Chapter 19: Dumbledore and Dursleys!
Hagrid swept Harry into a hug when they got off the train. He had been informed about the confrontation with Hermione by Neville and gave Harry a hug to make the distraught boy feel better.
"Thanks Hagrid. Those hugs made me feel better. I guess I'm just not as ready for this as I thought I was."
"Don' worry 'arry. We're all here to help you through this. Dumbledore won' manipulate you again. I'll see ya in class." Hagrid shouted out loud so everyone would think it was normal Hagrid behaviour but then he quietly whispered, "See ya at Marauder Manor tonigh' for the meetin'." He walked over to the awaiting first years. Harry took Remus's hand and walked to the carriages followed by Draco, Ginny, Ron, Daphne, Neville, Luna, Dean, Seamus, Parvati and Lavender (the latter two had recently been added to the Inner Circle). James, Sirius and Lily had to meet up with Severus at the school so had caught the teachers carriage already. They all got into their carriage but Remus realised that Harry was crying.
"Harry love what is it?"
"Remy, I know I shouldn't be, but I'm scared."
"You know what? I'm scared too but everything will be okay love. You've got all of us to protect you from Dumbledore now and none of us are going anywhere!"
"I know. Thanks. Look, we're here we better get out!" Harry said and got out. Remus took his hand, Ron and Draco walked in front of them, Daphne and Ginny to the right of them, Neville and Luna to the left and Parvati, Dean, Seamus and Lavender were behind them. When they walked in Professor Sprout signalled to Harry that she needed to speak to him about something and walked in the direction of the charms corridor. Harry and his crew followed her.
"Hi Auntie Flora how are you?" Harry asked and gave her a long hug.
"I'm great Harry. Look I have a couple of things to talk to you about before the feast. Don't worry about Minerva though because she thinks I'm talking to you guys about NEWT Herbology. Anyway, first I've got you birthday present here Harry. Fawkes found this little guy injured in the Forbidden Forest and brought him to me." She said and presented Harry with a rare blue phoenix. The phoenix flew from her shoulder to Harry's and gently stroked her head against Harry's cheek. She was gorgeous and Harry knew immediately that she would be with him for as long as he lived.
"Hello Sapphire." Harry whispered and stroked her lovingly. He then turned back to Professor Sprout with tears in his eyes. "Thank you so much. You have no idea what this means to me. Now lets be serious again. What was the second issue we needed to discuss?"
"Professor Flitwick has expressed his disgust at Professor Dumbledore and also his fondness for you. I told him about the Order of Potter and my place in it and he was wondering if he could meet with you to discuss the possibility of becoming a member. He was wondering if you could meet up with him in a couple of days to discuss it."
"Of course. Now we better go to the feast before anyone gets suspicious." Professor Sprout said and walked off in the direction of the Great Hall. Harry and crew followed her into the Great Hall. Harry saw his parents at the Head Table and waved at them. He led the gang over to Gryffindor Table and sat down and started eating. The sorting had passed and it was not long before the feast was eaten and Dumbledore stood up.
"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts. Now I'd like to remind you that the Forbidden Forest is exactly that, Forbidden! Now I'd like to introduce you to your new Defence teachers: Professors James and Lily Potter. I'd also like to introduce you to the new Potions Assistant Teacher but he doesn't appear to be here."
"Yes I am Headmaster. Ladies and Gentlemen, meet your new Potions Assistant teacher, Professor Sirius Black."
"Sirius? Sirius! Yes of course Professor Sirius Black. Now Prefects please lead the first years to you common rooms. Mr Potter will you stay behind please?"
"Yes of course Professor. Mum, Dad. Siri, Remy, Sev, Kingsley, I assume you'll be staying to?"
"Of course son!" His dad said.
"Actually Harry I'd rather we talked this through on our own."
"I'm sorry Headmaster but I don't talk to anyone without my parents, fiancées, bodyguard and honorary godfather present. Now I don't suppose you wish to discuss this here so shall we go to your office? Yes? Okay I'll see you lot later Ron!" Harry said and took Sirius's hand as well as Remus's and led the way to the Headmaster's office. When Harry walked in he was surprised to see the entire Inner Circle of the Order of the Phoenix present. He froze when he saw Mrs Weasley in the corner and couldn't move any further. Remus gently squeezed his hand and Sirius put an arm around his waist and lead him into the room and over to the couch. The three sat side by side with Harry in the middle. His parents conjured another sofa perpendicular to Remus and Severus and Kingsley did the same on the right perpendicular to Sirius. Harry gazed around the room and looked at the Headmaster.
"Clearly the restraining order means nothing to you people if you were going to talk to me on my own without my parents present. Now what was the issue you wished to discuss Headmaster?"
"Ah yes, I called you here for one very simple reason. To tell you what your irrationality over this summer has caused. When you left the Dursley's and created a new home for yourself, wherever you went, the wards fell and the Death Eaters attacked. We managed to save all the residents of Privet Drive but your relatives' home was destroyed. As such the Order and I felt that their safety should now be your responsibility and they have been brought here to be put into your protective custody."
"Th-The D-Dursleys? H-here? I-I-I…" Harry broke off absolutely terrified and unable to speak. Sirius turned into Padfoot and put his head onto Harry's knee. He shuffled as close to Harry as possible whilst Remus pulled Harry to him in a comforting hug. Lily knelt in front of him and held his face in her hands.
"Harry, you're not alone in this! We're all here together. We won't let the Dursley's near you when you're alone, I promise. Calm down sweetie. It won't do you any good to panic alright sweetheart?"
"Yeah mum, you're right! I'm over this; I'll be all right!"
"Oh stop the sympathy trip for gods sake! We know your lying about this to get attention!" Rhea Finnegan said angrily.
"You think he can fake this reaction? God how could someone so bitter could produce someone as wonderful as Seamus? I cannot believe…"
"Mum! Enough! We know the truth and that's all that matters. Although I have to agree with mum when she asked how someone like you could create Seamus. Anyway, the Dursley's will be transferred into the protective custody of Frank and Alice Longbottom at the Marauder Mansion. More commonly known as the Shrieking Shack. Now before you start with your questions Dumbledore let me tell you a couple of things. Number 1, the Shrieking Shack is Potter property and as such those I choose to use it will. Secondly, the Longbottoms are with me in this argument and as such you are not to harass them about anything. Finally, the Dursleys may be my responsibility but I am not theirs and as such they have no right to make any decisions for me! Am I understood?"
"Very well Harry. If you'd like to come in now Mr and Mrs Dursley, Dudley." Dumbledore said and the Dursleys walked in through a concealed passage behind a painting.
"Freak! This is your entire fault! If you'd just stayed and died, as you should have done we wouldn't have had to come here. If you'd just kept your whoring mouth shut none of this would've happened. I'm going to have to discipline you again to show you just what you are. Filth on the bottom of my shoe. A waste of space just like your parents!" Vernon shouted and punched Harry in the stomach. Moments later he was flying across the room with six wands pointing his way.
"No one calls my son/fiancée/godson/nephew, a whore and gets away with it!" The six adults from the Order of Potter shouted getting ready to jinx them into oblivion.
"No don't. Mum, Dad, Siri, Remy, Sev, Kingsley, I know what the Dursley's did was terrible and wrong but don't lower yourselves to their level by cursing them!"
"He just punched you and you want us to spare them? They don't deserve your pity!"
"No they don't Dad, but I won't watch those I love lowering themselves to their level by doing this. Now come let us retire to our beds. Frank and Alice will be here in a moment to take them and I don't want to be here when they arrive. Headmaster." Harry said and bowed his head to Dumbledore. He then walked out of the room followed by the six adults, leaving 3 shocked adults, the Dursleys and a group who still didn't believe Harry behind.
"Oh my god what have I done. I abandoned my children for your ideals Albus. Well no more. They may not be my children anymore but I am going to try and rebuild bridges and be in their lives once more. I hereby quit the Order of the Phoenix." Molly Weasley shouted and walked angrily out of the door shortly followed by her husband and Arabella Figg.
"I can't believe we've all been so blind! I want my kids back and I want them back now."
"You know that's impossible Molly but we could be part of their lives once more. All we have to do is prove ourselves sincere and beg them to have us back. What say you love? Arabella?"
"We're in! I think we'd best go try find Harry." Arabella said and the three went in search of Harry and the others.