Can I Call You Dad?

Chapter 13


Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light.

Helen Keller


The globes upon the wall glowed softly as he made his way down the stone steps; his breath hitched in his lungs as he willed himself to be as quiet as he could. Not even his companion dared to hiss and the cold air was enough to send his teeth chattering. Harry listened intently as he reached the peep hole which let him see into the parlor – no one was there and the hearth was devoid of any fire life. He went on, not quite daring to breath in relief.

Finally he got to the bottom; in front of him was a closed, old wooden door, behind that door was freedom; Harry held his breath as he pushed the door open, he went unmet by any magical force and stepped onto grass that marked the barrier of the Malfoy manner. He slung his sack higher onto his shoulder. Gervais clung tighter to his arm and shoulders now as Harry closed the door and ran into the hedges. No alarm sounded, and Harry wondered if he had been seen.

No lights went on in any of the rooms that Harry could discern in the dark. Only the fey half moon shone upon him, and the Northern star twinkled as Harry made his way deeper into the woods that surrounded the mansion; he didn't quite believe his luck, any moment he expected a Death Eater to get him and take him back. But he navigated the forest well. Finally coming upon an old pave road.

Muggles must live near here, Harry said to his companion.

Indeed, I suggest we find a settlement and find out where we are, Gervais replied. Harry nodded in agreement and in the middle of the night, the two strange companions started down the road. Not one hiss could be heard between them; they were both glad to be out of there without any troubles.

Gervais especially felt unencumbered by his self-set mission to keep the boy out of trouble – Harry Potter, now his 'Young One' hadn't minded the fact that Gervais practically told him what to do. Gervais, without seeing the territory, knew exactly where the old passageway would lead and he had indeed been right; and by going due north, he had indeed been, right again, when they came upon the road that they now traversed.

Now all they had to do was find out where they were and they could head to France from there.


Bristol Channel sat west of Barnstaple; which eventually bled into the Irish Sea that separated England, Wales and Scotland from Ireland herself. It was a sunny day that found Harry meandering along the beach with satchel in hand and a snake perched about his shoulders. The sea was refreshing and Harry wished that Remus and Sirius were there with him. He knew that they would enjoy a day along the beach, with a pick nick basket in hand; filled with lovely things to eat that Remus had lovingly made for the three of them. Sirius would tell tales of their years at Hogwarts and Harry would then recount some of his own harrowing adventures.

He and Gervais shared some dried meet that Harry had been able to get out of the house elf that met his needs at the Malfoy Mansion and talked quietly as they made their way up the beach. Soon they came upon the more public areas and Harry had Gervais hide in his satchel. Then Harry made his way up concrete steps to the boardwalk.

Here, most of the entertainments were closed, but here a restaurant was opened that sold chicken curry, pizza and something called 'Cheesy fries' whatever that was! Harry by-passed these establishments in order to find one that was more wizard friendly; which he found by watching strange beings wearing 'dresses' disappearing through a wall.

Harry followed a young couple, and found himself in a Caribbean styled wizarding restaurant – Harry thought that most of the decorations were cheesy, and Gervais was of the same opinion. Harry made his way through the crowd. He ducked several servers who would have otherwise tripped over him, until he finally bonked into someone.

He looked into the grey-green eyes of a young women; she had long dirt blond hair tied back into a braid, she looked as if she had drunk too much whiskey but she was firm on her feet.

"Why, hello there, lad! What be you doing here?" she asked.

"I'm trying to contact my family," Harry replied.

"Ah, My name is Natalie, ya wait here and I'll see if Morty can't help ya out!" the woman said then she bumbled away, she deftly set a place the young couple that Harry had followed in. she took their order and then she was back at his side in an instant. Then, Natalie led Harry to her boss.

Mortimer Stillwater was a very fat man, with pudgy, red cheeks and a long white beard, he was completely bald and he wore broken eyeglasses. He reminded Harry of a down-and-out Santa Clause. He looked at Natalie and then to Harry.

"Who is this?" he asked.

"My name is Harry…" Harry said but never got to conclude his introduction.

"Harry Potter! the Harry Potter that scoundrel Black adopted?" Mortimer asked, his cheeks going even more red.

"Er – yes…"

"Mort! Don't scare the boy! He needs to contact his family!" Natalie replied.

"How did you know I was adopted?" Harry asked.

"Why, it's been in the Prophet for weeks!" Mortimer replied. He handed a dingy item to Harry. On the front page was a picture of Harry taken before he started his second year (With Lockhart) and one of Sirius Black when he had escaped.


Boy-Who-Lived now a Black?

By Bernard Wannabe

Last week, it reached the England Ministry of Magic that The-Boy-Who-Lived (Harry James Potter) had been adopted by the Azkaban Escapee Sirius Black. In light of this information, Minister Fudge went to see Headmaster Dumbledore of Hogwarts on the matter. However, the Temporary Guardian would not void the papers and said so to both the Minister and the Headmaster.

Remus J. Lupin (once a Teacher at Hogwarts but relinquished his post due to this event) has registered as a Werewolf for the last thirty-odd years of his life (since he was 5) and is reported to live in France. Which brings us to another problem…

The Werewolf Legislations of both England and France are at odds since Minister Muriel Nickolas of France has brought it to the attention of Minister Fudge of England, that since Mr. Lupin was born in France and as was Mr. Potter-Black, that the England Ministry has no right to seize Parental rights away from Mr. Lupin.

France is the most lenient in Werewolf rights (as is America) than any other country in Europe, indeed, all they require is that the Werewolves take a Ministry approved Wolvesbane potion each month during the full moon. Also, Employer's cannot fire a Werewolf on the grounds that they are a 'Dark Creature' (so to speak) and that Werewolves must also be given a chance to get the job they put an application in for.

Minister Nickolas has been an instigator of Werewolf rights in her country since she was eleven years old. She is also the first woman Minister in the history of France.

She has taken it upon herself to find Mr. Potter-Black (where ever he may be after being kidnapped three weeks ago) and reunite him with his family. She has also given Mr. Black Sanctuary in France, where he will not be held accountable for any crimes that the English Ministry has accused him on.

She had this to say about the charges; "Godric's Hollow is officially in France, I am sorry to say that we did nothing to look into these implications before. We should have done more for Mr. Black and we sincerely ask for his forgiveness in this matter. Mr. Black also is welcomed in France at any time, he will not be persecuted for any crimes that the English Ministry has put against him. He is innocent in our eyes,"


"You mean…?"

"They've been looking all over for ya! I'll get a hold of the French, they'll take better care of ya than that bimbo Fudge ever will!" Natalie replied.

"Lad, ya come with me! I'll get ya something to eat while Natalie takes care of the French!" Mortimer said, he led Harry to the kitchen of the establishment; where five house elves were making up the orders for the costumers. Mortimer grabbed some sandwiches from the ice box and a jug of Pumpkin Juice. He poured them each a glass and handed the plate to Harry. Gervais came out then in order to partake of the food.

If Mortimer was surprised by the snake, he didn't say anything.

"Thank you," Harry said.

"No problem Lad! Eat as much as ya want, everyone has been worried about ya!"

"How so?"

"Oh, I don't know much, but they gave out a reward for ya safe return,"

"How is Remus? Do you know?"

"Naw, but I'm sure he be glad to see ya,"

"Yeah, me too," Harry nodded.


A/N – Had to do this! Honestly, I do hope you all liked this!

Ta,

Poppy

Fan fic rec -- Eagle of the Star, this LOTR fic is BRILLIANT! It's about Aragorn as he spend twenty years away from his family as Throngil – go and read it an leave a message for the Author, this fic can be found in my Favorites list!