Harry Potter's Aunt (WTM)

Part Two

 LEAKY CAULDRON - NIGHT

[As the Knight Bus rockets off, Tom and Harry are revealed, Harry glances up, reads the sign above: The Leaky Cauldron. Tom drags Harry's trunk inside, then pauses and, with a flick of his wand, silences the car alarm.]

--

 LEAKY CAULDRON - BAR/HALLWAY 

[Harry trails Tom through the quiet room. The bartender glances up, his gaze lingering perhaps a bit too long. A solitary wizard reads a book while, at his elbow, his coffee cup stirs itself. Tom leads Harry upstairs.] 

"Salazar, this is giving me anxiety," Evan whispered to Barty. "Like, the dude could be leaving Potter Jr to his death."

"Evan, you're giving me anxiety."

--

LEAKY CAULDRON - BACK ROOM 

[As Harry follows Tom inside, he finds a snowy white owl perched atop a chair.]

HARRY: Hedwig! 

TOM: Right smart bird you've got there, Mr. Potter. Arrived only minutes before yourself. 

[A man clears his throat. Harry turns, finds a pinstriped silhouette at the window, staring at the ghostly shadows beyond. Harry's reflection shivers in the glass, but the man doesn't turn. Tom takes a position against the wall, fishes a pair of walnuts from his pocket and -- CRACK -- crushes the shells between his palms.]

CORNELIUS FUDGE: I should tell you, Mr. Potter, earlier this evening your uncle's sister was located just south of Sheffield, circling a chimney stack. The Accidental Magic Reversal Department was dispatched and she's been properly punctured and her memory modified. She has no recollection of the incident whatsoever. 

Harry muttered under his breath, "And what a shame that was."

Val looked at him and winked.

[Harry waits. A man condemned. Then Fudge turns.]

 CORNELIUS FUDGE: So that's that, and no harm done. (smiling) Pea soup? 

Peter turns green. James had once dared him to try it. He wouldn't wish it on anyone, not even Snivellous.

[Harry glances warily from the steaming tureen of green to Tom, who works a grimy thumb into his gum, frees a walnut sliver.]

HARRY: No thank you. Minister... I don't understand. I broke the law. Underage wizards aren't allowed to use magic at home -- 

CORNELIUS FUDGE: (dishing up a bowl) Oh, come now, Harry. The Ministry doesn't send people to Azkaban for blowing up their aunts! On the other hand... running away like that... given the state of things... very, very irresponsible. 

HARRY: 'The state of things' sir? 

CORNELIUS FUDGE: We have a killer on the loose. 

HARRY: Sirius Black, you mean. But...what's that got to do with me? 

"Everything." The Future chorused.

Lily and James shared a look. Val stifled a laugh. Of course her nephew got into danger. He was a Potter after all, and they positively attracted trouble.

[CRACK! Tom shatters another walnut. ]

[Fudge smiles nervously.]

CORNELIUS FUDGE: Hm? Oh, nothing. You're safe, that's what matters. Tomorrow you'll be on your way to Hogwarts. These are your new school books. I took the liberty of having them brought here for you.