Harry gets to start living his best life, Emma gets a new title, and Vernon Dursley gets his reckoning.

***

Emma was slowly starting to realize the harsh impact of taking in a kid with abusive relatives. Not that she regretted that, no, she didn't regret her decision at all. She was more than happy to help Harry, knowing what he'd been through, hoping her own kid she'd had a few years prior wasn't going through the same thing. God, she hoped not, she gave him up for adoption because a) she was in jail, b) Emma was two months shy of eighteen when she'd had her son, c) there was no way she could provide for her child, and d) so he could have a better life than she did. Because he was a newborn, the jail's warden told her he was adopted almost immediately and she thanked him and turned back to recovering, not thinking about him except for fleeting moments since. That was six years or so ago, now.

Emma shook her head at herself. She couldn't - wouldn't - go down that road, not again, not while she had a kid that was her responsibility.

He was such a quiet kid, too, barely making any noises when she was working. He was extremely jumpy when she cursed or made a loud thump when she got frustrated with something, and he was always asking if there was anything he could do, any chores, or something she needed him to do. She assured him that he didn't have to do anything here, or anywhere else, if she could help it, and that he could play if he wanted to. He almost looked like he was pouting at her.

Today, she had been working on her case on Vernon, gently telling and explaining to Harry that if he could explain in detail all he could remember from the abuse, he would be helping immensely. Harry had tensed, but he did as she asked, giving vivid details about just what he had gone through the last three years and the abuse at the hands of the Dursleys. Afterwards, Harry had asked quietly if he could be excused, and all Emma could do was nod and watch Harry as he took off towards his room to do whatever he wanted to do.

Emma had stared at the space Harry had been sitting for just over five minutes after he left for his room, shocked, disgusted and horrified by what that little boy had been through. She had never seen someone go through so much in such a short time, and she was absolutely furious that Harry had been left at the Dursleys. She knew nothing of what happened to his parents or why the Dursleys had to take Harry in, but she knew that whoever left Harry on the Dursleys' doorstep was either insane, or very, very naïve when doing so. She glowered at the manila folders beside her and mentally cursed the Dursleys, silently planning how she was going to murder them and make it look like it was an accident.

That was almost two hours ago, and Emma hadn't heard a peep from the small boy in all of that time. She was almost done with her case on the Dursleys, now able to add, with proof, abuse to the case of why Vernon Durley was a terrible, absolute bastard of a man, not to mention his money laundering and child abuse. She knew Harry was processing that he'd explained his situation in great detail to a virtual stranger, and she also knew he needed some time for himself, but she had to make sure he was okay . . . no, that was a lie, she needed to make sure.

So she got up from her position on the couch, walked down the hallway to Harry's room, and stopped at his door, sighing when she heard the muffled cries of the little boy and saw his small frame under his blankets, curled around Snuffles. She knocked softly on the door, only loud enough to get the boy's attention, but not enough to startle him. The door was open, but Emma wasn't going to walk in until she got Harry's consent. This was his space, his space only, and she wasn't going to intrude unless he gave her permission. "Harry, kid?" she called softly, smiling kindly when Harry blinked at her. "Do you want to go out? I'm finally at a point where I can stop, if you want to go have some fun? We can go get some ice cream and go to the park?"

Harry lifted his head from where it rested on Snuffles, his bright green eyes shining with tears. "Really?" he asked, voice rough from tears. "You want to go get ice cream? With me? Why?"

Her heart broke for him, saddened by the thought that Harry, this sweetheart of a seven-year-old boy, never got to go out to have fun, never got to experience being a child. She had to rectify that, and she knew the perfect way to start fixing it. "Of course, buddy," she promised. "You're so special, kid. I normally don't warm up to anyone this fast. You're important to me already, and I know that whenever I can, I will want to spend time with my new favorite person in the world."

The sad weight that had been placed over her heart was lifted partially by the smile that broke out on his face, one that brought a grin back to hers. She knelt down next to his bed as she walked over, lifting her hand and running it through the thick, unruly raven-coloured mess of curls on Harry's head. He leaned into the touch, sighing softly at its gentleness. He felt safe, something he never got to feel before now. He was always looking over his shoulder or watching the clock for Vernon to get home, watching the kitchen as he did his other chores while he was making dinner. He hadn't ever felt free, and now that he was, he had no idea what to do with himself.

Emma's heart was at its breaking point, and she knew without a doubt that after this case was over, she wanted to adopt Harry. She already saw him as her son, even though it had only been a day since they met. This kid was special, and all Emma wanted to do was show him that. If that meant adopting him and making him her son, then so be it. No one on the planet, in heaven or hell, would take this little boy away from her.

***

The park was almost empty when they got there, both with ice cream cones in their hands, Harry with a strawberry and Emma with chocolate. There were about five kids and their parents all playing, having fun in the warm, but steadily cooling, October afternoon air.

Harry and Emma walked to the swings, seeing nobody on them, and both sat down, Harry holding on tightly to the chain with one hand, his other holding his ice cream, but that was also wrapped around the swing chains to keep himself upright. Emma was tall enough to put her feet on the ground, using them to keep her balanced enough to lean back and swing slightly. "How's your ice cream, kid?" she asked, smiling at him.

"It's great! Thank you, Emma!" he grinned. "I've never done anything like this before, having fun with someone just because." He mumbled the last part, finishing his ice cream and Emma frowned at him, shaking her head.

"Well, as long as you are with me and hopefully that's for a long time, because I don't want to give you up, when I'm not busy, we can go do anything you want. Like tonight, maybe we can go to the movies, go out for dinner? I can show you just how good New York pizza is?" Emma found herself rambling, trying to think of anything that might interest her new charge, and she grunted when she was almost knocked off her swing by the boy that was next to her a second ago. She was glad she'd finished her own ice cream, because it would have been knocked right out of her hands at the force of Harry's hug.

"Are we going to have to go back to London, Emma?" Harry looked at her with wide, terrified green eyes. "I don't want to do that. I want to stay here, with you. Please don't make me leave you! I don't want to go back to my aunt and uncle!"

He was close to hysterics as he cried, and Emma shook her head rapidly, trying to get him to calm down. "No, no, Harry, sweetheart, listen to me. We don't have to go back to London if you don't want to. We can stay right here, okay?" She placed her hand on his head, bringing him into her chest in a tight hug, breathing evenly, hoping Harry would follow her breathing pattern.

Harry easily curled into the hug, sniffing loudly. "You don't want to give me up?" he asked loudly, causing the other adults in the park to look up at him, and back down at their kids after a minute.

Emma laughed at his sheepish smile when he noticed the other people looking at him, and she turned her head to him, running her hand through his hair as she stood, using her strength to pick him up and place him on her hip. "Of course not, kiddo. You are my special guy, and even though it's only been a day, I feel a strong sense of protection for you and I want to adopt you when the time comes. What do you think about that? Do you want to legally become my son?" Her tone held a nervous note to it, even though she was positive he'd like the idea. If Emma had to guess what happened to his parents, she would guess that they were either killed in an accident, or they were unfit to take care of him.

Harry burrowed his head into her neck as his arms wrapped tightly around her, and she felt his tears on her neck. She could feel him shake from the force of his cries, and even though he was silent, she heard slight sniffs and cut sobs from him. She held her hand up to his head and ran her fingers through her hair, and she felt tears of her own appear in her eyes.

After a few minutes, Harry pulled back, and his face was red in places and pink in others, and tears were still falling from his eyes, and Emma moved her hand from his hair and to his face, wiping away his tears. "I take that as a yes?" she asked him hopefully, grinning when he nodded excitedly.

"Does that mean I get to call you mum?" he asked with a grin.

That turned into a laugh when Emma grinned in return and nodded. "Yeah kid. Come on. Let's go see a movie and get pizza after, yeah?" She put him down and led him from the park to the movie theater just around the corner from where they lived.

"Okay, Mum," Harry grinned, and he leaned into Emma's hip as she put her arm around him.

***

Emma left Harry sitting at the table in the pizza joint, taking out her phone when she felt it buzzing with a call. She could see him still eating from where she stood at the window. He looked up and relaxed in relief when he saw her standing there, watching him. She waved at him and he waved back happily.

She shook her head and tapped the answer button on her phone when she saw that Tina was the one who was calling. "Hey, Tina," she greeted.

"Hello, Emma. How are you?" Tina asked, sounding exhausted.

"I'm alright, only one more thing to finish up before the case on the Dursleys is air tight. How are you?" she replied.

"Good, that's good. And I'm exhausted, but I wanted to call and check on Harry. How was he today?" she asked, worry clear in her tone.

Emma smiled at Harry, who didn't notice because he was devouring his second slice of pizza. "He was an angel today," she admitted, realizing once she started talking about Harry, she didn't want to stop. "He was quiet as I worked on the case and he told me exactly what happened to him - at least all he could remember - and went off to his room. After that, I went to check on him and asked him if he wanted to go to the park and get some ice cream and he got really excited. Then while we were at the park, I asked him if it was okay if I adopted him when this case was officially over." Emma stopped her train of thought there, suddenly worried the last part would make Tina mad.

"Are you sure, Emma?" Tina asked in surprise. "It's only been a day, you don't have to do that."

Another voice was audible in the background - a male, by the sound - and Emma frowned, wondering who he was. "I'm sure, Tina," she assured her. "I have never felt a stronger connection to a child, or even an adult in a long, long time. He's special, and I want to show him just how much. And if adopting him is the way to go, then that's what I want to do."

"Alright, then. I'll start on the adoption process." Emma could hear the smile on Tina's face. "So he was okay today? He wasn't scared of anything?"

Emma sighed, rubbing her forehead. "He was jumpy, but that's to be expected, given what he's been through."

Tina grumbled to herself and whoever she was with. "I'm glad he has you, Emma. You seem like you would be an amazing mom, and I know Harry is happy with you." She laughed suddenly, sounding much happier. "You are all he could talk about yesterday when we went shopping for him."

Emma stood there in shock, her eyes wide as she took a quick look back at Harry. She hadn't known that! "I'm glad he likes me that much," she stammered. "I like him that much, too." She smiled, and as she watched Harry, she saw him go up to the register and ask if they had anything to draw or write with. She smiled wider when she saw the lady smile and give Harry a pack of crayons to mess with. "We just went to watch a movie, and now we're eating at a pizza joint."

"That's good, thank you, Emma. For taking such good care of him. You are his savior," she replied. She heard the man mumble something and then a quick thump sounded in Emma's ear through her phone, telling her the man was smacked for his comment. "Shut up, Teddy," Tina growled out, and Emma laughed at her. "You heard that, didn't you?" Tina asked into the phone.

"Yeah, I heard it," Emma laughed, "but I have no idea what he said. Is he a work partner?" she asked curiously, smiling when Tina laughed in return.

"Yes, actually, he is. He's also one of my best friends, I've known him for years." A muttered "too many years" under her breath followed, and Emma chortled, shaking her head.

"Anyway, I've got to go. Harry and I have to get home," Emma told Tina, knowing she would understand.

"Okay, Emma. Tell him I said hi and that I will be seeing him soon," Tina replied, and after Emma told her she would, both hung up, and Emma walked back inside.

***

"Hey, Mum?" Harry mumbled that night as Emma was getting ready for bed. She turned to look at him, beaming like the Cheshire cat at the word. Mum . . . God, did she like the sound of that. "Can I sleep with you tonight?"

She smiled, beckoning him to her and kneeling in front of him. He was fresh from his shower, his wet hair a mess all over his head and his green eyes shining at her. He was wearing an adorable set of pajamas, a Marvel Iron Man set, which made her smile at him cheekily. She had a Capitan America shirt on. "Of course you can, buddy," she assured him, looking at him in concern. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm okay," he nodded, looking down at his feet as he finished in a mumble, his arms tight around Snuffles. "I just want to be close to you."

"Hop up on the bed, kid. I'll be there in a minute," she told him, running her hand through his wet hair and leaning down to kiss his forehead.

Harry nodded and climbed up onto the mattress, and Emma left the bedroom to enter the bathroom. She closed the door behind her and took a moment to brace her hands on the counter, staring at her reflection in the mirror. What she had told Tina earlier that day had been completely true: there was something about Harry that drew her in like no child or adult had before. She had been in and out of foster homes for years, had been a thief with - Nope, don't think about him, she refrained from smacking herself on the back of the head. It had taken years to turn her life around, and when she finally had her life the way she (mostly) wanted it, she now had a kid who was depending on her for safety.

It was almost as if life was giving her another chance after the boy she gave up for adoption right after birth.

She shook herself out and went to work washing her face. She wasn't going to dwell on her past, she decided, patting her face dry and finger-combing her hair. There were several choices she made, not all of them her best, to get to where she was now, but now that they led her to Harry, she wasn't sure she would change them.

She shut the light off and re-entered her bedroom, smiling when she saw Harry beaming at her from where he sat on the bed. "Alright, kid," she shut the door behind her. "Ready?"

"Ready!" Harry chirped happily as she walked to the bed. "Snuffles is, too."

"Oh, good," Emma chuckled, playfully scratching the stuffed dog's head as she climbed onto the mattress. "Gotta make sure the whole family is comfortable."

Harry nodded in agreement, nestling into Emma's side as she reached to turn off her light. "Mum?" She hummed, waiting for him to continue. "Do you have any other family?"

Emma paused, inches from turning her light off. Of course the moment she'd been thinking of her past, the boy would ask about it. "No, kid," she finally answered. "It's been just me for a very long time."

Harry was quiet for a long time, and Emma wondered if she had said the wrong thing before he finally spoke again. "Now it's just us," he said determinedly.

This kid, Emma thought warmly as she turned her light off and got comfortable on the bed. "Yeah, Harry," she agreed, wrapping her arm around the boy she wanted as her son. "It's gonna be just us."

"Is it bad I like how that sounds?" Harry mumbled.

"Not at all, kid," Emma shook her head, dropping a kiss on the top of his head. "Because the two of us are awesome together."

Harry grinned in agreement, leaning his head on Emma's arm. "Yeah . . . we are."

***

The next morning had been extremely hectic for Harry and Emma. Emma had woken up first, taken a shower, got dressed and made breakfast, before waking up her future son gently. After Harry had woken up, he walked out of Emma's room and to the kitchen, where they both ate as Emma explained to Harry what was happening that day, and why she was dressed up in a deep maroon pencil skirt and a white blouse, with her hair straight instead of it's usual curls. She had make-up on, and Harry would much rather her not have on anything like the outfit she had; he liked when she was casual and with her red leather coat over shoulders and her hair curled. He had on nude, close toed wedges, not trusting herself on high heels.

Harry asked Emma to help him pick out his best clothes for court after breakfast, and she did so, choosing light black slacks with a white button up shirt. He had on a dark red jumper over it, so they at least partly matched. He had on black dress shoes, the pair that Tina had gotten him two days ago when they went shopping. Emma ahad tried to tame his hair to make it somewhat neat, but Harry's hair was not having it, and refused to do what Emma wanted it to do, so after nearly 10 minutes of trying to fix it, she left it alone, Harry snickering as she grumbled to herself.

Finally, it was time for them to go, and Emma opened the door showing Tina on the other side. Happy to see her, Harry beamed at her and launched himself into her pantsuit clad legs, hugging her waist tightly.

"Tina!" Harry giggled when she tickled his sides, and she smiled at him.

"How's Emma's home, sweetheart? Everything okay?" Tina asked, smiling at Emma when she snickered at the question, even though she knew it was probably supposed to come off as a CPS genuine question. Tina already knew though, from last night's call.

"Emma is great! She took me to get ice cream and we went to the park! We also went to the movies and we got pizza! She let me sleep with her last night, too!" he explained happily, and Emma beamed at him when he released Tina and grabbed ahold of Emma's hand.

Harry kept babbling about his day with his new guardian even as they rode in the elevator down to the ground floor, and as Tina watched said guardian, she realized she had no reason to worry about Harry's safety after the trial. Emma watched Harry with the same love and protectiveness Tina recalled seeing Newt bestow upon his beasts, creatures he loved and protected with every fiber of his being. There was no question in Tina's mind at all.

Harry Potter belonged with Emma Swan.

***

Harry never wanted to find himself in a courtroom again.

When Vernon had seen him, his uncle had turned a very unflattering shade of purple and started blustering about how the freak had ruined his life. Petunia's harpy screeching had followed soon after, and all that kept Harry from shrinking into the bench behind him were the expressions on Emma and Tina's faces. Emma's emerald eyes resembled eerie flames as she stared the Dursleys down, but Tina's expression was set like stone, everything about her cold and glacial as she regarded the family. It had been Tina, after all, who removed Harry from the wretched family and placed him with Emma. Harry's confidence came from the two women who made it clear, time and time again, that he would never have to endure his aunt and uncle again.

And the court proceedings proved they were absolutely correct. Tina prided herself on her poker face, but even her eyes widened as piece after piece after piece of evidence was given by the prosecution, each painting a damning picture of Vernon Dursley that made the man tremble with rage. Emma made no attempt to conceal her smugness when she was called to the stand to explain her process and how she discovered everything from the start of Vernon's career to what he did at the New York office. Even though she openly displayed her pride in her work, she was cool and collected in the face of the line of questioning. The only time she faltered was her open vitriol as she recited Harry's testimony of his abuse before those gathered.

It was one of the quickest sentencings Tina ever witnessed on the No-Maj end. Vernon was found guilty on all charges and given prison time he would not live to see the end of. The judge also removed Harry from the Dursleys' custody, and as Petunia was left sputtering, she turned to Tina. "Ms. Goldstein, I understand you have been charged with Harry Potter's case?" she asked.

"Yes, Your Honor," Tina nodded. "Unfortunately, Harry's parents died when he was a baby. Mrs. Dursley and her son are Harry's only living blood relatives." She wrinkled her nose, making her disgust clear. "And I wish to make it clear that Harry should not return to that home."

"I agree," the judge nodded, giving Petunia a nasty look that shut the woman's mouth. "As such, I am going to declare Harry Potter an orphan and ward of the state." She paused when she heard a whimper in the room, then leaned forward, seeing the bail bondswoman turn to whisper quietly to the child. "Unless . . . Ms. Swan?" she prompted. Emma's head lifted, and she quickly stood, smoothing out her skirt. "You were granted temporary custody of Harry by Ms. Goldstein while you completed your case, is that correct?"

"Yes, Your Honor," Emma confirmed.

"And how has Ms. Swan's guardianship been, according to your standards, Ms. Goldstein?" the judge asked Tina.

"It has far exceeded my expectations, Your Honor," Tina answered honestly.

The judge nodded thoughtfully. "And has she maintained a consistent interest in his well-being since she took temporary custody?"

"Yes, Your Honor," Tina nodded.

The judge hummed, folding her hands. "Ms. Swan, I will never condone child abuse in any form, on and off this bench," she said. "This is not a unique case placed before me, but given the child was born outside of the United States, I will make an exception."

Emma blinked. "An exception, Your Honor?"

The judge nodded. "Would you like to keep Harry in your custody, Ms. Swan?"

"Can she?" Harry blurted, then hastily covered his mouth with his hand, not sure if he should have spoken.

The judge chuckled fondly, able to see why the two women were so taken with the boy. "Ms. Swan, should you agree, I will order Harry into your care as a custodial parent for six months. At that time, you will be given the option to permanently adopt him." She tilted her head. "Do you agree?"

Harry squirmed in his seat, fighting to even remain on the bench. Tina turned to look at Emma, recalling their conversation beforehand. Here was Emma's opportunity to back out if she wanted, handed to her on a silver platter.

But Emma had been given a second chance with a kid, and there was no way in hell she was going to do anything other than take that chance and run. "Yes, Your Honor," she nodded. "I agree."

Harry's cheer of delight was music to Tina's ears.

***

And so begins (or continues, I suppose) the adventures of Emma and Harry! I am no expert in law proceedings, hence why there's no official length provided for Vernon's sentence, but however long it is, Vernon is likely dead before he reaches that point, given all the charges he was stuck with. In Law & Order: SVU, Olivia Benson was granted custodial guardianship of Noah for one year before she could officially adopt him, so I'm messing with that time a little bit, given Harry's circumstances.

And yes. That last scene was inspired by and has quotes from that scene where Benson gets custody of Noah. Sue me.

~ Miss Moffat

***

Well, there's that. Are we happy with the chapters so far readers? I know Miss Moffat and I are. We've gotten so far with this in only two weeks, and I'm quite proud of ourselves. I had some trouble writing this when we got to where Harry and Tina met again, so I asked for her help. She did an amazing job! I'm not a judge or jury, so I also have no idea how court proceedings work, so I didn't even try to pitch in. These six months with Emma and Harry are going to go by really quickly.

I think next chapter is them settling in, and then afterwards we get to Queenie and Newt! I hope you're excited as we are for Harry to meet Newt and Queenie! We already have so much planned for this quartet and we hope you will like (most) of it!

As always, stay safe, stay healthy, and stay reading <3

~ Miss Singer xx