Author's Notes: My thanks to Lady K. Malfoy for her faithful reviews of this story. It's wonderful to know people are reading and enjoying this. I've been looking at the hit counter so I know people are reading, which makes me feel great! Please don't be shy about feedback, even if it's only "I read it. Update soon." Anything is good.
This chapter is a bit short but narratively (if that's a word) I wanted to let it stand on its own. I've had this scene written for months and months, so I'm excited to finally get to share it with the world (aka my handful of faithful readers).
Chapter 8 Arrivals and Departures
"I'm sorry, we don't want any," the man said with a sneer, starting to close the door.
"We are not selling anything," Cassius said smoothly, "We have come to visit you."
"Visit?" The man echoed, looking past Cassius at Corbin.
"I am a cousin of your wife." Cassius smiled coldly. "Are you going to keep us outside so everyone can hear our conversation? Or would you like to invite us in?"
Corbin was strongly reminded of the old vampire movies he'd watched growing up. Vernon Dursley had no idea what he was inviting into his home.
"Yes, come in, come in." Dursley looked confused, but he was unwilling to put on a spectacle for his neighbors. Corbin followed Cassius. He looked down the hallway and noticed Harry on his knees washing the kitchen floor. The boy looked up at him and Corbin smiled. Harry didn't smile back. "Now, who'd you say you were again?"
"Cassius Malfoy," Cassius didn't hold out his hand. Petunia Dursley had appeared in the entryway. "Cousin Petunia, it is a shame we have never met before. I was at school with your sister Lily."
Dursley paled, "You…you've come here. My house. What do you want?"
"This must be your son, does he show any talent?"
"Not for magic," Petunia hissed, "No, never! I'd never allow it. My sister was a freak!"
Harry had inched into the hallway, looking at Cassius with curious, albeit cautious, green eyes.
"Get back in the kitchen, boy," Vernon said loudly, sending Harry scuttling back into the kitchen. "My wife's nephew. Abnormal, just like you lot."
"You should be careful about offending me. You do not know what I am capable of," Cassius said softly. "We have come for Harry."
"What?"
"Dumbledore said-"
"Here is a letter from Dumbledore, explaining we are Harry's new guardians," Cassius interrupted Petunia, handing her a scroll. "We are here to take Harry and his things."
"But he hasn't got anything."
Cassius turned and smiled sharply at Dudley. "Then be a good boy and tell your cousin we are ready to leave."
Dudley moved faster than Corbin would have thought possible.
"You're just taking him? Just like that?"
"Yes."
Dursley's eyes narrowed. "Now, see here, we've fed him, clothed him-"
"You must have a very different definition for those words than I do, Mr. Dursley. But if you are insinuating you deserve some sort of compensation for your actions, I find I agree with you."
"I knew you'd be reasonable."
"Even though I am a freak?"
"Ah, well, I was a bit hasty."
"Hasty. Yes. That is something I will not be." Cassius smiled again, and Corbin noticed belatedly that his eyes had gone black.
"Cassius, stop." Corbin said quickly, in Malfoy tongue, grasping Cassius's arm.
"I'll stop when I'm done." The air in the room crackled.
"Here." Dudley shoved Harry forward roughly. Corbin glared at him until he muttered, "Sorry."
"Hello, Harry," Corbin smiled as he crouched down, "My name's Corbin. We're your new guardians. We've come to take you home with us; we knew your mum and dad at school."
"You can't take him!" Dursley shouted, "It's disgusting, what you are."
"You are going to stop us?" Cassius hissed, "Try."
Vernon Dursley suddenly realized the very real danger he was in and stammered, "Petunia, call the police."
"You will do nothing of the sort, Cousin. It would not help you. The Ministry has given us permission to take Harry; your laws recognize our claim." Cassius stepped closer and Corbin couldn't hear what he said but it caused Dursley to pale and stumble backwards. Corbin glanced at Petunia and Dudley who were clinging to each other; Petunia wasn't strong enough to pick her large son up. "Pick him up, we're disapparating home now."
Corbin didn't dare disagree – Malfoy gold would smooth over the upset at the Ministry over doing magic in front of muggles. He swung Harry up into his arms. Harry was wide-eyed as he took in the scene. Corbin could hear the low hiss of words countered by Dursley's spluttered rage.
"Good day, Cousins," Cassius sneered. Corbin took Cassius's icy hand in his, not caring that the Dursleys all looked even more disgusted, and they Disapparated.
