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Why Should I Care?

Summary:

Voldemort is dead, Dumbledore decides to return to the land of the living to take control again. Harry is not a happy camper when he learns the truth from the goblins. Basically, it's a vengeful Harry in a way

Notes:

(See the end of the work for notes.)

Work Text:

"What?" Harry was standing on the battlefield. Voldemort was dead. He had managed to get Snape to Poppy before they reviewed the memories. Hermione and Ron didn't want to aid Snape but Harry wasn't going to allow someone else to die if he could prevent it. He ignored the nagging voice in the back of his mind regarding the potion master.

"Dumbledore, he's alive." Neville was breathing hard. He still had the Sword of Gryffindor in his hand. He held it out to Harry. "It belongs to you." The sword still had some chunks of snake guts on it as well as the blood. Neville's clothes were covered in blood from the snake, sweat, and dirt. His pants had holes in the knees, there was a rip going across his shirt, showing where he got hit by a knife.

"What?" Harry was very confused. Dumbledore was alive, the sword was his? "Did I die and return to an alternate universe?"

"No, Harry, the sword was always yours. Dumbledore hid it and the rest of your inheritance from you." Luna was covered in mud and blood. Her normal spacy look was gone. "You need to get to Gringotts before they see you. You must hurry."

"What?" Harry was looking around. The battlefield was being cleared of the injured and deceased.

"Harry, trust us. We heard Granger and Weasley talking before the battle today. We tried to tell you but they kept everyone away from you. Go. Draco, Pansy, Luna, and I will keep them away." Neville thrust the sword hilt toward Harry. "Go, now."

Harry took the sword and started to walk toward the apparition point. He ignored everyone he saw. He apparated to Diagon Alley and headed for the bank. The goblins weren't happy to see him because of the dragon incident but Harry agreed to meet with his account manager to resolve the situation. He wasn't even aware he had an account manager.

Five hours later (don't worry, I will tell you):

Harry was clean, refreshed, and pissed off. Harry had used his memories to show it wasn't fully his fault and he was only responsible for 1/3rd of the damage instead of the full damage that Granger and Weasley had tried to claim. They filed a report with Gringotts stating that it was Harry's idea and that Harry had broken the dragon out. It had been Harry's idea to break into the Bellatrix Lestrange's vault for the Horcrux. Things went downhill for Harry regarding what he learned about his friends. He had taken an Inheritance Test with some very interesting results.

Harry was looking at the test. "Why wasn't I informed?"

Ironclaw was furious realizing they had been lied to already. He wasn't happy to discover that they had been informed for the last sixteen years that Harry had been aware of his accounts. Instead, Dumbledore had lied to them regarding the situation. "We were informed you were aware. I have the original letters stating your awareness of the situation as well as you granting permission for several close friends and family members to have access to your vaults. I also have on file a marriage contract, and a will written by you."

"What?" Harry felt like he was saying that word a lot today. "One, I never gave anyone permission. Two, what family members? Three, marriage contract? Will? I never wrote out a will nor was I aware that I would have needed one since I only believed I had the small vault I have been using for my school supplies. I didn't even know this sword was mine until today."

"It's a goblin-made sword that must remain with the Gryffindor line until such a time there are no more family members. You are the last." Ironclaw started muttering in gobbledygook and files, ring boxes, and scrolls appeared on his desk. "We have several issues that need to be resolved. You are aware because of your defeat of Tom Marvolo Riddle you inherited his possessions as well. He left a will naming you heir." Ironclaw pointed to one of the scrolls. "The scrolls are the wills of Sirius Black, Tom Marvolo Riddle, and your parents. Mr. Riddle's will was the only one not sealed because Dumbledore hasn't had time to do so."

"Is there a way to unseal them?" Harry was going to grind Dumbledore up for dragon food as well as some other Order members.

"Yes, because you are the beneficiary of the wills and legally have been of age since you were entered into the Goblet of Fire Tournament as well as the Ministry's trial for underage magic which was illegal." Ironclaw looked at the Inheritance Test. "It is why, we believe, that Dumbledore has kept many things hidden from you."

"Yes, he expected me to die today." Harry had already informed Ironclaw about the prophecy and how Dumbledore believed that Harry needed to walk to his death.

"It does explain your will. Dumbledore would have sealed it as well so that no verification process would have been done." Ironclaw raised his hands over the wills and spoke a chant for several minutes. The wills glowed blue before turning green except for the will for Harry. It burned up and turned to ash. "Yes, it was invalid."

Harry smirked. They proceeded to discuss the wills and what it meant for Harry. In the end, Harry chewed his lip. "Is there a way to protect Severus Snape? I am aware he is at Hogwarts with a deadly snake bite. I want him protected from Dumbledore and being returned to Azkaban."

Ironclaw looked at the Inheritance Test. "Yes, you need to take up your Lordships, today. Once you do that, you need to close down your properties, seal the account vaults, and hire us to retrieve your belongings while you disappear. We will present your facts at any trial for Severus Snape for a fee, of course."

"You are hired. I also want you to extend an invitation to Severus Snape on my behalf." Harry began to plan with Ironclaw.

Two days later:

Harry was reading the papers. He loved the headlines.

HOGWARTS OFFICIALLY CLOSED

Hogwarts has been officially closed by the remaining founders' heir. We are unsure of who the heir is as it hasn't been released. The castle is in the process of being rebuilt and the future of the school is unclear. Albus Dumbledore has assured everyone that it is a slight misunderstanding and everything will be back to normal soon.

Harry chuckled as he read the next headline on the bottom of the Daily Prophet

MINISTRY UNCLEAR WHY THEY CAN NOT ACCESS THE BUILDING

The Minister and other officials of the magical world are unclear as to why they can not access the Ministry. They had attempted to have a special Wizenagamot session but the number of votes required for any action has not reached the requirement of passing any laws or changes. The funds have been frozen in the vaults.

Harry folded the paper and started to eat his breakfast. As expected the owls arrived with the massive amount of letters from his so-called friends and Dumbledore. Those letters went directly into the fireplace. Harry didn't even bother to read them. Luna and Neville had already written him yesterday and had been enjoying the chaos that his disappearance has caused. They did provide some colorful antidotes to the explosions his so-called friends had when they discovered a lot of their personal items were missing.

Granger had a lot of his family books, the youngest two Weasleys had no idea where their brooms disappeared too, Dumbledore was missing most of the books and items that had been in his office before Hogwarts had booted everyone out and sealed her doors. Hogwarts was only granting entrance to the goblins who removed those in the infirmary to St. Mongos or in the case of Severus Snape, Gringotts. The goblins were also hired for the repairs.

Ironclaw had informed Harry how displeased Dumbledore had been when he had discovered the information. Dumbledore had demanded entrance into Hogwarts but the castle refused to grant Dumbledore entrance. The staff and students had their possession returned to them via house-elves. The staff made arrangements for the Hogwarts Express to send the students home earlier than expected. Harry was still shocked that Dumbledore had expected to use students in a war with adults. He truly wondered about the man.

A week later:

Harry had been anxious for the last few days. The trials for Death Eaters had started three days ago and today was the trial of Severus Snape. Harry wasn't surprised at the number of Death Eaters who had been sentenced to Azkaban. Voldemort attracted crazy people, murders, and thugs. Harry had already submitted his memories regarding Draco and Narcissa Malfoy. Ironclaw wrote that Draco and Narcissa were given probation for five years. Harry had received a thank you letter from Narcissa, Draco, and Pansy.

Snape's trial was a bit different since the man was still a patient at Gringotts but Ironclaw was present when the barrister represented Snape. Dumbledore's death had been a major issue in the case. Since Dumbledore was alive and was basically forced to admit that Snape was his spy, Snape's charges were dismissed. Harry, Ironclaw, and the barrister, Steelrunner, felt that Dumbledore had wanted Snape to be sent to Azkaban. Dumbledore kept pushing how Snape had used the Unforgivables as well as bore the dark mark.

Pansy had written that the Ministry was doing everything out of the back room at the Leaky Cauldron. The trials weren't done in the traditional Wizenagamot way because they were missing a lot of Lords/Ladies who nullified any vote that would have sent anyone to Azkaban. The new way was similar to the American way which Dumbledore had been not happy about. The ones who heard the cases and made decisions were the ones who had been neutral during the war and had taken truth serum to verify it. The decision had to have more than fifteen in agreement out of the twenty on the panel for any sentence. Harry had liked the idea as it certainly kept Dumbledore from controlling everything. Pansy had written that many people were not happy with the man's return from the dead act.

Luna and Neville as well as the Weasley twins also provided some colorful insight into the different situations. Luna appeared to have more knowledge than Harry had provided to the small group but he wasn't surprised. Luna always did. Neville was just happy that Harry was safe and protected. The Twins, however, provided Harry with insight into everything Weasley, the Order, and Dumbledore. Harry was informed about how furious Ginny, Molly, and Dumbledore were when they attempted to have a marriage contract enforced only to have the contract turn to ash.

Dumbledore had attempted to use the press against Harry but Ironclaw had already warned the Daily Prophet about who owned the paper and what might or could happen if they continued to print rumors or stories without evidence. So the stories that Dumbledore wanted to be published were never released. His former friends had attempted to also give interviews but they were denied the request for interviews. The only interviews that were printed were ones from people that Harry approved of.

Two months later:

Harry had been meeting with Ironclaw to learn about his estate, his seats, his political power, as well as the different lessons he should have received if he had remained in the magical world. There were some major changes in the magical world because Harry taking control of his titles. Since Hogwarts wasn't opened many of the students were now attending different magical schools around the world. Dumbledore lost his position as headmaster. Harry wasn't sure what his former friends were doing since Neville and Luna were attending Salem Institute of Magic. The twins avoided their parents' home because of the Order who were always meeting there and Dumbledore appeared to be living there. The twins did learn that most of the people had left the Order since the war was over and Dumbledore had no power to do anything but complain.

Harry was sitting at breakfast when the letter from Ironclaw he had been waiting for arrived. Ironclaw had been monitoring Snape's progress and when he was ready to be released, Ironclaw approached Snape with Harry's offer. Harry had expected the offer to be declined. Ironclaw had smiled at Harry, scaring Harry by the way, as he explained he had a few issues to discuss with Snape and that Harry might find someone who would have the political power to assist Harry in the future. Ironclaw had written that Snape had accepted his offer to reside at Hogwarts Castle and would be arriving tomorrow since Snape was being released tomorrow.

The next day:

Ironclaw arrived with Snape. Harry had already had Winky prepare a room. Kreacher and Dobby had already cleaned the man's old quarters and set up the bigger and a bit more modern lab for the professor to use. "Professor, good to see you again. Welcome to Hogwarts Castle."

"Potter, thank you for the invitation. I greatly appreciated it as well as your assistance with the legal issues while I was recovering." Snape bowed.

"You're welcome. Do come and sit down. Winky has tea prepared for us. I am sure Ironclaw has more information for you."

"I do. It is time to turn the magical world on its axles again." Ironclaw patted his pocket with the extendable pouch in it.

"I am greatly looking forward to this." Snape resisted the urge to touch the scars on his neck.

"Revenge is a dish best served cold." Harry escorted them to the sitting room that Winky had tea waiting for them.

Six months later:

The magical world was still expecting Harry to fight their battles for them. Harry refused to engage in any of it. Harry had finally renewed the contract with the Ministry regarding the building and land the Ministry was using. The original contract had expired while Sirius was a prisoner in Azkaban and Dumbledore had been pocketing the rental fees with no contract in place. Granger and Weasley had gotten married and were forever sending Harry howlers about joining some cause Granger decided was important. He received numerous letters which he ignored regarding his lack of involvement in improving the magical world.

Granger had written how they were attempting to discover who closed Hogwarts and getting it back to being a school. She was following Dumbledore's views fully regarding banning a lot of magic, dark creatures, and other agendas that Dumbledore was pushing in the wake of the war. Dumbledore was using people's fears to attempt to get his own agenda pushed through. However, since the Wizenagamot sessions couldn't happen due to the number of vacant seats, Harry never once received a letter from Dumbledore or his former friends regarding his seats. The laws and restrictions that Dumbledore passed were failing because Harry simply refused to respond to anything the Ministry or Dumbledore sent him.

"You do realize eventually, we will have to reenter the political field to get our revenge?" Severus had been enjoying the ability to brew as he desired. Harry hadn't prevented him from doing anything. It was just the two of them with a lot of house-elves, ghosts, and animals that resided around Hogwarts.

"Yes, but why rush it. I am enjoying our time together. Plus, you have to admit it is funny to read their letters. I keep wondering when we will get a visit here because Dumbledore finally realized I must have learned the truth by now. You know he won't share that he kept the information hidden."

"I don't believe he will. I have been reviewing the memories in the pensive. He removed a lot of memories that he deemed useless but I did find a few that mentioned how he sealed the wills, how he covered his tracks, and how he created some contracts in your name. I do not believe they would be admissible in a court of law given how we can not show when or how they were removed."

"Interesting. I had seen the vials but never looked at what was in them." Harry wondered why Dumbledore never mentioned anything to him. Dumbledore must have removed the memories to keep them hidden as well as to keep himself from revealing the information and feel guilt.

A year later:

"Severus?" Harry was tugging on his robes. He hated formal robes but the Wizenagamot robes made them look appealing. The plum-coloured robe with an elaborately worked silver W on the lefthand side of the chest was horrible.

"I am coming, Brat." Severus stepped out of the washroom. "I believe these Wizenagamot robes need to be destroyed." Severus was attempting to use a cravat to cover lingering scars around his neck. It was black, of course.

"I agree." Harry had studied and obtained his Master's degree a bit faster than expected thanks to Severus' teaching him before the Battle of Hogwarts as well as during the last eighteen months. Dumbledore wasn't aware of anything that Harry and Severus had been doing for the past eighteen months with the assistance of Ironclaw but he was going to discover it today. Tomorrow's paper was going to be full of interesting information including the reopening of Hogwarts as a magical school with Severus as the headmaster as Hogwarts still considered him to be the headmaster as well as the return of several of the classes that Dumbledore had banned.

"You are fidgeting again." Severus arched a brow. He was still trying to adjust the cravat.

"I am aware. I am just excited to see their faces when their plans explode in their faces." Harry took hold of Severus' hands and pushed them down. He began to tie the cravat for Severus. He smiled as he finished. "There." He kissed Severus. "Shall we go?"

"Tease." Severus walked to the bedroom door. "Harry, whatever that man says, remember he can't do anything."

"I am aware. Now, let's go break his greater good."

An hour later:

The first session since the death of Voldemort was due to begin. The fifty seats weren't filled. Draco was sitting in the Malfoy Lord seat. Harry sat down next to him and Severus sat on Harry's other side. "Draco."

"Harry, Uncle Severus." Draco had married Pansy last year. Last year had been a big year for weddings. Harry and Severus attending Fred and Katie Bell's wedding under some poly-juice potions that the twins and Severus had worked on for extending the time the potion worked. It had been the test run for the formula. They used it again when George married Angelina Johnson. Luna and Neville had married the following month but Dumbledore, Granger, Ron, Ginny, Molly, and Arthur didn't attend. Bill and Charlie did so Harry and Severus were able to renew their friendship with Bill and Fleur as well as meeting Charlie's new boyfriend. Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan married a Patel twin. Harry and Severus attended any wedding for any of Severus' former snakes and members of the DA.

"Any interesting rumors?" Harry was looking around the chamber. It hadn't changed since his trial in the room but it was a very different experience looking downward instead of looking upward and seeing the Wizenagamot members' hostel glares.

"A few. Dumbledore is expecting to claim the position of Chief Warlock. He has been vocal in his greater good schemes and pushing how we must prevent a future rising of another dark lord." Draco couldn't resist rolling his eyes. "I expect this will be an eye-opener for him."

"Yes, who is doing the introductions?"

"Madam Bones." Neville's voice came from behind them. "Hey."

"Neville! How is Luna?" Harry smiled as the small group caught up. They quieted when they saw Dumbledore enter the chamber with Madam Bones and Minister Shackleford. Harry saw Madam Bones glance at him before she gave a slight nod. Harry returned the slight nod. "It looks as if he is still in the dark."

"Good." Draco was still resentful because Dumbledore never did anything to protect the Slytherins. He remembered what happened to his godfather when he was a student at Hogwarts. His father had told him the tales about the Marauders and how Dumbledore favored the Gryffindors. Draco had experienced the same thing with Dumbledore.

They didn't speak any longer. They waited for the session to start. They could see when Dumbledore noticed them sitting together but the man was too busy talking to Kingsley as he organized some scrolls on the table where the Chief Warlock would sit. Madam Bones was at her table and arranging things. Kingsley finally made his way to the seat assigned for the Minister. Kingsley was a bit surprised by the lack of filled seats. It looked like maybe half of the seats were filled. Some of them would be empty until a family member could claim them and it would be up to Gringotts to locate the future Lord or Lady for the seats.

Madam Bones rose and was handed the official introduction list that was still sealed. Madam Bones opened the scroll. "The first session of the year is now opened. Introductions are listed by those who have the highest ranking seats and descending order until complete. The top tier is Emerys and LeFay seats, the Founders of Hogwarts are below that, then the Ancient and Noble House, Ancient Houses, Noble House, titled the lowers seats are Ministry appointed seats as well as the Headmaster of Hogwarts seats. The Merlin of Order votes are assigned to their political party." Madam Bones looked around the room before she started to read the names. "Lord Harrison James Potter, seats assigned House of Emerys, House of Slytherin, House of Gryffindor, House of Peverell, House of Potter, House of Black, House of Gaunt, and Consort of House of Lefay, Consort of House of Ravenclaw, Consort of House of Prince." She watched Dumbledore's face as it drained of color. "Lord Severus Tobias Potter nee Snape, seats assigned House of LeFay, House of Ravenclaw, House of Prince, consort-"

"No, no, no, no." A female voice rose from the gallery area. Ginny Weasley stood up. "Harry James Potter is to be my husband."

"Harry James Potter, how could you?" Granger screamed. "You know how worried Headmaster Dumbledore has been about you. You were aware we were looking-" Molly slapped a hand over Granger's mouth.

Arthur looked confused (not a new look) as Molly pulled her daughter and daughter-in-law back to their seats. "Yes, my boy, we have been worried."

Harry refused to speak to them or address the issues. "If I may continue-" Madam Bones glared at Dumbledore and his cronies.

"No, this must be address, Harry doesn't have the education or knowledge to handle his estates. I believe he has been subjected to some method of control by Severus Snape, Draco Malfoy, and those of the darker leanings. As we know-"

"Yes yes, I was a Horcrux. We are aware of the issue and I have a certificate of mental health, physical examination, and even certificates to show I have my Mastery of Defense, completed courses via Salem Institute of Magic covering the courses that were removed from Hogwarts that would have covered those areas you just mentioned. May we continue on as I am sure the rest of us have a life outside of the Wizenagamot."

"I have the qualifications on file." Madam Bones began to read the list and was fed up by the time she reached Draco Malfoy. "Albus, I am warning you, you have no legal leg to stand on." She continued down the list. "Headmaster Severus Snape of Hogwarts-" Chaos erupted from those who supported Dumbledore when it was realized the man had no power in their world. He wasn't the Headmaster, he wasn't Chief Warlock, he didn't even have a seat on the Wizenagamot which meant he also lost his seat on the ICW. Kingsley slammed his gavel down repeatedly as Madam Bones waved her Aurors to take control. "The results have been verified and certified by the goblins of Gringotts. The results were verified again by the DoM as well as an authorication ritual. Any more outbursts from anyone and my Aurors will remove the person or persons. Albus, you must remove yourself and take a seat in the gallery with the witnesses to the session."

Harry leaned a bit close to Severus. "I know we can't get him arrested on what he did do but seeing him without power is amazing. After Rita releases her book, it will be the final nail in his coffin and hopefully, he will stay dead this time."

Severus kept his mask in place but agreed with Harry. They had shown Madam Bones the evidence they had but sadly, since the man was declared dead it removed many of the charges from his as well as the time frame of the crimes, some just didn't have enough evidence. The sealing of the wills he would claim it was for protecting Harry. There was nothing that Dumbledore couldn't explain away and people would believe him. The best option was to show the world what the man was truly like.

The session was finished after the introductions were complete and a schedule was approved for the meetings for the rest of the year. Harry, Severus, and their friends attended a party that night at Hogwarts celebrating their victory, again. Yes, yes, the world wasn't perfect but they did get rid of the two nut cases who wanted to control it. "You know, with the number of people who died and keep returning including me, you would think people would start testing corpses before burying them."

"It would be logical." Luna smiled. "Don't you know, wizards do not care for logic." Harry laughed as he remembered Granger's comment for their first year. Luna turned dreamy for several seconds. "Life will vary but love will remain. You have found your true path, Harry."

"Yes, I did, Moon, and he is heading over here for a dance." Harry kissed Luna on the cheek before meeting his husband half way. While he might not have gotten a blood thirsty revenge as he wanted, he got the revenge he could live with. His ex-friends would no longer be using his fame and had to work very hard to payback for the items, money, and even the missing dragon. Molly Weasley kept thrusting her daughter at any male who had money with Ginny sleeping her way through the male population and never marrying. Dumbledore remained living at the Burrow much to the annoyance of Arthur and the rest of the Weasleys except for the youngest Weasleys, Granger, and Molly.

Notes:

Yes, I know it's short, it jumps a bit, etc, etc, but hey, when the muse wants a story, she gets it.