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Al spoke up, "It's just a standard magical contract for guardianship. It just ensures that Harry will be well cared for and that his guardian – in this case yourself – will provide a certain minimum standard of care. It also details your access to the Potter Vaults and properties in your capacity as his guardian. It also requires Harry disclose any new contracts he may have entered into that are not publicly disclosed since becoming of age. As you know all in-force contracts will be assumed by the guardian."

"And what contracts have you entered into Potter?"

"I've just set up a retainer contract for my legal counsel and my account manager to draw fees for their services from. It's a separate fund from the Potter vaults held in escrow and currently has a balance of three thousand galleons."

"Three thousand Galleons?" Snape was apoplectic.

Harry remained calm, "Yes, I needed to make sure there was enough in the retainer to ensure they are paid for their services until my seventeenth birthday."

Both Albus and Severus looked at each other. Severus turned to Harry and said, "As your guardian, I am cancelling the retainer and firing your legal counsel. Your account manager will maintain the Potter accounts at my direction."

Both Albus and Severus looked smug.

Harry just smirked. He tilted his head slightly to the side and said, "You are not my guardian until you sign the Guardian Contract and I countersign and we both sign the Ministry documents."

Albus nodded to Severus and the greasy man signed the Guardian Contract and also the Ministry Change of Guardianship form. He passed them across to Harry who countersigned both. Albus was overjoyed.

Severus smirked and said, "Let's start with the retainer."

Griphook spoke up, "Ah yes. The retainer is in place and only Harry can collapse it."

Severus then looked at Harry, "You will collapse and close the retainer account."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"I have to be considered of age to collapse it."

Severus was apoplectic once again, "Why you little bra…"

Severus keeled over in pain. Albus looked over worried at his friend and colleague. "What's the matter Severus?"

"I felt this pain deep inside me."

Harry coughed, they both looked over at him. "Um, yeah. I can explain that. You see, the contract stipulates a number of things my new guardian must provide. One of them is that the guardian cannot abuse me. It covers all kinds of abuse that are prohibited. You know – physical, emotional, sexual, psychological and even verbal."

Snape glared at him, "So, I have to be nice to you?"

Harry grinned what could only be termed a big-ass grin, "It's that or lose your magic. You know, you really should have read the contract if you find the terms disagreeable. But, sometimes magic contracts are not all we are told they are." He finished grinning at Albus.

"What other terms are in this blasted contract?"

Harry shrugged, "Oh this and that. I'm sure you'll find out. Hey, can I call you Severus when we aren't in class or the around other students. I think you'll understand if I'm uncomfortable calling you Dad." Harry had an innocent look on his face. It took everything for Al and Griphook not to laugh.

Albus pulled himself together and straightened up. "Harry, I'm sure you can be more mature about this. Perhaps we can reopen the contract and negotiate some of the terms."

Harry looked straight at the Headmaster's nose again, "Absolutely. All Severus has to do is fill out the proper forms to renounce his guardianship. That will cancel the contract he signed."

Snape was about to agree until Harry continued, "But then, there's the contract Albus signed. Its terms would mean that I would once again be considered of age and that he would not interfere. Hmm. I guess it's really up to you Sev." Seeing the glare he added, "You don't mind if I call you Sev do you?"

Al spoke up at this point, "Are there any other points of business we need to cover?"

Albus paused for a moment and shook his head. "No, I think not." He thought to himself, 'Once Harry is back at Hogwarts we can make him see reason."

Snape got up and said, "Potter!", he waited for the pain but it didn't come, "I'm taking you back to Hogwarts with me now. Where is your school trunk?"

"My school trunk is still in my dorm."

"Very well. Let's head back to Hogwarts. I will take this contract …" both of the contracts and the Ministry documentation were snatched out of his hands by Al.

"I'm terribly sorry Mr. Snape. I will file these original contracts at Gringotts as specified in the contracts. Gringotts will set up the spells and wards to monitor the terms of the contracts – as specified in the contracts, of course – and will be the arbitrators both parties agreed to who will determine when the Guardian contract is no longer in force. Mr. Dumbledore," Al enjoyed the cringe from Albus as he was referred to as 'Mr.', "your contract will be in force until either you or Mr. Potter die."

Severus and Albus were flustered. Albus asked, "Is there no way we can get a copy of the contracts for ourselves? How will we get an opportunity to read them?"

Griphook answered at this point, "You had as much time as you needed before you signed them but you waived that right by signing them first. As specified in the now executed contracts, you can fill out the request form and after the 90 day waiting period we will provide you with a certified copy."

Severus was more than incensed, "90 DAYS!"

Griphook shrugged, "You signed the contracts."

The Thing About Contracts Is, Chapter 4