Harry Potter and the Sealed Gateway
Chapter 3: The Visitors
The door knocked again. Aunt Petunia looked rather embarrassed as she wiped her face with a dishcloth--Harry could tell she wondered if the neighbors had heard her crying, and what they would think if they saw her in this state.
"I'll get it," said Harry. Aunt Petunia nodded and headed up the stairs. "I'm…not…home," she mouthed to him from halfway up the stairs.
Harry opened the door, but saw no one. He didn't dwell on it. He shut the door and went to the living room to sit on the sofa and think. Voldemort killed my whole family, he thought…and his Death Eaters killed…Harry had gone to bed last night promising himself not to think about Sirius. But for the thousandth time this summer, he thought of the red flash, Sirius falling through the veil, and not coming out on the other side. The image was shortly followed by his four grandparents, dead on the kitchen floor, his father's mother lying face down in the doorway. Harry shuddered, and anger at Voldemort began to rise up in him, and it left him feeling very hollow indeed until a pecking on the window behind him distracted him from his contemplations.
Harry turned around and opened the window for a large tawny owl that plopped a bundle of letters in his lap and flew off again. He shut the window, and looked at the top letter, which had no envelope and simply said, in handwriting he recognized to be Dumbledore's:
Harry, I understand your aunt has broken her Fidelius Charm. Please do not disclose the fact that she is a witch to anyone. Congratulations on your O.W.L. Results.
The next letter was sealed with a wax stamp reading: "the Department of Magical Education." Harry trembled as he opened his envelope and pulled out the paper inside of it.
Dear Mr. Potter:
These are the results of the O.W.L. tests you took last year. The grading scale is as follows: O=Outstanding, E=Exceeds Expectations, A=Acceptable, D=dreadful. The Department of Magical Education realizes that special circumstances prevented you from finishing your Astronomy and History of Magic exams. We have therefore not penalized you for incomplete portions on those tests only. Congratulations.
Griselda Marchbanks
Transfiguration: E
Potions: E
Defense Against the Darks Arts: 0
Divination: D
History of Magic: A
Herbology: E
Care of Magical Creatures: O
Astronomy: A
Charms: E
Harry couldn't believe his eyes! 8 O.W.L.s! This was better than he had ever hoped for. What would Hermione say? The biggest miracle of it all was that he managed an "E" in Potions. He hadn't hoped for an O.W.L. in Divination, but at least he didn't have to take that class again. Although now that Firenze was teaching at Hogwarts, he might not mind taking Divination again…but his thought was interrupted by an low, crackling voice from in front of him.
"Got 8 O.W.L.s, did you? Well savor the moment…it'll be the last one you have!" the voice said. And then an invisibility cloak dropped to the floor to reveal a tall mall standing in black robes and wearing a mask with eyeholes.
"H-How…You can't attack me here…"
"Sure, I can…Potter…this will be a pleasant surprise for the Dark Lord, he's away in London…"
Then Harry recognized the voice. It was Avery, and Harry had seen, well, sort of seen him being tortured by Voldemort.
"Voldemort hasn't tortured you lately then?" said Harry boldly.
"SILENCE! DO NOT SPEAK HIS NAME!"
But Harry wasn't listening. He thought Dumbledore said that Voldemort couldn't attack him here…surely that goes for his Death Eaters too…
"Well, Potter, prepare to die…" said Avery manically, and as he pointed his wand toward Harry, his scar began to prickle. This was unlike any time his scar had bothered him before, because it didn't hurt him. At the same moment, Avery's face became twisted in pain, and he clutched his wand arm with his other hand, as if he was trying to pull it down. Avery let out an agonizing howl and writhed in pain, unable to point his wand away from Harry.
And then Harry heard another scream from the stairwell. Aunt Petunia had come downstairs, curlers still in her hair, and seen the Death Eater, writhing on her carpet like a headless snake. Aunt Petunia ran into the kitchen and came out soon after with a frying pan clutched like a baseball bat, ready to defend herself. Harry had remained still the entire episode, unsure what would happen if he moved out of the wands path. Then Aunt Petunia seemed to notice his wand arm, stiff and pointed straight at Harry.
The shrill voice that Harry had heard so many times from his aunt rang out through the house.
"HARRY! USE MY WAND!"
"Right," said Harry, taking Aunt Petunia's wand out of his hand, "PETRIFICUS TOTALUS!"A blast of light shot out of his wand and his the writhing Death Eater on the chest. He immediately dropped his wand, and his arms and legs snapped together against his sides. Harry relieved a sigh of relief.
Aunt Petunia came over to Harry and felt his forehead, as if she was looking to take Harry's temperature. Harry was about to point out that he was fine, when Aunt Petunia said softly, "Harry, your scar…it's hot."
"Yah, er, it was all tingly when he pointed his wand at me."
She gave him a very concerned look. "Would you like to take a cold shower? Would you like a glass of water?"
"No…I'm fine."
"Need me to turn on the fan?"
"No, really, I'm fine."
"You're sure."
"Yes."
Aunt Petunia looked down at Avery's petrified body. "That isn't You-Know-Who…" she stated, unsure of herself.
"No, it's one of his supporters. His name is Avery."
"Why did he come here?" Aunt Petunia, asked worriedly, "Will more of them come?"
Harry knew what he had to do. His aunt was definitely not to be treated the way he would have treated the old Petunia Dursley. "Only if I stay here. I'll go…"
"No."
"Aunt Petunia, he came for me!"
"You are not leaving this house. We have to contact Professor Dumbledore at once…send your owl. I'll go upstairs and get her while you watch him."
But they were both interrupted by a loud rumbling in the driveway, presumably Dudley's new jeep. Aunt Petunia's eyes widened fearfully. "Vernon," she whispered feebly.
"Go distract him…I'll cover Avery up with his invisibility cloak…just keep him out of the living room." Aunt Petunia looked at him, unsure, but she went out into the driveway to distract Uncle Vernon. Harry picked the invisibility cloak up off the floor and covered Avery with it, except for his feet, which Harry would use to make sure he didn't wake up. Harry knew he needed to send an owl to Professor Dumbledore, but he didn't dare leave Avery…and how long could Aunt Petunia hold off Uncle Vernon. Then he realized that an owl would be coming any minute to tell him he's broken the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery for the third time. Could his wand be broken? Would he be expelled? But then Harry remembered that Cornelius Fudge had resigned and Dumbledore wouldn't consider it a violation of the decree if he had a Death Eater to show for it. And Harry's thoughts drifted back to when Dumbledore had said he was protected as long as he lived there. But were the Dursleys? What if Avery had killed Aunt Petunia? Could he have? Our was Harry's mother's love protecting her to? But just then his thought were interrupted by Aunt Petunia's screams. He debated leaving Avery for just a split-second before running outside to rescue Aunt Petunia. But she didn't need rescuing. Rebeus Hagrid, a gigantic man, and his former teacher, Remus Lupin, had just stepped off of a large motorocycle onto the Dursley's lawn.
"Harry! The neighbors…"
She had a good point. Why were Hagrid and Lupin here in the middle of a muggle neighborhood, driving his godfather's oversized motorcycle?
"Disillusio!" Lupin cried, before tapping both Hagrid and the motorcycle hard with his wand. Harry immediately recognized a Disillusionment Charm, for Hagrid was now the color of the grass and drive way around him, and the red motor cycle was blending in nicely with the hedge. And several of the neighbors stuck their heads out the front door, apparently hoping to see a new car in the driveway.
"How are yah, 'Arry?" Hagrid said, apparently smiling.
"Fine. Thanks," and then Harry remembered why they were hear, "There's A DEATH EATER in our living room!"
"Take us to him, Harry," said Lupin urgently.
Lupin went into the house and prodded the doorway with his wand, followed by Hagrid as the door expanded magically to let him in. Meanwhile, Aunt Petunia was waving nervously at the neighbors before ushering Harry inside the house as well.
Lupin had already removed the invisibility cloak and bound Avery up in ropes by the time Harry and Petunia entered the living room. "We knew he wouldn't be able to attack you, but it worried us nonetheless," said Lupin as he passed the invisibility cloak to Hagrid, who put it in one of the pockets of his large coat.
"Yeh gave us a right scare, 'Arry?" he said.
"How are you, Harry?" said Lupin.
"Good. I-" but he was interrupted.
"R-Remus?" Aunt Petunia asked.
"Why, yes! Petunia! I didn't know if you…well, I didn't mean to be rude…I wasn't sure…"
"I understand, Remus…I've just had a talk with Harry…about Lily."
Lupin looked at his feet for awhile before looking back up at Aunt Petunia. "So, you're…OK…with me being here…?"
Hagrid leaned closer to Harry and whispered, "Wha' the bloody 'ell 'appened to 'er?"
Harry simply put his finger to his lips so he could listen in on Lupin and Aunt Petunia. Aunt Petunia was telling Lupin about Dudley catching her with a wand, before she seemed to catch herself and she didn't talked. She just looked at Harry.
"Eh, Professor Lupin…my aunt was wondering if you could perform a Memory Charm on her…she doesn't want to remember…"
"Is this true, Petunia?" Aunt Petunia looked down at the floor and nodded. Lupin sighed and continued, "But Petunia, I must insist that you not have your memory modified. There may come a time when your being a witch will come in handy."
"I was never a witch, Remus."
"Petunia, you just had some troubles getting it down, I'm sure…"
"No, Remus. I am not a witch, and I will not pretend to be one."
Lupin sighed again. "Very well. Harry, I expect you'd like to know what's going on." Harry nodded. "Of course, you might not have realized this but members of the Order are still guarding you. Today's guard was Emmeline Vance, who we found lying in the hyndrangea bushes outside you house."
Harry opened his mouth to interject. "No, she isn't dead. Merely stunned. But Dumbledore received notice from the Improper Use of Magic Office and sent the two of us here immediately."
"Why didn't you apparate?" Harry asked.
"We 'ad to bring the motorcycle to carry the likes of him," replied Hagrid, nodding at Avery.
"Anyway," Lupin continued, "Dumbledore has asked us to move you to Hogwarts, where you will spend the remainder of the summer."
Harry looked blankly at Lupin. This was the first time in his life that he would have liked to stay at Privet Drive with Aunt Petunia. Then Harry realized something.
"We've got to take Aunt Petunia with us, then," said Harry, resolutely, "she isn't safe here."
"Harry, I'll be fine," Aunt Petunia whispered.
"But--"
It was Lupin who spoke. "Harry, listen. No one acting on Lord Voldemort's behalf can enter this house. Avery was acting on his own behalf. No one can attack you, or your family inside this house. Your aunt and uncle are safe from harm as long you live with them, even if it is only a short time out of the year."
"But the dementors…"
"The dementors weren't acting on Voldemort's behalf. But there will be an order member stationed at #4 Privet Drive for the year, and they can handle a dementor quite easily."
"Harry," said Aunt Petunia, "Your Uncle and I will be fine. Please, do as Remus says."
Harry grudgingly went upstairs to pack his things. He wasn't very convinced that the Dursleys were out of harm's way. He stuff his things inside his trunk, grabbed Hedwig's cage, and headed back downstairs.
"Eight O.W.L.s! Harry that is stunning!" cried Lupin.
"Yah, 'Arry. I reckon you'll be given ole 'Ermione a run for her money!" Hagrid beemed.
"Just like your mother, Harry," said Aunt Petunia, a tear in her eye, "I'll see you next summer, then." The she did something which Harry didn't expect. His Aunt Petunia gave him a hug. It was rather like petting a dog that up until a few hours ago had bitten him every time he'd gotten near. Hagrid handed Harry his letters, and they followed Lupin and the floating body of Avery out the door.
As Hagrid, Harry and Lupin flew off on the motorcycle, Aunt Petunia waved good-bye.
"Well, tha's a quite a change, isn't it?" observed Hagrid as they flew up into the clouds.
Chapter 3: The Visitors
The door knocked again. Aunt Petunia looked rather embarrassed as she wiped her face with a dishcloth--Harry could tell she wondered if the neighbors had heard her crying, and what they would think if they saw her in this state.
"I'll get it," said Harry. Aunt Petunia nodded and headed up the stairs. "I'm…not…home," she mouthed to him from halfway up the stairs.
Harry opened the door, but saw no one. He didn't dwell on it. He shut the door and went to the living room to sit on the sofa and think. Voldemort killed my whole family, he thought…and his Death Eaters killed…Harry had gone to bed last night promising himself not to think about Sirius. But for the thousandth time this summer, he thought of the red flash, Sirius falling through the veil, and not coming out on the other side. The image was shortly followed by his four grandparents, dead on the kitchen floor, his father's mother lying face down in the doorway. Harry shuddered, and anger at Voldemort began to rise up in him, and it left him feeling very hollow indeed until a pecking on the window behind him distracted him from his contemplations.
Harry turned around and opened the window for a large tawny owl that plopped a bundle of letters in his lap and flew off again. He shut the window, and looked at the top letter, which had no envelope and simply said, in handwriting he recognized to be Dumbledore's:
Harry, I understand your aunt has broken her Fidelius Charm. Please do not disclose the fact that she is a witch to anyone. Congratulations on your O.W.L. Results.
The next letter was sealed with a wax stamp reading: "the Department of Magical Education." Harry trembled as he opened his envelope and pulled out the paper inside of it.
Dear Mr. Potter:
These are the results of the O.W.L. tests you took last year. The grading scale is as follows: O=Outstanding, E=Exceeds Expectations, A=Acceptable, D=dreadful. The Department of Magical Education realizes that special circumstances prevented you from finishing your Astronomy and History of Magic exams. We have therefore not penalized you for incomplete portions on those tests only. Congratulations.
Griselda Marchbanks
Transfiguration: E
Potions: E
Defense Against the Darks Arts: 0
Divination: D
History of Magic: A
Herbology: E
Care of Magical Creatures: O
Astronomy: A
Charms: E
Harry couldn't believe his eyes! 8 O.W.L.s! This was better than he had ever hoped for. What would Hermione say? The biggest miracle of it all was that he managed an "E" in Potions. He hadn't hoped for an O.W.L. in Divination, but at least he didn't have to take that class again. Although now that Firenze was teaching at Hogwarts, he might not mind taking Divination again…but his thought was interrupted by an low, crackling voice from in front of him.
"Got 8 O.W.L.s, did you? Well savor the moment…it'll be the last one you have!" the voice said. And then an invisibility cloak dropped to the floor to reveal a tall mall standing in black robes and wearing a mask with eyeholes.
"H-How…You can't attack me here…"
"Sure, I can…Potter…this will be a pleasant surprise for the Dark Lord, he's away in London…"
Then Harry recognized the voice. It was Avery, and Harry had seen, well, sort of seen him being tortured by Voldemort.
"Voldemort hasn't tortured you lately then?" said Harry boldly.
"SILENCE! DO NOT SPEAK HIS NAME!"
But Harry wasn't listening. He thought Dumbledore said that Voldemort couldn't attack him here…surely that goes for his Death Eaters too…
"Well, Potter, prepare to die…" said Avery manically, and as he pointed his wand toward Harry, his scar began to prickle. This was unlike any time his scar had bothered him before, because it didn't hurt him. At the same moment, Avery's face became twisted in pain, and he clutched his wand arm with his other hand, as if he was trying to pull it down. Avery let out an agonizing howl and writhed in pain, unable to point his wand away from Harry.
And then Harry heard another scream from the stairwell. Aunt Petunia had come downstairs, curlers still in her hair, and seen the Death Eater, writhing on her carpet like a headless snake. Aunt Petunia ran into the kitchen and came out soon after with a frying pan clutched like a baseball bat, ready to defend herself. Harry had remained still the entire episode, unsure what would happen if he moved out of the wands path. Then Aunt Petunia seemed to notice his wand arm, stiff and pointed straight at Harry.
The shrill voice that Harry had heard so many times from his aunt rang out through the house.
"HARRY! USE MY WAND!"
"Right," said Harry, taking Aunt Petunia's wand out of his hand, "PETRIFICUS TOTALUS!"A blast of light shot out of his wand and his the writhing Death Eater on the chest. He immediately dropped his wand, and his arms and legs snapped together against his sides. Harry relieved a sigh of relief.
Aunt Petunia came over to Harry and felt his forehead, as if she was looking to take Harry's temperature. Harry was about to point out that he was fine, when Aunt Petunia said softly, "Harry, your scar…it's hot."
"Yah, er, it was all tingly when he pointed his wand at me."
She gave him a very concerned look. "Would you like to take a cold shower? Would you like a glass of water?"
"No…I'm fine."
"Need me to turn on the fan?"
"No, really, I'm fine."
"You're sure."
"Yes."
Aunt Petunia looked down at Avery's petrified body. "That isn't You-Know-Who…" she stated, unsure of herself.
"No, it's one of his supporters. His name is Avery."
"Why did he come here?" Aunt Petunia, asked worriedly, "Will more of them come?"
Harry knew what he had to do. His aunt was definitely not to be treated the way he would have treated the old Petunia Dursley. "Only if I stay here. I'll go…"
"No."
"Aunt Petunia, he came for me!"
"You are not leaving this house. We have to contact Professor Dumbledore at once…send your owl. I'll go upstairs and get her while you watch him."
But they were both interrupted by a loud rumbling in the driveway, presumably Dudley's new jeep. Aunt Petunia's eyes widened fearfully. "Vernon," she whispered feebly.
"Go distract him…I'll cover Avery up with his invisibility cloak…just keep him out of the living room." Aunt Petunia looked at him, unsure, but she went out into the driveway to distract Uncle Vernon. Harry picked the invisibility cloak up off the floor and covered Avery with it, except for his feet, which Harry would use to make sure he didn't wake up. Harry knew he needed to send an owl to Professor Dumbledore, but he didn't dare leave Avery…and how long could Aunt Petunia hold off Uncle Vernon. Then he realized that an owl would be coming any minute to tell him he's broken the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery for the third time. Could his wand be broken? Would he be expelled? But then Harry remembered that Cornelius Fudge had resigned and Dumbledore wouldn't consider it a violation of the decree if he had a Death Eater to show for it. And Harry's thoughts drifted back to when Dumbledore had said he was protected as long as he lived there. But were the Dursleys? What if Avery had killed Aunt Petunia? Could he have? Our was Harry's mother's love protecting her to? But just then his thought were interrupted by Aunt Petunia's screams. He debated leaving Avery for just a split-second before running outside to rescue Aunt Petunia. But she didn't need rescuing. Rebeus Hagrid, a gigantic man, and his former teacher, Remus Lupin, had just stepped off of a large motorocycle onto the Dursley's lawn.
"Harry! The neighbors…"
She had a good point. Why were Hagrid and Lupin here in the middle of a muggle neighborhood, driving his godfather's oversized motorcycle?
"Disillusio!" Lupin cried, before tapping both Hagrid and the motorcycle hard with his wand. Harry immediately recognized a Disillusionment Charm, for Hagrid was now the color of the grass and drive way around him, and the red motor cycle was blending in nicely with the hedge. And several of the neighbors stuck their heads out the front door, apparently hoping to see a new car in the driveway.
"How are yah, 'Arry?" Hagrid said, apparently smiling.
"Fine. Thanks," and then Harry remembered why they were hear, "There's A DEATH EATER in our living room!"
"Take us to him, Harry," said Lupin urgently.
Lupin went into the house and prodded the doorway with his wand, followed by Hagrid as the door expanded magically to let him in. Meanwhile, Aunt Petunia was waving nervously at the neighbors before ushering Harry inside the house as well.
Lupin had already removed the invisibility cloak and bound Avery up in ropes by the time Harry and Petunia entered the living room. "We knew he wouldn't be able to attack you, but it worried us nonetheless," said Lupin as he passed the invisibility cloak to Hagrid, who put it in one of the pockets of his large coat.
"Yeh gave us a right scare, 'Arry?" he said.
"How are you, Harry?" said Lupin.
"Good. I-" but he was interrupted.
"R-Remus?" Aunt Petunia asked.
"Why, yes! Petunia! I didn't know if you…well, I didn't mean to be rude…I wasn't sure…"
"I understand, Remus…I've just had a talk with Harry…about Lily."
Lupin looked at his feet for awhile before looking back up at Aunt Petunia. "So, you're…OK…with me being here…?"
Hagrid leaned closer to Harry and whispered, "Wha' the bloody 'ell 'appened to 'er?"
Harry simply put his finger to his lips so he could listen in on Lupin and Aunt Petunia. Aunt Petunia was telling Lupin about Dudley catching her with a wand, before she seemed to catch herself and she didn't talked. She just looked at Harry.
"Eh, Professor Lupin…my aunt was wondering if you could perform a Memory Charm on her…she doesn't want to remember…"
"Is this true, Petunia?" Aunt Petunia looked down at the floor and nodded. Lupin sighed and continued, "But Petunia, I must insist that you not have your memory modified. There may come a time when your being a witch will come in handy."
"I was never a witch, Remus."
"Petunia, you just had some troubles getting it down, I'm sure…"
"No, Remus. I am not a witch, and I will not pretend to be one."
Lupin sighed again. "Very well. Harry, I expect you'd like to know what's going on." Harry nodded. "Of course, you might not have realized this but members of the Order are still guarding you. Today's guard was Emmeline Vance, who we found lying in the hyndrangea bushes outside you house."
Harry opened his mouth to interject. "No, she isn't dead. Merely stunned. But Dumbledore received notice from the Improper Use of Magic Office and sent the two of us here immediately."
"Why didn't you apparate?" Harry asked.
"We 'ad to bring the motorcycle to carry the likes of him," replied Hagrid, nodding at Avery.
"Anyway," Lupin continued, "Dumbledore has asked us to move you to Hogwarts, where you will spend the remainder of the summer."
Harry looked blankly at Lupin. This was the first time in his life that he would have liked to stay at Privet Drive with Aunt Petunia. Then Harry realized something.
"We've got to take Aunt Petunia with us, then," said Harry, resolutely, "she isn't safe here."
"Harry, I'll be fine," Aunt Petunia whispered.
"But--"
It was Lupin who spoke. "Harry, listen. No one acting on Lord Voldemort's behalf can enter this house. Avery was acting on his own behalf. No one can attack you, or your family inside this house. Your aunt and uncle are safe from harm as long you live with them, even if it is only a short time out of the year."
"But the dementors…"
"The dementors weren't acting on Voldemort's behalf. But there will be an order member stationed at #4 Privet Drive for the year, and they can handle a dementor quite easily."
"Harry," said Aunt Petunia, "Your Uncle and I will be fine. Please, do as Remus says."
Harry grudgingly went upstairs to pack his things. He wasn't very convinced that the Dursleys were out of harm's way. He stuff his things inside his trunk, grabbed Hedwig's cage, and headed back downstairs.
"Eight O.W.L.s! Harry that is stunning!" cried Lupin.
"Yah, 'Arry. I reckon you'll be given ole 'Ermione a run for her money!" Hagrid beemed.
"Just like your mother, Harry," said Aunt Petunia, a tear in her eye, "I'll see you next summer, then." The she did something which Harry didn't expect. His Aunt Petunia gave him a hug. It was rather like petting a dog that up until a few hours ago had bitten him every time he'd gotten near. Hagrid handed Harry his letters, and they followed Lupin and the floating body of Avery out the door.
As Hagrid, Harry and Lupin flew off on the motorcycle, Aunt Petunia waved good-bye.
"Well, tha's a quite a change, isn't it?" observed Hagrid as they flew up into the clouds.