Last time:

As wrapped up in his emotions as he was, he never suspected that Professor Snape was at the Dursley's just then, getting their signatures and fully understanding something he would rather have kept to the limited knowledge he had learned by knowing Harry.

Severus drew his overcoat tight around him, shivering slightly in the cold as he made his way to Number 4. Privet Drive was just as he had expected it to be: neat, orderly and utterly boring. He never could stand cookie cutter houses, even as a little kid growing up on the wrong side of the tracks. And yet, muggles had the strangest sense of design.

He shook off his contemplation, and glanced to his right. Lucius looked uncomfortable in the muggle clothes, though they did provide better protection than going around with nothing on. Still, they would both be glad when this mission was over with. Severus had invited his old friend, because he was worried that he might end up losing control when he saw just how his soon-to-be son had lived for the last ten years.

They finally reached the door of Number 4, after pushing through a good few inches of snow. It seemed as if this year the Dursley's had not had guests for Christmas, as the white blanket had been undisturbed until they came. Severus raised his gloved fist, and rapped sharply at the door. He didn't really care that it was still a few hours till dawn, he wanted to get this done today.

It took a good few minutes, by which time Severus was beginning to rap at the door again. He had to stop quickly as the door opened, as he would have knocked on the beet red face of a whale dressed as a human. His eyes were beady, and narrowed into angry slits. His handlebar mustaches was billowing as the man struggled to keep his composure.

Severus eyed the man hatefully, and let Lucius talk "Mr. Vernon Dursley, I presume?" Luc always did have a way with being smooth with his words. And as Head of the School Govenors, he had as much right as Severus did in this mission.
"Yeah, that's me. Though what in blazes do you want at this bloody hour?" growled Vernon, still extremely angry at being woken up. Now that Severus looked more closely, he could see the man was in a dressing robe and slippers, as if he hadn't taken the time to dress properly.

"I am Lucius Malfoy, Head of Hogwarts School Govenors. My associate is Professor Severus Snape, Potions Mast and Head of Slytherin House. As our positions permit as acting Child Services, we are here to discuss Harry Potter." said Lucius, sounding very officious indeed. Severus had to bite back a laugh, as he knew that the mask Lucius put up for the public was far from the truth. When they were alone, he was still very much the shy, unsure Slytherin who had far too much weight on his shoulders that he had been as a student.

Vernon's vace turned purple, and it looked as if he was tempted to slam the door in their faces. Severus snapped out in his best Professor voice "I wouldn't do that if I were you, if you want to keep your status as 'normal' muggles'." Vernon glared at him, but let them in, albiet grudgingly. Still, he knew better than to try and keep out full grown wizards when his normal world was threatened.

Lucius put a time warp on the door frame after the door was closed. It was one of the Ministry restricted items, but the point was to protect a house and it's inhabitants from outside time influences. It could, over time, degenerate as anything exposed to time weathering would. However, things that affected the outside world would have no effect on a building under time warp. Also, it made it impossible for the muggles to escape for the duration of their visit.

After his task of setting up the time warp, Lucius joined Severus and Vernon in the living room. He began the meeting in a low, dangerous voice, "It has come to our attention that Harry's home life is less than satisfactory. However, because of who he is, we cannot afford the publicity of a child abuse trial..."

Vernon interrupted, sputtering "Abuse?! I don't know what lies that boy has been spouting, but I never abused him! He was given food and shelter, what does he have to complai...." Vernon never got farther, because Severus was gripping him by the neck, with his wand pointed straight at his eye.

Severus hissed "Not abuse? Severe neglect is abuse just as assuredly as hitting a child is." Being a Sensitive, Severus normally knew better than to stare someone in the eye, but he wanted to know everything he could without using Legilimency on the muggle. What he could see sickened him, and would likely have been the death of Vernon if it hadn't been for Severus' vast amount of self-control.
Lucius pulled Severus back, and stated "You will get your wife down here, and you will sign the adoption papers, Mr. Dursley. A boy's back doesn't have a lattice work of scars by accident." Vernon looked confused, but shrugged mentally. After being attacked by Severus, he wasn't keen on being the target of these two wizards. Getting up, he went to get Petunia downstairs so they could get the boy off their hands.

Lucius turned to Severus as soon as Dursley was out of earshot, and gave him a look. Severus muttered "The man's a god-damned pedophile Luc. He planned to take Harry this summer if he had gotten half a chance, expecting that the boy wouldn't be able to scream louder than a hoarse whisper still." Lucius growled, his eyes flashing. Severus continued "I don't care what it takes, get this lot targetted as soon as the wards are down."

Lucius nodded, then turned to face the Dursley's who were coming into the living room. Petunia looked terrified and miserable, knowing who Severus was. The signing of the papers was done with little fuss once they were all there. Once they were finished, Severus and Lucius got up, and Lucius stated "You have finally done right by the boy. You will never see him, or us, again." With that, they left, taking the time warp device with them.

They walked a bit to a hidden alleyway, then, giving each other a glance, vanished into thin air with a pop. One headed back to Hogwarts, the other to his home to duplicate the adoption papers, and make sure at least one copy was kept safe. Severus headed for his bed to get a few hours of sleep. New Year's Eve was going to be one hectic night, and he still wasn't sure who Lucius would bring in to cast the binding spell. He already had the potion ready and under stasis for the Ceremony, so at least that was one problem off his plate. Now all he had to do was explain to Harry what it entailed, as there was still time for the boy to back out of it if he wanted to. He decided that it was too much effort to think on that at the moment, and fell asleep to dream of strange things, at least one of which involving a salamander and a potion.