Chapter 9
Reunions, Part 1

Disclaimer: Gertrude "Danger" Granger, Aletha Freeman, Meghan Black and various other characters, nicknames, dialogue, prophecy styles, et cetera, you may not recognize belong to whydoyouneedtoknow's Dangerverse with direct permission from the author to use them. Most other characters belong to JK Rowling. Only plot belongs to me.


Arabella Figg of Number Five Privet Drive, Little Whinging Surrey, was currently sitting in the living room, reading the morning's edition of the Daily Prophet. She never took much interest in the Daily Prophet, due to its extremely biased views of certain points in the wizarding world. She was only reading to pass the time while she waited for the arrival of Albus Dumbledore and his guests.

At least the vultures have not got wind of the Dark Mark sighting just yet. But they will soon, I can guarantee that. Especially with their newest vulture they hired on just a few months ago. I have never seen anything more distasteful than what that new journalist Rita Skeeter has been writing. It is tabloid trash, and she should have never been allowed to write such false, slanderous material!

"Mrs. Figg?" a voice rang out.

Arabella set down the newspaper and saw Gertrude Granger, and her little sister, Hermione, standing near the archway of the living room.

"Neenie and I are going to walk down to the little store a couple blocks away to pick up some groceries," Gertrude said, "I think it is about time we go back to our own home."

"I do hope nothing is wrong with my hospitality?" Arabella asked.

"Oh, no, ma'am," Gertrude said, "Neenie just misses her own bedroom, and I need to go through some paperwork."

She turned to Hermione. "Wait by the door, sweetie. I'll be there soon."

Hermione nodded, waved to Arabella, who waved back, and the little girl walked away. Gertrude looked back at Arabella.

"Between you and me," she said, in a low voice, "Hermione and I might be leaving Privet Drive soon. Selling the house would give us some good money, and we have… well, no need any more for a four-bedroom house. Hermione doesn't know yet. I'm afraid she is going to object, because it would mean we'd have to leave Harry and he is her best friend."

Arabella frowned. I wish I could tell her Harry won't be in the area after today, but it is not my news to tell.

"I completely understand," she decided to say, "Will I see you again today?"

"Yes, ma'am," Gertrude said, "Some of our things are still here. We'll be back in less than half-an-hour or so. Would you like us to pick up anything for you or your cats?"

"No, dear, I'm fine," Arabella said, "Have a nice walk."

"Thank you," Gertrude said, "You know – that newspaper. I swear earlier I saw one of the pictures moving. I must be going mental or something."

Arabella only smiled so as to not betray anything by speaking up. Gertrude smiled and left the room. Soon, Arabella heard the front door open and close.

I have got to do better with Muggle-proofing my house. Though those two lovely dears aren't Muggles, but Muggleborn, if Albus is correct. They just don't know it yet.

Just then, Arabella heard a whooshing sound coming from the fireplace as the orange fire turned green. In a matter of a minute or so, her living room was suddenly full of six additional people.

"Albus," Arabella said, to her oldest friend, "How good to see you again."

"Arabella," Albus said.

Arabella searched through her guests, then found who she was looking for near the fireplace.

"James Tiberius Potter, you know better than to hide from me," she said, "I always found you when we played hide-and-seek when I babysat you."

"Sorry, Mrs. Figg," James Potter said.

The Potters walked past the others, toward Arabella, and she held out her arms. James smiled and embraced her in a hug. Arabella was in danger of crying.

"I wasn't sure if I could believe it when Albus told me yesterday," she said, as she backed away and hugged Lily, "But Albus knows better than to lie to me." She backed away from Lily. "Let me look at you two. I thought I'd never see your faces again."

"It is lovely to see you too, Arabella," Lily said.

"Arabella, we shouldn't keep Harry waiting," Albus said.

"Oh, of course not!" Arabella said.

Just then, the youngest member of the group began crying.

"Oh, her breakfast has finally run through her," Aletha Freeman said, "Arabella, do you mind if I change Meghan here?"

"Of course not, dear," Arabella said, "My spare bedroom is just down the hall. Nobody is currently there, at the moment. My two temporary guests have gone down to the grocery store."

"Thank you, ma'am," Aletha said, "Good luck, James, Lily. Meghan and I will be here waiting for you."

"I think I'll go with you," Remus Lupin said, "If only to stand guard outside."

Albus, James and Lily accepted this, and with Remus, the four of them made their way out of the house.

Arabella walked over to the front window and peered through the shades.

I couldn't tell them. I wanted so badly to tell them everything I know about Vernon and Petunia Dursley's mistreatment of Harry, and I couldn't. But something tells me they'll find out very soon. Well, at least Harry will no longer have to be treated that way. A joyous day this is…
Arabella took a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped the tears running down her cheeks, that had been threatening to do so ever since she laid her eyes on James and Lily Potter.


Lily Potter was understandably nervous, as she walked across Privet Drive toward Number Four. She had been thinking about this moment ever since she had discovered exactly where Harry was currently residing. It had been three years since Harry had seen his parents. Lily wondered, as she had many times over the past few days if Harry would recognize her and James. He had been a baby when he had last seen them, not even two years old.

Surely Petunia has at least one picture of me and James, for Harry's sake…

Then, as her eyes fell on the front door of the house, another thought crossed her mind.

"Petunia does not know I'm alive," Lily whispered.

"Unfortunately, three years ago, I had no idea whether my spell would have worked," Albus said, "So, of course, I had to break the news of your death to her in the same letter in which I informed her that she was Harry's guardian. So yes, she believes you are dead."

"What's a little harm in surprising the cow, huh?" James asked, "Might even give her an early heart attack."

"James!" Lily hissed, "Petunia and I may have had our problems, but she is still my sister."

"Sorry, dear," James said.

"Everything will be fine," Remus assured Lily, "I'll be right out here if you all need me."

"Thank you, Moony," James said.

Remus bowed slightly, gave a reassuring smile to Lily, then stopped on the sidewalk on the edge of the Dursley's pristinely-kept lawn.

"Come on then," Albus said, and set off across the sidewalk that led to the front door.

Lily grasped James' hand firmly and the couple followed Albus down the sidewalk. Albus knocked on the front door and Lily inhaled a sharp breath. A moment later the door opened and Petunia Dursley stood there in an apron.

"Yes?" Petunia asked.

Lily noticed Petunia was only looking at Albus, and she wondered if he was blocking her from her sister's sight for the moment.

"Petunia Dursley, I am Albus Dumbledore," Albus said, "Perhaps you remember me?"

"Er…" Petunia said, "I don't think so."

Liar, Lily thought, this is the man you said ruined your life thirteen years ago when he didn't accept your request to go to Hogwarts. You wouldn't forget someone who hurt you that bad.

"Very well," Albus said, "I have a couple of people here who would like to see Harry."

"Harry – Harry who?" Petunia asked, "I have never heard of a Harry, and he does not live here. Go away and never come –"

"LIAR!" Lily screamed.

Lily heard Petunia gasp, and Albus moved to his left, giving Petunia full-view of her sister.

"L-Lily?" Petunia stammered, "No, it can't be. He wrote to me, three years ago, and said you were dead!"

"Oh, so you do remember him?" Lily asked, crossing her arms to her chest.

Petunia visibly shuddered, then narrowed her eyes and looked at Albus. "This is some of your freaky magic, you old coot. I should have known your rubbish would bring back loved ones from the dead! She is some source of black magic, and she is not real!"

"Ladies," James said, just as Lily tried to retort, "We are causing a scene. Can't we go inside and sort this out?"

"You!" Petunia said, "I cannot believe my sister would marry someone like you. Mum and Daddy are rolling in their graves!"

"I thought you just said we were some source of black magic?" James asked, "Are we black magic, or am I the man you remember being introduced to? Do you accept she's your sister then? Can't have it both ways."

Petunia narrowed her eyes at James. "Get in here so my neighbors don't discover what trash has come into my house."

Lily and James walked past Petunia, and Albus followed. They made their way into the living room and Petunia followed. Lily turned and looked at her sister.

"Where is my son, Petunia?" she asked,

"H-Harry –" Petunia stammered.

"Yes, Harry," Lily said, "The boy you said you don't know, but I know for a fact you took him in. Where is he?"

"He is out back pl-playing in the leaves with my son," Petunia said, "Lily, is that really you?"

"Mum never cared if I jumped five or fifty feet off the swing at the playground as long as I was safe," Lily said.

Petunia's lips quivered.

"How much make-up to have to put over your eye to cover that scar," Lily asked, "The one you got when Severus made that tree branch fall on you?"

James snickered, but went silent when Lily glared at him.

"Lily," Petunia said, as tears sprang to her eyes.

"It's me, Tunie," Lily said.

Suddenly two voices came in from the direction of the back of the house.

"Did too!"

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"So what?"

"Aunt Petunia!

"Muuum!"

Lily's eyes swam with tears when she saw the two boys appear in the living room. One was extremely fat, almost too fat to be healthy. The other… looked like a miniature version of James, glasses, uncouth hair and all… except he looked quite skinny for his age.

Oh, Merlin, Harry, look at you!

"Dudley jumped in the pile of leaves," Harry said, "And they are all over the back yard again!"

"Tell the boy to rake them up again!" Dudley said.

"The boy?" James muttered.

Harry's eyes went from Petunia, to Albus, and then to Lily and James.

"Who are these people?" Dudley asked.

Lily felt her stomach twist. If Dudley doesn't recognize his aunt, then obviously he has not seen pictures, and if he has not seen pictures…

"Dudley, go rake up the leaves," Petunia said.

"Daddy told the boy to do it!" Dudley said.

"Dudley," Petunia said.

"But Muuum!" Dudley said.

"NOW!" Petunia growled.

Lily did not have time to look at Dudley's reaction, for she had just seen Harry's reaction to Petunia yelling. He had backed away against the wall…

What does he think will happen whenever she raises her voice?

Dudley frowned and ran back from where he appeared.

"Petunia," Lily said, "I would like an explanation…"

"Why hear it from her, when you can hear it from Harry?" Albus asked.

"Y-you know my name?" Harry asked.

Lily slowly went to her knees and looked at Harry. Harry raised his eyebrows, curiously, as he looked at her.

"Er… hello," he said.

"Will you tell me what happened out there in the back yard?" Lily asked.

"Uncle Vernon told me to rake the leaves," Harry said, "Rake the leaves and put them in a rubbish bag. Not one leaf could be left on the ground when he got back. Uncle Vernon's at work trying to get a pro… pro…"

"A promotion," Petunia said, "He works for Grunning's Drill company."

"What's a drill?" James muttered.

"Dudley jumped in them, and now I have to do it all over again," Harry said, "Or…"

He frowned and looked at Petunia.

"Or what?" James asked.

"Vernon said he wouldn't take me with the family out to eat for dinner," Harry said, "And I wouldn't get dinner at all."

Lily looked at Petunia, who was looking at the floor.

"Sounds like quite the punishment," Lily said, curiously, "Has this ever happened before? Where you weren't allowed to have meals?"

Harry nodded.

"Albus, would we get in trouble if we used magic here?" Lily asked.

"No," Albus said, "but I would not advise…"

"I'm not going to attack anyone," Lily said, then glared at Petunia, "As much as she deserves it. Harry, this is going to be a little odd. You will see our lips moving, but you won't be able to hear anything. Okay?"

The way he reacted when Petunia screamed at her son. It sounds as if he thinks he'd get in trouble whenever someone screams. And I am going to scream… it would be best if he doesn't hear this.

Harry nodded. Lily took out her wand and pointed it toward Harry.

"Muffliato," she said.

"Is that Snape's spell?" James asked.

"We'll talk about it later, darling," Lily asked, then turned to her sister, "Petunia, you better tell me what I want to hear. My son looks too skinny for his proper age, and don't you dare give me that tripe about Evans being skinny at that age. His clothes barely fit him. Are they even his?"

"D-Dudley's hand-me-downs," Petunia said, "Cost-cutting measures."

"Is it true Harry's been missing meals?" Lily asked.

"Yes," Petunia said.

"How many?" Lily asked, "Let's go with this recent week, yes? How many meals – three square meals a day, along with snacks – has he missed this past week."

"Five?" Petunia asked.

"Is this common?" Lily asked.

"Lily," Petunia said, "Please…"

"IS THIS COMMON?!" Lily shrieked.

"Yes," Petunia said.

"Malnutrition is just one aspect of child abuse," Lily asked, "I noticed when you yelled at Dudley, Harry backed away, as if you were yelling at him. Is this a common occurrence?"

"Yeah," Petunia said, "But only – only because he deserves it."

"Deserves it?" Lily asked, "You know what – no, I've heard enough already. Answer me this one last question… does my son know who I am? Does he know who James is? Don't lie to me, Tunie, my nephew doesn't know who I am."

"H-Harry's four years old," Petunia said, "He was one and a half when he came to our family. I thought you were dead, Lily. How do you think Harry would feel? If we didn't tell him about you, he would have grown up happier not knowing."

"Not knowing what?" James asked.

"Not knowing who or what we are," Lily said, "She was trying to stamp our magic out of Harry. No – don't lie to me, Tunie. Has Harry ever asked about us?" Petunia nodded. "What did you tell him? Never mind, I'll ask him myself. Finite!"

She kneeled down again and looked at Harry.

"Hello, Harry," she said, "Do you know who I am?"

"I think I've seen you before," Harry said, "In a dream… recently."

Harry then walked out of the room, and Lily and James followed him. Harry opened up a door to a small space under the stairs, and walked inside the space. He returned a moment later, with a couple pieces of paper. Harry handed Lily one of them. Lily looked at it, and saw two stick figures. One had black hair and one had red hair.

"This is me?" Lily asked.

"No, that is my parents, I think," Harry said, "Uncle Vernon and Petunia said they're gone and never coming back."

Lily closed her eyes, and heard James curse under his breath. She looked at the other drawing. It was a picture of a big black dog. Lily smiled when she recognized the dog.

"And who is this?" Lily asked.

"I just know him as Pa-foot," Harry said.

Lily felt tears in her eyes and she looked back at James who was smiling fondly at Harry. Pa-foot had been one of Harry's first words.

"Harry, what is that room?" James asked.

"Where I sleep," Harry asked.

"Like a hide-out space?" James asked.

"Your bedroom?" Lily asked.

"Yah... bedroom," Harry said.

Lily closed her eyes.

"Who are you two?" Harry asked.

Lily opened her eyes and kneeled down to Harry.

"Harry," she said, "We're your Mum and Dad."


A few minutes earlier…

Aletha applied the last of the tape to Meghan's nappy, and helped her put her shirt and bottoms back on.

"There," she said, "All better."

Aletha helped Meghan back into her stroller. She picked up the dirty nappy, and walked over to the rubbish bin, and threw the nappy away. She then took the bag from the bin and tied it. Then, as she was about to turn back to her daughter, she saw a photograph out of the corner of her eyes. She looked at it, and her eyes widened. She recognized three of the four people in this picture. She turned the picture around and read the inscription on the back.

David, Rose, Gertrude and Hermione Granger – September, 1983

"Oh, Merlin, it is her," Aletha said, "Danger…"

She set the picture back on the nightstand and, with rubbish bag in hand, pushed Meghan's stroller out of the bedroom, and back to the living room, where Arabella was staring out the window.

"Mrs. Figg," Aletha said, "You said you had temporary guests…"

"Yes, two girls, they're sisters," Arabella said, turning back to Aletha, "Gertrude and Hermione Granger. They've been here ever since Halloween. Terrible tragedy in their family. Their parents were murdered…"

Oh, my god, David and Rose are dead? Aletha said, as tears came to her eyes.

"The Muggles, yes, the ones who got attacked by Death Eaters?" Aletha asked, "And the Dark Mark." Arabella nodded. "Mrs. Figg, tell me everything…"

Lily and James may not be the only ones reuniting with somebody today…


Remus Lupin was pacing back and forth when he heard a car drive up behind him. He turned just in time to see the car park in the Dursley's driveway. A heavy-set man stepped out of the car and stared at him with beady eyes…

"What are you doing, sir?" the man asked Remus, "Soliciting is illegal, you know."

"I am standing on the sidewalk, here," Remus said, "It is city property, I believe I have a right to stand here."

"Well, I'm not buying anything!" the man said.

"Lucky for both of us, I'm not selling anything," Remus said, "Nice to meet you, Mr…?"

"Dursley," the man said, "Vernon Dursley."

Remus bowed slightly. Vernon narrowed his eyes, harrumphed and walked toward his front door.

Ten more minutes and I'm going in there, Remus decided.


"Harry," Lily said, "We're your Mum and Dad."

"You can't be," Harry said, "Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia said my Mum and Dad were gone and not coming back. Just like Neenie's parents."

"Neenie?" Lily asked.

"Davie and Rosie," Harry said, "They died on just a few days ago, on Halloween…"

The Muggles who were killed by Death Eaters? Harry knew them?

Lily was about to speak up when she heard a door open behind them.

"Petunia?" a voice said at the door, "You won't believe it. Mr. Grunning is sick. So I have to have that meeting tomorrow –"

The owner of the voice froze when he saw Lily and James.

"You!" Vernon growled, "What are you doing in my house? I thought you were –"

"Dead?" James asked, "Is that what you told Harry?"

"P-P-Petunia?!" Vernon screamed.

Near Lily, Harry whimpered.

"Vernon, you will keep your voice down," Lily said, as she stood up and faced the large man, "You will never, ever, raise your voice again in front of my son. Do you hear me?"

"Vernon?" Petunia said, as she and Albus appeared.

"P-Petunia, I thought –" Vernon stammered as he looked at James and Lily.

"My sister is alive, as you can see," Petunia said, "Isn't that wonderful?"

"I suppose this means you're taking your son then?" Vernon asked.

"Yes, of course we are," James said, "I wouldn't let him spend one more minute with you."

"Take him then," Vernon said, "Good riddance. I never wanted him here in the first place. Him and his freakishness! He's been nothing but an ungrateful brat and a – OOOINK!"

Petunia shrieked. Vernon Dursley currently appeared as a large hog, standing on the doormat. Surprisingly it was neither Lily, nor James, who turned him into the animal, but Albus.

"Dear me, my hand slipped, I do apologize, Mr. Dursley," Albus said.

OINK!

"I'll fix you right up and then we are all going to have a nice little chat in the living room," Albus said, "We're going to get to the bottom of this. Do you agree?"

Vernon grunted. A moment later he was a human again, on his hands and knees.

"Was that – magic?" Harry asked.

"Yes, Harry," Lily said.

"Uncle Vernon said magic didn't exist!" Harry said.

"DURSLEY!" James yelled.

"Mimblewimble," Vernon muttered.


Five minutes, Remus vowed, Five minutes and -

"Oh, bloody hell!" a voice said, "Neenie, you did not hear me say that, okay?"

Remus heard a little girl's giggles, and raised his eyebrows and turned around. A young woman and a little girl were kneeling next to a fallen sack of groceries.

"Oh, let me help you with that," Remus said, walking over to them.

"No, it's fine," the woman said.

She looked up at Remus and stood slowly.

"I married you last night," she whispered.

"What?" Remus asked.

Her eyes went very round. "Oh my Lord. Oh my Lord, I did notjust say that out loud. I did not. I did not. I did, didn't I?"

"Yes, you did." Remus said.

"Oh my Lord," she said, "I'm so sorry. What a way to start a conversation. Please, can we start over?"

"I'd love to," Remus said, looking more closely at her. She had quite a lot of curly brown hair, as did the little girl holding onto her pant leg and regarding him solemnly, though the effect was a little spoiled by the thumb in her mouth. The girl was adorable, he decided, and the woman rather lovely, in a bookish sort of way...

"I had a dream about you last night," the woman said, getting herself under control. "Even though, as far as I know, we have never met in the flesh. Am I right?"

Remus smiled. "I think I would remember it if I had met you before, Miss..."

"Danger Granger, is that you?" a rather familiar voice said nearby.


If you paid attention, you'd know who that last voice is.

The conclusion of the Reunion event takes place next chapter! Albus, Lily and James set things straight with Vernon and Petunia Dursley.
Harry decides whether or not these two strangers are really who they say they are. Danger reunites with an old friend, and Remus and Danger continue to chat.

Much of the last conversation in this chapter is from Chapter 1 of "Living with Danger" by "whydoyouneedtoknow".