Birthday Surprises - Chapter Two
Usual disclaimer: Not mine, don't sue. Please. Wish it were mine though. Ah, if only… Lolly, xxx.
When he walked into his room, Harry found that Petunia was sitting beside the basket, watching the sleeping infants. They had the same eyes as Lily - the eyes that had caused her to be unable to turn Harry away all those years ago. "Aunt Petunia?" Harry said quietly. She looked up into those startlingly green eyes, deep and troubled.
"They were crying." She lied, turning away from those eyes.
"They were?" Harry asked - he knew she was lying. The babies were sleeping peacefully, and she wouldn't have been able to hear them had they cried - not with the silencing charm on the door.
"If you wanted to see them, all you had to do was ask." His voice was soft and quiet.
"What are their names?"
"This is Leah, short for Eleanor, that is Andrew and that is Samuel."
"Is that a stuffed toy that Leah's hugging?"
"No, that's my friend's owl."
"Is that…..sanitary?"
"Yeah, don't worry."
"So whose children are they if they aren't yours?"
"I have no idea, actually." Harry said, a small frown creeping across his face. There was a pop as Fawkes appeared beside Harry.
"Argh - what on Earth is that?" Petunia squealed.
"Shush. It's a Phoenix. Hey Fawkes, what have you got?" Harry said. The phoenix held out his leg so that Harry could untie the note. "Harry," He read aloud, "Your question is a good one - I asked you to look after the children because I felt that you were the best person for the job. Before you ask, I must tell you that I cannot answer any questions about the parents. I assume that you have named the triplets already. Please meet me at the fireplace at seven o'clock tonight, and have a very happy birthday."
"You named them?"
"Yeah - I wonder why he won't tell me about the parents."
"I have to go - I shouldn't be in here. Get this room tidied." Harry watched as his Aunt transformed from someone who had been almost nice, to someone who had a heart of stone. Her eyes flashed as she left the room. Harry shook his head and wrote a hasty reply to the headmaster, telling him that he would be there.
After feeding the babies, Harry had a little while to himself, and decided to try and make this monitor. He didn't think there was anything like it in the wizarding world; at least there wasn't one on the list of supplies, so he decided that making one was the best idea. It needed to be small enough to be portable, and inconspicuous enough not to arouse the suspicion of Muggles. It also needed to be effective at letting him know when the babies needed his attention. Eventually, he decided on making it look like a bracelet - that way, it was both portable and unobtrusive. It also meant that through skin contact, it would easily alert him without alerting half the world at the same time. He had the idea; all he needed now were the right charms.
Two hours later, Harry observed his invention. It had taken him a while to get the right spells, and when he had, he discovered that all of them were quite complicated, with the last charm taking an hour to incant. By the time he was finished, he was absolutely shattered, but the babies were waking up again. His new wristband began to pulse as they woke up and started to cry. "Ok, I'm coming." Harry said wearily. At this rate, he'd need a holiday after the holidays.
Harry fell asleep after seeing to the babies, and consequently missed dinner. Apparently, no one had told Vernon about the triplets, and he made snide remarks about Harry being lazy while Petunia bustled around the kitchen, cleaning up after dinner. Seven o'clock was nearing, and Harry knew that he needed to keep on the Dursleys' good side so that they didn't have a flaky when the headmaster's head appeared in the fireplace. So he didn't argue when Petunia ordered him to help clear up.
"How are the babies?" She whispered as Harry dried the dishes.
"They're sleeping." Harry replied.
"How do you know - I can check."
"It's ok, Aunt Petunia. I have a monitor."
"If Vernon hears it he'll…"
"It's silent - look." Harry showed her the wristband. "It vibrates when they need attention." He explained.
"Oh. Is it…..you know what?"
"Yes. I turned seventeen today, so I can use…..you know what."
"Don't let Vernon know. He'll chuck you out. That's all those poor children need."
"Right. Erm…..can I ask a favour please?" Harry asked. His Aunt's eyes narrowed dangerously, but she didn't say anything. "The headmaster is going to speak to me through the fireplace tonight - I was wondering if you could make sure that Uncle Vernon didn't walk in."
"Oh very well - but I'm not doing this for you, ok? This is strictly because I don't want Vernon upset, all right?"
"Ok. Fine." Harry shrugged. "Thanks."
"You had best hurry up - it's almost seven."
Harry waited impatiently in the living room - it was five to seven, and he was alone - it seemed that Petunia had persuaded Vernon to take Dudley out for a driving lesson, and so it was just the two of them in the house - along with the triplets, who he had carefully brought down the stairs - just to prove that they were happy and healthy. Petunia kept flitting in and out of the room, looking as if she wanted to be a part of the conversation. In the end, Harry gave in and asked if she would like to sit down - she had agreed, saying that she just wanted to make sure that nothing happened to her living room.
At two minutes to seven, Albus Dumbledore's head appeared in the fireplace, making Petunia shriek in fright. "Hello Professor." Harry said.
"Hello Harry, Petunia. How are you?"
"I'm fine Sir, tired, but fine."
"Ah, quite understandable. And how are the Little One's?"
"They're fine." Harry showed the Professor that the children were fast asleep in their basket.
"Ah, Harry, I think you doubt yourself more than everyone else does. Though I admit, I was a little nervous at first. Fawkes relayed your thoughts on my sanity, and I must say, I think you underestimate yourself." Harry blushed beetroot and stammered an apology.
"Ah, not at all Harry - I am sure that I must be at least a little batty - it comes with the job."
"Er..…right." Harry said. He wasn't too sure how he was supposed to reply to that, so he just agreed.
"So, what have you named them?"
"Eleanor, Andrew and Samuel."
"Ah, very appropriate." The headmaster said. "Now, do you have any questions for me?"
"Erm…..you said that they're staying with me until the start of term, right?"
"Yes, that's right."
"So - are they coming on the Hogwarts Express?"
"Yes, they will travel with you and your friends - but your compartment will be locked to anyone but those you wish to enter."
"You can do that? And we've been putting up with Malfoy for six years? Thanks for that." Harry grinned. Petunia gasped at his audacity, but the headmaster chuckled.
"Yes, quite. I imagine Mr Malfoy will be quite indignant that he can't get in to annoy you. Also, I have arranged that a teacher travel with you."
"Who?" Harry asked, dreading that the headmaster should say Snape.
"Well, I considered Professor Snape….." Harry shuddered in horror, "But, as you are aware, he hates you almost as much as…..Voldemort, I suppose. So, I decided against that."
"Thank Merlin." Harry muttered. Once again, the headmaster laughed.
"Yes, so I've arranged for the new Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor to ride with you."
"You've got one then? Who is it?"
"Ah, you'll see. I've spent the last year trying to persuade him. Finally he agreed. Anyway, that's what will happen with the train - he'll meet you at the barrier and you will follow him. I daresay you'll recognise him. Any other questions?"
"I don't think so."
"Oh! I almost forgot, the Weasley's have requested that you move back to the Burrow in a week." Harry stared at the headmaster, caught by surprise.
"But what about the children? How will he take them?" It was Petunia who said it, and Harry wondered the same, though he was loath to say it.
"Oh, it won't be a problem. I informed Molly of the circumstances when she requested it. I believe that Arthur is bringing a car over. A certain Miss Weasley may be thinking of joining him as well."
"Ginny? Is Hermione going to be there?"
"Not in the car, I believe she is already at the Burrow. You will meet her and Ron there, I suspect."
"Ah - so that's why Ron isn't coming."
"I cannot comment, but off the record, I'd say so."
"Me too. Sir..…what about Voldemort?"
"What about him?"
"What's he doing?" Petunia shuffled closer to the fire, looking apprehensive while Harry looked deadly serious. The headmaster looked from one to the other, deciding that it was horrific that Harry looked wiser, and more accepting, than his Aunt. No young boy should have seen what Harry had seen. That couldn't be ignored.
"To be truthful, Harry, we're not too sure. As far as we know, he's killing as many families as he can. Now that everyone knows he's back, there's not much point in being secretive. Already there have been mass Muggle killings - and almost as many wizarding deaths. And it's only the beginning."
"Anyone we know?"
"I'm afraid so - Ernie Macmillan and his family were killed at the beginning of the summer - also Lee Jordan was killed while he and his family were on holiday, Katie Bell was killed while working, Zacharias Smith and his family were killed, and also Susan Bones."
"Hold on!" Harry cried angrily, "You might as well have been reading a list of DA members!" He was livid, and the headmaster knew it - he was well acquainted with his temper, and was right to be wary of it.
"Indeed." He said sadly. There was nothing else he could say. It was probably lucky that Andrew chose that minute to wake up and begin crying. Dumbledore watched as Harry lifted the tiny child out of the basket and quietened him. It was a few minutes before Harry looked back up at the headmaster, his eyes burning bright with hatred, anger, sorrow and determination. It was the determination that scared the headmaster more than anything.
"We should have some sort of a memorial service." He said quietly.
"That's a good idea. The DA has lost members - the rest of you need to carry on. Do you still want to be the leader?" Harry gave Dumbledore a sharp look.
"Directly oppose Voldemort? Are you kidding?" Petunia looked terrified at the thought, while Harry looked…like Harry.
"Of course I'll still be the leader. Voldemort will learn eventually that not everyone will roll over for him." His eyes flared with anger again, and Petunia eyed him with a mixture of apprehension and admiration. Harry didn't see it though. He was busy rocking Andrew gently, talking quietly to him. It was amazing to see a seventeen year old look so at home with a child in his arms.
"I have to go now Harry - I trust you will be in touch if you need anything?"
"Of course Sir."
"Goodnight Harry. Don't dwell on Voldemort - you can't save the world - yet." The last word was whispered, but it rang around the living room of Number Four, Privet Drive as if it had been bellowed.
"Yet." Harry repeated.
"Harry - what did Professor Dumbledore mean? What's the DA?"
"The DA stands for Dumbledore's Army. It's basically like a voluntary Defence class. My friends and I founded it in fifth year."
"And you're the leader?"
"Yeah."
"Why?"
"Why? Well, I'm Harry Potter, I've survived Voldemort more times than any other living person and my friends are stubborn."
"But what about this saving the world business? What's this 'not yet'?"
"I'd rather not talk about it. It's a prophecy."
"A prophecy? What did it say?"
"It doesn't matter. I'm going to bed."
"Those people that died - the members of this DA - were they friends of yours?"
"Yes they were." With that, Harry left his Aunt sitting in the living room, shivering with fear. She had never really thought about it before now, but every year seemed to get worse for her nephew, and she had never appreciated how…..special he was. Lily would never forgive her.
Even if Harry hadn't learned of Voldemort's activities, he wouldn't have got a wink of sleep that night. As it was, he was kept awake both by the triplets, who now seemed wide awake, and by the thoughts that chased around his tired brain. He told the babies stories of a world where nothing would harm them, all the time thinking of Voldemort. Was Voldemort killing? Torturing? Who was next on his list?
Harry spent the next day in the garden, running up to his room every time he felt the slightest twinge from his wrist. He knew that his Aunt was watching him, and wondered about her sudden interest - he hadn't thought about whether or not she felt lonely. He only knew that it was disconcerting that the woman that had previously hated him was now watching him like he was a soap opera or another such television programme. He couldn't help but stare at her when in the afternoon she brought him a glass of lemonade and a chocolate biscuit. He felt quite sorry for her really - she had no one to talk to. Vernon worked all day, and came home expecting peace and quiet while he ate and then watched television. Dudley was always out with his gang, and Harry..…well, he was Harry.
