Never Return

It was Friday in the evening in magical Britain. Bernard stepped out of the Visitor's Entrance as he was now in the Atrium. He checked the time. It was around noon in Gotham. The only no-maj news Bernard found out today was that the Dursleys were taken into custody because of child abuse allegations and there was a lawsuit against them. Bernard knew it was Tim's doing, but he was glad that it was going well. He wasn't sure how much Tim found, but he hoped it was enough for the authorities to make Bernard Harry's muggle guardian.

However, he hasn't heard anything from the New York Ghost. Which was odd because the story of Harry Potter being missing would hit all over the world. Bernard was glad Hermione suspected something like this. He owed her big time. In fact, he was impressed how much she caught on just by reading the news. He didn't even suspected that. He just thought that everyone would be against Dumbledore's bullshit and let the news out. Maybe he could ask Tim to give Hermione an internship at W.E.

"Bernard!" a voice called out.

Bernard turned and smiled. "Amelia, hi! How was the Wizengamont meeting yesterday?"

"Splendid! Dumbledore agreed with all points. It's just that we're focusing on Harry Potter more at the moment. He even agreed to get rid of the blood quills too." 

Bernard noticed from the last part, she didn't sound very convinced. Bernard kept his face calm. He didn't want to draw suspicion that he contacted his folks to let the news out. Bernard wasn't sure what Dumbledore was thinking, but the only thing Bernard could think was that the old headmaster tweaked the contacts. Although, he wasn't sure how would Dumbledore make the rest of the leaders stay quiet. That would be impossible.

If Dumbledore somehow did...the headmaster could face so many lawsuits from around the world. Not only that, but it would make the British wizarding community look bad. It would explain so much why the whole world wouldn't know about Harry's disappearance. Was Dumbledore really going to break so many laws just to keep quiet on one person and control him?

"Where do you like to go first?" Amelia questioned. 

Bernard's eyes lit up. "Can we go to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement? I remember my mom telling me she used to worked there before she moved."

Amelia nodded. "Of course. Follow me."

Then they went to an elevator as it took them many directions. Amelia told him that the Department of Magical Law Enforcement was in Level 2. When they were in the Atrium, it was on Level 8. It only took around a few minutes or so when they got to Level 2. Amelia explained the history of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to him. Bernard already knew the history since Charlotte did wanted him to learn his British heritage, but he kept quiet. After all, this was his reward for catching Pettigrew.

"Charlotte used to be the head of the auror department," Amelia explained. "She did became head of the Law Enforcement, but that quickly changed when she became Senior Undersecretary of the Ministry of Magic. Charlotte was considered to be the next Minister, but she resigned and of course moved to MACUSA."

Bernard chuckled. Yeah, Amelia didn't need to go into detailed why. Bernard knew a lot of things his mom moved, aside from marrying his dad. Besides, Bernard knew what happened after that. Charlotte ended up working in the higher ups in MACUSA, became a well known famous auror, and one point she was vice president. After that, she retired as an auror and became head of the Department of Undefinable Magical Objects. Funny enough, despite being a retired auror, they still wanted his mother to train the new aurors and as well as sometimes participate in the President's meetings.

Then they stopped. On the walls were photos of the past head aurors. Bernard's eyes widened as he saw his mother's picture. Unlike what she looked now, this younger version of his mom had her hair down in a messy ponytail. She still wore her round glasses, though. She looked no younger than in her early twenties, probably. The picture of his young mom saw him and smiled. It was like as if she recognized him as her son. Bernard couldn't help it and smiled back, waving at his young mom.

"So where do you want to go next, Bernard?" Amelia asked. "After you choose this one, I'm going to choose where we go after that."

"The Department of Mysteries!" Bernard answered.

Amelia pursed her lips. "Okay, but you'll need to listen to me when we go in there. That department, listens to little authority. Don't touch anything!"

Bernard nodded. "I understand."

Bernard had heard of that department. He didn't know much about it. Even his mom knew nothing munch of it when she worked there. She only told him that it's a department that the Unspeakables worked. When they got there, the Department of Mysteries was on Level 9. As Bernard and Amelia entered, Bernard noticed how dark the department was. Everything was black and there weren't any handles on the door too. The only light in the department were small blue candles. Bernard felt like he was in underwater. He lit his wand, trying to brightened the room up. Even Amelia had her wand lit up too.

"I can't tell you much about this department aside it's highly classified," Amelia said. "We shouldn't stay here too long. Anyway, in this department, the Unspeakables study thins like death, space, thought, love, and other things. They even have reordered prophecies. The Unspeakables work with seers and other people that seemed magical. Their magic is similar, but different. You probably heard of them in the muggle telly."

Bernard knew who she was talking about right away. He knew Tim worked with other magical people in the Justice League. At the time before Bernard told Tim that he was a wizard, he didn't realized how much the public was that accepting of magical folks. Although it did made sense, since they had people like the Green Lantern and Superman. Bernard could only guessed why the wizarding world would still hid the fact that they exist when only the Justice League or anyone associating with the Justice League were allowed to know and no one else.

Amelia showed him some of the rooms. There was a room where it showed space, a room full of time-turners, a room for brains, and there was even a love potion too. Bernard shuddered at the time-turners and the love potions. He always thought those things should be illegal. The time-turner could be a good use if used well. The love potion...well they got Voldemort out of it.

"This is the Hall of Prophecy," Amelia said.

"Do these prophecies ever come true?" Bernard asked.

Amelia shrugged. "I'm not sure, really. I guess it depends on the person."

Then they walked around. While they were walking, Bernard walked a bit slower. He noticed that each prophecy had someone's name on it. In school, Bernard was told that Divination was a useless class and an easy O. Even Tim wondered why they wizarding schools have Divination when it's basically useless. To be fair, Bernard was only skeptical. There were some things he believed, but there were others he didn't.

As he kept walking, he stopped. Turning to his side, Bernard saw a name: Harry J. Potter.

Eyes widened, Bernard's jaw dropped. Harry...has a prophecy about him? Bernard looked over at Amelia who was far away. Quickly, Bernard made his light disappeared. He leaned over, close enough, so that way he wouldn't touch it. Bernard was sure that the prophecies were highly secured.

The prophecy spoke, "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives... The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies..."

Bernard frowned. What does that mean? Usually, Bernard could handle riddles, but this...maybe he should ask someone...somehow. However, Bernard knew one thing, this prophecy might be the reason why Voldemort went after Harry and his family. If this was the case...then how did Voldemort knew about the prophecy?

"Bernard?!" Amelia called.

"Coming!" Bernard replied back. "Sorry, I thought I saw something!"

Bernard followed the light as he headed over to Amelia. She looked a bit worried, but Bernard gave her a smile of assurance. Then the two continued their tour, but Bernard looked back at the prophecy as he couldn't stop thinking of why his baby cousin was involved.

When Bernard got back to Grimmauld Place, he begun pacing back and forth. As much as the rest of the tour of the Ministry of Magic was interesting, but Bernard couldn't stop thinking of what he just discovered.

Bernard really wished he did stole the prophecy, but he knew he couldn't. He didn't want to risk foreign lawsuits against him. Not only that he didn't want to ruin his reputation that he worked so hard for. However, the prophecy...how did Voldemort knew about it? Bernard knew it has to be his Death Eaters, but who? Bernard wasn't sure, but he knew there were other ways for Harry to see the prophecy without going to the Department of Mysteries. Bernard held his wand to his temple as he pulled a silvery substance. He placed the memory in a vial. Bernard may not have the prophecy in person, but that doesn't mean he has other ways to show it to Harry.

Luckily, he knows someone in Gotham who has a pensive.

~OoO~

It was Friday in the afternoon in Gotham. At least nine hours apart from Britain.

Tim was in the Batcave, contacting his best lawyers to see if there were any updates on the Dursleys and there were. There was so much evidence on child abuse on Harry and it was pretty much like a buffet line of evidence, which was a good thing. The no-maj news already got it out that the Dursleys were suspected of child abuse for the past thirteen years.

Smirking, Tim leaned against his seat, taking a sip of his coffee. "They're not even trying to hide it. Those idiots."

Tim even found out that there was even a no-maj version of the Potter's will too. From what Tim read on the non-magical will, the Potters do wanted Charlotte and Bernard to have no-maj custody over Harry if anything happens to them. Tim figured since Sirius Black was supposed to be Harry's magical guardian, they wanted someone who knows tons about the no-maj world and give Harry a no-maj education before he goes to Hogwarts. Which made sense since Bernard did go to both no-maj school and Ilvermorny. The Potters were probably inspired by the Dowds and considering the fact that Lily Potter is a no-maj born, she likely wanted Harry to have some form of no-maj education.

Tim knew that the sooner the Dursleys were dealt with the sooner Bernard could have no-maj custody. Tim estimated that everything should be done by Monday. Tim even made sure the news will be on no-maj papers on both British and American. It's best that Harry and Sirius know. Tim wasn't sure how isolated they put themselves away from the wizarding world, but they should at least keep up with the current news. However, the sooner Tim finished his emails, the sooner he'll look for Harry and Sirius. While he was emailing the lawyers, in the corner of his eyes, Bruce, while in his Batman suit walked in. Bruce took off his mask and he looked a bit concerned. Frowning, Tim lowered his laptop.

"Something wrong, B?" Tim asked.

"I just got word from the Justice League," Bruce said. "The League of Assassins...they've been attacked. Everyone's dead and there were only a couple survivors."

"Who survived?" Tim asked.

"Ras and Talia al Ghul," Bruce answered. "The Justice League put them in their own cells, but...they seemed very traumatized and are speaking strangely."

Tim stopped typing. "What do you mean?"

"They kept saying something about a dark lord," Bruce sighed. "I'm not sure what they meant, but the Justice League and I did an autopsy on the bodies and...there was nothing. No wounds or anything. It looked like they were put to sleep. Also...the Lazarus Pits are gone too. Nothing remains. We're letting them calm down first. Not sure how long that'll take. I'm keeping this from Damian for now. After Ras and Talia calmed down, we'll let him know."

Tim remained calm as he could. The only "dark lord" he heard of was from Bernard. Voldemort aka, wizard Hitler. The thing was that Voldemort was gone...or at least that's what the wizarding world thought. However from all of Tim's years of being Robin and Red Robin, he knew that if there wasn't no body, then he was probably alive. On the other hand, Tim knew keeping secrets from Damian was a bad thing. Damian hated to be kept in the dark, but in this case...Tim wanted to look deeper into it.

As much as he wanted to tell Bernard what he just discovered, but he couldn't yet. He needed more evidence if Voldemort was really the one who stole the Lazarus Pits. From what Bernard told him, the al Ghuls used to be one of the famous potions masters in wizarding history. Bernard doesn't know anything about the Lazarus Pits, but he did told Tim that it goes against the laws of the wizarding world. Tim knew he wasn't a wizard, but he knew enough where he could talk to a wizard. If Ras and Talia won't tell, then maybe they might tell someone who knows about the wizarding community.

Besides from what Tim knew Zatanna, Constantine, Raven, and all of their magic users were off planet at the moment. Tim's the only one who knows fully about the wizarding world. Tim knew Bruce and the others knew about the secret wizarding society, but they're not allowed to know more about it. The wizarding world likes to be kept a secret after all. Tim only knew because Bernard a literal wizard and told him. Sure Tim could asked Poison Ivy and Scarecrow to talk to the al Ghuls, but Tim was sure that Bruce wouldn't like that.

"Do you mind if I talk to them?" Tim asked.

Bruce raised a brow. "Are you sure, Tim?"

Tim nodded. "Positive."

Bruce pursed his lips. "I'll schedule a meeting. It might take a while, though."

"Of course. Psychological shock is no joke."

"I'll let them know."

With that, Bruce contacted the Justice League, changed out of his Batman suit, and left. Tim crossed his arms. If Voldemort was the one who attacked the League, then he might use it to regain his power. Since the pits is technically a one big large potion, Tim wouldn't be surprised if there was more to the pits than what the al Ghuls were letting on. If the pits caused someone like Jason - a pure no-maj to come back to live and go insane...what about a wizard who's barely alive and is already insane? What more could the pits do than just living longer and bringing someone back to life?

Right away, Tim opened a notebook, writing down his theories and taking out some wizarding books that Bernard let him borrowed. It was a potions textbook, a book about dark magic, and a book about rituals. Tim knew he needed to theorized carefully. If he's going to talk to the al Ghuls about the wizarding world, then Tim needed to be prepared on what's going to ask them.

~OoO~

When Charlotte got an owl from her son, it was in the afternoon. She was already home with her husband. They were in her house in a small wizarding town in the countryside of New York. The same house where she lived after they divorced the first time, but Charlotte still kept the house, only using it for vacation purposes. The two were cooking together, the muggle way, which Charlotte does enjoyed. She found cooking like a muggle was magical than using magic. It was like potions. Charlotte took the letter and opened it. Eyes widened she gasped.

Mom,

I could only explained this much, but Dumbledore was the cause of this. He kept blocking our mail and everything else to keep Harry isolated. Uncle Sirius was framed and was put into Azkaban for twelve years without a trial, but he escaped. Harry is missing. Someone put his name in the Goblet of Fire. All I know is that he's with Uncle Sirius. Also, it turned out that Harry's life was always endangered, even before he started Hogwarts. There are things I want you to do.

1. Remembered that letter Uncle James and Aunt Lily gave you before we left? See if it's open.

2. Contact the New York Ghost and let them know that Harry Potter is missing and everything. Contact others if you want to.

3. I attached a list of...well everything that happened to Harry in the last thirteen years. So you can tell the New York Ghost

4. I already owl Grandma Dorea and Grandpa Charlus. They should get their mail by the time you got yours. I gave them the same instructions.

Dumbledore was the one who kept us in the dark. He's trying to make sure the news of Harry is isolated and doesn't know us. If the New York Ghost only covers Harry's disappearance right now, then let them know more what Dumbledore was doing. Sadly, he's Harry's magical guardian and not Uncle Sirius. I'm going to try to see if I could get a lawsuit against Dumbledore and the Ministry. I'm meeting with a lawyer on Monday. Mom, if you're able to open that letter and whatever it says...do what you can. I already let Tim know to look for Harry and Uncle Sirius. Hopefully, by the time I get back, Harry knows I'm looking for him. I'll let you know more on what's going on. I will be coming home to Gotham on Wednesday. I have a one way plane trip for Tuesday night.

See you soon!

-Your favorite son, Bernard

Charlotte snorted at the last part. Bernard knew that he was her only son and love to saw how he's her favorite and all. Charlotte set the letter down and looked at the list that Bernard told her. As she read over it, her eyes widened. How could someone do this to a child?! She heard no news of her nephew's disappearance. Charlotte couldn't believe this was happening. Children are sacred in the wizarding world. All this time Dumbledore was lying to her face.

"That bloody old bastard!" Charlotte cursed.

She never liked living in magical Britain after she graduated from Hogwarts. She used to trust Dumbledore because both of her cousins trusted him. Why hide everything from everyone? This doesn't make any sense. It was like as if Dumbledore thought he had everything under control. Even if muggles knew about the wizarding world, he would still won't get help from them.

Charlotte even knew that for a fact that the muggles around the world know about magical heroes. The only thing Charlotte could guessed was that the magical world thought they were above muggles and deserved not to know about them... well, only the British magical community. The rest of the magical world does want to let the world know about them for those reasons. If the wizarding world let the muggle world knew, it would be beneficial since the wizarding world could help these vigilantes on imprisoning their rogues. The wizarding world does have top notch security.

Also, Charlotte knew that the muggles in America already knew about magic, ever since Superman. It just slowly took a while for the wizarding community to accept it the fact. After that many American wizards want to live freely without hiding their magic. Charlotte only knew why the world was keeping quiet was because all wizarding communities had to agree. The only way it could pass without Britain's vote would be the ICW. Sadly, the Supreme Mugwump is Dumbledore, so that'll be hard to get it passed unless he gets removed. However, from what Bernard sent her...this might be it.

However, Charlotte knew that some people in the wizarding community would hate to live among muggles because of how muggles won't be able to understand them. Charlotte did find it hypocritical since all magical schools have muggle studies. If somehow, Dumbledore would be voted out of his title of Supreme Mugwump, whoever ended up being the next Supreme Mugwump, they'll be able to have muggle schools to have wizard studies. Charlotte had seen Bernard study a culture and speak a foreign language without using magic. It can be done.

"Is there something wrong, honey?" her husband, Bennett asked.

"Bernard sent me a letter," Charlotte explained. "It's urgent."

Bennett blinked. "Please tell me he didn't get himself into any trouble."

Charlotte pursed his lips "Luckily, he's not" she handed the letter to her husband. "Here and read it. I have a letter to find."

Bennett nodded and Charlotte headed upstairs. She waved her wand as a book flew to her hand. At once the bookshelf opened itself. Charlotte marched into her wizarding room and went through the drawers. When she got the letter, she stared at it. Charlotte pursed her lips. She didn't feel anything on the letter like she did when she first got it. With a deep breath, she tried to open it. The paper ripped, causing her to gasped. Charlotte opened it and took out the letter.

Charlie,

By the time you read this letter, Harry is in the safehouse. Secretly, we knew Dumbledore didn't like the fact that we made you and Bernard Harry's second magical guardian and muggle guardian. It wasn't hard to figure out since he kept insisting as well as borrowing my cloak. Lily and I have made a secret safehouse for Harry in case if he ever need it. Sirius knows about it. Lily and I tweaked the wards a bit so only muggles could see it and not any wizards. Sirius is the secret keeper of the house. When Harry enters the house, you are automatically the secondary secret keeper. I wanted to add Bernard as the third, but he's only eight. Sirius will let him, though. When Bernard's older. You know how Sirius adores your son. He always called him his favorite nephew, even though there is that Malfoy boy.

I don't know what would happen to Harry, but hopefully it wasn't too drastic and Sirius has magical guardianship over Harry. In case if he doesn't...well I'm not surprised if Dumbledore was involved. Hopefully you and Bernard are taking care of him. Lily and I thought we could trust the old man, but he was giving us both...odd vibes as the muggles would say. So we were cautious about our safehouse. You can sent letters to the house. I made sure the wards has your signature on it.

I didn't tell Sirius about how much I tweaked the wards. I only assured him that the wards was safe enough where no wizard and witch will find them. The wards are controlled by Lily and I. When Harry is seventeen, he can control the wards and do what he likes to it.

Anyway, thank you for visiting us. It was getting too quiet and I thought I might go insane. Even when Lily and I are gone, I hope you visit soon. You know how much Harry and Bernard adored each other. Harry is even trying to say Bernard's name.

-Your cousin, James

Charlotte's eyes widened. She reread the second paragraph again. Can she try to sent a letter to Sirius by only addressing the house alone? James's letter did say that it has her signature to it. Charlotte didn't want to risk Dumbledore figuring out she tried to contact Sirius again, but considering the fact that the wards on the safehouse might be different from the mail block charm that Dumbledore did...she might be able to try.

Quickly, Charlotte grabbed a pen and paper as she wrote down her letter.

Sirius,

I opened the letter from James. Bernard knew what happened to Harry. He's in Britain right now because of his curse-breaking job, but he will be back on Wednesday. I'm not sure what Bernard found out, but he will tell you. Right now, I'm too preoccupied because of work, but there is one person you can talk to. Bernard's boyfriend, Tim Drake. He's a muggle, but he knows about the wizarding world and you can trust him. He's actually looking for you and Harry right now.

Talk to you soon!

-Your cousin, Charlotte

Charlotte quickly put the letter in an envelope, wrote the address, and attached it to her owl. Sadly, Charlotte's beloved owl is a Northern Saw-Whet owl, meaning he a very small. She didn't had any other owl aside from him. He's been with her since Hogwarts. Also the owl that delivered Bernard's letter was from the Diagon Alley Owl Post, so she couldn't really use them and risk the location of the safehouse. Also Bernard's owl was in his mansion in Gotham. Why her son didn't bothered to bring his owl was questionable, but she had a feeling he asked Tim to watch his owl for him.

Charlotte watched her owl flew into the sunset. Even though she was at her house in Massachusetts, but she reckon it might take a day or two, depending how well hidden the safehouse is. Charlotte just prayed for Merlin that she won't get the letter back.

As Charlotte got out her phone, she dialed a number - a personal number to head of the New York Ghost - a good half-blood friend she made when Charlotte got her magical and non magical American citizenship. Charlotte owed her a lot and she knew her friend would appreciate a good story. After all, her friend is American, but she has extended family in Britain who she doesn't like. She pretends that she only shared a name and not being related to them. Luckily, her friend's British side disowned her father for marrying a muggle. After all, the Malfoy's do support the whole pureblood and Voldemort stuff. It had sense why her friend didn't want to be associated with them.

"Hello?" a strong Texan accent spoke through the phone.

"Hey Juno, it's Charlie," Charlotte greeted. "Listen, I got a good story for you and you might want to take notes."

Juno chuckled. "I'm listening."

~OoO~

It was noon when Harry got off of work on Friday. His manager let him leave early because they were over the amount of hours, which was understandable. Harry didn't mind as long as he got paid. He packed his belongings and headed out of the cafe, walking to the direction of his home. Harry couldn't stop smiling. He was going to meet Damian at the park. However, Damian has school, so Harry knew he would have to wait a bit.

When Harry got home, he took a shower and changed into something more comfortable. He let Hedwig fly out for her daily meal. Then he sat at the living room to watch some cartoons on the telly. While he was watching, Sirius came into the living room and sat with him.

"You looked like you're about to head out soon," Sirius ruffled his messy wet hair.

"I'm meeting with Damian," Harry said. "He wants to draw Hedwig."

Sirius scoffed. "The lad adopts animals like how Wayne adopts children."

"Sirius!"

"What? I'm just saying. I'm surprised Wayne hadn't found you yet. I would punch the bloody bloke if he tries to adopt you."

Harry made a face. The thought of Sirius Black punching Bruce Wayne was something that would never happen. Also, Harry didn't want Sirius to get sued just because he punched a very wealthy muggle. Then Harry looked at the time. It was almost two-thirty. Damian was going to be out of school soon.

"I gotta go," Harry turned and called. "Hedwig!"

At once the snowy owl flew over to him, landing on his shoulder. Sirius turned as he changed the channel to an American drama he ended up liking. Harry sometimes couldn't help and be surprised how adjusted Sirius was on going muggle. However, Sirius did told him, not too long ago that Lily taught him since the muggle studies class wasn't up to date with the muggle society.

"Do you have your cloak?" Sirius asked.

Harry nodded. "Yep!"

"Your wand?"

"Yes."

"Your Firebolt?"

"Yes, Sirius. Can I go now?"

Sirius snickered. "Okay, you can go. Be back before curfew. Just don't do things that I would do. Remember use protection too."

Harry blushed. "Sirius! Damian's just a friend."

Sirius laughed and Harry sighed, grumbling. Harry knew his godfather has no filter and at times acted like a child, but this was just pushing it. Harry only knew Damian for a week now. Sure, Damian could be cold and somewhat rude, but Harry knew he had a good heart. however, he seemed the type who wouldn't take any bullshit from people, but at least he treat him like a normal person than the wizarding world, except for Hermione and a few of his good friends.

With a smile, Harry said his goodbye and headed out of the door. He couldn't wait to see Damian.