"Have you heard anything from Hagrid lately?" Ivy asked Harry through the privet hedge. She was on her side, weeding the pumpkin patch. He was on his side painting a new garden bench.
"Not since that letter about meeting up with the giants."
Ivy heard the weariness in his voice. Their first month in Little Whinging had gone smashingly, but the Dursleys had seen fit to rein Harry back in when they came home from vacation. Every time Ivy peeked out the back window she saw him busy with one project or another. She hoped fervently that her 'report' on disciplinary experiments hadn't only served to make his life more miserable than ever.
"I haven't either. And I'm getting worried. I used to get two or three a week. Now it's been two weeks with nothing."
"Ivy," Harry interrupted. "I think I know why the Muggles have gotten so hard to live with."
"Why?" she whispered through the hedge.
"Well, first, Dudley found a girlfriend." Ivy gave him a look that distinctly questioned how that could be a bad thing.
"Second, I think either Professor Dumbledore or the Weasleys might have tried to talk to them. About me spending the rest of the summer with Ron at the Burrow. They're not sure what to do next. They don't want Dumbledore finding out about you, and your experiments. They're afraid he'd turn them into toads."
"They'd deserve it, Harry."
"Well, maybe you should tell Professor Dumbledore our plan. Or mention something about having to go back to the States early. You know, force them to decide if they'll put me in your program or not."
Ivy sighed. "I can do both of those things, if it'll get you out of there."
"I knew you would." He paused. "This has been the best summer. For me at least. I wanted to tell you that, just in case they won't sign me over or let me go to the Burrow. Things could get very bad then, and well... I've already made up my mind. I'm not staying."
"You don't think they'd try some of my experiments on you, for real...?" Ivy wondered. "I could never live with that. I didn't even think it might go that way. Just made up stupid, evil, horrible things. And then put them in the hands of stupid, evil horrible people. Harry.... What was I thinking?"
"Don't know," Harry mumbled, dripping paint on the grass so he could bend over for a better look at Ivy.
"First thing," she told him. "I'll go talk to the Dursleys. It's killing me to think they might try some of my experiments out on you. I'll come up with something to get you out of there. Promise. If not... I'd better run away with you."
She stood up, dusting off her knees.
"Good luck," Harry managed a grin, thoroughly wrenching Ivy's heart. "Sounds like you're going to need it."
Ivy marched across the Dursley's garden, intent on their back door, her eyes wide with worry. Some of the torments she'd concocted for Harry had been extreme, and to think that she might have become a source of pain for him upset her to the core. She trembled just a little as she raised a hand to knock. She had to continue her front, if she had any hope of getting Harry away from this place for the summer.
Petunia Dursley answered the door.
"Ah," Ivy tried to smile. "You're home."
"Yes..." Petunia said, her eyes narrowing. She threw a glance at Harry who was bent industriously over the bench. "May I help you?"
"I..." Ivy began. Her voice seemed to stick in her throat. So much depended on her next few words. Finally, with a sigh of exasperation, she decided to come clean.
"Mrs. Dursley," she ventured. "We need to talk. I..." she paused again, glancing back at Harry. Blackie woofed encouragingly at her from the other side of the hedge.
"I haven't been honest with you and your husband, concerning young Harry. There are some things I must explain."
Petunia's eyebrows arched so high they disappeared under the neatly trimmed curls that graced her wrinkled forehead.
"What do you mean?" she sputtered.
"That research I let you read. You know, the experimental procedures I tried out on Potter? I may have... erm... well. I fudged on them a bit. You see, I didn't really go to such extremes. It was actually a boring two weeks. I...."
Petunia cut her off in mid-sentence. "You mean to say there were no nights spent upright in the closet? No afternoons weeding the lawn with toenail clippers?"
Ivy flinched. It seemed that the Dursleys had remembered more of what she'd made up than she did. "Well... no," she finished simply. "I may have... embellished a bit."
"I must say..." Petunia sputtered again. Her face had gone quite red. When Ivy looked up she saw Dudley smirking out the back window.
"There's more," Ivy continued. "I got word a few days ago that my brother is ill. In Edinburgh. I'm going to need to go tend to him. I'll be leaving in a day or two. And so you see..." she hated to push things, but there was nothing for it. She had to know if they'd relinquish Harry, and she had to know soon. Preferably before he went off to the Burrow and his friend Ron Weasley. She squinted up at Petunia.
"I need to know.... What I mean to say is.... Will Potter be a student of mine next summer? There are papers to sign before I leave."
"Well," Petunia said, frowning. "This is highly unusual, is it not? I can't tell you if Harry will be in your care next summer. I can't make that decision on my own. I will have to discuss it with my husband. And I am sure, when he hears how you misled us... he may not be too keen to help you anymore. We thought we were doing you a service, Ms. Ollivander. There was no need to be misleading."
"I know," Ivy muttered, chagrined, but not for the exact reason Petunia Dursley thought she should be. "I went too far. I only hope that you'll forgive me."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So you see, Professor, it's all my fault. And if those Dursleys hurt Harry, I'm to blame."
Ivy sat at her kitchen table, doing her best to explain recent events to Professor Dumbledore.
"You're being too hard on yourself, my dear." Dumbledore's likeness in the emerald ring returned. "Perhaps all is not lost. I did not foresee you and Harry concocting a plan like this. Just... give it a day or two. If you fail, there are other ways to make sure Harry's summers are more enjoyable. You will keep me posted?" Even though his likeness was miniscule in the emerald ring, Ivy imagined she could see a twinkle in his eye.
"Of course," she assured him. Then she broached the other subject that was weighing heavily on her mind.
"Have you heard from Hagrid? I haven't gotten a letter in two weeks. I'm worried."
"Yes, I believe he wrote the other day to say negotiations were finishing up. The giants assured him they didn't trust Voldemort, and promised us their support. He may well be on his way home by now. Perhaps he wanted to surprise you."
"No..." Ivy muttered. "It doesn't feel right. Something's wrong."
"I think that you may be under too much stress, what with things in Hogsmeade, and now this problem with the Dursleys. I'll check Hagrid's last letter again, see if I notice anything between the lines."
"Thank you," Ivy said, watching as he disappeared and the room lost its glow. Maybe he was right. Too much stress. Too much worry about whether the Dursleys would actually try some of the things she'd made up in her 'report'. (And more than upset with herself that she'd actually gone and let them read it.) Too much worry about whether she wanted to keep her house in Hogsmeade, or give it up without a fight. She closed her eyes, suddenly feeling more than tired. One thing was certain. Hagrid had stopped writing, whatever the reason. She wished she could quiet her heart with Dumbledore's assumption of a surprise arrival.
"Troubles?" Sirius asked, setting a plate of cookies and a glass of milk on the table beside her.
Ivy smiled. "You're going to make me fat."
"I don't think so," he disagreed. "So tell me. What's wrong?"
"Why don't we start with what's right? The list will be shorter."
"Hagrid still hasn't written?"
Ivy shook her head. "Something's wrong. Mars should have aligned with Saturn by now. I mean, I know planets move slowly, but this is ridiculous."
"You've lost me," Sirius said, taking a cookie.
"The stars," Ivy muttered. "The centaur said -"
"You can't listen to centaurs, Ivy. They talk in riddles. It won't make sense unless you know all that they know about constellations and such."
"Why hasn't Hagrid written?"
Sirius reached across the table to touch her hand. "I don't know, Ivy. Do you think he's hurt? Think the giants bumped him off?"
"No!" Ivy nearly shouted. "And you shouldn't even think such things. It's just... those stupid ruddy planets won't align."
"Ivy," Sirius chided.
Ivy stood to her feet, running up the stairs to her room. It was true. She'd been watching Mars and Saturn faithfully for weeks now. They hadn't changed position in the sky, and now Ivy knew Firenze had meant to warn her. To tell her that something wasn't right. Even after all this time she could still remember how he'd looked at her. With so much sadness in his eyes. She'd thought he was worried, back then. It had been the night of Voldemort's return. Harry'd disappeared. They'd all been worried. But now she knew better. Now a certain chill had settled in her heart where Rubeus Hagrid was concerned, and for the life of her she couldn't figure out why. Sitting down at her dressing table, Ivy began another letter.
Dear Hagrid,
Where are you? Why haven't you written? I'm so worried. Please write and tell me what's happened. I need to hear from you. Summer's almost over. Will you be home soon? I miss you. Badly.
Talk to me, Hagrid,
I love you.
Ivy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Talk to her, Hagrid. She loves you. She'll understand," Maxime's thick accent caused a dull ache in the half-giant's forehead. They were almost home, and Hagrid had begun to count the hours when he'd be free from his companion's incessant chatter.
"I will write her a letter myzelf, then" Olympe went on. "And tell her what happened."
"Nuthin' happ'ned," Hagrid muttered. "Min' yer own bis'ness."
"But you are my business, Hagreed. You are my friend. I cannot just ztand by and watch you throw love away. I refuse."
Hagrid snorted, gazing out the window of their coach. His eyes saw nothing of the quickly moving scenery. They were focused on other things. Things like the brutality of his relatives, the indifference of his mother. Her lack of maternal attachment had shocked him. She'd been no different toward him than the other giants; mean-spirited, and vulgar, sometimes downright cruel. And still producing him half-brothers and sisters, fathered by whichever giant happened to be closest and richest. Hagrid had counted 4 siblings, none of whom had been spawned by the same father. Even now, a continent away, he couldn't help but shudder.
He'd had a revelation one night while watching as his mother hit her youngest daughter with a club. Staring at the unconscious form of a six-year-old nearly as big as he was, Hagrid knew he would never be good enough for Ivy Ollivander. Not with the blood that ran in his veins. Giant blood. Brutal, callous giant blood, and it would surface eventually. Just imagining himself doing any of the things he'd seen his mother do caused him nightmares. He couldn't subject Ivy to that. Wouldn't. No matter how much she loved him.
It would be hard at first. She wouldn't accept it. But Hagrid resolved to be even more stubborn than she was. He wouldn't change his mind. And every time he thought he might, he'd just recall the sickening thud, his sister's shocked cry of pain, and the shout of laughter it had solicited from his mother. His own flesh and blood.
Tears coursed down the half-giant's cheeks as the carriage continued its flight. The pain caused by Maxime's rebuff and Rita Skeeter's lies had felt nothing like this. This was hopelessness to an extreme he'd never known. He'd seen the future in Ivy's eyes, and it had been good. He'd thought of nothing but making her his own ever since they parted company in early summer. He could still remember how it felt when she'd pressed her lips against his chest. How his heart had swelled with love for his skinny, freckle-faced friend. Now he felt that same heart break into thousands of tiny shards, each one doing its best to pierce his very soul.
"She wouldn't ha' me anyway, if she knew," he told himself, defiantly. "If she'd eh seen 'em." He imagined Ivy, standing over his giant little sister, the horror in her eyes matching his own, until they turned to him, putting everything together in her mind. Realizing that he had come from these people. The eyes he imagined grew wide with fear. Of him. If the real Ivy ever looked at him that way.... An anguished groan escaped him. Maxime's hand on his shoulder went unnoticed as the carriage drew him ever closer to home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ivy woke with a start. She'd been dreaming again. Dreaming of flying the skies on the back of a wild hippogriff, safely secured in Hagrid's arms. He'd been kissing her in this one. Bruising her lips with his passion for her. And she'd responded with a fervor of her own. Then they'd landed, and he'd swept her off the back of the beast, laying her gently at the foot of a massive oak tree, on a bed of flower petals. She knew what was coming. Impatience filled her as he turned to secure the hippogriff. But like every other time she'd had this dream, once again, it ended too soon. Hagrid had turned toward her, had made his way to where she waited, and just as he knelt at her side, just as he bent his head to kiss the spidery red mark in the hollow of her throat, he'd disappeared. Changed from a Hagrid she could see and feel into a vapor of smoke that whisked away from her on the slight summer breeze.
She woke up short-tempered, the impatience she'd felt in her dream overflowing into real life. She headed downstairs, not even bothering to change out of the nightshirt she'd slept in. Hagrid's nightshirt. The one she'd borrowed from his cabin. It was too large for her frame, and even buttoned all the way up it still slipped continually off one shoulder. It hid her hands inside sleeves that were hopelessly too long, dragged the ground behind her as she shuffled across the kitchen. Her hair, loose and sleep-tousled, floated in wispy waves around her face. She brushed it back, to no avail, reaching into a cabinet for a tea cup. Just then a familiar voice broke the kitchen's silence.
"Good morning, Ivy."
A still sleep-bedraggled Ivy whirled around at the sound of Rosmerta's voice. The cup she'd held fell, shattering at her feet.
"Is this any way to greet your guests, love?" Rosie grinned, flipping her wand out and flicking it toward the broken china. The cup rose, fully repaired, as Ivy's brain finally cleared of sleep and dreams. She plucked it out of the air, set it on the counter and flung herself at her friend. It wasn't until she glanced over Rosie's shoulder that she noticed Remus Lupin sitting at the table, like it was nothing in the world for the two of them to come visiting Muggle suburbs.
"What are you two doing here?" she sputtered.
"We came to fight fire with fire," Remus said, beaming.
Ivy gave him a puzzled look. She was just about to cross the room to welcome him, when she heard footsteps on the stairs. She walked to the stairwell, where Sirius grasped her by the shoulders. He had not seen that they had company.
"Ivy," he murmured, the ball of his thumb rolling gently across her collar bone. "Are you alright? I heard you crying last night...." Slowly it dawned on him that they were not alone. His grip on her tightened as he glanced over her shoulder at Remus and Rose.
"Who?" was all that Rose could manage. Ivy turned around, realizing that this was the first time her friend had seen Sirius out of his animagus form. Rose had fallen heavily into her chair, still staring openly at Sirius. Her eyes narrowed as she recognized him.
"You're Sirius Black," she said flatly, reaching for her wand once again. Ivy took a step backward, making sure that she stayed between Sirius and Rose. Remus lay a hand on Rose's arm, trying his best to explain.
"It's not what you think," he muttered nervously.
"Why?" Rose tried a different word. "Why is there a murderer in Ivy's house?"
"I can explain that," Ivy said cautiously. "And I will. If you promise to put that wand down. Sirius is my friend, Rose. I won't let you hurt him."
"I don't have to hurt him," Rose reminded. "All I have to do is notify any wizard at the Ministry, and it'll be the Dementor's Kiss for him. He's... ." She shot a puzzled look at Ivy. "He's a wanted criminal."
"He's my best friend." Ivy countered. "After you, of course. He's Blackie. The shaggy dog. Remember? And he never murdered anyone. He was set up."
Just then there was a knock on Ivy's front door. She looked down, realizing that she was still in her night clothes. Pulling Hagrid's nightshirt up over her shoulder (where it promptly slid down again) she went to the door.
Outside, on her front step, stood Arthur and Charlie Weasley. Ivy looked around for Sirius, but he'd already transformed, and sat panting in the stairwell.
"Are you going to let them in?" Remus asked, grinning.
Ivy glanced at him, wondering how he could seem so cheerful at such a tense moment. She pulled the door open, not even attempting to mask her emotions. This was not a good day for reunions. In a few hours she was scheduled to meet with the Dursleys for their final decision on Harry's future. If even a hint of anything magical happened before that was settled....
Charlie embraced her, planting an unapologetic kiss on her neck, while his father crossed the room, shook hands with Lupin and dropped an official looking briefcase unto the table.
"I see we're all here then," he said.
"Yes, but we're not all dressed," Rose pointed out. She wagged a finger at Ivy. "Maybe you'd better go back upstairs and..."
"Wait," Ivy muttered. "Why don't I go call Harry over? Then we could have a really nice party."
Rose managed a smile.
"I think we've caught Ivy at a bad time," Remus explained.
Blackie woofed and Ivy threw her hands up in surrender. "All right," she told them. "I'll go get dressed. But let me just warn you. This is Muggle-land. If the Dursleys begin to think... even for a moment... that I am not what I seem, everything I've worked all summer for will do right down the drain."
Rose shooed Ivy up the stairs while Charlie swore they'd do nothing magical. Blackie's toenails clicked on the hardwood as he followed her upstairs.
"Did you know all these people were coming today?" Ivy turned on him.
He shook his head as his animagus form melded into Sirius Black. "I have spoken to Remus about certain..." he floundered as she gave him a blistering look.
"Ivy," he tried to smooth things over. "You've been very upset of late. I thought if we could come up with a plan to at least get your house back..."
"Is that why everyone's downstairs?" she asked.
Sirius nodded. "They've come a long way. I'll let them explain." Placing a hand at the small of her back, her pushed her into her bedroom, and then closed the door. Returning to dog form, he made two tight circles, then flopped down heavily in the hallway.
Ivy leaned against the door. Sirius was trying to help. She had to remember that. She was happy for his company, most of the time. And she knew it was good for Harry to have him around. And Sirius seemed happy to be with them. She only wished he hadn't seen fit to meddle in her affairs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"There are no "zoning" laws in Hogsmeade, Ivy," Arthur Weasley explained over soft boiled eggs and toast. "These real estate barristers are making it up. Probably thought that you'd never even question..."
"So I can get my house back?" Ivy asked, finally over her shock and actually beginning to enjoy her company.
"That's where Rose and Remus come in," Charlie told her. "They have a plan.... Well, I'll let them explain." He reached across the table and took Ivy's hand in his own as Remus began unpacking a small black satin-covered box.
"We are going to challenge Zack Zonko," Rose explained. "And ask for a magic test." But Ivy wasn't listening. She was staring at the contents of Lupin's box. First out was a wand, mahogany by the look of it. Then came two small vials and a goblet whose contents began to smoke as soon at it hit open air.
"What's all that?" she asked nervously. Even Fang, over in his corner by the love seat, sat up and gave a little whine.
"Magic Boosters," Rose explained proudly. "And this," she presented the wand. "Is from your Great Grandfather. And Professor Dumbledore. They've been working on a few... shall we say... enhancements?"
Ivy gasped in shock. "You're talking about cheating to get my house back. Why can't I just get it back because it's mine?"
"Ivy," Remus went on. "If we can prove that there's even a little bit of power running through your veins, Zonko will have to withdraw this whole silly business. We were hoping you'd give it a try."
She gazed at all their hopeful faces. "I've spent the whole summer trying to be the perfect Muggle... and now you want me to pretend to be magic? Really...." But her resolve was wavering. She looked around her little rented house. Small and boring as it was, with every angle square and every corner straight, she'd had some very sweet times here. With Sirius, Harry and Fang all together, it had almost felt like home. In days they'd all be leaving, and if Zack got her house then she'd never be able to recapture that feeling of family. Not to mention, she did have to have a place to bring Harry to, if the Dursleys let her have him for next summer.
"Oh alright," she said, sighing. "What do I have to do?"
Remus explained the potions in the goblet and the vials.
"Drink this now, and then take two drops from this vial every morning, three drops from this one at night. We'll schedule the test in a few weeks. That should give enough time for the potion to build up in your system, and you can work on a few simple charms in the meantime."
"Like... Wingardium Leviosa?" Ivy reached for the wand while Charlie nodded encouragingly.
"Potion first," Rose reminded, pushing the goblet toward Ivy.
"And...." Arthur Weasley spoke up cautiously. "There's no guarantee. You could still end up without a trace of power, even after all this... endeavor."
Ivy bit her lip. "You mean it still might not work? And what about the Dursleys? I have to meet with them in an hour or two. This won't make me turn them into toads by accident?"
"The Dursleys?" Remus asked, passing the vials across the table to Ivy. She nodded, then went about explaining how she'd been baiting the Muggles.
"I think we'll be alright," Remus assured her. "Drink the potion now. It loses potency after an hour or two. It's really the stuff in the vials that'll boost your power, anyway. And don't look at it as cheating, Ivy. What Zonko's doing is cheating."
"And lying," Rose muttered.
"And stealing," Charlie added with a grin. Arthur had gotten up from the table and was examining all the appliances.
"Is this thing what they call a Fridigair?" he asked, pulling open the refrigerator.
"Frigidaire," Ivy corrected, reaching for Lupin's potion. A pasty green substance bubbled softly in the goblet. It tasted like grass, although the thick, slimy texture made her think of raw eggs as it slid down her throat. Her stomach rebelled as it landed inside her, and her eyes crossed for a minute. She looked up, feeling a bit tipsy as each of her friends suddenly doubled, then tripled. A giggle escaped her as she imagined seeing three Dudley Dursleys.
"Can I try the wand?"
"No!" Rose, Remus, Charlie and Arthur said at once.
"You have to give the potion time to settle in," Remus told her.
Two hours later she was down to seeing double. The drunken feeling still caught her at odd moments, like when she turned her head. Arthur and Charlie had Apparated after lunch, and Remus and Ivy'd spent the rest of the afternoon trying to convince Rose that Sirius was trustworthy.
Fang let out a howl when Ivy headed toward the door. She steadied herself and glanced back at Lupin, head swimming at the sudden movement.
"When did you say this stuff would settle in? I'm supposed to meet the Dursleys for tea. I had some papers around here somewhere." She glanced around, eyes lighting on the forms resting on a side table.
"Remus," Rose muttered. "Do you think we should let her go yet? It might be wise if she turned up late."
"No!" Ivy responded, gripping the back door jamb. "I have to let them convince me to have Harry. I mean..." she rubbed a hand across her brow. It felt as though the wiring from her brain and her tongue had been switched. "Convince them...."
Remus gripped Ivy by the shoulders, looking her steadily in the eye.
"What's my name?"
"Lupin," Ivy insisted. "Sirius Lupin Black. Wait. You're Remus. Lupin. And that's Rosmerta. And Fang. Harry's next door." She blanched. "Oh my stars... Harry's next door and I can't even hold a conversation."
"She's sobering up," Lupin told Rosie.
Ivy silently disagreed. The fight between her brain and body was tremendous. The knowledge that there was magic in her veins was out-weighed by the feeling that it would explode out of her skin any minute, exposing her to the Muggles. Only the seriousness of the situation with Harry made it past her scrambled senses.
"I wish you could transform into a fly or something," she pointed unsteadily at Sirius, who stood to his feet. "I'd feel a lot better if you were with me."
Sirius took her hand. It trembled at his touch.
"Oh Sirius..." Ivy's eyes filled with tears. Black pulled her into his arms, kissing her just as freely as if he'd been in dog form and set to licking her cheek. She sagged against him.
"You'll do fine," he told her. "No matter what, love."
"But Harry told me he'd run if he can't get away from the Dursleys. He hates them, so. And I can't blame him. He's willing to give up Hogwarts... everything."
"You can't save Harry," Sirius whispered. "No matter what happens over there this afternoon, good or bad, you've done your best. Nobody wants them to turn Harry over to you more than I do, but if it doesn't work...."
Ivy pressed her fingers over his mouth, shaking her head vigorously. "Don't," she implored him.
Sirius closed his eyes. Ivy had no idea what her touch did to him. Suddenly he knew how desperately she wanted to rescue Harry. He felt his own desire to insulate her from her fears nearly overpower him. If they had been alone at that moment, he knew what he would have done. He'd have swept Ivy off her feet, kissed away her concerns for Harry, for Hagrid, for her house in Hogsmeade. Made her forget everything except how much he loved her. As it was, he pressed his lips against the fingers resting on them. He covered her hand with his own, kissing it as fiercely as though it was her mouth.
Something in his touch must have reached her, for her eyes cleared, and she started a bit at the sound of Remus Lupin's polite cough behind them. She swallowed hard and gave Sirius a somber nod.
"Thank you," she whispered, dropping her hand. She kissed him gratefully, cupping his face in her hands. Much went unspoken between them at that moment, as their eyes locked. Then Ivy squared her shoulders and turned toward the door.
"Wish me luck," she told the others, managing a quick smile. Then she was outside, in the balmy breeze of a summer afternoon, crossing the garden to the Dursley's immaculate home, ready to fight for Harry Potter.