Try not to nitpick this court scene too much, which I doubt I was accurate on, regarding all the aspects of what happens in a court for guardianship of a child. What can I say, it's fan fiction. Read, and enjoy!
Chapter 19 The New Guardians and the New Protection
"Mr. Vernon Dursley, Mrs. Petunia Dursley, you stand charged with neglect in your care of Mr. Harry Potter, and have elected to defend yourselves. How do you plead?"
Harry swallowed nervously as he sat in the court room. It was smaller than he expected, and Sharen had explained to him that such a thing as a transfer of guardianship, especially in cases with strong evidence, didn't always require a large amount of people. The sound of the voice of the judge echoed around the room, which was the size of a small auditorium from the sound of it. Harry was sitting in one of the front row seats, and Mr. Henderson had told him to be prepared to come stand as a witness, as well as to answer questions about whether he actually wanted guardians other than the Dursley's. Magic was in the Henderson's vehicle, the windows cracked slightly as she read a book, as it would be too complicated to include her in the proceedings, especially with a situation where Muggles would be involved. Harry didn't mind that, though, and knew that if he had new Guardians, Magic would, as always, do as he wanted, and wouldn't mind him making decisions for her.
"We plead not guilty, your honor." Uncle Vernon said, which Harry was unsurprised about.
"Mrs. Rose Landry, you have evaluated the living conditions of Mr. Harry Potter. Have you reached a conclusion to present to this court?" The judge asked.
Rose Landry, Harry remembered, was quite tall and fit, not at all what he expected from a social worker. When he'd first shaken her hand and experienced the firm grip of her handshake, he'd originally thought she was some type of police officer. That had only been reinforced when she'd hugged him firmly, though he'd found the hug to be rather nice. During their talk for a few hours, Harry had determined that she was only twenty-three years old, younger than he'd expected. She was quite kind and gentle, though, despite how strong she was. She, as it turned out, worked for the Ministry of Magic, and unlike many other magical people, didn't go on about how famous he was. She seemed to react like he was any other ordinary case, something Harry had found quite refreshing.
"I have, your honor." Rose responded. Her voice, while still feminine, presented a person who was tough. Her tones, at the moment, were professional, but Harry had heard her talk to the Dursley's in a lower and colder voice, and to his amusement, had heard them cower in fear. "I believe the Dursley family is guilty of the charges as presented."
"We will take the pieces of evidence one at a time, then." The judge responded.
"First, there are no photos of Mr. Harry Potter anywhere within the Dursley home, indicating a possibility that he hasn't been included in any family events." Rose stated.
"Your defense, Mr. Dursley?" The judge asked.
"Harry doesn't like his picture being taken. He's never wanted to be included in any photos before. We simply were honoring his wish." Uncle Vernon responded.
"Miss Sharen Henderson?" The judge prompted.
"Harry has told me that he has never been included in any family pictures, and rarely joins in with any family activities. He's stated the Dursley's extreme reluctance to include him in any events, and that, rather than him not preferring pictures, the Dursley's make it a point not to include him in any pictures." Sharen said.
"That's not true at all." Uncle Vernon replied, Harry noticing in his tone that he was trying to either backtrack or cover up something. "Harry's a very troubled boy. We're simply trying to keep him comfortable. He can be rather violent."
"He doesn't seem particularly troubled at this moment." The judge said, Harry presuming he'd been examined.
"I have taken pictures of the house to show you that there are no photos of Harry anywhere in the home." Rose said, and Harry heard papers being flipped through. "As you'll see, the condition of Harry's room also indicates neglect, as there are no child's toys or anything he might have fun with."
"He doesn't like such things." Uncle Vernon said.
"He likes them." Sharen said. "Harry showed Rose and I a place that he hides things, a loose floorboard under the bed. He does so because he didn't want the Dursley's to take any of the toys he'd been able to gather, away from him."
"I see." The judge stated in a contemplating manner. "You seem upset, Mr. Dursley. Do you need a moment to take a break?"
"Not at all, your honor. I'm ready to continue if you are." Uncle Vernon said.
"Please present the next piece of evidence." The judge said.
"When I met Harry, I hugged him. I find that I can get a sense of what a child is like if I do, though it's not exactly procedure. I asked him first, of course, and even though he expected it and returned the hug, I noticed that he tensed up slightly. He confided in me that the Dursley's never hugged him, only pulled him into a corner, pushed him a little to get him going somewhere, but never showed any real sign of any physical affection." Rose explained.
"The boy requires a firm hand." Uncle Vernon stated in a determined voice. "He gets up to all sorts of trouble."
"Perhaps you could share some of these things that Mr. Harry Potter has been up to, which get him into so much trouble." The judge said.
"He steals from our son and torments him. He's always pinching him." Uncle Vernon said.
"Yeah, and I'm sick of it!" Dudley interjected, he also sitting in the front row next to Harry, though he hadn't done anything to him yet.
"I'm a fairly good judge of character, Mr. Dudley Dursley, and I believe you are the one who has experienced the most of the Dursley's loving care. Perhaps receiving just about everything you wanted?" The judge asked. Harry noted his professionalism, but also heard a bit of sarcasm in his voice as well.
Dudley didn't respond.
"Miss Sharen Henderson, what's your take on this evidence Rose has brought us?" The judge asked.
"Harry usually doesn't tense when I touch him, but he knows and trusts me. When I saw him and his Uncle interacting, Harry tensed whenever Vernon Dursley laid a hand on him, but not necessarily in a way that would indicate he might be hit or beaten, more in a way that he knew what was coming in terms of him getting into trouble, knew it was unjust, and wanted to be away from it but was resigned to dealing with it anyway." Sharen explained.
"All children do that. It's just the way they are." Uncle Vernon replied.
"Do you have any further evidence to present to us, Rose?" The judge asked.
"The condition of Harry's room in the photos, as you've already seen, will show you that Harry has never received anything new. The bed he sleeps on, which I tried out myself, is a rather uncomfortable one, full of hard springs, next to no padding in the mattress, and with thin, ragged sheets that would barely do anything to keep him warm on cold winter nights." Rose said.
"The boy doesn't want anything new, he likes what he has." Uncle Vernon stated.
"I've heard Harry talk about how uncomfortable his bed is before, and how he'd like a new one." Sharen explained. "He doesn't like it. In fact, about two years ago, he told me how his back was hurting because of laying on such a bed, and that the floor was more comfortable, or even padding the mattress with his blanket made a difference."
"Do you have any further evidence?" The judge asked.
"One final thing, your honor." Rose stated. "Any gift that Harry has received is something of a practical use, such as braille paper, an alarm clock, coat hangers, a ruler, a compass, etc. He receives one a year, either for Christmas or for his birthday, and has never celebrated either holiday. In short, he's never been given anything simply to have fun, or been allowed such a luxury unless the Dursley's can't get out of it."
"He likes to study and do hard work. He's a fine, upstanding boy who does a lot of hard work in his schooling." Uncle Vernon stated. "We encouraged it by giving him useful gifts like that."
"I've worked with Harry for many years on mobility, among other things. He deeply enjoys any time when we've gone to a restaurant and I've gotten him something as simple as a soft drink." Sharen said. "One could say by observing his reactions, that such things are rare treats that he doesn't have often at all."
"He doesn't want them." Uncle Vernon responded. "He likes his study time."
"I've given him days to play before in a park. The first time, he was brought to tears because I wouldn't let him go back when it was time to leave, and yelled at me that he hated me and would never ever talk to me again." Harry felt his cheeks burn with embarrassment and guilt. "That reaction suggests someone who enjoyed the park a great deal, perhaps far more than any child normally would. He was angry because he knew he'd never be allowed such a thing at the Dursley's."
"Judging from my own observations of Mr. Harry Potter, I agree with Miss Sharen Henderson's conclusion." Rose said.
"Very well." The judge replied. "I've gathered a list of witnesses, a short list. I'd like to call Mr. Dudley Dursley to the stand."
Harry heard Dudley stand from the chair, which squeaked. His heavy footsteps walked over to where the witness stand was, then the judge had him swear an oath to tell the truth. Dudley did, and Sharen began the questioning.
"Dudley Dursley, how much do you get to eat every day?"
"As much as I want." Dudley replied.
"And what about Harry, has he been able to eat as much as he wants?" Sharen asked.
"Of course not." Dudley replied.
"And why is that?" Sharen asked.
"My dad says that..." Dudley began.
"Objection, your honor!" Uncle Vernon practically screamed.
"Overruled, continue." The judge stated firmly.
"Please answer my question. Why doesn't Harry get to eat all that he wants, Dudley?" Sharen asked kindly.
"Because my dad says that no good layabouts don't deserve money spent on them that doesn't have to be." Dudley replied. "He says that Potter's not starving and he's just fine with what he gets."
"Who gets the toys to have fun with, Dudley, yourself or Harry?" Sharen asked.
"I do. Potter doesn't deserve anything." Dudley replied.
"That's all, your honor." Sharen said.
"Do you wish to cross examine the witness, Mr. Dursley?" The judge asked.
"Yes, your honor." Uncle Vernon stated. "Dudley, my boy, don't we take care of Harry well?"
"Yeah." Dudley replied, and Harry could tell this was well rehearsed.
"And don't we give him everything he wants?" Uncle Vernon asked.
"Yeah, we do." Dudley replied. "I've shared some of my toys with him before."
Only after they were smashed to pieces and I had to repair them, Harry thought to himself, though didn't feel bitter. Instead, he felt a joyful anticipation.
"I'm finished, your honor." Uncle Vernon said.
If that was all they could do, this wasn't going to last long, Harry thought.
"You may sit down, Mr. Dudley Dursley." The judge said.
Harry heard Dudley coming back toward where the two of them were sitting, and apparently, he couldn't resist kicking Harry quite hard in the shin. He didn't cry out, quite used to such pain. He only gasped a little, though remained sitting.
"Are you all right, Harry?" Rose asked, still sounding professional.
"Yeah. I'm okay." Harry responded.
"You're next, Mr. Harry Potter. Please come to the stand." The judge said.
Harry stood, walked forward toward where he'd heard Dudley standing, and stood where the witnesses would be. He felt a little nervous, but hopeful. The judge had him swear an oath like Dudley had, and once done, it was Uncle Vernon who began the questioning.
"Have we ever starved you, Harry?" Uncle Vernon asked.
"No." Harry responded.
"And have we given you everything you've needed?" Uncle Vernon asked.
"Can you clarify that a bit?" Harry asked in return. "Needed for what, physical health, emotional health?"
"Both." Uncle Vernon responded. "Haven't you received everything you've needed to be happy?"
"No." Harry replied. "I haven't received kindness, or anything I'd consider loving care. It's been short..."
"That's good, I think." Uncle Vernon interrupted, sounding rather nervous.
After a few seconds of silence, the judge asked, "Have you any further questions, Mr. Dursley?"
"None, sir." Uncle Vernon responded.
"Miss Sharen Henderson?" The judge prompted.
"Harry, you said that you didn't receive everything you needed from the Dursley's. Could you clarify your answer for us, and tell us what you didn't receive from them that you needed in order to be happy?"
"Objection, your honor!" Uncle Vernon shouted.
"One more outburst like that, Mr. Dursley, and I will rule in the favor of Miss Sharen Henderson being guardian, as she elected to do!" The judge replied in a loud, firm voice. "Objection overruled, answer the question Mr. Harry Potter."
"The Dursley's didn't show me any kindness. They were brusk with me, just taught me the bare essentials, and always sounded like they really didn't care about anything I told them, that they interacted with me because they had to, nothing more. I never even received a thank you for my work, or any sign of approval that would be considered normal. I knew I'd done something right because the Dursley's wouldn't say anything to me that I'd done anything wrong, it would just be silence or a little sound of acknowledgement. They never hugged me, only pulled me places or had me follow them. I was pushed from places when they took family pictures, like I wasn't really part of the family. And, when I wanted someone to hold me after a nightmare, they never would." Harry said, blinking tears of emotion from his eyes, he feeling the sad longing he'd felt in those times, but also grateful that Magic had always been there to hold him whenever he'd needed her.
"When was the first time you received any kindness from anyone?" Sharen asked.
"The first time I remember was with you, when you took me to the park and told me I could play. I wanted to stay there forever, and I felt like you were just like the Dursley's when you took me away from it, that anything good turned out to be something cruel and somewhere I couldn't stay." Harry responded.
"Dudley told us that you've received toys of his before. Were they in any useable condition?" Sharen asked.
"No. They were smashed to pieces.' Harry responded, and since it had eventually happened anyway, added truthfully, "I threw them away."
"I have no further questions." Sharen said.
"Very well." The judge said. "You may step down, Mr. Harry Potter, but please remain. We're about to put an end to these proceedings, and I suspect very quickly. Children aren't often asked for their input in court cases regarding guardianship, but I always include them in mine. Would you like Miss Sharen Henderson to be your guardian?"
"Yes, I would." Harry responded.
"All in favor of charging Mr. and Mrs. Dursley with neglectful child care toward Mr. Potter, and wish his guardianship to be immediately transferred to one Miss Sharen Henderson?" The judge asked. It took only moments before the judge said, "This will be placed on your permanent record, Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, and you will no longer be allowed to care for Harry Potter. In addition, you will not be allowed to host him at your house without either Miss Sharen Henderson's presence, or the presence of someone she vouches for, or, in the case that Harry Potter is an adult. Dismissed."
"No!" Aunt Petunia screamed furiously as Harry, with tears of joy in his eyes, rushed toward Sharen who hugged him tight, Rose patting Harry's shoulder.
"I've got some papers to sign, but you're free to go with Rose." Sharen said. "She'll take you to our car. I'll be out in twenty minutes or so."
"Thank you, thank you. Thank you, Sharen." Harry said, overwhelmed and crying with joy.
After he took Rose's powerful, athletic arm, she led him from the court room in silence, then they walked through the parking lot toward the Henderson's car. After they reached it, Rose hugged Harry again.
"I'm happy for you, Harry, and I'll be filing the appropriate paperwork with the ministry. I'd expect Headmaster Dumbledore to show up to try and find you, since you told me he was the one who placed you with the Dursley's." Rose said.
"Yeah, he did, but I know why he did. Even so, I'm glad to be somewhere else." Harry replied. "And Sharen's told me that they've got plans to keep me safe."
"Good." Rose said. "I wish you luck, Harry."
"Thanks." Harry replied, then opened the left side door and climbed into the car, closing it behind him and buckling his seatbelt. "Well, Magic, we've got new Guardians."
"I'm always aware of you, and everything around you. Your statement was unnecessary." Magic stated. Harry grinned and clasped her left hand tightly, she returning his grip without emotion.
Harry rested his head on Magic's shoulder as he waited for Sharen to finish signing all the paperwork she needed to, and as he listened to the sounds around him, he thought he could hear Uncle Vernon's car tearing from the parking lot, something he sometimes did when he was enraged. He sighed with relief, glad the Dursley's didn't even know where Sharen's home was. It was some distance from Privet Drive, though was still in Surrey. Her address, from what she'd told him, was Number One, Westeria Lane, Nettlestone, Surrey. He was almost giddy with excitement, and couldn't stop grinning.
As Sharen and her parents got back in the car, Sharen in the back of the vehicle on the right side of Magic, she said, "We understand that safety is the first concern for you, Harry, given how famous you are, and I'd like to keep you informed as to exactly what we've put in place."
"Okay." Harry replied.
"My parents have already cast the Fidelius Charm on the location with the anticipation that you'd be moving in. Do you remember when I told you, Harry Potter is located at Number One, Westeria Lane?" Sharen asked.
"Yeah, and I said not yet, then you told me we'd be at Nettlestone, Surrey." Harry said.
"You needed that information to be included in the knowledge of the location. Otherwise, you'd walk past the house without even realizing it was there. I'm the secret keeper of your location, and now that you'll be living here for sure, my parents and I will be performing something called an unbreakable vow." Sharen said.
"What's that supposed to do?" Harry asked.
"We've set it up so that if I'm captured, and try to reveal the location to anyone who you haven't told me should know, I will be killed." Sharen stated.
"No." Harry replied. "I don't like people being magically bound, I don't want you to be magically bound, I don't want to be magically bound. I'd rather you give up the location before dying." Harry's voice was frantic.
"Do you have any other suggestions?" Sharen asked. "Any way we do this, I'll need to be bound in some way. Do you have anything that's not as extreme as death?"
"I'll bind you." Harry said after a long moment of thought. "I don't like it, but I understand the need for secrecy. Magic, this is what I want you to do."
"Wait, can't you think what you want to her?" Sharen asked.
"Yes, but I want everyone to know, and approve this before we continue."
"Sharen was willing to go through death to keep you safe." Mr. Henderson said. "I'll be glad for anything else."
"As will I." Mrs. Henderson added.
"Okay. And you'll be fine with this?" Harry asked.
"Yes, whatever you've got planned, I'm fine with." Sharen responded.
"All right, but I'm still going to explain it. Magic, here's what I want. If I don't give Sharen permission to reveal the location in verbal form, me being there in person with her and her proving that it's me in any way she chooses, she won't be able to speak. If she tries, it'll leave her conscious mind like thoughts sometimes do that you're trying to say, and forget. If someone tries to go into her mind to get the information, they won't be able to retrieve it, other memories blocking their way. If someone tries to..." He shuddered at this idea of binding, but continued. "If someone tries to torture her to get the information, and there's any chance it might be revealed, the address will be wiped from her memory but the secret will still be in her. Is that all possible?"
"Yes." Magic stated as he felt a strange type of limiting, constricting magic enter Sharen from his flame, changing her mind and the little magic she had within her, and even slightly increasing it.
"Wow." Sharen said, sounding a little startled. "I felt like someone was squeezing my head and heart. That was odd."
"Do you feel okay now?" Harry asked.
"Yes, I feel fine." Sharen replied. "And thanks for all that."
"No problem." Harry stated, feeling a little glum. It didn't last long, though, when he remembered Voldemort who would be out to kill him. He being in a location like this would be an advantage, and being hidden in such a way would ensure that Voldemort couldn't touch him. He took a breath and straightened up. "There's something I want to tell you, Sharen, and only you. I can't think of why I shouldn't trust you with it, since I trust you with my safety."
"When we get in, then you can tell me." Sharen said.
The drive only took about ten more minutes. Sharen, Magic and Harry exited the vehicle, and after Sharen's parents wished them all good luck, they drove off. Harry was led up a smooth driveway to a porch, and once up a few steps, was led into his new home. He was glad to leave the Dursley home behind and live here with Sharen, who was likely going to ensure he was well taken care of. As he stepped inside the warm house, he grinned, patted the pocket where his trunk, and therefore, all of his supplies were, and listened to Sharen close and lock the door.
"This is a key for you." She said, handing it to him.
"I'll keep it safe." Harry promised.
"Now, you said you had something important to tell me." Sharen said.
"Do you know who Voldemort is?" Harry asked.
"Yes, I do." Sharen replied. "Voldemort was a wizarding terrorist. I've seen some of his work, but I wasn't ever afraid to call him by his name."
"I respect you for that. Everyone else except Dumbledore and muggle-bourns are afraid to call him by his name. Oh, yeah, and Daphne Greengrass, a friend of mine at Hogwarts." Harry said. "Anyway, there's a prophecy that says I have to kill Voldemort, or he has to kill me."
"Oh." Sharen let out a deep sigh. "I almost expected something like that, to be honest, given all the concerns there were about your safety. But you can't be touched here."
"How are you going to get anything, mail and such?" Harry asked.
"I've already set mail up to be redirected to another location, where I'll go to pick it up." Sharen explained.
"What about people who know where you live?" Harry asked.
"I haven't given them the address after the charm was cast, and the nature of the Fidelius Charm will prevent them from retaining the knowledge. In short, they don't have it anymore. That's why it's one of the most difficult charms to cast, but my mother's a master at charm casting." Sharen explained. "How about we talk about something more cheerful. Want to know where you'll be sleeping?"
"Yeah, sure." Harry replied with a grin.
"It's a small house, only one level." Sharen said as she started walking through the small, open space they were in. Harry followed her into a hall and she opened a door on his left. "This will be your room, and mine is directly across from it. The bathroom is right in front of you."
"Sounds simple." Harry said as he turned left and stepped into the room.
"Magic, since you're Harry's magic, I don't have a problem with you staying in the same room as him." Sharen said. "Are you okay with that?"
"I do as Harry wishes." Magic stated.
"I know that, but are you fine with this arrangement, is it what you want?" Sharen asked.
"I want what Harry wants, and Harry wishes this." Magic stated.
"You aren't easy to talk to." Sharen remarked. "Okay, then. So, this is the layout of the room."
"That's okay, Sharen, I think I can get it. It doesn't seem too hard." Harry said as he found a wardrobe on the wall to his left, then moving along it, found a bed that felt like it would be more comfortable than what he'd had at the Dursley's house. At the head of the bed on the right side of the room when the door was behind him, he felt a small desk that would be good enough for him to use for performing his homework. The layout seemed a little odd, but he didn't mind it.
"There's some heavy drapes closed over the window right now, so you don't have to worry about anyone looking in here." Sharen said. "And if you ever need anything from me, even if it's the middle of the night, my room's right across from yours."
"Sharen, I'm curious, how am I going to receive mail from my friends?" Harry asked.
"It wouldn't be very secure for you to receive mail from anyone, and since the owls won't be able to see this place, you won't be able to receive mail in any traditional way." Sharen said. "But I do have a suggestion."
"What's that?" Harry asked.
"Magic." Sharen said simply.
Rather than ask her what she meant, Harry thought about her suggestion as he turned toward where Magic was standing.
"Can you find my friends as an owl would, and get mail from them?" Harry asked.
"Yes." Magic stated. Harry thought she might be able to do so, as they'd been around post owls when they delivered mail before. Magic had felt their magic as she always had, and as he'd been able to do, Harry could duplicate it. In addition to that, his magic and the Phoenix magic had been merged, and as far as he knew, a Phoenix could find anyone that they were familiar with.
"We'll have to figure out a way for you to deliver the mail without being caught." Harry said. "Maybe, if you appeared invisibly where they were, told them who it was, we could set up a schedule when you'd be able to appear in front of each of my friends."
"That's a good temporary solution, and it might work very well. But, perhaps one of your friends would have a more permanent solution for you." Sharen said.
"Daphne might." Harry responded. "She's spent a lot of time in the wizarding world like Ron, but she seems to know a lot, too. Magic, will you go and ask her?"
Harry felt Magic disappear, felt the great distance that she was from him, further than anything he'd ever felt before. It was uncomfortable, but nothing compared to feeling his flame of magic when it was frozen within him. As his stomach growled, Sharen said, "Guess you're hungry. Out your room to the right, then after you get out of the hallway, turn left. That's where our small little kitchen will be. I'll work on making us something."
"Okay." Harry said. "I can help if you want."
"I'm sure you can. If you like, why don't you show me those cooking skills of yours." Sharen said.
"Sure." Harry replied. "I'm curious about something, though." He spoke as he walked toward the kitchen.
"What's that?" Sharen asked.
"Why did your parents, who are completely magical, want to live as Muggles? You sort of explained it at the Dursley's, but I didn't really understand it."
"First, you'll want to realize that squibs are looked down upon in the magical community. These are people who are born from two parents who are magical, but aren't magical themselves. Us squibs have just enough magic to see magical things, and be considered a magical person, but we can't use a wand or perform any magic ourselves. This makes squibs outcasts, people don't like to talk about them." Sharen said.
"But, you grew up in the magical world at first, right?" Harry asked.
"Yes, until I was about four. My parents noticed that, even when I picked up one of their wands, I couldn't perform any sort of accidental magic, and didn't do so without a wand, even when I got really frustrated. This isn't a normal occurrence for children, so they got me checked out by a healer, someone who's similar to a muggle Doctor, though the magical community finds healers to be far less bloody and savage in their methods. They apparently think Muggle Doctors slice people up and put them back together again like a puzzle." Sharen let out a sigh as Harry looked through the cupboards of the small kitchen. "Anyway, the healer pronounced that I was a squib. My parents told me about how squibs were viewed in the magical world, and they said I'd be much better off living as a muggle, someone who didn't have magic. We'd interacted with such people before, and my parents didn't care who they were like some magical people do. People are people, they said, and shouldn't be looked down upon because they couldn't do one thing or another. So, we moved into a muggle home, my parents avidly studied everything about Muggles to learn all that they could, took a muggle job and did it surprisingly well, and eventually, got high up in your Uncle's drilling company while I, worked for the public schools working with people who have disabilities such as yourself and your blindness."
"And now you're back in the magical world because of me." Harry said.
"No, not because of you." Sharen replied. "Because I love you, and have since I learned about that horrible environment you've been subject to. That, actually, was part of the reason my parents got a job in your Uncle's company. I didn't want to get your hopes up, but for about seven years we've been planning a way to get you out of there. My parents needed to get some influence before they could do anything with any sort of success. I'm only sorry we couldn't do it sooner."
"Well I'm glad you did, I'm glad you're my guardian now." Harry said, blinking some tears from his eyes. "And I won't let you down."
"Harry, you could never let me down." Sharen said with a chuckle. "Disappoint me, perhaps, make me angry, yes. But I'll never stop loving you."
"That's... That's good." Harry said, trying not to cry. He cleared his throat as he put a frying pan on the stove, then said, "What would you like?"
"Surprise me." Sharen said with a grin. "I want to see how good you are at this."
"You're going to be watching me, then?" Harry asked.
"Yes, of course." Sharen responded. "I don't want you to get hurt."
Harry felt Magic reappear in the kitchen behind him, then she said, "Daphne and Professor McGonagall have a solution, a magical postal box that can strip letters of any harmful curses or hexes, remove any type of transportation magic, which they gave a Portkey as an example for, and can redirect owls to place the letters in the box on the other end of the system that will transport them to the one linked to it."
"So, if I have one of these, when owls send me a letter, it'll go to one box, then appear in mine?" Harry asked.
"Yes.' Magic stated. "You may set it up for the reverse as well. This is ten galleons a month, and can be linked to your Gringotts account."
"That doesn't sound too bad." Harry remarked.
"No, not at all." Sharen said. "Where can we get these?"
"In Diagon Alley's postal service store." Magic replied.
"Well, Harry, we'll have to take a little trip there, I suppose." Sharen said.
"Yeah, I suppose so." Harry replied, glad he'd have his own guardian with him when he went. "I've got another question, something you said about your parents in Uncle Vernon's drilling company. Why did they need to work there?"
"Well, if we couldn't obtain guardianship of you in the court, then my father was going to have Uncle Vernon fired from his own company. That's why he needed to be in a higher position than he was." Sharen said. Harry chuckled at that.
"Nice." He said. "I wouldn't have thought about that."
"We've had a long time to think about exactly how to get you away from there." Sharen said. "Given that you're Harry Potter, a very famous wizard, it made things a bit more complicated. We needed to make sure to do things right."
"What do you think would have happened if Uncle Vernon had been fired from his company, anyway?" Harry asked.
"I'm not sure, exactly." Sharen replied. "But my father told me that, should he be fired, he'd see to it that it would be very difficult for Vernon Dursley to obtain a job again. Unless, of course, he let me become your guardian."
"Why you, why not your parents?" Harry asked.
"Because, Harry, I care for you deeply. I know you, and you know me. You can't say the same for my parents, though they're nice people." Sharen said.
"I suppose not." Harry responded.
"Right, then." Sharen said, clapping her hands. "Let's see what cooking skills you've got!"
As Harry cooked, Sharen watched him and gave him a few tips on things he could do better, just as she always had with anything else. As a result, his meal was a little better than it usually was, and when he finished, Sharen had set the table for three, not knowing if Magic ate or not. Harry was glad about that, and told her that Magic did eat with him, which Sharen accepted without an issue. It was nice to sit and eat with someone who cared, someone who was also his guardian, Harry thought to himself as the three of them ate and talked with one another in their small little home.
Harry slept better that night than he ever had before, and experienced no dreams that he could remember. Magic sat in a chair she'd created while he slept, and when he woke and checked the time, he realized it was eight in the morning. He could hear someone humming and moving about outside his room, recognizing Sharen's voice, she sounding cheerful. Harry climbed from the bed and stretched, and as he moved toward the door, Magic followed. He found Sharen in the kitchen, and as Harry entered, she said cheerfully, "Good morning, Harry!"
"Hi." Harry responded.
"I wondered if you could help me with a bit of a problem I'm having." She said.
"What's that?" He asked.
"You might have noticed, but the power here has been fluctuating a bit. I didn't think about magic interfering with the electricity and various objects around the house here, though we don't have enough magical wards or protections to cause any damage to anything just yet." Sharen explained. "Since you told me you could feel magic, could you try and figure out what's causing the interference, maybe shield the electronics here?"
"Magic, see what you can do." Harry said. "And I could make sure nothing breaks, either, so we won't have to call in any Muggles to fix things."
"That would be grand." Sharen replied cheerfully. "I knew I wouldn't regret having you around, you're just full of all sorts of goodies!"
Harry laughed at her antics as Magic moved around the house. Harry could feel some type of magic from his flame as she shielded the electronics, cables, and other things in the house against what he presumed was magical interference. Since he hadn't known about that before he'd obtained his magical talking watch, he hadn't been able to shield it from anything like that then, though found his magical watch to be far superior to his talking watch in many ways. He felt Magic going outside, felt her shielding the power lines and strengthening them against any damage that could be caused, just as she'd done with the rest of the house. Sharen said, "That's done it, the lights are actually working properly now."
"Complete." Magic stated as she reappeared back in the kitchen.
"Thanks!" Sharen said, and Harry heard them hug. "No, no, Magic, you've got to loosen your arms up... No, not like that, don't be so tense and precise..."
"I've tried all that, she doesn't know what to do without a precise example. She can emulate other people's style of hugging, but I always wanted her to learn her own, and I like her unemotional hugs, they're all Magic." Harry said. "Just like her talking, and I'm told her facial expression, the way she moves, it's Magic's way."
"If you say so." Sharen replied, though still sounded happy. "So, what would you like to do today, Harry, explore the house, go to Diagon Alley and get those postal boxes set up? I'd love to receive the Daily Prophet again, and I'll have to set up a monthly subscription for it, not a big deal."
"Let's go to Diagon Alley." Harry said. "I want to be in contact with my friends. Oh... By the way, do you have a phone number here?"
"I do. But don't worry, it can't be traced with the Fidelius Charm here." Sharen responded. "I assume you want to call one of your friends?"
"Yeah. Hermione." Harry replied. "She's one of my best friends."
"That's what they all say, then before you know it, you're married." Sharen said, then laughed as he blushed. "Just joking, Harry."
Harry picked up the phone after he finished eating, dialed Hermione's number, and waited, hearing the phone ringing. It wasn't long until it was answered.
"Granger residence." He heard the familiar voice of Hermione say.
"It's Harry, Hermione." He responded. "How are you?"
"I'm doing really good." Hermione responded. "I thought you weren't allowed to talk to me."
"Since the Dursley's aren't my Guardians anymore, that's not an issue." Harry replied.
"The Dursley's aren't your Guardians?" Hermione asked. "What..."
"Hermione!" Harry heard her mother call.
"Listen, I've got to go, we're about to leave." Hermione said. "But I want to hear all about it when I come to Hogwarts!"
"Okay." Harry said with amusement, then heard her hang up, obviously in quite a hurry.
"That didn't last as long as I thought it would." Sharen said as Harry hung the phone up.
"She's going on some vacation. I forgot about that." Harry said. "Unless she didn't tell me she was, but I thought she had."
"Ah." Sharen responded. "So, then, ready to go?"
"Yeah." Harry replied.
"No you aren't. You need to get dressed for the day." Sharen explained. "And so do I. Twenty minutes, and we can go."
"Okay." Harry said.
Once they were at Diagon Alley, and Harry had retrieved the money he needed as well as an authorized account statement from Gringotts, which would allow him to link a subscription of any amount with the postal service, Harry insisted on paying for Sharen's box along with his own. Sharen thanked him for his willingness to do something like that for her, and to his surprise, left it at that. Twenty galleons a month would be coming from his vault for the postal boxes, and once they were linked, Harry tested them by sending out some letters to Professor McGonagall and Daphne, thanking them for their suggestion, Ron, Hermione and Hagrid to see what they were up to, and Professor Dumbledore, to let him know that he was quite safe with his new guardian. After he placed the letters in the box, they vanished, presumably appearing in the other box which was in the postal service store. He felt a little uneasy at trusting other people with his mail, but knew it would be worth it if he could receive letters when he was at Sharen's house. He enjoyed feeling how the magic worked, and while he went to Hogwarts, would disconnect his box from the network so he could receive mail from the owls like everyone else. He was looking forward to the letters and packages he'd receive from his friends, especially around his birthday. While he'd never received anything from them yet, he wouldn't at all be surprised if he did. Currently, he was in his room after his trip to Diagon Alley, working freely on his homework without being in his trunk's apartment. He wasn't sure what Sharen was doing, but knew that she'd be glad to see him studying. His plan was to complete his work before enjoying the rest of the summer, and Sharen thought it a good one. It took him a week, but finally, he was free to enjoy the rest of the summer with no homework left to do, and no worries.