Harry Potter and the Trail of Stars

RETURN OF AUNT MARGE

There were blue, white, red, green, and golden colored clouds everywhere. The air was cool and sweet, scented with roses. Harry saw a group of people standing around a fountain. He could see his loved ones. Sirius...Mom and Dad...and a figure gliding over to them...on a cloud, was the woman that Harry had seen hours ago! Geldrelline. She turned her head, her brilliant golden curls swishing about, and saw Harry, her mysterious eyes twinkling...

It was 5:00 in the morning, and Harry had woken up. It was a strange dream. It seemed like the place, the Elysium Clouds, which Geldrelline had told him about...Harry smiled as he pictured his mom, dad, and godfather together. Sirius seemed to be in deep concentration. Harry was still sleepy, and he rubbed his eyes, sleep claiming him again.

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Harry opened up his eyes. He checked his watch. 7:00, time to get up. His spirits alive for the first time, he took a quick, cold shower. It was just what he needed. The heat inside the house was unbearable. The new air conditioner had been new, and broken a week before Harry had come back. It was all Dudley's doing. It was his fault that he sat his fat butt on the air conditioner, which cracked under his weight. How could anyone be so demented? How could Dudley not see the result of his stupid action? It was a mystery...a pointless one.

His hair wet, was the only way to tame his out of control hair. Harry looked up at the mirror. He saw his brilliant green eyes, and stared at it. Not because he was conceited or anything, but because he had just realized that his glasses weren't on. Harry saw perfectly without his glasses. It was unbelievable. His vision was even better without his glasses! There was absolutely no logical reasoning behind this. Harry hadn't done anything to his eyes, and yet, he could see! Perhaps this had something to do with his powers, his own new powers that Geldrelline had talked to him about.

Not only his perfect vision, Harry's body had changed. He was no longer the skinny, short kid. Harry was sure that he didn't look anything like this yesterday. 'This must have been my own power doing something to me. Hmm. I could get used to this...' thought Harry, with a smile. He wouldn't have to look up when he looked at Ron anymore! Harry looked back into the mirror. It wasn't that much of a change, but he was sure that he had grown two inches during the night, and some slight muscles. He was still skinny, but not so skin and bones as much. It wasn't that noticeable, decided Harry, who had changed clothes, and walked to the kitchen.

He looked in the fridge. It was full of food...rabbit food. Harry saw some eggs, and decided to make omelets for Dudley and himself.

After about fifteen minutes, Harry was quite satisfied with the look of the breakfast. After all, he had cooked many breakfasts for the Dursleys. He checked his watch: 7:45. Dudleyshould be awake by now.

Harry was ready to go to his cousin's room. This time, he was ready to run out of there in case Dudley decided to practice his boxing skills. Harry quietly opened the door, first peeking in to see any signs of trouble.

All clear. Dudleywas still asleep. Harry sighed and walked over, and prodded his cousin on the shoulder. Dudley gave a big snore, and suddenly awoke. What was the cause of that, Harry did not know. 'Probably jerked by his own snore' thought Harry. Dudley opened his eyes, and the spoke the first words that came out of his mouth today.

"Breakfast ready?" asked Dudley. Harry gave a snort, and told him it was. Relieved that his cousin had no intention of using him as a punching bag today, Harry went back downstairs, and started eating. Moments later, Dudleycame down the stairs and saw the breakfast. Harry watched as his cousin's eyes lighted up, and immediately stated eating everything. There were some extra omelets in the pan, and Dudley saw it, and strolled over there, as fast as his legs could carry him. Within a blink of an eye, all the food was gone, and Harry was still staring. Dudley gave a huge burp, and sat back down, satisfied from the breakfast. Harry strongly suspected that the rabbit food was getting to him.

"Thanks Harry. Haven't had food like this for a long time," came Dudley. He did seem very grateful to Harry, who nodded, surprised that his cousin was being civil to him.

'That had to be because of last night,' thought Harry, but he wasn't about to complain about this.

"Er...Dudley? Aunt Petunia's friend Yvonne is going to be here any minute now," said Harry, waiting for Dudley's reaction.

"Okay. Fine with me," replied Dudley, daydreaming about food.

"Er...She knows I'm a Wizard," said Harry.

"Whatever," said Dudley, really concentrating on that turkey with gravy, plus some chicken, and ice cream...maybe with some frosting...

Harry shrugged. The door opened. Dudley and Harry both looked up. Dudleywalked over to the door, while Harry started washing up the dishes, clearly trying to avoid Yvonne. He heard noises in the background, Yvonne greeting Dudley, and telling him what a handsome young man he's turned into. He stopped. There was a new voice, not Dudley's or Yvonne's. He finished washing up the dishes, and dried them. Harry wondered who the new voice belonged to. Curiosity got the better of him.

He walked out of the kitchen, and into the hallways. There, standing right in front of the door, was Yvonne giving Dudley the biggest of hugs, and a girl standing right by, looking amused. She saw Harry, and gave him a wink, which Harry was surprised about. Harry looked back at Dudley, and watched as he finally squirmed out of the hug. 'Yvonne must be really strong,' thought Harry, wondering who the girl might be.

Yvonne looked around and saw Harry, and nodded at him, who nodded back. It was their usual greeting.

"This is my niece. I had forgotten to tell Petunia that she was staying with me. Her parents are working on a project, and will be away for awhile. I expect you two to be nice to her. Harry, Petunia informed me of the chores you should be doing, so I'll expect you to be busy," she snapped, in the usual Yvonne-to-Harry behavior. She never did seem to like the boy. And with that, she walked to the guest bedroom with her small suitcase, and began unpacking.

Dudley and Harry were still standing there. The girl walked over to them and started introducing herself. She didn't seem shy at all. When she got closer, Harry noticed that she also had green eyes, but tinted with spots of brown. She also had dark red hair.

"Hi. I'm Ameedala Primante. But you can all just call me Amy. It's what everyone else calls me," she said with a warm voice. Harry and Dudley nodded.

"I'm Harry, and this Dudley. We're cousins," said Harry, casting a small glance at his cousin, who seemed not his usual self ever since last night.

"I've seen your parents before, when my dad took me to your house. They don't look anything like you. They've got sort of brownish eyes and freckles. But anyways, what are they working on?" asked Dudley, for the first time in his life, trying to be friendly. The girl was pretty, he thought.

The girl's eyes saddened a bit, Harry noticed, and she covered it up pretty quickly.

"They aren't my real parents," said Amy, "I was adopted. My step-parents told me that they died when I was only a couple of months old." Harry couldn't help but look at the sad green eyes. "I can't tell you what my parents are working on. It's top secret. And are you and Harry getting along well? Cause my aunt told me that you two were extremely nasty to each other."

Dudleyspoke first. "Oh, that. We're not mean to each other anymore. It was 'cause some lady--"

"Told us to be nice to each other after they saw us fighting, and since then, we've been friends," interrupted Harry. Dudley finally realized why. Just because the aunt knew about Harry being the Wizard, didn't mean the girl knew about it.

"So...anything Harry says and anyone else says, you won't tell your parents?" asked Amy.

"No. We've resolved our...differences...not like my parents. The lady made me see the light, sort of," answered Dudley.

"So, if my aunt and I were being really nice to Harry, you wouldn't really tell them about it?" asked Amy. Harry wondered where this was going to. It seemed too well planned to be a hypothetical question.

"I wouldn't tell them. They don't understand Harry," answer Dudley, who didn't think twice about the weird questions.

"Okay then. That settles it," said Amy, excitedly. Harry and Dudley both stared at her, wondering what she meant, but she just smiled and walked up the stairs.

Harry broke the silence. "Well, that was weird." Dudley nodded. "Well...I've got to work on Aunt Petunia's garden. See you in a bit," said Harry. He thought that the defense system should be up by now.

As he made his way to the door, Dudley went after him, saying "Wait Harry. I'll help you. This could be part of my training." Harry nodded, clearly wondering if Geldrelline had completely switched Dudley's mind. 'Maybe it's just a phase. He'll be over it soon. But still...I'm not complaining,' thought Harry. Dudley and Harry walked outside. Harry told Dudleyto just watch first, and do exactly as he was doing. His cousin wasn't really that bad at housework, thought Harry, with a smile.

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The garden work was finished in less than two hours!

Muddy and covered with dirt, they sprayed themselves with the garden hose, getting rid of the mud before they stepped back into the house. Dudleytook a shower, and went back to the living room to watch some television. Harry relaxed in his cupboard for awhile. Then he sat up. It was 11:30, time to make lunch.

Harry walked back into the kitchen and saw Yvonne there, starting to make lunch. She was whistling to herself, a tune that Harry found familiar. Thinking back to all the music he had ever listened to, he thought of the Yule Ball, and the Weird Sisters. He thought back to Parvati's words. "Oh but this is a really good one..." That was it! Yvonne was whistling a tune of one of the songs from The Weird Sisters. But then again, it could have had similar tune to other songs, so Harry decided not to think much of it. Yvonne turned around, and saw Harry. She gave a small smile, and told him to go the living room and watch the television with Dudley and Amy.

Still in shock, Yvonne managed to steer Harry to the direction of the living room. Harry didn't know what to think, but Yvonne seemed to understand. 'Why is she being so nice to me? Didn't she hate me?' wondered Harry, his thoughts roaming wildly. He didn't even pay attention to the television, and Dudleyand Amy watching him with amusement. It was just then, that Yvonne brought plates to the living room, on the large coffee table, so that everyone could eat there. Dudley looked at the heart warming food, and began to dig in. Harry was still in his thoughts, when the smell of chicken brought him to his senses, as he began to eat, still absentminded.

When everyone was done eating, Yvonne gathered the dirty dishes went into the kitchen to wash them. Harry didn't know what to say. It seemed like Yvonne had pulled a 'Dudley,' except that she wasn't visited by any spirits. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Amy watching him with amusement, as though knowing his thoughts.

"So Harry, how did you like my aunt's cooking?" asked Amy, who finally broke the silence.

"It was great!" said Dudley, who liked this topic they were discussing.

"Nice," replied Harry, looking back towards the kitchen. "Er...Amy? Yvonne isn't usually...nice...to me. Is she feeling alright?" asked Harry.

"Oh that! Remember our conversation from this morning?" asked Amy. Harry and Dudley both nodded.

"Well, the only reason that Aunt Yvonne was being mean to you those past years and this morning was because if she were nice to you, Mrs. Dursleywouldn't allow her to see you again, Harry," said Amy, as though stating the obvious.

"But-But-She really hated me!" stammered Harry. Nothing was real anymore. First, Mrs. Figg tells him that she's a Squib. Now, he finds out that Yvonne doesn't hate him. What next? Aunt Petunia a Witch? And Uncle Vernon the king of England? And Draco Malfoy with manners? And Kreacher nice?

"Silly. It was all an act! If you remember all the questions I asked this morning, that should tell you everything," said Amy. Harry thought back to it, and now that he knew the real deal, he understood, and nodded.

Just then, Yvonne came into the room, and saw the three, two of them staring wide-eyed at her. "I see the truth is out," declared Yvonne, studying the atmosphere in this room. "Harry. I'm part of the Order's defense system for you. Amy didn't tell you everything?" Harry shook his head. Dudley looked confused. Geldrelline had not put anything about the Order into his memories.

"Harry, I am a witch," she said, waiting for Harry's response. He was surprised, oh yes, but after finding out about Mrs. Figg, this didn't seem too much to deal with. "The only reason I befriended Petunia was for events like watching you while they're on vacation of some sort. Mrs. Figg and I were both assigned to this job. I didn't know that Dudley and you were getting along, so I had to act like I hated you this morning," she explained. Harry nodded again. He didn't trust himself to speak. How could everyone just keep all these secrets from him?

"I'm sorry Harry, but if your aunt and uncle found out who I truly were, well, you can imagine..." she added, understanding how Harry felt. "Oh, and Harry and Dudley? My real name isn't Yvonne. I had to make up a 'normal' name so that your relatives wouldn't get suspicious. My real name is Flourish Delacour. 'Flourish' isn't exactly a name used among the Muggles."

Harry's eyebrows rose at the word 'Delacour.'

"Are you related to a French girl named Fleur?" Harry asked.

"Yes! I suppose you know her, after that whole Triwizardthing. We're related distantly. I'm actually her aunt. I'm not part Veela, like her and her mother and younger sister. Her mother and I are step-sisters. We had different mothers. Her mother had a Veela mother. I had a normal one. I don't carry the Veela charm I'm afraid," and she laughed. Harry understood, and gave her a short smile.

"What's a Veela?" asked Dudley.

"Veelas are very beautiful woman, but when they get mad, they can turn into half vultures," answered Harry, winking at Flourish, remembering the World Quidditch Cup incident.

"Remember, what we talked about, you can't tell Petunia or Vernon. I'm serious," said Flourish.

"Well, they're not that stupid, aunt!" exclaimed Amy. "By the way. In case you are all thick-headed, I'm a witch also. I'm transferring to Hogwarts this school year. But that'll be sometimes during December."

"Excellent!" said Harry, pleased with the turn of events. It'll be nice to have someone who understood his relatives and all that. "What school were you from? And what year are you going to be in?" asked Harry.

"I was from the Galadralls Private Academy of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I'll probably be a sixth year. I mean, I was in fifth year last school semester. I'm really going miss all my teachers and my headmaster during the seventh year. She's really sweet," said Amy, excitably.

"You'll be in my year then! Hope you're in Gryffindor!" exclaimed Harry.

"I know much about Hogwarts. Most of the teachers from my old school are good friends with your headmaster. You'll learn something about them this year, I'm sure..." she added, with a mysterious hint. Harry wondered for moment what she meant, but decided to let fate lead the way.

"Harry. If you have any dreams or nightmares, or whatever you call it, please inform me. This is important. We have no more spies in Voldemort's circle. All of them have been found out. Natalie, she's safe with us. Severus..." she paused, "...has gone on. Your visions are all we have left. Albus wants you tell me anything weird that goes on, anything that you can tell us," said Flourish, meaningfully. Harry understood.

"I will. I'll do whatever I can to help the Order, until I die," replied Harry, thinking gloomily at his future. Flourish didn't comment on this. She merely looked at Harry, sadly, for she knew very well what he had meant by it.

"Harry, you must not think like this. This time, there may be hope. Albushad looked at the prophecy again, and has declared something wrong with it. We do not know the details of it yet, but Albus will tell us when you arrive," she assured.

"Whatever happened to last night? Did the Death Eaters attack? Did we win? Did anyone die? How did it go?" asked Harry, suddenly remembering the dream. Flourish looked grimly at Harry, and spoke.

"No. The Death Eaters have not taken control of Azkaban. The Dementorsare still in our grasp. It was thanks to you that we planned so precisely." She paused. Harry knew she was holding something back, and politely waited for her to speak again.

"There were some casualties and injuries. There are three dead in our service, but more dead in Voldemort's service, I assure you. There are some injuries, not a lot. One by the name of Juno, had a broken nose and leg, but she is a self-healer. The others' injuries...weren't serious, just a few cuts." She paused again. "I don't know if Albus managed to find a replacement Potions Master, but we're going to need one. St. Mungo'sis out of the question. They don't treat maladies of this particular kind. Last night, during the attack, as I've told you, there were injuries, and one is extremely serious. You know this person, Harry," she said, looking at Harry, not wanting to hurt him with this news. Harry wanted her to go on. He would brace himself for the news.

"Wormtail, as you know, Peter Pettigrew was there, and you know about his silver hand?" asked Flourish, clearly stalling. Harry nodded, and sense of dread was growing. He had done part of the essay that Snape, in his third year had assigned to him. Maybe it wasn't that. It has to be something else.

"He was hit in the head by the silver hand. I'm so sorry. He was so close to you," she said, with nervousness, and anger.

Harry didn't say a word. First Cedric, and then Sirius. Now, it was Lupin. Harry didn't have to say anything. He just stared at the television, trying to concentrate on that, instead of his thoughts. He didn't want Lupin to die. He was just like Sirius, like a second godfather to him. 'No! No! No!' his thoughts cried out to him.

"He's not dead Harry!" came a voice. "We just don't have the right cure for him yet. It'll come soon. Don't you worry Harry. We won't let him die on us, but yes, Harry, he is seriously injured. Please keep your hopes up. We won't let the last of the good Marauders die." Harry glanced up, and nodded to Flourish, who tried to smile, but couldn't. She hated Peter Pettigrew. She hated the little rat. Harry thought of something else.

"How did you know about him being a Marauder?" asked Harry.

"I was part of their inner circle. The Marauders, Lily, they were my friends. Remus, I am his wife," she whispered, sadly. Harry stared at her! Of course! In all his years of knowing Lupin, he had never thought to ask him anything of his personal life. This answer was shocking...and sad...

Silence followed. Amy concentrated on the carpet. Dudley was still confused, but he decided that this would not be a good time to ask. The conversation closed for the night, as Harry began to cheer himself up. Lupin won't die. He can't die.

The days passed, and it was Monday morning, the morning the Dursleyswould come back. The morning Aunt Marge would come. The past week had been Harry's best week at the Dursleys.

In the morning, right before Flourish and Amy left, they had a short talk.

"Remember Harry. We will send out the defense system again, as soon as I leave. Cheer up Harry. I'll see you at the Grimmauld Place. You will not be here for too long. You can endure about two more weeks, can't you?" she asked. Harry nodded, feeling the strong urge to disagree. "Endure the Dursleys. That's all I ask of you. Aunt Marge has dogs, right? I'm sure you can confide to a dog. They're trustworthy. Hermione and Ron miss you very much. They can't wait to see you. As for the elf, we have not thought of anything yet. Most of all, control your emotions." The door opened, and Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon stepped in. They greeted 'Yvonne,' and thanked her tremendously for watching over the brat. Flourish replied that Harry was acting like he was, as usual. And here, she gave him a nasty look, with a small twinkle in her eyes, which neither Aunt Petunia or Uncle Vernon caught. Dudley came downstairs, and said goodbye to Amy and Flourish, who gave him another big hug, and then, walked out the door.

As Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon came closer, their eyes showed an equal shocking look. They stared at Harry. He had looked stronger and taller. Surely this was not possible, they thought, as they pursued the thought no more, but exchanged dark looks.

"Well, Dudders. It's time to pick up Aunt Marge. And you boy, you're coming with us. Oh, believe me, it's not like I want you to come, but Marge called me last night, and insisted that you come. She wants you to carry her luggage for her. Dudley here will help, won't he? A strong man. And look! Looks as though you've lost some weight!" said Uncle Vernon, impressed. Harry, on the other hand, gave his uncle a disgusted look. He and Dudley would have to pretend to hate each other. "Well? What are you waiting for? Now! Let's move it!" yelled Uncle Vernon, pointing to the door. They walked outside, and climbed into Uncle Vernon's company car.

They waited at Kings Cross station, for Aunt Marge's train to arrive. And it did, two hours later, late. Finally, they saw Aunt Marge's plump feet coming down the steps.

"It's in the compartment. Go get em, boy!" shouted Marge, at Harry. Harry disappeared into the compartment, and saw, to his horror, six huge suitcases, and a small bag. Dudley appeared next to him, bending to reach for the small bag. Harry gave him a dirty look, and Dudleysneered. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Marge had already walked into the compartment.

"Dudley Sweetums, just bring that heavy bag down. I'm sure your cousin here could handle those small suitcases," and giving Harry a nasty look, went down the steps, and they all left Harry in the compartment. Harry thought to take more trips back, carrying one luggage at a time. Harry lifted one of them up, and found it surprisingly easy, so he lifted another. He lifted three in each hand. The handles were small, so they fitted in his hands. The luggage themselves were a whole different story. Harry tried walking through the entrance, but quickly stopped, and turned sideways. He wouldn't fit through otherwise, and the entrance was pretty wide.

As Harry walked sideways, one step at a time, the Dursleysstared at him. Surely this boy couldn't carry all that! It was damn well impossible, but they looked on. Harry got to the last step, and walked over to them. There was silence, and Harry knew why. He couldn't understand it himself.

It was a long walk to the car, and Harry was tiring. Carrying those six suitcases was tiring, but he could handle the weight, and it must have weighed ten times his weight too!

Finally, after about ten minutes of walking, Harry reached the company car, and loaded the suitcases in. There wasn't enough room for the last one, so Harry had to put it inside, on the passenger's seat. Harry settled down next to Dudley, slightly squished from Dudley's fat.

The ride was horrible. Aunt Marge was giving him nasty glances at Harry all through the ride, as though daring him to explain his strength. Uncle Vernon kept clearing his throat to get Marge's attention, so she wouldn't start talking to Harry. Vernonknew very well what those 'talks' could lead to. He was also wondering about the boy.

Thank goodness her dogs haven't come, and Harry wondered why, but still.....He wasn't complaining about that. The ride was long, and uncomfortable. Harry and Dudley both had trouble breathing. It was a hot summer's day, and the air conditioning couldn't reach the side. At least Dudley was sitting more towards the middle, unlike Harry, squashed up against the window, gasping for air.

Harry watched as the car pulled onto the driveway, and he opened the door with difficulty, on account that he didn't have much room to work with. The Dursleys walked into the house, Dudleyfollowing, giving Harry a sorry look, which Harry returned with a horror look. Straining this time, Harry managed to haul the suitcases in and upstairs to the guest room. He could just hear Aunt Marge start talking about him already, and he dreaded the trip down the stairs...

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Please Review! I am open to ALL comments, suggestions, and questions about my fic.