Welcome to the first chapter of The Prisoner of Azkaban. As Anakin Skywalker says, "This is where the fun begins!" The previous two books have left Susanna in a good spot in terms of her development as a Hogwarts student and her place in the story. Now we get to start seeing who she becomes. This is also the start of Draco's journey, because he's going to have his own arc. Hopefully I've outlined it well enough that his development flows and makes sense. He isn't going to be a good person off the bat, but this is the point in my AU that changes start to begin taking a blobbish-shape.
This first chapter coincides with the first two of the third book. Trigger warning for abuse (Marge hits Susanna), but it's a quick moment. A lot has been going on recently, so I'm not sure how soon the next update will be.
As always, I only claim my OC. As I've said in previous updates, I mesh book and movie canon where I feel most appropriate, so if something feels different than in the movies and vice versa, this is why (aside from my additions).
Susanna sighed as she stared out the window, taking a break from her History of Magic essay, "Witch Burning in the Fourteenth Century Was Completely Pointless - discuss." She could hear Harry flipping through the pages of his own copy of Bathilda Bagshot's A History of Magic.
Nearly a month had passed since her parents bitterly picked them up at King's Cross Station, looking suitably disappointed that they'd had the audacity to return from school. In their months apart, her parents and brother hadn't changed their medieval attitude about magic, continuing to live in fear that people would discover their daughter and nephew spent most of the past two years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. That is why the moment the cousins stepped through Number 4 Privet Drive, they were stripped of all of their magical belongings, including their spellbooks.
Susanna could care less about her cauldron and broomstick being locked away. It's not as though she could use either one while at home, her love for potion-making and Quidditch aside. While she missed the comfort her wand brought, students weren't allowed to use magic outside of Hogwarts.
The confiscation of their spellbooks, quill, and ink were what greatly frustrated the cousins. Their professors had assigned them what felt like never ending homework. While Susanna was sure she could convince most of the professors of their plight, Professor Snape would be delighted to use their situation as an excuse to strip points from Gryffindor and give the cousins detention for a month.
Thankfully, her father had been provided a new company car. Normally neither of the cousins would care, however they were provided a small window of opportunity. While her father, her mother, and Dudley went out front to loudly boast about his upgraded vehicle, Susanna and Harry took their chance. Susanna picked the lock on the cupboard under the stairs - Harry's old "bedroom" - and they grabbed what they needed, shoving the items into Susanna's dance bag. As long as no ink was spilled on their sheets, her parents would be none the wiser. They did their work in the dead of night, stuffing old clothes under the door to block out any light that could give them away.
Despite this, there had been some peace the first few days of summer, in the sense Harry and Susanna were given a wide berth - her parents even gave Harry permission to go into London with Susanna on the days she had ballet. It came with the condition that neither cousin mentioned anything having to do with magic or their school.
It didn't last long. Only a few days into their holiday - and on Susanna's birthday - the telephone rang. Her father, being the closest to it, answered.
"Vernon Dursley speaking."
"HELLO? HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME?" Ron screamed from the other end, loud enough that her father jumped and held the receiver a foot away from his ear. "I - WANT - TO - TALK - TO - SUSIE - AND - HARRY!"
"WHO IS THIS?" Her father roared back. "WHO ARE YOU?"
"RON - WEASLEY!" Ron shouted back, Susanna groaning into her hands. She knew she should've explained proper telephone etiquette. "I - WANTED - TO - TELL - SUSIE - HAPPY - BIRTHDAY! I'M - A - FRIEND - FROM - SCHOOL!"
Her father turned to look at her and Harry, the cousins rooted to the spot. "THERE IS NO SUSIE OR HARRY HERE!" He bellowed. "I DON'T KNOW WHAT SCHOOL YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT! NEVER CONTACT ME AGAIN! DON'T COME NEAR MY FAMILY!" He shouted before throwing the receiver back onto the telephone. Susanna and Harry refused to flinch as he turned his rage onto them. "HOW DARE YOU GIVE THIS NUMBER TO PEOPLE LIKE - PEOPLE LIKE YOU!" He sprayed them with spit. Susanna was just glad that by the end of his shouting, no threats were made akin to what had happened the previous summer.
Ron never called again, but that same night Susanna had received a gift from him, as well as Hermione and Hagrid. While her parents celebrated Dudley, she and Harry shared the surprisingly edible cake sent by the Hogwarts gamekeeper as she opened her presents. Ron had sent her some dried plants he'd collected from his family's garden, explaining that his mother grew ingredients meant for healing potions and had helped him collect them herself. Ginny had included a gift with her brother's parcel, sending Susanna a vintage ring she'd found in the muggle village by the Burrow. She'd assured the older girl that Mr. Weasley checked for any curses or jinxes, explaining that he'd also made some accommodations. Made of silver, it was designed to look like a laurel wreath. Susanna was reluctant to accept it, wondering just how much Ginny and her parents had spent on it. Nevertheless, she slid it onto her finger, then froze in awe as the loose metal tightened so it wouldn't be in danger of falling off.
Hermione had sent Susanna a new set of crystal phials, explaining that she'd asked her parents to take her to Diagon Alley as soon as they'd collected her from King's Cross.
Other than her birthday, neither one of the cousins had heard from their friends since Ron's call. Susanna and Harry could only assume that the boy had warned Hermione against calling them, which was a shame as the bushy-haired girl was a Muggle-born, and therefore knew how to properly use a telephone. The only silver lining was that, after swearing to Vernon Dursley that no letters would be sent to the cousins' friends, Hedwig was allowed out at night. Harry was still allowed to go into London with Susanna, but they were only allowed an extra hour before they had to return to Privet Drive. They ate their meals in their rooms, which consisted of Dudley's leftovers. More often than not, Susanna and Harry were only left with a salad, as Susanna's twin despised eating his greens.
"Suze, do you think this'll work?" Susanna heard her cousin whisper, breaking her from her musings. She turned to Harry, who was quietly making his way over to her, holding out his book. She narrowed her eyes, angling the lamp so she could read the text more clearly.
Non-magic people (more commonly known as Muggles) were particularly afraid of magic in medieval times, but not very good at recognizing it. On the rare occasion that they did catch a real witch or wizard, burning had no effect whatsoever. The witch or wizard would perform a basic Flame Freezing Charm and then pretend to shriek with pain while enjoying a gentle, tickling sensation. Indeed, Wendelin the Weird enjoyed being burned so much that she allowed herself to be caught no less than forty-seven times in various disguises.
"Yeah, you're good." Susanna muttered back. As Harry returned to his bed, Susanna eyed the clock on the desk.
11:59 PM. Only one minute until midnight, and Harry's 13th birthday. Making sure her cousin was suitably distracted, she cracked open her old jewelry box, eyeing the cupcake and gift hidden inside. As Harry wrote as quietly as he was capable, lest her family hear his quill scratching if they were to wake, Susanna looked at the clock once more, smiling when it changed.
"Harry?" She whispered, turning to her cousin as soon as she was holding his gift and treat. He looked up, a wide smile blooming on his face. "Happy Birthday!" Her cheer was quiet as a mouse.
"When did - thank you." He carefully hugged her, forcing a piece of his cupcake into her hand when he grew tired of Susanna insisting it was all his. She was just glad she was clever enough to bring her Muggle money with her to Hogwarts, or Dudley would've robbed her while she was gone. She'd had just enough for the cupcake, as well as the new picture frame she'd gotten for his favorite picture of his parents. Harry happily replaced the old, cracked, and beaten one with the new. The cousins then smiled down at the moving photo of Lily and James Potter, the young couple happily dancing while autumn leaves fell around them.
"Once we get to Diagon Alley, expect another present." Susanna murmured, but Harry shook his head.
"No. This is perfect."
"I'm still going to buy you something."
"Whatever. I will, too." He snorted as Susanna rolled her eyes. "Too bad."
After a few more moments spent admiring his parents, Harry and Susanna returned to their History of Magic assignment. The only sounds that broke their silence was Hades rustling around on Susanna's bed and Dudley's distant, grunting snores. The red-haired girl was the first to finish her essay, citing other instances where wizards and witches had easily evaded capture by Muggles, or tricked their accusers into believing them dead. A few even found ways to prove their own innocence by framing the Muggles who'd caught them.
Harry only took another half hour to complete his, Susanna sketching a nearby tree as she waited for him to replace the top of his ink bottle and turn off his flashlight. They quietly packed their belongings into her bag, tucking it under a floorboard Harry had managed to loosen a week into their return to Privet Drive.
It was just a little past one by the time they'd both brushed their teeth. As Susanna climbed into bed, she watched Harry walk past her so he could lean on the sill of their open window. She knew he was searching for Hedwig in the starlit sky, not wanting her out late enough that the neighbors would see an owl flying into the Dursleys' perfectly usual home.
"Suze?" Harry whispered harshly, waving her over. Worried, she was quick to reach him, unsure what to do as a large shape flew towards them. Susanna's hand found the window latch, but before she could close it three owls soared inside, the cousins barely managing to leap aside. Hades hissed at their arrival, glaring at the birds before recognizing the snowy one as Hedwig.
She and the second owl were holding up the third in the middle, who appeared to be unconscious. Susanna and Harry were quick to recognize him as Errol, the Weasley family's owl, and dashed over to the bed. After her cousin untied the cords around the bird's legs and removed the parcel, Susanna carefully picked up Errol and brought him to Hedwig's cage. He opened a bleary eye and gave a feeble hoot of thanks before gulping some water.
Turning back to the other two owls, Susanna snorted at how pleased with herself Hedwig looked, carrying a large parcel. Harry accepted it, his owl affectionately nipping him as he relieved her of her burden before flying to join Errol.
Neither one of the cousins recognized the third owl, but knew where it came from. In addition to a third package, the handsome tawny bird was carrying a letter bearing the Hogwarts crest. As soon as the letter and parcel had been removed, the owl ruffled its feathers importantly, stretching out its wings before flying back out the window. Harry sat down on his bed as it flew away, silently urging Susanna to join him. She sat cross-legged, the packages in between them. Hades - not wanting to be forgotten - curled up beside his human.
Harry opened Errol's package first, ripping off the paper to discover a present wrapped in gold, along with a birthday card - his first one that didn't come from his cousin. Fingers trembling slightly, two pieces of paper fell out; a letter and a newspaper clipping. Harry read the clipping first, Susanna's brow furrowing as he smiled widely. Her curiosity was satiated when he passed over the cut-out article, choosing to read his card next.
Susanna grinned as she read the headline, and the short blurb that followed:
MINISTRY OF MAGIC EMPLOYEE
SCOOPS GRAND PRIZE
Arthur Weasley, Head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office at the Ministry of Magic, has won the annual Daily Prophet Grand Prize Galleon Draw.
A delighted Mr. Weasley told the Daily Prophet,
"We will be spending the gold on a summer holiday in Egypt, where our eldest son, Bill, works as a curse breaker for Gringotts Wizarding Bank."
The Weasley family will be spending the month in Egypt, returning for the start of the new school year at Hogwarts, which five of the Weasley children currently attend.
Below the blurb was a moving black-and-white photograph that included all nine of the Weasleys. They waved furiously at the camera as they stood in front of a large pyramid, smiling wide. Right in the middle of the picture was Ron, who'd seemed to have gotten even taller since Susanna had last seen him. His pet rat Scabbers was on one shoulder while his free arm was wrapped around Ginny.
Of all the people to win a large pile of money, Susanna was glad it was the Weasleys. Wealthy in all but money, they were the kindest people she'd ever known. They were the family she wished she and Harry had been raised by.
"Percy's been made Head Boy." Harry whispered. "Look, see his badge?" He pointed at the photograph, where a smug-looking Percy pointed discreetly up at his fez, where he'd pinned his badge. "Oh, wow." Harry murmured as he unwrapped his present, holding up what looked like a small glass spinning top. This time, he read Ron's note aloud. "'Harry - this is a Pocket Sneakoscope. If there's someone untrustworthy around, it's supposed to light up and spin. Bill says it's rubbish sold for wizard tourists and it isn't reliable, because it kept lighting up at dinner last night. But he didn't realize Fred and George had put beetles in his soup. Tell Susie I said hi, and that she's got another gift - I didn't know if Errol would be able to make it with both parcels, though. Let me know if you two are able to meet us in London. Bye, Ron'."
"London?" Susanna asked.
Harry nodded as he placed the Pocket Sneakoscope on his bedside table. Clearly all inhabitants of the room were trustworthy, because it stood perfectly still on its point. "Yeah. Ron wrote he'll be back a week before term starts. His parents still have enough for a new wand for him, which he's excited about."
"Good for him. It's the least they all deserve." Susanna commented, happily watching his cousin open the parcel Hedwig had carried. This one also contained a wrapped present, along with a letter. Harry moved so they could read it together.
Dear Harry (and Anna),
Ron wrote to me and told me about his phone call to your uncle Vernon. I do hope you're alright.
I'm on Holiday in France at the moment and I didn't know how I was going to send this to you - what if they'd opened it in customs? But then Hedwig turned up! I think she wanted to make sure you got something for your birthday for a change, Anna's gifts for you aside. I bought your present by owl-order; there was an advertisement in the Daily Prophet (I've been getting it delivered; it's so good to keep up with what's going on in the wizarding world). Did you see that picture of Ron and his family a week ago? I bet he's learning loads. I'm really jealous - the ancient Egyptian wizards were fascinating.
There's some interesting local history of witchcraft here, too. I've rewritten my whole History of Magic essay to include some of the things I've found out. I hope it's not too long - it's two rolls of parchment more than Professor Binns asked for.
Ron says he's going to be in London the last week of the holidays. Can you make it? Will Anna's parents let you come? I really hope you can. If not, I'll see you on the Hogwarts Express on September first!
Love from Hermione.
P.S. Ron says Percy's Head Boy. I'll bet Percy's really pleased. Ron doesn't seem too happy about it.
Susanna quietly laughed. "Only Hermione would spend her holiday in France doing schoolwork." She whispered to Harry, who grinned back at her. His smile morphed into intense awe as he unwrapped his gift, revealing a sleek black leather case, silver words stamped across the lid reading Broomstick Servicing Kit.
"Wow, Hermione!" He gasped, unzipping the case to peer inside. There was a large jar of Fleetwood's High-Finish Handle Polish, a pair of gleaming silver Tail-Twig Clippers, a tiny brass compass to clip to his broom for long journeys, and a Handbook of Do-It-Yourself Broomcare. Susanna nodded, equally as blown away. Even better to her, however, was how excited her cousin was.
Once he'd grown tired of exploring his new gift, Harry set the case aside to open the last parcel - really, it was three packages attached to each other. Both cousins knew who had sent it as soon as they saw the untidy scrawl on the brown paper. The first gift contained Harry's birthday cake. Harry and Susanna were glad that this one was as edible as hers had been. Ignoring the fact he'd have to brush his teeth again, Harry began to eat, practically forcing Susanna to have some as well as he glowered at his red-haired cousin.
Once they'd finished Hagrid's cake, the Boy Who Lived assessed the remaining two parcels. "One's for you." Harry passed Susanna's over, both of them jumping when it began to move. Frowning, her cousin quickly tore the top layer of his own gift, the cousins barely able to glimpse something green and leathery. Before it could be properly unwrapped, it quivered, then snapped loudly - as though it had jaws. Hades hissed at both packages, swiping at the one by Susanna.
"What the hell did Hagrid get us?" She whispered to her cousin. While Hagrid would never purposefully send them everything dangerous, he also wasn't known for his cautiousness when it came to wild animals. After all, he'd befriended giant arachnids, bought and raised a three-headed dog, and snuck an illegal dragon egg into his hut.
Harry poked his parcel again. Susanna slapped his hand away when his present snapped once more, hers doing the same only a breath later. She shook her head as her cousin reached for the lamp on his bedside table, gripping it firmly like it was a Beater's bat. Her eyes drifted to their door, hoping whatever happened next wouldn't get them bars on their window again.
"Suze?" Harry asked, gesturing to his moving book. "You rip it, I'll hit it."
"I hate you so much." She grumbled, wishing she was the one with the makeshift weapon. Quick as a flash of lightning, Susanna seized the rest of the paper of Harry's present. Out fell a book - a bizarre looking book, even by magical standards. It was covered in fur with carved fangs along the edges, as well as what was hopefully a fake little mouth, and four eyes. The Monster Book of Monsters was written in gold lettering along the top of the cover.
Suddenly, it gave another little shudder before scuttling sideways along the bed and toppling off.
"Uh-oh." Harry muttered unhelpfully, Susanna tossing her own parcel onto her bed - there was no way she was sitting near that thing, what was Hagid thinking?
She shook her head as Harry got up and followed the book as stealthily as possibly. It had shuffled quickly across the room, hiding in the darkest corner under their shared desk. Before Susanna could stop her cousin, he got on his hands and knees, reaching out for it.
"Ouch!" Harry nearly shouted as the book snapped down on his hand before flapping past him. Susanna grabbed the forgotten lamp while Harry threw himself forward. She slammed it onto the book, he pressed down on the fuzzy cover to hold it in place. "Grab a belt or something." He whispered harshly, struggling as the book tried to fight its way out of his hands.
"I'll make it two." Susanna agreed, rushing over to Harry's drawer and grabbing what he asked for. As he bound his copy of The Monster Book of Monsters, Susanna did the same to her own still-wrapped parcel. Both shuddered angrily, but were no longer able to flap around and snap at them. Susanna grabbed them and shoved the books in the very back of the closet. She was sure that it was only thanks to her father's and brother's loud, grunting snores that no one else heard the commotion.
After she returned to Harry's bed, Susanna moved in closer so they could read his card together.
Dear Harry,
Happy birthday!
Think you and Susanna might find this useful for next year. Won't say no more here. Tell you when I see you.
Hope the Muggles are treating you right.
All the best,
Hagrid
"Why on earth would Hagrid think that kind of book would be useful at school?" Harry asked.
Susanna shrugged. "Maybe we can use it to scare off the Slytherins. Or whatever version of Voldemort that decides to go after you next."
Harry groaned. "I just want one normal year."
"Fair enough. Last year sucked." Susanna murmured, eyes flicking to her left arm. There was no scar to prove the basilisk's fang had nearly killed her, and yet she could still feel it.
"It could've ended worse." Harry muttered back. Susanna looked over at him, frowning when she realized he'd also been staring at her arm.
The redhead cleared her throat. "Well, speaking of school," she reached over for the envelope bearing the Hogwarts crest, "there's this to open, too."
Harry nodded, carefully opening the envelope. He handed over the parchments addressed to his cousin, who eagerly began reading.
Dear Ms. Dursley,
Please note that the new school year will begin on September the first. The Hogwarts Express will leave from King's Cross station, platform nine and three-quarters, at eleven o'clock.
Third years are permitted to visit the village of Hogsmeade on certain weekends. Please give the enclosed permission form to your parent or guardian to sign.
A list of books for next year is enclosed.
Yours sincerely,
Professor M. McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Susanna pulled out the Hogsmeade permission form and looked at it, lips twisting in worry. While she'd like nothing more than to visit the entirely magical town, getting permission from her parents would be near-impossible. Glancing over at Harry, she saw he had a similar thought, and squeezed his hand.
"We'll figure it out." She promised, but both cousins knew there was no guarantee they would.
Harry nodded, then turned his head towards the alarm clock. "It's nearly two. We should get to bed."
"Alright. I'll brush my teeth first." Susanna crossed over to their bathroom while Harry set his birthday cards on his bedside table. Hades was quick to curl up with his human as soon as the red-haired girl got under her sheets.
She smiled at Harry as he returned to his own bed, placing his glasses beside the cards. He fell asleep staring at them, Susanna glad that no matter what came in the morning, he'd had a wonderful birthday celebration.
Susanna woke up with a gasp, struggling to catch her breath. A quick glance to her left confirmed that Harry wasn't in bed before she began to cry into her hands. She missed the days where the worst of her dreams consisted of her being chased by laughing clowns or being chased by a monster in the Forbidden Forest.
Now, her nightmare was just a singular, terrifying memory; her brush with death. The burning sting she felt when the basilisk's fang pierced her arm was embedded deep into her consciousness, pervading her dreams. The only change was Fawkes, or the lack thereof. Susanna would wake up dying, Harry's sobs and Voldemort's chilling laughter echoing in her ears.
Susanna began to calm down when she felt Hades licking at her face, purring on her chest. She pet the worried cat as soon as she'd wiped the tears off her face, sitting up to cuddle with him. Checking the clock and seeing it was past breakfast, the redhead groaned before regrettably leaving the comfort of her bed, springy as the mattress was. Hades meowed as he followed her into the bathroom, circling her bare ankles as she brushed her teeth and splashed cold water on her face. Hearing her bedroom door burst open, she prepared herself for whatever roaring lecture her parents were about to give. Susanna exhaled with relief when she realized it was only her cousin - still the birthday boy - though it faded when she took in his dark expression.
"What is it? They can't have ruined your birthday this early." She tried to joke, but was met with a scoff as her cousin sat down on his bed.
"Aunt Marge is coming. Today."
Susanna froze. "What? She-she's coming here?" Harry nodded. Still in shock, the redhead sat down on her own bed, distantly aware of Hades leaping onto her lap.
Aunt Marge was her father's sister. Until she was nine, they'd had a good relationship, although it was obvious Dudley had always been her favorite. It probably helped that her aunt would rarely come to visit - distance making the heart fonder, and all that - on account of all of her dogs. Still, her visits once brought a copious amount of presents and time off from ballet class.
Even after her father learned she could do magic when she was eight, aunt Marge didn't treat her any differently. Susanna suspected that Vernon Dursley didn't want his sister to know anything strange was going on under his roof. He played the doting father when she visited or called - but was always quick to tell his daughter that it was a temporary act.
It was her relationship with Harry that changed the one she'd had with her aunt. Susanna used to take pleasure in how her cousin was treated by the large woman, from the box of dog biscuits she'd present him as a "gift" most Christmases, to the time aunt Marge had hit Harry in the shins with her cane to stop him from beating the Dursley twins at musical statues. A year after Susanna saved Harry from falling to his death, she defended her cousin from one of her aunt's cruel remarks. Before Vernon Dursley could come up with a reason for his daughter's behavior, the redheaded girl told her aunt exactly what she thought about her. She'd yet to be acknowledged by the woman since, Dudley reveling in all the extra attention their aunt paid him.
"I was wondering why mum had us deep-cleaning the house this week." The redhead snarked, voice laced with lingering exhaustion.
"She'll be here for a week." Harry informed his cousin, who groaned. "We've obviously got a few rules to follow -"
"Let me guess," Susanna cleared her throat, "'Mind your tongue when talking to aunt Marge!'" She gruffed out like her father.
Harry snorted, but there was little joy in the sound. "Pretty much. I told him that we would if she did."
"Bet he liked that."
"As much as he likes eating salad." Harry quipped. "Uncle Vernon also reminded me that Marge has no idea about our abnormality, so no funny stuff while she's around."
"Like she isn't the 'funny' one." Susanna retorted, her cousin humming in agreement. "Anything else."
"Apparently I'm entering my third year at St. Brutus's Secure Center for Incurably Criminal Boys."
"You are constantly breaking school rules."
At this, Harry snorted. "Like you aren't in detention every other week?"
"Hey! I did better at not getting caught last year. Remind me, which of us stole a car and flew to school in it?"
"You're never going to let me forget that, are you?"
Susanna smirked. "Nope."
"Laugh it up, Suze. Uncle Vernon told Marge that you go to St. Rita's School for Wayward Girls."
"Could be worse. I could be 'Incurably Criminal'. Hey!" Susanna laughed as Harry threw his pillow at her face. She caught it before it could hit its target. "Do you think she's bringing Ripper?"
"You know she will."
Susanna grinned. "Should I sic Hades on him?"
"As entertaining as that would be, you know it wouldn't end well."
The redhead sighed, lifting her cat so he was cradled comfortably against her chest. "Yeah, I know. Don't worry, sweetheart," she cooed to Hades, "I won't let aunt Marge or her spoiled dog anywhere near you." Hades meowed. Susanna then offered her cousin a sad smile. "I'm sorry this ruined your birthday."
Harry waved her off. "I've got this morning to hold onto. As far as I'm concerned, it was pretty great." She followed his gaze to the birthday cards resting on his bedside table. "I spoke to uncle Vernon about signing the Hogsmeade permission slip."
Susanna blinked at her cousin. "Is that a blood joke? Are you taking the piss?"
"It's my birthday, you can't be rude to me!" Harry argued, chuckling softly. "I did. I don't even know why. One minute I was in the kitchen and the next I was following your dad into the hall. He said he'd only sign after Marge leaves, long as I've toed the line." He bit his lip, guilt filling his eyes. "He, uh, he refused to sign yours, though."
"Oh." Susanna swallowed, unsure why she was affected by her father's rejection - she'd become well accustomed to it by then. "Did he, erm, say why?"
"Yeah. He said you'd have to ask him yourself."
Susanna snorted. "Might as well just ask my mother. He hates me more than you."
"I should've thought of asking aunt Petunia." Harry scolded himself.
"We both know she'd have laughed you out of the kitchen. She'll probably do the same to me." Susanna sighed. "I can ask her to sign yours as well, anyways."
"We both know how your dad'll react to me backing out of our deal."
"Right. I suppose I should head downstairs, before mum comes and gets me herself." Susanna dug through the wardrobe to grab a change of clothes, settling on joggers and an old t-shirt.
"Good luck!" Harry called as he watched his cousin hurry out of the room, permission slip in hand. "We won't be going to Hogsmeade this year, will we?" He asked Hedwig, noticing she'd begun to wake up. His owl only hooted grumpily back.
For her part, Susanna was equally pessimistic. If asking her father was a near-undefeatable challenge, her mother might be the impossible option. Yet, nevertheless, she persisted; no self-respecting Gryffindor wouldn't attempt the most daring feat first.
"You're up late. Too late for breakfast." Her mother added as soon as she'd noticed the redhead had entered the kitchen. "Did your cousin tell you the news?"
"Yes. Aunt Marge is coming. I'm here to help get the house in order."
At this, her mother paused, and Susanna winced. "You never volunteer your help."
That's not fair, the girl thought to herself. Her mother never gave her the chance to, only barked orders at the cousins. "Why delay the inevitable?"
Petunia narrowed her eyes on her daughter. "The kitchen needs cleaning. Unless you've managed to make a mess of the house since last night, that's all that's left." She nodded to the cleaning supplies on the kitchen table. "I will deal with the dining room, I don't want you breaking anything."
"Wait!" Susanna started as her mother began to walk away. "I, uh, there's also -"
"You're wasting time, Susan." The redhead blinked, having not heard her mother's nickname for her in a year. "Spit it out."
"I don't know if you remember from when… when aunt Lily was at Hogwarts, but third years are allowed to visit the village nearby. I wouldn't be bothering you about this, except I need a parent to sign the permission form." Susanna swallowed as her mother continued to stare impassively down at her - honestly, Petunia Dursley was even more intimidating than Professor Snape. "So, I thought I'd ask you, since you seem to hate me less than dad does. At least, I hope you do."
After a few tense moments, her mother hummed, eyes slightly less narrowed. "Are you asking me to sign your cousin's as well?"
Susanna shook her head. "He asked me not to. He made a deal with dad."
"And you haven't?"
"We both know he'd never sign it." The redhead murmured. "He hates Harry, but he loathes me. Mum, I haven't asked you for a thing. I've done my best to be as normal as I can when I'm ho-here. When I'm here." Privet Drive hadn't been her home in years. "This is the only time I'll bother you about school, I promise. Next time, I'll go to dad. I was going to do it anyway, for Harry's sake, but I'll even behave the entire time Marge is here. I'll be the daughter you and dad always wanted me to be."
"Hm." The tall woman cleared her throat. "I will sign it, then."
"What?" Susanna couldn't help but gasp.
"Don't waste time by asking stupid questions." Her mother snapped, holding out her hand impatiently. Susanna gave the paper to her, still in shock as Petunia signed the slip aggressively with a nearby pen. The blonde woman slammed the form back on the table, sneering down at her daughter. "Consider this your birthday present. Now, clean the kitchen. I want it to see my own reflection in the floors when you've finished."
As soon as her mother disappeared into the dining room, Susanna bounced excitedly on the balls of her feet. Shoving the permission form inside her pocket for good measure, she got to work scrubbing the kitchen. Guilt bubbled in her stomach as she remembered Harry's had yet to be signed, but if her father was unimpressed with her cousin's behavior by the end of her beast of an aunt's visit, Susanna was sure she could forge his. She'd have done it, anyway, had Harry not suffered a moment of insanity and asked Vernon Dursley in the first place.
Half-an-hour later found Susanna being shoved upstairs by her mother, insisting she change into more presentable clothes. Not wanting to do anything that would see mother taking back her permission form, the redhead acquiesced. "Mum signed it. I'll explain later. The Beast's almost here." She quickly informed her cousin before grabbing her least-annoying dress. It took her no time at all to change, the bulk of her time spent putting her hair in two neat plaits while Harry barely attempted to tidy his hair.
"You look like such a girl." Her cousin teased, Susanna rolling her eyes.
"It's either this or I completely ruin my chances at visiting Hogsmeade."
"You said your mum signed the form, though." Harry nodded over at the slightly crumpled paper on her bed.
"I don't trust her not to take it back. She'd rip it up and burn it for good measure."
Harry hummed. "Fair enough."
"Susanna! Harry! You must make haste!" Petunia Dursley shrieked up the stairs. The teens snapped into action, hurrying down. "You look adequate, Susan. Do something about your hair!" The blonde spared a kinder comment for her daughter before turning to her nephew.
"There's no point. Aunt Marge is happier the more she gets to criticize me." Harry whispered to his amused cousin as Petunia began fussing over an irritated Dudley. Susanna nodded, glaring at her twin when he smirked over their mother's shoulder.
All too soon, they could hear a car pulling into the driveway. The doors clunked shut before heavy footsteps pounded up the garden path. "Get the door!" Petunia hissed at Harry, who reluctantly pulled open the door.
Aunt Marge stood on the threshold, having not changed since Susanna last saw her. She was as large and beefy as her father, and equally as purple-faced. The hair on her upper lip was in need of a trim. One giant hand held an enormous suitcase, and tucked under the other was a familiar ancient, evil bulldog. The redhead hoped Hades was still curled up in her bed, or things would get even more complicated.
Susanna scowled at Ripper as her aunt roared, "Where's my Dudders? Where's my neffy-poo?"
The redhead side-stepped her twin as he came waddling into view, blonde hair plastered to his round head and bow tie barely visible under his chins. Harry was less lucky, taking Marge's suitcase to his stomach when she lunged forward to seize her nephew in a one-armed hug. A moment later, the large woman stepped back, and handed Dudley a crisp twenty-pound note.
"Petunia!" Marge then shouted, striding over to her sister-in-law to bump her jaw against the other woman's sharp cheekbone.
"It's lovely to see you, dear." Petunia Dursley responded, tone pleasant despite her obvious irritation at the state her ironed clothes and well-styled hair were left in. "I hope the trip here went well."
"Perfectly well, dear. Now, I see my Dudders. Where's your other one?" Aunt Marge inquired meanly, having not referred to Susanna by her name since she last acknowledged her.
"Here, aunt Marge. It's wonderful to see you." Susanna stepped forward, offering the same smile she would when performing on stage. The large woman turned on her heel to stare the girl down, beady eyes roving over the young teen to look for something to comment on. There was a flash of irritation in those cold orbs, and the words that accompanied the expression were just as agitated.
"You look well, then. I suppose this new school's been good for you, eh?"
The redhead nodded, ignoring Harry's muffled laughter - he hid it behind their aunt's heavy suitcase. "Yes, aunt Marge." Susanna nodded.
"Where is it the girl's going again, Vernon?" The large woman asked her brother as he came inside, shutting the door jovially.
"St. Rita's School for Wayward Girls. A private school, of course, and one of the best when it comes to rehabilitation." The man announced, roughly patting his daughter's shoulder before gripping it tight enough to bruise. "She's still a ways to go, but it's been nice to see progress. Tea, Marge? And what will Ripper take?"
"Ripper can have some tea out of my saucer." His sister responded as she was led into the kitchen. Vernon kept his hand on Susanna's shoulder, forcing her to join them while Harry heaved the suitcase upstairs.
"Get our tea prepared, girl." He gruffed at his daughter.
Susanna bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from cursing her father. "Yes, sir. Would you like some fruitcake as well, aunt Marge?" The redhead asked the woman as she sat at the dining room table.
"Oh, I see what you mean about progress, Vernon. Fruitcake would be excellent." Aunt Marge smiled meanly at Susanna. "Hurry, girl, I'm quite famished."
Doubtful, the teen scoffed to herself as she prepared tea and cake for the family. It didn't take long to prepare, Susanna continuing to impress her aunt and please her parents as she politely served the large woman her tea before moving onto the others.
"Join us, Susanna." Her father ordered as politely as he was capable, Susanna swallowing nervously as she sat between him and her mother. She carefully watched as he poured her tea, worried he'd find a way to "accidentally" pour the hot liquid all over her. To her relief, he did no such thing, even supplying her with a thin slice of fruitcake.
"Your father was telling me he and your mother bought you a cat for your birthday. I hope you've taught the little beast to keep clear of dogs." Marge said to Susanna, the teen adding cream to her tea. She envisioned throwing the contents of the pitcher onto her aunt for a breath before offering a kind smile.
"I have."
"I hope so, or it'll be spending the week outside. I won't have Ripper being harmed by a feral feline." Marge warned her.
Susanna clenched her fork tightly. "Hades will most likely be outside, anyway." She said as diplomatically as she was capable. "Besides, he doesn't like strangers. He'll stay out of sight."
"Hm. I guess you are training it well." Her aunt responded before focusing on her tea and cake.
Harry returned just as Marge began digging in, Ripper lapping noisily beneath her feet. Specks of tea and drool flecked onto the clean floor, making the cousins and Petunia wince.
"WHo's looking after the other dog's, Marge?" Vernon asked his sister.
"Oh, I've got Colonel Fubster managing them." She boomed back. "He's retired now, good for him to have something to do. But I couldn't leave poor old Ripper. He pines if he's away from me."
As soon as Harry sat down at the table, the dog paused to growl at him, alerting the large woman to the boy's presence.
"So!" Marge barked. "Still here, are you?"
"Yes." Harry nodded.
"Don't you say 'yes' in that ungrateful tone!" The woman barked. "It's damn good of Vernon and Petunia to keep you. Wouldn't have done it myself. You'd have gone straight to an orphanage if you'd been dumped on my doorstep." Susanna shook her head at Harry when she noticed the dangerous glint in his eyes, but thankfully he managed a painful smile. "Don't you smirk at me! I see you haven't improved since I last saw you. I hoped school would knock some manners into you, the way it's done my niece." Marge swallowed a large gulp of tea, wiping her mustache before turning to her brother. "Where is it that you send him, again, Vernon?"
"St. Brutus's. It's a first-rate institution for hopeless cases."
"I see. Do they use a cane at St. Brutus's, boy?" She growled across the table.
"Er -" Harry started, his uncle clearing his throat and nodding, "yes. All the time."
"Excellent." Marge smirked. "I won't have this namby-pamby, wishy-washy nonsense about not hitting people who deserve it. A good thrashing is what's needed in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred. Have you been beaten often?"
"Oh, yeah. Loads of times."
Marge narrowed her eyes. "I still don't like your tone, boy." She snapped. "If you can speak of your beating in that casual way, they clearly aren't hitting you hard enough." Susanna felt rage bubbling up, clenching her fork once more. "Petunia, I'd write if I were you. Make it clear that you approve the use of extreme force in this boy's case."
Before she could attack her aunt, the redhead felt a bony hand wrap around her left wrist. She glanced up to see her mother shaking her head. Meanwhile, Vernon cleared his throat, perhaps worried Harry might forget their deal. "Heard the news this morning, Marge? What about that escaped prisoner, eh?"
Susanna frowned, momentarily distracted. Escaped prisoner? What escaped prisoner?
The week seemed to drag on, the cousins thinking longingly of life at Number 4 Privet Drive without Marge. Susanna was somewhat lucky, being able to escape via ballet lessons. While her parents would normally encourage Harry to join her so he'd stay out of their way, aunt Marge demanded he stay in her sight at all times. "Just so I can suggest some improvements, Vernon." She explained to her brother.
The redhead felt bad enough leaving him on his own for hours on end, but the fact her cousin had sent Hedgwig away was icing on the world's most disappointing cake. At least Hades had taken to staying in the room, the smell of dog putting him on edge. Still, Susanna made a point of stopping for Harry's favorite treats at the nearby candy shop when lessons ended, Dudley having yet to notice she'd taken money from his near-exploding piggy bank. Harry was thankful for the sweets, often brushing his cousin off when she insisted it was the least she could do. "You've done more than that, Suze. You're here for me." Harry argued the third night, after telling his cousin what their aunt had said that day. Susanna was still itching to jinx the woman into oblivion. "You should've seen her face when I made her glass of wine explode. Maybe I'll just focus on that from now on." Harry added.
"Just try not to do it again." Susanna pleaded.
Harry huffed. "I know, I know. I can kiss Hogsmeade goodbye if I don't."
Susanna shook her head while she stroked Hades's fur. "That's not what I'm worried about. I'll forge my father's signature if I have to. I won't go if it doesn't work."
"Suze -"
"I don't want them hurting you. Not more than they already have." Susanna began to tear up. "I'm scared something will happen, and I won't be here to keep you safe, to keep you from… to keep you calm."
"You think I'm not worried about the same thing when it comes to you? Don't think I have noticed the bruising on your arm." Harry nodded at her right shoulder, her father's grip from three days earlier still visibly lingering. She managed to hide it by wearing a long-sleeved leotard in class.
"I'm sorry my parents suck."
"Your mother less than your father, I reckon. At least, she likes you enough to sign your form." Harry reminded her, though there was no notable envy in his tone. "She still loves you, I think. In her own twisted way."
"Maybe." Susanna murmured. "I think it's just another way for her to control me. She knew I'd be thankful for signing it, and worried that she might take it back if I misbehaved."
"Probably." Harry sighed, sitting beside her on the redhead's bed, joining her in petting Hades. "We've only a few more weeks, then we'll be home."
The girl smiled as she thought of Hogwarts; the sprawling green grounds, the fresh air, the warmth of Gryffindor Tower. Her housemates, her best friends - the family she and Harry had formed in two short years. "Right. Home."
That is what she held onto for the rest of the week, until the final evening of Marge's visit had arrived. Susanna had decided to skip ballet to help her mother cook their extravagant dinner, the blonde woman thanking her as profusely as she was capable. The redhead even wore a nice dress, choosing the same one from the ill-fated dinner the year before; the one in which her father's potential client and his wife ran screaming from Privet Drive. Vernon Dursley glowered at her choice, but couldn't comment as Petunia gushed over the frills and color. Even his sister was suitably impressed.
"She's growing into quite the refined young lady. Keep up the good work, Susanna." She handed her over a five-pound note, making the redhead's parents smile with pride for the first time in years. Susanna was less excited to take the money, happily slipping it in Harry's pocket before the boy could protest.
Before the meal commenced, Vernon had uncorked several bottles of wine. Marge was more than happy to indulge, going through the first two courses of soup and salmon without a single mention of Harry's "faults". Vernon distracted her as they ate their slices of lemon meringue pie, boring the table with a long talk about Grunnings. Susanna and her cousin savored their small wedges of dessert, left hungry by their comparatively little portions of dinner.
"Can I tempt you, Marge?" Vernon asked as he brought out a bottle of brandy, Petunia having made the three adults coffee.
"Just a small one, then." His sister responded, her huge face red from the copious amounts of wine. "A bit more than that… and a bit more… that's the ticket!" She crowed at her full glass of amber liquor. Susanna glanced at her cousin, Harry nodding at the door. Both attempted to retire to their bedroom, but a warning glare from the redhead's father stopped them.
"Aah." Marge smacked her lips as she finished chugging her brandy, slamming the empty glass back down. "Excellent nosh, Petunia. It's normally just a fry-up for me, with twelve dogs to look after." She belched loudly, which Susanna would've found disgusting if it weren't for the two years she spent sharing a school with Crabbe and Goyle. "Pardon me. But I do like to see a healthy-sized boy." she winked at Dudley, Susanna's twin working on his fourth slice of pie. "You'll be a proper-sized man, Dudders, like your father. Yes, I'll have a spot more brandy, Vernon." Marge waved for her brother to pour to the rim of the glass once more, then gestured at her niece. "And Susanna, she's taking after her mother. You're a delicate little thing. Plenty of men'll want you, when it's time, so long as you remember to be the dutiful housewife. If you were more like me, maybe you'd get to be more free." The woman commented indelicately, and Susanna saw her mother flinch at the other woman's words. "Maybe it's for the best. Make sure she finds a firm man, Vernon, don't want to sully our bloodline with weak grandchildren."
It was all Susanna could do to keep from throwing up. She was thirteen, not a dog for breeding. Harry looked equally as disgusted. To the redhead's relief, her mother was horrified, staring at her husband to make sure he could see her displeasure.
Loving his wife more than he hated his daughter, Vernon cleared his throat. "We'll find someone suitable for Susanna. When it's time."
"Good. Now, this one here -" Marge jerked her head at Harry. "This one's got a mean, runty look about him. You get that with dogs. I had Colonel Fubster drown one last year. Ratty little thing it was. Weak. Underbred. It all comes down to blood, as I was saying the other day. Bad blood will out. Now, I'm saying nothing against your family, Petunia," she patted her sister-in-law's bony hand, "but your sister was a bad egg. They turn up in the best families. Then she ran off with a wastrel and here's the result right in front of us. This Potter," Marge said loudly, seizing the bottle of brandy so she could refill her glass again, "you never told me what he did"
Susanna's parents looked tense. Even Dudley paused eating to gape at them. "He, uh, didn't work." Her father replied, briefly glancing at Harry. "Unemployed."
"As I expected!" Marge gulped down her brandy and wiped at her chin. "A no-account, good for nothing, lazy scrounger who -"
"He was not!"
"Don't talk about uncle James like that!" Harry and Susanna shouted at once, and the table fell silent. Marge glared at her niece in particular, who refused to look away.
"Hm. I suppose I spoke too soon about your progress." The woman told the angry redhead.
"MORE BRANDY!" Vernon suddenly shouted, having gone white. He emptied the bottle into his sister's glass. "You two, bed, go on -"
"No, Vernon." Marge hiccuped. "Go on, boy, go on. You, too, girl. Proud of the Potters, are you? Proud of your parents, boy?" The woman slurred cruelly at the cousins, her focus finally landing on Harry. "They go and get themselves killed in a car crash - drunk, I expect -"
"They didn't die in a car crash!" Harry jumped to his feet, Susanna hurrying around the table to gently move him back and towards the hall.
"They died in a car crash, you nasty little liar!" Marge screamed, and Susanna turned so she could keep Harry behind her.
"Shut up, you miserable, fat hag!" The redhead snarled back, then yelped as she was struck across the face, the force nearly knocking her onto the ground.
"Marge!" Petunia shouted in fright, hands outstretched to her daughter, though she sat frozen in fear.
"She deserved it! You've a bad egg, you two! And you," Marge refocused on Harry, who's attention was on his cousin, worriedly examining the large red mark on her face, "they died, and left you to be a burden on their decent, hardworking relatives! Look at how you've ruined your cousin! You are an insolent, ungrateful little -"
Marge suddenly stopped talking, as though words had failed her. She seemed to be swelling with rage, and yet it didn't seem to stop. Her large face began to expand, her tiny eyes building. Her mouth stretched too tightly to speak. Vernon made a face, like he wanted to help his sister but didn't know how. Petunia looked horrified, and yet made no move to aid the other woman.
A second later, several buttons flew off Marge's tweed jacket, some hitting the wall while others slammed into Dudley's giant forehead. She inflated like a monstrous balloon, distracting Susanna from the throbbing in her cheek, the redhead staring at Harry in alarm. Her cousin only had eyes for their aunt, eyes narrowed as the woman's fingers blew up like ten large salamis.
"MARGE!" Vernon yelled, he and his wife crying out in alarm as the woman's whole body rose off her chair, bouncing off the ceiling. She drifted around in their air, making apoplectic popping noises. Ripper came skidding into the room, barking madly.
"NOOOOOOOOO!" Susanna's father seized one of his sister's feet, attempting to try and pull the life buoy of a woman back down. His efforts were futile as he was almost lifted off the ground as well. The man roared in pain as Ripped leapt forward and bit his leg.
A hand wrapped around Susanna's wrist, and the redhead found herself being dragged from the dining room by her cousin. "Come on!" Harry gruffed out, the door to the cupboard under the stairs magically bursting open as soon as they reached it. In seconds they'd heaved their trunks to the front door, then sprinted upstairs.
Susanna shook as she fumbled to pack what belongings were left, throwing them into a ratty backpack. She made sure she had their permission forms and Hogwarts letters, resigning to sign Harry's as soon as she could. Hades eagerly pounced into her awaiting arms, licking worriedly at her injured cheek.
"Suze!" Harry snapped, pillowcase full of books and presents in one hand, the other holding Hedwig's empty cage. "We have to go!"
"I'm ready!" Susanna hurried after her cousin, barely remembering to grab Hades's carrier.
They'd just reached their trunks when Vernon burst out of the dining room, trouser legs in tatters from Ripper's attack. "COME BACK HERE! COME BACK AND PUT HER RIGHT!"
"No! She deserved it!" Susanna shouted back.
Her father let out a terrifying roar, raising his hand to strike her, just as his wife and son appeared in the hall.
"Vernon, no!" Petunia shouted, Susanna jumping in alarm at her mother's command. Just as surprising was Harry moving to stand in front of his cousin, wand suddenly in hand.
"She deserved what she got." The boy hissed. "And you will, too, if you ever threaten Suze again! Keep away from us. Susanna, the door." The redhead nodded, fumbling with the latch. "We're going. We've had enough."
In the next moments, Susanna was being ushered gently into the dark, quiet street, heaving her trunk behind her. Hades meowed as he nuzzled into her chest, one arm wrapped tightly around him. "Harry?" The girl whispered. "Harry, where are we going?"
"I don't know." Her cousin responded, eyes narrowed on her cheek. "But anywhere's better than here."