Chapter 3

Aunt Petunia's Parents

Harry woke with a start. His room was a blur to him. He looked around to find his glasses. He was met with a wet towel on his forehead. "Wha-...?"

He tried to make out the figure sitting next to him but it was hard without his glasses and the towel falling over his eyes.

"Ah, your awake!" A cheery voice greeted him. The person passed him his glasses and Harry put them on. His grandmother came into focus. "You gave us quite a scare, Harry."

"Huh?"

"You fainted. Most likely due to your high temperature." She put her hand on his forehead. "I think it might be coming down. I'll call your Aunt Petunia to bring the thermometer so I can take your temp."

Harry watched his grandmother walk out of the room and to the top of the stairs. She called for Aunt Petunia. "Petunia hun, could you get me the thermometer and maybe a bowl of soup?"

From some where in the house you could here Aunt Petunia's voice, "Yes, mother."

Harry watched his grandmother walk into the room. He realized she had his mom's green eyes, his green eyes. She sat back down on the chair next to him. He sat up in his bed. He wanted to ask her so many questions about his mom, his family and them, but the more they gathered in his head, the sicker he felt. Aunt Petunia came upstairs with a tray. It had a bowl of soup and a thermometer. "Thank you Petunia."

"Your welcome," Aunt Petunia said.

Harry's grandmother took the thermometer and placed it under Harry's tongue. She waited a couple minutes and than read it. "103.2. Well, that's better than it was Harry. Have some soup, dear."

Harry ate a little of the soup, but couldn't eat much.

"How do you feel, Harry?"

"A little better."

Hedwig flew onto his shoulder and gave him a little nip with her beak. "Hey Hedwig," Harry said, stroking the owl's breast.

"You have a very good bird, Harry. She helped me care for you."

Harry looked at Hedwig. "She did?"

"Yes, she did. She arrived a few minutes after we got you in your bed. She was carrying this." She held up a note that was addressed to him. It looked to be in Ron's handwriting. He smiled.

"That's from Ron. He's responded to my letter I sent him. Can I see it?"

"Sure. It is yours."

She handed it to him. He opened the envelope to find a note and a cutting from the Daily Prophet. He read the note first.

Dear Harry,

How are you dealing with the muggles?

You asked if there was any news in the

magical world you needed to know. Well

that's why it took so long for Hedwig to

get to me. I guess there are a lot of owls

out with letters and warnings from the

Ministry. Be careful Harry. There is

danger everywhere. I'll talk to you

later.

Ron

P.S. My mom said you can come and

spend a week with us Harry. Hope to

hear from you soon. Good luck with the

muggles.

He folded it back up and placed it back in the envelope. Harry looked worried.

"Something wrong dear?"

He looked up into her eyes. "Do you know how my mum and dad died?"

She looked at him with a pained look. "Yes, I know how they truly died if that's what you mean."

He shook his head yes.

"They were wonderful, Harry. I was proud that Lily had become a witch. At first I was a little skeptical but she was very good. When I met your father one holiday I knew Lily found her true love. Petunia wasn't to fond of Lily. She acts just like her father. She even tried to pretend that Lily wasn't even her sister, but you can tell it did hurt her to find out her sister was killed. You look just like your dad you know. He was the kindest gentleman you'd ever meet." She sighed. "It's sad they had to die such a horrible death."

He looked down at his covers when a sudden pain shot threw his scar. "Ow!"

"Are you ok?"

Panic rose in his chest. No. No. No. Please no. He got out of bed and ran to the window. He didn't see anything but knew something was out of place. He turned away from it, walking to his trunk and opened it. He grabbed his wand, some parchment and a quill. He stood up and looked at his grandmother. He than turned around and quickly wrote a note to Dumbledore, gave it to Hedwig and told her to hurry. Hedwig, who seemed to know that it was urgent, quickly flew out the window. He turned to his grandmother.

"Harry?"

"Get down stairs. Now!"

She got up and was practically pushed down the stairs. "Harry? What is going on?" She asked.

"He's coming."

"HARRY! What are you doing!?" Uncle Vernon yelled as he saw Harry coming down the stairs. "Are you trying to kill her?"

"Uncle Vernon, for once, just shut up! I need you all to listen to me and get in the kitchen."

Aunt Petunia came running out of the kitchen. "What on earth is going on in here?"

"Petunia, that fever must have made him insane!" Roared Uncle Vernon.

"SHUT UP IF YOU WANT TO LIVE!" Yelled Harry.

Everyone went dead silent and stared at Harry.

"What do you mean, Harry?" His Grandfather asked.

"The person who killed my parents is after me. He is on his way here right now! If you listen to me maybe I can save you all."

They just stared at him.

"Now listen to me. Gather into the kitchen near the back door. I want you all to run out the door if he shows up and attract as much attention as possible, OK?

They all nodded their heads.

"OK," Harry said nervously, sweat covering his face. "Come on now. Get in the kitchen."

They all filed into the kitchen. Aunt Petunia had Dudley in front of her as if she expected a attack from behind. All of a sudden there was loud pop and a cloud of green smoke in front of them, blocking the door. Every one froze in horror. Harry pushed his way through to the front. Aunt Petunia hid pushed Dudley behind her. Just as Harry reached the front of the crowd, a cold voice filled the room sending a chill down everyone's spine. "Leaving so soon?"

There were gasps and screams when the green smoke cleared. A skinny man stood before them in a green cloak. He had pale white skin, red eyes and two slits for nostrils. It was a horrible site. Aunt Petunia hid behind Uncle Vernon, who stood wide eyed with shock. Harry stood his ground in a battle position.

"Harry, glad to see you again," Voldemort grinned evilly.

"Don't address me like I'm a long lost friend, Voldemort," Harry said with gritted teeth.

"Nice family you have here, Harry. I hope none plan to leave soon," Voldemort said, as he saw Aunt Petunia and Dudley trying to sneak through the front door.

He pointed his wand and said "Amiriado." Ropes flew from the wand and tied Aunt Petunia and Dudley. Aunt Petunia and Dudley zoomed back into the room, struggling against the ropes around them.

Voldemort looked at everyone else. "And for the rest of you, I do want you here to see the show."

He pointed his wand at them all and Harry dived out of the way. Ropes suddenly flew from his wand and everyone was bounded in ropes. He looked around the kitchen and than pointed his wand to a wall. everyone was put against the wall. Voldemort now turned his attention on Harry. "Now Harry. This time you won't be successful."

"Don't be to sure about that Voldemort! I sent Dumbledore an owl and he is probably on his way right now."

Voldemort started laughing. "I know your weak boy. I'll kill you slowly and painfully and before you die, I'll kill your family here."

"No you won't."

"Sure I will," Voldemort said.

He rose his wand into an attack position. Harry, wand in hand, was ready to dodge any attack that was sent out at him. Voldemort smiled wickedly at Harry. "How should I do this, huh Harry? Who should I torture first? You or this wonderful family?"

Voldemort looked at Harry's family. Harry followed his gaze. His family was terrified. Dudley looked like he peed his pants. If the situation wasn't so serious, Harry would have broken down laughing.

He looked back at Voldemort who was staring at him. "Well Harry, any last words before the fight?"

"Yeah."

"Mm..." Voldemort nodded his head, "and what are they?"

"Prepare to lose!"

"What moving words, Harry, really they are."

"Are we going to just stand here and talk?" Harry wished he hadn't said that. He wanted to waste time, it would give more time for Dumbledore to get here, but Voldermort had made his anger rise. Fear and adrenaline had taken over. Harry didn't even feel sick any more.

"Well Harry, since you would rather fight than talk," Voldemort pointed his wand at Harry. "Lets get started."

Harry wasn't as ready as he thought he was. As Voldemort sent out his first attack Harry had to duck behind the table.

"I thought you wanted to fight, Harry?" Voldemort chuckled as he sent another curse to blow up the table.

Harry pointed his wand at Voldemort and sent his own curse. He had been studying some curses since he arrived home for the holidays just in case something like this happened. He quickly ran to the living room as he heard Voldemort scream in pain. Yes, it worked! The curse was to make Voldemort temporary blind for Harry to get to safety. He hid behind the couch, breathing heavy, and thinking what to use next. Than an idea hit him. If he could send a curse at the same time as Voldemort, maybe they'll connect like last time. It was a worth a try. He heard Voldemort come in to the living room.

"I'll make sure you die slowly, Harry!" Voldemort bellowed.

Voldemort's vision was blurry as he entered the room. He looked around barely making out figures. Out of no where he heard Harry's voice than he found himself slamming into the wall behind him. He chuckled as he recovered.

"Your better than I thought, Harry."

"I won't lose, Voldemort," Harry said as he came out from behind the couch, wand pointed.

"That's what you think."

"You're right, that is what I think, and I believe I'm right."

Voldemort chuckled again as his vision returned to normal, "To bad you were a fool not to finish me off when you had the chance." He grinned as he looked at Harry's shocked face as the energy that surged from Voldemort's wand coursed through his body.

Voldemort began to laugh as Harry screamed in pain as the curse slowly ripped through his body.

"I told you I would win this time, Harry."

Harry was held in mid air as the curse tore him inside out. Harry was at the point of passing out when Voldemort stopped the curse.

"No. We can't have you die before your family. Let's see… who should be first? Huh, Harry?"

Harry was struggling to breathe. He glared at Voldemort. Voldemort chuckled.

"No suggestions, Harry? How about your dear aunt or maybe your wonderful cousin or… your grandparents."

Harry struggled at the mention of his grandparents.

"I see… I think they will go first," Voldemort grinned as he pointed his wand at Harry's grandparents.

Harry struggled to stay conscious, he tried to get free, he tried to scream. He was losing his battle. There was an explosion as a cloud of blue smoke filled the room.

"Release them Voldemort," said the familiar voice of Dumbledore.

Voldemort snarled, "I'll be back to finish you off Harry. If you don't die from the side effects of the curse first, of coarse."

With that he disappeared with a puff of green smoke. Harry fell to the floor with a thump. Dumbledore rushed over to Harry.

"Stay still boy. Madam Pomfrey is on her way."

Harry looked up at Dumbledore and started coughing. Blood began to trickle down his check.

"Dumble-dore?"

"Be quite Harry. She'll be here."

The last thing Harry saw was Madam Pomfrey rushing over to him.