The Contract

Chapter Thirty Six -- The Meeting of the Minds



After leaving the Headmaster’s office, Severus was stopped by Hermione and Ron. Asking that he come to the Room of Requirement so they could talk, Remus and Severus joined the teens for the conversation of explanation.



As the door closed, Severus shuddered at the exact replica of the Gryffindor common room, but sat in one of the over sized armchairs to listen. Hermione paced as she tried to decide the best way to begin. Ron did it for her, “We believe that Dumbledore is using Harry to seize power in the Wizarding World…”



The older men looked at the blunt teen in shock. Hermione flashed pride at her boyfriend’s approach, and sitting, decided he was doing the right thing. “I spent all morning going over documents that Draco has received, laws, titles to property, Lucius’ Will, correspondence that he receives from a Bank Goblin by the name of Garen. It’s the only thing that adds up to the information.”



“May I see your documentation?” Remus asked.



“Not yet, there’s more. The journal that Lucius Malfoy insisted that Draco retrieve is full of accusations and proof that the headmaster has deceived us. Do either of you know that if Harry is found to be incapable or is arrested before his eighteenth birthday, who will receive the Potter fortune?”



Neither of the men did. “Dumbledore. Now why would James and Lily put a stipulation in their wills that show the Headmaster as the recipient if something happened to Harry? It’s not a normal stipulation either. From what Lucius writes, Dumbledore had a codicil added to the will after it was written. This is what will give the Headmaster the power. It goes on to describe the laws that have been suggested by Dumbledore and overwhelmingly approved by the Wizengamut which show a pattern of power that could come if the heir is found to be incompetent or untrustworthy. Untrustworthy, in this case, could be if he were arrested and convicted.”





“But what I don’t get is why.” Ron said after a moment. “What does Dumbledore want with Harry’s money?”



“Besides the money, you mean?” Severus asked. “Power is something any normal human being desires. When one has had power for years, which was slated to be usurped by a child, one fears that loss of power will mean a loss of a way of life. Albus knowingly allowed Harry to be put at risk often during his young life by placing him with the Dursleys. This was convenient to show Harry his ‘place’ in the world.”



Remus interjected, “His place should have been with his godfathers. Sirius was sent to prison after Albus told him about James and Lily. The old man,” Remus stood and began to pace in thought, “knew that Peter was the Secret Keeper and told Sirius about it. He also told Sirius where Peter could be found that day, something about…Aurors spotting him, or something equally ridiculous.



“Sirius went after Peter without a second thought and ended up in Azkaban. Even though I am legally his godfather as well, Albus kept telling me that I could not have him due to the Lycanthropy I…OUCH!” Remus grabbed the top of his head and bent double in pain.



Severus rushed to him, asking what was wrong. “It wasn’t me that trained him… Severus, it wasn’t me. I remember, I kept begging James not to do it. I never agreed to be part of it as I was disgusted by even the thought of it. It was Albus, all of it. He didn’t have two trainers, he had one. Why do I know that?” He questioned himself.



Hermione looked at the man as he made his revelations. “It all fits. He Polyjuiced himself into you for one part of the training and used a glamour or something for the nicer parts. This would allow Harry to mistrust you when he remembered, but not harbor ill feelings for Dumbledore.”



Ron stood, looking murderous, “Are you sure, Hermione? Absolutely sure?”



“No, not absolutely, but it is the only thing that fits.”



Severus looked to the teens as Remus’ headache subsided and was helped back to a chair. “When did the laws begin to be enacted?”



Hermione thought for a bit, “Just after Grindelwald’s defeat.”



“That was the first time Albus ever accomplished anything spectacular. Before then, he was a bit of a loner. Not un-liked but definitely not loved either.” Severus said as though he remembered from another part of his memory. “When I was a seventh year, we had to do an essay for History of Magic that was about one of our favorite characters. I chose Albus Dumbledore. The few people I interviewed were complimentary, but there was one woman who remembered him during school as being extremely talented but a loner. Much like I was. It was the beginning of my respect for him.



“The rest of the paper outlined his life and accomplishments. When I asked to interview him, and he agreed, he told me that the most important thing in the world was for the Magical Community to unite by any means available. At the time, I took it to mean that was a positive thing. But perhaps, as the years went by and the Dark Lord overshadowed his notoriety, he began to miss being in the spotlight. He didn’t kill the Dark Lord, either because he couldn’t or because of the prophesy,



“Then, when he finally heard the prophesy, perhaps that was when he hatched this insane plan to help Lucius set James up and ruin Harry.”



Ron was standing, his anger palpable in the room. “How dare he! Wait until my mum hears about this, he’ll wish he had lost to Grindelwald.”



“I believe that we will ask them to meet with us in the morning. Tonight, go back to your dorms and do not discuss this matter. If it is possible, you both will attend this meeting. Do not go to classes in the morning; go directly to Hogsmeade and Remus’… Just come along now, we must leave the castle together.”



Nodding, and still a bit angry, Hermione looked at the men, “I won’t give up my papers to anyone except Molly and Arthur. But I have to retrieve them.”



“One other thing, we must keep Harry in this castle at all costs. Draco would be better off if he stayed with Harry. If you hear of them trying to leave, please attempt to talk them out of it until you hear from us.”



“A safe word.” Hermione said without explanation. “I want a safe word for you to give me and Ron when you return so we will know it is you.”



“Very good Miss Granger, ten points to Gryffindor.” Severus said with a smile.



“Rubies are leaving the tower. That’s what you will whisper in our ear before you speak to us. ‘Rubies are leaving the tower.” She decided.



“Of course, excellent suggestion Hermione.” Remus complimented.



It was at that precise moment that Fawkes swooped in and dropped a rather large portfolio of parchment into Hermione’s arms. A short tweet of approval and the bird flashed away. Looking down to see the research she had been doing most of the day, she smiled. “Well gentlemen, it seems as though we are fine to leave whenever. I have the research.”



Slipping from the castle in the dead of night, the four walked stealthily to the gates and apparated to the Burrow to be met by Molly, Arthur, and the older Weasley brothers sitting around the kitchen table. Pleased to see them arrive and giving Remus and Severus a knowing smile, she shooed them all off to bed to rest.



The following morning found a group settled around the Burrow’s kitchen table. Hermione, all of the Weasleys – save Ginny – Severus, Remus, Shacklebolt, Tonks, Maples, two solicitors, and a Goblin made for an odd combination that early Monday morning. Severus’ classes had been canceled and he felt it time that the adults spoke freely about their suppositions and discoveries.



Molly and Severus had contacted each of the people there for the meeting and arrived last without explanation. Just as Arthur stood to speak to the crowd, the Floo was activated. Percy Weasley stepped out and began speaking before he realized anyone else was there.



“I’ve found it, Mum, you won’t believe what I…” his words faltered when he came round the side to the kitchen waving paper.



~~~TBC~~~~