A/N: Lucky you! I finished the story, unless LothirielofRohan reads the final chapter, says it stinks to high heaven and sends villagers with torches to destroy it immediately! There ended up being a total of 16 chapters, and now there's no reason to poke along posting it. You should get the rest of them over the next 2 days unless I get really busy and don't have time to post, or if ffn gives me trouble that I can't get around. Sorry I made the replies to reviewers so long. I was going to move them to the bottom, but if you have a minute, be sure to at least read my note to Young Philosopher, and if any of you can't upload to ffn, I'd love to hear from you, or you can e-mail them directly. So, anyway,enjoy - the end is near!

mellyone - welcome aboard! Actually, you lucked out in waiting me out to finish it, so the updates should be regular until it ends in a couple of days. As for the transfiguring the students into owls, I borrowed that from Moody turning Malfoy into a ferret. Plus I wanted to show Aurelia as being a bit avant garde in the way she does things, though not so over the edge as the bogus-Moody was. Thanks for letting me know you're liking it. I have one other HP story up that's another take on Harry's sixth year if you're interested. Like this one, for the moment it is sort of canon but will be AU after July 16.

CapriceAnn Hedican-Kocur – glad you're catching up, and hope all the Americans had a pleasant 4th of July (the rest of you, too, though it probably wasn't a holiday for you).

Julia – "Dudley with a crush on a witch would be really funny" – true, but alas, that is not the direction I took with it. Would shock and horrify the poor socks off his parents!

Young Philosopher - "except the fanfiction loading thing has gone on a tirade against me and I have yet to be able to load my story." – would you e-mail me at dalleyan at yahoo dot com (but fix it to a regular e-mail address)? I want to know if you are having the same trouble loading files as I am so I can let them know it's not just me (if you are). For me, when I tell it to upload something, it tells me it has to be in the format of doc, rtf, etc., but it IS in that format already. I've e-mailed them several times and got several responses, including one that said it would be taken care of in 48 hours – that was almost a month ago. The only reason I can still post is that I already had stories up so I've found a work-around way to get new stuff up that bypasses their file upload system. (If anyone else is having this same trouble too, let them know. Their e-mail is support at fanfiction dot net)

angel40689 – thanks so much for your enthusiastic support!

Chapter 14

Harry, Remus and Aurelia made their way to the Great Hall from Dumbledore's office, and the two adults left him to join his friends while they continued on to the teacher's table. Remus' presence drew many curious looks from the older students who had known him when he taught at Hogwarts, and a number of them called out a greeting to him. Only Malfoy and Snape seemed truly displeased to see him, Snape even less so when Aurelia conjured another chair next to hers for him to sit in.

There was only a small amount of polite conversation between Remus and Aurelia during the meal, since the Great Hall was not nearly private enough to discuss anything of consequence that they might have been inclined to say. Dumbledore had indicated Remus should take up residence in an empty classroom near Aurelia's room, and once they were done eating, they headed there to make modifications to it to turn it into living quarters.

As they finished and Remus prepared to return to Dumbledore's office to Floo back to Grimmauld Place, he hesitantly asked her, "I shouldn't be very long. Will you wait here so we can talk?"

His expression gave her no clue what the conversation might be about, but she nodded her agreement. "Of course." He slipped quietly out, and she took a seat in an armchair.

As predicted, he was back in less than twenty minutes, and spent a few moments putting his belongings away. At last he came to sit in the other chair. For a long time, he just leaned on his knees and stared at his hands. Finally, he told her, "I've been thinking about you a great deal." He stopped and thought some more before going on, "I...I was always very fond of you in school. There were several times when I almost told you about my lycanthropy, but I was too afraid of you turning away."

He stood and paced the room a bit, before adding, "I know you wouldn't lie to me about...the things you said you knew about werewolves. But you have to understand that I've spent most of my life believing something else. It isn't easy to just let go of that – no matter how much I might want to do so." He stopped again and looked at her somewhat pleadingly, hoping she was understanding what he wasn't explaining very well.

She rose and came to stand in front of him. "Does that mean you want to let go?" she asked quietly.

Relief flooded his face as he nodded, and she almost laughed. Instead, she told him, "Then we'll take things slowly, so you can get used to the idea." But with an impish grin, she reached up and kissed him before he could reply. Of their own volition, his arms slipped around her and pulled her closer.

As they broke apart a moment later, she laughed. "See? You're a natural!"

He flushed red, but laughed with her. When he suggested they sit, she conjured a sofa and winked at him, "In case I need to give you more practice with the kissing!" He got even redder, much to her amusement.

xxxxx

There were still things Aurelia needed to do, as a teacher, before the end of term, including classes, but in her free time, she and Remus spent a great deal of time walking and talking and reminiscing about their school days. And she made it a point to 'tutor' him in kissing, as she put it. Remus smilingly asked, "A curious Defense art, isn't it?"

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe if someone planted one on Voldemort, he'd die of shock!"

Too soon, it was time to board the train for London, and nervous tension took hold of them, as well as Harry and his three friends. Even some of the other students couldn't help but notice their Defense teacher accompanying them and other adults scattered about the train.

All the precautions proved unnecessary, however, as they arrived safely without any mishaps and the students gradually dispersed with their parents. If Harry had harbored any doubt about how serious a threat Dumbledore had anticipated, it was gone when he spotted their ride. Kingsley Shacklebolt, Tonks and Mad-Eye Moody were awaiting them near Platform 9-3/4, and led them to the car. Three Aurors being sent as escort was rather impressive. They quickly had loaded up the luggage and piled in a car that was magically enlarged to hold them all.

Up until now, whenever Harry had made the trip home to the Dursleys from the train station, he had been too depressed at the thought of not seeing his friends or being able to use magic for two months to even notice the scenery going by. For the first time, he was enjoying the drive, which went by much more quickly with a wizard behind the wheel, and everyone in the car, except Mad-Eye Moody, was in good humor. At least for awhile, Harry was able to forget about the danger and just enjoy the company, despite Mad-Eye's annoyed clearing of his throat and his magical eyeball constantly swivelling to be always alert. But Harry had grown used to his mantra "constant vigilance!" while he was at Hogwarts, so everyone just left him to his own devices.

Too soon, the car was pulling into the Dursleys' driveway, and Harry caught a glimpse of someone scurrying away from the window. He knew it was probably Aunt Petunia, terrified they would show up in some way as to draw attention to themselves and embarrass her. Because it had been decided that the same car pulling up and stopping at two houses in the neighborhood would draw attention, Remus Apparated from the car to Arabella Figg's house, his belongings shrunk down to a size that he could easily carry with him.

As soon as he was gone, Aurelia looked at Harry. "Ready?" Harry nodded reluctantly.

"Now, listen," Mad-Eye told Aurelia, "don't let Dursley intimidate you. We'll wait here to make sure he lets you inside."

Aurelia restrained a smirk and nodded, then stepped out of the car with Harry right behind her. They moved quickly to the door, with their belongings in hand, and knocked. Abruptly the door swung open, but was filled with the mass that was Uncle Vernon, who stood glaring at them.

His mustache twitched and his face was red as he angrily demanded, "See here, what right do you people think you have to come barging into my home? It's bad enough we have to take the boy, but I refuse to have more of you invading us!"

Aurelia eyed him coolly, and replied, "Do you really want to have this conversation on your doorstep, where all the neighbors can see and hear us?"

They heard a squeak of panic from behind Uncle Vernon that could only be Aunt Petunia, and Uncle Vernon's face purpled as he wrestled with his two unsatisfactory choices. Finally, he answered, "You can come in for a moment, but you aren't staying. Just tell your driver to wait for you!" Reluctantly he stepped aside somewhat, but Harry still had to squeeze to get past him. Aurelia merely waved to the car and stepped inside before Uncle Vernon could register it.

"Are you deaf? I told you, you are not staying here!" Uncle Vernon glowered at her.

Aurelia set down the bags she was holding and wandered off down the hall until she found the living room, settling herself on the sofa. Harry made it a point to stay close behind her and settled next to her, nervously eyeing his aunt and uncle as they charged into the room.

"Now see here!" Uncle Vernon thundered. With a wave of her wand, Aurelia said, "Silencio!" and Uncle Vernon's voice was choked off instantly. Aunt Petunia gave a small scream and cowered behind her husband, while Dudley bolted for the door.

Quietly, Aurelia directed, "Now sit down, both of you. I have a few things to say."

The loss of his voice clearly terrified Uncle Vernon and quickly he took a seat in his chair, while Aunt Petunia anxiously slid into one next to him.

"Understand this, Mr. Dursley," Aurelia said tersely, "You and your family are a part of this whether you want to be or not. Probably the only reason you haven't been more affected by what is taking place in the wizarding world is because of the protection afforded you by Harry's presence in your home. If Harry leaves, before we say he can safely do so, the lot of you will likely be dead in short order, and there won't be a thing you can do about it. The police can't help you, the government can't help you, no one can help you – except Harry. So you had better get that idea into your head right now unless you want to sign your family's death warrants!"

Aunt Petunia clutched at Uncle Vernon's arm as Aurelia continued, "Furthermore, I need to be here to protect Harry. Until he is of age to use magic outside of school, he is vulnerable, and therefore so are you." Uncle Vernon jumped up, apparently intending to give her a piece of his mind, but then realized he still had no voice so he stood glaring at her instead.

Aurelia rose to face him, dwarfed by his massive size, rather like a chihuahua facing a Saint Bernard, but not seemingly intimidated. "Harry is only safe if he is here, and I am here with him. And you are only safe while the two of us remain. If either of us leaves, you will know terror beyond any you have ever known and, believe me, there will be no keeping it from the neighbors."

Harry had to choke back a grin at the sight of Uncle Vernon's face, but there was fear there, in addition to anger. He obviously was convinced she was telling the truth. Hastily Uncle Vernon sat back down in his chair and snatched up the newspaper, making no effort to respond. Aunt Petunia stared at her husband for a moment, then leapt to her feet and headed for the kitchen. "I'll get dinner started."

She kept her face impassive, but when she turned to look at him, Harry saw the twinkle in Aurelia's eyes. "Right, then. Harry, let's get our stuff upstairs." The two of them quickly left the room as she removed the spell from Uncle Vernon, and they made it to the upstairs landing before their giggles broke loose. Hurriedly, they ducked into Harry's room and shut the door so they wouldn't be heard downstairs.

When they recovered slightly, a wave of Aurelia's wand enlarged the room, then a bed, nightstand, table and chair appeared in half the room. She flopped down on her back on the bed, and Harry did likewise, hardly daring believe he was in such a good mood in the Dursleys' house. There was a sudden popping noise and an instant later, Remus stood eyeing the two of them. Noting their grins, he commented, "I take it the Dursleys have agreed to your staying here, Aurelia."

Innocently she told him, "After I presented my reasons for being here, Dursley had no further argument."

Harry burst into laughter again, and through his tears informed Remus, "Though that may have had to do with the Silencing Charm she used on him!"

Remus smiled, but advised them, "Don't antagonize them too much, however sorely you are tempted. We need this to work at least for a month."

Aurelia stood and moved over to slip her arms around him. "Oh, don't worry! I'll behave from now on, I just needed to make certain Dursley understood where we stand. Are you settled in?"

They broke apart and reached for chairs, pulling them toward Harry. "Yes, though I think Arabella's cats can sense my lycanthropy. They give me a wide berth. Fortunately, she either doesn't notice or doesn't care." He glanced curiously at Harry, "Have you ever noticed how her house smells of cabbage?" Harry grinned and nodded.

They spent the next half hour just chatting until they heard a tentative knock on the door. Harry rose to find Aunt Petunia standing there. She had been unable to convince Dudley to come summon them to dinner, so she was doing it herself. After delivering her message, she glimpsed Remus with a start, and commented, "I wasn't expecting anyone else." Her mouth pressed into a pencil-thin line.

Despite the affront, Remus rose and smiled pleasantly at her. "I was not intending to stay, Mrs. Dursley. I just dropped by for a visit. I will see the both of you later." He nodded to Aurelia and Harry, then with a loud pop Disapparated, causing Aunt Petunia to give a loud squeak and lurch backwards.

Ignoring her reaction, Aurelia suggested, "Shall we go down, then?"

Dinner was a rather quiet affair as all the Dursleys were too afraid to speak, even to each other, and even more afraid of getting Aurelia angry so she did more magic. Dudley just sat wide-eyed in his chair the entire time, staring at Aurelia, too afraid to move. Harry and Aurelia chatted a bit and even made a few comments to the Dursleys, but only got terse mumbled responses.

When everyone was done eating, and Aunt Petunia rose to start clearing the table, Aurelia stood as well. "Would you like me and Harry to clean up, Mrs. Dursley?"

She looked startled at the offer, but Aunt Petunia nodded anyway, surprised that these weird people could be polite. Usually when it was just Harry here with the Dursleys he was made to clean up after them, but he didn't mind it so much this time having Aurelia working with him. It was hard to get used to someone actually speaking to him in the Dursley house without barking orders at him or criticizing something about him.

Harry knew if they stayed downstairs it would just make the Dursleys nervous, and neither of them was particularly anxious to socialize with his relatives anyway, so once the kitchen was in order, they returned to his room. Harry quickly found out how convenient it was to have a witch at hand. She gave them a bathroom right in his room, so they didn't have to share with the Dursleys, and anything they needed she could easily obtain for them. They both settled down on their sides of the room to read, and when bedtime came, she put up curtains for them to change behind.

For the first time ever, Harry fell asleep with a smile on his face in his bed on Privet Drive.