Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait, guys. Writing about Christmas in July is hard! Christmas cookies to all!
Harry paused before he opened his car door. He and Paul had debated "going home for Christmas" until they were both tired of it. In the end, Harry had decided that he would go home, just to decide what life with this "new" Aunt Petunia would be like. "Okay?" Aunt Petunia asked with a smile.
"Yeah." Harry said as he fully opened the door. He pulled his duffle bag out of the back seat and followed his aunt up the walk. No, he wasn't nervous. Not at all. He just felt better knowing his wand was in the holster Sensei had made him and that the throwing darts were under wandless invisibility charms just inside his sleeves. Never mind that he knew Vernon would not be there. He just felt better. Safer. His paranoia was at new heights. I'm worse than Moony. He would be so proud. "I'm taking my bag upstairs, Aunt Petunia."
"All right. Come back down for lunch once you've unpacked." She told him as she hung up her coat.
"Okay." Harry said as he went up the stairs. No, not awkward at all here. Why did I agree to come? He stopped when he reached his door. It wasn't his door. There was no cat flap. No locks. It was an ordinary door. He stopped for a moment. Aunt Petunia had changed his door. There was even a little hand painted sign that said "Harry's Room" hanging from the doorknob.
Harry reached out a hand hesitantly and turned the knob. The door swung open easily and he stepped into his room. He could only stare at it, because it wasn't his room. Not anymore. Someone had changed it.
The walls had been painted a sky blue and light wispy clouds dotted the sky. His furniture had been replaced, too. Nothing looked like it would fall apart anymore. None of it was brand-new, but it all looked well-made and well-cared for in a comfortable sort of way. White curtains had replaced the dingy gray ones at the window. Hedwig was asleep on a carved corkscrew stand next to the window. A closer inspection revealed full water and food dishes for his owl. He looked down at the desk and saw an envelope laying there. He opened it and pulled out a piece of writing paper.
Harry,
Hermione told me that you enjoy flying in the clouds. We can change it if you don't like it. The room is yours for as long as you want it.
Welcome home, Harry.
Aunt Petunia
Harry folded the letter back into its envelope. Hedwig woke up and hooted at Harry. "Hello, girl." Harry held up an arm and Hedwig landed on it. "Aunt Petunia still has some surprises left, doesn't she?" Harry asked her. Hedwig didn't answer.
Harry sent Hedwig back to her perch and left his room, deciding to unpack later. He went down the stairs and to the kitchen. His aunt was there, cooking something that smelled like vegetable soup. He waited until she turned around. "Thank you." He said quietly.
"You're quite welcome, Harry." She said simply, as though she had not painted Harry's room or made it homey for him. "Will you set the table for me? Just three spaces for soup and sandwiches."
"Sure." Harry said. This is weird. Requests, not orders. The meal was weird too. Harry had already sat down when Dudley finally made an appearance.
"Hi, Harry." Dudley said as he pushed back a chair and sat.
"Hi." Harry returned, wondering why this was so awkward.
"Can we talk later?" Dudley asked politely. Dudley polite? Did Voldemort win the war? No, I'm still alive.
"Um, sure." Harry answered. What could it hurt? Both boys paused for a few minutes.
"Mum said you had a part in your school play. What was it?" That was a topic on which Harry could write a book. Lunch lasted through his recounting of the backstage antics, line memorization, Bevie's attacks, rehearsals, make-up, and the costume crew's stalker-esque behavior.
"Harry, you clear. Dudley, you rinse." Dudley, doing chores? Harry checked again to see if the world was ending. Harry cleared the table as asked and was told to "go relax". He did as he was told and retreated to his room.
"Feel like taking some letters out later, Hedwig?" Harry asked his owl. Hedwig actually looked excited by the prospect. Harry decided to get the magical world done and over with. He pulled out parchment and quill. He would write to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley first and go down the list from there.
He wrote to the Weasleys and assured them of his safety and well-being in the Muggle world. He mentioned that his aunt was taking excellent care of him and that he was enjoying school this year. He promised to see them as soon as he could and closed with a "Happy Christmas" to the entire Weasley clan. He wrote individual letters to Ron, Ginny, and the twins, as he knew none of them would be satisfied with just the information in the Weasley couple's letter.
"Hedwig, can you handle all of this?" Harry asked uncertainly. Hedwig gave an affronted look and held out her leg. "Alright." Harry tied the letters to her offered leg and opened the window for her. Harry watched her go and was surprised to find a small gray blur flitting around his room. "Pig?" Harry asked as he identified the owl doing its best to stay out of his reach. "Get down here, you silly owl." Harry said as he held out his hand. The little owl stopped abruptly and flew down to Harry. "You have a letter for me?" He asked as he untied the parchment. Harry broke the seal and stared down at the angry script of his best friend.
Harry,
Do you have any idea how worried the Order is about you? There are a million ways to make contact, mate, and you did none of them. WE CAN'T PROTECT YOU IF WE DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU ARE! One spell would have brought wizards to you, Harry. You're the Boy-Who-Lived. You wouldn't have been thrown out of Hogwarts because you called for help. Please, Harry, come back to Hogwarts where Dumbledore can keep you safe. The Dark Lord has a student now, Harry. It's only a matter of time before he comes for you. In the Muggle world. You're not safe there, Harry. Come back to Hogwarts where it is safe. For all our sakes.
Ron
"Et tu, Ron?" Harry asked the room. He couldn't believe Ron. Where did he get such ideas? The Protectors, no doubt. "Come back to Hogwarts where it is safe." Harry mimicked Ron. "You're the Boy Who Lived. We can't protect you if we don't know where you are." Harry clenched the letter in his fist and was unsurprised to find it catch fire. "Oh, bugger." He muttered to himself. He quenched the flames and took a deep breath to calm down. His magic, he hesitated to say it, but he knew it was true…was out of control. Severely. Just stay calm, Harry. It doesn't work if you stay calm. Harry started a deep breathing exercise and felt himself center again.
Harry moved to his desk and removed his last piece of parchment. He thought it was fitting. Anything else he had to write to the wizarding world would be done on Muggle stationary. He wondered if it was bad to get a strange satisfaction from that.
Ron,
Hogwarts is safe? Really. I've only nearly died there about…six times! Let's not forget the possessed teacher, the memory charm happy teacher, the dementors, the impersonated teacher, and the psycho teacher (psycho means mental, if you're wondering). I've had students mock me, students think I'm mental, students be afraid of me, and students who practically worshipped me. I've been attacked by political figures and reporters. I've had to be a protected child, a Tri-wizard champion, an attention-seeking kid, and a punching bag for the Ministry. Do you know what I am now?
No one. Just Harry. That's it. I don't have to follow anyone's desires but my own in a way I have not managed since coming to Hogwarts. Do you know what, Ron? I like it. I like being "just Harry". No, more than that. I enjoy it. I revel in it. It's almost intoxicating to just be myself. No one has tried to kill me; I've not uncovered any plot or plan to harm me. Nothing. Just Harry. No one else.
I know the Old Crowd's been worried, but to be blunt, they are not my guardians. Aunt Petunia is my guardian and I have to listen to her until I'm seventeen, no matter what I think of her decision. Yes, I hated my new school at the beginning, but I like it now and plan to return to finish out the school year. I might even finish school there. Imagine this: no one has plotted against me, stared at me, or tried to kill me. Paradise. I am well-protected because no one knows who I am. Just Harry. Nothing else.
You're my best mate, Ron, but you can't expect me to come back to Hogwarts just because you want me there, so I can…how did you put it?... be kept safe. Thanks, but no thanks. I'm protected through anonymity. I am safe because no one knows who I am. Just leave me be.
Harry
Harry tied the letter to Pig's leg and allowed the owl to leave. A knock on the door startled him. "Come in." Harry said as he took a deep breath. Dudley poked his head around the door.
"Do you have a minute?" Dudley asked.
"Sure. Have a seat." Harry said, gesturing to his bed. Dudley perched on the end of it and Harry had a flash of insight. Dudley was nervous. "So, what did you want to talk about?"
"You know I've been going to a doctor, too." Dudley started.
"Yeah. We wrote to each other about that." Harry said calmly.
"Well, Joe told me a few things about myself. He said Mum and Dad spoiled me…a lot. And that I was really mean to you." Dudley stopped for a minute. Harry knew what Dudley was trying to say, but that didn't mean he would make it easy on his cousin. "I was wondering if we could start over?" Dudley asked.
"Start over?" Harry had been expecting an apology. Not this.
"Yeah, I'm sorry for what I did." Ah, there was the apology. "I hope we can start over, because Joe pointed out that besides Aunt Marge, you're my only family. I don't want to be alone when Mum and Dad die, and I think you need some family too. I would like to be family to you." Dudley sighed. "Never mind. I've messed it up."
"No." Harry said, stopping Dudley from leaving. "I understood you." Harry hadn't known that Dudley could actually speak in coherent sentences. "Okay. We can do that." Well, if we're apologizing here… "I'm sorry for threatening you with magic."
"You couldn't really." Dudley said with a smirk. "You would have been thrown out of school."
"No. But it felt good." Harry admitted.
"Friends?" Dudley asked.
"Friends." Dudley offered his hand and Harry shook it. "Want to play some computer games?" He asked. Harry had always wanted to play one.
"Only if I get to show you wizard chess later." Harry said as he followed his cousin. "The pieces move and talk."
"That is something I have to see." Dudley said. Harry listened to Dudley as he explained how to play on the computer. Harry couldn't believe it. Some of these games required actual thought! Who knew?
"Christmas!" Harry pulled his blanket over his head and moaned. So what? His bed was soft and warm, the blanket blocked out light, and…something smelled good. "Harry! Wake up! It's Christmas!" Dudley said as he knocked on the door.
"Mm." Harry was not yet coherent, much less conscious. Harry tried to open his eyes when he heard his door open.
"Harry." Dudley said from the doorway. "Wake up."
"No." Harry snapped from under his blanket. Harry jumped as Dudley pulled his blanket away. "Dudley. Can't you let me sleep?"
"Not on Christmas." Dudley said. "Get up now."
"You're mean." Harry whined. Okay, so it wasn't the most biting or intelligent comment he'd made, but it was better than turning Dudley into a toad. He blamed it on being tired.
"Let's go. I'm giving you five minutes to get downstairs." Dudley left the room and Harry mumbled some quite derogatory remarks about his cousin. His teenage st st omach kicked him and he finally found the energy to move. He stumbled into the bathroom and down the stairs with only a few minutes to spare. He reached the kitchen door and somehow the door moved about ten centimeters to the left. Harry hit the wall.
"Stupid wall." Harry muttered to himself.
"Is that you, Harry?" He heard Aunt Petunia say from the kitchen.
"Yeah." Harry answered, successfully managing the door. He went into the kitchen and dropping into his seat. "Morning." He said to the room in general.
"Good morning, Harry." A male voice said. It took a moment for Harry to process it. It wasn't Dudley. It wasn't Vernon. It wasn't Paul, Sensei, or anyone from St. Jude's.
"Remus?" A warm chuckle told him his guess was correct.
"I invited Mr. Lupin for Christmas." Aunt Petunia said with a smile as she put a bowl of scramble on the table.
"You couldn't warn me, Dud?" Harry asked as Remus mussed his hair.
"No." Dudley said, completely disinterested as he poured himself some juice.
"Traitor." Harry muttered to his cousin.
"Heir to the Potter and Black families, owner of three companies, actor, and you still can't manage to wake up in the morning?" Remus said as he dished out breakfast to Harry.
"I'm the Boy Who Lived." Harry said sarcastically. Remus and Petunia both snickered at the comment. "I deserve extra sleep."
"Sure, kiddo. Whatever you say." Remus rolled his eyes and poured juice for Harry while Petunia sat down. "How'd you fit in the kitchen this morning with that ego?"
"Magic." Harry said with a shrug. That comment made Dudley spray his juice. "No, let me get it." Harry told his aunt. He waved his hand and the juice disappeared. "Presto." Harry said with a smile.
"Remind me to yell at you later." Remus said.
"Okay, Remus. Pass the toast, please." Remus passed the toast while Harry laughed to himself. He loved surprising people. Especially Remus.
Harry sat surrounded by packages and had to wonder where to start. Remus had checked every package under the tree and had deemed most of them safe. Two of them had tracking charms on them, and two were a portkey. No surprise that they were from Ron, Dumbledore, Moody, and the Weasleys. He had a feeling that the Weasleys didn't actually know about the portkey, but Ron would have known. He knew Ron allowed it, especially after that letter.
Remus finally lost patience with Harry staring at his packages. He reached out and handed one to Harry. "Start with mine." He told the dazzled boy.
"You didn't have to." Harry said hesitantly.
"I wanted to. Your family trust pays me enough to spoil you everyday for the rest of my life." Remus told him. "Now, learn from your cousin and follow his example." Remus said as he pointed at Dudley. Harry glanced at Dudley, who was practically burrowing through his presents.
Harry started on Remus's wrapping job and wondered if he had wrapped the box by hand or by wand. "Wow, Remus!" Harry said in surprise. Remus had given him an entire art set, complete with brushes and a palette. No more mixing paints on a dinner plate.
"I agree with Hermione. I'll encourage any hobby that does not include bodily harm." Remus said. "You have more than one package, you know." He told Harry when Harry seemed quite content to memorize the items in his art case.
"Oh, right." Harry said as he carefully set aside the case and reached for the next box. He found himself surrounded by books, clothing (all his size and nicely made), and art supplies. His cousin had somehow grown a brain and gave him two books: A History of Theatre and Fighting for the Stage. Harry's own gift to Dudley was well-received. Dudley loved his customized boxing gloves and was excited to hear of the lifetime warranty. Aunt Petunia received a spa weekend from Harry and Dudley had jumped in with Harry to give his mother a new robe and slippers for when she took that spa weekend.
"This is the last one, Harry." Petunia told him as she handed him an envelope. Harry did not notice his family and Remus exchanging glances, or the camera Remus suddenly brought out. Harry turned over the envelope several times, trying to find some clue about its contents.
"Just open it, Harry." Remus advised. He readied the camera and waited.
Harry slid a finder under the flap and broke the seal. He found a note card with his aunt's writing.
Harry,
This card is good for one school trip to London. You are expected to learn quite a bit while at the theatre and I fully expect you to act like the sixteen year old you are. Just don't eat too many sweets. Please stay close to your teachers. Happy Christmas, nephew.
Love,
Aunt Petunia
"Really?" Harry asked excitedly as a camera went off in his face. "I can go?" Harry said once the afterimage faded.
"You can go." Petunia told him with a smile.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Harry leapt from his seat and threw his arms around his aunt. He then moved to Remus and hugged him too. "I know you had something to do with this!" He said to Remus. "This is great!" He said, practically dancing in place. "I- I've got to call Bug!"
"Call him tomorrow." Petunia said as she laughed.
"Oh. Okay." Harry said. "I've got to pack!" He exclaimed as he started for the door.
"It's not for two weeks." Remus said. "Calm down, Harry. You can write Hermione with the good news later. For now, I think you and your cousin need to get dressed." Remus said as he messed up Harry's hair again.
"Okay." Harry said calmly. Harry and Dudley looked at each other. "Last one there gets cold water!" Harry said as he dashed from the room. Dudley followed Harry at something that resembled a run.
"They never truly grow up, do they?" Remus asked Petunia.
"I hope they never have to." Petunia said as she started clearing up the paper. Remus rolled his eyes and waved his wand. The paper disappeared and the packages stacked themselves neatly. "Thank you, Remus. Eggnog?"
"Sounds wonderful." Remus said as he followed her into the kitchen.
Christmas dinner was large enough to make Harry think of the Burrow. He ate enough to satisfy his aunt and was dragged outside by Remus and Dudley to play in the snow, of all things. They started to make a snowman, but they quickly descended into an all-out snowball fight. Harry managed to hold his own, even fighting against Remus and Dudley.
A bright camera flash blinded him for a second. "Mr. Potter! Why did you leave Hogwarts?" Harry knew then that he was facing a subspecies of wizard. Reporters. On Christmas. This is low.
"Boys, let's go inside now." Remus whispered as he nudged Harry and Dudley towards the door.
"Mr. Potter? Don't you feel safe at Hogwarts?" One reporter shouted after him. "What about You Know Who?" Harry shut the door on the tiny mob and leaned against it.
"What was that all about?" Dudley asked Harry and Remus.
"You know that I'm famous in the wizarding world." Harry told Dudley.
"Yeah, but I didn't believe you." Dudley told him.
"Well, that's what it was all about. I don't show my face often enough to please everyone, so I guess the reporters are getting a bit ruthless." Harry explained. "Remus, is there a way to keep reporters away from my house?" Harry asked.
"They should not have been here in the first place." Remus said as he checked outside through the curtains.
"What can we do?" Harry did not want reporters camped out in front of his house. This was his holiday vacation, his first, with his family and he did not want anything to ruin it.
"Do you think Hedwig is up for a trip?" Remus asked.
"I think she might be. She seemed bored last night." Harry told him.
"Let's draft a few letters, then. The minister, the Daily Prophet, and your family's solicitor." Remus said thoughtfully. "That should be enough."
"My family has a solicitor." Harry asked as he started up the stairs. He stopped and turned back to his cousin. "Are you okay, Dudley?"
"Fine. They're easier to handle than those Dementy things." Dudley said calmly.
"True. They're not that far apart though." Harry said with a smile. "Just stay inside until they're gone."
"No problem." Dudley told his cousin. "I'll ask Mum to make some hot chocolate." Dudley said as he walked towards the kitchen.
"Sounds good." Harry said as his cousin disappeared. "You said I had a solicitor." Harry reminded Remus as they reached Harry's room.
"Two actually, one for Potter and one for Black." Remus told him with a smile. "Both want to meet you when you have the free time." Remus informed him.
"Set up the meetings for Monday. I go back to school the next day."
"Very well." Remus said in agreement. Harry and Remus spent thirty minutes drafting letters before Remus had to transfigure some parchment. "What happened to that stationery I got you?" Remus asked, slightly put out that Harry didn't have it.
"Um, well….some of the guys found it and it made really good paper airplanes and we were really, really bored and-"
"Enough. Just make sure you keep some at home too, okay?" Remus said as he lowered his wand.
"I'll do that. Thanks." Harry said. He gathered the letters together and told Hedwig where to go. Hedwig barely gave him time to tie the letters to her leg before she took off.
Harry snuck back down to the living room and peered through the gap in the curtains. The reporters and photographers were milling around outside, talking to each other. Harry had to roll his eyes. He hated reporters. And interviews. And photographers.
"Harry!" Aunt Petunia called him from the kitchen.
"Coming, Aunt Petunia!" Harry called as he left the window. The reporters could stand outside and freeze. He wouldn't let them spoil Christmas.
Harry could hardly sit still. He smoothed his new shirt down and stood to pace. It was Boxing Day and Uncle Vernon was coming over to pick up Dudley. Harry didn't want to see the man, but he knew it would be brief, if at all. He had one thing to look forward to today. His friends were coming over.
Hermione had arranged the whole thing. Ginny and Luna were invited to Hermione's house for a sleepover, though she did say little actual sleeping happened at those. Neville Longbottom had been invited over for "tutoring". The entire group would then move to Harry's house.
The doorbell rang and Harry raced to the door. "Harry!" Hermione said as she stepped in. "Padfoot pranks, by the way." She said as she began shedding her heavy winter layers.
"Harry!" Ginny and Neville practically launched themselves at Harry and nearly took him to the ground.
"Hello, Harry." Luna said as she came up behind Neville. "It's good to see you aren't dead." Harry's lips quirked at the comment by one of his more eccentric friends.
"Hi, Luna." Harry said through his laughter. "It's good to see you all. Please, let me take your coats."
"As long as I get it back." Luna said with a shrug. "I'll need it when I leave."
"No problem." Harry said as he hung the coats up. "I'll make sure you get it back." Harry motioned for his friends to follow him.
"Harry, was that –" Dudley stopped halfway down the stairs and stared. "Uh-" Harry could see his cousin's brain come to a stop and die. "Er-" Harry followed Dudley's line of sight and saw him staring at Luna. His cousin? And Luna? "Uh-"
"Hello, Harry's cousin." Luna said sweetly.
"Sorry, Dudley. That wasn't your dad. Just my friends. This is Hermione, Ginny, Neville, and Luna." He introduced them. "Guys, Dudley Dursley, my cousin." Harry watched Dudley's brain come back to life.
"It's nice to meet you." He squeaked. "I've heard a bit about you." Dudley said. Harry hadn't known Dudley could actually be polite when it suited him.
"All good, I hope." Hermione said with a grin as she hugged Harry.
"Yes." Dudley answered. Harry noticed Dudley's eyes move back to Luna. "All good."
The doorbell rang again and Harry gave a quick glance to the door before ushering his friends into the sitting room. Dudley headed towards the door but found himself blocking Luna's way. He danced around her before giving Luna a nervous smile and managing to move towards the door.
"I think your cousin likes Luna." Hermione whispered.
"I think you're right." Harry answered.
"Hermione's always right." Ginny and Neville said at the same time.
Luna stepped into the sitting room at that moment. She looked at all of her friends, noticed them staring at her, and blinked. "What?" She asked, looking around. "It's a Banackcha, isn't it? I thought one was following me."
Harry had changed for bed and was ready to climb under his blankets when someone knocked on the door. "Come in." He said, wondering who it was. "Oh, hi Aunt Petunia." He said once he saw his guardian standing there.
"Hello, Harry. Almost ready for bed?" she asked.
"Yes. It was a long day. I forgot how tiring my friends could be." Harry said with a grimace. His exhaustion was a mix of two things: his friends and holding his magic in check around his friends. He had noticed his magic flaring around lunchtime and it only got worse as time went on. He had excused himself to get a hold of his magic and had kept a tight rein on it the rest of the day.
"Dudley seems quite taken with Luna." Petunia told him.
"Yeah. I noticed that." Harry said with a smile. Dudley had asked a few questions about Luna once he came home from his father's place. "He does know she's a witch, right?" Harry had to be sure about that.
"Oh, yes. He asked me what I thought. I told him that the only thing that mattered was happiness."
"What would Uncle Vernon say?" Harry had to know. Vernon had been a part of their lives for so long.
"I don't think it matters. We can have some magic now." Petunia said with a smile. Harry returned it and resisted the urge to hug her. "Oh, look at the time. After midnight. Into bed with you, young man!" Petunia said with a fake sternness.
"Yes, ma'am!" Harry laughed and climbed into bed. Petunia reached down and ruffled his hair. She arranged the blankets around him. Harry realized what it was. His aunt had just tucked him in. He smiled up at her. "Aunt Petunia?" he said as she started for the door.
"Yes, Harry?"
"I'm glad I came home for Christmas." He said in a content voice.
"I'm glad you came home, too." She said as she turned out the light. "Goodnight, dear."
"Night." Harry said as he closed his eyes. Petunia shut his door and Harry heard her walk away. It was nice to be home.
What's that noise? Harry thought to himself. Something had brought him out of sleep. What is that? Harry reached out a hand to summon his glasses as his brain caught up with him. It couldn't be…A quick wave of his hand turned on his light and revealed a distraught Kreacher standing at the foot of his bed. "Kreacher?" he asked, unable to keep his incredulity out of his voice. This couldn't be the same elf. This one looked sane.
"Master has not come to see Kreacher!" The elf all but wailed. "Kreacher prepared for his new Master, cleaned Master's home from top to bottom, prepared the Master's room, and still Master has not come! Kreacher is a bad elf! Bad Kreacher!" Kreacher knelt on the floor. "Bad Kreacher! Bad Kreacher!"
"Kreacher, stop it." Harry said calmly.
"Bad Kreacher!" Kreacher bashed his head once more.
"Kreacher, stop punishing yourself." Harry told him. Kreacher stopped and lay on the ground, panting harshly.
"Harry, what's that noise?" Aunt Petunia asked as she knocked.
"It's okay. You can come in." He told her. She opened the door and stepped in. "It's my house elf." He explained. "Could you call Remus?" he asked. "I think I might need his advice."
"Certainly." She said, eyeing the little creature on the floor.
"Thanks." Harry said as Kreacher started to bang his head again. "Kreacher, stop banging your head!" Kreacher was acting…well, stranger than normal. "Kreacher, would you like something to do?"
"Master would give Kreacher something to do?" Kreacher asked with wide and hopeful eyes.
"Yes. My bestiary is in my trunk. Could you find it for me, please?" Harry watched as the elf began rummaging through his trunk. He heard rushed footsteps not a minute later and a very disheveled Remus burst into the room with his wand drawn.
"You'll not hurt Master!" Kreacher said vehemently with Harry's requested book held over his head like a weapon.
"Hi, Remus." Harry said calmly. "You can put your wand away. Kreacher won't hurt me." Harry shrugged. His life would never be normal, would it?
"How do you know?" Remus demanded, not lowering his wand. He ignored Kreacher's assertions that Remus would not hurt 'Master'.
"My magic." Harry said simply. It was amazing. One day, it was out of control and the next he could feel it almost speaking to him, warning him of danger (honestly, stairs were not that dangerous) and whispering of his safety.
"Oh." Remus said. He couldn't argue with something like that. "It's okay, Petunia." Remus said as he stepped out into the hallway.
"Kreacher, this is Remus Lupin, my mentor, advisor, and friend." Harry told the elf. Remus came back into the room and sat on the bed. "What do you know about elf and master relationships?" Harry asked. He had a suspicion about a few things.
"Some." Remus admitted. "It's usually for life, until one or the other dies. Elves know their master's needs and wants as well as they know their own. Their well-being is tied directly to that or their master's, their own magic is bolstered by their master's power…" Remus trailed off. His eyes told Harry that he had an epiphany. "I can't believe we didn't see it."
"You came to the same conclusion?" Harry asked.
"I think almost everyone forgot, or refused to see, the mental state Sirius was in. That would explain a few things." Remus said sadly.
"Like Kreacher's actions." Harry agreed.
"Mistress Black was so much stronger than Master Black. So much more powerful. Kreacher had to, Master!" Kreacher started to wail again. "Bad Kreacher!"
"Kreacher!" Harry said sharply. "Stop punishing yourself." Harry ordered the little creature. Kreacher stopped his head bashing mid bash and looked up at Harry. "You are not to punish yourself unless I order it. Understood?"
"Yes, Master." Kreacher said, wiping his eyes on the new tea towel he wore.
"I understand that you had to do what was ordered. I will not punish you for following directions." Harry told the elf. "And please, call me Harry."
"Of course, Master Harry!" Well, if that was the best the elf could do, Harry would leave him to it.
"Would you like to meet my family?" Harry asked the elf.
"Kreacher would be honored." He said with the vaguest hint of hero worship.
"You can come in now, Aunt Petunia." Harry called out to her.
"How did you know I was out there?" She asked as she opened the door.
"Magic." Harry told her. Remus gave out a little chuckle as Harry introduced the house elf to Petunia.
"Harry, what's wrong?" Remus asked when he noticed Harry go pale.
"Hermione's going to kill me." He said calmly. "I own a house elf." Harry buried his face in his hands.
"Hermoninny will not harm Master Harry!" Well, it looked like Harry had received a rather protective house elf, so much so that it would protect his master against the reformers who wanted to help the house elf. The irony, Remus thought. He had a feeling Harry would become a house guest of his if Hermione ever did find out. No matter. He had a guest room ready if he should need it.
Author's Note: Hehe. I can't wait. I know what's coming! Woo!