A/N - I just can't stay away. I have 2 math tests yet here i am posting . Lily feels OoC in this but then and again she is grieving so I take some liberties. Also for all who wanted Harry to find home, it take a bit longer. He meets Sirius in two chapters though.
Disclamer: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER - OR OH THE PLACES YOU'LL GO. Which in case anyone is wondering I know was published later than 1983 in fact it was published in 1990 but it worked really well, better than any other, so I used it.
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Chapter 3:
Number 4 Privet Drive, Early Morning Halloween 1983, DD
Vernon Dudley as a man of forgettable character. He was a conformist to each and every societal rule in the book. He was the type of man who others called sir, not from respect, rather from the fact they were unable to remember his name for the most part. The most notable part of this man was the sympathy those who lived close to him felt after his wife died of cancer leaving Vernon a widower with a one year old.
Though still grieving Vernon kept attempting to live his normal life as his late wife, Jane Dursley nee Smith would have wanted. So he continued to sell drills at a local company and he carting his son around with him everywhere he could. The biggest change in his life since Jane's death was that his sister Marge moved near him. Wisteria Walk a house that once housed an old woman and a large number of cats, a character flaw to the woman who loved Bull-mastiffs and found cats to be troublesome creatures.
Vernon's favorite part of the house was the fact that, Even after almost two years Marge had been unable to make the smell of cabbage leave the home. Instead she resorted to candles to try and cover it. It was at Marge's that Dudley spent most of the week. He had taken the holiday off so he could take Dudley on his first real trick or treating trip. He had yet to get a chance to get his son a costume and that is why he woke so early that Halloween morning.
Yet when he saw a very small boy, who looked to be no more than the age of two, standing on a chair and leaning over a stove he screamed, half in shock and half in fear of the boy getting hurt. Quickly he moved to pull the boy back. The boy turned and looked at him fear evident in the child's green eyes as he whimpered and cowered away from Vernon's touch in fear as if the man wished him harm. Setting the boy crumple to the floor Vernon moved to turn off the stove and let out a breath. Had he not remembered to check the locks last night, surely he remembered locking up, where in gods green earth had this child come from. By the time Vernon turned back around the boy had somehow scooted himself to sit in a corner. His entire body shook as he attempted to curl himself into a ball with whimpers of protest.
"Bud? Are you alright," Vernon asked sitting down with great effort. Despite being in shape, somewhat, so he could chase Dudley around the man was in no means small. The boy didn't seem to want to speak.
Vernon leaned forward to grab the boys arm so he could attempt to supply some sort of comfort. The boy yelped in fear however and covered his head with his hands as he knees went to cover his stomach. Vernon pulled back slowly not wanting to spook the boy anymore. He eyed the land line on the far side of the kitchen. He needed to call the Police, the boy was injured and lost, Vernon rationalized that the kid may be the victim of one of that kidnapping spike that had been going on for the better part of two years now. If so he would need to get the boy home. He could never imagine someone taking away his Dudders and someone laying a finger on him was out of the question.
"Hey, hey, hey Bud calm down. I won't hurt you alright. I promise." He said, but the boy didn't seem to be taking any of it as he shook with fear.
"I am going to call the police okay, I will be just over there." The boy, as expected, did not respond. Vernon shook his head as he approached the phone line picking up the receiver he dialed the number and pressed it to his ear. It was a few rings before he was connected. To a woman in her mid to late fifties who answered the phone with practiced ease and the slightest bit of annoyance.
The woman on the other side of the line did not seem to believe that a young child had appeared in Privet drive but dispatched a unit to the house anyways. Seeing as the boy had still not moved Vernon dialed Marge who answered with the gruff hello that told him she had been sleeping. Sighing he asked if she would come and get Dudley for a few hours. When she had asked why Vernon explained that he would tell her later.
He was never more thankful for his sister's attention to emergencies than at that moment. As she pulled up not two minutes after hanging up the line. He called her into the kitchen and explained what had happened.
"Pour pup scrawny as they come; a runt no doubt."
"He is a boy Marge not a dog," Vernon huffed at his sisters insistence at calling all children pups.
"Boy, dog, you tell me the difference," She said crossing her arms as if they were seven year olds fighting over something completely invalid rather than discussing a clearly traumatized child.
"I have an entire list," He groaned.
"I am sure you do, have you tried to feed him yet Vern?" Marge asked, at that Vernon's head shot up. The thought had yet to cross his mind. "You know, Build trust and all that, After all not even boys," she said accentuating the word. "will bite the hand that feed them."
The thought had yet to cross his mind. The boy had yet to take to him so the fact the boy had to be hungry was not one that crossed his mind. He moved to make the boy some of Dudley's chocolate cereal. Then he placed it at the table with a spoon and a glass of juice. As he busied himself about the kitchen he also put a kettle on the stove as a way to soothe his own nerves.
"Hey buddy. Why don't you come and try to eat for me. You must be hungry bud. We are going to get you home really soon." Vernon said and the boy looked up cautiously. Then to the table where the bowl sat he made no move to approach it however. However, the boys stomach gave out a growl of hunger, comical for most under the age of nine embarrassing for those much over. This boy took the noise a way that Vernon had yet to see, but had come to expect from the small form huddled in his kitchen, fear. He clasped his hands over it a look of fear growing on his face.
"Looks like somebodies got some rumblies in there tumblies," Vernon said with a cheeky grin. It was an expression he often used with Dudley when the boy was being difficult about food. Vernon just offered him a smile however as he leaned down and leaned closer with an ear and a quite comical pose for the large man. The boy before him however found the pose anything but funny. In fact if his expression was anything to go by he was still downright terrified. When his stomach growled again he whimpered as he attempted to cover himself again. Sirens came from the path as Vernon asked Marge if she would mind going to mind Dudley who would, no doubt, have been woken by the sirens as he spoke with the police.
Late Morning, Halloween 1983, Godric's Hallow DD
A brisk wind whipped though the small secluded Wizarding town bending blades of grass to its will and capturing hats and other small items that were not secured. The winds howl mixed with the clanking ring of chimes that lay in front of some people's homes. Winter was coming slow this year. The frost that often blanketed the grass and crystallized windows was missing. In its place barren trees and large leave piles. On the porch of a small house in the middle of the street sat Lily Potter. After this morning she had taken a long shower and began to piece herself back together, or as together as she could be given the date.
Now, she had her red hair pulled she pulled in a top of the head bun. However, after sitting out side for a few moments the harsh winds had pulled many strands from the bun making it seem quite haphazard. In her hands lay a blue baby blanket small enough for the boy who once would not go anywhere with out it to carry with out tripping himself, and a plush stag toy. Her fingers traced the cover of the children's book, 'Oh the Places You'll Go' which placed on her lap she did not open the cover however. After all she could quote the entire book front to back. She had read it often at least three times if not close to ten times a day. It had been her sons' sleeping ritual since birth, seeing as she couldn't sing.
When she was pregnant Sirius had asked, at a seemingly random time, if she would sing to the baby. As it was no secret that Lily Potter nee Evans could not sing. Petunia always had a talent for it but Lily sounded a bit like a dying cat when she attempted. The fact her husband sported a weary grin at the suggestion let her know that was the only reason he had not agreed with his friend was because of that a pureblood male upbringing that both Black brothers tried to discard at every opportunity. But even he had a face of relief when she explained that, no, she would not be singing. The reason for the question was discovered once her son was born. When Sirius and Marlene came to visit for the first time they brought the muggle book along as a present. She remembered smiling at the then pristine cover and opening it to find a personal dedication on the back side of the cover. The words written were slightly comical but were written with a love she had not expected. Her fingers ghosted over the hard cover of the book before she pulled it open slowly. The now battered and slightly singed cover to see the words looking back.
'Firecracker,
Your singing voice may wake the Dogs,
But your reading voice even put Moony to sleep.
For all the places your little Prongslet will go
And all the adventures he will have.
After all you married James so Prongslet is sure to have a knack for trouble. I would suggest practicing your howler voice.
- Padfoot'
The words where in loopy and messy squall with an ink made paw print on the side. It wasn't until two years after the gift was given she learned the whole story behind the children's book. Apparently since hearing of the pregnancy the man had searched muggle and magical bookstores alike reading the ever embarrassing children sections books looking for something special for the child. He had done well the baby, her baby, had loved it. A stray tear joined the many others on the page.
James had stepped out to grab some unnecessary thing they both decided they needed from Diagon Alley. She shopped so she had been the one who forgot it but he offered to go anyways. Knowing that Lily had not the strength to deal with the crowds of people celebrating the second anniversary of the war, of people thanking them for is sacrifice as if they had done some valiant thing. Like they chose the outcome, like they were ready for it. It was pure ignorance that created such comments but they hurt all the same. For to the Potter's and there close friends, the people celebrated the death of a precious baby boy. They celebrated the murder of a mere toddler since they only saw him as the price for years of ignorance and generations of bigotry. They did not know how he hated any juice but apple; they did not know that his first word had been ball speaking of his small plush snitch rather than Mama or Dada. They did not know the precious darling bundle of smiles that was stolen from them that night, their Prongslet, their baby, their Harry James.
At that thought sobs racked her body as she hid her face in the blanket.
"e'yi thad?" (Lily sad) She heard and attempted to wipe her face to no avail. She heard the voice of her friend Marlene trying to explain the situation to her sixteen month old daughter who though exceedingly intelligent did not understand what the day meant, well she did not know what any day meant seeing as like all sixteen month olds the girl had little conception of time. Lily took a deep breath before lifting her head form the blue fabric that no longer smelt of her baby boy.
"I thought you and James might need some company." The woman explained. Unlike the red head the other woman was darker in skin coloring. With dew shaped brown eyes and dark blonde hair she was on a different side of the spectrum from her red haired green eyed friend.
"Sirius sent you, don't lie Marley you're pants at it." The browned haired woman, Marlene, blushed as she shifted her wiggling, and protesting daughter on her hip.
"He is just worried about you guys Lily," The woman said and Lily stood. She knew that her husband's friend worried and his worries where far from misplaced but a part of Lily wanted them to be. She wanted her and her husband to be okay. To be able to cope like so many others seemed to be able to do.
"E'yi thad," (Lily sad) the question was repeated from the child's mouth. She turned to face the girl and offered up a forced smile.
"Yes Mignon, Lily is sad."
"'oo boo, owwww" (boo boo, ow) The child asked.
"No dear, I don't have a boo boo," Lily explained as she picked the child who reached to be exchanged from one woman to the next.
"Ok'in?" (Joking) The girl asked going through her ever innocent list of possibilities to why an adult in her life would cry.
"No dear I am not joking either?" Lily laughed as the two woman and the child made their way inside.
"I k'i E'yi" (Why cry Lily) The child asked.
"That is enough Astraea, I am sorry."
"It is fine Marlene she is adorable."
"She is a right devil, this morning she decided to wake me up by sitting on my head, spoiled nappy and all chanting the words, wake up." Lily laughed halfheartedly at her friend's expression.
"Did you wake up Mummy this morning?"
"Daddy th-ay no 'eeepin, no, no, 'ake up 'ake up" ( Daddy said no sleeping, no no, wake up wake up) the girl explained yelling the last group of words as her ever expressive father told her too before descending into pointless babble.
"Has she eaten," Lily asked as he brought the small girl into the kitchen.
"Does she ever?" Marlene asked before correcting her self, "for me,"
"You try to hard Marley," Lily smiled.
"She has to eat more than B-A-N-A-N-A-S Lil,"
"NANAS!" (bananas) Marlene smacked her forehead as she moved to take her daughters arms in her hands and explain that she had to eat more than bananas and peanut butter which was the next child suggested food. Lily just laughed as she went to grab a celery stick and the smallest bit of peanut butter. She spread the butter and cut the stick into small bites keeping them on a small plate. A flick of her wand lifted one of the four chairs always placed around the table and straps appeared on the cushioned chair as well.
As Marlene placed the girl in her seat Lily went to pull another chair across from the baby.
"Here you go dear." She said placing a few small pieces of the celery sticks on the table for her then feeding her the first mouth herself.
"'UT 'UTTER," (Peanut butter) was the expression after the first few bites. Then she took to eating herself.
"I loathe you." Marlene huffed.
"Love you too Marley,"
"So I had a major plan on how to get you and Jamie out of the house tonight."
"Marlene,"
"Nope," the woman said popping her p. "It is ingenious and you shall love it." She said.
"Remus is picking him up Neville on his way over, Sirius said he will try to convince Nymph to stop by, and Tuney had night shift yesterday so she will be by later as well. I even pulled Regulus out of his astronomy tower to stop by as well. So, I thought that we would go pastries or pranking tonight,"
"Trick or treating," Lily smiled.
"Same thing,"
"Not really."
"Always, I think it will do us some good. Get us out of the area let the kids have some fun. Dirt Monkey is old enough to dress up and everything." Marlene spoke lightly as Lily's face fell. Marlene tensed, what had she said wrong now.
With a soft sob Lily excused herself from the room and went upstairs. Marlene huffed as she fell into the dining room chair. "Harry would be the same age," she told herself with a huff. "stupid stupid stupid" she whispered to herself banging her head against the table.
"Bad Mama," Astraea explained in perfect English without any dropped sounds. "'ake E'yi k'I," (make Lily cry) the girl continued her childish berating form her seat at the table. Her face and fingers lined with peanut butter, during the few moments Malrene and Lily turned there head Astraea had learned how to negate the good part of her snack, the celery, and just eat what she liked, the peanut butter, the peanut butter took away something from the stern expression she wore.
"Bad Mama Bad, sorry," The last word was not an apology from the girl rather a complete sentence rolled in one word. The nineteen month old was practically ordering her mother to do what Marlene and Sirius where trying to teach the girl a few weeks ago. When you do something bad you say sorry. Astraea took to that lesson quickly and began to order the adults around her to follow the same rule. Marlene looked up at her and shook her head.
"Sorry doesn't fix everything Baby girl," She explained to the child who just shook her head.
"'ix E'yi," (fix Lily) the girl told her mother once again.
Remus and Neville flooed to Godric's Hallow almost five minutes after Lily had darted upstairs. "Where is Lily?" He asked seeing Marlene and Astraea alone in the kitchen area. Holding his hand was a smiling three and a half year old. Neville Longbottom was not a slim child. He was far from fat but he was quite pudgy for his age. His father had been fairly short with broad shoulders which Neville seemed to take after. He was the resident dirt monkey always wanting to be digging in something. He often pulled Astraea or any adult who would come with him along. He was quite the charismatic little boy with large brown eyes and brown hair that was just long enough to fall into his eyes.
"Ria wha' happen?" Neville asked the one year old.
The one year old began to babble Remus moved to sit in an empty chair as by Marlene. As Astraea finished babbling to Neville she began to whine softly wanting the man's attention, and the attention of the boy who wiggled out of Remus arms to walk over to the woman.
"That's bad Aunt Lene; we not supposed to make Aunt Lily sad today." Neville said as he wagged his pudgy finger at Marlene.
"Two babies berating me now." Marlene growled.
"Oi, I not a baby," Neville protested.
"Of course you aren't Neville. Why don't you and Astraea go give Aunt Lily loves? I am sure she missed you." Remus said pulling the girl the baby from her seat and placing her down next to Neville. Once down Astraea grabbed Neville's hand in her own and grinned.
"Come on, come on," The girl said pulling the three year old along as she went to do just that.
A/N - GOOD VERNON! He is in next chapter, then, never going to be in the story again. Well maybe for like two lines later if I do a reaction bit for him but I don't think so. Marge and Dudley are basically gone now too. I shall explain why they came up later. Bye Dursley's. Also isn't Astraea adorable? I hope I didn't make her too advanced she is molded after someone 3 month older though.
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