Harry potter and the war of life

Chapter 52 No time to Celebrate

AN/ Thank you all for the patience and loyalty you have shown me.
I know that this chapter has been a long time coming but I must say as the end comes closer I find it harder to write. Like I don't want the story to end.
I also know that I told you guys last time that there would be only a few chapters left. Well I can tell you that after this one there will be only 2 or 3 chapters left. So I hope you enjoy this chapter and I must say it is one of the longest ones I have written.
END AN/

Chapter 52 No time to celebrate

Harry still could not believe how lucky he had been. His shield had stopped the killing curse. He didn't know or cared how, the only thing that mattered to him was that Ginny was safe. Hermione was another case. She was bombarding Harry with questions for the past few days about how he did catch that curse that was meant for Draco and how he had shielded Ginny.

Draco was just grateful that Harry had pulled of that little miracle and he was there to tell the tail. He had written to his parents and the letter that they had written back to him had lifted his spirit even more. He had shown it to Harry and told him that his parents never had told him before with so many words how proud they were of him. His mother had written her own letter to Harry to thank him for all the help he had given her family to repay for what they had done and to thank him for what he had done for Draco. They all were glad it was all over before the exams as the newt exams would be next month so they now had time to study. Hermione was her old hectic self again as she snapped at everybody who came to ask her something. Harry had also his own exams to set up for the years 1 to 6 he was glad he didn't need to do the owl's as they were made by the ministry. He could not believe that his school years were almost over at Hogwarts but he was glad that he was coming back next year as a teacher. He had some study to do before he was a real teacher but what Minerva had told him he would be able to do that beside his teaching job. How he would not know but he would handle it when it came to it. "What's on your mind love." It was Ginny who pulled him out of his thoughts. "I was just thinking about next year. Nothing to worry about." He said as he put his hand through her long hair as she lay on his lap in front of the fire in their quarters. Harry an Ginny had decided to take a evening off the study still Hermione had pushed them in so they had retreated to their own quarters for some alone time. Harry was about to get up to get something to drink when a small pop was heard to announce the arrival of an house elf. "Granny very sorry master but master is needed at Potter manor as master Dudley is brought there by Granny and needs help." The house elf squeaked. Harry and Ginny got of the couch and Granny bowed deep. "Sorry master Granny disn't know mistress was also here." Harry ignored the unpleasant moment for the elf and looked at the elf. "What happened." He just asked and before he started walking towards the door he took his wand. Granny followed her master not sure if she should tell it on the walk or not. "I asked you what happened." Harry asked the elf as they walked the halls of Hogwarts. Ginny who had followed hadn't seen Harry so tense since Christmas. She knew this was about Dudley but she had no idea why Harry was so tense about it. "Just as master had ordered Granny I has responsies to the call of master Dudley when he callses for me." The elf began her story. "Me is a good house elf. Master Dudley always asked me for news of master Harry but todays he not callses me he screamses for Granny." Harry looked at the elf. He didn't liked where this was going. "When Granny arrived at master Dudley's house he wasn't alone. He was with masters father and mother. Masters father was beating master with stick and master could not defend himself as he shielded masters mother." Ginny felt sick as she heard this. "Granny ran to master Dudley and shielded him for more stick. Master Dudley didn't want to leave mother alone so Granny has taken both to Potter manor but master Dudley won't wake. Granny needs masters help." The elf concluded her tale. The trio had just arrived at the status to the headmistress office so when they went up Harry's mind was in overdrive to think what he needed. He walked in after approval from Minerva. The grim look on his face made it clear for her there was trouble. " what can I do and what do you need?" She just asked. "My nephew has been abused by his father while shielding my aunt. I want aurors at Potter manor in 2 minutes. As that is where Granny had taken them. I also want Poppy to come and check on Dudley so we can start healing his wounds." Harry said. "You two get to your home your family needs you. I will send for the aurors." Minerva said. Harry thanked her and grabbed Granny's small hand, before he told the elf to take him home he looked at Minerva. "All aurors are welcome except Kingsley." He told Minerva. The headmistress nodded and with a pop they were gone. Harry walked into the parlor that Granny had brought him to. He looked at his cousin and felt sorry for him. When aunt Petunia noticed him she swept the tears from her eyes and walked over to him. "Can you help him?" She begged. Ginny walked passed them and took out her wand. She casted some simple diagnostic spells and started working on the wounds he had in his face and on his back. "What is she doing?" Aunt Petunia asked in a small voice, and to Harry's surprise it missed all the venom it usually had when it came to magic. "I am healing the open wounds so he won't lose anymore blood Mrs. Dursley." Ginny replied as she was working. "Evans." Said aunt Petunia. "It's Mrs. Evans, and please call me Petunia." Harry looked at his aunt, he had a lot of questions for her but not now. He was just glad that there were no paintings in this parlor. He needed to thank Granny for putting them here. He heard the wards go off that people wanted to get in. Granny appeared right beside him. He looked at the elf. "How do I silence them." Harry asked. Ginny just pointed her wand up turned it counter clockwise and the alarms went silent. "You have a lot to learn love." She said as she went on with treating Dudley. Granny can you please escort the aurors at the gate to the receiving parlor." Harry asked the elf. Granny bowed and with a pop was gone. Harry heard the cracks of apperation in the hallway and heard Minerva calling his name. Two elves were escorting her and madam Pomfrey inside the parlor. "You have well behaved house elves Mr. Potter." Minerva told him. "We were just a second in and the were already over us and asking for our needs." Madam Pomfrey walked over to Ginny. "What happened to this young man." She demanded. "His father." Was all aunt Petunia said, but the venom was heard by all in the room. "I healed the open wounds, but the diagnostic spell you thought me revealed also some broken bones and those I can't heal." Ginny walked Poppy Pomfrey trough what she had done. "You did great Ginny. You probably saved his live with your fast work." Poppy told her. At the words "saved his life" aunt Petunia broke in tears. "He would have killed his own son to get to me." She said. Harry could not believe it. "Just because I defended you, and told Dudley I was proud of you for what you have done." Harry looked at Minerva not sure what to say. "Aunt Petunia. I have sent for aurors. I want to go with them to arrest uncle Vernom." Harry said to his aunt. She looked at him. "You would do that for us?" She asked. She just could not believe that after all she had done in the past Harry still wanted to protect her and Dudley. "He won't come with you Harry he will try to hurt you to." His aunt said. Harry smiled at her. "You forget I am a wizard and the people that are coming with me are all wizards. He won't have a chance." Harry told her with a wicked smile. His aunt relaxed a bit at this. She indeed had forgotten that Harry was a wizard and that his uncle would be no match for him. "We will bring him to justice don't worry." Harry said. His aunt nodded. "Please don't hurt him to much." She said. Harry smiled at her. "Just rest. If you need anything call for Granny. She will get you anything." Because Harry knew that aunt Petunia didn't know what to do he called for Granny. "Master has called?" Granny asked after she popped in. He really loved this old elf. "Yes Granny and it is Harry not master okay." He started. "I want you to take care of Dudley and my aunt while I am gone do you understand." He told the elf. "Also I want them taken only to rooms with no paintings. Am I clear about that." He told his elf. "Yes master Harry." The elf said. After that Harry walked out to the waiting aurors, and to his surprise there stood Gilderoy. "I am sorry sir if I am not wanted, but when I heard you needed help from the department I wanted to come and help." Gilderoy told Harry. "I hope you don't mind." He added. Harry who was relieved that there was a familiar face on the crowd smiled. "I am glad you are here Gilderoy." Harry said. "It is good to see a friendly face." Gilderoy glowed at this, his colleagues looked at him with new light because he was on a firstname basis with the famous Harry Potter. "Right." Harry started. "You are here to arrest my uncle. Mr.Vernon Dursley on the charge of attempted murder. I must warn you all even though he is a muggle he won't come easy. I wanted you as aurors with me to make sure that I won't kill him myself. I will first talk to him and if he still doesn't want to come you can stun him and take him by force. He is not to be harmed. Not much anyway." Harry said that last bit more in a whisper and to himself than to the aurors. He took out a map of the area around privet drive and pointed out where they should apperate to. Than the 4 aurors and Harry apperated away. In the bush Albus Dumbledore apperated to so many years ago 5 cracks were heard and 5 men appeared out of thin air. They walked out to the street and headed towards number 4. Harry rang the bell and waited if he could hear his uncle inside. He knew he was home as the car was in the driveway. When the door swung open he stood face to face with his uncle. He pulled out his wand and pointed it directly at uncle Vernon. "You dare to point that thing at me boy!" His uncle bellowed as he did a few steps back. Harry pointed his wand just beside his uncle and shot a reducto towards his old cupboard door which splintered at the impact of the spell. "And I dare to use it to." He said. His uncle looked at the havoc that now was his hallway. He than looked at Harry and wanted to charge at Harry but than the aurors stepped in. When uncle Vernon saw the 4 aurors he stopped dead in his track. "What is this boy?" He sneered. "Your bodyguards?" Harry smiled "No they are here for your protection," he said with a wicked grin. "As you might know I have killed the most powerful evil wizard of the last century, so a muggle like you won't be any trouble." He looked at the aurors and back at his uncle. "I think I could get away with it won't I Gilderoy?" Gilderoy who had anticipated the question looked at Harry and than to uncle Vernon. "Why yes lord Potter. We would even protect you and cover it up if you wished." He said. Harry smiled at his uncle. "So uncle Vernon want to try it again?" Harry turned his back and walked out of the house. This was the signal Gilderoy waited for as he placed uncle Vernon under arrest for attempted murder. "What!!" He screamed. "You have no jurisdiction here." Harry walked back in the house and when he entered all the aurors stood aside as to show to his uncle the importance of Harry. Before Harry had left Potter manor he had checked if they could charge uncle Vernom or that he needed to get the muggle police involved. "Sorry to say but they have all the jurisdiction they need." He said to his uncle. "As by Royal degree 2375 as of 1st January 1754 any person inside the border of the country can be arrested by the auror department of the ministry of magic if said person is relative of a wizard. So because you are still married to aunt Petunia you are a relative of mine so they can arrest you." He turned again and left the house. He waited for his uncle and the aurors to come and when his uncle finally surrendered Gilderoy came out and told Harry they would take his uncle directly to the ministry to get the changes set. A ministry car came driving up the street and his uncle walked out of the house. Harry could see that the had confunded him but he didn't care. He walked in the house and repaired the cupboard door. He closed the door and apperated back to Potter manor. When he arrived back he found his aunt sitting in the hallway crying. He ran towards her. "Aunt Petunia, what's wrong?" He asked. At the sight of him she swept her eyes. "It is Dudders. He doesn't want me in there." She cried. "My little Dudders doesn't wants his momsy." Harry smiled at her. "I will check on him." He told her. He left his aunt but had called Granny to get her a glass of water. When he walked in the parlor he could see Dudley sitting on the big couch he had been lying on before he had left. "Good to see you up and awake big D" Harry said. "Well it is all thanks to that wonderful nurse you called for me and your lovely girlfriend small H" Dudley replied. Harry laughed out loud at the nickname Dudley had made up for him. "Well he isn't small in all places" Ginny said without thinking. Harry's eyes went wide when he heard it and he blushed as red as Ginny's hair. Dudley started laughing out loud. When Ginny noticed what she had said she also blushed furiously. That made Harry laugh and Dudley even louder. "That was to much info Ginny." Dudley added and Ginny blushed even more. "So what's up with you sending your mother out of the room?" Harry asked. Dudley looked at him. "I was so fed up with that stupid nickname of hers." He said. "I am not that small boy anymore. If she can't deal with that it is her loss." Harry now understood. "So as soon as you opened your eyes it was Dudders this and Dudders that I supose?" He asked even if he already knew the answer. "Yeah, it wasn't pretty. She almost pushed away that nurse to get to me." Dudley told him. "You had to she that woman change. It was like she changed from a kitten to a wild hippogriff." Harry looked at him. "Sorry what did you say?" He asked. Dudley couldn't help but laugh. "I told you that I had changed. I asked miss. Figg is she could give me some books about your world and I must say some of the animals are very interesting. Like the hippogriff." Harry smiled. Dudley really had changed. "I will talk to her. I think you always will be her little Dudders but perhaps she can loose the name and start to treat you like the man you have become." With that Harry left the parlor and went back to the hallway. He walked over to his aunt who was looking out of a window still crying a bit. "Granny." Harry called the elf. "What can Granny get master Harry?" The elf asked. "I need a place where I can talk to my aunt without interruptions from the paintings, where could we go." Harry asked. "Please follow Granny." The old elf told Harry as she moved to a side of the hallway. Harry touched his aunts arm which startled her. "Please follow me aunt Petunia we need to talk." He said. His aunt followed him and the elf in silence. When the they entered a small parlor Harry noticed a small painting but is was dead still. He recognized his old headmaster in it but he noticed nothing to indicate that the painting could move. "Thank you Granny. Could you please send some tea to us here, also ask if the rest would want something to eat or drink?" Harry asked the elf. Granny bowed and with a snap of her old fingers was gone.

"I talked to Dudley about what happened." Harry said in a no nonsense tone. He noticed his aunt wanted to say something but he cut her off. "I understand that you are worried about him so was I but he is not a small boy anymore that needs to be cuddled at every cut or bruise he gets." Harry waited a bit for his words to set in.
His aunt looked at him. "There is more isn't there?" She asked. Harry thought that honesty would be best. "Yeah there is. He really hates the nickname you have for him. It makes him feel a small kid again like you don't take him serious." Harry told her. "In the past he didn't mind it much but now he is an adult it is different." Petunia thought about what was said to her. She had never thought about how Dudley would feel about her fussing so over him. She loved her son so much she never had thought her love would distend her from him. "Is it to late for me and Dudley?" She asked Harry with a small fear in her voice she could not hide. "That is up to you." Harry told her. "First you should apologize to Madam Pomfrey for your reaction. Second you should talk with Dudley yourself." He continued. Aunt Petunia understood what Harry meant and she knew he was right. Now it was up to her to get grown up with her son.

She wanted to leave but Harry stopped her. "Please there is another thing I need you to know." He said to his aunt. "It isn't about Dudley but about the manor that you are staying in." His aunt would not like what he was about to tell but Harry thought it would be best to get the shock over before she walked in a room without warning. "The paintings in this house are a bit different than you would think." Harry started explaining. His aunt thought Harry had lost his mind. How could a painting be not what it seemed. "I know now you have seen photos we wizards have where people are moving." Harry continued. "Well the paintings are more or less the same only that they can also speak." His aunt looked at him as she was about to start laughing. "Harry that is not funny. I understand I made mistakes but I am not a fool." She snapped.

Harry rose from his seat and walked to the painting of the old man who was sitting in a chair Petunia had seen when she entered. "It is alright Professor." He said to the painting and to Petunia's shock the eyes of the man on the painting opened and the man stood from his chair. "I must say you handled that very well Harry my boy. You have grown up a wise man. You can be proud of him Mrs. Dursley." Petunia could not believe what she was seeing. The man in the painting who she recognized faintly walked around the painting and than even left it completely. "Who, how and what just happened?" She asked Harry. "Professor Dumbledore, magic and he went to another painting." He answered. His aunt looked at him to process what he had told her. "Why did you show me this, Harry?" She asked as she now was understanding that there was more to this than he first let her to believe. Harry looked troubled and both so sure anymore as he did when they started this talk. "You can tell me Harry. I know I wasn't the best parent but please tell me." His aunt pushed a bit and when Harry noticed her own selfreflection as not being the best parent he made his mind up. "In this manor there are more paintings like this one. A lot more," he started. "Most won't say a word to you as you are a muggle but I know of one that will definitely will talk to you. Well more yell at you." He added the last part in a small whisper. His aunt looked at him and when she saw his eyes look sad it snapped into place. "Lily." She said in shock.