Merlin Keeperoliver Chapter Twenty Eight
The whole gang ended up near Potter Manor, so they went in to announce their arrival. When they entered, they were surprised to find it empty. "Mum, we're home!" yelled Harry, but there was no answer. He went to the kitchen and still found it empty. However he did find out thet it was September and school had started and he found a strange picture on the cooler. A boy about his age with brown hair and a chubby face.
They didn't take the time to sit and wait, instead they left for Black Manor. The only one there was Kreacher. Harry pulled him in for a hug, which Kreacher put up with and then put up with the ruffling of what little hair he had.
"Hey Kreach, where is everyone?" Harry asked as he put him down.
"Mutt and the Misses be working. It is what I should be doing. I would be if you didn't stop me to ruff me up."
Harry laughed at the one he knew since he was a infant. "OK, where are mum and Myrtle?"
"I don't know since they don't report to me. However, I imagine they took young Dudley to school."
The entire crew stopped what ever they were doing and asked the same thing, "Who?"
"Young Dudley, your cousin. Misses Tuney and he live with your mother and father now."
"When did this happen?"
"Right after you left. The misses and her husband are getting a divorce and they needed a place to stay. He wanted to meet you, but it came time to start school and he will have to wait until it let's out." Kreacher was quiet a moment when he added, "It is good to have you back Master Pain."
"It's good to be back Master Butt." and he slapped Kreacher in his butt.
Kreacher yelped and jumped up, but when he turned on Harry, he laughed and pulled him to a real hug and Harry saw the tear he had in his eye. "Don't ever change Kreacher, I love you just the way you are."
"You didn't expect other wise did you, sir?" the smile he showed made Harry feel good. Kreacher always let on like he was a cold uncaring being, but Harry knew different.
"Well, as good as it is to see you buddy, I need to find mother and see about this change in the household. But first, I have to get these poor souls home to be with their own parents." and they left Kreacher laughing at his long time friend.
Ginny and Neville were the first to be let off. Neville knew his parents were at work and wouldn't be off for another six hours. Ginny told him he could stay with her and her mum until it was time to leave.
Next were Draco, Luna and Dobby. Draco knew his dad was at school, as was his mum, but it was still in the middle of classes so he would wait to return home to them. Dobby and Luna would wait for Her mum and dad and Teddy.
Harry was now down to just Hermione and he wanted to bring her back to his home, but she felt she needed to get to her parents work place to let them know she was home, before they made plans for the evening. Though he was disappointed, he agreed with her and they left for the Granger dentistry building. It was so full they had to wait to see the receptionist. Once they approached her, she looked up and saw Hermione and hugged her before she paged both dentists. Fifteen minutes later, one of the doors opened and a patient left followed by her dad. He pulled Hermione in for a hug and a kiss then shook Harry's hand. It was another hour for her mother to come out and the same thing happened to her, but Harry received a hug and a kiss as well.
Harry didn't have much time to speak to either of them as they both had to get back to work. Harry hugged and kissed Hermione goodbye and told her he would see her on the following morning, ready for school.
Once he returned home, he was surprised to find his mum, dad, Sirius, Marlene, Merl and Myrtle waiting for him. It was the longest hug he ever got, even after Molly's hugs. Then he had to sit and tell them everything about the war, He had just started when another person entered the home. Petunia walked in to see everyone there, and then finally saw Harry. She ran to him and pulled him into another long hug and a kiss. Harry looked lost until his mum told him it was his Aunt Petunia. Her and Lily went to the kitchen to make tea for everyone and then sat and listened to Harry's story.
When Harry got to the end where Gorax died, Lily asked, "Harry, how was it that Gorax died yet the robot was undamaged?"
"Somehow mum, I knew you would be the only one to ask that. Not even Hermione, as brilliant as she is, didn't ask it. You see, the robot was indestructable, but the damage had to go somewhere. It is directed to the operator of the robot if the power was considerable. Gorax Power drove the robot and the Dreggs power destroyed it. Gorax was a Dregg, so he received the full brunt of the power. With the Dreggs and Gorax now gone, there is no power capable of hurting the operator of the robot. I told Syrion before we left that if he did anything to the operator I would find out and would return and show him what true power was. He already knew this, so he promised he would not let his power take control of his mind."
"What if the operator tries to do the same thing you told Syrion not to try?"
"I saved the operator's life, so I know he will remain loyal to the Crightons. He was the one to proclaim the life debt to me, I didn't ask for it."
"So, you won't be going back?"
"I hope not. So, when will I finally get to meet Dudley?"
"After school. He gets off at three."
"Would you mind if I go get him, Aunt Petunia?"
"But he doesn't know you Harry."
"I know." Harry said with a laugh.
James, Sirius and Remus knew they were going to be there for this knew Harry would never hurt Dudley, but he sure would put a scare on him.
Once school was out, Dudley left for the meeting point with his mum. He started down the stairs but was stopped by a voice, "Hey you, come here."
Dudley looked around to see who he was talking to, but saw no one else, "Are you talking to me?"
"Do you see anyone else around? Of course I was talking to you. Why are you trying to take over my territory?"
"Excuse me, but who are you and why do you think I am trying anything? This is my frist week here and I'm not trying to start anything except make friends."
"You're moving in on my woman, I don't think I like that."
"OK, now I know you are talking to the wrong person as I don't know any girls that close yet."
"That's not what she told me. Your name is Dudley is it not? I don't know many people with that name."
Dudley's hands were curling up into fists when he was told that, "Look, I don't know you and I am not trying to steal your girl."
"I said my woman, not my girl."
"Look, I'm not trying to steal anyone's girl or woman. Who is this Woman that claims I am trying to steal her?"
"Her name is Lils."
The light came on in Dudley's mind and he started to laugh. "You arse hole. You're Harry, aren't you?"
"I've been called that a time or two." and then he started laughing as well and pulled Dudley in for a hug that Dudley thought would crush his ribs.
"Uhhh Harry, I can't breathe." he choked out. Harry released him and Dudley drew in a deep breath of air. "Son of a gun that hurt. Well, when did you get back from your little trip?"
"About six hours ago. I spent most of it looking for my family then explaining what happened on our trip. Sorry about you missing it, but they couldn't wait. I'll tell you what I can when we get home, in the mean time, Dad, Sirius and Remus, you can come out now." and they joined Harry and Dudley in another laugh.
Dudley was right, he was going to love getting to know Harry, and hopefully his friends.
Merlin-}
Lily had received a message from Albus that Harry and his team didn't have to repoert to school for another week, but he would like to speak to Harry before returning for school. She passed on the message to Harry and he was ready to go there tonight, and when Dudley asked if he could go with him, Lily was ready to tell him no, when Harry said, "Sure, why not."
Lily was ready to explode, "Harry you know the rules about muggles at Hogwarts, family or not. Petunia couldn't go."
"Well then, maybe she would like to come along as well. What do you say Aunt Tuney, want to pay a visit to Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry."
Tuney eye's sparkled like two bright stars, "I would love to go, but what about what your mum said, Harry?"
"Hey, I have connections with the school, and if I say they can come, then they can come. Who's going to stop me, Professor Dumbledore. He's the one that asked to talk to me and he didn't say anything about bringing guests. Mum, trust me, they will be alright. You can come as well if you want, to make sure nothing happens."
So when Harry flood the Headmaster, he asked if he could bring guests and Albus said it was OK. When Harry and the others came through the floo, Albus didn't say anything and had them all take a seat.
"How was the trip Harry?"
"Excellent Professor. Worked out better than I planned and left them in better shape than what they were like before it all happened."
"Really, and how was that?"
"OK, I see it coming. You don't think it was a good idea to give them a technology they were not ready for, do you?"
"What do you mean Harry, you haven't told me what you did yet?"
"I left them with weapons and a Robot to protect themselves in the future."
"Well, you did take a huge risk by doing this, don't you agree?"
"No sir I don't. Once the weapons die from needing a charge they will be back where they started, but it may get them to look into trying to figure out how to recharge them. If they figure that out, then maybe they will try to go a little further with their new technology. They were practically in the bow and arrow stage of their development sir."
"Don't you think you are rushing them just a might Harry?"
"No sir, I don't. Before we got there, there was no drive in the people, except for Caldom and Syrion and their small band of rebels. They had a very limited water supply for the populace. When we left, they had the capabilities to supply them with a large supply of water. The robot's weapons system was taken off line so it could not be used for anything other than labor. It had one operator and that was it. When he felt it was needed, then he would pick one person to take his place. Only one operator at a time with a password to run the robot. The password would change with each new operator."
This was the first time Dudley heard the story, and was beyond impressed with what he heard. He didn't know Harry and his friends left Earth for his little encounter, or that he was facing an army of invaders in order to save a planet. The questions he had for Harry just grew to a number in the hundreds. And then there were his friends.
"Professor, do you think I could take my Aunt and cousin on a tour of the school? Aunt Petunia would like to see what she missed and mum enjoyed."
Albus laughed at the question, but agreed to let them go. It was after classes and the halls were mostly empty except for a few Prefects. It just so happened that Percy was the first one they met. "Harry Potter, so you have come back to school, have you. And where is my sister?"
"Hello Percy. Ya, I'm back and will return to class next week with the rest of my team. Ginny is at home resting and will be joining us."
"Resting? Is she hurt? You best hope she is alright?"
Harry turned to his mum, "Excuse me mum, while I explain to Mr. Weasley what I mean by resting." and he took Percy's arm and pulled him off to the side. "Percy. Don't ever threaten me again and especially in front of my mum. I'm not saying this for me, but for my mum. She was ready to blast your bits off, if you know what I mean."
"Your mum would never hurt me. Just like you would never hurt me. And I wasn't threatening you, I was telling you about my brothers."
"Are you talking about Fred, George and Ron? Because if you are, then Fred and George would never try anything against me, and Ron doesn't even know what end of the wand to hold, so don't try to scare me. Ginny is doing fine, without a scratch on her. Her magic level is a little low because of what we had to do, but will be fine tomorrow. Your mum is watching over her, so you don't have to worry about that. Now, to tell you something else, she has a boyfriend, and no, it isn't me. It is the Boy Who Lived, Neville Longbottom, and they are both very happy together. You are the only one to know so pass it on if you would and tell Ron to keep his nose out of her business, if he values his privates at all. Both Neville and Ginny will be after them to hang them on a wall. Now if you will excuse me, my family wishes to get on with the tour." and Harry left a dazed Percy standing there.
They had no problem with the other prefects and Harry concluded the tour with the Potions Lab where Severus and Narcissa were restocking the cupboard when they walked in. Narcissa turned around when she heard them enter and waved to Lily and Harry and called them over. Severus turned to see Lily and Harry and quit stocking to greet his friends. It had been a long time since he last saw Petunia and didn't know how to greet her, so she settled the issue by giving him a hug. Then she gave Narcissa a hug, though she didn't know her. If she was a friend of Lily's then she was a friend of hers as well.
They all talked as they walked back to his quarters and asked them if they wanted anything to drink or eat. Both Harry and Dudley opted for food and drink while Lily and Petunia just took tea.
The ladies chatted with themselves while Harry and Severus talked and Dudley listened for the most part, until either Severus or Harry asked him a question or for his opinion.
Once again Harry had to go over his mission and how the team worked overall. His opinion of the overall work impressed Severus and Luna's ability to target the ship so far away pleasantly surprised him. He knew Luna had these abilities, but did not fathom to what depth they were. To be able to target something that was 350,000 Kilometers away and destroy it and two other ships was beyond incredible. He would be talking to Remus and Selena in the near future about these abilities.
Ginny and Dobby's strengths were another remarkable bit of information. He knew of Harry's and Neville's strengths and Draco's and Luna's weaknesses. Hermione was weak in strength but made up for it in her brilliance, not that Luna wasn't brilliant as well, but in a different capacity. In all, this team was a force that had no equal to his knowledge.
Harry was starting to feel tired so the group excused themselves from Narcissa and Severus and promised to see them in about a week when Harry returned to school with his friends.
What they returned to caused Dudley to wish he stayed home as James, Remus and Sirius were playing a game with Marlene and Selena that they had no name for, but it looked like fun anyway as both James and Sirius were covered with something that looked like chocolate, but smelled nothing like it. Nauseating was a more apt a description. Marlene was covered with powdered sugar and cherries, and Remus was covered with a clear syrup and peanuts. Somehow Selena was free of any substance.
The mess around the room was barely noticable and that left them all wondering how they managed it with the mess the other four were in. Lily had to ask, "Let me guess, Food Fight, right?"
The smile that Sirius showed was a picture that should be on a joke magazine. His white teeth against the brown face was brilliant. "You know it Lils. Best one yet. I don't know how Selena escaped being covered though as she was the most targeted, since she started it."
"Selena started it? That I don't believe."
"And well you shouldn't Lils. Ole poop for brains started it. He had a cuppa and put too much sugar in his cup and used his spoon to scoop it out and then he pitched it at me for some stupid reason. I felt he needed to smell like his title and pitched a imi-poop spell at him that he ducked and it hit James. James scooped it off his chest and hit Sirius with it. Sirius sent the clear syrup towards James but missed and hit Remus. Remus was eating peanuts and spilled them all over him and they stuck to the syrup. You saw the end results when he accio'd a bag of powdered sugar and a jar of cherries to pour on Sirius and he dodged that and it hit Marlene. So you see, it was man-dogs fault."
All four newcomers were laughing at the explanation, and Lily cleaned up the mess with her wand while trying to stand and keep her sanity while laughing. Petunia collapsed to a chair she was laughing so hard. Harry and Dudley were leaning against the wall laughing at the scene.
Harry was still laughing as he made his way up the stairs followed by Dudley. Dudley asked, "Is it always like this around here Harry? I swear I haven't laughed so hard in my life. My mum never laughs, yet she hasn't stopped laughing since she got here. This family is amazingly fun to be around. There is never a dull moment around here."
Harry was still laughing as well when he answered, "I wish I could tell you for sure Dudley, but to be honest, Since I started school a year ago, I haven't seen much of my family. But I imagine it is pretty much like this all the time, as my dad and Pads and Moony are still kids at heart. Marlene, Selena and mum are their keepers."
"I envy you cousin. I wish my family was like yours."
"Um, Dudley, in case you hadn't noticed, this is your family. Uncle James and Aunt Lily. Kind of tells you something, doesn't it?"
"Ya, but I just met them like three weeks ago. I wish I knew them all my life."
"I know what you mean. Mum sometimes gets in a mood where she wished things were different between her and Aunt Petunia. It never lasted long though as Vernon would pop into her mind and stopped all regret. Was Uncle Vernon really that bad?"
"Worse if you really knew him Harry. It was the best thing mum ever did, leaving him and taking me with her. Believe me, if I could have left with out their consent, I would have left long ago. He was always putting your mum and dad down, but I didn't know who they were until, like I said, about three weeks ago. Up until then, I thought they were people that dad didn't like, and mum agreed with him."
They continued their talk in Dudley's room, "So what changed your mum's mind?"
"Believe it or not, you did. We went to the rally about your help in beating Mortimer. By the way, your change of name was brilliant. No wonder he was pissed. Anyway, like I was saying, I saw the way mum looked and asked her what the problem was and she told me about Uncle James and Aunt Lily. Since I knew the names of the people dad called freaks, I immediately had to go looking for them to see if they were as bad as dad said. The rest you know, as here I am."
"So, you didn't really believe your dad about mum and dad? I mean about this James and Lily Potter being freaks and all? You had to meet them yourself and see what he meant?"
"No, it wasn't that way at all. When mum talked to me about Aunt Lily and her having their blow-up, she said it like she regretted it. Then when Uncle James told me about the wedding invitations, I was ready to leave mum and dad and see if I could live with Uncle James and Aunt Lily because they were not what I was led to believe. I was lucky mum pulled her head out and saw where she made her mistake."
"Did you have a rough childhood?"
"For a while I did. Dad tried to make me a bully and get a gang and try to run the neighborhood and school, but I refused, so he got some other kids to make a gang and do it. I got with them and showed them where it was wrong and instead got them to listen to me and help kids who were being threatened by other gangs. Some called us a gang like these, but mostly we were called good samaritans. Even the teachers praised us for what we did. Myrtle called us a gang too, but she changed her opinion later on."
"Boy, you leave for a bit and when you return, you don't know what the heck is going on. Say, do you want to go with me tomorrow to see my friends. I need to get to Hermione before she tries to get to school. We can get her and then go see Ginny, Draco, Neville and Luna. Maybe even get to see Dobby. I really do look forward to the next week off and get to know my way around again. Crap, you have school, don't you?"
"Afraid so, Harry and I just started, so I don't wish to get in trouble by becoming a truant. Maybe after school."
"Maybe, but I think we need to visit your school to see how you are doing. I don't want to see you threatened by bullies like you did today." and he laughed at his own joke.
Dudley laughed as well and then told Harry to get out so he could get to bed. Harry hugged him goodnight and left a laughing Dudley thinking about what would happen if Harry and his friends did make it to his school.
It was just before lunch when Dudley was called to the front office. He knew what it was about and laughed all the way to the office. However when he walked in, he about passed out when he saw three beautiful girls sitting with Harry and two other guys.
"Mr. Dursley, this boy claims to be your cousin and wished to speak to you privately. I know this is unusual, but since he is a hero to the Queen Mother and the nation, I have granted you a pass for the rest of the day and tomorrow. Be back on Friday to resume classes. Just go back and tell you Teacher to call me for verification. It was nice to meet you Mr. Potter and you, Mr. Longbottom. Please have a pleasant day."
The Class he was in ended and students were filing out when they saw Dudley walking with Harry and his friends, When they saw the girls he was with, comments were heard that made Dudley upset. They were not degrading or vile, but were more like, "Whoa, do you see those girls, what lookers. Wouldn't mind being seen with something like that."
Dudley was ready to go set them straight when Ginny stepped out and said, "You should be so lucky. It takes a man to be with the likes of us. Like Neville Longbottom or Harry Potter. Oh geez, these are Harry and Neville. You all know them, don't you? By the way, even though he wasn't mentioned like Harry and Neville, Draco was there as well and had his part in the story. As for us, well, Luna, Hermione and I keep these boys straight. Oh, and Dudley, he is Harry's cousin, so he is one of us as well. Nice talking to you boys." and Ginny turned around. She joined the rest and heard things from the girls like, "Some girls have all the luck, imagine having Neville and Harry as your running mates. And then you add Draco and Dudley, and you have the envy of the whole school."
Dudley left the school with a look of pride on his face. He knew when he returned to school there would be all kinds of questions and some requests. Once again Harry and his friends were heroes, only this time it was to a small school and one student in particular, himself.
From the school the gang went to a small cafe where they ate lunch and Dudley got to know them better. Ne learned that Draco was like Uncle James, Sirius and Remus. He loved to laugh and joke around. Neville was like Harry, but not as funny. He also saw that even thouhgh he was the main hero of the war, he looked up to Harry as someone greater then himself. Of course Harry didn't see it that way.
Then he thought of the girls he was with. Hermione was beautiful and smart and she was with Harry. Luna was also beautiful and smart and was with Draco. Ginny was the one he really liked as she was brilliant, funny, smart and gorgeous. Neville was one lucky son of a gun. When he was told that Harry had a chance at her and passed on it, he thought more on his cousin and his feelings toward the group of friends. Not that Hermione wasn't gorgeous in her own right, but Ginny was so much like Aunt Lily. Then it hit him, she was like his Aunt Lily. Now it made sense to Dudley why Harry passed on her. She was too much like his mum.
However, when he mentioned this to Harry in quiet, Harry shook his head no. "Sorry Dudley, but Ginny is nothing like my mum. She is more like dad than any one else. She has six brothers that keep her on her toes. She was not meant for me, but that doesn't mean I don't like her like that. Believe me, if Neville and I were to change places, Ginny would be more than welcome to share my side, like Hermione does."
Now Dudley was confused, "You like her and wouldn't mind having her, but Neville is the one who has her. You could have had her, but turned her down. OK, what am I missing here?"
Harry smiled but just said "Later."
Dudley knew better than to pursue it then, but later was going to be interesting.
Harry and Hermione walked side by side and she fit perfectly in his arms and she knew it. Harry dipped his head towards her ear and said, "We need to find someone for Dudley. Who do you suppose would work?"
"You're kidding right? How would I know who was right for him? I'm a girl that has one man on her mind and that's you. I will fight anyone to keep you, and that includes Ginny. Now you want me to help you find a girl for Dudley. Don't you think he would like to do this on his own? You heard the girls when we left the school. He should have no trouble finding a girl now that he has your name as backing."
"But what kind of a relationship could that be, being with him because of my name."
"That he has to figure out on his own Harry. Let him work it out. If he has trouble, then maybe we can help, but he has to try it on his own."
"OK, I see your point, but I feel weird walking with a good looking woman at my side, as do Draco and Neville, while poor Dudley is alone."
"Give him time Harry and he will be with someone he deserves and her deserving him. Things work out in the end. Look at Myrtle and Merl. It was the least likely couple ever imagined. One a ghost and one an alien. Talk about weird, but right."
"OK, another point in your favor. I'll let him work on his own to see where it gets him."
Then it was decided to end their day and split for their various homes. Each boy took his girl home and Dudley joined Harry to take Hermione home. Dudley did get a hug and a kiss on the cheek from all the girls and he liked the feeling it gave him. Hermione was the last one to give him a hug and a kiss, but she added something extra, "Take heart, Dudley, you'll find someone that is right for you, I know it. Maybe even as soon as Friday, when you return to school." And Hermione entered the family practice, leaving Harry and Dudley alone. "Harry, I don't know what you did to deserve her, but Hermione is extra special. Of course you already know this, but I just thought I'd tell you that I agree with you."
"Thanks cuz, now lets go home and plan for tomorrow."
A/N: Imi-Poop spell means it was an Imitation Poop she hit James with and what James shared with Sirius. Ollie the Keeper.
