"Done." said Dumbledore with a flourish. He waved his wand and the parchment folder itself three times and leapt inside the envelope he had brought with him. Turning the envelope over he brought out his seal and, dripping some wax on it, affixed the official deal of Hogwarts on the back.
He held the envelope up for Severus' approval. Severus rolled his eyes. They had eventually whittled the letter down to three abnormally long pages before they were both satisfied with the editing.
The result was a letter that, in both their minds, adequately spelled out how truly awful the past eleven years had been, what an absolute asset Lily and James had been to the fight, and why Harry was so very special in the wizarding world. The last page was mostly wording concerning the care of Harry.
Dumbledore had been very precise in detailing the magical contract Petunia would be entering in to by taking in young Harry. Love and blood were powerful agents of magic. By placing Harry in the care of his aunt, Dumbledore hoped to keep him safe from Death Eaters and even a potential return of Voldemort until such time when Dumbledore could bring him to Hogwarts.
"It will work?" Severus questioned.
Dumbledore turned to look at the young wizard. "I have every confidence that it will, Severus." he said.
Severus looked to be on the verge of issuing a sarcastic barb, but thought better of it and simply nodded.
"Thank you for your help, Severus. I must be getting back to the Ministry, to see how they have been advancing." Dumbledore had a hand on the doorknob when he turned.
"And Severus, indulge your Slytherins. If you know the fate of their family members, let them know." he turned and was gone, leaving Severus shaking his head.
-------1:13
Remus had shouted for the wizard to stop twice more. By now, they were heading out of Hogsmeade toward the Shrieking Shack. Bounding up the stairs, Remus lunged in to the top room and froze.
Nothing. The ratty curtains flapped in the chill breeze, but there was no sound. Quieting his heart and opening his ears, Remus listened.
There. He turned his head a fraction to stare at the corner across from his current location. In the shadows something had moved.
"Come out, Peter." Remus said.
A second small rustling could be heard, then suddenly Peter was sitting on the dirty floor in front of him. Remus felt so relieved to see him.
"You're alive!" he cried, bringing Peter into a tight hug. The smaller wizard seemed uncomfortable with the close embrace and scampered out of it.
He eyed Remus carefully. "Peter, what's wrong?" Remus asked, concerned.
"Nothing, nothing." Peter said, tucking something long and thin in the back pocket of his cloack. Remus was too thrilled to see him alive to be bothered by it right now.
"I've been looking for you." Remus informed him.
"Why?" Peter asked suspiciously.
"Haven't you heard?" Remus asked incredulously. Peter looked at him oddly, but didn't say anything. Remus continued. "Lily and James are dead. Last night, Voledmort," Peter winced, "came to their house killed them. Sirius was their secret-keeper. He betrayed them, Peter. Sirius betrayed them." Remus croaked.
Peter eyed his curiously. "Ah, er, yes, Sirius, of course." he stuttered. "Well, it's a shame really, about Lily and James and all, but there are currently several other places I need to be, and here is really not one of them."
He gave Remus a quick bow and scuttled down the stairs and outside. Remus was too deep in shock to follow after him. He sat down in a broken chair and stared out the window, watching Peter scurry away.
What was wrong with Peter? Remus wondered as his friend disappeared back in to Hogsmeade.
--------1:29
Minerva opened one eye at the sound of the front door of number four slam. She watched as Harry's cousin waddled out on to the front porch. He didn't wait for his mother before starting off down the front walk.
By the time she caught with him, he was waddling along, swaying back and forth. She tried to grab his hand to steady him.
"It's okay Dudley darling, momma's got you." she cooed. His response was to start kicking at her, yelling, "WON'T" repeatedly.
Minerva closed her eyes, willing the scene to correct itself or go away. Neither happened. When she opened them again, they were turned round the corner and out of sight.
Minerva shifted positions again and settled back for another nap.
-------1:36
Dumbledore made his way to the back counter at Gringotts. "I need to speak with your supervisor." he told the goblin sitting at the desk. The goblin looked sternly at him, but nodded and got up.
After a few minutes, during which Dumbledore rocked back and forth on his feet softly whistling, a second goblin appeared. "This way, Headmaster." he escorted. Dumbledore followed him down a hallway leading off the main room.
Marble and wood lined the walls, as they walked down a second, then a third hallway. Finally, the goblin deposited Dumbledore in front of a very large door. Nodding, the goblin, walked away, his footsteps echoing as he retreated.
Dumbledore knocked three times. The doors swung open and a deep voice told him to enter. He did so, taking his time to look around at the room.
The lighting was very dim, but Dumbledore got the impression of elegant, bare walls and a well-polished floors.
"You may sit down." said the goblin who had appeared in front of Dumbledore. He motioned to a chair, mahogany with red leather, Dumbledore noticed.
"You are here about the Potters." the goblins said.
Dumbledore nodded.
"I cannot do much. All Gringotts accounts are strictly private."
"I know that, Fangburr. That is why I brought this." Dumbledore furnished a letter, holding out for Fangburr to read. He took it and quickly scanned the contents.
"James Potter never made Gringotts aware of such an arrangement." he said simply.
"I understand. James never thought he would have to make use of such an arrangement." Dumbledore countered cheerfully. "However, here is signed letter, with the seal of a notary, presented to you."
The goblin looked him over for a few moments before getting to his feet. "Very well. Follow me. I'll take you down myself as this is highly unusual." he said.
Dumbledore cheerfully slipped the letter of permission back in his robes and started off after Fangburr, whistling quite festively.
------1:52
Sirius had finished reading the paper and was now going over everything a second time. Every story mentioned the disappearance of Voldemort and the attack on Godric's Hollow.
Harry was a hero, Sirius thought grimly. The 'boy-who-lived' said the reporters. Not many mentioned the sadness at losing the Potters. Most were quite celebratory, repeatedly stating how things were looking up now that You-Know-Who had been defeated.
"They can't even say his name now that he's gone!" Sirius growled, chucking the paper across the alley. An old woman passing looked up at him. Sirius supposed she was going to scold him, but something in his eye stopped her.
He growled again and leaned back against the wall. No mention of Peter. There had been a brief mention of Remus, saying he was aiding in the search for Sirius.
Of course, Sirius realized. Remus thinks I'm the one what did it! He thinks I betrayed Lily and James. He stood up.
"I have to find Remus." he said out loud. He took off down the street.