Chapter Text
June 13, 1992
Padma watches as Harry walks off the train, with the rest of the “readers” in tow. Morag has tears in her eyes as she walks with Harry to meet his biological relatives.
Neville clenches his fists, as he stands next to Padma, with Fay on his other side.
“I wish I could help him too,” Neville whispers. Fay winces, and Neville reaches over, pulling his friend in for a hug.
Padma stares out at the platform, almost recoiling when she sees Parvati rush into their mother’s arms. Lady Geetha Patil hugs her daughter close, before listening intently as Parvati talks to her at top speed. Padma’s mother’s face twists into one of anger and disbelief, and Padma realizes that Parvati is likely informing their mother of the “stolen Gryffindor House cup”. Lord Viraj Patil, their father, frowns at the story when appropriate so as not to anger his furious wife further. He looks up halfway through Parvati’s tale, catching Padma’s eye as she stands on the Hogwarts Express.
Padma looks away quickly, turning back to Neville and Fay.
“If you ever need anything, you can come to me,” Neville promises Fay, as he hugs his friend. “Anything.”
Fay rolls her eyes and nods, before pulling away for Neville. “Thanks. Now, don’t you two have something to do?”
Neville nods, reaching his hand out to Padma. Padma hesitates for a moment, before grabbing it.
“Are you ready?” Neville asks. “All you have to do is get to my grandmother and request the sanctuary. We can take care of everything else.”
Padma nods. “Yeah, I can do it.”
Neville smiles at her, turning back to Fay and kissing on the cheek before the two exit the train car and step out onto the station.
Padma looks up to find her father staring directly at her as soon as she steps off. Her mom and sister look up too, with Parvati sneering at her sister.
Padma feels Neville squeeze her hand, which encourages her to turn away from her family. Neville pulls her away, as Padma’s family starts to move to follow them.
Regent Augusta Longbottom is as regal as ever, standing shorter than most of the crowd, but so distinguished that you wouldn’t be able to tell at first glance.
Neville pushes Padma forward, swiveling around to glare at her family as they get closer. Padma stands in front of Augusta and can’t help but feel a little intimidated.
Until the regal woman smiles down at her, almost encouragingly.
“Padma?” Viraj asks. “What are you doing?”
Neville sneers at the family. “So now you care about your daughter?”
Geetha Patil starts to glare at Neville and demands he move out of the way, but Neville stands his ground, glaring back at the woman.
Padma kneels down in front of Augusta, drawing the attention of most of the people in the vicinity.
Everyone turns to watch the scene with curious eyes. Padma’s mother starts to loudly question her daughter, as Parvati complains about her sister's “change in attitude” since she was sorted into Ravenclaw.
Viraj Patil just watches with sad eyes.
“Regent Longbottom, I request the sanctuary of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Longbottom from my House, the Aged House of Patil.”
Augusta stares down at Padma. “Heiress Patil, do you understand you will be forswearing your House by requesting this sanctuary?”
“I do.”
“And do you understand that you will become a Ward of my House?”
“I do.”
Even Padma’s parents don’t dare speak, as the crowd watches in awe. Wards are far from rare, but rarely is sanctuary requested in modern days. Rarely do Wards have to forswear their birth Houses. Even Heiress Davis was able to become a Ward of the House of Greengrass without the need to request sanctuary from the House of Davis.
“Do you swear to uphold the tenets of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Longbottom? Do you swear to serve and protect the members of our House, as we will do for you?”
“I do.”
Augusta Longbottom rests her hand on Padma’s hand. “I hereby declare Padma Longbottom, formally Heiress Padma Patil of the Aged House of Patil, a Ward of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Longbottom. Let it be known!”
Padma feels her bonds with her parents and sister snap and fade away, too weak to be maintained when Padma forswore her old House. Her bonds with her sister and mother have been threatening to fade away for months now, and even her bond to her father has only grown weaker since her sorting.
“Let it be known!” Lady Chang echoes, with her daughter and husband standing by her side. Cho smiles at Padma supportively, as Augusta turns back to Padma.
“Rise Ward Longbottom.”
Padma stands on shaky legs, Neville reaching out to support her as she does.
“Padma?” Neville whispers, leaning close to do so. “Are you okay?”
“Can we go home?” Padma asks, tears still pouring down her face.
Neville nods, moving them towards the floo, as Augusta levitates their trunks.
“Padma-” Viraj calls out.
“Lord Patil!” Augusta snaps. “Any correspondence to my Ward from your House should go through me. Do not speak to her. You have no right.”
Padma clings to Neville as he supports her towards the floo.
She doesn’t look back as they floo away. She doesn’t know if she has the strength to walk away if she did.
________________________________________
The crowd starts to disperse after the Longbottoms leave, whispering and mummering amongst themselves.
Anthony watches as Lord and Lady Patil argue publicly, while Parvati looks distraught at the realization that she has finally pushed her sister away.
Anthony flinches when he feels a hand on his shoulder.
“It’s just me,” Rolf says softly. “Padma?”
“She’s safe,” Anthony answers. “Morag? The others?”
“Distraught,” Rolf answers honestly. “The Grangers are dropping her off at her father’s place.”
“She isn’t staying with the Grangers?” Anthony asks.
Rolf shakes his head. “No. Supposedly they are following some plan Harry came up with. I don’t understand, but it’s Harry. He usually knows what he’s doing.”
“Is he going to be okay?”
“I don’t know,” Rolf answers. “You didn't … we could only hear a little bit through the fire. But Harry, he was begging for his life. Pleading. I don’t know if someone can go through that, can get that close to death, and come out unscathed.”
Anthony nods.
“Hey Anthony, your mom-”
“She isn’t here,” Anthony finishes. “I know.”
“Come on,” Rolf says. “You can have dinner with us and floo back later. Gramps and Grandma are waiting.”
“Actually … I think I’ll stay. At least for a few days.”
Rolf turns back to stare at Anthony, with a curious yet hopeful look on his face. “Really?”
Anthony nods, smiling at Rolf. “Yeah. For now at least. Is that okay?”
“Of course it is Anthony. You are always welcome.”
________________________________________
Morag sighs as she slams her trunk down in her bedroom.
As she expected, the house is empty. There is an envelope with some money in the kitchen, which means that Morag is likely going to be on her own for a little bit.
Not that she really needs her father’s money. Daniel Granger practically gave Morag the entire contents of his wallet, along with an actual credit card he had created for her, just so she would have enough to take care of herself for the next few weeks. She tried to stop him, but he wouldn’t let her.
Morag throws herself back on her bed. Just a few weeks. Harry’s plan only needs for her to stay here for a few weeks and then she can leave. They just need a little time, to gather some proof and give Wyatt some time to put together a case.
And it's not like she can really complain. She’s better off than Harry, in any case. She might be alone, but at least she’s not surrounded by monsters.
Morag climbs under her comforter, not even bothering to pull off her clothes as she curls up in her bed. Her sheets are a little dusty and clearly haven’t been cleaned since this summer, which is likely to set off her allergies, but Morag can’t bring herself to care.
Because she’s all alone, and Harry is out there, suffering because they couldn’t keep him away from his abusers.
________________________________________
Draco floos back to Malfoy Manor by himself, his parents too busy talking to other Lords and Ladies from the Dark Alliance to even notice when he leaves.
Draco throws his trunk down, and it’s immediately taken up by one of the house elves to his room.
Draco glares at the empty space where his trunk was, moving to stop upstairs when a voice stops him.
“Draco, that wasn’t very nice. Dobby is very stressed out right now, so there’s no need for you to add more to his plate.”
Draco turns to his cousin. “Dobby is always stressed. Sometimes I don’t know why we keep him around.”
Luna rolls her eyes at Draco’s antics.
Draco smiles at Luna, moving forward to hug her.
“I didn't know you were going to be here,” Draco says.
“Dad decided one research mission wasn’t enough this year, so I’m staying with you for the summer,” Luna says happily, hugging Draco just as tightly as he hugs her. “Isn’t that great?”
Draco beams at her. “The best.”
“Are Narcissa and Lucius being held up again?”
Draco grits his teeth. That’s one way to describe it, but Draco knows that his parents could leave anytime they wanted. “It looks like it.”
Luna pulls away from Draco, leaning up to kiss him on the cheek. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. I’m just glad you're here.”
“Me too. Dinner should be ready soon. Until then, maybe you could explain to me all of these letters I’ve been receiving from Pansy and Uncle Severus.”
Draco grimaces. “I can explain?”
“You sound very uncertain about that,” Luna says, patting her cousin on the cheek, before leaving the room.
Draco sighs. His parents are bad enough, but Luna is much worse. He’s in for a long night.
________________________________________
Padma stares around her new bedroom, as she unpacks her trunk.
It’s much larger than her last bedroom, and more luxurious too. The furniture in this room alone probably costs more than all of the furniture in Patil Manor, and the bed makes Padma feel like she’s floating on a cloud.
She doesn’t know what she did to deserve this.
Padma hears a knock on her door, interrupting her thoughts. “Come in.”
Augusta walks into the room, glancing around. “I was just coming to check on you dear. Do you have everything you need for tonight?”
Padma nods.
“That’s good. About the things left at your old home, I’m afraid-”
“Have they been destroyed?” Padma asks.
Augusta sighs. “Truthfully, I don’t know. But Lady Patil is fighting me on gathering your things, and unfortunately, they may have the right to keep your items. Is there anything we need to replace?”
Padma shakes her head. “No ma’am, I have most of my things in my trunk. The rest was just extras. Nothing of much value.”
Padma started keeping her valuables in her trunk as soon as she left for Hogwarts, on the off chance that her sorting did not go as her family expected. Turns out it was a smart move on her part.
“Very well. We will go shopping sometime in the next few days, to fill in your wardrobe.”
“Regent Longbottom, I-”
“Augusta,” she corrects. “You are a Ward of my House now Padma. You can call me by my first name.”
Padma smiles at the woman. “Thank you, Augusta, but there is no need to increase my wardrobe. I have plenty of clothes. And there’s no need for you to spend any more money on me than necessary.”
“Nonsense. You are a Ward of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Longbottom, and you need clothes that exemplify that. Besides, our House has enough funds to purchase you a brand new wardrobe 100 times over and not even make a dent in our fortune. You will be taken care of, Padma Longbottom, and I will hear nothing more about it.”
Padma opens her mouth to say something, but falters when Augusta says her name.
Augusta sighs. “It’s all starting to sink in now, isn’t it?”
Padma nods.
“I wish this wasn’t required. Poor girl, I wish your family wasn’t so delusional. Ravenclaw is a perfectly acceptable House. And Merlin, even your associations with members of the Grey Alliance and Dark Alliance seems so small when you consider the students that you are actually spending time with. Neville has kept me well informed, and your year is … interesting to say the least. It's just a shame your family cannot recognize the changing political landscape. But their loss is our gain. Neville and I are glad you have you as a member of our House.”
“Why?” Padma asks. “I don’t understand why you would even accept me, let alone why Neville would come with this whole idea.”
“Neville has always had a big heart,” Augusta says. “And even though he is a gryffindor as heart, he values loyalty above all else. And you, Padma, are very loyal. Yes, you faltered but given the circumstances most people would. But you came back. You proved yourself to be a good friend to Miss MacDougal, and to the rest of your former friends. You proved yourself to be loyal. And our House could certainly use some of that loyalty. Like I said Padma, you are a member of this House now. We will protect and care for you.”
Padma just smiles at Augusta; afraid her voice will betray her if she tries to speak.
“Dinner will be in about 30 minutes dear. I’ll have Neville come and fetch you when it’s ready.”
________________________________________
Dudley watches Harry, as he works in the kitchen. Harry has a dead look in his eyes as he moves throughout the room, preparing the meal with practiced ease that makes Dudley feel sick to his stomach.
Dudley sits at the counter, watching Harry work and helping where he can, when his parents are looking away. Small things like handing the boy the salt or wiping a stray bit of flour off of his cousin’s cheek.
He smiles at his cousin when he can, trying to catch his eyes, but Harry is unreceptive. Dudley has never seen his cousin like this, so lifeless. His movements have none of the usual pep in them, and the few times Harry has spoken, his voice has been flat and monotone, betraying none of his emotions.
Dudley’s parents look pleased with the change, Vernon even commenting that Harry’s school must’ve finally beaten the life him after years of him trying unsuccessfully. Harry barely even winces at the remark.
The few times Harry acts like the boy Dudley knows is when he reaches over to trace his marks with his fingers, clinging to the support they provide.
Dudley resists the urge to glare at his parents throughout the dinner. Both Dudley and Harry have arrived back today, but Vernon cares to talk about nothing more than his work and Petunia about the supposed “scandal” of Ms. Wright having a miscarriage and how she must deserve it for daring to live such a godless life by getting pregnant before marriage.
Harry stands in the corner, waiting to serve his family. Dudley sneaks a couple of rolls into his pockets.
“Dudley, you’ve hardly eaten,” Vernon exclaims, spewing crumbs about.
“I’ve almost finished my plate father,” Dudley says.
“Yes, your first plate,” Petunia notes. “You are a growing boy. You need to eat.”
Growing boy? Yeah, maybe in belt sizes if he falls back to his old ways. He’s just starting to get some of his eating habits under control.
“It’s all that boy’s fault,” Vernon spits out. “He knows Dudley hates chicken pot pie. He must’ve done it on purpose.”
Petunia and Vernon both glare at Harry, as the boy stares blankly back at them.
Dudley winces. “Mom, dad, I don’t hate chicken pot pie.
Truthfully, Dudley used to. He still doesn’t like it very much, but years ago he used to despise it and would only eat two plates instead of his usual three or four.
Harry must’ve recognized that and cooked a meal to help Dudley with his urge to overeat. Damn him, Harry is going to get in trouble now for helping him. Why can’t he just let Dudley help him instead?
Surprisingly, Petunia and Vernon drop it as Dudley moves to grab a second plate. Harry frowns at Dudley does this, but Dudley shakes his head at the boy, making a motion to signal that he’s not really going to eat it, which helps Harry relax a bit.
Hours later, after everyone has finished eating, Harry has finished cleaning, and Dudley’s parents are asleep, Dudley pulls Harry away from the cupboard and into his bedroom.
“Dudley-”
“It’s ok,” Dudley says. “They won’t notice. You always wake up before them anyway. And you deserve to sleep in a real bed. I can take the cupboard.”
Harry stares at Dudley incredulously. “Will you fit? I barely even fit anymore, and you have done a lot of work Dudley, but you are still much bigger than me. Not to mention taller.”
Dudley blushes. “Well-”
“We can share it?” Harry suggests.
Dudley pauses for a moment before nodding. “Alright, that works.”
Harry climbs into Dudley’s bed, looking a bit uncomfortable before his cousin climbs in next to him.
“Hey Duds?”
“Yeah Harry.”
“If I get a nightmare, will you just wake me up. I should be ok afterwards.”
Dudley frowns at Harry but nods.
Harry stares at Dudley, almost searchingly for a few moments, before speaking up again. “Hey Dudley, there’s something I want to do, if you are okay with it. Not tonight, but soon.”
“Anything,” Dudley says.
“I want to bond with you.”
Dudley falls off his bed in shock.
________________________________________
Hannah knocks on the door to her dad’s office.
Mitchell looks up his work, smiling at Hannah. “Hey sweetheart. How are you feeling?”
“I’m fully healed dad, you can stop worrying,” Hannah says.
“Trust me Han, I’m never going to stop worrying. Ever. Especially not after what happened to you.”
“It’s ok dad. Harry saved me. I’m fine.”
Hannah takes the seat across from her dad, reaching into her pocket as she does so.
“Hannah, is something wrong?” Mitchell asks.
“It’s just … did you ever tell Harry where you worked?”
Mitchell frowns at Hannah, shaking his head. “No. You know I’m not supposed to. It’s a secret for a reason. Why?”
“Well,” Hannah says, as she pulls the Philosopher’s stone out of her pocket. “Harry gave me this to give to you. And I don’t really have another explanation as to why he would want to give it to you.”
________________________________________
June 16, 1992
Charles knocks on Rose’s open door, before letting himself in. “Where’s mom?”
“She’s been gone for a couple of weeks and will be gone for a couple more,” Rose says. “Something about her work.”
Charles frowns. “She’s been working a lot lately, hasn’t she?”
Rose shrugs, even though she knows it’s true. Rose has been spending most of her time in the library as late, trying to find something to occupy herself. Dad is even more distant than usual, and mom is gone, and she can’t even spend as much time at Abbott Manor now because it isn’t appropriate now that they switched to the Grey Alliance.
Charles sighs. “I’m sorry I haven’t been around Rose. I can try to talk to dad?”
“Why bother?” Rose asks. “He’ll just end up talking your ear off while he ignores me so what’s the point?”
“Rose-”
“Stop it, Charles. Don’t try to defend him.”
“I wasn’t-”
“Yes you were!” Rose shouts. “You always do. You always defend them and never me! You defend dad when he forgets my birthday and mom when she leaves for weeks at a time. You defend them when they say I can’t go over to the Abbotts while you spend all of your time with the Weasleys! You defend them when they send our brother back to those people, even after he saved your life! I’m tired of you defending them!”
“Rose-”
“For once, just one bloody time, I want someone to defend me instead! To give a damn how I feel. But you are always too busy, being the “boy-who-lived”. Well guess what Charles, Harry lived too. Just because he doesn’t have a fancy scar to show it, doesn’t mean he’s not just as special as you are if not more so. Wonder what that means for you?”
Charles flinches back. His sister has never sounded so cynical before. “Rose, I’m trying.”
“Try harder,” Rose replies harshly, gritting her teeth as she does so. “And get out. I’m writing a letter to Harry.”
“Rose-”
Rose turns away from Charles, ignoring his attempts to speak with her.
Charles sighs, leaving the room and closing the door behind him.
________________________________________
“What exactly do they know?” Tiberius asks, staring down at Gemma.
Gemma resists the urge to roll her eyes at Lord Nott, especially since she now knows who the third member of the Unspeakables is. After she revealed that she knew Mitchell’s identity, it was decided that knowing Tiberius’ as well was needed for the newest recruit.
“They know that this place exists and then Lord Abbott is an Unspeakable,” Gemma says. “That’s it.”
“Have they told anybody else?” Agatha asks.
“I don’t think so. Harry wouldn’t go telling everyone about Mitchell’s secret.”
“He already told three kids, so obviously he is telling everyone,” Tiberius disagrees.
Gemma and Mitchell both sigh, clearly exasperated with the furious man, and even Agatha frowns at Tiberius.
“Tiberius, that’s not how the ‘readers’ work,” Mitchell says. “Yes, Harry told them because they don’t keep secrets from one another. But trust me, if Harry was going around telling people besides them, we would already know about it.”
“It’s still dangerous that they know,” Agatha says. “Did Hannah tell him?”
“Of course not!” Mitchell exclaims. “But Harry lived at Abbott Manor for almost a month last summer. It’s possible he figured it out while he was staying with my family. If anyone could, it’s him.”
Gemma nods in agreement.
“Merlin Mitchell, now we are going to have to obliviate four first years to keep them quiet.”
Gemma scoffs. “Yeah, good luck with that.”
Tiberius turns to face Gemma. “Heir Apparent Fawley, I know you think that those four are different somehow, but they are still just children. Barely more than first years.”
“I agree with Gemma,” Mitchell says. “Those four aren’t normal, by any means. Harry is … he’s different by himself, but in combination with the other three, they might actually be able to stand against one of us, even if only briefly. Don’t you forget that the ‘readers’ faced two grown mountain trolls and survived. And that Harry stood against a murderous defense teacher and is still standing while Professor Quirrell is dead. Besides, we have to consider whether it is worth making an enemy of those four, when we could be allies instead?”
Tiberius opens his mouth to respond, but Agatha shushes him. “Tiberius, don’t act like your opinion of Heir Potter isn’t soured because you don’t like the fact that your son is so infatuated with him. It’s getting tiring to listen to your biased opinion. Mitchell, explain.”
“Simple. We have the stone now. They gave it to us.”
“They gave it to you,” Agatha corrects.
“Even better,” Mitchell says. “I have a personal relationship with Harry. A trust already built. And if I’m right about those four, any connection we have with them will only prove more fruitful in the future. So, I say we cultivate it. Offer them support.”
“You’re just saying that because you like Heir Potter and want to support him,” Tiberius says.
“Oh shame on me, wanting to support gifted and talented children instead of violating their memories. I’m such a monster.”
Gemma snorts, as Tiberius glares at Mitchell and Agatha sighs.
“Tiberius, we are not obliviating the children. And both of you, act your age. Leave the childish antics to the children please,” Agatha says, before turning to Gemma.
“And as for you, Gemma, we want you to keep an eye on the so-called ‘readers’ when you go back to Hogwarts. Support them if you can.”
“I’d love to, but that’s not going to work,” Gemma says. “They actually hate me now, because you two ordered me to literally hunt down one of them to retrieve the stone that they already sent to you. Morag and Hermione basically threatened to kill me if I hurt Harry in anyway, and Justin just flat out warned me to stay away from all of them. I’ve burned that bridge, and so have all of you.”
“They are children, make it up to them somehow,” Tiberius complains.
“They are not regular children,” Gemma disagrees. “They have fought side-by-side together. If I actually posed a real danger to any of them, I have no doubt they would try to find some way to remove me. Permanently. You need to stop thinking of them as just children and realize what they really are.”
“And what are they?” Agatha asks.
“Survivors,” Mitchell answers. “They are survivors. And dangerous ones at that, if they perceive us as the enemy. They may not be able to do much damage to us yet, but I struggle to not be intimidated by what those four could be in ten years’ time. We do not wish to be their enemy.”
“Then what do you suggest?” Agatha asks.
“Gemma, play the long game to try to regain their trust,” Mitchell says. “Do whatever you must. They have a history of forgiving people eventually if they show real change and progress. So change. And make progress. For the rest of us, we can use our children’s or grandchild’s personal relationship with the ‘readers’ to provide them support in the meantime. And Tiberius, for the love of Merlin, get your head out of your ass with regard to Harry. He’s going to be a part of Theo’s life, whether you want it or not. So find a way to want it.”
________________________________________
June 18, 1992
Hedwig flies into the open library trunk, landing on Hermione’s shoulder before starting to chirp incessantly at the girl.
Hermione sighs as she puts her book down. “Did someone send you to find me?”
Hedwig nods, flying out of the trunk and back into the house.
Hermione reluctantly climbs out of her chair and up out of the trunk.
Ever since she’s been back home, the library trunk has been the only place where she feels connected to her friends. Where she doesn’t feel quite so alone.
She still has her parents around, of course, but it’s not the same. It’s not the same as having Harry, and Morag, and Justin by her side, not to mention the rest of her friends.
“Oh good,” Emma says, as Hermione climbs out of the trunk. “I was wondering if Hedwig understood when I asked for her to get you.”
Hermione shakes her head. “Mom, Hedwig always understands. Remember that or suffer the wrath of owl poop in your hair.”
“Oh don’t be silly dear. Hedwig loves me. Mostly because I slip her extra pieces of bacon in the morning, but that’s besides the fact. Oh, and Justin is waiting on the phone for you.”
“Thanks mom.”
Hermione picks up the phone. “Hi Justin.”
“Hermione!” Justin says excitedly. “Any news?”
“Not since you asked a few hours ago, and I said I would keep you updated,” Hermione says.
“Oh yeah. Sorry, I’m just a little nervous about all of this. It’s bad enough having you almost 30 minutes away, but at least you are with your parents. With Harry and Morag, it’s almost unbearable.”
Hermione sits down in the lounge chair next to the phone. “I know. It’s miserable, not having all of you with me, but it’s even worse knowing Morag is completely alone, and Harry is …”
“Yeah. It’s the worst. Do you think it’s this bad because we’ve bonded? Or do you think it would be just as bad?”
“Honestly, I think it would be worse,” Hermione answers. “At least with our bonds, we have some sort of connection to them. But without the bonds, we’d be constantly worrying about them, wondering if they were even still alive.”
“I know what you mean. Those few times a day, when they tug on the bond so much that I can feel it, that keeps me going. I don’t know what I’d do without it.”
Hermione laughs. “Merlin, we sound like addicts.”
“I know. I still can’t believe it. It’s almost a year since I learned about magic, and my life is so much different now. Mostly for the better, but …”
“I know what you mean,” Hermione commiserates, feeling a shiver run up her spine. Those few agonizing seconds under the cruciatus spell were unbearable. Hermione will never forget the feeling. And knowing that not only did Morag and Justin feel the same pain, but Harry felt it even more intensely is like a kick to Hermione’s gut every time she remembers.
“We’ll be ok,” Justin promises. “Whatever happens Hermione, we’ll get through it. Together.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because we have to,” Justin says. “So we will. There’s no other choice.”
Hermione wipes a stray tear from her cheek as she rolls her eyes at Justin. “Is that Hufflepuff optimism I hear?”
“Hey, don’t knock my optimism. I’m sorry we aren’t all pessimistic like the genius Hermione Granger.”
“I’m a realist Justin, not a pessimist.”
“Sure you are.”
Emma pokes her head into the living room, finding Hermione glaring at the phone, as Justin can be heard audibly laughing on the other end.
________________________________________
Theo is a little surprised his father actually agreed to let him spend the day at Greengrass Manor, especially so close to him leaving for his Aunt and Uncle’s Manor in France.
Theo is even more surprised when he steps out of the floo, only to find Astoria waiting for him, looking at Theo appraisingly.
Astoria shares many similarities with her sister. In fact, they look almost completely similar at first glance.
But there’s a difference between the two. Daphne is regal and poised at all times, much like her father. Astoria, on the other hand, has always seemed shy and timid the few times Theo has seen her at events.
She certainly doesn’t seem timid now. Her posture reminds him of Lady Greengrass, kind one second but protective and ready to strike the next. She’s clearly sizing Theo up, judging the boy harshly.
“Heiress Greengrass,” Theo greets.
“Heir Apparent Nott.”
“Please, just call me Theo.”
Astoria stares at Theo, clearly unimpressed. “Follow me. Daphne and Tracey are waiting.”
Theo follows her hesitantly. “So, are you happy to have your sisters back with you for the summer?”
“Very,” Astoria answers shortly.
“Uh ok,” Theo says. “Um, Heiress Greengrass, have I done something to offend you?”
Astoria swivels around almost effortlessly, stopping Theo in his tracks.
“Did you know that Harry writes to me?”
“Uh, no I don’t think I did.”
“Well he does, regularly. And so do my sisters, of course. And while they don’t reveal everything, I’ve learned how to read in between the lines.”
“I don’t doubt that.”
“And I’ve realized that there was or is something happening in that private dorm the four of you are staying in. Some complications. I don’t like complications in the lives of the people that I love or care for. But I do tolerate the complications, in the case that they will eventually resolve and become good for those people. So, right now I’m trying to figure out if you are a complication that will resolve, or not. So to answer your question, Heir Apparent Nott, no you haven’t done anything to offend me. Not yet. Please don’t change that.”
Theo stares at Astoria for a few seconds before nodding. “Fair enough. I promise, I’m not trying to be a complication.”
“I believe you,” Astoria says, before turning around and walking away without another word. Theo hesitantly follows after her until they reach the lounge, where Daphne and Tracey are waiting.
Tracey runs into Theo’s arms, hugging the boy tightly. Theo smiles at his friend, hugging her back.
“Have you heard from Harry?” Tracey asks.
Theo shakes his head. “Either of you?”
“No,” Daphne answers. “Sorry we don’t have better news.”
“It’s alright. But you said you think he has a plan, right?”
“Yes,” Daphne answers. “He should be fine soon.”
“I hope so,” Tracey says. “Harry doesn’t deserve this. I mean, no one does, but especially not Harry.”
Tracey tucks into Theo’s side, seeking comfort from the boy. Theo wraps his arm around Tracey’s shoulder, pulling her close.
Daphne stares at two before turning away. Astoria stares at the trio with a pensive expression on her face.
The complication between those four is certainly not resolved.
________________________________________
“Are you sure about this Harry?” Dudley asks. “I mean, why would you want to bond with me? After everything I’ve done to you.”
“Dudley, I don’t blame you. You started to change years ago. You were just a kid.”
“But you were just a kid too, and you never did anything like I did. I was awful to you Harry. How can you even stand me?”
“Duds-”
“I just don’t understand Harry. How can you care for me after how I’ve treated you? How can you even look at me?”
“Stop it Dudley,” Harry demands. “You were a child. You were trained to treat me like crap from the day I entered this house, and you could have easily stayed that way forever. You might have been happier if you did. But instead, you looked past what you were taught and grew as a person. You became my family. Not because you are my cousin, but because you were the first person who ever gave a damn about me, at least that I knew about. So I don’t want to hear this self-deprecating crap, alright?”
Dudley nods. “Ok, but you still don’t have to do this Harry. You said that bonds are special in the Wizarding World. That they pass on abilities. That they are much rarer. I don’t know why you would want to bond with me in that case.”
“Because I want you safe, Duds. I want you to be safe. And with all of the shit that’s happened in this past year, that means I have to prepare you for anything. So I have to try this, even if it doesn’t work. I have to see if I can pass my ability onto you.”
“But Harry, I’m not a wizard like you. I don’t have a magical core. I can’t perform magic.”
“Not with a wand,” Harry agrees. “But wandless magic is different. It draws from the magic surrounding us. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll be able to draw upon that magic too. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, or even possible. But if you are willing, we have to try. Alright?”
“Yeah, alright,” Dudley agrees. “Let’s do it.”
Harry smiles at his cousin, as he reaches out to take his hand.
“I, Harry Potter, reach out to my friend, Dudley Dursley, with the intention of bonding to him. Do you, Dudley Dursley, accept my invitation to bond?”
Dudley hesitates for a moment, staring into his cousin’s eyes before answering. “I do. I, Dudley Dursley, reach out to my friend, Harry Potter, with the intention of bonding to him. Do you, Harry Potter, accept my invitation to bond?”
“I do.”
Dudley gasps as their joined hands start to glow. With all of the bonds he’s formed, the bond just appears after the words are said, there’s never any glowing.
Harry smiles when the light appears. He was right, it only takes one witch or wizard to form a magical bond.
“Let it be known that I, Harry Potter, have completed a bond with Dudley Dursley.”
“Let it be known that I, Dudley Dursley, have completed a bond with Harry Potter.”
Hedwig chirps at the two.
Harry turns to his owl and laughs. “Thanks for witnessing for us Hedwig, but you should probably get back to Hermione before she worries.”
“Does an owl witnessing even count?” Dudley asks.
Hedwig chirps angrily at Dudley, glaring at the boy.
“It’s ok Hedwig, he’s not insulting you. He just doesn’t understand how smart you are yet. Give him time.”
Hedwig begrudgingly nods, flying over to land on Harry’s shoulder.
Harry pets her feathers. “I love you too girl. But I was being serious, you should probably get back to Hermione soon. And apologize to her for me not giving her enough time to write a letter before I called you here. Actually, I explained it in my letter to her, so don’t worry about it.”
Hedwig chirps again, flapping her wings at Harry’s hair before grabbing the letter and flying off.
Harry laughs as she does so, as Dudley stares at his cousin in confusion.
“Don’t worry Duds, you’re stuck with me, so you’ll get used to all of this. Eventually.”
Dudley smiles back at Harry. “If you say so.”
“Great. Now, tomorrow we start training. And I’ll go ahead and warn you, I have been compared to a slavedriver by Morag on more than one occasion, so get ready.”
________________________________________
Hedwig chirps at her human one last time, before flying away with his letter clutched in her claws.
She starts to fly in the direction of her human’s curly haired bonded friend, before she feels a burst of magic next to her. A hand reaches out to grab the letter from Hedwig’s claws.
Hedwig squawks, hoping to get her human’s attention, but she’s flown too far to be heard.
Hedwig flies above the hand, moving backwards to survey the scene and find the thief. Hedwig feels another burst of magic, as a creature appears on her left side.
Hedwig dodges the creature’s hand again, staring at the it’s small frame and beady eyes.
Hedwig squawks at the creature, before trying to fly away.
“Dobby doesn’t wish to hurt you, birdy,” the creature cries out, as Hedwig tries to flee.
Dobby pops next to Hedwig again, and Hedwig knows she won’t be able to fly away from the creature. She can’t outpace a creature that can teleport.
Hedwig flies toward the creature, switching the letter to her left claw as she poises her right claw to strike the creature’s eye.
Dobby manages to turn away from Hedwig’s attack, keeping her claws from striking his eye, but still winces at the savage clawing from the small bird.
“Dobby does not wish to hurt Harry Potter’s birdy!” Dobby cries, as Hedwig continues to savagely claw and peck at the creature. “But Dobby cannot let birdy deliver Harry Potter’s letter.”
Dobby snaps his fingers, throwing Hedwig back and momentarily stunning her. Hedwig falls to the ground for a few seconds before regaining her ability to move, quickly flapping her wings before she collides with the concrete below her.
By the time Hedwig regains her senses enough to search for the creature, Dobby is gone.
Hedwig huffs angrily, before flying off in the direction of her human’s curly haired bonded friend. Her human ordered her to go back, and Hedwig already lost his letter. The least she can do is follow his other order.
________________________________________
Dobby lands in Malfoy Manor harshly, quickly snapping the letter away to join Harry Potter’s other letters.
“Dobby?” Luna asks, walking up to the house-elf. “Merlin, what happened to your face? You poor thing.”
“Dobby is fine, mistress.”
“Dobby, how many times have I told you to please call me Luna?” Luna asks, as she frets over the house-elf, much to Dobby’s discomfort.
“Many times, mistress.”
Luna sighs. “And it appears I’ll be telling you many more. Now, how did you get injured?”
Dobby turns away from Luna. “Dobby cannot say.”
Luna purses her lips at Dobby. “I see. Very well then. Come with me, so we can get you cleaned up.”
“That is not necessary, mistress.”
“Dobby, come with me or I will command you to tell me what happened.”
Dobby gulps. “Yes mistress.”
Luna smiles at Dobby, patting him on the head. “Come on now. Let’s get you fixed up.”
________________________________________
June 20, 1992
Fay sits alone in her room, staring out her window.
She half considers sneaking out to floo to Longbottom Manor, but decides against it. It’s not worth the argument with her parents.
Most people would think that Heir Dunbar and his wife would be happy with Fay spending time with an Heir Apparent of a Most Ancient and Noble House, but much to Fay’s displeasure, Longbottom is not the House Fay is supposed to be courting.
According to her aged Lord, otherwise known as her grandfather, the Potters are the most influential of the four Most Ancient and Noble Houses, and Fay hates that she actually somewhat understands his reasoning.
House Potter was the least affected of the four by the Reign of Terror, coming out unscathed with a young Lord who produced two heirs and an heiress, with Jacob Potter still being alive as well to inherit if ever needed. Not to mention the Potters’ fame that came with Charles being declared the “boy-who-lived”.
But the Houses of Longbottom, Ollivander, and Bones suffered greatly. The House of Longbottom lost two lords in Neville’s grandfather and then later Neville’s father due to incapacitation, not to mention Lady Longbottom’s incapacitation. Now the House is left with only a Regent and an Heir Apparent.
House of Bones is in a similar position, with only a Regent in Amelia Bones, and an Heir Apparent in Susan.
House of Ollivander is better or worse depending on who is asked. True, both their Lord and Heir Apparent are still alive. Lord Garrick Ollivander, owner of Ollivanders Wand Shop, and Heir Apparent Garrick “Gary” Ollivander, named after his grandfather and now only living relative. Some would consider the fact that two people in the bloodline are eligible for lordship and argue that that makes the House of Ollivander stronger. But Lord Ollivander has expressed desire to retire soon, and Heir Apparent Ollivander has expressed displeasure with the thought of taking up the lordship.
Which means that House of Potter is seemingly the most influential and in the least danger of dying out of the four Light aligned Most Ancient and Noble Houses. But Fay knows the truth. Lord and Lady Potter are fools at best and accomplices in child abuse at worst, Charles almost murdered his own brother and constantly acts like a pompous ass with only fleeting moments of dignity, Harry would rather dance on his parents grave them help them, and Rose is so neglected it’s a wonder she hasn’t run away.
Such a strong House they are!
But Fay’s pleading with her grandfather and Lord have fallen on deaf ears. Her entire family is convinced that she is putting their political position in danger by standing in opposition to Heir Apparent Potter by befriending Hermione.
Personally, Fay wants to tell them all to shove their concerns where the sun doesn’t shine. If they knew half of the things she’s done to save the members of the House of Potter ...
Fay slams her clenched fist down on her desk, barely even wincing as pain shoots up her arm.
If only they knew that she literally killed someone to protect those boys. If only they knew she placed herself in danger to save Heir Apparent Potter when he ran into danger with a half-cocked plan. If only they knew that she had to listen as Harry begged for his life after he also rushed into danger to save his idiotic twin. If only they knew Fay cast the killing curse to save Harry’s life.
If only they knew Harry owed her a magical life debt now.
Fay forces herself to relax, letting the tension flow from her body.
If they knew, her family would most likely leverage that fact to force her to be betrothed to Harry so they could be connected to the House of Potter, which Fay definitely does not want to happen. She does not want to jump into the middle of Harry’s love life. Not for anything. It’s crazy enough as it is. And she doesn't want to be betrothed at all, even if it was to someone she loves.
Maybe it’s better that no one knows. Maybe it’s better that her family, her House, is ignorant.
Fay just wishes they weren’t so fucking stupid too.
________________________________________
Marcus stares intently at the Gryffindor themed keeper gloves, as he and his moms peruse the Quality Quidditch Supplies.
“Looking for a gift for Oli,” Marietta teases, as she wraps her arm around her son’s shoulders, cringing a little when she struggles to reach over Marcus’ taller frame, even as he’s partially hunched over.
“Don’t call him that,” Marcus corrects. “That’s Harry’s nickname to use.”
“Yeah Marietta, don’t call him that,” Juniper laughs. “But Marcus, you didn't answer the original question.”
“Our two month anniversary is coming up soon, okay? And we didn't really get to celebrate our one month because it was during our OWL week, and then Harry was in the infirmary and it just didn't work. So I want to get him something special.”
“Aww,” Juniper and Marietta coo in unison.
Marcus rolls his eyes.
“Our baby boy is finally in love,” Juniper says to her wife. “It’s so cute.”
“They grow up so fast,” Marietta fake cries.
Marcus shoves his mother’s arm off of his shoulder. “Are you two going to actually help me pick out a gift for him, or are you just going to tease me?”
“Why not both?”
Marcus groans.
________________________________________
Ginny doesn’t even bother to knock before barging into Percy’s room, locking the door behind her, sighing in relief when she reaches the relative peace and safety that comes with her brother’s room. She smiles at Hermes, Percy’s owl, as he chirps at her awkwardly. The poor bird never fully recovered from one of twins’ crueler pranks, though he’s come a long way in the years since.
“Our brothers are idiots,” Ginny says, petting Hermes’ feathers to calm the bird as a minor explosion wracks the Burrow.
“I don’t claim them,” Percy answers, not even looking up from his desk.
“That’s an option?”
“It is now,” Percy answers. “I’m starting to get really tired of them. Especially after the Leaving Feast.”
Ginny nods in agreement, continuing to pet Hermes as he cowers at the sound of another small explosion. The bird has gotten somewhat accustomed to the peace of Hogwarts, so he’s having a hard time adjusting. Not to mention he knows the explosions are being caused by his former tormentors, which would set anyone on edge. Ginny coos at the bird, picking him up and carrying him over to Percy.
Percy accepts Hermes, cradling the bird. “It’s ok Hermes. I’ve got you. And I need you to deliver a letter to Penny, so I’ll ask if you can spend the night there to get away from here for a bit. How does that sound?”
Hermes visibly relaxes in Percy’s arms, chirping softly.
“Sounds good to me too,” Percy agrees, before turning back to Ginny, writing with one hand as he continues to cradle Hermes with the other. “Honestly, those three act like we stormed up to the Head Table and slapped Dumbledore. All we did was make sure that the right House won the House cup.”
“Did you even know about the plan?” Ginny asks.
“Oh yeah. Hermione and I came up with it together. We figured Dumbledore would pull something like that. I just didn't expect it to be so shameless. Most of the first years into the third corridor, but he only awards points to the gryffindors, Harry, and Hannah? And he only awarded points to Harry and Hannah because he knew he couldn’t get away with anything less. But then he awarded more points to Charles for what? Not getting killed? Harry’s the one who saved everyone, not him. Not to mention awarding Ron fifty points for “the best game of chess he’s ever seen”, like our idiotic brother didn't almost get two people and himself killed. And he still thinks he deserves those points. And mom is just egging them on. The only reason I’m not grounded is because Dad wouldn’t let her punish me, for once in his life. Bloody idiots, all of them!”
Ginny just listens as Percy rants, before hugging him from behind when he finishes, wrapping her arms around his neck as he sits in his desk chair.
“I’m sorry, I’m just frustrated,” Percy says.
“Trust me, I get it,” Ginny says. “Ron drives everyone mad, the twins are cruel, dad is a coward, and no one has to spend more time with mom than me. And I’m sorry you have to come back here and deal with all of this again. But I am glad you are here.”
Percy leans up, kissing Ginny on the cheek. “Love you too sis. And it’ll get better, once we get to Hogwarts. I promise.”
________________________________________
Dudley lays awake next to Harry, as his cousin and newly bonded tosses and turns.
Dudley wishes he knew how to help Harry with his nightmares, but there is little he can do. Little more than wait for Harry to suffer one bad enough that he needs to be calmed down from.
Dudley wishes he could do a lot more for his cousin. Especially after everything Harry has done and is doing for him.
The two have spent every free moment they’ve had since their bonding training Dudley to use wandless magic. Turns out, it is possible for Dudley to draw upon magic due to his squib status, but it’s significantly more difficult for him than it ever was for any of Harry’s bonded friends. Harry suspects that’s because Dudley is unused to the feeling of magic, whereas witches and wizards constantly feel magic through their core. But still, with more training, Dudley should be able to cast wandless spells just like the rest of Harry’s bonded.
Dudley can’t believe he’s going to be able to use magic. Just feeling it and drawing it towards him is a rush like he’s never felt before, but actually being able to use it? Dudley can’t help but be extremely excited at the prospect.
Harry starts to stir more vigorously, whimpering in his sleep as he twists and turns.
Dudley wraps his arms around his smaller cousin, running his fingers through his cousin’s hair to try to calm him.
Harry reaches out in his sleep, clutching the stuffed lion he carries with him to bed every night. He clings to the stuffed animal, relaxing a bit as warmth starts to emanate from it.
Dudley stares at the stuffed lion in confusion, before shaking it off. Whatever it is, it certainly is helping Harry through his nightmare, as the boy stops whimpering.
________________________________________
June 23, 1992
Tonks stares at her opponent with unease.
Alastor “Mad-eye” Moody stares back at Tonks with a devious smile plastered on his face.
Tonks has spent the last week working her way through the auror entrance exam. She completed all of the written tests, practical tests, and even situational tests. Now all she has left is the dreaded “placement test” to gauge how well a recruit can perform in battle against a superior opponent.
Usually they face one of the higher ranked hitwitches or hitwizards, but this year retired auror Mad-Eye has volunteered his services, in wake of the incident at Hogwarts. There were concerns that the crop of this year’s recruits would need more help and testing after all of the craziness with their last year of education. Tonks aims to prove them wrong.
“Are you scared, recruit Tonks?” Mad-eye asks.
Tonks doesn’t answer.
Amelia Bones, Rufus Scrimgeour, and Emmeline Vance sit on the sidelines to evaluate her performance, as the Head of the DMLE, the Head Auror, and a high ranking hitwitch, respectively.
Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt stands ready to referee the test.
“Recruit Tonks, are you ready?”
“Yes sir.”
“Mad-eye?”
“Damn right I am.”
“Then begin.”
Tonks expects the retired auror to rush her in order to knock her down, but Moody simply stares at Tonks with a grin on his face.
He’s going to let her attack. Interesting.
As much as Tonks hates to admit it, the “Color War” was a great lesson for her. Always be ready, and never underestimate your opponent. And fight dirty.
Harry took two people down with his bare hands, not using any magic to subdue them. Hermione almost won by betraying her alliance with Harry, and only lost because Harry lied about Anthony still being in the game. Morag and Justin almost beat Hermione and Harry by doing the unexpected and teaming up.
Tonks doesn’t dare go in for a direct attack. She’ll be slaughtered if she does.
Tonks also learned another lesson from Harry that day. If it doesn’t directly break the rules, then it’s fair game. He proved that when he levitated the referees to distract Hermione.
Tonks does the same when she summons the chairs her evaluators are sitting at towards the man. Amelia, Rufus, and Emmeline quickly jump up to avoid being carried away with them. Rufus glares at Tonks, while Amelia just continues to watch. Emmeline smiles, recognizing the move.
Moody disintegrates the chairs, but that just gives Tonks enough time to find other items around the room, both small and large, to levitate and summon towards the retired auror to throw him off his game.
Emmeline’s clipboard, the quill in Amelia’s hand, the door … it’s all free game as Tonks creates a whirlwind of items around the room that she manipulates with expert control.
If the “readers” taught her anything else, it’s that levitation and summoning spells are supremely useful and have many more uses than most people suspect.
Which is why Tonks had Emmeline use the adheris spell to stick her wand to her hand before the match.
Moody slams his staff down, and the items all fall to the ground as Tonks herself is blown back.
She watches as the man launches a stunner at her, and knows she has no way to dodge while she flies back through the air. At least, that’s what they think.
“Accio.”
Tonks goes careening towards the wall away from the stunner, almost slamming into it before she manages to regain her footing and cancel the spell. The evaluators all stare at Tonks in shock.
But Moody doesn’t hesitate. He launches another stunner at Tonks’ head, as the girl tries to gauge how much she injured her arm with that stunt. At least she was only carrying herself and not a whole other person like Harry was when he pulled the same stunt.
Tonks knows she won’t be able to dodge this spell either, and there’s not a chance that she can pull the same stunt with her arm feeling this bad. So instead, she decides to use her ability.
Tonks shrinks down, changing the length of her legs to that of a child and ducking under the spell, before launching her own stunner at Moody.
Moody swats it away, before launching a final spell at Tonks, knocking her to the ground.
When Tonks wakes up, she finds Moody smiling at her, holding out his hand to help her up.
Tonks takes his hand, letting him hoist her up.
“That was bloody impressive, recruit Tonks,” Moody exclaims. “First you levitated all those items, and then you summoned the wall to escape the situation, and then you used your metamorphmagus ability to shrink yourself to avoid another spell … you think quick on your feet.”
“I agree,” Emmeline says. “You lasted 34 seconds, Tonks. A new record against Moody here.”
Rufus Scrimgeour doesn’t say anything, just writing on his clipboard. Amelia Bones looks a little distracted, but she still smiles at Tonks.
“Welcome aboard Auror Tonks. You passed with flying colors. We’ll have your assignment ready sometime within the next week.”
Tonks is about to thank her, when Mad-eye Moody pipes up.
“I want to train her,” Moody announces.
Amelia, Kingsley, and Rufus all turn to stare at the man in shock.
“Stop gaping at me, I know you lot heard me. She is the best recruit I’ve seen in years. I want to train her, though you can still assign her to another team.”
“Alastor, you are retired,” Rufus argues, clearly not happy with the idea.
“Yet y'all still called me in here to help with this placement test. None of the other recruits lasted more than 10 seconds, and it’s been years since someone has lasted more than 20 seconds against me when they were just recruits. I want to train her.”
“Very well,” Amelia says, before Rufus can continue to argue. “Auror Tonks, you will be training under Moody at his discretion, paid of course. We will still have your assignment ready for you sometime next week.”
________________________________________
James knocks on his daughter’s door. Ever since Charles tried to speak with her a few days after getting back from Hogwarts, Rose has locked herself in her room and has refused to leave, having the house-elves fetch her food and books.
“Rose, sweetie. Can we talk?”
There’s no answer for almost a minute, before James can hear a faint, “I don’t want to talk to you.”
“Rose-”
“Go away!”
James sighs, moving away from her door. He doesn’t know what they’ve done to upset her so deeply.
Charles comes out of his room, staring at his father in shock. “Did you just … did you try to talk to Rose?”
“Yes,” James answers. “Why?”
“Why? You’ve never done that before.”
“Done what?”
“You’ve never … you know what, never mind. You should leave her alone. You’re good at that.”
James winces when Charles slams his door in his father’s face.
What in the world was Charles been about to say? Why was he so surprised by James checking in on Rose?
“Merlin,” James whispers to himself. “I hope Lily gets back soon. Maybe she can help me sort all of this out.”
________________________________________
“It’s a basic spell,” Harry begins to explain. “Probably the most basic offensive spell, and definitely the easiest to master. All it will do is knock the person back, how much depends on how much magic is placed into the spell. But generally when a person is knocked back, it stuns them long enough for you to get away. Which is why it is so crucial.”
Dudley nods at Harry’s explanation. “Can you say it again?”
“Flipendo.”
Dudley nods, before turning to face the wall. He takes a deep breath, before drawing the surrounding magic towards him, focusing on the intent of the spell and incantation.
“Flipendo!”
Harry smiles as the spell collides uselessly with the wall. “Great job Duds! But remember, only cast this in an emergency situation. Or any spell for that matter. You aren’t supposed to be able to use magic at all, and we both know how your parents will react if they see you using it.”
Dudley winces. “Yeah, I know Harry. I’ll be careful. I promise.”
“I know you will Dudley. Now, do it again.”
________________________________________
Amelia sits at her desk, staring at the written testimonies in front of her.
Amelia lets out a loud sigh. No matter how well Dumbledore manages to spin this, the incident will still have to be discussed at the next Wizengamot session. Almost all of the Houses of Nobility have heirs and heiresses at Hogwarts, and the fact that a professor tried to murder several students is an unprecedented oversight.
Amelia rubs the bridge of her nose, trying to quell her upcoming headache. She wishes she could just go back to Bones Manor and spend time with Susan. It’s been ten days since the girl came back, and Amelia has barely seen her between the auror entrance exam and this mess.
The worst part is that some of the children will undoubtedly have to testify in front of Wizengamot. For Heiress Dunbar, with little political enemies, it might not be that much of a struggle, but Heiress Abbott is considered a traitor by many in the Light Alliance, Heir Potter is as divisive as a person can be, and Heir Apparent Potter is the “boy-who-lived” and the enemy of almost the entire Dark Alliance. Those three will be questioned harshly, despite the fact that they are victims and witnesses, not accused.
But their testimony is crucial.
She has no choice but to issue summons for all four of the students and let the Lords and Ladies of Wizengamot question them. Hopefully the children have enough allies to offset their enemies.
________________________________________
June 25, 1992
Dudley didn't think it would be that big of a deal. He was only gone for a minute or two, to grab one of Harry’s potions out of his trunk. His cousin’s nightmares had been particularly bad that night, so much so that Dudley knew he needed to grab one of the dreamless sleep potions if either of them were going to get any sleep that night.
But by the time he made it into Harry’s trunk, he could hear his cousin crying out in his sleep, screaming and thrashing about as he relives his worst moments in his nightmares.
Dudley picks up his pace, almost dropping one of the potion bottles in his haste. He curses, not even hearing when he father stomps over into his room, throwing the door open.
He doesn’t even notice anything is wrong until Harry’s screams start to change.
He can hear screams of pain coming from his room, as Vernon hits Harry as he lays in the bed. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN DUDLEY’S BED!?”
Harry, dazed from being woken up by a beating, screams at his uncle. Vernon punches Harry in the face, making the boy’s nose gush blood, before grabbing the small boy by his hair and launching him out of Dudley’s room and into the hallway, right by the railing.
Vernon kicks Harry as the boy screams, too shocked to even gather his thoughts enough to defend himself. He curls up, trying to protect his head and face from the onslaught.
Dudley rushes up the stairs, as Petunia stares at the scene of her nephew being savagely beaten with a silent glee.
Dudley screams at his father when he reaches the first step, throwing himself at the large man, only backhanded by Vernon, which causes him to fall into the nearest wall.
“Vernon!” Petunia yells. “Not Dudley!”
“Stay out of this boy!” Vernon yells, as he continues to kick Dudley’s bonded repeatedly, Harry’s screams lessening as the boy starts to slowly lose consciousness.
“You’re killing him!” Dudley shouts, trying to grab his father, only to be backhanded again.
“Vernon-”
“Stop!”
Vernon ignores his wife and son as he continues to kick Harry. “Freak! Useless! I should have never let you go to that stupid school and get those stupid thoughts in your head, that you matter and are anything more than a freak! FREAK!”
“Oli, Hermione, Morag, Justin …” Harry weakly calls out for his friends, still too dazed and in too much pain to understand what is happening. Dudley has tears streaming down his face as Harry begs for his friends to save him.
“Dudley,” Harry cries, clutching his likely broken nose with one hand, while the other protects his head.
Dudley has never been much of a thinker. Even with recent changes, he’s always been more reactionary.
So, when he hears his cousin, his bonded, call out his name, Dudley reacts.
“Flipendo!”
Vernon Dursley goes shooting over the railing, already cracked from when the man was kicking his nephew against it just seconds earlier.
The man lands on the ground with a loud smack, and a cracking sound.
He doesn’t move.