Never Return

Bernard got to the no-maj pub across the Leaky Cauldron. He had some fries and a glass of water. Bernard wasn't much of a drinker, but he will get a drink once in a while. Today, he wasn't feeling it and also he was meeting his lawyer anyway. Bernard wanted to be professional about it, despite wearing simple no-maj clothing. He knew that a no-maj bar was a good place no wizard would find him. Bernard had been there since it opened. He even played on his phone for a bit too.

When the middle of the evening, Bernard ordered another plate of fries. He watched as people go in and out of the pub. As he waited for his lawyer. Then he noticed a woman with brown hair and amber eyes, wearing a blue and silver scarf. She looked at least ten years older than him. She scanned around the pub as her eyes landed onto him. Then she walked over to him. Bernard watched as she stood near his table.

"Bernard Dowd?" she asked.

Bernard nodded. "Aristia Nightingale?"

"Correct," she smiled. "I'm sure you heard the news about Dumbledore?"

Bernard smirked. "I did." he gestured the empty seat across from him. "Please, sit down, I already ordered some chips."

Right away, Aristia sat across from him. She pulled out a brief case and opened it. She took out some papers as well as documents too. Bernard took out some the letters and everything he documented. He even had some of his memories in a vail just in case if he needed it. Aristia looked at the letters, reading them as if she was scanning each information that was given to her. She even had the today's New York Ghost on her too.

"I may have some questions for you, Mr. Dowd," Aristia said.

Bernard took a fry and ate it. "Go ahead."

"I noticed Sirius Black, Charlotte Potter, and you are the main executor?" she questioned.

Bernard nodded. "Yes, mainly my Uncle Sirius and my mom at the time because their both godparents of Harry. I only became part of the main executor and another backup legal guardian for Harry when I'm of age, which I am, since I'm passed seventeen. My grandparents are too, but more of a backup too."

Aristia nodded. "I see, so the Potters planned everything ahead."

"They did."

"Your father? He's a muggle isn't he?"

"He's an executor by proxy because of his marriage to my mom. So technically he is automatically a main executor and guardian too."

"I see," Aristia folded her hands together. "So let's talk about Dumbledore."

Bernard made a face. "Oh goodie."

Aristia cleared her throat, covering her laugh. She took a sip of water. As much as Bernard really hated Dumbledore and the subject of Dumbledore, but Bernard knew he needed to hear what Aristia needed to say. Hopefully some good things.

"We can have a lawsuit against him for kidnapping and abandoning Mr. Potter," Aristia said. "As well as sealing the Potter's wills, sending lies through letters, child endangerment, and neglect. Also from what I'm hearing from the Ministry - blood quills. I have someone looking into it right now. Of course we can't forget about those made up story books about Mr. Potter too."

Bernard pinched his temples. "There's books too?"

"To be fair, I thought you knew."

How could he missed something like this? Then again, he was too busy trying to figure out the horcruxes and everything he went through. He was glad Aristia caught something like this. He wondered what else Dumbledore did.

"Is he going to be arrested or...?" Bernard frowned.

"Most likely a civil suit," Aristia answered. "Because of monetary grievances. Dumbledore is too well connected to be arrested, but so are you and your mother. However, Dumbledore has much of a higher status than you."

Bernard nodded. He did like the sound of that, except how Dumbledore was too well connected part. He hated how true that is, but he knew the only thing he can do was to sent lawsuit after lawsuit against the old man. However, Bernard didn't care of how much of a higher status Dumbledore was. He just wanted Dumbledore to pay for what he did.

"What about the blood quills?" Bernard asked. "You mentioned them."

Aristia nodded. “I had sources telling me they that Dumbledore lied about removing the blood quills. Also some international wizarding officials were under the blood quill. It’s easy to tell the effects of that said quill. Since the ones being effective are those of high in their own wizarding government."

"If Dumbledore did use the blood quills illegally on international wizarding officials, wouldn’t that cause a scandal?”

"An international scandal and possibly a foreign lawsuit," Aristia corrected him. "Right now, all I have is hearsay, but if my sources tells me otherwise and if it’s related to hiding Mr. Potter's disappearance, then Dumbledore could be in serious trouble. I’m sure you know it’s illegal to use a blood quill on someone without their knowledge or forcibly if I may add."

She didn't need to tell him twice. Bernard knew how someone could get in trouble for doing that. He learned it in first hand experienced when doing his curse-breaker job. Of course he was taught at Ilvermorny in it's own government class - a required class to take in order to graduate, but seeing everything in real life was a different story. Sadly, he didn't know much about the British wizarding world laws except for the common ones every wizarding community has. Bernard only knew little because of his mom.

However, if Dumbledore did use a blood quill on the wizards during the world meeting, Bernard knew the old man would get more lawsuits coming at him. Which Bernard didn't mind since Dumbledore deserved it.

"Wouldn't the Ministry get in trouble for letting Dumbledore do all of this?" Bernard asked.

Aristia pursed her lips. "It depends on who knows about it and let that happen. Also, since we're at the topic of the Ministry, they could get a lawsuit of how they dealt with the Sirius Black situation, which I mind you, they could get a lawsuit against for having no trial, wrongful imprisonment, and keeping someone in Azkaban for a long period of time without evidence."

"Is it possible to get my uncle a trial?"

"Yes. If Black does win, he will be acquitted and as well as if you win those many lawsuits, both Mr. Black, Mr. Potter, and the Dowd family will get money for the damages Dumbledore and the Ministry caused. After that, Mr. Black will have magical custody of Mr. Potter, while the Dowds have muggle custody, just like how the Potter family would had wanted."

Bernard nodded. He did liked the sound of that. Hopefully, these lawsuits could win against Dumbledore and the Ministry. He really needed those lawsuits to win. However, he would be glad if all of those blood quill on international leaders was true because that wouldn't be a good look. Bernard knew the blood quill was used on the Ministry and it was consensual. However the other things Dumbledore did...well the old man should be prepare for a lawsuit.

"What about changing and looking into student letters?" Bernard questioned.

"That can cause a lawsuit and a breech of privacy," Aristia answered. "However, it's all hearsay...for now."

"What about the Triwizard Tournament? It's the reason why everything happened."

"Due to magical laws, Mr. Potter shouldn't be competing. They changed the ages for a reason and yet they wanted to allow a fourteen year old to compete. The youngest, I've read throughout the Triwizard Tournament history is fifteen. Since his name came out of the Goblet of Fire, there should've been an investigation and Dumbledore should've notified you right away." then she took out the newspaper of the New York Ghost and put it in the middle of the table. "Mr. Dowd, may I asked you a questions?"

Bernard raised a brow. "Uh...sure?"

"Despite all wizarding community having their own leader, who has the jurisdictions over the wizarding community?" Aristia asked.

"Obviously, the muggle leaders," Bernard answered as if he was in his wizarding government class again. "They're the ones who allowed us to self-govern because there's a treaty. However, in that said treaty, they have the right to declared if our government defunct if anything goes wrong with our community. They have the right to change our laws if it doesn't fit what the wizarding community claimed they don't allowed or do allowed."

"Correct, they keep track not just on their own, but all wizarding news from around the world - no matter how pointless the news is." she tapped her finger on the newspaper. "They. Keep. Track."

Bernard's eyes widened. "Are you saying - "

Bernard couldn't even finished. Was he thinking what he was really thinking? The more he thought about it the more it made sense. So much sense that Bernard could understand why someone higher than the Ministry of Magic, someone higher than Dumbledore would have a major problem with this.

Aristia nodded. "Indeed, I am. My sources told me Her Majesty isn't too please about this whole situation, considering the fact that Mr. Potter is technically her citizen after all. Even with the whole Sirius Black situation too. Right now, she just wants information about everything that had happened. Almost likely a thorough background check, for everyone involved - every single person in the situation, Including the laws too, which is more of a refresher, since they're all keeping track of every wizarding community."

"If you add the vigilantes, heroes, teams, and rouges, it will cause every leader to keep track of them."

"Precisely and they're running a country too, so there's that. So it may take time, probably a week or so before she gets involved. The Prime Minister has to look over it before he gives the information to the Queen."

Bernard twiddled his thumbs as he read through the papers and the legal procedures. This was good. The Queen is on Harry's and Sirius's side. Which means Bernard has a week before the first task. If everything does go well, even before the Queen's involvement, hopefully, just hopefully, Harry and Sirius will win the lawsuit. Looking back through all the information, Bernard knew they need to win. They just had to. The Queen has more power than Dumbledore could ever had. The only no-maj that Dumbledore should be wary of.

"I do have one more person in mind," Bernard mentioned. "Severus Snape. If I recalled, Dumbledore vouched for him and Snape was a Death Eater. He didn't vouch for my Uncle Sirius. I did find it strange. Is it possible that Snape might be Dumbledore's accomplice?"

Aristia frowned. "I'll look into that, but if Snape is working with Dumbledore, he could be charge for accessory. It depends how much Snape did during those years. I'll tell my sources to look into him as well, even during his time as a Death Eater. Also since Pettigrew is still being held, I can have my sources talk to him too."

"Pettigrew isn't going to get a lesser sentence if he does got into Azkaban, right?"

"I'll make sure he doesn't. After all, he did sold the Potters to Voldemort."

Bernard nodded and let out a long sigh. He did hoped however this source was, they'll spy on Snape when he's teaching class. The way Hermione described Snape teaching was something that shouldn't be happening. Bernard would know because the wizarding community around the world care about their education and having a teacher that bullies children was against the norm. However, whoever this "source" that Aristia Nightingale trusted, was probably doing Merlin's work for him.

"Anything else, Mr. Dowd?" Aristia asked.

"I think that's all I have in mind, Ms. Nightingale." Bernard replied.

Aristia smiled. "Right now, we have a civil case, but with the Queen's interest in this, it may become more than that. I will need to talk to my business partners on what they think."

"I understand, Ms. Nightingale." Bernard stood up and shook her hand. "I know I just met you, but thank you. You're really going to give Harry and Sirius justice."

Aristia chuckled. "I'm glad to be a service. Also, I do advice you to contact me through muggle means. I do have a cellphone and I do answer right away if you need anything or have a lawsuit in mind. By the way, you may want to look into the muggle news in Gotham."

With that Aristia Nightingale left the pub. All was left was her business card. Bernard took the card and frowned, wondering what the witch meant. Bernard took a sip of his water and took out his phone. As he typed in Gotham, the first thing he saw was the news of the Joker being blown up - like a balloon! Bernard's jaw dropped and he blinked a few times, rereading everything. Somehow the Joker got himself blown up and now Red Hood is being restrain on trying to pop him.

Magic, Bernard thought. Was it accidental or not? Who did it? Then Bernard remembered what Hermione told him about how Harry accidently blown up his Aunt Marge after she called Aunt Lily a bitch. Knowing from both Bill and Hermione that they told him Harry does have a temper -a temper he inherited from Aunt Lily, Bernard was certain the Joker insulted Harry and he accidently blown up the Joker. That or Harry got scared and did some accidental magic. Either way, it was accidental magic and non of the people in Gotham was non of the wiser.

However since MACUSA probably saw the news, Bernard knew there might be a good chance that they might not do anything with the Joker being blown up. The reason was because the no-majs don't suspected it was magic. Besides, in the news, it said that the GPD thought that the Joker might've done some science and accidently blown himself up. Also there was a good chance that MACUSA doesn't want to deal with the Joker anyway. In fact, there's a chance they'll just keep him like that.

Good job, Harry, Bernard thought, Well at least no one has to deal with the Joker anymore.

Bernard smiled to himself as he ordered himself some sticky toffee pudding. He didn't mind to eat some more, since he's going to purchase a one way trip to Gotham. His other plane ticket was schedule for a short return because at the time, he thought it was a simple curse-breaking job. Of course it wasn't.

After he ate his dessert, he paid his bill and left the pub. When he got outside, it was already dark. Bernard checked the time and it was eleven at night. He stayed there all day. It could've been worst since Bernard wanted to make sure he got all of the details. Also he didn't checked when Aristia Nightingale came to the pub. All he knew she wanted to meet him at the evening and that was it.

As Bernard walked through the night, he couldn't helped, but he was feeling uneasy. It was too quiet and there were only a few people out at night. Bernard knew during this time, people would go clubbing and there were still some pubs that were opened. He wasn't sure why. It was like as if something was telling him to run and hide. A bus passed Bernard and he noticed the bus stopped only a few feet away from him. Without a second thought, he went into the bus and sat down next to the window. He took out his phone and before he turned it on, he tried to keep his composure as the best of his ability. Behind him, only a few seats away from him were people in clothes, wearing robes, and skull masks.

Death Eaters.

Bernard quickly turned on his phone, pretending to look at his texts. One...no, two? No, there's three of them. The more he thought about it, the more he discovered he really did made himself a target. That rat probably told his master about him. That or they saw the New York Ghost. Think Dowd, think, Bernard thought. He tried to control his breathing the best he could, but he couldn't. This was different than having curses and cursed people following him. This was different. This was a terrorist group intentionally hunting him down.

He was outnumbered.

Now Bernard wished he really did took some auror lessons from his mom. Of course he didn't and only learn defensive and attack spells, but he really wished he would've taken her advice about learning how to duel many vs one. If this was the no-maj version, Bernard could handle it, but it's not.

Then Bernard dropped his phone. He bent down and grabbed it, but before he got up, he quickly took out his wand. He pointed is wand the the Death Eaters' feet. This was so risky and Bernard knew it. Was it stupid? Probably, but he's running out of options and his only plan was try to get back to 12 Grimmauld Place.

"Locomorto Mortis," Bernard whispered.

Right away, he saw the spell being casted as it bind around the Death Eaters' legs and it turned invisible. Bernard put his wand away by putting it into his sleeve with one hand and his phone another. Bernard looked it at his and turned on a game. He looked at the window. He noticed he wasn't close to his destination, but he'll deal with it. Bernard stood up and pulled on the yellow cord. The bus driver looked at him and Bernard could see from the distance that the bus was going to stop any second.

"Nox," Bernard said.

Just as the bus was going to stop, everything turned dark. The people in the bus gasped. Even the driver was surprised by the sudden change of light. Right away, Bernard ran out to the front in the bus as he heard someone falling down behind him.

"GET HIM!" a Death Eater shouted.

Bernard use his wand to open the doors and ran out of the bus, running as fast as he could. He wanted to apparate, but his mind wasn't focus on 12 Grimmauld Place and if he did tried to apparate, he could ended up being splinched and he didn't want that to happen. He had already been splinched before and he didn't wanted that happen again.

Suddenly, saw red bolts of light coming at him. Gnashing his teeth, Bernard threw some spells at the Death Eaters. He tried every attack spells at the Death Eaters. Some dodged, while others didn't. As Bernard turned to a corner, a Death Eater suddenly popped in front of him and a blast of red light hits him.

Then everything turned black.