Chapter 2
After a weekend of vigorous cleaning and getting a haircut Helen Charkov presented herself back at work. When her boss wasn't meeting her eyes during a short visit she began to suspect that something was afoot. During an illegal cigarette at the kitchen entrance of the municipal building she learned exactly what. Always having been an outspoken person Helen had made enemies higher up when pointing out grievances and now her prolonged sick leave was used to sack her. She was shocked at first but put all thoughts of her professional future out of her mind to concentrate on Harry Potter.
Monday at two brought her to Privet Drive. The identical suburban houses made her shudder. Number four was the most prim. A tall and thin woman opened the door herself, after shouting in vain for a person called Dudley to see who'd called. She was up to her elbows in flour.
"Yes?"
"Helen Charkov, Social Services. I have come to check the placement of your nephew, how he is doing, whether you need anything, that sort of thing. May I come in?"
Mrs Dursley hesitated.
"I'd rather my husband was home, too."
"I understand. But, you see, I would have to put in an appeal for overtime, if I came back in the evening, and this is only done in the most serious cases, you know, the notorious ones."
This was complete bullshit, of course, but Harry Potter's aunt was impressed and stepped back to let Helen in. Settled with a cup of tea she withdrew a sheaf of forms and started with innocent questions like Harry's schoolwork, his general health and his friends. Mrs Dursley relaxed a bit and even started to complain about having to take in that difficult child of her sister. Knowing about magic allowed Helen to fill in the blanks, and she was able to learn a lot just watching the room – with pictures of one child only, with a kitchen stool not firm enough to carry Dudley's weight – and the interaction between mother and son. Young Dursley seemed to be spoiled to an extent that alone nearly warranted a visit from Social Services if viewed with his dangerous overweight.
After half an hour she thanked Mrs Dursley for her cooperation and asked to see Harry. The woman must have expected her to leave without seeing her charge and all relaxation was gone from her frame. She bade her son to fetch Harry.
"Harry? Hunh. Yeah. The freak."
Helen had to restrain herself from reacting to that appellation, seeing that Petunia seemingly didn't even notice its inappropriateness. Together with the answers she had gotten from Mrs Dursley she very much doubted that young Potter was well cared for in this environment.
A small boy dressed in much too big T-shirt and shorts shuffled into the kitchen. After a fleeting glance at his aunt he politely greeted Helen.
"H'llo, madam. How do you do?"
"Fine, thank you. My name is Helen Charkov, I am a social worker."
That brought panic on and the boy pleadingly turned to his aunt.
"I didn't do anything, Aunt P'tunia, I swear, I really didn't."
Mrs Dursley put a visible effort into addressing her nephew sweetly.
"Do not worry, Harry, this is but a routine visit, isn't it?"
With that she turned to the social worker.
"Yes, it is. We visit everybody who isn't living with his or her parents once in a while."
A small scowl appeared on the boy's face and Helen was heartened by it. If Harry was angry that once in a while had amounted to eight years in his case not all was lost, his spirit wasn't broken.
"I would like to talk to Harry alone for a bit."
Mrs Dursley quick acceptance and sharp glance at Harry pointed to her listening on the door, but Ms Charkov was a veteran in her job.
"Have you been doing chores in the garden just now, Harry?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"I would like to have a garden someday. Would you show me your garden?"
They walked outside and Harry pointed out the rosebushes and the stone garden. Out of earshot Helen pointed to another flowerbed while asking, "Do you like living with your aunt and uncle?"
"I do not want to go to an orphanage!"
"No, Harry, we don't do that anymore. I would look into finding a foster family for you. It might not happen tomorrow, but before the holidays end."
"No one will want me. The Dursley's had to take me in because Mum was Aunt P'tunia's sister. "
"You would go to somebody who likes to give kids like you a home, not because they have to."
"If they are nice people I should not go there. There are bad things happening around me, freakish things."
"If you could go to somebody who understands these strange things?"
"Would you promise that I would never come back here, even if the other people do not want me?"
"I promise."
They entered the house again via the back door and Helen bade Harry to show her where he slept. A gasp could be heard from Petunia at this. The boy seemed to waver and finally reached a decision. He went to the cupboard under the stairs, opened it and pulled a string inside. Now it was Helen's turn to gasp. Until now she had found the situation for Harry bearable until she had time to plan further with Snape but seeing the boy's room she realised she had to act immediately.
"Mrs Dursley, I need to use your phone."
"I called my husband, I will not allow you to use our phone."
"For an emergency revocation of guardianship I need a witness. I would phone for a colleague of mine, but if that is not possible any neighbour of yours will do."
A tight-lipped Petunia showed Helen the phone. Ann-Marie would arrive in fifteen minutes. Helen returned to Harry, who was waiting with big eyes next to his cupboard.
She bent down and whispered.
"Do you know how long it takes for your uncle to come home from work?"
"About half an hour. He will be very angry."
"Does he keep weapons here?"
"He has a shotgun."
"Okay, that is what we do: you will take a rubbish bag and put in everything you want to take with you. When you're ready, see me in the kitchen."
Helen made pictures of Harry, of the cupboard, of the Dursleys' photo wall and then went back to Mrs Dursley, who was sitting in the living room with her son.
"Mrs Dursley, I would like to see any paperwork you have concerning Harry's guardianship."
"As if! A letter from my sister's former Headmaster! You can keep that! No one ever asked us!"
Nevertheless she produced a valid guardianship agreement along with said letter. Helen decided to take a leap of faith and quickly filled out a form that gave herself temporary guardianship over the boy which Mrs Dursley signed quickly. If she had called her husband when they had gone to the garden Mr Dursley would be here soon. Not taking any chances she sent Harry with his possessions over to the playground she'd passed on Magnolia Drive with the admonition to wait there.