Interesting Outcome

Harry half listened to Sirius and Dudley talking about Aunt Marge. He was looking for Hedwig. Some of the questions Sirius asked Dudley did catch his attention. "Has she ever had any heart problems?" and "Is she allergic to anything?" and "Is she on medication of any sort?" Harry wondered why Sirius was asking questions along this line, but was afraid to ask.

Hedwig found her way to Harry around 8:30 that evening. She fluttered into the window and landed in front of him on his desk. Dudley didn't react at all as usual. He didn't jump or anything. It seemed he was quite used to Hedwig's flying in and out of Harry's window.

"I am glad you found me Hedwig." Harry said to her. He began stroking her feathers fondly. "I am sorry I forgot you at Mrs. Figgs. Alex was rushing us.", he explained. The snowy owl hooted softly and nipped his finger affectionately. "I really need you to deliver a message for me.", he said. "It is for Ron."

Hedwig stretched out her leg and waited patiently as Harry tied the letter to her leg. "I don't know where we will be when you are finished. Alex said it would only take a few days to set things up. We might be going to Snape Manor." Harry said worriedly.

"Don't worry, Harry. Hedwig will find us. She is a brilliant owl. Smartest one I have met of her kind." Sirius said smiling fondly at Hedwig.

Hedwig ruffled her feathers importantly, gave Harry another affectionate nip and flew out of the window. Harry watched her disappear from sight and turned his attention to Dudley and Sirius. They were talking about Quidditch, one of Harry's favorite topics.

"So, the seeker tries to find the Golden Snitch winning 150 points and ending the game.", Sirius finished.

Dudley turned to Harry, "Isn't that the position you play?" , he asked.

"Yeah, it's really fun. Sirius bought me a Firebolt. That is the sort of broom that the professional Quidditch teams fly. It is really fast and it handles very smoothly. Like an extension of myself." Harry said.

"Wow! That must have been expensive." Dudley said giving Sirius an approving look.

"Well, I had a lot of gifts to make up for." Sirius said grinning.

A knock on the door caused Sirius to transform into Snuffles. Aunt Petunia stuck her head around the door, "Here are some treats for my growing boys." , she said handing over a tray of Soy biscuits and milk. "Bed soon. You have practice tomorrow Dudley.", she said firmly and disappeared from the room, closing the door behind her.

As soon as the door closed Sirius transformed back into a man and picked up the tray. He poured the soy milk out and threw the biscuits into the neighbor's yard. Dudley stood up looking horrified, "Harry needs those. Snape said-"

"I know what they are for, Dudley. Harry doesn't need them now that I am here.", Sirius said bitterly.

"Those are loaded with dreamless sleeping draught aren't they?" Harry asked.

Dudley looked down at his shoes and inspected his laces. He refused to look Harry in the eye. "You knew didn't you Dudley?", Harry asked. Dudley looked up and sighed heavily. "Yes, I knew, but we had to do it Harry. It was for your own good." Dudley said shifting uncomfortably on the bed.

Harry looked over at Sirius, "Did you know?"

"Yes, but we won't be needing it for now. Dumbledore said that it really isn't doing any good." Sirius said sitting down next to Dudley.

Dudley shifted to look at Sirius, "Yes it does! If Harry doesn't take it he will have nightmares!" he said his face turning a lovely shade of puce.

"Yes, but the source of the nightmares is not going away. We have other ways to deal with them. Trust me. Dumbledore and I believe you can handle your dreams for now, Harry.", Sirius said softly.

"Ok.", Harry said grinning widely. Dumbledore thought he could handle his dreams. That meant that he didn't think Harry was weak, and that was a relief.

**** **** **** **** **** **** ****

That night Harry did sleep peacefully. He thought it may have had something to do with Snuffles lying right next to him. Things were looking up.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarg!" Someone in the house screamed. It sounded like it was coming from across the hall. Harry jumped up and pulled his wand from under his pillow. Snuffles lifted his head and settled back down in the bed, uncaringly. Harry charged into the hall with his wand out.

Aunt Marge came bursting out of the guest room knocking Harry to the ground. She barreled down the hall screaming at the top of her lungs, incoherently. All Harry saw was her large flowery night gown and something electric blue on her head. Snuffles came out into the hall to see what was happening. Harry looked at his suspiciously. It looked like he was grinning.

"Harry Potter! Come down here this instant and fix this!", his uncle screamed from downstairs.

"Uh-oh.", Harry said looking at Snuffles. "Did you do this?", he asked.

Uncle Vernon was thundering up the stairs. Snuffles grabbed Harry's wand from his hand and disappeared into their room. Uncle Vernon's purple head was just coming up the stairs. He gave Harry a vicious look and pounded toward him down the hall.

"I- I-", Harry whimpered. His uncle grabbed him by the collar of his nightshirt and lifted him off of the ground where he had been knocked over by Marge. He had been too shocked to stand up again. Uncle Vernon took care of that for him. Harry's toes were barely skimming the ground. "What did you do to my sister?", Vernon yelled purple faced and spitting all over Harry.

"I didn't do anything Uncle Vernon, I swear." Harry managed to mutter. The beck of his neck was beginning to burn from his pajamas being pulled so tight.

Snuffles began growling and barking darkly. Uncle Vernon looked into Harry's room and set him down gently. He backed away down the hall keeping his eyes on Snuffles as he rounded the corner of Harry's room.

"Uh, right. Of course, you didn't do anything." Uncle Vernon muttered. He rushed back down the stairs where Aunt Marge was still screaming.

Harry turned to Snuffles, rubbing his neck. "What did you do?", He said angrily.

Snuffles whined and pushed Harry toward the room across the hall. The guest room was filthy. Marge had it looking as though a hurricane had pulled through. Aunt Petunia would have a fit if she saw. There were clothes scattered everywhere, and towels strewn about. Snuffles led Harry to the dresser, and pointed his nose at a curious bottle. It was labeled Madam Deluxe Hair Colour mousy brown #4. Harry looked at the bottle and eyed Snuffles, "You didn't!", He said laughing.

Snuffles shook his head no and tugged Harry's pajama leg in the direction of the door, a hint for them to leave the room. Harry shut his bedroom door behind them. "Ok, explain."

Snuffles transformed into Sirius and he was grinning from ear to ear. " I, didn't colour her hair blue. She did that all by herself."

"But, you changed her hair colour." Harry said smiling at his godfather.

"Well, I may have added some blue berry juice from last nights dinner.", Sirius said.

Harry slapped his forehead, "Do you realize how much trouble I am going to be in?", he said.

"Oh, don't worry, listen, she isn't screaming anymore. She has probably figured out she did it her self last night. Nothing to worry about. Come on, get dressed, I am starving."

Harry dressed quickly and Snuffles escorted him downstairs. Dudley was down in the living room by himself. "Mum and dad brought Aunt Marge to the hairdressers. I guess they forgot I had practice in all the madness.", he said sadly.

Harry shot Snuffles a dirty look as he transformed back into Sirius. "Sorry, Dud, but she had it coming."

Dudley's eyebrows shot up, "So, it was you! Mm looked at Aunt Marge's hair colour bottle and it was blue. We thought she had done it herself. We thought there was some sort of mistake at the hair colour factory or something.", he said grinning

Harry was shocked. "Dudley, why are you smiling?"

"Well, because she does deserve it." , Dudley said. "Breakfast is still on the table if you guys are hungry."

Sirius growled and headed toward the kitchen. Harry smiled at Dudley, "I am sorry you are missing practice today Dudley."

Dudley shrugged, "That is all right. Marge was coming to all of my practices and it was embarrassing. Anytime someone tried to tackle me she would start shouting foul! Foul! Maybe, they won't be able to fix her hair, and she won't come to any more." He said looking hopeful.

Harry laughed, "Come on, lets eat. I am starving."

Sirius called out from the kitchen, "Come on guys, we have a big day ahead of us! Eat up."

Harry and Dudley looked at each other and said in unison, "Big day?"