Chapter 13: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
"Welcome Mr. Potter," Harry heard as he stepped into the last chamber. Lined with roman columns, in the center sat a gigantic mirror on a raised dais and in front stood…
"Quirrell!" Harry was incredulous. "How? What? I thought… Snape?"
Harry's brain appeared to have lost the ability to form complete sentences.
"Oh that traitor?" Quirrell said. "We will deal with him after we get the stone. Now-"
Quirrell raised his wand and bound Harry in the purple drapes that fell from the ceiling.
"-Be quiet while I figure this out," Quirrell said.
"But Snape tried to kill me," Harry tried to keep Quirrell focused on him. "He tried to throw me from my broom."
"No, boy!" Quirrell said. "I did. If it weren't for Severus, I would have done it too! Had Snape not knocked me down, I would have had you off it. Now, that's enough questions. Silencio."
Quirrell thrust his wand at Harry and Harry found he couldn't speak which was fine because he was still trying to piece together the idea of Snape saving him.
Harry examined the mirror Quirrell was looking into. It was large and ornate, with words carved into an arch above it. Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi
I show not your face but your hears desire, Harry worked out as he fought to be free of the drapes.
"I see myself with the stone," Quirrell said. "I am presenting it to my master. But how do I get it out? It must be in the mirror?"
"Use the boy," came a hoarse whisper.
"Potter! Get over here!"
Whether Harry wanted to or not was irrelevant. The drapes moved him in front of the mirror. Harry looked into the glass and, for a moment, just saw himself surrounded by mist.
Slowly, two figures stepped out of the mist to stand behind him. One, a male, had messy black hair and glasses. Next to him was a woman with auburn hair and green eyes. The exact same color and shape that Harry saw when he looked into the mirror every morning.
Mum? Dad? Harry thought. The figures nodded as if they could hear his thoughts. Harry drank in the sight of the two of them as four more figures stepped out of the mist. His eyes were drawn toward the smallest figure, the one with untamable bushy hair and amber eyes. Behind her stood her parents smiling and waving at him. On the other side was Neville, his godbrother, his blue eyes sparkling with mirth. Family, harry thought. You all are my family.
"Well!?" Quirrell grew impatient. "What do you see?"
Looking back in the mirror, Hermione was holding the stone with mischievous smile. She handed the stone to Mirror Harry placing it into his pocket. At the exact same time, Harry felt something appear in his own pocket.
Turning back toward Quirrell, Harry pointed toward his mouth and mouthed "I'm silenced, idiot!"
Quirrell removed the silencing spell. Rejocing at the ability to speak again, Harry said.
"I see nothing! I hear nothing!" He actually managed to smile at the rage that filled Quirrell. "I know nothing!"
"Insolent boy!" Quirrell thrust his wand between Harry's eyes. "What. Do. You. See."
Swallowing hard, Harry turned back toward the mirror. His family, biologic or otherwise, was all smiling. His father in particular was giving him a thumbs up.
"I'm with my parents," Harry said, trying to be convincing. "I'm unmarked and being handed the Quidditch World Cup. I'm seeker for the English Team. I'm being celebrated for something I've actually done, not for something my parents did for me."
"He lies," the unidentified voice said again. "Let me face him."
"Master…" Quirrell answered. "You are not strong enough."
"10 years I have waited. I am strong enough… for this."
Quirrell raised his arms and started to unwind his turban. A rush of terror filled Harry as the turban hit the ground and Quirrell turned around. There, on the back of his head, was the face of Lord Voldemort.
"You are one ugly mother fucker," Harry said to VoldeQuirrell.
"Just like your father you are," Voldemort said. "He too tried to taunt me… before he died. Your mother though."
Voldemort chuckled.
"Oh she was pitiful," rage grew in Harry's heart as Voldemort taunted him. "Pleading for your life. She didn't have to die. She was so much more important than she knew. How she would have been rewarded if she just moved aside."
VoldeQuirrell extended a hand.
Rather odd, Harry thought considering I am looking at the back of his head. Extending a hand backward? Okay then.
"Join me, Harry Potter," Voldemort said. "I have seen your power. You are not unskilled. There is much that I could teach you. Together, we could be unstoppable in bringing the Wizarding World back to its roots."
"Its roots," Harry said plainly. "Purebloods above all, creatures trodden upon? You as some supposed tyrant leader? It's been tried many times by many despots the world over, it never works. I'll die before I join you."
"Death," Voldemort laughed. "I guess ordinary individuals like yourself would concern yourself with it. It has never been something put much thought into."
"Then you are a fool," Harry actually managed to laugh. "Death is the next great adventure. One which awaits us all."
"How poetic," Voldemort taunted. "That phrase should come with a white beard. Now I've had enough games. Time for me to take the stone from your pocket. Now Quirrell!"
"Acci-" He started to cast before he was interrupted.
"Expelliarmus!" A familiar voice filled the chamber. "Relashio."
The drapes around Harry slackened and he dropped to the floor as Hermione pulled the invisibility cloak off.
"Ah the mudblood," Quirrell said after snatching his wand from across the room. "I was so interested to actually meet you after you killed my troll. You ruined a lot of things that day. If you had been killed, as I had planned, I would have had free rein to collect the stone."
So you planned to kill her!? Harry's rage boiled over. All for a distraction!?
Drawing his wand, Harry started to cast.
"Diffindo," he cast at the drapes, slicing them in half. "Wingardium Leviosa, Flipendo."
Harry moved the drapes toward Quirrell, one wrapping around his body and the other around head, blinding him.
"Incarcerous," Came Hermione's voice. Ropes formed around the drapes, binding Quirrell. Pressing the attack, Harry launched his blue flame balls, igniting Quirrell's robes.
"Enough!" Quirrell screamed as he broke the bindings, doused the flames and stood up.
"Not bad, Potter," he spat. "But see what happens to those who stand against Lord Voldemort."
He turned his wand toward Hermione. Terrified of the curse to come, Harry charged, knocking them both over. Quirrell wrapped his arms around Harry's neck.
"The Boy-Who-Lived," Quirrell said. "Dies by my hand."
Harry felt his air constrict. He clawed at the hands at his throat but could not pry them away. Looking up, he saw Hermione moving toward him. Time slowed as memories rushed through his brain. Her stopping to help him at King's Cross, the smile when she threw the bean into his mouth and the sound of her giggling. The smell of the vanilla shampoo she used on her hair. He relished in reliving everything about his first friend. He remembered their classes, competing with one another and enjoying the simple act of exploring their magic together. He remembered her hug that first night in Gryffindor tower, the first he had ever received. Then, there was Christmas and her exuberance at the presents that day promised. Last, there was the forest where she stood between him and impending death. Looking into those eyes, those brilliant brown eyes, the golden specks that danced within them.
If this is to be it, Harry thought, I am glad for the time we got. Thank you for your friendship, thank you for showing what it meant to be loved.
As Harry was about to black out, Quirrell's grip slackened. The man screamed as boils appeared on his hands.
"What magic is this!?" Quirrell said.
"Stop playing around!" Voldemort screamed. "Use your wand. Kill the boy!"
"Avada-," Quirrell started the incantation. Before he could finish, Hermione slammed into him, forcing his arm up and away from Harry. "Kedavra."
A green spell shot over Harry's shoulder. Knowing he wouldn't get another chance, he pounced, wrapping his arms around Quirrell's neck. With Hermione holding him down, Harry put his full weight behind his hands. Harry felt his scar split open, like someone was poking a hot lance into it. Forcing the pain into the back of his brain, Harry pressed on. Quirrell screamed in agony as smoke rose from his body. Soon, Harry was looking at a pile of ash in purple robes. A shade with Voldemort's face rose from the ashes.
Harry fell back onto his haunches as a black mist rose from the ashes.
"We will meet again, Potter," the shade said. "And on that day, I very much look forward to killing you."
"Nice melodrama, Voldy," Harry said. "Maybe work on your speech while you plot your return."
Watching it fly out of the chamber, Harry collapsed in exhaustion. The only thing keeping him upright was Hermione who wrapped him up in a hug. Using the sleeve of her robe, she cleared his vision.
"Your scar," she said, looking him over closely. "It's... bleeding. Has it ever done that before?"
"Never," Harry said as he looked her in the eye. "How did you get through? There wasn't another vial."
"I went back to the chess room and found Neville," she explained. "He was alert but we realized we didn't know how to get back through the trap door. Our only option was to fly back out and neither of us can fly. Then I realized: the room must reset every time. I went back in, found everything just the way we found it, donned the cloak and made my way through.
"I got here just as you found the stone," Hermione said.
"Thank goodness you did," Harry said. "I would not have been able to get loose without you. He would have gotten the stone."
"That was Voldemort, wasn't it?"
"Yes," Harry said. "Right on the back of his head. Thank you for coming. I probably would have been dead if it wasn't for you."
"Quite impressive, the both of you," Came a new voice from the entry way. Into the room strode a smiling Albus Dumbledore. "Facing down the Dark Lord like that? Quite the brave thing to do."
"How did you know to come down?" Harry asked Dumbledore.
"My boy, did you think the only thing on that door was a simple locking charm? I set up a detection ward that would alert me if anyone opened the door. From there, I set another ward at every doorway, to alert me if a someone was able to get passed an obstacle. When you set off the one with the mirror, I knew it was serious and headed back immediately."
"But how did I get the stone, sir?" Harry asked.
"Ah, a special touch of mine," Dumbledore smiled, congenially. "Only someone who wanted to find the stone but not use it, would acquire it."
Harry pulled the stone from his pocket.
"I believe we should return this to Mr. Flamel now," Harry said.
"Ah you know about Nicolas?" Dumbledore seemed amused. "You did do the thing proper then, didn't you? The Flamels and I have been talking and he feels it is time for the stone to be destroyed."
"Destroyed?" Hermione spoke for the first time. "But then they'll die."
"Yes," Dumbledore said sadly. "They have enough elixir to set their affairs in order. To the prepared mind, death is merely the next great adventure."
Dumbledore finished by looking at Harry, his eyes twinkling.
"You heard?"
"Yes. There is a listening charm on the mirror. I heard your entire confrontation with Quirinus. Your parents would be very proud, Harry. I remember your mother confronting Lord Voldemort once. She called him a- what was it?
"Oh yes!" He snapped his fingers. "She told him his mother was a hamster and his father smelt of elderberries. No idea where she came up with it but I've never seen Voldemort so enraged."
In spite of everything, Harry laughed though not as hard as Hermione as she knew where Lily's insults came from.
"Come on," Dumbledore said. "If I don't take you to the Wing, Madam Pomfrey will have my head."
Picking up Neville along the way, Dumbledore lead them to the Hospital Wing. At the door chime, a groggy Madam Pomfrey stepped into the ward.
"Please state the nature of… oh it's you," she said she laid eyes on Harry. Starting with the easier patient, she pulled her wand to scan Neville.
"Fractured sternum, mild concussion, acute exhaustion," she said. "A night of rest and he will be fine."
She moved on to Hermione.
"A few bruises, a contusion to the wrist and severe magical exhaustion. I'll keep you overnight just to be safe."
Last, she stepped up to Harry.
"Laceration to the wrist, burns on the hands and neck, exposure to dark magic and extreme magical exhaustion. Hope you like this bed because you'll be in it all weekend, Mr. Potter."
Harry and Hermione changed into pajamas that Pomfrey set out for them and slipped into their beds as Pomfrey administered a sleeping draught to Neville. Dumbledore conjured a chintz chair sat down between their beds.
"I have heard a lot about you two," Dumbledore said. "Professor Flitwick has been particularly effusive of his praise of you. He said your teamwork is quite impressive. I can see why. Combining your accuracy and speed, Miss Granger, with your power and creativity, Harry is a deadly combination. I shudder to think what will happen to those who challenge you once you are fully trained. That said, I am sorry that you felt it was necessary to take it upon yourselves to protect the stone, though I am glad to see you made good use of the cloak."
"So that was you who sent it?" Harry asked.
Dumbledore nodded and silence overtook the Wing. Harry finally asked the question on his mind..
"Sir, why couldn't Quirrell touch me?" Harry asked the headmaster.
"It has to with your mother, Harry. When she died, she powered a strong piece of ancient magic that protected you that night. Your mother loved you so much that the magic still protects you to this day. That love is something Voldemort has neither understood nor experienced and its mere presence is so toxic to him that he cannot bear to be near you. Since Quirrell was being possessed by him at the time, the same held true for him."
"But why is the magic still active, after all these years?"
"As long as you continue to have a blood tie to your mother, that protection will remain. That is why you were raised by Petunia and her husband."
"Does that mean you knew Voldemort was still alive?"
"I was not sure but I had guessed that Voldemort would not be so easily vanquished. Yet, he was not my only worry. At the time of his fall, he still had many followers and I would have thought they'd make killing you their number one priority. That is why I added a few wards around Privet Drive to keep you safe from his followers."
"So that means I have to go back this summer, doesn't it?"
"Yes. So long as you live there for at least two weeks out of the year, the wards will recharge and you will remain safe."
"I'm safe from Voldemort but not my relatives. They hate me."
"Now, my boy, they might not be doting, but I truly doubt they hate you."
Harry chose not to respond but instead changed topics.
"Why me? Voldemort told me in the room that my mother need not have died, that he was there for me. Why did you choose to kill a baby?"
"Alas, you ask the one question I cannot answer. Not today. Perhaps when you are older, I will answer but for now, you deserve to enjoy your innocence and your childhood a while longer.
I haven't been innocent since I was five and childhood? What childhood? Harry thought, venomously.
"Whatever you think is best, Headmaster," Harry said, trying to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.
At that, Dumbledore stood and walked away.
"That's bullshit," Harry startled to hear Hermione curse. "Sending you back to those… those animals just to keep you 'safe'. What about healthy? What about happy?"
"But you heard him," Harry said in a defeated tone. "I need to go back…"
"For two weeks," Hermione said.
"Pardon?"
"Dumbledore said you need to be back for two weeks," Hermione said. "After that, we're going to host you. I asked my parents at Christmas and they agreed."
"But…"
"But nothing, mister. You are staying with us and that's final."
"Well I know that tone," Harry smiled. "I've learned by now to not argue with it."
"Took you long enough," Hermione giggled.
Any mirth slid off Harry's face, something Hermione couldn't help but notice.
"What's wrong?"
"I killed a man," Harry said, looking at his hands. Pomfrey had put a salve on that healed his burns but he could still see them. His mind went to the screams as he pressing his palms to Quirrell's neck. "I can still hear his screams."
"Me too," Hermione said. "I close my eyes and I see you screaming, your scar bleeding. I see Quirrell choking you. I thought… I thought you were going to die,"
Tears slid down Hermione's cheek.
"I thought I was going to as well," Harry said. "When Quirrell had his hands around my neck, I thought of you and the memories of our year together. And you know what? I wouldn't change a thing."
"Me either," Hermione smiled tearfully.
"I thought Quirrell was going to kill you," Harry said. "When I think of it like that, I am okay with the trade-off. Stronger together, right?"
"Stronger together," Hermione nodded.
At that, Harry slid lower into bed and dropped into the most peaceful sleep he had experienced since he found out Voldemort was looking for a way to get to the stone.
Chapter 14: The Song Remains the Same
From there, the rest of the schoolyear passed quickly. Life returned to normal- or at least the Hogwarts equivalent of it. Recovered from the Hospital Wing, Harry was able to play in the final Quidditch match against Ravenclaw where Gryffindor flattened them 250-60. Were it not for Hufflepuff dominating their way through Slytherin 400-70, Gryffindor would have won the cup.
After their adventure with the stone, Hermione and Neville found themselves recognized along with Harry as celebrities among the school. What happened on the third floor corridor was a mystery but the school knew something had happened. Fluffy had been moved back to the forest, his barks no longer warning students away from the door. Meanwhile, defense class had been suspended after the "disappearance" of Professor Quirrell.
Nobody knew what happened but they knew it Harry, Hermione and Neville were involved. Soon, rumors started swirling about the "Golden Trio" as they were now being called.
"I heard they dueled Quirrell."
"I heard Quirrell resigned, is all. Apparently the vampire found out where he was."
"Granger must have tipped him off. She's smart like that."
"Arrogant Potter must have ousted him, thinking he could teach the subject all by himself."
"But what about Longbottom? I didn't think he was all that powerful. How could a squib like him outduel a professor?"
Harry laughed at the last one. Ollivander could not replace Neville's wand so Neville was forced to buy a new one and discovered just how powerful he could be.
In Charms, holding his new wand, Neville was looking at the quill in front of him. Flitwick was having them review for the final.
"Wingardium Leviosa," Neville swished and flicked. Instead of the quill lifting off the ground, the whole table did, floating three meters off the ground.
"Easy there, Mr. Longbottom," Flitwick twitched his wand and returned the desk to its original point. "That wand is definitely a better fit for you but remember the first lesson. Feel your magic and the connection with your wand. Exercise control at all times."
Meanwhile, Harry was having a different issue: keeping Hermione calm. That night, while they were sitting in the common room, Harry was trying to keep her from destroying the tower.
"Easy, Hermione," Harry said. "You're way too pent-up. You're going to give yourself an aneurysm."
"But this is our future, Harry," Hermione said. "We have to do well, both of us. They'll kick you off the team and me…"
She stopped short. Harry finally understood and slid closer to her.
"I know you want to prove yourself," Harry said softly. "That a First Generation Witch can be the best, that she can rise above all the rest, that she belongs here. Proving to all the pureblood bigots just how good she is."
Hermione hung her head.
"Know this," Harry said. "You're already as good as they are and no test will prove otherwise to me."
Leaning into him, Hermione closed here eyes and took three deep breaths.
"Thank you, Harry," she said, breathlessly. "I try really hard but sometimes it's hard being reminded how heavily things are stacked against me in this world."
"We will change that," Harry said. "It will take time and a lot of effort but we will. Stronger together, remember?"
"Stronger together."
"Do you see that, Gred?"
"I do Forge."
"Good thing McGonagall got her bet in. A few years and everyone is going to have their money on them. She got in when the odds were still good."
"Enough of that, we need to focus. We're really close to figuring this out."
Turning back to the parchment they were both working on, they bent low, speaking in whispers.
"Maybe if we added this…" George said.
"No we tried that, it gave us boils on our…"
"I remember! Maybe if change…"
If anyone in Gryffindor were paying attention, they would have been terrified.
A few weeks later, Harry and Hermione were walking through the courtyard after their final test.
"See?" Harry bumped her. "Nothing to it."
"It wasn't as bad as I thought," Hermione said. "Though I am still unsure about my answer to question 10. I wonder if I…"
"Look at the mudblood!" Draco called out. "Did your little pet perform up to expectations, Potter? Or will you have to get a new one next year. If you ask me, this one looks rather runty. You should throw it back."
As one, the rest of the Gryffindors stepped up to support their housemate.
"That's enough, Draco!" Malfoy turned to see an irate Daphne Greengrass, flanked by Tracey Davis and Millicent Bulstrode. "Don't you have anything better to do with your time? Go shampoo your hair again. It needs it.
"We have had it with you!" Tracey said. "You target Potter and Granger at every turn and every time you diminish our entire house. No cunning. No guile. You are a disgrace for a Slytherin."
"Greengrass? Davis? You dare speak to me this way? Crabbe! Goyle! I think it's time we showed these blood traitors what happens when you cross House Malfoy."
"No." Draco was shocked again. Standing there, their arms crossed were Crabbe and Goyle. "You belittle and demean us at every opportunity. Our fathers may be close but you do not own us."
They moved to stand beside Greengrass.
"See what your actions have wrought?" Harry said. "You think everyone below you but you do nothing to engender respect. You expect everyone to fear you based on what? Your name? Your father? Respect is earned and there is nothing that you have done to earn it, Malfoy.
"You insult and demean Hermione yet she will probably still be the top student. You call me Scarhead, as if that means anything to me. I used to think of this as a reminder that my parents are dead," Harry tapped his forehead.
"Thanks to Hermione, Neville and the rest of my friends in Gryffindor," he gestured to the other Gryffindor first years who had formed up after Malfoy insulted Hermione. "I have learned it is a mark of sacrifice, of protection, proving the love of my mother.
"Scarhead means nothing to me, just as you now mean nothing to your fellow Slytherins. Move along now and think about real hard about the road you are walking down, the wizard you want to be."
"Blood traitors, the lot of you," Draco said, stalking off. Only Pansy Parkinson and Theo Nott, followed in his wake.
"Thank you for standing up for Hermione," Harry addressed Daphne.
"I got tired of it, is all" Daphne said. "He makes all of us Slytherins look bad. No tact whatsoever."
"Potter," Crabbe stepped up. "We want to thank you. You're the first person to treat us as more than muscle-bound thugs. Given the improvement we've seen in Longbottom, we thought you might be able to help us achieve our true potential."
"So you're just using me to gain power," Harry chuckled at the pair. "How very Slytherin of you."
"Well, only a Gryffindor would be brave enough to do it," Goyle said. "Friends?"
Harry shook each of their hands. "Friends."
"I'm not sure if friends suits me," Daphne said. "But I'd like to be allies."
"That'll work for now."
"See you around, Potter," Tracey said as the new détente of power in Slytherin walked off.
"That was bigger than you know," Neville said. "The Greengrass family is quite influential. Forming an alliance is big deal for your future prospects. Gran's been trying to forge one for years."
"What was that!?" Ron said. "They're all snakes. You can't trust them."
"They're their own people and they deserve a chance, just the same as everyone," Harry said. "Malfoy is his own issue because of how he acts, who he is. Greengrass and the others have done nothing against any of us."
"Every wizard who went bad came from Slytherins!" Ron shouted. "You can't trust them. The second you do, they'll stab you in the back. You'll see. One day you will find out. Don't come crying to me when you do."
Ron walked away, taking Seamus and Dead with him.
"Don't listen to him," Parvati said. "It's been nice to break some of those boundaries. Slytherin's been easier to deal with since the beginning of the year."
"One year and you're breaking down house boundaries," Cedric walked up. "A Gryff making friends with snakes? You don't do anything normal, do you Potter?"
"Just wait until you see my next trick," Harry said.
"Oh lord, I don't want to think about it," Cedric laughed. "I'm used the mayhem of the Weasley twins but nobody could prepare me for this."
Cedric slapped Harry on the shoulder as the rest of Gryffindor laughed. They never noticed an owl flying overhead.
Lucius roared in anger at Draco's latest letter. He quickly set the parchment ablaze, letting it smolder on his desk as he grabbed his favorite decanter, pouring out a generous amount of caramel colored liquid.
This wasn't supposed to be this way! He fumed. Draco was supposed to "befriend" Potter, earning the brat's trust. Now he tells me he's lost all standing in Slytherin and that Potter has fractured the house.
Losing Goyle and Crabbe was NOT what had intended at ALL. That they formed up with Greengrass and Davis was worse. One day, they would inherit a Gamot seat. If the Neutral faction was to pick up two more votes, it spelled doom to the Dark faction. It all came back to Potter.
"Potter is the key."
That was the last thing the Dark Lord said before he went to attack Godric's Hollow. The key to what Lucius never knew but he knew that Potter was the key. Surely the Dark Lord could not be felled by a mere babe. Maybe they could use Potter to bring his lord back, to return the wizarding world to its former glory, with purebloods reigning supreme over all.
If nothing else, the light losing its favorite symbol would allow the dark faction to truly take over. Even now, it took a steady stream of gold to keep the minister from following the light faction. Even with that, the light was still making incremental gains.
For 10 years, Lucius had been trying to track down Potter to no avail. Black was rotting in Azkaban, meaning Harry couldn't be sent to live with him. Lucius knew he wasn't a Death Eater but it was advantageous to keep the last remaining Black in prison. It allowed Lucius access to the Black vaults through his wife Narcissa and in a few years, Draco would be the new Lord Black. It was such an irony that it was Black gold which kept the current Lord Black from accessing his titles.
He had dispatched Bellatrix and the Lestrange Brothers to the Longbottoms. Surely, that was where James and Lily would have sent him. Bellatrix tortured them into insanity. They would not give the location of Potter, if they even knew it. After the Longbottoms, Lucius, Nott, Crabbe and Goyle had tracked down the Bones. They would not talk and Lucius figured he would make their silence permanent.
If Potter wasn't with the families of the Great Alliance, where was he? Lucius raged at the time.
Then there was the break this year. Draco mentioned Harry living with his mother's sister, a muggle. Surely muggles would be no issue for a wizard like Lucius but there was no information ABOUT them. He had bribed a clerk in the records office at the Ministry of Magic but it was pointless. There was nothing about Potter.
Dumbledore might be a fool but he isn't an idiot, it would seem. He has hidden everything about the boy. To find out where he lives, I would need access the school records. To do that, I'd need to get Dumbledore out of the castle. As headmaster, he has final say over student records, past or present.
Lucius raged and let his mind wander. He was head of the board of governors but there was nothing he could do. He couldn't even contact Severus as Snape had no information of any student outside his house. He needed to get Dumbledore sacked. That is what he needed.
But how? He wondered. Dumbledore is beloved. Finding a way to get the board to approve his dismissal, I'd need… no…. It's too perfect.
Walking to a bookcase in the study, he placed his finger on a rune and the shelf popped forward, revealing an old black book, its leather worn, the pages yellowed with age.
"Lucius," the Dark Lord told him when handed him this book. "Hold onto this as if it were your very life. Within this is the key to reopen the Chamber of Secrets. You must keep it safe until I ask for it again. It is much too dangerous to reopen it now. Dumbledore suspects me still, I fear."
"Yes, my lord," Lucius bowed.
Lucius grabbed the book, feeling the weight of it in his hands. Thanks to the influence of Dumbledore, that law of Arthur Weasley's was sure to pass and before long this manor would be raided. Lucius knew it was unlikely they would find this concealed shelf but Lucius could not take the chance.
"If I do this right," Lucius actually grinned. He was so focused on his machinations that he failed to notice his desk burning. "I can discredit the blood traitor, keep this book out of the hands of Ministry AND get Dumbledore out. I'll be able to spin the Chamber fiasco to get the board members up in lather and then Harry Potter will be vulnerable…"
Lucius left his musing off, not noticing the little elf who was currently putting out the flames on his desk. Laughing, Lucius gripped the book and began to plan.
Back at Hogwarts, Dumbledore was pacing in his office, pondering Harry Potter. He extracted the chart that Madam Pomfrey gave him back in November.
Improperly healed bones…
Severe malnutrition…
Stunted growth…
All consistent with childhood abuse…
The words were appalling. In the letter from Pomfrey, it revealed that Harry told them their distaste for magic. Steps had to be taken, he knew. If he could, he would make it so he couldn't send him back but the incident with Quirrell had confirmed it: Harry needed the protection from his mother.
Drawing a quill, he started writing a letter.
Chapter 15: Highway to Hell
Warning: Strong language, violence and trigger warning for this chapter.
"I am really not looking forward to this," Harry said, looking at a brick wall.
"It's two weeks," Hermione said tentatively. "What's the worst that could happen?"
"Please don't tempt fate like that, Hermione," Harry said.
They were on Platform 9 3/4, waiting to head back into the muggle world. They had already bade goodbye to Neville and Susan. Ron took off right after the train pulled in, promising to write and invite Harry over for part of the holiday. While it still annoyed Harry that he excluded Hermione, he tried to be pleasant and polite.
"At least they don't know I can't do magic," Harry said. "That should at least keep them at bay. Are you sure you're okay to take my trunk? I'd normally take it but I worry what Vernon might do with it."
"Yes, Harry. We'll be fine. I promise," Hermione gave Harry one last hug. "If you need any help or us to come early, please let us know."
"I will," Harry just focused on the hug, drinking in the her warmth, remembering the smell of vanilla and lilac of her hair. "Thank you."
Together, they stepped through the barrier, they saw Richard and Helen standing on the other side, smiling at them.
"Mum!" Hermione ran to embrace her mother. "Daddy! Why are you on this side?"
"Well SOMEONE," Helen glared at Richard. "Forgot their special bracelet that would allow us through."
"You forget one little thing," Richard complained. "How are you doing, Harry?"
Harry shook Richard's hand before being wrapped in a hug by Helen.
"I am well, Richard," Harry said. "The term was… interesting."
"You remembered! I thought for sure I'd have to tell you not call me sir!"
"So," Helen cut in. "Two weeks from now, you'll be with us, correct?"
"Yes. I can't hardly wait. It's going to be a long-"
"Enough wasting my time!" Harry suddenly found himself in the iron grip of Uncle Vernon. "We're leaving now!"
Without further word, Harry was dragged bodily through the station, barely holding on to Hedwig's cage. One last look over his shoulder, he saw Hermione biting her lip in trepidation while Helen had a firm grip on Richard who looked murderous.
The last Hermione saw of Harry, he was pushed through the door.
It's going to be a long two weeks, she thought. She had no idea.
The moment they arrived at Privet Drive, Vernon forced a pad lock onto Hedwig's cage and showed a letter from Dumbledore to them.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Dursley,
I thank you for letting Harry stay with you again this summer. As you know, he will need to be there to charge the protection surrounding your home. As you would well remember, Harry is forbidden to use magic while he is at your house so you won't have to worry about being exposed to magic.
Have a wonderful summer,
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster of Hogwarts: School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot
Chief Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards
Dread filled Harry as he read what Dumbledore had written. Vernon looked down upon him with a malicious smile.
"I bet you thought we wouldn't know you couldn't do magic, freak. I hope you enjoyed your year," Vernon sneered. "Because you're never going back."
Harry was heaved up the stairs and thrown, bodily into the smallest bedroom. Looking out, Harry saw they had attached bars to the outside of his window. Setting Hedwig onto the flimsy desk before turning back to the door. Harry saw Vernon slam the door and lock three separate locks. At the bottom was a cat flap.
"Bathroom breaks at 8 a.m. and 5 p.m." Vernon said. "Don't worry about meals. They will be coming to you. Nice, huh? You get room service. Almost like a hotel."
Or a prison, Harry thought.
That's what you get for sending that bloody pigeon to us this winter. Wouldn't leave us alone until we answered yes. After a few weeks, I imagine she's going to look rather tasty. You'll have to describe the flavor to us.
"And I don't want to hear anything from you. We're letting you off your chores. so we're already doing you enough of a favor."
Vernon laughed as he walked away, figuring he had the freak well and truly trapped. In a matter of weeks, the magic would be squashed out of him and he could be a normal, upstanding citizen.
For Harry, things could not be worse. Every morning they would let him out to wash and use the toilet. Petunia laughed whenever she passed through the half a can of cold soup. To keep Hedwig alive, Harry was forced into splitting the already meager portion. To make matters worse, Pomfrey's nutrient potions were still active, making Harry crave more and more food.
On the third day, delirium set in. Harry no longer noticed the days passing. He sat in his room and tried to ponder how many days it had been. He knew Hermione would come get him in two weeks but he wasn't sure how long that would be. He focused on her, remembering all the good times they had through the year.
With Hedwig locked up, Harry could not even contact anyone for help. He had his wand, carefully stowed in his sock but he knew he couldn't use it, lest he get expelled.
Probably what Vernon wants me to do, Harry thought bitterly. He slid the window open to let some air in. Harry pushed as hard as he could to move the bars but the bars wouldn't even budge. Day upon day, Harry lived the same dreary routine in a daze.
By the end of the first week, Dudley had a new hobby. He would grab food from the kitchen and walk it by Harry's room, wafting the scent into his room. Petunia would take to hanging out next to his room and talk about the latest gossip.
"I saw Mrs. Robinson inviting a young man into her house," Petunia sniffed. "No doubt he was doing something unsavory. Then there's Dudley. He's out with his friends again. Isn't it great to have friends? My I can't imagine life without them."
This was Petunia's special. Vernon attacked him body and mind, Dudley didn't have enough of a mind to attack Harry's so Dudley just beat him. But Petunia? She went for the heart."
I do have friends, don't I? Harry said. He didn't expect anything from Hermione but he thought he might have heard from not Neville or Ron. Harry had not even seen so much as an owl fly by. As if on cue, the phone rang. It must have been the weekend because Vernon was home. Things were quiet for a while until.
"NOBODY BY THAT NAME LIVES HERE!" Vernon slammed the receiver down and stormed up the stairs. Unlocking the door, he advanced on Harry. "HOW DARE YOU GIVE ONE OF… OF YOUR KIND THIS NUMBER. WE HAVE ENOUGH FUCKING FREAKS AROUND HERE AS IT IS!"
So I do have friends, Harry thought before pain lit up his side. Vernon had unlooped his belt and slapped it across Harry's side. He hadn't done this in years but apparently this was a special occasion.
"Are you going to fucking behave?" Vernon asked he whipped Harry's back again. Hedwig screeched and rattled in her cage. She reached for the lock, she tried to tear it off, to no avail. "We aren't going to hear from any more of your kind, are we?"
"Yes!" Harry wheezed out. His back and side were bleeding, his arm throbbing in pain from trying to block the attacks. "Yes. I promise."
"Good." Vernon spat, literally. He turned and left Harry in a fetal position, locked the door, turned and said "No food for the rest of the weekend. Hopefully that'll teach you."
Day turned into night and into day again before Harry could move again, wincing in pain every time his shirt moved on his back. Harry tried to count the days, praying that the next morning Hermione would come. He was not lucky.
That night, Vernon came up to the door.
"Listen, freak," he turned his head sideways so he looked like a reptile looking through the window. All Harry could see was a single eye and part of the mustache. "I have a client coming for dinner. There will be no noise, no disturbances whatsoever. Got it?"
Harry groggily nodded. His empty stomach was the only thing keeping the pain from his back from being overwhelming. The doorbell rang. Vernon gave Harry one long, hard glare and moved down the stairs, his bulk making each and every step creak under his weight.
Moving back to his bed, Harry sat down heavily and stood back up rapidly as his bed yelped. Turning around, he saw a small creature sitting on his bed, its large tennis ball sized eyes trained on Harry.
"Hello?" Harry cautiously approached.
"The Great Harry Potter," the creature bowed. "Dobby is here to warn you: you must not go back to Hogwarts. It is not safe."
"Why is it not safe?" Harry asked, walking to sit down next to the creature.
"Dobby can not say, sir," Dobby started to pull on his ears. "Dark things are planned and Harry Potter can not be around. He must be kept safe."
"Have you warned anyone else?"
"No, just yous," Dobby said.
"Why me?" Harry was legitimately confused. "There are many students. Why is it important that I alone be warned, be kept safe?"
"Things have improved for us since you stopped He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named," Dobby said "At least most of us."
"And when you say 'us,' who do you mean?" Harry leaned in. "I don't mean to be rude but what are you?"
"I is a house elf, sir. Before you stopped He-Who-Must-Not-Be Named, life was bad for us elvses. Mistreated we were. Though Dobby is still mistreated, sir."
"Please don't call me sir. You can call me Harry."
"He asks me to call him by his name," Dobby started to wail, great tears falling onto the pillow case he was wearing. "I have heard stories of your greatness but I never thought you would be quite so humble."
"I am neither humble nor great." Harry said slowly. "I just ask to treated as an individual, not held up on a pedestal."
Harry looked at Dobby mopping his eyes with his pillowcase.
"Why do you wear that?"
"Tis the mark of a house elf, of our bonding with wizards," Dobby said.
"Bonding? As in slavery?" Harry was incredulous.
"Yes, sir. We elves have been bonded to wizards for centuries." Dobby explained slowly, nervous of the anger coming off Harry. "Through the bond we can share magic with our masters."
"And you cannot share that without the bond?"
"Some elves have done it in the past," Dobby actually seemed to contemplate. "Though not in centuries. That is not the way of things."
"But don't you get paid? Time off?"
"We elves work until we are dead. Master is particularly looking forward to when I perish. He makes me punish myself for 'misbehaving' in the hopes I will finally die."
"That's awful! Your master must be truly evil."
"Yes. Yes he is," Dobby sounded bitter, even hateful for a second. Realizing what he said, Dobby hopped up and ran headlong into the wall. Harry sprinted after him and caught him before he fell.
"Sorry, sir," Dobby said. "An elf must never speak ill of his masters, past or present."
"I'm sorry you felt you had to do that," Harry cradled the creature. Suddenly, the stairs thumped. Someone very heavy was climbing them. Panicking, Harry threw Dobby into his wardrobe.
"What the bloody hell is going on up here," Vernon was split between yelling and trying to keep their guests from hearing him. "You just ruined the punchline to my 12-inch pianist joke!"
Vernon backhanded Harry, sending him to the floor.
"Final warning: keep quiet." He wagged his finger in Harry's face. As Harry heard him storming back downstairs, he opened the wardrobe to talk to Dobby again.
"You see, Dobby?" Harry hobbled to the wardrobe, opening it. "I can't stay here. I belong at Hogwarts. Even if something happens, I'll have my friends to help me. Here, I am just as much a prisoner as you are. I've lived your life. Trust me, I have."
"If Harry Potter will not remain safe," Dobby said. "Then Dobby will make sure he is."
Dobby snapped his fingers and disappeared. Two minutes later, a great scream came from downstairs. Harry rushed to the door, trying to find out what happened but he was still locked in.
Again, the stairs creaked and Vernon came raging up to the door.
"You think that was funny, you fucking freak!" Vernon appeared to be covered in pudding as he worked the locks on the door. "You ruined my dinner and my deal! I have had it with your freakishness. I have tried to squash it out of you but apparently, I have to try harder."
Stepping into the room, Vernon pushed Harry backward into the desk. Curling his hand into a fist, he punched Harry in the face, snapping his glasses in half, breaking his nose. Harry fell to the ground, pulling Hedwig's cage with him.
Rage overtook Vernon as blow upon blow rained down upon Harry. Harry tried to protect himself but he heard bones breaking and felt ligaments snapping. Soon his arms hung limply at his side and Vernon started pummeling his chest. With each blow, Harry's magic started to fill the air. The room filled with a musty, acrid smell, as if the air itself were crackling with energy.
Sensing her familiars distress, Hedwig tried again to escape her cage. She screeched as loud as possible, worked to pry the bars open, snapping at the lock. Between Vernon's rage, Harry's panic and Hedwig's desperation, the potential energy of the room boiled over.
A sound reminiscent of a car backfiring echoed throughout the house. Vernon was thrown backward, the window blew out and Hedwig's cage exploded open. Stretching her wings for the first time in almost two weeks, Hedwig took flight straight at Vernon. Vernon howled as Hedwig's talons slashed down his arm. Grabbing the bird, he threw her off toward the wall. Looking at Harry, Hedwig gave a mournful hoot before turning to fly out the window. Vernon was too big; she needed help.
Watching Hedwig fly free, Harry breathed a sigh of relief for his familiar. Relief did not last long as Vernon picked him up. Blood pouring down his arms, onto Harry, Vernon threw him back onto the desk, his back snapping on the wood. His knees buckled and he collapsed down to the ground. Harry hoped someone in the neighborhood heard the commotion but past history did allow him to get his hopes up.
"That is just about enough out of you," Vernon walked up. He stomped hard on each of Harry's legs. Harry heard a brutal snap but, most disturbingly of all, he did not feel it. He tried to wiggle a toe to no avail. Vernon grabbed him be the hair and forced Harry to look him in the eye.
"Think twice about doing anything freaky ever again," Vernon pushed his head back down, stormed out of the room and locked the door.
As Harry watched him go, he finally spoke.
"Hermione. Please help me," he moaned as blackness overtook him.
(A/N: The follow up will be coming shortly. I don't want to leave you hanging on a cliff hanger like that
Second, to the review who claimed I lifted from other fictions: I did not intentionally lift anything and if it feels like I did, I apologize. I take plagiarism very seriously. I try to make this as unique as possible and put my own spin on scenes that have appeared in other fics. There's a lot of good writers out there whom I very much enjoy and if I use something reminiscent of a fiction, I'll try to give a shout out and anything that is directly from the books will be cited.
For instance, this scene is inspired in part by lorelover's "Always and Forever" though I do hope I have made it unique in my own way.
Last, a special thanks to polarbear20000 for helping me talk through parts of this. I appreciate all the comments and constructive criticisms. A few have actually helped me out of some writer's block to help shape this story so thank you for those.
As always, J.K. Rowling owns everything.)
Chapter 16: Rescue me
Hermione Granger was not having a great summer break. The weather was nice, the pool was open and her parents had ordered out to her favorite Italian place. But her mind was not on the weather, the food, or anything except her best friend.
Dread blossomed in her soul as she thought about Harry getting dragged away by that… that… OAF! Harry's look to her replayed over and over in her mind. Something was not right and she knew it.
Two weeks, she thought, over and over. That's all that it is. He'll be fine. He'll be fine.
"Hermione," Helen laid a hand on her daughters. "Are you okay? You're not eating."
"I'm worried about Harry," Hermione said. "What if they do something to him? He can't do magic, he'll never be able to protect himself."
"There's nothing we can do," Richard said. "He only needs to stay there 13 more days and then we can go get him. I am sure he can last that long."
In all honesty, Richard was talking out of his ass. He didn't like the way Vernon had manhandled Harry. To hell with the fact he was supposed to hate any boy who came near his daughter, Richard liked Harry quite a lot. He had a wry sense of humor, a good heart and was as protective of Hermione as Richard himself. He saw too many of that kind of kid in the army. Richard knew he was abused and it chaffed him terribly that Harry had to go back there.
Richard had no bearing on whatever it was protected Harry. Still, after Hermione explained exactly how strong the protection was and how important it was to keep Harry safe, Richard decided to let it drop.
Meanwhile, Helen was watching her daughter closely. At 12 she knew it was still a little early for her to develop feelings but the way she gravitated toward Harry, she could see where things were heading. She resolved to have a conversation with her as soon as possible.
With enough prodding, Hermione finally dug in and ate her meal. Later that night, she was sitting on her bed when a knock sounded at her door.
"Do you have a moment?" Helen asked.
"Yea, mum," Hermione responded. "Come on in."
Helen entered the room with a bowl in each hand. It wasn't every day that dentist Helen Granger would allow her daughter this tasty treat. Bouncing off the bed, Hermione grabbed the bowl.
"What's the occasion?" She asked.
"I wanted to have a chat, just us girls," she said. "You've had quite the year, haven't you?"
"Yes, it has been quite fun," Hermione laughed. "Learning about magic, investigating the stone, the classes with Harry."
Hermione sighed, a smile on her face. Helen looked at her daughter. She remembered bringing her home, seeing her open her eyes for the first time, and seeing her husband's eyes in her daughter. Everything at that moment changed for Helen. She knew that she would give anything, everything to keep her safe, to keep her healthy and happy. Now, Hermione was no longer a baby. Her face was starting to lose its roundness and she had grown through the year. Hermione was beginning to transform into the woman she would one day be. A beautiful and bittersweet thought all at the same time.
"You mention Harry a lot..." Helen said. "I know you're starting to get to that age and Harry is your first friend… a boy…"
"Yes, mum, Harry is a boy," Hermione shook her head and rolled her eyes. "But he's so much more than that. He's kind and brave and noble. He always sees the best in people. You should have seen what he did to Greg and Vinny. Draco only saw them as bodyguards but now they're acting as individuals. He's made ties with almost every house, in different years…"
"And he's got those pretty eyes."
"And he's got those pretty eyes," Hermione repeated. "Wait, what?"
"Face it, Winter," Helen smiled. "You're attracted to your best friend."
Hermione gasped.
"I mean I had a crush for a while after he saved me from the troll but I wouldn't say attracted, per se."
"It's okay," Helen laid a hand on her shoulder. "I went through something similar at your age. It doesn't always mean anything but you are going to start going through some changes. Some to your body and some in other ways. You've started to notice, haven't you?"
Hermione nodded.
"You have always been mature for your age but please don't grow up too fast."
Helen wrapped Hermione up in a hug. After they parted, she slid a book across the bed.
"Because I know you," Helen chuckled. "Here is a book on everything that will happen to you in the next few years."
"One more thing: I looked into it and there isn't any record of Harry's relatives taking custody of him," Helen saw Hermione's eyes widen in shock. "It gives us certain… opportunities. Would you have any issue if we were to claim guardianship over him?"
Hermione looked like a fish out of water for a second, moving her mouth without making a sound.
"Ye-ye-yes!" She finally sputtered out. "You'd be willing to do that? But you barely know him?"
"Thanks to your letters, we know him quite well and Christmas gave us a great insight to his character," Helen smiled.
"He's like gravity isn't he?" Hermione giggled. "Everyone just seems to be pulled toward him, huh?"
"Yes he does," Helen was openly laughing. "He's even won your father over. Just don't get pulled too close too soon, okay?"
Hermione nodded as Helen stood, collected the bowls and exited the room.
As the week drew on, Hermione's dread grew. She thought Harry would have sent him a letter by now but Hedwig had not been seen. Homework held no interest for her. She started to read every book in the library but lost focus two pages into every single one of them. A few times she went out back to dip in the pool but even that couldn't shake her feeling.
Something was wrong and she knew it.
Harry still has not contacted me, Hermione thought. He said he would write but I've never seen anything. Maybe he got busy? No, that wouldn't stop him from writing. Maybe he's actually just bored of me and needs space?
As the silence dragged on, Hermione's thoughts grew darker and darker. In one moment, Harry hated her and never wanted to speak to her again and in another, he was in trouble and needed her help.
"What's wrong, princess?" Richard looked across the breakfast table to see Hermione chewing her lip.
"Harry…" was all she got out. She started pacing in the kitchen. "What if he doesn't like me? What if it was all a lie?"
"I am sure that's not the case," Richard said.
"Then what's wrong? Why hasn't he contacted me!?" She screamed at the end.
"Well…" Richard tried to calm her down. "Don't you have a way to call him?"
"Call?" Hermione stopped dead in her tracks. "Daddy, you're a genius!"
She rushed to him, wrapped him in a tight hug and kissed him on the cheek. Running to the phone book, she opened it, rifling through page after page.
"What did he say their name was? Vernon and Petunia Durely?" She asked aloud. "Dirsley? Dudley? No that's his cousin's name. DURSLEY!"
There it was in the book: Dursley, Vernon and Petunia. Number 4, Privet Drive, Surrey
Running to the phone, she dialed the number. The phone rang… and rang… and rang until finally…
"Dursley residence, Vernon speaking," Hermione recognized the voice as the one she heard at the station.
"Hi, is Harry there?"
"Excuse me?" Vernon raised his voice.
"I'm calling for Harry Potter. Can I speak with him?" Hermione tried to keep her voice strong.
"NOBODY BY THAT NAME LIVES HERE!" The last thing Hermione heard was the phone slam down and the line went dead.
Collapsing onto her knees, Hermione cried. There was no more denying it: Harry was in trouble.
"I probably just made it worse," she sobbed. "Oh, Harry. What is going on over there?"
Arms wrapped around her from behind.
"It's okay, princess," Richard said. "Three more days and we'll head over to pick him up. He'll be fine, you see."
"But…" Hermione was hysterical.
"I know you're worried," Richard said. "I am too. I want to go over there, but you know he has to stay there for two weeks. He won't stay there a second longer than necessary. Understood?"
If he is hurt in any way, Richard thought, there'll be hell to pay.
Eventually, Hermione calmed herself down. The next two days passed excruciatingly slow until night fell. They had planned out the route to Surrey. Their new Land Rover was loaded and ready to roll first thing in the morning.
Hold on, Harry. Tomorrow we're coming.
Night had fallen and Hermione was once again trying to read when a frantic hammering sounded at the window. Looking up, Hermione saw her: Hedwig. Running to the window, Hermione threw it open and let the bird in. Immediately Hedwig flew to Hermione's shoulder. She started to rub on Hermione's cheek before screeching and pecking her cheek.
"What's the matter, girl?" Hermione checked over the owl. Some of her feathers were ruffled and one of her wings seemed tender. Most disturbingly, she did not carry a letter. "What do you need?"
"Hermione," Richard went pale and pointed toward Hedwig's other leg. Clear on her talon, she could see red. Hedwig's talons were covered in blood.
Was it hers? Harrys? All manner of scenarios ran roughshod through her brain.
"Dad…" Hermione paled as well. Richard snapped to action.
"Helen, grab the first aid kit," he commanded. Helen sprinted to the kitchen for the nearest kit. "We leave in five."
Hermione sprinted to her room and scrawled a quick note.
"Hedwig," Hermione addressed the owl. "Find Professor McGonagall or Madam Pomfrey. We might need them."
Hedwig plucked the note in her beak and flew off at top speed as Hermione ran to the car. Richard peeled out of the garage, leaving rubber on the pavement as he pulled the car onto the road. Using all his driving experience from the army and a lot of adrenalin, the Grangers pulled up to Number 4 within 20 minutes.
Hermione was first out of the car. She ran up the walkway and started to hammer on the door. Richard and Helen formed up right behind her.
"I'm coming, I'm coming," they heard from inside.
The door opened a crack and Vernon's ugly head showed itself.
"Can I help you?" He gruffed.
"We're here to see Harry," Hermione leveled him with her hardest glare.
"You have the wrong…wait I know you!" Vernon shook his finger in her face. "You're the freak he was with at the station."
"Excuse me, sir," Richard tried to bring some calm to the situation. "We are here to pick up Harry and take him with us for the rest of the summer."
"The freak won't be going anywhere," Vernon said. "I won't be having any more nonsense in this house!"
"He's protecting you!" Hermione screamed. "From the people that killed his parents, that would kill you. He's protecting you and you are still just… VILE to him."
"What I am to my ward is of no concern to yours. Time to move along and find another freak."
Vernon waved her away and when he did, Hermione saw the talon marks on his arm. For the second time that night, Vernon was on the receiving end of a burst of accidental magic as Hermione screamed in horror and frustration. Vernon blew backward as the door blew off its hinges.
Stepping forward, Hermione trained her eyes on the frail dark haired woman. Eyes blazing with gold fire, Hermione advanced on Petunia. Afraid for her life, Petunia pointed toward the stairs. Like she was shot out of a cannon, Hermione sped up the stairs. Arriving at the first door on the right, at the top of the stairs, Hermione examined the door. Three separate locks were attached and there was a cat flap. There was even a window with bars installed. Peering through the window in the door, she screamed. Lying on the floor, his head and shoulders partially propped at the foot of the desk was Harry.
"Harry!" She screamed and placed her hands on her face. Responding to her screams, the door disappeared, turning instantly into dust and she ran to him.
"Please be okay, please be okay." She said over and over. She was joined by her mother and father.
"Help me move him," Richard said with practiced calm. Together, they moved Harry to lie fully on the ground where Richard got to work. Helen stood at the doorway, on the lookout for trouble.
"Broken nose, 1, 2, Jesus, 4 broken ribs. That's just what I can tell from here. I can't tell if he has any internal injuries. He also has severe injuries to the legs," Richard rummaged through his kit. "I know you won't like this, kid, but I need you awake. Cracking the smelling salts, he held it under Harry's nose.
Slowly, Harry's eyes cracked open.
"'Mione?" Even in the dark room, Harry knew that hair anywhere. "You came."
"I'm here," She cried in pain and in joy. "I'm here Harry. We need to get you to a hospital."
"I… I can't feel my legs," Harry widened his eyes.
"They're there, kid," Richard said. "Good to see you."
All of a sudden, pops rang out on the street.
"Aurors! Everyone get your hands up! We're coming in."
"You better go down and talk with them," Richard said. "Go. I'll try to stabilize Harry, here."
Hermione made her way down the stairs and was almost at the door when two more pops sounded in the night.
"Hands up!" One of the voices said. "Identify yourselves!"
"Minerva McGonagall and Poppy Pomfrey," Hermione heard the voice of her favorite teacher. "We were told someone might be hurt."
At this, Hermione made herself visible in the doorway with her hands up. Hermione saw three individuals with purple robes standing with their wands out. One, probably the leader, had red hair. The two behind her were younger. One was a tall, strong black man, and the other a smaller woman with pink hair.
"Who are you?" the leader said.
"Hermione?" McGonagall was not expecting to see her there. "Poppy and I were visiting a friend in London when Hedwig flew to us with your note. How she found us, I'll never know."
"My name is Hermione Granger," she addressed the Aurors evenly, aware there were four wands trained on her. "There is a wizard upstairs who is seriously hurt. He needs help immediately."
"Go, Poppy," McGonagall nodded to her colleague. "I will help here."
Madam Pomfrey bolted for the house.
"Upstairs, first door on the right," Hermione said. "You'll find my father with Harry."
"Amelia," McGonagall addressed the leader. "Why are you here?"
"We detected several incidents of magic at the premises this evening and came to investigate."
"What incidents?" Hermione said.
"We had a hover charm used today at 9:30, followed by a burst of magic a half hour later," Amelia read from a piece of parchment. "Then another two bursts of magic not ten minutes ago."
"I am not sure what the first two were but the last two were probably me," Hermione said, sheepishly.
"Perhaps you should start from the top," Amelia said.
"Before I do," Hermione examined the three Aurors behind her. "Can you vouch for every Auror behind you? This is sensitive information that can't get to certain individuals."
"If this is who I think it is," Amelia caught the names Harry and Hermione. She heard Susan mention Hermione before, always with the name Harry Potter. "You can be assured this will remain Top Secret. Hermione Granger?"
Hermione nodded.
"I've heard a lot about you from my niece, Susan," Amelia said. "Behind me are Kingsley Shacklebolt and Nymphadora (the girl with pink hair rolled her eyes) Tonks. Tell me what happened here."
"I can only tell you what happened when I arrived," Hermione went on to explain how they were planning to collect Harry tomorrow but had not heard anything from him, which was uncharacteristic of him.
"And then Hedwig, his owl, came to our house. She was upset, wouldn't calm down. We saw she had blood on her talons and thought the worst. We arrived at the house and Vernon Dursley wouldn't let us in. I saw marks on his arm and I think my magic pushed him back. Petunia Dursley told me Harry was upstairs. When I went up, I saw him collapsed on the floor behind a door with three locks and a cat flap.
"I screamed when I saw him and the door disintegrated. My father and I tried to help him. We had just gotten him conscious again when you arrived."
"Well that explains two of the incidents," Amelia said. "Let's go check on Mr. Potter. Tonks! Shacklebolt! You have the perimeter. Nobody in or out unless I say so. Got it?"
Getting nods from her deputies, Amelia moved into the house. Taking note of the large man who was sitting up, his wife tending to him, she moved up the stairs and gasped when she turned the corner.
The Hogwarts matron was waving her wand over Harry's broken body. Amelia had seen her share of injuries but never so many on someone so young. A quill was transcribing everything for Pomfrey as Hermione sprinted to his side, tears once again falling freely.
"How is he?" Amelia asked.
"He's in bad shape," Pomfrey said.
Sweat poured off Pomfrey's face as she frantically worked.
"I have fixed four broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder, broken nose, two broken patella and torn ligaments in his elbows and knees. He's lucky he didn't puncture a lung. He also has a broken thoracic vertebra that's pinching a nerve in his spinal cord. I need to be extremely careful. I can fix it but if I do this wrong, he will be paralyzed."
Hermione gasped and held Harry's hand as Pomfrey started to work her wand in an intricate pattern. Ear-splitting cracks sounded through the room, followed by blood-curdling screams from Harry.
"I am aware how much this hurts, Mr. Potter," Pomfrey said. "I wish I could immobilize you but I cannot for this. Please try to remain as still as possible."
Excruciating minutes later, Harry stopped screaming and Madam Pomfrey slumped over.
"Poppy?" McGonagall's voice came from the doorway. I am going to have words with Albus after this, she thought. I warned him and still, he placed Harry here.
"I was successful," she heaved a sigh. "He will have to rest for a while and it will be a long path to recovery but he will recover."
"Can I talk to him?" Amelia asked.
"Keep it brief," Pomfrey said. "I don't know how long he will remain conscious. He's extremely exhausted."
"Mr. Potter," Amelia was amazed when Harry actually sat up. With help from Richard and Hermione, Harry sat gingerly on the bed. Even without his glasses, he tried to look in her direction. "Can you tell me what happened here?"
Noticing this, Amelia reached down, repaired his glasses and handed them to him. Slowly, Harry started to speak.
Harry told her about Dobby and his warning about Hogwarts.
"And then Dobby popped away. A short while later, I heard a scream from downstairs but I couldn't get there because the door was locked."
"Your door was locked!?" Amelia asked.
"Yes, ma'am," Harry said, keeping his eyes on her. "When I came home, they locked me and my owl away and told me I wouldn't be going back to Hogwarts. They thought, like they always thought, that if they starved me and beat me, it would make my freakiness- what they call my magic- go away.
"Anyway, after the scream, Vernon stormed upstairs and blamed me for whatever happened. He told me 'you ruined my dinner and my deal! I have had it with your freakishness. I have tried to squash it out of you but apparently, I have to try harder.' He pushed me up against the desk and punched me in the face, snapping my glasses. From there, it is all fuzzy. He was raining blow after blow on me. Hedwig tried to escape her cage as I tried to protect myself."
Helen held firm to Richard as Harry told his story, tears falling for the boy. McGonagall looked ready to set the house on fire and Pomfrey was planning where to hide the bodies. Hermione held Harry's hand, crying tears of rage.
"I felt some sort of magic in the room, it felt thick like ozone in the air. Suddenly, the air lit up with magic. I heard Hedwig's cage burst open and Vernon was blasted backward. The window blew out and Hedwig flew at him. She must have clawed him because he screamed and threw her away. I saw her fly away and I was happy she was safe. Vernon renewed his assault on me. He threw me on the desk and then stomped on each of my knees. I was scared because I never felt his attacks on my legs. Vernon then walked out of the door and reset the locks. I must have blacked out because the next time I woke up, Hermione and Richard were kneeling over me."
"Well, Mr. Potter," Amelia worked to keep her composure. "It seems there's no sense in expelling you-
"Expelling him!" Hermione shrieked.
"-for using magic in front of muggles. The first charm we can reasonably prove was not you, if I can run a test on your wand. The magic that followed we will chalk up to accidental magic- both of you- in the name of protecting yourself or another.
"Madam Pomfrey, may I get a copy of what your diagnostic charms revealed? I will be prosecuting Vernon Dursley for assault, child neglect and child abuse and that will be evidence in it. In the meantime, I am going to sign a restraining order on your behalf. To keep you close to these… people… threatens the Statute of Secrecy.
"That's all from the legal side. As someone who was a personal friend of your parents, I am disgusted at your story. You will not be coming back here. I give you my word."
"Professor Dumbledore told me I need to come back every year to renew the protection my mother left me," Harry said, gravitating between the hope of never seeing them again and fear of losing protection.
"There is nothing that protects you from the inhabitants of this place," Amelia said. "I cannot in good conscience send you back here."
"And I will be having words with Albus," McGonagall said. "I told him this was a bad idea. I don't care if you are safe from Voldemort-"
Amelia and Poppy flinched.
-I am not having you return to this place."
"I would reach out to the goblins," Amelia said. "They are expensive but their protective wards are no joke. They could set something up wherever you stay to keep you safe."
She looked at the Grangers.
"Am I to assume you'll be taking care of him the rest of the summer?"
Helen and Richard nodded.
"Good, that's one less thing for me to take care of," Amelia actually smiled. "I may call upon you in the summer for more information regarding our case."
Poppy stepped up to the Grangers, a clutch of potions in her hand.
"I will be visiting as well," she said. "For now, give him these potions. I will write out what he needs and when. Most importantly, he needs to stay in bed for at least the next three days. His spine is still healing and will need to be fully healed before he can start rehabilitation.
"Everything else has been fixed but it will take time for the bones to handle any form of stress. I will be checking in every week."
After Poppy finished, she exited the room. Amelia conjured a new door since there was no repairing the disintegration of the old one. She checked Harry's wand for any spells and moved down the stairs.
Richard wrapped his arm around Harry and helped him walk out of the room and down the stairs.
"Easy there, kid," Richard said. "You scared us all a good bit."
"I'm sorry sir, it was not my intent."
"Still not knighted, kid. It's okay, it wasn't your fault. Now we just have to make sure you recover, okay?"
"You got it, Richard," Harry smiled for the first time. They really care, he thought. The thought almost brought him to tears.
Once down the stairs, they saw Amelia holding court with the Dursleys. Kingsley and Tonks had stepped into the sitting room and handed the Dursleys pieces of parchment.
"… for the assault on an 11-year-old boy. You are also being charged with child neglect and child abuse of one Harry James Potter. You may speak in your defense though anything you say may be used in your trial. You have a right to an attorney but if you cannot afford one, one can be provided."
"Where are you taking my property!" Vernon moved to get to Harry.
"You are being served a restraining order from one Harry James Potter," Amelia continued on, louder to speak over him. "You may not go within 30 meters of him at any time. You cannot contact him and will not harass him in any way.
"Shut up, freak!" Vernon continued on. "That's my property and you can't have him."
"Harry is being remanded into the custody of the Grangers, here. He has not and will never be your property. That is all."
As the group moved toward the door, a piece of paper caught McGonagall's eye. Noticing the unique handwriting of the headmaster, she picked it up. Reading the note, her eyes narrowed. I am going make him choke on a lemon drop, she thought as she pocketed the parchment.
"I never properly introduced myself," Amelia said once they were outside. "Amelia Bones, head of the DMLE."
"You're Susan's aunt," Harry said. "She speaks highly of you."
"She speaks highly of the two of you as well," Amelia said. "I hope it doesn't take a full bout of accidental magic for us to meet again. I would like to get to know James and Lily's child."
"I would like that as well," Harry said. He tried to shake her hand, though his grip lacked any strength. "Thank you for helping me today and for not pressing charges."
"Just see that it won't happen again."
"We will make sure of that," Richard offered his left hand since his right was still holding Harry up. "I am Richard Granger, that is my wife Helen. We will be taking care of Harry until further notice."
"If you need anything," Helen shook Amelia's hand and gave her a piece of paper. "Please don't hesitate to reach out. That is our address."
Richard turned and walked Harry to the Land Rover. Opening the door, he laid Harry across the back seat while Hermione got in the other side and held his head in her lap.
As the car engine roared to life, Harry started a little.
"It's okay, Harry," Hermione pushed him back down. "Everything is fine. You're safe now. We're going to take care of you."
Focusing on the radio, he listened to the song that played, letting it soothe him.
Don't you buy the Queen of Diamonds
She'll beat you if she's able
And the Queen of Hearts
Is your best bet
Relaxing at the subtle melody, Harry reveled at the tender touch of Hermione's hands running through his hair as he slipped into a deep sleep.
(A/N: The lyrics are from 'Desperado' by the Eagles.)