Rota Fortuna: Elements of Power
Complete Summary: (AU) Petunia Dursley's world is turned upside down in a single night when her husband and son die as well as her sister, and brother-in-law. Despite hating her sister's family, she immediately takes to young Harry Potter, her last living relative and perhaps her only real reason to live. They flee the country to start anew in America.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. I also don't own the Berkshire Eagle or KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken incase someone didn't know. I just realized that I have readers from many other countries). I got the Hogwarts letter from some site that I can't remember, so they're not my words.
This chapter's quote is from quote land . c o m (take out the spaces)
A/N: Hey everyone, here is chapter four. I'd like to thank sonocattolica for pointing out a tremendous grammar issue in the last chapter. The issue has been fixed. That's the kind of review that helps me the most as a writer.
Chapter Four
Letters from Strangers
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
-Confucius
The morning of July 1, 1991 dawned bright and early. Not a single cloud drifted lazily in the sky while the birds serenaded nature. Petunia sat at the dining table in her kitchen. In one hand she clutched a mug of coffee and in the other was the Sunday news paper. Her shoulder length blonde hair was a mess and her half-open blue eyes barely registered what they were reading. A man not much older than she with long black hair and icy blue eyes walked in, got his coffee, kissed her on the cheek, and sat beside her at the table.
"Good morning Petunia," the man greeted with a weary smile on his face as he sipped at his coffee. Petunia looked up from her copy of the Berkshire Eagle (1) and returned his smile.
"Good morning Kinston," she replied in like. She loved days like these. She loved it when the day was sunny and the shop was closed for the day. Later that morning the family would go to church. Sundays were always peaceful in their home.
"We should probably wake Harry and the twins so that they can get ready for church," Kinston remarked a bit uneasily. Despite years of going to church with his wife, he still felt awkward about going because he was a wizard. Most American wizards did not practice Christianity but instead opted for polytheistic religions both new and old, nature worship, and various Native American religions. Kinston himself believed in the ancient Greek gods and goddesses.
"I'll go get them," Petunia replied as she set down the newspaper and empty mug of coffee on the table. Before she could leave the kitchen however a black bird flew in the open kitchen window and landed on the chair she just got off of. Petunia refrained from letting out a screech at the uninvited visitor.
She knew the crow carried a letter. The American magical world used crows to deliver letters because they were less conspicuous than owls and no muggle would notice a crow in the daytime like they would an owl. She removed an envelope and the Salem Chronicle from the crow. She handed the magical newspaper to Kinston and paid the crow. The crow took off as soon as its money pouch was tied.
Petunia turned her attention to the letter that came with the paper. She was surprised to find out that it was addressed to one Mr. Harry Dursley, her nephew. The return address indicated that it was from the Salem Academy of Magic. She showed the letter to Kinston and a grin crossed his features.
"Looks like Harry's going to my old school, he's going to be so happy. He hasn't stopped talking about magic school for weeks," he said. Kinston was very close to Harry even though they weren't related at all by blood and to him Harry was like a son and to Harry he was like a father. Harry had indeed been excited about going to a magical school, especially since he knew his long-time best friend Langston would be going.
Before either lover could say or do anything else, another unexpected guest arrived. A barn owl flew in through the same window the crow had used and dropped a parchment envelope before flying off. Now it was Kinston's turn to be confused; American wizards had better sense than to use an owl and were much too modern to use parchment! However, Petunia knew all to well what the parchment meant.
She shakily picked up the oddly addressed envelope. It was addressed 'Mr. H. Potter, 2nd Floor, Messiest Bedroom, 1213 Flora Rd., Applewood, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States of America.'
"What is it honey?" Kinston asked apprehensively. He couldn't take his eyes off of the strange envelope.
"It's from that school my sister went to. It's from Hogwarts… and they used his real name," Petunia replied to his questions.
"You mean British witches and wizards still use parchment and use owls? Are they slow or something?" He said; an astonished look spread across his face. It took everything Petunia had not to laugh at his reaction.
"I'll get the kids up so they can get ready for church, we'll show Harry his letters later," Petunia announced, she then turned on her heel and headed for the staircase.
Church was over a few hours later and Kinston, Petunia, Harry, and the twins - Juliet and Christopher - were all home with a KFC bucket of chicken for lunch. After the lunch, Petunia and Kinston pulled Harry aside.
"Harry, why don't you come sit at the table with us for a minute. We have something we need to talk to you about," Petunia said, gesturing towards a seat at the table. As Harry and Kinston sat down at the table, Petunia got the two letters that were delivered earlier and sat them in front of Harry before sitting down at the table herself.
"Harry, those are the invitations to two different magic schools, we want you to choose one that you like," Kinston said. Secretly however, neither he nor Petunia wanted Harry to go to Hogwarts. Harry opened the letters eagerly, starting with the one on parchment.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
"Aunt Petunia, how do they know my real name?" Harry asked innocently. Petunia was about to answer but paused. That was a good question, they shouldn't have been able to find him since his name had been legally changed. But it seemed that that was not the case.
"Why, magic of course!" Kinston exclaimed in a cheerful manner. Twin groans rose from Harry and Petunia.
"Well, look at the other one. The other one is from Salem Academy, Kinston went there. It's even here in Massachusetts," Petunia urged.
Dear Mr. Harry J. Dursley,
We would like to extend an invitation to you to attend the Salem Academy of Magic. You have shown the gift of magic and we would be pleased to have you when term starts August 12.
To get to the train to take you to the Salem Academy of Magic, go to Salem's Cauldron. Salem's Cauldron is located in any county seat. If you have trouble finding one at your county seat you may request help from the school. You can also reach Salem Square or anywhere else you may need to go from Salem's Cauldron.
A list of supplies necessary for the Salem Academy of Magic is included with this letter which you can get from Salem Square. Do not worry about getting too little of anything; there is a school store in the school and many stores throughout the town of Sage's Circle which the Salem Academy of Magic is located in.
Remember, term starts August 12. The train for the Salem Academy of Magic leaves at 12:00 P.M. sharp on August 11. Please reply by July 31.
Sincerely,
Arthur Evergreen
Head of the Salem Academy of Magic
"So, have you decided?" Kinston asked. Harry just seemed to stare at the letters. Which should he choose?
"Hey, isn't Langston supposed to get one of these things? How about I talk it over with him and we choose together?" Harry asked, trying to stall his decision.
"Sure, that sounds like a good idea."
Harry was spared from walking next door when a ringing echoed throughout the house about a million times. Someone was eager to get into their house…
Harry dashed to the door and flung it open. Standing in the doorway was a boy who was taller and more muscular than he was. The boy had skin the color of milk chocolate, mischievous dark brown eyes, and black buzz cut hair. A white piece of paper was clutched in his hand and he looked a bit crazy.
"Hey Harry!"
"Hey Langston," Harry replied to his best friend. "Did you get your letter?" Langston nodded enthusiastically. Harry let him inside and the two sat down on the couch in the living room.
"Yeah, you too?" The African American inquired.
"Yeah, which school are you going to?" Harry asked. Langston looked confused.
"What, you mean that there is more than one? I only got an invitation to the Salem Academy of Magic," Langston replied.
"Well, I got one there and one to this other school called… um… Pig Pimples or something like that…" Harry said. Jeez, what was that schools name again? All he could remember is that it had to do with filthy barnyard animals and skin deformities. Langston laughed heartily at the supposed name of the British school.
"That's a weird name. So which one are you going to?" Langston asked. He hoped that Harry would choose the Salem Academy of Magic; he didn't want to be alone in a completely new world.
"I guess Salem since that's close by and you're going there, you are going right?"
"Of course I am! Why wouldn't I? I've been waiting for this moment ever since we ended up on top of the school and Kinston told us what was going on," he replied to Harry's question.
"Yeah, me too."
"So kids, have you decided if you're going to Salem or not?" Kinston popped up out of nowhere and startled the two. The two about jumped out of their skins and held a hand to their heart.
"Gods Uncle Kinston, you about gave us a heart attack!" Harry exclaimed over dramatically. Langston agreed with him just as dramatically. Kinston chuckled and ruffled Harry's hair and would've done so to Langston too if he had any.
"You boys aren't old enough to be worrying about that, but I on the other hand…" The boys almost rolled their eyes.
"Salem," Harry finally said, referring to his father figure's earlier question.
"What?" Obviously, some men were distracted very easily.
"We both decided to go to Salem. Don't you remember asking us?" Langston replied trying to jog the older man's memory.
"Oh yeah…"
After Langston went back home to talk to his parents about it, Harry and Kinston set about replying to the letters. Harry accepted the invitation to the Salem Academy of Magic and refused the invitation to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Across the Atlantic Ocean a few days later in a castle hidden away from muggle eyes, there was a group of people in a certain headmaster's office. There was a white bearded man who looked like he could be Merlin in absurdly purple robes behind a desk named Albus Dumbledore. On the other side of the desk was a stern looking woman in emerald robes named Minerva McGonagall and a greasy haired man who greatly resembled a vampire named Severus Snape. Only Dumbledore knew why they had gathered, the others were clueless to their annoyance.
"Lemon drop?" Dumbledore asked the two, offering them round yellow candies from a rather large bowl. The two shook their heads as they looked warily at the muggle confections. Dumbledore just shrugged his shoulders and popped one in his mouth. An uneasy silence settled among the three.
"Why have you called us here Albus?" Snape finally asked, irritated that the much older man wouldn't get on with it. He had more important things to do, like finding impossibly hard questions to ask unsuspecting first years.
"Ah, yes," Dumbledore remarked as if he had been trying to remember what he called them for in the first place. "I received a very interesting reply from one Mr. Harry Potter…"
Snape groaned at this. Just his luck! He'd have to put up with another Potter for another seven years. McGonagall looked interested immediately though.
"Why? What did he say?" She asked him.
"Just read for yourself!" The headmaster chirped before giving them a white piece of paper with its neatly typed reply.
Thank you for your generous offer, but I will not be attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Sincerely,
Harry J. Potter
"Not attending?" Snape asked hopefully. McGonagall shot him a look at his tone before looking at Dumbledore as if silently asking for more information.
"It appears so. Something must be wrong, why wouldn't he come to the school? Surely his family wouldn't keep him from getting a proper education. I went to check on Harry's family earlier only to find an odd muggle family who had lived there for going on nine years!" Dumbledore replied.
"So where is he?" McGonagall asked worriedly. What if the boy-who-lived no longer did?
"I performed a locater spell to find out his location. He is in a place called Applewood, Massachusetts in the US."
"So… why exactly did you want to tell us all of this?" Snape urged, hoping to get to the point.
"Because of immigration problems, the US doesn't allow people to just apparate there. No, they have to travel the muggle way. But as you can see I'm getting much too old for muggle transportation such as aeroplanes and someone must go and find out what is going on. That is why I called you here today. I want one of you to go." Dumbledore finally explained.
"But…"
"No buts, this is a very important matter and I need to know that Harry chose not to come here on his own will."
"Couldn't he have just simply chosen to go to an American school?" McGonagall asked. She thought that was a simple and reasonable explanation.
"Yes but we must make sure, that is why I need someone to go and make sure."
"I'll go," McGonagall offered. No arguments came from her colleague.
"Splendid! I'll make the arrangements and you can head off tomorrow!"
"But doesn't it take longer than that?" She asked.
"I have my ways," he replied.
(1) – The Berkshire Eagle is a newspaper in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Petunia and her family actually live in this county. I know next to nothing about Massachusetts so things I don't research are generally assumed.
A/N: And… cut! Sorry to leave it there. It just seemed like such a good stopping point! This thing is already ten pages! It also manages to be the longest chapter to date so I guess you guys can't complain (well actually you could but that'd probably be asking too much out of me). I'd like to say thank you for all of your reviews and for those of you who didn't review, thank you for reading. I have over twenty reviews and this story has over 1500 hits! I couldn't be happier (actually I could but it'd be asking a bit too much out of y'all…). Please let me know your opinions on this story, they are a great help you know!