Chapter 5: Meet the Dursleys.
Back in Crawley, Hermione's parents were putting the final additions on their project before heading off to confront the Dursleys. The information that their private investigator and solicitor had dug up would go a long way in making sure that Vernon and Petunia complied. Harry had provided them with enough information to piece together his childhood, or the distinct lack thereof, and the fact that the Dursleys did not want anyone to know that they were less than perfect.
John Granger had begun a business relationship with Vernon Dursley using their Dental practice's drill needs. Tonight's dinner was supposed to be to finalize the deal of the year for Vernon. Unbeknownst to Vernon, John Granger had very different plans for the evening.
Dinner was a very normal affair for both parties. Petunia really was a good host and the dinner conversation was polite but a little bland. When the time came for the after-dinner drinks and business talk, Vernon Dursleys' world turned upside down.
"I have a few conditions before I sign this contract, Mr. Dursley." John Granger spoke as he pulled out his notepad from his dinner jacket.
"First, you will ask for a transfer to the Australian Branch of Grunnings. I have a large group of friends in Sydney and Melbourne and they all have long term drill needs. I would like you to be their account manager. This is a very large account and a definite pay raise for you if you accept. You will still be my account manager here too." Mr. Granger paused to let this information sink in. He was not disappointed to see that Vernon really wanted this position but could not take it because of Harry Potter.
Vernon Dursley had mixed feelings. He desperately wanted the new position and the pay raise. The problem was that blasted Potter boy and his freak minders. The letter that they had received with Harry all those years ago forbid them from moving because of the protections put in place. It was with a heavy heart, and a promise to make Harry's life a living hell when he returned for ruining another business deal for him, that he spoke to turn down the offer. "Mr. Granger, I'm afraid that I can't accept the offer as much as I want to."
"Why is that, Mr. Dursley?" John knew the reason but he wanted to hear Vernon explain. He wanted to close the deal without using the blackmail material but he would use it if he absolutely had too.
"We have custody of our nephew and he is currently away at a boarding school. If we were to move away it would cause all sorts of problems." Vernon said while squirming a bit in his seat. The sight of Mr. Granger grinning broadly at his remark did nothing to ease his tension level.
"You are referring to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry then?" John said in a completely normal tone.
Vernon Dursleys response was exactly what Mr. Granger had predicted. All color drained from Vernon's face and he spluttered "What?"
"My daughter is a student there and she is a very good friend of Harry's." John knew that this would really push Vernon over the edge and he was not disappointed. Vernon had turned a nasty shade of puce before standing up and putting the sofa between them as a defensive barrier.
"You're one of them, aren't you?" Vernon whispered at Mr. Granger.
Remaining seated, and in a completely calm tone of voice John replied, "No. I'm just like you but my daughter is a witch, and I have a way to solve your guardianship problem."
Seeing that he wasn't' going to be attacked by some freakish means, Vernon Dursley sat back down on the sofa and asked, "How?"
With an internal smile, John Granger knew he had won. Vernon and Petunia Dursley desperately wanted to rid themselves of their nephew. "Let my wife and I take over guardianship of Harry. We already know about the magical world and have made arrangements to have our house protected."
For the first time in the entire conversation, Petunia spoke up as she and Mrs. Granger walked into the living room with the tea service. "We can't leave. Dumbledore said that there were protections from our being family that meant that he had to stay here for them to remain in place."
Leaning forward in his seat, John Granger motioned for Petunia to join them in the living room. "Were you ever really given a choice in the matter?" Upon seeing their negative response Mrs. Granger continued speaking, "Then why should you listen to someone who has not once checked up on Harry in the time that he has stayed here."
"How did you know that?" gasped Petunia.
"Harry told my daughter everything that he has ever experienced since he came to live here with you." Seeing the scared looks on their faces, John resumed speaking, "I mean everything." He said while putting emphasis on the last word and staring into both of their faces with a look of disgust.
The Dursleys grew noticeably paler at this revelation before Vernon spoke up. "What do we need to do?" He realized that Mr. Granger could make life very difficult for them if he wanted to.
With a smile, John Granger pulled the transfer of guardianship papers out of his briefcase for the Dursleys to sign. "This is the legal paperwork to transfer guardianship of Harry to my family. My solicitor has already walked everything through the courts and all that is needed are your signatures." John explained as he pushed the paperwork with a pen across the coffee table. "We are even going to petition for an adoption to further solidify our status as Harry's guardians."
Looking over the paperwork quickly, both Vernon and Petunia signed their names on the indicated lines and passed the document back to Mr. Granger. "Excellent. Now we need to discuss your move. I have been informed that your house is probably under surveillance."
The looks on the Dursleys' faces were priceless. They were a mixture of outrage and fear, with fear winning out in the end. "How are we going to get away without them finding out then?" Vernon asked with a hint of fear creeping into his voice.
"Don't take anything with you. We are not sure what other measures Dumbledore has taken to watch over your family. Once we have checked everything out we will have a moving company send your items to you." John explained to the shocked Dursleys. The plan was to have Dobby and Winky check over everything and then magically send it to them but Mr. Granger did not feel the need to explain that part of Remus Lupins' plan to them since magic made them so uncomfortable.
"I'll arrange everything at the office then and hopefully we can be gone in a couple of weeks." Vernon said in a business like tone. Now more than ever, he wanted his family shot of the magical world. He felt violated and a bit unsafe in his own home after all of the revelations this evening. Petunia was nodding in approval from her perch on the edge of the sofa.
Understanding that everything that needed to taken care of was finished, John Granger slid the signed drill contract over to Vernon Dursley with a list of the contacts in Australia. "We can handle the sale of your house for you. That way people will have a harder time tracking you once you are gone. If you would like, we can have someone visit you in your new home and provide some protections for you too. Thank you for your time and a wonderful meal. It was a pleasure doing business with you."
After shaking both of their hands The Grangers left the house, climbed into the rented Mercedes, and headed off to meet Remus in London to retrieve their own car. Remus Lupin had rented the car to prevent anyone tracing it to the Grangers.
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