Chapter 7
Hogwart's refusal letter
Albus's eyes were twinkling at full blast. "Sirius, my boy, I find myself in quite the conundrum. We sent Rose her acceptance letter to Hogwarts, only for us to receive a politely worded refusal letter that spoke of her wish to continue her muggle education and that she declined to attend Hogwarts."
"—Magical children shouldn't be raised by muggles. It only brings trouble." Arcturus muttered.
"Didn't you send me a letter only a week ago in which you asked to discuss Rose's safety and how important it was to have her remain with Petunia." Sirius said, ignoring Arcturus.
"And that still remains an issue. Which I still hope to discuss with you in private." Albus cast his eyes over Arcturus, Melania and Orion. "But it is also important for Rose to learn how to control her magic. It can't be that she turns her back on her magical heritage."
"Anything you wish to discuss we can do in front of my family."
Albus looked for a moment as if a lemon drop had suddenly burst in his mouth. "Very well…When Lily sacrificed herself for Rose she created a powerful protection. I managed to extend and strengthen this protection as long as Rose shares a home with someone of Lily's blood, in this case Lily's sister and her son."
"—Tsk tsk Albus. How positively dark of you, messing around with blood wards. Do they know this at the ministry?" Arcturus was almost gloating.
"As long as Rose can call Petunia's house home the wards will remain, or until she turns seventeen, whichever comes first. For them to be charged she needs to spend at minimum a month at their place, preferably longer. As her godfather and with Alice as godmother incapacitated you are her sole magical guardian. It is within your purview to decide where she lives, where she goes to school, as well as a limited say over the Potter affairs."
Albus peered at Sirius over his half-moon glasses. "I know that the unfortunate circumstances of your incarceration have prevented you until now to play a role in Rose's life but I hope you take my words to heart now that you can, and take your time to consider the right choice, Rose's safety and future may depend upon it."
Albus reached into his robes and pulled two letters out. "I have here another letter for Rose and one for your son. Because he was born abroad he wasn't automatically registered for Hogwarts but we received your letter stating your wish that he attend in September…I have to say that it warmed an old man's heart to see that happiness can still be found even after the greatest of struggles—Now I will take my leave and let you reflect on my words—Orion, my boy, It was wonderful to meet you and I look forward to see you in September at Hogwarts."
"Likewise professor. I've heard a lot about Hogwarts and can't wait to start." It wasn't even a total lie. Harry was really looking forward to seeing the castle again, instead of the ruin it had become. It was the first place that he had ever felt home. Harry gave the old man a hand as a goodbye.
They watched as Albus was escorted out by a house elf.
"Orion is it true what he said about those blood wards and the protection they offer?" Melania asked.
"I don't know— for certain that is." And it frustrated him to no end, had been so for the longest time. "I have been able to piece together what Lily did, but it's difficult without her research. I always suspected that Albus took it after Halloween 1981. However that's another thing I don't know for certain.
"Lily's protection should have faded after the killing curse bounced back yet somehow it didn't. I don't know if it was because of the horcrux or something Albus did. At eleven I burned a professor to a crisp with my hands. Voldemort, or someone he was possessing, couldn't touch me—He negated that by using my blood to return. Also to me the Dursleys were never home and I left permanently just before I turned fifteen, shattering whatever ward was there. But I was never attacked there as long as I lived there." Harry moved his hands up and down as if on a measuring scale
Harry thought it better not to mention that Melania had imperiused a pair of muggles to torture and kill the Dursleys after she found out about his treatment at their hands.
"I had other priorities at the time, other things to learn. When I got an interest in wards Albus and I were on the outs, not long afterwards he was killed, so I was never able to ask again."
"I think you should bring the girl here, kicking and screaming if you have to. I don't like her staying with those muggles any longer. Albus can talk about his wards all he wants but this is Castle Black. I would like to see someone get in here that isn't wanted." Arcturus stated.
"I don't think it will help us anything by rushing into things. However I am concerned what sort of things those muggles are putting into her head. Declining to go to Hogwarts—And for what?—To continue her muggle education. Charles and Dorea would roll over in their graves, Eugenia and Fleamont as well. Their only living descendant being raised by muggles." Melania turned to Sirius. "I think it best that you and Orion go there as soon possible, preferably today. Then you can take a look at those wards and see the girl for yourself. More information will give us a clearer picture about the best course of action."
So it came to happen that Harry and Sirius found themselves in little whinging. Harry had transfigured Sirius's clothes in something suitable for a muggle but in this noisy neighbourhood they still attracted attention, no matter how well they fit in. Something about uniform houses and immaculate gardens gave him chills. He preferred a little organized chaos in his life, things needed to look as if they were used.
"Did you and Rose really grew up here? It's so…ordinary and similar."
Harry looked around. "The place may be the same but our lives were different. In my youth the favourite game of my cousin and his friends was Harry Hunting. Rose didn't go through the same ordeals at the Dursleys as I did.
At number 4 Privet Drive they saw movement in the house. They decided to meet Rose first and come back in the night for the wards. Everyone would be lurking from behind their curtains if two strangers stood too long on a sidewalk.
Harry rang the doorbell while Sirius stood a little back. It was Petunia who opened.
"Yes can I help you with something?"
Harry gave her his widest smile. "Is Rose home?"
Petunia looked a little unsure at his enthusiasm before recovering. "She went to the stores with a friend this morning. I actually expect her back soon. She still has her piano lesson this afternoon."
Sirius stepped up to the door, causing Petunia to step back. "That's no problem, we will just wait for my goddaughter inside." Sirius told her, before pushing in.
Harry slipped in after Sirius while Petunia looked too dazed at their audacity. Whatever script they may have had just flown out of the window, better to go full steam ahead then.
"You can't just walk in someone's home!" Petunia shrieked. "I want you out— Out, or I'll call the police."
"Shut up Petunia. I understand now why Lily hated talking with you. Your shrieking is giving me a headache."
"—You're—You're one of them."
"Don't you remember me Petunia? We've met before after all."
Harry meanwhile was studying his surroundings. There was something fascinating about seeing how he might have been treated if he had been born a girl. The pictures of two smiling children hadn't been there in his version, nor the pictures of a happy family of four.
He went ahead to the living room. The flowery décor with the frills was like he remembered. It also held the sterile quality that was so common in these parts. The only thing that gave an indication that someone actually lived here were again the pictures. Pictures on which a redhaired, green-eyed girl appeared numerous times. Vernon and Dudley were still fat, Petunia was still horse-faced and looked as if she was smelling something foul while trying to laugh. The big difference was the happily smiling little girl.
Rose looked well cared for. She wore well fitted clothes and she was slim, well-fed, not overfed, not like the two who played their role as human walruses very convincingly.
Sirius and Petunia entered the living room as well. Sirius looked irritated while Petunia looked a mix between scared and mad, though no sound was coming out of her mouth.
Harry quirked an eyebrow at Sirius who shrugged.
"She kept jabbering."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Some tea would be nice, thank you for offering," Harry directed at Petunia before plopping down in what used to be Vernon's seat. It felt good to be back here not having to be afraid of anything. Harry, like Sirius, had his own boogeymen from his youth, his were the Dursleys.
Petunia had sought refuge in her trusty role as a housewife and entered with tea and a plate of biscuits.
Harry took pity on her and whipped out his wand, voicing for once a 'finite'. Petunia nearly collapsed under her own weight when he pointed his wand at her.
"You can talk again," Harry told her.
"Eep." Her hands flew to her throat, surprised at the noise that escaped.
Harry busied himself with picking out a tea flavour, he was particular to fruity flavours. He also couldn't forget a biscuit—or two.
Petunia found some courage. "What are you doing here?" She directed it at Harry even though Sirius was the adult. He probably seemed the friendlier option.
"I was dying to meet my cousin. We're going to be at Hogwarts together come September and I've never even met her," Harry said in mock outrage. "And papa thought it high time that he should see his goddaughter again. The last time he saw her was on the thirty first of October 1981, you know."
"Rose is not going to Hogwarts. She sent a letter that she didn't want to go. She wants to go to the same school as her best friends, St Mary's academy for young ladies. It's very difficult to get in there but Rose and her two best friends managed it. They are very much looking forward to it."
"What makes you think there is even any room for discussion here," Sirius snapped. "Rose has been registered for Hogwarts since she was born. She will walk the same halls as her parents, and every Potter for the last thousand years. She will learn magic at the finest school in Britain. And she will become a fully educated witch."
The burgeoning fight was interrupted by the front door slamming closed and a shout of 'Mum, I'm home, Cynthia and her mother say hi!'.
Rose stopped in the doorway, unsure about the strangers and clearly feeling the tension in the room. "Mum, what's going on?"
Yeah, the difference in treatment between them became immediately obvious. Harry shuddered at the thought of ever calling Petunia 'mum'.
Rose moved to Petunia's side.
"This is your godfather, Sirius Black, and his son…"
"—How terribly rude of me. I completely forgot to introduce myself." Harry stood up and made a theatrical bow "I'm Orion Black, your cousin. At your service..." Not even a smile—tough crowd. "How about we all sit down. That talks a lot easier."
They obliged, though Rose and Petunia basically occupied the same spot on the couch. Sirius meanwhile looked like he had seen a ghost, a scary ghost that is.
"You look so much like your mother did." Sirius whispered, staring.
Rose blushed and dug into Petunia's side.
Petunia sniffed and straightened herself. "They are here to convince you to go to Hogwarts."
Rose blinked, looking at each in turn before a scowl set in. "—I don't want to go to a stupid magic school. I'm not some weirdo."
Silence reigned for a moment
"WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN TELLING MY GODDAUGHTER?!" Sirius thundered, having jumped to his feet.
Petunia and Rose shrunk back from the outburst.
"WEIRDOS! YOU'VE BEEN TELLING HER THAT JAMES AND LILY ARE WEIRDOS? WHAT ELSE HAVE YOU BEEN TELLING THAT GIRL."
"—DON'T TALK TO MY MOTHER LIKE THAT!" Rose's hair was moving in a non-existent wind.
"SHE ISN'T YOUR—" Sirius seemed to remember who he was talking to and he deflated immediately. "She isn't your mother…Lily is." He sounded anguished.
"Dad!" Harry interrupted. "Why don't we let them tell their side of things. I'm sure that Rose doesn't mean that her own parents are weirdos, nor she herself, or you and I."
Sirius nodded in acquiescence.
Rose blushed a little with all the attention focused on her, she straightened the skirt of her dress. "I've seen magic shows. It's all smoke and mirrors and fancy lights. They use misdirection to trick you into believing that they are doing something impossible. It's all quite ingenious but I have no interest in learning that."
Sirius looked flabbergasted, unsure if he should laugh or cry.
"Pet, we're home!"
"Vernon!" Petunia shouted shrilly. "In here!"
The trembling of the floor announced the entrance of two bipedal whales.
"What is the meaning of this?" Vernon demanded brusquely.
"Vernon they are wizards." Petunia answered.
The vein at Vernon's temple started throbbing. "—My family and I want nothing to do with you freaks!— Why can't you leave us normal folk alone!"
"Delighted to meet you as well," Harry said, blowing on his new cup of tea. "Dad perhaps a demonstration is in order. Rose seems to be under the false impression that magic is in any way comparable to muggle tricks. This discussion might be easier if everyone can accept that magic is real."
Sirius nodded and a moment later padfoot was in his place. All of the Dursleys recoiled and Petunia let out a shriek, although that might have been because there was now a large dog sitting on the furniture.
"Does everybody now believe in magic?" Harry asked, he received assenting nods. Sirius turned back. "Now Rose, haven't you ever done anything that you couldn't explain, strange things that happened when you were angry or feeling another particular strong emotion?"
"—No," Rose replied a little too fast, "I haven't." She shot a none too subtle glare at Dudley when he looked about to open his mouth.
"You're a terrible liar," Harry observed.
"—Am not!"
"Yes you are."
"—That's enough! Rose is going to Hogwarts end of discussion." Sirius cut in.
"You don't have a say about me. You're not my guardian, aunt Petunia and uncle Vernon—mum and dad, are. I don't have to do what you say."
"In fact I have every right. I'm your godfather. Your parents designated me your guardian. Do you think a pair of muggles can challenge that right? I decide where you go to school and I decide where you live, and at the moment I'm sorely tempted to whisk you away from here, regardless of your feelings on the matter."
Rose looked stricken. "—Dad, please. He can't do that. Can't we call the police or something? I don't want to be a stupid witch." She burst into tears, flinging herself around Petunia's neck.
Petunia glared at Sirius, who was at a loss.
Yeah this was really going well. Not the worst first meeting Harry had had but it was ranking there at the top. Ugh.
"What about the protection thingy. That Dumbledore guy wrote that Rose needs to stay here for it to work. Don't you care about her safety, her happiness?" Petunia said over Rose's head.
Sirius glared at Petunia. "I've cared about her since the day she was born, and will do so until the day I die."
Petunia glared right back. "—As—do—we!"
Harry clapped his hands. "—Splendid! You've found some common ground." Harry jumped to his feet. "How about you adults go on talking things over. I'm sure you will get on splendidly now— I would like a tour of the house—Rose, Dudley, care to show me around?"
Everyone was looking behind him as if there was something weird. Harry turned around but he couldn't see anything. Weird.
Harry was already out of the chair and into the hallway before people came into motion and footsteps could be heard behind him, a light-footed set and a stomping one, Rosy and Dudders—Perfect. Harry kept going up the stairs and onto the first floor landing.
"Adults can be idiots sometimes, just as much as kids," Harry said. "—Which is your room Rosy?" Harry opened the door to his former bedroom. Sterile. There was a bed, a nightstand, a chair, and a closet, it was also unused. Apparently this was now the guest room.
"It's this one." Rose muttered, opening the door to what was in his time the guest bedroom.
Harry looked around. It was very…girly and pink. Just about everything was in a shade of pastel pink. Harry chuckled.
"What?" Rose demanded.
Harry smiled. "Your room, It's all in rose."
He got two confused looks for his effort. Bunch of barbarians. "Rose means pink in French." Harry waved them off, explaining a joke took the fun out of it.
Harry grabbed the picture that stood on her nightstand. It was of Lily, she must have been around 15 years old at the time. "You really do look like her a lot." Harry searched for a picture of James. "Don't you have a picture of your father?"
Rose took the picture from his hand, caressing the person in the picture before setting it down. "Mum—Aunt Petunia, didn't have any pictures of him."
"Would you like to see him?"
Rose was looking at him warily but she gave a hesitant nod.
"Kreacher!"
Rose and Dudley jumped back with shouts of 'what is that' as Kreacher popped into existence. "Master Orion called for Kreacher."
"Yes, can you bring me the picture on the nightstand of Sirius's old room of him and his friends."
"Kreacher will do so, noble master."
It took only seconds for Kreacher to return. Harry thanked the house elf and dismissed him.
Harry poked Rose in the side. "You still in there?"
"What was that?"
Harry sighed, perhaps he should take a page out of Arcturus's playbook and curse everyone who annoyed him. "That was Kreacher, a house elf. They are a race of magical creatures. They serve magical families. Kreacher serves the Black family." Harry waved the silver framed picture in front of her nose. "The second one from the right is James, your father."
Rose took it and sat down on her bed, studying the picture. "—It's moving! How does it do—"
"—Magic."
"Oh…Yeah right…Who are the others? And where are they now?"
Harry sat down beside Rose. "From left to right is Remus Lupin; My dad, your godfather, you'll recognise him, his name is Sirius Black; Then comes your father, James Potter; And the final one is Peter Pettigrew. They were best friends all throughout their Hogwarts years and beyond. Their little group broke in 1981…I'll leave my dad to tell you their story. It's not mine to tell."
"Why did your dad never visit before if he supposedly cares so much about me?" Rose asked, her voice small.
Harry sighed, he needed to remember that he was dealing with an eleven year old girl. "Also not my story to tell. But the short of it is, he couldn't. Now he is trying to make amends for failing in the past—Want to share what sort of strange things have happened around you?"
"—No strange things have happened around me."
Harry glanced at Dudley. He had remained silent until now but was fidgeting, eager to speak up, especially after a little prompting from Harry. "—She can talk to snakes."
Rose glared something fierce at Dudders. Her hair was again moving in a non-existent breeze.
"Aha, there it is. Have been hiding that little talent of yours from everyone—Sneaky little witch." Harry laughed.
Rose scowled at him. "I'm not a witch."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Sure, everyone can talk to snakes, they have just been hiding it from you."
Rose ducked her head, a blush on her cheeks. Harry pulled one of her curly strands of hair and let it bounce back.
"I've seen your magic leaking out twice already today. Your hair moves of its own when you're feeling angry—Can you just accept that you are a witch? Just like your mother was and that you come from a long line of witches and wizards on your father's side. And not the muggle crap you seemed to have had in your head—Did your aunt and uncle put that in your head?" Harry looked at her sternly, children could be stubborn little shits.
Rose's blush intensified. "We never really talked about it, they don't like to. Mum told me that my mother went to a school to learn magic and that she met my father there. She never really said what that magic meant, I just assumed from seeing muggle—that's the word for normal people right?—shows and those weirdos you see sometimes on the telly who play dress up and go around dancing in the woods and such."
Harry nodded not blaming Rose, instead still blaming the Dursleys for not making things clearer. "There still lingers a vague memory of a different time amongst muggles, from before our worlds were separated, of things that once were. They can't do magic but the old rituals haven't been completely forgotten."
"Why do I need to go to Hogwarts if I don't want to? I'm already enrolled in a school for September with my friends."
"Because you're being stubborn and weird for not wanting to go, and it's is probably fear of the unknown talking."
Rose didn't look satisfied.
"Fine," Harry said. "By wizarding law, which trumps muggle law by the way, every witch or wizard needs to have a magical education. If you refuse, your magic will be bound so that you won't accidentally reveal the magical world to muggles. The problem with binding one's magic is that it has no release anymore and at some point will most likely blow you up—KABOOM!"
"That is…bad"
"That is the magical world. You're free to make your own decisions but you will be forced to deal with the consequences. Sometimes you don't know the consequences or they just forget to tell you about them."
Harry got up and started inspecting the room closer. He was looking at some pictures along the edge of the mirror of Rose's dressing table. The same group of girls appeared numerous times; there was also Rose and Petunia busy in the kitchen; Dudley and Rose dressed up for Halloween; Rose behind a piano; A young sleeping Rose being carried by Vernon. Where he had been despised and reluctantly let into their home, Rose was welcomed and taken in as a full member of the family.
Was it really only the difference of their gender that mattered?
Some of those ancient feelings of not being good enough came to the surface. He knew the blame lay squarely with the Dursleys, even so, seeing the world flipped brought some of it back.
"So do you understand the importance of attending Hogwarts?"
Rose nodded although she didn't look happy. "But why can't I keep living here?"
"Your living arrangements remain to be decided due to the protections around this house. And even though dad didn't really show it downstairs his words were the truth. He would gladly pass every trial and suffer every imaginable kind of pain to see you happy. That means, even though it would pain him more than you can imagine, letting you live here as your primary address if necessary. There is however also more for you to learn about the wizarding world than you will be taught at school."
"Like what?"
"Like family history, your duties, and politics for example." Harry did some mental calculations. "Your birthday is in eight days. Plenty of time for you to pack, say goodbye to your friends and family and celebrate your birthday with them. Then we come pick you up on the first of august to live with us until September rolls around and we'll be going to Hogwarts. That way you can get to know us and the rest of the family and you can get used to the wizarding world."
Harry took Rose's silence as acceptance and made his way out of the door, allowing the two kids to follow behind him.
The living room was a haven of silence. The cause of it quickly became clear, Sirius had petrified Vernon and Petunia. Harry raised his eyebrows in question.
Sirius shrugged unapologetically. "They didn't want to listen and they annoyed me."
"Please undo it—"
Sirius waved his wand. The Dursleys slumped down a little but remained still and silent. Fear was a good thing sometimes
"—Rose has agreed to come to Hogwarts. We're picking her up on August first so she can spend the remainder of the holidays with us.
Sirius nodded and got up. He stopped in front of Rose for an awkward 'goodbye' and 'see you soon'.
Harry too said goodbye to Rose. He however embraced her instead, which was returned after a few seconds, and enveloped her with his magic, causing her to flush. "Everything will be alright…See you soon little cuz." He gave kisses on both cheeks, causing Rose to flush further, before turning around and exiting the house.
It could've gone worse.