Harry Potter and The Winter Court
Chapter 1
Authors Note: The part in the prophecy is moons, not months. We decided this would be more appropriate given the mythologies we are introducing.
Ten Years Later in the waking worlds.
At 4 Privet Drive in the London suburb of Surrey it was another normal morning. The sun rose over the trees in the normal way, the birds chirped normally, even the dew was lifting by the normal time.
But one very unusual thing was happening this morning. For the past ten years a boy that lived there had just been led around like a zombie, life only returning to his eyes long enough for him to eat. His Aunt and Uncle assumed that he was somehow had his brain damaged by the explosion that had killed his parents. They decided to treat the boy with sympathy because of his condition, giving him the cupboard under the stairs so he could be out of the way when he was not eating.
This morning his eyes opened with a life that they had never known before, a fire that caused his emerald green eyes to burn in the darkness. In his hands were three items that had not been there five minutes earlier. Held in his left hand were two leather bound journals, one each with the names of his parents. In his right hand was clasped an aged letter addressed to the goblins at Gringotts.
It was almost time for breakfast if Harry remembered correctly, leaving him just enough time to hide his belongings before going out to the kitchen. He sat at his usual place and waited quietly for his aunt to set a plate before him.
He met her eyes and said. "Thank you Aunt Petunia."
She stared into the green eyes that now looked exactly like those of her sisters. The limitless intellect that shone out of those orbs was so different from what had been there for the last ten years, like he had finally returned to himself.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the entry of her husband and son, her fat child banging his new stick on every surface he could find.
She was about to get Vernon's attention when the mail flap clicked, followed by Harry hopping up and heading for the door, saying over his shoulder, "I'll get it."
Vernon and Petunia shared a troubled look as their nephew departed, each one thinking the same thing.
Harry walked down the short hall, past his small living space, and to the front door. There on the mat was the pile of freshly delivered mail. Right on the top was the letter he had been told to expect, the message from Hogwarts. He slid the yellowed parchment into his pocket and carried the rest into his relatives.
When he resumed his seat he ate his food quickly and then wiped his mouth before looking to his Aunt. "Thank you for the delicious breakfast Aunt Petunia. I'm afraid that I'll be gone most of the day. I have to go into London and get a few things for school in the fall."
His uncle snorted, "What School? You've never went to school in your life?"
Harry smiled at Vernon's surprise, "I'll be going to Hogwarts. My letter just came in with the mail."
Petunia looked like she was about to faint, "How do you know about that place?"
"My parents told me." Harry replied calmly.
"I will not pay for you to go to some asylum and learn magic tricks." His uncle screamed.
"You aren't being asked to pay for anything. I have been given a full scholarship to attend." He lied to his relatives, realizing that if they knew about the vault full of gold under London that he had inherited that they would try to steal it. He had learned a great deal about his relatives while sitting in a semi-catatonic state for so long. While they believed he couldn't hear anything they had discussed many things including how unfortunate it had been that Harry's parents had died penniless. "I need to get going now, there's a lot to do."
Harry walked from the room and left the house, heading toward the train station.
Dudley looked at his father and asked, "Who was that, and what did he do with Harry?"
xxxXXXxxx
Harry made his way to the local train station and purchased a one-way ticket to London. Fortunately the train had just finished unloading so he could board immediately. As he rode the train he let his mind wonder.
Returning fully to the waking world was going to be an interesting experience. Having to learn so much about the modern world just to interact with others was just one challenge that he now faced. All the obstacles that were known to him had been categorized by his parents into three groups: those that had to be avoided, those that needed to be dealt with as they came, and those that should be actively sought.
He got off the train when it stopped at the station closest to the invisible pub know as the Leaky Cauldron, glad to have the money he lifted out of his uncles 'mad money' over the years.
"Have a good day, sir." The station attendant said as Harry walked away. The wad of cash left over was almost twice what the ride had actually cost, which left him in a pretty good mood as he walked down Charring Cross road.
Harry made his way confidently to the pub entrance, which popped into existence on his approach. Lifting the latch and swinging the door inward the smell of some sort of meat cooking wafted out to meet him. It reminded him that his body needed a great deal of energy to make all the necessary changes. Taking his hunger firmly in hand the rumbling of his stomach subsided and he walked in.
The inside of the Leaky Cauldron was just as dark and seedy as his father had described, from the old trophies on the walls to the almost as old patrons sitting in the corners, surrounded by clouds of multicolored pipe-smoke. Just as he was half way between the front and the door in the back that led to a closed off alley that would give him admittance to Diagon Alley a primly dressed, middle aged woman walked out of the fireplace. She started toward the same door he was bound for, causing him to hurry to make sure she didn't get too far ahead.
Exiting the building, Harry found the woman drawing her wand from the folds of her robes.
"Excuse me?" Harry asked.
The woman turned to face him, "Can I help you young man?" She asked. Something about this boy was familiar, like someone she had known long ago. Then she noticed the color of the child's eyes. The same shade as Lily, and the tousled hair of James, of course.
"Yes, ma'am. I was hoping you could let me into the alley."
"Of course, come on. My name is Poppy Pomfrey. You must be here for your school supplies." Pomfrey said with a gentle smile on her face.
"Yeah, I just need to go by Gringotts to get some money and then the rest of my stuff." Harry answered.
"Well then, let's get you moving then." She said as she tapped the appropriate brick, triggering the transformation. A small hole appeared in the wall and quickly grew into an over sized archway large enough to drive a truck through. "Welcome to Diagon Alley Mr. Potter."
Harry looked in awe at the sprawl stretched out before him. He had visited a Bazaar once with his parents during their exploration of the dreamlands. That place had been seven miles on the shortest side but perfectly organized to allow a shopper to find whatever they were looking for quickly and easily. This place was the embodiment of chaos by comparison, with so many store fronts packed into the small space that it threatened to spill out onto the street.
Harry smiled at her, "So you know who I am?"
"Yes." She said wistfully, "I knew your parents when they attended Hogwarts. I'm the Healer, and on that vein, I do hope I don't see as much of you as I did of your father."
"I remember reading about that in my father's journal. I also would like to avoid some of the injuries that he had."
As they reached the front of Gringotts Harry was once again astonished by the grand nature of the building. It seemed to be carved from a single piece of white marble with huge silver doors large enough to fit a dragon. The doors were pushed open by a pair of goblins who bowed as the pair passed. Then through a pair of gold doors that mirrored the outer set.
The main chamber was well appointed with gold bars and wall fittings acting as a counterpoint to the polished marble of the structure. Harry withdrew a sealed letter from his pocket and walked confidently to the counter and handed it over.
He bowed his head and addressed the goblin, "I would like to retrieve some items and money from my family vault."
The goblin broke the seal and opened the dry parchment. As he read the message his face softened barely. Finally he handed the letter back and spoke, "I will have a copy cut from the original key immediately, then you may wish to see your account manager."
"Thank you, will it take long?" Harry asked respectfully.
Another goblin appeared at his shoulder and was introduced as Bogrod. He led Harry into a private office and reviewed the letter for himself.
"It will only take another moment for the key to be cut Mr. Potter. According to that letter you are to be allowed to take two specific items and whatever money you think you might need from the vault today. Also there is a stipulation for you to continue to remove money from your vault once a year, every year until you reach the age of majority. I would like to know how much you intend to retrieve so we can take the proper number of bags with us."
Harry thought for a moment, trying to remember what he had been told about the way money worked in this world. Then he recalled something his mother had said about goblins and money. "I need enough to get my first year supplies and have some for spending until next year. How much do you suggest?"
The goblin looked surprised to be asked for his opinion by a human. "I would recommend that you take an assortment of coins totaling no more than five-hundred Galleons."
"That sounds good. Thank you." Harry said gratefully. "I was wondering how much I actually have in the account."
"I will have a statement prepared for you. I am sorry that you have not been receiving your statements but Mr. Dumbledore thought it better if your aunt and uncle not know about your account. If you would like we can start sending you the usual notices." Bogrod said with a hint of irritation.
"I would like that, and thank you for your consideration. My relatives are not the most trustworthy in the world. Though I'm not sure they could have actually gotten anything out of my account."
At that moment a goblin walked in and handed the manager a golden key. "The replacement for Mr. Potter."
"Thank you Griphook. I'll take Mr. Potter down personally."
Griphook bowed. "Of course Bogrod"
Bogrod led the way to a side door that opened onto a rough stone hallway lit with torches. At the end they found an iron mining cart that Harry eyed tentatively.
As Bogrod climbed aboard he caught the look on the young boy's face. "What's the matter Mr. Potter?"
Harry shook his head lightly, clearing the memory of what had happened last time he was underground. Climbing aboard he said, "Just a bad feeling." He settled himself into the seat and the cart rolled off on it's own.
Bogrod looked at the boy and his face softened, an interesting effect on a goblin, "Many people have that reaction when they first see the carts. But I assure you that they are goblin crafted and enchanted to never fail or degrade. Also they know where they are going on their own, so it keeps anyone from getting lost." He glanced around nervously and then leaned in close to continue. "In all honesty there are only a few goblins who could actually navigate the entire maze of passages. Even I would get lost if I went lower than the first two levels."
Harry grinned and chuckled, "In that case I'm really glad that we have the cart. But why are you telling me this?"
"You chose to not only ask my advice, but to also take it. Most humans are not willing to accept magical creatures as more than well trained beasts. But you are different, in a way that has not been seen in a long time. Respect works both ways, with yours you gained mine." The goblin finished as they were pulling to a halt before the boy's family vault. He did not mention the formal apology from James Potter in the letter Harry had handed over or the plan the goblins had. All they needed now was a subject.
They both got out and Harry handed over his key. The goblin opened the heavy vault door and motioned Harry to enter. Inside he found many huge piles of bronze, silver, and gold coins scattered through the room. Along the walls were scattered several artifacts that looked like they had just been dusted that day.
Harry glanced around and consulted the letter, spotting the two items he was looking for. He walked over to a weapons rack and took a dagger from it. As he examined the fine craftsmanship several markings came out of the designs. The runes told him the blade's past. They described the history of the knife, starting with it being given to a Roman general as a reward for helping to put down The Great Illiryn Uprising. Then he had been assigned to the frontier, managing a city state in the British isles. After that it had been passed to the youngest son of each generation, ending with him as the only child. Then the runes described the powers of the blade. Nothing special, just ever sharp and ever clean charms, and a rune of ownership. The last one made it impossible to take the dagger from its owner without their permission. Assuming he remembered his Aunt Vervandi's lessons correctly that is.
Harry loosened his belt and ran the thin leather through the metal loop in the sheath. Then he refastened the belt and adjusted the positioning of the blade. Happy with the balance on his hip he drew the thin metal from its holder and examined the weapon. It was pure bronze with a razor sharp edge and intricate designs worked into the metal with silver. It must have been a trick of the flickering torch light that caused the pattern to shift as he watched it, flowing toward the tip of the blade.
He replaced the knife in its protective sheath and looked over to the next item he was allowed to take with him. It appeared to be just a simple trunk, with bronze fittings and straps. The unusual thing about it was the nine locks adorning its front. From what his father had said it contained his school robes from his years at Hogwarts. One year's robes went in each section, with two extras for odds and ends. Harry looked at the matching trunk sitting next to it, this one with silver trim, and reported to contain his mother's robes. He took the keys from the top of his trunk and slid them into his pocket. Then he grabbed the handle on the top of the trunk and easily lifted it.
Turning he saw Bogrod holding two coin filled bags out to him. The goblin bowed when he took them and spoke, "Are you ready Mr. Potter?"
"Sure. This looks like everything." He said.
Bogrod led the way back to the cart and opened a compartment to secure the belongings. Then they climbed back aboard and started the wild ride back to the surface. When Harry reentered the lobby he was surprised to see Poppy waiting for him. He walked over to her and smiled, "I wasn't expecting you to wait Madam Pomfrey. I'm sure you have other things to do."
She smiled at the young man's thoughtfulness, just like his mother, "That's okay, besides I thought you might like some company."
"Yeah it would be nice to have someone to talk to. It's been pretty lonely being ignored in my cupboard for the past few years." Harry said it nonchalantly, hoping to get the Dursleys in as much trouble as possible.
Pomfrey did her best to hide the disgust for the Muggles that had been allowed to raise this special boy, but a slight wince momentarily crossed her features. She quickly wiped it away, "Where do you want to go first?"
"Let's go see about a wand first. According to my school supply list I need one of those."
"Certainly, we'll head to Olivander's, he makes most of the wands around here."
As the humans left Griphook walked up to Bogrod, "What's the deal?"
Bogrod handed over the letter and smiled, "Situation 47."
Griphook smiled deviously.
xxxXXXxxx
Harry walked into the dark shop alone, Poppy saying that she had something else to take care of. Inside he saw what loaded like thousands of thin boxes stacked on shelves that twisted toward the back of the shop. He heard a bell tinkle somewhere in the back of the shop as he closed the door and extended his senses into the area. He immediately withdrew as every wand in the room flared magically in that sight.
Suddenly he jumped as a small voice came from somewhere behind him, "I see you are here for your first wand, young man."
Harry spun around to find a kind faced little man with thinning grey hair. "Yes sir. I'm starting Hogwarts this year."
"Then we should get started." Olivander said as he took a tailors tape from his pocket and started measuring every possible dimension of the youth. As the tape took over the task he walked away to start pulling wand boxes from the shelves. When he returned with a dozen wands he said, "That's enough."
The tape fell lifelessly to the floor and Harry found a wand being help out for him. He reached out, but as soon as his fingers closed around the wand it was pulled away and another was offered. This process was repeated, with Olivander returning to the shelves occasionally to get more wands. The pile of the discarded wands was mounting, with the old man mumbling about Harry being a difficult case. Finally he took one last wand off the shelf and placed it in the boy's hand.
As soon as his fingers closed around the wand Harry felt the surge of power through his body. He brought the wand up and swished it back down smoothly. As the short arc came to its lowest point a wave of light and pressure emitted from the end of the wand, forcing Olivander back and onto a spindly chair that creaked dangerously. The shock wave flowed through the ship, emptying entire shelves and leaving both the occupants with a sense of peace from the faint bird song that seemed to echo off the magic in the room.
Olivander jumped to his feet, bouncing happily, "Well. It looks like we found the right wand. But usually the reaction is not quiet so powerful."
Harry looked around the shop in surprise at the devastation he had caused. "I'm sorry sir. I'll help you clean up."
"No need my boy." Olivander said with a wave of his own wand, putting everything back in its place. Even the pile of tried wands was put away properly. "I just haven't seen something that strong in years, and I've been making wands for a long time. But I'm not surprised that it would be you. You see that wand has a brother out there, the one that gave you that scar on your forehead. And the one who holds it has done great things, terrible yes, but still great. From your reaction alone I can tell that we can expect great things from you as well."
He quickly wrapped the wand up and accepted the payment, showing Harry out the door with a smile.
Once outside he found Poppy returning from the direction of the Leaky Cauldron. She smiled at him and said, "Glad to see that I was in time to catch up with you."
"Anything important?" Harry asked.
"Not really. Just had to get in touch with an old friend." She said with a slightly forced smile. Madam Pomfrey took her wand out and asked, "I'm a medi-witch, and I like to get a baseline for my students when I can, so do you mind?"
"Not at all." Harry said as he put his arms out.
Poppy went through the motions and silently cast the diagnostic spells. Her eyes went wide with surprise at the sheer number of injuries that were present in the young boy's pattern. She could see no less than seven different times he had suffered broken bones, the most recent just a few weeks old. The rest seemed to be very faded, indicating that they were at least eight years old. The addition of a severe case of malnutrition caused her to develop a frown on her face. She tried to keep her voice level as she asked, "How have you suffered so many injuries?"
Harry sighed, "Had a rough childhood, growing up the way I did. My relatives were convinced that if they treated me badly enough I might be closer to their definition of normal."
"Did this include physical violence?"
Harry's eyes became distant, as though he was remembering something unpleasant. "Yeah, one time they locked me in my cupboard with a broken arm. By the time they took me to the hospital it was too late and the doctor had to re-break it and then set it. They thought they could beat the magic out of me" Harry knew that she had picked up the echo of all the times he had broken a bone during training while in the dreamlands, and his body reacting to his other build causing the malnutrition. But anything that helped him get clear of his nosey relatives was fair game. With any luck he could be out of that house within a week.
It wasn't that his relatives were anything more than a little prejudiced and neglectful, but he really needed a magical environment to live in if he was going to practice all the abilities he had.
"I see. I'm sorry I asked." She motioned for him to continue to the next shop as a brilliant flame burned in her heart.
xxxXXXxxx
As they entered Madam Malkin's shop Harry could see that he was not the only customer. A thin girl around his own age with bushy brown hair was standing on a stool while a short witch moved around adjusting the fit of her robe. All the occupants looked up at the new arrivals and the seamstress said, "If you would just step onto the other stool I'll be with you in a moment."
"I have some of my father's robes if that's okay. I just think they need to be adjusted." Harry said as he opened the first compartment of the trunk and pulled out the clothing.
"That will be fine." The witch said as she bustled over and started making the alterations. Her work was eased by the fact that the robes were enchanted to cooperate. "Would you like some room to grow into, just in case you hit a growth spurt when you get to school."
"Please." Harry said. "I expect that I should start growing some, if my father's journals are any indication."
As the witch went back and forth between her two customers Poppy went to her friend and co-worker and said. "Why hello Minerva. I wasn't expecting to see you here. That explains why you aren't in your office."
"Were you trying to get hold of me Poppy?" McGonagall asked, a slight frown on her face.
"Yes. I really need to talk to you, if you can get away." She glanced over her shoulder to indicate the student she had walked in with.
Minerva's eyes narrowed as she recognized the boy that she had last seen when he was one. She nodded and pulled her friend into the back of the shop, saying to her own student, "I'll be back in a moment Ms. Granger. Just wait here if you finish."
The girl nodded and turned to the boy standing next to her, "Hi, I'm Hermione Granger. I can't believe that I'm going to learn magic. My folks were so surprised when my letter showed up."
Harry could hardly believe that someone could say that much so quickly without running something together. "I'm Harry Potter. My mom had the same experience when she got her letter. She wrote in her diary that her sister was I little put off about the whole thing."
In the back of the shop McGonagall was browsing hair pieces as a cover and said, "Now what do you need to tell me Poppy, you look like you've just had a ghost pass through you."
"I wish I felt that good. I did a scan of young Mr. Potter, and what I found was disgusting." She said.
"He does look a bit small for his age." Minerva said thoughtfully, "And he could use a few good meals to help him fill out."
"It's worse than that. He is suffering from severe malnutrition, but that isn't the half of it. He has apparently been suffering broken bones since the age of three. He told me that those muggles he lives with make him live in a locked cupboard, and one time they put him in there with a broken arm." She shuddered.
The Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts felt her magic rising dangerously as her rage flared into life. "I told Albus." She spat. "I told him not to leave Harry with those muggles. No, those scum, calling them muggles is an insult to the rest. Anyone who would beat a three year old to the point of breaking bones deserves to die."
Poppy backed away as she felt the hot breeze coming off of her friend, knowing that it must be ten times worse inside the stern woman. Finally Minerva regained control of herself and sighed, "I'll escort you when you take him home, after I've returned Miss Granger. Then we can see what these sad excuses for human beings have to say for themselves."
xxxXXXxxx
Harry and Hermione went into Flourish and Blotts on their own as McGonagall and Pomfrey waited outside and talked. The children made their rounds, chatting as they picked up all the books they would need for the first year of school.
"Oh I can't wait to start learning all these spells!" Hermione squealed as she flipped through 'The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)'.
"Magic isn't just spell throwing, you know." Harry said as he handed her a copy of One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi.
"I know," The bushy haired girl said as she switched books. "But I just can't wait to start learning all this stuff. Where do you think I should start?"
He sighed, "You have just over a month to read all of this, so take it easy."
"But we have to be prepared for our classes. If we don't get an early start we could be hopelessly behind." She whined as she grabbed two copies of 'A History of Magic', handing him one.
"Even though I'm sure at least one will be, most of our teachers won't be expecting us to be letter perfect in the subjects before we get there." Harry said. Then he smiled and handed her a copy of 'Magical Theory'. "You may want to start with this."
She bounced on the balls of her feet as she opened the book and said absently, "Of course, what better place to begin."
He led her around like a zombie, stacking 'A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration' and 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' on top of the pile held in one hand. She started to come out of her torpor when the weight of 'The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection' was added to the already considerable load.
As they got the last book on the list, 'Magical Drafts and Potions', Harry noticed a dusty book laying on top of the book case. He pulled the book down and brushed the dust from the cover. The runes inscribed into the surface of the old leather briefly flashed a soft blue, as he recognized the name in the title.
Hermione looked over his shoulder and asked, "Can you read that?"
"Yeah. My aunt taught me how to read this language a few years ago." He replied. Harry placed the book with his others and said, "I know someone who would like to have this back."
"Really, who? Your aunt?" She asked.
"No. The writer, Thrud." Was his only answer as he headed for the counter. Harry then sighed, "I'm just hoping that I don't have any problems with potion making. That has always been a fear of mine." 'Ever since Mom tried to teach me.' He thought shuddering.
"Why is that a fear, I mean it's just like chemistry and that isn't very hard." Hermione absently said, while still looking through the theory book.
"It just is. Now let's pay for these books and get out of here, before your stack tops your head." said Harry as they reached the counter.
xxxXXXxxx
Harry waved to Hermione and said, "Good to meet you. See you on the train."
The bushy haired girl waved back and then grabbed hold of Minerva's hand as they both vanished. Harry turned to Poppy and said, "I guess I should call the Knight Bus."
She smiled at him gently and said, "I think we can find another way." She held out her hand. As he took it she triggered the effect and Apperated them both away from the Alley.
Harry felt his whole body being compressed by a rubbery blackness. His vision was completely obscured for a moment that felt like a small eternity, the only sensation he was still sure about being the tender grasp of the woman next to him and the weight of his trunk. His feet hit ground and he looked around, quickly recognizing Privet Drive. "Thanks. That was certainly an interesting experience." He said as he went to pull away.
Pomfrey tightened her grip, saying "I think you need to wait for a moment. Professor McGonagall has decided to come by and have a word with your relatives about you attending school this fall."
As if on que the Deputy Headmistress appeared with a pop. She had a stern look on her face and a fire in her eyes as she glanced over to number 4. "We might as well get this over with." She said, a cold edge to her voice.
They all set off for the house where Harry had spent the last ten years. He had a tiny smile on his face as he imagined the upcoming events.
xxxXXXxxx
Vernon and Petunia Dursley were just sitting down to five o'clock news as they heard a knock at the front door. Secretly they had been dreading the boy's return ever since his odd outburst at breakfast. Vernon now suspected that it was time for the other shoe to drop. He rose from his seat, motioning for his wife to stay put, and went to the door.
Opening it he was surprised to find not just his nephew, though he would never admit to the relationship, but two middle-aged women as well. They were both dressed in a most peculiar fashion as far as he was concerned, with long flowing black robes and pointed hats. He assumed that they were some more of those freaks, like his sister-in-law and her worthless husband, and quickly decided to give them the greeting they deserved. "I see you brought the boy home. Now you can be off."
The Witch on Harry's right spoke in strained polite tones, "Mr. Dursley. We wish to come in and have a few words with you about your nephew."
"What has he done? Mind you it has nothing to do with us. He went swadding off this morning with barely a word about where he was going or when he should be back." He said, suddenly defensive.
The other Witch spoke in the same barely controlled voice. "We are both employees of Hogwarts, and would just like to have a few words. To help you understand what is going on."
He barely moved to allow them entry, mumbling in what he obviously thought was an inaudible tone, "Bloody freaks. Forcing their way into my home again. Hope no one saw them skulking about the door."
Harry continued down the hall to his cupboard while the two women turned to enter the living room. After Vernon had retaken his seat one of them spoke, "I am Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, and this is Poppy Pomfrey, our healer."She said with a nod to her friend. "It has come to our attention that certain injuries have befallen young Mr. Potter."
Vernon roared to his feet, "That little snitch! Gone and cried about me spanking him when he was younger. And you coming in here and accusing me of abusing him!"
Poppy could take it no longer. She whipped out her wand and, with a few quick flips of her slender wrist, silenced and bound both the Dursleys to their chairs.
Minerva then continued, "Thank you Poppy. Now let me make one thing perfectly clear. Discipline is important for a child, otherwise they will not mature into an adult." She took a deep breath and then yelled, "That does not include breaking bones and locking the child in a dark closet."
Poppy gave her friend a moment to compose herself while she spoke. "We have our ways of monitoring the situation here. We did not feel them necessary before today, but now I can see that they are vital to the survival of one of our students. If we ever detect any harm coming to him from any member of this family you will regret it." Her tone promised a fate worse than death if they dared to break this commandment.
McGonagall had recovered enough to close the conversation. "We will be watching you very closely, and should anything, untoward, happen, the consequences will be severe. Do you understand us?"
The Dursleys nodded furiously at the paired glares they were receiving. Poppy then said, "In that case, we will be going."
The two Witches swept from the room and down the hallway to where the cupboard door was standing open. Harry stepped out and smiled at them, "Thanks. They probably won't listen, but at least you tried. And besides, I'll be out of here soon enough."
Minerva's eyes glinted dangerously, "I don't think this is a lesson they will soon forget. Goodbye Harry it has been a pleasure meeting you."
"The pleasure was all mine, ladies. Hope you have a good return." He said as they walked out the front door.
xxxXXXxxx
Four hours later Vernon and Petunia Dursley were finally able to move, though their voices still refused to work. They stared at each other in horror at the twist that reality had taken them on.
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Thanks for the reviews, they are always appreciated. Hope you are enjoying the story.