Quoth the Raven, Nevermore

Disclaimer: See chapter 1.

A/N: It took us some time to find the right Latin words for the spell used in the chapter. If it is wrong, please let us know.

Again special thanks to Phil who is helping us with Brit-speak. He's been a godsend. -GF

Chapter 6: Distinctly I Remember

In the halls of the Minister of Magic, in a small set of offices tucked in the back of the lower levels, the Department of Muggle Liaison Offices were found.

Amanda Kensington, a perky muggle-born witch, was Head of the Department. She didn't look like your typical department head. With her matronly curves, warm brown hair and soft blue eyes she looked like a witch who should be home, raising little wizards and witches, not acting as the Wizarding Worlds' go-between with the muggle world.

However, she prided herself on her work ethics. After all, the years after leaving Hogwarts had been difficult. As a muggle-born witch opportunities in the Ministry were few and far between. However, several years of diligent effort saw her succeed far beyond her dreams. She'd worked her way up the ranks and somehow landed in the Muggle Liaison Department, to become the youngest department head in recent history.

It must be noted that most old family pure-bloods in the Ministry will not work in this department. It isn't prestigious enough for one thing. For another, well, most pure-bloods don't want to associate with muggles, let alone work beside them. So the Muggle Liaison Department is run mostly by muggle-borns and half bloods.

Of course, there are a few exceptions. Arthur Weasley is one. To many pure-bloods Arthur Weasley is a joke. His love of all things muggle causes many pure-bloods to look down at the man with scorn and loathing.

Amanda heaved a sigh as she looked at the stack of paperwork and old newsprint in front of her. Another day and it was the same old, same old. Nothing has changed and she'd had such big ideas of helping the Wizarding world and the Muggle world work together. Merlin, how naive she'd been! It would take far more than one young woman to change the habits of centuries.

She took over the position as head last year when old Lawson stepped down to chase after the elusive Crumple-Horned Snorkack with the Lovegoods. Naturally Arthur Weasley was offered the position, much to Amanda's ire. She celebrated quietly when he turned the position down, not really wanting to leave his current department.

So today,when Amanda got the call from the muggle Prime Minister that she was urgently needed, she couldn't wait to leave the drudgery of her office and apparated to a small hall closet in London proper.

Number 10 Downing Street had been set up as the office for the Muggle Prime Minister, and during the last great war, the Ministry for Magic set up a closet as an apparation point so as to protect the Statute of Secrecy. Pausing briefly to straighten her robes Amanda stepped out to find an aide waiting impatiently. And with no briefing, she was hustled into a waiting limo along with the Prime Minister.

"Do you know what is going on, Mrs. Thatcher?" Amanda asked as the limo sped away. They were being hurriedly escorted through the streets of London by several police cars and motorcycles.

The PM shook her head. "Her majesty was visiting the Tower today to pay her respects and lay a wreath, when her visit was interrupted by a magical someone. The message we received was a bit garbled."

"The Tower? As in the Tower of London? That Tower?" Amanda asked, paling.

"Is there a problem?"

Amanda swallowed nervously and shook her head. No, no problem, she hoped frantically. "Do you want me to call the Aurors?" she asked, concerned, reaching for an amulet she always kept with her.

The PM shook her head. "Not at the moment. I was informed they were not needed. From what I could ascertain, you are being called in to identify this magic person who seems to be no threat to Her Majesty. From there we are to wait on Her Majesty's decision on the matter."

Amanda hmmed as she looked out at the traffic they raced passed. The Tower, according to her files, was one place most magicals avoided for very good reasons.

0o0o0o0

As Amanda stepped out of the limo, about to enter the Tower, she felt Them! She almost turned tail and hid in the auto. She'd had a taste of the reason that no sane witch or wizard would step willingly into the Tower compound. The power that washed over her left her feeling nauseated and weak!

Wards! She felt the warning of them as they rippled through her. They were ancient, powerful and were like nothing she had ever felt before! These wards were fueled through the centuries of blood so lavishly spilled at the whim of the Crown. Layers upon layers of wards, warning her of their deadly intent should she fail to heed them, stopped her from going one step further.

"I can't. . . The wards will not allow . . .," Amanda whispered in a trembling voice as the PM looked over at her. "You will need Her Majesty to make a proclamation. Until then I can't step foot . . ."

Amanda watched as the PM walked to a cluster of people standing near the chapel. She barely could make out Her majesty sitting on a stone bench. She was holding a blanket wrapped bundle, rocking it slightly.

She watched as Mrs. Thatcher presented herself to her Sovereign. The few moments as they exchanged pleasantries seemed like hours. The wards clearly did not want her here!

Then she heard Her Majesty speak in a clear calm voice. "We, Elizabeth, by the Grace of God Queen of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Defender of the Faith, do hereby allow all those that are attending Us upon Our visit to the Tower of London, to enter into Our presence, be they magical or mundane. Commanded this day, and for this day only, by Our will and authority. As we command, so mote it be."

Amanda could feel the wards examine her and her intent, then the pressure dropped. She was found worthy to enter. With a sigh of relief, she entered Her Sovereign's presence, dropping into a curtsy.

To her amazement the bundle was in fact a sleeping child with messy black hair! The child, who appeared dirty and naked beneath the blanket, was peacefully sleeping in Her Majesty's lap.

"We seem to have a problem, Miss Kensington," Her Majesty spoke. "This child, as a raven, arrived injured and nearly dead and has been living here at the Tower for months. It is our considered opinion that no child, magical or not, should be raised in a rookery. It would please us greatly if you could shed some light on this matter." Her Majesty did not raise her voice but it was apparent to all that she wasn't happy with the situation.

Confused, Amanda looked up. "Ma'am?"

"Come, girl. Don't be daft," Her Majesty spoke sternly. "We need you to tell us who this child is. Do what magic you need to do and clear this matter up immediately!" Her Majesty brushed a bit of hair from the child's forehead, showing a very faint scar.

"If it please you, Ma'am. I need to draw my wand."

"Then do so."

Amanda took out her wand and spoke, "Aperio nomeo aperio familia."

A blue light shot out of her wand and encompassed the sleeping child. A soft glow formed around the child's head as words started to appear.

"Hadrian James Potter
Magical True Name Hadrian Ravenschilde

son of:

James and Lily Potter nee Evans

Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter
Duke of Gryffindor
Earl of Slytherin
Baron of Peverell
Heir Apparent to the Ancient and Noble House of Black"

Amanda dropped her wand in shock. "It can't be! He was suppose to be safe with his relatives, hidden away and well cared for! How in Merlin's name did he get here?"

"How indeed," Her Majesty queried with a raised brow, her voice snapping with fury. "And how is it that a child of the peerage with not one, but three titles, appears before me naked, unkempt and not knowing his own name? Gentlemen? Ladies?"

"If I may, Your Majesty?" Amanda spoke up. "Harry Potter disappeared right after that bit of a dust up with the Dark Lord. The night his parents were murdered it was announced by the Wizengamot and the Minister of Magic that the child was sent to live with his mother's relatives outside of the Wizarding World. Annual reports appeared in the newspaper claiming that the child was being well taken care of and any milestones were recounted. I believe the Head Warlock of the Wizengamot, Albus Dumbledore, supplied the information."

"Well, it looks as if he has been lying, doesn't it?" She snapped.

"Yes Ma'am," Amanda agreed with a quaver, retrieving her wand. "If you please, I would like to run one more spell on Lord Potter."

"Do it promptly!"

Amanda removed several pieces of parchment from her briefcase and with another flick of her wand, she cast a simple diagnostic spell. "This will tell us the child's medical history, Ma'am."

As the spell was running its course, Her Majesty beckoned her secretary forward. She began to issue quiet orders as the secretary made notes. Most of the pertinent facts already revealed, the secretary had already written down. After all, it was his duty to anticipate his Queen's wishes. The man knew his monarch. He knew that her current displeasure would accept no excuses and so was well prepared.

No matter the outcome of the child's medical history, whoever had custody of him now faced criminal charges. Further, they were to be relieved of custody and faced a thorough investigation. The child known as Hadrian James Potter would now be a Royal Ward with the monarchy taking a personal interest in the his well-fare.

Her Majesty wasn't happy and if she wasn't happy, then no one was going to be happy.

0o0o0o0

Hadrian started to stir. All the magic around him tickled! Opening his eyes, he looked up at the elderly lady that was holding him.

"Hello, Lord Hadrian," she said. "Did you have a nice nap?"

He looked around, trying to remember what was going on.

Another lady took some sheets of funny paper and handed them off to a man in uniform.

"Hello Lord Hadrian, I am Amanda Kensington, Head of the Department of Muggle Liaison. Don't worry, you'll be fine."

Hadrian looked around first and then back up at the elderly lady. "Your Majesty? Do I have to leave here? I like it here. He. . ." Hadrian pointed to Yeoman Warder McIntyre, who was standing off in the ranks of the other attending staff. ". . . takes good care of me."

Shocked at being singled out, Ben McIntyre straightened and saluted. At Her Majesty's questioning look, the Yeoman explained. "I was only doing my duty, Your majesty. I can't take full credit for his recovery. My wife Maggie, who is a muggle-born witch, helped as she always does. Her potions were spot on." Pride resounded in his voice.

"I see, Yeoman Warder," Her Majesty said. "How does she get around the magic wards?"

"She doesn't come into the area around Tower and she doesn't do magic unless necessary. All magicals know to avoid the White Tower. The Wards can only be lifted by Royal Decree, as you saw today. Many of the Yeomen Warders are squibs married to muggles, or other squibs. One or two of us are married to actual witches. We are needed to keep the spirits that reside here calm."

"I like it here. The Lady said she would take care that I can stay. She gave me this," Hadrian piped in, sitting up, allowing blanket to fall away. He pulled the pendant he had been wearing up for everyone to see.

"Oh Merlin!" Amanda gasped, stepping backwards in shock.

0o0o0o0

Aperio nomeo aperio familia: Reveal name, reveal family

Thank you all for the reviews and the possible scenerios of what you think will happen. Our answer to those has always been 'keep reading.'

Until next time. -GF and the Frau