With a nod to the others and a swirl of his robes, Snape left the room - and Privet Drive.
"Harry, I expect you to eat that food." Petunia informed him. "I am going to start on dinner. This way you two can talk. Mr. Lupin, would you like something for lunch?"
"Thanks for the offer." Remus replied. "How about this, when I am done talking to Harry I will come down for a sandwich or something."
Petunia agreed and left the two wizards to talk.
"Harry, would it be easier if I told you about what I dreamed, or if you told me about what you saw? Either way we can compare and I will answer any questions that you have about it."
"Maybe you should tell me. I am a bit strung out from this whole experience to be quite honest."
"I don't blame you. Aside from the physical changes you seemed to have gone through, I can only imagine how confused you are." Lupin paused for a moment and met Harry's eyes. "Whatever this is, we will figure it out. And I promise to put your safety above all else. From your aunt's comments earlier I will assume that she agrees."
"Thanks, I think I needed to hear that." Harry said, and reached for Remus' hand to give it a squeeze. "So tell me about the dream you had."
"OK, well it started with Dumbledore telling me about your parents' deaths and Sirius being taken to Azkaban."
"Was it a real memory?" Harry cut in to ask.
"Yes, it was the afternoon of November 1st, probably about 12 hours after your parents were killed. Everything that I saw in the dream really happened, they were actual memories." Harry nodded when he heard this, and Remus continued. "Basically, The Headmaster told me that he understood how upset I must be and that it would be understandable if I felt the need to leave for a while. Then I saw what must have been hundreds of moments in my life from before we met. Each of them was a moment that I wanted to visit or write you, but decided not to. And then the last few years, when I could have been closer to you, but kept my distance - both physically and emotionally."
Remus looked at Harry. The boy looked so young. His eyes were squeezed shut and fists clenched. "Did you dream the same?" There werewolf asked. Harry just nodded his head. This time Remus reached for Harry's hand. "I am so sorry, Harry. When I first heard about what had happened at Godric's Hollow all I could think about was getting to you. I was hoping to help raise you - and then.. I don't know."
"Dumbledore." Harry stated simply.
"It appears to be that way, doesn't it?"
Harry's eyes opened and he looked at Remus. "It still hurts though, that you never visited or wrote."
"I..."
"I know. I don't think it was really your fault." Harry said, cutting him off. Silence fell between them as they both tried to collect their thoughts. Remus pushed the tray of food towards Harry and Harry began to eat.
"Do you think Snape will be able to find anything out from The Headmaster?" Harry asked between bites.
"Well, he is very good at what he does. If anyone can, he can." Replied Lupin.
"Its just that, if The Headmaster did have dreams last night then he probably dreamed like I did - and he would know as soon as he was asked that Snape also had a dream. And he would lie about it to Snape if he did."
"What you are saying makes sense, but Severus is far to Slytherin to be trust Albus outright. He also is a successful spy, and knows when to save his own skin instead if trying to push for information. We'll just have to wait and see what he comes up with."
Harry pushed the tray away, after having eaten a good portion of it. "What do we do in the meanwhile?"
"You, Harry," Remus stated in a firm, parental voice, "Get better and go about your summer as you have. Changing your patterns now will make your watchers curious and they may bring it up to Dumbledore. We can't have that. Other than that, you let Snape and I try to figure out what is going on, and how best to protect you."
"Hmph, protect me. That is not something I can see Snape helping with. I mean, he answers to both Voldemort and Dumbledore. And you have that monthly problem. Can you really protect me? From Voldemort, or Dumbledore, or the prophecy?"
"I understand why you are cynical, but you are going to have to trust me - us - a little. We have a month to research and plan. I really think that after last night that Snape, your aunt and I are committed to keeping you safe. Let us try, OK?"
Harry shrugged. "Its not like I can do much about it. Maybe the safest thing will be to return to Hogwarts... that whole 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer' thing."
Remus smiled at the boy. "I think that is the right attitude. And in the meanwhile, we research."
"You sound like Hermione." Harry quipped.
Remus' smile grew at the comment. "It is still the best thing to do. Once you know what this is then we will know how to proceed better." Harry agreed. "Are you feeling well enough that I can leave you for a bit? I want to jump over to Headquarters and bring some books back. There are many obscure books on dark curses there, and I have the feeling whatever this is that we are dealing with is very much obscure."
"And dark?"
Lupin shrugged, "Maybe."
"Could this all be from Voldemort, and not Dumbledore?" Harry asked. "Like maybe something leftover from the night he killed my parents?"
Remus thought about that. "Anything is possible. We will only know for sure if we can figure out what happened last night."
"So you better go ahead, Remus, and start that research. I am fine, just little restless and achy. I think I'll try to nap a bit."
"Great. I will be back before you know it. I'll tell your aunt I am leaving and that you are resting up a bit."
"Thanks. For everything, really." Harry said sincerely.
Remus patted him on the shoulder and left.
Harry had dozed for a bit. When he woke he felt much better, and extremely bored. He managed to get himself out of bed and downstairs on his slightly wobbly/achy legs. He went to join his aunt, who was puttering around the kitchen.
"Its good to see you out of bed." Petunia said as she helped Harry into a chair.
"Thanks, I am still a bit off, but I am feeling much better."
"Good. Would you like something to eat or drink?"
Harry smiled. Aunt Petunia always felt best when she was taking care of her family. He never thought he would see the day that he was included in that, but he was glad for it.
"Some juice would be great, thank you." While his aunt was getting him juice (and some biscuits and some fruit) Harry continued. "After talking with Remus, I think that the dreams that I had are really memories, and that each each of you have had the dreams that concerned you."
Petunia sat across from her nephew and focused on her hands, which were folded in her lap. "I think that may be right. I know that the dreams that I had last night, before I found your door locked, were all memories. I am so ashamed..."
"Please stop. I think you were cursed or coerced by Dumbledore. I think that is what this is all about. I have seen this summer how you would have treated me otherwise, and I don't think you should blame yourself."
Petunia's eyes shot up to meet those of Harry. "How can you say that." She said fiercely. "Ten years, Harry. Ten years that you lived in a cupboard. Ten years of neglect. Treating you the way I did... allowing Dudley to treat you as he did. That can't be written off because of a month of.. kindness. No, not even kindness really - just lack of abuse. You can not just pretend it never happened."
"I'M NOT." Harry shouted, and then took a deep breath to regain his control. "I'm not pretending it didn't happen. I am just trying to put the blame where it really belongs. I still have to live with the consequences. It was me that was in the cupboard, me that was never allowed to participate in Christmas with the family, me that was made to cook and clean at the age of five. But the blame is not yours and Uncle Vernon's - it is Dumbledore's, and I am going to try not to take it out on you."
Petunia shook her head. "You don't really know me, Harry. I really am petty and jealous and selfish - so much so that it was very natural for me to treat you as I did. I think that is what horrifies me most about this. Not that I was cursed to do something terrible to you, but that I did not mind. Even looking back on it I still resent how you were left on our doorstep like the newspaper."
Harry was stung at his aunt's revelation. "The cupboard, the hand-me-downs, the chores... Do you really believe that you would have done all that?"
"Yes.. maybe.. I don't know. But I don't think I ever would have been able to treat you the same as I treated Dudley. Not with how I felt about Lily and magic."
"Not being equal is one thing, what happened here way beyond that. We will never know how it could have been, will we Aunt Petunia?" Harry sat quietly, turning his glass in his hands.
After a moment of silence, Petunia reached into her apron pocket and pulled out an envelope. Harry recognized the yellow/brown hue as parchment and not 'regular' paper. "This was the letter that came with you. It was tucked in with your blanket. I did not remember saving it until that dream last night. I was able to find it this morning. Maybe it will help you figure out this curse, or whatever it is." Petunia placed the envelope on the table, stood, and went back to her meal preparations.
Harry sat there for a long moment, staring at Dumbledore's elegant script, before his aunt broke the silence.
"Are you feeling well enough to work? Were you going to cancel tomorrow's jobs?" She inquired.
"I think I will be OK. I am just a bit achy now, I should be fine tomorrow. I have the Jensons in the morning and the Tinworths after lunch. Both are just garden maintenance. It should only be about an hour or so each. I should be fine."
"If you are sure."
"Yeah, I'll be fine. The real problem is that my work clothes were left out last night. They were destroyed, weren't they?"
"They must have been. I'm sure I can did something suitably grungy for you to use." She said with a smirk, and placed a plate of sanwiches in front of Harry.
"I bet you can." Harry answered good naturedly, and took up a sandwich to eat.
It was then that his aunt remembered to give him his birthday gifts. He sat at the kitchen table for a short while, eating sandwiches and opening his gifts, while his aunt finished preparing dinner.
After his snack and talk with his aunt, Harry returned to his bedroom gifts in tow. It had been a bit uncomfortable for him when his aunt realized that all of his gifts included food. He kept trying to convince himself that the things that bothered him were Dumbledore's fault, or in the past, and that he should get over it - but it still hurt. Putting it out of his head, he relaxed in bed and geared himself up to read the letter that The Headmaster left his relatives.
Mr. and Mrs Vernon Dursley
Number 4 Privet Drive
Little Whinging, Surrey
Mr. and Mrs. Dursley,
I am writing to inform you about the death of James and Lily Potter. It may comfort you to know that they were killed in a fight for all that is good and light - a fight to the death against an evil wizard. They fought protecting them and theirs. The child, Harry James Potter, miraculously survived. His incredibly strong magic vanquished the murderer of his parents. The child now has no living relatives, save yourselves, to take care of him - and thus, I am placing him in your custody.
Mrs. Dursley, I remember well the letter you wrote to me years ago, requesting a place in the wizarding school Hogwarts. While at the time there was no place for you in the school, nor in the whole of the wizarding world itself. Now there is, as the keeper of this boy, Harry. I hope that in the years since our last correspondence you were able to overcome the intense jealousy that you held for your sister, her magic, and the life she lead.
Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, I state here in this letter that you need not fear magic, or magic users (of which Harry is surely a strong one). I have set up protections so that no magic or magic users can interfere in your lives. This is both as a safeguard to yourselves and the child. A safeguard you will surely need.
I understand that the abruptness of this letter, and the 'package' I am leaving with you, may cause some anger on your parts - I beg you not to take it out on the boy. My reasoning in leaving him with you and your family is so that he may grow up as a normal child, away from the fame that his survival is sure to have caused.
My condolences and thanks,
Albus P.W.B. Dumbledore
Headmaster, Hogwarts School of Wizardry
'What an odd letter,' Harry thought. The Headmaster had left the Dursleys with no choice, no way to contact him and no information about raising a magical child. Why on earth mention Harry's strong magic (twice!) and Petunia's jealousy? He really did not sound sorry at all that James and Lily were killed. It was a very odd letter indeed. While Harry was contemplating the letter, he dozed off.
Harry woke abruptly when he heard a scritching noise next to him. When his eyes flew open he noticed his startled aunt.
"Sorry Harry, I didn't mean to wake you." She said apologetically.
"Its fine. What's this?" He asked pointing to the spiral notebooks that she had just placed on his night table.
"I found some extra notebooks. I thought you could use them to write out the details of the dreams. Or they can be used for the research that your professors keep talking about."
"That is a great idea. I could really use it to organize my thoughts and questions. Thanks."
Harry took the notebooks over to his desk. He noticed that they were three-subject notebooks. He opened all three of them to their front sections. On the first one he placed a large question mark at the top of the page and began listing some questions he had - in a sort of strange shorthand:
-letter to P/V
- why mention jealousy
- why mention my magic [trying to scare them?]
- why letter instead of talking to them
-night of july31
- why did i grow
- dreams/memories how related
In the second notebook he began to write about the dreams. In deference to Snape he kept the details out, at least until he could secure the notebooks. He did write about what may tie the dreams together, like Dumbledore and Harry being avoided/abused/mistreated by the other party in the dreams. He then flipped to the second section of the dream notebook and began to write bits of the dreams that he had had earlier in the summer. He did not know if they were important but he wrote whatever he could remember.
After exhausting his memory about his earlier dreams, he retrieved the first notebook and opened it to the second section. There he began writing about The Headmaster. First he wrote about how he had felt about the man in the past (as a 1st year he was awed and honoured that the man spoke to him and seemed to care, as a second year he felt as if the man were a parental figure. Last year he was hurt that The Headmaster seemed to be ignoring him) then he wrote a very long and detailed list of the events at school that, in retrospect, should have raised flags with him as far as The Headmaster was concerned, and things which still make him wonder what Dumbledore's true motivations towards him are. Some of the items in the list included questioning why Hagrid, who is very anti-Slytherin and has little magic, was the one to take him to Diagon Alley. Why did he not get a muggle introduction to Hogwarts having been muggle raised? Was The Headmaster keeping Harry's Gringott's key to keep him dependent? In Harry's first year, Dumbledore had to know what each of the professors was contributing to the protection of the stone, why was Quirrel not called to task about having 'fainted' when his troll 'got loose' in the school? On and on the list went, highlighting questions and suspicions against The Headmaster.
Harry continued with his long and frustrating list until he heard a light knock on his door. Professor Snape had returned to Privet Drive.