The Burrow
Avi woke feeling rested for the first time all break. Now that Yule was over, he felt like he could finally relex. He knew it was stupid to be so upset about celebrating a holiday with his dad. He should have been ecstatic to get to spend some time at home after the last couple of stressful months at Hogwarts. He knew Severus was nothing like the Dursleys, but memories from his past life just wouldn’t leave him alone.
Now, though, he felt as if a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. He stood and wrapped himself in his new blanket, reveling in the warmth. He had to wrap it around himself three times to keep it from dragging the ground, but he wasn’t going anywhere in the winter-chilled air of the cabin. Before they left, Madam Pomfrey mentioned that his sensitivity to the cold might be permanent even though he had fully recovered from the core sickness.
He had to be careful as he made his way down the steps to the main floor so he didn’t trip on the blanket, but he was soon sitting in front of the warm fire. The Yule log was blazing away merrily in the hearth as Avi curled up in his favorite chair. His father was still asleep as it was quite early still, but Omi popped in to give him a cuppa before going back to the kitchen to make breakfast.
Avi sipped his tea as he thought about what his father had offered before they went to bed after the ritual last night. Severus had said that both the wixen and muggle authorities had finished their investigations into Harry Potter’s disappearance, so it would be safe enough to write a letter to Shawn to let him know that he was safe. The problem was, how was he supposed to explain everything without talking about magic? He could explain that it really was a friend of his parents (or at least his mother) who had found out about the abuse at home and taken him away. But would Shawn even believe that without any proof? He was more likely to believe the letter was a cruel prank. He could include a picture of himself, but he looked completely different now! Besides, if that got into the wrong hands all their efforts to keep his identity a secret would be for not.
He was already working himself up into a fit of frustration when Severus came down the stairs to join him. “Dad? How do I write to Shawn so that he believes me, without everyone else finding out I’m alive?”
Severus nodded in approval, “It’s good that you are thinking it through. However, I wouldn’t have offered to let you write to him without a solution. Let’s go eat first and then I can help you with the letter.”
After breakfast, they sat down at the table with muggle pen and paper and got to work…
Dear SHawn (Look I can evn Spell your name rite now!)
I wanted too let you Know that i was OK. Im Happy here with my new dad. I have my oun Room and tones of food to eat! I can Aktually make freinds at schol with out Dudley there to scare them of. Dads been helpng me studi and get beter at riting.
He says he is sory for what hapened at the stor. When he fond out what it was lik for me at the dursleys he couldt leav me there and when u tryd to stop him he paniced. He says he knows you wont believ him so he says we can keep riting, lik pen pals! Maybee we can evn meat up this sumer in person, so you Realy know Im Ok.
Yor Freind,
Harry
Severus had insisted on not correcting his spelling or grammar so that it looked more genuine and he placed a bunch of charms on the paper that would make it so only Shawn could read it and that he would be compelled not to tell anyone about the letter. The last and most important step was the pictures.
They used a glamor to make him look like his old self and had him take a picture in front of the tree (which was also glamored to look like a muggle Christmas tree). Severus used an outdated potion to make a non-moving photograph and they sealed it all in a muggle envelope.
“I’ll apperate to a different location and mail it through the muggle post tomorrow so that it arrives before Christmas,” Severus promised. “But in the meantime, we have an invitation from Molly Weasley to join them for the afternoon to get ready for.”
***
A few hours later, Severus stood silently in the doorway watching his son debate with himself weather to take his new potions set or his practice broom to show the twins. Avi obviously had yet to notice his presence as he muttered under his breath about whether they would have enough time to themselves to experiment with a new idea for a prank or if they would only have enough time for a few rounds of pickup Quidditch.
“You could always just shrink all of the items down so you could take them all,” he interrupted, watching as his son startled comically. “That way you would be ready for any scenario.”
“How do you do that?” Avi gasped, before glaring up at Severus. “I swear you're more silent than Crookshanks! I used to be good at listening for footsteps.”
The last sentence was mumbled under his breath, but it still had Severus’ fists clenching with anger. He decided to change the subject, “Bring me the things you want to take and I will shrink them down for you, but you will not be experimenting with potions without my supervision.”
Avi pouted a bit as they apperated to the Weasley home, but his face instantly brightened again as he saw the twins burst through the door in a dramatic fashion. They quickly ran off with some of the older Weasley children and began a game of Quidditch. Molly of course, swept him into her home and sat him down with a cup of tea next to Arthur.
While he knew Molly and Arthur from working with the Order during the war, he had never spent much time with the pair. They were 10 years his senior so they had never had the chance to meet at Hogwarts, and during the war, they were assigned to very different tasks. However, Arthur’s kind demeanor and relentless curiosity quickly had the potions master drawn into a conversation about muggle advancements and their implications for wizarding society.
They were in the middle of a discussion on how wizards could duplicate the success of the muggle telephone so wixens could communicate more easily with one another when Molly started gathering them all together for dinner. What followed was a prime example of organized chaos. Plates heaped with flavorful dishes floated around the table, serving guests and children alike with the flick of Molly’s wand. One of the twins (George?) tossed dinner rolls down the length of the table to everyone and was exasperatedly scolded by his mother. The youngest, Ginny, helped her mother fill everyone’s glasses. Severus watched as his and Avi’s plates were loaded up with roast asparagus, garlic mashed potatoes, rotisserie chicken, cranberry salad, and honey butter rolls. Molly insisted they both were far too thin.
Conversations bounced around the table with ease, multiple topics sometimes merging into one big group discussion. Severus mostly observed the tableau, listening in on conversations but rarely sharing his own opinions. He was not well suited to large group gatherings, and he could see from Avyaan’s expression that he was feeling a little overwhelmed as well. It wasn’t an uncomfortable feeling, though, it just simply too much information to process at once.
Of course, once everyone was served the delicious food put an end to most of the ruckus as the children tucked into the meal. Severus especially liked the parmesan and herb-encrusted roasted asparagus, and Molly was more than happy to share the recipe with him. After the main meal, Molly set the table with a large blueberry pie and a treacle tart. Avi looked at him pleadingly and Severus gave him a subtle nod that had the boy grinning with glee as he dug into a slice of treacle.
Avi’s teeth had definitely been weakened by the years of neglect, but a few sweets once in a blue moon would be fine. Severus, himself, did not have much of a sweet tooth. However, the spices mixed into the pie crust balanced out and complemented the sweetness of the blueberry filling so well, that he was tempted to have another slice. As if reading his mind, Molly sent another slice his way. He caught Avi’s gaze, eyeing his plate with interest, so he quickly cut the slice in half and passed the larger sliver over to his son. Avi was still growing thanks to the nutrient potions, but he could still stand to put on some more weight.
He was just about to take a second bite when an elderly owl landed clumsily on the table clutching a paper. Severus continued eating, feigning lack of interest, as Molly untied the paper and gasped at the headline. “Kids? Why don’t you quickly finish the last of your pudding, so you can head outside to play one last game before the sun sets and it gets too dark?”
“What is it mum?” asked Charlie.
“Nothing to worry about, dear. Just take the little ones outside for a bit of fresh air.”
“Do as your mother says, boys,” Arthur said distractedly as he read the headlines over his wife’s shoulder.
Severus already knew what the paper would say, but he was still interested as he was handed the special late-night article.
Gringotts Speaks Out! Albus Dumbledore Accused of Embezzling from Potter Vault!
You heard it from us first, folks. Gringotts Bank has announced that they’re officially investigating Albus Percival Wolfric Brian Dumbledore for allegedly using his power as Harry Potter’s magical guardian to allocate large sums of money from the Potter vaults to his own personal vaults!
Sources at the ministry say that the goblins reached out to Minister Cornelius Fudge several weeks ago to notify him of the fraudulent charges made by such a highly esteemed member of the Wizengamot, but the minister has yet to organize an investigation into the matter through the Department of Magical Law Enforcement (DML). We went straight to the source for answers and were shocked to discover that Amelia Bones (Head of the DML) had not even been informed of the cross-special investigation.
We have waited and followed this investigation over the past few weeks with bated breath, dear readers, and can now confirm the bank records. According to the withdrawal logs of the now closed Potter vaults (for a recap of the events that lead to the death of Harry Potter, the last heir of the Potters and Dumbledore’s involvement in which, see page 12.) Albus Dumbledore used his credentials to make withdrawals from Harry Potter’s heir vault. A vault which only the heir to the house should be allowed to make withdrawals from and meant to be used towards a child’s schooling or personal purchases.
Albus Dumbledore claims that these withdrawals were made to ensure young Harry’s well-being with his adoptive family. A family we now know was horrendously abusive and neglectful towards the savior of the wizarding world. However, sources say that these withdrawals were not of consistent amounts and that other vaults might have similar discrepancies.
We will keep our readers informed as this investigation continues.
Severus passed the paper to Arthur, who was watching his wife paise the kitchen as one would watch a hungry tiger that they were confronted with. Molly's red hair was actively smoking from the effort to contain her outraged magic. The man set the paper down like it was infected with a dark curse, not even taking the time to read the headline before approaching the angry mother. “Molly dear?” he asked gently as he placed a hand on her arm to halt her movement. “You know how The Prophet is. They’re always printing outlandish rumors.”
“Not even they would have the gall to print something like THAT without some semblance of proof!” she spat. “I have supported that man for YEARS! I have seen him make hard decisions for the greater good, questionable decisions, but this is different.”
“What is different, Sweet Pea?” Arthur asked in complete confusion.
“Embezzlement from fallen comrades,” Severus answered for her, letting some of his true anger color his quiet words.
He knew he had to walk a fine line with this conversation, one he was all to familiar with during the war. He needed to appear angered, but skeptical. To spread doubt without appearing to do so. Albus must never doubt his loyalty if he is to keep himself and Avyaan safe.
“The article alludes that Albus used his power as the late Harry Potter’s magical guardian to steal money to fund the war efforts.” He feigned a sneer at the discarded pile of parchment as he continued, “It is probably an intentional misunderstanding. I know Albus often received large sums for the wills of fallen Order members. A quick inquiry from their surviving family members should confirm that these donations were all freely made.”
Arthur nodded, patting Molly’s hand. “Yes, dear. I’m sure we can get this all cleared up. I will write to Xenophilius, Matron Longbottom, and anyone else I can think of right away. We’ll get this mess cleared up right away.”
Molly sat heavily in a chair, “Yes, yes. You must be right. I’ve just had so many mixed feelings about Albus since the news about poor Harry. That poor boy. I know Albus had us all keep our distance to keep him safe from the remaining dark factions, but SOMEONE should have at least checked on the boy before it came to this…” Arthur held his wife as she predictably began to sob and Severus quickly excused himself to the living room to avoid the flood of emotions.
He had only just sat down when the hearth flared green and a wizened old man’s head appeared in the flames, Albus’ beard trailing out onto the carpet below. “Severus, my dear boy! I could greatly use your assistance with these unfortunate litigations. Would you mind terribly helping an old man? My eyes are not what they used to be and it is quite a lot of paperwork to deal with these false information and allegations.”
Severus heaved a put-upon sigh, “I will be over momentarily, Albus. Let me find arrangements for my son.”
“Of course, of course! I will expect you soon,” and with that, he disappeared.
Thankfully Molly and Arthur were all too welcoming in watching over Avi while he dealt with the chaos.
***
Severus spent all of that night and most of the morning “helping” Albus. The man never let him near anything too damning, but what he did see was enough. There were oddities with Alice and Fank’s will as well. Not only did the writing not sound like the pair, but it should not have been able to be executed as they were both still alive. And as Severus went over the finances for the school itself, which is where most of the donations went, he didn’t see much improvement from the funds. Looking back through the records he noticed a subtle decline in the finances of the school and many cuts to extracurricular programs because of it. Where had all the money gone?
Needless to say, when he finally returned to the Burro the next day he was in a foul mood and unwilling to put up with his son’s insistent pleas to expose his Animagus form.
“Come on, Sev! Please? You promised I could see if I managed to change before the new year!”
“I however did not promise your friends the same,” Severus said pinching the bridge of his nose.
“Awe! Come on, Prof.!” said the twin on the left.
“Yeah! We know you’ll swear him to secrecy the moment you get him home!” said the one on the right.
“Please, Dad! They worked so hard with me to reach their forms. They spent hours and hours studying with me. They're my best friends and I know they can keep a secret,” begged Avyaan.
Those big eyes stared up at Severus pleadingly, just a shade brighter than Lily’s. The lips an exact replica of his mother’s upturned in a pout that brought back a flood of childhood memories and just like back then he crumbled. “Alright,” he sighed in defeat, “but we will have to find an isolated spot.” While he knew the twin terrors could keep a secret with how many pranks they pulled just in their first year, he was more doubtful of their array of siblings.
“We know just the place!” they chimed together with gleeful smirks.
Severus and his son followed the pair of redheads through the dense brush or the surrounding woodland to an isolated clearing. With a flick of his wand he scanned the area for any dangers. He was self-aware enough to realize it was a bit paranoid, but a clearing like this was the perfect location for an ambush and the instinct was too ingrained in him by now to stop without a good reason to do so.
The twins were practically bouncing around like puppies with their pent-up excitement about getting to find out his secret, and with what Avi had told him about their forms the analogy was probably not far off. Avi on the other hand had perched himself cross-legged on one of the nearby rocks and was watching him curiously with a small mischievous smile.
Severus rolled his eyes and sank into his other form without fanfare. Gasps rang across the clearing. The twins had never been so silent before, while his son had somehow fallen off of his perch and was trembling in the grass with suppressed laughter. He let out a low rumbling growl in response and pounced, pinning the smug brat under his paws.
Avi let out a surprised yip and shifted himself, his smaller form wriggling free and darting away. Severus gave chase but was cut off by a couple of mismatched jackals. He toyed with them for a bit, letting the three of them dart about and burn off some much-needed energy, but he eventually found his chance. With a broad swipe of his paw, he knocked the three canids to the ground and pinned them between his fron paws. He lowered his massive head and growled menacingly, but Avi just smiled up with his tongue lolling to the side in a foxy smirk before darting forward to nip playfully at his nose.
The distraction let the twins slip away, but Avi remained on the ground shifting back into his human shape. “You have got to be messing with me! There is no way!” his son giggled as he ran gentle fingers over the lingering scar over Severus’ left eye and stroked the long black fur behind his ear.
Severus shifted back with a huff, “Yes, I know. Not exactly fitting for the head of Slytherin.”
“No, not that!” Avi laughed. “Your freaking Sacr! You know from that show Dudley used to watch?”
Severus shook his head in confusion and cast a quick wandless spell. “There now you’ll not be able to divulge this mess to anyone, especially Minerva.”
“What! No!” one twin cried out.
“She promised to help us transfigure Professor Ahron’s hat into a hog if we told her!” said the other.
“Of course she did,” he muttered before helping his ridiculous child to his feet as he continued to laugh about nonsense.
“Pl-please! You h-have to say it.” Avi continued to gasp as they walked back to the house. “You have to say the line.” The boy let out a peel of laughter before dropping his voice to a somber tone, “I’m surrounded by idiots.”
Severus complied, with feeling