Author's Note: I edited this chapter a bit, so it will be easier to read and understand. I also went back and edited Chapter One.

Chapter Two
Sir Nicholas and the Fat Lady


Harry landed with a thump, thankfully on his back because he still had Hedwig in his cloak. "Get off me Potter!" "Sorry Professor." Harry got to his feet and took his beloved owl out of his cloak. "Hedwig, go to the owlery"
The owl nipped his ear affectionately before souring out the window. Harry took a look around, they were definitely in Hogwarts, and the trophy room from his fourth year to be exact, though why Dumbledore would set the portkey up for this room was beyond Harry.
"Errr welcome to Hogwarts everybody"His relatives looked around nervously.

Just then the door opened to reveal Minerva McGonnagal. "Severus, Remus, Mr. Potter. I'm glad to see you all made it here safely."
Turning she looked at Harry's relatives. "Mr. And Mrs. Dursley." Seeing McGonnagal eyeing Dudley Harry spoke up "This is my cousin Dudley"
"Ahh of course. Now please follow me and I will show you to your rooms. Headmaster Dumbledore will explain the situation to you tomorrow morning at breakfast. Mr. And Mrs. Dursley, you will be staying in the guest wing of the castle. Dudley, you will be staying with Mr. Potter in Gryffindor Tower until another location can be found for you or even until you leave."
"What? You expect my Dudders to share a room with that freak!"

At the word "freak" McGonnagal bristled. "Yes Mrs. Dursley, I do expect this. Gryffindor Tower is Mr. Potter's house dormitory and where he is most comfortable. You will not refer to Mr. Potter as a "freak" since he is most defiantly NOT one!"
Vernon was sputtering while Petunia had a very pinched look. Dudley looked dumbfounded as usual. "Now, please follow me. Mr. Potter I trust you can find the dorms?" She turned to Harry and gave him a very small smile.
"Yes Professor, will I be staying in my normal dorm room?"
"Where else in the Tower would you stay? The girl's dorm?" "Err no. Ok then, goodnight Professor's, Remus, Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia. Come on Dudley"

He was about to walk about the door when he turned back "Hrmm professor McGonnagal? I have my trunk and I've never brought it up the stairs myself. I don't think I can manage hauling it up that far"
McGonnagal did give Harry a smile at that point. "Not to worry Harry (Harry widened his eyes at the use of his first name), you have been given permission to use magic while staying here at Hogwarts"
Upon hearing that his cousin could freely use magic, Dudley clamped his hands over his bottom and squeaked.
"Oh, all right then. Thank you. Come on Dudley!"

Harry was walking briskly through the Entrance Hall when he heard Dudley squeak behind him."What is it Dudley?"
"A guh-guh ghost!"
Harry turned to where Dudley was pointing a trembling finger. He smiled at the very familiar specter.
"Hello Sir Nicholas! I didn't think I would see you so early!"
"Young Mr. Potter! What are you doing back in Hogwarts during the summer, we don't have a summer session."
Sir Nick was smiling at Harry. "Ahh I wish it were something like that Sir Nick. Voldemort found out where I am and I had to be brought here for the summer."
"Bad luck that, Harry. It really is too bad that us ghosts can't be of much use to you in the war." Spying Dudley Sir Nick smiled "Ah a muggle! Who is this young man Harry?"
"Oh, I'm sorry Nick! This is my cousin Dudley. My Aunt and Uncle will also be staying here for a bit. Dudley, this is Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington. He is the resident ghost for Gryffindor House, my house."
Dudley was making a lovely impersonation of a fish. "Hello cousin of Harry Potter, I am honored to meet the family of this gallant Gryffindor."
Harry turned a lovely shade of Crimson.
"Er, yes. Well Nick I need to show Dudley to the Tower. I hope to see you again soon." "Oh count on it Harry. Grey Lady and the Fat Friar are visiting their friends in other parts of England. The only company I have is the Bloody Baron and Peeves. I hope to have an intelligent conversation this summer. Good night Harry, young Dudley!"

After Nick left Harry turned to Dudley. "Honestly Dudley, close your mouth."
Harry was suddenly feeling very sorry for his cousin, who was whisked to a wizard school in the middle of the night with little to no warning. He decided to try and make it easier on his cousin by explaining basic Hogwarts tips.
"Ok come on Dudley, let's go. Nick is the house ghost for Gryffindor House. The Bloody Baron is the house ghost for Slytherin. The Fat Friar belongs with Hufflepuff while the Grey Lady is the Ravenclaw ghost. Peeves is just a poltergeist that likes to terrorize us students. Best stay clear of him."
Dudley was still staring bug eyed "Erm, you have ghosts?"
"Yes, but only witches and wizards can become a ghost. Now come on, it's a long walk to the Tower"

When they got to the staircase Dudley groaned.
"Oy, what now Dudley!"
"All those stairs! And they're…they're moving! Are they even safe? And do not even think about asking me carry your trunk up there!"
"First off Dudley, those stairs are very safe. Just hold on to the banister. Secondly, wingardium leviosa!"
Harry's trunk started floating.
"See? Magic is good for something, and very convenient to use! Now come on, we have seven flights."

They finally reached the foyer of Gryffindor Tower and approached the Fat Lady.
"Mr. Potter! I am glad that you and your relations were able to escape safely! I daresay that the Headmaster was too busy to give me a new password so I shall request you make up the password for the summer."
"Err ok, how about "Golden Snitch?"

"Ahh a Quidditch word. Are you still the Seeker for Gryffindor?"
"Yes I am." Seeing Dudley staring in shock at a talking painting Harry turned back to the Fat Lady
"Maam this is my cousin Dudley. My aunt and uncle will be staying in the guest area while Dudley will be staying with me. Dudley, this is….errr….well I don't rightly know if you go by anything other then "Fat Lady"
Harry blushed looking down at his shoes.
"Oh, so polite as to be embarrassed about calling me fat. It's quite alright dear. You may just refer to me as the Fat Lady or the Pink Lady. It's a pleasure to meet you dear, we usually don't see muggles here at Hogwarts! Well I can't keep you two up all night!"
"Of course not maam. Golden Snitch"
The portrait swung open.

"Good night dears!"

"Welcome to Gryffindor Tower's common room. Now while you are here there are rules that you will be following."
"And why should I follow any of your rules Potter?"
"Because, dear cousin, you are in my school, on my territory. This is my house common room and up there is my house dorm, I have house pride and do not want you fouling up my tower. Now the dorm we will be staying in is on the left staircase and to the left. My bed it the one with the Puddlemere United Quidditch team poster along with the photos of my parents and Hedwig. You may stay in Ron's bed, which has the Chudley Cannon's poster. Ignore the poster since the team member's might try to sway you into being a fan for their team! While in the Tower you are to not touch anything without asking me. You will stay out of my trunk and you will not be bothering me while I am doing my homework. Clear?"

"Whatever Potter. I don't want to be stuck with you in this freakish place. I just want to sleep, the bed won't eat me will it?"
"No but the Tower can get pretty hot, I know since I'm in here at the end of summer and it's the beginning now. I can put a cooling charm on your bed so you don't overheat if you wish?" "No! No ma-ma-magic"
"Fine. Goodnight Dudley"