Standing Against the Tides
folder
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Snape
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
47
Views:
31,783
Reviews:
50
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
1
Category:
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Snape
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
47
Views:
31,783
Reviews:
50
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
1
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter and company and make no money from this endeavor.
Chapter 35 Facing the Music
Last time I looked at my driver’s license, it did not say J. K. Rowling. Yep, it’s just me, an unpaid and unknown aspiring writer. The characters of the Potterverse do not belong to me and I am making no money from this endeavor.
A/N: Spoilers through OotP. As I am still in denial, I refuse to acknowledge the events of HBP or DH at this point.
Unbeta’d as BabyGurl is busy with her own life.
Chapter 35 Facing the Music
As it turned out, Harry hadn’t long to wait to find out just what some of the conspirators had been up to. The Daily Prophet arrived during breakfast the next morning and immediately sounds of disbelief were heard throughout the Great Hall. Harry looked up to see that most of the students were now either openly staring at him or whispering with their neighbors while glancing and pointing furtively his way. Frowning from his seat at the center of the staff table, Harry hesitantly picked up the paper that Hedwig had dropped next to his breakfast. Reading the headline, Harry gasped and turned to see Severus and Minerva nodding at one another and smiling. Turning, the young Headmaster looked out over the room and saw an equally smug expression on his best friend’s face. Deciding he’d best just get on with it and find out what Hermione and the others had told Rita Skeeter, Harry began reading the blasted rag.
The Truth behind Albus Dumbledore’s Replacement as Headmaster at Hogwarts
Exclusive report by Rita Skeeter.
This reporter has learned from an unimpeachable source that despite the glowing account given for Albus Dumbledore’s sudden retirement as the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the truth is far darker and disturbing. For it would seem that the wizard who has stood as a shining beacon of light for so many years was instead a self-centered and self-important man who wished only to remain in the limelight. Albus Dumbledore was a man who thought only of his own glory and put his own interests ahead of those he was supposedly leading.
The truth has come out that Dumbledore found out that Hogwarts intended to replace him with Harry Potter, so the wizard who defeated Grindelwald plotted to delay that event by underhanded and sometimes dangerous means. Apparently, this obsession with remaining as Headmaster led Dumbledore into purposely placing the young Mr. Potter in precarious and often perilous positions. Fortunately, two of Mr. Potter’s teachers recently discovered the deceptions and worked with the castle itself to break Albus Dumbledore’s twisted web.
Once Dumbledore was forced to retire in shame, Mr. Potter was finally able to step into the Headmastership as Hogwarts had decreed. As my faithful readers may recall, it was Mr. Potter himself who spoke so eloquently of the former Headmaster. This reporter can only admire our young Chosen One for his selfless desire to protect an old man from the well-earned wrath of the Wizarding public.
With the news that Albus Dumbledore went to such lengths to hold on to his position at Hogwarts, one has to wonder just what else the formerly venerated man is capable of doing. (See page 13 for an excerpt from Hogwarts, A History for further details of just how Hogwarts chooses her Headmasters.)
Sighing, Harry glanced over at the unrepentant faces of the two professors in question before looking out to see Hermione’s self-satisfied expression. Remembering only too well just what a ticked-off Hermione was capable of doing, Harry wisely decided against confronting his friend. Closing his eyes in resignation, the young Headmaster felt the soft laughter coming from Hogwarts and couldn’t help but wonder what the fallout would be from this latest development.
After giving up on eating much of the hearty breakfast that the House elves had provided, Harry made his way up to his new office, intent on trying to make a dent in the pile of correspondence and forms, in triplicate, that as Headmaster, he was apparently required to handle. The young wizard opened the door, only to hear the sounds of an impatient, and if he was correct, a very angry Mrs. Weasley in the fireplace. Sighing, Harry steeled himself to deal with the motherly woman before dropping to his knees.
“Mrs. Weasley,” Harry began, only to be cut off.
“Harry,” Molly hastily broke in, “I need to speak to you immediately. Now, do be a dear and open the Floo for us.”
Accepting that he could not get away with refusing the woman, Harry stood before lowering the wards. He blinked as not one, but three red-heads burst through the fire and stepped into the Headmaster’s office.
“Mrs. – Mum Weasley,” Harry hurried to correct himself when he saw the woman’s disgruntled look at being addressed so formally. “Fred, George, what are you two doing here?”
The matriarch of the Weasley clan stepped forward and engulfed the bemused dark-haired wizard in her arms. “Harry, my dear,” she soothed while Fred and George made faces at the young Headmaster behind her.
“I’m fine, really,” Harry managed to gasp out from where he was in danger of being smothered in the woman’s embrace.
“Mum,” Fred started.
“You might want,” George continued.
“To let ickle Harry breathe now,” Fred supplied.
“And we had a delivery for our dear brother Ronniekins,” George said.
“So we decided to accompany our lovely mother to Hogwarts this fine day, Headmaster” Fred finished as both twins grandly bowed to their adopted brother.
Molly reluctantly let the young man she considered an honorary Weasley go, but not before attempting to smooth his wayward hair. “Ah yes, sorry dear. I was just so upset when I read about what Dumbledore had done to you. I had to make sure you were all right and as Fred and George had stopped by for a bite, they decided to come along.” Again running a hand through the new Headmaster’s unruly hair, she pressed on, “Are you sure you are all right, Harry? And what has really happened with Dumbledore?”
Harry opened his mouth to answer when the fire once again flared green and Remus Lupin stepped out of the Floo system. “Harry, I…” Remus noted the others present and quickly shut his mouth. Amber colored eyes took in the slightly panicked expression on his pseudo-Godson’s face and he sighed. The werewolf knew from experience just how tenacious Molly Weasley could be. Smiling, he greeted the true head of the Weasley clan, “Hello, Molly. Fred, George.” As he spoke he nodded to the correct twin. Unfortunately for the pair, the lycanthope was unfailingly accurate in identifying which twin was which.
“Remus, dear,” Molly, placing her hands on her hips, turned her interrogation to the tawny-haired man. “I want answers and I want them now, as there is obviously something going on here. It would seem that you know, so start talking,” she warned, even as her voice began to rise.
“Molly, I can assure you that everything here is fine. Harry is fine and I understand that both Minerva and Severus have been helping Harry adjust to his new duties.” Remus did his best to diffuse the fiery woman’s legendary temper. It certainly didn’t help matters
when the twins conjured chairs and bowls of popcorn for themselves as they sat down and watched their mother tear into the bedraggled werewolf.
“Don’t you Molly me, young man,” Molly angrily responded, her voice rising to dangerous levels. “I am not a simpleton who can be placated with a few promising words. I know that something more has happened and I am not leaving without hearing just what has occurred! After all, Harry is my son, too.”
The werewolf narrowed his eyes in thought as he considered the limited options. Once Molly Weasley had a notion in her head, she simply would not let it go until she had either the results she wanted or the answers she sought. Sighing, he wearily sat down in the nearest chair before softly speaking. “Harry, I think it would be best if you called Minerva and Severus up here.” Holding up a hand when he saw the young man start to object, he continued, “I don’t believe that we have a choice at this point.”
Glancing at the determined woman and the smirking twins who seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the ‘show’, Harry had to admit that Remus was right. Mrs. Weasley was not going to be satisfied with a few vague reassurances. Even the warm glow that had filled him on hearing that the red-headed woman truly considered him to be her son could not drive away the dread that was descending on him now. Knowing that he really would feel better if Severus and Professor McGonagall were present, Harry gave in to the inevitable. The new Headmaster nodded to Fawkes, who disappeared in a flash of fire. It was time to bring in reinforcements.
A/N: Spoilers through OotP. As I am still in denial, I refuse to acknowledge the events of HBP or DH at this point.
Unbeta’d as BabyGurl is busy with her own life.
Chapter 35 Facing the Music
As it turned out, Harry hadn’t long to wait to find out just what some of the conspirators had been up to. The Daily Prophet arrived during breakfast the next morning and immediately sounds of disbelief were heard throughout the Great Hall. Harry looked up to see that most of the students were now either openly staring at him or whispering with their neighbors while glancing and pointing furtively his way. Frowning from his seat at the center of the staff table, Harry hesitantly picked up the paper that Hedwig had dropped next to his breakfast. Reading the headline, Harry gasped and turned to see Severus and Minerva nodding at one another and smiling. Turning, the young Headmaster looked out over the room and saw an equally smug expression on his best friend’s face. Deciding he’d best just get on with it and find out what Hermione and the others had told Rita Skeeter, Harry began reading the blasted rag.
The Truth behind Albus Dumbledore’s Replacement as Headmaster at Hogwarts
Exclusive report by Rita Skeeter.
This reporter has learned from an unimpeachable source that despite the glowing account given for Albus Dumbledore’s sudden retirement as the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the truth is far darker and disturbing. For it would seem that the wizard who has stood as a shining beacon of light for so many years was instead a self-centered and self-important man who wished only to remain in the limelight. Albus Dumbledore was a man who thought only of his own glory and put his own interests ahead of those he was supposedly leading.
The truth has come out that Dumbledore found out that Hogwarts intended to replace him with Harry Potter, so the wizard who defeated Grindelwald plotted to delay that event by underhanded and sometimes dangerous means. Apparently, this obsession with remaining as Headmaster led Dumbledore into purposely placing the young Mr. Potter in precarious and often perilous positions. Fortunately, two of Mr. Potter’s teachers recently discovered the deceptions and worked with the castle itself to break Albus Dumbledore’s twisted web.
Once Dumbledore was forced to retire in shame, Mr. Potter was finally able to step into the Headmastership as Hogwarts had decreed. As my faithful readers may recall, it was Mr. Potter himself who spoke so eloquently of the former Headmaster. This reporter can only admire our young Chosen One for his selfless desire to protect an old man from the well-earned wrath of the Wizarding public.
With the news that Albus Dumbledore went to such lengths to hold on to his position at Hogwarts, one has to wonder just what else the formerly venerated man is capable of doing. (See page 13 for an excerpt from Hogwarts, A History for further details of just how Hogwarts chooses her Headmasters.)
Sighing, Harry glanced over at the unrepentant faces of the two professors in question before looking out to see Hermione’s self-satisfied expression. Remembering only too well just what a ticked-off Hermione was capable of doing, Harry wisely decided against confronting his friend. Closing his eyes in resignation, the young Headmaster felt the soft laughter coming from Hogwarts and couldn’t help but wonder what the fallout would be from this latest development.
After giving up on eating much of the hearty breakfast that the House elves had provided, Harry made his way up to his new office, intent on trying to make a dent in the pile of correspondence and forms, in triplicate, that as Headmaster, he was apparently required to handle. The young wizard opened the door, only to hear the sounds of an impatient, and if he was correct, a very angry Mrs. Weasley in the fireplace. Sighing, Harry steeled himself to deal with the motherly woman before dropping to his knees.
“Mrs. Weasley,” Harry began, only to be cut off.
“Harry,” Molly hastily broke in, “I need to speak to you immediately. Now, do be a dear and open the Floo for us.”
Accepting that he could not get away with refusing the woman, Harry stood before lowering the wards. He blinked as not one, but three red-heads burst through the fire and stepped into the Headmaster’s office.
“Mrs. – Mum Weasley,” Harry hurried to correct himself when he saw the woman’s disgruntled look at being addressed so formally. “Fred, George, what are you two doing here?”
The matriarch of the Weasley clan stepped forward and engulfed the bemused dark-haired wizard in her arms. “Harry, my dear,” she soothed while Fred and George made faces at the young Headmaster behind her.
“I’m fine, really,” Harry managed to gasp out from where he was in danger of being smothered in the woman’s embrace.
“Mum,” Fred started.
“You might want,” George continued.
“To let ickle Harry breathe now,” Fred supplied.
“And we had a delivery for our dear brother Ronniekins,” George said.
“So we decided to accompany our lovely mother to Hogwarts this fine day, Headmaster” Fred finished as both twins grandly bowed to their adopted brother.
Molly reluctantly let the young man she considered an honorary Weasley go, but not before attempting to smooth his wayward hair. “Ah yes, sorry dear. I was just so upset when I read about what Dumbledore had done to you. I had to make sure you were all right and as Fred and George had stopped by for a bite, they decided to come along.” Again running a hand through the new Headmaster’s unruly hair, she pressed on, “Are you sure you are all right, Harry? And what has really happened with Dumbledore?”
Harry opened his mouth to answer when the fire once again flared green and Remus Lupin stepped out of the Floo system. “Harry, I…” Remus noted the others present and quickly shut his mouth. Amber colored eyes took in the slightly panicked expression on his pseudo-Godson’s face and he sighed. The werewolf knew from experience just how tenacious Molly Weasley could be. Smiling, he greeted the true head of the Weasley clan, “Hello, Molly. Fred, George.” As he spoke he nodded to the correct twin. Unfortunately for the pair, the lycanthope was unfailingly accurate in identifying which twin was which.
“Remus, dear,” Molly, placing her hands on her hips, turned her interrogation to the tawny-haired man. “I want answers and I want them now, as there is obviously something going on here. It would seem that you know, so start talking,” she warned, even as her voice began to rise.
“Molly, I can assure you that everything here is fine. Harry is fine and I understand that both Minerva and Severus have been helping Harry adjust to his new duties.” Remus did his best to diffuse the fiery woman’s legendary temper. It certainly didn’t help matters
when the twins conjured chairs and bowls of popcorn for themselves as they sat down and watched their mother tear into the bedraggled werewolf.
“Don’t you Molly me, young man,” Molly angrily responded, her voice rising to dangerous levels. “I am not a simpleton who can be placated with a few promising words. I know that something more has happened and I am not leaving without hearing just what has occurred! After all, Harry is my son, too.”
The werewolf narrowed his eyes in thought as he considered the limited options. Once Molly Weasley had a notion in her head, she simply would not let it go until she had either the results she wanted or the answers she sought. Sighing, he wearily sat down in the nearest chair before softly speaking. “Harry, I think it would be best if you called Minerva and Severus up here.” Holding up a hand when he saw the young man start to object, he continued, “I don’t believe that we have a choice at this point.”
Glancing at the determined woman and the smirking twins who seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the ‘show’, Harry had to admit that Remus was right. Mrs. Weasley was not going to be satisfied with a few vague reassurances. Even the warm glow that had filled him on hearing that the red-headed woman truly considered him to be her son could not drive away the dread that was descending on him now. Knowing that he really would feel better if Severus and Professor McGonagall were present, Harry gave in to the inevitable. The new Headmaster nodded to Fawkes, who disappeared in a flash of fire. It was time to bring in reinforcements.