Chapter 3: The Longbottoms ask Questions
Headmaster Dumbledore was quite happy once he learned the identities of his recent visitors. "Frank! Alice! I trust the recovery went well since you both feel able to visit a friend." He commented.
"Indeed, Headmaster." Frank replied.
"So, what else besides Severus' potion do I owe this visit to?" Dumbledore asked out of curiosity.
"Frank and I would like to see Harry." Alice explained, making Dumbledore surprisingly sad. "We understand that probably somebody else in the Order already took him in but we'd like to visit him. James and Lily were so fond of the idea of Harry and Neville being playmates."
"Alice, what do you know about how Harry survived Voldemort's attempt on his life?" Dumbledore solemnly asked.
"Only that it was something that required Lily to sacrifice her life in spite of being given a choice to step aside and let Voldemort kill Harry." She answered and then scoffed at the idea. "Like a mother would take that option."
"That sacrifice gave Harry a special protection that'll keep him hidden from those desiring to harm him for the rest of his childhood for as long as he lives in the same home as someone related to his mother by blood." Dumbledore explained.
Frank Longbottom then connected the dots. "That would mean… Headmaster, you can't mean Lily's sister!" He exclaimed. "Lily told us about how much Petunia hated her for her magic."
"Frank, I'm certain Petunia won't take those frustrations on a child." Dumbledore replied like he's reprimanding someone who's still one of his students.
"What can Petunia and her husband do if a Death Eater finds them?" Alice asked out of worry.
"The protection will prevent Harry from being found by any magical locators set by people who intend to harm him." Dumbledore explained.
"What if a Death Eater finds them without magic?" Frank asked. "Sirius Black probably told them their address for all we know."
"Even if there are Death Eaters at large who already know where the Dursleys live or somehow know enough about the muggle world to find out, the protection will still be able to keep them away from Harry." Dumbledore reassured them.
"Is that protection really necessary?" Frank asked. "Perhaps we could do something."
"The Lestranges weren't the last Death Eaters, Frank." Dumbledore hated making that allusion but he saw no other way.
"Can't we visit him?" Alice asked.
"Unfortunately, Harry must stay isolated from the Wizarding World until it's time for him to attend Hogwarts." Dumbledore sadly said.
The Longbottoms left Harry with the impression that they heeded Dumbledore's warnings but they actually poured through phone books for the surname Dursley. "I found a Marjorie Dursley!" Frank exclaimed. "Could she be related to Petunia's husband?"
"Even if she is, she might find it suspicious if we try to get his address from her." Alice answered and then found another Dursley. "I found him! Vernon Dursley. He resides at Number 4, Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey."
"With a name like that, the residents are practically asking for their kids to become whining brats." Frank commented.
After donning muggle outfits, Frank and Alice Longbottom went to the Dursleys' house. "May I help you?" Petunia asked them.
"My name is Frank Longbottom and this is my wife Alice." Frank explained. "We're here for your nephew."
"What do you want with him?" Petunia angrily asked them. To be fair, the Longbottoms expected the Dursleys to be cautious given Harry's importance.
"Mrs. Dursley, you don't know us but Frank and I used to be friends with your sister and would like to see if her son is okay." Alice explained.
"What do I have to do with that?" Petunia asked in disdain of the Longbottoms now that she figured out they're 'freaks'. "He's with his Godfather."
"Impossible!" Frank exclaimed in horror. "Sirius Black is in Azkaban where he belongs."
"What does he have to do… Oooohhhhhh. I don't mean Sirius Black." Petunia explained upon realizing the confusion. "I mean that Snape boy who used to be friends with my sister. Now leave." She slammed the door.
Frank and Alice were shocked at that turn of events. They knew James Potter well enough to tell he'd never allow Snape to be Godfather to any child of his. Then again, they thought they knew Sirius Black. Frank and Alice went back home and started coming up with plans to rescue Harry. "Shouldn't we tell the Aurors?" Alice suggested.
"Their presence at Snape's shop might tip him to the fact he's keeping Harry captive, Alice." Frank replied. "Not that captivity is the correct term to define it since the boy was handed over to him by relatives who were his only family."
"Snape merely lied to the Dursleys about being Harry's Godfather." Alice said. "But I agree with you about tipping him."
Having decided to go under the pretense of having more questions about the potion that allowed them to recover from the Cruciatus Curse, they got Snape to agree to welcome them that night. "I must say, for people worried about lasting effects, you both feel too comfortable coming here instead of inviting me over." Snape commented, showing he's already figuring out they must have had some ulterior motive.
"We thought you'd be too busy with your work." Frank commented while Alice was silently casting homenium revelio to find Harry. Snape noticed it. "Will you say who you are looking for or must I guess?" Snape asked with a sneer that made the Longbottoms feel like students getting caught red-handed by Professor McGonagall.
"Where is Harry Potter?" Frank demanded.
"None of your business, Auror Longbottom." Snape arrogantly answered.
"Child abduction is part of our business, Mr. Snape." Alice accusingly replied.
"Harry Potter wasn't abducted." Snape defended himself. "I legally took custody of him as his secondary Godfather."
"James Potter would never make you Godfather to any child of his." Frank stated as a matter-of-fact.
"I volunteered as repayment of a life debt I owe James Potter from something that happened back in our fifth year and the Dursleys, as Harry's only remaining family, accepted the offer." Snape explained. "Bartemius Crouch Senior formalized the parchmentwork as the then head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
"I would like to see those parchments, Mr. Snape." Frank demanded.
"And I'd like to see Harry." Alice added.
After Snape complied with both demands, the first out of legal obligation and the second out of respect for the friendship between Lily and Alice, both Longbottoms were satisfied. Almost. "Well, it's all nice and legal but, are you watching over Harry all by yourself, potioneer Snape?" Frank asked.
"I have an elf to help me." Severus explained.
"I didn't know you could afford one." Alice commented.
"Harry inherited Tommy from his father." Severus explained and then Tommy apparated. "Did Master Snivy call Tommy?"
"Snivy?" Frank asked in amusement as he and Alice chuckled at this variation of the nickname James Potter and Sirius Black had for Severus.
"Don't ask." The potioneer replied in frustration.
End chapter. And a happy mother's day to my fellow Brazilians and everybody else who, like us, celebrate the holiday during the second Sunday of May.