Chapter Seven: Of Muggles, and Magic, & Mentors, and Menace
Unfortunately Sirius had given me full strength sleeping potion when I only needed to sleep for a few hours. I didn' t wake up till noon. Needless to say... I missed some stuff. I didn't get fussed at, because, after all, it WAS Sirius fault, not mine. I ate a slightly early lunch in the common room then went down for my training with Moody. On the way I was ambushed by that very same person and almost had to go down to the hospital wing the curses were so bad. When I could finally walk straight again Moody taught me a leg cramping curse (Spazimagamba!) and told me that I could easily change it to any body part. For instance to cramp up a wand hand I would say Spazemaodiritto and so forth. It was a pretty useful curse. Next he taught me a freezing charm (Aquafrigus) It works similar to Incendio but it shoots ice not fire. Then, we dueled. He waxed the floor with me, of course, then bustled me off to the hospital wing where Madam Pomfrey un- cramped my wand hand and melted the block of ice around my right foot. Supper went as it usually did. After dinner, I caught Ginny' s eye and we both went up to Dumbledore' s office. When we entered he was looking over a stack of papers and shaking his head.
"Umm... Professor?"
He looked up and smiled at us. "Ah, hello Harry, and I see young Ginny has also found her way up here. Please sit down both of you. Care for a Lemon Drop?" I declined, but Ginny timidly reached into the basket Dumbledore had offered.
"Professor Dumbledore sir, I want to join the training that Harry, my brother, and Hermione are going through."
"Have you asked your parents about this Miss Weasley?"
"Well no sir, I was thinking..."
"You were thinking if you had both my support and Harry's that they couldn't possibly say no?"
She turned a bit pink. "Well yes, sir I was."
He smiled gently at her, his eyes twinkled mischievously. "Well miss Weasley, you were right. You have my full support in this matter."
She grinned and was practically bouncing in her seat. "Oh thank you sir!"
He chuckled and nodded. "And what are you up here for Harry?"
I shifted in my seat a bit. "Well sir, I' m actually a bit worried about my cousin, Dudley. Voldemort seems to want some sort of hostage that is important to me and if he finds out about Dudley..."
"If he finds out about Mr. Dursley, who just happens to be quite far away from any wizards and only has a few protection spells on him... Yes I certainly see your point Harry. I really must be getting old to have not thought of it myself! So you wish to bring him here?"
"Yes sir, I do. I was hoping we could put some kind of heavy duty protection charm on him."
"How about Fedelius? There is a form of it that allows the person being protected to go on with daily life, as long as they happen to be a muggle. It only shields from wizards."
That sounded good to me. "Who would be his secret keeper?"
"I was thinking you would Harry. That way he could still receive owls from you and you could still see him."
I nodded. "I'll do it then."
"Well then, why don t you go ahead and invite him here?"
"Here, sir? A muggle in Hogwarts?"
"And why not? Wev'e had them here before you know. We just kept it quiet so that all the pure bloods wouldn't make a fuss. He grinned and winked. "Go ahead and send him an owl saying that you will pick him up in two days time. Tell him to pack enough clothes and things to last for two days. I will provide a portkey to and from your Aunt Marge's house. And if she gives you any trouble I give you full permission to curse her socks off... literally." I couldn' t help but snigger at that. I had already blown up the woman, now Dumbledore was suggesting that I turn her head over heels and curse her socks off!
"You heard about her letter to me didn' t you, sir?"
"Yes Harry, I did. Normally I like muggles, but that one Harry, detestable! Oh, and you should know, Sirius has just gone to the den to get the rest of your things. I imagine Lil is getting rather lonely."
"He went alone? Sir, are you sure that's wise?"
"Don' t worry Harry he took precautions."
"What sort of precautions, Sir?"
"Well for one thing, he isn't leaving the den, and you know all the protections that are there. For another, he has a portkey that will take him straight back here if their is any trouble. Don't worry Harry, he will be back here in no time. Why don't you and miss Weasley go on to bed now, unless. of course you wish to catch her up on what the three of you have been learning."
"Yes sir, I think I might just do that. Is that all right with you Ginny?"
She nodded not knowing quite what to expect then looked just a slight bit frightened as Dumbledore opened up the secret passage to the training room and I led her through.
"Don't worry I won't hurt you. I am just gonna help you overcome Imperious." She nodded, still a little nervous, as I raised my wand and said the incantation.
"Imperio." I was pretty impressed, it only took her three tries, in which she spun around the room like a top, proudly proclaimed her name was flame head, and played Death eaters and Aurors with a dust mite, till she was visibly fighting the curse. I was pretty impressed with her. I suppose being controlled by Tom Riddle for almost an entire year would inspire you to fight the curse a little harder. It took her only three more tries before she was able to fight the curse off completely. I was quite proud of her. Then I started doing the same thing Sirius and Remus had done with me. I wasn t giving her any warning at all and was asking her to simply bring me stuff. It took her just a little longer than me to get the next step totally correct, as their was a nice pile of skipping stones from the lake by the time she managed to fight off the curse. By that time it was very late and we both agreed to go on the bed. I did write the letter to Dudley and send it off with Hedwig before I turned in for the night, though.
The next few days passed quickly; I learned quite a few very complicated curses and was slowly but surely progressing in my Muggle self defense. The only thing of note that happened was on the second day. I started my Animageus training.
We had all decided not to register me until after my seventh year. Everyone seemed to expect me to be primary Griffin as that had been Godric Gryffindor' s form. A little known fact is there are actually three forms of griffin. The first form, primary, looks exactly like a lion save for its' wings, which are similar to those of a snowy owl, on a larger scale, of course. The secondary form is the classic idea of a griffin with an eagle' s head and wings, and a lion' s body. The other form, and the most rare, looks like a cat with butterfly wings. Professor McGonagall had an animistone in her private stores and brought it out to see which form I would take. Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Sirius, Dumbledore, and McGonagall herself had been invited to watch the procedure. The stone itself was an off-white color and perfectly round. I picked it up off it's royal blue pillow and held it for a few seconds. Moments later I could feel my body changing and twisting. It hurt quite a bit actually but still paled in comparison to the Cruciatus curse. Finally the pain stopped and I was allowed a quick look in the mirror in front of me before I started changing again. I had been a golden phoenix with a red lightning bolt where my scar usually is. Once again the pain ebbed away and I started to get up only to realize I had no legs! I had two forms! I was a small grass snake this time and there was no lightning bolt marking anywhere on my body. The next form was what everyone expected, a primary griffin. I wasn' t too surprised when my next form was a regal stag that looked exactly like prongs except for a white lightning shaped patch of fur on my forehead. I got quite a nasty shock on my next transformation when I found I wasn't able to breathe. I was a goldfish. I was beginning to wonder if I would be stuck changing from animal to animal forever by the sixth form, a Chinese Fireball with a black lightning bolt on each wing. After changing into so large an animal I dreaded any more transformations. I was exhausted! It was with much relive that I found myself in my normal human skin on the seventh go round. I wasted no time in dropping the anmistone and collapsing to the floor in a boneless heap as soon as I realized I was myself. My gaze fell on Dumbledore and I swear, the man' s eyes have never twinkled brighter. I then looked to Siruis. I have never seen the man look so surprised; and there have been a lot of things that surprised him since I got to know him. McGonagall' s reaction was about what I expected. She looked both very proud and very stunned. Hermione looked, for once, like she didn' t know what to think, and Ron looked stunned and& a bit jealous. Just as long as he doesn' t start being a prat again we' re all right. As for what I thought of the whole thing?
My first reaction was, Oh great another bloody power to add to my freaky power collection. Can' t whatever it is that gave me these powers realize that I just want to be a normal everyday wizard with normal everyday powers? Then I thought, when has my life been normal? I tried to think of a time and you know what? I couldn' t think of a time when I was totally normal. I have never been normal, and I don' t think I ever will be. Then I started to think about the possibilities for my different forms. I could really do a lot with those forms.
Not bad eh?
' Oh no, not you again.'
Hey I think I deserve a bit more respect than that young one.
With that Lil jumped down from Sirius' shoulder and hopped over to me. Sirius had brought her back with him from the den. When she saw me she gave a squeak and jumped onto my shoulder. I had missed her, even if there were a few more things about her that I hadn't been told.
Harry? Now that you are done changing, can I come up now? I think the speaker wants to tell you a few things.
I was relived to hear Lil' s voice. 'Sure Lil, come on up.' She hopped up on my shoulder and nuzzled my cheek. 'So what do you think of my forms? I didn' t know I would have so many.'
I did young one.
'Here I was hoping you had left. Why are you calling me that anyway?'
Because you are young, quite young indeed. You have no idea of what power you will one day be able to wield.
'Fine then, if I have to have an annoying nickname I get to pick yours. How about stuck-up one, or maybe annoying one? Yeah I like that, annoying one. I think I will go with that.'
Boy, you don' t wish to make me angry. I' ve been sent here to help you, to teach you the ways of your powers. Even Dumbledore can only take you so far. Unfortunately he cannot teach you to defeat your mortal foe. Only I can.
'So I guess this means I'm stuck with you?'
Until you master your powers, yes.
'Will you at least tell me who you are?'
Not until you earn, it young one, for now, since you insist on having a name for me, you may call me Sapere. Do you know what it means young one?
'Umm no.'
I see I have much to teach you. Your first task, find out what my name means. After that I shall tell you more. But do no tarry, your time of rest grows short. An evil is coming, the likes of which you have never seen. You must be prepared young one. You must be ready.
'How can you ensure I will be?'
'Hello? Sapere, where are you?'
He left Harry. You might want to pay attention to your friends Harry. They have been trying to get your attention for a while now.
' Ah, right then, thanks.'
I spent the rest of the evening being congratulated, questioned, and gawked at. All in all, it was a fun evening. Luckily, I was tired that I barely noticed them and went straight to bed. In the morning I had to pick up Dudley. I didn't even take any dreamless sleep potion. I was about too tired to lift the cup. I simply fell into bed and the world faded away. Little did I know, I was about to get the worst night sleep I had ever gotten.
I was standing in the middle of the road. I was beginning to wonder why I was there when Voldemort and at least one-hundred Death Eaters suddenly popped into existence. Then I knew why. Voldemort was about to show the ministry and the entire Wizarding world, not to mention the muggles, that he was alive and well and ready to begin a new time of terror. I would probably be the only witness. Oh sh*t.
I don't know how many muggles they killed that night though the sign said Cummersdale pop 527 so I am guessing that 527 people were brutally murdered that night. As far as I knew there wasn't a drop of wizard blood anywhere in that town.
"May God bless their poor souls and give them a quick death."
As much as I would have liked to stay on the outskirts of the town I was dragged along behind Voldemort, the most I could get was a hundred feet away from him, not near far enough in my opinion. I was forced to watch as they tortured the muggles, turning away my head whenever one of the death eaters decided to have a little 'fun' the youngest was only seven, SEVEN! That night I learned exactly how cruel Voldemort truly was. I don't think one muggle out of 527 died quickly or peacefully. Many died still stubbornly clutching rosaries and muttering prayers to a God that I can only hope obliviated their memories the moment they reached the great beyond.
I had no idea there were so many awful potions and spells in existence. I saw men being melted right where they stood. What they did to pregnant women was by far the worst. They cut they unborn baby out, and then threw the child and the mother into a huge bonfire they had made at the center of the town. There was nowhere to turn. Blood was everywhere, houses were reduced to smoldering pieces of rubble, screams of pain and terror tore through the night air already heavy with smoke. What held me there for so long was that Voldemort himself, didn't do a bloody thing. I was forced to listen and watch until the last living muggle was brought before Voldemort. He smirked and raised his wand.
"You shall be the sole survivor of this town. Too bad you won t be sane enough to enjoy it. Crucio!"
The pain filled me and I jolted bolt upright in my bed with a blood curdling scream. I only know what I have been told about how I reacted. It took Ron, Sirius and Dumbledore to bind me so I wouldn't hurt myself or others. Needless to say, I had broken through the mental wall. I'm just glad I didn't kill anyone; cause I'm told I came really close to killing Hermione. Between the three of them, Herm was on the floor out cold, they finally managed to pour the most powerful sleeping potion known to man down my still screaming throat.
I woke up the next morning in the hospital wing with Sirius sitting beside me, a Daily Prophet in his hands. He must have heard me stirring because he suddenly whipped his arm across his face and slipped the Daily Prophet under himself.
"Hey kiddo. How you feeling?"
At first I didn' t remember what had happened and wondered what I was doing in the hospital wing. Then I remembered.
"You know then?" He tried to evade the question.
"Know what, Harry?"
"I saw you getting rid of the Daily Prophet; and I can guess what the headline is. Let me take a stab in the dark, Muggle town wiped off the map, Voldemort has struck again." He bowed his head and nodded. "How many died?"
"Five-hundred and twenty six. At least they think it was that many. They err... can't tell if some of the bodies were human or not. They did find one survivor but his mind is totally..."
"Gone, I know. He was the only person Voldemort actually cursed.. Everyone else the Death Eaters took care of. Oh sh*t. Those... monsters! Sirius they... oh God what they did to the unborn babies and their mothers... and the girls... It was awful! I threw myself at him and he wrapped his arms around me and started to rub my back.
I didn't just cry. I bawled like a baby and, under the circumstances, that was all I could do. Dumbledore came in while I was crying and simply stood at my back wrapping his arms around me. I was totally surrounded by the warmth and comfort now and felt totally safe, a feeling that was almost foreign to me. I knew that no one would judge me while I was with them and I could let go of the 'boy who lived' mask and just be Harry. It was awhile before I stopped sobbing.
"It isn't gonna be like that every time is it? I mean I know I have to have the visions so we know what Voldemort is gonna do but... I can't take things like that. I just can't!" I buried my face back in Sirius' robes and shut my eyes tightly trying to chase away the images and the screams. Dumbledore put a calming hand on my shoulder.
"Don't worry child, we will all work very hard to insure that doesn't happen again." I nodded and bit my lip, angrily wiping away a few tears that leaked out of my eyes. "Now I do need to ask one more thing of you Harry, something I don't believe you will mind at all." He handed me a small pensive-like bowl. "This is a mini pensive. It can only hold one day worth of memories; however, the beauty in this particular model is that once the memory is in the bowl, it is greatly dimmed in your mind. I seriously doubt you will even be able to recall the more traumatic events at all."
Needless to say, I grabbed my wand off the bedside table, and immediately began pouring my vision into the pensive. It wasn't the most pleasant experience in my life. I would even say it hurt quite a bit. I was almost like squeezing the puss out of a blister. It wasn't at all nice but it had to be done, and I felt worlds better afterwards. Dumbledore was right. Everything from the vision was all muddled in my head and even the parts I could remember were very fuzzy.
Dumbledore took the pensive into Madam Pomfrey's office for viewing while I ate some soup Madam Pomfrey brought me. He came out looking more pale and older looking than I had ever seen him. He gave me a small smile, which I returned, and a portkey with the activation word 'Lord Voldefart'. He then told Sirius and I that he was calling an emergency Order of the Phoenix meeting. I didn't have to attend as I already knew what the meeting was about. What I was to do, he told me, was "to get there, get your cousin, and if possible your Aunt Marge, and get back to the safety of the castle ASAP."
Sirius checked on me one more time, "Are you sure you're ok?" "Yes Sirius for the tenth time I'm fine." then followed the headmaster out the door.
About two hours later I found myself standing in front of a house I had, up till then, only seen in photos. My aunt had painted. The house was a painfully bright, shocking, pink. I seriously considered running back to the castle screaming. How did Dudley stand this place? Instead I bravely rapped on the door with the flower pot door knocker and politely waited for an answer.
A chubby blonde boy who looked to be about my age opened the door, started grinning and wrapped me in a bear hug.
"Hi ya Harry!"
"D-Dudley!?" I gasped from lack of air. I was squeezed a bit more and I patted my cousin on the back.
"Yup the one and only!" He let me go and stood back. "Whoa, you're not a midget anymore!"
"Hu? Oh yeah." Coupled with good meals and a natural growth spurt I had grown about five inches in the last few months. "You've changed quite a bit yourself Dudley. You look good! I hardly knew you!" He blushed a bit and lowered his head.
"Yeah I've been working really hard on my weight. Those potions you sent helped a lot. I lost over one-hundred stone!"
"Well you certainly look it! Why I..." Lil chose that exact moment to crawl out of my pack and onto my shoulder. "Lil! You know better!" 'The muggles might see'
There isn't anyone around Harry and I was bored in there. That's your cousin then?
'Yes, my only remaining living relative.'
He's not as bad as I thought he would be. Still, I would prefer to remain on your shoulder.
"Is that the Merkel then?"
"Yup her name is Lillith, Lil for short. There isn't anyone around here who might see her is there?"
"Nah. I told my friends I had the flu so they should stay away for at least a week, and aunty, well she doesn't have any friends, sept for Ripper of course."
I snickered. "Same as always then?"
"Well she has warmed up to wizards a bit now. Good thing too, since all those wizards are coming by to set up wards."
"Actually my headmaster thinks that if possible she should come along too. You see, the situation has changed a bit."
"Hu? How so?"
"Well I couldn't tell you this in an owl, it was too dangerous. Let's just say the last few days have been quite interesting." I proceeded to tell him a very abridged version of what had happened about my new powers that Voldemort wanted for himself, the Order, training, and finally, my vision from the night before. When I told him that he paled and almost fell out of his chair.
"That was Voldemort then? I saw it on the news this morning. You had to watch that happen? How are you still sane?!"
I grimaced. "I wasn't in the least last night. They had me put my memory in a special pensive that dimmed the memory. Everything is blurred. I know what happened I just don't remember faces anymore."
Dudley was throwing the last of his things into his huge suit case as I told him the last part. I waved my wand in the air and shrunk it for him.
"Just put it in your pocket. It's quite light now."
"But I thought you weren't allowed to do magic in the summer."
"Umm oops? Well I can just tell the ministry that I was on a mission for Dumbledore; which I technically am on. Sides, Fudge still owes me a favor or two."
"Fudge?"
"The Minister of Magic. Now let's go down and see if Aunt Marge feels like getting some extra protection."
"Ok but how does the Minister of Magic owe you a favor?"
"If he hadn't been the worlds greatest fool and had done what Dumbledore told him to do in the first place the wizarding world would be a lot better off and much more likely to win."
"Oh."
When we got downstairs we found Marge Dursley camped out on the couch watching the telly which was currently playing back reports of the demolished town and guesses on what had happened to it for, I was sure, the hundredth time. I stepped up to her.
"Miss Dursley?" She looked at me with about the same kindness she would give a roach.
"What is it boy?"
"Pack your things. You are going on a trip."
"WHAT!? I am most certainly not going anywhere with you, you freak of nature!"
"I don't have time to argue. You will get up, and pack enough for an overnight trip or I will use my 'freakish powers' to float your fat arse all the way to Hogwarts! I REFUSE to let your stupidity get either you or Dudley killed."
She scrambled up. "But I thought I wouldn't need to go, just Dudley."
I crossed my arms. "The situation has changed. Voldemort wants something from me that I would have to give him by choice. He will use whatever methods he can to get me to give him what he wants."
Dudley spoke up. "Why does he want the time thing that much Harry? I mean it's cool but..."
I grabbed the glass of brandy from the coffee table and poured it out. "Stop." The brandy froze in mid air. I put the glass underneath the brandy. "Start." The brandy sloshed into the glass not spilling a drop. "That's why, imagine the brandy had been a group of Aurors coming after Voldemort. He could just simply stop time for them and kill them before they can fire off the first curse." Dudley gaped at me.
"Whoa. That's really dangerous!"
"Yup it is; and the ceremony to give him my power would kill me. No I think I will keep the time ability where it is thanks." I looked at Marge. She was still just sitting in her chair like a great big blob of jelly. "Listen you, I don't like you. You don't like me. However, I REFUSE to have another muggle death on my conscience! I had a bad night last night and I am not in the mood for this. Get your fat arse up or I will kick it all the way to Hogwarts! I don't have time for this and their aren't too many protections here. Voldemort could come at any time and I can't beat him on my own. Now get UP!"
"What would he want with me?"
I glared at Marge. "He would probably make the mistake of thinking that I care about you and would try and use you to get my powers. It would all be quite futile I assure you and you would be tortured, and generally abused. This entire thing is for your own good I assure you. Accio nightgown and change of clothing! Accio toothbrush and deodorant!"
I conjured a backpack and slung it over my shoulder, levitated Dudley's suitcase and used just enough magic to pick Marge Dursley up and put her on her feet.
"Let's go." Marge wisely decided to start walking towards the door behind Dudley and I. I led them out into the yard and held out the portkey. "Each of you touch the portkey." They both reached out and touched it. I smirked.
"Lord Voldefart!"
I know Marge screamed as we were whirled away. My ears were ringing an hour later. We landed right infant of the castle doors. I turned toward my two companions.
"Welcome to Hogwarts."
Dudley seemed rather impressed with the whole place. He kept talking to the paintings and walking around with his mouth wide open in astonishment. Aunt Marge kept screaming and running every time she saw something 'abnormal'. Once she ducked into Mertle's bathroom to hide. I tried to warn her, I really did! Poor woman nearly had a heart attack when Mertle floated up from the pipes and greeted her. Dudley didn't make it any better. He kept asking me if she was the ghost I had said was killed by the ballask and once I confirmed it he INSISTED on meeting her properly. I'm a bit surprised Mertle didn't flood the castle with all her crying.
I did finally manage to get them both settled in Gryffindor tower, another place Dudley was impressed with, "You live here in the school year Harry? Cor this place is a lot nicer than my school!" when who should pop up, literally, but Dobby! Marge thought he was a monster and climbed on top of the couch to try and get away, breaking the couch in the process. When I finally managed to calm her down I was able to order a plate of sandwiches for us all, and repair the couch, Dudley started begging me for a tour and, as I had been excused from my training for the day, I told him I'd be happy to take him. Marge decided to stay in the tower and not see anymore 'freakish' things than she had to. I pitied her, I really did.
Dudley and I actually had a pretty nice time of it. I think his favorite was the quidditch pitch he must have asked me 100 questions about the game. I demonstrated a few seeker moves for him. He was quite impressed. He did try to ride one of the school brooms but the guy hasn't a drop of magic in him. He does, however, have a very adventurous spirit. He let me charm him so he only weighed fifty stones and rode with me on the back of my firebolt for a while. He loved it and I was having fun too. Finally I had a blood relative that actually cared a whit about me and wasn't totally freaked out by the fact that I was magical. Around tea time Ron, Herm, Sirius, Remus, and Ginny joined us. We played a bit of quidditch with Dudley and Hermione watching. Herm read a book, Dudley loved it. I have got to get that guy to a professional game eventually. I wonder if muggles are allowed at quidditch games...
After the game it was supper time and we all went down to the Great Hall. Dudley was quite amazed when the food literally appeared infant of him and he seemed to like Dumbledore very much. During dinner Dumbledore told us about his time in school and about the dark wizard Grinwalde. Amazing how similar he and Voldemort are. I guess all dark lords are cut from the same smelly moldy cloth. The twins finally came out of their seventh year dorm and joined us for dinner. I shudder (in anticipation) to think what they are planning for their final and greatest prank. They demonstrated most of their pranks, on me, Sirius, Ron and Percy, for Dudley. He even bought some of the lesser pranks like fake wands. The twins almost didn't take Dudley's money though.
"What's all this giving us this paper!?"
"We wanted money not parchment!"
"And it's not even proper to write on. It's got a picture of some woman on it!"
Herm and I just laughed and explained, Hermione more in depth than me, that it was muggle money and that lady was the queen of England.
"That's not even a proper picture! She doesn't even move!"
I quickly explained that it was a muggle picture and they don't move before Herm could lecture them on the process of printing pounds. Then they decided that they would keep one of the bills to show their friends.
"Muggles are just so weird. Putting money on paper!"
After dinner Dumbledore went to visit my Aunt and put the Fedelius charm on her. I don't know who her secret keeper and I don t' care. I just pity them for having to look at her while to the rest of us she is invisible. Ron and I invited Dudley to sleep in our dorm. He seemed quite happy to be away from Marge.
The next morning, before we even woke up, she was sent home.
Unfortunately, we had training so we gave Dudley the activated Marauders Map and told him to stay in the castle and away from Snape. He would take it then forget where he put it. We also told him to steer clear of Filtch and sent him off.
Most of the day was spent training; Dudley watched some of it and ate with us during meals. Ron, Herm, and Ginny were let go right after lunch while I had to stay till four. I came out and they were all on the quidditch pitch again and Ron was flying Dudley around on his broom. I grinned and waved at them. I had a little surprise for Dudders.
"Hey Dudley, how would like to fly solo?"
I had found a spell that would allow a muggle to travel through the floo network and fly a broom. It only lasted for twenty minutes and was mostly used for emergencies concerning the families of wizards. It infused a bit of magic into the muggle; not enough to cast a spell but quite enough for a muggle to fly a broom and ride in the floo network.
Dudley looked down at me and grinned. "I would love to Harry!"
"All right then! Ron bring him down. He can use the schools cleansweep." I pointed my wand at Dudley, "Infusio!"
Ron brought Dudley down and we all had a lovely twenty minute long quidditch game. Dudley was a pretty fair beater. We all at dinner together again in the Great Hall. Just as I was finishing up desert the front doors were flung open and in walked all the professors who had vacationed and went on errands during the summer. Treloony... I mean Trelauny took one look at me and started moaning about grims, death, and pain. I shot Sirius a look and mouthed. 'Joke time.' I stopped time while she was in mid rant then unfroze Siruis and told him to turn into Snuffles and stand in front of Trelauny. He grinned at me and did as I asked. I got back in my seat and started back time to watch the fun.
"Eeeeek! A grim! I'm going to die! I'm going to join my ancestors! No longer will the world be blessed by a true seer's powers!"
At that point Sirius got on his hind legs, jumped up, and licked her right in the face. Everyone exploded in laughter. Most everyone knew about Sirius animageus form and the rest simply found it outrageously funny that Ole Treloony was ranting about her own death that, and that a ferocious grim had just licked someone in the face. Dudley choked on his pumpkin juice and Ron turned red with tears streaming down his face from laughter. Herm looked torn between being cross with me because I had 'abused my powers' and hugging me because I had managed to one up Trelauny using her own grim scare tactic. The twins were delighted, and the rest of the professors looked highly amused. No one really took Trelauny seriously. Dumbledore just kept her around for the true predictions that only occurred once in a blue moon.
After everything settled down, we all retired to Gryffindor Tower for the night. We stayed up late talking and playing exploding snap, and wizard chess. Dudley had Ron and I replay what had happened with the giant chess board my first year. He concluded that Ron was 'the best chess player ever'. Ron was quite flattered to say the least.
We were all woken early the next morning to say goodbye to Dudley as I was about to the Fedelius charm and no one but me would be able to see him. After breakfast Dudley and I were taken up to Dumbledore's office to perform the ceremony. Professor Snape had brewed a complex sounding potion for the charm and the last ingredients needed was a bit of both our blood, Dudley as the one that needed protection and me as the protector. I was reminded of the Triwizard Tournament by all that but, as I wasn't tied to a headstone in the middle of a creepy looking graveyard I was OK with it. We both drank the potion and then I was instructed to draw my wand, tap Dudley three times and say "Fedelius!" Dudley looked around and asked,
"Well did it work?"
"It most certainly did Mr. Dursley; either that or Harry here snuck in his invisibility cloak and is allowing you to use it."
I smiled at Dumbledore then gave a relived sigh. "You're safe now Dudley."
****************************
Epilogue
Dumbledore allowed all the Weasleys, Hermione, and myself to ride down with Remus to meet the Hogwarts Express. As we rode up in the carriages I couldn't help but wonder where this next school year would take me. I had taken Dudley back to Marge's house soon after we performed the ceremony. We promised to write and maybe meet at a muggle site one day soon to talk.
One day after I had taken Dudley home, the last Professor arrived, Arabella Figg. I must say whatever that monster Voldemort did to her certainly hadn't worn off. She looked awful.
As we got out of our carriages I lingered for a moment.
Summer was finally over. I can honestly say it was by far the busiest summer I have ever had. After all you don't find out you are part of a ancient prophesy every day, now do you? Everyone else had gone in the castle. I'm sure Ron and Herm are waiting for me along with Ginny. For now I'm content to just stand here and look up at the castle. So much has happened since I first came here five years ago. My schooling is more than half complete. I wonder where I will be when it is all said and done. I don't know. But I can't wait to get there.
Unfortunately Sirius had given me full strength sleeping potion when I only needed to sleep for a few hours. I didn' t wake up till noon. Needless to say... I missed some stuff. I didn't get fussed at, because, after all, it WAS Sirius fault, not mine. I ate a slightly early lunch in the common room then went down for my training with Moody. On the way I was ambushed by that very same person and almost had to go down to the hospital wing the curses were so bad. When I could finally walk straight again Moody taught me a leg cramping curse (Spazimagamba!) and told me that I could easily change it to any body part. For instance to cramp up a wand hand I would say Spazemaodiritto and so forth. It was a pretty useful curse. Next he taught me a freezing charm (Aquafrigus) It works similar to Incendio but it shoots ice not fire. Then, we dueled. He waxed the floor with me, of course, then bustled me off to the hospital wing where Madam Pomfrey un- cramped my wand hand and melted the block of ice around my right foot. Supper went as it usually did. After dinner, I caught Ginny' s eye and we both went up to Dumbledore' s office. When we entered he was looking over a stack of papers and shaking his head.
"Umm... Professor?"
He looked up and smiled at us. "Ah, hello Harry, and I see young Ginny has also found her way up here. Please sit down both of you. Care for a Lemon Drop?" I declined, but Ginny timidly reached into the basket Dumbledore had offered.
"Professor Dumbledore sir, I want to join the training that Harry, my brother, and Hermione are going through."
"Have you asked your parents about this Miss Weasley?"
"Well no sir, I was thinking..."
"You were thinking if you had both my support and Harry's that they couldn't possibly say no?"
She turned a bit pink. "Well yes, sir I was."
He smiled gently at her, his eyes twinkled mischievously. "Well miss Weasley, you were right. You have my full support in this matter."
She grinned and was practically bouncing in her seat. "Oh thank you sir!"
He chuckled and nodded. "And what are you up here for Harry?"
I shifted in my seat a bit. "Well sir, I' m actually a bit worried about my cousin, Dudley. Voldemort seems to want some sort of hostage that is important to me and if he finds out about Dudley..."
"If he finds out about Mr. Dursley, who just happens to be quite far away from any wizards and only has a few protection spells on him... Yes I certainly see your point Harry. I really must be getting old to have not thought of it myself! So you wish to bring him here?"
"Yes sir, I do. I was hoping we could put some kind of heavy duty protection charm on him."
"How about Fedelius? There is a form of it that allows the person being protected to go on with daily life, as long as they happen to be a muggle. It only shields from wizards."
That sounded good to me. "Who would be his secret keeper?"
"I was thinking you would Harry. That way he could still receive owls from you and you could still see him."
I nodded. "I'll do it then."
"Well then, why don t you go ahead and invite him here?"
"Here, sir? A muggle in Hogwarts?"
"And why not? Wev'e had them here before you know. We just kept it quiet so that all the pure bloods wouldn't make a fuss. He grinned and winked. "Go ahead and send him an owl saying that you will pick him up in two days time. Tell him to pack enough clothes and things to last for two days. I will provide a portkey to and from your Aunt Marge's house. And if she gives you any trouble I give you full permission to curse her socks off... literally." I couldn' t help but snigger at that. I had already blown up the woman, now Dumbledore was suggesting that I turn her head over heels and curse her socks off!
"You heard about her letter to me didn' t you, sir?"
"Yes Harry, I did. Normally I like muggles, but that one Harry, detestable! Oh, and you should know, Sirius has just gone to the den to get the rest of your things. I imagine Lil is getting rather lonely."
"He went alone? Sir, are you sure that's wise?"
"Don' t worry Harry he took precautions."
"What sort of precautions, Sir?"
"Well for one thing, he isn't leaving the den, and you know all the protections that are there. For another, he has a portkey that will take him straight back here if their is any trouble. Don't worry Harry, he will be back here in no time. Why don't you and miss Weasley go on to bed now, unless. of course you wish to catch her up on what the three of you have been learning."
"Yes sir, I think I might just do that. Is that all right with you Ginny?"
She nodded not knowing quite what to expect then looked just a slight bit frightened as Dumbledore opened up the secret passage to the training room and I led her through.
"Don't worry I won't hurt you. I am just gonna help you overcome Imperious." She nodded, still a little nervous, as I raised my wand and said the incantation.
"Imperio." I was pretty impressed, it only took her three tries, in which she spun around the room like a top, proudly proclaimed her name was flame head, and played Death eaters and Aurors with a dust mite, till she was visibly fighting the curse. I was pretty impressed with her. I suppose being controlled by Tom Riddle for almost an entire year would inspire you to fight the curse a little harder. It took her only three more tries before she was able to fight the curse off completely. I was quite proud of her. Then I started doing the same thing Sirius and Remus had done with me. I wasn t giving her any warning at all and was asking her to simply bring me stuff. It took her just a little longer than me to get the next step totally correct, as their was a nice pile of skipping stones from the lake by the time she managed to fight off the curse. By that time it was very late and we both agreed to go on the bed. I did write the letter to Dudley and send it off with Hedwig before I turned in for the night, though.
The next few days passed quickly; I learned quite a few very complicated curses and was slowly but surely progressing in my Muggle self defense. The only thing of note that happened was on the second day. I started my Animageus training.
We had all decided not to register me until after my seventh year. Everyone seemed to expect me to be primary Griffin as that had been Godric Gryffindor' s form. A little known fact is there are actually three forms of griffin. The first form, primary, looks exactly like a lion save for its' wings, which are similar to those of a snowy owl, on a larger scale, of course. The secondary form is the classic idea of a griffin with an eagle' s head and wings, and a lion' s body. The other form, and the most rare, looks like a cat with butterfly wings. Professor McGonagall had an animistone in her private stores and brought it out to see which form I would take. Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Sirius, Dumbledore, and McGonagall herself had been invited to watch the procedure. The stone itself was an off-white color and perfectly round. I picked it up off it's royal blue pillow and held it for a few seconds. Moments later I could feel my body changing and twisting. It hurt quite a bit actually but still paled in comparison to the Cruciatus curse. Finally the pain stopped and I was allowed a quick look in the mirror in front of me before I started changing again. I had been a golden phoenix with a red lightning bolt where my scar usually is. Once again the pain ebbed away and I started to get up only to realize I had no legs! I had two forms! I was a small grass snake this time and there was no lightning bolt marking anywhere on my body. The next form was what everyone expected, a primary griffin. I wasn' t too surprised when my next form was a regal stag that looked exactly like prongs except for a white lightning shaped patch of fur on my forehead. I got quite a nasty shock on my next transformation when I found I wasn't able to breathe. I was a goldfish. I was beginning to wonder if I would be stuck changing from animal to animal forever by the sixth form, a Chinese Fireball with a black lightning bolt on each wing. After changing into so large an animal I dreaded any more transformations. I was exhausted! It was with much relive that I found myself in my normal human skin on the seventh go round. I wasted no time in dropping the anmistone and collapsing to the floor in a boneless heap as soon as I realized I was myself. My gaze fell on Dumbledore and I swear, the man' s eyes have never twinkled brighter. I then looked to Siruis. I have never seen the man look so surprised; and there have been a lot of things that surprised him since I got to know him. McGonagall' s reaction was about what I expected. She looked both very proud and very stunned. Hermione looked, for once, like she didn' t know what to think, and Ron looked stunned and& a bit jealous. Just as long as he doesn' t start being a prat again we' re all right. As for what I thought of the whole thing?
My first reaction was, Oh great another bloody power to add to my freaky power collection. Can' t whatever it is that gave me these powers realize that I just want to be a normal everyday wizard with normal everyday powers? Then I thought, when has my life been normal? I tried to think of a time and you know what? I couldn' t think of a time when I was totally normal. I have never been normal, and I don' t think I ever will be. Then I started to think about the possibilities for my different forms. I could really do a lot with those forms.
Not bad eh?
' Oh no, not you again.'
Hey I think I deserve a bit more respect than that young one.
With that Lil jumped down from Sirius' shoulder and hopped over to me. Sirius had brought her back with him from the den. When she saw me she gave a squeak and jumped onto my shoulder. I had missed her, even if there were a few more things about her that I hadn't been told.
Harry? Now that you are done changing, can I come up now? I think the speaker wants to tell you a few things.
I was relived to hear Lil' s voice. 'Sure Lil, come on up.' She hopped up on my shoulder and nuzzled my cheek. 'So what do you think of my forms? I didn' t know I would have so many.'
I did young one.
'Here I was hoping you had left. Why are you calling me that anyway?'
Because you are young, quite young indeed. You have no idea of what power you will one day be able to wield.
'Fine then, if I have to have an annoying nickname I get to pick yours. How about stuck-up one, or maybe annoying one? Yeah I like that, annoying one. I think I will go with that.'
Boy, you don' t wish to make me angry. I' ve been sent here to help you, to teach you the ways of your powers. Even Dumbledore can only take you so far. Unfortunately he cannot teach you to defeat your mortal foe. Only I can.
'So I guess this means I'm stuck with you?'
Until you master your powers, yes.
'Will you at least tell me who you are?'
Not until you earn, it young one, for now, since you insist on having a name for me, you may call me Sapere. Do you know what it means young one?
'Umm no.'
I see I have much to teach you. Your first task, find out what my name means. After that I shall tell you more. But do no tarry, your time of rest grows short. An evil is coming, the likes of which you have never seen. You must be prepared young one. You must be ready.
'How can you ensure I will be?'
'Hello? Sapere, where are you?'
He left Harry. You might want to pay attention to your friends Harry. They have been trying to get your attention for a while now.
' Ah, right then, thanks.'
I spent the rest of the evening being congratulated, questioned, and gawked at. All in all, it was a fun evening. Luckily, I was tired that I barely noticed them and went straight to bed. In the morning I had to pick up Dudley. I didn't even take any dreamless sleep potion. I was about too tired to lift the cup. I simply fell into bed and the world faded away. Little did I know, I was about to get the worst night sleep I had ever gotten.
I was standing in the middle of the road. I was beginning to wonder why I was there when Voldemort and at least one-hundred Death Eaters suddenly popped into existence. Then I knew why. Voldemort was about to show the ministry and the entire Wizarding world, not to mention the muggles, that he was alive and well and ready to begin a new time of terror. I would probably be the only witness. Oh sh*t.
I don't know how many muggles they killed that night though the sign said Cummersdale pop 527 so I am guessing that 527 people were brutally murdered that night. As far as I knew there wasn't a drop of wizard blood anywhere in that town.
"May God bless their poor souls and give them a quick death."
As much as I would have liked to stay on the outskirts of the town I was dragged along behind Voldemort, the most I could get was a hundred feet away from him, not near far enough in my opinion. I was forced to watch as they tortured the muggles, turning away my head whenever one of the death eaters decided to have a little 'fun' the youngest was only seven, SEVEN! That night I learned exactly how cruel Voldemort truly was. I don't think one muggle out of 527 died quickly or peacefully. Many died still stubbornly clutching rosaries and muttering prayers to a God that I can only hope obliviated their memories the moment they reached the great beyond.
I had no idea there were so many awful potions and spells in existence. I saw men being melted right where they stood. What they did to pregnant women was by far the worst. They cut they unborn baby out, and then threw the child and the mother into a huge bonfire they had made at the center of the town. There was nowhere to turn. Blood was everywhere, houses were reduced to smoldering pieces of rubble, screams of pain and terror tore through the night air already heavy with smoke. What held me there for so long was that Voldemort himself, didn't do a bloody thing. I was forced to listen and watch until the last living muggle was brought before Voldemort. He smirked and raised his wand.
"You shall be the sole survivor of this town. Too bad you won t be sane enough to enjoy it. Crucio!"
The pain filled me and I jolted bolt upright in my bed with a blood curdling scream. I only know what I have been told about how I reacted. It took Ron, Sirius and Dumbledore to bind me so I wouldn't hurt myself or others. Needless to say, I had broken through the mental wall. I'm just glad I didn't kill anyone; cause I'm told I came really close to killing Hermione. Between the three of them, Herm was on the floor out cold, they finally managed to pour the most powerful sleeping potion known to man down my still screaming throat.
I woke up the next morning in the hospital wing with Sirius sitting beside me, a Daily Prophet in his hands. He must have heard me stirring because he suddenly whipped his arm across his face and slipped the Daily Prophet under himself.
"Hey kiddo. How you feeling?"
At first I didn' t remember what had happened and wondered what I was doing in the hospital wing. Then I remembered.
"You know then?" He tried to evade the question.
"Know what, Harry?"
"I saw you getting rid of the Daily Prophet; and I can guess what the headline is. Let me take a stab in the dark, Muggle town wiped off the map, Voldemort has struck again." He bowed his head and nodded. "How many died?"
"Five-hundred and twenty six. At least they think it was that many. They err... can't tell if some of the bodies were human or not. They did find one survivor but his mind is totally..."
"Gone, I know. He was the only person Voldemort actually cursed.. Everyone else the Death Eaters took care of. Oh sh*t. Those... monsters! Sirius they... oh God what they did to the unborn babies and their mothers... and the girls... It was awful! I threw myself at him and he wrapped his arms around me and started to rub my back.
I didn't just cry. I bawled like a baby and, under the circumstances, that was all I could do. Dumbledore came in while I was crying and simply stood at my back wrapping his arms around me. I was totally surrounded by the warmth and comfort now and felt totally safe, a feeling that was almost foreign to me. I knew that no one would judge me while I was with them and I could let go of the 'boy who lived' mask and just be Harry. It was awhile before I stopped sobbing.
"It isn't gonna be like that every time is it? I mean I know I have to have the visions so we know what Voldemort is gonna do but... I can't take things like that. I just can't!" I buried my face back in Sirius' robes and shut my eyes tightly trying to chase away the images and the screams. Dumbledore put a calming hand on my shoulder.
"Don't worry child, we will all work very hard to insure that doesn't happen again." I nodded and bit my lip, angrily wiping away a few tears that leaked out of my eyes. "Now I do need to ask one more thing of you Harry, something I don't believe you will mind at all." He handed me a small pensive-like bowl. "This is a mini pensive. It can only hold one day worth of memories; however, the beauty in this particular model is that once the memory is in the bowl, it is greatly dimmed in your mind. I seriously doubt you will even be able to recall the more traumatic events at all."
Needless to say, I grabbed my wand off the bedside table, and immediately began pouring my vision into the pensive. It wasn't the most pleasant experience in my life. I would even say it hurt quite a bit. I was almost like squeezing the puss out of a blister. It wasn't at all nice but it had to be done, and I felt worlds better afterwards. Dumbledore was right. Everything from the vision was all muddled in my head and even the parts I could remember were very fuzzy.
Dumbledore took the pensive into Madam Pomfrey's office for viewing while I ate some soup Madam Pomfrey brought me. He came out looking more pale and older looking than I had ever seen him. He gave me a small smile, which I returned, and a portkey with the activation word 'Lord Voldefart'. He then told Sirius and I that he was calling an emergency Order of the Phoenix meeting. I didn't have to attend as I already knew what the meeting was about. What I was to do, he told me, was "to get there, get your cousin, and if possible your Aunt Marge, and get back to the safety of the castle ASAP."
Sirius checked on me one more time, "Are you sure you're ok?" "Yes Sirius for the tenth time I'm fine." then followed the headmaster out the door.
About two hours later I found myself standing in front of a house I had, up till then, only seen in photos. My aunt had painted. The house was a painfully bright, shocking, pink. I seriously considered running back to the castle screaming. How did Dudley stand this place? Instead I bravely rapped on the door with the flower pot door knocker and politely waited for an answer.
A chubby blonde boy who looked to be about my age opened the door, started grinning and wrapped me in a bear hug.
"Hi ya Harry!"
"D-Dudley!?" I gasped from lack of air. I was squeezed a bit more and I patted my cousin on the back.
"Yup the one and only!" He let me go and stood back. "Whoa, you're not a midget anymore!"
"Hu? Oh yeah." Coupled with good meals and a natural growth spurt I had grown about five inches in the last few months. "You've changed quite a bit yourself Dudley. You look good! I hardly knew you!" He blushed a bit and lowered his head.
"Yeah I've been working really hard on my weight. Those potions you sent helped a lot. I lost over one-hundred stone!"
"Well you certainly look it! Why I..." Lil chose that exact moment to crawl out of my pack and onto my shoulder. "Lil! You know better!" 'The muggles might see'
There isn't anyone around Harry and I was bored in there. That's your cousin then?
'Yes, my only remaining living relative.'
He's not as bad as I thought he would be. Still, I would prefer to remain on your shoulder.
"Is that the Merkel then?"
"Yup her name is Lillith, Lil for short. There isn't anyone around here who might see her is there?"
"Nah. I told my friends I had the flu so they should stay away for at least a week, and aunty, well she doesn't have any friends, sept for Ripper of course."
I snickered. "Same as always then?"
"Well she has warmed up to wizards a bit now. Good thing too, since all those wizards are coming by to set up wards."
"Actually my headmaster thinks that if possible she should come along too. You see, the situation has changed a bit."
"Hu? How so?"
"Well I couldn't tell you this in an owl, it was too dangerous. Let's just say the last few days have been quite interesting." I proceeded to tell him a very abridged version of what had happened about my new powers that Voldemort wanted for himself, the Order, training, and finally, my vision from the night before. When I told him that he paled and almost fell out of his chair.
"That was Voldemort then? I saw it on the news this morning. You had to watch that happen? How are you still sane?!"
I grimaced. "I wasn't in the least last night. They had me put my memory in a special pensive that dimmed the memory. Everything is blurred. I know what happened I just don't remember faces anymore."
Dudley was throwing the last of his things into his huge suit case as I told him the last part. I waved my wand in the air and shrunk it for him.
"Just put it in your pocket. It's quite light now."
"But I thought you weren't allowed to do magic in the summer."
"Umm oops? Well I can just tell the ministry that I was on a mission for Dumbledore; which I technically am on. Sides, Fudge still owes me a favor or two."
"Fudge?"
"The Minister of Magic. Now let's go down and see if Aunt Marge feels like getting some extra protection."
"Ok but how does the Minister of Magic owe you a favor?"
"If he hadn't been the worlds greatest fool and had done what Dumbledore told him to do in the first place the wizarding world would be a lot better off and much more likely to win."
"Oh."
When we got downstairs we found Marge Dursley camped out on the couch watching the telly which was currently playing back reports of the demolished town and guesses on what had happened to it for, I was sure, the hundredth time. I stepped up to her.
"Miss Dursley?" She looked at me with about the same kindness she would give a roach.
"What is it boy?"
"Pack your things. You are going on a trip."
"WHAT!? I am most certainly not going anywhere with you, you freak of nature!"
"I don't have time to argue. You will get up, and pack enough for an overnight trip or I will use my 'freakish powers' to float your fat arse all the way to Hogwarts! I REFUSE to let your stupidity get either you or Dudley killed."
She scrambled up. "But I thought I wouldn't need to go, just Dudley."
I crossed my arms. "The situation has changed. Voldemort wants something from me that I would have to give him by choice. He will use whatever methods he can to get me to give him what he wants."
Dudley spoke up. "Why does he want the time thing that much Harry? I mean it's cool but..."
I grabbed the glass of brandy from the coffee table and poured it out. "Stop." The brandy froze in mid air. I put the glass underneath the brandy. "Start." The brandy sloshed into the glass not spilling a drop. "That's why, imagine the brandy had been a group of Aurors coming after Voldemort. He could just simply stop time for them and kill them before they can fire off the first curse." Dudley gaped at me.
"Whoa. That's really dangerous!"
"Yup it is; and the ceremony to give him my power would kill me. No I think I will keep the time ability where it is thanks." I looked at Marge. She was still just sitting in her chair like a great big blob of jelly. "Listen you, I don't like you. You don't like me. However, I REFUSE to have another muggle death on my conscience! I had a bad night last night and I am not in the mood for this. Get your fat arse up or I will kick it all the way to Hogwarts! I don't have time for this and their aren't too many protections here. Voldemort could come at any time and I can't beat him on my own. Now get UP!"
"What would he want with me?"
I glared at Marge. "He would probably make the mistake of thinking that I care about you and would try and use you to get my powers. It would all be quite futile I assure you and you would be tortured, and generally abused. This entire thing is for your own good I assure you. Accio nightgown and change of clothing! Accio toothbrush and deodorant!"
I conjured a backpack and slung it over my shoulder, levitated Dudley's suitcase and used just enough magic to pick Marge Dursley up and put her on her feet.
"Let's go." Marge wisely decided to start walking towards the door behind Dudley and I. I led them out into the yard and held out the portkey. "Each of you touch the portkey." They both reached out and touched it. I smirked.
"Lord Voldefart!"
I know Marge screamed as we were whirled away. My ears were ringing an hour later. We landed right infant of the castle doors. I turned toward my two companions.
"Welcome to Hogwarts."
Dudley seemed rather impressed with the whole place. He kept talking to the paintings and walking around with his mouth wide open in astonishment. Aunt Marge kept screaming and running every time she saw something 'abnormal'. Once she ducked into Mertle's bathroom to hide. I tried to warn her, I really did! Poor woman nearly had a heart attack when Mertle floated up from the pipes and greeted her. Dudley didn't make it any better. He kept asking me if she was the ghost I had said was killed by the ballask and once I confirmed it he INSISTED on meeting her properly. I'm a bit surprised Mertle didn't flood the castle with all her crying.
I did finally manage to get them both settled in Gryffindor tower, another place Dudley was impressed with, "You live here in the school year Harry? Cor this place is a lot nicer than my school!" when who should pop up, literally, but Dobby! Marge thought he was a monster and climbed on top of the couch to try and get away, breaking the couch in the process. When I finally managed to calm her down I was able to order a plate of sandwiches for us all, and repair the couch, Dudley started begging me for a tour and, as I had been excused from my training for the day, I told him I'd be happy to take him. Marge decided to stay in the tower and not see anymore 'freakish' things than she had to. I pitied her, I really did.
Dudley and I actually had a pretty nice time of it. I think his favorite was the quidditch pitch he must have asked me 100 questions about the game. I demonstrated a few seeker moves for him. He was quite impressed. He did try to ride one of the school brooms but the guy hasn't a drop of magic in him. He does, however, have a very adventurous spirit. He let me charm him so he only weighed fifty stones and rode with me on the back of my firebolt for a while. He loved it and I was having fun too. Finally I had a blood relative that actually cared a whit about me and wasn't totally freaked out by the fact that I was magical. Around tea time Ron, Herm, Sirius, Remus, and Ginny joined us. We played a bit of quidditch with Dudley and Hermione watching. Herm read a book, Dudley loved it. I have got to get that guy to a professional game eventually. I wonder if muggles are allowed at quidditch games...
After the game it was supper time and we all went down to the Great Hall. Dudley was quite amazed when the food literally appeared infant of him and he seemed to like Dumbledore very much. During dinner Dumbledore told us about his time in school and about the dark wizard Grinwalde. Amazing how similar he and Voldemort are. I guess all dark lords are cut from the same smelly moldy cloth. The twins finally came out of their seventh year dorm and joined us for dinner. I shudder (in anticipation) to think what they are planning for their final and greatest prank. They demonstrated most of their pranks, on me, Sirius, Ron and Percy, for Dudley. He even bought some of the lesser pranks like fake wands. The twins almost didn't take Dudley's money though.
"What's all this giving us this paper!?"
"We wanted money not parchment!"
"And it's not even proper to write on. It's got a picture of some woman on it!"
Herm and I just laughed and explained, Hermione more in depth than me, that it was muggle money and that lady was the queen of England.
"That's not even a proper picture! She doesn't even move!"
I quickly explained that it was a muggle picture and they don't move before Herm could lecture them on the process of printing pounds. Then they decided that they would keep one of the bills to show their friends.
"Muggles are just so weird. Putting money on paper!"
After dinner Dumbledore went to visit my Aunt and put the Fedelius charm on her. I don't know who her secret keeper and I don t' care. I just pity them for having to look at her while to the rest of us she is invisible. Ron and I invited Dudley to sleep in our dorm. He seemed quite happy to be away from Marge.
The next morning, before we even woke up, she was sent home.
Unfortunately, we had training so we gave Dudley the activated Marauders Map and told him to stay in the castle and away from Snape. He would take it then forget where he put it. We also told him to steer clear of Filtch and sent him off.
Most of the day was spent training; Dudley watched some of it and ate with us during meals. Ron, Herm, and Ginny were let go right after lunch while I had to stay till four. I came out and they were all on the quidditch pitch again and Ron was flying Dudley around on his broom. I grinned and waved at them. I had a little surprise for Dudders.
"Hey Dudley, how would like to fly solo?"
I had found a spell that would allow a muggle to travel through the floo network and fly a broom. It only lasted for twenty minutes and was mostly used for emergencies concerning the families of wizards. It infused a bit of magic into the muggle; not enough to cast a spell but quite enough for a muggle to fly a broom and ride in the floo network.
Dudley looked down at me and grinned. "I would love to Harry!"
"All right then! Ron bring him down. He can use the schools cleansweep." I pointed my wand at Dudley, "Infusio!"
Ron brought Dudley down and we all had a lovely twenty minute long quidditch game. Dudley was a pretty fair beater. We all at dinner together again in the Great Hall. Just as I was finishing up desert the front doors were flung open and in walked all the professors who had vacationed and went on errands during the summer. Treloony... I mean Trelauny took one look at me and started moaning about grims, death, and pain. I shot Sirius a look and mouthed. 'Joke time.' I stopped time while she was in mid rant then unfroze Siruis and told him to turn into Snuffles and stand in front of Trelauny. He grinned at me and did as I asked. I got back in my seat and started back time to watch the fun.
"Eeeeek! A grim! I'm going to die! I'm going to join my ancestors! No longer will the world be blessed by a true seer's powers!"
At that point Sirius got on his hind legs, jumped up, and licked her right in the face. Everyone exploded in laughter. Most everyone knew about Sirius animageus form and the rest simply found it outrageously funny that Ole Treloony was ranting about her own death that, and that a ferocious grim had just licked someone in the face. Dudley choked on his pumpkin juice and Ron turned red with tears streaming down his face from laughter. Herm looked torn between being cross with me because I had 'abused my powers' and hugging me because I had managed to one up Trelauny using her own grim scare tactic. The twins were delighted, and the rest of the professors looked highly amused. No one really took Trelauny seriously. Dumbledore just kept her around for the true predictions that only occurred once in a blue moon.
After everything settled down, we all retired to Gryffindor Tower for the night. We stayed up late talking and playing exploding snap, and wizard chess. Dudley had Ron and I replay what had happened with the giant chess board my first year. He concluded that Ron was 'the best chess player ever'. Ron was quite flattered to say the least.
We were all woken early the next morning to say goodbye to Dudley as I was about to the Fedelius charm and no one but me would be able to see him. After breakfast Dudley and I were taken up to Dumbledore's office to perform the ceremony. Professor Snape had brewed a complex sounding potion for the charm and the last ingredients needed was a bit of both our blood, Dudley as the one that needed protection and me as the protector. I was reminded of the Triwizard Tournament by all that but, as I wasn't tied to a headstone in the middle of a creepy looking graveyard I was OK with it. We both drank the potion and then I was instructed to draw my wand, tap Dudley three times and say "Fedelius!" Dudley looked around and asked,
"Well did it work?"
"It most certainly did Mr. Dursley; either that or Harry here snuck in his invisibility cloak and is allowing you to use it."
I smiled at Dumbledore then gave a relived sigh. "You're safe now Dudley."
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Epilogue
Dumbledore allowed all the Weasleys, Hermione, and myself to ride down with Remus to meet the Hogwarts Express. As we rode up in the carriages I couldn't help but wonder where this next school year would take me. I had taken Dudley back to Marge's house soon after we performed the ceremony. We promised to write and maybe meet at a muggle site one day soon to talk.
One day after I had taken Dudley home, the last Professor arrived, Arabella Figg. I must say whatever that monster Voldemort did to her certainly hadn't worn off. She looked awful.
As we got out of our carriages I lingered for a moment.
Summer was finally over. I can honestly say it was by far the busiest summer I have ever had. After all you don't find out you are part of a ancient prophesy every day, now do you? Everyone else had gone in the castle. I'm sure Ron and Herm are waiting for me along with Ginny. For now I'm content to just stand here and look up at the castle. So much has happened since I first came here five years ago. My schooling is more than half complete. I wonder where I will be when it is all said and done. I don't know. But I can't wait to get there.