a/n: thx to my one reviewer….smart1hermione better review this time… Also I changed the summary a bit because I want this story to have a happy ending…and then the sequel can be all the angst.
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Chapter Two: Greed
The horses rode into the small town. Houses on either side of them seemed old and deserted. They hadn't been repaired from recent damages. Crops that stood on the sides of the house were brown and dead; as if no water had reached them in years. The only residents who were seen were two young men, racing into a nearby house leaving their dog on the side of the rode. Albus sighed at these sites and thought again about their options. This was their only choice. He clutched the small boy closer to his chest and pulled the reigns of the horse who quickened its pace.
The people on the horses behind him did the same and soon they were within a mile of the towering castle that stood out of all the ruins. It was huge; much bigger than that of the Potter's. The Dursleys had received the most out of the separation. They also received even more from taxing the people into poverty. Albus sighed yet again. He still had a feeling that told him that this was wrong. But another feeling fought back. He knew Harry would grow up right. He would make the right choices. James was always true to his own heart. Harry would be the same, even with his few veins of Dursley blood.
"Sir?" A woman called from behind him. Albus turned to face one of the servants.
"Yes, Minerva?"
"What…What will happen if he doesn't accept your offer?"
"He will. Greed has conquered its way into his heart and it won't be leaving anytime soon. He'll do anything for a mere pound. You see what he did to his own kingdom? For all these servants and treasures he would kindly take in 5 children."
"Does he not have a son of his own? Dudley?"
"True…true. This may cause some problems. But in the mean time we must pray."
Minerva nodded and they rode in silence until they finally reached the moat surrounding the castle. It was overly done; being over 80 meters long, and surely at least 40 feet deep. Albus's voice was growing weak in his old age so he called over one of the younger servants.
"Charles, please call the guard that stands at that turret to the east."
The man nodded and cupped his hands over his mouth. "Sir! Sir!"
The guard looked down form his turret to see the group of men, women and their horses. "Who are you, young lad?"
"Potters, sir. Kin and servants of the Potters!"
The guard took on an ugly face. "The Potters? You do realize this is the domain of the Dursleys, right, my lad?"
"Yes, sir. But you see, we have come to make an offer. Money is involved. Lives are at stake. Please, allow us to speak to His Highness for just a moment."
The guard hesitantly nodded. "Alright, but be quick. His Highness is probably busy with his life you know." And with that he began to turn the crank that lowered the drawbridge before them.
"Thank you, kind sir." Charles called before he and the rest of the group entered the castle grounds. They stared in awe at the sky-high turrets touching the clouds and the many servants rushing from one ground to another. They stepped up to the great oak doors and pushed them open to reveal the massive interior of the castle. Cautiously, they walked through the main corridor. On either side of them hung vibrant tapestries, scorching torches and empty iron bodies standing tall. As they neared the center, large portraits of the previous Dursley rulers hung from the walls. Each one uglier than the last, but no one dared speak a word.
Finally, they reached King Vernon, his layers of fat hanging off the sides of his throne. His feet were raised onto a velvet ottoman, where one of his servants was making sure his priceless Indian shoes were spotless. His crown rested on the top of his head where bits of his blonde hair would pop out from the sides.
His moustache shook violently as he bellowed, "Who are you peasants?"
The 10 men, 5 women and the little child stepped closer. The king simply stared while caressing his many chins. "Is that you, Albus? You know I don't like Potters. Especially since they stole my prized advisor."
Albus cleared his throat. "Sire, I do believe I was the advisor of the Potters before the uniting, as well as afterwards."
King Vernon shrugged. "So be it. Do tell me, what are those little curs doing these days?"
One of the women felt tears swelling up in her eyes. A man to the side of her rubbed her back. "My Lord" he began, "King James...Lily... dead in the Black Plague in Sicily."
Dursely sat silent for a moment before he began to chuckle. "Dead? Dead?? Halleluiah! God has praised my deeds once more by granting my wish!" The servants stood awestruck. Dursley only laughed harder at the sight of this. His many chins bounced against his chest. "It's mine! Mine! Isn't that right, Albus?" he asked with a grin.
"Yes, Sire"
"The land?"
"Yes, Sire"
"The castle?"
"Yes, Sire"
"The livestock?"
"Yes, Sire"
"The money?"
"Yes, Sire"
"The ships and carriages?"
"Yes, Sire"
"The servants?"
"Yes, Sire"
"Anything else?"
Albus lifted up Harry by the underarms. "The prince"
A/n: This point right here would make a pretty good cliffhanger. So…that's all for today!! Kidding…read on. I wouldn't be that cruel.
The king abruptly stopped grinning. His jaw would have dropped further if not for the fact that his chins were already resting against his chest. "P...prince? The had a son?" Albus nodded solemnly and brought the child to his feet.
"How old is the lad?" Dursley asked, staring at the child, as if he was checking him for defects.
"Four- too young to rule the throne"
"Why didn't the parents take the brat to the plague?"
"They left him with the servants. The trip would be short."
Dursley let out a long sigh. "So now I have to take care of him? I have a son of my own, you know. I don't want my Dudley growing up beside a Potter."
"Please, sir…please, there is no where we can go. With this child, you get everything of the Potters. Please, sir…"Albus begged, dropping Harry to his feet. [a/n: yes, I know he's a bit out of character.]
The king was temporarily silent. Greed was fighting…fighting, but so was his brain. He wanted- no he needed the money. But the child was the catch. He would be removed from his high ranks if he abandoned or killed a mere child of four. Was the money worth a Potter?
"Yes…" Dursley sighed. "Yes, I'll take the bloody child. But you, servants, you will always work for me. Never question my ways. Never disagree. You shall be paid nothing while under my hand unless I say. Now remember this and no harm should come. One contradiction, and you shall be thrown into the village to live with the rats and dogs." Of course he was bluffing. He couldn't throw that many people to their deaths, and still have the loyalty of his allies. But this speech intimidated enough to believe it.
The servants nodded quickly, afraid that his mind could change in a blink of an eye. "Bless you, Lord" one servant called, falling upon his knees in a prayer. "Bless you for your generosity."
"You shall not regret this loyal deed," Albus said with no emotion. His worries had returned. King Vernon might not regret this, but he, Albus, would.
"I should hope not," Dursley answered shortly and relaxed back into the overstuffed velvet of his throne.
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A/n: Well that's the real ending for this chapter. Hope you enjoyed it. And as sort of a…hint I guess the title is actually a key phrase of philosophy that all the characters say at one time or another. The line came from the self-titled song by…I forgot. It will be used in the next chapter.
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Please Review!! It would be ever so kind hearted of you faithful readers.
