Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling, and I do not own Harry Potter. I make no money from the writing of this fan fiction.
Chapter Twelve
It had been almost a week since the hearing, and as Arcturus watched Harry running across the lawn playing with a few of the elflings on his estate, he had to smile. He knew Harry was still very withdrawn in certain situations, so he had asked Jilly to find some of the elflings to play with Harry. It benefited Harry, since it allowed him to be a child instead of the unpaid servant his former guardians had tried to make of him, and it also benefited Arcturus, since allowing the elflings to play with Harry meant his house elves weren't divided in their duties between taking care of the estate and taking care of their families when something needed done.
The day before had been particularly hard on young Mr. Potter in Arcturus' opinion. Kyle Stanton had informed him that Mr. Potter would be required to speak to a representative of the DfE to describe what his treatment in the house of his aunt and uncle was like. The local Child Protection Services agency asked for the time, and offered to provide an advocate for Mr. Potter, but Mr. Stanton had volunteered, citing he was Mr. Potter's solicitor. He had of course sent a written invitation to the representative, requesting the interview happen in his home where Mr. Potter felt the most comfortable. The interview had taken three hours, and by the end, Mr. Potter was in tears. So it eased his mind somewhat that young Mr. Potter could still be happy enough to play.
"Jilly?" Arcturus called.
A moment later the house elf popped next to Arcturus, eyes wide.
"Master calls Jilly?"
"Yes, Jilly. First, let young Mr. Potter know it is almost time to leave for his first day at the summer program, and second, as I understand it, tomorrow is the lad's birthday. I'd appreciate it if you and the other elves could organize a small celebration for the occasion. I anticipate there will be several children as well as a few adults there. Mr. Potter will be nine, so please be sure the menu is age appropriate."
"It is being Young Master's birthday tomorrow? Oh, Jilly be making sure Young Master be having the bestest food to celebrate his birthday, Master, Jilly promises! I tells the elvses in the kitchen right away! Does Master think Young Master would like Jilly's special double chocolate chip fudge ice cream? Mipsy be happy to makes the cake, but Jilly be wanting to make the ice cream for Young Master."
"I think your ice cream would be perfect, Jilly, thank you."
Nodding enthusiastically, Jilly popped away, and a moment later he saw her next to Harry for a moment before popping away again.
OOO
Kyle sat in the office of the Crown Prosecutor assigned to the case against the Dursleys. He hoped the information he had would help the prosecution.
"You asked for this meeting, Mr. Stanton. So how is it you believe you can help the Crown in this case?"
"Sir, would I be correct in my assumption that Vernon and Petunia Dursley are claiming as part of their defense that their treatment of Harry Potter was due in part to not having enough money to properly care for him?"
"Before I answer that, what is your interest in this case, Mr. Stanton?"
"I was the solicitor of record for Mr. Potter's parents, James and Lily Potter. I now represent their son Harry."
"Well, Mr. Stanton, off the record of course, if something like this had happened to a child that I had a connection with, however slight, I would be trying to find a way to legally bring back having criminals drawn and quartered. However, that is not an option. Again, how do you think you can help?"
"May I assume as part of your investigation that you are also examining the financial records of Vernon and Petunia Dursley?"
"In a Child Welfare case where abuse or neglect is a factor, the financial situation of the caregivers is usually part of the investigation. It's used to determine if there are mitigating circumstances in the case. Why do you ask?"
"It is my belief that Vernon and Petunia Dursley were receiving a monthly stipend from the estate of James and Lily Potter for their son Harry's care. A stipend which was clearly not used for that purpose. Harry Potter had been in their custody since November of 1981 at least, so the stipend payments, if they were paid to Vernon and Petunia Dursley, might have begun in either November or December of that year. If you are able to find proof of that sir, it is my intention to file a lawsuit against the Dursleys for the return of that money. To that end, I would like a copy of the financial records for the Dursleys."
"You could obtain a copy of those records through a court order Mr. Stanton, so why come to me with this?"
"Without those records, the person I believe is responsible for Harry Potter being placed with the Dursleys to begin with might never face justice sir. Harry Potter was never supposed to be with the Dursleys according to his parents' Last Wills and Testaments. That case is still under investigation through my office."
"I believe I can provide you with an official courtesy copy of those records Mr. Stanton. It ordinarily wouldn't happen, however I don't like the thought of anyone who would for all intents and purposes pay people who would abuse a child with part of that child's inheritance escaping justice. As the lawsuit concerning the return of the money is more a civil matter than criminal, it doesn't fall in the jurisdiction of this office, and I wish you luck with it. I'll have my secretary make a copy and have it messengered to your office later today."
"Thank you sir, that would be most helpful," Kyle said, handing over a card with his firm's address on it.
OOO
At the same time Kyle Stanton was speaking to the Crown Prosecutor assigned to the case, Albus Dumbledore strolled into the small jail where Vernon and Petunia Dursley were being held before their trial. Looking around, he went up to the desk where a lone officer was seated.
"Are you here to visit someone?" the officer asked.
"I'm here for Petunia and Vernon Dursley. They are supposed to be released to my care and the charges dismissed," Albus said, with a hint of a compulsion spell behind his words.
"If either of them were supposed to be released, I would already have received the paperwork. Are you here to visit them? If you aren't, then I must ask you to leave."
Dumbledore couldn't understand it. The compulsion should have already prompted this young man to get up and retrieve the Dursleys. They needed to return to Privet Drive immediately so they could take care of Harry Potter when he could finally locate the boy. Deciding a larger risk was worth the gamble, he met the eyes of the young officer and cast a silent legilimens. What he saw was confusing. There was absolutely nothing in this young man's mind he could see beyond the duties for the day he was required to perform for his job.
"Sir, if you aren't here to visit someone, you need to leave."
Accepting this defeat as only temporary, Albus nodded at the young man and then turned and left. He could try again at a later time, hopefully when there was a different officer at the desk.
OOO
Brian Greengrass stepped into the visitor room inside Azkaban where Sirius Black was already waiting. He wished he had enough information and evidence to either get the man released or a long-delayed trial, but so far, he hadn't found any. Perhaps this visit might yield more results.
"Sirius, I'm sorry to say I don't have much more information regarding your case. Can you think of anything that might help?"
"Have you tried to get in touch with Remus Lupin? I realize he would think I was the Secret Keeper for James and Lily, but perhaps he could help find Peter Pettigrew."
"Actually, I have tried to locate Mr. Lupin. Unfortunately it doesn't appear as if he's in England right now."
"Okay, Peter would usually stay with Remus, James and I while at school, and unless one of us had already done it, didn't usually try to find a shortcut to class. He likes the familiar in his surroundings. During the war, we used to all be in Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix. So he was able to become familiar with the other members, such as Frank and Alice Longbottom, Arthur and Molly Weasley, and a few others. I seem to remember Alastor Moody was also a member. I don't know if any of them knew that James, Peter and I were all Animagi, however."
"Three of you were Animagi. Why not Remus Lupin?"
"Remus Lupin is the reason the rest of our quartet became Animagi in the first place. I would tell you the reason behind it, but I took a Wizard's Oath."
"I know I should remember how to recognize Peter Pettigrew in his rat form, but I don't seem to have it in my notes, and my memory isn't what it was when I was younger."
"Oh, that's easy. He cut off a finger before he transformed to escape, so in his rat form he'd be missing a toe on one of his front paws."
"I can ask the people you've mentioned if they've ever seen a rat with that description, but it might not amount to anything."
"I understand. Can you tell me anything about Harry? How is my godson?"
"Unfortunately I can't tell you much beyond he's been given sanctuary by your grandfather, so he is safe. Anything else in regard to Harry I'm not privy to, as he isn't my client."
"All that matters to me right now is he's safe, so that's good enough."
Brian glanced over to the guard waiting beyond the silencing charm and grimaced.
"It looks like your visiting time is up for now. I'll prepare a report for your grandfather and I'll see you next week."
"Thank you Brian. I can't wait to get out of here."
"Just try to be patient. We may wish things would move like a snitch, but the law tends to move more like a slug or snail."
After Brian cancelled the silencing charm, he waited until Sirius had been escorted from the room and left the prison.
OOO
Harry was looking around at the other children where Lord Black had brought him for what he called a 'summer program'. He was nervous, especially since every other time he'd tried to make friends Dudley chased them away. He couldn't see Dudley, so maybe this time would be better and he could actually make a few friends.
"Mr. Potter, as tomorrow is your birthday, if you meet anyone here that you especially like and can get along with, please bring them to meet me, and I can give them the invitation to your birthday celebration tomorrow. I know that a young boy like you can get bored spending all of his time with an old man like me. You need some friends your own age as well."
"Really, sir? Thank you! Where will you be, sir? Just in case?"
"I will be inside, in the room to the left of where you will have your lunch. The organizers of this program have graciously allowed me to use one of their offices for the day so I may write a few letters. Now go ahead and walk around. I'm sure the other children are just as curious about you as you are about them."
Harry nodded, and began walking toward a group of children who were tossing a ball back and forth. It looked like fun, but it also looked as though they had enough children to play their game, so he kept walking. He passed the swimming pool, but as he didn't know how to swim, he stayed away from the edge. He was trying to decide what to do first when he heard a voice behind him.
"Hello, you're new here aren't you?"
He turned toward the voice and saw a girl around his age, with big brown eyes and the curliest shoulder length brown hair he'd ever seen. Thinking it reminded him of one of the fluffy pillows his Aunt Petunia said were for decoration, he smiled.
"Yes, I'm new here. I just arrived a few minutes ago."
"I can show you around if you like; my parents bring me here every summer, and it's always fun. My name is Hermione Granger, what's yours?"
"Harry Potter, and if you could show me where everything is, that would be great, thanks."
Smiling widely, Hermione took his hand and started to lead him toward the far building, away from the pool. She pointed out various things they passed, such as where the restrooms were located, how to find the first aid office, the art room, the changing room for people who wanted to swim, the dining room where meals were served, and finally the library. Harry walked around the bookcases looking at the titles.
"Wow, there are some books here that I wanted to read and couldn't find; they were always checked out of our local library."
"You like to read, too?"
"Sure, but I don't always have time."
"Well, you're allowed to take books you find here home, checking them out just like in a regular library, but you have to sign up to do that with the librarian here first. That way she can write down your name, address, and other information before you take the book home. You have to bring the books back in a week, however."
"Where is the librarian? I'd like to get signed up to be able to check books out before I go home today."
"She usually sits at the desk over there," Hermione said, pointing to the far corner," but it looks like she stepped out for a moment. But you can still sit and read while you wait for her to come back."
Smiling, Harry pulled a book from one of the shelves and sat down at a table beneath a window. He noticed Hermione had also found a book and sat at the table across from him. They had only been reading a little while when the librarian returned, and Harry went to her desk to sign up for his privileges to check books out. That done, he returned to the desk and continued reading. It was the first time he'd felt comfortable spending time with someone his age. He looked up at the sound of a bell, confused.
"Oh, that's the lunch bell, Harry. So no one misses coming in, since there are activities all over. Do you want to sit together?"
"I need to ask my guardian first, but sure. He's in one of the offices writing letters, he told me. Do you want to meet him?"
"He won't mind? He might still be busy."
"He told me if I met anyone here I liked to introduce them to him, so I don't think he'll mind. He said he'd be in the room to the left of the dining room where lunch would be."
"If you're sure…"
"I'm sure. Come on, Hermione, and I'll introduce you. He might want to invite you to my birthday tomorrow, if that's okay."
"Well, I need to ask my parents about that, but I don't think they'll say no. How old will you be?"
"I turn nine tomorrow. How old are you?"
Hermione was just about to answer when they both heard a slightly amused voice.
"Mr. Potter, while I'm sure the young lady would object to what I'm about to say, a gentleman should never ask a lady about her age; it removes some of the mystery, you see."
Looking around, Harry saw Arcturus in the doorway, a small smile tugging on his mouth.
"Gosh, I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to be rude."
"It was an honest mistake, Mr. Potter. Now, who is the young lady?"
"This is Hermione Granger, sir. Hermione, this is my guardian, Lord Black."
"Nice to m-meet you, my Lord," Hermione stammered, blushing.
"I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Granger. Since you were speaking about ages, may I assume that Mr. Potter has told you his birthday is tomorrow?"
"Yes he did, my Lord."
"Then I will be giving you an invitation to his birthday celebration. If your parents permit, I would like it if you attend. Young Harry doesn't know very many children his own age, and I always felt a birthday is more enjoyable with friends. I do ask that you don't lose the invitation," he said, drawing a cream colored envelope from his pocket, "it will allow you through my home security."
"I still need to ask my parents if I can attend, Lord Black."
"I understand. If they wish to speak to me, I shall be in this office until it is time to take young Mr. Potter home."
"Yes sir, I'll let them know."
"Thank you, Miss Granger. Now, as I am sure from the sound of that bell that it is time for lunch, why don't the two of you go to the dining room? Mr. Potter, I'll see you directly after for a moment please."
"Yes sir."
As Arcturus watched the pair walk away, he was surprised to notice that his ward's new friend was able to do magic. He might consider asking her parents' permission to include her in some of the lessons Mr. Potter would be having, since a tutor was able to teach two students much easier than one.
After all, one never knew how strong a potential witch or wizard would be until they began displaying magic accidentally. Yes, he would definitely watch young Miss Granger as well. His ward would need a good friend for support, and he could already see that Mr. Potter was becoming attached to the young lady.
After watching them talk over lunch a moment more, Arcturus went back into the office to finish his letters.