Magical Origins
Author Notes: I think everyone will be surprised by this chapter.
Year 7: Seeking Peace
Harry stands in front of Number Four, Privet Drive.
Inside he could hear Petunia and Vernon speaking to their son Dudley about his recent achievements.
"This is your home," said Lily.
"No. This is my Aunt and Uncle's house," said Harry.
Harry had been debating this since he left Grindelwald and learned the truth.
Harry finally understood Dumbledore's meaning and actions on why he had Harry return here every summer.
Dumbledore had regrets towards his own family and had hoped Harry wouldn't have the same regret toward his relatives. Harry didn't love nor care for his relatives. But he wasn't a monster like Voldemort.
Harry walks forward and knocks on the door.
"Who is knocking at this hour?" mutters Vernon.
The door opens, and Harry stands face to face with Aunt Petunia.
Petunia was at a loss for words upon seeing Harry standing there.
"Hello, Aunt Petunia. We need to talk," said Harry.
Petunia didn't say a word. She stares at Harry, who is dressed in wizarding robes.
Harry steps inside and walks into the dining room.
Harry felt nostalgic about being back inside this house.
Harry walks into the dining room where Vernon and Dudley are watching T.V. as usual.
"Hello, Uncle Vernon," said Harry.
Uncle Vernon pauses as he slowly turns to see Harry standing there.
Dudley also freezes upon hearing his cousin's voice.
"What are you doing here?" Vernon snarls softly.
"They are mean," said Lily.
"Is she a freak like you?" snaps Vernon.
"A freak?" repeats Lily.
"I told you, they hate magic. Even muggleborns like you and Granger come from muggle families and become magical. They even hated my own mother, who came from a muggle family," said Harry.
"They're only making Voldemort and Grindelwald appear right," mutters Lily.
"Why are you here?" said Petunia.
"I'll make it very simple. You all need to leave as quickly as possible," said Harry.
Harry waves his wand, and everything flies at once into boxes.
"You think you can take my house!" snarls Vernon.
"I have no interesting in moving in," said Harry.
"I also have several manors."
"You have several manors?!" Vernon said in shock.
His eyes turn from anger to greed.
"Do not get the wrong idea. These manors are magically and require magic to maintain them. Under normal circumstances, I would not be here. Things have taken a turn for the worse that brought me here," said Harry.
"Why are you here?" asks Petunia.
Harry flicks his wand as the Telly goes to the news regarding some mysterious deaths and building destruction. Reports of possible Al-Qaeda or a new IRA being responsible for the attacks.
"Are you saying these attacks?" Petunia said slowly.
"Yes, he's back. Voldemort. He's behind these attacks. He's trying to bring the Ministry down and rule this world. He's a madman. You need to flee. Head to the countryside or a small town. That's all I can do for you," said Harry.
Petunia gasps as she stumbles to sit down.
"Is this the maniac who…?" said Vernon.
"Who killed my parents. Yes. He's very powerful, very dangerous," said Harry.
"What makes you think you can tell me what to do in my house?" snarls Vernon.
"Crucio!"
Harry points his wand at Vernon, who quickly falls to the ground, jolting and flailing around as he screams.
Harry quickly lifts the curse.
Vernon is on the ground, breathing heavily. Trying to grasp and come to terms with what happened.
"That was only for a second, Uncle Vernon. Voldemort has these followers. Radicals who hated muggles as much as you hate magic. They will use that on you and your family and drive you insane until they kill you. They will use that curse on you until you tell them my location. Since you don't know, they will torture you and your family for fun. Taking turns tormenting all of you until there is nothing left of you," warns Harry.
"Why are you helping us?" asks Petunia.
"Normally, I wouldn't. But I'm not a monster like Voldemort, and I do not love you or your family. I feel nothing towards any of you," said Harry.
Petunia looks at him, knowing full well his words were true.
"But you took me in when you didn't have to. You mistreated me and hated me for simply existing. Yet you still took me in. Consider this repayment for taking me in," said Harry.
Petunia said nothing.
"I'm surprised you didn't develop an Obscurus given what you told me of them," said Lily.
"A what?" said Petunia.
Vernon wheezes as he struggles to stand back up.
"Their dark parasites developed in magical children from physical or psychological abuse. They are very powerful and dangerous. They destroy everything in their path and everyone… especially their abusers. Wizards have been forced to regretfully kill children who develop Obscurus. Given the abuse, you've given Harry… I would say you're all very lucky to live this long…" said Lily.
Petunia said nothing as she clutched her heart.
"Harry has every reason to hate you, yet he remained true to himself and didn't succumb to your hatred. You are very fortunate. To understand in your terms, an Obscurial has the power equal to a country. It could have taken out this entire town in mere seconds," said Lily.
Petunia gasps in horror. She slowly comes to terms with the understanding she had nearly created a monster due to her mistreatment of her nephew.
"I will tell you this. The Death Eaters don't understand how muggles think. You can change your names and your address. They won't even know how to use a phonebook. Move elsewhere, anywhere. Flee the country if you have to. You just can't stay here," said Harry.
"I still think you're after the house," said Vernon.
Harry glares at Vernon darkly.
As usual, Vernon sought to justify a reason to fight and put Harry in his place.
"No, Vernon. We must leave. You don't know how dangerous these people are," said Aunt Petunia.
Harry stares at Aunt Petunia, who had uncharacteristic backed him up.
"Petunia, dear… what are you…?" mutters Vernon.
"I still remember those days, Vernon. I remember the things… my…Lily would tell me about these people. They are dangerous… as much as those terrorists in those middle-eastern countries. We should listen and flee. The things they would do to us," said Petunia.
Harry stares at Aunt Petunia in astonishment.
For the first time, she mentioned her sister by name. Petunia has spent so many years pretending her sister didn't even exist.
"You don't have to be upset, Petunia dear," said Uncle Vernon softly.
"Perhaps you're right. The neighborhood has become dodgy. I could retire and support us on a pension. We are overdue for a vacation, aren't we? Maybe we could travel the world," said Uncle Vernon.
Harry felt very strange watching this scene unfold before him.
This wasn't the family he'd lived with for twelve years.
He didn't think they would change or listen to him so quickly and easily.
Within minutes, the family had packed what they could in their car.
Petunia stands, sniffing and crying as she looks around the empty house.
"This has to be done, Aunt Petunia," said Harry.
"I know. I know full well what they're capable of, Harry," said Petunia.
Harry stands in shock and surprise. Petunia, for the first time, said his name.
"You didn't just lose a mother that night, Harry. I lost a sister. After you left… after I shot you… I reflected much on… well… everything. I regret it, my resentment of me you. How we treated you. because I know… if anything had happened to Vernon and me, Lily would have raised Dudley as her own son. I spent so many years being spiteful of my younger sister, who was always better than me. All she ever wanted from me… was to be her sister. I failed her," Petunia said with tears coming down her face.
Petunia hands Harry a box.
"These are yours. I know we may never see each other again. I am truly sorry, Harry," said Petunia.
Petunia turns and walks out of the house.
Harry stands there holding the box in silence.
Harry didn't know why, but for a strange reason… he found closure upon his unexpected return to this home.
Harry steps outside and sees Dudley looking at the house.
"Aren't you coming?" asks Dudley.
"This is where our paths end, Dudley," said Harry.
Dudley looks at Harry oddly.
"I am sorry for everything. I should have been better," said Dudley.
Dudley reaches out and offers his hand.
Harry hesitates, remembering all the times Dudley would feign friendship and hurt Harry.
Harry slowly accepts Dudley's hand as they shake.
"Take care of yourself, Harry. I hope one day we can meet again," said Dudley.
Harry says nothing as Dudley turns and enters the car.
Harry stands there dumbfounded as he watches the Dursleys disappear down the road.
Harry enters the house and sits on the stairs.
"Are you okay?" asks Lily.
"I don't know…," said Harry.
"They weren't like what you said," said Lily.
"I've never seen them act like that. It's been four years. I didn't think they would change. Vernon hasn't… not that much," said Harry.
"It seems they've reflected on their actions and had some regret," said Lily.
"So, it would seem. I didn't think it was possible," said Harry.
Lily holds up the book Dumbledore left them.
The Tale of Beedle the Bard
"Shall we see the message Dumbledore left us?" said Lily.
Harry smiles at his fiancé before he flips the books and pauses.
"This symbol," said Harry.
It looks like a modified Egyptian or Greek eye of some kind.
"Yes… I asked Hermione about it. She doesn't know what it is," said Lily.
"But I've seen it before! Luna was wearing a necklace with this symbol," said Harry.
"Luna?" repeats Lily.
Luna Lovegood is a strange witch who wore countless odd and strange items.
Harry and Lily look at one another. They both ask a question.
Why would Luna Lovegood, the most bizarre witch, wear a symbol from an old book?
