Three days had passed since Harry's birthday. His elation made him write a letter each to Hermione, Ron, Hagrid, Lupin and even Neville. Responses came rapidly. Hermione, true to form had managed Outstandings in every single subject she's taken. Ron was surprised. He had a grade higher than Harry in Divination and History of Magic. Neville replied as well, pleased to have achieved two Outstanding grades. Harry noted though with a little deflation that even Neville didn't get a Troll or even Dreadful. But that was put aside, replaced with pride. Most of the DA had thanked Harry, for his tutelage in Defence Against the Dark Arts. No-one achieved less than an E in the exams; Neville himself also managing just an Outstanding as well; the other O was obviously in Herbology.

In the whole three days, Harry was happy that not only did he get back into contact with the Wizarding world with great news, but that Uncle Vernon and Dudley were keeping out of his way. Only Aunt Petunia could ever be seen and she was civil enough to him. He'd long decided to enjoy it whilst it lasted. However, by the third morning, Harry was suspicious. He had to admit the absence of his Uncle and cousin was a welcome one, but complete and utter disappearance? Aunt Petunia never said anything, mostly keeping quiet. Today, looking at his aunt from across the breakfast table, Harry decided maybe something more than small talk should be heard.

"Aunt Petunia...Where's Uncle Vernon?"

Aunt Petunia snapped her eyes to Harry, suspicious. "Why?"

"It's just that, well... three days is a long time not to see someone. Uncle Vernon or Dudley. What happened?"

Aunt Petunia looked away, not meeting Harry's eyes at first. Feeling the tension in the room, Harry mumbled and apology and finished off his breakfast in silence. Only when he finished washing his own plate and glass did Aunt Petunia speak. "I assume you got your school letters?"

"Erm... Yeah..."

"I expect you need to get some school things."

Harry paused at the door of the kitchen, looking over his shoulder at Aunt Petunia. She didn't look at him, preferring to nose at the neighbour's garden. Harry nodded then replied using his voice. "Yes..."

"We'll go to London tomorrow. I'll call for a taxi. I assume that place is still in London?"

"You mean Diagon Alley?"

"If that's what it's called, then yes. Pack some things tonight. Might spend a few nights there or something."

Harry stared at the back of his Aunt's head. Just as he was getting used to one thing about his Aunt, something else crops up that makes him jump in surprise. First the niceties and secrets then offering to go with him to Diagon Alley? Harry made his thanks then went to sit in his room to think. Something was definitely up with Aunt Petunia, and from the looks of it, it has something to do with Uncle Vernon. Harry picked up the framed picture next to his bed. It was one of his mother when she was a teenager, during the summer holidays when she was around fifteen. It didn't move like the wizard photos, but it still looked as though she was smiling for him.

"What's wrong with Aunt Petunia, mum?"

Mercury Sands was not a happy half-demon as she stared balefully out of the window that faced a little bit of London and a lot of sky. For the past three days, she was forced to stay in her room above the pub because of her unusual appearance, namely the slightly green skin. What was worst, when they drew straws to see who shared a room with whom, she had drawn the short straw and got to share a room with one of her least likely choice of person.

"MER-CU-RY-CHAN!!!!"

Mercury cringed. Why did I get her... was all she could think about as her blue haired companion jumped on her bed, her head narrowly missing the ceiling every bounce. Anime was not a patient person.

"MER-CU-RY-CHAN!"

Nor was she a quiet one either.

"MERCURY-CHAN! I'm bored! When's Dumbledore coming back? I wanna explore the alley he told us about!"

"Be quiet. And stop bouncing on the bed."

Anime pouted and folded her arms indignantly, still bouncing. "But I'm bored!"

There was a knock on the door, giving Mercury the reprise she needed before she decided exactly how charred was well done in shocking the Fallen Angel. Emerald was at the door, a sympathetic smile on her face. "I just got a letter from Mr Dumbledore. He said that his Deputy Headmistress was going to take us to the bank tomorrow and help us open accounts and get our school things. Oh, and to do something about your appearance."

"EMMIE-CHAN!"

Emerald blinked, looking over Mercury's shoulder. She smiled, suppressing a giggle and waving at the bouncing blue-haired girl, who waved energetically back.

"Having fun, Mercury?" Emerald whispered from the side of her mouth in amusement.

"Oh, yeah. More laughs than a barrel of monkeys." Mercury replied. "If she doesn't stop, I swear I'm going to barbeque her ass."

"I heard that, Merc-chan!" Anime called.

A stress vein appeared at the side of the demon's head. Emerald giggled. "You've got a good jump on that thing, Anime."

"Thanks, Emmie-chan!" Anime laughed happily, bouncing harder on the bed.

Before anyone knew anything, a crash and yelp echoed down the corridor. ShadowYami stuck her head out of hers and Emerald's room just in time to see Mercury and Emerald laughing their heads off, Anime sprawled on what looked to be the remains of a bed, a lovely lump forming on her head.

"Owie..." was all Anime could muster.
They made it to London just before lunchtime. Outside the Leaky Cauldron, Harry helped Aunt Petunia with her suitcase, pulling it out of the taxi. After paying the driver, she looked around, nose a little in the air. "So where is this alley?"

"We have to go into the Leaky Cauldron. Just follow me."

Harry pulled his bag along himself. He wouldn't have believed this day even if Trelawney went into Seer-mode and predicted every move. Opening the door only himself and other wizards could see, Harry led Aunt Petunia into the Leaky Cauldron. Instantly, Aunt Petunia sniffed pompously, looking around with distaste.

There was the same old crowd in the little pub. In the darkest corner was a robed trio, speaking animatedly about a Quidditch match they had seen. There was a mix of characters at the bar itself; possibly even someone who looked like he had troll's blood in him. Disappearing through a door at the back, Harry could see the retreating back of a girl no older than himself, complaining in a loud voice to someone in front of her.

"...And about time too! Three days in that room with her was driving me crazy...!"

Obviously going into Diagon Alley for some school things. Some of the patrons of the Leaky Cauldron looked up and shook their heads. Then they'd notice Harry. A lot of people would point and whisper, and others would wave at Harry and shout words of thanks or encouragement at him. This made Aunt Petunia purse her lips in nervous fear. Add the dusty, musky smell and general layout of the pub, Aunt Petunia thought she had kept her head quite well. The whole inn was just generally not very Aunt Petunia-ish.

"How could anyone stand it in here?" she commented.

"Hello, Tom." Harry greeted, a little embarrassed by Aunt Petunia's clear remark. Tom looked up from wiping down a table and smiled a toothless smile at Harry. Aunt Petunia noticed and reeled back slightly in shock. The innkeeper looked at Aunt Petunia, smiling. 'Muggle?' Tom mouthed. Harry smiled relieved.

"Get a lot of them in here." Tom commented, wiping his hands on his trousers. "So what can I do for you, Mr Potter?"

"Can we rent two rooms for three nights? One for myself and one for my Aunt."

Tom took the aunt and nephew up the flight of stairs, Tom levitating Aunt Petunia's suitcase in front of them. Aunt Petunia held her handbag closer to her chest, her eyes darting this way and that nervously. Harry smiled back at his aunt encouragingly. Whilst he wasn't looking, Harry hadn't had much time to brace himself for the full body blow that came. Aunt Petunia screamed, already nervous enough as it was.

"Oh my God! Sorry, I'm so sorry!"

"Aunt Petunia, it's alright! I'm fine!"

Harry felt the weight leave his chest as the person who crashed into him stood. Harry straightened his glasses, looking up at the girl who knocked him over. She definitely didn't go to Hogwarts, else he'd have known who she was. Her shoulder length blonde hair shone in the mid-morning sun, her blue eyes concerned as she held out a hand to help Harry. Already through her mannerisms, Harry could tell that she was quite well brought up.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to crash into you like that. I was in a hurry to catch up with my group..."

"Your... group?" Harry asked, accepting the hand. He still couldn't take his eyes off the girl.

"I'm sorry. I'm new around here. My friends and I were going to be taken into Diagon Alley for some things."

"Oh, they just left, I think. I saw one girl with waist length black hair complaining about sharing a room with someone..."

"Really? Gods, I'm late!"

With that, the blonde girl ran past him and Aunt Petunia. Harry stared after her until she was out of sight. Aunt Petunia frowned and cleared her throat, bringing Harry back down to Earth. He recognised the look on Aunt Petunia's face and turned to follow the bemused Tom to their rooms. When they were left with the keys, Harry had to reassure Aunt Petunia that the mirror meant no harm when it commented on her dress. He half suspected it was the same sarcastic mirror that he once shared a room with a few years back. Once Aunt Petunia was sufficiently calmed, she told Harry to leave her to unpack. Harry finally was allowed into his own room to do the same. He looked out of his window. He could just about see the roof of Gringotts from his room and was reminded he might need to withdraw some more money for this year's books. He dug out his school letters, scanning the book list one more time. Apart from the advanced books for his normal lessons, two new books at the end caught Harry's eyes.

DARK CREATURES OF OLD by Hunter Jäger

MOSTE ANCIENTE RITUALS by Magi Vorladung

Harry guessed that the books must be for Defence Against The Dark Arts. "Wonder how long this one will last..." Harry mumbled. He also sincerely hoped that the teacher this year was far more bearable than last year's teacher Umbridge. "But then again, anyone can be better than Umbridge..."

Unpacked and ready, Harry grabbed his money pouch and wand, stuffing them in opposite pockets before knocking on Aunt Petunia's door.

"Aunt Petunia? Are you ready yet?"

Something dropped and Aunt Petunia could be heard to gasp and quickly move about. "Wait there!" she shouted through the door. Minutes later, she opened the door, looking down at Harry. He had to admit, his Aunt was looking a little pale. The shock of actually being in the vicinity of the things she hated most must have taken its toll.

"You know... You don't have to come you know."

"I... I know. But I will anyway." She said, readjusting her bag. "Well? What are you staring at? Move on!"

Harry and Aunt Petunia went down into the pub, Harry leading Aunt Petunia through the back door. She turned up her nose at the sight of the rubbish bins. "Is this some kind of a joke? Surely you don't get your school things in a..."

Harry didn't listen to his Aunt, having taken out his wand and counting the bricks on the wall. Tapping the right brick three times, Harry pulled himself and his Aunt back as the entrance of Diagon Alley slowly appeared. The hustling crowd of witches and wizards caused Aunt Petunia to gasp fearfully, her free hand flailing for something to hold. She jumped slightly when something snaked into that hand, making her look down. Harry's own hand had caught hers, helping her calm down. She looked down at her nephew in surprise and confusion. He gave her a warm smile, a sudden unexplained feeling of pride coming over him. Aunt Petunia gave a very very weak smile back before looking down the alley in awe. Harry held on to Aunt Petunia's hand tightly, urging her to take a step forward with him.

"Welcome to my world." He said.

"This is not my day; this is definitely not my day..."

Emerald stumbled out of the building, her skin the natural colour of Mercury's. She leaned against the door whilst she breathed, forcing the nausea wave to leave. Behind her, Mercury checked on the fire princess. She caught her own reflection in a polished marble surface and frowned. Since the arrival of the Deputy Headmistress, Mercury's skin had been given a more human sheen, thanks to a charm cast by the said teacher.

"First late, then crashed into someone, then a roller coaster ride through Hell?"

"I won't say it was Hell. Way to warm for this time of year..."

The girls turned to look at their advancing friends, Anime walking with her hands behind her head in a laid back walk. "Nah... And it's missing a few demons too. But, if you want a real ride into Hell..."

Emerald groaned. "Anime, you know I was being sarcastic..."

Anime winked. "Sure I do. It's just fun to make fun of you, that's all."

"Girls."

SAEM turned and faced their strict guide, Minerva McGonagall. "Yes, Professor?"

"Remember the agreement. You're not to speak about your true purpose in public like this. Remember the..."

"The story. Of course, Professor." ShadowYami sighed. Then she proceeded in a sing song school child's voice. "Hi there. We're Khalida Damis, Anime Fallen, Emerald Fire and Mercury Sands. We're transfer students from Cairo and we'd all like to be your friends!"

"Thank you, Miss Damis. That'll do." Professor McGonagall said with a frown. "Well, since you have accounts and money to spend, I suggest we get you some school supplies. Follow me please."

The four girls sulked along behind the witch, their eyes once again wandering the streets, eager to see what there was. Khalida kept her eye on the Magical Menagerie; the fierce and unusual looking animals in the window looking very appealing. Anime noticed the café and grinned. Mercury and Emerald both found Florish and Botts; their eyes widening at the array of books that were piled in the window, only imagining what it must look inside.

"First, we'll get you some school robes. Madam Malkins; in with you."

As soon as they entered the store, a squat, smiley witch came out from the back, dressed in lilac robes. "Good morning, Professor. May I help you?"

Professor McGonagall nodded and gestured to the four girls in front of her. "Transfer students, Madam Malkin. They require some school robes."

Madam Malkin smiled. "Of course. Just finished fitting two students, so if two of the young ladies would like to follow me?"

Emerald and Anime were instantly pushed forward by their peers. Throwing pouts at Khalida and Mercury grinned and waved at their friends whilst they wandered where they could, mostly looking out of the window and staring at all the strange people coming by.

In next to no time at all, Emerald and Anime came out from the back, Madam Malkin behind them with their new school robes in hand. "Next please."

At the back of the store, Khalida and Mercury took their places on the footstools, wriggling uncomfortably as long black robes were pulled over their heads.

"How long's this going to take?" Khalida asked, looking disdainfully at the length of the robes.

"Not very long,dear." Madam Malkin said, beginning to pin the robe to size. Meanwhile, Madam Malkin's assistant had brought out the rest of the school uniform for the girls to try on. Mercury's eyes narrowed very threateningly. "No."

"Pardon?"

"No. You can just take that right back and bring back the boys' uniform."

"I'm sorry, but the school rules are that girls wear this uniform and..."

"No way!"

"What's the problem here?"

Professor McGonagall walked into the fitting room, looking at both girls. Mercury folded her arms. "I am not wearing a damned skirt!"

"Unless you wish to wander the school corridors with your knickers showing, Miss Sands, I suggest you wear that skirt."

Khalida's eyes gleamed conspiringly. "So... Excuse me, may I borrow these; thank you..."

Without waiting for Madam Malkin to answer, Khalida snatched up a pair of scissors and a skirt from the assistant's arms. After a few seconds, Khalida slipped into her school uniform, amidst the wide-eyed stares of everyone else in the fitting room.

Professor McGonagall was the first to find her voice. "Miss Damis; the school shirt isn't tied so tightly around one's chest and there's hardly enough material around your waist to even be classed as a belt, let alone a skirt! Why, your underwear is near enough showing!"

Khalida smiled triumphantly. "You did offer Mercury the option, but I was the one who took it up. Besides, I do have my brilliant, colour co- ordinated selection of underwear for occasions like this."

As if to prove her point, she flicked her skirt, harem-girl style and hopped of her footstool to admire her new uniform in the mirror, leaving the others wondering what shade of black her 'knickers' were.

Seeing how shocked Aunt Petunia was, Harry made his trip into Gringotts as quick as he could, decidedly leaving his aunt in the lobby, attempting to change some of her own Muggle money in Wizards money, with great reluctance to actually communicate with the goblin who served her. With his pockets full of wizards' gold and Aunt Petunia decidedly flustered, Harry thought it wise to hurry down to Florean Fortesque's Ice-Cream Parlour for an afternoon treat. With a cup of tea and a biscuit down her, Aunt Petunia managed to calm down enough to remember to breath. Harry pleased himself with a small ice cream sundae, watching his aunt with his green eyes in case she panicked again. He could tell she was muttering to herself under her breath; he could just about catch some of the things she said.

"... Vernon... right... Mad, absolutely mad of me... but... must... Oh Lily... Vernon... so adamant..."

"Aunt Petunia?"

The blonde woman snapped her head up, looking straight at Harry with strict but watery eyes. "What?"

"Well... if you want, you can stay in the inn for the afternoon; or maybe go into the city centre. I can get my school things myself..."

"Trying to get rid of me, is that it?"

"No. It's just... you look a little... well..."

"Unsettled. Go on, you know you want to say it. That's what your uncle said. Unsettled, mad. Magic in my blood; no turning back now... He was right; he was right! What am I doing here? Why was I so..."

"Aunt Petunia?"

Aunt Petunia stopped in mid-rant, her eyes all watery and teary. She sighed and rummaged around her handbag for a tissue to dab her eyes with. Once she determined herself to be presentable again, she looked at Harry. Again, she sighed. "You must think I'm mad. Really, you should, because I think I'm mad for sitting in... in this place. Haven't you wondered why, Harry?"

Harry stared for a moment at his Aunt in disbelief. Wondered? Of course he did! It was driving him secretly mad for the past few days. Instead of voicing that fact, he nodded. "Well... I did wonder..."

"Well, your uncle and I had a fight. After giving you that box of photos of Lily and me. I... Well, I felt like Lily had came back, just for a while. And we weren't fighting, like the days before she went to Hogwarts. When I was trying to make you come to your senses, it was almost like I was talking to Lily again. Like... Like Lily was in that room with us. I spoke to your uncle about it later and we got into a fight. He thought it was a stupid notion planted in my head by you. We fought, and in the end, I realized something I guess I've been denying ever since we've taken you in..."

Aunt Petunia paused and took a sip of her very cold tea. Harry waited, poking at his ice cream, giving his aunt room to continue.

"I suppose... You see, your mother and I were close as children. We had our differences as sisters, but we sorted them out as best we could. Then her letter for Hogwarts came. And she'd come home at the summer holidays, with new things to show and tell. Then it hit me, that first summer. I hated her; hated that all of a sudden, she had this whole new world to explore, new things to learn. And what was I left with? What I had before. Nothing new, nothing exciting. My parents didn't help by emphasizing how wonderful Lily was. I despised the attention she got. Lily noticed and tried to make me feel better, but knowing that she had powers I will never have... I suppose I was jealous. Lily did try to make things better between us, but it didn't help. As we grew older, we became further apart. Then I met your Uncle. How he knew about wizards and magic and the like, I had never asked and probably never will. But he did have the same views as me, and we agreed to never speak of my sister and her family. It was fine that way. I didn't have to compare myself to Lily anymore. I felt... free..."

"But that was a false freedom. False, because I realized I'd never be free of Lily's presence the day I found you on my doorstep. I felt the old jealousy rising again; only this time, towards you. I didn't want you to have her talents. Not just hers, but that of your father's. I didn't want to have to compare myself to my nephew as well as my sister. Then that... that man came and gave you your letter, and I knew that once again, Lily's influence would never leave me. I'll always be wallowing in the shadow of my younger sister's talents..."

Harry stared at his aunt, sat across from him, pouring out a lifetime of jealousy over his sister; over him. He had found in him new sympathy for his aunt. Overshadowed by something she would never understand, or allow herself to, overcome by jealousy of the attention paid to her sister by their parents. He could see where she was coming from. No one wants to be compared and made to seem inferior. Did he not himself feel exactly the same last year, when his best friend became Prefect? Didn't he think it was unfair someone was chosen over him for something? Aunt Petunia must have felt exactly the same over the subject of magic...

"So..." Aunt Petunia said finally, snapping Harry out of his reverie. "I had made a decision that your Uncle wasn't happy with, so he walked out of the door, my poor confused Dudley dragged out by the arm. I decided I wanted to make amends with my sister in some way. And this is it. I want to become a better aunt when I couldn't be the better sister. To apologise to your mother... my sister. For the years of undue hatred I paid to her and yourself. Harry, I know I don't deserve it, but will you accept my apology?"

Anime: O.O DAMN IT! I'm getting good at this!

Duo: Did you get Quatre or CK to help with this? Petunia sounds quite sappy...

Anime: -shrugs- Eh... Well, this is how I imagined Petunia must have felt. And yeah, Quatre did help.

Ahearn: I must applaud you, though, Mistress. You are brekaing your record for lengthy chapters...

Anime: -glomp- Now here's a muse who knows how to make me happy!