Harry Potter and the Forgotten Heir
Chapter 1: Number 4 Privet Drive
The streetlights glowed, lighting this quaint little street located in an old city just outside of London. All of the houses were dark signifying that most of the residents of this small community had already retired for the night. The only sound that could be heard other than the crickets and the occasional hoot of an owl came from a small object that glinted in the moonlight. "Click", the lights went out in sequence as three dark figures strolled down Privet Drive talking silently careful not to step into the glow of the remaining lit streetlights. The larger one looked to be carrying a large box on his shoulder while the smaller one of the group was carrying and old birdcage in one hand and a broom in the other.
Stopping in front of a normal looking house the larger figure looked up and saw a solitary number "4" on the wall entry way. 'Gulp', he swallowed hard as his face melted he turned to look at the smallest member of the party. "Ah, P'fessor do we have to do this", he asked the medium sized man as he sat the trunk down on the curb.
The glow of the moonlight glittered against the silver beard of the medium sized man illuminating his old face. "Yes, Hagrid this is the safest place for Harry to be right now." He looked down at the boy trying to smooth his facial features so the boy wouldn't realize how hard this was for him to do. He reached down and squeezed Harry's shoulder in a desperate attempt of encouragement. "You'll be just fine here Harry."
"I know but I don't have to like it. Wouldn't I be safer back at the school or maybe if I stayed with the Weasley's. They are Wizards after all they could protect me." Harry looked longingly at the Professor.
The aged Professor took Harry's other shoulder in his hand and turned him to so they were looking into each other's eyes. "Harry I don't like this anymore than you do. But, with all of the preparations that we have to make at the school and with Arthur and Molly getting more involved in Ministry business this is the only place you will be completely safe."
Harry, recognizing for the first time how much this situation was paining poor old Dumbledore, decided to try and offer a little encouragement to his beloved teacher. He put on his best smile and looked at Dumbledore and Hagrid, "Your right, this is the safest place and don't worry I'll be fine. I've lived with them this long another summer isn't going to hurt."
Hagrid being twice the size of the old professor and twice as emotional as a new mother immediately recognized the bravery of these two and with a loud 'sob' scooped them both to his chest in a rib splitting hug. "O' cant stands it no more."
Wheezing for breath Dumbledore squeaked out, "'agrid, ribs, 'ant breath."
Dropping the two in lump of robes and entangled limbs Hagrid pulled out a handcherchief the size of a small tablecloth blew his nose and then began to sob uncontrollably into the cloth.
Dusting themselves off Dumbledore handed Harry a letter. "You are to give that to your aunt and uncle. Don't get any ideas," the professor warned, "it has been enchanted and no one will be able to read it except your aunt and uncle." Dumbledore patted him on the shoulder, "Be brave someone will come to get you as soon as we can. Now I better get Hagrid out of here before he floods the street." The professor turned Hagrid away from Harry, "Take care of yourself."
"Bye, 'arry", Hagrid sobbed as he looked back right before both he and the professor disappeared.
Harry still in shock about being left on the doorstep of his horrible relatives smiled at poor old Hagrid. The streetlights came on all of a sudden bringing Harry back to reality. Reaching down to pick up his trunk Harry said to himself, "Well, I guess I better get this over with." As he turned and headed to the door dreading waking up his aunt and uncle in the middle of the night.
***
The summer flew by, as this stay with the Dursley's didn't seem to be nearly as bad as he remembered it. Harry figured it had to do with something in that letter that Professor Dumbledore made him give to his aunt and uncle. Dudley had been insufferable at times but it was nothing he couldn't deal with. The odd thing was when ever Aunt Petunia or Uncle Vernon was in the same room with him they were actually civil. If Dudley made a smart remark towards Harry, Uncle Vernon would hit him with a stick or whatever was handy and Aunt Petunia would immediately send Dudley out of the room.
The oddest thing that happened was on July 31st the day of Harry's 15th birthday. He woke up as usual looking forward to summer's end as he did every birthday. The end of the summer signified that he would be returning to Hogwarts School of Magic soon. Hogwarts is a school for wizards and witches, which Harry just happened to be. Today though when he woke up there were presents at the end of his bed. He glanced around the room and saw 5 owls chirping quietly to Hedwig, his pet owl and sharing some of the food in Hedwig's bowl. Harry knew were by this site were the presents had come from. He jumped out of his bed and grabbed his first present to see whom it was from.
"Happy Birthday Harry", he recognized Hermonie's elegant writing on the note. Opening the package he found a new book, "The Life and Times of Harry Potter by Finius McGrew". Harry's face snarled a little as he read the title and quickly discarded the book and read what Hermonie had written on the piece of parchment. "I saw this in the store and I couldn't resist. I know you probably wont like it so I also sent you a box of Chocolate Frogs. I hope you are having a better summer than the last one. My parents are taking me to Diagon Alley day after tomorrow to get this year's school supplies. Do you want to come with us? Send me a reply if you do. Hermonie…"
Harry grabbed a piece of parchment that he was using the night before and quickly scribbled "Thank you, for the gift. I should have figured you would give me a book." Harry smiled as he noted the touch of sarcasm in his wording, "I'm kidding thank you very much, and it makes me feel good that someone remembers my birthday but did you have to buy that one. The frogs are good though," Harry bit into the one of the frogs he had unwrapped while retrieving the parchment, "I would appreciate the ride into Diagon Alley. I'm sure that Uncle Vernon won't take me. I'll see you in a couple of days. Harry."
Harry held up the parchment and one of the owls chirped and hopped over to him. He handed the note to the owl and it leaped out of his window on its way. Harry quickly dove into the other presents. Ron had sent him an autographed picture of his favorite quittich team; quittich is a game similar to soccer but played on broomsticks. Hagrid had sent him a copy of Magical Creatures From Around the World. Hagrid had always loved strange creatures. He once tried to raise a baby dragon in his house. The thought still brought a shiver to Harry's mind.
Professor Dumbledore sent him a silver pocket watch that was very similar to the clock the Weasley's had in their house. It had hands on it each with a name and they pointed at locations of where each person was. He could see Dumbledore's name pointing to Hogwarts, this is the school Harry will attend in the fall. The other names on the clock were Hermonie, Ron, Hagrid, Moony and Padfoot. Inside the package was a note and extra small hands for the watch. The note said, "You never know when something like this will come in handy. Just follow the instructions if you want to add someone else to your watch."
Harry smiled as he put the watch down and opened the next present. Inside was a golden locket on a chain for him to wear around his neck, and when he opened it two pictures of a dark haired man and a beautiful women with Harry's green eyes winked at him. Pictures in the Wizard world were quite different from the Muggle world. They never stayed in the same picture for to long, eventually they would get bored and go to visit other pictures. Harry read the note knowing already who had sent him this. All the note said was, "So you can keep you parents close to your heart. Padfoot." A tear rolled down Harry's cheek as he put the necklace around his head.
Surprised Harry looked down at two more presents at the foot of his bed. Not knowing who sent them Harry carefully picked up the cards that were attached to each of them. In the Wizard World if you were not careful someone could put a curse on something that would affect you. And, after what had happened at Hogwarts last year with the "TriWizard Cup", Harry was not taking any chances. The first note said, "Harry, Happy Birthday. Uncle Vernon." Harry's eyes about jumped out of his head as he grabbed the other card. "Harry, Happy Birthday. Aunt Petunia." Harry opened the first one, a new CD walk-man with six new CDs. The second one had new outfit of clothes complete with a new pair of Nike tennis shoes with the tags still on them. Harry fell back onto the bed and nearly sat on his new watch. He couldn't believe it, not one but two gifts from his aunt and uncle. All Harry could think, "What was in that letter?"
After Harry had written replies to his friends and sent the owls off he stroked Hedwig's head and went down stairs in his new set of clothes and his walk-man in his hand. As he walked into the kitchen Aunt Petunia was cooking breakfast and Uncle Vernon was hidden behind his morning paper. Dudley was sitting at the table looking like a different man than Harry remembered him from last summer. No longer was he the overweight pig that he had mistaken him for so many times but now he was quite trim and looked like a football player. After Dudley had went back to Smelting's, the school that he attended in the fall, without loosing but gaining five pounds the nurse there quickly put him on a strict diet and had the gym coach run off the extra hundred pounds or so Dudley was carrying. Harry had to admit, once all that fat was gone Dudley actually looked like a human.
Dudley raised his head, looked at Harry in his new clothes and fell out of his chair. "Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon thank you for the presents." Harry said as they turned to see where the 'thud' sound had come from.
"Your welcome." Uncle Vernon grumbled like he swallowed a mouse. Quickly he turned back to his paper.
Aunt Petunia went to the table and placed the plate of sausages on it. "At least something can be said about your school. Your manners are sure improving." She finished this sentence with so much contempt in her voice it almost broke her face. "Sit down and eat. Be quick about it. Uncle Vernon is taking you and Dudley to get your hair cut today. You wont live under my roof with that mop of yours."
Dudley had gathered his composure and sat back down at the table. "I don't want to go with Harry to get my hair cut." Dudley whined in the same voice Harry had heard so many times before.
"You'll do what we tell you to and like it." Uncle Vernon lowered his paper to look at Dudley.
"Mudders, don't make my go with icky Harry." Dudley whined to his mother.
To Harry's surprise Aunt Petunia grabbed a wooden spoon she was using to cook with and smacked Dudley on the back of the head, "You will do what your father tells you."
"Uncle Vernon, a friend of mine wants me to go into London with them day after tomorrow to get our school stuff. I was wandering….". Before Harry could get it out Uncle Vernon slammed his paper down his knuckles were going white as he shook with rage. "Here it comes," Harry thought as he saw the look of terror creep over his aunt's face and the smile crossing Dudley's.
Uncle Vernon composed himself just enough to squeak out. "You will write them and tell them they are to pick up you school supplies and take them with them when they go to school this fall."
"But..." Harry started to say something.
Uncle Vernon slammed his hand down on the table and even Dudley wiped the smile from his face. "Don't 'but' me boy. Your Headmaster requested that you are not to leave Privet Drive until someone from the school comes to get you. I don't know what you have done to warrant this but I'm guessing he just can't trust you outside of parental control. So that being the case you will not be going anywhere. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME"? Uncle Vernon was on the verge of shouting.
"Yes, sir." Harry mumbled
Pulling an even tighter reign on his composure Uncle Vernon looked at Harry, "Now, you go upstairs and send the letter. After that we are going to get your haircut and Ill not hear anymore of this about going anywhere."
Harry stood, lowered his head and started towards the door. "Another thing," Uncle Vernon got Harry's attention, "don't even think about running off either. I am to report this directly to your school if you try this and there will be hell to pay."
***
Harry got out of the car at the barbershop as Dudley shoved past him so he could be the first in the barber chair. Dudley hated it when Harry was first at anything even if he didn't want to have it done he still couldn't stand the thoughts of Harry going first.
As Dudley was getting his hair cut Uncle Vernon was reading a newspaper again and Harry was sitting in chair reading a magazine as he watched people walking by the barbershop window. Dudley was giving the Barber a hard time of cutting his hair. Telling the Barber one thing and then changing his mind right after he had snipped a piece of hair off. Uncle Vernon snorted, "That right Dudley make sure you get your money's worth."
Harry looked at the barber and shook his head and the barber looked down and smiled. The barber felt sorry for anyone who had to live with these two people. As Harry was looking up he caught a figure out of the corner of his eye. He thought he saw someone he recognized.
As Harry took a closer look the color in his face went white and he started shaking. There bigger than life stood no other than Peter Pettigew also known as Wormtail. Peter had been the accomplice that had helped Voldemort the evil wizard regain his lost body. He was also the one that had betrayed Harry's family to Voldemort all those years ago and framed his godfather Sirius for murder. Sending him to Azkaban, the Wizards prison for a decade. Harry was shocked but before Peter could turn around and see him he quickly pulled the magazine up over his face. Harry looked at the magazine in that position until Dudley was finished getting his hair cut which was another half an hour.
"Next", the barber said as Uncle Vernon looked at Harry. Harry not wanting to get in the chair where anyone passing by could see him, he thought quickly and grabbed his nose and yelled nose bleed and ran out of the barbershop with Uncle Vernon hot on his trail. Dudley stopped long enough to pay the barber what he owed. Harry dove quickly into the back floorboard of the Dursley's car trying to hide. Uncle Vernon shouting for him to come back stuck his head into the car and started to say something.
Harry, white faced again, cut Vernon off before he could say anything. "Uncle Vernon, don't ask any questions just get in and drive. The trouble you were wandering about at the school just walked by the barber window." Uncle Vernon who knew better than to get mixed up in any kind of magic business just jumped in started the car and drove off. Dudley ran out of the building yelling for his dad to wait as he was left on the curb next to the barbershop.
Vernon Dursley squealed the tires of his car as he came to an abrupt stop outside of his house. Harry jumped out and ran for the house. He opened the door and didn't stop running until he made it to his bedroom. Aunt Petunia was screaming after Harry about running in the house. Uncle Vernon ran into the house and ran right over top of Petunia who was standing at the foot of the stairs. They both crashed into the stairs as Vernon fought her off to get up the stairs to find out what was going on. Harry in the meantime was packing everything he owned in his trunk. He grabbed a bottle of flu powder that the Weasley's had given him, stuck his wand in his belt, and closed the trunk. He grabbed the handle of the trunk, Hedwig's empty cage, and bolted back downstairs.
As he made it back downstairs, Vernon was getting untangled from Petunia and Dudley had finally made it back to the house. The barbershop was just 4 blocks away and by the way Dudley was breathing he had ran the entire way. Harry looked and for a moment the thought crossed his mind but was gone as quickly as it had arrived, "I guess Dudley's new diet agrees with him."
Harry dropped the trunk and cage at the bottom of the stairs and streaked for the fireplace immediately trying to rip the boards that covered the opening. Uncle Vernon shouted, "Boy, what do you think you are doing?"
"I got to get out of here now." Harry strained as he kept pulling at the boards.
"YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE," Uncle Vernon shouted at the top of his lungs.
This shocked Harry back to his senses. "What's going on boy? You better speak quickly before I call the 'Nut Hatch' and have you admitted." Uncle Vernon sneered at him.
"Vernon, I don't have time to explain but here it is in a nutshell. The Wizard," Harry saw the anger in his Uncle's eyes as he said one of the most forbidden words in the house, "that killed my parents has been trying to kill me for the last four years. I just saw his servant at the barbershop. I have to get away and now. If he finds me he will kill me and anyone else that is in the general vicinity." Harry looked at each of his relatives just so they would understand the gravity of the situation.
Uncle Vernon's anger went away and was replaced by fear. He shoved Harry out of the way and ripped through the boards in the fireplace like they were paper. Dudley fell with a thud on the floor. Aunt Petunia started sobbing hysterically, "Get him out of my house, and get him out now." Vernon remembering what was used last time a Wizard had used his fireplace began breaking the boards into kindling for a fire. Vernon lit the fire and stood back breathing so hard Harry thought he might have a heart attack. Through the ragged breaths Uncle Vernon pointed at the fire and said, "Go, get out, and don't come back."
Harry realizing that when he left he would not be back, got a little choked. Sure he didn't like the Dursley's but they were the only family he had known for 12 years. They were cruel to him and made fun of him but they were still family. They took him in and gave him a roof to sleep under after all. He felt obligated to them in some sense. He turned to Vernon, "Uncle Vernon you probably should call work, tell them your going on vacation, and go to your sister Marge's for a couple of weeks." He looked down at Aunt Petunia who was still sobbing uncontrollably on the floor holding onto Vernon's leg. He said with a little bit of sadness in his voice, "Don't worry I will not be back". When Harry pulled his trunk and birdcage over by the fire, he sprinkled the flu powder over himself and his belongings, and stepped into the fire. Before he said his destination he looked back at the Dursley's, "Thank you". A lonely tear rolled down his cheek, "The Weasley's" he shouted and everything blurred.
Harry was correct about not returning to Number 4 Privet Drive because there was nothing there for him to return to. Nearly a week later Number 4 was sold complete with all furnishings. The Dursleys, now known as the Abbots were beginning their new life on a new street, 816 45th Street, New York City, New York.
***