remus has had to keep Sirius from coming here to see you. Despite what was said, he's still a wanted felon until his name is cleared legally." Draco added.
"I take it the whole school knows?" Harry mumbled.
"Yes, they saw everything Saturday morning when the post was delivered during breakfast." Draco replied. "Our friends know they can't come see you, but everyone's been writing to wish you well in their connected journals." He pulled Harry's out of his coat pocket and gave it to his boyfriend.
"This was just linked to Hermione and Ron," Harry stated.
"Until Granger connected more so that Neville, Luna, Pansy, Theo, Blaise, Greg, and Vin could all do the same. Mine is there too, but no need to message me since I'm already here with you." Draco explained. "I've ensured their messages didn't just disappear, so you could read them."
"Thanks," Harry smiled some. "You going back to school tonight?"
"Mother and Father have said they'll send me back Monday morning with Uncle Severus." Draco informed.
"I want to go back too." Harry told his father.
"We'll see what the medi-witch says, Harry…You don't need to be straining yourself." Severus remarked gently.
"Dad, I'm not gonna miss school over this. It's OWL preparation…" Harry muttered.
"And I'm not going to allow you to push yourself after you just woke up from basically a two-day coma, son. Don't argue…I do not believe that missing the week before will severely hurt your grades, nor your ability to take those exams and pass with flying colors." Severus stated.
"Yes, Father," Harry agreed.
. . .
Lucius and Narcissa finally returned and one of the medi-witches was with them, and then the woman all but kicked them out of the room to be able to examine Harry properly. After running a few tests and seeing Harry walk unaided across the room, she signed off that he was free to leave the hospital. Severus immediately wrapped Harry in his arms once allowed back inside.
The medi-witch signed the discharge and the group was off back to Potter Manor, but Lucius did stay back to detour to the Ministry of Magic to let Amelia know Harry was awake and released home. The time now was about 3:30 pm as Harry had been taking it easy in the main room, but with the Malfoy's and his father still there. The medi-witch had advised such for another twenty-four hours, but she did approve of Harry returning to school, for which Harry was grateful.
"So I can go back to school?" Harry asked.
"Yes, but you're taking it easy, son…" Severus stated. "Tomorrow morning, Lucius will drop Draco off here and we'll go to Spinner's End to floo into Hogwarts together before breakfast. I'll not have anyone tackling you into a hug."
"Only Hermione would," Harry shrugged, "But I'll stop her before she does." He promised.
"Good." Severus nodded. "Now…I believe we need to have a little talk about how court went, Harry. I, for one, would like to know why you underhandedly took Veritaserum. It was never required of you as a minor, and they would have needed my consent to administer it. All that aside because I'm quite proud of how you outsmarted Albus's lawyer by answering your control questions within your testimony…Swearing on your magic was foolish, you're lucky there were no adverse effects to your lies."
"I never lied." Harry told him.
"You said you lived at Spinner's End and you do not…" Severus sighed.
"But it's documented that I do, Dad." Harry informed. "Don't you remember? We put it down at the bank that we lived at your house and all the mail we get is sent there, then one of the elves goes every week to pick it up and bring it here. It is listed that I live with my guardian, at the time, at Spinner's End in Cokeworth."
"You know, I forgot that we did that." Lucius looked at Severus.
"So did I…" Severus remembered.
"So I didn't lie about where I lived for what is legally known on the books." Harry told him.
"Alright, that's excusable…But Harry, you under the Veritaserum hadn't worn off when you said we didn't have the dark mark." Lucius commented. "Now, I know Narcissa was safe…And mine had altered, but Severus still had his. How…How did you remove them?"
"I told you I didn't want mine removed, Harry. My role as a spy is too important to your safety." Severus stated.
"Dumbledore is gonna rot in prison until he dies, Dad…Y-You don't have to spy for him anymore." Harry said.
"I was a spy for the Order, Harry…To protect you. Dumbledore was just the one running the group. That's moved to someone else now, I still have to spy." Severus told him softly. "How did you even remove them? It took you time with Lucius's and what you did took seconds."
"I didn't remove them…" Harry admitted gently.
"A strong glamour? No, you'd have seen a glamour on yourselves…Harry, how?" Draco pushed.
Harry stood gently and touched the back of Lucius's shoulder, dragging his finger down to the left arm again. Harry stepped back as Lucius lifted his sleeve and saw the snake returned to its place. "It was never gone, I just told it to move off your arm to your back shoulder so your arms would be bare." Harry informed.
"And mine, is it hiding somewhere else on my body?" Severus remarked.
"No…" Harry lifted his own sleeve to reveal the mark on himself. "I moved yours to me."
"Harry James Potter-Snape! Of all the foolish things to do!" Severus yelled. "Do you understand that if the dark lord had gotten past your shield and into your mind, realized you had this; he'd torture you through it?! For all we know, this is exactly why you blacked out! Why in the name of Merlin would you risk your life like this?!"
"Well, I'm sorry for trying to make sure I didn't lose another father!" Harry narrowed his eyes. "You heard what Dumbledore's lawyer was trying to do! You heard what Amelia said. If there were any marks on yours arms, the case was out and I'd be taken away from you, blood adoption or not. Dumbledore would have gone free and had custody over me as soon as the gavel hit!" Severus stared at his son, surprised at the anger…But there was sadness. "I…Couldn't lose you. I couldn't lose another father to Voldemort…"
"But Harry…" Lucius started. "All this aside because the notion is admiral and I, for one, very grateful…Why did you take the mark on your own arm, rather than just move Severus's?"
"I knew Dumbledore had never seen yours, but it could have been argued the dark lord needed you to keep your political status in the ministry, so he purposely altered your mark. The fact it was still a snake on your left arm would have been grounds. So I just moved yours. I couldn't move my dad's because I know Dumbledore has seen it and he would have motioned for Severus to probably be stripped and searched privately…So I took it off him completely." Harry replied.
"How did you even know things were going to go this way?" Narcissa inquired.
"When we came back into the room after break, I saw Dumbledore talking to his lawyer, they were discussing how to get the case thrown out by revealing your death eater statuses. I was reading their lips and…I sort of, maybe, got into Dumbledore's mind and saw what he was planning…" Harry stated.
"You got into Dumbledore's mind?" Severus questioned.
"That's why he kept looking at me, he was letting me in. He wanted me to see it, that he'd win with that information…" Harry replied gently. "I knew I didn't have time to do anything drastic, so I just moved Lucius's and took yours on me…" He paused. "I told you after you asked me what I did that it was what needed to be done…" Harry took his father's hand then whispered. "Go back now. Thank you for being so cooperative."
"You're welcome, young master." The snake replied as Severus felt the sensation from two days ago and then when Harry let go, Severus checked his arm to find the mark back in place.
"It was just to protect you like you've always done for me…" Harry looked down.
Severus knew Harry didn't mean any harm. It was stupid and risky, but it had saved him. The potions master stepped closer to Harry and pulled him into a tight embrace, that Harry was surprised by, but soon wrapped his arms around his father.
After the hug, Severus put his hands on Harry's shoulders and made the teenager look in his eyes. "Harry, I'm grateful for the lengths you went to protect me and I understand your reasoning…But it was still dangerous for you to do. I don't risk my life to stay in the dark lord's service to protect you from him just for you to risk your own life that I'm trying to guard with my own." Severus informed.
"I'm sorry, Father…I'll take whatever punishment you give me for endangering my life…" Harry said.
"Silly boy, I'm not going to punish you." Severus smiled and kissed the top of his head. "But I believe we had a talk about not putting yourself in mortal danger, that you'd come to me."
"If I had time to tell you what was being planned, I would have asked permission first, Dad…" Harry replied.
"I suppose that can't be argued." Severus agreed.
"I was gonna give it back to you after trial, but then I blacked out…" Harry muttered.
"All is forgiven, son." Severus assured.
"Alright, now…Can I ask something?" Draco wondered.
"What, Dray?" Harry looked at his boyfriend.
"You said my mother's mark hadn't been talkative and barely put up a fight, and that my father's refused to leave, so you cut the strands of magic connecting it to the dark lord and reconnected them to my dad's, making the mark change to basically the emblem of Slytherin House…" Draco paused.
"Yeah, and?" Harry urged his lover to continue.
"How did you get Uncle Sev's mark to just change arms without saying anything in a matter of a few seconds?" Draco questioned.
"Oh," Harry laughed a little. "My dad's mark isn't loyal to the dark lord, it just passes the message of when Voldemort wants to see him." The rest just blinked with surprise. "Dad's mark doesn't like when the dark lord causes pain that passes onto Severus, but it likes me. It refers to me as young master, and recognizes dad's desire to protect me. It recognized it all those years ago too, his love for my mother and him wanting to protect my family."
"So all you did was ask it to leave his arm two days ago?" Narcissa questioned.
"I asked it to transfer temporarily to me so I could protect him from being outed as the dark lord's spy and it told me that it didn't care about the dark lord and only serves it's connection to pass when dad is called to him. It told me that it's always served it's bearer's desires because they were noble and was happy to serve a new master that didn't hurt it." Harry informed.
"It changed loyalty when dad did, when he warned Dumbledore about Voldemort wanting to kill me and has known that I'm the one with the power to defeat the dark lord. It has asked me if it can stay when the dark lord is gone. I told it I'd see what I could do."
"Can you do that?" Draco wondered.
"Dunno, I could try." Harry replied.
"You were told to take it easy," Severus sighed.
"I am!" Harry said quickly. "In theory, I could do to yours what I did to Lucius's. Shred the strands of magic connecting it to Voldemort."
"I need those connected so I know when he calls…" Severus stated.
"Then I leave the one strand connected, Dad. But I can snap everything else, like feeling when he tortures people, even the sting of when he calls because I could connect it to your magic and when Voldy calls, the mark would just tell you lightly. Like a nudge." Harry informed.
"I'll think about it, but for the rest of today…The only thing you are doing, my boy, is resting and eating dinner when it's time." Severus told him.
"Yes, Father," Harry nodded.
The teenager sat down on the couch and of course, Draco beside him as they held hands. Dobby brought tea for the adults and everyone spent the rest of their day relaxing after the hell that had been a trial. It was only a few hours, but then Harry blacked out after Albus said something to him, and that resulted in the teen being unconscious for two days. All that was left to do was see the jury's decision on Albus Dumbledore, and then finish off fifth year. Harry couldn't wait to move on with his life from this awful year.