Chapter 5
"He's going to be the death of me!" moaned Pomona to her friends. "He's really, really, going to be the death of me!"
Minerva could only chuckle. "Relax, Pomona; Harry, as far as I've heard, is more than capable of holding his own on a broom. Don't count him out just because he's young."
"She's right, dear; just enjoy the game. If my grandson does anything stupid or foolish, you have my permission to use him as fertilizer in your greenhouses." added a smiling Augusta.
"No, if Harry does anything foolish or dangerous, I say we let Susan handle it. Harry, young though he is, is not afraid of the four of us. Susan on the other hand…" said Amelia with a laugh.
"Augie, I've noticed you haven't pulled Harry and Neville out of school yet. I thought you'd arranged for them to go to Beauxbaton?"
"I had, but Neville and Harry both convinced me to let them at least complete their first year here. And if Hufflepuff wins the Quidditch Cup, I doubt Pomona would let Harry go anywhere."
Pomona looked curiously at her friend. "Dumbledore?" she asked.
"Amelia and I will deal with him. I want Neville and Harry both to be able to enjoy their years at school. They've friends to make, trouble to get into, pranks to play, love to explore…I just want them to be kids for a few years."
"Love? Seriously?" asked Minerva.
"I take it you've not seen Mr. Potter or Miss Bones together?" asked Pomona.
"In class, I suppose, should I be looking more closely?"
Amelia snorted, amused at the question. "Minnie, those two…just watch them together sometime. Had they been in sixth or seventh year, I swear they'd remind me of Jamie and Lily."
"Really, and how have I missed this I wonder? I'll have to keep an eye out during meals, I suppose."
"Five galleons says they'll be boyfriend and girlfriend by the end of their first year." said Augusta.
"Augie! Betting on you grandson like that!" said a shocked Pomona.
"I'll take that bet, but I put five galleons on them being together before Christmas break." said the smiling Amelia.
"Oh, and now you're betting on your niece?"
"Please! Easiest bet I'll ever win. My Susan will have that boy wrapped up in no time." Amelia said with a wave of her hand.
"Oh really," Minerva said, "then I'll put five galleons on them being together by the end of summer. If he's anything like James, it might take him a while to pull his head out of his…"
"Minnie!" squealed Pomona. "You just said you haven't even seen them together. And you know Harry is nowhere even close to being the berk that James was."
"What's that have to do with anything. I'm just placing a friendly bet with the ladies here. Don't tell me you're not interested?" said Minerva with a raised eyebrow.
"Fine, you harridans! Five galleons on Easter Break." she said with a faint smile.
"Okay, bets are placed. We'll revisit this at the end of summer and if we need to we'll resubmit our bets. Deal?" asked Amelia, the other witches nodding in agreement.
The small voice of Professor Flitwick behind them spoke up. "Excuse me ladies, but would it be too late to place a bet for myself?"
The four ladies stared at him in shock until that is Augusta chuckled, which caused the other ladies to take to laughing as well.
"Of course, Filius, ante up." said Pomona. "We are, all of us, incorrigible!"
"Be that as it may, it's just a bit of harmless fun. What do you think of your Neville's chances of grabbing Miss Abbott are, Augusta?" asked Filius with grin.
"Neville and Hannah? Really?" she asked curiously.
"Well, they aren't as close as Susan and Harry so obviously are, but give them a year or three…" said Pomona.
"Okay, we'll start another pool for the two of them later on. It'll give us each a bit of time for observation…damn that sounds so scheming!" said Amelia with a frown.
"It does, but it'll be fun. We can tell them each about the bet after their weddings." grinned Augusta.
"Yeah, and now who's being scheming?" chuckled Filius.
"Filius, since I have you here, how are my kids doing?"
"Well, Madam Longbottom…" he began.
"Now, now, Filius, what have I told you?"
"I'm sorry; it will take some getting used to. Augie, both you're kids are doing wonderfully."
"Excellent!" she said proudly.
"Except…" added Filius.
"Oh dear, now what?"
"Well, I don't know quite how to put this…"
"Out with it Filius, for Merlin's sake!"
"Are we positive that Harry had no previous knowledge of magic or the magical world?" he asked curiously.
"Positive," said Amelia with an angered look, "those people he was with detest magic and all who use it. Pomona even said that Harry had to ask her what her parents names were because he didn't, can you imagine not knowing even that about your parents?"
"Hm, well I suppose that explains some of it." he said stroking his chin.
"Explains what, exactly?" asked Augusta in a worried voice.
"What? Oh, I'm sorry, Augie, I didn't mean to upset you. Harry is fine; it's his magic that has me intrigued. And I am only intrigued and curious, not worried in the slightest. He's far more powerful than someone his age should be. However, taking into account the power levels of his father and mother, I suppose one could argue that it is that reason his reservoir is so large. And if I'm inferring correctly from what Amelia has said about his minders, it could also explain some of the reason Harry has such facility with magic. He wields it like no one I've ever seen before; even Albus would be hard pressed to accomplish some of the things I've seen young Mr. Potter accomplish. I'm guessing, Amelia, that Harry suffered from abuse?"
"You could say that." she said carefully.
"Then he would have shown more propensities for accidental magic, not less. Magic, his magic, would have ensured that he was protected."
"Have Poppy show you his medical records sometime, Filius. The amount of bodily harm that boy has suffered is nothing short of evil. I don't think anything was protecting him."
"Alright, then let me ask you a question. Given what you know of his injuries and how they happened, wouldn't you expect the damage to his body to have been even more severe?" he asked.
"Augie?"
"He's right, Ami." Augusta said after some thought. "Think about it. The broken arm was never set, it should have healed incorrectly, and yet unless you scan him you'd be hard pressed to say that he'd actually had that broken arm. And that goes for the ribs and scars, as well. The scarring is extensive, but do you think the scars equate to eight or nine years of abuse?"
"Okay, so Harry is magically strong, what of it?" asked Pomona with concern for her 'Puff.
"No ladies, Harry isn't just strong, he's really really strong. Magically speaking, Harry as an eleven year old is probably on par with some of the lower level professors. At the moment, in any case; as he matures, he'll start surpassing them quickly. You all remember your first charms lesson?"
"Wingardium, right?" asked Amelia.
"Correct, anyone want to take a guess as to what happened when Harry attempted the spell? Let me give you a clue…I now have a nice view of the sky thanks to a skylight in the ceiling."
"He put a feather through the ceiling?" asked an astonished Augusta.
"You guys remember how difficult it is to transfigure something into gold?" interrupted Minerva.
"Almost impossible." they all answered.
"Here." she said, placing a gold needle into Amelia's hand.
"Harry did this?" she asked.
"In his first class. Amazing, right? Luckily no one noticed, and I pocketed this to show you. I didn't think you'd believe it otherwise."
"I wonder what Quirinus has to say? Harry would have to use magic in that class as well." wondered Augusta.
"As far as I can tell, our Defense professor is not teaching the first years much in the way of spells." said Minerva.
"Well, Harry and Neville are being tutored by an old family friend. He's getting them both physically fit while teaching some low level defensive magic. That level will increase as they mature."
"Bode?" asked Amelia, to which Augusta nodded. "Good choice; he's a taskmaster, to be sure, but he'll see them properly prepared to defend themselves should the need arise. If you'd like I can ask Alastor to help along as well."
"Mad-eye? I don't know about that, in a few years maybe. The man is a menace."
"Oh, and Harry isn't?" said Pomona.
"Hush now, that's my grandson you're disparaging!" Augusta said with a smile on her face. "Oh, look, here come the teams. Filius, five galleons on Hufflepuff?"
"Done!" replied the diminutive professor.
ooOOooOOoo
"Alright team, remember what we been practicing for the last few weeks. Harry, like we discussed, okay? Just fly around doing crazy stuff like you usually do. The 'Claws will be too distracted to pay attention to the quaffle, and if you get the chance, grab the snitch; oh, and please, for the love of Merlin don't go and kill yourself trying to grab the damn thing. It's just a game, after all. And I don't fancy your girlfriend beating me up 'cuz you got injured!"
"She's not my…"
"Yeah, right, keep telling yourself that kid. C'mon, on your brooms. Let's kick some 'Claw butt!"
It took a minute for Harry to center himself; trying to let the words David uttered about Susan leave his mind and focus on the game at hand. It didn't work. All he could think about was a pair of hazel eyes, deep auburn hair, the warmth of her hug, the softness of her hand... 'Get it together, Potter' he told himself. He mounted his broom, thought of Hedwig, and blasted into the air. This was it, his first quidditch game.
"Potter!" yelled David from his keeper position. "Wipe that silly grin off your face; you're making us look bad!"
"Easy now, David, give the kid a break." yelled Ana as she flew past Harry. "It's his first game after all. And if you hadn't noticed, he always grins like that when he flies."
"He can grin like an idiot after the game. Tell you what Potter, catch the snitch and I'll allow you to present it to your friend Susan as a token of your friendship. Usually we just give them to Madam Sprout to keep in the common room; I'll let you keep yours. Go find me the damn snitch!"
"Deal, Captain, one snitch coming right up!" yelled Harry.
"Git, he's a git. A big flippin' git." mumbled David.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the first game of the season." said Lee over the loudspeaker. "Ravenclaw versus Hufflepuff! Madam Hooch has just finished giving her instructions to the team captains and is now ready to start the game. Here we go Hogwarts, quidditch is back!"
Harry watched in fascination as the quaffle was launched into the air. Ana quickly grabbed the ball and hurled it to Cedric, who had shown himself to be a highly competent chaser. "Hufflepuff scores the first goal of the season. Ten zero 'Puffs." relayed Lee. "It might interest anyone actually listening to me that the 'Puff's new seeker, Harry Potter, is the youngest seeker in over a century. Boy, he looks really small flying, doesn't he? His rumored ability must be in the blood, as his father James was a highly regarded chaser back in his day. Go Potter; show them what you're made of!"
Harry took this as an invitation of sorts, and started flying erratically. Well, erratically to anyone who had not seen him fly before. The 'Claw seeker was perplexed, not knowing whether to follow the kid or strike out on her own to hunt for the elusive snitch; but, figuring the young 'Puff was playing in his first game and didn't know what the heck he was doing, decided to concentrate on the hunt and not pay attention to his opposite number.
It was a magnificent game, as far as Harry was concerned anyway. Cedric had shown him some tactics that allowed him to become more involved in the game. He wasn't going to be the kind of seeker that sat up in the heights and watched the game dispassionately while he hunted for the snitch; he found that to be too boring. He was going to be a part of the game. And that's exactly what he did. Flying lazily, disrupting 'Claw attacks; he'd even managed to steal a pass and heaved it to Ana who scored on her lightning quick run. As it stood, the Hufflepuff team was up 100-40, thanks in large part to the 'Claw team being confounded by his flying.
But suddenly all that changed; his broom took on a life of its own.
ooOOooOOoo
"He's doing good, isn't he?" asked Hannah.
"Told you guys he'd be alright at the game. Gran has told loads of stories about Uncle James and how good he was at this game. That, girls, is my brother Harry who's flying circles around the Ravenclaw team!" said a proud Neville who was clapping loudly in support.
"Just let me know when I can look, alright?" asked Susan from behind the hands she was holding to her face.
Hannah and Neville laughed at their friend. "Sue, he's fine, look"
Susan dropped her hands and opened her eyes for the first time since the game had started. Adjusting to the light, she scanned the area looking for Harry. "What's he doing? Is he supposed to be going after the quaffle like that?"
"It's something Cedric and David have been working on with him. They knew Harry would be bored out of his mind if he just hung around above the action. These tactics allow him to become involved, and he much prefers it to just sitting on his broom."
"Hey, Nev, is Harry supposed to be flying like that?" asked a curious Hannah, pointing at Harry.
Neville looked and saw Harry struggling to control his broom. "Gran!" yelled Neville behind him.
"Harry!" shrieked Susan
Augusta and Amelia had been conversing lightly, just enjoying each other's company and the game, when Amelia grabbed Augusta's arm and gripped it tightly. It was then she heard the yell from her Neville from a few rows below her. As she looked toward the pitch, she rose to her feet and pulled her wand, a move that was copied by Amelia.
"Somebody in the stands is controlling his broom!" growled Amelia as she scanned the crowd.
"He's too far away for me to do anything." yelled a panicked Augusta. Filius stood and drew his wand trying to cast a cushioning charm on the ground below Harry.
"Snape!" hissed Amelia. She pointed her wand at him, "Stupefy!"
"Amelia?" asked a frantic Minerva.
"Shoot first, questions later." she swung her head towards Harry relieved that he seemed to be once again in control of his broom.
ooOOooOOoo
"Please no, please no, please no…" repeated a frightened Susan over and over.
"Sue, it stopped! Look he's back in control of his broom." said Hannah as she pointed toward the pitch.
"Harry?" she asked softly. The young witch dropped her hands from her face and lifted her eyes, happy beyond belief at seeing Harry once more in control. He shot her a grin and waved at her.
"I'm gonna kill him…I am so going to kill him…one of these days, I swear!" she muttered as she waved back at him.
"After a bit of technical difficulties, it seems our young seeker has once again taken control of his broom." droned Lee through the loudspeaker. "It looks like Madam Hooch is once again ready to restart the game. C'mon 'Puffs!"
"Kill him, so help me…kill him…I swear…pain." Susan mumbled.
"Is she going to be okay?" wondered Neville as he cast a glance at Susan.
"Eventually; she doesn't like to be scared. It really affects her. Seeing Harry in danger frightened her more than she could handle. Let her settle down, I'll go grab her Aunt and see if she can calm her down." replied Hannah who hurried up the few rows of seats to find Madam Bones.
Neville sat next to Susan and wrapped an arm around her. "He's fine, Susan. Look at him; he's having the time of his life!"
"Thanks, Nev, I know he is but I'm still nervous. I don't like being frightened. It takes me back to the night I lost my parents." she replied.
"All three of us did, you know? I lost my parents a week after Harry did. A few Death Eaters managed to get through our wards. Mom and Dad held them at bay while Gran managed to spirit us away from there. They were tortured…well, it's not good. They're alive, but only just." he sighed. "And Harry; his story is too well known, isn't it, a baby losing both his parents on the same night to that evil bastard?"
"I'm sorry Neville, I never knew about your parents."
"It's alright, not many do or remember anymore. Look, here's your Aunt."
"Sue, you holding up okay?" asked a concerned Amelia, sitting next to her niece and wrapping her in a hug.
"What happened, Auntie? How did you get the broom to stop doing that to Harry? I was so scared for him." she whimpered.
"Someone obviously took control of the broom away from Harry. It's been corrected, that's all you need to know for now, okay? Pay attentions to the game, Sue, or you're going to miss Harry winning the game for Hufflepuff!" she said nodding toward the game.
"Winning?" Susan asked as she cast her gaze back toward the pitch and smiled broadly. "Neville, do you think he's spotted it?"
"You know it! C'mon Harry, you can get it!" yelled Neville like a wildman. Even Susan, who'd only just been frightened to tears by Harry, stood and cheered along with the rest of her House.
ooOOooOOoo
"You alright, there Harry?" asked Cedric with some concern.
"I am now. Don't know what the hell that was, it seemed like someone was trying to knock me off my broom!"
"Well, whatever it was, it looks like you've got it in hand. Madam Hooch is about to restart the game and I think it would be a good idea if you go find the snitch, mate." encouraged Cedric.
"Don't have to tell me twice!"
He watched as Madam Hooch launched the quaffle in the air, which was once again grabbed by the speedy Ana. Making her getaway, she scored another goal in short order, to the thunderous applause of her Housemates.
Harry was grinning as he watched Ana score the goal. He heard a buzz by his ear, and turning towards the noise noticed the snitch just hanging there out of his reach. 'Got you, you bugger!' he thought to himself as he maneuvered his broom to give chase.
The Ravenclaw seeker had also seen the snitch but was on the far side of the field. She made her way as quickly as she could, evading bludgers, 'Puffs, and even her own teammates in an effort to stop the kid from claiming the snitch. It seemed hopeless.
The snitch made Harry give it a hell of a chase, its flying as erratically as any snitch had ever been. Out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of the 'Claw seeker approaching at blinding speed from the opposite direction. Putting even more speed on, Harry accelerated toward his golden target.
Cho, so caught up in her own chase and being focused on the snitch, didn't see her opposite number barreling towards her. 'I can make it!' she told herself as she reached a hand toward the snitch.
Harry, from the opposite direction also reached out his hands to make the grab, but he noticed the witch flying directly at him. David had told him not to kill himself getting the snitch, but he had to prove something to himself. In a move that would be spoken about for months to come, Harry barrel rolled and clung to his broom upside down. Timing it perfectly, he managed to grab the snitch and evade the witch that sped past him.
"Hufflepuff wins!" declared Lee. "In an unprecedented move, Harry Potter just grabbed the snitch while flying upside down! Good thing too, as the Ravenclaw seeker almost plowed in to him."
David left his position at goal, and flew to join his teammates that were surrounding their young seeker. "I knew you had it in you, Harry!"
"Oh, really?" chimed in Cedric. "I thought you wanted to give him a pass until he was in second or third year?"
"Never mind that, I told you the boy is obviously brilliant. Go, Harry, I promised you could take the snitch to your girl."
"You sure?" asked Harry.
David looked around at his teammates, all of whom were nodding in agreement. "See, everyone wants you to have the snitch. Go, and then get cleaned up; we're having a party in the common room! Now get to it, Potter, don't keep your girlfriend waiting!"
"She's not my…"
"Yeah, you just keep telling yourself that, Harry!" he said, and with a laugh that was accompanied by the team, pushed Harry toward the stands. With a look back at his team, Harry remounted his broom and flew toward the stands.
"Sue, look, Harry is flying over here!"
"I can see that, Hannah, what do you think he's doing? Shouldn't he be with his team?"
It was Amelia though that understood what Harry was up to, and smiled. "He's coming over to present you with a gift."
"A gift?"
"He's caught his first snitch. He's obviously going to present it to you."
"Present it to me? But why, shouldn't he give it to his gran or something?"
"Oh, for the love of Merlin Sue, you can be dense sometimes, can't you?" asked Hannah in exasperation. "He's coming to present it to his girl, obviously!"
"His girl, who, me?"
"Just give her a sec, Han, she'll figure it out eventually." whispered Neville to the blonde. Hannah looked at Neville and giggled.
"One can only hope, I suppose."
Harry flew up to Susan's location wearing a wide smile. It was then that Susan figured out what Hannah had been alluding to; she could see it in his smile and in the way his eyes seemed to be glowing when he looked at her.
"Harry Potter! You scared the crap out of me! Again!" yelled Susan.
"Uhm, yeah, about that…"
"No, no 'about that' about it; you could've been injured!" she said. But as he was obviously there in front of her and uninjured, she let go of the fear and just smiled at Harry. "Come 'ere." she said enveloping in a warm hug.
"I got you something." he said as he opened his hand and presented her with the snitch he'd just caught.
"For me?" she asked.
"I couldn't think of anyone I'd rather give it to. You've made my life so much better, Susan; I just wanted to thank you for that." he said sincerely. "Ride with me?"
"On your broom, seriously? You know how much I hate heights, don't you?"
"But you'll be with me, and I will never let you fall." he said earnestly. She nodded her head at him and grabbed his hand as he helped her on to his broom. "See you guys back at school."
Hannah, who was seated next to Amelia, sighed deeply as she watched the two fly away. "That has got to be the most romantic thing I've ever heard. And as many romance novels as Mom and I read, I should know."
"I should have bet on today." Amelia said to herself, although not softly enough for Hannah not to have heard her though.
"What's the bet?" she asked.
Amelia looked at the young witch warily. "Can you keep a secret? Augusta, Minerva, Pomona, Filius and I all placed a bet on when those two will get together."
"Oh, I so want in on that action!" giggled Hannah.
"You know that's my brother you two are betting on. Hang on, did you say my Gran bet on this too?" said Neville. "Oh, Gran…!"
ooOOooOOoo
"Dame Longbottom, Madam Bones, a pleasure it is to meet you both. How can I help you today?" asked the man seated behind the large mahogany desk.
"Mr. Tonks, we're here on behalf of someone we think may be a client of yours." answered Amelia.
"And who, if I may, is this client." he asked.
"Harry Potter." answered Augusta.
Ted frowned at the ladies, not sure how to handle the question. "I'm sorry, but I cannot disclose whether or not Mr. Potter is a client."
"Lord Potter." said Augusta.
"Lord? When did Harry take up his Lordship? Why wasn't I informed, I should have been told…there is so much to go over with him…I must send him an owl immediately?" he said as he rose from his chair.
"Mr. Tonks, I assume this change in attitude indicates that young Harry is indeed a client."
"Yes, I've been the Potter family solicitor for almost fifteen years. Lord Charlus, Harry's grandfather, was he who hired me initially. He was my first client." he said proudly. "Excuse me, but why are you both here?"
"Amelia?" said the Longbottom matriarch.
"Mr. Tonks, my niece Susan and I happened upon Harry as he was making his way to the Express for his first year at Hogwarts. He and Susan have become really close in a short amount of time…"
"I'm sorry, but that still doesn't explain…"
"Mr. Tonks…"
"Ted, please."
"Ted, what do you know about what happened to Harry on October 31st, 1980?"
"All I was ever told was that he had been placed with family. I was prevented by the Wizengamot and the Chief Warlock from delving into his placement. They threatened to have me disbarred if I did not stop my inquiry. I was told I would be kept appraised about his living situation and that I'd be contacted by him when he was ready to take up his Lordship. I take it family he was placed with wasn't either of you two?"
"Damn that man!" said Augusta angrily.
"Who, Dumbledore?" asked Ted.
"Ted, we've come here with a request, chief among them being the legal removal of Harry from the home he was placed into. In the muggle world, anyway."
"And why would he want that? They're his family after all."
Augusta pulled a file from her robes and handed it to Ted. "Here you will find a medical report showing in agonizing detail how his 'family' treated him."
Ted took the file, opened it, and began to read. His face went from pale white to incandescent red in a matter of minutes. "Are you telling me that the people he was living with have done this to him?"
"Yes." Amelia said simply. "Hence the reason we want him taken from them. He's an adult now, and considered as such in our world; he's chosen Augie here to be regent over the Potter family until he feels able to take control himself, which won't be for a number of years yet. The Dursley's, the family where he was placed, were definitely not family to him. It is actually mentioned in the will that Harry should never go near those people."
"Well, since he is indeed considered an adult in the magical world, which is actually very good for us. We need not do anything about his supposed family. They have absolutely no say in what happens to him, especially as they were excluded in the will from being suitable guardians to begin with. I take it Harry has no intention of ever going back to that place?"
"Ha! I don't think my grandson has any intention of ever seeing those people again. If he wasn't such a noble lad I would try to convince him to take some sort of retribution on those people. He won't, though. As far as he's concerned, that part of his life is over and done with. He doesn't feel the need to trouble himself with them, at all."
"I see…you however feel differently?"
"I will not stoop to their level, I will however be more than happy to ruin them. Harry said that they are very concerned with their reputation. I find myself needing to tarnish that reputation."
"Try not to do anything too illegal, please?" asked Ted with grimace.
"I want some retribution, Ted. They've treated my grandson abominably, and that will not go unanswered!"
"I agree. I take it the Headmaster in Chief had something to do with Harry's placement?"
"He's told us that much already. He did indeed take Harry from Sirius, from Augusta, and even from me. I wonder if we have any legal recourse where that man is concerned as well."
"What are you saying, Amelia? Dumbledore took it upon himself to oversee Harry?"
"On the night in question, Harry was forcibly taken and put with that family. Dumbledore's first move, if he'd truly been concerned about his welfare, should have been to see him in Sirius' hands. That, obviously, didn't happen. Instead, Sirius was taken to Azkaban on suspicion of colluding with you-know-who in seeing the Potter's dead."
"Sirius Black?
"Yeah, Sirius is Harry's godfather."
"Who's his godmother?"
"My daughter in law, Alice, is Harry's godmother."
"That's also another thing we wished to discuss with you, Ted. I would like you to take Sirius on as a client."
"You can't be serious! He practically murdered the Potter's; there is no way in hell I'm helping that bastard out!"
"You know, a few week ago I would have probably said the same thing. However, on our visit to Gringotts it was made clear to us that Sirius is innocent." stated Amelia.
"Gringotts, what does Gringotts have to do with this?"
"They told us that Sirius is still Lord Black."
"Lord Black. You're kidding me, no, of course you're not kidding. If he still holds the title…"
"Then the Black family magic acknowledges that he is innocent, and as such, still Head of House. The man has been in jail for ten years, he needs to be out. Harry needs a godfather." said the stern matriarch. "Obviously, I don't know all the details of the case, something I am sure you would do to better acquaint yourself with his situation."
"Yes, of course, I will get right on it. Madam Bones, might I ask for permission from the Ministry to be allowed to see my client." asked Ted.
"I'll see what I can arrange, keep in mind that it may take a couple of days. I'm going to have to back channel the request; I wouldn't want certain people in the Ministry finding out what we're attempting to do."
"Okay, so Sirius Black is my new client. Amazing! Madam Longbottom, would you please, at his convenience, bring Lord Potter here to me. There are several things he and I need to go over regarding his estate and holdings. There's also the matter of Harry's betro…" he said with a quick look to Amelia.
"Am I the only person in the whole country that doesn't know about Susan and Harry?" asked an exasperated Amelia. Augusta chuckled at her friend's complaint.
"Ah, I see, you do know. Gringotts, I presume? Well, it's just as well that you know. Harry will need to be informed now that he has taken over his Lordship."
"I don't suppose you'd hold off on informing him for a few years?" she asked curiously.
"I have to tell him, Amelia. I'm his lawyer, not yours. I will not keep my client uninformed, especially as it pertains something that will involve him in a most personal way."
"I'm not asking you to not tell him; all I am asking is that you hide it in one of your desk drawers for a few years."
"Why would I want to do that?"
Augusta started really laughing now, unable to contain herself any longer. "Just tell the man, Ami, he's going to get it out of you eventually."
"Fine! Pomona is right, you are a harridan!" Amelia sighed. "Susan and Harry met on the Express on the way to Hogwarts. They've become really close, closer than I, or anyone else could have expected. I'd just like to give them a chance for them to get to know each other without the betrothal hanging over their necks."
"Oh, well, I see, okay…yes, I suppose…" Ted was trying not to laugh. Didn't quite work though; he looked toward Augusta who was still giggling like a school girl and he tried to stifle the chuckle that escaped him. The chuckle, unfortunately, turned into full blown laughter. All Amelia could do though is wait until they'd exhausted themselves.
"All through now, are you done?" she asked with a smirk. "I still don't see this as funny."
"Forgive me, Madam Bones, please. Having Harry as my boss is going to be fun, isn't it?"
"See, that's what I said!" replied Augusta.
"I don't suppose you know anything about the betrothal itself, do you? I haven't had time to go into my brother's vaults to see if I could find one."
"I do, actually, and I have a copy right here if you wish to view it?" said the still grinning Ted. "The Lady Lily had to convince James to sign it. It took some doing, but he was always crap at saying no to anything she really wanted. Having Harry and Susan bond at such a young age sealed the deal as far as I'm concerned."
"Bond, what bond?" asked Augusta curiously.
"What, you think Lily just betrothed her only son on a whim? It was the only reason she considered doing this at all. It was something she noticed one night while she was babysitting Susan. She and Harry, apparently, got along like gangbusters. Couldn't and wouldn't be separated from each other. All hell would break loose if they were: things breaking, Harry would apparate into Susan's crib in the middle of the night, flying objects…accidental magic on a level none of us had ever seen before. She researched it of course, as she was wont to do, and then did her level best to convince James and Edgar to betroth them. It was only a couple of months before…"
"I understand, go on." said Amelia.
"James had me draw up the contract and unfortunately, or not as the case may be, it is unbreakable."
"What was exchanged? Political power, money, what?" she asked.
"Nothing." he said simply.
"What do you mean nothing? Surely…"
"Nothing, at all, zero money, no political power, no dowry, nothing was exchanged or bargained for. Harry's family is wealthy, as is the Bones' family. Both were also politically powerful families, with Harry back and when Susan takes over House Bones, they could very quickly become a political powerhouse. This was plainly and simply, an agreement that when Harry and Susan reached seventeen they would be married. Lily called it a 'love contract'. The only stipulation was that the second born child takes up the Bones' name to see the line continued."
"Bond?" Amelia squealed in a most un-Auror fashion.
"Yeah, about that, I have no idea. Lily never shared her findings with me, and neither James nor Edgar ever mentioned anything to me about it either."
"Oh, c'mon Amelia, it makes perfect sense if you think about it for a minute. Have you seen any two people become as close as those two have before? Ever? And they're all of eleven! At that age I seem to recall not wanting to even touch a boy unless I wanted to be contaminated with boy stuff. And yet, Neville and Hannah both tell me that they are never long apart from each other, and go so far as to walk arm in arm or hand in hand everywhere they go. A bond is the only thing that would explain that."
"Bond?" she squealed again.
"I think she's going to be out of it for a bit, Augusta. Care for some tea? I'd like you to tell me about Harry, if that would be alright. I can't wait to meet him. I miss Jamie and Lils every day, seeing Harry would make me a very happy man. Which reminds me, do you mind if I invite my wife over? She's Sirius' cousin, and one of the only people I know who defended him. She'll be ecstatic to hear that he is indeed innocent."
"Please do Ted, I'd like to meet her as well. Anyone who'd go up against her family for love is someone I will always want to meet. Andromeda, right?" asked the aged witch.
"Yes, just don't call her that, she hates that name. She will insist that you call her Andi."
"I saw your daughter the other day; briefly mind you, when Amelia here was placing a floocall to her office."
"Nymphadora, really? I should get her to stop by when Harry comes, also. She babysat for him a few times to earn some extra cash. Said he was the cutest thing this side of a kitten or puppy. Oh, and if you meet her, please don't call Nymphadora? She'll throw a hissy fit. Call her Tonks, or Nym even, as most of the family does. I can't believe we agreed to call her that…!" Ted excused himself for a bit, and walked out of the office to fetch the tea and call his wife.
"You alright there, Ami?" she asked with some concern.
"Bond?"
"Snap out of it, woman!"
"What, oh, sorry, it's just a lot to take in isn't it? I've got to tell you though, I am eternally grateful that it is Harry she has to be with, and not some idiot like Malfoy or Crabbe."
"I am, grateful that is, for it to be Susan. Look, Amelia, let's not worry over this now. We've, what, six years before this even becomes a problem. That's a lot of time."
"You're right. Of course you are, it just so sudden. One minute I'm changing her nappies, and the next she's Hogwarts bound on the arm of her intended."
"Oh, Amelia, finally come out of your stupor?" asked the grinning Ted.
"I'd like to see how well you'd do if you found out Nym was engaged to someone just because of a contract that was set up when she was a baby." she mumbled.
"Probably no better than you; come to think of it, I'd probably be catatonic for a good amount of time."
"Teddy, where you at?" called a woman's voice.
"Over here in the office, Andi." he called back.
"Oh, there you are, and I see you've guests. Hello, I'm Andi Tonks. Of course I know of you, Dame Longbottom, a pleasure to meet you. Madam Bones, I'm happy to see you again."
"Augusta, please Andi."
"Amelia, a pleasure Andi. You were a couple of years ahead of me at school."
"Of course; 'Puff, right?"
"Yup, Slytherin?"
"Oh, don't hold that against me. I hated that House, and never understood why that bloody hat placed me there. Teddy here says he has some good news? I imagine it has something to do with you two." she asked curiously.
"Only insofar as it affects my grandson." stated Augusta.
"And he would be…?"
"Harry Potter."
"Oh, I see. Wait, I thought Harry was with Lily's family, how'd he end up with you?"
"Long story, dear, I'll tell you over dinner. In the main though, the reason I actually called you has to do with your cousin."
"My cousin; you mean Sirius, don't you? Now what's he been accused of? You know he's already in Azkaban and I don't think there is anywhere else that would be worse than there."
"Actually, it turns out that Sirius is still Lord Black."
It took a moment for Andi to understand was she was being told. "See, I told you he was innocent! Now move your ass and get my cousin out of prison!"
ooOOooOOoo
"How was the flight with your boyfriend?" teased Hannah. She and Susan had made their way up to bed as it was starting to get late.
"Really pleasant…hang on, he's not my boyfriend…yet." she whispered.
"Ha, I knew it! You and Harry, a match made in heaven." she said with a sigh. "How very romantic."
"It was, you know? He just placed me on his broom, wrapped his arms around me, and took me on this wonderful flight around the campus. It was magnificent."
"Did you kiss him?"
"What? No! Geez, Hannah, we're still too young for that sort of thing."
"Didn't stop you from kissing him on the cheek though did it?"
"Well, that's different, isn't it? It's more of a friend thing."
"Right, 'cuz you kiss Neville like that all the time."
"You should be the one kissing Neville, Han. You know you want to."
"Well yeah, but like you said, we're a bit too young. Besides, I think I'd freak the poor boy out if I snogged him into insensibility."
"Doesn't mean you don't want to."
"Too true, that boy is too cute to be witchless. Don't worry, I have a plan. By the end of next year, I will have sewn that boy up." she said seriously.
"Are you sure you shouldn't have been in Slytherin? That's just a bit too sneaky."
"Insults will get you nowhere, Bones. Suck it up and tell the boy how you feel already. And don't worry; he feels the same way about you as you do about him,"
"Really?" Susan asked shyly.
"I'd bet my trust vault on it!" Hannah declared.
"We'll see. Like I said, one or two years, and then I can think about making him my boyfriend."
"One or two years? You said two or three earlier!"
"No point in waiting is there?" she said with a grin, which caused Hannah to burst into a fit of giggles.
"Sue, as your friend, I'm telling you to do it as soon as possible. Did you see the looks he was getting from some of the other girls? They were looking at him like a…like a…well, I don't know what they were looking at him like, but you get my meaning?"
"Hardly ever, however, in this case I do. I should be worried?"
"Yes and no. No, you should definitely not be worried because this is Harry we're talking about. You know, that guy that killed a troll to save your life."
"Both our lives…"
"Whatever, he saved your life."
"Yours too." she added.
"Again, whatever, I know he saved me. But he was really there to save you. Continuing on though, yes, you should be worried. Not about Harry, you should be worried about the other witches in school. Did you see the looks that 'Claw seeker was giving him? And she wasn't the only one. Those Gryffindor girls, Rosemary and Basmati I think, were giving him the same look. Heck even some of the Slytherin girls were eyeing him up! I'm just saying; don't lose him because you were too scared to do anything about it."
"He wouldn't do that." she said.
"Oh, and why is that?"
"I don't know how to answer that. It's like…it's like this feeling I get deep in my soul that he'd never leave me like that, never hurt me like that, never play with my feelings like that. I can just feel it."
"Girl, you've got it bad!" Hannah laughed.
"What. Ever!" she said blushing deeply.
ooOOooOOoo
"So what did you think, did I do alright in my first game?"
"That, Harry, was a game that will go down in the Hogwarts history books. 'Hogwarts: A History, chapter one, When Harry Caught the Snitch Against Ravenclaw.' And I can't believe you caught the snitch while flying upside down! That's unheard of."
"Well, I kinda had to, didn't I? That Chang girl was going to plow into me at speed if I didn't do anything to avoid her. We both could've been seriously injured."
"Well, it's a good thing you didn't get injured. You know that, right? Gran would be ripping you a new one, Madam Sprout would be ripping you a new one, and you know Susan would definitely be ripping you a new one!"
Harry chuckled thinking of Susan going off on him as he convalesced in the infirmary. "She would, she's not a witch that I will ever intentionally piss off, that's for sure!"
"You catch the looks all the girls were giving you. You, my brother, could have your choice of girlfriends. I'm actually a bit jealous. Girls never look at me like that."
"But I don't want them to look at me like that."
Neville shook his head. "Harry that has got to be the most un-male thing I have ever heard in my life."
"Huh?"
"Never mind, maybe you're just too young to understand."
"Says the guy that's all of four hours older than me…"
"Yes, Harry, four hours. But they are really long four hours. A lifetime in each hour; I'm four lifetimes older than you." he said with a laugh.
"Is gran coming to see us tomorrow?" he asked.
"Probably, he and Amelia both I should think. She likes spending time with us, after all. And she's got a new baby in the family to look after."
"Four. Hours!" Harry repeated.
"Did you have something to talk to her about? Anything I can help with?"
"I don't know, actually, it's just something that's been on my mind for a few days."
"Lay it on me; I am wise and all-knowing. It's the duty of the eldest brother to pass his wisdom on to the younger brother."
"Git."
"Probably, but still, lay it on me. Maybe I can help."
"Fine, but I swear if you make fun of me I will kick your ass. Or will, as soon as I am good enough to take you."
"Harry, I tease because I care. You bringing up something serious will never see me making fun of you about it. However, I am a git, so I might use it as ammunition the next time you piss me off."
"It's about Susan."
"Yes and…?"
"And I'm having feelings for her, Nev, and I don't understand them."
"Do we need to have the 'talk'?"
"Dammit, Nev, I'm trying to be serious here." Harry said a bit angrily. Neville was a bit stunned to see Harry's eyes glowing green, which actually kind of intimidated him.
"Sorry, go on, no more jokes, I promise." he said sincerely.
"She's my friend. My first friend and my best friend. But these feelings I am having seem to go way deeper than that, and I can't explain them. So tell me, oh wise one, what do you think?"
"Honestly, mate, I have no idea. You're new to our world, new to magic. It could be a hundred different things."
"That's just great, figures though. I suppose someone has the answer, I just have to figure out who that is."
"You're right; this is something you should talk to Gran about. Hopefully, she'll have some insight for you. By the way, how was the flight with Sue?"
"It was perfect." he smiled.
ooOOooOOoo
"I feel like I've let Jamie and Lils down, Andi. I should've known better than to trust that pompous ass of a headmaster."
"We all trusted Dumbledore, Teddy. We all did, even James and Lily."
Ted sighed and nodded in agreement. "Well, be that as it may, I will no longer be a bystander where my client is concerned. Anything Harry wants, Harry gets."
"Dad, are you saying the Headmaster had something to do with Harry being with that family that mistreated him?"
"How do you know about that?" he asked.
"Dammit, I'm sorry; I shouldn't have brought that up."
"It's alright Nym, we all understand about confidentiality. But yes, as far as I am able to determine thus far, that man has had some sort of demented obsession with Harry's upbringing. That he's emancipated now will certainly cause him all sorts of grief, I imagine. The thing is trying to determine what he was after."
"You might want to ask yourself what holding on to Harry accomplishes for the man, Ted." added Andi.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, is Harry a means to an end, is he just a piggy bank, or is being the one in charge of Harry's upbringing some sort of self-punishment that he took upon himself because we lost the Potter's and he sees himself as responsible."
"I see, well, something I and the ladies will have to consider going forward. Harry isn't too keen on leaving Hogwarts anytime soon. Augusta says that he feels like he's home when he's there, and she's not one to take that away from him. And then there's…"
"What is it Ted?"
"Dad?"
"Nym, what I'm about to say can't leave this room. Obviously Augusta and Amelia are well aware of it, but I'm insisting that you keep it quiet." he added seriously.
"Dad, you know me better than that, obviously I won't say anything to anyone. As much shit as that poor boy has gone through, I will not be one to betray him."
"Nym, language!" said Andi.
"Oh, please, you cuss way more than I do!"
"Yes, but that's…oh never mind, please Ted, continue."
"Well, James and Edgar Bones had me write up a betrothal contract between the two families; a betrothal contract between Harry and Susan Bones."
"Oh shit, really, a betrothal contract?"
"Mom!" chastised Nym.
"Hush child, your father is speaking."
Ted couldn't help but chuckle at his wife and daughter; they were like two peas in a pod, although each would deny it unto their last breath. "I can't wait to meet Harry. Augusta says he's an intelligent and down to earth kid, and has a streak of loyalty towards his friends that would put Helga Hufflepuff herself to shame."
"Really?" asked Nym.
"The night of the Halloween feast, a troll got loose in the castle somehow. Harry, single handedly mind you, took the troll down and all to save Amelia's niece Susan and their friend Hannah Abbott."
"Bullshit!" said Andi. "I'm a strong witch, and even I wouldn't be able to handle a troll by myself. Nym?"
"If I got a lucky shot in, I guess maybe, and that's a big maybe. Those beasts are particularly resistant to magic after all. Wait a sec; he's freaking eleven, isn't he? How in the world did he pull that off?"
"I don't know, and neither of the ladies was particularly forthcoming with the details." answered Ted. "I'm just going to assume that he got massively lucky, and leave it at that. Anything else and, well, anything else would be too much to comprehend."
"When are you meeting him? Can I come too? Please?" asked Nym in her most beseeching voice, making sure to add the puppy dog eyes that usually got her what she wanted.
"Incorrigible, that's what you are. I'll see what I can do. As it is, I'm going to have to go up to Hogwarts to meet him. When I'm there, I'll ask him over to dinner. Maybe during the Christmas break?"
"Yes! Can't wait to see him again, it's been far too long. I'm only sorry that he won't remember who I am. Oh, and he was such a cute baby, so was Susan."
"You doted on both those babies, Nym. And even if he doesn't remember you, just be someone he can trust, become a friend. I think that's what he needs more than anything. His life has not been particularly good up until this point, something that all of us would agree needs to change. That change happens now. I've been less than diligent in my handling of the Potter estate and Lord Potter himself. I will do my utmost to see him have the life that our friends would have wanted for their son."
"And Sirius?" asked Andi.
"As soon as Amelia clears it I am going to pay him a visit. I've got to know the full story before I can do anything. We'll need to find some support in the Wizengamot. And all this must be done very quietly. Fudge and his cronies will want nothing to do with setting an alleged mass murderer free. But, they'll also have to recognize that as the Head of House of one of the oldest families in Britain, being sent to Azkaban without a trial is not something that should ever be done. As much as I hate all the blood politics, Sirius being a pureblood could probably work in our favor."
"I can help you with that; I might even know a few people we'd be able to approach. I guess being raised a Black might finally come in handy." added Andi.
ooOOooOOoo
Harry was excited at the upcoming Christmas break; excited to be going somewhere with family. He had family. He'd awoken that morning rather early, and spent the time making sure he had everything ready and packed for the trip. His friends would be by to gather him for breakfast when they were ready.
"Alright there, Harry?" asked Neville as he knocked on Harry's open door.
"Just excited to go…home." he said.
Neville walked up to Harry and placed a hand on his shoulder. "It is home, Harry. You'll never have to spend any more time with those bastards that raised you. You are well and truly free of them."
"Will we be able to stop by Diagon at some point? I've never had to buy Christmas gifts before and I'm actually kind of looking forward to it."
"I'm sure Gran will be able to arrange something for us. She did mention spending Christmas at home with the Bones' as our guests, and then we'll spend New Years with them."
"That would be perfect."
The knock on the door announced the arrival of another of his friends. "Morning, boys, all set for the Express?" asked Hannah.
"More than set; I've been so excited to get out of here that I could hardly sleep. Where's Susan?"
"Relax, Harry, your girlfriend is just finishing up her packing. She'll be down in a minute." that Harry didn't react to the 'girlfriend' comment caused Hannah and Neville to look at each other and grin.
"Good, I'm getting hungry and it's a long train ride on an empty stomach. And no, Nev, pumpkin pasties and chocolate don't count as breakfast."
"Oi! I like both those things; and I was going to share, but I guess now I won't have to."
"Even with me?" asked Hannah blinking her eyes coquettishly at Neville.
"Eh…uhm…yeah, of course I'll share with you." he said stuttering a bit. Harry chuckled to himself. It seemed that the campaign to land Neville had begun in earnest as far as he could tell. He'd have to ask Sue about that later.
"Okay, I'm here, everyone can relax!" Susan said as she strutted in to Harry's apartment. "Let's get to breakfast. The carriages are set to take us to the train in less than an hour and I'm hungry."
Susan grabbed Harry by the arm and dragged him out of towards the common room. Hannah and Neville followed behind, smiling at their two friends.
"I don't think it will be long now." whispered Hannah.
"I'm actually surprised it's taken this long." answered Nev.
"I think they're both trying to deny their feelings for each other. They won't be able to for much longer, I should think. And it's not like it's going to change. Have you ever seen them not holding onto each other?"
"No, I guess I haven't. You know Harry asked me something the other night…"
"Yes?" prompted Hannah.
"Sorry, it's just that I don't want to betray his trust."
"And you won't, just give me a general idea of the question. You can trust me not to repeat anything I hear."
"Well, in general, he was wondering about why his feelings towards our redheaded friend over there are so strong."
"You know, Susan asked the same thing. Interesting, don't you think? But, I couldn't answer her question either. I told her to talk to Aunt Amelia about it"
"I told him the same thing, although to Gran."
"Great minds think alike, Neville, just remember that." chuckled Hannah.
Breakfast had soon passed, and it was an elated four that found they were enjoying a pleasant journey home. "Gran is going all out this year, Harry. She know you've not ever had a proper Christmas before, and she plans to make sure you have a fantastic one this year."
"You know she doesn't have to go to all that trouble." sighed Harry.
"It's no trouble, really. She says she enjoying herself. She has the elves decorating the heck out of the Manor."
"Are you excited, Harry?"
"More than I can put into words. My first real Christmas, with friends and family, nothing will top that."
"Hey, get ready guys, looks like we're pulling into the station!" squealed Hannah excitedly.
They all gathered their belongings, Neville and Harry helping the girls retrieve their luggage, before exiting the train to the loud racket being made by the parents and the children they hadn't seen since September.
"I'm going to find Gran. She hates to be kept waiting." said Neville who hugged Hannah and Susan before leaving to find his gran. "See you girls at Christmas!"
"I'm taking off too, guys. Mom and Dad are sure to be waiting on me as well. Harry, we'll see you in a few days. Make sure you get me something ridiculously expensive for my gift. Sue, see you in a bit." and with a hug to both her friends, their blonde friend navigated herself through the throngs of people to find her parents.
"I hate leaving you, even though it will only be for a few days." said Susan as she hugged Harry tightly.
"I feel the same way, Susan. I know it will only be a couple of days until we see each other again, but I hate it too."
"C'mon, Lord Potter, let's go find my Auntie." she said as she kissed his cheek and grabbed his hand, pulling him with her as they went to find Amelia.
"Susan, over here!" said Amelia loudly as she waved her hand. "Hey, Harry, so how was school? I hope you both behaved yourselves. And don't worry Harry, I know that with you it's hopeless to expect that." she teased, to which Susan giggled.
"Great, just great; and here I thought leaving school would mean an end to the constant teasing I have to put up with from my three supposed friends." moaned Harry.
"Well, let's get a move on you two. I've gotten permission from Augusta to have you stay with us tonight, Harry. She and Neville have a trip to the hospital scheduled for tomorrow, so you'll spend tonight and most of today with Sue and I. I hope that's okay?"
"Is everything alright with Gran and Neville?" asked a concerned Harry.
"Nothing to worry about Harry, they have an appointment to visit Neville's parents there every few months."
"His parents, I'm sorry, but I thought they'd died."
Amelia sighed sadly, not wanting to upset Harry. "I'll let Augusta and Neville tell you that story." She led them out towards the exit from the platform.
It was almost as soon as they had crossed the barrier that they were accosted. "Freak, it's about time you show up! Not happy with mooching off of us, you also make us wait? Let's go, I haven't the time to be dilly dallying about with this bunch."
Susan felt as if she was holding on to an ice-cube, as the temperature in Harry's body seemed to leech out of him. He cringed at seeing the look his uncle was giving him, trying to make himself small enough to disappear.
"Let's go Potter, Duddy is waiting for us in the car, and you know what will happen if he's upset if we take too long. Get you things and follow your uncle. Now!" she yelled.
"I take it these 'things' are your relatives, Lord Potter?" asked Amelia.
"Yes, ma'am." he whispered. Susan had by this point reached boiling, her anger directed at the walrus and stork standing before her. She pushed Harry behind her, doing what she could to protect him from the vitriolic duo.
"Ah, well, just the people I was looking for. Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, I am Amelia Bones, Director of the Law Enforcement Division. I have a few pieces of paperwork here for you." she said handing a red-faced Vernon some parchment.
"What is this?" asked Vernon as he scanned the documents he was presented.
"It should be pretty self-explanatory, even for misshapen aberrations such as yourselves. The first is an order to vacate the premises of your home; you have a week to comply. If you've not done so by that time, you will be forcibly removed."
"You can't do that!"
"No, I actually can't. Lord Potter's Regent, however, can. The second document shows you that our Lord Potter here has acquired your company. You are also hereby terminated from your job. The Regent Longbottom did stipulate that if you wanted to remain employed, the only positions available to you would be as custodian or security guard."
"What?!" bellowed the irate Vernon.
"It means he bought your company, Dursley. It also means that you are fired. Lord Potter, you never told me they were mentally deficient." Amelia said turning to Harry and winking at him.
"And lastly, the final document, in which Lord Potter advises you that he is no longer in your care. You have willfully abused him, both physically and emotionally, and for that you will suffer the consequences. Our young Lord Potter here is a hero in our world, what do you think would happen if I should mention to the press what you'd done to him over the years?"
"You wouldn't?" squeaked Petunia.
"Try me." she said in an icy voice.
"Susan dear, Tonks is waiting for us at the Pancras Road exit, grab Harry please and go meet her. That's right, I'll be right there; go on now you two." Amelia waved them away before turning and addressing the two flabbergasted muggles.
"Come on Harry, let's get out of here. Whatever Auntie has planned will not be pretty!" said Susan as she led Harry away.
"Listen very carefully you two to what I am going to say to you." she said in a threatening tone. "It will never cease to amaze me that that young man I've grown to love and admire these past few months was able to survive you two and still be the person he is. He's kind, and gentle, terribly loyal, exceedingly intelligent, and has honored me by addressing me as Aunt Amelia. To treat him as you have, to treat the son of your sister in such a manner, this is something I will never comprehend."
"We never wanted him!" stuttered Vernon, spittle flying from his maw. "He was just dumped on our doorstep. We never wanted him!"
"And this was all the excuse you needed to heap untold damage on him? Do you have any idea the amount of time he's spent in the hospital trying to reverse the damage you've done to him? Do you think I care how he came to be with you? I look at you both and all I see are two freaks!"
The Dursleys' drew in a gasp in disbelief at the audacity of this woman to insult them in that manner. "Now see here, Madam whoever you are, it is you and that ungrateful cur that are the freaks. You and your freakish magic have no place in normal society. We're glad to be rid of him."
Feeling like she should twist the knife she'd planted in them, she continued. "Tell me, Mr. Dursley, how much do you think your home was worth, hmm? How much do you think your company was worth? Any clues, at all, about that? Suffice it for me to say that Harry was able to purchase that with nothing more than his pocket change. Had you treated your nephew with even a shred of decency, your family could have been set up for life. As it is, you will be destitute. A small price to pay for what you've done to him."
The once antagonistic Petunia had become withdrawn, ashamed of herself, something she had no inkling of how to deal with. "What shall become of us?"
"I really, truly, don't care. As far as I'm concerned, Harry is now free from you. I will give you this piece of advice, well, actually two pieces of advice. First, the wards that had been protecting your family from those that killed your sister and brother-in-law have fallen. They actually fell months ago, but no one cared whether you knew or not; you now have no protection against them, whatsoever. It would be wise of you to leave and get as far away from here as you can; the sooner and farther, the better."
"And the second piece of advice?" asked Petunia.
"Harry's godfather has been in prison for almost ten years now, but due to a technicality, he will be getting out soon. I shudder to think what a mass-murderer like Sirius Black will do when he finds out that you've mistreated his godson the way you have." she said cold-heartedly. "I know Harry will never see either of you again, and I can't tell you how happy that makes me. Should you attempt to contact him, I shall bring the full weight of the government down upon you."
Petunia started to cry, and Vernon visibly paled. He put an arm around her, trying to comfort her, but he knew any attempt would be futile.
"Well, I've got to get Lord Potter and my niece home, so I will take my leave of you both. Have a nice Christmas you two." and with that she turned on her heels and laughed her ass off, not once caring about at the mass of people that were staring at her.