Chapter 64: Chapter 64: "Emancipation"
After finishing his OWL exams, Harry felt quite sure he'd pass with top marks, so there wasn't much worry in the air. Sirius then began the process to have Harry emancipated, which, to Harry's surprise, resembled the muggle world's bureaucracy more than he had anticipated. Just like in the non-magical world, there was a heap of paperwork to sort through before the emancipation could be officially filed and approved. This process was entirely devoid of any magical shortcuts, requiring each step to be completed with the same meticulous attention to detail as any muggle legal procedure.
About a month after the exams, the results arrived via an official Ministry owl. As expected, Harry achieved an Outstanding grade in all three subjects he had chosen to take. This excellent outcome was no shock to Harry or his family, but it still provided a good excuse to throw a small celebration. Harry, particularly, was keen on having this gathering, knowing that such moments of togetherness would become less frequent once he started attending Hogwarts.
Following the celebration of his OWL results, Sirius shifted into high gear to finalize Harry's emancipation paperwork. This last phase involved filling out the final form and gathering the necessary signatures to expedite the process.
Thankfully, the process unfolded smoothly, and they managed to keep the entire operation under wraps, away from the prying eyes of the Potters and Dumbledore.
Frank Longbottom was more than willing to lend his signature to the application. He didn't pry into the details, understanding from Harry's noticeable absence from the Potter family events and now the move towards emancipation, that things were far from harmonious between Harry and his biological parents. Frank's own dissatisfaction with James Potter's recent behavior made him all the more supportive of Harry's desire for independence. His only request was for an opportunity to personally thank Harry for the lifesaving warning Harry had provided on that critical night.
Sirius readily agreed, suggesting they arrange this meeting once Harry's emancipation was complete, and he was legally considered an adult in the wizarding community. This would allow Harry to engage more openly with others, free from the oversight of his legal guardians.
Soon Harry found himself at the final stages of his journey towards emancipation, a process he had to navigate by himself.
His first stop was the office of Madam Griselda Marchbanks, the head of the Wizarding Examinations Authority. She had Harry show her some basic spells to ensure he could perform magic safely. Satisfied with Harry's proficiency and control over magic, she officially approved his OWL results with a formal stamp.
Next on his agenda was a visit to the Improper Use of Magic Office within the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Here, Harry was briefed on a series of rules and regulations that he was expected to adhere to as a magic user in the wizarding world.
He learned about the appropriate contexts for magic use, the actions to take if a Muggle witnessed magical activity, and the severe consequences for violating the Statute of Secrecy.
The officials made it clear to Harry that once emancipated, any legal transgressions he might commit would see him tried and punished as an adult, with no allowances made for his age.
With these critical steps completed, Amelia stepped in to finalize Harry's application. Her expertise and efficiency wrapped up the process within an hour, and with that, Harry was officially recognized as an adult in the wizarding community.
One of the last formalities involved the Department of Magical Law Enforcement recording Harry's magical signature in their records. This was an unusual step, necessitated by Harry's unique situation of being emancipated at such a young age. With his magical signature now in the system, Harry was reminded of the importance of exercising caution when performing magic in Muggle areas. However, outside of Hogwarts, he was now free to use magic without the imposition of the Trace, giving him a new level of freedom and responsibility.
Harry's journey to becoming a legally emancipated wizard was a momentous occasion, marking a significant turning point in his life. This newfound status didn't just allow him the liberty to wield magic with greater freedom; it also bestowed upon him the responsibility to adhere to the laws and regulations that govern the adult wizarding community.
In celebration of this pivotal achievement, a grand party was held at the Black Castle. The event was particularly meaningful as it represented the culmination of concerted efforts by everyone involved to guide Harry safely through his education up to the OWL level and help him break free from the ties of parents who had left him behind.
During the festivities, Harry took a moment to express his heartfelt gratitude to each individual who played a vital role in his journey toward emancipation. He thanked Arcturus for his meticulous and safe instruction in the magical arts, Cordelia for her vigilant care over his well-being, Emma for imparting her extensive knowledge of potions, Amelia for her invaluable assistance with the Ministry, and Sirius for his strategic oversight of the entire process.
Surrounded by these caring figures, Harry felt a deep sense of happiness and belonging. Unlike the solitary protagonists often found in web novels, Harry was fortunate to have a supportive circle of adults dedicated to his welfare and success.
---
While Harry was enjoying a wonderful time with his family at the Black Castle, celebrating his newly found freedom, two important letters were dispatched from the Ministry of Magic, each bound for a significant destination.
The first letter was on its way to Hogwarts, intended for the desk of Headmaster or Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot Albus Dumbledore. This letter carried news that would undoubtedly catch the attention of the aged wizard.
Meanwhile, another owl embarked on a lengthy flight toward a secluded spot nestled in the hills of Ireland, far removed from the hustle and bustle of wizarding society.
This remote location was home to a quaint little house, standing alone amid a sprawling yard. The yard boasted an improvised Quidditch pitch, complete with homemade hoops for practicing the beloved wizarding sport, and a modest flower garden that added a touch of color and life to the serene landscape.
As this second owl crossed into the property's boundary, it experienced a brief ripple of magical energy—a protective enchantment designed to screen incoming visitors. However, since the owl bore no threat, merely a letter, it passed through the magical barrier unscathed and continued its approach toward the house.
Approaching a closed window, the owl persistently tapped its beak against the glass, signaling its arrival with a message to be delivered.
Inside, the cozy scene of a family enjoying their evening meal unfolded. The family consisted of a young couple, both 29 years old and their 8-year-old son, gathered around the dinner table. They were none other than James Potter, Lily Potter (née Evans), and their son, Charles Potter, known to the world as the Boy Who Lived.
Charles, eager for some mischief, asked, "Dad, when will you teach me that hair color-changing prank? I want to try it on my friends."
Lily immediately responded, "Charley, you can't use spells on your friends. And don't brag about having a training wand when they don't. That wand is for learning, not for playing pranks."
James tried to soften the conversation, "Lily you are right here but don't blame pranks, pranks are harmless. However, Charley, you should listen to your mom. Be careful not to show off your wand in public. If someone complains, the ministry could take it away. Plus, you're not quite ready to learn that spell. Focus on your training."
Charles complained, "But training is so boring. Pranks are way more fun, and I don't want to just read books while Ron has a great time playing Quidditch with his brothers."
Lily emphasized, "Training is crucial, Charley. You wouldn't want to let Professor Dumbledore down, would you?"
Charles pulled a face but agreed.
Just then, James heard a knock on the window. An owl was there with a letter. After giving the letter to Lily, he went to release the owl back into the night.
Lily started reading the letter, murmuring, "Why would the ministry send us a letter now? It's not about another event... Let's see..." As she read on, her complexion turned white.
Returning to the room, James noticed Lily's distress and asked, "What's wrong, Lily?" Seeing her unable to respond, he quickly took the letter from her and began reading.
As James read the letter, his expression mirrored Lily's shock. The room fell silent, with young Charles looking at his parents, puzzled and worried about what had upset them so much.
Chapter 65: Chapter 65: "Dumbledore's Recollection Part - 1"
Inside the grand Hogwarts Castle, nestled in the Scottish Highlands, there was a heavy atmosphere in the Headmaster's office. The portraits of past Headmasters and Headmistresses watched silently, sensing the current Headmaster Albus Dumbledore's somber mood.
A recently opened letter from the Ministry of Magic lay on Dumbledore's desk. Up until he read this letter, Dumbledore had been having a rather good day. However, the information it contained had thrown a wrench in many of his carefully laid plans.
Dumbledore's thoughts were now consumed by the subject of the letter, Hadrian Ignotus Potter. Dumbledore had previously paid little attention to Harry, considering him irrelevant to his broader schemes. Harry wasn't the child of prophecy, and to Dumbledore, a man with countless responsibilities and concerns, Harry was of little significance.
The news in the letter had come as a shock, prompting Dumbledore to reflect on where his strategies had begun to unravel.
The whole situation began on that fateful night Voldemort attacked the Potters in Godric's Hollow. Since Dumbledore saw Charles Potter as the chosen one from the prophecy, his brother, Hadrian (Harry), didn't seem significant to Dumbledore's grand schemes.
Dumbledore was concerned, however, about Hadrian's influence on Charles. Raised by his grandparents, Hadrian shared some of their beliefs, which Dumbledore feared could sway the young Charles. Recognizing Hadrian's intelligence and potential influence, Dumbledore pondered how to minimize his impact on Charles.
Later that same week, another unexpected event occurred. James Potter, his follower, was unable to claim the title of Potter Lord. This turn of events unexpectedly thrust Hadrian into the spotlight as the next Potter heir, complicating Dumbledore's plans. Dumbledore had hoped for James to assume the Potter Lordship to leverage the family's resources and influence for his political agenda. With James's failure, Dumbledore's subsequent strategy for Charles to inherit the Lordship over Hadrian also crumbled.
Faced with no other choice to ensure Charles's ascension as Lord Potter, Dumbledore devised a plan to remove Hadrian from the picture by sending him away into the muggle world. Raised in muggle ways, Hadrian would possibly be rendered ineligible from inheriting the Lordship.
Lily and James, persuaded by Dumbledore, agreed to this plan, believing it was for the better protection of their family and a better future for Charles. This move was meant to kill two birds with one stone, securing Charles's path while ensuring that Hadrian would not influence Charles growing up.
The plan unfolded smoothly. Hadrian was sent to live with his aunt's family, away from the wizarding world, with Dumbledore planning to return only when it was time for Hadrian's Hogwarts letter. Basic magical protections were placed on Hadrian, a mere afterthought in Dumbledore's broader strategy.
Everything fell apart five years ago, two years after Hadrian was left with his aunt. Dumbledore returned from a week-long International Confederation of Wizards (ICW) meeting to find part of his office destroyed by fire. The portraits of past Headmasters told him that alarms had been sounding from the odd trinkets on the wall, which had eventually exploded, causing the fire. If not for the elves coming just in time to put the fire out, the whole office would have burned down.
These devices were meant to keep an eye on Hadrian Potter, the sirens and blasts indicating that something serious must have happened to him. Without cleaning up his office, Dumbledore rushed to the Dursleys' home on Privet Drive, only to discover he was too late. The house was deserted, indicating trouble.
Diving into the memories of the neighbors, Dumbledore uncovered a distressing scenario. The Dursleys had been arrested by the police, and their son Dudley had been taken in by another relative. The reason was even more heartbreaking.
The Dursleys had horribly mistreated Hadrian, reducing the young boy to a servant for the last two years. Recently, Hadrian had been in an accident and, without proper medical attention, his condition worsened until he died. The Dursleys had in fear hidden his body, which the police found, leading to their arrest for abuse and negligence for not seeking medical help.
Shocked and grieving, Dumbledore realized his mistake. He had assumed that Petunia Dursley, being family, would care for Hadrian properly. He couldn't have been more wrong. His belief that family means automatic love and care had blinded him to the possibility of abuse. Reviewing the Dursleys' memories confirmed the worst: Hadrian was unloved and mistreated, and fear of exposure led them not to seek help, resulting in his death.
They also had no love for him. They let him live there only because he had forced the boy upon them. This was a painful lesson for Dumbledore, understanding that he didn't know Petunia as well as he thought. The tragedy of Hadrian Potter was a stark reminder of his oversight.
Dumbledore didn't need to find the boy's body to confirm his passing; the memories he'd seen were evidence enough. Moreover, he couldn't bear the thought of seeing a child's body, especially knowing his oversight had contributed to the tragedy.
Now, Dumbledore faced a tough situation. He had assured Lily he would protect her son, but he had failed. Revealing this failure to Lily and James could ruin their relationship and jeopardize his role as Charles's mentor, which was crucial for the boy's destiny in defeating Voldemort. Dumbledore believed that without his guidance, Charles wouldn't stand a chance against Voldemort, and the future of the wizarding world depended on Charles's victory.
After much thought and for the future of the wizarding world, Dumbledore decided to keep this sad incident a secret from the Potters, at least for the time being. He hoped that with time, they would slowly forget about Hadrian and move on, allowing him to share the news later under better circumstances. He just hoped for the best. There was nothing else he could do. Changing their memories of Harry seemed too risky, with a high chance of failure, which Dumbledore wanted to avoid at all costs.
As for the Dursleys, Dumbledore had a confrontation with them. Petunia complained that Dumbledore had forced them to take in a child they didn't want and hadn't provided sufficient funds to cover his needs. She threatened to expose Dumbledore, claiming she knew how to make their situation known within the wizarding community.
Dumbledore was not pleased with being threatened but cautioned Petunia that while her actions might cause trouble for him, the consequences for her and her family would be much worse. He explained that the wizarding community takes the mistreatment of their own very seriously and would not look kindly upon what she had done. However, Petunia stood her ground, unafraid of death, and insisted Dumbledore help them.
Acknowledging his part in the situation, Dumbledore agreed to try and lessen the punishment for the Dursleys. He reached out to a Hogwarts alumnus who had since lived among Muggles for assistance. With this person's help, Dumbledore secured a good lawyer, which led to a reduction in the sentences handed down to the Dursleys. Petunia received a one-year sentence, while Vernon, taking on most of the blame, was sentenced to five years.
The man responsible for the accident that harmed Harry was treated leniently after he testified properly about the incident and confirmed the Dursleys' neglect and mistreatment of Harry.
Despite this, the Dursleys were unhappy with the outcome but knew they had no choice but to accept it, especially after witnessing the stern warning in Dumbledore's gaze. After ensuring their sentences were reduced, Dumbledore left the Muggle world behind, eager to put the entire ordeal behind him.
However, life didn't get any easier for the Dursleys after serving their time. They faced harsh treatment in prison and, upon release, found themselves ostracized. With Vernon unable to secure employment and their neighborhood turning against them due to their now-notorious reputation, they were forced to emigrate.
The last known whereabouts of the Dursleys was in Australia, where they hoped to start anew, away from anyone familiar with their past.
Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
33 Power
stone 
Paragraph comment