CHAPTER 1

As Harry Potter walked up Privet Drive, dragging a trunk and a cage containing a large snowy owl, he couldn't help feeling nervous. He had arrived at Kings Cross Station off the Hogwarts Express with his two best friends, Ron Weasley & Hermione Granger . Together, they had walked through the magical ticket barrier to the Muggle world and found, to Harry's surprise, only Mrs. Weasley and Hermione's parents waiting for them. He knew the Dursleys hated him, but a they had still turned up all the other years to take him back to their home. Where were they? Hermione seemed to be thinking along the same lines.

"Aren't your aunt and uncle coming to pick you up Harry?" she muttered, scanning the crowd.

"I-" Harry begin, but he was cut short as Mrs. Weasley came over.

"Harry, oh Harry dear, how are you?" she pulled him into a hug and then examined him closely.

"Fine, Mrs. Weasley," Harry replied.

"Thanks for asking about us Mum," said Ron's younger sister Ginny as she came out of the barrier.

"Of course I was going to," snapped Mrs. Weasley. "How are you Ginny? Ron?"

"Fine-" Ginny started, but Mrs. Weasley had once again turned her attention to Harry

"Where are your aunt and uncle, dear?" she inquired.

"I'm not sure," said Harry. "They should be coming soon, though. "

They make small talk for 15 minutes until Ron moaned for the 7th time that he was starving. Hermione, who was standing quite close to him, quieted him.

"Honestly, Ron, we just ate on the train. "

Mrs. Granger checked her watch.

"Hermione, dear, it is getting quite late, why don't you say your goodbyes and we'll go home. I'm sure Harry's family will be here soon.

"Mum!" snapped Hermione.

"No, it's OK, Hermione," said Harry.

"Yes, he can come back to the Burrow with us," Mrs. Weasley said. Ginny and Ron looked delighted, but-

"No, Mrs. Weasley," said Harry. "Dumbledore wanted me to go back to the Dursleys' one last time before I'm 17, and if that's what Dumbledore wanted me to do, then I'm going back, whether I like it or not.

"But, Harry, what if they don't come?" Ron asked.

"Then how are you going to get there?" continued Hermione.

Harry smiled grimly.

"I can Apparate. "

Mrs. Weasley looked doubtful

"Dear, you are too young to have a license-don't you think it would be better if one of us took you there?"

"Well," Harry took one last look around. Nobody came growling and grumbling to get him and take him home. "Alright. I guess the Dursleys aren't coming. "

"Alright then dear, I will take you home with your things," said Mrs. Weasley. "Ron, can you take Ginny home ?"

"Uh. . . " said Ron. Harry suppressed a smile. Ron and hadn't passed his apparition exam; he had left half an eyebrow behind.

"I can take Harry, Mrs. Weasley," said Hermione, looking at Ron. "Then I can go home from there. "

Harry picked up his trunk and owl.

"Let's go then. Bye Mrs. Weasley, Ron, Ginny. Come on Hermione."

He took her out, she turned, and Harry felt like he was being squeezed through a very small tube. Just when he thought his lungs would collapse, the pressure receded, and he was standing on pavement. The sign next to them read Privet Drive.

"Well, I will see you later, Hermione. "

"I'll see you soon Harry," she said, hugging him. "Bill and Fleur's wedding is in two weeks, and you'll be coming to the Burrow beforehand. "

"Right," said Harry. With a loud CRACK, Hermione disappeared, and Harry found himself standing alone on the road. He started making his way toward Number 4, wondering. Why hadn't the Dursleys been at the station? As he turned the corner he saw the car parked in Number 4's driveway. So they had just decided not to come. He pulled his trunk up to the door and was about to open it when he paused. He had just heard a noise that sounded like sobbing. Wondering whether he should go inside or not, Harry peered in the window.

The three Dursleys were sitting at the kitchen table. A letter was sitting opened on it. Aunt Petunia was covering her face with her hands, and Uncle Vernon had his arm around her. Dudley for once was not eating, but sitting beside his mother with a serious expression on his face. It was this that made Harry realize that something was very wrong at Number 4.

Harry knocked on the door and opened it.