The Potters' Reception

The slip about Albus would be chased up later but Amelia wanted to get to the meat of the complaint, "Mr Potter claims you neither introduced yourself nor would take no for an answer. He claims you grabbed him by the arm and started dragging him away…"

Molly interrupted, "I was leading him onto the bloody platform, I told him Ron was going to Hogwarts but he started shouting anyway."

"Can I ask you how many times you've been to Kings Cross Station?"

Arthur could see the trap but his wife blundered on in anyway before he could say anything, "Dozens but I hardly see why that is significant."

"Oh I was just wondering how many more children you've helped through the barrier?" Amelia asked.

"That was my first and bloody last if this is the thanks I get."

"So, let me see if I've got this right. In all the years you've been going to Kings Cross, Harry Potter is the first child you've tried to help through the barrier. That leads me to question why Harry?"

"I told you, Dumbledore asked me to keep an eye out for him."

"Ah but why were you keeping an eye out for him? Surely if the Headmaster suspected a student of his might not be able to make their way through the barrier, he should have sent a member of staff to ensure they made the train. Not entrust the saviour of our world to a parent who arrived in the station ten minuets before the train left."

Molly could hardly say it was so Ron could befriend Harry Potter so she just had to bluster, "I don't know, you'll just have to ask Dumbledore."

"Hogwarts is our next stop and you can be assured I'll be asking him more than that. Now did you attack, or attempt to attack Harry Potter in Hogwarts?"

Molly had considered this carefully, "I was angry and wanted a word with the lad, I can see how it could be misconstrued as an attack."

"I have two sources that tell me your hands were outstretched as if to throttle the child, had Mrs Potter not cast that spell it would appear the most likely outcome."

"I will admit I was going to grab hold of him, but only because he'd slipped away the day before."

"So you were in Hogwarts about to grab hold of a child?"

Molly figured this was the best she was going to get, "Yes."

Amelia paused for a moment, "Those actions in themselves could see you hit with a heavy fine if the boy presses charges. I shall carry out further investigations when I reach Hogwarts, your children could be construed as aiding their mother so I don't think there will be any charges against them. I was considering placing you under house arrest, for your own safety I now believe I should. Do not leave the grounds of the Burrow or you will find yourself spending the night in entirely different accommodation. You will be hearing from us."

They left, leaving Arthur to deal with the steady flow of owls. A heavy fine on top of their troubles could break his family, he hoped the boy wouldn't press charges.

...

The boy in question was currently pressed up against the bar, trying to protect Hermione as best he could. They had casually walked into the Leaky Cauldron, en route to the alley and been instantly mobbed. Unlike the situation in Devon though, there was no anger here, these people were pleading with the Potters not to leave Britain.

Tom fired off a noisemaker spell to restore order, "We all want this young couple to stay but harassing them in my bar isn't going to help our case, stand back and give them some air."

Harry remembered being uncomfortable the first time he entered here and was recognised but nothing had prepared him for this. Perhaps the alley wasn't such a good idea today.

Four aurors exited the floo, "What's the disturbance you reported Tom?"

"Young Mr and Mrs Potter here were getting mobbed by well-wishers; I managed to get them to take a few steps back though. Suffocating the couple they were."

The lead auror approached the Potters, "Sorry about this folks, it would appear your story in the Prophet has caused quite a stir. Perhaps you would allow us to escort you to wherever you're going? We can then ensure this little scene isn't repeated."

Hermione could see the clientele of the Leaky Cauldron hanging on every word so decided to leave them with something to think on. "That would be most considerate of you. We were heading to the bookstore and then Gringotts to try to find information about Australian magical schools."

There were groans in the pub and one woman even started crying as they made their way through to the alley entrance with an auror escort.

Hermione had her head on Harry's shoulder as she whispered in his ear, "I wasn't expecting this level of reaction, I wonder what it's going to be like at Hogwarts when the papers are delivered."

"I think we can expect a visitor from Hogwarts sooner rather than later as they try to entice us back to Scotland." Harry replied.

.....

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