Chapter six:
Year of the Wolf
Victoria was standing at the platform of 9 3/4, waiting for the Hogwarts Express to arrive to pick up Harry. She was slightly nervous on meeting her older sister especially hearing how her family were terrible people. This could absolutely be verified proof of an environment her nephew shouldn't be growing up in. Standing there, she noticed parents waiting for their children as well, including Arthur and Molly Weasley. Some were just staring at her due to her classy way of dressing but all Victoria did was flash a warm smile their way. Once the train arrived, the students began fleeing the train with their trunks and pets. Once noticing the trio get off along with the twins and Ginny, Victoria met Harry halfway in the platform while Molly Weasley looked over curiously at Harry next to Victoria. "Who's this, Harry dear?" Molly asked curiously towards Victoria. Arthur and the twins looked over as Molly went over for an introduction. "Know her?" Arthur asked the smirking twins. "Yes." both twins said together. "She's our new History of Magic professor..." Fred replied. "And apparently Harry's long lost aunt." George added. Arthur rose his eyebrows. "Is she really?" Arthur asked rhetorically.
Harry turned his focus onto Molly when she approached. "Mrs. Weasley, um, this is my aunt Tori." Harry began explaining before Victoria held her hand out to Molly with a smile. "I'm Victoria Hawthrone, you can call me Victoria or Tori. I'm the new History of Magic teacher and Harry's mother Lily's fraternal twin sister. Separated at birth and raised in America. I wanted to find more about my late sister after finding out about everything from my adoptive parents." Victoria explained. Molly was taken back a bit at what she just heard but politely went to shake her hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Tori." Molly replied. As they dropped their hands, Molly turned to Harry. "So where are you both off to?" Molly asked. Victoria noticed that Molly had been quite the mother figure for not only all of her children but Harry as well. She felt a bit out of place standing there. "We're going home, well the Dursleys. She wants to meet Aunt Petunia." Harry explained. Molly had wished them luck and went back over to her family while Harry went off with his things and Victoria towards number 4, Privet Drive, Little Whinging in Surrey.
As Victoria was an adult witch, she had apparated both herself and Harry to Little Whinging, walking to his neighborhood. "Harry, i will be finding a house around the London area this summer and if anything happens or gets too much for you with my older sister's family, you are always welcomed to stop by. Like a safe house." Victoria offered. Harry took that into consideration. "That would be brilliant, Aunt Tori." Harry replied with a smile before they came to a stop in front of number 4, Privet Drive. "Here we are." Harry pointed out. Victoria nodded before stepping forward as her heels clicked against the pavement up their driveway where the car was parked, along with Harry's trolley wheels rolling closely by. Victoria knocked on the door firmly then stepped back as they waited for the door to open. Of course, the Dursleys figured it was either a salesman or Harry returning from Hogwarts for the summer but when Petunia opened the door, it was a shock to her seeing an image of her late sister practically hit her in the face.
Victoria and Harry saw the shocked look on Petunia's face as if she had seen a ghost - the ghost of her sister. "Petunia?" Victoria asked. It only took a moment before Petunia fainted at the doorway, causing Harry to widen his eyes in surprise and Victoria to cover her mouth. Hearing a thump on the floor, Vernon and Dudley came over to spot Petunia on the floor. "What did you do now, boy!" Vernon accused as he attempted to pick up his wife. "And who are you?" Vernon added in a disdained tone towards Victoria. "I didn't do anything, Uncle Vernon." Harry refuted. Vernon brought Petunia into the living room and laid her on the sofa. "Don't lie to me, boy. I know you were always planning something!" Vernon accused further. "I rather you keep your tone and accusations away in my presence, Mr. Dursley!" Victoria demanded before she went to speak again as her eyes shifted to Petunia waking up. "And for your information, I'm Harry's aunt. Victoria Hawthrone. I'm a long lost twin of Harry's mother...which might've came as a shock to Petunia at first sight. I also teach at Hogwarts." Victoria explained.
Petunia had sat up on the sofa, still in shock of what she was witnessing. "My perfect sister didn't have a twin. Not to my knowledge anyway." Petunia spewed. Harry remained by the entrance of the living room while Victoria stood across from the sofa, in the middle of the room. "Of course you wouldn't know. They separated myself and Lily at birth. Our mother only held me for less than five minutes before deciding to have her friend, Caroline, adopt me. Pity our mother couldn't afford three children." Victoria explained fiercely. Petunia seemed to have taken Victoria's words as an insult as she let out a gasp before standing up to face Victoria. "I only knew Lily was my only sister. i didn't know she had a twin...my mother never told me that she had another freak in the family." Petunia stated in disdain. Victoria had realized how vile her older sister and her husband were, how could her nephew be raised with these people. "I don't know what my sister or the rest of my family did to make you so hateful, Petunia, but i feel sorry for you." Victoria pointed out firmly. Outside, Victoria was stern and stood her ground but inside, she was hurt and offended by her older sister.
Victoria walked out of the living room, glancing at Dudley for a moment before stopping by the front door. "Feel sorry? For what? For being the only normal one in the family? I think not." Petunia spat as she followed Victoria to the front door but kept her distance. Victoria turned to face her. "I thought meeting you would go better than this but i was wrong...I don't know what your problem is, but I'm guessing it's hard to pronounce." Victoria spewed back, causing Petunia to widen her eyes, Dudley just watched in astonishment and Vernon grimaced. "I will be back to pay visits to my nephew, Harry." Victoria stated before looking to Harry. "I'll see you soon, Harry." Victoria informed her nephew as they exchanged smiles before Victoria exited the house. "She will not be coming back." Petunia stated before side glancing at Harry with her arms crossed. Victoria will be paying Harry another visit, once she found herself a house to stay during the summer. Victoria had visited several open houses during the first two weeks of summer in London, Surrey and one in Forest Row before she came across a four bedroom, two bath brick house with a red door and small gate in front in Wallington, which was forty minutes from Surrey in Onslow Gardens. Victoria assumed she could repaint the door white and do some trimming of the bushes near the gate and pathway.
After getting her new house, she had furniture inside which included a black leather sofa and two white recliners inside her monroe bisque beige living room that held white panels and grey curtains along the large windows. She had different colored themes for the bedrooms as hers had white walls with dark grey curtains, a dark grey ceiling, elegant dark purple bedding with a dark purple headboard, white and dark purple pillows, a dark grey faux fur throw at the end of the bed and an elegant ceiling light fixture. A silver vanity next to her cherrywood dresser was opposite from her bed with an oval mirror and a Victorian style frame as the floor had a purple and grey rug over a eggshell carpeting. The room down the hall was a room Victoria had in mind for whenever Harry would want to visit as a safe house or if she became his guardian. The room for Harry had dark red walls, with Victorian gold framed mirrors one on each side of the bed, dark wood night stand with gold trim with a dresser across the room that matched, black lamp shaded lamps that gave light, gold shaded curtains with a gold and cherry red bedding that blended well with the egg shell carpet. There was also a chair with a matching foot stool near the window. The other two rooms were neutral colors such as beige and charcoal with same elegant themes. The kitchen matched the colors of the living room with the monroe bisque beige and grey marble counters with a silver fridge. Victoria was used to having elegant taste due to growing up with wealthy adoptive parents, even having money of her own from teaching.
Once she had everything in order, a week passed by and Victoria went to visit her nephew once again. Noticing the family car had been gone from the driveway, she was hoping that Harry had been home. As she walked up the pathway, she reached the front door and knocked three times. After waiting a moment, the door opened to none other than Dudley Dursley. "Mum told you NOT to come back!" Dudley stated rudely before he went to shut the door. Victoria took out her wand, careful to avoid any muggle from seeing and pointed it at the door. "Immobulus." Victoria whispered, causing the door to freeze half open before putting her wand back, keeping it on the down low. Dudley widened his eyes at the frozen door as he was unable to move it before standing back. Harry walked in and witnessed the scene before Victoria slid inside through the half opened door to greet Harry. Harry figured she had something to do with the door. "I knew it." Harry pointed out regarding his aunt and the door before walking up and giving her a hug. As Harry pulled back, he took a step back and smiled at his aunt. "I wanted to let you know, i know have a house not far away, in Wallington. Here's the address." Victoria handed him the paper with it on there. Harry looked at the paper. "Thank you, Aunt Tori." Harry stated. Victoria nodded before excusing herself. "Visit whenever you like, you're always welcomed Harry." Victoria explained before exiting the house, as she exited the door unfroze and closed entirely. Harry immediately went to his room and jotted it down in case any of the Dursleys would rip the paper.
Weeks went by and it was the end of August. Harry had just lost his temper due to Vernon's sister making rude remarks about his parents and had gotten his luggage to leave, having let Hedwig go to meet him at Victoria's place. Harry had caught the knight bus and they dropped him off a block away from Victoria's new residence. As the evening set, Victoria had began making dinner in her new kitchen with the help of magic of course when there was an owl at her front windows. Walking over, Victoria opened the window to see the snowy white Hedwig fly onto her arm before there was a knock on the door. Opening the front door, she spotted Harry with his luggage and trunk. "Is everything alright, Harry?" Victoria asked as Hedwig flew over onto Harry's arm, Victoria stepped aside to let him in the house before shutting the front door. "I just utterly had it with them. My aunt on uncle Vernon's side insulted my parents, so i..." Harry explained before trailing off, looking at Victoria. Victoria rose an eyebrow curiously. "You what?" Victoria asked curiously. Harry sighed. "I blew up her up like a balloon before i left." Harry explained. Victoria was surprised that Harry did such a thing but she was more so worried about the ministry finding out than what Harry actually did. "Hopefully the ministry will excuse it. After all, the Dursleys know of magic already." Victoria stated. Harry nodded, understanding.
"Anyway, you are more than welcome to stay here. I was just making dinner, would you like to join me?" Victoria offered. Harry smiled. "Sure. I'd love to." Harry responded. Victoria smiled as she checked on the lasagna and garlic bread she was baking in the oven before with a flick of her wand, she had the salad make itself in a large bowl. "I'll show you to your room, i personally designed it for in case you do visit." Victoria stated as she motioned towards the stairs. She spotted Harry's trunk that he was dragging and pointed her wand at it, casting Wingardium Leviosa silently as they both watch it float to the top of the stairs to meet them. "Thanks for that." Harry thanked politely. Victoria smiled before heading up the stairs with Harry following. They passed by Victoria's bedroom, Harry catching a glimpse of the purple bedding and glamored up room before they came to a halt in front of his. Victoria turned on the light to show the red and gold room, colors matching those of Gryffindor. Harry's eyes widened at the detail and looked back at his aunt. "This is my bedroom?" Harry asked in astonishment. Victoria nodded. Harry went inside with his trunk and Hedwig flew over and landed on the top of the empty dresser. "Get settled for the night and I'll go finish dinner." Victoria explained before she excused herself and went back downstairs to the kitchen. Harry looked around his room in amazement before he sat on his new bed and placed the photo of his parents on the nightstand near his bed.
Victoria had gotten the lasagna and garlic bread out and took the premade bowl of caesar salad to the dining table with two bowls out. Then taking a slice of the lasagna, she placed one slice on each plate with a thick slice of garlic bread and set the plates onto the table. Before she could call Harry down, Harry had already made his way downstairs. "What would you like to drink, Harry? I have iced tea, water, milk, juice, soda, butter beer?" Victoria asked. Harry wasn't used to this compared to being at the Dursleys but he liked it. "You have butter beer?" Harry asked with a quirked brow. "Of course. I buy a pitcher or two once a week from the Leaky Cauldron." Victoria explained. Harry took a seat at the table. "I like that. Butter beer please." Harry replied. Victoria smiled warmly at her nephew before serving the drinks and sat at the table. It wasn't hard to tell that Harry much preferred his newly found aunt to be his guardian, aside from at school, she was actually fun. "So, Aunt Tori, do you know much about a man named Sirius Black?" Harry asked. Victoria paused for a moment as she thought but nothing came to mind. "Not really. Just what I've read in the Daily Prophet, about him being a murderer and conspiring with you-know-who." Victoria explained. Harry nodded as he ate. "You know, Harry...the same night your mother died, i felt a void inside me...it was early evening when i felt so empty suddenly after returning home from university. I didn't know why i felt that void but now i do. I suppose it's what a twin feels losing their twin sibling." Victoria explained.
Harry took that in deeply as he was left speechless. "Sorry, Harry." Victoria stated in the mere silence. "No, no i get it. We can sort of relate." Harry corrected. After dinner that evening, they both turned into their bedrooms for the rest of the night before the morning came. Overnight, Harry realized he still needed his permission form signed and figured perhaps Victoria could being a relative. Once Harry woke up, he got dressed and went downstairs to spot Victoria already up and sitting at the kitchen table, having a cup of coffee reading the muggle newspaper in her Boho black Midi dress with pink floral print that went to her calves. "Good morning, Aunt Tori." Harry greeted. Victoria glanced up from the newspaper on the table and looked up at Harry. "Morning, Harry. Up to getting your new textbooks for year three today?" Victoria asked curiously with a warm smile. Harry smiled back at his aunt. "Oh yeah, of course." Harry replied, approaching the table with his form in his hand. "I was wondering, if you could sign this form for the trip to Hogsmeade that's coming up this year. Even though we went there with you once already but i wanted to go again with my class." Harry explained. Victoria heard of the trip he was referring to and looking at the form he placed onto the table, Victoria sighed. "It says a parent or guardian, Harry. I'm only a relative..." Victoria pointed out in disappointment. Harry sighed. "Well, i was kind of hoping you would become my new guardian. Since we are related and everything." Harry brought up. Victoria set her coffee mug down and folded her hands, leaning forward as she looked to her nephew. "Is that really what you want, Harry?" Victoria asked reassuringly. "Yes." Harry answered quickly. Victoria smiled. "Even if I'm also your professor? Making sure you get to your work done?" Victoria asked cheekily. Harry laughed softly. "Yes, Aunt Tori." Harry replied with a smile.
Victoria leaned back. "I can make it happen. I'll take it to the ministry this afternoon if you'd like to stop by with me and hope to have a hearing by spring break." Victoria explained before signing his form, Victoria Ivy Hawthrone. Harry was thrilled hearing that and once he took his form, they went off to Diagon alley to gather his new textbooks, causing a new professor by the name of Remus Lupin by surprise while he was out getting prepared for teaching the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, thinking he saw Lily back from the grave. Arriving at the ministry, Victoria walked up to the front where it indicated the Wizengamot was on the tenth floor, then walked into the elevator with Harry, being lifted to the floor. Upon arriving, Victoria walked to the information desk and spoke with the witch. "I want to put in a request hearing for guardianship of my nephew." Victoria requested. The witch went to add the request to the book. "Whom is your nephew?" the witch asked. Harry approached the desk. "Harry Potter." Harry addressed. The witch looked up curiously. "Relation?" the witch asked. "I'm her nephew, she's my aunt on my mother's side. Lily Potter." Harry explained. The witch looked back at Victoria. "I need to see both your wands please?" the witch asked. They both handed their wands to the witch in order for her to scan them for identification and handed them back to them. "I see the current guardians of Mr. Potter are muggles?" the witch asked. "Yes." Harry replied.
The witch closed the book. "And your aunt is of magical blood i see...muggleborn but still magical blood. I suspect the ruling may be in your favor. It shall take place 29th of December." the witch explained. Victoria and Harry then left the ministry and headed back to her house for the rest of the day before noticing the mail on the front porch, one addressed to Harry. Harry opened the letter, reading it from Hermione:
' Dear Harry,
Ron, rest of his family and i are at the Leaky Cauldron, wondering if you wanted to join us before we go to the train in the morning?
~ Hermione '
"My friends are at the Leaky Cauldron." Harry told Victoria. Victoria sat her purse down as Harry sat his new textbooks on the table. "Go on if you like. I'll see you at school tomorrow." Victoria stated. Harry smiled before hugging his aunt quickly and went to gather his trunk, Hedwig and grabbed his textbooks before Victoria apparated them both to Charing cross road. "Have it from here?" Victoria asked reassuringly. Harry nodded. "Yes. Thanks Aunt Tori, loads." Harry stated before walking into the Leaky Cauldron from the alley. Once Harry entered the Leaky Cauldron, Victoria then apparated back to Wallington, to prepare herself for the new school year and left that evening to Hogwarts.
As the new year began, Harry boarded the Hogwarts Express with Ron and Hermione while Victoria had already made it to Hogwarts after apparating to Hogsmeade and walking on foot. Once inside her classroom once again as the History of Magic professor, she began setting things up and going over her curriculum. She was glad that she didn't have to deal with Lockhart anymore, though now he was at St. Mungos because he lost his mind. She often wondered who would be the new professor for Defense Against the Dark Arts but she supposed she would learn this tonight. Victoria strolled the hallway in her black, long sleeved, square neck fitted Maxi dress that went down to her mid calf and back heels as her ginger hair flowed over her shoulder. Upon reaching the doors of the great hall, Victoria noticed Snape was doing the same, locking her eyes with his before smiling softly and entering the great hall. Victoria made her way up to the podium and gathered her lunch to have back at her office, then exiting the great hall, watching Snape do the same as well - both being loners when the school was empty. "Have a good afternoon, Severus." Victoria greeted. Snape glanced at Victoria and gave a polite nod, his expression showed a slight satisfaction in her attention towards him.
The evening came and the students began flooding into the school, bringing their belongings into their houses while the first year students got ready in a group to be sorted. There had been word about a dementor being on board the Hogwarts Express which worried Victoria about Harry.Victoria along with the other professors had taken their seats behind the podium at the table, waiting for the students to be seated. Of course, Harry had told Ron and Hermione about asking Victoria to be his guardian and had stayed at her house for one day which they seemed interested in, mostly Ron and his twin brothers that overheard. After spotting her nephew, Victoria seemed slightly relieved that he was fine from the train. Remus Lupin had been the last professor to join the professors at the table and along the way towards his seat, he had noticed Victoria sitting next to Sinistra who he truly thought was Lily Evans Potter, whom he knew since his own years at Hogwarts. Lupin had to take a second glance at her which he found himself still baffled as he reached his seat next to professor Snape at the podium. The first years began getting sorted with the help of McGonagall while everyone watched. Snape was a little tense having Lupin now at the school once again as he was among the group of Gryffindors led by James Potter that bullied him and also, Victoria had been here seeking information about her late sister. Snape didn't want to risk losing her too if he ever opened himself up again but he did have the knowledge of Lupin being a werewolf, having that as a way of blackmail if need be.
The students had finally been sorted and McGonagall had taken her seat back beside Dumbledore before Dumbledore took the podium to speak. "Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say, before we become befuddled by our excellent feast. I myself am particularly looking forward to the flaming kiwi cups, which, while somewhat treacherous for those of us with facial hair..." Dumbledore trailed off before McGonagall cleared her throat to correct Dumbledore from going off pace. "Yes. First, I'm pleased to welcome Professor R.J. Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Good luck to you, Professor." Dumbledore pointed towards Lupin whom held his hand up to make his presence known. The students all clapped and Victoria clapped gently as well. "As some of you may know, Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher for many years, has decided to retire in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs. Fortunately, I'm delighted to announce that his place will be filled by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid!" Dumbledore announced. Everyone clapped for Hagrid. Victoria watched the students clap and couldn't help but look over to spot the new professor, Lupin, looking perplexed as he kept his stare on her. Victoria only figured that he was yet another person to have known her late twin sister. "Finally, on a more disquieting note, Hogwarts - at the request of the Ministry of Magic - will until further notice, play host to the Dementors of Azkaban. The Dementors will be stationed at the entrances to the grounds. While they are under strict orders not to enter the castle itself, you will on occasion see them as you go about your daily activities. Under no circumstances are you to approach them. It is not in the nature of a Dementor to be forgiving." Dumbledore stated, ending his speech.
The speech had left the great hall in a slight gloomy mood as students were left to finish their dinner feast. Lupin had ended up taking his perplexed stare from Victoria as he went to dig into his own dish of food. "Who's that professor over there, the ginger haired one, Severus?" Lupin asked curiously. Snape quirked a brow at his attempt to break the ice between them. "Victoria Hawthrone. This...matters...why?" Snape asked curiously. Lupin knew that Snape still held distrust and a grudge from their school years but he was to make the best of it while teaching at the school. "She looks exactly like Lily." Lupin confessed. Snape was unamused as he already knew that fact and was attempting to get to know her within his timing, not wanting someone like Lupin to ruin this with his wrong choices he made in the past. "I've figured it out last year, obviously." Snape replied before glancing over at Victoria then looked away when she noticed. This was going to be quite an interesting year at Hogwarts.