Chapter 13: Petunia Dursley's grudge
Petunia Dursley moved out of the way for the five of them to enter the house. They all greeted the two hosts politely; both Hermione and Ron noticed the look Mr. Dursley gave Harry and then the two of them, as if given a chance; he would gladly throw them out or shoot them … something of the sort.
"If you please excuse me everyone; unlike you all I have work to do so I would like to get some shut eye …" said Mr. Dursley.
"Certainly Sir! We are leaving too, just wanted to drop the kids off" replied Remus.
Mr. Dursley simply nodded and once again gave a warning look to the three teenagers and left. Tonks and Remus finally said their good byes but Petunia Dursley stopped them, "Not as yet! I need to have a word with you, please come with me in the kitchen so we can discuss few matters", then she turned towards the three teenagers and addressed Harry, "Harry I think you know your way around so kindly take your guests to your room, and don't go around expecting some special treatment…they need to know the rules of this house…"
Harry felt really embarrassed, his ears were all red…he gave a sideway look to Ron and saw a look of pure shock on his face, then he saw Hermione…who to his surprised had an amused look on her face…as if trying to control herself from laughing.
"Yes Aunt Petunia…common … lets go" said Harry…the three said their good byes to Tonks and Remus. Harry mouthed a "Good Luck" to Remus giving a look towards his Aunt.
On entering Harry's room … it was Ron who spoke first…"So Harry I would really like to know the rules coz I can't afford to have those two on my case…blimey they are the scariest people I've ever come across…and to think I thought Harry exaggerated a bit more whenever it came to them" Ron said in a very serious tone.
At which Hermione laughed and said,"Oh I think Harry didn't do them justice at all… "Both Harry and Ron turned to her as if she said something in French.
"Don't look at me like that…I was just being sarcastic…how can anyone be rude with guests…hey Harry lets go listen to what they are talking about…" said Hermione.
"Are you crazy?" both Ron and Harry said at the same time.
"Common … I think we should, must be something important …" saying this she opened the door…only Harry followed her while Ron preferred not to take chances so he stayed behind and started unpacking. Harry took Hermione's stick from her and offered her hand; Hermione understood – he didn't want the tick tick of her stick to be heard.
They sneaked down quietly…Harry took Hermione's hand and made "shushing" sound by placing a finger on his lips. She nodded and let him lead…finally they were both outside the kitchen and got down on their knees.
"…I told you why the kids are here, why you are so bent on suspecting something dangerous behind their stay – I won't understand. Harry is not James nor his friends are anything like us, so stop saying that its like history is repeating or dramatic things like that Petunia…" were the words said by Remus. Harry was a bit astonished to hear Remus talking to his Aunt on first name basis. The three of them were having tea…while Aunt Petunia as usual seemed angry over something.
"Don't call it dramatic. You have no idea how much I want to separate my past from my present…I don't want anything to do with your world…" after a pause and small sniffing sound … she continued… "You won't understand Remus, because you never lost a child (at this both Harry and Hermione looked at each other with an unreadable expression) … I lost my little girl and I lost my parents …and now I don't want to lose the only family I am left with…" said Petunia.
"You are right … I never lost a child but I do know the feeling of losing family members … I lost my family and then the three people who provided me with so much love that I forgot that I even had parents…Petunia – you have to stop mistreating Harry, he was not even born when all that happened…why are you so bent on blaming him for what happened in past" said Remus pleadingly.
"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND ... Do you? He is a constant reminder of my sister…Lily, a sister because of whom I lost my daughter and my parents. You were not there! Remus … You were not there. That's the trouble…nobody understood the pain I went through nor they will ever understand, I was at the hospital giving birth to Dudley and left Darla who was only 2 … only two – with my parents. Lily offered to look after her along with my parents…and then what…death eaters tried to attack Lily – James saved her along with the baby in her womb …. But Remus he didn't try to save my parents nor my daughter…Lily never tried either, she could've … (by now Petunia was in tears and so miserable…even Harry had never seen her sound this weak and helpless)…They Died … just like that … I lost my family all because of her and my parents always were proud of her more than they were of me…when I was the one who looked after them, she use to be away for the entire year while I nursed my father when he had a stroke…I loved them, I was jealous of Lily but I loved her too … she was my sister – I just can't ever forgive her though; for being the reason behind the death of my whole family…Harry constantly reminds me of James and Lily…all those bitter feelings return…No Remus you won't understand… I fear every moment when he is in this house of what will happen next…" Petunia paused while staring absent mindedly at her cup of tea.
Remus sighed…"Listen Petunia Harry is their son but it doesn't mean he would be exactly like them. He has taken the best qualities of his parents…he is different in some ways like we use to play pranks on people for no reason, Harry would never do that. He has never tried to deliberately hurt any one for no reason. He is the kindest person to step in this world. Yes he does get angry like your sister – (at this Petunia gave a sarcastic smile…and said yeah runs in the family…we were like our mother but her stubbornness was of our father's).. yes I guess but you see he is also brave like them; he would rather sacrifice himself before letting any one else get hurt…you just can't mistreat him for the unfortunate events that happen. You should not blame James and Lily either – you knew the kind of profession they were in and then you knew Lily was in her last month and was due; they were having their first child…they panicked…and if I remember correctly; Lily had gotten a curse or two but James got their in time…before they could save anybody else – the death eaters had already done the work … I am sorry but that's the truth…"
"She never came for the funeral; she never even condoled me on my daughter's death … nor apologized…heck she didn't even turn up for our parents funeral…only that third friend of yours turned up – the convict, he told me how she wanted to come but couldn't….Yeah Right! She couldn't, she could've called, or sent letters or something … But she didn't … Remus…don't go around giving me explanations of what happened. I hate her and I have a bloody good reason to hate her. Anyway that's all besides the point…what I asked – answer me that … don't try to change my mind about those friend of yours nor you have any right to tell me how to treat Harry…just tell me what I asked…" said Petunia in a stubborn tone.
"You must tell me the truth…what's happening and why are Harry's friends here? I don't want any trouble for my family. My husband has been very cooperative throughout this ordeal and even accepted the magic world. But even he is not ready the only child we have – I am not willing to sacrifice anyone now…soo tell me?" asked Petunia in a bossy tone.
Tonks who had been quiet … finally cut off Remus before he could even talk…"Mrs. Dursley…there is nothing wrong; Harry and his friends are just spending their last year holidays together. You said it yourself that Prof. Dumbledore told you to keep Harry with you till he is 17 so the thing is since he couldn't stay with other friends – his friends decided to stay with him. Please don't misjudge them, they are really good kids and won't be in your way" … after a pause she continued, "they have this term project to work on given to them from school for which they have to be together so for that purpose as well they are here to work on their project. (At this Harry gave a questioning look to Hermione…who smiled and proudly whispered, "My Idea"…Harry whispered something along the lines of brilliant and turned his attention back) In case you are worried that the dementors episode will repeat then I can assure you proper measures have been taken and those things won't enter this world ever … Now that I have cleared everything, I think it's getting late…we'd better be on our way…", saying this she got up from the chair. Remus got up as well … Petunia just nodded. Both Hermione and Harry crawled back towards the stairs…they heard them saying… "Thanks for the tea and Good night!"…then the three came out of the kitchen…Harry and Hermione were at the top of the stairs by now…they heard a small good bye from Harry's aunt and then sound of the door closing….they rushed towards his room – Harry holding on to her hand throughout to help her walk; then Harry turned back to pick up Hermione's stick.
Silently they entered the room, and saw Ron already sleeping. There were two sleeping bags on the floor and a bed. Hermione was literally panting when they got inside. They both sat on the bed … staring at Ron – both lost in their own thoughts. After listening to the conversation Harry couldn't help but feel sorry for his Aunt and uncle.
"I am glad we heard the conversation Hermione…" whispered Harry.
Hermione took his hand in her own and spoke in low voice so as not to wake Ron up – "Harry I know what you heard is all upsetting but don't go around thinking you deserved the way they have been treating you…Remus was right …to take out their grudge on you is not fair…"
Harry turned towards Hermione – amazed at her for he indeed thought he deserved the treatment after what his aunt and uncle went through. How Hermione got to know – was beyond him. She always knew how he felt when he didn't even say his feelings out loud. He smiled at her … and didn't answer her back, getting up he told her take bed…
"It's been the longest two days I've ever had… anyway I better change in to night clothes…where'd the bathroom Harry?" said Hermione … then looked at the pile of clothes lying around on the floor…clearly Ron took his time in changing in to pajamas while they were downstairs.
"It's down the hall…common I'll take you there", said Harry.
Hermione took her night clothes. Harry showed her the way…she went in … but soon realized that she couldn't change their all by herself. So she brushed her teeth and came out in same clothes. Harry looked at her questioningly with a raised eye brow…"I couldn't change in there… I need to sit and I didn't really felt like sitting on the flush …" said Hermione, blushing like anything. Harry found this funny but restrained himself but Hermione saw the look…gave him a slight push as if annoyed.
"Ok lets go change in the room…I won't look … and I will stand in front of Ron so he can't look either ... you know; in case he gets up while you are changing…" suggested Harry turning red himself.
They went back…she finally saw on his bed…Harry turned facing Ron… and put one of his shirts on his face … which amazingly didn't bother Ron…both Hermione and Harry laughed over this. She slipped her overalls down to her knees…took off her shirt and wore her night shirt…while was a long top that came up till her knees.
"Harry can you help me a little…I am decent…don't worry…I can't bend down… so … um…" she felt really awkward and wished that one of the two boys was instead a girl so this would not have been this way.
Harry simply nodded…clearly feeling a bit out of place; Hermione raised both her legs a little off the floor to show him how she needed help…he understood and slid her overalls down her knees and off her feet.
Harry looked up and gave her a very friendly smile as if looking at a child. Something clicked in Hermione's mind right then…she uttered an embarrassed Thanks and thought … I wouldn't want Harry to be the girl…I think Ron should've been a girl … but then I would have to compete with Ron for Harry's affections…and Ron or Ronalda would be helping me change…immediately she snapped out of her thoughts … shocked at the things she had been thinking…since when do I care for Harry's affections. Even if Ron was not a girl…well he is not … he will always be Harry's first priority…By now Hermione was seriously freaking out over the kind of thoughts she was having.
She lied down and Harry pulled the covers on her...then politely wished her good night and left the room to change in to his night clothes. Hermione stared after him…with a dreamy look on her face but snapped out of it. Snap out of it Hermione, don't make a fool out of yourself again…your friends will never look at you as more than a friend…Hermione tried to ignore the troubling thoughts and diverted her attention to the conversation she heard downstairs along with Harry. She knew Harry was feeling guilt … she had to snap him out of it. With those thoughts she shut her eyes and went off to sleep.
Harry returned in his pajamas…closed the door and went over to see if Hermione was comfortable…he saw her sleeping soundly – at which he smile and slightly brushed her hair with the back of his hand. Then he saw the shirt that was still on Ron's face…he removed it from there and took the other sleeping bag. "Yes – been the longest and the most eventful days ever…" muttering this; he turned on his side to get some sleep.
Author's Note: Hope you all like this chapter, I know little action but needed to cover Petunia's end as well…just a theory I came up with :) BTW THANKS a lot for the wonderful reviews; they are really encouraging. Don't hesitate to criticize if you feel like it.