Disclaimer: I do not own anything having to do with Harry Potter. If I did I would not be sitting hear in the sweltering heat sweating profusely because I cannot afford to fix my air conditioner.

I know that I should post to my other story, and I should have it done soon... I am sorry it took so long.

Anyway on to the good stuff, I think.

The Deal

Harry Potter sat in his room nursing his newest bruises. The summer before his sixth year was turning out to be his worst one yet at Number 4 Privet Drive. He was grieving for Sirius. His Voldemort induced visions kept him awake most of the time. When he did get sleep, guilt induced nightmares woke him. And, to make matters worse his uncle thought his latest pay cut was generated by the resident "freak". To be honest with himself, his uncle had not beat him so badly since Hogwarts sent Harry his letter of acceptance. In addition to the pay cut, Uncle Vernon took personal offense to the threat the Order of the Phoenix made to his family at the start of the summer holidays. His uncle did not understand the fuss that the wizards made about "the freak". Vernon did not see Harry as more than something that was impossible to remove from the bottom of his shoe.

Harry had hope though. For he made a deal with the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore, before he left his office the fateful night that Sirius died.

Flashback

As Harry watched a tear trickling down Dumbledore's face and into his long silver beard he realized that what the old wizard said was true. Albus Dumbledore cared about Harry. Harry's small Slytherin side was already formulating a plan. He looked into the wizard's eyes and noticed that his customary twinkle was not present.

Harry took a deep breath and said, "Sir, I understand why you think I must go back to the Dursley's house. Unfortunately, I do not think that my presence there is welcome anymore. Before last summer, they could live in relative ignorance to our problems. However, last summer's Dementor attack shocked them back into the reality that my mere presence endangers them. I was wondering if I may stay at Hogwarts this summer?"

While Harry was waiting for his answer, he was formulating his arguments for staying at the school over the summer holidays. When he looked up at Professor he could already see that he was going to need to stay calm and level headed.

Professor Dumbledore looked at the young man in front of him with a sad expression, and said, "We can't bend the rules for anyone. No student is allowed to stay on campus during the summer holidays. I told you already that in your mother's blood lies the best protection for you. I am curious as to why you want to stay here though. There is nothing for a young man such as yourself to do here and I am sure that you would be bored within the day. So, why do you want to stay here?"

Harry looked at the old man and pulled his rudimentary Occlumency shields in place and said, "I do not like it there, sir. They do not like me, and to be honest with you sir, I simply refuse to go back. I cannot and will not go back there again."

The old man stood up and walked around his office, and stated almost rudely, "I cannot change the rules for you simply because you do not like it there. You must learn to work with people that do not automatically follow you."

Harry looked at the man incredulously and with a tight control of his emotions asked with glistening eyes, "Are you implying that I am some spoiled brat that just wants his own way?"

The headmaster really did not want to answer that question. Because he honestly thought, that Harry had a decent life. How could anyone, except for Severus, not like the boy? In his opinion, no one who had a bad childhood could be as naïve and trusting as Harry.

Harry, with his head bent so that the headmaster could not see his eyes, counted down the seconds trying to breathe as evenly as possible so that he would not break down into tears. When he got to 120 seconds, he raised his head and shook it sadly and said so softly that the headmaster almost had trouble hearing his response, "I see that Professor Snape is rubbing off on you. Perhaps you too see my father instead of me. That you think that I am so spoiled hurts me. I thought that you watched me more closely than that. It would appear to me that you do not see the real me. However, that is not important, sir. What is important is that instead of having a guard so far away from the wizarding world, you could assign one to me here. I could get a head start on my homework and you would be able to keep a closer eye on my actions."

"No, Harry you will be going back home to your relatives," said the old man firmly.

"Mr. Potter, sir. All year you refused to call me by my name, and you refused to meet my eyes. I understand that I am dangerous to be near. The relationship will remain the same until you see me as a person. I want you to treat me like a person with feelings instead of a … thing, no …a weapon that you can use at your discretion. Can we make a deal at least sir," asked a slightly frustrated young man.

Dumbledore looked at the young man that sat before him with a wary expression on his face before replying, "Depends on what the deal entails, Mr. Potter."

Harry got up and walked to Fawkes. After petting the magnificent bird he implored, "I want you to spend at least one day with me." He held up a hand to forestall his professor's objections, and he continued, "I would ask that you spend twenty-four hours at my home; however, my relatives would notice you, so I would like you to put an invisibility spell and a silencing spell on yourself and follow me around. I know that request sounds odd, but I want you to know what my summers entail."

Harry looked at his professor, who was sitting at his desk, deep in thought. Then he continued, "I do not want to know when you are going to visit me. I just ask that it is within the first two weeks, sir. Also, I do not wish to know that you are there. I do not want you to accuse me of setting something up, so that I can leave. After a full 24 hours, you may leave. I only ask that at the end of the two weeks you meet with me. I want to know if I am spoiled. After our talk, if you wish, I will return to the Dursley's without complaint. If I go back, though, it will be to the exact same conditions, and I ask that nothing change."

Dumbledore looked at the boy sitting in front of him. Normally, he would do a little leglimency on the boy and see what he was thinking. Unfortunately, he was not getting any reading from Harry. And, if he tried to pry, the boy would know.

He could tell the young man was getting frustrated with his stalling tactics. I think I will get Moody and the gang to talk to the boy's relatives. They will be on their best behavior for at least two weeks and I can honestly tell the boy that he is blowing things out of proportion. And, I can check him for signs of going dark. At home, the boy will be more of himself, and I will get a good look at his true intentions. If he is dark, I can and will Obliviate his memory of this talk.

Albus smiled inwardly as he noticed Harry starting to squirm impatiently in his chair. "All right, Mr. Potter I will do it."

The Headmaster of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry had not idea what he had signed up for. But, instead of Harry appearing happy, he seemed sad. He was shocked because the boy had just got his way.

End of Flashback

Yes, Harry Potter was sitting on his bed hoping that the Albus Dumbledore would honor his end of the deal.