Harry Potter and the Heir to Gondor
A Harry Potter/Lord of the Rings fusion by Andrew J. Talon
Disclaimer: This is a fanbased parody work of prose. Please support the official release.
It's about time we had some real drama here, I think...
Things slowly settled into a routine for Harry and his friends. Training, breakfast, classes, lunch, classes again, and finally dinner and then bed. But even then, the sheer number of changes to his Hogwarts life was almost overwhelming.
For one thing, Professor Lupin was an exceptional teacher. His first lesson with a Boggart and music was outstanding. Though it was a bit unusual how the professor didn't let Harry get a shot at the creature. Instead, he'd stood in front of Harry. The psychic shapeshifter had assumed the form of the full moon, before Lupin had turned it into a balloon and sent it whizzing back into the wardrobe from whence it came.
For another, Snape was... Professional. For him, anyway. He still sneered and mocked the students in Potions, but he also pointed out how to improve their work. He practically ignored Harry, actually, which may as well have been Snape adopting him.
And of course, Divination was quite odd. Professor Trelawney was very mysterious and strange. Almost like she was in a drug induced haze. Aunt Petunia, when she had sat in on one such class, had wryly stated after "I suppose she's Dumbledore's niece or something, to get such a cushy job with no skills."
Strangely enough, he'd agreed with her on that. So had Hermione.
Care of Magical Creatures though was a real surprise. Hagrid had been a great teacher, despite his strange choice in textbooks. Everyone had behaved themselves around the hippogriffs-Even Draco, who remained pleasantly quiet and withdrawn.
It just felt so... Unreal. Harry had to keep pinching himself every so often, to make sure he wasn't in some fantastical dream.
That said, Aunt Petunia had definitely kept her distance from him. They met, they trained, they had meals together, and she did sit in on a few classes but... She kept the topics to professional ones only. On his training, on his swordsmanship, on his studies.
Maybe she was trying to be professional? Harry didn't know. But it was starting to get irritating.
Still, a much better thing was coming up: The first of many Hogsmeade weekends. Students were allowed to go to the local town Hogsmeade for the weekends, to have fun, once they reached third year.
It would distract him from his aunt's strange behavior. Well, stranger.
This Saturday morning, he got up, got dressed, and focused on his aunt's song. He could hear it, faintly, in the direction of Dumbledore's office. He headed up that way, Anduril at his side as always.
He came up to the gargoyle guarding the entrance, and cleared his throat.
"Hey," he said to the gargoyle, "can you let them known I'm out here? I was hoping to speak to my aunt."
The gargoyle... Actually stepped aside, and gestured for Harry to go up the steps. Harry shrugged, and headed up.
He entered the large office, the portraits of sleeping former headmasters still sleeping on the far wall. Ancient magical artifacts were spinning about on shelves. He could see the Sorting Hat on its shelf, silent but watching. And finally, he saw his aunt sitting in a chair in front of Dumbledore. The headmaster looked up, bushy eyebrows raised. His eyes twinkled.
"Ah, hello Harry," he said kindly, "please, come in. Have a seat. Lemon drop?"
"Er, no thank you sir," Harry said. He sat in the chair next to his aunt, and tried to listen to her song. It was... A bit tense. Harry's frown deepened.
"Is something wrong?" Harry asked.
"Aside from soul sucking monsters still being on the premises, nothing really," Petunia stated sarcastically. Dumbledore sighed.
"Petunia, please-"
"Until they're gone, we're still going to have this conversation," Petunia stated, "those things need to go!"
Dumbledore held up a hand.
"I quite agree with you," he said, "but even I cannot dissuade the entire Ministry from such foolishness all at once. Please, give me time."
"Time for one of those monsters to kill?" Petunia demanded. "You self righteous pig headed demented old loony!"
Dumbledore sighed heavily.
"Perhaps we should continue that discussion later," Dumbledore suggested. He looked to Harry, who was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. "Harry, you wanted to ask something?"
"Er," he looked to his aunt, "it's more to talk to my aunt about something-"
"It's fine, Harry, ask away," Petunia said, a bit harsher than perhaps she had intended. Harry pushed on ahead.
"Right. The Hogsmeade visit," he said, "do I have permission to go?"
Petunia's song became a bit more tense. She sucked in a breath.
"You do have permission," she said, and Harry grinned, "but not now."
Harry's face fell.
"What? Why?" Harry asked.
"There is a mass murderer and a horde of soul sucking demons out there, Harry," Petunia pointed out, sounding a bit peeved, "one of whom is after you specifically."
"So?" Harry asked. "I've been training with my wand and the sword. You can come with me-We'd be perfectly safe!"
"In all honesty, Harry," Dumbledore interjected, "it was my decision. I felt there was too much risk involved."
"It is my job to protect you, Harry," Petunia said, "as your guardian, you should listen to me-"
Harry's fingernails dug into the arms of the chair. Rage erupted, as the tone was all too familiar. It was a tone of voice associated with insults, slaps, and being locked in a cupboard with no food for days.
Some dark part of him realized that this was the same aunt who had hated him for so long... And despite everything that had happened between them, it wouldn't stop.
"You're only acting like my guardian now," Harry growled back, "where were you for the rest of my life?!"
Petunia jerked back, like she had been slapped.
"Harry, I-I know how I acted but now-"
"But now, you're under a magical contract," Harry retorted, "so that makes everything you did to me okay?"
He was out of his chair now, and Petunia watched him in distress.
"Harry, I know what I did was wrong but I just want to protect you!" Petunia insisted.
"Yeah, now," Harry snorted, "like when you kept me in cupboard? Starved me? Let Vernon beat me?!"
"Harry!" Dumbledore cried, now on his feet, "she's been doing nothing but trying to aid you since you got the sword-"
"And so I should just forget everything she did to me?!" Harry shouted back. "I don't think so, professor! Not this time!"
"You're acting like a child, Harry!" Petunia cried. Harry glared death at her, and she cringed.
"You're treating me like one, despite Anduril saying I'm a king," Harry growled, "despite everything I've done."
"Yet you remain a child, Harry," Dumbledore said.
"A child who has to fix your problems," Harry snarled.
He turned and ran out of the office. Nobody tried to stop him.
Harry stormed off, not really caring where he ended up. The ever changing nature of Hogwarts and its grounds seemed to ensure that he ended up outside though, in one of the many covered walkways now dotting the exterior areas of the castle. He found a spot and leaned against the railing, glaring out into the Forbidden Forest.
He tried to calm himself, closing his eyes to listen to the Song of the Valar. His heartrate began to fall, and his anger grew less intense as the melodies of the ancient castle ran through him. It wasn't a complicated melody at first, but the more he listened to it, the deeper and more complex it became.
So engrossed was he in the Song, he didn't notice Remus Lupin until the man was standing beside him.
"Hello Harry," he said. "You all right?"
Harry broke out of his trance, and shrugged.
"I'm... No, not really," Harry admitted. Remus smiled wanly.
"You look much like your father when he was upset," he said, "went off somewhere to get away from it all. Though that look on your face-That's definitely Lily."
"You knew my parents?" Harry asked suddenly. Remus nodded, still looking very sad despite his smile.
"Yes, actually," he said. "They were... Two of my dearest friends in the world. Them, Peter Pettigrew..." He trailed off, but continued, "and Sirius Black."
Harry wasn't listening to the Music as hard, but he could still hear the pain and regret from Lupin. So much in just a few names.
"I... I see," Harry managed. He looked at him, desperation in his eyes. "Could you... Could you tell me about them? My parents? What they were like?"
Remus smiled kindly.
"As much as you want to hear," he promised.
Harry wasn't sure how long they spent walking, and talking. Frankly, he didn't really care. Just getting to know about his parents in this much detail from anyone was a godsend.
To know they were students here at Hogwarts. To know they had their own fears, their own foibles and ups and downs...
"And he didn't know his father had charmed his clothes to be transparent, until he got catcalled in the third bar," Remus laughed. Harry joined with him, holding his hand to his stomach.
"Ahahahaha! All just for Mum being pregnant?" Harry asked. Remus nodded, his smile wide and bright.
"Oh yes. They were so happy. You have to understand, Harry, so many families were lost to the war with Voldemort." Harry started a bit at the man using the Dark Lord's name, but Remus continued. "In truth, he probably wiped out a third of the families of those loyal to him. If he was that brutal to those who followed him, then to those who opposed him..."
Remus sighed, looking very old and tired.
"War is horrible. There is no escaping that," he said. "But to have a new baby, the hope that your family would survive... That was worth celebrating." He gave Harry a warm smile.
"Believe me, Harry. Your parents loved you. They loved each other. They were dear people, and I was very lucky to have been their friend." He looked down at the wooden paneling.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
Remus sighed.
"I wish they were here instead of me," he admitted. "Telling you this instead of... Me." He turned and looked back out at the Forbidden Forest, eyes now hard.
"You probably think very poorly of all the adults in your life," he said.
"I'll admit, most of them haven't done well," Harry replied, leaning on the railing next to the professor. "Hell... You were a close friend of my parents, and I'd never heard of you until now. Never heard from you, either."
Remus nodded sadly.
"I know," he said. "it wasn't out of a lack of feeling, Harry. Please, believe me. If I could have, I would have. But... After Sirius betrayed your parents, and Peter died, I..." He shut his eyes tightly.
"I was regarded as a possible threat to you," he admitted. "If their best friend, your own godfather, had been a traitor... What about me? Especially given I... Had some issues that made me less trustworthy than others."
"Because... What, you were a halfblood?" Harry asked. Remus gave Harry a wry smile, and Harry could hear... A wolf howling? In his Song. What was that about?
"Something like that," Remus said, "if I could have, I would have adopted you. Happily. That wasn't an option for me, but I wanted to see you. Desperately."
"Then why?" Harry asked urgently.
"The biggest reason was that every time I asked to see you, Dumbledore told me not to interfere. That you were safe in the Muggle world, and that you didn't need to be endangered."
Harry grumbled, glaring back at the older man.
"Yeah, I guess I was endangered enough," he snorted. Remus nodded.
"None of us knew how bad it would be," he said, "I don't think even Dumbledore knew. I don't ask you to forgive any of us, Harry. That pain and anger is valid. But things have changed, haven't they?" He looked down at Anduril, and back at Harry. "For the better?"
Harry grimaced, and rested his hand on the hilt.
"Yeah," Harry allowed, "but it's only because of magic. If it wasn't for that, my aunt would still be the same horrible, abusive bitch she'd been all these years..." He looked out again onto the Hogwarts grounds.
Remus let out a low, soft sigh in response.
"It is true she wouldn't be here without magic," he agreed, "but does she seem overjoyed about it? Is she artificially happy?"
"No," Harry admitted, "she's... Just not so terrible. She's even useful. And... And kind."
Remus nodded, smiling gently.
"Petunia Evans was a nasty, bitter person who felt rejected and alone," Remus said. He held up a hand to Harry's objection, "I don't mean to excuse her, merely explain her. The Magic of Middle Earth is very strong, Harry. She wanted to be normal, or some twisted variation thereof. That oath affected her, and her resistance to it made her into that unsightly beast. It may have twisted her mind. Her actions were her own, but when there's a hand pushing you, you're more likely to go in that direction, yes?"
"I guess so," Harry allowed.
"In this case? Much of that nastiness, that pain, came from a desperate refusal to obey her oath," Remus said, "now? Now she's accepted her oath, and this? This is who she was truly meant to be."
"A little late for that," Harry grunted angrily. Remus leaned against the railing, looking up at the clouds.
"Yes," he said, "but we are all in situations caused by others' choices. All we can do is choose how we act in response to those choices. To try and make better ones." He looked over at Harry with a smile.
"And given how bad the decisions the previous generations have made, you at least have a thorough list of what not to do, yes?"
Harry allowed himself a small smirk at that.
"Yeah," he admitted, "I guess I do."
"Fanuilos heryn aglar
Rîn athar annún-aearath
Calad ammen i reniar
Mi 'aladhremmin ennorath!"
Harry glanced in the direction of the song. It was sung beautifully, and the Song spoke of full moons and an endless sea of stars.
"Huh?" Harry managed. He spotted a head of golden hair passing from behind a boulder, and then back beneath the hill.
"Hm," Remus mused, "A hymn to Elbereth. Or Varda, I believe she is also called."
"A Elbereth Gilthoniel
I chîn a thûl lin míriel
Fanuilos le linnathon
Ne ndor haer thar i aearon..."
The song was a bit louder, as the singer emerged from behind the hill. She was a younger girl, a year behind him. She was barefooted and dressed in blues and whites. She wore strange radish earrings, as she carried a basket of what appeared to be raw meat.
Her wand was tucked behind her ear, and she looked up with large, blue eyes. Harry stared back.
The girl smiled, and continued on her way into the forest as she resumed her song.
"A elin na gaim eglerib
Ned în ben-anor trerennin
Si silivrin ne pherth 'waewib
Cenim lyth thílyn thuiennin..."
"
It's beautiful," Harry mused softly. Remus nodded again, his smile warm.
"Many things of that ancient world are awakening once again," he said. "For good or for ill, I cannot say. But you should appreciate the beauty of the world while you can, to remind you in dark times."
Harry blinked at Remus. He sighed heavily.
"That girl obviously wants you to follow her," Remus stated patiently. "And she knows Elvish very well to sing the lyrics so clearly. So why not go and talk?"
"Oh? OH!" Harry blushed. "Er, I mean, I'm a little young-I don't think-"
"Harry, I'm not telling you to go marry her," Remus advised, "but if a girl is willing to go to this much trouble for you, you should at least reciprocate by talking to her, yes?"
Harry nodded happily. He leaped off the railing, and landed in a roll off his shoulder.
"OUCH!"
"You all right, Harry?" Remus called.
"I'M FINE!" He shouted back. He got up, wriggled his shoulders, and headed off after the girl.
Remus shook his head, chuckling to himself.
"Ah, to be young," he mused. He looked back up the covered walkway, his eyes slightly narrowed. "You really shouldn't have eavesdropped."
Petunia dropped down from the rafters she had been hiding in, and brushed some leaves off her dress.
"It is my responsibility to look after him, even when he's angry with me," Petunia retorted. She walked up alongside Lupin, and looked out at the forest. "The girl, she's-"
"Luna Lovegood," Remus answered, "a very talented second year. Gets bullied a lot for her... Oddities, but is exceptional in the practical and in theory."
"She's..." Petunia's frown deepened, "very different."
"But no danger to Harry," Remus replied. He chuckled. "At least, not until she's old enough."
"That's hardly any comfort at all," Petunia grumbled. She leaned against the railing, staring after her nephew intently.
After a while, she spoke up, very quietly.
"Thank you."
"For?" Remus asked.
"For not telling him to hate me," Petunia stated.
"You need no help with that," Remus stated bluntly. "But the fact you feel such regret means you aren't quite as terrible as either of you thought you were."
Petunia looked down at the grounds.
"I'd like to think that," she admitted softly.
The strange girl led Harry into a glen. The path was fairly well worn, as though many feet trooped through to keep the grass flat and the trees parted. There was some crude wooden fencing forming a paddock, and a few water barrels and shelters, but... Harry couldn't see anything about.
Well, no... He could. Hazy outlines, like mirages rising from the desert floor. Shapes like horses, but with... Wings?
"Hello Harry Potter, Your Grace," the girl said quietly. Harry jerked his eyes back to the girl. She was reaching into her basket, and procuring some meat. She tossed it out into the paddock, and some of the outlines congregated around the lump of flesh. The lump vanished, as invisible mouths began to eat.
"Hello," he said. "Uh... What's your name?"
"Luna Lovegood," Luna said, smiling ethereally, "I'm in Ravenclaw, one year behind you, Your Grace."
"O-Oh," Harry said, nodding. "Uh, that song... It was beautiful. What was it?"
"A hymn to Elbereth, also called Varda," Luna said, "my grandmother taught me it. It is sung in praise to the Valar of the stars, Your Grace."
"Varda," Harry managed with a nod, "I-I see."
"She is the most beloved of the Valar, for she hears the prayers of those in need clearest, and with the most compassion," Luna explained further, as she tossed another piece of meat into the paddock for the invisible creatures to devour.
"Are... Do you need help?" Harry asked, concerned. His hand rested on his sword hilt, and he began looking around. He focused on the Song...
The Forbidden Forest's melody was dark and deep, but not inherently malicious. It was warning of danger, but nothing firm. It also seemed... Welcoming, in spots, to those with courage.
The strange creatures too had a neutral song. It spoke of the air, and shadow, and twilight over mountains far away.
Luna's song though... It was deep and sad, yet uplifting and majestic. Interspersed themes of joy and laughter playing out amidst somber melodies, backlit by a full moon. It was perplexing, yet he couldn't stop listening.
She smiled at him, and her Song changed tempo and tone. It was warm and welcoming, yet still very mysterious and strange.
"No," Luna spoke softly, "but it does keep Bibbering Humbidgers away. They know better than to perplex the mind of one blessed by Elbereth... Though they can also help those she favors, Your Grace."
Luna walked up to Harry, her smile warm. Harry blinked a few times, trying to work that out.
"Uh, so... You're very well versed in Middle Earth lore then?" He managed, trying to focus on something tangible. Luna nodded.
"I am," she said. "I would be happy to aid you however I can, Your Grace.
"Then please, stop calling me that," Harry stated, a little annoyed. "Why are you calling me that, anyway?"
"You are my King," Luna said, 'is that not the appropriate way to address your King, Your Grace?"
"I'm not really anyone's king," Harry said, feeling a bit bashful. Luna tilted her head curiously.
"Did not the Sword of the Kings of Men choose you?" She asked. Harry blinked.
"Well, yes, it did-"
"Did it not also choose King Arthur?" Luna asked. Harry shrugged.
"I suppose but-"
"Then you are a king, who has yet to sit upon his throne, Your Grace," Luna said, as though that settled the matter. And Harry really couldn't find a really compelling argument against that, he supposed.
Her Song was quite strong. He felt her hand on his chest, and he looked up into her eyes. Well, down-She was shorter than he was.
"Do not be troubled," she said with a gentle smile, "you are just as sane as I am., Your Grace."
"I... Don't know what to say to that," Harry admitted.
"Aside from that, Your Grace," Luna pointed out. Harry frowned, and shrugged.
"I guess so."
"I can tell you about Middle Earth and sing for you, if you would like, your Grace," Luna said. Harry scowled a bit.
"I appreciate that, but please stop calling me 'Your Grace'?"
"Is that an order, Your Grace?" Luna asked. Harry nodded.
"Yes! It's an order! Just call me 'Harry', that's all I want. No kneeling, no bowing, nothing else, okay? I don't-I don't need a servant! I prefer a friend."
Luna paused, and smiled widely.
"Then we would be friends?" She asked. Harry nodded as her listened. Her Song sounded... Hopeful?
"Yes," Harry said, "I want us to be friends."
"As you wish, my king," Luna said with a bow, and Harry scowled. Yet the beam she gave him as she rose made him blush a bit.
"In all honesty, I would prefer to be your friend than your servant," Luna said, "though in either case, I will need kneepads."
"Kneepads?!" Harry choked, turning red, "wh-what would you need those for?! We're way too-!"
"Because kneeling is very tough on your knees, and makes it easier for Nargles to infest them of course," Luna said, "what did you think I meant, Harry?"
"I... Nothing," Harry managed, letting out a long sigh. He couldn't help his smile though. The girl was strange but... In a fun way.
"So," Harry began, "do you come to feed these...?"
"Thestrals."
"Yes, thestrals, often?" He asked.
Luna nodded.
"Every other week. I can see them clearly. Always have been. They are amazing creatures," she said. She walked up to the wooden fence, and stroked one of the hazy outlines' heads gently.
"Why can't I see them fully?" Harry asked.
"To see them fully, you must have seen someone die, and accepted it," Luna spoke softly.
Harry stared intently at the hazy forms. See someone die? He hadn't...
Quirrel...
How much of him had truly been left? How much was Voldemort, and how much was a foolish, but innocent man? Harry didn't know. Dumbledore had told him he was gone, and yet...
Black, leathery wings fluttered on the back of the creature. Its skeletal head with black eyes turned and looked right at him.
Harry shook a little. Luna reached out, and took his hand. She moved it up to the thestral's head, and he stroked it softly. It let out a low growl.
"Now you see," Luna whispered. "More than you did before."
Harry shook a little. He'd... Killed a man... With his bare hands...
"No Harry," Luna said quickly, holding her hand over his. She looked into his eyes. "You freed him. He had been taken over... He was in so much suffering. All that he was, was torn away. Death was the only path left... And you granted him his freedom."
She squeezed his hand. and Harry could hear her Song clear as day. He shook his head.
"How... How do you know so much?" He asked.
Luna merely smiled dreamily.
"I hear the Song too," she admitted. "I have, ever since I was born. It's always been there. It tells your tale, Harry. And it's why I think we will be very good friends, indeed."
Harry honestly hoped the same, as he rested his hand over hers.
"... Thank you," he said softly.
"It's what friends do... Or so I've been told," Luna said gently.
Harry and Luna stayed and talked for a while longer. Her mother had died when she was young, which is how she was able to see the Thestrals. Her father published a magazine called The Quibbler, which Harry had never heard of. He wanted to learn more though.
He helped Luna hand out the rest of the meat, and they were about to turn and head back to the castle... When Luna paused, and snapped her fingers.
"Oh, by the way Harry," Luna said. She rummaged in her book bag, and produced a scroll of parchment wrapped up in what looked like spider webbing. "Here. A giant spider and a black dog gave me this to give to you. They said you should hand it to your aunt."
Harry blinked. He blinked again.
"Sure?" Harry managed. Still, Aunt Petunia had warned him to not be so trusting. He concentrated on listening to the Song, and pulled out his wand. He waved it over the scroll, using a detection spell.
"Ostendeo!" He commanded. The spell and the Song betrayed nothing harmful. It was just parchment and ink... But there were lingering traces of something else. Something dark, and unfathomably ancient.
He took the scroll, and slid the webbing off. He unrolled it, and looked through it. Unfortunately for Harry, it was written in Cirth. If it was Tengwar, the script of 'modern' Elvish, he might have been able to figure out what it meant.
"I'm afraid I cannot read it either," Luna admitted, "I am not so good at Cirth."
Harry frowned, and rolled the parchment back up. He slid the webbing over the scroll.
"Then let's find someone who can," he pronounced.
They walked back to the castle, and reached the wooden covered walkways. Harry followed the Song of his aunt to one, where she was standing and talking with Professor Lupin. She looked up at him, a tense expression on her face.
"Harry," she said guardedly. "I know you're not happy about the situation, but-"
"We can talk about that later," Harry said quickly. He handed her the scroll. "Can you read this?"
Petunia frowned, unfurled the scroll, and read through it. Her eyes widened in shock as they flew across the parchment. She read it twice, then three times, as though to reassure herself it was true. Harry could sense his aunt's anxiety rise.
"Aunt Petunia?" He asked.
"Who gave you this?" She asked urgently. Harry gestured to Luna, who smiled.
"Hello Miss Evans, I'm Luna Lovegood. A giant spider and a big black dog gave me this," she volunteered.
Remus' jaw dropped.
"Did you say a big black dog?" He asked. Petunia looked at Remus sharply, before looking back at her nephew.
"Harry, we'll take care of this," Petunia said.
"But what's wrong?" Harry asked. He scowled. "I thought there weren't going to be any more secrets?"
Petunia grit her teeth, biting back some fierce response. She closed her eyes, and clearly worked to calm herself before answering.
"... Fine," she stated. "I'll need your help anyway. Remus? Peter Pettigrew. The largest part of him found was a ring finger, yes?"
"I, yes, it was," Lupin said with a frown and a nod.
"And was he..." Petunia looked around carefully, before she asked in a lower voice, "a rat?"
Remus stared at Petunia in silence, before he slowly nodded.
"He was," Remus whispered.
"And Sirius, a dog?" Petunia pressed. Remus nodded again. Petunia allowed herself a small smile.
"Then that would explain the Song," she said quietly. "Come on. We'll need McGonnagal. Stay close, Harry-And you too."
Petunia turned and began to walk swiftly back to the castle, Remus, Harry and Luna hot on her heels.
"You are going to explain this to me?" Harry asked urgently.
"Yes, but too much and he'll see us coming," Petunia stated, "I don't want him to suspect a thing."
"Who?" Harry asked.
"You'll see," Petunia stated.
Ron wasn't very happy about being pulled from his first Hogsmeade weekend. Neither was Hermione, who had come along. Professor McGonnagal herself looked quite put out. But with a skill and grace Harry didn't know she had, Aunt Petunia was able to sooth them over just enough to get them to cooperate in the main courtyard of the castle.
"You see, I have reason to believe that Ron's rat may have been cursed with something horrible," Petunia said, "and we need to check not only him, but everyone who may have come in contact with the creature."
"But Scabbers isn't cursed!" Ron protested. "Sure, he's pretty sickly right now, but that's not-"
"Ron," Petunia simpered, reaching out to caress the ginger boy's cheek, "I only want to make sure you're all right. You're very important to me, and I don't want to risk losing you. Do you understand?"
Ron blushed, and stammered, before he nodded and took off for the castle. Hermione scowled after him, as McGonnagal raised an eyebrow.
Petunia shrugged.
"One should always be willing to use the tools you have at your disposal," she said.
"Always a good lesson to learn," Luna said with a sage nod. Hermione looked scandalized, while Harry coughed and looked away. Remus kept his expression carefully neutral. McGonnagal... Smirked, for some strange reason, as Petunia turned to Remus.
"Now Remus, please go hide over there, be ready," Petunia ordered. Remus nodded, and headed over to one of the stone colonnades flanking the courtyard. He vanished from sight, just as Ron emerged from the doors. He walked briskly, carefully carrying his rat. Ron held it up between his hands, keeping the small creature sheltered in shadow. Even so, Harry could see that the rat was missing one of its front fingers.
He focused on the Song... The rat's song was... Distorted. Fear and darkness and craven lusts, regrets... More complex than a rat's should be.
He saw Luna's eyes widen just a bit nearby, and he knew... She heard the same.
"Very good," McGonnagal said, "just one quick check for the curse and-"
McGonnagal flicked her wand in a quick, complex pattern... And a split second later, a fat, balding man with nine fingers fell from Ron's hands. Ron shrieked in shock, as did Hermione. The man tried to bolt, but a red Stun spell lanced into him from the side and brought him down, hard.
The few students lingering around the courtyard shrieked and began to whisper, as Petunia held her blade against the Stunned man's throat.
Remus walked up, his eyes hardened as he looked upon the man.
"This him?" Petunia asked. Remus nodded. Petunia allowed herself a grim smile.
"Peter Pettigrew," Petunia announced, "I believe you have some explaining to do..."
How's that for a twist?