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Harry watched morosely as Stonewall disappeared behind him. He bid farewell to the teachers that he was close to last night because his assigned bus was one of the earliest to leave. Headmaster Jacobs and Mrs Banks had wished him luck and said they were excited to see him again next year, Mr Atkins had given Harry a workout regimen to follow over the summer so that he could continue to build his strength up, and Mr Thomas had encouraged him that as long as he held to his principles he would be able to weather any storm. Harry's friends had all been with him at the bus as he boarded to be taken home. They spent the time making plans of what they were going to do when they met up during the summer and Nish and Travis made a few more offers to kidnap him. When the final call was made for boarding the bus they shared a group hug and Harry left. He had four hours of travel ahead of him before he would need to deal with his relatives again. Reaching into his bag Harry pulled out the small pouch that held his dice and as he held it he heard the sound of paper crinkling within.
At some point, during the final days of the school year, his friends had secretly stolen the pouch without him realizing it. This morning as they were saying their good-byes Liam had given him back the pouch and explained.
"We know that you are going to have it rough through the summer. So, we, and a few other people, each wrote a little note to give you a boost. If you are ever feeling like you can't go on, read one and we hope it helps you until we can see each other again."
Harry had tried to find out who else had written to him but his three friends were all tight-lipped and insisted that it was a surprise. Harry had complained but it was all a show. He was very touched by the gesture and had given each of the boys a sincere thanks, knowing that having this to fall back on would help make the time he would be forced to spend with his relatives more tolerable.
In all honesty, Harry was feeling overwhelmed right now. Boarding the bus had made it all so real and he had a terrible feeling that this would be the last time he set foot in Stonewall. He stopped himself from reading the notes, however, because he knew those feelings would pass. He had dealt with uncertainty before and he knew it always felt bad in the beginning but he could adapt given enough time. So for now, he just held the pouch and felt the dice inside, the sensation acting as a totem that let him recall the happy memories of his friends and gain strength from them. Closing his eyes he did his best to lose himself in the memories and let the world fly by as he was carried back to his relatives.
As Harry's train pulled up to the platform, he sighed in disappointment at the journey being over. These last few hours had been the last barrier between himself and the Dursleys, now all he had to look forward to were a few weeks of hard labour which hopefully ended with him being allowed to leave and be with his friends. Standing from his seat Harry scooted past the person sitting next to him as politely as possible before making his way out to the platform so that he could go to the baggage car and retrieve his things. When he made it out to the platform, however, he realized something was wrong. He stared dumbly as there waiting by the train were Vernon and Petunia Dursley, both wore surly expressions that only darkened when he exited the train. They quickly made their way to him, well Petunia was quick while Vernon waddled along behind, and gave him a once over.
"What happened boy?" Petunia said as soon as she was close enough to speak quietly so that others couldn't hear.
"What?" Harry asked back, unable to think up a real answer due to his shock.
"I said what happened. Did you finally get your freakishness, what was it, levitating something, did you make a tree explode, set fire to a building?"
Harry didn't understand what was happening. He had never seen his Aunt act so irrationally before and it honestly frightened him.
"I don't know what you are talking about." Harry said hurriedly, "The only thing weird about this year was that you changed your mind about me staying at schools over the summer."
Petunia stared at him suspiciously, like she knew he was lying but just couldn't spot it on his face. Suddenly, Vernon appeared at her side carrying Harry's duffel bag.
"We need to go, Petunia," he said seriously.
Petunia looked to him then back at Harry before finally turning around with a huff. The three walked silently out of the train station to the Dursleys' car. Harry was surprised again when Vernon opened the hatchback himself to load Harry's bag. It was like he was stuck in some weird twisted version of reality. Hoping that things would go back to normal once they got to Privet Drive, Harry silently sat in the backseat, his back straight and looking forward. He took steady breaths to keep himself calm and pull his confusion under control. A few minutes later, they arrived at the house and once again Vernon broke from tradition by pulling Harry's bag out for him. Harry followed the two adults inside and expected them to throw him in his cupboard. Instead he was led upstairs to Dudley's second bedroom which had been emptied of its usual mess of broken toys and discarded hobbies. In its place were a new bed, a small chest of drawers, and a modest desk.
"You will be staying here from now on," Vernon said gruffly, tossing Harry's bag inside.
Harry looked to his aunt and uncle in shock and finally could hold back any longer.
"What is going on?" He asked desperately, "Why all this now, why did you take me away from Stonewall for the summer."
He winced slightly on the inside, the way he said it hinted at the fact that he was happy at the school, something he still feared would make his relatives take him away from the institution. They didn't answer him straight away, just looking at him with the same suspicion Petunia showed at the train station. Finally, Petunia reached into her purse and pulled out a folded piece of paper then wordlessly held it out to him. Harry reached out hesitantly and took the paper. It felt different than anything he had touched before, but he wasn't able to identify what kind of paper it was. Deciding to ignore the oddity, he opened the document and read the flowing script within.
Dear Mr & Mrs Dursley,
When it was originally discovered that Harry was non-magical I resolved to leave him in your care because that would be the safest place for him and you. Unfortunately, some new developments in our government have left me with no choice but to reconsider Harry's accommodations. I had hoped to leave him undisturbed until he reached adulthood due to the protections his mother put in place, but my hand has been forced and he must enter the wizarding world much earlier than expected.
I will be coming in person to explain what has taken place and to inspect his living conditions. I know that you have not been giving him the kind of care he deserves, but I hope that when I drop by you will be able to show how you plan to adjust that to be more in line with the requests I made when I left him with you all those years ago. I will schedule my visit for the 10th of July at 10:00 AM.
Sincerely
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot
Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards
Order of Merlin First Class
Harry stared at the letter then read it through once more just to make sure he hadn't read it incorrectly the first time. Looking up at his relatives in disbelief he saw that they still had the same serious looks on their faces. He waited for someone to start laughing, for Dudley to jump from around the corner with a video camera saying it was all a joke, for anything to happen that would make it make sense. Nothing did.
"What is this?" Harry finally asked.
"Look, boy," Vernon said angrily, "The letter you just read is the only explanation we got for that man visiting. Petunia is taking this seriously so that is what we are all doing. Now get in your room and be grateful." In a huff, the large man turned and waddled off.
Petunia stayed and kept watching Harry.
"So you truly were normal this whole time." Petunia said absently.
Harry looked to her a lost look still on his face. The confusion just got worse as he thought for an instant he saw a flash of regret pass through her eyes. Suddenly her gaze hardened and she too turned away from him stomping down toward the kitchen. Harry was finally left alone in the hallway, the confounding letter still in his hands. Looking back to the letter to check the date Harry sighed. Thankfully, the 10th of July was only a few days away due to Stonewall's school year ending in the first week of July. Entering his new room, which was still such an odd idea for him to accept, Harry began to unpack his things into the furniture in the room. It had all been bought second-hand if the level of disrepair was anything to go by, But they were still functional. When he was done he sat on the bed, listening to it creak worryingly and tried to make sense of what had just taken place.
With a crack, Albus apparated in a small alley in Little Whinging. He knew it was safe to appear here because a few days previous, he sent Arabella Figg a stone he had charmed with a muggle repelling ward by owl, which she then placed at the alley's mouth. As Albus made his way out of the alley, he pondered for a moment on whether he should leave the ward or dispel it, but he decided that it would be too inconvenient to the muggles of the area to lose access to the alley after all there were several dumpsters and side doors in it. With a wave of his wand, the ward unravelled and Albus began his journey toward Privet Drive. As he walked, he thought about what he would say to Harry to explain why the boy needed to come to Hogwarts. Albus hoped that this wouldn't be too disruptive for the boy, Harry would come to the school for a few months, be seen by the students who would spread the news to their parents and from there throughout the wizarding world. Once all rumours of him not surviving Voldemort's attack had been taken care of, Albus would have the means to quash Fudge's bill and Harry would be able to go back into hiding, and as a side benefit this visit would hopefully win the boy some better treatment from his relatives.
As he walked, Albus began humming one of his favourite tunes and savoured the feel of the sun on his face. He rarely had the time to enjoy a summer's day like this, maybe he should schedule some outdoor strolls, it might help him relax as he goes through the stress of leading three organizations. His good mood disappeared instantly when he arrived in front of 4 Privet Drive.
"They're gone," he said in shock and horror.
The wards that Harry's mother had died to create were no longer surrounding the house. Frantically, Albus went through the list of requirements for the wards to stay active. Harry had to be alive, Arabella had seen him this summer so Albus knew that was true. The house had to be where someone who shared Lily's blood lived, the letter Albus had sent via Fawkes was confirmed as delivered to the correct people so that was the case. Finally, Harry had to consider the place home. Albus cursed his short-sightedness, how could a child consider a hostile environment like the one Arabella described as home. The magic must have been tied more to the concept of home rather than just the literal definition of it. This changed so much of Albus's plan. Harry couldn't stay here. If the wards were gone, then he had no protection against Voldemort or his followers. They were a petty lot and if Voldemort ever regained power, his first order of business would be to wipe Harry Potter and anyone connected to him from existence. Shaking out of his musings Albus's face became serious and he marched up to the door. He didn't have much time, Harry Potter needed to be in Hogwarts Castle by tonight.
Harry lay in bed reading a book from the local library. He had finished his morning workout and now had nothing to do thanks to his uncle not giving him a list of chores as per usual. Harry never thought that he would miss one of those lists but it turned out having nothing to do was worse. It had been five days since he arrived home and for that entire time, he was told to either stay in his room or get out of the house. His aunt was worryingly silent where he was concerned like she was avoiding him. His uncle on the other hand was a roiling mass of impotent anger as he obviously wanted to lash out at Harry but Petunia's warnings held him back. It turned out to be worse than normal because usually his uncle was annoyed with him but ignored him as long as he did what he was told. Now, his uncle left him alone but whenever they were in the same room Vernon would glare at Harry in blatant anger. Harry sighed and rolled over in bed, at least today was the day that whatever was going to happen would take place if the letter was to be believed, though Harry was still sceptical about it.
The sound of a knock on the door caught Harry's attention. He had no clock in his room but judging by the amount of light outside, it must be nearing 10:00 AM. Going to his door he heard part of a conversation.
"Who are you supposed to be?" Dudley's voice said rudely.
The boy had arrived back from Smeltings a day after Harry had arrived from Stonewall. He was looking more fit than Harry remembered and it turned out that he had decided to take up boxing. The boy had threatened Harry with using him as a practice dummy, but Petunia and Vernon had scolded Dudley for the suggestion. That had been an odd experience because both boys had looked at the adults like they were mental before looking to each other for an explanation. It had been a novel moment of camaraderie between the cousins which lasted for about eight seconds. Now whenever Dudley passed him where his parents couldn't see the boy would swing for Harry's face trying to make him flinch. Harry never did.
Harry listened closer to hear what was happening at the door. There was a muffled response to his cousin, but before Dudely could say anything else Harry heard Petunia speaking in a stern voice.
"Dudley, go upstairs and wait in your room until I tell you to come out."
"What? Why?" Dudley complained.
"Do not talk back, just go!" Petunia said harshly.
Harry then heard Dudley's heavy footsteps on the stairs and a second later Petunia called out.
"Harry, come down here," then a second later, "please."
Harry opened the door and came out just as Dudley reached the top stair. The boy had an angry look on his face at being talked to the way he had been. As he walked to his room he passed Harry and took a swing at his head. Somehow, Harry knew that, given the boy's anger, he was not likely to stop short as was the norm, so as his cousin's fist sailed through the air, Harry leaned to the side and let the punch pass harmlessly by his head. The two boys locked eyes for a moment, Dudley looking at Harry in surprise at his quick reaction and Harry doing his best to look emotionless even as he felt adrenaline coursing through his system. After a moment, Harry sidled past Dudley and walked down to finally see the man that had caused all the unexpected changes to Harry's life.
When he laid eyes on the man, Harry thought that he certainly looked strange enough to throw someone's life out of whack. The man was tall with long white hair and a beard that hung down to the middle of his torso. He wore a suit of periwinkle blue, and the aforementioned beard obscured whether or not he was wearing a tie or not. On his head, was a dress hat that matched the colour of the suit and had a small crimson feather stuck in the band which seemed to almost shimmer. His face was aged but still had youthful energy to it, and he had a stately nose that supported a pair of half-moon spectacles which helped draw attention to his twinkling eyes. Harry was surprised that on some level despite their differences the man reminded him of Headmaster Jacobs, though as yet he was unable to pinpoint where the connection was. After he inspected the new arrival, Harry looked back to his face and saw that the man had been inspecting him in turn. Deciding that, eventually, someone had to start talking, Harry opened his mouth to speak.
"Who are you?" Harry asked neutrally.
Harry had been thinking about this moment for the last four days and in the end, the biggest question on his mind was this one. Who was this man who alluded to the fact that he knew Harry's parents and yet chose to condemn Harry to live with the Dursley's to protect him from some vague threat?
"That is a wonderful question," the man replied, "Why don't we sit down so that I can answer it properly."
Turning back to Petunia who was still standing in the front hall he gave her a look that asked permission to enter, but there was a hidden animosity that showed he would be very upset if she refused.
"Through there," Petunia said pointing toward the living room.
The strange man accepted the curt invitation and stepped inside, removing his hat as he did. He gave Petunia a polite nod as he passed her and entered the living room. Harry didn't move at first. He was still wary about the whole situation and a part of him wanted to just go back to his room and hope it would all just disappear.
"Would you please join me Harry?" the man called from the living room.
Deciding that he couldn't just run away Harry finished walking down the stairs and turned to enter the room. Petunia followed behind him. The man was standing in the room waiting for them, as soon as Petunia entered he motioned to one of the chairs and said to Petunia.
"May I?"
Harry didn't look back, but he assumed that his aunt gave the man a nod because he sat down and then motioned to the couch across from him. Harry hesitantly sat and looked to the man still expecting an answer to his question. Once Harry and Petunia had settled into their seats the man began talking.
"Now, Harry, to answer your question, as you may already know if your aunt chose to share the letter I sent with you, my name is Albus Dumbledore. I am the headmaster of the school that both of your parents attended and after graduation, they became close personal friends of mine as we faced the difficult times we were living in. I think that before we move on there is something that I have to make sure you understand. Magic is real."
Harry stared at Dumbledore for a moment, he warred with his emotions trying to keep control of his face as he felt anger, indignation, and confusion raging inside of himself.
"How can I accept such a claim?" Harry said.
"How about a demonstration?" Dumbledore replied calmly.
With a flick of his wrist, the hat he had been holding disappeared and with another a tea service tray appeared on the table in between them. With a gesture from his finger, the pot poured steaming hot tea into three cops, which then floated into the hands of the three occupants of the room.
"Cream and sugar are on the tray if you want them," Dumbledore said politely.
"That's it?" Harry said, "you give us tea and I am supposed to change my world view?"
"Well I thought it was a suitably British example," Dumbledore said, "but if it wasn't enough, how about this?"
With a word or gesture, the room around them began to change. It grew to the size of a gymnasium, then shrunk to the size of a car's interior. The walls, floor, and ceiling cycled through all the colours of the rainbow then exploded into hundreds of patterns, the couch he was sitting on morphed from a bench to a loveseat to a bed to a horse and back. After a moment everything reverted to how it had been and Harry sat ramrod straight in his chair his eyes widened with shock. Slowly he turned to face his aunt and he saw that she was looking at everything that had changed with poorly disguised wonder and a hint of desire.
"You knew," Harry accused.
Putting the teacup down Harry stood and began pacing trying to burn off the energy he felt.
"Aunt Petunia, you knew all this time, that magic was real and that my parents had it."
Petunia looked to him and all other emotion vanished but spite,
"Yes I knew, your mother was always bringing home magic to rub in my face. To prove that she was better than me."
"That isn't true, and I ask that you not slander your sister like that," Dumbledore said calmly yet firmly. "I still remember Lily in her first year. Always talking about how excited she was to tell her sister about everything she had learned. She loved and admired you through her fourth year I think. Then something happened during that summer and she never mentioned you again for the rest of the time I knew her."
Petunia's face twisted and Harry thought he saw a hint of regret under the anger.
"It's your fault," she said to Dumbledore. "After I wrote to you and you crushed my dreams."
"As I explained, to you then." Dumbledore said, a small amount of sadness in his voice, "We don't all carry the same type of magic. You may not have been a witch but you had the potential to be a person just as good and kind as your sister was. Instead, you chose to let your disappointment turn into spite and poison your relationship."
"Stop," Harry said grabbing the attention of the two adults, "If my mother and father had magic, then the story of how they died was a lie wasn't it. They didn't die in a car accident because they were drunk."
"No, Harry, they did not," Dumbledore said. "As I mentioned before we were living in very difficult times. You must understand that the magical side of the world is very different to the non-magical side, but in some ways, it is similar, just as your non-magical history books talk about evil men who try to gain power and influence over the world, so too do such things happen on the magical side. When your parents were alive the magical world was under attack from a very evil man who called himself Lord Voldemort. He was the kind of man who believed that those born with magic were inherently more valuable than those born without and as such wizardkind should have power over all others. He hoped to first gain control of our government before then moving outward and destroying the secrecy that helps protect all magical beings."
"Protect magical beings? Wouldn't it be the other way around?" Harry asked, thinking about the display Dumbledore had shown mere moments before.
"You are making the same mistake that many wizards and witches make," Dumbledore replied. "While magic is indeed powerful, it is also rare, for every wizard and witch on the earth there are hundreds if not thousands of people without the ability to use magic. If the two sides of the world ever truly went to war I have no doubts in my mind that the non-magical side would be victorious." The room was silent for a moment before Dumbledore cleared his throat. "I apologize," he then said, "it appears that the educator in me got a little out of hand and we have gone off-topic. Your parents were two of the biggest voices against Voldemort and were targeted by him personally. When you were just one year old tragedy struck and he found your family's hiding place. Your parents did not survive." Dumbledore's voice was grave but his tone shifted slightly as he continued, "But, unbeknownst to anyone else, your mother devised a plan to keep you safe. Using the ineffable bond between a mother and child as a power source and the sacrifice of her own life as a catalyst she created a protection stronger than any that had ever before been devised. Strong enough to stop even the previously unstoppable killing curse. Keeping those protections in place was the reason for me leaving you here with your aunt and uncle. Three requirements needed to be met for the magic to keep its potency. First, you needed to be alive, second, you needed to live with someone that shared the blood of your mother, and finally, you needed to consider that place your home." Dumbledore let the statement hang in the air.
Harry pondered Dumbledore's words for a moment when suddenly his eyes widened in realization.
"I see you understand Harry," Dumbledore said.
"What?" Petunia said.
"The protection is gone, isn't it?" Harry said.
"What?" Petunia nearly shouted, "What do you mean the protection is gone? Everything you said is true. Harry is alive, I am lily's sister, and this is Harry's home!"
"Would you consider a place where you never felt wanted or loved as your home?" Dumbledore said solemnly.
Petunia gaped slightly but soon recovered and continued speaking.
"That is ridiculous, this is the only place he has, where else could he possibly call home?"
"Stonewall," Harry whispered.
"Could you speak up Harry?" Dumbledore said.
"Stonewall is my home," Harry said at a normal volume.
"The school?" Petunia said in disbelief, "How could that be your home, they don't even release you for summer break so that we don't have to deal with you…" she trailed off for a moment, "or, so you don't have to deal with us. They keep you there to protect you... from us." Petunia looked at Harry but he didn't meet her eyes.
"How it happened is immaterial at this point," Dumbledore said. "What matters is the fact that those protections are gone which unfortunately puts Harry and your family at risk. While those protections were in place this location was essentially invisible to magic, and magic users with ill intentions couldn't approach. Now unfortunately those protections are gone."
As if on cue a knock was heard at the door. The three people in the room froze. Petunia started to move for the door, but Dumbledore held up a hand.
"Please, Petunia, let me check first. I do believe our topic of conversation has left me a little bit paranoid."
Turning on the spot Dumbledore disappeared with a soft pop. Harry and Petunia looked at each other for a moment, unsure what to do. A moment later Dumbledore reappeared with a sour look on his face.
"I must apologize Petunia. It appears that I was followed on my way here. I was trusting the protections on the house to prevent that but as we now know that was a mistake. It isn't as bad as I feared but the person at your door can be very annoying. If you would like I could try to make her leave."
Petunia stood, "No, this is my house." she spoke with authority though it was shaky, the revelations of the day taking an obvious toll on her.
"Very well," Dumbledore said, "If I may say one thing however it would be this. Do not mention Harry Potter and if she asks about him deny everything."
With a huff, Petunia left the room.
"Please make sure to stay out of sight, Harry," Dumbledore said softly, "we don't want to make this any harder on your aunt."
Harry sat on the couch which he knew was out of sight of the doorway and listened to what happened.
He heard the door open and a feminine voice immediately began talking.
"Hello, I am Rita Skeeter with The Daily Prophet. Is this the residence of Harry Potter?"
"Who?" Petunia responded with a tone of confusion.
There was a pause, then the first voice spoke again.
"Did a tall, bearded man in a blue suit come by your house perchance?"
"I have no idea what you are talking about." Petunia said, "If you would please leave, your colleague with the camera is trampling my geraniums."
"Ma'am are you sure that you have never heard of Harry Potter." the first voice insisted once more.
"Listen you harpy, I already told you that I don't know anyone with that name. I don't even know why you are searching for him and I have never heard of a publication called the Daily Prophet. If you do not leave now I will be calling the authorities."
The door slammed shut. Angry footfalls heralded Petunia's return to the sitting room. She opened her mouth to speak to Dumbledore again but he silenced her with a finger to his lips. Whipping out a thin stick Harry was surprised when the old man tapped him on the head and then himself. Harry felt a very odd sensation. Like an egg had been cracked on his head and was dribbling down to cover his whole body when he looked at himself he was shocked to see that he had taken on the appearance of the couch he sat on.
"Don't move Harry," Dumbledore's voice whispered
Harry's eyes scanned the room and the man was nowhere to be seen.
"He must have done the same to himself," Harry thought.
They sat in silence, unsure what was coming until suddenly rustling was heard beside the house. Harry looked out one of the back windows and saw a woman with curly, blond hair and thin glasses peek inside. Petunia saw her two and Harry could see that the two women's gazes met by how wide the woman outside's eyes became. Petunia ran to the nearest phone and picked up the receiver. Before she could even hit the first key the woman outside disappeared. All was silent for a moment then Harry felt a tap on his head and the magic that had been cast on him dissipated. A moment later Dumbledore became visible as well.
"Well, that experience hopefully serves as proof for my next point. Harry, for your safety and the safety of your relatives. I will need you to come with me. I wish there was another way, but for now, the only place I can ensure you will be protected is at Hogwarts."
"How can I go to this school when I can't use magic?" Harry asked.
Dumbledore sighed, "You wouldn't be going as a student, You would be coming to the school to apprentice under the castle's caretaker. He is like you, a non-magical child born to magical parents."
Harry was speechless for a moment, then words began tumbling out at the injustice. "What about my schooling? I am doing well in my classes, I am on track to graduate. You will be stealing away my future."
Dumbledore looked at Harry with regret in his eyes, "I am sorry, Harry. When I originally planned to come and speak with you today I hoped that you wouldn't need to make any lasting changes to your circumstances. But, you must understand that the danger to your life is very real. Voldemort had many followers who escaped punishment after he fell. In addition to that now that your location is no longer protected you will be the target of political movements, and the media as you saw today. When the protections that your mother put in place fell apart it closed so many of the doors that were previously open to you."
Harry stared blankly ahead. He found it too hard to process. Everything he had worked for, all the good he had enjoyed over the last three years, was all falling apart. Wordlessly he turned and walked out of the room. Dumbledore said nothing, letting him leave to think about what he had learned. Harry walked in a daze up to his new room. He shut the door behind himself and sat on the creaky bed. He looked at the empty walls of the room. They seemed to signify what this place was for him, what all of Privet Drive was: nothing. It wasn't home, there was no emotional attachment here. The only way that this place had ever met the criteria for being his home was when it was the only place he had. As soon as he found acceptance and friendship at Stonewall that place had easily usurped the title of home in his heart. Now, he would be forced to say goodbye to it forever. Harry felt tears prick the sides of his eyes which made him blink. He rubbed his face hoping to avoid letting them fall and when he reopened his eyes he happened to be looking at the dice pouch sitting on his chest of drawers.
Standing up Harry crossed the room and grabbed it before going back to his bed he held it in his hand and as his grip tightened he heard the crinkle of paper. Suddenly he remembered the notes and Liam's explanation
"..If you are ever feeling like you can't go on, read one and we hope it helps you until we can see each other again."
Reaching into the bag he pulled out one folded up piece of paper. When he unfolded it, he saw that it was only a quarter of a full-sized sheet but it was covered in the messy scrawl that he recognized as belonging to Travis. It read,
Hey Harry,
I know that what is happening to you this summer sucks and isn't fair. You deserve so much more than you are getting but I know that you can make it through anything. You are one of the strongest guys I know, and you remind me a lot of my older brother. Even though life has been kicking you down over and over you manage to stand tall and turn a bad situation into a good one, for yourself and other people.
Me coming to Stonewall was supposed to be a punishment. You probably remember how I told you all that I used to be a bully. Well, I was so bad that they sent me here as a last resort and to be honest I was so scared. There were so many rumours about the kinds of kids that were sent to Stonewall and I thought I was just being shipped off to the kind of place my father was sent to. I was terrified that I had become just like him. That is why I started to hang out with Liam originally because I was trying to change. Then I met you and Nish and suddenly Stonewall wasn't the place I was sent to for being a bad guy. It was the place where I met my friends and where I learned from you that it doesn't matter when you come from it matters where you are going.
You showed me it was possible to be happy despite your past so no matter what comes face it head-on. You are a Hero of Stonewall.
Travis
Harry read through the note once more. Ever since Travis had revealed his past as a bully to the group he had started to become more open about his troubled past. His father was an alcoholic and had been put in jail for assaulting someone while he was drunk. He had also been physically abusive at home but Travis and his mother were always protected by Travis's older brother who was on course to become a police officer. To hear himself be compared to someone like that made Harry straighten up with pride. Folding the note carefully Harry placed it back in the pouch. Standing up, Harry took one last look around. Life had decided to kick him around again, so it was time for him to stand tall.
Albus sat in the living room drinking his tea and waiting for Harry to come back downstairs. He was more than happy to let the boy have some time to adjust. He felt terrible for what had to be done. But the boy's parents sacrificed too much for their legacy to disappear either by letting Harry perish or by having their family vaults ransacked. He hadn't had the chance to explain the danger to Harry's family wealth, but with Harry at Hogwarts Dumbledore would have plenty of time to prepare him for the political manoeuvres that would need to take place.
"What about us?" Petunia said softly from her seat on the couch.
She was absently drinking the tea that he had conjured. Well, he had conjured the tea service tray, the tea itself had been pulled from a pot he kept prepared for situations such as this.
"We may not deserve it," she continued. "But will you help me and my family as well?"
"Petunia, no one deserves to be in danger from the kind of people that will come for Harry, so of course I will help you. I will help your family relocate to a new address. Don't worry, you won't need to leave the country or anything, your husband will even be able to keep his job. Thanks to you being hidden for as long as you have no one in the magical world knows you exist so they won't be able to follow if you disappear. Warn your husband and son tonight and I will come by tomorrow to help you."
"Sometimes I still wish I could be more like Lily," Petunia admitted quietly.
"Do you know what one of the most wonderful things about life is?" Dumbledore asked.
Petunia looked to him curiously,
"It is that every time the sun comes up a new day has begun, with new opportunities to be better than we were the day before."
Petunia didn't respond, apparently lost in thought. The two adults sat in silence for a few more minutes, then they heard footsteps coming down the stairs. Albus looked to the doorway to see if Harry had returned. Harry came around the corner with a duffel bag already packed. A look of resigned acceptance on his face.
"Well, I am ready," he said with a sigh.
Albus's heart wrenched at the sight. The boy was aware of why he was required to leave but he was noticeably distraught by it. He also felt a swell of admiration for the young man before him. Standing, he stepped toward Harry and spoke.
"Harry, I know this is difficult, and if I could think of any other option then I would take it. Sadly the forces that will be trying to get their hands on you are too great for me to leave you defenceless. I can't help but admire your maturity in agreeing to this change, and I hope that for whatever time you end up spending there Hogwarts can become a place you feel safe and comfortable in."
Harry simply nodded in acceptance of Albus's words before turning to face his aunt.
"Aunt Petunia, please will you make sure this gets sent to my friends," He held out an addressed envelope.
Petunia looked shocked that he would trust her with something like this. Hesitantly, she reached out and accepted the letter.
"I promise," she said quietly.
Harry nodded in thanks before looking back to Albus. The older man saw that the boy wanted to leave as soon as possible, and he guessed it was to prevent himself from losing his nerve. So without any further delay, Albus motioned toward the door. Petunia suddenly made a noise as though she wanted to say something. Both Albus and Harry looked to her expectantly. She froze, unable to say anything. The silence dragged on for a few seconds until Harry spoke.
"Aunt Petunia," he said, "I don't know when or if I will ever see you again, but I want you to know. Even though there is no love between us, I don't hate you. I hope you, Uncle Vernon and Dudley stay safe."
With that said, Albus and Harry left the house. Albus led them down the street, then over a few blocks. As they were walking he turned to Harry.
"Harry, if you would like I could make your burden a bit lighter," He offered.
Harry gave him a curious look, but in the end, accepted. Albus reached out and touched the duffle on Harry's shoulder and watched as the boy stared at the bag in wonder before tossing it up and down slightly. Albus hid a smile at the reaction, he missed being able to wow people with little tricks like the featherlight charm. He used to have an entire routine with his first years when he taught where he would be holding an enormous pile of books as they came in then pretend to drop them only for them to turn into doves before they hit the ground. She would never admit it, but Albus was pretty sure that was where Minerva got the idea for her little cat trick.
"Wait, I know this road," Harry said as they turned onto Wisteria Drive, breaking Albus from his thoughts.
"Of course," Albus said, "A good friend of mine lives here, I actually would ask her about you often."
Soon the two had arrived at number 6 and Albus walked up to the door.
"Mrs Figg is a witch?" Harry asked, "I guess the cats make sense now."
Albus chuckled, "No my boy, she is actually like you, she was born to magical parents but wasn't able to use magic herself." Reaching out, Albus knocked on the door which was quickly answered by an ageing woman.
"Albus, what is happening?" Arabella Figg asked.
"Sorry for the change of plans, Arabella, but due to certain circumstances, we need to bring Harry to Hogwarts earlier than expected. Could we use your floo?"
She looked from Albus to Harry before stepping aside for them to enter.
"I suppose there's no harm in it, come in."
They entered the house and Albus idly looked over the various cats-kneazle mixes strewn about the room. There were several very handsome specimens that Dumbledore was sure could fetch a good price if Arabella could find a buyer. Turning away from the purring animals he made his way to the fireplace. Reaching in he extracted a tabby that had decided to use the hearth as a bed.
"Up you come, little one," he said kindly, transferring the animal to a nearby cushion. He then turned to Harry who was watching him for some clue as to what they were doing here. "Now Harry, I know this will be your first time travelling magically. So I must warn you that it can be somewhat disorienting. Just remember to keep a firm grip on your belongings and when you step in say your destination clearly, you may want to pull your shirt over your mouth so that you don't accidentally choke while speaking, why I was once trying to visit a friend and ended up in Timbuktu due to that mistake." Albus chuckled at the memory. He then turned to the fireplace and with a quick spell lit a small fire then added some floo powder from a pouch in his pocket.
Harry gasped when the flames changed to a brilliant green. He was still reeling from the reveal about Mrs Figg's connection to the magical world, now this strange man wanted Harry to walk into a lit fireplace. Dumbledore must have seen Harry's hesitance because he suddenly said,
"Have no fear Harry, the flames are quite safe, watch,"
Reaching out the old man placed his hand in the fire and left it there for at least a minute before pulling it out and showing that there was no damage to himself or his clothes. Deciding that he was already too deep to back out now Harry stepped forward then stooped down to enter the flames. He tentatively dipped his finger in and pulled it out two see if it was hurt, when no burning sensation came he eventually stepped in completely. Immediately his eyes watered and he began coughing slightly. The flames may not burn but there was still a little bit of smoke. Taking Dumbledore's advice, Harry pulled the collar of his shirt over his mouth and nose which lessened his coughing slightly. He also shut his eyes tightly to protect them as well.
"Good job Harry," Dumbledore said encouragingly, "Now just state as clearly as you can, Dumbledore's Office."
Harry breathed in slowly, the shirt collar held in one hand making it possible, and gripped his duffle tightly with his other arm.
"Dumbledore's Office," He cried.
The world began to spin and Harry instinctively dropped his shirt to grab his bag with both hands. He started coughing again as wherever he was, it still had the same smoke he had been choking on in the fireplace. Peeking out through his eyelids Harry could just see that he was now surrounded by green flames as what looked like fireplaces flashed past him. Eventually, the spinning stopped and Harry felt himself be ejected from the fire only to crash onto a stone floor, luckily he landed on his duffel filled with clothes which gave him some padding, though he did get some abrasions on his palms. Harry coughed strongly a few more times before finally, he was able to take a deep breath of cool fresh air. The air had the barest hint of the smell of paper and ink that reminded Harry of the library at Stonewall. Opening his eyes, Harry looked around and was greeted by a sight straight out of one of Liam's fantasy novels. Several of the walls were lined with bookshelves that stretched from the floor to the ceiling, explaining the smell he had sensed. Other walls were all filled with portraits and if Harry wasn't mistaken the subjects of the artwork appeared to be moving slightly. The rest of the room was filled with whirling gadgets made of steel and bronze. Harry's jaw dropped as he took in the fantastical sight.
"Who the hell are you?" a cantankerous voice suddenly called out.
Spinning about Harry saw a stooped man wearing a long, leather jacket. His hair hung in greasy strands and his face was locked in an unpleasant sneer.
"Who are you?" Harry countered suspiciously.
The two of them stared each other down, but the standoff was broken when the fireplace flared again and Dumbledore calmly stepped out he looked at the two occupants of his office before addressing the unkempt man.
"Oh, Argus, good to see you are here"
Dumbledore's tone suggested this was a pleasant surprise, but the reaction Harry saw from the other man, made him think that he wished he was anywhere but here.
"Don't give me that Dumbledore," he responded, "I am here because you won't let this poppycock about me taking on an apprentice go."
"Well, it is fortuitous that you came to discuss the topic because I have the lad in question right here." Dumbledore motioned to Harry with a smile. "Harry Potter, I would like you to meet Argus Filch, the caretaker of our fine establishment and the man you will be apprenticing under while you are here."
Harry and Filch met eyes once more and Harry saw nothing but contempt in the other man's gaze.
"Wonderful," Harry said tiredly.
Petunia stared at the door after Harry and Dumbledore walked out of the house, the letter Harry had entrusted to her clenched in her hand. The boy's words flashed through her mind and she couldn't help but remember how similar they were to the last words Lily said to her when she had left their childhood home to be with her wizard husband.
"I don't know where the love we once shared has gone, Petunia, but know that I could never hate you. I hope that one day when everything calms down, we can make amends."
They had never gotten that chance. Her sister had died, and now she knew the whole truth. Some evil man with delusions of grandeur had killed her baby sister and now thanks to Petunia's pettiness, Lily's son had lost the protection she had died to give him. Regret filled Petunia's heart and where normally she would bury it under mountains of hate and anger, this time the other emotions never came. Tears began leaking from her eyes.
"Hey, Mom," Dudley said as he came down the steps, "Where did that freak go I saw him leave with his bag."
Petunia turned to her son and he saw the tears on her face making his eyes widen.
"Mom, what happened? Did he do something to you? Where is he? I will beat him so bad tha-"
"Stop it," Petunia said, suddenly.
Dudley looked at her in confusion.
"Harry didn't do anything. He had to leave with the other man. He, he probably won't be back." She turned away and began walking toward the kitchen, "I need to run to the post office then I will be back to make lunch. It will be ready in a few hours. Also, make sure you are at dinner on time, I need to talk to you and your father about something important."
As she walked Petunia wiped away the tears and decided to focus on completing her motherly duties. She would need to unpack the feelings that had been awoken in herself later. She hoped that one day she would meet Harry again and that maybe they could have the reconciliation that she never had the chance to have with Lily. But, if she ever wanted that to happen she would need to change and that meant she couldn't shirk her responsibilities.
Special thanks to ACreativeMindAtWorkHere for being the beta reader.