(Andromeda Tonks - PoV)
Eventually, Iris returns and we make our way from the shop. I pretend not to notice Coeus slipping the man another bulging bag of Galleons before he leaves, presumably for Nymphadora's Christmas present.
It is staggering the amount of money the boy has spent in this place. Likely as much as Ted has earned since we took them in, and he makes good money now. The fact the owner is still willing to scrounge for Galleons off the floor makes me wonder exactly what kinds of debts his family has, but I suppose it is not my place to pry. No, not like with Iris.
Iris Potter, the Girl-Who-Lived. Savior of the wizarding world.
Raised by muggles. Ignorant of magic, of her heritage, her place in the world.
I am not nearly as snobbish as I once was, but the idea is still...offensive. And that is by far the least offensive thing we have discovered about her life today.
We pass through Diagon and step out of the Leaky Cauldron. "So, Iris, where exactly do you live?" I ask her. I would like to get sight of these, Dursley's, for myself.
My hand clenches my wand in my robes.
"Umm, Number 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey."
Nodding, I flag down the Knight Bus. Unpleasant though it may be, it is the best option for casual travel to muggle areas not hooked up to the floo network. Well, for groups when apparition and flying are not options. Otherwise you are stuck with the Muggle transportation network, which can get quite problematic when purebloods such as myself are involved.
Ted loves telling everyone the story of me trying to take the London Underground alone to come visit him shortly after our sixth year. The Muggle 'bobbies' got involved and he eventually had to bail me out of jail. An embarrassing night all around.
After giving them the address, we climb aboard, declining all spillable liquids. Whoever decided to serve burning hot chocolate to the riders of this bus deserves to petrified and stuck to the front of it for the rest of their lives. The fact they started selling burn cream shortly afterwards is not a coincidence.
Not giving it away either. Selling. I believe the bus is officially operated by the Ministry, but I imagine someone is taking a cut of the profits given that little "coincidence".
"This is the Knight Bus," I explain to Iris. "If you need transportation anywhere in England, it tends to be the easiest method. Raise your wand hand in the air near a road and wait."
We endure the, enthusiastic, trip with the other passengers. Fortunately, everyone is too wrapped up in their own misery to notice the Girl-Who-Lived in their midst. Her hair hides her scar fairly well actually. Unfortunately it is crowded enough we are forced up to the third level, which is the worst.
After hurtling all over England for entirely too long we eventually arrive at our destination and gratefully depart.
"That was...something," Iris admits.
"It is very useful as an option," Coeus says, "but there is very obviously a reason most people use...every other method when given a choice."
We all nod in agreement.
"Even the floo is at least over quickly," Nymphadora agrees.
The poor girl never did get the hang of floo travel and still lands on her face every time she exits. Hopefully the Auror program will train that out of her, I never could.
"Well, here we are then. Privet Drive." I say.
What a dreadfully dull-looking place. Made worse by knowing...
...
I look over at Iris, who appears in no hurry to part from her new...her first bloody friends! The safer plan is to drop her off at the Dursleys, to let her return home. To go back to Arcturus, make our plans, and then move from there. No risk for legal troubles or having to get into some kind of scuffle with Dumbledore.
But after everything I have seen, can I let her walk back in there? I have not seen any proof of outright abuse, but...
...
I look at little Phoebe, knowing that I could just ask her and know for certain, but I won't ask that of-
She looks back at me and nods sadly.
...
Safe. I spent years playing things safe. Damnit, the only reason I have any safety now, the only reason my daughter was able to grow up, that my husband lives, is because of this girl, like hell am I sending her back in there!
"Dora, kids, wait here. Ted, come with me, we are going to have a conversation with the Dursleys," I order.
I only get two steps before Phoebe calls out behind me.
"They don't want her."
I turn around.
"What?"
"The Dursleys. They don't want her, not really. Dumbledore barely managed to talk them into it in the first place, and he all but lied when he did."
I see. I nod and resume my pace towards the door, Ted falling in step with me. That will make this much easier.
"You know, if they hate magic as much as has been implied, they are going to take offense to our dress," he says.
I snort.
"Let them."
I really don't give a damn how these muggles feel.
He nods. "You're going to threaten them, aren't you?"
"Most likely," I admit.
We approach the door in silence, and I knock.
I hear angry muttering on the other side, before the door opens, revealing a man befitting the description of a great ugly walrus.
"What i-YOU! WHAT DO YOUR LOT WANT NO-"
I cut off his angry rant by shoving a wand in his face.
He fortunately goes silent at the implicit threat. I advance, forcing him to back up. Ted follows me into the house, closing the door behind us.
"Vernon? Who is it?" The woman comes out of the kitchen, but freezes at the scene. Ted pulls his wand on her, and motions for her to sit on the couch.
She hesitates. A light banisher shattering a vase causes her to shriek.
"Petunia!" the fat man shouts.
"Ah-ah." I step between them, and pour magic into my wand, causing the tip to glow, refocusing his attention on it.
Ted motions to the couch again, and Petunia sits.
"You too now," I tell the man, Vernon
He glares, but complies, sitting next to his wife.
I step in front of them, while Ted stands to the side.
"Good day, I am Andromeda Black. That name most likely doesn't mean anything to you, muggles. Amongst wizards, we are rather infamous. Infamous for being playing with dark magic, and producing lunatics, psychopaths, and killers. My little sister is locked away after she tortured two war heroes into insanity trying to bring back her master, and my favorite cousin?"
I chuckle.
"He killed thirteen people with one curse and is often considered the greatest criminal in the country. Now, luckily for you, I happen to fall in the other camp, but, something to keep in mind." I smile at them, playing with my wand as they glance at each other nervously.
"Now, as for why I am here. I was taking my family out shopping, including said cousin's children, when we ran into the most adorable little girl, your niece I understand. One thing led to another, and, well, they are fast friends now. So when I found out exactly how you have been treating her? Well, let's just say I am not happy about it."
I let my wand glow again, as I glare at them.
"Lies," the fat man tries to claim. "Whatever she told you. She's a known li-"
I blow up another vase.
I so very much want to use him instead but...
...
I breathe in, and out.
Calm.
"You know what? You have a point. I don't even know what I am bothering explaining everything to you, let's keep this quick and simple. Your niece is not coming back here. Ever. If I get your agreement on this? Then I can forget about everything you have done to her, and move on with life."
If not? Then I am going to show you exactly how the Blacks got their reputation, and all the dark magic I learned growing up.
He narrows his eyes at me.
"That's it? You just want the girl, and you will leave?"
I laugh.
"Do you think I like being here? That I like being around you? Just give me your agreement now, and we will be on our way. At some point in the future, likely a few days from now, I will be back with some papers to sign, and then we will never see each other again. Iris will officially and legally no longer be your concern."
"Agreed." He cannot answer fast enough.
I look to Petunia. "Her too."
She glares at me.
"Absolutely. We never wanted her here in the first place, that old bearded freak just wouldn't go away until we took her," she rants. "If you will deal with him? Take her! Neither she nor any of you are welcome here! Just leave us normal people alone!"
So Dumbledore really did cause all of this...By accident, sure, but...
I nod, signal Ted, and we take our leave.
We find him, Dumbledore, outside, arguing with my daughter.
I storm down the steps.
"Now?" I yell.
He turns towards me.
"Now you come? After all of these years? Now you check on her? Now that you are no longer bloody needed?"
"Andromeda? What exactly is -"
I slap him, hard enough to send his glasses flying into the grass.
"No! No, I am not dealing with you right now. You can go right back to your castle and wait, Arcturus will be by to answer your questions."
I storm past him, grab Iris's hand with mine, and signal the Knight Bus again. We are going home.