A New Beginning

Chapter 1

The Announcement

Harry woke with a start as Uncle Vernon burst through the front door.

"You!" Uncle Vernon managed to say.

Harry, still groggy from sleep, looked at Uncle Vernon. "What now?"

By now Dudley had entered the living room with a smile across his face. Harry finally realized what he had done. He had obviously dozed off while doing something for Aunt Petunia. No wonder. Aunt Petunia has been making him work nonstop since he had gotten off the Hogwarts Express a month ago. With little food and little sleep, exhaustion must have gotten the best of him. He looked at Uncle Vernon as he spoke.

"How dare you sleep while your Aunt slaves over cleaning and cooking!"

"But..."

"But NOTHING!" By now Uncle Vernon's eyes were so round and his face was so red, it was almost as if Harry was staring at a giant cranberry with two golf ball sized eyes. Uncle Vernon tried to continue ranting on Harry but both boys started talking at once.

"Harry's in trouble..." chanted Dudley.

"But Uncle Vernon!"

"Harry's in trouble!"

"Let me explain!"

"SHUT UP BOTH OF YOU! Dudley! To your room, NOW!" Both Harry and Dudley shut up at the same time, staring at Uncle Vernon.

"But dad..."

"NOW!"

Dudley slowly dragged himself up the stairs to his room. Harry heard him slam his door shut and him breaking stuff out of his rage. Harry than prepared for his punishment.

"Harry," Uncle Vernon started. Harry gulped and stared at Uncle Vernon, expecting the worst. "How dare you fall asleep when your Aunt Petunia gave you a job to do! This house has to be clean by tomorrow! We are having a very important dinner night with your Aunt's parents."

Harry interrupted, "My grandparents are coming?"

Uncle Vernon growled, "Yes, but I doubt they would want to see you!"

Harry looked down to the floor. He felt hurt. He usually didn't let Uncle Vernon get to him but, for some reason, this did. He's probably right, Harry thought, tears threaten his eyes. My grandparents probably don't even know I exist, no mind care if I'm here.

"Now get up and get to work! I want this place spotless before dinner!"

"Yes, Uncle Vernon," Harry mumbled as Uncle Vernon went into the kitchen. He could here his aunt and uncle discussing something. Most likely were they're going to hide me, he sighed. He started cleaning the windows were he had left off.

~~~

Dinner time rolled around a whole lot slower than Harry could ever imagine. He had finished the living room windows and had started tending to the rose bushes and flower beds. Dudley was no help to him at all. Dudley was obviously mad at Harry because he got yelled at by his dad, so he was taking his anger out on Harry. Twice Harry barely missed getting hit by something Dudley threw at him. Dudley finally had Harry cornered when Aunt Petunia called them in. Harry had never been more thankful for he thought Dudley was going to seriously kill him. He walked in through the back door, careful not to get mud on the floor but apparently Dudley didn't. He heard Aunt Petunia scream as she saw the mud and knew she was going to blame it on him. He stopped and waited for her to come and yell at him and it sure didn't take her long to get there.

"I just cleaned these floors!" She yelled. Dudley had already taken off his shoes and had slippers on. He looked at Harry and smiled.

"I know Aunt Petunia," Harry responded.

"I want you to clean them right now! Then go to bed with out dinner! Do you hear me?"

"Yes."

"GOOD!" Aunt Petunia turned on her heels and stormed away.

Harry grabbed the mop and started cleaning the floor. He could smell the food. His stomach growled and ached as he longed for something to eat. He heard them talking and enjoying the dinner. He finished cleaning the floor and headed upstairs to his room, eager to eat that chocolate frog that was under the floor board. He reached his room and closed the door. Quickly, he lifted the loose floor board and grabbed the chocolate frog. He looked at his cage and was saddened to see Hedwig still hadn't returned. It had been a week since he sent her to take a letter to Ron and wondered why she hadn't returned yet. He's probably on vacation somewhere and she is trying to find him. Harry laid down on his bed exhausted. He quickly drifted into a troubled sleep.