Chapter 7
Due to the events that transpired on Harry´s first year in Hogwarts, I was unsure about Harry's safety there, however he made me promise that I would under no circumstance take him out of that school, I reluctantly accepted but in return, I made him promise that the second I felt he was hiding something as important as he did before, I would do what I thought was best for him.
We shook hands at that and left the subject behind.
His second year was almost here and summer was almost over when suddenly something happened that made me rethink our arrangement twice.
One night I heard Harry scream upstairs, I left what I was doing and hurriedly went up the stairs. Before opening the door Harry yelled saying he was fine, I hesitated at the door thinking maybe I should leave him be but my senses told me otherwise.
"Sorry Harry, but I'm going to open the door, I just want to check something" I said ignoring Harry's refusal.
When I opened the door I was met by a wide eyed Harry and a truly strange looking creature the likes of which I had never seen before.
“Harry Potter, what in the world is” I said grabbing a lamp being the first thing I could grab on but seconds before screaming and throwing the lamp towards the scary creature Harry grabbed my arm stopping me from doing just that.
“Aunt Edith, this is Dobby and he is a friend” Harry said trying to calm down. “He is an elf”.
I stood there stupefied and slowly let the lamp fall out of my hands. “An elf of course, he is an elf, alright” I said breathing in and out, Dobby was looking at me through his hands that were covering his face, I felt bad at it, I clearly scared him as much he scared me. “I´m sorry for that Dobby, I was a little alarmed when I heard Harry scream and I panicked”.
“Oh well it's fine Ms Evans” Dobby said jumping to the floor from Harry´s bed. “I was just here to warn Harry Potter”.
“Dobby, no please, let's talk about it later” Harry said in a panic.
“Actually Dobby, I think I want to hear what this warning is about” I said, eyeing angrily at Harry, feeling upset that he tried to hide something from me once again.
Harry looked ashamed as Dobby started telling me that Harry shouldn't go back to Hogwarts in September because he would be in danger. I was listening carefully, nodding at what Dobby was saying and coming to understand once more how little I knew about the wizarding world and how dangerous it seemed.
Apparently fear was showing in my face since Harry had one look at me and stubbornly ran down the stairs knowing I would probably try to keep him from going to Hogwarts this year.
“Harry, wait please!” I yelled going after him.
“No, you are going to forbid me from going to Hogwars and I don't want that” Harry shouted.
“Let's talk about it please” I cried out and Harry stopped in his tracks finally facing me.
Harry stood there waiting for me to speak first, I could see how distressing the idea of not going back to Hogwarts was for him, but I was still the grown up here, meaning I had to be prepared to make the hard choices.
I barely knew this Dobby but I wasn't really going to take any chances when it came to Harry's safety.
“Harry we had an agreement, you almost broke it” Harry looked down with guilt on his face. “And I promised I would do what I thought best for you and before you start yapping at me, I´m just going to say that I will not make any drastic decision so soon, I'll think about it and then I'll let you know."
“But..” Harry said.
“Understood?” I interrupted him and he finally nodded.
Days went by and I realized quickly that Harry was waiting for my decision, to be honest there was a reason I told him I would think about the situation before making a decision and it was that I had no idea what to do next.
The idea of Harry being in danger terrifies me, but I also understand how important it is for him to return to Hogwarts.
September was only a day behind and I was anxiously biting my nails waiting for the confrontation. I decided to at least wait a few weeks before sending Harry to Hogwarts. I had already written a letter to Dumbledore explaining the situation but I haven't said anything to Harry out of cowardice.
I was making a treacle tart that I knew was his favorite, hoping it would lessen his anger, when I heard something like a car engine roaring loudly. I looked out the windows but didn't see anything, I was bewildered when I looked up and saw a flying car that was in front of Harry's windows.
I quickly ran up the stairs and opened the door to Harry's bedroom. I found him laughing along with what appeared to be Ron Weasley and his siblings.
Due to the sound of the car, Harry didn't seem to notice that I entered his room, but the Weasleys clearly did and in a panic motioned for Harry to look back.
Harry did just that and faced me with determination in his face.
“I have to go back, Aunt Edith” He started saying. "I've spent my whole life waiting for my life to finally begin, now is the time and I'm tired of waiting."
"Harry, I don't know…" I said crossing my arms.
“We´ll take of him well Ms. Evans” I heard the Weasley twins say, both winking and striking what I think were heroic poses, despite the situation I tried to stifle a giggle when I saw Ron Weasley making a face at them for trying to get my attention.
“Aunt Edith?” Harry asked, looking back at the Weasleys giving them a look for them to stop.
I sighed and clenched my fist praying I was making the right choice. I really couldn't win against Harry, not when he had those eyes.
“Alright Harry” I softly said. “But please write often about everything, you don't have an idea how much I worry about you”
Harry's face lightened up “Thank you so much Aunt Edith” He said taking my hand “And I´m sorry Aunt Edith for everything, you have been my support for so long, you are my only family. “ He had one look at my face and his face fell.
“And I guess this is how I return all you did to me” He said trying not to let himself fall apart in front of the Weasleys. “I´m being selfish and ungrateful and.:.”
“Stop, you better stop Harry” I cut him off by taking both of his hands in mine. “What you´re doing is fine, If I didn't make a decision sooner about the situation is because I understand how you feel, so what I mean to say is that I understand.”
Harry hugged me thanking me again and finally released me to face the Weasleys who were with their backs to us for privacy.
“They're here to pick me up, is that alright?” Harry shyly asked.
“Boys, is it really safe?” I asked getting a closer look the car.
Before Ron got to answer, the twins shoveled him and answered for him saying it was so safe that they promised to give me a ride in the future. I chuckled at their boldness as his younger brother rolled his eyes and shocked his head at Harry who just looked amused about the whole thing.
"Be careful" I told him as I took his things and Hedwig and put them in the trunk of the car.
I said my goodbyes to the boys and Harry and watched them literally fly away in a flying car. I laughed at myself for not being that surprised about the flying car, I was just getting used to the wizarding world I suppose.
I sighed once again and returned to the kitchen realizing that I forgot to tell Harry about the tart. feeling lonely already I took a fork and started munching the tart away.
“I hope I made the right decision Lily”.