Chapter 57
The door sprang open and the Dursleys spotted to their horror that it was cramped with neatly cut grapefruit slices.
"TAKE THAT BACK!" Vernon howled and banged his fists against the door.
"Stop that, fat ass! That hurts" the refrigerator commented.
Dudley was now sobbing loudly against his mother's chest.
"Do you want my family to starve, Lily" Petunia said in a high-pitched voice.
"No, Petunia, but I want you all to taste some of your own medicine. You need to see how it is to be bullied and forced to a lifestyle that's not natural for you."
Petunia shook her head frantically so that her ears started to wiggle.
"I think it's time for you to see a little bit of my world." Lily called. Then she moved into the living room and pointed at the TV.
"NOOOOOOO!" Dudley screamed and dashed forward in front of the TV, trying to block it from Lily.
"Don't be silly, Dudley" Lily laughed. "Get out of my way"
Dudley shook his head and kept defending the TV. Lily heaved a sigh and flicked her wand.
"Sorry dear" she shrugged as Dudley ran off into his mother's arms.
"When will you finally end tormenting my family?" Petunia whined as she padded her son's back. Harry, Sirius and James where now howling of laughter. "Mom, this looks a lot better than Hagrid's transfiguration"
Dudley was grunting fearfully (or at least Harry thought it sounded that way). He stilled had the form of a human and was wearing clothes, but his hands, feet and face resembled a pig. The fat pig-boy was running back and forth between his mother and father and started squeaking in horror, before he sat down next to the TV and hugged it.
Lily finally pointed her wand at the TV and instantly it turned on. Vernon stared at the box which showed a woman in a kitchen, waving a stick over some bowls.
"What the heck is that?" Vernon shouted and pushed frantically button after button on the remote control.
"This is the Wizarding Wireless Network and you're going to watch this... and only this ... for the next week" Lily smiled confidently. "We're going to buy a new TV" Vernon stated and threw one of Petunia's figurines into the box. Unfortunately for him, the little statue bounced off the screen and hit him right on the forehead, leaving a big red lump. Dudley was now shaking frantically, holding on to the box as if to protect it.
"This is enough...ENOUGH!" Petunia screamed. "Lily, end this nonsense NOW!"
"Oh I'm far away from finished, dear sister" Lily stated. Harry followed his mother as she walked through the house, pointing her wand at pictures, which started behaving the wizarding way, at the vacuum cleaner, which suddenly sprang to life, at the chairs and several other household items.
Petunia ran after her sister, throwing her hands up in horror, but before she could reach her, the vacuum cleaner had tackled her and pinned her on the floor. "I'm tired of eating all your dirt" the cleaning device said angrily and then finally Petunia fainted.
"What did you do to my wife?" Vernon called as he picked up the limp form from the floor and slapped her fiercely. Petunia's eyes popped open and he put her back down. Dudley finally gave up his position as the TV bodyguard and joined his mother. Totally exhausted Vernon sat down on a kitchen chair, only to jump up in pain a second later.
"This wretched chair just bit me" he growled, picked up the chair and threw it through the kitchen.
Then the doorbell rang once more. Vernon, who was expecting more wizards started shouting profanities before he even reached the entrance door.
"When I hear another one of those words out of your mouth, Vernon, I will wash it out with soap, you hear me?"
"Marge!" he sighed.
"Merry Christmas, brother" the stout woman bellowed and moved further into the hallway, her dog Ripper clutched to her chest..
"Uh..Uh..Marge, I doubt that this is a good time for you to visit us"
"Nonsens,Vernon; You knew I was coming to drop off the presents, so where is my wonderful nephew? DUUDDYKIIINS"
Vernon frantically tried to stop his sister from proceeding, but in vain. Marge stomped into the kitchen and gasped in shock. Petunia's eyes were all teary as she held on to something that looked like a dressed pig on its hind legs.
"Who are all these people?" she finally managed to say.
Petunia mustered all the strength she had left and replied "This is my sister, Lily and her husband James. I trust you remember Harry, and this is his godfather Sirius. They came over to wish us a merry Christmas"
Marge looked like she was about to have a heart attack "But I thought they're all dead?"
"No Marge, not dead... just indisposed" Lily smiled.
"How indisposed can you be to leave your child as a burden to your hardworking relatives?" Marge said angrily. "No doubt you're all drug addicts and most likely homeless. Look at what clothes you're wearing" Her eyes were now fixed on Sirius.
"I have seen him somewhere. I just can't remember where"
"It's quite enough now Marge. I've heard all about Ripper's antics and his attacks on my poor Harry." Lily said and flicked her wand at the dog. "I'm going to make sure that his biting-ability is a little reduced from now on"
Marge screamed loud when she looked at Ripper and saw that he had been transfigured in a Chihuahua with a pink, fluffy jumper. James now walked up to Lily and said "I think it's enough, dear" Then he stupefied Aunt Marge and looked expectantly at his wife.
Lily just shrugged and replied "I will only stop when they apologize to my son for mistreating him all those years"
"Are you going to turn us back to normal, when we do?" Petunia whispered.
"I promise"
Petunia waked over to Harry, who was looking at her with a mix of curiosity and malicious glee. "Sorry,boy"
"Nuh, nuh, nuh... Petunia; I know you can do better than that" James scolded.
Petunia looked at the boy and, maybe for the first time in her life, she recognized the vivid green eyes which matched her sister's. "I'm very sorry, dear. We didn't care for you half as much as we could have. I know we can't make it up to you, but I hope you can forgive us...in time"
Lily now smiled sympathetically and flicked her wand at her older sister. Petunia felt her ears shrinking and the tail disappeared.
Vernon looked disbelievingly at his wife, but she said "I meant it like I said it Vernon." Her husband's eyes got even bigger as she continued. "I hated Lily for all the attention she got from our parents. After she had gotten that wretched letter, I didn't even count any longer. It was only Lily here and Lily there, Lily did this and Lily said that. I always wanted to do the things she did! Turn a stick into a bunch of roses for example. I was envious and disappointed. Then when Harry came to us I took all that anger out on him and it wasn't right. I even raised my own child to believe that Harry deserved to be treated badly. And I should have protected him from your evil anger tantrums. He got punished for things he never even did, and you know it" She pointed her finger at her husband. "I truly hope you all can forgive me"
Vernon had no explanation for his wife's behaviour, but he had the feeling that this witch must have brainwashed her.
"I'm not going to apologize. He's a freak... like all of you... and I'm never going to change my mind."
Dudley's pig-eyes fell on his aunt, who had his arm around Harry's shoulder, while his own mother was doing the same with him. He now recognized how truly lucky he was. His parents had always been there and he never had to depend on the goodwill of relatives. He still wasn't fond of his cousin, but he didn't want to stay a pig either.
"I'm going to apologize as well" he grunted and tottered over to Harry. "Sorry cousin. I'm glad you have your family back" Harry just nodded courteously and seconds later Dudley was back to normal. Vernon now was very eager to get the unpleasant visitors out of his house. "I think you got what you came here for and now it's time for you to leave"
James woke Marge up and performed a memory charm on her. Then they said their good byes and disappeared.
Back in Harry's and Ron's room, Harry broke out in fits of laughter. "Mom, that was hilarious. Did you take off the charms on the house as well?" "Partly," Lily replied. "The TV will only show wizarding channels for a week as I said. The refrigerator will give nothing but grapefruit to Vernon for a week as well. Dudley will only get low-fat and healthy food and only Petunia will get what she wants. It's time that this family starts a healthy lifestyle."
"Lily, I really missed your pranks" Sirius howled.
"You mom? Pranks?"
"Did you think only the marauders had fun?" Lily said in mock dismay. "Vernon will regret it that he didn't apologize" James grinned. "OH yes he will...wait until he figures out what I did to his car" Lily replied.
"I think you let Dudley off too easily, mom" Harry stated. "Trust me, my dear. He will remember me after the holidays" Harry gave her a puzzled look and his mother added "He acts so much like a Slytherin so I thought I leave him a little present"
"What is that?" Harry inquired. "The scarf from that ridiculous school he's going to will transform into a cute python every time he puts it around his neck. And the clue is that he's the only one who can see it. For everybody else it will be only a scarf..."
"... and everybody will think he lost his marbles" Harry finished the sentence. "That's absolutely brilliant,mom"
The friends welcomed them back and said it was almost time for lunch now. "Oh I could eat like a horse after all this action" Sirius stated and they went down to the kitchen.
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Dudley was sitting in his bedroom which was littered with the remains of his Christmas presents along with wrapping paper and video games.
Holding on two his old teddy bear he was pondering today's events. First his cousin showed up along with his parents, who every one believed dead for years and then it had happened again.
It was nothing but coincidence, he tried to convince himself. I had nothing to do with it. Dad just didn't throw hard enough. That's the reason why the screen stayed intact. Nothing else.
A small hysterical giggle emerged from the boys lips as he thought about the big lump on his father's forehead.
Who are you trying to fool, Big D, a voice in his head taunted him. You know the truth. You know it for years. You're just been very smart in disguising the fact that you're just as a freak as your cousin.
Dudley shook his head forcefully.
No! These were all coincidences. Nothing to worry about. It wasn't his fault that his school record caught fire when the principal had ordered him and his parents into his office to talk to them about the countless complaints. Dad....oh god ...dad... if he'd ever found out that I was hoping for it to happen, that I was terrified I would be expelled...
He clutched his teddy even tighter and started rocking back and forth on his bed, thinking what his father might do to him if he ever found out.
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When they entered the kitchen, Harry almost didn't recognize it. The room had been magically enhanced and was spotless clean.
The gloomy tapestries had been removed and been replaced by light wallpaper. There was an enormous oak table in the middle of the room and several pots had already been set up on the stove.
Mrs Weasley urged them to take a seat, while Lily helped her to set all the food on the table. They thoroughly enjoyed this meal, although it wasn't anything special. They knew there was a big dinner planned for tonight with several members of the Hogwarts' staff and the other Weasleys. Harry looked around happily and wondered if even this room, which had almost the size of a ballroom was big enough to fit all those people.
After lunch they decided to have a test flight on Ron's new broom. Sirius had allowed them to practice in the backyard, which was magically protected just like the rest of the house.
So, all the kids left for a bit of outdoor fun, although it was freezing cold. while the adults decided to settle down in the kitchen. Most of the rooms in the house were still contaminated with all kinds of magical varmints.
But soon James and Sirius started to get bored. Not only because of the restless 'marauder-blood' but also because both of them had been condemned to be idle for too many years. They needed to be in action to feel truly alive.
"There are some things that I need to talk to Dumbledore about" Lily said to Molly who was accompanying her, while her husband along with Sirius and James were outside to watch the kids play.
"Oh he will be here tonight for the feast, my dear" Molly stated, while she ordered the dishes to clean themselves in the sink. She had refused any help from Lily, who, in her point of you, still needed rest and time to fully recover.
"I know, Molly, but these are things I don't want to discuss in front f everybody else."
"Then maybe you should go and talk to him now", her friend stated. "Arthur said that he would be at Hogwarts during the winter break and I will make sure that everything is ok here. I can inform Harry and Remus where you went"
"That's a great idea, Molly" Lily said and rose from her chair.
"Are you sure you'll be ok or do you want me to fetch Tonks for you?" Mrs Weasley asked anxiously.
"No, my dear. I can manage that on my own. I'm not a china doll after all"
"If you say so... the floo powder is in the jar on the mantelpiece" Mrs Weasley said reluctantly. Lily threw some of the powder into the flames, called "Hogwarts" and then she was gone.
She must have immediately identified as a Gryffindor, because when she stepped out of the fireplace she found herself in the deserted Gryffindor common room.
She smiled as she looked at the old couch, where she had studied so often, the stairs that led up to the dormitories ... but she had no time to dwell in the past right now. She had serious business to handle and the earlier she started the better. Quickly she walked towards the portrait hole and pushed it open.
"Oh Lily, my dear, how wonderful to see you at last. We've been out of our minds when we heard that you've been attacked" the Fat Lady sing-sang when Lily stepped through. She had been informed that Perseus was guarding the entrance and she was silently where his painting was.
"I had no idea you knew I wasn't dead"
"Oh my dear, every painting in this school knows about it, but we've been sworn to secrecy."
"You do not happen to know where Professor Dumbledore is right now."
"Of course my dear, he's in his office at this time."
Lily thanked the Fat Lady, who was humming 'Come all ye centaurs", and made her way to Albus' office.
When she reached the gargoyles she cursed herself.
How am I supposed to get in there when I don't even know the password?
Then all of a sudden the gargoyles freed the way and Lily recognized someone coming down the staircase. She was about to dash behind a suit of armour when she recognized the voices.
"...that Fudge isn't trustworthy anymore" Minerva McGonagall said earnestly. "I agree that we have to watch him closely from now on"
Lily stood quietly next to the suit of armour as Albus and Minerva reached the bottom of the staircase. Dumbledore, who had spotted her first, said friendly "My dear child, I see you sought me out. Can I be of any assistance?"
"LILY!" McGonagall shrieked.
"Hello Minerva" Lily smiled.
"How..but how.. "she nudged Dumbledore forcefully. "Albus how..." Dumbledore just chuckled and padded the headmistress' arm. McGonagall slowly walked over to Lily and hugged her fiercely. "This is truly a miracle" she said as silent tears trickled down her face. After several minutes, Minerva released her former student and turned to face Dumbledore. "You knew about this?" she asked sternly. "You knew she finally woke up and didn't tell me? Albus, how could you? You know how much I longed to live to see that day."
"I'm awfully sorry, Minerva, but I wanted this to be a Christmas present and I wanted to give Lily and James the chance to adjust a little and get comfortable with Harry before everybody else would be informed."
"Yes I understand this" Minerva said meekly. "Now, Lily, what did you come to talk to me about?" Albus asked. "Can we take that to your office please?"
"Of course my dear." Albus said courteously. McGonagall turned towards Lily and said "I'm sorry, but I have to leave you two now. There are a lot of things I need to take care of. I trust I will see you at the feast tonight" and with a curt nod, she walked off.
Albus and Lily proceeded to his office and settled down on either side of his desk. The white-haired wizard offered his guest a lemon drop and looked at her expectantly.
"Right before Voldemort attacked us, I found a way to finally get rid of him for ever. I'm sure I can cast the spell, but I still need to do some more researches. So I came here to ask you if you can give me access to the restricted section during Christmas break."
"Of course Lily; if there's anything one of the Order members can help you with, you just need to let us know. Mrs Pince is not here at the moment, so you don't have to worry anybody seeing you. There are only very few staff members present at the time. Minerva, Remus and Severus of course and then my great-granddaughter Kimberly, I trust you remember her." Lily smiled happily and nodded.
"I can't wait to meet her again. It's been such a long time"
"I trust she should be somewhere in the dungeons. When we're finished here, you might as well can go and have a look for her. Severus would be delighted to meet you too, but I need you to be careful when you approach him. He has no idea that the two of you survived. At the time we thought it would be too dangerous. Voldemort could have tried to get information out of him in a more painful way." Albus explained.
"I will be careful, Albus, I promise. I don't want Severus to snuff it now, do I? No matter what problems my dear husband and his friends might have with him, we always got along wonderfully. Well, but let's get back to business. As I told you before, I think I have found a way to finally terminate Voldemort's reign of terror. Right before Harry was born I found hints about an ancient spell in one of the books I was reading for researches. I followed these hints for several months and finally discovered the Sicarius spell. Its description sounded more like a prophecy though and at this time I had no idea what it meant. Now that I have heard what happened in the past, I think I understand most of it."
Albus had his hands folded on the desk and listened to her carefully. "Lily, my dear, I have faith in your abilities and I know if anyone can find a way then it will be you. Now please let me finish my work for today, so that I'm able to attend the excellent feast tonight."
Lily rose from her chair and bid her good bye to the old wizard. Just moments later she was on her way to the dungeons.
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"Hey Molly, is Lily upstairs?" James questioned as he and Sirius came back inside.
Molly Weasley, who was reading in one of Lockhart's books, shook her head slightly and replied "She went to see Albus about some serious business of hers."
James shrugged his shoulders and suggested "What do you think Padfoot? Why don't we go and pay Hogwarts a visit ourselves, now that my wife has abandoned me so shamelessly?"
Sirius laughed heartily and admitted that this was a wonderful idea.
He was really looking forward to see Hogwarts again and this didn't mean sneaking into Gryffindor Tower at the middle of the night to get a hold of a certain rat.
The mere thought of Pettigrew made his insides boil and it reminded him that he still had to prove his innocence in front of the Wizengamot.
It was still hard for him to realize how much his life had changed in the past few days. At the beginning of the week he was a convicted murderer on the run, alone and abandoned. Now his best friend had 'returned from the dead' and his name might be soon cleared as well.
Even when some people had told him that he wasn't alone at all, that he still had Harry and Remus and Albus; it had never been the same for him. All these years he had felt responsible for James' and Lily's death. At first he couldn't even look at Harry without feeling the terrible loss and betrayal.
In Azkaban he had wallowed in self-pity, because it was the only emotion left. He had planned out at least a thousand ways to end Wormtail's life, one better than the other.
Then two years earlier, Harry had saved the nasty rat from Remus' and his wrath. At this time he had the little chance to get a formal trial if they would have managed to hand Pettigrew over to the authorities, but he once again, escaped.