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Bonded chapter 31 -
🕑 Added 2022-12-30 16:04:59 +0000 UTCChapter 31 -
"What are you doing, Harry?" Ron asked, the trio sitting in the common room. Ron was munching on a chocolate Frog as Hermione began reading through Ron's homework while Harry was writing something on a piece of parchment.
"I'm writing a letter to my relatives," Harry revealed.
"You don't usually write to them," Hermione frowned as she looked up from Ron's homework.
"Well, usually they pick me up from the station but I wanted to try something different this year," Harry confessed.
"What are you telling them?" Ron asked with half of a chocolate frog moving in his mouth.
"Honestly, Ronald, swallow your food," Hermione sighed.
"I basically told them 'Get bent, you judgemental pricks, don't bother picking me up. You're failures in every conceivable metric, don't bother picking me up since I don't plan to see you assholes ever again, at least until you die, then I'm going to laugh during your funerals'." Harry answered, reading his letter out loud. He looked up at the shocked expressions on the faces of his friends. "What do you guys think? Too subtle?" He asked.
'Needs more swear words,' Venom answered.
"Harry, I know you don't like your family but is it really necessary to talk to them like that?" Hermione asked, being the first to regain her ability to speak.
"Well, it's a lot like a toilet really," Harry replied with a thoughtful expression. "I could just find a hole and magic away my waste, but I'd prefer to use a toilet. I could speak to them nicely, but I'd much prefer to openly express my opinions of them."
"But if they don't pick you up then what are you going to do during the holidays?" Ron asked.
"Simple, I'm going to head to Diagon Alley and stay there for a while until Sirius is allowed to look after me," Harry shrugged. "And if he isn't able to look after me before I go back to school then it won't really matter since I'll only be staying there a few weeks. I could work in the book store again," He added in a thoughtful voice.
"Harry, you can't stay on your own for all those weeks," Hermione protested.
"Why not?" Harry asked. "Diagon Alley is perfectly safe, it's familiar, I know how to get in and out of there. I know the people there, I can get a job to keep me busy as well, and I don't have to deal with the stinking Dursleys as an added bonus."
"Mum would throw a fit if I tried staying there on my own," Ron said.
"Somehow I don't think my mother is going to be doing much complaining," Harry said, placing his parchment into an envelope.
"Harry, I really don't think that this is a good idea," Hermione spoke up. "You're not old enough to stay out there on your own."
"I was old enough to fight the most feared dark lord of all time and I was old enough to kill a basilisk and fight off dementors, I think I can handle lasting a few weeks in a shopping area without dying." Harry rolled his eyes before turning and walking out of the common room. He kept walking until eventually he reached the owlery, he entered and walked in. "Hi Hedwig," He greeted his snowy owl before she leapt off her perch and flew towards him, landing on his outstretched arm. "How's my favourite girl doing?" He asked, stroking her back. Hedwig let out a small hoot as a black tentacle shot out from Harry's back and closed the door behind him. The tip of the tentacle shifted into Venom's head and moved towards Hedwig.
"Hello Hedwig," Venom greeted her, rubbing his head against hers. Hedwig gave Venom an affectionate hoot before she looked questioningly at the letter in Harry's hand.
"It's a letter for the Dursley's," Harry explained, Hedwig gave him a questioning look. "Yeah, I know, us too, but this is me basically telling them to get lost." He added.
"We're not going back there anymore!" Venom grinned while Harry started tying the letter to Hedwig's leg.
"Drop off this letter, steal some of their food for yourself and come straight back," Harry told her. Hedwig nodded to show her understanding before she flapped her wings and took off, flying out of the owlery.
"Don't forget to poop in their food!" Venom yelled after her.
(.)
"That is excellent work, Harry, that is absolutely marvellous!" Andromeda praised him in their latest potions class as she looked at the navy blue potion he had produced for her.
"Thank you," Harry said, feeling somewhat embarrassed by her praise. "I did my best."
"And your best looks good enough to be used at St Mungo's hospital," She told him with a bright smile on her face. "You've improved so much this year, you should be extremely proud of yourself."
"Thanks," Harry smiled. "Will you be teaching me again next year?" He asked hopefully.
"Of course, as long as you still want me to," Andromeda replied as she placed his potion into two vials that she put into her bag. "I think I'll give the rest of this to Madam Pomfrey," She added. "She could do with having more of it in the hospital wing. So, are you looking forward to your holidays?" She asked.
"Yeah, I'm going to spend it in Diagon Alley," He revealed.
"Oh, why?" She asked.
"My family and I don't get along," He said simply. "It's better for all of us this way."
"Where will you be staying?" She frowned.
"The Leaky Cauldron," Harry answered. "I stayed there last summer, and I was able to get a job at the book store to keep me busy. I'm hoping to basically do the same thing this summer."
"Well..." Andromeda paused, a thoughtful look on her face. "Maybe you don't have to, you could stay at my house this summer if you want." She offered.
"Mrs Tonks, I don't want to impose and..."
"Nonsense," She said, waving him off. "It would be an absolute pleasure to have you. Not to mention, I think that my dear Nymphadora would enjoy having your company for the holidays." She added, hoping to sweeten the offer.
"Umm...I'll think about it," Harry coughed as he stood up.
"That's good, let me know if you want to come, if you decide to come during your holidays then send me a letter and I'll come and fetch you." She smiled at him.
"Okay, thank you." Harry nodded to her before he turned and walked out of the door.
'I think we should take her offer,' Venom spoke up.
'Why should we?' Harry asked.
'Why not?' Venom countered.
'That's a fair point,' Harry admitted. 'But I'm not sure.'
'Why not? We can spend the holiday with Tonks!'
'Isn't that going to be a bit awkward?' Harry asked.
'Nah, we can win her over her.' Venom stated confidently.
(.)
"And that is the end of today's lesson," Professor McGonagall said, sitting behind her desk. The students all stood up and began packing their things away so they could leave. "Mr Potter, stay behind please." She told him.
'What does she want with me?' Harry wondered, directing his mental question to Venom.
'Maybe she wants to give you an award,' Venom said optimistically.
"Yes, Professor?" Harry asked after all the students had left, walking to Professor McGonagall's desk and stopping it in front of it. "Have I done something wrong?" He asked.
"Have you?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Depends on who you ask, I suppose," Harry said with a small smile. "But I was referring to my behaviour during this lesson."
"Your behaviour was perfectly fine and your work was far above adequate, I'm quite happy with the improvements you've made this year, and I am hoping to see more of it for next year." She responded. "But that is not what I wish to talk to you about. The headmaster wishes to talk to you," She said as she stood up. "Follow me, Mr Potter." She told him before walking past her desk and out of the classroom with Harry quickly following behind her.
"Um...Professor," Harry spoke up. "Did the headmaster mention why he wanted to speak to me?" He asked.
"He did not," She answered. "Though he did mention it being related to whatever you both had discussed the last time you talked." She added.
"Right," Harry said quietly, not saying another word until they reached the statue that lead to Dumbledore's office. "So, what's the password this time?"
"Hubba Bubba," Professor McGonagall said, looking as if it pained her to say that password out loud. "It's apparently a variation of muggle chewing gum," She told Harry as the statue started moving out of the way to reveal a staircase.
"I'm familiar with it," Harry told her before he walked up the stairs, not remotely surprised that Professor McGonagall didn't follow him up.
"Come in," Dumbledore's voice called out before Harry could even raise his hand to knock on the door.
'Show off,' Venom said, causing Harry to have to supress a snort as he opened the door and walked in. Dumbledore was sat behind his desk as expected, Harry walked over and stopped in front of him.
"You wanted to see me, Professor?" Harry asked.
"Yes, do sit down, Harry," Dumbledore said, gesturing to the chair opposite his desk. Harry gave him a small nod and sat down. "Harry, do you recall our last conversation?" He asked.
"You mean the one where you basically told me to stay at the Dursleys for the summer?" Harry asked rhetorically.
"That very one, yes," Dumbledore nodded. "I thought that would be the end of it, but it has come to my notice that you are intending to continue with your plan to stay in Diagon Alley." He said, looking disappointed in Harry. Harry's eyes narrowed at Dumbledore. It didn't take long for Harry to work out what had happened.
"Hermione told you, didn't she?" Harry scowled.
"Now, Harry, please do not be angry with Miss Granger, she is acting out of concern for you." Dumbledore told him. "And I share her concerns, Diagon Alley is hardly a safe place for you to stay for the summer."
"As opposed to what? Here?" Harry snorted. "Where Draco Malfoy regularly tried to curse me in the back, trolls break in, teachers try to obliviate and kill me and I have to fight basilisks and dementors?"
"Those are unfortunate circumstances," Dumbledore said, shifting slightly in his seat. "But the fact remains is that with those exceptions, Hogwarts is the safest place in Britain. And if we may stick to the topic at hand, if you stay in Diagon Alley you will be defenceless."
"I can take care of myself," Harry replied. "I always have done and I always will do."
"I'm aware of your accomplishments, Harry, but it doesn't change the fact that you are still quite young. There are many things in this world that you don't know, and it is not safe for you to stay there on your own."
"Fine," Harry said through gritted teeth. "I know someone who is willing to let me stay at her house for the summer, I'll stay there then." He
"And who might this be?" Dumbledore asked, raising one of his bushy eyebrows.
"Why would you like to know, Professor?" Harry asked, making his voice sound curious.
"I am merely concerned with your safety, Harry," Dumbledore answered easily.
"What about the other students? I doubt that you go around checking where they spend the summer."
"That is true," Dumbledore nodded, not even bothering to deny it. "But you are no ordinary student, are you, Harry? There are many forces in this world that want you gone, and I am doing my best to keep you safe."
"So how am I safer in the Dursley's house?" Harry growled. "That's a muggle family in the muggle world, at least in Diagon I could have other witches and wizards around me that could contact the aurors and I could have access to the floo network."
"Harry," Dumbledore sighed deeply. "There are wards placed in the Dursley's house, special ones. When your mother, Lily, sacrificed herself for you, she protected you. That was why Voldemort could not touch you when you confronted him in your first year. I was able to tap into those protections to create wards, the wards require you to stay with a blood relative of your mother's for them to be recharged. And seeing that the only one you have available to you is your aunt, you must stay with her. You need to stay with her at least for a few weeks every summer to keep the ward active and up, if you don't it could break. So long as this ward is up, Voldemort cannot truly harm you." He finished, staring intently at Harry.
"That explains a lot," Harry said thoughtfully. "That's why you always want me to go and stay there."
"Yes," Dumbledore said, looking somewhat relieved that Harry appeared to understand him. "It's why I must insist that you change your decision and stay at the Dursley's home for at least a few weeks, I..."
"No," Harry interrupted him.
"I beg your pardon?" Dumbledore asked, looking confused.
"I appreciate your concern, Headmaster, but at the end of the day, this is my life and I plan to live it as I see fit." Harry told him. "I'm not staying with the Dursleys again, and that's final."
"But Harry, you are..."
"You are not my guardian, Professor," Harry cut him off. "You have no authority over me outside of school, and I will stay where I want." He said, standing up.
"But you'll be in danger, Voldemort is still out there and..."
"And when he comes for me, I'll be waiting," Harry smirked.
'We will be waiting,' Venom corrected him, his voice filled with anticipation and Harry could very easily picture Venom's wide, toothy grin.
"Goodbye Professor," Harry nodded to him before turning and walking away, ignoring Dumbledore calling after him. 'We should probably go and let Andromeda know that we're accepting her offer,' Harry told Venom, thinking about how staying at Andromeda's house could reduce a lot of arguments against him not going to the Dursleys.
'Maybe we should do something about the Dursleys,' Venom suggested, causing Harry to stop in his tracks as soon as he had got down the bottom of the stairs.
'I'm listening.'
Comments
Christian Jeffress
Happy New Year
David Beltran
Loved to see the new update, man, I hope the Hermione stop keeping to break Harry's trust before it's to late
