kbinnz - Harry's New Home

"And the boy?"

He shrugged dismissively. "Is a boy. He requires guidance and a firm hand. I provide that."

"And the Headmaster?"

"He tries to provide his own guidance. As I expect the Dark Lord to do when He makes His reappearance. We shall see who will win control." Snape looked sharply at Malfoy. "And you, Lucius? What is it you wish for? Will you remain linked to a losing team or ally with the side that has already won once before?"

Malfoy gave a superior little smirk. "Well, now that I understand that you're not speaking of that twinkling idiot, let's just say that I am newly intrigued. You are playing a very dangerous game, Severus. If Dumbledore knew you were setting yourself up against himтАж"

"What makes you think he doesn't?" Snape purred. "He is old, not senile. Tired, not weak. He has his views of how to prepare the boy. I have mine. If I do not prevail in this, then I do not deserve to prevail in the battle either, do I?"

"What do you want from me?"

Snape shrugged. "Tomorrow's paper will demonstrate that your heir is within Potter's inner circle. When the Dark Lord returns, that may be good, or it may be bad, depending on His mood. The instant I refuse to hand over the boy, I will be targeted, but your position is not likely to be so clear cut so quickly. It would beтАж interestingтАж to learn about the Dark Lord's plans."

"You want me to turn spy?"

"No, Lucius, I want you to continue doing what is best for the House of Malfoy. Would you not agree that keeping all your options and potential alliances open is in the best interests of your HouseтАж and your heir?"

Both men turned to gaze over to where the students had been assembled for a group picture тАУ one that would grace the front cover of the next day's Daily Prophet. Harry, Ron, and Draco stood at the front, laughing, with their arms slung around each other's necks. Hermione was next to them, a little apart, until a smiling Harry reached out and grabbed her hand. Then she beamed, moving closer. Directly behind the first years stood the three stern faced prefects, arms crossed, while the grinning Weasley twins flanked them on one side and Oliver and Katie mugged for the camera on the other. Hermione glanced backwards once, and Jones reached out a reassuring hand to pat her shoulder, then nudged Percy and gave him a slow wink. Percy's brilliant blush was immortalized forever by the camera.

"I never imagined you to have this kind of ambition, Severus," Lucius said slowly, turning to regard him closely. "That in itself is impressive. Consider meтАж cautiously interested for now."

Snape inclined his head in acknowledgement, his eyes still on the children, laughing and grinning for the reporter's camera. It's not ambition, you pureblooded simpleton, he thought to himself. It's desperation and protectiveness. Wait until some psychotic puts a target on your child's head and we'll see what lengths you'll go to in order for him to grow up safe and well. I'll make a pact with Merlin himself or a demon from Hell if that's what it takes to protect that brat. By comparison, cobbling you, Dumbledore, Black, and Fudge into an unwitting alliance and getting Skeeter to print the tale that I want is child's play.

TBCтАж

*Chapter 20*: Chapter 20

After the visitors left, the Headmaster genially shooed everyone off to their respective classes, much to Snape's irritation. He knew the brat would have questions about the comments that had been thrown about in the Great Hall, and he wanted to be the one to set the record straightтАж Or at least to get his version in first.

Accordingly, Snape made sure to waylay the little monster en route to lunch, and he dragged him off to their quarters where, over a meal provided by the house elves, he explained a few things.

"I am certain you have some questions from the Minister's little tantrum this morning, Potter, so you may ask them."

Harry chewed his sandwich thoughtfully for a moment before speaking. "So is that who the weird man in the stupid hat was? A minister?"

"Not a minister, Potter. The Minister. The Minister of Magic, to be precise тАУ akin to the Muggle Prime Minister."

Harry's eyes widened. "You mean people actually voted for him?"

Snape sighed. "I confess to a similar astonishment."

"So why was he here?"

"Mr Malfoy has a great deal of influence over the Minister. In addition, he and the Headmaster are often at odds as to the direction Hogwarts should take. When he learned of the difficulty you had last night, Mr Malfoy hoped to use the event to embarrass the Headmaster. To that end, he coerced the Minister, and the Press as embodied by Ms Skeeter, to come to Hogwarts." Let's see what your Gryffindor brain will make of that, Snape thought, deliberately not providing much commentary or interpretation to the brat.

Harry frowned. "So they were trying to make the Headmaster look bad?" he asked slowly. "D'you think they did?"

Snape fought back a smile of pure pride. That's right. We'll make a Slytherin out of you yet. "I suspect that Ms Skeeter will find it more politic to write a heartwarming story about you than a sensational piece maligning the Headmaster."

Harry grinned in relief. "That's all right then. I don't want anyone to get into trouble."

"Do you have other questions?" Snape forced himself to ask, dreading the answer.

"Yeah тАУ she said I had a godfather. Do I?"

"Yes."

Harry waited, but no further information was forthcoming. "Where is he? Why don't I know him? Who is he? When тАУ"

"Potter! You will hyperventilate if you go on like this. Ask a different question if you can't speak coherently!"

Harry sulked but his curiosity wouldn't let him stay quiet. "What's a Death Eater?"

Snape wished he'd had a chance to down a Calming Draught before intercepting the brat. "You are aware of how your parents died тАУ the real story, not the nonsense those disgusting Muggles pretended?"

Harry nodded soberly. "There was an evil wizard named Volauvent, who тАУ"

"Don't say that тАУ" Snape broke off, an odd look on his face. "What did you say?"

Harry obligingly started over. "There was an evil wizard named Volauvent тАУ"

Snape resisted the almost overpowering urge to throw himself to the ground, laughing hysterically. "No, Potter," he said, only the slightest tremble in his voice revealing the effort it was costing him to maintain his normal, severe visage. "A 'vol-au-vent' is a light pastry shell containing a savory filling. The Dark Lord's name is тАУ" He conjured quill and parchment and wrote "VOLDEMORT" in large letters.

"Oh." Harry looked over the word, even as Snape happily fantasized about Voldemort's reaction if he were ever addressed as Lord Vol-au-Vent. Maybe Snape could come up with a hex that forced everyone to pronounce "Voldemort" that way? "I guess that makes more sense. Aunt Petunia used to have me make vol-au-vents for her club meetings. I wondered why the evil wizard would call himself that. Voldemort sounds a little scarier."

"Don't say that name aloud in front of me," Snape snapped, one hand flying to his forearm even as he registered with well-disguised glee Harry's disdainful tone. Obviously "Voldemort" was, to an 11 year old, an undistinguished choice. "You are to refer to Him as 'You Know Who'."

Harry wrinkled his nose. "That's stupid," he argued. "I mean it sounds like something a girl would say. If we can't say his name, can't we at least use a cool code name?"

Snape blinked. The power of eleven year old boys to focus on the most ridiculous issues at the expense of truly important ones never ceased to amaze him. Did Harry truly imagine Voldemort chose his name hoping to instill awe and wonder in preadolescents? Boys and Girls! Fortscue's Ice Cream Parlor presents a "Name the Dark Lord" contest. Try to come up with the best Evil and Scary title! First prize is a seat by the Dark Lord's Throne! Second prize is a free troll-sized sundae! Only one entry per person; cheaters will be crucio'd.