Freak of Nature – Chapter 4 (Visitors)
Harry watched as Petunia rolled her eyes as the knocking persisted loudly and harshly.
"They haven't even given us a chance to open the door yet," Remus huffed as Petunia pulled the curtains back to peak at the door.
"It's them." She squeaked. "Snape came back with two others, an old man with an insanely long beard, and a stern-looking woman with a tight bun."
"Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall," Remus supplied as he stood up, brushing his shirt down.
"Why don't you make us some more tea for the guests while I shock them at the door," Remus smirked, the Marauder in him had come back alive with being back in Harry's life.
Petunia chuckled, rubbing Harry and Dudley's hair quickly before preparing the kettle.
"Uncle Moony. They won't hurt us, will they?" Harry asked, scrunching his shoulders down.
"I won't ever let anyone hurt you again, Bambi," Remus swore, Dudley nodded furiously, he had started boxing and rugby after Vernon had been taken away. First as exercise for his health, but he thoroughly enjoyed the sports and was now even stronger than before. But instead of hurting people, he, Piers, and Harry protected them. Well, Harry cheered them up, he was still a little shrimpy.
Remus straightened himself up and walked to the front door, where the knocking was still going.
"You know, most people knock once and then wait. It's called manners." Remus greeted the magical guests after swinging the door open. Their faces would fuel his Patronus for years. He swore he could hear James' hysterical gasping laughter, Sirius' barking chuckles and Peter's wheezing giggles beside him.
He could have sworn that Snape would have a permanent scowl if he tried any harder. No doubt he thought it would only be Petunia with Harry and Dudley. He was thankful that Petunia had asked him to stay longer.
"Remus, my boy!" Dumbledore cried joyfully, although he wasn't able to hide his confusion. "What are you doing here?"
Remus swore he wasn't imagining the anger or frustration just then.
"It's Harry's birthday, I went to the zoo with them. Tunes asked me to be here in case you came back after this morning." At this Remus glared at Snape.
"Well, how wonderful to see you." Dumbledore grinned, but it strained.
"Are we just going to stand here?" Snape drawled unpleasantly.
"Oh, do come in" Remus smiled as he turned around and lead them into the living room. "Tunes is making us some tea."
"We also have some biscuits." Petunia smiled as she bought the tray in and placed it on the small table in the middle of the living room.
Harry had situated himself in Remus' old chair, Dudley on the arm of it. Staying close to his worried cousin. Remus guided Petunia to the other armchair and sat on the side much like Dudley. Letting his hand rest on her back, giving her silent support. Leaving the unwanted guests to sit on the three-seater.
It would be interesting on to see what they would all say, especially concerning Snape's previous behavior.
With Dumbledore, you never knew. But Remus knew that Minerva had never let behavior like that slide. So, it was a surprise that she was here.
Remus was the first that wound up grabbing one of Petunia's biscuits, he could never turn down her cooking. He wondered if she had been making them since they stepped through the door.
"You see, Severus? Looks like young Harry already has an excellent role model in his life. Harry my boy. It is good to see you grown up." Dumbledore spoke first, breaking the tension that seemed to be rising since the door opened. He wouldn't know how much he would regret that first statement.
Harry flinched he still hated that word.
"We don't use the boy word in this house," Remus said firmly.
"He is also a child, not grown up," Petunia added with a scowl.
Harry felt himself smile softly; they always knew what to say to make other people back off if he was uncomfortable. He loved his family. He watched Dudley scowl and flex his hands when the vampire man Snape scoffed.
"And if you have a problem with that, there is the door," Petunia threatened. She was not playing. She had refused to deal with it any longer with her ex-husband, so she was not going to let three strangers get away with it.
"Now why don't we discuss this absurd notion, of Harry not attending Hogwarts?" Dumbledore asked genially, moving forward. He wasn't sure why they weren't happy with him, but he wouldn't push it for now.
"I wouldn't call it absurd..." Remus muttered
"Why wouldn't you want him to attend?" Dumbledore asked playing innocently shocked.
"For one thing, he is gone for most of the year." Petunia snapped, "What if something happens? How will I get there or know he is okay?" It had been her own parents biggest worry about sending Lily all those years ago.
"Secondly, apparently you employ Death Eaters!" Petunia snapped glaring at Snape, who opened his mouth to respond but was cut off by Dumbledore.
"I don't know how you are aware of this, but I can imagine," Dumbledore said angrily staring at Remus. "But Severus was a spy in the war and has my full trust."
"Why should your word that you trust him matter?" Petunia sneered. "We don't know you. But it wasn't Remus who told me. I've to know Snape since I was a child, he was vile and cruel even then. Lily was the one who told me about him calling her a Mudblood and joining the man who ended up killing her!" Petunia could feel her voice getting louder and shriller, but she couldn't control it. Her anger was full blast. She wouldn't let them know about the diaries, so she would just imply her, and Lily had talked about all this before her death. What they didn't know, wouldn't hurt them.
"How many times did you call me ugly Snape?" She demanded. "How many times did you force your accidental magic to hurt me? That branch you dropped on my head? Put me in the hospital with a concussion. How many times did you try to ditch me when you wanted to be with Lily? When she would leave the room and you would call me a burden? A waste of space? the stupid muggle Evans?" Her voice was filled with rage, but most of all, hurt.
"How does it feel, Snape? That my sister finally wised up and learned who exactly you are and didn't want anything to do with you?" Petunia smirked.
Snape snarled at the dig, standing up as threateningly as possible. What he hadn't prepared for, was for Harry to whimper in fear at his furious expression, and Lupin to respond to it. The werewolf stood up, his six-foot-four form towering over Snape's mere five-foot-eight. His eyes flaring amber and lips pulling back a growl, his canines larger even in human form.
"Severus sit down!" Minerva demanded fiercely, as she shoved him back into the couch. She hoped that Albus regretted bringing the Potions' professor along. "Petunia, you may get through to Remus better than us right now."
Petunia nodded before standing up and grabbing Remus' hand. "Remy, listen to me, it's Tunes. I am here, your cubs are safe. Both of them are okay." Petunia spoke uncaringly of Minerva's soft coo, and Dumbledore and Snape's hissed breath at the word cubs. Instead, Petunia waved the boys over and got them to touch Remus' arm. Amber eyes snapped down to see his cubs, his hackles soothed as he leaned down to sniff his cub's scents. They were okay, they smelt nervous but unharmed and warm. He could smell the creature scent on Harry strong, it was soothing. They were safe.
Remus cleared his throat as his eyes changed back to pale green. He was slightly embarrassed, he had only really 'wolfed out' as the Marauders called it, once since being with his new family. The night Petunia sat him down and told him all of the abuse he hadn't figured out for himself from interrupting. Thankfully it had happened after she knew he was a werewolf and considered Harry a cub. She hadn't known what to do and on instinct grabbed Harry and approached him carefully, allowing him to see and smell Harry.
"Should have known that Snivellus would never change!" Remus growled as he sat back down.
Petunia snickered before asking, "Snivellus?" The smile was straining against her lips.
Minerva hadn't even protested about the 'nickname', most likely thinking that her colleague deserved it. She was not impressed by his behavior.
Remus looked slightly abashed. He had never joined in with James and Sirius will calling Snape that horrid name. But his restraint has snapped when Snape had terrified Harry. But he hadn't felt guilty about it either.
"I won't allow you to disrespect one of Hogwarts Professors," Dumbledore said sternly, looking over his half-moon glasses looking disapproving.
"But you will allow a Professor to terrify a child?" Remus snapped.
"Severus didn't mean to scare the bo..." Dumbledore was cut off from defending Snape by Petunia.
"Don't call him that." Petunia's eyes narrowed.
"He didn't mean to scare the child," Dumbledore amended.
"Get out of my house!" Petunia was furious.
"Look. If you can't be trusted to make the right choices for Harry's Magical future. Maybe I made a mistake placing him here," Dumbledore said the threat clearly, much to the shock of everyone.
"Albus!" Minerva gasped as Harry cried and leapt into his Aunts arms. Remus placed himself in front of the both of them, Dudley by his side.
"Funny how you think you have any say in the matter," Remus' eyes narrowed as they flashed amber. "Last I checked; you weren't listed as guardians for Harry. And I'm sure that the Goblins would love to hear why you think you have such rights, Albus," Remus sneered as he said the headmasters' name sarcastically.
"Albus, for Merlin's sake. Leave this to me. I am the one who should've made the house call to begin with." Minerva interjected, she had the feeling this was just going to go around and around.
"You and Severus go back to Hogwarts. I will be back in time for the staff meeting tonight," She promised, ushering them both out the door, ignoring all and any protests. With a groan she sat back down and helped herself to another tea, politely letting Remus reassure Petunia and the children. It was good to see Remus so at home here, to see the bonds that were flourishing. She had protested heavily when Dumbledore left Harry here. Dudley had been an awful toddler, his Father seemed boorish and like a brute. But the Dudley she was seeing now was protective of his cousin and mostly muscle with some baby fat. Nothing like the overweight screaming toddler. She hadn't seen Petunia's husband at all, even the walls seemed to be missing photos of him. They were all of Petunia with the kids or the kids with Remus. If he had died, surely there would be a shrine or photos everywhere. She wondered what happened to the man.
"Now, first things first. How are you, Remus?" Minerva smirked at their startled looks, clearly expecting her to pressure them into letting Harry go to Hogwarts.
Remus let out a huff of laughter and a smile.
"I am doing well Minerva," He admitted smiling at Petunia and the boys as they situated themselves back into the seats.
"Good, good. It is a good look you, being happy with a family." She smirked knowingly, she didn't think the others had noticed, but she had. When Remus sniffed the boys to calm down, he had also sniffed Petunia. He was at ease sitting on the chair with his hand on her back. Not shying from her touch. Even now, he was blushing furiously at her words.
"Th—Thank you." He stuttered, oh how she loved embarrassing students, current and former.
"Now, I can understand your hesitance. It is extremely hard being away from a child for so long. Unfortunately, there aren't any magical day schools, and the only one in Britain," Minerva started, she noticed them relax when she kept her voice calm without threats or aggression.
"But I am sure Remus has informed you of how a magical core needs to be used. How it can become dangerous if untrained?"
"Yes, he has. I would never want that for Harry. But I just couldn't stand the way they were talking to me. Just because I am a squib doesn't mean I don't deserve to know everything that will affect my nephew," Petunia spat, she wasn't angry at Minerva, the older woman had been nothing but pleasant. But rather the situation, Dumbledore and Snape.
"A squib?" Minerva startled.
"Yes, Lily discovered in her fifth year, myself and Dudley are squibs, the gene came from my Father and it activated with Lily." Petunia wasn't going to mention which family or the Siren gene for now. She wouldn't risk Harry.
"How interesting," Minerva smiled without pushing it. "Now I can maybe help, I would be happy to send a letter once a fortnight with Harry's progress. I will inform you if anything happens, although it is a school so hopefully nothing beyond occasional detention." Minerva grinned, from the giggle from Harry and timber laugh from Remus, they knew she was making the joke about James' penchant for trouble.
"The good news is that Remus can easily apparate to Hogsmeade, the village down from Hogwarts. To visit for any reason. I will also do my utmost to keep him away from Severus beyond the Potions class." Minerva continued.
"I may not be his Head of House, although it is likely considering I was for his parents and Remus. But if I am not, Filius and Pomona will happily keep you informed as well."
"What about Slytherin? If Snape took over Potions, then Sluggy isn't Slytherins Head... No" Remus gasped as he figured it out himself.
"Yes, unfortunately, Severus is the Slytherin Head of House." Minerva nodded.
"Course he would manage to be the Head of Slytherin..." Remus grumbled.
Minerva's lips twitched; she knew the feeling of that all too well.
She wasn't overly fond that Severus was over one of the Hogwarts houses. He certainly hadn't made it easier for her as not only Deputy Headmistress, but Head of Gryffindor House as well. But like always, she had learned to adapt to her situations, even if that meant having to deal with Albus and Severus.
"Houses?" Harry asked curiously, he felt more at ease with this Professor. She seemed really strict but fair and kind. Remus liked her, and that was a good indicator usually.
"Yes, that's right." Minerva grinned. "There are four houses inside Hogwarts to separate the children by personality traits. Each house is named after one of the founders of Hogwarts and the traits they admired the most." Oh, she did love educating, even when wasn't classroom material.
"Gryffindor is the house of the Lions, and I am the Head of Gryffindor, I will also be your Transfiguration Professor. Godric Gryffindor favoured those who had courage, bravery, determination, daring, nerve, and chivalry."
Harry sat forward eagerly, he knew this was the house of his parents as well as Uncle's Moony, Padfoot and Wormtail.
"Yes, because putting the foolhardy and daring students together was a great idea," Remus rolled his eyes, he often wondered what the founders had been thinking whenever the Marauders had done something spectacularly stupid.
Minerva huffed a laugh as she continued.
"Hufflepuff is the Badgers, and the Head of the house is Professor Pomona Sprout, she will be your Herbology Professor. Helga Hufflepuff favoured those that were hardworking and just. Those that had patience, loyalty and modesty. She believed in fairness."
Harry thought he liked the sound of that house; he could make true friends there.
"Ravenclaw is the Eagles, the Head of House is Filius Flitwick, not only will he be your Charms Professor, but he was a champion dueler in his young years." Minerva smiled as Harry and Dudley gasped a 'wow.'
"Rowena Ravenclaw wanted to nurture those who put learning, wisdom, intelligence, wit, acceptance, and creativity first."
"The hat debated Ravenclaw for both me and your mother," Remus admitted with a smile.
"That does not shock me." Minerva smiled, "You two were my brightest students in the years I've been teaching."
"Finally, Slytherin, now, unfortunately, Slytherin has gotten a bad reputation over the years, it was the house that some of the loudest and proudest Death Eaters came from. Not the most, Death Eaters came from all four houses, but they were the most vocal. It was also the house of Lord Voldemort was in."
Harry gasped at her ease with his name and her admittance.
"He is descended from the founder, Salazar Slytherin himself. Slytherin only wanted those who prided themselves with resourcefulness, determination, pride, cunning, ambition and self-preservation. Severus Snape is the Head of House and will be your Potions Professor. I would suggest you read as much as you can from your Potions reading book before starting Hogwarts. He is extremely strict and harsh." She sighed, running her hands over her hair and bun.
"I have spoken to the Headmaster about it, but he won't listen to me. If he is ever to give you a detention, you are to go to your Head of House, and you will serve it with them or me instead. With his attitude today and the things you have revealed of his childhood. I do not think he will treat Harry like any other student. I wish I could inform you otherwise to set you at ease. But I do not believe in lying when it comes to parents and their children.
"Thank you," Petunia smiled, for the first time since the witches and wizards had entered her home.
"Though I believe it will be Harry's decision on if he goes or not. It is still his life. As much as I would not like him to do so because of your Headmaster and colleague," she begrudgingly admitted.
"Of course." Minerva nodded; she could respect that.
"Harry?" Remus prompted the small child with an encouraging smile.
Harry frowned as he looked between his aunt and uncle Moony.
"I want to go; I want to meet my godbrother. But I don't want to be a Slytherin!"
Petunia and Remus couldn't help the snort that left their lips.
"You know, Harry... I wouldn't want to be one either," Remus laughed.
"How is it decided? Can you not just say no to Slytherin?" Dudley asked, he hadn't spoken at all until now, preferring to be silent and watchful. Letting people believe he was either stupid or uninterested. But he was just taking things in, thinking it over. Sometimes it took longer for him to understand things, but Uncle Moony made it clear he was smart, it just took some time and that was fine. It made him glad that that Remus was in their lives. He hadn't had anyone tell him that he was smart. Harry and his mum didn't count, they were supposed to say that.
He had also noticed that Uncle Moony made his Mum happy. He wasn't sure what it meant and if he would be his dad in the future. But he liked it when mum would now hum when making breakfast. Her laugh was less shrill and sharp now as well, Harry said it was because Moony is funny. Dudley had agreed.
"Well, the way students are sorted is supposed to be secret. Like a rite of passage." Minerva teased.
Remus' lips twitched at that as Dudley groaned at the response.
"Though. Remus, I expect you to honour that. Though I am going to take you will take young Harry to Diagon?"
Remus nodded.
"Then I will see you on September 1st. I hope to see you in Gryffindor," Minerva stood before shaking hands with Petunia.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Dursley."
Petunia stiffened at the surname, "It's Evans," She said quickly, not wanting to dwell on it further.
"Apologies, Miss Evans." Minerva quickly corrected herself, with another "goodbye" she was on her way back to Hogwarts.