Harry Potter and the Orb of Power

Chapter 10: A House Divided

    It was another beautiful day in Number Four Privet Drive. The sunlight illuminated the beautiful green garden in front of the house; the birds fluttered about, chirping happily. Nature was celebrating, and when Harry looked outside, he felt himself growing sadder. Everything was happy, so cheery. Cedric would want to see a day like this, Harry thought unhappily. He felt himself growing more unhappy, when something in him finally snapped and sprang to life. He remembered Petunia's words, he remembered Dumbledore talking about Cedric, and Harry finally came to a very important conclusion: he, Harry, didn't have to be unhappy because Cedric died. While Harry felt he was responsible, he didn't think that Cedric would want him to be unhappy, to be miserable, when he knew that Harry fought so hard to give Cedric a fair chance. Harry looked outside again, saw the brilliant light surrounding the house. He smiled, and started to bring his school stuff downstairs, to get ready for Mr. Weasley's arrival.

    When he got downstairs, he heard Vernon and Petunia whispering animatedly in the living room. Harry couldn't help but smile; things were getting back to normal on Privet Drive...relatively. He remembered back before his first year, when his aunt and uncle despised and loathed Harry with the fire of a thousand suns. Yet now, while they probably weren't the best of family members, they were growing to appreciate one another. Harry finished carrying all of his school stuff downstairs, and walked into the living room. Vernon and Petunia continued to whisper, but Petunia waved to Harry.

    "Good afternoon, Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon," Harry said as he walked into the kitchen. He poured himself a glass of water, and took some small sips as he gazed out of the window. He relished the beautiful day, the way that all of the flowers were in their full bloom. Harry opened the kitchen window, and took a deep breath of fresh air. He felt the air cool his lungs, and he felt...happy. For the first time in a long while, he felt truly happy. And at Privet Drive no less. He heard a car honking from the street, and realized that Mr. Weasley was awaiting him in the car. He went back into the living room and saw Petunia and Vernon looking at him.

    "Well, looks like your car is here," Vernon said. "I'll help you with your bags." Harry smiled and nodded, feeling incredibly awkward that Uncle Vernon was being nice to him but was generally thankful all the same. Vernon took some of his bags, and brought them outside. Harry looked at Petunia, who had tears in her eyes.

    "You'll be safe at school right? Protected and all of that?" she asked.

    "As safe as I'll ever be," Harry said reassuringly. Petunia nodded.

    "And you'll keep after yourself? Eat well and be happy?"

    "Yes, Aunt Petunia," Harry said, smilingly.

    "Oh, all right. I forget that you've been there for four years already." Petunia dabbed her eyes with her handerchief, and stared at Harry with tearful eyes. So much had happened between the two of them, so much had changed for all of them. Harry went over and, for the first time, hugged her as if she was truly part of his family.

    "It will be all right, Aunt Petunia. I'll write to you to see how you are doing," Harry offered.

    "It's not that...it's just...how am I supposed to get along with Vernon and Dudley without you? Vernon's been ok, I'll come along, but Dudley? He won't talk to me!"

    "He'll come around, just give him some time," Harry said consolingly.

    "And I'll be all alone with these...muggles." Petunia looked shocked as she said it, but then broke into a fit of giggles, as if she suddenly could exert power over her family by calling them muggles. Harry laughed with her.

    "Don't worry, you've got that friend of yours that's been helping you out," Harry said, and then realized he should have kept his mouth shut. Petunia would know now that Harry had listened in on her conversation the day the vampire bat attacked Hedwig. Petunia looked at him with an expression of confusion.

    "How do you know about her?"

    "Oh...erm...I overheard you talking to her. I didn't listen to you, but I noticed you said 'muggles', so I figured that she was a witch. I didn't listen to the rest," Harry lied quickly.

    "Well...I suppose that isn't too bad. But you're not...well...that's fine. Just don't mention her to anyone at school," Petunia said warningly.

    "I promise, Aunt Petunia," Harry said. Petunia gave him another hug, dabbed her eyes, and then ushered him out of the door. As he exited the house, Harry noticed that Vernon had finished packing the luggage and, quite to Harry's supreme surprise, Vernon was chatting up Mr. Weasley.

    "...it's quite a modern invention, really. I'm surprised your kind actually uses them," Vernon was saying.

    "Well, though my colleagues haven't really taken up on muggle objects, I have a fascination with them."

    "Yes, well, automobiles are very important. I'm glad to see that you take stock in the importance of regular vehicles," Vernon said stiffly. Harry held in his laughter, trying not to make it sound as if he was mocking his uncle. Arthur saw him coming out of the house and waved.

    "Hullo, Harry! All ready to go?"

    "Yes, Mr. Weasley."

    "Well, I'll let you two say good-bye," Arthur said slowly, nervously eyeing Uncle Vernon. He must have been remembering the year before, when Dudley ate a Ton-Tongue Toffee and ended up causing Mr. Weasley some grief when he was trying to repair the damage. Harry looked at his uncle, waiting for him to say something. But when he didn't speak, Harry was suddenly aware of how tense and uncomfortable the situation was.

    "Well, I guess this is it," Harry said awkwardly, in a desperate attempt to cut through the awful silence.

    "Yes, yes it is," Vernon said, looking up at the sky and rubbing the back of his neck. "Well see here, boy, be safe at school. Wouldn't want you blown up by Volder...whatever. I expect you here next summer to do your chores."

    "Yes, Uncle Vernon," Harry said. It was the closest thing that Uncle Vernon could have said along the lines of, "Be well, Harry". Harry was about to enter in the car when his uncle held out his hand. Harry looked at it for a moment, and then shook his uncle's hand. His uncle's face twitched (Probably his version of a smile, Harry thought) and then he turned to go into the house. Harry shook his head, chuckling, and got into Mr. Weasley's car.

    "Is this a new car?" Harry asked, gazing around the interior. The car didn't seem to be a Ministry car.

    "Yes indeed, Harry. We got this one for cheap, some old muggle was selling it. Of course, I still made it spacious like our old Ford Anglia...pity we don't still have that car," Mr. Weasley responded, with a look of sadness on his face over his lost car. Harry felt his inside's squirm, owing to the fact that he and Ron were the reason his car was no longer with them. It was probably still off, wandering wild through the Forbidden Forest.

    "It's nice," Harry said. A silence fell between the two. "How are things with the Ministry?"

    "Everything has been kept as usual," Mr. Weasley said.

    "That's good to hear," Harry responded.

    "Actually, it's not. It means that Fudge still won't listen to reason. It's unfortunate, really. Of course, he shut himself up recently. I think he's been dreading an attack such as the one on Diagon Alley. And since this happened...I think he feels he's justified in hiding."

    "Well...if he's hiding, isn't that a hint that he knows You-Know-Who is back?"

    "Not necessarily, Harry," Mr. Weasley responded grimly. "I think Fudge is planning on attributing the attack on Diagon Alley with those that are trying to tell everyone that You-Know-Who has returned. It's not going to be pretty."

    "Maybe things will get better. It seems that more and more people believe he's back," Harry said hopefully.

    "I don't know, Harry. The dispute over his return has broken the unity between us. Some of us believe he's back, and there are some that staunchly refuse to believe. There are some that know he's back but are in denial, and then there are some that don't know which way to choose. But what's left is a mess, and it looks hopelessly unable to be fixed. But we'll keep trying. As long as Dumbledore's around, I'm not too worried. He'll figure something out." Harry squirmed uncomfortably in his seat. He remembered seeing Dumbledore's tired face. Maybe someone should help him bear his burden, he looked like too much pressure was on him.

    "So what about the 'old crowd' that Professor Dumbledore was talking about. Maybe they can help out," Harry said thoughtfully.    

    "Old crowd? Not sure what he means by that," Mr. Weasely said quickly.

    "Me neither," Harry said, shrugging. There were so many uncertainties in their current situation. Harry contented himself with gazing out of the window, watching the scenery pass by as they drove to the Burrow. They reached the Burrow after a good while, and then the house came into sight. Harry couldn't help but feel happier when he saw the ragtag building looming over the backyard. He saw the familiar chickens in the front yard, and garden gnomes running frantically about. The car came to a stop. Harry was about to get out when Mr. Weasley grabbed his arm.

    "Harry, before we go in, I want to tell you something. Try avoid any talk about the current situation. It'll be better for everyone," Mr. Weasley whispered.

    "Ok," Harry responded, clearly confused.

    "All right, Harry," Mr. Weasley said nervously as he got out of the car. Harry walked up the path to the Burrow, and saw the door fling open. He heard a familiar voice shouting.

    "If I have to tell you one more time, Fred, put those Canary Creams away before I curse your nose off!" It was Molly Weasley, screaming at Fred.

    "I'm afraid our current crisis has not changed the state of our house much," Arthur said as he walked past Harry with the bags.

    "Good," Harry said, grinning from ear to ear. He entered into the front door, and saw Mrs. Weasley pointing her finger at Fred, who was trying hard not to burst into hysterical laughter. George looked like he was turning purple after holding his breath, trying not to laugh. Harry then saw a huge canary sitting in the middle of the floor. Harry shook his head, smiling wildly.

    "Did you see her face when Ron turned into a canary? It was priceless!" Fred finally said, letting his laughter out.

    "Oh my! Ickle Ronniekins!" George replied, imitating his mother. Molly turned a shade of red, but then started to laugh with the rest of them. The canary clucked angrily, and then molted to show Ron, sitting on the floor.

    "I'm glad you're all getting such a laugh out of this," Ron said in mock anger. He turned and saw Harry.

    "Harry! How the hell are you?" he yelled, forgetting his mother was in the room.

    "Ron! Watch your tongue!" she yelled, still chuckling over the Canary Cream.

    "Oops...sorry Mum. Harry how are you?"

    "Fine, just fine. How've you been?"

    "Just great. It's been like this ever since I got back home. Everyone is cracking jokes. Lightens up the place," Ron said as he and Harry took a seat at the kitchen table.

    "So, Harry dear, how have the muggles treated you?" Mrs. Weasley said with a trace of disdain in her voice. She clearly did not like the Dursley's, but to say so in front of Harry she thought was not proper.

    "They've been good, actually," Harry said with a mischievous look on his face. Ron's jaw dropped.

    "Those buggers were actually nice to you? What did you use magic on them or something?" Ron asked incredulously.

    "Well...close," Harry said, relishing the fact that all four of the Weasley's in the kitchen were confused.

    "Harry jinxed his aunt and uncle?" Fred asked, a smile broadening on his face.

    "Brilliant!" George decreed. Ron was still eyeing Harry suspiciously, while Molly had a stern look on her face.

    "Now honestly, boys, you don't honestly think that Harry jinxed his relatives do you? They are rather...but they are still people!" Mr. Weasley came from downstairs.

    "All set upstairs, Harry. Thanks to the car, of course, I would of hated to travel by Floo Powder with all that luggage. You know, your uncle is quite knowledgable about cars. Maybe he can help me with my plug collection," Mr. Weasley pondered happily.

    "What on earth are you talking about, Arthur? That lug-sorry, Harry-actually had a civilized conversation with you?"

    "Well, yes, after all, their situation has changed. You know, his aunt is an Effloresca. Changes things quite a bit it does," Arthur said casually.

    "A what now?" Ron asked, confused as to what his father was talking about.

    "An Effloresca, Ron. Late bloomer. She has just begun to learn magic," Mr. Weasley declared jovially.

    "Holy sh.."

    "Don't you finish that sentence, Ronald Weasley, or I'll be scrubbing your mouth out with soap for the rest of the year," Mrs. Weasley shrieked. Fred and George snickered at Ron as Mrs. Weasley glared at their younger brother. Harry explained about his aunt and uncle, and how they've changed since his aunt started practicing magic.

    "So things have been ok. Dudley hates us all, but it doesn't really matter. He'll come around," Harry said.

    "Oh look, it's time for dinner. In all this excitement I almost forgot to make dinner!" Mrs. Weasley declared. With a couple of flicks and waves from her wand, pots and pans were flying onto a burning stove, ready to cook dinner.

    "Come on, Harry, let's get upstairs," Ron said, catching Harry's eye. Ron wanted information on the incident at Diagon Alley, Harry was sure of it.

    "Right, need to get comfortable," Harry said as he and Ron trotted up the stairs. When they got to his room, Ron looked at Harry gravely.

    "So what happened?" he asked with a look of apprehension, dreading the story that was about to be told. Harry told him everything, including the part about the vampire bat, and Wormtail, and ended with him returning home.

    "You don't think You-Know-Who can get to your house now do you? I'm sure the protection is still working, I'm sure of it," Ron said dismissively, actively rejecting the other possibilities.

    "You're probably right," Harry lied, trying to avoid thinking about the possibility that he was no longer safe at the Dursley's. "You should have seen Hermione, though, she was amazing when she put that spell on Vol...err...You-Know-Who."

    "Well, that's our Hermione for you. Ever the resourceful one. I would have loved to be there, watching her confront him...of course, I could never have done it," Ron said, his face turning a brilliant shade of red. "Hermione's so much braver than I am, really."

    "I was a bit shocked, actually. I never expected Hermione to confront You-Know-Who like that. Now that he knows about her though, she'll be a target," Harry said worriedly. Ron looked pale with fright over the thought.

    "You don't think he'd go after her, do you?" Harry didn't know what to say. He knew, deep down, that Hermione made herself a target. He was about to lie to Ron when he heard a shout come from downstairs.

    "Dinner is ready!" Harry and Ron lingered for a few more moments, and then went downstairs. Harry and Ron joined Mr. and Mrs. Weasley at the table.

    "Where are the twins, honestly," Molly said, irritated. "Fred! George! Dinner is ready!" Harry listened for the twins, but only heard a shouting match.

    "...put it down, right now! Give it back!" Harry heard a supercilious voice yell out.

    "Oh dear, they've started with Percy again," Mr. Weasley said under his breath.

    "We'll put it down when we're done with it!" one of the twins shouted back. Harry heard voices bang down the stairs, and saw the twins emerge into the kitchen. Percy came a few minutes later, absolutely seething in anger.

    "I said, give it back. It is for Ministry eyes only," he said importantly as he snatched for the letter. Fred danced away from him while George stepped in front of Percy so that Fred could read the letter.

    "Dear Minister Fudge...aaaw...Percy has a new crush," Fred said dramatically.

    "Fred, come now, give it back to him," Mrs. Weasley said, looking nervous.

    "Give it back! NOW!" Percy bellowed. Fred ignored him and continued, imitating Percy's stuck up tone of voice.

    "I am writing to inform you that there are those in the Ministry...," Fred started to read, but then trailed off. He looked up at Percy with eyes slanted in anger. "You bastard!"

    "Fred!" Mrs. Weasley yelled. "Honestly, have you all gotten potty mouths while you were away this year?"

    "What does it say," George asked curiously.

    "He's snitching on Dad!" Fred yelled. Mr. Weasley stood up, furiously.

    "What? Give me that letter!" Mr. Weasley shouted. He snatched the letter from Fred and read. After reading a few lines, he looked up at Percy. His eyes showed hurt, betrayal, but mingled with fury.

    "Please...please explain this," Mr. Weasley said slowly, trying to control his emotions.

    "You know damn well why I wrote it! You are planning on disrupting the Ministry! Minister Fudge can't have insubordination! It would lead to chaos!" Harry looked at Ron, who was glaring at Percy with fury. Percy, rather than withering under the angry glares of his family, puffed out his chest and continued. "With you spreading nonsense like this, he must know about it!"

    "You would betray your own family?" Fred yelled back, advancing on Percy.

    "In the interests of peace, yes!" Percy snapped back.

    "Percy, please understand our position," Mr. Weasley started to say, but Percy cut him off.

    "I know what this is! You're mad I got promoted to Crouch's job, head of a department, while you are still floundering in the same job that you've had for years! I'm more important than you now, and you hate me for it!" Percy shouted meanly. Mr. Weasley recoiled after such a horrible statement.

    "Percy Weasley!" Mrs. Weasley shrieked. Percy looked around madly, and then started walking out.

    "Where are you going?" Mrs. Weasley called after him.

    "Out. I can't stand living with you any longer," he shouted, and he left the house. Harry looked around in shock, trying to understand just what had happened.