Conferences
Harry is surprised to find only Petra at the breakfast table the following morning.
‘It’s just porridge or toast I’m afraid.’ She says, looking up from the paper, with a mug of coffee in her hand. She looks tired.
‘I’ll make it.’ Harry says, cutting himself some bread, trying to remember the charm to toast it, then giving up and just smothering it with a load of butter and jam.
He sits down and tries to peer at the headlines.
‘Where’s Severus?’ He asks.
‘Bed still.’ Petra murmurs without looking up.
Harry chews on his bread, and pours himself a glass of orange juice.
‘Last night was…’ Petra folds the paper and puts it to the side. ‘How did you sleep?’
‘Um, ok I guess.’ Harry responds. He had dropped off surprisingly quickly, and couldn’t remember any dreams, but still has an ache behind his eyes as if he had not slept at all.
‘Were they really Death Eaters?’ Harry asks after a minute. ‘Was anyone hurt?’ He realises after asking that it was a stupid question. Undoubtedly people had been hurt, but he cannot quite bring himself to ask if anyone had died.
‘We will talk about it later. I promise.’ Petra says, giving his arm a squeeze. ‘You may read the paper if you wish, but it is rather sensationalised, and doesn’t say much we don’t already know. The Headmaster will no doubt be popping by soon to speak with Severus and myself. I suggest you go and help the Tonks in the garden if that would suit you?’
‘Yeah, alright.’ Harry sighs. ‘But you’ll tell me won’t you? What he says, and everything.’
‘We will tell you everything you need to know.’ Severus intones rather equivocally as he strolls into the room, pausing to kiss Harry on the top of his head.
Harry looks up in surprise, but Severus has already turned away, and is making himself some toast.
‘You’re not going to be arrested are you? Why was that Crouch person so out to get you?’ Harry worries.
‘We will speak with you about that later.’ Severus responds, pouring himself a coffee and sitting down.
‘That’s what mum said.’ Harry grumbles.
‘Your mother is a wise woman.’
Petra huffs.
Harry summons the Daily Prophet from the other end of the table and opens it up. Severus reaches to pluck it away from him, but Harry holds it to his chest.
‘Mum said I could.’ He says.
Severus mutters something under his breath that sounds like “cheeky wretch”.
~~~~
The mid afternoon sun is pouring through the French doors of Blishwick Manor’s east wing ground floor apartment, cooling charms helping to stave off the worst of the summer heat. Harry is outside helping the Tonks in the garden, and Albus Dumbledore sits in one of the comfortable chairs around the empty fireplace sipping on a cup of tea.
Severus and Petra are exhausted, and have hardly had a chance to speak about the previous night themselves yet, but this meeting was unavoidable.
‘How is your mark Severus?’ Albus enquires as casually as if he were asking how well their roses are flowering this year.
‘Fine thank you Albus.’ Severus returns in just a mildly mocking tone.
Albus smiles indulgently, but his gaze is firm.
Severus sighs and unbuttons his cuff, then pulls his shirt sleeve up to his elbow and holds out his forearm for inspection.
Petra watches with disdain. The request is so demeaning, so objectifying, but she remains seated in her own chair quietly. Severus is used to this, and he will handle it in the manner he thinks best.
Albus peers at it closely, then looks up at them both with questioning eyes, but finds only blank expressions. Neither one is going to give anything away unless the Headmaster directly asks. After a long moment the old wizard simply nods, and Severus rolls his sleeve back down.
‘Any burning or tingling – any sensation at all?’ Albus questions.
‘None. And no, I was not summoned last night.’ Severus states.
‘Good.’ Albus seems to genuinely relax a little.
‘How is Harry?’ He asks after a moment’s silence sipping his tea.
‘A little shaken.’ Severus responds.
‘And a little angry.’ Petra puts in.
‘But other than that he seems fine.’ Severus finishes.
‘His scar?’ Albus presses.
‘He has not mentioned it causing him any pain last night. Furthermore I do not believe that the attack was instigated by the Dark Lord himself.’ Severus elaborates, he is keen to give Albus what he wants and see him on his way. ‘They seemed a largely undisciplined group. It was a bold, but haphazard and poorly planned attack. It does however show that groups and alliances are forming. I suspect some eager young neophyte was trying to make a name for themselves, or simply got over excited.’
‘Have you spoken with Lucius?’
‘Not yet, though I have a feeling he was not aware of the plan, as he was in attendance with his family; however that could have been for show. We all know he has no qualms about putting his son in harms way, if it suits his ends.’
Albus nods slowly, and Severus pours more tea.
‘And what of you Severus?’ Albus places his cup on the coffee table, leaning forward a little, suddenly more serious. ‘You agreed to do your duty when the time came, but your circumstances have rather changed. Have you thought about what you are going to do? When Voldemort returns, if you do not go back to him he will torture you through your mark. And either way he will certainly wish for your head. He will be after both you for your treachery, and Harry for simply existing.’
‘The Dark Lord was already intent on killing Harry, and I intent on keeping him alive. The danger to all of us is not much changed.’ Severus brushes off.
‘Except that he now has a single target.’ Albus reasons.
‘Or perhaps none at all.’
‘What are you saying Severus?’
‘Targeting the Potters in the first place was his downfall. Perhaps he might see that his efforts might be better directed towards other ends.’ Severus opines.
‘And you think you can persuade him of such?’ Albus frowns.
‘I think that his faithful followers might wish for their Lord not to waste his energies on someone who is perhaps not such an enemy.’
‘That sounds like a dangerous game to play Severus.’
‘You seem very concerned about dangers, for a Gryffindor.’
Petra munches on a biscuit while the two men dance around each other, trying not to roll her eyes. Then the Headmaster’s gaze softens as he looks over Petra’s shoulder to the doorway behind her.
‘Hello Harry.’ Albus smiles at the young man who has just appeared from the garden. ‘You look like you’ve been working hard.’
‘Gardening.’ Harry smiles back, picking a leaf out of his hair, and smearing another trail of mud across his forehead in the process. ‘The first courgettes are ready.’ He holds up three small green legumes.
‘Go and get cleaned up.’ Severus instructs.
‘Yes dad.’ Harry rolls his eyes, chucking his muddy shoes outside and hopping across the room towards the back corridor. ‘See you soon Professor.’ He smiles again at the Headmaster.
‘He does seem to be flourishing.’ Albus hums. ‘Well I should be going.’ He stands, then turns back. ‘Oh, but I almost forgot. In light of last night’s… events, I decided to appoint a different Dark Arts teacher, someone who can help to guard the school if necessary.’
‘Go on.’ Severus almost sighs. In recent years they’ve had a Dark Lord possessed idiot, a sociopathic airhead, and a werewolf. The fact that the werewolf was the best of the bunch said it all really. How much worse could it get?
‘Alastair Moody has agreed to take on the post.’ The Headmaster says.
Oh. That’s how much worse. Careful what you wish for.
~~
By the time Harry comes back from the shower, in clean clothes and with Sid curled around his arm, the Headmaster has left, and Severus and Petra have opened a bottle of wine.
They are leaning close together in the corner of the kitchen, not quite snogging. Harry spies the pizza things laid out ready to assemble, and strolls over to start spreading sauce on the bases.
They top their pizzas with sliced mozzarella and Harry’s courgettes, pop them in the oven, then go outside to eat under the light of the setting sun.
No one seems to want to start a serious conversation over dinner, so Harry asks about something else he’s been thinking about.
‘Did my mum, Lily, have any other friends at school?’ He asks.
Severus pauses, chewing slowly.
‘There was a girl called Mary. Mary Macdonald. And a McKinnon I think…’
‘She died.’ Petra states.
‘Ah, right.’ Severus frowns. ‘Fenton… no Fenwick…’
‘Benjy.’ Petra supplies. ‘Also dead.’
‘Hmm. This is the problem with our generation.’ They exchange a look. ‘Lupin was friendly with Lily for a while, he might be able to give you a few names.
‘Ok thanks.’ Harry says. ‘Do you know if her family came from Ireland?’
Severus raises his brows.
‘Where’s all this curiosity come from all of a sudden?’
‘I dunno.’ Harry shrugs. ‘It’s just everyone always talks about James. It’s like you’re the only one who knew her.’
‘Only one left alive perhaps.’ Severus mutters. ‘I believe her mother’s parents were from Ireland, and her father was Welsh – hence Evans. Sorry I can’t tell you more than that. One doesn’t tend to ask a lot about one’s friends families as a child. Not when… well not when you are like us…’ He trails off.
‘Yeah, mud-’ Harry freezes and Severus stares daggers at him.
‘You have been spending too much time around Malfoy.’ He scowls.
‘No, I mean… but that’s what they think of us isn’t it? The purists? Doesn’t matter if you’re half-blood or muggle born, we’re all dirty. All lesser. In their eyes.’ Harry says.
‘Prejudice is really about power.’ Petra says, and Severus nods.
‘Those who have it want to keep it. Those without it desire to claw their way upwards.’ He tells Harry. ‘Both will step on whomever they need to in order to accumulate as much as they can.’
Harry gets the distinct impression that Severus is speaking from bitter experience.
‘You’re not like that though.’ He says.
Severus huffs a dark laugh.
‘Oh, I was.’ His brows sink low over his dark eyes. ‘I learned the hard way exactly what it costs to have power. And how worthless it is once you get it.’
‘But you’re both really powerful.’ Harry insists.
‘Ah, you are talking about strength, not power.’ Severus says. ‘We talk about certain wizards being powerful – as in their magic is powerful. But that is quite different from societal or political power. The purists – amongst others – would have you believe that they are the same thing. But they are not. Look at your mother. Petronella has magical power coming out of her ears, but put her in a room full of Ministers and the upper classes and she’s about as much use as a fish on a bicycle. No offence love.’
‘None taken.’ Petra leans back in her seat and sips her wine.
‘Still, I know who’d I want on my side in a fight.’ Severus smirks. ‘That is not to say however that societal and political power should be ignored. It is important to understand how the world works, and to be able to work within the system. Even if it is a system you wish to subvert.’ Severus pushes away his plate and leans forward. ‘You, Harry, you have political power.’
‘Me?’ Harry queries.
‘Yes. And I do believe you are already learning how to use it. Fame isn’t everything, but it can help you, and those you care about on occasion.’ Severus’ eyes glint.
‘If I wasn’t… who I am…’ Harry murmurs. ‘We’d have all been arrested last night wouldn’t we?’
‘Probably.’ Severus states. ‘Save it for moments like that. It is your trump card, so to speak, but it will not always save you. You must have multiple weapons in your arsenal and know which to use and when.’
Harry nods slowly. It’s a lot to take in, but he likes that Severus is telling him this. His dad is teaching him about the world, and how to survive in it, and although he knows that his parents will still protect him, it’s like they’re preparing him too. So that he’ll be able to look after himself if necessary.
‘So, who were those people last night?’ He asks, as they have drifted onto the topic. ‘Did that elf really cast that… that thing? And why would she steal my wand to do it?’
‘I do not know exactly who they were. They obviously think of themselves as Death Eaters, though it is not clear as of yet who ordered the attack. As for the rest, let us worry about the details for now.’
‘The Prophet said there were 28 injured and 6 dead.’ Harry says, his tongue feeling heavy and numb.
‘We have not seen the accurate figures for ourselves yet.’ Severus states. ‘But yes, there were casualties. You were there, and you are not stupid.’
Harry knows that, but he doesn’t want to think too deeply on it so he changes the subject a little.
‘Who was that man, Crouch?’ He asks.
‘He used to be the head of the MLE.’ Petra answers. ‘At the end of the last war people wanted justice… retribution. Some were arrested without charge, others convicted without trial…’
‘Like Sirius.’ Harry puts in.
‘Yes.’ Petra says. ‘Crouch was one of the strongest proponents of simply locking up anyone with ties to the Death Eaters at all. He – and some of the Aurors under his command pretty much had a “shoot first ask questions later” policy. And that attitude didn’t end when the war did.’
‘There are many who will never see me as anything other than a Death Eater.’ Severus states, and he and Petra glance at each other.
‘What? What is it?’ Harry frowns.
‘It may be advantageous to us at times to use that mistaken belief.’ Severus says carefully.
‘Let people think you’re still a fan of you-know-who?’ Their boy looks agitated. ‘But, I thought… you’re not going to go back to spying are you? You can’t now surely, he’d never believe you were on his side after adopting me? Unless… I mean you’re not going to…’
‘I’m not going anywhere Harry.’ Severus leans forward and clasps his son’s hands between his own. ‘Petronella and I have discussed our options, and think we have come up with the most viable way forward for all of us. But we’re going to need your help. And your agreement.’
‘Alright…’ Harry frowns.
‘We have a lot to tell you.’
~~~~
The following morning a pile of trunks and boxes are gathering themselves in the middle of the living room ready for the trip back to Hogwarts. Petra is still surrounded by various unpacked items, grumbling about having too much stuff, and Severus is tidying up his lab.
The wards tingle, then buzz more insistently when not immediately answered.
‘Don’t let Filly try to do my packing.’ Petra mutters to Harry as she stomps off to see who is so desperate to gain access to the property. They very seldom have any unexpected callers, seeing as most of the residents like to keep themselves to themselves, and Blishwick Manor has not been a hub for social events in the wizarding world since Misapinoa’s time.
She sees Nymphadora first, peeking through the gates, then immediately spots a large figure standing next to her.
‘I take it you are not here on a social call.’ Petra sighs to her cousin. It was quite ironic really that Petra had ended up almost by accident having so much contact with various members of the extended Black family despite her best efforts.
‘Sorry Petronella, I mean Professor Blishwick, er… m’am.’ Tonks stumbles her way through probably one of her first introductions in an official capacity since graduating the Auror Academy only a couple of months ago.
‘Professor Blishwick?’ The other person asks. ‘Auror Michaels. We are here to question yourself and Professor Snape regarding the events which took place on the night of 19th August…’
‘Yes, the Quidditch World Cup. I do recall.’ Petra interrupts him, then purses her lips. She is loathe to let the man in, and wonders who’s bright idea it had been to send Tonks with him. Perhaps they had expected special treatment due to her family connection. However, refusing them entry would not help matters. She steps back and waves her hand, not bothering to warn him about the strength of the wards.
Dora only shivers slightly, used to the effect. Michaels flinches, almost going for his wand, and glaring at Petra with a furrowed brow. Petra ignores his discomfort and leads them in via the front door, then calls out to Harry as she enters the apartment.
‘Will you fetch your father please.’ She tells the boy. ‘Then make yourself scarce.’ Harry nods, with a nervous glance at the Auror and a confused look at Tonks, who can’t help giving Harry a little wave and a wink.
Truth be told, Petra respected Dora’s ability to be unflinchingly herself in any situation, though how she had made it through the Auror Academy she had no idea. It was unlikely Tonks would be chosen for promotion with her casual attitude, but perhaps like Petra herself, that was unimportant to her.
‘Going somewhere?’ Michaels asks, looking around at the pile of trunks.
‘Work.’ Petra states, managing to inject an almost Snape like level of disdain into her voice. Fucking idiot. She’s not sure whether she should be comforted by the fact that the MLE have put their dumbest Auror and a rookie on the case. It takes the man a moment for the cogs to grind, and Petra is thinking she might have to spell it out for him, when he finally twigs.
‘Ah. You are returning to Hogwarts?’
‘Yes.’ Petra states, resisting the urge to tell him that actually they were planning to flee to the Caribbean.
Severus enters from the courtyard, carrying a box of supplies he wants to take back with him. He places it with the rest of their trunks before turning to the Aurors. They were likely labouring under the false assuption that sending a young family member would cause them to lower their guards.
‘Auror Tonks.’ He says, offering his hand to his former pupil first, pleased to see her brighten at his use of her proper title. ‘I do not believe we have met.’ He turns to the other Auror, not bothering to hide his disdain.
‘Auror Michaels Professor.’ The man says, shaking his hand. Bizarrely, the man reminds him a little of Vincent Crabbe.
‘Please do sit down.’ Severus invites with all the false politeness of a Lucius Malfoy greeting.
Nymphadora plonks herself into one of the armchairs, curling one of her feet under her, and looking remarkably like a young Petronella for a moment. Michaels regards the remaining options, and takes the other armchair, whilst Severus joins Petra on the sofa.
‘I am obliged to inform you I’ll be using a dictaquill.’ Michaels starts, then continues after they nod their agreement. ‘Firstly can you state your exact movements on the day of the 19th August, from the time you woke up, to your arrival at the Quidditch World Cup Arena?’
Severus holds back a smirk. The idiot hadn’t even bothered to separate them for questioning. Lucky for them he’s not an actual fucking Death Eater. Of course this could be some sort of ploy to lull them into a false sense of security, but he’s not going to fall for that.
‘I got up around seven.’ He begins. ‘Made coffee. Took a shit. Washed. Fucked my wife…’
‘Er, thank you… we probably don’t need that much detail. Perhaps just stick to the relevant information.’ Michaels interrupts with a flush, whilst Tonks unsuccessfully stifles a snort. She sounds exactly the same as she had done as a fifth year trying to hide a bunch of Puffskeins under her desk.
‘Oh, I assumed the MLE wanted every single detail of my private life, as they did last time I was questioned.’ Severus drawls. ‘Very well. We were both here all day, up until we were alerted to our son being in danger. This was at approximately twenty one hundred hours. We activated the emergency portkey directly to the world cup location, and set about locating Harry. I came upon a few of the attackers on the way, whom I incapacitated. Petronella located Harry in the woods, we were threatened with arrest for no good reason, then returned home.’
Michaels looks as though he is still trying to work out what time 21:00 is, when Tonks provides him the answer.
‘Nine PM.’ She tells her partner, then turns to Severus and Petronella. ‘How did you know Harry was in danger?’ She asks, proving that despite how she looks, at least one of them has a brain.
‘A variation of Filius Tutela.’ Severus responds, turning to face Tonks.
‘A child protection spell, he’s a bit old for that isn’t he?’ Michaels frowns, to which Severus simply raises one of his “you are an idiot” brows. ‘And they don’t normally work over long distances.’ The Auror continues oblivious.
‘Well, Petronella, I mean Professor Blishwick is pretty wicked at Charms you know.’ Tonks grins.
‘That is sort of a requirement for being a Charms Professor.’ Petra comments with amusement.
‘So once you got the alarm, you used a portkey to get there.’ Tonks confirms, taking her own notes in a very crumpled little notebook, using a purple pen with a ball of fluff on the end.
‘How did you have a portkey for the Quidditch World Cup Arena?’ Michaels puts in.
‘We applied for one.’ Severus drawls, still turned slightly towards Tonks.
‘Oh yeah, it was an official one, I checked the records before we came this morning.’ She confirms to her colleague, who looks a little put out, because he is supposed to be the lead investigator.
‘You mentioned seeing the attackers.’ Michaels tries to wrestle back control of the interview. ‘Can you give us any physical descriptions?’
‘As I am sure other witnesses have already told you, they were wearing masks.’ Severus states, sparing the briefest glance to the Auror on his right.
‘So you wouldn’t have seen their faces.’ Tonks puts in. ‘But what about any other distinguishing features, the way they moved, certain spells they may have used, their wands?’ She knows how observant her former Professor is.
‘It was dark.’ Severus states.
Tonks purses her lips. Observant and difficult.
‘You must be able to give us something.’ She presses, giving him a very obvious “help me out here” look.
‘At least five of the attackers tied up in various tent parts is what I have given you.’ Severus intones. ‘Was that not enough?’
Observant, difficult, and scary.
‘Why did you not come forward, reveal yourself?’ Michaels asks, perhaps his first semi-intelligent question of the day.
‘Do you have children Auror Michaels?’ Petra interjects.
‘That isn’t…’
‘I had trouble understanding before I had one of my own.’ Petra continues. ‘When your child is in danger, it’s like a tugging in your gut. Nothing else matters to you except finding them, and making sure they are alright.’
‘So you left to locate Harry.’ Tonks states, to which Severus simply nods. ‘And arrived before or after the morsmodre was cast?’
‘Momentarily after. I did not observe the caster.’ Severus says. ‘The only people present in the clearing when I arrived were Petronella and the children.’
‘That’s Professor Blishwick, Harry Potter…’ Michaels checks his notes. ‘Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger and… Draco Malfoy?’
Severus clenches his jaw slightly.
‘Correct.’
‘Where was his father, Lucius Malfoy at this time?’ Michaels asks.
‘Many families had become separated in the chaos.’ Severus states. ‘I did not encounter Lucius Malfoy on my travels.
‘Professor Blishwick,’ Michaels continues, ‘You apprehended the elf? Did you see who cast the morsmordre, or notice anyone else in the clearing?’
Petra takes a breath and lays the questions out in proper order in her head.
‘I did not see who cast the spell, but noticed movement in the direction from which it had been cast. I incapacitated the individual, but was not able to investigate before Severus, and then the Aurors arrived. As far as I am aware there was no one else in the clearing.’
~~
Eventually Michaels seems to have run out of questions and both Aurors stand to leave.
‘I’ll be right behind you Mike.’ Tonks says, giving her colleague a nod.
Michaels gives a very unsubtle nod back – he couldn’t have been more obvious if had winked.
‘I’m supposed to stay behind and use our personal relationship to get more details out of you.’ Tonks grins once her colleague is out of earshot. ‘Got any of that lemon cake Jake made last time?’
Severus rolls his eyes.
‘No but there’s cinnamon rolls.’ Petra replies, summoning a plate from the kitchen.
‘Oh great!’ Tonks enthuses, taking one of the pastries and proceeding to spill sugary crumbs all down her front.
‘Kingsley allocated the Aurors to question witnesses.’ She mumbles with her mouth full. ‘You’re not really under investigation, although as you know there are certain Aurors who would probably like to see your head on a plate sir.’ She sucks some sticky icing from her fingers.
‘Not you Miss Tonks?’ Severus smirks slightly.
‘Well, maybe I would have back in fifth year.’ She snorts, then chokes on a bit of pastry until Petra hands her a glass of water. ‘But without you on my arse I never would have got the grades to get into the Auror Academy.’ Dora shrugs. ‘Besides, my mum likes you, and she’s a good judge of character.’
‘You don’t trust my judgement?’ Petra teases.
‘Nah, you always had shit taste in men – or so I heard through the family gossip tree.’
Petra grimaces at the thought of her mother telling everyone she could about her daughter’s tragic doomed relationships with unsuitable men.
‘Probably true.’ She admits with a grunt.
‘Right, that’s probably long enough.’ Tonks sighs, looking at her watch, and eyeing the plate of buns.
‘What happened to the elf?’ Severus asks. ‘Feel free to take one for the road.’ He waves his hand at the pastries.
‘I’d have told you anyway.’ Tonks chuckles. ‘You don’t have to bribe me.’ She winks. ‘Crouch freed her I think. No one’s officially accusing or investigating Minister Crouch of course, but it doesn’t look good does it?’
‘Was Winky even questioned?’ Petra asks with a frown.
‘Not beyond the initial interview when they brought her in.’ Tonks shrugs. ‘She claims she didn’t cast the morsmordre, and if no one actually saw her…’ Tonks raises her eyebrows expectantly.
‘Nice try Auror Tonks.’ Severus intones, in his Professorial voice. ‘Stayed for the pastries right?’ He raises his own brow, and Dora smirks and shrugs.
‘We didn’t see her.’ Petra frowns. Could there have been someone else there? ‘Is anyone pointing a finger at Harry?’
‘Harry Potter? Yeah right!’ Tonks huffs. ‘That bunch of power hungry bureaucrats wouldn’t dare accuse the boy-who-lived of even tying his shoelaces wrong.’
‘Good to know.’ Severus’ eyes glint.
‘You on the other hand…’ Tonks cringes slightly.
‘Oh I know my reputation.’ Severus says. ‘I imagine our unholy alliance has caused quite the stir.’
‘No one knows what to think to be honest.’ Tonks admits. ‘Anyway, best be going.’ She plucks up two cinnamon rolls with a grin. ‘Catch you later. Tell Harry I’m sorry I couldn’t stay and chat.’ And with a wave of her free hand Nymphadora Tonks hops out of the front door.
Shortly after the Aurors leave, the family depart for Hogwarts. They have planned to use Petra’s cottage as a base for the last few days of the holidays so they will still have a bit of distance from the castle whilst the Professors plan for the start of term. It’s a little dusty from lack of use, but it could be worse.
‘At least the squirrels haven’t moved back in.’ Petra comments.
They all have feelings of nostalgia connected with the cosy cottage, which seems fitting somehow considering the difficulties which may lie ahead.
~~~~~