A/N: I would like to say thank you to those of you who reviewed my last chapter (coughSARAHcough) Spank you very much! Also just a little hint about this story... all of the chapters I have written so far has only taken place within the time period of a few days. Just to clearify things if you were wondering. Don't forget to read AND review! "
Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter books. I don't own the original Harry Potter Characters. I do own the plot of this story. I also own the unfamiliar characters you stumble upon throughout the story.
:WARNING: DO NOT STEAL ANY AND I MEAN ANY OF MY ORIGINAL WORK. IF YOU WISH TO USE ANY OF MY WORK (PLOT, CHARACTERS, SETTINGS, ETC.) PLEASE ASK BEFORE YOU TAKE. AND IF YOU ARE GRANTED PERMISSION TO USE ANY OF MY WONDEROUS WORKS AND BOUNTIOUS GLORIES YOU MUST GIVE ME THE CREDIT FOR THE PARTS YOU USE. DON'T MEAN TO BE A STICKLE BUT THAT'S JUST THE WAY I WORK.
Onward to the Fic...
Chapter Four: Oncoming News
"Is there something wrong Mr. Weasely? Did you heard anything from Professor Dumbledor sir?" Harry questioned as they head over to the couch. "I'm not in trouble already am I?" Dudley asked in panic. Petunia entered the room and Mr Weasely took this as his cue to speak, "Well now, since we are all here your aunt... eh, mother and I have something we feel you should hear." At an instant the room grew quiet with anticipation. "I'm not too sure how to explain this to you two boys. Earlier, when your father... umm... Vernon, and I got into an arguement about this whole letting Dudley do the whole magic thing he had left. For good that is, and he told me to tell Dudley that he loved him and always would..." Dudley interupetd Petunia, "What do you mean he loved me and the he always would? He doesn't love me anymore or what? Why are you talking in past tense, it's not like he's dead or anything." Just then Petunia broke down into tears. Not able to hold herself together she fell to the floor sobbing like a little child who just had their favourite toy taken away from them. "I'll be right back boys," Mr. Weasely said while escorting Petunia upstairs to lie her down. Harry and Dudley look at each other with a puzzled expression on their faces. Harry turned to Dudley, "You don't think... I mean, could it be?... It's not..." "Dead... I knew it. The way we had rushed out of the house. The fight, the tears, all of the not explaining anything... it was all to cover up his death." Dudley said while staring at the floor in disbelief. Harry still puzzled, "But... I don't understand, how did you know? I mean, sure they had a fight and he stormed off like usual. It was just simply routine. But, how, how did you know?" It was that moment Harry and Dudley finally understood each other to the full extent. Mr Weasely appeared from upstairs and sat back down in the chair in front of them and not even able to gentley tell them what happened because Dudley just blurted out his discovery, "Yeah, he's dead, we know! I didn't want to believe it at first and I still don't. But he's dead and there's nothing I can do about it. Not now, not then, not EVER! I didn't even get to say goodbye. I didn't even get to say goodbye..." Dudley slowly lowered his head and a tear feel from his right eye. Not knowing how to responde like any normal teenage boy witnessing another teenage boy cry just sat there. Mr. Weasely tried to comfort Dudley but failed, "DON'T TOUCH ME! DON'T TOUCH ME! DON'T TOUCH ME! I JUST WANT TO BE LEFT ALONE! LEAVE ME ALONE! YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! YOU'LL NEVER UNDERSTAND! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE! GO AWAY! IT'S NOT FAIR.. IT'S NOT FAIR... NOT FAIR... IT'S NOT FAIR.. IT'S JUST NOT FAIR! WHY...WHY...WHY... WHY OH WHY OH WHY!" Just then Dudley stormed out of the house and began to run and run and run. Harry jumped up to go after him but Mr. Weasely stopped him, "Don't worry about him. He's upset, give him some time. He'll come back, he just needs time. Besides I will send out a retrieving charm. Go pack your school things. You have a big day tomorrow." Harry gave Mr. Weasely a confused look and then headed up to Ron's room. "Expos-Retrievo Dudley Dursely!" A spark flew out the door from Mr. Weasely's wand.
:Ron's Room:
Harry came barging into Ron's room which made Ron jump 10 feet across the room, "Don't bloody do that to me Harry. My goodness you startled the bah-jeebers out of me! I thought mum found out about that bloody bird." Harry laughed, "Bird?" Ron motioned him into the room, "Nevermind. Why did you come running into the room like that?" Harry and Ron walked over to the beds and sat down, "I see you no longer have the bunks. Anyway, your dad just broke the news to Dudley and me. Vernon is dead. But he never explained how he died." Ron's expression turned to a sorrowful look, "That's terrible. I mean for Dudley of course. You don't seem to bothered by it." "He's not my dad. I am bothered by it though because I know what it's like to lose someone close to you. At least he has his mother. I lost both of my parents." Harry and Ron stare at the floor for a few minutes just thinking then Ron spoke up, "You think Dudley still wants to go to Hogwarts?" Harry's face became distorted, "I would think so. I mean, what would make him not what to go? He seems to like the whole magic thing. What made you think of that?" Ron looked at Harry, "Well, I don't know. What if it was something magical that killed him. I mean, what if you-know-who was trying to get back at you by killing off your only family. Since you don't have Sirius anymore you would have no where to go." Harry started to think to himself, "Could it have been something from the wizarding world? Maybe Ron has a good point. I wonder, was the whole fight a part of someone's plan... Voldemort's plan?" Ron interrupted Harry's thought process, "Have any ideas?" Harry just shook his head. Harry walked over to his drunk and began making room for his school books. In the process he stumbled upon the letters. Harry slowly picked up the letters and walked over to Ron's bed. "What you got there Harry?" Ron questioned while looking at the letters. Harry flipped over the first letter, "It's from Dumbledor! OPEN IT... OPEN IT!" Ron excitedly demanded to Harry. Harry opened the envelope and pulled out a neatly folded piece of parchment. Harry opened it and read aloud:
Dear Harry,
By now you are most likely at The Weasley's place and have found out the
reasoning for your's, your aunt's, and your cousin's quick removal.
Loosing your Uncle is a misfortune but because of his death we know
now that you and your family will have to have a close eye after you.
See you at school soon and be careful.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledor.
"It's amazing how he knows about everything. Brilliant that man just brilliant," Ron said after Harry read the letter, "He didn't say anythig about Dudley going to Hogwarts though. You think he knows?" "Of course! Don't be silly Ron," Harry flipped over the piece of parchment, "See, there's more." Harry read aloud:
" Ah yes. One more thing, be sure to explain everything to your cousin.
Don't want him getting into much trouble do we? See you then. "
Ron's face now invaded with astonishment, "How in the bloody hell does he do that!" Harry chuckled and shrugged his shoulders. Harry put aside the letter from Dumbledor and picked up the others. "Hey look, there was one from you.Want me to read it?" Ron shook his head, "No, it's ok. I was just writing to say hello. Maybe a little complaining about Pig but that's about it. Let's look at the others." Harry tossed ron's letter to the wastepaper basket. The basket's mouth opened wide and belched after consuming the letter. "Look! Hermione wrote to you too. She's only wrote me twice. How many times did she write you?" Ron looked at Harry a little jealous. "Just this one..." Harry opened the envelope and read the letter:
" Dear Harry,
Sorry that I haven't wrote all summer, I've been dreadfully busy with working. My parents made me get a job this summer. The told me that constant studying wasn't good for my health and that I needed to expand my horizon. They're probably right. I mean, I don't have any muggle friends, except for my pre-Hogwarts friends and I never see them because of Hogwarts. I couldn't possibley tell them the truth about why I don't attend their school anymore. It's been years since I have had a real conversation with them. It wouldn't possibley work. Oh, some exciting but sad news. I met this boy at my work place. He's absolutely amazing. I wish that you could meet him, but that will never happen because of him being a muggle. I want to tell him I really do. It's just that I can't because of the rules, the fact that it won't work out anyway, and my parents. My parents have advised me to not get too attached. How could I resist though. He's so cute and smart. I have never met a boy so intriguing. I feel bad because I am going to have to break his heart. He wouldn't understand. Not just yet. I might write him though and visit him during the holidays. Oh dear, I am sorry about getting into my whole summer relationship. I must have bored you to death. I just had to tell someone. Well, can't wait to see you and Ron at school. Tell Hedwig I said hello.
Your Friend,
Hermione Granger
"Sound's like Hermione had a fun summer." Harry added after reading the letter. "Never met a boy so intriguing! Pfft! What am I then? Her girlfriend that just happens to look like a male? I don't believe this, one summer and she's a totally different Hermione." Ron said while staring at the floor with jealousy and disbelief. Harry patted Ron on the back, "I'm sure she didn't forget about you mate. Things happen, after all you two are only friends. What did you expect to happen? She's 17 Ron, it's about time she found herself a mate." "But she never mentioned another guy in any owl she sent to me! Why, I just don't..." Ron was interrupted by an inrtuding Mrs. Weasley, "Time for suppa boys. C'mon let's get a move on. We 'aven't got all day." Ron and Harry jumped to their feet and headed to ward the stairs. Harry stopped, "Be down in a minute I have to put these letters away. You go ahead of me." Ron nodded at headed for the kitchen. Just as Harry was about to put his things away he stumbled upon the last letter. This one read on the envelope To H. J. Potter From D. L. Malfoy. Harry stopped in his tracks and went to open the letter.
A/N: :Unfimiliar words: Expose-Retrievo is not an original Harry Potter Charm. It's a charm created for bringing people back to you. You say the Charm + the name of the person you want to bring to you. But you must be presice on who you want to retrieve or you could get anyone.