Note: Due to a short run, but rather debilitating reaction to medications I have completely caught up with myself. So, updates are about to take a little longer, or be shorter, or both. That said- Thank you all for reading. To the reviewer with their PM turned off- you're welcome.
Chapter 11
Hermione placed the unbreakable jar in one of the rarely used parlors. She instructed Winky to ensure the occupant had everything she needed to survive. The house elf just smiled evilly at her mistress. Hermione then sat just close enough for the beetle to read the names on the letters she sent out. Harry Potter, Sirius Black, Viktor Krum, and Tracey Davis. Shrewdly, she kept of the contents of the letters out of sight. The beetle ran about in circles, clearly agitated. Once finished, she tapped the jar lid. "I warned you, Miss Skeeter. Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, shame on me, well it would be if I let people fool me twice." She left the beetle skittering about in the darkness.
Fifteen minutes before nine o'clock in the morning Lucius and Hermione entered the Little Whining police station. Impeccably dressed, both looking every bit the members of nobility they were. Most ancient and noble houses also held muggle titles. Rarely used, but handy at times like this. Titles impressed people, especially titles that suggested power. Despite no one being able to recall the current title holder, all of them were listed as extant. Memory modification and notice me not charms kept people from researching too deeply.
Lucius led Hermione to the front desk. The officer there smiled politely, taking in Lucius's expensive suit and Hermione's high quality clothing. "How can I help you, sir?"
"Thank you, officer. We have an appointment with Detective Constable Grant."
"Of course, would you mind having a seat?" The young man looked embarrassed by the cheap hard plastic chairs in the waiting area. Lucius, graciously, sat down as if offered a plush, well appointed wing chair. Smiling, Hermione joined him. Together they waited, looking completely at ease. She glanced about the room. The off white cinder block room looked identical to the ones she had seen on the telly. Generic cookie cutter buildings, the monument to modern efficiency. Personally, Hermione detested it. Sadly all too often government buildings lacked character, a soul, if you will.
A man in his early thirties approached from a side hallway. Lucius stood to greet him. "Mr Malfoy? I'm Detective Constable Campbell Grant. He extended his hand.
Lucius smoothly shook the proffered hand. "Lucius Malfoy, Duke of Exeter. My daughter, Hermione." Lucius gestured to her, she gave a little wave.
The detective's eyes widened, but he quickly recovered. "What can I do for you, my lord?"
"None of that, Mr Malfoy is sufficient. This is a sensitive matter, one perhaps best discussed in private."
"Of course, of course. Please, follow me." He lead them down the corridor. He gestured for them to enter a small windowless office. An old metal filing cabinet sagged in one corner. A computer gleamed on the battered metal desk. Two more hard plastic chairs faced the desk. The Malfoys each took one while Grant seated himself. He looked at them expectantly.
Lucius gave him a small suave smile. "My daughter, Hermione, is afraid a friend of hers is being abused by his guardians. He lives here in your village. We wish to have this investigated."
"The minor's name?" Grant reached for a report sheet.
"Harry James Potter. He lives with his aunt and uncle, Petunia and Vernon Dursley. Their address is Number four Privet Drive." Hermione primly supplied.
"And what do you believe is happening?" Internally, Grant filched at his condescending tone. Lucius's mouth tightened into a line.
Hermione narrowed her eyes, "I know that they make him do all the housework. I know they barely feed him. I know they make him sleep in a room full of his cousin's broken junk. Before that they made him sleep in the cupboard under the stairs. I know they lock him in his room. I know they barred his window. I know they take vacations without him. I know they squander the stipend they are paid for his care. I know he wears hand me down clothes that will never fit. I know for Christmas he gets a pair of Vernon's old socks. I know they call him a freak!" Hermione never raised her voice, instead she let all of the cold fury she felt at the Dursleys bleed in. Grant ignored Lucius's look of censure easily, but flinched away from Hermione's tone.
"Do you have any evidence about the squandered funds?"
Lucius nodded, "My wife's cousin should have been the boy's guardian, but extraneous events prevented it at the time. He recently gained access to Harry's parents' will. He has been able to use that to access the family's accounts," he paused, "or rather the payouts made on Harry's behalf."
Campbell Grant examined the people in front of him; expensively dressed, well spoken, and smelled a rat. "Pardon my asking, Mr Malfoy but what is your interest in the boy's welfare?" He fought to keep his face neutral when Lucius raised an eyebrow.
"Beyond the fact that my daughter asked me to help? You must not have a daughter, detective. Beyond my inability to refuse my female offspring anything she desires, I am the chairman of the board of governors for their school. I take the students' welfare both within the school and without very serious."
"And the boy's money?"
"What money?" Lucius frowned. "Sir, I am going to try very hard not to be insulted by your presumptions. I have no idea the state of the late Potters' estate, but both my own and Lord Black's are substantial. We are both millionaires many times over. We offer the records as proof the Dursleys are compensated for care they do not deliver."
Chastened, Grant held up his hands in surrender. "I apologize. You see all kinds in this line of work, and it starts to make you jaded. If I could get a copy of those bank statements? I'll get a subpoena for their bank statements and compare the two, meanwhile I'll arrange for child services to do a home visit."
"That's all we ask, detective." Lucius stood and offered his hand. "Those copies are for you. Along with Harry's godfather's contact information."
"Thank you, sir." Hermione smiled.
"I'll be in touch."
Once they exited the station house, Hermione used Sirius's mirror to let Harry know the ball had started rolling. Lucius apparated them to the hotel room Sirius rented to stay near Harry.
Now they waited, they had done all they could.
Inside the station house, Campbell Grant notified the proper offices of the need for a safety and wellness check. He then put in the request for the Dursleys' bank statements. He was surprised to find that this information had all ready been released to the precinct.
An hour after his request, two investigators from financial crimes knocked on his door. "Can I help you?"
Natalie Bell entered the office followed by her partner of ten years, Niles Montgomery. "We're wondering why you wanted to see Vernon Dursley's financial report? We've been following him for years. Suspected tax evasion or embezzlement. Man's a gods' damned mastermind. Dotted all his i's and crossed all the t's. Every farthing accounted for, yet a new car every two years, expensive trips to fancy locales for the family every summer. No clue how he does it."
"What if I told you his wife gets twelve thousand pounds a year from her dead sister's estate to care for her nephew?"
"Wait! What? There is nothing about getting money for the nephew. The government has been granting them a stipend for him! Just enough to pay for his board and schooling." Natalie's voice raised an octave. Grant calmly handed her the Gringott's report which showed the yearly withdrawals and deposits. She read the files with disgust. "Ugh. Overseas and foreign accounts." She slammed the manila folder onto the desk. "Doesn't matter, suspected child abuse trumps tax evasion and fraud. You can't wait for us to build a case. And then the family does a bunk."
"Looks to me, so long as Petunia Dursley isn't putting the money in a trust fund, or paying taxes on it, find her account and you have your case. And the bankers of Gringotts did half the work for you. You have an account number, and her taxes." He flipped the folder at her. "I'll talk to social services, we can hold off until suppertime, best to catch the whole family together in some of these cases. That should give you plenty of time to follow the money."
At five thirty Natalie and Niles returned grinning ear to ear. "Campbell, I could kiss you. This was the break we needed. Everything goes into an account in the Dursleys' kid's name. Petunia is the adult on the account. The only deposits into the account match the dates and transfer numbers on the Gringott's report. The debits are all either large amounts made locally, or made in glamorous vacation zones. We got 'em." Natalie clapped her hands excitedly.
"As a happily married man, I humbly beg you get lipstick on someone else's collar. Maybe Mr Malfoy's. He's the one who brought me the tip." He gestured to the blond man waiting with a black haired bloke. Grant introduced the four and explained the situation. Lucius nodded. "You are most welcome for the information. We just want to ensure Harry's safety and happiness. And as another happily married man, I beg your lipstick mercy. May I suggest, Sirius, as he is not so encumbered. You may freely kiss him." He winked at Sirius.
"I'm telling Cissa you said she was an encumbrance." he teased.
"She'll enjoy the ammunition next time she becomes annoyed with me."
The officers gave Sirius forms to fill out and made a record of the Potters' will naming him guardian. A young woman from Children's services approached, smiling at them. "Hello, I'm Noel. I have no doubt of the answer, but as a formality I do have to ask and receive a verbal answer. If the current home is determined to be unsatisfactory are you willing to take in Harry?"
"Absolutely." Sirius answered.
"Excellent. Now, usually the wellness check is the only thing going on, but they intend to arrest the Dursleys at this time. Meaning the boys will be taken into Protective Services this evening. I hate to impose, but could you take in Dudley Dursley as well? Only temporarily, I promise. Saves us the trouble of hunting down a relative or foster home with an opening at the late hour this could be over."
"I suppose a house guest wouldn't be a bother for a few days. Just as long as he minds his manners." Sirius looked at Lucius, who nodded back. "I'm having my London house renovated, so we should go to my uncle's old place in Salisbury." He have her an address for a muggle house not far from Malfoy Manor."
"Quite the drive, Mr Black."
"And my godson is worth it, only an hour and a half." Noel nodded smiling.
To keep Hermione from overly fretting all day, Narcissa arranged for them to spend the afternoon shopping. The promise of effortless, long lasting beauty products helped quickly overcome any anxieties about being out in the muggle world. Sirius offered to drive them to the shopping center in Little Whinging to spare Narcissa the taxi ride. This left her a bit unprepared for the reality.
Brightly colored ads and displays fought for attention. People bustled about on personal errands. Some sat chattering while eating fast food. Hermione quickly referenced the location of the closest department store on the map. She took Narcissa's hand and hurried that way, thinking to get the shock over with as fast as possible.
A window display of silver jewelry boxes and wineglasses caught Narcissa's eye. She stopped walking, nearly jerking Hermione to a stop. "What are those?" She pointed.
"Oh, you can have different items engraved or etched as a keepsake. People give them as gifts or tokens."
"I see." Narcissa pulled on Hermione's hand, directing her into the store. She selected two rose gold compacts with silver filigree designs swirled on the top, surrounding the open engraving area. Swiftly, she filled out forms and handed her black Gringott's card to the shopkeeper.
"Waiting for, or shipping?" he asked.
"We have more shopping to do, we'll come back." Hermione answered. "Right, Mum?"
"Sounds like a plan. You're the boss today, darling." She followed Hermione out of the shop. This time, aware of Narcissa's interest she pointed out other shops of interest.
"An entire store just for undergarments?" the older witch questioned laughing.
"And sleepwear, well, some of it isn't really meant for sleeping, you know?" Hermione blushed a little.
"I see. Perhaps another day."
"They sell regular underwear and stuff, too."
"I'm sure they do."
Once inside the department store, Hermione located the cosmetics counters. Remembering Monica's laments about the cost of Lancome and Sephora, she approached those counters. After discussion they decided on an explanation for Narcissa's ignorance. They planned to browse the shelves and let an salesperson come to them. Both were dressed casually, so as to not stand out from the other middle class shoppers.
As they circled the display racks, comparing lipsticks, Hermione noticed two saleswomen attempting to busy themselves with purchasing customers to avoid being saddled with two who looked like they might just be browsing. Minutes later a young woman appeared to be returning from her break. The senior salesperson directed her towards them. Hermione hid her smile. The whole think reminded her of the scene from Pretty Woman.
"Excuse me, ladies? Can I help you?"
"Yes," Narcissa beckoned Hermione closer. "I grew up in a rather restrictive home, as did the man I married. My father-in-law recently passed away, freeing us. So, I have no idea about any of this, but I am eager to learn."
The young woman beamed, "Wonderful. Just the basics, or the works?"
"The works, I should think." She smiled at her daughter, "for both of us."
The salesgirl, who introduced herself as Gillian, busied herself collecting everything she needed. She positioned a mirror in front of a stool. She went over skin care, foundations, powders, blush, eye shadow techniques, and lipsticks. She demonstrated all of the different brush techniques and gave pointers for more dramatic nighttime looks. The experience took two hours and attracted a bit of a crowd that the other two were quick to snatch sales from. Both mother and daughter agreed they looked amazing. "Do you work on commission, my dear?"
"We do get a commission on all sales, but the store pays us a wage. Don't feel bad if you can't buy too much at a go. I like getting to play with the products."
Narcissa gave Hermione a bemused smile. "Thoughts?"
"I do want some Sephora colors, but I like it. I'm in."
"Splendid." She turned to Gillian, "We'll need the full skin regimen. All the cleansers, lotions, liquids, powders, brushes, everything. If you used it, or recommended it, we want it. Unless there is a superior product you offer, then I want that one. While you collect that, we'll pick out a few of the other things we want." She stood and began collecting lipsticks, and color palettes, placing them in the little shopping baskets. Hermione quickly slipped over to the Sephora section, before returning to fill her own little baskets. At the counter, "Oh, Hermione, perfumes." Delighted, Narcissa sampled several before adding a few for herself and Hermione.
Gillian began ringing up their purchases and bagging them. "This has been lovely. Thank you."
The girl flushed with pleasure, "Thank you, ma'am." She began to give Narcissa the total, but she stopped her.
"In more elite salons, one does not mention the price. Prices are vulgar. Instead you ask cash or card."
Gillian swallowed, "Cash or card, ma'am."
"Card." Narcissa handed her the black card, enjoying the other saleswomen's looks of shock. Narcissa picked up her black matte bags. "Shall we go teach other salespeople not to judge shoppers by their wardrobes, darling?"
Hermione laughed, "Sure. Bye, Gillian." The girl waved farewell and returned to work, ignoring the glares from the other workers. "Actually, we really should be getting back."
"I agree, I merely wanted to rub their mistake in." Narcissa chuckled evilly. "Do you think the compacts are ready?"
Hermione glanced at her watch. "They should be."
The gentleman at the store remembered them instantly. He proudly presented Narcissa with the finished products. She smiled in delight. "Perfection." She presented Hermione with hers. The monogram hMc swirled with the design on the top.
"Oh, Mum, it's gorgeous. What does yours say?"
"I liked the idea of making it an heirloom, so I used my maiden name." She showed Hermione the swirling nBi.
"What does the I stand for?"
"Isadore."
"Narcissa Isadore Black, how lovely."
"Thank you. We should be getting back. Goodness knows what your father and Sirius have gotten up to."
Operation Annoy the Dursleys received an unexpected boon. Vernon and Petunia could explain away his bullying, "he's just a playful scamp." They could excuse his poor grades, "the teachers just didn't understand such a creative thinker." But the nurse's terse letter about Dudley's weight refused to be ignored. Nor the fact that he outgrew the largest size of knickerbockers sold at the school uniform shop. Petunia tried to claim the weight baby fat, but even she could see her son resembled a baby whale. She then declared the entire family would follow the diet if it was so healthy for you.
The first night Harry overcooked the chicken breast just enough to make them dry. He managed to under cook half of the vegetables in the stir fry and render the other half mush. Afterwards, he spotlessly cleaned the kitchen, depriving Vernon of his favorite rant. The next morning Harry purposely cut the grapefruit halves in the wrong direction. He grinned happily while eating the smallest serving. He suspected Aunt Petunia tried to cheer Dudley up by giving him a bigger piece than Harry, so he acted overjoyed with what he got.
Instead of escaping the house as soon as his chores were done, Harry hung about. Dudley ran off with his gang as soon as he could, probably in search of babies with candy he could steal. Harry settled in under the tree in the backyard. Within sight of the neighbor's that stopped to gossip over the fence, but close enough none of them could inquire about him without him being able to hear.
Preparing for dinner, Harry found himself whistling a happy little tune. Sirius promised soon. He, Lucius, and the cavalry were arriving soon. Salad, asparagus, and more chicken breasts comprise dinner. After the previous night's disaster, Petunia prepared the chicken breasts, leaving Harry to over salt the vegetables, and mix too much vinegar into the salad oil. It seemed petty to spoil the food, but on some level the Dursleys had it coming.
Vernon raised his fork to his mouth to begin the second dinner on the diet from hell. Before he finished removing the food from the utensil a firm knock came at the door. "For the love of holy." Vernon slammed his fork down. "Inquiring during folk's dinner times. Get the door boy. Send them away." He snapped. Harry leapt to his feet and hurried to the door. He opened the door, revealing the three plain clothed detectives, immediately after the second volley of knocks. "Hurry up, boy." Vernon roared. Harry heard him mutter, "If you want it done right."
"Is this number four Privet Drive?" One of them asked.
"Yes, sir."
"We're here to speak with Vernon and Petunia Dursley."
"Yes, sir." Harry stepped back from the door as Vernon waddled in.
"Who in the blazes is at the door, boy?"
"The, uh, the police, Uncle Vernon."
The man shaped walrus stopped froze in the hallway. "Gentlemen, lady, won't you come in? We were just sitting down for dinner." He lead them to the front parlor. Petunia fussed over the magazine spread on the table, before offering them refreshments. Harry and Dudley were lead into the kitchen by Noel for questioning.
"No, thank you, Mrs Dursley. I'm Detective Grant, these are Detectives Bell and Montgomery. We are here on a number of complaints. The foremost of concern involving your nephew..."
"What has that boy done now?" Vernon exploded. "Boy! You get in here now!"
Shock floored Grant, on some level even then he expected the fraud to be the worst of it. He stared at the couple in front of him. The red faced thundering ham fisted middle manager, and his horsey faced bitter house wife. She looked indignant and gleeful. "We received a report of unsatisfactory living conditions and mistreatment, not to mention verbal abuse and neglect."
Petunia's hands flew to her chest and mouth. Vernon deflated mid bellow, but quickly rallied himself and began to bluster.
Detective Bell held up her hand. "Surprisingly, those are just the most pressing charges. We also need to discuss your years of tax evasion and defrauding the government. We have evidence that you receive and hide twelve thousand pounds from the estate of James and Lily Potter for the care of one Harry James Potter. You also petition the government yearly for money to care for said nephew." She paused, waiting for a reaction. Vernon's face reddened dangerously. Petunia blanched.
"Freak money doesn't count. Don't pay taxes to the freaks unless you are a freak, because the freaks don't exist." Vernon snarled.
The police exchanged confused looks. "Freaks, Mr Dursley?"
"Of course," he waved his arm towards the kitchen. "Freaks, like the boy."
"You call your nephew a freak?"
"He is one, just like his worthless freak parents that went and got themselves killed, then saddled us with their freak brat."
I know they call him a freak. Miss Malfoy's voice echoed in Grant's ears. "Noel, could you bring Harry in here for a moment?" Harry and the young social worker appeared in the doorway from the kitchen. "Harry, do your uncle and aunt call you a freak?"
"Yes, sir." He dropped his head, causing his glasses to slip down his nose.
Noel burst into action. "That is enough, Campbell. I still have to see Harry's bedroom and the cupboard under the stairs, but I've heard enough." Noel turned to Harry, "Would you please show me?" Harry lead her upstairs to his room.
Four different padlocks secured the door. She frowned when the doggie door waved when Harry opened the door. Her frown deepened at the sight of the barred windows and the mattress on the floor, surrounded by the piles of broken junk Dudley discarded frequently. "The cupboard then, please." Harry felt bad for the young woman, she seemed sweet. If the Dursleys left it untouched since the last time Harry had been in there, she wouldn't be best pleased.
Several spiders dropped onto the old toddler mattress, disturbed by the door opening. Dust fell from the stairs above as a uniformed officer finished taking pictures for evidence. Years of dirt, dislodged by the heavy Dursley males, littered the floor and bed. A few childish drawings hung on the wall. Broken toy soldiers stood watch from the makeshift headboard. Noel's hand flew to her mouth as the ramifications of what she saw occurred to her. She spun and stomped back to the front parlor. "You, you..." She visibly shook herself. "I find the complaint to be substantiated and suggest proceeding on criminal grounds. The minor will be removed immediately and placed with his godfather.
Grant nodded, "Vernon and Petunia Dursley, you are being detained under suspicion of neglecting a minor in your care, abusing a minor in your care, misappropriation of funds, tax evasion, and fraud. You do not have to say anything. But, it may harm your defense if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you say may be given in evidence."
Vernon reddened further. Harry wondered if one of his blood vessels would explode. Petunia began wailing. "What will become of my sweet baby, my Diddykins?"
Noel stepped forward. "We will attempt to reach a family member." She sniffed. "If someone can't be reached this evening, Mr Black agreed to take him in until a permanent arrangement can be made."
"The mass murderer?" Petunia gasped.
Noel consulted her notes, "Cleared of all charges, a frame job."
She snapped her folder shut. The noise roused something in Vernon, like waving a red flag in front of a bull. He exploded, "Now, see here! I pay my taxes, all of them, and on time. I will not be treated like a common criminal in my house.
Detective Montgomery entered the room and loomed over Vernon. At 6'7" he poised an intimidating figure. "The fact of the matter seems to be you that you don't, so you will."
Petunia, so pale her skin seemed translucent, stood. "Please contact Marjorie Dursley about Dudley's care. May I say good-bye?"
Noel nodded slowly, "From here, a no physical contact."
Petunia gave her a wan smile. "I understand. Diddykins, be a brave boy for mummy. Auntie Margie will take care of you."
Vernon snorted, "Don't you worry, Dudders, we'll all be home together soon. Richer, too, for having sued the police system." Petunia gave her husband a pitying look. She read the writing on the wall. Their deed, or misdeeds, had caught up with them, and karma remained that most fickle of bitches. While Vernon struggled and refused to cooperate, she went with them quietly.
Once the elder Dursleys exited the house, Noel turned to the boys. "One of the officers will escort you to pack some belongings. You are limited to one to two bags right now. It could be awhile before you get settled permanently, so pack carefully."
Dudley stood staring silently at the front door. He seemed unable, or unwilling to process what occurred. Harry felt a surge of pity for his cousin. His entire world ended in a matter of minutes. Surely, if he could forgive Draco Malfoy for childish taunts he learned from his grandfather, he could reach out to Dudley. He climbed the stairs and grabbed the trunk Sirius had packed with shabby uniforms and clothes. He dumped everything on the bed and went into Dudley's room.
Carefully, he packed several changes of clothes, undergarments, and pajamas. He grabbed the newest comic books, and Dudley's boxing gloves. He packed his Smeltings hat and stick. The officer followed Harry into the bathroom where he collected Dudley's toothbrush, comb, and personal toiletries. When he entered Vernon and Petunia's room the officer stopped him. "I want to get Aunt Petunia's pillow and one of the family photos."
"Why are you being so nice, kid? Your cousin sat back and watched how his parents treated you. Hell, he probably helped."
"That doesn't mean I have to be like them. My best friend just found out that she was illegally adopted. She returned to her birth family. Turns out her brother has been a right git to her since they met. But she's let all of that go. If she can ignore the past and build a life with these people, seems like the least I can do is be nice to my cousin. Maybe something will sink into that skull of his." Silently the officer picked up Petunia's pillow and followed Harry from the room.