disclaimer - i don't own harry potter and no money is made of this.
Albus Dumbledore looked over at the cloaked figure. Professor MacGonaghill stood looking out the window.
"You really shouldn't have come back," Professor MacGonaghill said, "It isn't time."
"I could not stay away any longer. I have seen terrible things and can not in all good concious stand idle in the face of it. You need a new Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher and I am ideal for this position." the cloaked figure looked at the Headmaster, "I must make myself a place now. I cannot remain in hiding forever."
"You must do as your concious dictates, however, I would warn that you tread carefully."
"I will, Headmaster, I will tread very carefully."
Petunia Dursley answered the door. She saw a lovely young woman with long black hair, her brown eyes were penetrating. She was well dressed and quite beautiful to look upon.
"Petunia," she said softly.
Petunia Dursley paled, "Vivianne," she said softly.
"It is a pleasure to see you again. May I come in?"
"Yes, of course," she held the door open further and was careful to step back.
Vivianne walked into the house and looked around absently.
"Where is he?" she asked.
"Upstairs, reading no doubt."
Vivianne smiled, "So like his father, James."
"Would you care for some tea? I was just about to have some?"
"Thank you, yes, I would."
Harry had just finished the book he was reading. He really didn't like his aunt and uncle. They had treated him badly as a little child, once he started attending Hogwart's things had changed slightly. Now they actually seemed somewhat afraid of him, which was a step up.
He left his room and walked downstairs. He could hear voices in the dining room. He stepped just inside the door to see who was there.
"Harry," aunt Petunia said with a touch of surprise, "Please, come on in." she gestured for him to sit down in a chair between her and the other woman.
Harry walked in cautiously. He wondered what was up. His aunt was acting very peculiar. She seemed truly frightened by the other woman. The other woman was quite beautiful and Harry sensed power in her, but it was calming, though a bit scary.
Once Harry sat down his aunt made the introductions. "Harry, this your aunt Viviane, she is, your father's younger sister."
Harry looked over at her surprised.
"Your my father's sister?" he asked her.
"Yes, I am," she answered.
"Why haven't I seen you or heard of you before now?"
"I was in hiding since Voldemort murdered your parents. After what Remus and Sirius did for me, I could hardly repay their kindness by opening myself to be killed like James and Lily." She sighed softly, there was such deep sadness in her eyes, "James ordered me to go into hiding that night, I was twenty-one and told James I could handle Voldemort. He said no, I was to go into hiding until the time was right. So I went. I remembered seeing Lily holding you in her arms. She looked at me and said, "Won't you say goodbye to Harry before you go?" I walked over and touched your little hand. "Be good Harry," said I, "We'll meet again as soon as this unpleasantness is over." I remembered kissing your forehead then I hugged Lily briefly. "I shall miss you so much dear sister," I said to her. "I shall miss you too Viviane. You and James are quite something when you join forces. He is lucky to have such a sister as you."
Viviane stared absently out the glass doors. "I did not truly believe it would be the last time I would ever see them alive. I loved James dearly, he was five years my senior and despite the years that separated us, we were very close. I remember hugging James. He told me it was to be only for a short time." she looked over at Harry, "It ended up being for thirteen years. I cannot remain hidden any longer. I told Dumbledore I will not stand for it. I have lost the life I should have had, my power has grown, Voldemort is no threat to me, I have had thirteen years to strengthen myself with knowledge, I am descended from the blood of Godric Griffyndor and Louisa Ravenclaw, I will not hide anymore."
Harry looked over at his aunt Petunia the way she acted told him all too clearly that what Viviane said was true.
"You are not afraid of Voldemort?"
"He does not frighten me. I can fight him and give him a run for the money. I was robbed of much when I went into hiding...I will not be robbed anymore. I loved a man, Ash Malphrus.. I married him secretly two years before you were born. I have five lovely children now, when our eldest, Laetitia, turned eleven, I convinced Ash to leave me and to take the children back home. He reluctantly agreed with me. We knew we would be parted for awhile..."
"Laetitia Malphrus is my cousin?" Harry knew Laetitia, a lovely girl with long silvery blonde hair and deep brown eyes. She was smart and seemed to be talented, especially in divination. She belonged to Ravenclaw, like James and Lily Malphrus. Laetitia is two years older than Harry, but James and Lily are the same age, though a month younger.
"Yes, she is. Laetitia, James and Lily, Jonathan and now Lavinia will be attending Hogwart's. The Malphrus family, unfortunately, is related to the Malfoy's, their ties go back ten generations, though the Malphrus family is much older, by several centuries. Next time Draco Malfoy rags on you, you tell him this. I guarantee he will leave you alone."
"You know the Malfoy's?"
"I know Lucius Malfoy only too well. You know he cast his eyes upon me once long ago. James said I was too lovely not to be noticed. He didn't like Lucius Malfoy and I did date him a few times, since James didn't want me playing around, as he said, with them, I stopped seeing him. Our father died when I was 17, so James was my guardian."
Harry was surprised by this information. His aunt had dated Draco's father?
Viviane smiled at his expression, "I also dated Severus Snape..."
Now his eyes really opened wide. Viviane laughed, "Oh, how different they were when they were all younger. Severus loved his potions and incantations, I loved to read, I soaked up every bit of knowledge I could, I am not unlike your friend Hermione."
"You know about Ron and Hermione! How?"
"I have a mirror in which I can see all things, I have watched over you closely, my dear Harry. I could not help you from a distance, though I did try Harry. I saw your confrontation with Voldemort when he tried to get his hands on the sorcerer's stone, I saw you defeat Tom Riddle as his 16 year old self, I saw what happened with Sirius and Remus...I know now that it was Peter Pettigrew who betrayed our dear family, and I will avenge it. Peter will suffer and I have decided HOW he will suffer. What do you say to life as a Statue, frozen forever, able to see and hear, but not do anything. A terrible enough prison, don't you think?"
Harry smiled, "After he's confessed and cleared Sirius Black."
"Of course," her face changed when he mentioned Sirius Black.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked softly.
"I was very much in love with Sirius at one time. You know I had wanted to marry him. But I was just James' little sister, lovely, he loved me, but like a sister. I was so heart-broken, I decided to put my feelings for him aside and allow myself to love again. First Love is hard to get over Harry, so many times you ask yourself, "What if?". I love my husband Ash very much now, I am glad I found him, and that he was willing to wait for my love. You see Harry, when I married him, I cared for him deeply, but I didn't really love him. It wasn't until after Laetitia was born that I realized I did. Funny, how things work out sometimes." Viviane closed her eyes for a moment then looked back at Harry, "Remus, how funny he could be. I have spent many of my years in hiding working on finding a cure for his Lycanthropy. I have though found a way I can help him. I have created an Amulet of Lycanthropy. What it does, is it allows the wearer to retain their human intelligence when transformed into a werewolf. They can speak and act like any human. It also allows the wearer to choose on their own when to turn into a werewolf, the moon does not choose it for them. I am afraid to date, that is the best I have been able to do."
"That's great! I'm sure he would love to have it."
"Have you any idea where to find him? I would be very pleased to give it to him."
"He was at Hogwart's last year, but Lucius Malfoy, not to mention the other parents were upset by his being a werewolf..."
"They sacked him?"
Harry shook his head, "He left. He didn't want to stay around long enough for everything to become difficult."
"So Lucius was in on it?"
"Well, part of it, Professor Snape made sure everyone knew."
Viviane's eyes narrowed, "Leave Severus and Lucius to me. I know where all their skeletons are buried. They won't be making trouble for anyone while I'm around."
Harry smiled, perhaps having his aunt Viviane around wouldn't be so bad. She knew things about them that most people didn't. Most likely very embarassing things, Harry would enjoy this immensely.
"So tell me Harry, how is Arthur?
"Arthur? Arthur Weasley?"
"Of course, I am related to the Weasley's on my maternal side. If I remember, Arthur is my third cousin twice removed, though it's been so long I can't be certain."
"Wow!"
"Obviously, your familiarity with your witching heritage has been very sorely neglected," she looked over at Petunia who shifted nervously in her chair, "but we'll fix that Harry. Speaking of which, I know you don't know me well enough, but I would like to know you Harry. I have spoken to Ash and the children, and everyone agrees with my idea. Harry, how would you like to come and live with me?"
Harry sat there stunned for a few moments. "Live with you?"
"Hmm, we have taken up residence again at Ravensclaw Manor, my mother gave to me several years ago. That is where Ash and the children have been living while I was in hiding. It's huge, with secret passages, a potion's lab, a huge library with over 50,000 books...100 acres to run around on, horses, and a pegasus. Unicorn have been seen towards the back of the property in the woodlands. There's even a large pond, perfect for swimming. Watch out for the Dryads though, there are several living in the trees."
Harry listened with wide eyes. It would be like a dream come true. To live with his aunt Viviane, who would probably love him, and seemed happy to have him, who he could talk to about magic, spells and other things. To live with cousins close to his age, whom he liked and who liked him, to have someone who truly accepted him, or continue to live here with Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon who feared him now, but were still mean and petty to him. Who made it clear they didn't want him and never had. Who thought he was just a burden thrust upon them.
"You don't have to decide now, think about it. Since I'll be riding the train with you to Hogwart's. Are you all packed?'
"Yes, Aunt Viviane, I am."
"What do you say we leave now? I realize we don't have to catch the train for a few hours, we can stop and shop at Diagon Alley."
"That would be great!" Harry practically jumped up from the chair. This was so exciting to be with someone who genuinely wanted him. He ran upstairs to get his things.
Viviane turned then to Petunia, she took some papers out of her purse, then put them in front of her. "You will of course sign them. It relinquishes all your guardian rights to Harry and makes me his legal guardian. Of course, should Harry decide to stay with you, then we shall just destroy these documents. Somehow though, I don't think that will happen. You and Vernon have not been very kind to poor Harry." Viviane's voice turned low and threatening.
"You can't do magic away from Hogwart's," Aunt Petunia said bravely.
"There are spells that do not require closeness. Hexes, Curses, I can make the rest of your life one big run of bad luck. Willing to take the chance?"
Petunia looked down at the papers and the pen she held out to her. She quickly took them and signed the papers. When she was done she handed them back to Viviane. "There its over, I will be glad when he's gone, then my life can get back to normal."
"If Lily knew how you treated her son, she would be very disappointed in you. Oddly enough, your sister loved you, the way you treated her hurt more than you will ever know." Viviane just shook her head, "I am thankful my sibling was not cruel like you."
"Yes, but then you and your brother James were both cut from the same cloth."
"Thankfully, yes, we were." Viviane smiled, "It was a pleasure visiting with you Petunia. Please, though, let's not do it again." Viviane placed the papers and the pen back into her purse and rose from the chair. She turned and walked out into the hallway just as Harry came down the stairs with his trunk. When he reached the bottom of the stairs he looked at his Aunt Viviane.
"I've decided Aunt Viviane, I want to come and live with you."
"Have you everything then?" she asked him.
"I do." he looked over at his Aunt Petunia, "You never really wanted me, so now you will be free of me forever. All I ever wanted was a loving family, you and uncle Vernon never offered me that."
Petunia felt badly about that. Harry had been an innocent child and they had treated him badly. Love? They loved Dudley, he was their own son, but Harry they never gave him any love. For that she did feel guilty.
"Enjoy your new home Harry. I suppose it is more suited to you."
He nodded, "I will. Goodbye Aunt Petunia. Say goodbye to Uncle Vernon and Dudley for me." Viviane opened the door and held it for Harry while he pulled his trunk out behind him.
"Good-bye Petunia. Have a good...life." slowly she closed the door behind her.
Petunia Dursley stood there for long moments just staring at the door.
The train whistle blew. It was a warning for everyone to load up as the train would soon be leaving. Harry walked beside his aunt. They ran into the Weasleys.
"Hey Ron," Harry greeted.
"Hey Harry," Ron greeted.
Viviane looked over at Mrs. Weasley, "Hello there Molly it's been a long time."
Mrs Weasley was stunned. She could scarcely believe what she saw.
"Viviane? Viviane Potter?" she cried out.
"Yes, it's me. Remember, I'm Viviane Malphrus."
"Oh, yes, dear me of course I remember. What are you doing...out?" she asked looking around herself, "Oh my, Arthur will be so upset to know you're...out!"
"Calm down, I'm the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," she gently laid her hand on Mrs. Weasley's shoulder, "I've had enough with hiding, besides, I am ready for..." she whispered softly, "you know who. He won't get me like he did James and Lily."
Mrs. Weasley smiled and hugged her. "Oh, my dear, I'm sorry, I did not mean to be so stand offish. You took me quite by surprise."
Ron looked at Harry he had been listening to what was said. "Potter? Is she related to you?"
"Yeah, that's my aunt Viviane, she's my father's younger sister. She's been in hiding all these years, finally she said she'd had enough and came back out. She's told me she won't let, " Harry whispered, "You Know Who, dictate how she's going to live. She's a powerful witch Ron, very powerful, as powerful as Albus Dumbledore."
Ron's eyes widened, "No, are you kidding?"
Harry looked at Ron, "I'm not kidding. I'm going to be living with her, my uncle, and my cousins."
"Cousins?"
"yeah, Laetitia, James, Lily, Jonathan, and Lavinia.
"Laetitia, James, Lily, Jonathan and Lavinia Malphrus are your cousins! Oh, no, their related to Draco Malfoy too!"
"Yeah, something else huh?" he reached down into his duffle bag and pulled out a book. It was something his aunt had given him on the drive from Aunt Petunia's to the Leaky Cauldron. "Here's a complete family history tracing my grandmother's line all the way back to Louisa Ravenclaw and my grandfather's line back to Godric Gryffindor." he handed it to Ron who glanced at it, "Wow, Harry, this is something else!"
"Yeah, I know. There is so much I didn't know about my family. Aunt Viviane has told me so much, shared stories about her and dad when they were children, somehow, I feel so much closer to my parents now that I've met aunt Viviane." Ron handed the book back to Harry who put it away again in his duffle bag. "I love being with her Ron, she is so very nice, she really seems to care about me. She even bought me some new clothes, we went shopping together at Diagon Alley, we went window shopping, stopped at Gringott's, and had bite to eat at Lefty's..."
"You went to Leaping Lefty's! Why, only someone who's anyone gets to go there!"
"I couldn't believe it either. We were joined by my uncle Ash, he's really very nice too, and my cousins, Laetitia, James, Lily and I talked together. Even my younger cousins, Jonathan and Lavinia seemed really excited when they found out I was going to be living with them."