- CHAPTER THREE -
Dumbledore and Dudley
"Come in Harry," Dumbledore said softly as he opened the door. Harry smelt the familiar smell of cats and stroked Mr. Tibbles who purred softly.
"Thankyou, Remus," Harry whispered as he hugged his father's friend goodbye. "For everything."
"Thankyou, Remus," Dumbledore added as he shut the door. "Now Harry, come in and sit with me." He led Harry inside and they sat together on Mrs Figg's armchairs in her rather small lounge.
"Would you like some cake?" Mrs Figg asked, appearing at the doorway with a platter of cakes and biscuits. She set it down on the table between Harry and Dudley. She nodded and left the room, shutting the door behind her.
Harry eyed the cake, but knew from previous experience that it wasn't going to be any good. "Professor Dumbledore..." Harry began sheepishly. "What exactly is Voldemort up to at the moment?"
"I was wondering when you were going to ask that. He hasn't started murdering anyone yet, but it won't be long," He explained, watching Harry over his half moon spectacles. "What did you think of your OWL results?"
Harry hit himself in the head. "I completely forgot! I haven't opened them yet, sir."
"Oh, well, we can talk about them next time. What else would you like to know, before we begin your lesson for tonight?"
"What is the Order dong at the moment? Will I be able to join now that I know that the world is relying on me?"
"The Order is doing everything that they can to ensure that you are safe until you are required to face Voldemort again. And as for your second question, it hasn't yet been discussed, but I will bring it up at our next meeting, I can promise you that much."
"But aren't you the leader of the Order? Couldn't you just say that I am in and no arguments?"
"No, Harry, I can't. I am the founder of the Order, not the leader. If there is a decision to be made, it is done on a vote."
"What made Aunt Petunia be so nice to me?"
"She was reminded of a time before you came to live at her house. I will not speak of it, you will have to ask Petunia herself."
Harry paused before asking his next question. "What's beyond the veil?"
Dumbledore sighed deeply, taking off his glasses and rubbing them with a floral handkerchief as he spoke. "The veil is in the Death Chamber for a reason Harry. What do you think is beyond it?"
"Are dead people behind it? I heard whispering when I got near to it, I couldn't quite make out what they said..."
"Close, but not exactly correct. Beyond the veil, is the other world, where the dead go...Heaven, we believe, no one is exactly sure, because once you go through, you can not return.
"The whispering that you heard were of your lost loved ones. Only you would hear those specific voices at that time, because they were of your family. I wouldn't doubt that if you and Remus were to stand beside the veil right now, a few of the voices you would hear would be the same: Sirius, Lily, and James... possibly even your mother's parents and your father's parents.
"The veil was previously used for executions, before the dementors were born. But you will learn about those next year in Defence against the Dark Arts," he added seeing the stunned look on Harry's face. "Yes, the Death Chamber was used as an execution chamber before the Ministry of Magic was built. People would come to watch convicts walking through the veil and disappear. The convicts were so compelled by the voices that they didn't object to walking through the veil. They didn't seem strong enough to resist the urge.
"I want you promise me, Harry, that you won't go back to that veil. Don't go looking for Sirius."
"I won't," Harry promised. The truth was, he felt it was his responsibility to stay alive anyway. Without him, Voldemort would take over the world. Without him, his friends would all suffer.
"Now then, any more questions?" Dumbledore asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Can we start the lesson?" Harry grinned.
***
It seemed to take Sirius an age to fall, his body curved in a graceful arc as he sank backwards through the ragged veil hanging from the arch.
Harry saw the look of mingled fear and surprise on his godfather's wasted, once-handsome face as he fell through the ancient doorway and disappeared behind the veil, which fluttered for a moment as though in a high wind, then fell back into place.
"SIRIUS!" Harry yelled. "SIRIUS!" He had reached the floor, his breath coming in searing gasps. Sirius must be just behind the curtain; Harry would pull him back out.
But as he reached the ground and sprinted towards the dais, Lupin grabbed Harry around the chest, holding him back.
"There's nothing you can do, Harry."
"Get him, save him, he's only just gone through!"
".It's too late, Harry."
He hit his head on the floor hard.
"I see what Professor Snape meant. You haven't been practicing have you, Harry?" Professor Dumbledore helped him to his feet.
"No. I haven't really been thinking about it lately." Harry muttered, accepting a piece of chocolate.
"Now, Harry. This time, really concentrate on me. Clear your mind. Three, two, one." Dumbledore raised his wand and looked deep into Harry's eyes.
"Protego!" Harry cried. Dumbledore's memories came blasting at him out of nowhere.
He saw the great hall before him. Rows of students were chatting merrily before him. He looked along the Gryffindor table, and saw himself. No, his father, sitting with Lupin, Sirius, Wormtail. He was standing up, running his hand through his hair, walking towards a girl with long, red hair. His mother.
"Hey Lily!" He called out. She looked at James, now strutting towards her. She stood up, and began moving in the opposite direction. "Oy! Lily!" He called again.
"Leave me alone, Potter!" She cried as she walked up the opposite side of the table. By now, the entire school was watching the performance.
"You could at least call me James. I make an effort for you."
"Alright then. Leave me alone, James. Now do you get the message?" She stopped, sat down next to Lupin, whispered something in his ear, then stood and ran out of the hall.
Dumbledore leaned closer to Professor McGonagall, who was sitting next to him.
"I wonder if James will ever give up!" She whispered. Dumbledore chuckled lightly, watching James run out after Lily.
"I don't think he will," He said lightly.
"I thought you might like to see that entire incident, Harry," Dumbledore said as he let Harry out of his mind, gently. His eyes twinkled at Harry. "That was in their sixth year. You see Harry, when you do manage to get into someone's mind, you don't have a lot of influence over the particular thought you 'see', but you can see what you want to see, by thinking about a specific thing as you look."
"I see, so, when you try to read my mind, what do you think of?" Harry asked.
"Socks," Dumbledore said simply, his eyes sparkling at the look of misunderstanding on Harry's face.
***
"Thanks again, Professor," Harry called as he stepped out into the darkness. "Hi, Remus."
"Hello Harry. How was your first lesson with Professor Dumbledore?" He asked inquisitively.
"It was alright. I managed to keep him out once or twice. He answered a lot of my questions too..." Harry said, slightly depressed by his dismal performance in front of the headmaster.
"I'm glad to hear you're getting better."
They walked in silence for a few moments, and then Harry's curiosity got the better of him. "Remus... What made my mum change her mind about dad?"
Remus looked taken aback by this question. He chuckled a little at the memory. "When he was made Head Boy, she was absolutely furious. She was similar to Hermione in a way, she liked rules. To her, James was a big headed rule-breaker. She didn't know why Professor Dumbledore had chosen him as Head Boy, and she thought it was a big mistake. But when Sirius finally admitted to what James had done, she started to respect him a little more.
"You see, while they were on duty, he would try extremely hard to talk to her civilly. Because of his Head Boy role, he did hardly any pranks any more, there were of course, the odd ones on Valentine's day, and Christmas, but they weren't nearly as bad as his earlier years at Hogwarts.
"One particular night while they were on duty, James was trying again to ask Lily out. She decided that she would play her own prank on him, said yes, and consequently went out with him. She had planned on pretending to be one of James' followers; you know the kind... The ones who sigh whenever you walk past... Well, anyway, she hoped that he wouldn't think she was so good any more, and leave her alone. But he planned the best date ever and she ended up marrying him!" Remus finished as they reached the footsteps to the Dursley's house.
"You'll have to tell me more details next time..." Harry said smiling at Remus.
"I will Harry. Don't forget to clear your mind tonight. I don't want you to dream any more," He said as he pulled Harry into a tight hug.
"Goodnight, Remus,"
"Goodnight, Harry!" With those last words, he apparated.
***
It seemed to take Sirius an age to fall, his body curved in a graceful arc as he sank backwards through the ragged veil hanging from the arch.
Harry saw the look of mingled fear and surprise on his godfather's wasted, once-handsome face as he fell through the ancient doorway and disappeared behind the veil, which fluttered for a moment as though in a high wind, then fell back into place.
"SIRIUS!" Harry yelled. "SIRIUS!" He had reached the floor, his breath coming in searing gasps. Sirius must be just behind the curtain; Harry would pull him back out.
But as he reached the ground and sprinted towards the dais, Lupin grabbed Harry around the chest, holding him back.
"There's nothing you can do, Harry."
"Get him, save him, he's only just gone through!"
".It's too late, Harry."
The scene swirled into a graveyard. Men stood around him, dark hoods covering their faces. "And now you face me, like a man. straight backed and proud, the way your father died.
"And now - We duel."
An immense amount of pain coursed throughout his entire body. Like hot knives slicing through his bones.
"HARRY!" a large pink face swum into view. "Harry! Wake up!"
"Um, hi Dudley... What can I, um, do for you?"
"You were screaming again! Why do you always scream!" He looked so afraid.
"Bad memories," Harry muttered, rolling over to face the wall. "Go back to bed, Dudley."
"I've had bad dreams too. Remember when the dementors attacked us last year?" Harry sat up, wide-awake and startled. Dudley was talking to him civilly and about something extremely private. He nodded slowly.
"Well, I had this kind of dream when they... touched me..."
"What was it about?" Harry asked hurriedly. Dudley was pale, and looked like he was going to be sick.
"It was when you first arrived on the door step... Mum didn't want you straightaway, she thought you were evil. But then, while dad was at work, that old guy turned up, and started talking to her. I don't know what he said to her, but she still didn't want you. He took you away, and mum and dad seemed really happy.
"Then one day, while dad was at work again, a woman and three men broke down the door and came into the kitchen... They were wearing black cloaks and hoods, and they held their wands and pointed them at mum and me. The woman screamed something, I can't remember what it was, but then I felt this pain all over me, like every single cell inside of me was on fire, like hot knives were poking me all over my body..." he shivered suddenly. "Then it stopped, and I heard mum's voice... she was hushing me... then that old man was there again with you... He gave you to mum, and said: 'Remember this forever, Petunia, this will happen again if you do not take Harry, and next time, they may not be so forgiving.' "
Harry stared in shock. So that was Dumbledore's last! "So. they didn't take me in straight away?"
"No. Mum told me last night, that you were here because those people would come after us if you weren't, and that they had already. Then I remembered the dementors."
"Thanks for telling me, Dudley," Harry stammered.
"This doesn't mean I like you! Just because I have to be nice to you. so I don't die or anything." He nodded curtly, stood, and left the room.
Harry stared at the door for a moment. He lay down, cleared his mind of all thoughts, and slept dreamlessly.
***
Another knock on his door. "Harry, dear. Time to wake up!" Petunia walked into the room and gently shook him. "You left your OWL results on the table yesterday! Here there are," she handed the envelope to a half- asleep Harry, who gratefully accepted them.
"Thanks, Aunt Petunia," he mumbled, reaching for his glasses.
"Don't forget, we're going shopping today!" She said cheerfully, leaving him to get dressed.
"I must be dreaming," he whispered as he put on his clothes. He grabbed the letter from Hogwarts and opened it carelessly. The letter was written in the standard Hogwarts emerald green ink.
To Mr H. Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have received excellent results in you recent OWL examinations. Your results are as follows:
Astronomy - Acceptable
Care of Magical Creatures - Outstanding
Charms - Exceeds Expectations
Defence against the Dark Arts - Outstanding
Divination - Poor
Herbology - Exceeds Expectations
History of Magic - Acceptable
Potions - Outstanding
Transfiguration - Outstanding
You will be sent a list of equipment needed for next year within the next month.
Yours Sincerely:
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Harry was shocked. He had managed to get all the required elements to become an auror. Even an outstanding in potions! Of course the outstanding in Defence against the Dark Arts was only to be expected, and the Transfiguration marks were pleasantly surprising too. He couldn't believe his luck with Astronomy or History of Magic, and he wasn't surprised about his Divination marks. After all, that subject was the biggest fraud of a subject in the entire world.
He sighed. He threw his results onto his desk and left the room.
"He has arisen!" Vernon said cheerfully as Harry bounded down the stairs and sat at the table, in front of a large plate of eggs and bacon.
"Are you ready to go shopping, dear?" Petunia asked, shovelling copious amounts of eggs onto Dudley's plate.
"Morna Dully," Harry raised his fork in a mock salute, his mouth full of egg and bacon. He hadn't ever eaten like this at the Dursley's.
"Morning Harry," Dudley nodded curtly. He sat down in front of his own plate scowling.
"What's wrong, Dudders?" Petunia indulged.
"Nothing," he muttered, watching Harry out of the corner of his eye.
***
Harry looked around the clothes rack in an expensive brand store. Petunia was now brandishing a hanger with an extremely expensive, quicksilver t-shirt. "What do you think, Harry?" She said, desperately looking for approval.
"Aunt Petunia, that is really expensive. It's nice, but I really don't want so much money spent on me. I will live with a few cheaper t- shirts and some jeans."
"Now really, Harry. Dudley gets the best, so will you." She grabbed five more t-shirts in different colours and brand labels, but not varying much in price. "Now, what else do you need? Some jumpers?" She was beginning to scare Harry with her feverish snatching of fashion labels. "And some jeans." She grabbed four pairs of jeans, each with a different style cut. "Do you think that will do?"
"Yes, Aunt Petunia, I think that is more than enough," Harry said forcefully. She took Harry to the counter and paid for the clothing. It was over two hundred pounds!
"Let's go get you some shoes now, shall we?" Petunia smiled at Harry.
"Sure," he mumbled, as she dragged him off to another shop.
**************************************************************************** **********
Well, it only took a day to get the next one up! Excellent!
Please R/R with what you think is going to happen, or what you would like to happen. I need a few more ideas.
Thanks to Makalini Astral, my most avid fan!
Dumbledore and Dudley
"Come in Harry," Dumbledore said softly as he opened the door. Harry smelt the familiar smell of cats and stroked Mr. Tibbles who purred softly.
"Thankyou, Remus," Harry whispered as he hugged his father's friend goodbye. "For everything."
"Thankyou, Remus," Dumbledore added as he shut the door. "Now Harry, come in and sit with me." He led Harry inside and they sat together on Mrs Figg's armchairs in her rather small lounge.
"Would you like some cake?" Mrs Figg asked, appearing at the doorway with a platter of cakes and biscuits. She set it down on the table between Harry and Dudley. She nodded and left the room, shutting the door behind her.
Harry eyed the cake, but knew from previous experience that it wasn't going to be any good. "Professor Dumbledore..." Harry began sheepishly. "What exactly is Voldemort up to at the moment?"
"I was wondering when you were going to ask that. He hasn't started murdering anyone yet, but it won't be long," He explained, watching Harry over his half moon spectacles. "What did you think of your OWL results?"
Harry hit himself in the head. "I completely forgot! I haven't opened them yet, sir."
"Oh, well, we can talk about them next time. What else would you like to know, before we begin your lesson for tonight?"
"What is the Order dong at the moment? Will I be able to join now that I know that the world is relying on me?"
"The Order is doing everything that they can to ensure that you are safe until you are required to face Voldemort again. And as for your second question, it hasn't yet been discussed, but I will bring it up at our next meeting, I can promise you that much."
"But aren't you the leader of the Order? Couldn't you just say that I am in and no arguments?"
"No, Harry, I can't. I am the founder of the Order, not the leader. If there is a decision to be made, it is done on a vote."
"What made Aunt Petunia be so nice to me?"
"She was reminded of a time before you came to live at her house. I will not speak of it, you will have to ask Petunia herself."
Harry paused before asking his next question. "What's beyond the veil?"
Dumbledore sighed deeply, taking off his glasses and rubbing them with a floral handkerchief as he spoke. "The veil is in the Death Chamber for a reason Harry. What do you think is beyond it?"
"Are dead people behind it? I heard whispering when I got near to it, I couldn't quite make out what they said..."
"Close, but not exactly correct. Beyond the veil, is the other world, where the dead go...Heaven, we believe, no one is exactly sure, because once you go through, you can not return.
"The whispering that you heard were of your lost loved ones. Only you would hear those specific voices at that time, because they were of your family. I wouldn't doubt that if you and Remus were to stand beside the veil right now, a few of the voices you would hear would be the same: Sirius, Lily, and James... possibly even your mother's parents and your father's parents.
"The veil was previously used for executions, before the dementors were born. But you will learn about those next year in Defence against the Dark Arts," he added seeing the stunned look on Harry's face. "Yes, the Death Chamber was used as an execution chamber before the Ministry of Magic was built. People would come to watch convicts walking through the veil and disappear. The convicts were so compelled by the voices that they didn't object to walking through the veil. They didn't seem strong enough to resist the urge.
"I want you promise me, Harry, that you won't go back to that veil. Don't go looking for Sirius."
"I won't," Harry promised. The truth was, he felt it was his responsibility to stay alive anyway. Without him, Voldemort would take over the world. Without him, his friends would all suffer.
"Now then, any more questions?" Dumbledore asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Can we start the lesson?" Harry grinned.
***
It seemed to take Sirius an age to fall, his body curved in a graceful arc as he sank backwards through the ragged veil hanging from the arch.
Harry saw the look of mingled fear and surprise on his godfather's wasted, once-handsome face as he fell through the ancient doorway and disappeared behind the veil, which fluttered for a moment as though in a high wind, then fell back into place.
"SIRIUS!" Harry yelled. "SIRIUS!" He had reached the floor, his breath coming in searing gasps. Sirius must be just behind the curtain; Harry would pull him back out.
But as he reached the ground and sprinted towards the dais, Lupin grabbed Harry around the chest, holding him back.
"There's nothing you can do, Harry."
"Get him, save him, he's only just gone through!"
".It's too late, Harry."
He hit his head on the floor hard.
"I see what Professor Snape meant. You haven't been practicing have you, Harry?" Professor Dumbledore helped him to his feet.
"No. I haven't really been thinking about it lately." Harry muttered, accepting a piece of chocolate.
"Now, Harry. This time, really concentrate on me. Clear your mind. Three, two, one." Dumbledore raised his wand and looked deep into Harry's eyes.
"Protego!" Harry cried. Dumbledore's memories came blasting at him out of nowhere.
He saw the great hall before him. Rows of students were chatting merrily before him. He looked along the Gryffindor table, and saw himself. No, his father, sitting with Lupin, Sirius, Wormtail. He was standing up, running his hand through his hair, walking towards a girl with long, red hair. His mother.
"Hey Lily!" He called out. She looked at James, now strutting towards her. She stood up, and began moving in the opposite direction. "Oy! Lily!" He called again.
"Leave me alone, Potter!" She cried as she walked up the opposite side of the table. By now, the entire school was watching the performance.
"You could at least call me James. I make an effort for you."
"Alright then. Leave me alone, James. Now do you get the message?" She stopped, sat down next to Lupin, whispered something in his ear, then stood and ran out of the hall.
Dumbledore leaned closer to Professor McGonagall, who was sitting next to him.
"I wonder if James will ever give up!" She whispered. Dumbledore chuckled lightly, watching James run out after Lily.
"I don't think he will," He said lightly.
"I thought you might like to see that entire incident, Harry," Dumbledore said as he let Harry out of his mind, gently. His eyes twinkled at Harry. "That was in their sixth year. You see Harry, when you do manage to get into someone's mind, you don't have a lot of influence over the particular thought you 'see', but you can see what you want to see, by thinking about a specific thing as you look."
"I see, so, when you try to read my mind, what do you think of?" Harry asked.
"Socks," Dumbledore said simply, his eyes sparkling at the look of misunderstanding on Harry's face.
***
"Thanks again, Professor," Harry called as he stepped out into the darkness. "Hi, Remus."
"Hello Harry. How was your first lesson with Professor Dumbledore?" He asked inquisitively.
"It was alright. I managed to keep him out once or twice. He answered a lot of my questions too..." Harry said, slightly depressed by his dismal performance in front of the headmaster.
"I'm glad to hear you're getting better."
They walked in silence for a few moments, and then Harry's curiosity got the better of him. "Remus... What made my mum change her mind about dad?"
Remus looked taken aback by this question. He chuckled a little at the memory. "When he was made Head Boy, she was absolutely furious. She was similar to Hermione in a way, she liked rules. To her, James was a big headed rule-breaker. She didn't know why Professor Dumbledore had chosen him as Head Boy, and she thought it was a big mistake. But when Sirius finally admitted to what James had done, she started to respect him a little more.
"You see, while they were on duty, he would try extremely hard to talk to her civilly. Because of his Head Boy role, he did hardly any pranks any more, there were of course, the odd ones on Valentine's day, and Christmas, but they weren't nearly as bad as his earlier years at Hogwarts.
"One particular night while they were on duty, James was trying again to ask Lily out. She decided that she would play her own prank on him, said yes, and consequently went out with him. She had planned on pretending to be one of James' followers; you know the kind... The ones who sigh whenever you walk past... Well, anyway, she hoped that he wouldn't think she was so good any more, and leave her alone. But he planned the best date ever and she ended up marrying him!" Remus finished as they reached the footsteps to the Dursley's house.
"You'll have to tell me more details next time..." Harry said smiling at Remus.
"I will Harry. Don't forget to clear your mind tonight. I don't want you to dream any more," He said as he pulled Harry into a tight hug.
"Goodnight, Remus,"
"Goodnight, Harry!" With those last words, he apparated.
***
It seemed to take Sirius an age to fall, his body curved in a graceful arc as he sank backwards through the ragged veil hanging from the arch.
Harry saw the look of mingled fear and surprise on his godfather's wasted, once-handsome face as he fell through the ancient doorway and disappeared behind the veil, which fluttered for a moment as though in a high wind, then fell back into place.
"SIRIUS!" Harry yelled. "SIRIUS!" He had reached the floor, his breath coming in searing gasps. Sirius must be just behind the curtain; Harry would pull him back out.
But as he reached the ground and sprinted towards the dais, Lupin grabbed Harry around the chest, holding him back.
"There's nothing you can do, Harry."
"Get him, save him, he's only just gone through!"
".It's too late, Harry."
The scene swirled into a graveyard. Men stood around him, dark hoods covering their faces. "And now you face me, like a man. straight backed and proud, the way your father died.
"And now - We duel."
An immense amount of pain coursed throughout his entire body. Like hot knives slicing through his bones.
"HARRY!" a large pink face swum into view. "Harry! Wake up!"
"Um, hi Dudley... What can I, um, do for you?"
"You were screaming again! Why do you always scream!" He looked so afraid.
"Bad memories," Harry muttered, rolling over to face the wall. "Go back to bed, Dudley."
"I've had bad dreams too. Remember when the dementors attacked us last year?" Harry sat up, wide-awake and startled. Dudley was talking to him civilly and about something extremely private. He nodded slowly.
"Well, I had this kind of dream when they... touched me..."
"What was it about?" Harry asked hurriedly. Dudley was pale, and looked like he was going to be sick.
"It was when you first arrived on the door step... Mum didn't want you straightaway, she thought you were evil. But then, while dad was at work, that old guy turned up, and started talking to her. I don't know what he said to her, but she still didn't want you. He took you away, and mum and dad seemed really happy.
"Then one day, while dad was at work again, a woman and three men broke down the door and came into the kitchen... They were wearing black cloaks and hoods, and they held their wands and pointed them at mum and me. The woman screamed something, I can't remember what it was, but then I felt this pain all over me, like every single cell inside of me was on fire, like hot knives were poking me all over my body..." he shivered suddenly. "Then it stopped, and I heard mum's voice... she was hushing me... then that old man was there again with you... He gave you to mum, and said: 'Remember this forever, Petunia, this will happen again if you do not take Harry, and next time, they may not be so forgiving.' "
Harry stared in shock. So that was Dumbledore's last! "So. they didn't take me in straight away?"
"No. Mum told me last night, that you were here because those people would come after us if you weren't, and that they had already. Then I remembered the dementors."
"Thanks for telling me, Dudley," Harry stammered.
"This doesn't mean I like you! Just because I have to be nice to you. so I don't die or anything." He nodded curtly, stood, and left the room.
Harry stared at the door for a moment. He lay down, cleared his mind of all thoughts, and slept dreamlessly.
***
Another knock on his door. "Harry, dear. Time to wake up!" Petunia walked into the room and gently shook him. "You left your OWL results on the table yesterday! Here there are," she handed the envelope to a half- asleep Harry, who gratefully accepted them.
"Thanks, Aunt Petunia," he mumbled, reaching for his glasses.
"Don't forget, we're going shopping today!" She said cheerfully, leaving him to get dressed.
"I must be dreaming," he whispered as he put on his clothes. He grabbed the letter from Hogwarts and opened it carelessly. The letter was written in the standard Hogwarts emerald green ink.
To Mr H. Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have received excellent results in you recent OWL examinations. Your results are as follows:
Astronomy - Acceptable
Care of Magical Creatures - Outstanding
Charms - Exceeds Expectations
Defence against the Dark Arts - Outstanding
Divination - Poor
Herbology - Exceeds Expectations
History of Magic - Acceptable
Potions - Outstanding
Transfiguration - Outstanding
You will be sent a list of equipment needed for next year within the next month.
Yours Sincerely:
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Harry was shocked. He had managed to get all the required elements to become an auror. Even an outstanding in potions! Of course the outstanding in Defence against the Dark Arts was only to be expected, and the Transfiguration marks were pleasantly surprising too. He couldn't believe his luck with Astronomy or History of Magic, and he wasn't surprised about his Divination marks. After all, that subject was the biggest fraud of a subject in the entire world.
He sighed. He threw his results onto his desk and left the room.
"He has arisen!" Vernon said cheerfully as Harry bounded down the stairs and sat at the table, in front of a large plate of eggs and bacon.
"Are you ready to go shopping, dear?" Petunia asked, shovelling copious amounts of eggs onto Dudley's plate.
"Morna Dully," Harry raised his fork in a mock salute, his mouth full of egg and bacon. He hadn't ever eaten like this at the Dursley's.
"Morning Harry," Dudley nodded curtly. He sat down in front of his own plate scowling.
"What's wrong, Dudders?" Petunia indulged.
"Nothing," he muttered, watching Harry out of the corner of his eye.
***
Harry looked around the clothes rack in an expensive brand store. Petunia was now brandishing a hanger with an extremely expensive, quicksilver t-shirt. "What do you think, Harry?" She said, desperately looking for approval.
"Aunt Petunia, that is really expensive. It's nice, but I really don't want so much money spent on me. I will live with a few cheaper t- shirts and some jeans."
"Now really, Harry. Dudley gets the best, so will you." She grabbed five more t-shirts in different colours and brand labels, but not varying much in price. "Now, what else do you need? Some jumpers?" She was beginning to scare Harry with her feverish snatching of fashion labels. "And some jeans." She grabbed four pairs of jeans, each with a different style cut. "Do you think that will do?"
"Yes, Aunt Petunia, I think that is more than enough," Harry said forcefully. She took Harry to the counter and paid for the clothing. It was over two hundred pounds!
"Let's go get you some shoes now, shall we?" Petunia smiled at Harry.
"Sure," he mumbled, as she dragged him off to another shop.
**************************************************************************** **********
Well, it only took a day to get the next one up! Excellent!
Please R/R with what you think is going to happen, or what you would like to happen. I need a few more ideas.
Thanks to Makalini Astral, my most avid fan!