Claire looked down at Harry, her posture firm but her voice gentle. "Harry Potter, my name is Claire Thompson, and I work for the British government." She let the words settle, then continued evenly, "I take care of children who have been in situations like yours." She knelt down so they were at eye level. "Would you please lift your shirt for just a second so I can take a look?" Her tone softened further. "I promise you I'll protect you if anything happens, okay?"
Petunia reacted instantly. "Harry Potter, don't you dare do that!" She grabbed his arm, fingers digging in. "You can't trust this woman. We're leaving right now."
Claire straightened and turned sharply towards her, her voice going cold. "You'd better not move an inch if you don't want to spend the rest of your life in jail."
Petunia froze. The color drained from her face, her body beginning to tremble. Harry looked between them, his voice barely audible. "You… you really work for the government?"
"That's right," Claire said, nodding once. She looked back at him, her expression steady and kind. "My job is to make sure children like you are properly cared for and cherished—just like they should be."
Harry hesitated, then nodded. "Okay… all right." Slowly, he lifted his shirt. The injuries were immediately visible: deep welts and dark bruises layered over older marks, ribs sharply defined from prolonged malnutrition, with several burn marks and scars along the side of his chest. Claire's jaw tightened.
"All right, Harry. You can put your shirt down."
He did, his hands shaking. "What should I do now, Miss Claire?"
She smiled gently. "Now you can come with me, dear." She rested a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You'll never have to endure this kind of treatment again."
Petunia's composure shattered. "No—no! You can't do this! You can't take him!"
Claire turned to her calmly. "What is your first and last name?"
"P-Petunia… Petunia Dursley."
Claire nodded once. "Miss Petunia Dursley, I am with Child Protective Services here in London." Her voice remained level. "I also run an orphanage for children who are victims of abuse or who have been found without parents." She straightened. "Today, you are losing custody of Harry Potter." Petunia gasped. "By the authority vested in me as a government employee, I am placing Harry Potter under my emergency protection effective immediately." Claire's eyes narrowed. "This child is suffering from long-term abuse, burn injuries, and starvation." She added, colder now, "I'll be taking him to the clinic, and within the next few hours, you can expect a visit from the police." She leaned in slightly. "You should hire yourself a good lawyer. You're looking at serious prison time."
Claire bent back down to Harry. "Harry, why don't you come with me?" Her tone brightened just a little. "We'll get you fixed up. You'll have all the food you want." She added, gently teasing, "I'll even buy you some ice cream on the way."
Raven stepped forward. "Miss Claire, why don't you give him the cotton candy you were going to give me?"
Claire looked surprised. "Are you sure, Raven? That was for you."
Raven nodded firmly. "Uh-huh. I think he deserves it."
I didn't expect things to go this way. I was planning to watch this Harry Potter kid from the shadows. But who asked that Petunia woman to beat him so badly? Even I won't stand by while a child is hurt. Raven glanced at Harry. If he stays with me, I can keep an eye on him. And if someone's tracking him like I suspect, I'll find them myself.
Claire turned back to Petunia. "Miss Dursley, I suggest you have a pleasant day." Her voice stayed cool. "I also advise you not to leave town. You'll only make things worse for yourself if you do."
Petunia collapsed to the ground, stunned. Claire turned to Harry and extended her hand. "Why don't you give me your hand, Harry? Raven and I will take you to the clinic."
He hesitated. "Are you sure, Miss Claire? Can I really just… leave?"
Claire met his eyes. "Do you want to go back, Harry?"
He shook his head. "No." He swallowed. "I just… don't know where to go. I'm scared."
"Then come with us, dear." She gestured toward Raven. "You can think of Raven as your sister."
Harry nodded shyly. "Okay… Miss Claire."
Claire let out a small, warm laugh. "Just Claire Thompson—or Miss Claire, like Raven calls me."
"All right, Miss Claire."
Raven's mouth curved up with quiet amusement as she looked at him. "Looks like I have a new playmate."
Claire smiled. "Come on, Raven. Let's go."
They walked out of the snake enclosure together, leaving Petunia behind. A moment later, Petunia scrambled to her feet, panic overtaking her. "No—no! I have to tell Vernon about this!" She muttered frantically, "We need a lawyer. We need the authorities. What if those… magical people find out he's gone?" She ran straight into Dudley.
"Mom! Did you deal with Harry?"
"Shut up! This is all your fault!" She grabbed Dudley's arm hard. "Come with me. We have to find your father—now!"
Join my patreon today to read my patreon exclusive stories like Raven from the teen titans Goes To Hogwarts or Iron Maiden featuring Talia Ivory Stark as the Iron Maiden.
Zero Fall featuring a high school teenager named Crystal Constantine who is the reincarnated queen of Atlantis with the power of ice that can literally freeze time or Rem Of The Remembrance Or my new Yuri Naruto novel featuring a female Naruto and Sasuke in love with eachother with Sayuri Uzumaki now 6 years old starting the Ninja Academy with a gamer system and her.
My new patreon exclusive Fire Fall Embers Of Creation featuring Scarlett Whitmore an immortal vampire with the power of Nirvana Flame. Or read my new story DD: The Immortal Life Of Bibi Dong a patreon exclusive Bibi has lived three lifetimes and has been reborn on the Douluo Continent as an immortal cultivator and soul master.
Join for only 3 to 5$ to read up to chapter 91 of this story in advance today.
patreon.com/everstone