Get a Hold of Yourself
Chapter One: It All Begins (revised)
Two days after the battle of Hogwarts-
"All those who are seventeen or younger are going to be sent back to their legal guardians until further notice in the wake of the final battle and the hope of recuperation." Kingsley Shacklebolt, new Minister of Magic, stood in the center of the mass of students and staff as he proclaimed a mandatory act to relocate as many children away from the wreckage as possible.
Kingsley, along with a small council, had decided it was in everyone's best interest, despite the seventeen year olds being legal adults, to have parental supervision. Unfortunately, Harry was lumped in with everyone else, which meant that he was being sent back to the Dursley's…
Later at the Dursley's-
Everyone had been sent home via the floo network leaving Harry all the more grimy, but that didn't matter. As soon as he had stepped into the empty house at Number 4, Privet Drive, the weight of the past nearly eight years began seeping into his bones as his muscles gave way under the crushing exhaustion. He just sat in the corner, alert as ever, eyes darting to all the doors, awaiting the arrival of the Dursley's.
After a few hours, the front door creaked open as Vernon Dursley walked into his home, for the first time in nearly a year, and turned to the sitting room only to find his nephew sitting in the corner. All three of the Dursley's became rooted to the floor, stuck under the piercing of a silent warrior, who looked as though he had been through hell and back and nearly burnt alive judging by the soot grim covering him. The only clear parts were a few dried tear tracks running down his cheek.
"I am being forced to stay with you over the summer. There's nothing you can do about, or else I wouldn't be here…." Harry trailed off at Vernon's disapproving glare. He had stated it all quite clearly having felt preamble was not necessary.
"Why should he take you in again, Boy?" bit back Vernon, taking a step further into the room as if to challenge Harry.
"I really don't want to be here, just so you know." Harry let out a half sigh with his eyes glazing over jut the slightest bit at his next words. "I would much rather be with my godson, but beggars can't be choosers, can they?" harry shook the slightest bit to bring himself back to the land of the conscious. He clearly felt adamant about being placed back with the Dursley's, but the dead look in his eyes told them that he was just too tired to fight about it.
"It doesn't matter if you want me here or not, the Ministry does, so, suck's to be you." Sarcasm dripped off his final words.
Heaving himself off the floor, Harry made his way up the stairs as Vernon and Petunia angrily whispered about it all.
He did not sleep that night...
A week after The Battle-
"Aunt Petunia, you and I both know that I can't leave the property without a guardian (an official letter explaining all the rules had been sent out to all the families affected), and I would like to see my godson. If you don't mind, it wouldn't be long." He clearly wanted to leave, had for a few days, to see some precious child that Petunia and Vernon highly doubted even existed.
"I will give you the same answer as yesterday, no." she said haughtily and walked away.
Petunia and Vernon had done everything in their power to make sure the boy knew he was not welcome. So far, he had only asked for one thing, to be accompanied to visit the child. Vernon was sure it was Harry's child, but was pretending it was his godson for show…
Two weeks after The Battle-
Harry and Andromeda had exchanged a few letters and agreed that she would come to Surry. Previously, Harry had explained (in the way least incriminating to the Dursley's) that he could not come to her and Teddy, and that he was very sorry he was unable to visit. She had quickly dismissed the idea that he should not see his own godson and promptly made plans to bring the tiny child to Harry.
A knock sounded and Harry was sent to answer it. When he opened the door, a smile spread across Harry's face for the first time in a very long time. Andromeda stood before him with a bundle of blankets and child in her arms. She walked into the sitting room before passing the baby onto Harry to cradle in his arms.
His face lit up as he silently cooed to Teddy while swaying back and forth. Teddy's bright eyes watched the boy holding him with trepidation and curiosity. Then-
Aunt Petunia walked in, stopped dead in her tracks, and let out a huff of annoyance.
"Who are you and what do you think you are doing in my home?" her question stilled the whole room as she glared at Harry and the bundle in his arms.
"I said that you could not see that child, Harry Potter." Sternness ran through her voice, piquing Andy's interest. "If you got some girl pregnant, then it's not my fault, do you hear me?"
"He did no such thing, Ms." Spoke Andy, "this is his godson, and he has half custody of the child." She stated matter-of-factly.
"I don't care what this boy has told you, but no one would name him godfather of any child. And it's Mrs. Dursley to you!" Petunia was particularly offended.
"Mrs. Dursley, my late daughter and son-in-law just happened to name him Godfather." Replied Andy, sarcasm etched in her voice.
Harry only saw Teddy twice more that summer…..
One week before the start of school-
"Boy, a letter came for you by some ruddy owl!" Uncle Vernon called to Harry who was cleaning the upstairs bathroom.
Coming downstairs to get the letter, Harry hoped it wasn't the Daily Prophet or The Ministry. Turns out, it was neither. It was Hogwarts…
Mr. Harry J. Potter;
An official decree was been released that states that yourself and your peers are to attend your final year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You are to be at Platform 9 ¾ on September 1st of this year. This is non-negotiable.
We await your arrival;
Headmistresses Professor McGonagall, Ministry of Magic
He was not sure if he really wanted to go and had been debating it all summer, but apparently his decision had been made. In some ways it made him happy that the decision no long rest on his shoulders, but….
Then he noticed the owl had yet to leave and still had another letter tied to it. It was for Dudley…
Harry read it before anyone could see who it was addressed to.
It said that Dudley had been left out of the school registry under Dumbledore's orders so Harry would have had no interference from his family. Dudley, it turned out was also such a weak wizard that he would have struggled immensely if he had attended…
September 1st, Kings Cross Station-
"It's really simple, Dudley. Just walk right through the post that says platform 9. If you're nervous, you should take it as a run, but be warned, when you cross there is going to be a lot of people. All of them are witches and wizards, so mind what you say and be polite." Harry stood at his cousin's shoulder instructing him on how to get to the Hogwarts Express. It was all simple, but he made sure to explain in detail so Dudley would understand and Petunia and Vernon could hear as well.
Harry went first for Dudley to see and so he could get away from them as much as possible. As soon as he came through, Harry spotted the Weasley's and rushed over. Mrs. Weasley enveloped him in a true mother's hug. Taking a step back to inspect Harry, Molly placed a hand on each side of his face and turned it back and forth before nodding in satisfaction.
The Dursley's came over just as Molly released Harry's face. Dudley and Petunia kept quiet (although a disapproving look crossed over Petunia's face), but Vernon snorted at the attention Harry had received and allowed with no comment. At the snort, Molly shot a venomous look at the man, effectively silencing him.
Before they knew it, everyone was whisked away onto the Express. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley found it especially difficult to let go of two of their children and the two they all but adopted. The Dursley's found it just as hard to let go of their only child, not even knowing of the things that had happened at Hogwarts the year before.
Just before the train left, Harry leaned out the window of the compartment and yelled:
"I promise no basilisks, trolls, spiders, or Umbridges get him!" to the Dursley's. Needless to say they did not take that well.
Just as Harry was losing sight of the platform he could glimpse Vernon and Petunia manically pestering Mr. and Mrs. Weasley about what an Umbridge was. The Weasley's were refusing to answer.
Harry was slightly smiling, but inside he still felt the anger, sadness, numbness, and all around depression that had lingered with him since he faced Quirrell in 1st year. He felt as though this year would be filled with a different type of battle. One that he was not prepared for. Not that he ever had been before…
A/N: So that was chapter one! Think this is going to be a calm school year where boring stuff happens like so many other 8th year fic? Not a chance in hell! So, yeah, I'm gonna make Harry such a sad case of stuff…. *breathes deeply with smile across face* *reclines in chair* this is gonna be good…. *smiles evilly*