A/N: Thank you all for waiting so patiently for the next chapter, I truly
appreciate all your comments and your ideas. Sorry I took so long but I
have been truly busy in the last couple of months. But, I'm finally here
and the second chapter is done, I hope you like it.
~*~*~*~*~ Disclaimer: The Harry Potter World belongs to JK Rowling, I just happened to have borrowed it for this story.
~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 2 ~ Starting Anew
Petunia was startled to find a bundle of clothes on her doorstep, but what she found inside was more shocking.
Her nephew, Harry Potter, had been left in her care and she didn't know what to do. A letter had been found among his clothes, addressed to her. The news that her sister and her husband were dead took her by surprise. Even though they didn't get along, and it had been some time since they spoke, Lily was her sister and the only living relative she had. But now, it wasn't so. She was alone. Only Harry remained now.
She was in shock as she sat speechless in the kitchen. Harry had been placed in the middle of the table as Dudley sat on his high chair poking him with a spoon. Vernon was pacing around the room, pulling his hair and mumbling to himself.
"We should've guessed that they would end in such a way. Weirdoes the whole lot of them." Vernon was mumbling. "But that they would think that we would take their spawn!"
"But the letter said." Petunia said snapping out of her thoughts.
"Doesn't matter what the letter says. We should take him to an orphanage, I tell you." Vernon roared. "And that's too good for him."
"But he is my nephew." Petunia whispered looking at Harry. He was lying quietly on the table, his startled green eyes looking around the strange room. He has Lily's eyes, she thought and sighed.
The letter that she had found along with her nephew was clasped tightly in her hand. She looked down and read it again.
"Dear Mrs. Dursley
I am sorry to let you know of the death of your sister, Lily Potter. Her death was unexpected and violent, but by her sacrifice she kept her son safe from harm. I leave him in your care now. As long as he is within your household, he and your family will be safe from harm. The magic that protects him will be stronger as long as he is with you. I warn you that in order for your family to be safe from harm, Harry must stay with you.
This night's work will make Harry a well known personality in the wizarding world, eventually he will be expected to take his place in it and follow in his father's footsteps. Until that time, I am sure that you will do what is necessary for his well being.
Remember my warning, keep Harry safe.
Albus Dumbledore"
Petunia didn't know what to say. It was also a matter of family honor that made her want to keep Harry with her, but if his presence kept her family safe, that was even better. There was also the matter of his inheritance. As the last of his family, Harry was due to inherit a fortune. Something that could make Vernon think better of taking him to an orphanage.
"Vernon?" She said.
"Hmmm?" He turned to look at her. His temper had gotten the best of him from the moment he had seen Harry in Petunia's arms.
"What do you think will happen to his inheritance?" She asked.
Vernon's eyes danced with greed. "It is enormous isn't it? Your mother's share is just a drop compared to what he could have now."
"As Mother left all of her fortune to Lily, I must assume that Lily left her to her son. The paintings alone are worth more than fifty million pounds, and that's only part of what her total worth was." Petunia said.
"And your brother-in-law was swimming in gold. You saw their house in London, and I remember hearing that there are other properties." Vernon said with glee.
Petunia nodded. "There is the country Estate, Gryffindor Manor, and some minor properties throughout the country."
"It seems to me that as his guardians we have the right to some of it." Vernon said.
"But we don't know how, the letter doesn't say anything about those type of arrangements." Petunia exclaimed.
"Makes no matter. We can contact your Mother's former solicitor. He must have the name of the man in charge of the Potters' estate." Vernon said with energy. He liked the thought of being Harry's guardian, living in the Potter's House in London would give his social status a boost. There would be clients lined up to make business with him.
Petunia turned to look at her nephew once more. He was so quiet that if it hadn't been for Dudley's grunts trying to hit him she would've forgotten he was there.
~*~*~*~*~ The very next day Petunia and Vernon made their way to London in search of Mrs. Evans' former solicitor.
"Do you remember where is his office?" Petunia asked as they drove by several buildings where several names of Law Firms could be seen.
"I think it's that small one at the corner." Said Vernon as he navigated the car through the rushing traffic. "With who did you leave the boy?"
"Mrs. Figg. I saw her walking one of her cats and I asked. She accepted, but she said she wasn't going to tolerate any infant to bother her cats." Petunia said as she glanced to the back seat where Dudly was safely strapped.
"Hmmm. That will keep him in control. I reckon that we can beat that dangerous thing out of him." Vernon said as he turned into a parking lot by the building at the corner.
Petunia didn't think it was possible, but it was better not to speak of it.
The building was small, but elegant. Unlike the rest of the buildings in the area, which were all modern and reached great heights, this building was obviously old. The stone was carved with figures that neither Vernon nor Petunia knew what they were. The doors were thick and polished and a porter sat beside them greeting all the visitors.
"Good Morning Sir, Ma'am." He greeted them as they entered the cool hall. "Something I can help you with?"
"Yes, we are looking for a Mr. Nikolei. A solicitor." Vernon said as Petunia tried to shush Dudley, who had began to fuss in her arms.
"Mr. Nikolei's office is in the third floor, Sir. Suite 305 it is." The porter said motioning to the elevator at the end of the hall.
"Thank you." Said Vernon and led Petunia down the hall to the open elevator.
Their steps resonated through the hall as they walked. The colorful tile on the floor shone underneath them.
They took the elevator and Vernon pushed the button for the third floor. There was a slight motion when the elevator started to climb and it stopped very abruptly a few seconds later.
"What was that number again?" Asked Vernon as they stepped out of the lift.
"Suite 305." Said Petunia as settled Dudley more comfortably in her arms.
"301, 302, 303." Vernon read as they walked down the corridor looking for the office they needed. "Aha, 305!" He exclaimed the moment he saw the number.
On the door was the name "Adolphus Nikolei, Solicitor." It was made out of a thick frosted glass with a wooden frame. Just like all the others they had seen so far. Vernon opened the door and they found themselves in a well-appointed sitting room.
There were comfortable looking chairs and sofas around the room. On the walls were colorful paintings depicting tranquil landscapes and fun sceneries of country life. Across from the door was a desk and behind it, another door.
"Good morning, can I help you?" Said a middle aged woman sitting behind the desk.
"We are here to see Mr. Nikolei." Said Vernon standing straight and looking down at the woman who was obviously Mr. Nikolei's secretary.
"Do you have an appointment?" She asked.
Vernon looked as if he was outraged. "No we don't." He snapped. As if a man in his position had to make an appointment to see a solicitor.
"In that case, please take a seat. Mr. Nikolei is with a client right now. I'll ask him if he can see you today. What is your name?" She said paying no attention to the Dursleys at all.
"Dursley." Vernon said as Petunia took a seat and started to feed Dudley.
"I will let him know you are waiting when he finishes." She said as she made notes in her appointment book without turning to look at the Dursleys at all.
Vernon sniffed with indignation. He was not pleased. "Can you believe this service? Making us wait as if we were nobodies."
Petunia nodded her agreement but didn't say anything as she kept her attention on Dudley.
"I hope he is not long, Dudley will need to nap soon. He always naps after eating." Petunia said.
"Humph! As the service is not one of the best, I would not be surprised if they made us wait for hours." Vernon said.
"Oh dear, I hope not." Whispered Petunia as she took a second bottle from her bag, one was not enough for Dudley.
They didn't have long to wait. Minutes after their arrival a couple left the inner office and with a "Thank you Marie" they left the office.
The secretary stood from the desk and went inside with her appointment book in her hands. She closed the door behind her as the entered the inner office.
Vernon was getting impatient, while Petunia busied herself with putting away the empty bottles and settling Dudley firmly in her arms.
A few minutes later the secretary returned to the sitting room. "You can enter now, he will see you." She said.
"Finally." Snapped Vernon and led Petunia into Mr. Nikolei's office.
The office was very spacious. There were bookcases all along the wall, where different books in law were easily seen. Behind Mr. Nikolei's desk was a large file cabinet with drawers clearly labeled with each letter of the alphabet.
"Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, welcome. How can I help you?" Greeted them Mr. Nikolei. He looked just as they remembered him. An older man, in his mid fifties, with gray hair, weather beaten face, dressed in a black suit and tie with a starched white shirt. There were a few papers on his desk, but they seemed to contain only notes.
"We are here because of .of.er." Vernon looked at his wife pleadingly, what should he say?
"Because of my sister." Petunia said and Vernon sighed gratefully.
"Ah, I see." Mr. Nikolei said as he turned to take a file from his cabinet. "Potter, Potter." They heard him whisper as he flipped through the folders. Finally, he located the one he wanted and turned back to settle in his chair. "Yes, I got the news yesterday. Very sad, very sad indeed." He shook his head in sadness. "I gather their son is well." He looked closely at the Dursleys.
"Of course he is well." Snapped Vernon.
Mr. Nikolei nodded and read through his notes in the file. "Yes, he will be well taken care of." He said.
"What is happening with the inheritance?" Vernon asked abruptly. "I assume that as his guardian we must move to the house here in London."
Mr. Nikolei's eyebrows went up so fast that they looked like a pair of caterpillars dancing excitedly. "Well, no." He said.
"What do you mean No?" Vernon seemed to have been taken aback.
"Harry's inheritance will be kept in trust until he comes of age. Mr. Potter's instructions were very clear. All the properties, monies and accounts will be kept in trust and tied up in investments until his son became of age. Mr. Potter's solicitor and myself along with some others will act as his trustees until that time it is deemed opportune for him to take the reins of his inheritance." Mr. Nikolei said.
"Do you mean that I'm expected to clothe, and feed him from my own pocket? That is unacceptable." Roared Vernon. "I will not keep him if that is the case."
"Let me warn you Mr. Dursley that if Harry leaves your home, you and your family will be in danger. The madman that killed his parents has many followers but the moment you accepted Harry into your house, a protective spell took effect and it will remain in place only if Harry is with you." Mr. Nikolei said but Vernon had started pacing that it seemed he had not heard what was being said to him.
"This is intolerable." He was saying. "I will not take from my own pocked to care for him."
"If you seat and listen Mr. Dursley, I will explain how this will work until that time when Harry is ready to learn of his inheritance." Snapped Mr. Nikolei.
Vernon listened this time, and with a sullen expression he took his seat.
"As his guardian, you will receive a monthly amount for all of Harry's needs. The amount accorded by Mr. Potter's will is of ten thousand pounds every month. You will receive the check in the mail, there will be no need for you to come and pick it up. In case of an emergency, you will let us know and we will take care of any expenses. Harry will not take control of his inheritance until he come of age. There will be of course some training, which will be given to him when the appropriate time comes. Professor Dumbledore was given legal guardianship of Harry, but because of the circumstances he had signed those rights to you until that time when Harry is ready to go to Hogwarts." He made no mention of the Dursleys shudder at the mention of the famous School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. "I have been told that in the Magical World, there are certain rules that must be obeyed at all times, but as we are, what was that word they say.oh yes, muggles, there will be no need to bother with the rules. They will not concern Harry at any rate until after his first year in school. If there is any question you can refer them to me." Mr. Nikolei said. He pulled out a piece of paper from the file. "If you are ready, here are the terms of the monthly payment and I need your signature at the bottom."
Vernon looked at Petunia, both had the same thought in mind, that money could be well used. As long as Harry lived with them there was no need for the others to interfere with them.
"Very well." Said Vernon and signed the paper. Mr. Nikolei turned to Petunia who signed in the line next to her husband's.
"Right. Here is your first check. You will receive the rest on the first of every month." Said Mr. Nikolei and turned a check to Vernon, you took it readily. "If there is nothing else?" He looked questioningly at the couple before him.
"No, we are settled." Said Vernon. He helped Petunia to her feet, because, she was weighted down by a sleeping Dudley.
Mr. Nikolei saw the Dursleys leave his office. He sat behind his desk, thoughtful. I hope Dumbledore knows what he is doing, he thought. Mr. Nikolei couldn't forget the way the couple had acted after Mrs. Evans' death, and by their reaction at hearing that they would not be allowed to touch any of Harry's inheritance, it made him wary the thought of Harry growing up with them.
~*~*~*~*~ "That is not possible, they loved each other as brothers!" Exclaimed Mrs. Nichols that same morning in Gryffindor Manor.
The staff was sitting around the kitchen with the Daily Prophet in the middle of the table. Everybody was murmuring and in a state of agitation.
"Calm down Alice, it might be a mistake." Said Mr. Roberts from the head of the servant's table.
"But Sir, he killed twelve muggles and Mr. Pettigrew, he was a close friend as well." Said a footman looking scandalized as the news on the front page of the newspaper was on everybody's mind.
"He would never betray Master James, never. They are wrong, it was an accident and he was blamed for it." Snapped Mrs. Nichols glaring at the footman.
The footman was abashed but everybody knew that he had only said what was on the mind of all the Wizarding World.
BRETRAYAL AND MURDER
The Ministry of Magic released this morning the news of the capture of Mr. Sirius Black. According to Ministry documents it is said that Mr. Black (a well known friend of the Potters and godfather to their son Harry who a few days before was the means for the disappearance of You-Know-Who) was the cause of the Death of twelve muggles and one wizard.
On the day following the defeat of You-Know-Who, Mr. Black attacked and killed Mr. Peter Pettigrew in plain sight of muggles. The street was destroyed and the explosion caused the death of twelve muggles found in the vicinity. Obliviators had to work overtime to clear the minds of the dozens of muggles that witnessed the attack. According to a Ministry source, witnesses said that Peter Pettigrew was saddened and outraged. It seems that Mr. Black had been the cause for You-Know-Who's visit to Godric Hollow where the Potters had hidden, using the Fidelius Charm (an ancient spell used for hiding). According to testimony given by Professor Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Chairman of the International Confederation of Wizards, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and Order of Merlin First Class, Mr. Black had been chosen by James Potter himself to be their secret keeper, as such, he was the only one that could give their whereabouts to You-Know-Who.
The Potters were attacked and killed on Halloween night, two days ago. Harry Potter, their son, was the only survivor. It is not known how, but in the process You-Know-Who himself was defeated. It has not been determinated yet weather he was killed or just dispossessed of his powers.
Mr. Black has been convicted of murder and conspiracy to murder and sentenced for a lifetime in Azkaban.
Every household in the magical community had been talking of nothing else. The thought that a close friend of the Potters had betrayed them caused outrage. Flowers had been left in great numbers at the hill in Godric's Hollow where the Potter Cottage had once stood. The inhabitants of the once sleepy town had come together and cleared the debris. Only part of the structure had remained and it was around this structure on which wizards and witches of all ages apparated to leave a token of appreciation.
Of Harry Potter, there was no sign. People visited the Manor at all hours trying to catch a sight of the now famous infant, but no one had seen him so far. Rumors had it that he had been taken to live with muggle relatives, but nobody knew where they lived.
The days passed and life in the wizarding world started to settle down after a long period of uncertainty and fear.
~*~*~*~*~ Remus had returned to England a day after the attack. The news that awaited him on his arrival were not happy. In just two days, he had lost all of his closest friends.
He mourned the death of James, Lily and Peter, and felt a deep sense of betrayal that fuelled his anger and hatred toward Sirius. They had known that there was a spy in their group, but he had never thought that Sirius would've been the source. But there was nothing that he could do now. Sirius was in Azkaban and would stay there for a long time.
At the moment, he was pacing Dumbledore's office at Hogwarts. He had only just arrived and the students were busy in their classes.
He turned abruptly when he heard the door open behind him.
"Ah, Mr. Lupin, I wondered when I would see you here." Said Dumbledore as he walked into the room.
"Where is Harry, Professor? Is he safe?" Remus asked without preamble. Doubt and worry for Harry's future had been gnawing at him since he heard of James and Lily's death
"He is safe. We got him out just in time." Dumbledore said as he turned to his desk and sat on the large chair behind him.
"Where is he?" Asked Remus standing in front of the desk.
"With his aunt." Said Dumbledore.
"Petunia? Why on earth would you take him there? She is not going to care for him, he is not going to be happy there." Exclaimed Remus.
"Now, now, we must hope for the best. He is safe there. That is the only place where Voldemort and his followers cannot touch him." Said Dumbledore.
"Are you sure? Shouldn't he go to the Manor? He needs to be taught about his inheritance." Said Remus with a frown. He didn't understand why Harry couldn't be safer in the Manor than he would be with Petunia.
"He will go there, when the time is right. The events of that night have made the name of Harry Potter a famous one, no child should live in the spotlight. With his aunt, he will grow up as a child should. The spell that protects him can only work if he is with her. It is his mother's blood that protects him. In a sense, it is Lily that is protecting him now, and will as long as he stays with her sister, her blood relative." Dumbledore said.
Remus sighed with exasperation. "How could this happen? You said they were going to be safe." He exclaimed.
"They chose the wrong person to be their secret keeper." Dumbledore responded.
"How could he do it? He was our friend, for goodness sakes, he was like a brother to James!" Yelled Remus, passing his fingers through his hair as he paced around the room.
"None of us thought it of him." Dumbledore said.
"Should've expected it though, we knew there was a spy, and we knew it must be somebody who was very close to Lily and James." Remus said as he finally sat on one of the chairs in front of the desk.
"True, but it is still a surprise to us all." Dumbledore replied, looking sadly at the young man sitting in front of him.
"And now Peter is dead. What was he thinking? He never got a chance against Sirius." Scoffed Remus. "What will happen to his mother now?"
"We have placed her in a safe house, nobody will be able to reach her. She is distraught of course. The Ministry has awarded him an Order of Merlin posthumously, it will be given to his mother on the burial site." Dumbledore said.
"Was there anything left at all? According to what I have learned of the incident I was led to believe there was nothing left, except some bloody robes." Remus asked.
"There were bits left." Dumbledore responded.
"Bits?" Remus asked in horror.
Dumbledore nodded. "The largest part found was a finger."
Remus looked horrified.
"As you said, Mr. Pettigrew had no chance against Sirius." Dumbledore said. He knew that everything was a shock to Remus. He had been away, recruiting members for their group, when the attacks took place. He had returned to England as soon as he got word.
Remus stood abruptly from the chair and walked to a window, which looked down to the lake. His silence unnerved Dumbledore. It was sad to think that of the four young men who had made Hogwarts a happy place, only one remained. Remus.
Suddenly, Remus started to sob.
Dumbledore stood abruptly from his chair and walked toward Remus.
"It's all right Remus. They were your friends. Your family. You have every right to grieve for them." Dumbledore said in a soothing voice.
"How could he do it? Why them?" Remus sobbed.
"Those are things, to which we have no answer." Dumbledore said.
The two men stood silent in front of the window. Remus eventually stopped sobbing. But the memories kept intruding. It was a good thing there was a full moon coming, he thought, it would make him forget.
~*~*~*~*~ Diagon Alley was full of people, as always. Shoppers crossed the alley looking at the items displayed in the windows.
A small family was noisily crossing through the pedestrians. A portly lady and five young boys, two of which were clearly twins, and an infant girl. .
"Take your brother's hands Charlie. I don't want you lot getting lost in this." The lady yelled back to the older boy.
"But the twins keep trying to get away." Whined the boy.
"All right you two. If you don't want to go into the carriage you better take hold of your brother's hand." She snapped, turning back to look at the group behind her.
The twins promptly took hold of their brother's hands. Another boy grabbed hold of his mother's skirts and jogged along her as the group resumed their walk.
"We are going to Gringotts first. Remind me Charlie to go the apothecary, there are some ingredients I need." She said as they neared a large white building at one end of the alley.
A cry came from within the carriage.
"Oh, your brother is hungry. Charlie, keep an eye on your brothers while I take care of Ron."
"Yes, mum. Come you lot." Charlie said to the twins and pulled the other boy from their mother's skirts and led them to a table outside the ice cream shop.
The lady looked to see if they were settled and after making sure they were fine, led the carriage toward them.
"Ice cweam!" One of the twins shouted.
"Not now Fred." His mother was obviously busy tending to the youngest boy.
Fred pouted but his twin pointed to something across the alley and made him forget about ice cream.
"Don't move you two." Shouted Charlie when he noticed the twins sliding from their seat.
"Percy dear, don't put that in your mouth." Mrs. Weasley said when she noticed her son grabbing hold of a saltshaker, ready to put it in his mouth. "Charlie, get that away from him."
Charlie grabbed the shaker and pulled it out of his brother's grasp. Percy started to cry.
"Oh, for goodness sake!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed.
"I'll take them to see the animals mum, they like looking at them." Said Charlie.
"Oh, all right. Just make sure they don't touch anything." Mrs. Weasley commanded.
Charlie nodded and led his three younger brothers toward the pet shop nearby.
"Too bad Bill had to go to Hogwarts this year. I don't know what I'm going to do when Charlie goes next year." She whispered and continued to feed Ron.
Minutes later some screams were heard further down the alley.
"Oh no, what now. What have they done?" Mrs. Weasley sighed in exasperation as she settled Ron into the carriage next to his sleeping sister.
The four boys ran up to her. Percy looking very pleased with himself.
"What happened?" She asked the instant they reached her.
"A rat came from the sewers and some ladies screamed." Charlie panted. "Percy grabbed it though."
"He did?" Mrs. Weasley looked down at her son who was happily showing her the fat little rat hiding in his hand.
"Can I keep it?" Percy asked.
"Oh, I don't know." Mrs. Weasley said looking down at the rat with disgust. "It came from the sewers Percy."
"Please mum!" He urged.
"I'll help him take care of it." Charlie said.
The twins were crowding around Percy to get a better look at the rat.
"Oh, all right. We better find a cage for it then." Mrs. Weasley gave in.
"There is the old cage that we used for Errol." Charlie said.
"You can use that then. Come, let's get to Gringotts before it gets too late. Put that away Percy." Mrs. Weasley said as she started walking toward the wizard bank.
Percy put the rat in his pocket and happily followed his mother as the twins grabbed Charlie's hands and followed.
~*~*~*~*~ Azkaban was a dark and gloomy place. The morose cloaked figures of the Dementors walking by the dungeons made the atmosphere seem gloomier than it was. Screams and moans could be heard from almost every cell. Except one.
Sirius sat quietly in his cell. There was only a small pallet against a wall, rather thin with threadbare rags as blankets and pillow. The floor was dirty and no windows could be seen anywhere. A bench was placed adjacent to the bars of the cell.
Sirius looked out through the bars to the other cells around him. He could see prisoners writhing with pain and some rocking with madness.
It was not a place he ever thought to be.
He heard laughter coming from one of the cells nearby, he knew it contained a former Death Eater within. He had helped with his capture some months earlier. Sirius chuckled at the irony of it all.
His heart was filled with hate and a deep want for revenge.
"Someday, Peter. Someday." He whispered before leaving his bench and lying down on the pallet.
~*~*~*~*~ "Will you keep that brat quiet, I can't hear the news." Shouted Vernon one evening.
Harry was crying with hunger as he sat in an old high chair by his cousin Dudley, who had taken hold of the pieces of fruit that had been placed in front of Harry.
"Shhhh! Honestly!" Exclaimed Petunia. "I don't know how you can cry so loud. Duddy was never like that."
She placed a small plate in front of Harry. Harry whimpered but was soon contented with the fruit.
"I don't see why I should have to see to you." Petunia grumbled, throwing a dark look at Harry. "If they really want to see to you, they should've supplied a servant."
"What was that my dear?" Asked Vernon as he entered the kitchen with his empty cup of tea.
"Nothing dear." Said Petunia. "More tea?"
Vernon gave her his cup and she promptly filled it from the pot standing on the stove.
"Why is he making such a racket?" He asked frowning at Harry.
Petunia pursed her lips and looked toward her nephew.
Harry looked up and smiled as he caught sight of his aunt and uncle.
Petunia snorted with disgust. "Don't know, must be his character."
"Maybe Marge was right. We should take him to an orphanage." Vernon said.
"You know we can't do that. We already made it known throughout the neighborhood that we have taken him in. If they find out that we took him out to an orphanage we might lose our standing in the community. What would they think? No, it's better if he stays. Besides, we would lose the money his trustees send us. We can use it to give so much to Dudley." Petunia said as she turned to wash the dishes that were piled in the sink.
"Hmmm.You might be right." Vernon said. He heard the jingle of the news returning from a commercial break. He left the kitchen quickly to hear the rest of the program.
Petunia hummed as she washed the dishes, ignoring the whimpering from Harry as Dudley hit him with his spoon.
~*~*~*~*~ The days passed, and then the months followed. Dudley's second birthday was arriving and Petunia was planning a birthday party for him and had invited all the neighborhood children. "Oh Vernon! You should see what I got him. The cake is so big, he will certainly like it." Exclaimed Petunia as she was explaining all her arrangements to her husband one night.
Vernon chuckled at her enthusiasm. "I'm sure he will like it. I already made the arrangements for the clown. I told him that I better see every child in here smiling if he wants to get paid."
Petunia nodded. "Oh yes, there are so many people out there trying to get paid for things they didn't do."
"Exactly, and I will not be swindled out of my hard earned money by a clown." Vernon said sternly.
Dudley was busy eating some cookies from the plate at the center of the table, while Harry sat quietly in his chair looking at his cousin with curiosity.
"What about him? Where is he going to be?" Said Vernon as the frowned at Harry.
Petunia pursed her lips. "Mrs. Figg has agreed to watch him." She said.
"Good, I will not have him ruin any of Dudley's party." Vernon growled before joining his son eating the cookies.
Petunia grunted her agreement.
"Yum?" Harry exclaimed reaching for a cookie.
Dudley started to cry. "Mine!"
"Those are not for you boy!" Roared Vernon pushing the plate away from Harry.
Harry whimpered with disappointment.
"I'll take him to his room." Said Petunia and she took Harry roughly from his chair and marched up to the smaller bedroom in the house.
Vernon stayed down in the kitchen calming Dudley down by placing the cookies directly in front of him.
"There you go son. He is not going to take them from you." He said as Dudley entertained himself with the cookies.
~*~*~*~*~ Dudley's birthday arrived. Petunia woke up very early looking excited and full of enthusiasm.
"You are going to come home early, right?" She asked Vernon for what seemed like the tenth time that morning.
"Yes. Marge will be arriving in a few hours, it won't take me long to pick her up." Said Vernon as he watched Harry eat from his plate. "When is Mrs. Figg going to pick him up?" He asked.
"In an hour. She asked that he was fed before I dropped him off. She said she shouldn't be bothered with such a trivial thing." Petunia said.
"Humph!" Snorted Vernon, he obviously thought they shouldn't be bothered with such a thing either, but the thought of the monthly check sent to them made him keep his peace.
The family continued to eat in silence, the only sounds were those that Dudley made as he ate and of Vernon grunting as he read the newspaper and read something that he didn't like.
"The things that young people do these days. In my youth, my parents would've taken a rod to my backside if I had done half the things these young hooligans do these days. And what do the parents do now? Nothing, that's what! And then the rest of us have to pick up all the mess their children crate." Vernon roared after reading a report that had obviously made him angry.
Petunia nodded her agreement as she helped Dudley eat some bacon.
"I'm leaving, I want to be in the airport early enough to greet Marge." Said Vernon as he stood from his chair and put aside his newspaper. "See you later my dear." He kissed Petunia's cheek before turning to kiss his son. Dudley didn't seem to care for it as it interrupted his eating. He wailed.
"I'll take him to Mrs. Figg when I take Duddy to the park." Petunia glared at Harry as she hugged Dudley.
Dudley liked it even less than his father's kiss as he started to twist and whimper in his mother's arms. Harry sat in silence eating a piece of buttered toast and watched his cousin and aunt with curiosity.
"Mama?" He asked after Vernon had left the house.
"I'm not your mother. She is dead, you hear. Don't call for her anymore." Snapped Petunia as she started to empty the table.
Dudley started to cry. "Food!" He wailed.
"Oh Duddy dear, here you go. I'm sorry, don't cry." Petunia whispered as she took back the plate of brownies that he had been eating.
The house seemed to tremble with his screams and neighbors passed the house shaking their heads with discontent.
~*~*~*~*~ It was an hour later when Mrs. Figg opened the door to find Mrs. Dursley in her front door carrying a fussy Harry in her arms.
"Humph!" She snorted her dislike but didn't say anything. Petunia didn't seem to have noticed. Mrs. Figg pointed to a chair nearby and watched Petunia place Harry upon it.
"Thank you for watching him for us. With all the kids running around the house, I won't have the time to watch him. And with all the other kids much bigger than him, he might get hurt." Said Petunia with feigned concern.
"Indeed." Said Mrs. Figg.
"I'll leave you to it then. I'll pick him up around eight this evening." Said Petunia as she walked back toward the door where she had left Dudley playing in his carriage.
"Humph!" Snorted Mrs. Figg after the door had closed behind Petunia. "I reckon she hasn't fed you properly, has she?" She said looking down at Harry as he played with one of her cats. "I'll fix that up in a minute." She smiled and walked purposely to the kitchen.
As she prepared vegetables, and fruits for Harry, she could hear Harry giggling in the living room.
She smiled at the sound. "Poor little tyke. All alone with that prune of an aunt. Don't know what Dumbledore was thinking when he left little Harry with her. That child is going to grow up very troubled." She whispered as she ripped the meat of a leg of a roasted chicken.
She continued to pile food in a plate. The cats seemed to have congregated in the living room with Harry, as she didn't see any of her feline friends coming to beg for food.
When she walked into the living room with her hands filled with plates full of food, she found Harry laughing as the cats played around him.
"Now, now, move you lot. Harry needs to eat." Mrs. Figg said to her cats.
The cats seemed to understand as they quickly moved from around Harry and left some space for Mrs. Figg to come through.
Mrs. Figg placed the plates in the coffee table nearby. Harry watched her curiously.
Mrs. Figg picked Harry up and sat him in the floor just next to the table. They were instantly surrounded by the cats all begging for a little food. Harry giggled and enjoyed the rest of the meal as he ate and gave some food to the cats.
Mrs. Figg watched him with amusement as she nibbled on her meal.
~*~*~*~*~ It was after nine when Petunia appeared in Mrs. Figg's door to pick Harry up.
"What took you so long?" Growled Mrs. Figg when she opened the door.
"I'm sorry I'm late Mrs. Figg, but it took me longer than I thought to clean the house." Petunia said. She didn't want her neighbor to know that they had forgotten about Harry. If it hadn't been for the empty high chair around the table, they would've forgotten him altogether.
"Humph! Just don't do it again." Said Mrs. Figg picking up Harry, who had been asleep in chair nearby. "Here you go." She passed Harry to Petunia who tried to look lovingly down at Harry as she settled him in her arms.
"Well. Thank you again, Mrs. Figg." Petunia turned her back to the house and started walking down to the corner to Privet Drive.
Mrs. Figg pushed aside the curtains from her window and watched them go until they turned the corner.
"I hope Dumbledore knows what he is doing." She said as she scratched Mr. Tibble's head.
~*~*~*~*~ The days passed and summer was now upon the land. Gryffindor Manor was busy with the usual summer chores as tenants and servants alike worked to keep the grounds and the house in their absolute best.
On this sunny morning, Mrs. Nichols was sitting quietly in what had once been used as Harry's nursery next to the large master bedroom.
She looked saddened as she watched Minnie cleaning around the room, moving the toys and clothes that had been left behind.
Both were too lost in their own thoughts to notice Mr. Roberts standing in the doorway. He sighed. This was the third time in the last week that he had found his sister hidden in Master Harry's bedroom.
"He is all alone." Mrs. Nichols whispered.
"He is not, Alice. He is with his aunt and you heard what Dumbledore said, as long as he is with her, he will be safe." Mr. Roberts said as he came into the room to join his sister in a small chair.
"But she is not going to treat him right. You must remember how they treated Poor Mistress Lily and Mrs. Evans. He needs us." Mrs. Nichols said. "His birthday is coming up and I know they are not going to do anything to celebrate it with him."
"We can do something here." Said Roberts.
Mrs. Nichols looked startled by the idea. "Oh, do you think we could? Could we do a big party to celebrate his birthday?"
"We'll have to discuss it with the solicitors and with Stuart, he is the estate manager after all. I'm sure we can do something." Said Roberts, he would do anything to get his sister out of her despondency.
"Oh, we must write to them then. You go and get Stuart and I'll get the owls, we have so much to plan." Mrs. Nichols explained and ran out of the room with some of the energy that her brother had not seen her display for some time. He followed her out of the room at a slower pace happy to be doing something to break the routine that the household had fallen into.
Neither of them had noticed Minnie stop working on her cleaning to listen attentively to what they had said. After they had left, she squeaked with excitement and disappeared from the room.
~*~*~*~*~ July 31st neared. Gryffindor Manor was enveloped in a festive atmosphere. The elves had heard from Minnie that the Manor was going to celebrate Master Harry's birthday and were busy cleaning every single corner of the house. The tenants had heard it from Mr. Stuart after Mrs. Nichols and Mr. Roberts had asked him if it could be possible. The solicitors, who were acting as trustees of the estate had seen no problem with allowing the estate to celebrate de day. Every person who lived in the estate was happily taking part of the festivities. It was because of that, that the festivities seemed to be as big as the annual Harvest Festival.
The last day of July rose warm and sunny. The grounds in Gryffindor Manor were richly decorated with magical balloons, floating in the air expanding and contracting as they changed colors. There were tents throughout the lawn. Children were playing and the pond was full of happy swimmers.
In the Quidditch Pitch and impromptu game was underway and many were happily watching as the players zoomed around the field.
People were eating and dancing among the tents, and music permeated the air.
Gryffindor Manor was happily celebrating the birthday of its master, while in Privet Drive everything was silent and ordinary.
Vernon and Petunia Dursley were busily eating lunch as their son, Dudley sat heavily in his chair trying to finish everything that was placed before him.
Harry Potter sat silently on his chair. A small plate before him, oblivious to the importance of the day.
Vernon heard the sound of letters falling through the slot. He rose from his chair as Petunia was piling more food before Dudley. He returned minutes later looking through the stack of letters held in his hands.
"Bills! What is the country falling to when a man can't sit at his table without being bothered by bills?" Vernon asked with disgust as he threw some of this offending envelopes in a small table beside the door. "Now, what is this?" He asked with curiosity as he held a colorful envelope in his hand.
Petunia looked up. "What is what, dear?" She asked.
"This envelope, it looks like a card." Vernon said looking closely at the envelope.
"Look at the address. Who is it for?" She asked.
"Don't know, doesn't have a name just our address." Said Vernon with a frown. "No return address either."
"Strange. Open it." Said Petunia putting aside her spoon and allowing Dudley to eat on his own.
Vernon opened the envelope a card fell to the table. A large HAPPY BIRTHDAY with the picture of a ball was in the front.
"It's a little too late for this. Dudley's birthday was months ago." Said Vernon.
Petunia didn't say anything, she looked nervously at the card and then at Harry. "I don't think it's for Dudley dear."
"Who else is it going to be for?" Asked Vernon with a condescending tone. He chuckled and opened the card.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY! It said, several balls were drawn around the page. No signature could be seen.
Vernon looked furiously at Harry.
"I'll not have some strange happenings in this house." He roared.
"Now dear, let him have it, he is going to destroy it anyways, and it doesn't look dangerous." Said Petunia looking nervously at the card.
"Humph! I suppose. It does look rather cheap really." He said happily remembering the expensive cards and gifts that were sent to Dudley on his birthday.
He shoved the card to Harry, who looked curiously at it, not really knowing the significance of it.
It was an uneventful afternoon for Harry. He spent the day in his room, his aunt Petunia would only take him out for meals and when she wanted to check if he needed a change.
Night eventually fell and Harry was settled in an old crib. Nearby was a dresser. Petunia placed the card upon it before shutting the lights and closing the door behind her. Harry whimpered in the darkness.
Suddenly, the card glowed and the balls drawn on it started to zoom across the page. Harry giggled and watched happily as the balls left the surface of the card and started to zoom above the card.
Harry eventually fell asleep, the glowing balls zooming before him.
~*~*~*~*~
A/N: There you go. As you may have noticed the chapters in this part are a little shorter than I'm used to writing, I have decided that I'm not going to go into great detail in the next chapters, and I'm not going to write about every single year of Harry with the Dursleys, my imagination just doesn't stretch that far. Now, I have read all the reviews that have been written and some of you have some questions or opinions about this part of the story.
Gryffspopgurl - About skipping to Harry's 16th year, the reason I'm not skipping to that year right after Lily and James' death is because I like continuity, I don't like leaving things undone and there are some things that will happen to him in his early childhood that will have an impact when he gets older.
Hpgurl, LateroseMartin, and Exodus - I think that I agree with Exodus and might include a new character for Harry, as much as I like Ginny and Hermione, I just don't think they are right for Harry, and don't get me in the subject of Cho, I'm just glad that things happened as they did in OotP.
Shelley Knight - I hope you are happy with the result of the Dursleys' visit to Mr. Nikolei.
Alli - I'm glad that you took the time to read it all and that you enjoyed it.
Snow angel, Snow princess and Lady Reaper of the Shadows - Thank you for continuing reading, I appreciate all of you who have been there since the beginning and those who have joined me along the way.
Thank you all, I hope I didn't miss anybody but if I did, sorry and please continue reading and reviewing. I like to hear from my readers..
~*~*~*~*~ Disclaimer: The Harry Potter World belongs to JK Rowling, I just happened to have borrowed it for this story.
~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 2 ~ Starting Anew
Petunia was startled to find a bundle of clothes on her doorstep, but what she found inside was more shocking.
Her nephew, Harry Potter, had been left in her care and she didn't know what to do. A letter had been found among his clothes, addressed to her. The news that her sister and her husband were dead took her by surprise. Even though they didn't get along, and it had been some time since they spoke, Lily was her sister and the only living relative she had. But now, it wasn't so. She was alone. Only Harry remained now.
She was in shock as she sat speechless in the kitchen. Harry had been placed in the middle of the table as Dudley sat on his high chair poking him with a spoon. Vernon was pacing around the room, pulling his hair and mumbling to himself.
"We should've guessed that they would end in such a way. Weirdoes the whole lot of them." Vernon was mumbling. "But that they would think that we would take their spawn!"
"But the letter said." Petunia said snapping out of her thoughts.
"Doesn't matter what the letter says. We should take him to an orphanage, I tell you." Vernon roared. "And that's too good for him."
"But he is my nephew." Petunia whispered looking at Harry. He was lying quietly on the table, his startled green eyes looking around the strange room. He has Lily's eyes, she thought and sighed.
The letter that she had found along with her nephew was clasped tightly in her hand. She looked down and read it again.
"Dear Mrs. Dursley
I am sorry to let you know of the death of your sister, Lily Potter. Her death was unexpected and violent, but by her sacrifice she kept her son safe from harm. I leave him in your care now. As long as he is within your household, he and your family will be safe from harm. The magic that protects him will be stronger as long as he is with you. I warn you that in order for your family to be safe from harm, Harry must stay with you.
This night's work will make Harry a well known personality in the wizarding world, eventually he will be expected to take his place in it and follow in his father's footsteps. Until that time, I am sure that you will do what is necessary for his well being.
Remember my warning, keep Harry safe.
Albus Dumbledore"
Petunia didn't know what to say. It was also a matter of family honor that made her want to keep Harry with her, but if his presence kept her family safe, that was even better. There was also the matter of his inheritance. As the last of his family, Harry was due to inherit a fortune. Something that could make Vernon think better of taking him to an orphanage.
"Vernon?" She said.
"Hmmm?" He turned to look at her. His temper had gotten the best of him from the moment he had seen Harry in Petunia's arms.
"What do you think will happen to his inheritance?" She asked.
Vernon's eyes danced with greed. "It is enormous isn't it? Your mother's share is just a drop compared to what he could have now."
"As Mother left all of her fortune to Lily, I must assume that Lily left her to her son. The paintings alone are worth more than fifty million pounds, and that's only part of what her total worth was." Petunia said.
"And your brother-in-law was swimming in gold. You saw their house in London, and I remember hearing that there are other properties." Vernon said with glee.
Petunia nodded. "There is the country Estate, Gryffindor Manor, and some minor properties throughout the country."
"It seems to me that as his guardians we have the right to some of it." Vernon said.
"But we don't know how, the letter doesn't say anything about those type of arrangements." Petunia exclaimed.
"Makes no matter. We can contact your Mother's former solicitor. He must have the name of the man in charge of the Potters' estate." Vernon said with energy. He liked the thought of being Harry's guardian, living in the Potter's House in London would give his social status a boost. There would be clients lined up to make business with him.
Petunia turned to look at her nephew once more. He was so quiet that if it hadn't been for Dudley's grunts trying to hit him she would've forgotten he was there.
~*~*~*~*~ The very next day Petunia and Vernon made their way to London in search of Mrs. Evans' former solicitor.
"Do you remember where is his office?" Petunia asked as they drove by several buildings where several names of Law Firms could be seen.
"I think it's that small one at the corner." Said Vernon as he navigated the car through the rushing traffic. "With who did you leave the boy?"
"Mrs. Figg. I saw her walking one of her cats and I asked. She accepted, but she said she wasn't going to tolerate any infant to bother her cats." Petunia said as she glanced to the back seat where Dudly was safely strapped.
"Hmmm. That will keep him in control. I reckon that we can beat that dangerous thing out of him." Vernon said as he turned into a parking lot by the building at the corner.
Petunia didn't think it was possible, but it was better not to speak of it.
The building was small, but elegant. Unlike the rest of the buildings in the area, which were all modern and reached great heights, this building was obviously old. The stone was carved with figures that neither Vernon nor Petunia knew what they were. The doors were thick and polished and a porter sat beside them greeting all the visitors.
"Good Morning Sir, Ma'am." He greeted them as they entered the cool hall. "Something I can help you with?"
"Yes, we are looking for a Mr. Nikolei. A solicitor." Vernon said as Petunia tried to shush Dudley, who had began to fuss in her arms.
"Mr. Nikolei's office is in the third floor, Sir. Suite 305 it is." The porter said motioning to the elevator at the end of the hall.
"Thank you." Said Vernon and led Petunia down the hall to the open elevator.
Their steps resonated through the hall as they walked. The colorful tile on the floor shone underneath them.
They took the elevator and Vernon pushed the button for the third floor. There was a slight motion when the elevator started to climb and it stopped very abruptly a few seconds later.
"What was that number again?" Asked Vernon as they stepped out of the lift.
"Suite 305." Said Petunia as settled Dudley more comfortably in her arms.
"301, 302, 303." Vernon read as they walked down the corridor looking for the office they needed. "Aha, 305!" He exclaimed the moment he saw the number.
On the door was the name "Adolphus Nikolei, Solicitor." It was made out of a thick frosted glass with a wooden frame. Just like all the others they had seen so far. Vernon opened the door and they found themselves in a well-appointed sitting room.
There were comfortable looking chairs and sofas around the room. On the walls were colorful paintings depicting tranquil landscapes and fun sceneries of country life. Across from the door was a desk and behind it, another door.
"Good morning, can I help you?" Said a middle aged woman sitting behind the desk.
"We are here to see Mr. Nikolei." Said Vernon standing straight and looking down at the woman who was obviously Mr. Nikolei's secretary.
"Do you have an appointment?" She asked.
Vernon looked as if he was outraged. "No we don't." He snapped. As if a man in his position had to make an appointment to see a solicitor.
"In that case, please take a seat. Mr. Nikolei is with a client right now. I'll ask him if he can see you today. What is your name?" She said paying no attention to the Dursleys at all.
"Dursley." Vernon said as Petunia took a seat and started to feed Dudley.
"I will let him know you are waiting when he finishes." She said as she made notes in her appointment book without turning to look at the Dursleys at all.
Vernon sniffed with indignation. He was not pleased. "Can you believe this service? Making us wait as if we were nobodies."
Petunia nodded her agreement but didn't say anything as she kept her attention on Dudley.
"I hope he is not long, Dudley will need to nap soon. He always naps after eating." Petunia said.
"Humph! As the service is not one of the best, I would not be surprised if they made us wait for hours." Vernon said.
"Oh dear, I hope not." Whispered Petunia as she took a second bottle from her bag, one was not enough for Dudley.
They didn't have long to wait. Minutes after their arrival a couple left the inner office and with a "Thank you Marie" they left the office.
The secretary stood from the desk and went inside with her appointment book in her hands. She closed the door behind her as the entered the inner office.
Vernon was getting impatient, while Petunia busied herself with putting away the empty bottles and settling Dudley firmly in her arms.
A few minutes later the secretary returned to the sitting room. "You can enter now, he will see you." She said.
"Finally." Snapped Vernon and led Petunia into Mr. Nikolei's office.
The office was very spacious. There were bookcases all along the wall, where different books in law were easily seen. Behind Mr. Nikolei's desk was a large file cabinet with drawers clearly labeled with each letter of the alphabet.
"Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, welcome. How can I help you?" Greeted them Mr. Nikolei. He looked just as they remembered him. An older man, in his mid fifties, with gray hair, weather beaten face, dressed in a black suit and tie with a starched white shirt. There were a few papers on his desk, but they seemed to contain only notes.
"We are here because of .of.er." Vernon looked at his wife pleadingly, what should he say?
"Because of my sister." Petunia said and Vernon sighed gratefully.
"Ah, I see." Mr. Nikolei said as he turned to take a file from his cabinet. "Potter, Potter." They heard him whisper as he flipped through the folders. Finally, he located the one he wanted and turned back to settle in his chair. "Yes, I got the news yesterday. Very sad, very sad indeed." He shook his head in sadness. "I gather their son is well." He looked closely at the Dursleys.
"Of course he is well." Snapped Vernon.
Mr. Nikolei nodded and read through his notes in the file. "Yes, he will be well taken care of." He said.
"What is happening with the inheritance?" Vernon asked abruptly. "I assume that as his guardian we must move to the house here in London."
Mr. Nikolei's eyebrows went up so fast that they looked like a pair of caterpillars dancing excitedly. "Well, no." He said.
"What do you mean No?" Vernon seemed to have been taken aback.
"Harry's inheritance will be kept in trust until he comes of age. Mr. Potter's instructions were very clear. All the properties, monies and accounts will be kept in trust and tied up in investments until his son became of age. Mr. Potter's solicitor and myself along with some others will act as his trustees until that time it is deemed opportune for him to take the reins of his inheritance." Mr. Nikolei said.
"Do you mean that I'm expected to clothe, and feed him from my own pocket? That is unacceptable." Roared Vernon. "I will not keep him if that is the case."
"Let me warn you Mr. Dursley that if Harry leaves your home, you and your family will be in danger. The madman that killed his parents has many followers but the moment you accepted Harry into your house, a protective spell took effect and it will remain in place only if Harry is with you." Mr. Nikolei said but Vernon had started pacing that it seemed he had not heard what was being said to him.
"This is intolerable." He was saying. "I will not take from my own pocked to care for him."
"If you seat and listen Mr. Dursley, I will explain how this will work until that time when Harry is ready to learn of his inheritance." Snapped Mr. Nikolei.
Vernon listened this time, and with a sullen expression he took his seat.
"As his guardian, you will receive a monthly amount for all of Harry's needs. The amount accorded by Mr. Potter's will is of ten thousand pounds every month. You will receive the check in the mail, there will be no need for you to come and pick it up. In case of an emergency, you will let us know and we will take care of any expenses. Harry will not take control of his inheritance until he come of age. There will be of course some training, which will be given to him when the appropriate time comes. Professor Dumbledore was given legal guardianship of Harry, but because of the circumstances he had signed those rights to you until that time when Harry is ready to go to Hogwarts." He made no mention of the Dursleys shudder at the mention of the famous School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. "I have been told that in the Magical World, there are certain rules that must be obeyed at all times, but as we are, what was that word they say.oh yes, muggles, there will be no need to bother with the rules. They will not concern Harry at any rate until after his first year in school. If there is any question you can refer them to me." Mr. Nikolei said. He pulled out a piece of paper from the file. "If you are ready, here are the terms of the monthly payment and I need your signature at the bottom."
Vernon looked at Petunia, both had the same thought in mind, that money could be well used. As long as Harry lived with them there was no need for the others to interfere with them.
"Very well." Said Vernon and signed the paper. Mr. Nikolei turned to Petunia who signed in the line next to her husband's.
"Right. Here is your first check. You will receive the rest on the first of every month." Said Mr. Nikolei and turned a check to Vernon, you took it readily. "If there is nothing else?" He looked questioningly at the couple before him.
"No, we are settled." Said Vernon. He helped Petunia to her feet, because, she was weighted down by a sleeping Dudley.
Mr. Nikolei saw the Dursleys leave his office. He sat behind his desk, thoughtful. I hope Dumbledore knows what he is doing, he thought. Mr. Nikolei couldn't forget the way the couple had acted after Mrs. Evans' death, and by their reaction at hearing that they would not be allowed to touch any of Harry's inheritance, it made him wary the thought of Harry growing up with them.
~*~*~*~*~ "That is not possible, they loved each other as brothers!" Exclaimed Mrs. Nichols that same morning in Gryffindor Manor.
The staff was sitting around the kitchen with the Daily Prophet in the middle of the table. Everybody was murmuring and in a state of agitation.
"Calm down Alice, it might be a mistake." Said Mr. Roberts from the head of the servant's table.
"But Sir, he killed twelve muggles and Mr. Pettigrew, he was a close friend as well." Said a footman looking scandalized as the news on the front page of the newspaper was on everybody's mind.
"He would never betray Master James, never. They are wrong, it was an accident and he was blamed for it." Snapped Mrs. Nichols glaring at the footman.
The footman was abashed but everybody knew that he had only said what was on the mind of all the Wizarding World.
BRETRAYAL AND MURDER
The Ministry of Magic released this morning the news of the capture of Mr. Sirius Black. According to Ministry documents it is said that Mr. Black (a well known friend of the Potters and godfather to their son Harry who a few days before was the means for the disappearance of You-Know-Who) was the cause of the Death of twelve muggles and one wizard.
On the day following the defeat of You-Know-Who, Mr. Black attacked and killed Mr. Peter Pettigrew in plain sight of muggles. The street was destroyed and the explosion caused the death of twelve muggles found in the vicinity. Obliviators had to work overtime to clear the minds of the dozens of muggles that witnessed the attack. According to a Ministry source, witnesses said that Peter Pettigrew was saddened and outraged. It seems that Mr. Black had been the cause for You-Know-Who's visit to Godric Hollow where the Potters had hidden, using the Fidelius Charm (an ancient spell used for hiding). According to testimony given by Professor Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Chairman of the International Confederation of Wizards, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and Order of Merlin First Class, Mr. Black had been chosen by James Potter himself to be their secret keeper, as such, he was the only one that could give their whereabouts to You-Know-Who.
The Potters were attacked and killed on Halloween night, two days ago. Harry Potter, their son, was the only survivor. It is not known how, but in the process You-Know-Who himself was defeated. It has not been determinated yet weather he was killed or just dispossessed of his powers.
Mr. Black has been convicted of murder and conspiracy to murder and sentenced for a lifetime in Azkaban.
Every household in the magical community had been talking of nothing else. The thought that a close friend of the Potters had betrayed them caused outrage. Flowers had been left in great numbers at the hill in Godric's Hollow where the Potter Cottage had once stood. The inhabitants of the once sleepy town had come together and cleared the debris. Only part of the structure had remained and it was around this structure on which wizards and witches of all ages apparated to leave a token of appreciation.
Of Harry Potter, there was no sign. People visited the Manor at all hours trying to catch a sight of the now famous infant, but no one had seen him so far. Rumors had it that he had been taken to live with muggle relatives, but nobody knew where they lived.
The days passed and life in the wizarding world started to settle down after a long period of uncertainty and fear.
~*~*~*~*~ Remus had returned to England a day after the attack. The news that awaited him on his arrival were not happy. In just two days, he had lost all of his closest friends.
He mourned the death of James, Lily and Peter, and felt a deep sense of betrayal that fuelled his anger and hatred toward Sirius. They had known that there was a spy in their group, but he had never thought that Sirius would've been the source. But there was nothing that he could do now. Sirius was in Azkaban and would stay there for a long time.
At the moment, he was pacing Dumbledore's office at Hogwarts. He had only just arrived and the students were busy in their classes.
He turned abruptly when he heard the door open behind him.
"Ah, Mr. Lupin, I wondered when I would see you here." Said Dumbledore as he walked into the room.
"Where is Harry, Professor? Is he safe?" Remus asked without preamble. Doubt and worry for Harry's future had been gnawing at him since he heard of James and Lily's death
"He is safe. We got him out just in time." Dumbledore said as he turned to his desk and sat on the large chair behind him.
"Where is he?" Asked Remus standing in front of the desk.
"With his aunt." Said Dumbledore.
"Petunia? Why on earth would you take him there? She is not going to care for him, he is not going to be happy there." Exclaimed Remus.
"Now, now, we must hope for the best. He is safe there. That is the only place where Voldemort and his followers cannot touch him." Said Dumbledore.
"Are you sure? Shouldn't he go to the Manor? He needs to be taught about his inheritance." Said Remus with a frown. He didn't understand why Harry couldn't be safer in the Manor than he would be with Petunia.
"He will go there, when the time is right. The events of that night have made the name of Harry Potter a famous one, no child should live in the spotlight. With his aunt, he will grow up as a child should. The spell that protects him can only work if he is with her. It is his mother's blood that protects him. In a sense, it is Lily that is protecting him now, and will as long as he stays with her sister, her blood relative." Dumbledore said.
Remus sighed with exasperation. "How could this happen? You said they were going to be safe." He exclaimed.
"They chose the wrong person to be their secret keeper." Dumbledore responded.
"How could he do it? He was our friend, for goodness sakes, he was like a brother to James!" Yelled Remus, passing his fingers through his hair as he paced around the room.
"None of us thought it of him." Dumbledore said.
"Should've expected it though, we knew there was a spy, and we knew it must be somebody who was very close to Lily and James." Remus said as he finally sat on one of the chairs in front of the desk.
"True, but it is still a surprise to us all." Dumbledore replied, looking sadly at the young man sitting in front of him.
"And now Peter is dead. What was he thinking? He never got a chance against Sirius." Scoffed Remus. "What will happen to his mother now?"
"We have placed her in a safe house, nobody will be able to reach her. She is distraught of course. The Ministry has awarded him an Order of Merlin posthumously, it will be given to his mother on the burial site." Dumbledore said.
"Was there anything left at all? According to what I have learned of the incident I was led to believe there was nothing left, except some bloody robes." Remus asked.
"There were bits left." Dumbledore responded.
"Bits?" Remus asked in horror.
Dumbledore nodded. "The largest part found was a finger."
Remus looked horrified.
"As you said, Mr. Pettigrew had no chance against Sirius." Dumbledore said. He knew that everything was a shock to Remus. He had been away, recruiting members for their group, when the attacks took place. He had returned to England as soon as he got word.
Remus stood abruptly from the chair and walked to a window, which looked down to the lake. His silence unnerved Dumbledore. It was sad to think that of the four young men who had made Hogwarts a happy place, only one remained. Remus.
Suddenly, Remus started to sob.
Dumbledore stood abruptly from his chair and walked toward Remus.
"It's all right Remus. They were your friends. Your family. You have every right to grieve for them." Dumbledore said in a soothing voice.
"How could he do it? Why them?" Remus sobbed.
"Those are things, to which we have no answer." Dumbledore said.
The two men stood silent in front of the window. Remus eventually stopped sobbing. But the memories kept intruding. It was a good thing there was a full moon coming, he thought, it would make him forget.
~*~*~*~*~ Diagon Alley was full of people, as always. Shoppers crossed the alley looking at the items displayed in the windows.
A small family was noisily crossing through the pedestrians. A portly lady and five young boys, two of which were clearly twins, and an infant girl. .
"Take your brother's hands Charlie. I don't want you lot getting lost in this." The lady yelled back to the older boy.
"But the twins keep trying to get away." Whined the boy.
"All right you two. If you don't want to go into the carriage you better take hold of your brother's hand." She snapped, turning back to look at the group behind her.
The twins promptly took hold of their brother's hands. Another boy grabbed hold of his mother's skirts and jogged along her as the group resumed their walk.
"We are going to Gringotts first. Remind me Charlie to go the apothecary, there are some ingredients I need." She said as they neared a large white building at one end of the alley.
A cry came from within the carriage.
"Oh, your brother is hungry. Charlie, keep an eye on your brothers while I take care of Ron."
"Yes, mum. Come you lot." Charlie said to the twins and pulled the other boy from their mother's skirts and led them to a table outside the ice cream shop.
The lady looked to see if they were settled and after making sure they were fine, led the carriage toward them.
"Ice cweam!" One of the twins shouted.
"Not now Fred." His mother was obviously busy tending to the youngest boy.
Fred pouted but his twin pointed to something across the alley and made him forget about ice cream.
"Don't move you two." Shouted Charlie when he noticed the twins sliding from their seat.
"Percy dear, don't put that in your mouth." Mrs. Weasley said when she noticed her son grabbing hold of a saltshaker, ready to put it in his mouth. "Charlie, get that away from him."
Charlie grabbed the shaker and pulled it out of his brother's grasp. Percy started to cry.
"Oh, for goodness sake!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed.
"I'll take them to see the animals mum, they like looking at them." Said Charlie.
"Oh, all right. Just make sure they don't touch anything." Mrs. Weasley commanded.
Charlie nodded and led his three younger brothers toward the pet shop nearby.
"Too bad Bill had to go to Hogwarts this year. I don't know what I'm going to do when Charlie goes next year." She whispered and continued to feed Ron.
Minutes later some screams were heard further down the alley.
"Oh no, what now. What have they done?" Mrs. Weasley sighed in exasperation as she settled Ron into the carriage next to his sleeping sister.
The four boys ran up to her. Percy looking very pleased with himself.
"What happened?" She asked the instant they reached her.
"A rat came from the sewers and some ladies screamed." Charlie panted. "Percy grabbed it though."
"He did?" Mrs. Weasley looked down at her son who was happily showing her the fat little rat hiding in his hand.
"Can I keep it?" Percy asked.
"Oh, I don't know." Mrs. Weasley said looking down at the rat with disgust. "It came from the sewers Percy."
"Please mum!" He urged.
"I'll help him take care of it." Charlie said.
The twins were crowding around Percy to get a better look at the rat.
"Oh, all right. We better find a cage for it then." Mrs. Weasley gave in.
"There is the old cage that we used for Errol." Charlie said.
"You can use that then. Come, let's get to Gringotts before it gets too late. Put that away Percy." Mrs. Weasley said as she started walking toward the wizard bank.
Percy put the rat in his pocket and happily followed his mother as the twins grabbed Charlie's hands and followed.
~*~*~*~*~ Azkaban was a dark and gloomy place. The morose cloaked figures of the Dementors walking by the dungeons made the atmosphere seem gloomier than it was. Screams and moans could be heard from almost every cell. Except one.
Sirius sat quietly in his cell. There was only a small pallet against a wall, rather thin with threadbare rags as blankets and pillow. The floor was dirty and no windows could be seen anywhere. A bench was placed adjacent to the bars of the cell.
Sirius looked out through the bars to the other cells around him. He could see prisoners writhing with pain and some rocking with madness.
It was not a place he ever thought to be.
He heard laughter coming from one of the cells nearby, he knew it contained a former Death Eater within. He had helped with his capture some months earlier. Sirius chuckled at the irony of it all.
His heart was filled with hate and a deep want for revenge.
"Someday, Peter. Someday." He whispered before leaving his bench and lying down on the pallet.
~*~*~*~*~ "Will you keep that brat quiet, I can't hear the news." Shouted Vernon one evening.
Harry was crying with hunger as he sat in an old high chair by his cousin Dudley, who had taken hold of the pieces of fruit that had been placed in front of Harry.
"Shhhh! Honestly!" Exclaimed Petunia. "I don't know how you can cry so loud. Duddy was never like that."
She placed a small plate in front of Harry. Harry whimpered but was soon contented with the fruit.
"I don't see why I should have to see to you." Petunia grumbled, throwing a dark look at Harry. "If they really want to see to you, they should've supplied a servant."
"What was that my dear?" Asked Vernon as he entered the kitchen with his empty cup of tea.
"Nothing dear." Said Petunia. "More tea?"
Vernon gave her his cup and she promptly filled it from the pot standing on the stove.
"Why is he making such a racket?" He asked frowning at Harry.
Petunia pursed her lips and looked toward her nephew.
Harry looked up and smiled as he caught sight of his aunt and uncle.
Petunia snorted with disgust. "Don't know, must be his character."
"Maybe Marge was right. We should take him to an orphanage." Vernon said.
"You know we can't do that. We already made it known throughout the neighborhood that we have taken him in. If they find out that we took him out to an orphanage we might lose our standing in the community. What would they think? No, it's better if he stays. Besides, we would lose the money his trustees send us. We can use it to give so much to Dudley." Petunia said as she turned to wash the dishes that were piled in the sink.
"Hmmm.You might be right." Vernon said. He heard the jingle of the news returning from a commercial break. He left the kitchen quickly to hear the rest of the program.
Petunia hummed as she washed the dishes, ignoring the whimpering from Harry as Dudley hit him with his spoon.
~*~*~*~*~ The days passed, and then the months followed. Dudley's second birthday was arriving and Petunia was planning a birthday party for him and had invited all the neighborhood children. "Oh Vernon! You should see what I got him. The cake is so big, he will certainly like it." Exclaimed Petunia as she was explaining all her arrangements to her husband one night.
Vernon chuckled at her enthusiasm. "I'm sure he will like it. I already made the arrangements for the clown. I told him that I better see every child in here smiling if he wants to get paid."
Petunia nodded. "Oh yes, there are so many people out there trying to get paid for things they didn't do."
"Exactly, and I will not be swindled out of my hard earned money by a clown." Vernon said sternly.
Dudley was busy eating some cookies from the plate at the center of the table, while Harry sat quietly in his chair looking at his cousin with curiosity.
"What about him? Where is he going to be?" Said Vernon as the frowned at Harry.
Petunia pursed her lips. "Mrs. Figg has agreed to watch him." She said.
"Good, I will not have him ruin any of Dudley's party." Vernon growled before joining his son eating the cookies.
Petunia grunted her agreement.
"Yum?" Harry exclaimed reaching for a cookie.
Dudley started to cry. "Mine!"
"Those are not for you boy!" Roared Vernon pushing the plate away from Harry.
Harry whimpered with disappointment.
"I'll take him to his room." Said Petunia and she took Harry roughly from his chair and marched up to the smaller bedroom in the house.
Vernon stayed down in the kitchen calming Dudley down by placing the cookies directly in front of him.
"There you go son. He is not going to take them from you." He said as Dudley entertained himself with the cookies.
~*~*~*~*~ Dudley's birthday arrived. Petunia woke up very early looking excited and full of enthusiasm.
"You are going to come home early, right?" She asked Vernon for what seemed like the tenth time that morning.
"Yes. Marge will be arriving in a few hours, it won't take me long to pick her up." Said Vernon as he watched Harry eat from his plate. "When is Mrs. Figg going to pick him up?" He asked.
"In an hour. She asked that he was fed before I dropped him off. She said she shouldn't be bothered with such a trivial thing." Petunia said.
"Humph!" Snorted Vernon, he obviously thought they shouldn't be bothered with such a thing either, but the thought of the monthly check sent to them made him keep his peace.
The family continued to eat in silence, the only sounds were those that Dudley made as he ate and of Vernon grunting as he read the newspaper and read something that he didn't like.
"The things that young people do these days. In my youth, my parents would've taken a rod to my backside if I had done half the things these young hooligans do these days. And what do the parents do now? Nothing, that's what! And then the rest of us have to pick up all the mess their children crate." Vernon roared after reading a report that had obviously made him angry.
Petunia nodded her agreement as she helped Dudley eat some bacon.
"I'm leaving, I want to be in the airport early enough to greet Marge." Said Vernon as he stood from his chair and put aside his newspaper. "See you later my dear." He kissed Petunia's cheek before turning to kiss his son. Dudley didn't seem to care for it as it interrupted his eating. He wailed.
"I'll take him to Mrs. Figg when I take Duddy to the park." Petunia glared at Harry as she hugged Dudley.
Dudley liked it even less than his father's kiss as he started to twist and whimper in his mother's arms. Harry sat in silence eating a piece of buttered toast and watched his cousin and aunt with curiosity.
"Mama?" He asked after Vernon had left the house.
"I'm not your mother. She is dead, you hear. Don't call for her anymore." Snapped Petunia as she started to empty the table.
Dudley started to cry. "Food!" He wailed.
"Oh Duddy dear, here you go. I'm sorry, don't cry." Petunia whispered as she took back the plate of brownies that he had been eating.
The house seemed to tremble with his screams and neighbors passed the house shaking their heads with discontent.
~*~*~*~*~ It was an hour later when Mrs. Figg opened the door to find Mrs. Dursley in her front door carrying a fussy Harry in her arms.
"Humph!" She snorted her dislike but didn't say anything. Petunia didn't seem to have noticed. Mrs. Figg pointed to a chair nearby and watched Petunia place Harry upon it.
"Thank you for watching him for us. With all the kids running around the house, I won't have the time to watch him. And with all the other kids much bigger than him, he might get hurt." Said Petunia with feigned concern.
"Indeed." Said Mrs. Figg.
"I'll leave you to it then. I'll pick him up around eight this evening." Said Petunia as she walked back toward the door where she had left Dudley playing in his carriage.
"Humph!" Snorted Mrs. Figg after the door had closed behind Petunia. "I reckon she hasn't fed you properly, has she?" She said looking down at Harry as he played with one of her cats. "I'll fix that up in a minute." She smiled and walked purposely to the kitchen.
As she prepared vegetables, and fruits for Harry, she could hear Harry giggling in the living room.
She smiled at the sound. "Poor little tyke. All alone with that prune of an aunt. Don't know what Dumbledore was thinking when he left little Harry with her. That child is going to grow up very troubled." She whispered as she ripped the meat of a leg of a roasted chicken.
She continued to pile food in a plate. The cats seemed to have congregated in the living room with Harry, as she didn't see any of her feline friends coming to beg for food.
When she walked into the living room with her hands filled with plates full of food, she found Harry laughing as the cats played around him.
"Now, now, move you lot. Harry needs to eat." Mrs. Figg said to her cats.
The cats seemed to understand as they quickly moved from around Harry and left some space for Mrs. Figg to come through.
Mrs. Figg placed the plates in the coffee table nearby. Harry watched her curiously.
Mrs. Figg picked Harry up and sat him in the floor just next to the table. They were instantly surrounded by the cats all begging for a little food. Harry giggled and enjoyed the rest of the meal as he ate and gave some food to the cats.
Mrs. Figg watched him with amusement as she nibbled on her meal.
~*~*~*~*~ It was after nine when Petunia appeared in Mrs. Figg's door to pick Harry up.
"What took you so long?" Growled Mrs. Figg when she opened the door.
"I'm sorry I'm late Mrs. Figg, but it took me longer than I thought to clean the house." Petunia said. She didn't want her neighbor to know that they had forgotten about Harry. If it hadn't been for the empty high chair around the table, they would've forgotten him altogether.
"Humph! Just don't do it again." Said Mrs. Figg picking up Harry, who had been asleep in chair nearby. "Here you go." She passed Harry to Petunia who tried to look lovingly down at Harry as she settled him in her arms.
"Well. Thank you again, Mrs. Figg." Petunia turned her back to the house and started walking down to the corner to Privet Drive.
Mrs. Figg pushed aside the curtains from her window and watched them go until they turned the corner.
"I hope Dumbledore knows what he is doing." She said as she scratched Mr. Tibble's head.
~*~*~*~*~ The days passed and summer was now upon the land. Gryffindor Manor was busy with the usual summer chores as tenants and servants alike worked to keep the grounds and the house in their absolute best.
On this sunny morning, Mrs. Nichols was sitting quietly in what had once been used as Harry's nursery next to the large master bedroom.
She looked saddened as she watched Minnie cleaning around the room, moving the toys and clothes that had been left behind.
Both were too lost in their own thoughts to notice Mr. Roberts standing in the doorway. He sighed. This was the third time in the last week that he had found his sister hidden in Master Harry's bedroom.
"He is all alone." Mrs. Nichols whispered.
"He is not, Alice. He is with his aunt and you heard what Dumbledore said, as long as he is with her, he will be safe." Mr. Roberts said as he came into the room to join his sister in a small chair.
"But she is not going to treat him right. You must remember how they treated Poor Mistress Lily and Mrs. Evans. He needs us." Mrs. Nichols said. "His birthday is coming up and I know they are not going to do anything to celebrate it with him."
"We can do something here." Said Roberts.
Mrs. Nichols looked startled by the idea. "Oh, do you think we could? Could we do a big party to celebrate his birthday?"
"We'll have to discuss it with the solicitors and with Stuart, he is the estate manager after all. I'm sure we can do something." Said Roberts, he would do anything to get his sister out of her despondency.
"Oh, we must write to them then. You go and get Stuart and I'll get the owls, we have so much to plan." Mrs. Nichols explained and ran out of the room with some of the energy that her brother had not seen her display for some time. He followed her out of the room at a slower pace happy to be doing something to break the routine that the household had fallen into.
Neither of them had noticed Minnie stop working on her cleaning to listen attentively to what they had said. After they had left, she squeaked with excitement and disappeared from the room.
~*~*~*~*~ July 31st neared. Gryffindor Manor was enveloped in a festive atmosphere. The elves had heard from Minnie that the Manor was going to celebrate Master Harry's birthday and were busy cleaning every single corner of the house. The tenants had heard it from Mr. Stuart after Mrs. Nichols and Mr. Roberts had asked him if it could be possible. The solicitors, who were acting as trustees of the estate had seen no problem with allowing the estate to celebrate de day. Every person who lived in the estate was happily taking part of the festivities. It was because of that, that the festivities seemed to be as big as the annual Harvest Festival.
The last day of July rose warm and sunny. The grounds in Gryffindor Manor were richly decorated with magical balloons, floating in the air expanding and contracting as they changed colors. There were tents throughout the lawn. Children were playing and the pond was full of happy swimmers.
In the Quidditch Pitch and impromptu game was underway and many were happily watching as the players zoomed around the field.
People were eating and dancing among the tents, and music permeated the air.
Gryffindor Manor was happily celebrating the birthday of its master, while in Privet Drive everything was silent and ordinary.
Vernon and Petunia Dursley were busily eating lunch as their son, Dudley sat heavily in his chair trying to finish everything that was placed before him.
Harry Potter sat silently on his chair. A small plate before him, oblivious to the importance of the day.
Vernon heard the sound of letters falling through the slot. He rose from his chair as Petunia was piling more food before Dudley. He returned minutes later looking through the stack of letters held in his hands.
"Bills! What is the country falling to when a man can't sit at his table without being bothered by bills?" Vernon asked with disgust as he threw some of this offending envelopes in a small table beside the door. "Now, what is this?" He asked with curiosity as he held a colorful envelope in his hand.
Petunia looked up. "What is what, dear?" She asked.
"This envelope, it looks like a card." Vernon said looking closely at the envelope.
"Look at the address. Who is it for?" She asked.
"Don't know, doesn't have a name just our address." Said Vernon with a frown. "No return address either."
"Strange. Open it." Said Petunia putting aside her spoon and allowing Dudley to eat on his own.
Vernon opened the envelope a card fell to the table. A large HAPPY BIRTHDAY with the picture of a ball was in the front.
"It's a little too late for this. Dudley's birthday was months ago." Said Vernon.
Petunia didn't say anything, she looked nervously at the card and then at Harry. "I don't think it's for Dudley dear."
"Who else is it going to be for?" Asked Vernon with a condescending tone. He chuckled and opened the card.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY! It said, several balls were drawn around the page. No signature could be seen.
Vernon looked furiously at Harry.
"I'll not have some strange happenings in this house." He roared.
"Now dear, let him have it, he is going to destroy it anyways, and it doesn't look dangerous." Said Petunia looking nervously at the card.
"Humph! I suppose. It does look rather cheap really." He said happily remembering the expensive cards and gifts that were sent to Dudley on his birthday.
He shoved the card to Harry, who looked curiously at it, not really knowing the significance of it.
It was an uneventful afternoon for Harry. He spent the day in his room, his aunt Petunia would only take him out for meals and when she wanted to check if he needed a change.
Night eventually fell and Harry was settled in an old crib. Nearby was a dresser. Petunia placed the card upon it before shutting the lights and closing the door behind her. Harry whimpered in the darkness.
Suddenly, the card glowed and the balls drawn on it started to zoom across the page. Harry giggled and watched happily as the balls left the surface of the card and started to zoom above the card.
Harry eventually fell asleep, the glowing balls zooming before him.
~*~*~*~*~
A/N: There you go. As you may have noticed the chapters in this part are a little shorter than I'm used to writing, I have decided that I'm not going to go into great detail in the next chapters, and I'm not going to write about every single year of Harry with the Dursleys, my imagination just doesn't stretch that far. Now, I have read all the reviews that have been written and some of you have some questions or opinions about this part of the story.
Gryffspopgurl - About skipping to Harry's 16th year, the reason I'm not skipping to that year right after Lily and James' death is because I like continuity, I don't like leaving things undone and there are some things that will happen to him in his early childhood that will have an impact when he gets older.
Hpgurl, LateroseMartin, and Exodus - I think that I agree with Exodus and might include a new character for Harry, as much as I like Ginny and Hermione, I just don't think they are right for Harry, and don't get me in the subject of Cho, I'm just glad that things happened as they did in OotP.
Shelley Knight - I hope you are happy with the result of the Dursleys' visit to Mr. Nikolei.
Alli - I'm glad that you took the time to read it all and that you enjoyed it.
Snow angel, Snow princess and Lady Reaper of the Shadows - Thank you for continuing reading, I appreciate all of you who have been there since the beginning and those who have joined me along the way.
Thank you all, I hope I didn't miss anybody but if I did, sorry and please continue reading and reviewing. I like to hear from my readers..