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hereby acknowledge that this document is a binding magical contract, to supersede any other arrangements concerning our ward. We do this of our own free will, and without coercion.
So mote it be.
Signed: Petunia Anne Dursley
Signed: Vernon Paul Dursley
Harry stared blankly at the contract, emotions too numerous to name flooding through his system. Did this mean what he thought it meant? Had the Dursleys really just signed him over, forever freeing him from their influence? Pale and wide-eyed, he looked slowly up at Sebastian, who was watching him pensively.
"You may choose a different guardian if you wish, 'Arry," he offered quietly, "but so long as I 'ave any say in the matter, you will never return to those people."
Harry blinked and swallowed a lump in his throat, and was unable to prevent the tears from pooling in the corners of his eyes, where they slowly began the journey down his cheeks. It was his fondest dream! For so many years he had longed to escape the Dursleys! He had the strange urge to pinch himself to see if he was dreaming...
His jaw worked soundlessly for a moment before– "Is this real?" he croaked.
Sebastian smiled at his reaction. "Very real," he nodded.
It took a few minutes for Harry to comprehend the sheer magnitude of the change this would incur in his life. He would never again have to sleep in a cupboard. He would never again have to endure their hatred of him, or be beaten for things his cousin had done. And no more serving as a target for Dudley's gang.
But what else did it mean? His life was suddenly open and empty before him, and he couldn't help but wonder what would happen to him now. It was so wonderfully terrifying! He might have a chance to lead the life he'd always wanted!
"Thank you," he whispered quietly. And then– "Where will I stay?"
"That is entirely up to you," offered Sebastian carefully. "If you choose to stay with us at our 'ome in France, we will welcome you with open arms."
Overcome with emotion, Harry allowed the silence to continue. His head spun with the changes of the last twelve hours. He had no idea how he was going to deal with this, but for the first time in his life, he felt a true ray of hope, and it warmed his soul. And it was all because of this one man, who had taken the time to see things as they really were.
And then Harry found himself wondering exactly how much Sebastian knew. Obviously it was enough to convince him that Harry shouldn't stay with the Dursleys, but how much was that? He didn't have to wait long to find out, though, because–
"Are you familiar with the art of Legilimency?" asked Sebastian quietly.
Harry shook his head at the seemingly unrelated question.
"It is, essentially, the art of entering another person's mind," he explained, causing a shiver to run down Harry's spine. "As an Auror, I myself was trained as a Master Legilimens. There is a companion art, Occlumency, that helps to prevent such intrusions, and I recommend that you learn it, but that is not the issue."
Harry felt a bit faint at the implications. Was he suggesting what he thought he was suggesting? The idea that Sebastian might know the truth was terrifying! What would that mean for him? How would he ever be able to live with the shame? He unconsciously gripped the edge of the table, his knuckles whitening under his firm grip, but Sebastian held his gaze and didn't notice.
"Legilimency is not something I care for," he admitted after a moment, "It is a serious violation of a person's privacy, but I was quite thoroughly disgusted by them, and concerned for your wellbeing. After they signed the contract, I 'ad a look through their memories. I tell you this, 'Arry, because I want you to understand that you need not 'ide it from me."
His countenance darkened as he explained, "I know exactly 'ow they treated you."
Harry's breath caught in his throat, and his vision dimmed slightly, even under the influence of the Calming Charm. His treatment at their hands was his deepest, darkest secret! He never wanted anyone to know of that! What must Sebastian think of him?
And Sebastian answered in a gentle tone, almost as though he had heard the unspoken question – which he may well have done. "You 'ave nothing to be ashamed of," he said seriously. "On the contrary, I am thoroughly impressed with you. There are not many who can survive such an experience without losing themselves, and you 'ave done an admirable job."
Harry's jaw involuntary dropped open in astonishment. "But–"
"No," interrupted Sebastian. "It is the truth, nothing less. You were in no position to control what they did to you, and you did nothing whatsoever to deserve it. I 'ave never in all my years seen such a clear-cut case of criminal abuse as that one. And they will pay, 'Arry. The process 'as already been started."
Harry stared back at Sebastian, completely dumbfounded. Sebastian knew about the beatings and other abuse, and it impressed him that Harry survived it? And he even went so far as to free him from them forever, which nobody else had even tried to do! And they were going to be punished for it? Even Professor Dumbledore had never paid attention to him when he explained it, but Sebastian had done all this?
"How?" he choked out. "How did you do it?"
Sebastian chuckled darkly and leaned forward. "I think it no secret that they did not want you there?" he asked. Receiving a nod in reply, he continued. "I merely gave them the impression that I would..." His face twisted up into an odd combination of disgust and grim satisfaction. "...make you disappear. They signed the contract without 'esitation."
Shocked, Harry gaped openly at him. "You told them you were going to kill me?" he asked incredulously.
Sebastian snorted and shook his head. "I did not say that, but they chose to interpret my words that way," he smirked. "Using a device called a Pensieve, a recording will be made of the conversation, and it is damning evidence. They will be tried in a Muggle court for conspiracy to commit murder, and they will be sentenced accordingly. The Director of Magical Law Enforcement is an old friend of mine and is arranging it, but nobody else needs to know unless you wish to tell them."
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(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)
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