7
Disclaimer: This is a work of Fan Fiction set within the Harry Potter universe. As such all Characters and Locations belong to J.K. Rowling and this work is not being produced for commercial gain.
Chapter 7
Selene half-led half carried Harry into the house and sat them both awkwardly at the kitchen table. "Tea please Luna"
As Luna bustled round the kitchen making tea Harry's weeping storm calmed down. Once he'd taken a few sips he started to talk.
"It's Dudley's birthday today and his aunt Marge was visiting and she'd brought her favourite dog Ripper. It's a big mean bulldog, well when Marge arrived she let Ripper off his chain and after being nice to Dudley she started shouting at me. She came over to me, started calling me a runt, and poked me in the chest. That was when I stepped on Ripper the dog growled at me and Marge told him to 'get me'. The thing chased me up a tree, I was there all day. Dudley laughed so much he threw up, then he phoned his friends, and they all came round to laugh at me. I was there all day, and every so often someone would come out of the house to laugh."
Harry's tears had started again, it was clear that this humiliation was turning to anger. "They left me up there till gone midnight. Marge called Ripper in then and shut the door leaving me up the tree. They called in the dog but shut me out. So I got the wand Luna gave me and came here.
Can I stay here please; I'm not going back there. They hate me and I hate them."
Luna looked over at Selene and shrugged this was outside of her experience, it would be as much her mums call as hers.
"You can stay tonight Harry. But I think we should notify someone you are here."
"Are you going to call the police?"
"Not yet Harry. Luna can you call Ted Tonks, he has a foot in both worlds and will be best to give us advice."
Luna set off to the fireplace and could see her mum's logic. At some point authorities would need to be informed or else they would find themselves having to answer questions from officials from either magic or mundane authorities.
It took a good five minutes of shouting before a bleary-eyed Ted answered her call. Once she'd explained the situation to him "Yes that Harry Potter" he told her he'd be straight over once he'd explained the situation to Andromeda and put some clothes on.
In the end, Andromeda came over with Ted so she could check on Harry's physical condition while Ted could advise them of the best way forward.
They had moved to the living room and Harry was starting to drift off to sleep on a sofa when the Tonks' arrived.
A few simply tests showed Harry had slight dehydration after being outside for over twelve hours with nothing to drink.
Her simple solution of a sports drink went down better than a potion would. This just left the problem of Harry refusing to go back to the Dursley's.
"We have two issues here. One is the child welfare and abuse of Harry, the other is keeping everything above board for the Lovegood's, if Harry's relatives do notify the police of a missing person you could be open to charges of child abduction. I don't advise going to the police ourselves because we will have too much explaining of how Harry got from Surrey to Devon in the space of an hour at night. Public transport is not great in the early hours of the morning.
So I suggest we contact MagLep now, and if things start to get political Andy will have to contact her good friend Amelia to see if we can cut corners."
"I'm sorry" interjected Luna "Who are MagLep?"
Ted laughed "Sorry bad habit, Magical law enforcement patrol. If I went straight to the Aurors office this would be on Fudges desk before the day is out, then we'd find ourselves in front of the Wizengamot for a hearing by Monday morning and next thing you know my dear brother-in-law would have custody.
Once we've informed MagLep we can let them liaise with the muggle police. The lower we keep this within the bureaucracy the better."
Ted left them to make the necessary call. Luna started to fret over doing the right thing. Ted was right one misstep here and Harry would be brought to the attention of the whole Wizarding world.
While she fretted over doing the right thing Ted reappeared with two MagLep officers who he introduced as Alistor Gumboil and Tilden Pepper. Harry was woken and Tilden gently coaxed Harry's story out of him.
First yesterday's events with Marge, and then after Luna made a suggestion his wider treatment there, including his sleeping arrangements.
Alistor's face darkened throughout the story as he took notes when it was obvious the Harry had told all he was going to he gestured for Ted and Selene to move away from Harry so they could talk together. Luna moved slightly so she was able to overhear the conversation.
"Right, first off that was a genuine story. Tilden is amazing at getting kids to talk which is why I brought her. Chances are that wasn't all of it either I've never known a kid to exaggerate mistreatment from a family situation. You might get the odd false accusation against teachers but I'd bet my pension there wasn't a word false in that.
Second off I can see why you asked for me here Ted. This is going to go political. I think I'll hand this report into Bones personally, let's face it this is why she takes the galleons home.
Mean time it's obvious that Harry is happy here so I'm more than willing to let him stay overnight, if you can answer me one question. Why is a boy who by his own confession lives in Surrey happy here in Devon?"
Selene paled slightly as she tried to figure her response to this. She settled for a version of the truth. "Luna saw him on the street of his home town and recognised him; she then returned and befriended him. After making his confidence she introduced him to me and I've apparated him over here many times. "
"And why where you there in Little Whinging?" he asked as he consulted his notes.
"Xeno decided it would be a good idea to have a muggle postal address so we rented the cheapest office space he could find. Xeno's geography of Britain is rubbish probably because he just apparates everywhere. It was on one of those visits that Luna decided to go for a wander and she saw Harry."
"Fine then, I'll leave Tilden here so that everything stays above board. I'll get our muggle liaison guys to check in with the Surrey police to see if they have received a missing persons report. If those Dursley's haven't reported him missing by midday they will be in even more trouble. Everything we have so far involves Harry giving testimony although if a physical search of the property bares out his testimony that will be pretty damning. However, if we have him and they don't declare him missing that's evidence of neglect right there.
I'll head back now and start getting things together to let Bones know." He turned to Selene "See if you can come up with a better story by the morning. It's obvious you care for the boy, but really a chance meeting on a muggle street" Alistor laughed a bitter little laugh and headed for the floo.
"I'm sure I'll be seeing you in the morning"
Once he had left, Selene started transfiguring furniture into bedding, for all those who were staying over.
Tilden stayed in a chair and started writing up reports. The rest of the house headed off for an uneasy night's sleep.
Morning dawned bright and early, at eight o'clock the fire turned green and Alistor's head appeared in the flames. "Hello Lovegood house can we come through?"
Ted Tonks answered, "Who is with you?"
"Amelia Bones head of the DMLE and Jennifer Hopkins Child Welfare"
Ted stepped back and lowered his voice to speak to Selene. "They are both good people, I've never meet Hopkins but her reputation is fantastic, muggle born so no connections to the elite."
"Yes you can enter" Selene answered the flames spat the three out and they entered into the kitchen.
Luna looked to Harry who was starting to shrink back into himself. He was aware they were all here because of him and he was trying to make himself look as small as possible. Luna gave up on trying to eavesdrop too many conversations at once and decided talking to Harry would be the best thing she could do.
Luna sat down next to Harry and Tilden got up to confer with Jennifer and Alistor. In another part of the kitchen was Amelia Bones was with her mother and both Tonks'.
"Scary isn't it Harry?"
He just nodded in response. "These are all good people; you cannot find a fairer person than Amelia Bones anywhere. She always works to her best ability without fear or favour. Whatever happens, if she is involved it will be for your best."
Tilden came over to join them leading Jennifer Hopkins. She got down on her knees and looked up at Harry. He was sitting on a padded fireside chair he'd brought his knees up to his chest and was hunkering down behind them. Luna leaned in and touched his arm and he relaxed a fraction.
"Hello Harry. You don't mind me calling you Harry, Mr Potter is very formal" her accent was unmistakably from South Wales but she was keeping her voice low and gentle.
Harry smiled slightly "No Harry's fine."
"Tilden has told me most of what I need to know but I need to confirm a few details. Did your Aunt or Uncle make any effort to help yesterday when the dog chased you?"
Luna watched Harry's eyes flash he went from scared to angry in a space of a heartbeat. Across the room, a cup shattered.
"Help? Petunia just stood and stared as if it was all my fault, but Vernon laughed himself silly. In fact he took turns with Dudley coming out all evening to laugh at me."
"How are they related to you Harry?"She asked him.
"They're my aunt and uncle." He answered slightly puzzled.
Jennifer laughed lightly "No I meant are they related to your dad or your mum"
"Petunia is my mum's sister."
"I guess they must have been close for you to end up living with them, do they ever tell you about your parents?"
"Yes they tell me about them. They tell me my dad was a useless layabout who never worked a day in his life. They tell me my mum was a fool for marrying him. They tell me they died in a car crash. They tell me he was probably drunk when he did. They tell me I'll turn out as just as useless as him."
Harry's statements where punctuated with the sharp cracks of accidental magic as cups in the room exploded.
"Ok Harry one last question and I think I can guess your answer. Will you be willing to return to them?"
"Never, but I don't want to end up in an orphanage. Can I live here?" Harry Pleaded.
"Harry I never make promises I can't keep, but I promise you this I will do the best I can for you. Thank you for talking to me"
Jennifer moved back to confer with Tilden and Alistor, leaving Harry and Luna alone. Amelia Bones joined the group and once she had been briefed, she motioned for Selene to join her in talking to Harry.
"Hello Harry, I believe you've asked to stay here? Well I have to be honest with you, depending on how your relatives act that might be impossible. If they officially report you as a missing person to the police there will be too much of a paper trail for this to stay a strictly magical matter. Under those circumstances, a purely magical family could never become your guardians. We would have to find someone that a muggle social worker would find acceptable."
Andromeda jutted in "Harry I, that is we, Ted and I will offer you a place to stay if it comes to that. We even have the excuse of being related. We're 3rd cousins or first cousins 4 times removed or some such rot."
"Cousins?" Asked Harry.
"Yes Harry distant cousins but family all the same." She smiled at him.
"Anyway" Said Amelia "If that's acceptable to you Harry, the Tonks' offer will be our fallback position. It would be good on lots of levels. Ted practices in both worlds, Andy is a pureblood elite and they have a daughter who is I believe excelling in school. In the meantime, I'm happy to let you stay here with the Lovegoods provided their home has passed inspection by a child welfare officer and a senior officer in the DMLE. "Amelia gestured to Jennifer and Alistor "They should be able to apply for temporary custody providing they can find a solicitor willing to work on a Sunday" she glanced at Ted "who can provide the forms for them. Then they just have to find another DMLE officer willing to grant approval."
Amelia buffed her monocle and placed it in her eye. "They are hard to find these days, so you might have to wait all of half an hour for the process to work."
Harry's smile now beamed "Is that it. I can live here?"
Amelia smiled. "No Harry nothing is that simple. But it will give us breathing space, and let you stay here until a more formal application is received. It may all still come to nothing if Muggle social services get involved."
Luna looked around the room as Ted produced paperwork for nearly everyone to work on. Alistor and Tilden having to fight through their tiredness, this was turning into a long shift for them. By mid morning, the paperwork was completed and all the DMLE officials left. The Tonks' left as well. Just before they left, Harry surprised everyone by giving Andromeda a spontaneous hug.
"Thank you Healer Tonks and you Mr Tonks for the offer to stay with you."
"Call us Andy and Ted, Harry. Or if you feel uncomfortable with that Aunty or Uncle, but please we are family and I have very little of that who are willing to speak to me anymore, so there is no need for formality between us."
Once the house had emptied leaving Harry and the Lovegoods together, they all returned to the living room.
"How are you feeling Harry?" asked Selene.
"I don't know. I'm free of those people, I can stay here I've got another offer from people I've found out are family. But I'm not free they could go to the police at any time. I've never had anything good happen to me. A new friend, Dudley would beat them up, any toy he would take away or break. I know this can't last. "
Luna too fretted while she was overjoyed to get Harry away from the Dursley's he had now become known to the Wizarding world 12 months earlier than her timeline. She wondered how Amelia would be able to keep reports of Harry away from Fudge and if he found out it wouldn't take long for the Wizengamot to be made aware, and then it would be politics at play between Dumbledore, Fudge and Malfoy.
Selene was doing her best to keep the household occupied both Harry and Luna where brooding over all that could go wrong.
"Come on Luna snap out of it, Harry's allowed to worry he's only nine. You're a big girl now stop just sitting there and worrying"
"Sorry mum the wrackspurts must have got in. Harry let me tell you of those terrible creatures."
Luna spent the rest of the morning telling Harry tales of strange magical creatures, making him try to guess what was real and what had been made up. Once he accepted the existence of dragons and unicorns, he had a hard time not believing in some of the more outlandish things Luna told him.
It was just before lunchtime when the floo flared green and Ted and Amelia asked to come through.
"I'm sorry everyone but the Dursley's have reported Harry missing to Surry police." Amelia got straight to the point.
"Although I'm betting they wish they hadn't. We had a child welfare officer and MagLEP officer loitering around Surry police headquarters. They where pretending to be the Hampshire police equivalent. So they told the Surry branch you had been found at a relative's house in Hampshire and gave a brief detail of your allegations.
Surry police visited the Dursley's they found your cupboard. Vernon got threatening and was arrested. The dog tried to bite a police officer and will be taken away to be destroyed. Oh and both Petunia and Marge where cautioned for their behaviour.
But we now need to get you over to the Tonks' house for social services to check it's a safe environment for you."
Luna got up to hug Harry. "Don't worry Harry, you'll love it at the Tonks, and you'll have fun with Andy and Ted's daughter."
Harry with tears in his eyes embraced Luna and Selene "Thank you both."
Ted got down making eye contact with Harry. "Harry I know this is not what you wanted but I promise we'll treat you as well as we treat Dora. But one piece of good news I guarantee you will never go back to the Dursley's. The way it's looking now they will be lucky to keep custody of their own son."
Luna watched Harry and Ted disappear into the floo as Amelia Bones made ready to depart she called to her. "Madam Bones have you made any progress with finding Peter Pettigrew?"
Amelia sighed, "I wondered where Andy got that information from? You know the fact that it originated from the same people who came up with the Rotfangs doesn't help to build credibility."
"Amelia you know that's unfair, you know why Xeno runs those stories as well as I do." Selene stepped in to defend both her husband and daughter"
"What would you need as evidence to convince you?"
"Well to be convinced I'd need Peter trussed up and bound with a full confession. But if you could point me to one person who actually knew he was an animagus that would help."
Luna leaned in to whisper to her mum.
"You could try asking Remus Lupin, he knows. whether he'd be willing to admit to it would be another matter."
"Fine then I'll have someone look into finding him and interviewing him about his old school friend."
Once Amelia had departed, Selene and Luna sat down to lunch together.
"So Luna, how has the last twenty-four hours been for your time changing plans? You've made first contact with The Weasley's with promises of going to play dolls with Ginny. You have also got Harry away from his relatives and in with a loving family."
"Well ignoring the fact I'd have liked to have Harry live here, him living with the Tonks' is fantastic. If he were living here, I'd always have a fear of Malfoy finding out and trying to apply for Custody of Harry. After all, we are the publishers of that joke magazine. But Andromeda is as much a pure blood as Lucius and as closely related to Harry as him.
The fact that it will end up being done by muggle law will confuse them as well. Once upon a time, they could have sent in the oblivators and run roughshod over the muggles, but you find me a pureblood who can hack the computer records of all the mundane government departments that will now know about Harry."
Selene laughed "Speaking as a pureblood witch I had no idea what you just said never mind do it"
"and don't think I won't get you back about playing with dolls remark either. No the dinner with the Weasley's went better than I expected, Molly has allowed me to visit and that's all I need for now. Thinking about it, Harry living here might have been a bit awkward if I wanted to befriend Ginny."
"So everything is working out then?"
"For now at least. We can stop renting that office as well and I can pull out of that school. Although I'm in two minds about trying to get into Harry's new school."
The afternoon passed and about six o'clock the flue flared green. "Lovegood residence can Harry come through?"
"Come on through Harry," answered Selene.
First out of the floo was not Harry but a young witch who had emerald green hair, although on second thoughts her hair was the exact same colour as Harry's eyes.
Luna recognised Nymphadora Tonks but her mum was startled by her appearance out of the floo.
Selene had her wand out "Where's Harry?"
Just then, the floo flared green again and out stumbled Harry. Nymphadora had positioned herself to catch him as he exited the floo.
"I'm sorry I should have announced myself as well. I'm Andromeda and Ted's daughter. You can call me Tonks. Harry has problems with exiting the floo so asked me to come and catch him."
Luna stepped forward "Hello Nymphadora Tonks I'm Luna. pleased to meet you. That's nice hair on your head. Wrackspurts don't like bright colours. Is that why it's green?"
Tonks hair shifted colours to mousey blond and then back to green as she looked up at it.
"Um no I've never heard of wrackspurts, it's just green to match my new cousins eyes. Anyway now I've got him here I'll head back home. Harry if you need help on the journey back have one of the Lovegood's give us a call before you set off."
Tonks headed back into the floo leaving Harry alone with Luna and Selene.
"You're lucky she didn't hex you she hates being called by her full name. Why where you so strange with her?"
"I'm sorry Harry it's just a bit overwhelmed seeing her again. She saved my life in my old life. I just didn't know how to react, part of me wanted to run and hug her It was just a bit overwhelming so I hid myself away." Luna took a moment to gather herself together. Seeing Dora alive again had almost shredded her self control.
"Enough of that how did things go with the Tonks'? Asked Selene.
"It was fantastic. The social workers and police turned up. They all knew Ted from his work, so I answered a few questions. How did the Dursley's treat me? Was I happy there? Did I want to stay there?"
"I think because they all know Ted it will be as easy there as it was this morning. But I've been given my own room there, it's got a bed and everything. Andy's even said she'll get me some clothes to put in the wardrobe tomorrow.
Dora's lots of fun too she can change her hair and her nose and do all sorts of cool tricks like that."
Selene and Luna where beaming as Harry slowed for breathe.
"Harry I'm glad it's worked out for you. This is without doubt the happiest I've seen you" Selene said to him.
"I didn't mean I wouldn't have been happy to move here you know" Harry glanced down to avoid eye contact.
"We know Harry, we always wanted you away from the Dursley's but you where scared to end up alone. It looks like things are going to go right for you." Luna reassured him.
"I couldn't have done it without you. If you hadn't shown me how people are meant to act towards each other I wouldn't have left them. I'd have been stuck living in that house all my life."
"So tell us about the Tonks' place."
"It's fantastic it's an old house by itself there is a strange mix in there. In some rooms, Ted has normal stuff like TV's and videos. He has a computer in his office. In those rooms, they have a rule on not using magic. But in the kitchen it's nearly all run by magic, Andy says it does the same stuff as muggle things but it saves the electricity bills."
"The social workers are talking about getting me into a local school. There is a really good one just round the corner Otterbourne or something. Will you be coming to school with me next year Luna? You could apparate there or use the floo to come to the Tonks' house."
"I don't know if I'll be joining you in school. I only joined school because I was worried about you. I'm twenty-seven so I don't really need to go. Also if I dropped out of your old school and applied to your new one the social workers might notice."
Harry's face fell. As Luna explained herself.
"Don't be so down Harry, you can floo over whenever you want to see us. Remember the only reason you had no friends before was because Dudley wouldn't let you have any. You'll be fine in a week or two. I know it'll be strange not seeing you all day but we're not going to abandon you."
Harry perked up at that. "Magic is fantastic I keep thinking with you being in another town I won't see you so much. But I guess there's not much difference between Little Whinging or Winchester as far as magic is concerned.
Do you want to come and see where I'm living? I can show you around, the Tonks' did say I can invite you over whenever I want."
"We'd be delighted to Harry but just check and ask before we come over."
Andromeda readily agreed. She cleared both Luna and Selene with the house floo system so they could visit whenever they wanted. Luna was fascinated by Harry acting like a child for the first time in her experience of knowing him. He was just excited about everything. Most nine year old boys would dread the idea of an upcoming clothes shop but the idea of getting clothes that fit him had brought him to tears. A mixture of grief for what he'd missed and gratitude for what he now had.
The summer passed with either Harry or Luna flooing to one house or the other.
Social services where happy for Andromeda and Ted to foster Harry. So that cloud lifted. He was accepted into Otterbourne C of E school, social workers leaned on the headmaster so normal selection criteria was ignored.
Luna slightly defrosted with Dora but still struggled with her feelings towards her. In her last life, Dora had taken a curse meant for Luna cast by Bellatrix. Watching the rather pixie like Dora morph back to her mousey true state as her life slipped away had been heartbreaking.
Today however was another day filling with tension. Plans had been made but still no plan survived first contact with the enemy. Luna found herself hunkered down behind the sofa, Andromeda was pressing down against her trying to hide in the same space. Across the room, she could hear her dad complaining about the discomfort and being hushed by her mum.
The room quieted down and they could hear footsteps approaching, this was it. It was only a matter of time before they entered the room. She just hoping everything was going to turn out all right.
A.N.
Yes I know what I said but I managed to squeeze out another chapter before Christmas. Not quite my usual 5k . Don't expect another chapter before the week of the 10th-14th of Jan.
There are some clichés I'm avoiding others are easy to give into. So Andromeda is a healer and Ted a solicitor. I've read so many fics where this has happened that I was surprised to find it wasn't a canon fact.
Other things I though canon appears not to be. Dumbledore's tracking charms on Harry. Are not explicitly stated in the books? I know he has all those weird devices in his office but it doesn't state exactly what they do. If he had such devices, would he have Mrs Figg move in to keep an eye on him?
I am trying to stay as close to canon as possible in this, so invention will be kept to minimum. Don't expect to find a Potter mansion full of magical weapons so Harry can arm the DA and take on the Death Eaters.
Changes will occur because of Luna's actions or from the growing of Harry's character now knowing what is to have some self esteem.
Although JKR's Harry was a recluse, mine will live in an expanded world.
JKR told a fantasy story about a boy, she never really got to grips with how her world worked.
The question I keep wrestling with is what Luna would know.
The later events of the books I can see others if not Harry talking about. Ron sitting around a fire in the evening and telling tales. Do you remember that time we rode a dragon?
Hermione confiding in her non-Weasley friend to unburden herself. "and then he left us it, got too bad and he just ran out on us"
But even a future Harry will neither brag about his adventures or moan about how bad things where. "Yeah it was pretty bad" but not give details.
As this tale is trying to keep to Luna's pov and stay within what Luna knows and worse still remembers canon events may still well happen. Such as Harry, Ripper and the tree.
Things Harry might have told Ron or Hermione would not have been told to everyone.
Magical law enforcement patrol is canon. Let's face it you don't call the SWAT team to report a missing child even if you ring the emergency services.
I'm not a genealogist and although I see the relationship between Andromeda and Harry I can't work it out. The assumption is that Charlus is Harry's grandfather and then married into the Black family.
Otterbourne School does exist in Winchester. According to Wikipedia and that is never wrong. It will be used in purely a fictional context.
Ps For those people who want a proper canon Luna go read Arpad Hrunta, Protection from Nargles .
