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Preventative Measures	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male Views: 151582 -:- Recommendations : 8 -:- Currently Reading : 30
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and make no money off this work in perversion

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Chapter 30

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.

Crossing his legs and smoothing his robes down after taking a seat in the small parlor in Malfoy Manor, Severus then clasped his hands over one knee and looked at Lucius, waiting. He had gotten a message a couple hours ago that the man wanted to see him about something important. As this wasn't where they normally met, he was on edge. This parlor was one they used for more sensitive discussions, as Lucius could put up extra wards that would negate any kind of eavesdropping spell. That had him anxious, wondering what was going on and how it would affect the mess they were in. “What did you need to see me about? You said it was important,” he finally asked, prepared for the worst.

“Nothing that will affect much of what we're doing,” Lucius assured him with a wave of his hand. “I have some information to pass on is all. I believe all of you on that end of this debacle need made aware of it before it hits. As I don't want it out, I thought it best to go about it this way.”

Relieved at that, Severus nodded. “What is it?”

Summoning a letter, he passed it over to Severus. “That needs to get to Harry today. Amos contacted me through odd channels so I could pass it along as he wants it in Harry's hands as fast as he can get it there. He didn't want to owl him if he didn't have to.”

Looking at the letter, brow furrowed, Severus then tucked it into his robes. “I'll deliver it when we're done here. Any idea what's in it? Or not? I assume it's important if he went about it this route.” He inquired, curious and wary.

“Yes, but not because he said anything,” Lucius sighed. Shaking his head, he pressed on, “I think it might have to do with some tidbits I picked up at the Ministry today.” Summoning an advance copy of the following day's Prophet, he handed that over as well. “I think, maybe, it has to do with that. Fudge, or someone, must have leaked not only the emancipation, but the charges coming against Albus to the paper. Poppy, from what I gather, is out as Medi-witch at Hogwarts. My sources tell me that St. Mungos landed on her with both feet and have suspended her credentials for a time. She has to undergo retraining and can't ever work in a school or other places where she deals almost exclusively with children.”

A quick scan of the article made Severus smirk. This was good. From what was there, it seemed that they were enumerating the charges against Albus and Poppy. While the news of the emancipation was there, it wasn't touched on much other than to speculate on how Albus was involved. That was good. However, Harry was probably going to be less than pleased that though his name wasn't mentioned, most would be able to deduce that it was him from some of what was said and how it was mentioned along with his emancipation. Another thing that pleased him was that it appeared, true to his word, that Albus had replaced the money taken from Harry's vaults. That was good at least. There was also a mention of the Dursleys and their prosecution, not by name though. From the sound of this, the two had already been arrested and were being prepared for trial.

“I can keep this?” Severus asked after he finished.

“Of course,” Lucius said with a nod. “I made a copy and it's already in the hands of the Dark Lord. He's most pleased, as would be expected. I'm hoping that this shifts his focus to Albus and he'll leave Harry alone. I've made it as clear as I can that Harry hates Albus and has no plans to follow his agenda in any way. We can hope that's enough. I would suggest that you start doing the same. It can only help and he would believe it because of your role as 'guardian'.”

“I'll start that, yes,” Severus told him with a firm nod. “I'll get the paper to Black, Lupin and Harry so they know it's coming. Albus? Not going to bother. Let him get blindsided. That can only help us.”

“My thoughts as well,” Lucius said with a smirk. Lowering his voice, he said, “You might want to start preparing Harry for facing those odious people in court. I know he's about as tough as there is and doesn't let much faze him, but I imagine what's coming will be hard to handle. Especially since so much has finally been exposed. It may cause issues for him.”

Taking that in and thinking about it, Severus finally said, “I will. Let me get with Black and Lupin so we can prepare then come up with a plan if Harry starts having issues.” Sighing, he shook his head and imparted, “He did when he finally realized just how many know what happened to him. I imagine finally facing this head on is going to cause more problems.”

“I'll get with Sirius as well. I laid a foundation for something that might assist. It can only help all of you if it starts looking bad,” Lucius told him.

Glancing at the paper he had laid in his lap, Severus said, “I'll start working with the three of them this afternoon. Harry's going to like part of it, of course. I'm just not sure of his reaction to other bits. We know it's him, obviously, so will others he doesn't want to know. Most won't, though speculation will be out there. That won't help anything.”

“No, it won't. It may also step up measures by those trying to get back in his good graces. I mean the younger set by that. That he needs to prepare for. So do the rest of you.” Lucius schooled firmly. “I think sending Lupin to talk to Molly and Arthur tomorrow after this hits is a good idea.”

“No, I don't think Lupin is the one to take this on,” Severus said with a shake of his head. “He's too mild mannered for it. I'll handle it. Molly and Arthur are serious about what they promised. Lupin has spoken to them about the mess already and it didn't help much. I think it's time for me to step in and drive the point home. They aren't the issue, of course, as they are doing what they said they would, but the other three—no, it's time someone with a more demanding presence take this on. And I have no problem doing so. I'll get with Black and Lupin about it today then go for a visit tomorrow.”

“Just so someone does,” Lucius nodded. “I imagine the article is going to confirm all their speculation though Harry's name isn't mentioned.”

“It will,” Severus sighed, looking grim. “That we don't need, but it can't be helped.”

“I have another tidbit to pass on. It won't help much, but you may want to watch your step when you go back to the school.” Seeing Severus look at him, Lucius pressed on, “The Board is very unhappy with Albus already. Like me, many on it have contacts in the Ministry. I'm quite sure some of them have heard some rumblings of what's really going on. When this hits tomorrow, it may end up worse. Albus is already heavily in disfavor. Anyone that toes his line, or is perceived to be close to him, is going to be closely examined. I imagine, because I'm sure Harry's name has come out to some, Minerva will end up the worst. You may not, but it's best to watch yourself. I'll do what I can there to keep them from looking at you too closely. With you being made Harry's guardian of sorts, it may back it off. I don't know.”

“I'll watch myself,” Severus told him firmly.

“I'm also going to say that you and Remus, both, need to watch yourselves. Your names will be out there as Harry's guardians. That might not set well with some. Just be cautious,” Lucius sighed, shaking his head.

“Another point I didn't consider,” Severus admitted with a sigh. “We'll start being more diligent about scanning incoming mail and whatnot.” Thinking over some of what was said, his mind then honed in on the bit about the Board. Quietly, he asked, tone distracted, “Is there any way for you to have the Board launch an investigation into Albus? If he forced Harry back to an abusive home, most are going to wonder if he hasn't done it before. That can only help all of us and make him focus elsewhere.”

Pondering that, Lucius then gave a slow nod, “I think I can. Let me see what I can manage. If I play this right, I may be able to get others to see that it's needed. I'll mention that if Harry wants to file a lawsuit, he has more than enough grounds to do so. That should get Albus' mind focused there as he knows that won't end well.” Liking the idea, he smirked, “In fact, I know just who to go plant the idea with. I think I'll do that tomorrow.”

“That will get him to hone in there and give us some wiggle room to work under his nose and would be helpful, Lucius,” Severus told him, pleased.

“Yes, it will. It's a good idea and one I'll attend to. Pass along to the others that I'm doing that so they can prepare. I doubt they'll call Harry in or ask him to give a statement as the court papers will be enough there,” Lucius said, mind already working on that.

“This—I don't know if we can prepare for everything that comes of it, honestly. Fudge is one that does listen to you, but some of what he's pulled you didn't plant. I don't know what to do, honestly,” Severus sighed, shaking his head as he glanced at the paper again.

“I know,” Lucius groaned, scrubbing a hand over his face. “He's—some of what he's done is just foolish and is playing into something he doesn't realize. Let him go after Albus. I care not about that as the old goat needs to get slapped with reality. Other bits, though—I'm not sure what he might do. Harry's name isn't out there now as Fudge appears to have taken my advice and is backing off. It's my hope that he'll stay out of it. I can't guarantee that, however. If the public comes out enough in favor of the poor abused boy, Cornelius may want to pull Harry in on his side. You know, to make himself look good and as though he's trying to protect him. His mindset is such that he may use that to garner good publicity. That I'm worried about as Harry won't handle it well. Let me see what I can keep up with and I'll give a warning if he starts down the road to something foolish then try to get him to see sense.”

“That would be most helpful,” Severus agreed.

Relaxing back in his chair, crossing his legs, Lucius took a sip of his drink. Assuming that most of everything important was covered, he asked, “Anything I need to know from your end?”

“We're good there,” Severus told him honestly. “Just the normal nonsense from Albus. He wants to talk to me in the next week or so. I assume it's the same bit about what he can do to 'work with Harry'. Nothing I can't handle.”

“Good,” Lucius said with a pleased nod. Smirking, he said, “There is one bit I need your help with as I'm certain you know the area.”

“What's that?” Severus asked, curious.

“I've had a request for Legos. As I have no idea what they are or how to procure them, I plan to drag you along with me to get them. The books of what to build with them were requested as well. I do get these are some kind of Muggle building blocks, but that's all I know. So, I plan to commandeer you to help me find the dratted things,” Lucius said with an amused snort.

Smirking, figuring who those were for, Severus told him in an amused tone, “I know what they are, Lucius, and where to get them. They are quite common, actually.”

“Good! I was told they were popular and you could procure them easily, but I would rather have someone along that knows what they are doing,” Lucius told him, still smirking.

Quietly, Severus told him, tone serious, “He'll like them. We'll just have to pick up several sets for him to work with. Plenty of those older still use theirs. I've heard people like engineering students use them for plenty of areas they study. It's a good choice for him and he'll have fun with them.”

“I'm now most curious about what you can do with such an item,” Lucius admitted, pleased. Good. This was something Harry would like and could further what they wanted. Pressing on, he began asking about what could be built with such a 'toy'.

Tossing the copy of the Prophet onto the bed by where he was sitting, Sirius shook his head. At the moment, he, Harry, Remus and Snape were holed up in his room to discuss this as they didn't want a chance of anyone that might take it in their head to come over seeing the paper. “Yeah, we figured this was coming,” he sighed, shaking his head. Glancing at Harry, who was reading the letter from his solicitor, his brow furrowed. His godson had a serious look on his face as he read through it. Quietly, he asked, “Is something wrong, Harry?” As the letter came through Lucius, he assumed it was something big.

“Most of it is about the bit in the paper. He's not real happy about some of it coming out. Though my name isn't mentioned, he knows I'm being referred to. Part of what he wants to know is what I want him to do about it. From what he says, he can go after the Prophet to get them to back off.” Stopping, he read the next part and shook his head, “Another part deals with what I want to do about other bits.”

“What are those?” Sirius asked slipping his arm around his godson and pulling him close. Though he glanced at the letter, he didn't read it.

Sighing, Harry said, “The Hogwarts Board. He says I can sue and win because of what happened. The same with Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey.” Stopping, he shook his head and admitted, “I don't know what to do about that bit. Or what I want to do. The other bits are I did get all the money back that was taken from my vaults. He also asks if I want to get the interest for it, something he says I can get. He's catching me up on what's going on with the mess, such as prosecutions. Dumbledore will be before the panel before the term hits, from what he says. Then there is him telling me the hearing date for the Dursleys. From what he says, I have to be there for that. I don't like that, obviously.”

“It'll be fine,” Sirius soothed, figuring that the court bit was the biggest part of it. “I'm sure Remus and Snape won't have a problem going with you. From what I understand about such matters, as they have your memories, all you'll have to do is authenticate them, nothing more.”

“We'll go with you, Harry,” Remus told him firmly.

“Absolutely,” Severus seconded with a firm nod. “We'll be by your side the whole time. There is no chance we would make you face this on your own.”

“Good,” Harry said with a sigh though he still had an anxious look on his face. “The rest of this—I don't know what to do, honestly. I want to have him go after them, but I don't want to end up testifying in court if it gets that far.”

“We'll get with Lucius and see what he says,” Sirius told him, giving him a squeeze. “He might know what to do. I don't know, Harry. I honestly don't. In the end, it's your choice. I also get you wanting to slap them for what they did. Hell, I think most would. This is one that might end up a nightmare if you do it. Yeah, talking to Lucius might be best here.”

“Yeah, let's see what he says,” Harry said, shaking his head. Passing the letter to Sirius so he could read it, he glanced at the paper. Dour look on his face, he said, “I was ready for them to put the emancipation part out there, the rest of the bits I wasn't. My name isn't mentioned, but we all know it's me they are talking about. Others will as well. That I don't like and it's not going to help anything.”

“No, it's not,” Severus admitted. “Keep in mind that you're here in this house. No one can do anything while you're here. Some that come in might say something, but most will have the good sense not to, especially after what Molly did. Other than that, you won't have to deal with much. In fact, unless you have to go somewhere among our kind, you won't have to deal with most of it. All three of us can handle the incoming mail. I vote we just out and out vanish those we get from people we don't know. Others we can check over and read before we pass them on to you. If you're amiable to that. Going about it that way, you don't have to deal with a mess.”

Thinking that over, Harry nodded, “I'll let you do that. This mess is just—I don't want to deal with it or what might come of it. I'd rather not know most of the bits, honestly.”

“I don't think not knowing is for the best, Harry,” Remus said gently. “You need to know to protect yourself. However, staying out of it as much as you can is fine. We'll do what we can to help that. Let us handle it.”

“We will,” Sirius told Harry firmly after setting the letter down. Giving him a squeeze, he kissed him on top of the head. “Nothing to worry about there.”

“I'm going over to see Molly and Arthur tomorrow after this hits,” Severus said, looking between the three. “And I'm going to make it as clear as I can that anything the three in that house put together from this article better be kept to themselves. Remus handles most of this, but I think it's time for a firmer touch. That's me.”

“That's a good plan,” Remus nodded.

“We're also going to have to be more vigilant about what Albus might pull after this. He won't like it being out there and how he looks from it,” Severus said, looking between them. “And I can only imagine what he's going to try and pull to get back in Harry's good graces. That we need to be alert for.”

“We'll keep on our toes,” Sirius assured him. “I plan to just remove Harry from whatever and let one of you take him on. That way we don't have to put up with it.”

“Good plan,” Remus told him with a pleased nod. “We can handle it. Albus, I’m sure, thinks Severus and I are puppets he can manipulate. I don't think he realizes how seriously we take this responsibility. And part of that responsibility is keeping him away from Harry. I fully plan to make sure that happens.”

“As do I,” Severus said firmly. “We'll manage, don't worry.” Pressing on, he covered some of what Lucius said and wanted imparted. It was just the start, that he knew, but it was best to get it out there to prepare them. As time went on, they would deal more with the fallout.

Looking at the door to the kitchen, Sirius sighed and shook his head. As Harry was off having a nap, Snape had filled him and Remus in on what Lucius was worried about with Harry. Nodding, he said, “We need something in place. That almost meltdown he had before his birthday tells me that what might be coming as this hearing draws closer can end up far worse. I'll get with Lucius about something he planned to work on with Harry and go from there. We need something else in place, though.”

“I suggest this; let Sirius take it on,” Remus said, looking between the two. “If Harry wants to talk to Severus or myself, we'll do that. Other than that, Sirius is better at handling it. The relationship there is closer and he can judge better than us what to do.”

“Agreed,” Severus nodded. “I'll talk to him a bit to see what is causing it, but the idea of what will bring it on is better handled by you, Black.”

“I'll take it,” Sirius told them firmly, looking between the two. “I have something partially in place to deal with it. Let me see what else Lucius set up. That can only help.” Glancing at Snape, he asked, “As you're better with these bits than us, having dealt with them before as head of house, when do you expect the worst to hit? I imagine we're going to start having problems as he now has a date to be anxious about, making it 'real'.”

Scrubbing a hand over his face, Severus thought about it then said, tone distracted, “I'm going to say very quickly. I bet it'll be mild at first. The week of the hearing, though, as it draws closer and he has to face those—creatures, he's going to have real issues. Which means we need whatever in place quickly.” Thinking it over, he added, tone distant, “And I'm sure that some serious nightmares and flashbacks are coming from it if what I remember from seminars we had to take on child abuse is right.” Seeing concerned looks at that, he shook his head then sighed, “He can't hide from it anymore as it's out and plenty know about it. Up until now, I'm sure he did as he wouldn't say anything to anyone, shoving it aside so he didn't have to deal with it. He's had to now and has to deal with the fallout from it, or what he perceives as such. That can trigger problems. As I don't see him agreeing to talk to a Mind Healer, we're going to have to handle whatever comes of it. Which means, Black, whatever you plan to put into place better get there, quickly.”

Not liking the sound of that, Sirius looked grave then gave a firm nod. “As soon as we're done talking here, I'll go up and sit with Harry. While I do that, I'll get with Lucius to see what he says then we'll formulate a plan from there. I'll push as fast as I can with parts, but I'm not sure what I can manage this quickly. Let me see what the two of us can work out.”

“While you do that, Severus and I will work out a plan of attack as well, for lack of a better term,” Remus told him. “We can't anticipate everything, but we'll get the basics. That way when it starts to show, we can handle it.”

“We'll do that,” Severus said firmly. “Once we all have something in place, we'll get together and sort through how we want to do this. Then we'll go from there.”

“Sounds like what we need,” Sirius nodded. “Alright, let me go get with Lucius. You two do what you need to then we'll get together later and see what we can manage.” Seeing nods, he stood to go sit with Harry. Yeah, they needed to work something out which probably meant that he had to focus more on the relationship with Harry than things like cleaning and whatnot. That wasn't a bad thing and something he liked anyway, but he would have to get that across to Snape and Remus as well. They'd manage. It would just take some wiggling and figuring it out, nothing more.
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Preventative Measures