Petunia Dursley was many things. But quite a few of them were thrown out the window when, a few days before Christmas, Harry got approval to bring her to his magic school so she could see if for herself, in her own eyes.
It wasn't Hogwarts, but in her mind it was better than Hogwarts.
At least here she wasn't rejected outright simply because she lacked their gift. In fact, most of Harry's teachers, coaches and those who got to know him quite well gladly showed her around and answered all her questions, even demonstrating a few magic tricks like the animagi transformation, or Harry's skill on a broom.
Petunia, much to Harry's surprise, had nearly the same reaction Hermione did seeing him fly upside down in what was a simulated tornado. Though she took it a step further and pinched his ear something awful.
He was still rubbing it to increase the circulation he had.
Much to his horror, Hermione had been there and had a vindicated look on her face.
Harry's next comment had Archer laughing...at him!
"Dear magic, they're starting to gang up on me!"
"Prepare to suffer the fate of all men who are stuck with more female friends than male."
"Coming from the guy who could have had a multi-girl harem, one of which was a Tsundere with a habit of blasting people with a sickness curse and the other was a swordswoman who could pass for a guy, you have no room to talk," said Harry flatly. Archer did something very out of character for him...he stuck his tongue out. Being around Harry actually made him a bit more childish, not that he minded.
It was nice to actually feel...human...again.
Though Vernon and Dudley definitely weren't appreciating his presence. Apparently having two hearts working together along with Harry's natural Time Lord DNA put him on the level of a particularly irritating poltergeist. Petunia was rather glad she had started to get over her jealousy at her sister to avoid a similar fate.
Harry's Christmas was actually much better than the last few ones he had. For one thing, now that they knew why he was so intelligent, yet so laid back. For another, his aunt (and for the first time in his life he could legitimately equate Petunia to the word 'aunt', seeing as how it had always been Dudley and Vernon who were the worst instigators) was finally treating him like she should have years ago.
Apparently most of her abhorrent behavior was due to the fact she was jealous of Lily, afraid of magic and what it could do, and most importantly, her husband Vernon.
Vernon Dursley was not a good man, and he viewed anything that didn't fit his definition of 'normal' as freakish and to be avoided. This included anything to a slightly off skin tone to being from a country other than Britain or having a different religion.
Harry honestly thought Petunia could do better. With a few permanent potions, some decent make up and clothes that weren't outdated she could easily find a less embarrassing husband.
The real reason Vernon only occupied the office as manager of Grunnings was entirely damage control. He had kept his real views hidden until he got that position, and now that he was there they couldn't legally throw him out. It also meant that while he could host dinner parties, they rarely sent him any people because Grunnings was a business worth several millions in pounds which meant they had foreign investors. Investors who would take very poorly to Vernon's behavior and might withdraw funding.
Until he did something that they could legitimately throw him out on the street over, they were stuck with him.
What little power Vernon did have was inconsequential, and the office they gave him was one that they had made up to keep him out of the way and out of trouble.
Harry made a mental note to buy shares in his uncle's company so when Petunia did find someone better and they had a real connection, she could drop Vernon and leave Dudley with him. Until Harry saw some real improvement, his cousin was a lost cause. And Harry had some real ammunition to use to get Petunia to leave Dudley with his father... he knew for a fact his aunt always wanted a little girl, but shortly after having Dudley something went wrong and she couldn't safely have children anymore.
He intended to offer to heal the problem and hopefully give her the chance to have the daughter she always wanted. All in exchange for leaving Vernon and having a life outside of simply being a house wife.
However it was the presents he got that had him chuckling.
Since finding out he was apparently a clone of the Doctor that had been exiled her to take care of one of his companions (though apparently the Doctor didn't think that one through) he got several memorabilia and spin-offs of the show.
They did not, however, give him the Doctor Who show itself.
Hermione laughed herself sick at the fez on Harry's head. And the tie, which combined with his outfit made him look silly. Hermione took multiple pictures.
Petunia was torn. On one hand, her nephew, who she had been forced to take in, was taking her shopping for some new clothes. On the other, there was no way she would be able to afford such finery on Vernon's meager salary.
However when Harry mentioned he wanted her to find a better husband, one that would disparage everything that he didn't perceive as 'normal' and wouldn't hit their children like Vernon did him, she put aside her concerns.
She spent the entire day before Christmas being treated like a princess. And she left her new clothes at the Grangers. No need to tell Vernon something was up before the hammer fell.
Harry returned to Avalon with a new toy. Now that he knew what to look for, he had found and successfully remembered how to use his new Sonic Screwdriver.
Which was why he was bringing it back to Avalon. The Otaku club and the Library club now had a new project...magical sonic screwdrivers. Needless to say they were very happy about the prospect.
Archer ended up being drafted to teach how to use a sword correctly...it was a lost art, and there weren't many teachers who could show you how to use, say, a broadsword or a katana.
Archer could negate that with his Reality Marble...not that he knew how to use it at this point.
It seems that particular aspect of his magic, which technically was the only magic he could use, was locked due to Harry's age.
He didn't mind. At this point in history, there was no need for that particular skill. And from what he understood, by the time he would actually need to reign death from various pointy objects (thank you Amelia) it would already be unlocked either by the teachers, Harry, or possibly Zelretch.
This...Voldemort...character, or his Death Eaters, it really didn't matter which, wouldn't know what hit them.
At this point he didn't know whether to look forward to his new 'Master' meeting that undead pain in the ass, or to dread it.
Ms. Tory pulled Harry aside.
"You've been selected for the main flying team for next year. The captain said and I'm quoting him on this 'I'll be damned if I let our best flier stay on the sidelines when we could challenge the international circuit once he turns thirteen!'," she said grinning.
Once Harry was thirteen, he could legally enter the international flying circuit. Hogwarts only had Quidditch.
Avalon had everything from racing to sports like baseball, tennis and basketball.
It was rather awkward to kick a soccer ball with a stick of wood between your legs and stay aloft, hence why it wasn't on the list. There was some talk about adding golf though.
Harry had good eyes, but his hand-eye coordination while on a broom was crap. However his flying ability was second to none. Anyone who could fly upside down in F1 tornado conditions with his eyes closed was a shoo-in for the team. Especially if they didn't even have any charms on them to keep them on the broom.
Harry didn't know it, but the last time they had a ranking score for the best fliers, he had beat out everyone but those who who had more experience.
In short everyone but the flying teachers.
Everything seemed to be running smoothly for the most part...except for some pure bloods who didn't take the fact Harry had no interest in joining the Ministry or politics once he graduated, and that he was attending a first-generation run and operated school and not Hogwarts like everyone thought.
Fortunately Harry could care less if they weren't happy about his school choice.
"Another school year has gone! And before we start our delicious feast courtesy of the house elves who agreed to give the cooking club a break for once, there needs to be a few words said."
Ms. Tory stood up.
"The final tally of points earned, spent or lost will be posted in your rooms for you to compare. Tomorrow the buses we have will leave at twelve, two, and the last bus will be at four, so don't feel pressured if you miss the first bus. Any stragglers will be apparated straight to their homes. The position of top student based on scores from the Avatar Games, grades and point accumulation is...Rory Williams! Congratulations young man. Second place goes to Harry Potter and Amelia Pond respectively. Better luck next year! Another reminder to all students under seventeen... No magic outside the school. The Ministry already has it out for us because we're not inbred morons like the Pure Bloods,"said Ms. Tory, waiting for the snickering to die down.
"Coincidentally that 'no magic over the holidays' rule does not apply to potions or magical artifacts," Ms. Jenny piped up.
"So if any of you want to spend your points to get some toy or upgrade your potions kit, you can do it before the buses leave. Don't forget, points will rollover to next year, and if you're graduating, whatever points you don't spend can be traded in for sickles or pounds," said Ms. Tory.
It was one of the many reasons they encouraged their graduates to accumulate points in their last year. The more points you had, the more money you could potentially earn as start up cash to make your own business, buy a home, or pay for college. It was just one of those little incentives to work hard.
It was also what they did with the extra cash that didn't get used up by the student fees and the tuition that everyone had to pay. They could earn back what they paid to come to Avalon.
Harry perked up. He had an upgrade but hadn't bothered to get it, but since it would likely keep him from having to hear Dudley in the few times that he slept at Privet Drive, this was a good investment.
A radio and a small portable TV set that ran off of magic. Two items that were promptly tweaked to have universal roaming.
If he was lucky, he would be able to hack a satellite so he could get Japanese broadcasts and watch anime directly. Odds are Archer would be able to teach him Japanese so he could hear the original voices and not the dubbed version.
"So how exactly did the old man take the fact I wasn't going?" asked Harry. Petunia had driven him to Spinner's End so he could chat with Snape...and improve his potions.
"He nearly had a heart attack...not to mention the hell the pure bloods raised when they found out you chose a muggleborn-run school instead of Hogwarts. Fudge wouldn't stop complaining about it," said Snape dryly.
"I have a question for you. Can the calming potion be taken by inhaling it, and is there any issues of addiction to deal with?"
"Why?"
"My sister is a neurotic bookworm who has panic attacks if she has a less than perfect grade. So far my roommate and I have been subtlety dosing her to keep her from being a pain in the ass during exam times," said Harry.
Snape winced.