Wanted: Love
Ch12: All Better?. . .I Think Not
He stood very still. If one was just passing by they might mistake him as a statue. His skin was pale enough for it, anyhow. His eyes seemed glued to the one spot on the horizon. He didn't even blink, and unless you looked closely you might be tricked into thinking that he wasn't breathing. A gentle breeze ruffled his hair and sent a chill down his spine. He didn't bother to pull his robe tighter around his body, however. Instead he took another step forward.
Passing by a puddle on the ground he briefly caught a glimpse of his face before the rain drops disrupted it and sent ripples outward. Though, he knew not when it had begun to rain it did seem to fit his mood. Besides fitting his mood, the rain did him another favor. The wizard reporters had cleared off so he was free to wander about the grounds without being disturbed. His bangs were flattened against his forehead and his scar shone through clearly. He glared at his reflection, however distorted it became because of the rain. He knew he could never go anywhere ever again with that face and not get some kind of look; some sort of sympathetic gaze out of the corner of every eye. He felt his lip curl at the thought. It was bad enough being the hero of all wizards and witches but to be the object of their sympathies as well. . .
Harry stormed through the puddle, send water everywhere, including onto himself. He paid no heed to it, however. He walked for several minutes before coming to a huge green house. Exactly why a greenhouse was this close to the wizard court, Harry didn't know; but the rain was beginning to get to him so he pushed aside the question and walked into the building. A strange odor greeted him as well as a few raspy snaps and muffled cries. As he made his way through the isles of strange plants Harry unconsciously took his wand out of his robe pocket. He gripped it firmly at his side and picked up his pace a bit. Several plants snapped at him as he passed by but Harry simply ignored them. By the time he reached the end of the greenhouse the rain had become accompanied by some rather loud thunder and bright lightening. He reached his fingers out to touch the tinted glass and was surprised to find it rather cold. He took a step closer to the glass and brought his other hand to the glass. As he stared aimlessly in front of him he saw a barn not too far off.
How far had he walked to have reached a farm? At least now the presence of the greenhouse made sense. Harry sighed and leaned his back against the glass wall. A window above him was opened at the bottom and a cool draft ran over his still moist neck causing him to shiver. On the upper side, Harry doubted anyone would find him. He put his head in his hand and stared at the wand in his other hand. No one was around. It was the perfect opportunity. He nibbled on the inside of his cheek as he continued to stare intently at his wand. A bright flash of light illuminated the greenhouse for a minute followed by an earth shaking explosion of thunder. Harry's head snapped up. His eyes darted around his surroundings for a few seconds.
He could have sworn he saw something. Harry mentally kicked himself and stood up, he was in a greenhouse. Of course there was bound to be some movement on the plants' part. He turned his back on the room again and stared out at the gloomy day. He hoped no one had noticed he had left. It had particularly amazed him when he managed to leave the court room without even the wizard that had been holding him notice. He wondered what miserable memory they were watching now. Could it be the time when his aunt gave him a sound lashing with the metal spatula for burning dinner? Or maybe it was the time his uncle had locked him in the cupboard with no meals and a beating everyday for a week because he had accidentally spilled bleach on his favorite shirt. Harry supposed it didn't really matter as he pictured the words that could end it all for him.
"Avada Kedavera." he whispered quietly as he closed his eyes.
Why did it have to be so hard for him to do something as simple as kill himself? All it would take is his wand at his chest and the utterance of two small words. Why couldn't he do it? No one would want to have anything to do with him now. Now that they all knew his secret they'd all be too embarrassed to be seen around him. Harry thought of Hermione and his heart sunk lower. Even if she had liked him before she certainly wouldn't now. Not now that she knew. She would leave him, everyone would. Harry squeezed his fist so tight he could feel his nails driving into his skin. He let out a frustrated yell and pounded his fist on the glass so hard that it shattered. As the blood started to seep heavily and quickly from his hand he was surprised at how little it hurt. He brought his hand back and saw a piece of glass protruding from his wrist.
"Dammit." he whispered.
If only it had gone a few centimeters to the left it would have punctured his vein and likely have killed him. Just his luck that it would miss. He roughly pulled the offending glass from his skin and threw it to the ground where it joined the rest of the broken pieces. The owner wouldn't be happy but at the moment Harry really couldn't care less. He briefly remembered a movie Dudley had once watched as Harry dusted the room. It had been about a plant from outer space that fed on humans. He believed it was called, "Little Shop of Horrors." (AN: Great movie by the way!) Just then Harry wished that one of the plants in this greenhouse was cannibalistic; he would feed himself in an instant. However, before he could investigate the plants. . .
"Harry?"
Harry dropped his head and let out a groan of annoyance which the person mistook for one of anguish.
"Are you okay?" they asked, putting a hand on his shoulder.
Harry shrugged it off, "Just go away, Hermione." Harry heard two more pairs of footsteps come forward.
"What the hell you playin' at, Harry?" asked Ron.
Harry turned around and stared accusingly at them, "Why is it that I can never be alone for more than five minutes?"
"Harry, why didn't you tell us?" asked Lavender. "Like anyone would care anyway. It was only three more months-" he started.
"God dammit, Harry! We saw what the fucking bastard did to you! It wasn't any fucking Death Eaters! It was that fat good for nothing prat of an uncle of yours! Why the hell didn't you tell us!?" shouted Ron.
"I was fine! I made it out alright, didn't I!?" yelled Harry.
"Oh, yeah, Harry! You made it out just fine! You could barely walk, let alone fly!" Ron retorted, "If it weren't for those centaurs you would've died!"
"So? It would have been doing everyone a favor! Admit it; I've never been anything but trouble! I deserved everything I got!" Harry exclaimed.
Ron looked taken back, as did Hermione and Lavender. All three were silent for a long time as Harry glared at them.
It seemed as though the uncomfortable silence might reign forever until Hermione finally broke it, "Harry. . .that's not true and you know it."
"Yes it is; or have you forgotten all those times I brought us this close to being killed by Voldemort or something or other in the Forbidden Forest?" asked Harry.
Surprisingly, Ron smirked, "Ah, I don't know if this is the right time to say it but. . .I always had fun on those little adventures of ours. Besides, a lot of good has come out 'em."
"That's right, if you hadn't dragged us on them You-Know-Who would have come back a lot sooner then he did. You also saved Ginny from the Chamber of Secrets." said Hermione.
"Yeah, and don't forget about how that entire ordeal in our third year finally got Sirius free." agreed Lavender. Harry turned his head to the side.
"Face it, Harry; you're an all around good guy. A mistake here and there won't change that." said Ron, clapping Harry on the shoulder.
Harry thought for a moment. Were they right? *Could* they be right? But more importantly, did he dare to believe it? Was it possible that the Dursleys were just a big mistake that he was never meant to have to endure? He doubted it. How could everything he had been put through been a mistake? There was no way it could be true but decided to play along with them to get them off his case. He gave a small smile and looked at his friends who smiled back.
"Guess I've been a prick lately, huh?" he asked.
"Don't worry about it." said Hermione.
Harry ran his hand through his hair, "Suppose we should be getting back, shouldn't we?"
Lavender reached out and grabbed his hand, "What happened to your hand, Harry?" Harry looked sheepishly at them for a minute then motioned to the broken window behind him. Hermione took out a handkerchief from her robe's pocket and wrapped it around Harry's hand.
"That'll have to work until we get back to Hogwarts." she said as a flash of lightening lit the building again.
"Maybe we should wait until it stops raining." suggested Harry.
"Everyone's bound to be worried. I'm certain they've finished by now." said Lavender.
Harry looked down and muttered, "That's what I'm worried about." Hermione bit her lip, eyes watering up, and threw her arms around Harry's neck.
"It'll be okay, Harry. We'll be there for you." she said before kissing him on the cheek.
"Yeah, if the git Malfoy or anyone else says anything they're gonna have bloody hell to pay!" said Ron, slamming his fist into his hand for emphasis.
Harry gave a small laugh, "Yeah, I'd like to see Malfoy take on Sirius and live to tell about it." Everyone in the room had a good laugh at that as they made their way to the exit. Right as they reached the exit, however, Harry turned around and looked around the room. He was positive something or someone was watching them.
"What's wrong, Harry?" asked Hermione.
Harry stared around the room for a moment longer before shaking his head slowly and turning around, "Nothing. . .don't worry about it." With that the four left the greenhouse, little did they know that someone had been watching them.
_~_~_~_~
"Vernon and Petunia Dursley, you are both sentenced to seventy years in Azkaban. Take them away." said Wallace hammering his gravel.
The wizards standing guard next to the Dursleys quickly ushered them out of the room before anyone could do anything which was a good call on their part for everyone in the room looked ready to pounce on them at any second. For over an hour they had watched different scenes from the Pensieve play on the screen. No one had quite been able to comprehend the truthfulness of it. Once, during a particular nasty scenario when Harry was having his head bashed against the wall so hard that blood started to spatter onto the walls and the floor, the media managed to break into the court room and saw the whole thing.
It wasn't until they were all forced out into the pouring rain that Dumbledore noticed that Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Lavender were missing. Sirius, Whims, and Remus had agreed to go and look for them so no one was particularly worried about them. The room was really beginning to thin out; only the remaining Weasleys, Dumbledore, and Hagrid were still present. Fudge had gone off with the council to complete the case papers and the rest of the people had gone home. They waited in uncomfortable silence for the return of their friends as they listened to the rain hit the ceiling. It just happened to be at that moment when the doors burst opened.
"Get your bloody hands off him!" Ron was shouting, tugging on Hermione's arm, which was only partially visible from within the crowd of paparazzi swarming outside the room. Lavender and Harry were still out of sight but their voices could still be heard.
"Hold on, Harry, we're almost there!" Lavender's voice yelled.
"Yes, the room's right up here!" said Hermione.
"Easy for you to say! Get off my foot!" Harry hollered and someone in the crowd gave a yelp.
Ron gave a mighty tug and the three were finally pulled free. Fred and George were plenty ready and slammed the doors shut before anyone else could enter the room. Harry stood up and rubbed his hip which he had landed on forcefully.
"Damn Fudge. Why don't they answer their own damn questions? It's not like they're even going to use my answers." he muttered under his breath so no one could hear, though they all got the jest of it. He turned to them and sighed angrily,
"Stop staring at me, and don't look at me like that!" Everyone immediately averted their eyes. Harry cursed under his breath, it had begun.
"So Harry," said Dumbledore, breaking the silence, "where are Sirius, Tali, and Remus?" Harry looked at Ron, Hermione, and Lavender who looked back at him.
Ron shrugged at him and Harry turned back to Dumbledore, "I don't know, sir. We didn't see them."
Dumbledore nodded, "Hagrid, Molly, Arthur, would you take the children back to Hogwarts? I'll follow as soon as I find them." The three adults nodded and as Dumbledore left out the back door they disappeared back to Hogwarts.
_~_~_~_~
"I'm surprised you're not holding back on this, Tali." said Remus.
"You kidding? If those jackasses have enough nerve to go and hurt my godson you can bet that they won't get away without paying! Seventy years, indeed! They deserved the Dementor's Kiss on the spot!" exclaimed Tali Whims.
"He's not just your godson. Be sure to save some for me, Tals. That fucking bastard and his scum wipe of a wife have it coming to them!" said Sirius through gritted teeth as they came to a door.
From the other side they could hear Vernon Dursley ranting and raving to his wife, "They have no right! That boy deserved everything he got! It's his own fault if he couldn't handle it!"
"I completely agree with you, Vernon, but it's not for us to decide. That good for nothing little brat has their kind wrapped around his finger. If he accused us of a murder they'd believe him! Now we're off to God knows where, and our poor Duddeykins doesn't have anyone to take care of him!" said Petunia.
"Marge will take care of him until our lawyers get here." said Vernon (AN: I know, a lot of good that'll do.), "We should have just thrown the boy out when he came. Good for nothing ass-"
But before Vernon could say anything more the door had burst open and Sirius had rammed him up against the door.
"How dare you, you mother fucking bastard! How dare you talk about Harry like that! He's saved the lives of you and everyone else on this god damn planet more times then anyone of us deserve! How dare you treat him like that! Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you!" he bellowed in Vernon's face.
"Get your hands off me! That boy got nothing less then what he deserved! And it's a good thing we do treat him like that, other wise his head would be as big as his attitude!" Vernon said with utter rage, not even registering who he was talking to.
Tali and Remus had Petunia in a similar position and were having a similar conversation with her.
"He's your own flesh and blood!" shouted Remus.
"Not by choice! Once a freak, always a freak. He's just like his parents and-" said Petunia but she was cut off.
"Don't you dare insult Lily and James!" shrieked Tali.
"I'll insult whomever I please. Don't think that just because you have magic that you can silence the truth!" said Petunia, also in a reckless state of anger.
Then there was a simultaneous cracking of wands. Dark puffs of smoke filled the room, making it impossible to see, but as soon as the smoke started to clear off a curious spectacle took hold of everyone in the room. Where Vernon and Petunia Dursley had been standing were what appeared to be one inch tall versions of the Dursleys. . .only it could be. For the Dursleys had had normal skin with normal hair but these. . .these things had green skin with purple warts and no hair at all. They stood there shaking their fists and shrieking at the top of their lungs but it sounded no louder than the squeaking of a mouse.
"Serves you right, damn bastard." muttered Sirius.
"What do you say we just step on them and get it over with." suggested Tail.
"Sounds like a good idea to me." said Remus as the three lifted their feet and the mini Dursleys covered their heads.
But before the three could bring down their feet, "Stop!"
The three turned around and saw Dumbledore standing in the doorway.
He strode quickly forward and looked at the three, "What is going on here?"
"They deserve everything they get, Dumbledore! You saw what they did to Harry!" shouted Sirius.
Dumbledore looked from face to face then down to the Dursleys, "Don't you think it would be more of a punishment to send them to Azkaban? Certainly killing them now would only let them escape the agony they will have to endure there, don't you agree?"
"But Azkaban isn't nearly a good enough punishment! They deserve the Dementor's Kiss, and you know it Dumbledore." said Remus.
"I do. And so does the board. That is why they will be meeting in private for a week to see if they might choose that path. That aside, you don't all really want to be thrown into Azkaban, do you? I'm certain that Harry will need everyone's support starting tomorrow and you can't very well give that if you're locked up, can you? What do you think Harry will think if finds out his godparents and you, Remus, have been arrested for trying to avenge him?" asked Dumbledore.
Sirius, Remus, and Tali all looked down and Dumbledore nodded, "Alright, let's put them straight."
"Hold on a minute!" said Tali as she conjured a camera out of thin air, "I think it might do Harry some good to see them like this." With that she snapped a picture of the Dursleys and then Dumbledore turned them back to normal.
Petunia was quite subdued by the experience and was quiet but Vernon was as mad as ever, "How dare you! You must be that bloody godfather the god damn boy was always talking about! Funny, he never mentioned any of you. Probably knew it'd only get him a harder beatin'. To think he had the fucking nerve to threaten my family! He's lucky that he had us to keep him in line!"
It looked as though Vernon could have gone on forever had it not been for him getting the wind knocked out of him by three fists. As Vernon fell to the ground and Petunia knelt beside him, Dumbledore ushered the three out of the room before they could do anything else, "Let us go. Shouldn't you want to see Harry?"
Author's Note: Wow, that was a long time to update and I know that this chapter isn't exactly the longest one ever but I've been very busy with school stuff (I got elected secretary of the FEA!) not to mention a nasty case of writer's block! But I'm back and I'm gonna be updating at least once every other week. But you know, it's winter here in Virginia . . .and the computer is right next to the window, my poor little fingers freeze right off! However, my mom got me two new cds: Michael Bolton and Plus One. They gave me sooooooooooo many new ideas I'm not sure if I'll be able to live with myself if I don't get them all down soon. To tell the truth I really had no idea how I was going to end this story but now I do! Yay! I'm gonna go start the next chapter but first. . .
Malexandria: Really? I didn't like the way I had the Dursley's punished. . . it's kinda hard not to seriously hurt them when you have magic as an option and I didn't want them to get killed but thanks for your compliment!
Purple Water: VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!! The greenhouse is important to later development of the story. . .or at least I plan it to be; maybe not that particular greenhouse but a greenhouse. Just hang on for several more chapters and you should understand. Listening to his friends. . .well. . .don't kill me but that's not gonna help him much longer. . . Any way, yep, it's freezing out here, goodness, but luckily I have gloves now so my fingers should be fine. FEA= Future Educators of America. I actually plan on being a writer, but until I get a steady flow of publishing, teaching's gonna get me by! Thanks for the advice. . .I'm gonna go and try and see if I can do it by myself. . .I'll e-mail if it doesn't work that well, though.
Them girl: Thanks! I appreciate it! As for how things turn out. . .we'll have to see.
Lady Foxfire: Who's watching Harry? Well, it all ties into the greenhouse Purple Water was asking about. And like I told him (Or her) you gots ta wait for a few chapters, k? Just hang tight and you'll see. As for trying to end it all. . .you'll see.
Laterose: S'ank you! I've been getting lots o' compliments on the Dursley/court chapter! And if you're looking for more Dursleys, It's coming. . .but not till the last chapter. . .at least not physically. . .you'll understand later!
Broxs: Thanks for your willingness! I'll be sure to give you an e-mail if this chapter doesn't go over to well. Is it really 42* over there already? What part of VA are you in? Are you even in VA? You know, we were supposed to get snow here too but it didn't! Oh well, lots o' time left! Once again, thanks for your help!
Nexus: Thanks! But I think I got it down. What do you think? Read the chapter and write a review! I'll go ahead and read your story, though. One good deed for another! It might take me some time to find it though. . .EVENTUALLY!. . .you know what. . .could you just send it to me? Thanks!
Ch12: All Better?. . .I Think Not
He stood very still. If one was just passing by they might mistake him as a statue. His skin was pale enough for it, anyhow. His eyes seemed glued to the one spot on the horizon. He didn't even blink, and unless you looked closely you might be tricked into thinking that he wasn't breathing. A gentle breeze ruffled his hair and sent a chill down his spine. He didn't bother to pull his robe tighter around his body, however. Instead he took another step forward.
Passing by a puddle on the ground he briefly caught a glimpse of his face before the rain drops disrupted it and sent ripples outward. Though, he knew not when it had begun to rain it did seem to fit his mood. Besides fitting his mood, the rain did him another favor. The wizard reporters had cleared off so he was free to wander about the grounds without being disturbed. His bangs were flattened against his forehead and his scar shone through clearly. He glared at his reflection, however distorted it became because of the rain. He knew he could never go anywhere ever again with that face and not get some kind of look; some sort of sympathetic gaze out of the corner of every eye. He felt his lip curl at the thought. It was bad enough being the hero of all wizards and witches but to be the object of their sympathies as well. . .
Harry stormed through the puddle, send water everywhere, including onto himself. He paid no heed to it, however. He walked for several minutes before coming to a huge green house. Exactly why a greenhouse was this close to the wizard court, Harry didn't know; but the rain was beginning to get to him so he pushed aside the question and walked into the building. A strange odor greeted him as well as a few raspy snaps and muffled cries. As he made his way through the isles of strange plants Harry unconsciously took his wand out of his robe pocket. He gripped it firmly at his side and picked up his pace a bit. Several plants snapped at him as he passed by but Harry simply ignored them. By the time he reached the end of the greenhouse the rain had become accompanied by some rather loud thunder and bright lightening. He reached his fingers out to touch the tinted glass and was surprised to find it rather cold. He took a step closer to the glass and brought his other hand to the glass. As he stared aimlessly in front of him he saw a barn not too far off.
How far had he walked to have reached a farm? At least now the presence of the greenhouse made sense. Harry sighed and leaned his back against the glass wall. A window above him was opened at the bottom and a cool draft ran over his still moist neck causing him to shiver. On the upper side, Harry doubted anyone would find him. He put his head in his hand and stared at the wand in his other hand. No one was around. It was the perfect opportunity. He nibbled on the inside of his cheek as he continued to stare intently at his wand. A bright flash of light illuminated the greenhouse for a minute followed by an earth shaking explosion of thunder. Harry's head snapped up. His eyes darted around his surroundings for a few seconds.
He could have sworn he saw something. Harry mentally kicked himself and stood up, he was in a greenhouse. Of course there was bound to be some movement on the plants' part. He turned his back on the room again and stared out at the gloomy day. He hoped no one had noticed he had left. It had particularly amazed him when he managed to leave the court room without even the wizard that had been holding him notice. He wondered what miserable memory they were watching now. Could it be the time when his aunt gave him a sound lashing with the metal spatula for burning dinner? Or maybe it was the time his uncle had locked him in the cupboard with no meals and a beating everyday for a week because he had accidentally spilled bleach on his favorite shirt. Harry supposed it didn't really matter as he pictured the words that could end it all for him.
"Avada Kedavera." he whispered quietly as he closed his eyes.
Why did it have to be so hard for him to do something as simple as kill himself? All it would take is his wand at his chest and the utterance of two small words. Why couldn't he do it? No one would want to have anything to do with him now. Now that they all knew his secret they'd all be too embarrassed to be seen around him. Harry thought of Hermione and his heart sunk lower. Even if she had liked him before she certainly wouldn't now. Not now that she knew. She would leave him, everyone would. Harry squeezed his fist so tight he could feel his nails driving into his skin. He let out a frustrated yell and pounded his fist on the glass so hard that it shattered. As the blood started to seep heavily and quickly from his hand he was surprised at how little it hurt. He brought his hand back and saw a piece of glass protruding from his wrist.
"Dammit." he whispered.
If only it had gone a few centimeters to the left it would have punctured his vein and likely have killed him. Just his luck that it would miss. He roughly pulled the offending glass from his skin and threw it to the ground where it joined the rest of the broken pieces. The owner wouldn't be happy but at the moment Harry really couldn't care less. He briefly remembered a movie Dudley had once watched as Harry dusted the room. It had been about a plant from outer space that fed on humans. He believed it was called, "Little Shop of Horrors." (AN: Great movie by the way!) Just then Harry wished that one of the plants in this greenhouse was cannibalistic; he would feed himself in an instant. However, before he could investigate the plants. . .
"Harry?"
Harry dropped his head and let out a groan of annoyance which the person mistook for one of anguish.
"Are you okay?" they asked, putting a hand on his shoulder.
Harry shrugged it off, "Just go away, Hermione." Harry heard two more pairs of footsteps come forward.
"What the hell you playin' at, Harry?" asked Ron.
Harry turned around and stared accusingly at them, "Why is it that I can never be alone for more than five minutes?"
"Harry, why didn't you tell us?" asked Lavender. "Like anyone would care anyway. It was only three more months-" he started.
"God dammit, Harry! We saw what the fucking bastard did to you! It wasn't any fucking Death Eaters! It was that fat good for nothing prat of an uncle of yours! Why the hell didn't you tell us!?" shouted Ron.
"I was fine! I made it out alright, didn't I!?" yelled Harry.
"Oh, yeah, Harry! You made it out just fine! You could barely walk, let alone fly!" Ron retorted, "If it weren't for those centaurs you would've died!"
"So? It would have been doing everyone a favor! Admit it; I've never been anything but trouble! I deserved everything I got!" Harry exclaimed.
Ron looked taken back, as did Hermione and Lavender. All three were silent for a long time as Harry glared at them.
It seemed as though the uncomfortable silence might reign forever until Hermione finally broke it, "Harry. . .that's not true and you know it."
"Yes it is; or have you forgotten all those times I brought us this close to being killed by Voldemort or something or other in the Forbidden Forest?" asked Harry.
Surprisingly, Ron smirked, "Ah, I don't know if this is the right time to say it but. . .I always had fun on those little adventures of ours. Besides, a lot of good has come out 'em."
"That's right, if you hadn't dragged us on them You-Know-Who would have come back a lot sooner then he did. You also saved Ginny from the Chamber of Secrets." said Hermione.
"Yeah, and don't forget about how that entire ordeal in our third year finally got Sirius free." agreed Lavender. Harry turned his head to the side.
"Face it, Harry; you're an all around good guy. A mistake here and there won't change that." said Ron, clapping Harry on the shoulder.
Harry thought for a moment. Were they right? *Could* they be right? But more importantly, did he dare to believe it? Was it possible that the Dursleys were just a big mistake that he was never meant to have to endure? He doubted it. How could everything he had been put through been a mistake? There was no way it could be true but decided to play along with them to get them off his case. He gave a small smile and looked at his friends who smiled back.
"Guess I've been a prick lately, huh?" he asked.
"Don't worry about it." said Hermione.
Harry ran his hand through his hair, "Suppose we should be getting back, shouldn't we?"
Lavender reached out and grabbed his hand, "What happened to your hand, Harry?" Harry looked sheepishly at them for a minute then motioned to the broken window behind him. Hermione took out a handkerchief from her robe's pocket and wrapped it around Harry's hand.
"That'll have to work until we get back to Hogwarts." she said as a flash of lightening lit the building again.
"Maybe we should wait until it stops raining." suggested Harry.
"Everyone's bound to be worried. I'm certain they've finished by now." said Lavender.
Harry looked down and muttered, "That's what I'm worried about." Hermione bit her lip, eyes watering up, and threw her arms around Harry's neck.
"It'll be okay, Harry. We'll be there for you." she said before kissing him on the cheek.
"Yeah, if the git Malfoy or anyone else says anything they're gonna have bloody hell to pay!" said Ron, slamming his fist into his hand for emphasis.
Harry gave a small laugh, "Yeah, I'd like to see Malfoy take on Sirius and live to tell about it." Everyone in the room had a good laugh at that as they made their way to the exit. Right as they reached the exit, however, Harry turned around and looked around the room. He was positive something or someone was watching them.
"What's wrong, Harry?" asked Hermione.
Harry stared around the room for a moment longer before shaking his head slowly and turning around, "Nothing. . .don't worry about it." With that the four left the greenhouse, little did they know that someone had been watching them.
_~_~_~_~
"Vernon and Petunia Dursley, you are both sentenced to seventy years in Azkaban. Take them away." said Wallace hammering his gravel.
The wizards standing guard next to the Dursleys quickly ushered them out of the room before anyone could do anything which was a good call on their part for everyone in the room looked ready to pounce on them at any second. For over an hour they had watched different scenes from the Pensieve play on the screen. No one had quite been able to comprehend the truthfulness of it. Once, during a particular nasty scenario when Harry was having his head bashed against the wall so hard that blood started to spatter onto the walls and the floor, the media managed to break into the court room and saw the whole thing.
It wasn't until they were all forced out into the pouring rain that Dumbledore noticed that Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Lavender were missing. Sirius, Whims, and Remus had agreed to go and look for them so no one was particularly worried about them. The room was really beginning to thin out; only the remaining Weasleys, Dumbledore, and Hagrid were still present. Fudge had gone off with the council to complete the case papers and the rest of the people had gone home. They waited in uncomfortable silence for the return of their friends as they listened to the rain hit the ceiling. It just happened to be at that moment when the doors burst opened.
"Get your bloody hands off him!" Ron was shouting, tugging on Hermione's arm, which was only partially visible from within the crowd of paparazzi swarming outside the room. Lavender and Harry were still out of sight but their voices could still be heard.
"Hold on, Harry, we're almost there!" Lavender's voice yelled.
"Yes, the room's right up here!" said Hermione.
"Easy for you to say! Get off my foot!" Harry hollered and someone in the crowd gave a yelp.
Ron gave a mighty tug and the three were finally pulled free. Fred and George were plenty ready and slammed the doors shut before anyone else could enter the room. Harry stood up and rubbed his hip which he had landed on forcefully.
"Damn Fudge. Why don't they answer their own damn questions? It's not like they're even going to use my answers." he muttered under his breath so no one could hear, though they all got the jest of it. He turned to them and sighed angrily,
"Stop staring at me, and don't look at me like that!" Everyone immediately averted their eyes. Harry cursed under his breath, it had begun.
"So Harry," said Dumbledore, breaking the silence, "where are Sirius, Tali, and Remus?" Harry looked at Ron, Hermione, and Lavender who looked back at him.
Ron shrugged at him and Harry turned back to Dumbledore, "I don't know, sir. We didn't see them."
Dumbledore nodded, "Hagrid, Molly, Arthur, would you take the children back to Hogwarts? I'll follow as soon as I find them." The three adults nodded and as Dumbledore left out the back door they disappeared back to Hogwarts.
_~_~_~_~
"I'm surprised you're not holding back on this, Tali." said Remus.
"You kidding? If those jackasses have enough nerve to go and hurt my godson you can bet that they won't get away without paying! Seventy years, indeed! They deserved the Dementor's Kiss on the spot!" exclaimed Tali Whims.
"He's not just your godson. Be sure to save some for me, Tals. That fucking bastard and his scum wipe of a wife have it coming to them!" said Sirius through gritted teeth as they came to a door.
From the other side they could hear Vernon Dursley ranting and raving to his wife, "They have no right! That boy deserved everything he got! It's his own fault if he couldn't handle it!"
"I completely agree with you, Vernon, but it's not for us to decide. That good for nothing little brat has their kind wrapped around his finger. If he accused us of a murder they'd believe him! Now we're off to God knows where, and our poor Duddeykins doesn't have anyone to take care of him!" said Petunia.
"Marge will take care of him until our lawyers get here." said Vernon (AN: I know, a lot of good that'll do.), "We should have just thrown the boy out when he came. Good for nothing ass-"
But before Vernon could say anything more the door had burst open and Sirius had rammed him up against the door.
"How dare you, you mother fucking bastard! How dare you talk about Harry like that! He's saved the lives of you and everyone else on this god damn planet more times then anyone of us deserve! How dare you treat him like that! Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you!" he bellowed in Vernon's face.
"Get your hands off me! That boy got nothing less then what he deserved! And it's a good thing we do treat him like that, other wise his head would be as big as his attitude!" Vernon said with utter rage, not even registering who he was talking to.
Tali and Remus had Petunia in a similar position and were having a similar conversation with her.
"He's your own flesh and blood!" shouted Remus.
"Not by choice! Once a freak, always a freak. He's just like his parents and-" said Petunia but she was cut off.
"Don't you dare insult Lily and James!" shrieked Tali.
"I'll insult whomever I please. Don't think that just because you have magic that you can silence the truth!" said Petunia, also in a reckless state of anger.
Then there was a simultaneous cracking of wands. Dark puffs of smoke filled the room, making it impossible to see, but as soon as the smoke started to clear off a curious spectacle took hold of everyone in the room. Where Vernon and Petunia Dursley had been standing were what appeared to be one inch tall versions of the Dursleys. . .only it could be. For the Dursleys had had normal skin with normal hair but these. . .these things had green skin with purple warts and no hair at all. They stood there shaking their fists and shrieking at the top of their lungs but it sounded no louder than the squeaking of a mouse.
"Serves you right, damn bastard." muttered Sirius.
"What do you say we just step on them and get it over with." suggested Tail.
"Sounds like a good idea to me." said Remus as the three lifted their feet and the mini Dursleys covered their heads.
But before the three could bring down their feet, "Stop!"
The three turned around and saw Dumbledore standing in the doorway.
He strode quickly forward and looked at the three, "What is going on here?"
"They deserve everything they get, Dumbledore! You saw what they did to Harry!" shouted Sirius.
Dumbledore looked from face to face then down to the Dursleys, "Don't you think it would be more of a punishment to send them to Azkaban? Certainly killing them now would only let them escape the agony they will have to endure there, don't you agree?"
"But Azkaban isn't nearly a good enough punishment! They deserve the Dementor's Kiss, and you know it Dumbledore." said Remus.
"I do. And so does the board. That is why they will be meeting in private for a week to see if they might choose that path. That aside, you don't all really want to be thrown into Azkaban, do you? I'm certain that Harry will need everyone's support starting tomorrow and you can't very well give that if you're locked up, can you? What do you think Harry will think if finds out his godparents and you, Remus, have been arrested for trying to avenge him?" asked Dumbledore.
Sirius, Remus, and Tali all looked down and Dumbledore nodded, "Alright, let's put them straight."
"Hold on a minute!" said Tali as she conjured a camera out of thin air, "I think it might do Harry some good to see them like this." With that she snapped a picture of the Dursleys and then Dumbledore turned them back to normal.
Petunia was quite subdued by the experience and was quiet but Vernon was as mad as ever, "How dare you! You must be that bloody godfather the god damn boy was always talking about! Funny, he never mentioned any of you. Probably knew it'd only get him a harder beatin'. To think he had the fucking nerve to threaten my family! He's lucky that he had us to keep him in line!"
It looked as though Vernon could have gone on forever had it not been for him getting the wind knocked out of him by three fists. As Vernon fell to the ground and Petunia knelt beside him, Dumbledore ushered the three out of the room before they could do anything else, "Let us go. Shouldn't you want to see Harry?"
Author's Note: Wow, that was a long time to update and I know that this chapter isn't exactly the longest one ever but I've been very busy with school stuff (I got elected secretary of the FEA!) not to mention a nasty case of writer's block! But I'm back and I'm gonna be updating at least once every other week. But you know, it's winter here in Virginia . . .and the computer is right next to the window, my poor little fingers freeze right off! However, my mom got me two new cds: Michael Bolton and Plus One. They gave me sooooooooooo many new ideas I'm not sure if I'll be able to live with myself if I don't get them all down soon. To tell the truth I really had no idea how I was going to end this story but now I do! Yay! I'm gonna go start the next chapter but first. . .
Malexandria: Really? I didn't like the way I had the Dursley's punished. . . it's kinda hard not to seriously hurt them when you have magic as an option and I didn't want them to get killed but thanks for your compliment!
Purple Water: VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!! The greenhouse is important to later development of the story. . .or at least I plan it to be; maybe not that particular greenhouse but a greenhouse. Just hang on for several more chapters and you should understand. Listening to his friends. . .well. . .don't kill me but that's not gonna help him much longer. . . Any way, yep, it's freezing out here, goodness, but luckily I have gloves now so my fingers should be fine. FEA= Future Educators of America. I actually plan on being a writer, but until I get a steady flow of publishing, teaching's gonna get me by! Thanks for the advice. . .I'm gonna go and try and see if I can do it by myself. . .I'll e-mail if it doesn't work that well, though.
Them girl: Thanks! I appreciate it! As for how things turn out. . .we'll have to see.
Lady Foxfire: Who's watching Harry? Well, it all ties into the greenhouse Purple Water was asking about. And like I told him (Or her) you gots ta wait for a few chapters, k? Just hang tight and you'll see. As for trying to end it all. . .you'll see.
Laterose: S'ank you! I've been getting lots o' compliments on the Dursley/court chapter! And if you're looking for more Dursleys, It's coming. . .but not till the last chapter. . .at least not physically. . .you'll understand later!
Broxs: Thanks for your willingness! I'll be sure to give you an e-mail if this chapter doesn't go over to well. Is it really 42* over there already? What part of VA are you in? Are you even in VA? You know, we were supposed to get snow here too but it didn't! Oh well, lots o' time left! Once again, thanks for your help!
Nexus: Thanks! But I think I got it down. What do you think? Read the chapter and write a review! I'll go ahead and read your story, though. One good deed for another! It might take me some time to find it though. . .EVENTUALLY!. . .you know what. . .could you just send it to me? Thanks!