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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Vernon," Aunt Petunia was saying in a quivering voice, "look at the address. How could they possibly know where he sleeps? You don't think they're watching the house?"
"Watching - spying - might be following us," muttered Uncle Vernon frantically. His speech was sporadic in the way it always turned when he was furious or worried, or when the bank called.
There was a knock at the door.
It was crisp and polite. Everyone turned towards the sound. Vernon froze, turning the color of day old porridge. Petunia collapsed onto the back of a chair, using it to steady her shaking legs.
There were two more knocks just as polite.
Harry took a step towards it. He usually opened the doors for guests and took their coats and things. When he stepped forward Vernon made an odd strangled noise and Harry took a step back to look at him curiously and cautiously.
There was fourth, fifth, and sixth knock at the door.
It was Dudley who eventually opened the door to a tall, bearded man with piercing, blue eyes that peered out at him over half-moon spectacles. He was dressed strangely, wearing robes like a minister or preacher or something…
Like a witch? Or maybe, a wizard?
The man broke Harry from his thoughts.
"Ah," he began, spying the letter in Petunia's hand, "I see young Harry has received his letter. Has he read it? It is, of course, very good to see you again Petunia, it has been quite some time since my last visit." He spoke pleasantly. "I shall assume you have invited me warmly into your lovely home."
The man stepped forward and Petunia squeaked, Dudley took a step back in shock and Vernon's mustache seemed to seize.
The man took the opportunity to look around the room. His eyes flickered to Harry, and the cupboard which Harry had opened the door to escape into. The man's eyes were fast and bright, and Harry doubted he missed the photo albums and pictures framed on the walls which contained zero evidence of Harry even living here.
He also doubted he missed the bed tucked under the stairs, people weren't supposed to know about the cupboard. He would be beat for this.
The urge to duck into his cupboard was strong.
Harry, it is wonderful to see you again, my boy." His voice was warm and pleasant. Harry flinched when was called boy, it was usually a sign of Vernon's growing anger. "I haven't seen you since you were a baby. I see you have your mother's eyes, though it would be difficult to miss your father in you."
Harry had never heard such things in his life, he felt warm and confused. Usually pain followed his attempts to discover more about his family.
"No!" Vernon seemed to regain himself, standing and shrieking, "we won't have him go to any school to practice his freakishness! We won't have it!"
Harry felt his chest tighten and hair prickle. The man's eyes seemed to glow! What was he?
"I'm afraid it is quite out of your hands Mr. Dursley." The rebuke was short and contained the first hints of anger in the man's voice since he had arrived.
"When I saw how young Harry's letter was addressed, I was understandably shocked. I didn't believe it. After all, had you two died and your son was sent to live with Lily Potter, I very much doubt that she would have given him a cupboard under the stairs to live in. I see now that I was mistaken, and that young Harry is not safe here. I'm afraid that I have come to collect him, and he shan't be returning."
Petunia looked floored and stammered something unintelligable.
"The wards I set up to defend Harry were meant to defend him against those who might seek to do him harm. My mistake was, it appears, not preparing for the threats which were already inside. When he leaves, they will collapse and you will be vulnerable. Young man," The old man turned towards Harry for the second time, "will you take a walk with me? I feel that we have a great deal to talk about. I am also quite certain I owe you an overdue apology.
Harry looked nervously at the man. He glanced around at the Dursleys and remembered their disgust for him.
He made his decision.
The old man moved to place a hand on Harry's back to guide him from the room. Harry flinched, which caused the man stiffen before gently guiding Harry out the front door. He shut the door behind him and reached into his jacket. Harry looked at him warily, had he made a mistake?
The man presented him with a letter with a yellowing envelope.
"Harry, my name is Albus Dumbledore. I am a wizard, as you yourself are." He gestured for Harry to open the letter. Harry did so and read the contents as they both exited the property of Number 4 Privet Drive.
Vernon," Aunt Petunia was saying in a quivering voice, "look at the address. How could they possibly know where he sleeps? You don't think they're watching the house?"
"Watching - spying - might be following us," muttered Uncle Vernon frantically. His speech was sporadic in the way it always turned when he was furious or worried, or when the bank called.
There was a knock at the door.
It was crisp and polite. Everyone turned towards the sound. Vernon froze, turning the color of day old porridge. Petunia collapsed onto the back of a chair, using it to steady her shaking legs.
There were two more knocks just as polite.
Harry took a step towards it. He usually opened the doors for guests and took their coats and things. When he stepped forward Vernon made an odd strangled noise and Harry took a step back to look at him curiously and cautiously.
There was fourth, fifth, and sixth knock at the door.
It was Dudley who eventually opened the door to a tall, bearded man with piercing, blue eyes that peered out at him over half-moon spectacles. He was dressed strangely, wearing robes like a minister or preacher or something…
Like a witch? Or maybe, a wizard?
The man broke Harry from his thoughts.
"Ah," he began, spying the letter in Petunia's hand, "I see young Harry has received his letter. Has he read it? It is, of course, very good to see you again Petunia, it has been quite some time since my last visit." He spoke pleasantly. "I shall assume you have invited me warmly into your lovely home."
The man stepped forward and Petunia squeaked, Dudley took a step back in shock and Vernon's mustache seemed to seize.
The man took the opportunity to look around the room. His eyes flickered to Harry, and the cupboard which Harry had opened the door to escape into. The man's eyes were fast and bright, and Harry doubted he missed the photo albums and pictures framed on the walls which contained zero evidence of Harry even living here.
He also doubted he missed the bed tucked under the stairs, people weren't supposed to know about the cupboard. He would be beat for this.
The urge to duck into his cupboard was strong.
Harry, it is wonderful to see you again, my boy." His voice was warm and pleasant. Harry flinched when was called boy, it was usually a sign of Vernon's growing anger. "I haven't seen you since you were a baby. I see you have your mother's eyes, though it would be difficult to miss your father in you."
Harry had never heard such things in his life, he felt warm and confused. Usually pain followed his attempts to discover more about his family.
"No!" Vernon seemed to regain himself, standing and shrieking, "we won't have him go to any school to practice his freakishness! We won't have it!"
Harry felt his chest tighten and hair prickle. The man's eyes seemed to glow! What was he?
"I'm afraid it is quite out of your hands Mr. Dursley." The rebuke was short and contained the first hints of anger in the man's voice since he had arrived.
"When I saw how young Harry's letter was addressed, I was understandably shocked. I didn't believe it. After all, had you two died and your son was sent to live with Lily Potter, I very much doubt that she would have given him a cupboard under the stairs to live in. I see now that I was mistaken, and that young Harry is not safe here. I'm afraid that I have come to collect him, and he shan't be returning."
Petunia looked floored and stammered something unintelligable.
"The wards I set up to defend Harry were meant to defend him against those who might seek to do him harm. My mistake was, it appears, not preparing for the threats which were already inside. When he leaves, they will collapse and you will be vulnerable. Young man," The old man turned towards Harry for the second time, "will you take a walk with me? I feel that we have a great deal to talk about. I am also quite certain I owe you an overdue apology.
Harry looked nervously at the man. He glanced around at the Dursleys and remembered their disgust for him.
He made his decision.
The old man moved to place a hand on Harry's back to guide him from the room. Harry flinched, which caused the man stiffen before gently guiding Harry out the front door. He shut the door behind him and reached into his jacket. Harry looked at him warily, had he made a mistake?
The man presented him with a letter with a yellowing envelope.
"Harry, my name is Albus Dumbledore. I am a wizard, as you yourself are." He gestured for Harry to open the letter. Harry did so and read the contents as they both exited the property of Number 4 Privet Drive.
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IF YOU WANT TO READ 30+ CHAPTERS CONSIDER JOINING patreon.comDEVIL_DIKTATOR
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