Chapter 3
Dudley Dursley
Harry woke up the next morning with a pounding headache. The previous nights events were weighing heavily on him, and when he attempted to open his eyes, he immediately let out a moan of pain.
"What's wrong? Harry are you okay" he heard as he fought back the nauseous feeling consuming him. Saying that it was much to bright, Harry waited until the lights were turned off before again opening his eyes.
"Sirius," Harry sighed seeing the worried face of his godfather. "When did you get back?" he asked throwing his legs over the bed. "Ohh no you don't" Sirius answered attempting to stop Harry, only to suddenly feel his legs, and arms freeze to his side. "Sirius, not now okay" Harry replied jumping off the bed, and regretting it instantly as shooting pains consumed each muscle.
"Wow, I must have used a lot of energy yesterday," He said walking over to his trunk, and with a wave of his hand unfreezing Sirius. "How did you do that?" Sirius asked staring at his godson. "Do what?" Harry responded knowing exactly what Sirius was getting at.
"You froze me without your wand, or saying an incantation, how" He asked again still staring. "Well it's kind of a long story." Harry began throwing on a clean pair of robes, and his order cloak. "To be honest with you." He continued, "It kind of just happened at first, then with a lot of practice I was able to perfect it." He finished looking around for the first time since he arrived.
Sirius, who was still staring at Harry, finally moved. "Harry, how many people know you can do this?" he asked closing the door Harry was just about to walk through. "Why does it matter?" He asked turning and looking at his godfather. "To be honest Harry it doesn't, but that type of magic is a rare gift, your mom had it."
That statement successfully grabbed Harry's attention. "My m-mother could do it" he stuttered taking a seat next to the door. "Harry, I didn't mean to upset you" Sirius responded realizing to late that talk about Lily was a very hot topic, "But yes Harry, Lily had two large gifts, the first was the 3rd eye, or inner eye. And the second was wandless magic, but more importantly wordless, and wandless magic. Even Dumbledore has to mutter the incantation for most things."
Harry just sat dumb struck. His mother, he knew so much about his father, and the gifts passed down from him, but Harry knew very little about his mother. "Sirius, promise me something" Harry said after a few moments of silence. "Anything Harry, what is it?" Sirius asked getting slightly concerned. "Well two things really, first is the fact I can do this type of magic, can you keep it a secret." Sirius nodded although reluctantly.
"It is your secret Harry, I will not tell anyone." Was his answer as he looked at his godson. "I do however think you should tell Dumbledore. He could help you develop it even more." "I think he knows already, but I will talk to him about it." Harry continued. "Sirius," he asked again looking at his godfather. "Yes Harry."
"About my second request." He said slightly nervous "Yes Harry" Sirius answered again. "Promise me that when this is all over you will sit down and tell me about my mother." He finished fighting back the wave of tears that threatened to escape. Sirius walked over to Harry, and lifting him off the chair embraced him in a fatherly hug. "I promise Harry, I will tell you everything I can
"Well since I was unable to keep you in bed want to head to breakfast" Sirius asked opening the door after a long moment of awkward silence. "Ya I'm quiet hungry" Harry replied stepping into a long Hall, and looking both directions. 'Sirius, where are we?" he asked following his godfather to the left.
"Why Harry James Potter, I am surprised you don't know" Sirius laughed as the two walked past a few rooms, and into a large landing of some sort. Harry was amazed at what he saw. In all reality it looked close to what the Gryffindor common room looked like, but much more spacious, and in Harry's mind Extravagant.
Sirius however had not stopped like Harry had, and was now standing next to the large hearth. "Gum Drops" Sirius laughed tapping the emblem of Hogwarts that had been carved into the mahogany mantel. Taking a few steps back, Sirius waited for the fire to die down before stepping in, and motioning for Harry to follow.
Harry inhaled sharply at what happened next. Almost as if he was traveling by floo, Harry found himself engulfed by a blinding blue light. Next thing he realized he was standing in the fireplace of a small room, and upon entering it, Harry instantly` realized where he was.
"Hogwarts, but how, and why?" he asked staring at the back of his godfather. "Well Harry, Hogwarts is now the safest place for you. We figured you and your friends spending an extra day here wouldn't hurt, and from what Dumbledore and Dudley have told me, I would have to agree." Sirius answered walking over to the small couch in the room.
"How is Dudley" Harry asked following his godfather through the room, and to the couch. "I mean last time I saw him he was, well" "Your cousin is doing much better now, when we arrived here last night, Dumbledore revived him, and even though it was painful for everyone to hear, He gave a full account of everything that happened.
"Everything?" Harry asked fidgeting the wand he held within his robes. "Harry, we all know you only did what was needed to survive, From Dudley's account we figured you had used the killing curse, and Harry I don't want you to worry about that, I mean if I was there I would have done much worse.
"I know," Harry said watching his feet as Sirius stood. "I just can't help but feel sorry though, I mean if it hadn't been for my lack of skill, I could have." "Harry, I do not want you blaming yourself for the death of your Aunt, and Uncle. It was your skill, and strength that saved Dudley, and we all know if it weren't for you that he would be gone as well." Sirius shouted standing from the couch, and interrupting Harry.
Harry simply smiled as his godfather as Sirius pulled him into a fatherly hug, It never seemed to amaze Harry how much a little human contact could do to make him feel so much better, but Sirius seemed to understand this, and never held back from showing his emotion.
"Well Harry, before I allow you to meet up with your friends, I wanted to explain some new rules, and safety precautions. Are you all right with that?" Sirius asked as Harry simply stared at him. Harry had lived under such a tight watch over the past five years that it wasn't possible that any new precautions would make a difference.
"Right" Sirius said realizing exactly what Harry was thinking. "On second hand, how about you go get something to eat. Why don't you meet me back here tonight after the sorting ceremony, and along with Ron, Hermione, and Cho, I will explain whatever you haven't figured out" Sirius finished opening the door that would lead the two into the great hall.
"But Sirius, wha." Harry begun to say. Everything that had happened that morning had done so in record setting pace, and Harry had numerous questions flying through his mind. Those questions however were quickly eliminated as he was engulfed in a wave of hugs, starting with Hermione.
"Harry, how are you, we were so worried after last night." She said pulling back to show tears falling from her eyes." "It's good seeing you to Hermione, but to be honest I have a mind full of questions." He answered
"Don't worry about them now" Cho said pushing past Hermione, and throwing her arms around her boyfriend. The two stood that way for a few minutes until the cough of Dumbledore told them they had an audience.
"Nice to see you up Mr. Potter, However I believe I instructed on Sirius Black to keep you in bed for a day" Dumbledore laughed giving Sirius a pointed look. "About that" Harry said taking a hold of Cho's hand, and quickly making for the seat next to Ron. "I will have to talk to you about some recent discoveries" He finished cheeks flushing a scarlet red.
"It is quiet all right Harry," Dumbledore said pushing his chair in, and giving Harry a reassuring smile. "Now if you will be excusing us, I have a few last minute things to prepare before tonight, and I need to speak with the professors."
Sirius stopped momentarily to hug Harry one last time, and telling him to have fun, took off out of the great hall in a quick jog. No one really paid attention to the fact the skinny boy remained behind, but the second the adults were out of earshot that fact came back to bite them.
"Well, well, well, seems you finally managed to gain a few friends." Came the long drawl from the fifth occupant in the room. "Ohh great, here he goes again" Ron muttered turning from his conversation with Harry. "How nice. Mum and Dad die, and you seem to care less." Yelled the boy disregarding the comment from Ron, and sitting down with a huff.
"And who the Hell are you." Harry said immediately pulling his wand. What greeted him next however nearly knocked him out of his seat, and Cho instantly reached out a hand to steady him.
D-Dudley, what the bloody hell are you doing here?" Harry almost spat standing up, and glaring at his cousin. For the first time since entering the room, Harry got a close look at the boy, and instantly noticed it to be his cousin. "I thought you hated our world, and what happened to you?" He questioned looking over his normally very fat cousin, and noticing he had shed most his weight, and he was wearing a pair of his old school robes slightly modified, as Dudley was still quiet larger than Harry.
Both Hermione, and Ron broke into laughter, but Cho simply lowered her head. Deciding it best to explain it alone, she too stood up and motioned Harry to the door. "Don't be mad Harry, but I didn't know what else to do, I mean the bloody git stepped right on the broken stair, you know the one just below the transfiguration level. Well his fat foot was so jammed up that the only way we could get him out was to well lets just say put him on an advanced diet" She finished blushing slightly.
"Okay, that explains his weight, but what is he doing here, I thought Muggles weren't allowed. "Maybe I should answer that" Dudley said walking into the Hall where Cho, and Harry had been talking.
"Listen cousin, you can't pos." Harry begun turning on his cousin, only to again stop at the touch of Cho's hand. "No Harry, I think it best he explain." Cho said pushing Harry's aimed wand back into his pocket, and replacing it with her hand.
"All right, but make it quick" Harry snapped glaring at the boy who had made his Muggle life a living hell. "I don't like this any more than you do, but I am here to stay, Although at first I may not have been Hogwarts material, I am in fact partially a wizard, Well that is according to the Dumbledorf fellow, I think the word he used was Muggle squib, although I don't know what it means." At this Harry broke out laughing. Try as he might, and even with Cho punching him, Harry couldn't help it.
"Well, If you're a squib, I think you would be better off at Smeltings" Harry said gaining composure. "That I would have to agree with. Dumbledorf is only keeping me here until they figure out what will happen to me after school lets out." He finished turning back to enter the great Hall once again, and making his way directly back to the food. Harry started laughing again, and although he felt horrible for what Dudley was going through, the thought of him believing he belonged at Hogwarts was almost too much for him to handle.
"Bye the way squib, its Dumbledore, get it right." Harry shouted holding his side from the pain laughing had caused him. "Well I am glad you are in a good mood again mate," Ron spoke walking out with Hermione. Are you up to some quidditch?" He asked showing Harry the brooms he was carrying, and tossing Cho hers.
"Ron, at a time like this what were you thinking" Hermione butted in obviously they had been told that Harry would probably sleep in later than he did, and that under the circumstances they would never. "What do you mean" Ron questioned throwing the two frowning girls a smug grin.
"No Hermione, I could think of nothing better than to fly" Harry interrupted. Hermione had gone off on Ron, commenting on proper mourning, and respect for those that have passed. Harry simply laughed as Ron stuck out his tongue at her, and turned to Harry.
"Let me just get my broom." Harry said turning to run up the stairs. Cho however was much quicker, and stopping Harry only half way up the first flight, pulling him back toward Ron and Hermione.
"We have a faster way" She said pulling an old quill from her pocket. Hermione, and Ron reached for it instantly, and looking at his three friends, Harry felt confused, but eventually grabbed onto it as well.
"So" he asked looking at his three friends all standing together holding a small quill, "What does it do?" He questioned. Just then however Harry felt his feet leave the solid marble floor, and next thing he knew he was standing in the hallway of the third floor corridor.
"Welcome to Marauder Way" Ron said clasping his hand on Harry's back, and pulling him along as he ran down the hall. "Marauders Way?" Harry asked, confused as to where his friends were taking him. "Isn't it great mate, I mean Dumbledore has made it restricted to everyone else but us." Ron stated opening the door leading into Fluffy's room.
"I get a cold chill every time I enter this room, I can't get the picture of that darn dog out of my mind" He laughed walking over to a statue of a raven, which was placed over what used to be the trap door guarded by fluffy.
"Gum Drops" He said stepping back as the floor begun to vibrate, and the raven disappeared into the ground. Come on mate, Ron said as he begun to descend a staircase that had appeared.
When Harry reached the landing he again stared at awe at what had happened, he was once again in the long Hall he had been earlier that morning, and only a few feet from his room.
"Ron, what's going on? Harry asked as the group begun to make there way toward Harry's room. "Isn't it obvious mate" Ron said jokingly as he pushed open Harry's door, and pointed to the room across the hall. Cho's, Hermione's, Dudley's, and Sirius's He finished pointing to the other 5 doors, and mine of course.
Harry just stared at his friends dumbstruck. It was starting to make since, and a smile slowly crept to his face. "Are you trying to tell me that this is where we will be staying this year?" Harry asked walking into his room, and getting a good look at the spacious yet cozy interior.
"Yup" Ron answered walking over to the closet, and pulling out Harry's broom. "We will have all the time in the world to look it over though, so while I'm still young, lets get playing." He finished stepping past the giggling girls, and heading toward the main common area. Harry simply smiled, and grabbing his set of quidditch gear, made for the common room.
For Harry the adrenaline flying brought to him was exactly what he needed. He had lived his nightmare the night before, but with his friends at his side, and a broom underneath him, Harry begun to feel a sense of peace wash over him that he had not felt in years.
Cho, Ron, and Hermione seemed to notice the transformation in Harry as well. After spending a few hours on the pitch though the group begun to fill hungry, and realizing that Harry had not eaten properly in a while, they motioned for him to catch the snitch, and make for the ground.
"Wow, that is even better than football, I mean who would have ever thought you could fly, can I try" came the drawl of Dudley's scratchy voice.
"Uhh, well this really isn't a practice broom.." Harry begun, only to stop as Ron dropped his nimbus 2000, and motioned for Dudley to come over.
"Well, you being a squib, there are some magical activities you won't be able to do, Lets see what you make of flying. Place your right hand over the broom, and say up.
"Up" Dudley shouted staring at the broom. It did nothing.
"With Feeling" Ron laughed remembering precisely what Madame Hooch once yelled at him.
"Up" Dudley shouted once more, but what happened next took everyone by surprise. The broom responded to the second command, and zoomed into his awaiting hands.
"Wow" Dudley said out loud looking at the object in his hand. "Now what?" He asked, and Harry just shook his head.
"Mount it Dudley" Harry said showing him what he needed to do. "And grip it tight, I don't need you falling off." He sighed frustrated that his cousin was suddenly so interested in the magical world. Something else was bothering Harry though, and he contributed it to the fact Dudley could summon a broom.
The next thing Harry new, Dudley was up in the air, and from what Harry could tell out of control.
"RON" Harry shouted giving his friend a penetrating stare, and kicking off the ground.
"Couldn't leave it well alone could you" He shouted firing off into the direction of the screaming Dursley.
Ron however had lost all control, and along with both Hermione, and Cho the three watched Harry chase his cousin back and fourth shouting out commands.
"Here Ron" Cho said handing him her new Firebolt. "Go see what you can do to help" She said watching as Ron let out a sigh, and mounted her broom. Moments latter both Ron and Harry had a hold of Dudley's broom, and with a rather rough landing, Harry grasped Ron's nimbus 2000 from Dudley and handed it back to Ron.
"What were you thinking kicking off like that, I mean the nerve" Harry yelled pushing Dudley out of his way, and walking straight to Ron, "And you, I will deal with you later" he fumed grabbing Cho's Firebolt and walking to where she stood laughing.
Ron simply mumbled something about no fun, and lost his spirit as he followed his friend's example and with Hermione's hand begun the climb to the castle. Dudley however had not moved, and it wasn't until the four were close to the entrance that they could here him calling for them as he ran across the field.
The group of five sat and ate lunch for close to an hour without much conversation. Harry was still upset about everything that happened earlier, and it was clear to the others that something else was bothering him as well. Standing up, and excusing himself Harry walked to the room behind the teacher's table, and moments later transported himself into the Marauders Common room the same way Sirius had done earlier that morning.
"Harry, what are you doing here?" Sirius asked as he and Remus were sitting on the coach when Harry arrived.
"Getting as far away from that git as I can" Harry responded walking straight to his room, and closing the door. Pulling out his most precious possession, Harry stared into the eyes of his mother, and before long fell into a restless slumber.
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"James, it is important we tell Dumbledore. Dad once told me that if he was to die that our bloodline would need to move forward, and we all know Petunia's not going to embrace the magic within her."
"Then we tell him tonight, we know Voldermort plans on attacking Privet drive, and Dumbledore can protect Dudley." He finished placing his dinner fork down, and standing. "I will tell him tonight, lets just hope the raid goes well" He finished walking out of the room.
Harry stared at the man leaving the room, and the women left at the table, he had some how gone back in time, and was witnessing his parents discuss something they felt needed to be told to Dumbledore. Just then however Harry realized what night it was, and following his infant self, and mother up the stairs, turned to the shadows just in time to watch the dark lord curse his father. The second the words were spoken; Harry woke up with his scar on fire.
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"Harry, Harry come on mate I said I was sorry" He heard Ron calling from the door. "Come on Harry, the sorting ceremony is about to begin," He shouted again as Harry jumped out of his bed.
"Ron," Harry muttered clenching his scar, and unlocking the door. "Come in" Harry yelled as he pushed past the pain, and quickly dressed.
"What were you doing in here?" Ron shouted coming into the room, "I mean I have been pounding on the door for twenty minutes now, not including the amount of pleading Cho has been doing all day." You could tell by Ron's tone he was completely agitated
"Ron, I will explain on the way." Harry said hurrying past his friend, and running into the common room. What awaited Harry there however was not what he expected, for instead of being simply Cho, Hermione, and Sirius, Harry found those three, but Arthur, Charlie, Remus, Dumbledore, Snape, Dudley, and Fleur Delacour.
"Harry" Ron shouted coming to a stop directly next to his friend. "Well he's alive" Ron laughed as the two entered the well lit room. Everyone begun in on Harry the second they could. It seems that not responding to Cho prompted Hermione to worry, and she had called Dumbledore right away, needless to say everyone that could be spared from the train, and carriage duty were now in his room.
"It's okay everyone, I am fine" Harry shouted stopping the verbal lashing he was receiving. "I do however have an explanation, but first I need to speak with Dudley, and Albus" he finished shocking those in the room by using the headmasters first name.
"Very well" Dumbledore commented tuning to the others, "Why don't you all head down to the great hall, I am sure the student's will be arriving shortly, and we wont be long." He finished ushering over Dudley, Who was in a new set of black Hogwarts robes, but with no emblem of a house on them, to the couch.
Harry waited for the last of his friends to vanish before immediately breaking into the vision he has just experienced. "Did you know?" He asked Dumbledore nearly fifteen minutes later, "Did you know Petunia was a witch" He finished.
Dumbledore smiled warmly, and placed a reassuring hand on Harry's shoulder. "I am afraid Harry that there is still quiet a bit about your heritage that I am unaware of. I personally help Minerva select the students that attend Hogwarts, and at no time did the name Petunia Evans arise. Rest assured however," He continued seeing the pained expression cross Harry's face, that I will look into this further" he finished looking at Dudley.
"Sir, what is to happen to me" Dudley spoke for the first time that night. "We must wait and see Dudley whether or not you will stay at Hogwarts. When Minerva places the sorting hat upon your head, it will search out your magical aura, and if it finds that there is enough you will be placed." He finished standing up.
"Now, I believe the sorting ceremony is about to begin, and it looks to be a most interesting evening." Dumbledore finished walking toward the fire, and saying the incantation to open the transport.
Harry woke up the next morning with a pounding headache. The previous nights events were weighing heavily on him, and when he attempted to open his eyes, he immediately let out a moan of pain.
"What's wrong? Harry are you okay" he heard as he fought back the nauseous feeling consuming him. Saying that it was much to bright, Harry waited until the lights were turned off before again opening his eyes.
"Sirius," Harry sighed seeing the worried face of his godfather. "When did you get back?" he asked throwing his legs over the bed. "Ohh no you don't" Sirius answered attempting to stop Harry, only to suddenly feel his legs, and arms freeze to his side. "Sirius, not now okay" Harry replied jumping off the bed, and regretting it instantly as shooting pains consumed each muscle.
"Wow, I must have used a lot of energy yesterday," He said walking over to his trunk, and with a wave of his hand unfreezing Sirius. "How did you do that?" Sirius asked staring at his godson. "Do what?" Harry responded knowing exactly what Sirius was getting at.
"You froze me without your wand, or saying an incantation, how" He asked again still staring. "Well it's kind of a long story." Harry began throwing on a clean pair of robes, and his order cloak. "To be honest with you." He continued, "It kind of just happened at first, then with a lot of practice I was able to perfect it." He finished looking around for the first time since he arrived.
Sirius, who was still staring at Harry, finally moved. "Harry, how many people know you can do this?" he asked closing the door Harry was just about to walk through. "Why does it matter?" He asked turning and looking at his godfather. "To be honest Harry it doesn't, but that type of magic is a rare gift, your mom had it."
That statement successfully grabbed Harry's attention. "My m-mother could do it" he stuttered taking a seat next to the door. "Harry, I didn't mean to upset you" Sirius responded realizing to late that talk about Lily was a very hot topic, "But yes Harry, Lily had two large gifts, the first was the 3rd eye, or inner eye. And the second was wandless magic, but more importantly wordless, and wandless magic. Even Dumbledore has to mutter the incantation for most things."
Harry just sat dumb struck. His mother, he knew so much about his father, and the gifts passed down from him, but Harry knew very little about his mother. "Sirius, promise me something" Harry said after a few moments of silence. "Anything Harry, what is it?" Sirius asked getting slightly concerned. "Well two things really, first is the fact I can do this type of magic, can you keep it a secret." Sirius nodded although reluctantly.
"It is your secret Harry, I will not tell anyone." Was his answer as he looked at his godson. "I do however think you should tell Dumbledore. He could help you develop it even more." "I think he knows already, but I will talk to him about it." Harry continued. "Sirius," he asked again looking at his godfather. "Yes Harry."
"About my second request." He said slightly nervous "Yes Harry" Sirius answered again. "Promise me that when this is all over you will sit down and tell me about my mother." He finished fighting back the wave of tears that threatened to escape. Sirius walked over to Harry, and lifting him off the chair embraced him in a fatherly hug. "I promise Harry, I will tell you everything I can
"Well since I was unable to keep you in bed want to head to breakfast" Sirius asked opening the door after a long moment of awkward silence. "Ya I'm quiet hungry" Harry replied stepping into a long Hall, and looking both directions. 'Sirius, where are we?" he asked following his godfather to the left.
"Why Harry James Potter, I am surprised you don't know" Sirius laughed as the two walked past a few rooms, and into a large landing of some sort. Harry was amazed at what he saw. In all reality it looked close to what the Gryffindor common room looked like, but much more spacious, and in Harry's mind Extravagant.
Sirius however had not stopped like Harry had, and was now standing next to the large hearth. "Gum Drops" Sirius laughed tapping the emblem of Hogwarts that had been carved into the mahogany mantel. Taking a few steps back, Sirius waited for the fire to die down before stepping in, and motioning for Harry to follow.
Harry inhaled sharply at what happened next. Almost as if he was traveling by floo, Harry found himself engulfed by a blinding blue light. Next thing he realized he was standing in the fireplace of a small room, and upon entering it, Harry instantly` realized where he was.
"Hogwarts, but how, and why?" he asked staring at the back of his godfather. "Well Harry, Hogwarts is now the safest place for you. We figured you and your friends spending an extra day here wouldn't hurt, and from what Dumbledore and Dudley have told me, I would have to agree." Sirius answered walking over to the small couch in the room.
"How is Dudley" Harry asked following his godfather through the room, and to the couch. "I mean last time I saw him he was, well" "Your cousin is doing much better now, when we arrived here last night, Dumbledore revived him, and even though it was painful for everyone to hear, He gave a full account of everything that happened.
"Everything?" Harry asked fidgeting the wand he held within his robes. "Harry, we all know you only did what was needed to survive, From Dudley's account we figured you had used the killing curse, and Harry I don't want you to worry about that, I mean if I was there I would have done much worse.
"I know," Harry said watching his feet as Sirius stood. "I just can't help but feel sorry though, I mean if it hadn't been for my lack of skill, I could have." "Harry, I do not want you blaming yourself for the death of your Aunt, and Uncle. It was your skill, and strength that saved Dudley, and we all know if it weren't for you that he would be gone as well." Sirius shouted standing from the couch, and interrupting Harry.
Harry simply smiled as his godfather as Sirius pulled him into a fatherly hug, It never seemed to amaze Harry how much a little human contact could do to make him feel so much better, but Sirius seemed to understand this, and never held back from showing his emotion.
"Well Harry, before I allow you to meet up with your friends, I wanted to explain some new rules, and safety precautions. Are you all right with that?" Sirius asked as Harry simply stared at him. Harry had lived under such a tight watch over the past five years that it wasn't possible that any new precautions would make a difference.
"Right" Sirius said realizing exactly what Harry was thinking. "On second hand, how about you go get something to eat. Why don't you meet me back here tonight after the sorting ceremony, and along with Ron, Hermione, and Cho, I will explain whatever you haven't figured out" Sirius finished opening the door that would lead the two into the great hall.
"But Sirius, wha." Harry begun to say. Everything that had happened that morning had done so in record setting pace, and Harry had numerous questions flying through his mind. Those questions however were quickly eliminated as he was engulfed in a wave of hugs, starting with Hermione.
"Harry, how are you, we were so worried after last night." She said pulling back to show tears falling from her eyes." "It's good seeing you to Hermione, but to be honest I have a mind full of questions." He answered
"Don't worry about them now" Cho said pushing past Hermione, and throwing her arms around her boyfriend. The two stood that way for a few minutes until the cough of Dumbledore told them they had an audience.
"Nice to see you up Mr. Potter, However I believe I instructed on Sirius Black to keep you in bed for a day" Dumbledore laughed giving Sirius a pointed look. "About that" Harry said taking a hold of Cho's hand, and quickly making for the seat next to Ron. "I will have to talk to you about some recent discoveries" He finished cheeks flushing a scarlet red.
"It is quiet all right Harry," Dumbledore said pushing his chair in, and giving Harry a reassuring smile. "Now if you will be excusing us, I have a few last minute things to prepare before tonight, and I need to speak with the professors."
Sirius stopped momentarily to hug Harry one last time, and telling him to have fun, took off out of the great hall in a quick jog. No one really paid attention to the fact the skinny boy remained behind, but the second the adults were out of earshot that fact came back to bite them.
"Well, well, well, seems you finally managed to gain a few friends." Came the long drawl from the fifth occupant in the room. "Ohh great, here he goes again" Ron muttered turning from his conversation with Harry. "How nice. Mum and Dad die, and you seem to care less." Yelled the boy disregarding the comment from Ron, and sitting down with a huff.
"And who the Hell are you." Harry said immediately pulling his wand. What greeted him next however nearly knocked him out of his seat, and Cho instantly reached out a hand to steady him.
D-Dudley, what the bloody hell are you doing here?" Harry almost spat standing up, and glaring at his cousin. For the first time since entering the room, Harry got a close look at the boy, and instantly noticed it to be his cousin. "I thought you hated our world, and what happened to you?" He questioned looking over his normally very fat cousin, and noticing he had shed most his weight, and he was wearing a pair of his old school robes slightly modified, as Dudley was still quiet larger than Harry.
Both Hermione, and Ron broke into laughter, but Cho simply lowered her head. Deciding it best to explain it alone, she too stood up and motioned Harry to the door. "Don't be mad Harry, but I didn't know what else to do, I mean the bloody git stepped right on the broken stair, you know the one just below the transfiguration level. Well his fat foot was so jammed up that the only way we could get him out was to well lets just say put him on an advanced diet" She finished blushing slightly.
"Okay, that explains his weight, but what is he doing here, I thought Muggles weren't allowed. "Maybe I should answer that" Dudley said walking into the Hall where Cho, and Harry had been talking.
"Listen cousin, you can't pos." Harry begun turning on his cousin, only to again stop at the touch of Cho's hand. "No Harry, I think it best he explain." Cho said pushing Harry's aimed wand back into his pocket, and replacing it with her hand.
"All right, but make it quick" Harry snapped glaring at the boy who had made his Muggle life a living hell. "I don't like this any more than you do, but I am here to stay, Although at first I may not have been Hogwarts material, I am in fact partially a wizard, Well that is according to the Dumbledorf fellow, I think the word he used was Muggle squib, although I don't know what it means." At this Harry broke out laughing. Try as he might, and even with Cho punching him, Harry couldn't help it.
"Well, If you're a squib, I think you would be better off at Smeltings" Harry said gaining composure. "That I would have to agree with. Dumbledorf is only keeping me here until they figure out what will happen to me after school lets out." He finished turning back to enter the great Hall once again, and making his way directly back to the food. Harry started laughing again, and although he felt horrible for what Dudley was going through, the thought of him believing he belonged at Hogwarts was almost too much for him to handle.
"Bye the way squib, its Dumbledore, get it right." Harry shouted holding his side from the pain laughing had caused him. "Well I am glad you are in a good mood again mate," Ron spoke walking out with Hermione. Are you up to some quidditch?" He asked showing Harry the brooms he was carrying, and tossing Cho hers.
"Ron, at a time like this what were you thinking" Hermione butted in obviously they had been told that Harry would probably sleep in later than he did, and that under the circumstances they would never. "What do you mean" Ron questioned throwing the two frowning girls a smug grin.
"No Hermione, I could think of nothing better than to fly" Harry interrupted. Hermione had gone off on Ron, commenting on proper mourning, and respect for those that have passed. Harry simply laughed as Ron stuck out his tongue at her, and turned to Harry.
"Let me just get my broom." Harry said turning to run up the stairs. Cho however was much quicker, and stopping Harry only half way up the first flight, pulling him back toward Ron and Hermione.
"We have a faster way" She said pulling an old quill from her pocket. Hermione, and Ron reached for it instantly, and looking at his three friends, Harry felt confused, but eventually grabbed onto it as well.
"So" he asked looking at his three friends all standing together holding a small quill, "What does it do?" He questioned. Just then however Harry felt his feet leave the solid marble floor, and next thing he knew he was standing in the hallway of the third floor corridor.
"Welcome to Marauder Way" Ron said clasping his hand on Harry's back, and pulling him along as he ran down the hall. "Marauders Way?" Harry asked, confused as to where his friends were taking him. "Isn't it great mate, I mean Dumbledore has made it restricted to everyone else but us." Ron stated opening the door leading into Fluffy's room.
"I get a cold chill every time I enter this room, I can't get the picture of that darn dog out of my mind" He laughed walking over to a statue of a raven, which was placed over what used to be the trap door guarded by fluffy.
"Gum Drops" He said stepping back as the floor begun to vibrate, and the raven disappeared into the ground. Come on mate, Ron said as he begun to descend a staircase that had appeared.
When Harry reached the landing he again stared at awe at what had happened, he was once again in the long Hall he had been earlier that morning, and only a few feet from his room.
"Ron, what's going on? Harry asked as the group begun to make there way toward Harry's room. "Isn't it obvious mate" Ron said jokingly as he pushed open Harry's door, and pointed to the room across the hall. Cho's, Hermione's, Dudley's, and Sirius's He finished pointing to the other 5 doors, and mine of course.
Harry just stared at his friends dumbstruck. It was starting to make since, and a smile slowly crept to his face. "Are you trying to tell me that this is where we will be staying this year?" Harry asked walking into his room, and getting a good look at the spacious yet cozy interior.
"Yup" Ron answered walking over to the closet, and pulling out Harry's broom. "We will have all the time in the world to look it over though, so while I'm still young, lets get playing." He finished stepping past the giggling girls, and heading toward the main common area. Harry simply smiled, and grabbing his set of quidditch gear, made for the common room.
For Harry the adrenaline flying brought to him was exactly what he needed. He had lived his nightmare the night before, but with his friends at his side, and a broom underneath him, Harry begun to feel a sense of peace wash over him that he had not felt in years.
Cho, Ron, and Hermione seemed to notice the transformation in Harry as well. After spending a few hours on the pitch though the group begun to fill hungry, and realizing that Harry had not eaten properly in a while, they motioned for him to catch the snitch, and make for the ground.
"Wow, that is even better than football, I mean who would have ever thought you could fly, can I try" came the drawl of Dudley's scratchy voice.
"Uhh, well this really isn't a practice broom.." Harry begun, only to stop as Ron dropped his nimbus 2000, and motioned for Dudley to come over.
"Well, you being a squib, there are some magical activities you won't be able to do, Lets see what you make of flying. Place your right hand over the broom, and say up.
"Up" Dudley shouted staring at the broom. It did nothing.
"With Feeling" Ron laughed remembering precisely what Madame Hooch once yelled at him.
"Up" Dudley shouted once more, but what happened next took everyone by surprise. The broom responded to the second command, and zoomed into his awaiting hands.
"Wow" Dudley said out loud looking at the object in his hand. "Now what?" He asked, and Harry just shook his head.
"Mount it Dudley" Harry said showing him what he needed to do. "And grip it tight, I don't need you falling off." He sighed frustrated that his cousin was suddenly so interested in the magical world. Something else was bothering Harry though, and he contributed it to the fact Dudley could summon a broom.
The next thing Harry new, Dudley was up in the air, and from what Harry could tell out of control.
"RON" Harry shouted giving his friend a penetrating stare, and kicking off the ground.
"Couldn't leave it well alone could you" He shouted firing off into the direction of the screaming Dursley.
Ron however had lost all control, and along with both Hermione, and Cho the three watched Harry chase his cousin back and fourth shouting out commands.
"Here Ron" Cho said handing him her new Firebolt. "Go see what you can do to help" She said watching as Ron let out a sigh, and mounted her broom. Moments latter both Ron and Harry had a hold of Dudley's broom, and with a rather rough landing, Harry grasped Ron's nimbus 2000 from Dudley and handed it back to Ron.
"What were you thinking kicking off like that, I mean the nerve" Harry yelled pushing Dudley out of his way, and walking straight to Ron, "And you, I will deal with you later" he fumed grabbing Cho's Firebolt and walking to where she stood laughing.
Ron simply mumbled something about no fun, and lost his spirit as he followed his friend's example and with Hermione's hand begun the climb to the castle. Dudley however had not moved, and it wasn't until the four were close to the entrance that they could here him calling for them as he ran across the field.
The group of five sat and ate lunch for close to an hour without much conversation. Harry was still upset about everything that happened earlier, and it was clear to the others that something else was bothering him as well. Standing up, and excusing himself Harry walked to the room behind the teacher's table, and moments later transported himself into the Marauders Common room the same way Sirius had done earlier that morning.
"Harry, what are you doing here?" Sirius asked as he and Remus were sitting on the coach when Harry arrived.
"Getting as far away from that git as I can" Harry responded walking straight to his room, and closing the door. Pulling out his most precious possession, Harry stared into the eyes of his mother, and before long fell into a restless slumber.
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"James, it is important we tell Dumbledore. Dad once told me that if he was to die that our bloodline would need to move forward, and we all know Petunia's not going to embrace the magic within her."
"Then we tell him tonight, we know Voldermort plans on attacking Privet drive, and Dumbledore can protect Dudley." He finished placing his dinner fork down, and standing. "I will tell him tonight, lets just hope the raid goes well" He finished walking out of the room.
Harry stared at the man leaving the room, and the women left at the table, he had some how gone back in time, and was witnessing his parents discuss something they felt needed to be told to Dumbledore. Just then however Harry realized what night it was, and following his infant self, and mother up the stairs, turned to the shadows just in time to watch the dark lord curse his father. The second the words were spoken; Harry woke up with his scar on fire.
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"Harry, Harry come on mate I said I was sorry" He heard Ron calling from the door. "Come on Harry, the sorting ceremony is about to begin," He shouted again as Harry jumped out of his bed.
"Ron," Harry muttered clenching his scar, and unlocking the door. "Come in" Harry yelled as he pushed past the pain, and quickly dressed.
"What were you doing in here?" Ron shouted coming into the room, "I mean I have been pounding on the door for twenty minutes now, not including the amount of pleading Cho has been doing all day." You could tell by Ron's tone he was completely agitated
"Ron, I will explain on the way." Harry said hurrying past his friend, and running into the common room. What awaited Harry there however was not what he expected, for instead of being simply Cho, Hermione, and Sirius, Harry found those three, but Arthur, Charlie, Remus, Dumbledore, Snape, Dudley, and Fleur Delacour.
"Harry" Ron shouted coming to a stop directly next to his friend. "Well he's alive" Ron laughed as the two entered the well lit room. Everyone begun in on Harry the second they could. It seems that not responding to Cho prompted Hermione to worry, and she had called Dumbledore right away, needless to say everyone that could be spared from the train, and carriage duty were now in his room.
"It's okay everyone, I am fine" Harry shouted stopping the verbal lashing he was receiving. "I do however have an explanation, but first I need to speak with Dudley, and Albus" he finished shocking those in the room by using the headmasters first name.
"Very well" Dumbledore commented tuning to the others, "Why don't you all head down to the great hall, I am sure the student's will be arriving shortly, and we wont be long." He finished ushering over Dudley, Who was in a new set of black Hogwarts robes, but with no emblem of a house on them, to the couch.
Harry waited for the last of his friends to vanish before immediately breaking into the vision he has just experienced. "Did you know?" He asked Dumbledore nearly fifteen minutes later, "Did you know Petunia was a witch" He finished.
Dumbledore smiled warmly, and placed a reassuring hand on Harry's shoulder. "I am afraid Harry that there is still quiet a bit about your heritage that I am unaware of. I personally help Minerva select the students that attend Hogwarts, and at no time did the name Petunia Evans arise. Rest assured however," He continued seeing the pained expression cross Harry's face, that I will look into this further" he finished looking at Dudley.
"Sir, what is to happen to me" Dudley spoke for the first time that night. "We must wait and see Dudley whether or not you will stay at Hogwarts. When Minerva places the sorting hat upon your head, it will search out your magical aura, and if it finds that there is enough you will be placed." He finished standing up.
"Now, I believe the sorting ceremony is about to begin, and it looks to be a most interesting evening." Dumbledore finished walking toward the fire, and saying the incantation to open the transport.