Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

If This Is How You Treat Your Heroes...	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Lucius Views: 96985 -:- Recommendations : 12 -:- Currently Reading : 15
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and make no form of profit off this story

Chapter List
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Chapter 12

Beta'd by the most wonderful, amazing and stupendous Tenchi. Woman, you are the best and love you for all you do for me!

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Trembling hands folded in front of him on the table, Bill was staring hard at the old, scarred surface, shaking his head. Letting out a sigh, he said, softly, not able to look at his parents, “I don't know what to do here. I believe in the Order and know Albus needs us, but this—I don't know what I should do. If I go back to Egypt, Albus is going to lose me because I can't easily come back and forth. If I don't go, being fired from Gringotts will make it very hard for me to get another job. The goblins have long arms in our world. It's going to look even worse that I was with them for so long before being let go for a matter of invasion of a client's privacy.” Stopping, he looked up at his parents then asked, voice very quiet, “What do I do? Fleur—she can lose her worker's permit over this. With how Fudge is acting towards anyone he perceives as being in line with Albus, it's a sure bet she's going to very soon. What's going on might stave that off for a while, but it'll come.”

Serious look on her face, Molly reached out and put her hands over her oldest's then gave them a squeeze. Gently, she said, “In this case, you need to do what is best for you. Albus will survive without you if you chose Egypt. We all understand that you can't do something that will affect you negatively for a great many years just to help with the Order.”

“Your mother is right,” Arthur nodded, looking down as he polished his glasses. “I would say Egypt is what is best. It might not be what you want right now, but it's your future you need to worry about. Let the rest of us worry about Order business. We managed in the first war and will do so again in this one.”

Looking across the old table at his parents, Bill nodded then sighed, “Alright, that's what I'll do. I'm on administrative leave until I make a choice. I'll go in tomorrow and let them know. With what I know of such things, I'll probably be back in Egypt before the week is out. I plan to take Fleur with me.”

Sighing, feeling her eyes prickle with tears, Molly nodded then said, “We understand. As we did in the past, we'll work with it from there.”

Relieved, Bill nodded. Drinking the last of his tea, he sighed then shook his head, “I don't know what's going on, but it is big. The French—they can be odd about how to do things, that's for sure. That seal, though—it's almost never done. I don't know why they put that on. It's almost as though they expected someone to try to trace him. Well—I don't know! Harry has to know we would only try to help him! Why would he hide?”

Sliding his glasses back on, Arthur clasped his hands on the table in front of him and looked down then said, slowly, “I think there is a great deal that went on that we didn't know about when it came to Harry. The assaults in the castle alone would be enough for anyone to run. I don't think any of us can blame him there. It's—all of us have our breaking point when it comes to some situations. In this case, I think Harry hit his. Nor, really, would he have known where to go I think. Minerva, obviously, would have helped, but I think it was the last straw for him, then he did what he thought was best. I'm sure he has had some help somewhere, though I don't have an idea who it might be. I just hope that whoever they are, they happen to be people that aren't using him. If they managed to help him get to France then in to see the Minister there, they seem to know what they're doing and are worried about him. It's not a move most would have even thought to try. He, I think, has someone watching out for him. That's good. I just wish he would have come to us.” Arthur sighed, shaking his head. Then, as an afterthought, he added, “I'm not sure what any of us could have done though! With what's going on, no one was going to believe him.”

Looking at the table, Molly sniffled a little then shook her head. This was still a touchy subject with her. “Augusta said, when I went to see her today while she was sitting with Neville, that he told her in letters home that the castle was really bad these last couple years. He told her between Snape and Umbridge that Harry was at the end of his rope. I guess that Harry was doing everything in his power to stay out of their way, but they were targeting him.” Looking up, she glanced around then asked, “Why didn't he say anything to us?”

“He did,” Arthur told her softly, looking away, a pinched expression on his face. “Several times from what I can remember. None of us—we deferred to Albus and let him handle it. It—Remus was right; we did nothing to protect him. I think our mindset was that it couldn't be that bad or Albus would have stepped in. Apparently, it was.” Shaking his head, he sighed, “We should have done something. I don't know what, but something.”

Swiping at a tear that fell, Molly shook her head then let out a ragged sigh. “This is bad. It's tearing our world apart.”

“I think some of it needs to be torn apart,” Arthur said quietly, not looking at her. “If we ignore so much of what we did or allow our government to do what they did to someone like Harry, change needs to happen. This—it's bad, everyone will tell you that, and it's just starting, but some of it has been needed for a long time.”

“I agree with dad; some changes need to come,” Bill said softly. “I just wish that Harry had come to one of us first! I mean, he has to realize this is only helping the other side!”

Thinking that over, Arthur said softly, “I don't think that is something he should have considered. If the paper is factual and what took place was so brutal that he required surgery to repair it, he just needed to get out and not worry about who this mess is helping.” Letting out a shuddering sigh, he added, “There is also the fact that this wasn't the first time it happened. No, thinking about who this helps shouldn't be something he has to worry about.” Not wanting to stay on that topic, he looked at his wife. Seeing her red eyes, he put a hand over hers and gave it a squeeze then asked, changing topics, “How is Neville?”

Lip quivering, Molly let out a shuddering sigh then shook her head, “He's bad. He—well, he's drugged, no doubt there, but he won't open his eyes or even react to anyone coming into the room. Nothing anyone can do will get him to talk to them. He's not so out of it he can't, he just won't. Augusta—well, she's angry. Really angry. She knows Neville is a timid soul, but she's enraged this happened and blames all kinds of people.” Stopping, she looked up then said, glancing around, “If you see her, whatever you do don't mention Albus or the Order. She'll blow up on you. She's downright furious at almost everyone. And she blames Albus for some of this. Well, more than some. She says it's him that allowed it to continue when he knew something was wrong.”

Rubbing his eyes, Bill shook his head and sighed, looking back down at the table. “I don't get that. How can she blame him or the Order? She has to see both are just trying to help!”

“Sometimes anger at people or organizations is the only way you get through something traumatic,” Arthur explained gently. Though he wouldn't say it aloud, he could see her point. He probably would feel the same way in a similar situation. Sighing, he said, “I think some of us need to get together and see what we can do for her. Maybe see if we can't manage to get some of his friends in to see him or something. Harry—I think all of us need to send him an owl. I'm not sure he'll get it, but we need to try. Nor do we need to mention anything happening over the mess. No, just send him some support. I'm not sure he'll want to hear it if we can get one through, but we need to. He's one of our own and that hasn't changed.” Looking at his wife who was nodding firmly, he said, “Let Ron and Hermione know that as well. The same with the others. Maybe get them to write Neville as well. It can't hurt. The worst that will come of it is the letters will be returned.”

Giving a firm nod, looking determined for the first time since this whole mess started, Molly said, “I will! Let's see who I can get through to. I'll start with the kids and go from there.”

Pleased that his wife was focused once more, Arthur gave her a nod, but felt less than hopeful it would help right now. Sighing, he shook his head then glanced at the time. Lunch hour was almost over so he had to get back to work. Standing, he said, “I'm headed back. If you need to get me, you know how.” After nodding to the two, he left then Apparated back to the Ministry.

Stepping into Hogwarts, Lucius looked determined. It would be an hour or so before the full board showed up to convene and get to the heart of matters, but he had made certain that McGonagall knew he was coming to talk to Draco. Now he was just formulating how to deal with his son. This was a delicate dance, as he knew well, where he could only impart certain things because he was too afraid of some details being overheard, but also needed Draco to back off and stop causing problems.

Stopping when he saw a very stressed looking deputy headmistress standing there, he lifted his chin then said, firmly, “I want to speak with my son. Preferably up on the astronomy tower.” That was, really, the only place in the castle he knew where he could talk to Draco without fear of the paintings or other means of someone listening in. Plus, he knew he could ward it well enough to keep them from being overheard by eavesdropping spells.

Having expected this, as she'd dealt with several parents that day that wanted to speak with their children, Minerva nodded, “If you wish, go on up. I'll have him join you there.”

Nodding, Lucius turned and made his way to the stairs, still honing what he had to say to Draco. Stopping, before he heard her walk away, he looked at her then asked, “Where is Snape at this point? Is he still in contact with the students?”

Lips a thin line, she told him firmly, “No. He's been confined to quarters and has a spell on him to keep him away from students, per the charter.”

“And that will be effective,” Lucius sneered, glaring at her. “As he knows more spells than most in this castle, I'm certain that he can break it easily.”

Knowing that to be true, Minerva sighed then told him, “We went by the charter, I ensured that. Everything else done was out of my hands. I did what I could, Lucius.”

Taking that in, he gave her a bare nod, surprised that she seemed to be throwing Albus to the dragons when it came to this. At least that's how he was reading what was said. Looking at her, he said softly, though his tone contained an icy bite, “Before the rest of the board arrives you may wish to ponder what means more to you, Prof. McGonagall; the students you teach or your relationship, and extracurricular activities, with the headmaster. The entire board is very displeased with some of what was dumped into our laps today.”

Stiffening up, looking at Lucius, Minerva's chin rose fractionally then she said, tone clear and even, “My students always come first, Lucius.” That—oh, she was well aware what that cryptic statement meant and it didn't bode well for Albus. Nor could she really fault the board for it. The sexual assaults alone were going to be a nightmare to deal with. As she wasn't privy to some of what was delivered to the board, but knew enough of what was going on to have seen some of what she was certain was imparted, Albus was probably in big trouble.

Pleased, Lucius nodded. “If you would, ensure Draco gets to the tower quickly. My time to talk to him is limited.” Turning his back to her, he made his way up the stairs.

Watching the powerful Malfoy patriarch walk up the stairs, Minerva quickly went to fetch Draco. Right now, he was in the common room as he had no class, so it would be easy enough. While headed to the dungeons, she thought over what was just said, not liking what could come of it, but knowing it was probably unavoidable by now.

Looking determined, Draco stepped out onto the astronomy tower then made his way over to his father. Though there was some wariness there over some of it, he was fully planning to get Vector to back off some of what she was doing. Walking over and sitting down, he felt a ward slide into place then said, “Father, do you know what Vector has done? She's--” before he could finish, he was cut off.

“She's well within her rights to do so nor can I do anything to make her reverse her stance, Draco,” Lucius told him, facing his son. Quietly, but with a firm tone, he said, “You need to listen, Draco, and closely. I won't even cover that you didn't quit the squad when both your mother's lover and I told you to. However, you need to understand that the parents of those that were victims of Umbridge want the students on the squad prosecuted also, as they apparently knew just what was going on.” Seeing his son go pale, he said, shaking his head, “We managed to circumnavigate around that by disbanding all extracurricular activities, including all house Quidditch teams, and disavowing that we had anything to do with it. That's the best we can manage. The rest—Vector is now head of your house, and probably will be on a permanent basis, so you will have to deal with the way she does things.”

Shaking, Draco swallowed thickly, then said, tone incredulous, “Saint Potter makes an accusation like that and Prof. Snape is tossed out? That's ridiculous!”

Stepping closer to his son, Lucius looked down at him then said, after ensuring the wards were as strong as he could get them, “They aren't accusations, Draco, they are real, very real, and he's not the only victim. What is in the paper is the truth!” Crouching down in front of his seated son, he said, softly, “You need to listen to me carefully and consider what I say—who can you think of that has the kind of power and knows the magic it takes to break an Obliviation? Most can't do it. Even I can't, son. Think that over.”

Looking at his father, Draco thought for a moment and only one name came to mind. Going even paler, he whispered, “Mother's lover.”

“Exactly,” Lucius told him firmly. “He's been under her lover's protection since before the Quidditch World Cup. It's all real, Draco, all of it. Everything that has come out in the papers, and what is to come. Someone very close to you right now is the person that managed to spirit him away that night. It's that same person that got him out of the country and is now helping him. What happened is not pretty and very real, as will be the fallout from it.” Stopping, he looked at his son and waited, hoping he got what he was going for.

Licking his lips, eyes so wide they looked like they were going to fall out of his head, Draco whispered so softly no one but his father would be able to hear, “You.”

“Yes,” Lucius told him firmly. “You need to stop what you're doing and back off. It's not helping! And stay away from that man! He's dangerous! Potter is not the only victim. We don't know how far reaching this is. Hell is coming, Draco, for many. Keep your head down and out of the line of fire. With as bad as this is going to be, one wrong move and they will look at you then me. Do you understand?”

Nodding, swallowing thickly, shaking slightly harder, Draco asked, “Why didn't you tell me?”

“Because we needed it kept a secret, like so much else that goes on.” Sighing, Lucius shook his head then told him gently, “You wouldn't intend to give it up, Draco. It would have slipped though. That we couldn't risk. Very few knew and we needed it to stay that way.”

Rubbing his eyes, Draco then gazed back at his father, still white as a sheet. “Why didn't he say something! I didn't know! If someone had, I would have backed off him!”

“We couldn't!” Lucius sighed. “What we were doing was risky anyway. Nor would you have believed him. He's not—one of your mother's lover's followers, he's just protected. He couldn't say anything that wouldn't have looked odd. Nor would you have believed him if he did. We couldn't. It's—well, the complexity of what went on in trying to protect him is beyond what you know. As were other plans. We did what we could without most being any the wiser. That was safest for all involved.” Stopping, Lucius looked at his son, happy that what he said sunk in.

Thinking it over, Draco looked at him then said, “He knows this helps—well, us, right?”

“He knows,” Lucius told him firmly with a nod. “He's known all along. His loyalties weren't where people thought they were, Draco. They aren't fully on our side, but somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. All he wants is what he said in the paper; to be left alone. By everyone.”

Taking that in, Draco nodded slowly. “How bad is this going to get? What's there already is really bad. Parents are starting to pull students out of school. We don't have some classes because there is no teacher. Everything else is a mess!”

“It's going to get worse,” Lucius told him with a sigh. Lowering his voice, he said, “It's going to take apart most of the government, at least that's what we think, the school is going to be heavily affected as are many others. This is going to be bad. Let's say the interview given was—two very close to you sat with him while he did it. That means they know what is coming. This is just the start.”

Shocked by that, Draco swallowed thickly then nodded. “Both of you helped him?”

“Both,” Lucius confirmed. “Draco,” he started gently, then lowered his voice and softened his tone, “He's your age. Your mother—well, she's a mother. He needed help. You'll understand that in a few days as you read the paper. It's different on my end. That will be explained later. Even your aunt likes him. In fact, she's at his place right now with—both others close to you. Like you, he had to keep up appearances, son. Despite the appearance he had to maintain, he adores your mother and aunt. In fact, he trusts them a great deal. That should tell you about all you need to know. And things you saw weren't always correct when it came to him. We'll explain that over break.”

Completely blindsided, though he had to guess what was inferred, Draco wasn't sure what to say.

Reaching down and gently cupping his son's cheek, Lucius said, tone as gentle as he could make it, “Stay out of what's going on, Draco. That's the only way I have to protect you. All you have to tell anyone if they ask is that you get the feeling from talking to me that this is no joke nor is it sensationalized. It's sounding like you're going to get a break a couple weeks early anyway. We have a mess to deal with and will have to make staffing additions and, possibly, changes. One of the solutions is to go to winter break early, with everyone out of the castle if we can manage. More will be explained then.”

Nodding, taking that as sound advice, Draco asked, “Why, father? Why did Prof. Snape do that? I mean, anyone can get a whore! Be they male or female. If you want sex that bad, why do this? I mean, hell, he has girls in our house practically throwing themselves at him! He didn't need to do this.”

“It's not about sex, Draco,” Lucius told him softly. Shaking his head, he sighed then said, “It's about rage, anger, hatred, revenge, humiliation, power and many other things, but not sex. Sex is just the weapon used to commit the act. Nothing more. I didn't see the memories, and don't want to, but the person that pulled them told me he couldn't do anything, he was rendered helpless.” Looking at his son, he said as gently as he could, “The assaults go back to his first year, Draco. That part in the paper was factual. Could you have defended yourself at that age against someone like him? With all he knows? Even with as good as you are, you couldn't. That's more than sex, son.”

Rubbing his eyes, Draco felt ill. Shaking his head, he didn't know what to say.

Letting his hand drop, Lucius put it on Draco's knee then gave it a squeeze before saying, “This—we didn't know. Your mother’s lover bluntly told the man to back off Potter. No, he wasn't told why, but he was told. I was there and heard it. He didn't. If we had known what was really going on, something would have been done sooner.”

“It's sick,” Draco told him, looking down.

“It is,” Lucius agreed with a nod.

“Longbottom—we heard—well, you know rumors. He was taken out of the castle,” Draco said, looking up at his father.

Knowing he couldn't really say anything, Lucius just looked at him and shrugged.

Starting to shake again, Draco looked at him, horrified. “We trusted him! Merlin! We were around him all the time! What if--,” stopping, Draco just looked at his father.

Looking down, Lucius said, “I don't think anyone from Slytherin was affected. At least that's something that would have been said to me if they were. I'm not sure who all was, but I don't think his own house was drawn in.”

“He's still here, father!” Draco whispered, horrified.

“I know,” Lucius ground out, rubbing his eyes. Shaking his head, he told him, “We're trying to find a way to get him out, but we don't know how. Until some charges, somewhere, are leveled, we can't. We're going to try, though. It's far more complicated than you know. Even the top levels in the government are having problems working with the situation.”

“Because he won't help,” Draco observed.

Smirking slightly, Lucius nodded, “Because he won't help them or confirm anything.”

Unable to help himself, Draco grinned, “That's quite a Slytherin thing to do!”

“There is a reason he was supposed to go into that house, Draco,” Lucius told him smoothly, smirk growing.

“He was?” Draco asked, eyes widening.

“I'll let him explain it to you at some point, but he was,” Lucius confirmed. Putting his hand on the back of his son's head, he gave it a rub then said, gently, “Stay out of the mess, Draco. What's coming is worse. Don't add to what is there. Send off your resignation to the squad when you get down to the common room. And don't say anything about why. Keep this to yourself. In the end, you'll like the results. Understand?”

“I do,” Draco nodded, looking at his father. Quietly, he asked, “He never told you I was still on the squad?”

“No, though I wish he would have,” Lucius sighed. “He's taken the stance that the issues between him and you are kept there. He won't draw anyone else into them. I do see his point and like it for the most part. However, this is the one instance that I wish he would have let someone know.”

Taking that in, Draco nodded, saying nothing.

“He's not who you perceive him to be, Draco.” Lucius told him gently. “Like you, he had a lot he had to keep hidden from even those that were closest to him to protect others, including those closest to you. Nor was his life what the world thinks it was. Keep that in mind with some of what is coming. Over the next few days in the paper that will prove itself. I can assure you that what is said in the Seer is completely factual with no spin. If nothing else, take my word for it.”

Looking at his father, Draco said, firmly, “I will.”

Smiling at his son, Lucius nodded. Giving his head another rub, he stood, “I have to go now. The rest of the board should be here shortly. We have more work to do than we can handle. Just remember what I said.”

Standing himself, straightening his robes, Draco nodded, looking determined. “I will.”

Putting a hand on his son's shoulder, he gave it a squeeze then dropped the wards and guided Draco towards the stairs.

Sitting behind his desk in his office, Albus was dismayed looking at the mass of people arrayed in front of him. Minerva was here, of course, as would be dictated because of her position. Before him was every member of the Board of Governors as well. That had never happened before in his whole tenure. Also present were Rufus Scrimgeour and another Auror. The reason for them being there he didn't know. Now they were just waiting for Dolores Umbridge to join them to start the meeting.

Having ensured that tea and biscuits were served, he leaned back in his chair and asked, “Will we be finished today or not? I ask because we need to make arrangements for Minerva and her teaching position.”

“I don't know,” Wolfgang Erwin told the aging headmaster honestly. “There is so much to cover here and with us at a loss as to what to do, we just don't know if we can or not. If we can't, we have a backup plan in place to cover the problem.”

Taking that in, Albus nodded, but his brow furrowed. This was odd. Nor did he have any idea what kind of backup plan they were talking about. He was about to ask for clarification when Dolores came in.

Nodding to all of those that were there, she smiled then simpered, hoisting her tablet, “So sorry I'm late. I got caught up with something from Minister Fudge. As those demand my immediate attention, it couldn't be delayed. You have me fully now, I've ensured that.”

About to say something, hoping to get the meeting started, Albus was stopped and startled by Rufus stepping over to the woman.

Looking at her, a grim cast to his face, he produced handcuffs then said, “Dolores Umbridge, you're under arrest for multiple counts of torturing children by the application of a dark artifact.” Quickly, he slapped the cuffs on her, ignoring her sputtering and indignation. Having the other Auror help to lead her off, he began to read her rights to her as they rode down the revolving staircase.

Looking pleased, Wolfgang nodded, “That is one troublesome issue dealt with.” Glancing around, he saw the other board members looking pleased as well, most nodding. Focusing on Albus, his face once more took on a serious cast. “Now, let's start with Severus Snape, shall we?” Seeing the headmaster nod, he hissed, “Tell me, Albus, why is it you have allowed that child molester to stay in a castle full of schoolchildren!” Normally, he was a fairly calm man which led to being able to deal with tough situations reasonably. However, this case was the thing nightmares were made of! And he wanted answers!

Taken aback slightly, Albus then soothed, “I refuse to remove someone from their home over mere accusations. I'm sure you know that. No charges have been leveled as of yet so they remain accusations.”

“No charges have been leveled because the young man had to flee the castle then the country to get real help,” Lucius drawled, looking at the old goat.

“The memories are real, Albus,” Wolfgang told him firmly. “We saw a couple of them, at least two of us did, what we could stomach of them anyway, and have the transcripts. These are not mere accusations! There is also another victim. No, this goes beyond accusations. Now, we would all like your explanation of why you would allow him to stay, Albus.” Leaning back, he waited.

“Until charges are leveled, they are accusations, no matter the proof,” Albus explained once more, keeping a calm, soothing tone.

“Albus, that is poppycock!” Anastasia Volk told him firmly. “Even a mere accusation of such, once it's forwarded to the board, needs to be dealt with. You have an agenda, like you always do. With all you spout on protecting children, why is it you're endangering them by having someone even accused of such a crime in the school? Why, Albus? And we want a clear answer.”

Looking around, face firm, he said, “As I said, there are no charges leveled so they are accusations.”

“This is worthless,” Lucius hissed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Why are we even bothering?”

Looking at the man, Albus was about to say something when he was cut off by Wolfgang once more.

“Albus, you are dangerously close to being removed as Headmaster,” the man told him firmly, eyes hard. “We want real answers, not smoke blown in our direction. You've taken more stringent steps against other situations that weren't nearly as dangerous. Explain to us why Snape warrants you protecting him. That's all we can figure out as a reason for this. It's the same with Trelawney. What is going on and we expect real answers, Albus. There is much here that involves you, personally, that has to be covered as well.”

“You protected and stood up for him during the trials after the last war, Albus,” Beatrice Smythe told him pointedly. “This has something to do with the theory of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named being back, doesn't it? You're protecting him against that or for some other reason?”

“What I do in my personal time is my own business,” Albus told them all firmly, leaning back and looking around.

“No, it's not. Not when it puts an entire castle of children at risk!” Algernon Winsor told him pointedly.

“Severus is merely accused, not under arrest. Until he's arrested, he has the same rights as everyone else,” Albus stated firmly, not wanting to get into other matters.

Huffing, Regina Catterfall snarled, “This is not getting us anywhere, Albus! We are fed up and want answers. You have a choice; give them to us or we remove you. How do you want to do this? Because if we take the step of removing you, all issues dealing with accusations regarding you and your actions will be forwarded on to the DMLE for Madam Bones to personally handle. It's your choice.” Folding her arms over her chest, she looked at the aging headmaster and waited.

Looking around, for once, Albus was at a loss as to what to do. He couldn't give the real reason, especially with Lucius sitting there, and even if he did, most wouldn't believe it. However, he was in a place where he didn't have much wiggle room either. “I believe we need to calm down, take a step back and discuss the matter. There are no provisions in the charter for removing Severus from the castle until charges are leveled. None were ever made. I made a decision based on that. We can't have the accusations out there, such as they are, and seem like we are just jumping on the bandwagon. No, his life and reputation are at stake. We can't endanger that no matter how publicly the charges are leveled. As Mr. Potter refuses to help anyone, from what I've been told, that's all they will remain. There will be a cloud there, of course, but nothing can be done. I won't remove a teacher for those reasons.”

Looking at the man, Wolfgang said, tone clipped, “That was a very fast waltz, Albus. It's not the whole answer either and we both know it.”

“It's an answer based on the rules of the school's charter,” Albus told him simply, leaning forward, putting his elbows on the edge of the desk and clasping his hands.

“That's not what was asked for,” Regina told him coldly.

Looking back at her, Albus said, “It's the only one you're getting. It's what deals with the school, nothing more. Steps have been taken to ensure that the children are protected and he won't be around them. Our students are safe.”

“Except the ones he's already assaulted,” Beatrice snarled, looking at him. “Except the ones he's repeatedly terrorized over the years. Except the ones he's bullied. All of which you've allowed to keep right on happening. Why, Albus? Why is this man worth more than the young victim that had to run away from this school and hide? How does he rate such preferential treatment over underage students? Keep in mind, we know about the other victim and that the accusation there is true as well.”

Looking at her, Albus wasn't sure what to say. Instead, he began to state once again what he already had. However, he was interrupted before he got a full sentence out.

“That's enough,” Wolfgang snapped, looking furious. “Over the years, I've dealt with your eccentricities and other agendas, Albus. I let them go because what is best for the students always seemed to come first with you. That was until the year Mr. Potter showed up. Then your Machiavellian nature once more reared its head. Now whatever is going on with you is focused there, not on a school full of children that need you more than you need to be planning out something else. No, it stops now.” Looking around, seeing firm determined looks on the faces of the rest of the board, he said, “As of this moment, the board is terminating your tenure as Headmaster. We expect you out of the castle before sundown. You are now dismissed from this office. We will be forwarding all accusations against you, personally, to Madam Bones for her to deal with. Of course, we'll ensure she gets all the cooperation she needs. Good day, Albus!”

Stunned, Albus looked at the angry faces across from him but stood and went to his private quarters to get ready to leave.

Making sure the former headmaster was gone and the privacy wards slid into place that didn't allow him through, Wolfgang looked at the stunned Minerva. Quietly, he said, “You have a choice, Minerva. Your students or following him. That means everything. You will be questioned about just what is going on, not to mention incidents in the past, and we expect answers, not dancing.”

Stiffening her spine, Minerva said, tone firm, “The students come first.”

“That includes all the other shenanigans he's pulling you into outside of school, Minerva,” Algernon told her softly, looking at her.

“The students, and what is best for them, come first,” she told them once more, clasping her hands in front of her.

“Good,” Wolfgang said with a pleased nod. Gesturing for her to take a seat, he said, “Now, let's deal with this mess accordingly. As the castle will now respond to you, what do you wish to do about Snape?”

“He is to be removed from the castle post-haste,” she told him firmly, looking directly at him after she sat down. That part—oh, she had no problem with that. She wanted him out of this nightmare as fast as she could get him to depart. What happened after that, she didn't care. As long as he wasn't in a school full of children, she would be satisfied!

Lifting his head and having a grim smile, Wolfgang said, “When we are done here, I'll call Rufus back to have him and a couple Aurors escort him off the grounds personally. Now, onto other matters—such as what to do with staffing issues. Then we will walk you through what we want to know.” Seeing Minerva nod, he said, “We thought that this week it's best to cancel classes. At the end of the week, we send them home for winter break. It's two weeks early and parents will have to be notified, but with what is going on, I don't see an issue. Over the break, we'll find someone, somewhere to take up the slack for the positions. Any improvement you can see on that plan, Minerva?”

“It's a very good idea,” she told him honestly, nodding, looking relieved. “However, maybe, before then, we get some Mind Healers in here to talk to the students. We also need to make some kind of announcement as to what is going on. Already, the rumor mill is going full tilt and we have issues.”

“Yes, good suggestions, both,” Beatrice said, nodding. “We'll contact St. Mungos to see what they can provide. I propose that we get with the staff before we go and hammer out something to announce to the students at dinner. I would also suggest that each head of house sit them down tonight and go over everything. We want them to be filled in as completely as we can to stave off even more wild untruths than are already floating around. Those help no one.”

Relaxing slightly, Lucius listened in as they hashed out what needing to be done. This was good. Finally, it was going in the direction they needed!

Curled up on the sofa, leaning against Sirius, Harry was going through some pictures of furniture Narcissa had stored at the manor as dark was falling a little after five. She had a bedroom suite he wanted, badly, so they were going to swap out his furnishings for that then change the color of the room. Sirius was reading over some papers his solicitor had left him so he could sign them. Remus was doing the same. They would be going to the French Ministry the following morning first thing for the Minister to sign the asylum papers. This way everything was in place.

Already the promissory contract was filled out with Sirius basically handing Grimmauld Place over to Narcissa and Bella. The money for it was in his vaults and Kreacher was at Malfoy Manor. Narcissa had traded him a sweet little elf named Twinky for Kreacher, something Harry made sure to say he had gotten the better end of the deal with. She had already moved all their things here and the wards on the home were locked down with the Fidelius canceled. So far all was going well.

Pretty much ignoring what Tom was explaining about how to fill out some of the forms, Harry was lost in the pictures when a smug looking Lucius came in. Looking up, he grinned a little at that expression, wondering what was going on. The only time he ever seemed to show something like that was when he brought a big present of some kind. Now he wondered what was going on.

Glancing up at her husband from the pictures she was sorting through of what Harry wanted, Narcissa narrowed her eyes then huffed, “Lucius? What have you done?” That look—it told her whatever it was would be big and grandiose in some way, something that made her wary.

Looking at his wife, Lucius smirked bigger then said, tone smooth, “Black gave me an idea before I left, a good one. So, I picked something up for Harry.”

Looking bewildered, clutching onto the papers he was filling out, Sirius looked at Lucius then to Cissy, who was rubbing the bridge of her nose, sighing heavily, to Harry who was grinning slightly. “Um—should we be worried? And how did I give him an idea?” He asked his godson quietly.

“Naw, nothing to worry about usually,” Harry told him, looking at the obviously pleased with himself Lucius.

“That remains to be seen yet,” Tom chuckled, shaking his head. “That look—he's a little too pleased with himself for my comfort.”

Still looking very pleased with himself, Lucius ignored Tom and his wife then said, “Black's animagus form—it gave me an idea. That and how protective he is of you.” Holding up his hand, he walked out of the room then came back in with a massive shaggy black dog. Telling the animal to sit, he said, looking quite smug, “Meet Padfoot the Second. He's a Tibetian Mastiff. They are guardian dogs, not guard dogs. He will protect you. Not only that, when I'm not around, he's someone you'll be comfortable sleeping in bed with. He's fully trained and I can do the simple bond for you with him. I thought he was perfect!”

Looking over at the dog, Harry grinned a little bigger. Standing up, he walked over then knelt down in front of the animal and began to pet him, chuckling softly when the dog began to lick his ear. “Alright, he's brilliant! Thank you, Lucius.”

Looking extremely pleased with himself, Lucius said, “You're welcome, Harry. I thought you might like him and would be comfortable with a dog sleeping with you when I can't be around. This is the closest I could get to what your godfather's animagus form looks like.” Stopping, he glanced around, still looking smug.

Shaking her head, though grinning slightly, Narcissa said, “Oh, Lucius! Tell me you didn’t pay for him what that foolish Muggle did a few years back for one!” She had heard about the Muggle that had brought a dog of that breed for well over a million dollars and hoped her husband hadn't done that.

Waving a dismissive hand, Lucius said, “Oh, no. Nothing like that. I know someone who breeds magical dogs and went to ask. He sent me to a friend of his. This is an older animal, so he was reasonable in price.”

Thankful he hadn't done that, Narcissa nodded, grinning a little bigger as she heard another muttered refrained about how wrapped around Harry's little finger Lucius was from Tom.

Hearing Remus chuckle, Sirius shook his head grinning. Actually, the idea was a great one and he could understand where it came from. Quickly, he put his papers down and shifted to Padfoot. Walking over to the dog, he let the animal sniff him. When he was done and the dog gave him a friendly lick around the ears, Sirius shifted back.

Crouching down, he petted the animal then said, “Alright, the original approves so he's good by me.” Looking up at Lucius, he said, “Good idea.” Seeing the smug look, he couldn't help but grin. Maybe, just maybe, this might all work out in the end. At least this was self proving that Lucius, indeed, cared about his godson. That, more than anything, helped.

AN- Alright, for those that don't know, this is what a black Tibetan Mastiff looks like...

http://www.1dutminter.com/uploadfile/2012/0914/20120914072126257.jpg

They are massive floofy, fuzzy, teddy bear looking dogs. It was the closest, other than a chow, which I didn't think was big enough, to fit the description of Padfoot in the books. Yeah, definitely big and bear-like! If you Google them, you will see how big they are in comparison to a human. Also, a guardian dog is different than a guard dog, keep that in mind!

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If This Is How You Treat Your Heroes...