Epilogue/Chapter Twelve/Prologue
Summer went fast for Harry and his friends after his birthday. He would later tell everyone that this was one of his best summers ever. It was nice not having to deal with his uncle's rages and he found that Aunt Petunia was nicer then he ever thought could be. As for Dudley, he was now like a brother to Harry. It was something that Harry never counted on happening.
Dudley was starting to loose some weight but he was still a bit overweight. It helped that Petunia wasn't shoving food down his throat any more and he wasn't shoveling it in. He ate just as much as Harry did and that was it. The boys were outside together more either playing in back yard at Rosewood hall or at the Borrow. They spent some time at Neville's house and they even went to Susan Bones' home for tea once or twice.
Harry and Dudley even liked their lessons with Remus. It started when Remus read Harry's potion essay. He realized Harry had no idea how to write one. So, he gave the boys lessons on essay writing and studying. He also was the boys' manners and political teacher. Remus teaching style brought the best out of both Harry and Dudley. He got them to want to learn not just being forced to learn.
Harry was also getting to know his Godfather. The only strange thing that happened with Sirius is with the twins. They started acting a bit strange when Remus had called him Padfoot around them and Sirius had called Remus, Moony. The twins were now following the pair around like lost little puppies. They would do anything Remus and Sirius asked of them without arguing with them. So far, no one could get them to say why they were doing it.
Today thought Harry and Dudley were excited for their letters were too due to arrive. Dudley had gone to Gringotts a few days before and he was made Lord Evans. He asked the Goblins if he could take his mother's maiden name and not his father's name. They told him it that he could because his father was a muggle and his mother by wizarding law was a Lord herself until she thought he was old enough to take over a seat. So, he became Dudley Evans, not Dudley Dursley.
Harry and Dudley rushed downstairs this morning and burst into the sunroom where they normally had breakfast and asked together. "Did the letters come?"
Petunia smiled as she held up the letters for both Harry and Dudley. The boys ripped them open and read them. Dudley wasn't smiling. "What is wrong, Dudders?" Harry asked.
"You were right. I can't take my broom," Dudley said.
"I can," Harry whispered.
Dudley at first didn't get it then he smiled. "Oh, right," Dudley said laughing.
Petunia heard this conversation but ignored it. She figured why not let them have their boyish fun pulling something over Dumbledore. It was his call not having first years with brooms. She thought it was uncalled for. Why not allow the kids with brooms to have them. Albus' reasons were that he wanted all children to start off equal. The muggle-borns didn't have them; so, none of the first years could have them. Petunia thought this was foolishness. She had made her way on the school board and she was trying to change this. The trouble was Lucius Malfoy and having him on your side was a killer for matters. This prevented her from doing many changes at the moment.
Petunia took the book list from Harry and Dudley and looked them over.
Harry's list….
The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2 by Miranda Goshawk
Magical Theory Book Two by Abalbert Waffling
A History of Magic Volume Two by Bathilda Bagshott
Step Two in Transfigurations by Emeric Switch
Magical Drafts and Potions Second Dose by Arsenius Jigger
Break with a Banshee by Gilderoy Lockhart
Gadding with Ghouls by Gilderoy Lockhart
Holidays with Hags by Gilderoy Lockhart
Travels with Trolls by Gilderoy Lockhart
Voyages with Vampires by Gilderoy Lockhart
Wanderings with Werewolves by Gilderoy Lockhart
Year with the Yeti by Gilderoy Lockhart
Mapping the Universe by Starlet Stardust
Dudley's list…
The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1 by Miranda Goshawk
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshott
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Break with a Banshee by Gilderoy Lockhart
Gadding with Ghouls by Gilderoy Lockhart
Holidays with Hags by Gilderoy Lockhart
Travels with Trolls by Gilderoy Lockhart
Voyages with Vampires by Gilderoy Lockhart
Wanderings with Werewolves by Gilderoy Lockhart
Year with the Yeti by Gilderoy Lockhart
"Who is Gilderoy Lockhart?" Harry asked.
"A fool and if your Headmaster did what I think he did. I'm going to give him a piece of my mind," Petunia said coldly.
Harry and Dudley both looked at each other but didn't comment. Petunia dropped the subject as well and she made notes of things that both boys would need. "Uniforms…parchment….quills…ink…potion supplies…" Petunia muttered to herself as she made notes at things that were needed as the boys ate.
"Oh, I need Owl treats for Hedwig," Harry said.
"Okay and Dudley do you want an Owl, Cat or Frog?" Petunia asked.
"Can I have a snake?" Dudley asked.
"A snake?" Petunia asked turning a bit white.
"Yeah, I like snakes," Dudley said.
"Well, they did allow a rat," Petunia said thinking out loud. "Okay, why not."
"Great," Dudley said. Harry wasn't so sure a snake was a good idea, but this was Dudley's pet after all and it was his choice. So, he kept his mouth shut.
Everyone had just finished eating when Sirius and Remus arrived by floo. Sirius and Remus were staying at Remus small home on the Potter Estate. While Sirius could stay at his family's home he wouldn't because he hated the place. Besides he kept Moony company during the full moon.
Albus was still fighting Sirius on turning over control of the Black seats. He felt that Sirius was not ready for them. Sirius didn't care about Albus thought. He a few days to turn those seats over or he was going to tell everyone the truth about what old man did. So far they haven't heard from Albus.
"You ready to get school stuff?" Remus asked Harry and Dudley as he sat down across from Harry.
"Yeah, I can't wait to get a wand," Dudley said.
"Oh, your first wand, you will remember that day for the rest of your life," Remus said remembering when he got his.
"Well, get going then," Petunia said and she putting the list of things they had to pick up in her pocket book.
Everyone got up and they headed out. They were going to meet the Weasleys, Longbottoms, Bones and Grangers at the Leaky Cauldron. The kids could spend time together
and everyone get some shopping done. They did have one additive and that was Mad Eye himself. Now, by now Petunia, Sirius, and Remus knew that he was spying on them for Albus but it helped having him around. The press was scared of him as were most of the other people around. They stayed away leaving everyone alone. So, he was asset to have around. It helped that the kids enjoyed his stories about his life as Auror.
Everyone met up at the Leaky Cauldron and together they made their way to Diagon Alley. The kids walked in front talking together all excited about this school term. The adults were talking about where to go first. It was decided they had to go to Gringotts to allow those who needed it to get money and for the Grangers case to exchange Muggle money into Wizard money. So, they went their first.
People were still stopping and staring at Harry but now they were doing it to Sirius as well. He would just smile at the cute ones, growl at the rude ones and as for the ones he remembered he hated, well… let me just say that Molly swatted him with her purse several times as they walked. She didn't approve of Sirius' hand gestures.
They day went on rather smoothly. The kids got fitted for uniforms. Ron was happy that he finally had new pair for the first time in his life. Molly and Arthur had decided the kids should have their personal wands. It was a dream of theirs for ages and now they could get them. It helped that Fred and George agreed to share their book list this year and Percy had managed to work a bit at the Ministry to by his own school supplies this year. So, there was enough even with the long book list they had to get.
Getting books was one of the last stops for the day and it was there that everyone noticed the sign. "Oh, he is here," Molly cried out rushing inside.
"Oh, no!" Remus and Sirius said together.
The sign read…Today Only Gilderoy Lockhart and it had his smiling face on it.
Sirius moved closer to Harry and said, "You stay by me."
"Okay," Harry said not bothering to care why his Godfather was so worked up.
Everyone went inside and started their shopping. Hermione vanished really fast with her mother right behind her reminding the girl that she could only have ten extra books. Hermione didn't like it but she didn't argue. Harry and Dudley went with Ron and Neville to the boys' section where there were books about Quidditch and other stuff that they enjoyed.
The place was packed and it was hard to get around. Harry was moving past the area where Lockhart was signing books with Sirius behind him. When suddenly Lockhart grabbed his arm and dragged him in the center of everyone. "Harry here didn't know…" Lockhart started to say but he soon found Sirius right into his face.
"What in hell do you think you are doing?" Sirius snarled.
"Um…" Lockhart couldn't talk. He was to busy watching the wand that was pointed at him to talk.
"Mr. Black," the owner of the store said. "I'm sure Mr. Lockhart meant no harm."
The cameraman standing near by would have loved picture of this but Remus had managed to grab a hold of it and opened it destroying the film. "I'm sure," Remus said.
"Yes, I didn't mean any harm. I was…I just…" Lockhart started to stammer.
"You were just letting go of my Godson," Sirius said.
"Yes, that is it," Lockhart said and he let go of Harry.
Harry moved away giving the adults a puzzled look for, while he was thankful for what Sirius and Remus had done, he didn't know why they were so overprotective. He didn't ask though and just moved away with Sirius behind him. "That git!" Sirius growled.
Harry wasn't the only one that was confused so was Molly and other ladies. They didn't get it but when they asked Sirius and Remus. They didn't say anything. They just walked on going about their business. The only person that acted like they knew what was going was Petunia. She was the only woman that didn't fall Lockhart's looks. She was cool to him and didn't even comment when he did try to talk to her later on after his signing was over with.
As for Harry, he was in line waiting to pay for his books when a voice above him spoke. "You really can't stay out of the limelight can you Potter," Draco said.
"Oh, stick it Draco," another voice said.
Harry turned to see a girl with long black hair sitting beside Draco. Draco had his usual smug look on his face. "Shut up Erin," he told girl.
"No, I won't. He isn't doing anything to you," she said.
"I said shut it," Draco said and he gave a girl a shove.
"That is not nice," Fred said from behind Harry.
"That's my sister, I don't have to be nice to her," Draco said.
"Git," George muttered.
Ginny was standing nearby looking at the girl. She had just stuck something in her brother's back pocket. Ginny didn't now what it was but from smile that girl was giving him she had a feeling that Draco wasn't going to enjoy what happened.
He didn't. Because a bit later, Draco ran out of the bookstore with his butt smoking and his sister was laughing. "Git," she muttered.
"Erin," a snobbish voice came from behind the girl. "That wasn't nice," Mrs. Malfoy said.
"Sorry," Erin said to her mother.
"Well, lets go," Narcissa said as she and her daughter left. She only bowed slightly to Sirius as she passed him. Sirius didn't even look at her.
Finally everyone getting ready to leave, but as Ginny and Arthur were stepping outside, Lucius Malfoy appeared out of nowhere. "Hello, Arthur," Malfoy said. "I see you are still buying second hand books even after your promotion in working for a Lord." As he picked up the books in Ginny's shopping cauldron.
Arthur reached for the books but it was Mad Eye that took them. He didn't like how Malfoy had appeared out of nowhere. "Well, a used book is sometimes better then the new ones," Mad Eye said and he noticed a small red Diary behind the other books that Malfoy had picked up. Mad Eye looked at the book but his magical eye was looking at Malfoy. He looked worried. This was enough for Mad Eye to wonder what was going on. Mad Eye looked at the books again and the only one that caught his attention was the Diary. "Tom Riddle!" He said to himself. He knew that name. He knew it from his conversations with Albus.
"I don't know where the Diary came from, but the other books are Ginny's" Arthur said taking the books from the old Auror and handing them back to his daughter. "Go and join your mother Ginny dear," Arthur told his daughter.
Ginny didn't argue just walked away joining her mother and the other who were watching near by. Malfoy dusted himself off as she passed and said, "It is time for me to find my own family."
"Do that," Mad Eye said not looking at the man but still looking after him with his magical eye. Mad Eye then walked backed into the bookstore. He talked to the owner for a moment. The man nodded pointing to the area where more red Diaries were located. Mad Eye picked one out, paid for it and joined the others again outside. He handed the new red diary to Ginny. "Here you go," Mad Eye said to the girl.
"Alastor, I don't think…" Molly started to say.
"Molly, please allow me to do this. I had sister once and sadly she died before I could make up to her for destroying her private thoughts. This is my way of doing it," Mad Eye said smiling at Ginny, who was looking at the book with a bright smile on her face.
"Thank you," Arthur said seeing the smile on his daughters face and knew he couldn't take the book from her now. So, he allowed her to keep it.
The last stop for the day was Magical Menagerie to get a pet for Ron and Dudley. Hermione went into look as well. She figured if she found the right pet she would get it but if not it wouldn't bother her. Harry and the others hung outside eating ice cream and talking.
It was Ron who first found something that interested him. It was a small little owl marked half price. It was jumping in the cage all excited. Ron looked at it and said, "He has more energy then Errol does," to his mother, who had gone in with him.
"Yes, that is true," Molly said looking at the owl. It wasn't bad. He was nice price and he seemed able to do the work that Ron would need him to do.
In another area of the store, Petunia and Dudley were looking at the snakes. The store had deadly snakes which Petunia said no to but the others were okay. The one Dudley was looking at was a two headed black snake. He found it interested. "What do you think?" Dudley asked his mother.
"It is your pet. You will take care of it," Petunia said looking at the snake not to fondly. She didn't hate it but she didn't like it either.
Hermione was the one talking to owner at the very moment. She was looking at cat with a flat face. She fell in love with him at sight and was trying to talk the owner into lowering the price on him. The owner was glad to because the cat had been with him for to long and he ready to get rid of it.
So, by the time the three kids left. They had each their own pet. Harry was checking out Dudley's new snake. "What are you going to call them?" Harry asked.
"Them, it is only one snake," Dudley said.
"No, it is two. They are like the twins. Can't you hear them?" Harry asked.
"No, I just hear hissing," Dudley said.
Harry looked over at his friends. They hadn't heard them talking. So, he quickly dropped the subject. "I'll tell you later," Harry said to Dudley. Dudley nodded interested. Finally, it was time for everyone to head for home. The kids said good-bye knowing in a few days they would see each other again heading to Hogwarts.
The End…at least for now
Dear Readers,
Look for a story called Return of the Heirs! It will be the next part of this story. I want to thank everyone for the great replies. I know there were a few that I missed replying back but trust me. I read them all. I hope you look for the next part. I am going to post the next part Sunday sometime.
Marti