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Preventative Measures	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male Views: 151588 -:- Recommendations : 8 -:- Currently Reading : 30
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and make no money off this work in perversion

Chapter List
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Chapter 28

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

With help from Lynn who works with me when it comes to flow, continuity and other issues.

Just a reminder of what's on my profile; reviews complaining or whinging about the lack 'o sex in stories will get deleted. If you want a smut-filled romp, you need to find another story to read.

Adjusting Harry's clothes, Sirius nodded at what he was seeing. Harry was dressed in some of the new clothes Lucius and Cissy had gotten him for his birthday. And he looked great in them. When he was sure everything was in place, he looked at Harry's hair then sighed and grinned, “I'm not going to bother with that. Nothing I know how to do will work to make it lay down. As long as it's combed and clean, you're good there, Harry.”

Chuckling nervously, tugging at his new robes, Harry told him, “Nothing you could do would work anyway, trust me.”

“It should be fine,” Remus told him softly, smoothing down his own best robes. Today was the day of the emancipation hearing, so he and Harry were getting ready. Severus would be here shortly. The plan was for all of them to leave together and arrive at the Ministry via the special Portkey provided. Because Harry was a minor and this involved custody, they didn't have to go through the front door to do this. That was good and he liked it. It saved plenty of headaches.

Reaching up and giving his nervous godson a rub on the head, Sirius soothed, “Nothing at all to worry about, Harry. It'll go smoothly. If that paperwork was any indication, you have this. It won't be like the last hearing, I swear.”

“Just the idea,” Harry admitted softly, looking at him.

“I get it, I really do, but it'll be fine. If you got this far, you'll get it.” Sirius soothed.

“We'll be fine, Harry,” Remus told him with a smile, looking up at Severus came in. “Nothing at all to worry about. From all we've seen, it'll just be a few questions then what your solicitor wants put in place, nothing more. Severus and I will probably be questioned more than you will.”

“We will,” Severus said, picking up on the topic quickly. “We're the issue with this from what I put together. Nothing to concern yourself with.”

Nodding to let him know he understood, Harry just sighed. It was still nerve-wracking.

Pulling Harry into a hug, Sirius patted him on the back and muttered, “It'll be fine. Nothing to worry about. Let your solicitor handle it. Now, you lot better go. It won't do to be late.”

Hugging Sirius back, Harry sighed and gave a shaky nod. “Yeah, we better.”

Putting a hand on Harry's shoulder when the hug broke off, Severus gave it a squeeze then said, “We need to go.” Giving Black a nod, he and Remus then led Harry out.

Glancing around at the small courtroom, Harry was happy that this one didn't come close to resembling the one he had for his other hearing. Instead of being intimidating, it was painted a soothing color with small tables to sit at rather than that imposing chair. Even the panel of what he assumed were the judges were seated at the table. Instead of a bunch of people, there were only three. One of them was Madam Bones, but he didn't know who the other two older men were.

Taking a seat when the hearing was called to order with his solicitor on one side and Remus and Severus on the other, Harry tried not to fidget. As he wasn't sure what was coming, he was plenty nervous.

Giving a nod to Amos to let him know they were ready after everyone was sworn in, Amelia focused on the teenager and said, smiling a little, “Nothing to worry about, Mr. Potter. We just have a few questions, nothing else.” Quickly, she introduced the two men on the panel and explained that they were there because they specialized in custody matters. It also made it to where a single person didn't make the decision, something that kept such matters fair. Once that was done, she leaned forward and began to talk about why they were there, asking questions of Amos for the record. Though she knew the history and why this was being brought to the court, it needed to be on the record for it to be legal.

When she finished, she looked at the young man and asked, “You do understand what supervised emancipation means, don't you, Mr. Potter?”

“I do,” Harry told her with a nod. “It means I'm considered a legal adult, but have two people coming to check on me a couple hours a day.”

“Exactly,” Amelia said with a firm nod. “Are these two men acceptable to you as the ones to oversee what's going on?”

“They are,” Harry told her firmly, more relaxed now than he was when they started.

“Do you trust them to do what's right by you?” She asked, something that they needed for the record.

“Absolutely,” Harry said, looking her directly in the eyes. “I trust them with my life.”

“Very good,” Amelia said with a small smile. That was most of what she needed to know. With what he had said in the prior hearing, this was good and what she wanted to hear. “I think that's all we need from you, Mr. Potter, other than some basic questions about what else might be asked.” Seeing the young man nod, she pressed on, focusing on Remus Lupin, “Mr. Lupin, are you willing to take on the responsibility of overseeing Mr. Potter?”

“Yes,” Remus told her firmly with a nod. “I promised James and Lily, both, I would look out for Harry and I plan to do so.”

“You have no other agenda in this, do you?” She asked, a standard question for such hearings.

“None other than to ensure that Harry is kept safe,” Remus told her, a determined bent to his voice.

Pleased with that, Amelia nodded then focused on Severus Snape. “Professor Snape, are you willing to take on this responsibility as well?”

“Yes,” Severus told her firmly with a nod.

“And you have no agenda in taking this responsibility on?” She asked. Because of Severus' reputation, she most assuredly needed this on the record.

“I do have one,” Severus told her, lifting his chin. “My agenda is to not only keep Harry safe, but to protect him from those that want to use or manipulate him. As there are plenty of those, I consider it my most important job, one I take very seriously.”

“I believe that's an agenda we can easily accept,” Amelia told him. Looking between the two men on the panel with her, “Are there any questions of these two?”

“I have a couple,” Bon Young, the man on Amelia's left said, leaning forward, hands clasped on the table. Seeing Amelia motion him to continue, he pressed on, “Have there been provisions made because of Mr. Lupin's condition? I know this only involves a couple hours a day, but I'm sure all of you can understand our concern.”

Jumping in after Amos motioned for him to do so, Severus said, “I've agreed to come in the day before, of and after the full moon to tend to matters. As long as I have the order from the panel to do that, it won't be an issue getting me out of the castle once school starts. I'm also going to personally brew the Wolfsbane for him every month. That should be more than sufficient to dispel any concerns on the matter.”

“Oh yes, it does,” Bon Young said with a nod. “You have a secure place to stay where there is no chance of passing the infection, Mr. Lupin?”

“I do,” Remus told him firmly. “I wouldn't chance being around Harry during that time.”

Happy with that answer, Mick Richards, the man on the other side of Amelia said, “I have a question for Mr. Potter.” Seeing the young man look at him and Amelia nod, he pressed on, “I want no offense taken, but Professor Snape's reputation is well known. How is it you're comfortable with him, Mr. Potter?”

“Since my first year, Professor Snape has always looked out for and protected me. I'm very comfortable with him,” Harry told him, smiling a little.

Chuckling, Bon said, “I believe, from rumors I've heard, that you hold a record for detentions with Professor Snape. How does that factor into him looking out for and protecting you?”

Grinning just a little, glancing at Severus who had a smug look on his face, Harry explained, “My detentions weren't what they seemed. It was a way to get me out of so much of what was going on and allow me to sit in the lab to work or just relax. The detentions were just to look good for everyone else, that's all.”

“Really?” Mick asked, grinning a little.

“Indeed,” Severus jumped in, nodding. “We didn't want anyone thinking anything was off, so this is how we went about it. I'm sure the panel knows so much of what's gone on. I thought Harry needed breaks from it to calm down and deal in peace. All of us are aware how chaotic the dorms can be. Students know not to disturb my detentions unless there is an emergency, so he had peace and quiet.”

“I can assure you that's the truth,” Remus added, smiling. “The year I taught I quickly caught on to that scheme. It was a wonderful way for Harry to relax and destress from so much of what went on. With Severus watching him, no one was apt to try anything foolish.”

“Well, that's one for the books, isn't it?” Bon smiled. Pressing on, he broached the next topic. “About Mr. Potters schooling—how is that being handled? From the papers we've seen, he's being homeschooled. I do understand that with this he's a legal adult that can do what he wants, but I'm concerned that he can't tackle this area on his own.”

“We've made arrangements for that,” Remus told him firmly. “I'm living full time in the house Harry is staying in. He doesn't plan to move either. I'll be taking on most of it. Severus is going to help as well when he comes in each week. There are also plenty of others that have volunteered to assist. As we all know who they are and have a decent relationship with them, we can count on them to do just that. We believe we have it all worked out and Harry won't have a problem keeping up with his studies. In fact, we will probably be able to move more quickly with the curriculum than most in Hogwarts will because we only have him to concern ourselves with.”

“We have a system in place to deal with almost everything,” Severus explained. “They already have the Potions lab set up and ready to go, books have been bought and areas such as that. All we need is the official packet to follow what we need. I've also been assured that the teachers in the school will give me their schedules and what they will teach so we can follow that as well. I'll personally take on career counseling when the time comes for that. We have as much in place as we can get for this. I'm confident that we'll keep Harry up with those in the castle without a problem.”

Pleased with that, Bon nodded. “While Mr. Potter will be considered a legal adult, because of his age I'm sure you both realize why we are asking such questions.”

“We do,” Severus told him firmly as Remus nodded.

Not hearing anything else from the two on either side of her, Amelia asked, “Any more questions?” When she heard a negative response from both, she pressed on, “Give us a minute to confer.” Seeing those seated before her nod, she put up the privacy ward and began to talk to the other two.

Sitting there, trying not to fidget while the minutes stretched on, Harry was relieved when it was only a few of minutes. Though uptight about what they would say, he was happy to see the smiles when they were done.

Dropping the ward, Amelia looked around and said, “Application granted. At the end, we will have all involved sign the typical forms.” Seeing Mr. Potter look relieved and Professor Snape put a hand on the young man's shoulder and give it squeeze, she nodded. Looking at Amos, she asked, “Is there anything additional we need to deal with when it comes to this?” As there usually was, she was expecting the normal provisions to apply to this situation.

“There are,” Amos told her with a smile and nod. Then he began to pass her the standard forms before launching in.

Smoothing down his robes after taking a seat in front of Cornelius' desk, Lucius waited for the obligatory tea to be served by the Minister's secretary, for her to leave and the privacy wards to activate, before he launched in with what he wanted to cover. “I've been pondering a situation you have, Cornelius, and thought, mayhaps, I should give you some advice.”

After taking a sip of his tea, the Minister set the delicate cup aside and leaned back. “Which situation is that, Lucius?” Lucius was not only one of the biggest donors to his campaigns, but to pet projects he wanted to have in place. The man also had an uncanny knack for knowing which way the wind was blowing with so much in the political arena. So, his advice was something he should heed, and usually did.

“This whole debacle with Albus and Mr. Potter,” Lucius sighed, trying to look exasperated.

As this was a prickly issue at the moment, Cornelius was more than willing to listen. “What about it?”

“I've heard plenty about Mr. Potter at this juncture and what his solicitor has been able to accomplish for him,” Lucius told him, looking at the man. “Have you also heard about it?”

“Some, yes,” Cornelius nodded. “I believe that he's in front of the family court as we speak. The application was for a form of emancipation if what I heard is right. Of course, I can't get details because of his age, but my sources tend to be quite accurate about these matters.”

“I've heard that as well,” Lucius told him. Crossing his legs and leaning back, he said, “This is a delicate situation, Cornelius. After learning what I did in that hearing coupled with what Mr. Potter's solicitor is accomplishing for the young man, I believe that some modification in what you're doing is in order.”

“What do you have in mind?” Cornelius asked. The situation there was a delicate one, he knew that, and he had been wondering what to do about it.

“I believe that what you're doing with Albus is worthwhile and should continue. The man is a menace, in many ways. However, at this point, I think you should back off Mr. Potter. Not only has the young man made it clear he wants nothing to do with Albus and whatever he's trying to do, but hates the man.”

Looking down, thinking that over, Cornelius said, “That poppycock about You-Know-Who being back is something Mr. Potter believes as well. That's not something we need out there, Lucius.”

“This I know well. We don't need that speculation out there to cause a panic,” Lucius soothed. “However, if we look at this, Mr. Potter isn't saying anything publicly. Couple that with what we learned at that hearing, and you might want to drop anything with Mr. Potter. His solicitor, from what I heard, is managing many things, including the hearing you just mentioned, getting him a variance to do magic outside of school, going after Albus himself and other minor areas. One of the things I can confirm, because I signed the paper, is Mr. Potter is not returning to school in the fall. He's being homeschooled. That alone takes him out of Albus' sphere of influence and proves what Mr. Potter said about not wanting anything to do with him.”

“Really?” Cornelius asked, interested in that. He hadn't heard anything about that, so he was interested.

“Oh yes,” Lucius nodded. “As I said, I'm the one that signed the paper. My wife was one of the witnesses. He's not going back.” Stopping, he sighed, wondering how to do this. After a moment, he pressed on, “I believe, with what Mr. Potter is accomplishing, you need to drop the campaign against him and pretend it never happened. He won't be an issue in the castle and influencing other students. That alone will help you since you were concerned about that. Others in the castle are where you need to focus. They need someone to run herd over them and quell the nonsense, of course. Mr. Potter, though—at this juncture, I think you need to leave him alone.”

“While I agree about the castle, I'm not sure about Mr. Potter. He's—well, with what we know of him and what he's like, he will end up a thorn, Lucius,” Cornelius told him firmly.

“I don't think so,” Lucius disagreed. “He's out. I don't see him going to the papers about anything at this point. From what was said, it appears he just wants left alone. I think that's best. Poking him and continuing with what's going on might be a bad idea. Amos Carthwaight is not someone anyone should trifle with. He has to be angry at this point. My understanding is he's going after everyone and asking the DMLE to help. Contacts I have tell me that what he's doing is being handled and they are preparing for prosecutions while the DMLE investigates plenty of areas. If he's poked or riled by what is going on, he might focus in your direction. That won't end well.”

Looking down, thinking that over, Cornelius sighed, “I don't like leaving him be, Lucius. Who he is alone makes it to where some would believe anything he says. If he starts on the nonsense he mentioned at the hearing, some are going to end up being swayed.”

Sighing, Lucius pondered how to press on. It was a delicate area as he knew many things most wouldn't and he might have a problem explaining how he found out. After several moments of quiet contemplation, he said, softening his tone, “Cornelius, if you rile Mr. Potter or Amos, they may come after you and the Prophet next. That you don't want. It will drag you through the mud because they can prove some of it false. The fact that the charges were dropped, something in the public record, is bad enough. Thankfully, that isn't out there for all to see. It wouldn't take much on Amos' end to manage to get it in the public eye, though. That won't look good. Then, if irritated enough, some of what was said in that hearing can come out. It's my understanding that the Dursleys are looking at prosecution for what was done. As they are adults, that will come out. When it does, you're going to face looking like you're taking after an abused child. We can't expose or talk about what was revealed in that hearing, but Mr. Potter can. If he starts talking, we have big issues, ones that will make the Ministry and Prophet look horrible. The Dursleys portion alone will end up a public relations nightmare. We won't go into the failure of so many other areas. No, he needs left alone. If you do, chances are Mr. Potter won't want some of this in the public eye. Let him content himself with going after Albus. That can only help you.”

“Well, yes, it can,” Cornelius pondered. “Maybe I should look into just what Albus is facing.”

“My understanding, from sources of course, is that Albus is looking at prosecution for not only failure to report the abuse, but fiddling with Mr. Potter's vaults. Those can only help you in this mess. The golden boy is backing away from the old man,” Lucius told him, looking smug. “Think about it—it helps, Cornelius. If the one Albus touts so much to back up his cockamamie theory is backing away and wants nothing to do with him, it will look good then back your position that he's a menace. Even if Mr. Potter says nothing publicly, those areas and the fact that it involves him will prove your stance. If you rile him and Amos looks in your direction, it won't end well.”

“There is that,” Cornelius muttered, thinking it over. Drumming his fingers on the desk as he thought about it, he then asked, tone distracted, “Do you think Mr. Potter will go public with some of this if we back away from what's going on?”

“I believe he won't,” Lucius said firmly with a shake of his head. “He wouldn't want some of what we saw and heard exposed. Abused children tend to want minimal people to know, especially when it comes to sexual abuse. That was—well, we saw and heard that, Cornelius. It was bad. I can only guess, from reactions, how horrific the memories shown were. I doubt he wants that exposed. Let him lick his wounds and tend to his own matters. Focus on Albus and leave Mr. Potter alone. He's out and wants nothing to do with the mess. So, quietly drop the matter and move on. That's probably best. If he turns Amos loose on you it won't end well. Who knows what might end up being exposed. Focus on the areas that are the most troublesome. That's Albus and the school.”

Nodding slowly, Cornelius said, “You may be right. I'll talk to the managing editor over at the Prophet and get them to drop any reference to Mr. Potter then see what they can dig up on Albus. If he's looking at prosecution for things dealing with Mr. Potter, it can only help.”

“A wise choice,” Lucius said with a sage nod. “Keep your focus there and this won't end badly.” Good. It went how he wanted. He hoped that Cornelius wouldn't be the complete bumbling idiot and decide to try to look good. “Let me see what my contacts can come up with for you. Of course, you'll look into the mess yourself, but I have a few that can assist.”

“Yes, do that,” Cornelius said with a pleased nod. Lucius had a way of ferreting out information that he didn't, so he was more than willing to let him. “Now, about Albus, what do you think we should do? He's still—well, you know.”

“I say we keep turning up the heat,” Lucius told him looking smug. Then he began to discuss plans to do just that.

Looking at the official emancipation decree, Sirius grinned hugely. “Great! This is perfect! Any problems getting it?” He asked, looking between the three.

“None at all,” Remus said taking a seat at the table, smiling. “It was far easier than anticipated. What was asked were things we could easily deal with.”

Taking a seat by where Harry was sitting next to Black, Severus said, “It wasn't anything to be concerned about. Now we have everything we need. Lupin and I have copies of all the official documents and what we need if there's an emergency. I have what is needed to get me out of the castle to tend to this. A copy of that has already been sent to the right place by the court. So, we press on from here. One less thing to worry about.”

Holding Harry close to him, Sirius said, looking at his godson, “We're going to frame this and put it up in our room. It's another step in the right direction.”

Grinning as he sipped at his butterbeer, Harry told him, “It's great. Now I don't have to worry about Dumbledore trying something stupid.”

“Albus needs to worry about himself and the problems he has,” Severus said firmly. “The DMLE won't play with him when it comes to some of those charges. It's best he focus there.”

“He won't and we know it,” Sirius told him with a sigh. “We all know he's going to try with Harry in some way. This, though, it gives us some leverage. That's good and what we need. Now we just have to worry about some of the other crap.” Nudging Harry, he said, “And we have a special lunch for you. Molly sent over a couple of things, like roast beef, that she knows you like. The elves took over the rest. And we have a cake. So, let's eat!”

“Yeah, I'm starved,” Harry chuckled. He had been too nervous before the hearing to eat, so he was really hungry now.

Calling one of the elves, Sirius had them put the food on the table and they settled in to eat. This was good and he was happy with it. Now they just had to worry about other parts of the nightmare. At least it was moving in the right direction!
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Preventative Measures