Standard disclaimer, I do not own Harry Potter, Harry Potter and associated works are the property of JK Rowling, her agents, and her assignees.
James was shocked out of his reverie by the door to the cupboard opening.
"Come on Harry, let's get you out of there." Petunia said stooping down to come into the cupboard. James instinctively shifted out of the way just as if he had been alive.
He watched warily as Petunia picked up Harry and carried him back into the kitchen. "It's freakish enough having you here without keeping you under the stairs, like some creature from one of those horrible shows on telly." Petunia set him down in his playpen with his blanket. She went down into the basement and returned with a plush bear that was missing an ear and some blocks that looked like a dog had chewed on them. "Here-" she said as if he could fully comprehend- "keep quiet."
While James watched Petunia bustled around the kitchen stopping every few minutes to entertain Dudley. James mainly focused on his son who had woken and was looking around owlishly. James wondered how long it would take the muggle police to inform Petunia of her husband's death.
"Dada," Harry said causing James to smile. James kept him quiet on the assumption that less attention from Petunia was probably better. The spirit kept a running stream of descriptions to Harry naming the animals and colors that were on the blocks. Harry burbled quietly occasionally pronouncing words.
When James had said "Harry's Blanket" a couple of times.
Harry replied "Harrysanet." James looked stunned, he should have thought of it earlier, "Harrysanet." Harry said louder, wondering why Dada had stopped playing.
His attention pulled back to the present, James reached out and stroked his son's hair. "Yes, Harry's blanket. You are such a brilliant boy." Harry giggled at his dad's praise. Now how to get in contact. His thoughts were interrupted by Petunia talking to Dudley.
"Now Diddyums, Mummy has to go run some errands. Jane-you like Jane-,Mrs. Dorret's girl, has agreed to come watch you and your cousin while Mummy is out. Be good for her and Mummy will bring you a special treat."-The doorbell rang-"That should be her now."
Petunia left the kitchen. James followed to watch her open the door, wondering if it would be the promised sitter, or the constables coming to inform her of the death he helped cause. Fortunately, it was the promised sitter. A pleasant-looking young woman of approximately sixteen removed her rain coat revealing jeans and a jumper with her hair pulled up in a pony tail. James thought this outfit eminently sensible when caring for two toddlers.
"Jane, thank you so much, I will have to thank your mother for recommending I ask you." Petunia said.
"Not a problem ma'am, I took the year off to help my Gran before going on to university. But with Gran passing this summer, I'm at loose ends. I haven't been able to find a job." The young girl explained. "A few pounds here and there will help out."
"Well then, it's good that we can help each other." Petunia said patting the girl on the shoulder. "It has been so much trouble since my sister's son was left with us last week. Practically dumped on our doorstep without so much as a change of clothes." Petunia paused, "It's just fortunate that he is smaller than my big strong Dudley so I've been able to dress him in Dudley's older things. It's just so hard taking care of two unexpectedly when you were used to one and didn't go about it in the usual way." She said with a conspiratorial smile, causing the young girl to blush. "My sister and her husband were layabouts living off his family, but to have them pass was a shock."
James was angered by Petunia's description of he and Lily but thought about this for a moment. If all they received was the note from Albus, none of Harry's things and the goblins had only just contacted them about the financial support, perhaps the lack of toys and new clothes was less ill will and more lack of any preparation. It still didn't forgive the cupboard under the stairs.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Dursley," Jane asked, "if you don't mind my asking, how did they pass?"
"Car crash, dreadful affair." Petunia said uncomfortably.
"I'm sorry for you loss," the young woman said reflexively.
"We'll get by." Petunia replied with an air of strength. "Anyway, with the rain, I should get going while I have you here." She then showed Jane where the changing table and extra clothes were. She pointed out the food for the boys and told the girl to help herself to anything she wanted for lunch. After a rather dramatic goodbye with Dudley, she left to go shopping. Dudley cried himself out but when Jane wasn't catering to him he went back to playing with his toys. Jane seeing that Harry had been quietly playing the whole time Dudley cried, unknown to her, mostly due to James playing with him, came over to his more austere crib.
"Well aren't you the well-behaved little man." Jane said bending down to pick up Harry. She juggled him on one hip picking up his teddy bear as well. As babies and toddlers are want to do, his grasping hand ended up brushing her chest. "Well maybe not so well-behaved." Jane said laughing and putting the plush in his questing hand. "Just like my little cousin." This happy scene caused James to chuckle. Harry giggled and gurgled.
Wiggling the plush to draw his attention to it she asked, "Who's your friend here? Who's this?"
The now smiling toddler replied "Pafoo." This caused James to startle. Harry had a plush that looked like his brother-in-arms' animagus form.
"What's a Pafoo?" Jane asked.
"Pafoo sirus doggy." Harry said proudly in the way of small children. James looked at him again
"Well then little man, I think this looks more like a Paddington than a Pafoo but I will bow to your superior knowledge."
James felt a sense of gratitude to this young woman treating his son better than his wife's own sister did. The young woman bounced Harry on her hip as she walked around the house. She looked around the down stairs but didn't poke too much into stuff.
When they were upstairs, she looked into the bedrooms. In the playroom upstairs, Jane set Harry down who was starting to get restless on her hip. Getting him settled with some blocks, Jane went back downstairs and checked on Dudley who was happily playing drums on the side of his crib. Jane came back upstairs and started to pick up some of the things that were haphazardly left around the playroom to clear some space. Once she had some of the things put away, she went down and retrieved the bigger boy, she got both of them situated in the playroom. She continued to pick up the items that the boys weren't playing with figuring the young mother would appreciate it. She checked her watch, seeing it was half past ten, she figured she should get the boys down for a nap. They both needed changing and the joy of getting two squirmy toddlers cleaned up and put down for a nap made her appreciate Petunia's comments more. Once they were down, she went downstairs and put a kettle on to make herself some tea. She was just pouring herself a cup when the doorbell rang. Mrs. Dursley hadn't mentioned that anyone would be coming by. Before they could ring again waking her young charges, she hurried to the door and looking through the peephole, saw a man and a woman both in police uniforms. James had been watching his son when the door bell rang and arrived in the entry way right before Jane did. He assumed this was the expected call from the police. She opened the door
"May I help you?" She asked unsure of what could be happening.
The gentleman who appeared a bit older than her father did a bit of a double take. "Mrs. Dursley?"
"No sir, Mrs. Dursley isn't here I'm watching her son and nephew while she runs some errands. May I help you?" Jane replied.
"And you are?" He asked.
"Jane Dorret, Sir, I live at number fourteen with my parents." Jane provided the
"When do you expect her back?" The constable asked.
"I'm supposed to watch the boys until around one thirty." Jane provided. "I expect her back by then."
The constable took a card out. "We'll be back then. If she arrives home earlier than that can you ask her to call my office. I'm Constable Jones."
Jane took the proffered card. "I will do that sir. Can I tell her what this is about?"
"No miss, but it is important that we speak to her as soon as possible. Good day." With that he turned and walked back to the car.
Jane closed the door and went back to her tea wondering what that was about. finishing her tea, she did some more clean up around the house. Petunia was a spotless house keeper, but two toddlers would always make a mess. she prepped the boys lunch before getting them up from their nap. she got them fed and then got them back up to the play room. She heard the front door open and came down the stairs to see Petunia in the doorway turned to watch the two police officers coming up the walkway.
Mrs. Dursley guided them into the lounge
Jane asked, "Would you like me to put the kettle on Mrs. Dursley?"
"That would be lovely dear." Petunia replied. Jane went into the kitchen to make tea.
"Officers, should I contact my husband to ask him to join us?" Petunia asked presenting a calm front.
"Actually Mrs. Dursley, we are here about your husband," Officer Jones began. "There's really no easy way to say this. your husband was in an automobile accident this morning-"
"What hospital is he in? Just let me get my coat." she exclaimed rising from her seat.
Constable Jones rose taking her arm. "Ma'am, I'm afraid we are here to tell you that he passed away this morning."
Petunia wilted. "No it can't be." she might have fallen if it weren't for the constable guiding her back into her seat.
Constable Jones gave his companion a pointed look which caused her to come over and comfort the woman breaking down in front of him.
"I'm sorry ma'am, but there's no error." This caused Petunia to sob violently.
"What happened?" Petunia sobbed.
"We're still investigating, but it would appear that he swerved to avoid a pothole and skidded into the other lane striking a larger vehicle head on." The officer paused, "A horrible but unfortunately not uncommon occurrence this time of year. Sadly, he was not wearing his safety belt which caused his injuries to be much more severe. I spoke to the first responding officer, he didn't suffer."
James who had been watching the scene was relieved that there was no suspicion of outside influence in the wreck.
The officer gave Mrs. Dursley some time to gather herself. Jane offered her a cup of tea. She sipped at her tea. After a minute, she looked back to the officers.
"Ma'am, I'm sorry to ask this, but there are some matters that need to be handled, can you follow us to the Hospital?" The constable asked.
"I have my son to take care of that will be difficult," Petunia said.
"Mrs. Dursley, I can phone my mum, I can stay and take care of the boys." Jane offered.
"Thank you dear." Petunia said. A quick phone call later Jane was set to stay.
With the boys taken care of, the widow left with the officers, the female officer riding in the car with Petunia.
After picking up the tea set, Jane went and checked on the boys, she didn't know which of them had started the game, but she saw that Dudley was throwing one of his plush toys and Harry would bring it back to him.
"Come on boys, let's get you a snack." Both boys followed Jane carried them down the stairs. She got them set up in the kitchen shaking her head at the improvised second high chair. After getting them a snack she went and played with them for a while. The both showed signs of crankiness so after changing them, she got them down for a nap.
James sat with his son while he dozed. When he heard the young woman descend to the first floor, James woke him up. "Harry, Daddy needs you to do something for me."
"Dadda,"his son replied once awake.
"Harry, can you call Harrison for me." James asked the toddler.
"EF Harrisn? Where?" The toddler asked looking around.
"Yes Harry, call Harrison." James used his connection to Harry's magic to push a bit of magic into Harry's next statement.
"Harrisn." Harry said. James didn't know if it was his push of magic or simply Harry's call but his trusted elf appeared.
"Young Harry, Thank goodness you are okay. I'm sorry, I felt your parents passing but until you called, I could not come." The elf babbled, turning he looked where James was standing. "Mr. James, I thought it felt like more than just Master Harry calling. I'm sorry for you and Mistress Lily's death." the elf said seeming to take in James spectral form with ease.
"Harrison, it is so good to see you. Thank you for coming." James said relieved. "I came to consciousness last night and don't know what is happening beyond the property. I need your help, but I also need you not to be discovered by my sister-in-law yet. Her husband died today and she might think it suspicious that you showed up the same day. This does mean we are in a muggle home and therefore need to be careful with magic."
"I will not be discovered sir." Harrison affirmed. While leaning down and hugging his young charge. "Master Harry, I am glad you are okay," The toddler giggled and played with Harrison's ears.
"Harrison, it would seem that Dumbledore dropped Harry off here without anything. I need to find out why he didn't go to Sirius or to Frank and Alice? Because I don't know how long that will take to resolve, I also need you to go to the goblins and have them send some things for Harry: clothes, a crib, a dresser, a high chair, a double stroller and baby supplies. It all has to be muggle and would be best if the furniture were decent quality but used. Petunia has a muggle girl helping out so it needs to be delivered in a way that will not raise suspicion. Harrison, in case Fate or Magic decides I have fulfilled my task, I need you to promise me you will take care of Harry. He is all that is left of main Potter line." James felt relief that he wasn't the only one looking out for Harry now.
"I will take care of him," the elf affirmed.
"Sir, magical paper says Black betrayed you and was captured after killing the ratman. I know is not the truth but it is what they printed. The Longbottoms were in hiding and were attacked two days ago." the elf explained.
James was aghast, how badly did security leak in Dumbledore's organization. "When is Sirius' trial? I know I am dead, but surely there is something I can do. Is Harry safe here"
"Papers say he confessed and is already in Azkaban. Papers say You-Know-Who is defeated. Other than Longbottoms, no attacks reported in last week. Many followers of Him claiming they were under imperious," The elf explained. meanwhile, he had calmed Harry back down to sleep.
"We'll have to figure if there is anything we can do to help Sirius, in the meantime, please go see Slipblade with my request. When you have done that, can you also go to Albus' house in Godric's hollow and see if any of our things are salvageable, if so take it to the farm for the moment." James thought the news about Voldemorte's followers claiming to be ensorceled was like his father talked about the Knights of Walpurgis. Of course it wasn't their fault, nevermind the fact that Malfoy and the Lestranges had been little death eaters when he had been a first year.
"I will take care of it Master James." The little elf kissed Harry on the brow and popped away.
James let Harry sleep, he checked the house. Dudley was snoozing in his crib. Downstairs, June was on the phone. "Mom, I don't know how long she's going to need me, but I feel like I've got to stay. First her sister dies in a car crash and then her husband. She's got the two boys to take care of. I just feel bad for her,,, How are the boys? She fussed over Dudley a lot but they're both pretty normal. They were playing together earlier-" she trailed off as the door bell rang-"Mom, I've got to go, the door bell is ringing. Yes, if you can bring me over a bag, I'm going to offer to stay the night. Love you, bye." June hung up the phone and walked towards the entryway. She opened the door to find a delivery man.
"Mrs. Dursley?" he asked looking at his clip board.
This was getting to be a regular occurrence, "No sir, she's not here right now."
"I have a delivery for Petunia and Vernon Dursley." The man said consulting his clip board.
"I'll sign for it." She said thinking of how overwhelmed Petunia must be.
He turned and walked back to his van in the drizzle. His partner got out of cab of the van. They started carrying in furniture. June directed them to put the high chair in the kitchen and directed them to carry the crib and dresser up to Dudley's bedroom. She moved the sleeping boy next to his cousin. She had the men set up the crib. She had them leave the box of baby clothes and linens downstairs. Once they were done, the delivery man with a clip board asked her to sign and then handed her a sealed letter addressed to Vernon and Petunia. As they were leaving, her mother came to the door with a bag for June. With a hug, her mother left. Noticing the time, she checked on the boys who were still snoozing, she got them up and got them in the playpens in the kitchen, she laundered the linens and checked the fridge for dinner preparation. She got some chicken soup going for herself and Petunia. The boys food was pretty obvious. Since her dinner was taken care of, she got the boys back up to their playroom.
She fed the boys and still no sign of Petunia. She played with them for a while she got them their bath and into pajamas using a pair of the ones delivered by the men earlier for Harry. She got them down to sleep and was just going back down to have some soup for dinner when Petunia came through the door.
"Oh June, I'm sorry I've kept you so long. This is so horrible and there's so much to do." Mrs. Dursley said collapsing into a chair in the kitchen.
"It's okay ma'am," June said pouring her a cup of tea.
"June dear, after everything you've done to help me, unless you feel the need to be formal for others, call me Petunia." The older woman requested.
"I fed and bathed the boys and put them down for the night. I've got dinner hot, I was about to have some myself." June said gathered bowls and spoons and dished u the soup for each of them. "Here's the letter that the delivery men left." She said placing the letter next Petunia's place setting.
"Delivery men?" the older woman said a weary look of concern coming to her face.
"Yes, they delivered the clothing, linens, and furniture this afternoon." June explained.
Mrs. Dursley opened the letter with a look of confusion. James who had been hovering read over her shoulder.
Mr. and Mrs. Dursley,
My apologies for the delay in this letter and our delivery today. Following on our letter from the sixth, we only came to find out yesterday that young Master Potter was placed in your care without any belongings. If the furniture or clothing delivered today is unnecessary please have our delivery men take it back. If you have already purchased any items we are delivering, please provide me copies of the receipts for those purchases and I will have them refunded over and above the monthly stipend we are providing. If I can be of any further service, please feel free to contact me.
David Slipblade
Manager Potter Trust.
She looked over at the young woman. "What was delivered?"
"A crib, dresser, high chair, linens, and some clothing." June replied. "I had them set the crib and dresser up in the bedroom with Dudley's , it seemed logical. I'm sure we can shift things if it's not where you want him."
"We hadn't had him sleeping there," she paused, James figured she wasn't about to mention the cupboard, "since the first night, because he wasn't sleeping through the night keeping Dudley up. But if he can sleep through the night it will make things easier." Petunia said. "June, you've been invaluable today. Can I ask you to come back the next couple of days? There's so much to do. It's so overwhelming. Unfortunately I don't have anyone else. I mean I could ask Vernon's sister but she's the kind who's help might cause more work than without." The older woman said the weight of the world visibly on her shoulders.
"I'd be happy to ma'am, since I didn't know when you'd be back. My mother already brought me an overnight bag. I know things are going to be hectic for the next few days. If you need to hire me to sit the boys or even to stay over, I can use the work and I like the boys." The young woman said.
James liked her, she was nice to Harry, showed gumption when presented with the unexpected, but also looked out for herself.
"You're a life saver June." Petunia said. "Tomorrow, I have to start making funeral arrangements, go to Vernon's company and find out about his life insurance. There's just too much to do. I probably won't need you to stay over except in emergencies, but can you work for me at least for the next fortnight to help me get through this?"
"I'd be happy to." The young woman said. "Why don't we have some dinner and then I can do the wash up and head home? I can be back early in the morning."