Chapter 3

~Johnathan Greengrass~

Johnathan, Aeliana, and Cacus sat outside a courtroom at the ministry of magic awaiting their call to enter the vast chamber that they knew awaited. Johnathan had put in a request through his connections within the ministry to have a trial on the grounds of removing an abused wizard from a muggle family. Aeliana was present to help plead for custody, the child being the famous Harry Potter, and Cacus was there to provide a memory as proof that the boy was being abused. Overall, the three of them were very excited to get the trial started because they were beyond confident in the outcome of the trial being in their favor.

Aeliana beamed at her somewhat tense, yet handsome husband. "Johnathan I have faith that you will lead this well. I know you are a very capable speaker and will provide an excellent home."

Johnathan smiled lightly, "let's hope Madam Bones agrees that we should have custody of the Harry." He grabbed her hand in both of his and kissed it lightly.

"Amelia is a good friend, she will support us," Aeliana said referring to Madam Bones.

…

"Mr. Greengrass, do you have any further reason as to why we should award you custody of Harry Potter rather than returning him to his current guardian, Albus Dumbledore?" questioned the ever imposing Madam Bones. She wore a monocle over one eye, and here hair in a professionally tight bun at all times.

Johnathan stood and cleared his throat before saying, "The ministry requires guardians to record the progress of their charges until they reach age eleven." He turned to look at Aeliana who prompted him to go on. "I personally have checked the custody records of Albus, and there has not been an entry since the day he received custody on the night of the fall of You Know Who." Johnathan cleared his throat once again before continuing with, "Albus has therefore broken the custody laws, and in the case that he has been recording the progress privately, then he is still allowing a child to be abused. There was beyond sufficient evidence that the boy was being brutally abused by the muggle family that Albus left them with."

"I see," responded Amelia in deep thought, "before I give my belief on the settlement I would like to hear from the board."

One of the members stood, "we have agreed that Johnathan and Aeliana are more than capable of taking in the child, and wish to sit audience to Albus Dumbledore being questioned about his actions."

Madam Bones stood, "I Amelia Bones grant custody, though not legal adoption, of Harry James Potter to Johnathan and Aeliana Greengrass. Albus Dumbledore will be summoned in a separate trial to discuss his deeds where he will have a chance to produce evidence of Harry Potter's progress." She nodded politely at her friends before her, "case close, and congratulations" She tapped her wand on the official document and a blue light erupted signifying a binding agreement.

Johnathan embraced his stunningly beautiful wife and kissed her in front of the court, "I love you Aeliana Greengrass."

She suddenly went motionless with tears in her eyes, "Johnathan, we have a son! We finally have a son." They held each other all the tighter.

Both adults turned to their most loyal house elf and knelt. "Thank you Cacus for without your help, we would not have won custody of the boy." Johnathan looked at him heartily, "You have always been my greatest investment Cacus."

"Cacus is always happy to serve the honorable Master and Mistress Greengrass," spoke the elf slowly with tears in his eyes.

…

Johnathan and Aeliana decided that it was in the better interest of the girls to inform them of the upcoming change before just bringing home a new child. The two Greengrass parents had called their daughters into the main room. Neither parent really knew how exactly they were going to tell their two daughters that they were bringing home a child very soon. Daphne sauntered into the room with the toddler trailing after her. The older blonde child had a look of unsureness passing through her eyes and over her face.

"Have a seat sweetheart," Aeliana spoke softly trying to convey no feeling of ill wishes to her daughter.

"Okay…am I in trouble?" said the girl looking slightly worried while shifting nervously now on the floor.

"Of course not baby girl" responded Johnathan with a bright encouraging sound to his voice. "Your mother and I have thought this over and agreed that in this household I am outnumbered."

"Wait what?" questioned the little girl chewing on the ends of her hair.

"Well there are three girls living in this large house right?" said Johnathan in a guiding manner.

Daphne nodded her head in accent

"And there is only one male living here….me" Johnathan looked at Daphne to see If she was catching on yet. "So we are planning on adding another boy to the family."

Daphne still looked slightly unsure, "so like a baby brother?" she said hoping she had gotten the right answer.

"Very close sweet heart." Aeliana said with a smile.

"Except…he's not exactly a baby Daphne" Johnathan looked to see how Daphne was reacting, "he's your age, he's five."

"So I get a brother without having to deal with another baby?" Daphne grinned at her parents "yay yay yay yay!" She started jumping around the room and dancing. Her younger sister joined her and the two parents watched their daughters dance in happiness of getting a brother.

Aeliana turned towards the most important man in her life, "I told you they would take it well," she smiled at him knowingly.

He pulled her beautiful curvaceous body towards him, "I am glad you did," he whispered before pecking her on the lips then deepening the kiss.

They left the girls cheering throughout the house as they went into the kitchen to brew some tea and wait. They were informed shortly after the trial that they would be escorted to the muggle house to retrieve the boy while the escorts performed the proper oblivious charms on the rest of the family. The parents steadily made their way to the large table where they summoned glasses and prepared the tea with magic. Both were trying to digest exactly what they were about to do while in wait of their escorts. It was somewhat hard to believe that the trial had gone so smoothly, but the Greengrass's knew it was due partly to their longtime friendship with Amelia. There was almost zero argument during the trial other than being asked if there was any other reason why they should gain custody over Harry. Even at that point, Johnathan had spoken with a well prepared reason leaving Amelia with no reason to deny them their wishes.

Aeliana summoned the teapot with a flick of her wand and asked, "What are we even going to tell Harry when we get there? I mean how on earth do you tell a five year old that you are taking him to a new home…one with magic?!" She was slowly beginning to turn frantic as she was spending far too much thinking about the upcoming adventure.

Johnathan took a moment before answering. "I believe it is probably best to begin with simply introducing ourselves to him before we tell him about the wizarding world."

"Yes, but what exactly do we say?" questioned Aeliana hotly. "I really don't want to frighten the child any more than he must already be!"

"I'm sure when the exact moment comes, we will find the right words for the situation." Johnathan spoke with a sure voice.

Following the conversation by only a few short minutes was a loud crack; then a short rap of knocking on the front door of the mansion. Suddenly their minds were racing with thoughts of the very near future, and how to explain to a child that they were only attempting to take him to a happier home; a home where he will be raised with love, and learn properly about the wizarding world over time. It was hard enough to explain to an eleven year old that they possessed magical powers, but now it was on a whole new level of difficulty to explain it to a five year old. Neither parent could truly imagine, with accuracy, the overwhelming feeling of the entire world around them being changed. What exactly gave them the right to change this boy's fate for life? Or to even invite him into their home, when there were many others willing to take in the famous Harry Potter. People wanted him for gloating rights, and the ability boast about housing the savior of the wizarding world.

All of these thoughts sprinted through the minds of the two Greengrass adults before Johnathan jumped up and headed to the door. He turned quickly towards Aeliana, "please Love, make some more tea for the guests. I will return with them soon enough."

He took his time approaching the door so it wouldn't seem like he had rushed to open it. On the other side of the door frame stood two very average looking men. One of them was slightly overweight and beginning to bald at the edges, while the other one was young but had no special qualities about him.

"Mr. Dafton, and Mr. Weston, what a pleasure it is to have you two very fine wizards in my home this afternoon."

The older overweight gentleman spoke first, "Ah Mr. Greengrass you flatter us greatly, I am Mr. Dafton, and this is my partner Mr. Weston."

"We are here to accompany you to the," he paused to check a note in his pocket, "yes the Dursley family this evening and ensure that they are properly obliviated, courtesy of the Muggle Affairs division of the Ministry of Magic." Smiled the younger wizard.

"Yes of course, and we highly appreciate having the company as we bring home the newest member of our family," said Johnathan with a very relieved expression in his eyes, "please come in and enjoy a cup of tea from my wife Aeliana before we embark on this journey." He motioned for them to head towards the kitchen with his beautiful wife. He took just a quick moment to compose himself once more before following them into the kitchen.

Once the men had been served their tea and all four adults were seated at the table, Mr. Dafton spoke.

"The plan is for the two of us to enter the house wands raised, with the two of you following closely behind." Said Mr. Dafton with a curious smile on his lips.

"After we have the muggles detained," interjected Mr. Weston, "the two of you will locate a one Harry Potter and collect him."

Both Johnathan Aeliana nodded their head in understanding. "Any suggestions on what we should say to Harry?"

Mr. Weston smiled coolly, "just do your best not to frighten the child, remember he has been so far raised by muggles."

"So no real advice at all?" responded Aeliana.

"I'm sorry we can't contribute much more, we only specialize in muggle lifestyles…not really their psychology." Responded Mr. Daft apologetically.

…

The four adults, Mr. Dafton, Mr. Weston, and the two Greengrass' apparated into an alley three or four block from Number Four Privet Drive. They all walked in silence giving them one final chance to really think about how they wanted to present themselves to Harry.

As they approached the correct house Mr. Dafton casually said, "right up here is Number Four, just be relaxed as possible, and remember that the child is only five."

All Johnathan could manage to think to himself was, "Merlin! This man wants us to relax right before we're about to 'storm' a muggle home for a five year old wizard.?" He stopped with Aeliana when they were one house away and across the street from their target destination. They were to wait forty-five seconds before crossing the street, and sixty seconds to enter the house. Johnathan reached over and squeezed his wife's hand as watched the two gentlemen approach the door and knock. As soon as the door closed behind the two men Johnathan and Aeliana began counting together.

"Forty five" whispered the couple together and began approaching the door still counting under their breath. "Sixty!" They pushed the door open and quickly entered.

Aeliana looked around at the somewhat fancy interior of the house, or at least what she assumed was fancy for muggles. Everything was pristinely clean as if there were a house elf cleaning every room at all hours of the day. She heard a light groaning coming from he living room, but knew it must be coming from the large whale like man Johnathan had described to her earlier because Mr. Weston peaked around the corner with a thumbs up.

"We should look together so we can introduce ourselves together," suggested Johnathan.

The couple clasped hands and began searching throughout the house. After a quick five minutes of looking through every room and unlocked door, but has absolutely no success. They started unlocking the few doors that were left, and were still met with no success.

"There is one door we haven't tried," Aeliana began to say, "but I can't imagine even cruel people keeping him hidden there."

"Well it really can't hurt to check can it?" inquired Johnathan slowly. "Where were you thinking, because I feel like he have checked everywhere already?"

"There was a small cupboard by the entrance underneath the stairs…perhaps he is locked in their?"

"Alohomora!" commanded Johnathan at the cupboard door with a swish…the door popped open revealing a very appalling sight.

Laying on what could barely be called a mattress was a terrified malnourished looking boy cramped into a ball. At his feet was a meager supply of clothes and what looked like the corners of tattered and much overused books. Harry was nearly shaking in what appeared to be fright, and nobody could blame him in any way. Looking in on the very young Harry, they caught a slight glimpse of the James Potter they had once met ten or so years before.

Johnathan crouched down and reached for the ball of a boy, "Harry please take my hand so we can talk to you."

Harry slightly opened his eyes to peak at the tall dark haired man before him. The man was dressed in unfamiliar robes of some sorts with his hand extended towards him.

When Harry allowed Johnathan to look him in the eyes, Johnathan saw a spark of green…the very same green he knew Lilly Potter had possessed in life.

Johnathan spoke slowly, "please, my name is Johnathan Greengrass and this is my wife Aeliana…we would like to tell you a very important secret just for you!"

"Harry," began Aeliana, "We have been waiting to meet you for some time now; it would be very kind and strong of you if you would be willing to speak to us."

After a moment's hesitation where Harry was unsure whether or not he could trust the kind looking couple in front of him, he extended his arm. "You remind me of a book character named Merlin…he wore robes like that too; so I trust you because I would trust him too."

The couple was entirely astonished at the competency and coherency of the five year old's speaking capabilities. They had believed the boy was completely under privileged and may have never learned how to properly speak in full unbroken sentences; however, Harry spoke with the proficiency of teenager matched with the naivety of an innocent child. Johnathan lead Harry slowly into the hallways and sat down right on the floor inviting Harry to do the same.

Johnathan smiled brightly and genuinely at Harry and began with introducing himself again, "My name is Johnathan Greengrass."

"It's such a pleasure to meet you Mr. Greengrass, My name is Harry Potter…you said there was a secret to tell me?"

Johnathan sat once again astonished at the boy's knowledge of speech, "yes and It's going to be difficult for you to believe I'm sure, so…"

Harry smiled thoughtfully, "just go ahead and tell me, I'm sure you wouldn't be here if it wasn't important."

"Well you see Harry," began Aeliana, "there are…special people in this world like mysel and Johnathan…and your parents!"

"But not like the Dursleys?" interjected Harry.

"Correct Harry, but these special people are special for a reason…they are witches and wizards capable of magnificent feats of magic!" Johnathan paused and smiled warmly, "you too are one of these special people."

Harry never even flinched, "I am actually rather glad you're telling me this, I began suspecting something very recently."

Aeliana couldn't hold back, "you're not even a little bit surprised?"

"Not really no, but I'm assuming there's more news to come yet so go on."

Johnathan started again, "well we wanted to invite you, Harry, to come live with us…we just want to take you away from these wretched muggles."

"What exactly are muggles sir?" Harry asked sure he had never read the word before.

"Oh, that's just a term we magical folk use to describe the mundane, non-magical, beings in the world." Responded Aeliana without a thought."

Johnathan pondered for a moment then asked Harry, "Perhaps you could tell us something about you, so we can get to know you." He figured that perhaps it would be easier to gain some of the little boy's trust if they knew something about him. "After you tell us something, then you can make your decision."

Harry never skipped a beat before responding with, "Books, I've always enjoyed reading and learning as much as possible." Harry thought about it the continued, "they always provided a way for me to escape."

Johnathan smiled, "well it just so happens that the Greengrass manner is home to a vast library full of information on the wizarding world."

Harry beamed at him, "lets go!"

Johnathan grabbed Harry's hand and lead him out the front door with Aeliana holding his other hand. "Just hold onto my hand very tightly, try not to get sick, because you're about to experience you're very first 'magic trick'." Harry walked several blocks with a Greengrass on each side of him completely leaving behind his old life with the abusive Dursley family. They stopped in an ally way where Harry was once again instructed to hold on tightly. He saw Mr. Greengrass turn on his heals before everything turned black and the world seemed to converge on top of him.