Present Mixed in the Past

Chapter 41| Hogwart's Heirs

The winter of the third year was nearing a close, supposed to be ending on the note of a Wizengamot session. Harry and the other Council members, minus Hermione sadly, were to be witnessing it all. This meant, several things though.

First, Voldemort had to get the all clear in terms of mental health. Narcissa was more than happy to do that, recommending some promising potions that would help further heal his mind and body from the near constant assault it had. Yes, the big and powerful Dark Lord Voldemort was forced to do many of his bad deeds. Rather sickening.

Second, legally make Marvolo his own son. He needed a legal way to take back his Lordship without just making it seem strange. Or just straight-up out him as Voldemort. He did have a fling with a muggle woman many years back, around in his thirties. Said woman was long dead as when he was Voldemort he killed her to have no weaknesses. Sad thing, he had genuinely cared for her, and her death had chipped away at his already fragile sanity.

"I was thinking of giving up the mantle of Voldemort, go the less destructive route. I wanted her to see me as a good man... Someone she could love and live with." He mournfully murmured to the two powerful Gods.

However, this fling had allowed the group something to work with. To make him be his own son! Yes, the woman was dead, but Voldemort had left no trace of her death. Letting her, basically, drop off the grid. With some tweaking from Chaos and Winters- as Hare and Owl wanted to be called when together- it was simply as if she just moved somewhere else. With some sly words and plenty of Galleons, the Goblins were able to forge a certificate of one Marvolo Donovan Rainer-Brennan, who had passed many old O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s with flying colors.

Marvolo had restudied practically everything and retook them along with several others, just to do something. He got O's and EE's, refusing to have any other grade. After that, Chaos and Winters were able to give him some background in similar things he did have practice in, with a few changes of course. All of this was to help him stand out as well as make him seem more real.

The third thing they had to do, was make sure that Snape genuinely was a Ravenclaw heir. That was done at the same time as the forgery, so it was two birds, one stone. Thankfully, he was, which was such a relief! That meant there were now three heads of Hogwarts that could refute all that the Headmaster spouts.

It took some careful planning, the young Heirs practically squirming in their seats as they watched a vast majority of the room be filled. Some faces were new, clearly having been found and summoned since the last Session. Eventually, the room had quieted down.

They waited for several moments, needing both the Minister and the Chief Warlock. The Minister was there, but the greyed idiot was nowhere to be seen. Then Dumbledore hurried into the room, wearing one of his many disgusting robes. He held a kind and almost apologetic smile.

"I do apologize for being late." He said with a slight bow.

"That is perfectly fine, Chief Warlock, I had to take a moment to discuss things with the Minister." A smooth voice called.

Dumbledore tensed, looking to the voice. And there stood a young and human looking Tom Riddle. He bowed his head politely before moving toward the Slytherin chair.

"W-who are you? I don't remember teaching you." He couldn't be a fool now, not in front of so many people.

Marvolo gave him an amused look as he sat in the Slytherin chair. The sound of hissing snakes and an emerald-green glow surrounded him for a moment. A moment of acceptance.

"I am Marvolo Donovan Rainer-Brennan, apparently the son of Tom Marvolo Riddle Gaunt. It seemed, he was a Slytherin descendant, so I am taking my rightful place here. As for the not knowing me, I went to a different school of magic."

Dumbledore's nose wrinkled, annoyance forming on his face. He now had two known Hogwarts House Heirs. That didn't sit well with him, especially when one of them was clearly Voldemort.

"I never knew he had a son." He nearly growled.

"Mother talked a lot of him, but she kept me hidden during the war." He shrugged.

Snape then stood up and walked up toward the Ravenclaw seat.

"Severus my boy?"

The dark-haired Potions Master narrowed his eyes at the disrespected way that Dumbledore had addressed him. It was far too causal for the setting they were in. So, wordlessly, he took his new seat.  The cries of ravens and eagles sounded as a royal blue surrounded him. A sly smirk took his lips, his eyebrow quirked.

"Claiming an old family seat."

Dumbledore's eye twitched, unnoticeable to all but the Council. It seemed he wasn't very pleased with this new development. Which brought a cold satisfaction to them.

"I would hope we can discuss the new rules of Hogwarts, as the new Slytherin Lord."

"Ah yes, but-"

"I have brought him up to speed, Albus. I also believe that Lord Potter-Gryffindor should be allowed to participate in this."

Quickly, many of the Light Lords and Ladies began to yell about how young the boy was. This pleased Dumbledore. If enough of them complained, surely the young boy would falter. He was such a weak and pathetic boy after all~ Except, all talking ceased as a Lion's roar sounded throughout the room.

"I do apologize, but I am the last Potter-Gryffindor. I have been an Heir for long enough. I have words and thoughts, now I will have a voice. I, frankly, do not care what others say or think about my age." Harry's voice was firm and cold, his green eyes narrowing onto the Headmaster as he spoke. "I actively learn in Hogwarts, and I feel as if it is my duty to make sure Albus doesn't get too big for his horrifically colored robes."

There were plenty of gasps and more shouting. Yet, his stance never changed, and their outrage had pushed the three Hogwart's Heirs to the front of everyone's minds. Pushing forward how displeased they were with how Dumbledore, the brilliant Chief Warlock, taught the new minds of the Wizarding World. With that in the front of everyone's mind, so came the old criticisms of the past. It wasn't exactly as the Council had planned, but it definitely was a bonus~