Secrets of the Animagi

Chapter 3 - The Unexpected Journey

Harry awoke feeling refreshed after a rare dreamless sleep. He stretched and contemplated the new day, doubting the Dursleys would trouble themselves to remember his birthday. Harry actually preferred it that way; he'd received enough tissues, used socks, and rusty paperclips from them already. Harry dressed in his work clothes and proceeded down the stairs. Nothing could have prepared him for the sight that met his eyes when he reached the kitchen. All three Dursleys were dressed in hunting attire.

"Good morning old chap, Happy Birthday!" boomed Uncle Vernon. Harry was shocked. Had someone been casting spells on the residents of 4 Privet Drive?

"Harry," Uncle Vernon continued, "we've decided to give you the very thing you've always wanted for your birthday."

"Here, Harry, have my chair," simpered Dudley. Now Harry knew there was something wrong. Dudley rarely said anything at the breakfast table unless it was "more".

"We've decided that it would be better if you lived with your own kind from now on. Isn't that a treat?" asked his uncle.

Harry's stomach churned. He wondered if animals felt this queasy when being released into the wild. "Did you ask Professor Dumbledore? Did you write to Mrs. Weasley?" Harry saw Uncle Vernon's face was beginning to turn purple. Maybe mentioning other wizards wasn't such a wise thing to do.

Uncle Vernon took a deep breath. In a strained yet pleasant voice he continued, "That won't be necessary. We'll just drop you off at that station of yours and you can do whatever your kind does. We're on our way to the hunt, so it will be no trouble at all. In any case, we're going to need that second bedroom of Dudley's for Black Prince Cromwellington's awards."

Awards? Now Harry really felt nauseous. Obviously, Uncle Vernon had never so much as walked Black Prince. He hoped that his uncle didn't shoot the dog before the end of his first hunt. Sirius just had no idea what he was undertaking when he showed up 4 Privet Drive.

"Harry, eat up. You'll need to pack as soon as you're done," said Aunt Petunia.

"Er, I'm not hungry, Aunt Petunia. Thanks. Do you mind if I go outside for a few minutes? I'm sure Black Prince will need a walk before you load him in the car."

Aunt Petunia nodded, "Just make it quick, we've got a schedule, you know."

Harry left the table and took Black Prince's lead off the peg by the kitchen door. Opening the door, he whistled for the dog. Harry had seen it snuffling around the bushes at the far end of the yard. "C'mon, Black Prince. Here boy, time for your walk," called Harry.

Black Prince trotted up to Harry and allowed him to clip the lead onto his collar. Immediately, they were off. Harry surprised the dog by walking at faster clip than usual. When they reach the park, both of them looked around the trees to see if the coast was clear. When Harry nodded, Black Prince changed into Sirius Black.

"Sirius, you have got to get out of here! Did you have any idea that the Dursleys were going to take you hunting this morning?" Harry's mind was racing. How could he help his godfather escape without causing the Dursley's to want to murder him? Run over by a lorry, slipped the lead, ate a bad biscuit?

"Take it easy Harry. Everything's fine. I've got this dog act down pat," said Sirius calmly. He was casually cleaning dirt out from under his fingernails.

"They're taking me to King's Cross today," said Harry.

"Gee, Harry, time sure flies when you're a dog. Is it really September 1st?" asked Sirius.

Harry sighed, "No, it's not."

"Ah. Must admit that I might not have quite thought this one all the way through. Remus did warn me this was a bad idea, going around the Muggles. Maybe I can give the Dursleys the slip on the hunt and meet up with you later on. For now, though, we're just going to have to make the best of it. This hardly compares to basilisks and Voldemort, does it?"

"Well," said Harry, "you don't want to be around Aunt Petunia if she ever finds out. Her stare is really petrifying." Harry grinned. The situation wasn't any better. He had absolutely no idea what do when he got to King's Cross Station. But Sirius was right; it wasn't nearly as bad as the mortal danger he always seemed to be in at Hogwarts. "We'd better go now, Sirius, or Uncle Vernon's gun is going to be make a pre-hunt appearance aimed at our heads."

Harry and all his baggage arrived at King's Cross Station shortly after noon. It had been an uncomfortable ride crammed into the back of Uncle Vernon's car with Dudley and two of the three animals. Harry was glad Rufus had used most of the supplies Mrs. Figg had left him. The remainder had been packed neatly in his trunk. Aunt Petunia was kind enough to tolerate Rufus in the front seat, but only because, she said, "Rufus doesn't drool or screech". Harry had planned to let Hedwig fly to London, but Uncle Vernon refused to drive with "that ruddy owl" following all the way.

As he secured his trunk, Hedwig's cage, and Rufus' carrier onto a luggage trolley, Harry wondered what to do next. He didn't know if wizards regularly used the station. What if it was only for the Hogwarts Express? He wheeled the luggage trolley to the barrier between platforms nine and ten. Not wanting to cause a scene in the crowded station if the magical barrier was closed, he casually tested it with his hand. To his surprise, the barrier was open and his hand disappeared from view until he pulled it back. Confident now, Harry slipped through the barrier, pulling the trolley with him. Platform nine and three-quarters was deserted except for a lone wizard slouched behind the ticket counter at the far end of the platform. Harry didn't remember ever seeing the ticket counter before, but then he reasoned that the throng of Hogwarts students and their families usually blocked his view. He approached the counter. The sign overhead read "Hogwarts Express/Knight Bus/Charter Tours". The clerk appeared to be asleep. Seeing a bell on the counter, Harry rang it and stood patiently. The clerk jumped in surprise.

"Name please," said the clerk, recovering his composure.

"Harry Potter," replied Harry.

"Let's see now," said the clerk, scanning a roll of parchment. "Parkinson, Parks, Post... Here we are, Potter. You're a month early for the Express, Mr. Potter."

Harry wasn't sure how to explain his presence at the counter. "Yes sir, my uncle dropped me off. He's a Muggle and doesn't understand that I can't go back to Hogwarts early."

"Muggle, eh?" asked the clerk. "Can't trust them, I say. Just don't understand how to do things proper, I suppose. Damned nuisance. Ministry of Magic put out a new rule that children aren't to travel on their own this summer. Do you have a friend to call on?"

Harry hadn't thought about sending Hedwig with a message. Ron was apparently away for the rest of the summer. He'd never spent a holiday with Seamus or Dean. In fact, he didn't even know their holiday plans. That left... Hermione. Maybe she had returned from her trip to Bulgaria. "Do you have a bit of parchment I could use, sir?" Harry asked the clerk. The clerk gave him a small roll of parchment and a quill. Harry scribbled a note to Hermione and turned to the luggage trolley. Hedwig was asleep in her cage on top of his trunk. Harry opened the cage door and gently nudged the owl. "Sorry to wake you Hedwig. I need to get this to Hermione right away." Harry tied the message to Hedwig's leg and sent her on her way.

"Now, young sir," said the clerk, "I guess we just wait for your owl. You look like you could use a good meal, though. Harvey!"

A younger clerk, apparently named Harvey, appeared in the doorway of an office marked "private". "Yes, Mr. Shunpike?"

"Harvey, your turn at the counter. Mr. Potter and I will be taking our meal at the Cauldron, " said Mr. Shunpike. He turned to Harry, who had just started to ponder where he had heard the name Shunpike before. "Name's Stewart Shunpike, by the way. Come with me, Mr. Potter. Harvey will take care of your trolley." Mr. Shunpike motioned for Harry to walk around to the counter and into the office. There was a fireplace in the corner. "Now, don't you go telling all your school chums about this one, Mr. Potter. Wouldn't do have a gaggle of students crammed into my Floo every September 1st. We'd never get the train off in time. You do know how to use Floo powder, don't you?"

Harry nodded. Travelling by Floo always seemed to make him dizzy and disoriented, but it was much quicker than walking to the Leaky Cauldron.

"After you then, Mr. Potter," said Mr. Shunpike.

Harry took off his glasses and tucked into his pocket. He threw a handful of Floo powder into the fireplace. As he stepped into the fire, he called out, "Leaky Cauldron!" Spinning as he travelled through the Floo network, Harry caught a glimpse of what he hoped was the shabby little pub and stepped out of the fire. He breathed a sigh of relief when he donned his glasses. Tom, the bartender, was nearby, serving a table of goblins. Remembering that Mr. Shunpike was just behind him, Harry stepped away from the pub's fireplace. Sure enough, Mr. Shunpike appeared in the fireplace almost immediately.

"Table for two, Tom," said Mr. Shunpike.

"This way, Mr. Shunpike, Mr. Potter," said Tom, leading them to a table in a back corner. "What will it be for you today, Mr. Shunpike? The shepherd's pie is a real treat today." Mr. Shunpike ordered steak and kidney pie and a pint of ale. Harry decided to have shepherd's pie and a butterbeer. Harry watched Tom and a barmaid clean tables as he waited for his order. Apart from the goblins, the pub was almost empty. Most of the patrons had gone back to their jobs or shopping errands in Diagon Alley. Although it wasn't more than twenty minutes before Tom placed plates of steaming hot food on the table, Harry felt as if he had been waiting for hours. Both Harry and the clerk were silent as they ate. Harry noted that Mr. Shunpike seemed just as hungry as he did.

"Thank you for letting me use your Floo, Mr. Shunpike," said Harry, once he had cleared much of his plate and finished his second butterbeer.

"You're quite welcome, Mr. Potter. It's been awhile since I've had a young man at the table, not counting Harvey of course. My son, Stan, is so busy with the Knight Bus and I work the day shift of course, so we're rarely in the same place at the same time." Harry felt foolish for not having remembered that the conductor of the Knight Bus was Stan Shunpike. It wasn't like he hadn't met him twice in the last two years.

"Please, call me Harry. There's no reason to treat me like the Minister of Magic," said Harry.

"Perhaps you don't understand, Mr. Potter, but most of us in the service professions would think it too forward to call you by your given name," replied Mr. Shunpike.

"Why? I thought all qualified wizards were pretty much equal." Harry was getting the feeling that no matter how much he learned of the wizarding world; it was still a very confusing place. Far superior to the Muggle world, but confusing all the same.

"Mr. Potter, you will never be equal. I doubt you even have an equal, unless it's Professor Dumbledore," said Mr. Shunpike. "Young as you are, I can see it in your face, even if you can't yet. People like my son Stan and I aren't nearly as lucky. We can't hope for much more than our simple jobs, not with our qualifications"

"How are you unlucky, Mr. Shunpike? You didn't fail at Hogwarts, did you?" For the first time, Harry was interested in talking about the tests in his near future. Although Percy Weasley, and later Hermione, had often lectured on their importance, Harry had never thought to ask for more details.

"Well, no Mr. Potter, Stan and I are fully qualified wizards. But there's passing and passing. We're not like Muggles, with their colleges and universities. Hogwarts or one of those foreign schools, of course, is the only chance a wizard gets to earn his place. There now, listen to me prattling on, making you all worried. I sound like the missus, bless her soul." And with that, Mr. Shunpike refused to say anything more on the subject of education.

Harry was disappointed that Mr. Shunpike didn't continue the conversation, but he soon discovered that his companion was an avid Quiddich fan. Just as they were debating the merits of the Wronski Feint over large servings over triple fudge sundaes, Hedwig flew into the pub and landed on the back of Harry's chair. Harry removed the roll of parchment from the owl's leg and offered her a sip of his butterbeer. Hedwig also helped herself to the peanuts from Harry's sundae.

"Your owl's a quick one," said Mr. Shunpike. "She brought you good news I hope."

Harry unrolled the parchment and read Hermione's reply:

Dear Harry,

It's your lucky day. Dad, Mum and I will meet you
at King's Cross Station at 3 o'clock.

Love,
Hermione

Harry was relieved. He doubted he would have been able to stay at the Leaky Cauldron for the rest of the holiday, not with the new restrictions from the Ministry of Magic. Harry pulled out his watch to check the time. There was only half an hour left before the Grangers were due at the station. After Harry and Mr. Shunpike finished their desserts and paid the bill, they returned to the clerk's office. Harry had sent Hedwig to the Granger's house before stepping into the pub's fireplace. He didn't think Hedwig wanted to spend more time cooped up in an automobile that day.

After thanking Mr. Shunpike for his company and collecting his trolley, Harry headed back to the magical barrier. At precisely 3 o'clock, Harry stepped through the barrier. Hermione was standing a few feet away on the other side, looking pleased to see him. Her parents looked concerned and slightly nervous, as usual. Harry hoped it wasn't their permanent condition.

"'Lo Hermione! Thanks for taking me in, Mr. & Mrs. Granger," said Harry.

"I can't believe what your uncle did," replied Hermione.

"You can tell us the whole story one we get settled in the car, Harry," said Mrs. Granger. "We've got an hour's drive ahead of us."

"An hour's drive? Then how did Hedwig fly back and forth so quickly?" ask Harry as the group walked toward the Granger's car.

"We were out taking a garden tour. We were about halfway between home and the station when Hedwig found me," explained Hermione. "Otherwise, you'd be waiting at King's Cross until almost dinner time."

"Then today really is my luck day," said Harry with a grin.

Once Harry and Mr. Granger had stowed Harry's trunk and empty owl cage in the boot of the car, Harry joined Hermione in the back seat. He placed Rufus' carrier between them. Rufus, just now waking, yawned and stretched.

"Harry, I don't know why I didn't notice the cat before," said Hermione. "Is this the Rufus you mentioned in your letter last month?"

"Yes, he is. Hermione, meet Rufus. Rufus, this is my friend Hermione," Harry said, feeling the cat was owed a formal introduction somehow.

"Meeeeooow," yawned Rufus, curling up again.

Harry told the Grangers the full story about how he ended up at King's Cross. He thoughtfully omitted the part about Black Prince really being his godfather in disguise. He didn't know if Hermione's parents knew about Animagi or about his relationship with Sirius Black.

"I'm not sure what to do about Rufus," concluded Harry. "Mrs. Figg was supposed to return before September, but how was she to know that Uncle Vernon would do this?"

"He'll just have to stay with us for the time being. Crookshanks will enjoy the company. Maybe you should send Mrs. Figg a message once Hedwig has rested a bit," suggested Hermione. "Did you send her ahead of us?"

Harry nodded and leaned back against the seat. A full stomach and the steady, low hum of the sedan's motor had made him very sleepy.

The next thing Harry knew, Hermione was nudging him. "Wake up, we're home," said Hermione in a low voice.

Harry was momentarily confused, but quickly remembered that Hermione meant her home, not Hogwarts or the Dursleys' house. He stretched his legs, which felt a bit stiff from all the sitting he had done that day. Rufus was stretching, too, and looking amused at the change of scenery.

"Welcome to Basildon, Essex," said Hermione, "Home of 13 dentists, 10 libraries and one witch."

"If the witch would kindly take Hedwig's cage into the house, this wizard would be most grateful," teased Harry, as he pulled Rufus' carrier out of the back seat.

Hermione graciously took Hedwig's cage from the boot and led Harry to the house. As they walked, Harry noted the Granger home seemed to have much more personality than the Dursleys' rather bland house. Maybe it was just the addition of a colourful front garden and bay windows, but it seemed much more welcoming. Harry was pleased to note that the inside of the house was just as cheerful, although lacking in delightful wizard contraptions like the Burrow. Hermione led Harry up the stairs and into the spare bedroom.

"This one's yours, Harry. I hope it's comfortable enough. Mum and Dad don't have too many guests," said Hermione.

Harry set Rufus' carrier down in a corner and looked around the room. Apart from a full-sized bed and a lack of broken toys, it looked much like Dudley's second bedroom. There were even shelves full of books, although unlike Dudley's books, these appeared to have been well read. Harry was jerked out of contemplation by the sound of Rufus batting at the latch on his carrier.

"Sorry, Rufus. I forgot that you'd be wanting to stretch your legs too," said Harry. He unlatched the carrier and watched as Rufus strolled out. The cat slowly stretched each leg, and swished his bushy tail before looking up at Harry and Hermione.

"You know, Harry. I bet he's ravenous by now. He's been in that carrier much of the day," said Hermione. "I have a spare set of bowls downstairs, you can just leave his in your trunk." Hermione set Hedwig's cage on the bedside table and walked out of the room. "Are you coming?"

"Oh, I guess I'm not fully awake yet," said Harry. Harry and Rufus followed Hermione downstairs and into the kitchen.

"Does Rufus need a special type of food, Harry?"

"No, I don't think so. Mrs. Figg just gave me a bag from a Muggle shop."

"Alright then, he can just have what I feed Crookshanks." Hermione started to pour a small amount of food into a bowl. Just then, Crookshanks sauntered into the room. "Well, there you are, Crookshanks. Hungry?" Hermione put out two bowls of food for the cats. Rufus and Crookshanks stared at each other for a moment and then coolly walked to their respective bowls as if they each were the only cat in the room. Their tails swished back and forth in unison as they ate. Hermione started to giggle.

"Are you sure Rufus isn't related to my cat?" she asked.

"I have no idea, but at least they're getting along. Maybe I should take the rest of my things upstairs. Then, you can give me the grand tour," said Harry.

Harry took his time unpacking his trunk once he and Hermione had hauled it upstairs. Mrs. Granger had appeared once upstairs to inform everyone that dinner would be at six o'clock. After seeing that Harry had everything he needed, Hermione volunteered to help in the kitchen. Before she left the room, Hermione warned him that Mrs. Granger wouldn't exempt him from chores for too long.

"She even has a chart for Crookshanks," Hermione snorted.

After changing his rumpled clothes and washing up in the spacious bathroom down the hall from his room, Harry concluded that it was time to be useful. He heard laughter coming from the dining room, and whispering from Hermione and her parents. Curious, Harry crept to the door of the dining room. He was surprised to see crepe paper decorations hanging from the ceiling and a large cake in the center of the table.

"Surprise! Happy Birthday!" called Hermione and her parents as Harry entered the room.

Harry didn't know what to say. It was the first birthday party he'd had in fourteen years. All he could do was stare at the table. When had Hermione and her parents made the cake?

"Hermione, you didn't use magic, did you? You know about the letter I received after the trouble with Aunt Marge," Harry whispered to Hermione as they took their places at the table.

"Relax, Harry. Don't be so suspicious," hissed Hermione. "Mum likes to keep all the basics around so we can have nice dinners even after she and Dad spend all day at the office."

"Secrets?" inquired Mr. Granger with one eyebrow raised.

"Oh no, Mr. Granger," said Harry. "I'd just forgot that it was still my birthday."

"Completely understandable, old bean. But you'll have to excuse our enthusiasm for parties. Hermione's missed out on a few since going off to Hogwarts. Pasta?" Mr. Granger passed Harry a serving bowl full of fettuccine..

Harry thought that dinner with the Grangers was the most pleasant one he'd had in months. He had to laugh when Mrs. Granger brought a colour-coded chart to the table after everyone had helped clear the dishes. His, Hedwig's, and Rufus' names had been added to chart, which detailed the division of duties in the household.

"See?" whispered Hermione.

"As you can see," began Mrs. Granger, "The chart is divided by weeks. Everyone spends one hour per day on chores and you keep the same duties for one week. Then, you switch with someone else. With two extra members of the household, we'll all have rather light duties. We all help at mealtime, though, except for the pets. Harry, I'm going to let you have first pick."

Harry selected gardening as his chore for the week. It certainly wouldn't be any worse than working in Aunt Petunia's yard. Just as he was about to ask what duties Hedwig and Rufus would have, Rufus and Crookshanks entered the dining room and rubbed up against Mrs. Granger's legs.

"Come to chose your chores?" asked Mrs. Granger. She took the chart from the table and laid it on the floor. To Harry's astonishment, Rufus put a paw on "Pest Control". Crookshanks selected "Night Watch". "Harry, I've assigned Hedwig to-" Mrs. Granger was interrupted by Hedwig's entrance through the open window. "Ah, there you are. Good hunting this evening? You don't mind messenger duty, do you?"

Hedwig hooted a reply and flew into the kitchen. There was a perch by the back door already set up for her. Harry was astounded by Mrs. Granger's extraordinary behavior.

"Are you sure you're not a-"

"Witch? Oh heavens, no. Hermione's the only one in the family with that talent. But, as I like to say, organisation makes ordinary life magical! Besides, many wizarding pets are particularly intelligent. They're meant to be helpers. Keeping them busy keeps them from making mischief. Crookshanks nearly tore up the house until we gave him responsibilities. I'm surprised Hermione didn't discover it for herself.

"Now, it's getting late. Time to turn in, especially for Mr. Granger and I. We have appointments in the morning. Mind you two turn off all the lights when you're done." With that, Mrs. Granger picked up the chart and hung it up in the kitchen.

"Goodnight, Mrs. Granger, Mr. Granger. Thanks again."

"It's our pleasure, Harry. Goodnight," said Mr. Granger as he climbed the stairs with his wife.

Harry and Hermione finished cleaning the kitchen in companionable silence. Harry was still thinking about Mrs. Granger's revelations. He was just about to ask Hermione a question about her mother when he noticed a strained look on her face.

"Hermione, what's wrong?"

"My mother, of course. I was so embarrassed. She was acting like such a know-it-all. I should never have left my books around the house last summer."

"Hermione, your mother is wonderful" Harry couldn't help but notice that Hermione was sounding a bit hypocritical. How many times had he and Ron called her a know-it-all?

"Humph! You say that now, but you don't have to live with her." Hermione stalked off to her room and shut the door.

At least she didn't slam it, thought Harry.