Chapter 2
When Katherine and Tristan arrived at Privet Drive n.4, they couldn’t help a sneer. The place screamed ordinary. The houses along the street were all the same, the gardens perfectly cured, the quiet was unnerving. The two of them clashed a lot with their surroundings, especially Katherine, with her dark clothes, the heavy makeup, and the piercing on her nose.
Tristan ringed the bell. It was better if he introduced himself first, with him being a teacher he had more right to be there than Katherine.
It was Harry that opened the door with wide eyes. Katherine waved at him and tried to peek over Tristan’s shoulder.
“WHO’S AT THE DOOR, BOY,” a male voice shouted. Harry recovered. “He’s Mr. Knight, one of our teachers, and his sister,” then added, “would you like to come in?”
“Yes, thank you Harry, I would like a word with your uncle and aunt. You can keep Katherine company if you want.” Genius Tristan. She could go explore the house looking for clues of mistreatment.
A large man with small eyes and big moustaches came at the door, while the kid was shoved inside. “Good morning Mr. Knight, did my nephew give you problems in class? The boy is a menace, we try to educate him, but he never learns.” Katherine felt the angriness growing. How dared that man. She interacted with Harry just for one day and it was obvious he had a kind soul.
A tall and blond woman appeared at the doorstep showing a fake smile. “Vernon, let the teachers enter, we can take a tea in the living room, please come.” Gods, those two were the personification of normality. And their house, Katherine noticed going inside, mirrored its owners. It was painfully cleaned and tidied and decorated in a way it lacked personality.
Stepping into the living room Katherine quickly excused herself asking politely for the toilet, and she went looking for Harry. She started from the second floor since she had heard some noises. There were four doors. One was the master bedroom and she quickly closed it, one was the bathroom, one was what it looked like a playroom. The noises came from there and the origin was a game on a Nintendo console currently played by the Dursley boy, who didn’t notice her presence. So, the last room was probably a shared room for the cousins. Going inside however, she stopped. The room had only one bed and it seemed lived only by one boy, not two. She thought about the first floor. There was only the kitchen, the living room, and the hallway. So where did Harry’s room was? Even better, where was Harry himself?
She went again on the first floor silently, hearing the voices from the living room. Tristan was probably pretending to praise the Dursleys’ son to keep the parents in a good mood. It was because she was focused that she heard another noise. She turned her head and she saw a cupboard under the stairs, and, oh no, don’t tell me, what it sounded like breathing came from there.
She opened it and froze.
There was a little bed in there, and a little lamp and few objects over one shelf, but worst of all there was Harry, small Harry, looking at her like a deer caught in the light.
That was it. She was going to jail for double homicide, and she wouldn’t have one regret.
“Harry is this your room?” she was whispering, partly for not being heard by the Dursleys, partly because she was shocked.
“Uh, yes, but it’s okay.”
“It’s not. It’s totally not okay.”
“I’m sorry.” Wait, what. Why was he sorry?
“Don’t be sorry, it’s not your fault. Are you happy in this house Harry? Please be honest, it will be okay whatever the answer is.” Harry looked doubtful.
“Are you sure I can say?”
“Yes, I’m sure. Are you happy?” he shook his head. “Would you like to change home? You can live with me, if you want.” a nod.
“Take your things. You will not stay in this house anymore.” Katherine marched into the living room.
“YOU!” Started, and she was happy to see the Dursleys jump. Maybe she could be a bit scary after all. “You are two of the worst people I met in my life, and I met a lot of people. You let him sleep in a cupboard. A CUPBOARD! It has no natural light, no air, it’s dusty and small. And this is just one of the many horrible things you’re doing to the child.” She saw the man open his mouth, “I don’t want to listen one word from you, or else I swear I’ll kill you. I’m taking Harry with me; you will not see him again.”
Really, those people were already wasting enough of her time.
“Take him, we never wanted him in the first place!” Said the man, standing up. He was taller than her, yet Katherine didn’t feel intimidated. “You can keep the dirty boy with you, you’re probably a freak like him!” Tristan was on his feet too now, glaring at the pair with murderous eyes.
The siblings decided to ignore those disgusting words, and they went back near the cupboard where Harry was staying, with a backpack and a worried but hopeful look on his face.
“Is that everything you own?” Katherine asked, fearing the answer.
“Yes, I don’t need much, I promise.” Right, she thought, who knows the psychological damage these people have done to the child.
“One moment.” The woman said. “I have two things to give to you before you go.” And she disappeared toward the second floor. She came back after a few minutes. In her hands there was a blanket and a letter.
“We found you with this blanket over you and this letter. I will give the letter to Miss Knight since she will be the one to deal with you from now on.”
“Thank you, Aunt Petunia.” Oh, he was really the purest child to thank the horrible woman. She didn’t thank her while taking the two objects from her.
“Now go away, I hope we will never see you again.”
“It’s better than Dudley won’t share the house with you anymore. Who knows what your influence could have done to him.” Added Mr. Dursley.
“Don’t worry, I have no intention to come back here ever again. Goodbye.” Said Harry with such a tone of finality that Katherine felt like something broke in the air.
She took Harry’s hand, and she guided him to the car, followed by Tristan. The last thing she saw while they were driving away was the door of n. 4 closing behind them.
When they arrived in Katherine’s flat in London, Harry eyed with curiosity the many objects that decorated the house. There were coloured plates on the walls from Syria, framed pictures, some taken by her, some by others, her mom’s paintings, Peruvian blankets on the sofa, band posters and lots of vinyl records on the shelves in the living room and a big bookcase almost full of books of every genre. Katherine enjoyed reading, especially during the long flights, and she had bought quite a collection during the years. She absolutely loved her apartment, it was chaotic, but clean and bright.
“Do you like it?” she asked, a bit anxious about Harry’s reaction. What if the child found it uncomfortable?
“It’s brilliant,” he answered, with a big smile. Katherine sighed happily.
“Come with me then, I’ll show you your room.” Katherine guided Harry toward a door, opening it to show a more neutral room, with a big bed, a closet, and some shelves. “It’s actually a guest room, but we will re-decorate it following your taste if you want.”
“It’s perfect thanks, are you sure it’s all for me?”
“Of course it’s all for you! And we will buy new clothes to put in the closet and some toys and some new children’s books.” She stated. And maybe a new pair of glasses.
“Thank you, Miss Knight!”
“Please, call me Katherine, or Kath, after all we will live together.”
“Thank you, Katherine.”
“Very good, to celebrate we are going out for lunch and then we will go to shopping. What do you think about hamburgers?”
“I ate them only once at school, but I really liked them. Dudley always eats them, but I only could eat the bread.”
“W-we are going to eat an entire hamburger. And fries.” She was shaking. Thanks the gods she had already swore not to see the Dursley ever again or else the ancient katana bought in Japan would find a purpose.
While they walked in the streets of Hampstead, the gorgeous quartier where Katherine lived, she couldn’t help but smile at the amazed expressions on Harry’s face. They passed various shops and pubs until they arrived at one particular pub. It was a place more suited for families then the pubs she usually frequented, but there was a lovely atmosphere, and the food was good.
After the two hamburgers and the drinks they ordered arrived, they sat in silence enjoying their meal. Katherine was happy to see that Harry was clearly liking his lunch and she got lost in the thoughts of this new parenting life she was throwing herself into. For now, although having a child had never been her priority, she didn’t regret a single thing. She was already fond of that kid, without even knowing a lot about him.
She was happy to pay for the lunch once they finished, and they started going around looking for new clothes. She couldn’t wait to free Harry from those terribly big clothes. They found a lovely shop where they bought some t-shirts, jeans, and jumpers. Simple, but nice and above all, of the right size for Harry. Then it was time for underwear and pyjamas, and a light jacket for the summer months. Katherine had noticed how Harry looked lost in choosing things for himself, and she had resolved in picking some clothes that she liked and then she had let Harry choose among those options. As much as that method had worked, she hoped that in the future Harry would be confident enough to choose the things he liked the most.
Satisfied, they came back home. Katherine had to look for an optician and a paediatrician, hoping to have an appointment in a short time. Also, she wanted to read the letter that Mrs. Dursley had given her. Maybe it contained more information about Harry and his family. She let Harry go to his new room to arrange his clothes and she sat on the sofa opening the letter. However, she stopped after a few lines. The words killed, Voldemort, wizarding world were resounding inside her head. She started again.
Dear Mrs. And Mr. Dursley,
It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that Lily and James Potter died on the night of the 31st of October during an attack. The dark wizard Voldemort killed them and tried to kill your nephew Harry, but he failed, and the entire wizarding world is celebrating his disappearance. Since you are the only relatives left for Harry, I ask you to take him in your home and raise him as he was your own son. He is a wizard like his parents, and I ask you to explain his nature to him, as you are among the few muggles knowing the existence of the wizarding world. He's already enrolled in Hogwarts and as you know, he will start his magical education when he will be eleven years old. A member of the staff will come to help him. I’m sure you will love and raise him like Lily and James would have done
I offer again my deepest condolence,
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
Headmaster of Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry
(Order of Merlin 1st class, Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confederation of Wizards)
Harry is a wizard, was her first thought after reading the letter.
When she was a child Katherine had always fantasised about the existence of magic, but it was only since she was twenty-two that she had discovered that magic was in fact real and there was a whole wizarding world, full of magical people and magical creatures. It had happened in South America, when she had met a gorgeous girl who decided she was worthy of knowing her magical nature. When it had been the moment for Katherine to return in England, she let her keep the memories of her and the magical community she had met. Now, she couldn’t help being extremely grateful for that encounter, else she would have probably freaked out.
Her brain started working again. Clearly, the wizard that wrote the letter was an important one, judging from the many titles under the signature, and he made the mistake of believing the Dursleys capable of loving Harry. Didn’t he meet them? Didn’t he see how close minded they were? They probably hated magic and for that they hated Harry.
The word freak assumed an entirely different meaning with the new information.
Had the Dursley told Harry his nature? She couldn’t tell, and she hoped that this Dumbledore man could come and explain more things.
Right at that moment, the doorbell rang, making her jump. Could wizards read distant thoughts? Or was it just the neighbour at the door?
She went to the front door with a thumping heart, and she slowly opened the door. On the other side there was Merlin, or better, a man whose appearance was very similar to the illustrations of the great wizard. He was tall, with long silver hair, a long beard and light blue eyes, that were twinkling behind a pair of half-moon glasses. He was wearing something that resembled a muggle suit, but it was so colourful it hurt the eyes. He was clearly a wizard.
“Hello Miss Knight, I’m Albus Dumbledore, I believe we should have a nice chat.” The man said with a calming deep voice.
“I certainly believe so, please enter. Would you like to meet Harry too?” Katherine said, guiding the man in the living room. He was looking around with a small smile when he answered. “I’ll be glad to meet young Harry in a moment, but I do have some questions for you too.”
Katherine joined him, handing him the letter. “Mrs. Dursley gave this to me when I took Harry away from her house. I don’t know if you knew, but they were abusing Harry, both physically and psychologically, and I couldn’t stand it.” She noticed the twinkling in Dumbledore’s eyes diminishing. “I will answer your questions, but I also have some of other questions for you, for example how did you know where to find Harry.”
“I wish I knew the situation. I hoped that Petunia would have cared about her nephew.” He eyed her suspiciously. “Since you are not so confused about my appearance, nor the content of this letter, can I assume you know about the wizarding world?”
“I do, I had contacts with an Argentinian magical community, but you are the first English wizard I met.” The twinkling in the eyes reappeared.
“In this case, I will be happy to explain you some things, without having to worry about the Statute of Secrecy.” He started, after having made a long pause, almost as he was reticent to share his thoughts. “When James and Lily Potter died that tragic night, Harry survived thanks to his mother’s sacrifice. Her death put a blood and love protection on Harry, and Voldemort, the wizard who had attacked them, couldn’t touch him. This protection could be reinforced only by another blood relation. Mrs. Dursley was Lily’s sister, and that’s why I chose her as Harry’s guardian.”
“I can understand the logic. But why did Harry need protection? Is that wizard, Voldemort, still around?”
“He disappeared that night and most of the people believe him dead,” he probably wasn’t one of them, decided Katherine. “The problem, however, wasn’t only Voldemort, but also his followers. Of course you don’t know this, but in the wizarding England there has been a war against Voldemort and many people were on his side.”
“How hidden is the wizarding world? I never noticed a war in England.”
The man chuckled. “We are quite hidden, yes. And we try to keep the muggles ignorant about our world.”
“Muggles?”
“It’s the way we refer to non-magical people,” the wizard answered.
“I have another question. How did you know that Harry wasn’t at the Dursley anymore? And how did you find me?” She was keeping her voice low, but it was strange that Harry hadn’t appeared yet. Had he fallen asleep?
“This morning I felt the protection spells breaking down, and that could only mean that Harry had somehow cut his familiar bond with the Dursleys.” Katherine recalled Harry’s tone in talking with his aunt, and that strange sensation she had perceived. “I was alarmed, and I went checking. The Dursleys managed to tell me your name, after they had finished being angry at me. I actually followed you for a while in London before I came here.”
That left Katherine speechless. As much as London had all kind of people, how could she miss a man with that appearance? “I was invisible while I followed you, my dear. It’s not your fault you didn’t see me.” Could that man read minds? Or had she simply a shocked expression? “Now, maybe it is time to meet young Harry. Then I will go back to Hogwarts.”
“I’ll go calling him. He’s probably asleep.” Katherine went to Harry’s door, knocking it and entering. Harry was on the armchair, reading a schoolbook. “Harry? There is a person who would like to talk to you. Would you come in the living room?”
He looked up. “Who are they? Are they here to take me back to the Dursleys?”
She hoped not. “No, Harry, he’s not here for that. And if he is, I will fight him because I promised you will never go back there.”
He grinned. “I’m coming then.”
Dumbledore smiled calmly when Harry sat on the sofa, Katherine just behind him. “Hello Harry, I’m professor Dumbledore and I’m the Headmaster of the school your parents attended. It is also the school you will attend when you will be eleven years old.”
“Did you know my parents? Were they good students?”
“They were both brilliant students, and good people. I had the pleasure to keep contacts with them even after they graduated.” Katherine couldn’t see Harry’s expression, but she could see how he was refraining from moving too much. He probably didn’t know much about his parents and he was eager for information.
“There is another thing you should know about your parents, and about you. You are a wizard, Harry.”
“A what?”
“A wizard. Your dad James came from a family of magical people, while your mom, Lily, was the only witch in her family. Didn’t your Aunt Petunia tell you this?” Harry shook his head.
“They never answered questions about my parents. They never told me their names. The only thing they told me was that they died in a car crash and that was the night I had my scar.” He said, bringing back his fringe and showing a white scar similar to a lightning bolt, that contrasted with his darker skin tone. Katherine had seen the scar the day before, but she hadn’t asked about its origin.
“Harry, my dear, I’m afraid your aunt didn’t tell you the truth about that night.” Said Dumbledore in a grave tone. For a moment he looked older than he already was. “Your parents were killed by a bad wizard. For a miracle, you survived, and I brought you to your relatives.”
“Why did you do it? They hate me.” Katherine put her hands on his shoulders, trying to comfort him.
“I’m sorry Harry, I honestly believed they would have cared for you.” Still, he could have checked sometimes Katherine thought.
“Are you sure I’m a wizard?” asked Harry suddenly.
“I am. I can feel your magic. But to be sure, can you tell me if strange things happened to you? Maybe when you were angry or scared?”
Harry thought for a bit. “Once Aunt Petunia cut my hair very very short except for my fringe, and it was horrible and that night I cried because all the other kids would laugh at me for sure, but in the morning the hair was long again. And last year I was running from Dudley and I found myself on a roof, but I don’t know how.”
Katherine almost didn’t hear Dumbledore’s answer because she was thinking about the magical kid she agreed to look after. She had little to none experience with children, and even promising to do her best, would that be enough? “These are all cases of accidental magic.” The old wizard was saying. “It often happens to children, and it proves that you are a wizard. Now, it is time for me to go, but I will come back tomorrow for tea, if it’s not a problem.”
“Not at all, we will be glad to have you. I’ll escort you to the door.”
“Goodbye Harry, it was a pleasure to meet you.”
“Goodbye professor.”
When they arrived at the door Dumbledore turned around. “Tomorrow I will put some magical protections to your house, for now enjoy your evening.” Katherine tried to answer, but the moment he finished the sentence he had vanished. Literally.
She went again in the living room, where Harry was still on the couch, looking at her with his big eyes. “So, that was a big revelation. How are you?”
“I’m fine. Now I know why my aunt and uncle were always angry when something strange happened. It was magic.”
“They obviously can’t appreciate the beauty of magic. I’m sorry I can’t raise you as a wizard, since I don’t know anything about that world, are you sure you want to stay with me?”
“I’m sure! You are kind, please don’t send me away.” Katherine practically ran to hug him.
“No no, of course I don’t want to send you away. I’m so happy that I met you. We will live so many adventures together, what do you think?”
“I want to travel with you and see many things!” Katherine laughed.
“You have still some classes for now little one. Unfortunately, I have to ask you to finish this year in your current school, even if Dudley is still there. Then we will find a new school closer to home, okay?”
“It’s okay, it’s only two weeks.”
“Very well, and remember that now you don’t have to remain silent if Dudley bullies you. He can’t go and complain to his parents, understood?” a nod was a response. “Now, I’ll cook something for dinner and then we can have a hot chocolate while we watch a movie.” She started walking toward the bathroom. “Before that, however, it is time for a shower, here’s a new towel for you, and after you can put one of your new pyjamas; call me if you need anything, and don’t close yourself in the bathroom with the key, if something happens, I need to be able to come in.” She then left Harry, knowing he was probably quite independent, due to the way those people had treated him.
And in fact, by the time she finished preparing dinner and set the table, Harry was already cleaned and in his pyjama with the penguins on it. Katherine felt a wave of affection for the kid. Was this how parents feel toward their kids?
“Look at you. So adorable. Come and sit, the dinner is ready.” One of the advantages of travelling was that Katherine learned how to cook well, and she knew a lot of different recipes. The Italian and the Japanese ones were her favourites, and she had a particular love for the French bakery. At least Harry could grow with more than the English cousine.
Harry helped her clean the table and put away the dishes, even if she told him it wasn’t necessarily. She then started preparing the hot chocolate.
“Which movie do you want to see? I have a lot of videotapes, go and choose one.” Harry ran away and Katherine laughed silently while stirring the cocoa. She frowned when she remembered the marshmallows were finished.
Harry came back with a VHS in his hands. It was Robin Hood. “I never saw a movie, but I like the fox on this, is it a good movie?”
Katherine decided to avoid talking about the fact that Harry never saw a movie, so she simply smiled. “It’s my favourite Disney movie, clearly you have good taste. Go to the sofa, I’m bringing the hot chocolate.” She took the two mugs she had prepared and followed Harry. He was sitting on the sofa, his legs moving, betraying his excitement.
“Here we are, let’s watch the movie.” Katherine put the VHS in the player and turned on the tv. She then sat next to Harry and covered their legs with one the blankets, before passing one mug to Harry.
As always, Robin Hood didn’t fail to make Katherine laugh. She tried not to sing for Harry’s sake, who didn’t know the songs, so whenever a song came, she sipped the cocoa. Incredibly Harry managed to stay awake until the very end, but he was yawning loudly. Chuckling, Katherine helped him in standing up. “Come on little one, it’s time to sleep, it’s been a long day.”
“Nooo, I’m not tireeed,” pouted Harry.
“Sure you aren’t, but I am.” She said, arriving in Harry’s room and trying to tuck him in the bed.
“If you need anything, a glass of water or other things, don’t hesitate to come to my room and wake me up.” She gently passed a hand through is hair and put his glasses on the bedside table. “Goodnight Harry, sleep well.”
“Goodnight Katherine, thank you” and then he was sleeping. Katherine smiled softly and silently went in her bedroom.
The biggest adventure had just begun.