Harry Potter and The Dark Discovery

Harry sat bolt upright in the bed, his eyes scanning the room as they adjusted to the dark. He heard furious whispering from down the hall. Was Sirius still awake? Even though he'd been rescued more than four years ago, the things Sirius had seen in the dimension behind the archway made him fear sleep on certain nights. Watching the type  of creatures Dumbledore had to battle in Voldemort's lair to get to the second arch in time to save Sirius had been terrifying enough, Harry couldn't imagine living a life that solely consisted of fending them off! His feet hit the dusty floor of the old house. It was the same small, dank place the Order of the Phoenix had used when Harry was in his fifth year. 1

The Summers were always spent here together. Just Harry, Sirius, Hermione and Ron. Occasionally Proffessor Lupin and Tonks would visit, and even more often they found Professor Snape in their company. Many others frequented the house as well. Ever since Harry and Dumbledore defeated Voldemort together, it had been pretty open living. Sirius had only just recently voiced his plans to rusticate Harry and himself, leaving the memory of his wretched mother behind. As Harry crept into the hallway, peering over the banister to the den below, he witnessed something that caused his mouth to drop open. Standing there, mouth perfectly agape, Harry watched as Professor Lupin, or Remus as he now insisted they all call him, drew Hermione into his arms and kissed her!2

Hermione's hair swayed back and forth, long ago having become beautiful tendrils instead of the frizzy waves her adolescence had given her. She was now tall and fair and beautiful, but to him she'd always just be Hermione. Harry sucked in a startled breath and quickly got back to his bed.That night it took much longer to get back to sleep then usual. 3

In the morning, Harry woke to find the whole house empty of the knick knacks and things Sirius so dearly loved to have laying around. As he descended the stairs, he came upon Hermione, Sirius, the Weasley's, and Remus. His tired gait gave away how little he'd truly slept the previous night. "Good morning Harry! Up late last night?" Hermione questioned jovially. Harry gave her a surly look before he replied.4

"Not so late as you I suppose." He retorted before turning his attentions to Sirius. This required Harry to look around Remus in his shabby gray cloak, his blond scruffy face and straggly long  hair. He could not bring himself to look into Remus' wolf-gray eyes. "Where is everything?" he asked in a flat tone, looking solely at Sirius. Sirius beamed at Harry. His face was also adorned in coarse scruff, though his was black, and his hair was long and unruly ebony waves. His cheeks had plumped back out to normal since Voldemort's defeat, his body coming back to life and nourishing his soul. 5

"Well Harry," he began "I've decided we're going to move out near the Weasley's! There's a wonderful old farm house out there that was owned by a couple of Muggles years ago. Then they moved out and Wizzards populated the area, so it remained covered in an invisibility shield to keep muggles away. Mr. Weasley thought we might enjoy it!" Harry looked around at the faces of his near-to second family. Heads topped with flaming red hair, their faces scattered with freckles. Mrs.Weasley was beaming back at him. 6

"Bloody brilliant, right Harry?" Ron exclaimed. Harry's foul mood began to dissipate as a smile spread across his face.7

"It sure is!" He exclaimed. "But, where's all the stuff?" he questioned, suddenly confused.8

"Already been apparated to the new house. We're going to head out as soon as you're ready." Lupin responded. Harry found it only slightly easier to look him in the eyes. It was Hermione, for Gryffindor's sakes! Remus had kissed Hermione! Harry's insides lurched, his head spinning in confusion. They were two years out of Hogwarts, it technically wasn't wrong...it was just so surprising...9

Harry put the thought from his mind for the rest of the day as they all busied themselves. First, they apparated to the old farmhouse. Waiting for them was stack upon stack of old books and many other different things. While moving a stack of books, one tumbled to the ground, opening as it hit the floor.It was a book of missing witches, wizards and magic folk. What Harry found inside was enough to turn his inards to ice. A picture of his Aunt Petunia gazed back at him, a moving picture! That meant the photo would have been taken in the magic world, which meant...He set the stack he was carrying down and picked up the fallen book. 10

~Petunia Adrogond - missing witch.11

Petunia Adrogond assumed dead at hands of Lord Voldemort, or fled the wizarding world after death of her first born and Husband, Gustav Adrogond and little Daisy Adrogond. ~12

Harry stood with his mouth agape. Suddenly, Lupins soft voice sounded in his ear. "Let me tell you a story, young Potter." Harry turned and looked at Lupin, who kicked a crate over in the dust back room where they now stood. The floor boards creaked over their heads, they could see the glowing pulses of light through the cracks as Mrs. Weasley's wand coruscated sporadically in the dank rooms above, cleaning furiously. "Before your mum and dad were married, back when Voldemort's terror had just become truly a threat, your Aunt Petunia was a witch. She was top of her class in Hogwarts. When she graduated, she married a man named Gustav Androgond. They had a child together and became a very wealthy magical family. One night while I was visiting Gustav, he informed me that our old friend Tom Riddle had been to visit him. He told me that he knew Riddle was truly lord Voldemort and so, Tom had asked Gustav to join him. When Gustav had refused, Riddle sent the mark into the air above the house." Here, Lupin paused briefly, swallowing to moisten his scratched and parched throat. Harry began to interrupt, but Remus held up a finger to censure him.13

"That night, your Aunt's house was among the first wizarding homes raided. Gustav and his newborn daughter were slain. It is a strong belief that your Aunt Petunia was an unregistered animagus, and had been watching near by when it happened. She couldn't transform in time to save her family, so she left the magic world forever. It's the reason why she bloody well hates all Wizardry and animals as well." Remus stopped and looked Harry in the eye. "And the reason she resents your mother so. Your mother was able to save you, yet sacrifice herself. Petunia could not." Harry stood up, sucking in a slow breath. 14

"I also know you saw myself and Hermione. Harry, it is what it is. I have loved Hermione from afar long enough. Now, knowing she feels the same, and having you learn of this one fact, you might as well know them all. Hermione and I are going to be married." Harry's head snapped around, catching Remus' eyes, his own showing incredulously from beneath his brows. "The fact is over the past year or so our rapport has greatly deepened into something beautiful." Harry nodded numbly. He should have been happy for them. He just felt... strange. It was like he was speaking from somewhere other than his own body, and hearing himself where he stood all at once.15

"You need not explain Remus. We are friends, aren't we?" Remus beamed. Harry realized this was ok. That it would all be alright. "So, you love her do you? Well..I've come to find that a person in love can be quite the Wag, so keep you humor in mind when you're about her parents, they're only muggles after all." Harry said laughingly. Remus draped an arm over his shoulders. 16

"Well, now that is some rather arcane advice Harry. Very sound indeed." Remus laughed back, his laugh beginning low, and rising in pitch, reminiscent of a howl. They walked through the rooms, a camaraderie growing betwixt them as they worked. Outside the sky was becoming a gloaming purple and gray haze. Twilight. The Weasleys and Dumbledore, Sirius and more trafficked through the house all day. That night at supper, Ginny sitting near his side, hand in hand, Harry leaned close to Remus. 17

"Tell them all." Harry whispered. 18

Remus stood, taking Hermione by the hand and looking out at everyone. "I'd like everyone's attention please." He said. They all looked at him, a hush falling over the table. "Hermione and I would like to announce that we are going to be married!" There were gasps and cheers, congratulations. Harry leaned in and kissed Ginny's cheek gently. 19

"They already know we're in love. Let's let them have their moment of surprise. We can tell them all another time." he whispered. Ginny beamed at him, nodding as she caressed her tummy lovingly.20