White Heather for Protection

Truths Unveiled

Heather hadn't felt this apprehensive about meeting Professor Snape in a long time.

"Enter," the man's voice stated curtly. He raised a brow when he looked at her. "Yes, Miss Potter?"

"Good evening, sir. I am here to inform you of a change in address for myself and Hadrian."

The dour wizard gave an unimpressed look. "You need not be concerned with that. Wherever your Aunt and Uncle have moved to, the school will be able to magically track it."

Heather took a deep breath to steel herself. "They have not moved."

"Then rest assured that we can track their new residence when they do."

"I mean," she said firmly, "that they do not have any intention to move - that I know of. However, Hadrian and I have done so already. I am here to provide our new address."

Professor Snape narrowed his eyes. "Explain. Now."

"I purchased a house for me and Hadrian to live in. Without our relatives. We were living there this summer."

The man stood abruptly. "Follow me," he growled.

Refusing to let herself be cowed, Heather followed him with her head held high. As expected, they arrived at the gargoyle outside the Headmaster's office.

"Cockroach Clusters," the Professor spat derisively.

The door swung open and they entered.

"Professor Snape, Heather. What a surprise!" Headmaster Dumbledore said jovially. "Lemon sherbet?"

"This is no time for your blasted confections, Albus! The girl has gone and moved out!"

The elderly wizard's face furrowed in mild concern. "Pardon me? Would you two like to take a seat? I feel this will be a long conversation."

Heather obligingly sat on one of the plush armchairs while the Potions Master continued to hover intimidatingly.

"Now, would you start from the beginning please?"

"Ask the girl."

Professor Dumbledore turned his inquiring look to Heather.

"Hadrian and I have moved out of our relatives' house. We lived in our new residence after leaving the Burrow," she repeated.

Now the Headmaster looked very worried. "Heather, my girl, did we not agree that you and your brother would return home after your stay with the Weasleys?"

"Yes," she said, "and we did go home. To our new one."

The wizard leaned forward. "I'm afraid I will have to insist you move back to live with your Aunt. As a minor, you have to live with your legal guardian."

She lifted her chin. "Then it is fortunate that I am legally emancipated. Under Exception Clause 4 of the Inheritance Decrees, any fifteen-year-old Heir or Heiress may attempt to inherit their titles through completing certain tasks administered by the goblins of Gringotts. I successfully fulfilled the legal criteria to succeed the Potter Ladyship on my fifteenth birthday."

Professor Dumbledore nodded distractedly. "Yes, yes. I am familiar with the process." The man looked at her closely. "Applicants need to prove their worth in three areas. Namely, financially, intellectually and magically. None have succeeded in the past decade."

Defiantly, she said, "My past examination results speak for themselves." Unless he wanted to imply that his school's tests weren't up to standard. "As for my financial capability, I have a healthy portfolio of investments that my accounts manager assisted in implementing, though that is hardly in your jurisdiction."