CH 49

"While I forced Professor Snape to apologise for his words and tone, this morning - and I accepted it - my regent or Lord Greengrass may still take exception, overturn my acceptance of the apology, and kill him in either a wizard's duel or via blood feud.

"Both Snape and Dumbledore cannot claim they did not know of the betrothal, either - even though I suspect they will attempt to do just that - because Daphne has been wearing my betrothal ring since before she even arrived here for the sorting; as have I. And, though Snape is a half blood, he was raised in the wizarding world. He knows what the rings signify.

"At this moment, until Regent Potter and Lord Greengrass decide otherwise, Severus Snape stands on shaky ground. If my read of Lord Greengrass's mood concerning our beloved Potions Master is accurate; and I believe it is based on recent discussions I had with him before he escorted me here yester-evening; then he has received my owl I sent him earlier today, and is currently ordering his house elves to polish his wand and press his duelling robes. Severus Snape is, if Lord Greengrass is of such a mind, currently a dead man walking.

"Right now, I can guarantee you, Dumbledore is doing everything he can within his power to try and protect MisterSnape from the consequences of his actions. Snape will only live if both Regent Potter and Lord Greengrass allow it, and reparations are paid and concessions are made. Right now, Dumbledore will be calling in a lot of his favours amongst the other members of the Wizengamot, and the Ministry, and will no doubt accede to any and all requests Regent Potter and Lord Greengrass make of him in exchange to spare Snape's life.

"Lord Greengrass and Regent Potter must currently feel like six-year-olds on Christmas morning faced with a veritable mountain of wrapped gifts all bearing their names."

"Holy Mother of God!" exclaimed young Mister Goldstein. "You people play for keeps!"

"That we do, my friend; that we do," smiled Harry.

"But, why did Professor Snape do it?" asked one of the others. "If the consequences were so severe, I mean."

Harry gave a shrug and said, "I believe it was because, in his arrogance, he thought I would be unaware of the laws and traditions, as I was raised in the muggle world. He learned the hard way he was wrong."

"The Slytherins and Gryffindor First Years had Professor Snape for first period this morning; immediately after it happened," said Daphne, speaking up for the first time in the general discussion. "He was both pale and shaky. He wouldn't come anywhere near me for the entirety of the lesson.

"Towards the end of the lesson he was berating Neville Longbottom about the state of his potion. Neville was shaking until he suddenly had a look of anger on his face. That's when our normally shy and unimposing Neville sat up, stared at the Professor, and asked, 'Professor Snape. Are you aware that my grandmother, Dowager Lady Longbottom, is currently Regent Potter?'" She smiled and said, "I didn't think Professor Snape could turn even whiter than he was already. He did, though. Then he spent the remainder of the class sitting at his desk and didn't say a word to anyone until near the end of class. Even then he only told everyone to bottle their potions, leave them on their benches, clean up and get out. No one's seen him since. I heard he didn't even show up for the third year potions class between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff."

"Why aren't we taught about these traditions and laws?" asked a second year, Warren Chambers, who had slid up along the bench to better hear what was said. "I've been here for over a year and I didn't know ninety five percent of what you spoke about regarding the Houses. I think it's something we should know." "The wizarding world expects you to find out on your own," replied Harry. "After all, according to them, you have come into their world. It behooves you to find out as much about it as you can, and to assimilate. It does not behoove them to teach you."

"But, still," the boy pressed on. "How would we know to even ask in the first place? Honestly, we can't be expected to ask a question when we don't know the matter around the question even exists."

Harry sat back and thought about it for a little while. "I tell you what. Give me some time to catch up on the work I've missed and to get the right reference material - and to prepare something in advance. Then, I'll see about holding classes to teach muggleborns and muggle-raised some of what they need to know to get by in the wizarding world without putting their proverbial foot in it. Alright?"

Harry received back more head nods in agreement than he thought he would, including a couple of 'alright's' and a 'thanks mate'.

Turning to Daphne he merely cocked an eyebrow and said, "It looks like I won't be able to spend as much time with you during our free time as I hoped."

"In your dreams, Potter," she replied. "I think it'll be beneficial for me to join you in teaching these classes."

Harry grinned back.

Harry should have considered his words as those of a seer. At that same time, Cygnus was almost cackling with glee.

"I could kiss that boy!" he called out. "If he wasn't already betrothed to Daphne I would have offered him a contract, anyway! Merlin, I might also offer him Astoria to go along with her!"

The noise brought Isabel into the room. "Cygnus?" she asked. "What in Merlin's name are you so excited about?"

"Harry!" exclaimed Cygnus. "He's just pulled off the most Slytherin stunt I've ever seen. And, against the Head of Slytherin House, no less! Ha!"

Speaking soothing words, Isabel said, "Perhaps if you were to calm down and explain it to me..."

"Here!" said Cygnus, offering her a slip of parchment. "Read this! I've got to floo Augusta!" And he practically skipped out of the room.

At the fireplace, Cygnus had dashed in some floo powder, barked out, "Longbottom Hall," and stuck his head in. "Augusta!" he called. "Augusta, are you there?"

A little elf popped into view in the parlour of Longbottom Hall and said, "Mistress is in the sitting room, Mipsy will get her,"before she popped away again.

The next thing Cygnus saw was Augusta walk into the parlour with Amelia on her heels.

"Cygnus?" asked Augusta.

"Augusta! Harry's sent us a memory. You've got to see this! It's like - a gift from the Gods, themselves! It's manna from heaven!"

"Well, Amelia's here..."

"Bring her! She can see this, too! She'll love it!"

"Alright, Cygnus; I suppose we've got the time..." "Yes! Come through!" and pulled his head back out of the flames. Without even thinking about it he drew his wand and banished the soot that had collected about his shoulders, face and hair.

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