Disclaimer – Harry Potter is not ours. We just let our imagination play in JK Rowlings world.
2nd Disclaimer – Our imagination ran dry on house elf/goblin names. We've started borrowing names from a book we have by Vonda N McIntyre which is based on a screenplay by Harve Bennett. The movie was Star Trek III. I couldn't help the association of the ears with some Vulcans vs. house elves.
Chapter 17 A Death in the Family
Hermione came in later that night with the results of the venom testing. "None of the anti-venoms we tested worked with it, but there may be others we don't know about. One dose of venom or bite seems to cause a temporary paralysis, similar to a Stupefy curse. It's quite fast acting, but not instantaneous. I'd say about thirty seconds to take effect. It lasts around thirty minutes or so, depending on body mass and physical condition of course. Two doses could cause permanent damage, but probably not fatal, we think. The subject may be out for a day or so and have muscular damage after that. So, if you do have to bite someone, only bite once. Anything more could result in permanent damage or death."
Harry had an aversion to biting anyone after the Mr. Weasley episode, but he imagined if it was an emergency he could probably do it.
Harry was getting feelings of anticipation again that weren't his own. The strange thing was he was also receiving flashes of pain. He couldn't imagine what was hurting Voldemort. He told Professor Dumbledore in his Occlumency lesson, but there wasn't a whole lot they could do about it. Harry couldn't determine what Voldemort was anticipating. The connection seemed to be changing again, possibly getting stronger. Harry could still block it, but he was concerned about what was happening.
Ron was cracking the whip regarding Quidditch practice. Harry and Ginny did work twice as hard as they had promised in the following practices due to their weekend off. Ron decided the whole team and reserves should watch Slytherin vs. Hufflepuff on Saturday and take notes. They would then compare notes in the next practice. Harry wondered if it was Hermione's influence on him or just Ron being Ron and not wanting to take the only notes. With others taking them too, he wouldn't have to be as precise in his own.
Slytherin beat Hufflepuff and had pulled ahead of Gryffindor in points. Katie seemed to be all smiles that she wasn't captain in the upcoming all important final game. Ron's ideas of the notes ended up being a good one. Euan noticed that Goyle always tended to hit the bludgers across body. Ron decided they could use that and come up with plays to exploit that weakness. Natalie pointed out that the opening drive of the chasers each time was the Porskoff Ploy. Ron decided that could be easy to defend, but they would have to keep a sharp lookout that it's not just a maneuver to throw them off their guard.
It was Wednesday, almost mid-way through the month of March before Harry's life made another strange turn. Daydreaming through DADA, thinking about Ginny, class was interrupted when Professor McGonagall asked for Harry to be excused. Professor Vigori didn't seem to want to let him go, but couldn't deny Professor McGonagall, so Harry shrugged to Ron and Hermione, gathered his books, and followed his Professor out the door.
Professor McGonagall escorted Harry to the Headmaster's office. Professor Dumbledore was looking grave behind his desk.
"I have received a letter requesting your presence at your aunt and uncle's house." Harry looked confused at his Headmaster's words.
"Do you know why?" He couldn't imagine the Dursleys ever requesting his presence for anything.
"They are your family and I'm afraid they have suffered a tragic loss. I believe your uncle's sister, Marge, has passed away in an automobile accident." Harry's eyes opened wide in surprise.
"…And they want me there, why?" The Headmaster looked at him reprovingly. Harry supposed it did sound rather callous, but it was how he felt. "Professor Dumbledore, Aunt Marge has never done anything but insult me, my parents, or sic her dogs on me. She would always make comments of how great Dudley was and how I should have been dumped at an orphanage as a baby or if I had been one of her dogs, drowned at birth."
Harry could hear Professor McGonagall shifting behind him and thought he heard a sniff of disapproval from her. Professor Dumbledore closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Nevertheless, you are part of their family. If your aunt, uncle and cousin feel comfort with your presence, shouldn't you offer it? Also, your aunt has left you a bequest. Perhaps she had a change of heart near the end."
Harry was afraid his expression was as skeptical as he felt. If there was a bequest of some sort, he doubted it was anything he'd want. The only thing he could think of was that Dursleys might feel obligated to have him with them for appearances. He could see that more than them actually wanting him there. He took a deep breath and tried to resign himself to his fate. "When do I go and how long will it be for?"
Professor Dumbledore gave him a small approving smile. "You should return to your dormitory and pack for at least two days. The funeral is tomorrow and your uncle asked that you remain the day after as well. You shall be returning to Hogwarts the following evening. After you pack you should return to Professor McGonagall's office and she will give you a portkey to bring you to Arabella Figg's home." Harry tensed up.
Professor McGonagall laid a hand on his shoulder. "I have talked to Mr. Lupin and he told me of your fears with portkeys," Harry didn't know if he'd call them fears, exactly. "I understand that this will be another sad occasion to use one, but you must realize that portkeys are the most efficient and secure way for a minor to travel long distances. If you wish, I shall accompany you to Arabella Figg's home."
Harry forced himself to smile. "I appreciate the thought, Professor, but it won't be necessary." She gave his shoulder a pat and stepped back again.
Professor Dumbledore gave a mildly curious look to Professor McGonagall then continued with what he was saying before. "Friday evening you will be escorted back to Arabella Figg's residence and portkeyed back to Hogwarts."
"Yes, sir." Harry took that as his dismissal and exited. Professor McGonagall stayed behind. He made his way to Gryffindor Tower. He was undecided if he should take his whole trunk or only a backpack with a few clothes in it. He decided to just take the backpack. He figured the Dursleys wouldn't like it if a trunk suddenly appeared when he hadn't carried one with him. He didn't want to antagonize them now.
He wrote a brief note to Ron and Hermione explaining what happened and another to Ginny. He sealed Ginny's and left it with the other one on Ron's bed. He figured it was an easy way to get it to her.
Harry looked at his watch and noticed he had fifteen minutes to get to Professor McGonagall's office. He decided he might as well make his way there now. He slung his bag over his shoulder and left the Tower.
He forced himself to knock on Professor McGonagall's door. She bade him enter and offered him a seat and a biscuit while they waited. He ate the biscuit distractedly as he thought about asking something that had been bothering him. "Professor, it was a natural crash she died from, wasn't it?"
Understanding filled the stern professor's face. "Yes, Mr. Potter. It has been thoroughly investigated and there are no signs of any magic involved. This is not a trap. It is reported that there was multi-auto crash on the M1 near Northampton. Many muggles died in it and there are several more seriously injured." Harry felt a bit better about the circumstances now. He had been afraid it was a trick to get him to leave the school. He wondered sometimes if he was getting slightly paranoid.
Finally the time came when Professor McGonagall held out an old quill. Harry took it and his professor counted down and he was gone.
Harry appeared in Mrs. Figg's living room. "Oh, hello, Harry. I suppose there's no time for tea, but would you like a biscuit to take with you? You could eat it on the way home."
Harry was about to refuse since it was so close to dinnertime, but decided to accept because she looked so hopeful. Harry remembered Mrs. Figg apologizing for giving him such a hard time when he was younger last year. He wondered if she was trying to make up for it.
She pressed him to take several along with him. He put all but one in his bag and started out for Privet Drive, slowly munching on the biscuit.
When he reached number four, he was noticed immediately by his aunt who had been peering out through the curtains. She met him at the front door. Her face was stony and unforgiving. "Get inside, boy." She shoved a small plate with a sandwich towards him. "Take that and eat it in your room. You're to stay there until we call for you tomorrow morning."
Harry wasn't sure why he was surprised. For some reason, he'd expected them to be nicer to him this time. So much for wanting comfort from him. He wondered briefly why they'd really asked him home. He hurried to his room before they decided to take his bag away from him and heard the lock click into place behind him. He regretted now that he didn't have his trunk with him. Once again his mantra started up in his mind. 'Two days. He could last two days.'
Harry hadn't brought any type of entertainment along so he pretty much spent the evening staring out the window at the stars. The night was clouding over so he knew he wouldn't be able to see them for long. The telly had been removed from his room before he had arrived so there was nothing else to do. The stale bread with cheese didn't fill him up so he was thankful to Mrs. Figg for pressing the additional biscuits on him before he left her house.
In the morning he heard the lock click and went to use the loo. When he returned it was to see his aunt going through his bag he'd brought with him. Harry leaned in the doorway and raised an eyebrow.
She noticed him there and unrepentantly said, "I'm just making sure you didn't take any of your freak things here. I'm glad to see you were sensible for once." Of course, Harry had his wand strapped to his forearm, but he wasn't about to tell her that. She stiffly pointed to an outfit she had laid on his bed. "You are to put that on. You will behave at the funeral and at the solicitor's office. It would be best if you didn't speak at all. I swear you will regret it if you do anything to bring attention to yourself on this day." With that she turned and left, locking the door behind her.
Harry turned to the bed. There was a black outfit laid out for him. He put it on. It wasn't five times too big so he figured she must have gotten it from the local charity shop. It was an inch too short in the arms and legs. Harry shook his head and waited to be called. Apparently he wasn't getting any breakfast this morning.
Around 9:30 the door was unlocked and he was commanded to get to the car. Harry climbed into the back with Dudley. Dudley gave him a shove to make him get in faster. Harry looked over to Dudley. Dudley smirked at him with the knowing look he used to give Harry when he knew Harry would have a punishment coming up for something and be forced to do some awful chore. Harry frowned.
They drove for two hours to a parish church where Aunt Marge's funeral was to be held. Harry sat through it making no noise and wishing he wasn't existing here. He would much rather be back at Hogwarts. He had no idea why his 'family' requested him to be here for this. Afterwards there was a brief spread laid out for the mourners to snack on. Harry grabbed some food despite the disapproving glare of his aunt and made to blend in with the shadows in the corner. Same as throughout his childhood, people paid little attention to him as they went about spreading their gossip about the recently deceased.
"…heard the poor dear is actually the one who caused the pile-up."
"…drunk as a skunk.…"
Harry's attention caught. He listened more closely.
"Oh, yes, I heard that, too. The reports said her alcohol level was way over the limit. Never could hold her brandy. Actually, I'm amazed it took so long as it did before something like this happened. She's been brought up on charges before. Even lost her license a few years back."
Harry gave a brief snort as the irony hit him. He remembered back before his third year. She accused his parents of being drunk when they died in a car crash.
Harry didn't have a lot of regrets of Aunt Marge dying, but he did feel bad for all the innocent muggles she had killed or maimed because of her actions. No wonder Aunt Petunia didn't want him talking at all. She probably knew this and didn't want Harry rubbing it in. Harry didn't have any desire to talk of it at all. He just wanted to get back to Hogwarts.
Eventually he saw the Dursleys getting ready to leave. He joined them at the car. He still hadn't said one word. On the way to the solicitor's, Uncle Vernon was speculating on what was left to them. Harry knew that Uncle Vernon did care for his sister, but decided it must be a different caring than what he knew about. He could never imagine speculating so crassly on what he was to inherit so soon after a loved one's death. When Sirius had died…Harry hadn't even wanted to think about it weeks later.
They reached the small county solicitor office and left the car. Entering the office he saw there was another elderly gentleman waiting who had Ripper on a leash. Ripper started barking madly when they came in. As Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia made introductions to the man, apparently Colonel Fubster, Ripper tugged on the leash hard enough to force the man to let go and dashed off towards Harry.
Harry had had enough. He let Shadow come briefly to the surface and let loose a low warning growl. It was more of a vibration than a sound. It was almost comical how Ripper stopped stone still, then turned tail to hide behind the colonel. Harry was glad none of the others could seem to hear him. He was still standing back by the entrance door. Conversation briefly stopped and Aunt Petunia looked at him suspiciously, but Harry kept his face expressionless and eventually she turned back to hear what Colonel Fubster was saying.
"The poor thing has been acting rather lost since Marjorie passed on. Not quite himself, poor thing." The discussion continued until an inner door opened and the secretary ushered them into the inner sanctum of the office.
The will reading was about what Harry expected. Marge had left her house and property to Uncle Vernon, a trust amount to her 'neffy-poo' Dudley, and a larger amount to Ripper who was to be in the care of Colonel Fubster along with her other bulldogs. To Harry, the insolent, ungrateful, burden on her brother's family, she left a box of dog biscuits.
After the paperwork was finished, the Dursleys and Harry returned to the car for the return trip to Privet Drive. Aunt Petunia was making plans.
"In the morning, we'll bring Diddykins to the station so he can return to school, then head out to see the property. I must say that I'm glad we won't have to deal with those dogs." Aunt Petunia scrunched her nose. "As much as she liked them, I just couldn't abide with the mess they would cause. I hope the place doesn't need too much fixing or cleaning up."
They were almost to number four. Finally Harry asked, "Do you want me to return to school early? I'll gladly leave to stay out of your way."
Dudley snickered and Uncle Vernon turned to cast a malevolent look at Harry. "Oh no, boy. You're going to help clean up Marge's place and pack things up to be sold. You'll be staying until everything is ready and in tip top condition."
Harry's temper rose. He began to see red. "You brought me here to be your slave labor?" Harry shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe you. Your sister dies and the first thing you do is call me out of my school in case she leave her house to you so I can fix it up for you?"
Aunt Petunia was getting pale. A sure sign she was getting angry. "It was not that way. We weren't going to have you come at all until Mr. Malison suggested that it was nice that we had a son who could help with the cleaning. Well, I wasn't about to have Dudley do it…"
Harry tuned her out. "Mr. Malison?" Something about that name sent a chill through him. He knew the meaning in old English was 'a curse'. Something wasn't feeling right. "Who is he? What does he look like?"
Aunt Petunia now had high red patches in her cheeks for being interrupted with a question. "Not that it's any of your business, but he's a very high-classed gentleman Vernon ran into the other day." She looked over to Vernon as if for confirmation.
"He doesn't have white-blond long hair by any chance, does he?" Harry almost dreaded the answer.
"His hair was short. Very proper. It was a white-blond color, but it wasn't long like how some of those layabout freaks you know wear it." Harry had started to relax with the beginning part of the sentence, but by the end he just knew….
They had pulled into the driveway of Four Privet Drive and Harry figured that as soon as they were in the house they would be safe. He'd find a way to not go to Aunt Marge's tomorrow. He was sure it would be a trap. Harry rubbed at his scar. It was starting to prickle.
He looked around anxiously as they made their way into the house. He started to breathe a sigh of relief as he closed the front door when he heard a scream from Aunt Petunia and pain burst from his scar. Suddenly there were dark cloaked and white-masked wizards surrounding him and his relatives. Harry forced his eyes open to see Voldemort standing near where the fireplace had been in the living room. The Dursleys were all huddled together, Dudley trying unsuccessfully to hide behind his parents. Harry's arms were grabbed and his sleeve rolled up to reveal his wand. It was removed from its holster and brought to Voldemort.
Voldemort grinned with glee. "Harry Potter. So we meet again. This time there will be no running off; no escape." Harry was struggling in the arms of his two captors. Voldemort walked over and reached a long cold finger out to touch Harry's cheek as he did at his re-birth. Harry flinched at the searing pain his scar caused him. "You are probably wondering why your 'blood protection' isn't working any longer. Well, I'll tell you. After my re-birth I could touch you without pain. Well, pain to me. I believe you still feel it. I couldn't, however, breach the wards around this house. The blood I took from you wasn't enough to get inside. So I spent the last month undergoing some rituals to multiply your blood's effect. I could have killed you at your recently departed aunt's house, but I wanted to do it here. Here, where you mother's blood dwells. Dumbledore thinks he was so wise to protect you here, but I will show the world that he is nothing but an old fool. I have the power to break the strongest protection he puts into place."
Harry was trying to think fast. This was a very bad situation. He and all three Dursleys were caught by Death Eaters and he knew there was very little chance for any of them to get out of this alive. He was trying to keep the occlumency shields strong in the background of his mind. Voldemort hadn't tried anything yet, but Harry knew he probably would. Harry tried to run through all the stuff he knew about Voldemort, trying to find any weakness.
Voldemort looked over to the Death Eater holding Harry's wand. "I think it would be appropriate if the boy's own wand was used to do this. I'll allow you the pleasure of killing off his muggle family, Lucius."
Family. He hated and killed his muggle family. "No." Harry's voice was loud and strong. It wasn't a plea; it was a statement. Voldemort looked at him with idle curiosity. "If anyone is going to torture or kill them, it will be me." Again he said it in a no nonsense way. Voldemort's attention was now solidly on him. He held a hand up to still Malfoy. He looked directly into Harry's eyes and started to pull memories.
Harry watched as memory after memory was run before his eyes. Not surprisingly, he didn't even have to edit anything. Harry being thrown into the cupboard by Uncle Vernon; Aunt Petunia swinging her frying pan at him; 'Harry Hunting' by Dudley; being back-handed and starved, tripped and shoved; the constant name-calling; him losing his temper with Aunt Marge, yelling at them in the car just moments ago about being slave labor….
Finally it stopped. Voldemort then turned towards the Dursleys and cast the spell on them. Then he slowly smiled. "Yes. This could be interesting." He looked to his side. "Lucius, a change of plans. Aurors will be arriving soon and I don't quite trust Mr. Potter enough yet to give him a wand." He shot a pile of rope out of his wand and muttered "Portus". The rope trembled with a blue glow and then turned back to normal. "Take him and the muggles and wait for me. I want to set up a surprise for the aurors. A special gift beneath the Dark Mark." Voldemort laughed a cold laugh. He approached Harry, placing a finger under his chin and forcing his head up. Putting aside the blinding pain he heard a low voice that said, "We really are very similar Mr. Potter. Brother wands, powerful, Parselmouths, and both hate the muggles in our past. You will soon find that it is very satisfying taking revenge on them. You could have great potential."
Harry had the feeling that Voldemort thought Harry would think he would be recruited after he killed the Dursleys, but Harry knew that with the Prophesy, Voldemort would never let him survive. He was just letting Harry live right now for entertainment purposes only. He was confident that Harry wouldn't be able to escape. Harry hoped he could prove him wrong again.
As Voldemort backed away he held his wand on Harry. With a flick, the rope flew towards the Dursleys and encircled them. "Just for transportation purposes. I'm sure you'll understand." He nodded to Malfoy who yanked hard on the Dursleys ropes to force them closer to Harry and the open end of the rope tied itself around Harry's wrists. Voldemort nodded to two other Death Eaters who grabbed hold of the rope along with Malfoy and they were off.
The sensation of howling wind and swirling color ended with a jolt in a dark stone room. Harry looked around. It looked like some sort of dungeon. He quickly took in what he could of his surroundings.
The Dursleys were screaming and pleading incoherently. The Death Eaters backed away from the bound group with their wands trained on them. Harry needed some way to get further away from the Dursleys and get the attention taken off from him for a bit.
"Mr. Malfoy." One Death Eater looked up when Harry called his name. "Can I make a request?"
"Request all you want, Mr. Potter. Not that I'm in the mood to grant you anything." The silken voice of Lucius Malfoy came through behind his mask. His gray eyes cold.
"I have no problem being bound while we wait, but could you let me have some distance from them?" Harry jerked his head with a distasteful look on his face towards the Dursleys. "The smell is getting a little intense."
Lucius Malfoy lifted his mask off his face and sneered towards the Dursleys. He took in the dark wet stain down the front of Uncle Vernon's trousers. He gave a satisfied laugh. "Weak fools. I will grant you your request Mr. Potter."
Harry inclined his head while Lucius Malfoy sent a cutting hex towards the rope. The rope stayed tightly binding the two groups, but was now separated and Harry could move further away from them towards the shadows in the corner of the room. He slowly sat down with his bound hands resting calmly in front of him; making no sudden movements whatsoever. He hoped to lull them into a false sense of security.
He called over to Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia. "So do you recognize our host? Mr. Malison, isn't it?"
Petunia squinted over to Mr. Malfoy and gasped. "Mr. Malison! You're one of them? What happened to your hair!"
Harry silently rolled his eyes. Figures that what most impressed his aunt about this situation was that Malfoy's hair was longer than what she considered proper. "His name is not Mr. Malison, but Mr. Lucius Malfoy. He's a Death Eater."
Lucius Malfoy sneered at her. "You muggles are so gullible. The Dark Lord was correct as always. He said you would take Potter out of the safety of his school if it was suggested…subtly, of course…that work would need to be done." He glared over at Harry.
"What are you so upset at me about?" Lucius did seem extraordinarily angry at Harry.
"The Dark Lord had promised them to me! I spent a week with that obnoxious muggle woman listening to her brainless prattle about her dogs while plying her with muggle brandy. I was even forbidden to use magic against her at all in case it should be recognized by investigators."
Harry let the conversation flow around him. Vernon Dursley was objecting to the murder of his sister, Malfoy returned that she had been so common, murder hadn't even been necessary. Her gullibility let her think one of her precious dogs needed attention while she was deep in her cups. It had been the second attempt. Somehow she had drunkenly arrived safely the first time he'd convinced her to drive. That was when the Dark Lord had promised the torture of her brother since he was not allowed to take out his frustrations on her.
Silently Harry transformed into Shadow. The ropes fell off his arms as they changed shape. He focused on not being seen and blended into the shadows. He made his way to the nearest Death Eater watching the conversation between Malfoy and the Dursleys. He quickly nipped at the Death Eaters thigh and felt a small amount of venom discharge. The Death Eater gasped in surprise and slapped a hand to his thigh but Harry was already on his way to the second one. He dimly heard the first Death Eater lean against the wall as he bit the next Death Eater. He turned his attention to Malfoy. The first Death Eater fell to the floor and Malfoy turned in surprise. The sounds of the second Death Eater starting to stumble and fall came next and Malfoy turned and saw as Shadow stepped into the light. His eyes widened in fear as Harry leapt and swiped at his face with his claws, knocking Malfoy down. Once he was down, Harry quickly nipped at Malfoy, too, and stayed focused on him until he stopped moving.
Harry turned his attention to the Dursleys. Petunia was screaming hysterically. Dudley followed his fathers example and let loose his bodily functions. Vernon's eyes rolled back and he dragged his family down as he fainted. He landed on top of his wife and son and Harry winced as he heard the crack of their heads hitting the floor. All was silent.
Harry turned back into himself and reached down to search Malfoy's robes for his wand. He briefly thought about trying to capture these three Death Eaters somehow but knew he didn't have time. He didn't know how long until Voldemort arrived. He transformed into Flame and perched on top of the bound Dursley pile. Popping noises started around the room as Death Eaters and Voldemort apparated in. Within a fraction of a second, Harry flashed himself and the Dursleys away, before any of them could realize what had happened.
Harry appeared in his entrance hall. He hopped off the Dursleys and transformed back to himself. Tubow appeared nearby. Harry pointed his wand at the Dursleys and made the ropes fall off. Before Tubow even had a chance to greet Harry, Harry started issuing orders.
"Tubow, I need Tiz to see to my relatives. I don't know if they're just knocked out or if Vernon landing on them caused more damage." Harry was walking towards a writing desk against the wall. He took out a quill and was quickly scratching out a note while still talking to Tubow. "Winky?" She popped by his side. "You know Hogwarts. I need this letter to get to the Headmaster right away. If he's not there, find Dobby. He knows the way to Privet Drive. He may be there. Just do your best."
Tubow snapped his fingers and Tiz appeared. Tiz quickly snapped her fingers and Saavik and Fossa also appeared. They seemed to be able to communicate silently and quickly because Saavik and Fossa snapped their fingers and Harry's aunt and uncle started floating up the stairs with Tiz floating Dudley behind them.
Harry finished his note and handed it to Winky. "Please hurry." Winky nodded and popped away.
Harry took a deep breath and collapsed into a chair. It was only a few moments later when a flash of fire appeared and Dumbledore was standing there holding Fawkes tail feathers. Harry looked over to his Headmaster and said, "I hate portkeys."
Dumbledore gave a relieved smile and said, "Well, that answers my first question. It is definitely you, Harry." He took his wand out and sent a silvery ghostly bird towards the wall. He seemed to take a deep breath. "Can you tell me what happened?"
At that moment a scream came from upstairs. Aunt Petunia must have woken up. Harry shook his head towards his Professor and headed for the stairs. He followed the screams to a guest bedroom. Aunt Petunia was leaning over Dudley's bed brandishing a candlestick she had grabbed, threatening to bash any house elf that got too close.
"Aunt Petunia! Calm down. They're here to help," Harry shouted.
She turned and saw him in the doorway and screeched again. Dudley and Vernon were coming around as well; pulled by the delicate sounds of Aunt Petunia's screams. They both looked around at the unfamiliar house elves, Harry and Professor Dumbledore and jumped; inching as far back as they could, pointing accusing, shaking fingers at Harry.
"Y…you said you were going to k…kill us! Where are we!"
Harry had had enough of his relatives. "You are currently guests in my home. Of course I wasn't going to kill you. I was trying to buy us some time!" Harry looked at his frightened house elves. "You may go now. They're obviously going to survive. I apologize for what they put you through. Thank you."
The house elves nodded and quickly left.
Aunt Petunia's eyes were larger than normal which was saying something. "What were those things? What do you mean your home? What was that thing we saw?"
Harry made to move into the room and the Dursleys flinched back as one. Harry shook his head in disgust and sat in a chair near the door. Albus Dumbledore conjured another chair and calmly sat himself. Harry threw an apologetic look towards his Headmaster for taking the only seat. Dumbledore only gave a slight shrug to show he didn't mind. Harry's aunt and uncle obviously did mind as they both started yelling at the same time. "How dare you do that unnaturalness in front of us! We are decent people."
Harry had a headache and made an abrupt gesture with his hand towards his relatives. Suddenly their mouths were moving but no sound was coming out. He watched them until they realized they weren't getting anywhere and turned to face Harry with mutinous looks on their faces. Dudley hadn't been silenced since he hadn't been shouting, but he just looked from his mother to his father and whimpered.
"Harry," Dumbledore said to Harry reproachfully.
"Look, I've had a hard day. I have quite the headache between scar pains and Voldemort trying to dig through my brain. I don't need their noise on top of it all."
Harry then started explaining what had happened to Dumbledore and the Dursleys. He told how Lucius Malfoy had aided in Marge's accident and then convinced the Dursleys to bring Harry out of school to work for them. He spoke of the return to Privet Drive and how Voldemort was able to enter the house. Dumbledore's eyes grew thoughtful as he heard of the rituals to multiply Harry's blood. Harry then told how he had come up with the idea of using hatred of family to buy him and the Dursley's a little time, hopefully enough to get away. He briefly mentioned that during Lucius Malfoy's distraction with the Dursleys he had been able to quietly overpower the two other Death Eaters, implying that he'd stunned them. He decided to mention that while he had his back turned and was taking care of the other Death Eaters, some animal seemed to attack Malfoy. He didn't make eye contact with his Headmaster during this part. Dudley made another pathetic whimper and Dumbledore turned towards him.
"Did you see this animal, Mr. Dursley?" Dudley rapidly nodded his head up and down, making his multiple chins wobble. "Could you describe it to me?"
"It…it was h-horrible. It was bl-black and looked kind of like a wolf, but had these huge white fangs. Its body was like a skeleton. I could see every rib. It didn't have normal fur. It clawed Mr. Malison and then leaned over him like it was going to eat him. Then it looked at us. I don't remember anything after that. Just falling."
"Mr. Malison?" Dumbledore had a confused look on his face.
"Lucius Malfoy," Harry clarified.
Dumbledore looked thoughtful. "I can't recall any type of animal that fits that description. Do you have anything else to add, Mr. Dursley?" Dudley shook his head no as fast as he had nodded earlier which set his chins wobbling in a whole new direction.
"What of you Mr. and Mrs. Dursley?" They also shook their heads no. "So after that you managed to get them out? A phoenix, perhaps?"
Harry nodded. "Just as Death Eaters started apparating in, we left. I don't think they got much of a look at us leaving."
"I guess that gives me enough to start with. I need to report to the others that you are indeed safe and return to the school. Harry, could I have a word?" Harry nodded and he and Dumbledore left the room.
"Harry, I need to find out what has occurred at Privet Drive. I shall return shortly and we can discuss our options." Harry nodded, but he didn't like the sound of that. What did he mean 'options'?
Dumbledore called to Fawkes and disappeared in a flash of fire.
Harry leaned tiredly against a wall and blew out a breath. Once again, Professor Dumbledore let Harry's escape go by without too much question on precisely how. Harry hadn't even had to come up with an excuse this time. Harry strongly suspected Dumbledore knew about his phoenix form, but he would bet he knew nothing of Shadow.
Harry went to his room to clean up. He changed out of the ill-fitting clothes he'd been given and put on a tasteful, comfortable outfit with a wizard's robe over the top. It was obviously made of fine quality fabric. He headed back up the hallway towards the stairs to have some tea while he waited for Dumbledore to return.
"Harry?" A timid voice questioned him from up the hall. Harry looked over and saw Dudley peeking out from the room his relatives were in.
"What, Dud?"
"Could you do something about my mum and dad?" Harry had forgotten they were still silenced. Seemed a pity to remove it, but thought if he didn't have to be near them it would be okay.
"Sure," he casually waved a hand towards the room and removed the silencing charm. In an instant frantic whispers could be heard, "Duddy, come back here! Who knows what's lurking out there!" Harry shook his head and turned to walk away.
"Hey, Harry? Is this really your house?" Dudley was looking around in amazement at what he could see in the hall.
"One of them," Harry replied.
Dudley's eyes widened. He came out into the hall a little ways. "You have more than one? You have money or something?"
"Obviously, yes. I have money or something."
"How come you never told us?" Harry looked at him with a gaze that clearly stated how stupid that question was.
"You're going to give your mother a heart attack if you don't go back into the room."
Dudley got an annoyed look on his face and looked back into the room. "Shut it, already. I'm fine!" Harry inwardly winced at the rudeness he gave his parents, but it had been taught by them so it wasn't so surprising after all. Dudley turned back to Harry. "Can I look around? I'm bored in there. Hungry, too."
Harry sighed and nodded. He didn't really want Dudley around, but he supposed he should offer them something to eat. Maybe it would keep them occupied for a while. "I'll give you a warning. This is a wizard's house. Things aren't quite the same as they are at Privet Drive."
Dudley looked a little apprehensive, but nodded. He came into the hallway and followed Harry to the breakfast area. As Harry entered, the table filled with tea supplies. There were tarts, biscuits, scones and fruit with tea and pumpkin juice to drink. Dudley couldn't take his eyes off of the table. "How did that happen?"
Harry was putting a bit of everything on a trolley to wheel over to his relative's room. "The house elves sent it up."
"House elves?"
"You remember the little creatures when you woke up?" Dudley nodded. "They take care of me."
"They do that stuff you do, too?"
Harry rolled his eyes. "They have their own type of magic."
Dudley looked uncomfortable. "Ah…speaking of that, how did you do that to my mum and dad without using your stick?"
"I've learned how without 'the stick'. That way the Ministry can't track it and I can do as much as I want."
Dudley began to look afraid. "You mean you can do it anytime you want?"
Harry nodded. "Anytime I want." Harry could imagine Dudley's thoughts of how he had pushed him earlier. "Why don't you bring this to your mum and dad?" Harry indicated the tea trolley.
Instinctively Dudley started to rebel about doing any kind of work, but soon settled when he saw Harry's raised eyebrow. He gave a weak smile and started to push it up the hall.
Harry sat down and started to butter a scone. Tubow appeared near his elbow. "Harry Potter, sir. Professor Dumbledore has arrived and is waiting downstairs."
"Can you show him up, please?" Tubow nodded and left. Moments later Tubow led Harry's Headmaster to the table. "Thank you, Tubow. Have a seat, Professor. Would you like something to eat?"
The Headmaster helped himself to a raspberry tart. "Thank you, Harry."
Harry waited for a moment then asked, "So what's going on?"
Professor Dumbledore looked serious. "First, I want to thank you for getting word to me so quickly that you and the Dursley's were safe. It was only known that something was wrong when the Dark Mark went up over Privet Drive. The house was still standing at that time. The Order and I appeared shortly after along with several aurors. Your guard was found unconscious near the street. We believe he was left alive so he could give testimony that Voldemort himself was the one who did this. We were about to enter when Winky and Dobby arrived with your note. Just moments later the house exploded. We assume there was some sort of delay to hopefully trap us inside when it went."
"Was anybody hurt?" Harry was afraid to ask.
"Fortunately only superficial wounds. I don't believe anyone even needed to go to St. Mungo's."
"So what happens now?"
"The Dursleys have lost their home. From what you've told me, they have recently inherited another. They could temporarily move there while the home on Privet Drive is rebuilt. Unfortunately, Voldemort knows where that home is as well. The Ministry has agreed to put up standard wards to warn of any type of dark magic, but they will take a few days to put into place."
"Won't Voldemort just go after them again?"
"I don't believe so. The wards are a precaution in case I am mistaken, but I believe that Voldemort knows you have no great love for your relatives. He most likely believes they were taken with you only because they were there at the same time you were and it was no hardship for a bird like Fawkes to do so. I do not believe he thinks you would come after them if they were in distress."
"Lucius Malfoy would. He was angry he wasn't going to be allowed to torture or kill them. I think he would go after them in a minute."
Dumbledore sat back in thought for a moment. "You do have a valid point. Perhaps we can set a trap for Mr. Malfoy. It would mean that they could not move into the house as soon as we might wish. Would you have a problem with them staying here?"
Harry had been afraid that was coming. He didn't want his relatives in his home, but knew it was the safest place for them at this time. "They won't want to stay," Harry warned.
"Shall we see?" Harry and the Headmaster went to the Dursley's room. Harry knocked on the door. Dudley opened it and let them in.
Dumbledore re-conjured a chair and he and Harry sat. Professor Dumbledore explained what happened to Privet Drive and what the Ministry offered to do while it was to be re-built.
It had finally sunk in that their home was gone and Marge's death had something to do with Harry. Vernon was livid with rage. Petunia wasn't much better.
"I thought we were protected! How could this happen? You promised us that if we kept him under our roof, we couldn't be touched!"
Dumbledore's gaze was solemn as he answered Petunia. "I could not know he would placed such a high priority on killing Harry there that he would further transform himself to break the charm."
Harry had a sudden thought. "Professor? Wasn't he making himself more vulnerable by doing that? I mean, he had always before tried to become less human, but it sounds like he was actually reversing it to some degree with this."
Dumbledore looked over with a small twinkle in his eye. "I believe you are correct, Harry. That is why I was so sure he would never do this. Fortunately for us, his obsession over you has overtaken his original goal of immortality. For now at least."
"FORTUNATE! What in blazes could possibly fortunate in all of this?" Uncle Vernon's face was purple and spit was beginning to fly from his mouth.
"We are fortunate that we now have a better chance of defeating him once and for all with this step he took and all this can end eventually," was Dumbledore's calm reply. "To return to the subject, would you be willing to stay here until your new residence can be adequately warded?"
"What good would it do? Lord Voldie-whatsits knows where that is, too."
"He is focused on Harry. Since Harry need never to return to your care," Harry gave light snort. "Lord Voldemort shouldn't feel the need to bother you more than any other muggle. He has some clue of Harry's feelings towards you and I believe he would consider it more of a favor to Harry if something should happen to you. The last thing he wants to do is any favors for Harry Potter." Harry noticed that Dumbledore didn't mention Malfoy. He assumed Dumbledore was hoping that situation would be taken care of before they had to know.
"How long?"
"I would hope you could move on Sunday. You just need to get through this long weekend." Harry had the feeling that long didn't near describe how it would feel. For all of them. "The alternative, of course, it to take your own chances, totally unprotected, in the muggle world."
Vernon looked at Petunia. She gazed back and softly said, "For Dudley?"
"All right."