PB2

Disclaimer – I don't own the Potterverse, just having fun!

Chapter 2

Vernon drove through the night, the boys having curled up in the back seat with blankets and pillows. Vernon's heart thundered in agitation. He was nervous; he was going to take an acquaintance up on a casually made offer, hoping the man had been serious. His chest gave a painful twinge and he took slow deep breathes, forcing himself to relax and the tightness slowly eased.

During their many trips to Lingfield Park for the races during the summer, he'd eventually become acquainted with a few of the owners, trainers etc. He'd talked to them while the boys admired the horses and Harry tried to find one who was sure of winning. Several of them had lamented the lack of decent accountants that would charge rates they could afford.

Vernon was hoping to do some work for the stables – doing their books, helping figure out the taxes … anything they had need of, and he could undercut any of the other accountants. He had found an ad for a hotel near the track that charged by the week. He would need to decide quickly if they could stay, as he would have to enroll the boys in a school before family services caught up with them.

They got to Lingfield well before dawn and Vernon pulled the aging car over in a rest area, hoping no one noticed the children sleeping in the back. He pulled a blanket over himself and shivered a little. It wasn't warm as yet at nights and Vernon hoped they wouldn't have to stay in the car much.

Vernon cat-napped and woke with the sunrise and drove to the track with a pounding heart. He and the boys stumbled out of the car and to the nearest washroom to clean up and put fresh clothing on. Vernon got out one of the two suits he had packed and came out of the cubicle he'd been changing in – a difficult job, considering how small it was.

Luckily this part of the racetrack was mostly deserted at present – it would be packed in the afternoon for the races of course, the spring racing having started. Vernon pulled on the suit and tightened the belt, sighing. He lost a lot of weight that last few months, between the worry and lack of money. Food was no longer an indulgence. They bought the cheapest and no more than necessary. Luckily Harry was quite good at improvising and making things stretch.

Harry came up and plucked at Vernon's jacket. "Would you like me to make it fit, Uncle? I'm getting really good at it … I've been getting our slacks to lengthen and stretch to fit us – I'm sure I can shrink it a bit?"

Vernon blinked at him in surprise. "Certainly, Harry – just be careful – I only brought two suits, the rest are back in storage."

Harry nodded and grabbed the coat with his left hand and concentrated, muttering the incantation he'd looked up in the charms book Professor Snape had sent to Aunt Petunia. He'd found a lot of useful spells in that book. He soon had the shirt and pants fitting as well as the jacket. It wasn't an exact fit, but it looked much better, to Vernon's relief. It would be a mistake to look too desperate.

They left the washroom and Vernon sent the boys off with a bit of change to get breakfast. He walked slowly to the stableyards, feeling like a prisoner climbing the gallows. He managed a hearty "Morning!" to a few of the people he knew.

He finally saw McGurdy, who had said they needed an accountant to help with things … one who didn't charge an arm and leg. He hailed the man with what he hoped was a happy smile.

"Are you and your friends still needing an accountant and help with taxes?" Vernon asked, hoping he didn't sound desperate.

McGurdy nodded curiously, "Of course we do – can't afford most of them, and I can't make heads or tails of the bookkeeping I'm expected to do … I'm a trainer – I hate numbers."

Vernon nodded, relieved. Many of the trainers had small stables – they made a living, always hoping for big winners in the coming season, but added expenses were always unwelcome. He could offer good accounting at a lower rate … and their money would help him keep the boys off the streets.

He soon had a list of trainers and owners, and even a few jockeys that wanted either their books straightened out or their taxes done. They found an empty room right there at the stables for him to work in and promised to bring their boxes of bookwork in the morning.

The offered wage would keep a roof over their heads, he hoped. He met the boys at the food court with a lighter heart. They drove to the nearby by-the-week motel and Vernon spoke to the owner. There was some negotiating and Vernon was offered a lower rate if he paid for a month. Vernon hesitated, but he did have that amount on him. It would cut deeply into their money, but he would be guaranteed a roof over the boy's heads for a month.

He drove over to the front of the door of their new home and they unloaded. It was small – a sitting room / dining room, kitchenette, a decent sized bathroom, and a bedroom with two full-sized beds. Harry sighed," Well at least we're not sharing a single bed, Dud."

Dudley snickered and flipped on the small TV. "Well, just local channels, but at least we have that."

The unpacked the clothing into the closet while Vernon drove to the post office and took out a box for their mail to be sent to – in particular Harry's monthly check from the government. He hoped it didn't cause either social workers or the schools to decide they needed 'interventions'.

He quickly drove to the school as well, and enrolled the boys. He had to give the physical address there, and it did raise an eyebrow or two, but they said nothing to his relief. He supposed they would wait and see if the boys looked 'okay' when they started next week.

Harry and Dudley dumped the contents of the wizard bag until there was a large pile. They put the pots, pans and other kitchen stuff away, as well as the cleaning supplies. Then they dumped another large pile – bedding and more blanket, pillows and piles of clothing. At last they got to the books and school supplies. The bag had held a great deal, to everyone's relief.

Harry grabbed the charms book and waved his left hand, casting scorgify over every surface he could get to.

"Better cast that pest away spell as well – these aren't called 'roach motels' for nothing." Dudley smirked.

Harry grimaced and cast the spell over and over against every bug and vermin he saw listed in the book. It said it would hold for two or three weeks, but he vowed to cast it weekly, just in case. There were a lot of housekeeping spells, but what he'd already cast was tiring enough.

Vernon had stopped at a grocery and picked up a few things, and something microwavable – that had come with the rooms to their relief. Harry would soon have a list of what they needed, he was sure. Vernon was quite pleased with what the boys had done, the rooms looked fairly cozy – and they even had pictures of the family up on the TV stand.

"I repaired the beds – I know you need a firm mattress, or your back hurts, Uncle." Harry said with a smile.

Vernon smiled back … the boys were being very good sports about this. "Thank you Harry, and I see the two of you have made the place quite homey."

He sat at the table and waved them over. "The business I've drummed up so far should keep us in rent with no problem – luckily it covers the heat, lights and water. Harry's monthly check from the government should keep us in food. With any luck business will increase to cover other things." Vernon said quietly.

"We'll get some after school jobs – and work during the summer." Dudley said stoutly, and Harry nodded along with him.

"I don't want you shirking your studies – although the work during the summer is a good idea." Vernon nodded. "We have a week before school restarts for you to look around."

"We'll be fine, Uncle." Harry said with determination, and they managed a three-way knuckle bump to seal it.

Vernon settled into the like-new bed with a sigh. He felt much hopeful than he had for months. Yes, they had seemingly lost everything … but they'd landed on their feet. He and the boys were together, he had work – so far, and they had a plan.

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Harry and Dudley walked the half-mile to the track, enjoying the early spring day – it wasn't raining for once. Dudley was wishing they hadn't sold their bikes – but they'd needed the money, and they had nowhere to store them here and if left outside they'd be gone in an instant.

Vernon had left to start his work early; leaving what he hoped would do for groceries for two weeks. Harry had carefully planned meals for two weeks - Including bag lunches for he and Dudley for next week. He made out the list and he and Dudley had gone to the grocery store. They had found a paper with coupons to their delight and the store had some items that were' buy one get one free' to his relief.

He had been careful and had managed to get everything but couldn't get Uncle Vernon the coffee he liked. All he could have gotten was that instant stuff. Harry had ended up buying nothing. They'd gone back to the motel and put things away and had an early lunch and then started for the track.

Harry felt like he'd truly failed. Vernon loved his morning coffee, brewed with that special percolator. He always took a large thermos to work with him, saying he couldn't tolerate the regular stuff. Harry and Dudley had refused to let him sell the coffee maker - Harry had stuffed it in the bottomless sack and refused to get it back out.

They trudged to the stables, Dudley was eager to get work there, around the thoroughbreds he loved. Even if it was just to muck out their stalls. Harry hoped to convince the stable boys he could do the same. As luck would have it McGurdy had lost a stableboy – he'd run off with a bigger stable that offered more money, so he did have work for them.

Dudley jumped into the messy work with a grin. Harry was pointed at the large mound of very dirty saddles and bridles and given the leather cleaner. Harry was happy enough to do that instead of the mucking out.

They worked until close to supper and McGurdy paid them their money. It wasn't much - but if they were there every day, it would add up. Harry and Dudley stopped in the food court and used the washroom, cleaning up a bit. Harry was out first and found himself staring at the wealthy owners filing out of the VIP lounge. It just didn't seem fair – they likely threw away enough to keep Harry and his family in luxury every day.

They passed him and Harry noticed on old gentleman had his wallet hanging half out of his back pocket – with the thick wad of bills in it, it was no wonder it didn't fit. Harry thought swiftly and whispered a spell, making the wallet fall to the floor unnoticed. Harry fought hard with his conscience and then ran to pick it up.

"Sir …. Sir!" Harry yelled, attracting the man's attention. Harry ran up to him, holding out the wallet. "You dropped this." Harry shoved the wallet into the man's hand.

The small crowd of rich owners stared at him a bit, but the old man looked at him kindly. "Well, and here I was complaining about how disreputable the new generation was … you've made me eat my words young man." Harry flushed, feeling a bit guilty … still, he'd given the wallet back. "Here you are, have a good time on spring break." The man handed him some notes, and patted his shoulder, walking off with the group.

Harry glanced down and blanched. The man had handed him twenty pounds. Well, he'd known the man was rich, and it hadn't made a dent in the stack of bills in the wallet. He gripped the notes in his hand and ran with Dudley to the store. The large, economy size can of coffee would last Uncle Vernon the month.

His conscience whined about slippery slopes and shouted about one thing leading to another. He just smiled and told himself that Uncle Vernon had his coffee … and he would try to not do things like this more than he absolutely had to.

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Vernon worked hard, and he had a fairly steady stream of costumers for bookkeeping and tax preparing. He had to undercut other accountants, so he couldn't charge a great deal, but he managed to bring home a bit more than he thought he would and made the next month's rent fairly easily. He was almost cheerful.

School was no different here than in Surrey. Harry made up schedules along with Dudley and they kept up with everything and still managed to work at the stables most afternoons and weekends. They both acquired some muscle and as the weather got warmer – tans.

One Saturday evening after they dragged home Harry sat next to the TV and picked up the unused cable cord. He'd experimented with some cable cords at the racetrack, 'feeling' the energy in them and letting his magic go back up to the source. He'd shorted out two of the cables, but he figured the racetrack could replace the cords easily – he hadn't killed the TV's after all. He was sure he had the trick of it now.

Harry plugged the cable into the back of the TV and gripped the cord, letting his magic very gently go up it – keeping the power to a faint trickle – that was the difficulty. He found his way up to the source and pushed gently into it and then pulled the energy back down the cord and let it flow into the TV.

Dudley whooped and laughed, "You did it … that's a movie channel that's on."

They scrolled though the channels that were now activated – Harry had missed a few, but had all the ones they really liked, as well as some movie channels. Vernon got home and gaped at the TV and looked at Harry suspiciously and then sighed.

"Just don't get caught – and don't blow anything up." Vernon finally said, and turned the channel to his favorite program. Harry smiled and high-fived Dudley. One more thing restored to Uncle Vernon.

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May had arrived and Vernon's business was starting to trickle off. Of course stables came and went. McGurdy had gone to Epsom for a few weeks, and then had come back. He had, for extra money, been showing some of them how to do their books properly, so some of them had not needed him so much.

McGurdy pulled him aside just before school ended. "Yeah might want to move on to either Epsom or Salisbury. I hear several of the bigger, richer stables might be lookin' to hire someone permanent for an accountant. At the least you'll have some fresh business – I think you've taught a few too many of the owners hereabouts how to take care of themselves." McGurdy grinned, and then looked at Vernon soberly. "I know you have the two lads to look after. Salisbury might be your best shot."

Vernon nodded dumbly. They had just settled into the motel. Of course that was not meant to be permanent. But he didn't want to uproot them to just go to somewhere else temporarily.

He laid out what McGurdy had said to the boys, who looked as dismayed as he felt. Harry, as always was the sensible one.

"Why don't we visit there this weekend – school will have ended and we can see if there is permanent work for you – and if there's housing we can afford. We've saved a bit – we might get an apartment, even." Harry smiled. "If we can make this place livable, think of what we can do with a bigger place."

Vernon nodded and Dudley looked less apprehensive.

They loaded into the car Saturday, carefully locking up. Salisbury was a bit of a drive and they left very early. The plain was beautiful, and they hoped to glimpse Stonehenge later. The racetrack was very nice and they found an owner they knew from Lingfield Park. He pointed out a stable that he had heard was needing a new accountant.

"Heard the last one tried to cheat the owner … the idiot." The man said. "Only an utter moron would try to cheat that man … everyone knows not to do that."

Vernon nodded and went toward the row of stalls the stable had taken for the season. Harry recognized the colors, and smiled. A few of the horses had been at Lingfield – including their old friend the bay, and the snooty grey.

Vernon spoke to the trainer, who waved the owner over to speak with him. The owner was quite impressive, and Vernon gulped a bit, meeting his eyes.

"I understand you are looking for work as an accountant?" The man asked in rather frosty tones.

"Yes, I am looking into moving to this area and would like a permanent position, as I have two eleven year old boys to look after." Vernon answered, he'd heard the man had a boy of the same age and hoped that would unfreeze him a little. He waved a hand toward the two. "This is my son Dudley and my nephew, Harry Potter."

The grey eyes flew open, to Vernon's surprise, and Lucius Malfoy sprained his neck whipping his head around so fast to look at the lightning bolt scar and the Avada Kedavra green eyes.

He was actually struck speechless for a few moments, and then cleared his throat. He desperately tried to figure out how to use this best. Harry Potter and his family were in his grasp … but what to do?

"Well, I have heard good things about you, of course …" Lucius had heard nothing, but that was hardly the issue. He dragged his eyes back over to Vernon reluctantly. It didn't matter if Vernon had difficulty putting one and one together and getting the right answer. He would have hired him for whatever job he wanted. "… I'm sure we can give you a position. The job comes with a house, of course, on the home farm. Where the horses are kept when they are not racing …"

Well, the position hadn't come with a house before … but Lucius wanted them at the Manor, under his wards while he figured out exactly what to do. Narcissa was a Black … and Harry's third – or fourth cousin. He was sure that would be important. Draco had always wanted a sibling. Harry was a blood relative.

Things could be arranged to benefit everyone.

Meanwhile Vernon looked quite enthusiastic about the house, as well as the pay Lucius mentioned. They shook hands and Lucius gave them directions to Malfoy Manor. They would arrive the next day.

Lucius waited until they left and apparated to home to consult with Narcissa.

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A/N – I know nothing about either racetrack, so I gave no details. However, the plot is thickening.