The Ministry had rejected her claim telling her Albus wasn't on record as Mr. Potter's guardian in any capacity and therefore did not fill the role at all. They, the Ministry, liked the idea of Mr. Potter having two adults of a reasonable age at the school to fill in for his deceased parents. It was even better, in their eyes, that Severus was the same age as Mr. Potter's natural parents while Albus was older than even his Grandparents had been when they died.
Severus was still raking Minerva over the coals so the teachers pulled themselves out of their memories to listen. "But worse for you is, all three of them admitted he'd never agreed to pay them one thin knut for being his so-called friends. Or whatever the hell they think they were getting paid for. The youngest one said he owed her because her family fed him and clothed him and gave him a place to sleep a couple of times over the years.
Something she implied happened far more often than it actually did. I think we all know he spent a grand total of two weeks under the Weasely roof in the last four years. And for those two weeks he believed himself to be an invited guest of the Weasely clan. That was during the summer between his first and second years here.
A visit that has never been repeated because, as I found out yesterday, he had to deal with having his belongings stolen out of his trunk by Ms. Weasely while he was otherwise occupied. But even if you don't believe that; she openly admitted she did steal from him, by the way; here's something for you to think about. No other child pays their host when they have a sleep over at a friends house. Rich family with a poor guest or poor family with a rich guest. Why should he?"
Weakly, Minerva replied, "Well, the Weasely family are poor Severus. He isn't. They all know he isn't. And I doubt Molly or Arthur would have asked him for anything. Nor would they have allowed their children to steal from his trunk behind his back. If she took anything from him, he probably told her she could have it. And now he's claiming she stole it when in reality she didn't do any such thing. But he could help them out. That would be something James would do. It's only being considerate. And it'd do Mr. Potter good to share what he has in abundance with those who aren't as fortunate. Teach him to be less stingy and greedy with what his parents left him."
"Yes, if they asked him, and he agreed, it would be. If he was greedy or stingy at all which I don't believe he actually is. But they didn't ask. They took. Mr and Mrs Weasely didn't ask and as far as I know didn't benefit from the thievery of their children. Nor I believe would either Weasely adult even consider asking Mr. Potter to pay to come visit them or their children.
Though they might be very surprised to learn of it since it certainly explains why he has refused all other invitations I know they've extended to him over the years. But those two," he waved his teaspoon in the direction of the Gryffindor table not caring in the slightest the two misbehaving Weasely weren't present yet, "are not their parents. They had no right to steal from his vaults behind his back. Or her from his trunk while he was staying under the Weasely roof."
Filius interrupted to ask, "You said she admitted she stole from his trunk that summer though Minerva denies it. What did she steal and why?"
"His short pants and I don't even want to know why. She freely and without coercion admitted it in the Library yesterday. So yes she did steal them from him. Considering she was a ten maybe eleven year old girl at the time, that just is wrong on so many levels it isn't even funny. Yet she saw nothing wrong in raiding his trunk while he was busy with her siblings and taking his underwear from him." Looking at Madam Hooch who was rather green at the implications, he added,
"She also claims her brother taught Potter how to fly and all about playing Quiditch so all his success at being a good Seeker is to her brother's credit. Not his own skill." Madam Hooch squawked in surprise and denial as Filius made a face while Pomona dropped her spoon in shock. Minerva squirmed but said nothing. She knew of the girl's obsession with the boy but had thought she'd outgrown it.
However even if she had, saying anything about that long past theft wouldn't do any good right now. Nor did she see a point in belaboring the Quiditch issue and Mr. Potter's flying ability. Everyone knew the boy was a complete natural on a broom.
Severus wasn't finished with the subject though.
"Even if he had agreed to pay them for his maintenance while staying under their roof, it should never have equaled paying one Hogwarts tuition for a year. Let alone two. Or more! Merlin knows by the time that girl began attending here we had five Weasely children in the school and I highly doubt Arthur's salary could cover more than one of those tuition payments.
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