Chapter 10
Nothing in the Harry Potter world belongs to me.
Saturday, May 13 1990.
Meanwhile, back at Hogwarts the Quidditch game had ended (Slytherin had won by 10 points) without any trouble from any of the disappearance of the Potter owned items was discovered and panic was quickly spreading. Dumbledore locked all the students out in a courtyard while he and the other teachers launched an investigation.
'How dare anyone steal from ME!' He stormed. 'my books, my throne, thank heavens someone took that ugly old bint from Gryffindor! I always hated that painting. How did they get into My school and out again without me knowing?' He continued to ponder this as he searched for signs of the culprits or any of the missing items.
After, feeding the students (the house elves were very short handed and overworked without the Potter elves so dinner was nearly 2 hours late) and bedding the Gryffindor students in the Great Hall for the night Albus finally returned to his office and found another unpleasant surprise. The gargoyle that guarded his office was gone! He couldn't get in.
Slowly Albus trudged back to the great hall to sleep with the students wondering what else could go wrong. As he drifted off to sleep he thought of how he would control Harry Potter in the next school year as his guardian. As Albus dreamt he suddenly could smell the worst smell he had ever encountered. The stench of a public toilet that was overflowing on a hot summer's day was what it reminded him of. Only this was a thousand times worse. It was so bad he could almost taste it. It was not one of his better nights sleep.
Unbeknownst to Albus several important letters were sitting on his desk in his sealed office that needed his immediate attention. They read:
'Dear Headmaster Dumbledore,
In respect to the wishes of the guardians of Mr Harry James Potter all items connected with the Potter estate have been recalled to Gringotts to be held in trust until Mr Potter is either emancipated or of legal age to receive his inheritances, whichever event may be earlier. As Headmaster you are personally responsible for these items and their upkeep and repair. If any of the items are in need of repair or restoration we, Gringotts, will be finding you personally liable for the entire appropriate repair, restoration or replacement costs. If any of these items are considered essential to the running of the school or if you wish to negotiate the use of any of the items please present yourself with this letter to Gringotts London branch no later than 5pm on Tuesday May 15 1990. Failure to meet with us will result in your arrest unless these matters are concluded.
Yours in banking, Ragnok.'
'Dear Headmaster Dumbledore,
Several irregularities have been detected in regards to the expenditures from the trust vault of one Mr Harry J Potter. Please present yourself with any and all applicable receipts showing the use of Mr Potter's money to Gringotts London branch no later than 5pm on Tuesday May 15 1990. Failure to meet with us will result in your arrest unless these matters are concluded.
Yours in banking, Ragnok.'
'Dear Headmaster Dumbledore,
In regard to the royalty monies given to you for the use of Mr Harry Potter's name, likeness, family crest and personal and family history as payment for the fictional books written by yourself and any and all merchandise resulting from the above mentioned, it has come to our attention that no royalties, fees or commissions have been paid to Mr Potter or the Potter estate for the use of said intellectual properties. We, Gringotts, wish to correct this oversight on your part as expeditiously as possible. If you believe that this is in error please present yourself with this letter and any other relevant documents to Gringotts London branch no later than 5pm on Tuesday May 15 1990. Failure to meet with us will result in your arrest unless these matters are concluded.
Yours in banking, Ragnok.'
'Dear Albus,
The Dursley family have been arrested by muggles and there is no sign of Harry or the Dursley's boy. Please advise me on what to do now.
Arabella Fig.'
Monday May 14 1990
"The afternoon court is now in session, Magistrate William Bones presiding. All rise and be silent." Shouted a bailiff.
"Be seated. This is the plea hearing of Vernon Donald Dursley and Petunia Iris Dursley nee Evens." Said Magistrate Bones. "The charges are for kidnapping, multiple counts of child abuse, sexual interference of a minor child, sexual abuse, child prostitution, gross negligence, misappropriation of funds and …oh? There is a note saying that there are still other charges pending. You will not be pleading for those today. How do you plead on the charges I have read?"
"My wife and I have done nothing wrong" Vernon thundered. "It was all that freaks fault. You have no right to hold us here!"
"It is guilty or not guilty sir. There is no other response. Please answer for the record."
"Not guilty!" snarled Vernon.
"Guilty of all charges." Whispered Petunia looking at anything but her husband.
"Pet? What…" a confused Vernon looked at his wife, not understanding her change of plea. That wasn't the plan at all.
"Silence! The pleas are noted. Does the prosecution or the defence have anything to add?"
"Before the trial today Mrs Dursley asked to speak to the prosecution and has offered her testimony against her husband in return for a quick divorce and eventual custody of their son Dudley. Owing to the nature of the crimes I believe that the custody issue will be moot before her release from prison as we believe the child, Dudley, will be of legal age before then, but we are willing to assist in the divorce if needed. I wish to mention that at no time did Petunia Dursley ask for a reduced sentence or preferential prison treatment in return for her testimony." Prosecutor Davies stated.
"So noted. Mrs Dursley, I must be clear. If you plead guilty then you waive your right to a trial and we pass straight to sentencing and there can be no appeal. Do you understand?"
"Yes." The word was said with quiet conviction.
"Very well. Petunia Dursley, you are to be remanded in police custody to reappear on the, hmm," Magistrate Bones looked at his calendar, "4th of June 1990 at 9am for sentencing. Mr Vernon Dursley, it is noted that you have pleaded not guilty. You have not applied for bail so none will be granted. You will be remanded in police custody to reappear tomorrow, May 15th, at 9am. Does anyone have anything else to say at this time?"
"If it pleases Your Honour, I do." Said a voice from the back of the room.
"Please approach and identify yourself."
"I am Julian Grunnings, sir. I am here on behalf of my father Peter Grunnings, owner and proprietor of Grunnings drill manufacturers."
"And what is your business here today sir?" Magistrate Bones asked as Vernon paled.
"I am needing to serve this notice of employment termination to Mr Vernon Dursley. The young man Mr Dursley is accused of abusing is the grandson of the man who gave my father the loan to start the Grunnings company. Young Mr Potter is also the holder of 49 per cent of all Grunnings shares. Grunnings wishes to show our support for Mr Potter at this time and will do what we can to help him. We at the company abhor abuse in any form. It is written into our employment contracts that anyone being accused of criminal abuse is dismissed immediately, with opportunity to regain the position if found not guilty. We will also be reclaiming the company vehicle that Mr Dursley has been using for the last 6 months and I am further giving notice that all accounts that he dealt with for our company will be undergoing a full and thorough audit. I can only hope that he was honest in his work or Grunnings will pursue the matter to the fullness of the law."
"Very well. You may serve notice to Mr Dursley."
"WHAT! You can't do this! Do you know how much money I have made for this company? What I have…" Blustered Vernon as he tried to avoid being handed the envelope.
"Silence!" Shouted Magistrate Bones. "Is there anything else Mr Grunnings?"
"No sir, and thank you." He said stepping back.
"Does anyone else have anything…" Magistrate Bones stopped speaking as he saw 2 more people stand and move forward.
"Good day, Your Honour. I am Mr Smyth and this is my associate Mrs Brown. We represent the Taxation office. It has come to our attention that Mr Vernon Dursley has not been declaring income that he received for the care of one Master Harry James Potter. It has come to our attention that Mr Dursley received a private allowance for Mr Potters care from the estate of his late parents and Mr Dursley also claimed a maintenance allowance from the State, which in and of its self is a crime. Neither of these payments were disclosed to our offices. As such we are serving notice that we will be performing a full audit on Mr Dursley's affairs and will be pursuing the matter to the furthest reaches of the law. As of this moment all of the Dursley families bank accounts have been frozen and all good owned by him are now entailed and cannot be liquidated. We will be in further contact with Mr Dursley as our case progresses. Mrs Dursley has at no time had any income and is not being held accountable or liable for her husbands actions. Thank you for the courts time sir." Mrs Brown placed another envelope into the gaping Vernon's hand and then both tax agents quietly left the court room.
"Anyone else?" The Judge asked sighing,seeing another person stand and start to move forward. 'Never had so many people speak up like this before.' He thought. 'I hope this doesnt start a new trend in process serving.'
"Sir, I am Mr Grippclaw and I represent Gringotts bank. I am here to inform both Mr and Mrs Dursley that they are in breach of their lease of the property located at 4 Privet drive, Little Winging Surry, England. The lease allowed for Mr and Mrs Dursley to live there rent free as long as they had no deliberate contact with their nephew, Harry James Potter. As such, we are evicting the Dursley family, placing their belongings in storage that they will be responsable for paying and seeking the full arrears rental amount that would have been paid from November 1,1981 untill today. I further wish to serve notice that Gringotts bank is persuing this matter to the full extent of the law and will be seeking full reparations for my client, Mr Harry Potter."
"Sir" Petunia said nervously. "You are making a mistake. I own the house. I inherited it from my parents when they passed away in 1980."
"No, your parents left the house to your sister Lilly Potter Nee Evens. YOU were left the antique furnishings. The lease was amoungst the papers you signed at the will reading you attended in July 1980. Here are your notices, Sir, Madam. Thank you for your time Your Honour. Good day."
"Is there any other business for this case? No? Court is adjourned." Bang went the gavel.
tbc