Guardianship (Harry Potter AU kind of story)

Chapter Two

"Now I want you to behave yourself at Cameron and Marie's, I don't want a call from the Yang's that you misbehaved overnight." Mum's voice is stern as she repacks my overnight bag for the third time - I don't know why I bothered packing it at all if she was going to just redo it and than redo it again and again.
"Mum, I told you it's Camar and Nari Jang." Rolling my eyes I straighten my bedding and fluff my pillows. "Kali is my best friend and you've meet her parents at least ten times, you should remember their names."
Sniffling and defensive, mum starts in on how they're names aren't normal and how Kali is the only one with a normal name. Tuning her out I begin second guessing tonight's sleepover.
Tomorrow's my birthday and I'd told mum and dad all I wanted was to go with my best friend and her family to London for the day as they were planning a trip. After much begging, they'd called the Jang's and things were set up. I'd stay the night at their house tonight and early tomorrow we would be driving to London. Than we'd stay the night in a hotel and come home the day after.
The only thing I hadn't considered in all the excitement was Harry. I knew Camar and Nari wouldn't mind him coming along, nor would Kali who absolutely loved him, but mum and dad would never allow it. I'd tried to plead but they wouldn't hear of it at all so I had to content myself with promising to bring him a special surprise back.
Harry wasn't upset at all, really; he was a rather quiet boy and rarely fussed or throw tantrums even though he's only five. Dudley, on the other hand, throws at least three before breakfast alone and is known to flip things over if he doesn't get his way.
"-look disgusting together. And that child! Why I never thought I'd see such a mixed thing." Mms voice penetrates my thoughts and I gasp out, face flushed.
"Mother! That's an absolutely horrid thing to say!" Angry, embarrassed, and frustrated I yank my bag from her thin and bony grasp before storming down the stairs. I make sure to pop my head into the cupboard under the stairs where little Harry resides much to my dismay - I'd argued that we have two extra rooms and there was no reason he couldn't have one, there was still one for aunt Marge to use when she visits but my anger fell on deaf ears.
"Hello Harry, I'm going to be leaving soon and wanted to say good bye first." I smile sadly at the young boy sitting on his cot and playing with a small monkey rattle I'd given him when he first came to live with us.
"Amzie!" Harry jumps up, throwing his arms around my waist while I laugh. " 'Appy birthday!"
Scooping him up from under his arms, I easily carry him to the living room with me. Dad glances up from the paper and sneers at the young boy but doesn't say anything, instead moving to go to the kitchen where I hear mum preparing a snack for Dudley.
"Thank you Harry. I'm sorry I'll be gone so long." I stare at the smiling boy on my lap sadly.
"S'okay Amzie. You'll be back." Harry is such an innocent child, rather thin and scrawny too although I'm sure at least half of that's because of his parents. I try and stuff him with food and fatty food at that when I can but he doesn't gain weight like Dudley does.
"I'll always be back for you Harry. Always. And I'll bring you something really cool from London too!" I promise eagerly.
"Pictures?" Harry is just as eager, if a bit hesitant.
"Of course they'll be lots of pictures. And when we get back, Kali and I are taking you to the park." I grin as his face lights up before I stand, his legs wrapped around my waist again, and we make our way to the kitchen, my bag left behind by the front door.
"Mum, do you have any snacks?"
"Right here, darling. I made you and Duddy some yummy sandwiches and tea."
As usual both my parents ignore that I have Harry clinging to me after giving a first angry or disgusted look. Since he's come into our home nearly four years ago I've taken to caring for him and, while neither like it or really accept it, they both know I'll throw a big fit if they try to stop me from doing so. I've done it enough times that they'd rather ignore it than argue a losing battle.
Sitting opposite Dudley - so that he doesn't try hitting or pinching or kicking Harry - I happily grab two sandwiches and serve two cups of tea, adding two sugars to one than cream and one sugar to the other. Blowing gently on the sweeter tea for Harry, I hand him a sandwich half and let him eat, still facing inward towards me to protect him from the glances of my family.
"Here Harry, it's coooled off enough." I hand him the cup carefully, helping him lift it to his mouth so he doesn't spill.
"Amaryllis, honestly. The boy's not a baby, you need to feed yourself and leave him alone." Mum huffs, ignoring the fact that she did the same for Dudley.
Ignoring her I eat in between helping Harry and soon we've cleared the plate and each drank two cups of tea.
"Thank you mum." I stand as she takes the dishes.
"Th-thank you Aunt Petna." Harry stumbles over her name while she scowls.
Beaming at him, I praise his manners and he grins back at me pleased. Mum opens her mouth - no doubt to spit nasty words again - only to close it at the sound of knocking at the door.
Moving quickly, and still holding Harry, I rush to pull open the door and grin at the family standing there relaxed as can be.

Camar and Nari Jang are an absolutely head over heels in love couple; they have a wonder marriage and an even more wonderful personality. Nari is a professor at a University while Camar works from home as a botanist, studying exotic plants and the like. I meet them, of course, through their daughter Kali who is my bestest friend ever.

"Amzie!" Two arms are flung around Harry and I, causing the three of us to topple backwards and start laughing. "Hello Harry, fancy seeing you here huh?"
"Hi Kali." Harry giggles, happy yet shy. I suspect he has a wee bit of a crush on my dear friend, although she most likely hasn't noticed.
"Gee Kal, how much do you weight? Feels like a horse is on my chest." I joke shoving her off and helping Harry sit back up before standing myself.
"Cameron, Marie! Lovely to see you again." Mum smiles fakely as the Jang's - bless them - ignore her name mistakes and greet her pleasantly. Truly pleasant, mind you, not fake like my own parents.
"Petunia, how have you been? It's been much too long it seems." Nari smiles as Camar somehow gets wrapped up talking to my dad, asking how Grunnings is doing and about drill shipments.
"I'm so hyped for this trip, it's going to be a blast!" Kali squeals, bouncing up and down where she stands. "And I know just the gift to bring back for little man here." She winks at my cousin who's eyes widen and cheeks redden.
"Re-really?" He stutters out as Dudley starts wailing for something in the kitchen and mum quickly excuses herself - hugging me good bye and kissing my forehead before rushing to him. Nari turns her attention to us again, greeting both Harry and I before asking him if he's excited to be starting primary school in a few months.
Knowing dad can go on about his job and drills for hours, I decide to cut in so we can get going. "Daddy, didn't you say the game was on this morning?"
Looking down at his watch, dad's eyes widen as he hurried hugs me and rushes to the TV, not bothering to say goodbye or minding that he left mid-conversation let alone mid-sentence.
The four of us hug Harry tightly, I ruffle his hair, and we promise to see him soon before we leave, Camar carrying my bag.
As I buckle up in the car, I can't help but look back and see Harry standing by the door looking sad but smiling and waving once he sees me look. I feel horrible, I must be a terrible person.
But I can't help but want this, want to get away from this house for a few days.
'Its a few days, I'll be back soon.' I try and sooth my guilt. 'I'll be back and we'll go to the park and play all summer long.'
Lifting my hand up I wave trying to offer a smile of my own as we drive off. 'I'll be back soon, Harry.'