A Peck of Owls
Harry groaned as his friends again comforted him.
"What?" said Harry blankly.
Hermione smiled at her friend's expression.
The revelation that his batty old cat-obsessed neighbor knew what dementors were was almost as big a shock to Harry as meeting two of them down the alleyway. "You're — you're a witch?"
"A Squib, just like Filch." Harry grumbled.
Hermione jotted down the question: Who sent the Dementors and why?
"You know Dumbledore?" said Harry, staring at her.
"That's what you asked? You could have asked why she was keeping an eye on you your whole life, but you asked if she knew Dumbledore?" Hermione asked, taken aback.
"It was in the moment, okay!" Harry exclaimed.
MUNDUNGUS FLETCHER, I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!"
Mrs. Weasley smiled fondly at that.
"I'll give you undercover!" cried Mrs. Figg. "Dementors, you useless, skiving sneak thief!"
Everybody chuckled at that. When I get back to headquarters, I'm gonna kill Dung. Sirius thought.
"Together." Remus whispered.
"Yes — they — have!" yelled Mrs. Figg, still swinging the bag of cat food at every bit of Mundungus she could reach. "And — it — had — better — be — you — and — you — can — tell — him — why — you — weren't — there — to — help!"
Everybody laughed darkly at that.
"Did you expect him to let you wander around on your own after what happened in June? Good Lord, boy, they told me you were intelligent. . . . Right. . . get inside and stay there,"
"She didn't have to go there." Sirius mumbled.
"BOY! COME HERE!"
"He has a name, you know?" Hermione shouted.
Harry smiled, and was at that moment, he was grateful he had a group of friends who cared about him. The D.A., the Order, the Weasleys, McGonagall, Dumbledore, even Snape, they all cared about him.
I WILL NOT HAVE ANY MORE OWLS IN MY HOUSE!"
Everybody chuckled at Vernon's reaction.
Dear Mr. Potter,
We have received intelligence that you performed the Patronus Charm at twenty-three minutes past nine this evening in a Muggle-inhabited area and in the presence of a Muggle. The severity of this breach of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery has resulted in your expulsion from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Ministry representatives will be calling at your place of residence shortly to destroy your wand.
As you have already received an official warning for a previous offense under section 13 of the International Confederation of Wizards' Statute of Secrecy, we regret to inform you that your presence is required at a disciplinary hearing at the Ministry of Magic at 9 a.m. on August 12th.
Hoping you are well,
Yours sincerely,
Mafalda Hopkirk
Improper Use of Magic Office
Ministry of Magic
"Why would you be well?" Hermione asked.
Harry shrugged.
"The madhouse has chucked me out," said Harry. "So I can do whatever I like. You've got three seconds. One — two —"
Everybody chuckled at the mention of the word 'madhouse'.
Harry — Dumbledore's just arrived at the Ministry, and he's trying to sort it all out. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR AUNT AND UNCLE'S HOUSE. DO NOT DO ANY MORE MAGIC. DO NOT SURRENDER YOUR WAND.
Arthur Weasley
"Thank you, Mr. Weasley." Harry smiled at Mr. Weasley.
"Anytime, Harry." he said.
"Ministry of Magic?" bellowed Uncle Vernon. "People like you in government? Oh this explains everything, everything, no wonder the country's going to the dogs. . . ."
Everybody glared at the book again.
What would spoiled, pampered, bullying Dudley have been forced to hear?
"I know everything he's done, but I feel bad for him." Harry said.
"They guard the wizard prison, Azkaban," said Aunt Petunia.
Everybody but Snape looked shocked at that.
"How did she know that?" Ron asked.
Harry shrugged.
"I heard — that awful boy — telling her about them — years ago," she said jerkily.
Snape grimaced. He should pay Petunia a visit after all of this was over.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Further to our letter of approximately twenty-two minutes ago, the Ministry of Magic has revised its decision to destroy your wand forthwith. You may retain your wand until your disciplinary hearing on 12th August, at which time an official decision will be taken.
Following discussions with the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the Ministry has agreed that the question of your expulsion will also be decided at that time. You should therefore consider yourself suspended from school pending further inquiries.
With best wishes,
Yours sincerely,
Mafalda Hopkirk
Improper Use of Magic Office
Ministry of Magic
Everyone smiled at that.
"Kiss you?" said Uncle Vernon, his eyes popping slightly. "Kiss you?"
Everybody laughed at Vernon's expression.
Arthur's just told us what's happened.
Don't leave the house again, whatever you do.
"Sorry." Sirius said.
"Oho! They were coming to arrest you!" said Uncle Vernon, with the triumphant air of a man reaching an unassailable conclusion.
Everyone but Umbridge rolled their eyes.
"Lord Voldemort," said Harry.
Everybody but Harry, Ron, Hermione, the D.A., Dumbledore, the Order, and Amelia flinched at the name.
strange it was that the Dursleys, who flinched, winced, and squawked if they heard words like "wizard", "magic", or "wand", could hear the name of the most evil wizard of all time without the slightest tremor.
"Because they were Muggles." Hermione said exasperated.
"He's back," said Harry heavily.
"That must have terrified them." Remus said.
"Oh, it did." Harry confirmed.
"Back?" whispered Aunt Petunia.
"Is she scared?" Ron asked.
"Yes." Harry said.
Harry fully appreciated that Aunt Petunia was his mother's sister.
At the looks, Harry said "It was the closest she came to mourning her sister's death."
"you can get out of this house, boy!"
Everybody had angry looks on their faces.
"Petunia stopped him." Harry said.
you're not bringing trouble down on us, if you're going the same way as your useless parents, I've had it! OUT!"
"He's talking bad about the dead again." Remus growled again, along with Sirius, who also growled.
"REMEMBER MY LAST, PETUNIA."
"Dumbledore." Hermione realized.
Harry gave an appreciative nod to his headmaster.
"YOU HEARD YOUR AUNT, NOW GET TO BED!"
Everybody glared at the book again.