Disclaimer: It's not mine. Are these things necessary each time?
Chapter 10: Petunia?
Petunia Dursley looked at her nephew nervously. He looked a little more tired that the last time she had seen him. Understandable. She felt responsible for it, though. Guilty. She wrung her hands in anticipation. Harry was staring at her, open mouthed; stunned. She hadn't expected anything else. After all, she had done nothing to stop her husband from disowning him.
"What…what are you doing here?" Harry stuttered.
Petunia sucked in her breath and made to answer, but Dumbledore did it for her.
"Your aunt has informed me of your situation, Harry. She has come on her own accord and wishes to put everything right."
Harry was beyond confused and he gladly took a seat on the soft, plush chair Dumbledore conjured for him. He watched the headmaster nod to his aunt. She looked different. Tense and uncomfortable. The usual air of supremacy that she had become accustomed to breathing had vanished, and she was left with a chilly, lonesome breath.
"I never meant for this to happen, Harry," she began in a sad whisper. She raised her head to look into his eyes, determined for him to know the truth. "Vernon, he didn't know. It wasn't supposed to be this way." She took a breath to calm herself. She could see that she was only making Harry more confused. "I promised your mother that I would take care of you, Harry, if anything should happen to her. A promise as her sister, as your aunt. As family. And I broke that promise. I let Vernon destroy it without question. I feel, you cannot know. To break an oath…" she let out a breath of frustration. What could she tell him? She felt like a monster for all the years he had endured without love but filled with cruelty and there wasn't any way to apologize for something like that.
"How did you get here?" Harry demanded. His tone was firm but held sympathy for the woman in front of him. At least she had come.
"I contacted the professor," she nodded toward Dumbledore, "And he arranged for me to come."
"Harry, you must realize that with Voldemort regaining his powers, you are in grave danger. Without a home, he can get to you. A home is protection. As is a family," the headmaster explained.
Harry looked down at the floor. He felt guilty. But why? It wasn't even his fault. Uncle Vernon had thrown him out! What was he to do? His aunt was watching him, as if expecting a slap across the face. Harry didn't know what to think of her. For his whole life, she had treated him as inferior. As nothing. And now she suddenly wanted to help him. It was all too much. A sudden gush of anger and betrayal coursed through his body.
"WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? He threw me out," Harry shouted, "I had no choice." He felt trapped. He needed to get out of there. He leapt from his chair and started towards the stairs. He knew Dumbledore wouldn't follow him. As he ran down the steps, he could hear the old man telling his aunt, "Let him go."
***
Hermione knocked on the door of Hagrid's hut and went in without waiting for an answer. Ron followed close behind. They entered to find Hagrid dangling a piece of red meat in front of Fang. Upon seeing Ron and Hermione enter, he let the steak drop into the boarhound's ready mouth. He stood up and gave them a big smile.
"Ron! Hermione! What are yeh doin' 'ere?" he bellowed happily.
"We've just come for a visit, Hagrid, to see how you're doing," Hermione told him.
"Well that's mighty sweet of yeh. Have a seat won't yeh?" he drew two chairs to the table and motioned for them to sit. As he went to his stove to make some tea and pull out some muffins from the oven, he asked, "Where's Harry now?"
"Oh, uh, well he went to see Professor Dumbledore. Dunno what for. Wouldn't tell us anything," Ron complained.
"Ah well, I reckon he's just havin' a bit of a rough year eh? What with You-Know-Who rising again," Hagrid shuddered at the thought. He shook off the cold feeling that came from thinking of the Dark Lord and took the tea and muffins to the table. Handing Ron and Hermione a cup and pastry each, he sat down to enjoy the morning sunshine that surged in through the windows.
From experience, the two Hogwart's students knew never to eat any of Hagrid's baking. One was more likely to break a tooth than to slake one's hunger. They both casually slipped their muffins under the table to the awaiting Fang while Hagrid looked out the window.
"Will you be coming back to teach soon, Hagrid?" Hermione asked, taking a sip from her bucket of tea. Although she liked the young Beaubaxton graduate who was currently filling in, having Hagrid back would mean he was ok, and Hermione wanted to be sure.
"Oh, 'spect in a few days I'll be as right as rain," the giant of a man smiled affectionately at the small bushy haired girl.
For the some time, the three companions sat comfortably in the homey hut, talking and sipping tea. But while they were all so comfortable, Harry sat in an empty room, enveloped in cold stone walls. After running off from Dumbledore's office, he had searched angrily for a place to hide away from prying eyes. It seemed that everyone in the castle wanted him to do something. More students had approached him about teaching them some extra Defence Against the Dark Arts, but Harry had ignored them and done everything possible to find a place void of the wanting pleas that plagued him. He finally found himself in a safe place, where only one person could bother him. Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Although it begrudged him to have to resort to a girl's bathroom that was haunted by a whining ghost no less, he needed to sit and gather his thoughts. He slumped against the cool concrete of the sink and closed his eyes. He sat that way for a while, trying to figure out his emotions. Was he supposed to forgive his aunt? Albeit of all the Dursleys he felt the least hatred towards her, he did still feel some contempt. A lifetime of cruelty forgotten by a single apology? The pain that stung his heart so deeply from being ignored all those years, could not be mended by one hug. Learning to trust someone, to love them, took time. Sometimes, forever.
"Harry? Is that you?" the ghostly figure of the notorious Moaning Myrtle floated through the door of the fourth bathroom stall.
Harry looked up at the transparent girl and gave her a small smile. At least she wasn't looking for him to tutor her.
"Hey, Myrtle," Harry replied tiredly.
"Harry, why haven't you come to visit me? You promised you would? Or don't you want to be seen with pitiful, b-blubbering, Moaning Myrtle??" Is that it?" she let out a long wail and flew back into her stall, violently slammed the door and began beating it with all her might. (A/N I dunno if she actually can touch the door, but let's just pretend she can, ok? Good readers. Have a cookie.)
Harry sighed. Just his luck.
"Myrtle! Myrtle! Come on, now. I didn't mean to make you feel bad. I've been busy, and just…" he trailed off, trying to think of just what he was.
Myrtle's thrashing stopped and she peered cautiously from behind the door.
"Just, what?" she asked timidly.
"I don't know. I'm just having trouble. Do you…do you ever feel like nothing will ever be right again?"
The raven-haired girl looked at him queerly. "All the time," she whispered, "I'm dead."
Harry knotted his forehead in understanding at the truth of her words.
"What is it, Harry? What's wrong?" she floated over to him and took a seat beside him on the floor. As he began explaining to her the emotional struggle he was having, she nodded sagely. Understanding his unhappiness. But although she wanted to feel bad for him, she couldn't quite ignore the tiny bubble of joy at having someone be as miserable as her.
"I suppose I ought to go and speak to them," Harry said, referring to his aunt and the headmaster.
Myrtle nodded sadly. She watched Harry get up and leave the bathroom with a distant wave. She sighed. Everyone was always leaving her.
Harry walked down the long corridor from Myrtle's bathroom, feeling somewhat better from having told someone, even a ghost, about his problems. His feet quickly led him to the stone gargoyle statue where he once again entered the headmaster's office. He found his aunt quietly sipping a cup of tea while Dumbledore sat back in his chair twiddling his thumbs and whistling a familiar tune. (A/N Hehe, I wanted that in there, so I put it back.) They were apparently waiting for him, because as soon as he entered they stood up and Petunia placed her cup on the headmaster's desk. She spoke in a nervous tone again, making her seem unreal, not herself, to Harry, "Won't you…sit down?"
Harry looked at the soft, cushiony chair that still sat awaiting him. He went to it and eased himself down, glancing tensely at the other two people in the room.
"I'm...uh…sorry, I ran off. It's just, I'm getting a little overwhelmed, I guess," Harry told them.
The headmaster nodded sagaciously.
"And, I'm ready to talk…and listen."
"Petunia, I think it would be best if you explained how you came to Hogwarts and what you plan to do, hmm?" Dumbledore advised.
"Well, I left Vernon and Dudley, Harry," she began, taking her seat again, "I couldn't bear to be at home with them. They…they were ignoring me, for betraying them."
"Betraying them? How?" Harry was curious.
"You remember the day you left? When I…hugged you?" Harry nodded. He could see that this was difficult for her. "They thought that I was helping you. That I had been lying to them somehow. I don't know. I don't understand what they were thinking. I was so confused. But I couldn't go on without knowing that you were safe. So I wrote to Professor Dumbledore and explained to him the situation. I told him that I needed to talk to him. I needed advice. I know I'm what you would call a Muggle, it would be difficult in the magical world, but I want what's best for you, Harry. And I'm prepared to do what it takes. I realize now, how heartless we have all been to you. I love my husband and son very much. And I love you. And I will not break my oath to Lily. I will not let anything happen to you. Some things are meant to happen. So, what do you want to do, Harry? I know that Vernon would never allow you back into the house. I don't know if he'd allow me back, after I've left him to come here. He was awfully mad when I told him what I was doing. " Petunia fumbled with the strap on the handbag that rested in her lap.
"Are you saying that you would, move into the magical world? With just me?" Harry was completely mystified.
Petunia forced her hands to stop. "Yes, Harry. If that's what it takes. I know I can never make up to you the horrible years that we put you through, but I will try. We could live anywhere. M-muggle or wizard town. It's up to you."
Harry still couldn't believe his ears. This was his aunt. The woman who, for years had shoved him aside as she lovingly doted on the other members of her family. The woman who had kept him in a cupboard for half his life, never stood up for him when his uncle punished him or his cousin tried to beat him to a pulp. She was saying that she'd move out of number 4 Privet Drive and set up a home for just the two of them. He would never have thought her capable of such drastic action, but the absolute seriousness of her expression showed him that she was not joking.
"Are you sure?" Harry asked slowly.
Petunia nodded and gave him a small, yet hopeful smile.
Harry relaxed and returned her smile with a large and gleeful one. He could feel his life changing. His future becoming clearer and happier. It was a moment worthy of producing a Patronus. But before he could express his ecstasy, two red-faced, panting Gryffindors ran into the room.
"Professor Dumbledore, please come quick. It's Hagrid," Hermione spoke as fast as she could.
"What is it?" the headmaster asked, his voice raising slightly in alarm.
"He's having another relapse. A bad one," Ron explained.
The professor sighed, but made no move to leave.
"I was afraid it might come to this," he confessed sadly.
"Afraid it would come to what?" Hermione asked urgently, quite anxious that things be sorted out and Hagrid be attended to as soon as possible.
"Hagrid will have to go to St. Mungo's."
princess55 : Ahhh, I see. Yes, I see your point. Hmmm. Well, I just said that he got mad, as you can see. Does that work? I mean she could have just said she would be back, or something. I'll leave that to your imagination. I'm so glad you keep reviewing. You're very motivating. Thanks!!!
Von : Ok, so not a flame then. Just a very honest review? Hehe. I don't consider it bad if it helps me see what's wrong with my writing and my story. I'm glad you like the newer chapter nine. What about this one. *cringes while she waits for the final result…. Do you think Petunia's just way wrong for this? I try to make it seem like she just felt so shown up by her sister all her life so she feels hatred towards Harry because he's Lily's offspring, but really, she was holding the grudge against Lily herself not Harry. Or does it seem a little too unrealistic? Man I never realized writing a story could be so confusing. I want Harry to be happy, but it's so damn hard, eh? Anyway, thanks for the reviews yet again. Please keep them coming. They mean a lot to me.
Samantha : Glad you approve of the new chapter. Hermione's feelings will show, hopefully in one of the next few chapters. The plot is starting to form in my mind, and she will play a big part, I think. Just wait! Thanks for reviewing!
A/N Ahhh, glad I got positiveness for the new chapter 9. Makes me feel better, but I am very apprehensive about this one. I brought Myrtle in because she gets way too little attention. But she's totally not playing a big part in this at all, so don't really expect more of her. What a hypocrite I am. HAHAHAHA. Anyway, I'm not sure how this chapter will fair…I had a really hard time writing it. I'm trying to keep some itty bitty cliffies, but as I have said before, I suck at them. I have plans definitely for Hermione and Dean, not really for anyone else, well maybe Petunia, but I dunno. Anyway, let me know what you thought of this chapter, hopefully I won't have to rewrite again. But I do aim to please my reviewers. Thanks!