"Tarrant," Alice said quietly, watching Mandy and Harry playing with the tea set. "Harry has the most awful family. Do you think...?"

"Aye, lass. He canae stay there, not with those-" he then said several words that made Alice rather glad that the children were not within hearing range.

"It would be good for Mandy to have someone her own age." Mused Alice thoughtfully. Her and Tarrant grinned at each other in a way that promised madness from them both.

"We will just have to adopt him then." Alice said happily.


Mrs Figg peered over the hedge. She was becoming rather worried by Harry Potter's absence and was attempting to keep an eye out. Therefore, she was there watching, open mouthed, as the most extraordinary man she had seen in a long time came down the road.

He was unusual in many ways - pale skin, bright orange hair, clashing clothes - but what struck her were his eyes.

She hadn't seen eyes burn orange before.

She continued to watch as the man strode towards the Dursley's house. Vermin seemed to have run out to get rid of him, bellowing and waving his arms.

She turned the setting of her magical hearing aid up.

"Now then," the madman said. "Are you, by any chance, a Durselely?"

Vernon Dursley went red. "I demand you leave at once! We don't want any of your sort here!"

She fancied the stranger's eyes darkened, more red than orange.

"Yer be the coward 'oo was cherged w'th th' care o' 'arry?" He growled. Mrs Figg suddenly felt the urge to run away; something about the man was unbalanced.

"Hatter!" A sweet, calm voice called.

A blond woman in a blue dress walked up to the madman's side.

"Mr Dursley," she said with a deceptively friendly look. "We are assuming custody of Harry."

Vermont turned puce. "Now see here-"

"Yer canae look aft'r the wee lad, yer a-" the madman would have gone on to say what, exactly, Vernon Dursley was, were it not for the woman's "Hatter!".

The small woman glared at Vernon. "We will be taking Harry. It seems the above world has gone to utter ruins if you are what passes for normal."

Vernon Dursley seemed to be thinking hard, then sneered. "Fine then, the freak is your problem now."

He stalked off, leaving the two mad people behind, who promptly turned around and walked away, looking very pleased.

"Oh dear," Mrs Figg muttered. "Albus is not going to like this..."


Albus Dumbledore was not happy at all. Harry Potter, Boy Who Lived, Saviour of the Wizarding World, had been kidnapped!

From Mrs Figg's description, the criminals were likely to have been foreign wizards. Although, no culture came to mind who wore such clothes.

Ah well, Mrs Figg was prone to exaggeration, after all.

He debated for a moment, unsure whether this should be a matter for the Aurors. On the one hand, they would likely provide the edge needed for finding Harry Potter. On the other hand, they may not be too pleased with the conditions their Saviour had been living in with the Dursleys.

At this thought, he gave a regretful sigh. If there had of been anyone else left of the family, away from the Magical community, they would have been preferable. In fact, anyone at all able to keep Harry safe. Alas, the blood wards were the only solution he could find.

Another thought struck. Harry may be away too long to call Privett Drive home, and once again be in danger of Death Eaters and criminals, not to mention various people willing to manipulate him.

Panicking, Dumbledore strode over to the fireplace and shouted "Ministry of Magic!"