Quoth the Raven, Nevermore

Disclaimer: See chapter 1. Reviews are welcomed, flames aren't.

Chapter 7: Tis Only this and Nothing More

Hadrian James Potter could not have picked a better person to cry his case to than Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth. Being only five, he had no clue about protocol, etiquette and all those pesky do's and don'ts about approaching such a high profile person as Her Majesty. However, for getting his case heard, for getting all the red tape surrounding his unique problems cut then who better?

The child was bundled in a soft woolen blanket and offered bits of nourishment as his story was coaxed out of him. When he stifled a sleepy yawn, he found himself in Her Majesty's lap being slowly rocked to sleep. His last thought before sleep claimed him was that Her Majesty's lap was almost as warm as Hardey's nest. Queen Anne had been right, Her Majesty made a great mum.

The Prime Minister arrived along with more aides, plus the Liaison to a very unique and hidden world within Great Britain.

After finding out just who, and what, this child was Her Majesty along with her retinue were ushered into the royal apartments built by Henry the Eight. The child now known as Lord Hadrian was carried in by a middle-aged Assistant Ravenmaster of the Tower. It was very apparent to all that young Hadrian had developed an attachment to this Yeoman and refused to allow the gentleman out of his sight.

"Please Miss Kensington. Continue with your story," Her Majesty ordered as she settled behind a very ornately carved desk.

"Yes Your Majesty. As I was saying," Amanda Kensington replied, with a slight curtsy. "The necklace that Lord Hadrian is wearing and according to his words, was created by The Morrigan, herself. It bears Her symbol, the Raven, and there is no clasp so the child can not remove it nor can any other save the one who put it on him. Thus binding him to Her and declaring Her protection."

"We do not believe in any other god or goddess other than the Lord of the Church of England," Her Majesty said. "However, We will suspend our disbelief for the moment, please continue."

"Yes, Ma'am. Begging your pardon, it doesn't matter if you believe or not but the Magical World does. It is said that all those that can do magic are Her charge, acknowledged or not. Powers greater than we mere mortals are at work here. If the last war within the Wizarding World is anything to go by, then I believe that it isn't over with and She is going to intervene and put a stop to it all. Clearly She isn't happy with the situation if she chose a small child to be her Chosen Avatar."

"The Lady was nice, Your Majesty. She took something awful out of my scar," Hadrian piped up, rubbing his forehead. "Then she made my necklace. Oh, I said that already, I'm sorry."

Several people smiled at the young child in the arms of Ben McIntyre as he hid his face in man's shoulder.

"Your Majesty," Amanda called everyone's attention back to her. "She lead the child here for a reason. I do know that the Wizengamot lead by Albus Dumbledore sealed the Potter's Will in a closed session right after that fateful night four years ago. This was a breach of trust and tradition. Wills in the Wizarding World are considered sacrosanct. The reasons for the sealing were never made public. Lily and James Potter were both very active in trying to defeat the Dark Lord known as V. . .Voldemort."

Amanda stumbled over the name but she really could not fail to give a full report before her queen. "After their deaths, there was some discussion on the disposition of the child. With the Will being sealed no one knows if the Potter's requests concerning their child had been honored or not. It was reported that he had been taken to the muggle, uhm non-magical, relatives of Lily Potter."

"Do you know the names of these relatives?" asked Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, standing behind Queen Elizabeth, his wife and monarch. He had been watching the proceedings with interest.

"No, Your Grace. It is not known. However, I can find out. I am sure that the goblins at Gringotts would have a copy of the Will for the Potters are an ancient and wealthy family. If your Majesty did command it, they would have to comply for you over-rule the Wizengamot."

"Ancient perhaps, but if the results of your 'test' are accurate, there is no doubt he is of noble birth," His Grace stated flatly.

With a curt nod Her Majesty spoke. "Then do so," she commanded. "We believe we have heard enough for now. We are sure there is more, but the day is getting on and there is much to see to." She turned to her secretary who had an electronic typewriter set up at a small desk beside hers, ready to take dictation.

"It appalls us that this young child was so abused and neglected. It equally appalls us that this child is also a peer of the realm and was living in squalor. No, this will never do." She gave a nod to her secretary as she took a deep breath. "So here are our decrees. . .

"All known guardians, magical or not, of Lord Hadrian James Potter are hereby renounced and will face full investigations to see how many charges can be levied against them for the apparent abuse and neglect of one Lord Hadrian James Potter.

"The sealing of the late Lord James Potter's Will shall be abjured and it shall be read privately. Copies will be forwarded to us and to my Prime Minister. If there is something within that Will that is harmful to my realm, we wish to know about it.

"We wish to make Lord Hadrian James Potter, Duke of Gryffindor, a Ward of the Crown. It is apparent to all that the child is in some sort of danger. Therefore, Lord Hadrian will remain here at the Tower in the custody of our Yeoman Warders and under the direct supervision of Assistant Ravenmaster Ben McIntyre and his wife until such time as we can find a more suitable guardian."

She pierced Ben McIntyre with a sharp gaze who was comforting the child he held before continuing. "Is that acceptable with you, Yeoman Warder McIntrye? It appears to us that Young Lord Hadrian is quite taken with you."

Holding his gaze steady as his arms tightened around the child, he gave a slight military bow. "If it pleases Ma'am. My wife and I would deem it an honor to raise the child."

"Very well," Her Majesty said. "I expect monthly reports for now detailing his progress."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Thus it was decided. Everyone began the arduous tasks set before them.

0o0o0o0

Maggie McIntrye never thought that this day was going to turn out so strangely. Of course, everyone had been prepared for the Royal Visit, but never this!

Young Scrapper turned out to be a young wizard and The Boy Who Lived at that! It was remarkable. She just could not wrap her mind around it.

Now she was being officially escorted to Harrods for clothing for said child. The child had nothing to his name, just a pendant necklace. Thankfully, the Royal Secretary had called ahead and arranged for a full line of credit with Harrods. This was going to be an interesting shopping trip.

At least Ben was home taking care of the child. She had thought nicknaming him "Scrapper" fitting. He was a survivor and a fighter, a right scrapper.

A sales manager was waiting and with his assistant to help. Maggie was able to get everything on her list including a small bedroom suit which would be delivered the next day. She was quite pleased with her shopping. She was heading out of the department when she saw it on a shelf.

It was a stuffed raven with beady black eyes and a long felt beak! Every child needed a sleeping companion. Scrapper had been sleeping in the rookery with the ravens of all things, so this made perfect sense.

The manager tried to get her interested in a teddy bear but Maggie would not hear of it and said so.

0o0o0o0

Amanda Kensington left the Tower with mixed feelings. She was glad to be away from the Tower and its oppressive atmosphere, but she didn't like leaving such an innocent child as Lord Hadrian behind such a dark place.

She did get the impression that the wards didn't bother him as it did every other magical being. Did the Goddess tie him into the Wards? She had to have. That pendant had layers of protections woven into it. When she had magically examined, it glowed so brightly it was hard to look at.

One of the things she had receive from Her Majesty was a blanket protection to come and go from the Tower in safety as needed. It would make her life so much easier in the times to come.

Looking over the files in her lap as she headed back with the PM, she began compiling a to do list.

Just how much should she report to the Minister of Magic? Bagnold was determined to keep everything Potter quiet per Dumbledore's orders. Neither would like the fact that the-Boy-Who-Lived had been abused, and subsequently taken under Royal Protection.

Oh Merlin! That means she would have to deal with Albus-many-titles-more-than-necessary-Dumbledore! She wasn't as big a fan of the wizard as the rest of the Wizarding World. Although she was a muggle-born, and should be looking up to him as he championed the cause of the Muggle-born, she didn't like the fact that he could be very cavalier with other people's lives.

Well, she could delay for a few days, at least until she had fulfilled the Royal Decrees that were issued today. A nice chat with the PM would go a long ways in how she should report to the good Minister of Magic.

0o0o0o0

Ben McIntyre was in the middle of a battle royal. Young Hadrian cringed at the bathwater filling the tub. Bubbles were rising as did the water. After testing it, Ben turned to Hadrian, who was slowly backing away in terror.

"Now Scrapper. We need to get ye cleaned up before we can have dinner. Maggie is bringing back clothes for ye. Hop in."

Hadrian shook his head. "No! No! Don't like baths! Aunt 'Tuny says Freaks don't deserve baths. They should be hosed off in the garden like the freaks they are."

Ben hid his anger at such a bald statement. "Well, Scrapper. Ye are here now and your aunt isn't. Do ye trust me?"

Hadrian nodded. "You took care of me when I was hurt."

"I didn't hurt you?"

"No sir," Hadrian shook his head, pressing against the wall furthest from the tub.

"Why don't you come stand by me and touch the water? We need to clean you up. I would never let anything hurt you."

Hadrian took a step closer, watching the man for any sign of betrayal. Ben gently took the boy's hand and let him touch the bubbles.

Hadrian giggled as he tried to grab a handful of bubbles. Ben smiled and blew on the bit of foam sending bits towards Hadrian.

"That didn't hurt now did it?"

Hadrian smiled and shook his head.

"Here." Ben took the boy's hand again and dipped it into the water. "See? Now in you go."

And before Hadrian knew it, he was standing in the water with mountains of bubbles around him. For a moment he froze, waiting. When nothing happened, he relaxed. Ben scooped another handful of foam and dropped it unto the child's head and chuckled causing Scrapper to relaxed more.

Suddenly, the whole bathroom was filled with foam and bubbles. More than Ben had poured into the bath! Oh, Maggie was going to kill him, but at least Scrapper was happy and laughing! And would undoubtedly be clean.

There was a knock on the bathroom door. Ben flinched.

0o0o0o0

Things will start moving now. For those waiting for Dumbledore's reaction, etc., it won't be for a few more chapters yet.

Until next time. -GF and the Frau