Sorry this took so long. I know that I said I would update last week but life was hectic and busy, plus while I may have been in a mood for pen on paper writing, I didn't feel like typing.

Hopefully this chapter will explain some questions that you have.

SUMMARY: This is set post DH and in the 3rd Season of Glee. I know that Karofsky isn't there but he'll leave soon. All the DH is relevant apart from the fact that Harry doesn't get back together with Ginny and he had a secret relationship with Draco Malfoy in Sixth year.

Shannon Beiste and Vernon Dursley are half-siblings. When Petunia, Vernon and Marge are killed in a revenge attack against Harry after he killed Voldemort, Beiste gets custody of Dudley and Harry. How is she going to deal with memories of her own bullying, a war-torn teen, and an overweight bully?

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing of Harry Potter and Glee, and I gain no monetary profit from this.

Enjoy!

"He hates me." No one bothered to refute the fact. It was painfully obvious. The fuss that Harry kicked up every time Shannon came by was on par with the 'Dumbledore's office' incident. In fact all wizards were aware that if it wasn't for Harry's depleted magical core they would be obliviating a lot of muggles, including the one in front of them.

The wizards looked at each other silently asking if they should tell her what really happened at the Dursley's.

Molly Weasley looked up from where she was attempting to comfort a resisting Shannon. "Kingsley can I talk to you?" she asked softly. A glance a Shannon proved that she didn't mind and they slipped into the bedroom shutting the door that led to the sitting room of Shannon's hotel apartment. "Why can't we take Harry?" Molly hissed furiously as soon as the door was shut.

"Molly you just lost one child. Your family is grieving. It's not fair on you or Harry to introduce him into your family." Kingsley's deep tone was the voice of reason.

"He has always been apart of our family. That is where he should be while he is recovering. That is where he belongs." Through out her impassioned speech Kingsley merely raised an eyebrow.

"And what happens when he needs his muggle medication and doctors appointments? Needs rest and sleep? He's not going to get any of that in a house of rambunctious purebloods."

"Why is he even here Kingsley? Why not have Madame Pomfrey heal him and be done with it?" Molly cried in exasperation.

"Molly! You know as well as I that a magical core is needed to use magical cures. Harry's is nonexistent at the moment it's so depleted." Looking at Molly he sighed, felling compassion towards the motherly woman. "Even if you can't accept it, this is the best thing for him. A new start and a new family is what he's always wanted. Let him have that Molly."

He walked out of the room, heading back towards Shannon, not noticing the look of utter determination on Molly Weasley's face. Harry needed a family, her family, and she was going to make sure he got it.

While Kingsley and Molly were talking, Melinda the social worker arrived with Dudley in tow. "Ms Clark," Shannon stood up in surprise, "Dudley. What are you doing here?" In hindsight it wasn't the politest thing to say but she was shocked and over time she had become more comfortable with these people.

"I've brought Dudley along because we need to talk about your guardianship," Melinda said gravely motioning for them to all sit down. "Your guardianship with Dudley is not in jeopardy but we cannot allow a child to be taken care of by a person he obviously abhors."

The 'abhors' comment stung but it was true, so she ignored it in favour of her confusion. "So why is Dudley here?"

Melinda frowned, the expression looking incredibly out of place on the usually sunny woman. Shannon knew something was wrong. Melinda's type didn't usually frown – they didn't usually become social workers either but that was beside the point – unless it was really bad. Turning to look at Dudley, Shannon followed her gaze. Dudley was flushed, whether it was out of shame, embarrassment or most likely, from what she had learnt about him in the week she had been here, because of the attention he was getting from Melinda.

"My parents," Here Dudley scowled not wanting to besmirch his parents' memory before the funeral, "weren't the nicest to him."

Melinda issued a snort causing Shannon's eyebrows to disappear into her hairline, an admirable feat considering how short her hair was. The self-absorbed angsty boy that she had seen in the hospitable room was not treated well by his family and the perfect Melinda thought that Dudley was understating things? This was interesting.

"What makes you say that Dudley?" She asked careful not to look at the other woman. Melinda had chosen a well armed and full operational Death Glare as the sign of her anger towards Shannon's brother and his wife.

"Dad would smack him around a bit and order us not to feed him. Mum made him do all the chores and he got all of my hand-me-downs; nothing new for him."

Melinda's death glare intensified. "What about the cupboard Dudley?" She growled, prompting him to remember.

Dudley flushed again and Shannon couldn't help but question it, "Cupboard?"

"He lived in the cupboard under the stairs till he was 11."

"Cupboard? Oh my god." Shannon was shocked, "Dudley how old were you when I came to visit you for Christmas?"

Dudley looked confused, "9. Why?"

Shannon didn't reply instead she grabbed her coat and her bag before rushing out the door. It slammed shut on Melinda's calls to wait.

Shannon ran down the hall and into Harry's room, shutting the door so that at least his verbal complaints were muffled.

"It was you, wasn't it?" she asked not moving from her spot facing the door. "You were the little one under the stairs." It was no longer a question.

"Yes."

That one word sent Shannon reeling. She had failed this boy so badly and she had never realised it.

It was the winter of 2003 – the coldest winter on record for 30 years. Shannon stood rugged up outside Number 4 Privet Drive wondering whether she should knock and feeling without a doubt that this was a very bad idea. The door opened and Shannon came face to face with something that shouldn't have been possible; there was a baby whale on land. A cry of "Who is it Duddykins?" brought her out of her shocked stupor and she belatedly realised that this must be her 8 year old nephew Dudley.

Holding out her hand she said, "I'm Shannon Beiste. You must be Dudley, am I correct?" at his affirmative answer she continued, "I'm your Aunt."

At this the boy paled before slamming the door in her face. Through the open window she could hear him yell, "Mum there is a creepy man at the door claiming to be my Aunt!"

Offended as she was by the 'man' comment, Shannon merely raised an eyebrow. It seemed that Dudley had inherited more than looks and weight from his father; he also had the same way of viewing the world.

The door opened up. "We don't want whatever you're selling so stop wasting our time and leave my son alone you –"

Petunia's angry tirade stopped short at the sight of Shannon and the horse-like woman seemed to shrink while she subtly checked the other houses along the street. "Well come on in then," she said imperiously.

With no small amount of trepidation Shannon followed her into the house. The harsh sound of the door shutting sealed her dat. She was about to have Christmas dinner with the person she hated most (or at least one of them) and 2 family members that were complete and utter strangers. This could be interesting.

She was lead into the living room that was filled to the brim with presents. She had no doubt that there was one for her; it would the smallest and cheapest one though. Not that she was ungrateful, her family's uncertain circumstances when growing up had ensured that but she knew the way her family worked.

"We haven't opened present yet. We thought that we'd do it as a family." Petunia explained with a gentle nod to the figure in the chair.

Shannon then thought it was wondrous attempt to include her in the family. Now she knew that it was an opportunity for them to show off their wealth and popularity, cementing their 'superiority' over her.

"Thank you." She said gratefully, sensing that this was going to be better than the other times she had interacted with her brother. Turning, she addressed the figure in the chair, "Hello Vernon. Thank you for inviting me."

Vernon was always a large boy but his weight now bordered on the obscene. Anybody could see that he was obese. One thing that hadn't change; he still looked like a pig in a blonde wig.

"Hello Sharlene." He said dismissively. Shannon burned with embarrassment, her cheeks bright red. He had gotten her name wrong! And she was certain that it was on purpose.

"Is there a bathroom I can use brother?" She replied, pointedly emphasising their relationship and reminding him who he was talking to. Vernon scowled at the reminder and it became painfully obvious that he wasn't going to answer.

Petunia stepped in to salvage the situation. "Up the stairs and at the end of the hall."

Shannon nodded her thanks and headed of in search of the bathroom. She absently noted things along the way; the photos, the cupboard under the stairs, Dudley's two bedrooms. It wasn't until she was heading back that she noticed anything strange. There were noises and a light shining out of the cupboard under the stairs.

"Hello?" She breathed into the grill.

The sniffles stopped and there was an intake of breath, then… "Hi." So soft she could barely hear it, but it was definitely human; a young human was locked inside the cupboard.

"I'll get you out little one. Don't worry."

She never heard his reply. Petunia deciding that she had taken to long had come to find her being the caring and perfect hostess she was.

"Sharlene what are you doing on the fall?" In front of the cupboard, went unsaid but it was there hanging in the air.

She looked sheepish, "Sorry I think I sprained my ankle on the last step."

Petunia was by her side in an instant, helping her 'hobble' into the kitchen for dinner.

Dinner was disgusting mainly due to her disgusting family. Vernon and Dudley ate in huge gulping bites, talked and chewed with their mouths open so that you could see their half digested food, and splattered food everywhere. Petunia, on the opposite end of the spectrum, ate hardly anything saying she had to retain her figure.

The roast was cleared by Petunia and Shannon was ordered to bring in all the presents for the living room and pile onto the table while the family watched, waiting eagerly.

Dudley took one look at the present pile before turning to his parents. "How many?" he demanded.

"32." His mother replied nervously.

"I had 33 last year!"

Shannon intervened, "There are 33 presents with my present."

Dudley ripped it from her hands and tore the wrapping off. A beautifully patch-worked quilt lay in his hands. The crafter was a good friend Shannon's.

"It's not good enough!" Dudley cried before breaking into harsh hiccupping sobs.

Petunia gave her a reproachful look before turning back to her son and promising him another 2 presents so that he would have 34.

Shannon watched the scene in disgust. "You people sicken me."

Petunia turned, "At least I don't look like a man! Unlike you I know what's needed to be a proper lady."

Shannon was not paying any attention to Petunia's thought. No, she was watching her brother who was turning a rather familiar and decidedly ugly shade of purple. He leaned forward, "Go home hermaphrodite. No one wants you here."

He knew that those words would hurt her. He had said it often enough in school. But it was the smirk that really infuriated her. Shannon pulled back her fist and executed a perfect punch to Vernon's fat nose. She revelled in the crunching and grinding as his nose broke. Spitting on him, she marched out of the house, only allowing tears to fall when she was outside.

She completely forgot about the child under the stairs that she had promised to help.

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