Chapter One
Eight months later
Everything happened so quickly after Vernon and Harry left Privet Drive. He had quietly grabbed an old car seat that Dudley had already grown out of, some diapers that Dudley had been too big for, and outgrown baby clothes that Petunia had been planning to give away. He wrote Petunia a short letter, asking for a divorce and saying she could have the house and he would pay her 3000 pounds a month in alimony and child support. He told her about her sister and brother-in-law dying and leaving their son with them. After some consideration, he also told her that he was going to take the boy, find a place to live, and would contact her with the information and get a time to pick up the rest of his stuff. Vernon quietly put the items in the car, placed Harry in the seat, and left to his solicitor's house.
Vernon's solicitor, Charles Meckon, was an old school friend of his. He and his wife, Claire, never really liked Petunia but supported him as much as they could. When Vernon had approached him regarding the divorce, he had been surprised to learn how they actually felt about his marriage. They were eager to help in any way possible. Most importantly though, they had offered him a place to stay. The Meckon's had a small house on their property. It wasn't much, just a two bedroom place, but it was perfect for Vernon and his new son. They had been surprised when he showed up at their door, carrying a sleeping toddler, that was obviously not the chubby, fair haired, Dudley. A long explanation later, Vernon and Harry found themselves being fussed over by Claire and listening to Charles making phone calls.
A part of him would always feel guilty about leaving his own son behind but Petunia had put a stop to any idea he may have had regarding custody or visitation. After he had settled in the new place and got Harry and him everything they needed, he had rung Petunia up like he had promised.
***flashback***
"Hello Petunia."
There was a pause before she spoke, "Hello Vernon. Why are you calling?"
Vernon sat down in the chair beside the telephone.
"I just wanted to let you know that I am staying with Charles and Claire if you and Dudley need any-."
She interrupted him with a shrill laugh, "Vernon, we need nothing from you. Give me what you had promised in the letter and be done with us. But, if you ever try to take Dudley or even try to communicate or see him, I will ensure that you end up in jail. Then, I will take both Dudders and that freak of yours. And I promise you, that freak won't like the life I will give him. We will be gone from 10 this morning until 2 p.m. Remove all your items. There are also two trunks in the attic that belong to the freaks parents. If you don't take them, I will burn them."
She slammed the phone down and Vernon was taken aback. Despite everything she did to him, he never thought she would threaten an innocent child. Especially her own flesh and blood. He also had no idea she had any items from her family. He sighed and replaced the receiver.
**end flashback**
Claire had excitedly watched Harry as Charles and he had went to pick everything up during the times Petunia was gone. They had placed the trunks in a storage closet, to be looked at later, and began the adoption process. Now, here he was, an adoptive father to Harry James Dursley Potter. He wanted to ensure Harry was aware of who he was and where he came from so he had decided to add his own name to his son's rather than change it completely.
Harry was a quiet child and very shy. He still didn't talk but he smiled and would giggle on occasion. According to his pediatrician, despite the scar and possible mental trauma, Harry seemed to be growing and adjusting well. Both Charles and Claire have been life savers for him. Charles did what he could to quickly allow for Vernon to adopt Harry. He got Petunia to sign over any rights. He guided Vernon through the entire legal process. Claire was a writer who had an office at home, so she was kind enough to put her current book on hold while she took care of Harry during the times Vernon was working. He wasn't sure how he would ever repay them but he knew he would someday.
Today, Vernon was finally going through the trunks of Lily and James Potter. Harry was sitting in his playpen, playing with a few stuffed animals. Vernon pulled the dark red trunk with the initials JCP engraved on a gold plate attached to the top, closer to him and opened it. The moment he lifted the lid, he heard a soft sound.
"Da?"
Vernon turned to Harry, who was staring at him with his emerald green eyes. He grabbed the top of the playpen, pulled himself up, and started bouncing.
"Da!"
Vernon got up so that he could lift Harry from the playpen. He looked down at the boy, who was now smiling at him.
"Well hello. Do you want to help da go through your parents trunks?"
The boy touched his face, "Da da da da da da da."
Vernon laughed and sat back down on the floor, putting Harry on his lap. He was still amazed on how much easier it was to do things, such as sitting on the floor, now that he had lost 40 pounds. He had always been heavy but had decided that he needed to ensure Harry had a good role model. He began to make healthier food decisions and would go running with Charles after work. Vernon was determined to do everything he could to be around for Harry for as long as possible.
Two hours later, Vernon sat with his back against the sofa. Harry was still on his lap, although he had fallen asleep an hour or so beforehand. They were surrounded by parchments, journals, and books. He had gone through both trunks and to say he was surprised with what he found was an understatement.
There was an entire wizarding world hidden in London. A world that was hidden in plain sight. A world that James and Lily Potter were a significant part of. They were a wizard and a witch and the likelihood of Harry also being magical seemed to be quite high. Which, if Vernon was honest with himself, he would say his son is definitely a wizard. There is only so much strangeness one can see before admitting there was something that may be beyond a simple explanation.
He felt Harry stir and looked down into those green eyes again. The boy grinned at him and Vernon couldn't help but smile back.
"Well Harry, it seems we have to go to some place called Gringotts and contact some people called Malfoy and Snape."
The boy giggled at him, "Da!"
