Avian Anarchy
by Teddylonglong
All recognizable characters belong to J. K. Rowling or Disney, and I am not earning anything by writing this story. I am merely borrowing the characters to play with them.
I am not a native speaker of English. Please excuse my mistakes.
Warnings: Completely AU, partly OOC, magically powerful Harry. Dumbledore/Weasley bashing.
It only took Hedwig an instant to flash Harry, Petunia and Dudley to the North Pole after just barely escaping from the bullet that Vernon Dursley had sent after them. When they appeared back in the room with the screen, Harry confirmed in relief that no one had been hit by the shot.
"Where are we?" Dudley was the first to find words.
"You're in my brother Santa's Workshop, and I am Merlin. Welcome to the North Pole."
Harry observed in amusement how Petunia and Dudley stared at the portrait in shock.
"It is true," he reassured them. "Santa and Claire own this place, but as it is Christmas Day, they are very busy delivering Christmas presents all over the world." He wondered what to do for a moment, when Hedwig took matters into her hands.
#Holly!#
An instant later, the elf appeared, looking wide-eyed at the newcomers.
Hedwig quickly explained the matter to the elf, who nodded in understanding.
"Welcome to the North Pole. I am Holly, one of Santa's elves. Please follow me, so that I can assign you rooms. Santa and Claire are very busy today, but you will meet them at Christmas dinner tonight."
"My brother is keeping a good connection to the Queen of Great Britain, who is a witch by the way, and he will relay my memory of what happened at your residence earlier, so that the muggle police will take care of your husband in the near future."
Petunia nodded, gravely. "Thank you, sir."
When Holly led Petunia and Dudley away, Harry let out a deep sigh. "I thought I had nothing to do with them anymore. Oh well, I just hope they're going to behave themselves."
"If not, they will find themselves kicked out of here very quickly."
"Exactly."
Harry cast Merlin and Sirius a grateful look.
HP
With Petunia and Dudley getting settled into their rooms, Harry took Paws out for a long walk through the snowy landscape. He told the canine everything about his relatives and that they were probably going to live together with them from now on.
=You're too nice for your own good.= The canine appeared slightly upset.
However, Harry merely smiled in return. "I prefer being good to being evil. You should know all about it, considering that you've been raised here on the North Pole."
Paws gently licked his hand in return.
HP
By the time they returned from their walk, a letter had arrived for Harry.
'Mr. Potter,
the headmaster wishes that you return to Hogwarts together with your cousin and help your cousin catch up, provided that he wishes to attend Hogwarts together with you from January onwards.
Let me know when you will arrive as soon as possible.
S.S.'
"Are they all nuts?" Shaking his head in annoyance, Harry read the letter aloud.
"Just tell them that you're not going to return at this time." Sirius' advice sounded good to Harry, and he quickly fetched a quill and scribbled on the back of the parchment.
'Hello Professor Snape,
thank you for your letter. Please tell the headmaster that I do not know yet if my cousin even wishes to attend Hogwarts. He and my aunt are currently living with me on the North Pole. If he decides to attend, I will of course teach him everything that he has missed. We will return to Hogwarts on January 2 just like everyone else.
Best regards and Merry Christmas
Harry Potter'
"Mum, do you wish to take the letter to Snape?"
#I'll do that.# Hedwig took the letter into her right front claw and flashed away.
HP
Hedwig flashed to where she could sense Severus. Only too late did she realise that he was in his private lab, where he usually did not tolerate any intruders.
As quietly as possible, she made herself comfortable on the ingredients shelf and did not disturb him, until he finished the potion that he was just brewing. Seeing that he bottled the potion, she flew right onto the now empty work station holding out the parchment to him.
"Where did you come from, and how did you get into my private lab?" To her surprise, he did not seem angry. His voice was merely laced with curiosity.
She pointed her head towards the shelf, before she once again held out her claw, so that he could take the parchment.
She waited, while Severus read through the letter. Shaking his head in annoyance, he blurted out, "That imbecile. Does he know that he isn't allowed to do magic outside of Hogwarts?"
Hedwig nodded, before she let out a series of calming trills, knowing that that specific melody would soothe his mind.
"Living on the North Pole. Does he really think Albus would believe such a thing?"
Hedwig nodded, locking emerald eyes into the onyx orbs, which she had known so well many years ago. 'Oh well, he won't dare doing Legilimency on a phoenix,' she then realised in amusement and decided to take her leave.
Flying a short distance across the lab to not cover his work station let alone him with bits of ice, she flashed back home, leaving a thoughtful Potions professor.
HP
'Somehow, she feels familiar,' Severus thought, letting out a deep sigh. 'Oh Merlin, I am getting sentimental.' He raised his hand to push an errand strand of hair out of his face. 'Just because that phoenix has green eyes like Lily's. I better concentrate on my work and get on with my list.' Pushing all thoughts about a green-eyed phoenix, which was also the familiar of his most annoying student, from his mind, he began to brew the next potion on the list that Poppy had given him.
HP
In the afternoon, Harry showed Dudley and Petunia the North Pole and introduced them to the puppies and owls, knowing that the elves and reindeer were as busy as Santa and Claire during Christmas. To his relief, Dudley and Petunia did not only behave themselves but also accepted magic and seemed to be interested in everything that Harry showed them.
Only during dinner, Santa and Claire made an appearance.
"Here we meet again." Santa grinned at Petunia, who returned a murderous glare.
"What did you think destroying my garden?"
Harry inwardly rolled his eyes at her question.
"That you deserved it," Santa said, matter-of-factly. "I only acted on instruction from your dear sister." He pointed at Hedwig, who was sitting on her perch, enjoying some special Christmas phoenix treats.
Petunia frowned. "What has Hedwig to do with Lily?"
"May I?" Santa cast Hedwig a questioning look and, when she replied affirmatively, pointed his hand at Petunia.
The muggle was just about to question him, when Hedwig let out a series of trills, and Petunia seemed to realise that she was suddenly able to understand the phoenix' trills.
#In my former life, I was Lily, but only ever since this last summer, I have been able to remember everything. Thus, my revenge on your family for treating Harry like shit. You can be glad that he is so forgiving and good natured that he not only saved your garden but also rescued you from your horrible husband. Did you know that he had a gun?#
"No, I never knew that, and Harry, please accept my apology and my sincere thanks. I should have separated from Vernon by the time we took you in, when it became evident how much he hated you because of being magical."
"Apology accepted. Please just see to it that you behave here and allow Dudley to attend Hogwarts together with me."
"Will they accept him at Hogwarts though? I remember how I sent a letter to the headmaster, once Lily went to Hogwarts, and he told me that I couldn't attend the school if I hadn't received a Hogwarts letter."
"I have asked Professor McGonagall, and she told me that he was welcome to attend. I am sure that his Hogwarts letter will arrive during the holidays. The headmaster even demanded that Dudley and I return to Hogwarts immediately, but I have told him that we're going to arrive on January 2 together with everyone else."
Sirius cleared his throat, making everyone look at him in expectation.
"I can teach Dudley during the rest of the holidays, as he needs to catch up with Harry."
"The twins and I can also help." Harry smiled at his cousin, who nodded in apparent gratitude.
"Thanks Harry and Sirius."
"You're welcome." Harry and Sirius grinned at each other upon their simultaneous response.
"Santa." Sirius' voice was grave, as he addressed their host. "May I voice one request?"
"Of course."
"Could we perhaps check the screen for Remus Lupin? He was one of our best friends. He is a werewolf, and I am really worried how he is doing. On the day of my trial, I wrote him a letter, but he never responded…" He slowly trailed off, smiling, when Santa nodded in confirmation.
"Let's see how he is doing right after dinner."
HP
When everyone was finished eating their dinner, they headed to the screen room as they called it, and Santa cast the spell at the screen to search for Remus Lupin.
Harry watched in excitement how the screen changed from the headmaster's office at Hogwarts that Merlin had observed for some reason to a small room that was dimly lit by a few torches. He saw a wizard who looked slightly older than Sirius and was wearing worn-out clothes sitting in an old looking armchair. He seemed to be engrossed in an old tome with a mug of what appeared to be tea on the table in front of him.
'The poor man,' Harry thought, knowing best what it meant to be spending Christmas all by himself.
"Holly! Take Sirius, Harry and Hedwig and Paws if he wants and fetch Remus Lupin here. Take the second sleigh, as I need to be on my way to South America now, and I need the large sleigh."
HP
Remus Lupin let out a deep sigh, as he put his book aside, downed the rest of his tea and decided to head to bed. It was the tenth Christmas, after his whole world had broken together. With three of his best friends being murdered, the fourth a traitor and his surrogate godson been taken away from him, he was completely alone.
Due to his furry problem as Sirius had used to call it, he was not even able to accept a working position and was still living of the money that his parents had left him. The full moon was still two days away, however, he could already feel the upcoming transformation.
When he retired to his bedroom, not caring that it was still quite early, he heard the ringing of small bells like from far away. The thought 'Someone must be watching a muggle Christmas movie' crossed his mind, however, he quickly dismissed the idea, knowing that there was no one living near enough from his home to possibly hear anything. Suddenly, a much louder bell penetrated his ears, confusing him for a moment, before he realised that it had to be the doorbell. He had not heard it for many years, as no one came to visit him, now that his fellow Marauders were gone.
He hesitantly opened the door, only to stare at the scene in front of him in disbelief. A beautifully decorated sleigh was parked outside, which was being pulled by what seemed to be real reindeer. However, what was most unbelievable was the fact that Sirius and what seemed to be James but had to be Harry were standing in front of it. A white puppy accompanied them and approached him, sniffing in apparent confusion.
Remus was just about to quickly close the door, feeling slightly afraid of the puppy, who clearly had not sniffed the sent of a werewolf before, when the canine gently licked his hand in apparent greeting.
"Moony!" Sirius exclaimed. However, Remus was not convinced yet.
"Sirius? Is that really you? I thought you were in Azkaban."
"Harry, this is Remus AKA Moony, your unofficial godfather." Sirius grinned broadly, before he turned back to him. "Moony, I had a trial during the summer, and I'm free. It wasn't me. It was Peter, the traitor. I even wrote you a letter, but you never replied."
'This isn't true. This can't be true,' Remus thought, as he felt tears well up in his eyes. "What is the activation code of the Marauders' map?"
"I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good." Sirius' voice was firm, and his eyes were smiling like they had done so many years ago.
Remus stepped forward, allowing his best friend to pull him into a bear's hug, tears now freely running down his face.
"I can't believe it." He sobbed, before he recalled that Harry was present as well.
"I'm sorry, Harry. You must think that I'm a cry-baby."
Harry shook his head. "No sir, I fully understand. We're a little late, but we came to invite you to spend Christmas with us."
Deciding to simply trust his best friend and his godson, Remus obediently climbed into the sleigh after them, smiling, when the puppy gently laid his head into his lap as if to reassure him that his company was wanted.
HP
The small group led Remus right into the screen room, where they introduced him to Merlin. The old wizard in the portrait greeted the newcomer, pointing out that a small pile of Christmas presents had appeared under the large Christmas tree, which was decorating one corner of the room.
"For me?" Remus' voice was laced with disbelief.
#First of all, I want that you introduce him to me.#
"May we tell him everything?" Receiving a nod in return, Harry quickly told Remus everything about his phoenix familiar and the white animals on the North Pole in general. He also taught the older wizard the spell, which he could cast at himself to be able to understand Hedwig's trills.
"It was Hedwig AKA Lily to whom Harry and I owe our freedom." Sirius cast his friend a broad smile.
"Lily." Remus stepped over to the phoenix, looking at her in clear admiration.
#Please call me Hedwig, but it's good to have you here, Remus.#
"I am very happy. Thank you all so much for fetching me." Remus gently caressed Hedwig's crown feathers, before the phoenix motioned him to go ahead and open his presents.
With tears welling in his eyes again, Remus opened his presents, revealing a pile of new clothes as well as a couple of books.
"This is all for me?" He looked around wearing a flabbergasted expression. 'This is totally overwhelming and too good to be true,' he thought and even pinched the back of his hand only to realise that he seemed to be fully awake and not simply captured in a nice dream.
#Remus, the North Pole is the source for all Christmas presents.# Hedwig's trill was soothing and brought a smile to the surprised wizard's face.
"Your best present is only to come tomorrow, as my brother and sister-in-law will only return late tonight. They are still busy delivering presents to some parts of the earth."
"Excuse me, sir, are you really Merlin? The Great Merlin?" Remus stared at the old wizard in the portrait in disbelief.
"Yes, that I am."
"And Santa is your brother? Why is he still alive then? You must have lived around the time of the founding of Hogwarts if not before."
"Finally, someone who knows his history." Merlin cast the young wizard a huge smile. "My grandson, Salazar Slytherin, was one of the founders of Hogwarts. Santa was kept young by the magic of the North Pole, just like all the puppies here, who are between ten and one thousand years old. The North Fir tree keeps everyone young. Unfortunately, I only got to know this place, when it was too late, but I am happy to be here in my portrait."
HP
It was very late, when Santa and Claire returned home. They warmly greeted Remus, before Santa turned to Petunia and Dudley.
"I've contacted the Queen. She promised that the muggle police will go and arrest your husband first thing tomorrow morning. We can watch everything on the screen if you so wish. Afterwards, we shall head out to the North Fir Tree. I believe that at least two of our midst are in need of some assistance from its cones."
"Santa?" Sirius' eyes were blazing with apparent excitement. "Will the North Fir Tree possibly be able to cure Remus from Lycanthropy?"
"Unfortunately not." Santa cast Remus a pitying look. "However, I still wish each of you to accompany me to the North Fir Tree for a Christmas surprise." Turning to Petunia, he added, "May I please speak with you in private for a moment?"
When Petunia nodded, he said, "Hedwig, afterwards, I need to speak with you in private, too."
#Any time.# The phoenix made herself comfortable on one of the torches next to Merlin's portrait and began to trill a Christmas carol, while Harry wondered what Santa had to speak about with the sisters in private.
He should realise that it was not necessarily anything good, as he had just fallen asleep, when Hedwig flashed into their room cursing to herself like a hungry hippogriff.
tbc...
Thank you so much for the many kind reviews for the previous chapter. Please let me know what you thought about this one and what you expect from this story.
Next chapter: 'Oh Dear Oh Deer'.