Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, J.k Rowling does.
Chapter 2:Hooded Death
Ever since the Peverell family had moved into Privet Drive, life had vastly improved for Harry, he had finally someone to talk to, in the few weeks he had know the twins, he found out a lot of things about them, things that sometime he even felt jealous about. The Peverells had lived in New Zealand before they came to Britain. Their dad was an extremely renowned professor in the ornithology group, especially for his research in avian behaviour. He was often invited by institutes and societies to give talks on birds, hence his frequent trips abroad, this caused the twins to be dependent on themselves, ever since the twins turned 6 their father would often take his children to travel the world, places where there were sightings of rare birds, he would then settled there for a few weeks on a few occasions, would even stay there for a few years.
Harry had never been outside of Privet Drive except for Hogwarts, because of this he drank in every word that the twins had to say about their trips abroad, they described their journeys with such details that sometimes Harry would feel like he was with them. His mind lingered on these trips every time he went to sleep that he slowly forgot about the constant nightmares he had prior to the twins friendship. He finally had someone to talk to after all these years in Privet Drive. though he had communicated with Ron and Hermione via owl post for the last 4 years, strangely enough neither of them had been sending letters to Harry since the start of Summer, though for Ron, it was obvious that he still resented Harry for 'wanting more glory'. Even after the events of the third task, Ron still had refused to talk to him. Hermione on the other hand had send Harry dozens upon dozens of letters every summer, Harry thought it strange that she would just suddenly stop writing letters to her friend. Harry had made up a lot of excuses in his head for the absence of his mail from his bushy-haired friend for the first few weeks, excuses in the likes of: She's too busy, Maybe the owl got lost, or She's ill. When the letters still did not come, Harry would send some letters which would never be answered, he felt quite bewildered, and would always calm his mind by thinking that he would be able to ask her when they start their 5th year.
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2nd August 1995, two days after the Peverells celebrated their friends birthday, Aderyn and Corvus had given him a military-grad binocular and a remote-controlled plane respectively. Sirius Black, Harry's godfather had given him a Book on advanced duelling, which Harry immediately took a liking to. Harry had not yet written to his godfather about the Peverells, something which Harry didn't understand why he hadn't done yet.
Harry's day started like any other, doing an absurd amount of chores for his relatives, which left him little time to himself when he completed them, and listening to his relatives gossiping about heir neighbours, this time the victim was none other than Cygnus Peverell himself, Harry's aunt had rarely seen him leave his house, this led to Petunia's conclusion that he was making drugs. Harry snorted at the ridiculous idea. After he finished his chores, Harry decided to go for a small walk around his neighbourhood.
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A cold autumn breeze blew against his already messy hair as he approached the local playground, as expected there was no one in it, after all this place was infamously known for Dudley's terrorising. Harry absentmindedly sat on one of the swings and closed his eyes finding comfort in the winds' cool embrace
"Lost in your own mind?"
A familiar voice interrupted his small moment of reverie. "Hey, Cor" Harry acknowledged his friend's presence, "You might need to double check, mate" the voice responded. Worried, Harry opened his eyes nervously but seeing only Corvus Peverell made him relieved. Scowling as he shook his head, "You prat" smirking as he took a swing next to Harry. "It's been a while since I used one of these" he muttered to himself
Harry suddenly felt himself wondering about a question he never asked himself, Corvus had said that his father always travelled to point of interests, as far as Harry knew, Privet Drive had little to no birds, except for the occasional owl.
"Hey, Cor?" Harry asked. The boy who was looking at the sky, turned his head to Harry "Yes?" he replied. "Do you know why your father moved here? After all there aren't that many wildlife here." Corvus shrugged, "As far as I know, dad wanted to stop his work for a while as he thought that he didn't spend enough time with us, on top of that, he heard through the grapevine that there was an influx in owl activity here." Harry shuffled his feet nervously at the last sentence. Deciding to change the subject. "Anyways, where's your sister, I thought that..."
"You thought twins are supposed to be inseparable?" Corvus interrupted. Harry could only nod sheepishly, Corvus sighed, "As close as we two are, sometimes twins just need some personal time to themselves, Sure, most twins find their double to be good company around but that doesn't mean you have to be around them twenty four seven." "My bad" The dark haired teenager apologised but Corvus only waved it off,
"Worried about my sister?, I didn't know you felt that way for her" Corvus teased after a few seconds of awkward silence. Harry blushed. Truth be told Harry had developed quite the crush on the auburn haired girl over the summer, the melodious laughed that she had and her cheery personality always seemed to lift up Harry's spirit.
"Harry?"
"Oi, Harry"
"Wha.." Harry stammered.
"You were in a trance, mate. You alright?"
He shooked his head. "Yea. I'm fine just thinking."
"About my sister." It was more of a statement than a question. Harry noticed.
"No." Harry denied, "And how can you be fine with me crushing on your sister." He scowled.
Corvus smirked triumphantly "So you finally admit it then? You fancy my sister"
"What?! N-No!" Harry stuttered. Corvus only grinned back at he friend. "I won't tell."
"I don't trust you." Corvus faked a look of betrayal as he clutched at his chest dramatically. "You wound me, Harry. We have known each other for 3 weeks now."
"My point exactly."
"I know you well enough."
"Really? what's my full name.
"Um... Harry.. Harry something. That's beside the point, what I want to know is how long before you confess your undying love for my sister to me." Still grinning at him.
Harry shrugged.
"Well, you better decide now, cause I'm going to tell her about my suspicions that you fancy her."
"I don't fancy... Wait, what?" Harry spluttered and looked at Corvus nervously who simply winked at him and took off in a run. Laughing like a maniac as he ran with Harry hot on his heels.
Damn, he is fast. Harry thought as he caught up to Corvus, who, for some reason was leaning against a tree and seemed to be observing something. "What are you doing here" Harry said as he walked up beside Corvus. The Twin put a finger against Harry's lips signalling for Harry to be quiet and pointed to in front of them. Harry looked at the direction he was pointing, he saw seven figures, six massive boys and a girl. Aderyn and Dudley. Harry suddenly realised. They boys were cornering looking as they were encouraging her to do something, as expected, Dudley was the one speaking to her, "We should help her" Harry whispered. Corvus shook his head "she can handle this herself. Harry scowled at the twin's lack of worry for his sister. "You don't know Dudley, you don't know what he is capable of." Corvus grinned back evilly at Harry, "And you don't know what Addie is capable of." Still seeing the worried look on Harry's face, he added "if she does need backup we'll help her. Look it's about to get fun now."
Harry looked, Dudley was now uncomfortably close to her, leaning closer as the seconds went by. Harry was about to rush forwards and help Aderyn when he suddenly saw Dudley rolling on the ground, his hands clutching at his most sensitive parts, "Ouch" both Harry and Corvus said at the same time. "GET HER!" they could hear Dudley yell as he continued to clutch at his groin.
The five goons charged at Aderyn. Harry looked on with awe as he saw her dodge, punch, kick and block with incomprehensible speed. One by one, Dudley's friends was knocked down, deciding to save their own skin they ran, leaving Dudley on his own, still in pain.
"Close your mouth or something will fly inside" Harry heard Corvus said. "Let's go congratulate my dear sister now."
As they approached Aderyn, Harry snorted amusedly when he saw Corvus purposely stepped on Dudley's hand who whimpered in response. "Pathetic, aren't they?" Aderyn asked looking at Dudley with loathing. "Indeed" Corvus nodded in agreement. "What did they want?" Harry asked.
"Nothing much, just wanted to know why I spend so much time with the freak" Harry stiffened when he heard the word. "Don't know why they call you that, you seem perfectly normal to me, then again, our perception of normal might be different from others." Corvus snorted to which Aderyn ignored.
"Remind me to never get on your bad side" Harry said to the girl. "Where did you learn to fight like that?" he asked.
"China" both twins replied
"Picked up some martial arts in China..." Aderyn said
"...When father was doing some research on the origins of phoenixes... the myths of the phoenix"
Harry raised his eyebrow at the subtle change in Corvus' sentence. Aderyn seem to be glancing nervously at Corvus. Were they magical too? Harry wondered
"Don't worry about getting on my bad side, you won't be able do that even if you tried. " Aderyn smiled, a faintest hint of a blush on her cheeks. Not believing what he just heard, Harry looked at Corvus incredulously who was simply nodding with a smirk knowingly.
"Anyway. I need get these cuts cleaned, so I guess I'll be going now. See you tomorrow." Aderyn smiled as she showed the minor scratches on her arm.
"Are you sure you're alright." Harry asked, alarmed.
"Tis but a scratch" she grinned.
"Alright, best not to let me keep you." Harry smiled at Aderyn's carefree attitude
"Bye, " both twins bade goodbye to Harry who waved back at them. Harry watched as the two figures slowly disappeared in the cold autumn night.
"Ugh" Harry jumped, Dudley, he had forgotten about Dudley. Harry looked as Dudley got to his feet, scowling at Harry "You'll pay for this" cracking his knuckles as he advanced on Harry but soon found him face to face with a wand. Dudley's face paled, quickly taking a step backwards "You can't use m-ma-magic outside of school, you'll get expelled." Sputtered Dudley. "Try me" Harry jabbed his wand at his cousin's rotund chest. "I'll tell mum and dad they'll... What are you doing? What's happening..."
The wind around them stopped blowing, the streetlights flickered on and off before blacking out, the air had gone colder than it was before, Harry's heartbeat quickened, the familiar sensation causing Harry to look around his bearings wearily.
"Stop it, you freak. You'll get punished for this, dad will never forgive you for this"
"Shut up Dudley, shut up if you want to live"
Lumos. A bright light soon shone form Harry's wand. "C'mon Dudley, we need to go home now" Dudley stood there, either still frightened or too stubborn to leave. "Dudley!" Harry hissed at the overweight boy.
"Move, or they'll come for us" Harry pleaded to frozen Dudley, but it was too late, two hooded figures flew towards them Harry soon felt they joy leaving him as the dementors approach the two teenagers, hands reaching out for them
Thinking of his happiest memory, Harry quickly pointed the wand at the dementor closest to him, EXPECTO PATRONUM. Harry yelled, The bright silver stag of a patronus erupted from the tip of his wand, tossing its antlers as it approached the black creature. Backing off as the patronus stood its ground against it, the dementor soon flew away. DUDLEY. Harry remembered turning around to look for Dudley, his heart dropped as he saw the dementor lifted its hood and slowly brought its mouth to Dudley's lips
"NOO" Harry shouted directing his wand towards the dementor, but it was too late, the creature made contact with Dudley. The stag rushed at the dementor which caused it to screeched as it retreated.
Harry rushed towards to Dudley as their surroundings returned to normal, lights switched back on, the air became warmer.
"Dudley, Dudley" Harry shooked his cousin who didn't respond, his eyes unfocused, body lying limp but breathing heavily
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Harry kneeled next to his cousin's body. It was truly a pitiful sight to see. A boy, who held no love for his cousin, begging for his childhood bully to wake
Dudley's breathing soon became calmer. A few seconds of silence, Harry heard a groan. "Dudley?" another few seconds of silence. "Harry" Dudley managed to croak out. How did Dudley survived the kiss, Harry was confused.
Confused but relieved, Harry helped his cousin up, leaning him against Harry's own shoulder he asked "Can you walk?" Dudley nodded.
"Let's get you home" Dudley did not object.
After a few minutes of walking down Privet Drive, Harry soon arrived at his uncle's house. Not bothering to knock, Harry simply slammed the door open, triggering a shriek from Petunia as she saw her son in a weak state
"Vernon, Vernon come down quick, something has happened to Dudley" hearing heavy footsteps thudding from the stairs, Harry took a deep breath and prepared for the worst.
"Dudley? What did the freak do to you" Harry clenched his fist. When Dudley still did not respond to his father's questions, Vernon Dursley soon began to shout at Harry "Get out!" "What?!" Harry stared at him. "You heard me, GET OUT! WE TOOK YOU IN OUT OF THE KINDNESS OF OUR HEARTS AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY ME? BY BREAKING MY SON?!"
"But..." was all that Harry could managed.
"I SAID GET OUT, I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN" Vernon slapped Harry with such force that Harry was thrown backwards. "You have 10 minutes to pack all your stuff before I throw you out and burn the rest."
An owl flew from the the fireplace which caused Aunt Petunia to shrieked again. Grudgingly, Harry took the letter from the owl claws and went upstairs, reading the letter as he went.
Dear Mr. Potter,
We have received intelligence that you performed the Patronus Charm at twenty-three minutes past nine this evening in a Muggle-inhabited area and in the presence of a Muggle.
The severity of this breach of the Decree for the Reasonable Restrictionof Underage Sorcery has resulted in your expulsion from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Ministry representatives will be calling at your place of residence shortly to destroy your wand.
As you have already received an official warning for a previous offence under Section 13 of the International Confederation of Warlocks' Statute of Secrecy, we regret to inform you that your presence is required at a disciplinary hearing at the Ministry of Magic at 9 a.m. on the twelfth of August.
Hoping you are well,
Yours sincerely,
Mafalda Hopkirk
Improper Use of Magic Office
Ministry of Magic
Harry soon finished packing his belongings, not that he had much the only things that mattered to him were the Maurauders' Map, the invisiblility cloak, his Firebolt and his parents' photo album. Throwing some of Dudley's hand-me-downs in his suitcase Harry began heading downstairs, ignoring the glares of his relatives as he flung open the front door and left.
Harry was sitting on the sidewalk miserably, thinking about where he should go next, The Leaky Cauldron? Nope, death eaters would be able to find him, Maybe he could write to Sirius, No, even if Sirius did come for him which he will, both of them would be on the run together and Harry didn't want to burden his godfather any more than he needed to. Wait, the Peverells, they had always been kind to him, but would they accept you? , a small voice said in his head. Harry grimaced and shook away the doubt, after all this was his only hope and you miss 100 percent of all the shots you don't take. Harry stood up, mind made up. Sounds of wings fluttering, prompting him to look up, it was another owl. Harry took the piece of parchment from the owl, the letter was addressed from Mr Weasley now.
Harry
Dumbledore's just arrived at the Ministry and he's trying to sort it all out. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR AUNT AND UNCLE'S HOUSE. DO NOT DO ANY MORE MAGIC. DO NOT SURRENDER YOUR WAND.
Arthur Weasley
it was already too late for that Harry thought mirthlessly to himself
Stuffing the letter in his pocket and started to head towards the Peverell Residence. As Harry stood in the front of the door, hands ready to knock on the front door. Before his hand could make contact with the wood, the sound of hooting made him pause, an owl swooped in and dropped a letter in front of Harry's feet. Sighing as he picked it up, the letter M showing that it was another letter from the ministry.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Further to our letter of approximately twenty-two minutes ago, the Ministry of Magic has revised its decision to destroy your wand forthwith. You may retain your wand until your disciplinary hearing on the twelfth of August, at which time an official decision will be taken.
Following discussions with the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the Ministry has agreed that the question of your expulsion will also be decided at that time. You should therefore consider yourself suspended from school pending further enquiries.
With best wishes,
Yours sincerely,
Mafalda Hopkirk
Improper Use of Magic Office
Ministry of Magic
Nodding to himself Harry stuffed the letter with the others that he had received.
Taking in a deep breath, Harry prepared himself as he knocked on the door
Kok Kok Kok Kok
A few seconds passed, Harry was getting more and more nervous, irrational thoughts fluttering in his brain and his breaths irregular.
The door opened "Harry?" Aderyn froze at the door taking in Harry's weak state. "Dad, Cor, come quick, Harry's hurt." She yelled desperately.
"Come in, Harry, what on earth happened to you." Aderyn ushered him in "Dementors." Harry only whimpered.
Right now Harry didn't care whether they were muggles or not, he just needed a safe place to stay, away from the dementors away from magic and most of all away from abusive relatives. It was all too much for Harry to take in. "Dementors?" was the last thing he heard before passing out.
A/N
So... 17 favourites and 34 follows. Wow, I know that isn't a lot, I think, I'm still new to FF but thanks for the support guys.
I'll try to update this story every 4-7 days depending on my schedule.
Also constructive criticisms are welcome