Welcome back everybody, to another chapter of 'Shadow Of A Doubt'! Things are going smoothly for once since this story is unfolding better than most I write, which I'm sure everyone appreciates. For those of you visiting from other fics, yes I do plan on getting to my other works but for now you're gonna have to make do. Until then, I don't own HP so enjoy!
"Iii" = speech
Iii = thought
Chapter 4: Picking Up The Pieces
Draco found apparating to the small college town of Godalming, Surrey was taking too long, even though he knew that the Dursleys had no Floo and he'd never even been to the house before in a blatant stalking of his coworker. True, he'd been worried about the infuriating raven when Dudley's letter had arrived, making the man annoyingly retrospective. When the first interaction between the two sides had gone well if interrupted by work, Draco had relaxed a bit only to secretly confer with Hermione about it the following days. Naturally, the brunette woman knew about it already since Harry always spoke to his friends about things though in this rare instance Draco heard about it first. Not surprisingly, Hermione was concerned what sort of dark things being near his blood relatives would invoke in the raven but when none of the usual signs appeared, both were assured he was taking it all very well. He was just lucky the ancient potions tome he'd been sifting through had been on a bookstand on his desk when Harry's stag Patronus had appeared, echoing the man's voice like a radio speaker. Draco had paled at the information it contained, his blood chilled at how mortally angry the raven sounded in spite of sounding oddly professional about it. Whatever was going on clearly required legal assistance if the mention of Kingsley's name was to go by. Still, the blonde hadn't hesitated to pull on a coat and leave in a whirl of blurred colors and energy, glad he knew enough about Britain's layout to even know where Godalming was. He was quite certain someone in the Ministry was hurrying to put the necessary coordinates together for the Minister. As tempted as Draco was to get to the house and apparate all the way back to London just to fetch the dark-skinned wizard, he didn't have the heart to consider it as an option. Helping Harry out of whatever bind he was in was his only thought, wanting to shake away the fear his mind created at the mere inkling that something could happen to his now four year old son Scorpius.
As open and social as his Gryffindor coworkers were, Draco was still extremely paranoid about someone taking his old Death Eater affiliation to heart and try to harm his only son. It was bad enough Astoria Greengrass had almost died giving birth to the small boy prior to their marriage's mutual dissolution since the brunette woman was certain trying for another would be too dangerous. In honesty, one child was enough for Draco, though he agreed with Astoria in their parting of ways to being friends. Last he heard from her, she and her new husband were having their first child through a surrogate since their Healer confirmed her fear that having another child herself was indeed too risky. With his father dead, Draco was more than confident to leave his son in his mother's capable hands or Astoria's whenever she visited. His cautious reconnection with Andromeda Tonks was still rocky but the last female Black was more than trustworthy if she was helping Harry raise is child cousin. At the very least he'd managed to get his mother to speak to her long-lost sister, leaving the two women alone for almost two hours to get past the heartbreak and lies their parents had told. Since it was the middle of the night, Draco was deeply grateful there were no drivers out on the roads he popped into existence on since he was certain there was very few shield charms strong enough to prevent something terrible. Still, Draco had the sense to appear on the sidewalk or between any parked cars, pausing only long enough to glower up at the street signs when he finally reached the town. It took him at least two jumps to find Ramsden, and another two to find 303 a ways down, the first window on the top left busted out and grass all over the lawn and small piece of roof covering the living room window just below. The crackle of magical energy was heavy and Draco could see the flash of spells being traded back and forth, just distant enough to be mistaken for electrical discharge from a wayward appliance. Draco was ready to barge in and take on whatever danger his partner was facing but had the sense to wait lest Kingsley arrive with a different tactic in mind. This prediction rang true when three figures appeared, the tall dark-skinned wizard in his usual robes of exotic purple with two Aurors in traditional scarlet flanking him.
"Good evening Minister." Draco greeted him affably enough, giving the older man a respectful nod.
Smiling as he nodded in turn, Kingsley's deep voice rumbled in the night air. "And to you Mr. Malfoy. What do we know?" he asked, dark eyes narrowing warily at the obvious signs of combat going on.
Having come to know the large man well, along with being one of Harry's many surrogate parents, Draco only shook his head while allowing his concern to show. "Very little, I've just arrived myself. It would appear the fun has been started without us."
"Indeed. One I plan on stopping. Who lives here exactly?" the elder wizard asked, voice solemn and business-like. There was no taking the Head Auror out of this man.
"Harry's cousin, Dudley. His son showed signs of having magic and called for aid. From what he told me today, Harry planned on helping to get the boy transferred to a more… informed school to combat the boy's talents. I had no reason him or the family to be in danger until I got his Patronus." Draco reiterated, earning more than one look of surprise since it was well known that even though he was notorious for being with the Weasleys or his godson Teddy, very little was said of any true blood relations.
Thus, Kingsley's troubled look was understandable, the dark-skinned wizard well aware of the Savior's past with that horrible family. "I had not known Harry was in contact with his muggle family."
Draco waved away his concern. "You've been very busy sir, and I think either I or the Weasleys would've done something if Harry was in danger from them. For now, it seems to be an outside source."
Relaxing a tad at this news, Kingsley nodded, letting his expression become firm. "That I understand. Wilton and I shall cover the rear while you and Barton take the front. I want this Dark wizard caught before anymore damage is done."
"That or Harry kills him for trying to hurt a baby girl." Draco growled, once again earning looks of surprise from his counterparts.
"Baby?" Wilton asked in plain shock of this information, the almost tanned brunette unfamiliar to Draco but knew him to be a good caster of charms. He didn't recognize Barton, the pale man with hazel brown hair becoming paler at the mention of a child potentially in harm's way, likely due to having children of his own.
Draco didn't hesitate to give the stricken Aurors a grim look. "Yes, from what he's told me, the boy is five while the girl is roughly two years old. I've never seen them but knowing Harry, he's become quite attached."
"That he would, knowing he's helping raise his godchildren." Kingsley remarked, his own expression having become cast in dark shadows, bespeaking of the large man's subtle rage on the matter.
"Then I suggest we assist in the affairs of two more. By your lead, Minister." Draco responded, pulling out his wand. It was high time Harry got his much-needed back up.
Kingsley didn't even hesitate, his deep voice a hushed whisper of fury as he commanded into the autumn chill. "Go."
Draco didn't need to be told twice, the large man and his smaller counterpart already heading toward the back gate while Barton took the initiative in casting an anti-apparition spell over the house. From the way the flash of spells were still coming through the second floor windows, neither combatant noticed and had yet to fall in their battle of wills. Draco was pleased to find the front door was unlocked, quickly stepping in and heading toward the stairs with Barton just behind him. Scanning the living room and what little they could see of the kitchen, the pair was relieved to find they were more or less alone, though the sound of a spell ricocheting off a wall upstairs got them moving again. Knowing his steel grey coat would blend with the shadows better, Draco moved first in ascending the stairs and peeking into the hall. As expected, the once clean walls of painted lemon yellow were pockmarked with smoldering holes, dents and something that looked like acid. He did not envy the repair crew when they would arrive to undo all the damage but let the thought slide. Movement draw his eye as a cloaked figure down the hall came out of hiding and pointed his wand at a doorway less than three feet away from Draco's spot on the stairs, a beam of red sent shrieking down the passage as another figure shifting to avoid the shot. Draco ducked in case the unknown spell came his way, the flash of color lighting things up enough to see spots. Harry appeared when it passed, his own missile of acidic green speeding down the corridor just as the stranger dove out of the way.
"Harry!" Draco called out softly to avoid drawing the intruder's attention, the raven's gaze quickly falling on him as he froze in mid-motion to duck back into his hiding spot. Green eyes blinked at him, the man obviously tired with the prolonged duel but still had enough energy to keep it up for who knew how long. He seemed to realize that staying where he was wasn't smart, moving back into the safety of the room's threshold while still looking at Draco. His partner appeared tired to the blonde's eye, only a small cut on his cheek the most obvious injury as he spoke again. "Get over here, we'll cover you!"
Rather than answering, Harry only shook his head, wincing as he tried to move his left arm to show that he was compromised at least in terms of physical agility. His legs appeared fine but his shoulder was clearly a hindrance that could be hazardous. Biting down the foul curse that came to mind, Draco scowled but nodded in understanding. He didn't hesitate to turn to Barton who was gripping his wand anxiously. "I'm going over there. Cover me."
"You got it." the Auror muttered, moving so that he was next to Draco on the top steps to begin shooting spells in Harry's stead. The intruder took the bait, turning his aim toward Barton as Draco dashed across the small divide and into the bedroom where Harry was sheltered.
"It's about time you got here. Where's Kingsley?" Harry asked, his voice soft from effort, eyes wide with a mixture of emotions that hinted at his inner turmoil. Draco was simply surprised the man's wild hair wasn't standing on end.
Still he kept his voice low and in the moment, grey eyes scanning Harry for any other injuries he may have missed. "Outside with another Auror, probably making sure there aren't more. He is alone right?"
Blinking at the question, getting back into his Auror mindset, Harry nodded firmly in response to the inquiry. "So far. I don't know if he did anything but I think I stopped him before he did anything. Gods, Draco I'm scared I wasn't fast enough!" he said in a hushed whisper, letting his distress show through if for a few seconds.
"We'll deal with that later. Where are they now?" Draco asked, hoping that distracting the man would get him to stay focused. Harry was useless if he was both wounded and troubled.
Harry nodded again, knowing the question was part of the process. "I called Nipper to take them back to Grimmauld Place until I or someone else I trusted could get to them. I only cast some diagnostic spells on her but they didn't show anything. But what if it wasn't something obscure? What if-?"
Draco was quick to cut him off lest he rant for the rest of the night. "Get yourself together Potter! First we need to take that man down and get you to St. Mungo's for treatment." He growled, effectively getting the raven to push away his concerns for his relatives for the time being. "Just the shoulder?" Draco asked, glowering to keep his partner from reverting back again.
The scolding had clearly been enough when Harry's face took on a grim look, once again nodding at the blonde. "I thought he'd left and had my guard down. I did what I could with it but I don't think it did much." He said easily enough, letting his partner examine the stinging wound through the hole in his clothes. "Hurts like hell when I move it though."
Giving the concentrated burn a look of disapproval, Draco cast a pain-relieving charm on it to help the man along. "You did the right thing. Let's end this."
"Thanks Draco. I wasn't sure if you'd come or not." Harry told him, his serious expression cracking a little to show how he hated thinking the blonde wouldn't come help him, no matter how much they'd been through together.
Draco only answered with a scoff. "We're partners, you imbecile. Malfoys do not leave their allies to face their enemies alone."
"Except a certain Dark Lord." Harry quipped, a tired smile lighting up his face.
The blonde almost didn't roll his eyes, unable to keep the answering smile off his own lips. "Yes, except him. He was mad after all. And he lost our loyalty when he brought his insanity to our home the way he did." Draco shot back, looking back out to see how Barton was faring. So far, the intruder had been sending curses and hexes at him, and the pale man holding his own without complaint. Giving their fellow Auror a nod that they were coming, Barton nodded back as he shot back a few more hexes of his own to keep their attacker suppressed. Draco looked to his partner. "Ready?"
"As I'll ever be." Harry told him wearily, but braced to dash for the staircase anyway. As they both jumped out into the open, Draco cast a shield charm while Barton fired off a few more shots as he and Harry ran for the safety of the stairs.
Once in the narrow space, Harry almost tumbled down a few steps if not for Draco's grip on his arm, Barton moving down with them as he calmly demanded. "Potter, you alright?"
"I'll live, thanks Barton. Where's Kingsley?" Harry asked their fellow Auror, Draco hiding his surprise that the raven knew who the man was. Leave it to the Gryffindor to know some people better than me. He mentally grumbled, though in his defense, the few people he did know were in Records or with Human Resources. Anything to get a decent cup of coffee in that pit of a break room.
"Out back, looking for any accomplices. He and Wilton are going to cover our escape. Is it just the one man?" Barton asked the customary question, in the moment and glancing back the way they'd come in case their attacker used their silence as a chance to make his move.
"He arrived alone so probably. He just apparated right into the nursery, the cocky bastard." Harry grumbled in pure hate for the unknown man, making both men bristle at his words. The fact the man was in a muggle's house that Harry Potter happened to be visiting was odd enough. But the fact he knew exactly where the child's nursery was bespoke of ill omens.
Draco bit down all the theories that came to mind for such a culmination of facts, instead distracting his compatriots with his own question. "Any idea what he wants?"
Shoulders slumping as the raven slowly gave in to fatigue, Harry shook his head. "No, just that he's good at spells. He's been givin' me a run for my money this whole time."
"We'll get it sorted. Let's get outside." Barton said in a soothing voice, and Draco wasn't about to argue with him. He made certain that his body was shielding Harry's in case the stranger came charging to hex them in the back.
Running footsteps were all the warning he had when Barton quickly turned and shouted as he pointed his wand back up the way they'd come. "Everte Statum!"
"Stupefy!" Draco said in tandem with the brunette, watching both spells strike the flailing man as he was sent off his feet with a cry before crumpling to the floor.
Below them, Harry had frozen with his own wand ready in case the man got up again but they all relaxed when nothing happened. Nodding at their counterpart, Draco filled the quiet with a grateful voice. "Good catch Barton. Stay here Potter."
"Don't need to tell me twice." Harry muttered as the pair ascended the stairs again with their wands at the ready for any more trouble. Sure enough, their target was lying on the floor, unconscious and sprawled out under the dent where he'd hit the wall. His face was hidden by both his hood and a Disillusionment Charm, Draco not taking any chance upon binding the man in magical restraints while Barton summoned the fallen man's wand. For a second or two, Draco was certain his fellow Auror would snap it if the dark look on the man's face was to go by but he pocketed it instead, aiming his own wand to Levitate the man out.
"I've got this Malfoy, go deal with your partner." He said, giving the blonde a kind look.
Normally Draco didn't care to be dismissed but since there was no displeasure in the man's voice and he was technically off the clock, he wasn't about to argue. "Right. I certainly don't look forward to the paperwork ahead of me." Draco muttered irritably as he turned to head back down the stairs.
Barton chuckled. "Neither do I." then he called out, making Draco stop and look back at him. "And Malfoy…I look forward to working with you in the future. Though everyone does say you can be an insufferable git sometimes."
At that, Draco couldn't help but snicker, letting a cool smile curl his lip. "If I didn't, none of us real Aurors would get any work done. But I'm grateful either way. I'll see you downstairs."
Barton only quirked an eyebrow at his comment but otherwise didn't say anything, content to take a closer look at the spell damage all across the hall as Draco descended to find his partner leaning against the wall. Straightening a bit at Draco's approach, Harry watching him expectantly as he asked the question of the hour. "You get him?"
"We got him. He's out cold and due for a real wringer when Kingsley gets ahold of him. Let's go tell him the job's done, yeah?" Draco returned, making sure his weary partner got down the rest of the stairs without taking a header.
Harry seemed more than willing since he didn't protest. "Definitely. I didn't get to finish my cake. Again!"
"Poor you. What flavor was it?" the blonde asked, more amused that despite everything, his stupid Gryffindor of a partner was complaining about food.
"Angel cake." Harry responded almost reverently.
Draco couldn't keep his snickering under wraps. "How fitting."
"Prat." Harry growled but was smiling anyway as they headed through the kitchen to the backyard. In the middle of the dying grass stood Kingsley and Wilton, both wizards casting spells on the neighboring houses to ensure none of the muggles living in them came to see about all the noise.
When the door opened behind them, Kingsley turned and brightened upon seeing them, not hesitating to abandon his task to approach them. "Harry! Are you alright?"
"Better now. Sorry for bother, sir." Harry said, shaking the larger man's hand and thankful he wasn't pulled into a hug. His shoulder still hurt like hell and though the Minister of Magic was a large man, he was by no means rough.
Kingsley's face softened at how beaten Harry was, sympathy going out to the younger man and how trouble seemed to keep following him around. "It's never a bother when you're involved Harry, you know that."
"Anything on your end, Minister?" Draco cut in, mildly disliking he was breaking the rather moving atmosphere between the two men. It was bad enough his own godfather was hiding out in a cottage somewhere in retirement after somehow surviving Nagini. He was uncertain if Harry knew about the former potions masters' whereabouts after the trials, but since the raven had yet to ask, he wasn't about to tell him.
With that Kingsley sobered, frowning in obvious displeasure. "Nothing. Whoever that man is, he's working alone or came alone at the behest of allies. I plan on finding out which is true I promise you." The large man growled, showing his annoyance at the whole thing. Behind him, Wilton was nodding in agreement, the tan man also frowning at the thought their war hero just couldn't do anything without interruption anymore. "Now that this crisis is over, I'll have a crew come and see to the house while you two get to the hospital."
"Sounds familiar. See you tomorrow?" Harry asked, already dreading the amount of paperwork that was ahead of him.
Instead, Kingsley was frowning more, giving the raven-haired Auror a pointed look. "Not you. Take a few days off to recover, let us handle this. We help our own Harry."
"Thanks. I'm sure Dudley is beside himself at this point." Harry returned tiredly, not about to put up an argument. It was late at night and he was too worn out to do much else.
As they turned away from Kingsley to head to the street to apparate, Draco couldn't help but ask once they were out of earshot. "He really does care, does he?"
"Shockingly, yes. He told me to 'be careful' too." Harry murmured, as if even then it still puzzled him. "My aunt Petunia was silent and went without fuss, thank heaven."
"And your uncle?" Draco asked, keeping his voice even though inwardly he hated the man though they'd never met. If he was lucky, they never would.
To his surprise, Harry shook his head. "He wasn't here. Left Petunia for having a 'freak' for a grandson. She was staying here at Dudley's insistence."
"Can't exactly say I'm sorry." Draco admitted, unsure of what else to say as they moved to the front gate and outside the anti-apparition spell over the house.
"Neither was I but…I think things will be a bit smoother going forward." The raven told him, voice distant and contemplative as they came to a stop on the sidewalk.
Draco had to fight to not roll his eyes. "Now I'm certain you've hit your head. Let's get you fixed up before you say something else unbecoming."
"Speak for yourself you git." Harry responded with a wry grin, a chuckle lilting his words a bit.
"Twat." Draco growled.
"Clotpole." Harry returned easily.
"Imbecile."
"Good friend."
That silenced Draco's snarl, making him scowl instead. "I'll give you that one." he grumbled as he grabbed hold of Harry's arm and apparated them to St. Mungo's.
Harry's assessment went unconfirmed until he and Draco apparated to the home of the former most ancient and noble clan of Black that he currently claimed as his own. After a harrowing encounter with a less that pleased mother hen of a Healer, Harry was more than glad to let Draco Side-Along them both to escape her clutches. The cut on his face was gone but his shoulder was still sore and his body felt heavy with weariness from his dueling over an hour earlier. He at least had the sense to make sure there was no debris in his hair or on his clothes and the hole in his jacket and shirt looked more like a burn than anything. Like most of his attire, Harry would trust Nipper to repairing the damage for him. As they walked through the door, Draco alert and awake, Harry surprised he was still upright but very concerned about his niece and just what the unnamed man had tried to do. To alleviate his concerns, Draco had agreed to cast some detection spells he knew would be better than average ones that could only sense so much. Ever the faithful elf he was, Nipper was there in the hall with them before the door was even shut, his large blue eyes looking his master over with disapproval. "Master Harry has gone and made a mess of himself."
Letting out a deep sigh, Harry couldn't help but smile at the elf's assessment. "Yes, Nipper I have and not by my own volition. Draco here is going to have a look at Iris since he knows Dark magic better than the both of us. Did you sense anything when you brought her home?"
The elf glanced at the blonde Auror but shook his head as he frowned. "Nipper did not sense anything odd about the child, only that she has potential for magic like the boy and masters. Nipper does not know if this means she will grow up to be a witch, only that she has it."
Both men stiffened at this information, glancing at one another as Harry tried not to sound hurried when he spoke again. "There's no way to know for certain?"
"Nipper only knows how to care for babies, not if they'll be witches or squibs. Nipper is sorry to not be able to do more on the matter. But as Master Harry asked, Nipper did not detect anything stinking of Dark magic on baby Mistress Iris. But Nipper agrees Master Draco may have better luck." The elf responded in his usual stern tone, his face twisting in rage over the stranger Harry had just spent the better half of an hour fighting.
Harry couldn't keep from sighing again, his shoulder slumping with a mixture of relief and confusion. "Thank you, Nipper. I trust she's in Rose's nursery."
The elf nodded, seeming almost proud of himself. "She was most fussy, having possibly sensed the badness of that man. Nipper was very gentle when Master Dudley finally let Nipper care for her, same as when Nipper cares for Mistress Rose when she is visiting."
Accepting this information with a nod, Harry moved on to his next question. "Where is Dudley now?"
"In the sitting room along with the Mistress Cynthia and Petunia. Young Master William has been put in Master Teddy's room once convinced of no danger. Owl Demeter was most distressed when Nipper appeared with strangers and has yet to calm down." The elf informed him, all of which Harry took in stride.
"I see. I'll deal with them. Take Draco to see Iris and be sure all the extra beds are made ready for when everyone wishes to go to bed. Expect them to be here a day or two until it's safe for them to go home. I've also been given some time off work so I should be around to handle anything they find…odd."
The elf nodded, his face the epitome of calm. "Nipper can see how that is most prudent in these circumstances. Master Draco is to be following Nipper quietly as both young children are sleeping."
"Like a mouse, I assure you." Draco responded, pausing long enough to ask. "Potter, do they know about me yet?"
Harry blinked, unsure of what the blonde meant. "What do you mean?"
"That I'm a former Dark wizard and your partner for your job?" he clarified, trying not to lose his patience with his partner. The man was still wobbly from using too much magic.
Again Harry blinked, as if he'd just recalled how he had yet to mention anything other than hints at what he did for a living. "No, but I'll be sure to mention that."
This time Draco did roll his eyes. "Wonderful." He grumbled, following Nipper down the hall to the upstairs nursery, busying himself with recalling all the spells he knew for detecting curses and other spells of Dark magic.
Taking a few breaths to prepare himself, Harry walked into the living room where his relatives were gathered, all of them getting to their feet upon seeing him enter. They each appeared concerned and Harry had no reason to believe it wasn't an act since Dudley was soon next to him, looking him over. "Harry! Are you okay? What happened?!"
"I'm fine, if tired to the point of going into a week-long coma. Lucky for you most of the damage is superficial and will only take a day or two to fix, if that. What's more, I was able to get help and capture the man successfully." Harry informed him, somehow managing to hide the fact he was surprised his cousin actually cared at all though he'd known it for hours now. The fact his aunt's face was drawn, her dark eyes also looking him over for hidden injuries was also off-putting but he ignored it as Cynthia was talking.
"Thank heaven. Any idea what he wanted?"
Harry frowned, bidding them sit down as he all but collapsed in one of the chairs. "Not yet and I probably won't know for a few days since I've been put on leave due to my involvement. In the meantime my partner and other Aurors will handle it instead."
"Aurors? Is that what you're called?" Cynthia asked, looking to her husband and mother-in-law for answers only to get frowns instead.
"Yes, and as you go along, you'll find we wizards have strange names for everything, mostly due to our affinity for Latin. An Auror like me is sort of like an inspector at Scotland Yard once we get enough experience to be treated as such. My partner has gone upstairs to check on Iris to ensure that rogue wizard didn't do anything to her I'm not trained to find." Harry told them, knowing the information would soothe their concerns as well as fill in some blanks.
The trio nodded, but Dudley voiced the question that was on all their minds. "You called that man a Dark wizard…why?"
Harry felt his blood go cold, and knew his expression had become equally grave. "There are two sides to everything, in my case Light. I use my power to help and defend others, making certain not to hurt my opponents or outright kill them. Dark wizards only care about power and control, abusing their abilities to make themselves feel superior. Most of that was stomped out after the war but there are still stragglers and would-be up and comers. We'll never get rid of it completely but the most we can do is keep them from causing us, and the rest of the world enough trouble to get us noticed."
"So…that night. You left to fight a war?" Dudley asked, astonished. Across from him, Petunia looked unnaturally pale while Cynthia appeared shocked. "Why? You were just a child!"
For a moment, Harry didn't say anything, content to merely stare at his cousin with the same severe look on his face. "That's a story best not told tonight, with everything that's happened. The most I can offer you is a safe place to sleep until it's safe to go home. The wards, a magical shield of sorts, are very strong and are centuries old thanks to its former occupants. I'll have my partner ensure that you're called in sick from school and work so that no one gets suspicious of your absence and comes knocking. Not with you house officially being a crime scene." He muttered absently, trying not to blink too much as his fatigue was starting to get to him. "Given the hour, it would be wise to get some sleep."
The moment was interrupted when Nipper popped into existence next to Harry's chair, making all three guests jump as the elf began to speak. "Nipper is to be telling Master Harry that the guest rooms are ready now."
"Thank you Nipper, that should be all for tonight. Did you eat yet?" Harry asked, adding the question out of habit.
And as usual, Nipper hesitated out of concern that his answer would earn him punishment of some kind. "Nipper partook of some apples while Master Harry was away, since he insisted that Nipper try to eat healthy. Nipper is hoping to know what the master's guests would like for breakfast."
Harry blinked. "You didn't ask?"
The elf scowled darkly at him, obviously offended. "It is not Nipper's place to ask! And certainly not when fleeing the bad, bad badness of that man in other house! Such a question would've been very inappropriate and out of place!"
"Yes, I can see how that would be misconstrued. More proof of how tired I am." Harry grumbled, removing his glasses long enough to rub at his eyes. "Pancakes sounds fine as I'm sure William will appreciate something fun after all this turmoil."
"That is something Nipper agrees with considerably. Nipper is to be bidding master and guests good night then." The elf commented, nodding at his master and guests prior to turning on his heel to walk out like a normal person.
"Good night Nipper." Harry called after him, having become accustomed to the elf's odd choice of exit ages ago.
Glancing between his cousin and where the elf had vanished beyond the doorway, Dudley was doing his best not to gape like an idiot. "Harry, why was that little man wearing my old clothes?"
It took Harry a second to process the question, a scowl settling on his brow when he finally did. "First he's not a 'little man' though I only know of one truly small wizard and he was my Charms professor in school. Second, Nipper is an elf and is normally bound by magical law to serve under a wizard and his family their whole lives with only something disposal like an old curtain or pillow case for clothing. They can only be freed by giving them real clothes as acknowledgement of services rendered. Nipper works for me for a considerable pay since his old masters assured he was well-trained in keeping house."
"So, he's like your butler?" Petunia inquired, speaking up for the first time since before dinner at least three hours earlier.
Harry nodded, taking the question in stride. "Of sorts. Elves are magical beings that have been serving wizardom for centuries and have been abused by a myriad of people. Such elves caught under such conditions are usually manipulative and looking for a way to disobey though they'll still follow through with commands if to a degree. It's only in the past few years that, thanks to my friend Hermione, elves are being treated more as people than property or even being falsely accused of murder."
"What?!" Cynthia exclaimed, sounding rightfully horrified by this information. Petunia only looked pale and Dudley seemed to be caught between angry and sick. No doubt such things reminded him of how his parents had treated Harry growing up.
"It's happened a few times and the truth comes out eventually. But I treat Nipper with respect and he does the same, thus giving us a healthy relationship to where he's more perceptive to my needs than elves under much more stressful conditions." Harry told them, watching their expressions calm at this.
"Why 'Nipper' though? That's an odd name." Dudley pointed out once he got his voice back and was no longer red in the face.
"Elves are often given strange names either to describe their personalities or individual traits. So Nipper can be…very curt when he talks." Harry responded, unable to keep the chuckle from slipping through, his guests joining in to speak of their first hand experience of meeting the elf earlier that night.
"Harry? Ah, there you are." A new voice called, Harry turning to find Draco moving to enter, the blonde seeming reluctant to go beyond the threshold. "Should I come back later?"
"No, it's fine. Everyone, this is my Auror partner, Draco Malfoy." Harry said, waving the man in as they all stood up.
Relaxing a tad at the invite, Draco came to stand next to Harry as he gave each guest a respectful nod. "Greetings. I'm sorry to say that we could've met under better circumstances." He said pleasantly enough before sobering as he addressed his partner. "I finished my analysis."
Harry stiffened, sensing that whatever it was, he probably wasn't going to like. "And?"
"If the intruder did manage anything, it wasn't anything Dark, or anything I recognize. I suggest having Hermione coming over to confirm since I didn't find anything even remotely wrong with her." Draco suggested, his handsome face caught in a mild expression of puzzlement but was otherwise relaxed.
"So I was in time then?" the raven pressed, hoping to get a positive answer to the question weighing most heavily on his mind.
Some of Draco's bafflement cleared, giving his partner a reassuring smirk. "It would appear so. Whatever that cretin was planning, he never got the chance to go through with it."
"So there's nothing wrong with our daughter?" Cynthia asked hesitantly, though Dudley almost fell back into his seat in relief.
"Nothing magic related, only that she does have potential to wield it in the future. For now, no point in jumping to conclusions and get some rest. That means you, Potter." Draco growled pointedly at the raven.
"I feel like the walking dead so I won't argue with you. See you at work?" Harry returned in an innocent tone.
"Only if you don't get into any more life threatening duels between now and then. I swear you're completely incapable of taking care of yourself!" the blonde snapped as he moved for the door.
"I'm still alive aren't I?" Harry called after him, snickering when the blonde only shouted back at him.
"Idiot!" he called out as he opened the door.
"Prat!" was all Harry could shout back before the door was slammed shut, the raven snickering in triumph even as he felt the distant shift of apparition just outside the wards.
"Do you two always fight like that?" Dudley asked curiously, wondering if Harry had made a habit of outright fighting with his coworkers.
Harry had to fight down the urge to throw his head back and laugh, though the bark of sound still escaped him as he waved for them to follow him to the stairs. "Oh trust me that was tame to the bare knuckle brawls we used to have in school. He was a right twat back then but he's changed since then."
"Really? Do tell." Cynthia chirped, sounding a bit too eager to Harry's ear.
He glanced back at her knowingly, catching her devious smile. "You just want to gossip don't you?"
The brunette woman giggled almost like a child, not even bothering to hide her intentions from him. "Caught me!"
Harry only chuckled in turn, pausing just outside his own room to turn and speak again. "Use any room you like, there should be clothes in each one to fit each of you so don't worry about laundry."
"Something for Nipper to do?" Petunia asked, sounding more curious than anything.
"He does have magic that deals with it quickly enough. Though teaching him to use the washer and dryer was…an adventure to be sure." Harry told them, earning a new round of surprised looks. "I'll be in this room if you need me. Good night." He said courteously, moving to open his door and make his escape.
Only Dudley's voice stopped him. "Harry." The blonde man gave his wife and mother a quick hug and kiss, bidding them to get settled first. Neither man did anything until both women were in their chosen rooms and out of sight. When both doors finally clicked shut, Harry had to force himself not to jump away when Dudley suddenly engulfed him in a strong hug. For half a minute, Harry didn't know what to do even as his cousin whispered harshly into his ear. "I'm really glad you're okay."
Harry's eyes prickled at those words, his Auror training not needed to tell him they were as heartfelt as anything the other man could've said. It was those words that got him to return the gesture, if at half strength since he was still weak from his dueling. "I've been waiting twenty years for one of you to say that to me." he whispered back, somehow keeping his voice from cracking though he didn't fight the tears when they both pulled back. Blue eyes met green as Harry said with the same sincerity. "It was definitely worth the wait. Good night cousin."
"Good night." Dudley said in a ghostly whisper, each man going their own way.
When Harry woke the next morning, he was groggy and sore from his ducking from spells for over an hour. At the very least his shoulder felt better but his head felt like it was being weighed down with heavy stone. He ended up drifting in and out for a while, finally casting a Tempus charm to find it was closing in on ten in the morning. Groaning, Harry flopped back onto his pillows and let his mind drift off again, his bliss lasting for at least thirty minutes before Nipper finally appeared with his breakfast. As usual the elf was scolding him when he discovered that Harry's headache had yet to dissipate, retrieving the potion for it for the raven to gulp down gratefully. Handing back the vial to be cleaned and refilled later, Harry smiled at his magical helper. "Thanks Nipper. I needed that."
"Nipper is pleased to be of service to Master Harry. Will master be coming down presently?" the elf asked casually enough, though it still raised a red flag in Harry's mind.
"Not until I eat and wash up. Why?"
The elf sniffed but didn't comment on it. "Master Dudley was asking after Master Harry and Nipper told him to let you sleep as Nipper has been ordered to when Master Harry has been given time off. He has since retreated to the kitchen after asking Nipper to find a muggle paper for him. However, Mistress Hermione was most insistent on speaking to you and is with Mistress Cynthia in the sitting room with young baby Iris."
The last of Harry's lethargy vanished at the mention of his friend's name. "Hermione? Did she say anything about Iris at all?"
"Nipper was busy keeping young Master William out of the study, where there are many things he should not be touching since he has no training just yet. Mistress Petunia was most kind in helping Nipper in getting him to stay in the kitchen with her and Master Dudley until Master Harry is to instruct them otherwise." Nipper told him, watching Harry expectantly for his response on the matter.
Harry nodded slowly, knowing that William was too young for a number of the books he had in his study, especially when some of them were centuries old. "I understand, thanks Nipper." The raven said with sincerity. "And the paper?"
It appeared with a snap of the elf's fingers, dropping on the bed next to Harry's hand as the elf spoke again. "Nothing on master and the duel, likely nice-man Minister's doing. Master Draco has yet to report on his own ends and Nipper will keep an eye out for bad beetle woman."
Harry couldn't keep from smiling at the elf's almost cruel promise to keep Rita Skeeter at bay, knowing that in spite of her job she certainly deserved it. "I appreciate that Nipper, the last thing we need is that woman prying into my life again."
"Nipper agrees with master, having read her nasty lies in the past. Nipper will ensure the bad beetle woman doesn't write any nasty lies about master and his relatives." The elf assured him with a wicked look, making the magical being look oddly menacing.
"You're a good elf Nipper. Whoever was your master before me was a right idiot to treat you badly." Harry told him, sharing the elf's dark smile.
Nipper huffed in distaste at the mention of his former 'owner'. "Nipper is just glad to be with Master Harry now. Old master was nasty man anyway."
Harry could only chuckle in agreement. "Carry on, Nipper."
"Nipper will be doing that." He said, vanishing with a pop, possibly to make sure William hadn't escaped the kitchen to cause more trouble.
Harry spent the next twenty odd minutes waking up properly, sipping at his coffee while perusing the Prophet for anything remotely like the truth. Sometimes he wondered why he still read something as fickle as the Daily Prophet thought he did on occasion glance at Witch Weekly or The Quibbler for laughs. As Nipper had told him, no word had reached the all hearing ears of the Prophet's editors and reporters of last night's events, Harry deciding to busy himself with the Quidditch section between sips of coffee and bites of toast. The fact that the Chudley Cannons were losing (again) wasn't that big of a surprise though the Falmouth Falcons seemed to have a good chance at the Cup if they won the next two matches. When he finally folded up the paper, Harry left the tray for Nipper to deal with as he picked out some decent clothes to wear prior to heading to the bathroom down the hall for a quick shower. The warm water and good smelling soap got rid of the last of his body's aches along with any grime left over from his fight the night before. Leaving his sleep pants and boxers for Nipper to find in the laundry hamper in the corner, Harry checked the hall before returning to the haven of his room to dry off and change where he found the breakfast tray was predictably gone. Dressing in a shirt and jeans, as well as a sweater since it was a tad cold in the house, Harry ventured downstairs to see just what he'd been missing out on.
As Nipper had informed him, Cynthia and Hermione were in the living room, chatting softly over a soundly sleeping Iris settled on a pile of pillows in one of the armchairs. There was no doubt Harry thought it was the cutest thing he'd seen since he'd first seen Rose for the first time. Moving further into the room, Harry greeted the two women warmly. "Ladies, have all the fun without me?"
"Harry, there you are. I thought for sure you'd sleep all day!" Hermione all but exclaimed as she rose to greet him, enveloping him in a hug that he gladly returned.
"Yesterday was…stressful." He said awkwardly as they pulled away, his expression sobering quickly. "Any word?"
The brunette with brown eyes to match shook her head as she retook her seat across from Cynthia who was seated in one of the chairs. "Not yet but I can confirm Draco's diagnosis that your attacker didn't have time to do anything to Iris when you got to her nursery to stop him. Although her blood does have the markers of a magical person, it's safe to assume she might become a witch when she's old enough."
"Thanks Hermione. That's a load off my mind. I trust you told everyone already?" Harry asked as he settled onto the couch next to his friend.
Hermione smiled kindly at him, her still unruly hair bobbing as she nodded. "Yes, your cousin was most pleased to know your efforts had prevented anything harmful while it seems your cousin-in-law is picking my brain on how to raise magically inclined children."
"Well your parents were in her place once upon a time. It's only natural she wants answers from the smartest witch in centuries." He pointed out, smiling as his friend only blushed bright red.
"Stop that! I may be intelligent but that's going a bit far Harry Potter." She scolded, though Cynthia was clearly trying not to laugh.
"She never could take a compliment. Even in school, she'd go beet red if anyone commented on how bright she was though her incessant need to answer every question the professors posed for us was a tad annoying." Harry explained, Cynthia smiling almost deviously at this information.
"At least my correct answers got you and Ron through the first year while my study sessions got you through the rest." Hermione shot out, her embarrassment subsiding into pure indignity.
Harry couldn't help but groan, though careful not to be too loud unless his antics woke Iris up. "Don't remind me! Being with you during those study sessions was like being in detention with Snape. All work and no play. Not to mention lots of glowering if we tried to get away early for something reasonable like Quidditch practice."
"And yet you wouldn't have graduated if I hadn't." the brunette quipped, making Harry roll his eyes.
By now, Cynthia appeared lost, glancing between them for answers. "I'm sorry, Quidditch?"
"Oh, it's a wizarding sport where two teams fend off two enchanted balls that strike at players, while throwing another through hoops to score until a tiny metal one called a Snitch is caught, ending the game. I guess it's like soccer and American baseball mixed together but on brooms." Harry explained, ignoring Hermione's small comment of 'bloody jock' over her cup of tea.
Cynthia blinked as he mind tried to comprehend what she'd just heard. "Brooms? As in fly?"
"Yes. I was Seeker during our school years, the member assigned to catch the Snitch. I've been told many a time I'm as good, or better than my father back when he played."
Hazel orbs widened at this, the woman completely dazzled. "Amazing. Do you still play?"
"Sometimes, mostly for fun. We do have professional teams though. They're very competitive and thanks to a number of rule changes, it's not as dangerous in spite of the occasional accident or injury. William is a bit young for it but I'm sure he'll have an interest in something other boys his age, and some girls, have an interest in." Harry pointed out, knowing as a mother, Cynthia would want to know if there was anything her son might be interested in that came from their hidden world.
"I'm still having trouble accepting that wizards have sports. And in midair! Just how many surprises am I going to get?" Cynthia asked shakily, though it was clear she was trying to keep things together.
Harry didn't even hesitate. "Numerous ones until you're no longer surprised. And we're going to be here to help you understand it all, every step of the way." He told her, Hermione nodding along with him as means of support.
Cynthia blinked at his bold statement but eventually a smile curled her lips, her eyes twinkling with delight that she wasn't alone in the madness that had become her life. Sensing he'd fulfilled his obligation to see the two women, Harry excused himself to allow them to return to their chattering as he headed for the kitchen to check on the rest of his relatives. Almost as soon as he opened the door and walked in, a dark blur was coming at him from his left as a shout of 'Uncle Harry!' rang through the air. Half a second later, his midriff was being hugged into submission by an excited five year old, blue eyes wide with relief. Harry couldn't help but smile down at the boy and his enthusiasm. "Well hello nephew. Do keep it down yeah? Your sister's sleeping just down the hall."
Petunia straightened at this, her response catching Harry by surprise. "Is she? I thought it'd gotten quiet. She's been fussing since early morning, poor thing. You boys catch up while I tend to it."
Baffled by his aunt's odd acceptance of everything, Harry was soon distracted by his nephew's excited chattering. "Uncle Harry! Uncle Harry! Dad told me that you caught the bad man! Did you turn his hair green and leafy too?"
The question was so off-putting that Harry couldn't help but laugh. "Yes I helped catch him but no, I didn't give him a new hairstyle. I leave that sort of thing to mischievous little boys who might get in over their heads if they're not careful." He said, rustling the boy's hair playfully before taking on a much firmer tone. "I'm told you tried to get into my study. There a reason for that?"
"You brought Mum and Dad something to read! I wanted to read too!" William countered, pouting in disappointment.
Harry chuckled, knowing that Rose and Teddy had also made attempts to get into his little sanctum for 'something fun to read'. "In due time, since you're still a tad too young for such things but I do have a book or two from when my godchildren visit that might suit you better. What do you say? First ever story time with your uncle?"
"Really? Would you?" William asked his face lighting up as if Christmas had come three months early.
"Sure, I've had plenty of practice with the voices and dramatic hand movements." Harry told him, waving his hands in emphasis.
The laughter he earned from the boy was musical, his smile a face-splitting grin as he declared. "You're silly!"
"So I've been told. For now, I'm sure there's a board game or two upstairs that could help pass the time. How about it?" Harry inquired, knowing it would be enough to distract the boy even more from trying to pick up something potentially dangerous.
"I'll go find them!" William said, already moving to the door without any attempt at asking just where he could find them.
"Atta boy." Harry muttered as the boy dashed out of the room, knowing the five year old just wanted to explore.
Chuckling as his son ran from view, Dudley set his paper down that Harry recognized as the 'London Times'. "Even now, I'm surprised at how good you are with kids. Another reason I'm glad I had the courage to ask you for help." He said with a warm smile, watching his cousin sit down across from him at the table before daring to broach the question next on his mind. His blue eyes had become dark with concern as he asked. "How are you?"
Somehow not collapsing into his chair, Harry simply nodded. "Better now. It may not seem like it but using magic can be taxing, even deadly if one isn't careful. I let my emotions get the better of me so it cost me a few hours of sleep. The more powerful the spell, and its effects, the bigger the cost. It's like sprinting a half mile but feeling like you've run almost ten in the same time frame. Thankfully William is still too young to feel any kind of effect in response to his accidental magic, else he'd be collapsing as soon as he's done whatever comes to mind."
Dudley blinked at this information, as if his thoughts and past memories suddenly made sense. "That explains a few things. And why you could do some things when we were younger without much consequence outside my parent's freaking out." He winced when he saw his cousin's face lose a shade, hating the man's discomfort all the more now. "You really have been through a lot between those summers, even after you left…haven't you?"
Harry stared for a moment, desperately wanting to lie but knew better for it. The truth would come out eventually, either through his friends or his own mouth. Nodding sadly, Harry didn't keep his face from clouding with the myriad of emotions that always came with his recollections. "Yes. And if I'd failed neither of us would be sitting here right now so you're welcome, even if you don't know exactly what I've done just yet. It's…it's much too early for all that."
"No, I understand. I don't want to pressure you." Dudley responded, not wanting for the darkness that had come over them to remain. "The mere fact we can speak like this is enough for now."
"One step at a time?" Harry asked.
The blonde man nodded solemnly, looking his cousin in the eye. "A day at a time."
Emerald orbs stared back, no doubt looking for any sign of deception, the raven smiling when he found none. "Sounds good."
William returned not long after with a board game he'd taken a liking to, insisting that all three of them play since his grandmother and mother were still chatting with Hermione. Harry tried to find a reason to find it suspicious but shrugged it off. As a fellow magical person who hadn't known anything about magic until their letters came, Hermione's intelligence and logic could no doubt fill in the blanks that Harry couldn't. If the brunette witch held any foul emotion toward his aunt she either didn't show it or had gotten over it when the elderly woman proved more perceptive to learning about her dead sister's world rather than denying it existed. At the very least no high pitched screeching that he knew would come from his friend's mouth when she was upset had come echoing through the house like a banshee's cry so that was a good sign in Harry's mind. In the end, he let the board game his nephew had chosen distract him, taking advantage of his rare free time to make jibes at the boy and his father when they made a good move against each other. He switched gears when they turned the tables on him, pouting dramatically when his maneuvers didn't get him anywhere or blew up in his face though the conspiring wink he sent his cousin's way took away the intensity of his reactions. Dudley smiled each time, trying to hide his laughter while his son taunted them over his victories, going along with the charade. An hour had gone by when the trio of women along with the superbly quiet Iris joined them with Nipper grumbling about how everyone was late for lunch. Harry had smiled at the elf's antics but didn't say anything as the three-foot tall creature got to work, Hermione giving him permission to give Iris some of Rose's baby food and that she'd help resupply it later on. The game went on for a few more rounds, the room filled with laughter and chatter as they quarreled with each other via the game with tea and sandwiches. The clock was going on to one o'clock when they finished, William having grown tired and Iris looking desperate for her nap on top of Hermione saying she had to get back to the office.
Harry saw his friend off at the Floo while both Cynthia and Petunia saw the children back upstairs, William protesting that he was too old for naps though he didn't put up much of a fight as he was escorted away. Glad that all the excitement was winding down, Harry decided then to retreat to his study to busy himself with old files he'd brought home as well as anything else he had yet to see to that month. Greeting Demeter, once again feeling guilty for forgetting to see the barn owl the night before, he let the bird screech at him for causing her so much worry for a few minutes. Eventually she calmed down and returned to her perch, satisfied she'd done her job, letting him sit at his desk and lose himself in the mechanics of his work. He became so caught up in it that time passed him by, only snapping out of it when a knock sounded from the door and the familiar voice that followed.
"Harry?" he heard his cousin inquire cautiously through the barrier. "Are you busy?"
"Come in." Harry called out, glancing at the clock to feel surprise when it showed it was almost three in the afternoon. He looked away quickly enough to meet his cousin's eyes over the folder he had open, frowning when he found the blonde appeared troubled. "Is something wrong?"
Dudley started at the question, as if he hadn't realized his anxiety had been painted on his face, clearing it only to find it wouldn't vanish. "Just…something that's been weighing on my mind I guess."
Folding the manila folder closed, Harry watched the other man carefully. "Oh? Like what?"
Exasperated with himself, the blonde shook his head, seating himself in one of the chairs Harry had set by the fireplace for when he just wanted to read with a drink. "Like how you have this amazing life in this world that I didn't know existed until we were both attacked by those…things as kids. And then we were told to just up and leave, in just a few hours only to come back to find practically no trace of you at all except what you left in my old room or that space under the stairs." He had been staring at the floor, hardwood with an intricate rug of velvet red and ivy leaves of cream and white. Dudley only looked up when Harry moved to join him by taking the chair opposite of his, his troubled look stuck to his features as he continued. "Like how I honestly shouldn't be surprised that you've moved on same as me but like I haven't exactly done enough to show just how much."
Settling into the plush chair, Harry let the silence reign for a moment, green eyes watching his cousin prior to answering. "You definitely changed after that night we were attacked by dementors, which is what they were called, and all for the better. What's more, you became a better person to where you found an amazing woman like Cynthia to marry and have kids with and if what little time I've spent with him has told me, you're also an excellent father." Harry said confidently, watching Dudley's eyes bulge. "All of that is more than enough proof for me, even if you feel it isn't."
"Do you really think that?" the blonde asked, unsure if he'd heard the man right.
Letting out a bark of laughter, Harry grinned. "Of course I do! If I didn't I'd have to be a right idiot." The humor of his smile faded, sensing his cousin's anxiety had yet to dissipate. "But that's not the only thing you came in here for."
"N-no it's not. Last night you said this house had previous owners who were wizards like you. What did you mean by that?" Dudley asked, finding the question coming out without permission.
He was mentally kicking himself a few seconds later when Harry's expression clouded up, shadows of pain and melancholy on his face. "It belonged to an ancient wizarding family known as the Blacks. The last male heir was my godfather Sirius. He…he died protecting me, years ago."
"And he left you the house?" the blonde inquired, astonished. Was their relationship that close? He thought as the next question burst out. "Why?"
"I met him in third year, after I blew up Aunt Marjorie for being…herself." Harry said with a dry laugh, Dudley fighting his own mirth in favor of keeping a straight face. "He'd escaped from prison to see me and tell me that he'd been falsely accused of murder, and that the man who really did it had been the one to betray my parents to the enemy."
"W-what? Couldn't you find him?" Just how complicated is my cousin's life anyway? The blonde thought, dearly hating that nearly every question he asked the man lead toward something terrible.
Harry shook his head, mostly in answer to the question than to cast away the darkness threatening to envelope him. "We did but he got away. And every day since I honestly wish I'd done more to keep him from escaping us and maybe getting away from your parents much sooner. But…obviously that never happened."
"Bloody hell." Dudley muttered in his astonishment. "And your godson?"
The raven blinked but soon clarified. "Is from another godfather, who died in the last battle the year after I left. His wife, Teddy's mother, right along with him. I'm told they went down fighting. And I've told their son just how heroic they'd been, even if I didn't actually witness it." "In the few years I knew them, all three of those people became my surrogate parents, people other than my friends who actually loved me, cared for me. They put their faith in me to end something they'd put their all into trying to stop. I proved it was well placed."
"And you won?" the blonde asked hesitantly.
Harry nodded solemnly. "We did. It was hard fought but well earned. My world, now your children's, has been relatively peaceful ever since. The most I do now is deal with potential threats and any stragglers from the war. I'll work especially hard to keep you and your family from being pulled into the insanity that is my fame from victory, which is probably one reason why that man came to your home last night. Whether or not it's true is irrelevant until the real cause is found and he along with any accomplices are caught."
"I'll trust that to you, since I know I don't stand much chance against magic. But is there anything I can do? I hate feeling helpless in all this." Dudley admitted, truly hoping his cousin could help though he still hated just how helpless he would be against a well-trained wizard with foul intentions.
Across from him, Harry appeared contemplative. "That's only natural, and many a parent who actually are wizards fear the same thing. They don't have the training but they do have the power to try. So do you, even if you think you don't." he paused, looking away to watch the flames in the hearth shift lazily. "That's something we can focus on over the next few days, some things that you and the others can do without magic."
Dudley blinked, astonished. "Is that even possible?"
"There are objects that are magical that can be used whether the wielder has a wand or not so it's plausible. I'll ask around with some friends and see what they come up with. Also being parents, they'll be sympathetic to our concerns. I can also cast wards on your house that keeps anyone from my world from trying to get in though it can allow fellow muggles through so it can go unnoticed. Any witches and wizards in the area might notice but won't think twice, even more so when we introduce you and your family to them and how your children have shown promise. The most I can offer now is patience." Harry told him, smiling kindly.
The blonde nodded slowly at all this, using the silence to process it all. Eventually the rather innocent question came out. "So I really can't just knock their lights out?"
Harry couldn't help but throw his head back with a laugh. "Not really, not unless you get them to drop their wands first. Most depend on their magic or brute strength when magic fails. An Auror like me is given numerous hand-to-had combat training in the rare moment we're disarmed so you're not alone on that count."
"Then I can knock their lights out?" the blonde asked in feigned hope, smiling as the pair of them laughed together.
Chuckling at his cousin's antics, Harry nodded. "Yes Dudley, then you can break their noses granted you don't get hit with a hex first." He muttered past his snickers.
"All right. If you say so." Dudley remarked in fake disappointment.
"I do." Harry told him past his chuckling, starting when the clock chimed the hour. He got to his feet, smiling in spite of the sudden grimness of his voice. "Now we should get going. I'm fairly sure Nipper will come in here to screech at us for being late for tea."
Dudley couldn't keep from chuckling, incredulous. "Seriously?"
"I'm surprised my ears stopped ringing after the last time." Harry remarked absently as he led the way out of the room.
Dudley guffawed in surprise, following his cousin out toward the living room where the rest of the blonde's family was already waiting with Nipper made sure everything was all set for the activity. As they took their seats, the pure joy and innocence of being in the presence of true family for more than a few hours an odd feeling for them both. As Iris tried to make a mess of the tea biscuits with her small hands after escaping Cynthia's grip, prompting both her and Petunia to try and stop her, followed not long after with William's antics to add to the noise of the room, all sadness from earlier was quickly forgotten. The chatter fell toward their future as a magical family, spending over an hour in each other's company before parting to pass the time until dinner. In the midst of it all, the two men found they could get used to it.
Ugh another nineteen page beast! My fingers are crying for a break from all this excitement but I can't! You guys got me into a rush with all your faves and watches (and the rare review though for other works but I'm not picky) so I can only hope what I've posted now will keep you lot happy. I'm thinking a lot about how to go from here and it's a real fork's head that my brain is having trouble deciding. Return Harry to the office and deal with all the craziness that's definitely happening there or stay and watch the Dursleys drive him nuts? Or maybe follow Draco around and see what he's up to? Which will I choose? Find out when 'Shadow Of A Doubt' returns in:
Chapter 5: Dragon, Dog, Otter!