Crimson Ink

Guardianship

Last Time:

Narcissa explained and prayed this will be allowed. If not then Dumbledore will have a chance to take him again and she simply could not allow that ...

XXXXXXXXX

Somewhere in the castle lay three more fragments of a madman's soul, but the owner of those fragments had no clue one was missing. He was too interested in watching the first period through a charmed pocket mirror. The mirror was showing him everything going on in the potions class, which was going smoothly save for the one thing he specifically wanted to see ...

"Why isn't Severus treating the boy harshly?" Dumbledore muttered under his breath. He wanted there to be a terrible relationship between Harry and Severus Snape. That should be easy considering the bad blood between Severus and James Potter who Harry looked identical to down to the thick glasses. The only difference was the color of his eyes.

The headmaster didn't know it, but the glasses weren't even real. Those spectacles were simply a transfigured quill that Lucius gave him when he dropped Harry off in the muggle world. They were useless and Harry didn't need them at all save for fooling the old wizard.

"Ah ... I see now." Dumbledore sighed as he noticed Severus glance at Sam who was helping Harry with the class potion.

It was then he understood why the potion master wasn't being as harsh as he expected. Severus was being careful around the new boy. No doubt the potion master was sympathetic to the boy's tragedy, but unfortunately Harry has taking a liking to the boy so Severus couldn't be harsh to Harry without frightening Sam. That had to change as far as Dumbledore was concerned.

After all, Harry had to be treated harshly so he only felt safe coming to Hermione, Ron and, of course, the headmaster. However, Dumbledore realized that though the treatment must change soon this may be a useful development. With the right encouragement Sam could be a line straight to Harry. It could be even better than the 'friendship' Hermione and Ron were making with Harry.

"Sam is an only child and one that suffered a great loss-" Dumbledore's thoughts were interrupted when Fawkes flew to her perch and plopped something on his desk. He picked up the letter and saw a Gringotts seal. "What in Merlin's name is this about?" He said as he opened the envelope and read the contents. "A request for a change in guardianship. I'll need to see about this now." He said with an annoyed sigh as he headed for the floo. This wasn't something he wanted to do now, but he had to get it out of the way. Though it was annoying he was curious as to who needed a new guardian now. For privacy purposes the goblins didn't give a name so he knew nothing and won't until he speaks with the goblins.

A goblin looked up as Dumbledore flooed into the bank, "Mr. Dumbledore, we've been waiting. If you will please follow me."

Dumbledore nodded and followed the goblin, "Of course ... I do hope this goes quickly. I have students to tend to." He said getting only silence as a response much to his annoyance, but upon entering the room he was guided to his annoyance changed to curiosity.

"Hello, headmaster." Narcissa said without looking up from the papers on table in front of her.

"It has been a while, Lady Malfoy ... may I ask what is going on here?" Dumbledore asked calmly despite the other former students in the room, which wasn't easy. There was Lucius, Bellatrix, Peter, the Carrow twins, Alecto and Amyous, Rodolphus, Rabastan, Barty, Yaxley and Rowl all standing around Narcissa.

Narcissa finally looked up at the headmaster, "Actually, I'm happy to say I'm now Lady Black."

Dumbledore frowned as if he cared about the implied divorce, which he really didn't, "I'm sorry to hear about that. Is Draco why I was asked to be present?"