This story came to me after I finished Order of the Phoenix on June 22, 2003. It will be a one-shot. You already know it's short.
Flames are terrible things. Especially in this heat. *swoons* Thank the universe for air-conditioners!
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is not mine. It never will be. Otherwise Severus Snape would have more of a personality, and Albus Dumbledore would be less of a busy-body.
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Harry sat in his room, the smallest bedroom in the house at 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey.
He thought back to when the Dursleys picked him up from the train station. Uncle Vernon had been shocked to say the least. Even Harry had to agree that Moody looked creepy, what with that bowler hat covering that eye. But for the life of him, Harry couldn't figure out why his uncle had felt that Moody would ever be approachable. Moody's entire body screamed "Danger!"
Aunt Petunia had been more affronted than anything else. On the drive home, she had muttered to herself on that horrid shade of pink. Tonks definitely hadn't impressed her. Harry mused that Tonks would have altered her appearance on the spot if either of his relatives had offered approval, so no harm done. After all, she probably chose that sort of appearance for shock value more than anything else.
Both Vernon and Petunia had glared at Mr. Weasley. Understandable, considering how Mr. Weasley had single-handedly ruined the living room during the previous summer. That would be sure to alienate anybody, especially magic haters like the Dursleys.
All in all, the meeting had gone about as well as could be expected. There was only one thing that astounded Harry.
The Dursleys had all but ignored Remus Lupin.
Lupin's lycanthropy meant that he was consistently harassed by the wizarding community for something outside of his control. Lupin had no say over when the full moon occurred. It just came. Every month. And the new legislation that Umbridge had pushed through a couple of years ago made it difficult for Lupin to get ahold of a job capable of providing him with enough food, much less new robes.
Perhaps that was why the Dursleys had ignored Lupin. He didn't look impressive. Neither did Mr. Weasley, but the Dursleys had already met him, and were on the defensive.
Yes, that would explain why the Dursleys had ignored the most dangerous person in the train station. Why else would they disregard a werewolf?
Perhaps Harry should tell them of their error. Perhaps not.
Lupin enjoys his privacy. He had written a letter just the week previously on that very subject, and on the Dursley's ignorance.
Yes, the Dursleys wouldn't mind overmuch if Harry left them in the dark a bit longer.
He glanced back at the book on werewolves that Lupin had sent with his letter. The former professor had specially marked certain passages. The book was currently opened to one such passage, where a single sentence was highlighted.
Werewolves are known for their fierce protectiveness of their young, and the young of their pack.
Harry smiled.
"Boy!" Aunt Petunia rapped on the door with her knuckles and entered. "Did you write your letter?"
Moody had demanded that Harry send out a letter at least once every three days. The members of the order wanted to ensure his well being, after all.
"Yes. Hedwig will be back in a moment. I'll send it out with her."
"Fine." A pause. "Dinner is ready."
She walked away. Harry replied with a "Thank you" to her back.