Letters from no one
Harry starred at the two letters confused, Mr. D. Potter, what in the world was that? Dudley was the only Mr. in the house whose name started with D, but Potter certainly wasn't his last name. Harry thought that maybe it was some type of mistake, maybe whoever sent these letters thought Dudley and Harry had the same last name because they lived in the same house. As far as whoever sent the letters Harry didn't see a return address label of any kind, the back of the letters had a strange coat of arms on it, a lion, a snake, a badger, and a raven all surrounding a large H, but there was no other identifying markers.
Harry turned his letter over and over again wondering who could have sent if, Harry hardly ever got mail, and certainly never letters like this. Harry continued to stare until he heard Vernon say, "What's taking so long boy? Checking for letter bombs?" Vernon chuckled as Harry brought the mail in, without even thinking about it Harry handed Vernon his mail and then put Dudley's letter in front of him as Harry sat to read his own.
Vernon took the postcard and said, "Marge is ill, ate a funny welk."
Dudley looked at his letter, "Mr. D. Potter?"
Harry said, "I know, I thought it was weird too."
Before Harry could read his letter Vernon jerked his head up and looked over at the both of them, he quickly snatched the two letters from Harry and Dudley as Harry gave an indignant, "Hey!"
Vernon looked at the two letters and his face went from white to red in a few minutes, "Pe, pep, pep, Petunia."
Vernon handed the letters over to Harry's aunt, who's mouth opened in shock, "Vernon, oh Vernon."
Vernon shook his head, "It must be a mistake, they must think our Dudders is one because of him." Vernon pointed accusingly at Harry.
Harry asked, "Who?"
Vernon grabbed the letters, "No one, and don't ask questions."
Harry snapped, "I want my letter."
Dudley said, "So do I." Defiantly, and the two of them reached for the letters in Vernon's hands, Vernon handed the letters off to Petunia as the two boys reached out and tried to grab them. There was a brief, but intense struggle, and after a few minutes Vernon stood, holding both boys by the shoulder (Harry's glasses were hanging crookedly from one ear). Vernon began to force Harry and Dudley out of the room, Harry instinctively grabbed Daisy and picked her up as Vernon bullied them out.
Harry kept saying, "that's my letter, I want it back, I want to read it. It was meant for me."
Standing next to Harry Dudley was saying much the same thing. Harry didn't know why he was fighting Vernon on something like this. Harry usually let Vernon punish him as unfairly as Vernon liked and take anything from Harry that Vernon didn't want him to have. Harry was willing to put up with anything else as long as Daisy was kept safe, but this letter was different. The moment Harry had held the letter in his hands Harry had known the letter was special, and that it was meant specifically for Harry. Harry could tell Dudley felt the same. Vernon slammed the kitchen door in their faces as soon as they got into the hallway and then went back into the kitchen with Aunt Petunia.
Harry, Dudley, and Daisy all stood there for a moment, finally Harry and Dudley pressed their ears to the door to listen. Vernon was walking back and forth across the floor puffing like an angry bull.
Petunia said, "Vernon maybe we should write and tell them we don't want…."
Vernon cut her off, "No Petunia, if they don't get an answer."
Petunia said, "Vernon, I'm not sure if that's."
Vernon said, "Oh Petunia these people aren't like you and I, they don't think like normal people."
Petunia said, "Vernon look at the address, how could they possibly know where the two of them sleep. You don't think they're watching the house do you?"
Vernon groused, "Watching? Spying's more likely. Petunia we've got to keep them away I'm not having one in the house we both agreed."
Petunia said, "Yes of course Vernon."
Then Vernon adamantly said, "And I refuse to believe even for a moment that our beautiful, perfect Dudders is one of them. It's a mistake Petunia, plain and simple a mistake."
Petunia shuddered as she spoke, "Most certainly."
After a while Vernon came out and said, "out, all of you now."
Harry opened his mouth, "But."
Vernon stomped his foot angrily, "Out now!"
Harry, and Dudley turned and left (Harry still holding Daisy on his hip) and, not know where else to go or what to do, they went to the park across the street. As soon as they arrived Daisy ran off and started climbing up and going down the slide. Harry and Dudley stood watching her as Dudley asked, "What were those letters about?"
Harry said, "I don't know, but they were important, I could tell the letter was meant for me the second I held it in my hands. And I know it's something really important."
Dudley said, "Yes, that's how I felt to. But what I don't get is why my letter said, 'Mr. D. Potter.' My last name isn't Potter."
Harry shrugged, "Maybe it's a mistake."
Dudley turned and looked at him, "How could someone know which bedroom I live in and not know what my last name is?"
Harry shook his head, "No idea." Harry explained everything about the letters as they stood and then said, "I should have just opened mine in the hallway. That would have been the thing to do."
Dudley said, "Maybe they'll send another."
Harry said, "Maybe."
Dudley said, "If they do, I'll hide the letters and then sneak um up to my room and you can come get it."
Harry nodded as they shook hands and went to play with Daisy. After a while Harry took Daisy home and gave her lunch then put her down for a nap. Once Daisy was asleep Vernon did something he'd never done before, he asked Harry and Dudley to come and sit on the couch with him. Harry sat and asked, "Where's my letter?"
"And Mine? Said Dudley stubbornly.
Vernon answered, "They were addressed to you by mistake. Petunia and I have burned them."
Harry felt outraged, "It wasn't a mistake it had our bedrooms on it."
Dudley said, "And even if it was mistake, those letters were ours and we had a right to read them."
Vernon suddenly got a sever look on his face, "Now you both listen to me. Those letters are nothing but trouble and you're to stay far, far away from them." He turned to his some, "especially you Dudders, there's been enough problems in this house because of your cousins abnormalities and I will not have any son of my running off with a bunch of freaks. It'll break your mother's heart."
Dudley made a face, but said, "Fine." Shortly.
Then Vernon turned to Harry, "Now Harry."
Harry blinked, he had never, not once in his entire life, heard his uncle Vernon used his first name, "I want you to understand something. You know as well as the rest of us that you are a bit, unusual you always have been, but the simple fact of the matter is that these letters will not solve your problems they'll only add to them. Petunia and I want what's best for both of you. We want you to grow up and become normal functioning people in society, and these letters will keep you as far from that as possible. We do not want you to have anything to do with those letters, and you both need to trust that Petunia and I have nothing but your best interests in mind. Is that understood?"
Harry and Dudley said, "Yes sir." Miserably and then they left the room. The day passed quickly and the next morning Harry woke excited, he couldn't wait for the mail to arrive, but unfortunately Vernon and Petunia had foreseen this possibility and Petunia went to get the mail. When Petunia came into the kitchen she held a set of letters in her right hand and a set in her left.
Harry could tell the ones in Petunia's left were the same as the ones Harry had found yesterday. Vernon took the letters and shredded them in front of both boys. That afternoon Harry and Dudley got together again and started talking, "I don't care what Dad says those letters are ours and I want to read them."
Harry nodded, "Absolutely. I've got an idea, I get up early every morning. I'll just sneak out tomorrow after my chores and wait for the mail man. Can you watch Daisy for me?"
Dudley grinned conspiratorially, "Absolutely."
Harry woke at 5 the next morning, just as he always did, then went downstairs. However, as Harry walked towards the kitchen he stepped on something large, squashy, and alive. It was uncle Vernon's face. Vernon had been sleeping in a sleeping bag in front of the door, obviously making sure Harry didn't do just what he was planning to do. Vernon yelled quite loudly at Harry (for quite a while), but fortunately Daisy slept through it all (she was used to sleeping through shouting) and Harry was able to say he wasn't doing anything wrong. After all Harry got up this early every day, so there was nothing unusual about it.
Vernon let the matter go, but he stayed encamped in front of the door until the mail came, then he grabbed the 6 letters that had arrived and gave them to Petunia, who shredded them in her food processor. Vernon nailed the mail slot shut, but the next morning another set of letters for Dudley and Harry were stuffed into the cracks in the door. Vernon stayed home from work that day and boarded up the door entirely, he hummed tip toe through the tulips and try to knock in a nail with a piece of fruitcake Petunia brought him.
The next day was even worse, no less than two dozen letters to Harry and Dudley came stuffed into the eggs their very confused milk man had handed Petunia through the window. Vernon made phone calls to the dairy and grocers trying to find someone to complain to Petunia put the letters in the fireplace and lit them on fire. Harry noticed that Dudley's letters were still address to 'Mr. D. Potter' and none of them could figure out why.
Vernon awoke Sunday looking tired, but perfectly happy, "no post on Sunday." He said gleeful and reached quickly for the plate of scones Aunt Petunia had made. However, before Vernon could take a bite something came flying down out of the chimney, and cut off his mustache. A moment later a flurry of letters came flying down the chimney. Harry and Dudley both jumped up as Daisy gave a shriek that was half joy and half fright.
Harry and Dudley each grabbed a letter and started to run for it, but Vernon grabbed Harry as Petunia blocked Dudley. Vernon and Petunia wrestled the letters out of their hands and instantly let (Petunia grabbed Daisy on the way out). Once they were outside Vernon said, "We're going, just pack some clothes now."
Harry instantly ran upstairs with Daisy and Dudley, Harry changed Daisy into a diaper and then packed bags for both of them, Harry grabbed pants, t-shirts, pajamas, long sleeves shirts, and two jackets. After that Harry grabbed a backpack which he filled with two books, a coloring book, Daisy's doll and a bunch of other diapers. They headed outside and Harry grabbed three pillows, blankets, and sleeping bags from the linen closet.
It took two trips to get everything downstairs, but Harry was glad, a few minutes later Dudley came down with his duffle bag, and a backpack of his own. Harry looked puzzled, but Dudley shrugged. They forced their way through the boarded up door and loaded up the car. They drove, and drove, and drove, even aunt Petunia didn't ask where they were going, every once in a while Vernon would jerk the car around and drive in the opposite direction saying, "shake um off, shake um off."
Harry tried to keep Daisy as calm as possible, but she was three years old and being stuck in stuffy car with no water or food was not a good thing and it wasn't long before she started screaming. After a while the car started to stink, and Harry knew it was because Daisy had had an accident. Vernon finally agreed to stop the car so Harry could change Daisy. They stopped at small drug store and Harry took Daisy into the bathroom and cleaned her up.
As Harry led her out Daisy started having a tantrum, "I don't wannn go back in da car, I don't wanna go!" Daisy was screaming and had gone completely limp so she was sitting flat on the floor, Harry had no choice but to pick her up and carry her screaming back to the car. When they were all back in Harry saw that Dudley had had enough sense to buy food and two six packs of bottled water. Dudley had gotten carrots, peanut butter, bread, crackers, and pop-tarts; Harry and Dudley made everybody peanut butter sandwiches with carrots and crackers for lunch. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing, they continued driving and driving, Vernon only stopped when Daisy needed to be changed.
By the end of the day they were all tired and the car stank badly. They settled into a musty old motel, with Harry, Daisy, and Dudley sharing one bedroom while Vernon and Petunia had another. The next morning they ate cold tin tomatoes for breakfast while Harry read the comics from the newspaper to Daisy. After a few minutes the manager came over saying, "Excuse me, but is one of you Mr. D. Potter and Mr. H. Potter? Only I go about a hundred of these."
Harry looked and saw him holding two familiar looking letters. Vernon instantly stood, "I'll take them."
A few minutes later they were piled back into the car, Harry had accidentally grabbed the newspaper and kept it with as they went. Again they drove and drove and drove, Vernon stopped in the middle of a forest, got out, looked around and shook his head, the same thing happened halfway across a suspension bridge and on top of a cliff. Again they only stopped when Daisy needed changing, Dudley got a few more things at one of the store and again they had peanut butter sandwiches for lunch.
Finally, they stopped at a little parking lot by the sea, uncle Vernon locked them in the car and went to get something. By now Daisy was howling, she'd been in a hot stuffy car for two days with nothing but peanut butter sandwiches to eat and no matter how Harry had tried to distract her Daisy could not get her mind off of the miserable experience she'd been having. Dudley watched where Vernon was coming from and muttered, "Daddy's gone mad."
Vernon came back holding a long thin package and a small grocery bag, "Well, everything's all set, I've bought us some supplies and this kind gentlemen's allowed us to us his rowboat."
Harry looked and saw a decrepit looking boat sitting in the water. Daisy shuddered and started to cry, Harry and Dudley loaded the boat up and Harry put jackets on himself and Daisy, then he grabbed Daisy's Cinderella doll and held Daisy close.
Daisy kept her eyes closed as Vernon rolled them out to a miserable looking hut in the middle of the sea, Harry sang to Daisy the entire way. The cold wind and high waves made his throat sore, but Harry kept singing, he hummed the tune he and Daisy both loved. The one Harry remembered from his own childhood, but didn't know the words to. Eventually they arrived.
Harry put Daisy in the small shack and then he and Dudley unloaded the boat. Vernon's supplies turned out to be five bannas and a bag of chips each. Harry and Dudley made another set of peanut butter sandwiches, using the last of the second loaf of bread they'd bought, and Vernon was able to start a small fire using the newspaper Harry had taken from the hotel. After eating Petunia pulled a bunch of blankets from the closet and made up the bed and sofa.
Dudley put two blankets on the floor and stuck his and Harry's sleeping bags on top then put Daisy's sleeping bag on the couch without even looking at this parents. Harry kept Daisy in her pants and sweater, knowing that her pajamas wouldn't keep her warm enough, and then they all settled in. Vernon and Petunia headed off to the bedroom while Harry read Daisy a story until she finally fell asleep.
As Daisy drifted off Harry groaned slightly, his head was sore and he was tired, but he couldn't make his brain calm down enough to actually sleep. Dudley, sitting next to Harry, seemed to be in the same predicament. Dudley asked, "Who on Earth wants to talk to us this badly?"
Harry shrugged, "I haven't the faintest clue. What really bugs me though is why all of your letters are addressed to Mr. D. Potter. It doesn't make any sense. Whoever's sending these letters knows where we live (down to our bedrooms), they know we haven't been getting our letters, and they know when we're somewhere else besides Privet Drive, but they don't know your last name is Dursley. It doesn't make any sense."
Dudley sighed, "I know, but here's something else to think about. Happy birthday."
Harry jerked his head up, "What?"
Dudley nodded, "Yep, today's the 30th, which means tomorrow is your birthday." Dudley pulled out one of the boxes of Pop-tarts he'd bought, pulled out a pack and said, "Let's celebrated."
Harry grinned as he took a strawberry frosted Pop-tart and bit into it, "Cheers."
"Cheers." Dudley echoed and they ate, Harry glanced at Dudley's watch, it was very late, later than Daisy usually went to bed, in fact it was almost midnight. Harry starred at the watch as he watched midnight and his birthday get close. As the minutes ticked Harry could have sworn he heard a strange creaking noise outside, then a crunching sound, then just as midnight came, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Daisy jerked up crying as Harry put his arms around her protectively, someone was outside knocking to come in. Vernon and Petunia came running downstairs, Vernon held a shot gun in his hand (now Harry knew what had been in the long thin package). A moment later the door fell in and a huge man stepped into the hut, he looked too big to be allowed, his hands were the size of trash can lids and his feet in there leather boots where like baby dolphins. He had a wild look to him and his tangled black hair framed his face, and clutched in one had was a large pink umbrella.
Vernon pointed the gun at the man while Daisy whimpered, "I demand you leave at once sir."
The giant fitted the door back on its hinges then grabbed the gun form uncle Vernon and twisted it into a knot saying, "Dry up Dursley you old prune."
Then he walked over and said, "And here's Harry, you look a lot like your Dad, but you got your Mum's eyes. I don't know about you lot, but I could sure use a good cup of tea." Then he pulled out his umbrella and used it to stoke the feeble fire, the heat quickly filled the room making Harry feel like he'd sunk into a warm bath. The giant pulled a copper kettle and several other items from some of the many pockets in his coat then began to make tea and sausages, he shared the food with Harry, Daisy, and Dudley who all enjoyed it.
Then Harry asked, "Excuse me, but who are you?"
The giant said, "Rubeus Hagird, but you can call me Hagrid everyone does, keeper of keys and grounds at Hogwarts. Of course you'll know all about Hogwarts. "
Harry said, "No."
Hagrid looked up shocked, "NO?"
Harry blinked, "sorry."
Hagrid stood, "Blimey Harry didn't you ever wonder where your parents learnt it all?"
Harry had no idea what this giant was talking about so he said, "All what?"
Hagrid looked dumbfounded, he turned on Vernon and Petunia and said, "Now just a minute, do you mean to tell me this boy doesn't know anything about anything?"
Harry's hackles rose at this, if there was one thing he hated it was being called stupid, "I have been to school and I can read and do math and stuff."
Hagrid brushed him off, "I meant about your world, your parents world, my world."
Vernon went whit, but said, "Stop, stop right now I forbid you to tell him."
Hagrid glared at Vernon as Harry asked, "What world?"
Hagrid sighed, "You're a wizard Harry, and thumping goo one I wager once you've trained up. And so are you Dudley you've both got magic in you."
Harry felt like he'd been hit over the head with a piano, he was completely shocked (and judging by the way his mouth was practically on the floor so was Dudley). Harry said, "No there's some mistake I can't be a wizard. I'm just Harry, just Harry."
Dudley said, "I can't be a wizard either it's not possible."
Harry knew it was impossible, if he were a wizard why hadn't he ever been able to stop Vernon from beating him, or to take him and Dudley and Daisy away somewhere safe? Hagrid's eyes twinkled, "not a wizard aye, well 'just Harry' and Dudley did you ever make anything strange happen, anything you couldn't explain when you were angry or scared?"
Harry thought about it, then he and Dudley met each others eyes and Harry knew they were both thinking the same thing. Harry suddenly ending up on the school roof when he was being chased by that gang, Dudley suddenly finding his book after looking for it for so long, the tingly feeling they had when Dudley treated Harry's wounds. Hagrid saw their astonished looks and nodded as Daisy finally spoke up, "Wolfie magic."
Harry looked down and realization hit him like a bullet, Daisy was a witch, that's why she could do all the things she could do, that was why Aunt Petunia and uncle Vernon blamed Harry for all the oddities about Daisy, and that was why they had rejected her completely. Harry felt a rage like nothing he'd ever known rise up in him, but before he could so much as point a finger Hagrid spoke again, "Well I suppose you don't know anything else either do you? About your parents, they're famous, you're famous."
Harry blinked, "What? My Mum and Dad weren't famous were they?"
Hagrid growled, "Dursley, you never told him. Never showed him the letter Dumbledore left. How dare you!"
Harry asked, "But what where my parents famous for?"
Hagrid's eyes softened, "Well, I'm not sure I'm the best person to tell you, but you've got to know. It all started with a wizard called, I still can't believe you don't know. He was called, he was called Voldemort."
Harry and Dudley blinked, "Voldemort?" they said together as Daisy giggled (obviously thinking the name sounded funny).
Hagrid shuddered, "Yes, and don't make me say it again, Voldemort was a dark wizard. You see Harry not all wizards are good, some go bad and You-Know-Who he went about as bad as anyone can go, he started recruiting followers, and he got um to, some joined him because they were afraid of him, and some joined him because they wanted some of his power because he was getting plenty for himself. Others fought against him, including your parent. They were both top of their class at Hogwarts, head boy and girl and two of the most talented and powerful I ever met. And that was the problem you see, You-Know-Who hated anyone who stood in his way and your parents were definitely in his way, so one night ten years ago he turned up in the village you all lived in on Halloween and he attacked. You –Know-Who killed both of your parents Harry, but then, and here's the real mystery of the thing, he tried to kill you, but it didn't work. That scar you got on your head, it's no ordinary mark, something like that only comes from being touched by evil magic, the curse You-Know-Who used that night had killed dozens of the best witches and wizards, it took out your Mum, and your Dad, and your house, but not you. That's why you're famous, that's why everyone knows your name, you're the Boy-Who-Lived."
Something very painful was happening inside Harry, he remembered the flash of green and the high cold laugh, and now Harry knew exactly where it had come from. Daisy held Harry harder and Harry leant his head on hers, feeling like he'd fall over if he didn't hold onto something.
"Load of old tosh."
Harry jumped he'd almost forgotten Vernon and Petunia where there. Vernon said, "Now you listen here boy, I'll admit there's something strange about you, probably nothing a good beating won't cure, but that's the end of it. As for your parents, well, they were weirdos and the worlds better off without them. And as for Dudley he is not a freak and nothing you say will make us believe anything else."
Petunia said, "I should certainly hope so. We swore we would put a stop to this nonsense when we took you in."
Harry snapped, "So you knew?"
Petunia said, "Of course I knew, your mother got a letter just like that, then she went off to that blasted school and came back every vacation turning tea cups into rats. I was the only one who saw her for what she was, a freak, but my mother and father no. it was 'Lily this and Lily that' they were proud to have a witch in the family, then she met that Potter, then she had you and I knew you'd be the same, just as strange just as abnormal, then if you please she got herself blown up and we got landed with you."
Harry clenched his teeth in anger as he said, "You told me my parents died in a car crash."
Hagried jerked up, "Car crash, how could a car crash kill Lily and James Potter?"
Petunia harrumfed, "I had to say something."
Hagrid said, "this is an outrage, it's a scandal. Harry Potter not knowing his own story when every child in our world knows his name. He'll be right famous at Hogwarts."
Vernon said, "He'll not be going I tell you."
Hagrid snorted, "And I suppose a great muggle like you is going to stop him?"
"Muggle?" Harry and Dudley asked while Daisy giggled, she seemed to think this was all very funny.
Hagrid said, "It's what witches and wizards call non-magic folk, and it's your bad luck you've been brought up by two of the worst muggles I ever met. Stop Lily and James son going to Hogwarts, you'll never be able to. He'll be going off to school to learn magic, he'll be living with youngsters of his own sort for a change, and he'll be under the finest Headmaster Hogwarts has ever seen Albus Dumbledore."
Vernon indignantly stated, "I'll not pay to have some crackpot old fool teaching him magic tricks."
Hagrid held his pink umbrella out like a sword and said in a low dangerous voice, "Never insult Albus Dumbledore in front of me. If these boys want to go to Hogwarts they'll go, and nothing you say or do will stop um, you hear me?"
Harry felt a thrill go through him at the picture Hagrid had just painted, going to a school and learning magic being away from the Durselys finally getting a chance to understand himself better, but then, just as quickly as it came, the feeling vanished. Harry asked, "Did you say I'd be living with youngsters of my own sort?"
Hagrid grinned proudly as he rocked back and forth on his heels, "Yep, you'll be staying at Hogwarts while you go to school and get to spend time with more kids like yerself."
Harry felt his stomach drop, "So Hogwarts is a boarding school?"
Hagrid nodded, "Finest magical boarding school in all of Europe."
Harry stuttered out, "Is it near Surrey?'
Hagrid gave a laugh, "No, Hogwarts is up in Scotland, I can't tell you exactly where it is because only the Headmaster or Headmistress of the school knows its exact location."
Harry felt like he'd been punched, he looked down at Daisy who asked, "What's wrong Wolfie? You sad?"
Harry kissed the top of her strawberry blonde hair, "just a little Daisy, but it's o.k." Harry knew that he didn't want to do this, he knew that he would be miserable for it the rest of his life, but he also knew there was no other way. Stealing himself Harry took a deep breath and said, "Mr. Hagrid sir, I'm very sorry, but I have to decline your offer."
Hagrid's face fell, "Decline?"
Harry nodded, "Yes I'm afraid that, I can't go to Hogwarts, I will go to the local state school in Surrey called Stonewall high. I'm very sorry, but I am refusing to attend Hogwarts."
Dudley stepped forward saying, "So am I, I won't go to Hogwarts and you can't make us."
Hagrid looked utterly miserable and completely confused. Vernon and Petunia on the other hand looked triumphant. When Vernon looked at Harry, Harry saw something glittering in his uncles' eyes that he had never before seen directed at him, pride. Vernon was proud of Harry for saying no and that made Harry feel even worse.
Hagrid opened and closed his mouth before saying, "But why?"
Harry took a deep breath and gathered his thought before he spoke, "well you just said the reason this Lord Volleymat, or whatever his name was, came after my parents was because they learned magic, and if I learn magic then someone might come after me. I mean this Lord guy, he isn't dead is he?"
Harry knew the answer before Hagrid gave it, but he had to be sure, "Some say he died, but it's nonsense in my opinion, no I reckon he's out there still too weak and tired to carry on."
Harry continued, "Right so there's a chance he might come back, and if he does he'll probably want to kill me again, and if I'm studying magic at Hogwarts it'll be all the easier for him to find me won't it? After all if I'm famous there I'll stick out like a sore thumb. I might as well paint a target on my back and call it a day. Besides even if this Lord guy is gone with no way of returning my aunt and uncle don't want me to go to Hogwarts and I would never want to go against their wishes, especially when they feel so strongly about something this important."
Harry sighed heavily, "And I have responsibilities here with my family that I can't just walk away from. Things that I am needed for, and things that I have to do. I am sorry Mr. Hagrid, but I can not go to Hogwarts." It was costing Harry every ounce of self-control to get this out, it was killing him to say this, but he knew he had no choice. If Harry and Dudley both went away to school Daisy would be left alone with Vernon and Petunia, who would never care for her or treat her properly. Harry knew that if he left Daisy would be in a miserable state when he came back. Worse he might come back and find Daisy gone completely, sent off or maybe even dead. Harry wouldn't risk that, he couldn't risk that. Daisy was his daughter and he was going to care for her no matter what the costs. Maybe he could explain things to this Dumbledore person when Daisy was older and make arrangement to go to Hogwarts special.
Dudley stepped forward, "I don't want to go either, I don't want anything to do with you freaks and your freaky world. My parents are normal, upstanding citizens and I want to grown up and be a normal upstanding citizen to. I think you made some mistake, my being around him" Dudley pointed an accusing finger at Harry, but Harry could see the sorrow in Dudley's eyes, "Makes your think I can do these things, but I can't. My parents want me to go to Smeltings and that's where I'm going. So thanks, but no thanks."
Hagrid looked at the two of them completely baffled, he obviously hadn't expected them to both say no, and he certainly didn't know what to do now. Hagrid stood there flabbergasted for a moment before he seemed to reach some kind of decision. Hagrid reached into another pocket of his coat and pulled out a long beautiful golden red feather. Harry had never seen a feather like this before in his entire life and he had no idea what type of magnificent bird it could have come from, but before he could even guess Hagrid spoke to the feather, "Headmaster, we got a situation here, I think you better come hear this for yerself."
A moment later there was a rush of air and a man appeared in a swirl of flames. The man was tall long flowing silver hair and beard, he wore a bright yellow robe, had twinkling blue eyes, ad long crooked nose, and a large red/gold bird, the size of a swan was sitting comfortably on his shoulder. Daisy squealed the moment she saw him, "SANTA!" she shouted.
The man turned, and gave Daisy a cheery smile, "I'm sorry my dear girl, bur I am not Santa Clause."
Daisy's face fell, "not Santa?"
Dumbledore chuckled, "No, but he is a friend of mine and I would be most happy to introduce you to him later on."
Daisy brightened as Dumbledore turned to Hagrid, "now what seems to be the trouble?"
Hagrid said, "Well sir, it's like this, Harry and Dudley say they don't want to go to Hogwarts."
Dumbledore turned to them, "Oh, is that so? And why ever not if I may ask?"
Harry cleared his throat and basically repeated what he had just said to Hagrid, then Dudley steeped forward and did the same. Dumbledore starred at both of them, then flicked his gaze over to Petunia and Vernon, then back again. It seemed as though Dumbledore was looking right through them all. Finally, after a very long moment Dumbledore spoke again, "That is not true, I can see that you are both lying. Now if you do not wish to go to Hogwarts I will not force you, but I guarantee that no one will leave this hut until you give me an honest and satisfactory answer as to why you are refusing to go."
Harry looked at Dumbledore, the man's eyes twinkled kindly, but Harry could see a glint of steel deep inside them, Harry knew that his usual half-truths wouldn't fly, he knew that they had finally come to the day he'd been dreading for years. Harry knew he'd have to tell Dumbledore the truth. He looked over and saw Dudley had reached the same conclusion. Harry reached over and grabbed Dudley's hand as he pulled Daisy closer to him and took a deep breath preparing to say the words he had sworn he would never speak aloud to anyone.
Harry took a deep breath and said, "if Dudley and I both got away to Hogwarts no one will be here to take care of Daisy. I can't, I won't just walk away and leave her alone."
Dumbledore looked shocked, whatever he had been expecting it obviously wasn't this. However, Vernon and Petunia looked enraged. Vernon stepped forward, his face reddening angrily, "Now listen here. This boy is talking utter nonsense, he is a compulsive liar. Always making up stories and telling people things that aren't true. It's a serious problem we've been trying to fix for years and…" But Vernon never finished his sentence, Dumbledore turned and glared at him and Vernon instantly quieted.
Dumbledore turned back to Harry and asked, "What do you mean there will be no one to care for Daisy?"
Harry took a deep breath and explained, "When Daisy was born, everything was fine. Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon acted." Harry paused and said, "Well I guess they acted the way anyone who just had a baby would act. They were happy and showing Daisy off to the neighbors, and doing everything right. Then, when Daisy was about three months old, weird things started happening. One time a bottle of shampoo floated through the house, and sometimes Daisy would clap and sparks would come out of her hands, and other times she would laugh or cry and things around the house would float or shake. Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon got very angry. They kept arguing about Daisy and saying it was my fault, then they said that I had turned Daisy into a freak just like me and she was my responsibility now."
Dumbledore and Hagrid both gasped, but Harry kept going, "Aunt Petunia said I was the one who would take care of Daisy, feed her, change her, buy what she needed, everything. They moved me out of my cupboard and into Daisy's nursery so I could be there for her all the time and they wouldn't have to."
Dumbledore jerked his head up, "cupboard?"
Harry blushed, but he explained, "I lived in a cupboard under the stairs before that day."
Dumbledore turned and gave Petunia and Vernon a truly angry look then turned back to Harry, "I am truly sorry for that Harry. What happened after that?"
Dudley stepped forward, "My parents told me that Daisy was a freak just like Harry and that I should stay away from her. I was scared because I didn't see what had changed Daisy, I couldn't figure out what made her and Harry freaks because Daisy looked exactly the same way she had when my parents were saying how cute and wonderful she was. I was afraid they'd decide I was a freak to and send me away or something so I went to talk to Harry. I told him I wanted to help him, and that I would be there for him. I got a paper route and gave the money to Harry to help with Daisy, I helped watch Daisy when Harry couldn't and I also talked my parents into letting me have a recycling business at our house, and to let me sell cookies to neighbors, and I gave all of that money to Harry as well."
Vernon and Petunia both looked truly shocked, too much to even speak, because they let Dudley continue without even interrupting. Dudley held up the hand that bore the scar, and Harry held up his as well. Dudley explained, "We swore a blood oath to always be there for each other and love each other as family and look after each other no matter what. Since then we've done all we can."
Harry could see tears in Dumbledore's eyes as he said, "that is very admirable of you boys, and it explains your letter as well Dudley."
Dudley looked up, "My letter? Oh, you mean the Mr. D. Potter thing."
Dumbledore nodded, still allowing tears to fall, "Yes, you see Harry your father was what we in the magical community call a pure-blood wizard. Everyone in his family, as far back as we can legally verify, was a witch or a wizard. Being a pure-blood is often something many witches and wizards respect and prize. However, I have always believed it doesn't matter what someone is born to, but what they grown to be, but that is neither here nor there as the muggles say. Your father was no ordinary pure-blood Harry he was the last male heir of a very old and very wealthy family. He was in fact Lord James Potter."
Harry blinked in shock, his mouth falling open, "Lord?"
Dumbledore said, "Yes, you are the only living heir to one of the oldest and wealthiest families in the Wizarding world. Now you will not inherit everything until you come of age at 17."
Harry opened his mouth to correct Dumbledore, but he continued, "You see Harry, Dudley, witches and wizards come of age at 17 when they graduate from Hogwarts, and not at 18 as with Muggles. Even though you are not of age yet Harry as the last living heir and young lord to an old pure-blood family you can do things that other young men your age would not. One of those is adoption of other family members. When you and Dudley swore that blood oath you, Harry, adopted Dudley into the Potter family. That means that legally he is your brother and if I am not mistaken Daisy is your legal daughter. In fact I would like to perform a spell now to confirm that."
Harry nodded, "Yes sir."
Dudley grinned, "Yes please."
Daisy clapped, as Dumbledore pulled a long thin stick, that Harry and Dudley both realized was a magic wand, then Dumbledore said, "ostendo sum prosapia." A blue light surrounded Harry then broke off and encircled Dudley and Daisy. After a moment the light pulsed and turned a brilliant lavender. Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling, "Congratulations. You did indeed adopt both of them."
This was too much for Vernon and Petunia, Petunia started to cry while Vernon roared stepping forward, "Now see here! I will not have this, I won't Dudley, you have obviously been tricked by this boy and his nonsense. Don't worry you're mother and I will get you all the help you need to make you normal again, I promise. Adopted! It's utter rubbish, this no-good brat isn't even old enough to see a pg-13 movie and you expect us to believe that he's allowed to adopt others into his family. Even if this insanity is true, I won't have it, Dudley is our son and he is staying with us and that is final!"
Dumbledore turned and spoke in a voice of steely resolve, Harry could feel the power practically vibrating off the older man and knew instantly, that Dumbledore was no one to underestimate or challenge. Dumbledore said, "neither of you has any say in this matter. I left Harry with you because you were his last living family, and the best protection for Harry was to dwell where those of his mother's blood also resided. I expected you to accept him as your nephew and to care for him as a family should, but you have not. You have abused all three of these children, and you will not be allowed anywhere near any of them ever again. That I promise you."
Vernon shouted and lunged for Dumbledore with his hands outstretched as though to strike him, but Dumbledore didn't even flinch; he simply waved his wand and said, "Stupify." And Vernon fell to the floor stunned.
Petunia screamed and knelt down next to him on the floor, "Verny!' then she glared daggers at Dumbledore, "what have you done? Isn't it bad enough you took my sister away and turned her into a no good freak, then you sack us with this boy." She pointed an accusing finger at Harry, "He has ruined our lives, and our family and now you attack my husband. How dare you?"
Dumbledore leveled his wand at her, "I dare because your actions have been truly inexcusable, you have thrown away your own daughter. You made an eight year old boy responsible for the care of an Infant (it is a miracle this girl isn't dead)" he pointed to Daisy and continued, "Your prejudice and hatred have pushed your own son away from you. I have done nothing wrong and Harry has done nothing wrong, you Petunia Dursley, have no one but yourself to blame for all the problems you have suffered and all the problems that you will face when the Wizarding world learns of your deeds."
Dumbledore turned back to the three children, "I am truly sorry the three of you have had to suffer through this. I promise that no one will hurt you like this again. We will see to it, that you are taken to a home where you will be loved and properly cared for."
Harry and Dudley looked at each other, then Dudley hesitantly asked the question they were both wondering, "Will we be able to stay together?"
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, "Yes you will, as I said Harry has magically adopted both of you and that means that you cannot be separated."
Harry and Dudley cheered and pulled each other into a hug, along with Daisy, Harry started to cry feeling relief wash over him, they would be safe. They could go to Hogwarts and live with a family that would treat them well, and they would stay together. It was more than Harry could have ever hoped for.
Dumbledore stood, dusting his robes off and pulled a tea pot out of his robes, "this is a port key witches and wizards use it to travel from one place to another when we have to go long distances. It will take us all to Hogwarts now. I need you three to hold it. Hagrid if you could manage Mr. And Mrs. Dursley."
Hagrid nodded, "No problem sir." Then, to Harry and Dudley's great amusement, Hagrid picked Vernon up and slung the overly-large man over his shoulder, while grabbing Petunia by her boney shoulder and marching her over to Dumbledore.
Harry asked, "What about our things sir?
Dumbledore said, "Not to worry, Pack!"Their clothes and food instantly piled into their bags, which were sitting at their feet. Dumbledore used magic to shrink them, then placed the items in his pocket.
Harry reached out to touch the tea pot and said, "Touch it Daisy."
Daisy reached out a trembling hand and touched it, then Dudley and the others followed, once everyone was touching the port key Dumbledore said, "Phoenix." A moment later Harry felt a jerk behind his navel, like someone had hooked him from behind, then he felt himself flying through the air the world seemed to be flying by. Then with a jerk they stop and Harry tumbled onto a hard stone floor, with Daisy sitting on top of him crying.
Harry put Daisy down then stood up and hugged her close rubbing her hair, "It's o.k. Daisy It's all over Wolfie's here. Everything's o.k. you're safe."
Dudley walked over and began rubbing Daisy's back, "shh, Daisy, don't worry we're both here with you." Eventually Daisy settled and Harry looked around, they were in a room lined with beds and pictures of nurses and doctors caring for patients.
Dumbledore said, "This is the Hogwarts infirmary. All three of you need a decent night's sleep and a full medical scan in order to ensure your health and well-being. What's more there's a friend of yours here, who would be furious with me if I didn't let her see you."
Harry turned, "A friend, who?"
A voice came from behind him, "Me."
Harry gasped and turned around in complete astonishment, it made perfect sense now that he thought about it, but he'd never guessed this would have happened, "Poppy!" Poppy stood in a strange robe, with a nurse's habit on, but Harry knew her instantly, and without even hesitating he ran over and gave her a huge hug.
Poppy instantly hugged him back and Harry beckoned Daisy and Dudley over and they walked to the two others. Poppy engulfed them both and said, "Welcome to Hogwarts my dears."
Harry buried his face in her robes, smelling herbs and peppermint, and said, "This is the best birthday I ever had." Seeing Poppy there and knowing he and Dudley, and Daisy would stay together Harry knew that somehow everything was going to be alright, they were safe and an entirely new world had just opened up to them, with an entirely new life available. For once Harry thought of his future as being filled with hope and promise, and he knew that he was home.
A/n well that's all for now, for those of you wondering, no this is not the end of the story there is plenty more to come. Please review.
