Disclaimer: See chapter 1. Reviews are welcomed, flames aren't.

Just a quick author's note: This is an AU. Therefore, book 7: tDH doesn't exist in this universe. Thought you might like to know. --GF

Chapter 4: Pete meets Lord Peter

"You think it's safe? What's stopping him from taking the kid back to England?"

Harry didn't hear the rest. A cold fear ran up his spine. They were going to send him back to the Dursley! He would be locked in his cupboard forever!

Running silently back to his room, he quickly packed the few belongings that Lampie, Healer Ellen and Uncle Ian had given him. Opening his window, he called for Elliott with tears running down his cheeks. He'd really thought he had a chance for a home here, but it was just a dream like always.

0o0o0o0

Pete opened Harry's door just as Harry was whisked out the window by a pair of green scaly hands.

"HARRY!"

Running out of the lighthouse, Pete grabbed his broom just as Elliott started to fly away with Harry on his back. "HARRY! WAIT! PLEASE!"

Elliott paused for a moment when he heard the desperate plea. "Boop?"

"Harry! Please. Listen to me. Whatever happened, I promised you always have a home with me. I don't know what caused you to want to flee, but give me another chance. Please?" Pete begged.

"But I heard you talking."

"A barrister, ah . . . a lawyer, that knew your family, your parents, wants to see you. He wants to make sure you are alright. He won't take you away unless you are unhappy with me. Are you unhappy? Don't you want to stay with me?"

Harry let out a sob and flung himself off of Elliott who was trying to land. Pete was close enough to catch the boy who was diving for him. Harry wasn't aware he was still in the air or that Lampie wouldn't be able to catch him. All he knew was he needed to be with this man, who gave wonderful hugs, who told great bedtime stories, who believed in Elliott, who believed in him.

Harry clung tightly to Pete. He could feel the man's heart beat and he buried his face into his neck, sobbing. "Sorry. Ssssorry. 'm sorry."

With the help of Elliott, Pete managed to land with himself, Harry and his broom intact, barely.

"It's late. Say 'good night' to Elliott. You'll see him in the morning. I promise," Pete said, still holding the sobbing boy.

0o0o0o0

When Lord Peter Flinchley floo'd to the lighthouse, he wasn't sure what to expect. Taking note of the the cozy living area that lacked a certain feminine touch he mused, 'Clearly a bachelor establishment.'

He had read all the files, seen all the photos, but he still wasn't prepared for the small quiet nervous boy that awaited him. Although he looked like James Potter and had Lily's eyes, the boy seemed too mature, too self-contained to be James' son. 'Like an old soul in a child's body.'

"Hello Lord Harry. I'm Lord Peter Flinchley. I knew your father, James. The last time I saw you, you were just a baby," Lord Peter said, jovially as he watched the boy hesistantly relax as he shook his hand. "Your parents brought you to me to set up your trust fund and their will."

"Th. . .they did?" Harry looked up at the distinguished gentleman in awe.

"Yes, Lord Harry and let me assure you, you were not to be placed with your Aunt Petunia Dursley for any reason. You have my word, you won't be going back."

"Er. . . Mr. er Lord Flinchley? I'm Peter Taylor," Pete introduced himself. "Pamela should be along soon. Something came up in her office."

"Call me Lord Peter, Mr. Taylor. I have the feeling you and I will be working quite closely in keeping young Lord Harry here out of trouble."

"HEY!" Harry exclaimed, then he hunched over as if expecting to be yelled at or worse. "Sorry. I shouldn't yelled."

Lampie smiled and ruffled Harry's hair. "That's alright Harry. Why don't you go find Elliott and work on your sand castle some more. Lord Peter and I need to discuss a few things. I'll call you in for lunch and we'll go over everything with you." Turning back to the British lawyer, Pete continued. "You can call me Lampie. Least ways, that's what folks around here call me. With you being a Peter and me being a Pete, it could become confusing."

Harry looked from one adult to the other, seeing that he wasn't in trouble but knew he was in the way, shrugged. "Alright. But we're almost done with it."

After the boy left, Peter gave a inquiring look, "Elliott?"

"Harry's invisible friend," Lampie replied, waving the older man to the table. "Coffee? Before we get started? I'm not about to discourage Harry from believing in his friend. From the looks of things, he's had very few while growing up."

"Indeed. And yes, coffee would be fine." Peter sat in the offered chair and pulled out his briefcase. "Now then. How happy is Harry here? And before I leave, I wish to speak with him alone."

0o0o0o0

Harry really wasn't pleased to be sent outside even if he got another chance to play with Elliott.

Play with Elliott. Now that was just plain weird. When he had been with the Dursleys, he hadn't been allowed to play or even to have friends. He really didn't want to go back, but he knew that he didn't belong here not matter what anyone said.

"Bloop?'"

"Hi Elliott." Harry looked up at his green scaly friend and smiled. "No. Just thinkin'. That bear-ee-stir man is with Lampie. He seems alright. He said he knew my parents. Met me when I was a baby."

"Boop? Tsk?"

"I guess. He says, I won't have to go back but I'm not sure."

Elliott growled.

"NO! No! Elliott. Lampie would get mad. Please, I don't want to get into trouble."

0o0o0o0

Pamela was running late but she was extremely happy. She'd finally gotten into Harry Potter's GBWCPS files, and managed to get the Dursley's address.

After having the goblins check out the wards on Number 4 Privet Drive, she was concerned and appalled. According to his files, Harry had been placed with his aunt due to some ancient protective blood wards. The reports didn't mention them. In fact, what blood wards were there were so faded that they were practically useless.

So with a bit of smugness and a sense of self-righteous anger, she walked up to the house.

"Good day, Mrs. Petunia Dursley? I'm Pamela Smythe. I'm from Wizard Child Protective Services. I wish to talk to you about your nephew, Harry Potter. May I come in?"

0o0o0o0

Harry sat down at his place for lunch. Both men looked pleased with themselves. A fourth place had been set, he looked up at Lampie.

"Ellen's stopping by. She wants to talk to Lord Peter about your health issues," Lampie explained as he set a plate of noodles and meatballs in front of Harry. "Eat now. Talk later."

Rolling his eyes, Harry dug into his meal. Both men were talking about the weather and fishing when the floo activated.

"Hello. Mind if I join you?"

The meal went by quickly, but too slowly for Harry's peace of mind. As Lampie cleared away the dishes, Lord Peter got down to business. "Now about Lord Harry. As his family's barrister, I'm authorized to reimburse all medical and living expenses. What does the child need?"

0o0o0o0

Thanks for the reviews everyone. Harry and Elliott didn't get very far. As for Dumbledore, you'll just have to wait.

As for Harry doing something stupid, he is a child. Children always do stupid things especially when they are frighten and unsure about they own boundaries. As a parent, the most frustrating answer to the question, 'What were you thinking?' is for a child to shrug. Children don't think, they just react.

Well, enough of that soap box. Until next time. --GF