Reflections

Harry sat silently on his bed in the dark. Ron was snoring quietly on the second bed in his room at the Dursley's. Hermione was sound asleep in the guest room next door. Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon had been incensed when they had arrived earlier that day. The past few days had been a trial Harry didn't want to repeat. He was still in a state of shock; however, he had made several major decisions already and was anxious to get started on the path that Albus Dumbledore had set him on.

Following the funeral, Harry, Ron, and Hermione had departed Hogwarts for probably the last time aboard the Hogwarts Express. The ride to King's Cross Station in London was quieter than any ride in the 6 years Harry had ridden the train. There was no running in the corridor, raucous bouts of laughter or loud shouts of joy as the train rushed them towards an uncertain future.

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Uncle Vernon had met Harry at the station in a foul mood. The note they had received two days previously telling him when Harry would arrive was unexpected. He remembered what that freak man had said last year before Harry left. He knew Harry would be returning this summer for a few more weeks and then they would be rid of that freak forever. But, he wasn't expecting him this soon. He remembered the letter with some thoughts of joy.

"The train will be arriving at King's Cross Station several weeks earlier than usual due to the unexpected death of the headmaster. All exams have been cancelled for this year. Those students who would normally take the O.W.L.'s and N.E.W.T.'s will be able to apply directly to the school for make-up exams to be taken prior to the start of the new school year in September. Please be sure to make arrangements to pick up your student when the train arrives."

'So, the headmaster was dead, thought Vernon. 'That old freak with the long beard that criticized them last year is dead. Without threats from a deceased godfather and now a deceased headmaster, maybe the next few weeks wouldn't be so bad, after all.'

Harry remembered the scene at the station, wincing at the raised voices.

"Harry dear, please let us know if we can do anything for you," a concerned Mrs. Weasley said as she hugged him fiercely. "Ron is going with you, and I expect both of you to keep in touch and be on time for the wedding."

"Yes, Mum," said a thoroughly cowed Ron.

"Well, that was difficult," said a harried Hermione, rushing towards where Harry and Ron were waiting with their trunks and cages.

"What was?" asked Ron.

"Telling my parents I wasn't going home with them this summer. I told them I'd be staying at Harry's until Bill's wedding and I would be in touch with them later. They weren't very happy."

"Did you say when you'd be in touch?" asked Harry.

"No. I didn't want them to worry. I'll be able to apparate home to visit with them later. It's time they realized that I've grown up. Besides, you need me to help you figure out those horcruxes," replied Hermione.

"Okay, then, if you two are with me, let's go meet my Uncle Vernon. He's definitely not going to like this. I can see him fuming already."

"Don't worry, Harry," Hermione said with a grin. "Ron and I are adults now. If he gives you any trouble, we'll take care of him."

"Sure thing mate," Ron agreed.

As they approached Uncle Vernon, he began his tirade. "What, no guard? No one to tell me how to treat you this summer, boy? Heard that old man was dead. Didn't think you'd be coming back with him gone since you're nearly an 'adult.' Can't see why they think you'd be an adult when you're not 18. Everyone knows you're not an adult until you reach 18."

"Hello, Uncle Vernon," Harry said. "This is Ron and Hermione. They're my best friends from school and they're coming over to spend a few weeks with me."

"Absolutely not." Uncle Vernon responded, his face beginning to turn purple. "Bad enough you're there. I will not have any of your freaky friends in my house."

"Yes, Uncle Vernon," responded Harry. "But it's only for a short time. Ron's brother Bill is getting married in a couple of weeks and we'll be leaving for the wedding. It's unlikely I'll come back after that." Harry managed to keep Hermione from saying anything knowing how incensed she would be at hearing them called 'freaks.'

Aunt Petunia and Dudley had thrown their own fits when Ron and Hermione had accompanied Harry into the house.

"Mum, the freak's home; and he's brought other freaks with him. Make them leave."

"Who are these people?" shrieked Petunia. "How dare you invite your freaky friends over?"

"Excuse me," Hermione interjected, touching Harry on the arm. "I'm Hermione Granger and this is Ron Weasley. We're friends of Harry's and didn't want him to be alone after the death of the headmaster. You see, Professor Dumbledore was a friend to all of us and was especially close to Harry here. We thought it would be best if the three of us stayed together for a few days after leaving Hogwarts."

"Well, there's no room here. Harry sleeps in Dudley's second bedroom and there's simply no place for you two to sleep, so you'll have to leave." Petunia stated plainly. She then glimpsed Pigwidgeon's cage and Crookshanks' basket. What are those?"

"That's Ron's owl, Pig and Hermione's cat Crookshanks," answered Harry.

"Absolutely not, no way, get them out of here right now. I'll not have any more freaks or their freakish pets in my house frightening poor Dudders."

"That's okay, Mrs. Dursley," Hermione countered. "Ron and I are adults and are fully capable of taking care of ourselves and our pets. We'll stay in Harry's room and out of your way."

"I don't want any funny business going on in there. And don't expect me to go out of my way for you then," stormed Petunia.

Ron and Hermione started up the stairs with their trunks hovering behind them.

"Hey, how about a little help here?" Harry said exasperated as he was trying to maneuver his heavy trunk up the steps.

"Sorry." Hermione quickly placed a hover charm on Harry's trunk, and it, too, followed them up the stairs.

"I sure hope Mr. Weasley let the Ministry know you two were coming with me or I'm sure we'll be getting several owls about under-age magic." Harry said as they entered his room.

"He did," Ron stated. "Told me when they met me at the train. Said he'd get the floo hooked up, too. Got anything to eat around here?"

"Always thinking with your stomach, Ron?" Hermione said as she tossed Ron a bag of goodies she had saved from the train. "Now, let's see about making this more comfortable for us."

"We do have a guest room next door," Harry said sneakily. "Aunt Marge is practically the only one who ever stays in it. Why don't you take it Hermione? Ron can bunk in here with me."

"Good. That'll make it easier. Now, let's see if I can transfigure a bed for Ron out of some of these old things."

"If anyone can, you can," offered Ron, encouragingly. He knew he didn't stand a chance. They had barely started some of the more complicated transfigurations and Hermione was the only one who could do them. "If nothing else, Harry can always call Kreacher to come help us."

"Yeah," responded Harry, "like Kreacher would want to make us comfortable."

"Really, Ron," Hermione complained. "Can't you think of doing things for yourself instead of trying to put Kreacher through the torment of serving us. I wish Harry would just set him free."

"Well, I could always call on Dobby." Harry said softly. "I'm sure he would be more than glad to help us out. Besides, I know he's only waiting for me to leave Hogwarts so he can come work for me."

"Well, if we can't get things situated, that is a possibility, but I'm fairly sure I can transfigure furniture. After all, I have read about it and do know how to do some of the more complex transfigurations." Hermione wasn't absolutely certain she could do it, but absolutely refused to allow Harry to call a house elf to work for them.

After they'd all settled in some, Harry suggested going down to look for food. Once in the kitchen, with the Dursley's suddenly deciding to go out for dinner, Hermione and Harry went to work. Harry was a good cook, and Hermione was decent. Ron was simply flabbergasted that food could be prepared without magic.

"Boy, Dad would have a field day watching the two of you," he said.

After they had cleaned up the kitchen, all three of them went upstairs and decided to go to bed early so they could get a fresh start on their plans the next day. Harry; however, woke shortly after going to sleep. He kept dreaming about horcruxes and fighting evil. He even dreamed about Professor Dumbledore telling him that he should trust Snape.

Harry sat at the desk, looking out. Hedwig was hunting. Pig had left earlier to carry a letter to Ron's parents letting them know they had arrived safely and would be okay. He was alone with his thoughts and memories. Quietly, he pulled out parchment and ink. He made a few notes about what had happened, wishing he had a pensieve to go over what he had seen and heard recently, especially his 'lessons' with Professor Dumbledore. He sighed, then put his quill down and went back to bed. Morning would be here soon and with it, Hermione's mind. He only hoped Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon wouldn't be too mad at him with Ron and Hermione there.