The Shadows Solace Book I: The Growing Years Prequel

Chapter I: The First Steps

Another hour and a half later, Petunia had bathed, dressed, eaten and prepared herself mentally for what she was about to do. She was nervous; magic had always made her a little edgy, but she had never outright feared the gift. She eyed her son softly and wondered if he would be there for Harry when they got older.

Unlike how she had not been there for Lily; when her sister might have needed her to be.

She fed the boys, changed them and dressed them. Harry was a bit difficult since he was somewhat smaller than her son. She would need to get him some clothes for himself among other things.

Vernon then came down and she eyed him critically. His clothes were muggle ones, as they didn't own robes and were not expected to, but at least he had come down in dress slacks and a nice shirt versus jeans.

"I don't know where the place is exactly; it is invisible to me, but I know roughly where we need to go. Harry's presence will enable me to see it when we go, but you should be warned that we will have to be careful about telling people who he is. I don't want to attract too much attention to us." She said soft

Vernon nodded, "I agree. Dudley's safety as much as Harry's is in our hands. What are we going to do once we get there?"

Petunia considered, "The first thing I think we should do is go to Gringotts. The wizard's bank, and to see what was left of Harry's estate. James was from old money in their world; I don't know how wealthy he was, but I know there should be something left. We need to see that he isn't left in dark about what he has."

She then scowled, "There are those in his world who would try to take advantage of him being a toddler and seize control of his assets. I want to ensure they can't."

Tom was surprised to hear that; she wanted to protect what was Harry's and did not think to take it for herself? He was beginning to like this woman, even if for a muggle.

She then scowled further, "I also do not trust some of the witches and wizards to do what is in Harry's best interest. Dumbledore for one; James and Lily trusted him, and now they are dead. I do not think he is the main cause, but as with all things; he played a part."

"I only met the Headmaster once when I was visiting Lily, and while he seems like a good man outwardly as he tries his best; there was something to him that made me shiver and wish to be away from him.

I think he will want to try and take charge of Harry later. I cannot allow it to happen. Lily is dead and James with her; their son is all I have of them. He needs to walk his path on his own terms, Vernon. No one should ever tell us how to walk or when."

She talked softly as they walked to the car, "I need to find out what is going on in that world. There should have been people who would care for him if Lily and James died; though not directly blood related."

He nodded, "We'll find out Petunia. I think we are owed some answers. Even if they are ones that others do not want us to have."

--

The journey to the city was quiet; Petunia lost in thoughts as Vernon concentrated on driving. Harry sat in Petunia's lap and slept most of the way. She held him gently and was concerned as to his sleeping. She didn't know if it was normal or because of something magical that affected him after the attack.

Dudley was quiet in the back and merely was amused by the scenery that went by.

When they finally made it and Vernon parked along the street as directed; Petunia cradled Harry to her chest and eyed the roads warily before crossing. Vernon followed her with Dudley secured in his arms.

She eyed the building she now could see; it didn't look like much, but she knew better than to take it at first glance. Magic could be used to deceive.

She hesitantly reached out and pulled door open as she stepped inside for the first time. Vernon close behind and watching warily. She slowly walked in and noticed all the people with a grimace as did her husband.

She noticed Harry began to wake and hoped that no one recognized his eyes. They were so like Lily's that it was almost too good to hope.

"Good day madame, are you lost or need help?" The man behind the counter asked her

She stepped to him with hesitant smile, "I suppose I need some. I need to get to the alley."

He was confused, "Do you not know how?"

Her smile tightened, "I know it is here, but I am not a witch. My nephew is the wizard here; he was left to my care when my sister died recently."

The man then seemed contrite, "I am sorry for your loss madame. Allow me to apologize and show you to the entry. I am Tom, and I am the innkeeper for the Leaky Cauldron. If you need anything at all, do not hesitate to ask."

She nodded and followed him carefully. She noted the eyes that had followed her and instantly quickened her pace.

They watched in a marvel as Tom used his wand to tap the bricks and then the wall separated. The sight that greeted them was one that had caused great surprise. Tom toothily smiled to their shock and merely asked where they were headed.

He then pointed them to the large white stone building that was Gringotts and warned them that goblins ran it, so try not to stare.

Vernon was quiet, "I suppose this makes this more real. I don't know or not if I was hoping it wasn't; but, this is definitely more real than I anticipated."

Petunia nodded, "Come on, we need to move before the others in there try to follow us."

They walked as calm as they could and tried to seem like they had every right to be there; to not stand out. It was hard though; too many things that didn't make sense surrounded them. Vernon was almost fascinated somewhat by all these magical items but kept his face blank otherwise.

Petunia was more curious; she had known of this hidden world that her sister belonged to but hadn't really seen it. She knew why her sister loved it. It was so...enchanting, as cliché as it sounded.

As they entered the white marble halls of the wizard bank, they both forced themselves to remain stoic as they approached the teller goblin in a line. They took time to observe and noticed that goblins were not really anything like they would have read about. This meant they needed to keep what they thought under wraps. They could not assume anything and couldn't afford to offend them without meaning to.

Petunia then approached slowly, and her eyes wandered the hall warily, "I need to speak to someone privately about matters that require great discretion."

The goblin eyed her unblinkingly, "And what matters are those?"

She ground her teeth tightly, "Matters of a familial kind to someone who recently was put into my care because of circumstances out of his control."

The goblin then eyed her and then the child. Harry briefly open his eyes and the emerald coloring had caused the goblin to pause. He gazed to the boy's forehead when he yawned and saw the brief flash of the scar there.

The goblin nodded, "I see. We will accept your request as we have been trying to contact Headmaster Dumbledore for information about what you seek. He has tried to delay it. These matters are confidential, so there is no one outside here who should know of this unless they already did."

The teller then eyed the room, "Griphook, please show the Lady to Account Manager Ironfist, if you would."

Petunia and Vernon watched as a smaller goblin scurried forward and bowed, "If the good sir and madame would follow me?" He asked

Petunia noddedsilently and did as he asked. Vernon following her and not knowing what tothink of all this yet. They both prayed that someone here would be able toanswer their questions, since it seemed unlikely that the headmaster would now.