When The Crow Cries
Chapter 1:Neighbours
Harry Potter was a strange boy, the residents of Privet Drive all agreed, he was always wearing clothes that was too big for him, when he was younger some people claimed that they saw him do the impossible, however his aunt and uncle denied any such claim, they in turn had started rumours that his parents died in a car crash while drinking, hence, his reclusive and delinquent behaviour. this however could not be further away from the truth.
Potter. An old wizarding house, it had approximately 700 years of history. Another ancient house, Peverell, the last person carrying the name of Peverell married into the Potters and thus effectively ending the Peverell line, or so the wizarding world thought.
"Get up, boy". Harry's aunt banged on his door. "Vernon will be home soon and will expect a nice hot meal waiting for him".
Harry laid on his bed thinking about his last year at Hogwarts, it had been a shit show, first his name had been entered into the Tri-wizard Competition by a madman without his knowledge, his best friend, Ronald Weasley who was beyond jealous ended their friendship of three years. then he was forced to compete three extremely dangerous tasks;Dragons, Merfolk and a maze, though the latter seemed almost harmless, when he reached the cup alongside with Cedric Diggory, they were transported to a graveyard near Little Hangleton. Where his parents' betrayer killed Cedric and used Harry to resurrect...
BAM
Harry's door slammed opened, breaking him away from his train of thought. Revealing an angry Aunt Petunia who stood outside his room shouting at him "I thought I told you to cook lunch 5 minutes ago."
"Sorry" Harry replied curtly
"You'd better be" She huffed
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Harry was setting the table when his uncle walked through the front door looking very pleased with himself. "Just broke the record of most drills sold, ever." he announced proudly while taking off his jacket.
"Congratulations, dear" Petunia kissed her husband's cheek.
"Did you know that number 5 has finally been bought?" Vernon Dursley told his wife as he sat down. "They look pretty well off too, so you best behave yourself tonight because I invited them for dinner"
"Did you now? Vernon, what do they look like,? do they have any children that our Dudders can make friends with." Harry snorted at the last statement. "Something funny? Boy?" Mr. Dursley glared at Harry.
"No Sir" Harry replied sarcastically.
"Good, then you better behave yourself tonight, if you want to eat for the next week."
"Yes Uncle Vernon."
"Good"
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"Do I really have to wear this stupid shirt, dad?" Dudley Dursley whined. He was wearing a white shirt with a red bow tie which made him look even more stupid than usual if that was even possible.
"Yes you do, we have to give them the best impression of us, and if you wear that shirt I'll buy you a gift tomorrow" this of course shut Dudley up. Harry shook his head, His cousin had always been spoilt and each was getting worse. Dudley Dursley could do no wrong in his parents eyes.
A series of 3 sharp knocks came from the front door which caused everyone to look at the source. "Ah, this must be them" Uncle Vernon grinned happily. Harry thought he looked like a goblin who had just struck a unfair deal in his favour. As he walked towards the door he turned to looked at Harry "Remember, not one toe out of line, or else."
"Yes Uncle Vernon." Harry sighed glumly, this was going to be a long night.
Behind the door was three well dressed figures; a elder man and two teenagers about Harry's age. The older male was wearing a bowler hat, donning a thick beard and was bespectacled. The younger duo looked similar, twins Harry figured. All three had auburn hair though the twins had startling Amber-coloured eyes instead of their father's blue ones, both twins also looked attractive with well defined features.
"Good evening, gentlemen" the father greeted as he looked at the three of them carefully. "My name is Cygnus Peverell." He bowed slightly "and these are my children Aderyn and Corvus Peverell, and I thank you for inviting our family to dinner.
"Good Evening, Mr Peverell. This is my son,Dudley and that is my nephew." Vernon greeted them sweetly causing Harry to flinch, not used to his uncle being nice. "Where is the Missus? I was under the impression that I invited the whole family to dinner." He inquired
The twins shuffled nervously while their father looked downcast. "Um... She is no longer with us, she passed when the twins were merely learning how to crawl." Harry felt a twinge of sympathy for the twins.
"Ah, my apologies I didn't mean to pry, My condolences." Harry cringed, after living with the Dursley for a long time he could tell when his uncle was lying, and this was one of those times. "Thank you" Cygnus mumbled. Out of the corner of Harry's eye he saw the male twin narrowing his eyes at Vernon Dursley, Harry had suspicions that it was not because of Dursley making his father upset but instead was annoyed that he had lied."
Quite perceptive if that was the case, Harry thought, after all he had only met Vernon Dursley for a few minutes.
"Good evening sir, my name's Harry." Harry said as he approached the auburn haired man. Deciding to break the silence. "Nice to meet you, Harry." He whispered. Harry then stepped towards the twins. "How are you two, doing fine I hope?" the girl greeted Harry first "I'm fine, its good to meet you too, Harry, As you heard my name is Aderyn but you may call me Addie." She grinned cheerfully. Harry smiled back at her. He then turned to the boy who was looking at Harry calculatingly, after a few seconds he acknowledge "Harry" with a nod. Harry turned back to Aderyn "Quiet one, isn't he. You know for twins you two are really different from each other." He whispered to her
"What makes you think we are twins" Corvus interrupted.
"Because you... Um.. I" Harry stammered, Green eyes locking with Amber ones. Much to Harry's surprised Corvus began to laughed, his laugh, a rich mellow tone which soothed Harry.
"He always does that with everyone he meets." Aderyn sighed shaking her head.
"No I don't, I just do that to people who I think are interesting." Her twin retorted.
"Prat"
"The more you know" Corvus smirked.
"Should I be more scared or flattered that you find me interesting." Harry feigned shocked.
This caused Corvus to erupt with laughter again.
"Shall we go to the kitchen now, after all, you three must be famished." Uncle Vernon suggested, obviously not comfortable with Harry being chummy with his new neighbours.
"Eh, I'm alright. Still could do with some food though." Corvus shrugged.
As the six of them walked into the kitchen, Harry could see Dudley ogling at Aderyn. Who had a pretty nice figure in Harry's opinion. But still, outright staring at a girl like a prize was unacceptable in Harry's book. In an attempt to hide his disgust at his cousin's behaviour, he turned to looked at Corvus, who apparently had also noticed Dudley's behaviour, scowling, he leaned into his twin a whispered something in her ear. She turned around and looked at Dudley straight in the eye and glared at him. Which caused Dudley to turned bright red at being caught staring. Seeing his awkward reaction caused Aderyn to have a smile playing on her lips. "Psychopath." Harry heard Corvus muttered, sitting on the kitchen chair as he watched the situation with amusement.
"What was that brother?"
"What was what, sister?" Corvus smiled innocently at his sister.
"Children, behave yourselves" The voice of Cygnus Peverell called with authority.
"Sorry, Father." The twins chorused.
"Petunia, the guests are here." Vernon announced from the table as each of them slowly sat in front of the table one by one.
"The food will be out in a few minutes." Aunt Petunia called out from the kitchen.
After a few seconds of awkward silence. Cygnus decided to try and break the ice. "So Harry, how old are you?" Corcus Facepalmed. "Really, Dad, asking his age? at least start by asking the about the weather first" Aderyn groaned as Cygnus chuckled. Seeing the reaction of both twins took almost every ounce of Harry's concentration to not break out in laughter. "I will be 15 in a few weeks time, sir." Cygnus nodded. "So you would be in the same year with my children if you were to be enrolled in the same school" Harry nodded at this piece of information; the twins was the same age as Harry. "Speaking of schools, which one do you go to." Before Harry could answer. A haughty voice replied "St. Brutus Secure Centre for Incurable Criminal Boys" Petunia replied. "I suggest you two to stay away him. Harry's expression remained indifferent but deep down he was feeling let down, trust Aunt Petunia to destroy any chance he had with being friends with the twins. "but Dudley on the other hand," his aunt continued "He is extremely sociable and is a extremely good influence." Harry let out a long silent breath.
"I don't know who you think you are, but I am confident in my children choices for friends." Cygnus practically snarled "If you don't mind, I'll be going now." He stood up abruptly and headed towards the front door before stopping in the hallway that connected the kitchen to the living room. Harry held his breath. "Thank you both once again for your invitation." He neared-whispered, back still turned to the Dursley.
The Dursleys turned their heads to the twins who were looking at each other, before standing up themselves. "Well, I guess... " Corvus started as Aderyn continued "...we'll be going now"
"thank you both for the hospitality.. "
"..And we look forward to seeing you again, Harry."
Both twins walked out of the kitchen. After a few seconds, Harry suddenly decided to follow them, leaving the Dursleys in shocked silence.
"Hey, you two, wait." Harry called, relieved that he found them opening the front door. The twins stopped, turning to Harry. Corvus tilted his head, "Yes? "Harry looked at the twins before asking "Did you really mean it? The part of seeing me. I mean after what my Aunt said about me, why would you two still want to hang out with me." Both Peverells smiled at him gently. "You seem like a good man, Harry." Aderyn murmured. "And we prefer to make our own thoughts about someone instead of listening to others."
"Goodnight, Harry." Aderyn said before leaving. Corvus stood there silently. "I'm sorry about your parents" Harry was shocked, he never told what happened too his parents, so how did he know? Besides, the condolence he said felt genuine, after hearing 'I'm sorry' for who knows how many times, this was one of the few that felt real.
Harry decided to ask. "Uhh, How did you know my parents are dead." He asked quietly. Corvus took a step backwards holding his hands up as a sign of surrendering. "I'm sorry if I offended you or anything, and as for how I knew, I've been told that I'm too perceptive for my own good. It shows in your behaviour you know." He stepped into the neighbourhood saying "Sweet dreams, Harry" before closing the door.
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Sweet dreams indeed, Harry sighed, if they only knew. He was staring at his ceiling after having nightmares about the events that occurred in the graveyard. His thoughts drifted from one to another before landing of the memory of the twins.
He smiled, he finally had someone to talk to in Privet Drive, after 15 years he finally had friends his own age and by the looks of it they couldn't be scared away my Dudley. Harry's fear was soon replaced by joy and relieved as his consciousness slipped away.