Chapter 3

The Bittersweet Goodbye

I groaned when Vernon screamed up "OI! You lot!" After sixteen years of being addressed as "That bitch," or "Stupid" or "Idiot Girl", you learn to expect when you're being called.

"GIRL!" Vernon shouted "BOY!"

Harry, Emily and I looked to each other and sighed, taking our backpacks and walking down the stairs, me thinking fast and grabbing my teddy bear, Alejandro and the stuffed dragon Draco gave me the previous Christmas and following my brother and ally, tucking both stuffed animals in my pockets before stopping.

"Narcissa's doll!" I groaned, running back into the bedroom and grabbing it.

It was the doll that Narcissa Malfoy gave to me when I was first born. It was small and cushiony with black hair and lifelike metallic blue eyes (like me) and it had loads of clothes in a large trunk that I could fit in my front pocket with my MP3 player.

I kept the doll in my hand as I walked downstairs to look at my aunt and uncle.

They were all dressed for travelling. My uncle, Vernon Dursley was wearing a fawn zip up jacket, my aunt, Petunia was wearing a neat salmon coloured coat and my cousin Dudley, my blond, less fat more muscular now cousin was, like me, wearing a leather jacket.

"What?" I demanded.

"SIT!" Vernon ordered, picking me up by the scruff of the neck and throwing me in between my brother and friend.

"Your life must've been horrible." Emily muttered "All this abuse!"

"Welcome to my life. I can't wait for the day when I never have to see any of them again." I muttered back.

"Silence!" Vernon spat "Please." he added, with a wince as if the word was causing him great physical pain.

I rolled my eyes, shutting up and knowing what was coming.

"Let me guess, you've changed your mind again?" I asked.

"YOU WILL STOP THAT ABNORMAL MIND READING THING OF YOURS RIGHT NOW BEFORE I BEAT THE ABNORMALITY OUT OF YOU!" Vernon bellowed before just sneering "But yes, I've changed my mind."

"Big surprise." Harry grumbled.

"Don't you take that tone -" Aunt Petunia started before Vernon waved her down.

"I've been thinking it through and thinking it through, and I've come to the conclusion that this is all a plan to take the house."

"The house?" Harry asked "What house?"

"THIS HOUSE!" Vernon bellowed "OUR HOUSE!"

I started busting a gut laughing. "Y-Y-Yeah, right, I want this house!" I choked before becoming serious "Fuck no! Why'd I want this house? All the happy memories? Besides, Harry and I have a house, our Godfather left us one. And besides, when I get married -"

"If you get married, who'd want you?" Vernon demanded.

"SHUT UP, FATASS!" I shouted "Anyways, when I get married, I'm moving into a way nicer place than this filthy hovel." I said, standing up.

"How d'you know?" Harry asked before groaning "Oh, right, in your perfect world, you marry Malfoy."

"Piss off, Harry." I said, heading towards the stairs. "Emily, you stay here and try to convince them to go, I've got some last minute double checking to do." I said, clambering up the stairs to what was my room.

When I reached it, I took the key from the planter one last time and locked the door from the inside so no one could come in. I plopped myself down on my bed and took out my mirror as the sun went down.

This mirror was a special mirror. This mirror was able to provide a two way connection to me and Draco, who had its twin.

"Draco Malfoy." I whispered, hoping that I wasn't interrupting anything.

"Han?" Draco whispered, coming into focus in the mirror.

"Drake!" I sighed in relief "Thank Skinner it worked. What's going on over on the Dark Side's front?" I asked.

Draco took a deep breath "He's plotting. He knows that you and Potter are leaving for wherever you're going either tonight or on the thirtieth."

"Are you alone?" I asked.

Draco nodded "I was kicked out of a meeting and sent to my room for the older Death Eaters to talk. I'm all ears, Spitfire."

I beamed "Are you still a practicing Occlumense?" I asked.

Draco nodded "Of course, why, does what you're going to tell me need to be blocked?"

I nodded "Not just that, but guarded with your life." I said.

Draco nodded "Got it. I'm listening."

"We're leaving tonight." I said "We're heading to Ron's place for a while and then I'm running. I have a bad feeling that the Ministry's going to fall and I won't be safe at Hogwarts anymore." I whispered.

Draco nodded "That's safe with me." he promised before looking at me with a look in his eyes that was clear that something was bothering him.

"Draco, what is it?" I asked.

"You know those articles in the Prophet that talk about the disappearance of the Muggle Studies Professor at Hogwarts? Charity Burbage?"

I nodded "Yeah, why?" I asked, a swooping feeling in my stomach.

"She's not going to be found anytime soon. The Dark Lord killed her and fed her to his snake." Draco said, paling. "She was killed right in front of me, she was dangling there."

I shuddered "Well," I said "at least you can see Thestrals now." I said, earning a cold look from Draco. "Bad time?"

"Little bit, it just happened a few hours ago."

"Ok," I said, taken aback "Real bad timing."

"You think?" Draco asked.

I nodded "I know, I know, life's crap over there, but it'll be fine." I said, trying to sound optimistic.

Draco gave me a look "Yeah, it'll be perfectly sunshine and rainbows." he said sarcastically before looking concerned "Where're you gonna go? If you're running."

I shrugged. "I don't know, that's the thing, me and Emily are trying to…crap!" I hissed.

"What? Who's Emily?" Draco asked.

"Emily Ravenwood." I said quickly "She was a Death Eater who was supposed to kill me a couple of months ago, now she's wanted for desertion and I'm taking her with me."

"Hannah, are you nuts?!" Draco demanded "Do you have any idea how stupid taking in a Death Eater can be? She could be just like Zimmerman! She could be trying to use you to sell you or Potter out to him!"

"Ok, ok, stop yelling, she's not like that, she's really scared and she really needs my help, her own mother tried to strangle her in the Forest. If it wasn't for me and my dagger, Emily would probably be dead right now. Draco, please," I pleaded "just let me give it a try. She gave me a bow and arrows."

Draco clenched his jaw and nodded. "That's a good point. I'll trust your judgement for now, but if she does turn out to be evil, I hold the right to say I told you so."

I rolled my eyes "Yeah, sure, whatever you -" I said when I heard two new voices down the stairs. "Skinner, Fanelli and Faksa!" I swore "The Order's here to take my aunt, uncle and cousin! I got to go." I said, tucking my mirror in my breast pocket.

"Love you!" Draco said, muffled in my pocket.

"Love you more!" I said, hastily grabbing anything of sentimental value (so my entire nightstand) and running down the stairs to meet this woman and man called Hestia Jones and Dedalus Diggle.

"Hannah Potter!" Hestia squeaked happily, shaking my hand. "Pleasure as always."

"Hannah Potter!" Dedalus squeaked, embracing me and kissing my cheek like a father figure "A pleasure, just a pleasure. Now, shall we be going?" he asked, turning to my aunt, uncle and cousin.

I shrugged "Go ahead, take them if you want, they just think I'm a waste of human life." I said. "It was proven when I was eight that no one in this family likes me." I added, lifting up my shirt to reveal the scar I got from my kidney transplant surgery.

"I don't think you're a waste of human life." Dudley said, making me turn right around and gap at him.

"Blond fatass who nearly had his gang kill me say what?" I asked, shocked.

Hestia, who looked as if she was going to blow, left the room with a smile on her face, my uncle following as they went into the other room to say goodbye to Harry.

"I said I never thought you were a waste of human life." Dudley repeated, his eyes looking honest.

I blinked, unsure of what to say. "Then-then why did you beat me up all the time when we were younger, even just last year?" I asked.

Dudley shrugged "I guess I was jealous of how smart you were." he said, looking down. "I guess I let my jealousy and my dad's sexist attitude give me the illusion of hating you."

I blinked. So only one of the Dursley males hated me?

"I mean, even I had to admit, when I saw you about ready to kiss that boy when you first got off that ruddy school train when we were eleven, I was rather jealous, none of the girls ever went for me like that. And, hey, when that same boy stuck up for you when we were fourteen, I knew you had some credibility."

I smiled "Thanks, Dudley." I said.

"And I loved how you kicked my gang's ass. It just screamed you weren't going to put up with our crap anymore." Dudley said, smiling. "You've become quite the woman, Hannah. That Draco's one lucky ass."

I laughed. "Thanks, Dudley, I'll still remember that time when you tried to embarrass me with the telephone." I said, going back to that day.

It was summer before second year, and Uncle Vernon was at work, Aunt Petunia was talking to Mrs Next Door at her place, Harry was out for a walk and I was taking a shower when the phone rang.

"DUDLEY, GET THE SKINNING PHONE!" I screamed, sighing when Dudley answered it.

"Dudley Dursley speaking!" he called. "What? What d'you mean you want to talk to Hannah Potter? Who's this?" Dudley asked as I stood up straighter. "POTTER!" Dudley shouted after a moment's pause "Who the hell is Draco Malfoy?"

I paled. "Draco!" I called, flattery lacing my voice as I shut the shower off.

I almost saw Dudley smirk when he shouted "Sorry, Malfoy, my cousin can't come to the phone right now, she's busy in the shower, yeah, I can even hear her singing now." Dudley commented before screaming "OOOOOOOOHHHHH WE GOTTA HOLD ON, READY OR NOT, YOU LIVE FOR THE FIGHT WHEN THAT'S ALL THAT YOU'VE GOOOOOOTTTTT!"

I screamed and ran for the phone "Give me the phone, Dudley!" I ordered.

"No," Dudley jeered, holding the phone high out of my reach.

"GIVE ME THE PHONE, YOU FAT IDIOT!" I screamed, tackling him and taking the phone "Hello?" I asked.

Dudley laughed "Good times." he said, turning to me "You sure you gonna be all right, cousin?" he asked.

I nodded "Yeah, I'll be fine. You be safe, too." I said, smirking.

"You know damn well I will." Dudley said, holding out his hand.

"Holy Skinner, Dudley," I said, looking at Dudley's hand to Dudley. "Did those Dementors knock some sense into you or what?" I asked.

Dudley shrugged again. "I don't know, maybe. See you, Hannah." he said.

I grinned "Yeah," I said, taking Dudley's hand and shaking it. "see you around," I smirked "Big D."

Dudley grinned and did what I definitely thought was something I'd never see Dudley Dursley do at all.

He took me in his arms and hugged me. Literally, hugged me!

"Maybe we'll see each other again." Dudley said with a grin when he let me go. "When we do, bring your wizard boyfriend, provided he won't try to slaughter me on sight."

I grinned "I'll make him promise not to kill you." I giggled. "See you, cousin." I said.

"Yeah. See you." Dudley said, walking into the living room to say goodbye to Harry, leaving me with Aunt Petunia, who was tearing up at the sight of Dudley and I getting along.

At least, that's what I was thinking she was crying about.

"You look so much like Lily." Petunia said, dabbing her eyes. "Except the hair and eyes. You've got that Potter's hair colour…but the eyes…you have neither of their eyes."

I nodded "I get that so much in my world." I admitted, smiling.

Petunia sniffed "You also have her personality. She was so strong, independent, passionate and…and…she was so in love with that Potter." she said, tears falling down her face.

I creased my eyebrows "Uh…" I said confused when I got my second hug of the night from Petunia Dursley.

"You will be safe, won't you?" she asked.

I nodded "I've got Evans' blood, I'm capable of taking care of myself." I said.

Petunia smiled "You didn't just lose a mother that night in Godric's Hollow. I lost a sister. And gained a niece."

I gaped "You…you called me your niece." I said aghast.

"Yes, what else would you be, girl?" Petunia asked.

I shrugged. "I never thought you cared about me." I said.

"Of course I cared! Had I not, you wouldn't have gotten that ruddy permission slip signed."

I gaped. "So, you signed my Hogsmeade slip on your own will?" I asked.

Petunia nodded "I told you not to tell your uncle, didn't I?"

I nodded, smiling. The reason my life was hell with the Dursleys was clear.

Vernon Dursley made my aunt and cousin act so mean to me.

"When this gets back to normal, come and visit." Petunia asked. "We'll go out for a girls day out. Shopping, spa day, tea, you name it, just the two of us, maybe some of your wizarding friends."

I gasped. "Wouldn't you be uncomfortable around them?" I asked.

Petunia shook her head and lowered her voice "Truth be told, I was jealous of Lily. I wanted to be a witch too. But shhh, don't tell Vernon." she whispered.

I grinned "You got it. Maybe we can go to Canada and watch a Rangers game." I suggested.

Petunia nodded "Truth be told, I loved going to those games." she beamed before watching Dudley walk out of the house. "I'll see you around, Hannah."

I beamed "Yeah, I'll see you," I said before I called Petunia Dursley something I hadn't called her since I was four "Aunt Petunia."

Aunt Petunia beamed and hugged me again. "Be safe." she whispered before walking out the door.

"You too!" I called back before looking into the face of Vernon Dursley, my least favourite Dursley.

"Potter," he snarled. "despite what anyone says, you'll always be a stupid, good-for-nothing bitch and a waste of human life."

I growled "You know what?!" I spat, finally snapping from sixteen years of his abuse. "You can piss right off, Vernon Dursley. That may be your opinion, but I have a whole world of friends and a lover who will say otherwise. And you know what? I'm done with your crap. Your wife and son are fine with me, so I guess your opinion is just based on you, not Dudley, not Aunt Petunia. So, just waddle your fat ass out to that car, and here's hoping you die. Because, with what I've just witnessed, I'd be happy knowing my blood aunt and cousin are safe, you're not my family, you're just some asshole my aunt married. You're nothing but a relative by marriage, and it can all end with a simple signature on some divorce papers. I could care less about your safety, I'll keep my blood family safe down to my last breath, but you, you can just go fuck yourself."

Harry gaped, trying to fight a cheer that was bubbling up in his throat.

Vernon slapped me across the face "Don't you dare talk to me like that, you little bitchy whore." he growled before waddling out after his wife and son.

I smirked. "Hey, Vernon!" I shouted, making him turn around.

"What, bitch?" he snapped.

Then I did something I hadn't done to anyone else but Theodore Nott.

I walked up to him and sneered up in his face, spitting into his eyes. "That was for putting me in the hospital." I snarled "Don't you ever fucking mess with Hannah Lillian Isabella Marie Potter ever again. Now go, take the protection you yourself don't bloody fucking deserve." I said, turning around, walking into the house and slamming the door to an awestruck Harry and a shocked Emily.

"Hannah Potter!" Emily gasped. "How could you spit in your uncle's face?"

"Hannah Potter!" Harry gasped "That was bloody brilliant! I've never been more proud of having you as my sister!" he shouted, dropping his owl, Hedwig and hugging me.

Hedwig gave a hoot of indignity. Harry picked her back up.

"Sorry, Hedwig. You want to take a last look at the place? We'll never be here again?" Harry asked, asking me more than Hedwig and Emily.

I nodded "Yeah, that would be awesome." I said, looking out into the drive, where the car had backed out and drove away.