Chapter 2

9 years later

Harry lounged upon his black marble throne, though it looked more like a chaise longue. Black and emerald green silk pillows spilled around him, propping his body in decadent comfort, while a silver plate of cut fruit rested at his side. He plucked a slice of melon with lazy fingers, biting into it as though the world itself existed only to serve him, which it probably did at this point, given what had transpired over the last nine years.

A masked Death Eater knelt at the foot of the dais, relaying his report.

"You bore me," Harry said, his voice smooth, dismissive, and utterly final. "Fudge is a blowheart, and Albus Dumbledore is done for." He waved a hand, the gesture enough to convey his disinterest. "Leave."

The Death Eater stood up and gave a bow before retreating from the throne room. The silence that followed was broken by the thunder of footsteps. Lucius Malfoy burst through the heavy oak doors, his blond hair disheveled and his usually pristine composure cracked. "Lord Slytherin!" Lucius cried, voice echoing against the vaulted ceiling. The blonde did not wait for permission to approach, his cane clattering against the stone as he strode forward. "We found him!" Lucius announced.

Harry sat upright then as his eyes conveyed his sudden interest. "If you are jesting,"

"I am not Lord Slytherin. Draco managed to reach out to him. As you know, Astoria has been having difficulty with her pregnancy. The Healers have ordered the strictest bed rest, but there are two potions that have been prescribed to her that are subpar."

"I truly wish her all the best with her pregnancy. New life is supposed to be celebrated." Harry stated as he got up. His embroidered silken robes flared slightly.

"How do you wish to proceed? Severus is a careful man. The fact that we could not track him down for over five years while he operates a thriving mail-order Potions business is proof of that." Lucius asked.

Harry actually smiled at that before schooling his face. Lucius might be one of his men now, but that did not mean that he trusted him fully. "We do nothing for now. Let him attend to Astoria. She takes priority right now. If we have his address, then I can act at any time."

"Lord Slytherin, may I enquire what exactly you will do to Severus?" Lucius asked stiffly.

Harry raised a brow. "Why Lucius, do you perhaps care what happens to Severus Snape?"

"He... is my son's godfather," Lucius uttered. "Draco would be most heartbroken."

"You can rest yours and Draco's worries. I have no intention of inflicting any harm." Harry stated and then smiled. "He is, after all, my favorite Slytherin."

"However, giving you a play-by-play of what I intend to do to Severus Snape would probably have you running to the nearest convent or washing your ears with bleach."

"Then... you mean to recruit him?"

Harry chuckled, "Recruit? No, Lucius. Severus Snape is not a man one recruits, not after Riddle and Dumbledore. He made it clear through his actions that he would no longer bow to anyone. He is a man one courts. He is a man one convinces, and if you are clever enough, he is a man one keeps."

Lucius actually blushed as Harry smirked. "You have done well. Tell me how does Marques Malfoy sound? Or shall I promote you to my new Chancellor? Sadly, the last one had to go as he was reporting to 'ole Tom."

"You are offering me a promotion?!"

"Well, not considering your extraordinary knack for asskissing, you actually do very detailed work. I've said it when I was crowned King of the Magical World five years ago, didn't I? You will be recognized not by your peerage but by the contribution you bring to my reign." Harry remarked. "Your wife and son have also been doing good work with their positions, unlike other former Death Eaters, who only pledged their loyalty out of fear."

"But enough of this topic. Tell me which of the rewards you want at the fifth anniversary gala." Harry stated as he motioned for Lucius to walk with him. They went through a side door, towards Harry's personal quarters. Tell me about the gossip on the streets. Dumbledore, the Potters, the Board?"

"Dumbledore is desperate," Lucius started. "After you exposed him years ago, he lost most of his credibility. The Order has disbanded. Even the Weasleys, his most ardent supporters, have distanced themselves. By public opinion, even Aberforth is considered more trustworthy, and he had those rumors about the goat thing."

"Right, the goat thing." Harry grimaced. "Aberforth is a good man. His brother might be a manipulative bastard but Aberforth is a good man."

"There's whispers that Dumbledore is desperately trying to get the Order back together to oppose you, Lord Slytherin. But considering that since your reign began the quality of living has turned for the better, not a lot of former Order members have reacted."

"The Potters are as they have been. Delusional." Lucius continued. "Your older brother Fleamont still swears that he is the Chosen One, even though the Dark Lord was not vanquished by his hand. Lily and James Potter are in denial; however, they have not committed any crimes nor given any reason to be removed from your court. Fleamont Potter is still currently working as a paralegal at Ditcher, Quick & Hyde. He has reported no more health complications. At least, none that my contacts at St. Mungos can verify."

"James Potter would never act unseemly in aristocratic company. He might be an ass, but he is an ass with Pureblood education." Harry stated while frowning as he went over his own and this reality's Harry's memories of their parents.

"Do you wish that Lord Greengrass and I continue acquiring shares in the Potter holdings?" Lucius asked carefully.

"Yes. Quietly. The Potters cling to their illusions of relevance. Strip them of influence piece by piece, and they will not even realize the golden goose has already slipped from their hands."

Lucius inclined his head. "As you command."

Harry smirked, the expression predatory. "Do not mistake me, Lucius. I have no desire to destroy them outright. That would be too merciful."

They reached the doors to Harry's private study, where emerald banners hung heavy, the sigil of a coiled serpent ready to strike. Harry pushed them open, inviting Lucius inside to continue their discussion, which was a rare occurrence in itself as Harry was a very private person.

"Tell me about the Board," Harry asked as he took a seat in a high-wing backed chair near the fireplace while gesturing for Lucius to take the one opposite.

"Headmistress McGonagall has submitted the curriculum changes we had previously discussed; however, the Board of Education is against several classes that were proposed. It's the one foothold Fudge and his now insipid fiancée, Umbridge, still have their fingers in." Lucius spat.

"I am this close to shooting Fudge into the air with a trebuchet!" Harry slammed his fist against the armrest, his magic flaring slightly. "Just because he is mediocre in Magic does not mean that he should dumb the students down with his insecurities! What the hell is wrong with the classes we suggested?!"

"I don't know, but there is a meeting next Friday to address those. I am sure McGonagall would love for you to chew them out. It would save her the grey hairs."

Harry breathed out deeply a couple of times to get his magic under control. "Dumbledore will chase shadows until his dying breath," He continued. "The Potters will drown in denial and entitlement. And the Board will bend, as all institutions bend, when faced with prosperity. Send me the details of the Board meeting and any additional info on the Lords and Ladies who support Fudge."

"Also, I need the finest paper," Harry muttered. "Something that feels different to the touch but doesn't scream 'read-me-or-be-beheaded', you know."

"Is this concerning Severus?" Lucius asked.

Harry's smile returned. "Indeed. It is time he received an invitation he cannot refuse. I will even write it myself."

Lucius hesitated. "An invitation?"

Harry leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "To the gala. Five years of my reign deserves celebration, does it not?"