Chapter 21: Really?

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Harry was besieged with dreams again that night. This time Death told him where the Deathly Hallows were and how he needed to obtain them. Harry listened, though he didn't know why the entity wanted him to have them. Why would Death want a master? It just didn't make sense. And why would he want Harry? He was just a kid.

"It said that Dumbledore has two of them. One is mine, the Invisibility Cloak. The Elder Wand is the one the old man is using. Death says that the Resurrection Stone is a horcrux that is hidden in a shack in Little Hangleton," Harry told Vic the next morning as they ate some crepes with chocolate syrup and strawberries.

"Where is Little Hangleton?" Vic wanted to know.

"How should I know?" Harry asked, throwing up his hands. "I'm just passing on what Death told me. All I know is it wants me to have these items and for them to be taken away from Dumbledore," he stated, cutting up his crepe with a bit too much force for the delicate pancake. "Oh, there's a curse on the ring," he added, a furrow on his brow as if trying to remember the vague dream. It had seemed so clear this morning. Now it was like grabbing a cloud.

"Do you know what kind?" Vic asked, not liking that thought at all. He was a good wizard, but he wasn't a curse-breaker. He might need help getting that ring. Where were John and Marcus? Maybe they knew someone.

"I think a Withering Curse?" the preteen said in a questioning tone, still scrunching his forehead. "It's behind wards too. I think you'll need a parselmouth. Or someone who can get around those types of wards," he added, taking a drink of his coffee, which he still doctored with a lot of milk and sugar.

"Well, shite," was the answer to that. That might be out of his realm of possibilities.

"The cloak and wand should be easier to get," Harry said with a happier note, taking another bite of his crepes.

"I'll demand your cloak back," his uncle said, working on his own breakfast. "I don't know how that old bastard got it in the first place," he said contemplatively. He would have to come up with a story of how he found out how he knew Dumbledore had it. A seer perhaps? The goblins? He would talk to Goldfinger. He was sure James had left the cloak in the vault for safekeeping.

Maybe he'd just steal it back or hire someone to do that. There had to be someone who was willing to do that. Then again, Hogwarts was supposed to be one of the safest places in all of the United Kingdom. Second only to Gringotts. Again, he was going to have to talk to Goldfinger.

"You do that," Harry said, also contemplating how to get his cloak back and how Dumbledore got it in the first place. Tonks had gone from the school, having graduated last year, so she was out. Pity, she could have done it. Harry wondered if he should contact her anyway. He might write to her after breakfast. Or call her, he had her number.

"I'm not sure how we'll get the wand. I think you are supposed to win it," the dogman said, with a thoughtful expression.

"That's what the story says," Harry agreed, stuffing his mouth with his crepe, and moaning at the taste of an especially sweet strawberry. It wasn't often they had such a sweet-tasting breakfast.

"I'll see what I can set up," Vic said, thinking on how he could get Harry and Dumbledore in the same area without the two of them alone. He didn't trust the old man as far as he could throw him. Maybe he could win the wand and then let Harry win it from him. There was a thought. That might be much more productive. Harry wasn't up to fighting Albus anytime soon. He wasn't sure he was, but he didn't trust anyone else to do it and hand the wand over when they were done.

"Speaking of Dumbledore, do you think he's going to get Snape off?" Harry asked, knowing the man was going to try to free his professor. He'd heard tales of Albus Dumbledore and his tendency of giving people second or third chances.

"He'll try," Vic said, smirking an evil smirk. "Amelia poured Veritaserum down his throat last night and hopefully he sang like a bird." He was hoping the man gave up some juicy details about the headmaster and his plans for Harry. Then again, Albus didn't share easily.

"About what?" the preteen asked, tilting his head to the side in curiosity.

"Never you mind," Vic stated, waving his fork in the boy's direction. "Let's just say that Snape is not a nice man."

"I'll say," John said as he came in the room. He sat at the table and started serving himself some of the crepes. "Going fancy this morning?" he asked, taking in the extravagant fare.

"I felt like celebrating," Vic said, smiling like a fool. "Where's Marcus?"

"He's got plans this morning," John stated, looking at Vic with a knowing look. Marcus was still dealing with the not so nice side of the law. They knew this but didn't really care as long as he didn't bring it to the house. He didn't break the law, per se, just bent it a bit. "I thought we were going to Grimmuald Place this morning," he stated, looking to Vic.

"With the arrest of Snape last night, I called it off and decided to reschedule it for next weekend," Vic stated, wanting to get all they could out of that man before Dumbledore could interfere.

"I called Hermione this morning and she's going to be here soon. She's spending a few hours with me studying before my spy class," Harry said, finishing off his breakfast and wiping his mouth. "I've got to go and get ready." He grabbed his cooling cup of coffee and swallowed it down. With all the cream and sugar, it wasn't bad warm.

"How is she doing?" Vic asked, wanting to make sure they were getting along well enough.

"She's wicked smart, but she still doesn't understand that she doesn't need to answer every question. She seems to think we're in competition. Mr. Leffen tried to explain it to her, but she still feels that she needs to outshine me in everything," Harry said, a sigh of frustration leaving his lips.

"Well, hang in there, maybe she'll grow out of it," his uncle said as he too polished off his crepes.

"I hope so, because other than that, she's a really nice girl," Harry said, getting up from the table and leaving the room.

"What are your plans for the day now that we're not horcrux hunting?" John asked Vic as he quickly ate his meal. He had slept a bit too late this morning.

"The Wizengamot is going to meet tomorrow to hold a trial for Severus Snape. Because the charge is treason, they are pushing it forward fast. Today, I'm meeting with Amelia. She says that she and Moody have some news on the Dark Lord," the minister said, swallowing the last of his coffee. He put his cup down and got up from the table. "I'm going to get ready. I'll be in the study," he said, leaving the room.

John looked at his watch. It was seven-thirty. He had a few minutes to eat. Why those two got up at the butt-crack of dawn, he didn't know. Then again Marcus was up earlier than that and was out the door before breakfast.

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When John joined Vic, Amelia was already there. Harry and Hermione were in the library with an anti-eavesdropping ward on the door. While Harry knew what they were going to discuss, Hermione was clueless, and they'd like to keep it that way.

"Riddle, huh?" Vic said, after Amelia filled him in on what she and Moody had learned and discussed the day before. "Where have I heard that name?" he said, tapping his chin in thought.

"Probably the same place I heard it. He's got an award at the school," Amelia said, reminding the men of that fact.

"I didn't go to Hogwarts," Vic reminded her, sticking to his cover story.

"Then I have no idea where you heard it before," she said with a shrug.

"I remember that reward," John said, his eyes going hazy for a moment in remembrance.

"He was the last of the Gaunt family," Amelia informed them.

"I know the Gaunt family," Arcturus said, his tone was one of disgust. "A bunch of inbred hicks," he spat out. "I thought my family was bad, but they were breeding brothers and sisters together to keep their blood pure. The line ended with squibs and crazies," he stated with a sneer.

"No, it ended with a Dark Lord," Amelia pointed out. "His mum was a squib, if what I found out was true. She had to potion a muggle to get him to love her and when she fell pregnant, she stopped, and he left. She died in childbirth, and now we have one pissed off Dark Lord."

"How did you find all this out?" Vic asked, a look of wonder on his face.

"All I needed was his name and I did some digging in the muggle world. He made quite an impression on the orphanage where he grew up. As to his mum, well, she sold some stuff to Borgin when she was desperate. He's talkative when he doesn't want to be arrested," the Head of the DMLE said, smirking an evil grin. "She gave him her sob story when she sold him a necklace back when she was pregnant. I traced the name Riddle to a town, Little Hangleton, and got more of the story there," she added, making Vic perk up a bit. That was the town that Harry mentioned this morning.

"That is a sad tale, to be true," the minister said, feeling kind of bad for the woman.

"I don't feel one bit sorry for someone who potions someone into loving them," Amelia disagreed, her eyes narrowed in anger. "She raped that man for years. If she was still alive, she'd be sitting in one of my cells," she stated, her tone firm and her eyes blazing.

"Okay, I get it," Vic said, raising his hands in a 'I understand' gesture. "When you put it that way, I see your point," he added, making placating motions. It was hard to see it when the victim was a man.

"She's right, you know," John said, nodding at Amelia. "Those potions are disgusting and should be outlawed. They are a form of Imperius," he stated, his hands forming into fist, his feelings on that were just that strong.

"They are outlawed, it's just not pushed that hard," Amelia said, her tone was hard as nails. "If I catch anyone using them, I throw the book at them. However, Albus Dumbledore lets them off with a slap on the hand," she said, anger evident in her every word.

"Fucking Dumbledore," John spat. "There are times I'd like to cap that man," he muttered just loud enough to be heard.

"We'll not talk about killing the old man," Vic said, trying to lighten the mood. "We'll ruin him instead. Our first step will be Snape's trial," he added, looking at the Head of the DMLE.

"Oh yes," she said, a grin forming on her face. "Snape. He is a nasty piece of work. He is loyal to only himself, now. So, I can't really get him for being a Death Eater. However, he's not really loyal to the headmaster either. His only true loyalty was to Lily Potter and she's dead."

"That's sick," Vic said, making a grossed-out face.

"He thinks he loved her," she said with a shrug. "He was the one who told Tom about the prophecy and got the Potters targeted. He then told Dumbledore in hopes of saving Lily. He didn't care about the male Potters. He failed of course. He made a vow to protect Harry, which he can't fulfil because Harry isn't at Hogwarts, so he's losing magic."

"Serves him right," John said, shaking his head at people who made deals with devils.

"Did Snape say anything about Dumbledore's plans about Harry?" Vic wanted to know. He'd touch on the prophecy in a moment.

"Only that Harry is vital to the downfall of You-Know-Who," Amelia said, with a shake of her head. "I couldn't get any more out of him than that," she said, frustratingly.

"Dammit," Vic said, just as frustrated. "Did he mention anything about the prophecy? The wording of it?"

"No just that there was one," she stated, going over the notes in her hand. "Well, he said that he heard the first part, and he did tell me that part. Then he told me that he told the Dark Lord, that Albus knows the whole of it."

"Shite," Vic stated, rubbing a hand down his face. Half a prophecy was worthless. He was going to have to go to the Department of Mysteries. And he was going to have to take Harry there. Not that he put a lot of validity in prophecy, but he did believe there was something to them.

"Well, there's not much we can do about that," John pointed out, vowing to keep an eye on the kid too.

"How do you think Dumbledore is going to play it?" Vic asked, going to the bar, and pouring a fizzy drink. It was too early for alcohol, and he wasn't in the mood for tea or coffee. He indicated he was pouring to the other two and they shook their heads declining the offer.

"He'll pull the grandfatherly card and say that Snape has his complete trust," Amelia said with a sigh.

"Too bad," Vic said, retaking his seat, drink in hand. "What Snape did was treasonous," he added, crossing his legs, and settling in his chair. "Besides, we'll have to ask Albus to recuse himself from the case. He's too close to Snape," he said, smiling like a kneazle that ate the snitch.

"I know. It'll be the first thing I'll do when the doors are closed. Albus won't like it," she said, a wicked grin on her face.

"Bugger what Albus likes. He's got to learn he isn't above the law," John stated from his place on the wall.

"Yeah, bugger him," Vic agreed, sharing a smile with the other man.

"Snape did say in his questioning that Malfoy believes that you were someone else before you appeared. That you are not a bastard child of Charlus Potter…" Amelia said, and she left it hanging there.

"I have the bloodwork to prove that I am," Vic said, waving it away as if it were the ravings of a madman.

"He swears there are spells that can fake those," she persisted, glancing at Arcturus' portrait, who lifted an eyebrow at the accusation.

"I can swear an oath that I am Victor Henry Potter in every way," Vic said, hoping she didn't call his bluff. Though if he worded it correctly, he could make such an oath.

"I don't believe that will be necessary," she said, making Vic sigh internally. "I think Lucius is grasping at will o' the wisps." There was a glint in her eyes though, like she suspected something but was going to keep it to herself. "He really wants the Black lordship to fall back to his son. He'll do anything to get it," she stated, going over what Snape had told her.

John and Vic exchanged looks but let it go. "What about the horcruxes? I mean, what are we going to do about the one in Malfoy Manor?" Vic asked, taking a drink of his fizzy drink.

"I suggest a raid. Arthur Weasley has been biting at the bit to get in there for ages," Amelia said, taking out her notebook and flipping through it. "He swears some of the items he's had to confiscate are from Malfoy," she said, reading some of her notes.

"Give him the go-ahead and make sure to include any and all dark objects. Have them search the entire house. Have them ask the house elves for secret chambers, rooms, and hidey-holes. Warn him about the book on the sly. Tell him you suspect it from the dinner," Vic said, finishing off his drink and setting the glass on the table next to him.

Tibbers popped in and took the empty glass away. The elf looked around and didn't see anything else that needed to be done so he popped away.

"I'll set it up when I get to the office tomorrow," she said, making a note and tucking her notebook back into her purse. "I've got to run," she said, looking at her watch. "Susan is due back from Hannah's any minute," she added, gathering up her things and heading towards the door. "I really wish you'd open your floo to visitors," she complained.

"Sorry, only family," he said, shaking his head. "It's an old family curse," he added, shrugging like it wasn't his fault. He followed her to the exit and held the door open for her.

"Get a curse-breaker," she said, leaving through the door and waving over her shoulder. "Besides, didn't this used to be a Black family home?"

"The curse accepts the Potters now that Harry is the head of the Black family. You know how magic is," Vic said, shrugging his shoulder in a 'what can you do' manner. "I'll think about getting a curse-breaker," he lied through his teeth. There was no way he was going to open his floo. He liked the fact that only he and Harry could use it. It was more secure that way.

"You know that means, I can't use it either," John reminded him as they watched Amelia walk down the path to the main gate.

"Yeah, I am sorry about that. But you have your emergency portkey on you," Vic pointed out.

"There is that," the bodyguard agreed.

Harry and Hermione came out of the library right about then and joined them in the study. They talked about the kids' studies and how things were going until it was time to get the girl home. Then Harry went to his spy classes. And Vic and John sparred. All in all, it was a productive Sunday, even if they hadn't hunted horcruxes like they were supposed to.

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The next afternoon, the courtroom was packed with spectators. Everyone that hated Snape was there to see if he would be Kissed this day. Word had quickly spread that he had tried to use Legilimency on the minister. They all now knew that he had probably used it on them as students and were up in arms. No one was silent in their hatred of the man. Dumbledore was looking at them all with disappointment.

Once everyone was assembled, the doors were closed, and Amelia stood. "Chief Warlock, you must recuse yourself from this trial," she said, before anything else could be said.

"Whyever for?" Albus asked, actually gobsmacked. He had never been asked to step down before.

"You are too close to the accused," she said, looking around the room and seeing more than half the people agreed with her. Good.

"Hear, hear," Vic said from his place next to her as he too stood. "All in favor of the Chief Warlock stepping down for this trial, light your wands," he said before any debate could be started, lighting his wand, and holding it high.

A large portion of the room lit their wands and Dumbledore sighed. "Very well," he said and stepped down off his chair. He moved to join the public gallery. Inside he was fuming. He had never been so publicly humiliated. Not even when Potter had told everyone about the school's standing. At least that had been behind closed doors. This was a public trial. The press was here.

"The next person in line for Chief Warlock is Madam Marchbanks," Amelia said, looking at the elderly woman, who was getting out of her chair with great difficulty. "Madam, will you take the seat as provisional Chief Warlock?" she asked the very old woman.

"Of course, it bloody is," the woman grumbled as she hobbled to the raised chair. "Yes, yes, I will do my duty to the Wizengamot," she muttered, as she moved along. It took a few minutes and Vic had to help her, but they got her seated and she called the session in order.

"The accused will stand and face the charges," Amelia said, looking at Snape, who was sitting in the chair with the chains. The chains were not engaged, since he was not convicted.

"Severus Snape, you are being charged with using Legilimency on a government official, how do you plead?" Madam Marchbanks asked, looking down on the dour man.

"Not guilty," Snape said with a sneer. They could see the sweat on his brow though. He was obviously worried.

"You do know we have your questioning under Veritaserum, correct?" the Chief Warlock asked, looking at the evidence in question. "In it, it clearly states that you confess to using Legilimency on the minister," she said, peering over her nose at the man. "Are you denying this now?" she asked.

"I don't recognize that man as my minister," Severus said, glaring at the man in question. "He is a fraud," he added, as if it were fact.

"How so?" Amelia asked, looking at Vic to see what he had to say.

Vic looked amused. There was a twinkle playing in his eyes, like the man talking was crazy and spouting nonsense.

"He's a Potter, all Potters are frauds," Snape said, waving his hand in 'it's a given' manner.

"I happen to have known quite a few Potters and none of them have been fraudulent," Bones stated, looking at the greasy git like he had lost his mind.

"I think it is clear that Severus Snape is not in his right mind," Albus said, standing and making a last-ditch effort to not see his man in prison.

"Tell me, Mr. Snape, what ingredients do I need to make the Draught of the Living Death?" Amelia asked in a casual manner.

Snape started listing those things needed, including what order they needed to be added and what amount they needed to be measured in.

"Tell me, Mr. Snape, who is in charge of Hogwarts?" she asked, keeping her tone calm.

"Headmaster Dumbledore," he answered. "Though most of the work is done by Deputy Headmistress McGonagall," he stated with a sneer at the old man.

"And who is in charge of the muggle world's Britain?" was the next question.

"The Queen, or the Prime Minister," he responded, tilting his head as he wondered where she was going with her questioning.

"And their names?" she asked, adjusting her robes a bit.

"The Queen's name is Elizabeth; I know not the current Prime Minister. I have not been in the muggle world in over a decade," he said, his silky voice carrying throughout the entire room.

"I believe that unless it has to do with the family Potter, Mr. Snape is in complete control of his facilities," Amelia stated, tapping her hands together. "It is my conclusion that he did knowingly and willingly violate Minister Potter's mind on Saturday night for no other reason than to find out secrets that were not his to know," she concluded, then took her seat.

"Professor Snape is a member of my staff, and I have complete confidence in him," Albus stated, looking around the room for support. He was finding little of it. All he could see was scorn and hate.

"That's what you said, when you got him off for being a Death Eater, yet we are down potions masters because of his teaching methods. I've already brought this up before this body once. Your confidence in him is irrelevant," Vic stated, glaring at the man. "He entered my mind the other night, without provocation. I hold state secrets, that is a treasonous offence. I could have him Kissed," he all but snapped, then he took a deep breath.

"You would do that? I am sure that you would not ruin, let alone take, a young man's life for a mere peek in your mind," Albus said, looking for all the world like a disappointed grandfather.

"No one is above the law," Amelia said, standing next to Vic. "It is not Minister Potter's choice. It is up to the Wizengamot."

"You have heard the evidence. Take time to review the questioning and talk amongst yourselves. Come back with a verdict," Madam Marchbank said, banging her gavel.

A dome of light appeared around the Wizengamot, and the members got up and started talking to each other. They compared the questioning to what they had heard and were coming to their own conclusions.

The public gallery talked rapidly about the fate of the hated teacher, and Snape sat and watched them. Vic and Amelia talked with each other about politics and other office related things. Albus was helpless as he watched the Wizengamot discuss the fate of his spy/teacher.

It only took ten minutes for the Mot to come to a verdict. They all sat in their seats and the dome fell. "We find Severus Snape guilty of using Legilimency on Minister Potter and sentence him to fifteen years in Azkaban, minimum security." They sat there all prim and proper like they were doing a great service for the wizarding world.

There was a great deal of booing from the audience. They wanted a harsher punishment. The man was a menace to society. He was ruining Hogwarts and the students' careers.

"So say it, so it be," Madam Marchbanks said, banging her gavel. An Auror came and dragged Snape away.

"I'll get your secrets, Potter!" he yelled as he was being removed from the room.

"I thought he'd get Kissed, or life," Vic said, disappointed. "I am highly dissatisfied," he added, picking up his briefcase and moving to leave the room. The crowd was jostling him and Amelia as they went with the flow.

John joined them as they were exiting the chamber. He wasn't allowed to sit with Vic there. However, he could stand to the side and keep an eye on him from afar. So, his charge was always in sight. It was a good thing that the wizards didn't think guns were dangerous. He got to keep his firearm wherever he went.

"Dumbledore still has pull," Amelia stated, looking at all the faces of the Mot and seeing them glancing in their direction. Probably weighing how they were taking the verdict. "If you were a pureblood, he'd have been Kissed for sure," she added, disgust in her tone. She moved along with him, and they kept their voices low.

"Isn't that bloody lovely," he said, going to the exit and heading to his office.

"Well, he's off the street for now," she said, trying to look on the bright side.

"There is that," he agreed.

They parted ways at the elevator, and Vic went to his office. He had other things to worry about than Severus Snape. Like getting Harry's cloak back.

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Harry was writing Tonks a letter; in it he asked about breaking into Dumbledore's office and if it could be done. He fleetingly wondered if he should tell Uncle Vic he was consulting Tonks, then shrugged. If Tonks said it could be done, then he'd tell the other man. Maybe they could get the wand at the same time. It was a thought.

He told her that the headmaster had a family heirloom of his and he wanted it back. That the man had no right to it and was keeping it from him. He sealed the missive and sent it off with one of the owls. Now all he had to do was wait.