When they arrived at number 4 Privet Drive, they saw that Harry was mowing the lawn for his aunt. Hermione got out of the car and hugged him, surprising the boy. When Hermione loosened her hug she took a step back and explained who she was.
"Hermione?" Harry questioned. At her nod he hugged her again tightly. "What are you doing here?"
"You haven't been answering any of mine or the Weasleys' letters, so we decided to come by and check on you. "
"Yeah," Harry rubbed his neck "my aunt has been hiding my mail."
Angry, Hermione told her mother who was walking up to them. "Is your aunt home, Harry?" Lyra asked.
"Yes, she is Mrs. Granger" Harry nodded.
Lyra went up to knock on the door. When Petunia answered the door, her eyes portrayed an emotion of shock. "You… you were at Lily's wedding." Petunia stuttered
"Yes, I'm Sirius Black's sister. You know, Harry's godfather." Lyra said.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to check on your nephew, my godson. He looks like he hasn't seen a decent meal since I last saw him. My daughter and his other friends haven't heard from him. And he's not even wearing clothes that fit him. Why is that Petunia?" She questioned with a smile.
"Well… I. I. I…" Petunia stuttered.
"I know what it takes to raise a child in the non-magical world and I know the stipend you receive from the Potter and Black estate is more than sufficient. So I ask you again, why?"
Petunia remained silent and Lyra looked her up and down. "Get inside and get a pen and paper." Lyra ordered. Petunia quickly disappeared inside the house and came out with the requested items.
"Now write exactly what I say."
The letter that was written went as follows.
To the Representatives Gringotts and Wizengamot ,
I, Petunia Dursley, hereby emancipate Harry Potter. All further stipends that were to come to me for his care will remain in the Potter vault. From henceforth, he will be an adult in the magical community as decided by his next of kin and as such is immune to the trace. For the remainder of his time at Hogwarts he will stay with his godmother, the co-signer, for his safety.
With respect,
As Lyra dictated, Harry and Hermione's eye's grew larger in surprise. They stood in place as Lyra took Petunia by the wrist and marched down the street to Mrs. Figg's house.
Shocked still, Harry asked, "Is this happening?"
"Yes, it is. They are going to my great aunt's house for her to witness the signature now." Hermione replied
"Mrs. Figg is your great aunt?"
"On my father's side. Do you need help packing Harry?" He nodded, "Daphne, come meet Harry and help us pack."
"Coming," yelled the girl in the car. Daphne ran up and grabbed his hand dragging him inside to pack.
"Is your mom a witch?" Harry asked still shocked by the encounter.
"Yes, Harry." Hermione replied.
"Good we need a good Alohamora to get my school supplies from the cabinet." he pointed to the cabinet under the stairs. Hermione nodded and the girls followed him to his bedroom on the second floor.
As they picked up his room, "Hermione, what's happening?"
"My family is out of hiding and now you can finally come live with us."
When Lyra and Petunia arrived back at number 4 Privet Drive, Lyra told Petunia to stay outside. Lyra entered the house to find the children were coming down the stairs with Harry's stuff in tow. "Mrs. Granger, would you be able to help me with something?" Harry asked hesitantly.
"Call me Lyra, and of course."
"Can you open this cabinet for me?"
She pulled out her wand and made quick work of the lock. Harry grabbed the items inside which included his broom, school trunk photos and the like. When he was done he took one final look around the room and grabbed some small toys and a small blanket. Being too small to see into the cabinet until Harry and his stuff was out of the room, Lyra had been unable to see the full picture of what this room meant to Harry.
Harry tried to shut the door and walk away, but Lyra held it open. "Harry, why is there a bed in there?"
"It was my childhood bedroom, Pre-Hogwarts. No big deal." He closed the door. The all the bulbs in the house glowed and shattered. Lyra shrunk all of Harry's things for easy transport and tersly instructed everyone to go to the car and pack it.
She stayed behind to look inside the cabinet again. It was of unspeakable conditions and she was surprised that Harry ever survived his childhood in these conditions. "Wasn't Dumbledore supposed to ensure Harry's safety?" She thought.
She looked at the door and saw that the lock that she had undone for Harry was tarnished and chipping. It was obvious it had been there for a long time. Seething she went outside to give Petunia a piece of her mind.
"THE NERVE!" Lyra yelled. People came outside to see the commotion. "YOU DARED TO LOCK A CHILD IN A CUPBOARD! YOU STARVE HIM, WORK HIM TO THE BONE, AND TREAT HIM LIKE A SLAVE."
A loud smack could be heard from across the neighborhood.
"YOU'LL BE HEARING FROM MY LAWYERS!" She paused, "ACTUALLY HIS LAWYERS, NOW THAT HE HAS CONTROL OF THE STIPEND YOU'VE BEEN LEECHING OFF OF HIM AFTER ALL OF THESE YEARS. GOOD LUCK IN COURT, YOU'LL NEED IT." She then stormed off to her car, took a breath and started the engine.
"So, Harry, I hear you like to play quidditch. What position do you play?" Lyra asked as if nothing just happened. She looked into the rearview mirror to see Harry sitting between the girls with a shocked look on his face.
"Are we not going to talk about what just happened?" Harry asked incredulously. "I'm free, and you're awesome!" Hermione grabbed his hand and the group talked all the way home.
When they arrived, Lyra called Hugh and informed him about Harry living with them. When they entered the house. Lyra instructed Hermione to put Harry into whichever guest room he wanted to be his bedroom.
They walked up the stairs. After choosing a room, Hermione called her mom into the room. "Can you enlarge Harry's things again?"
"I can't believe I forgot." with a swish of her wand the items enlarged and she left the room to check in on Daphne.
"I can't believe this is happening." Harry said incredulously.
"Well believe it!" Hermione laughed.
The two sat and Hermione described what has happened since he last saw her, the change, the society practices etcetera. "I tried to send you letters about all of this." Hermione said, "It's too bad she hid all your letters." referring to Petunia.
"I know. The good news is that I'm only across the hall now." Hermione smiled at Harry's words.
"So, I have a favor to ask. I wouldn't ask but I need help. Would you be willing to be one of my chaperones for society events? There are so many, and I doubt my mother will be able to attend them all." she rambled.
Harry grabbed her shoulder. "Of course I would. How about I go to your next 'meeting'?"
"How about my first one tomorrow you need to settle in and he's arriving in an hour."
"Deal." he agreed. Hermione then left to get ready to meet Viktor.