Chapter 4:- Rescue Mission

This rain was getting on my last nerves. Don't get me wrong I love the rain, you know the normal kind, like we have in India. Not like this London weather where it rains to annoy the hell out of you. It was so hard to navigate even with a GPS in such terrible weather conditions. The GPS said to turn right at Barkley Drive which was in another 100 yards. I had been following this particular direction for the last ten minutes! Where was this stupid Barkley Dri- oh, was that it? Never mind, I just missed it.

I looked back to check whether anyone was coming. Seeing the coast clear, I reverse the car. That's right I just violated the law. I am soooo bad. God, I'm such a nerd! Now if I could just find the house- ahah! I turned into 64 Barkley Drive driveway and parked the Beetle. Inspector Roy had said their names to be the Fosters- Beth and John. They were supposed to be excellent people, having handled seven foster children before Harry, but a bit orthodox in their lifestyle. Roy had not elaborated further. As long as they took care of Harry, they were alright in my book.

I got out from the car and ran to their front door. I looked at myself and realized that a distance of twenty feet, and I had been soaked to the bone. I probably looked like a wet cat dragging herself into this posh house. I shuddered. This rain certainly brought about a chill in the air. I held the coat closer to myself as I rang the doorbell and then waited for it to be answered. Realizing that I probably was not looking my best, I tried to arrange my tangled black hair and wring out as much water from my clothes as I could. When the door opened I saw a kindly woman looking out. She had short blonde hair, and was quite short and pudgy looking.

"Hello, ma'am. My name is Sarayu Khan, I was sent by Inspector Roy to check up on the case." The woman looked terrified for an instance and quickly grabbed my hand and pulled me into the house. She shut the door behind her and called for her husband. I wondered what had gotten her so worried. Shrugging it off, I looked at the house. The entrance was in such a way that I could from the front entrance see a lobby which ended at the kitchen. In the kitchen there was a big glass door whose blinds had not yet been shut. I guessed it led to the back garden. I peered through my rainwater soaked spectacles and vaguely saw a black figure in the garden. They must have a dog. But what was the dumb dog doing lying there in the rain. The door to the back porch was slightly open and the area had a little puddle of water. I thought about telling them this but my musings were cut short with the arrival of the husband. He quickly introduced himself and told me,

"Thank you for coming so quickly, we just called Inspector Roy. I guess he must have sent you." I opened my mouth to tell him that there must have been a mistake, and that I was coming here to check up on Harry when his wife interrupted me.

"Just take it away from us! It's the devil incarnate!" I seriously now got worried about the mental health of this woman. I looked at both her and the man and saw that they were both frightened out of their wits.

"Ma'am, there must be a misunderstanding. I am here to check up on a little boy named Harry. I understand he is under your care until the trial."

"Yes! Yes! Take it away from us." The feeling of dread was back in my system. swallowed heavily and squeezed my eyes shut. In a quiet and timid voice that didn't seem to be my own I asked, "Where is Harry?"

"We have tied it up and put it in the backyard!" My eyes snapped open. Suddenly I realized the mystery of the dumb dog. There was no dog; that was Harry! On its own accord my throat opened and let out a terrible scream, "HARRY!"

I guess the child must have heard me through the open back door, because as I rushed towards the garden, I saw the black lump move and then fall to the ground. I opened the door, and let myself through it. I rushed over to the shivering boy. I held his face in my hands and gasped. The boy's lips were nearly turning blue due to the cold. It was a miracle that the child was not dead yet. It seemed that time spent with his Uncle, had seriously toughened him up. Thank the Lord. But it pained me to think what the child could possibly have gone through to make him so tough. Tears spilled out from my eyes and I grabbed the boy in a hug. I rubbed his back as rapidly as I could, trying to generate some heat. But I was myself soaking and getting cold that I couldn't hope to do anything for the boy. I turned my head and glared at the couple in the house. They were watching us as if it was unnatural for someone to hug another.

I gathered the boy in my arms and picked him up. I walked back into the house. Despite their shouts of disagreement I set boy nearest to the burning fireplace. As if the child hadn't been through enough, they dared to abuse him even further. I am not a saint. I would not go from here without my revenge. Oh no! When I got angry I got destructive. I grabbed the most expensive fleece blanket that I could see lying there on their couch, and began to clean up Harry. I massaged his head and tried to get the water out of him. Poor kid, lying there for probably more than half an hour. The woman rushed forward to stop me and I shouted, "Sit your fucking ass down, you bitch!" Let me tell you that this should be an indication that I was pissed. I never insult strangers. I have an unconditional need to please people. But now I have an unconditional need to kill this couple.

"You don't understand what you are holding! It's evil! I beg of you, step away before it corrupts you!" the woman pleaded.

"How dare you?! He is just a boy. He deserves love, not hatred!"

"My wife is right. He is unnatural. He made the glass of milk move across the table with his mind!"

"Stop trying to make up stories. That is impossible. And stop trying to blame him for your mist-" I was interrupted as the doorbell rang. The woman rushed to open the door and I heard voices. Familiar voices. "Inspector Roy?" I cried out. And indeed it was his familiar face that came out from the hallway.

"Mrs. Khan. What seems to be the problem?"

"What kind of care have you placed this boy into? You promised me that Harry would be taken care of till his trial. This care facility of yours seems highly inadequate. These people, if you can call them that, insist the boy is evil and unnatural! They dare to say this. The very same people, who kept him outside for god knows how long, in the pouring rain till I came along and found him. Look at him, the boy is blue and probably suffering from pneumonia!" I ranted out the story to the inspector and noted that someone was typing out whatever I said and taking pictures of Harry. I looked at the boy who seemed even shyer than before. He was lying on the rug curled up into a ball, trying to take as much heat from the fireplace as he could without getting burnt. I rubbed his back in comforting circles. He looked at me with those eyes, devoid of hope and tear tracks running down them. I sat down on the rug beside him, gathered him up into arms and rocked him gently back and forth, all the while singing a prayer into his little ear.

I turned my eyes towards the Inspector and saw that he was questioning the couple, both of whom who were furiously pointing at Harry. I held the boy closer to myself and kissed his messy black mane. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Inspector Roy come up to us. He crouched down low and said, "Harry. Child, I need to talk to you." When Harry turned his head to look at him, he continued, "Harry, did you make something happen at the dinner table today?" I opened my mouth to shout at the man who dared to accuse Harry of such a preposterous thing, but he warned me off with a look and said, "Mrs. Khan, these people have fostered seven other kids before Harry and we have never received word of complaint. We must investigate this before we can accuse them of anything."

"Inspector Roy. Even if their allegation against Harry was correct, that he is indeed telekinetic, that does not excuse their despicable behavior. They left a child outside in 2 degree Celsius weather, in nothing but a shirt and a pant, to die. Whether this accusation or not, it changes nothing of the situation whatsoever. I hope you realize that."

Roy seemed to hesitate for a moment, but he turned his attention back to Harry, "Harry, did you, or did you not make something happen at the dinner table tonight?"

The child seemed to hesitate for a moment, before tears fell and he spoke very urgently, "I don't know what happened. I don't know. I didn't….I swear. I am not a freak! Please."

"That doesn't really tell us anything Harry. I am asking for a straight answer."

"And what do you want him to say," I interjected, "that 'yes, sir. I made that happen and therefore I forgive an attempt on my life?!' Please, Inspector," I held up my hand, "I think that is enough questioning the boy. Fact is- foster parents are meant to care for the child, not kill him. Therefore considering this evidence, which is relevant to the case, I would advise you to arrest these people as soon as possible and give them their due punishment."

--

So, we were back at the police station, just like the night before. Don't tell me I have to spend the night sleeping on that wooden couch again. What am I paying the hotel for, safekeeping my suitcase? I sighed. I suppose I could still endure the wooden couch, but fact is that Harry hadn't spoken a word to me since I had "rescued" him from the Fosters. Was he scared, still mad at me? I didn't know, but he had clung on to me from the house to the station. Even now, he was sleeping in my lap, his arms curled around my body and his head lying right above my heart. I could barely try to understand what the boy must be feeling at the moment. Even I felt so shattered inside. I had promised this boy all the care and protection in the world but in turn he had received absolutely nothing. What I really needed was, to curl up next to my- tring tring (my cell phone rang, and I checked the caller ID)- husband.

I smiled. It's true what people say about soul mates, I suppose. That even when you think of them thousands of miles away, they know exactly what you are doing, and what you want at that moment. I sniffed, and a tear slipped out from my eye. I turned on the phone.

"Hi, jaan." (translates literally hello, my life)

"Sara, baby, is something wrong? You sound upset."

I sniffed and laughed, "No, love. Everything is fine. I was just desperately missing you." I won't bore you with our love talks; that is after all private between my husband and me, but I did talk to him about Harry telling him that he is an abused boy and his upcoming trial. "Love, I don't know if I will be able to make the flight for tomorrow. There is the trial and the fact that now I desperately need to find Harry, personally, a good home to take him in."

"Baby, you take as long as you need, just not too long, okay? My convention here in Australia ends in another two weeks. So try to make it before then? I love you. I miss you."

"I love you too, Im." Knowing he must be tired getting off his duty then, for it must be around 3:30 in the morning there, I quickly ask him to rest up and then put down the phone. My husband, Imtiaz (Im-teh-ah-zuh) is a doctor, a surgeon really. He works with Apollo, a huge hospital back home. At the moment he had gone for a surgeon's convention or something in Melbourne. He was due to be back, one day before my birthday that is—November 22nd. I think he planned that. I try not to be too sappy about my love life, but I really think what the hell I would do if he wasn't with me. Bloody hell, sleep must be driving me insane! I gather up Harry into my arms and approach Roy. I ask him permission to take Harry back to my hotel, and surprisingly to my knowledge he agrees. I give him my contact details and he proceeds to get in touch with me tomorrow morning regarding Harry and the trial. I take Harry with me to the parking lot and get into the Beetle. The rain has stopped now. I get into the car and adjust Harry in the back seat so that he is sleeping comfortably. I sit down on the driver's seat and push the key in. I looked back to reverse and get ready to take both of us home.

-

Minerva's Point of View

The tracking spell that I had placed on the woman, what was her name again, Sara or something, indicated to me that something was wrong. I was just getting ready for bed when I felt the pain going through my system, altering me to this danger. I quickly shot out of bed, and put on my black teaching robe. I went into my office and quickly Flooed Albus, who was still up dealing with his papers and such. I never understood why a great and powerful wizard like Albus would willingly take up a desk job. It was one of the things that I had never grasped about Albus. I told him that I needed to immediately visit one of my nieces in London due to her rapidly failing health, and he, being a darling, acquiesced to my request. First time in my life, I thanked god for my overgrown family, and the endless nieces and nephews. Now you can certainly understand why I never took a husband.

But now is not the time to talk about my mother's and sisters' failure to use contraception. It was time to understand what was up with the woman and Harry. I quickly walked down from my quarters to the outer gates of Hogwarts and apparated to the police station that I had tracked them to.

--

I landed in the parking lot of the police station, and when noticed some cops trying to see what the disturbance was, I quickly transformed into my cat form, Tabby. It was pouring outside, so instead of trying to seem like a cat dragged in, I ran towards the gates of the station. It seemed there was some sort of an incident going on there. The parking lot included three cars that were flashing and making a lot of noise. Muggles! Out of one of the cars I saw the woman, Sara I reminded myself getting out with a child in her arms that I recognized as Harry. Police station? Again? I almost smiled, just like his father. Could never stay out of trouble. But I just hope that it was not to terrible whatever happened. Then I observed that out of another police car, one couple was getting out, handcuffed. The woman was a pudgy looking thing, kindly with short blonde hair. The man, was half bald brunette, a bit taller than his wife but not overly so, maybe around 5'6 or so. But fact was that they were handcuffed and Harry it seemed like was the victim around here. Something was going on here and it was definitely not good. I crept inside the police station, and recognized that all of them were proceeding towards the Inspector that had handled their case the previous night. I ran towards his desk and planted myself right next to one of the legs of the desk, and listened.

First, the couple came. They talked about what had happened at the dinner table with Harry. My eyes widened with shock, they had witnessed Harry's accidental magic! Why had the magic cleaning committee not come to Harry's rescue? Then, I thought maybe that Harry had been under Albus's wards for so long it maybe that his accidental magical signature had never registered with the ministry. After all, it is officially registered after children receive their wands and get admitted into various schools. That would mean that magic had been exposed, and to the worst sort of people too. They called Harry freak, evil, Satan spawn, and other cruel words that disgusted me to the core. I peered out of the corner of my eye and saw Harry curled up against Sara, seeking her warmth and comfort. She was rocking and singing to the child. Out of her own eyes, tears dripping onto Harry's hair. I turned my attention back to the conversation at hand. It seemed the couple had left Harry out during the pouring rain, and he had nearly died. I prayed that his magic had helped him survive through the cold, aiding him in his needful time. Soon enough the couple were reprimanded and put in jail for attempted murder. A case had been started up against them. I smiled in satisfaction.

Then I observed the conversation between Sara and the Inspector. It seemed that Harry's trial against the Dursleys was tomorrow. That meant I needed to keep a check on things before then. And I had no doubt that considering how tormented Harry had felt at the Dursleys he would have indeed released his accidental magic. Now with this couple complaining of Harry's magic, it might just strengthen the Dursley's case or worse expose magic. I needed to handle this situation very delicately. That meant that I would need to skip out tomorrow's lessons. I decided to wait till tomorrow morning and then send a Patronus out to Albus to have someone cover my lessons. It paid off to be organized, I had kept the lesson plan for the day on my desk in the classroom.

Meanwhile, I watched Sara and Harry- truly they looked like mother and son- wander out into the parking lot. She was taking him back with her till the trial. Yes, she would take good care of him. Meanwhile I needed to figure out things with this trial. If magic got out into the world, lord knows what the Ministry will do to the Boy-Who-Lived. So I went off into the ladies room and transformed back into Professor Minerva McGonagall. I took some toilet paper and transfigured it into important documents, more importantly into my permit to argue in a Muggle court. My lawyer's permit. I transfigured my clothes into a professional business suit and pulled my hair up into a tight bun. Ready with everything, I walked out from the room and upto the Inspector.

I held out my hand, "Inspector Roy, I presume." At his nod, I went on further, "My name is Kate Pricely. I wish to handle the child abuse case of a certain Mr. Harry James Potter. I was a friend of his parent's and wish him to be placed into a good home." When he didn't seem convinced, let just say I was not averse to using my wand to persuade the smart fellow.

Tomorrow's trial would indeed be a magical revelation. It's a wonder how much truth you can get out of a person by forcing a bottle of Veratiserum down their throats. Knockturn Alley, here I come.

-

Sara's POV

I stopped the car right at the parking lot of the Washington Hotel. I got out and opened the back door. Harry was still sleeping soundly. Poor boy, what a trying day he had had tonight. What a trying life. I gathered him up into my arms, and adjusted him until his head was resting on my left shoulder and his legs were curled around my waist. I wrapped my hand around his torso to keep him from falling and with my free hand locked the car. I walked into the hotel and smiled a quiet hello to the doorman. People at the reception did look at me funny. Probably wondering how and where had I gotten a child from. I paid them no heed and walked to my room. I thanked my gods that I had chosen a room on the lobby. No matter how light Harry was, I could not keep this up all day. I unlocked the door and walked inside the room.

Harry looked like an angel while sleeping and I couldn't bear to wake him up. But I was sure the poor boy had not had any food, and he really needed the medicine to keep him from getting a cold. I decided to let him sleep in until I made something for him. I laid him down on the Queen bed and entered the kitchen. Let's see what did I buy from the superstore. Heavy ready to eat Indian food- no, I couldn't give him something that heavy- bread- yes that would do nicely- soup that I accidentally bought- yes, that would be nice and refreshing. Soup and bread would be quite filling for the boy, and wouldn't overly stress his stomach. I poured the soup mix in the pan and added the water. I started preparing the hot tomato soup while I toasted the bread in another pan. Meanwhile I rang the reception and asked them to send in medicines for fever and some vitamins.

The soup was done. I poured it slowly into the bowl, and took the bread out from the pan, and put it on a plate. I set it out on the small dining table provided in the suite, and walked towards the bedroom. I shook Harry lightly on the shoulder and said, "Sweetie, you need to eat something and take your medicines. You can get very sick like this, love." Harry nodded and rubbed his eyes. I escorted him towards the dining table. I nodded towards the soup and the bread. "You can't have anything very heavy, sweetie. And the soup will be very enriching and filling. So eat up. You might find it hard to swallow the bread so try to soak the bread in the soup before you eat it. Like this." I guided the tomato soap soaked bread towards his mouth and let him take a bite. Suddenly the suite's bell rang. I let Harry take charge of his food, and warned him to eat it slowly and carefully. He took my advice into mind as he slowly sipped the soup, and ate the bread. I went to the door and collected the medicines from the attendee. I tipped him adequately, and went to fetch some water for Harry and myself to swallow the medicines.

After Harry had had his fill of food, and taken his medicine, I guided him towards the bed again, and laid him down. I fluffed up the pillows and set them under his head. "Rest up, love. You have a very hard day in front of you tomorrow." At his inquisitive look I said, "The trial, sweetie. We filed a case against your aunt and uncle for child abuse. They are going to be charged for all the bad things that they did to you. They won't get away with the horrible treatment that they gave you all these years."

"Please don't. They told me that if I ever complained to anyone they would kill me! Please, don't!"

"Child, you do not need to be afraid of your aunt and uncle any longer. We have enough evidence against them; they can never ever harm you now. They wouldn't dare. Otherwise I will be on those pigs' tails!" Both Harry and I giggled. Apparently both Harry and I agreed that Vernon could not possibly belong to the human race. The tense environment had suddenly turned light.

-

The alarm rang. I woke up instantly and shut down the alarm. I had set it up half an hour early so that I could get dressed and then get Harry ready. My flight left this afternoon at 3pm so I had no office this morning. I guess it was pure luck now that I could help out Harry and then maybe get him adopted or put in a good care facility before my flight. My need to fulfill impossible tasks never seemed to end. I had already wasted three minutes in my mind drivel. I searched a new pair of clothes that I could easily maneuver in and look formal enough for the trial. I searched through my suitcase when my eyes fell on the traditional and elegant Indian dress I had brought along with me, just in case. It was a Salwar Kameez set. For those of you who have absolutely no idea what the hell I am talking about, let me describe you the garments. It is basically a long shirt and a harem pants. The shirt is a three-quarter sleeved maroon silk that grazed my knees. The neck was collared but it was a V-neck all the same. The pants were black silk harem pants- those pants that had legs looking like two balloons. I grabbed the set and my towel and rushed into the shower.

Nothing to rouse you up like a good hot shower. Most people said this. It just drove me even more sleepy than normal. I need my dose of caffeine and music in the morning to recover my dulled senses. I needed to make some breakfast for Harry and me in the morning. But before that I needed Harry to wake up and get ready. But that reminded me, Harry had absolutely no new clothes here. I suppose I needed to buy him a new pair before the trial today. But did I really need to wake the little angel so soon? What time was the trial anyway? At the right time, the phone rang- it was Inspector Roy. I quickly took the call as I saw Harry stirring in his sleep.

"Yes, Inspector. What can I do for you?" I moved into the kitchen and began rummaging for things to eat during breakfast.

"Mrs. Khan, I just needed you to inform you that the trial will take place today on eleven a.m. at Municipal Law Court on L Street. You should arrive with the boy at ten thirty a.m. so that we can meet with your public prosecutor, Ms. Pricley. Mister Dursley will be accompanied by his defender, Mr. Smithson. I went through his files and his statements as of now, and it seems that like the Fosters, he too complains the boy was in some form unnatural. Could do unusual things. I would advice you to be careful and explain to the boy to be careful around such questions. Statements given by two families could seriously endanger the boy, not just his trial, but also his life."

I looked back at Harry. The little boy sleeping there looked like an angel. He could do unnatural things? Had telekinesis? What was he? Whatever he was, wherever he had come from, I knew in my heart that he was going to change my life today.