Disclaimers: I don't own anything! Well... except: Jennifer Potter, Michael Snape and Twinkle Eyes, the house elf.
Muggles At Hogwarts
by Salvia Tanima
Chapter two: Just Fudge...
Harry was viciously clinging to Sirius, afraid he would disappear every second... afraid this would just be another pleasant dream, and Aunt Petunia would wake him up any minute. Finally he raised his head, eyes were glistening with tears, but still sporting a genuine smile.
"Why didn't you tell me?!" he demanded all annoyed.
"The trial just ended yesterday. I wasn't sure. I didn't want to give you false hopes", Sirius returned the smile.
"What about Pettigrew?"
"Got away, thanks to the ministry's elaborate care", came the sarcastic reply," You know, there's a chance I get your custody now".
"Really?!"
Sirius simply nodded. Just as speechless as his godfather, Harry could only nod in wonder.
Vernon and Petunia were eyeing the stranger carefully, not sure what to make of him. Dudley stuck close to his mother, desperately wishing he were invisible. Finally Petunia seemed to have come to some sort of conclusion as she let out a horrified shriek.
"I know you!" she screeched in a high-pitched voice, "You're... that Prongs guy's best friend. You dyed me all green and pink".
Harry looked at his godfather amused.
"Interesting combination... Snuffles", he drawled.
"Hate that name. Can't you settle for Padfoot?" his godfather rolled his eyes," Besides I was only seventeen, just an innocent kid", he gave Harry puppy-dog eyes.
"I sincerely doubt you were ever innocent, Black", Snape's cold remark drew Petunia and Vernon's attention away from Sirius," Such a touching moment. I wish I could wittness it till the end. Alas...".
"What's wrong slimy-head? Scared Jen'll still Mikey from you?" Sirius retorted.
Snape's face darkened at this.
"Watch it, Black!"
"Or what?!"
Snape decided that arguing with Siriu wasn't worth the effort, especially considering their audience's rapt attention. So he made his way to the train, not before ensuring that his expression still frightened the three muggles.
"Ah, now I remember! You must be Tuney, Lil's older sister, right?" Sirius smirked at Petunia.
"I won't allow you to- "
"I'm afraid you're in no position to order me around".
"So... you're going to call Prongs to humiliate me again?" Petunia was now screaming at the top of her voice.
"Very thoughtful of you to send me to Prongs, however I still have things to settle in this world".
"So he's dead? Serves him rig- aahh!" Petunia was thrown several feet back, landing in a rather inelegant heap.
"Now, now control your impulses Harry", Sirius pat his godson on the head.
"I did that?" Harry stared in mild surprise," Huh."
"I'm going to eat you alive for this, boy!" Vernon started making his way towards Harry," This Remus Lupin we'll be staying at, is going to have to pick you up bone by bone!"
"How touching!" Sirius mocked," Too bad it is you who is awfully close to said treatment", and with a flick of his wand, Sirius sent Vernon join Petunia, sprawled on the ground.
Dudley was shaking violently. Never had he thought of Harry as anything more than a freak. Granted, this freak happened to be his cousin, whom he used as a boxing sack. However now it looked as if the roles had reversed.
"Any comment Dudleykins?", Harry asked in a baby voice.
His cousin merely shook his head, unable to do anything more. In the meantime, Vernon and Petunia had finally managed to adopt a more decent position, and were making their way to their luggage, unwilling to be the target of any more angry wizards.
"But why aren't we staying with your godfather Harry?" Petunia asked sweetly," I mean, it would be... umm... more appropriate, wouldn't it?"
"I think we are, aren't we Sirius?" he looked up at his godfather inquiring.
"Yes, you are", he smiled, playfully running a hand through Harry's rebellious hair.
"Aha! So you're doing illegal things!" Vernon instantly dropped his suitcases.
"Um... not that I'd know of", Harry looked at his uncle quizzically.
"Don't play dumb, because my memory is still working well", Vernon snickered.
"Care to enlighten us, Mr. Dursley with the oh-so-well-working-memory?" Sirius put on his most charming smile.
"If I'm not mistaken, boy ", his smirk widening, as his gaze fell on Harry," You've told us, that your godfather was a convicted murderer, who's escaped from the prison", he finished, his face glowing with mirth.
"Oh that?" Harry pretended to have just remembered," Yes I told you that. And speaking of which, it seems that I've forgotten to mention a little detail... ", Harry trailed off.
"And what would that be?" Vernon's smile faltered somewhat.
"Oh... just that he's innocent, and was acquitted this month", Harry turned to Vernon smiling.
"Wha-What?"
"And... uncle Vernon... Do you, by chance, remember me telling you his name?"
"Y-yes. It was... now... it was strange... a now I know it: Sirius Black!" and to his great surprise, Harry's smiled widened.
"So? What does it have to do with us?" Petunia interfered.
"Nothing else to comment upon it?" Harry asked in a mock-disappointed tone.
"No. We'll stay out of his way, and him, as the reasonable adult that he is, will leave us be", Vernon tried, his voice not nearly as convincing as he had intended.
"Mommy? Daddy?" Dudley suddenly spoke up, fear evident in his voice.
"What is it pumpkin?"
"Harry had called this man Sirius, and the other man, the yellow-skinned one, he called him... Black!" he finished close to wailing.
Vernon and Petunia instantly turned their horrified stares at Sirius, whose mouth twisted into an evil grin.
"Oh my! I'm afraid we haven't been properly introduced. Now as Tuney here enlightened us, I'm also known as Padfoot, or extremely rarely Snuffles", he grimaced at this, " however, my actual name is Sirius Orion Black. Nice to meet you, I'm Harry's godfather", he finished with a mock bow," As for being reasonable... well I can be ... sometimes... on extremely rare occasions...", here Sirius pretended to be lost in thoughts.
Absently he muttered something and Harry's trunk was lifted into the air by an invisible force, making its way towards the far end of the railway station. Harry proceeded to follow Sirius, only to turn back halfway, smiling innocently.
"Aren't you coming too?"
His relatives' only answer was a loud gulp, before they frantically grabbing their suitcases and scurrying off towards the wizards.
The people on the street all seemed to be going out of their way to avoid them. Some of them appeared to go through some kind of inner battles and Harry could see their mouths opening, then closing, unable to articulate the sounds. Others seemed to have mustered enough courage, and they briefly stopped before them. They made a quick bow, followed by a strange twist of their lips, most probably a smiling attempt, Harry decided. But it seemed so sour in his opinion, that he even came to consider Snape's as being more sincere. Not that it wasn't... when he was announcing detention, at any rate. Unsure, Harry stole a quick glance at Sirius and was startled to see a grim face. His godfather looked as if he was barely containing his rage.
"Sirius?" Harry asked, lightly touching his arm.
Startled by his godson, Sirius' expression instantly changed, smiling again.
"Yes?"
"Are you... all right? I mean, why are they doing this?" Harry couldn't hide a frown.
Sirius opened his mouth to say something, but eventually thought better of it. He affectionately ruffled his unruly hair, while smiling sadly.
"It's ok, Harry. I didn't expect them to forget this all at once", he then continued happily," You know what? It doesn't really matter. I have you, Rem, Dumbledore, Jen- "
"Who's Jen?" Harry smiled at him mischievously. "And if I recall well you've mentioned something to Snape about Mikey? Is he into guys?!"
"Huh?! Goodness no! Mickey, that is Michael Salazar Snape, is Severus' son".
"He has a son?! I don't recall having heard of that".
"He's attending Durmstrang, like Jen".
Just then, the two were interrupted by someone shrieking. Harry's eyes widened considerably on seeing who the 'shrieked' was: namely Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic".
"No! I'm absolutely disgusted by it!" the minister screamed," Mr. Snape is seriously endangering us as it is. He has a very unhealthy infatuation with this charming -ergh- strange ", he quickly corrected himself," lady. Miss Jennifer Lupin, I think, was her name?"
"Are you implying that my daughter would be a bad influence on young Mr. Snape?" a familiar voice retorted.
"Mr. Lupin, I am most sorry to have to tell you, but your goddaughter is too skilled in Potions for her own good." he seemed to reproach it to the younger wizard.
"Indeed, such a crime!", the first one muttered.
"She should be constantly kept under supervision!" Fudge continued unperturbed.
"For Merlin's sake! She's seventeen! She's a full fledged adult!"
"Mr. Black is also an adult, but still needs to be kept under supervision".
"Excuse me?!" Remus stared at Fudge wide-eyed.
"I said Mr. Sirius Black needs to be kept under strict supervision", the minister repeated.
"I AM OFFENDEEEED!" Sirius' loud wail caused Fudge to turn around embarrassed.
"On second thought, it may come in handy", Remus muttered, eyeing Sirius.
"So!" Sirius approached Fudge," You think that I'm the incompetent one here? Who is the one who lost Pettigrew again?".
"Erm well...", the minister stammered.
"And you say Jen is too good? Just answer me this: How many good potion masters do you know of? And how many of them are not working for the Dark Lord?"
"I-"
"Ever since you were so kind as to interdict Jen and Remus to meet Harry, things went wrong. How could you assume that muggles, who hate him would provide my godson a happy home?" Sirius nearly shouted.
"Mr. Black, I- "
"I expect to get his custody in a week's time", Sirius threatened.
"O-of c-course. I-I'll be right on my way to ac-complish this", with that he disapparated.
"If diplomacy fails, might as well scare the minister", Remus commented dryly.
"Thanks Moony", Sirius replied equally sarcastically," I sure can count on your support lately".
Remus merely shrugged. Sirius had called him unfair, always being the voice of reason. Remus knew that his friend, had a very strict conscience, but did his best to appear otherwise. It was quite unfair. Sirius had spent twelve years in Azkaban and the only thing the Ministry was able of saying was 'We're sorry for the inconvenience, Mr. Black', and return to their everyday activities, as if nothing had changed.
"I'm through with you!" his friend's voice pulled Remus away from his thoughts.
"For the forty fifth time this week?" Remus casually asked.
"And last".
"Yes... and last", he added amused, " for the twentieth time this week".
"Stop psychoanalyzing me!" Sirius pouted," Doing it for 25 years, hasn't tired you of it?"
"No", Remus replied, " Your kind, presents me with a most excellent opportunity to discover something new every time we talk. So, I guess you'll have to get used to you condition guinea Padfoot ", he ended cheerfully.
Sirius let out an exasperated sigh.
"So, why is he cross with Jen, now?" Sirius asked amused.
"I really don't know this time", Remus shrugged," But I suppose it has something to do with the numerous love potions Mike's been making lately. Not sure of their effect, he had tested them on his house elf. My ears have been ringing with falsetto serenades for days".
"Creepy", Sirius shuddered.
Suddenly a dancing house elf appeared next to them. Spotting the wizards, the small creature quickly hurried over to them. Opening his mouth, strange creaking sounds came out. Among the extremely false tones, Harry was able to make out words as 'master', 'love', 'adore' and 'incarnation of goodness'.
"Thank you very much Twinkle Eyes", Remus smiled at the elf warmly, "We've got the message".
The elf bowed low, and skipped away happily, no doubt in search of other willing listeners, while singing praising hymns about his master.
"I'm seriously contemplating suicide", Sirius stated after the elf was out of earshot.
"How else could you contemplate anything? Although I have to admit: your way of doing it is quite... um... unique", Remus barely dodged Sirius' oncoming fist.
Feeling rather confused by the latest events, Harry saw fit to interfere in the two Marauders' friendly quarrel.
"Harry!" Remus met him with a genuine smile, " How nice to see you!"
"Good afternoon professor Lupin", he smiled broadly.
"Oh, for Merlin's sake, Harry! Call me Remus, or Moony if you prefer. Your sister seems to be liking the last one a lot", he smiled.
"My... sister?!" Harry stared at him in disbelief.
Remus looked at Sirius questioningly. The other one merely shrugged.
"Why didn't you tell him? You said it would be the first thing you'll do after greeting him", Remus eyed him puzzled.
"I think you should tell him. After all she's your goddaughter, and you know her better", Sirius said matter-of-factly.
"Are you ser- I mean sure?" he grinned at Sirius' failed attempt to tease him.
"Yup"
"OK. Let's go sit somewhere. How about the park there?"
"Fine with me", Harry said, his gaze not leaving Remus.
"Mommy!" Dudley's wail dew everyone's attention to him," I'm hungry! Let's go home!"
"We can't. Shush! Dudley, we'll meet this Mr. Remus Lupin and we'll sit down", Petunia shot an accusing glare to Sirius, only to be rewarded with a malicious smirk.
Remus stepped closer to the Dursleys. Vernon eyed him carefully, noting his somewhat shabby robes and already graying hair.
"Vernon Dursley, I assume", Remus extended his hand politely.
"That I am!" Vernon replied defiantly, swatting his hand away.
Remus raised a questioning eyebrow at this. His gaze searched Sirius', but the other wizard simply shrugged.
"Remus Lupin",he turned to Vernon again," I believe you must be tired as well as... excited after all these events", Remus continued with a slight smirk.
"Indeed", Vernon answered, albeit with less attitude.
"I suggest you go ahead then", noting their bewildered gaze, he had to suppress a smile," It's the house with the blue roses on the gate", he gestured towards a nearby house.
"Cute isn't it?" Sirius added snickering, earning himself a death-glare from Remus.
"Just tell Jennifer your name and that I've sent you ahead. Ask her for you rooms", he concluded smiling politely.
"How will we know it's her?" Petunia eyed him thoughtfully.
On spotting Petunia looking at him intently, Remus couldn't help but smile broadly.
"Why Petunia! Such a nice surprise", he said joyfully," haven't seen you for a long time. How's Ampu?"
"You... you", Petunia spluttered furiously," how the HELL did you imagine I'd keep a snail?"
"Now, now Tuney. I've warned you. He's the reincarnation of Hakamputi, god of the damned", Remus recited solemnly.
"Of course I kept it!" Petunia spat furiously.
She dropped her suitcase, and began furiously rummaging through its contents. Eventually she carefully fished out a small metal box, holding it out for inspection.
"See for yourself. I've fed it as you told me. Some snail, it lives over 20 years", she scoffed.
Remus and Sirius only stared at her in shock, mouths wide open.
"Didn't think I'd be able to?" Petunia smiled triumphantly.
Remus seemed to recover first, as he made his way to Petunia, opening the box and inspecting its contents very carefully.
"Oh yes... you did an excellent job. But now experts are needed. Give it to Jennifer. Don't Forget to tell her of his godly spirit. She'll know what to do", Remus concluded," As for Jennifer, she is Harry's sister. She looks a lot like Lily".
Petunia nodded, while ceremoniously holding the box in one hand and dragging her suitcase in the other one, prompting Dudley and Vernon to follow her towards the indicated house. Sirius and Remus merely stared after them, until they disappeared into the house. As if on cue, both broke into hysterical laughter, having serious trouble standing.
"Moony, you're the bestst", Sirius finally managed to stop laughing.
Remus did a mock-bow, pretending to refuse autographs.
"What was that all about?", Harry asked puzzled.
"Long story", Remus stopped Sirius from explaining," And I should really tell you about Jen today".
Motioning for the two to sit don on a nearby bench, Remus began to tell the story...
-FLASHBACK-
~ 11th May, 1981- night time
James Potter was pacing restlessly back and forth in the cozy living room. He would occasionally stop to look at the stairs which led upstairs. Faint laughter could be heard from there. Sighing, he would run his hands through his messy hair and resume the pacing. Remus Lupin and Sirius Black were seated on a couch, and had been observing this strange ritual for two hours. Finally Sirius saw fit to break it. Standing up, he gently put a hand on James' shoulder.
"Prongs, stop", he coaxed his friend to a halt.
"Padfoot's right", Remus added," The only thing you'll achieve like this ill be wearing a path in your living room floor".
"I know", James came to a halt, sighing," I just don't know what to do anymore".
"Try calming down", Remus rose as well, helping Sirius coax James to sit down.
"Voldemord is after us... More precisely after Jen and Harry", James absently ran his hand through his hair," I think it has something to do with the fact that Jen can't take the bracelet off and Harry's strange birth sign".
"Bracelet? Birth sign?" the other two looked at James with interest.
"You remember the gift I gave Lily for her 18th birthday? When Petunia threw Lily's charms homework into the fire?" the other two nodded," That bracelet. Lily thought since Jen seemed to like it so much, she should have it. Since she put it on, we can't take it off anymore. Every time we touch it, it tries to sting us to death. Only Jen can touch it, but she can't take it off either".
"Didn't you go to the store to ask the shop keeper?" Remus asked bewildered.
"I did. But there is no shop anymore. Actually, no one on Diagon Alley seems to have seen or heard of it. Lily's tried numerous charms on it, but the bracelet simply deflects them".
"And how's Jen dealing with it?" Sirius looked at James concerned.
"Surprisingly well", James answered, to the others' shock," She says she likes it, and that it's comforting. She really means it".
"Is she well? I mean haven't you noticed anything wrong with her... even if slightly?" Remus asked bewildered.
James shook his head, evidently not understanding the situation either.
"So it does no harm to her?" Sirius finally asked.
"Apparently not", James said, looking at the corner of the room intently.
"Then it's ok", Sirius said puzzled," What's the problem?"
"Voldemord?" James reminded him," he seems to have found out, and is now after her".
The silence following James' statement was a suffocating one. Sirius and Remus kept staring at their friend, unable to decide upon something intelligent to say. Eventually Remus decided they should break the silence weighing over them.
"What about Harry's birth sign?" Remus tried, his uneasiness clearly detectable.
"It's a strange sign in shape of a lightning bolt. At first we didn't even notice it. Jen pointed it out to Lily. We went to see lots of mediwizards, but no use. They said it would eventually fade... ", James trailed off.
"But?" Sirius impatiently prompted.
"It has become more visible lately, and- ", here he trailed off.
"For Merlin's sake James! What is it?" Sirius had to fight the urge to shake the words out of his friend.
"Jen's bracelet... it has become sort of a tattoo... on her inner arm it has taken the exact same shape of Harry's scar", James finished, staring wide-eyed at the floor.
"So you thought to protect them from Voldemort by... doing what exactly?" Remus unsteadily asked.
"Harry's too small. He still needs us... Jen, however, has to get away", James pleaded desperately," I want you to take her away. Please Rem", he looked at his friend with desperate eyes.
Remus' eyes widened in shock. Was James telling him that his own daughter was a burden?
"James, what the HELL are you talking about?"
"I don't want them together. They are different, Rem. Voldemort knows... we can hide better if we're separated. Believe me... I've spent weeks discussing this with Lily. You're her godfather after all, there couldn't be a better choice", James insisted.
"But I-I could harm her. Really James I- Why not Sirius?" he couldn't decide whether he was honored or scared of James' offer.
"They chose me as their secret keeper", Sirius' answer startled him.
Remus could feel himself nodding automatically. Just then, the voices from upstairs seemed to intensify, abruptly halting the Marauders' talk. A red-haired little girl of about three, bounded down the stairs. As soon as she caught sight of the three men, she sped up.
"Daddy!" she exclaimed, then turned her voice to a whisper," He's sleeping now", she announced confidentially.
Turning to the other two, slightly bewildered, men, her face broke into a contagious smile.
"Moony, Padfoot! How nice to see you!" she opened her arms towards Remus, fully intending to crawl into his lap.
Remus, who had taken up his previous position on the couch, took her in his arms smiling.
"How's my favorite goddaughter doing today?" he inquired gallantly.
"But Moony", came the intrigued answer," I'm your only goddaughter!"
"One more reason for being my absolute favorite", he laughed at her cute frown.
Lily came in shortly, observing Remus and Jennifer's interaction with a sad smile. James let out a frustrated sigh, however a slight smile played at the edge of his lips.
"Princess?" he asked.
"Yes?" Jennifer turned away from her current staring contest with Sirius, still safely nestled in Remus' arms.
"You see, Moony is quite lonely now. We thought you should go and keep him company for a while... or else he might even go insane", James put on a worried face.
Jennifer seemed to consider this very seriously, then nodded solemnly, amidst Lily and James' relieved smiles and Sirius's snicker and Remus' bewilderment.
"I'll take good care of Moony!" she exclaimed, patting Remus on the shoulder.
-END FLASHBACK-
"Come on, Harry!" Sirius pulled him through the rose gate," She won't bite... at least she didn't bite me".
"But what if she-".
"No ifs!" Sirius frowned," She's dying to meet you!"
Suddenly the door swung open, startling the three wizards. An rather pretty red-headed girl stormed out of it, being careful to slam the door shut as noisily as possible.
"I swear I'm going to kill, those- those-", she fumed.
"Muggles?" Remus supplied.
The girl seemed to have just acknowledged their presence. Lifting her head, she carefully took in each of the three, her gaze finally resting on Harry. An instant smile appeared on her face.
"Hi!" she extended her hand happily, towards Harry," You must be Harry. I'm Jennifer... Jen to you".
"Hi", Harry couldn't help but smile too.
"Why are you fuming, hon?" Sirius inquired sweetly.
"Because I just came to realize what an idiot I have for aunt, not to mention my cousin's nature... luv", she finished in an equally sweet tone," Now which one of you had the brilliant idea of me taking care of a snail?"
Sirius readily pointed to Remus.
"Moony?!" she wailed, " What did I do to deserve this?"
"You can let it go... and invent something", he smiled," Right now I suggest we go in, and make ourselves comfortable".
The other three nodded, proceeding to make their way inside.
"By the way Snuffles...", Jennifer began with a malicious grin, " What took you so long? Have you had to fight a troll on the way?"
"Nah... just Fudge", Sirius replied dismissively.
_
End of chapter two
A/N: Thank you so much for reading this far, unfortunately this story has been discontinued.
