Chapter Forty-Three
For the next three weeks, Harry avoided Dudley as much as possible. This was made much easier by the fact that Ms. Simons also kept a hawk eye on the bully.
But on Wednesday of the fourth week, Harry knew that his cousin would try something very soon. For one thing, Dudley had been giving him looks all week. Another reason for his suspicion showed itself that morning when he entered his classroom. An unfamiliar man stood in Ms. Simons' usual place. They had a substitute. Whatever Dudley had planned, it would be today.
Harry quickly went to his seat in the front, far away from Dudley, who sat in the back. The teacher took attendance, then he passed out worksheets.
…..
The rest of the morning Harry kept one eye on Dudley, though he was still able to finish the busywork easily. When heading out to lunch, he made sure to stay as close to the teacher as possible. At recess, he sat by the monitor and read a book. But soon enough school was over. Some of his school friends had agreed to help hide him, but they all got to their houses before he did.
Just as he'd separated from the crowd, he heard one of Dudley's gang shout, "there's the freak!"
Harry ran.
"Get him!" Dudley yelled.
Harry could hear the pounding of footsteps behind him, he was still more than two blocks from home. He saw that one of the gang had slipped in front of him, so he whipped into a nearby alley and ran to hide behind the trash bins in one corner. The gang was right behind him, so he jumped to get behind the bins quicker. All he could think was I wish I was home!
And then he was gone.
…..
Sirius sat in the trunk's living room. Although they were out of the Dursleys' house and could have easily lived at Potter Manor, with a portal to Arabella's for Harry's school, they had all come to see the trunk as 'home' and couldn't bear to leave it. Remus had just walked in with two cups of tea when there was a sudden loud CRACK and a very tired and disheveled Harry appeared right in front of the fireplace.
They were both at his side in an instant, Remus cast a quick diagnostic spell before saying a word.
"Pup! What happened?" asked Sirius.
At the same time Remus asked, "are you hurt?"
Harry wasn't hurt, but he was very tired, he was just able to mumble, "M fine. Dudley-" before slumping in Sirius' arms, fast asleep.
….
Sirius paced the living room, hands clenching and unclenching as he walked. Harry lay fast asleep on the nearby couch. He wasn't hurt, just some minor magical exhaustion, he'd be asleep a while yet, but otherwise unharmed. Much to their relief. Problem was, not worrying about Harry gave Sirius time to think, and thinking gave rise to his temper.
"I really just want to hex the little brat!" Sirius snarled, " him and his little friends!"
Remus nodded, " so do I, but we can't."
Sirius threw up his hands in frustration, "I know! But what can we do?"
Remus sighed, "I don't know. There's not much. We can talk to the school, but since I don't think it happened there they can't do anything. We can talk to the parents but-"
"Fat lot of good that did last time." Sirius sighed, sitting in the chair next to Harry's couch.
"Pretty much what I was going to say," said Remus.
Sirius sighed, "at least Harry's OK."
Remus nodded.
Just then the fire flared, and Augusta and Neville came through. Both went straight for Harry and pulled kitchen chairs close to his couch.
"Is he all right?" asked Augusta, and when they both nodded, she breathed, "oh thank Merlin!"
The two Longbottoms joined the rest of the family sitting around the couch where Harry lay.
He stirred and sat up, blearily rubbing his eyes. "What happened?" he asked.
Sirius stood, "you Apparated pup," he said, running his wand over him.
"Really?" asked Harry.
Remus nodded, "you have a little magical exhaustion. You'll be fine, but no magic for at least a week."
Harry nodded, yawning.
"Now," said Sirius, "why don't tell us what happened?"
Harry nodded, "Dudley and his gang were chasing me. I jumped to get behind the bins but I wished I was home. Next thing I know I'm here."
Sirius growled, "I'm definitely going to have a talk with them." As he clenched his fists.
"Don't you mean we Padfoot?" Remus asked, eyes flashing a dangerous shade of amber.
Arabella and Augusta nodded.
Remus' face wore an evil grin, "then let's go shall we?"
…..
Petunia was in the kitchen when Dudley got home.
She hugged him while he squirmed, "how was school today Diddydums?" she asked.
Dudley squirmed out of her hold and sat down, "I'm hungry!"
Petunia headed for the fridge, " all right Diddy darling. What do you want for snack?"
"Ice cream!" he demanded.
Petunia opened the freezer and reached out for the ice cream, "how was school?" she asked again.
Dudley shrugged, "fine we had a substitute."
Petunia nodded, dishing up a large bowl of ice cream, "that's nice dear."
Just as Dudley was digging into his ice cream, the front door all but burst in and Sirius, Remus, Augusta, and Arabella headed straight for the kitchen, with Harry and Neville trailing behind.
Petunia shrieked, "what do you freaks want now?!"
Sirius all but growled, "I thought we warned you to keep that bully of yours under control?"
Remus continued, eyes flashing, "him and his little gang were chasing Harry so bad he Apparated to get away!"
Petunia sniffed, placing herself between them and Dudley, "am I supposed to know what that is?"
Remus sneered at her, "you know very well what it is! I know Lily told you when she learned it!"
"So? What does it matter? I just hope the neighbors didn't see-"
She was interrupted by a clearly raging Augusta advancing towards her wand drawn, Harry and Neville close behind her, "what does it matter?! He could have died you you-" she hugged both boys at a loss for words.
Petunia opened her mouth to say something scathing, but seeing the looks on their faces, thought better of it. She nodded her head and they left the house, slamming the door behind them.
AN: So, so sorry this took so long. I have has the worst case of writer's block. Thanks to everyone!
KianiSkyrider
