Chapter 6- The Move and Minerva's Confrontation

Still July 25th, 1:05pm

After all of the explanations were made, Petunia sent Harry to distract Dudley by playing in the backyard as she does not want him to know more about magic than he already did. Once that was done, she and the two witches sped through the house packing everything Petunia deemed essential- clothes, toiletries, and the odd nicknack she couldn't bear to get rid of.

Two hours later, they were ready.

"Harry, Dudley! Could you come inside please?" While Petunia waited for them, she signaled to Minerva to call Severus.

An owl, apparation, or a patronus message. Minerva knew an owl would take too long so that was out of the question. Apparation could work but she didn't know exactly where he was so it had to be a patronus message. Using the spell Dumbledore had taught the Order of the Phoenix she conjured her patronus, a tabby cat, so it was ready to deliver a message.

"Give this message to Severus: It's time. And don't try any games. I'm expecting you to show up in less than two minutes at the door." With a wave of her wand, she sent her patronus on its way. And in perfect timing too, because the kids ran in not even a minute later. She realized that someone has to explain to Dudley how they were going to travel. She opened her mouth to speak but Poppy beat her to it.

"Dudders, do you remember how that man, Sev, disappeared into thin air?" She waited for his nod before continuing. "Well, he is going to return and then we are going to travel the same way to get to his house. I know it sounds crazy but you trust me, right?" Dudley nodded his head at the same time Severus apparated in, right in front of the door.


"You said at the door but you never specified which side." He drawled, enjoying the looks of surprise on Petunia and her spawn's faces.

Minerva took a deep breath in and out. She can not get mad at Severus here, especially with the audience around them.

"Severus, do you mind if we have a quick conversation in my office once we drop them off at your cottage?" she said through clenched teeth, not wanting to lose it.

A look of fear flitted across his face but disappeared as quickly as it showed. "Why, of course. I will show up as soon as I will have freshened up."

Now that that problem was settled (kind of), Minerva decided it was time to get going.

"All right, since we have three of you, three of us, and three bags, I'm going to divide everyone up evenly. Poppy, you will take Dudley and his bag. Sev, you will take Petunia and her bag, and don't pull any funny business. Harry, you and your bag are going to be coming with me. Am I missing anything?" Minerva commanded.

Severus stepped forward holding up two slips of parchment and a couple vials of a substance. "Yes, you are. My cottage is an unplottable so you will need these. And some stomach-calming drought, made so muggles can drink it as well." he snapped, thrusting the parchment and vials into the animagus' hands. Minerva proceeded to pass a parchment and two vials to Poppy and a vial to Harry. Once everyone had downed their vial, the group apparated to the cottage.


Harry was glad Auntie Minnie had given him the potion before they apparated, otherwise he probably would have thrown up. After shaking the dizziness from his body, he starts to get a look at his surroundings. He is awed by the amount of green around him- trees in every direction, full of leaves and fruit; rolling hills that go farther than his eyes can see. Harry turns around and gasps. The cottage is huge! It is a beautiful yellowy colour and there is a porch that looks like it goes all the way around the house. "It looks like it is straight out of a fairy-tale!" he thought, amazed.

"Wow…" The whole group breathed in awe, except for Severus, who just smirked at their reactions.

"Now that you've all stared in awe at my cottage, shall we go in and get you set up?" Severus started striding towards the door without waiting for an answer.


2:15pm, Severus' Cottage

Petunia, Dudley, and Harry wasted no time in setting up their bedrooms and the living room before going to find some food in the kitchen. There wasn't a lot but thankfully, there was enough to last them the night and the next morning.

"Now that you are all settled in, we will be back tomorrow to finish setting up the rest of the house for you. With some groceries." Minerva told the three, before leaving with Poppy and Severus to return to Hogwarts.


2:30pm, Grunnings

Vernon Dursley was sitting at his desk when he got the sudden urge to go home, having a bad feeling that something was wrong. He checked out and rushed home as fast as he could. When he walked up to the front door, he noticed it was quiet, too quiet. Vernon opened the door and found the house abandoned- no one was in the house and all of Petunia's prized nicknacks were missing. He was about to call her when he noticed a note sitting on the kitchen island.

Vernon,I've decided to run away from you. I took the kids and am taking full custody of them. You can try looking for me but you won't find me. I will be cutting all ties with anything related to you or Privet Drive. Goodbye.Sincerely,Petunia

It took a couple minutes for the letter to kick in and Vernon didn't know what to do. He slid to the ground with a bottle of whiskey and drank himself to sleep.


3:30pm, Hogwarts

Minerva was waiting in her office for Severus when Dumbledore suddenly strode in.

"Minerva, do you know anything about three wizards visiting Number 4 Privet Drive today?"

"Ohhh shit…"