Albus and Poppy rushed towards Minerva's screams. When they saw Y/N's unconscious body they instantly feared the worst. Minerva yelled to them in panic as they arrived:

"He's alive, but his pulse is weak!"

Poppy quickly closed his wound before turning to the Headmaster.

"We have to get him to the infirmary Albus. Now. He's lost too much blood".

Albus nodded and magicked a stretcher, sending Minerva to fetch Hermione.

—~—

Minerva rushed back to the Gryffindor common room. She entered to see Hermione in tears on a couch being hugged by Lavender. Percy was sat in a corner, a stunned look on his face and the knife still in his hand. He was pale and obviously in shock.

Hermione took one look at Minerva's blood soaked hands and wailed even louder in pain and anguish.

"He's ok Hermione. He will be ok. He's on his way to the hospital wing now, I've just been sent to take you there. You may come as well Ms Brown."

Minerva spoke with warmth and compassion in her voice. She tried to hide her own fear, the boy was not in a good way. He had lost a lot of blood.

The girls nodded and followed her out the door, shocked to see Snape and Lupin standing there as they exited.

"Dumbledore asked us to escort you, in case Sirius Black is still in the castle" Lupin explained.

Hermione took one look at the pair of them and rushed forward, wrapping her arms tight around Severus. To say the pair of adults were shocked to see it, or to see Severus gently hug her back would be a monumental understatement.

"He will be ok Hermione. I know he will. He has survived much worse. That boy is far too stubborn to die."

Hermione let out a small giggle through her tears, garnering a smile from the usually grumpy and broody potions master.

"Yes he is. Thank you, Sev"

"You are welcome. Let's go see him together, Hermione."

The two of them walked off leaving the other three with jaws nearly touching the floor. Even Lavender, who was well aware of Sev's true nature with the couple, was speechless- actually seeing it first hand was quite different. They ran to catch up to the pair.

—~—

The group made it to the infirmary and Hermione rushed in to see Poppy finishing cleaning up Y/N's torso.

"Oh Hermione dear. He's out of the woods. He's going to be ok. His colour's coming back after we got some blood replenishment potions into him and he's just resting now. He will have to remain here for a few days just to keep an eye on him. There may have been some bacteria on that knife so we'll watch for infection but he will be ok."

Hermione rushed Poppy and hugged her tightly, Poppy doing her best to hug Hermione back with her bloody hands in the air.

"Go on you sit with him for a bit. You can stay tonight, I'll stretch the bed. He always recovers faster when you're here."

The other adults and Lavender smiled at the matron's kind words, relieved for Y/N.

"How did he get in Albus? Again? It had to be inside help. To be in the boys dorm. Y/N could've..." Minerva couldn't finish her sentence but Poppy did.

"A lesser man wouldn't have survived that blood loss. It's lucky it wasn't Potter or Weasley who was attacked."

"Y/N's just built differently" Hermione smiled deeply, relieved as she kissed her boyfriend's hand.

She noticed her boyfriend's eyes stirring and stood, brushing the side of his face and smiling. His eyes opened and he looked around disorientated before his eyes landed on... her.

"Baby" he said raspily.

"Hey you. Glad you're back with us. What did you think you were doing chasing after Sirius?"

"I was trying to end it but I have to-"

He stopped to see the others in the room. They all had looks of relief on their faces.

"Sev, Albus we have to-"

Y/N tried to get up but grimaced and groaned in pain. Hermione instantly pushed him back into the bed.

"No you aren't moving!" she commanded.

Y/N looked at her and nodded. Most of the time Hermione was the sweetest, cutest person ever. There were the times when she went into Mama Duck mode, when she was every bit as intimidating as a protective Penny. Then there were those rare times when she had the tone and look she was using right now. Y/N smiled and sat back. 'Don't fuck with me' Hermione scared the living hell out of him. His little lady was NOT someone to be messed with.

"Ok sorry love. Albus, Sev I need to speak with the two of you. Alone. Except you of course baby. Thanks everyone else for coming. Sorry to worry you."

Lavender nodded and walked up. She kissed Y/N on the top of the head, smiled, looked into his eyes... and punched him hard in the thigh.

"Ow what the-" Y/N said before he was cut off:

"Stop scaring her!" Lavender barked as her eyes hardened.

"Ok. Merlin. I'll try man. Fuck" Y/N replied. Lavender chuckled before leaning over to hug Hermione and whisper "I'll see you in the morning."

"Thanks for everything Lav" Hermione smiled into the hug.

"What are best friends for. Sleep well. Make sure he doesn't go to the toilet and get himself shot or something" Lav chuckled.

Hermione giggled as Lav left with Remus and McGonagall.

"What is it Y/N?" Albus asked apprehensively. Y/N had been so erratic lately he didn't know whether to expect a death threat or a heartfelt gratuity. What he heard next stunned him more than either.

"We need to talk about what happened. I need you both to hear me. This is going to be difficult to hear, especially for you Sev. But you need to hear me. Sirius is innocent."

Hermione's mouth dropped. Albus's eyes widened. Severus's glare hardened.

"What are you talking about Y/N?" the Headmaster asked shocked.

"What happened?" Hermione added quickly.

"Alright so to start with he didn't stab me. It was an accident. I woke up when Ron screamed like a little bitch and as I shot up I went straight into the knife he was holding. He looked mortified but Ron screamed again and he bolted. I pulled the knife out and chased him. I eventually caught up to him and tackled him to the ground. I lifted him up by his collar, unsheathed my blade and tried to interrogate him. I couldn't get any sense out of him so I invaded his mind. It was... disjointed... chaotic... but two things stood out over and over again. He's innocent, and Peter Pettigrew did something. That's all I know. I told him to run and then felt the blood loss overtake me."

"You what?" Severus roared at his godson.

"Sev. I know what he did to you and he's not off the hook for that, but-"

"I don't need to listen to this. I'm glad you're ok Y/N. I'll come see you tomorrow" Severus said as he turned and stormed out of the infirmary.

"Sev wait!" Y/N yelled but it was too late.

"Let him go Y/N" Albus said gently. "This will be hard for him. He will need time. For now we must keep this to ourselves. Thank you for confiding in me."

"Yeah well, let's try to keep this whole incident as in house as possible. The Minister couldn't give two fucks about me, but if the DP gets wind he was in a dorm at night, it's gonna make life more difficult for all of us, especially Sirius. We need to find him, and talk to him. Figure out what's going on" Y/N replied.

Albus looked at Y/N most impressed.

"I concur Mr. L/N. For tonight and the next few days rest. We will do our best to locate your uncle."

He nodded and left. Hermione climbed onto the bed on Y/N's non stabbed side. He was propped up on the half raised bed in a near sitting position.

"Are you sure you wouldn't rather sleep in your own bed love?"

The look he received answered his question. He raised his good arm.

"Well get comfy then" he chuckled as Hermione dove onto his chest, kissing it up and down.

"Baby baby please. It tickles and laughing hurts" Y/N chuckled with a strain.

"Sorry, I'm just so relieved you're ok" Hermione said as she started to cry again.

"Oh baby" Y/N sighed. He still couldn't move his right arm much so he did his best to comfort her. He kissed her head as she snuggled her face into his chest and he held her tightly with his left arm.

"I know baby I'm so sorry. Let it out, let it all out. I know. I'm here for you baby."

Y/N didn't know but a certain Nurse was stood behind the curtain of their cubicle and had broken into tears of her own at the sweetness of the couple.

—~—

The next day Y/N was ordered to rest and relax in the hospital bed. He was stiff and sore but would have been fine to go to class. Poppy was worried about some 'inflection', some muggle term he didn't understand but it meant he was stuck in bed.

It was 10 AM and he was already bored out of his mind. Then it occurred to him.

"Dobby"

"Yes my Lo- WHAT HAPPENED?" The house elf yelled in panic as soon as he appeared.

"Dobby Dobby it's ok I sw-"

"What is all this ye- oh hello" Poppy said to the hyperventilating house elf as she had rounded the corner and cut Y/N off.

"Dobby it's ok mate. I'm fine I just need to rest isn't that right Poppy" Y/N tried again to calm his tiny friend who was beside himself with panic.

"Yes yes dear it is ok. Y/N will be fine. I've healed the stab wound and-"

"STAB WOUND?" The poor little elf screamed louder and started to wail and cry. His Lord meant everything to Dobby. Dobby begin to slip into an old habit and reared back, about to punish himself by smashing his head into Y/N's bedframe. In his state of emotional distress the elf's traumas flashed to the surface. Y/N noticed and immediately interceded.

"Dobby come here. Come on up on the bed. Right now!"

Y/N spoke firmly to the house elf, the first time he ever had. It surprised Dobby who stopped instantly and complied. Once he was up on the bed...

Y/N hugged him.

"I swear my friend I am ok. There was a small accident but I am fine. I'm sorry to have scared you, Dobby."

The tiny elf instantly hugged back, wrapping his tiny arms around Y/N's giant neck. Poppy's eyes welled up. He was just like his Dad- so loving, caring and protective, especially to those society supposedly deemed 'lesser' than himself.

"I'm sorry, My Lord. Dobby was just scared."

"It's ok my friend. Thank you for your concern. I just need a favour" Y/N smiled as they parted.

"Of course My Lord."

"Could you bring down my Moke pouch? It's next to my bed. No other person except Hermione would be able to approach it but as my loyal House elf you will be able to."

Dobby nodded and was back in an instant.

"Thank you Dobby. Please don't mention this to... anyone... don't want them worrying."

Dobby understood his meaning and nodded. He wished his Lord good day and a speedy recovery and apparated.

—~—

Y/N had been reading for a couple of hours. Some things struck him.

Firstly the preamble- Rights and Responsibilities of the Lord. They seemed all standard stuff, much of which he knew- the roles of the Archduke, voice of balance, protector of the down trodden yada-yada. But the last one interested him.

A newly appointed Lord could challenge a Champion of Hogwarts to a duel, in the spirit of friendship and competition. Y/N smirked and made a mental note.

The next part intrigued him. His vault balance he was given- nearly a billion galleons. That was just his liquidity. He was worth that multiple, multiple times over.

He owned properties on every populated continent. He had so many businesses he couldn't keep track of them all.

Not to mention the artwork and possessions, many of which were antiques- some dating back as far as Ancient Egypt and Sumer.

However one section caught his attention. Not in a good way. It was highlighted- made extremely obvious.

Business Investment Proceeds Allocated to Ministry for Magic- War Effort and Rebuilding Fund.

A number of businesses of his had their incomes going directly to the Ministry. In the last twelve months 50,000,000 Galleons had gone to the Ministry, in the name of a War Effort Fund? This couldn't be right.

"Terrence" Y/N said calmly, the elderly house elf appearing in front of him. His eyes suddenly full of concern.

"My Lord are you-?"

"I'm ok. Thank you Terrence. Could you please bring Marruk to me. Immediately?"

"Of course my Lord" The elf bowed and disappeared and reappeared moments later.

"My Lord... are you ok?" The Goblin asked just as concerned.

"I am thank you Marruk. I asked you here because I got your report. Thank you. Now I may be a simpleton in matters of finance, but can you please explain this to me?"

Marruk looked at the page and Y/N noticed a look of relief cross the Goblin's face.

"Gladly my Lord. During the war your father was generous enough to issue a number of his businesses to the Ministry, in a sense. All their proceeds would go directly to the Ministry and aid in the War Effort and rebuilding afterwards."

"Am I Missing something? It says here that last financial year these businesses generated 50,000,000 galleons for the Ministry. What are they rebuilding?"

"My Lord. This edict was never reversed. With your father's murder there was no Lord to-"

"Wait. The Ministry knew about this. And after my father was murdered they kept collecting?"

"Yes my Lord. Only the Lord of the L/N house or the Minister for Magic could cease the agreement."

Y/N was furious. The room seemed to darken.

"They have been pilfering my families money, without due cause, for a Decade?"

"Yes my Lord. I believe it accounted for 26% of the Ministry's budget last year" Marruk nodded.

"You know my feelings for the Ministry. Why was I not informed of this the moment I ascended to my Lordship?" Y/N asked. Marruk could tell his Lord was furious.

"If you will forgive me, my Lord. Part of the agreement forbade any Goblin speaking about it, unless they were asked by the Lord or Minister directly about it. It was magically binding and-"

"Wait wait wait. You couldn't tell me about it?"

"No my Lord"

"But when I asked for this report you could write about it?"

The Goblin sneered. He knew his Lord understood.

"Yes my Lord."

"And you just happened to highlight it so I could not miss it?" Y/N chuckled.

"That must have been an oversight in the recording process...my Lord" the Goblin sneered menacingly at Y/N in a way they only did at someone they liked.

"Excellent Marruk. I can't thank you enough for your cunning, your deceitfulness or your loyalty" Y/N smiled.

The Goblin bowed deeply. In Goblin culture his Lord had just given him mighty praise.

"I thank you My Lord."

"I want this agreement and all money transference ceased immediately. I also wish for you to inform the Wizengamot that their Archduke will be making his inaugural address a week Friday at 2pm. I expect all to be in attendance."

"Of course My Lord. Will that be all?"

"One more thing. I see now the vast expanse of my Portfolio. Should you and Terrence require any more staff to assist you in their upkeep do not hesitate to add them, and I will continue to peruse this report. Thank you for your outstanding service. Both of you."

The Goblin and House Elf bowed before being apparating.

Y/N was furious. A week Friday. The Minister wasn't going to know what hit him.

—~—

It had been three days. Y/N should be able to get out tomorrow. Hermione and Lavender were sat at the Gryffindor table having lunch. Their older friends sat with them. Hermione giggled. Every time she turned around while Y/N was in hospital one of the three older boys was behind her, around her somehow. Protecting her. Cedric had tried to justify it:

"Hey we're doing it as much for Y/N as you. We don't want him being locked away for crimes against humanity because the Snakes can't control their own stupidity!"

They were sat having lunch before Hermione was returning to the hospital wing but couldn't help overhear Ron from further down the table. He had an audience of small first years from every house hanging on his every word. Every time he told the story it seemed to get more and more distorted.

"So I woke up. I couldn't believe what I saw. Sirius Black standing there in our dorm. He and Y/N were just glaring at each other and then BANG!"

The first years jumped.

"Sirius stabbed Y/N in the chest and screamed 'this is for the dark lord I'm gonna finish what I started'"

"Then what happened?" A small Mousey haired Ravenclaw with eyes like a moon calf asked.

"Y/N just grinned at him. Looked down at the knife and back at Sirius. Sirius grew a look of fear like I've never seen before as Y/N laughed at him. He actually laughed at him as he pulled the knife out of his own chest. He dropped it and said to Sirius 'this is for my father'. Sirius screamed and ran out of the dorm. Y/N chased right after him."

"Wow..." said a couple of the first years

"He's so brave" said another girl said with a dreamy look in her eyes.

"Every time he tells the story it gets more outlandish" Hermione scowled shooting a death glare at the redhead.

"I know it's hard but let him be love" Lavender said with a gentle tone and a hand on Hermione's. Hermione looked at her puzzled.

"Just think about it for a moment. This is the first time Ron has been the centre of attention. He's the youngest boy at home, and here well, Harry is the boy who lived. And Merlin I don't even know where to begin with Y/N being Y/N. This is the first time Ron's had everyone's attention, and if anything he's making Y/N sound even braver if that was possible."

She finished with a giggle and Hermione sighed.

"Fine. But I'm not the one explaining to Y/N about the crazy rumours when he gets out!"