MetaFic

Arthur Weasley stood outside of Number Four Privet Drive and considered what he was about to do.

Arthur admired Albus Dumbledore. Dumbledore was a great man who had led them through the first war with Voldemort, struggling to counter and bottle up the Dark Lord and to keep the casualties to a minimum until that fateful night when He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named had attacked the Potters. Dumbledore was wise, powerful, and as a rule had the best interests of the wizarding world at heart.

But Albus Dumbledore had long since forgotten a few very important things, like what it meant to be a parent.

Arthur had spent the last few days talking with his three youngest sons and Hermione Granger, just as Harry had requested in his letter. What they told him was disturbing. From his treatment at the Dursleys' home to the annual attempts on Harry's life by the Dark Lord to the fact that every time Harry needed protection or aid from an adult, there seemed to be none available, it was a very unpleasant picture. Arthur could only wonder how the boy had kept his head together for so long.

Well, Arthur decided, he couldn't do more than he already was about the Dark Lord, and he could only protect Harry so far when he was at Hogwarts, but he could do one very important thing for Harry Potter, which was why he was standing outside of the home of Vernon and Petunia Dursley.

Arthur knew that no matter what deal Harry had struck with his uncle, legally the Dursleys were still his guardians, and with Sirius dead, Harry had no one to stand for him in the wizarding community. Harry and Ginny were both clever, but all it would take from them would be one slip, and Dumbledore would catch them, and Harry would be back at the Dursleys' in a heartbeat. And being the resourceful and headstrong young man Harry was, the Order would find itself right back at square one as soon as he found a way to slip past his watchers. And he would slip past them, of that Arthur had no doubt, if for no other reason than that his own children would aid and abet in Harry's escape.

Remus Lupin would be the more logical choice to be Harry's guardian in the magical world, but Arthur knew the Ministry would never stand for a werewolf being the primary guardian of The-Boy-Who-Lived. No, the Ministry was far too likely to appoint Dumbledore as Harry's guardian, and given Harry's current relationship with the Headmaster, that would only end in heartbreak and disaster for them all.

If they were ever going to get Harry to come back to them, it would be because Harry felt he had something to come back to.

Arthur smiled a sad little smile as he reached out and rang the doorbell; Dumbledore was going to be furious with him.

"Yes," Vernon Dursley said, opening the door and looking at his visitor. Vernon suddenly recognized Arthur Weasley and tried to slam the door shut. Arthur stuck his foot in the door before it could close.

"I'd like a word with you, Mr. Dursley. I promise this will only take a few minutes."

"I've nothing to say. The boy and I came to an agreement. I upheld my end, he upheld his. Now, good day to you, sir." Vernon tried to close the door again.

"Yes, about that," Arthur said. "I know that you and Harry reached terms with each other, but you must understand that as far as the government is concerned, you are still his legal guardians."

"Now, look here–" Vernon Dursley started to turn purple.

Arthur Weasley held up a hand to forestall Mr. Dursley's coming rant. "I'm here to help with that little detail."

Vernon's mouth snapped shut, and he glared at Arthur Weasley. "How?" he finally asked.

Arthur smiled. "I just need you to sign some papers."

"And what are these papers you want me to sign?" Vernon asked suspiciously.

"They're papers releasing you of your obligations as Harry's guardians and transferring those responsibilities to me, allowing my family to adopt him."

"Well, why didn't you say so in the first place?" Vernon Dursley smiled. "Come in, come in."

Arthur walked into the house and looked around. He passed a door to a cupboard under the stairs and narrowed his eyes. Following Vernon into the kitchen, he found Petunia Dursley setting out tea.

"Now," Vernon said, "does this make the transfer of custody legal in the normal world and yours?"

“Yes," Arthur said. "It's all perfectly legal."

"Tea?" Petunia asked.

"No, thank you, I only plan to take a few more minutes of your time," Arthur said. He reached into his jacket and withdrew a scroll and quill. He unrolled it on the table. "Now, I need you," he pointed at Petunia, "to sign here. Then to place a drop of blood here to seal the contract."

"Blood?" Petunia asked, suddenly pale.

"Yes, just like this," Arthur used the quill to sign on the line below the one he had shown Petunia. He then reached in to his pocket and took out a pin. Stabbing his thumb, he mashed it down on the parchment. "See, nothing to it." He held out the quill and pin to Petunia.

She swallowed and took them. "What about–" she pointed up to the roof.

"The wards around the house will hold," Arthur said. "I wouldn't do this if it was going to put your family in jeopardy."

"Well then, sign it," Vernon said, smiling.

Petunia took the quill with distaste and scratched her name on the required line. She picked up the pin and, closing her eyes, pricked her thumb. She mashed it down on the parchment, smearing her blood under Arthur Weasley's.

There was a faint wailing of wind, and a yellow glow filled the room. Then everything returned to normal. Arthur smiled and rolled up the parchment. "Thank you," he said, turning to leave.

"And you promise we will never have to see the boy again?" Vernon asked.

Arthur Weasley turned and looked coolly at Vernon Dursley. He could not imagine how these people slept at night. "No, you'll never see him again," Arthur said. He nodded and left Privet Drive as quickly as he could.

He had paperwork to file, and he had to do it before anyone else discovered what he had done.

***
"We are so going to get caught," Ginny hissed as they stood outside of the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron, watching the Knight Bus vanish. "I’m almost sure that wizard with the huge wart on his chin works for the Ministry."

"How would you now that?" Harry asked.

"I've gone in to work with dad a few times. I seem to remember that wizard."

"It would be hard to forget that wart."

"That's what I'm trying to say."

"Let's do this," Harry hissed, pulling the hood of his cloak up higher. He had covered Hedwig's cage with some cloth to keep her hidden.

The two teens walked into the crowded pub and through to the back door without a word to anyone, though Tom kept a steady eye on them the entire time.

Harry and Ginny made a beeline for Eeylops. They entered the shop, and Harry asked to speak with the proprietor.

An elderly wizard ambled toward them, using a gnarled cane to support himself. "What can I do for you, young sir?"

"My owl, she's been injured," Harry said softly. He took Hedwig out of her cage.

"Ah, she's a beauty, isn't she," The man said, giving Hedwig an appraising look. "Well, let's have a look.” He pulled out a set of glasses and placed them on his nose before reaching into a pocket and withdrawing a large magnifying glass. He looked Hedwig over, clucking his tongue.

"Can you help her?" Harry asked anxiously.

"Yes, yes, I can," the man said, replacing the magnifier and glasses in his robes. “I'll need to keep her with me for about a month.”

"A month?" Harry asked.

Ginny placed a hand on his arm. "It will be all right."

Harry nodded and looked at the old man. "Okay. I'd like to pay in advance, if possible."

The man regarded him. "That's fine, young sir. Where would you like me to send her once she's healed?"

Harry thought for a minute and then turned to Hedwig. "I want you to go to Ron once you've healed, okay? If you can't reach Ron, then go on to Hogwarts."

Hedwig hooted.

The man looked at the owl and smiled. "Clever as well as pretty."

Harry paid the man, and he and Ginny left the shop.

As they walked out of the store, the clerk walked up to the owner. "Wasn't that–"

"Yes, it was, and you'd do well to keep your mouth shut about it if you want to keep working here."

The clerk nodded and returned to his spot behind the counter.

***
"It feels wrong to just leave her here," Harry said.

"She'll be all right," Ginny said.

"I know, it's just..."

"Yeah," Ginny agreed.

"Look, we should hit a couple of places quickly, then get out of here,"

Ginny nodded her agreement, looking around and trying to remain inconspicuous. "Where do you need to go?"

"I thought we'd go by Gringotts."

"The Order might have Bill watching the bank," Ginny pointed out.

"I know, but we need some money to live on."

They managed to make their way into and out of the wizarding bank without incident. As Harry and Ginny started down the street back toward the Leaky Cauldron, they noticed that the streets seemed to have fewer people than normal and that several of the witches and wizards on the street were watching them with too much interest.

"Harry," Ginny hissed.

"I know." Harry casually withdrew his wand.

"We're spotted," Ginny said, drawing her own wand. "I don't want to have to fight my way out of Diagon Alley."

"You can stay if you want," Harry whispered, "but I'm not going back to the Dursleys', and I'm not going back to Grimmauld Place."

"I’m not leaving you, Potter. I thought we were clear on that," Ginny said softly.

"Crystal," Harry said. "Are you up to fighting your way out if we have to?"

"Are you?" she countered.

"Yes."

"Then so am I."

They stepped through the wall back to the Leaky Cauldron and entered through the back door.

"Harry," Ginny whispered, "something's wrong."

Harry looked around the room. It was nearly empty of witches and wizards except for a handful at one table. Tom was nowhere in sight. Harry heard the door behind them open and sensed Ginny turn around and place her back to his. The four wizards at the table stood. Harry sighed and tightened his grip on his wand. They all had Magical Law Enforcement patches on their robes. Harry chanced a quick glance over his shoulder. Three more MLE officers had come in the back.

"Mr. Potter, sir? You and your friend need to come with us," one of the officers in front of him said.

"Well?" Ginny hissed in his ear. "What now?"

Harry Potter gripped his wand tighter. This was going to end poorly.