"I guess I can understand where you're coming from," Hermione admitted.
The food had disappeared only to be replaced by a table full of different kinds of dessert. Harry took a treacle tart and topped it with a dollop of Devonshire Cream.
Minerva tapped on the side of her goblet with her knife and said, "May I have your attention please?"
Dumbledore rose and gave his usual speech about the Forbidden Forest being banned for all students and all products from Zonko's joke shop being banned by Hogwarts caretaker, Mr. Filch; there was list on the door of his office if anybody wanted to know what they were. He then introduced the year's Head Boy and Head Girl. "I have one last important announcement before I dismiss you to your warm beds and that is the third floor corridor, on the left hand side if off limits to anybody who does not wish to die a horrible death. You are dismissed."
At the Head Boy and Girl's order the Prefects stood up and got the first years into line and led them out of the Great Hall.
"See you tomorrow, Draco," Harry called. "See you guys in class tomorrow," he called to Greg, Vince and Neville.
They all nodded as the Hufflepuffs and Slytherins were led off.
Severus was still in the hall enjoying a last cup of coffee before going down to the house meeting he always held for his newest snakes.
"You betrayed me, Severus! You know that the boy has to stay with his aunt and uncle …"
"That boy you are referring to is my son now and do not forget it!"
"He needs to be strong to defeat Voldemort. He can't do it if you're coddling him. Do you think James would have coddled him? No he would have been strong and made sure Harry was getting the training he needed to defeat Voldemort."
"And Lily would have made sure Potter got a hard clout along side of his head," Severus replied. "It is not for Harry or any other child to defeat Voldemort. That is the responsibility of adult witches and wizards! As for his aunt and uncle - do you know what Petunia and her human blimp of a husband were doing? They were making Harry do all the house work, yard work and they had him cooking all their meals! He got to eat the leftovers provided there were any leftovers, that is. The slightest transgression of their rules got him locked in a cupboard for a week with no meals. You call that making him strong; I call it child abuse!" Severus was yelling at this point.
Minerva who had been quiet up until this point jumped in. "I told you they were the worst sort of Muggles I'd ever seen, but you wouldn't listen to me, you puffed up old popinjay! If Lily was here now and knew what you did to Harry you'd be heading for the Black Lake at top speed because your bum would be on fire! In fact …" Minerva waved her wand threateningly at Albus.
"Now, Minerva, let's not get carried away!" Albus said backing up with his hands held up.
"Oh! And Headmaster, I do need the key to the Potter vaults as I am now Harry's father, Severus said. "Also you will find your personal vaults 6000 Galleons short since you had no authority to sanction any payments to the Dursley for keeping Harry especially when they never used the money for Harry." He bowed slightly and smirked at Minerva. "If you will excuse me? I do have a house meeting to conduct." He walked out of the Great Hall," his robes billowing out gracefully behind him. He chuckled wondering if he still might have the pleasure of seeing Dumbledore streaking towards the lake with his arse on fire.
*The Sorting Hat's Song is used courtesy of JK Rowling from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, page 117-118, Arthur A. Levine Book, 1997.Harry was taking his clothing out of his trunk and putting them away. His roommates Michael and Terry were busy doing the same. His other two roommates who introduced themselves as Simon Hurst and Sean Birkin had already finished unpacking and were reading their textbooks in preparation for their classes tomorrow. He heard a tapping on the window across from his bed and opened it. Hedwig flew in and landed neatly on her perch. "Dad must have just sent you here, huh girl?" Harry asked stroking Hedwig's head. He suddenly noticed the note attached to her leg and took it off. It was, not surprisingly, from his dad.
Harry,
I am very pleased you were sorted into Ravenclaw. I was not surprised either as your mum once told me that the Hat had given her the choice of Ravenclaw or Gryffindor. Sleep well and I will see you at breakfast tomorrow.
Love,
Dad
Harry smiled, folded the note and placed it in the drawer of his bedside table. His dad was the best! He got ready for bed as he was surprisingly tired. It had been an exciting day meeting new people and making new friends. His roommates seemed really nice and while they were curious about him being the Professor Snape's son, they didn't seem all that interested in Harry Potter, thankfully. He suspected the Gryffindors would have been bragging that he'd been sorted into their house. He wished his roommates a good night, got into bed and dosed his light.
The next morning Professor Flitwick led them down to breakfast in the Great Hall. Severus was waiting outside the doors having just escorted his snakes in. Filius nodded at Severus. "Professor, if you do not mind, may I speak to my son for a moment?"
"Not at all, Professor," Filius replied genially. He led the rest of the Ravenclaw first years into the Great Hall leaving Harry alone with his father. "Did you sleep well, Harry?" Severus asked.