Storm Child
Author: Hex
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Standard
Notes: (1) Just want to reiterate, Lilly is sort of an airhead. Don't worry, she is very smart but with all those brains how much room could possibly be left for sense?
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It was morning now. Sunlight shone in through the high windows of the Weasley families kitchen, illuminating the scene. At the table sat Lilly and James Potter, with their closest friends sitting either side of them like sentinels, unwilling to let either out of their sights. In front of them sat Ron, a framed photograph in his hands.
This was not the happy scene it appeared to be however. Every one of them was tired and unwashed looking as though they had been through all seven hells and back.
In silence, Ron handed the photo to Lilly. Grinning up at her was a face like a carbon copy of her husbands but for two things. The emerald green eyes and the lightening shaped scar, zigzagging it's way across his forehead. She handed it across to James and turned her gaze on Dumbledore who stood leaning against the mantle over the fire.
"How?"
"I must admit I am no longer sure. Somehow he survived the curse."
"He was a baby! How can a baby survive the killing curse?"
"As I said, I am no longer sure."
"But he is alive?" James asked, handing the photograph back to Ron. "Where is he?"
"Living with his Aunt and Uncle in Surrey."
Silence greeted this statement as both Potters tried to place who Dumbledore meant. It was Lilly who reached the correct conclusion first.
It took them a moment to pick her up off the floor and stop her laughing before she was able to comment.
"Petunia!? You sent a Wizard boy to live with Petunia? Oh man that's classic!" (1)
James stood up and slammed his fist down on the table top, startling Lilly into silence. His face was pale and his eyes seemed oddly dull but something about him fairly burned with passion.
"What are we waiting for? If we know where he is why are we sitting about in somebody's bloody kitchen!? We should be getting him out of there!"
"Calm down James," Sirius said, laying a hand on his friends arm. "I'm sure he's fine."
"Why isn't he with you, anyway?"
Sirius removed his arm and shifted uncomfortably, looking to Dumbledore for help. The Headmaster just nodded. It needed to be said.
"I was put into Azkaban shortly after the attack."
"What!?" James raged. "Why!?"
"Everyone thought I was your Secret Keeper, no one knew you had changed to Peter. So when You-Know-Who attacked, everyone thought it was at my urging."
"And the only people who could clear your name were gone." Lilly muttered. "Sirius I am so sorry."
Sirius shrugged but would not look her in the eye. "What's done is done. I'm sure you would have come forward had you known."
"Come forward?" James laughed, clasping his friends shoulder and giving him a hearty shake. "We would have stormed the walls and broken you out!"
Lilly shook her head and stood, stretching her arms above her head and yawning. "I think I need to shower." She said, scratching the back of her head. "And I need new clothes, I can't meet Harry in these old things." She added, gesturing to her threadbare jeans and sweatshirt.
"Yeah, you stink Lill." Sirius said, grinning.
"Watch it Black, I still owe you for kicking me."
"I think," Dumbledore began, glancing meaningfully between Lilly and Sirius. "That a rest and a shower is exactly what everyone needs. Harry is not going anywhere, Lillian." He added when the red head made to argue. "I need to make a visit to the Ministry, I shall return here after lunch and we shall fetch Harry."
*****
It was gone three when Dumbledore finally returned to The Burrow, looking worn out but cheerful. He told them that they would have to go to the Ministry sometime soon to explain their whereabouts for the past fourteen years and to clear Sirius' name. However, he seemed just as anxious to get to Harry as his parents were and so they had left the Burrow almost immediately.
Now they stood on the pavement outside number four Privet Drive, staring up at the house in which their son awaited them.
"My bum looks big in this robe." Lilly said, tugging at the flared sleeves of the lavender dress robe she had borrowed from Mrs Weasley because it no longer fit her. "What if he looks at me and the first thing he thinks is 'man, that's one big arse'?"
"Well Lilly, in all fairness, is he likely to tell you he thought that?" James asked.
"Well he might! I don't know what he's like. What is he like Remus? Is he likely to say that?"
"Evans, relax. It'll be fine!" Sirius said, rolling his eyes at her.
"I'm still not talking to you Black so shut it."
"Thank goodness for small mercies."
"Someone give me a wand. I think some Hagrid style facial hair would suit you Black."
Homicide was narrowly avoided when Dumbledore finally turned from facing the house to gaze impassively at his former students. Both turned to stare hard at the pavement.
"Arthur." Dumbledore said softly, addressing the until now silent Weasley. "Come with me if you please, I think it best we try to explain what we can to Harry before things get too chaotic to do so."
Lilly and James wisely choose to remain silent as Mr. Weasley and Dumbledore walked up the Dursley's drive and rang the door bell.
It was Petunia Dursley that opened the front door. In an instant she went from snooty lady-of-the-house to clutching her chest and paling considerably. From their vantage point under Dumbledore's invisibility spell Lilly muttered; "I see she hasn't taken to Wizards any more then."
"What - What do you want?" Petunia stuttered, her eagle eyes flashing up and down the street for fear of being noticed.
"We have come for Harry." Dumbledore said cheerfully. "He has been invited to spend the rest of the summer with a friend."
"He-He's not here."
"May I inquire as to when he will return?"
"N-next summer."
"What?"
"He already went to stay with one of his freak friends." Petunia exploded, pointing at Mr. Weasley. "He came at the beginning of the summer and took the dratted boy."
"I see." Dumbledore replied. "Thank you for your time." With that he turned and strode back down the driveway and out onto the street.
"Where is he?" James asked, frowning. "Is he out or something?"
"It would seem." Dumbledore began in a worried voice. "That Harry has been abducted."
*****
This is way short isn't it? Only a thousand words. Well I wanted to end on a cliff hanger. Never fear, I won't make you wait for an update for ages like I usually do!
R&R please
Laters
Hex.
