Chapter – 2: A Day at the Dursleys
A/N: wow! I actually didn't imagine so many people would read my story! Thank you, thank you a million times thank you! Please keep on reading
Gottagetbacktohogwartz – You're actually my first reviewer and you don't know HOW much this means to me! Thanks for reviewing and stay tuned!
Disclaimer: As usual all characters you recognize belong to the talented J.K. Rowling. The plot is mine though. Enjoy!
The next few days did not go well for Harry. Uncle Vernon had been extremely angry for some reason and naturally Harry bore the brunt of it. Even after being given a 'punishment', Uncle Vernon was not satisfied, so Harry list of chores seemed to increase every day.
This particular day, Tuesday (3 days after he returned), Harry had woken up still aching from the beating he had received yesterday for not completing his chores, to his Aunt Petunia banging on the door. Groaning in annoyance, Harry woke up and quickly changed into another one of Dudley's hand – me – down elephant size shirts and looped a belt twice around the trousers before rushing downstairs, hoping against hope that his uncle wasn't up yet
"BOY! What took you so long?"
Of course being Harry Potter, his luck was terrible.
Mumbling an apology, Harry quickly cut the grapefruit into quarters making sure that his piece was the smallest. After serving the Dursleys and letting Dudley eat half of his piece (he was in for a world of pain if he resisted) Harry gobbled down the pitiful meal and waited patiently for his list of chores.
"BOY! Are you listening to me?"
"Yes Uncle Vernon"
"This list of chores had better be complete before I come home. You wouldn't want a repeat of yesterday would you?" Uncle Vernon snarled, shoving a rolled up piece of paper at Harry so forcefully that he nearly knocked him out of his seat.
Subconsciously shivering at the threat, Harry quickly unrolled the piece of paper:
Wash the dishes
Mop the living room
Weed the garden
Mow the lawn
Clean the garage
Harry sighed in resignation. The garage was an absolute mess! And nobody even went there! Why would he need to clean it anyway?
"Did you hear me boy? These had better be done by the time I return". Thus delivering these words of wisdom Uncle Vernon hugged Aunt Petunia, Ruffled Dudley's hair and scowling at Harry, went to pick up his briefcase.
Seeing this as an opportunity to escape, Harry quickly ran up to his own room (if one could call it that), and immediately saw Ursa, Sirius' new owl waiting for him with a decent sized package and a letter.
His grin threatening to tear his face apart, Harry went to release Ursa from her load before giving her a few owl treats and opening the letter.
Dear Harry,
How are those Dursleys treating you? You know you just have to tell me and I'll hex then into tomorrow for you. Anyway on to the topic of this letter. The Ministry has finally allowed me to sign the papers for your guardianship, but the problem is, their hosting a small public event this Friday to supposedly 'welcome back an old hero' and both you and I have to go. The dress code is formal and I know you probably don't have any dress robes or such. That's why I've sent you a set of dress robes. You'll also find a ring in there, it's the Potter family heir ring and since you're the last living Potter it's rightfully yours. I'll pick you up at 7:00 pm this Friday and the signing of papers should be done by Monday. Hold on a few more days, bud. We're coming for you.
With love
Your godfather
Sirius Black (Padfoot)
Gasping in surprise, Harry quickly tore open the package to reveal a set of midnight blue robes with a swirly design on the back, strangely, in the shape of a paw print. The ring Sirius had told him about was golden and had what looked like a quartz engraved with a symbol that was strangely familiar, as if he'd just forgotten to see it for a long time. After hesitantly putting it on, Harry immediately felt a sense of power, as if fire was being pumped through his veins. Smiling at the comfort, Harry swiftly folded the robes and hid them and quickly went downstairs to try and complete his chores.
….
That night, Harry had managed to complete his chores, and for once was actually waiting for his Uncle to get home. He had been afraid of his uncle when he was younger, but know he didn't even bother wasting time on someone who wouldn't appreciate him, even if he learnt how to spin gold.
The clock had just struck 8 and Uncle Vernon's booming voice could be heard shouting endearments to his beloved whale of a son. Nonchalantly standing up, Harry strode over to his Uncle stopping him in his path.
"Uncle Vernon, I needed to ask you something"
Amazed at his own daring, Harry gazed steadfastly into his uncle gradually purpling face. Finally his uncle seemed to acknowledge his presence.
"What do you want now freak?" he spat.
Unfazed at his hostile behavior, Harry dug into his pocket and produced the letter, "My godfather you know, the one you met at the station, well he is going to pick me up on Friday to take me to some kind of gathering. He told me to tell you so you wouldn't be surprised."
Looking positively horrified at the prospect of having another 'freak' in the house, an ex-convict no less, Uncle Vernon was just able to mumble an affirmative before cuffing Harry soundly on the ear and sending him up to his room.
Rolling his eyes and clutching his ringing ear, Harry made his way up to his room. He had foreseen Uncle Vernon's reaction and taken up a few sandwiches to his room to munch on. Quickly shutting and bolting the door, Harry sat down to write his reply to his godfather:
Dear Sirius,
The dress robes are amazing! And of course so is the ring. The Dursleys are being a tad bit annoying as usual but I'm used to it. I can't wait for the gathering on Friday. Uncle Vernon was surprised, to say the least, when I told him about your letter but he agreed (he knew you wouldn't let him say no) and that's all that matters. I'll be ready on Friday but I have to warn you, the Dursleys HATE anything having to do with magic, so you might want to hide your wand.
Looking forward to meeting you again
Your godson
Harry Potter
After reading it over again, Harry coaxed Hedwig to deliver the letter (she had been delivering letters to Ron and Hermione and was reasonably tired, but the letter was urgent) and after receiving a nip on the finger, settled down for the night.
….
The following morning, back in Remus' old cottage Sirius was waiting rather impatiently for a reply. Remus had tried to make him sit down, but after a few minutes of impatient foot tapping, he had stood back up and resumed his pacing
Suddenly Hedwig burst through one of the many windows and immediately perched on Sirius' shoulder as if to say "letter for you".
Sirius let out a whoop of joy before roughly grabbing the letter and releasing Hedwig through and open window. His eyes quickly scanned the letter and his smile grew with every line he read.
Remus smiled his gentle smile and went over to join his friend, who immediately turned to face him, "He says he's coming Moony!" Sirius cried, barely being able to suppress his energy as Remus smiled at his childlike excitement.
"Of course he'd come Padfoot, he really likes you a lot. He faced dementors for you! Now let me read the letter". Remus quickly snatched the letter and read it over, but a frown settled on his face after some time. Sirius noticed it and immediately squeezed his friend's shoulder, "What is it Moony?" he asked gently. In response, Remus pointed to a line in the letter 'the Dursleys are being a tad bit annoying, but I'm used to it'.
"I hope they're treating him right" Remus said worriedly. Sirius looked at him quizzically, "Rem, I know they aren't the loving type, but what has you so worried?" he asked
Remus motioned for Sirius to sit down, "remember when I told you that Harry came to me to learn how to repel Dementors?" at Sirius' nod, Remus continued, "one needs a happy memory to produce a patronus. When I asked Harry to look for a happy memory, he had quite a lot of trouble finding one. At last he had to settle on when he rode a broom for the first time. When I said it wasn't enough, he used the one where Hagrid first introduced him to the wizarding world. Sirius, no child his age should have trouble looking for a happy memory! And he didn't even consider a memory with the Dursleys!"
Both friends sat in silence for a few minutes, contemplating the meaning of the behavior. After a while, Sirius slung an arm around Remus, "Don't worry Moony. We'll pick him up from those dratted relatives of his soon and then we can ask him"
Remus suddenly stood up and smiled down at Sirius before speaking softly, "He cares for you a lot Sirius" he said once again, "If he feels that anything he says will hurt or anger you, he simply won't say it". Not wanting to say any more, Remus swiftly went over to the kitchen and started preparing lunch, leaving Sirius staring at the letter forlornly. Don't worry prongslet, he thought resolutely, I promise I'll give you a better home.
