"Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, guests and ghosts- another year has ended!"
The Great Hall broke in to an ear splitting cheer, the likes of which Severus had hardly imagined the night beginning with.
"Before I leave you with my parting words of wisdom, the Minister of Magic has an announcement for you all," Albus said, smiling benignly to Fudge before taking his seat.
"Ahem," Fudge cleared his throat and beamed merrily out to the overtly crowded Hall.
"Although there were a few glitches this year-"
Several people seated at the Slytherin table chuckled and gave Potter looks.
"-I am pleased to be here tonight to announce the Champion of the 1994/95 Triwizard Tournament..."
~~~
"You and I are both aware that the boy is lying Severus," Albus said that morning, frowning at Severus from his gilded desk chair. "I don't understand why you allowed him to do so in the presence of Cornelius."
"I am not aware of any lies Harry told," Severus lied calmly, keeping his eyes locked on Albus'. "As I was there, and you were not, I believe Harry shared the details as he best recalled them."
It was a cunning enough plan in Severus' opinion. Clearly something Potter had help with.
"We both know that Voldemort has returned," Albus said harshly. "Why would you not inform Cornelius of that?!"
"Did you not attempt to do so?" Severus asked, no longer cowed by the man that was willing to let Potter die last night. "I was under the impression that you had told him that multiple times."
"He will not believe it without proof!" Albus thundered, power cackling around his body eerily. "Proof that you-"
"Yes?" Severus interrupted him. "What proof do you believe I possess?"
"Anything! Anything at all would be better than the lies you allowed the boy to spread! Barty Crouch Junior was working under Voldemort's instructions!"
Wrong.
Barty was operating under Potter's instructions and was now under his protection within Spinner's End.
"I was unaware you were present Albus," Severus said coolly. "I could have used your assistance against those who were attempting to kill my child of course."
"James and Lily's child."
"Excuse me?" Severus hissed, shocked by Albus' audacity. "Repeat that, Albus, because I am quite sure I misheard you. Perhaps a side effect of my recent trip into near death."
"The boy is James and Lily's child," Albus said. "You have gotten attached to their child beyond what I expected."
"Pardon me for the mistake," Severus sneered, furious. "But as I have been looking out for the child for nearly four years now, I believe I will claim him as mine as well."
"He will not survive the conflict with Voldemort."
"Harry Potter will grow to exceed even you in his long lifespan!" Severus yelled, infuriated by the insinuation. "He will know more years of life and more joy than you could ever imagine!"
"Oh Severus," Albus shook his head in a pitying way. "I wish you could be correct."
"Tell me why I am not," Severus demanded. "Tell me why you believe Harry will die."
"I don't think I will," Albus said, his voice now reflecting the chill permeating the room. "I believe this is where we part ways Severus. I have no use for a man too cowardly to admit the truth."
"Excellent," Severus gracefully got to his feet and smiled blandly at Albus. "Harry has received even more offers for admissions to other schools; the last even came with my choice of a teaching post," he said truthfully. The Contessa desperately wanted Potter in Italy. "I think perhaps I will teach defense while Potter gains new foreign friends and completes his OWLS. We will remain here for two days longer then will darken your doorstep never again."
"You would leave my protection for the boy?"
Severus laughed outright as he paused in the office doorway;
"I thought you knew me, Albus, but I can see now that you have never understood me- there is nothing I would not do for Harry. Good day."
By lunch, Severus received a note delivered by Fawkes imploring him and Potter to remain at Hogwarts.
Though Severus had no true intention of leaving, he replied that he would speak with HIS child and consider it.
~~~
"HARRY POTTER!"
Potter got to his feet to an outrageously long, and loud, round of applause.
"GO HARRY!" Black and Lupin shouted as Potter strutted his way to the Head Table, no doubt seeing the same image of James Potter that Severus himself could see in this moment.
Potter took the stage and walked past Ludo Bagman, his face still scarred and twisted in a begrudging smile as he clapped, past Minerva, who had a true look of pride on her face, and past Albus, whose disdain towards Potter was only visible through his expressively cold blue eyes.
"Harry, on behalf of the British Ministry of Magic, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Beauxbatons School of Magic, and Durmstrang School for Wizards- I am pleased to present you with the Triwizard Trophy and your grand prize of 1,000 galleons!"
Potter only hesitated for a moment before he grabbed the handle of the ridiculously oversized trophy that had portkeyed him to a near death only nights ago and held it high to the deafening roar of his fellow students.
Potter looked to Severus once, his green eyes searching, and Severus graced him with a genuinely proud smile and a curt nod.
It was impressive that Potter had won the tournament, though it would have been better on Severus' health if Potter had safely scraped by mediocrely.
As if Potter has done a single mediocre thing in his life, Severus sighed internally as Potter's bright smile was moved from Severus towards his shouting friends and family. Potter only knows extremes and grandiosity. He could never be 'mediocre'.
"And," Fudge put a grandfatherly hand on Potter's shoulder as he the cheers in the Hall quieted to hear him speak, "Many of you have read the articles in the Prophet outlining the events that happened the night of the third task."
Severus refrained from rolling his eyes at the complimentary drivel Skeeter had wrote about himself and Potter.
'... providing proof that the Sorting Hat is hardly all knowing, as two of the bravest men I have the privilege to know are both proud Slytherin's.'
Ridiculous.
"And due to his justified actions against Peter Pettigrew, a convicted murderer who escaped from the Ministry and had evaded our tasks forces, I am pleased to present Harry James Potter with an Order of Merlin, Second Class."
Severus took a deep drink of his wine as Potter received another blaring ovation, complete with several whistles from Frederick, Black, Draco, and Ronald.
Order of Merlin, Second Class.
Sure.
When Severus admitted to killing a Death Eater, he was arrested.
Potter does it, and receives an award.
How was Severus meant to dissuade the definitely youngest serial killer in the history of the United Kingdon when Potter never received any true personal consequences for his actions?
He justifiably killed the muggle rapist before he even reached puberty and walked away.
He killed Quirrell, albeit possibly by accident, and won the House Cup in his first year.
He drove a sword through Lockhart's neck and buried his body beneath a pile of boulders in his second year and was given an award for services to the school.
He killed Theodore's father and gained a roommate, devoted ally, and no legal or personal consequences.
He killed Avery, and Severus was arrested.
Though Potter had truly seemed remorseful of Severus' arrest.
And now? He killed Pettigrew, which was no true loss to the world in Severus' opinion, and was heralded as a hero and given a blasted Order of Merlin.
This hardly takes in to account his compliance and silence as Barty killed his own father.
Severus repressed a sigh and clapped politely as Fudge pinned a silver award to the front of Potter's, proudly puffed out, chest.
If Potter luck could be bottled- it could bring about permanent world peace, resolve world hunger, and house every homeless person... Or, much more likely, it could become a weapon of mass destruction.
"Before I return you all to Albus, I have one more award to give tonight," Fudge said after the hall had finally, mostly, fell silent once more. "For his bravery, dedication to the safety of others, and for assisting Harry in bringing down a dangerous criminal; I would like to award this Order of Merlin, Third Class to Professor Severus Tobias Snape!"
Severus looked up in utter shock, which he carefully kept clear from his face, and gracefully rose to his feet as was, apparently, expected. He moved to the Minister's side as he was given his own round of applause.
"Congratulations Severus," Fudge murmured as he pinned the bronze award on Severus' chest. "You deserve this."
Severus thanked him and nodded out in acknowledgment to the, surprisingly, enthusiastic students.
There was a time, before Potter, that Severus could have been awarded the Minister's position itself and not a single student would clap for him. And now?
Smiles and cheers were being shared easily for his 'accomplishment'.
Severus did not even recall the last time he had been called a 'dungeon bat'.
Potter had ruined his reputation.
"Tried to get us both first class, but rules are rules," Potter murmured quietly at Severus' side as the minister spoke shortly about the dangers of 'Lord Crouch', which was a ridiculous title for Barty.
"Ah, perhaps another time," Severus smirked.
"Maybe next year, yeah?"
Potter was giving him his constantly practiced 'charming smile' and Severus shuddered at his implications.
"Perhaps not," he said drily. "Perhaps it will be a relatively calm year."
Potter laughed brightly at that, and even Severus had to admit to his own foolishness.
He would have no more 'calm years' for...
Three more school years.
Son of a bitch.