story26

The Son of the Prisoner of Azkaban
By Caroline Delacour

Summary: This fiction takes place the summer after Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts. He's getting mentally prepared for another summer of work with the Dursleys. But things start getting surprisingly interesting when a mysterious wizard is sent to collect Harry and deliver him to his godfather. But, who is he? Harry starts wondering, especially after finding out that Petunia knows him. Could Sirius have any close relatives? And worse! Hermione knows him. And not only knows him, but seems to be very close to him. But why does he mind? She's after all, just his friend, right? Harry's answers may turn out to be more than he bargained for. Meanwhile, at Hogwarts, class becomes very interesting with the arrival of a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, who can't seem to stop flirting with the new Quidditch coach. Now, would someone tell me why Oliver seems to have a problem with that? After all, he's been gawked by girls all his life and he never did seem to mind. Maybe he wants her to keep flirting with him? Read on!

Chapter 1: An Unexpected Guest

         "Get up Potter! Now!" Harry woke up to Petunia's banging. He puthis glasses on while making his way into the kitchen.
         "One day less of summer, one day closer to the start of term," he thought. That was the only thing that kept him going.
         "Potter, where's my coffee?" snarled Uncle Vernon, leading Harry to a perfect morning start.
         After his morning duties, he finally settled down to eat his breakfast, which consisted of a toast, a ham slice, and a glass of water. "Now hurry up, I want you out of my kitchen," screeched his aunt Petunia. Harry at his toast and saved half of the ham for Hedwig. He went to his room and gave the slice to his snow-colored owl before collapsing in his bed, wishing he could write to his friends. As he was bored, he began to close his eyes.
         Simultaneously he saw a glitter followed by the appearance of a shadow. He sneaked as close as he could by his door and caught a glimpse at the person who had appeared two seconds ago.
         This wizard was tall, he was wearing black robes and had brown hair. Harry stood still, watching the wizard curiously, when suddenly he heard Petunia's screech.
         "You! How dare you show up? You can't be here! Get out at once!"
         "Nice to see you too again, Petunia. I would have knocked, but I remembered you Muggles have quite a sense of un-hospitality," the wizard replied, before Vernon broke in.
         "Petunia, what the hell is going on?"
         "This wizard appeared at our house. He is intruding!" shouted his wife.
         "Sir, I demand you to leave at once!" Vernon requested menacingly.
         "Petunia, friend of yours? Charmed," said the wizard with a sneer of sarcasm.
         "Leave now!" screamed Petunia.
         "Or what?" asked the wizard, getting his wand out. Petunia just stood there, stone cold, "that's better. Now, I've come to collect Harry. He didn't answer any of Sirius' letters and I'm not leaving without him."
         "I see you're as stubborn as Karen," Petunia grinned maliciously, making the young man glow with anger.
         "Don't you dare speak of my mother in that manner!" he shouted.
         "I should say that and much more since she-" Petunia couldn't finish, for her son had just made his way to them. He gave an odd look to the visitor before turning to his mother:
         "Who's this mom? Another freak like Harry?"
         "That's right," the wizard answered, "And do you know what this 'freak' can do to you if you don't get your butt out of here, fat boy?"
         "Don't you dare threaten my son!" Petunia growled.
         "Stay out of this Petunia, if you know what's good for you," the wizard warned while starting to whirl his wand, "Bibidi, bobidi, boo!" Dudley ran as fast as he could. The wizard laughed and turned his attention back to Petunia.
         "Now, where is Harry?"
         "Here I am," Harry appeared, having managed to get out of his room.
         "He won't be going anywhere," said a determined Petunia.
         "I see. And what are you going to do to stop me?" the wizard became sarcastic again making Petunia stand still, "that's what I thought. Well, Harry gather your things. We're going."
          "Going where?" asked a confused Harry.
          "Out of these Muggles' prison. I'm taking you to your godfather's house. Quick, get your things," the wizard ordered.
         Harry hesitated. Could he really trust this wizard? For all he knew, he could be working for Voldemort. Apparently, the visitor noticed his hesitation.
         "Unless you rather stay here, of course. But if you stay here you can kiss all your magic business goodbye. It's your choice."
         Harry made it to his room in a flash.
         "Do cheer up Petunia. After all, you never have to see him again. Sirius is his legal guardian. Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot you hate that name," said the wizard.
         "This stubbornness was the reason that Karen got blown into oblivion! You continue like this, and you'll share the same fate! Although I can't say that I'm sorry she's dead. She got what she deserved," Petunia stated, quite enjoying herself, for she knew that would make him angry.
         "Don't insult my mother or I'll be the one blowing you into oblivion before you can say 'Muggle'!" the wizard threatened.
          "Pity your father couldn't save her. Oh! I forgot. He was in prison for freaks!"
          "Take that back or I'll--"
          "I'm ready," Harry showed himself. He had come out with his Hogwart's trunk, another bag, his wand, magic books, and broom in another sack, and Hedwig in her cage, with a little bandanna on her neck in case she got cold.
           "You done?" the wizard asked while he tried to get his temper cooled again.
          "I'm sorry. Am I interrupting something?" Harry apologized, noticing the tension in the room.
          "No. This was finished years ago. Let's go," the wizard commanded while he helped Harry with his bags and went for the door.
          "I'll be seeing you again," Petunia whispered fiercely.
          "Accept it Petunia. You lost, and that's what burns you. Get over it. You lost and it's about time you understand that," the young man finished and went outside where Harry was waiting for him, his face crowded in confusion.
           "Who are you, and what do you have against my aunt? I mean, not like I care or anything," he asked, puzzled.
           "My name's Oliver Wood, and let's just say that your aunt is a biological mistake. Poor Lily. I was glad when she married James. She deserved some happiness. Unfortunately, her happiness was short lived."
          "You knew my parents?" Harry was amazed. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
          "For a short while. I barely remember them. I was still pretty young when they were killed. I tried to convince Dumbledore to let you live with us, but you were a baby and Sirius was taken to Azkaban. He thought that you were safer with the Muggles."
          "You wanted me to live with you? I hardly know you and you barely know me. Why would you want that?"
          "It was what Lily would've wanted." Harry was so nostalgic that tears were beginning to spring through his face, "look at the time. Let's go before it gets dark," said Oliver as he grabbed Harry by his arm.
          "What?" But before Harry could react, they had disappeared into nowhere.

Chapter 2: Tea and Crackers with an Unexpected Friend

          Before Harry knew it, they were in Sirius's house. It looked more like an old manor to him.
          Oliver got his wand out and opened the door.
          "It's done!" he shouted, "I'll take that," he got Harry's bags, leaving him with only Hedwig, who had her eyes wide open in curiousity.
           "I've told you to stop doing that!" said Sirius, who had just made his way downstairs.
           "How was I suppose to open? I left in a hurry and I forgot my key," Oliver argued.
           "Not that, the yelling. It echoes all through the mansion and you frightened our guest," Sirius explained.
           Oliver's face immediately brightened.
           "Oh my God, don't tell me--"
           "We're in summer, aren't we?" Sirius smiled.
           Oliver threw Harry's bags at Sirius and went upstairs in a flash.
           "Hey!" laughed Sirius before turning his attention to a confused Harry.
           "Hi Harry. Welcome. Sorry about him. He just loves it when she visits. Reminds him of his mother. Get upstairs, I think she's a friend of yours."
            Harry got upstairs when he heard a familiar laughter. He made his way to the lounge to find the person he least expected.
            "Oliver! I wondered when you were going to get here," the girl stood and hugged him.
            "Hey Herm, I love it when you surprise me like this," said a happy Oliver.
            "I know. That's why I did it," she smiled before she sighted Harry, "Harry! This is a surprise!" But Harry's face turned pale as Hermione hugged him, "What's wrong?" she asked with concern on her voice.
            "How do you know him?" Harry asked her puzzled.
            "Oliver? Why, he's like a brother to me. Tea?" Hermione offered, but Harry was too astonished to eat or drink anything.

            He settled down and in no time, dinner was ready.
            He was getting out of his room when he heard Sirius's conversation with Oliver.
           "No problems in getting Harry, I trust," Sirius assumed.
           "Well, a certain person," Oliver responded.
           "Petunia. I told you, ignore her."
           "It's easier said than done. She provoked me. She started insulting mom," protested an angry Oliver.
           "That's what she wants. To get you angry."
           "Maybe I should just blow her up and be done with it."
           "Oliver, calm down. I have just the thing to cheer you up. Why don't you go make up the guestroom? Hermione will be staying with us for the rest of the summer."
           "You're kidding!"
           "No. Charles and Margaret are going for a second honeymoon in Hawaii. Oh, and don't forget to add a basket and some extra blankets for Crookshanks. She loves that cat way too much."
           "Sure. And Harry?"
           "I took care of his room. I talked to Dumbledore. He's going to live with us from now on."
          "Great," Oliver went with a happy pace to the guest room.
          Harry couldn't bear all these questions anymore. Why did they hate Petunia? Was Oliver related to Sirius? How? Who was this wizard? And the question that bothered him the most; how did they know Hermione? Why was Hermione so close to Oliver that just mentioning her mere name made him smile?
          He went to Sirius, who was sitting by the fireplace, reading.
          "Sirius, can I have a word?" he requested.
          "Oh, but of course Harry. I'm sorry if you have been ignored, it's just that we're arranging the house, and Oliver is quite busy with Mione. What can I do for you?"
          "I was wondering if you could answer a few questions for me?"
          "Depends. What's troubling you?"
          "What is the relationship between Wood and you?"
          "Oh, Harry. It's a long story. Well, I suppose we have time. Take a seat," Sirius invited him. Harry sat down and stared at him, "Harry, Oliver is my son. Once, a long time ago, I fell in love with a beautiful woman. Her name was Karen Wood. Well, you know, we had a brief romance and she got pregnant. We were going to get married, but before we could--"
           "You ended up in Azkaban."
           "Exactly."
           "What happened to her?"
           "She was killed. Dumbledore took care of Oliver while I was gone."
           "How did she get killed?"
           "I'd rather not talk about that Harry."
           "Sorry. One more question. What is the relationship between Oliver and Hermione? Is he her boyfriend?"
           "No! Nothing of the sort! See, Mione is the daughter of Margaret Bradford. She was Karen's best friend. I suppose that while I was in Azkaban, she stayed with her. Oliver and Mione were together most of the time before Karen was killed. He looks at her as a sister. Even when Dumbledore took him in, he would spend most of the weekends at the Granger's house.
           "One more thing, why does he hate Petunia?"
           "Oh, Harry--"
           Sirius wasn't able to answer Harry's question, for in that moment Hermione came downstairs. Harry couldn't stop staring at her. She looked so beautiful. She had red shorts on, a red blouse, and her hair combed in a ponytail.
           "Who's ready for dinner? I'm starving," she said, bringing him back to reality.
           "Well then, we mustn't keep the guests waiting. Harry, come along," replied a happy Sirius.
           They had a nice, delicious dinner that was filled with laughs at Hermione's teases with Oliver.
           "So, who's the lucky girl?" asked Hermione with a grin.
           "What lucky girl?" said Oliver.
           "I was just asking if you finally had a girlfriend. I didn't know you were one of the most desired bachelors at Hogwarts."
           "Don't tell me they're still with that crap."
           "They certainly are. All the girls are looking forward to your return to Hogwarts."
           "You're going to be at Hogwarts?" Harry interrupted, who didn't even know that Oliver had graduated from his school.
           "Yes. I'm going to take care of Quidditch. Madame Hooch broke her leg and she's to be resting and doing paperwork," Oliver answered.
            "This should be interesting," snapped a smiling Hermione.
            "You like to bug me too much, don't you Herm? Are you enjoying it?" asked Oliver.
            "Very much," Hermione replied.
            "We'll see who laughs last," with this said, Oliver stood up and began chasing her all through the manor. Her laughter could be heard all around.
             Suddenly, Harry's stomach began to get grouchy. Was it jealousy? He was sure that Oliver and Hermione were going to end up making out one of these days. But then, why did he care? She was, after all, just his friend. But none of those arguments could get rid of the grouchiness he was feeling. He decided to distract himself for the time being.
            "Hey Sirius, need help with the dishes?" he asked.
            "Oh, nonsense Harry. You can go. I'll take care of these," his godfather answered and with a whirl of his wand the dishes began to wash themselves.
            "All right. Good night then."
            "You're not going to sleep, are you?"
            "I'm used to going to bed early. My uncles used to lock me in my room since six."
            "That hag! Well Harry, surely you're not going to miss all the fun. Usually Oliver goes up the hill to practice Quidditch. There's not a single neighbor around here for miles. If you don't want to join him, you can always watch TV with me. They're tuning my favorite program: 'Once upon a Magical Time.' Or you can go wander around the library or the spell's room, Mione's favorite pastimes. Although I'm sure she's joining Oliver tonight. Of course, you're always free to do what you like, as long as it isn't illegal," smiled Sirius.
            "Thanks. I think I'll go with Hermione on this one."
            They went to practice Quidditch, and, to Harry's surprise, he enjoyed it. He couldn't remember the last time that he had so much fun. They went to bed around one o' clock, after over four hours of Quidditch.

Chapter 3: One Day in the Sun

            Harry got up to find that everybody had already had breakfast. But anyway, Oliver handed him a plate full of fruites, scrambled eggs, bacon slices, a glass of milk, and a glass of pumpkin juice. It was the best breakfast he had ever had. He had to pinch himself to find out that he was not dreaming.
           Later, he prepared himself to begin his morning duties, to find out that he didn't have any. All he had to do was make his bed and clean his room. The house cleaned itself with a whirl of Sirius's wand.
           He began to wander around the house, and found Hermione in the backyard reading, as always. She looked even more beautiful than yesterday. She had her straighter hair brushed to her shoulders, and was wearing regular jeans and a grey sweater.
           "What's wrong Harry? Calm down! This is only Hermione," his mind kept reminding him. He shook his head and sat beside her.
           "Hi Harry," she greeted him.
           "Hey you. Why am I not surprised to see you reading?" Harry said with a grin.
           "You know me too well."
           "What are you reading about?"
           "Some magical history. I borrowed it from Sirius's library. It has great books."
           "Yes. He told me that the library and the spell's room were your favorite places, which is why I was surprised to see you playing Quidditch with Oliver -- and me," he couldn't control the bit of jealousy he would feel when pronouncing the 'O' name.
           "Oliver is teaching me to play Quidditch. I want to lose the fear of holding a broom."
           "I could help you with that," he was only too glad to offer his help, which she welcomed.
           "That would be great Harry. Saturday? Sirius could take up to a real Quidditch field."
           "How about Hogwarts's? That way you wouldn't feel so out of place."
           "Great! We could catch up on your life too," she smiled.
           "There isn't much to tell."
           "Oh, come now Harry. We have a lot to catch up on. Meet me tonight, after supper in the spell's room. That way we can catch up sooner," she suggested.
            "Consider it done."
            He was preparing to stand up when Hermione caught him off guard by falling into his arms and hugging him. Mind you, he returned her close embrace without complaints.
           "It's so good to see you Harry. It's nice to spend the summer with one of my best friends besides Oliver," Hermione confessed happily.
           "Right back at you," he replied while staring into her deep cinnamon coloured eyes--and suddenly he got an irresistible urge to-- Hermione ended the hug, stood up, and smiled while going back inside.
            Harry took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes in confusion. What had just happened? Was he going to kiss -- ?
            These thoughts vanished when Sirius called him. Then he was too distracted to think about how he had felt at that moment.

to be continued..........