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Chapter 3: No Free Money

Thanks for all the reviews. They tickle my muse.

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At the ice cream parlor, it was calm. It was empty given that it was early in the day and the sun wasn't that hot yet. There were a few people, and they were staring at Harry, but the news that Lily was there and very protective held them off. Lily was just miffed that her son was being treated as some kind of zoo exhibit. She was going to find out how this story spread and hit whoever it was that did it.

Harry was having the time of his life. He had never had ice cream that he could remember. His mummy gave him his own cone with scoops of chocolate and peanut butter ice cream, the cone was vanilla. It was the best thing he had ever eaten in his entire life. Sure, it melted down his arm and he was making a mess, but his mum didn't seem to care, so he didn't either.

"Harry, when you're done, I want you to go up to the counter and ask Mr. Fortescue to clean you up," Lily said when he was almost done. He only had a few bites left. His arm and face were completely covered with chocolate and peanut butter ice cream. She didn't mind. She could tell this was the first time he had had fun in a very, very long time.

She was so mad at Petunia over that. If that woman thought she was just going to get money to spend on her sprog and leave Harry to suffer, she had another thing coming to her. Lily had a lawyer, and she wasn't afraid to use him.

"Okay, Mummy," Harry said, shoving the last two bites into his tiny mouth and trying to eat it all at once. It just spread the ice cream over to his ears. He grinned, making the ice cream dribble down his chin.

"Go on with you then," she said, smiling back at him. She made some shooing motions. She pointed to the man behind the counter and nodded to Mr. Fortescue when he looked their way. She was glad the man didn't make a fuss over her son. He just sold him the ice cream and left him alone. Though he had pointed out a table where he could watch the boy.

Harry grinned some more and asked Mr. Fortescue if he could clean him off. His eyes filled with wonder when the man pulled his wand and said, "Tergeo." All the ice cream vanished, and Harry was squeaky clean. He smiled and ran back to his mummy.

"See, Mummy. I'm all clean," he squeaked, showing her his clean hands.

"Good boy. Blast, we have to go back to the bank," Lily said, when she had praised the child for doing a good job.

"Why, Mummy?" the inquisitive boy asked as they started back towards the large white building. He liked the goblins. The one who had talked to his mummy had given him a pen and paper to draw with. That made him okay in Harry's mind. Even if they did have scary teeth.

"Mummy forgot to get the contact information of the lawyer," his mummy said, her hand on his shoulder. She was cursing herself for forgetting something so important. How was she to hold it over Pet's head if she didn't have it?

"Oh," was all the tiny boy said. He didn't know what contact information was, but his mummy seemed to think it was important.

They made it back to the bank and Lily went to the nearest vacant teller line. The bank was less busy now than it had been earlier.

"Excuse me," she said, looking at the nameplate, "Rotgut, I need the contact information of the lawyer Alexander Preston," she stated, hoping he kept such information up here and not in the back.

"Excuse me a moment, and I will retrieve it for you," Rotgut said, putting a closed sign on his window. He hopped off the stool he stood on, and then went to the Head Teller's spot and whispered in the larger goblin's ear. The head teller rifled around in a drawer and handed Rotgut a card. The goblin came back to his window, removed the closed sign, and handed Harry the card. "Here you go. You will note that he can be reached both magical and muggle ways," he said, pointing to the floo address and the phone number.

"Thank you, Rotgut," Lily said with a bob of her head. She then ushered Harry out of the bank. "Let's get you home, baby" she said reluctantly. She wanted to hold it off as long as she could. If she had it her way, the boy wouldn't go back. However, Harry couldn't rent a room, and he couldn't sleep in the streets.

Harry yawned like it had been a long day already. It was only around noon, but he wanted a nap.

She guided the sleepy boy to the Leaky Cauldron and went to Tom. "Tom, can you call the Knight Bus for Harry?" she asked the man.

"Of course, Mrs. Potter," the barman said, putting down the glass that he had been wiping. He went to the door and called the bus. He was proud that the patrons didn't swarm the couple like they had when they had entered. He had had a harsh talking to those that had scared the boy.

"I'm going back into your head, baby," she said, putting her hand on his face. "Only until we get on the bus, then again when we get to the house. Once we're inside, I'll come back out," she added, wanting him to know she was never going to be far away from him.

"Okay, Mummy," he said, not worried, knowing that she would be there.

She disappeared and nudged for him to get onto the bus that had pulled up just then. Harry's eyes were wide at the huge triple-decker purple bus. The tiny boy had to be hefted up the stairs and Mr. Tom helped him give the sickles to the man, Mr. Stan. He went to a bed and grabbed ahold of a bedpost.

His mummy came out and told him to hold on tight.

"Here now," Stan said when he saw Mrs. Potter, "You can't just sneak on the bus. Ghosts have to pay too," he demanded, pointing his right index finger to his left palm.

"How much?" Lily said with a sigh. Leave it to a magical bus to charge for ghosts too.

"Five sickles," Stan said, his grin was easygoing again. "Don't need to ask of you want hot chocolate or a toothbrush," he joked, winking at Lily.

"Harry, take out your money," she said, patting the boy on the shoulder.

"Okay, Mummy," the boy said, and he dug into his pockets where his coins were. He pulled out a hand full, which wasn't much, being he had tiny hands. "I have this much," he told the conductor.

"Here, I will take this many," Stan said, counting out five of the silver coins. "You put the rest of that away and don't let anyone else see it, okay?" he told the tiny child. He folded the fingers over the coins, making the hand a fist. He winked at Harry, like they were sharing a secret.

"Okay, Mr. Stan," Harry said, shoving the rest of the coins in his pocket again. He yawned again and rested his head on the bedpost. He still held on tight, like his mummy told him too.

The bus took off with a whoosh, and Harry had to hold on for dear life. He wasn't tired anymore. This was fast, and he wasn't sure if it was wicked or scary. He finally decided it was wickedly scary. He settled down and started talking to his mum.

The rest of the bus ride was uneventful, while Harry told his mother all about his day, like she had not been there. It was quite an interesting tale, which got more adventurous with the telling. Minutes later, they were at Privet drive and Lily was back in Harry's head.

"Go to the door and open it," Lily told Harry. If he was going to live here, by Merlin, he was going to treat it like home. And if that fat muggle didn't like it, that was just too damn bad.

Harry nervously did as he was told. He knew his mummy would protect him, but he was still wary of his uncle. The man was huge, and his mummy was small and see-through. Could she really stand up to Uncle Vernon?

As soon as they entered the house, Lily manifested in the real world. Vernon, who had come to yell at Harry for just coming in, faltered. "You're back," he mumbled. He backstepped and was soon against the wall. He had hoped that this morning had been just a bad dream.

"Yes, I am, and I plan on staying," Lily said, her smile sugary sweet. "If you treat Harry right from here on in, I will leave you alone. Keep treating him like an abused house elf, and you will feel my wrath." She floated to his face and glared into his eyes. "I promise," she stated, her voice and eyes firm.

"Mimmblewop,' Vernon said as he sidled down the wall to get away from the angry ghost. He made it to the entryway to the living room and went there. Anything to get away from Lily Potter. He vowed to himself that he was just going to ignore the boy from now on.

"Petunia," Lily called her sister to come to her. "I have something to talk with you about," she said, hoping to get her there faster. Her sister knew she was going to the bank today, so her greed might make her come quick.

She was right, Petunia was there within seconds. "In the kitchen," the horse-faced woman said, jerking her head behind her. She didn't want to bother Vernon or Dudley with this. They would know all about it when the ink was dry. She didn't want to get their hopes up if it didn't work the way she was hoping.

"Fine," Lily said, guiding Harry to the kitchen. "Harry needs something to eat anyway," she said, knowing the boy had only sugary cereal and ice cream today. "You can fix him a sandwich while we talk," she said, with a grin that said, 'or else'.

Petunia sniff, but she got out the makings for a ham and cheese sandwich. If the slices of ham were thinner than what she would give Dudley, no one complained. Lily didn't want Harry as big as his cousin anyway. That poor boy was headed to years of medical problems.

"Did you get the stipend set up?" Petunia asked, breaking the silence. She was still making the sandwich, but she wanted to know if there was money coming in.

"Yes, but we are hoping to get Harry out of your care as soon as possible," Lily said, sneering the one word.

"I can only pray that's true," Petunia said, putting the sandwich on a plate.

"I also got a retro. However," Lily said, holding up her hand to stop whatever Petunia might said, "you will be spending a great deal of that on Harry. He needs furniture, clothes, toys, basic necessities, and all those things that you denied him for the last five years. Or you won't see a bloody penny," she stated, her voice was dripping with venom. "I have an attorney now that will be looking out for Harry's best interest. If I feel you didn't do as I asked, I'll have charges put on you faster than you can say 'magic'."

"How dare you," Petunia hissed, plopping the messy sandwich down in front of Harry, making the plate clatter and the sandwich become messier.

The boy didn't care what the big people were talking about, or that the sandwich was messy. He was hungry. He picked it up and started eating.

"I dare very well, thank you very much. You have abused my son. You are lucky you're getting anything at all," Lily hissed, thinking that as soon as she got Harry out of here, she was going to report her sister to the police anyway. She could tell Mr. Preston and have him come and investigate. Or at least get evidence. What she was doing to her nephew was almost as bad as what she had done to her son. Just on the opposite side of the scale.

Petunia sniffed in that righteous indignation she so loved to wrap around her like she was the injured party. She felt she had the right to treat the little freak anyway she wanted. He was a disruption on her perfectly normal family.

"What if I don't agree with you?" the older sister asked with her nose in the air. She wanted to see what her perfect sister would do. She was just a ghost, after all.

"Then you don't get your money. It is as easy as that," Lily said, folding her arms. She wasn't going to bend on this. They would treat her son right for the rest of his time here, or she was going to find a way to kill them. She was never a violent person before the war, but if it taught her anything, it was to fight for what you wanted, or needed. And by Merlin, she was going to fight for her son.

"I could just search the freak and find my money," Petunia said in a moment of brilliant thinking. Lily couldn't be carrying it on her, so it had to be on the boy.

"Magic will kill you if you try," Lily said, her voice a singsong. "Do you think me stupid? That I wouldn't protect my baby?" she sneered at her horse-faced sister.

"You're lying," the older one said, though there was a quaver in her tone. She knew so little about magic. Could her sister be telling the truth? She couldn't take that chance.

"Harry, can you get the lawyer's card for mummy?" Lily asked her son, who was devouring the sandwich.

"Sure, Mummy," the boy said, putting the sandwich down on the plate and digging in his back pocket and pulling it out. He showed it to his aunt but didn't let it go. His mayonnaise covered hands were making a mess of the card, but she could read the name, Alexander Preston, Attorney at Law.

"This is the name of my lawyer. I have the number already memorized," Lily said, which was true. "If you don't do as I say, all I have to do is call him and your normal little life will be over," she threatened. "I won't hesitate for a second. Don't try me on this, Petunia Dursley." She slammed her hands on the table, scaring everyone when they made contact and made a loud noise. They even made the plate rattle and Harry's sandwich jump.

"I'll do as you say," Petunia said, her eyes wide. She didn't know her sister's ghost could interact with anything. If she could hit the table, then she could dial a phone. She had no choice but to comply. "Harry, tomorrow we will go shopping," she said to her nephew, though there was a coldness to her tone and a curl on her lip.

"Yes, ma'am," Harry said, looking to his mum. He got a nod from her.

"I'll be in your head the whole time," Lily said, giving the boy a smile. "Go get a drink and we'll go see your new room," she said, then looked to her sister with a raised eyebrow.

"It is the smallest one at the top of the stairs," Petunia said, sniffing once again. "We, I and my family, will be going out to dinner. I will make something for Harry before we leave," she said with a huff. She then got up to tell the men in her family the new rules and that Lily will be sticking around.

Harry came back to the table with a plastic glass of milk. Lily smiled at him; she was glad that things were going her way so far. Harry finished his lunch and put the dishes in the sink. He then finally got to take his nap. It had been a long day for the boy.

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The next two weeks went by fast for Harry, but they crawled for Lily. She was in Harry's head most of it because he spent a good deal of the time out of the house. If he was not shopping with his aunt, he was at school. She had called Mr. Preston and given him Petunia's number and address to keep her informed about what was going on with Sirius.

When last she talked to him a week ago, he said he had got the wills in probate and that they were being used as evidence in the trial. The trial was set for that week, and he felt they had a strong case. Dumbledore was not presiding since he was out of the country, so the next in line was acting Chief Warlock a Charles Stimpson.

The case on Dumbledore was on hold until Sirius was free. Alex felt it would be better if they had someone from an Ancient and Noble House backing their cause. Black would be that person. Plus, the fact that he was the boy's godfather would also be helpful.

So these last two weeks went by slowly for poor Mrs. Potter as she waited for relief for her son.

Harry, on the other hand, was having a great time. He had his own room, with a real bed. He had new clothes, that actually fit. He had toys to play with, and books to read. He didn't have to do many chores. And best of all, his uncle and cousin left him alone. Dudley had tried to bully him at primary school, but his mummy had popped out and scared him. He left him alone after that.

His mummy even helped him with his schoolwork. She never did it for him, which he thought was mean of her at first. But she explained to him that he had to do his own work, or he'd never learn. But she helps him with his maths and English.

Right now, Harry was walking home from primary, and he was in a good mood. His teacher had given him a 100% on his spelling test and his mummy hadn't helped him one bit. He got to pick a sticker to take home too. It was a great day.

He walked around the corner from his street and when he turned it, he noticed there was a car in front of the house that he didn't recognize.

"Mummy, someone is here," he said to the woman in his head.

"I see that, baby," she said, her voice still that cool breeze it was the first time. "Go to the house, and let's see who it is," she said, her voice trying not to be as wary as she felt.

"Okay, Mummy," Harry said, hefting his backpack, which his Aunt Petunia had bought for him, further up his back. He moved to the front door and opened it. There was the sound of a man's voice coming from the kitchen. He went that direction to see who it was.

"When do you think young Harry will be home?" the voice asked. It was a deep baritone, and it sounded impatient. Like Mummy did sometimes when she had to deal with his aunt.

"I'm here," Harry said, entering the room. He put his backpack down on the chair and looked at the man. "Oh, hello, Mr. Preston," he said, holding out his hand.

"Hello, Mr. Potter. Where is your mother?" the man asked, shaking Harry's hand. He looked around for the woman, who he had been told was with the child.

"I am here," Lily said, manifesting next to Harry. "I stay in his head when he is among the muggles," she explained.

"Ah, I see," he said, not really understanding. "Mrs. Potter, you will be happy to know that everything went as planned, and Mr. Black is now a free man," Alex said, bobbing his head at her.

"That is great news," Lily gushed, surprising the man by grabbing his hand and pumping it up and down. Ghosts should not be able to do that. "Where is he?" she asked, looking around the room like he was hiding from her.

"He had to go to St. Mungo's for treatment. He will be here tomorrow. He told me to tell you to hang tight, and that he was anxious to see both of you," Alex explained. He took a seat at the table and nodded for her to do the same. "If you'll excuse us, Mrs. Dursley," he said to Petunia with a congenial smile. "We have business to discuss," he added in an authoritative tone.

Petunia sniff and stalked out of the room. She hated being ordered around in her own home, but if that Sirius person was free, then she could have the freaks out of her house soon. They could take their freakiness with them.

Harry looked in the refrigerator for something to eat. He grabbed a juice box and then went to the table and snatched a banana. He was just about to sit at the table when…

"Do your homework, Harry," Lily said, pointing to the discarded backpack.

"Mummy," the boy whinged. His aunt never made him do homework.

"Right now, or there will be no telly time," she insisted.

"Fine," he grumped and grabbed his backpack and took out his homework, which was a simple math sheet.

"Now that that's settled," Alex said with a grin, "let's talk about Dumbledore."