Author Note: Hello all, welcome to my story. First of all, this story will have a relationship between two men, and may contain scenes of violence, if that offends you, time to go back!
Any mistakes, spelling, punctuation, or grammar are entirely my own, and I do apologize if there are any. I have checked and checked and checked so hopefully there are none, but we all make human errors and hope you understand if you find one.
Hope you all enjoy it!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or the franchise, just borrowing them for this story.
Albus glanced up from the letter sitting open at his desk. His skin was ghostly pale, and a look of worry was engraved on his face.
Harry had been disowned.
The head of the Department of Social Care would be coming to Hogwarts to try and put Harry in an orphanage until a guardian was found. Considering the number of spies Voldemort had in the ministry, Albus did not think finding a guardian for Harry would be too difficult, he was sure anyone of the spies would love to be the person who brought Harry to Voldemort by a simple means of adoption. He wouldn't have even been surprised if some of them had already found out and the adoption papers were already being drawn up.
Albus was struck from his thoughts by a firm knock at the door.
"Enter" Albus stated.
Albus watched the door swing open to see Remus Lupin standing there.
Remus looked concerned and tired, but despite that, he looked very much the same as he always had, smile lines woven deep into his face and a hint of kindness in his eyes.
"Remus" Albus spoke "It is so good to see you," He said, as Remus crossed the rooms to shake hands with him.
"You too Albus." Remus had not been back to Hogwarts in over a year, doing missions for the order had kept him extremely busy and between that and the full moon every month he just had not found the time to come back. He spoke with Harry very regularly using the floo network or letter, but he deeply regretted not being able to see him for the past year.
"Is everything alright Albus?" Remus asked, "It's not Harry is it?" He said, his voice laced with worry and concern.
"I am sorry to say that things are far from alright" Albus sighed, watching Remus' eyebrows raise. "I received a letter from the Ministry, informing me that Harry has been disowned," Albus said, reaching out his hand to show Remus the letter. Albus sighed before continuing "The department of social care has decided it is in their best interest to put Harry up for adoption" Albus shook his head, ignoring Remus' look of utter dismay.
Remus grabbed the letter off of Albus with a great sense of urgency.
Albus Dumbledore,
At 8:13 pm on the 31st July 1997, Petunia Dursley, Harry James Potter's last living relative signed an official document stating that Harry Potter had been officially disowned and would no longer be related to her family.
As Harry Potter has no other living relatives, and his godfather Sirius Black, has passed away, we see no other option but to place him into an orphanage where a suitable guardian will be found with immediate effect.
We assume Harry will be making his way to Hogwarts, and if this is not the case, we know you will be able to get in contact with him to tell him the situation of tonight's events. We will be waiting for the Hogwarts floo to open, as we found it has been sealed shut, to not even allow ministry officials to come through. Please let us know as soon as the floo is open again as time is of the essence here. If we do not hear from you soon, we will have no other choice but to come to Hogwarts ourselves.
We thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
Oliver Davies, Head of the Department of Social Care in the Ministry of Magic.
Remus dejectedly let his arm drop, an angry look masked his face.
"How can they do this? Put Harry up for adoption? It's madness! Anyone of Voldemort's loyal followers can put a claim in for him, and considering how many spies he has in the ministry it wouldn't be long before one of them found out, if they haven't already!" Remus could feel his voice rising, but he couldn't help the anger that surged through him while reading that letter. He always knew the ministry never had Harry's best interest at heart, but to do something this stupid, actually knowing the danger they were putting Harry in, made Remus' blood boil. "Albus" Remus looked up "What do we do?"
"Due to the circumstances" Albus replied, moving around the back of his desk "We don't have time to put in an adoption claim, as I'm sure they have already found someone else, and in the light of things, I think down to my age and of course…" He trailed off. "Well, I'm sure they would find some sort of reason for the claim not to go through. I thought about asking the Weasleys but I'm sure the ministry would say something about them being economically unsuitable"
Remus rolled his eyes. He would have loved to adopt Harry himself, but the ministry a few years ago had put new laws regarding werewolves stating they were no longer allowed to do many things that normal witches and wizards took for granted, such as adopt and get married.
"What if" Remus sighed thoughtfully "What if they find someone suitable, and he'll have a fantastic new family"
"That's not a risk I want to take" Albus replied curtly. "Something doesn't feel right about this situation, I would hate for this to be the end. I feel we should not take any chances"
"Why did you ask me here? Can I help at all?" Remus questioned.
"You need to find Harry and bring him back here. At least here he is protected and safe until we can figure out what to do." Albus replied, going down to sit at his desk. "I will write a letter back stating we are just going to find him and then I will open the floo. Hopefully, that will buy us some more time." He glanced back up at Remus. "It has too."
"I'll apparate to Privet Drive, see if I can find him. I don't know where else he would be" Remus spoke more calmly than he felt.
"He won't be near the house," Albus clarified. "For a proper disownment the document has to be signed, they would have gone to Privet Drive for Petunia to sign it. He wasn't there, or they would have taken him by now"
Remus didn't wait to hear anything else from Albus, he knew why Albus had called him here, he knew what he had to do.
"I will find him, and I will bring him home" Remus asserted, as he turned on his heel and made for the door, his footsteps quickening with every step as he started to run towards the gate so he could apparate to Privet Drive.
With a little crack, he arrived on Privet Drive. The warm summer day had turned into a muggy summer evening, It was far too hot to be comfortable. Remus glanced around, he saw the little gold number 4 and looked past it. He did not want to see the family that had abandoned Harry after promising to take him in and make sure he was safe.
He absentmindedly reached his hand into his pocket to feel for his wand. If anyone else had got word that Harry was wandering the streets of Little Whinging he doubted he would be the only person trying to find him. He rounded a corner and continued to walk further down the road just off Privet Drive. The street lights were off in this area, and Remus removed his wand from his pocket and placed it under the sleeve of his cloak, ready to strike at any moment.
He wandered around for about 5 minutes more, heart beating faster every second he couldn't find Harry. He just hoped beyond hope that no one else had got to him first.
After he had almost given up hope, he suddenly spotted a figure of someone sitting on the side off the curb. Remus' breath sped up, and he moved his wand to the tip of his hand, keeping his arm behind his back to hide it. Suddenly the figure turned to look at him, and all Remus saw was green eyes.
"Harry?" He whispered, edging closer and closer to the figure.
The figure turned his head quickly to the sound, and slowly stood up, his eyes squinting in the darkness.
"Remus?"
"Lumos" Remus whispered again, and a bright light came from his wand, illuminating Harry's features and Remus felt himself smile very slightly. He walked forward only a little to be met with an outstretched wand and a stern face. His light illuminated Harry's face. The first thing he noticed was how much older Harry looked, how much stress and tiredness seeped in through his eyes. His hair was still an unruly mess, and his height was still the same, but before Remus now was definitely not the child he had last seen over a year ago, but a young man.
"What was your nickname at Hogwarts?" Harry asked sternly.
"Moony" his reply came, as he tentatively took a step forward.
"I'm sorry Remus, I had to ask," Harry said, stepping forward to hug Remus. He had missed Remus impeccably, especially since Sirius had died, Remus had remained an unbelievable friend, stepping into the role which Sirius played effortlessly. Every day Harry missed Sirius, but to still have Remus was like a little part of that gap was being filled.
"Harry" He paused, stepping back. "What's happened here tonight? I'm under instruction from Dumbledore to return to Hogwarts with you immediately" Harry looked a little confused so Remus continued "The Ministry wants to put you into an orphanage" At that, Harry's eyes widened, and his breath hitched up a little in his throat.
"No" Harry replied, shaking his head from side to side. "This was just another huge row with Uncle Vernon, just give them a few days and they will calm down. I just need to give them some space" Harry said, not entirely sure if he was trying to convince Remus or himself.
"No Harry, this is a lot more serious than that, come back to Hogwarts with me now and we will explain everything, both myself and Dumbledore." Remus held out his arm for Harry to grab so they could side apparate back to Hogwarts.
"Are you sure?" Harry asked "I just think that they will change their minds, Dumbledore will convince them too" At Remus' silent look Harry knew there was no undoing whatever had been done tonight. Harry reached out to grab Remus' hand, not missing the look on Remus' face of sadness. He felt the tug of the apparition, and before he knew it, he was standing at the gates of Hogwarts.
Remus caught Harry as he almost tripped as he landed.
"Arry!" A voice came from over the gates and Harry immediately recognized it as Hagrid's. Harry beamed, as Hagrid opened the big iron gates to allow them through, crushing Harry in a hug.
"O' Harry, aren't I glad to see you 'ere." He said loudly, "Albus said both of you need to get to his office pronto, I'm staying here on guard"
The two of them practically ran to Dumbledore's office, not one speaking along the way. To see Hagrid at the gates, just further cemented into Harry's mind that this was more serious than he believed it to be. He reached Dumbledore's office, and slowly he opened the door. He knew there had been talking as he heard rushed voices before turning silent.
The older man sitting at the desk looked more worried and stressed than Harry has seen in a very long time, he was staring at his desk as if all the answers were on that table. At hearing the door open, he glanced up to see Harry and Remus standing there, and his expression calmed visibly.
Moving his eyes across the room, he also noticed that his professors, including McGonagall, Snape, and Madam Pomfrey, were standing there.
No one met his eye as he looked up at the three of them. The silence was deafening.
"Oh Harry my boy, thank Merlin you are here" Albus sighed, as he stood up, gesturing at the seat in front of his desk. "Take a seat, we have a lot to discuss and unfortunately rather little time to do so," Albus said, holding up a new letter from the ministry, glancing at Remus, who reached out and took the letter from him.
Harry's eyes flickered towards the letter, letting Remus glance over it.
"May I?" Harry asked, holding his hand out to take the letter from Remus.
"You'll need this one as well" Dumbledore stated, holding the first letter out for Harry as well.
The room watched silently as Harry read the letter, a look of disappointment masking his face.
"Oh," Harry sighed, letting his hand drop down "Well, this isn't good." The new letter was very similar to the first, which stated they were still waiting for Albus to open the floo for them, and they were sending a team down to the gates of Hogwarts to try and get to Harry that way.
From the other side of the room, Snape scoffed. Harry could practically hear the eye roll from where he was standing.
"There must be a way I can stop this from happening, what if I just apologized, surely then they would take me back?" Harry asked, he could feel the franticness in his voice but tried to keep calm.
"Harry the document which was signed was a contract. There is no going back." Dumbeldore paused, "I'm sorry my dear boy, truly I am. I also truly believe that if Petunia had known the exact complications signing that contract would entail, I doubt she would have signed."
"So what? I just wait until they come and collect me, and just hope that I get a good family" Harry spoke, getting louder with every word. "This is absolutely ridiculous! Why do I need a guardian? I'm at school all year and I'll just stay here for this month!"
Remus rested his hand supportingly on Harry's shoulder.
"Let Remus adopt me!" Harry cried "Let him be the one before anyone else does!" He knew the answer was no before anyone spoke, due to the sigh that came from Remus. Remus just tightened his grip on Harry's shoulder, ignoring the eyes beaming up at him.
"Harry please sit, we have thought of something, I just need you to remain calm. Again, I must ask you to sit down and calm yourself." Albus said, while Harry breathed deeply and let Remus' arm drop. He walked up to the desk and silently took a seat. "If we let you go into an orphanage Harry, you could be on the road to your demise. While Remus was out looking for you, we all looked into exactly who Mr. Davies is." He said gesturing at the three standing close to him, "Professor Snape remembered the name, and although he can't quite place it, he was certain he heard it on one of his missions for Voldemort. Given the circumstances, it would be a safe bet to say Mr. Davies cannot be trusted, and therefore there is now no longer any question that you cannot be put up for adoption." Albus sighed again, "The only reason you need to go to an orphanage is that you are not yet a legal adult, so you must need a guardian"
"Mr. Potter" Professor McGonagall spoke up, Harry's eyes darting over to the witch standing by Dumbledore "We were discussing this issue before you arrived and the only way we can see to get out of this horrible situation is to make you a legal adult in the eyes of the law"
"Well how am I supposed to become a legal adult in under an hour?" Harry said with a shake of his head.
"Marriage," Professor Mcgogngal said bluntly.
"Marriage?" Harry spluttered out "Who on earth would-" He was cut off sharply but a large bang caused by the door being pushed open with a great deal of force. Everyone's heads flicked towards the door, half expecting to see some ministry officials standing there. Harry's heart was beating unbelievable fast.
Hagrid stood at the door, out of breath and red in the face.
"They're at the gate headmaster!" He said frantically "I don't know what else to tell ya! They're here"
"Hagrid!" The headmaster bellowed "Run back down and hold them for as long as possible." He had now stood up from his desk and had moved over to stand next to the two professors and Madam Pomfrey.
Albus continued to speak as Hagrid quickly left the room.
"Our plan is ruined" McGonagall stated, a look of dismay on her face.
"No, it is not ruined, it just needs adapting" Dumbeldore spoke clearly, and turned to face Harry. Harry was now on his feet as well. "I'm sorry my dear boy, our plan was for you and Remus to apparate to get someone who you would think was a suitable match for you, for marriage, but now unfortunately due to the circumstances, that is no longer an option." Albus paused. "Severus."
"Headmaster, I'm sorry but I have no other plan that I can suggest '' Snape interrupted.
"No, I know" Albus replied, "I was saying, you are now our only option for marriage for Harry."
Harry's head was spinning. This must be some crazy nightmare he was in. There was not a chance Dumbledore had just suggested he had to marry Snape. Harry noticed Snape looking absolutely furious with Dumbeldore for even suggesting anything.
"No." Snape spat out "I will now allow this Albus."
"Severus please" Albus begged "You are literally our only option here. I know I have asked so much of you for so many years, but I promise this will be the last thing I will ever ask of you if you do this."
"I have done many things for you, Albus, I have put my life at risk time after time for you" Snape punctuated. "But this, I refuse. There must be another option"
"I agree. Professor Dumbledore, I'm sorry, but, but we really don't get along" Harry said. That was the nicest way he could think of saying he and Snape physically couldn't stand each other. He knew he was a good man, but he just hated him as a person. "Remus?" Harry pleaded with him.
"I don't see any other option." He and Hagrid were not allowed to marry Harry, Albus and McGonagall would have been much too old, and Poppy was already married. "I'm sorry," Remus said sadly.
"But he's my teacher!" Harry argued back.
"That is a muggle prejudice, that is not frowned upon at all in the wizarding world," Remus said quietly. He held Harry by his shoulders and began to whisper "Severus is a very good man Harry, he will protect you with his life."
"Remus. We hate each other, he will most likely end my life after I've annoyed him too much" Harry whispered back angrily.
"He would never hurt you," Remus stated. "I've missed out on far too much time with you already, I regret deeply not being around this past year" At Harry's shake of his head he continued "But I promise, I will be here for you, but you have to do this." Remus slowed down and looked Harry straight in the eyes "This is better than the consequences that will face you if you don't."
It was then that Harry realized he did have no other choice. Although if someone was to ask him to choose between getting married to his most hated professor or being tortured by death eaters he was not sure which one he would have chosen.
"Okay" Harry's small voice traveled around the room.
Snape snapped his head to look at him, in utter disbelief, then quickly back to Albus.
"You are asking too much from me," Snape snarled.
"I am not asking anything that I believe that you are not capable of doing" Albus retaliated back. "Severus, you are the only person who can save Harry right now" He paused, and when Snape made no effort to say anything Albus ended added quietly on the end "Please."
"Fine" Snape bit out, turning his head to the side "As I have no other choice."
"That is not what I said Severus" Albus replied harshly, "I said you are the only choice, not that you do not have one."
"That is no different," Snape spat out with as much venom as he could muster.
Snape was livid, he had never been this angry in his life. The number of times he had risked his life, had rushed blindly into battles for Dumbledore without asking a single question. This had overstepped any line, and he would never forgive Albus for this.
"Well that settles it then," McGonagall said timidly "You'll have to be married immediately." She ignored Snape's glare at her, and moved to stand beside Albus. "Poppy and I will bear witness and Albus will perform the ceremony."
"Now?" Harry almost shouted.
"Yes Harry, time really is of the essence here" Dumbeldore replied, as he stood in front of an old wooden door and a rather magnificent bookcase.
Harry was telling his feet to move, but his body was not responding. He felt like his feet were frozen to the floor. He was vaguely aware of a hand on his back, almost edging him forward. He was going to wake up any minute, and this would all be a strange dream that he would never tell anybody about.
"Harry" He heard Remus' kind voice say "Come on". He looked up to see a very sympathetic smile on Remus' face. He didn't want this right now. He didn't want sympathy. He knew what a horrible situation this was to be in, and he didn't need to be reminded by everybody's expressions.
Snape walked over to Dumbeldore in his normal stoic manner. He stood there with a furious look on his face, one that made even Dumbledore seem weary.
Remus guided Harry over to where the other 4 were standing. Harry refused to look anywhere except the ground and eventually Snape's shoes when he reached where everyone else was standing. Breathing in, he lifted his head to view the scene and saw Snape not looking at him either, just glaring at Dumbledore. Not wanting to see this scene play out he lowered his eyes again.
"Now boys if you could just repeat after me" Dumbledore smiled. Snape could not believe the sheer ignorance of Dumbledore smiling at a time like this. Snape wanted to obliterate him into oblivion. Harry, on the other hand, was not paying much attention to Dumbledore, and if he was smiling or not, he was just trying to make any food in his stomach, stay there.
"Harry" Harry snapped his eyes up. "You need to repeat after me," said Dumbledore calmly. "I Harry James Potter," He paused, waiting for Harry to respond. Harry looked down at the ground again.
"I Harry James Potter," Harry repeated, after what felt like a decade.
"Take Severus Tobias Snape"
Harry tried hard to keep himself from being sick then and there.
"Take Severus Tobias Snape" He felt sure he felt a hand on his back and wondered if he looked like he was about to faint.
"To be my lawfully wedded husband"
Harry stammered the words out. Not once did he look at Snape, not once did he look anywhere but the floor, if he did, he might go back on his word and risk his chances with the orphanage instead.
"I will be yours in plenty and in want, in sickness and in health, in failure and in triumph"
This time Harry forced his eyes to rise, to meet the eyes of the man standing in front of him. The sight before him made him suppress a sigh. Why out of everyone did it have to be Snape? A man who hated him, who hated his father, used to be a death eater and was generally just a nasty person.
Harry had never seen Snape look so menacing. But he also had never been this close to the man, even when he was screaming at him in potion class because he had done something wrong, there was always a desk between them. He also never realized how tall he was, and how looming it felt to be standing this close to him.
"I will be yours in plenty and in want, in sickness and in health, in failure and in triumph."
Snape watched him slip the gold band on with trembling fingers. His eyes glaring daggers into the gold band which now was on his finger on his left hand.
"Now Severus, if you could do the same," Albus said, turning to look at the professor.
Harry half expected for Snape to say something sarcastic back and refuse, but nothing was said, and so Dumbledore continued.
"I Severus Tobias Snape take Harry James Potter."
"I Severus Tobias Snape take Harry James Potter," Snape drawled out, his voice deep and slow.
"To be my lawfully wedded husband."
"To be my lawfully wedded husband" Snape sneered.
Harry had never seen a man look this unhappy and again wondered if it would be easier for both of them if he should just take his chances.
"I will be yours in plenty and in want, in sickness and in health, in failure and in triumph" Snape repeated after Dumbledore. He took Harry's hand in his, they were cold and narrow, and slid on the gold band, now mirroring his own. His hand immediately felt strange with the added weight on, and the band felt cold around his finger.
Harry has seen weddings on films and knew what was coming next and hoped beyond hope that they wouldn't be made to kiss.
"Congratulations boys. I now officially declare you husband and husband. Well done" Dumbledore smiled warmly at the both of them, no one else in the room shared his enthusiasm, and not even Harry could muster a smile in return.
Harry and Snape shared a glance before Harry turned his head again to avoid his gaze.
"Well, that's that then." Snape drawled out "Congratulations to us," He said dripping with sarcasm.
"Yes, how lucky I am," Harry said before he could stop himself. Shocked at the response from Harry, Snape scoffed and moved to put some distance between the two of them.
"Well," Poppy said, clearing her throat "I guess we better sign some document of some sort to prove this marriage is legal"
"Of course Poppy!" Dumbledore stated. Waving his wand Harry witnessed a marriage document appear out of thin air. This now really did feel final.
Harry and Snape both signed first, then Poppy and McGonagall stepped forward to sign their parts as witnesses. Nobody spoke. Harry had never felt so awkward in his life.
"A toast then!" Albus suggested and suddenly everyone in the room had a glass of champagne in their hand. "To both of you. For putting others before yourself" Albus said raising his glass.
Remus, McGonagall, and Poppy all slightly raised theirs, while Snape quickly drank his. Harry couldn't think of anything worse right now than drinking alcohol.
"Minerva," Albus said, with kind eyes "Would you mind walking down to the gates to tell Hagrid that he can let them in, and do apologize on my behalf for taking up so much of their precious time," Albus said, watching McGonagall nod her head and leave the room silently, putting her glass of champagne down on the nearest side.
"You did good kiddo," Remus said to an oblivious Harry.
"Boys, if I could just speak to you for a moment," Albus said quietly to the room. "I just want to very quickly get our story straight with what happened here." Snape nodded. "I feel our best option here is to say you two have been seeing each other for the past year at school. Yes, I knew and approved of this match." Snape closed his eyes and breathed deeply.
"Right" he bit out.
"Now Harry, of course, this does mean you will now be living with Severus for the school year," Albus said softly.
"What?" Harry shouted, cutting Dumbledore off from his speech.
"What did you expect boy, this is a marriage." Came Snape's voice, from the other side of the room. Harry swung his face round to glare at Snape.
"I didn't realize what it would entail, I haven't been told much about it. This was all sort of thrown upon me" Harry replied, trying to keep his anger from his voice, but failing.
"This is a marriage. One which in the ministry's eyes is completely legitimate. Do not think they won't be sending people in to check up on you, especially concerning the very convenient timing this has happened. Trust me, the ministry will not believe this." Snape said, his eyes moving from Harry to Albus.
"Let's hope they do" Albus replied, and moved his head very gently to where Harry was standing in a private plea to get Severus to stand next to him, so everything looked the part before the ministry officials came in.
Snape moved to Harry's side, understanding what Albus was saying. Harry resisted the urge to move closer to Remus instead.
The door to the office moved open slowly and they could hear McGonagall's voice through the crack.
Harry's breath hitched up in his throat, as he glanced over at Remus, who gave him a very heartwarming smile of encouragement.
'You can do this' he mouthed silently to Harry.
Harry nodded. This felt like he was going into battle.
The door opened completely, and in walked Hagrid, McGonagall and two men, one of them dressed in a striped suit, the other in plain black. The striped suit man came forward to meet Harry, Harry noticed how his blonde hair was slightly greasy, and he stunk of cologne.
"Harry," he said, sticking out his hand, "I'm Mr. Davies. Well well, we do have a situation on our hands here don't we?" he smirked.
Author note: I just want to say thank you for reading this story, I wrote this story back when I was in my late teens/the early twenties, about 6 years or so ago. I wrote about 6 chapters, but for some reason never posted it. When Coronavirus hit the U.K, working as cabin crew I got grounded from my job for 3 months, with quite literally nothing to do, when my partner suggested I start writing again, although he has no idea about this he knows I've always loved to write. I dug out my old laptop and found the basics of this story. After many re-writes and read overs making sure I was happy with it, I finally decided to continue writing it, so I'm excited to see where it goes from here. I have this whole story mapped out on an incredibly long word document, so I think it's going to be a long work in the process, and I hope you will all stick with me throughout it.
I'm also very aware of how many stories with this pairing are about an arranged marriage of some sort, back when I wrote this years and years ago I probably thought it was the most original sounding idea, but looking at the stories now I have come to the realization it is not. So thank you for choosing this version!
Oh, and don't worry all will be explained why Harry has been disowned.
Thanks again,
S L x