A/N: Alright this one ran a little long once I started editing but I promised only one more chapter before we get to the First night at Hogwarts and I keep my word.

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Thank you to Jostanos and Rio47 for the last Reviews

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Chapter 4: Family Business

Harry eagerly looked around Elopes Owl Emporium with Professor Tebbit while Timothy was over at Madam Malkin's picking up his clothes. The screeching and barking of the owls all around him was almost overwhelming. There where other animals as well, a few more exotic birds and some puppies that had a forked tail, even a few lizards and snakes.

"Take your time looking you Harry, a familiar is an important companion to a witch or wizard. No mere pet, but a companion and guide many times." Professor Tebbit instructed as harry searched.

Harry nodded and took a moment to focus. His magic stretched and flexed as it always did when he calmed his mind and focused on the task he needed done. "you already have great control of your magic." Tebbit commented quietly.

"I had a lot of time to myself in that Cupboard under the stairs before they let me out." Harry replied in a solemn tone, "I knew there was more to me being treated the way I was by my relatives, other than just being some unwanted burden by them."

Wendy knew if she spoke the young man would probably stop talking so let him keep going uninterrupted as they slowly made their way around the shop. Even the animals seemed to know to be a bit quieter as they felt his magic wash over them. "I did research at the local library and the school library, one of the few places Dudley would never go. Those places became my haven. After realizing odd things happened around me when I got upset I researched he Occult. Wicca. Druids. The Old Religion. It all sort of clicked." Here he subconsciously placed a hand over his heart were a star shaped silver pendant hung on a leather cord and looked up at his new professor looking for some confirmation in her expression that he had been on the right path.

Wendy nodded with a sad but kind smile, "You did well. There is truth and knowledge there in what you where looking through. Many 'progressive purebloods' have forgotten that passive magic is the capacity of every human and have left the Old Traditions behind. It weaves its way through all of life no matter what. Continue in what you where doing and you will go far. Part of my class is teaching First Generation Witches and Wizards about these traditions and in many cases showing them the difference between the truth and what the common religions would have you believe about them."

Harry smiled brightly at his new teacher glad he had been on the right path, and even more glad to have found a teacher and possible mentor. He had been going at it blind for years now just picking up what he could and following the Sabbaths and traditions he could in his small room, hidden and secret.

A bark sounded to their left and Harry looked over to see a beautiful snow white owl with eyes like liquid gold staring them down. "well hello there beautiful." Harry said reaching out his hand to let the regal owl sniff before nudging its head into his hand for a rub. Harry laughed and scratched the back of the beautiful birds head.

"An Athenian snow owl." Wendy said with a wide smile, "she seems to like you."

Harry nodded, "Do you want to come home with me girl?" the owl cocked its head to the side and then nodded soundly.

"Well that settles it then doesn't it." Harry said picking up her cage along with a bag of treats and a book on how to properly care for Athenian owls and a stand to set up in his room.

After paying for the owl and meeting with Professor Cohen on the way to the Leaky they headed in to have a bit of dinner and a chat. Tom, the kindly barman showed them to a private dinning room that looked like it was usually reserved for larger meetings. The table was large and round, keeping with the old world feel of the pub it was all wooden decor, though a little better appointed than the public room. there was a large fireplace to the left of the room keeping it well lit and warm. The. three of them settled into chairs just off to the side of the fire and menus appeared in front of them.

"Just tell the Menus what you be wanting and it will appear in the kitchen and I'll bring it in."

"Thank you Tom" Professor Cohen said with a bright smile Tom nodded and left them to their meals.

Harry ordered a plate of fish and chips as he had always wanted to try it. He had cooked it a few times for his Aunt and Uncle but they only ever left him the chips, which was fine because he made great chips in his opinion but he would have liked to try the fish at some point.

Once the food arrived and they where all well into their food Professor Cohen coughed and got everyones attention. "Well Harry we said we would explain your fame to you at dinner so here goes."

Harry's attention was now riveted to his professor. "About twenty years ago there was a wizard who went bad. Deep into Dark Magic. He claimed to be a Pureblood and rallied those that believed that Magic should only be for those who have long held it." Timothy sighed and shook his head, "this is of course foolish in the highest order but soon his faction grew. They started out just politically minded trying to pass laws that discriminated against Mundane borns and half bloods and it worked to a point. The wizarding world is one slow to change and these wizards worded their proposals in such a way as to keep the status quo. Then Lord Voldemort tired to run for the office of minister. A reporter, one James Olsen, had uncovered that this Lord Voldemort had delved into Dark illegal magic and had murdered good wizards and witches in doing so. Olsen disappeared shortly after his first expose and Voldemort went into hiding. A month later he came back with men and women clad in robes and masks and began terrorizing the country. Claiming that if he couldn't change the world by peace he would do it by force."

Timothy let out a long sigh, "Your Mother, Father, Myself and a few others came together to fight him, both within and outside the confines of the law under Albus Dumbledore. We defended people as best we could but we where losing. Bad. By October 1981 it would have been only a few short months at most before the ministry fell to this madman. Your parents had fought Voldemort himself three times and sent him running. They where on the top of his hit list and had to go into hiding once Lily became pregnant with you. For whatever reason Voldemort decided to go after your family himself that night, Halloween 1981. Your mother and father fell protecting you and then, when he turned his wand on you somehow, the magic of the killing curse, and we know it was the killing curse he cast because his wand was found at the scene, rebounded off of you. Leaving only that scar as a reminder. His body was nothing but robes and ash and half your nursery was blown up. Most of us who study magic believe it was some unknown ritual or family magic your parents enacted before they died, but the public for some reason has run with the idea that it was your innate magic that stopped him."

Harry was crying by now. silent tears of grief for his lost childhood at the hands of a madman. Wendy had placed a hand on his shoulder and was cooing a mothers comfort to him. "So I'm famous because some dark tosser lost the plot after ending my family?" Harry said angrily, "thats just fan-freaking-tastic."

Timothy nodded slowly. "It's more that you survived one of the darkest curses our world has ever known. No one, at least in recorded history of the curse, has ever survived it. The Killing curse has a one way ticket to prison with a death sentence attached if you are ever caught casting it. The magic of the curse is such that you must absolutely intend with malice to kill the target and the Dark Lord liked throwing it around like a party favor."

"Not to mention," Wendy said quietly, "You are the last of the Potter Line, one of the Sacred Twenty Eight. Your family has wielded power in this world for a long time and there will be many who seek to use both your fame and political power to their own ends."

Professor Cohen looked at her sharply, what was she thinking telling him something like that.

"I am my own person," Harry said sitting up a little straighter. "Let them try. They will find I don't bend so easily."

Wendy nodded with a proud smile. "Good, Charlus would be proud of you. We could not do it today, but I recommend you go to Gringotts and access the family Vault. you will find the journals of the past Lord Potters there. Learn your family history and awaken what is within you." as with every time she said it, there was an odd timber to Professor Tebbit's voice at the end of that comment.

They finished their meal a little more somberly than would be expected of such a happy day, but it was pleasant none the less. Harry eagerly asked questions of his new world and what he should study over the summer to be ready. Wendy directed him to the section in her book on Etiquette and traditions in her book for the party in a few days, as well as to read at least the first chapter of each course book if he wanted to be extra prepared for classes.

As their time grew to a close Harry became more somber and quiet, wondering if Aunt Petunia had been able to talk to Vernon and Dudley. and what the changes would be if she had.

"Don't worry over much Harry," Came Professor Tebbit's encouraging voice as they approached the house, "If you need anything send your beautiful owl and I will be here like that." she snapped her fingers.

"Yes and you have Neville's party to look forward to." Timothy mentioned, shifting Harry's trunk back to full size so he could access his new books and supplies. "The man coming to pick you up, Algernon Croaker works for the Ministry of Magic." he said in a conspiratorial voice, "if anything is off just tell him I said to give them an example of what REAL magic can do."

Harry giggled and nodded, "I will Professor Cohen. Thank you both, for everything."

"It was our pleasure dear." Professor Tebbit said with a smile and a wave before turning and transforming into a red winged butterfly and flying away.\

Harry stood there in shock and whispered, "wicked"

Timothy sighed and looked around, luckily none of the neighbors saw that. "Come on Harry, I'lll help you up to your room." He said before knocking on the door.

Uncle Vernon opened the door and glared at the pair. "Well at least you look normal." he said after giving them a once over. "Go put that crap in your room boy and then Pet wants to meet in the den for a family meeting." he barked.

Harry nodded and quickly headed up the stairs Professor Cohen following at a more sedate pace.

"That owl wont be a problem with the neighbors will it?" Vernon asked the man.

"Harry knows to let it out at night and the owl is intelligent enough to not be seen by Mundanes, non magical folk." Timothy assured.

Vernon grimaced at Timothy's soft tone but decided against making a comment. No guessing what a magical poof would do to him. He simply nodded and turned to head into the other room.

"Mr. Dursley," Timothy said lowly, "Your wife has seen fit to see reason out of love for her sister and her memory. You would do well to do the same. Our worlds aren't all that different once you get past the flash."

Vernon looked over his shoulder and glared, "He scared Dudley as a toddler, nearly knocked him out of his high chair in a fit without even touching him. If i hadn't been there to catch him, and just last week at the zoo set a python free and trapped Dudley in the cage after him." Vernon rebutted.

Timothy nodded, "Valid concerns, I assure you." He said in a serious voice "Magic at a young age is hard to control when strong emotions come into play. My colleague and I are working on a program to better prepare First Generation magicals and their families. But progress in our world is slow, and detecting accidental magic like that is difficult without the proper monitoring system. Once we get it up and running though we would like to start a group where families in the same area can meet." Timothy handed him a card with a P.O box address and a phone number.

Vernon took it and stomped into the other room. Timothy smiled knowing he hadn't won the man over, not by a long shot, but letting him know that other families wouldn't have to go through it alone would hopefully make it easier for him to see Harry as just another kid. He quickly headed up the stairs to give the boy his school trunk.

The room Harry was in, setting up the owl stand, was fairly spartan by most standards. A book case full of some fiction, books on cooking, gardening and a healthy dose of what looked like occult books. There was an old desk with a rickety chair at the window, a journal open on a crystal diagram. A small collection of stones off to the side and a geode bowl full of water sitting directly in the path of the sun from the open window. The bed was haphazardly made, the mattress thin and the blanket a little thread bare but still it would keep out a decent chill. It was over all better than he expected to see, but still a stark contrast to what he knew the middle class family should have been able to afford if they where properly taking care of their ward. He and Dumbledore would be having words. Timothy had asked on multiple occasions to be allowed to use the Dursley's as a test family for the program he and Wendy had devised. They had always been denied because Albus didn't want to give away Harry's location to any Death Eaters who escaped Azkaban.

"I do chores around town for the neighbors on the cheap for a bit of spare cash." Harry said noticing Professor Cohen's pensive face at the sight of his room, "I use it to buy my books and Wicca tools. They leave my room alone and I leave them alone. That was our deal when I moved in here."

Timothy grimaced, "Well hopefully that changes for the better soon enough. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call on me or Wendy." he said placing his trunk down at the foot of his bed. "Well, I'll see you September First Mr. Potter, and remember my office door is always open to you." With that Timothy turned and disappeared with a pop.

"Wicked." Harry declared promising to learn how to do that and transform into an animal as soon as he could. Hopefully you could pick your animal, a butterfly seemed a bit, girly. Harry sighed and stroked his owls feathers as he left the room, promising to name her something beautiful as she was before too long. He descended the stairs and entered the den to see his Uncle sitting in his usual recliner munching on a Jamie dodger and watching some racing show on the TV. Aunt Petunia was puttering around the kitchen putting away the dinner dishes. Dudley was sitting on the couch playing some handheld computer game. There was an old dusty trunk sitting off to the side of the room that caught Harry's attention but he didn't say anything of it yet.

"Where's that Teacher of yours boy?" Vernon asked "I didn't hear him leave."

"Home or back at the school I expect," Harry said trying to stay respectful, "He disappeared out of my room after dropping off my trunk."

Vernon grumbled something about being rude not to say goodbye. Not that the man really cared to say goodbye to a wizard.

"It's called disparate I think," Petunia said as she came over and sat down in the arm chair next to her husband and motioned for Harry to sit next to Dudley. "Dudders, put away your game sweetie. It's time we all had a chat."

Dudley lifted his head and whined as Harry sat as far on the other end of the couch as he could, knowing Dudley would poke and prod him if given the opportunity, "But Mom!"

"Do as your mother says Dudley." Vernon said sardonically, they had let him get away with disrespect for years but if it was to be a serious discussion he would have to be paying attention.

Dudley huffed but knew if his father was chiming in he would have to listen. He paused the game and set the game down a little harder than necessary insuring it would bounce and flop over to land painfully on Harry's hand. He snickered and looked to his parents. Harry grimaced but said nothing.

Petunia glared trying to think of how to start this conversation. It had vexed her all afternoon. After years of turning a blind eye to her husband and son's treatment of the boy, Harry, she reminded herself, she didn't know where to start. "Things need to change around here." Petunia looked at everyone in the room with a serious expression. "Harry is family. When I married you Vernon, I was at odds with my sister and I let that bitterness bleed over into how I described her and allowed us to grow even more distant from her and her family after our parents passed. When Harry appeared on our doorstep with news of my sister's death.." here her eyes grew distant and teary. It was the first time Harry had seen her actually grieve and show vulnerable sadness.

Vernon placed a comforting hand on Petunia's leg and nodded understanding her meaning. She had been intentionally blind to his mistreatment of their nephew in her grief and Vernon had been influenced by that as well. Allowing his worst to be shown to the boy because in both their eyes he was the source of her sadness.

"No more." Petunia declared looking Harry in the eye. "I don't expect us to become a normal loving family over night, but you will be treated as a part of this family. You will be fed, clothed and cared for as you should. Chores will be more evenly distributed, and there will be no more blind eyes turned to misbehavior, or exaggerated punishments and unreal expectations should things be done wrong." Petunia said with conviction in her voice.

Harry sat there stunned. This was far more than he ever expected. He didn't really know what to say. in the back of his mind he could feel the magic of the property around him shift even as Aunt Petunia reclaimed the responsibility for Harry that she had so long discarded. But it was still incomplete, now waiting, watching.

Dudley seemed most uncomfortable with what was beginning to happen. What did mom mean the chores would be more evenly distributed. He didn't want to do anything girly like cooking or gardening. But somehow even he could admit he had noticed the oddly disproportionate way his cousin was treated within their home.

None of them noticed a red winged butterfly disappear from the garden with a pop, her work done in easing the family into it's new reality.

"The chest there belonged to your mother from her time in school." Petunia continued pointing to the dusty trunk, "She left it at our parents house when she moved out after Hogwarts. When they passed it came to me. I always meant to return it to her." Her eyes where distant as she spoke but she snapped back to reality soon enough "Well its yours now anyway Harry."

"Thank you Aunt Petunia" Harry said quietly

"I would like some ground rules here" Vernon said a little sternly. "Now that you are being trained in all this… Magic business" He bit out, "There will be no more outbursts of it like at the zoo!"

Harry nodded just as tightly, realizing there would be a long way to go with his uncle, unlike his aunt, into accepting the new norm. "I will try my best Uncle Vernon."

"I know you do those rituals and meditating." his face contorted here, not so much in anger or disgust but still close enough "It's reduced how much they have happened which is why I let you continue to do it." Vernon continued. "But if this magic harms the family, I won't have it you hear me."

Harry again nodded mutely. Petunia sighed "Good, well its getting late." she said looking over at the clock. "Don't worry about breakfast tomorrow morning I'll take care of it."

With that everyone started to get up and get ready to head to bed, "Oh before I forget," Harry said, "I met the son of one of mom's school friends," Harry said "Apparently he was born the day before I was and he and his Gran invited me over for the birthday party on the 30th"

Petunia nodded "Thats good, will they be picking you up?"

"Yes, Professor Cohen gave her the address."

"Is there anywhere you would like to go for your birthday before you go off to that school of yours?" Dudley said, speaking for the first time that night, "Its just, I know I always rub it in your face that we do stuff for mine and only ever give you cheap clothes for yours."

Harry smiled at his cousin, "Thanks Dud but thats ok." knowing it was as good of an 'I'm Sorry' he would get from the boy, "I Think this year we just ease into trying to treat each other normal eh?"

Dudley nodded and leaned down to pick up the large trunk, "Here I'll help you take Aunt Lily's things up to your room."

Harry smiled and the two boys headed up stairs.

Vernon and Petunia stood there stunned by the actions of their son. "We did them both wrong didn't we Pet." Vernon said quietly. He was a prideful man and it would always be difficult for him to admit his own wrongs.

"We did at that Vernon, but we can start making up for it now." Petunia said. Thankful she had convinced her husband all those years ago to simply let the lad be and emotional neglect was the only sin they had to make up for. If they had been physical with the boy, or let Dudley continue to be physical with the boy there was no telling how the boy would have turned out.