Quoth the Raven, Nevermore
Disclaimer: See chapter 1. Reviews are welcomed, flames aren't. As always, if you don't recognize a character, they are probably OC.
Chapter 10: Bleak December
Vernon Dursley had always prided himself on being a middle-class man with impeccable taste. One who knew what he wanted. He loved good, solid pub food and a pint or two at the local. He prided himself on his good marriage and a fine, strapping son. But most of all, he was proud of his totally normal family image.
However, all that changed one morning just after Halloween four years ago when his darling Petunia found her freaky nephew asleep in a basket on their front door step, along with the morning paper and their twice-weekly milk delivery.
It was then that his life took a turn he did not like. In his desperate attempts to maintain his view of normality, he made certain that the freak was seen as little as possible. He had worried at first that those who dropped the brat off were watching, but over time, when none of them appeared, he relaxed. No-one seemed to care about the freak, not even those friends that his wife's sister used to hang around with.
After a month of no contact with the freaks, Vernon decided out of sight, was out of mind and that was what he did. The brat was shelved with the rest of the clutter in the house in the boot cupboard under the stairs.
Then, one day, four years later, the boy up and disappeared. Petunia had taken him with her and their son Dudley to the park. That was the last time anyone had seen the freak.
Some time later that old geezer had shown up, demanding to see the freak. He even pulled out a stick and lights shot out of it! That old fool had made empty threats that didn't hold water in Vernon's book. The little freak was gone, and good riddance to bad rubbish. He slammed the door in the old coot's face.
It was a fine early fall day. There was a hint of chill in the air as Vernon walked into his office. He'd just got the promotion to Director of Sales in the U.K. and was very proud of his new office and the blonde secretary that went with it.
"Mr. Dursley? Mr. Grunning is asking that you step into his office for an emergency meeting," came his secretary's voice over the office intercom.
When Vernon got to the Head Office, he found that old man Grunning wasn't alone. Two gentlemen were there. Both were dressed as if they had stepped out of the City, with pin-striped suits and old school ties. Both men were of indeterminate age, somewhere in their thirties, with that supercilious air of always being obeyed.
Vernon nervously stepped in, closing the door behind him. "You asked to see me, sirs?"
"Mr Vernon Dursley? I am Winston Montgomery of Internal Revenue Services," said the shorter of the two.
"And I am Sir Connor Bronson, adjutant from the Prime Minister's Office. Don't bother having a seat, we won't be here long," said the taller gentleman.
Vernon started to sweat. Just what was going on? He hadn't done anything wrong, or had he? So he fudged a bit on his taxes; everyone did. Taxes were so high nowadays, it was hard to make ends meet!
"Mr. Dursley," asked Major Bronson. "Where is your nephew, Lord Hadrian James Potter? When we visited your wife, she didn't know his whereabouts. Do you always allow a five-year-old to run off alone?"
"I understand you are receiving a tidy stipend for your nephew's keep," demanded Mr. Montgomery, pulling out a file folder. "both from the government as well as from his own family trust. We would like to see receipts for everything you've spent those monies on."
"And Vernon, when this is settled, you and I are going to have a long talk about your future here at Grunnings," said Mr. Grunning. "As of right now, you are suspended without pay until this matter is resolved, one way or the other, Vernon. I'll have your secretary clear out your desk for you. Gentlemen."
The two visitors nodded to Grunning, turned and left. Vernon wandered out behind them, too stunned to do anything else.
0o0o0o0
Hadrian was having a good day. Healer Atwaters had given him several potions to take every day which tasted yummy. He didn't like the shots, but Aunt Maggie bribed him with a treat just like Aunt 'Tunya always did with Dudley. He had always wanted a treat for being good, and now he had it! He had been very good.
That afternoon, Ben took him to see the ravens. The rookery was housed in a small nook in the lea of an ancient wall so the chilly winds were somewhat blocked. The ravens rarely were housed inside unless the weather was too severe or there was a threat to their well being. The Ravenmasters tried to keep their lives as close to nature as possible but still be able to handle them when needed.
Hadrian had been asking to see his friends. He'd been worried that they would miss him. In his opinion, the adults were being silly about keeping him away. Thor and Hardey would never hurt him. The Lady said so. She told them to take care of him, and they had. Now that he was a boy again, he had other people doing that, but he still missed his friends.
When they got to the Rookery, Ben knelt so Hadrian could look him in the eyes. "Now, Hadrian, lad, ravens aren't pets. You can see them and tell them that you are all right. Afterward, we'll go have tea. All right?"
"Yes, sir," Hadrian replied, nodding in agreement and taking Ben's gloved hand. Ben was wearing his black and red Yeoman Warder uniform, so Hadrian had to be extra respectful as they moved through the greens of the Tower towards the Rookery. He wasn't allowed to run or make noise.
The Rookery was enclosed with sturdy wire that allowed the ravens to move freely with many perching areas with a row of straw-lined nest boxes in the back. Play-things were scattered about to keep them amused.
Hadrian smiled and ran up to the cage. Before Ben could stop him, he started to shrink. His clothing folded in as Hadrian disappeared inside them.
Ben gasped as a small fledgling raven squawked up at him and shook his head. "Well, Scrapper, I see all my warnings to behave just flew out the window. You wanted to visit, so I guess you will be." He caught the young raven as it tried to enter the rookery on its own.
Carefully, Ben placed him within the cage and closed and latched the door. Scrapper settled himself on a perch as Thor and Hardey hopped over. Thor started to preen the young raven as Hardey tried to feed him.
"Well, I see you are well taken care of," Ben said with a chuckle. "I'll be back in an hour." He picked up the child's clothing. "I see we'll have to teach you how to take your clothes with you when you change. Maggie's going to have a fit."
Scrapper, however, was having a fine time with his friends. Hardey and Thor were happy to see him and had wondered why he hadn't visited sooner. Scrapper told of his tales as only someone young could - very enthusiastically and very fast.
0o0o0o0
Ben went up to the flat and fetched Maggie. He exchanged Hadrian's dirty clothing for fresh.
"You should not have allowed it, Ben! What if they hurt him?" Maggie fretted.
"Maggie, love," Ben said as he picked up his walkie-talkie to call the Ravenmaster, "He was with the ravens most of the summer. If they didn't hurt him then, why start now?"
"But . . ."
Ben put out the word to all available Warders to come to the Rookery. They had to see this! Many of the Yeoman Warders had taken little Scrapper to their hearts. Ravens were a blessing from the Goddess. With the curse on the Tower involving the black avian, every care was taken to insure their comfort.
As Ben and Maggie arrived at the Rookery, so did many others. They looked at Ben questioningly.
"Seems young Scrapper has returned," Ben said, pointing to the young raven between Thor and Hardey. Both adult birds were being very protective of the younger raven and it seemed that the trio were holding a conversation of sorts.
"Why, I never!"
"Blimey! It ain't natural!"
"Thought he wouldn't change again?"
Ben went on to explain that he and Hadrian had come down to visit the Rookery and how Hadrian had changed the moment he had seen the cage.
Maggie stepped up to the cage. "Hadrian, dear, time to change back. It's tea-time, and I did promise you those special biscuits today."
Scrapper squawked and made a quick gesture to the pair of ravens that flanked him. He hopped off the perch and changed back to a little boy - a very naked little boy.
"Sss. . .ssorry, Aunt Maggie," Hadrian said, shivering, looking down at his undressed state, then back up in fear. "Am I in trouble?" he whispered.
Maggie pulled him gently to her and started to dress him. "No, dear. But if you don't get dressed, you'll catch your death."
Hadrian allowed her to fuss. He never had anyone to fuss over him before. He looked over at Ben. "Cccan I cccome tomorrow?"
Ben looked over at the Ravenmaster, who gave a slight nod. Both knew that if the ravens hadn't hurt the child yet, they weren't going to. Ben turned back and said, "We'll see."
Hadrian shivered as he moved closer to Maggie. The observers who knew of magic thought it wouldn't be a bad thing to let the lad near the birds even though they were potentially dangerous creatures. After all, the lad was a wizard. They were all used to many bizarre happenings at the Tower, this was just added to the books.
0o0o0o0
Her Majesty smiled as she studied the child's drawing in front of her before she picked up a small card that came with it. She was glad that the child hadn't suffered too much at the hands of those despicable people.
Young Lord Hadrian had impressed her with his resilience. She was looking forward to seeing great things from him. Now, who should she get to sponsor the child? Should she leave him at the Tower? Really. The Tower was no place for a child, that much she knew from its very bloody history. However, if an ancient Celtic deity was involved, then that was the place for him. It was a decision she would make when she had all the facts.
She smiled again as her hand brushed the crude drawing of herself. It will go perfectly with the other drawings from her grandchildren.
0o0o0o0
In a drafty castle in the wilds of Scotland, an elderly Wizard was wondering just where his plans went wrong. Since his visit to Privet Drive, there was no sign of the child. Petunia Dursley felt no remorse at losing him. In her mind, it was good riddance to an unwanted nuisance. His inspection of the wards showed him that they had never fully held and it was no wonder they fell so quickly. There had been no love in that house for Harry to keep them strong.
The small amount he had taken from the child's estate went to a retired old squib who he had set up nearby. She was suppose to tell him if anything happened to Harry. Arabella Figg was a huge disappointment. He had expected more from her than simply observing from afar.
His contacts in the Ministry were coming up empty. There was no sense in alerting everyone to the missing boy. It would cause a mass panic and look bad for him. Fortunately, those that he had contacted were under secrecy oaths and life debts to him to keep quiet. For now.
'Just where are you, Harry, my lad?' he thought, staring out into the cloudy night. 'It looks like it'll snow tonight.' He hoped the child was warm and protected.
0o0o0o0
No, Dumbledore hasn't got his comeuppance yet, but Vernon did. We will be seeing more soon enough.
A quick question on Brit-speak. In the States, police cars are sometimes called cruisers and black and whites, what are they called in the UK?
Until next time. -GF and the Frau