Fred and George headed for the house, praying they would find something, knowing how hard it would be on Harry already. Harry had admitted his Uncle hated Hedwig, and they prayed the owl had not come back, for they were worried what might happen, for the bird meant the world to Harry. The marauders map, an album from Hagrid and his cloak meant the world, and could not be replaced, unlike his broom, but the owl was more then a simple familiar to Harry. The owl had been his first gift, his first friend, and his contact with the outside world in the months he was here.
They remembered rescuing him in the car, they had already been friends from quidditch before then, but they had become closer They loved him like a little brother, long before he gave them the money for their shop, and the condition he was in, scared them. They wondered how much he had not told them, how often he had been beaten, and wished their little brother had told them. They understood, he knew he would have been sent back, but this time he was safe, he would not be returned.
Fred cast a disillusionment charm on him and his brother. "We can not be seen. Lucius needs a few days to gain custody. Or Harry will be sent back here."
George nodded. "Are you reminding me or yourself? You know mum always said you were the wilder one"
At another time they would have laughed, it was true enough, but not now. Even for the twins they were not sure they would laugh for some time, or even close their eyes without seeing what the man had done to their little brother, what no human should have endured. The thought of what would have happened if the car had not been seen, and the dumpster had been collected. They thought of their little brother dying battered and broken in a dumpster, and wanted to hex the monsters who did it, but they both knew they could not risk Harry being sent back.
They were not sure what to expect when they entered the house, knowing it was late in the night, and the family should be asleep. As they entered the house they noticed the couple was awake in the kitchen, an it looked like they had been in bed. Fred was the one needed to be reeled in by his twin, and led to the stair.
They came to Harry's old room and Fred noticed something. "Look all the locks have been removed from the door."
George opened the door and he was hit by the over whelming smell of bleach. "It seems someone did a job on erasing any traces of Harry from the room."
There was nothing, no books, no pictures, none of Harry's over sized clothes, or even the cage for Hedwig. The bed was taken apart, and the room looked like some kind of storage room now, as if there had never been anyone who slept in here before. Harry had never had much from his old life, from this muggle world, and they were not certain t would have taken long to clear the room, but the smell and the emptiness of the room, bothered them. Fred found the loose floor board and was relieved when he found Harry's cloak, wand, photo album and some homework under it. He bundled them all up and were about to leave when they saw Hedwig.
Fred motioned for the bird was making noise and had a note. "We need to get her out of here. Take the note and see if you can send her to the Malfoys."
George stroked the bird and took the note which he noticed was from Professor Lupin. "You need to go to Malfoy manor girl. Harry is there, you'll be safe"
The bird was still hooting but took off, but unfortunately they could hear Vernon coming up the stairs, and nearly freaked, will they were reminded they were invisible. They were relieved they had been there when the owl had come, for he would likely have killed her if he could, and it would have been another horrible blow. They watched the man and his wife come in, and wondered if she had been involved as well, or she simply had not cared
Vernon grunted. "We need that bird when she comes back. We have to make those people believe he is fine. We can not leave for the US for another few weeks."
Petunia was pale. "I don't get why you killed the boy Vernon? We had to sell all we own to start these new lives. The boy was not worth it."
Vernon smacked her hard across the face. "You're welcome to stay here if you want. You don't think they will blame you for his death too?"
Petunia clutched at her face, and they could see from the shock in her face she ha never been hit by her husband, and wondered if she was spared, because of Harry. The woman did not deserve their sympathy, she had know or been part of the abuse Harry had been forced to endure, and they found no comfort for her. They knew they needed to tell Lucius, but if they were not leaving for weeks, Lucius thought he could have custody in days. They had a feeling these monsters would pray for dementors when Moody and the others came after them, but it seemed even with their promise to their brother, they could not leave without some vengeance.
Fred cast a spell before they apparated and back at the manor George asked, and he shrugged "Gave the bastard and his wife very painful cases of the clap."
George nodded as they headed for Harry's new room. "It should keep them thinking for few days before we can actually go after them."
They found the others all still in the bedroom, and admitted Harry looked some what better for the bruising and swelling in his face was gone, so you could tell it was Harry. He would still have a week or more before he could leave bed, but it would not take months and rehab. They were relieve when Hedwig was there, and showing what they found they admitted how it went, but even Moody nodded in approval to the spell Fred had used.
Lucius took the letter. "It can help us track down where he wolf is. He has custody of Harry, if he will sign the papers, I won't even need my attorneys."
Fred looked down at Harry. "He had custody and Harry was still sent back there?"
Lucius nodded, explaining from what he knew Remus was convinced with people on the run, and Harry was safer where he was. Remus ha left for the continent some where, to mourn Sirius, with the belief Harry would happily allow him to pick up in the fall, when he would be teaching. He could not have known how bad things were, but all three red heads ached for Harry, who must have felt so betrayed, another parent had left him.
Charlie squeezed Fred's arm. "Lucius and I will keep him here and offer him a home. Your little brother will e better, and those monsters will pay for this."
