Reading Time: 94 Minutes

Title: The Ending of the End
Series: If Only
Series Order: 2
Author: Aussiefan70
Fandom: Harry Potter
Genre: Family, Hurt/Comfort
Relationship(s): Gen. Main character pairings in epilogue only.
Content Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Violence-Against Children
Author Note:
Beta: Geminiangel
Word Count: 106,361
Summary: Harry and his friends start second year, and mostly have decent professors who make learning fun (with the odd exception). Meanwhile, Harry’s family roots grow stronger and deeper, there’s a creature on the loose at Hogwarts (never fear, Harry has people for that), and Dumbledore has a bad day…all year. Then again, so does a certain dark lord, so at least the Old Goat isn’t alone in that.
Artist: Spuddoc

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If Only – The Ending of the End

“This is no time for ease or comfort. It is the time to dare and endure.”

Winston Churchill, 1940

Amelia Bones, 1 September 1992, contemplating the year ahead.

Chapter 1

Harry Potter was a little astonished at how much life had changed in the last eleven months. The day of his eleventh birthday, when Hagrid had told him he was a wizard then took him to Diagon Alley for his school shopping, was less than a year ago. But it had been a pivotal moment in his young life, where he’d begun to learn what friendship and family meant. And this, to an orphaned boy, meant more than all the gold in his vault, and all the magic he’d learned in his first year at Hogwarts.

Only the day before, Harry and his friends had arrived back from school to Kings Cross Station, glad the long train ride was over. Harry had been expecting to see Soraya, his guardian, waiting to bring him home. What had surprised him was to find a glamoured Firelock and Ringstar there to greet him as well. The Guduriak tended to avoid leaving the confines of Gringotts bank and the Enklabe below, though they had made a trip to Philadelphia with Harry and Neville last Christmas. But still, this was quite a shift to find his favourite couple there at the station.

“Wow, it’s good to see you both,” Harry exclaimed, bending down a little to first hug Ringstar and then Firelock.

“After last month, I was feeling a little jealous of my wife here, seeing as she got to see you weekly, and all I got was mirror-box calls,” Firelock joked and snagged a second hug.

“It is kind of the hard bit about being at a boarding school. You go a long time without seeing your family,” agreed Harry. “But who’d have thought, a year ago, I’d even want to see my family!”

The couple preened a little at being considered part of Harry’s family. They’d been anxious to get him away from the Dursleys the first time they’d encountered the boy, recognising very quickly that he came from a terrible home situation.

“If you’re not busy tomorrow, we wanted to invite you both to lunch,” Ringstar offered. “There’s a new restaurant that’s opened up in Udaberria in the Enklabe. Just down the road from the house actually. It features a blend of Guduriak and ethnic foods from around the world. Basically, they’re showcasing how traditional Guduriak foods adapt to local conditions.”

“Oh that sounds lovely,” responded Soraya. “What do you think, Harry?”

“Sounds brilliant to me! Hogwarts food is really good, but it doesn’t go for much outside of traditional British foods. I miss all the options on our street.”

By this point, they’d exited the station and were headed for the line of iconic black cabs at the taxi rank on Euston Road. While there were options to both Apparate and Floo from Platform 9¾, Harry still wasn’t a big fan of wizarding forms of transportation, unless it was a broom. He admitted that the intent-travel inside the Enklabe was quite amazing, but unfortunately, it didn’t work anywhere else. So a cab back to the Leaky Cauldron it was.

In truth, none of the four minded the fifteen or twenty-minute ride back to Diagon Alley. It was fun to people watch in Harry’s opinion, and look at the different buildings. Not to mention the cabbies were often quite entertaining and had loads of great information about less well-known places to visit in London as well.

They arrived on Charing Cross Road, with Soraya and Firelock fighting over who would pay the fare. Firelock won, but topped that when, stepping from the cab, he said, “We’ll just take it out of your vault, Harry.”

Then he gave the hugest wink, as Ringstar elbowed him and rolled her eyes. Sometimes she wondered if he’d ever grow all the way up. Then again, the fact he hadn’t was part of the reason she’d married him. So perhaps it was best to leave that one alone, she thought, with an enigmatic smile that had Soraya wondering what the Mind Healer might be up to.

Harry activated one of his glamours from the Guduriak-designed watch he practically never took off. While the residents of Diagon and Gastronomic Alleys were pretty laid back about the Boy-Who-Lived wandering around these days, it was usually a pain to get through the Leaky Cauldron without any bother.

Soraya and Harry parted ways from their friends at the steps of Gringotts, promising to meet them at 11:30 to head to lunch the next day and bring bathing suits so they could finish the day on the beach. A few more minutes walk saw the pair arriving at the flat on Gastronomic Alley, having picked up takeaway from the Indian restaurant on the way through.

Harry dumped his trunk in his room, enlarged it and set up Hedwig’s perch. She’d flown from Platform 9 ¾, which avoided the hassle of taking her in the cab. The snowy owl popped in the window, accepted a drink of fresh water and a couple of owl treats, and then settled in for a nap. Harry decided to let her sleep in peace. He could always unpack later, and there was curry calling his name.

After polishing off samosas, pakoras, and a moderately spicy Rogan Josh, with loads of garlic naan to sop up the sauce, Soraya and Harry were both stuffed and well content with life.

“Well, first year is done, Harry. Only six more to go!” Soraya faked a sing-song cheerful voice on the second phrase, which had Harry mock grimacing. “So tell me more about your grades. All you said last night was you passed everything.”

“Yeah, it was a bit crazy, with everyone finishing their packing. So I got Outstanding marks for Defence, Charms, and Herbology (thanks to Neville), Exceeds Expectations on Transfiguration, Potions, and Astronomy. But get this, by using the stuff you got us from the WEA, every one of the study group managed to get an O in History! It’s unheard of according to Professor Sprout. And from what she said, thanks to the study guides for all the years and all the subjects, exam marks are higher than ever this year!”

“That’s brilliant Harry. I’m glad our little scheme worked out so well. Now if they could only get rid of Binns. Ah well, there’s nothing we can do about that right now. So do you think you’ll try out for the Quidditch team next year? I know you enjoy the extra games Madam Hooch has set up for you all.”

Harry hummed contentedly. “Um, I think I’ll try out. Don’t have anything to lose. I don’t think I’ll be able to beat out Cedric for the Seeker’s position. If nothing else, he has a longer reach than me.”

They both giggled at that. Harry was growing, but it was definitely a work in progress.

“But I’ve got a good chance for a Chaser position, maybe play reserve Seeker if they need me too. I like both positions, though Seeker seems to be a better fit. At least I’ll be flying my own broom for the whole year next year.”

“Yes, I heard it crying in your bedroom all of first term because it had been missing you. Much more peaceful around here after Christmas,” Soraya teased gently.

Harry gave her a gentle, laughing shove for insulting his broom, then winced a little and shook his hands out.

“How are your hands doing?” Soraya led off the conversation once they’d settled on their favourite spots in the living room.

“Much better.” Harry showed his guardian his palms, where the scars were greatly diminished and the redness was slowly receding. “They’re still tender if I do too much or forget my gloves, but they’re not nearly as much trouble.”

“I’m glad to hear that. I know Swifthorn wants to see you for a check-up in the next week. So the tougher question. How are you dealing with the whole Quirrell thing?”

“Ringstar doesn’t let me get away with stressing myself over it. She’s told me, you’ve told me, Susan’s aunt has told me, same as most of the professors…I was just acting to save myself, and it was pretty brave to try to get away like that. I can mostly believe it, though some days…” Harry gave a diffident shrug.

Soraya nodded understandingly, “Some days are rough. I remember after my parents died, I’d go along alright for a while, and then out of nowhere, something would set me off, and I’d be having nightmares about the attack and not being able to save them again. I can tell you from experience, it gets better with time. But I’m sure Ringstar has told you the same thing.”

“Yeah…I could do without the nightmares though. They’re getting better and there’s one upside to all this, I don’t have them about the Dursleys any more.” Harry saw her look, he’d accidentally on purpose failed to mention those to anyone before, being afraid of being considered a cry-baby.

“I’ll let that one slide…just this once. As long as you’re also talking those over in your Mind Healing sessions too.” Soraya tried to hold a firm tone of voice, but she knew she’d turn into a marshmallow if Harry pushed back. He was a good kid who’d had a rough deal in life.

“I have been talking to Ringstar. Truthfully the nightmares have been getting less all year, thanks to working with her. This just sort of finished them off. She says I’m doing really well actually, and thinks I’ll be able to just go to as-needed sessions by the end of the summer, if I hit a rough patch.”

Soraya pulled Harry into a hug. That was wonderful news. And, as a reflection of his growth over the last year, the boy no longer flinched when anyone but total strangers got too close. She watched her ward swallow a huge yawn. The day was catching up with him and it was after 9 pm.

“Looks like you’re ready for bed. And we’ll have a busy day tomorrow, what with all that eating and having fun.

Harry headed off to bed at that. He was tired and he was looking forward to spending tomorrow in the Enklabe; it was practically his second home.

Soraya went to her bedroom shortly after. Settling under the duvet, she reached for her mirror-box and dropped in the note she’d written right after Harry went to sleep.

It read:

I think he’ll really like the surprise. Let’s talk about both parts of it with him tomorrow afternoon.

Now yawing heavily, Soraya was asleep within minutes of settling down onto her pillows.

~~~○●○●○~~~

Harry woke the next morning feeling energetic and refreshed. He’d slept without any nightmares (always a relief) and it was the first day of the summer holidays. Two months of freedom ahead, if you discounted the homework assignments.

He and his friends had looked at the calendar as they rode the train back to London the day before. With leaving Hogwarts on Tuesday, 30th June, and not returning until Tuesday, 1st September, they had nearly nine full weeks of holiday time, and seven classes worth of homework. The agreement had been that they’d do a subject a week, and arrange a time or two to have a group discussion for anyone who wanted (this coming week would be Monday morning at 9:00). Then anyone who wanted to trade essays to have them proofread could do so, via the mirror-boxes.

Wanting to get the hard stuff out of the way, while they still remembered what they’d done they were starting with DADA, then Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, Herbology, Astrology, then History. The last two weeks of the holiday break would allow for revision and reading ahead for second year. They knew some of their schoolmates would knock all of the homework out in one fell swoop, but this group thrived on order and structure.

It also didn’t hurt that Ragnok, who’d developed quite a soft spot for Harry and his friends, had ordered an extra set of the first and second-year study guides from the WEA, for their exclusive use. Once back at school, they’d form the basis for a library in their study room, which was now secured by locking charms keyed to the members, courtesy of Professor Flitwick.

So after an easy breakfast of tart yoghurt and sweet fruit, Soraya settled down to work on a particularly tricky warding project she was the team lead for, and Harry pulled out his Defence books, along with a spelled copy of the study guide, and began to research his essay. The retired Auror who’d filled in at the end of term had assigned them a three-foot essay.

They had to pick two spells they’d learned that year (in any class), as well as one they found independently, and research their offensive and defensive uses, any counters to the spell, and any contraindications for using it. Harry had immediately thought of an example; using explosive spells in a Muggle home connected to the gas mains would be a bad idea. He’d immediately picked this as his spell they hadn’t been taught yet.

Two and a half hours later, Harry had selected and researched all three spells that he’d chosen, with the explosive Bombardo as his elective, as well as Incendio and Wingardium Leviosa. He’d even got the first draft of one spell done and was working on a second.

Soraya looked up at the sound of the alarm going off on her wand. She knew they both had a tendency to get lost in their work and hated to be late for their lunch in the Enklabe. So at 10:40, they were stacking their books and parchment, donning shoes and readying to leave the flat. They arrived at the rail head for access to the Enklabe, happy to find Blacktor there to steer the cart down to the entry. Blacktor was Harry’s favourite teller after he’d been so helpful the first day he’d arrived at Gringotts the summer before.

The wild cart ride was spent with Harry and his friend taking the chance to catch up on happenings since they’d seen each other at Easter but was over all too quickly to tell all the news. Harry promised to come by sometime when Blacktor was at lunch or off work, to fill him in on the rest. Blacktor promised, in return, to bring pictures of his latest baby, a daughter named Leifvail.

Ringstar was there to greet them as they jumped out of the carts and waved her thanks to Blacktor for delivering her friends safely. She took Harry and Soraya each by the hand and intent-travelled them to the town of Loraldia, where their main home was, and the restaurant they were planning to visit.

Firelock greeted them as they walked into the courtyard of the stucco and red-tiled home. He offered them refreshing glasses of juice mixed with sparkling water. Harry chose orange and lime juice (a change from his usual orange, pineapple and passionfruit), while Soraya had cherry and lime. They sat around the table in the courtyard, with a cool breeze and exquisite gardens to enjoy, under a bright spring day, the weather and climate charms working as well as ever.

Ringstar brought out a platter of cheese, fresh fruits slices, and dried fruits and nuts, just to whet their appetites a little, as they’d planned to begin the discussion at their home, before moving to the restaurant Munduan Zehar (Around the World) for lunch around one o’clock.

As agreed with Firelock, Ringstar led off with the intended conversation.

“Harry, Firelock and I wanted to talk to you about something we’ve been thinking of since your Christmas break. As you know, we have no children of our own, and we’re now feeling a little too old to go down that road even if it were possible. Can you imagine Firelock handling nappies?”

That set off a wave of laughter around the table, because as adept as Firelock was in the world of banking and business, in many other things (winter sports especially) he could be a bit of a klutz.

Firelock took over then. “My wife, unfortunately, has my number. But there is a rare precedent amongst the Guduriak clans, when a child is Klanak Babestua, or clan protected, as we arranged with your great-grandparents. In such cases, the protected child may become adopted by members of the clan, in essence gaining dual citizenship from both their home nation and the Guduriak as well. It is a great honour, both to adopters and the adopted when the clan Elders give permission for an adoption ritual to be performed.”

Ringstar took over smoothly (in point of fact, the couple had been working on their delivery for this proposal), and continued with the overture.

“Harry, what we would like to do, if you would agree, is to adopt you as our son. You would have the same rights as all Guduriak, and would even gain some magical qualities inherent to the clan members. For example, you’d find intent-travel very easy all of a sudden. But truly, the reason we ask you to become our son is you have become very important to us both, and we have come to love you very dearly.”

Harry was floored by Ringstar and Firelock’s words. Never had anyone been so explicit in expressing that he was wanted or loved. He looked at Soraya, who had tears glistening in her eyes as she listened, and had a sudden worrying thought.

“It sounds wonderful, but…umm…what does it mean for Soraya and me? I mean, she’s been fantastic to me, and I don’t want to hurt her feelings, I mean your feelings,” Harry turned face on to his guardian, “if I say yes to this.”

Soraya sent him a blinding smile. “Actually, it wouldn’t change our situation at all. Legally the two worlds are separate, you’d just have people caring for you in both. But your question moves us to the next point of the discussion. Harry, I would love to adopt you in both the Muggle and Wizarding worlds if you would agree. It would mean, in essence, you’d have three parents, and would be under our protection in all the worlds you inhabit.”

“Yes, we have talked about this a lot, Harry, about how all three of us could work together. The Guduriak adoption would have us considered your second parents by the Wizengamot, much as they hate to do it. So if anything happened to Soraya, they could not take you away from us.” Firelock’s calm manner was very reassuring.

“Oh blimey. This is a lot! A really, really good lot, but a lot.” Harry wasn’t at his most eloquent right at that moment, but the three adults around the table could tell he rather liked the idea.

“So what do you think Harry, interested in having two adoptive Mums and a Dad?” Ringstar asked with a grin.

“Yes. Yes, definitely yes, yep, for sure…of course!” The excitement was bubbling over in the nearly twelve-year-old.

“Oh, wait…what would I call you all? This could get confusing!”

“Well Mum in Gudurian is Ama, if that works for you,” Ringstar suggested.

“And Dad is Aita,” added Firelock.

“My parents were from Wales, Harry, and I always used the traditional Mam instead of Mum. You could use that if you like” said Soraya shyly, completing the trifecta.

“That sounds perfect. This way I can keep you all straight in my head with my Potter mum and dad too. Wow, I can’t believe you all want me as your son! After my aunt and uncle, I didn’t think anyone would want me ever.” At that point, a slightly (but pleasantly) overwhelmed Harry dissolved into tears. Soraya grabbed him for a hug, but he was soon passed along to Ringstar and Firelock to add their reassurance.

In no time, tears were dried and they were toasting with Guduriak sparkling wine. And if Harry had a small splash added to his fruit juice, well it wasn’t illegal with parental supervision in the Enklabe, and they were practically his parents now anyway.

After celebrating for a while, and talking about some of the logistics of co-parenting between Gastronomic Alley and the Enklabe, it was time to head to the restaurant. The long talk had worked up everyone’s appetites and they soon found themselves enjoying a tasting menu world tour, al fresco, under a canopy of grape vines on the restaurant’s brick-paved patio. Half wine barrels of lavender and other herbs scented the air, and a party atmosphere had overtaken the group.

Over the course of a long, lazy lunch, the details of a Guduriak adoption rite were discussed, along with the rather more arduous process of the wizarding and Muggle adoptions. Fortunately, there was a liaison between the Wizarding Children’s Welfare Services (WCWS) and the Muggle services. A magically-aware caseworker would be assigned at the Children’s Services agency so that there would be no duplication in the process, or the need to fake a Muggle home or credentials. With a Ministry official (often an Auror) assigned as a liaison to the Prime Minister’s office, it was one of the processes the two governments had created to manage situations like this.

The WCWS decision allowing Soraya to permanently adopt Harry would have to be ratified by the Wizengamot, which had its own challenges (namely Chief Warlock Albus Dumbledore), but between his three future parents, they’d already hired the best family law-witch around.

Agatha Shipwycke had a fearsome reputation and frankly terrified most of the Wizengamot, if they were honest with themselves. None of the prospective parents anticipated any great challenges to Harry being adopted, particularly if they used the evidence they’d collected at the Dursleys and related to Dumbledore’s abuse of power in placing Harry there, without even consulting with the WCWS.

It was closing in on five o’clock when they left the restaurant, grabbed their swim gear and headed to the beach house near Azurrez. Harry delightedly splashed in the sea, accompanied by Firelock and Soraya. Ringstar meanwhile headed into the house, to pull together a variety of finger foods for a tapas-style cold supper, then brought the trays down to the table and chairs they kept on the beach. They’d eaten well all day, but she just wanted to make sure her soon-to-be adoptive son didn’t wake up hungry through the night.

By nine o’clock, Harry was exhausted from the swimming and the emotional highs of the day. Rather than have to carry the boy home, Ringstar made up beds for Harry and his soon-to-be Mam in the guest rooms of the cottage. The newly formed family slept happily that night, under the same roof, for the first time.

~0~0~

The next morning, Harry was a little disoriented at first. He had woken in an unfamiliar bed and an unfamiliar room, to voices and noises he didn’t immediately recognise. And then a broad smile creased his face. He must have fallen asleep last night, and they’d levitated him to bed at the house in Udarra. That was his three new parents he could hear, talking in the other room.

Harry racked his brains for the correct terms he’d learned briefly the day before. Then they came to him. Ama for Mum, Aita for Dad in Gudurian and Mam from Soraya’s Welsh roots. Slipping back on his shorts and t-shirt from the day before (someone had popped him into what was likely transfigured pyjamas for the night), Harry padded into the adjacent bathroom, used the toothbrush and comb that had been left for him, then gave his hair up as a bad loss as usual. Now he was ready to see his parents.

He snuck into the main living area, which had an open plan lounge, dining and kitchen areas, coming up behind Firelock, and wrapping his arms around for a hug, saying, “Good morning Aita.”

He then hugged Soraya, offering her a kiss on the cheek and a “Good morning Mam.”

Finally, Ringstar got the parental greeting of a kiss on the forehead and a hug as well, with a soft, “And good morning to you Ama.”

He then stepped back and offered a cheeky grin to his new parents, then announced, “I’m starved! What’s for breakfast?”

Soraya turned and pointed at the dining table. “We were just waiting for you, sleepy head. You must have been tired. It’s already 7:30. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you sleep past 7:00.”

“Getting a new family must be pretty exhausting I guess. I know I slept very well! And I love the sound of the seashore to wake up to.”

Harry held out a seat for his new Ama and Mam, before taking one of his own, and began to serve himself along with the others. Ringstar had outdone herself as always. There were baked eggs in tomatoes, onion, capsicum and garlic, with crusty bread, and a potato and capsicum tortilla, that could be layered with cured ham and cheese. And there was yoghurt and fruit as well, to add a sweeter note.

Ringstar looked at Harry and winked, “I don’t cook like this for every breakfast, just so you know. We Guduriak enjoy porridge, toast and a good fry up just like almost everyone in Britain as well. Sometimes it’s nice to pull out the traditional recipes though.”

Harry swallowed the mouthful of tortilla he’d taken and said, “It’s really good. Everything you cook is wonderful. Did you ever think of becoming a chef?”

“For about five minutes, then I realised how long the hours were, and how, even with magic, there was so much prep work to do…all day, every day. Especially when you start out as an apprentice. I decided being a Healer suited me better.”

“Well you’re pretty amazing at that too, so I guess I’m lucky both ways.” Harry had a thought, “So I know I’ve seen stuff on TV. With Muggles, they’re not allowed to treat family members. Does this mean I can’t see you as my Healer any more?”

Ringstar replied, “We do things a little differently. A Supervising Healer reviews our notes periodically for all patients, but when family is involved, we’re scrutinised a little more for bias. I’ll probably sit down and review how things are going, share memories with her if you give me permission, and we’ll go from there. But if you ever feel like we need to change things, please say something. I have several colleagues you’d do well with, now you’re comfortable with Mind Healing. We can transfer you if it ever becomes an issue.”

“I know I’d prefer to stay with you for now. And we’re hoping I won’t need Mind Healing for forever, right? Maybe it’ll change when I’m older, but I want to leave it be at the moment.” Harry was very glad he wouldn’t lose Ringstar as his Healer. It had taken a lot for him to build trust with anyone, let alone talk about such difficult issues as he’d shared with her over the past year. It was comforting to know that relationship wouldn’t change.

“If we can keep insane teachers from attacking you, I’m pretty sure you’ll graduate from regular healing sessions in no time.” It was a reflection of the work they’d done together that Harry laughed loudly at Ringstar’s comment.

“Well I hate to interrupt this fun, but some of us need to go to work! Ragnok is pretty laid back for a Buruzagi, but best not to tempt fate.” Everyone chuckled at Firelock’s comments, then finished their breakfasts, ready to start the day.

Fifteen minutes later, Soraya and Harry said goodbye to Ringstar and accompanied Firelock back to the carts, to ride up into the bank. They parted ways at the top of the tracks, Firelock to his duties, and Soraya and her soon-to-be son to summer holidays.

~0~0~

Harry hadn’t been back in the flat fifteen minutes before Harry had rounded up Susan and Neville on their mirror-boxes. He was over the moon with the good news of the forthcoming adoptions, and his friends were genuinely happy to see him so delighted.

“We’ll have to celebrate Harry, once it’s all sorted. Any idea how long it’ll be?” Susan asked.

“The Guduriak adoption rite will be on the 14th of July. Apparently, important events are best celebrated on the full moon. Wow, that’s less than two weeks away! Ringstar says there’s some Gudurian phrases I need to learn, and she’s going to teach me this weekend. She said I can invite you both to the ceremony, and there’s going to be a party afterwards that your gran and aunt can come to. It’ll be in one of the event rooms at the bank so we don’t have to keep asking the Elders to let in adult witches or wizards to the Enklabe. It’s apparently a bit of a touchy subject normally.”

“Harry, did you even take a breath when you said all that?” Susan asked jokingly.

“It sounds exciting and I’m looking forward to the ceremony and the party. And I bet Gran will be happy to come too. So what about the rest of the adoption stuff? I’m guessing that will be more complicated?” Neville was now thinking of what to get his friend for an adoption gift. It was definitely a Gran question.

“Well, it seems there’s some sort of link between the Muggle and magical children’s services, so at least we only have to do this all one time. Well, apart from going in front of a Muggle judge and the Wizengamot to finalise both adoptions.”

“Oh, Dumbledore isn’t going to like that. I bet he’ll try to cause trouble. I’ll have to let Aunt Amelia know, so she can try to stop things getting out of control.”

“I think Soraya, Firelock and Ringstar have already talked to her. Given she’s technically over the child welfare services, seeing as they’re part of the DMLE. But they’ve also hired a top lawyer. Someone called Agatha Shipwycke, who’s supposed to be the best with child custody cases. So hopefully it all goes well,” answered Harry.

“Oh, I’ve heard Auntie mention her name before. She’s got a very good reputation I think. So how long will these adoptions take?” Susan was impressed that Harry’s new family was getting the best help possible.

“So I guess the Muggle version is the toughest. But we got some of it done last summer in getting the Dursleys to sign custody over. Soraya having been my guardian this long cuts through a lot of red tape. Anyway, she already had her licence as a foster parent, from years ago, because her parents used to foster as well. And she got the paperwork sorted for me while we were at school. They have to send in references, and those have been done, plus a home assessment, which has also been done.”

This time Harry did pause for a breath. “Now I just have to meet the caseworker, who works for both agencies and get in front of a judge. They’re hoping for this to all be done by the end of the month because, on the Muggle side, it’ll be an uncontested adoption. There’s only a couple of magically aware judges in the country apparently, and they all work magical cases into the schedule within a few days of the paperwork being finalised, Soraya said. And on the Wizengamot side, the next meeting is on July 27th. Still sounds like a lot though, doesn’t it?”

When Harry put it all together like that, it did sound rather overwhelming.

“Sounds like you’ll have three new parents by the end of the month! We’ll need another party for that too. Plus it’s your birthday and Neville’s too. We might have to move up our homework schedule if we have to fit in three parties that week.”

Susan was a born organiser, though fortunately not a terribly bossy one, for which the boys were thankful. She usually just saw an issue, developed a plan with the key people who needed to be involved, in her opinion, and then usually got the bulk of the execution done herself, only roping in people who were genuinely interested or had the necessary expertise. It would be a fun party (or parties) with Susan in charge.

Neville however had a different idea, one that he’d have to run by his gran and Susan first. But he’d have to bite his tongue for now because he also wanted his idea to be a surprise.

Soon discussion drifted from the adoptions to their early progress with this week’s homework assignments and then to other holiday plans. Susan would be gone for the first two weeks in August. Her Aunt always took her and her dad to the seaside for a fortnight each summer. It was practically the only time he’d leave their home, and he only agreed because they went to a family cottage in Devon, near Ilfracombe.

Neville admitted he was a little jealous. While the Longbottom home, a small manor house in the Cotswolds, was a lovely place, his gran was not one for travel in the slightest. The only saving grace was that the summer was a busy season in the gardens and greenhouses, which Neville adored spending time in, so he didn’t miss going to other places as badly. And getting to visit the Enklabe and travel within the Guduriak system was a huge treat, even if it was only day trips so far.

Harry knew that Firelock and Ringstar, along with Ragnok and Windspur, had planned some travel to different Enlabeak this summer, and were intending to invite whoever of his two friends was available. So he knew Neville would get some summer fun. But Soraya had mentioned the possibility of taking a short trip away from London too, so he wanted to ask if they could maybe do it while Susan was gone and take Neville too.

The morning flew as the trio chattered away, pulling out their homework while they talked, and sharing ideas back and forth for the DADA assignments. By the time they were done, Harry had finished his first draft on all three spells, apart from gaps to add some references and facts he needed to look up, while his friends were close behind him. They were surprised to be interrupted when Soraya called Harry to lunch, and his friends raced to pack their schoolwork up as well, anticipating similar calls from their own guardians.

~0~0~

That morning set the tone for the next week. The pre-teens would chat most mornings, at least for a little while. Soraya worked on Gringotts assignments, doing a lot of the planning and logistics work for scheduled warding projects.

Harry finished off his DADA assignment and got started on Potions, after the Harry and Co group mirror-box call Monday morning, where he switched essays with Megan for proofreading and suggestions. And when he wasn’t working on assignments, he started reading ahead for the next year, using the study guide materials supplied by the WEA, given they had not yet received their book lists for second year.

Afternoons were a bit more of a mixed bag. Soraya was essentially working half days, as her duties as Harry’s guardian were considered part of his clan-protected status, given she was a Gringotts employee. They spent a couple of hours with Ringstar, once at the flat, once in the Enklabe, learning the necessary phrases of the adoption ritual. Harry, having continued Gudurian lessons on an ad hoc basis with Professor Flitwick over the year, picked up his role well, and Soraya was already fairly fluent thanks to her work.

The rest of the afternoons were spent in a variety of activities. Sunday was spent with Ches in Hogsmeade again, with both lads enjoying the chance to fly. Ches had gotten his hands on a practice Snitch and thoroughly enjoyed racing Harry to the prize, knowing the kid was always going to beat him thanks to the better aerodynamics of his smaller stature. Still, it was the fun of the game that mattered.

Soraya and Harry also joined Neville and his gran in Diagon Alley one day. Augusta had a distinct fondness for the old-fashioned tea room that had been there for well over a hundred years. Fortunately, they’d modernised a little and branched out to an outdoor seating area, so the boys weren’t subjected to the rather frou-frou indoor decorations. The food was good and they all enjoyed the high tea experience.

Grinlast invited Harry to go swimming several times, with Neville and Susan coming along on one occasion. Susan was thrilled she’d gotten to work on her tan before going to the beach, and better still, Guduriak climate controls meant you couldn’t truly burn from the Enklabe summers.

One other memorable event came the day before Harry’s Guduriak adoption ceremony. He and Soraya had received notice of their interview with the Muggle/magical caseworker for both children’s services agencies. Silvia Calderón was a Muggle social worker, whose Muggleborn sister had attended Hogwarts just before his parents had begun their schooling.

Silvia, it turned out, was a Squib, which meant she could easily access Diagon Alley and conduct visits in the wizarding world. Normally, Muggleborn Squibs were seldom identified, but Silvia had shown signs of accidental magic before contracting leukaemia as a child. Unfortunately, the treatment for the disease had all but destroyed her magical core. Needless to say, the experiences of her own childhood made her an excellent child advocate in her adulthood.

Harry instantly liked the caseworker. Short, with purple and green dyed hair, and a tiny bit rounded in build, she had a vivacious personality and an infectious laugh, neither of which stopped her from becoming serious the second it was required. They spent several hours talking on the back balcony of the flat, Soraya making herself scarce by staying in the sitting room at the front, so they could have some privacy.

Silvia managed to get Harry’s story of life with the Dursleys in his own words very artfully. She had the medical reports from Switfthorn but knew that the child’s testimony, if able to be given, was a powerful tool. She was also eager to hear about the Quirrellmort episode because she knew she’d have to present strong evidence against Dumbledore’s influence to the Wizengamot.

But she handled it all so deftly that Harry barely realised what he’d even told her until she was done, particularly as she’d followed that line of questioning with wanting to know all the best details of living with Soraya and having Firelock and Ringstar as a second set of parents. After seeing Harry’s room, which he was proud to show off, Silvia was done and she left to finish the report that would strongly endorse Harry’s permanent placement with Soraya and to line up the hearing with the judge. Harry was inching ever closer to having a family of his own once again.

Chapter 2

Finally, the morning of his Guduriak adoption had arrived. Harry had ended up going to bed early on the night of the 13th, in the way that children of all ages sometimes do, when hoping to hasten the approach of a special event to follow. As was almost always the case, he tossed and turned much of the night, the building excitement keeping his mind a whir, only to fall into a deep sleep just a few hours shy of the alarm. But he was refreshed enough for the day, and Soraya promised a Pepper-Up potion if he started to flag later.

They ate breakfast together, a light meal in honour of Harry’s increasingly nervous stomach, and Soraya made a mental note to add a Stomach Soother potion to her bag as well. After showering, and almost taming his hair, Harry dressed carefully in the Muggle suit, shirt and tie he and Soraya had shopped for the week before. The darkish heathery grey of the suit was offset by a crisp white shirt and grey, green and blue striped tie. Soraya embarrassed Harry by insisting he looked rather dashing.

Still blushing a little, Hardy followed his guardian (soon to be his Mam) out of the flat, and down the Alley to the steps of Gringotts. There they were met by Neville, Susan, and to Harry’s surprise, Professor Flitwick.

“Well aren’t you looking dashing Mr Potter,” Filius exclaimed, a sentiment that was echoed by the boy’s friends.

“I didn’t expect to see you here sir, though I’m very honoured you’re going to be joining us.”

The part-Guduriak Charms Master grinned, then replied, “My cousin Swifthorn insisted I come. Said you were practically family to us too.” He added confidingly, “And that’s high praise from my cousin. You know she’s not one to pass out the compliments.”

Harry chuckled, indeed the Healer was not.

“So Harry, if I may be so familiar, there is an adjunct ritual to the adoption rite. It is where a member of the Guduriak klan in good standing, who knows the adoptee well, offers to stand in support of the adoption, as a sponsor or even a god-parent, to a wizard. I would be most honoured if you would permit me to act as your supporter. Ringstar and Firelock are both agreeable if you were wondering.”

“Oh my. That…that would be an honour for me, Professor. I accept. Does this change the ritual at all?”

Flitwick replied, “No, all that changes is the ritual master asks who stands for you, right at the beginning, and I speak up. I also stay at your side, along with Ms Whittaker, as your supporters during the rite. And tradition would have you call me Uncle Filius after the ceremony if you would like. Of course, it’s Professor Uncle Filius in class though,” he finished on a jovial note.

“Probably easier to stick with Professor Flitwick. It’s shorter at least,” Harry responded in kind. “But seriously, I would welcome you standing up for me. Truth be told, I’m a bit nervous.”

“Don’t be, lad. The Elders don’t permit adoption such as these easily or often. Once they do, they mean it thoroughly, and you truly do become one with the Guduriak people when you do this.”

Reassured by his diminutive professor’s words, Harry relaxed a little. He hadn’t heard a hint of anyone being upset about the adoption; in fact, quite a few of the bank employees they’d encountered over the past week travelling to and from the Enklabe had expressed enthusiastic support.

Turning to the group, he announced, “We’d better get a move on. I’m fairly sure it’s rude to show up late to your own adoption.” That got the group going, and soon they were through the public areas of the bank and heading towards the carts to take them below.

They were met at the bottom of the run by Ringstar and Firelock. His prospective Ama was dressed in beautiful robes of pale green silk, shot through with threads of silver and gold (likely real, Harry thought), with small embroidered lilies adorned in tiny crystals. Harry choked up a little at the symbolism of the flowers on the robes, while Filius had to break out his handkerchief, a little overcome by the memory of one of his favourite students.

Firelock, as always, was dressed in a very dapper three-piece suit, in a darker grey than Harry’s and with a fine silver pinstripe. His shirt matched Ringstar’s gown, and his tie was the same as his adoptive son’s. Harry loved the simple way his new Aita was tying them together as a family. Firelock also wore a Guduriak forged sword at his side, to reflect his training as a warrior prior to entering the banking business as an apprentice. It was not an honour granted many, to wear a sword within the Enklabe, but Firelock was highly respected from all quarters, for both his fighting and business prowess.

Ringstar held out her hand to Harry, while Firelock reached for Neville and Soraya, and Filius took Susan’s hand, as they intent-travelled instantly to Udaberria, and their home in Loraldia. They went into the courtyard and found themselves surrounded by the Elders, including Fellgar, who would perform the adoption rites. Guduriak sparkling wine was already flowing, in anticipation of the ceremony, and Neville stared in awe at how magnificent the courtyard garden looked, decked out in many extra containers and hanging baskets of bright spring flowers.

Harry was led away by Filius, to where Fellgar was standing, and they briefly reviewed the ritual, then Harry was sent indoors to be given a ceremonial over-robe of light silk, to match Ringstar’s, almost in an open kimono style. It was a work of art in itself, also with hints of lilies worked into the fabric in a barely different shade of green so that they could mostly be seen when the light shifted or as Harry moved. Receiving one more hug from Filius, the pair returned to the courtyard, anxious to get started.

Surrounded by the Elders, friends and distant family of Ringstar and Firelock, and Harry’s own best friends, with Soraya and Filius at his side and Ringstar and Firelock opposite, Fellgar began the ritual.

She spoke briefly about the importance of being protected by the clan and the special relationship with the Potters and then moved on to the benefits to Harry of becoming a member of the community. She began the ritual questions in Gudurian, having added a charm to ensure the non-Guduriak visitors heard the words in English.

“Who supports this child to become one of us?” Fellgar asked.

“I, Filius Flitwick, do support this child.”

“And who comes to stand as parents for this child?”

“We, Firelock and Ringstar, wish to be parents to this child, Harry James Potter,” they replied in unison.

Turning to Harry, Fellgar asked, “Harry James Potter, what do you wish for?”

“I wish to be adopted by Firelock and Ringstar, and supported by Filius Flitwick and the entire clan.”

“Will you honour the rules and teachings of your parents and the clan?”

“I will.”

“And will you protect your parents and the clan in times of need?”

“I will.”

“Do you wish to make any other promises at this time, Harry James Potter?”

“I do. I promise to always show my new Ama and Aita the love and respect they have shown me, in asking me to be their son and part of their family.” Firelock and Ringstar smiled broadly at the promise Harry made, tears glistening in Ringstar’s eyes.

“Ringstar and Firelock, do you accept the promises of your new semea (son)?”

“We do. And we also promise to return the love and respect Harry brings to our family.” They spoke the first two words in unison, the Ringstar finished the response for them both.

“Then Harry James Potter, you are now the son of Firelock and Ringstar, and are entitled to take the clan name Londreskoa (of London) as your own to use as you wish.”

Fellgar laid one hand on Harry’s head, and the other over his heart, pushing some of the shared magic of the Guduriak into the boy, forever altering the signature of his magical core to blend both his wizard and Guduriak sides. Harry shivered a little at the sensation of being flooded with unfamiliar magic, but soon settled, and was able to enjoy the slightly bubbly and tingling feeling that the blending created throughout his body.

That ended the formal rite, and Fellgar leaned towards Harry, ruffled his hair affectionately, and then half-whispered, “Go give your Ama and Aita a hug, lad. Welcome to the clan.”

Harry did as ordered, very gladly, and soon it was a three-way hug with his new parents. Then Soraya and Filius were pulled in, turning it into a five-way hug in a jiffy.

There was a huge round of applause from the assembled witnesses and well-wishers. Grinlast rushed in for his hug too and said exuberantly, “Welcome to the family, cousin.”

Moments later, Susan crushed Harry in yet another hug, followed by a more gentle, semi-awkward side hug and a solid pat on the back from Neville, in the awkward manner so common with young men who don’t quite know how to show affection in public. Ragnok and Wildspur offered their own congratulations, as did Swifthorn who gave him a solid pat (read thump) on the back to show her approval of the adoption, followed by an on-the-fly inspection of his hands.

Finally done with the key well-wishers, Harry and his new family, which definitely included the human guests, circulated around the party. They were having a very light buffet lunch served, mostly hot and cold tapas, and the usual sparkling water and fruit juice for the underage partygoers, with Guduriak-made wines and beer for the adults.

The party went on for about ninety minutes before a quiet signal must have gone out, because the guests started to take their leave, wishing the new family all the best as they departed. By 1:30, only family and very close friends remained, being those who would also head up to the reception room in the bank for the second party, open to Harry’s wizarding friends. Fortunately, they had forty-five minutes to regroup before they’d have to head up to Gringotts for the second party.

Blacktor had been at the ceremony but had offered to go ahead and greet any guests that arrived early, and offer refreshments, so there wasn’t a mad rush to get back to the upper level.

Harry sighed, both a little tired and contented. He wasn’t used to parties and two in one day was a lot. Still, they were loads of fun, and he couldn’t wait to see the rest of his school friends in a little while.

~0~0~

The second reception went off without a hitch. The entire complement of study group members known as Harry and Co were in attendance, along with whichever parents wished to attend. Amelia Bones and Augusta Longbottom were very proud to be considered honoured guests.

Professors Sprout and McGonagall, and Madam Hooch, along with Filius had joined the party as well. Even Professor Snape had sent his best wishes, though he declined to attend.

It was noticeable there was one Hogwarts professor who was absent, that being Headmaster Dumbledore, and essentially all the guests had agreed to keep him in the dark about Harry’s adoption. Sadly Hagrid was omitted from the guest list as well because he was fundamentally incapable of keeping a secret, something all the staff knew well.

Soraya’s friend Chester Leggett was also in attendance, and he promised Harry another trip to fly on Hogsmeade to celebrate, the next day he was free.

Another light meal was served, this time mostly British-oriented foods like tea sandwiches, scones, cupcakes and dessert slices. Though there were also a few Guduriak specialties available, such as dates stuffed with almonds and wrapped in bacon then sautéed, and crabmeat, mayonnaise and spring onions spread on baguette slices. For sweets, the offering was mini pantxineta, tarts filled with custard cream and topped with crushed almond and powdered sugar. By the fact that pretty much every serving plate was cleared by the end of the party, both the British and Guduriak options had been a big hit.

It was just approaching 5:00 pm when Harry and Soraya returned with Ringstar and Firelock to the Enklabe. They were planning to celebrate their first night together as a family, and Soraya had almost literally become a sister to the couple, so there was no way she’d be left out.

There was a surprise adoption celebration planned for the next day, Harry’s new parents informed him. Filius Flitwick, who was spending the day with them, has offered to escort Neville and Susan into the Enklabe, and they would be getting an early start. Beyond that, they refused to share any details, not wanting to ruin the surprise.

After sitting around and chatting about the events of the day, and lazily nibbling on the last of the tapas, along with a summer vegetable soup to pad out a late supper, a very tired but happy Harry wished his Ama and Aita goodnight, and said the same to his soon-to-be Mam. He retired to the room he’d used last time, that Ringstar had promised to make over to suit him. As Harry drifted off to sleep, his smile radiated pure joy. It had been a wonderful day, filled with love and friendship, and he could get used to feeling like this.

~0~0~

The following day’s surprise was an Enklabeak trip to Amsterdam. They had to go first to Bilbao, to the main Gringotts branch, which thankfully had connections to most other Enklabeak, though via a series of large tunnels carved into the rock face either side of the cart entranceway to the Enklabe from the bank above.

Harry’s eyes grew wide when Firelock chose the tunnel to Amsterdam. He’d done a special project on the Netherlands for a geography lesson in primary school, and had been fascinated by the pictures of the Dutch countryside, the dykes and some of the traditions, like wearing wooden clogs. Soraya, who’d learned of this interest early in their relationship, had been happy to pass on that knowledge when the three parents sat down to pick a celebration destination.

They emerged in the Dutch Enklabe, and it was different again from what they’d seen in London and Philadelphia. Fully half of the vast area was given over to tulip production, which had led to a lucrative year-round Muggle business, thanks to the advanced Guduriak climate controls.

The rest of the Enklabe mirrored the seasons in the world above ground, with a central town, ringed by small villages and farmland. As in the countryside above, numerous canals helped with both irrigation and transportation. Quite a few windmills were present as well, as the Enklabe used them for grinding pigments for paint and inks, another specialty for which the Dutch Guduriak were known. They’d turned that into another lucrative Muggle business, selling to those wanting to use period authentic inks and paints for reproduction works and home restorations. No one needed to know that the consistent production rates were insured by magically generated winds, of course.

After a brief tour of the tulip farms, then greeting the local Buruzagi, where Harry got to introduce himself as Harry Potter-Londreskoa for the first time, they emerged onto the streets of Amsterdam, Ringstar and Firelock glamoured as usual, looking once again much like Filius.

The order of the day was a canal tour of Amsterdam, then an early lunch, followed by a Portkey to Zaanse Schaans, which was in essence an open-air history museum, featuring working windmills, clog making, cheese making, and generally showing Muggle life before the Industrial Revolution properly took off.

The adults had considered taking the children to the Anne Frank house, truly a staple of any trip to Amsterdam, but after discussions with Amelia and Augusta, had decided to save that visit until they were a little older (the joys of connecting Enklabeak meant easy day trips). All three children had already lost too much in their lives thanks to a pureblood wannabe dictator and didn’t need further reminders.

Ringstar (ever the Mind Healer) summed it up well when she said, “I think right now, Anne Frank’s story will strike too close to home. The time will come when they’ll be ready to visit the House, but I don’t think it’s just yet.”

So it was a more light-hearted day planned, which was fitting for celebrating Harry’s adoption.

They all loved the canal boat ride. Sitting in a low boat, they roamed the city, with the sights explained in four languages. They toured the canals for nearly ninety minutes, seeing canal boats used as homes and moored along the edges of many of the waterways, along with bridges that lifted and lowered, depending on who wanted to pass where.

There were thousands of bicycles, to everyone’s amusement, either chained to any object that didn’t move or being used by locals to make practically every trip around the city they needed. The architecture was beautiful as well, including the churches, and under the open air and sunny skies, it was a very enjoyable ride.

By the time they returned to solid ground, the group had worked up an appetite, even though it was barely 11:00 local time (an hour ahead of London). After a survey of everyone’s food preferences, Uncle Filius as he was now referred to by Neville and Susan, along with Harry, was able to make some recommendations. It turns out he knew the city well, from his days on the duelling circuit.

When they all heard about the option of trying Indonesian food (easily found courtesy of Dutch colonial history in south-east Asia), Filius directed them to a restaurant where they could experience a rijsttafel (or rice table). They then spent an hour and a half trying a variety of variously spiced dishes, shared around the table, and accompanied by rice of course. From satay skewers to several curries, and fried foods like banana fritters and spiced eggs, they ate until they could barely move. And then still made room for a taste of the desserts.

Harry was groaning when he contemplated the rope loop Portkey that Firelock pulled out of his pocket in the secluded alley close to the restaurant. He’d eaten much too much to face magical transportation, even if the Guduriak version was considerably smoother than the wizarding one. Ringstar reached into her handbag and pulled out three stomach soothers, and handed one to each of the pre-teens. She then looked around at the adults and pulled out four more, so they could all have one.

“Are we good to go now?” Firelock asked, as they all re-stoppered their vials and handed them back to Ringstar. Receiving nods of assent from everyone, he instructed, “Grab onto the rope and don’t let go. Keep your knees slightly bent, it’ll help with the landing.”

And with that, the usual hook grabbed around Harry’s waist and sent him sailing through the ether, to deposit him and the rest of his party at the magically hidden Portkey station for the open-air museum of Zaanse Schaans.

Opening his eyes, Harry stood for a long minute. Everywhere he looked, there were windmills, and then he noticed the traditional homes lining the canals and joined by wooden bridges. He felt like he’d stepped back in time, and it was more amazing than he’d ever dreamed of back in primary school.

His friends and family stood quietly with him, knowing that this day was a dream come true for the boy who’d worked to overcome ten years of abuse and neglect. Finally, Harry realised he’d been standing and staring, and turned to apologise for holding everyone up.

Susan just gave him ‘the look’ and said, “We don’t mind waiting. It’s fun to see you enjoying this so much. I was the same way the first time Auntie took me to Paris, so you just go ahead and soak up the atmosphere as much as you want.”

“Hear, hear,” cried Filius, who’d always been an advocate for doing those things you love. Which was a large part of his success on the duelling circuit, despite most opponents thinking his size was a limitation to his skill level. Fortunately he also thoroughly enjoyed teaching others not to make unwarranted assumptions.

Harry collected himself, he was done looking and now he was ready to explore. They made their way into the village, and were surprised to find out that people still lived here. It wasn’t just simply a museum, but a real community. The traditional wooden houses were well maintained and painted in rich greens, and there were historic brick buildings as well. They peeked into gardens (Neville mostly) and strolled the main street through the town, intent on reaching the windmills, and the other practical and manufacturing demonstrations.

By the end of the afternoon, they’d visited several windmills, including one that acted as a sawmill and had seen how cheese, barrels, and pewter goblets were made, along with traditional sail cloth weaving. Everyone had been intrigued by the clog-making and all three kids had bought a pair as souvenirs. Neither Harry, Neville or Susan was sure whether they’d try to wear the clogs. Still, they were brilliant souvenirs, and Harry was contemplating which of his bedrooms they’d suit best as a decoration

Having worked up an appetite again with all the fresh air and walking, Filius had recommended another Dutch treat for dinner, a pancake house. After Portkeying back to Amsterdam, he directed them to his favourite pancake spot, only a few minutes from Gringotts and the magical quarter, and not too far from the Rijksmuseum.

Dutch pancakes were an experience and a half. Filling an oversized dinner plate, they were almost as thin as a crêpe and could be topped with practically anything you wanted, sweet or savoury. Nearly everyone went for one of each, with Harry ordering the smoked chicken, bacon, onion and pesto, followed by a pancake embedded with thin apple slices, topped with blueberry sauce and sour cream. Where possible, different pancakes were ordered and they swapped bites around the table, so they could all taste the variety of offerings.

Suitably stuffed once again, and tired from a long and busy day, they trooped back to Gringotts, descended to the Enklabe, said their farewells, then walked the tunnels to Bilbao, then the roadway home. As complicated as that sounded, it only took about ten minutes of walking to make the connections and return to the house in Loraldia. Flopping onto the couch, Harry thanked his family effusively for giving him such a wonderful experience.

Then he looked around and asked, “Where exactly am I staying tonight? I’m running out of clothes.”

That got the group chuckling. Ringstar replied, “Sadly your Aita and I have full work schedules tomorrow and Friday. Would you like to come back for some or all of the weekend? Of course, as a member of the clan, you’re welcome to visit at any time. Firelock, we’ll have to get Harry trained on the carts and intent-travelling this weekend.”

“Yes dear,” was the only response the Guduriak clan’s second-in-command could make, in the interest of not sleeping on the couch for the rest of the week.

Harry and Neville exchanged grins. They both lived with strong-willed female guardians, and they had Susan keeping them in line. Firelock had used just the right words in answering to Ringstar. Filius hid his own grin at seeing the obvious truth of who really ran this home.

“Shall I see Soraya and the children out then?” Filius asked. “I do need to return to Hogwarts. I want to keep my ear to the ground with Albus. Make sure he can’t put a spanner in the works with either of the next two adoptions.”

“Thanks, Filius, we appreciate that on all counts. Yes, I will take you up on your offer. I’d best get a head start on whatever reports Ragnok and I need to go over tomorrow. He moves too fast to start the day behind.”

Harry hugged Ringstar and Firelock in turn and wished them goodnight. It would take some getting used to, sharing between three parents in two homes, but he remembered classmates in primary school who had divorced parents and had to go back and forth. Being able to get independently from the Enklabe to Gastronomic Alley would make the to and fro much easier.

“Goodnight Ama, goodnight Aita. I’ll see you this weekend. And I’ll get ahead with my homework so we can just have fun.”

Ringstar kissed his forehead and gave Harry another gentle hug, before sending him on his way. Waving madly as Filius intent-travelled them away, Harry disappeared from sight, headed to his other home, with his Mam. Ringstar gave a deep sigh and couldn’t help the thought. Damn, she was going to miss her new son.

~0~0~

Harry and Soraya resumed their normal routines for the next two days, Soraya working on Gringotts projects while Harry completed his homework in the morning, and enjoyed some summer freedom in the afternoon. They usually cooked at least two meals a day, and then got takeaway or ate lunch or dinner out for the third, as they attempted to test out every eating establishment along the various Alleys.

Friday’s owl post brought welcome news on two fronts. Ches would be done with work around two o’clock that day, and he wondered if they wanted to grab a late lunch at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade, before getting in some flying time. Harry was an enthusiastic partner for that plan, so Ches’ owl went back to him with an affirmative. They’d meet in Hogsmeade at 2:15.

The other owl of note was a regal creature, an Eagle owl according to Soraya. And the letter attached to its leg had a typewritten address and an official-looking seal. Shaking a little in anticipation, Harry freed the owl from its burden and fed it a couple of owl treats. Given it hopped a very short flight to the back of the bar stools at the breakfast bar by the kitchen, Harry thought it was expecting a response.

The letter had been addressed to Soraya and had multiple pieces of Muggle paper attached. After reading through each pages, she laid the lot down on the dining table in front of her, then said, “We passed the home assessment, the interview I had with Children’s Services, not to mention the interview you had as well. They’ve checked my references and work status…”

“And….come on, tell me. I’m dying here!” Soraya chuckled; so Harry could be an impatient, dramatic almost-teenager after all. Sometimes, given his background, she’d wondered.

“We have a hearing before The Honorable Mr Justice Balladean at the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand here in London, on the 21st of July at 10:00 am. Wow. If I remember my titles from school, he’s a High Court Judge. Still, I suppose that makes sense. They probably only have one or two magic-aware judges in each jurisdiction. They’d have to be pretty high-ranking to be able to hear any sort of case that may come up. Still…wow.”

Harry gulped a little, suddenly nervous. “So will I have to talk to this judge? And do I have to remember all his names? I’m sure to mess it up if I do.”

Soraya smiled gently, “In court, if you are talking directly to him, you’d call him Your Honour. If you were telling someone about him, you’d just say Judge Balladean. Does that make sense?”

Harry nodded. “So is he going to want to ask me questions and stuff?”

“He might want to know a bit about how the Dursleys treated you, but remember, he also has all the medical and social services reports and will probably have read them. And he might ask, politely I’m sure, if you want to be stuck with me until you’re eighteen at least, that you’re happy in my care. He may also have some questions about last year at school because the court can make sure you get any counselling or other services like that if you need them. He’s probably not going to need much detail on any of the questions that come up. Silvia said their hearings usually are done in thirty minutes. If he’s happy that everything is in order, then he signs the final adoption order and you’re stuck with me, kid.”

Harry rolled his eyes at that last comment, knowing Soraya was well aware of how thrilled he was to be adopted for the second time. And there was still a third one to come. How things had changed in the last year. And so much for the better.

“So do you think my suit from the other day will work for going to the Muggle court? Or is it too fancy? I don’t want to look like a snobby git.” Harry had, unsurprisingly to Soraya, found a new thing to be anxious about.

“I think we probably could stand to go a tiny bit more casual than your suit. How far ahead are you with your homework? Got time for another shopping trip?” Harry indicated he had plenty of extra time up his sleeve. “Alright, grab your shoes and let’s go shopping.”

They ended up exiting via the Leaky Cauldron and picked up a cab to the H&M store on Regent Street. Harry selected a pair of smart-looking chino trousers in black, which he paired with a light blue oxford shirt, and a steel blue tie. A new belt and a dressy pair of boots (Soraya couldn’t resist Harry’s puppy dog eyes at the later purchase) completed the ensemble.

The pair cabbed back to back to the Leaky Cauldron, heading in the direction of the flat. Feeling a bit peckish, they stopped by the fish and chip shop and grabbed some chips to tide them over until they met Ches in a couple of hours. Returning to the flat, they filled the remaining time until they could Floo to Hogsmeade with Soraya’s warding project and Harry finishing off his Potions essay, so he’d have the weekend free before the study group’s mirror-box chat on Monday morning.

Arriving at the Three Broomsticks just after 2 pm, Harry had yet another reason to celebrate. He managed to exit the fireplace upright and without a single stumble, and while carrying his broom no less. Ches, who’d arrived just moments before, enthusiastically applauded his performance and proceeded to boast of Harry’s success to Soraya who came through a minute later, as if he’d been the one to teach Harry how to Floo.

They all enjoyed a hearty lunch, Ches and Soraya indulging in an ale with their meals, while Harry enjoyed a kid-friendly cider that Madam Rosmerta was experimenting with. Ches and Harry flew for several hours, alternating between racing, practising dives and feints, dodging each other as they weaved their flight paths in and out, and then finishing with the practice Snitch.

Happily and thoroughly exhausted once they were done, they joined Soraya at the Three Broomsticks once more. She’d ordered the three of them a large takeaway steak and mushroom pie to share, with mashed potatoes and gravy, and steamed veg, all being kept warm under a stasis spell, so dinner was sorted. They Floo’ed back to the flat and quickly dished up their meal, and Soraya watched the boys fall on their plates like they hadn’t seen food in months. By the time Harry fell into bed later that night, he was tired out once again and slept without barely moving until breakfast time Saturday morning.

Chapter 3

Soraya and Harry met Firelock at the rail head for the cart ride down into the Enklabe at 9:30 the next morning. It was time for Harry’s first cart driving lesson. Contrary to what most wizards thought, there was a way to control the speed of the carts, particularly when cornering. What most of the bank customers failed to realise was that cart drivers were almost always young Guduriak, barely out of their teens in human terms. Muggle parents, letting their kids behind the wheel of the family car for the first time, would have no difficulty recognising the barely controlled hooliganism.

The trip down took easily twice as long as normal, as Harry was a much more cautious cart driver than a broom rider, to Soraya’s amazement. Though she shuddered when she heard Harry ask Firelock if anyone had ever tried to make the descent on a broom following the cart tracks. And needless to say, that idea was instantly banned by both parents. They’d seen Harry fly before!

In truth, they both knew Harry was a natural on a broom, with innate skills that most worked for years to develop. Still, neither wanted to watch Harry make the attempt. A rare failure of Harry’s flying abilities would lead to dire consequences in the confines of the cart tunnels.

Arriving in the Enklabe never failed to impress Soraya and Harry. Firelock started a new lesson with Harry, teaching him how to find and access his new Guduriak magic to use with his intent-travelling, building on what he’d learned in his lessons prior to the adoption. Meanwhile, Soraya simply enjoyed the vista before her.

As with Apparation classes at Hogwarts, Firelock had Harry start with short intent-travelling hops, just metres apart at first. Then he set a goal for making it to a tree about 50 metres down the road and back. It took some time, and multiple attempts, but Harry made it safely to and fro. And thankfully, intent-travel came with no risk of Splinching. If you didn’t succeed, you simply didn’t move.

But the effort took an enormous amount of effort to learn initially, and Harry was both sweating and ravenous for the brunch that Firelock had promised after about thirty minutes. Soraya had spent part of the time sprawled out on the grass in Udazkena, catching up on the novel she’d been neglecting with all the rushing around of the last week. So she didn’t mind however much time it took the pair. Still, a nice glass of juice would be welcome when they got to the house in Loraldia, she decided. It had been a warmish day in the Autumn province.

Firelock delivered the duo right outside their Spring-region home, and led them through the short arched entry to the courtyard. Very few meals were ever eaten indoors in the more temperate parts of the Enklabe unless the climate control magic had decided some rain was needed. And occasionally spectacular thunderstorms were programmed in, purely for the aesthetics.

Harry greeted Ringstar with a hug and a soft, “Good morning Ama,” before sitting at the table and pouring a glass of his favourite juice. Ringstar and Soraya also shared a brief hug, before they both settled at the table, while Firelock was given the minimal kitchen duty of pulling the tortilla out of the oven (some things just did better when not subjected to warming spells and tortilla was one of them).

Soon, they were enjoying the tortilla, tasty cured ham and cheese on baguette slices, along with sweet pastries, and yoghurt cups topped with fruit and muesli. Discussing the plans for the day, Soraya was delighted to hear they’d be shopping for furniture and decorations for Harry’s room. While not a mad shopper, she enjoyed furnishing a new place. Firelock and Harry just rolled their eyes at each other. They knew they’d be hauled around to the various shops, whether they liked it or not.

As it turns out, it wasn’t as bad as the male half of the group expected. Ringstar had found a great shop right there in Loraldia that had furniture that could be upsized magically to human dimensions. In a surprisingly short space of time, they picked out a low profile bed, with a simply carved headboard, a wooden storage chest that would look brilliant at the foot of the bed, and a matching side table, wardrobe and chest of drawers, all in mid-toned walnut wood. A small desk Harry could study at, with a matching chair, ticked all the furniture boxes.

It only took visits to two additional stores to furnish the rest of the room. A creamy-coloured sheet set, topped by a burgundy duvet cover with dark blue accents, and matching pillowcases finished off the bedding. The next store had the perfect area rug to set off the terracotta tile floors in his room as well as curtains that picked up the cream and burgundy tones of Harry’s new bedding. In all, it only took an hour and a half to get what they needed. Some artwork wouldn’t go astray, but for that, Ringstar suggested the Sunday outdoor market in Udara, where they could buy directly from the artists. Harry, who’d never had the chance to visit an outdoor market, decided that would be a lot of fun.

By the time they got home, the furniture had already been delivered and set up in the bedroom, courtesy of Firelock having ducked out of the furnishings store visit, to return home and take delivery. A little tweaking of the placement of certain pieces, to best take advantage of the view out onto the courtyard, was all that was necessary, and easily accomplished with magic. Harry chuckled inwardly when he realised just how much energy Aunt Petunia would have to expend now Harry was gone, given how much she liked to rearrange rooms all the time.

Harry’s room done, for now anyway, they gathered back in the courtyard. While the home had a lovely sitting room, it was mostly used only in the evening, when the cooler night-time temperatures forced the family indoors. The rest of the day, any down time was spent enjoying the outdoors, as the courtyard was secluded and peaceful, and simply gorgeous to sit in. The talk turned to plans for the rest of the weekend.

“Are you staying with us tonight, Soraya?” Ringstar asked. “You know you’re always welcome. Hmm, we might have to find some special things at the market for you as well tomorrow, because I think that guest room you’ve been using is going to be just yours from now on.”

Soraya was deeply touched by the gesture. Shared parenting could easily become a field of landmines, but Firelock and Ringstar were determined to include her in their family too.

“Actually, a couple of my friends have been pushing for a girl’s night, so I thought I’d head back to the flat tonight. We’ve been talking about getting together for months, but everyone’s on different schedules. Surprisingly, we’re all free tonight, so we thought we’d take the chance while we have it.”

Soraya was deliberately vague about who her friends were, for Harry’s benefit, or befuddlement actually. Firelock and Ringstar knew full well it was a planning session with Amelia and Augusta for a big joint party set for the end of the month.

Augusta had suggested that Harry and Neville would enjoy sharing a birthday party, given they were only one day apart in age, and had offered to host it at their home, Hawthorn House in the Cotswolds. They’d decided to celebrate on July 30th, as Ringstar had suggested a second celebration for the boys on the 31st, with a trip to San Francisco for a couple of days.

When the 27th was confirmed as the date of the Wizengamot adoption hearing, Amelia suggested adding a ‘Harry’s all adopted’ element to the party, which the other two witches thought amusing. Augusta, who had a much cheekier sense of humour than most suspected, decided she’d be creating a ‘Happy adoption – adoption – adoption – birthday – birthday!’ banner to hang for the party. Just because she could.

“That sounds like fun, Soraya. But you must come to the markets with us tomorrow. You’ll enjoy them immensely.” Turning to Firelock, she asked, “Might we connect Soraya’s Floo with ours? Then she can come and go as she wishes, without needing us to arrange a cart driver for her.”

Unknown to practically everyone in the wizarding world, certain high-level Guduriak officials, such as Firelock, were connected to a highly secured private Floo network, to allow rapid and discreet access to the bank and other select sites when necessary. That it would also permit Harry a rapid escape from any threat while at the flat above wasn’t lost on Firelock, and he kicked himself for not thinking of it earlier.

“Given I handle the approval for additions to the Floo network, I think that can be arranged,” Firelock replied with a hint of a chuckle. “But I’ll probably run it by Ragnok and see if he has any additional security measures he’d like added. I’ll be right back.”

Firelock reached into his pocket and pulled out the smaller mirror device that was used just for talking between Gringotts employees, rather than the larger mirror-box. Looking like an oversized pocket watch, it had a hinged silver case for protection. Moving away to the other side of the courtyard, Firelock had a short conversation with Ragnok and gained easy approval for the connection. Though Ragnok was also concerned that, given the wraith of Voldemort was still on the loose, they’d overlooked tightening Harry’s security. The challenge would be to do so, without the boy noticing, if possible.

“Okay, it’s all set. I’ll take Soraya home later and link her to the Enklabe Floo network, given that it’s separate from the Gringotts employees’ network. Then you’ll both be able to come and go as you please.”

Harry was delighted at the news, then had a thought.

“Aita, is it okay for me to fly my broom in the Enklabe? I haven’t seen anyone using brooms, but it would be handy until I get the intent-travel down and well…I kind of hate being a pest and asking to go to Hogsmeade all the time, just to go for a fly.”

All three parents hated that Harry considered himself a ‘pest’ for asking for anything, and Ringstar added it as a topic for Mind Healing sessions in the near future.

“I don’t see why you can’t fly your broom here,” Ringstar replied. “Just make sure you let one of us know you’re flying so we can keep half an eye out on you. Or at least an ear out for loud thuds,” she finished teasingly.

“Hey!!!” Harry exclaimed, faking indignation. “I only fell off once, and that was when my broom was cursed by Quirrellmort.”

Soraya was lost in thought for a few minutes as some light-hearted teasing went back and forth.

“Firelock, I know you’ve got a pretty good warding background. What would you think about creating a set of mobile wards? Link them to the broom and the rider, so that if the two part company while in flight, a runic arresto momentum would kick in. We might even be able to create a proximity detector for the ground, and activate a cushioning charm for the landing.”

“Hmm, I can see the possibilities. It would be an excellent business investment if you could pull it off. Offer it as an add-on service when someone purchases a broom. Professional Quidditch teams and players would love it. They’d cut their injury rates significantly. And parents would be over the moon. As a new father, I’m already volunteering to buy Harry the first array that comes onto the market, once it’s been tested of course. Can your team handle this additional project? Or do you need extra resources?”

“Let me put together a proper proposal on Monday. I think we can handle most of it. It would be nice to add a Warder who has more extensive flying experience, but I can’t think of one right now.” Harry looked on, intrigued by how Soraya and Firelock had just turned a wild idea into a business plan over the course of a few minutes.

Firelock responded, “William Weasley is a good flyer I’m told, and though more focus ed on Ward and Curse-Breaking, he did well in his Warding classes with us. And he’s an excellent team player. He might welcome some time back home working on a project like this.”

Seeing Harry’s quizzical look, he knew his son was wondering how he knew about an employee’s flying skills. “Sometimes we have sites where we suspect booby trapping with pressure-sensitive charms. If we have any concerns, we have someone go in on a broom for a closer inspection. So employees working in those fields are tested for proficiency during training.”

Harry nodded. “Now that makes sense. I was starting to wonder if you were building your own professional Quidditch team,” he joked.

“It’s not in the current business plans,” Firelock replied dryly. “Though it wouldn’t surprise me if Ragnok might be interested in the investment potential of such an idea.”

Ragnok really might go for such an idea. And if he did, he’d ensure a small fee was deposited into his son’s vault. It was the way of Gringotts, good ideas were always rewarded, sometimes to the point of getting a small percentage of the profits for the best ideas.

“Alright, you lot, enough business. It’s the weekend. Who’s ready for a trip to the beach house?”

Harry put his hand in the air, then laughed at himself for still somewhat being in school mode.

“I’ll get my bathing suit on. And change into some sandals.” The excited boy, whose love of the sea had yet to show signs of faltering, raced off to his room to get ready. Taking Harry’s cue, his parents did the same.

They had a lovely afternoon at the beach. Ringstar had gotten into the habit of keeping a lot of sandwich fixings and cold tapas on hand, which they brought down to the beach in a cooling box, so everyone could serve themselves when hungry. Grinlast showed up when the food did, which was a common occurrence. The boy ate like he was anticipating a famine, multiple times a day.

Grinlast introduced Harry to a new water sport, because he showed up with sit-on-top kayaks this time. The boys had a great time paddling around the bay, once Harry got the hang of the paddle. They were both strong swimmers now, so none of the adults were too worried about how far they went because they could see the entirety of the bay from their place on the sand.

Soraya left around 5 pm, as she was due at Augusta’s home at 7:00 and wanted to shower and get ready. She also needed to run down to the wine merchant, to pick up a couple of bottles to take with her.

After dinner on the beach and one last sunset swim, Harry and his parents returned to the main house. At some point, they’d makeover one of the guest rooms in the beach house as Harry’s, but that was for another day. Though Ringstar would be keeping an eye out for more casual furnishings at the market the next day, because you never knew when you’d find the right piece.

~0~0~

Soraya returned the next morning, looking a touch put out at the extreme brightness of the clear morning sky. Without saying a word, Ringstar handed her a hangover potion, and said, “Healer, remember?” then followed that with a large glass of cold water. She’d had an adoption planning meeting or two with Amelia and Augusta before and had learned just how strong a head for wine those two ladies had.

When Soraya felt mostly human again, she asked, “Where’s Harry and Firelock?”

“They’re out in town somewhere. I think Firelock is familiarising Harry with all the key destinations around the city, to make intent-travelling easier for him long term. I gather Apparating is the same?”

“It’s definitely easier for a place you can visualise. Firelock is having a blast being a dad, isn’t he?”

“It’s turned him into a big kid it seems, which is ironic because his son is taller than he is.” Ringstar couldn’t help but laugh at the mental picture.

“And how are you doing with the new role, Aita?”

“Is it crazy that I wake to check on Harry through the night? And have the urge to feed him every five minutes, knowing how deprived of food he was through his ten years with those people?”

Soraya patted Ringstar encouragingly on the shoulder. “I do the same things myself. And I’m not officially his Mam yet. Though soon. Just two more days for the Muggle hearing. I tell you, I’m nervous as can be. Even though I know it’ll probably just be a few questions and signing the papers. You two will be there, right?”

Now her turn to provide assurance, Ringstar replied, “You couldn’t keep us away if you tried.”

The moment was broken by the excited chattering of one nearly twelve-year-old boy entering the courtyard, his Aita in tow. Harry ran up to Ringstar and Soraya, eager to share his news.

“Ama, Mam, I did it. I managed to intent-travel back from the main square to just outside the house! I couldn’t even see where I was trying to land this time. How far was that, Aita?”

“I’d say about three-quarters of a kilometre as the crow flies. You did very well, son.” Harry beamed at the compliment, as well as the title.

After a quick snack for Harry, who’d expended quite a bit of energy with his hop to the house, they left for the open-air market. Located in Udara (Summer), it was on the outskirts of the biggest town in that quadrant, Uda Erdian. Meaning mid-summer, it was a bit of a play on the fact the town was situated almost in the exact centre of the sunniest quadrant.

The market was fascinating. Well ordered into sections arranged to keep vendors of similar goods together, there were foodstuffs and produce, clothing, housewares, linens and fabrics, books, arts and crafts, and indoor and outdoor furniture. It was also a mix of old and new, as some vendors sold second-hand and antique items.

Harry was fascinated, he’d never seen anything like this before. And unlike Muggle shopping, they could just shrink whatever they bought, and move on to the next stall or row, which made the whole experience much simpler and easier.

Soraya found a quilt that caught her eye, showing it to Ringstar as a possibility for Harry’s room at the beach house. Its base colour was almost an exact match for Harry’s eyes, but it was pieced together with abstract pattern blocks that picked up all of the colours of the beach and sea. It was perfect.

Harry found a painting of the bay at Azurrez, but couldn’t decide if he wanted it in his room at the house in Udaberria or in the flat. He decided he didn’t need one for the beach house, because he could just look out the window there. Soraya suggested they ask the artist, who was running the stall, if he had something similar, and they were in luck. Harry had views of the bay from two perspectives, and now his only challenge was to decide which one to put where.

Firelock got lucky, finding a second-hand book of an author he loved, but hadn’t read yet, along with a rather garish shirt for beach days. Ringstar just shook her head at the latter purchase, and found a tropical-patterned sarong-style beach wrap for herself at the same stall.

Soraya fell in love with a lovely tapestry to hang in her own room, as well as a pretty throw blanket for the lounge at the flat as well. A set of beautiful blown glass wine goblets, in a rich cobalt blue completed her purchases. At least until they moved to the food side of the market, where Ringstar and Soraya went a little crazy shopping for cured meats and cheeses, nuts and olives, and various finger foods, along with fresh bread, fruits and vegetables. Harry and Firelock just followed contentedly along behind, because many of these vendors gave samples, and it was turning into quite a decent snack for the father and son.

There were a few stares when people heard Harry refer to Firelock as Aita. But Harry’s status as clan-protected had spread widely through the Guduriak community, as had the request to the Elders to adopt the orphaned young wizard. While the ceremony had been extremely private, the basic details had been covered by clan newspaper, Aibisteak, which simply meant The News.

So thankfully the new family wasn’t too much of a spectacle. No one was expecting it to be this easy in the wizarding world, where the Ministry and the public seemed to consider Harry to be community property.

The afternoon was spent at the beach, enjoying the fruits of their marketing labours, with all the delicious foodstuffs they’d bought. Harry went kayaking some more, joined by Soraya when she transfigured her own kayak, and everyone swam on and off. Harry was developing a healthy tan (and weight) and looked the most carefree his three parents had ever seen.

Finally. the time came to return to the flat. The study group was meeting via mirror-box at nine the next morning, and Soraya wanted to get started on her broom flight safety proposal, while she still had loads of ideas floating around in her brain. That and all three parents felt it would be good for Harry to have a quiet, unsettled day, with the Muggle hearing scheduled for Tuesday morning. After hugs and kisses all round, Harry steered the cart back up to the bank, this time supervised by the regular cart operator, Bartock. Harry did well once again, and Bartock thought a couple more runs would see him cleared to drive the track independently. Harry only had the energy for a quick shower to get the salt off, and donned his pyjamas, before he was out like a light once again.

~0~0~

The study group kept things light and easy Monday morning. There were a few questions about a sticky issue with the Potions essay, but none of the friends was surprised that Harry was a bit distracted. Word had spread of tomorrow’s hearing, and everyone knew that Harry was a bit nervous. While no one thought he’d be sent back to the Dursleys, after they’d signed over custody, there was still the lack of familiarity that most children have with the court system, so they worried about whether there were other things that could go wrong.

Harry just stayed quiet, and swapped his essay with Justin, so they could look at each other’s work and provide feedback. As they began to sign off, Harry suddenly realised they’d need a different time next week, due to the Wizengamot hearing on Monday, and they agreed Tuesday morning would work out fine for everyone.

Harry spent the next hour distracting himself by putting the finishing touches on his essay for Transfiguration, and reading up on second-year Defence Against the Dark Arts, using the study materials from the WEA. Having heard rumours of a curse on the DADA position from the older students, he wasn’t too sanguine about having a good teacher for the coming year, and decided he’d have to up his game himself.

Looking to keep Harry’s mind off the hearing, Soraya packed up some sandwiches, crisps and fruit into Harry’s backpack (thinking she really needed one of these herself) and asked Harry if he’d like to get out of the flat for a few hours. He was more than agreeable because he’d reached the fretting point of thinking about tomorrow, so he threw on some shoes and grabbed a light jacket, which got added to the backpack with Soraya’s.

Unbeknownst to most Muggleborn or raised students, there was a second access point at the opposite end of Diagon Alley, which came out near the Leicester Square Tube station. They grabbed the next train down to the Embankment station, then picked up the Circle Line, riding six more stops, before hopping back off. The station name Tower Hill gave Harry a bit of a clue as to where they were going, but the sight as they emerged from the Underground sealed the deal.

“The Tower of London? No way! We’re seriously going to have a picnic at the Tower of London. I was so jealous when my primary school class came here and I wasn’t allowed to go on the excursion. Brilliant!!!!” To say Harry was a bit excited was quite the understatement.

It only took about five minutes to make their way down Tower Hill to the entrance to the Tower itself. Harry was even more thrilled to hear that a guided tour with a Yeoman Warder, sometimes known as a ‘Beefeater’, was part of the admission.

It was a little before 11:30 by the time they purchased their tickets, and Harry had eaten a banana while walking down from the tube station, so they decided to take the tour that was ready to depart and eat later.

An hour later, Harry was still as excited as when they’d arrived. Thankfully their tour group had been quite small for the time of year, and that had allowed Harry the opportunity to ask a couple of questions. He was most intrigued to learn that their guide, along with the rest of the Yeoman Warders, lived with their families inside the Tower grounds. Their guide was very engaging and Soraya found she learned some things on the tour that she couldn’t remember seeing or hearing about when she’d visited a few years before with friends.

Their tour done, which had mostly involved staying in the open air and hearing the stories of the various parts of the castle, the duo grabbed cold soft drinks from one of the cafés, then snapped up a reasonably empty spot on Tower Green to enjoy their lunch. They lazed about for nearly an hour, people (and raven) watching and discussing what they’d already learned.

After lunch, they headed indoors to see the Crown Jewels, and the Royal Mint exhibition and visited the White Tower as well. Despite the crowds, Harry and Soraya had a great time. They finished the day with a one-way walk along the battlements, which offered great views both within and outside the tower. Harry went through quite a few rolls of film over the course of the visit and talked about starting an album of his various travels.

They dropped the film off at a nearby chemist when they exited the Leicester Square station on their way home. The pictures would be ready the following afternoon, and Soraya promised they’d find a place to buy a photo album, and some coloured pens, so Harry could get them sorted and labelled.

Soup and cheese toasties made for a quick and easy dinner. A quick run over their clothing for tomorrow with her wand saw everything sharply pressed, and they settled down with books to kill the rest of the evening. Harry had recently been introduced to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and was steadily working his way through the Sherlock Holmes complete works. Once he started yawning, Soraya sent Harry off to bed to read for a bit longer. Five minutes later he was sleeping deeply. She quietly removed his book from his slack hands, laying it by his wand on the bedside table, then whispered Nox, leaving the room in darkness. And if she snuck a goodnight kiss onto Harry’s forehead, no one was the wiser.

~0~0~

Harry was surprisingly calm the next morning. Soraya had a bit more of a frenetic edge, however. But the mirror-box call from Firelock, informing her there was no need to catch cabs to the Courts this morning, as he’d arranged for several hire cars to pick up their party from the Gringotts hidden entrance, helped calm her down.

As it was only a ten or fifteen-minute ride to the Courts, they’d arranged for Neville and his gran, along with Susan and her aunt, to Floo to the flat at 9:00, so as to be in the courtroom in plenty of time for the hearing. Fortunately, everyone arrived on schedule, and they formed a small procession around the corner to Gringotts, where Firelock and Ringstar were waiting, and, as an added surprise, Filius Flitwick as well.

Harry didn’t find himself shocked to see his glamoured Guduriak family in Muggle clothing, nor his friends. And he was sure Madam Bones (must remember to call her Ms when amongst Muggles, he reminded himself) must have dealings with Muggles in the course of her work as DMLE Head, so her dressy skirt, blouse and blazer was no surprise either. Neville and Susan were also smartly dressed, but the three of them had talked about what they should wear to go to Court.

The shocker was Augusta Longbottom, who he’d only ever seen in robes. But she was wearing a deep rose-coloured blouse, with what appeared to be a silk jacket in a slightly richer tone, along with a pleated chocolate-coloured skirt and low heels. What’s more, she’d left all of her hats at home and even had an elegant Muggle handbag hanging from her elbow. Looking at Neville’s gran in her Muggle outfit, Harry couldn’t help but draw comparisons to pictures he’d seen of the Queen.

Taking only a few minutes to exchange greetings, they headed through the bank to the waiting cars. Harry rode with Soraya, Filius, Ringstar and Firelock, Harry sharing the backwards-facing jump seats with his new Uncle Filius. The others followed in the second car, and they arrived at the Courts just a little after 9:30. Harry’s driver had regaled them with the anecdote that once a week, Royal Courts of Justice staff set up nets to play badminton in the vast Main Hall. Harry couldn’t wait to tell Susan and Neville the story.

The building was certainly large and imposing. Soraya explained the style was called Victorian Gothic, and it was very ornately decorated. They were admitted earlier than the general public, having a 10:00 am hearing time, and waited anxiously outside the courtroom until called in by the usher.

A court clerk and a court reporter were seated at the front of the room. Harry and Soraya were greeted by Silvia Calderón, their social worker and seated at one of the tables facing the judge’s chair. She spoke softly, reminding them that this should go easily and quickly, then sat down beside Harry. Their friends and family filled the row of seats behind the railing to their rear.

Soon they were instructed to rise, and Judge Balladean entered from a door behind his elevated desk and gestured for them to be seated. The clerk called the case to order, and then sat down. A Children’s Services solicitor (a Muggleborn Hufflepuff who’d been a year behind Soraya at Hogwarts) then outlined the basics of Harry’s case and the recommendation that Harry be adopted by Soraya Whittaker.

Silvia was beckoned up the chair beside the judge and answered several questions he had about Harry’s physical condition when he’d first been seen by the Gringotts Healers. It seems he was quite bemused by Harry effecting his own rescue, at least the beginning of it.

Then came Harry’s turn on the stand. Judge Balladean wanted to make sure that, with the Guduriak adoption (Harry was mind-boggled at how well-informed the judge was), he wouldn’t be pulled in two directions with a second adoption by Soraya. Harry was happy to answer that having three parents was brilliant after having none. And that he was pretty sure he’d never get away with anything, because his parents talked all the time, about everything.

That set the judge, and everyone else, laughing. But it seemed to be what Judge Balladean needed to hear.

“I’m pleased to grant permanent custody of Mr Harry James Potter to Ms Soraya Whittaker. Congratulations lad, you’ve been adopted. Again.”

There was a round of applause and the Judge ushered Harry down to the courtroom floor, to allow photos to be taken with Soraya, as the adoption certificate was presented.

“I didn’t see an application for a change of name. Just know that can be done at any time you like, young man, if you choose to do so. But you don’t have to change anything unless you want to,” Judge Balladean instructed.

“Erm, can I…oops, may I ask a question about that? If I change my name, do I become Harry Potter-Whittaker or Harry Whittaker? And does that mean I can’t use just Harry Potter by itself at all? It’s just that it’d be a real pain to change at school.”

The judge pulled up a chair and Harry sat in the empty seat beside him.

“Harry, you can still use whatever name you wish, no matter what it says on the paperwork. Though you might find you need to use the correct name for legal documents when you get older, like a driver’s licence. I had one child who liked to switch once a month, just to keep everyone on their toes. Though I don’t necessarily recommend it.” The judge chuckled at that.

“Can I add my Guduriak last name too? It’s Londreskoa by the way.” Harry was making sure he considered the matter thoroughly.

“You can add what you like. You don’t have to use a hyphen either. You can just put them in the order you choose. Tell you what, write out what you’d like your name to look like and see what you think.” Judge Balladean grabbed a pen and sheet of writing paper the solicitor was holding out for him. It wasn’t the first time he and the judge had played this game in an adoption hearing.

Harry thought for a second and then started writing. A minute later, having gazed at the words, he gave a decisive nod, then turned the paper around for the judge to read.

Harry James Londreskoa Whittaker Potter

“That’s what you want then, lad?”

“I’m certain of it, Your Honour.” Harry finally remembered the formal address.

“Very well then. You’ve got those papers too, I’m sure Rupert?” The solicitor did indeed.

Judge Balladean filled in Harry’s new name, indicated where Harry was to sign, and then called Soraya over to do the same as Harry’s legal parent, for the first time.

“Good. That’s all in order. Very well. May I present to you all Mr Harry James Londreskoa Whittaker Potter!”

There was loud applause to that announcement, and Judge Balladean pulled out a wand and wordlessly spelled the changed name onto the adoption certificate and all the other forms.

Harry gasped in surprise. “You’re a wizard sir? I never knew there were judges who were wizards. That’s brilliant.”

“Graduated Hogwarts in 1960, young man. I was a Hufflepuff like you actually. Thought about magical law, but then I decided some of us need to be out in the Muggle world, to protect the magical kids of this country. And well, here I am.” The older wizard smiled at the boy in front of him, who still seemed rather gobsmacked.

Then Harry asked, “Can I hug you, sir, to say thank you for standing up for kids like me?”

“It would be my pleasure.” And he leaned forward in his chair to share a hug with the Boy-Who-Lived. It’s a good thing these proceedings were confidential. His Ravenclaw wife would never believe him if he told her that he’d had Harry Potter in his courtroom.

Harry sat back with a broad smile, but that hug seemed to set off a cascade of affection, as everyone who’d accompanied him to court took turns lining up for their own hugs. Including Ragnok, who’d rushed through a meeting at Gringotts to be there too, unwilling to miss the celebrations. They finally wrapped things up and said their farewells to Judge Balladean, Silvia and Rupert the solicitor (no one managed to catch his last name). The cars were waiting outside for the group. They were headed off to an early lunch at Claridge’s Hotel, where Ragnok had booked a private dining room.

Harry found himself very overawed by the setting, not that Susan or Neville felt much more at ease. But when Ragnok bade them to all sit, and they got to see the menus in front of them, they were soon intrigued by the options to choose from.

Harry wasn’t sure what was in the small cup of soup they were served first. He did remember it had truffles from what he’d read on the menu. But it didn’t matter. It was only a dozen sips or so, but the rich creamy broth was out of this world. He picked the seared scallops with a few artistically arranged sautéed veggies for his starter, followed by a wild mushroom risotto for his main course, which had him nearly floating to the ceiling in bliss, without the need for Wingardium Leviosa. There wasn’t much rhyme or reason to his meal choices, except he was picking things he was sure the Dursleys would never try.

Dessert was something called a vacherin, which the waiter explained was layers of meringue and cream, and filled with exotic fruits as well. That sounded splendid to Harry and tasted that way as well. Tiny bite-size pieces of cake, coated in chocolate, called petit fours, rounded out the meal.

Ragnok had started the meal with a toast to Harry, giving his new full name, and at its conclusion, Harry stood, raised his glass of sparkling fruit juice, and issued a closing toast. “To my Mam, my Ama, my Aita, my Uncle Filius and my dear friends. Thank you for your love and support. Cheers.”

A hearty round of applause broke out in reply to Harry’s salute. They soon moved out of the dining room and back to the (once again) waiting cars, Ragnok joining Harry, Soraya, Firelock and Ringstar. Meanwhile, Filius went with the others, wanting to continue a discussion on the legal ramifications of acting in loco parentis for Muggleborn students as a Hogwarts Head of House with Amelia Bones. Augusta listened closely as well. As a Hogwarts Governor, it didn’t hurt to be up to scratch on the topic either.

Chapter 4

The rest of the week passed pretty quietly. Behind the scenes, Soraya, Amelia and Augusta were fine-tuning the plans for the party on the 30th, while Harry decided to just go for it and knock out as much of his homework as he could each morning. Soraya continued to work on refining her broom-warding proposal, planning to present it by the end of the week.

Harry spent the afternoons in and out of the Enklabe. He got signed off on using the cart to go back and forth, which greatly pleased him, and spent several very satisfying hours flying his broom over each of the four quadrants. Thankfully he was allowed to use his wand there because warming charms were very handy when flying in Negua (Winter).

He even had a session with Ringstar, to talk over his concerns about the Wizengamot hearing the following week, and they worked on anxiety management strategies. Harry was hoping he didn’t end up with a panic attack and asked his Ama if there was a way for her to be in the chamber with him and Soraya the following Monday.

“I don’t know for sure, Harry. But I’ll call Amelia. If anyone can figure out a way to get me there, she’ll be the one to do it.”

“I could lend you my invisibility cloak if you like.”

Ringstar patted Harry on the shoulder in reassurance.

“Thanks, Harry. I’ll let her know that’s an option if I may?”

Harry just nodded at that, and scooted closer to Ringstar’s side, finding comfort in her presence. The mind-healing session obviously over, his Ama settled in to enjoy spending time cuddled closely with her new son, silently enjoying being together with him.

~0~0~

The weekend was a bit more demanding. The lawyer they’d hired, Agatha Shipwycke, wanted to go over the case with Harry and Soraya, and they spent much of Saturday doing so. Unfortunately, opening the Pandora’s box that was his memories of the Dursleys saw Harry having to put his anxiety management strategies into play a little earlier than planned.

But they got through it, and spent Sunday with Ringstar and Firelock in the Enklabe, increasing Harry’s range with the intent-travelling, relaxing before a fire in the chalet in Negua, and going ice skating for a little exercise. Harry had great fun telling the story of the indoor skating rink Uncle Filius and the students had created in the Great Hall at Hogwarts and the impromptu skating party that followed.

But Wizengamot meeting loomed large, and Harry got progressively quieter as the day went on. Knowing that drawing attention to his mood would just worsen it for their son, his three parents contented themselves with lots of random hugs and comforting touches, and it was very satisfying to see the tension lessen in Harry’s shoulders, each time they did it.

~0~0~

Monday morning. The skies were clear and bright. Perfect flying weather, Harry thought as he stood on the balcony off his bedroom. Pity he’d be spending it stuck underground at the Ministry was his next thought.

“Harry, come get some breakfast,” Soraya called from her own end of the balcony.

“Okay Mam, I’m coming.” That’d never get old, he thought, revelling in having two mother figures in his life now.

They ate a fairly light breakfast, thanks to some jittery nerves for both of them. Harry had not really had anything to do with the Ministry and Wizengamot, except for his brief talk with Cornelius Fudge after the Quirrellmort incident. So he felt like he was facing the day a little blindly.

Soraya was just glad she had some powerful witches at her back. Neither Amelia nor Augusta would allow Fudge or Dumbledore to get up to any shenanigans, and Agatha Shipwycke was well known as a man-eating shark in the Wizengamot. Augusta had even solved the issue of Ringstar attending.

“You will be my invited guest, my dear. You shall sit beside me, as all guests would normally do, and I’ll hex the daylights out of anyone who questions it.” Augusta on a roll was an impressive sight, and Harry was very glad she was on their side.

Dressed in more formal robes than the school robes he was used to wearing, with his suit underneath, Harry joined Soraya at the Floo in the lounge, at 8:30. The hearing was scheduled for nine o’clock but they wanted to have plenty of time to find where they had to be. Their lawyer met them at the Floo arrivals area in the lobby of the Ministry and hustled them through the wand checks and into an elevator.

“Someone, likely Dumbledore or Fudge, had gotten the damn fool idea of having the hearing in Courtroom 10. So much for caring about not turning WCWS cases into a circus, and keeping it about the child,” she ranted.

“Do you think they know it’s Harry’s case?” Soraya asked anxiously.

Agatha considered. “Noooo,” she drew out the sound to think through her reasoning again and found it to be sound. “Amelia sealed your case, which will already create interest. You must keep in mind, the Wizengamot is essentially a big group of gossips. A sealed case is a significant event. And neither Dumbledore nor Fudge like to feel they’re being left out of anything important.”

Harry and Soraya smiled. They’d both picked up on that in the aftermath of Quirrellmort’s attack on Harry.

The lift slowed and they made their way to the staircase. For some bizarre reason, there was no direct connection to level ten and the courtroom.

Amelia met them at the bottom of the stairs and quickly pulled them into a secure waiting room, where Augusta and Ringstar were waiting. It was 8:40 and the Wizengamot members would start arriving momentarily. Harry didn’t need to be standing around with a crowd of nosy witches and wizards if it could be avoided.

At 8:45, the voice of the usher calling members to be seated in the just unlocked courtroom could be heard, thanks to some kind of magical intercom. Augusta left then, with Ringstar in tow. Unbeknownst to Harry, a few extra friendly faces were also in the process of claiming a block of seats in the public gallery. Every one of their study group friends was in attendance, most with at least one parent accompanying them.

Mr Finch-Fletchley just stared around, not sure if he should be awed or shocked by the array of Wizengamot seat holders, all in plum-coloured robes. Many of them would be rocked to their magical cores to learn there was a Muggle in the gallery, but what they didn’t know couldn’t hurt them.

By 8:55, Minister Fudge and Chief Warlock Dumbledore were seated in their appointed places. Technically the Minister for Magic was a courtesy invite to Wizengamot meetings, but in practice, nobody seemed inclined to remind the sitting Minister of that fact.

At the stroke of 9:00, the usher escorted Harry, Soraya and Agatha from the waiting room to the courtroom. Moments before Amelia had snuck out, to grab her regular seat as DMLE Head, not wanting to alert others of her involvement just yet.

Pretty much every person (except the Harry and Co group in the public gallery) widened their eyes in shock at seeing the Boy-Who-Lived appear in the courtroom, and for an adoption case no less.

Dumbledore immediately tried to intervene.

“Harry, my boy, I’m sure you don’t want to cause a fuss here. You should have come to me and we could have talked things out, instead of wasting these good people’s time.”

Agatha stood at that moment and addressed the body of the Wizengamot. “I would like to request that Chief Warlock Dumbledore recuse himself from this hearing. As we have just noted, he is overly familiar with the minor in question, Mr Potter. And I will be presenting evidence that he has already acted beyond the scope of his office, in Mr Potter’s placement with his Muggle relatives.”

Dumbledore began to argue and dissemble, in order to keep his position of power. He’d still have a seat if he was forced to stand down, as an Order of Merlin holder, but it would just be one vote at the end.

Augusta, fed up with the man’s shenanigans, spoke over the top of the Chief Warlock.

“If the man won’t do the honourable thing, I move that the current Chief Warlock be recused from this hearing and that the position be filled by the most senior member of this body, Master Tiberius Ogden, until further notice.” The man was an ally of Dumbledore’s but tended to be thoughtful and offer thoroughly considered counsel when giving an opinion in debates.

“I second the motion.” Griselda Marchbanks called out. She was next in line to hold the chair and had no desire to be co-opted as temporary Chief Warlock.

The usher, as per his duties when a motion was called for, raised his voice, “Please light your wands with green if you agree with this motion, and red if you disagree. Those who wish to abstain should leave their wands unlit.” There was a sudden addition of colour to the otherwise dreadfully grey courtroom.

The usher counted the wand lights. “By a margin of thirty-eight to twelve votes, the motion is carried. Master Dumbledore, would you please assume your regular seat until the conclusion of this hearing.”

Grumbling and begrudging, Dumbledore did as he’d been bidden. Harry’s team struggled to control smirks at the way he handled the none-too-subtle put down by his peers.

Assuming the newly vacated seat, Tiberius Ogden rapidly perused the requested court orders, and case summary.

“This appears to be all in order, so let us proceed. The purpose of this hearing is to address the request for adoption of Mr Harry James Potter, by Master Warder Ms Soraya Whittaker, Senior Warder for Gringotts Bank.”

The sound of journalists and their scratching quills on parchment was practically the only sound in the vast room. This was a shocker indeed.

“Please proceed with your presentation, Advocate Shipwycke.” It was an honorary title, used only in cases that were decided in hearings and not trials, as the lawyer was the one presenting the case on the child’s behalf.

Agatha proceeded to lay out the story of Harry’s life. He’d been orphaned at fifteen months. His parents had left an incomplete will each, indicating who they wanted to care for Harry should the worst happen. Agatha intimated the will had not been witnessed and filed, due to James and Lily being forced into hiding. That list was identical to the one found in an unsent letter to Lily’s best friend, Alice Longbottom, which was also found within the wreckage of the cottage at Godric’s Hollow. And finally, she detailed the circumstances of Harry’s placement with the Dursleys, courtesy of some very high-handed actions by the Chief Warlock.

Ogden asked to see the wills, and the letter and read out the list of recommended guardians for Harry: Sirius Black (godfather), then Alice Longbottom (best friend), followed by Filius Flitwick (sponsor for Lily’s incomplete Charms Mastery) and Minerva McGonagall (former Head of House).

“You will note that nowhere on that list was Petunia and Vernon Dursley, Lily Potter’s Muggle sister and brother-in-law to be specific. And I should comment, if the wills had been signed and witnessed, they would have been read within a week of the Potters’ deaths, as is our custom. At that time, Sirius Black had yet to stand trial, and the Longbottoms had not been attacked by the Lestranges, and thus should have been considered as potential guardians for Harry.”

Griselda Marchbanks’ voice rang out in the pause that followed. “Sorry to go a little off-topic, but Ms Shipwycke mentioned Sirius Black’s trial a moment ago. Tiberius, sorry, Acting Chief Warlock Ogden, do you ever recall sitting for his trial? Because I don’t, I don’t recall a trial happening at all.”

Bartemius Crouch Senior shrunk down a little in his seat. He’d known he was playing with fire by sending Black straight to Azkaban, but Millicent Bagnold, then Minister for Magic, had cooked this deal up with Dumbledore, to ‘move on from the tragedy of war, now that they had found peace.’ Maybe he could claim to have been under the Imperius spell like more than a few Death Eaters at the time.

Ogden racked his brains for an answer to the question. “No, I can’t recall a trial for Black at all. Does anyone else here remember a trial?”

There was no answer and the increased shuffling noises in the court suggested there was quite a bit of disquiet about the facts they’d already heard.

Dumbledore finally raised his hand. “Sirius Black was heard to confess he was to blame by Muggles at the scene of the explosion, and later to the Aurors once he was arrested and in the Ministry holding cells. Minister Bagnold decided, given the voluntary admission of guilt, that she’d send Black to Azkaban for life, over a Dementor’s Kiss. It wasn’t my preference for handling the situation, but I felt, for the Greater Good, I should allow her to make those decisions. Sadly Minister Bagnold is no longer with us to answer this body’s question.”

“Not exactly per Wizarding law there Dumbledore. But it’s also not the case at hand today. Madam Bones, may I direct you to investigate the case? After all, it is entirely possible Black wasn’t working alone that night. I would like to ensure any accomplices are in custody if they exist. We have a young man in front of us who I’m sure would like to know that justice has been done for his parents.”

Ogden truly did try to be even-handed and thorough with his dealings, which made him a much more preferable Chief Warlock, in Augusta’s opinion. “Hear, hear!” she called out in approval, which was echoed by several other seat holders. Dumbledore meanwhile seemed less than enthused by the idea. Amelia just nodded at the Acting Chief Warlock, to acknowledge his orders had been received.

“Advocate Shipwycke, please continue to lay out your case for us.”

“Very well. From the day after his parents’ deaths until the day of his eleventh birthday, Harry Potter lived with his maternal aunt, Petunia Dursley, her husband Vernon, and their son, of an age with Harry, Dudley. The social services report, from interviews with Harry and the Dursley’s neighbours, indicates that by age four, Harry was expected to perform cooking, cleaning and gardening tasks. As he grew older, he essentially was made to take over all aspects of management of the house and garden, except for the evening meal, which he assisted his aunt with.”

More than one voice was heard saying, “They made the Boy-Who-Lived act like a house-elf!”

Harry sort of cringed in his seat, not comfortable being there to hear his life laid out for the entire wizarding world.

“Harry also received no medical care to speak of in all that time. He was given only the required immunisations for school, his glasses were second hand and he never saw a Muggle oculist for an examination. More to the point, he was never treated for the malnutrition and injuries sustained in the Dursley’s care until the week after his eleventh birthday.”

The gasps from the assembly gave away their shock at the lack of care for the young boy.

“And the fact he finally received the necessary care was not courtesy of a responsible adult, such as the person sent from Hogwarts to get him ready for school, recommending a medical evaluation. That only occurred because Harry himself initiated contact with the goblins at Gringotts, seeking his way out of the situation he was living in. I would add that we do have one of Harry’s Healers with us today, and she is willing to testify to their findings, within limits of confidentiality of course.”

That statement had everyone’s eyes turning to Ringstar, who was seated next to Augusta. She maintained a calm demeanour and thought, ‘Well played Agatha. It gives me a reason to be here, and you know I won’t break Harry’s confidences.’

Agatha carried on and listed the number of broken bones and other injuries that the Guduriak Healers had taken care of, slipping in the curse damage in his scar very quietly. But it was now on record if they needed to use it as ammunition later.

“Harry also lived in terrible conditions in the Dursley home. He rarely was given a full meal, and removing food privileges for sometimes days at a time was a common punishment. His uncle and cousin are obese to the point of it being potentially life-threatening, so there was no shortage of food in the house. Also, Harry was never given a room of his own. For the entire time he lived in that house, he slept and was frequently imprisoned in the broom closet under the stairs, where he had a thin cot mattress and blanket, and used his cousin’s enormous cast-off clothes both as his wardrobe and his pillow. He never received new clothes of his own, and his magic, to the best of its abilities, kept him alive and healed his injuries.”

The long list of revelations was very disturbing to those in the courtroom. Dumbledore contemplated trying to escape before the ‘how could this have happened?’ questions started, but knew there was no chance of evading this. In fact, he knew without a doubt that there was no chance at all that Harry’s adoption wouldn’t go through. There would be an enormous backlash if he tried to push his current plan, and he wasn’t sure, after today, that he’d have the necessary political capital.

Agatha struck the final blow. “Harry, aged fifteen months, was dropped at his Aunt’s door with simply a note, to be found with the morning milk. There was no attempt to see if the Dursleys were willing to raise their nephew. Harry grew up being called freak or boy, very rarely before starting primary school did he have any opportunity to answer to his name. He spent much of his time as a child dodging his uncle and cousin’s fists, and in fact, was an unwilling party to his cousin’s favourite game ‘Harry Hunting’ which usually resulted in a beating by said cousin and friends.”

Agatha was winding up to the killer blow now.

“Harry did not know why he could repair broken bones, or why he ended up on the school roof one day when trying to evade his cousin. Nor did he know about his parents, as he was only told they were lazy drunks who were killed in a car accident. He had no clue of his importance to the wizarding world because he didn’t know he was a wizard until his eleventh birthday. No one checked on Harry’s welfare or told him of his heritage and his future. The boy survived as best he could, and rescued himself on his first trip to Gringotts.”

Agatha paused for a sip of water.

“You may wish to ask Harry to tell you some of these stories if you can’t help yourselves. Though his Mind Healer over there might have a few words to say if you get too invasive. They won’t change the substance of this case, and I would remind you that this is a hearing, not a trial. But courtesy of the relationship Harry’s great-grandfather Charlus Potter built with the goblins, and his own tenacity, the first time Harry visited Gringotts, he sought and received help. They gave him a guardian who even knew his parents, Soraya Whittaker. They provided healing to reverse the impact of being abused and neglected. They ensured the Dursleys relinquished custody legally (which they were more than happy to do). And even now, they have become friends and family to the orphan they call ‘clan protected’.”

That statement had some eyes opening wide. It was a rarely granted status for a witch or wizard and a great honour.

“Soraya Whittaker has proven herself to be an exemplary guardian, passing inspections that meet both Muggle and wizarding standards, providing Harry with a comfortable home, and even more, Harry wishes to become her son. For a boy that’s been given very few luxuries or choices in life, I ask you to vote to approve the adoption of Harry Potter by Soraya Whittaker.”

At that, Agatha gave a terse bow to the Wizengamot members and a deeper, more respectful one to the acting Chief Warlock.

Ogden banged his gavel after the noise in the courtroom refused to subside.

“I will allow questions to Mr Potter, Ms Whittaker, Advocate Shipwycke and Healer Ringstar. They must only be related to helping you to decide whether to allow this adoption to go through. You will be silenced if you cannot control yourselves. Now, are there any questions?”

Amos Diggory raised his wand and was permitted his question.

“Ms Whittaker, you are currently single, correct? If you were to marry and your intended did not get along with Harry, what would you do?”

After a nod from Agatha that the question was permissible, Soraya answered with a strong clear voice.

“I strongly suspect that person wouldn’t get a second date. I’m a pretty good judge of character I think. But if they met Harry and Harry disapproved, then that relationship would end then and there.”

Almost all of the witches in the courtroom applauded those sentiments. Some of the wizards were sorely disappointed. The witch was fairly attractive (for a half-blood, some minds whispered), and access to the Potter vaults would be a distinct bonus. But alas, she also worked for Gringotts. She’d have every magical protection possible to ensure she wouldn’t be taken advantage of. Faces fell on those wizards that had lousy poker faces.

Dumbledore made a last-ditch effort to resurrect his plans. Ogden recognised him from the bench with a huge sigh, knowing the wizard would try something on.

“Harry my boy…” He spoke only three words before Soraya interrupted.

“Headmaster Dumbledore, I do believe we have spoken about your over-familiar approach to my ward, please refrain from such self-indulgent behaviour.” She’d chosen her words carefully, and the inflection on ‘over-familiar’ had some eyebrows raised.

Agatha though, was mentally rubbing her hands with glee. They’d discussed if it would be possible to give Dumbledore enough rope to hang himself, which was why Agatha hadn’t explicitly detailed who’d left Harry at the Dursleys. This was one of the scenarios they’d discussed, to catch the old goat out.

Wrong-footed, Dumbledore continued, “Errr, Mr Potter then, surely living with your aunt, your only blood relative couldn’t be all that bad. It’s normal for children to have chores, and I’m sure they did their best for you within their financial abilities.”

Harry had been growing steadily angrier as he spoke. Soraya whispered in his ear, “Answer him if you wish, or I’ll do it for you. Just don’t let him play you into going off half-cocked. Are you okay?”

He nodded, and whispered back, “I want to answer,” then stood tall to respond to the man who’d sentenced him to ten years of Dursley hell.

“Professor, I would like to ask how you seem so certain of my treatment by the Dursleys. You dropped me off with just a note, left all night on the doorstep. You did not make any financial arrangements to assist with my care. You made no effort to check on the conditions at my Aunt’s home. The first time I saw you was at the Welcoming Feast at Hogwarts last September. You made no provision for me to be ready to enter the magical world either. In fact, you probably did everything possible to ensure I would struggle in the wizarding world. I didn’t even get the booklist for students coming from a Muggle-raised situation.”

Harry was on a roll now. “But please, I’m sure I am imagining the scars on my back from being thrashed with a belt by my uncle, or the permanent knot on my head from my aunt hitting me with a frying pan. Would you like to see them, touch them?” Harry made to unbutton his shirt and undo his tie before Soraya laid a calming hand on his.

“The Dursleys hate magic and they hate me. The first time I saw a picture of my mum and dad was when Soraya forced my aunt into giving me one to copy. That was the last day I spent in her presence. So please forgive me if I can’t believe a word that comes out of your mouth.”

The public gallery erupted as every one of Harry’s friends and their parents stood to give the young man a standing ovation. The applause spread across the gallery and crept its way into the body of the Wizengamot members as well. Easily half of the Wizengamot was on their feet, and Dumbledore knew any chance of influencing Harry was forever lost. Also possibly a great deal of his influence within this body and the Ministry as well.

Tiberius Ogden let the applause run for several long minutes, and only as it was beginning to die back down did he call for order.

“I think Mr Potter has answered that question, don’t you? Anyone else? No. Then would you please vote. Light your wands green to approve the adoption of Harry James Potter by Soraya Whittaker. Red wands if you disapprove. As always you may abstain from voting.”

The vote didn’t even need counting. Forty-three members of the Wizengamot showed green lights on their wands, the seven remaining members simply abstained, including one Albus Dumbledore.

“Very well. We have a clear decision. Mr Harry Potter, you are now officially the son of Soraya Whittaker.

Ogden signed the paperwork with a flourish. “Congratulations young man. Enjoy your new family, all of it!”

That was the subtle hint that Ogden had seen Harry’s full name on the adoption certificate and seemed to approve of his added set of parents.

“Thank you, sir, thank you, everyone.” That was about all Harry could choke out as he grabbed Soraya in a hug and shed a few tears of joy and relief on her shoulder.

The acting Chief Warlock came over in person to deliver the paperwork and spoke quietly to the pair.

“I’ve added a restraining order against Dumbledore. He is not to be within thirty feet of you, and he may only talk to you regarding school business, during term time, and never outside school. And any discussion with you at Hogwarts may only occur with one of your three parents present. I’m not sure what his game is, but I’ve protected you as best I can.”

“Thank you, sir. I appreciate you going the extra step on my son’s behalf. Ooh Harry, doesn’t that sound nice!”

Ogden smiled at them both, and left them with a hearty “Be happy!”

Moments later, Harry was mobbed by his friends who’d somehow escaped from the gallery above. As there was no other business for the court that day, the usher really didn’t mind and Harry was almost squashed flat by the number of enthusiastic hugs he received.

“I think this calls for a celebration,” Firelock announced, appearing seemingly out of nowhere, with Filius in tow. In truth, Augusta had arranged for them to have a more private viewing area, where their stature wouldn’t prevent them from seeing what was going on.

“Amelia has arranged for us to use a private dining room here, and Harry’s favourite pizza place will be delivering by Floo. We also have drinks and a cake I believe. So what are we waiting for!”

There was a general exodus at those words, and Amelia led the way, via stairs and lift, to the executive dining room on level three.

Harry pulled her aside for a moment before joining the rest of the party. He’d realised something when he’d been speaking about Dumbledore’s lack of care. There’d been more than one primary school teacher who’d questioned his horrible clothes, as compared to his cousin, wondered about his bruises, and their huge difference in size. It had soon become known not to call his aunt with any concerns because she either blamed Harry or just had an excuse.

But now he thought about it, why was his adoption the first time he’d ever encountered Children’s Services? Could Dumbledore have done something to stop that from happening? Amelia listened closely and realised Harry was onto something, and promised to follow up, and she’d likely start with Silvia Calderón, who’d probably have the best suggestions for how to move forward with the issue. She hugged Harry and told him to go and have fun. It was in her hands now.

A fun few hours followed. The kids went through so much pizza that Firelock had to order a second round. The added bonus of having the party for the third adoption in the Ministry was that the crowds and reporters were gone by the time they left.

Harry and his Mam escaped to the Enklabe after the party, Floo’ing directly into Gringotts. They knew they’d be driven crazy by the owl post and people knocking on the door of their flat if they stayed there. The calming wash of the waves on the seashore in Udara rocked Harry to sleep that night.

 

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