CH11: Panic

Harry rose from his bed as normal on Monday morning as his aunt and uncle's alarm sounded. He was exhausted. The Dursleys had not left the house in a few days now so he had been unable to sleep. He hoped they had a family trip out later that day when his uncle returned from work as they sometimes did, so he could get a few hours' sleep.

He made his way out of his room and down to the kitchen to begin preparing breakfast. He had to be extra careful with his movements today, for his arm still hurt when he knocked it, and he didn't want to risk his cut re-opening and the Dursleys seeing any blood in their precious home.

He collected the eggs and bacon from the fridge and set about heating up the frying pan. He had the first round of food ready for when his uncle walked through the kitchen door with the post ready for his breakfast.

'Coffee, boy' Vernon grunted.

Harry quickly prepared his uncle's coffee, he usually waited until his uncle was in the kitchen to make this as he liked it piping hot.

As Harry turned around to place the mug on the dining table, he froze. His uncle was staring at him with a purple, angry face, hands clenched holding a letter which appeared to be on parchment.

Oh no Harry thought.

'What is this boy?' Uncle Vernon snarled.

Harry just stared, forcing himself to make his expression confused.

'I said.. what is this about?' Vernon spoke louder this time, thrusting the letter in Harry's direction.

Harry took the letter with shaking hands and read;

Dear Mr & Mrs Dursley,

Please accept my apologies for the late notice, however it is my intention to visit your address today, Monday, to visit your nephew, Harry.

As his head of house, it is my duty to check on his welfare and discus school matters and arrangements.

I look forward to meeting with you.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Harry gulped then slowly looked up to meet Vernon's furious gaze.

'Well?' Vernon prompted.

'It… It's just my teacher, she said she needs to visit to discuss school matters' Harry replied innocently.

'And do all of your freaky breed just barge in with absolutely no notice?'

'No sir, but she did apologi…'

'Don't give me that boy' Vernon shouted.

'What's going on?' Aunt Petunia asked when she walked through the kitchen door, already dressed for the day.

'The freaks school are coming to visit today apparently'.

Aunt Petunia freaked. 'But.. But.. you know I need at least two days' notice to prepare the house for visitors'

'I'm sorry Aunt Petunia, I didn't know they were coming either'

'Shut up boy and go and clean up, we can't have visitors with you looking like that'

'right away sir' Harry quickly scuttled out of the room to wash and change into fresh clothes, he had been wearing the same ones for at least 4 days after all.

Once he was changed, he returned back downstairs to help Aunt Petunia with her obsessive cleaning. He was surprised to see Uncle Vernon was still there.

'Don't you have work today Uncle Vernon?' Harry asked.

'Yes, and I have had to call in absent, you think I would let your freaky kind in my home, where my family are without being here to protect them? And you will be paying for this boy, I had a VERY important meeting today'.

Harry gulped, then returned to his dusting.

It was 1 o clock when the doorbell rang.

Harry had been upstairs waiting for the impending doom, trying desperately to make himself look more like himself. Scared of his uncles' consequences if too many questions were asked.

Harry grudgingly made his way downstairs as Vernon opened the door, and there stood his professor, wearing…. muggle clothes?

Thank god Harry thought, this will mean a lot to Vernon, at least the neighbours won't have seen a woman in a cloak walking down their driveway. Although it was extremely strange to see his professor in jeans and a blouse.

'Good afternoon, you must be Mr Dursley' Professor McGonagall said politely, holding out her hand to shake Vernon's.

'Hello' Vernon replied will ill-concealed hatred and refused to meet McGonagall's hand.

'Hello Mr. Potter' McGonagall smiled when she saw Harry arrive at the bottom of the stairs.

'Um.. Hey Professor' Harry responded attempting but unable to meet her eyes.

All three stood in awkward silence for what felt like forever until McGonagall cleared her throat.

'Could I please come in to discuss some things with you Mr Dursley?' she asked expectantly.

Harry could see the annoyance growing underneath her polite mask, she was not impressed with Vernon's manners.

Vernon sighed.. 'Okay then, this way to the lounge' he stepped to the side to allow McGonagall to enter.

They all made their way into the lounge, followed by Petunia who brought a tray with tea and biscuits, she would never lower her standards of welcoming guests no matter who they were, even if they were a 'freak'.

'So, what is this about?' Vernon asked moodily.

'Well, as part of my head of house duties it is my responsibility to check on students if we believe they may need some support, or if we are concerned for their welfare'.

Vernon's face turned purple as Harry's turned white.

'What are you trying to say?' Vernon Spat.

'N-Nothing, just that Mr. Potter had a very traumatic time last school year and we wanted to check that he is okay'

Everyone turned to look at Harry. McGonagall with a scanning gaze, clearly seeing something she didn't like.

'What are you talking about?' Vernon asked without shifting his gaze from Harry.

'Harry was present when another student tragically lost his life... sorry were you not aware of this?' McGonagall asked looking puzzled.

'No, we were not aware' Vernon answered, 'So you're saying he was there when someone was killed and you let him come back to my house, how do you know he didn't do it?' Harry could see Vernon getting angrier by the second.

'Harry had nothing to do with the unfortunate events. He needs all of our support, and as he had not responded to our letters; we wanted to make sure he was getting support here and to see if you all needed any additional help' McGonagall changed tact and turned towards Petunia.

Petunia was still staring at Harry. She looked quite pale and uncomfortable.

'No, we don't need any help' Vernon answered.

'Why don't we ask Harry?' McGonagall suggested.

'Erm... I'm fine professor... really. Sorry you wasted your time visiting.'

Minerva really looked at Harry, he looked awful. He had always been skinny but now he was nothing but skin and bones, even hidden under a baggy jumper she could see that, judging by his sunken cheeks he had lost an awful lot of weight. He also had black bags under his eyes, as if he hadn't slept in a week. But the look in his eyes is what concerned her most, he seemed dejected, like he wasn't quite there.

'Are you sure you are okay Harry? all of your friends have been asking about you, Sirius is extremely worried he hasn't heard from you'

Harry went to respond but was cut off by Vernon

'He said he's fine, you have done your job, I think it is time for you to leave'.

McGonagall looked back to Harry, he looked so small and so scared. She needed to discuss this with Albus immediately.

'Okay, but Harry' She looked towards him 'please keep in touch, we are all here for you, we want to help'.

She smiled a sad smile and then got up to make her way out.

Once Vernon had shown her out her returned to the living room, where he grabbed Harry by the upper arm and started dragging him up to his bedroom.

Petunia watched on with.. concern? Harry was sure he could see concern… he had never seen that look directed at him from his aunt. Did she suddenly care about him? Clearly not enough to stop her husband doing whatever he was about to do.