'What did Dumbledore say?' Lucius asked curious.
Snape growled. 'The loon that he is, he had the nerve to say I had family now. Family! And family was James Potter's son of all people. What a joke! As if I would accept him as a Prince. I told him that I would never accept the son of my enemy as family and Potter both senior and junior could go to hell. Dumbledore sighed and hummed and hawed in resignation, but I think he'll let me be.' Snape finished with pride and satisfaction in his voice. Lucius snorted in sheer exasperation.
'Severus, you are amazing. What would you have done, if the blasted Creevys were related to you? You are lucky it was only Potter. I wish Potter had been related to the Malfoys. It would have worked well for me.'
Snape darted a swift glance at Lucius and retained his expressionless face, though he was snorting inside too. Lucius would have preened with Harry now and if the Dark Lord returned, Snape knew he would not have hesitated to hand over Harry to the Dark Lord too. He looked at Lucius and said very softly 'I have to go and meet Dumbledore. The number of times he calls me; sometimes I feel he still doubts me after all the trouble I have taken to tell him I have well and truly changed.'
'Shh! We can never be too careful, Severus.' He replied in a low voice. Snape nodded and shook his hands with Lucius and walked away from the man and went towards the Headmaster's office. Lucius turned back to leave for his home. As if he would stay to meet the Creepys or whatever their names were. He had no relations apart from those he was willing to acknowledge and for him that was enough. He wanted no more relations, especially not those who were muggleborns.
Suddenly another thought came to him and he turned and almost ran back. 'Severus!' he called as Snape was just beginning to climb the stairs. Snape turned and walked back to where Lucius was coming swiftly towards him.
'I don't want to go back into the mess that is the Great Hall and meet the Creepys.' Snape grinned at that name, but did not correct Lucius as he was looking very peeved every time he thought of the Creevys, apparently. 'But I would like to know if Bellatrix is related to some muggleborn. Narcissa would feel happy.' He finished.
'Oh! Dear Bellatrix is related very much to a muggleborn. Remember Potter's friend Hermione Granger; well she is related to Black and Bellatrix and Narcissa as well.'
Lucius scowled and nodding to Snape left Hogwarts and Snape turned around and walked towards the Headmaster's office, snapping for an elf as he turned the corner and away from Lucius's eyes. 'Ask Harry Potter to come at once to the Headmaster's office.' He told the elf and walked on briskly thinking about Lucius and the upcoming scene with Sirius and Remus. He reached the gargoyle and waited for Harry to come. Harry came running and screeched to a halt and was about to say something, when Snape's eyes warned him to stay silent. Harry smiled at Snape and stood by his side.
'Cockroach clusters.' Snape said sourly and led the way inside and silently pointed out a chair for Harry to sit and took the chair next to Harry.
Sirius and Remus pushed and jostled their way to Dumbledore and waited to speak to him. Dumbledore noticed them and smiled at them but was not able to tear away for sometime. 'Dumbledore…' Sirius started and Dumbledore smiled at him. 'Not now Sirius. I am busy answering reporters and will meet you later in my office. Perhaps you will wait by the gargoyle and I will come as soon as possible.' He said and turned away.
Sirius stared at him for a second before he felt he was walking backwards and realized Remus was dragging him and he turned reluctantly and left for the Headmaster's office and waited there impatiently for Dumbledore to come. They did not know the password and so they were unable to join Snape and Harry who were already seated in the office. Sirius and Remus sat down by the gargoyle and waited.
Dumbledore spent the whole day answering questions, noting that Snape had not come back. Hermione Granger was searching for Harry and also for Sirius, perhaps; both of them were not anywhere in the Great Hall and Dumbledore was impatient to join them and see the fireworks especially when Snape would call Harry his relative and Sirius would splutter and foam at the mouth with rage. He however, moved around answering questions from one and all, with a wide smile on his face. It was almost afternoon before the bulk of the parents left Hogwarts, with the parchments they were given by their children and the pureblood families left as well; some of them happily chatting with their new found blood relations and others completely ignoring their long last muggleborn relatives.
Finally Dumbledore was free and he left for his office to see Sirius and Remus sitting by the gargoyle. He smiled and called out to them. 'Sirius, Remus, how are you? Come,' he added seeing Sirius open his mouth, 'let us go to my office and discuss whatever you wish to ask me.' And led the way silently.
Sirius and Remus followed and Dumbledore opened the door, to see Snape and Harry sitting silently. Snape was sitting next to Harry. Sirius who came next saw them and gave a strangled cry and took out his wand. Snape heard the noise and stood up so fast Harry was astounded at his reflexes. Snape quickly flicked his wand, silently just in time as Sirius flicked his wand equally silently. A flash of red burst from Sirius's wand and hit the shield Snape had thrown up, the moment he heard the noise and rebounded and hit Sirius. A second later, Sirius was hanging upside down, his robes falling down his shoulders. He was shouting, but only muffled sounds could be heard in the silence as Harry, Dumbledore and Remus looked on in astonishment and Snape was smirking.
'Severus. Please let Sirius down.' Dumbledore told him a minute later and Snape flicked his wand again and Sirius fell on the ground. He got up a bit unsteadily and struggled with his robes and glared at Snape, his wand held high. Snape was ready too and Harry sighed and came and stood between Snape and Sirius.
'Harry, you are not to come between us. I will not allow you to be hurt by that thing. Move.' Snape told Harry smoothly, his black eyes glittering in laughter. Harry scowled and then sighed once again. Snape was taking it too far; but Harry could not blame him; it was his fault, he had actually given Snape the idea the day before.
'Please Professor Snape. Sirius meant no harm. Please don't attack him.' Harry told him, pleading all the while with his eyes. Snape looked into Harry's eyes and stepped back, his shield still in place and his wand still held alertly, ready for anything.
'He can't attack me Harry. You just step back and I'll show you how it's done.' Sirius told him, his eyes hungry to hex Snape.
'How it's done? But for that you are missing two of your group, Black.' Snape told him his voice still smooth, but now with a very dangerous undercurrent.
Sirius leaped and was caught by Remus who pulled him back and Dumbledore who clapped his hand loudly. 'There is a child here and I think none of you are setting an example to him. Come, come and sit down and let us discuss this like adults.'
Sirius reluctantly obeyed the power in Dumbledore's voice and sat down. Harry went to sit with Sirius, but Snape pulled him back and silently gestured to a chair next to him. Sirius was about to say something, but Dumbledore cleared his throat and he subsided, and glared at Snape.
'Has this potion been brewed properly?'
'Yes indeed, Sirius. It has been. I have complete faith in Severus's potion making skills.'
Sirius was silent, not knowing how to proceed. Harry took matters into his hand and spoke softly. 'Sirius I am happy I am related to Professor Snape. You know I admire him so. You do not wish for that? Then it is no problem. I will not talk to Professor Snape outside of Potions okay?'
Sirius looked up at that, stunned at what Harry was saying. Harry would give up his relationship to Snape for Sirius's sake? He opened his mouth to agree and Remus's warning came to his mind. If he agreed Harry would obey, but it would hurt Harry and Sirius stopped the words that wanted to rush out and sighed, running his hand through his hair.
'Is this potion really brewed properly Albus?' he asked again, not knowing what to say.
Dumbledore nodded, not saying a word. Sirius sighed again and turned to Snape. 'Hurt him and I'll kill you and go back to Azkaban. That's a promise.' He said very softly and extremely menacingly and stood up. 'Harry, we are not friends. I think you know that by now. But I'll not stop you from interacting with Snape, if he wants it and if you want it too.'
Harry ran from his chair and hugged Sirius, very relived and moved that Sirius would give in like this. It showed how much he cared for Harry, once again and Harry felt very warm inside indeed. Snape had not uttered a word and simply looked on his face inscrutable. Dumbledore was beaming at Sirius's words and Remus was smiling looking very relieved.