Chapter Seventeen
As soon as Harry got back from school, Remus and Sirius sat down and explained the situation to him.
"So, Dumbledore is trying to scare the Dursleys into making me say I like it here?" asked Harry.
Remus nodded, "yes."
Harry frowned, "And he's saying bad things about Uncle Padfoot so they'll be scared of him?"
Sirius nodded, "that's right, pup."
"And I remember you told me before that we want to keep the trunk secret, and that I know you, right?"
"So what can we do to make him leave us alone? I just want to be a family and go to school." Harry asked, scowling, "why does he have to be so mean? Why can't I have a family? Why did he take me here?"
Sirius ruffled his hair and pulled him into a hug, "That, pup, is something even we don't know."
"But," said Remus, patting Harry on the back, "there are a couple of things we can do,"
"What?" asked Harry eagerly, "I want to help!"
Sirius laughed, "OK pup. The first thing we can do is tell the Dursleys to set up the meeting."
Remus nodded, "you'll go to Mrs. Figg's, but you'll have to pretend you don't know us. Or about magic."
"Can you do that, pup?" Sirius asked.
Harry nodded hesitantly, "I think so."
"OK," said Remus, "that's one thing we can do. Another thing is to let me go Polyjuced as you."
"Like you did when we went shopping?" Harry asked.
"Exactly," said Sirius, "the only problem with that is you'd be here alone with the Dursleys."
Harry made a face, but then put on a determined look, "I was alone with them before you came. And I can just stay in the trunk now. I know they won't do anything, 'cause you'd just kick their butts!"
Sirius and Remus both laughed at that, "true," said Sirius, "so true!"
"So, what do we want to do?" asked Remus, still chuckling.
Harry bit his lip and thought for a minute, "Polyjuice, I think. I think I could do it, but I don't want to mess up. If Dumbledore finds out about this," he gestured to the trunk, "he'll try to take it away. And try to take you away. I don't want him to take my family!"
Sirius and Remus both hugged him, "he'll never take us away, pup," said Sirius, "if he finds out, we'll just go somewhere else."
"No one will ever keep us from you again," said Remus, ruffling Harry's already messy hair.
Harry looked up, "promise?"
"I promise," said Sirius.
"And so do I," said Remus, "no one will ever keep me away again."
"Good!" said Harry happily, "what do we do next?"
"Next, we talk to the Dursleys," said Remus.
"Should we tell them about the Polyjuice?" asked Sirius, "or just make them think it's Harry?"
"Hmmmm," Remus sighed, "what do you think?"
"I don't know," said Harry.
"Maybe," said Sirius, "we should only tell them if it's necessary. Let them think you're Harry, and see what they do."
Harry looked up fearfully, "but-but Uncle Vernon could hurt you! If he thinks you're me, he could do something bad!"
"I don't think so cub," said Remus, "he'll know you're going to 'meet' Sirius, so I don't think he'd do anything."
"But-"
"If he tries anything," said Sirius with a growl, "it will be his worst mistake. We'll just stop the whole thing and leave for Potter Island. I have the portkey."
"We can use the mirrors," Remus said, "if he tries anything, I'll Apparate back here and call Padfoot, then he'll come home, we'll pack up the trunk and be gone in five minutes."
"OK," said Harry.
"Then it's time to have a chat with the Dursleys." said Sirius.
…..
"So," said Vernon snarkily, "you want us to take the boy to the Figg woman's house?
"Exactly," said Remus.
"You want me to interrupt our plans and put ourselves out because some fr-"
"Remember," said Sirius, eyes flashing menacingly, "our rule about that word."
Vernon gulped audibly, but persisted, "You want me and my family to drop everything and put ourselves out, just to take the fr- boy somewhere, and pick him up again?"
"That's why you set the meeting," said Remus, "so you can decide the time. And you'd be taking Harry there before any 'plans' if we weren't here anyway, so…"
Vernon scowled darkly, he'd been hoping for another payday. Bad enough they stopped the money we were getting to take care of the little freak, he thought angrily, now they want us to stop everything just so they can play mind games with the freak who left him here. And they won't even pay us for doing it!
Sirius smirked knowingly, "let me guess, you thought you'd be getting paid for it, like last time?"
Vernon nodded grudgingly, and let out a huff
"You should be glad I don't sue you for the money you got for taking care of him even when you beat him daily." the last three words were said with a vicious snarl that made Vernon pale with fear.
"We paid you the first time," said Remus, "because you did need to stop your plans. If it happens that way again, which it might at least for school shopping, you will be compensated. However, for everyday things like this or school. Just consider it as paying Harry back for those years."
Vernon nodded grudgingly, his face a blotchy pale white, "All- alright, then." he stammered.
"We can set it for next Saturday," said Petunia timidly.
"All right," said Remus, "write the letter and I'll look it over, then you can call for Fawkes."
Vernon sighed, he'd been hoping they wouldn't look at the letter, "all right, then. Where's the paper, Petunia? The sooner we get this over with, the better."
"I agree," said Remus.
Sirius only looked at Vernon and smirked evilly.
Vernon saw the look and paled again.
A\N: Another chapter! Thanks to everyone who reviewed, followed, and favorited this story, you guys are great! Reading your reviews always makes me smile. Next chapter, the "meeting" with Sirius and a surprise for Dumbledore. Please read and review! See you soon.
Kiani Skyrider
