Chapter 4: Help Arrives and Consequences

As soon as the tremors stopped Mrs. Figg and Dudley made their way quickly back to Privet Dr. Aurors and Order members where all popping in the area the massive release of power caught the ministry's attention, and Snape had gotten help quickly. Dumbledore was already at the front yard taking off the wards that he had placed to keep any and all wizards except those in residence out. The shimmering gold and silver shield broke with a gentle pop and the crowd converged on the surprising still standing house.

Dudley and Mrs. Figg had cut through the yards and in between houses taking a direct route to his home. Both arrived in time to hear the pop, and watch as people entered the Dursley's house not knowing what to expect when they got there. The magic was thick and oppressive in the air, and it's still very strong presence put many of the wizards on alert. Usually the existence of said magic was only found after a great battle occurred. Dumbledore scanned the full living room of the house and sighted Dudley and Mrs. Figg standing near the door way of the kitchen coming in from a different entrance and moving swiftly towards the stairs, not caring that the others that were being cautious.

Dudley could only think about what had been happening when he had snuck out of the house to get help. He gestured for them to follow hoping beyond hope that his cousin was okay, and had not killed his father and himself trying to stop the abuse. Only Dumbledore and Remus Lupin followed the two up the stairs while the order spread out to inspect the lower level of the house, and the aurors went outside to make a secure perimeter just in case.

The sight that greeted them when they reached the landing was quite shocking. Vernon Dursley sat sitting in the middle of the hall way gagged, and tied with ropes. Tears streamed down his face and there was blood seeping from wounds that covered his body liberally. Opposite of him was Harry's door, and a sign that was magically a fixed that simply stated NO MORE. Harry was found to be lying on the side of his bed glowing in a mixture of colors that was giving off pulses. Dumbledore warned everyone of not touching the boy stating that his magic had reached a point in its maturity that was quite dangerous. He apparently was receiving the first portion of his many familial inheritances that he was to have by the end of his magical majority.

The most interesting observation that caught their attention was as each pulse was a yelp from Vernon, and a new injury would appear. Dumbledore with a twinkle in his eye motioned everyone form the room sealing it shut only to open when the power surge was complete. They then followed Dudley into his parents' room where his mother was cowering in a corner of the room talking to something that no one else could see. it wasn't until they got closer to her did they realize she was repeating a phrase over and over again. "It was not me." Her tone was most desperate and very heart breaking to hear.

With pleading eyes Dudley turned to the Headmaster and asked if there was anything that could be done to help his mother. He also told him that he thought his father had caused her to become like this from abusing her. Dumbledore asked Mrs. Figg to find Poppy Pomfrey the medi-witch to see if she could do something for the poor woman and Harry when he came to. Then with calm eyes he pulled out his wand and created three comfortable chairs, and a small sofa. Gesturing for them to take a seat in the chairs Dumbledore pulled out a tiny bell from his pocket, and rang for a house elf. He asked the elf to bring them tea and something light to eat. It was after everyone had tea and sandwiches that he turned to the cousin of the boy-who-lived for answers.

London

Hermione felt the waves of magic and knew something big had happened. Even though she did not know what exactly was involved she immediately started packing her trunk with everything she would need for school. Her sixth sense told her that she would not be staying home much longer, and things were getting very uncomfortable around her house. All of a sudden it seemed that her parents had a problem with her being able to do magic, and were keeping her out of family happenings. It was a big shock to come home and find out that she now had the sister, and it hurt her deeply that her parents had not mentioned this fact before she left for school last year. The magic reminded her of Harry's. It had that same feeling of when he loses control of his magic, and being a good best friend meant that she would be ready for whatever came their way.

Ministry of Magic

It had been confirmed that it was indeed Harry Potter to have caused the magical power surge, and earthquake earlier that day in Surrey. The aurors that had responded to the outburst exclaimed that there was no sign of death eaters, just him completing his first stage of reaching his magical maturity. Minister Fudge blanched on finding out that tidbit of information. Harry Potter was powerful, and not only that he was not on the greatest of terms with the savior. It was time to make amends, and bestow a hand out to him.

Fudge left his office and walked down to the Magical Law enforcement department. There he searched for the funny looking kid auror who had no respect for authority. Spotting lime-green hair he hurried his steps to catch up with the ... woman. Clearing his throat he asked her if she knew the boy, and receiving an affirmative was instructed that she was going back to school as protection, and also to help him train for the future. Cockily, Fudge turned and walked back to his office thinking of the coupe that he just made. He got a body guard for the Boy-Who-Lived, and also a spy in Hogwarts.

Nymphadora Tonks smirked at the retreating back of the Minister of Magic. The stupid fool had just given Dumbledore the answer to a problem that had been plaguing them all summer as to get her into the school and also allow her to keep her job with the ministry. She knew that she would probably have to spy on Hogwarts, but that could be worked around. It was shocking to learn that Harry could release that much magic, and still be alive. Yet, she knew he was special ...just not that special. Now he had even more potential.

Traveling

Luna Lovegood and her father were searching for Crumpled-Horned Snorkack when the surges of magic hit them. Luna immediately turned to her father and told him that she would be needed soon by the headmaster, and they needed to head back to London. Her father did not question his daughter as the gift of sight generally ran within the blood of his late wife's. The expedition ended abruptly though they had found much evidence of the fabled creature, and were getting close to even capturing one. Luna had never been wrong before, pulling out the emergency port key he kept on hand they packed up and left to arrive in Cambridge; home.

Surrey (A/N: Here is the first dialogue of the story. Give me feedback on if I should keep the dialogue or go back to my writing in third person.)

Dudley shakily set his cup of tea on the saucer in front of him and took a deep breath. "I think that I should start from the beginning of the summer, and some of my earliest memories." He snuck glance at both the men, and when he saw them both give a nod he must up his courage and then the door burst open with Mme. Pomfrey and Mrs. Figg. The three men had all but forgotten about Petunia who at that time was keening loudly because of the loud entrance the two women made. Mme. quickly took a hold of the situation and in minutes had the terrified lady ensconced in bed taking whatever potions that were handed to her without much complaint. Silence ruled the room as her wand moved continuously and she groused under her breathe about the condition of her patient. Once the wand tip gave off an orange light she stopped, and faced the waiting occupants. "I am sorry, but there is brain damage that apparently has been aggravated constantly and never allowed to heal. Headmaster, though I have managed to stop the blood pooling in her head she is not recoverable. I swear what women have to deal with these days! Now where is Potter? If the woman is hurt than more than likely he was too."

"Poppy," Dumbledore spoke up after her diatribe, "Harry is in his room ensconced in a magical maturity coma. We believe that Mr. Dursley Sr. was the cause of such a dramatic reaction, and I have placed sealing charms around the door so that no one can disturb him at until such time as the magic is released."

"Well... at least you know what you are doing. There is a great walrus in the hallway what about him? Am I allowed to heal him?"

Albus' twinkle took on an extra sparkle and he shook his head in the negative. "I am afraid Poppy that young mister Potter's magic is inflicting Vernon with said wounds and would more than likely attack you for undoing its work. Have a seat. Young Mr. Dursley was going to explain what has been happening recently."

All eyes turned to Dudley, and he began his story. He told about Harry helping him with his homework and training this summer, and what his father happened to be saying when the beating was going on. There was also mention of the accidental magic that had been occurring for most of Harry's and his life. After catching Dumbledore and the others up and the true life of his cousin he fell silent waiting for the adults to come down hard on him. Waiting anxiously for about five minutes he finally looked at the headmaster. "I am so sorry. I was awful to Harry when we were kids, but I have gotten better. You can ask him if you don't believe me. I never knew what was going on, and I was either too selfish, blind, or scarred to do anything."

He not surprised at all seeing the headmaster's wand pointed at him. What was shocking was that the spell that hit him did not hurt him at all. In fact the spell cast sort of tickled as it ran is course through him. Once it finished Dumbledore pointed his wand at Petunia Dursley and cast the same spell. Everyone was watching the headmaster to see what he was up to. This was not something that they expected the headmaster to do, and he was being all mysterious about it too. It wasn't until light left Petunia that he spoke, "Just as I thought. I remember being shocked when Lily came to Hogwarts for the simple fact that her older sister did not. Dudley here is only half muggle, and performed powerful magic at age six to keep himself protected from his father. The magic must have released when it felt Harry's own magical majority making itself known. We can expect some powerful things out of both of the boys."

The others in the room just stared up at Dumbledore in awe and shock. Harry Potter's cousin was in fact a wizard, and untrained one at that going through what could only cause them more problems. Unlike others who have had no training their magic usually disappears around this time as to not cause harm to others. His was growing and maturing. Turning to face Dudley once again Dumbledore gave him studied and questioning look. "Well it seems Mr. Dursley that you have an important decision to make. You can receive help to catching up to your peers and join young Mr. Potter at school or I can perform a ritual to release the magic in your body. It is your choice, and something that you will have to life with for the rest of your life." Dumbledore gave a pause and the twinkle reappeared in his eyes. "Well young man what will it be?"

Dudley was shocked to say the least, in the last twenty four hours he had ran to wizards for help, found out that not only could he do magic but his mother could've as well. His father was an abusive prick, and his mother was not going to come out of his father's abuse unscathed. After the wizards' got through with his father, and there is not telling what they may or may not do to the arse, he truly did not have any other family left than Aunt Marge. At that thought he gave a shudder; turning to the collection of wizards surrounding him he took a deep breath, and answered the headmaster. "If and only if Harry says its okay; I would really really like to join the wizarding world and see what all the fuss is about."

"Why would it depend on Harry's decision?"

"I guess because we have always been so separate, and I would be entering his sanctuary away from ... well I guess you can say the muggle world. I just got to know and like my cousin, and I don't want to go and ruin that." Dudley explained after blushing furiously from embarrassment. "Besides if I stay here I would have to go stay with my Aunt Marge, and she is a bit much to take." Chuckles greeted Dudley's confession, and the atmosphere lifted from being rather tense to somewhat calm. Albus finally sent someone to tell everyone that was left in and around the house to stand down. If the power he expected Harry to gain and the power surges were an indication they would be in for a long wait.

A/N: I just want to say thanks to all the reviews that I have received, and I hope that others would send more. Please tell me if I should have Hermione or another character come in as his tutor.