Quoth The Raven, Nevermore
Disclaimer: See chapter 1. Reviews are welcomed, flames aren't.
Chapter 13: Eagerly I Wished the Morrow
The next few of years were pretty similar. John Hadrian was taught chiefly by Ben and Maggie. Over time everyone, alive and non-corporeal, at the Tower fell into a pattern. When John was a boy, he was known as John Hadrian; when he was allowed to be a raven, it was Scrapper, or sometimes Scrapper John.
Slowly, as the seasons passed, John Hadrian healed mentally and physically from the abuse that had been heaped upon him by his relatives. Between the night-light that Maggie bought for him when he was six, and the presence of a spirit or two watching over him at night, the nightmares slowly faded into the past.
It also helped that instead of scorn and ridicule, Maggie and Ben praised and encouraged him. John Hadrian rarely got into much trouble, but he was only a small boy exploring his new world, so from time to time he along with his favorite playmates – the princes – did push the boundaries. When he need to be corrected for wrong-doings, it was done with love and forgiveness and never through physical means.
What helped tremendously was during his first Christmas in his new home, John handed over a scroll with an edict handed down from the Goddess.
She commanded that the pendant, which he wore around his neck, must never be removed. It was endowed with Her magical protections and if he took it off he would no longer be protected. The scroll explained that one of those protections made him immune to the blood wards that surrounded the Tower, granting him the freedom of the Tower and its' surrounding greens.
Another protection bestowed by Her amulet kept John Hadrian hidden from the Ministry of Magic and the rest of the Wizarding world. In fact, Ben and Maggie could take the child on a stroll down Diagon Alley, and all people would see was an elderly couple taking their grandchild shopping. Nothing remarkable about the trio would be evident.
There was, however, one drawback to this protection: John Hadrian could only be outside the wards of the Tower for one lunar cycle before the protection started to break down. That was fine with everyone who knew who John Hadrian really was. Trips to visit family members and for holidays were much anticipated and arranged with the time constraint in mind.
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The Dursleys arrest and trial was a three day wonder in the press and the courts. Gossip around Privet Drive refused to die away months later. It seemed to those watching the news that the court and Her Majesty's Prosecutor were especially harsh.
Their son, five year old Dudley, was so grossly over weight and spoiled that he was making it impossible for Child Services to place him with a good foster family.
Vernon's sister, Marge Dursley tried to get custody of her nephew, but she was denied when Child Services inspected her home. Their report stated that, "the living conditions in her home were more like a kennel than a human habitation and not a suitable place to raise a child." Several of her pure bred dogs were unusually aggressive and were humanely put down as dangers to the public.
In the end, Dudley Dursley was sent to a group home for troubled boys in an attempt to undo the damage of severe obesity and lack of discipline.
Albus Dumbledore finally heard about what was happening to the Dursleys through a fire-call from Arabella Figg, the aged squib he had placed close to the Dursleys to monitor Harry Potter. She fire-called when the small allowance he had been taking from the child's family estate to pay her rent on Wisteria Lane had been discontinued by the goblins. She complained about not receiving her rent money in her last report and had also sent over the latest news clippings about the Dursley's arrest.
However, he'd never really read the reports she'd sent over through the years and the latest was no exception. No matter what she reported the child needed the protection of the wards around his aunt's home. It was for the best that young Harry was away from the Magical World, so the reports were filed away unread.
Gallvanized into action by the shocking news, the headmaster tried to get clemency for the Dursleys, but was blocked at every turn. With the Crown's displeasure set so strongly against them, and with the aid of someone outside his circle of influence in the Ministry, it was a done deal. As Chief of the Wizengamot, he had no choice but to uphold the laws of the land.
Albus Dumbledore had his suspicions, but couldn't even prove who in the Ministry was involved. He did try and use his many contacts, but ultimately even they didn't know. His final efforts to try to get information through the Muggle Liaison Office failed spectacularly. Like most in the Ministry, he had a blind spot when it came to that office and spared very little effort to coerce them into compliance.
Besides, he was very unsure about dealing with the no-nonsense Muggle-born Ravenclaw who had risen to her position through dint of much in-fighting and a will of iron. Also he was trying to keep the fact that he had lost track of the Boy Who Lived due to his own negligence. He wasn't too sure about her allegiance and it could undermine everything he was trying to do – 'for the greater good.' That is, if he ever found Harry again.
'There is nothing to do now but wait,' he thought sadly, looking over at the monitors he had on the boy. 'I'll just have to wait until you comes to Hogwarts. Oh, my boy, where are you? Are you safe? Why did you leave the protection of your relatives? Didn't you know I only wanted the best for you?'
On his windowsill a raven sat cawing out to his companions in the forest.
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During this time John Hadrian's guardians, mentors and other involved parties were constantly reviewing, updating, and tweaking their plans for his life and education.
Maggie and Ben loved their latest child. He was a wonderful boy, full of life. They prayed that those monsters who had harmed him had been consigned to the deepest, darkest pits of Hell.
Healer Atwaters visited the child on a monthly basis for the first year, then quarterly afterward. He was quite pleased with the lad's improved health and mental outlook. He cited Maggie and Ben's constant care and loving encouragement as the main factor in John Hadrian's progress. As a Healer, it was always gratifying to see a child run and play in the fullness of health, and he'd had a major part in that.
Amanda Kensington made sure that Lord Hadrian's financial interests were taken care of in the Wizarding World. She became a favorite aunt as well. She coordinated with the goblins about any problems that arose to do with the Potter accounts, and made sure that both Ben and Maggie received the funds needed to supplement raising a wizarding child. She also, with the help of the goblins, kept the Ministry and Dumbledore off-balance in trying to find him.
Of course, being a Muggle-born, she was beneath their notice and no-one suspected her. She made sure that all references to Lord Potter were buried – just as was originally planned by the Headmaster. She smiled as she remembered squaring off with the old wizard. She had never been that enthralled with the great and powerful 'Leader of the Light.' Since Albus Dumbledore was neither direct blood kin or guardian of the child, he had no legal rights to know where Harry was now living.
The royal family kept close ties with the child as well. Notes of encouragement, well-wishes and tidbits that would appeal to a young child were exchanged. John Hadrian was encouraged to call the Queen - in private, of course – Granmama in his notes and drawings to her. He also received presents on his birthday and Christmas as well as being invited to the Queen's public Christmas party held annually for the children of staff members at Buckingham Palace.
The Prime Minister had a small committee looking for a special tutor for John Hadrian. Soon the child would be old enough to begin the training that he would need before returning officially to the Wizarding World. This tutor would need to be a wizard and a non-commissioned officer either in the special forces or the Royal Marines. He must be able to handle himself in any situation and deal with a precocious child at the same time. But most of all, he must be able make to the training the child needed fun. It just would not be proper to drill a child like a raw recruit. Military discipline might well undo all of the progress they had made so far.
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Once John Hadrian realized he was there to stay at the Tower, he settled into life with Ben and Maggie with joyous abandon.
The Yeoman Warders carried on as they always had, with solemn duty to their oaths and charges. They guarded and protected the Tower and its occupants with unswerving loyalty, honour and dignity. John Hadrian was one of their own, which they took to heart. When not on duty, they and their families helped with the child's education, be it book learning or practical. Many were retired Royal Marines, and they included John Hadrian in their physical regimen to help improve the lad's stature and strengthen muscles long weakened by life in a cupboard.
The ghosts and spirits took the Goddess' command to teach the child to their hearts. Queens Anne and Jane taught courtly etiquette and decorum. Sir Walter taught philosophy and literature. The two little princes were John Hadrian's constant playmates. Wendell the Mad taught him the beginnings of magic and what every pure-blood child needs to learn, the traditions and etiquette of the Wizarding World. They were all pleased with the lad's improvements in health and knowledge and the fact that he wasn't afraid of them. The princes did teach John Hadrian one bad habit; they showed him all the neat places to hide if he was in trouble - like the time they hid one ghost's head because he was mean to one of the shy-er lady ghosts.
The ravens never changed. The seasons may, but the ravens went with the flow. Life at the Tower was the same routine, year after year, but they didn't care. Life was good. They taught their fledgling how to spy, pick pockets and to disdain the tourists that flocked to the Tower. Each raven had its own territory and knew where he or she belonged in the pecking order. Scrapper John was the fledgling of Thor and Hardey, and for the ravens, that settled the matter.
No matter how much the adults in his life might plan for him, Fate would inevitably add a twist or two to the child's life. They could only hope for the best and prepare for the worst. They all knew that Lord John Hadrian Potter McIntyre was
the Lady's Chosen, and She had the final say in his life.
All they could do was try to keep the child as innocent and protected for as long as possible - or die trying.
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This chapter sat unedited for the longest time as life turned to sewing, renfaires and more sewing. Sorry for the long wait. Hopefully we can get a couple more out during the summer months, we shall see.
Thanks for all the reviews. We really do appreciate them and try to answer many privately.
Until next time. -GF and the Frau
