A FAMILY REUNION
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is, as are all of the characters herein, the brain children of J.K. Rowling.
A/N: No reviews on the first two installments yet. I hope people are reading this and liking it. If so, please review. If you are reading this and you don't like it, please review.
Chapter 2: CONFUSION
Harry had not bothered to inform the Dursley's of Remus' impending arrival. They all sat around the kitchen table eating breakfast. Uncle Vernon sat grumbling to himself over The Daily Mail and his cup of coffee. Aunt Petunia got up from the table and approached the window, her cup of tea in hand. Dudley, Harry's highly overweight cousin, was sitting with his beady eyes glued to the television set that he insisted his parents have installed for him. Harry sat with his eyes fixed on the analog wall clock.3...2...1...As if on cue, the doorbell rang. Harry bit back a laugh as his relatives almost jumped out of their skins.
"Are you expecting anyone, Dear?" Aunt Petunia asked sweetly.
"Not at all," replied Uncle Vernon grumpily, "Probably just some of those religious nutters who go door-to-door handing out pamphlets."
Harry, knowing the truth, found this rather amusing. He was pondering how his uncle would react if he knew that on the other side of his front door was a werewolf. Harry grinned.
"Well," Uncle Vernon glared at Harry, "Go answer the bloody door, boy."
Harry rose from his chair, still looking at his uncle, a smirk playing on his lips. "Yes sir."
Uncle Vernon returned his gaze to his paper, muttering grumpily to himself.
Harry could hardly contain his curiosity as he approached the front door and unbolted it.
"Happy Birthday, Harry!" Lupin said, embracing Harry. "Are you ready to go?"
"Just have to get my trunk." Harry said turning to bolt up the stairs. "Wait here." He yelled over his shoulder.
Remus waited on the stoop, the door standing open, as Harry climbed the stairs two at a time. The racket drew Petunia out of the kitchen. She froze immediately upon noticing Remus in the open doorway.
"What do you want?" she whispered, her voice cold as ice.
"I'm here to retrieve Harry." Remus simply stated, his grey eyes surveying the scene.
"Where are you taking him?"
"Off your hands."
"That's not an answer."
"Sure it is. It means that our destination is none of your concern, Madam."
Petunia's already pinched face seemed to scrunch up even more. "It is, Sir, my concern. I am, after all, the boy's guardian. Now, I demand to know where you are taking him!"
The previously jovial expression on Remus' face turned serious so quickly, that Petunia stumbled back a step. "It's time, Petunia."
"Time for what?" Harry questioned from the bottom of the stairs.
The comprehension that dawned on his Aunt's face confused Harry. What was Lupin talking about? And since when was he on first name basis with Aunt Petunia?
"Time to go, Harry." Surprisingly the answer came from her.
Remus helped Harry with his trunk.
Once they were outside with the door closed behind them, Harry glanced back. Then he turned to meet his benefactor's gaze full on.
"Mind telling me what that was all about?"
"All will be revealed with time, Harry."
"Whatever. So, where are we going, Remus?"
"Well now, we're off to the burrow then, aren't we?" Remus replied lightly as he stuck out his wand. Somehow, this was not the answer Harry was looking for.
"But..." Before Harry could finish there was a loud CRACK! As a large purple bus appeared seemingly out of nowhere.