Chapter 16 – Sirius Black

"Now you listen to me boy and you listen well! I have put up with your freakishness for long enough and I do not want you to use your hocus pocus under my roof and foul my house!"

"You don't like it Uncle Vernon?" said Harry sounding crestfallen. "You should take off your shoes and feel how the rug feels on your feet. It's like walking on drops of heaven! And what's best is you don't have to pay a penny!" exclaimed Harry.

Harry had remodeled his room and was thoroughly enjoying winding up his uncle.

Vernon's face turned blue, "I don't care!" he hissed, "We gave this room to you to stay in. Not to practice your unnaturalness!"

"Now come on uncle Vernon, you're not jealous that my room looks better than the rest of the house are you?"

Vernon clenched his fists.

"I could refurnish the entire house you, you know. All it would take is a wave of my wand," he said, summoning his wand.

Vernon's face turned purple and he looked like he wanted to punch something real bad. "Keep your god damn room the way you want it," he ground out finally. "Just stay away from my family," he said and stomped out of Harry's room.

"Fat arse," muttered Harry as the door banged shut. He turned back to admire his work, he had transfigured his tiny table into a much bigger one with an oak finish and it five drawers to its left and a small cupboard with an extendable charm to its right. The chair looked simple enough but the cushioning charm on it made it feel wonderful!

His bed now resembled the bed in his school, the floor was covered with a soft maroon carpet and he had conjured an entire book shelf which was magically enlarged to fit all his books. The books and the shelf had been charmed to be fire and water proof in case Dudley had any ideas, but then that wasn't necessary since he had put up a ward that would not allow anyone to enter the room without his permission. Learning how to put up wards had taken him a month of practice in Hogwarts before he could cast them flawlessly. Hedwig's cage was enlarged and was big enough for her to comfortably stretch her wings and his bathroom now sported a small Jacuzzi instead of a bathtub and Harry enjoyed the feel of it every single day.

The thing he was having difficulty with at the moment was being able to cast an extendable charm on his entire room, strong and stable enough to make space for another room where he could practice his magic in, but then, he couldn't have everything could he? He'd have to practice in his room for the time being until he came up with a better alternative.

For once his summer was going the way he wanted it. Speaking of the summer, he remembered the promise he had made to a house elf called Dobby. He felt a little guilty for not even attempting to find out more about the elf but didn't dwell on it. If he ever got a chance, he would free the elf in a heart beat.

He opened his cupboard and eyed the clothes inside with disgust. Everything was faded and three sizes too large for him. Even his undergarments were once Dudley's. Just the thought of wearing Dudley's clothes made him feel like throwing up.

"Well, maybe it's time I did a little shopping of my own," he muttered. He summoned all the clothes belonging to Dudley and threw them out of the window leaving behind the few clothes that actually fitted him which consisted of one jean and two shirts which belonged to Dudley when he was eight.

"Dinner!" came the shrill voice of aunt Petunia.

Harry sighed and glanced back at his now empty cupboard. "We have a lot of work to do tomorrow Hedwig," he said to the owl who was watching Harry curiously. Casting another admiring look at his new room he went downstairs.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

The Dursley's and Harry were eating their dinner quietly when Vernon cleared his throat. All of them knew it was a signal for them to stop eating and listen but Harry continued to eat his pasta.

Vernon cleared his throat again, this time louder.

Harry sighed and lowered his fork. "Yes?"

"I received a letter from Marge today."

Harry knew this was going to be bad news.

"She's coming to visit in three days time."

Harry groaned.

"She'll be staying with us for a week and she'll be bringing her dog with her," said Vernon raising his voice and glaring at Harry.

This time Petunia winced. She hated dogs.

"And she thinks you, boy, attend St. Brutus school, for incurable criminal children," he said with a nasty smile.

"What!" shouted Harry rising to his feet furiously.

"Sit down," snapped Vernon. "You will bloody well stick to that story or you will find yourself on the roads!"

"I'll bloody well be on the roads than stick to that story!" he spat.

"BOY! YOU WILL STICK TO THAT STORY, DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME!"

"What are you going to do if don't Vernon," said Harry coldly, summoning his wand.

Vernon paled at the sight of the wand. "Now listen up Potter," he said nervously. "You know we can't tell her about you don't you?"

"Oh I certainly don't uncle Vernon, but she's family after all isn't she?"

"Boy…." said Vernon, his voice trembling in anger.

"But I could stick to your story if you do something for me," he said slowly, remembering the Hogsmeade form be needed the Dursley's to sign.

And what is that?" asked uncle Vernon, narrowing his eyes.

"I need a form signed, to visit the village next to our school and I need the signature of my guardian which to my great regret is you. So you sign my form and I'll be a good criminal in your house."

"You will not do any magic in the house and will you get rid of your ruddy bird?"

"I will not do magic in front of her eyes, but I won't be getting rid of Hedwig and my room stays as it is. You will just have to keep her out of it."

"Boy!" said uncle Vernon threateningly.

"You know you can't to anything to me so drop the act uncle," said Harry.

There was silence for a minute in which Vernon looked like he was doing some furious thinking and Petunia and Dudley were looking fearfully at Harry while Harry was calmly staring at Vernon waiting for an answer.

"Alright."

"What was that uncle?"

"I said fine, you stay away from Marge and make sure she doesn't even get a sniff of your unnaturalness and I'll sign your form after she has gone."

Harry glared at uncle Vernon. "Fine, I'll keep my mouth shut, let her chatter like a monkey and make sure she knows nothing about me and the rest of you will keep her away from me and make sure she doesn't say anything that causes me to loose my temper and after she leaves you will sign my form. Do we have a deal?"

"Go back to your room and don't bother us," said Petunia suddenly, making herself known.

Harry smiled, "I'll take that as a yes," he said and left the table. "Oh and by the way," he said suddenly as he neared the stairs "I'll need a lift to London tomorrow, I have a little bit of shopping to do."

-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Harry was lost. He had finally found something he had no clue off and was horrible at it, it was shopping for clothes!

He had absolutely no idea what he wanted and was roaming around the store for the past hour wondering what on earth he should buy.

"Hey kid, need help!" said one of the sales girls coming up to him.

"Err… yeah. I need to buy clothes…."

"That would be obvious seeing this is a clothes store wouldn't it?" she said with a laugh.

"Whatever, I need to refill my wardrobe but I don't want anything too fancy though."

"Hmmm… your parents not with you kid?"

"No, and don't call me kid."

"Whatever you say handsome," she said, winking at him. "Follow me."

Harry followed her to the changing rooms.

"Alright," she said and took out her measuring tape and checked his waist, chest and height. "Okay, you wait here while I pick out some cool stuff for you," she said jovially and walked away, her blonde hair swigging behind her.

Harry sighed and looked around. There were men and women constantly entering and exiting from the changing rooms. Some ladies carried arm full of clothes into the rooms and wouldn't come out for ages. There were sales boys and girls hurrying everywhere, folding the clothes removed by the customers. There were some high school boys trying to flirt with one of the sales girls and there were two women arguing over a skirt they both wanted to buy. The manager of the store was desperately trying to pacify them but they continued to screech at each other and kept tugging skirt towards each other. Harry was sure it would tear any second.

Finally his blonde sales girl came back, her arms laden with clothes.

Harry's eyes widened at the amount of clothes she had brought with her. "I don't need so many clothes!" he said incredulously.

"I know! Now we just have to make you try on each one and see which suits you the best!"

"No! You just choose what you think is best and I'll pay for them!"

"Awww come on! How will we make the girls fall for you if we don't choice what looks perfect on you!"

"Listen Blondie, all I want are clothes so that I don't have to roam around naked on the streets! So just pick!"

"Kid, at least try out a few! It'll be fun. Like check out this green hoodie. It brings out the color of your eyes and it can go with this, this and this!" she said, showing him three different jeans. "Then we an Arsenal jersey and then a gray track suit and so many T-shirts! Come on, it'll hardly take much time and then you have to see which kind of jean you find most comfortable or if you prefer cargo's over jeans and then there are these jackets and I got some cute designer wear undies too which will feel really comfortable or so I'm told!"

"Ok, ok, ok! I'll try out a few clothes!" he said loudly, to make her shut up before she embarrassed him more. "Just shut it please!"

"Great!" she said looking pleased. "Let's start with this aannndd this."

Harry snatched the clothes she had given him and walked towards a changing room sullenly. He couldn't believe he was being forced to model for some dumb irritating blonde.

He didn't notice a girl enter the changing room he was heading to. Unknowingly he used magic to open the door and entered.

"EEEEkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk," came a loud shriek from inside and Harry came rushing out, his face bright red.

The girl came stomping out a minute later and screamed, "PERVERT!" causing a crowd to gather.

"Me? A pervert! You left the door unlocked!"

"I did not!"

"Did too, if not then how did it open!"

"I locked it and I'm sure of it!" she yelled back.

Both were red in the face and then they recognized each other.

"YOU!" they both said at the same time.

"Huh, you both know each other?" asked the blonde girl.

"Unfortunately," muttered Harry, glaring at her.

Slowly the crowd dispersed muttering and laughing.

"You… you…" said Lillian, words failing her.

"Me what?"

"What the hell are you doing here anyway!" she spat. "Can't you see that is a girls changing room!"

Harry glanced up and sure enough, there was a ladies sign above the room. "I didn't see that and you should be locking the door before you decide to strip! My eyes are still hurting from that horrific sight!"

"Just you wait," she said, breathing heavily, "I'll get you back in school!"

"You two look sooo cute together!" said Blondie suddenly making the young witch and wizard glare at the sales girl.

"Hey," she said nervously, "Just expressing my views!"

"Keep them to yourself!" spat Lillian and stomped back to the changing room slamming the door as she went in.

"Bitch," muttered Harry under his breath.

Blondie sighed, "Young love," she said dreamily. "You two are made for each other!"

Harry stared at her, "You should really change your hair color."

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

At half past seven, Harry made his way to number four Privet drive and rang the bell looking absolutely dead on his feet.

The door was opened and Harry was yanked in.

"Where were you!" said Aunt Petunia "You were supposed to be back by 4!"

"I lied," said Harry simply.

"Well get in and change! Marge will be here in half an hour!"

"WHAT!" yelped Harry.

"Yes, now go and freshen up! You better look respectable or you're not getting any dinner."

"If that's your threat, then I'm not coming down. I've had a good meal outside and I'm in no need for your pathetic food. Good night," he said and went to his room and was asleep as soon as he crashed on his bed.

This had been one of the worst days ever. Getting tortured by a blonde terror, seeing Freckles strip, then almost getting hit in the nuts by her on his way out, getting lost on the streets of London and then finally summoning the knight bus and heading back for Privet drive, his prison. And added to that, he was going to have to handle insults from Aunt Marge and he couldn't do a thing about it if he wanted to be able to visit Hogsmeade.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Four days had passed since Marge had arrived and Harry was at the edge of loosing his temper. Both his aunt and uncle were aware of that fact and were doing there best to keep Marge away from Harry, but Marge wouldn't miss a chance to pick on him and compare him to Dudley and she kept pointing out his short comings in life and how he didn't deserve to live in such a beautiful house.

All Harry wanted to do was pick her dog and shove it up her big arse.

"Did I ever tell you about the Keating incident Petunia!" said Marge, taking a deep sip from her glass of brandy.

Dudley was listening to all the scandals and stories with interest, while Harry looked bored to death and was thinking about different curses he could use on the Dursley's.

"No you didn't Marge," said Petunia, her glass of brandy lying as it were at the start of their meal.

"Well it happened about three months ago. Mr. Keating was having an affair with the neighbor Mrs. Ranger."

"An affair," exclaimed Petunia.

"That's right, Mrs. Keating ran a business and was usually out of town for a week or so and she was a terrible bore," said Marge.

"Then one night, Mr. Keating invited Mrs. Ranger over for drinks as Mrs. Keating was out of town. That was about seven months ago. Ever since that night every time Mrs. Keating was out of town either Mr. Keating would go over to Ranger's house or she use to head to his house. Now none of the neighbors failed to notice their meeting every time Rose was out of town.

At first everyone thought they were just good friends but then one day Mrs. Parker saw them kissing at the door step and Mr. Keating pulled Jennifer inside and slammed the door shut!" she whispered. Petunia gasped and Vernon clucked shaking his head in disgust.

"Mrs. Parker told Rose what she saw but Rose didn't believe her husband could be capable of such treachery. But Mrs. Parker continued to insist and told her how Jennifer visits her husband when she was out of town."

"So one night," she said softly, leaning in, "She told him that she was leaving for a week and hid in a cupboard under the stairs. Then to her shock and horror, she saw Jennifer and her husband glued to the lip with a bottle of wine in her hand!"

Petunia covered her mouth, her eyes wide open.

"Poor Rose lost her mind, she took a knife and crept upstairs and found them in bed! She took the knife and stabbed her husband not once, not twice but eight times! Jennifer began to scream and that roused the neighbors who hurried over. But it was too late; Rose had stabbed Jenny too and was standing over their bodies, panting heavily, her hands, her face, her clothes, all covered in blood!"

"Did Jenny die?" whispered Petunia.

"No, she survived, but Rose went insane. She couldn't handle the betrayal of her husband and she's now rotting in a mental hospital. Jennifer moved to her parents place and has been living with them ever since."

"What about Jennifer's husband?" grunted Vernon.

"He died years ago. Was the victim of a hit and run incident."

"Hmmm, it's a shame, to cheat on your wife with a widow," said Vernon.

Marge laughed, "Oh, don't blame Keating. Rose was a terrible bore and I'm sure he never got any action from her!"

All three Dursley's began to laugh.

"Oh by the way Marge, did you hear about that escaped prisoner?" asked Vernon.

"Of course I did! Was and still is big news right? He escaped from a high security prison, killing nine guards with his bare hands to make his escape!"

"That's right," he said "Posters plastered all over the place and there's reward out for his capture too."

"Really! How much?"

"5000 pounds."

"5000 pounds!" yelped Dudley.

"That's right Dudders," said Vernon chuckling. "You don't fancy yourself capturing him do you? Though, he wouldn't stand a chance if he came up against you!"

"That's right dad! I'll give the old upper cut and he'll be out before he hits the ground," he said grinning.

"What was his name Vernon?" asked Petunia.

"Black," said Vernon "Sirius Black."

Harry dropped his fork, attracting all the Dursley's attention.

"What's the matter boy," said Marge "The name familiar to you? Your idol is he or famous at your school is he? What school does he go to Vernon?"

"St. Brutus School for incurable criminals," he said, looking at Harry nervously.

"That's right," spat Marge, "Goes to a no good school for pathetic losers like you and you dead family. Or was your father, that Potter in league with Black when he was alive?" she continued, not noticing the growing anger and hatred on Harry's face.

"How did they die Vernon?"

"Car crash," he said in a small voice.

"That's right!" she boomed, "Must have been drinking and driving!"

"More brandy Marge!" said Vernon loudly "Boy go upstairs."

"No, no Vernon, the boy should hear the truth about his parents. How his father was a drunk and a criminal and his mother, well she must have been a whore!" she said, sneering at him.

"Enough," said Harry suddenly, his voice trembling in fury.

"Boy upstairs now!" said Vernon panicking.

"Leave it Vernon. Proud of your parents are you? You should be lucky that…." But she couldn't finish. She was suddenly blown of her feet with so much intensity that she slammed into the wall behind her making it crack. She slid down unconscious leaving a trail of blood behind her.

"Marge!" screamed Petunia.

"Boy!" bellowed Vernon. "You've done it now!"

"Shut your bloody mouth," said Harry coldly "She deserved what she got and you'll be next if you don't get out of my way."

But Vernon was blinded by anger. With a roar he leaped at Harry and Harry blasted him out of his way with a wave of his hand and Vernon went crashing into the television set.

Breathing hard Harry looked around at the damage he had caused and knew he could no longer call this place his home. He barely noticed aunt Petunia and Dudley scamper out of the room.

He drew his wand and summoned his belongings down and with another twirl they all neatly arranged themselves inside his trunk. He pulled out his invisibility cloak and shrunk his trunk.

He turned around to say something to his aunt when there was a loud bang and a sharp pain in his left shoulder.

He looked at Petunia and was shocked to see a gun in her hand. There was trail of smoke coming out from its tip. He slowly moved his right hand to his shoulder and felt something sticky. Turning his head, he saw his shirt slowly turn red.

"F-fix them," she said, her hands trembling and Dudley was cowering behind her.

"You… you shot me!" said Harry in shock and pain.

"Fix them and make them f-forget or I'll shoot again," she said again. This time more firmly.

"You bitch!" spat Harry and the gun was torn away from her hand. He had lost all rational thought now. "You're going to pay for that!"

He had a look of insanity in his eyes and with a wave of his hand the broken glass pieces from the television rose and impaled themselves in her body making her scream in pain.

"You want to try something Dudley?" he said breathing heavily, the gun now hovering in the air pointing towards Dudley.

Dudley shook his head rapidly, backing away from Harry with his fearful eyes fixed on the gun.

Harry slowly walked up to his aunt and placed the tip of his wand against her neck. She was weeping, screaming and begging for mercy.

"You don't deserve mercy," said Harry softly. He summoned the gun and shot her in the knee ignoring the high pitched scream that ripped through the house. He didn't even feel an ounce of remorse when he did so. He then placed the gun on her other knee and shot once more splattering her blood all over.

Harry through the gun aside and pointed his wand at Dudley.

"Wha-what are you doing?" stammered Dudley.

Harry would have loved to get some payback against Dudley but the pain in his shoulder was increasing. So scrunching his eyes in concentration he raised his wand and said, "Obliviate."

He then turned his wand on a now passed out Petunia and wiped her mind of all the memories she had of him. He did the same with Vernon and Marge too. He didn't care if they suffered from brain damage. He then threw his cloak over him with his good arm and stumbled out of the house.

A few minutes later he heard Dudley's scream of terror and confusion and saw a number of people hurrying towards the Dursley's house having heard the gunshots and the screams.

He walked slowly towards the park, cursing himself for not having spent more time learning healing spells.

He felt the pain intensifying and he fell on the grass in the park, his face covered with sweat. He removed his invisibility cloak and tried to examine his wound but his vision began to blur. He saw people hurrying in and out of the Dursley's residence calling for help.

Panting and clenching his fists in pain he tried to think of a plan but his mind wouldn't function.

"Is this the end?" he wondered vaguely.

Suddenly he heard a low growl coming from the bushes and tried to point his wand in that direction but it turned out to be a huge black dog.

"Get away dog," he said weakly falling on his back and groaning in pain, but the dog came next to him and nuzzled his face and began to whine.

Harry chuckled at the dog's antics but just coughed up blood and his vision began to fade. He knew it wouldn't be long until be blacked out again or died.

Through his blurry vision he thought he saw the dog morph into a man and he was sure his mind was playing tricks on him. The man then pulled him into his arms and Harry tried to move away but the man held on firmly.

"Don't worry Harry, I'll take care of you," whispered the dog/man in Harry's ear and then... Harry lost consciousness.