Harry Potter and the Forbidden Passage

Chapter 2: Petunia's Past

"But you said your parents died in a fire," Uncle Vernon said.

"Well, I never wanted to face what really happened," Petunia said. "It was too...strange. the house was destroyed but their bodies were completely intact. They were not burned although the house had crashed down around them. No one could determine what killed them exactly, but they did look terrified. And I knew, I just knew this had to be because of her and her kind. Their deaths were not...not natural.

"Vernon, I'm frightened. What if he's after the boy?"

"We'll chuck the boy out. I'll not have him putting my family in danger."

"We can't Vernon. We can't. He'll kill the boy."

"Better him than us," Vernon snapped back.

"We won't be safe either if we throw him out," Petunia said evasively. "The last warning," she muttered. Harry thought of the howler Dumbledore sent Petunia last year. "Remember my last, Petunia!" it had said.

"What?" Uncle Vernon asked.

"The letter- the letter that came with Harry, it gave a warning. It said that my sister sacrificed herself to save her son and that put some kind of protection over him and our home while he's staying here. But if he ever leaves permanently that protection will vanish."

"So the boy won't be protected," Uncle Vernon said dismissively. "He's almost 16, he can handle himself."

"Vernon, you don't understand, it's not just the boy. Oh it's too terrible to say," Petunia sobbed.

"What Petunia? What is it?" Vernon demanded.

"We...we won't be protected either. The man who killed my sister and...and probably my parents will come after all of us and the protection over our home will vanish. The boy has to stay here for our safety, for Dudley's safety."

"Why would this mad man want to kill us?"

"He killed my parents, didn't he? Why would he want to kill them?" Petunia said bitterly.

At that moment, the stair creaked under Harry's right foot as he stepped down to listen closer.

"Who's there?" Vernon roared just before he appeared around the corner in front of Harry, who at that moment had never wished more for his apparition license.

"Oh, it's you boy. And what do you think you're doing? Listening to our private conversation?" Vernon accused as his face reddened with anger.

"N-No," Harry said a little too hastily. "I was, uh, just coming back."

"Back from where?"

"Um, just walking around a bit."

"You will not be leaving this house again until you leave for that...that school. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Uncle Vernon," Harry replied quickly. Aunt Petunia had now appeared at Vernon's side and was looking at Harry with red-rimmed eyes.

Harry suddenly felt a compulsion to do something he'd never done before. Perhaps it was his talk with Remus, perhaps it was because he finally understood why his aunt hated wizards, but in that moment, he hugged his aunt for this first time in his life. She stiffened immediately but to Harry's surprise, he felt her relax for a moment before he let go.

"Well, uh, good night," Harry said awkwardly before he started back up the stairs, leaving his aunt and uncle silently staring at him in shock. Harry turned around at the top of the stairs, seeing an opportunity. "Oh, uh, by the way, I'll be leaving in two days for the rest of the summer. Some people will come for me after dinner," he said quickly. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia were still in so much shock that they couldn't reply before he had disappeared into his bedroom.

* * * * *

The next morning Harry awoke to a horrifying nightmare inducing sight. Dudley Dursley was standing over his bed.

"Wha- What is it?" Harry stammered alarmed as he put on his glasses.

"You were doing it again," Dudley grinned.

"Doing what?" Harry asked thoroughly annoyed.

"Screaming a boy's name. This time you called him Sirius. That your new boyfriend?" Dudley cackled.

"Oh shut up, Dudley," Harry yelled pulling a pillow over his head.

"No wonder you like boys. What girl would ever go out with a four-eyed weirdo like you?" Dudley teased maliciously.

Harry sprang up and glowered at Dudley. "I think you've got that reversed. The real question is what girl would go out with a slothful pig like you?" Harry yelled back. "And for your information, I did have a girlfriend last year and I kissed her which is more than you can say I'm sure." He continued, "I scream in my sleep because I have seen horrors that you could never begin to imagine. I swear if you ever say another word about it, I'll turn you into the fat pig you are and you know I can do it."

"You can't do that here, they'll expel you," Dudley answered gleefully.

"That's true, there are restrictions on underage magic, but only till I'm seventeen, then all bets are off. So if you don't want another tail in a year, I suggest you leave me alone," Harry said forcefully rising to his full height, which was now several inches taller than Dudley.

Dudley almost stumbled as he practically ran out of the room whimpering.

Harry knew that he would probably have to pay for that outburst but he just didn't care. He was depressed again. Dudley was right, he had dreamt about Sirius last night, as he did every night. Every night since that horrible day in June, his mind had taken him to the Department of Mysteries and he would see Sirius falling over and over through the veil. The nightmares were slowly and effctively torturing him. As soon as he got back to Hogwarts, Harry planned to ask Madame Pomfrey for a dreamless sleep potion.

And then on top of all of that to have Dudley criticizing his love life was too much. Harry sighed as the thought of what a mess he had made with Cho. He had totally screwed up the relationship that he had wanted for two years. And now she had moved on to Ginny's ex of all people. But Harry found oddly that it didn't really matter anymore to him. Girls didn't seem all that important when evil wizards wanted to kill you. The whole Cho thing seemed so trivial now. The truth was once Harry got to know her, they really had nothing in common other than Quidditch. She was too girly and boring for his taste, as pretty as she was. Even Ginny had more in common with him.

In fact, Ginny had quite a bit in common with him if he thought about it. Ginny was really something else this year now that she had come out of her shell. It was unbelieveable how Ron's shy little sister had suddenly become a brave independent prankster with a real knack for quidditch. She would make a great addition to the Gryffindor quidditch team next season. Harry made a mental note to talk to her about joining the team when he saw her tomorrow. Tomorrow! Harry's heart skipped a beat at the thought of it. One more day and he could leave the Dursleys for another year.

"BOY! GET DOWN HERE!" Aunt Petunia's angry voice carried loudly up the stairs.

Harry pounded his fist into his pillow, muttering under his breath, "Dudley you prat, can't you keep your bloody mouth shut for once."

Harry reluctantly got out of bed and rushed downstairs to the kitchen where his was waiting, tapping her foot.

"What do you have to say for yourself?"

"Umm...about what?," Harry feigned innocence.

"You know very well what. What was that display last night and what's this about you leaving tomorrow?" she demanded.

Harry's eyes narrowed with confusion and looked at Dudley. Dudley was holding his hand over his mouth obviously trying to suppress laughter. He obviously knew Harry thought he had tattled.

"You did hear us, didn't you?" Petunia asked angrily.

"Yes, alright, yes, I heard all of it. But why didn't you tell me before? WHY IS EVERYTHING KEPT SECRET FROM ME?" Harry shouted back.

"Don't you dare talk to me like that boy. You're lucky we've kept a roof over your head. You heard us last night, you heard the story, do you think I really want to remember it? As far as I'm concerned, my parents would still be alive if it weren't for your kind," Petunia yelled back fiercely. "As it is, we're stuck with you, so you will not be leaving this house."

"Try to stop me," Harry retorted. "But don't worry, I don't have a choice either, so I will be returning next summer. You will all be safe thanks to my mother." Harry knew at once that he had gone too far. Aunt Petunia looked more frightening than Harry could ever remember. She looked like she was ready to strangle him. But he was saved from her wrath by the arrival of a brown owl that swooped in and dropped a letter at his feet.

"How many times do I have to tell you? NO OWLS IN THE KITCHEN!" Petunia shrieked.

"I can't help it," Harry said as he picked up the letter and slid it open.

Harry,

There has been a change of plan. I'll come and pick you up tonight instead. Something has come up, I'll explain later. I'll apparate in at five o'clock. I'd like to talk to your aunt and uncle while I'm there, so you might warn them.

See you soon,

Moony

"Well, what is it?" Petunia asked sharply.

"I'm leaving today at five instead of tomorrow. My uh...godfather is picking me up and he'd like to talk to you."

Petunia looked horrified and Dudley had nearly fallen over in his seat.

"The murderer? You invited him to our home?" she cried in horror.

Harry sighed, "No, and he was never a murderer, he was falsely charged. He was...he was killed in June by one of Voldemort's supporters. The man coming tonight is named Remus Lupin, he was a friend of my parents."

"How is he arriving?" Petunia asked with raised eyebrows.

"Oh, he's just popping in," Harry said with a grin. "I'd better go and pack." Harry turned around and sprinted up the stairs before Petunia could say another word.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Harry's room was a complete disaster. He just hadn't cared about anything and that included having a neat room. Clothes and books were scattered everywhere. As he opened his trunk, he found that it was practically empty. The only things left in it were the Firebolt he had been unable to use since Dumbledore returned it to him and the shattered mirror Sirius had given him. Harry picked up the shattered bits of mirror and put them in a bag, reminding himself to ask Remus to fix it. Harry deeply regretted breaking the last gift Sirius had given him. It hurt too much to realize he would never be able to speak to Sirius again. If only there was some way to communicate with the dead. If only he could just know that Sirius was alright somewhere out there.

But maybe...maybe there was a way to speak to the dead. After all, he had heard the voices hadn't he? Luna said she could hear the dead through the veil. If he could go back to the Ministry and find the veil, maybe he could talk to Sirius again and... and even his parents. If they were together, maybe Sirius would be happy to be with his best friend again. "I've got to know," Harry thought in frustration, "I've got to know what happened to him."

Harry packed the rest of his things carefully and waited impatiently for Remus as he tried to think of reasons to go to the Ministry. He could ask Mr. Weasley to show him more of the Ministry, saying that he was looking into various careers. He could ask Tonks to show him Auror Headquarters. He could say he was visiting Neville and go to the Ministry instead. But that wouldn't work. Harry realized with disappointment that several Order members would be accompanying him wherever he went.

Well he would find some way to get to the Ministry. And he would find out what happened to Sirius. He had to.

Harry put Hedwig in her cage and carried it downstairs placing the cage by the front door. Then he dragged the trunk down while Dudley watched amused as he struggled with the heavy object. Harry sat down on the trunk and looked nervously between the door and the living room where his aunt and uncle were waiting, sitting far from the fireplace this time. Harry wondered where Remus would appear when he heard a small "crack" near the door, only loud enough for him to hear.

"Harry," Remus whispered in greeting next to him.

"They're waiting for you," Harry said nodding towards the living room. "Good luck." Harry led him into the room to face his aunt and uncle who were staring somewhat skeptically at Lupin's faded jeans and worn old shirt.

"Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, this is um Professor Lupin," Harry said quickly, hoping that calling him professor would make them think more highly of Lupin.

"Mr. Dursley," Lupin said in greeting, offering his hand. Uncle Vernon frowned and scoffed and did not offer his hand in return.

Lupin raised his eyebrows but turned to Petunia. "Petunia," he said kindly, "How nice to see you again."

Petunia shot him a quizzical look.

"Oh perhaps you don't remember? We met at James and Lily's wedding. I was one of James's groomsmen."

Harry noticed Uncle Vernon's face contorting at the mention of his parents.

Petunia stiffened and replied, "Er... of course."

Lupin turned to Harry, "Harry, I'd like to speak with your aunt and uncle alone for a moment."

"But...but-"

"Harry, please, just for a moment," Lupin said sternly, leaving no room for questions.

Harry shot Lupin a confused look and scowled as he walked towards the door. He waited by his trunk wishing he had one of Fred and George's extendable ears.

A half hour later, Lupin emerged.

"Well, ready to go then? You take Hedwig, I'll grab the trunk," Lupin said hastily.

"But what happened?"

Lupin ignored his question. "Take hold of this," Lupin said as he pulled out an ordinary looking playing card from his pocket. "One...two...three."

Harry instantly felt the nauseous effects of a portkey. And a second later, he was stumbling onto the floor of the kitchen in #12 Grimmauld Place.