:julieta0121: yes i actually bring professor McGonagall up in a chapter just cant remember which one off the top of my head.
update 5-25-24 corrected grammer, spelling
the room sat in silence for a moment at his aunt's announcement.
"Excuse me, what does it focus on?" the director asked hesitantly.
"Nonmagical and magical emancipation," his aunt, Tursley, replied.
"Look," she says as she pulls out an old parchment scroll, handing it over.
"My nephew was forced upon us, left on our doorstep in the dead of night with nothing but that note there as an explanation of events. Do you understand? My family never wanted him. I never wanted any of you wizard types around my son... not after her... my perfect sister, coming home every holiday with her pockets overflowing with frog spawn and speaking of things I've never even heard of!" She takes a deep breath and continues, "I didn't want him then, and after yesterday, I don't want him around anymore, not even a tolerance, bringing home some freakish snake that apparently can kill with its eyes! No, no more. My husband and I have had enough... but" And she glances over at Harry. The boy is still the son of my sister...who despite everything that happened between us I loved quite deeply and didn't get to spend nearly as much time with growing up because I wasn't graced with magical powers...so I won't just kick him out to the streets... I know...I've realized that the...that Harry is some form of a celebrity in this world... and I know there are probably hundreds of families that would gladly take him in. But what he doesn't need is parental figures fawning all over him. That letter had that right, at least... and I know that the Potters are an old and rich family." Petunia once again glanced at Harry, who was staring at her with rapt attention. "Lily came home from the holidays several times spewing vitriol again that 'nappy-headed arrogant rich prat' amongst other colorful descriptions," she had said with a chuckle and a fond smile.
"At any rate, I know that any regular family would ruin him, and I know the Potters are wealthy, so his family either has property or enough money to lease something while he's out on the summer holidays." Aunt Petunia looked at Harry and finally closed her mouth, finished speaking.
"Surely," the director said, looking at Mr. Abbott, "surely you don't intend to cast him out of his home for the events of yesterday?"
"Don't you understand!" she stood quickly and slammed the parchment down on the table. "I was told my sister, my last remaining blood relative, was DEAD by a damn note! Like it was an old bit of news to be commented on like the weather! And then I went nearly twelve years without another peep from this world aside from strangers coming up to Harry and shaking his hand or that damn school letter debacle. I wasn't asked to take in my baby sister's child.
He was left on my doorstep, and after yesterday, that thing nearly killed my husband because he punished Harry for shouting at him. No, I will not have him in my house longer than necessary, but I want him to have a space where he can care for himself. So, if you please, would you help him get some solicitors? Neither he nor I know how to navigate this world, and I believe this to be your department's job.
Director Macavoy sat in stunned silence for a minute before saying, "Well, you're right. Yes, I can help you, of course. Here." She had scribbled out the names of three solicitors who work with Muggleborns on such matters. She turned slightly and looked at Harry, cocking an eyebrow, to which Harry simply nodded. "I suppose you have an owl?" the director asked Harry.
"Yes, why?" he replied.
I'm going to recommend contacting the one at the top of the list. He is a Muggle-born lawyer that works on all kinds of cases for Squibs and Muggle-borns that the more conservative firms won't touch. His name is Ted Tonks, and he is the best lawyer I've seen in a while. He's fantastic at manipulating the Wizengamot with his words. Your next step should be to head over to Child Welfare and get a file set up. Get a full diagnostic, which is equivalent to a physical and a checkup all in one. This will need to be done if you want to continue. The boy's health will be looked over by the Wizengamot to make their decisions in any potential hearing.
"Well, Mrs. Dursley, it's been an enlightening morning. Mr. Potter, good luck. You may see yourselves out. I have another appointment coming in ten minutes, and I need to prepare for it."
The three others in the office stood and left. Shortly down the hallway, Mr. Abbott said to Petunia and Harry, "So, shall I escort you two to the child welfare offices?"
"'Yes, please,' said Aunt Petunia, who sounded very reticent about that particular business."
They continued walking, and Mr. Abbott said rather sadly, "I must apologize. I feel I intruded on your meeting there. I invited myself along so you had at least one somewhat familiar face, as you don't seem particularly chuffed about having to be here. But you handled yourself well, and I forgot that Macavoy is nothing like Director Bones of the DMLE. Elzy is a fine witch, smart and fierce when necessary, but also has the personality to make even the most timid person feel comfortable. She actually used to work with child welfare back in the '70s, but... well, the war. There were a lot of orphans and hurt children. I think it soured her on it, and she jumped to Muggle Liaison."
"Yes, she had a good head on her shoulders. She reminded me of my sister, honestly," Petunia replied, casting her eyes down, her voice trailing off.
They continued through the halls and up two floors to a back corner set of offices, all labeled "MCWO: Magic Child Welfare Office."
"Welcome to 'MCW.' It's technically its own office, but it's still considered a sub-department of Incidental Magic, where accidental magic reversal, child welfare, Muggle-worthy excuses, and, of course, the big one—accidental magic and catastrophes—are located." He explained jovially, leading them into an office before calling out, "HELEN! I'VE GOT A RATHER SENSITIVE ONE FOR YOU!" He waited for a distant reply of, "Alright, coming in a mo!"
"Well, that's me done. I've got to get back to work. I've got some people covering my desk. Nice meeting you, Harry! If you ever need help, send us an owl." He then turned and left, leaving them alone in the office.
Petunia stood there nervously when Harry tugged on her shirt sleeve and pointed to a pair of rather tatty-looking chairs. The two moved to sit on them and wait.
It takes ten minutes before a rather squat and heavy-set, ruddy-faced woman appears in bright red robes. Harry has to hold back a laugh, both at his aunt's face and at the thought that the woman looks just like a maraschino cherry, right down to her shiny, candy-red lipstick. The woman must have seen Petunia's face and made a rather unladylike sound. "Yes, like my clothes? My brother's are hilarious. They read a Muggle book about some old king, and the next thing I know, everything I touch turns red. St. Mungo's was able to alter the curse's effects a bit, so it's just things I intend to wear... unfortunately, it also made the red brighter... BUT that's not important right now. My name is Helen Ciliegia, but you can just call me Miss Cili for now. Now, why don't you tell me what I can do for you?"
"Well..." Petunia slowly started. "This is Harry Potter." That made Miss Cili sit up straighter. "After an... incident yesterday, I was made aware of the existence of the magical government. And a Mr. Abbott told me about the liaison office that helps non-magical people and first-generation witches and wizards navigate the government. And it became clear that Harry's 'magical guardian,' Albus Dumbledore, has hidden every single facet of the magical world from not only us but Harry himself.
We are here for two reasons: one being (I suppose) rather important. I don't think Harry has ever had a magical check-up or examination, nor any magical inoculations. The second reason is that I am seeking emancipation for him for a multitude of reasons, but the biggest reason is that my family doesn't want the boy, and after that incident yesterday with his pet, we can't keep him; he's a danger to our son.
The woman narrowed her eyes. "Why seek emancipation at such a young age? He can't be more than twelve. Why not seek a different foster family?"
Because no matter what I think of him and this "world," I do want what is best for him.
What's best for him is not being around my husband, who can barely contain himself around the boy. So far, it's been light slaps on the head, but as Harry grows and becomes a young man, there will be punches thrown from both sides, and I'd rather avoid that.
Also, I don't think another family in your world would be any better. I've seen random magical people on the street approach him and fawn over him like he was the queen herself among them. They would turn his head, spoil him rotten, and ruin him just as assuredly as I've ruined my own son. She looked down sadly; she had come to that realization slowly throughout the year, with the school reports that were sent home.
"No, I believe being on his own recognizance is best. For better or worse, Harry hates attention; he hates being around sycophants. He can cook for himself and clean; he makes his bed with military proficiency without being asked. With minimal adult intervention, this young man will become a bright and strong adult. But if people take his head off his shoulders by fawning over him, he will be just as much a wastrel as every other vapid child star you see in the tabloids. Plus, I know the Potters. I met James and both his parents a few times before they all died. I know the family is extremely wealthy; he has the means and the desire to care for himself. And as I understand it, he has a friend or two who will keep his studies on track."
"That's why I want to emancipate him completely." Aside from that, it will get him out of that old, bearded man's clutches. I've met Dumbledore once or twice, and he's up to no good. Whether you see it or not, he doesn't have Harry's best interests at heart.
"Well... then," blinked Miss Cilli. "We can start by getting a health check done. Don't worry; I can do it here. It only takes a moment." She stood up, approached Harry, and tapped him on the head with the tip of her wand. Then she tapped a long piece of parchment with a self-inking quill, and the quill spewed ink onto the page.
"
name: Harry James Potter
Age: 11 years 11 months
Health: No conditions
Status: No ailments
Magical power: 859
Special note: Several healed broken bones were found.
special note: slight malnutrition was found (no treatment needed)
Miss Cili looked up with a very serious look on her face. "Malnutrition?"
Petunia blushed, "Well, what did you expect? A baby shows up on your doorstep one morning and suddenly the price of everything doubles. Only, I don't work, and my husband, prior to three years ago, was paid on commission. We all made sacrifices at times; I always made sure to feed both the boys before myself or my husband. It's just..." Harry spoke up for the first time, "I've never been a big eater before I started at Hogwarts. That is, being at Hogwarts makes me hungry in a way no Muggle gym class ever has."
"Hmm, yes. Sometimes our bodies respond to magic in odd ways. I wonder if you were a calm child? No tantrums, no accidental bursts of magic?
"very few" Harry and Petunia said together.
"There was a time when Harry teleported himself to the roof of the school building," explained Aunt Petunia. "One time when Harry was three, he called an entire ham to his plate. He's always had a soft spot for ham." The only thing he consistently eats is ham," she said, raising an eyebrow as if just realizing it.
"Then, yes, it's more than likely that with such a vast amount of power in your core, you were sustained in a way that deceived your brain into believing you didn't need much food. It's a common affliction among Muggle-borns, so I simply had to ascertain."
"Well, Mr. Potter, if emancipation is what you desire, there are several things working in your favor. The biggest one is that this is not Muggle England; if it were, your request would not be possible. But since this is the Ministry of Magic and we operate under different rules, it is not only possible but highly probable.
"Your greatest favor is that you are Harry Potter, the scion of an ancient and noble house."
"What does that mean, exactly?" Petunia asked before Harry could.
"It means that Harry is the last direct descendant of a family that is older than the founding of the current Ministry. Being the Heir or Lord of an ancient and noble House comes with certain privileges in our society. That will be a great boon in this affair. Another boon is that the Potters are extremely wealthy, as you said, Petunia. It will be very easy to prove that you can care for yourself. Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do at this juncture. All legal inquiries must be submitted by a solicitor (I assume Mrs. MacAvoy provided you with a list?)" Miss Cilli explained all this slowly and very matter-of-factly, so it wouldn't be misunderstood.
"This will still be difficult, but if done properly, given who you are, you will be able to speak with the Wizengamot during its July or August sitting. Miss Cilli warned them."
"Now, why don't you two go out and enjoy the rest of this fine day?"
With that, Petunia and Harry stood up and made their exit. They walked along the corridors, only stopping and asking for directions twice inside the labyrinth of rooms and halls that was the Ministry of Magic. They returned to the Grand Atrium, whose centerpiece was a fantastic fountain. As they both approached the fountain, they saw a sign (All proceeds from the Fountain of Magical Brethren will be donated to St. Mungo's Hospital). Harry felt around, found his money bag, and emptied it. With 10 fat gold Galleons in his hand, he offered some to his aunt, who guffawed at them with wide, insane eyes. Harry laughed at this and, smiling, said, "I think the conversion rate is 50 pounds to a Galleon. At least that's what Hermione said." He rather unceremoniously chuckled, and Petunia did as well. As they walked back to the lift, Petunia smiled cheerfully and asked, "Who is Hermione?"
At this, Harry smiled and began explaining all about the girl people were already calling the brightest witch of the age as they got into the lift and left for the meeting point with Uncle Vernon and Dudley.
It was much later that day that Harry sat in his room, his Hogwarts things freed from the cupboard under the stairs, with Hedwig and his new familiar, Smaragaid, or Smara as she liked to be called. The ancient snake was a fascinating conversationalist and knew many secrets of the founders, having known each of them, and not many new memories in the interim to delude her recollection.
Harry sat at his desk, watching the sun begin to set as he wrote a letter of introduction and asking for an in-person appointment with Ted Tonks at the mans earliest convenience and to come to the Dursleys' house if it was convenient enough because getting Aunt Petunia into Diagon Alley would be trying in the extreme.
With that letter done, he folded it up and the letter he wrote for Hermione. He tied them to Hedwig and sent her on her way.
You know, Smara, "I think it's going to be a very interesting summer."
You know I keep cranking these out I'm starting to enjoy my self.
Maybe I should plan this story out and write an outline for myself instead of just typing whatever is in my head and seeing where it takes me. What do you guys think, freeform or should I add some structure to my writing style?
Update 5-25-24: By all the gods, I knew my writing was messed up, but it's blatantly obvious I had no idea what I was doing.
I still need to write down all these details to make them easier to reference.