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Author: GhostWriter Story: Through the Looking Glass Rating: Everyone Setting: AU Status: Completed Reviews: 4 Words: 28,060
Disclaimer: All the standard fan fic rules apply. It’s JKR’s universe, I’m just playing with it. This installment contains dialogue and action taken from its inspiration, Melindaleo’s “Curse of the Damned.” * Petunia Dursley’s heart clinched as she gazed at her long-dead sister, Lily Evans Potter. Lily appeared virtually unchanged from the last time the two had seen each other nearly twenty years ago. Lily’s fiery red tresses fell past her shoulders and softly framed the smooth, creamy skin of her face. She was dressed in flowing emerald-green robes that perfectly matched her eyes, which now blazed with anger. Petunia hadn’t even begun to recover from the shock before Lily stepped forward in a blur of motion. Crack! Lily landed a stinging slap on her sister’s left cheek, nearly knocking her over. James and Sirius both winced at the sight. Vernon snarled and launched himself toward Lily. He had barely taken two steps when James calmly waved his hand. Vernon instantly grew rigid and toppled over backwards, where he lay and watched with horrified eyes as the scene unfolded. Crack! Lily’s hand connected with Petunia’s right cheek, leaving behind an angry red mark. “How could you treat my baby boy like such dirt?” Lily screamed. “How could you abuse my – your flesh and blood? Harry was the last link you had to me, to Mum and Dad. Do you have any idea what it felt like to be here for sixteen years – watching my baby getting hurt every day and being unable to do anything about it?” Lily’s face twisted with anger, and she began to rain slaps down on Petunia’s face and neck. Tears filled Petunia’s eyes as she backed away from the stinging hail. Lily followed her relentlessly, pressing her advantage for all it was worth. After a moment, Petunia stumbled and fell to her knees, raising her arms to shield her head. Lily raised her right hand to deliver another blow when a cry pierced the air. “Mum!” Lily started and looked over at Dudley, who also was on his knees and was shaking like jelly. Tears were streaming down his face, and his mouth opened and closed soundlessly. Lily lowered her hand, squeezing her eyes shut and breathing deeply as she did so. Her eyes were suspiciously bright when she opened them a few seconds later. Lily stood frozen for a moment, and then turned and took a hesitant step toward Dudley. A look of panic crossed the boy’s face, and he began to scramble back from her on his hands and knees. “Stay away from him! Don’t touch him!” Petunia screeched, one hand rubbing her reddened cheeks. Lily glared at her sister for a moment, and then softened her expression before taking another step toward a terrified Dudley. “It’s all right, Dudley,” she said softly. “I’m not going to hurt you. I’m sorry I scared you. I shouldn’t have done that in front of you.” Her words held no comfort for Dudley, who struggled to his feet and continued backing away. “Get away from me,” he said. Suddenly, Dudley came to a halt, as though he’d hit an invisible wall. “It’s rude to run away from your aunt when she’s trying to talk to you,” Sirius said. “Yeah,” James chimed in. “Stick around and learn about your family roots.” Dudley’s eyes widened in horror as he literally took root to the ground, dark, snaky tendrils shooting out from his feet. A sheath of bark encased his legs and began swallowing the rest of his body. He cried out and started flailing his arms, which suddenly stiffened at odd angles to his newly formed trunk. Twigs, complete with tiny buds, began sprouting from his arms and hands, while his hair took on a decidedly greenish tinge. “Nice work,” Sirius said to James as the transformation progressed. “Thanks,” James replied. “What do you think – a great oak?” “Nah, I’m betting on a laburnum – the pods are poisonous,” Sirius said. Petunia unleashed a screech of agony and disbelief. This couldn’t be happening. “Stop it! Stop it now, you bloody bas....” “Silencio,” Sirius said, flicking his wand. Petunia’s face turned scarlet as she tried to scream but couldn’t make a sound. Vernon struggled but couldn’t break the full-body bind that held him. The bark had reached Dudley’s neck and was only seconds away from covering his face. He locked eyes with his aunt, silently pleading for help. The sight pierced Lily’s heart. She had spent years thinking of every nasty hex she could use on the Dursleys in retribution for their treatment of Harry. She knew she’d probably never entirely forgive them – especially Petunia – but she couldn’t bring herself to let this happen to a child, especially a child who had been as badly misled as Dudley. “James, stop,” she said, moving toward the two Marauders. “Why?” James replied. “It’s not really hurting him. Besides, don’t you think he’d be much more useful this way? A touch of green could really spruce this place up.” “No, James. Stop it now,” Lily said, forcefully. “Just think of all the times we had to sit and watch them abuse Harry. Remember how powerless we felt, not being able to help him? Stop now. It’s the right thing to do.” James hesitated, while Sirius looked positively mutinous. “Oh, come on, Lily,” Sirius said. “Seems to me they all deserve a little discomfort. Let them know what it feels like for a change.” “No! Dudley’s a child. He only did what his parents taught him and encouraged him to do,” Lily said, shooting a glare at Petunia. “But...” Sirius said before Lily cut him off. “I said No! James, stop this now!” Tiny violet sparks of residual magical energy crackled between her fingertips. James knew then that the joke was over. “All right, all right,” he said, waving his hand. Instantly the bark, roots and shoots vanished, leaving Dudley standing before them, panting but unharmed. Lily turned to Sirius. “Let them go, too,” she said, gesturing to Vernon and Petunia. Sirius swished his wand and released Vernon from the body bind and restored Petunia’s voice. The two quickly moved over to Dudley, and the three of them clung together, shivering. The Marauders hung back as Lily slowly approached the Dursleys. Dudley whimpered and hunkered down behind his parents. A measure of Vernon’s old bluster returned. “Get away from us, you witch! Don’t even think about touching my family, or I’ll....” Lily eyed him coldly. “I have nothing to say to you,” she said. “You’re a lost cause, but I do have unfinished business with my sister and nephew, and I won’t let you stand in the way.” She walked over and crouched next to Dudley. The boy flinched when she laid a hand on his arm. “It’s okay, Dudley,” she said quietly, beginning to rub his shoulder. “I’m sorry we’ve scared you. That was wrong. Our real anger is with your parents, and we took it out on you. I promise it won’t happen again.” Lily glanced over at James and Sirius. “Will it, boys?” The Marauders hesitated, looked as if they wanted to disagree and then clearly decided discretion was the better part of valor. “Umm, no,” they replied in unison. Lily then turned her attention to Petunia, who stared defiantly at her. “You and I have a lot to talk about,” Lily said at last. Petunia curled her lip. “What do you expect – a cozy little chat over tea and crumpets? You bring us here as some sort of joke, and then terrorize us. I have nothing to say to you. Send us home at once.” Lily shook her head sadly. “Petunia,” she said, reaching out hesitantly. “You’re not going back to your house. You’re dead. This is your new home, for now at least.” “And I suppose we’re expected to share it with the three of you?” Petunia snapped. Lily shook her head again. “No, this is a spot where those who have done some evil in life come to atone for it. Your sin was hurting Harry over and over again. This is where you’ll stay until you show true remorse for what you did.” Her words roused Vernon. “Show remorse?!” he bellowed. “That little whelp of yours was a burden from the moment he showed up on our doorstep. I wouldn’t have taken him in, but Petunia agreed. We fed him, clothed him and gave him a roof over his ungrateful little head. When I think of all....” But Vernon never got to finish this thought. Sirius flicked his wand, and a maelstrom of green energy surrounded Vernon. Sirius began a series of intricate wand movements, and the lightning solidified into – a staircase with a small cupboard set beneath it. Sirius waved his wand once more. The door locked, and the tiny peephole sprang open to reveal Vernon’s puce-colored face glaring out at them. “There you go, Dursley,” Sirius said with a laugh. “The perfect place for you to reflect on your sins. I do hope it’s comfortable.” Lily couldn’t help but chuckle at the big bully’s predicament, and at the scowl on Petunia’s face. Lily paused, and then looked her sister in the eye. “I never expected you to give Harry all the things you gave Dudley,” she said. “Just a little love and comfort. The same as I would have given to Dudley if everything had been reversed.” A look of remorse seemed to flicker over Petunia’s face for a second before her icy mask fell back into place. “I would never have sent Duddy to live in your freak world,” she spat. “And I certainly didn’t want that son of yours bringing that unnaturalness into our home. But, fool that I am, I agreed to Dumbledore’s request. Your son never appreciated what we did for him, and now look where he’s got us!” Anger briefly flared in Lily’s eyes, and she struggled to control it. “Come here,” she said at last, rising and holding out her hand. “I want to show you something. You too, Dudley.” Petunia eyed her sister warily before taking her hand and standing up. Dudley hesitated and then followed as Lily led them over to one of the mirrors. Lily passed her hand over it, and the dark glass lightened as an image began to form. They were looking into a dimly lit bedroom. The carpet was threadbare, paint was peeling from the walls and a ramshackle bed was pushed against one wall. Harry lay on the bed, apparently unconscious, tossing and turning. A beautiful red-headed girl – not unlike Lily, Petunia thought – sat next to the bed holding Harry’s hand. “Shh. It’s all right, luv,” the girl said softly. “I’m right here; you’re safe. Are you ready to come back to us, Harry?” At last Harry opened his eyes, causing the girl to squeal and throw her arms around him. Petunia winced as she noticed the bruising that Vernon had left on Harry’s face and neck. The boy lay in the girl’s embrace for a moment before retreating into himself. “Harry, tell me what you’re thinking,” she said to him. “The Dursleys are dead,” Harry said in a flat, emotionless voice. “Yes, they are. I’m sorry, Harry.” Harry didn’t move, instead simply gazed up at the ceiling. “I shouldn’t have left,” he said at last. “I should have argued more with him about leaving.” The girl swallowed. “Harry, this isn’t you fault. You didn’t do any of this.” Harry shook his head angrily and struggled to sit up. “How can you say that?” he said. “They were Muggles, Muggles who wanted nothing to do with the wizarding world. Their importance on Voldemort’s hit list was directly tied to me. There are a lot of other people, wizards and Muggles alike, who would have been higher on the list if it weren’t for the Dursleys’ connection to me.” The girl pressed Harry back onto the mattress and gently climbed onto the bed beside him. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel,” he whispered. “What do you mean?” “I didn’t love them,” he replied. “I don’t know if I even care that they’re gone. What kind of person doesn’t feel anything when their last blood relatives are killed?” Harry’s eyes remained closed, and he curled his body toward the wall and away from the girl. Undeterred, she wrapped her arms around him and held him tightly. “It makes you human,” she said at last. “They weren’t very nice to you; they were downright cruel actually. I wouldn’t expect that you’d feel any profound sense of loss.” Harry’s shoulders stiffened, and his voice wavered. “But... they were all I had.... I should care,” he said. “How does that make me any different?” “Harry, they locked you in a cupboard when you were a baby; it would be extremely unusual if they were your favorite people. It’s the fact that you’re even concerned that shows how different you are. Tom killed his family in cold blood, and I highly doubt he had even a moment of regret.” Petunia winced again as the drama played out. She glanced over at Lily, whose face was streaked with tears. Dudley’s gaze snapped away from the mirror, and he began to intently study his shoes. Lily cast an accusing eye on her sister. “If that doesn’t convince you once and for all how big his h-heart is...” she said, halting as she tried to choke back a sob. Lily took a couple of shuddering breaths and managed to regain control of herself. “It’s a miracle that Harry turned out such a good boy after everything you did to him,” she said. “Why, Petunia? Did you really hate me so much that you would take it out on an innocent child?” Petunia said nothing and dropped her eyes. Lily grasped her chin and forced her to look up. “Answer me, Petunia. Look me in the eye, and tell me why you hurt Harry so badly.” Petunia still didn’t answer. Lily snorted with disgust and released her sister’s face. A bellow of anger erupted from the magic cupboard, but was quickly cut off when James cast the Silencing spell. Lily glanced over and noticed that Dudley once again was staring at the mirror. The scene inside it had changed. Harry was now lying on a sitting room couch, his head resting in the red-headed girl’s lap. A fire crackled on the hearth. “The Firebolt?” she was asking. “What on earth were you doing?” “Dudley asked me a question about Quidditch,” Harry replied. “We were just talking. He’d finally gotten a date with Veronica. I wonder if anyone’s told her.” A stunned expression appeared on Dudley’s face as Harry uttered those words of concern. Dudley then gazed even more intently at the mirror. “I’m certain she knows,” the girl was saying soothingly. “So, your uncle found you in there?” “Er... yeah, he was rather cross about it.” “Is that when he hit you?” the girl asked. “Did he do that a lot?” Harry hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with the turn their conversation had taken. “Not so much anymore,” he finally replied. “A lot when I was younger. I... er... was always pretty fast and could get away. He... he usually didn’t chase me.” Harry closed his eyes, and the girl went silent. Tears began to spill down her cheeks as she gathered him into her arms. “I’m so sorry, Harry,” she whispered before beginning to sob openly. Harry sat up and wrapped his arms around her, gently rocking her back and forth and stroking her soft red hair. “Don’t cry, Ginny. Everything is okay. It’s over now.” Ginny pulled back and looked deep into his emerald eyes. “It should never have been that way,” she spat. “I hate that we all celebrated the victory of the Boy-Who-Lived, and no one ever really knew what became of you.” Harry pulled her close and began trailing kisses along the length of her neck. Lily waved her hand over the mirror, and it grew dark. She turned to face Dudley, whose face bore an expression of... surprise, sadness, and a strange hunger. “I wish things could have been different between you and Harry,” she said. “I think the two of you could have been good for each other under different circumstances.” Dudley said nothing, once again casting his eyes to the ground. Lily turned to Petunia. “We’ll finish our little conversation later. I imagine you’re all feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment. We’ll leave the three of you alone for the time being,” she said. Lily then turned to James and Sirius. “Come on, boys, time to go. You can continue your little games later.” Sirius paused, then flicked his wand, and the cupboard vanished, leaving Vernon sitting on the ground. “Wait!” said Petunia suddenly. “You can’t just leave us here. What is this place, and what are we supposed to do while you’re off gallivanting God knows where?” Lily was about to answer, but James cut in. “I’ve told you, this is where you stay until you’ve atoned for your wrongdoing in life,” he said. “You’ll stay here until the Guardians are sure you’re truly sorry for mistreating Harry, among other things.” “And just where are you three off to?” Petunia shot back, eyeing James, and especially Sirius, with disgust. Sirius grinned broadly. “Oh, here, there, everywhere. We’ve pretty much been given the run of the place. Everybody’s done something bad at some point in their lives, so there are a few places we aren’t allowed to visit yet. Toodles.” He then vanished with a pop. Lily walked over to Petunia and tentatively placed a hand on her shoulder, causing the older woman to flinch. “We’ll talk again soon,” Lily said gently. “And I expect some answers from you, and, to be fair, maybe I owe you some too.” The lovely red-haired witched stepped back, turned and took James Potter’s hand. The pair began walking away from the Dursleys and, a few seconds later, disappeared with a crack. A/N: Portions of the dialogue and action in this installment were borrowed from “Recovering... Again,” Chapter 6 of Melindaleo’s great fic, “Curse of the Damned.” Thanks for letting me crib a bit of your genius, Melinda! Thanks also to Arnel, who does superb beta work. You’re the best! BTW, if you haven’t done, check out the new chapter of Arnel’s latest, “New Year, New Hope.” It’s a wonderful story.
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