Chapter Three

Over the next few days, Petunia met with the Goblins and a Squib-born lawyer to work on her divorce to Vernon. Petunia found that divorcing Vernon was going to be easier than she had first thought. The only thing Vernon cared about was making sure that Petunia did not receive a dime of his money. She agreed to this readily as long as he agreed to stay away from her and the boys. Vernon proved how much he truly cared about his son, when he agreed to this immediately. Petunia couldn't help but wonder if Vernon had found out about Dudley's magical heritage, or maybe Albus had threatened him before they left that night. Either way, she would be free of Vernon in a six month time period.

While, Petunia was dealing with her divorce, Harry and Dudley were spending time exploring Diagon Alley and learning more and more about the wizarding world. Harry was still a bit leery being around Dudley. It was hard for Harry just to forget all those cruel things that Dudley did to him. So, he kept a close eye on Dudley to make sure he wasn't going to get a chance to do it again. Harry was shocked of course that so far Dudley wasn't doing any of that. In fact, Dudley was being nice to him. They were enjoying themselves exploring the stores and learning about the wizarding world together.

For, although he hated to admit it, he knew very little about this world and staying at The Leaky Cauldron was giving him a chance to find out about it. Dudley was interested as well. He finally felt that he found his place in the world. He never admitted it to his parents and maybe to himself that he never felt that he belonged. He always felt out of place and fought to show the world around him that he did belong. It could be reason he as such a bully to kids smaller then him and his cousin. Dudley knew this for he spent a lot time thinking of his life over past year. He had the time because there was nothing for him to do.

This morning, Harry and Dudley were checking out the Quidditch shop. Harry had told Dudley all about the sport and Dudley was in love. He loved the sport so much that Harry found Dudley reading about it at night. This was something that Harry never knew how to do let alone enjoyed it. Dudley did and right now he was looking at brooms.

"Um, you do know you can't take that to school right?" Harry said to Dudley.

"You played your first year?" Dudley said.

"Yes, but I was the first first-year to play in a hundred years. The school has a rule that no first years are allowed to bring their brooms," Harry said.

"Why?" Dudley asked.

"I don't know. I didn't ask. I could write Hermione to ask her. She read Hogwarts a History several times by now. It might have the reason in there," Harry said.

"Why don't we read it?" Dudley asked.

Harry looked at his cousin in shock and said, "You want to read it?" he said.

Dudley looked down at the ground rubbing it with the toe of his trainers. "I always liked reading. I just pretended I didn't because Dad always hated it. I learned this early on. So, I never really tried in school because of it. He isn't around to growl at me any more. So, I don't have to pretend to hate it," Dudley said.

Harry was shocked. He always thought that he was scared of Vernon. "You didn't work hard at school because you were worried what your father would do?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, I knew how he treated you for getting good grades. I didn't want him to treat me the same way," Dudley said.

"But I thought he treated me like that because you got bad grades?" Harry said.

"No… Harry, he treated you like that because he…" Dudley stopped. He had heard his parents talking one night and he found something that he didn't think his father would have wanted anyone to know.

"Because why?" Harry asked his interested peeked.

Dudley sighed and said, "He couldn't read. Well, he could a little bit but not well. Mum did his work. It is why he always brought it home. I caught her doing one night when I went down for late night snack. It is why he always stole other people's work. He couldn't do it himself."

Harry thought of this and wondered if his Uncle hated him because he could do something that he couldn't. "I always thought it was because of you."

Dudley laughed. "No, I think he took his anger out on you because he couldn't take it out on anyone else. I know I did. You don't know this but I didn't make any friends at school last year. No one wanted to be around me. I had a teacher that said if I would stop demanding things then maybe I would find friends. I didn't understand what she meant then but now I think I do," Dudley said.

"Sorry, Dud, I bet it was a long school year last year," Harry said.

"Yeah, it was," Dudley said. "This is why I'm looking forward to this year. I get a new start and no one knows me, unlike last year. A lot of the kids I used to beat up went to Smelting."

Harry bit his lip. He didn't want to burst Dudley's bubble but he knew some of the kids knew about him. Harry had told them about his life but if Dudley proved he was willing to change. Harry knew that his friends would let him.

Harry and Dudley left the Quidditch shop and walked down the street checking out the other shops. They ate ice cream at Florean Fortesue's Ice Cream Shop Harry picked up owl treats at Eeylops Owl Emporium. It was inside Gambol and Japes Wizarding Joke Shop that Harry ran into two familiar red heads. Fred and George popped their heads around the corner and said, "Hey, Harry. You are not planning to try and out prank us?"

"No, no one can out prank you two," Harry said as the twins joined him and Dudley in front of dung bomb rack. "Fred…George, this is my cousin Dudley. Dudley these are the famous Weasley twins. I would be very careful eating anything these two hand you," Harry warned his cousin.

"Famous?"

"Us!"

"Did you here…"

" …that?"

"Harry Potter calls us famous!" George and Fred said talking in twin speak.

"But no one is as famous as him," Fred said.

"Stop it," Harry said giving them dirty looks.

"Okay, Mate, we will stop it. So, what are you two doing this fine day?" George said.

"Killing time until Aunt Petunia gets done with the lawyers. She said we would check out Rosewood Hall after that. I guess Ron told you about what happened the other day at Privet Drive?" Harry said.

"We heard. I think Mum is even plotting to have you stay with us over the summer if you don't leave The Cauldron soon. We don't think she approves of you staying there," Fred said.

Harry looked at him puzzled. "Why? It isn't that bad?" Harry said.

"Mate, we hate to tell you this but Mum has claimed you as one of her sons. She is not going to be happy until she sees you are safe. So, how about coming with us to show her you are safe. So, she will stop yelling at us," Fred said grabbing Harry by the arm and guiding him out of the joke shop.

The boys went back to The Leaky Cauldron to find Molly and the rest of the Weasley family taking up a large table in the corner of the pub. The moment Molly saw Harry; she walked over to him and started to mother on him. "Oh, Harry, dear there you are. I was worried about you. You know it isn't safe to wonder around Diagon Ally alone," Molly scolded him.

"Sorry," Harry muttered feeling a bit uneasy all of a sudden.

"Well, you are safe now. Let's sit down and have lunch together," Molly said pulling a chair up and showing Harry a seat.

Harry and Dudley both looked at each other with confused looks on their faces before taking a seat at the table to join the Weasley's for lunch. It was sometime during lunch that Petunia showed up. She walked into the Cauldron with her arms full of papers from the lawyers and stopped short when she noticed the boys sitting with Molly.

Molly saw Petunia greeted her warmly. "Hello, Petunia," Molly said.

"Hello, cousin," Petunia said.

"Cousin?" Ron said shocked. "You mean Harry and I are related.

"Fifth cousins," Molly told her son.

"Oh," Ginny said looking a bit relieved. She did turn her head the moment Harry looked at her went back eating. This was the first time Harry heard her say anything since he sat down. He was starting to wonder if she could talk at all.

"Yes, we are related distantly," Petunia said in a tight voice. Petunia knew from her talks with her sister that Molly belonged to the group of Albus' that, in Petunia's thinking, got her sister killed in the first place. So, she was worried why Molly was there in the first place. "What brings you here?" she asked Molly.

"I thought I would keep eye on the boys for you until you finished with your business," Molly said smiling.

"How nice of you, and you will not have to say any longer. I am finished my business and as I promised the boys, we are going to visit the Evan's family home," Petunia said calmly.

"Oh, so that is where you are going to live," Molly said sweetly.

"Yes, it is. Um, boys are you ready?" Petunia asked Harry and Dudley.

"Sure, mum," Dudley said.

"Yes, Aunt Petunia," Harry said getting up.

Harry said good-bye to his friends and he followed his aunt and cousin from the room. He was confused. He wondered why his Aunt Petunia was being so cold to Mrs. Weasley. He wanted to ask but he didn't have time. Petunia waved down a cab and the boys got in heading towards Rosewood Hall.

Rowena Ravenclaw's father built Rosewood Hall. It was moved magically near London around the 1800's. When Petunia's father took over Rosewood Hall, he made it livable for non-magical persons, for that is what he was. He was a squib and he had married a muggle. In fact, the past five generations of Ravenclaw's had been squibs. It was the reason when Lily and Petunia went to Hogwarts that only Albus Dumbledore knew that the girls were related to the Ravenclaw's. Their father had wanted it that way. He didn't want them to lean on being related to a founder. He wanted them to find a place of their own in the wizarding world. Petunia had tried to do just that and she almost made it. She had to fall for the wrong man and her life hadn't been the same since.

The cab stopped in front of Rosewood Hall about an hour later. Harry was shocked at the sight of the massive brick home hidden behind the wall of roses. It wasn't until they neared that Harry realized that the wall was brick as well and the roses had just grown over it.

As Petunia touched the gate to open it a heavy set man in derby hat appeared out of no where, at least that is how it looked to Harry. "Mrs. Dursley, it is good to run into you. Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic. My home is just down the street from your dear home. I was passing by when I noticed you stepping out of the cab. I thought I would stop by and offer my assistance," Fudge said smiling.

Petunia sighed.

Dudley muttered in Harry's hear. 'Kiss ass!'

Harry just giggled.

Fudge ignored the boys and went on talking to Petunia. "Allow me to help you," he said trying to push open the gate.

Petunia had to smile when it didn't work. "Sorry, Minister but only someone with Evan's blood could open these gates," Petunia said giving the gate a push.

Fudge smiled a tight smile as the gate eased open without a problem. Petunia did allow Fudge to walk along with them up to the main entrance. As he did so, he talked to Petunia about her thoughts about who is going to be her representative in the Wizengamot or is she going to take the seat. She could. There was no reason why not. She just hadn't before now and everyone assumed she wouldn't. It wasn't until he said it that Petunia thought about it. Why not? She could do this. She knew their laws as well as any of them. She would only have to study the ones that had just passed. Why not?

"Mister, I want to thank you for solving my problem. I think I will take control of the family seat. I am able to after all since I am a witch. The reason no one has taken control of my family seat is because they weren't born magical. I think I like the idea of taking my rightful place among the other Lords," Petunia said smiling.

Fudge stood there sputtering. "I…um… are you sure?" he asked finally getting his mouth to work. "I mean you do have these fine young boys to raise," Fudge said reaching out and patting Dudley on the shoulder.

Dudley shoved his hand away giving Fudge a dirty look. Fudge reminded him of his father and how his father acted around clients. This was his 'kiss ass' mode. This only told Dudley that the guy was hiding something or wanted something.

Petunia just smiled and said, "I can raise the boys and be member of Wizengamot, but for now, I have a house to check out." Petunia put her hands on Dudley and Harry's shoulders guiding them towards the house leaving Fudge behind. "Good day, Minister," she said and they vanished into the house.

The moment the door closed Petunia let out the breath she was holding. "It's started," she said sadly.

"What has?" Harry asked.

Petunia looked at Harry sadly and said, "Harry there are people in our world that want to control your life. I think Fudge is one of them."

"Why me?" Harry asked.

"Sadly, Harry because you are The-Boy-Who-Lived. There are people in our world who will do anything to control you. I'm afraid Minister Fudge is one of those people," Petunia said.

"I don't get it? Why?" Harry asked.

"That Harry, I will make sure that you and Dudley understand very well, but first let us check out our new home. Shall, we?" she said as she reached up and turned on the light.

"Pink!" Dudley said turning his nose up at the pink covered walls with white trim and a white tiled floor with a rose pattern in it.

Harry made a face as well but kept his opinion of the place to himself.

Petunia just smiled. "My father thought the same thing as you boys," Petunia said walking forward but the décor was the one thing he could not change. It is magically bound to the house. You need to be magical to change the colors of the rooms," Petunia said.

"So, we can get rid of the roses?" Dudley asked hopefully.

"In places," Petunia said and they started the tour of the house.

They toured the house and as they did so, Petunia told stories to the boys about growing up here. Harry ate it up for this was first time his aunt talked about his mother. Harry found Lily's favorite room, the library. He found his mother's diaries there. Petunia promised that he could read them later and Harry promised himself he would. He went as far as to make sure the diaries were placed in safe place easy for him to get them later.

The tour went on, as did the stories. Harry could almost see young Petunia and Lily running the halls of Rosewood Hall. The stories brought his mother to life to him for the first time in his young life. It was when Petunia showed Harry's his mother's room that he got surprise. Petunia had contacted the caretaker of Potter Estate asking him to send something that belonged to Harry's father. What he had done was send James's bedroom set for Harry use as his own. Harry was stunned beyond words. He walked around the room touching the same dresser that his father had once touched. It was near the bedside table that Harry found a small box with a card on it. He took it out the note and read it.

Harry,

This was once your fathers. I heard from Professor Dumbledore that you follow in your father's footsteps in Quidditch. I thought you would like it.

Remus

Harry opened the box and was surprise to find a golden snitch. He took it out and held it. It was warm as if his father had just put it down. "You like?" Petunia asked Harry.

Harry was crying as he nodded his head. "Yes," he said. It was then that something hit him. "Who is Remus?" Harry asked.

Petunia bit her lip. She didn't like Remus because of what he was and not for any other reason. She knew he was a nice man most of the time but it was that small part of the time that worried her. She couldn't help it, but since Harry now knew about Remus she couldn't just ignore him since his name was brought up. So, she said, "He is old friend of your father's."

"Do you think I can meet him?" Harry asked. He heard stories of his mother and he wanted to hear stories of his father.

"I will think about it," Petunia said not knowing if she was going to allow it.

The next room they went to was Petunia's old bedroom that was going to be Dudley's. Petunia had changed it around making it fit for a boy and not a girl. Dudley's toys were there along side new wizarding toys that Petunia bought for him.

Dudley decided to play his music and turned it on. As the sound flowed through the house it caught the attention of two small excitable house elves. They appeared out of nowhere jumping up and down and covering their ears screamed, "Turn it off!"

Dudley jumped on his bed trying to get away from the small creatures and Harry stood there dumb founded. Petunia turned off the music and said, "Snip. Sheers, calm down. Dudley was only playing his music. He didn't realize that his music bothered you."

The two small creatures calmed down and looked up at Petunia with hopeful looks on their faces. "What does Mistress wish of Snip and Sheers?"

"Nothing right, now, go back doing what you were doing," Petunia told them.

When they were gone, Harry turned to her and asked, "Who were they?" he asked.

"Those were the Potter house elves. They are your house elves. I borrowed them to help get the house ready for us to live in," Petunia told Harry. And with that, they went on with the tour of the house.

Harry walked behind Dudley and Petunia thinking. On Privet drive, he had done most or all of the housework. Now, his Aunt Petunia was using house elves to do the work. What was the difference? She still didn't do any of the work and let others do it? If she hadn't changed in that area, was she willing to change in other areas? Petunia had warned him that people would use him because he was the Boy-Who-Lived. Harry couldn't help but wonder would she do the same thing? Was she just being nice to him because he was a Lord or did she really care for him? Harry didn't know and until he did, he was going to keep a close eye on his aunt.

Hi,

I hope you liked this and before you comment. I want to clear something up. When Dudley said he liked reading, I didn't mean he is like Hermione. He lives for reading. He likes reading things that boys would enjoy. He isn't a school work nut though. Dudley and Ron are going to have a lot in common.

Okay, now you can comment… I do live for them you know. I also get my best ideas from your comments. They sometime predict where this story is going….. hinthint…

Marti