Chapter 10
Reunions, Part 2

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.

Author's Note: This chapter begins just a couple minutes before Remus' last PoV in the previous chapter began.

"You're such a big girl for helping me, Neenie," Danger said, "Mum and Daddy would be very proud of you."

"Really?" Neenie asked.

Danger and Neenie Granger were walking down the sidewalk through Privet Drive as they made their way back to Arabella Figg's house. Neenie was currently holding a small sack that had the lightest, and least fragile things in it. She had insisted on carrying something. Danger was holding two other sacks.

"Yes," Danger said, "In fact, just for being a good girl over these past few days, tonight I'll make our favorite meal for dinner."

"Peanut butter pasta?" Neenie asked, a grin forming across her lips.

"Yes," Danger said.

The dish was really known as 'pasta with a peanut butter sauce', but when Neenie had started really putting full sentences together nearly two years ago, Danger was making the dish, and Neenie asked what it was. In the end, she called it peanut butter pasta, and it stuck. It was one of Danger's favorite meals, and it had turned into her sister's favorite as well.

Neenie eats a lot of it, and when she eats a lot, she falls asleep quicker. If she falls asleep at a decent time tonight, I can go over my parents' will, and the deed of the house, and the important papers. And perhaps find out exactly when I can have a funeral for our parents. The sooner I get that done, the sooner I can think about selling our house and moving elsewhere. Perhaps closer to London. I'll be able to find a good job out there, and there are nice schools for children who are Neenie's age -

Danger was lost in her thoughts, that she wasn't looking where she was going. The tip of one of Danger's shoes hit a protruding piece of sidewalk, and she dropped her bags with a great crash!

"Oh, bloody hell!" she said as she kneeled down.

I did not just swear in front of my sister, right? I did, didn't I?

"Neenie, you did not hear me say that, okay?" Danger asked.

Neenie giggled.

"Oh, let me help you with that," a voice said.

"No, it's fine," Danger grumbled.

And now I am being rude to complete strangers! Such good lessons I'm teaching my sister! Better apologize…

She looked up and saw the good Samaritan who had offered his help. One look at him and she suddenly recognized him. Oh my god, it's you. I married you last night.

"What?" the man asked.

Crap! "Oh my Lord," Danger said, panicking, "Oh my Lord, I did not just say that out loud. I did not. I did not. I did, didn't I?"

"Yes, you did." the man said.

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

"I'd love to," the man said; he glanced at her then his eyes went downwards.

Is he looking at my… oh, he's looking at Neenie.

Danger looked down at Neenie for a moment, and realized her sister was partially hiding behind her leg. She was also sucking her thumb again.

She used to do that whenever she met someone new. I'm going to have to work on weaning her off that again. Bitter thumb, that's what Mum would always call – oh, right, I was talking to this man… the man from my dreams. I think I' better explain that before he starts thinking I'm a pervert. If this really is my prince, I don't want to scare him before… oh Lord, stop getting ahead of yourself Danger! You just met this man!

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

The man smiled, in a really adorable way, or rather that is what Danger thought anyway. "I think I would remember it if I had met you before, Miss..."

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

I know that voice! But there is no way it could be…

Danger turned toward the direction of the voice and saw a woman on the sidewalk in front of Mrs. Figg's house. She was behind a stroller which had a little girl in it.

Oh, Lord, is that really…

"Aletha?" Danger squeaked, "Aletha Freeman?"

Aletha nodded and hurried across the street as fast as her feet and the stroller would allow.

"It is you!" both Danger and Aletha said, as Aletha offered the stroller to the man, then hugged Danger. Neenie giggled, and Danger backed up.

"I have not seen you in – Lord it's been - what are you doing here?" Danger stammered.

"Kind of a long story," Aletha said, "Remus and I and our friends were at Mrs. Figg's house."

"You know Mrs. Figg?" Danger asked.

"Yeah," Aletha said.

Danger nodded and looked at the man. "Remus, right?"

"Yes," the man, Remus said.

Danger's heart sank as she asked the next question. "And you are… Aletha's… boyfriend? Husband?"

Remus and Aletha snickered then laughed.

"No!" Aletha said, "Oh Lord no, we're just friends. In fact we lost touch with each other for three years until just yesterday."

There's still a chance he's single… yes!

"Oh," Danger said, calming her nerves, "I saw your little girl and thought – well, okay."

"I do believe we were at introductions, yes?" Remus asked, "I'm Remus Lupin…"

"Gertrude Granger," Danger said, "But call me Danger. It's my nickname, I answer to it faster than anything else."

"Well, if nicknames are easier, call me Moony," Remus said, "Danger, huh? That is a very interesting nickname. How did you earn that one."

"Ask Aletha," Danger said, "This little Hellcat came up with it."

"Gertrude Granger,
"She's no stranger,
"She's a danger
"To us all," Aletha chanted, grinning.

"Age of eight,
"She tried to skate,
"And didn't wait
"To take a fall."

As Remus snickered, Danger raised her eyebrows at Aletha. "I cannot believe you remember that!"

"I made it up, didn't I?" Aletha countered. "And that is how Danger Granger got her name. She not only fell, she took down four or five of us with her – "

"And I've never put on roller skates since," Danger finished. "Or anything else with wheels or blades or things like that. I like my feet to stay where I put them." Danger gave a lopsided smile and bent down to the little girl. "Neenie, this is Aletha, one of my very best friends I have not seen in many, many years. And this is Mr. Moony." She straightened up. "My sister, Neenie."

"Hello, Neenie," Remus said, smiling at her. Neenie gave a tiny wave with the hand that wasn't partially in her mouth. "Your sister?"

"I know, it's a big age difference, everyone thinks she's mine, but no, definitely my sister," Danger said, just to clarify, "So, what, may I ask are you doing visiting Mrs. Figg?"

"Technically, we're not visiting Mrs. Figg," Aletha said, "We're visiting her neighbors across the street.

She nodded behind Remus, and Danger's eyes widened.

"You're visiting the Dursleys?" Danger asked, "You know them?"

"We kind of know their nephew," Aletha said, "His parents are here to pick him up."

"Harry?" Danger asked, her mind buzzing, "Wait, his parents? Harry told me his parents were… dead."

"Long story again," Aletha said.

"They're alive?" Danger asked.

"Yes," Remus said, "You know Harry?"

"I babysit him," Danger said, "Neenie and Harry play all the time, they're best friends. Harry's parents are really alive? Then why is he living with the Dursleys?"

Aletha and Remus looked at each other, frowning and shrugging, having silent conversation.

"It is hard to explain," Remus said, "We can try to explain some of it, and maybe you can explain to me why you said you married me last night."

"What?" Aletha chortled.

Danger blushed. "Yeah, I had a dream last night. It was my wedding, and Remus was the groom, and Aletha… you were my maid of honor, or bridesmaid, one of the two…"

As Danger was trying to explain her dream to Aletha and Remus, inside the Dursley's living room, it was rather silent. Albus Dumbledore sat in one of the two rocking chairs, while Lily and James Potter sat on one of the couches. Vernon and Petunia Dursley sat on the other couch. Harry Potter was currently sitting in the other rocking chair.

Aunt Petunia had always told Harry it was not a good idea to stare, but that is exactly what he was doing: staring at the young couple sitting on one of the couches. The woman had told him a few minutes prior that she was his Mum, and the man with her was his Dad, but Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia had always told him his Mum and Dad were gone and never coming back. Harry looked at the man. He had glasses, just like Harry did, and his hair was really messy and scruffy…

Just like mine. Aunt Petunia could never comb it flat whenever guests like Aunt Marge came over.

"Before we begin," the old man with a long white beard said, "I believe Harry is itching to say something."

"Er… I'm not allowed to talk when there are guests in the house," Harry said, "I'm not allowed to be seen when there are guests in the house."

A noise came from the man who looked like Harry.

"You are free to talk now, young man," Albus said.

"I just – can I see more magic?" Harry asked.

"One more," Albus said."Do you like thunderstorms, Harry?"

Harry nodded.

Dumbledore waved the long stick he had used to turn Vernon into a pig. Suddenly, on the ceiling, a large grey cloud appeared, and rain started falling onto the carpet. Petunia cried out, then shrieked when a large crack of thunder was heard. Then the cloud and storm vanished, and the carpet looked as if there had been no rain.

"And then when we leave you can see more," Albus said.

"When we leave?" Harry asked, "I'm going somewhere?"

"You're coming with us," the red-haired woman said.

"I am?" Harry asked.

"If you want to," she said.

"Aunt Petunia?" Harry asked, in a small voice, "Are these really my Mum and Dad?"

"Yes, Harry," Petunia said.

"B-but you said they were gone and not coming back," Harry said.

"We are here, Harry," the woman said.

Harry looked at the man and woman. Could they really be his Mum and Dad?

Albus Dumbledore stored his wand back in his pocket.

"Can you hold off your questions, until we are finished here, Harry?" he asked, "Once we leave here, you can ask questions to your heart's content."

Harry stared at him for a moment, then looked back at his parents. He nodded.

Dumbledore smiled, though his smile immediately vanished when he turned to the Dursleys.

"Three years ago," he said, "You found a baby boy, young Harry here, on your doorstep. With him, was a letter addressed to you, Petunia. In the letter, I expressed the hope that you would care for him as though he were your own. You did not do as I asked. You have never treated Harry as a son. As far as I can tell, he has known nothing but neglect and often cruelty at your hands."

Lily's nostrils flared, and James looked murderous. Dumbledore murmured an incantation under his breath, and the Potters' expressions lightened, the affects of a minor Calming Charm. He used the same on the Dursleys as well. Albus had been fascinated by Lily's use of a modified reverse-silencing charm, apparently one of Severus Snape's own inventions, and while he was wanting to use it himself, he thought it best that Harry heard some of this for his own good.

"I do not know what you are talking about," Petunia said.

"You do not remember my letter?" Albus asked.

"I do remember it yes," Petunia said, "But I do not remember a few things. I don't remember you being completely honest or generous with me in your letter. My sister and her… husband… are alive and well. You told me they were dead. For three years, I thought my sister was dead. But here she sits. You also seemed to think we would just accept Harry into our family – as our own son, yes? You never gave us any funding to help raise him. You never came by this house before today to talk with us face-to-face. You talk to me about neglecting the boy. Where were my sister and her husband? Where were you? If they, or you, could take care of Harry, why didn't you? That, you old coot, is neglect in my opinion."

"You, my dear Petunia," Albus said, "pose a good argument."

"Ha!" Vernon laughed, while James and Lily looked rather shocked.

"However, you were wrong in some parts of that argument," Albus said. "Until this most recent Halloween, I too thought Lily and James were dead. Then they appeared, returned, safe and sound. Tell me Petunia, do you notice something peculiar about your sister?"

"At first I thought she looked younger than I imagined," Petunia said, "But good make-up will do that to you."

"Biologically," Albus said, "Lily is still twenty-one years old, the same day she was when she vanished that Halloween day three years ago."

"That is preposterous!" Petunia scoffed.

"I'm afraid I cannot explain it to you in a way you'd understand," Albus said, "All I can tell you is I was not lying when I wrote to you and told you she was dead – I thought she was."

Albus looked at Harry, who looked very confused at the moment.

How are we ever going to explain to him what really happened? Can we explain – or should we just wait until he is old enough to understand.

"You were correct that I could have given you a bit of charity for your good deeds," Albus said, "But I ask you to consider this. Do you not believe that I was testing you?"

"Testing us?" Petunia asked.

"If you had treated Harry better these past three years," Albus said, "If you did not neglect him, if you cared for him better, do you not believe I wouldn't have given you something as a reward for your acts of kindness? Instead you give him clothes that are hand-me-downs and at least twice his size."

"I told you it was cost-cutting measures!" Petunia hissed.

"Cost-cutting measures?" Lily asked, "Petunia, this house has four bedrooms! Now I can imagine you and your husband wanting a few nights of separation from each other –"

"Excuse me?" Petunia asked, as James snickered.

"And even if you used one of the extra bedrooms, that still left one more!" Lily continued, "Instead you put him in cupboard under your stairs that is meant for storage! Do not tell me that is cost-cutting measures! And I suppose you think making Harry miss, on average, five meals a week, is cost-cutting measures? I am just talking about neglect, because I'm not even going to get into the possibilities of physical abuse. You think Albus turning your husband into a hog was bad? James and I could do a lot worse to you. Tell me now, Petunia, when I look over my son tonight, am I going to find bruises?"

"He's a four-year old little boy," Petunia said, "He trips and falls a lot. He gets rough with his cousin, and Dudley's bigger than him. They wrestle."

"Harry?" Lily asked.

"I run fast, but Dudley catches me sometimes and pushes me down and makes me eat dirt," Harry said, "He calls it 'Harry hunting'."

One of Lily's eyes twitched. "And just who did that boy learn to play rough from?"

"I think we already know that answer," Albus said, "And perhaps answers to some of the more unsaid questions we have yet to ask. I do believe we're done here. Harry, do you want to leave this place for good?"

Harry looked at his parents for a moment, then frowned.

"What about Danger and Neenie?" Harry asked, "My friends."

"Harry, if we are talking about the same two girls," Albus said, "I do believe I know them. I'll make sure you get to see them. In fact, I do believe they are currently staying at Mrs. Figg's house."

"Arabella Figg?" Petunia asked. "You know her?"

"Indeed," Albus said.

"She – she – she's one of you?!" Vernon asked.

"Surely you did not think I would put Harry here without someone watching over him," Albus said, then looked at Harry, ignoring Vernon's splutters. "What do you say, young man?"

"I'll go with you," Harry said.

"Good," Albus said, smiling at Lily and James when he noticed they looked rather emotional, "Go get your things, we'll be leaving shortly."

"If you don't have too many belongings, do not worry," Lily said, "We'll get you more."

Harry smiled, jumped up and ran out of the room.

"So…" James said, looking at Vernon and Petunia, "I wonder what we should do with the two of you…"

"A wolf?" Remus asked, "Exactly how big of a wolf…?"

For the past few minutes, Remus had been listening to Danger's rather detailed versions of dreams. The "wedding" she had been a part of (and apparently so had he, Aletha, Neenie, Meghan, and some others Remus was sure he recognized from the details) sounded as if it had taken place in the Great Hall at Hogwarts. She had described it so intricately, but Remus was almost sure Danger was a Muggle.

Now she was talking about another dream, where she mentioned seeing a wolf…

"Huge!" Danger said, "It was in this basement-like room, and there was a steel door, and one lantern on a wall. And it had blue eyes… erm… kind of like yours."

Remus averted his eyes to Aletha, who looked shocked.

"Excuse us for just one second, Danger," she said, "Can you watch my daughter? Thanks!"

She dragged Remus a few feet away.

"Remus, I don't know about you," she whispered, "But she was describing some very detailed things in that wedding dream. Our friends, the Great Hall at school!"

"She described the basement I go in to transform every full moon," Remus said.

"Remus, it was her parents who were murdered," Aletha whispered, "The Dark Mark –"

"Could your friend be a witch?" Remus asked.

"Er… I'd know it," Aletha said, "She'd know it. She would have gone to Hogwarts with us."

"Unless she's didn't get her magic until late," Remus said.

"Latent magic," Aletha said, "Usually comes when a great shock has happened in their life."

"If she saw her parents dead," Remus said, "Then –"

"That would do it," Aletha said, "Danger, a witch?"

"It's a theory," Remus said, "And if she is, she's not just a witch. She could be a True Dreamer."

"They're supposed to be extremely rare!" Aletha said.

"Latent magic brings on other abilities," Remus said, "Call it magic apologizing for not showing up sooner, so it gives the person extra magic."

"There would be an easy way to tell," Aletha said, "but we can't do it here, out in the open."

"How do you feel about catching up with your old friend after we get done here?" Remus asked, with a smile.

"And introducing her to our friends?" Aletha suggested, "Well, she knows Harry apparently, I'm sure she'd want to meet his parents."

"Sounds good," Remus said.

Remus and Aletha walked back over to Danger.

"Danger, are you doing anything tonight," Aletha asked.

"Making dinner, hanging with Neenie, working on personal stuff," Danger said, then smiled as she looked from Aletha to Remus, "I could use some company."

Remus raised an eyebrow. Was she flirting just now? Naah…

Just then the front door of Four Privet Drive opened. Albus walked out, followed by James, Lily and…

"Harry!" Neenie squealed.

Remus' eyes widened as he looked at the little boy.

My goodness, he is James in miniature. Quite skinny… I have a feeling I'm not going to like what I'm about to find out from James and Lily about Harry's upbringing.

Danger nudged Neenie forward, and she ran past Albus and over to Harry, and hugged him.

"Does she do that a lot?" Aletha asked, amused.

"She hasn't seen him in over a week," Danger said, "They're best friends, and they act like brother and sister. She's been asking about him ever since –"

"Ever since your parents died?" Aletha asked; Danger raised her eyebrows at Aletha, "Mrs. Figg told me. Danger, I'm so sorry. Dave and Rose were – were like second parents to me."

Danger nodded, then she turned and raised her eyebrows.

"This is going to sound strange, but I watched that man die," she said, "And I am almost sure the man who killed him was going to kill her. I also remember the older man in my dream, and they were all at my wedding dream."

Remus looked at Aletha, and she frowned.

"Danger, I think we need to talk," she said.

Danger looked from Aletha to Remus, then to James, Lily, Neenie and Harry. Then she looked back at Remus.

"Anyone up for lunch at my place?" she asked.

Whew! That is the conclusion of the two Reunion chapters! No, Petunia and Vernon did not get cursed, but James will comment on a curse he would have LIKED to use next chapter.

Also next chapter, Danger and everyone else gets some information overload! Also possibly some early signs of Remus/Danger!

Aletha's poem about Danger, and the following couple of sentences are from "Living with Danger" by "whydoyouneedtoknow".