The Headmaster

Chapter 14 The Headmaster

It had been a long, tiresome day for Harry, one that was only partway over. In the last three weeks Hogwarts had seen sixteen colanders blown up in Potions and had gone through three different instructors. Harry had a new respect for Severus, at least as a teacher. He had to take over the class on several occasions when the Potions Master he had hired left without notice. The students were all, every single one of them, dunderheads, incapable of following the simplest instructions. In one class alone he had, out of frustration, taken 150 points from Ravenclaw and another 150 from his own house, the Gryffindors, which he deeply regretted. That put the Slytherins ahead, which galled Harry.

Classes were done for the day. He prepared for his appointment with Minerva. The old cow probably wanted her job back and came to beg for it. No, he would have none of it. She was gone and she would remain gone. He would only surround himself with people he trusted, they were few and far between. He took a deep sigh. How he missed his friends. Perhaps he should ask them over for lunch again. Now that Severus was out of the picture they could all forgive and forget and renew their friendship.

Harry was surprised that Minerva was accompanied by Draco. He didn’t like the ferret, he was obnoxious and still a prat.

“Malfoy?!”

“Surprised to see me, Potty?”

“Beside Snape, I can’t think of anyone I would rather not see. Minerva.” He acknowledged her with a slight tilt of the head.

“Headmaster.”

“What do I owe this dubious meeting for?”

“You won’t believe it but this meeting is for your own good.” Minerva stood slightly back of Draco letting the boy take charge for the moment.

“If that is the case, you can both turn your arses around and leave. I am no mood to listen to anything the two of you might have to say.”

“Don’t be too hasty. You don’t know what we have to bargain with.”

“There is nothing on God’s green earth that would sway my decision. Now leave my quarters and Hogwarts.”

“Could these,” Draco slipped the letters he had taken from Smyth, from his coat’s pocket, “make you change your mind?”

“Where did you get those?” Harry paled. He reached out to grab the letters only to have Draco pull them up, out of his grasp.

“Tisk, tisk… Potter, it’s not polite to grab.”

“How much do you want for them?”

“Money? Don’t be so crass. I have enough money to buy and sell you a dozen times. No, what I want is much more personal.”

“Minerva, I am surprised at you.” Harry turned his attention to his head of house. “I expected more form you than this.”

“And I expected more from you than you being a thief.”

“What are you talking about? I’ve never stolen from anyone.”

“No? You stole a man’s idea, which is much worse than stealing something materialistic. Severus studied and worked for years on the changes for Hogwarts. Waiting until the time came that he could implement those changes. He wanted to be recognized for his contributions to education and not forever be known as an ex-Death Eater. You stole his self-esteem, a large piece of his mind so you would look brilliant in front of your colleagues. That sir is thievery.” Minerva crossed her arms over her chest.

“Then you had him tortured,”

“I never said to torture Snape,” Harry protested. He was embarrassed and angry.

“The implication is there for anyone to read and I will let the world read every hateful thing you did in my wife’s paper, the Profit.”

“And I will tell the board of trustees that you stole your ‘great’ plans from Professor Snape, Harry. I have enough witnesses that would gladly, for Severus’ sake, to come forward and be witnesses for him.”

Harry became light headed and had to take a seat behind the large desk that belonged to Dumbledore. He was dwarfed behind the great man’s desk.

“What… what do you want of me?”

“I’ll let Minerva go first, and then I will give you my demands. There is nothing up for negotiation. It is all or nothing. Understand Potty?”

“Yeah, ferret face.”

“Mr. Potter, you may not believe me but what we do today is for your own good. We love you and care about your well-being. More than you care about yourself. So we insist that you will see a therapist for three days a week. The choice of therapist is yours but he must be credited. Secondly, you have numerous hexes and curses that need to be removed and from our understanding you are reluctant to do so. You will start immediately getting all of them removed.”

“How did you know?” Harry wondered if Adam betrayed him, along with everyone else.

“We have our spies.” Minerva dismissed the question. “And lastly, from my view point, you shall attend the hearing for Severus tomorrow and urge his release from Azkaban. Do you agree to my terms?”

“Yeah.” He spoke through clenched teeth.

“Wizard oath?”

“Wizard oath!” Harry almost choked.

“My turn.” Draco was far too happy with himself, annoying even Minerva. “Since you are the cause of my godfather’s injuries, you will be attending to him until he’s fully recovered. That is when he is once again able to stalk the halls of Hogwarts with the grace only he possesses.”

“NEVER!” Harry screamed. Harry stood abruptly, sending the chair he was sitting in flying back.

“You will become his physical therapist. Everyday you will show up and attend to his needs, whatever they may be, from fixing him dinner, to massaging and working his useless legs.” Harry’s outburst had no effect on Draco.

“I would rather fuck Voldemort… and he’s been dead for three years.”

“As I said this is not up for debate, either you help him in the months to come or the world will find out what a real scumbag you truly are.”

“I am the savior-of-the-wizarding-world. They’ll never turn their back on me.”

“You will find that wizards are notorious for having a short memory. They’ll love to find out you have feet of clay. Have you ever seen a crucifixion? Because once they’re done with you, you’ll be crucified… Harry step up and be the man I know you are.”

Harry was surprised at those words. “I hate you.”

“I know”

“Once Snape starts to walk, I get the letters?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll do it.” Draco wondered if Harry had broken any teeth by the way they were clenched so tightly.

“Wizard oath?”

“Wizard oath.”

Minerva was wondering how well Severus was taking the news about his new caregiver.

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“What have you done?” Severus asked from his hospital bed.

“We have become blackmailers for your sake.”

“I did not ask you to do so. You will call Draco and Minerva and stop this madness immediately.”

Remus looked at his pocket watch. “Sorry, from my calculations it already done. Severus, don’t be too harsh with us. We did it for Harry as well. He needs help. He has a many issues from the war that he has to face.”

“I don’t doubt that he needs to talk to someone but to baby sit me is preposterous. I am an adult, I have managed on my own for most of my life and I don’t need a babysitter now.”

“You may squawk all you want but I know you miss Harry and would love to have an excuse to see him on a daily basis. Let him find out what attracted him to you in the first place. Let him get to know you all over again. Maybe, with him out of school and having a few years under his belt, the two of you could work out your differences.”

“How many times must I tell you… there was nothing between us but a strong friendship… possibly a tad more,” Severus’ cheeks turned crimson, “but nothing serious.”

“Severus, if you can look me in the eye and tell me that you were never in love with Harry, I will stop all of this at once.”

Severus narrowed his eyes and stared into the amber eyes of the werewolf. “I have never been in love with that irritating brat.”

Remus studied him for a second. “Liar!”

“…”

“You were able to lie to Voldemort but you can not lie to me convincingly.”

“Fine, I might have cared for him a bit, but that’s all.”

“Yes, I understand.” Remus gave Severus a cheeky grim.

“Go to hell werewolf.” Severus pouted.

“In a moment. I was warned by Alvin that I couldn’t stay more than a few moments. He should be in here to shoo me out momentarily. You will be going to Malfoy Manor when you are released from here. Hopefully that will be tomorrow afternoon. Dumbledore has been moved there too.”

“What? What’s wrong with Albus?”

“Oh dear, has no one told you?”

“Told me what? Be quick about it man.”

“He had a stroke a few weeks after you went to Azkaban. He has been in a coma ever since. The Healers believe that he is slowly coming out of it and should be waking up soon. Minerva believes he’s been astro-projecting. Travelling about the universe.”

“Not so dramatic I think.”

“Severus?”

“He’s been with me nightly for weeks, keeping me warm and from going insane. I need to apologize to him. He was the first person that ever loved me.” Tears were threatening to fall.

“But he wasn’t the last, was he?”

“No it seems not. I am rather surprised by that.” Remus handed the Potions Master a tissue to wipe his eyes and blow his nose. “I am pleasantly surprised that I enjoy having friends.”

“And I am surprised how good a friend you have become.”

“Full of surprises, aren’t I?” Severus chuckled between blowing his nose.

“So you agree to let Harry take care of you at Malfoy Manor?”

“Yes, yes.” Severus gave him a dismissive wave. “Now off you go. That pretty little vixen is probably waiting for you at home.”

“Since you brought my fiancé up, would you do me the honor of being the best man at my wedding?”

“No, I sure the best man will be getting married, but I will be honored to stand next to you.”

“Thank you Severus. Now get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a big day for all of us.”

“I refuse to get my hopes up. I don’t think I could handle it if I’m not released.”

“You will be, dear friend. You will be.” Remus patted Severus’ lifeless legs before leaving.

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Adam showed up minutes after Minerva and Draco had left.

“You knew, didn’t you?” It was more an accusation than a question. Harry had already drunk a glass of rye and was on his second one.

“Yes,” Adam answered, ready for the scene that never came.

“I want you out of Hogwarts by tomorrow. I’ll be teaching defense until I find someone else.”

“Harry, it’s for your own good.”

“I’m an adult. I do not need someone to manipulate me anymore.”

“Have you agreed to their demands?”

“Yes. Even though I gave them my oath, I give you a promise as well; I will fight that lot of yours with every step I take. You know the old saying about leading a horse to water; this horse doesn’t plan on drinking. I’d rather see you all in hell before I give you any of you the satisfactions of seeing me grovel.”

“Is that what you see all of this? A punishment of sorts? You are so wrong. You’re mad because they all deserted you and went to your enemy, Snape’s camp. Answer me this, would you have listened if they sat down with you and talked about their concerns. Or would you have thrown them out on their collective arses? They love you.”

Harry chortled in disbelief.

“It’s true. Their concern for you is as great, if not more so, than what they have for Snape. All they want is to see you happy. Harry, are you happy? Have you had a moment of peace in the last three years or are you treading water, barely keeping you head afloat? Stop fighting us. Take what is being forced on you as a gift or well-being.”

“I could almost do that if it weren’t for the part about me taking care of Snape.” Harry sounded defeated.

“Give yourself a chance to see what you liked about the man. You may not find anything and when he can walk you can be on your way. But what if there is the minute chance that Snape might be the love of your life? Don’t you think you should take that chance?”

“No, but I have no choice in the matter.” Harry rubbed his eyes with the hells of his palms. “Don’t go.” It was barely a whisper.

“I won’t.” Adam walked over to Harry and pulled the exhausted young man into his arms. “Would you like me to hold you tonight?” Adam felt the slightest nod from Harry’s head that was resting on his chest.

“What happens or doesn’t happen with Snape is of no concern of mine, but treatment at St. Mungo’s and therapy is. I will be here for you until you no longer need me. Now come to bed and rest.”

Harry let Adam lead him to his bedroom. With his assistance, Adam took off Harry’s shoes and socks and covered the prone boy with a comforter. Taking off his own shoes and socks he quickly crawled next to Harry and held him close. Harry softly cried in his arms until his breathing slowed and sleep took over.

To RebeccaH all I can say, nothing is as it seems, including my age.