Chapter 5: A Few Visitors

A/N: I would like to thank all that reviewed the last chapter. I am sorry that this chapter took so long to post RL can be really hard sometimes. If you are looking for the disclaimer check the prologue.

Ministry of Magic

Cornelius Fudge was feeling on top of the world right about now. He had just figured out a way to get a spy he trusted into Hogwarts, and up close to Harry Potter. Cockily he passed by that simpering fool Weatherby, and commanded that everyone hold his calls until further notice. It was then that he thought of another way to get the Potter boy to like him even more, and possibly get the general publics approval. With Voldemort back there was the problem with the age restriction laws. How would the Potter boy vanquish him if he attacked this summer, and what about the power surge earlier? "WEATHERBY! Come here right now. I want you to find me a way to allow the Potter boy use of his magic during the summer. As soon as you figure it out do all the paper work, and sign my name. Then I will deliver the letter and go take the tracking spell off the boy's wand."

Percy Weasley was shocked to say the least. Harry Potter was going to be allowed the use of his magic early because of that stupid scar and his name. He nodded to the Minister to let him know that he indeed heard him, and returned to his desk. He knows that the Dark Lord was back, but that might mean that he has had it wrong the whole time. Maybe by doing this for the Minister he could use it to get back to his family. He knew at least his mum would welcome him back. First he needed to send an owl to the Ministry's potion master, and while he was at it he could send an owl to his mom giving her and Dumbledore a head's up about the minister's plans.

12 Grimmauld Place

Severus Snape paced the living room. Dumbledore and the others had left hours ago, and no one had returned. He was stuck there in that house with the Weasley family and the-know-it-all Granger. Although Granger did seem mellower lately, and mysterious too, she was receiving letters every day sometimes twice from 'a guy' he still did not want to be around her. That is how it was signed, and she would send her letters back signed 'a girl'. If it wasn't so juvenile he may have found it funny about the Weasley boy's reaction. At least the waves of power had stopped, now they just were sitting and waiting on news. Snape couldn't help think that it may have slipped the headmaster's mind that there were anxious people waiting for news.

He stopped at the thought and immediately went to the fireplace grabbing some floo powder. "Molly, I am going to find out what is going on. I will either floo back or send a message. Why don't you prepare a meal for everyone to eat, and then when I get Potter's floo opened up you and the kids can bring the food over." He noticed the shocked expressions on the faces that had been sitting despondently. "What? Do you want to stay here all day? I just thought it would be a good excuse that even Dumbledore would not argue with." With that Snape through the powder into the fire and stepped in, "Arabella Figg." Molly did not waste time and neither did her children; they were all up and about helping with making food or ways to transport all that she was cooking to Privet Drive.

4 Privet Drive

Harry was still floating in the air covered in a wild magic aura. He knew that Dumbledore was there he could feel and detect the others who were in and around the house who had magic. In fact he felt the magic for the whole neighborhood. There were at least three kids who would be receiving letters soon. Feeling the anxiety coming from his cousin he knew that it was time to urge his magic to speed up his healing. It was weird the way magic worked, because he now knew that though he had inherited the Potter magic's he was not born a Potter. Perversely his magic was having a grand old time of keeping the identity to the new family magic's growing within him.

It was then that he felt the flash of someone arriving in the neighborhood by floo, and the familiarity shocked him out of his state. There was a really loud yelp from Vernon Dursley, and then silence. Remus immediately went to check and see if he could enter Harry's room. The sign on the door had changed to a warning. Enter only if you know that I will not hex you! A chuckle escaped and then a full bodied laugh. Remus was heard through the house, and suddenly there was the sound of feet rushing to where he was. With a grin and a shake of his head he proudly announced "He's awake!"

Severus Snape walked briskly from Mrs. Figg's house towards the Dursley's. He nodded to the Order members and aurors that he knew. No one stopped him as he entered the house. He heard Lupin's statement and immediately surged up the stairs. "How is he?" He directed to the werewolf standing by the door. Remus shook his head at the question, not knowing what exactly was going on, but was pretty sure he would find out.

Dumbledore was standing in the doorway to the master bedroom, and briskly walked over to the Harry's door. It was then that Vernon made the mistake of reminding the wizards that the man was laying there and let out a groan. The aura that had surrounded him had disappeared, and now the wizards could take action.

Vernon was in a lot of pain and he did not know why. He remembered beating the freak boy for spreading his disease to his son. His precious son was now like it. Dudley would need to get the demons exercised out of him, but that could be arranged. First, he needed to get up and make sure that his nephew was dead. That brought his thoughts back to the fact that he was in severe pain, and laying very uncomfortably on a floor. The memory hit him as he heard a hiss of anger; the freak boy had started glowing while he was punishing him.

Suddenly, someone yanked hard on his arm, and he was standing in front of a group of them. He noticed that Dudley was standing with them, and he sneered at his son. "What do you want, and who let you in my house?" Vernon belligerently bellowed out.

"I got them Dad. You were hurting Harry, and I knew that you were going to come after me next. I couldn't let you do that."

"Dudley, what do you mean you got them?" Vernon shook off the hand holding his arm, and was walking towards his son. "I told you to stay in your room. First I found out this summer that you are indeed dumber than a doornail, then you start doing freakish stuff along with your cousin, and now you went and called a bunch of these freaks into my house. What has gotten into you boy!" As Vernon made his speech he clenched and unclenched his hands, forgetting about the half dozen wizards standing there he raised his hand to strike his son.

Harry had heard it all Snape's arrival and Vernon's awakening. It was the tone that Vernon was using that alarmed him. He knew that Vernon was about to attack someone, and since he was not there it pretty much only left Dudley as the target. He opened the door silently and before Vernon hit his son Harry's and Dudley's wild magic attacked the man.

Harry with his eyes glowing had his magic turn Vernon around, "NO more! NO! YOU WILL NOT HIT OR HURT ANOTHER PERSON VERNON, AND ANOTHER THING WE ARE NOT FREAKS AND NEITHER IS DUDLEY. YOU ARE THE FREAK!" Just as Vernon was about to answer Harry let loose again. "DUDLEY WILL BE A WIZARD AND TRAINED IF HE WANTS TO, TOO!" Another flash of power in his eyes and to the surprise to everyone including Harry he passed out into the arms of a certain potions professor.

Severus laid his son down back into cot that was in Harry's room. In his mind the cot was too small to be considered a bed. With the knowledge that Harry had awoken, Severus summoned Dobby the house elf and sent a quick message to everyone at headquarters. Madame Pomphrey was giving Harry a through once over. While Vernon as being moved to Dudley's bedroom Dumbledore stood mischievously in the doorway while silently fixing things he found wrong with Harry's room with his wand. Dudley anxiously watched his cousin with bated breath while Remus filled Harry in oh what had been happening while he was out of it.

Harry pretty much stayed silent listening raptly until Severus walked into the room. With a smirk that resembled his sire he greeted the potions master, "Hello Professor Snape...or should I say Father?"

England

The Lovegood's arrival back to Britain was smoother then one would think for leaving soooo unexpectedly. Yet, anyone who knew the family couldn't except anything less than a late or early arrival. Luna who had a slight gift of sight set off to find her father. "Da, the Headmaster shall be here n an hour or two. I think we shouldn't unpack yet. I have the feeling that we will be staying elsewhere."

Phillip Lovegood just looked at his daughter as her gaze went back to its mystical expression. His breath caught in his throat for a minute...she was really growing up on him. All of a sudden Phillip did not see his little "Birdie" anymore but the woman she was becoming. Placing a kiss on the top of her head as he passed by, "I'll just find the lemon sweets that the headmaster prefers."

Grimmauld Place

Hermione and Ron were in charge of the baskets of food, making sure that there was enough food for the aurors, Order members, Harry's family, and them. Charlie and Bill Weasley were home at the time, and were in change of Gred and Forge watch. They had to make sure the twins did nothing to the food that their mother was preparing. Dobby was sent back to get a head count of people there, and Winky was in the kitchen with Molly cooking. The group was ready to go to Privet Drive within a couple of hours from Snape leaving, and a rope portkey had been prepared for them.

Privet Drive

Severus blinked slowly as everything and everyone in the room went still. Remus who had been near the end of his explanation earlier started sputtering, and all the others in the room with the exception of Dumbledore and Snape looked at Harry as if he had lost all sense. Though at any other time this scene would be quite funny this was not the time. "I see that I have shocked you all. So sorry, but my familial magic is singing out to yours Severus."

Dumbledore's twinkle got an extra sparkle, and he started chuckling along as everyone in the room turned speculative glances towards the austere man. To their astonishment instead of the scowl expected he was still in his shocked state. All in attendance started as one to figure out what the hell was going on.

Remus being a werewolf decided to trust his senses and first took a large whiff of the potions master before moving closer to Harry to confirm the familial scent. Arabella was looking for similarities between the two of them. Her gaze kept going from the little boy she used to know to the adult standing near the boy's bed.

Dudley though showing improvement in the intelligence department was kind of slow on the intake, and had just caught up with the happenings around him, and all the looks about what was said. He blurted out, "Wait a minute...If he's your father then why the bloody hell did that old man over there put you with us?" Dudley pointed to the people in the room when he spoke about them so that there was no confusion on anyone's part about who he was speaking about. His question brought silence as no one but Severus and Dumbledore knew the answer to it.

"Severus, my boy, I do believe it is up to you to answer young master Dursley's question." The twinkling demi-wizard-god like mad said as he waved his wand creating comfortable chairs for everyone else.

Severus sneered at the meddling old coot and proceeded to expand on the recent enlightenments made into his own past. Just as he finished his tale Dumbledore rose from his seat. "Thank you, Severus. Quite helpful and concise that was. Now, I believe we have visitors arriving soon, and I must go and get the summer tutor for the Dursley lad. I shall return with her," and with that he apparated out of Surrey to conduct his business.

The Weasley party arrived seconds later setting up all they brought on different buffet tables. Trying to stop a general mess and chaos of the normally quiet house. Arthur greeted his wife and at the same time explaining about Harry's relatives and the abuse.

Ron and Hermione as soon as they arrived went to find the missing link to their trio. An interesting noise brought their attention to Dudley's room so that was their first stop. They found a trounced up Vernon who looked a very interesting purple and puce mixed color glowering at them. Knowing that it would all be explained once they found Harry; the two left closing the door behind them. The next room they knew was Harry's and knocked before entering.

Surprisingly Dudley, Harry, and Snape were all on his bed talking calmly, and having what seemed to be a conversation of small talk. It was as if nothing had happened that day, and their was no bad feelings between them. Ron and Hermione shared a look, but decided to stay quiet until they were noticed.

Remus being the keen observer of the room's occupants waved the two closer to him. He made sure that no one else was paying him any attention as he whispered all the information he could on the subject of the scene that they were witnessing. It wasn't until he reached the part about Snape and Harry being father and son that Ron passed out dead away catching the notice of the unusual group.

Harry smiled at his best friends. "So U guess Ron took the news kind of hard huh?" He scratched the top of his head in slight bewilderment. Hermione took this time to start looking form the Professor and back to Harry closely. Still not used to anyone looking at him for a very long time Harry asked, "What are you looking at Hermione? Is there something wrong with me now?"

Hermione shook her head and finally stopped the swivel that it was doing. "O can see it... you know. The family resemblance it is in your facial features, around the eyes, cheek, chin, and maybe the ears. You also seem taller now that I think of it Harry, and some of your expressions are similar." She stopped and cracked a smile, "That eyebrow thing that you're doing now is one of them as a matter of fact." Gloatingly she looked back to Professor Snape noticing his cocked up eyebrow too.

England

Dumbledore assured that there was enough people at Privet drive to keep Harry safe until new shielding could be put up went to the Lovegood home. He was not at all that surprised when the house elf let slip that he was expected. Luna Lovegood's mother was a renowned seer in her day.

Luna and her father were seated in the study having tea, and discussing what to write about their latest adventure. Luna suggested that her father hold off on the story, because the Headmaster could be bringing more important news. Before her father could reply her eyes still drifting she cocked her head to the side, "Enter Headmaster, we've been waiting for you."

Dumbledore smiled and accepted his coup of tea. He took one of his favorite lemon candies he was extremely fond of. Explaining that Ms. Granger was working on something quite top secret for him he needed someone Harry trusted to stay and help his cousin Dudley catch up in his wizarding education. Luna was his first choice, and her father was also at the top of his list for a favor. It would mean so much to him and the upcoming war if they were willing to help out. He would need them both at Privet Drive.

"Dumbledore," Phillip said, "I can understand getting Luna's help, but me? Why would I be needed to be there? All I am is a journalist." He looked intently at him while asking these questions. One could never be too careful when it came to Albus Dumbledore.

"Sorry did I say that the both of you would be at Privet Drive? My mistake, Phillip. I meant that Harry and I have need of your services and paper again if you so see fit to allow us." Quite pleased with himself because he already knew from his answer that Luna would at least be leaving with him he decided to give her father some time. "Think on it Phillip and send me an owl in the next two weeks when ever you decide. I will leave my floo connection to my office and 4 Privet Drive open fro now. Luna, my dear, if you are ready to go I am sure there are some people who would be quite happy to see you."

Luna looked askance of her father to make sure that it was ok for her to leave with the headmaster. At her father's slight nod she rang the bell situated on the tea tray. Tipsy her house elf appeared. "Tipsy, I am leaving with the Headmaster could you please bring my trunk down? It should still be packed." The house elf nodded and with a pop she was gone only to return seconds later with the requested item. Dumbledore placed his hands on top of Luna and with a whistle summoned Fawkes who fire ported them back to Privet Drive.

Privet Drive

Tired of Little Miss Gloat a lot Severus turned to the two boys sitting on the bed. "It looks like you two are it. The last of your family, and I am the last of mine too. How about we shock the wizarding world and become on large family? Harry can take his rightful place as my son, and you young Mr. Dursley as a nephew?"

Poor Ron he would have to choose that time to revive himself. No sooner than Snape finished making his proposal Ron passed out again. He couldn't take the changes that were happening around him. Things were right were he liked them, and Snape seemed determined to shake his little world up. Hermione was speechless as were all the other observers in the room, and everyone was quite amused to see Harry's friends in such states.

Harry chanced a glance at his cousin receiving a shrug, and then looked once again at the Hogwarts students' bane of existence. "Why not? What could it hurt?" It was then that Hermione remembered what she and Ron saw earlier.

"What about Vernon? I know he's not dead. How do you intend to make Dudley apart of your family if his father is not out of the picture?"

"Yet..." Snape sneered out menacingly. He slowly rose out of his chair fingering his wand stalking towards the door. Just as he grasped the handle he turned, "Thank you Ms. Granger. Too bad we are not in school or I would have awarded you points. I have some unfinished business with that tub of lard.

Here it is. The completed chapter, I am so sorry that it took so long, but RL won't give me a break. Be happy to know that I have the whole story outlined, and we're looking at somewhere close to 34-37 chapters. It depends on how long the chapters are, and how much information I put in them. I took out about 2 things I planned for this chapter to save for later. Next time:

Chapter Title: Life Changes

Harry's new look

Hermione's mystery letter writer

Dudley's lessons

new shields

Voldie shows up again

I also need a beta so if anyone is interested please let me know.