Cub, Wolf, and Dog

Chapter 6 -New Friends and Court!

Harry was sitting on the windowsill watching a lorry pull up and then a family get out and start unloading. There was a girl with them who had shoulder length busy brown hair with slightly buckteeth; she looked around Harry's age.

Harry was only with Remus, as Sirius had gone into The Ministry to see about getting a trial for Vernon Dursley on the accounts of Child abuse.

Remus was in the kitchen making them both a drink, he hadn't said much about what Petunia had wanted and Harry didn't ask about it either.

Entering the living room Remus saw Harry sitting on the windowsill peering out of the window.

"Harry what are you doing?" asked Remus.

"Nothing. What does moo-v-ing mean?" asked Harry, struggling with the word.

"Moving," corrected Remus, "It means when you move from were you are sitting into the kitchen that is moving, why?"

"There is a moo-v-ing van over there," answered Harry, pointing down the street.

Standing behind Harry, Remus took a glance outside sure enough there was a moving van and a family. The little girl looked straight over to them, smiling she waved and went over to her mum.

"She seemed a nice little girl," commented Remus.

Turing to face Remus, Harry asked, "Could I go say hello?"

"I'm not sure Harry," answered Remus.

"Please I'd really like 'other friend," replied Harry.

"And what do I tell Sirius if he comes back early and you aren't here?" questioned Remus.

"You can come with me, and then Padfoot won't worry," answered Harry smiling his innocent five-year-old smile.

Sighing Remus replied, "Finish your drink and then you can go say hello, but you're to put a coat on,"

"Thank you Moony," thanked Harry jovially.

He finished his drink off in two big gulps and then climbed down from the windowsill and over to the coat rack Harry picked up his coat pulled it on and then was just about to open the front door when Remus spoke up.

"Hang on I'm not ready."

Harry stopped at the door and turned around, Remus was just pulling on his jacket before going over to Harry and nodding to say he could go.

Pulling open the door Harry stepped outside, he took a few minutes to look around he had not been allowed out in the front yard due to the fact that anyone could snatch him and he wasn't really that confident in meeting strangers on the street.

"Come on," Remus said.

Taking hold of the five year olds hand Remus gently tugged on Harry's hand and steered him up the street towards the family.

Harry began to think it wasn't such a good idea to come out now as he felt himself grow shy as they approached the family.

"Hello can we help you?" asked the woman; she had brown hair that was tied up in a ponytail at the back of her head.

"I live just two doors down and thought I should introduce my self," answered Remus holding out his hand, "Remus Lupin,"

"Jane Granger," replied Jane shaking his hand, "Over there is my husband Markus and our five year old daughter Hermione,"

"Nice to meet you, this is Harry Potter he lives with my self and Sirius Black," responded Remus.

"Sirius Black I heard about him being pardoned it was all over the news," commented Jane.

Whilst the two adults were talking Hermione had started talking to Harry.

"Hi," greeted Hermione.

"Hello," replied Harry shyly.

"What's your name?" asked Hermione.

"Harry Potter," answered Harry, "What's your name?"

"Hermione Granger," answered Hermione, looking over his shoulder she added, "Where is your mum?"

"She and my dad died, so I live with Remus and Sirius. Are they your mum and dad?" answered Harry.

"Sorry and yeah they are dentists," replied Hermione proudly.

"Oh," responded Harry, he was running out of things to say to the girl.

"Where do you live?" asked Hermione, obviously not bothered that Harry couldn't think of anything to say.

"Just down there," answered Harry, pointing to his house.

"HERMIONE!" called Markus.

"I have to go, bye, bye Harry I'll see you soon," replied Hermione smiling.

"Bye, bye 'Mione," repeated Harry not quiet pronouncing her name right.

Hermione smiled and then ran over to her father she waved and as Harry waved back he went back over to Remus.

"Well I should go, it was nice meeting you Remus," commented Jane.

"Same here Jane," replied Remus.

They shook hands again and then Jane went over to help her husband, looking down Remus found a happy smiling five year old, taking Harry's hand again he led him back home they walked back in silence.

Entering the house they heard someone rushing around upstairs, Remus took out his wand and turned to Harry.

"Stay here if anything happens you get out of this house and go to the Grangers," instructed Remus.

Harry just nodded as Remus slowly advanced up the stairs, Harry stayed by the door encase something did go wrong which he hoped it wouldn't.

As Remus went up the stairs Harry lost sight of him. Ten minutes passed before a loud shout was heard making him jump.

"MOONY WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" shouted Sirius.

Laughing Harry rushed up the stairs to see Sirius on the floor with ropes around his legs, arms, and body.

"Sorry Padfoot thought you were a thief or a Death Eater," apologized Remus trying to hide his smile.

Harry just laughed harder at the disgruntled look on Sirius face.

Spotting Harry, Sirius said, "Just where were you?"

"Some new neighbours and Harry wanted to introduce himself to their little girl," answered Remus whilst Harry controlled his breathing.

"A girl eh?" asked Sirius quirking an eyebrow up.

"He is a little too young Sirius," answered Remus, whilst Harry looked on a bit confused.

"I'm not 'ung," put in Harry.

"Of course you're not, now could you untie me I have some information," replied Sirius.

Harry broke into a fit of giggles again whilst Remus magicked the ropes off Sirius and helped him to stand back up. The three of them went down into the living room; Harry sat next to Sirius and cuddled up to him he had sensed the upset mood Sirius was in despite him laughing.

"What did The Ministry say?" asked Remus.

"Vernon Dursley will be going on trial tomorrow morning at nine. Me, you, Harry, and Albus are required to go," answered Sirius.

"Why has Harry got to go?" asked Remus seeing the slightly frightened look on Harry's face.

"Because he needs to say what happened to him," answered Sirius.

"I don't want to go," mumbled Harry.

He didn't like the thought of everyone knowing about what went on because then his Uncle would know and if he didn't go to prison he would come after him.

"We know you don't, but we haven't got a choice, I'll floo Molly to come with us so you have someone else with you as well," comforted Sirius.

That night seemed to drag by and Harry kept saying he didn't want to go or he was scared of Vernon, they were all dreading tomorrow morning.

***

The court lobby was packed it seemed everybody wanted to catch a glimpse of the-boy-who-lived and of Vernon Dursley- the person who supposedly abused their saviour-.

The actual courtroom seemed just as packed jury, judge, and witnesses. There was Molly, Albus, Sirius, Remus, and Harry all sat to the left whilst Petunia sat with someone they didn't recognise on the right.

Harry was very scared by this point he had tried with all his might not to come, even attempting to hiding under his bed but he was found within five minutes.

Minister Fudge and Madam Stocking-from Child Welfare- were sat at the top table and the jury were sat in a group in the left hand corner of the room.

Standing up Minister Fudge cleared his throat and after all the noise had died down he began speaking, "Bring in Mr. Vernon Dursley."

The doors opened and two Aurors escorted in a dishevelled looking Vernon Dursley. Harry stiffened in his seat as he saw his tormentor of four years, sensing Harry's fright Remus wrapped an arm around him but it didn't seem to work.

The Aurors came to a stop at a chair and sat Vernon down and strapped him in before going over to stand by the door.

"Mr Vernon Dursley you are here today on the charges of Child Abuse, please know that we take our charges of Child abuse more seriously than muggle courts" began Minister Fudge, "We will call several people up to the stand and you will be asked some questions if you wish you may take some Vertisum."

There was a murmur of agreement throughout the room. Sitting down Minister Fudge exchanged a few words with Madam Stocking before he stood back up again.

"I would like to call Albus Dumbledore to the stand," called Minister Fudge.

Albus gracefully got up and took to the witness stand and refused the Vertisum. Minister Fudge sat down and then started questioning him.

"Albus were you or were you not the one to leave Harry James Potter on Vernon Dursleys doorstep?"

"Yes I was," answered Albus.

"Did you know that Vernon hated our kind?" asked Minister Fudge.

"I had to do what was best for baby Harry," began Albus, "I knew he would be protected at his Aunt's house as she was a blood relative. I had only ever heard Lily speak ill of Petunia once so I assumed Harry would be safe,"

"Did you have any idea what was going on in them four years he was there?" questioned Fudge.

"Alas I did not know," answered Albus.

"Very well thank you Albus. I call Sirius Black to the stand," called Fudge.

Albus left the witness stand and took his seat whilst Sirius took the stand and again refused the Vertisum.

"Mr. Black did you know of Harry James Potter's abuse?" questioned Fudge.

"No not until we got him home," answered Sirius.

"Why what happened?" asked Minister Fudge.

"We were explaining about our world and who he was," began Sirius, "He spilt his drink down his top I took him upstairs and told him to take off his shirt. Underneath his shirt was a bruise the size of a full grown mans fist, I asked how he got it and he wouldn't say I called for Remus and he said that the bones were broken indicating he had been at some point abused,"

"What did you do after you found out about Harry's abuse?" asked Fudge.

"I wanted him to hurt, as much as Harry had been hurt, I was willing to attack him but Remus convinced me it wouldn't do Harry any good and there is a more legal way of doing things," explained Sirius.

"Thank you, I call Harry Potter to the stand," called Minister Fudge.

Sirius stepped down and as he passed Harry he gave him a quick hug. Harry sat down on the stool and looked at his knees.

"Mr. Potter would you like to take the Vertisum?" asked Fudge.

Shaking his head Harry answered, "No thank you,"

"Okay. Can you tell us what has happened to you Harry?" asked Fudge.

Looking up Harry wanted to protest and run from the room but looking at the encouraging looks his guardians were giving him, he stayed put and answered the question.

"I... I... I use to get hit," answered Harry trying to sound brave.

"Why did you get hit Harry?" asked Fudge.

"'Cause I never finished chores or... or... or I ate too much," answered Harry, a gasp resounded around the jury.

"Can you tell us how bad it was Harry?" questioned Fudge.

"Sometimes I would pass out after," answered Harry.

"That will be all Harry. I do not call anyone else to the stand," replied Fudge.

Harry ran back to Sirius and Remus and hid his face in Sirius robes as tears coursed down his face, he hated remembering what they had done to him, he wanted to just forget but these people weren't letting him and it hurt to remember.

"If the jury would like to go to the side chamber for an hour and we shall all meet back here to hear the verdict," called Minister Fudge.

Picking Harry up Sirius and Remus left the room and entered the lobby with press everywhere they were stuck until Dumbledore came and made an escape route for them into a side room.

No one spoke for the whole hour, Harry had been asleep for half-an-hour now and he was rudely woken up when someone shouted them all back into the courtroom. They got up and took their seat again,

"Has the jury come to a decision?" asked Minister Fudge.

"Yes we find Vernon Dursley..."