The Friday Boy

CHAPTER 48

Harry closed his eyes as the tears fell down his cheeks, unable to look at Remus’ blank expression any longer. The werewolf looked as if he’d been hit with a stunning spell as he stared at Harry, his chocolate and amber eyes piercing through Harry like chilled knives. The silence hung frozen around them and Harry wondered if the elder wizard was ever going to speak again. It seemed forever before Remus even moved but when he did Harry could hardly keep up as the man ran over to the fireplace on the side of the classroom. Harry watched as Remus slammed through a couple of the jars on the mantel before he finally found a handful of floo powder, which he tossed into the flames.

“Minerva McGonagall!” Remus shouted into the flames that roared into life before revealing Professor McGonagall’s concerned face.

“Professor Lupin, what is the matter?”

“The hearing, has it started?” Remus rushed in ignoring the witch’s previous inquiry. Harry watched from over the bench top as Minerva disappeared from the fireplace before returning a moment later.

“Yes, it will have been in progress for an hour already. What on earth is going on?” Remus shook his head and snapped up from his knees to rush over to Snape’s desk leaving McGonagall’s head floating in the fireplace.

“We have to stop the hearing!” Remus called over his shoulder as he grabbed his cloak from the back of the chair and rushed towards Harry, who was still sitting on the stool. “Snape can’t commit himself to Bill!” Remus snapped as McGonagall having finally had enough of floating as a headless body in a fireplace stepped through into the classroom.

“You can’t stop a Ministry hearing Remus, it’s a public forum!” Remus ignored the witch as he grabbed hold of Harry’s arm and hurried the boy out of the classroom leaving McGonagall to hastily follow him. Harry could do little but get swept along by the werewolf’s strength, the hallways all-blurring into one another as Remus rushed him up through the castle to the front foyer. “Where on earth are you going Lupin? You can’t take Harry to the Ministry of Magic unaccompanied!” Remus was already out of the doors and onto the main track heading out of Hogwart’s wards. McGonagall was still hot on his heels and was now brandishing her wand threateningly. “If you stop this hearing Remus, Draco will be free to claim Snape and this whole plan will have gone to nothing!” McGonagall snapped practically skidding to a halt as Remus stopped just outside the castle gates, where apparition was now possible. For the first time since they’d started the rushed exit Remus turned to face Professor McGonagall, as he pulled Harry against him and told the boy to hold on.

“Draco can’t claim Snape and neither can Bill because Harry already has!” With that the familiar tug of apparition swept Harry up in swirl of colour before depositing them both in front of the fountain in the foyer of the Ministry of Magic. Harry wasn’t given time to recover as he was pulled towards the security check into the Ministry itself.

“Wand’s please.” A burley Auror snapped as they approached. Both Remus and Harry relinquished their wands for inspection before having them handed back. Remus was running now as he headed for the elevators. Harry struggled to keep up with the man and was somewhat relived when they boarded the first elevator to go down into the Ministry.

“What’s going on?” Harry finally inquired, as he stared up at Remus who was impatiently staring at the lights on the indicating floor buttons.

“A child changes everything Harry, everything.” Remus muttered as he shifted from one foot to the other like he had ants in his pants. “If Snape makes another commitment you’ll loose the baby and very likely it’ll kill you too.” Just at that moment a bell sounded the floor and Harry didn’t have time to comprehend what Remus had just explained before he was being dragged out of the lift and along a narrow corridor. “Now if we can just get close enough to him we’ll be able to explain.” Coming to a stop in front of a numbered door Remus paused and gingerly pushed open the door to glance inside. Almost instantly Harry was assaulted by a mass of voices, all debating and arguing inside. Remus nodded and closed the door.

“Hey, I’m not telling him!” Harry shouted loudly, once the idea of what Remus was getting at finally sank in. Remus wasn’t listening however and instead was muttering to himself as he took a deep breath and pushed open the door to stride inside the chaotic room. Harry was helpless but to follow Remus inside. Like the trials he’d seen before in pensieves and dreams the central raised dais was surrounded by tiered seating, both made up of public and private galleries. What ever had been going on had certainly upset the crowd, as the Minister of Magic tried to call order. Following Lupin carefully Harry finally saw Snape, Bill and Draco standing on the raised central dais. “Wait there I’ll get his attention.” Pushing Harry down into a seat in the front row of the public seating, Remus stood up and with his wand flicked it at Snape’s back. Harry smiled as he watched the man jump a little and look around, his glare focused on crowd. It was then that his gaze fell on Lupin who was waving frantically at him. Harry watched as Snape frowned in confusion but before Lupin could get his message across the Minister of Magic’s calls for order had finally been heeded and the crowd had settled down. As calm was restored to the room Remus was forced to sit down next to Harry. Harry lowered his gaze guiltily as Snape finally saw him next to Remus. Snape’s questioning gaze flickered from Harry to Remus but before he could do anything Fudge had called his attention back to the council board.

“As you see Professor Snape there is some concern for Mr. Weasley’s welfare in this relationship, which has so far proved to be legitimate.” Minister Fudge looked down over his glasses at Snape who was reluctantly holding Bill’s hand. Harry purposefully didn’t look up from where he was twisting his hands nervously in his lap as he listened to the hearing proceed. Remus was practically bouncing up and down in his seat, exchanging frustrated worried stares with the Order, who were sat on the opposite side of the room staring at he and Harry in confusion. “Although you have satisfied the requirements for a relationship, we are not yet however convinced this relationship is serious enough as to deny Mr. Malfoy his claim on your person.” There was a muttering that broke through the room, as Fudge shuffled some papers in front of him. “We have some further questions we wish to ask you both.” Harry slowly glanced up to watch as Bill and Severus nodded in agreement. It was then that Harry’s eye caught Dumbledore’s across the room. The elder wizard was staring at him, his sparkling eyes reading him as if all Harry’s secrets had been laid bare. Harry forced himself to drop his gaze again unconsciously shifting closer to Remus who was still bouncing in his seat like a ferret. “First of all the council wish to know if you’ve both made any plans for a future together?” There was a stagnate pause, before Severus went to answer the question. However before he could even utter a word Bill had spoken over him.

“Yes we’re planning a summer bonding ceremony, with a short vacation to Spain while Sev is on holidays from Hogwart’s. We’ve discussed ideas of purchasing property together as well, North Wales is looking promising, Sev expressed a wish to return to his family area.” Bill beamed charmingly at the council who muttered amongst themselves quietly while the Minister turned over a few more pages of parchment in front of him. Harry knew they were lies Bill was telling, but the idea of Snape and Bill having a future together hurt more than Harry cared to admit.

“And what of a family? Any plans or actions towards such a future?” Almost immediately Harry felt Remus stiffen, the werewolf holding his breath as once again Bill bulldozed over Snape’s attempted reply.

“Of course we’ve made plans for a family and might I add enthusiastically working on the prospect of children….”

“NO!” No sooner had the words left Bill’s mouth than Remus was on his feet his urgent voice drawing the entire rooms attention to the werewolf who was standing staring at Snape. Harry sunk lower in his chair as the silence continued everyone staring at Remus waiting for an explanation.

“You have an objection to make Mr…?” Minister Fudge looked pointedly at Remus from over the tops of his glasses, his eyebrows raised in curious question.

“No,” Remus swallowed and shook his head but quickly continued. “but may I ask for a short adjournment to this hearing. I have an urgent message for Professor Snape regarding a family matter and it’s imperative he get its.” Harry closed his eyes as Snape looked at him, the potion professors stare darkening dangerously as he glanced between Remus and Harry.

“Well if it is that important that you must interrupt this hearing, I will grant this unorthodox adjournment.” Harry glanced up from his lap to watch as Remus sighed heavily with relief as the Minister of Magic stood up and closed the filed he’d been flicking through. “This hearing is suspended for one hour, for lunch.” With that Fudge filed out of the room taking the other council members with him. With the Minister gone the room broke out into loud conversation as people began moving about. Harry remained seat his gaze to the floor, despite the fact he could see Snape striding over to them in his peripheral vision.

“What in Merlin’s name is going on Remus!” Snape came to halt in front of Remus, Bill trailing behind him like a puppy.

“I was just about to ask the same question.” Before Remus could answer Dumbledore, Mr & Mrs. Weasley and Sirius all came striding over to join Snape in front of the werewolf. “You better not have brought Harry here alone Remus Lupin, you know the risk he’s at traveling!” Dumbledore snapped clearly having lost his temper.

“We’re not going to discuss it here.” Remus barked as he placed a comforting hand around Harry’s shoulders, the boy still not meeting anyone’s gaze.

“Very well, follow me.” Dumbledore took off across the room towards another side door; the elder wizard collecting a very disgruntled looked Draco Malfoy on the way.
The small group followed Dumbledore into a smaller waiting area, undoubtedly used for witness holding areas during major trials. It was far quieter in the smaller room and once the door had been closed behind them quite private. Harry instinctively backed himself into a corner out of the way as Dumbledore, Snape and the others turned on Remus immediately. “This better be good Lupin, you know what’s at stake.” Dumbledore’s gaze twinkled menacingly, the man conscious of what he said due to Draco’s presence. Remus too knew Draco was in the room, and with a sudden flick of his wand had Draco trapped in a privacy bubble, ensuring the boy could hear or see nothing.

“You can’t go through with this Severus.” Ignoring Dumbledore Remus turned directly to Snape who was standing with his arms folded, and brooding darkly, his gaze narrowed in suspicion.

“Why the hell not!” Bill barked as he stepped protectively in front of Snape, who almost immediately pushed him out of the way in disgust.

“We have been over every aspect of this Remus, there is no possible reason why Severus can not commit himself to Bill. If he does not Draco will proceed with his claim, risking both the order and Snape’s position as spy. Voldemort does not look upon traitors with a friendly eye, and if he is seen to be protecting Draco from his own father the consequences are unthinkable.” Dumbledore looked pointedly at Remus who at length turned away from Snape and stared at the headmaster.

“For once Albus this is something you can’t manipulate, you can’t stop. If you’ve got an announce of conscience you’ll admit defeat and let things be. It’s not about the prophecy or Harry or even Snape anymore, and you need to back off!” Remus growled as he turned away from a stunned looking Dumbledore and looked directly at Harry who had now pushed himself into the very far corner of the room. “Harry tell him.” Remus whispered to Harry, but Harry merely shook his head refusing to meet Snape’s gaze that was now trained on him. “Harry please, it’ll be alright.”

“No.” Harry shook his head defiantly. He wasn’t ready for this, he hadn’t even comprehended the situation himself yet, let along confessing it to everyone including Snape.

“If you don’t tell him Harry, I will.” Remus’ voice turned serious as Harry continued to shake his head in refusal. “Fine then,” Harry knew what was coming as Remus lost his patience and turned back to face Snape, who was now cautiously glancing between Harry and the werewolf. “Severus, Harry’s pregnant….”

TBC>>>>>