I fully admit that I'm not completely happy with this chapter, but I went over it several times, and this was the end product. Hope you all enjoy it.
The Boy Who Lived
" The Boy Who Lived," Hermione read. "I wonder who that is."
"It looks as though the book starts with what people tend to think and call you as," Luna said to Harry, who looked at her, surprise evident on his face.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"You're known as the Boy Who Lived to most of the wizarding world," Cedric said. "It's has something to do with the reason as to why you're famous."
"So Harry is the Boy Who Lived?" Hermione said. Cedric and Luna nodded their heads.
"So the person who wrote that letter and sent the books really wasn't kidding when they said that Harry was the main character. I mean, not only does the book bare his name, but the first chapter deals with him as well," Hermione said.
"Was there any doubt that they wouldn't be about him after that letter, though?" Cedric said. No one said anything, but Harry was still having a bit of trouble believing this fact, even with what was just said and what had been in the letter.
Hermione turned back to the book, beginning the chapter, but she didn't get very far when she was interrupted immediately after reading the surnames of some of the characters.
"Hey, that's my aunt and uncle's last name," Harry stated, a bit surprised, since he hadn't been expecting anything in the story to be true. However, the fact that it had their surname in the beginning was a bit suspicious to him, and he was beginning to wonder if he was wrong to have immediately written off the letter as being false.
Sensing she could continue, Hermione did so, this time reading out an address, where Harry once again interrupted her.
"And that's our address," he said rather unnecessarily, starting to believe that the letter and what these books were about as being truer now. Of course, that didn't make him all that happy, because he was slightly afraid of just what else would be said about them.
Hermione waited a few seconds to see if he would say anything else before continuing, where she read out about how the Dursley's prided themselves on being what they believed to be normal, uninvolved with strange and mysterious things, mostly because they thought such was nonsense.
"Is that true, Harry?" Luna asked, curiosity in her voice.
"Yeah, they hate anything that may suggest that something was anything but normal," Harry said. He smiled. "They would definitely hate this, if they knew about it."
His smile then faded as he wondered just what they would do if they learned that he was here, reading books that were supposedly about his future, brought to him and the others by magic. He barely held in the shudder that the mere thought of their reaction brought up.
Hermione continued on, mentioning what Mr. Dursley's job was, as well as his looks, to which, when she looked up, she saw that Harry had a slight grin on his face, as if letting them all know that it was an able description of his uncle. Hermione then moved on to Mrs. Dursley, who was apparently the complete opposite of Mr. Dursley in looks. She then ended up interrupting herself when she read out what Mrs. Dursley often did in the majority of her time.
"Does she really spy on your neighbors?" Hermione asked, incredulous. She couldn't imagine someone being so intrusive. When she saw Harry nod his head, she made a noise of disgust. She was very glad that they weren't her neighbors.
She then continued, with the first mentions about their son, named Dudley, whom they had the rather arrogant belief of being the finest boy anywhere.
"Which, of course, means that he's the worse boy in the world," Luna said. "After all, with the way they seem to act, and what Harry said about then not liking magic, there is no way anything they believe could be true."
Hermione, after agreeing with Luna, continued on with the chapter, her voice informing the others about how the Dursleys apparently had all they wanted, but also had a great secret that they feared discovery of. This secret was about the Potters, which caused Hermione to interrupt herself once more.
"And why is that?" Hermione asked, frowning.
"Well, considering that they're magical, it makes sense that these Dursleys, who dislike magic, would fear this," Luna pointed out.
"Oh," Hermione said, before reading on about how Mrs. Potter was Mrs. Dursley's sister, and that they hadn't seen each other in several years. Brows furrowed among three of the readers – for Harry was already used to his relatives way of thinking – as the chapter continued on with how Mrs. Durlsey pretended she was an only child because of how much she disliked her sister and husband, considering them to be the exact opposite of her own family, and not in any good way. It was made clear that they were afraid of what could happen of the Potters were to arrive on their street.
"Well, considering that they'd most likely do their best to fit in, I really doubt that they'd realize that they weren't normal, at least, until your aunt and her husband reacted," Luna stated. "After all, we do have to do our best to fit in with the Muggles."
"Muggles?" Hermione asked.
"It's what we call non-magical people," Cedric said.
"Oh," Hermione said, about to continue when there was a slight flash and a small piece of paper came down from the ceiling. Cedric, being the tallest, reached for it, grabbing it before they others. He unfolded it, and looked at what was written on it.
"What does it say?" Luna asked.
Dear readers,
While your reading and making your observations, please say mundane over Muggle whenever your actually speak about your observations to each other (as you can't help but read it while reading the book itself). I say this because it's best not to get into the bad habit of saying Muggle, as you'll begin to do it whenever, including around them, and that often ends up gaining their attention, meaning that they'll hear other things that they shouldn't.
T.C.H.
Cedric and Luna both looked at each other in surprised, for they didn't realize that.
"Whoever wrote that isn't wrong," Hermione said. "Quite a few people would indeed listen in if they heard a word they didn't know, because it sounds like a code word, and they'll become curious about why your speaking in code."
"Well, then, I suppose that this person then has a point. After all, if we say mundane over Muggle every point we speak to each other, it could easily become second nature, meaning that not only will Harry and you not get into the habit of saying Muggle, but that Cedric and I will probably get out of the habit of saying it," Luna said. "Though it will probably be kind of hard for us, considering that we've always called them that."
"Yeah, I'll probably have the most trouble concerning that," Cedric admitted. "Luna might not, due to the fact that she tends to pick things up pretty easily, but I know that it'll probably take me a while to actually pick it up."
"We'll help you out on that end," Hermione said, motioning her and Harry, who nodded in agreement with her words.
Once that was settled, Hermione turned back to the chapter, revealing the information about the Potters having a son themselves, whom they'd never seen, and never wanted to see, considering they were of the belief that Dudley mixing with him would be a horrid thing to have.
Looks like they obviously didn't get their wish Harry thought, though he was confused as to why they didn't want Dudley around him.
"And what was so wrong about having you near him?" Hermione asked waspishly. From what she could see, there was nothing wrong with Harry. In fact, he was quite polite and nice so far.
"I think it has to do with the same issues that they apparently have with his parents," Cedric said, while Hermione, having looked up when speaking, looked back down at the book, finding where she'd left off.
Once she had her place, she began speaking once more, where it was revealed that there was more about to happen, for the book made it clear that the story was starting on a seemingly dull, gray Tuesday, which gave the suggestion that there would be nothing out of the ordinary happening, which was, by the book, quite wrong. She continued to read about them starting their day, wondering how it was that Mrs. Dursley could be happily gossiping when her son was screaming his head off and fighting her. As she mentioned the fact that none of them noticed an owl going by the window, Cedric couldn't help but wonder just why that particular detail was noted. Even if the day was being told in more detail than others, that detail just didn't seem all that important to make such note of.
Hermione continued the chapter, which showed the fact that they were ignoring the tantrum that Dudley was throwing while Mrs. Dursley tried to feed him and Mr. Dursley was leaving, with Mr. Dursley practically happy about said tantrum, in a way. Hermione rolled her eyes when she read that out, knowing that if it had been her acting that way, there would have been trouble.
It was only a few more words in that there was a sign of something peculiar to Mr. Dursley – the sight of cat apparently reading a map at the corner, which had Hermione looking confused at hearing that. Mr. Dursley, of course, didn't really react to the sight right away, it having not really computed in his brain immediately, before, the realization of what he may have seen had him looking again, where he saw that, while there was a cat, there wasn't a map in sight.
"So does that mean that he just imagined seeing a map," Hermione said.
"I don't know," Harry said, not mentioning the fact that he really doubted his uncle was capable of imagining anything, much less that. Hermione shrugged, turning back to the chapter. It seemed that, while he was sure that it was probably a trick of the light, Mr. Dursley was kind of wary concerning the cat, keeping his eyes on it as he drove away, seeing it looking at the sign, because he was majorly sure that there was no possible way a cat could read anything.
Not unless they're animagi Cedric thought upon hearing that, remembering the term and its meaning from a book he'd read the previous school year. I wonder if the cat is an actual animagus. But then, if it is, what is it doing there?
Hermione read next of Mr. Dursley forcing the cat from his mind to concentrate on something concerning his work while on his way there. Of course, unfortunately for him, it didn't quite work, because something else drove it from his mind; several people he saw were strangely dressed to him, wearing cloaks of all things.
As Hermione read that bit out loud, both Cedric and Luna exchanged a surprised glance at that; one of the first things they are told is to blend in. Even if there was a reason to celebrate, these witches and wizards should know better. Then, Cedric remembered something that his mother had once said, concerning the few days after the event in which gave Harry his most known title, and he began to wonder...
Unware of what was going through Cedric's and Luna's mind, Hermione read out of Mr. Dursley's intolerance towards something like that, not liking people not dressed in 'normal' clothes.
"I wonder just what he considers to be normal, then, considering that clothing styles are always changing," Hermione couldn't help but say, interrupting herself in reading, again.
Harry just shrugged – he really didn't pay attention to what his uncle considered to be normal clothing, seeing as he really had no reason to do so.
Hermione frowned, but continued with the chapter, where it showed even more of Mr. Dursley's intolerance about this fashion getup; not only did he refer to those wearing the cloaks as weirdos in his mind, but, upon the discovery about one man having to be older than him wearing a cloak, he was beyond outraged about it.
"That's definitely what my uncle would think if he saw something like that," Harry commented, interrupting Hermione for the first time since the chapter began. Not that Hermione was too upset about it – she had been wondering if what she'd just read out was true or not.
It seemed, as Hermione continued reading, that Mr. Dursley, upon that discovery, couldn't see this fashion statement as a fashion statement, and his mind, unable to handle the idea that someone might wear a cloak just to wear one, decided for him that these people were just collecting for something, using the cloaks as some silly stunt for some reason.
His reasoning caused all four of the readers chuckled. For the two used to seeing a sight, they found it odd that he seemed to believe that there had to be a reason for them dressing that way, while the two who weren't used to a sight just found it funny that, upon him seeing someone wearing a cloak that was older than him, he decided that they were just idiotic stunt people who were collecting for something.
Once she and the others had calmed down a bit, Hermione read the next part of the chapter, where there was the mention that Mr. Dursley's day went the way it normally did due to the way he chose to sit in his office. Of course, for most of the other people, specifically on the street and anyone who with an easy view out the window, they didn't get that normal of a day, for they were witness to tons of owls going back and forth in the skies.
"I remember hearing about that. My dad told me years ago when we went to the zoo," Hermione said, looking up from the book. She looked over at Cedric, figuring that he would be the best person to ask.
"I take it owls are used by wizards in some way," she stated, though it came out as a slight question. Cedric nodded.
"It's our way of sending letters and packages," he said. She nodded, turning back to the chapter, where she continued with Mr. Dursley's perfectly normal – for him – morning had gone, which included the fact that he shouted quite a bit. Hermione looked up at Harry after reading that part.
"Does your uncle like to yell?" Hermione asked Harry, who nodded his head. Hermione frowned before turning back to the book, commenting, " That's really sad that having shouted at people put him in a good mood," before continuing on.
She read out how his good mood only lasted until lunch, which was when he chose to leave his office to buy a bun from a bakery across the road.
"You mean he actually walked?" Hermione asked, sounding unbelieving. Considering how big he was described as being, it was not surprising for Hermione to wonder about that. Harry shrugged, though he wasn't surprised to learn that his uncle was walking simply for food – it made sense to him, after all.
Hermione continued with the chapter, where the mention of him having forgotten about the funnily dressed people was mentioned when he passed by a group of them.
"I wonder if he's going learn that his previous thoughts were wrong," Cedric said at that, remembering what he suspected of why they were dressed the way they were.
"He seems to find them very offensive to see," Hermione said, frowning as she read out about that bit, though the book termed it differently. Then it became clear that the reason why he was feeling that way was told, which was that they made him rather uneasy.
"Somehow, I think some part of him might be recognizing that they're magical, which could be why they're making him uneasy," Luna said, inturrupting for the first time since the word Muggle had been mentioned.
"You could be right," Cedric said, since he could tell that what it was that had them feeling the way concerning the Potters had been the fact that they were magical – at least, that was his thoughts, because what was said about them hinted at such quite a bit.
Hermione read on, showing Mr. Dursley's observations of these groups, which were that they were clearly excited about something, and that they seem to have anything collected. However, it was only after he'd bought his food and was leaving that he caught any gist of what was exciting them.
"Whatever's being said is probably important to him, if he really noted them," Cedric said, wondering what it was that could have been the reason for his attention being caught.
It was at that point that a family named Potter, with a son called Harry, were mentioned, which had Harry straightening up in his seat, wondering if they meant him and his parents, and hoping that he would get an answer to that next.
Unfortunately, what was mentioned next was Mr. Dursley's reaction, much to Harry's disappointment.
Fear stopping him in his tracks seems to suggest that the first thought through his mind is that it's his family-in-laws Hermione thought. She had the feeling, though, that that the fear that flooded him wasn't because something had happened to them, but rather because they'd been mentioned around him, and he was afraid that it might affect his family. After all, as she read out about a thought of his, which he didn't end up doing, based on what had been said about them in the book so far kind of showed her that they would most likely celebrate if something bad had happened to them, so long as the bad thing didn't have the effect of touching them, of course.
"If he did say something, then what it was that he was afraid of could end up having happen right then," Harry muttered under his breath, knowing that, if they were talking about his family, that would be why he didn't say anything. He would want to hold out hope that he was wrong, after all; plus, Harry wouldn't be surprised if he wanted his aunt's take on this as well.
Which, as Hermione read, was what Mr. Dursleys did want, only to change his mind before he could get a hold of Harry's aunt. No, once he began calming, Hermione read that he was more than sure that he was overreacting, at which point it became known to the readers that he wasn't even sure if the Potters mentioned were the very Potters he was thinking of.
Upon hearing that, Harry silently sighed, knowing that he wouldn't be getting his answer as he had hoped.
"Not true. The Potter isn't a usual name in the wizarding world, and the name Harry was even more unusual," said Cedric, not going into why it wasn't unusual anymore.
"But he isn't wrong about the fact that it isn't an unusual name in general, for the non-magical world," Hermione said to him, before looking back to the book and reading out the next bit, which had her head snapping up to Harry.
"He didn't even know your name?" Hermione said, incredulous. Harry just shrugged, not answering her, for he wasn't sure he could keep from mentioning that he didn't think his uncle even knew his name now. Hermione shook her head in disbelief, which colored her voice as she read the next bit, which were other ideas of what Mr. Dursley thought Harry's name could actually be.
"Harvey Potter, Harold Potter. Nope, neither of them sound as nice as Harry Potter," Luna said dreamily.
"At least he had the first three letters of my name right," Harry said, causing funny looks from the other three, who noted that the way he said it was almost as if it was a positive detail, when it shouldn't have been. His uncle should have known his name, at the very least, not just three letters of it.
"That's just sad, especially since I have the feeling that, if the opposite came about, and something had happened to these Dursleys, they'd happily come to the aid of the Dursley's son," Hermione said, right after reading how Mrs. Dursley was always upset when it came to mentions of her sister, to which it got noted that Mr. Dursley basically agreed to the idea of why she got that way as well.
The chapter continued, with the fact that Mr. Dursley's afternoon was a lot different that his morning, for he couldn't get back the peace he'd felt that morning, now more than a little bothered since he'd heard the Potter name mentioned. In fact, due to his worry, he ended up walking straight into someone on his way out the door when it was time to leave.
"I hope he didn't crush the person," Hermione couldn't help but saying, sounding worried. She then got a look of disapproval on her face, saying, "I have the feeling that he didn't try to help keep the old man from falling," when it mentioned that Mr. Dursley only stated sorry to the old many that he'd ran into. Of course, it didn't take long for Mr. Dursley to notice that the man was one of those, in his mind, weirdos he'd spotted a few times that day already.
And it seemed, as Hermione continued to read out, that the old man wasn't upset about almost being crushed, or falling to the ground, for he smiled widely at Mr. Durlsey.
"That wouldn't make my uncle very happy," Harry said, as Hermione read out that the man had a squeaky, attention grabbing voice, with which he declared the reason why he, as well as many others like him, were happy. It seemed that someone known as You-Know-Who was now gone, and the old man in question pretty much made it clear that even 'Muggles' should be celebrating as well.
It is the day that I was thinking it might be thought Cedric, though he didn't say anything. Meanwhile, Hermione paused, her eyes rereading the little bit she'd just read before looking up, looking between Cedric and Luna.
"Whose You-Know-Who?" Hermione asked. Cedric and Luna exchanged a glance.
"I'm sure the story will say it on it's own," Cedric said, not wanting to get into the story himself, mostly because he didn't even know the full story concerning it. Hermione frowned, wanting to know right then, but, seeing as she did need to continue the chapter – as she was the reader for the moment – she let it go.
"That is definitely going to shock my uncle," Harry said when the first thing Hermione read next was that his uncle ended up being hugged by the stranger. This, as Hermione continued, had the effect of rattling Mr. Dursley, and, to Harry's surprise, he ended up learning that his uncle actually hoped that he was imagining things; as Harry knew already, he didn't approve of imagination.
The moment that was read out, Hermione looked up over to Harry.
"How can he not approve of imagination? Is he a complete idiot?" Hermione and Cedric said together, for Cedric was even shocked at that. Luna nodded her head a bit vigorously, obviously agreeing with the other two. Harry didn't say anything, used to this fact.
Hermione shook her head, turning back to the chapter, where Mr. Dursley ended up with his mood dropping further at the sight of the tabby cat he'd seen that morning, sitting on the garden wall. And, as Hermione read, he was sure it was the same one due to interesting markings around it's eyes.
"Yeah, I can see why he wouldn't have wanted to see it, considering that it was the first strange thing he saw when he left the house," Luna said. "One could even say that, in a way, for him, it was the start of the strangeness of the day."
"True," Hermione said, turning back to the chapter. Cedric reckoned that the cat was definitely an animagus as he'd thought earlier as Hermione read the fact that the cat just seemed to give Mr. Dursley a stern look when he tried to shoo it away, wonder if that was normal cat behavior, which, to Hermione's knowledge, it wasn't.
Still, as Hermione read on, it became clear that Mr. Dursley had no desire to tell his wife about anything he'd seen or heard that day.
"Somehow, I don't think he'll be able to keep it from her," Cedric said dryly. Hermione smiled for a moment before reciting Mrs. Dursley's telling of her day, which was completely 'normal' compared to Mr. Dursley's; considering some of what was said, Hermione did not consider her all that normal, due to how abnormal some of the things that had happened were to her. Then a news report showed that other strange things had happened that day, which, upon the discovery about shooting stars happening in places instead of rain – and here, Harry asked Cedric and Luna if the fact that non-magicals noticing these things were good, to which they replied in the negatives – that Mr. Dursley, disturbed by what the news report had mentioned, along with what he'd seen and heard that day, finally decided that he had to say something to Mrs. Dursley about it.
It seemed, as Hermione read, that Mr. Dursley was still reluctant, though, for he first questioned about if she'd had news from her sister – with the reminder of how they truly reacted concerning said sister causing Hermione to shake her head – and then only mentioning what had been mentioned on the news, along with the 'funny-looking people' he'd seen in town.
"I have the feeling that she's not going to be very bothered by that," Harry said, knowing that the fact that his aunt hadn't seen that herself would make sure if it.
"Plus, if you're aunt has a different opinion to your uncle concerning fashion, she might not really get the problem with people being dressed strangely, unless she knows for sure what it is that wizards wear," Luna said. "Though, admittedly, she probably does through your mother."
"Since he doesn't actually state what they were wearing, though, then it's not going to occur to her what this has to really do, unless the mention about what was on the news tells gives her enough of a hint otherwise," Cedric pointed out.
When Mr. Dursley mentioned his thoughts about what was going on being connected to Mrs. Dursley's sister, her only response was to sip he tea through pursed lips.
"She probably realizes that it does, but, as she wants nothing to do with her sister, she's doesn't really care, other than to be angry that it brought about mention of her sister," Luna said, guessing as to why Mrs. Dursley was acting this way. Harry nodded his head in agreement with her.
It was at this point, Hermione read, that Mr. Dursley made it clear that he wasn't about to mention that he may have heard something about his family-in-law from said weirdos, which didn't surprise Hermione one bit. Of course, he did still mention them, as Hermione read on, simply trying to figure out if it was his family-in-law that had been mentioned, checking to find out what his nephew's name was, which didn't improve his mood when he learned it though he hid his reaction from his wife.
"I have the feeling that he's only saying that because he's realized that those people could have been talking about the very Potter's that they're related to," Hermione said.
"I have a feeling that it is true to a point, though," Luna said. "The fact that it was the name that his family-in-law came up with probably meant that even if he was named the same as their son, they would still have issues with it."
"It's a good thing Harry wasn't given the same name, though," Hermione said. "Dudley is a terrible name, after all."
After saying that, and the chuckles from the others had died down, Hermione continued the chapter, where the Dursley's were getting ready for bed, Mr. Dursley checking and noting that the tabby cat was still there, which made him worry a bit more. Still, it ended up taking the thought of the fact that the Dursleys had made their position concerning the Potters to them quite clear, and he was sure that, because of it, nothing about what he'd seen that day would touch him or his family, for him to begin to fall asleep, though the thought still didn't keep him from being uneasy.
"I have the feeling that he's just jinxed himself," Hermione said after reading that. Harry nodded his head – even he knew that certain things were best left unsaid and unthought of in certain times, because it always seemed to come back to bite you by proving you wrong, which the very next sentence that Herimone ended up reading pointed out.
Am I going to get my answers now Harry thought, paying much more attention that before. After all, based on the few clues that had been given, it was more than likely that this had to do with him, in some form of matter.
Hermione didn't notice Harry's actions as she read about the cat still sitting on the wall outside, almost like a statue as it stared at the corner of the drive.
"It's definitely waiting for something, then," Luna said, for she couldn't see any reason for a cat to be acting like that if it wasn't.
The fact that the cat, as Hermione read, didn't move until something out of the ordinary happened showed the truth to Luna's words, for the fact that the only movement the cat did ended up being when someone appeared at the corner so suddenly and silently that it seemed that he had popped up from the ground itself.
What followed in the chapter was a description of the man, who was, apparently, very out of place on the drive, and was also, apparently, one of the strange people that Mr. Dursley had seen earlier that day. It was when his name was given that there was any reaction from the reader, both Cedric and Luna to gasping, which had Hermione stop reading and look at them curiously, just as Harry was doing.
"Dumbledore is one of the most powerful wizards in the world," Luna said. While she knew that there were many would would disagree with her about that – for they believed that he was the most powerful wizard alive, no exceptions – she was smart enough to know that such narrow-mindedness wasn't shared by everyone. Dumbledore may be seen that way throughout most of Europe, but she wouldn't be surprised if he was seen a different way in other coutries, or even if he was someone unknown to other magicals. Most places had their own ideas about what made someone greater/more powerful than another, so there was a good chance that people in those places believed something else.
"He's also the headmaster of the Hogwarts, the magic school I go to," Cedric said.
Hermione nodded her head as she turned to where she'd left off, which was then her reading out that Dumbledore appeared unaware of how unwelcomed he was on that street, Cedric saying, "No, he probably knew, just didn't care. He tends not to when it comes to things like that," right after she read that.
Hermione then read out about how he appeared to be looking for something, though he seemed to be aware that he was being watched and seeing the cat just seemed to amuse him, making him believe that he should have realized it would be there, causing Cedric to realize that he most likely knew who the cat was.
When Dumbledore found what he was looking for, both Hermione and Cedric had the same reaction – which was that they thought the item was cool and that they both wanted one – when he used it to cause all of the street lamps to go dark, before heading to where the cat was. Of course, discovering that they were thinking the same thing had Cedric and Hermione surprised with each other, and shy, though they gave each other glances out of the corner of their eyes as Hermione continued with the chapter, with Dumbledore speaking to the cat and calling it Professor McGonagall.
Cedric, of course, recognized the name.
"That's our transfiguration teacher at Hogwarts. She's also the deputy Headmistress," Cedric said to the others, noticing Hermione's mouth open, and having a feeling of what she was going to say.
"You have a cat for a professor?" Hermione said, clearly wondering if the headmaster was crazy. Cedric shook his head.
"No, she's an animagus. It means she had the ability to turn into an animal, a cat in this case. It's something only select few choose to do, as it's apparently hard to do without proper guidance, and you, if you succeed, have to register the fact that you can do it and include certain information, like what animal you change into and what markings distinguish you. At least, that's what my dad told me. I'll be learning more about it this year at school."
"Really? What year are you in?" Hermione asked, interested in both his actual year as well as wanting to know when they begin learning about animagi. It sounded like it was complicated magic.
"I'll be starting my third year soon," he answered.
"How old…" Hermione started, getting a bit into talking to Cedric that Harry had to clear his throat to gain her attention again. He pointed toward the book she still had in her hand, indicating that she should continue with it. She blushed and complied, reading out how the cat was now gone, with a woman in it's place.
"I take it that's what you mean by identification markings," Harry said when it was read out about the woman's glasses being the same as the marking that had been about the cat's eyes. Cedric nodded his head as Hermione read out about the fact that the woman was wearing a cloak as well.
The conversation that followed between Dumbledore and McGonagall was interesting, first for the fact that Dumbledore had known it was her to begin with – Luna speculation that it was due to Dumbledore know what she looked like in her animagus form very well, though Dumbledore made a comment about how she'd been sitting as his reasoning for recognizing her. Then, there was the fact that Dumbledore was surprised about how long she'd been there, commenting on the parties going on to which – as Cedric predicted – she was clearly unimpressed with, pointing out the problems about there being so many 'parties' going on. She showed the fact that she had heard what was said on the news report, even naming the most likely culprit for the shooting stars incident; clearly, she was anything but impressed by it, to which Cedric mumbled about her being as stern as ever.
Of course, as Hermione read out, Dumbledore pointed out the fact the people couldn't really be blamed, noting that it had been over a decade since with very little reason to celebrate. Hermione's eyes widened at that, and she looked up at the others.
"If they hadn't had much to celebrate for that long, I think that it makes sense as to why they seemed to have forgotten themselves," Hermione said.
"With it being what day it was mentioned as being, that is very true," Cedric told her. Hermione nodded her head, looking back down and finding where he'd left off.
Of course, while Hermione could understand the reasoning for the magicals actions, McGonagall had a different opinion, making note of the fact that everyone was, apparently, loosing their heads and being careless. Hermione couldn't help but mention, "I wonder what these rumors actually are. I mean, other than having to do with Harry's family, as they most likely do, we haven't really been told much about them," when McGonagall mentioned this fact.
Of course, it seemed that McGonagall's mentioning of this was for a purpose, for she looked at Dumbledore, as if to see if he would say something to her, but he seemed content to let her rant, which she did so, with Dumbledore only comment about her rant – it being about non-magicals discovering about them the same day that 'You-Know-Who' (and Hermione did note that the moniker was mention again, with a frown) seemed to have disappeared, with a questioning toward if he really was gone. Dumbledore answered her that time with a seemingly affirmative, right before asking her if she wanted a sweet that caused Cedric and Luna to interrupt her reading.
"A what?" Cedric and Luna both asked when it was mentioned.
"It's a sweet," Hermione told them, right before she read about McGonagall having the same reaction, and Dumbledore's response, showing that she hadn't needed to explain.
"From what I've heard, Dumbledore loves all kinds of sweetsm wizarding and non-magical," Luna mentioned, after Hermione finished with Dumbledore's explanation concerning what he was offering her.
Of course, it seemed that McGonagall wasn't happy about the offering – Cedric noting that she tended to think that way (which was that it wasn't the moment for it) about a lot of things. McGonagall, it seemed had only one thing on her mind, and she tried to steer the conversation back to it, though this time, when she mentioned the moniker that Hermione was wondering about, Dumbledore interrupted her, pointing out that it was nonsense to constantly call this person by that name, while mentioning what his name actually was due to his constant persual of trying to get others to say it.
"Why don't people call him by his real name. After all, fear of the name only increases fear of the thing itself," Hermione stated as she looked up form the book to see what Cedric's and Luna's reaction to what she said was. Harry, though he didn't fully understand what she meant, nodded his head, mostly because he kind of could see Dumbledore's point about it. Cedric and Luna shrugged, though Cedric flinched in spite of himself. It was hard for him not to; he had been raised to do so whenever he heard the name. Luna, though, was much more blasé about it, not flinching, though, when asked, she would admit that she didn't say his real name either.
"I guess it mostly has to do with the fact that we were taught not to say it, and fear if we actually heard it," Cedric said. Hermione had to concede that he had a point – she knew that she herself would end up having done it if she had grown up as a witch and around people who did that.
"But what about those who didn't grow up hearing it?" Harry asked.
"They adapt to it rather quickly," Cedric said. "I don't know exactly why, though. I suspect that a part of the reason is so that they'll fit in better in our world by doing that. Plus, as far as I know, no books hold his actual name, so they don't know what else to call him, and, by the time they learn it, it's not only become second nature to call him by the moniker, but they'll have hear about all of the terrible things he did, and end up developing a fear of him like everyone else seems to have."
Hermione frowned at hearing that, because that just didn't make sense to her – why would you fear someone just based on learning what he did – but she continued with the chapter rather than bring her thoughts out into the open.
"He most likely did and just ignored it, actually," Luna said, as Hermione read out about Dumbledore not seeming to notice that McGonagall had flinched when he'd said the name, and, when he pointed out that it was confusing constantly saying 'You-Know-Who', Cedric realized, "When you consider that if another dark wizard comes along, they might end up with the same moniker, I can see why he'd say that."
Hermione nodded her head, but didn't stop from reading out about Dumbledore's lack of being frightened by saying the name – again, Hermione couldn't help but feel as though there was something odd about that, since Cedric had just mentioned that the fear was of him, not his name.
"From what I know, Dumbledore's apparently the only person whom he is frightened of," Cedric said in response to that, which, as Hermione ended up reading out, was true, as far as McGonagall knew – Luna noted that Dumbledore must've given her a look when she started to say 'You-Know-Who' instead of Voldemort.
Of course, as Hermione read, it seemed to be a feeling that Dumbledore didn't really share, as he seemed to point out that this Voldemort had powers he didn't have, to which McGonagall, and Cedric, both pointed out that the only reason for that was because he was too noble to use such powers, showing that they were both of the belief that he did have the powers, unlike what Dumbledore had just said.
The belief, as Hermione read, seemed to embarrass Dumbledore, for he made a comment about blushing and the last time he'd done so.
"I really could have lived without knowing what could make him blush," Cedric said, with Harry nodding in agreement. Hermione looked at both of them weirdly before continuing the chapter, which was McGonagall seeming to finally get to the whole reason why she had been waiting for him to begin with, with it also being made clear that it was something she wasn't going to believe until he confirmed it.
"The fact that it says that suggests that it's not something that she wants to be true," Hermione said.
"I don't think that she's getting her wish, especially if it has to do with my parents," Harry said. Hermione wonder what he meant by that, but didn't ask as she read out about Dumbledore's basic ignoring of McGonagall's beginning inquiry.
"That would be annoying; I would hate it if I was asking something, or made it clear I wanted an answer to something, and got basically ignored for my troubles," Hermione mumbled after it said that.
The fact that she didn't get an answer didn't seem to trouble McGonagall too much, though, for, as Hermione read, she pressed on, pointing out what people were saying. At this point, Harry, suspecting that he was going to get some answers that he'd been questioning since this book began, was painfully aware of the fact that his back couldn't straighten anymore, something the others noticed but didn't question.
When Hermione read out the next bit, though, she couldn't help the slight gasp that left her at the mention of two of the Potters being dead, since that fact hadn't actually been mentioned before. The chapter pointing out the truth to it, and McGonagall's reaction to hearing it – to which Cedric noted that she must've really cared for them – had Hermione frowning, especially when it became clear that this monster had gone after Harry next.
"Wh-what?" Hermione said, sounded extremely surprised. She looked at her new friend – for she did consider him her friend now, despite having only known him for less than an hour – and couldn't imagine not having met him at all.
"He didn't succeed in doing it, as you can see," Harry said to her, for the look on her face made it almost seem like she thought he did.
Hermione nodded, took a breath, and read out the fact of why Harry was alive still.
"So, what, did he just have a change of heart?" Hermione asked, for that was what it sounded like, based on the wording that McGonagall used.
"No, something else happened that night," Cedric said, which, as Hermione read, she realized herself.
"I wonder what it was that happened, then," Hermione murmured after reading out what McGonagall knew about it. She then read of Dumbledore confirming it, which surprised McGonagall quite a bit.
"It is kind of hard to believe," Cedric said. "With what's been said about him, to have been brought down my someone just a little over a year old..."
"That's going to be quite a blow to his pride, if he's not actually dead," Hermione said.
"He is," Cedric said. "At least, from what's been said."
"Actually, everyone seems to be saying that he's gone, or, in McGonagall's case, that he disappeared, which doesn't necessarily mean that he's dead," Hermione pointed out. "He could have just been so injured that he went into hiding, rather than be captured."
"I really hope that you're wrong about that," Cedric said, not liking the implications of what she was getting at. Hermione kind of shrugged, not having been able to help herself from pointing that out to him to begin with. She turned back to the chapter, reading out about how surprising it was to McGonagall for the fact that, despite the number of people Voldemort had killed – which caused her to frown once more, because of the fact that it reminded her of what had been said about why he was feared, and yet she was still having trouble understanding why that would make people so afraid to say his name – he hadn't been able to do so with Harry.
"That the question almost every wizard wants to know?" Cedric said after the mention about how Harry survived; he ended up frowning as he realized something. "I really hope that these books won't just stay here once we're finished with them."
"Why?" asked Harry.
"You-Know- okay, V-Voldemort, " he hastily corrected himself due to the glare Hermione sent him. He still flinched as he said it. "Well, he had a lot of supporters for what he called his 'cause' for why he was doing what he did. I can just imagine what they would do with the information in these books if they were given the chance to read them."
Hermione and Harry shivered, understanding perfectly well what it was that he was saying. There was no doubt that they would attempt to kill Harry if they could get passed whatever it was that had helped keep Harry alive to begin with, and that's just a small hint of what they could do with whatever was in these books as well.
"He probably does, though," Luna said, after Hermione read out Dumbledore's reponse to McGonagall's question. The others looked at her. "Just because he doesn't say it doesn't mean that he truly doesn't know. To be honest, with something like this, even if he didn't know at that moment, he most likely would have researched it when he had the time to."
"She is right," Cedric said. "That's how Dumbledore tends to be, from what I know, after all. He would be curious to find out the answer to that question if he could do so."
Hermione nodded her head in understanding as she found where she left off, continuing to read about McGonagall's reaction to finding out this truth, as well as the fact that Dumbledore was actually waiting for someone by the name of Hagrid to arrive, at which point it was discovered that Hagrid was the reason why McGonagall was there. Then the question of why Dumbledore was there was asked, and it was discovered that he was there to bring Harry to his family, the only family he apparently had left.
"That must suck," Hermione said to him, knowing from the previous paragraphs that these Dursleys weren't the nicest people to live with. In fact, considering what they mentioned concerning Harry's parents alone...
"It really does," Harry said, while he wondered if it was true about them being his only family.
McGonagall's reaction was much like there's concerning it in a way, for she was beyond shocked to learn that he meant the Dursleys, whom – as Hermione pointed out – she revealed all the knowledge she'd seen since arriving there, pointing out how unlike them they were, along with how horridly behaved Dudley was.
"If I did that, my mother would ground me," Hermione said, after reading out the tantrum Dudley had been throwing outside where everyone could see it. "Something tells me, though, that they don't do that with your cousin."
Harry nodded, not saying anything, but knowing that he most likely did get those sweets he wanted.
Hermione read on, noting Dumbledore's apparently deafness in listening to McGonagall's complaints, simply stating that it was the best place for him.
"He can't really believe that, can he?" Cedric asked, surprise coloring his voice. He knew that Dumbledore was a little kooky, but still, he would have thought that he would have had more sense than to give Harry to people like that. Just from what had been said about them already suggested that Harry living there was the worse thing possible, and he realized that there was a good chance that all of the preconceived notions that Harry Potter was living like the celebrity that he was were anything but true.
He looked over at Harry, taking a the time to actually study him, something he hadn't really done when they first introduced themselves. When they had first arrived, he had kind of been distracted from doing so because he'd put his attention on Hermione over him, and then, upon hearing his name, he'd only really looked at the scar to actually look at the rest of him. He might've actually paid more attention to Harry after that, but the books that had just suddenly appeared and the reason for them had completely distracted him from everything else. So it was only now that he noticed that Harry didn't look all that well put together, for he was wearing clothes that were clearly too big for him, his glasses appeared to have been broken many times, and, though it could be because of the clothes, he was smaller and thinner than Cedric would have expected.
"Maybe he had his reasons for that," Luna said, though doubt colored her voice.
"If it's because of safety, I am very doubtful that would be the best place for him," Hermione said firmly. "After all, he could end up in more danger there than elsewhere, with the way they were described."
She then went and read about Dumbledore's actions of leaving a letter to them to explain things.
Harry snorted at hearing that. If the explanation had to do with magic, then they certainly wouldn't explain when he was old enough to understand. He'd already realized that they had lied about how his parents died from the little information gleaned from this chapter. They had told him that Lily and James Potter had died in a car crash, not that they had been murdered.
"A letter?" Hermione said faintly, her eyes rereading the line again to make sure she had read it right; she had. "He thinks a letter will work."
Her wonder about the letter was something that McGonagall felt the same about, though, as McGonagall continued, it was all they agreed about, because, as Hermione read on, she couldn't help but feel as if everything McGonagall was saying was something that would end up working against her quest of keeping Harry out of the Dursley house, considering that she was pointing out all about the fact that Harry would be misunderstood in that house, mostly due to the fact that he was bound to become famous, giving out examples that his fame would most likely bring him.
"Is that true?" Harry asked nervously after hearing all this, not caring at all about these facts. He didn't like it when attention was on him, mostly because of what his relative's attention being on him usually meant.
"We do all know your name, and there are books written about you, but I've never heard of an actual day named after you. Mostly, you're just kind of a legend, and…" here Cedric paused, unable to put what he had been thinking earlier into actual words. Luna, however, didn't have as much trouble.
"Everyone believes that you're living like a king, and that you know all this. They believe that you pretty much love your fame, like they believe that anyone else in your position would. Obviously, that's not true, as you didn't even realize you were famous prior to meeting us, and being told from us," Luna said.
Harry had to admit that, while he hated the fact that these people were under a misconception and that it probably meant that he was going to have a lot of people looking at him more than he was really comfortably with, he definitely liked Luna rather blunt honesty. Cedric's honesty was good as well, but Harry knew that he was going to attempt to sugarcoat what Luna said so easily.
"Well, I guess I can see why he's putting you with them then," Hermione said, sighing. "He probably doesn't want you to get a big head. I guess one of your parents had one." This last bit was said teasingly, and Harry couldn't help but smile at that.
"Hey," he said, pretending to be offended.
"She isn't wrong there," Cedric said, causing Harry to look over to him. "While my mother had already graduated when your parents started school, she did attend a few functions that your father's family did, and she did mention that, when the grown ups weren't in the room, he did act as though he had a big head."
Hermione sighed a bit before turning back to the book, where Dumbledore gave his own argument concerning why he thought it was the best place for Harry, mostly because he thought it better that Harry grow up away from the effects that his fame would bring.
"Yeah, he doesn't want you to get a bit head," Hermione said, only slightly joking as she said the last part, mostly because her thoughts were on the fact that, despite what he was saying, it felt as though there was something wrong with it at the same time, like she was missing something that had been mentioned that would have his point made a bit obsolete. Harry nodded.
"I guess it so. And I kind of agree with him on why he brought me there instead of sending me somewhere else. I think it would be a bit overwhelming for me if I wasn't old enough to know about it. I just wish that he could have found me a different family to go to," Harry said, distracting Hermione from her elusive thoughts. Mentally shaking her head, she read on, seeing immediately that McGonagall, after Dumbledore's words, ended up changing her mind, forgetting her argument, which struck Hermione as wrong.
"Why didn't she fight him a bit longer, especially having been watching the family all day and realizing that putting him with them wouldn't be good?" Hermione asked.
"Because it's Dumbledore; he's not someone you argue with, as everyone usually trusts his judgment," Cedric said. Hermione shook her head.
"That's not right," she said. "Blindly trusting someone isn't a good thing, even if the person earns it, because there is nothing stopping the person whose being trusted from taking advantage of it, making others do anything or even stop arguing with them, even if there isn't a good reason for it other than because it's what they want to happen. I'm sorry to say, but McGonagall gave a clear case against your aunt and uncle – they don't discipline their child as they should, and, in all honesty, there is a good chance that your aunt's feelings about your mother weren't secret to everyone.
"Plus, no matter how a person seems, they are not omniscient, so that doesn't mean that they are actually corrent concerning what they're promising considering the future. And if he actually is omniscient, he should know that no good would come from you being there. Of course, if he does know that, I am going to give him hell." This last part was said darkly, and Cedric and Harry shuddered, feeling a bit scared and sorry for the headmaster, for the look on her face with that tone was kind of scary to see and hear.
It took a few seconds before Hermione continued the chapter, at which point she read about McGonagall wondering how Harry was getting there, which brought around the reason why Dumbledore was waiting for Hagrid, to which McGonagall wondered if Dumbledore was right to have trusted Hagrid with this particular task.
"Hagrid's not that bad," Cedric said, knowing who he was, and having heard quite a bit about him from others. "It's only with dangerous animals that he's really bad. Well, them and Slytherins. It's one of the school houses at Hogwarts," he added, seeing the clueless looks on Hermione and Harry's face. "You'll probably hear more about it in a later chapter."
He was more than sure that would happen, due to the fact that he really doubted Hogwarts wouldn't be involved in these books.
Hermione read about McGonagall's and Dumbledore's conversation continuing for a slight moment, before something distracted them; said distraction turned out to be that of a motorcycle falling out of the air and landing on the road in front of them.
"Awe, that sounds cool," Hermione said upon the mention of the motorcycle being brought up. She'd always like motorcycles ever since her father's friend took her riding on one a few years ago.
She continued with the chapter, in which the description of Hagrid followed – she couldn't help but comment, "I take it that this is Hagrid?" in an amused tone due to how he was described. Cedric nodded his head to her question.
"And yes, he is that big, maybe even bigger than what's being said," Cedric said. "I don't know how tall he is, exactly, though. I wonder what's with the bundle of blankets in his arms?"
"Something tells me that it's Harry in the bundle of blankets," Luna said serenely.
"Yeah, that's most likely true," Hermione said, before turning back to the book, where a conversation between Dumbledore – who was relieved to see Hagrid having arrived – and Hagrid took place. It was simple, but Hermione, who, while reading, was also keeping a slight eye on Cedric – she couldn't help that, seeing that he was the eldest of the two magicals in the room, therefore the one she suspected to know a bit more concerning things – so, when she read out the mention of someone Hagrid had ran into, the real owner of the bike, in fact, she was aware of the fact that he made some sort of slight movement at hearing it.
Cedric, of course, couldn't help his slight movement, for he was surprised to hear the name of one of You-Know-Who's biggest supporters. He never knew that Black had been that close to Harry that night; of course, it wasn't like he was religious in learning everything about Harry, like some others were, after all.
"It seems that being on the bike didn't freak you out," Hermione said, after she read out about Harry falling asleep. "You've probably been on it before."
"Yeah, that would make sense," Harry said.
"I really hope that you were warm enough," Luna said, her concern on something else entirely.
"I have the feeling I was, if I was able to fall asleep," Harry said, right before Hermione continued the chapter, Luna making a comment about Harry probably looking really cute when it mentioned him being visible within the bundle of blankets. Harry went red as Cedric and Hermione forced themselves to hold back the slight laughter they wanted to let out at hearing that. Instead, Hermione continued the chapter, pausing for a brief moment to look over to Harry, specifically at his forehead, where she could just see the scar of the cut when it was mentioned. Cedric and Luna did the same thing, causing Harry to self-consciously, as he went red again, flatten his hair against his forehead, trying to hide the scar.
"Sorry," Hermione said, going back to the book chapter. The conversation that followed within was about the scar, whether or not something could be done – a deduction based on what Dumbledore said in response to McGonagall's unfinished question – to which the answer was not only a no, but that he wouldn't do it even if he could either, mentioning a scar of his own.
All four of the reader's snorted at hearing that.
"And how would he know that?" Hermione asked, kind of curious to know the answer. Cedric and Luna both shrugged, not knowing the answer; Hermione hadn't really expected them to, though, as she continued with the chapter.
A frown crossed Hermione's face as she read about Dumbledore taking Harry from Hagrid, about to bring him to the Dursley, Hagrid quickly asking to say bye to Harry and breaking down in tears, with McGonagall attempting to silence him due to the fear of waking the people on the street up, minimal comments being noted by the other three.
"Actually, if the bike didn't wake them up, I have the feeling that Hagrid crying like that won't," Luna said in response to McGonagall's worries. "I can't imagine Dumbledore not putting up protections to ensure that their group remained unseen and unknown, after all."
"That's true, though the bike itself could have certain charms on it that keeps those that shouldn't see it flying from noticing it at all," Cedric pointed out, since he had the feeling that whoever charmed it to fly would probably make sure of that, since they'd get into huge trouble otherwise.
Hermione continued with the chapter, Hagrid's and McGonagall's conversation leading Hermione to make the note about how McGonagall didn't appear to be very good at calming others down. It was only after Hermione read about Dumbledore leaving Harry on the doorstep that she paused in the reading, anger and worry both filling her.
"He just left you there? But what would have happened if you had gotten a cold, or someone had tried to take you, or…" Hermione rambled on. Even the Cedric and Luna were surprised at this action, though Luna suspected that Dumbledore might have put some kind of protection on Harry before setting him down. Hermione continued to complain about Dumbledore's actions until Cedric placed a hand on her arm.
"I know that his actions really are not good, but you can't change the past. What he's done is just that, done," Cedric told her, before motioning to the book, a silent sign for her to continue reading. She nodded her head in acknowledgment over his words before going back to the chapter, glad to see that there wasn't much more of it to go. Hermione quickly read on, making notes about the reaction of the three magicals as they waited for a minute, looking at Harry, before any of them made a move to leave.
Dumbledore was the first bring up the fact that they couldn't stay longer, with Hagrid mentioning getting the bike back to its owner – Cedric woundered if that had happened or not – before leaving outright. McGonagall was really the one one, as Hermione read, that didn't actually have a comment to say, only sniffling being heard as Dumbledore mentioned seeing her soon, making it clear that she had succumbed to the tears that had been mentioned being held back.
Hermione then read out how the last two left, McGonagall in cat form, Dumbledore the same way he arrived, though he returned light to the street beforehand, wishing Harry luck before he really left.
I definitely needed that luck Harry thought to himself as Hermione continued, mentioning about how ordinary Privet Drive appeared, with the fact that young Harry was still asleep, even as he made some movement, to which Harry thought about the fact that it would be the few minutes of uninterrupted sleep he'd be getting, while mentions of his lack of knowledge were done, as well as what was coming in the future concerning him and the family that he was given to.
Luna made a comment right then, after the mention about what Dudley would end up doing to him.
"Which wouldn't surprise me if your aunt and uncle ignored," Luna said, frowning.
"I can see that as being true," Hermione said. "In fact, it wouldn't surprise me at all if they ended up encouraging it, as well. And by that, I mean if they commented about him being a good boy whenever he did something horrid to you, Harry."
Harry nodded, knowing that she was probably right – they had, after all, done some things like that in the past that he could remember, so it didn't seem a surprise to believe that they could have been doing that straight off the bat.
Meanwhile, Hermione quickly finished the chapter, which was a brief mention about the fact that so many were celebrating Harry for what he did, already calling him the moniker that had been the chapter title, which Hermione did find a bit strange – thinking about it, she couldn't really help but wonder just what it was that made Harry this Boy-Who-Lived. Even having read the chapter didn't help, though she did suspect that it had something to do with his survival the night his parents died. She just couldn't think of what it was that could bring that name about, because she did suspect that there was more to it than just the fact that he'd survived.
"That's it for that chapter," Hermione said as she finished it. "Who wants to read next?"
She held out the book, waiting for one of the others to take it. After a bit of a pause, Cedric reached for it.
"I'll read next," he said, turning the page.
Well, there it is. Like I said, I'm not sure about it, but after several edits and run throughs, this is what I have.
For notes about this chapter, first off, I tried to have it flow as though those listening were taking in what they were reading while mentally summarizing it in their heads at the same time. I also included some stray thoughts that came to them as they were reading.
Next up, most of the beginning conversations were pretty light. The most major at the beginning is when I the word Muggles is mentioned, after Luna points out the oddness of non-magicals automatically knowing that the Potter's weren't like them right away, with the first - for this story - mention of the word Muggles. I made sure that they had a note to keep them from saying 'Muggle' a lot; it's a nitpick of mine, but I personally feel that Muggle is no different from Mudblood, so...
The only other major thing that, I think, really needs to be noted is reading Hermione's reactions concerning Voldemort's name, and the blind trust McGonagall has in Dumbledore - I feel that those are things that should be noted.
Anyway, as you can see, I am still here, just dealing with life, which is leaving me with very little time to type and post new chapters up. I'll try to get the next chapter out this year if possible, assuming this chapter is well received.
Please Review, I really do want to see what you think of this chapter.
Strange Hearts