CHAPTER 13: The Trials of Susan Bones

Harry grinned widely as Dudley waved from the far side of the platform. Then he noticed his aunt talking to a rather eccentrically dressed older gentleman. He had a slightly receding hairline and coil-like curly blond hair. A pair of spectacles was nestled on the curls while another pair was on his nose. It appeared as though he was wearing a bathrobe, under a suit jacket, over a sweater. Both of his socks were a different colour, and he had an open-toed sandal on one foot and a bunny slipper on the other.

"Uncle?!" Susan cried in alarm. "What are you doing here?"

"Susan! It's wonderful to see you dear! What a surprise running into you here? What have you been up to since we last met?" the man replied with kind eyes.

"I was at Hogwarts uncle," Susan said quietly.

"Hogwarts?" the man questioned. Then he blinked. "Oh right!" he cried "Hogwarts! You go to Hogwarts!"

"Yes," Susan confirmed.

"And it's the Christmas holidays and I'm picking you up!" Hedrian finished, looking quite pleased with himself for figuring it out.

"You didn't have to though." Susan said in exasperation, "Mrs. Marsten could have come like always."

"Nonsense," Hedrian replied with a bat of his hand. "I can manage."

"Miss. Bones I presume?" Petunia said with soft but observant eyes. Susan seemed to notice the subtle scrutiny and straightened, becoming as business-like as her aunt.

"Yes. Susan Bones, a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Evans," she said smoothly. Petunia's eyebrows shot up, as a small smile pulled at the corner of her lip.

"You are most certainly your aunt's niece," she responded. "Pleasure to meet you as well dear." her face soured, "though I am afraid you have put me in a rather awkward position."

"Oh?" Susan asked worriedly, "how so?"

"This article that The Prophet has written is entirely unacceptable." Petunia declared before pulling out said paper. The teens looked at each other in worry. They'd purposely avoided the papers today, knowing it would be less than ideal. When Petunia showed then the front page both Susan and Harry flinched back at the headline.

HARRY POTTER: THE PLAYBOY OF HOGWARTS!

Boy-Who-Lived picks and chooses whoever he wants, regardless of their own feelings!

Jilted Lover of Potter's Latest Conquest Tells All!

"Cormac McLaggan you utter wanker!" Susan shrieked in horror as she pulled the paper from Petunia's hand, rather unceremoniously, and scanned it rapidly. As she reached the end of the column she shuddered. "As if I would sleep with that disgusting fu- er… jerk." Susan finished lamely. Petunia chuckled.

"Given the circumstance, I would forgive you for cursing." Petunia assured her. Then she huffed. "I would be taking the paper to task as we speak. Unfortunately, I find myself without my family lawyer."

"I see," Susan said with a sad slump. Petunia's lips pursed.

"I'm not blaming you, dear. But I do hope you can help me fix this." Petunia insisted.

"Of course." Susan declared, "just tell me what you need."

"Excellent!" Petunia said before she straightened up. "I'll need to borrow Hedwig dear."

"Why?" Harry asked.

"It seems Mr. Pike will be joining us for a Christmas tea,'' Petunia said with a slight huff. "An exclusive interview will be the only way to solve this." she looked at the young couple with distaste, "you'll both have to be present of course if that's alright with you Mr. Garret."

"How dare they!" Hedrian shouted into the paper. Seems that Susan's uncle had decided to peruse the article while they had been talking. "Never you worry Susan! Your aunt will straighten them right out!"

"Uncle…" Susan began slowly, "auntie Amy is…" Hedrian suddenly paled.

"Oh… oh sweet merlin… I'm so sorry dear it was only just last week…"

"Four months ago." Susan corrected snappishly. The man flinched.

"Four… four months?" he asked, eyes filling with distress. Susan took a deep breath

"I really should get my uncle home. I look forward to hearing from you Ms. Evans."

"Of course, my dear." Petunia replied slowly. Susan then turned and gave Harry a quick peck on the cheek before turning and half pulling her uncle away towards the floo station.

"Strange man." Petunia remarked, "kind… but very confused."

"It's a long story." Dudley supplied from where he'd been silently observing. "But damn she wasn't kidding. He must get up to some pretty weird stuff if he can't remember when his own family was killed…"

"Tell me about it," Harry responded with slight worry. He hoped Susan could cope. She was still hurting from her parents' death and aunt's disappearance. Having to constantly remind her uncle of what had happened wouldn't exactly be very healing. Petunia beckoned them away toward the muggle station. As soon as they walked through, Sirius transformed.

"Don't worry about her, pup." his godfather assured him with a sad smile. "Susan's a fighter. She'll be fine.'' All Harry could do was nod and hope his godfather was right.

"Harry! Dudley!" Ron cried exuberantly, "you made it!"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Dudley assured the tall ginger. The three of them rushed out from the chill evening ahead of petunia and Sirius for the warmth and light of The Burrow. Once inside Harry and Dudley were crushed by an overjoyed Molly Weasley. Petunia came in next, handing off a casserole dish and a wrapped pie to the hostess.

"Another sugar plum." Petunia explained, "since it was so popular last year."

"Wonderful!" Molly cried excitedly. "Severus will be so pleased."

"Severus?" Petunia cried.

"Snape is here?!" Sirius questioned in awe.

"Not yet." the matriarch admitted with a huff. "It's all rather complicated. I invited Minerva, who invited an old friend of hers, who in turn forced Severus to attend. I believe Minerva's friend might be related to him somehow." as soon as she said this the floo roared to life. Someone from the living room yelped in horror.

"Charlie Weasley, why are you blocking the floo!" Minerva's voice cried in irritation.

"Sorry professor!" the somewhat rough voice responded before Harry watched a familiar face poke into the kitchen.

"Mum!" he cried in a panic, "why's Snape here?!"

"I told you he was coming, Charles!" molly snapped. "Don't be rude!" Snape then moved into the kitchen. He scanned the occupants and scowled.

"Potter…. Black… Tuney."

"Severus," Petunia responded with a grin. "I brought my mother's sugarplum pie again." the man's face twitched.

"Is that Petunia Evans I hear?" a familiar voice cried in awe. Petunia froze.

"Mrs. Snape?!" she demanded with wide eyes. The woman pursed her lips.

"Madame." she corrected.

"Apologies." Petunia said. "Goodness I haven't seen you since I was fifteen!"

"Indeed." the woman then squinted at Dudley with calculating eyes, "I thought you looked familiar. Your Petunia's boy then aren't you?"

"Yes madame," Dudley said with a nod. Eileen looked at the pair of them before her eyes moved to Sirius. They narrowed subtly before she turned to Molly. "I'm told this was supposed to be a potluck of some kind?"

"Not necessarily." Molly said, "but anything you've brought will be helpful." Eileen then withdrew a basket from somewhere and handed it to her.

"Yorkshire pudding. They should still be hot."

"Oh, wonderful!" Molly cried.

"I brought haggis again," Minerva said as she handed the matriarch a tray. "Are we the first to arrive?"

"Yes. Everyone else should be here in an hour or so."

"Well." Eileen said, straightening up, "that will be a great time for us to catch up. Come along Severus. Petunia why don't you join us."

"Yes, mother." Snape drawled with an undertone of irritation. Harry watched his aunt walk off, talking rather animatedly to the older woman. Sirius turned and started poking around the kitchen.

"Nice to finally meet you," Charlie said before sticking his hand out to Harry for a shake. His hands were rough and covered in various nicks and burns. "Honestly comical how much we kept just missing each other all these years."

"Yeah." Harry agreed with a smile.

"By the way! Great work with the horntail! Some pretty stellar work if I do say so myself." Charlie said.

"Er… what happened to it anyway?" Harry asked, "after it ran into the bridge, I thought it'd…"

"Oh no, it wasn't dead! Dragons are tough cookies. It did knock her out cold for a few hours though. And she was in a bit of a tit for a few days after. I think she was a bit embarrassed. Probably mad at herself. All 'What sort of dragon flies into a bridge', ya know?" Charlie offered with a chuckle. Harry laughed too. "Honestly all of the dragons were kinda glum and annoyed the whole way back." Charlie began before he told an intrigued Ron, Harry, and Dudley about all the various quirks of the multitudinous dragons he worked with in Romania.

Harry sat on one of the sofas and just watched the party around him. Fred and George were getting in a discussion with Remus about some new product of theirs. Arthur was discussing with Minerva and Snape the plans for the new year. Aunt Petunia was still catching up with Eileen Snape. Ginny and Tonks were watching as Dudley and Ron played a round of wizards chess. Dudley was fairing a lot better than anyone else would, but Ron did seem to be excelling. Charlie was currently helping Molly with the finishing touches on dessert. Suddenly snuffles walked up to him.

"Hang on!" Harry cried with a laugh, "where'd you get a bow tie?!" the dog made a noise and straightened up, showing off his rather dapper red and white striped tie. Tonks looked up and winked across the room. Harry rolled his eyes. Suddenly the fire that had been merrily crackling away turned emerald and jumped up. A hush fell over the party as a final guest stepped through the floo.

"Susan!" Harry cried as he jumped to his feet. The girl grinned.

"Harry!" they shared a hug and a quick peck on each others' cheeks.

"Ah, Miss. Bones." Petunia said before passing the plate of hors d'oeuvres she'd been balancing on her knee to an unsuspecting Remus. "Glad you could make it. Is your uncle joining us?"

"He's… unwell." Susan finished. Petunia took the veiled explanation in stride.

"How unfortunate. Be sure to wish him well."

"I will."

"Ah!" Molly cried, "Hello dear. You must be Susan. You're just in time for dinner! If everyone would like to come in."

There was a momentous shuffle as everyone slipped into their seats. Sirius transformed right before Snape walked into the kitchen making the man nearly run into him. Judging by the old Animagus' grin that was entirely intentional. Dinner began with the usual insanity. Cacophonous and rowdy the Weasley boys fought for elbow room while the various guests tried to talk over the bickering. Suddenly over the din, a voice echoed.

"So! Susan! How did you and Harry meet?" Molly asked. Both Harry and Susan froze. There was no way in hell they could tell the truth. That would be insane and lead to quite a bit of shouting and turmoil.

"Hermione's study group."

"Dumbledore's army."

Both of them turned to each other in horror. Both Molly and Petunia rose eyebrows.

"Well?" Petunia drawled, "Which one is it?"

"Sorry." Susan said with a wince, "I didn't know if you all knew about dumbledores army… and since it was technically illegal-"

"Only an idiot could see that it wasn't necessary.'' Eileen snarked quietly. "Speaking of idiots, whatever happened to Cornelius in the end?"

"Indefinite House arrest." Arthur said between bites, "pending probation." Eileen sniffed in distaste.

"Slimy clarty ole berk," she muttered under her breath crassly. Petunia giggled beside her while Snape's cheeks pinked, and he hissed an admonishment at his mother. The woman scowled at her son and the two started bickering almost silently.

"So, you met through the army?" Molly asked again.

"Yeah." Harry said with a grin, "Susan was helping me teach a few defensive transfiguration spells. She's the best in our year, besides Hermione."

"Indeed?" McGonagall asked with a raised eyebrow. Both Harry and Susan looked at the professor with fear. They both knew that as far as McGonagall knew, Susan was struggling mightily this year. But after holding their gaze for a few seconds she turned to her wine silently.

"Well. You can help Harry then." Petunia remarked, "goodness knows his transfigurations marks have always been middling."

"Aunt Petunia!" Harry cried in shock with a bright red face. Then he scowled and muttered under his breath, "How do you know anyway?"

"I got your final marks every year, Harry." Petunia said quietly. "They came a week before Dudley's. And while I didn't always appreciate what they meant I do remember the grades. This is why I'm so pleased with how you've improved this year. Nice to see you diversify and grow your skills." Harry gapped at his aunt in awe. She'd remembered his grade since the beginning? Even though she didn't care or want him to go? Then he faltered. Aunt Petunia had never said anything against Harry going back to Hogwarts once he started attending. Vernon was the one who kept threatening to keep him home. She never threatened to keep him home. "At the end of the day, your education has always been important to me." Petunia finally said, as if she could interpret his thoughts from just his expression. "Even before I saw the light as it were." Harry smiled and turned back to his plate with a warm feeling in his chest.

"Remus's been teaching me magic," Dudley said matter-of-factly. Minerva McGonagall choked on her wine.

"He what?" she declared in shock turning to Remus with wide eyes.

"Well go ahead and show them," Remus said with a smile. Dudley grinned and pulled out his borrowed wand.

"Lumos!" he declared. Then there, flickering at the end of his wand was a pale sphere of dim light. Everyone around the table gaped at him in shock. Then Harry leapt up and gave his cousin a tight hug.

"That's brilliant Dudley!"

"Well done, pup," Sirius said with a grin. Dudley's chest puffed out. Then he faltered. Petunia was looking at the pair of them with tears slowly forming in her eyes.

"Come here," she whispered. Both boys walked to her side where she pulled them both into tight hugs. "I am so proud," she whispered. Then she gave Harry a kiss on his forehead, just left of his scar, "of both of you." they stayed there for several minutes. No one raised a brow and continued dinner. Though McGonagall looked very very confused. And Remus could tell that she'd be interrogating him later.

Harry watched from the doorway with a smile as Susan chatted away with Mrs. Weasley and his aunt about the sugar plum pie in front of them. Or rather what was left of it. He had just watched Snape grab a third slice. Susan had a family recipe for sugar plum pasties that she was explaining to them. Evidently, she'd successfully won over both women. Harry was glad. He had been pretty nervous about Susan not getting on with them, but she was well on her way to getting her own Weasley sweater for sure.

"Harry." Sirius suddenly muttered, coming up to Harry's elbow. "Come, Arthur wants to talk to us."

"Bout what?" he asked curiously. Sirius pulled him away to a somewhat secluded corner just off the stairs. Arthur was sitting on a stool looking at Remus and Dudley with an intrigued look. Once Sirius and Harry stood in front of them Sirius nodded. "Go ahead, Arthur."

"Right." the patriarch said with a raised eyebrow, "so Sirius asked me to look into something at the start of the year. Something that you say Draco Malfoy was inspecting in Borgin and Burke's?"

"Oh yeah!" Harry recalled, "I completely forgot about that! So, what was it?"

"Sirius was correct," Arthur confirmed with a slow nod. "It was indeed a vanishing cabinet."

"I knew it!" Sirius said with a grin. "So, what did the little blighter do with it? I told you how Greyback was there-"

"Greyback?" Remus cut in looking worried. "What was Draco Malfoy doing hanging around with Fenrir Greyback?"

"Burke wouldn't say." Arthur answered slowly, "not that I was terribly surprised. He wasn't exactly pleased about The Ministry poking around." he straightened up, "as for where its went, that question is rather easy to answer. Nowhere."

"What do you mean nowhere?" Dudley asked in confusion.

"It's still there." Arthur said, "Draco didn't buy it. Just inspected it. And probably discovered the same thing we did."

"Which was?" Sirius asked.

"It's broken," Arthur said matter-of-factly. Harry blinked.

"Broken?" Sirius demanded, "why would he care about a broken vanishing cabinet?!"

"Could…" Harry began worriedly, "could it be used as some kind of weapon?"

"That's highly unlikely," Remus assured him quickly.

"A vanishing cabinet is a highly complex magical object." Sirius explained quietly, "but you'd have to do something truly egregiously wrong to cause some kind of reaction without stepping inside of it."

"Could you secretly force someone inside?" Harry questioned worriedly.

"It's a massive wardrobe!" Dudley reminded him with a roll of his eyes, "not exactly inconspicuous!"

"Right,'' Harry said with a wince, "so it's probably not that…"

"Thank you, Arthur," Sirius said with a nod. The man rose an eyebrow.

"Why are you thanking me? Seems I've given you more questions than answers."

"Perhaps… I can think of one question-" he cut himself off and caught Arthur's eye. The older wizard suddenly straightened, seemingly being able to read Sirius's intentions in an instant. He smacked his knees with both hands and suddenly stood and left their little secluded circle, giving Harry a pat on the shoulder as he passed. Remus looked after him before giving Sirius a questioning frown. "Where is Snape right now? Do you know?"

"Last I saw Severus was in the study getting berated by his mother about missing her birthday," Remus remarked with a chuckle, then he leaned forward with an intrigued grin. "Did you know she was still alive?"

"Later," Sirius said quickly. "There's something you should know."

"What?"

"Apparently," Harry began under his breath, "Snape has made an unbreakable vow regarding some task that Draco has been put up to."

"He what?!" Remus hissed under his breath. Then he took a deep breath and thought over what Harry said before narrowing his eyes, "he told you this?"

"Well…" Harry began with a scratch at the back of his head, "I heard him say it." Remus instantly began pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Harry," he began slowly, "your relationship with Severus hasn't always been very constructive."

"We've reconciled," Harry said quickly. "I trust him with my life."

"Since when?!" Sirius snapped angrily. Harry flinched.

"I don't tell you everything." Was his quiet response.

"And what is this task that Draco has been asked to do?" Remus asked.

"He didn't say," Dudley admitted.

"And who do you think put him up to this task?"

"Well, I think," Harry began. Dudley groaned. "Oh come on! Even you said it sounded more plausible!"

"Plausible. Not true." His cousin reminded. Remus gave a questioning look. "Harry thinks Draco is a Death Eater. I told him that he was barmy until he got proof."

"Well, how am I supposed to get that?!" Harry demanded, "walk up to him and demand to see his left arm? Not bloody likely!"

"Harry, given the current climate that is a- Severus!" Remus cut himself off as the sour professor suddenly entered their little circle. He looked very stoic, but Harry swore he could see a vein throbbing. Evidently, his mother was driving him a bit insane with all her nagging, though Harry knew the man loved her dearly, given how he spoke of her. The man cleared his throat.

"Your aunt wished me to inform you that she wishes to leave in the next twenty minutes." He said to Harry. Harry nodded.

"Thanks, professor." As the man turned to leave Harry remembered something. "Oh by the way sir, my aunt has three more pies at home. If you want one all you have to do is owl." The man sniffed and turned on his heel with a swish, made slightly less impressive by the lack of his teaching robes.

"Well, that owl will be there with a day," Sirius remarked with a snort.

"A day? Are you kidding? Hedwig will be waiting for us when we get home!" Dudley insisted. Remus tossed Harry a raised eyebrow and the teen shrugged.

"We talk about my mum mostly… and a bit about other stuff." He shrugged again. "He knew her before Hogwarts. They were like siblings… even after Aunt Petunia stopped being her sister."

"Indeed, he was." Remus remarked, "for a time." Harry instantly knew what he was referring to.

"We don't talk about… that time." He admitted quietly.

"Evidently." He said with a frown. Then suddenly Tonks poked her head around the corner.

"Hey Remus, Molly is putting together leftovers for Madame Snape, do you want a plate put together as well?" She asked. The werewolf grinned.

"Yes, please. Thank you, Dora." The metamorphagus grinned and disappeared. Sirius's grin was smug. "Shut up. Didn't your mother ever tell you to stop smirking or your face will get stuck?"

"No, and I'm not smirking, smirking is what Slytherins do, I'm grinning, like a dog!" Sirius insisted. Then he stood up and transformed. Dudley started snickering.

"Can't take you seriously with that goddamn bowtie." The dog barked happily and trotted out of the room.

"Harry." Remus called before the teen could leave, "my advice for the Snape question would be to ask Dumbledore." Harry blinked.

"That's… pretty damn obvious! God, why didn't I think of that?" He said honestly.

"Experience is the easiest road to wisdom." Remus offered with a smile. "In all likelihood, Dumbledore sent Severus to find out what exactly young Mr. Malfoy is up to. I bet you anything this unbreakable vow is one of his machinations."

"I'll ask him." Harry promised with a grin, "Thanks, Remus."

"Any time." The man responded. Dora suddenly appeared again.

"Oh, there you are, Harry! Your aunt is looking for you. And Remus! You left your cane in the other room again! You've got to stop leaving it around." She said with a good-natured jab with it in his side. Harry snickered as he walked away. Honestly, they acted like an old married couple sometimes.

"Harry dear there you are!" Aunt Petunia said with a huff, "hurry up! It's late! Saint Nicholas only comes when children are sleeping you know!"

"Muuummm." Dudley groaned with a roll of his eyes. The woman harumphed before taking her potion and stepping into the flames.

"Five galleons," Dudley remarked.

"You're on," Sirius said with a grin before he followed the woman. Once Dudley and Harry followed into Mrs. Figg's sitting room the four thanked her and made their way back to Privet Drive. As soon as Dudley's shoes were off, he made a b line for the kitchen door. As he opened it he looked back with a cheeky grin.

"Pay up." Sirius groaned skyward.

"What are you boys on about now?" Petunia demanded with a frown. Hedwig made an expectant noise at Dudley. "Is that post? At this time of night?" Harry laughed loudly into the night.

A/N: Happy Update Day!

No quirky notes today; Just a sweet chapter with some minor foreshadowing!

Rori Potter & ILoveGeorgeEads: Thanks a bunch!

See you next week!

Don't forget to keep on reading

-TTC