Strange; Harry had, of course, always known that one day he'd leave his Aunt and Uncles' home- but now that he was of age- now that he could do magic as he pleased- it seemed unreal.
Hedwig hooted softly from her cage. Dudly snored monstrously loud from the next room. Somewhere in the house, the A/C clicked on. And in the yard, two crouched figures were whispering.
"But why can't we do it now, Malfoy?"
"I've told you, you dolt. His mudblood mother still protects him while he's here!"
"Then why are we here?"
"That, you great git, is my business alone. I have seen all I need to see." With an abrupt snap, the first figure disappearated. The 2nd figure mumbled some choice words, then followed the other.
Uncle Vernon's upper lip was curled into a disdainful sneer. He sat on the kitchen table, surveying Harry as he walked down the stairs.
"Don't expect me to help with your luggage, boy."
"I don't." Harry looked up the stairs, flicked his wand, and his trunk levitated. With a second flick, it shrunk.
"Accio Trunk!"
Aunt Petunia turned from the stove. Her lips were pulled sucked in over her large teeth, her eyes cold with disgust. Dudly shoveled in another stack of pancakes.
"There will be none of that rubbish under this roof!" Uncle Vernon snarled.
"No, I don't suppose there will be anymore." Harry bound the trunk to his broomstick. Plucking his father's cloak off of Hedwig's cage, he flung it over his shoulder. He grabbed his broom and headed for the kitchen door- but not before stealing Dudley's last pancake.
"Wotcher, Harry!" Harry smiled. He hadn't heard Tonks use the word 'wotcher' in nearly a year. He was glad to see her hair back to a vibrant color- today it was bright green, her eyes turned to match.
"There you are, Harry. Sleep in?" Lupin came into the Burrow's Kitchen and kissed Tonks. That would explain her brilliant demeanor.
"No, I just ran into the tail end of a nasty thunderstorm."
"Oh you dear boy!" Mrs. Weasely hustled into the kitchen and vigorously hugged Harry. "Oh, you dear, dear boy! We would have let you travel by floo- but Arthur had us cut off of the network. And of course, you haven't be tested for apperation and what not- but your soaking wet, so you are!" She waved her wand idly and Harry's clothes immediately dried. "Everyone's up in Ron's room, I think they're having a chess tournament or something of that sort. Up you go now!" With a gentle push she directed him to the stairs.
Harry was half way up the flight when he paused. Mrs. Weasley had never ushered him out like that…unless something important was being said. Harry turned, and crept back down the steps.
"… and we need to know what color you think would suit Ginny best for the bridesmaid dress." Ah, they were discussing Fleur's wedding plans. Not so important at all, really.
"Harry!" Hermoine ran down the hall and into Harry's arm. A rather disgruntled Ron watched from the side. "Harry, I'm so glad you're here!"
"How are you, mate?" Ron greeted him with a handshake. Harry raised his eyebrows. Since when had Ron been so…adult? A small part of him was jealous of Ron's man like composure. " You should have been here an hour ago, it was bloody brilliant! Fred 'accidentally' gave Mad-eye a new product- makes you swell up until you deflate and go spinning like a ballon- anyway, Mad-eye tried to cure himself by not breathing. Eventually he just inflated with helium and turned a lovely shade of purple. He's still a bit winded, ya know? And I thought Mum would kill Fred, she actually tried to spank him, can you believe it?"
And then again, maybe he wasn't so composed.
"Where's Fred and George now?"
"Went back to shop. Not after practically sodding themselves with fear, though."
Harry wanted to ask about Ginny, but was spared the trouble.
"Harry. How's it going." She sounded so nonchalant.
"Good, you?" He mirrored her indifferent tone.
"Fine. I have to study, schools going to be hectic next year." Harry heard the unspoken words in her sentence- a bitter reminder that unlike his self, she would return to Hogwarts next year- if Hogwarts had a next year.
Hermione looked at him strangely, as if she was almost contemptuous. Harry inwardly sighed. Everything had been wonderful when he first arrived, but now…