Tough Love
Chapter One: The Phone Call
A/N: o.o;; I can't really think of anything to write in this author's note. Ta-ta!..wait! I chose to make Arabella Figg a witch in this story….o.o I think her name is Arabella….o.u sorry if it's not.
Disclaimer: If you recognize it, it's not mine.
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As soon as Harry got home from Kings Cross, he walked upstairs to find his cousin, Dudley, throwing a fit over something called a PlayStation 2.
"I WANT A PLAYSTATION 2!!!! I DON'T CARE HOW MUCH IT COSTS!!!! I WANT IT NOW, BEFORE MY BIRTHDAY! I DON'T CARE! GET IT NOW!" Dudley screamed, going red in the face.
"Duddykins, Mummy can't afford a PlayStation 2 right no-- Oh, for God's sake, do something with your hair!" Aunt Petunia spotted Harry as he came up the stairs.
"And why, might I ask, do I have to do something with my hair?" Harry questioned, sighing.
"Arabella Figg is coming over. Said she wants to see you, she did."Aunt Petunia dropped her voice, to where she thought only Dudley could hear. "Why anyone would want to see you, I have no clue."
"I heard that. I'm not deaf, you know." Harry drug his trunk the rest of the way upstairs, then dragging it into hhis room, placing it at the end of his bed. I heard that Mrs. Figg is a witch...he thought, smirking. His aunt, uncle, and cousin had never found this out. They always had wondered why Mrs. Figg was so eager to take care of Harry, but they had no clue that Mrs. Figg was a witch. He set off to the front hall, going down the stairs two at a time and going to wait at the front door for Mrs. Figg. Almost a minute later, the doorbell rang. "I'll get it, Uncle Vernon!" Harry shouted, opening the front door. "Hello, Mrs. Figg. How are you?"
"Hello, Harry. I'm great, thanks for asking. I heard about the Triwizard Tournament. It was a shame about Mr. Crouch. Killed! By his own son! I reckon that Barty Junior wasn't too happy with his father....seemed to say that his father had him under the Imperius Curse....but He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named put it on Mr. Crouch, after his son fought it." Mrs. Figg said, sighing deeply.
Harry's eyes widened in alarm. How did you find out? I though Hermione had that awful Skeeter woman promise not to use her horrid qui--"
"Oh, no, Harry. Headmaster Dumbledore is one of my old friends from--Oh, hello Vernon. How are you today?" Mrs. Figg said. Harry thought her greeting to Uncle Vernon was a bit cold from his angle.
"Hello, Arabella. I'm fine, thank you for asking. You're doing well, I suppose?" Uncle Vernon said.
"Yes, I'm doing fine. Where is Petunia and Dudley?" Mrs. Figg asked.
"They're upstairs." Harry said. By now they were having seats in the living room.
The telephone rang. "I'll answer it." Harry said, standing abruptly and answering it. "Hello, Dursley residence."
"Harry! It's me, Hermione. Don't let on that it's me, you get it? And, how are you doing?" Hermione said from the other side of the phone line.
"Alright. I'm fine, you? Thanks for asking." Harry told her.
"Same, listen. Could you come over next week? I already phoned Ron, he acted like we were talking to each other from one end of a football(A/N: As in soccer.) field to each other. I told him how to talk on a telephone. But he said that he could. So, could you?" Hermione said.
"Hang on, I'll ask." He put his hand over the reciever, and turning to Uncle Vernon, he said, "Could I go over to a friend's house next week? I haven't seen them in about four years. So, could I?"
"N--"he caught a reproaching glance from Aunt Petunia, who was walking down the stairs."How long would you be there?"
"Hang on." He uncovered the reciever and asked. "How long will I be there?"
"About a week or so, I guess. Yes, a week." she replied.
"A week."Harry told Uncle Vernon.
"Alright, then."
"He says I can come. This is great, I'll see you then. I've got to go." Harry said.
"Alright. See you then!"
"Bye." They both said at the same time. They rang off feeling a considerable amount happier.
"Hello, Arabella, when did you arrive?" Aunt Petunia said, sitting down in a chair. She took up barely half of it.
"A few minutes ago. Hello, Dudley. How are you?" Mrs. Figg said.
Dudley reached the landing and muttered a "Fine." and headed off to get himself a grapefruit.
The rest of the visit went by fast, and they were soon saying their 'good-byes' to Mrs. Figg. They then headed to the kitchen for a dinner of celery stalks, cottage cheese, grapes, and oranges. Harry went up to his room, closing the door and opening his trunk, taking out his History of Magic book, his writing materials, and his Defense Against the Dark Arts book, in case he needed it. He started on the essay Professor Binns, the History of Magic teacher, gave him. The essay, which was on, as Professor Binns put it, 'Explain the fall of the Dark Wizard Grindelwald. I want 3 pieces of parchment full when we return back to school in September!' Harry started on the essay, flipping through both of the books he got out. He was finished with all 3 pieces of parchment at 10:52 that night. He couldn't believe that just yesterday, at this time, that he was sleeping in his dormitory bed, the bed in between Ron's and Neville's. He put his essay, writing materials, and both books back in his trunk, closing it. Hedwig and Pig, short for Pigwidegeon, chose that moment to fly in, startling Harry.
"Oh! 'Lo, Hedwig, Pig." Harry said, seeing a letter tied to Pig's leg. He untied it, giving Hedwig and Pig an owl treat and opening the letter. It was from
Dear Harry,
How're the Muggles treating you on your first day home? Hope they're
treating you well. Did Hermione give you a call? She called me earlier asking
me if I could come over next week. Hope you can. Fred and George have been
acting weird since they got home today. If you ask me, I think they got hold of a
couple of bad Chocolate Frogs. They've been keeping to themselves, huddled
together in the kitchen or up in their room. Mum thinks they might be making more
order forms for Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Percy, on the other hand, was horrified
at the news of Mr. Crouch's death. 'Mr. Crouch? Dead?! I don't believe you! Stop
pulling my leg, Dad. I mean it!' He stormed up to his room after that. He didn't
want to believe Dad, but I think he did. And Ginny's been asking to borrow Pig,
but I told her that I was going to send you a letter, see. And she stormed off,
muttering something about 'Always friends before family, is it, Ron....hmph.' Well,
write me back when you get this. Bye then!
Try to get to Hermione's,
Ron
Harry smiled as he finished reading, and petted Hedwig as she had her wings outstretched like she wanted a rubbing. Harry placed her in her cage, and she dipped her beak in the water tray and hooted sleepily before going to sleep. Pig was looking twice as tired, as he had flapped so long and hard to get here. Harry put Pig in the cage, gave Hedwig a reproaching glance as she glared at Pig, and closed them up. "You two don't fight, now, you hear? Or you won't get any more owl treats." At this, Hedwig's eyes grew large before tucking her head under her wing. Pig followed suit and you could soon hear small little snores from the both of them. He took a piece of parchment and his quill and ink back out, and focused on writing Ron back.
Dear Ron,
The Muggles are okay. But they're still nagging me about my hair.
As if I could do something about it, anyway. Hermione did call me earlier,
and I can go too. It's good that I answered, because Uncle Vernon would've
hung up on her the moment she asked if I was there. Well, I told him that she
was one of my friends from the Muggle school I used to go to. I wish I didn't
have to put up with them. Fred and George are always weird, what are you
getting at? Oh well, I hope Mr. Crouch called Percy something other than
'Weatherby' before he keeled over. I bet Percy's crushed. Listen, I have something
to tell you and Hermione when we get over to her house. And Ginny? She's
probably writing to Neville or Colin, or someone else. See you!
Bye,
Harry
Harry read the letter over, then, smiling, folded the letter and placed it in an envelope. "Tomorrow morning, Pig." Harry said as Pig lifted his head out of his wing and peeped at Harry with one eye. He closed it and dozed off again.
The next morning, Harry sent Pig back off to Ron with the letter tied to his leg. He was pleased to leave, because Hedwig had been fairly rude to him all morning. And, he didn't like the Dursleys, especially Aunt Petunia knocking that morning at 8:00 sharp waking all three of them up. He slipped downstairs to a breakfast of banana and grapefruit slices. He ate this quickly, eager to write his godfather, Sirius Black. He rushed back upstairs, taking his writing materials out once again and started writing.
Dear Sirius,
How is it at Professor Lupin's house? Yes, I know he's not a professor
anymore, but that's all I've ever called him. I hope you're having loads of fun.
The Muggles are treating me as well as a Muggle family like the Dursleys should.
And no, my scar hasn't hurt since the night of the Third Task. Promise. Next week
Hermione invited me and Ron over to stay for the week. Safe, as both of her parents
are dentists. Have you heard from Professor Dumbledore? And why did Professor
Snape follow you out of the hospital wing that night? Oh, well. My cousin Dudley
looks awkward, but funny, going down the stairs, as he's big as a baby whale,
maybe larger. Say Hello to Professor Lupin for me!
Harry
He put his quill and ink well back in his trunk, sealing this letter in another envelope. Hedwig looked up at him from in her cage, and hooted softly. "Oh, alright Hedwig." He opened the cage door, where Hedwig got out and hopped to him on the bed. He tied the letter to Hedwig's outstretched leg, opening the window. "Sirius is at Professor Lupin's house, Hedwig." He said as she looked at him. She hooted once more and went out the window. He left it open, but closed the screen. Then, to occupy the time, he took out his money bag and a couple of Chocolate Frogs, opening one, and looked at the card.
"Dumbledore again." He dropped the card into his trunk, and poured his money bag out. He put the Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts into separate piles, and counted the Galleons. Hmmm....10 Galleons....5 Sickles....10 Knuts...I reckon I'll need to visit Gringotts before I got get more supplies for Hogwarts....
Harry thought. He put all of the money back in his bag, replacing it back at the bottom of the trunk. He unwrapped the remaining Chocolate Frog, to find Morgana staring at him, blinking. She walked out of the picture, her nose stuck in the air. He popped the frog in her mouth, laying back on the bed.
It was two days later when Harry recieved Sirius's reply.
Dear Harry,
It's fine here at Remus's house. We're fine, but we both miss you,Hermione,
and Ron. Alright, it's good to hear that the Muggles are treating you well. And it's
good about your scar, too. I'm glad you three are getting together next week. Yes,
but TAKE YOUR WAND. Tell Ron to take his wand too. Don't ask questions, just
take your wand. I have heard from Professor Dumbledore. And I can't tell you
why Snape followed me out the other night. I imagine that Dudley would look quite
funny going down the stairs, if he's that large. Remus sends his greetings.
Sirius
Harry smiled, and, since it as late, went to sleep with a smile on his face.
~*`'End Chapter One'`*~
A/N: So, how did you like the first out of many chapters? Yes, I know, too many letters and too much conversation, but that's how I am. I like writing coversation and letters, so get over it. Well, if you want me to continue, tell me what you'd like to come in upcoming chapters, except for chapters 2 and 3, because I've already got those written. All I need to do now is type them….but the only way I'll do it is if I get 10 or more reviews on this…..
Chapter One: The Phone Call
A/N: o.o;; I can't really think of anything to write in this author's note. Ta-ta!..wait! I chose to make Arabella Figg a witch in this story….o.o I think her name is Arabella….o.u sorry if it's not.
Disclaimer: If you recognize it, it's not mine.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As soon as Harry got home from Kings Cross, he walked upstairs to find his cousin, Dudley, throwing a fit over something called a PlayStation 2.
"I WANT A PLAYSTATION 2!!!! I DON'T CARE HOW MUCH IT COSTS!!!! I WANT IT NOW, BEFORE MY BIRTHDAY! I DON'T CARE! GET IT NOW!" Dudley screamed, going red in the face.
"Duddykins, Mummy can't afford a PlayStation 2 right no-- Oh, for God's sake, do something with your hair!" Aunt Petunia spotted Harry as he came up the stairs.
"And why, might I ask, do I have to do something with my hair?" Harry questioned, sighing.
"Arabella Figg is coming over. Said she wants to see you, she did."Aunt Petunia dropped her voice, to where she thought only Dudley could hear. "Why anyone would want to see you, I have no clue."
"I heard that. I'm not deaf, you know." Harry drug his trunk the rest of the way upstairs, then dragging it into hhis room, placing it at the end of his bed. I heard that Mrs. Figg is a witch...he thought, smirking. His aunt, uncle, and cousin had never found this out. They always had wondered why Mrs. Figg was so eager to take care of Harry, but they had no clue that Mrs. Figg was a witch. He set off to the front hall, going down the stairs two at a time and going to wait at the front door for Mrs. Figg. Almost a minute later, the doorbell rang. "I'll get it, Uncle Vernon!" Harry shouted, opening the front door. "Hello, Mrs. Figg. How are you?"
"Hello, Harry. I'm great, thanks for asking. I heard about the Triwizard Tournament. It was a shame about Mr. Crouch. Killed! By his own son! I reckon that Barty Junior wasn't too happy with his father....seemed to say that his father had him under the Imperius Curse....but He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named put it on Mr. Crouch, after his son fought it." Mrs. Figg said, sighing deeply.
Harry's eyes widened in alarm. How did you find out? I though Hermione had that awful Skeeter woman promise not to use her horrid qui--"
"Oh, no, Harry. Headmaster Dumbledore is one of my old friends from--Oh, hello Vernon. How are you today?" Mrs. Figg said. Harry thought her greeting to Uncle Vernon was a bit cold from his angle.
"Hello, Arabella. I'm fine, thank you for asking. You're doing well, I suppose?" Uncle Vernon said.
"Yes, I'm doing fine. Where is Petunia and Dudley?" Mrs. Figg asked.
"They're upstairs." Harry said. By now they were having seats in the living room.
The telephone rang. "I'll answer it." Harry said, standing abruptly and answering it. "Hello, Dursley residence."
"Harry! It's me, Hermione. Don't let on that it's me, you get it? And, how are you doing?" Hermione said from the other side of the phone line.
"Alright. I'm fine, you? Thanks for asking." Harry told her.
"Same, listen. Could you come over next week? I already phoned Ron, he acted like we were talking to each other from one end of a football(A/N: As in soccer.) field to each other. I told him how to talk on a telephone. But he said that he could. So, could you?" Hermione said.
"Hang on, I'll ask." He put his hand over the reciever, and turning to Uncle Vernon, he said, "Could I go over to a friend's house next week? I haven't seen them in about four years. So, could I?"
"N--"he caught a reproaching glance from Aunt Petunia, who was walking down the stairs."How long would you be there?"
"Hang on." He uncovered the reciever and asked. "How long will I be there?"
"About a week or so, I guess. Yes, a week." she replied.
"A week."Harry told Uncle Vernon.
"Alright, then."
"He says I can come. This is great, I'll see you then. I've got to go." Harry said.
"Alright. See you then!"
"Bye." They both said at the same time. They rang off feeling a considerable amount happier.
"Hello, Arabella, when did you arrive?" Aunt Petunia said, sitting down in a chair. She took up barely half of it.
"A few minutes ago. Hello, Dudley. How are you?" Mrs. Figg said.
Dudley reached the landing and muttered a "Fine." and headed off to get himself a grapefruit.
The rest of the visit went by fast, and they were soon saying their 'good-byes' to Mrs. Figg. They then headed to the kitchen for a dinner of celery stalks, cottage cheese, grapes, and oranges. Harry went up to his room, closing the door and opening his trunk, taking out his History of Magic book, his writing materials, and his Defense Against the Dark Arts book, in case he needed it. He started on the essay Professor Binns, the History of Magic teacher, gave him. The essay, which was on, as Professor Binns put it, 'Explain the fall of the Dark Wizard Grindelwald. I want 3 pieces of parchment full when we return back to school in September!' Harry started on the essay, flipping through both of the books he got out. He was finished with all 3 pieces of parchment at 10:52 that night. He couldn't believe that just yesterday, at this time, that he was sleeping in his dormitory bed, the bed in between Ron's and Neville's. He put his essay, writing materials, and both books back in his trunk, closing it. Hedwig and Pig, short for Pigwidegeon, chose that moment to fly in, startling Harry.
"Oh! 'Lo, Hedwig, Pig." Harry said, seeing a letter tied to Pig's leg. He untied it, giving Hedwig and Pig an owl treat and opening the letter. It was from
Dear Harry,
How're the Muggles treating you on your first day home? Hope they're
treating you well. Did Hermione give you a call? She called me earlier asking
me if I could come over next week. Hope you can. Fred and George have been
acting weird since they got home today. If you ask me, I think they got hold of a
couple of bad Chocolate Frogs. They've been keeping to themselves, huddled
together in the kitchen or up in their room. Mum thinks they might be making more
order forms for Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Percy, on the other hand, was horrified
at the news of Mr. Crouch's death. 'Mr. Crouch? Dead?! I don't believe you! Stop
pulling my leg, Dad. I mean it!' He stormed up to his room after that. He didn't
want to believe Dad, but I think he did. And Ginny's been asking to borrow Pig,
but I told her that I was going to send you a letter, see. And she stormed off,
muttering something about 'Always friends before family, is it, Ron....hmph.' Well,
write me back when you get this. Bye then!
Try to get to Hermione's,
Ron
Harry smiled as he finished reading, and petted Hedwig as she had her wings outstretched like she wanted a rubbing. Harry placed her in her cage, and she dipped her beak in the water tray and hooted sleepily before going to sleep. Pig was looking twice as tired, as he had flapped so long and hard to get here. Harry put Pig in the cage, gave Hedwig a reproaching glance as she glared at Pig, and closed them up. "You two don't fight, now, you hear? Or you won't get any more owl treats." At this, Hedwig's eyes grew large before tucking her head under her wing. Pig followed suit and you could soon hear small little snores from the both of them. He took a piece of parchment and his quill and ink back out, and focused on writing Ron back.
Dear Ron,
The Muggles are okay. But they're still nagging me about my hair.
As if I could do something about it, anyway. Hermione did call me earlier,
and I can go too. It's good that I answered, because Uncle Vernon would've
hung up on her the moment she asked if I was there. Well, I told him that she
was one of my friends from the Muggle school I used to go to. I wish I didn't
have to put up with them. Fred and George are always weird, what are you
getting at? Oh well, I hope Mr. Crouch called Percy something other than
'Weatherby' before he keeled over. I bet Percy's crushed. Listen, I have something
to tell you and Hermione when we get over to her house. And Ginny? She's
probably writing to Neville or Colin, or someone else. See you!
Bye,
Harry
Harry read the letter over, then, smiling, folded the letter and placed it in an envelope. "Tomorrow morning, Pig." Harry said as Pig lifted his head out of his wing and peeped at Harry with one eye. He closed it and dozed off again.
The next morning, Harry sent Pig back off to Ron with the letter tied to his leg. He was pleased to leave, because Hedwig had been fairly rude to him all morning. And, he didn't like the Dursleys, especially Aunt Petunia knocking that morning at 8:00 sharp waking all three of them up. He slipped downstairs to a breakfast of banana and grapefruit slices. He ate this quickly, eager to write his godfather, Sirius Black. He rushed back upstairs, taking his writing materials out once again and started writing.
Dear Sirius,
How is it at Professor Lupin's house? Yes, I know he's not a professor
anymore, but that's all I've ever called him. I hope you're having loads of fun.
The Muggles are treating me as well as a Muggle family like the Dursleys should.
And no, my scar hasn't hurt since the night of the Third Task. Promise. Next week
Hermione invited me and Ron over to stay for the week. Safe, as both of her parents
are dentists. Have you heard from Professor Dumbledore? And why did Professor
Snape follow you out of the hospital wing that night? Oh, well. My cousin Dudley
looks awkward, but funny, going down the stairs, as he's big as a baby whale,
maybe larger. Say Hello to Professor Lupin for me!
Harry
He put his quill and ink well back in his trunk, sealing this letter in another envelope. Hedwig looked up at him from in her cage, and hooted softly. "Oh, alright Hedwig." He opened the cage door, where Hedwig got out and hopped to him on the bed. He tied the letter to Hedwig's outstretched leg, opening the window. "Sirius is at Professor Lupin's house, Hedwig." He said as she looked at him. She hooted once more and went out the window. He left it open, but closed the screen. Then, to occupy the time, he took out his money bag and a couple of Chocolate Frogs, opening one, and looked at the card.
"Dumbledore again." He dropped the card into his trunk, and poured his money bag out. He put the Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts into separate piles, and counted the Galleons. Hmmm....10 Galleons....5 Sickles....10 Knuts...I reckon I'll need to visit Gringotts before I got get more supplies for Hogwarts....
Harry thought. He put all of the money back in his bag, replacing it back at the bottom of the trunk. He unwrapped the remaining Chocolate Frog, to find Morgana staring at him, blinking. She walked out of the picture, her nose stuck in the air. He popped the frog in her mouth, laying back on the bed.
It was two days later when Harry recieved Sirius's reply.
Dear Harry,
It's fine here at Remus's house. We're fine, but we both miss you,Hermione,
and Ron. Alright, it's good to hear that the Muggles are treating you well. And it's
good about your scar, too. I'm glad you three are getting together next week. Yes,
but TAKE YOUR WAND. Tell Ron to take his wand too. Don't ask questions, just
take your wand. I have heard from Professor Dumbledore. And I can't tell you
why Snape followed me out the other night. I imagine that Dudley would look quite
funny going down the stairs, if he's that large. Remus sends his greetings.
Sirius
Harry smiled, and, since it as late, went to sleep with a smile on his face.
~*`'End Chapter One'`*~
A/N: So, how did you like the first out of many chapters? Yes, I know, too many letters and too much conversation, but that's how I am. I like writing coversation and letters, so get over it. Well, if you want me to continue, tell me what you'd like to come in upcoming chapters, except for chapters 2 and 3, because I've already got those written. All I need to do now is type them….but the only way I'll do it is if I get 10 or more reviews on this…..