The rest of the Holidays were rather awkward. LadyAugusta didn't send him away but she ignored Harry despite his apology, and itwas with relief that Harry returned to the London apartment. Harry spent thenext few days either reading for the next term, reading family journals,talking to the family portraits, reading the books he had gotten for Christmasor just goofing off. He did make one foray into London for more art supplies,and one trip to the solicitor's office to ask a few questions.
"How'd the custody filing go, Mr. Corner?"
"It's being challenged by Minerva McGonagall,probably at Dumbledore's behest nothing unexpected."
"So how will that get settled?"
"Both sides will present evidence as to why itshould be settled in their direction, and the court will decide. We havesubstantial evidence that she wouldn't be.. right for your guardian anymore.Plus we have a very solid alternative I doubt there will be a problem."
"That's good what did you find out about all thepeople listed in the wills?"
"Edgar Bones and most his family were killed a monthbefore your parents. Your mother's solicitor disappeared a few days before theattack on you and your parents, since there was a dark mark over his homeeveryone assumes he's dead. Frank and Alice were barely out of hiding when theywere attacked a week after the attack on your family and-"
"They've been in St. Mungo's ever since. What aboutmy dad's friends?"
"Petter Pettigrew died, along with twelve muggleswhen Sirius Black caused an explosion on November 2, 1981. Sirius Black hasresided in Azkaban Prison since that day."
"I'd like to see the trial transcripts. I want toknow what my godfather did exactly. What about Remus Lupin?"
"Lupin is a bit dodgy, for some reason he's provingvery elusive to track down. I know he writes articles for Dark Arts Defense Today fromtime to time but I haven't had any luck finding him yet. As for the ministrywitnesses to the wills. Croaker still works for the unspeakables but both heand Delores Umbridge work for the ministry. They aren't going to insist that aWizengamot seal be overridden."
"How did Dumbledore get control?"
"From what we can tell happenstance. But wedefinitely have grounds for a major suit against both him and the firm ofMarchbanks, Doge, Diggle and Trent. They were not even who did the wills; itwas Kyle Larsten."
" Good. One last question, in both Dumbledore'sletter to my aunt and my mum's letter to me, they say I'm a child of prophecy.What does that mean?"
"Apparently a prophecy was given about you."
"How can I find out that prophecy?"
"I don't know but I can find out."
"Sounds good. Thank you Mr. Corner."
"You're welcome Harry, now scoot."
....
On the Hogwarts Express, Neville and Harry got acompartment together and Neville watched for Hermione. When she joined them herfirst words to Harry were "I"m not speaking to you."
Harry found this highly amusing and said, "But youjust did." but Hermione refused to be baited into further conversation.Needless to say their compartment was probably the quietest on the train.
....
A week into the new year Draco proved once again how muchhe had in common with the Gryffindors. He attempted to provoke Harry one nightin the Slytherin common room.
"So Potter I hear your relatives hate you so muchyou had to go to the Longbottom Party with a house elf escort."
"Well at least I got invited."
"You stupid halfblood!"
"Halfblood and proud of it. As my"mudblood" mother would say the proof is in the magic. Where's yoursDraco? Oh yeah, that's right. You can't cast spells unless you have a teacherright there next to you for the next two years, all because you can't keep yourhead. That's funny I thought hotheadedness was a Gryffindor trait. Don't worry,I won't keep my promise to teach you a lesson. It would hardly be cricket, asall you know is magic. I have so many more things in my arsenal, to paraphraseWilliam Shakespeare I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmedperson."
Any power Draco hoped to wield in Slytherin was brokenthat night.
....
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