Hello and thank you for dropping by to read Farewell and Here's to a New Life! I would like to give a shout out to Arrowkid21, who's fanfiction They're Back! gave me the inspiration to write my first chapter fanfiction in a long time. Check it out!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

- Chapter One: The Return

The Dursleys pulled into Number 4 Privet Drive feeling like complete strangers. They had lived there for almost two decades, yes, but even so, after being away for almost a year, it was a very odd feeling. And of course, their sudden departure hadn't gone unnoticed – within seconds of their arrival Mrs. Davies from Number Three across the street had come out to catch them.

"Oh my! It has been so long since I saw you last!" she greeted with a smile that was not deceiving Petunia. "How are you three?"

"We're doing well, thank you," she responded politely. Might as well entertain them to get back into the feel of things. "How is your daughter?"

But Mrs. Davies had no interest in talking about her daughter.

"Oh, she's fine, fine," she answered with a wave of her hand. "What I would like to ask – " She shuffled forward a bit with a bit of curious smile. " – is where you three were over the past year? And where is that other boy of yours? If you don't mind me asking."

I certainly do mind you asking! Petunia thought with a huff, but managed a cold smile in the other woman's direction and said, "Vernon was sent to set up another drill company in a different country. It was going to take a while, so he thought it would be… nice to have the family come along. It was like a vacation of sorts."

"Oh, that sounds absolutely delightful!" Mrs. Davies was pleasantly surprised and not one bit suspicious of the lie. "What country? Is it America? Goodness knows they need a good drilling company."

The other woman felt blood leave her face as she was assaulted by this question, unsure of how to respond. She had thought Mrs. Davies would be content with this answer, but obviously, she wasn't – she needed more fruit to juice with for gossip. Fortunately, Dudley saved the day.

"We went to Scotland," he told her, seizing the keys from his father.

It was quite the obvious cue that he held no interest in the conversation and perhaps Mrs. Davies should leave them be to unpack their things, but she was just far too interested in what they had done while in Scotland. Dudley went inside the house with a few things in hand and emerged moments later when he realized his parents hadn't followed him. Scowling, he went to rescue them from Mrs. Davies's relentless questioning. She was a bit disappointed, but slunk away when the large boy shot her a warning look.

The three retreated to the house, Vernon muttering about nosy neighbors. Petunia paused at the threshold, her eyes shut tightly as she prepared to face the mess she was sure to find. When she opened her eyes, she was greeted by a completely different sight and gasped.

The house was positively gleaming. Not a speck of dust was in sight. Rather, it seemed shinier than it had been before the Dursleys left. What's more, the furniture looked better than before – almost as if they were brand new. Petunia wasn't a big fan of those people – oh, all right, wizards –, but she had to admit they did a damn good job fixing the place up after the boy's pursuers – what did they call them? Death Eaters? What a horrible name – tore it up. She was quite impressed.

Dudley handed a note to her, grunting that one of those blokes had left it in the kitchen.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Dursley and Dudley,

We like to apologize for everything we put you through the past year, but hope you at least understand it was all for your family's protection. Be rest assured the threat that caused to you go into hiding has now been vanquished and you no longer have to fear this happening again.

As a way of apology, we've done repairs on your house, both from the damage done by the Death Eaters and the passing years. Besides, there was no way would just leave you to clean up such a mess when you weren't at fault to begin with and it would be a terrible way to come home. We do hope you like them.

Farewell and here's to a new life.

Sincerely,

Hestia Jones

Dedalus Diggle

Petunia stared at the note and felt a small amused smile escape her lips. Dudley saw the smile, smiled himself, and retreated to his bedroom upstairs.

Meanwhile, Vernon was raging up and down the living room. Oblivious to the fact his house had been ruined and restored to even better condition than before upon his return, he yelled about the wasted year.

"That boy had us running for our lives for no damn reason!" he was roaring. "Not a single damn thing out of place – everything as it was before we left – nothing came after us, did they?! A year wasted, Petunia! A year! The things we could've done – all to waste!"

She said nothing as he fumed. Seeing as he wasn't going to get his usual audience for his rages, Vernon settled for going into the kitchen and snagging a beer. Not once did it cross his mind that everything in the fridge should have spoiled in the past year. Besides, the beer he held looked as if he had just bought it on the way home, which, of course, he clearly hadn't.

He sagged onto the couch and switched on the TV, popping the cap to the bottle as he did so. He took a small sip and let out a satisfied sigh. Petunia stared at her husband for a few more seconds before turning to the kitchen. There were a couple boxes of china waiting to be put back.

Upstairs in his room, Dudley sighed at the sounds of TV. If he was much younger, he would've given anything to shove his father aside and tune the television to a show he adored. He should've been happy – they were finally home and could go back to living normal.

But the truth of the matter was – he didn't want to go back to living a normal, boring life. He wanted to learn about what happened in the Wizarding World after Harry killed off Voldemort. He had heard fascinating things from the Dursleys' two guards – about magic, his cousin Harry Potter, and all of that – but when it came to what his cousin was actually doing, they were just as clueless as him. As far as they knew, he was on some mission to help weaken Voldemort so they could kill him.

How was he going to ask about Harry, anyway? His parents definitely wouldn't appreciate it. Not to mention, he had no idea how to contact his magical cousin. As far as he knew, they didn't have phones in the Wizarding World and he had no idea where to get an owl, much less one that could send post.

In any case, it probably wasn't the best of ideas to try to look for Harry right at that moment. It was too early. They might be dealing with the aftermath of war on their side. In addition, his parents would be floored by his sudden change of behavior. His dad might even have a fit about it. No, right now, he should focus getting back on track as best as he could. He may not want to turn back to living a normal, boring life, but he needed something to keep his mind off things.

With a sigh, he padded out into the hall for the phone.

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Next chapter coming tomorrow! See you then!