Choices

First course of action after apprehending Potter and Black was to see things thorough. But, still for confirmation, O'Shea asked Potter who seemed more stupid, "So, head boy, huh, didn't even touched your girl and you are still blasting me apart."

"You snake's spawn, vile ..."

"Careful with your words Potter, I may simply dump you in the great hall, Lily might be disappointed and your badge might be gone. My house will love that, you know." This stunned the Potter heir quite good while Sirius has calmed down with a cloth still stuck down his throat and murder in his eyes.

"Or maybe, you both can be dumped in Wizengamot for the crime of colluding and attempting to murder a member of pure blood family with your friend here, the former Black heir. Oh, how the old coots in the dark hall will love the drama. Choices, Choices Potter. Take your pick!"

With his monologue complete, Wyllt turned around and sat down to repair the non existent damage in his hallway caused by the flashy use of spells by the Gryffindor seventh years. Atleast it was more entertaining than duelling two bufoons.

Since he had Sirius bound and gagged, it was James who spoke up as he was designing the new hallway structure of Hogwarts. "What do you want, Wyllt?"

"Decency you dolt, Decency is all I want. I was talking to your girlfriend about Potions, nothing apart from that. Absolutely nothing. I have to prepare for my O.W.L.S. and here I am wasting my time with idiots who could have talked to either of the involved party to clear their doubt and not spoil my mood." For a moment, he myself was surprised at his outburst, it didn't seem like he had this much frustration bottled up inside me. Years of secluded life in Hogwarts has made him treat this place like a safe sanctuary but these two idiots have ruined that impression. Anyone would be angry at being attacked in their home, even if they tortured... he meant captured the offenders.

James Potter looked like he was deciding something particularly distasteful but still he slowly clenched his teeth and said,"Sorry..I thought.."

I cut him off mid speech,"You can shove your sorry alongside the cloth down your throat, Potter. Choose your option before I do it for you."

The Potter boy lost his head too, with his pain flaring up,"What do you want Wyllt, tell me what will stop your blackmailing?"

O'Shea was so angry at the moment that he was thinking about dealing with them quietly after school year or if he told someone in the family, that will done even faster then. He was quite certain that they won't be killed but permanent crippling was set in stone.When were they, the Wyllt treated as a pushover?

But for the moment he calmed down and started to think what to do with these idiots. He himself was considering if the two options were anyway beneficial to his long term goals. Exposing them in school, which was first option would be basically useless. It was Slughorn ruling over his house and not Snape. Old Slug was chummy with Dumbledore and believed in cultivating relationship. He won't want to escalate the matter. Even, if Lily and Potter have some issues what will it be to him? He was not romantically interested in Lily nor did he wanted Snape to change his career path. He wanted to influence the plot of Harry Potter minutely till he grew in his own power rather than to outright tear the world apart. Moreover the side effects were quite harsh considering that Dumbledore would notice him and most likely assign someone to watch over him which would be a hassle as he still has two years in Hogwarts.

The other option about Wizengamot which was as bad as this one. Potter's family sided with the Light faction and retained influence in the council, as James Potter's parents were still living. On his side, his family members will likely want to settle this matter outside halls with wands. They were terribly cute in protecting the family. But, despite all that what would be the benefits of this whole affair to me? Potter was an overzealous fool but a fool that was neither my opponent nor too long

for the school. He had already established a superfluous relationship with Lily and that plan will proceed slowly. No need getting all riled up with the schemes of kids.

So, as he was thinking about approximate benefit he could extract from these idiots, his eyes fell on silvery gowns near the two boy's feet. For a moment he was reminded of the story of the brothers who cheated death and so he finalized his decision. He decided to experience the phenomenal myth himself. He was quite certain that Potter was unaware of the real story of his cloak as he would never used it so carelessly, otherwise.

So, O'Shea took a gamble on Potter's lack of knowledge and told him, "You see Potter, you have nothing except words to offer because I am richer than you, have a better family than you. But, it is a matter of principle, so I will be collecting my dues today."

These words were not spoken but more likely thrown to the broken lions with such disgust, that they both got red-faced. O'Shea walked towards their invisibility cloaks and picked them up with disgust written all over my face. Next, he turned to face the two boys and asked, "These cloaks gave you the courage to ambush me. I will be taking them for reminding you both that actions has consequences. Any questions, Potter or do you think I am playing tyrant?"

"Take it then. " Potter said with gritted teeth. His invisibility cloak was a rare collectible, passed down in his family for ages. But that was a different story, James was going to start his career in a few months, so he was quite certain that the Slytherin boy's case will most likely spoil his career before starting by going to Wizengamot. Moreover, it was not like invisibility cloaks were so rare that he can't buy them once again. Sure they were costly, but their reputation was at stake here. Moreover, now that Sirius was disinherited, he couldn't afford such a stain otherwise he won't get a reputed job after N.E.W.T.S.

"I will be needing that in contract, verified from Gringotts. Don't worry, tomorrow morning, you will have the contract delivered to you, alongside the reason of why you are transferring ownership. It will serve both as testament and reminder of what consequence you will face for such unsolicited practices. As for next time, it will be your wand which will break and that will sting harder than today. So, never again cross my path. Take it as a warning."

I undid all the charms binding them, turned around and left with one of three Deathly Hallows in my possession, with none the wiser.

Two things O'Shea came to know that night. Every man's worth is revealed in his worst period and James Potter was a certified idiot. From the future memories of O' Shea, Harry Potter was chivalrous and brave or just plain stupid but whatever his case might be, he was better man than his father. Harry Potter always owed up to his mistake, either because of his lack of support or because of his harsh childhood growth. His father on the other hand was a bully, not over-the-top, but a bully nonetheless. He didn't want to sacrifice his social life or status for his mistakes and would rather pay to chalk it up.

If only he knew, what he has offered me. Well as they say, One man's loss is another man's gain. Potter lost but the gift he left me will be quite valuable in future.