Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any book or character from the series.

Removing Dudley From the Equation – Year 6

Chapter 1: Lessons

Vernon Dursley was showing his adopted son Harry how to drive. Of course, Harry still didn't even have a learner's permit so Vernon did all the driving while Harry watched from the other front seat to have a grasp on how to drive. "Well, son, I hope you paid attention because we're going home now."

"Yes, Dad." Harry eagerly replied.

Back at their home at Number Four, Privet Drive, Petunia Dursley was baking cookies for when her husband and her nephew/foster son came back home when she heard the doorbell. "That's odd." She thought. "I'm not expecting visitors and Vernon and Harry wouldn't ring the bell." "Who's there?" She asked.

"It's Sirius, Petunia." Sirius replied. She opened the door for him. "Sorry I can't welcome you better but I'm in the middle of baking cookies."

"Apology accepted, Petunia." Sirius said. "Where's Prongslet?"

"Vernon took him somewhere to show how to drive a car." She explained.

"Cool!" He exclaimed. "Next time I show him how to drive a motorcycle!"

Petunia frowned. "Sirius Orion Black, you will NOT teach him how to drive those monstrosities until he becomes an adult and, for whatever reason, decides he wants to learn. Besides, shouldn't you be worried about the fact Harry will start the year he's taught how to apparate?"

"You're right, Petunia!" Sirius was excited at the idea. "It's an important step at a wizard's education."

"Is it that odd for a wizard not to learn how to apparate on their own, Sirius?" Petunia asked out of concern for Harry's future.

"That alone is not a big deal since every wizard can use the floo, portkeys or the Knight Bus but Prongslet has a lot to live up to, Petunia." Sirius explained.

Petunia shuddered at the alternate methods of magical transportation and now really hoped that Harry learned how to apparate. Her musings were interrupted by Vernon and Harry returning. "Sirius Black, what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" Vernon asked while trying not to sound disgusted at the word 'pleasure'.

"I came to see my godson, Vernon." Sirius explained. "It's been so long after the last time."

"It wasn't that much time, Sirius." Harry said.

"It hasn't been even one week." Vernon furiously replied.

"I know but this isn't a regular summer, Vernon." Sirius argued. "Prongslet is about to start his N.E.W.T.-level lessons and needs my guiding for them. Especially in apparating and potions."

"Potions?" Petunia hopefully asked. "Did you finally find a way to get rid of Snape?"

"Unfortunately not but I still can help by giving hints on the potions Professor Slughorn used to require N.E.W.T.-level students to brew back when he was Hogwarts' Potions Master, Petunia." Sirius explained.

"Wouldn't Snape require harder potions given how he is?" Vernon asked in worry. Severus Snape was the biggest objection the Dursleys had about Hogwarts.

"Probably not since the potions Professor Slughorn used to teach at this level are already hard but my hints are useful outside the classroom." Sirius replied while cringing at the idea of having to brew more difficult potions than those he had to during his time.

It was during times like those that Vernon and Petunia were glad to have Sirius Black around. Sirius Black might be upset at Harry seeing them as his parents but he knew about the magical subjects Harry needed to learn. "At least the curse on the Defense post is broken and you can still be at Hogwarts to keep an eye on Professor Snivellus." Vernon commented.

"We just found a way to neutralize it until it can be broken for good but I see your point, Vernon." Sirius corrected him.

"Sirius, I've heard about something called side-along apparition." Harry commented. "What's it?"

"Side-along apparition is when someone making apparition takes someone else with them, Prongslet." Sirius answered. "The someone else is side-along apparating. I can give you a demonstration."

"Wait a minute!" Petunia demanded. "I know wizards and witches are required licenses to apparate. Did you already get one after leaving prison?"

"Petunia, I'll let you know I remember everything one needs to know about apparating." Sirius replied like he's offended by Petunia's question.

"You didn't answer her question, Black." Vernon replied. Sirius' hesitation made Harry believe his parents were right to be worried.

End chapter.