Chapter thirteen

Harry, Daphne, Ron, Tracey and many of their friends were sitting out on the grounds enjoying the sunshine. They knew in a few weeks it would be too cold to sit outside so they were taking the opportunity while they could.

Harry had been lying on the blanket staring up at Daphne when she moved his head until it was in her lap. He couldn't help but smile up at his girlfriend.

'So how long do you think it will be before we get a new potions teacher?' Neville asked.

'Shouldn't be long, I mean the staff found out about Snape a week ago. He had court yesterday so they must be organising someone to take over,' Harry said, 'I wonder if it will be the Governors that hire someone or Dumbledore.'

'Dumbledore can but he has to be approved by the Governors,' Ron said.

'The Governors have to sign off on it. I remember dad telling when Dumbledore wanted Quirrell change from the muggle studies class to defence,' Daphne said.

'But have any of you noticed that Dumbledore wasn't in the great hall last night or this morning?' Tracey asked.

'I noticed but I figured he was sulking that he lost Snape,' Harry said.

'I know this is a disgusting thought, but you don't recon those two were…you know,' Ron shrugged.

'Oh gross,' Tracey slapped Ron's head making everyone either grimace or laugh.

'I think there was more to them than just headmaster and teacher. I mean the old man let's Snape get away with everything. Think of this as well, the amount of times Malfoy or one of his lot caused problems. Snape got them off so something he said to Dumbledore made sure they didn't get expelled, or at least suspended,' Harry said.

'We all wondered why Malfoy, Flint and the others got away with everything. They caused a lot of trouble in the house rooms,' Tracey said but she glanced at Daphne.

'Did he do anything to you Daphne?'

Daphne heard the edge in Harry's voice, 'No, he just kept going on about me being his when the dark dork returned.'

'I curse the bastard if he tries anything,' Harry took Daphne's hand in his, kissing her palm.

'My hero,' Daphne smiled, the others around them groaned or pretended to be sick.

Just as Daphne went to lean over Harry to kiss him they heard yelling and what sounded like apparition. When they turned they saw a large group of aurors, and Sirius who was pulling Harry's invisibility cloak off himself. They also saw Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini, Vincent Crabb, Gregory Goyle, Pansy Parkinson and Millicent Bulstrode unconscious on the ground. They all jumped up but Harry stood in front of Daphne, Ron did the same with Tracey.

'Sirius,' Harry called, his wand in his hand.

'I'll explain in a moment, just keep your wands ready, in case there are others involved.'

'Sirius had your cloak,' Ron said.

'He asked to borrow it yesterday, I just figured he was going to prank McGonagall or Filch,' Harry turned to his girlfriend, 'Did you hear anything from that lot?'

'They were always mouthing off, mainly about you, but they also kept glaring at me and Tori. My sister, has anyone seen her?'

Harry could hear the panic in Daphne's voice, but so did everyone else, 'She walked past a while ago Daphne,' Neville said then pointed towards the quidditch pitch.

'I'm sure she's fine, by the look of them and Sirius, they were coming from the castle,' Harry wrapped his arm around Daphne, but he nodded to Ron who nodded back. Ron and Neville hurried from the group, Tracey moved closure to Daphne and Harry, but so did Seamus and Dean. It was like they knew they had to protect them. They just didn't know why or from what.

The group remained tense and with wands in their hands when Seamus pointed, 'She's there.'

Daphne yelled then ran to her sister with Harry running after her, 'Are you okay?'

'I'm fine, what is going on?' Tori asked.

'We don't know, yet, but Sirius will tell us.' Harry led his girlfriend, her sister and his friends back to where they had been sitting.

'Mr Potter, Miss Greengrass, Daphne, I would like you two to come with me please.'

'Tori,' Daphne said staring at her sister.

'She will be fine, the aurors are going to remaining.'

'Its fine Daphne, so go with Madam Bones so she can explain,' Sirius said.

'You lot stay together until we find out what is going on,' Harry said.

'Don't worry mate, we'll head straight into the great hall,' Ron said.

Harry and Daphne followed Madam Bones, two aurors and Sirius through the castle to the headmaster's office. The two teens knew there was no use asking what is going on until they got inside.

'Dad,' Daphne threw her arms around her father, Harry turned to Sirius who was standing with Remus.

'What happened?'

'Remus and I saw a lot of calculating looks aimed at you and at Daphne. We did not want to worry you as we had no idea if they planned anything,' Sirius said.

'We decided to be safe, so we contacted Madam Bones, then spoke with Minerva and Filius. We decided to watch and listen. Sirius was able to get inside the Slytherin rooms so he was able to hear what they were saying.'

'The twins leant me the map, it gave me the password,' Sirius put his arm around his godson's shoulder, 'They planned to kill you and Daphne even if they hoped to get the others with you.'

'Is this about Snape?'

'Partially,' Remus said, 'Draco Malfoy realised he would never get Daphne. He didn't want her for a girlfriend or wife.'

Harry growled, 'I hope Dumbledore expels all of them instead of letting them off this time.'

'Dumbledore's dead Harry, he killed himself after being arrested. He knew all his plans and lies were about to be discovered. Snape didn't turn up for his trial, it was planned that he wouldn't but he couldn't take the chance that Snape would be found. Which he was,' Sirius said.

'We used veritaserum on Severus Snape Mr. Potter. He was able to tell us more than anyone realised, about Albus Dumbledore and his plans for you,' Amelia stared down at Harry, 'Plans that would end in your death. Severus was involved in a lot of plans, which started when he informed Voldemort about a prophecy, one that involves you and Voldemort.'

'Albus put that secret under the fidelius charm when he told us, that's why I could never say anything. I had hoped to work on some plan on the holidays so you would ask to visit the hall of prophecy,' Sirius said.

'So not only is Voldemort responsible for my parent's deaths, Snape is as well.'

'Yes, when you survived Albus had to work quickly. He wanted you willing to die to save the world, then he planned to avenge you by killing Voldemort.'

'He's out there though, I saw his spirit, felt pain in my scar.'

'None of that was real, it was all orchestrated by Albus Dumbledore. The moment you arrived here as an eleven year old Albus cast a charm on you. It was so you would feel pain whenever you were in the presence of Quirrell, and see what you would belief was the soul of Voldemort. He had a lot of plans Mr Potter. Once Severus Snape was arrested Albus realised he would spend the rest of his life in Azkaban so he decided to end his life. Snape was thrown through the death veil. Now as to the students who were just stunned. They will be going to Azkaban, from ten to twenty years. As they are only thirteen and fourteen, their lawyers will argue about their age and mentality.'

'Are you sure none of the others are involved? Daphne could still be in danger.'

'We don't believe they are, but we are questioning every Slytherin using veritaserum.'

Harry looked over at Daphne who was watching him, 'I won't let anything happen to you.'

'I know Harry,' Daphne moved away from her father and wrapped her arms around Harry.

'I won't lose you.'

'You won't, we won't lose each other.'

'You're both fine and you're both safe. We've got aurors here along with the teachers keeping an eye on all the students. But the ghosts are also listening in, even the Bloody Baron who will be sticking to the Slytherin rooms. They will report to Minerva straight away if they hear anything,' Sirius said.

'Why did he want Harry to die?' Daphne asked but she was still holding Harry who was still staring at her.

'He was losing support and his popularity. But he also made a promise to Severus. If Severus aided him, no matter what it was then Albus will make sure you die. Severus was bitter that Lily chose James over him. He could not let that go,' Remus said.

'Albus wanted Snape, they were in a secret relationship,' Sirius said as he grimaced.

Harry and Daphne's eyes widened before they began laughing. All the adults in the office were wondering why Harry and Daphne were laughing when just a few moments ago they heard students and staff wanted them dead.

'Harry, pup,' Sirius grinned.

'Ron,' Harry chuckled, 'he was making a joke, he said what if they were together. None of us really believed it, the thought made us all sick. We have nothing against same sex relationships but that is just wrong.'

'Yes, it is. But now, how about you two join your friends so they will stop worrying.'

'So we don't need to go to court or anything?' Daphne asked.

'No sweetheart, we did not want to involve you if we could prevent it. These plans might have only started yesterday but we were going to keep you safe. So tell Tori I will see her before I leave. Oh and Harry son.'

'Yes Sir,' Harry said nervously.

'Wand, shovel, remember.'

Harry saw the small turn up of Gellert's lips, so he snapped to attention and saluted.

'Yes Sir,' he said loudly. Sirius and Remus ended up on the floor, laughing. The aurors were trying to remain professionals, but they couldn't help chuckled. Even Madam Bones laughed.

Gellert hugged Harry, rubbing his hair making it even messier than it normally was. Gellert smiled then turned and hugged Daphne. Sirius hugged them as well, then Remus did. The adults watched the teens leave the room. They knew it was safe, but they were just thankful they were able to foil the plans of a bunch of Slytherin's who were turning into dark wizards. But it took a bunch of grey witches and wizards to stop the deaths and helped a young couple stay safe.

In such a short time Hogwarts had changed, now it would be a lot better and safer than anyone hoped.

The end:

I Wish to thank everyone for reading, and hope I can continue to bring interesting stories for the fans of fanfiction.