Disclaimer:
Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K. Rowling.
I own nothing but the original characters I make.
"Dialogue"
'Thoughts'
-Author notes-
Chapter 63: Under Suspicion
"H-Harry…" Vernon tried to call him in the most polite tone he could muster, right after Harry crossed the door.
He glanced at his uncle and noticed a letter in his hands. "For me?"
"Someone slid this letter under the door." Vernon handed it to him. "I couldn't see who it was, but it is addressed to you."
Harry peeked at the letter. It had his name written on it, just like his uncle said, but there was no address or anything else, other than a small writing on one corner. "From Padfoot."
'Sirius Black…' He had almost forgotten about that man, even though he had been someone of extreme importance for the previous owner of this body. To him, he was nothing but an annoyance he would have to deal with sooner or later.
Having family members keeping an eye on him was not something he desired. The only thing he needed were servants and soldiers.
"You." He pointed at Petunia. "Sit down, I will be with you in a minute. I need to read this first." Harry said before going to one of the couches and began to read the letter.
Sirius began with an apology for not contacting him as soon as he returned from Hogwarts and expressed his desire to see him in person.
He mentioned there were many important things that they needed to discuss but that it was better to do it in person. Sirius ended the letter by telling him that he would be visiting the Dursleys' house tomorrow morning.
Vernon and Petunia were both watching with unease as Harry's expression turned sour.
"B-bad news?…" Vernon asked and began to tremble when Harry's piercing green eyes locked on him, while the letter in his hands started to burn.
Harry ignored Vernon's question and turned his attention to Petunia. "Tell me."
Petunia didn't need to ask what he was referring to. It was obvious that he somehow knew that someone had approached her.
"I was in the tavern, just as you told me to. An auror came to talk to me… I don't know her name. She never said it, but it was a young girl with pink hai—"
"That's Auror Tonks." Harry interrupted her. "What did she want?"
"She… ehm… was looking for you." Petunia said with hesitation. "She knew we had entered the tavern together and insisted that I accompany her while looking for you."
Harry already guessed this much by just seeing them together. Petunia would never have accompanied Tonks into Diagon Alley out of her own free will, so the young auror must have been very insistent for that to happen. "Did she mention why she was looking for me?"
Petunia shook her head. "No, I swear!"
She and Vernon looked very nervous, and Harry knew why. They must be thinking that the magical police were after him for the murder of the Headmaster.
But Harry knew that if that were the case, the Ministry would not be so subtle.
"And then what happened? What did the auror do when you two couldn't find me?"
"We walked through the alley and visited several shops. The auror looked very disappointed and stressed. She apologized for wasting my time and…" Petunia clutched at her purse.
Harry did not miss her reaction. "She gave you a way to contact her behind my back… didn't she?"
Petunia flinched.
"Give it here." Harry extended his hand. "And don't forget that I will always know when you are lying."
Petunia's hands trembled as she reached inside the purse and took out a peculiar piece of parchment. "She told me it was enchanted and that everything I write here will also appear somewhere else for her to read."
"And what did she tell you to write in there?" Harry asked.
"She…" Her eyes moved to Harry for a second before looking away.
"Spit it out already! We don't have all night." Harry shouted.
"She… told me to keep an eye on you, and write here anything that you did or said that was out of the ordinary." Petunia answered.
"I see." Harry was right to think that this auror was suspicious about him, but didn't intend to take any immediate action. It appeared that for now, they were only trying to keep tabs on him and find out if he did something 'odd'… something that didn't fit the character of Harry Potter that everyone knew.
'Looks like I can't delay it any longer.'
Harry stood up from the sofa. "Go pack your bags. And do the same for the fat boy who's hiding upstairs." He knew that they had been keeping Dudley away from him by having him stay in his room every time he was in the house.
"P-pack?… where are we going?" Vernon looked startled by the sudden demand.
Harry turned to him with a cold gaze. "Do I have to explain myself to you?"
Vernon saw the wand in Harry's hand and went pale. "N-no! I'm sorry, please no…" His body trembled at the mere memory of the pain that Harry had inflicted on him.
"Just do what I say then." Harry could tell that his uncle was already completely traumatized...and he was just getting started.
The man had always been afraid of magic, but now that fear had turned into absolute terror.
As his uncle and aunt scrambled to run upstairs and warn their little boy, Harry went to his own room and began to pack what little belongings he had left in the house.
It was mostly clothes, school books, and other personal items. Not exactly necessary nor important, but he didn't feel like throwing them away.
'I had not been planning on moving this soon. But after discovering that the auror department is already keeping tabs on my actions, I cannot take more risks.'
He was now grateful for today's encounter with Lucius, as it had opened up new possibilities for him.
Harry then remembered the letter from his godfather, who promised to visit the next morning, and a smile appeared on his face.
"Perhaps I should leave Mister Sirius Black a little surprise. He used to like pranks, right?"
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