Late the next day Harry's return trip to the Dursleys' was uneventful. He used his portkey to Potter Place then Cassandra escorted him as far as the Surrey Station close to Privet drive, where his uncle met him.
"Well come on, boy, I need to get home sometime today. I've got work in the morning."
"Yes, Uncle Vernon." Harry was very surprised his uncle had circles under his eyes like he wasn't getting enough sleep. "Are you okay, Uncle Vernon?" His uncle helped him get his trunk into the boot.
"Fine. Just not getting enough sleep."
Harry went to climb into the back seat of the car and was shocked to find a infant seat. After he got buckled he said, "Is there something you want to tell me?"
"Your Aunt will explain when we get home."
Harry felt very nervous. How on earth had Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon suddenly come into needing an infant seat in their car?They pulled into the driveway and they got his trunk out. Harry followed his uncle into the house. His aunt met them at the door she too had circles.
"Harry I'm glad you got back safely. Thank you for sending Hedwig so we knew not to meet the Express, did whatever it was go well?"
"Yes, Aunt Petunia."
"Good take your trunk up to Dudley's room. You both will be sharing from now on."
"What?"
"Quiet! You'll wake the baby. Since you and Dudley are only here a few months out of the year We decided you boys will share and gave Rose your room. Don't worry we redecorated Dudley's room so you'll both fit. That trunk of yours was very handy in planning the space. Once you're done come back down and I'll explain."
Harry, still stunned, did as he was told. He was impressed by the way the space in Dudley's room had been planned. He was obviously intended to occupy the space around the loft bed there was just enough space for his trunk and Hedwig's perch along side the desk and chair under the bed. He wondered where his cousin was briefly. He was startled out of his introspection by the cry of a baby. He stowed his trunk and got Hedwig's perch set for when she made her appearance. Then he moved back downstairs figuring that would be the best place to get an explanation. He arrived in the kitchen just as Aunt Petunia finished setting dinner on the table. Vernon entered carrying a baby wearing a pink sleeper. He placed her in a baby bouncer seat that was set on the table.
"Where's Dudley?"
"He's spending the night at a friend's. Now Harry I wish to introduce you to someone. This is your cousin Rose. She was born three weeks ago."
"But I thought you and Uncle Vernon couldn't…"
"We haven't. Rose's birth mother is a young friend of mine from the dance studio, she got in trouble. Her parents wanted her to abort the baby. She gave her to us instead. The adoption should go through next month."
"Okay. Do you need any help with anything?"
"Yes, tomorrow when Dudley comes back we will need to discuss summer plans."
After dinner Harry did the dishes while Petunia played with and doted on the baby. Harry was surprised by how happy his aunt seemed despite her lack of sleep as she gave Rose a bottle and burped her.
At ten the next day when Dudley got home, Harry understood why his aunt and Uncle looked tired. Rose apparently liked to be awake at night. He had woken when she cried at one, for such a tiny mite she sure was loud. Harry was unable to fall back to sleep until his aunt finally got Rose back to sleep around four. He groaned when his alarm went off at six. Harry knew that with his uncle's commute to work he'd need breakfast and a lunch made, force of habit had him rising and heading to the kitchen despite his own lack of sleep.
He'd made breakfast, and a lunch for his uncle, who actually gave him an appreciative "thanks"
before leaving for work. Then he'd gone out and weeded the flower beds before it got hot. When Dudley got home, the two boys exchanged greetings.
"Lo, Harry."
"Dudley."
"How was school?" They said together then both boys smiled.
Dudley was the first to speak again. "Smeltings was fine, cadet force is grand. How was your school year?"
"It was okay. I got to meet a friend of my father's. He was a good teacher. I hope he's back next year, but I don't count on it."
"Anything interesting happen?"
"I got to twist Dumbledore's knickers in a bit of a knot a few times over the course of the year, but nothing much. You?"
"Well other than the shock when I got home, not much. I pretty much maintained my position in my class so I'm happy."
"That's excellent, I'm happy for you. Sorry for barging in on your room and all."
"It's okay. I can understand mum's reasoning: we're both boys, neither of us is home for longer than a couple months, makes sense to move us together so she's got a room for Rose. So what do you think of my baby sister?"
"She's cute, but she's loud."
"No sleep last night?"
"Not really, no."
"Why do you think I spent the night at Jace's last night? I foresee weekly sleepovers at my friends' houses all summer."
"I see, method to your madness. It's a pity I can't do it over the summer because I learned the perfect spell for this situation this year."
"Any plans this summer?"
"My next belt test, then I've got a class on land & portfolio management with Felicia and a class on wizarding law at the ministry, plus my usual homework. Oh, and time spent studying my family magics. Helping out around here, probably helping with a class or two at the dojo… Not much."
"There are times when I worry about you, cousin. Hasn't anyone told you summers are for relaxing?"
"What about you?"
"Well there's a couple weeks where my cadet force group is supposed to go train, and a small bit of homework but for the most part that's it. Mum and Dad plan to stay put this summer since Rose is so little."
"Shall we help your Mum and figure out a chore chart? Divvy up the work as much as we can?"
"Yeah, but when you plan for laundry, plan for four more loads. Babies are very messy little things, I'll have you know."
"Has your mum made you change any diapers yet?"
"Yeah, the just pee ones I don't mind, but the rest- disgusting."
"I'm with you there."
As the weeks of summer progressed Harry came to both love and hate his little cousin. He loved her because she was sweet and innocent. She made his aunt happy. The times he had charge of her made him happy and it wasn't long before she had him wrapped around her fingers. He hated her because she was even less of a blood relation than he was, but she was doted on, by everyone even Aunt Marge.