The Rebellion

All characters, and other related texts are the intellectual property of J.K Rowling, and her associates as the copyright holders. I have made no money from the publishing of this story.

A/N Edited: 4-7-09

Chapter 4: The Meeting

Harry felt like death warmed over. In fact, to coin a muggle expression, he felt like hammered shite. He hadn't slept but maybe thirty minutes in all since Nod had left that night. He looked at the clock and it was 8:30 in the morning. Later tonight, Draco and he would meet for their talk. He was a bundle of nerves about it, as Draco could be one foul prat when he wanted to be, and he didn't want a fight on his hands. His stomach felt like he could heave up yesterdays breakfast at any moment.

Harry reached over to the bedside table, retrieved his glasses, and slid them on. He sat up against the headboard and let out a low moan. He was stiff, sore, and tired from no rest. And, as usual, his mind wouldn't stop over-thinking. He was bad for this, and he knew it, as it led to way more problems and misconceptions about the problem at hand. He needed a good calming draught, but he was now stuck at the Dursley’s. Nobody ever thought to send any potions with him like this, or dreamless sleep for that matter. Oh, they all said they cared, but where was the proof? 'Inconsiderate bunch, the lot of um'! Harry thought with a grudge.

He reached under his pillow, retrieved his wand, and laid it on the bedside table. Next, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up. Finally, Harry proceeded to dress himself in Dudley’s old hand-me-down clothes, which were three times too big for him. That was going to change in a very short time, Harry thought. He was tired of acting like a pauper just to satisfy his friends and the Dursley’s. It used to be that he didn't want the Weasley’s, mainly Ron, to feel bad over him having money. 'Well, fuck that', Harry thought to himself, ‘no more’. The Dursley’s could just kiss his hairy arse when they wondered where ho got the money to obtain suitable clothes. He had made up his mind, as he stared at himself in the cracked mirror on the wall of his room. It was a wonder they allowed him to have one, but he knew it was a reject that Dudley didn't want due to the crack. Yes, he had made up his mind firmly; there was a permanent change coming. From now on, he wouldn't give a flying fuck about what anyone thought of him. At that thought, he turned, picked up his wand, and slid it up the sleeve of his shirt where he could reach it at a moments notice.

Harry started for the door and paused. 'Was it going to be the same today, as it had been all week'? He reached up to the necklace hanging around his neck, and pulled it to the outside of his sweatshirt so his family could see he wore it. He hadn't taken it off since the day Moody had given it to him. He looked at the pendant admiring it. It was a solid gold phoenix with its body, below its neck, filled with a red enamel. "Gryffindor colors", Harry quipped. He figured it must have been something Dumbledore had cooked up for the Order. With a sigh, he dropped the pendant back to his chest, and opened the door to head downstairs for some breakfast.

At the foot of the stairs, Harry noticed it was quiet in the house. On his way to the kitchen, he looked into the living room and saw that nobody was there. 'That's odd, no Dudders', Harry thought. Right before he made it to the kitchen door, he saw the door to the cupboard that he had spent his first ten years in. He opened it, looked inside, and saw nothing in it now but bricker-brack and junk. He slammed the door shut a little hard, then stood back and looked at it for a moment more. "Never again", Harry muttered, then turned and pushed open the door to the kitchen.

Harry entered the kitchen and stopped in his tracks. The house was so quiet; he didn't think anyone was there except himself. He glanced over at the dining room table and saw his aunt Petunia sitting there. She was staring into her cup of tea, not saying a word. There was a plate of scones and a tea service sitting in the middle of the table. His aunt never looked up, nor did she move to get up and leave as before. Harry just shrugged his shoulders, made for the table to get him a couple of scones, and pour himself a cup of tea. After he placed two buttered scones with marmalade on his plate, and poured his tea, Petunia finally spoke.

"Your leaving soon aren't you"? Petunia mumbled, but never looked up.

"Yes", was Harry’s only reply as he started to take his breakfast back upstairs.

"Please sit down", his aunt said as she finally looked up at Harry.

"I don't think that's such a good idea", Harry stated evenly, but never left where he was standing.

"Harry, I just want a small word, and you can be on your way", his aunt said tightly as it pained her to do it.

Harry sighed, "Ok, just a word", and then he set down to listen.

"Hate and jealousy can do some horrible things Harry", his aunt started.

"I don't.....", Harry was cut off by his aunt holding up her hand.

"I'm a squib Harry, did you know"? His aunt asked.

"Uh..., well no I didn't, but what's this got to do with..." Harry struggled.

"In your world, we a shunned as unworthy to receive an education like you and your mother received, did you know that"? Harry's aunt asked.

Harry took a sip of his tea and thought for a moment, "No aunt Petunia, I didn't know".

"I was forced to be separated from your mother when she went to that school of yours. I loved your mother Harry; we did everything together until THEY split us apart. Of course Lily was dying to go there to get her education, while I was stuck going to public school, where I may add, my sister wasn't with me. I wanted to go with her; it was only fair after all. I never got a letter though, but I still wanted to go and be with her. I even wrote to that headmaster of yours for me to attend, did you know that? Of course, I received a reply stating that squibs couldn't attend Hogwarts. Did you know any of this?" His aunt asked semi-politely.

"No, I didn't aunt Petunia." Harry mumbled out. He was starting to learn some things he never knew.

"Well, of course that barmy old coot would never tell you now would he. He's not told you a lot of things I would imagine, things about how bigoted that world really is. How they look down at squibs as abnormal. How we're given the worst of the jobs with no means of advancement if we decide to come into that world. I bet you didn't know I could see the Leaky Cauldron, or see Hogwarts did you? Oh yes, I've been to both, with my parents and sister. I've stood on the other side of the portal on platform 9¾, and saw the Hogwarts Express, oh yes. I saw it carry my sister away from me year after year." Petunia gritted out the last.

"Why are you telling me this aunt Petunia"? Harry asked after taking another sip of tea, and trying to understand where she was going with all of this.

"Because Harry, you have a right to finally know some things. Why I'm so bitter. Why my sister was taken from me at the ripe old age of twenty-one years old. They, your world, took my sister, that's what happened. Oh she found her a husband, a right bastard he was at times. Looking down his nose at me like I was an abomination by being a squib, with his pureblood heritage and all. Oh, he finally started to change when they were in their last year, somewhat. My sister had gotten her a pureblood, or may I say a rich wizard for a husband. Oh, don't look so shocked Harry, I know you have money, and I don't want any of it, it belongs to you. I have no right to it, and I couldn't spend it if I had it. Vernon doesn't know this, and I will not tell him either." Petunia said this looking away for a moment, then back at Harry.

"So, your saying you acted the way you did over my sister being taken away from you by the wizarding world"? Harry asked dumbfounded.

"That and then some. Your mother, my sister had it all. Oh of course, I was jealous, especially after my parents practically forced me to accept everything, and pushed me to marry Vernon. I wished I hadn't, but I did get Dudley out of it. I'm not much of a looker like your mother was, so I didn't have boys waiting in line to date me. Finally, I ended up with Vernon at my parents urging. I never really loved Vernon, but I do Dudley. That I guess is why I spoil him the way I do. In a lot of ways, I wish I hadn't as I now see the difference between Dudley and you. I know, you could have been treated a lot better by me. Vernon, well, that's another story. I've found we have been just a bigoted as your world". At this, Petunia dropped her head and pinched the bridge of her nose.

Harry had eaten his scones through this, and had started on another cup of tea while taking this all in.

"You see Harry, and you will learn, people who hold power will use you. In my case, it was my parents, and Vernon. In your case, it's that batty old geezer that calls himself your headmaster. The night you were left on my doorstep, he left a letter with you. He explained that since my sister had given her life to protect you, an ancient magic was brought forth, and that magic saved your life. That's what made me bitter the most; I lost my sister for following Dumbledore, the one who turned me away. If she had not followed him, none of this would have taken place, and you would have had a mother and father. Dumbledore explained that being in this house, close to me, would keep that protective magic going by my blood, and that as long as you could call this place your home, you would be protected. That's why I've always stopped Vernon from kicking you out. Now that that Lord Voldy thing is back, I'm not sure how much I trust what Dumbledore said to be totally honest. As you can see, anyone can walk in here. Besides, you have the same blood in your veins as I do. Plus, I've known of others whose parents gave their lives trying to save their children, but the children were still killed. Those children, I mean, are in your world, and not here. Is that saying those parents didn't love their children any more or less? Think about that Harry. I think it was all a ruse to start a rumor which would scare off anyone who might want to cause you harm by coming here". Petunia said shrewdly.

"I've been thinking the same thing aunt Petunia, as I know about the blood protection. What do you think the Headmaster may be up to, as Dumbledore was supposed to cast the protective wards on this house when he left me here that night"? Harry inquired.

"Harry, if he did, we didn't see him do it. I never knew you were even on the doorstep until I opened the door the next morning to set out the milk bottles. I found you then, wrapped in a blanket, with the letter. You had been out there all night, and by yourself as far as I know. I didn't see anyone around when I found you either. If it was blood magic as he said, he didn't use mine. Who’s did he use, yours, maybe some from your mother after she was killed? I know how that works Harry, as they placed those spells around our parents house before this ever happened. Lilly said it was to protect our parents. Supposedly, it would only allow family to enter the property. Someone with the same blood in other words. Anyone else, they had to invite them in at the door. You know yourself, there has been people in here who were not invited by you or me". Explained Petunia.

"Voldemort was brought back by using my blood, and that was a little over a year ago". Harry muttered.

"HE WHAT! What do you mean by that Harry"? Exclaimed a most upset Petunia.

"At the end of that tournament in my fourth year, it was a trap set up by a few of his followers. It was done expressly to bring the filthy beast back to a corporal form. Peter Pettigrew killed a friend of mine right beside me, then tied me up before I could get away. He performed a ritual using dark magic, and It required my blood". At this, Harry raised his shirtsleeve on his right arm to show her the scar where Wormtail cut him. "Before, Voldemort was something like an ugly deformed child. How he got to that stage, I'm not really sure, as he was like a ghost the last time I had seen him. Anyhow, this ritual brought him back in a human form, as a man, but a disfigured man. He has reptile like features now, and he's just too horrible to think about. After he was revived, he said to me that "I can touch you now", according to him. If that were so, then any wards or protections would let him through as he carries our blood in his veins now. That's all I know about it right now, and I've not looked into it further. Dumbledore has said nothing about it to me at all". Harry was shaking now that he said this. Petunia was pale, trembling, and looking like she would loose her breakfast at any minute.

Harry took the last sip of his tea and debated about what he was about to tell his aunt. "Aunt Petunia, I am meeting someone tonight that may have some answers. I am supposed to meet him at the park down the block. He sent a letter to me last night wanting to talk. According to him, he knows about some things going on with both sides. Believe me, after what happened to Sirius..." Harry choked the last word out. "I'm not all too trusting in the headmaster anymore either. Would you like me to tell you about what I find out"? Harry rubbed his temples and shook his head slightly at all of this.

Petunia looked at Harry, like it was her first time seeing him, and it took her a few moments before she could say anything. "If you would Harry, please let me know. And Harry, I never thanked you for saving Dudley from those Dementors. Though he might not show it that much, he respects you now. He has so much of Vernon’s influence in him though..." She trailed off.

At this, Harry stood, fixed himself and his aunt another cup of tea, and said. "I'll let you know what I find out tomorrow, Thanks aunt Petunia". He then turned and headed back upstairs to think about everything he had learned from his aunt.

When Harry was back in his room, he kicked off his trainers, and lay back on the bed. He was still dead tired, but couldn't sleep for the life of him. His thoughts were still racing about what she had told him.

With Sirius dead, that brought into question who actually owned number twelve Grimmauld Place now. Since that was a Black residence, it could fall to Narcissa, Bellatrix, or even Draco. The Order wouldn't be able to use it, nor would he. He knew he could go to the Weasley’s, but they still weren't his real family. He would feel like he was forcing himself on them. Plus, they probably didn't have the money to feed another mouth everyday. They wouldn't accept any money from him either. They were too proud for their own good sometimes, Harry thought ruefully. He also wondered about this feud between the Malfoy’s and the Weasley’s. No one ever told him what that was over. He did know they were kin to the Blacks on Arthur's side of the family. He thought it sort of odd that nobody ever offered an explanation about this as long as he'd known them. He knew that Death Eaters killed Mrs. Weasley’s brothers, but that was after the feud, or so he thought. Also, Lucius Malfoy wasn't involved in that as far as he knew. Something bad had to have happened there, but what. Maybe Draco would tell him, and it surely wouldn't hurt to ask. At this, Harry finally started to drift off to sleep.

When Harry finally awoke, it was to shouting from downstairs. Harry quickly got up from his bed and went to his door to try to listen. It was his so-called uncle Vernon shouting at the top of his lungs. He looked back at the clock and noticed it was now 11:30 at night, only an hour away from when he was supposed to meet Draco. He turned back to the door and cracked it open a bit to listen to what was going on.

"That boy, that ungrateful freak that he is will be leaving Petunia"! Vernon bellowed. ‘So much for the continued peace’, Harry thought.

"No, Vernon, he will not" Petunia argued back.

"I'm the head of this house, and I say he ruddy well will! What I say goes around here woman"! Vernon yelled back at his wife.

"Head of this house? Who paid for this house Vernon? I did, and with the inheritance that my parents left after they died. It surely wasn't you, as you could hardly afford to keep us up at the time"! Petunia reminded him in a cold tone.

"Oh, so you’re taking up for the little bastard now are you? Well then, how about I just set you both out to the curb eh? You surely have nowhere to go, and neither of you have any money to speak of. Did you ever think of that Evans"? His uncle bellowed. This sounded to be getting out of hand very quickly.

Harry eased out of his room and silently padded down the steps. He hid back behind the living room entrance to listen more closely.

"I'm Evans now am I? Well that's a ruddy bit better than a Dursley"! Petunia bit out. Then there was a loud smack.

Harry rushed into the living room with his wand drawn, and saw something he never thought he would ever see. For now, lying sprawled in the middle of the floor, was his aunt who sported a large red mark down the side of her face, and that made Harry's blood boil. He and his aunt might not have gotten along, but he'd be damned if he'd let that fat lummox beat her. With a quick flick of his wand he yelled "Crur Levo (1)"! Vernon was pulled up to the ceiling by his legs, leaving him dangling upside down. His fat arms were flailing about, and his face was that horrid puce colour again. Harry was shaking mad now as he walked over and grabbed Vernon by the collar. Then, with a wide swing, his fist connected with Vernon’s jaw with a loud crunch. The next punch hit him square on the nose, also effectively breaking it. Then, Harry put his wand between Vernon’s eyes, and his hand was trembling terribly.

"I could kill you where you are Vernon Dursley, using just two words, and you would be dead. I could do it you know, just a quick little spell, and you would be no more. I may just do it anyway, just to rid the world of scum like you". Harry said in a cold even tone, his voice low, eyes held half-lidded with revenge across his face.

"You wouldn't dare do it, you little freaking coward". Vernon spit out through his broken jaw.

"Oh wouldn't I"? Harry said standing back taking aim with his wand. As Harry started to swish his wand, Vernon started whimpering, and with the final swish, Harry shouted "Silencio"!

Vernon was shaking violently now, and a large wet spot had started forming at his groin. He struggled to speak, and found he couldn't no matter how hard he tried. Harry then went over to his aunt and kneeled beside her.

"Are you all right aunt Petunia"? Harry asked softly.

She set there looking at Vernon like she was in shock. "He hit me! The bastard actually hit me....".

"Yes he did aunt Petunia. Here, let me help you up". Harry walked over to her and offered her his hand, which she took, and stood up with her knees trembling. Harry led her over to a chair and set her down.

"Dudley, get your arse up from behind the couch where you’re hiding, and get your mother a glass of water"! Harry ordered.

"Aunt Petunia, calm down, everything will be all right". Muttered Harry

Dudley hurried back in with the water, and held it out to his mother who took it in her shaking hands to take a small sip. "Oh, Harry, thank you for helping me. I never thought that Vernon would ever do what he did". At this she started to cry.

"Yes, well I'll guarantee you he'll not do it again, if I have anything to say about it". Harry said as he patted his aunt on the arm for support. He was pants at this and knew it.

"Dudley, I have to go, and will be gone for a short while, but I will be back as soon as possible. Pack your mums things and have them ready for when I return. I'm going to take her out of here where it's safe, and you can come too if you want, but you are to give me NO trouble. Aunt Petunia, I have 10 minutes to be at the park, and I'll be back as soon as possible, so be ready to go as soon as I get back here". Harry said, and then ran upstairs to retrieve his invisibility cloak.

Harry came back downstairs and threw his cloak over him. He then opened the door and walked out into the night, all the while looking around for anyone watching the Dursley’s house. When Harry didn't see anyone, he left at a fast pace down the sidewalk. He knew he was in trouble, the same trouble he was in last year. He didn't really care this time though, not like he once did. 'Fuck Fudge, and the underage magic restriction. If he tries to do anything to me, I'll just give the Daily Prophet a nice little interview about him. They'll keel hole the bastard, and crucify him over it', Harry thought, as he rounded the corner close to the park. Harry slowed up so he could look around as he approached the grounds. He didn't see anyone at first, but then he spotted someone sitting on a bench in the far back wearing a black cloak. Harry snuck up within ten feet of the figure.

"Who are you, show yourself"! Harry said.

The figure stood up quickly and whispered, "Potter"? He then dropped his hood, and there was that head of blond hair that was unmistakably Draco Malfoy’s.

Harry finally pulled his cloak off, while still holding his wand at his side, to show the young wizard that he would use it if necessary.

"Harry"! Draco spoke up almost too loudly, the sudden appearance of Harry’s body startling him.

"Yes, it's me. There's nobody with you I take it, and what about Nod"? Harry wondered.

"I sent Nod to Hogwarts to stay with Dobby for the time being. We need to talk Pot..Harry. I have a lot to tell you, so where do you live from here"? Rushed Draco.

"Listen Draco, this may not be the best time, as I had a disturbance at my home tonight; family matters". Harry tried to explain.

"Harry, I uh, left home tonight. I thought you knew what I was planning on doing, and I have nowhere else to go, but with you at the moment in order to stay safe". Draco said as he looked at his feet, and was clearly upset about this.

"You what? Holy hippogriffs balls Draco; we're going to have a huge problem then! Let me think about what to do OK"? Harry’s words tumbled out.

"Harry, I uh, understand if you don't want me around, I'll just....".

"No Draco, no, just give me a minute, and wait. I was going to leave the Dursley’s myself, but not for a few days yet. Now, I’ll have to leave tonight since my so-called filthy muggle uncle wanted to toss me out tonight, and my aunt tried to stop him. He hit her, and well, I sort of used some magic to put a stop to it. I'll be in trouble with the ministry again over it. So, all I know to do is the three of us get a room at the Leaky Cauldron for now". Harry explained. "Where's your trunk, clothes, and all of your stuff if you’re leaving"?

"I shrunk them of course, like everyone else, and they're in my pockets". Stated Draco.

"Your not allowed to use magic, how did you do that? You’re only a month older than me, and we're both a year away from seventeen"? Said a dumbstruck Harry.

"Harry, you actually believe my wand has any ministry tracking spells on it? Father removed them the day I bought it at Ollivander’s. Don't tell me Bumbledore didn't remove the ones on yours? No, scratch that, he probably added more to it if he ever got his hands on it". Draco stated.

"Draco, for once I totally agree with you. However, we need to get back to the Dursley’s. I left my fat arse of an uncle hanging by his feet in the living room, silenced, with a broke nose and jaw I figure". Harry said with a half grin.

Draco laughed at this. "You almost remind me of a Slytherin Potter, I mean Harry! I would have loved to have seen that".

"What you don't know Draco is that I was almost placed in Slytherin, but I talked the sorting hat out of it due to a certain blond, who shall remain nameless, as they had just been sorted into it". Harry said with a smirk at Draco's dumbfounded expression.

"You did what, how is that possible? We need to talk Harry, so let's get moving, and get this over with". Draco said while shaking his head.

"Hear get under this with me, it's an invisibility cloak". Harry explained as he lifted it in the air to allow Draco under it with him.

"Where did you get one of these, because they're extremely rare, and I've never seen one made like this one"? Draco enquired curiously.

"My father left it to me. Apparently, it's been in my family for many generations, or at least that's what Dumbledore told me. What I can't figure out is why Dumbledore had it to start with". Harry replied, while wondering about the whole mess.

As they made it back up the street, Draco asked, "So, where do you live Harry"?

"Just up the street to the right, number four privet drive. I have a neighbor across the street, a Mrs. Figg. She's a squib like my aunt, and belongs to the Order. I don't want her to see or hear us, so be quiet until we get inside".

"So, it's true then, there is an Order to fight the Dark Lord"? Whispered Draco.

"Yes, it's called the Order of the Phoenix, and it was created by Dumbledore back when Voldemort first came into power. Oh don't flinch at the half-blooded bastards name, he's no damn lord either, it’s just a self-proclaimed title". Harry whispered his explanation. "Here we are, inside quick".

Once inside, and after removing the cloak, Draco had a look around. "You surely don't live like this", Draco remarked with a scowl.

"Oh this is good compared to the way I have lived", Harry sighed. "Please, withhold saying anything like that in front of aunt Petunia right now. She and I finally came to a bit of an understanding today, and I don't want to ruin it. She is the only blood relative I have left besides my cousin Dudley". At this, Harry snorted.

They both walked into the living room, and there was Vernon still dangling upside down. He had passed out by the looks of it, all the blood going to his head Harry supposed. Probably the first time any had been there he reasoned. Where he had pissed himself, it had made a stain all the way down his front. At this time, Dudley came into the living room.

"Mums packed Harry, she'll be down in a minute, and I'm going to stay here for now. You'll let him down before you leave"? Dudley asked while looking at his shoes.

"Dudley, this is Draco Malfoy, a friend of mine". At this, Draco looked at Harry with a look of awe. "You know he deserved what happened don't you Dudley? If I hadn't stepped in, he would have beaten your mum worse than she got. All this because she finally took up for me". Harry said with a sorrowful expression on his face.

"Yea, I know, I saw it building up all week. There was a lot of things said you didn't hear while you were in your room. Harry, about last summer, when you saved me from those demented things; well, I want to say that I'm grateful for what you did. I'm sorry you got into trouble over it with the ministry. As bad as I've treated you over the years, well, I'm sorry. I'd like to start over if it's possible". Dudley asked holding out a hand the size of a large ham.

Harry didn't know what to do at this. Finally, he took his hand and shook it. Dudley grinned and then gave Harry a pat on the back. "Dudley, can you go upstairs and start bringing your mums things down"?

“Sure Harry, I'll be back down as soon as I can. Oh and Harry, mum is still pretty upset, so take care of her will you"? Harry nodded his head at this, and Dudley turned and went back upstairs.

"Draco, I only have enough Galleons on me to rent two rooms off Tom tonight. I'll have to go to Gringotts tomorrow sometime to get some more money. We'll have to share a room it looks like, and It'll be safer that way anyhow, plus we can talk about everything you wanted to tell me earlier. That is if that's ok with you"? Harry turned to Draco and asked.

"Oh, yea, that will be fine. Uh, where's your room, we'll need to get your things"? Draco inquired.

"It's upstairs, follow me". Harry said as he led the way.

Once inside Harry’s room, Draco took in the sight. He couldn't help but comment, and it came out before he could stop it. "You live in this hovel Harry? My God, house elves live better than this".

"Shush"! Harry cut across Draco. "Not now, just help me get my things out of the press there". Harry then threw his trunk onto the bed and opened it.

As Draco filled Harry's trunk with all the old over-size clothes he could find, which wasn't many at all, he noticed Harry prying up a floorboard. He stopped what he was doing to watch as Harry lifted out a small pillowcase full of something, and what looked to be a photo album.

"What are those Harry"? Draco asked, while making Harry startle and turn around.

"Oh, a bag of sweets, and a photo album of my parents that Hagrid gave me my first year. It's all I have to remember them by". Harry said, while holding out the album, which he surprised himself when he did.

Draco carefully took it and looked through it. "Harry is this your mum"? Harry nodded. "My mum has a picture of her at home, on the mantle over the fireplace in her room. I never knew who she was, and mum never said. She never told me she knew your mum".

"Mum was friends with a few people in Slytherin. What she ever saw in that greasy arse Snape, I'll never know. They grew up together before Hogwarts, my mum, Lily Evans, aunt Petunia, and Snape. Snape and my mum were the same age, and aunt Petunia is a year younger. That's about all I know about them, and that they lived in the same neighborhood. Fucking Snape”, Harry spat, “would rather lose the friendship of my mum over the dark arts". Harry shook his head while taking back the album, and packing it in his trunk before he closed the lid.

They walked out into the hall, and noticed a light on in Harry's aunt’s bedroom. When they looked inside, Petunia was setting on the bed crying. Harry rushed over, sat beside her, and placed a calming arm around her. "Aunt Petunia, are you all right? Well, of course your not, what am I saying. I wish I had a calming draught to give you, but my so-called friends never send me home with any potions. It will be all right, I promise".

Draco stepped over to where they were sitting, reached inside a pocket in his cloak, withdrew a small phial of calming draught, and handed it to Harry.

"What's this"? Harry asked with surprise.

"Calming draught, Pot… Harry, it's ok, I have plenty. Go ahead, it won't hurt her. It will calm her down so we can get everything finished and go". Explained Draco. He then went to get Harry's aunt some water from the bathroom to take after the potion if she needed it.

Harry pulled out the stopper and handed it to his aunt. "Here aunt Petunia, drink this down, it will help just like muggle nerve medication". Petunia drank the whole phial, and Draco handed her some water. The effect was almost instantaneous, and she calmed down as if she were never upset.

"Mrs. Dursley, do you mind if I see the side of your face, as it's starting to bruise? I have some ointment for that, and can cast a glamour spell on it to save your dignity, and it will not be seen." Draco said as Petunia just noticed him standing there.

"Aunt Petunia, this is the friend I told you about meeting tonight, Draco Malfoy". Harry stated, and Draco looked at him with respect.

Draco took Petunias hand in his, bent down and placed a small kiss on it, then looked up. "It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Dursley".

"Thank you Draco, thank both of you. Yes, if you could heal this bruise, it would be appreciated". Petunia said just above a whisper.

Draco took out his wand and hesitated as he looked at Harry. Harry nodded to proceed. Draco first cast a diagnostic spell on her cheek to check it for any fractures. "Well, there are no broken bones thank goodness". He reached into his cloak again and pulled out a small blue jar of salve. He placed a little dab on his index finger and applied it over her cheek. He gave the jar to Petunia with instructions on how to use it, and then cast the glamour charm. "How does it feel now Mrs. Dursley"?

She poked her cheek with her finger lightly and said; "It feels a whole lot better. It's no longer burning and hurting at all". She got up and looked in the mirror at her face. "Magic is simply amazing isn't it? I just never could do it, even though I tried. With Lily's wand, I could only make things barely move. Thus, I was labeled a squib". Petunia said the last in almost a whisper. Then she turned and looked at the two boys now standing by the door. "All right then, let's get going. Duddykins has taken my luggage downstairs already, and he's probably sitting with his father I'm sure. Harry, you will take those spells off before we go I take it"?

"Uh, yes aunt Petunia, I'll get Draco to as his wand can't be traced. I'm going to be in trouble over what magic I've already cast. It's a wonder an owl hasn't made it hear yet from the ministry. We also need to figure out how we'll get there, as I can't apparate yet. Aunt Petunia never has apparated, nor flooed. The fireplace downstairs is now blocked, and was disconnected from the floo after Arthur used it that one time. I only have my broom, and aunt Petunia wouldn't want to fly surely. That only leaves driving, taking a cab, or the night bus". Harry said now starting to worry about what to do.

"Harry, I can side-along apparate both of you to Charing Cross Road easily. I've been able to apparate for a year now. I can take only one at a time now, as I'm not experienced enough for more than that. I don't think your aunt is in much of a state for the night bus either. Mrs. Dursley, all you have to do when we apparate is hold on to my arm really tight. Just close your eyes, take a big breath, and it will be over in seconds since we're this close to London. When I tell you to open your eyes, you'll be standing in London. Would that be ok with you, it would be the easiest"? Asked Draco.

"I’ve never apparated before either Draco, even by side-along. It's not dangerous is it"? Harry questioned nervously.

"No, Harry, I've done this a few times. All you have to do is do like I told your aunt. I'll take care of the rest. I'll take you first, and come back for your aunt. I don't want to leave her waiting for us in London by herself for any amount of time. She would be safer to wait here until I come back for her. We'll go out back to do it so we can get away from any anti-apparation wards. Your neighbor across the street may see us after hearing the first crack to warn her. If she doesn't see us leave, she may just think it's another member of the Order coming to check on things. We'll use your cloak in case anyone else is about, and it's also dark, so nobody should see us back there". Draco explained to both.

"OK, let's get going"! Chirped Petunia. Harry's mouth dropped at this. "Harry I apparated once with Lily a long time ago. Don't make too much of it". Harry just nodded dumbly and followed her out along with Draco. Draco couldn't hold back the snicker at this.

Downstairs, they went into the living room where Vernon still hung by his feet, but was now wide awake. He started flailing around again, but couldn't speak. Draco narrowed his eyes at him and walked over to where he hang. "Fat man, you like beating on ladies do you? Well, you just pissed off two of the most powerful and richest wizards of their age. I would pity you when you go to court, but I won't, as you deserve what's going to happen. You might ought to look for another place to stay because I'm sure your wife will get the house, furnishings, and the car. You'll be lucky to have a job once it's all and done with". Vernon tried to take a swing at Draco, and that was his mistake. Draco whipped his wand out, and with a quick flick he said "Morbid Somnium (2)". Vernon fell asleep with a just twitch every now and then. Draco turned around and said, "He's asleep. He'll wake when the spell wears off sometime tomorrow". With that he cast a Finite Incantatem for the Silencio charm. He looked at Harry then, "What spell did you use to hoist him up"?

"Uh, I used Crur Levo. Crur Solvo (3) is the counter". Replied Harry dryly while looking at Vernon twitch. He had a good idea about what that spell did that Draco used on Vernon, and he found it didn't bother him at all.

"OK then". Draco said calmly. "Accio Couch". Draco summoned the couch under Vernon with another flick of his wand. Then with another quick flick Draco said, "Crur Solvo". Vernon dropped like a ton of bricks head first on the couch. "That's all taken care of, are we ready"?

"If you don't mind, would you shrink aunt Petunias luggage for her"? Harry asked with a smile. That smile melted Draco, as it was something he had wanted to see directed at him ever since he had met Harry.

"No problem at all Harry." Smiled Draco, and he quickly shrunk everything down, and handed it to Harry to place in the pockets of the jacket he had just put on. "I think that's got all of it".

Petunia turned to Dudley next. "Dudley, are you sure you want to stay? You can come with us if you want. I can't live with him anymore, not after he hit me. I've put up with a lot, but I will not tolerate that. That ended it, and I hope you understand"? Petunia said with tears in her eyes.

Dudley came over and hugged his mother to him. "Mum, I'll wait until you get settled down, and I'll try to take care of things here the best that I can. When you do get settled, I may come and stay then. We'll keep in touch though, so phone me, and let me know how everything is". Dudley then turned to Harry. "Harry, thanks for taking up for mum. I guess I owe you again". With that, Dudley took his leave and went back up to his room.

"Mrs. Dursley, it's time to go. We'll be in London and settled in a room in no time". They turned the lights off and out the back door they went. Harry draped his invisibility cloak the best he could over all three and made for the back gate. Once there, Harry and Draco quickly stepped out leaving Petunia still covered.

"Aunt Petunia, Draco will be back within the minute", Harry whispered to his aunt. He then stepped over and took hold of Draco's arm, and with a loud crack they disapparated.

Petunia started to get scared there all by herself while only covered in the cloak. The loud crack spooked her the most, and she didn't have much time to think about it until she heard the same loud crack again. She started at the sound, looked to her right, and saw Draco looking for her in the dark. She walked over to him, still under the cloak, and tipped his arm. Draco about jumped out of his skin, and she couldn't help the small chortle she gave. She quickly pulled the cloak off and showed herself to the young wizard.

"Mrs. Dursley, you almost gave me a heart attack"! Draco whispered nervously.

Petunia patted him on the shoulder, "Come on, it's time to go". With that, she grabbed onto his arm tight, closed her eyes, and with another loud crack, they were gone from number four privet drive.

From an alley off Charing Cross Road, and after the loud crack of apparation subsided, out strolled three people that some would have said would have never been paired together. From there, they made their way straight to the Leaky Cauldron. It was now 4:00 AM in the morning, and nobody was inside when they went through the door, but Tom the barman. He had quickly come from a room just behind the bar to greet them.

"Harry Potter, my word, what are you doing here at this hour"? Asked Tom, who waved his hand lighting the sconces on the wall.

"Tom, we need two of your best rooms, one for Harry's aunt, and another for Harry and myself. If anyone asks if we have been here, you haven't seen or heard from us". Draco said as he threw down 50 galleons on the bar. Tom nodded in agreement, and guided them towards the stairs to show them to their rooms.


(1) Crur Levo = Leg Lift

(2) Morbid Somnium = Morbid Dreams, or nightmarish sleep.

(3) Crur Solvo = Leg Release


.