Chapter One

Unexpected Visitors

A scream rang out through number four, Privet Drive, breaking the deadly silence that had loomed there since it's resident wizard-in-training had returned. He sat up in bed, his scar searing. He looked out of his bedroom window and heaved a sigh of relief. It was well past daybreak, meaning that for the first time all summer, his scream hadn't woken anyone up. By now his monster of a cousin, Dudley, was certainly 'out to tea' with his gang. His Uncle Vernon, the director of a firm called Grunnings, which made drills, would already be stuck in his regular morning traffic jam, and, by the looks of it, his Aunt Petunia was tending to her garden of tulips.

It was then that the emerald eyed, tousle haired Harry Potter remembered his dream. It was nothing special; he had had it every night since his return to Privet Drive. It was always the same. The long, dark corridor with the black door at the end of it, leading into the circular room filled with doors, down in the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry of Magic, in London. However, unlike his dreams last spring, he turned not to the glittering room containing all the prophecies, but to the room with the arch and black veil, where he had seen Bellatrix Lestrange kill his godfather. Harry began to walk toward the veil, drawn by Sirius' voice. Just as he reaches the arch, the veil bursts into flames and the red, cat-like eyes of Lord Voldemort charge at him. Then, he would wake up screaming. Harry was used to this dream by now, and although he knew he would never actually get to see his godfather, he still longed to see him for the last time.

Harry walked downstairs to see breakfast on the table waiting for him, which he found quite unusual. Normally at the Dursley's house, if Harry missed breakfast, he'd have either to make and clean up his own breakfast, or wait until lunch. He was helping himself to grits and toast when a large tawny owl began tapping at the kitchen window. Checking first to see that Aunt Petunia was busy weeding the flowerbed, he let the owl in. Harry was surprised to see that along with his copy of the Daily Prophet, there was a letter. Assuming it was for him, he began to open it. It came as quite a bit of the shock when the letter bit him. This must be from Hagrid Harry thought. Hagrid was Harry's first friend in the wizarding world, and had a habit for keeping 'interesting' and dangerous pets, most of which took up the majority of his tiny hut on the grounds at Hogwarts, where he was the groundskeeper and Harry's Care of Magical Creatures professor.

As Harry examined the envelope, wondering how to get to the letter inside, he noticed that in violet ink was not his name, but his muggle aunt's. He walked out of the kitchen and into the backyard

"Er, Aunt Petunia?" he ventured. He was surprised when she replied, "Is something the matter Harry, dear? You looked very disturbed." Aunt Petunia had been particularly nice to him all summer, but she had never called him "dear".

"I, uh, did you just call, never mind, I'm fine, but, uh, an owl just delivered this and it's addressed to you." Harry stammered

"Thanks you dear," she said it again, "and it's about time too" She took the envelope out of Harry's wavering hand and began reading it. Trying to get out of this awkward situation, Harry quickly mumbled, "I'll just go then, shall I?"

"Yes," came her reply "but stick around. I have something very important to discuss with you. Why don't you go inside and fix us some tea. I won't be a moment."

Harry retreated backing into the cool shade of the kitchen, and began digging through cupboards, trying to find the teakettle, when he heard a loud "pop" behind him. He turned around to see a wrinkled, old house elf Harry recognized as Kreacher looking up at him. Harry felt the sudden rush of anger that had been brewing inside of him for over a month erupt within him, and he charged at Kreacher. He almost had him when the house elf spoke.

"Harry Potter must not maim Kreacher until he has finished his piece"

"You better hurry up then Kreacher, because in about two seconds, I'll be ready to pummel you."

"Yes sir. Kreacher will begin. Because of Kreacher's lies last month, Kreacher's master has died. Kreacher has been instructed to give you this letter from Professor Dumbledore. He will explain everything."

Kreacher pulled out a think envelope and handed it to Harry, who quickly snatched it away and began reading, while Kreacher sat at the kitchen table.

"I didn't say you could sit down" Harry snarled. Kreacher stood back up. "I'm sorry sir."

Harry,

I understand that you are still grieving the loss of your godfather, and I must remind you what an important part of Sirius' life you were. He intended to make Grimmauld place your home. He wanted more than anything to be able to give you everything you wanted and was willing to try desperately to make up for the thirteen years he wasn't there for you. In his will, he has left you his entire family fortune. He wants you to keep half of it, and give the other half to the person(s) of your choice. He also left you Grimmauld place, which brings me to Kreacher. I know that you must be fuming with Kreacher, for he is, although indirectly, is responsible for Sirius' death, but as you know, a house elf is bound to serve one house and one family until he dies. Seeing that you now rightfully own Sirius' house, you are Kreacher's master. I must remind you that as Kreacher knows more than he should about the Order, you cannot release him. He will undoubtedly go straight to Sirius' cousin, Narcissa Malfoy. Therefore, you have two options. One is to dispose of Kreacher, and two is to keep him as your servant. Knowing your kindly manner, and, of course, your dear friend Miss Granger, I trust that you will not have Kreacher beheaded.

Now I have a favor to ask of you. Your Aunt Petunia is in great danger, and although the Order and myself are doing everything we can to protect her, we need Kreacher's help. You are to tell Kreacher to protect her at all costs, but to remain out of the eyesight of any other muggle inhabitant in Privet Drive. More will be explained to you shortly.

-Albus Dumbledore

P.S. Please continue to practice occlumency over the summer. Your lessons will continue this fall with Professor Snape.

As Harry finished reading the letter, it burst into flames.

"Alright Kreacher, he began through clenched teeth "You are to stay here and protect my Aunt Petunia at all costs. You are not to be seen by any muggles."

"Yes sir," replied Kreacher "First mudbloods and scum, now muggles. What would Kreacher's mistress say?" he muttered under his breath, but loud enough for Harry to hear.

Same old Kreacher Harry thought as he watched the house elf make more tea. He put it in the living room and sat down just as Aunt Petunia walked in.

"Alright Harry," she began "We have to talk". She walked briskly toward the living room before Harry could warn her that in there was a house elf. He walked quickly, trying to catch up with her.

"Aunt Petunia, before you go in there, you should know..." his voice trailed off as he heard Aunt Petunia's voice saying "Hello Kreacher. How was your journey?"

"Ms. Petunia, good to see you again."

Harry felt his jaw drop. How did Aunt Petunia know Kreacher was coming? How did Kreacher know Aunt Petunia? A thousand questions swam through his mind. His aunt's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Come Harry," she said, gently guiding him to a chair. "I know you must have loads of questions for me."

Harry sat down, wondering where to start. He decided on a question and said, "What the bloody hell is going on?"

"Ah," she replied, "the most difficult question to answer comes first. Have you noticed anything different about your life here at Privet Drive since you came back?"

Harry nodded. "Well, you've been quite nice to me, at least when Dudley's not around, but beside that, no."

"Yes, I have. Any idea why?" Harry shook his head. "It's because I'm not your Aunt Petunia. Your Aunt hasn't been here since we picked you up at King's Cross Station." Harry slowly reached into his pocket and got a firm grasp on his wand. "As you know, since Lily died to save you, as long as you live with a blood relative of her, you cannot be harmed. Lord Voldemort knows this, and will do anything in his power to kill Petunia. It is mine and Kreacher's job to make sure that this doesn't happen. I can't tell you anything more, but you'll find out soon enough."

"So you're disguised as my aunt. Are you taking a Polyjuice Potion, or something?" Harry asked, taking it all in.

"Not quite" she replied, smirking.

"Then how are you disguised? Who are you?" The answer came when the imposter's hair turned bubblegum pink. "Tonks!" he said excitedly. "Good to see you!" Tonks' hair turned back into Aunt Petunia's.

"It's good to see you too Harry, but that beast of a cousin of yours will be home any moment. We don't have time for chitchat. Do you have any more questions?" Tonks asked.

"Yeah," he replied, "where's Aunt Petunia?"

"You'll find out soon enough," she said, grinning mischievously.

"Okay, one last question. Does Aunt Petunia really know Kreacher?"

"Umm, I'll let her explain that to you. Now, I have to call Mrs. Figg. We have a lot of important issues to talk about." Before Harry could reply, she disappeared into the kitchen. He walked up the stairs, and walked into his room to find none other than Ginny Weasley, Ron's younger sister, sitting on his bed.