Harry Potter gets smart and takes control - The Goblet

Chapter 78 A Teacher Interlude

Hope its okay, I'm a bit behind on my writing, I've just started a new study group (run by my local pagans for local pagans, its so exciting!)
Anyway, I had the next chap all good to go and then this just shoved its way into my plot last minute, so I've spent all week working on it like a mad thing getting it up to snuff. Hope you enjoy!

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Filius, Severus and Pomona were sitting together in the stands for the start of the second task. When they first saw Harry take his shirt off, they didn't really take any notice of it.

Then they noticed the scars.

"Oh, shit," Pomona said voicing Severus's exact thoughts.

"Oh, dear," said Filius, "it's far worse than I ever considered."

"I do occasionally hate being correct. I'd hoped to be proven wrong this time," Severus said irritably as Bagman made a fool of himself.

"You suspected?" Pomona asked.

"Recently," he said darkly.

Filius patted him consolingly on the elbow and said, "it does make an awful lot of sense in hindsight."

"He's not going back." Severus said flatly, "no matter what the old man wants."

"Good Gaia, no!" Pomona cried, looking horrified.

"We really must deal with Minerva." Filius said, sounding tired all of a sudden, "soon too. She really should have noticed something was up in her house long before now. Having her on side would make things far easier."

"She's a disgrace," Severus muttered darkly.

"She is under a lot of pressure, doing four peoples jobs," Pomona said gently.

Severus just crossed his arms, leaned back in his seat and let out a grumpy Humph noise.

"We'll take her to my cousin," Filius said, "he'll sort her out, and if she's clean we'll just give her a good talking to."

"I suppose you may be a help managing the old goat." Severus conceded watching in slight amusement as Potter appeared to be reaming out both the French girl and Bagman.

"I'll hold down the fort here, one of us needs to be in the castle," Pomona offered, "It's lucky its a Hogsmeade weekend, so people won't notice your gone."

"We'll gather in my rooms tonight to discuss it tonight over tea," Filius said.

"Yes. Potter seems to be finished reaming out Bagman-" Severus said, sounding far too pleased.

"Good for him," added Filius in satisfaction.

"-so theoretically, it will start soon. Bloody stupid of them to do this at this time of year. It's freezing."

"What they were thinking I don't know," Pomona beyond, "sending those children into the lake!"

*

"You swore he was safe and happy! He had scars, Albus! How do you explain that!" Minerva yelled later that evening as she stormed into Dumbledore's office.

"Good evening Minerva, would you like a cup of tea?"

"No! I would not!" she exclaimed, "I told you they were the worst sort of muggles! And now this happens! I warned you! and you said-"

"he would be safe with his family." Dumbledore said, "it was the only way to keep him safe. They are his family; I am sure there is a perfectly reasonable explanation-"

"But Dumbledore-" Minerva implored.

"He is fine, Minerva my dear, I assure you. It's not perfect, but he is as safe and happy as he can be. He's fine. Truly"