Chapter nine:

Home for Christmas

The next day, there was talks about an incident that occurred in the Gryffindor common room regarding Sirius Black in attempt to attack one of the boys. Ron Weasley claimed he had to duck from getting stabbed by a knife but McGonagall wasn't certain of the accusation since the idea of Sirius Black getting passed the portrait bewildered her. Victoria was glad that Harry was okay but had concerns about the security of the common room and even the school. As the day progressed, she continued teaching classes like a normal school day while Dumbledore and McGonagall discussed the security of the Gryffindor house, assigning a new portrait guard. Lupin realized that Victoria didn't seem as upset as she was the day prior and figured things had settled down from what he had told her. Victoria found herself becoming more attracted to Snape as she had gotten to know him - what he opened up to her anyway. She quite liked the bonding they were having and wished there to be more of it.

After everyone had dinner, everyone turned in for the night. Snape went to patrol the corridors for any sign of Sirius Black, knowing if he ran into him he would definitely not hesitate on turning him in to the dementors, or spotting ant students out of bed. As he made his way down a dark corridor, not far from the Gryffindor common room, he spotted Harry just turn out his light. He marched up to him before parting his lips to speak, casting light from his wand. Lumos. "Potter. What are you doing wandering the corridors at night?" Snape questioned, being skeptical. Harry squinted at Snape through the light in his eyes. "I was...I was...sleepwalking." Harry replied, making it up as he went along. Harry didn't want to reveal the map that he had gotten from the Weasley twins. "How extraordinarily like your father you are, Potter. He, too, was exceedingly arrogant. Strutting about the castle..." Snape sneered. Harry was quick to jump in defense of his father, James. "My dad didn't strut. Nor do I. Now, if you don't mind, I'd appreciate you lowering your wand." Harry corrected boldly. Snape pierced a cold stare at Harry before honoring his request and lowering his wand a little. "Turn out your pockets..." Snape demanded. Harry didn't move, refusing to do so. "Turn out your pockets!" Snape demanded once again in an indignant tone. Harry takes the map out of his pockets, defeated while Snape seemed satisfied in the fact that he was right about Harry being up to something. "And this. What might it be?" Snape questioned. Harry looked at the map and back at Snape. "Spare bit of parchment..." Harry replied. Snape doubted it. "Really..." Snape trailed off, deciding to point his wand at the map. "Reveal your secret..." Snape casted.

To Harry's surprise, words began appearing on the map, but not words Harry was familiar with ready previously. Snape studies Harry's expression before forming a sadistic half-smile on his lips. "Read it." Snape demanded. Harry was uneasy about reading what he witnessed to Snape as they were pure insults but he was instructed to do so. "Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs offer a few words towards Professor Snape...Mr. Moony presents his compliments to Professor Snape and begs him to keep his abnormally large nose out of other people's business...Mr. Prongs agrees with Mr. Moony and would like to add that Professor Snape is an ugly...git..." Harry hesitated on the word 'git' before he finished reading, "Mr. Padfoot would like to register his astonishment that an idiot like that ever became a Professor...Mr. Wormtail bids Professor Snape good day, and advises him to wash his hair." Harry read off. Snape was obviously insulted, his smile dropped to a scold. "Why you insolent little-" Snape began to lash out before being cut off by Lupin who interrupted the scene. "Professor?" Lupin stated, approaching closer to the two of them. "Well, well. Lupin. Out for a little walk in the moonlight, are we?" Snape taunted, still bitter over the situation Lupin caused with Victoria. Lupin did his best to ignore him before turning to Harry. "Harry? You all right?" Lupin asked.

Snape snatched the map from Harry's hands and inspected it in front of Lupin. "That remains to be seen. I've just now confiscated a rather curious artifact from Mr. Potter. Take a look, Lupin. This is supposed to be your area of expertise." Snape stated. Lupin takes the map, spotting an unflattering drawing of Snape doing potions. "Clearly, it's full of Dark Magic..." Snape added, looking at the map in Lupin's hand. Lupin became amused, recognizing the map as he and his group of friends created it many years ago. "I seriously doubt that, Severus. It looks to me as if it merely insults anyone who tries to read it. I suspect it's a Zonko product. Nevertheless, I shall pursue any hidden qualities it may possess. As you say, it's my area of expertise. Come, Harry." Lupin explained, turning around to leave as Harry followed Lupin out of the corridor. Snape hesitated as he watched them leave before turning his attention to complaining portraits about his wand light, exiting the corridor himself and turning out the light. Snape had a gut feeling that Lupin was letting Sirius Black into the castle, remembering the cynical, egotistical group that Sirius was in with Lupin and James; however, he had yet to provide proof of his theory.

The next day, Victoria had collected the essay papers from her students just before the holidays arrived, she wanted to correct at least half of them before break while finishing the rest at home. It was already the 22nd of December, on a Wednesday and students were leaving for break the next day after breakfast. After classes had ended that late afternoon for Victoria, she decided to make a trip to Hogsmeade to pick up a specific Christmas gift before grading some papers. Leaving her classroom, Victoria walked to Hogsmeade, thinking on her way there bundled up in her coat on what to exactly get Snape as a gift. From what she seen at Hogwarts, it doesn't look like he was very popular that students or staff would give him gifts but Victoria wanted to. Arriving in Hogsmeade, Victoria decided to stop by J. Pippin's Potions shop and take a look around. She did advanced potions herself, so everything was familiar as she walked the aisles. Victoria figured Snape needed some more new vials so she grabbed a couple then decided she could buy him some expensive ingredients such as a couple unicorn horns and dragon's blood before she crossed a locked and charmed box of a few dragon scales, priced at one hundred and eighty galleons, more than acromantula venom and were hard to come by. "I'd like to buy the dragon scales that are in the box please." Victoria pointed out. The witch behind the counter walked over to the charmed box, removing the charm and opening it. "They will be one hundred and eighty galleons per dragon scale, madam. Did you want one or both?" the witch asked. Victoria paused for a moment to think - she did take a good amount of money with her at the start of the year from her vault while she looked for her new home over the summer.

"I would like to purchase both please." Victoria replied. That surprised the witch at the shop as they were expensive but she went to wrap up the dragon scales in a new box for Victoria and did the same with the rest of her purchases. "That will be four hundred and fourteen galleons and five knuts." the witch stated. Victoria dug into her bag and pulled out the money, paying for them before leaving with the gifts from the shop. Victoria assumed she could get gift wrapping and a card at Scrivenshaft's quill shop, which was where she headed next. Victoria made her way back to the castle with the gifts and went back into her living quarters to put the gifts together in a medium sized box along with a signed card before wrapping it in a emerald green metallic wrapping paper, topped with a silver bow. She planned to get Harry's gifts after the train departed since it would take roughly a few hours to arrive at the London station. Sitting in her office that evening, she began grading the older students papers, the fifth, sixth and seventh years as they were the more advanced classes before dinner would begin. Once dinner began, Victoria had went to the great hall and noticed the shining Christmas decorations and the Christmas feast appear before everyone at the tables. Victoria eyed Snape while she approached the professors table, flashing a warm smile at him before she caught a glimpse of what she thought was a quick, soft, smirk in her direction.

Upon sitting in her chair, Victoria went to begin serving food onto her plate. "Did you notice the exchanging looks between your aunt and Professor Snape, Harry?" Hermione asked in slight surprise. Harry furrowed his eyebrows before glancing over at his aunt at the table by the podium then looked back at Hermione. "Not really. Does it matter?" Harry questioned. Hermione was taken back a little by Harry's reaction, not having it match hers. "Only if you want him as your adoptive father of course." Hermione explained. Ron shrugged towards Harry in reaction to Hermione's speculation. "If you ask me, i think you're making too much out of it, Hermione." Harry pointed out, he had hoped Hermione wasn't right though. "Take it this way, Harry...if it does happen, you will get the best grades in potions class." Ron pointed out. Hermione shot a irritated look at Ron. "What?" Ron asked. Harry didn't know what to make of it if it did happen, though it would be odd for him to think anyone he knew would be interested in Snape of all people.

Once the feast finished, the students went back to their houses, awaiting for the next day where they would be going home for the holidays. The professors left the great hall as well to turn in but Victoria had plans before she would turn in. Entering her classroom and then her living quarters, Victoria grabbed the gift she had for Snape and exited the classroom and headed down to the dungeons. Upon arriving to the potions classroom, Victoria edged towards Snape's office before knocking on the door - it felt like deja vu knocking at his door once again, since her first knock a year prior. A moment or two after knocking, Snape opened the door to spot Victoria before he glanced down to spot the emerald metallic wrapped gift. "Yes...Victoria?" Snape asked curiously. Victoria hesitated for a moment before smiling warmly at Snape. "I wanted to give you a Christmas present before i left for the holidays tomorrow morning." Victoria explained, lifting the gift up to Snape before he decided to take it skeptically. "Merry Christmas, Severus." Victoria added. Snape was skeptical at first at receiving a gift spontaneously but figured if it was from Victoria, it wouldn't be terrible.

Victoria then decided to leave the potions classroom and head back to her living quarters to turn in for the night. Snape inspected the gift for a moment before swiftly turning back in to his office, closing his door. Setting the gift down on his office desk, Snape went around and took a seat before removing the silver bow then into removing the emerald metallic wrapping paper. Opening the box, he then spotted the gifts with a Christmas card of an animated fireplace, its red and orange flames inside a brick fireplace with stockings hung on the mantle, reading Happy Christmas before he read more inside.

'Merry Christmas, Severus. I hope that your holidays are warm and bright.

I hope my gift brings you joy.

xx

- Victoria'

Snape closed the card and set it aside, his mind was pensive for a mere moment before he looked inside the medium box. Snape spotted the vials then the potion ingredients that included dragon blood, a couple unicorn horns then a separate box that was wrapped. Pulling out the smaller box, he unwrapped it and opened it to see the two dragon scales - something very rare to purchase and expensive if available. Snape remained impressed by Victoria and her knowledge of potion making, which was something he wasn't expecting when he first seen her. Snape then went to patrol the corridors for an hour before turning in for the night while the castle remained quiet.

The morning came and everyone was getting ready in their regular clothes in order to go home after breakfast. Victoria got dressed in a burgundy wine Olivia Lace Chiffon Modest Dress that went to her mid calves that wore a white lacy design on the top. She wore black heels with it and her ginger hair laid over her shoulder as she left her living quarters for the great hall to have breakfast. Victoria had hoped that Snape liked his gift that she gave him but either way, she didn't regret buying it. Walking into the great hall, Victoria made her way over to the professor's table by the podium and took a seat, looking from her plate and onto Snape curiously. Snape kept his composure while noticing Victoria's curious glances before he hesitated a brief, swift smirk on his lips before taking a bite of his food. Victoria went to eat as well and once breakfast was finished, the students began heading out to the Hogwarts Express. Harry met up with Victoria outside the great hall, reassuring when they would meet up. "I'll meet you on Platform 9 3/4, Harry." Victoria explained, she knew she would have to write her sister Petunia to let her know that Harry is staying with her over the holidays - the guardianship hearing couldn't come faster. Victoria then went on towards her classroom then into her office and living quarters, packing a few things before heading out of her classroom, to spot Snape down the hall.

Snape approached Victoria in the nearly empty hallway, causing Victoria's heart to race a little. "I had the pleasure of opening your gift last night, Victoria." Snape stated. Victoria figured that it would be about the Christmas gift. "Did you like it, Severus?" Victoria asked curiously. Snape quirked an eyebrow at her question, it was the casual, usual question regarding gifts being given. "I was rather...impressed. However, as extremely rare dragon scales are, i cannot accept them." Snape addressed. Victoria felt slightly taken back by Snape's words, and she had to admit - she was a little insulted. "Are you giving back my Christmas gift, Severus?" Victoria asked, puzzled. Snape studied her expression for a moment before he went to part his lips in reply. "Just...the dragon scales. I find that it is simply robbing you of your money although they are rare." Snape explained. When Victoria heard his excuse, she simply formed a smirk onto her lips as she found herself rather amused. "Severus...i have enough money to support myself, more so my nephew although i assume my twin sister had left him some. I bought the dragon scales for your gain, Severus. I prefer that you use them." Victoria explained.

Snape was slightly impressed by her forwardness and clearly noticed her backbone. "If you wish..." Snape replied simply, which placed a satisfied smirk onto Victoria's expression. Victoria had appreciated Snape's concern about her financial stance but she was perfectly fine. "I best be going, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Severus." Victoria smiled warmly before excusing herself and walking out of the castle, making her way down to the grounds before apparating to London. Snape had returned to his living quarters soon after while Victoria found herself in Diagon alley, getting more money out of her vault at Gringotts before heading out to look through shops at Diagon alley, looking to see what she could get for Harry before making her way to London. By the end of the hour, Victoria had found some things for Harry before making her way to her house from London to Wellington and dropped off the gifts, hiding them in her bedroom under a blanket before heading to the London station. Disappearing into the wall between platforms 9 and 10, Victoria appeared on 9 3/4 and waited for the Hogwarts Express to arrive, along with the other parents. Once the train arrived, the students got off of it, greeting their parents as Harry stepped out with his friends. "Harry...are you ready?" Victoria asked. Harry had gotten his trunk with his owl Hedwig and came over to his aunt. "Yes i am, aunt Tori." Harry replied. The two exited the platforms and the station before walking the streets of London. "I thought, perhaps, you would like to decorate the house with me for Christmas? I haven't gotten the chance, being at Hogwarts myself." Victoria asked curiously, it would've been fine if he didn't want to. Harry honestly never got to experience something as simple as decorating a house for the holidays, but it was a tradition he would like to experience. "I would like that, yeah." Harry replied with a warm smile on his face.

Victoria and Harry then found a secluded area in London and apparated to Wellington before finally arriving to the house. Entering the house, Harry went directly to his room to put his things down as Hedwig flew over to the top of his dresser and decided to go back downstairs to speak with Victoria. Victoria was sitting on the sofa in the living room, with the news on t.v. as she sorted through her handbag that kept her students papers that need to be corrected. Harry approached the living room with a soft smile on his face as he noticed his aunt and professor watching the t.v. with a pile of papers on her lap. "Hey, aunt Tori, when exactly did you want to begin decorating?" Harry asked curiously as he went over to join her on the sofa. Victoria turned her attention from a second year's essay and onto her nephew. "Whenever you are ready, Harry. I brought my Christmas decorations with me when i moved from America. We just need a tree." Victoria explained, setting the student's papers onto the coffee table across from the sofa. "Right now, if it's alright." Harry replied. Victoria took the remote and turned off the t.v. before setting the remote onto the coffee table as well. "Then let's go get our tree." Victoria stated before standing up, walked over to the back door while Harry smiled and followed her to the back patio, where no muggle would spot them. Victoria held out her hand and Harry grabbed her hand before they apparated to London.

Once in London, they went to a Christmas tree farm that had dozens of trees in a lot called 'The Christmas Forest'. Entering inside, they began looking through the Christmas trees as Victoria looked at the tags. "Why don't you pick one out, Harry? The traditional green trees or the white snow covered ones, any kind that you want." Victoria stated, she wanted her nephew to experience Christmas like a normal kid unlike how her older sister and family had treated him, she assumed he wasn't used to being part of the holidays with them. "You sure?" Harry asked reassuringly. Victoria nodded. They looked through more trees before Harry found a perfectly medium sized green tree. "This one looks nice." Harry pointed out. "It is nice! I'll get a worker here to help us bring it to the front." Victoria said. Familiar faces showed up - the Dursleys. "What are you doing here, boy?! You never showed up. Come here you-" Vernon spat out before being cut off, noticing Victoria edge closer from behind the trees after speaking to a worker. "Harry is staying with me, Mr. Dursley." Victoria stated in an authoritative tone. Vernon shot a glare at Victoria. "That is NOT legal. We are his legal guardians, you are breaking the law!" Vernon added. Dudley walked over, spotting the scene. "Why is he here for?" Dudley spouted in a rude tone. "Looking for a Christmas tree, isn't it obvious?" Harry mocked towards Dudley. Dudley glared. "It's quite legal actually, being his blood relative also. I have a court hearing regarding guardianship at the end of this month, they'll inform you of my win, Mr. Dursley." Victoria explained professionally before turning to Harry as the worker approached. "Which tree, Miss?" the worker asked. Harry pointed to the one he wanted and the worker went over to grab it and drag it to the front. "Come on, Harry." Victoria motioned. Vernon kept shouting as Victoria and Harry walked off to the front of the tree farm and Victoria paid for the tree before the worker offered to deliver it to her residence which she took up. Victoria and Harry then left the farm and apparated back to the house, awaiting the worker.

After the worker showed up, he left the tree at the doorstep and took off, Victoria wanted to give the impression that they weren't home yet as muggles would take forty minutes by car to Wellington from London. Having placed the tree stand in the living room by the window, she opened the front door and used help from Wingaurdium Leviosa and lifted the tree up, bringing it inside and onto the tree stand. Victoria then brought in the box of packed decorations, having the box float into the living room before they began decorating the tree with Christmas lights and ornaments. With a flick of her wand, Victoria turned on the muggle radio to the station that played Christmas music 24/7 during the holidays. 'It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Everywhere you go. Take a look at the five and ten...' the song played, sung the muggle Dean Martin. Harry's face formed an amused smile when the radio clicked on. "Figured we'd have the full experience when decorating." Victoria pointed out, flashing a crooked smile as she began putting the lights on the tree with magic. "Yeah, i like that." Harry chuckled a little before picking up a round, red ornament and placed it onto the tree. They decorated until they were finished and the tree looked bright with glowing red and green lights along with red, green and assorted character ornaments. "I need to do some shopping for groceries, haven't gone since summer...mind coming along or would you prefer to stay here?" Victoria asked curiously.

Harry decided to tag along with Victoria. "I'll go." Harry replied. They headed to the muggle store called Tesco in London, picking up a few things for the holiday break such as bread, milk, eggs, butter, cereal, ingredients for lasagna (since Harry wanted it again), cheese, deli meat, ground beef, spaghetti sauce, spinach, salad, bacon, holiday sweets (including peppermint candy canes) and soda before grabbing some instant hot chocolate with marshmallows before checking out at the register. Once they paid, they headed out to the parking lot to a secluded area and apparated with the groceries back to her house. Once at the house, Victoria began putting the groceries away but set aside the hot chocolate before with a flick of her wand, she pulled out two coffee mugs from the cabinet and set them on the counter. Victoria kept the milk out and poured it into the mugs before putting it back into the fridge. "Up for some hot chocolate?" Victoria asked. Harry stepped into the kitchen, opening the box of candy canes and nodded to his aunt before noticing no kettle on the stove top. "Aunt Tori...don't we need a kettle of water for the hot chocolate?" Harry asked curiously. Victoria smirked. "I'm making it the way we do in America. We use heated milk instead of water, it makes the hot chocolate more creamy." Victoria explained, putting the mugs into the microwave. "Oh okay. I'd love to try it." Harry admitted.

Harry had put the candy canes on the tree and Victoria made the hot chocolate before bringing it into the living room, handing a mug to Harry. Harry took his first sip of the warm, chocolatey drink before his eyes lit up at the newfound taste. "You're quite right, it is good." Harry pointed out as he took another sip of his hot chocolate before setting it down. Harry wanted to ask Victoria about Snape but he wasn't sure how to come across it, perhaps his friends were just being too skeptical about two professors talking, he wasn't sure. Victoria smiled at Harry approving of the new way of making the drink. "Have something on your mind, Harry?" Victoria asked curiously. Harry sighed, was hoping his newfound relative wouldn't be offended by his questioning of her private life. "I was just wondering...do you like Professor Snape?" Harry asked forwardly yet he kept his tone hesitant. Victoria was surprised by her nephew's question but decided to play it off as she set her mug down onto the coffee table. "Of course, Harry. He's my co worker, i shouldn't think bad of fellow professors." Victoria explained, obviously diverting the intention of the question. Harry parted his lips to reply once again. "What i meant was, do you fancy Professor Snape?" Harry asked.

Victoria felt like she was put on the spot and that's exactly what Harry was doing. "Well..." Victoria trailed off, struggling for words to work around the question. "That's a personal question, Harry." Victoria replied, standing up to walk into the kitchen. Harry figured by her reaction that it was a confirmation that she was fancying Snape and went to follow her. "But, do you?" Harry smiled, amused. Victoria looked at his amused look on his face and placed her hands on her hips. "...I refuse to answer." Victoria replied hesitantly before turning to the fridge and cabinet, taking out ingredients for spaghetti. "I suppose that's a yes then." Harry stated in a playful tone. Victoria glanced over at her amused nephew and shook her head. "Maybe, Harry. Maybe." Victoria stated. Harry scrunched his nose at the confession. "That's all you will get. Now, finish your hot chocolate." Victoria brushed him off to avoid the subject of Snape. Harry grinned at the motion before wandering off back to the sofa. Victoria sighed before she began making dinner and once it was made, they ate it while watching a muggle Christmas movie, 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer' then went to their bedrooms for the night. Victoria spent half the night wrapping the gifts she got for Harry and went to out them under the tree before going to bed, though Harry did hear his aunt walking around, knowing what it was about - he found himself comfortable with his aunt and under her roof, she made it friendly and comfortable for him.

Christmas morning came and Victoria was still in bed in her black night gown. Harry got up and walked out to see the living room, spotting the Christmas tree with about ten, red and emerald green gifts wrapped under the tree and stared with astonishment. "Wow." Harry stated before he heard Victoria approach. "Go ahead, they're all yours." Victoria smiled. Harry was surprised yet thrilled and made his way over to the tree while Victoria followed and sat on the sofa. Harry began opening his gifts while Victoria watched from the sofa with a cup of tea. Harry opened his gifts and had gotten a new copper scale for potions, new quill and ink, some new quidditch gear then some muggle stuff like a Playstation with games, a game boy with games and a discman (portable CD speaker) to play music in his own bedroom. Harry was blown away by the gifts he had gotten from his aunt, it was something he never received when he was living with the Dursleys. "I figured you could play your own music in your bedroom here and for the meantime, you can use your game system on the t.v. in here. I'm not exactly sure what music you're into so, i didn't get any music. But..." Victoria explained, reaching under the coffee table and grabbing a sweets stuffed stocking that held a gift card inside and handed it to Harry. "I figured you could get it yourself sometime." Victoria added. Harry took the medium sized, red stocking and discovered the gift card in the Christmas sweets. "Thank you aunt Tori, truly. I cannot express how overwhelmed i am." Harry replied truthfully. After breakfast, they relaxed the whole day and within the next few days, they went to get Harry's music and then Harry went to visit the Weasley's at the burrow until the day of the court hearing.

The 29th of December had came and Harry was back at Victoria's place the night prior. They got ready and headed to London then into the Ministry of Magic. Walking up to the front desk after taking the elevator to the tenth floor where the Wizengamot would be located. "Hearing for Victoria Hawthrone regarding Harry Potter." Victoria addressed to the witch at the front desk. The witch looked through the books, scanning the page before speaking. "Guardianship trial for Hawthrone, Victoria regarding Potter, Harry...yes. Let me check your wand, please." the witch stated. Victoria handed her wand over and the witch checked the wand, verifying it was indeed Victoria and no one under polyjuice potion before handing it back. "Please proceed into the Wizengamot room, both of you, and i will alert the council." the witch stated. Victoria nodded and both she and Harry entered the room. There was a chair in the middle of the circle floor that faced about fifty chairs on several levels and benches surrounded the chair on the outside. The ceiling was hollow with dementors hovering above but blocked by a charm. The Wizengamot entered the room and began taking their seats as the minister of magic, Cornelius Fudge, took the front seat with a gavel placed on the podium desk. Victoria walked over to the chair in the middle of the floor and motioned for Harry to take a seat while she stood beside him. "I see that you are here for guardianship of young Mr. Potter, am i correct Miss Hawthrone?" Fudge asked. Victoria stepped forward a step. "Yes, minister." Victoria replied. Fudge looked back at the paper before speaking once again. "And i see that you are a blood relative but not originally from the United Kingdom?" Fudge asked further. Victoria knew the trial would be a little rough. "Yes, i am a blood relative from his mother's side. She was my fraternal twin sister. Though I've never lived in the United Kingdom until now, i was born here before i was adopted." Victoria explained. Fudge took that into account as the rest of the Wizengamot thought it over. "That's reasonable and birth records do show that nonetheless...i would need a solid reason for why you think you would make a better guardian than Potter's current guardians despite their status of a muggle." Fudge pointed out.

Victoria took a moment to think it over while Harry was nervous, looking over at Victoria before she parted her lips to speak. "That's a point, minister. They are muggles. How can you expect a couple of muggles to protect someone like Harry? The boy who lived? If this dark wizard or his followers come knocking at their doorsteps, how can they protect Harry with no magical abilities? Not only that but they are terrible people, abusing my nephew." Victoria refuted. Fudge and the rest of the Wizengamot were surprised by the points she had made. "Firstly, i do not believe the certain dark wizard will come back any time soon, however, his followers may be a cause for concern. I do agree that the Boy Who Lived needs unique and precise protection, especially by a magical blood relative." Fudge stated. Harry began to smile, having it sound like a guaranteed win. "I do need to ask Potter if this is what he truly prefers. Please step away, Miss Hawthrone." Fudge ordered. Victoria left the circle and walked into the hallway not far from the circle. Fudge turned to Harry. "Mr. Potter...would you prefer to live with your aunt Victoria Hawthrone? Or would you rather remain with the Dursleys?" Fudge asked. Harry was immediately alerted. "Victoria. My aunt, Victoria Hawthrone." Harry answered, rather quickly. Fudge sat back in his chair. "Why is that, Mr. Potter?" Fudge asked curiously. "Because she treats me better, and can perform magic quite well to help with protection. I feel more comfortable with my aunt Tori." Harry explained.

Fudge and the Wizengamot talked with one another. "Miss Hawthrone, you may come back in. We will now vote..." Fudge announced. Victoria walked back into the circle and stayed standing beside Harry. "Those in favor of granting guardianship?" Fudged asked his court. Forty-one hands were raised in favor. "Those against?" Fudge asked. Nine hands were raised against. Fudge then slammed the gavel on the podium desk. "Ruled in favor, granting guardianship of Mr. Potter to Victoria Hawthrone. We will take care of informing the Dursleys." Fudge ruled before getting up. Everyone got up to leave when Harry stood up from the chair and placed a happy smile onto his face before giving his aunt a quick hug then pulling back. "We won!" Harry stated, he was ecstatic. "Yes we did. Let's get home, Harry. " Victoria said cheerfully, smiling softly before Harry followed her out. Harry was now free from the Dursleys and had somewhere he could feel more at home, he couldn't wait to tell Ron and Hermione.