Unforgiving Strings

William's P.O.V  

It was killing him waiting for someone to bring Harry up and into his care. All he wanted to do was go home with Harry and drown in coffee, he is tired as fuck right now. Almost having a furious breakdown, holding himself from going into a rage and revealing his less-than-human abilities, and calming Glitch down from his own rage drained him. It's only fucking- Willian checks his watch- seven-thirty, and he has a least a few more hours to go. He can't yell when around the kid, and he needs to take care of the kid who is now untrusting and will probably give him hard time about everything and deny any questions about his abuse. 'Great going William.' He sighs

It was at that last thought the door opened. William immediately straightened and turned his attention to the ones that just came through the door, and there he was. The one already giving him gray hairs, Harry. He was the same meek little thing he met at the tree in front of the diner, the untrusting eyes had him almost wincing. 'I swear those eyes can pierce through any soul. The green irises were practically glowing-. Considering he has a glitch of his own that might actually be the case... Shit.' William shows none of his thoughts and signs the foster papers, nodding to what had to be the assistant.

After a few more minutes at the station, William leaves with a shadow dragging behind him, as though preparing to stab him in the back. It made his hair bristle but didn't show any outside reactions thankfully, no need to make the kid any more untrusting. After all, they had a trial to attend in a few weeks about the kid's abuse. He knows personally that anything even hinting at the subject makes people tense and deny anything pointing suspiciously in their direction. They were trained that way after all, and it takes a lot of patience, attention, and a calm type of stubbornness to undo that training even the slightest bit. William is prepared to do anything necessary to help Harry. Maybe changing his name to something less common but similar will help disassociate his experiences...

William sighs and glances at the eight-year-old, but for now, he has to worry about getting through the first few weeks while trying to get a stubborn abused child to talk about his abuse. Anything else can come after that, there is still the small chance the trial doesn't go their way. He prays to god it does, or else a certain family will soon be in coffins.

________________(This means that there is a page break or time skip)

William was right, it took just under a week for a trial date to be set and the Dursleys to be put in holding cells until the trial. He's been putting it off because it didn't look like Harry wanted to be talked to if the glares he sends him are anything to go by, but the trial is tomorrow and he knows he can't put it off any longer. The consequences if Harry is put back into the care of those monsters will be disastrous, mark his words.

This is what led him to be seated on a chair facing directly at Harry sitting on his own, also facing William. The awkward air has to be the worst he's ever been in, but he is the adult and he knows Harry won't start this conversation. "You know the trial is tomorrow." He cuts right to the chase, continuing when he sees a nod, "They might ask you some questions in front of a lot of people, but hopefully it's only one day... It usually is, but you should be prepared if it is more than one day." With another nod, he continues, "That means you will need to answer honestly, and even give some... More detail into what has happened with the Dursleys." It's here that Harry doesn't do anything, as William suspected.

He sighs, gets up, and goes over to Harry. The kid tenses, but it doesn't deter him-he expected it, and gets down on one knee with his hands folded over on the other knee right in front of the chair Harry is in. William waits for a second, staring into Harry's eyes, letting him stare into his soul before he says, "The more detail you give, the more questions you answer, the more likely it is you will never go back to them." He lets that sink in and watches as Harry's eyes widen at the implication, "You will never go back. That's what I'm trying to do, that's why I dragged you to the police station, that's why I've been taking care of you to the best of my ability these past weeks. Everyone has been kicking up a fuss because they hate what they did to you. They called you a freak right? Well, what they did to you has them as freaks in everyone else's eyes. What they did to you isn't normal, is freakish, because normal people don't hurt others, not even when they're hurt a lot of the time." William spoke soft but firmly, with Harry's eyes being blown wide at the end of his declaration, unbelieving.

They stayed there like that for what seemed the longest time, long enough that William's knee started to ache but he still kept his position, staring into Harry's eyes, conveying that what he said was the truth. He tried his best not to move, sure he shifted a little but not enough to scare Harry. He made no sudden moves and kept quiet so Harry wasn't too overwhelmed. There was much more he wanted to say about the animals disguised as a family, none too child-friendly, so he held back. Finally, Harry spoke in a hushed and unbelieving voice, "They were the freaks..." William had to use his supernatural hearing to hear what was said but responded in a confident tone, "Some of the freakiest." Harry went silent again, before giving one resolute nod.

William was satisfied he got his point across and stood up slowly, backing away a few steps to give Harry some more space. "It's also just as likely the Dursleys will dig their own graves with their own questioning and you won't be needed, but a lot of the time the judge and jury want to make sure the guilty get all they deserve, and they try to find out everything they did so they can give the appropriate punishment. I just want you to be prepared, I tried to hold off on it as long as I could to give you space and time. I know the last thing you want is to be so coddled you can't do anything." Harry looks at him searchingly before once again nodding, seeming to properly relax for the first time in days maybe years.

"How about we get dinner kid? French toast with berries again?" Harry looked at him disbelieving, shaking his head, eyes pleading he cook something else.

Admittedly, William had only allowed Harry to eat a small portion of different-sized berries, Harry being too malnourished to not throw up anything other than light foods in small amounts; french toast not being one of them. William exaggerates sighing in disappointment, "Fine, I guess I can make some scrambled eggs on toast." Harry can at least have that as long as he makes the eggs plain and put little to no butter on the toast, William's had worse, and maybe Harry won't feel so bad or different if William also eats what he does. In bigger amounts of course.

The look of relief and delight on Harry's face at not having to eat a fruit or vegetable, as William has been forcing him to eat so he didn't get sick trying to prove he's fine, and having something familiar as scrambled eggs. It will be quite a while until he's healthy but William is willing to wait for as long as it takes. He will do whatever he has to do to make sure Harry doesn't go back to those animals.

__________________(I don't know anything about trials and what goes on in them... I especially don't know if they have special protocols for young child abuse cases. So anything in this about proceedings and going from one room to another is fiction... Should have made that clear during the very quick police investigation.)

This is why about a week later, waiting in one of the off rooms of the courthouse is William in one of his best and least colorful suits and ties. Harry was next to him, and after a little shopping, also in a suit and tie, looking the most presentable he can be. Harry has been quiet all day, not that William could blame him. The only reason they're here in the first place is because the court demanded that Harry testify, even with the rest of the evidence. He hopes the court has someone in England willing to investigate the Dursley residence, as he's sure what Harry reveals will put the Dursleys twelve feet under.

That's the other problem. William has to make sure to keep his anger under control, lest he reveals himself. That would end up with William and Glitchtrap in a lab, and Harry back with those animals likely getting the beating of his life... If it doesn't end it. For this reason, Glitchrap and he have been building up the impenetrable mask William used when he was questioned on his father's murder by the police since this morning. He hasn't had to wear it in a long time and doesn't like to, it reminds him too much of his past... Let's just say he was a little unstable back then. That skill has helped him and will continue to help him, especially at this point in time.

He hasn't spoken to Harry since they entered the building because of this, nor has Harry spoken to him. He doesn't want to give off the impression he was telling Harry what to say. No, what Harry says will be all Harry, nothing will be influenced by him. Unless the court counts cuddling for silent comfort and getting Harry to agree to testify as "influencing", there is no way Vernon's lawyer could accuse William of influencing Harry without backing it up. Similar thoughts continued to go through his brain, an attempt at reassuring himself everything will go their way. 'I got the best lawyer he could find. All my overtime and no vacation days or asking for days off at work has paid off. I also got a decent amount of wealth when I was in charge of Freddy's. Everything will be fine.' He glanced at the clock, then at the door, 'They should have asked for us by now...' Both males stood to attention when they heard footsteps in front of the door, the only sound heard other than the clock ticking on the wall.

The handle turned, a small click sounding to indicate it. The door swung open to reveal a big burly security guard who immediately opens his mouth to say, "They will see you now." The long-awaited and dreaded message. William stood to walk out with Harry following, the security guard walking closely behind them.

The walk was silent. As if the guard was escorting them to their trial for murder instead of their testimonies. All there was to hear in the empty hallways was the sound of heels from fancy shoes clashing against the floors. However, the depressing silence was nothing compared to the suppressed anger-filled silence that encased the entire room. While the silence didn't give it away the way everyone's clenched jaws, the slight narrowing and steel of their eyes, the way everyone's bodies were tense as they willed themselves to stay in their seats, and from where everyone's eyes kept drifting back to, surely did. William knew all that anger was directed at the whale currently seated in the undersized chair.

Even with the stifling air, William had to keep a smile off his face. 'It was just as I predicted... The fools' pride kept their tongue loose. The obvious result of this caused everyone to want to cut it out. This meant there wasn't anything the animals could do to make everyone's anger diminish and have them escape punishment, no judges or jury to bribe, no favors to call on, and no titles worth anything here that would save them. There was no escape for them, which meant an exit for Harry, one he was not going to give up on going from the way his shoulders steeled.

It was with this the judge spoke up with a hint of a soft smile on her lips she called, "May Harry James Potter come up to begin his testimony." Was echoed across the room. Harry immediately looked to William, who nodded in return. It was with this that he made his way to the front of the room and with a few hands signaling where he should go, sat in the chair facing the room. With Harry seated and as comfortable as he can be they started off with the normal proceedings, stating his name, not to lie in front of the court, where he lives, who he lives with, why he was in America, and then a recounting of his experience since arriving. Harry talked in a small voice but was heard thanks to the microphone built into the table. He talked about having to do every choir while the animals lazed about and did nothing but watch TV and whine, going without food, sleeping in the closet, and then his experience at Freddy Fazbear's. Everyone listened intently with more than a few hate-filled glares in the adult Dursley male's direction.

Then Harry stopped, it was the most recent interaction he had with the Dursleys after all, and the time he spent with William wasn't relevant to the case. As long as no one asked, he and William could leave and try to enjoy the rest of the day. It was a very nice Saturday. It was when Vernon's lawyer started to shift his papers around on the table that he had a sudden sinking feeling, and the way Samuel, the lawyer he hired, stiffened confirmed the feeling. " If I may ask a few questions, your honor." It was more of a demand than a question, the judge allowed it anyway.

Glancing up to check on Harry resulted in William seeing the way he stiffened and his eyes sharpened. The whale's judge walked calmly up to the podium, he was confident his questions would ease the jury's anger at his client. "You said that Mr. Durlsey withheld food from you as punishment. Correct?" Harry nodded once, "And that you slept in the cupboard at the hotel room?" Harry nodded again. "Are you sure this wasn't just taking dessert away or putting you in the corner as punishment for any wrongdoings?" Harry nodded, unsure. "Then why are there reports of you climbing builds, dying a teacher's hair blue, and getting bruises from fights? All recorded by the school." Harry stayed silent, knowing the judge had more to say. "My client and his family have claimed that you just refuse to eat and you have broken hundreds of their son's toys to torment him. Is this not true?" The lawyer finished, looking intently at Harry; an intimidation tactic.

"No." Harry said simply.

"No? Then how do you explain the claims?" The lawyer raised a brow, unimpressed.

"One, the Dursley lied about me being a delinquent and the teachers took their word for it, especially when Dudley would bully other students and blame it on me, and the bullied students would go along with it as they didn't want the bullying to get worse. There are most likely cameras to show that, and I don't think sleeping the entire night in a cupboard is just a few minutes in the corner like you imply. Two, if you were to look at my medical file, a normal check-up done by the police precinct's medic will show that I have scars, which the doctor noted as belt whipping scars, and am too malnourished for me to have enough strength and speed to bully someone and leave the same injuries as Dudley. He doubted my body would have let it go on if I was willingly not eating as he could, and one can see every one of my ribs... If that answers your questions?" Harry was so calm while saying it, William was surprised that he wasn't shaking and stuttering through the admission.

The silence that followed was suffocating. With the previous evidence presented the days before, everyone knew what Harry said was true. If the rage that crashed into him weren't there, William would be struggling not to grin like a loon. It was then the judge decided to intervene before anyone could start screaming, "May William Afton come to the stand." He stood up and walked confidently to the stand.

They again started with the usual proceedings, where he works, who he works with, where he was the day he found Harry, why he took him, a detailed encounter of how the Dursleys acted, and where he took Harry. Once again the animal's lawyer wanted to ask additional questions. He took the stand confidently once again, but there was a bit of hesitation in his eyes. 'Good. You should be.' The lawyer made a show of shuffling papers before looking at William. "You say you took Harry Potter from the Fredbear restaurant establishment, then immediately took him to the Police precinct?" It was clear to William he was using fancy words to try and show he knew more, he resisted the urge to roll his eyes and replied "Yes."

"You also claim my client was going on about how, and I quote, how happy he was to get rid of the freak. Is that right?"

"Yes."

"Then why do I have video evidence of the Dursleys saying that they missed Harry Potter and were going to go back and search for him." Everyone looked at me then.

"There are two parts to that question. The first is, I too also have video evidence of Vernon Dursley saying how happy he was to get rid of Harry. The second is, do how hard it is to be making breakfast only for the kid you took in to come running in and then have a panic attack? How you had to stop a physically unwell, malnourished child from cleaning the floor with a sponge or to try and get him off the stool so he would stop wiping the counters? How the child gets severe panic attacks if he sees you cleaning, mumbling "I have to earn my keep" over and over again? What kind of picture do you think that paints in my mind?" Once again, everyone was silent.

"If you won't answer then I give it to you. It paints a very clear picture of a boy who has clothes too large, skin littered with bruises, on his knees cleaning the floor with a sponge, his cheeks sunken from hunger while a family of three sits comfortably at a table, stuffing decadent food in there faces that none of them cooked. Using that, why do you think the Dursleys were whining about how they miss Harry?" Once again everyone was silent.

The lawyer basically mumbled, "I have no more questions." William's testimony was over.

"We will now debrief, and come to a final verdict for the accused." Was said by the Judge before she and the jury went into a backroom, leaving the rest to sit in silence.

A guard came to take Harry and him a minute later, a request on William's part to avoid any interactions with the whale. It seemed he was right for the foresight, for as William looked back he could see Vernon turned to them, eyes locked on Harry's back and mustache quivering.

They were brought back to the room they first waited in, the guard leaving them once again to wait. Only this time, the wait was for Harry's peace of mind.

_________________

Once they were called back in and sat down, the Judge picked up her wooden hammer and hit it to signal the start of the final verdict. "The jury has looked over the evidence presented and considered the points of each argument. We have come to the final verdict that Vernon Dursley is guilty and sentenced to forty years of prison for child neglect, endangerment, and abuse. You will not be able to gain custody of any child after your time in prison and will have a restraining order, not allowing you within ten feet of Harry James Potter. Your son will reside with either his closest relatives or, if they have been deemed unsuitable, will go into foster care. Harry James Potter with get half of your savings and Money, the other going to Dudley Dursley." The resounding bang after the conviction seemed to burst open the floodgates and suddenly he was grinning like a loon and had to keep from laughing. Harry's mouth was agape and his eyes were unseeing. William held him close and he couldn't help but think everything was going to be okay.