Chapter 3 – Dumbledore's Visit
Vernon and Harry spent the next few weeks in a bed and breakfast as Vernon organised the sale of his house and furniture. Just as he had thought the house was bought just days after it was put on the market, a couple of days after the funeral. He found a small cottage in one of the villages he had visited as a boy. It was a fishing village on the east coast of Scotland, and the small 2 bed roomed cottage was right on the harbour.
As Vernon entered, he was very aware of a musty smell, which suggested it hadn't been lived in for some time. He looked around; the rooms were small, but not cramped, and there was a friendly feel about the place.
There was a knock at the open door and a female voice called: "Hello?" Vernon turned to see a woman in a t-shirt and dungarees with curly, brown hair that fell to her shoulders. There was a girl of about ten months clutched to her hip, who looked like a double of the young woman, except her hair was red, and a slightly older boy (who looked about the same age as Harry) with wavy ginger hair, by her side, all peering into the hall.
"Hiya!" she said, spotting Vernon and Harry, "I'm Carrie, I live next door." She shifted the girl to the other hip and extended a hand.
"Vernon Dursley," he shook, suddenly aware of his puffy red eyes. "and, eh, this is my nephew Harry." He smiled sweetly
"Hello Harry," she said kindly, "This is Grace," she patted the girl's stomach, "and this is Liam." She ruffled the hair of the boy by her side. "Why don't you go play with Harry you two?" She put down Grace, who took Liam's hand, and the three children disappeared into the living room.
"So, what brings you to this part of the world? And… eh… if you don't mind me asking… How come your nephew lives with you?" Vernon sighed slightly.
" His parents died a year ago. His mother was my late wife's sister. She and my son died about a month ago."
"Oh I'm so sorry," He could tell she was being sincere, "I understand, My- Liam and Grace's father passed away last year." There followed a pause, where understanding seemed to flow between them.
3 days later, just as dusk was falling on the quiet village, a man appeared with a pop. No-one in the village had ever seen this man, or anyone else quite like him, before. He had long silvery-white hair and beard and wore long indigo robes and matching boots. He looked around at the small harbour and the row of cottages, then made towards them.
Vernon had just put Harry to sleep when the doorbell rang. He sighed quietly and stroked the small boy's hair before heading down the hall towards the front door. He opened it to find an elderly man in bizarre clothes. His face fell. He knew what this man was, and why he was there. He fell to his knees in desperation.
"Please don't take him away from me!" he burst out, his voice breaking, "He's all I have left! Please!" Albus Dumbledore stepped over the threshold and pulled Vernon to his feet.
"Calm yourself Mr. Dursley; I have not come to take Harry away." Vernon's face immediately lit-up. "I do however have several things I need to discuss with you. Perhaps we should have a cup of tea, or brandy, if you prefer?"
Vernon led Dumbledore through to the kitchen and made tea. The two men then sat opposite each other, over the small table.
"I am extremely sorry for your loss Mr. Dursley. Is there anything I could do to-"
"There is." Vernon interrupted suddenly, "you can tell me how Harry's allowed to stay, we're not blood-relations after all."
"Yes, I shall indeed explain, if you would be so kind as to not interrupt, I would like you to have all the relevant information." Vernon nodded. "As you know, one year ago, when Harry's parents died, his mothers sacrifice caused a blood protection. To keep this protection, he was sent to live with you and your wife, she being his last blood-relative. When Petunia died this protection was broken, in order to reinstate the protection Harry needs to be with a blood-relative." Vernon was confused, Dumbledore had just said that Petunia was the boys only relative, and was now saying that he needed to be with a relative. Nothing made sense. "In magical adoption, blood is shared between the parent and child, making them blood-relations. This could be done between any two parties, but to re-instate the blood-protection that was put in place using petunia's blood, we need to use someone who loved and cherished her with all his heart." Was it possible? Thought Vernon. Could he keep Harry? He looked up at Dumbledore and saw a twinkle in the old man's eyes.
"Are you willing to be blood-bonded with your nephew?"
"Yes," replied Vernon tearfully.
"There will have to be a slight change from the usual ritual. Technically Harry will be adopting you, but legally, with the adoption papers, things should work out just fine."
Vernon woke Harry and returned to the kitchen to find Dumbledore pulling from beneath his cloak; a vial of turquoise liquid, a beaten bronze dish, his wand and a small thin knife. He instructed Vernon to cut his finger and allow 3drops of blood to fall into the bronze dish, and then to do the same to Harry's finger. He did so, Harry too tired to protest. Dumbledore then poured the contents of the vial into the dish and stirred it thrice with his wand, muttering under his breath.
"Drink." He told Vernon, who did so without thought and felt the cool mixture slide down his throat. All of a sudden, his stomach shrank and his neck appeared from beneath several layers of fat, his hair darkened and grew longer and thicker than it had ever been before.
"Ah," said Dumbledore, "I forgot to mention. Some genes are transferred with the adoption process. I see you have gained the famous Potter metabolism. That boy used to eat 4 courses a meal and he never gained a pound." Vernon felt his now flat stomach and ran a hand through his hair. He was a bit shocked, but not unhappy with the effects.
Vernon signed the magical adoption papers and Dumbledore was on his way. Leaving Vernon and Harry as a small soon-to-be-happy, family.
A/N. Hey! guess whos back? thats right! this story had NOT been abandoned! Our internet broke 4months ago, four months with no internet!! i promise this will be updated ATLEAST every two weeks, i've just started my highers, and they're pretty important so they'll be taking up most of my time for the next year ("yay") I'm sorry if the explination of the blood-bonds thing didn't make sense, if anyone can phrase it better PLEASE contact me! and if anyone knows a site where you can post non-fanfiction (you know, origional storys, not based on other books) let me know, my imagination bursts out in story ideas from time to time, and i need somewhere to put them all!
Thanks to everyone who reveiwed and added this to their alerts, it puts the biggest grin on my face!
Katie.