Work Text:
Albus did his usual swanning in entrance to the Hogwarts Board of Governors meeting ten minutes late, as usual. Since he had been ordered to bring Snape along, that dour man was right behind him.
What was unusual was a student was present, in this case Harry Potter.
"Headmaster, so NICE of you to join us" the acid tones were also 'out of line' in Albus view of the world.
"Why is Harr … er, Mr. Potter present?" Albus failed to cover himself with his overly familiar attitude toward Harry.
"Well", the Chairwitch, Augusta Longbottom this year said, "he is here at our invitation."
"Our first order of business is to ask Professor Snape to explain this document."
Copies were handed to the Headmaster and to Snape.
Severus usual sneer deepened. "Another failure by Mr. Potter," as he had graded the test at a "T".
Albus trotted out his patented statement about Snape having his full confidence.
"Then explain this Albus", and Augusta handed two more parchments to Albus and Snape, copies of the test, unaltered, which had been regraded by Horace Slughorn as an "EE". This produced some clearing of throats and a repeat of "Full Confidence", louder, as if it could be more effective.
"And THIS, Albus." This time it was a stack of the same tests, by six other students, 2 from Slytherin, with the same exact answers, graded by Snape as "EE", except the Slytherins got "O-".
"Professor Snape … " Albus began again.
"Can the bullshit Albus", Longbottom had had more than enough bovine excrement.
"Now, read this aloud Albus" and he was handed another fancy looking parchment.
Albus stumbled repeatedly, reading an edict from the ICW Education Department, declaring all Hogwarts OWLS and NEWTS in Potions null and void, back to the date of Snape's employment. He was shocked it had his signature on the bottom (he had signed it as part of the daily stacks he was brought to sign, without reading it).
Of course they could still be recognized in Britain, but nowhere else.
Through this whole proceeding Harry had sat quietly, showing no emotion on his face or by body language.
"Albus, since you have full confidence in Professor Snape, the Board unanimously has full confidence you will enjoy your retirement, effective immediately, as will former Professor Snape. Do not presume to remove anything that is not your property, or was purchased with school funds. In fact, by now, your belongings have been packed for you, by the school elves, and your trunks are at the Main Entrance."
As Albus and Severus departed, unemployed at least in any school, Harry allowed the faintest hint of a smile cause his lips to twitch.
Sending all the dirty laundry to the ICW had worked!