Ch. 3: Harry's Rescue and Nina's Plan
Harry woke late the next day to the noise of the doorbell ringing and his uncle's shouts. He turned and looked at the clock by his bedside table and saw that it was already just past noon. He was just coming back from the loo when he heard his uncle shouting for him. Harry rolled his eyes and went down the stairs to find out what he was wanted for now. What he saw when he had reached the bottom left him temporally speechless standing there in shock. Remus Lupin, Albus Dumbledore, and some woman were standing arguing with Uncle Vernon to allow them to come inside and talk. Suddenly his uncle was moved out of their way quite forcibly. The three standing in the doorway moved inside before Dumbledore shut the door behind them.
Remus spoke first, "Nina, you shouldn't have done that. He would have eventually allowed us in."
"Yes, well, it's less than he deserves. And far less than I want to do to him. All I did was make him move a little," the woman addressed as Nina responded with impatience. Remus just shook his head.
At that moment Dumbledore happened to glance up to the stairs and saw Harry standing there. "Ah, Harry, perfect. Come on down lad. There's someone I want you to meet." Harry slowly made his way downstairs.
He could feel Nina's eyes on him before she turned to Dumbledore and said, while glaring at him, "You had better make this quick Albus. I want him out of this house immediately." Albus Dumbledore did nothing more than nod his consent which startled Harry for a moment. Who was she that Dumbledore would automatically listen to her?
Once he reached the bottom, they all went to sit on the couch to talk. "First Harry, I must apologize," Dumbledore began. "I'm sorry that I've kept you here against your wishes for so long, but it was the only way I knew to keep you safe."
"It's alright Professor. I understand, I don't like it, but I do understand."
"Thank you my dear boy. And now I must introduce you to Nina Spencer. She will be the new Defense teacher this coming term. She's also a member of the Order and has something she would like to discuss with you."
Harry turned his attention to the woman known as Nina while waiting for her to talk. After several minutes she began, "Harry, you know about the protections that are on this house that protect you, right?" At his nod, she continued, "Well, if you could choose any place in the world that you would want to have similar protections on it, where would you choose?"
"But, I thought the protections were connected to my mother's blood?"
"Yes, it is. That is the strongest protection that the Headmaster knew at the time. But I know some similar of different spells that work just as well. Now if you had to call one place home, excluding Hogwarts, where would it be?"
"The burrow," Harry replied instantly. Nina now wore a smug smile.
"I figured that. This is why I've already started on the protections. It'll just take a couple more days to finish. Meanwhile, you and the Weasleys will have to stay at Hogwarts." Harry just sat there watching Nina with a face full of shock and hope. "I must go now. The Weasleys are already there, Albus and Remus will bring you as soon as you're ready to go." And with that she got and left.
After Nina left, Harry turned hopefully to his headmaster and asked, "Does that mean I'm leaving? And that I don't have return?" When Dumbledore nodded, he looked to Remus who was also nodding with a large grin on his face. "But, how-how?" Harry stuttered.
Although the question was posed to Dumbledore, it was Remus who answered. "Apparently Nina never like the fact of you staying here. And she's strong enough to break the protections kept in place, especially given the way they have treated you here."
Harry sat there dazed as he thought of a million questions that he wanted answered. But Dumbledore spoke before him, "Harry, why don't you and Remus go up to your room to pack. He can answer any questions you have. I want to talk to your aunt and uncle."
Dumbledore waited until Harry and Remus were all the way upstairs before he made his way to the kitchen where he knew the Dursleys were trying to eavesdrop. As soon as they saw Albus Dumbledore in the doorway of their kitchen glaring at them, Petunia and Vernon Dursley escaped to the far corner of the room, cowering in fear. For here was a very angry, very powerful wizard in their house looking at them with great contempt. Dumbledore didn't stay standing for long; he walked to the table and sat down in one of the chairs while motioning the Dursleys to sit in the other two chairs. When all they did was stare at him, Dumbledore sighed, "Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, please sit down. There is much I have to say to you and it would be better if you both were sitting down." As he said this two chairs turned outward from the table to face the still frozen couple in the corner. Very slowly, their eyes never leaving Dumbledore, they sat down on the opposite side of the table. When they were seated at the table, Dumbledore took a deep breath before addressing the Dursleys. "As I'm sure you probably heard through the door, Harry is leaving today and will not be back. This means that the protection that was on this house, and therefore on you and your son, will disappear after Harry leaves today. Do not expect to ever see Harry again. Mrs. Dursley, your last link to you sister and family is about to leave forever," He paused a moment, "Farewell." And with that Albus Dumbledore got up from the table, walked out of the kitchen and up the stairs to Harry's room leaving two stunned Dursleys sitting at the kitchen table.
Meanwhile, up in Harry's room, Harry was busy bombarding Remus with questions. "So, who is this Nina? And why does it seem like she has authority over Dumbledore? Can she really break the protections?" Harry had headed over to sit on his bed staring at Remus, hardly daring to believe his luck. He was really leaving and he never had to come back.
Remus, understanding Harry's feelings, sat on his bed next to him and began answering his questions, "She's going to be your new Defense teacher and is considered the most powerful witch or wizard since Merlin."
"Hang on," Harry interrupted. "If she's that powerful then why hasn't she defeated Voldemort herself?"
"I'm not completely sure. All I know is that she can't. Not because of power, but for some other reason. You'll have to ask her to get a more complete answer." When Harry nodded his understanding, Remus continued answering the original questions I don't think it's that she has authority over Dumbledore. I think it's more that Dumbledore knows that right now it's best to listen to her when it comes to you. Nina doesn't believe that he should have left you here so long. She understands why he did it in the first place, but not why you had to com back this year."
"Sounds like she'll get along with Ginny pretty well then." At Remus's confused look, Harry explained, "Ginny kept sending Dumbledore howlers all day until he agreed to let me leave this place."
Remus shook his head while chuckling softly, "And yes, she can break the protection here for two reasons. One, you and your relatives all hate the fact that you're here. And two, you and the Weasleys all want you to live at the burrow. The lack of love here and the great amount of love there makes it possible. At least that's the way Nina explained it to me when I asked."
Harry nodded and then slowly started to pack. He and Remus packed up and cleaned his room in silence till Dumbledore came into his room. Remus sensed that Harry needed time to absorb all this new information and so remained silent himself. It gave him an opportunity to study Harry without Harry noticing. Remus had been worried about how this summer would affect Harry here all alone with just the muggles. This was why he was very happy with Ginny Weasley and Nina Spenser. Harry looked really thin, although that could be because he was wearing his cousin, Dudley's hand downs and as such were they four sizes too big. But he had an unhealthy look to him. A fact he was sure Mrs. Weasley would fix as soon as she saw him. But it was Harry's eyes that caught Remus by surprise. In his eyes, Remus saw determination and strength. They looked like they had aged since the end of term, which they probably had, he thought. The letters on the bedside table told him a lot as well. He knew for a fact that many people had written him, but the only letter that was lying on the table was one from Ginny Weasley. It also looked like it had been read multiple times; this made Remus Lupin very curious on Harry's feelings for the young redhead.
Albus Dumbledore paused outside Harry's bedroom door to take a calming breath, notice the small flap on the bottom of the door and the locks on the side of the door and found out he had to take a few more breathes before he was calm enough to enter the room. Once inside, he found Remus sitting on the bed with Harry's stuff next to him and Harry searching the room making sure nothing was left behind. Dumbledore also noticed the subtle changes present in Harry and vowed to watch him closely in the upcoming months. When Harry stopped searching Dumbledore spoke up. "Well, all packed and ready to go?" At both nods, he took out a piece of paper, taped it and said, "Portus." Then held it out for the other two to touch. As Harry felt the familiar tug at his navel, he silently said goodbye to number Four Pivet Drive forever.