A/N I never expected to be writing another chapter of this story, but I received such a delightful review that I had to reward that person with something! I offered a new chapter of either this or Harry's Horses especially for them and the choice was this! I apologise it's short but I found a rather good ending. I hope you all enjoy :)
Written especially for .ravenclaw
Harry had been staying with Lucy for three weeks before the trouble started. It seemed like there were constantly social workers or police officers or lawyers at the door now. Harry didn't understand what was going on but he knew it was making the nice lady unhappy. He liked this Lucy lady, she shouldn't be getting upset because of him.
One morning, when there was once again a social worker on the doorstep trying to convince Lucy that the boy should live with his relatives, Harry came to a snap decision and walked towards the door.
"Harry? What are you doing?" Lucy gasped.
"I know you don't like these people and they weren't here before you took me, so if I go they'll leave you alone" Harry replied with a shrug.
"Sensible boy" said the worker. "Come on then, let's be off."
"Harry! No!" Lucy grabbed the back of his jumper.
"Miss Reynolds, unhand the boy or I'll have you arrested for kidnapping. You are on the brink of it already. I'm sure you can visit him, but he needs to live with his family."
"They aren't fit to care for a gerbil" Lucy spat in response.
"And yet you haven't reported them. You are hiding something Miss Reynolds. Either tell me now, or you can tell on record at the police station."
"I don't know anything!" Lucy replied. "All I know is that Harry is a sweet and lovely boy who's been dumped with uncaring relatives. And don't start about pressing charges again, would you submit a six year old to a full criminal trial? No? Didn't think so. So kindly leave Harry and me to finish our breakfasts and get out."
"You will be hearing from me Miss Reynolds. Don't say I didn't warn you."
After the door shut, Lucy enveloped Harry in a strong hug.
"I'm terribly sorry about that Harry. Please believe me that you are not a burden and I would put up with so much more than shouting at ridiculous civil servants to keep you. I will not let them take you away." She patted his head fondly. "Now Steven wants to see you again this morning so finish your breakfast and brush your teeth, then we'll be off."
They had not been in the surgery five minutes before two policemen turned up and demanded to speak to Lucy.
"You know where Steven's room is Harry?" Lucy asked.
Harry nodded. They had been here several times in the last few weeks and Harry was beginning to like his dentist a lot.
"Go up there and wait for me. I won't be long."
Harry nodded again and slowly started up the stairs. Lucy watched him fondly.
"Go on!" she said with a smile.
As Harry reached the top of the stairs, he wished that Lucy would finish quickly. He might like the dentist himself but he really did not like being at the dentist's. Steven was wonderful with him but the procedures were still uncomfortable. Having Lucy there allowed him to take his mind off it whilst Steven worked.
As Harry approached the top of the stairs, Lucy turned back to the two policemen. She felt something settle into rather than onto her head, but ignored it. This confrontation looked like it would need all of her attention.
"Good morning officers, what can I do for you?"
"Lucy Reynolds, you are under arrest for the kidnapping of one Harry James Potter. You do not have to say anything but it may harm your defence if you do not mention something which you may later rely on in court. Anything you do say will be given in evidence. Do you understand?"
"I, excuse me, what?" Lucy babbled.
"You've been arrested miss. Will you come with us quietly or not?"
Lucy's mouth opened and closed for several seconds until she worked out what to say. She started to talk and even later on she wasn't sure how she managed it. Five minutes later she had got the arrest overturned, the officers apologising profusely for wasting her time and the promise that they'd sort all the necessary paperwork and send it to her that evening for her signature. She stood in shock for a moment before remembering Harry and hurrying up the stairs to join him.
"What would you like for lunch Harry?" Lucy asked as she always did when they returned home.
Harry shrugged.
"Perhaps soup and then ice cream for after then?"
Harry nodded eagerly.
"Alright then" she said with a smile. Lucy knew that was Harry's favourite meal, she just wished he would start asking for it.
"Do you want to play whilst I make it?"
Harry nodded and headed over to the box at the other end of the room. Carefully removing some blocks he started to build. Ten minutes later when Lucy called him for lunch, he'd built a rather impressive crown. It was a multicoloured semicircle, big and chunky but made perfectly to fit Lucy's head.
"Is that for me?" she asked.
Harry nodded shyly and held it out. All of a sudden he started babbling.
"I'm sorry I didn't know you already had one. Yours is much better than this. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
Lucy took both of his hands in hers and held them tightly.
"Shhhh Harry. I love yours. It's wonderful. I'm going to wear it all day."
"But your pretty one is so much better!"
"Harry I'm not wearing anything. It's just your imagination. Come and look in the mirror with me."
The two walked over to the mirror above the fireplace and Lucy lifted Harry so he could see into it.
"See?" she said brightly.
"Yeah" Harry replied glumly. "I know. Yours is prettier."
Lucy sighed. "Harry there is nothing there. Look at my hand on my head. There's nothing there!"
Lucy moved her hand over her head and Harry watched in horror as the beautiful thing dropped to the floor. He squirmed to get out of her hold desperate to pick it up.
"Ok ok. Let's have lunch." Lucy set Harry down and keeping one hand on his, she led the way back to the table. Harry's crown was ceremoniously placed on her head and Lucy's silly queen acting made Harry giggle throughout the meal.
Later on that evening, after she had signed the documents making her Harry's guardian, Lucy was lying in bed thinking about the day. Harry had been adamant about that crown. She hoped it was just childish fantasy and not hallucinations or some other condition. If it continued she would have to see about professional help. Perhaps Jo would know. Yes, she'd speak to Jo in the morning. She had the good news to share anyway.
Next door Harry was also in bed, cradling the silver crown like object he'd picked up off the floor. It was truly stunning. It sparkled in the half light almost with a glow of its own and the blue gem in the centre was the most beautiful thing Harry had ever seen. His fingers moved across the embossed silver lettering again like he had done so many times that night, his mind supplying the words: Wit Beyond Measure is Man's Greatest Treasure.
He snuggled down in his blanket, placed the diadem next to him and fell into a contented sleep. The diadem shimmered for a moment and then disappeared, waiting until it would be needed next.
