Chapter 7-Concrete Galoshes
Ron had never received so many hugs. Just hugs, not many words, just hugs. He knew, in his heart that they had received his apology and all was forgiven, even if they didn't say as much. His Dad was right, life can start again. With family and friends, wonderful things can happen, if they allowed it to.
It was Saturday and the kids were eager to take advantage of their last free weekend before they faced being more accountable for classes and homework, not to mention stricter supervision.
Professor Sprout, Hagrid and Minerva needed to do a bit of shopping in Hogsmeade and agreed to supervise a student afternoon trip. The kids were ecstatic and of course on their best behavior.
Arthur along with his sons and friends, who were able to take off work, would start on the Burrow Monday. They are looking forward to a leisurely day off and perhaps a walk around the grounds in the summer sun.
It was with these comforting thoughts in mind that everyone heard screaming coming from the one of the classrooms. Peeves was bored and decided to throw mud balls all over the place, and when he could manage it, at Filch as well. As both Peeves and Filch were full of themselves and constantly picking on the students, most everyone ignored them.
This day Albus was not feeling up to ignoring any shenanigans. First; He waved his wand, sending Peeves into an empty classroom, sealing the room so that he couldn't get out. The next wave of the wand made all the mud disappear, including the mud splatters all over Filtch. Lastly, he called in 'the army of one'.
When the Bloody Baron arrived Albus instructed him; "Take care of Peeves, no matter what it takes. Share with him that we want a peaceful summer, with none of his tricks, bad language or bombing runs. Is that clear?" The Bloody Baron started smiling from ear to ear, at least as much as a ghost can smile, and responded, "Not a problem "Mighty Boss of All Hogwarts', it will be done!"
As everyone began to congregate for breakfast they found a traffic jam at the entrance to the Great Hall. Those coming up from behind stared asking, "What's going on, who is holding up progress?"
"You won't believe this" said Bill as he started directing traffic helping everyone move away from the door.
Once everyone had entered the hall they finally understood but still couldn't believe their eyes. Right in the center of the hall hung a huge cage, and in the cage was... non-other... than Peeves. He was dressed in a little blue bonnet, and was wearing a diaper. He had a baby teething ring in one hand and a little blanket in the other.
Baby Peeves was definitely NOT a happy camper! It looked as though he was yelling and screaming but no noise was coming out his mouth. On the door of the cage was a sign, 'Not to be opened except by the Bloody Baron'.
It was obvious that Peeves was in trouble and being punished. Everyone was laughing, except perhaps Hermonie, and most didn't have much sympathy for him. On the whole they considered it a wonderful start to the day.
Severus was up early as he was getting ready for his trip to the Dursleys. He couldn't get the picture of Harry, abused by that large walrus, out of his head. More to the point, he was still upset that he had this particular assignment.
If truth be told, deep down he was afraid that his temper would get the best of him. He didn't deal well with Muggles who tortured people, especially children. Not that he felt a kinship to the "Golden Boy", but he could remember his own past, his own early childhood before Albus and Minerva, and those memories made him angry.
While he stormed around his living quarters, ranting and raving 'why me', he took comfort in the fact that his Dad had faith in him to control his emotions and do what was needed.
He was also a bit excited because he had a date with Alice that night so he didn't want to have to spend too much time taking care of "bratty kid" business.
Severus used the floo to call Mrs. Figg and asked if he could come through. She welcomed him in but told him to watch out for the clutter as she was packing up to move back to Hogsmeade. Albus had informed her that the job of watching Harry was over and she was really excited about moving closer to her family.
As Severus approached the Dursley house he noticed that the yard was in pretty good shape. Since Harry wasn't there he wondered who was doing the work. The car was in the driveway, so they must be home.
As he moved closer he noticed a grubby, dirty looking little girl pulling weeds. When she saw him approach the house she looked very frightened and ran to the back yard.
No...it couldn't be...they had acquired another child. No, they were not that stupid he must be reading the situation wrong. She was playing in the dirt and was scared because she wasn't supposed to get dirty and someone caught her.
He shook his head but became alert as he knocked on the door. Dudley answered the door, stuffing a twinkie in his mouth and talking at the same time, "whooot yuuu fant?".
"Mr. Dursley Please," responded Severus.
"Fad, fommm gy wnts you" Dudley said, spitting food all over the place and turning to walk back to his TV set.
When Severus' looked down and saw bits of twinkie all over his shirt, his allotment of patience ran out. He walked in the house, uninvited, and slammed the door. So much for calm, cool, and collected he thought to himself.
Vernon started strutting toward Severus, his face beginning to do its pink, red and purple number. He walked like a troll, with all his body weight shifting to which ever leg happened to be in contact with the ground at the moment.
"What are you doing in my house? Get out, NOW!"
Severus lifted his eyebrow, put on his best scowl, and pointed his wand. Vernon developed second thoughts and started walking in reverse almost immediately.
Severus hissed at him, "What? You thought we would just go away never to return after what you did to that boy."
"Gather your family and go sit on the couch before I pop your belly-button and let out all that hot air you're carting around."
Vernon guarded his family, putting his body in front of them, as he pushed them toward the couch. The look on Severus' face seemed to transfix them causing them to remain silent and somewhat in a trance.
Once they were seated Vernon seemed to get a second wind and started cursing Severus again but was silenced as fast as the Severus could utter "Silencio".
He waved his wand again, and their feet were incased in concrete. They looked down in shock and then fear, not knowing what this nasty man had on his mind to do with them next. They just knew that in 'Muggle Land', concrete galoshes are not an indicator of long life.
Severus then gracefully sat in a comfortable chair facing them, laid his wand in his lap taking a deep breath.
It was peaceful and quiet and he was gathering his thoughts when the back door opened, and that same dirty, grubby little girl ran as fast as she could to the cupboard under the stairs and ducked inside, closing the door.
Severus was so caught by surprise that he had not even lifted his wand. He just watched with amazement as she ran through the room. This must be the "Cassy" that Albus told him about but how did she figure into the complex mess.
There was only one way to find out as he didn't want spend the time trying and get them to volunteer the truth with him. He looked at Vernon and decided he didn't want to wade through all that hate and anger so he pointed his wand at Petunia and said "Legilimens".
It took a few minutes but finally he broke contact and sat back in his chair, calming his anger once again.
He turned around and started a fire in the fireplace, pulled a container out of his pocket, took a pinch of powder that was in it, threw it in the fire calling "Arabella Figg". Arabella answered almost at once, "How can I help you Severus?"
"Arabella, would you floo Alice Longbottom at the Longbottom Mansion and ask her if she would please come over here, it's an emergency."
"Sure Severus, I'll do it right away."
About twenty minutes later Arabella escorted Alice to the Dursley place where Severus asked Alice if she would come in and help him with a situation.
While in the foyer he explained what was going on and asked is she was still interested in adding a little girl to her family. He remembered during one of their talks that she had expressed remorse over never having the chance to have a little sister for Neville.
She gave him a funny look, like perhaps he had lost a few marbles.
"It would only have to be temporary Alice, until we can sort things out and see what is really going on." said Severus quietly. "I can't just leave her here, and what will I do with her if I take her, she is ...well...you ...know...a ... little... GIRL."
"Well that is a brilliant deduction" she said as she tried not to smirk. "OK Severus, let's get her out of here, then we can worry about the rest later." Then looking at the three on the couch she turned to Severus and said "Concrete shoes? What's that all about"?
"Well I didn't want to have to bother chasing them all over the place so this seemed to do the trick" Severus responded with a very red face.
"Severus, I do believe you're blushing, how cute" she said.
Severus just raised his eyebrow, put on his tough guy look and said "The little one is in that cupboard, pointing to the boot cupboard under the stairs, why don't you see if you can coax her out. After she comes out then we can talk to ... them" pointing to the two whales and one string-bean sitting on the couch!
Alice opened the door to the cupboard and the smell just about knocked her over. It was dark inside so it was hard to see the little girl at first, but there she was all curled up in the corner.
Alice expected the child's eyes to be full of fear but was pleasantly surprised. While fear was there, courage and determination resided there also.
"Hi, my name is Alice, what's your name?"
Alice barely heard the word "Cassy" come out of the little girl's mouth but that was a good first step.
As Alice reached out her hand, palm up, she said, "Why don't you come out and talk with me Cassy, I promise I won't hurt you, I'm only here to help you". She wasn't sure what the response might be but she wanted to try the easy way first.
Cassy looked at her for a couple minutes then she reached out and took Alice's hand, and came toward her slowly.
Alice knew not to make any sudden moves but when the girl was close enough Alice reached out, lifted her up and put Cassy in her lap. They just sat there for a moment, as Alice stroked her hair.
When she felt that Cassy was calm enough, Alice stood up and walked over to the chair next to Severus.
When Cassy saw the Dursley's she stiffened up but Alice spoke calmly to her "Don't worry, they can't hurt you anymore, I'll protect you, it's going to be OK."
Cassy literally sunk into Alice, holding her jacket tightly almost trying to hide in it. She was not looking at the Dursleys, but at Alice. What she saw in Alice's face must have made her feel secure for her body seemed to relax but she continued to hold on tight.
Behind the hug and the eyes were so many thoughts of hope. She seems to be nice, thought Cassy. But they all seem to be nice at first. She doesn't seem to like those bad people so maybe I can trust her, like I really have a choice.
In some ways Cassy was a twelve year old in a six year old body. She was determined to survive and she would do what ever it took to make it. Everyone was bigger than she was and this woman seemed to be her best shot at less anger and pain. For the moment she decided she would go with her.
Alice was so angry she had tears in her eyes and her wand hand was shaking.
Seeing this Severus decided he needed to get on with things.
Looking at the Dursley's he said "I have seen your memories and I know for a fact that you wanted a daughter for a long time. You thought that having a son and a daughter would make you appear to be the PERFECT family."
"You started adoption papers last year while Harry was still in school. They wouldn't let you adopt because of the unhealthy physical condition of your son."
"You therefore decided to circumvent the system and paid a disreputable lawyer to find you a child on the black market. The adoption came through for this little girl right after we removed Harry from you."
"It would seem that fate had the last laugh because she started doing accidental magic and you discovered that you had adopted a Witch.
You tried to get your money back but they wouldn't give it to you and they wouldn't allow you to give her back. You felt like you had been ripped off so, being as stupid as you are, you started to do all you know how to do, turn her into the female version of Harry. In other words, you are turning her into your house slave."
"This is what is going to happen now. You are not only going to sign over Guardianship of Harry to me, but you will sign over guardianship of Cassy to Alice."
The Dursley's, still silenced, waved their hands as though they wanted to object. "This is not a matter to be debated!" said Serverus.
"You will do this because I have enough evidence to put you in jail for a very long time if I should choose to turn it over to Muggle Child Services."
Having said his bit, Severus pulled out paperwork and after some fancy wand-work, he placed the papers in front of them along with a muggle pen. "Sign or go to jail, either way the kids will be better off as far as I am concerned."
Vernon and Petunia looked at each other then they reached over and signed the documents. If looks could kill, all the magical folk sitting across from them would have died a hundred times and it wouldn't have been suffering enough.
Alice cupped Cassy's face with her hand so that the child was looking at her and said "Is there anything important to you that you want to take with you Cassy, because you are leaving this place and you won't be coming back."
Cassy shook her head yes, jumped off Alice's lap and darted to the cupboard. When she came back out she had a stuffed purple dragon with her and that was all. She climbed back into Alice's lap and asked, "Are you really going to save me?".
Alice smiled and said, "Yes, dear you are coming with us."
Cassy smiled, looked at her dragon and said, "I knew it was true, my dragon told me that an Angel would come soon and save me. Thank you!"
Alice couldn't handle anymore so holding Cassy she stood up telling Severus, "Let's go".
Severus turned to the Dursley's and with a wave of his wand three hammers and three chisels appeared on the table in front of them. "These tools, if you use them long enough, will free you from the concrete shoes your wearing, have fun". Then he allowed them to speak again.
With that they walked out the door and walked back to Mrs. Figgs house.
"Severus, how can we allow those people to go free, with no punishment?" asked Alice.
"I never said they wouldn't be punished Alice, I just said I wouldn't turn the evidence over to the Muggle courts. I never said I wouldn't turn it over to the Wizard courts. They have seriously harmed two children in our community and they will pay for that."
When they reached Mrs. Figgs house, Arabella had a worried look on her face. "I am so sorry, but they turned off my floo just a few minutes ago. I told them not to disconnect until tomorrow but they never listen."
Alice looked down at Cassy and asked her if she had ever apperated before. Cassy replied, "I don't remember, what is appeted?"
"Apperate, dear. That is how many wizard folk move from one place to another. Hold on tight and close your eyes OK?"
"Ok" Cassy whispered as she shut her eyes tightly and held on for all she was worth.
They apperated to Hogsmeade and walked up to the castle gates.
As they drew near the castle they passed the students starting out on their trek into town.
Severus noticed that they were looking at him funny, and a couple of the students were actually giggling. Once they passed he heard one of the girls say, "He's hot when he's not in his bat costume".
That's when he could have kicked himself. He had dressed for the muggle world today. His hair was not greasy, it was pulled back into a manly type pony tail and tied with a bow. He had on a white long-sleeved shirt turned up at the cuffs and stylish slacks. Not exactly the image he wanted his students to see, in fact he just might have caused himself a lot of grief this coming year.
He knew also that he was going to have to give those students a very bad time soon so that they could regain that 'all important' picture of 'the mean and nasty greasy git' his image required. Should his "snakes" ever get wind of this his job as a 'spy' for Dumbledore would be soooooo much more difficult.
Alice was trying very hard not to laugh but it was not working. Severus gave her a look, his best gruff look with raised eye-brow look, and she laughed even harder. Then she said "You know, you do look hot when you're not in your bat costume".
He looked at Alice after her comment and just grunted and turned away from her, but inside he was very, very pleased.