The Contract

Chapter 11

August twenty-fifth did not start of well for either Harry or Corvus, although it infuriated Corvus far more than Harry. Due to the fact that Harry trusted Corvus to keep him safe, and acknowledge that between the goblins and the wizard himself, if they said there was nothing Dumbledore could do he would believe it. Plus, he had read everything he could get his hands on, from information about magical custodians to the Betrothal contracts. Even if Dumbledore did try to contest it, it wouldn't matter, Harry had an ace up his sleeve that would see Dumbledore completely ruined.

Added to the fact a lot of power Dumbledore used to have was no longer at his disposal. It wouldn't be easy gathering the backing he would need to change anything.

As normal, Corvus reminded Harry to take his potions, watched him consume them, breakfast was brought through and they ate at a calm sedate pace neither in any rush. Harry would find it difficult to finish it, due to the fact a little more was added to his plate. Once it was cleared away, Corvus was read the Daily Prophet, which was where their breakfast differed this day.

Blazoned across the front was 'Harry Potter: Boy-Who-Lived - Missing'

Corvus' ire was immediately roused, how dare he? This was his play? Trying to get him to come forward to prove Harry wasn't missing? Trying to find out who his Betrothed and new magical guardian was? Did Dumbledore seriously expect something like this to work? It was time to get his lawyer to intervene.

"It looks like Dumbledore has made a play," Corvus said, his voice deceptively calm. "Why don't you read the newspaper, I have someone I need to call." Handing over the newspaper, standing up he gave Harry a reassuring nod before he exited the dining room, heading straight for his office to call upon his lawyers services.

"Okay," Harry agreed, reading through the information on the front page, before going to the full blown article. He stared in disbelief as he read it, half of it was utter bullshit. Well, all of it was bullshit, but the rest...was completely made up! Not being there for his home visit? Always looked forward to it? What the actual fuck?

Hearing footsteps, Harry's head snapped up, it was only Corvus returning, "This says Dumbledore visited me once a month each month...that I look forward to his visits...what the actual fuck is he trying to do?"

"Language," Corvus stated firmly, "Never let anyone have you resorting to foul language like a common hooligan. It just confirms what everyone knows, that they've got to you, made you angry."

Harry flushed his eyes staring at the table, "Sorry," he said, ashamed of himself.

"It's fine, I can understand your anger, but never let anyone realize they're getting to you," Corvus lowered his voice to a soothing lilt, not wishing Harry to think he was angry or disappointed in him. He didn't know better after all, and Corvus was there to teach him, and he would continue to do so.

"He's lying! How can I just let him away with it?" Harry pointed out, trying to keep his voice even, failing only a little.

Corvus nodded in approval, much better, he was doing good for an eleven-year-old. "There is one thing you must learn about the newspapers. They accept lies, they stretch the truth just to publish information sometimes to the point of incredulity. Now, my lawyer is going to retrieve the information required to find out who did the actual interview and who the interviewee was."

"But isn't that against the law?" Harry asked, a frown marring his features. "Writing my name in the newspaper?"

"It is, most people elect to sue the papers for such kitschy displays, so that they're forced to withdraw their words, and lose a great deal of profit as well. Others don't have the means or the knowhow to prevent someone just writing lies about them and let it continue." Corvus explained easily enough.