A/N: *sigh* This chapter fought me tooth and nail. only just finished the last bit last night, so once again un-beta'd.
I must also warn you all that my next planned update on the 11th of Feb might be delayed. Not only was this chapter a struggle, it was aided by my computer having a serious fault. I fear the only way to fix it will be to hit that dreaded 'Restore to factory defaults' button.
On the plus side, I hope to pick up the pace in the next couple of chapters, though there will likely be slower one for notable events (such as Birthdays)
And now, the Dursleys have some guests... I'll warn you all now: Vernon has a foul mouth when he's enraged.
Vernon Dursley scowled as he read the morning paper. "Bloody Liberals. Deport the whole lot of those foreign scum back to where they came from, that's what they should do, not pamper them on tax-payer's money."
Petunia just nodded silently in agreement. Vernon had been in bad mood ever since he'd gone to kings cross to collect her nephew… and returned empty-handed. She'd not asked, as the colour of his face was a clear warning not to press.
Part of the problem was that Vernon was confused about how he felt. On the one hand he didn't have to feed or even see that no-good freak nephew again this summer, which pleased him no end. He hated the little brat, and everything that came with him from his abnormal powers to his abnormal parents, thankfully dead. People should just not be able to do what they could do. On the other hand though, he'd been letting several chores build up over the winter for the self-same brat to do. Now, without the Freak, he'd have to do them. Vernon's natural reaction to confusion was to get angry, and having to do the work he'd planned for his nephew to do just added to it. Normally it would be Harry who bore the brunt of his anger, but now he was without that outlet.
Petunia herself was just glad to see the back of her nephew. His presence had always been a reminder of her sister… the younger sister that she'd been close with as a child, but whose magic had created a rift between them. Their parents had been all doting and pleased with Lily, but Petunia had been sidelined in favour of the younger, prettier witch. For Lily had grown more beautiful with each year, another source of friction between the two of them. Petunia's jealousy had turned to hatred and anger as the years went on, till she reached the point where she all but denied the existence of Lily. But with him around… she could not deny that knowledge. And every time he looked at her for whatever reason, she saw Lily's eyes, and she got the sense that her sister was watching her from beyond the grave.
But there was a part of her that was uneasy with Harry not having returned. Petunia had re-read the letter left with him more carefully after they had taken the boy in, though for a long time she'd tried to forget. That short, verbal letter last year – after the boy claimed to be attacked by Dementors – had reminded her of the details within. She would never forget that voice…
"I fully agree with you Vernon." The visiting Marge said over her teacup, which seemed almost child-sized in her chubby hand. "Whole lot deserve to be shot anyway. They ran away from their own countries for a reason. Criminals, I expect." She had been overjoyed to discover the boy had not returned. Had been expecting it, she said. She'd hated the little brat every bit as much as Vernon did.
The last occupant of the Dursley kitchen, Dudley, sat silently brooding. More than his father, he didn't know what to feel. While not the smartest kid in town, Dudley was aware enough to know and realise that his cousin – the cousin he'd tormented, bullied and abused for his whole life – had saved his life last summer. Dudley could not convince himself that if the situations had been reversed, he'd have done the same. That knowledge had been eating away at him over the last nine months, gnawing at his conscious, stunted though it was. He'd not told either of his parents this, but while he'd been in the grip of… whatever it was that had attacked them, he'd seen his life flash before his eyes, everything he'd done in his nearly sixteen years. But all had been from outside himself, as if he'd been viewing the events of an action movie. And he'd not liked what he'd seen.
Vernon had just taken a swing of his morning tea when the door bell rung. "Who the bloody hell knocks at this hour?" He snarled once his airway was clear, glaring at the clock as he did. It was just before eight in the morning. In a few minutes he had to set off for work. He did not need some bible thumping pansy knocking at his door right now!
Petunia had already moved through to the hall towards the door as her husband spoke. Reaching the door she opened it with her blandest, most disinterested expression on, hoping whoever it was on the doorstep would leave quickly.
What she saw waiting for her caused her expression to vanish into one of pure terror.
Lily Potter smiled without warmth at her sister. "Hello Petunia."
"Your… YOUR DEAD!"
"You thought I was dead." Lily cut her sisters half scream off. "Hoped I was dead." Her smile had faded as her hand came up to rest on the shoulder of her son standing next to her. "Harry here has told me everything about his life here. Everything." It wasn't strictly true, but Petunia would never accept or understand the truth. Besides, there were others with them.
Eyes frantically darting left and right, Petunia noticed the others arranged around the Potters. On the Boy's free side there was a bushy-haired girl with hard brown eyes glaring at her, with two other shapely girls just beyond her, also scowling. On Lily's other side stood a man whose whole manner just screamed 'lawyer' carrying a briefcase. With him was a tall, well built man in plain clothes. The lawyer stepped forwards. "Mrs Dursley, we have several matters to discuss with both you and your husband. May we step inside?" Realising that his polite words were an order, not a request, Petunia just nodded, too shocked to speak. As the others followed her in, the plain clothed man turned and nodded to another man stood at the corner of the property, hidden from the front door by next doors hedge. The uniformed police officer nodded in reply before speaking into his radio. From the far end of Privett Drive, two vans and two cars moved down, all marked with the livery of the Surrey Police Force.
When Vernon saw who was stepping inside his house, his face turned a dangerous purple. He struggled to rise from his chair, while his sister scowled darkly. "What the hell are you doing here freak?" He roared at Harry, his rage blinding him to the others who were behind the boy. "You ungrateful little brat! Well, you're going to get what you deserve now freak!"
"Yes, he will." Lily said softly, though her tone cut through Vernon's rant as effectively as a knife through butter. "Justice."
Vernon glanced up at her, before he did a double take. Slowly his jaw fell open as the colour vanished from his face and his eyes widened. Back at the table Dudley, having never seen a picture of Harry's mum, was looking between her and the other three young women clustered around his cousin with no small amount of envy and lust.
"Mr Vernon, Mrs Petunia Dursley…" The Lawyer had stepped forward. "My name is Stewart. I am a representative of Gringott's Merchant bank."
"Never heard of them." Vernon sneered. Over his shoulder however Petunia looked confused, then alarmed.
"We have a… select cliental. One of which is the Potter family. One of our more prestigious and profitable clients. Which leads to our business with yourselves." As he spoke he withdrew a folder from his briefcase, which he flipped open with one hand in a clearly well practiced move.
"On November the First, nineteen-hundred and eighty one, you took into your home one Harry James Potter, son of James Charles Potter and Lily Marie Potter nee Evans. As part of this, you were granted a monthly allowance of four hundred and eighty-five pounds to pay for his schooling, feeding and care." He now looked up at the Dursleys, who were displaying a rage of expressions. Petunia was white face with shock, while Vernon was shaking. With rage it seemed, given the purple hue to his face and narrowed eyes. Dudley's eyes had snapped open at the value, while Marge's were narrowed, calculating. "It has come to our attention that you have failed to meet your end of the deal, using the money on yourselves while mistreating and abusing young Harry."
"We never wanted the little brat in the first place!" Vernon roared, shaking his fist at them. "The no good, worthless freak was just dumped on our doorstep during the night! I just knew he'd be trouble!"
"But… you still took him in. And the money earmarked for his care." Mr Stewart cut across Vernon, his ice cold, practically emotionless tones silencing the larger man. "We at Gringott's consider your actions fraud, a crime against one of our biggest clients.
"In addition… this house you live in was a gift from Lily Potter to you on your wedding to her sister."
"What are you talking about?" Vernon thundered.
"Don't you remember Petunia?" Lily now said softly, her eyes on her sisters. "I gave the keys to you at the reception, but told you had to collect the deed from the Potters home."
"She's right Vernon." Petunia said quietly.
Vernon now whirled on his wife. "You told me it was an inheritance from your family, a great aunt who'd passed away recently!" His scowl was terrible to behold. Petunia wilted under it, fearful. Her reaction did not go unnoticed.
"As you live here in a home owned legally by the Potter Family, we at Gringotts consider you as living in rented accommodation." Stewart pressed on. "We've had this house valued by three experts, and they have recommended that for a four bed house such as this, a rental fee of four hundred and fifty pounds a month is in order, given that you have been paying the upkeep costs yourselves. We, as the Potter Families financial advisors, are now calling all rent due immediately."
Vernon was puffing and spluttering, his face an angry red-purple. Harry wondered if he was about to have that long overdue heart attack or aneurysm. Marge was scowling something fierce, while Dudley was sitting there looking very pale. It was clear he'd worked out where things were going.
It fell to Petunia to ask. "How much are we talking about?"
Mr Stewart looked at his notes. "Well, factoring all the years of unpaid rent, the money earmarked for Harry and the accumulated interest on said funds…" He looked up at Vernon sternly. "The total due as of this moment is a little under two million three hundred thousand pounds."
For a moment silence reigned. No one knew what to say. Vernon looked thunderstruck. Harry was stunned himself. While Hermione had told him the raw monthly value, he'd never actually thought about how the money would add up over the nearly fifteen years since he'd been left on the Dursley's doorstep. Month after month of rent unpaid, interest building up. Month after month of value spent on themselves that should have been his.
A loud thud came from the kitchen, and Harry looked to see Dudley on the floor. Clearly his brain had been unable to cope with the value, and he'd fainted. Looking back at his aunt and uncle, he thought Petunia looked about ready to do the same.
The sound of Dudley hitting the floor must have restarted Vernon's brain, as a second later he bellowed. "THAT IS TOTAL RUBBISH! I WILL NOT STAND HERE AND HAVE FREAKS LIKE YOU DEMAND MONEY FROM DECENT, HONEST, HARD WORKING PEOPLE LIKE US! I SHOULD HAVE TOSSED YOU IN THE RUBBISH LIKE I WANTED TO YOU LITTLE SHIT! YOU'VE BROUGHT NOTHING BUT BAD LUCK AND MISERY TO OUR LIVES!" The spittle was flying as he stalked forwards, hands curling into claws while his eyes were wild with rage. "YOU AND YOUR WHORES COME INTO OUR HOME AND PUSH THIS DRIVEL! WELL, I WON'T STAND FOR IT, YOU HEAR ME YOU LITTLE FREAK! WHEN I'M THROUGH WITH YOU…"
"That's quite enough Mr Dursley." The other man now stepped forwards as he re-entered the house, his expression stern and unyielding. Vernon stopped to glare at him.
"Who the fuck do you think you are, to order me around in my own home freak?" He snarled threatening.
The man however didn't flinch, but reached into the pocket of his coat. "I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce myself…"
"I don't give a flying fuck as to who the hell you…" Vernon's voice died however as the man held up an open ID wallet. The police emblem shone brightly.
"…I am Detective Chief Inspector Barstow of the Surrey Police." As he said this two uniformed police officers stepped into the room behind him. Both were clearly holding tightly on their emotions.
Vernon's face was turning ashen as he looked between the ID, Barstow, and Harry. "You… you going to let them get away with this crap?"
DIC Barstow glared at Vernon. "Mrs Potter brought this matter to the Essex force last week. It was passed to me. I could not believe that someone would treat their own nephew with such contempt. I had to see it for myself. But now there is no doubt in my mind. And I doubt there will be any in the minds of the jury either. Mr Vernon Dursley I'm placing you under arrest for fraud, child abuse, theft and inflicting grievous body harm to a minor, one Harry James Potter. You do not have to say anything, but anything you say may be used against you in court."
Vernon was looking ghoul like, then his face hardened as he turned towards Harry. "You little shit! You squealed on your just punishments! I'LL KILL YOU!" He lunged at Harry, hands outstretched as he started to foam at the mouth.
Harry started to step back, but before Vernon could take another step two burly officers stepped around Harry and restrained his arms, pulling him up short before his nephew. Spittle was sprayed out as Vernon struggled and thrashed in the grip of the two men, enraged beyond reason. All the while he continued to rage and threaten Harry. "I KILL YOU, YOU LITTLE FREAK! I'LL THRASH THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT YOU!" His eyes jumped to Lily who had moved to stand just behind Harry. "AND YOU, YOU… FILTHY WHORE! YOU SHOULD HAVE STAYED DEAD WITH THAT FREAKY LAZY BUM OF A HUSBAND, THAT POTTER BRAT! I'LL FUCKING MAKE SURE YOU'LL WISH YOU WERE DEAD YOU FUCKING SLUT!"
A third officer stepped between them, pepper spray in hand. Vernon had just opened his mouth to start another rant when he got a face full. He howled in a mixture of rage and pain, but continued to struggle and resist.
"That's it! Tazer him!" Barstow snapped, and the third officer whipped out the device. A snap later and Vernon jumped before slumping in the hands of the two officers, still conscious but clearly having lost all motor functions. "I'm also charging you with intention to commit murder, and threats against Lily Potter…"
"Unhand my brother at once you pigs!" Marge Dursley had snapped out of her shock and waddled in, grabbing hold of one of the officers holding Vernon. "That little brats had it coming, every year! That bitch deserves a good slapping!"
Two more officers jumped forwards, restraining the overweight woman as DCI Barstow swung round to face her. "As for you… Margery Dursley, I'm placing you under arrest for child abuse, fraud, illegal business operations and tax evasion." The investigation by the police and Gringotts contacts had revealed that the bulldog breeding site Marge ran was in fact without any kind of permits or license.
At this point Marge's obese bulldog Ripper toddled in whining. Marge's head whipped round to see him. "Get the brat Ripper!" She yelled, her anger completely crushing all reason.
Nearly blind though he was, the old Bulldog could still smell Harry. He growled threatening as he advanced. But before anyone could act another growl, much deeper and more powerful, came from the hall. Ripper froze as a much larger German Alsatian police dog entered with his handler, eyes locked on the smaller bulldog. For a second nothing happened, but then Ripper, too stupid to understand the danger, leapt forwards, angling for Harry's leg. The Alsatian needed no prompting from his handler and intercepted the bulldog mid air. Jaws locked round Rippers neck as the two dogs landed, but only enough to pin and hold. Ripper struggled and scrabbled, trying to free himself and attack the bigger dog. When one claw raked the Alsatian's leg, instinct took over and with a might shake of it's head, the police dog broke the bulldogs neck. Discarding the corpse the Alsatian returned to its handler's side, who knelt down to examine the wound inflicted.
Marge stared open mouth in horror at her dog's still form, before she screeched in outrage. "YOUR MONSTER KILLED MY RIPPER! I'LL HAVE THAT MONGREL BEAST DESTROYED FOR THAT!"
DCI Barstow just glared at her. "I think he just saved a vet from having to put that excuse you call a bulldog down. It was going to be destroyed anyway. And I'm further charging you with setting your dog on Harry Potter, and with harming police property. Take them outside." The officers began to push both Vernon and Marge, now with their hands cuffed behind their backs, out the front door. Barstow stepped over to the Alsatian's handler. "How is he?"
"Long but relatively shallow sir." The handler replied as he ran a hand down the leg, fingers either side of the wound, while his other hand stroked the Alsatian's head. "Bengie can carry on, but I'll want to give him a rabies shot once we get back to the station. Who knows were that things been, or what it's got."
Barstow nodded before advancing towards Petunia, who'd backed up against the nearest wall when Vernon had gone into his rage. Her face was chalk white and horror filled. "Mrs Dursley?" When her eyes finally met his he pressed on. "I'm taking you into custody, pending charges of child abuse, neglect and fraud. Do you understand?" At her shaky nod he made a motion with his hand as a woman officer stepped up to escort the shaking, tearful woman outside. Stepping into the kitchen, Barstow looked down at Dudley, who had been woken by his father's yelling. "Dudley Drusley, you are also being placed into custody pending charges, including but not limited to vandalism, theft, and assault. Other charges may follow. Do you understand?"
Dudley looked up at the stern police officer, then at the other uniformed officers who were visible. Footsteps from upstairs indicated that they were already searching the house. All fight left him instantly. He may be able to hide stuff from his mom, but he had no illusions that these professionals would not find his secret stashes. Life as he knew it was over. The sins of his past few years were coming back to bite his ample ass. Looking back at Barstow he nodded in resignation.
"Very good." Barstow said, relieved that the boy was not putting up a fight like his father. Perhaps he'd inherited some brains from his mothers' side after all. As the obese youth was escorted outside Barstow stepped over to Harry's group, who were standing together in one corner of the living room, staying out of the officers way. "That was a brave thing you did lad." He said softly to Harry. "I'm not sure I could face such people again if the same had happened to me."
Harry just bowed his head, his shoulders slumped. It was clear that some of what Vernon had yelled was sticking. Lily moved to lay an arm across his shoulders, tears in her eyes. She looked at the DCI. "Do you need us for anything else?"
"No ma'am. The mister has already damned himself, as has his sister. It remains to be seen how much all this will affect your sister and nephew, but those two are certain to face time behind bars. We'll be more certain of conviction the more we examine the place."
"Good. I suggest though you look in the cupboard under the stairs." Lily told him as she gently turned Harry around.
Mr Stewart snapped his briefcase closed. "Mrs Potter… We'll hold off valuing everything till the police are through. But as of this moment, I doubt the Durlseys can repay their debt to your family."
Lily just nodded. It was what she'd expected… though the amount to be repaid had stunned her just as much as everyone else. "Let us know what the final balance is, and we'll go from there."
"One more thing, before you go…" DCI Barstow stepped closer to Harry, using one hand to gently lift his chin till he could look the younger man in the eye. "I just want to wish you luck with your other demon. That lord is out of my league. But you'll beat him."
The whole group looked at the Inspector with wide eyes. Daphne was the first to put the pieces together. "Are… are you…" She trailed off as he shook his head.
"No. My sister however… she would have finished her seven years with Ravenclaw in '77. Fled to the states to escape after her fifth year. Kept in touch with your side ever since though. Keep informed and all that." He looked back at Harry. "You're a good young man Harry. You'll win, I know."
Harry looked into the older man's eyes, and saw the conviction in them. This was not the gaze of one of the sheep-like masses of the wizarding world however. This was a thorough, frank assessment by a man who had to sort the truth from the lies. That knowledgeable, frank assessment touched something within him, and he stood a little straighter, nodding in reply.
Henry Barstow watched the young man walk out, surrounded by his entourage. A small smile danced at the corners of his mouth as he did. He had seen the level of commitment all the women had to him, each slightly different. Harry was certainly nothing like the image the Prophet had painted… but then Henry only trusted that rag to be a shambles. This morning's issue however showed a new direction, perhaps a whole change of style. He'd have to keep a close eye on things.
Meanwhile… he looked back around the ground floor of number Four Privett Drive. There was going to be a lot to do. The Dursleys pressed all the wrong buttons with him, and he intended to see that every dirty secret they had was dragged out and into the daylight. He'd run down to Mr Dursleys' office later on to see what his team there had uncovered. He expected to find signs of dirty deals and the like. Vernon Dursley was clearly the kind of man who thought he could do what he liked and get away with it. Like treating his nephew the way he did.
His eyes landed on the small cupboard door set under the stairs… or rather, on the bolt and closable grill on it. Frowning he stepped forwards, Lily Potter's parting words playing through his mind. No simple storage space would need to be locked from the outside… unless what was being stored there had to be contained. Like a prisoner. Unlatching the bolt he swung the door open, dropping to one knee so he could lean in and look around. The naked bulb overhead drew the eye, and he clicked it on with the simple pull cord reluctantly. The light cast hurt his eyes, but when he looked away he forget the discomfort. The space was barely three foot across and tall, with the bare wooden stairs overhead halving the space. The far wall was barely two feet away. Dog kennels had more room. But the signs of human inhabitation were clear. A worn nearly flat and stained foam mattress was on the floor, with a battered tin bucket tucked away in the smallest corner. A faded and ragged blanket was piled on the mattress. And there, written on the underside of one step, in blue crayon and an unsteady hand 'Harry's Room'. The marks on the mattress and blanket were old, but he'd seen enough to recognise old bloodstains.
A dark coldness came over Henry Barstow as he slowly stood, setting his features into a grim mask. How on earth had the poor boy survived this? And how on God's green Earth had his treatment gone unnoticed by those who were supposed to be looking out for things like this? From Harry's testimony, he knew the neighbours were aware of at least some of the way the Dursleys had treated Harry, but none of them had done anything to stop it or help. Somehow the Dursleys had escaped justice for so many years, treating young Harry as their own personal slave and whipping boy. It was clear from the tapes he'd been sent that Harry had played down a lot of what they had done, even if only a little. It was a common reaction with abused children. The other common reaction was for them to, in later life, become abusers themselves.
Leaving the cupboard door open, he almost stormed upstairs, stopping at the two doors that led into the boy's bedrooms. No two rooms, despite being almost identical in size and shape, could be more different. The one was lavishly filled with expensive gifts and toys, clothes and excess. The bowed mattress on the bed clearly showed that this was Dudley's room. In contrast, Harry's room was as abyss of neglect. Unpainted wall, broken junk piled in the corners, and a bed that should have been condemned years ago. The desk under the window had a leg replaced with a broken baseball bat, and there were no blinds or curtains before those windows. The floor was bare, warped wood. And the mattress… he could see, even from the hall, the springs that were pushing their way through the material. Even the door was damning. Three bolts, two locks and a clearly second hand cat flap roughly installed into the wood.
Henry Barstow's mind went back to the tapes he'd been sent from the Essex Force Office. The first time he'd listened to them, he'd thought the thing was hoax. But the tones of the kid… that could not have been faked. Then he'd had to fight down the nausea he'd felt at the thought that anyone could be so cruel to a child. The second time, he'd listened carefully, forcefully pushing aside his own emotional reactions to really listen. The more he'd listened, the more he'd come to admire the kid for withstanding everything he'd been through, for enduring what amounted to almost eleven years of torture.
A pang of guilt had gone through him. Both the muggle world and the magical had failed the kid, time and time again. This time, however… they would not. Harry Potter deserved justice, and DCI Henry Barstow was going to be damned before he let that be denied him.
Stepping outside, he glared over at the four Dursleys were they were stood at the end of their drive, surrounded by officers. Vernon appeared to still be in a daze, but Marge was screaming abuse at anyone and everyone, clearly trying to throw her weight around. It was not endearing her to the officers with them.
Suddenly Petunia gasped, before she starting crying. Looking about, DCI Barstow's eye landed on a cluster of folk stood in the next drive over, whispering and pointing at them. Most looked about the same age as the Dursley adults. Scanning the area, he saw curtains twitching and others stood by cars, clearly pausing before going to work to watch the spectacle. Vultures. Harry had mentioned how the neighbours believed the drivel the Dursleys had said, fallen for the 'respectable' front they put up outside their house. When the interviewing officer had gently probed, Harry had told how his aunt Petunia was always trying to poke her nose into the local gossip, leaning over fences and hedges to hear about any details. He'd even made a small joke that this habit was the cause of her having such a long neck. Well, the locals would certainly have an eyeful of gossip today, and for many months time if they acted in any way like he expected.
Struck with a thought, he waved to one of his assistant DI's to step closer. Once the younger man had done so he spoke quickly. "Take a couple of uniform and do the rounds of the neighbours. I want to know why they bought the crap the Dursleys fed them. There is no way none of them couldn't have seen the signs of what these… people, were doing to Mister Potter. Let them know that all four of the Dursley family will not be returning any time soon. The boy Dudley is implicated in being the leader of the local gang. I'd like to make a clean sweep of the lot. Let's get all the bad-un's off the streets in one go."
DI Smith nodded grimly. "You know some of them will bolt, governor."
"All the more proof of their guilt, DI Smith. We may not get them prison time, but we can certainly give them a taster of where their current lifestyle is leading them. Those two, however…" His gaze was firmly on Vernon and Marge Dursley, who were being forced into the back of a police car to be taken back to the station. They could actually see the rear of the Astra sink down under the combined weight of the obese siblings. "…They're not going to see daylight for many, many years to come if I have anything to say about it."
"I agree sir." DI Smith's eyes tracked to the remaining two Dursleys. Petunia was sobbing with her arms around her son. "Think the misses and the kid will testify against those two?"
Barstow looked at the pair. "Hmmm… maybe. From Potter's testimony most of the abuse originated from the uncle. Certainly all the physical and verbal. She inflicted emotional harm more through neglect and lack of action than any direct action. The kid… well, he could be excused as just following his fathers example, plus at that age…" Barstow trailed off as he remembered the look in Dudley's eyes when he'd been placed into custody. "I think he's woken up to what he's been doing lately. We'll see."
Lily Potter watched her son carefully after they had all flooed back home from Arabella Figg's home. Outwardly he was light hearted enough to fool most people, but it was clear that he was still hurting. When she met the eyes of the other witches close to him, she could see in their eyes that they could also see how he was really feeling. Despite all their work and effort, Harry still, on some level, at least partly believed what Vernon said.
"Hey Harry." Luna's voice came from the side unexpectedly. Lily turned to look at the adorable blond… and had to blink at the sight. Luna was dressed plainly but nicely, without a radish or cork in sight. The shock came from the little dragon that had not left her side since they found him. The Terrible Terror's forelegs were resting on the girls shoulders, it's wounded wing cushioned on her blond hair. The head was held at the same level as hers… causing a strong effect as the protruding eyes of the dragon were at the same level as her own. The end of the tail was wrapped around Luna's waist, and it cocked its head to one side as it made a chirping like sound. "It's too nice a day to be down." Luna continued. "It'll spoil your mood come later."
Harry sighed. "Your right Luna." He smiled a little. "I just… need to work a few things out."
"Well, don't take too long big brother." Luna smiled dreamily. "Your last wife is waiting."
Chuckles rose from the group as Harry flushed a little. "Don't remind me Luna."
"Oh, don't you want her?" Luna cocked her head to one side. The Terrible Terror mimicked the motion, still watching them all unblinking.
"It's more complicated that that…" Daphne began to say, but trailed off when that dual gaze moved to her.
"Does it have to be so?"
Harry took the moment to step away, towards the entrance hall. As he did Lily could see that his shoulders slumped a bit again.
"Mrs Potter?" Lily turned to regard Luna, noting in passing that Hermione was fussing over a clearly disgruntled Crookshanks, while Susan and Daphne appeared to be discussing Luna's last point. Again she was struck by how much the Terrible Terror suited Luna, despite not yet living up to it's name. The little dragon was certainly curious, watching everything with those large eyes, but it had not been any trouble at all. "Harry needs you now."
Lily smiled as she gently reached her hand out to rest it on Luna's free shoulder. The little dragon made a crooning purr like sound as she did. "He needs us all Luna."
"Yes, but you most of all right now." Luna tipped her head towards the entrance hall. Again, the dragon copied her. "He knows of you, but doesn't know you. And his father's even worse. What he does know though…"
Lily froze for a moment before closing her eyes, swearing lightly under her breath. Of course. Harry only knew them both from what others had said. And not all that had been said of James had been polite. True, yes. She still loved the man he became, but Lily had not allowed herself to become blind to his flaws. He'd grown out of the cocky arrogance that had marked his younger years, but he'd always been mischievous and playful. Lily hadn't minded; it had added spice to their love life, and kept things light when everything else was heading into darkness. But the almost war like state that had arisen between James and Serverus pained her. Both had been at fault with that. She opened her eyes to look the young blond in the eyes.
"Thank you Luna, for pointing that out. Please, feel free to do so again anytime." She smiled warmly at the young witch. "And you can drop the formality. Call me Lily."
Luna's eyes widened a bit more, and a confusing mixture of hope, longing and worry crossed her face. "Really?"
"Really." Lily said as she went down to one knee to be on the same level as Luna. "I know that I can't replace your mother Luna. I only vaguely knew Celeste when we were at Hogwarts. But I hope that she'd approve of me looking after you from now on."
Luna seemed on the verge of tears as she rapidly stepped forwards, arms opening wide. Lily reciprocated, wrapping the girl in a hug, mindful of the dragon clinging to her back. Said dragon purred more noticeably as it rubbed its head against hers.
"Thank you Lily… mom." Luna said quietly after a long moment, and Lily felt her heart lurch. She'd spoken to Raynor a bit after she'd returned to the land of the living, after the others had gone to bed. She'd picked up that he'd not said everything when talking about her state after that fateful night. She'd suspected, but wanted confirmation. By all rights, the Killing Curse Voldemort had struck her with should have killed her outright. Her soul should not have been only partially loosened from her body. Something else must have taken some of the power from that spell.
She and James had never planned on Harry being an only child. But fate had had other plans.
Sensing movement around them, Lily opened her eyes to see the other girls had joined them. Hermione had her arms full of orange fur, but Astoria Greengrass was stood next to Luna, one hand trailing lightly down the Terror's back. Katie Bell smiled when she met Lily's eyes. Though the action didn't quite erase the shadow of pain in her eyes. "Go on, Harry needs you."
Luna released Lily as she stepped back, smiling brightly. "Remind him that James was more than just what he's heard." She said cryptically.
Lily beamed at all of them for being so understanding even as she tried to figure out what Luna had meant. She was still pondering when she reached the front door. Placing her hand on the knob she glanced at the mirror to one side, a reflexive check of her appearance… and froze as her eyes landed on a small china bowl below it. 'Of course! THAT should get his attention!' She thought as she scooped the keys from within. Stepping outside she saw Harry was stood on the lowest step, gazing towards the drive, seemingly lost in thought. When she stepped down to his level he looked at her for a moment before looking outwards again.
"Harry? What's on your mind?"
Harry sighed before answering her. "I just… I've got several different images of dad in my mind… and I can't fit them together. In some he's a bully, others a hero. It's just…"
Lily sighed herself. "I admit Harry, he was a complex man. Like yourself." She paused to gather her thoughts.
"When I first met him, back in our first year, James was just a cocky boy to me. He was not outwardly arrogant like Malfoy, but there was a certain self-belief that got under my skin at first. When he was planning something, a glint would appear in his eye that hinted at how devious he was. I admit, I found him fascinating even back then, as much as how his pranks disgusted me." She chuckled lightly. "It didn't help that even as a second year he was good looking. As he matured, he just got better.
"When we started dating, which I admit was when I finally relented to my own feelings and gave in, he showed me a very different side to him. I think only myself, Remus and Sirius saw that side of him outside of his family. He was still playful, but it was more to entertain and amuse. I also began to see how those he pranked were more often bullies themselves. While his vigilante acts still grated a little, I could see the effect on others. He was helping others find hope and courage when things were starting to go terribly wrong.
"And then…" She trailed off wistfully. Harry looked at her curiously.
"What mum? What did he do?"
Lily smiled playfully at him. "He made a dream of mine come true on our wedding."
Harry was openly amazed. "Really? How?"
"Let me show you." Taking his hand she began to pull him away from the manor.
A look of panic crossed his face. "Errr… it's not something to do with your wedding night, right?"
Lily stopped, looked back at him in shock, before laughing aloud. "Oh Harry! Nothing like that! Though… I will admit, what he did do certainly gave him bonus points for that event!"
Harry was flushed crimson as Lily stopped before the first of the garage doors. Still chuckling she selected one key from the ring she held before slotting it into the central door handle. The clunk of the lock disengaging brought him back to the present.
"No. What he did… was give me this as a gift." She said as the door swung up and out of the way.
Harry stared wide-eyed into the space within. The long garage appeared to be subdivided into separate enclosed bays, but that detail he only realised later. At that moment his eyes were drinking in the sleek, gleaming form that sat within. Low lights along the side highlighted the car that crouched before him, playing over the chrome edging and leather seats. The front had an oval form, with four round headlights glinting in the sunlight. The chrome front bumper was supported proud of the bodywork, which was a deep, rich green. There was no roof, just a thick, T shaped roll bar that linked the middle of the low windscreen with the pillars behind the long doors, covered in what looked like black leather. The bonnet and boot seemed impossibly long, and the whole thing just looked like it was eager to race down the road.
"What… is it?" Harry asked quietly, reverently. Awe filled his tone.
Lily smiled fondly as she stepped down the side of the car to the driver's door, letting her hand run over the right front panel as she did. "My wedding present from the Marauders. A nineteen seventy-eight Triumph Stag." She paused before opening the door. "They somehow managed to find one of the last off the line, then hid it away without me knowing a thing. I'm not sure just how long it took, but when I was finally presented with it, those three had charmed it far beyond what Arthur with that Anglia." Slowly Lily settled into the drivers seat, sighing with happiness. It had been far too long since she'd sat behind the wheel of her car, but it was as if she'd hadn't been gone at all. The seat was still in the position she liked it in, everything as she'd had to leave it when they had gone into hiding. Excitement built in her veins as she set the choke and slide the ignition home. Normally after such a long period of time inactive a car had to be gone over with a fine-toothed comb to deal with the deterioration that occurred. But she knew how each of these bays had stasis charms built into them, tied to the garage doors. When the door had been closed on this car in nineteen eighty, time for the car had frozen, leaving it as pristine now as it was then.
Turning the key the first step, all the lights came on across the dash, bright and eager. Looking up and out, Lily could see the excitement in Harry's eyes, mirroring what she felt.
Then she turned the key again.
The started chugged once, twice… then the engine caught and roared. Lily gave it some throttle and the garage reverberated with the bellow of a mighty V8 engine. Harry actually jumped as the engine fired, and though she couldn't hear him Lily could see him whooping with glee as she rev'ed the engine, letting the sound blot out everything with the unique engine note that came only from a Triumph V8. Releasing the throttle Lily allowed the engine to settle down into the idling burble that she remembered so well. Swiftly she shifted the gear lever, taking the Stag out of Park. The 'Clunk' of the gears changing sounded loudly within the garage. Harry looked at her in concern, but she just waved him to one side, smiling. Once Harry was out of the way Lily eased off the brake, allowing the engine's tick over to draw the car outside.
Harry watched with awe as the nearly fifteen feet of car emerged into the sunlight, the gravel crunching under the large tires. Bringing it to a halt, Lily smiled at him happily. "Let's take a drive."
Eagerly Harry climbed in, feeling the weight of the door as he pulled it open. As he belted in, Lily glanced towards the manor to see that a number of the others had come out, likely to investigate the noise. She saw Victor smiling and nodding in approval, while nearly all the witches were on the verge of drooling. Somehow, the Triumph Stag had always had a strong appeal to women.
"So what did Dad do with this?" Harry asked excitedly, all his previous troubles banished.
Lily just grinned as she slotted the car into gear once more, one hand running over the central portion of the steering wheel. One of the minor things James had done was replace the Stag emblem in the centre of the wheel with an image of his own Animagus form, perfectly detailed in silver. It looked just like Harry's patronus. "I'll tell you in a bit. For now, lets just enjoy the drive."
With that, she goosed the throttle and released the brake, allowing the car to power away.
Harry was grinning as his mum threaded the big car up the long drive to the main road, but when she turned onto the road and really let the classic go, he started whooping with pleasure as the engine roared and the needles climbed. Beside him Lily smiled happily as she reconnected with something James had done for her… and was able to share it with Harry. They still had much to talk about, but for now, they could just share the experience.
Abraxis Davies stepped through into the main room of the Leaky Cauldron, his two children behind. He'd been very surprised by the missive from the Black Family, enquiring about his daughter's suitability as a match for the next Lord of the Family. It had certainly been a much more polite proposal of a marriage contract than he'd received from any other family. But the real shock came when he reached the name that was signed across the bottom of the letter: Harry James Potter-Black. Just how had the Boy-Who-Lived, whose family was one of the lightest around, become the heir to one of the darkest? And what about Sirius Black? The man had been responsible for the death of the boys' parents. So how the hell did Harry become the heir?
Behind him Tracy walked nervously, though she was jumping for joy on the inside. Daphne had come through for her! Here was her chance to escape Nott! The sleazy scumbag had been eyeing her for the last couple of years, undressing her with his eyes. Tracy had made sure she had not been left alone in any room with him, as well as ensuring that he could see her hand on her wand at all times around him. Being betrothed would give her protection against his advances, as the consequences for interfering with a betrothal were hefty, up to and including time in Azkaban for the worst cases. Not even Nott was that stupid. Crabbe and Goyle… well maybe.
Roger Davies looked between his father and half-sister as they walked, trying to understand everything that had happened in the last couple of days. Since that meeting between them Tracy had gone phases of sulking, anger and desperation. Now she was almost giddy. Just what was happening here? The Nott's had put in a good offer, his father should have snapped it up right away. It was how he acted at work, hard-nosed, ruthless, decisive. Roger admired his father in almost every way. There was no wavering or indecision with Abraxis Davis. He went after his goals with a single-minded determination that put some bulls to shame. He'd worked hard to put a roof over their heads, food on the table, and give them both the education that had been denied him. Even at home his word was law. No backchat was tolerated. Oh he was harsh, cold even, but he had always been fair and consistent.
And yet… he'd wavered with Tracy. Roger had always found his half-sister to be something of an insult. A reminder of his father's dalliance with another woman after his mothers' death. Roger only vaguely remembered her, but he had not been happy with his father falling for the muggleborn woman who'd swept in during his grief. Then for her to leave, saddling them with a child that was not really wanted by either male in the Davis family. Roger Admired his father for coping, for not allowing himself to fall for another, but deep in his heart were he would never even admit it to himself Roger sometimes wished that he had put the child up for adoption, leaving him free to devote all his attention onto Roger.
The three stopped as a young purple-haired woman in Auror robes stepped in front of them. "Mr Davies? I'm Auror Tonks. Thank you for coming." The three frowned in confusion, before they noticed the emblem of the Black Family on the woman's robes. Roger's frown deepened, but Abraxis nodded in understand, realising the significance of the emblem. "Mister Potter-Black is awaiting. If you would follow me?"
Tonks led the three towards the rear of the famous pub, towards the private rooms that could be rented out for parties and such. They were often also used as neutral ground between families wishing to come to a deal. Taking a chance, Tracy quickened her step to walk besides the young Auror, who didn't look that much older than herself. "Auror Tonks… uh, why do you have the Black crest on your robes?"
"Tracy…" Abraxis started to warn his daughter, but the young Auror waved her hand.
"It's alright, Mister Davies." Tonks turned to look back at the younger witch. "My mother was a Black, which means I'm part of the family, though a minor branch. Harry's a distant cousin."
Tracy smiled a little, seeing a spark of joy in the older woman's eyes. But before anything else could be said they reached the room reserved.
Abraxis strode in after the Auror, his eyes taking in everything almost instantly. The room was composed of two spaces, an informal sitting area to the left while the right was bisected by a table. Three chairs were set on their side, while on the other three people sat. Not surprisingly Harry Potter was sat in the middle, while on his right was Andromeda Tonks, the noted lawyer. Abraxis remembered that she had been a Black herself. The other witch was a surprise though. Daphne Greengrass had no connection to Harry, so why was she here?
"Mr Davies, welcome and thank you for coming." Harry said as he rose, holding out his hand. Abraxis looked closely at the young man before taking his hand in his own roughened one.
"My pleasure. I assume you know my children?"
"Only in passing I'm afraid. Events in my life have kind of dominated my attention so far."
"Understandable. Before we begin, I have to ask. I understand why Madam Tonks is here, for both legal and family reasons. But may I ask why you have Miss Greengrass with you?"
Harry actually smiled as he held out his hand, into which Daphne placed hers with a small smile. "Daphne has graciously agreed, and her family have consented, to become my Consort." Roger gasped, while Tracy grinned at her friend. She'd found her hero at last! "I intend for her to consort to the Black family, assuming that the future Lady Black has no objections…" Harry was looking directly at Tracy at this point, who found her cheeks flushing as she bowed her head. Lady Tracy Black… it had a nice ring to it.
Abraxis coughed. "Well, it remains to be seen if Tracy will fill that role." Quickly they were all seated, except for Tonks who stood beside the door. "Shall we begin?"
"Very well." Harry took a deep breath. "First, I want to make a few things clear. I was raised in the muggle world, in which this sort of meeting has not been used in the last hundred years. I find the idea of trading for a wife like she was some kind of prize cow demeaning, to both the witch and the wizards involved." Tracy stared at the boy with wide eyes. He honestly believed that! Harry continued before any of them could interject. "However… I do understand it is the custom in the Magical World, so I will follow it. I hope we can come to an agreement that satisfies not only us both, but also Tracy herself. She deserves as much input into this as we do." Harry looked at her again, smiling a little before facing her father once more.
Abraxis Davies, for his part, was both stunned and warmed at Mister Potter's - Harry's – care for his daughter's happiness. He knew they hadn't spoken much, given their different Houses at Hogwarts. For him to show this much compassion for someone he only vaguely knew… it spoke reams about his character. Of course, people like him tended not to do well in the business that Abraxis was in, but finding such a person helped restore some hope for humanity in his worn, old heart. He knew, deep down, that he had failed his daughter. He knew that his pain and anger at her mother had brushed off onto the blameless little girl. He'd hoped so much to find her a good match at Hogwarts… but things had not gone as he'd hoped. Her being sorted into Slytherin had closed many doors to them. While he was pleased that it hinted she had the true traits of her house – ambition – he had also despaired, as the former Slytherins tended to move in their own circle, only rarely mixing with other former students. And only the exceptional married another graduate from another house.
Leaning back slowly, he looked thoughtfully at the younger man. "What do you offer for her?"
Harry took a deep breath. "As Lady Black, she would have direct control over the family legacy and funds. While all major decisions and directions would have to be agreed with me, I'm prepared to allow her a large degree of latitude, to make the House of Black a truly noble house once more." Harry noticed how Tracy's eyes flashed at the thought, and her smile widened. It was clear that she found the thought exciting.
"We would also consider your family friends, with preferred status in regards to any trade deals. You would be our first call for anything we need. This would also apply to the Potter Family, and maybe in time, if the service is exceptional, to the Bones and Greengrass families."
Abraxis felt his heart beating faster. This would be a goldmine if it panned out!
"I'm also going to charter the goblins ward your property of choice to a level high enough to withstand almost any attack by those arrayed against me. At the least you would have time to escape to a suitable safe house." Harry paused, an expression that could have been classed as a grimace flickering across his face. "We are also tending an initial bride price of five thousand galleons."
Roger gulped audibly, and Abraxis thought his heart had stopped. "Cou… could you repeat that last bit?"
Harry signed. "Five thousand Galleons, payable on the wedding day." He paused, his expression turning alarmed. "Is that too little?"
"Too little… too little he says…" Abraxis couldn't help but start to laugh, his humour helping him to over come the shock. Both his children were looking at him in surprise. They had never heard him laugh like this!
After a minute Abraxis managed to regain his composure to reply to Harry's question. "Mister Potter… that figure is more than three times what the Nott's have offered!"
"Oh." Harry said quietly, clearly a little surprised. After a moment he looked at Tracy. "Well, Tracy? Do you have anything to add?"
Tracy was still in shock, but managed to pull her brain back into gear. "I can do what I like with House Black?"
"Within reason." Harry's smile lessened the implied limit. "I will admit it will be an uphill battle. The Black family has fallen deep into disgrace, their London mansion is now a fifthly hovel. I know, since I spent half of last summer there. It won't be easy…"
"I'm in." Tracy cut in, grinning devilishly. "I like a challenge. The hat nearly put me in Hufflepuff or Gryffindor, you know."
Harry chuckled. "That same hat wanted to put me in Slytherin, but I told it 'no'." At her stunned and confused look, he elaborated. "I'd already met Malfoy…" Her face took on an expression of disgust. "…and all those I'd talked too only said bad things about Slytherin House. In any case…" He looked at her father again. "…what say you Mister Davies?"
Abraxis shook his head, smiling lightly. "I'd never live with myself if I let this chance pass me by. We are agreed." He reached over the table once more, offering his hand. As Harry shook it, Abraxis said softly. "I'd given up hope that Hogwarts would answer my prayers. Thank you Mister Potter, for making everything I've done worth it."
A/N: There we go. I hope that satisfied your thirsts for vengence. Of course, this is just the start of the Dursleys suffering...