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crossoverficAuthor: serendu
Disclaimers: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by J.K Rowling and Bloomsbury Publishing also DC comics and their subsidiaries. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Pairing: None
Notes: Batman/Hp xover. Harry Potter wasn’t the only person in Hogwarts with a godfather.
I confess I’m behind in writing this. *shrugs* RL is very busy and I don’t have the time I would like to write. In fact – if it weren’t for me having a cold – this fic would be even more delayed! For those reviews who ask about pairings – please note this fic is gen. For those who ask about the wider DC universe… there aren’t any major plans for other characters to appear. For those who expect a showdown between Batman and Dumbledore… *smirks* who says that is going to happen? All the comments have been gratefully received. I hope you enjoy the next chapter.
Previous parts can be found here at my journal: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4
Chapter 5. Summertime.
Summer, Harry Potter decided with an exhausted sigh, was not his favourite time of the year. He glanced up from his bed and over to the calendar hung on the wall. It was still nowhere near September and Hogwarts. He hadn’t had any replies to the letters he had sent and he was heartily sick of being stuck here. He sat up from his bed heaving another sigh and glanced over at his owl, Hedwig.
‘Sorry girl.’ He said apologetically. ‘If I could get us out of here I would. You know that – right? Stupid Dursleys.’ He lay back down on the meagre sheets.
The doorbell downstairs went.
‘It’s probably someone for Dudley. Piers or someone.’ Harry said aloud, desperately wishing it was for him. He thought he heard a voice yell his name. ‘What?’ He answered, figuring his aunt would soon be yelling at him for his manners.
He heard someone marching up the stairs. Then a muffled voice called ‘Harry?’
His eyes widened. ‘Hermione?’ He answered, hopefully, not daring to breathe in case this was a dream and he woke up. This has to be a dream. Maybe it’s because I haven’t had any food or water for a while – maybe I’m hallucinating.
The muffled voices got louder outside his door.
Then his door swung open. He got up.
A smug looking Hermione and an enraged looking Aunt Petunia stood outside.
‘Hermione?’ He couldn’t believe it. He had to be dreaming and this was turning in to the best dream ever. ‘What on earth…?’
‘No time to talk.’ Dream Hermione said, holding up her hand. She looked him up and down. Harry felt uncomfortable with his best friend seeing him like this. He was glad it was only a dream. At least in school he could hide under his robes. ‘Well, you’ve got your shoes on – so you’ll do – come here.’
Harry didn’t really want to wake up yet, so he walked very slowly over to her.
‘I don’t have time for this.’ Dream Hermione said, and grabbed his hand, pulling him away from the room and down the stairs behind her.
‘Woah – what are you doing?’ Harry said. Dreams weren’t meant to be this real were they?
Then it happened. He knew it would. His cousin’s voice intruded on his dream. Harry sighed, knowing he would wake up just before he found his freedom.
Dream Hermione was asking him a question. ‘Your cousin?’ Harry nodded, still hoping he wouldn’t wake up.
He was dragged into the living room, with a slobbering Dudley.
‘Waking up time.’ He muttered, wishing for once Dudley got his just desserts. It never happened – not even in his dreams.
Dream Hermione was intently watching Dudley, Harry noticed, he shivered. Nothing ever good came when Hermione was that focussed in real life.
Suddenly Dream Hermione had kicked his cousin to the floor!
Best. Dream. Ever.
He grinned down at his cousin and gave him a little wave. ‘Bye Dudley.’
The next thing he knew he was out of the house and into a posh looking car.
He smiled sadly.
He really wished he didn’t have to wake up.
***
It took Harry a good twenty minutes to realise that this a) wasn’t a dream and b) he really had been dragged from the Dursleys’ house to a posh car and then on to London.
And he’d met one of the richest men on the planet – Bruce Wayne.
Harry hadn’t known that Hermione’s “Uncle Bruce” was Bruce Wayne, although he had known who Bruce Wayne was before he’d met him. His Uncle Vernon had come home ages ago talking about takeovers and possible promotions and lots of discussions about what new things the family – bar Harry – could expect.
His Uncle considered the takeover a good thing.
Until last night.
His Uncle had come home in the kind of temper that made Harry want to be back in his cupboard under the stairs.
Even Dudley and Aunt Petunia had stayed quiet last night.
All Harry had managed to work out was that his Uncle Vernon might be in a difficult position now that the company had been bought out.
He looked over at the man sitting next to Hermione and was taken aback to see the man intently watching him.
‘You have something to say?’ Bruce asked.
‘N…no… Mr Wayne.’ Harry stammered.
‘Harry?’ Hermione asked, sounding concerned, ‘you’ve gone very pale. Are you okay?’
‘Fine. I’m fine.’
‘Okay.’ Hermione sounded unconvinced. ‘Well – if you didn’t catch that – we’re going to stop off at my parents’ house first.’ She shrugged. ‘I don’t know why – something about an early birthday present for you…’
‘Why…’ Harry paused then asked something that had been bothering him. ‘Why didn’t you reply to the letters I sent you? Did… did I do something wrong?’ He croaked, and wished that his voice didn’t sound so pathetic.
‘Your letters?’ Hermione looked puzzled. ‘I haven’t had any letters! I wanted to know why you weren’t answering mine!’
Harry blinked. ‘R…really?’
Bruce passed Harry a bottle of ice cold water with an easy smile. Harry took it, opened it and sipped it, the water refreshing his dry throat.
He looked at the bottle and then screwed the lid back on tightly. ‘I haven’t had any letters from anyone this summer.’ He said. ‘You didn’t get mine?’
Hermione shook her head.
‘That’s weird.’ He frowned. ‘Maybe I got the address wrong?’ He offered.
Hermione frowned too. ‘Well – I can’t see why you didn’t get my letters.’ She replied. ‘If I didn’t know your address I wouldn’t have visited you today.’
‘True.’ Harry frowned again. ‘I thought people were ignoring me or something.’
A voice coughed from the seat in front. ‘We’re just approaching your house, Miss.’ The driver said.
‘Thank you Alfred.’ Hermione replied. She turned back to Harry. ‘We’ll figure out what happened to your letters later. Why don’t we go and see what my parents want first?’
***
‘Now if Harry comes with me…’ Mrs Granger said, pushing Harry out of the room, ‘and you just enjoy your tea – we won’t be long.’
Harry was bemused as he was hustled up the stairs in the house to a small bedroom and bathroom by a smiling Mrs Granger. He could tell where a lot of Hermione’s characteristics came from – including her bossiness. She shut the door behind them.
‘Now. Harry – can I call you Harry?’
Harry nodded.
‘Good. Sit down on the bed.’ Harry sat. ‘How to explain…’ She trailed off and closed her eyes, then opened them, looking straight at Harry. ‘I’m going to be blunt here Harry and just come to the point – is that okay?’
Harry nodded slowly, a little bit worried as to where this conversation is going.
‘Hermione and Bruce are taking you shopping later – for clothes.’
Harry nodded, inwardly wincing for needing his best friend to get him some decent things.
‘Some of those shops will be quite – well – posh.’ She said.
Harry grimaced, thinking of the clothes he was wearing and what might be said by the people in the shops. He’d had enough of the sneering in Little Whinging, let alone getting more in posh shops in London.
‘Steve and I had a discussion last night and this morning. And while Hermione was out picking you up I nipped out to our local shops… And… Well… You see…’
Harry felt confused and it must have shown on his face because Hermione’s mother sighed in exasperation.
‘I’m doing this all wrong!’ She said. ‘Look – what I’m trying to say is that Steve and I thought you might like the chance to have a shower here and get changed into some new clothes – before you went out shopping with Hermione and Bruce.’ She opened a drawer and pulled out a bag, ‘I had to guess your sizes from some of Hermione’s photos and I didn’t get any shoes and it isn’t much but…’ She handed Harry a carrier bag.
Harry opened the bag. A nice clean new black t-shirt, a black shirt, some underwear and socks, and a pair of jeans neatly folded inside.
‘Mrs Granger… I…’ He didn’t know what to say. He felt awful and so pleased all at once.
‘Stop.’ Mrs Granger held up her hand, just like Hermione earlier that morning. ‘Shower.’ She pointed to the door. ‘Towels inside. Hop to it young man!’ She gave him a smile, before whisking herself out of the room, closing the door behind her.
Harry carried the bag into the bathroom. He closed the door behind him. It wasn’t a dream, he thought as he pulled off his trainers and began taking off his t-shirt. It was better.
***
Thirty minutes later, a thoroughly cleaned and almost entirely dressed in new clothes Harry Potter descended the stairs, feeling a lot happier about life. He stepped into the room and smiled as Hermione, her parents, Bruce Wayne and the driver Alfred all looked up and smiled at him.
‘How is the fit?’ Mrs Granger demanded, as she approached him. ‘Not too loose?’ Harry shook his head. ‘Good – in that case Alfred – I can give you his sizes.’
‘Thank you Mrs Granger.’ Alfred replied with a nod of his head.
Mrs Granger passed a piece of paper to Alfred, who glanced at it and then tucked it away.
‘Right.’ Hermione said, getting up from the sofa. ‘I think we need to be off.’
‘Shopping.’ Bruce said with a smile.
Hermione pulled a face. ‘Yes – mock me all you want – you know I hate shopping…’
‘Except for books.’ Bruce added.
‘…Except for books…’ Hermione repeated with a friendly glare at Bruce. ‘But as this isn’t for me – it should be easier.’ She turned to Harry. ‘Are you ready?’
Harry shrugged, loving the way the crisp cotton felt against his skin. ‘Sure.’
***
‘Perhaps Sir would prefer the green?’ Alfred held out the shirt to Harry, who took it with a barely perceptible sigh.
‘I’ll try it on.’ He said, turning back to the changing room.
‘Don’t worry Harry.’ Hermione consoled him from where she sat, book on her lap. ‘Just this shirt and then we’ll go have dinner.’
Harry’s stomach rumbled as he buttoned up the shirt. Four hours of shopping and he’d had enough.
He glanced in the mirror, before stepping back out to his audience.
‘Very nice.’ Hermione said approvingly. ‘You should have been in Slytherin – the colour brings out your eyes.’
Harry pulled a face.
‘Green does seem to suit you Sir.’ Alfred added apologetically.
‘She’s right.’ Bruce said, from where he sat. ‘Alfred?’
‘I shall add it to the garments to keep Sir.’ Alfred said deferentially. ‘If you would...’ He gestured to Harry.
Harry turned back to the changing room. ‘And then dinner?’ He said loudly.
‘Definitely.’ Replied Hermione. ‘I’m starved.’
***
‘Do I have to?’ Harry said suddenly. ‘Go back to Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon?’
It had been an amazing day, and Harry almost felt like he had been dreaming the whole way through. If only he didn’t have to go back to the Dursleys.
He watched as several glances were exchanged between the adults and Hermione, as they once again sat in the Grangers’ home.
‘Yes.’ Hermione said.
Harry glanced away not willing for them to see his crushing disappointment. He had so hoped things would change.
She moved over to Harry and turned his face to see her. ‘Only it will be different.’
He wouldn’t meet her eyes.
‘Look at me!’ She demanded.
He slowly looked up to meet her brown eyes.
‘Do you think we would do all this if we could take you away from that horrible house?’ She said fiercely. ‘Do you think we want to leave you there? Honestly Harry…’ She took a breath. ‘You have to go back there and we aren’t happy about it – so what’s going to happen is this. We’re going to take you home and then tomorrow I’m going to call and we’re going to get you some decent things for your room and some paint. You can paint can’t you?’
Harry nodded.
‘Good – you can show me how. Then we’re going to paint that room of yours and make sure you’ve got all your school things and you can do all your homework. The Dursleys might try and stop you – but if they do – you’re going to tell me – because I’m going to be writing to you – through the post - not those silly, unreliable owls – I don’t mean Hedwig – and ringing you on the phone and seeing you – as often as I can. Okay?’
Harry nodded, still unconvinced that this would work.
‘And we’re going to offer to have you here – maybe on weekends.’ She glanced at her parents. ‘But we need to keep it quiet…’ She trailed off and bit her lip, glancing over to Bruce.
Bruce stood up, walked over and then knelt by Harry. ‘We don’t know why people haven’t stepped in for your circumstances before – even though we know some people were concerned about you – so we want to make sure that no one realises we’re interfering. So after today you have to go back there – do you understand?’ He looked intently at Harry.
‘Not really.’ Harry said, ‘I don’t really understand.’ He looked at the other adults in the room, their faces showing their distress (Mrs Granger) and disappointment (Alfred).
There was a long silence as Harry pondered everything that he had been told.
‘There used to be a classroom assistant in my primary school – she was really nice.’ He said slowly. ‘I think she paid attention to what was happening to me and told someone.’ He glanced at Hermione and then gazed at Bruce. ‘She was gone a few weeks later – although she was meant to be there a year. No one seemed bothered by her vanishing - except me.’ He trailed off. ‘Is that why…’
Bruce’s face was grim. ‘We think so.’ He said. ‘We don’t know for sure what’s going on with your home life – but we’re going to try and improve it – understand?’
‘Yes.’ Harry got it. They didn’t know why and they could only guess how – but someone somewhere was making sure Harry had to stay with the Dursleys.
Harry only knew he wasn’t too happy about that.
***
Returning back to the house, Harry felt apprehensive about what kind of reception he would get. Fortunately before he could take the bags from the boot of the car, Alfred stepped in.
‘If you would allow me, Sir.’ Alfred took the bags in one hand, before closing the boot with the other. ‘After you Sir.’ He said, stepping behind Harry.
Harry trudged up the path, ignoring all the curtains that moved in the street. Alfred walked behind him.
The door swung open, a furious looking Aunt Petunia behind it. ‘Get in.’ She hissed at him, not paying attention to Alfred.
Harry slowly stepped in. Aunt Petunia moved to close the door behind him, but Alfred got there quicker.
‘If you could direct me to your room Sir, so I may put these away?’ Alfred said, glaring at the now cringing Aunt Petunia.
Harry went up the stairs, with Alfred calmly behind him.
He pushed open the door and turned on the switch, illuminating his room with a bare light bulb.
‘Tsk. Tsk’ Alfred said, placing his bags delicately on the floor. ‘I’m afraid this just won’t do.’ He pulled out a pen and a notepad. ‘New bed.’ He said, writing something down. ‘Desk. Chair.’ He looked at the floor. ‘Carpet.’ He glanced at the ceiling. ‘Light shade and lamp. Bedside table. Cupboard. Drawers.’ He looked over to Hedwig. ‘Stand for your owl.’ He wrote some more. ‘Is there anything you require?’ He said, looking over at Harry.
Harry shook his head, before surreptitiously looking over to his Aunt. She seemed even angrier than earlier.
‘I don’t know who you are…’ She began,
‘Alfred Pennyworth, Ma’am.’ Alfred said, turning to face his Aunt. ‘Mr Wayne’s Butler.’
Aunt Petunia froze.
‘Mr Wayne asked me to ensure that all Mr Potter’s needs were met. Miss Hermione indicated that perhaps Mr Potter’s room needed to be painted.’ He glanced back around the room before raising an eyebrow at Mrs Dursley. ‘I fear she may have understated the case somewhat.’
Aunt Petunia, Harry noticed gleefully, was now a dull red.
‘I will be ordering the necessary supplies tonight for you Sir. They will arrive next week – after you and Miss Hermione have painted the room the colour of your choice.’ He made another note on his notepad. ‘I shall ensure that they will assemble anything that needs to be assembled…’ He trailed off and turned to Aunt Petunia. ‘Would you prefer them to remove Mr Potter’s current furniture to dispose of as they see fit… Or would you prefer them to merely remove it for storage, Ma’am?’
‘D…dispose it.’ Aunt Petunia croaked, before cleaning her throat.
‘Of course.’ Alfred said with a nod. He made another note. ‘Is there any computer you would prefer?’ He said turning to Harry. ‘Miss Hermione is currently setting up her own, I believe to ensure she can do all the accounts for Grunnings with Master Wayne’s accountants in Gotham.’
‘Accounts…?’ Harry trailed off. It suddenly dawned on him exactly how Hermione intended to keep tabs on his uncle. ‘I have no idea.’ He said, dazedly, stunned by the lengths she would go to for him.
‘Very well sir, I shall look into that and have something suitable sent on.’ Alfred said, making another note.
The door slammed downstairs.
‘Pet?’ A voice called upstairs. ‘Do you know what that Rolls is doing outside?’
Harry winced. Uncle Vernon was home.
‘Up here Vernon.’ Aunt Petunia replied, her voice sounding slightly strangled.
The thudding as Vernon Dursley came up the stairs seemed to shake the house.
‘Pet? What are you…?’ He trailed off as he saw Alfred. His face began to redden. ‘You!’
‘Indeed sir.’ Alfred replied, calmly.
‘What do you think…?’
Alfred turned back to Harry. ‘As I said, Sir, Miss Hermione will be here again tomorrow – you will be going to…’ He glanced to his notes, ‘B&Q I believe to choose some paint for your room – along with the necessary accoutrements.’ He paused. ‘Might I suggest you wear some of your… older… clothes for the decorating?’
Harry nodded, amused by how annoyed his Uncle was at being ignored.
‘After which I believe Miss Hermione’s parents have invited you to stay for a few days whilst the paint dries…’ He turned to Mrs Dursley. ‘Any objections Ma’am?’
Aunt Petunia glanced at her husband and then at her nephew and then back to her husband.
‘As I understand it… Miss Hermione will be most upset to have her plans for the weekend changed…’ Alfred trailed off and waited.
Harry tried not to smirk when he noticed the glint in Alfred’s eyes.
‘He can go.’ Uncle Vernon said gruffly.
Alfred nodded in his direction. ‘After that the furniture for your room will be delivered and assembled.’ He added a final note to his notepad. ‘I believe that is all.’ He gave Harry a smile. ‘Good evening Sir.’ He turned to the Dursleys. ‘Mr and Mrs Dursley? If I might have a word in private?’
His aunt and uncle looked resignedly at each other before nodding to Alfred. Harry noticed the gleam in Alfred’s eyes seemed to be more pronounced.
The trio headed off downstairs as Harry leant against the doorframe.
They hadn’t locked him in.
He was wearing new clothes.
Tomorrow he was seeing his best friend again and he was spending the weekend away from his family.
He grinned. He had been right earlier. Today really was the best day ever.
****
Thoughts, comments and queries?
Disclaimers: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by J.K Rowling and Bloomsbury Publishing also DC comics and their subsidiaries. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Pairing: None
Notes: Batman/Hp xover. Harry Potter wasn’t the only person in Hogwarts with a godfather.
I confess I’m behind in writing this. *shrugs* RL is very busy and I don’t have the time I would like to write. In fact – if it weren’t for me having a cold – this fic would be even more delayed! For those reviews who ask about pairings – please note this fic is gen. For those who ask about the wider DC universe… there aren’t any major plans for other characters to appear. For those who expect a showdown between Batman and Dumbledore… *smirks* who says that is going to happen? All the comments have been gratefully received. I hope you enjoy the next chapter.
Previous parts can be found here at my journal: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4
Chapter 5. Summertime.
Summer, Harry Potter decided with an exhausted sigh, was not his favourite time of the year. He glanced up from his bed and over to the calendar hung on the wall. It was still nowhere near September and Hogwarts. He hadn’t had any replies to the letters he had sent and he was heartily sick of being stuck here. He sat up from his bed heaving another sigh and glanced over at his owl, Hedwig.
‘Sorry girl.’ He said apologetically. ‘If I could get us out of here I would. You know that – right? Stupid Dursleys.’ He lay back down on the meagre sheets.
The doorbell downstairs went.
‘It’s probably someone for Dudley. Piers or someone.’ Harry said aloud, desperately wishing it was for him. He thought he heard a voice yell his name. ‘What?’ He answered, figuring his aunt would soon be yelling at him for his manners.
He heard someone marching up the stairs. Then a muffled voice called ‘Harry?’
His eyes widened. ‘Hermione?’ He answered, hopefully, not daring to breathe in case this was a dream and he woke up. This has to be a dream. Maybe it’s because I haven’t had any food or water for a while – maybe I’m hallucinating.
The muffled voices got louder outside his door.
Then his door swung open. He got up.
A smug looking Hermione and an enraged looking Aunt Petunia stood outside.
‘Hermione?’ He couldn’t believe it. He had to be dreaming and this was turning in to the best dream ever. ‘What on earth…?’
‘No time to talk.’ Dream Hermione said, holding up her hand. She looked him up and down. Harry felt uncomfortable with his best friend seeing him like this. He was glad it was only a dream. At least in school he could hide under his robes. ‘Well, you’ve got your shoes on – so you’ll do – come here.’
Harry didn’t really want to wake up yet, so he walked very slowly over to her.
‘I don’t have time for this.’ Dream Hermione said, and grabbed his hand, pulling him away from the room and down the stairs behind her.
‘Woah – what are you doing?’ Harry said. Dreams weren’t meant to be this real were they?
Then it happened. He knew it would. His cousin’s voice intruded on his dream. Harry sighed, knowing he would wake up just before he found his freedom.
Dream Hermione was asking him a question. ‘Your cousin?’ Harry nodded, still hoping he wouldn’t wake up.
He was dragged into the living room, with a slobbering Dudley.
‘Waking up time.’ He muttered, wishing for once Dudley got his just desserts. It never happened – not even in his dreams.
Dream Hermione was intently watching Dudley, Harry noticed, he shivered. Nothing ever good came when Hermione was that focussed in real life.
Suddenly Dream Hermione had kicked his cousin to the floor!
Best. Dream. Ever.
He grinned down at his cousin and gave him a little wave. ‘Bye Dudley.’
The next thing he knew he was out of the house and into a posh looking car.
He smiled sadly.
He really wished he didn’t have to wake up.
***
It took Harry a good twenty minutes to realise that this a) wasn’t a dream and b) he really had been dragged from the Dursleys’ house to a posh car and then on to London.
And he’d met one of the richest men on the planet – Bruce Wayne.
Harry hadn’t known that Hermione’s “Uncle Bruce” was Bruce Wayne, although he had known who Bruce Wayne was before he’d met him. His Uncle Vernon had come home ages ago talking about takeovers and possible promotions and lots of discussions about what new things the family – bar Harry – could expect.
His Uncle considered the takeover a good thing.
Until last night.
His Uncle had come home in the kind of temper that made Harry want to be back in his cupboard under the stairs.
Even Dudley and Aunt Petunia had stayed quiet last night.
All Harry had managed to work out was that his Uncle Vernon might be in a difficult position now that the company had been bought out.
He looked over at the man sitting next to Hermione and was taken aback to see the man intently watching him.
‘You have something to say?’ Bruce asked.
‘N…no… Mr Wayne.’ Harry stammered.
‘Harry?’ Hermione asked, sounding concerned, ‘you’ve gone very pale. Are you okay?’
‘Fine. I’m fine.’
‘Okay.’ Hermione sounded unconvinced. ‘Well – if you didn’t catch that – we’re going to stop off at my parents’ house first.’ She shrugged. ‘I don’t know why – something about an early birthday present for you…’
‘Why…’ Harry paused then asked something that had been bothering him. ‘Why didn’t you reply to the letters I sent you? Did… did I do something wrong?’ He croaked, and wished that his voice didn’t sound so pathetic.
‘Your letters?’ Hermione looked puzzled. ‘I haven’t had any letters! I wanted to know why you weren’t answering mine!’
Harry blinked. ‘R…really?’
Bruce passed Harry a bottle of ice cold water with an easy smile. Harry took it, opened it and sipped it, the water refreshing his dry throat.
He looked at the bottle and then screwed the lid back on tightly. ‘I haven’t had any letters from anyone this summer.’ He said. ‘You didn’t get mine?’
Hermione shook her head.
‘That’s weird.’ He frowned. ‘Maybe I got the address wrong?’ He offered.
Hermione frowned too. ‘Well – I can’t see why you didn’t get my letters.’ She replied. ‘If I didn’t know your address I wouldn’t have visited you today.’
‘True.’ Harry frowned again. ‘I thought people were ignoring me or something.’
A voice coughed from the seat in front. ‘We’re just approaching your house, Miss.’ The driver said.
‘Thank you Alfred.’ Hermione replied. She turned back to Harry. ‘We’ll figure out what happened to your letters later. Why don’t we go and see what my parents want first?’
***
‘Now if Harry comes with me…’ Mrs Granger said, pushing Harry out of the room, ‘and you just enjoy your tea – we won’t be long.’
Harry was bemused as he was hustled up the stairs in the house to a small bedroom and bathroom by a smiling Mrs Granger. He could tell where a lot of Hermione’s characteristics came from – including her bossiness. She shut the door behind them.
‘Now. Harry – can I call you Harry?’
Harry nodded.
‘Good. Sit down on the bed.’ Harry sat. ‘How to explain…’ She trailed off and closed her eyes, then opened them, looking straight at Harry. ‘I’m going to be blunt here Harry and just come to the point – is that okay?’
Harry nodded slowly, a little bit worried as to where this conversation is going.
‘Hermione and Bruce are taking you shopping later – for clothes.’
Harry nodded, inwardly wincing for needing his best friend to get him some decent things.
‘Some of those shops will be quite – well – posh.’ She said.
Harry grimaced, thinking of the clothes he was wearing and what might be said by the people in the shops. He’d had enough of the sneering in Little Whinging, let alone getting more in posh shops in London.
‘Steve and I had a discussion last night and this morning. And while Hermione was out picking you up I nipped out to our local shops… And… Well… You see…’
Harry felt confused and it must have shown on his face because Hermione’s mother sighed in exasperation.
‘I’m doing this all wrong!’ She said. ‘Look – what I’m trying to say is that Steve and I thought you might like the chance to have a shower here and get changed into some new clothes – before you went out shopping with Hermione and Bruce.’ She opened a drawer and pulled out a bag, ‘I had to guess your sizes from some of Hermione’s photos and I didn’t get any shoes and it isn’t much but…’ She handed Harry a carrier bag.
Harry opened the bag. A nice clean new black t-shirt, a black shirt, some underwear and socks, and a pair of jeans neatly folded inside.
‘Mrs Granger… I…’ He didn’t know what to say. He felt awful and so pleased all at once.
‘Stop.’ Mrs Granger held up her hand, just like Hermione earlier that morning. ‘Shower.’ She pointed to the door. ‘Towels inside. Hop to it young man!’ She gave him a smile, before whisking herself out of the room, closing the door behind her.
Harry carried the bag into the bathroom. He closed the door behind him. It wasn’t a dream, he thought as he pulled off his trainers and began taking off his t-shirt. It was better.
***
Thirty minutes later, a thoroughly cleaned and almost entirely dressed in new clothes Harry Potter descended the stairs, feeling a lot happier about life. He stepped into the room and smiled as Hermione, her parents, Bruce Wayne and the driver Alfred all looked up and smiled at him.
‘How is the fit?’ Mrs Granger demanded, as she approached him. ‘Not too loose?’ Harry shook his head. ‘Good – in that case Alfred – I can give you his sizes.’
‘Thank you Mrs Granger.’ Alfred replied with a nod of his head.
Mrs Granger passed a piece of paper to Alfred, who glanced at it and then tucked it away.
‘Right.’ Hermione said, getting up from the sofa. ‘I think we need to be off.’
‘Shopping.’ Bruce said with a smile.
Hermione pulled a face. ‘Yes – mock me all you want – you know I hate shopping…’
‘Except for books.’ Bruce added.
‘…Except for books…’ Hermione repeated with a friendly glare at Bruce. ‘But as this isn’t for me – it should be easier.’ She turned to Harry. ‘Are you ready?’
Harry shrugged, loving the way the crisp cotton felt against his skin. ‘Sure.’
***
‘Perhaps Sir would prefer the green?’ Alfred held out the shirt to Harry, who took it with a barely perceptible sigh.
‘I’ll try it on.’ He said, turning back to the changing room.
‘Don’t worry Harry.’ Hermione consoled him from where she sat, book on her lap. ‘Just this shirt and then we’ll go have dinner.’
Harry’s stomach rumbled as he buttoned up the shirt. Four hours of shopping and he’d had enough.
He glanced in the mirror, before stepping back out to his audience.
‘Very nice.’ Hermione said approvingly. ‘You should have been in Slytherin – the colour brings out your eyes.’
Harry pulled a face.
‘Green does seem to suit you Sir.’ Alfred added apologetically.
‘She’s right.’ Bruce said, from where he sat. ‘Alfred?’
‘I shall add it to the garments to keep Sir.’ Alfred said deferentially. ‘If you would...’ He gestured to Harry.
Harry turned back to the changing room. ‘And then dinner?’ He said loudly.
‘Definitely.’ Replied Hermione. ‘I’m starved.’
***
‘Do I have to?’ Harry said suddenly. ‘Go back to Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon?’
It had been an amazing day, and Harry almost felt like he had been dreaming the whole way through. If only he didn’t have to go back to the Dursleys.
He watched as several glances were exchanged between the adults and Hermione, as they once again sat in the Grangers’ home.
‘Yes.’ Hermione said.
Harry glanced away not willing for them to see his crushing disappointment. He had so hoped things would change.
She moved over to Harry and turned his face to see her. ‘Only it will be different.’
He wouldn’t meet her eyes.
‘Look at me!’ She demanded.
He slowly looked up to meet her brown eyes.
‘Do you think we would do all this if we could take you away from that horrible house?’ She said fiercely. ‘Do you think we want to leave you there? Honestly Harry…’ She took a breath. ‘You have to go back there and we aren’t happy about it – so what’s going to happen is this. We’re going to take you home and then tomorrow I’m going to call and we’re going to get you some decent things for your room and some paint. You can paint can’t you?’
Harry nodded.
‘Good – you can show me how. Then we’re going to paint that room of yours and make sure you’ve got all your school things and you can do all your homework. The Dursleys might try and stop you – but if they do – you’re going to tell me – because I’m going to be writing to you – through the post - not those silly, unreliable owls – I don’t mean Hedwig – and ringing you on the phone and seeing you – as often as I can. Okay?’
Harry nodded, still unconvinced that this would work.
‘And we’re going to offer to have you here – maybe on weekends.’ She glanced at her parents. ‘But we need to keep it quiet…’ She trailed off and bit her lip, glancing over to Bruce.
Bruce stood up, walked over and then knelt by Harry. ‘We don’t know why people haven’t stepped in for your circumstances before – even though we know some people were concerned about you – so we want to make sure that no one realises we’re interfering. So after today you have to go back there – do you understand?’ He looked intently at Harry.
‘Not really.’ Harry said, ‘I don’t really understand.’ He looked at the other adults in the room, their faces showing their distress (Mrs Granger) and disappointment (Alfred).
There was a long silence as Harry pondered everything that he had been told.
‘There used to be a classroom assistant in my primary school – she was really nice.’ He said slowly. ‘I think she paid attention to what was happening to me and told someone.’ He glanced at Hermione and then gazed at Bruce. ‘She was gone a few weeks later – although she was meant to be there a year. No one seemed bothered by her vanishing - except me.’ He trailed off. ‘Is that why…’
Bruce’s face was grim. ‘We think so.’ He said. ‘We don’t know for sure what’s going on with your home life – but we’re going to try and improve it – understand?’
‘Yes.’ Harry got it. They didn’t know why and they could only guess how – but someone somewhere was making sure Harry had to stay with the Dursleys.
Harry only knew he wasn’t too happy about that.
***
Returning back to the house, Harry felt apprehensive about what kind of reception he would get. Fortunately before he could take the bags from the boot of the car, Alfred stepped in.
‘If you would allow me, Sir.’ Alfred took the bags in one hand, before closing the boot with the other. ‘After you Sir.’ He said, stepping behind Harry.
Harry trudged up the path, ignoring all the curtains that moved in the street. Alfred walked behind him.
The door swung open, a furious looking Aunt Petunia behind it. ‘Get in.’ She hissed at him, not paying attention to Alfred.
Harry slowly stepped in. Aunt Petunia moved to close the door behind him, but Alfred got there quicker.
‘If you could direct me to your room Sir, so I may put these away?’ Alfred said, glaring at the now cringing Aunt Petunia.
Harry went up the stairs, with Alfred calmly behind him.
He pushed open the door and turned on the switch, illuminating his room with a bare light bulb.
‘Tsk. Tsk’ Alfred said, placing his bags delicately on the floor. ‘I’m afraid this just won’t do.’ He pulled out a pen and a notepad. ‘New bed.’ He said, writing something down. ‘Desk. Chair.’ He looked at the floor. ‘Carpet.’ He glanced at the ceiling. ‘Light shade and lamp. Bedside table. Cupboard. Drawers.’ He looked over to Hedwig. ‘Stand for your owl.’ He wrote some more. ‘Is there anything you require?’ He said, looking over at Harry.
Harry shook his head, before surreptitiously looking over to his Aunt. She seemed even angrier than earlier.
‘I don’t know who you are…’ She began,
‘Alfred Pennyworth, Ma’am.’ Alfred said, turning to face his Aunt. ‘Mr Wayne’s Butler.’
Aunt Petunia froze.
‘Mr Wayne asked me to ensure that all Mr Potter’s needs were met. Miss Hermione indicated that perhaps Mr Potter’s room needed to be painted.’ He glanced back around the room before raising an eyebrow at Mrs Dursley. ‘I fear she may have understated the case somewhat.’
Aunt Petunia, Harry noticed gleefully, was now a dull red.
‘I will be ordering the necessary supplies tonight for you Sir. They will arrive next week – after you and Miss Hermione have painted the room the colour of your choice.’ He made another note on his notepad. ‘I shall ensure that they will assemble anything that needs to be assembled…’ He trailed off and turned to Aunt Petunia. ‘Would you prefer them to remove Mr Potter’s current furniture to dispose of as they see fit… Or would you prefer them to merely remove it for storage, Ma’am?’
‘D…dispose it.’ Aunt Petunia croaked, before cleaning her throat.
‘Of course.’ Alfred said with a nod. He made another note. ‘Is there any computer you would prefer?’ He said turning to Harry. ‘Miss Hermione is currently setting up her own, I believe to ensure she can do all the accounts for Grunnings with Master Wayne’s accountants in Gotham.’
‘Accounts…?’ Harry trailed off. It suddenly dawned on him exactly how Hermione intended to keep tabs on his uncle. ‘I have no idea.’ He said, dazedly, stunned by the lengths she would go to for him.
‘Very well sir, I shall look into that and have something suitable sent on.’ Alfred said, making another note.
The door slammed downstairs.
‘Pet?’ A voice called upstairs. ‘Do you know what that Rolls is doing outside?’
Harry winced. Uncle Vernon was home.
‘Up here Vernon.’ Aunt Petunia replied, her voice sounding slightly strangled.
The thudding as Vernon Dursley came up the stairs seemed to shake the house.
‘Pet? What are you…?’ He trailed off as he saw Alfred. His face began to redden. ‘You!’
‘Indeed sir.’ Alfred replied, calmly.
‘What do you think…?’
Alfred turned back to Harry. ‘As I said, Sir, Miss Hermione will be here again tomorrow – you will be going to…’ He glanced to his notes, ‘B&Q I believe to choose some paint for your room – along with the necessary accoutrements.’ He paused. ‘Might I suggest you wear some of your… older… clothes for the decorating?’
Harry nodded, amused by how annoyed his Uncle was at being ignored.
‘After which I believe Miss Hermione’s parents have invited you to stay for a few days whilst the paint dries…’ He turned to Mrs Dursley. ‘Any objections Ma’am?’
Aunt Petunia glanced at her husband and then at her nephew and then back to her husband.
‘As I understand it… Miss Hermione will be most upset to have her plans for the weekend changed…’ Alfred trailed off and waited.
Harry tried not to smirk when he noticed the glint in Alfred’s eyes.
‘He can go.’ Uncle Vernon said gruffly.
Alfred nodded in his direction. ‘After that the furniture for your room will be delivered and assembled.’ He added a final note to his notepad. ‘I believe that is all.’ He gave Harry a smile. ‘Good evening Sir.’ He turned to the Dursleys. ‘Mr and Mrs Dursley? If I might have a word in private?’
His aunt and uncle looked resignedly at each other before nodding to Alfred. Harry noticed the gleam in Alfred’s eyes seemed to be more pronounced.
The trio headed off downstairs as Harry leant against the doorframe.
They hadn’t locked him in.
He was wearing new clothes.
Tomorrow he was seeing his best friend again and he was spending the weekend away from his family.
He grinned. He had been right earlier. Today really was the best day ever.
****
Thoughts, comments and queries?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-05-06 09:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-05-06 10:13 pm (UTC)Oh I do hope I'm better soon - I've only been off work today - and I'm already sick of feeling like this!
Thanks for the review.
serendu
no subject
Date: 2009-05-08 11:51 pm (UTC)