Disclaimer: Would I really be posting my works on this site if I thought that I owned any amount of Harry Potter?
A/N: This story is a response to the challenge made by MarauderbyMoonlight. I learned about it by reading the response written by Lequin, which I really recommend reading by the way. So here is my attempt to get this smug little plot bunny from eating my cabbages.
Challenge details:
Takes place during the summer after fourth or fifth year.
Harry is at the Dursleys'.
Harry helps out a neighbor, you can decide how, but Harry must make a really good impression.
The neighbor that Harry helps out turns out to be the head of a country club Vernon and Petunia just joined.
Club is hosting a dance/party/welcoming for Vernon and his family, head insists that Harry come too.
Harry's neighbor is a relative of Hermione, her family is coming too.
Hermione at first does not want to attend as she is too worried about Harry but her mom talks her in to it.
Must end Harry and Hermione.
Optional:
During the dance Dudley gets a crush on Hermione but is devastated when she spends the entire time with Harry.
Dudley can act like a total ass embarrassing Vernon to no end, while Harry is the perfect gentleman.
If Harry and Hermione do hook up during the dance, Dudley accuses Harry of using magic on her and tells Vernon who first screams at Harry and then gets in a fight with Hermione's parents not knowing she is a witch too.
**SN**
Summer Nights
Harry felt it was oddly reminiscent of the year before as he sat on the swings watching his cousing bullying someone obviously smaller than him in the park. As always, it had bothered him, especially since it used to be him that was being assaulted; yet something was different about him now. Perhapse it was his recent adventures in to the Department of Mysteries; perhapse it was his recent expulsion of Voldemort from his mind; perhapse it was the recent death of his godfather still raw and unexpressed. This time was different.
This time, he couldn't just watch dismally.
With a small jump, Harry hopped off the creaky swing allowing it to pendulum its way to a stop in his wake. No one in the circle of bullies noticed him walk up to them as they jeered and taunted whomever was in their midst. Only when he tapped Dudley on the shoulder was there a disruption in the group.
Dudley spun about and blanched at the sight of Harry standing over him. And for once, Harry realized he was taller than his cousin. More narrow and spindley, without a doubt, but he now had an inch or two on the more bublous bully.
Upon seeing his cousin, Dudley's eyes bulged and he seemed to have a war within himself as he started to say something then closed his mouth seeming confused. His eyes darted back and forth then he seemed to pluck up some courage as he said, "What you want? Can't you see we're busy here?"
Harry glared. "Busy picking on children?"
"What's it to you?"
"Well it may not be anything to me, but you remember how my government has people watching me?" He dropped his volume so only Dudley could hear. "Well, they might not much appreciate the bullying themselves. Just thought I'd give you a heads up, you know, in case they decide to, do something about it."
"Hey, Big D, why you talking to him, maybe he'd like to get a little reminder what the circle is like eh?" One of the others called over.
Dudley's face had gone pale and he seemed to be losing the internal battle. He turned back to his friends.
"Yeah, um, why don't we go find someone who actualy has something worthwhile, these kids got nothin'."
Reluctantly the others agreed and meandered off, giving Harry looks of undisguised hatred and even throwing some lude gestures over their shoulders. He simply smiled at them, then looked down at the huddled children they'd been harassing.
The two kids seemed to be around six years old and were clutching one another, a grumpy looking bundle of brown fur squeezed tightly between them. The poor things were terrified and they both had tears on their cheeks if not in their eyes. And those eyes, deep and chocolate, were staring up at him, one pair with fear and the other with adoration. Before anyone could say a word however, the smell of eurine arose from the children and the bundle of fur squirmed free to dart across the park. Seeker reflexes taking over, Harry bolted after the run-away canine, overtaking it after only a dozen yards or so. As he lifted the wriggling fiend off the ground, he heard the two kids running up behind him.
"Did you see that? He caught Timmy! Wow!"
"Yeah but now I have pee pee on me. He can keep Timmy."
"Timmy didn't mean it, he was scared."
"who is he, just cuz he got Timmy doesn't mean he's nice you know."
Harry turned around, being sure to hold Timmy with his stomach facing away from him in case he decided he was scared again. He crouched down in front of the kids and smiled.
"Hi there, I'm Harry, and I'm not going to bully you. Are you okay?"
They slowed to a stop in front of them, the little girl clutching her brother's hand. "Are you sure? That's what the big meanie said too."
"Yeah but he's not big and ugly dummy. He looks like The Hero auntie Read keeps telling stories about."
They both fell silent and looked him over, seeming to forget about his question. Feeling uncomfortable, Harry coughed. "Um, I don't think I'm a hero or anything but are you okay? They didn't hurt you did they?"
The two shook their heads in tandom. "No," said the boy, "but Timmy pee peed on Sarah."
Harry smiled. "Well, I've had it happen before. How about we get you three home so you can wash up eh?"
"But I don't wanna walk that far, I feel gross." Said the girl with a pout.
"Well, how about this. I can carry you and Timmy, and your brother here can show me where to drop you off. Sound fair?"
"Well, we're not really supposed to talk to strangers."
The boy wrenched his hand free of his sister's and held it out to Harry.
"Hi, I'm Martin, and this is my sister Stinky." He said proudly.
Chuckling, Harry extended the hand not wrapped around the puppy and shook Martin's small one. "Well, its nice to meet you Martin and Sarah."
"There," said Martin, "He's not a stranger anymore. Can we go now?"
Sarah glared at her brother then huffed out a breath. Taking a step forward, she raised her arms to the older boy.
"Can you hold Timmy for a moment please?" Harry asked Martin.
The boy smiled and took his wayward puppy as Harry lifted Sarah to his shoulders. Her hands buried in his hair and legs squeezing his neck, he wasn't sure if he'd survive a trip of any distance, but it was too late to back out now. Harry took Timmy back up in his arms and gestured for Martin to lead the way.
They began their journey with Martin bounding ahead, his chest puffed our importantly as he gave Harry step by step instructions how to get home, as useless as it was with him guiding them. As they walked, the two kids argued about whether or not Harry was "The Hero" in auntie Read's stories. He looked the same, but he didn't seem like he could command animals to do his bidding, or scare away demons; so they were pretty sure he wasn't. It came down to them deciding to ask their auntie at the Club Dinner. Knowing he didn't know this auntie Read, Harry was at least glad these kids had a figure to look up to.
"By the way, what got you kids out this far from home anyway? Your parents must be worried." He prompted.
"Its Timmy's fault. We was playing in the yard and he ran away cuz he wanted to follow a squirrel." Offered Sarah from above him.
As the sun crept towards the horizon, Harry followed Martin around a corner and saw the boy break in to a run as he angled across the street.
"Martin! Wait, we have to cross together!" He bellowed as he picked up speed.
To his amazement, the boy skidded to a halt and leapt back up on the curb looking sheepish.
"Sorry, I just wanna get home, its right there." He said pointing at a gorgeous house alone on the other side of the road. He could see people milling about in the yard, including three Bobbies standing next to a car conversing with a woman who was now turning to look across at them.
Gulping, Harry reached down and took his hand, "I know, but we have to be safe okay?"
As the woman ran to the side of the street calling the names of her children, Harry steadily led the boy across the road to his mother, skipping as the young one was. The mother lifted her son, weeping as she did, so Harry took the chance to release the dog and lower Sarah from his shoulders. The two children embraced their mother while Timmy ran around her ankles yipping madly. One of the Bobbies accompanied by a tall man dressed in a business suit came forward.
"I presume I should thank you for returning our children?" The man asked, holding out his hand to Harry.
Shaking hands Harry replied hesitantly, "Erm, yes sir, I found them in the park on the other side of town. Timmy," a glance to the dog in question, "seems to have run away. Martin and Sarah chased after him."
"Well, thank you young man, and your name is?"
"Harry, Harry Potter."
The Bobby took note of that on a pad he was holding and was about to walk off when little Martin's voice broke in.
"Mommy, he's The Hero, he saved us from the big meanie, then Timmy pee peed on Stinky Sarah."
Stinky Sarah punched her brother and said, "He might not be dummy, and I don't stink, Timmy's pee pee stinks."
The man who seemed to be the father bent down and turned his son to him. "Marty, do you know who the meanie was?"
Martin sniffled. "Big D, I think, he's just a big meanie, but Harry saved us and brought us home. Did you see him? He carried Timmy and Sarah, he's soo strong!"
The man patted his son's shoulder and said, "Thanks Marty, I'm glad you're ok, now why don't you go help your mom get Sarah inside so she can take a bath."
"Okay daddy." Martin turned to go inside, then spun around so quickly he fell over. Grumpily getting to his feet, he ran over to give Harry's legs a hug and quick thank you before reversing and heading inside. Turning to the officer, the man said, "Thank you sir, I think we are all set here."
"Of course. And we will let you know if anything comes up about this "Big D," fellow."
"Thank you again."
"Let's go boys." Called the officer to his fellows. Once they departed, the man turned back to Harry.
"Appologies, my name is Steven Jacobs. Truly, you have our gratitude for getting our children home safely. It appears we were not watching as closely as we thought. Won't you come in for a cup of tea, I'm sure my wife Tracy would like to thank you as well?"
Harry looked at the steadily lowering sun uncertainly. "Well, I'd love to sir, but I should be getting home for dinner, I don't think my relatives would be happy if I missed it."
"Ah, I can understand that. Come, why don't you come in and I can call them to let them know where you are. After all, you are a hero to the little ones now."
Steven smiled and clapped a hand to Harry's shoulder, directing him inside.
Oh yes, they would be very upset with him. This wasn't going to be any good now was it?
**SN**
Harry sat stunned, a cup of warm tea half way to his mouth, as he listened to the impossible phone call. It in fact was only impossible because not only was Uncle Vernon on one line, but they were talking about him, and his uncle wasn't screaming. No, he wasn't just not screaming, he was practically crooning with kindness.
Harry wanted to vomit, but figured his tea cup wasn't big enough to hold the deluge.
"Hello, Mr. Dursley, this is Steven Jacobs—yes, from the Club. It is nice to speak to you again as well Vernon. Well, I am calling in reference to a young man who just found my wayward children across town… No, not him, though I do look forward to meeting your son and wife as well tomorrow. In fact, I am talking about your nephew Harry."
Silence.
"My son and daughter are rather taken with him, and my wife and I would like to share tea with him before bringing the young man home."
More silence.
"If you will be having dinner soon, then we would be more than happy to have young Harry join us for our meal and return him home afterward"
And there was that simpering tone Vernon only used when talking to those he wanted to impress. Harry couldn't hear the words but saw the slightly confused look upon Steven's face.
"Not at all Vernon, he has been a great help. Our children ran off to chase the dog and we were just about to send out the police when your nephew came around the corner with them… No, he wasn't at all a bother, in fact it seems you have done a fair job raising him, my children could take some lessons in manners from him."
Steven chuckled and there came the sound of a hacking cough from the other end of the phone.
Maybe Vernon would choke.
A few simpering words came over the line.
"Excellent. We will return him to your care after supper then. Good evening to you too Vernon."
Oh dear, something told Harry he wasn't going to get the same kindness upon returning to the Dursleys' that his gracious host had received. Nothing for it then, he might as well enjoy his last hours on earth.
With that in mind, Harry took a sip of tea and pondered over who he should send a goodbye letter too. Well, he didn't have a girlfriend, and Hermione wouldn't be able to help him other than possibly calculating exactly how many hours and minutes, and seconds, he still had to live. Wait, why did she come to mind right after he… Weird.
Either way, neither of his friends could help him so, maybe he should see how much he could get out of this before his uncle the reaper came calling.
Mr. Jacobs came back in to the room and sat down across from Harry taking up his own steaming cup. "So, Harry, where do you take your schooling during the year?"
"I go to a boarding school in Scotland."
"Ah. It seems your cousin, Dudley, I believe, does not attend there as well."
"No sir, my parents arranged for it before they died. Its really great."
"Good then, I'm glad to hear that at least some of our youth are interested in their education; and they seem to be teaching you well there. Do you do much work for the community?"
Harry shook his head. "Not really, the school is kind of far away from any larger cities, so we stick to ourselves mostly."
"Do you play any sports?"
"Yeah, that's really the only time we see people from outside the school. We play a little of everything." Inwardly he hoped that Steven did not ask what "a little of everything" was, since describing quidditch as such was far from accurate, and with his luck, the man might attempt to find the school to watch him play. Could the topic change soon?
It seemed to be enough.
"Alright, alright, I won't interrogate you about your schooling. There is after all, a difference between enjoying it and wanting to talk to adults about it." He chuckled. "Anyway, I want to thank you again for your help today. You turn your back for a moment and," he gestured, his fingers waggling, "Those tiny legs carry them far. We were about to search for them properly when you showed up."
"Its no problem sir, I was just in the right place at the right time."
Steven cocked his head. "Did you happen to recognize the bully?"
"Bullies sir. They're kind of a neighborhood gang around my area. Not an actual gang, I mean, just a group of jerks. They used to bother me when I was younger."
"Is that all?"
"Well, to be truthful sir, they never got caught, so it didn't matter what I said. I usually got blamed for things so I started to just not say anything."
Mr. Jacobs rested his chin in his hand looking thoughtful. Before he could speak, Mrs. Jacobs and the two kids came in with dinner and the table settings. That, thankfully put a temporary end to the conversation.
"Daddy daddy! I made dinner!" cried little Sarah.
"Hey, I helped too!" Martin interjected.
"No you didn't, you just played with the potato peels."
"All you did was watch for the meat to turn colors."
"Yeah but that's helping."
Harry and the adults chuckled at the children's antics while they served themselves a lovely dinner of steak, potatoes and asparagus. It smelled delicious, especially so since Harry hadn't had to make it himself. It was incredible how wonderful food could be when you weren't press-ganged in to making it.
The kids had insisted on sitting on either side of him, so naturally he spent the meal answering questions while struggling to get bites of food in between answers. Eventually though when Sarah asked him why his clothes looked so big on him, his mood darkened and he found he wasn't sure how to answer. The adults from across the table had picked up on it and were hesitating with their own meals. He could almost see Steven deciding whether or not to change the subject or wait for the answer he clearly wanted. He wasn't sure what to say, but the longer he waited the more it wouild be obvious that he was lying.
"Well," he said, "I always like buying my own things, so since I don't really have much time to work, I get my clothes at second hand shops. I don't mind really since I was at least able to get it for myself."
While Martin and Sarah bought it, he saw Steven give his wife a look that said he knew that a massive lie had been dropped. And he was concerned about it. Not angry.
Uh oh.
Damn children and their strangely powerful observational skills.
"So," he started slowly, hoping to redirect their thoughts. "You own a club, is that right?"
The man gave him a look that meant something along the lines of, we'll talk about this later, before wiping it clean and answering with a smile. Creepy.
"Yes, and in fact, there is a dinner tomorrow night in honour of your aunt and uncle's joining. I am sorry to say you were not mentioned at the time," a frown indicating that it was just another thing he was adding to the list, "so you weren't added to the list."
"Its alright, I don't usually go to events anyway." Damnit, wrong thing to say again. He should just keep his mouth shut.
"Well, my thought had initially been to invite you as a thank you for locating Martin and Sara…"
"And Timmy!"
"Yes Sarah, and Timmy, but please don't interrupt okay?" She sank a little in her chair and apologized. "Its alright sweety, just try and remember next time alright? Anyway, I wanted to invite you to the dinner tomorrow. What do you say?"
"Uh well," he stumbled over his words. "I, thank you, but I'd have to check first and I don't really have a suit or anything. Thanks for the offer but…"
Steven raised his hand to forestall Harry's decline of the offer. "A suit can be managed, and I am sure you would be welcome to join your family. Why you could even come with us if you like. We have some family joining us there as well."
"Yay! He could meet auntie Read! Then we'll really know if he's the hero."
Steven frowned at his son and Martin looked horrified at his outburst.
"Sorry daddy."
Tracy rolled her eyes. "Anyway, if you don't have a suit, I can take you shopping tomorrow Harry. We would be very pleased to have you."
Could he really say no? The trouble would be surviving long enough through the night to bet back in the Jacobs' protection, then living longer after the dinner. No, even Hermione wouldn't be needed to calculate how long he had left.
"Alright then, thank you. I'll go. Uh, I don't have much money for a suit on me, so I'd need to go in to London to get to the bank first."
Tracy waved him off. "Consider this one on us. We can rent it for the night and worry about the money another time. Honestly, it's the least we can do. Parental guilt and all."
As much as he didn't like charity, he was pretty sure he didn't have a choice. But, if he did survive, this could be a good opportunity for him somehow. Maybe he could get a job babysitting or something. That would keep him away from the Dursleys' at least and these two kids seemed nice enough.
He held up his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. I'll let you rent me a suit and invite me to your super nice dinner. Can I at least watch these two during the festivities for you?"
They laughed and nodded. "We would hate to force it on you of course, but if it will make you feel better, then yes you may be our designated child watcher for the evening. Sarah, Martin, that means you have to stay with Harry all night tomorrow. Behave, make him dance, eat all his food, and introduce him to your auntie. She's really more of a cousin, but you know how kids are. Auntie Read is much more than cousin Bookish."
That earned Steven a poke from his wife. "Hey, be nice to her, she's brilliant, and my niece, so watch it Mr."
He smiled at their antics as the kids began telling him all the things they would do together. It felt nice to see them all opening up even though they'd just met him. They seemed like a nice family. Maybe this was what his mum and dad would have been like eventually. Would they have had a dog, another sibling? What would their house have been like? He often thought about his parents but rarely tried to imagine what it would have been like. He mostly considered it a waste of emotion, but sometimes it fit, and in this case it didn't make him sad.
Perhaps the next few days would be nice after all?
**SN**
A/N: Thank you for reading. I decided to work on this during dry spells of writing my primary story. The next segment for Summer Nights is mapped but not written though it shouldn't be long.
Please leave a review and I will see you soon in the next chunk.
Elise