Chapter 9
Hogwarts, headmaster's office…
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore was contently sucking on a lemon drop in his office. The world was safe. The dark lord Voldemort had been vanquished, according to Severus, but what was disturbing was the fact that Voldemort had an heir. However, he wasn't too disturbed. Severus said that the heir was only The shattered prophesy was the proof that he was dead.
Albus Dumbledore was not happy with how many death eaters had managed to bribe their way out of suspicion of supporting Voldemort again with gold in the right hands. Personally, he thought those that were bribed were fools. They would continue to cause chaos in the world unless they were incarnated or locked up.
His thoughts strayed towards another person that could cause chaos. Harry Potter, the son of James and Lily Potter, and the twin of Callistus Potter. Poor Harry was jealous of Callistus's fame, and he could very possibly be a hazard to Callistus's health.
'And his own' He added as an afterthought.
No, the solution was simple. Harry Potter had to go, for everybody's good. Staying at the Dursley's was not enough, what if the boy was vengeful when he came to Hogwarts? He could be out for Callistus's blood. No, that would not be good.
'Harry Potter has to go. It's time I paid my old muggle born friend Dave Mason a visit. He still owes me after that time I covered for him during NEWTS when Abraxas Malfoy put self-correcting ink in his bag. I heard his son is now the owner of the company Vernon Dudley works at. And the Potter's will agree to fund this. After all, it's for the safety of their son's.'
Albus Dumbledore nodded. Yes, that was what he was going to do. That was what had to happen. After all, it was for the greater good.
Potter manor, 10 minutes later…
Lily Potter was baking cookies in the kitchen when she heard a knock on her door. Unfortunately, her hands were occupied with a tray of freshly baked cookies.
"James, could you get the door?" She yelled towards upstairs. A series of thudding steps on the stairs a few minutes later, James Potter appeared in the kitchen, his hair tousled from having just finished a Quiddich match with Callistus. He opened the manor's front door, knowing that the manor wards wouldn't let anybody that was not keyed in to get onto the Potter's residential. James was expecting it to be Frank Longbottom, or Arthur Weasley at the door, not Albus Dumbledore.
"Good afternoon, James. Could I come in?"
"Oh, hi Albus, sure, come in," He ushered Dumbledore into the living room, where Lily was placing the plate of cookies onto the table.
"Albus! What a pleasant surprise! What are you doing here? Lily said as she saw the two wizards enter the room. Dumbledore sat and waited for the Potter's to speak before speaking up.
"As you know, Voldemort is finally gone. That means that the prophecy was wrong, and that Callistus does not have to defeat Voldemort. However, as predicted, there are still the death eaters, but according to Severus, they're all in a state of frenzy and we can send the Auror's to capture them. I, however, am most worried about Callistus's twin,"
Lily frowned. "Harry? Why are you worried about Harry?"
"Think about it, Lily. Harry was raised with Callistus and then got sent away while Callistus got to stay. He must be feeling jealous and spiteful towards Callistus now. If he came here, he could be a hazard to us all," James nodded.
"Yes, he would be. What do you think we should do, Albus?"
"That is why I am here today," He turned to Lily. "Lily, your sisters husband works at a place called Grunnings, no?" Lily nodded. "Excellent. I happen to have an old friend whose son owns that company. If you agree, I know a lovely country on the other side of the world called Australia. My good friend is willing to open a new franchise of his company there and to make Vernon Dursley the manager there. Would you and James be willing to buy your sister and her family a house there?
"Of course! I mean, it's for both Petunia and Harry, and for Callistus's safety too, why not?"
"Excellent," Dumbledore rose. "Well, I shall contact you and James when I have all the details sorted with Gringotts. Unfortunately, I cannot stay around to chat. I need to go arrange things with Dave now. Could I possibly borrow your floo for a moment please?"
The Dursley household, Surrey, The next morning…
Petunia Dursley was just putting breakfast which consisted of scrambled eggs, bacon, waffles, pancakes, sausages, toast, baked beans, mushrooms, hash browns, tomatoes, cereal, ham and orange juice on the table when her husband and son came lumbering in.
"Good morning, Pet," Vernon Dudley yawned and stretched. Petunia smiled.
"Good morning, Vernon. How did you sleep, Dudley?" Dudley mumbled something sleepily as he rubbed his eyes and dropped down into a chair at the table. Petunia couldn't be sure, but she could swear she felt the ground shake a little. Vernon ruffled his son's hair and sat down himself. Now Petunia was definitely sure the ground DID shake. And it wasn't just a little.
"Eat up, you two. Horace Callum just phoned and asked if you could make it to golf an hour earlier today. Vernon perked up.
"I'll go phone him back now. Pet, would you mind getting the mail?"
As Vernon went to phone and Dudley continued stuffing his face (He's a growing boy after all, Petunia thought), Petunia went to get their mail. The last thing she was expecting was a white envelope with the brown Grunnings stamp on the front sitting in their letterbox.
Petunia rushed inside hurriedly. "Vernon! Vernon! Come look at this!" She cried. Vernon put down the phone and came over to her.
"We got mail from Grunnings! Maybe you're getting a promotion!" He took the envelope and pulled out the letter.
Dear Mr Dursley,
Over the last few years that you have been with us, we have noticed that you have been a prestigious and prime example of an employee. Grunnings has decided to expand, and we are planning to open a branch in Melbourne, Australia. We do need a manager for the Australian branch, and we have decided to pick you. You shall have 30 employee's working under you, and if you are able to become the new manager, we have arranged to get your family a new house by the beach with 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a game room and a pool. This house, along with first class seats for your family, would be yours if you were to become manager. Please get back to us ASAP.
Mark Mason, CEO of Grunnings
Vernon's jaw dropped in shock.
"Petunia, I knew it! I knew that I was an excellent employee! This letter is proof! Complete and solid proof! We've got to sell the house and get packed!" He went back to the phone. "Sorry Horace, I can't go to golf today. Got a house to sell and a luxury first class flight to get to!" With that, he slammed down the phone, and quickly punched in another set of numbers rapidly.
"Hello, this is Grunnings reception, you're speaking to Amanda, how can I help you?" A female voice came from the other end.
"Hello, Vernon Dudley here. I would like to speak to Mark Mason please,"
Riddle manor, the same time…
Hadrian panted as he dodged yet another boiling hex from Bellatrix. Sure, he knew that training was going to be hard, but he didn't know that he would be running around like a lunatic, avoiding curses left right and centre from the insane witch.
"Protego!" He yelled and shielded against a cutting curse, then leaned to the right to move out of the way of a stunner.
Bellatrix cackled. "Come on Hadrian, my great grandmother Violetta Black can dodge better than you!" She taunted him as she shot another greyish green curse at Hadrian, who threw up a shield against it, but to his surprise, the curse passed through the shield. He grunted as the curse hit him in the abdomen, and his world started to spin and turn dark.
"Finite," Bellatrix muttered, and Hadrian gasped as everything turned the right way up and turned the right brightness.
"What curse was that? And why did it pass through my shield?" Hadrian asked curiously as he stood up.
"That was nausterio. I developed it myself, so it would pass through the average protego.Especially useful hex to use on prisoners who refuse to talk. There have only been 3 people before who haven't broken under nausterio in under a week. We shall be practicing more advanced dark spells tomorrow," Hadrian nodded, and yelped as he cast tempus. "I'm late for Mr Malfoy's etiquette and politics class!" And he sprinted off down the hall.
Lucius Malfoy's etiquette and politics lessons…
Hadrian skidded to a halt in front of the library. He pushed the door open and found Lucius Malfoy seated at a table, calmly sipping tea.
"Hadrian, you're late," The man said as he looked up.
"I'm sorry, Mr Malfoy, but Bellatrix hit me with a spell and I had to have time to recover," He apologized.
"My apologies, Mr Malfoy," Lucius corrected him. "Now, today we shall be learning about appropriate ballroom etiquette. That includes learning how to dance. I have invited a visitor over today to assist with your lesson. Come, let us go to the floo room to welcome her," He rose from his seat and strode gracefully to the library door, with Hadrian hurrying after him, struggling to keep up with his long strides.
Floo room, 5 minutes later…
Lucius and Hadrian were sitting on the couches in the floo room when the floo turned green and a figure with long blond hair gracefully stepped out of the floo a few seconds later.
"Ah, Ms Greengrass, it's a pleasure you could join us today," Lucius said.
"Likewise, Mr Malfoy. I am very grateful to have been invited here today," The girl said coolly, ever calm and composed, even at the age of 7.
"Hadrian, this is Daphne Greengrass, daughter and heir of Roman and Ophelia Greengrass. Daphne, this is Hadrian Riddle," Daphne's eyes widened but she quickly re-arranged her features into a neutral one.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Hadrian," She nodded.
"The pleasure is all mine, Daphne," Hadrian said formally, recalling his etiquette lessons from Lucius, who had repeatedly drilled pure-blood courtesy into his head. Lucius nodded slightly approvingly.
"Ms Greengrass, I was just teaching Hadrian about proper ballroom etiquette. I would be contended if you would accept to being his partner for today,"
Daphne nodded. "Of course, Mr Malfoy,"
"Good. Then let us proceed to the ballroom,"
As the trio were walking along the manor's hallways, Hadrian sneaked a few glances at Daphne. Her face was stoic and held in a neutral expression as she kept her gaze ahead of her. Her eyes were a light, icy blue, which matched her exterior. Her hair was long and a white blond, falling down her back. She held herself gracefully and with poise, like somebody so much older than herself. Hadrian tried to imitate himself, keeping his back straight and his head up.
'What are you doing?' Sonoro hissed from Hadrian's sleeve.
'I'm trying to imitate them' He hissed back quietly.
'Don't tilt your head so severely. It's more of an unconscious tilt. Also, don't puff your chest out so much. You look like a self-obsessed Peacock,' Hadrian tried what Sonoro was suggesting and found that it looked a lot more natural that way.
'Thanks,'
'No biggie. Now please try not to trip over too much while learning how to dance. I wish to catch some more shut eye,' And with that, Sonoro retreated back into Hadrian's sleeve.
"Now, we shall first be learning the starting position. Ms Greengrass, would you mind demonstrating?" Daphne assumed the starting position. "As you can see, Hadrian, your feet are stilled and shoulder width apart and pointing towards your partner. Your arms are resting on your partners hip and you are to hold their right hand in with your left. Give it a try,"
Hadrian approached Daphne. "May I?"
"Of course,"
Hadrian assumed the starting position and put one hand on Daphne's hip and took her hand in his.
"Your feet are too close together," She said. Hadrian moved them. "Now their a bit too far apart. Stop. Yes, that's good," She nodded. Hadrian frowned.
"You already know how to do this?" He asked curiously.
"I learnt this when I was 5,"
"Ms Greengrass, would you care to start into a slow move please?"
"Of course, Mr Malfoy," She started to slowly move her feet and Hadrian tried to copy her movements. "No Hadrian, it's left first, not right," Lucius said as he watched the pair dance.
45 minutes later, Riddle manor living room…
"Thank you again Ms Greengrass for coming along today and assisting Hadrian in his dancing skills. I understand that your parents are currently at the ministry in a meeting, no?" Daphne nodded. "Very well. You are most welcome to stay here at Riddle Manor until they feel free to collect you. I have already checked with Lord Riddle, and he is alright with it. He says that Hadrian needs some company near his own age,"
"That would be greatly appreciated, Mr Malfoy. I shall go floo my parents now to inform them," She said gratefully.
"No need, Ms Greengrass. I can do it. Hadrian, why don't you take Ms Greengrass to the kitchens to get some food or to the library to play chess?" Hadrian nodded.
"Follow me Daphne. We can get the house elves to serve us food in the library if you're hungry. I'll race you to the end of the hall," Daphne smiled.
"Challenge accepted,"
Daphne sprinted lightly to the end of the hallway, leaving Hadrian in the dust. He arrived a few seconds later, huffing and puffing.
"Come on, it's not that tiring. I'm in a dress here too," She smirked. Hadrian reddened slightly.
"Lets just go in," He muttered. Daphne laughed softly, and they went into the library, marking the beginnings of a long and strong friendship/alliance/acquaintance.
There you go people, sorry for taking so long to write this. About the part where Snape lies to Dumbledore, I feel that Snape wasn't really either Dumbledore's man fully or Voldemort's. He would do what he thought would benefit him the most, and in telling Dumbledore that Voldemort was dead, he thought that it would do himself the most good. Thanks for reading!