Before you embark on this little old tale of mine, I need to state the fact
that Harry Potter and everything associated with the Boy Who Lived is the
brainchild of one J.K. Rowling. Even though I would love to be able to say
that I own them (I mean who wouldn't?) I alas, don't. This statement covers
any and all chapters that I will add to this story. With that being said,
enjoy and review!
Chapter One: Knight Bus Again
"Petunia, look at this! Just look at this!" Uncle Vernon thrust a handful of letters towards his wife. "Didn't we tell the boy that things of this sort were forbidden? Where is that filthy little git? He's going to get it this time, I tell you what."
The "filthy little git" in question was none other than the famous Harry Potter, who at this time was up in his less than adequate room, trying to avoid his relatives as much as possible. You would think that after almost dying four years in a row would make his aunt and uncle soften towards him a little, but that was not the case. In fact, this summer's holiday seemed to be the worst ever, as Uncle Vernon took all his school supplies and Firebolt and locked them up using a remote device so Harry couldn't pick the lock and get them back. Harry was lucky enough to send Hedwig to Ron's in the nick of time, or who knows what would have become of her. Harry was staring out his window longingly when Uncle Vernon entered his room.
"Boy, you're sure going to get it this time. Strict insubordination, that's what it is!"
Harry turned around to face his uncle, who was turning increasingly redder by the minute. "What's the matter this time?"
"Don't give that rubbish boy! Look at these!" Uncle Vernon threw the stack of letters at Harry. He grabbed a few and looked at the fronts. All were from his wizarding friends and covered with stamps of all sorts, except for one that Harry assumed was from Hermione. Having Muggle parents, she would have known how many stamps it would take to get the letter to his house.
"Yes, so I have friends. Is that against the law?" Harry said coolly. He knew that the Dursley's hated anything to do with the wizarding world, and these letters probably just fueled the fire.
"How many times have we told you? While you're living under this roof, you will have NO CONTACT WHAT SO EVER WITH YOUR CRAZY, FREAK FRIENDS!" Uncle Vernon boomed at him. Harry didn't even flinch. He was sick and tired of this treatment and decided to play the old "Godfather card".
"You know, I bet Sirius is getting mighty worried about me, since I'm not allowed to send letters and all. Might think I was being mistreated."
Uncle Vernon face did not falter from his angry look, but Harry saw something in his eyes snap. "Eh, so what if he does? He's on the run, right? Can't do anything about it."
"Wouldn't be too sure, Uncle Vernon. He's a pretty powerful wizard. I bet he could perform magic miles away."
"DON'T SAY THAT WORD!" Uncle Vernon shouted desperately. He was slowly losing steam in the argument. "Ok, fine. You win. What is it that you want? I'm not doing this for you, understand, but so I can keep myself and the family safe from that crazy, ruddy Godfather of yours."
"Just let me keep the letters and have my school supplies. Then I'll behave like a little angel."
"All right, fine. Have your bloody school supplies and letters then. I'll go get them." Uncle Vernon left the room, leaving the letters behind. Harry pounced on them and tore open the first one. It was from Ron.
Harry,
Just writing to see if you're all right and all. Mum's worried that the Muggles were underfeeding you and wanted to send some food, but we weren't sure how through Muggle Post. Summer's been smashing over here, but I wish you could come over. Dad doesn't want to anger your relatives again so I don't think we can come get you. If you find a way, great. If not, I guess I'll see you on the first.
Ron
PS-Hedwig is just fine, although I think Pig's driving her crazy.
The next letter was from Hermione.
Dear Harry,
How has your holiday been? Are the Muggles treating you OK? I tried sending you a letter through the normal way, but for some reason, the owl came back. Odd, isn't it? Anyway, right now I'm in America with my parents on holiday. I'm learning oh so much about the Salem witch trials. I might have to ask Professor Binns if we could do a section on them. They are just fascinating. Oh, and by the way, I'm going to be at Ron's for our usual school-shopping spree. Do you think you could come? I hope so. If not, see you the first!
With love,
Hermione
Harry smiled. It was like Hermione to be learning even when she was on holiday. He looked through the rest of the letters. There were ones from Hagrid, Sirius, and even one from Dumbledore, who just wanted to make sure Harry was all right. Ever since what happened last year, the Headmaster had been sure to keep Harry as safe as possible. That's why he was still stuck at the Dursley's, Harry figured. No matter, since Harry was going to be leaving them shortly.
After finishing his letters, Harry looked up to see that his school supplies had been brought up to his room. He smiled to himself. Tonight's the night he thought to himself. Harry was going to run away.
*****
Standing outside on the corner of Privet Drive, Harry pulled his cloak about him to shield him from the cool night air. He knew that this was the best way to get to Ron's house, but he was a little worried that this would be considered using magic, which could get him expelled from Hogwarts. After careful consideration, he concluded that it wasn't really using magic, just using his wand. He dug through his trunk and pulled it out. Harry held it high up in the air and prepared himself of what was to come. There was a snap and a crack and suddenly the Knight Bus was in front of him, looking just like it did two years ago: triple-decker and violently purple. Even Stan was still there. As the still-pimpled teen got out, he gave the usual speech, "Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard. Just stick out your wand hand, step on board, and we can take you anywhere you want to go. My name is---"
"Yes, I know, Stan, " Harry interrupted impatiently. "I'm kind of in a hurry, so if I could get on.?"
"'Ey, is that you, 'Arry Potter? Why dincha say so? Where will it be, then?"
"Um, The Burrow. You know, Arthur Weasley's house? Um, I'm not sure what county it's in."
"Dontcha worry your 'ead 'bout it 'Arry. Ern 'as the whole map of England in that ol' noggin of 'is. Just sit tight and we'll getcha there come 'ell or 'igh water!"
Harry sighed in relief. He tossed his belongings in the bus and went and sat down on one the brass-steel beds. The bus made a tremendous BANG. Suddenly they were in the countryside speeding through a herd of sheep, yet never hitting one. This wasn't the best way to travel, but it was the fastest, Harry concluded. He looked around the seemingly empty compartment.
"Am I the only one on here?"
"Pretty much, 'Arry. Slow goings tonight. We'll be at The Burrow in 'bout 'free minutes so you best get ready."
Harry's eyes widened in surprise. He was only on the bus for a minute it seemed, and they were almost there!
"Excellent service," Harry muttered to himself.
As the sun rose, The Burrow came into view. The Knight Bus stopped with a loud screech in front of it. Harry grabbed his trunk and walked towards the door.
"How much do I owe you guys?"
"Six Sickles, please."
Harry gave Stan his money and stepped out of the bus. As soon as he was on firm ground there was another BANG and the bus was gone. Harry stepped unto the porch and knocked on the door.
Chapter One: Knight Bus Again
"Petunia, look at this! Just look at this!" Uncle Vernon thrust a handful of letters towards his wife. "Didn't we tell the boy that things of this sort were forbidden? Where is that filthy little git? He's going to get it this time, I tell you what."
The "filthy little git" in question was none other than the famous Harry Potter, who at this time was up in his less than adequate room, trying to avoid his relatives as much as possible. You would think that after almost dying four years in a row would make his aunt and uncle soften towards him a little, but that was not the case. In fact, this summer's holiday seemed to be the worst ever, as Uncle Vernon took all his school supplies and Firebolt and locked them up using a remote device so Harry couldn't pick the lock and get them back. Harry was lucky enough to send Hedwig to Ron's in the nick of time, or who knows what would have become of her. Harry was staring out his window longingly when Uncle Vernon entered his room.
"Boy, you're sure going to get it this time. Strict insubordination, that's what it is!"
Harry turned around to face his uncle, who was turning increasingly redder by the minute. "What's the matter this time?"
"Don't give that rubbish boy! Look at these!" Uncle Vernon threw the stack of letters at Harry. He grabbed a few and looked at the fronts. All were from his wizarding friends and covered with stamps of all sorts, except for one that Harry assumed was from Hermione. Having Muggle parents, she would have known how many stamps it would take to get the letter to his house.
"Yes, so I have friends. Is that against the law?" Harry said coolly. He knew that the Dursley's hated anything to do with the wizarding world, and these letters probably just fueled the fire.
"How many times have we told you? While you're living under this roof, you will have NO CONTACT WHAT SO EVER WITH YOUR CRAZY, FREAK FRIENDS!" Uncle Vernon boomed at him. Harry didn't even flinch. He was sick and tired of this treatment and decided to play the old "Godfather card".
"You know, I bet Sirius is getting mighty worried about me, since I'm not allowed to send letters and all. Might think I was being mistreated."
Uncle Vernon face did not falter from his angry look, but Harry saw something in his eyes snap. "Eh, so what if he does? He's on the run, right? Can't do anything about it."
"Wouldn't be too sure, Uncle Vernon. He's a pretty powerful wizard. I bet he could perform magic miles away."
"DON'T SAY THAT WORD!" Uncle Vernon shouted desperately. He was slowly losing steam in the argument. "Ok, fine. You win. What is it that you want? I'm not doing this for you, understand, but so I can keep myself and the family safe from that crazy, ruddy Godfather of yours."
"Just let me keep the letters and have my school supplies. Then I'll behave like a little angel."
"All right, fine. Have your bloody school supplies and letters then. I'll go get them." Uncle Vernon left the room, leaving the letters behind. Harry pounced on them and tore open the first one. It was from Ron.
Harry,
Just writing to see if you're all right and all. Mum's worried that the Muggles were underfeeding you and wanted to send some food, but we weren't sure how through Muggle Post. Summer's been smashing over here, but I wish you could come over. Dad doesn't want to anger your relatives again so I don't think we can come get you. If you find a way, great. If not, I guess I'll see you on the first.
Ron
PS-Hedwig is just fine, although I think Pig's driving her crazy.
The next letter was from Hermione.
Dear Harry,
How has your holiday been? Are the Muggles treating you OK? I tried sending you a letter through the normal way, but for some reason, the owl came back. Odd, isn't it? Anyway, right now I'm in America with my parents on holiday. I'm learning oh so much about the Salem witch trials. I might have to ask Professor Binns if we could do a section on them. They are just fascinating. Oh, and by the way, I'm going to be at Ron's for our usual school-shopping spree. Do you think you could come? I hope so. If not, see you the first!
With love,
Hermione
Harry smiled. It was like Hermione to be learning even when she was on holiday. He looked through the rest of the letters. There were ones from Hagrid, Sirius, and even one from Dumbledore, who just wanted to make sure Harry was all right. Ever since what happened last year, the Headmaster had been sure to keep Harry as safe as possible. That's why he was still stuck at the Dursley's, Harry figured. No matter, since Harry was going to be leaving them shortly.
After finishing his letters, Harry looked up to see that his school supplies had been brought up to his room. He smiled to himself. Tonight's the night he thought to himself. Harry was going to run away.
*****
Standing outside on the corner of Privet Drive, Harry pulled his cloak about him to shield him from the cool night air. He knew that this was the best way to get to Ron's house, but he was a little worried that this would be considered using magic, which could get him expelled from Hogwarts. After careful consideration, he concluded that it wasn't really using magic, just using his wand. He dug through his trunk and pulled it out. Harry held it high up in the air and prepared himself of what was to come. There was a snap and a crack and suddenly the Knight Bus was in front of him, looking just like it did two years ago: triple-decker and violently purple. Even Stan was still there. As the still-pimpled teen got out, he gave the usual speech, "Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard. Just stick out your wand hand, step on board, and we can take you anywhere you want to go. My name is---"
"Yes, I know, Stan, " Harry interrupted impatiently. "I'm kind of in a hurry, so if I could get on.?"
"'Ey, is that you, 'Arry Potter? Why dincha say so? Where will it be, then?"
"Um, The Burrow. You know, Arthur Weasley's house? Um, I'm not sure what county it's in."
"Dontcha worry your 'ead 'bout it 'Arry. Ern 'as the whole map of England in that ol' noggin of 'is. Just sit tight and we'll getcha there come 'ell or 'igh water!"
Harry sighed in relief. He tossed his belongings in the bus and went and sat down on one the brass-steel beds. The bus made a tremendous BANG. Suddenly they were in the countryside speeding through a herd of sheep, yet never hitting one. This wasn't the best way to travel, but it was the fastest, Harry concluded. He looked around the seemingly empty compartment.
"Am I the only one on here?"
"Pretty much, 'Arry. Slow goings tonight. We'll be at The Burrow in 'bout 'free minutes so you best get ready."
Harry's eyes widened in surprise. He was only on the bus for a minute it seemed, and they were almost there!
"Excellent service," Harry muttered to himself.
As the sun rose, The Burrow came into view. The Knight Bus stopped with a loud screech in front of it. Harry grabbed his trunk and walked towards the door.
"How much do I owe you guys?"
"Six Sickles, please."
Harry gave Stan his money and stepped out of the bus. As soon as he was on firm ground there was another BANG and the bus was gone. Harry stepped unto the porch and knocked on the door.