Thank you...Thank you...Thank you... On all the great replies, I don't think I have ever remembered having that many replies on a start of my stories before. As I said, promised, here is chapter two. I hope you enjoy it just as much as the other chapter.
Marti
Chapter Two
Because of the stipulation in Petunia's parents will that she couldn't inherit as long as she was still married to Vernon, they couldn't just go to Rosewood Hall. So, Albus set the threesome up at The Leaky Cauldron until she could get things settled. He wasn't happy about the risk it Harry in, but then, there really was no other choice. He would call in members of the old order to have them keep eye out the family until things were settled. Petunia was just thankful to finally leave Vernon. She hadn't felt this free in years and it took her a bit to take it all in.
So, that first night at the Cauldron, Petunia had let Albus get the boys settled in the room they rented so she could take some time to pull herself together. She was thankful for this, for it gave her time to put her thoughts in order. When she woke up the next morning, Petunia had very clear idea what path their lives were going to take.
So, early the next morning they had breakfast together in Petunia's room, where they talked about things. Petunia told them that this was a new start at a new life together and, good or bad, they were family. They were going to start anew and leave their old life behind them. Petunia admitted to Dudley that not only did she lie about her place in the wizarding world, but his as well. Petunia had put a spell on Dudley that hid his magical gifts from Vernon. She told him it was up to him if he wanted it removed or not. If he wanted to, he could go to Hogwarts that next term as a first year.
Petunia could tell by Harry's face that he wasn't so happy about this, but he had kept quiet. She sighed at this because she knew it was going to be a long healing process for all of them to really become a family. Dudley had his own reservations for he was worried that wouldn't fit in Harry's world any more then he fit world that he just left. He agreed to give it a try though.
Petunia nodded at this and went on to explain things to the boys about their families and lineage. Harry was shocked to find out that he and Dudley were Lords in the wizarding world because of their descent from both Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. Harry learned that he was Lord because he was the last surviving Potter. He was also could control the Evan's seat if Dudley wasn't magical. When Petunia made the choice in hiding Dudley's magical gifts from Vernon, she took control of the Lordship. If Dudley grew up not learning magic or if he choices not to learn it, Harry would automatically gain control. It didn't matter if Dudley was older on that matter because no squib or muggle could sit on the Wizengamot.
Dudley would have to prove his magical status to gain his seat for Petunia's parents had put a clause in their will that would prevent him from claiming any part of their estate otherwise.
This wasn't because they were heartless people against muggles. They just knew Vernon would have turned his back on any magical child he had. So, they made sure that if Petunia had a magical child it would have been looked after. Dudley seemed to understand this and made himself a promise. He had new start in life and he was going to make the best of it. He was going to try and became a new person. He admitted this and to prove it he told Harry he was sorry for all the bad things he done to him growing up. He promised his cousin that from this point on he would treat him with respect.
Harry for his part wanted to believe him, but there was a part of him that wasn't willing to just let things go. He was going to give Dudley a chance, just as he was for Petunia, but they weren't exactly acting like their normal selves, which made him hesitant. Besides, his Aunt was right when she said, "This was new world and new start." He always wanted a family and now here was his chance.
After their talk, Petunia and the boys went Diagon Alley to do some shopping and visit Gringotts. Harry had to laugh at Dudley when he first saw Diagon Alley and he could help but wonder if he looked the same way. Dudley noticed that Harry's laughter wasn't cruel and he laughed with him. Petunia knew they looked out of place and it didn't help that Harry's scar stood out for everyone to see. She made sure to keep the boys close and an eye out for trouble.
They were walking down street when a strange man with one wild eye limped over to them. "Hello, Petunia, Albus had asked me to escort you around today, if that is okay with you?" Mad Eye smiled down at the boys who were both trying to hide behind Petunia's thin body.
Petunia smiled at Mad Eye and nodded thanking him. It would help having the old Auror walking around with the first day to keep the on lookers away. She wasn't going to want to have guards around all the time, but for the moment she would deal with it. Besides, Mad Eye had a way to keep people away by just being there.
As they walked, Petunia introduced Harry and Dudley to Moody. It wasn't until Mad Eye told Harry that he once worked with his father that Harry's reaction to Mad Eye loosened up. Harry couldn't help but notice that one of Mad Eye's eyes moving around in its socket. When Harry asked about it he learned that it was a magical eye and he could see through just about anything. This intrigued Harry and Dudley both and they started to ask Mad Eye millions of questions about how he lost his eye and other things about his life.
Harry asked the old Auror questions about his father as well. Mad Eye was very willing to talk about James and stories he knew about. Harry listened taking everything in, as did Dudley, for Mad Eye was very good storyteller. He kept the boys busy as Petunia did her business at the bank.
Her first stop was to meet with the goblin in charge of her parents' estate and to deal with opening Rosewood Hall. "Greeting, Mrs. Dursley," the old goblin said to her as she got settled into the chair across from his desk. "What can I do for you today?"
"I'm hoping you can help me open my family's home. I have left my husband and plan on divorcing him. As you know, I am the main care giver to Lord Potter and I don't think staying at the Leaky Cauldron is the best thing for him," she said.
"I received a letter from Professor Dumbledore this morning telling me of your needs. He pointed out to me reasons why it was necessary that you were allowed entrance to your family home. I agree with these reasons and I believe you have met the stipulations of your parents' will on this matter. So, I will have your home open to with in the week. Do you need any assistance to gaining separation from your husband?" the goblin asked.
"Yes, please. It has been while since I needed a lawyer and I really don't know who to talk to. It would be wise of me to talk to someone that does have knowledge of our world," she said.
"Yes, especially with Lord Potter in your care, we can not take matters dealing with him lightly. I have talked to the Goblin in charge of the Potter Estate and he is with me on this matter. The boy must be protected. So, we think it is best getting him settled in a more stable environment then The Leaky Cauldron. Do you wish your son Dudley, to be tested for his Lordship?" the goblin asked Petunia.
"Yes, but not until it closer to the time for the boys to start school, Dudley needs time to accept things," Petunia said.
"As you wish, just write to me when he's ready and I will set things up. It is not a difficult matter to have the test done. Once it is done and your son does prove to be magical, he can claim Lordship. Once that happens, you will have to name someone to care for his seat until his of age. As you know, Albus Dumbledore is taking care of this for Lord Potter as per his father's wishes. Do you wish that he take control of your family's seat as well?" the goblin asked.
Petunia thought on this for a moment. Harry had two seats thanks to Sirius Black, his godfather. Sirius' will had named Harry his heir and since he was in prison without a trial for betraying Lily and James. His will was put in effect after the death of Sirius' mother. This made Albus not only in charge of the Potter's Lordship but the Black's lordship as well. This, in addition to his own seats, gave the Headmaster a lot of power in the Wizengamot.
Petunia wasn't sure she wanted to contribute to his power by adding the Evans to his care. "No, I think I will find someone else to take control of the Evans seat," Petunia said trying to think of someone who wasn't either dark or in Albus pocket to do this for her. This didn't mean she didn't trust the old headmaster, but she had been sorted in Slytherin and it was going against her nature to assume that even he was incorruptible.
"It is up to you. I will be glad to give you a list of names of eligible seated members of the Wizengamot that are able to do this for you," the goblin said.
"I would appreciate that," Petunia said and with that, business was finished. She went to retrieve money from the family vault and then went to find the boys.
Petunia wasn't surprised to find Harry and Dudley lost in one of Mad Eye's stories in the waiting area of Gringotts. She walked up to them asked, "You want to get going or sit here hearing more of Mad Eye's stories?" she asked the boys.
"I can talk and walk at the same time," Mad Eye said getting to his feet. "Shall we boys?"
Both Harry and Dudley gladly got up with him willing to follow the old Auror anywhere he went. Petunia was glad that the boys had a man like Mad Eye around for they needed someone to show them you could be a man and not bully people around.
Mad Eye opened doors for Petunia and helped carried things as they shopped. He even scolded Dudley now and then when he whined and cried about getting something that his mother thought he shouldn't have. Dudley had quickly apologized and Petunia saw that he really tried to change his attitude from that point on. Harry was just stunned that Dudley had actually said he was sorry for something.
Petunia went from store to store either picking out items that would be sent on to Rosewood or back to the hotel for their use now. She even stopped off at the eye doctor to have Harry's eyes tested. It had been while since he been and maybe having pare of magical glasses would help him stay on his feet when using the floo network. It was near mealtime by the time they finished and thanked Mad Eye for coming with them. Petunia had the old Auror join them for diner. Mad Eye agreed and he continued telling the boys more of his stories.
They were sitting in a private dinning area at the Cauldron when someone knocked on the door. Mad Eye stopped talking and with his wand was in his hand and a cold look on his face said, "Malfoy."
Petunia nodded and knew that Mad Eye magical eye had seen who on the other said. It was Lucius Malfoy. She wasn't shocked that he was there for he was one of her housemates. Lucius was a few years ahead of her and she had been civil to him in school but that didn't mean she liked the guy. In fact, she didn't trust him one bit. She did realize that being out right rude to him wasn't a good thing either. So, she allowed him to enter.
Petunia couldn't help but notice the cold look on Harry's face as Lucius, his wife and young Draco walked into the room. "Ms. Evans, I heard you were here with Lord Potter. I thought I would stop by and offer my and my families assistance in any matter you may need. You remember my wife Narcissa don't you?" Lucius said pointing to his wife.
"Yes, I remember you. Hello, Narcissa, this must your son. This is my son Dudley and of course you know Harry," Petunia said noticing Draco standing nearby sneering at Harry.
"Yes, this is our Draco. Draco, I would like you to meet Petunia Evans and son Dudley," Narcissa said putting a hand on Draco's shoulder.
"Hello," Draco said in a tight clipped voice.
This told Harry that Draco didn't want to be there and was being forced to be there by his parents. Harry was hoping that Petunia wouldn't invite them to sit down. He didn't think he could deal with having dinner with the Slytherin snake.
"I really appreciate you offer to help and I will keep it in mind but right now. I'm just dealing with things one day at time," Petunia said.
"I understand that my dear and please don't think I'm trying to overstep my bounds. It must be hard ending marriage as you are but remember you are a caregiver to of heir of a very powerful family. Our world will be watching you very closely on how you deal with things from this point on. I have heard rumors that things were not up to our standards for the boys' care. It would not do well for you if those stories were true," Lucius said calmly.
Petunia fought to keep her face natural as she read his between the lines. He knew something or thought he knew something. He was also trying to make power play but Petunia could say anything. Mad Eye spoke up. "I think you are assuming things that are not there. I would be careful I was you. People could start looking your life as well Mr. Malfoy," Mad Eye said calmly.
Lucius looked at the old Auror and sneered at him. "Yes, they may try," Lucius said.
Narcissa spoke up. "Lucius do not make a bad situation worse for Petunia. Let us leave and allow her space," Narcissa said admonishing her husband. She then turned to Petunia and said, "Forgive my husband. He is a man and has no idea about the delicacy of such matters. If you need anything at all be free to owl us, we are here for you," Narcissa said and she started to leave. She stopped and added, "I'm having a small gathering in few weeks. Why don't you come? You can get reacquainted with several of your old friends."
"I will think on it. If things work out, I will be there," Petunia said.
"Do that," Narcissa said and she guided her family from the room.
When they were outside, Lucius glared at her and demanded, "Why did you do that?"
"Because my dear, you get more with honey then with vinegar. You were threatening her and putting her on guard. This way, she will think we are on her side and when she least expects it we can move in and take control over little Lord Potter," Narcissa said.
Lucius smiled at his wife and said, "My dear, you are absolutely right, I was thinking things on male point of view. I should have allowed you to deal with this your way."
After Lucius and his family left, Harry turned to his Aunt and said, "You are not going to that party are you?" Harry asked.
"No, Harry, I'm not. I was just being nice. Narcissa and Lucius will not be two people I plan to pick associating up with in our world," Petunia said to Harry.
Harry relaxed. "Good, I was starting to worry that I would have to be nice to Malfoy," Harry said.
"I am afraid, Harry that as Lord you will have to be at least civil to Mr. Malfoy. He could make things hard on you when you take control of your father's seat when you come of age," Petunia told Harry.
"I was talking about Draco. We don't exactly get along. But what is this big deal about being Lord or not? What does it matter so much?" Harry asked.
"It only matters to the ones who like flaunting their place in our world. However, if you are asking what being a Lord means; It means you have a seat in on the Wizengamot and one day you will help make the laws we live by," Mad Eye explained.
"So, it means nothing to me now," Harry said.
"No, my boy, I don't think it should," Mad Eye said. "But I warn you, some in our world will be nice to you because you are Lord and try to use you for their needs. You must always be aware of that and judge people accordingly. Constant Vigilance!"
Harry nodded and had a feeling he was being warned to watch out for people like Draco's father but then again Mad Eye could have been talking just about anyone that Harry had been dealing with up unto this point.