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A few months went by and Vernon returned to his routine. He would get up at 7:00 am, shower and have breakfast by 7:30 am. He'd leave for work by 8:00 am and wouldn't return until dinner time, at 6:00 pm. The children usually ate dinner much earlier than he did. Betsy tended to eat dinner with him. She'd tell him all about the children's day and the neighborhood gossip. Vernon almost felt normal.
After dinner, he'd have a drink in his study and catch up on his home responsibilities before he'd head up to play with the children until bedtime.
Vernon was laying on the floor of the playroom, playing with blocks with both boys when Betsy came in.
"Youse be having a call, sir. Sirius Black would like to be meeting with you. He'd be liking to be knowing if you're amenable to meeting with him and Remus Lupin this Saturday at 10:00 am. He'd really like to be seeing his godson, if you'd be being willing to allow it," Betsy said, curtseying to the man. "Andromeda and Ted is being willing to come along to ease the introductions, if you'd be liking," Betsy said.
The woman was a godsend. She acted as the children's keeper, the housekeeper organizing the other servants, and his personal secretary for the home. She was much too old for him or he'd marry her. He felt a pang at even making the joke in his own mind. He'd never marry again. No one could replace his wife. His Pet.
Vernon thought for a moment. He'd heard all about this Sirius Black fellow from Andromeda and Ted. Apparently, he was a newly instated lord. His grandfather died from shock when Sirius was arrested for purportedly assisting the madman who killed Harry's parents.
He was apparently taken to some kind of very fast trial and was found innocent. He'd been turned loose and inherited his grandfather's title. He would be Harry's regent until the boy was at least 21 years old. Vernon hoped it'd be at least until he was 25. Twenty-one-year-old boys should not be running the country, though Vernon thought it would explain a lot if they were.
This lord now wanted to be a part of Harry's life. Something he'd apparently always wanted. Vernon was willing to test him out. If he seemed fit, Vernon would allow the connection. A lord was a good contact to have, especially for a man in the jewelry business.
"Tell him I'll see him and the Tonkses on Saturday at 10am for tea. Harry will be glad to see them," Vernon said, magnanimously.
"Very good, sir. I'll return shortly," Betsy said with a bow, going back to the telephone.
Vernon went back to playing with the children but his mind didn't return to them. He was instead thinking about the Dursley & Sons Jewelry store. He'd found premises. He used the money from the sale of Number 4 Privet Drive to buy the store outright. He had the perfect spot, just two streets over from Bond Street, facing the Underground entrance. Everyone would see his sparkling storefront.
The jeweler Ted had introduced Vernon to was an odd little man. Filantius Flitwick. He was tiny and had a squeaky voice. He was a shrewd businessman and loved to squeeze every penny out of a drop of gold. Vernon gave him 10 of the galleon things. He'd returned with 10 necklaces, 12 rings, 6 bracelets, 8 sets of beautiful tie clips and cufflinks, and four of the most exquisite pocket watches that Vernon had ever seen. That was with just 10 coins! Vernon had 10,000 of them and 1,000 more coming per month. They hadn't even started with the jewels yet! Vernon had been working with the man on sourcing them. He was stopping by tomorrow night to show Vernon a new shipment and get his approval for purchase before the 25,000 pounds was spent on them. Vernon was taking a class in geology just so he could be a better jewelry man. He was learning and couldn't wait to learn more. He was excited about work for the first time in years. He was still working at Grunnings, of course. He wouldn't leave until the new premises were ready to be opened and put into work. It wouldn't be long now; he could feel it.
Saturday rolled around right quickly. Vernon had both boys dressed in their finest. He was dressed in his second-best lounging suit himself. They'd meet this godfather and see if he was worthy of being an influence on Vernon's boys. This Remus Lupin was supposed to be their tutor or governor or what have you. Vernon would see about him, too.
At 10:00 am sharp, the driver, who apparently always acted as the butler or personal servant when he wasn't busy driving or taking care of one of the cars, led the Tonkses and two other men that Vernon had never seen before into the room.
"Vernon!" Ted boomed. Vernon came forward to meet him with an enthusiastic handshake.
"Ted. Good to see you, as always. Andromeda. Lovely to see you," Vernon said, shaking the intimidating woman's hand.
"This is my cousin, Lord Sirius Black and his friend, Remus Lupin," Andromeda said, introducing the two men.
Vernon shook hands with them both. Black had a good, solid shake. Lupin's was a little gentle for Vernon's taste but he guessed that was good for a man who dealt with children.
"Please, have a seat," said Vernon, hosting to the best of his ability. It was much harder without a partner to help him. He felt another pang of loss. She would have loved hosting a lord. Not that Black looked like one. He was wearing a pair of black jeans, a black t-shirt, and black leather jacket. He had on black biker boots made of some kind of amphibian skin, though Vernon didn't recognize the pattern. His clothes were obviously expensive but they weren't exactly the level of fashion Vernon would expect from a lord.
"Can I offer you a drink before dinner? A cognac or a scotch perhaps?" Vernon asked.
"I'll have a cognac," Black said, an easy grin on his face. It was like he was always laughing at some unseen joke.
"I'll have a scotch, please," said Lupin.
"Same for me," said Ted.
"I'll have a brandy, if you have it," said Andromeda. Vernon turned and the driver was already waiting there with the drinks. He'd really have to learn the man's name. Vernon passed the drinks around and sat back in his seat.
"So, tell me about yourself, Lord Black," Vernon said.
"It's Sirius, please. There's not much to tell. I work for, er, Scotland Yard," he remembered at the last moment that this was what he was supposed to tell muggles. The Auror force even had a muggle telephone line for the suspicious types that wanted to verify his position.
"Scotland Yard. That's impressive," said Vernon. "Are you a detective?"
"... yes. A detective. I solve crimes and fight bad guys. That's all that matters to me," said Sirius with a grin.
"Have you been a detective for long?" Asked Vernon.
"Oh, for roundabouts three years now. I'm still new to the force but I love the job," Sirius said, taking a sip of his drink.
Vernon turned to Lupin. "What about you, Mr. Lupin? What do you do with yourself?"
"It's Remus, if you will. I am in the process of completing my mastery. I expect I have one more year left before I'll be finished."
"Is this a mastery in teaching?" Vernon asked.
"That is one of my masteries, yes. I went to Cambridge Teacher's College and finished a year ago. I'm finishing the mastery for a couple of subjects," Remus said, vaguely. He couldn't very well tell the man that he was getting his mastery in magical creatures and defense against the dark arts. As far as Remus knew, this man had no idea about the wizarding world.
Vernon didn't ask which subjects Remus was getting his mastery in. It was all a load of tosh to him.
"When will you expect to begin as the governor for the children?" Vernon asked.
Remus looked surprised. "You want me to act as the children's governor?"
"Yes, that's what Lily said she wanted in her will. Is that going to work for you? The payment is already lined out in the document, so there's no way for me to change it," Vernon warned.
"No, I mean, yes. I don't want to change it. I'm quite happy with what Lily has provided for me. It will be more than enough. I just, think you should know that I have… religious practices that occur for three days each month. I will let you know those days in advance but they cannot be moved," Remus said. Vernon looked at him sideways. This guy wasn't some religious nut, was he? It was always the quiet ones.
"You won't be doing these practices around the children, will you?" he asked.
"No. Absolutely not. They're solitary in nature," Remus said. Sounded like a bunch of new-age hogwash to Vernon but he wouldn't complain. The man was free help for his sons. What more could he ask for?
"Very well. When do you expect to start working with them? Lily has already chosen the schools they'll attend. I'm not sure at what age the primary school starts but I'm sure there are some activities the boys could start taking part in now," Vernon said.
Remus looked pleased. "I'd be glad to start right away. Maybe I can do a little research to find some tiny tots programs in the area. It would be good for them to hear the languages they will learn from an early age, so I will do my best to expose them. I myself speak French, German, and Latin. I'd be glad to teach the same to the children."
"Very well," said Vernon. He wasn't sure about these foreign languages but he knew many upper-crust people spoke multiple languages. He wanted his boys to fit in. "I want the boys to be able to fit in amongst their future peers. Any lessons that will help them do that; I'll support."
Remus and Sirius glanced at one another. The boys might have very different future peers. Then again, the Dursley boy was related to Lily. Even if his mother wasn't magical, it didn't mean Dudley wouldn't be magical. It was a fifty-fifty chance either way.
"There might be some things… that Harry has to attend to… that Dudley cannot take part in," Remus said, tactfully.
Vernon stiffened. "My sons will be treated equally in all things. Dudley will be attending the Hampstead Primary School along with Harry. Dudley will be attending lessons and activities with Harry. Dudley will darn well attend the Loch Beannach School for the Gifted with Harry!" He slammed his fist down on the arm of the chair he sat in. Vernon would not account for either of his sons being treated differently. In his mind, they were both Dursleys, lordship or not.
Remus acquiesced for the moment. There was no need to stir things up without checking the lay of the land. Most children didn't display accidental magic until they were three or four years old. Remus would just have to put a wand in the boy's hands and see if it reacted. A baby's magic was so unformed, it would usually spark any wand it touched. Sirius gave Remus a look and changed the subject.
"I'd like to arrange to see Harry," Sirius said. At the thunderous look on Vernon's face, Sirius quickly added, "and Dudley. Both. At the same time. At least once a week, if I may. I'm Harry's godfather and would love to spend time with both boys. Take them on a little adventure maybe," he said with a grin on his face.
Vernon relaxed. If Harry was going to benefit from the connections and advantages of being connected to a lord, so would Dudley. They were both his sons. It was what Petunia would have wanted. She was a mother to the core and would have treated Harry as if he were from her very own womb. Vernon was sure of it. He would do the same and expect the same in return for Dudley.
"I think that would be lovely. I'm sure both boys will benefit from the connections and opportunities you'll be able to provide them," Vernon said, calming down now that Dudley was being shown the respect he deserved. Remus and Sirius exchanged glances again.
"Perfect. Should I plan to come on a certain day of the week?" Sirius asked.
"Weekends are for the family unless one of the boys has an activity to attend. If possible, please come Monday - Friday. Sometime during the day, when the boys are free, would be best. Betsy can arrange things for you, if need be," Vernon said.
"Do you mind if I attend activities with the boys if no other time works? I am on call for work, so it would be lovely if I could arrange to come when I can," Sirius said, smiling his most charming smile. Vernon was unmoved. Thankfully for Sirius, he also didn't care.
"That's fine by me, just don't interfere with their learning," Vernon said, sternly. Andromeda snorted. There's no way Sirius would be able to be anything other than a distraction. Vernon gave her a look while Ted grinned at the byplay. He loved to see people get grilled.
Just then, Betsy came in with the boys. Harry squealed when he saw Sirius and Remus.
"Pa'foo! Moo'ey!" the boy jumped up and down in Betsy's arms until she set him down on the floor. He crawled as fast as he could to Sirius.
"Harry, my lad!" said Sirius, picking up the boy and swinging him around. Harry laughed uproariously at the handling. Sirius hugged the boy tight. "You're looking well. Glad to see Mr. Dursley is taking such good care of you."
Harry just made noises and occasional words until he finally turned and pointed at Dudley. "Dud," the little boy said.
Sirius turned to the little boy that was sitting in his dad's lap, watching with wide-eyed wonder as Sirius made a fuss over Harry.
"Hello, there, buddy. I'm Sirius but you can call me Padfoot. Are you Dudley?" Sirius asked with a grin. Dudley grinned back then hid his face in his dad's shirt.
"A shy one, yeah? No matter. I'm sure you'll warm right up to me once we get a chance to play together. Women and children love me," Sirius said, winking at Betsy who giggled. Sirius knew who she really was. Betsy had always taken good care of James and Sirius, too. She thought the boys' antics were hilarious and usually harmless. She would have been ashamed of some of the things they got up to at Hogwarts.
"Let's move out to the garden," suggested Vernon. It was November but somehow the garden always felt warm and stayed dry, even when it was raining outside. Vernon thought it was clever engineering combined with underfloor heating. It was really water repelling and weather charms.
Today was a bright clear day with a slightly nippy wind. A nice jacket and a hat on everyone and they were good to go for some outdoor time. The boys and Sirius literally rolled around on the ground. Sirius had both boys roused into a wild game of chase and then they played try to ride the godfather. The boys were squealing with joy. Sirius was laughing wildly. The other adults couldn't help but smile at the antics, even if they wondered if Sirius had any sense at all.
"Is he always like this?" Vernon asked.
"Around Harry? Pretty much. Sirius is just a big kid himself. He loves to play and behave badly," said Remus a little ruefully.
Vernon harrumphed but he really didn't mind. It was good for boys to rough house and play in the dirt. Vernon did not intend to raise any pansies.
The real adults chatted about plans for the children's future and education while the oversized child slowly wore out the two toddlers. In less than an hour, both kids were tucked up on Sirius' lap while he told them a story on the bench swing. The two little boys fought to keep their eyes open while they listened to a story about a school where children learned magic and rode on broomsticks. It was kind of adorable.
Betsy took the children inside for their morning nap while the adults made their polite goodbyes. Vernon decided they were good enough people. They were good with the boys and that was all that really mattered.
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