DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of it, JK Rowling and associates own all rights, no infringement intended, no money is being made, unfortunately.
WARNING; Pre-slash if you do not like do not read remember you have freedom of choice. Reviews appreciated but no flames those will be ignored.
PAIRINGS: HP/DM, SS/RL, GW/OC, RW/HrG, NL/LL
A/N: Thanks you for the reviews and thank you PineappleCube for the suggestion.
Chapter 3
Harry woke to the sound of Hedwigs soft hoots in his ear. Grumbling he groped for his glasses on the floor, not finding them, he pulled his wand from under his pillow and muttered "Lumos." A soft light filled the room and after rubbing his eyes finally located his glasses, under the potions book he had been reading the night before. Looking at the window, he noticed that it was not yet dawn and groaned loudly. Flopping back on his bed, he turned his head to survey the room and located his owl perching on the nightstand next to her was a grey spotted owl with an envelope attached to it's leg.
Reaching over Harry carefully removed the letter and noticed the red wax seal embossed on the back with the Hogwarts Coat of Arms the Slytherin snake, Gryffindor lion, Ravenclaw eagle, and Hufflepuff badger. Looking at the owl, he fished out some owl treats from the box under his bed and gave them to it. Snatching the treats, the owl flew back out the window. Harry looked back at the letter in his hand and breaking the seal; he pulled out the parchment inside and began to read:
Dear Mister Potter,
As you know all students fifth year & above can perform minor help spells during the summer provided, they are in the home and away from Muggles. In your case, the Ministry amended the rules to allow you to perform defensive and attack spells at need provided you show true cause and prevent any Muggles from observing the results. In the event of a defence or attack spell being cast an Auror will Apparate to your location immediately to evaluate the situation and to transport you to safety if necessary. I know that you will not abuse this privilege and have informed the Ministry as such.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorcerer, Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
P.S. Harry,
Do not worry, the Phoenix members will continue to monitor you when you are outside your home. In the event of an attack, please allow them to fight while you escape. I know that this is hard for you but you must understand how essential you are to the cause and protect yourself at all costs.
Albus Dumbledore
Harry groaned aloud then began muttering under his breath, "Interfering old coot, like I'm really going to be tossing spells around for the whole world to see. I can see Snape now; if I get attacked he'll use it as an excuse to just stun me and then Apparate us both out of there." He pulled the covers over his head and decided he was going back to sleep and worry about it later. Sometimes he wondered why he could not just have a normal life.
Soon he heard Aunt Petunia shouting from the door "Get up boy it's time to get breakfast ready." Muttering he dressed in one of Dudley's old t-shirts and a baggy pair of jeans. Looking in the mirror, he decided to go shopping that very day and buy some decent clothes for once. Remus had handed him a money pouch before leaving telling him it was his allowance and was to be used for personnel expenses only (with a quick glare at his uncle), if he needed more to just send an owl. He did not want Uncle Vernon to know that he had any money of his own so had been grateful to Remus for the small deception. Now he actually had pocket money for the summer.
Arriving in the kitchen, he began to cook breakfast. His aunt just ignored him and swept out of the room, Harry sniggered to himself and thought she needed lessons from Snape on how to do that properly. Dudley walked in at that moment and shot him a questioning glance Harry just shrugged and continued to cook the bacon. Dudley proceeded to help him get breakfast together.
Later as they all sat at the table, Dudley informed his parents that he and Harry were attending a summer recreation program together beginning next week. You could have heard a pin drop; looking at the stunned faces of his Aunt and Uncle, Harry hid a grin. Then Dudley told them that they had declared a truce and decided to live and let live or at least keep the hostilities to a minimum.
Uncle Vernon turned red and had immediately turned on Harry and threatened to knock him into the wall if he did not release his precious son from whatever magic spell he had placed on him.
When Vernon pulled back his fist, Harry shot to feet at the same time pulling his wand from his sleeve. Pointing it at his uncle, he said, "You had better not even try it!"
Vernon blustered saying, "We both know you can't use magic away from that freak school or you'll be expelled boy. Now release my son from whatever curse you've put on him." By the end, he was bellowing. Dudley was yelling he was not under any magic spell and to leave Harry alone and Aunt Petunia was screaming at him to leave the room and not touch her family.
Harry backed up into the hall with Vernon right in front of him with a look of murder on his face. Dudley was hanging on his arm trying to get him to listen to him. Harry was shouting that he could use magic and if he didn't stop, he would prove it. Just as he was about to shout a spell to freeze Vernon in his tracks there was an explosion at the door. Everybody froze and stared down the hallway to the entrance.
The door swung open and standing in the doorway was a tall dark figure enveloped in a black cloak that billowed behind him as stepped in to the foyer. In a quiet deadly voice he spoke, "What is happening here. Perhaps Mister Potter you would be willing to tell me what this commotion is all about. Moreover, kindly refrain from pointing your wand at me unless you want me to take it away from you. Put it away this instant!"
Harry realised that he had instinctively turned placing himself in front of his family in a protective manner and was pointing his wand at the door. Lowering his hand, he blushed slightly and muttered that it was just a misunderstanding.
"A misunderstanding Mister Potter, there was enough yelling going on here that you would think Longbottom was exploding another cauldron. So I repeat what is happening here since I am sure you are at the bottom of things as usual," Snape sneered at Harry.
Dudley moved up next to Harry "Sir it's my fault. I made a truce with Harry and my dad found out about it just now. He threatened Harry because he thought he had me under some kind of magic spell. Dad tried to attack Harry and he was just trying to keep away from him."
Snape looked at Vernon as if he was bug under foot "You tried to attack Potter? Your nephew is an arrogant, annoying, rule-breaking prat however while he is under your care you will not lay a hand on him unless you feel like losing that hand. Understood!" Vernon just nodded dumbly and shrank back against the wall. Snape turned to Harry and said, "I wish to speak to you privately. Now!"
"Yes sir" Harry muttered aloud while inside he was cursing. Why did it have to be Snape of all people on duty? He would never hear the end of this. In addition, what the hell was that threat to his uncle all about, it's not like the greasy git cares anyway "We can talk in my room, please come with me." Turning Harry led the way upstairs. Once in his room he faced the irate potions master and spoke defiantly "I apologize for getting you involved in the commotion downstairs. It won't happen again."
"So you say but we all know Potter that trouble seems to follow you for no reason." Snape spoke slowly as if to a two year old. Harry gritted his teeth but didn't say anything. Snape continued, "The headmaster wishes you to resume Occulmency lessons as soon as possible. Beginning next week, someone from the Order will arrive to pick you up and take you to Grimmauld Place for lessons. One can only hope that this time you will be putting some effort into your studies and not waste my time"
Harry kept chanting in his head, Snape is an ally; Insults are not worth fighting about; Your an adult even if he isn't; Over and over and over. He was not going to let Snape push his buttons this time. He knew Snape was only trying to get a reaction from him and he was not going to give it to him. He could do this. Of course, when Snape left he was going to break a few things to feel better but Snape would never know he got to him. Taking a deep breath Harry asked politely "What time do I need to be ready." Snape, visibly surprised that he had not said anything rude actually responded in a normal tone of voice. "2:00 Tuesday. Try and be ready on time." Snape recovered and giving his usual sneer swept out of the room.
Harry waited until he heard the front door close. Moving close to the bed, he sat down and began hitting the mattress with his fists all the while muttering curse words. Flopping back on the bed he pulled his pillow over his face and screamed "Snape you ugly greasy git" at the top of his lungs. He heard a muffled voice asking "You alright?" Taking down the pillow, he saw Dudley standing in the doorway. "Yeah that's just the way I deal with Snapeitis. How's everything downstairs."
Dudley shrugged his shoulders "Dad's drinking at 9:00 in the morning and mom is lying down with a migraine. You never said being un-enemies would be this exciting." Harry grinned "Well look at the bright side at least Snape didn't hex anybody. Trust me for him this was mild behaviour."
Dudley shook his head "So, you want to do something together?" The question was asked in such a way that Harry knew a negative response was expected. Harry thought about it and decided then even when he was huge, Dudley had decent taste in clothes; "Yeah actually I do. You want to go to the stores with me. I need to get some decent clothes." Dudley nodded "Yeah I wouldn't mind getting some new jeans these are not in style at the moment. Let me get some money from dad and I'll meet you downstairs." Harry raised an eyebrow now that he thought sounded like the old Dudley. This was going to take some time to get used to Oh well, clothes first deep thoughts later.
tbc