Me: Right. So I'm just going to assume that you all like my new story seeing as I've gotten quite a few favourites and follows, which is awesome by the way, but I would like some verbal feedback though because I am slightly nervous about it and would like some confirmation so my self-esteem will rise XD. *breathes out* woo! That was a lot to say in one sentence.
Jareth: *leers* But it's a good thing to know that you can hold your breath for so long.
Me:*blushes* God damn it! I need to be able to write! Not writhe on the floor ….. And there are younger people reading this. *mumbles to self* Keep it pg. Keep it pg. Or at least have a warning somewhere…
When Flitwick emerged from the office with Petunia, the others stood and came forward.
"So how did it go?" Remus asked. Flitwick shared a glance with Petunia.
"We had a discussion of sorts about our options. For now, we need to relocate ourselves. A hallway is no place to have a proper conversation. Also I believe we must give Miss Petunia some space to think." He said. The others nodded and followed him out of Gringotts, back to the Leaky Cauldron. Behind the bar was a man wiping down the counter when he noticed the group walk in.
"Hello Professors, Remus. What can I get you?" He greeted jovially. Remus smiled back.
"Just a private room, Tom. Academic discussions you know. They can get quite loud." He said. Tom laughed and nodded.
"Also a room if you please Tom." Filius interjected.
"Of course Professor." He said and pointed to a corridor. "Room 13 is available upstairs and just down the corridor. The private room should be down the hall, the second door on you right. That'd be the lounge." Remus nodded.
"Thanks Tom." Tom waved and turned back to bustling around behind the bar. Filius directed Petunia up the stairs and told her to rest before falling behind Remus as Remus led the way down the corridor until they reached their prescribed door and enter ahead of the others. The room was what was to be expected of a lounge. A fireplace crackled merrily of to the right, bookshelves lined the walls and comfortable looking furniture was artfully placed around the room with adjoining tables beside them. He allowed everyone pass ahead of him into the room. Once everyone was situated in the cushy furniture around the warm lounge, he firmly shut the door and the privacy wards settled into place. Taking a seat, in an armchair by the fireplace, he turned to Filius. "So what is going to happen now?" Filius shifted in his seat slightly.
"Well, for now, we should let Miss Petunia settle first. She may also need time to think things through. We do need to discuss safe places for her to stay though." Minerva nodded.
"Quite right. We cannot allow that- that thing to find her. Any suggestions?" Remus sighed.
"Well we can't simply relocate her. Nor will the Fidelus Charm work on her I assume." He looked at Filius.
"Some Mundane-borns attempted to use it on their families in the last war and were unsuccessful so I would assume not." He said. "But no actually studies has been done on it. Supposedly, it should in theory work as offensive spells work on mundanes but I would not recommend using it at the moment. We don't know if there are side effects or time limits."
"Maybe a permanent transfiguration?" McGonagall suggested. Filius nodded.
"That would work. We would need an anchor so it does not drain anyone." Severus cleared his throat.
"While I do understand the importance of discussing the next course of action for Petunia, what of Harry?" Filius rubbed his forehead.
"Well Severus, that is a decision Miss Petunia must reach by herself."
At the moment, that was just what Petunia was doing. Sitting in one of the armchairs situated around the room, she cradled Harry close to her heart. By some miracle, the dear was still sleeping soundly. Petunia herself couldn't sleep. Her mind kept swirling and wouldn't let her rest, the events of the day just hitting her. Harry was considered a savior for something Lily had done, the magical world was not safe to raise Harry, someone was trying to use her sweet nephew and it seemed her only option was to wish him to a magical King who would see to it that Harry was raised right. But could she let go of her nephew? He was her only family and the last living remnant of Lily. Professor Flitwick never told her if the families that willingly wished their children away kept contact with them. Would she be able to see him still? She didn't feel comfortable making a decision without knowing all the facts. With at least that decided, she rose from her seat and ventured out to search for the small Professor.
She descended the stairs and found herself in the tavern area again. The barman, she believed Remus called him Tom, was still rummaging behind the bar and she tentatively approached him.
"Excuse me, Tom was it?" She asked. Tom turned from checking his stocks and smiled.
"That be right Miss. What can I do ya for?"
"Well I was here earlier with a group of people and they asked for a private room to speak. Could you please tell me where they are?" Tom stroked his chin for bit before snapping his fingers.
"You're referring to Remus and the Professors aren't cha?" At her confirming nod, he pointed his finger to the corridor off to the side. "Straight down there and the second door on your right. They should be in there." Petunia smiled politely and nodded.
"Thank you." Tom nodded back before returning to his previous task, whistling as he did. Petunia ventured down the afore mentioned corridor to the second door on the right. She gingerly pressed her ear to the door but was not able to her anyone in there. Did the barman make a mistake in his directions? She knocked anyway just to be sure. A few moments later Remus opened the door.
"Ah, Tuney! I thought you were resting upstairs." Petunia smiled.
"Hello Remus. Harry is." Her head gestured to the sleeping bundle in her arms. "I can't seem to sleep though. Too much going through my head." She paused and looked around him to where Professor Flitwick was seated. "Actually, I need to talk to Professor Flitwick if that's alright with you." He nodded and moved back to let her inside. The others looked towards her and acknowledged her in their own ways. She nodded back before heading to Filius. "Excuse me Professor but I would like to speak to you privately if that is alright."
"Quite alright." He said and vacated his seat. They exited the lounge and headed up to the room Petunia was given. Upon entering, Petunia gathered the pillows on the bed to make a nest with one hand. When the pillows had been situated in the way she liked, she nestled Harry in the middle. She hoped that the pillows would prevent him from falling but at least this way, he had room to move around more and her arm could rest a bit.
Filius seated himself as Petunia settled Harry in her pillow nest. He waited patiently for her to finish but it seemed that she kept finding something to fidget with. Whether it be the pillows or the sheets or the blanket she had draped over Harry. It appeared she was stalling so he decided to break the silence.
"So what did you wish to speak about?" he asked. She started a little before seating herself on the bed.
"I'm sorry Professor. It's just, I don't know where to start. I have so many questions and the possible answers make me worry." Filius smiled soothingly.
"The beginning is always the best place to start. But in this case, I think the most pressing question on your mind would be the best to ask first." Petunia took a deep breath then let it out before speaking.
"Well I guess the most pressing question on my mind is will I be cut off from Harry if I do this?" Filius sat stock still for a few seconds as he processed what had just been asked. In all honesty, the question shouldn't have surprised him but it did. Unfortunately, even the parents who wished their children away for a better life never asked about keeping in contact with their children, so it was never granted. What's said is said after all. Even the magicals had never thought to ask about it. He gave Petunia a warm smile.
"If you ask for it, the King will grant it. Love is a powerful magic in itself and His Majesty is not one to deny it." Petunia gave a relived sigh. "Your next question, my dear?"
"If I wished it, could I go with Harry?" Now this question brought genuine surprise from Filius. No one wished themselves away with the children. It was usually just the children or an adult when they were wished away by children. But he had never heard of a case where they were wished away together. He placed his hand to his chin in pensive thought.
"Now that is something I'm not very familiar with. Majority just wish the child away or the occasional adult but I have never heard of a case where they were wished away together." He paused, contemplative. "His Majesty would know more." Petunia's countenance dropped somewhat. To ask the King would mean she had to call upon him and to call upon him meant wishing Harry away. She didn't know if she wanted to do that yet. Filius realised what he had said and mentally scolded himself. The poor girl didn't even know if she wanted to wish Harry away yet. "Actually," He said and Petunia looked him with a hopeful expression. "Director Feldspar may know as well."
"So we would have to talk to him?" She asked. Filius nodded before his expression turned stern.
"Though I do caution you. I only said may. Director Feldspar might be the highest authority to the goblins in London and the surrounding area, but that does not mean he is privy to all the happenings in the Goblin Kingdom." Petunia nodded but still smiled. As long as there was an option where she did not have to wish Harry away to sate her curiosity, she was fine.
"Do we have to set up an appointment then?" Filius shook his head.
"No, Director Feldspar has quite a busy schedule. The only reason we got in so quickly before was because it pertained to giving permission to discuss the option involving His Majesty. It would be easier to send a letter." Petunia nodded.
"So I write all my questions down that you do not have the information for, then the Director will answer them?" Filius nodded.
"Yes and hopefully we will receive a speedy answer in return." He pulled out a parchment and quill to begin penning the letter down. The question session continued on and in the end, Filius was able to answer all but two. Filius left the room to go send the letter off and that left Petunia to her own thoughts. She stared out the window, not quite sure if she was really looking out over London or if it was just an illusion cast on the window. She did not know how long she stared but it felt like hours. She heard the hooting of an owl woke up startled. She must had fallen asleep while staring out the window but now she was staring at the owl sitting on the sill. As she was staring, Harry started stirring. Petunia heard him moving but assumed he was still sleeping and continued staring at the owl in wonder. The owl hooted and moved inside the room. It perched itself on the desk under the window and seemed to settle itself there.
"I'm sorry," Petunia started hesitantly, "I don't really understand what you are doing here. Are you going to stay here?" The owl hooted and gave her what seemed to be a nod. She stared, bewildered but then she heard the shifting of the sheets, she turned and saw little Harry rubbing his eyes then letting out a large yawn. The owl looked at to her and its stare seemed to say "Aren't you going to take care of him?" She laughed out loud, partly in disbelief and partly because the owl seemed to know what was happening.
"Am I going insane?" She asked aloud. The owl gave a shake of its head and she laughed again. "Well at least you're sure." Harry let out a gurgle and waved his hands and feet at her. She smiled and lifted him up.
"Come on sweetie. Let's get you cleaned up and then we can get you something to eat." Harry clapped his hands in delight and Petunia laughed as they walked to the bathroom. She set the sink to fill with lukewarm water and started undressing Harry. Placing him in the water, she gently waterfalled the water over top his head then grabbed the soap that she hoped was gentle enough for babies. As she was soaping him and playing with Harry in the bubbles created, a knock sounded on the door. She straightened and leaned to look at the door while keeping a firm hold on Harry. "Who is it?" She called.
"It's Professor Flitwick."
"I can't answer the door right now. My hands are occupied at the moment." She turned back to Harry and continued washing him. She heard a muffled chuckle.
"Quite alright." She heard the click of the door unlocking and opening followed by two sets of footsteps entering the room. "Tom gave us another key." Petunia laughed softly.
"Well make yourselves comfortable. I have to finish washing Harry." She called and as if on cue, Harry let out an adorable giggle. Filius smiled before he moved across the room to the owl that had patiently been waiting. The owl hopped down from the ledge all the way down to the chair in front of the desk so Filius could have better access. He stroked the owl's feathers in thanks then removed the letter from its leg carefully. He checked his pockets for a treat or some food for the bird to nibble on but he found nothing. He looked at the bird and gave it an apologetic look. "I'm very sorry. I don't seem to have any treats for you. Maybe if you went to the kitchen, you would find something." The owl hooted and took off. Filius then charmed one of the armchairs in the room to a more comfortable size for himself before sitting down. He slid open the letter as it was addressed to either him or Miss Petunia and was most likely a reply from Director Feldspar. He opened the letter thoughtfully and started reading through it. The sound of footsteps interrupted his perusal and he glanced up to see Petunia approaching with little Harry swaddled in towels. Harry was awake, giggling and waving his tiny limbs as much as he could in the strict confines of the towel. Petunia was cooing and tickling him as she moved forward. The domestic sight made him smile. Remus was trailing behind, looking slightly soaked but beaming all the same.
"He must have slipped off to help when I spotted the owl." Filius thought. He glanced down at the letter. Feldspar was apologetic but he did not know the answers to the questions he had posed. The only one that would be helpful would be His Majesty. Filius sighed. This was not the news he wished to hear nor wanted to convey.
Me: Right. So I am ending this chapter here for a purpose. I am debating on whether or not to let Petunia go but I am leaning away from it because, with Petunia there, she will or could take over maternal figure and I already have someone else so I'm asking for a pairing vote for her. I will hold out for the votes as long as I can but there will be a time limit or you would never get the next chapter.
Also! Humongous shout out to Honoria Granger! You were my first review and it was so lovely to get that I wanted to give you recognition. Maybe I will again at the beginning of my next chapter in case you don't see this. XD
I also would like to thank Claradwor. Your review made me laugh spectacularly so thank you for brightening my day!
Soooooooo see you guys hopefully soon and drop a review. Or vote. Whichever works?
