ALL WILL BE WELL
By AP MoM
A post chapter 36 fic. highlighting Harry's life over the next week.
The characters are not mine, nor is the premise or any of those things that JK Rowling owns, much to the chagrin of my family.
CHAPTER 7
Privet Parts
Hermione apparated them to a standing of trees at the end of a quiet street. "Where are we?" Harry asked as they walked down the block of well manicured lawns.
"Haslingfield. Just south of Cambridge. My house is just down this street," she told him as they turned the corner into a small lane. The houses were fairly large and separated by even larger gardens, whose trees were just starting to green and whose flowers were beginning to bloom. It looked like a nice place to Harry, not nearly as boring as Little Whinging, but far more formal than the Burrow. Somehow it seemed to fit Hermione well, and the house whose path they turned up brought a smile to Harry's face.
"What?" Hermione asked.
Harry shrugged. "It just seems so er, you," he told her as he walked toward the welcoming front door set in an unimposing weathered brick façade. The red door was framed by white shutters, as were the large windows on either side. "Even a Gryffindor door!" he chuckled.
"Stop joking and start checking for spells," she admonished, sounding quite nervous.
"Relax, Hermione. It seems fine," he said as he performed the few detection spells that he knew. "Besides, didn't you put wards on the place?"
"No, just anti-apparition. I didn't want to make it obvious that there was anyone magical living here." Harry was impressed, he wouldn't have thought of that. But then, this was Hermione, of course she would consider every possibility.
Hermione pushed the code to the alarm system and they went inside. The rooms were simply, yet elegantly furnished in muted neutral tones. There was a white sofa in the lounge that Harry knew wouldn't have lasted a day at the Dursleys, and a large geometric painting over the fireplace. Aunt Petunia would have hated it, but Harry thought it was quite interesting, the way the colors all swirled into each other. He followed Hermione into the bright, modern kitchen that was connected to another sitting room and then down a small hall where she opened a door that led to the garage. So far, so good, apparently.
Hermione started to calm down as they went up the curved staircase to the bedrooms. There were only three, but they were easily each twice the size as those at the Dursleys. Harry was able to pick out Hermione's room right away. It was the one with the large padded window seat with the overflowing bookcases on either side, the unadorned white canopy bed with the scarlet and gold duvet. Satisfied that everything was fine in the other rooms, she joined Harry in her room and sat on the bed.
"Nice place," he told her. "Do you think you have enough books?"
She laughed and punched him on the arm. "No, no there are still some out there that I don't have. They are always publishing new ones, you know. I really miss them."
"What new books?"
"No, idiot! My parents! Being here, it just seems so empty, so lifeless without them."
Harry put his arm around her. "They'll be home soon. Just a little longer. Next week's going to be too busy for anything else anyway. Once you can go get them, you'll be able to spend the rest of the summer home. You'll probably be sick of each other by July," he joked.
"I haven't been home for the whole summer in ages," she said smiling wistfully. "You're probably right, though."
Once they locked the house back up, they apparated to a mall in nearby Cambridge. Unfortunately the best spot Hermione knew of was the ladies room. It was a good thing Harry had brought his cloak, as there was, as usual, a line at the door. They did need a slight confundus charm on the woman in the large stall they had popped into, however. It was fortunate that she didn't scream.
"Next time," Harry said from behind a pillar as he pulled off the cloak, "try the men's room, there's never anybody in there. Where to first?"
"Vision Express. We might have to wait for your glasses."
"Good idea," he said as they walked toward the shop. It wasn't too crowded and he was able to see the optometrist right away. Both the doctor and the girl behind the counter tried to talk him into contact lenses, but it was Hermione who convinced him. "You could wear sunglasses and be incognito," she laughed, "keep all those fans of yours away!" The lenses were comfortable as soon as he put them in and to top it off he could really see a lot better, although that could have been the new prescription. His vision had changed a lot since he was eleven. He ordered new frames that they could pick up later and they left to do some shopping. Harry was actually fairly excited to buy new clothes, it would be the first time he ever really bought himself anything besides socks..
After browsing in several smaller stores and picking up a few things, they decided to go to Debenhams for Harry's suit. Along with the black leather sport jacket and dress pants Fleur had gotten him, he needed at least one suit to wear to the many funerals. He had supposed a school uniform would do for the students, but he didn't have one. Nor did he have much else. By the time they went to pick up Harry's glasses, they had spent almost all the money Kingsley had given them and had had to magically lighten their packages several times to carry them all.
Harry and Hermione each dropped their purchases off at their respective homes and agreed to meet back at The Burrow in two hours time. Harry decided put his past behind him on move on with his life. He apparated to the park in Little Whinging and started to walk toward Privet Drive. The route was as familiar to him as the back of his hand, and almost as scarred with painful memories. Bullies and Dementors, loneliness and solitude all marked his path. He turned down Magnolia Crescent and stopped in front of Mrs. Figg's house.
It wasn't there. Where her house once stood was now a cleared lot. A 'For Sale' sign was the only thing on it. Harry just stood and stared, wondering what had happened and where she was now. And why hadn't anyone told him. He didn't want to think of the possibilities, but they ran through his mind anyway. Was that where the Death Eaters had staged before attacking his rescue party? In that case she must be dead. What happened to all her cats? Why is her house completely gone? He wanted answers; but yet he didn't really want to know. He just stood there in shock until the laughter from a group of young skateboarders pulled him from his thoughts.
Harry took a deep breath and wiped a tear from his eye. 'Best just get this over with' he thought and continued walking toward Privet Drive. He almost chickened out again as he rounded the corner, but convinced himself that a true Gryffindor would bravely plod on. He slowly stepped up to the door of number four and rang the bell.
"Who's that disturbing our first dinner home?" he heard Vernon roar from inside.
"Probably one of Dudder's friends welcoming him home. They must have missed him so." Aunt Petunia simpered.
"I'll get it Dad. Don't bother yourself," came a deep authoritative voice that Harry barely recognized. The person that answered the door was even less recognizable. Tall, thin but muscular, the long haired blond stranger suddenly had Harry in a death grip. "I can't believe you came! I was so worried. I mean they said you were alright, but.. Wow. You look great, Harry! Nice glasses."
"Dudley?..."
"Shh. Come in. Just go right upstairs," Dudley told him. "You're right mum! It's for me. We'll just be in my room. I'm not really hungry anymore," he shouted toward the kitchen door.
Harry plopped down on Dudley's bed. The room was fairly bare but he did notice some personal touches and oddly, a framed photograph of him. "Isn't that, like, illegal in this house?" he asked pointing to the picture.
His cousin laughed. "Don't care. I'm out of here as soon as I'm eighteen. Berks!"
"Who are you and what have you done with Dudley?"
"Dee. Dudley is such a wimp name," he laughed. "No really, I am your cousin, Dudley Dursley. I've just grown up a bit, And so have you," he added.
"And you're not under a confundus spell? Personality jinx? Took polyjuice potion?"
"No, but I wish I knew how to make a calming draught. Things would be a lot quieter around here!" Dudley laughed. "Every morning in his coffee! It was a godsend!" Harry raised his eyebrows questioningly. "You don't want to know," Dudley said.
"Actually, I do. You seem good, Big D. I take it everything went okay?"
Dudley nodded. "It was scary at first. We hadn't gone too far when we realized that you were in trouble. We could see the lights in the sky and well, Mrs. Figg's house burning with that snake mark above it."
"The Dark Mark? Do you know what happened?"
"Apparently the Death Eaters had put some kind of spell on her and took over the house and waited for you to leave. Then they killed her and set the place on fire." Dudley shrugged, "typical death Eater stuff."
"Typical?"
"I heard a lot, Harry. Fortunately didn't see too much of it, but we heard all the news. Well, I did. Mom and Dad," Dudley shook his head, "they didn't want to know anything except when they could go home. Dedalus and Hestia, they were running a bit of a safe house. People would come and go trying to escape the war. We'd help them get to friends or relatives or out of the country. Every one had a different horror story. And every one was so sure Harry Potter would eventually save them. I was really scared for you. And really proud."
"Gee, thanks, Dudley."
"I can't imagine what you went through. I heard about the battle at the school, of course. Hestia was so excited when she came back in the morning! Poor Colin, though. And Dennis. They were such nice guys, I can't imagine how Dennis must feel." Dudley shook his head "we should have been like that. Like brothers. I'm sorry, Harry. I really am. I didn't know any better then."
"Its okay Dudley. It's all in the past now. You met Colin? He was a great kid, always had his camera," Harry smiled sadly and picked up the photograph of himself. Out of the corner of his eye he saw his cousin nod. Colin had given him the picture. "Listen, Dud," Harry choked out, "I, er I'd really like to stay and talk but the Weasleys are expecting me. They'll worry if I'm too late. Can we get together in a few weeks? Have a pint at the pub or something?"
"I'd really like that, Harry. We have a lot to talk about, still." The boys crossed the hall and Harry opened the door to the smallest bedroom to retrieve his trunk. "There's nothing there," his cousin stated.
"I left my trunk and some clothes," Harry told him as his eyes widened in surprise at the completely empty room. No trunk, no bed, no wardrobe, no Gryffindor banners. Empty. "They cleaned it out, huh?"
"Yeah," Dudley shrugged. "Your room was the only one they really trashed. The rest was just burglarized, probably mates of mine stealing everything that wasn't attached to the walls" Dudley gave a bitter laugh, "some friends, huh?"
"I have to admit, I was never too fond of them," Harry frowned. "I feel so bad…"
"Well, don't. It's not your fault. It's just stuff, anyway. They had insurance, it can all be replaced." Dudley shook his head at his cousins bewildered look. "Like I said, I grew up." They both turned toward the stairs as they heard footsteps and then stared at each other nervously.
Harry took a deep breath, "Hello, Aunt Petunia," he said trying to sound upbeat and polite.
'Harry!" she gasped. "What, what are you doing here?" She narrowed her eyes and looked at her son, "You lied."
"Friend, family, never said…" Dudley started but his mother waved him off.
"Your things are all gone," she said sharply to her nephew, "you have nothing here."
Dudley gaped at her, but Harry had expected nothing less, although he had hoped she would at least be civil. "So much for family," he shrugged. "I just came to say 'good-bye'." Petunia just stared at him, unflinching. "I'll go give Vernon my regards then and I'll be out of your lives." Harry pushed past her and headed for the stairs.
"No. That's not a good idea," Petunia whimpered. "Dudley, please" she begged her son to stop him, but Dudley just followed his cousin down the stairs. The two boys had reached the lounge before Petunia had even started down the staircase. Vernon Dursley looked up from his newspaper at the noise and his now gray moustache twitched violently.
"You! What are you doing in my house?"
"Er, I live here, Dad," Dudley answered cheekily. Harry quickly stifled his laugh. The vein on Vernon's forehead that pulsed when he got angry was now trying to escape from his skin. Trying to defuse the situation, he edged toward his uncle and extend his hand. "I just came to get my stuff and make sure everyone was okay. I'll be leaving now," he said politely.
Vernon refused to shake it. "You cost me my job, boy!"
Harry was taken aback, this wasn't going to be good, but Dudley cut across him, "That isn't Harry's fault, Dad."
"Those Japanese bigwigs bought out the company and fired everyone in Marketing! If I had been there I could have proven myself!"
"You don't know that, Dad. Besides you got a great severance package. We'll be fine."
"You owe me, Boy!"
"Owe you?" Harry was angry now, "Owe you for what? Rent on a cupboard? Sustenance rations? All those fine clothes that Dudley grew out of? I should charge you for all the work I did around here. Get payment for all the abuse!" It wasn't until Dudley put his hand on Harry's shoulder that the young wizard realized his wand was not only in his hand, but sparking. Harry took a few breaths to calm himself, Vernon wasn't worth his time, not after all the abuse and neglect. Turning away he addressed his aunt instead. "One day, when you finally meet back up with Lily ,and you will, trust me, you'll have to explain to her why you treated her son so badly. How you could treat your own flesh and blood- Lily's son, worse than the average dog! If the situation had been reversed she would have taken in Dudley and treated him like her own! But you, you couldn't put aside your jealousy, not even for a little tot!"
Harry paused and turned toward the door. Petunia was weeping, but he didn't much care. "You're the one who has to live with that. I won't bother you ever again. I'll be in touch, Big D," he told his cousin as he walked out the door for the last time. "If you need anything, you know how to get hold of me right?" Dudley nodded and watch as his cousin disappeared into thin air before he slammed the door and turned to his parents.
Harry appeared in a small alleyway just off the high street in the tiny village of Ottery St. Catchpole. He needed to clear his head before going to the Weasleys and wanted to bring something for Mrs. Weasley. 'And Ginny' the mere thought of her broad a smile back to his face. The were only two shops open, a chemists and the grocer. He had been to the grocery before and knew that they sold an assortment of things. He walked into the shop and was immediately cordially greeted by the cashier.
"Can I help you find anything, sir?"
"I'm not quite sure what I'm looking for. Maybe something for pudding?"
The woman smiled, "I've got some fresh local strawberries I need to get rid of. I'd take them home, but I'm allergic."
A sudden vision of him feeding chocolate covered strawberries to a lovely redhead lying on the grass near a pond flashed through his head. He quickly wiped the accompanying sappy grin off his face but not before the woman chuckled. "I've got some fresh cream and tarts to go with them," she told him as he followed her to the dairy case.
Satisfied that at least Ginny would like them (they were her favorite fruit, after all), he picked up a couple of bouquets of wilting flowers from a bin near the register. The cashier smiled knowingly, "No charge for them, young man, they'd only get thrown out in an hour anyway. A little sugar in the water might brighten them up a bit though," she advised. Harry thanked her profusely and walked toward the Burrow, casting a simple refreshment charm on the bouquets as he went.