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Chapter 6 – Surprises for Everybody

The ever confident Albus Dumbledore was finally released from his St. Mungo's "vacation" and he had to admit, it had been good for him. Fortunately, Ogden brought him his wand but before he could hand it to him, Albus had used a "borrowed" wand to accio the Elder Wand so that once again he would be its master. Ogden wondered why Albus did what he did, but then the old coot was eccentric so he didn't ask.

He was advised to cut down on his intake of sweets or anything containing sugar as he was borderline diabetic. Also, he was told he should eat more fresh fruit and vegetables and cut down on the eggs, bacon, sausages, pancakes drenched in syrup, fried bread and over-jellied toast and have porridge, whole grain cereals and other healthy things. \

"Stay away from fried foods and butter" the healer advised. "You can eat a full English breakfast and fish & chips, etc. BUT only say, once a week. You are not as young as you used to be and you are probably as healthy as you are due to your powerful magic but DO NOT EXPECT IT TO SAVE YOU if you continue your unhealthy ways."

Dumbledore had been expecting to be welcomed back by the students and staff and to undo whatever nonsense had been done in his absence. But – surprise, surprise – when he entered his office, who was there but who was there but a collection of no nonsense wizards and witches who in no uncertain terms, informed him that ALL of the changes made during his absence were staying and would not be undone, by him at least. Madame Wittworthy, the CPA appointed by the Board, told most of those assembled to leave except for Dumbledore, McGonagall and the new teachers hired to teach the revived courses and to update other ones such as Astronomy.

After the others left, Madame Wittworthy calmly mentioned to those presence – but mostly to Dumbledore – that "Several runes were found in your office as well as some charms that even the Unspeakables had trouble defining. But fear not as THEY HAVE ALL BEEN REMOVED and a tracker in the Unspeakables' chambers will immediately notice if any new ones are placed." But she wasn't finished yet as almost as an afterthought she added "Apparently, some of the charms were borderline dark and a list of all runes and charms and what they did were sent to the Board and the Head of the DMLE and Minister of Magic. It is a theory that the individual who cast these borderline dark things must have done so without your knowledge and with the intention of causing harm to you, the staff and the school. Am we correct in such an assumption?"

Naturally, Albus had agreed as what else could he do? He would try to put his runes and charms back without the Unspeakables finding out, but it couldn't be done immediately as he would have to do some intensive research and more than likely, pick the brain of one of the lesser Unspeakables, who he sort of controlled. He needed his "toys" to control people and convince them to do things they wouldn't want to do. It was for the Greater Good, after all, so his conscious was clear.

Albus knew that both Gryffindors would be banging on his door asking help for one thing or another such as the betting pool. Hades, he had wagered G50 himself on James "getting" Lily Evans before graduation. If nothing happened by 7th year, he had made plans to "help" the lovers get together by fair means or foul. Probably foul. When the "Snape problem" had been taken care of and the girl still refused James' advances well, it would be foul means. It wouldn't be the first time he had "matched" a deserving couple for the Greater Good.

However, for once James and Sirius were attempting to get themselves out of trouble via the services of a very good but unscrupulous lawyer, one the Blacks used for the more "delicate" problems. He was expensive but worth it, as long as he could settle the problem out of court. Somehow James was still getting his rather generous allowance and Sirius' Uncle Alphard had died and left him a considerable sum that would let Sirius live the idle life Alphard had. He didn't want to waste it paying the bets but would use a large chunk to hire Uriah Hepplewipe, lawyer extraordinaire as that was what the Black Family did! Sometimes he was still a Black, when it served his purpose.

Hepplewipe said the bet was a moot point as someone had kidnapped Lily Evans, removed her from Hogwarts and even her poor parents didn't know where she was. Ergo, it was presumed she was dead as three of the Professors had promised to take her on as an apprentice and how could a Mud—a Muggleborn refuse a chance like that?

Thus, any money already in the pool was returned to the better if and when they could prove that they had placed the bet. If not, then the money was forfeited into an unnamed charity fund. Since many bets were given on the sly and of course not recorded as betting was against school rules. It had taken almost to the end of the school year but in the end, most of Hippelwipe's fee was paid by the unproven claims.

James and Sirius made a few enemies, but no one of any real consequence. They still played their hilarious pranks but for some reason many people didn't think them funny. Just goes to show you some people do not have a proper sense of humor.

James was quite shocked when Minerva McGonagall didn't offer him an apprenticeship. Well he didn't want to get a Mastery in Transfiguration anyway as there were other more interesting and exciting things to do. He was the last of the Potters, the long-awaited heir of a very wealthy, ancient and powerful family. By the time he graduated, his parents were no longer pariahs as now they had a prize on their hands – a handsome, talented, rich and powerful son who one day would take over all that was Potter from possessions to Wizengamot seats to the power and treasure accumulated over the centuries.

James was a trophy worth striving for and most (but not all) of his peccadillos were soon forgotten as the invitations to parties, birthdays, teas and balls soon flooded into Potter Manor. Sirius was still living with the Potters and since he had all that inherited money and on the chance that his younger brother who had been named the heir, would die or become incapacitated, Sirius would once again become the heir to the House of Black.

However, invitations from matchmaking mamas, aunts, grannies and friends were not the only attention which James and Sirius received. Oh yes, there were two others. Both Dumbledore and the up and coming Lord Voldemort made offers to the two boys. Dumbledore for them to join the Order of the Phoenix and fight for the Light under Dumbledore's command and Lord Voldemort to join him and fight for Pure-blood rights and privileges. Voldie also offered revenge to James, namely revenge against all Mudbloods but especially Lily Evans who had refused and insulted James' interest in her when she should have been groveling at his feet thanking him for even noticing her.

Decisions, decisions. James was still interested in having Evans and teaching her lessons she should have learned during first year. He had gotten everything and everyone he ever wanted except for Evans. If and when she was found, she would no doubt thank him for his attention, persistence and forgiveness and do anything he wanted.

Sirius would like to see James get his hands on the bitch and help with the "lessons" she would be getting. However, he also wanted Snivellus at his mercy. He too had escaped the Marauders and come out for the better having been named the Heir to the House of Prince. From the gossip going around, it was being said that he would complete his Mastery in Potions about six months after he graduated from wherever he was going. Sirius highly doubted it, as although Snape was good at Potions, he wasn't that good, and despite his new found wealth and position, he was still the ugly, unkempt piece of flobberworm dung he was on his first day on the train and then Hogwarts.

Since the Marauders and Snape didn't share many classes together during the years, all the Marauders – except for Remus who knew better – thought Snape didn't shine in any of the other subjects. They considered Snape to only be average in Transfiguration (where James excelled) and Astrometry (where Sirius excelled). How wrong they were!

Despite all of the disadvantages he had due to his miserable excuse of a father and the poverty he lived in, Severus Snape was extremely intelligent, basically self-taught since the Muggle school system he attended wasn't all that great, dedicated, determined and a powerful wizard from a young age. He especially excelled in Defense, Runes and Arithmancy and received all O's on his OWLS except for the Exceeds Expectation in Transfiguration and Astrometry, if only because he was constantly sabotaged by the Marauders in those two subjects.

They wouldn't know it or would even care to know that Severus Prince earned the highest scores in his NEWTS of anyone at Durmstrang and would indeed be getting his Mastery in Potions and Defense within six and eight months respectively after graduation.

James and Sirius informed both Dumbledore and Voldemort that they would join him IF Lily Evans was found and given to James for certain lessons. Sirius wanted Snivellus – but so did Voldemort, who didn't mention that he had had one of his Deatheaters trying to recruit the talented young wizard. In his opinion, Voldemort would prefer having Young Prince instead of both James and Sirius because those two would serve his purpose but they were too wild, careless and rebellious, and would put their own wants and needs above Voldemort. He foresaw them having to be disciplined until they went too far and had to be killed.

However, he still could use them but first would see them both marry a daughter of a true follower, get her with a child or two and then Voldemort would benefit from the inheritance of both Gryffindors. And it would annoy the HELL out of Dumbledore which was always a good thing.

In the meantime, James and Sirius joined the Aurors for adventure and the status as Aurors were considered heroes who risked life and limb to protect the public – especially the female public (under 30 at least). They would get to wear those sharp-looking robes, learn how to perfect their already awesome dueling skills and, if the situation should occur that Snape crossed their path…well he MUST BE a Deatheater and at that time, dark curses could still be used (until Dumbledore got involved) and if he tried to escape he could (and would) be killed by James and/or Sirius.

For the moment, at least, life was sweet (except for those being injured or killed by Deatheaters) and held promise for the Class of '78 – until Dumbledore found out the whereabouts of Lily Evans…Prince.