oooOOOoooOOOooo
The little family stayed at Potter House for a few more hours. The children visited Harry's room and played with all his toys in the playroom. While they played, Vernon walked the house again. He stopped in each room and evaluated it. They were all in good shape. Nothing was obviously wrong that he could see. He didn't see any of the other servants but he guessed in such a large house, it was easy to miss people.
He found the master bedroom on the third floor and was immensely impressed with it. It was easily three times the size of his spacious bedroom on Privet Drive. It had a massive, four poster bed, hung with light as air golden curtains that just muted the light in the room. The covers were done up in some gold and red design that resembled a lion. Vernon liked it. It was kingly.
Vernon looked around and saw a set of his and hers chairs in front of the fire and a large sofa facing a television that rivaled the size of the one in the informal sitting room. All of the personal effects had already been removed from the room. The closets were clear of clothing. The dressing room attached to the master was huge and covered in empty cedar shelves and cabinets. Petunia would have died for this. Her clothes would never sit in this wardrobe.
Vernon sat down. He didn't move.
Eventually, Betsy came to get him. It was time to head home if they wanted to make it in time for dinner or they could eat here, she offered. Vernon snapped out of his funk and stood up.
"Will we still have time to visit with the solicitor?" Vernon asked, listlessly.
"Yes, or they could be joining us here for dinner. They is being anxious to get Lord Potter and Lady Lily's wills read," said Betsy. She wasn't lying. Dumbledore was trying to get the wills sealed but he wouldn't be able to if they were read quickly enough. Sirius Black's life depended on it.
"Would they be willing to do that? What will they be charging?" Vernon asked, distrustfully.
"They is being on retainer for the Potter family. As Harry's guardian, you is being a part of the Potter family. They would be being happy to come see young master and to meet master Dudley," Betsy replied.
"Then, ask them if they'd like to join us for dinner. We can talk business afterwards in the study," Vernon said, decisively.
"Yes, sir," said Betsy. "Would you mind to be watching the boys while I go ring them?"
"Not at all. Take your time," Vernon said, graciously.
Betsy was back in just a few minutes. Vernon didn't need to know that she'd given Ted and Andromeda Tonks a floo call. They planned to apparate to Hampstead Heath at 5pm for dinner at 5:30pm.
The boys had a nap while Vernon had a glass of the very fine whisky that he had found in the bar. Vernon swore he belched fire for just a moment. Nonetheless, he was very relaxed by the time guests arrived at 5pm.
The driver from earlier acted as a butler. At 5pm on the dot, he announced a Mr. and Mrs. Tonks from Tonks Barristers at Law," he bowed and let the couple into the formal sitting room where Vernon was waiting in his best dinner suit for them to arrive. The boys were still upstairs with Betsy. She was a godsend. Vernon didn't even know when she'd fetched his best dinner suit but she had, without him even asking.
"Please, come in, have a seat," Vernon said, bowing to his guests then shaking their hands. "I'm Vernon Dursley, Harry's guardian."
"I'm Andromeda Tonks and this is my husband, Ted. We're pleased to meet you, Mr. Dursley," Andromeda said, shaking Vernon's hand firmly. Ted had a warm friendly hand shake. Vernon wanted to learn to copy it.
"Just tea for me," said Andromeda.
"I'd love a brandy," said Ted with a grin. Vernon grinned back.
"Make it two," he said, relaxing into Ted's friendly demeanor. Something about Andromeda just said dangerous. He would never admit it but Vernon was intimidated.
"I understand you're Harry's mother's sister's husband? Is that correct?" Andromeda asked, starting slowly with the questions.
"Yes, that is correct. My darling, departed Petunia, was Harry's mother's older sister," Vernon replied.
"I apologize, sir. I didn't know she'd passed away. If you don't mind me asking, when did this happen?" Andromeda asked, shocked. Dumbledore was telling everyone that Lily's sister had the primacy rights to raise Harry, rather than the Tonks family as Sirius Black's next of kin. If she was dead, this might change everything. Andromeda didn't want to be so callous as to celebrate someone's death but she just might do that.
"A week ago, on November 2nd. She was so distraught to find out about her sister's death from a letter left with young Harry in a basket on our porch that she accidentally stepped into traffic. She had Harry in her arms but she was luckily able to throw him to safety before he could be hurt. She's a hero. She sacrificed her life for his. Now, Dudley and Harry are the only family I have left, besides my sister Marge," Vernon said. Even though he tried to hide it, Andromeda and Ted could see the pain he was in.
"Her last request was for me to take care of Harry. To tell him and Dudley that she loved them. She said he was special," Vernon said, remembering his wife's broken body in his arms. The haunted look was obvious in his eyes. Andromeda shifted uncomfortably. She could feel the sacrificial wards Dumbledore had erected already settling around Potter House. It was warded to the gills. The only way the house could be found was if you were specifically told its location. It only worked against magical people but that's really all it needed to work against.
The upside was Dumbledore had no idea Harry was here either.
"Do you plan to live in Potter House while you raise Harry?" Andromeda asked.
"I do. I understand I will be granted the right to live in this house, with the servants and the car upkeep covered, for the rest of my life, if I raise Harry here. Is that right?" Vernon challenged.
Andromeda looked disgruntled. Ted was just watching the byplay with a playful look in his eyes. He was enjoying this.
"That's right," answered Ted. "You'll also have the right to either 1000 galleons or 5000 pounds per month until Harry reaches the age of 17. That is when he will be considered of age, according to some special laws that apply to, er, orphans."
Vernon blinked. He wasn't aware of any special laws for orphans but he had no reason to doubt them. Yet.
"What are galleons?" Vernon asked. Andromeda looked flustered.
"I'd suggest you just take the pounds," Andromeda said. Ted looked even more mischievous. He dug around in his pocket and pulled out a large round gold coin. It was about the size of the palm of Vernon's hand, and just about as thick, and that was saying something.
"Is this pure gold?" Vernon asked, his mind blown.
"Yes, it is," said Ted. "They're … an old fashioned type of currency no longer in circulation. From a very regional money source. The Potters had a large … deposit of them into their accounts. They offer payment in either. Each coin is considered to be worth about 5 pounds."
Vernon scoffed. "This is easily 10 ounces of gold per coin. That would be 10,000 ounces of gold. Depending on the purity of the gold, it could easily be worth 200,000 pounds. Per month!"
Now Ted looked uncomfortable. "The government won't allow that much gold to be released into the financial markets. It would cause the price of gold to bottom out and would remove too many of the coins from circulation."
Vernon deflated. There went his get rich quick scheme.
Ted got a sly look on his face. "How do you feel about owning your own business?"
"What kind of business?" Vernon asked, intrigued.
"This gold is truly pure. Well beyond the purity of 24 karat gold. If you had a good jeweler melt it down and make it into fine, 24k gold jewelry, then you could sell it for a huge markup and make probably 5 times as much 24k gold," said Ted. He owed a part goblin a favor and this could satisfy both needs.
Vernon got a wide smile on his face. He was expecting 100,000 pounds as payout for Petunia's life insurance policy. He was thinking of going into business for himself. This might be just the thing.
"That is an idea to think about. What would the terms of such an agreement be?" Vernon asked.
"You pay the jeweler 40% and me another 10% of the galleons. All costs for stones would be paid by you, all aftermarket profit would be yours. I can guarantee you the finest craftsmanship. The stuff will sell like hotcakes." Vernon stroked his chin. It sounded delightfully good to Vernon.
"I can contribute 50,000 pounds as start-up costs for jewels. We'll see where we stand when those are used up. If the deal is going well at that point, we'll exercise the option to make it a permanent arrangement, deal?" Vernon asked, holding out his hand for a shake.
Ted leaned forward and shook it, a shark-like grin on his face. "Deal." He'd just gotten a favor owed off the books, earned himself 1200 galleons per year for doing nothing, and made a valuable ally. It was a good day.
Andromeda huffed. Ted was always making deals. It was something she valued about him but that also annoyed her to no end. They were supposed to be finding out this man's weaknesses and using them against him.
Just then, Betsy entered the room with Harry and another small boy. Andromeda was on her feet in a second.
"Harry!" she cried. She grabbed the boy up and hugged him close. Harry was equally as happy to see her.
"Andy! Andy!" he cried as he pulled her hair. Andromeda winced but smiled at the little boy. She saw the famed scar on his forehead. It was nowhere near the mark of fate that Dumbledore had been pronouncing it to be. It was but a faint line, even now. In a few years, you wouldn't even see it.
Andromeda looked over and saw a wide-eyed Dudley watching the scene. "Hello there. You must be Dudley," Andromeda said. The cousin Dumbledore swore would be like a brother to Harry. That part might become true, over time, but it wasn't true now.
"That he is. My son, Dudley Dursley," Vernon said, proudly taking the tyke from Betsy. Vernon led the way as everyone moved to sit at the formal dining room table. Dinner was already on the table. A lovely first course of salad and soup was already plated up while mouth-watering platters of tender beef and au jus sauce as well as platters of potatoes, vegetables, breads, and cheeses overflowed down the center of the table. Large bottles of wine sat breathing in chillers at the side of the head of the table, waiting to be poured.
Betsy sat between the children and fed them between bites of her own food. The adults ate and drank heartily during the meal.
"I apologize," Vernon said after a rather bawdy joke. "Petunia was the one with the social graces. I was the one who brought the entertainment." He looked sad for just a moment.
"I don't mean to be rude but will you be okay raising two boys alone?" Andromeda asked, gently.
Vernon blustered. "I beg your pardon. I am perfectly capable of raising my boys on my own. Of course, I am. I'm their father! I'll kindly ask you to remember that in future."
"I meant no offense, it's just. You will be a busy man. Starting your own business, grieving for your beloved wife, raising your own son. I'd hate for you to become overwhelmed," Andromeda said, placatingly.
Vernon huffed. "We'll get along just fine. With the fine help of Betsy and the staff at Potter House, we'll be just perfectly fine."
"Fine," said Andromeda with a sigh. Talk turned to happier topics as the wine and meal progressed.
While Betsy took the children off for a bath and bed, Vernon escorted Andromeda and Ted to his study. They had business to take care of.
Once they were settled in with a stiff cognac each, Betsy returned.
"I thought you might be needing these," Betsy said, handing over Harry's paperwork, which Dumbledore had left for him.
Vernon shuffled through and found Harry's NHS number, his birth certificate, and his immunization record. A notarized copy of his godfather paperwork and a small key with a bank account book. Most importantly of all, there was the guardianship paperwork awarding Vernon and Petunia Dursley full custody. Vernon looked at the account balance in the book and saw it started with 10,000G.
"I already have 10,000 of these galleon things?" Vernon asked, stunned.
"Yes, it's the caretakers bonus. It's supposed to allow you to get anything you need for Harry during his initial placement," Andromeda said, all business. "If you'd like, we can read the will. This will answer a lot of the questions you must have."
"Please do," said Vernon, taking out a notebook and pen so he could take notes during the reading.
The next hour was a long and slow reading of the will of first James, then Lily Potter, since that was the order in which they died. Lily's will was the will that held primacy here. James' will would be carried out in full but, other than a few bequeathments to friends, he'd left everything to Lily. Lily had likewise left everything to Harry, other than a few bequeathments. Her will had detailed instructions on how Harry was to be cared for.
She didn't have a list of people to care for Harry, instead she had a list of instructions for whomever cared for him. Vernon took detailed notes. Lily had wanted Harry raised here, at Potter House in London. It was why she was glad to award the life estate. She knew that anyone who cared for Harry wouldn't deserve to have their home ripped away at Harry's adulthood. Just like she wouldn't want Harry to lose the house forever.
Lily wanted Harry to go to the West Hampstead Primary School. She guaranteed the Potter trust would pay for any additional children to attend with him.
She wanted him to go to The Loch Beannach School for the Gifted. If the additional children in the household were accepted to the school, their school fees would also be paid by the Potter trust.
She wanted Harry to have a tutor during his time at the Loch Beannach School to keep up with the coursework of regular students. If additional children in the household were accepted to the school, their tutor fees would also be paid by the Potter trust.
Harry was to be encouraged to read and to learn the Latin language in his primary years. He was also encouraged to learn ballroom dance and fencing. Harry was to take an etiquette class and a foreign language. The tutor was expected to organize these lessons and accompany the children to them. Any additional children in the household were to be included and their fees paid for by the Potter trust.
She preferred for Remus Lupin to be the tutor. He was to be paid 1000 galleons monthly for his work, with a rate increase of 3% per annum, to be paid by the Potter trust. Vernon thought that was fair. It was what Betsy received after all. Vernon forgot for a moment that Betsy was receiving her payment in pounds. He wasn't sure what the other servants received.
Harry was to have regular self-defense classes. Any additional children in the household were to be included and their fees paid for by the Potter trust.
Vernon couldn't believe his ears. His Dudley would grow up like a right tosh! If Vernon had anything to say about it, both boys would go into business with Vernon and make their jewelry business the best business in London!
A chap named Sirius Black was to be Harry's regent and hold his voting seats in parliament. Imagine that! Harry would have a seat in parliament.
Vernon signed some paperwork accepting the terms of the wills and authorizing the disbursement of the bequeathments. Then, Vernon turned the conversation back to the jewelry business idea. He wanted to get the contract details hammered out while they had the chance. This type of thing, business things, were exactly what Vernon needed to take his mind off his darling Petunia.
Andromeda listened to the men drone on about their jewelry business idea while she gave a huge sigh of relief herself. Vernon had signed all the paperwork to take over guardianship of Harry, which was a minor bummer, but he seemed a good man who intended to raise Harry as his own. If he was a bit conceited and smarmy for Andromeda's tastes, that had no bearing on the matter. It might take months to get Sirius out of trouble. At least now she'd be able to demand a trial for the man, which was something no one was planning on giving him. Vernon Dursley might have physical custody of Harry but Sirius would be his regent. He'd have the rights of access to the boy, whether Dursley liked it or not.
oooOOOoooOOOooo