Crosses to Bear
Harry had been dreaming, a dream of loved ones, this was now common for him, some nights just of the loved ones happy, others of the death that usually followed, this one though, perhaps unfortunately, Harry was never to remember, as he was awoken with a shock. 2 big brown eyes were looming above his face, barely an inch from his face, he could see a strange beauty in them he couldn't place.
`Dobby, Sir, come to give Master Potter his present!' squealed the excited house elf obviously in glee at what he had believed to be perfectly normal.
`What did I tell you before, if you want to wake me, poke me or something' Harry said rather cruder than was needed as he leaned over to grab his glasses, a loud noise seemed to be digging into Harry's ears, probably a Rock Song that Dudley was now into. Why did Dobby keep on doing this, Harry couldn't fathom, why he had such love for Harry he'd never know. It's like stray dogs Harry thought, u let them stay then you can't get rid of them. Harry slipped on the glasses and looked at Dobby, the tears in his eyes were evident, damn Harry thought, made him cry.
`I'm sorry, Dobby, Really, I'm just not a morning per…' Harry stopped as he noticed his room. The room had been completely decorated in bright baubles which were squeaking `Happy Birthday', Gryffindor posters which had roaring sound effects and another painting done by Dobby, this time a little more recognizable as Harry. The room, although looking about as hideous as a room could look, and actually managed to sound worse, was obviously Dobby's idea of the best present in the world, Harry was quick to realize that the effort and cost of this present meant a lot, that Dobby had tried his little green, orange and purple socks off that he was wearing on his ears. `Oh…thank you Dobby, It's…fantastic' Harry lied. This time Dobby's tears were evidently for joy as he threw himself into a big hug with Harry.
`Master Potter, you are too kind, too kind by half' Dobby said tears streaming down his face `But Dobby doesn't matter sir, Dobby is soon to be fired sir and would love to be...' Dobby struggled with his request `in Master Potter's employment, Sir'
`What do you mean fired!' Harry commanded. Who would fire Dobby and why? He already knew the answer, Dumbledore had been the one to pay him, now whoever was in charge would run things differently. Harry had been considering this, he didn't think McGonagall would get the job, she was a great witch but Harry got the impression that she didn't have the same contacts that Dumbledore exercised. Harry also thought that Rufus Scrimgeour would of carried on Fudge's work of control over Hogwarts hadn't it meant going up against Dumbledore and consequently, Harry didn't enjoy admitting it, himself, the chosen one. He thought this one of the reasons for Scrimgeour trying to get Harry in bed with him, as to bring down Dumbledore and that him saying Harry was `Dumbledore's man through and through' was obviously showing this. But would Harry take Dobby on as a house elf, and to what house? The answer was instantly obvious to Harry.
`Of course Dobby, I'd be Honored' Harry stated with a little bow, which made Dobby break into perhaps his biggest crying fit of his life `but Dobby, there are conditions, first you get no less than 20 galleons a week, don't shriek Dobby, and also two days of a week' Harry ordered, Dobby who was still in tears, `plus Hermione can work out pensions and health schemes with you' he added with a grin and gleam in his eye knowing how funny the two would be together working this out.
`Master Potter, you are the greatest wizard in the world, truly you are, and Dobby will perform all of your tasks and more perfectly or suffer the greatest torment Dobby can bestow upon myself!' Dobby exclaimed excitedly. `I take it I will be going to number 12 Grimmauld place, Master? And I will make it fit for the chosen one who will vanquish the…!'
A knock on the door interrupted what Harry thought was going to be a very long winded praise of himself, something he was glad for. Hermione and Ron entered the room, both looking extremely shocked at the decorations laid out for Harry. Hermione let out a squeal and pulled Dobby into a hug, evidently S.P.E.W was now very much on the forefront of her mind. `Great to see you Dobby, what a surprise, and how lovely the room is, and oh, is that Harry, you're a wonderful artist!' spewed Hermione in a long flow of words, Ron directly behind her raised an eyebrow at Harry then at the portrait.
`Ahhh,' Ron exclaimed in his most pretentious aristocratic voice `blimey! Another Dobby original, and how marvelous, it's of Harry Potter!' causing Harry to suppress a laugh.
`It is marvelous to see you Miss Granger, you are more beautiful than ever!' Dobby said earnestly making Hermione blush `and Noble Mr. Weasley, you have grown even taller!' Harry almost laughed out loud at this, having to fake a cough. `I am now the new house elf for the most noble and powerful and excellent wizard, Harry Potter' now it was Harry's turn to blush, had Harry made a mistake in employing Dobby, or should he just go ahead and get Colin Creevey as well.
`Don't worry Hermione, he's being paid 20 Galleons a week, 2 days of a week and your to arrange pensions and the like' Dobby shuddered to hear how well he was to be treated again, Hermione on the other hand positively beamed at Harry.
`If it is ok with Master Dobby has work to go to, Kreacher had neglected his duties in that house, Dobby will get to work and repair all!' obviously excited at the prospect of a morning of work, Harry nodded and with a simple `Happy Birthday' and a loud crack he disappparated. Harry lifted a wand waved it at the walls, and all the decorations disappeared. Harry sighed, sat up in his bed and looked at his best friends `So am I going to have to wait all day or have you got some presents for me?' He said with a huge grin, Happy with how his Birthday was turning out.
`Here mate, open mine first' said Ron flinging him a big package, Hermione eyeing him slightly angrily. Harry opened the package to find a full set of quidditch robes. `Not being at school doesn't mean we can't still play, I got mine as well! Ron excitedly explained `and I know Ginny got some as well!' Ron added slyly making Harry stare away pointedly `thanks Ron, It's great!' fully meaning it, especially the Ginny part.
`Now mine!' Hermione said gleefully passing Harry a small box carefully `I knew what I wanted to get you, I was reading in the library and stumbled across it but it was surprisingly hard to find' Hermione said as Harry opened the box, what he found surprised him.
`A snitch' Harry asked, the reply was instant like Hermione was waiting for that question `open it up'. As Harry looked for a way to open it he found a small catch on the side, opening it he was confronted by the images of the three of them in their 4 year at the Yule ball. `Amazing' Harry stammered, realizing again how good Hermione looked then.
`That's not all, watch this…Sirius' She said pointing her wand at the locket and the picture turned to a picture of Sirius Laughing at the Christmas party, fifth year. Although the image of his dead Godfather whose death he still partly blamed himself for was a bit of a shock, the happiness on his face made Harry glow inside. `I've put about 50 in their, say whoever you want to see then say next till you find the one you want, watch this…Hermione' the first picture of the three at the Yule ball, `next…' a picture of Hermione as a cat from the second year Harry and Ron laughed out loud at that, even Hermione chuckled ` Colin Creevey had that one, Beggar took it without me realizing, thought you'd like it…next' and their sat the present day Hermione, smiling at him from the photo, in what Harry realized as his cupboard, he couldn't help but notice that she probably looked even better in it than at the Yule ball. `Took that yesterday, as a practice' she positively beamed at Harry.
`It's…amazing Hermione, I mean you outdid yourself, and that's saying something, thanks both of you, it's the best birthday ever' said Harry as he surveyed his two best friends. Both were obviously delighted, Hermione even had a slight tear in her eye. For the first Birthday in his life he felt completely content. And Dobby was right, Hermione was looking more beautiful than ever and Ron had surely grown again. This Birthday was perfect so far, now onto the plan he had thought through all summer…
`Now, if you don't mind waiting up here and packing your things ready to go, ill be back in a second' Harry said with an glint in his eye as this two best friends exchanged confused looks between each other, `I think its time for a Dursley house meeting, and I'm the one calling it…'
************************************************************************
Harry sat down on the large cushioned couch usually reserved for uncle Vernon staring at the Dursley's and watching them obviously squirm under the distress Harry had been causing for them that morning, and the problems they could only guess were still to come. He had gone into their rooms, using Levicorpus to remove them from their beds, a twinge of guilt emitting from him for using one of Snape's spells, a guilt he quickly banished, before ordering a house meeting to commence in 5 minutes. He now stood there watching the Dursley's awaiting him to speak, all 3 of them having gone an off colour of green. Oh, how Harry was enjoying this. After what must have felt like eternity for the Dursley's Harry spoke, in the cool confidant voice he found he now had, coming out when action was needed to be taken.
`It's good that you came, running away would of meant this would have taken so much longer, and time it seems is running against me at the moment' Harry softly said, knowing fully that this was just 1 big intimidating show made Harry feel elated `So I will speak quick to you, say what I need to say, do what I need to do…' he trailed of for the dramatic purpose, `but first is your chance to make your case…I'm listening'.
Harry knew full well that there was no case to be said, hell he couldn't even fathom a single idea what they could possibly have to say, but being on the wrong end of countless telling offs by the professors at Hogwarts, Snape and McGonagall jumped instantly to Harry's mind, meant that he had long ago realized that it was very easy to sit still, look repentant and mumble apologies, but when you were asked to talk for yourself, that's where the real problems came. He watched the Dursley's give the reaction he knew they would, Vernon looked crossed between the verge of anger and of running from the house in fear to never return, Dudley looked to his parents, tears evident in his eyes, and Petunia…Petunia was looking appraisingly at Harry. Harry Hadn't expected that. What could she be appraising Harry wondered, no fear was evident in her face as she cleared her throat to speak.
`Make our case you ask us? You really don't understand anything do you? You are still a filthy little freak who will never understand' Petunia snarled at Harry who could only blink in response. He knew he had to regain control, scaring the Dursley's was number one priority, to actually hurt them wasn't a real option, just a fantasy Harry often had.
`Yes Petunia, make your case. A decade I lived not knowing I was a wizard for your ignorant preju…' Harry started before Petunia cut him of.
`Think you brat, what has the magical world brought you? The knowledge your parents where horrible murdered, that the murderer tried to kill you, that in this world they still try to kill you, and those you love? Your parents, your godfather, your headmaster, all dead. You should make your case as to why it's worth it' Petunia said this time without the disgust from earlier.
To say Harry was shocked would be a gross understatement, Petunia had pin pointed all of Harry's greatest fears, of losing those he loved, of his own fears for life and the big question of why? Today though was not a day for being sullen, but a day for action, he turned this to anger.
`HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT?' Harry bellowed at Petunia who flinched under Harry's anger. Dudley and Vernon on the other hand looked perfectly mortified, Dudley now with tears in his eyes. `WHAT COULD YOU KNOW! THESE ARE MY CROSSES TO BEAR, AND YOU DARE THROW THEM IN MY FACE!' Harry screamed once more, he had to keep his emotions in check, wandless magic was definitely on the cards with anger like this, the next he spoke was with forced calm `but this matters not, as I said there my crosses, you have yours also. You abused me for a decade, no matter what you say it was wrong and disgusting, and trust me when I say it will come back to get you, mark my words'. It was evident in Harry's tone that this was a threat, and Harry knew that the threat would be carried through as well, not yet but the plan had already started.
`Harry…' Petunia whispered `there's…things…I have to tell you'
Harry had expected this, he had spent hours considering it. His fifth year summer had showed that Petunia knew something, Harry had decided he didn't need to know yet. However much he wanted this riddle to be solved he knew that it would distract him from Voldemort, this revelation could wait. `Petunia, I know you know something, trust me when I tell you that one day soon I will hear it from you, but I cant now. Now Dursley's, I must be going' Harry said as he stood up to leave `Oh, one last thing…' and with a wave of his wand Dudley's ears turned into them of a pig, `that's better, just if you had that tail still' Harry laughed at the panicking Dursley family as he strode from the room to find his 2 best friends waiting for him.
`That was cool mate, can I go add the tail?' Ron said. Harry couldn't help but laugh, even Hermione let out a soft chuckle before adding `What is it with you and Dudley's arse?' recalling the previous weeks endeavors to make Dudley sit on a whoopee cushion, a joke Ron had found in a Muggle joke shop and thought fantastic.
`Cut it out you two' Harry said sternly making Ron and Hermione stop in their tracks, after waiting for a moment Harry added `We all know its Hermione who's obsessed with his arse!' Causing Ron to burst out in laughter saying between it `Yeah, always watching him wiggle it, and I thought you liked them a bit smaller!' Hermione during this was blushing furiously before playfully slapping the other two.
`You two are soooo mean' Hermione playfully pouted `well we better get going, you decided where yet Harry? Grimmauld?
`I was thinking we could stop by the Burrow? Didn't Ginny's last letter say that her summer was boring so far, shed love to see us…' Ron said, the word `us' but blatantly meaning Harry. At the beginning of summer this would of created an awkward silence, now though Harry was use to it, he joked to himself that where with Hermione you had to hear `Hogwarts: A History', with Ron you had to hear Ginny. Harry scorned himself for this like he did every time he used this metaphor. Honestly, comparing Ginny to one of Hermione's books was very unfair of him, especially as he really did like her, and there was no way any book was as hot as that girl!
`I've already decided where we're headed' Harry pronounced thinking quickly to himself, why doesn't he take Ron's idea, go see Ginny, even if just for an hour, but then again when has Harry Potter the `hero' ever done the selfish thing, damn his hero complex as Hermione would call it `Were going to Grimmauld, we need to start to put our plans into action'. Ron although looking down a touch stood resolutely at this, Harry knew Ron realized just how serious the plan was, and Hermione naturally enough had just as much determination burning in her eyes.
Harry approached their things and sent them to Grimmauld Place, feeling his heavy heart in his chest at the knowledge that he would soon be in his late godfather's house for the first time since his passing. Upon hearing the crack that had meant Ron had disapparated already he turned to look at Hermione who was watching him closely.
`Don't worry Harry, we're there for you' Hermione whispered softly, all Harry could manage to this was a solemn nod `and this isn't really Sirius' home, you know he never loved it, it was just a house to him' Hermione carried on biting her lip ever so slightly.
`I know, Hermione, I know' Harry spoke `But…you know...it just hurts sometimes, that's all…now before Ron thinks were adding a tail to that rear end of Dudley's we've all seen you admiring we better head his way' Harry joked, knowing Hermione didn't buy this feeble attempt at hiding his feelings. Hermione looked for a moment walked over to Harry, took his hand in hers and Harry felt the sense of squeezing all over his body he knew apparition to cause.
-->