Quoth the Raven, Nevermore
Disclaimer: See chapter 1. Reviews are welcomed, flames aren't.
A/N: Now that the background has been established, the story will pick up a bit. Please note that the first part of this chapter is a bit choppy as it is from the p.o.v of a six year old.
Chapter 12: Presently My Soul Grew
John Hadrian, as he was now called by everyone at the Tower, was sitting at the kitchen table eating his breakfast. Today was a big day for him. He was now 6 years old and Uncle Ben and Aunt Maggie were taking him to their son, Uncle Laurence's home in Manchester, for a big birthday party!
Yesterday, the Yeomen and their families held a small party in the mess hall for him and he'd got a lot of cool things! That had been the 'bestest' party ever, in his opinion. He couldn't remember ever having a birthday party before. Even the ghosts had sent him many well-wishes. Also, Her Majesty sent a gift to the Tower with Her Esteemed Best Wishes for his sixth Year! Even Prince William, who was only four, had sent him a small gift too!
Miss Kensington and Healer Atwaters had also come to the party and their gifts were from the wizarding world. One of them was a book of stories 'bout someone called, "Beadle the Bard," and a chocolate frog that tried to escape when you opened the package, and a toy wand!
John Hadrian took his many presents and placed them near his most prize possession - a beautiful snow globe that had a dancing couple inside. When he picked it up an shook it they danced in swirling snowflakes! The Lady had gifted him with it this past Yule. The note with said it was his real parents on their wedding day. He now knew what they looked liked! Aunt 'Tunya'd never allowed him to see even a picture of them before.
Thor and Hardey gave him some pretty shiny bits they found in the rubbish and on the greens. Maggie made a face when he showed her, but didn't say much. He promised to keep them in his nest box out in the Tower. Yes, he still had his own nest box, right next to Hardey's. That way he didn't have to worry about being cold, or the rain and wind, when he went to visit them as Hardey and Thor protected him with their wings.
Healer Atwaters had tried to stop him from transforming into Scrapper, but could not find any medical reason for him not to. If the Lady said that it was alright, what was a healer to do?
Since he had been given permission to live at the Tower, John's days were now spent in a regular routine. Both Maggie and Healer Atwaters insisted on a strict schedule. John didn't mind it much. It just showed that they cared for him.
He got up in the early morning, ate breakfast, and then Maggie and him went over his work-books. Often, one of the Yeoman Warders' wives would come and check over his work and sometimes, he got stars for doing well! They would give Maggie instructions on what he needed to learn next.
Then it was lunch-time and, afterwards, he was allowed out on the greens for an hour's play time. Sometimes, he went as a boy, but mostly he turned into Scrapper so he could play with Thor and Hardey. The ravens taught him the fine art of pranking the Yeomen and being a general nuisance. They also told the best stories some even were about the Lady. They even helped him amuse the tourists, but never allowed any visitors to get too close to him.
The Yeoman Warders were always on hand to keep things from going too far when the ravens got carried away with their mischief. As Scrapper, he enjoyed his time as a raven, but he still hadn't gotten the hang of taking his clothes with him when he changed. Aunt Maggie told him it would just take time. Ben always kept fresh clothes at the rookery, ready for him when he changed back.
When the ravens were put up for the night, around tea-time, Scrapper would return to being John Hadrian, and then he was ready for his tea.
After tea, he got more lessons, but this time from Queen Anne, Sir Walter and Wendell the Mad. Queen Anne and Sir Walter taught him manners and etiquette as befitting a peer of the realm, while Wendell taught him about the history of magic. The three of them taught through stories and play-acting and sometimes the princes would sit in on these lessons and help when needed.
Night-time was the 'bestest.' First was supper and then Uncle Ben would sit with John in an easy chair by the fire and he would read from books. Sometimes they'd just rock and listen to the wireless, or watch the telly.
However, it was Ben's deep Manchester accent that lulled John into drowsy complacency while Maggie would sit and knit in her favorite chair beside the fireplace. John loved snuggling into the man's strong arms. Now and then he would ask questions about the story they were reading as he didn't understand all of the words yet. Uncle Ver'on had never read to Dudley like this! Sometimes Aunt 'Tunya would read Dudley a story when he was sick in bed, but not often. He had always wished for someone to hold him and read to him, maybe wishes really did come true!
Yes, life for John Hadrian McIntrye was good. Now he was the whole sum of six. He was six years old! He was getting big!
0o0o0o0
The trip from Euston Station to Manchester took little over three hours. Uncle Laurence and Aunt Abby and their two children met them at the station. They had a son about John Hadrian's age, Charley and an daughter named Sarah who was eight. Charley and John had fun the few times they'd played together.
Uncle Ben and Aunt Maggie made it quite clear to John that he was not to change into a raven while they were away from the Tower. People would not understand and John had to agree as he remembered how his former aunt and uncle hated anything different.
Everyone adored John Hadrian from the first time he was introduced last Christmas. There had been several children around John's age but he spent most of his time with Charley.
Charley had been a bit jealous at first, however as he and John compared notes, he realized that John didn't have a good time of it before he came to stay with his grandparents. He had visited his grandparents a few times at the Tower, but found the place boring. There wasn't anything to do there, except run around on the Greens. He couldn't understand how John could stand it and said so.
Sarah sniffed and shook her head. She thought John was cute but really all she wanted was to return to her friends. She accepted that she now had a new cousin, even if he was adopted.
"Miss Kensington is very nice too." John was telling everyone about his birthday presents in the car. "She always brings something for me. She brought me a photo of my real Mum and Dad for my birthday! She said I have my mum's eyes and my dad's hair. My old aunt and uncle didn't like my mum and dad. She comes to the Tower and checks on my. . . my prog . . . Uncle Ben?"
"I think the word you are looking for is 'progress', my lad," Ben said, as he was listening in on the conversation going on in the back seat.
"Prog - gress," John said, sounding out the word, frowning in concentration. "What does progress mean?"
"It means how are you doing," Sarah said, rolling her eyes. "Don't you know anything?" John flinched away and went silent.
"Sarah Margot," her mother chided. "That wasn't very nice."
Sarah ducked her head. "Sorry."
"What do you do for fun?" Charley asked, still not clear on why John had to stay at the Tower. Kids weren't allowed before.
John shrugged and looked up at Ben. "Lots of stuff. Watch the telly sometimes, playing with my toys, do my lessons. . ." He wasn't sure he was suppose to mention he mostly played with the ravens and the ghosts.
"Sounds boring to me," Charley said in a huff, breaking into John's thoughts.
"Well, you'll need to show him what he's missing then, won't you, me lad?" Uncle Laurence said as he pulled up to their split-level townhouse. "Charley, show John where he will be staying."
0o0o0o0o0
The party that night was fun. There was cake and ice cream and lots and lots of presents!
At one point, John became so overwhelmed that he started to tremble and shake his head. Aunt Maggie quickly took him out of the room, much to everyone's dismay.
"What's wrong, Grandda? Why did Gran have to take John away? Didn't he like the party?"
Ben sighed and pulled Charley closer. The adults tried to look elsewhere.
"Charley, you remember what we told you at Christmas?"
Charley nodded. "John wasn't liked when he was sent to live with his relatives after his parents were killed. He was only a baby at the time."
Ben looked solemnly down at his grandson, "They abused him, Charley. They never gave him love like your parents love you. They did everything for their own child, but nothing for John."
"Now you and Gran have him. Is he going to be all right?" Sarah asked, concerned.
"We think so," Ben explained. "Your Gran and I think the world of you, and your parents, but he needs us more." He didn't go into the facts of why the child had to live at the Tower. His grandchildren didn't need to know that yet.
Maggie smiled as she came back without John. "Too much excitement and ice cream. Ben dear, he wants a story." Ben stood as Charley looked up eagerly. "Well, come along, Charley me lad, let's see what story you and John want tonight."
0o0o0o0
That night, when the children were safely asleep, all the adults took a deep breath of relief.
"I see a vast improvement in John since Christmas," said Abby as Laurence passed around glasses of wine.
"Oh, yes," Maggie said, making herself comfortable on the sofa. "He's a very good boy. I'm just glad those monsters didn't have him any longer than they did. We still have problems with nightmares. His Healer has been giving us very helpful advice. And it also helps that he adores Ben."
Laurence snorted. "Just wait until he starts testing you. Dad was always a strong disciplinarian."
Ben sighed, rubbing his chin. "I never let you kids get away with anything when you were young; but with John, we are still feeling our way. He has had too much 'discipline' in the form of abuse from those monsters. The Healer and I are working things out. One thing is for certain – John won't ever be getting the belt."
"So now what, Dad?" Laurence asked.
"We undo what damage we can and build up his character. Already we are seeing the child that he should've been, had his true parents lived," Ben said.
"But why the Tower? Surely there is a better place for John to be raised? We would take him, Dad," Abby smiled, looking to her husband.
Ben shook his head. They'd been through this before. "I'm sorry, Abby, but John has to stay with us. He has too many enemies and too many people looking for him. There've already been some inquiries about his disappearance in the Magical World. It hasn't made the Prophet yet but there have been several quiet investigations, according to Miss Kensington."
Maggie added. "The reason he is with us is he appealed to the Crown and is now under the Crown's protection. John has to stay in the Tower. Thank Merlin that everything is coming together and those monsters got what was coming to them."
Everyone raised their glasses in salute to the Crown. If there was one thing the McIntryes knew – it was duty and it was an honor to serve the Crown. There was a small boy who needed what they could give and they were not going to let him down.
0o0o0o0
A couple of reviewers were worried that we are doing as so many fan-writers do, change Harry's name and thus changing it from a Harry Potter story. Let us reassure everyone, Harry is still Harry in the magical world. When he finally reenters the WW, he will retain his birth name and everything that goes with it.
It is only in the mundane world that he is John Hadrian. What better way to remain hidden except in plain sight. We plan to keep both his worlds separate from each other.
Until next time. -GF and Frau
