Chapter 4: Explanations and Explorations

Vernon Dursly was in shock. He had just found out that his wife, Petunia, was a… witch. He stared at her in disbelief. The wizard was looking from one to the other with an unreadable expression on his face. Then it hit him who had written the letter, "Who is Wings? Why did they call you Pet? Why did they mention your sister? What meeting? Why might they no-"

"Uncle Vernon!" Harry interrupted loudly, "I think you better let Aunt Petunia answer at least some of the questions before you ask too many." He glared at his nephew but nodded grudgingly.

"Pet is what Lily always called me. She called him wings that's why he used those names because he thought it would be easier for me to understand them without giving away who the author of the letter was." Here she looked at him and he nodded his affirmation.

"Why did she call him that?"

"I'm an animargus,"

"You're an ani-what?'

"An animargus, a person who can turn into an animal at will." Hermione cut in quietly.

"Very good Ms. Granger, I can turn into an animal; a raven to be precise."

"Aunt Petunia, did you go to Hogwarts?" Harry asked a true desire to know this little bit of information glitering in his emerald eyes.

"No, I didn't; I learned from Lily's school books once she got her letter two years later. I was the oldest you see."

"If you got a letter but didn't go," demanded her husband, "then why did you study… magic? Why did you get one of those… things?"

"wands," interrupted Harry's sister-like friend who was seated on his left across from Petunia in the living room. She'd kept silent out of respect for the woman and love for her nephew, but was getting iretated with Vernon Dursly's behavior.

"Yes," he glowered at the ever passive girl who sat by his nephew. Her neutrality was perhaps more vexing then it she'd screamed at him.

"I was afraid to. I was never brave like Lily. I wasn't willing to just leave the muggle world for one I'd never known before. I did want to learn so I taught myself everything from her books when she was done with them. Then in when she entered her fifth year I went with her to Diagon Ally. I got my wand there at the age of seventeen."

"Then she went and married the biggest anti-wizarding muggle I've ever had the misfortune of meeting." Severus' comment was cold and yet shared by all three of his students. They nodded in agreement, "Well, I'll see you three in September if our paths don't cross again before term begins. Remus will be by when he feels up to it and will remain here until that time. Ms. Hursman if I'm not mistaken your grandparents know you are here?" she nodded and he continued, "I will notify your parents then Ms. Granger of your presence here so they do not worry."

"Severus,' said Petunia, "Would it not be best if they left for the school, or another place before then? I know Harry hates being here and usually leaves around this time."

"Very well," he accepted and beckoned for them to follow him. They rose and left the room. Severus pulled out a shattered half of a tea cup he used as a port key.

They all touched it and felt the jerks behind their navels'. When they arrived outside Number 12 Grimold Place Harry groaned. He'd known that he would have to face this house again but not this soon. He would have turned to go but both Hermione and Amber had tight grips on his arms' to prevent that from happening. He braced himself for the tirade of insults he expected to hear as he stepped in but they didn't come.

He looked around the hall. Not much had been changed except for the absence of the screaming portrait of Sirius' mother. The majority of the space had been untouched except for images promoting the Black family and Pureblood supremacy. This was a relief but still this used to be Sirius' house.

Severus stepped aside as the girls led Potter upstairs. He knew they were going to show him the amazing changes made on the upper floors since his last visit. He would let the three friends explore the house at their leisure and decided to go chat with the Headmaster about the change of plans.

Harry was sitting in the drawing room with Amber and Hermione. He was looking around at the many pictures of his parents, Remus, and Sirius what lined the walls. These were interspursed among prictures of Harry, Ron, Hermione and other close friends he'd made at Hogwarts including Neville Longbotum, Luna Lovegood, and the youngest Weezly children.

The walls of this room were a dark golden-yellow and the carpet was a rich red. There was new furniture which matched the new Griffendore motif. This was only the first room on this improvised tour. The two Griffendore girls were quite at hime in this new room as they'd seen it before. They smiled at each other glad to see the wondering sparkle in their friend's eyes. He looked around at the several seating areas all positioned with a view of the main center of the room. The focus of the room was geared on the fireplace. On the mantle were several photos. Some depicted the trio and others the marauders, minus Peter. Behind these were small hidden compartments for protecting valuable objects and documents.

The girls rose, and indicated that Harry should follow them; this was only the first stop on tour with much more to come. He did so with an excitement and enthusiasm that they'd not seen in a while this heartened them greatly.