Among Other Things

Disclaimer: I do not own HP!

A/N: Sorry for the wait! I got into a major writer’s block last week and I finally broke through it. Hope you enjoy this chapter and please review! Also, thanks to all those who have!

Chapter 10

He could hardly believe it, but Vernon was reasonably sure that he was dead.

The evening of his death had been relatively normal. He’d punished his freak of a nephew for just existing, had an exquisite supper, and had settled in to watch the telly upstairs before falling asleep.

The normality had ended, however, when he was roughly awoken some time later by people in dark cloaks and white masks. He’d thought it had been robbers until they’d pulled out those sticks that those freaks were fond of using.

He’d frozen in terror and that had been enough for the freaks to do something to Petunia; she hadn’t moved no matter what he did.

He’d shook her and yelled her name, but she’d remained still.

Then they had turned their attention to him and it was horrific.

They had waved their wooden sticks and he had felt the worst pain he had ever felt until they waved them once again.

He didn’t know how long he had suffered the rounds of torture, but he knew that it had ended in a flash of green light.

The last thing he’d heard was the high-pitched screams of his son.

And now he was dead, and it was nothing like he thought it would be.

For ages, he had floated in an endless dark, waiting for something unknown. Waiting for what, he didn’t know.

After all, no one ever made him wait.

He had always been an important man at the company; he was used to being feared. His life had been perfect; well until the freak had shown up on his doorstep.

Vernon snorted to himself.

That had been the turning point.

He remembered, with startling clarity, all of the times the boy had shown signs of his freakishness. Each incident had made Petunia more afraid, so he began to discipline the boy.

It took a bit of work before he had the perfect method, but eventually he managed to beat almost all of it out of the freak.

Or so he thought.

When that dratted letter showed up, followed by hundreds of others, he had taken drastic measures to keep the freakishness away from his family. He smirked in satisfaction as he recalled the beatings he had given the boy.

In the end, though, he had failed and the boy went to that school, which, actually proved to be a blessing in disguise.

Not having to deal with the freak during the year had been something of a relief.

And, of course, when the boy returned during the summer holidays Vernon took it as his chance to get out the past year’s aggression.

It proved to be an effective measure.

He’d thought that things would go on as they were until the boy was of age, but those freaks had the nerve to kill him off.

And now he was floating in space.

All of a sudden, Vernon was blinded by an intense light. Blinking madly, he eventually was able to see that the light was a sort of door that looked as if it led to some sort of room.

Shrugging, Vernon closed his eyes and stepped through.

He landed in a plain room with four white walls and a black and white checkered floor. The room was entirely empty except for a small oak desk against the far wall.

This desk was inhabited by a woman, who strongly resembled Mary I, a previous queen of England. On the left side of the desk was a black hole. It was about twice the size of himself, and it looked to be bottomless.

As he moved closer to the desk, he could see hints of light coming from the right side of the desk. This light came from a set of stairs that led into the ceiling.

Or what he assumed to be the ceiling, since the stairs disappeared into a light that was so bright it made his eyes water in pain.

Slightly nervous, but refusing to show it, Vernon stepped up to the desk. “You,” he stated imperiously. “Tell me where I am, right now.”

The Mary, as he thought of her, didn’t look up or even pause in her writing.

Vernon narrowed his eyes and assumed his most intimidating stance. “I asked you a question,” he growled, face purpling in rage.

The Mary kept on writing.

Vernon scowled and adjusted his weight accordingly. She should be paying attention to him, the hideous woman.

“I am talking to you!” he barked. “I demand that you answer me!”

The writing paused and the woman looked up. “I am well aware of whom you are talking to. Now, if you will close your mouth I can judge you and send you on your way.”

“Judge me?”

Instead of answering, the Mary looked at her paperwork and frowned. Finally, she cleared her throat and stood.

“Vernon Dursley, you are to be sent to the realm of Hell for your actions during your lifetime.

You are sentenced to an eternity of torture; pardon to the upper realm will only be offered after you have completely repented.

Please step to the left. A guide will meet you at the bottom.”

Numbly, Vernon moved to step in front of the hole, trying to process the Mary’s words.

Finally, they seemed to register.

“Now, wait just one second!” he began hotly, mustache quivering in anger. “You can’t do this to me! You can’t just order me around like this!”

The Mary rolled her eyes and pressed a button. A buzzer sounded and Vernon was suddenly pushed forward, and then he was falling.

He fell for what seemed to be an interminable length of time before he landed on a stone floor.

Vernon glanced around as he hauled himself to his feet, and discovered that he was in the entrance hall of a large building.

Determined to figure out why exactly he had been sent here of all places, Vernon took several steps only to be stopped by a soft voice.

“What are you doing?”

Vernon turned and found himself face to face with a very tall man who was wearing freakish clothes. He paled.

“You are not to go anywhere without me,” the man hissed, pale eyes glowing.

Vernon bristled in outrage. Who was he to tell him what to do?

“Just who do you think you are!?”

The man sniffed haughtily and raised his stick. Vernon stumbled back in sudden fear.

“I am called Grindelwald and I am charged with torturing you for as long as I see fit, worthless Muggle,” he stated softly.

Vernon eyes widened.

“You’ll enjoy it, I’m sure.”

Vernon screamed.

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Harry hunched over a cup of hot chocolate as he thought over Remus’ words.

It was hard to believe that they were…well…gone.

Sure, he had always despised his relatives for their treatment of him, but for them to be dead…

His only family…

Well, it was almost unthinkable.

Surprisingly, he felt his eyes water. He squeezed them shut for a moment before turning to look at his godfather.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Harry whispered.

Sirius winced and looked at his lover for support. Remus shook his head faintly, signaling that Sirius was on his own.

“Well, kiddo. We just didn’t know how to break it to you. And, well, you were already so down,” he said, eyes terribly sad.

Harry smiled faintly.

Well, he hadn’t lost his only family.

Remus and Sirius would always be there for him.

“That’s alright,” he said faintly, and took a sip of the hot chocolate.

“Could you answer a question though?”

Sirius perked up, eager to help his godson in any way possible.

“Anything,” he said earnestly, earning an amused snort from Remus.

“Where do babies come from?”

Remus fell out of his chair in hysterical laughter, while Sirius choked in surprise and shock.

Harry smiled as Sirius blushed bright red and began to mutter to himself.

Yes, they were his family.

And he couldn’t ask for anyone better.

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Hermione,

I finally got away from Privet Drive, though it wasn’t in the usual manner. I kind of left on my own, and before you lecture me; I’ll just let you know that it was actually a good decision, since Death Eaters attacked right after I left. Write me back.

Harry

Hermione’s response came in the form of a Howler.

Harry,

WHAT ON EARTH WERE YOU THINKING? YOU COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! WRITE ME BACK AND EXPLAIN!

NOW!

Harry was forced to write his response back immediately, since Hermione’s new owl, Diana, pecked him until he put quill to parchment.

Hermione,

I’m fine. I just couldn’t take it any longer. They…got worse. And I couldn’t trust the headmaster anymore. I made it to Snuffles’ though. It’s unplottable, and yes, I’ve already started on my homework.

Harry

Hermione rolled her eyes as she read the latest letter. Honestly, he could have gotten himself killed.

Harry,

Are you sure you’re alright? I’m going to come over and check, just to make sure. Could you ask Snuffles if I can?”

Hermione

Remus and Sirius agreed wholeheartedly for the visit. After all, they knew how lonely he was, and they knew that having a friend would help immensely.

Hermione,

Snuffles’ said it was fine. If you want you could write the twins and see if they want to come as well. I miss their jokes.

Harry

Hermione smiled as she wrote her letter. The twins had always been strong believers in Harry, and they would do anything for him.

Harry,

Fred and George are all set. Could you manage a visit to Diagon Alley? Snuffles could arrange further transport from there.

Hermione

A Portkey was decided upon after the meeting in Diagon Alley. Remus and Sirius agreed only after Harry promised to follow all the rules they set out for the excursion.

Hermione,

Meet us Saturday morning around nine. You know where.

Harry

-HP-HP-HP-HP-HP-

Dumbledore,

I see that the boy slipped out of your grasp, yet again. Is he not being the perfect little tool? I’m seeing history repeat itself.

Lord Voldemort

Dumbledore glared at the offensive letter that had been delivered by an extremely arrogant raven. Angrily, he began writing out his response.

Tom,

You are mistaken. I have him perfectly where I want him. And I will enjoy crushing him like I crushed you. Won’t it be a pity? Your only heir, destroyed.

I win.

Albus Dumbledore

Voldemort smirked as he glanced at the thoughtless response. Really, the old man was slipping if he thought this would anger him.

Dumbledore,

You are a fool, as always. And for your offense against me and mine I will have my revenge, no matter how long it takes.

Lord Voldemort

Another object on his desk shattered as he brandished his wand in anger. Dumbledore snarled and grabbed his quill.

Tom,

We shall see.

Albus Dumbledore

Voldemort watched as his raven flew out the window with his response to the newest letter. The old fool always wanted to have the last word.

Dumbledore,

We shall.

Lord Voldemort

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Sir,

I have found a lead. I believe I may have found their hiding place. I will let you know as the situation progresses.

Shacklebolt

Dumbledore smirked in satisfaction. Finally, something seemed to be going his way. Hopefully, Kingsley would be able to locate the boy, and he would have everything back to normal soon.

-HP-HP-HP-HP-HP-

Harry,

We have an idea for the winnings you gave us. We’ll give you the news when we see you. You’ll be thrilled at what we’ve thought up!

Fred and George

Harry grinned as he read their letter. He supposed that it was their roundabout way of saying that they had heard from Hermione. He couldn’t wait to see them again. They always knew how to cheer him up.

-HP-HP-HP-HP-HP-

The twins grinned at the final letter from Hermione.

Finally, they would be getting out of the house and away from their Dumbledore-worshipping family.

“Only a few days from now,” Fred remarked.

George nodded and flopped down on his bed, followed immediately by his brother.

“I’m thinking that once we leave we shouldn’t return.”

“I agree,” Fred said quietly. “Seeing our family turn out like this has completely turned me off from remaining in this house.”

“Yeah, did you see Mum yesterday? Fussing over Ron since he’s been made a new Prefect.”

Fred snorted. “Dumbledore’s lapdog, really.”

George idly picked at the shabby blue comforter on the bedspread, passed down from their eldest brother, Bill.

“And it’d be nice to get away from his prattling. If I hear one more time about his plans to control Harry one more time…” George practically snarled, tearing a hole in the comforter.

“Ickle Ronniekins will learn a lesson,” Fred finished, eyeing the rows of prank items they had been developing this summer. “A spectacular one that I am sure he will never forget.”

“We should start packing,” Fred reminded his brother. “It will take some time to ensure that nothing will explode.”

“Alright,” George agreed. “But only if we agree to prank out ickle brother before we depart,” he grandly state, striking a gallant pose.

It was ruined, however, when Fred quickly pushed him over, causing him to ungracefully fall to the floor.

“Hurry up,” Fred stated. “We need to be ready for our escape. We can’t get caught.”

George smirked. “When have we ever gotten caught?”

End of Chapter 10! Please review!