Harry held his breath as the door closed behind his aunt. She was going to some sort of lunch meeting with the other women of the neighborhood. Dudley was out at his friend's house and Vernon was at work.
With trembling fingers and a queasy stomach, Harry stumbled down the stairs and rushed to the phone. Smoothing the papers on the dark wood near the phone, Harry took a couple of deep breaths and picked up the receiver. He dialed the number.
One ring.
Another ring.
A click.
Harry opened his mouth but paused as a monotonous machine voice said, "The number you have dialed has been disconnected." He almost dropped the phone in surprise. His heart thudded in disappointment but it didn't last long as the mechanical voice continued, "For more information, contact…"
Grabbing a pen, Harry scribbled down the number. He pressed down on the phone for the empty dial tone, dialed the new number and waited.
Five other numbers and numerous mechanical voices later, and Harry was willing to call it quits and quite eager to Reducto the phone into tiny little pieces. How many more numbers do I have to go through to find something?
Breathe, a Hermione like voice in his brain admonished, have patience. You'll definitely find something if you keep searching.
Harry wanted to make a snide comment to the voice but realized that arguing with himself wasn't the sanest or most productive thing to do at the moment. The rings of the latest number stopped and Harry steadied the pen in his hand ready to record the newest number.
The pen clattered to the floor when a kind but rather weak sounding old voice said, "Hello this is William Stanley. How can I help you?"
Harry paused in surprise, took in a shaky breath and said, "Uh, hello Mr. Stanley… I… my name is Harry Potter." He paused once more at the silence but forced himself to continue, "My mother's name is Lily Evans, and I just found this letter about her…"
"Ahh! I remember Evans. Lily is Gabriel's kid, right? How is she? I really had expected her to call long ago", William said jovially.
Harry swallowed a lump in his throat and said, "She's dead." He cringed at the silence on the other side.
"Oh! I… you have my condolences. To think Gabriel's kid would be gone already. I'd thought…"
But Harry had caught onto a part of the man's conversation that intrigued him. "You knew my granddad?" Harry asked hopefully.
The voice on the other end took on a more cheerful tone. "Of course I did! We were school mates."
Harry almost choked. That's too good to be true. No way. There's no way I'm this lucky.
William continued, "He always was a bit too adventurous. That's how he got married to that princess of his, met her on a trip to the oriental."
"Princess?" Harry wondered in confusion.
The man let out a chuckle that turned into rough wheezing coughs. Harry bit his lip in concern. When the coughing stopped, Harry asked shakily, "Are you alright sir? I can call back some other time." Not really. Please be okay, I need this lead to work out.
William took some deep breaths and said, "It's nothing much lad, just a bit of a condition that comes around when it thinks I'm having too much fun. Don't you worry about it! Anyway I can guess the reason for your call. You want to know what happened to them."
"If it's not too much trouble," Harry said, voice polite but brimming with excitement.
"To tell you the truth lad, I don't know."
Harry felt as though he'd been punched in the stomach. "What?"
"Well, it had to do with your grandmum's family. There was some sort of civil war going on. Bad times and such." Harry grimaced at the information. "She wanted to go and check up on her family. And Gabe, well, he didn't want her to go alone. But they didn't want to endanger the baby."
William let out another cough. "I remember him giving me their letters and asking me to create their will. His brother tried to talk come sense into him but you couldn't quite tie Gabe down to one place."
Harry waited patiently for a another coughing fit to pass and said, "Why'd they go if it was so dangerous?"
William let out a sigh. "Gabe was adamant that they couldn't just ignore the family issues there. He didn't want to abandon them. He must have wanted to bring them back here but..."
And Harry knew. He had known in his heart that would be the answer. Because, after all, wasn't he doing the same thing? "I see," he muttered to fill the silence.
"Tell you what, I'll send you couple of pictures along with the letter. That should give you a start, don't you think? If you're anything like Gabriel you'll probably find yourself in the oriental by next week." William said and laughed, causing another spasm of coughing.
Harry gaped at that. I was planning on leaving as soon as possible if I found a good lead. But how did the man… Harry didn't know what to say. How do I thank the man who just opened up a clear road to my destination? Words seem so lacking and insignificant.
But the man seemed to understand the silence. "It was good to hear from you, lad. I'm glad to know Gabe's got a persistent grandkid like you. I hope you find what you're looking for."
Harry whispered, "Thank you sir, I'll do my best."
"That's all that matters lad," William said. "Now, what's your mailing address?"
Harry gave him the required information and pressed the phone down. His knees buckled from the range of emotions going through him at the moment. It had worked. It had paid off. He'd gotten a lead, followed it and had been rewarded. The Hermione like voice in his head said in a know-it-all tone, told you it would. Harry shook his head. I need to make sure no one in the wizarding world knew what I'm planning.
Voldemort seemed rather uninterested in him since the whole possessing fiasco at the ministry, but Dumbledore, the Order and even the Ministry would ruin any efforts to leave the country by himself, even if it was to search for long lost family. Fred and George would be eager to help. And Ron and Hermione would want to come with him. But he couldn't risk it. He'd have to find a way to leave without them finding out.
Two days later, Harry received a rather thick parcel in the mail. His hands trembled as he carried it to his room. Inside was a thick envelope and a couple of photographs. He took the photos first and glanced at the people in them.
He savoured his first real look of his grandparents. There were a few black and white pictures, under which he found a faded colour photograph. A couple stood in a garden under warm sunlight.
His grandfather looked rather ordinary, dull even, except for his eyes. Those were his mother's eyes. And now those were his eyes. It made Harry feel an odd sense of connection to the man in the picture. But it was the smiling redhead, that his grandfather held lovingly in the picture, that captured his attention. She looked exotic, with slightly Asian features and blue eyes that looked up at him with a mischievous look. Her skin was tanned, and her hair was waist length as she clutched a bundle in strong arms.
He throat clogged up as he remembered his grandparents from the mirror of Erised. They had looked exactly like this picture, now that he thought about it. They had been behind his mother. He bit his lip and tried to recall that moment, trying to remember details of how they moved.
He placed the picture down carefully and picked up a sealed envelope. It wasn't heavy. The paper was rather coarse and worn with age. He gently pried the envelope open and pulled the papers that were neatly folded in it. He read through a boring will and found that his grandparents had left his mother some assets in terms of money and items that were placed in storage. He studied the key and papers intently before putting them back inside.
Harry read the letter from his grandfather, and it was filled with things he had learnt from William Stanley. The only interesting information he had found out that his grandfather was some sort of photographer and had met his grandmother on one of his trips.
The letter which really caught his attention though was his grandmother's neat scrawl that seemed to be printed on the thick creamy paper.
To my dearest Lily,
You're probably reading this with an angry expression on your face. After all, I did leave you. The fact that you are reading this means that I haven't come back from the trip I am leaving.
I am sorry. Sorry for leaving. Sorry for not coming back. And sorry for never having the chance to watch you grow.
But you have to know that it was the only way I could ensure that you would be safe and survive. Even though I wasn't there I know that you've grown up to be a strong and loving person. I knew the moment you were born that you were destined for great things. I wanted you to live a normal life and not be burdened by the troubles of my clan and village.
Let me start from the beginning, I'm not from here. My name must be some sort of clue. I come from a country, that doesn't quite exist in this world. I know, it may be hard to believe but I'm from another realm-so to speak- that's connected to this one.
My realm was always in a state of conflict. Villages were always trying to gain power by fighting with other villages. But my village was one of the more peaceful places that existed. The village of whirlpool was different from other villages in many ways. I loved it. People were allowed to live freely and were never forced to take up warrior positions as shinobi. (Ah, your father says I should call them ninja. That's they're equivalent over here I suppose. It's hard to correct my way of talking sometimes.) In my home we live according to clans created based on lineages and abilities. I'm from the Uzumaki clan. We were known for our ability to make weapons out of our chakra.
And before you can ask, chakra is like magic. At least that's what you father called it when he saw me use it. I don't agree much with his naming, but I suppose it's the easiest way to explain chakra to you. Chakra is our life-force that allows us to do jutsus, things that are considered to be beyond a normal person's capacity. The shinobi use their life force to fight using the elements, illusions and other things. I, myself, used it to heal. I wasn't overly fond of fighting. I don't believe that fighting is the solution. But in a shinobi ruled world that ideal has no place to exist.
And in the end that's what shattered Whirlpool's peace. One day the shinobi from outside decided that our village didn't deserve to exist. And so they attacked. Our clan fought for Whirlpool, after all it was our home. But we couldn't handle the large amount of shinobi that attacked us. Eventually our clan head did a jutsu to protect our clan members. It seems he sent small groups of our clan to various places. I was sent here with 2 of my aunts and an elder.
We only realised that we weren't in our realm when we woke up in the care of some monks. They told us that we had arrived out at their temple in Japan out of thin air, but they didn't seem very surprised about it. In fact they seemed to expect us and taught us about this world's culture and customs. My clan members and I were astounded by the sheer size of this world and the fact that shinobi didn't exist here.
And we were in no hurry to go back. The peace here suited us well. I had been in this world for 7 years before I met your father. He might say it was love at first sight, but it was a while before I saw that he wasn't just some idiot. He stayed in Japan for close to 2 years trying to woo me. I admit it was his persistence that finally got me to give him a chance. But it worked out well, I got you.
A week ago I heard from my clan members. They are planning to go back to the village. And I plan to go with them. Whirlpool is my home. And my heart wants to know how my other family members are doing. It has been ages since I've seen my own sister. I know that that is not enough to justify leaving you behind, but I want you to be safe. And this is the only way I know how.
I have left the address of the monks, in Japan, in our safe, should you ever need to talk to them. Please do not try to come to Whirlpool. If I haven't come back then there's a good chance that the fighting hasn't stopped there. Please live you life to the fullest.
Only I would write such a boring last letter to my only child. I'm sorry. This must be all so boring to you. You've probably established your own life now. And you have your own kids. I don't have any intention of pulling you away from them. I'm sure they're just as special as you are. I would have loved to spoil them.
I'm sorry for letting you go. I'm sorry for never coming back.
I'll always love you.
Orihime Uzumaki Evans.
P.S. You were named after my sister. Her name Yuriko when translated means lily child. I hoped you'd grow as strong as she was.
His sight blurred as he finished. The fact that his grandmother had anticipated spoiling him even when Lily had just been born was a bit too overwhelming. It ate at him to imagine what his life would have been if they had been here. He sniffled as he folded the letter carefully and put it back in the envelope. His thoughts eventually lulled him into a dreamless sleep.
Harry woke up the next day with a sense of dread. He had to talk to Petunia. But how would he even get her to stay in the same room for more than a minute.
A sneaky voice in his head muttered, we could always tell her we plan on leaving. A great conversation starter if any. Who know she might be thrilled about it. The voice hissed in amusement. Harry sighed, he really was losing it. First Hermione's voice and now this- Voldemort had really done a number on him with the whole possessing thing.
Harry went downstairs to the kitchen and stood silently at the doorway trying to figure out how to start the conversation that he had been rehearsing in his head since he had finished the letter.
"A…Aunt petunia" Harry said, voice loud and clear, hiding any source of fear. She didn't move or acknowledge him.
That was fine. As long as she heard him say his part.
"I know about mum." The shoulders stiffened and Harry tensed waiting for an outburst. "I contacted William Stanley, granddad's lawyer friend. He sent me some stuff to find out about grandmum's family."
He bit his lip as he continued carefully, "I'm willing to leave and they," he emphasized for her to know he was talking about Dumbledore and the Order, "they won't bother you anymore."
No response. Just more dish washing. Since when did she pay that much attention to dish washing? Harry wanted to rip his hair out in frustration. What had I been hoping for? That she'd suddenly feel an overwhelming sense of moral obligation to help out some …some cousin of hers who ruined her perfectly normal life.
But he said, "If we make my leaving mutual agreement then the protection on this house won't fail. No one, of my kind, will be able to harm you here."
Petunia's hands were still. She turned around, eyes narrowed in thought. "Where would you go?"
Harry didn't show his surprise at the voice, "Probably Japan."
"They'll know you're gone. They always do."
Harry shook his head. He had been so eager to move in with Sirius that he had been willing to research ways to not come back here. "As long as we both part without conflict, the wards will hold up. No one will be notified."
Petunia grimaced at the word 'wards'. "You expect me to give you money for this? I won't pay for your ticket." she said in a hard tone.
"You don't have to, my godfather left me a bit of money and…" Harry paused at the odd look that crossed Petunia's face. Pity. But the look passed and Harry curbed his irrational need to shout at the lady in front of him. I must have imagined it.
"And you'll never come back again?" She said. "They won't force us to take you in again?"
Harry nodded.
"What would I need to do?" She asked as she turned to the dishes unwilling to look at him any longer.
"You just have to agree with me leaving of my own free will. I'll tell you what you have to say and the magic will take care of the rest." Harry said and sighed in relief at the tight nod he received. He turned to leave.
"Why…why didn't you ever tell her?" Harry asked as he stood near the back door, back facing the kitchen.
A heavy silence settled in the kitchen.
"My father loved her and couldn't bear the thought of losing the only link to his brother. He didn't want her to endanger herself by mixing up in foreign business." Petunia said in a bitter tone. "Loads of good that did!" she scoffed.
Harry silently agreed. But there was another thing that preyed on his mind. "What happened to them? Your parents?"
Petunia sighed. "They died a few years before I married. It was a drunk driver."
Harry swallowed painfully. He'd expected it. But it was still a blow.
He sighed as he went out into the garden. He'd solved a part of the problem. But now he had to figure out a way to get to London without any of the wizards finding about it till he was in Japan.
The sun was beginning to set when Harry noticed someone else in the garden. He looked up and groaned silently when he saw his Dudley standing there.
Dudley looked at Harry for moment, hands in his pocket as though waiting for a sign. Harry was quite willing to chuck his gardening spade at the oversized boy. "I can drive." Dudley blurted out.
Harry blinked and swiped at his sweaty bangs, turning around to face his cousin. What in the world had prompted that as a conversation starter?
Dudley looked rather mortified, and seemed quite willing to turn around and run away. He certainly wasn't wiling to look at Harry.
Harry let out a confused, "What?"
His cousin- Wait, was he still a cousin now? Harry wondered in confusion- took a deep breath and mumbled, "I overheard you talking to mum…"
Harry gaped in embarrassment. Where had Dudley been hiding? I was certain he wasn't in the house.
But Dudley seemed to have gained a bit of courage. "I heard about you wanting to find your grandparents, and well, I think... I mean I can drive you to the airport or wherever, I…"
Harry gaped. "But…"
"I turned seventeen and I got the license, and…" Dudley seemed unable to continue.
There was another awkward silence between them. Harry broke it with a thankful but confused tone. "London, I need to get to London."
"But I thought you needed to go to…"
Harry smiled a little, "I have to arrange things and London's the best bet for me right now. Plus the sooner I get things done, the less people will be able to stop me from going."
Dudley frowned, "Will they really stop you from going?"
Harry turned back to the flowers and pulled out a weed, "I don't know, but I'm not willing to chance it. I need to go and find out the truth of what happened, and I can't depend on them being concerned enough to help me." He said reluctantly.
He patted down the mud around the base of one of the new flower he had planted. Dudley shifted nervously and said, "I can drive you to London tomorrow if you want. Do you know where you have to go?"
Harry turned to him so fast that his neck caught a crick. "You don't…"
But Dudley cut him off with a firm tone. "I owe you for last year!"
The dementor attack! No wonder he's acting weirder than usual. Well, the threat of having your soul sucked out was a good reason as any to turn over a new leaf, Harry mused. But he looked at his cousin thoughtfully. If I go to London tomorrow then I'll be in Japan sooner.
"Tomorrow sounds good," Harry said.
Dudley nodded with something akin to relief and entered the house. Harry hurried with the gardening. He'd have to pack and send his batch of letters to the Order to distract them. It would give him time to find a way to those monks in Japan.
Harry woke up the next day, mind alert and excited about leaving Privet Drive even though he had stayed up late packing his things and writing his letters to the Order. He picked up those letters and tied it to Hedwig's leg.
He handed her a few treats and said, "I'm going to need you to leave now. But I want these letters to reach them tonight as late as you can make it. I can't take you with me because I'm going to be surrounded by muggles till day after tomorrow."
Hedwig cocked her head to the side as though waiting for more. She's smart. Harry smiled and said, "I'm going to try to find a way out of London by day after tomorrow. Find me around Diagon Alley then."
The owl hooted in understanding and gave his finger a gentle nip before she swooped out the window. Harry watched her white form fly out in the growing light and stuffed her cage into his trunk. It was a tight fit, but it was better than lugging it around.
He waited till he heard Vernon's car leave the house for work before he opened the door. He gasped as he came face to face with Dudley. His cousin just nodded and helped him lift his trunk down the stairs and into a car that had been parked in the driveway. Harry was a bit confused about the car and was about to ask but Dudley beat him to it, "It's Pier's. I borrowed it from his place last night. He doesn't need it today."
Harry went back to the kitchen. He needed Petunia to say that she was letting him go of his own free will. It all sounded a bit dodgy that wards could be altered so simply, but the book had said that wards were dependent on the people's intentions just like any other form of complex magic.
Petunia stood in the kitchen, her hair pulled away from her face and grey eyes watching him with an odd intensity. He took out a piece of parchment from his pocket and handed it to her wordlessly.
She frowned at him and stared at the paper with a mixture of disgust and fear but read, "I, Petunia Dursely, out of my own free will, allow Harry Potter, my relation through blood to leave this house on his own. Let the wards know that wherever he may go he is always welcome back so long as the wards remain and let no one outside of this house, friend or foe, know his whereabouts."
She let out a frightened gasp and Harry's own eyes widened as her hands glowed with a light that ran through her body and into the floor of the house.
Harry smiled grimly. He was glad that it had worked. It wasn't the most sophisticated thing I've written, but it had the jist of what I need to leave without the Order knowing until I'm far away.
"Thank you," Harry said sincerely. He turned away from her angry expression before she could say anything, closed the door of the house behind him and got into the waiting car.
The drive was silent and a tad bit uncomfortable, but Harry thought it was going well considering he was in the car with his cousin. The same cousin who used to be Harry's biggest bully and tormentor by making car rides hell. Two hours later they pulled into a street that Harry was very familiar with.
"Dudley," Harry said, "I just… thank you."
Dudley stared ahead, eyes firmly looking out the windshield and hands clenched around the steering wheel. "I owed you. I hope you find what you're looking for."
Harry nodded. While he would never quite forgive Dudley for the past, Harry really appreciated the help. Especially since he was more willing to help than Petunia. "Take care, Dudley," Harry said. He got out of the car, hauled his trunk out of the back, stood on the pavement and watched Dudley drive away.
Harry turned around pulling down his baseball cap low over his forehead. The Leaky Cauldron stood there tucked away between two other buildings. With a deep sign and a mental prayer to some higher power for things to work out, Harry dragged his trunk behind him and stepped away from the pub and walked in the opposite direction towards a muggle hotel.
He had work to do.