Ch. 2 - New Dawn
He leaned rigidly against the wall waiting for Hermione to burst through the doors as she was wont to do. Nessa stood elegantly to his side but he could tell by the way her hands were tightly clasped together that she was just as worried as he was. His mind was already formulating severe punishments for all involved should anything happen to his Princess.
The dull muted sounds of celebration could be heard even through the thick palace walls. There was much to be done, proclamations to be made, celebrations to be thrown. He was exhausted just at the thought. His main concern at the moment was making sure his daughter made it back safely. He tried his best to calm the anxiety growing within him by assuring himself that Shanks was with her as well as Karcel and Dalia. When the anxiety did not abate he reminded himself that Hermione was fierce when she needed to be. But she was still his little girl and shouldn't have to take actions to protect herself!
"Maybe I should go...just in case," he began but his wife lay a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Wait."
He took a deep ragged breath, his face a stony mask, before letting his head hit the wall. He certainly was not the picture of regal at the moment but he couldn't really give a damn. His body grew more tense until he felt he would snap someone in two if they so much as looked at him the wrong way. He straightened up prepared to retrieve his daughter anyway, when the floor to ceiling ancient doors slowly opened letting the blinding light in. The sounds from outside were clearer. He could hear horns blasting and people cheering as a cacophony of music wafted to his ears.
His eyes adjusted quickly to the sun beaming in and he saw her. Shanks at her side with Karcel and Dalia, no longer in disguise, bringing up the rear. His heart swelled at the sight. His baby had grown so much, she was starting to look less like his little girl and more like the woman she was quickly becoming. She paused in her walk when she noticed that he and Nessa were there waiting for her, even though it was routine.
"Daddy!"
She ran toward him and he opened his arms wide for her. The moment she entered his arms he gripped her tightly, all of his tension melting away. After a few moments he pulled away slightly and brushed her bushy curls out of her face to press a kiss on her forehead. She beamed up at him before moving out of his embrace to her mother's.
"Mama."
Nessa held her at arm's length as she perused her. She choked out a whispered, "You've grown so much," before pulling her into a tight embrace.
After a few moments she shifted in her mother's embrace to look at him.
"We're no longer bound by the Oath."
Alchaeus merely motioned for her to follow him.
"We have much to discuss, Princess," he gave a weary sigh, "There is much to be done."
"Daddy," her jaw was set and there was determination in her eyes.
He watched her expectantly knowing she would put up a fight about Hogwarts and certainly not in the mood for it. She seemed to read his mind as she smiled a bit while shaking her head.
"It's not about Hogwarts," she glanced at her mother, "I understand why you no longer want me there, even if I don't agree. No, it's about my friend."
"Which one?" Nessa inquired.
That determined gleam that he knew she'd inherited from her mother sprang up fierce in her eyes as she spoke, "Harry."
Harry lay on his bed fuming. He was relieved that Dudley's friends had just left but while they were here he had to play maid to their every whim. It wasn't Dudley that he was angry at, though. The Dursley's were perfectly in character, unbearable as usual. It was his friends that he was angry with. He'd waited days for a letter from Hermione and Ron. Days turned into weeks and it was nigh going on a month with no word from either. Truthfully, he was afraid. Hermione always sent him a letter the second she got home. He never expected a letter from Ron until at least a week or two into the summer vacation but Hermione was diligent with keeping in touch.
Could something have happened to them? If it had wouldn't Dumbledore have, at least, contacted him? Or did something happen to Dumbledore as well? His nightmares were filled with visions from that graveyard where Voldemort was resurrected. He always saw Cedric falling down with that vacant look in his eyes. Now, with no contact from his friends he saw their faces interlaced with Cedric's. Last night he'd seen that green light hit Hermione and it was as if she was falling in slow motion. He'd woken up clutching his chest and gasping in horror. He hadn't been able to go to sleep after that. He'd gotten started early on breakfast before retreating to his room to sulk and then later being pulled back downstairs to 'entertain' Dudley's friends.
He kept hearing those words in his head from Hermione.
"Harry, I'm going to get you away from those monsters."
"I promise. You won't be there long."
"I'll be seeing you soon, Harry."
He didn't exactly know why he'd believed her. Or maybe he knew that out of all of the people around him Hermione was the only one he knew for a fact that he could count on. She had never let him down. She'd always stood beside him. She had been the only one to believe him about not putting his name in the Goblet. She hadn't believed it for a second and stood proudly by him when the entire school, including Ron, had been against him.
So why was she not sending any letters? Wasn't she supposed to be finding some way to get him out of this hellhole?! He immediately admonished himself for that thought, surprised he'd had it to begin with. When did he become so dependent on Hermione? He snorted, probably around the time she helped him prepare for a tournament that was, most definitely, there for his demise and if he was really honest it probably started sometime in his first year. He turned over in his bed and sighed. Time always moved excruciatingly slow here. Before he could feel any more sorry for himself he heard the doorbell ring and groaned.
They didn't say anything about anymore guests. He growled in frustration and sat up to look through his barred window. He didn't see any car on the street so that meant either someone was on foot or bike which meant it was probably one of Dudley's friends. He groaned and hit his head against the window. He was not in the mood for this. He sighed and laid back down on his bed waiting for a high screech or an aggravated timber to yell his name. As the seconds pressed on his prediction held true.
"Boy!"
He gave another long suffering sigh before sluggishly leaving his bed and stepping out of his room. Usually Dudley and his friends would be chattering away by now but he was met with only silence. He slowly descended the staircase wondering who the guest could be. His heart sped up at the thought that it could be the Weasleys or even Sirius! He tried to keep his steps at a normal pace to ease his excitement down. He could be setting himself up for a fall. When he finally got to the bottom of the stairs he was shocked at what he saw.
"Harry!"
His mouth hung open in surprise and the wind was quickly knocked out of him when all of a sudden his arms was full of a witch with bushy hair. He gripped her out of instinct and partly to keep himself from falling.
"H-Hermione?" he sputtered in bewilderment.
There was a strange warmth growing in his chest and his mind had gone completely blank. He'd never been more ignorant than he was at this moment. What was going on?
"Honey, let him breathe," a melodious voice spoke.
Hermione tightened her arms around him briefly before pulling away looking flushed and radiant. He wracked his memory trying to find when he had ever seen her so happy and could find none. She suddenly released him and stepped away her expression becoming a bit shuttered and he took the time to properly look around the room and the people in it.
The Dursleys were all standing in a cluster at the archway from the living room to the kitchen as if they were looking to bolt at any moment. They were all wearing various looks of disgust and fear which he would have found humorous under normal circumstances. They were shooting accusatory glares at him intermittently which caused him to swivel his eyes to the newcomers.
His eyes took in Hermione first. When she'd leaped into his arms all he'd really gotten was her face and hair but looking at her now she looked...different. Her hair free and wild as usual, which he secretly liked. She had on robes he'd never seen before which appeared gold and red interlaced with sparkling blue designs that he couldn't make out. It seemed to be tailor made for her as it hugged her budding figure and caused him to blush. He'd never seen clothes like that before but even he could tell that they were expensive. The material didn't even look recognizable. In a sense, she looked regal. Then again, he'd always thought Hermione carried herself with confidence befitting a Queen.
Standing behind her were four people he'd never seen before. Three men and a woman. Two of the men were standing at the door stiffly as if they were guarding it and they had on matching blue and white outfits that looked like uniforms and made them seem as if they were some type of soldiers. One was as dark as night with a trimmed beard and piercing blue eyes that stood out amongst his midnight skin. His hair was cut low and although he stood tall and impassive Harry got the feeling that he would pounce at a moment's notice. The other man was extremely pale and buff with waxen blond hair and a pointed chin that made him look as if he was constantly looking down at you. His stringy hair fell into his face and partially hid his dark blue eyes that seemed to bore through everything and everyone. He had no idea who these two men were but he was effectively intimidated.
He looked to the man and woman who were standing closest to Hermione and his eyes widened slightly. He knew he'd never laid eyes on these people before but they both looked so familiar. The woman was, undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful women he'd ever seen, if not the most beautiful. She had light brown skin with thick honey blonde hair that reached her waist even though part of it was clasped in some glittery ruby looking crown. Her cinnamon eyes with golden flecks and her tiny nose reminded him of Hermione. She was gazing at him in a way that he assumed a mother would at a child she was particularly fond of. He relaxed slightly sensing safety and love emitting from the woman, though he didn't understand why. She was petite and tapered in a gown much like Hermione's except it was much more intricate and detailed.
The man had tanned skin with dark whiskey brown eyes that looked sharp and impenetrable yet somehow, down to earth. His patrician nose and soft genial features gave him a look of intelligence and quick wit. The most noticeable thing about the man wasn't his lean tall form and regal robes that matched Hermione and the woman, it was his head of brown bushy curls that gave him a roguish look and lent danger to his features. The man's presence seemed to take up the entire room, even though his face was blank with a hint of amusement. Harry did not know how he knew but he could tell that this man was the one in charge and the two 'guards' at the door took orders from him.
Harry looked dazedly back at Hermione who had an earnest expression on her face, "Hermione?"
She looked guilty for a bit before shining him with a beatific smile and lightly grabbing his arm.
"You probably have so many questions, I promise I'll answer them all. For right now we need to focus on getting you out of here," she spoke quietly to him.
"Perhaps, if you introduced us?" the man spoke in an amused drawl that he knew wasn't Brittish at all.
"Oh, of course!" she pulled him closer to the two people who'd taken up residence in the Dursley's living room, "Harry, these are my parents...," she faltered after that, "Uhhh..."
"What did I tell you about saying uhhh Hermione?" the woman admonished a blushing Hermione before turning to Harry with a soft smile and an outstretched hand, "Just call me Nessa. It is a pleasure to meet you finally, Harry. My daughter is very fond of you."
Harry gripped her hand lightly and chanced a glance at Hermione's horrified look at her mother's admission. He felt his lips twitching in spite of himself before the man grabbed his hand next.
"Alchaeus," he bent his head slightly in greeting, "Just call me Chaeus, and yes we have heard a lot about you Harry," he grinned wryly at Hermione before fixing Harry with his eyes again, "I apologize for the late comings but it couldn't be helped. We literally could not find time until now."
He nodded even though he didn't understand what 'Chaeus' meant at all.
"The pale one at the door is Karcel and the dark one is Aristos. They are two of my most trusted guards," Chaeus motioned to the two silent men at the door who each inclined their head respectfully towards him.
Harry cleared his throat nervously and gathered all of his courage before speaking.
"I don't think I've ever met you before," he quickly tried to amend his statement before he offended them and missed their shared looks of amusement, "I mean, I remember meeting you in my second year in Diagon Alley but you looked...different?"
He cursed himself for sounding so ridiculous and unsure but looking at Hermione's parents they didn't seem in the slightest offended. In fact, they both looked very understanding.
"It's okay Harry, you're right, you haven't met us before. You met Karcel and another guard named Dalia pretending to be us. It was much too dangerous for all of us to be seen in the same place so we entrusted Hermione with guards."
He stared at Nessa in confusion, not really understanding, "Why would Hermione need guards? Is it because of me?"
Hermione tightened her grip on his arm, "Of course not! It's a long story."
"You have my word we will answer all of your questions later, Harry," Chaeus turned towards the Dursleys with a feral glint in his eye, "For now we have business to settle."
The Dursleys collectively shrunk away from that blazing gaze and glared at him again.
"I knew we should have never took you in, boy, bringing all of these freaks into our home. I would-"
"I would not say another word Vernon," Chaeus' voice was low and chilling as he took a step towards the Dursley who all took a step back, "Did I not tell you to speak unless spoken to? Do not try the little thread of patience that I have."
Harry's eyes widened comically at seeing his uncle being reprimanded like a child and by a man who was clearly much younger than he was. Chaeus spoke softly under his breath and the room began to glow in a blue light before fading away. Harry's jaw fell open.
"You three sit."
He stared amazed as the Dursley's sat obediently down their faces fixed in scowls.
"Did he just use magic?" Harry whispered to Hermione in amazement.
She just smiled and nodded.
"But...Aren't they muggles?"
"I promise Harry, later."
"Vernon Dursley, Petunia Dursley, and Dudley Dursley you are now under jurisdiction with the natural law set in place by the Creator from the beginning as it was. By fealty of the royal family you are bound to me in your blood and you will acquiesce with the truth and nothing but. Do you understand?"
The Dursleys stared in shock and Harry was sure that his expression mirrored theirs. He had no clue what was going on or why but he was rapt with attention. He didn't want to blink for fear he'd miss this. The only thing that reassured him that he would be okay was Hermione's presence. He trusted her more than anyone.
"If you understand say yes if you do not say no."
Chaeus stood with his arms clasped behind his back as he stared at the trembling trio huddled together on the couch.
"W-w-who are you?" Vernon stuttered.
Hermione's fathers' face remained impassive but Harry could tell his patience with his uncle was running incredibly thin.
Chaeus' right fist landed on his heart as his left arm wrapped into a fist behind his back and he tilted his head towards the Dursleys, "I am King Alchaeus Erebus of the Caementarius line."
At his words everyone, except for Hermione and Nessa immediately fell to the floor and bowed. Harry felt a momentary panic until Hermione's hands gently brushed his back. Once the compulsion passed everyone got back on their feet. The Dursleys scrambled back onto the couch panting as if they had run a mile and looking even more terrified than before. Harry could understand their fear even as he knew he had nothing to be afraid of. He stared wide eyed at the man before him as Hermione linked her arm with his again.
"Now, that we have been properly introduced we will start with the questioning," Chaeus glared at the Dursleys, "Before you think to lie to me know that this room is currently imbibed with the truth, none in it can lie. Whatever is revealed here will go to your trial and depending on your testimony, as well as Harry's, and the evidence compiled you will be tried according to your crimes."
Vernon's face became a horrible puce color, "What crimes?! The only crime I've committed was taking in that boy!"
Harry thought, judging by the dark look that graced his face, that Chaeus was going to hurt Uncle Vernon but he merely stared at the man until he began sputtering and finally decided to keep his mouth firmly shut.
"It's been brought to my attention, many times," he cast a glance at Hermione, "That you and your wife are not the best caregivers to Harry. Petunia," he looked directly at his aunt who actually looked a bit shame faced to Harry's surprise, "you are Harry's biological aunt are you not?"
Petunia's eyes flickered to Harry for a second before lowering slightly to the hands in her lap, "Yes."
"His mother was your sister?"
She nodded.
"Look me in the eye and give me your word."
Petunia's head lifted seemingly against her will and stared at Chaeus, "Yes. I was Lily's older sister. He's my nephew by blood."
"How did he come to be in your care?"
Petunia's face grew contrite, "I'll never forget it. Halloween nineteen eighty-one. He was left on our doorstep in a basket that night."
"And you took him in?"
Petunia frowned, "Yes."
"Why?"
Vernon and Petunia were sporting equally confusing looks and it was something that Harry had always wondered himself. Why had they taken him in? Petunia wanted nothing to do with his mother and Vernon loathed him just because. Why hadn't they taken him to an orphanage?
"Why what?"
Chaeus crossed his arms in front of him as he stared down at the Dursleys.
"Why did you take Harry in? Was it out of the goodness of your heart?"
Harry nearly scoffed at that. They had no goodness in their heart.
"No," Vernon was vehement as if it disgusted him at the thought of doing anything for Harry with goodness involved.
"Then why?"
Harry admired how calm and intimidating Hermione's father was. He felt safe and at ease and he knew it wasn't just because of Hermione's presence even though her arm wrapped around his was sending warm tingles throughout his body that he was staunchly trying to ignore just for the sake of paying attention to the highly interesting proceedings.
Vernon looked very uncomfortable with the question as if he didn't truly understand the reasoning himself. Petunia looked just as uncomfortable, as well.
"Do you know who sent Harry to you?"
"No," they were simultaneous in their answer.
"Harry, do you know?"
Harry startled under that impenetrable gaze but realized that he didn't know, at least not officially. He strongly suspected, though.
"I think it was Dumbledore."
Chaeus tilted his head slightly, "Your Headmaster?"
"Yes."
"Your Headmaster has a say in where you live or not?"
For some reason Harry looked at Hermione who gave him an encouraging smile.
"I-I don't know sir."
"Are you aware whether or not it was stated in your parents will that they wanted you with the Dursleys?"
Harry took a shaky breath never having pondered the thought himself, "No, sir. I've never heard my parent's will. I'm not even sure if they have one."
Chaeus gave a contemplative look before pulling a roll of parchment practically out of nowhere.
"I had this procured before we came, Harry," he handed the paper to him and Harry took it shakily, "This is your parent's will. You should read and keep it as it mostly pertains to you and the Potter estate."
Hermione loosened her arm and clasped her right hand in his left, "You don't have to read it now, Harry."
He nodded while keeping his eye on the parchment torn between wanting to read it and not.
"If you doubt its authenticity we can make a trip to Gringotts after this."
Harry looked quickly to Hermione's mother in surprise.
"I don't doubt it, ma'am. I trust you...you're Hermione's parents."
Hermione's hand gripped his tightly while her mother smiled warmly at Harry.
"While we appreciate the sentiment, Harry, you should not be so trusting no matter who people are or what they appear to be. As it is, you have been placed in a neglectful and abusive environment because someone or someone's were far too trusting with your well-being."
Harry took in the words almost as if he were in a dream state. He'd never heard anything like this and he'd never really questioned anyone or anything around him. He looked to Hermione and her gaze was steady, warm, and reassuring, all of the things he'd come to associate with her. He turned back to her mother.
"I'll keep that in mind, ma'am."
Nessa smiled at Harry again while giving a conspicuous glance at he and Hermione's clasped hands. Harry could feel himself blushing but thankfully Hermione either didn't catch on or didn't care as she never let go and he didn't see a hint of a blush on her cheeks.
"So you did not want Harry yet you took him in anyway," Chaeus seemed to think for a moment, "Did you feel...compelled to bring Harry into your home despite your misgivings?"
"Yes," Petunia said in relief, as though he'd finally solved some long mystery for her.
"Even now do you still feel that way?"
"Not as strongly but...yes."
Chaeus shared a look with his wife before sharing a similar look with Hermione.
"When you took Harry in how did you care for him?"
"What do you mean?" Vernon growled.
Chaeus didn't seem in the least perturbed, "I mean, how was he taken care of? Did you nurse him? Did he have a room with a crib and toys? Was he fed bottles? Did you hug him? Did you make sure he was happy and loved? All in all, Vernon, Petunia, did you love him as a parent?"
They both turned nearly purple and seemed to be gasping for breath before they both started talking at once. Chaeus lifted his finger and they were both silenced.
"Petunia, since you are Harry's aunt by blood I'll give you the honor of describing how you took in your late sister's only child."
Chaeus spoke with polite cordiality and there was nothing about him outwardly that seemed threatening but Harry could sense it all the same. He almost felt sorry for the Dursleys. Almost. Aunt Petunia, to her credit didn't look as haughty and self-entitled as he'd always known her to be. She looked like a child who'd been properly chastised and who knew that this was merely the beginning of her punishment. She seemed almost resigned.
"We took him in but he didn't have his own room. We kept him...in...the...," she seemed to struggle over words but whatever Chaeus had done to the room forced her to speak, "In the cupboard beneath the stairs."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop dramatically. Hermione's grip on his hand loosened before tightening and she took a deep breath. The glare that she sent towards his aunt chilled him as it seemed to promise swift and brutal retribution for how he was treated.
"He was a toddler when he was sent here so he was able to feed himself. We gave him food and blankets for his...room. He didn't have a crib...or toys. We never hugged him-"
Vernon broke in glaring at Harry, "Of course not! Why would we? He's a freak! Had we encouraged how unnatural he is he would be worse than he is now! We had to show him discipline so that maybe he could turn out normal. Obviously, it didn't work."
"By your own admission you treat your nephew worse than an animal," Chaeus' voice was flat and cold.
"He is an animal!" Vernon shouted before quelling under Chaeus' stare.
"Have you ever laid a hand on him?"
Harry's eyes widened slightly at the implication and he could feel Hermione shift closer to him. They'd treated him like a house elf but they never put their hands on him.
"No," Petunia's voice was firm as though this was the one thing she didn't approve of.
"It might have done him some good," Vernon muttered darkly while glaring at Harry.
"You are not lucky but blessed that this is a question you answered no to, Vernon. Had it been yes I would not still be restraining myself from hurting you."
Vernon looked away, his jaws tightening in rage.
"How was Harry's behavior? Was he an obedient child? Did he follow the constant orders you gave him without complaint?"
"Yes," Petunia sighed.
"What about your own son? How was he treated? Judging by his size and Harry's it looks like you've practically engorged him. Neglecting one child while showering favor over another?"
"Dudley is our son! He deserves the very best. He should be treated like a prince!"
Chaeus looked disgusted at Petunia.
"And your nephew who was entrusted into your care because he had the misfortune to lose both of his parents, shouldn't? That is not to condone spoiling your own child. Neither of you seem to have a clue in how to properly raise a child. You either neglect and abuse or spoil and cajole. You're too extreme either way. Spoiling a child is not against the law but it is still distasteful and creates wastes of flesh like the one sitting beside you."
"Don't speak about my son that way!" Vernon jumped up from his place on the couch and Dudley crowded closer to his mum.
"You say that you never laid a finger on him and that is a relief for you and your wife," Chaeus gave them both pointed looks, "Tell me, did your son show the same...consideration? How about you answer this particular question, Dudley?"
Dudley looked absolutely horrified. He glanced at his mother and father before gaping like a fish at Chaeus.
"I-I...I beat on Harry when we were kids, me and my friends."
Dudley's words came out weak and garbled but everyone in the room understood. It was Hermione who spoke next.
"You disgusting bully!"
Chaeus shot Hermione a sharp look to which she promptly closed her mouth and gripped Harry tighter.
"Were you and your husband aware of this?"
Vernon's face turned red again but his lips held determinedly shut. Petunia's eyes lowered as she nodded her head.
"Reprehensible."
Harry looked at Hermione's mother who was staring at the Dursleys with fire in her eyes.
"You may not have physically harmed him yourself but you allowed, and most likely, enabled your son too."
Dudley scooted even closer to his mother til he was practically in her lap, "They can't do anything to me...can they mum?"
"Of course not, Dudley!" Vernon tried to reassure his son, "We'll call the authorities. We'll take this to the highest law available if need be. These freaks can't control our lives!"
Chaeus smirked in a way that reminded him of a Slytherin, "You must be all out of luck today Vernon. As it turns out, I am the highest authority available and I plan to prosecute your entire family, barring Harry, for every misdeed, indiscretion, abuse, and neglect that you saw fit to shower upon him. Your tyranny ends now."
"You've no authority here! You're just a freak with a wand!"
"Do you see a wand on my person?" Chaeus asked calmly, "I am aware that you think I have no authority but thinking and knowing are often two very different things, are they not?" he turned to the two men at the door, "This is enough evidence for me. Take them, each, to a holding cell, they can await their trial there. Send the young one to a detention center."
"You can't do this!" Vernon pointed a pudgy hand at Chaeus, "You're not taking us anywhere!"
Chaeus simply stepped aside and made an elegant sweeping gesture towards them. Aristos and Karcel marched forward and Vernon fell comically back into the couch. Dudley actually started bawling into his mother's shoulder as she wrapped her arms around him. Harry felt a twinge of sympathy for them. They looked absolutely horrified.
Aristos flicked his wrists towards the Dursleys and they all slowly stood as glowing blue ropes wrapped their wrists together.
"You can go willingly or we can force you. I'm not the violent type but Karcel enjoys blood and gore."
As if on cue the blond man's lips curled into a grin that all of the Dursleys recoiled from. Petunia began to weep silently and Vernon seemed caught between his rage and fear.
"When people notice we're gone they'll come looking for us. You'll all be imprisoned or worse!"
"Vernon, I will personally make sure everyone knows exactly where you are headed and why," Chaeus motioned to Aristos and Karcel to continue moving the Dursleys towards the door, "You will learn in the coming months that the highest authority in the land is before you and there is no lawyer or loophole that you can hide you or your family behind."
With that he saw the Dursleys ushered out of the house both in fits of rage and despair. He found himself actually feeling sorry for them. What type of fate would they endure now? Could it all actually be over? Would he never have to stay with them ever again? Who would he stay with now that the Dursleys were...gone? His thoughts were interrupted by Hermione swiftly turning and gripping his shoulders.
"It's okay, Harry. Everything will be okay."
Staring into her brown eyes he couldn't help but believe her. The sincerity and warmth that poured from her eased the concert in his mind to a dull nonsensical roar. He nodded dumbly not hardly able to believe what had just transpired. He almost felt as if he were dreaming.
"I don't...I...," he couldn't seem to find the words or any words at all to say anything.
Hermione understood. She always understood and simply embraced him. He clung to her tightly fervently hoping that this wasn't a dream. He wanted so badly for her to truly be here with him right now. He needed for her to be truly standing in his arms hugging him as if his life depended on it.
He didn't realize he was crying until he felt a gentle caress on his face wiping them away. When it dawned on him that Hermione was wiping his tears he pulled away in horror and turned from her. He could feel his face burning. As usual, she ignored his embarrassment and got right in his face so that he could look into her eyes.
"I understand you're feeling confused right now and as awful as they were to you, they were still your family," she sighed and he could see that she truly did understand as if his pain were her own, "It must hurt to see them carted away like that and even worse to hear how much...disdain they have for you."
He said nothing. There was really nothing he could say. She always knew. Always. He felt moisture burning in his eyes again but he refused to let them fall. He wanted to be strong. He wanted Hermione to think he was strong. Crying would change nothing. He'd learned that after spending days on end crying in his cupboard as a child. He remembered being surrounded by the dark and his innocent mind coming up with all types of horrors that there was no one available to protect him from. He'd learned not to cry then and it was pointless to cry now.
"It's okay...," he sniffed a little trying to gather the vestiges of his dignity, "I'm fine."
Hermione simply nodded and hugged him again.
"Soon, all of this will be behind you, Harry."
He held onto her tightly squeezing his eyes shut to blot out the excess moisture that seemed to be relentlessly building.
"How do you know?" he whispered.
"Because despite all this...despite those horrid people...," she pulled away to look into his eyes again, her own fierce and bright, "You have people who love you. People who support you. People who want you."
He swallowed heavily wanting so badly to believe her words. He'd seen it with his friends, with Sirius even but his mind had a hard time believing it. He'd been nothing for so long. He'd had to be strong on his own for so long. Would there finally be an end to it? Did she even realize what she was saying? What she was offering? Did he dare believe?
Yet, she had come through. He'd just been upstairs lamenting the fact that she and Ron hadn't written and that she hadn't done anything to help him. Yet, here she was. Was he dreaming? Surely, this wasn't real. He'd taken a nap upstairs and come up with this wonderful dream of Hermione and her parents saving him from the Dursleys. He'd even imagined them having magic.
If this was a dream that meant he would wake up soon. He'd still be in his tiny room with bars on the window. He'd still have to suffer through the rest of the summer with people who hated him. He'd still be ignored by his friends. He didn't want to wake up if this was a dream. He so desperately wanted it to be real. More than when he'd first received his letter to Hogwarts and was ecstatic at the thought of being a wizard, he wanted, no needed for this to be real. He could not bare waking up from this.
"Is this a dream?" he closed his eyes tightly not wanting for Hermione to tell him different.
If she was a figment of his imagination she would be fading any moment.
"This isn't a dream," she pulled away from his embrace and clasped both of his hands in hers, "Look at me, Harry."
He opened his eyes slowly to see her shimmering eyes. Eyes that he seemed to have a growing appreciation for every year. They were so easy to get lost in. So deep and emotional. So...beautiful. He fought a blush at the thought.
"This. Is. Not. A. Dream.," her eyes were blazing now and a tear trickled down from her right eye that she immediately wiped before re-clasping their hands, "I am really here, Harry, and so are my parents. You are really free from the Dursleys and you will not be returning to them. They won't even be returning here. Your abuse and neglect ends today. Many things end today."
"But how?"
She was so sure and Hermione was always right. She had never failed him. She was the only thing he could count on. He just didn't understand how or even why. What had he done to deserve someone like this?
She gave a tremulous smile, "You'll see. There's a lot of things you don't know about me, Harry. There's so much I have to show you," she suddenly looked nervous, "I hope you'll let me explain. I'll understand if you're angry but I couldn't tell you the truth. I wanted too, I really did, but...," her eyes became doe like with repentance and his heart melted at the sight, "I didn't have much of a choice. Please understand, Harry."
He was a bit confused at her worry all of a sudden. He didn't think he had it in him to be angry at her, not truly, and definitely not now. Although, now that his mind was slowly catching up with the fact that he was not dreaming questions were starting to take up all of the available space.
"You're sure this isn't a dream?"
She gave him a wide brilliant smile that was infectious and did wonders to lift his spirits.
"Positive."
"Okay, then...What, exactly, is going on?"
Harry jumped when someone other than Hermione spoke. He'd nearly forgotten anyone else in the room.
"That is something we can speak on as we fly. Now, that your primary caregivers are awaiting trial it falls to your godfather to take you in. Since, he's considered a fugitive in your world we'll take you to him."
Harry goggled at Hermione's father.
"You're taking me to Sirius?"
Hermione's father nodded with a solemn look on his face, "Yes. Your parents will stated that he was to be your caregiver should anything happen to them."
His mind seemed to trip over everything that had happened in the last half hour.
"But he's on the run and Dumbledore-"
"Won't be a problem," Hermione's father interrupted, "Everything on that end will be handled shortly. Did you have anything you needed to pack?"
Harry blinked quickly feeling like he had whiplash.
"Chaeus, I think he needs a moment to take all of this in," Hermione's mother came over to him with a look of concern etched onto her face, "I know this must be a lot, Harry. It's all happening very fast but we would rather have a more detailed conversation with your godfather in the room. We wouldn't want to overstep any boundaries," she turned to Hermione, "Maybe we should give him some privacy."
He almost shouted no but Hermione clasped his hand tighter in her grip.
"It's okay. I don't think Harry wants to be alone. Do you?"
He shook his head quickly and that seemed to clear it a bit of the fog that had seemed to seep in. Hermione was here. Her parents were here. They said to call them 'Chaeus' and 'Nessa'. They were here. Hermione was here. Hermione was getting him out of this hellhole. They were taking him to Sirius. He wanted to go. He wanted to see Sirius. He wanted to be with Hermione. Everything else was secondary to those things so his mind started to prioritize and shift around what wasn't contributing to those goals.
"I'm fine, Mrs. Granger," he wasn't sure if that was their real name or not and he'd wonder about it later, "I don't have much so it won't take too long for me to pack my things if you don't mind waiting?"
Nessa gave him a reassuring smile, "It's okay, Harry. There is no need to rush. We'll wait as long as you need us. We're not going anywhere."
Harry took a deep shuddering breath at that and turned towards the stairs.
"I'll help you, Harry," Hermione said while moving to follow him.
A throat cleared authoritatively and they both stopped to look at Chaeus who had his brows raised while staring pointedly at Hermione.
"Harry can pack his own things."
Hermione frowned, "But it'd be quicker if I helped."
"You're not going to be alone in a room with a boy, Hermione."
Harry's face immediately erupted into flames and Hermione's mouth fell open.
"But-"
"But, nothing Hermione," Chaeus' voice was stern, "Harry will be just fine without your assistance," he turned to Harry, "Will you need help in stowing things away magically?"
Harry tried to fight his mortification to find the courage to answer, "N-nnn-no...I mean...yes. Yes. I don't think I can pack everything without using my wand. My truck will fit everything but I have Hedwig's cage and it'll be hard to carry."
"I'll help, then," Nessa offered, giving Harry another reassuring smile that was laced with humor.
He nodded stiffly still reeling from embarrassment and led the regal woman up the stairs to his pitiful room. The room had been a major upgrade from his cupboard under the stairs and he'd been grateful for it at the time but what would this woman think? He was just glad it wasn't Hermione. He didn't want her to pity him and he sagged a bit at the thought that now Hermione knew his secret. She knew about his past and how the Dursleys had treated him.
But she was still here! Her parents were still here. She hadn't looked at him with pity. She'd only given him kindness and understanding like she always did. He relaxed a little at that as he reached the door to his room which was still open. Hermione's mother couldn't see the flap in the door where the Dursleys would give him food like a dog.
"No need to be perturbed, Harry. Chaeus is very protective of Hermione, we both are. You don't strike me as someone who I have to worry about stealing my daughter's virtue, though, and for that I am grateful."
He was starting to wonder if the floor would just swallow him whole. Nessa chuckled a bit at the look on his face.
"I apologize, I didn't mean to make it worse," she glanced around his room and a frown marred her face, "This is your room?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Her frown seemed to deepen, "Is that your trunk?"
She motioned to his trunk that sat in the far left corner of the room next to beaten down thing that acted as his dresser.
"Yes, ma'am."
She strode towards it and waved her hand over it while muttering something and he was amazed again that Hermione's parents were doing magic.
"Are you a witch?" he asked before he could stop himself.
She gave him a winsome smile before striding back into the hallway, "We'll get into that discussion when we meet your godfather but for all intents and purposes, yes, I am. I'll head back downstairs to give you some privacy. The trunk should be weightless now and don't worry about your owl and its cage. There's room for it."
She brushed past him and put a gentle hand on his shoulder that caused him to jump a bit, "We're really sorry for overwhelming you, Harry. Hopefully, you'll have a lot more to smile about at the end of the day."
With that she left him standing there with a lump in his throat. It took him several long moments to mobilize but when he did it was like he was a tornado speeding through his room. He opened his drawers and through the few fledgling rags in them into the trunk. Most of his belongings he never took out of his trunk as he didn't really see the point and he didn't want to give Dudley an open excuse to go into his things.
He spied Hedwig on her perch by the window, inside of her cage. Her head was cocked to the side and her wide eyes stared unblinkingly at him as if she was asking him what was going on.
"I don't really know what's going on, Hedwig but you and I are getting out of here."
Hedwig's head straightened then blinked and, "Hoo" ed softly at him. He smiled feeling a bubble of happiness erupt from somewhere deep within him.
"You're the greatest pet ever, Hedwig."
She hooed again but this time with her neck sticking out as if she didn't like the idea of being a pet but still enjoyed the 'greatest ever' compliment. He grabbed her cage careful not to jostle her too much and then grabbed his trunk which he nearly swung and hit his bed not realizing just how light it would actually be. He turned back to look at the room hoping that this would be the last time he saw it. He wondered, for a moment, if he would miss it. There was a slight pang in his chest but he wasn't sure what it was for. He had no happy memories of this place just a desperate need to always be away. Without thinking any further he practically ran back downstairs to see Hermione and her parents standing around a circle speaking softly to one another.
Hermione's head whipped over to him, "Are you ready?"
He nodded not trusting himself to speak right now. Chaeus went to the door and opened it wide and stood to the side while motioning everyone out. They all filed out obediently and Harry stopped to gape at the...thing in front of him. It looked like a royal carriage, like the one he'd seen in old movies that Aunt Petunia would watch sometimes. It was a deep royal blue with gold trimmings that sparkled and gleamed under the sun. The two guards, Karcel and Aristos were even standing in front of it like noble horsemen, except there were no horses in front of it.
"What is this?" he asked Hermione breathlessly.
"This is our ride."
"Our ride?" he asked a bit stupidly.
She nodded while grinning at him, "Yes, Harry, our ride. I'm sure you'll love it. It's one of the few flying contraptions I can actually stomach."
"It flies?!"
She giggled at him and he noticed in his peripheral that her parents had walked over to the carriage and were conversing with their guards.
"Yes, it flies," she hugged him again quickly, careful not to jostle the items in his hands, before pulling away again, "Today is going to be the beginning of the rest of our lives, Harry. We're going to be okay from now on."
For the first time, without any doubt or questioning, he believed her.
