Harry liked the idea that he wasn't the only one who ever got special treatment. "See you later then," he said to his father. "Tell Draco 'hallo' from me."
The minute Snape was gone, Harry rounded on the casewitch. He'd thought better than to tell her in Snape's hearing how to run her office; the Potions Master would no doubt have thought Harry was overstepping his bounds. Same as he was supposed to call everybody by their rightful title. But this was too important a matter to push aside.
"You do know you have a rat working for you, don't you?"
Amaelia Thistlethorne nodded. "Richard Steyne, yes. Your father and I reasoned that out while we were fetching Mr. Malfoy's emancipation certificate from his school file this morning. Richard himself only became aware of the proposed adoption yesterday, as he'd taken a few days' leave. Almost as soon as Richard was back in the office, we began to hear from several solicitors who were quite insistent that no adoption take place." She gave a mirthless laugh. "I'm afraid that Mr. Malfoy overplayed his hand. The solicitors began by claiming that Severus Snape is fit to be nobody's parent. In effect, asking WFS to agree that your own adoption was a mistake. Well, my superior wasn't about to do that. He's still clamouring for your father to be awarded an Order of Merlin for so heroically rescuing you on Samhain! When slandering your father failed, Malfoy's solicitors started in with threats, which virtually guaranteed a swift and sure adoption process. WFS will not have it said that it can be intimidated into ignoring the best interests of the child."
No, they'd only ignore that to preserve their own pride. Harry thought better than to say that, though. "You mean Lucius Malfoy railing against Severus adopting Draco has ended up getting it shoved through?"
Her eyes twinkled. "Ironic, isn't it? The head of the whole office decided it was better to admit the emancipation was a mistake than give the public impression that WFS can be bought and sold."
"Yeah, I can see that." Harry lapsed into thought, something bothering him, something that didn't quite add up... "Oh. If Draco's emancipation is withdrawn wouldn't that make Lucius his legal father again? I mean, for some small amount of time?"
"His emancipation has been withdrawn already, which is why I was charged with verifying the magical destruction of all certificates, including the one filed with the school. However, Lucius' parental rights were severed months ago when WFS became convinced he'd put out a contract for his own son's death. That is not acceptable behaviour," she understated.
"What about his mother?"
The casewitch waved a contemptuous hand. "Oh, that woman waived her rights rather than stand with her son against her husband. She's got nothing to do with Mr. Malfoy any longer, either."
Harry wasn't so sure of that. He couldn't forget the time it had sounded like Draco was moaning Dragon my treasure in his sleep.
"So what about Steyne then?" he pressed, his thoughts travelling full circle. "He's going to get sacked? And charged?"
The casewitch's smile was thin and rather malevolent. Strange thing to see in someone dedicated to helping children, Harry thought. "Your father thought it might be more strategic to keep Steyne employed so that he could be used to feed false information to Lucius Malfoy."
"You agreed to that? Will your superiors go along with it?"
"They haven't realised Richard's culpability, nor will they, if I have anything to do with it. For you see, my concern truly is your best interest, Mr. Potter. It seems to me that keeping Lucius Malfoy misinformed could be helpful in protecting you."
Wow, pretty manipulative for a Hufflepuff, was Harry's first thought. Of course Snape had been the one to dream the scheme up, but Harry was still impressed.
"And your soon-to-be brother," she added, watching him carefully. Harry took that to mean that his sibling-interview was about to start in earnest. But that was all right; he was ready.
Waving the casewitch into a chair, Harry took one himself and remembered to ask if she'd like any refreshment. Only after they were both sipping a rather nice blend of Oolong tea did he take her bait. "There's no soon-to-be about it. Draco and I are brothers already. I told you that, remember? But it'll be nice to have it finally be official."
"Why is that?"
"Draco seems to handle setbacks pretty well in general, but lately I've been worried about him. See, I've been let out of the dungeons but he's still confined... and I got to tell people Severus is my dad while he couldn't say a word, and well, he's a Slytherin even if they did take his crest away. I think he needs things to be even."
"You sound surprisingly accepting," remarked the casewitch. "You realise it would be entirely normal for you to feel a tad resentful of this development?"
"I guess," said Harry, lifting his shoulders as he smiled. "I think I went through that already, though. We aren't forming a new family, Miss Thistlethorne. We've been one for a while."
"Well the situation here does seem to have been unusual in several respects. But as long as you're at ease with matters I see no need to recommend counselling." She looked him up and down. "I take it you and Mr. Malfoy have desisted from the rough Muggle sports?"
"Uh, yeah," Harry quickly said. Maybe too quickly, since the casewitch gave him a sharp look. "I mean, mostly. We know not to let it go too far now. Though Hermione really was worrying over nothing. You know that her letter ended up in Fudge's possession?"
"Highly, highly inappropriate. The Minister should know better than to read confidential WFS documents, let alone use them in the manner he did."
"Well, that's Fudge for you. Oh, I mean Minister Fudge."
The casewitch leaned back in her chair and sipped her tea for a moment as she studied him. "You seem rather intent on obeying your father."
"Isn't that normal?"
"Actually, a common reaction to adoption is a good bit of acting out. Deliberate defiance, the child doing all he can to test the limits of his new parent's patience. Judging from the things I've seen and heard, you appear to have skipped that phase, but I thought it wise to caution you that Mr. Malfoy may not."
Harry set down his half-finished tea. "Why on earth would Draco... He's been very rude lately, but I'm sure it's because of the awful strain he's been under. I thought it would get better as soon as he got adopted and felt safe."
"Ah, but that's just it. If he follows the typical pattern, he won't feel safe until he's thoroughly convinced himself that his new father will stand by him no matter what. Now, bear in mind that not every adopted child attempts this tactic. You didn't. But if Mr. Malfoy runs true to form, he will put himself out to be as unpleasant as he can for a time."
"I understand," murmured Harry. As unpleasant as he can be? Draco knew how to be pretty damned unpleasant. "Um, what should I do? I mean, is there anything I can do to help?"
"He'll likely feel quite jealous of your prior claim to your father. I'd suggest giving the two of them plenty of time alone in the coming weeks."
"Oh." Harry didn't like the sound of that. But then again, offering Draco money had sounded very good to him, and look at how well that had turned out. Plus, Snape himself had said something similar, hadn't he, about Draco needing father-son time. About Harry needing to put his brother's needs first for a while.
And after all, Draco had put Harry's needs first when Harry had been the one getting adopted.
The casewitch finished her tea and set the cup down. "Don't fret. Just continue being patient, and your brother will eventually come to understand that he is loved and safe here."