52Chapter 44
Chapter 44:
The first parental thing Sirius did was write a note to the headmaster that Harry was going to spend the weekend at home with his godfathers. Harry had grinned as he watched his godfather write it against one of the walls inside the Ministry. Siri then handed it off to Miss Bones, who chuckled and promised to send it right away. His great mood only increased when they neared the floos and the Weasley's followed close behind them. It seemed the redhead's planned on accompanying Harry and his godfathers home.
Harry made sure to give the twins a huge smile before he stepped into the floo and shouted, " Liliana Cottage."
He stumbled, because of course he did, when he arrived much to a grinning Sirius's amusement. His godfather helped him stay on his feet, not that he stayed that way for long, because the second the two matching redheads arrived they rushed and tackled him.
They held him tight and cheered. He giggled at their lightheartedness and playfulness.
It turned into a slight wrestling game as the twins refused to allow him to go free. They rolled around on the floor laughing until Mister Weasley used his wand to separate them. The man laughed as he floated his two boys off the ground and onto their feet. The twins pouted at him and Harry couldn't stop smiling. While his brother's were being levitated away, Charlie reached down and helped him to his feet.
Harry gave himself one day of playfulness and fun with his godfathers and the twins, who stayed behind when the rest of the Weasley's left. That second night when everyone else went to bed he started planning.
He wanted to make the custody trial public, very public. He wanted the whole wizarding world to hear about Dumbledore's carelessness for Harry's treatment at the hands of his relatives. He wanted them to see the bastard defend the useless and abusive muggles. He wanted to destroy the goodhearted, caring, grandfather image the man had worked so hard to make.
He also wanted to bring to light a few things that had been overlooked in past years.
Like the damn stone in his first year, the Chamber of Secrets, Harry's forced participation in the triwizard tournament, and the treatment of the students inside of Hogwarts. The last one only came to him after listening to Draco complain about how Professor Mcgonagall never award points to Slytherins. Harry hadn't really thought about it before and made a sarcastic comment about how Snape didn't either. Draco had glared at him and asked about the points given when they were in the past.
Harry had thought back and realized that in almost every class he had attended someone gained or lost points, surprising it was only looking back that he noticed it didn't matter the house. The professors had awarded or punished everyone equally. When he mentioned it Draco said that Snape does favor the Slytherins but only awards points the way he does to try and balance out the other Professors clear favoritism.
Harry also wanted to point out the bullying. Not just against the Slytherins. But he had seen both Luna and Neville bullied since he had returned from the past and it pissed him off. None of the Professors seemed to want to interfere. He even heard Professor Hooch muttering about kids being kids.
The only problem he had was who to send this all too. Bones was already looking into Dumbledore quietly. He needed someone who wasn't afraid to voice-
He groaned.
Skeeter.
The beetle animagus would love this kind of story. He just had to find a way to use her without Hermione finding out. His ex friend knew and would surely snitch the reporter out to protect the headmaster.
While debating that he started thinking about Voldemort.
The man had been silent since Harry returned and from the whispers around school had only lead a couple attacks in the time he was gone. Harry didn't want to fight him again. Not after the DOM. He had only escaped because Dumbledore had come in, probably to get the credit, and he wasn't sure he could defeat the Dark wizard even with the extra training Draco had given him.
What he needed to do was figure out how the man had survived. Which meant he needed to talk to a Death Eater, he sighed again. He wasn't sure writing to Lucius was a good idea, he knew that Voldemort tended to be at Malfoy Manor and didn't want to take the chance of someone else getting the letter. So he needed any other way.
He thought about it for a few minutes and come to the conclusion that he needed to talk to Snape, about more than one thing. Which meant he needed to go back to school. He packed away his notes and crawled into bed. He would have to break the news to Sirius in the morning.
His godfather wasn't going to be happy.
He was right, both Sirius and Remus tried to talk him into staying a couple more days. But he refused, he told them he had missed too many days and while he wanted to stay and spend time with them, he needed to get caught up. Neither man looked like they believed him but thankfully they let him go.
When he returned to school later that day he was ambushed as he walked into the common room.
Surprisingly it was Neville and Dean. Both hugged him and started asking about Sirius's innocence and if Harry had known. As he filled them in on the details he felt safe. He was telling them about how excited he was about living with his godfathers when Ron and Hermione walked in.
"What were you thinking!" His ex-best friend shouted in a very high voice. Ron who had been standing next to her tried to cover his ears.
"About what?" Harry asked.
"Sirius is in no shape to take care of you. Harry, it's cruel of you to force him too when he should be getting himself better." The bushy haired brunette crossed her arms over her chest. He felt anger surge through him.
"Cruel?" He hissed the word out, " Cruel like being forced to live in a cupboard or staved. Cruel like Dumbledore knowing Siri was innocent and doing nothing to help him? Or cruel like you're best friends questioning and doubting you all the time?" Hermione opened her mouth to object but Harry wasn't having it. This was probably the best time to end this pathetic excuse of a friendship.
"You know what," He glared at her and than Ron, "I'm done. You two clearly don't care what happens to me and I'm not going to be guilted or harassed about living with my godfather." He stormed past them and into the boys dormitories. He just hoped that Ron would stay away for a while.
He was a little surprised Dean and Neville came in and sat on his bed with him.
"You okay?" Dean asked.
He looked at his two housemates. He felt wholeheartedly that he could trust Neville, the other boy was to nice and honest to be lying about his friendship. Truth was he didn't really know Dean or Seamus that well. They hung out in the dorms or classes sure but never outside of that. They never sent letters or hangout on weekends. Maybe that was proof in itself that the other two Gyffindors weren't being used by Dumbledore.
"I think I'm okay." Harry said, "I think we started to grow apart before...I was taken, and since I've been back," he sighed, "it's like they just want to scream at or badger me." He shrugged. "Maybe it was just time to end our friendship." Neville reached and patted Harry on the back.
"While I'm still your friend mate, if you need anyone to talk to or hang out with…" The normally quiet boy smiled, "I'm here."
"Me too." Dean said. "And I know Seamus is as well." Harry moved so he could hug Neville and then quickly before changing his mind Dean as well. He didn't think he would ever be close to them, not like he thought he had been with Ron and Hermione or like he was with Draco or the twins. But it was still nice to know he has some friends left in his house.
"Thank you." He whispered to both of them.
The two boys left a little while later and Harry crawled out of his bed and opened his trunk. He took out a couple pieces of paper and a couple of photos Remus and Sirius had found inside the cottage. Surprisingly it has been Siri that recommended taken the photos. He had told Harry he knew what it was like to lose them. To spend days, years without seeing James or Remus's faces. He had admitted that one of the first thing he had done once free was search the papers for Harry's face.
Carefully he put everything in the inside pocket of his rope, grabbed his invisibility cloak and snuck out.
His heart raced as he made his way into the lower levels of the castle. He froze outside the Potions masters chambers, which he only could find because Draco told him where to go, was he really about to do this? What if Snape didn't care or told him to get lost? He swallowed and knocked on the door.
It didn't take long for Snape to open it and glare at Harry.
"Can I come in?" He asked not looking the man in the eye. He heard the professor sigh before moving out of the way and allowing Harry to enter.
"What do you want Potter?" Snape asked once he was inside and the door was closed.
"This is...kinda personal Sir, can we sit?" The man's eyebrows raised at the question before he gestured to a sofa at the center of the room. Harry reached into his robe and pulled out the papers before sitting down. He looked them over debating where to start. Did he want to show Snape his mother's will first or the Dissolution of Marriage Sirius had already signed. His godfather had seemed to understand what Harry was trying to ask when he showed him the documents Harry had asked Bill to get. The Sirius had given them a quick read over and signed them, telling Harry to make sure Snape or Malfoy filled them out correctly and only when they were ready. Once signed by all party's they documents would become active and Narcissa would be a Black again and she would then become Sirius's responsibility.
"Potter?" He heard Snape ask. Harry realized he must have zoned out looking at the papers in his hand. Taking in a long slow breath he held the Dissolution of Marriage out towards the Potions master.
"Draco," He started, "Umm in the past, he told me about you and Mister Malfoy." He chuckled a little at the memory, "Or well he kinda freaked out on you guys and then came and told me about it." He saw Snape's eyes went wide as he read over the paper. " He also told me about the arranged marriage between his parents." Snape looked up at him. "He asked if Sirius could break it."
"I don't know if Draco has talked to his dad yet, but I wanted to make sure you got the papers and that if you really wanted it, I guess it's your choice." He shrugged not sure his words made sense. He had wanted to talk to Severus make sure that Lucius was what he wanted but now he was too nervous to make the words match his thoughts. It all came out rushed and badly worded.
"Harry," He met the professor's eyes. "Thank you." Relief went through him. The man really did look grateful, maybe a little shocked, and by the tiny smile Harry saw, happy. He debated getting up and just leaving. Letting Severus Snape have his happy moment. He wasn't sure how the man would feel about the other paper Harry held.
He actually stood up before a hand on his arm stopped him.
"Harry, what is the other paper?" Snape's eyes were on it and Harry couldn't help but look down at his hand. He was shaking. When had that started?
He opened his mouth trying to force the words out but all that came out was a broken sound. Snape looked up at him for a second before the potions master's hand slide down Harry's arm and he gently took the copy of Lily's will from Harry's hand.
Harry's feet were frozen while he watched Snape unfold it. It took a second, a single over before you could blink second for Snape to read the title.
The man stumbled backwards and fell into his seat. Eyes never leaving the paper.
It didn't take long for the man to finish the paper. When he was done his head fell back against the couch and Harry could see tears falling down his professors cheeks. He suddenly felt like he was invading and he finally got his feet to move. He tried not to make a sound as he walked towards the door.
"I'm who William Weasley was talking about at Black's custody trail?" The man asked and Harry stopped and turned to face him. Snape's eyes were on him, the man seemed conflicted worried maybe about what he read.
Harry nodded.
"Are…" Snape cleared his throat, "Are you okay with this?" It took Harry a second to answer not because he bothered by Snape being his Godfather but because he was trying to figure out how Snape felt about it. He finally figured it out, Snape was scared Harry didn't want it.
"Yeah." He answered, giving the man a smile, "I'm okay with it." Snape visibly relaxed.
"Me too." The man muttered after a second. Harry's smile grew bigger. Not sure what to do now he opened the man's door, "Oh, Sirius says make sure everything is ready before you fill out the paper, cause the second its done. Narcissa will be pissed."
Snape nodded. "Thank you." The man said to Harry's back as he turned and left.
Harry walked down the corridor, he took his time returning to the tower. He felt relieved that Snape hadn't freaked out over either paper and that he wanted to be one of Harry's godfathers. Truthfully he had been worried. With how Snape felt about James, Sirius, and Harry most days, he thought for sure the man would have told him no. That he didn't want anything to do with Harry passed Harry and Draco's relationship, or maybe the war with the insane wizards. Instead he had looked relieved when Harry had said he was okay with it. It had taken his breath away for a second.
"Where the hell have you been?" Ron shouted the second he walked into the common room, his good mood about Snape gone. Harry stopped and looked at the red faced, redhead, Hermione and Ginny on either side of him. He could see Neville, Seamus, and Dean behind the trio looking at each other and then back at Ron and the other two.
"Excuse me?" Harry asked.
"Where have you been? You show up acting like a prat and yelling at us and then you just go off, not a word about where you are going!" Harry actually had to wrap his robes around his fingers to stop himself from hexing or punching the other Gryffindor.
"Ron, we aren't friends anymore. I don't owe you or anyone an explanation for where I go." He tried to shove passed his old friends but Hermione grabbed his arm.
"Harry, you haven't been the same since you've been back," she said gently like she was afraid to spook him, "maybe we should have the headmaster look at you?"
"Yeah, Harry," Ginny said, "Maybe Malfoy did something to you. Let us help." Harry had never had the urge to hit a girl before, never even thought about it, not even his Aunt. But the way Ginny moved to stand in front of him, cutting his escape route off and the way Hermione held his arm, he wanted to hit them just as badly as he wanted to hit Ron, who stood next to his sister look smug.
He ripped his arm free and glared at his old friend when she cried out when she stumbled forward.
"Don't touch me." He hissed at her and then looked at Ginny.
"I don't want or need your help. Draco is my friend, unlike you three. He hasn't screamed or attacked me over who I want to live with or talked to. Maybe you should take a few pointers from him." He tried to walk away again but Ginny would move out of his way.
"Guy's leave him alone." Dean said coming to stand behind Ginny, he put his hand on her shoulder and tried to pull her back. She growled at him and shrugged him off.
"Stay out of this Thomas." Ron said moving to push the other boy's hand off his sisters shoulder.
No," Dean said, "you guys are ganging up on Harry when it's clear he would rather be elsewhere."
In a flash Ron's wand was pointed at the dark skinned boys face, and just as quick Harry's, Neville's, and Seamus's were pointed at Ron. It took Hermione and Ginny a second and the two seemed confused on who to point their wants at. Harry or the other two.
"What is going on in here!" Professor Mcgonagall's voice carried across the room as she stormed into the room, Professor Snape and the Headmaster behind her.
Shit, Harry cursed in his head, as he lowered his wand.
"They were ganging up on Harry," Seamus said, Harry turned to look at his dorm mate, he too had lowered his wand though he was sneering at Ron, "yelling and grabbing him."
"We tried to get them to leave him alone and Ron drew his wand." Dean said, his wand now pointed at the ground.
"Is that true?" The professor turned her sharp gaze on to Ron, who at least looked a little guilty about his actions.
"He grabbed Ginny!" Ron said as defense pointing at Dean.
"I tried to move my girlfriend out of Harry's way." Dean said in defense and Harry's brain got stuck on the word girlfriend, when the hell did that happen?
"It seems like a misunderstanding." Harry wasn't looking at the man, but he could just feel the Headmasters annoyance at the situation. He almost turned and told the man to fuck off.
"They drew wands, Albus," Professor Mcgonagall said, "there has to be some kind of punishment."
"Detention." Snape said, "Perhaps cleaning caldron's will teach them a lesson."
"Now, now, Severus, I'm sure all they need is a good talking to."
"Yeah." Ron said, earning a sharp look from just about everyone. Ginny even elbowed her brother in the ribs.
"I have to agree with Severus." Mcgonagall said.
Dumbledore did not look happy at this, but the man shrugged and gave the room a fake smile, "it seems I am out numbered." There was a chuckled, "Now then I think Harry, Mister Weasley, and Miss Granger, should have…"
"I think not." Snape cut him off, "those three need to be seperated. I'll take Potter. Minerva can handle Weasley and Granger. I think Pomona could use Longbottom's help in the greenhouses, as for Thomas and Finnigan, I'm positive Pomfrey could use some help in the hospital wing."
"Agreed." Mcgonagall said before the headmaster could try and argue.
"Potter with me." Harry rushed to follow after the man. Neither said a word until they reached the Potion's lab.
"Sorry." Harry muttered once inside.
"What for?" Snape asked looking at him a little confused.
"Getting in trouble?" Harry replied though now he was a little confused. Wasn't the man mad at him? He had literally only been out of his office for minutes before he was in trouble.
"Harry, did you pull your wand first?"
He shook his head.
"Did you internally rile up Weasley so that he would?"
Again he shook his head.
"Did you ask, Longbottom, Finnigan, or Thomas to defend you?"
Harry was starting to see what the man was getting at, he shook his head no.
"Then you have nothing to be sorry for. Now do your homework or something while I grade papers." Harry stood frozen for a second watching as the man sat behind his desk and started moving things around, when Severus looked up at him, he blushed and moved to one of the tables. A chair appeared as he approached and he gave the professor a thankful smile before he sat down and started on his Charms essay.