Chapter One Warnings
"Harry,
Now that you know why you must stay with your aunt and uncle, it is much more painless to tell you, it is probable that you will remain there the rest of the summer. Dung and Arebella will be keeping an eye on you, but you have proven you can take care of yourself. Remember to write at least every three days, I do not believe it will be pretty if Mad Eye shows up in Little Whinging. Take care and I will see you September First.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore"
Harry reread and reread the note over and over again. Though he did understand why he had to waste his summer vacation with the Dursleys he didn't have to like it. He laid the note on his bed side table and rolled over. His trunk lay opened at the foot of his bed; books and robes hanging out the side. Hedwig's cage sat in the corner, empty by all means. Harry was alone and as alone as one can be. The sun was flooding in through the ragged curtains and spilled onto the floor. Harry fell into a daze. It was just the end of his second week of vacation. He had yet two more weeks till he turned sixteen and six more weeks before he would ever see Ron and Hermione again.
"Harry, Ms. Fig is here to see you." Aunt Petunia screamed up the stairs. A smile squirmed on Harry's face. After he found out he was a wizard it seemed that he had two lives; two identities; two worlds that spilt him in half. One was Hogwarts- the one he loved and the one that loved him back. Then there was the Dursleys- the half that flinched at the sight of him. Yet lately, it seemed the two worlds and identities had collided.
Harry jump out of bed, messed his hair with his fingers and sprang off down stairs. Ms. Fig stood in the door way. her big carpet bag held in front of her and a smile wedged on her face. "Hello Harry dear." She chimed. "Spot of tea?"
Harry nodded and crossed the living room to the front door. "Bye Aunt Petunia." He said; his back to her. He shut the door with a snap and followed Arebella Figg down Privet Drive.
"Having a good summer Harry?" Arebella chimed merrily.
"I guess. Uncle Vernon and Dudley won't look at me, but that is an improvement, can't see the loath in their eye any more." Harry drove his hands into his pockets. The couple at number 9 just jumped out of their lounge chairs and seized their children dragging them into the house hissing something about "hooligan" and "that Potter Boy" under their breath.
"Oh pay no mind to them muggles, boy. They just fear what they don't understand. After you left news got around that you saved the pig you got for a cousin's hind end. Mainly they were mad because Dudley ain't very popular around here anyway." Ms. Fig laughed loudly at her own joke. Harry smiled slightly and forced a laugh. "Never mind that now Harry, Dumbledore wanted to speak to you about something. You may use my fire place." At this Harry really did smile. perhaps Dumbledore was at the Number 12 Grimmauld Place and he could talk to Ron or Hermione. Just then it accrued to him. why were Ron and Hermione at the Black's house anyway? It wasn't like they were in any danger. or were they? "Harry dear, are you alright?"
Arebella broke his train of thought. Harry shook his head and messed with his hair once again. "Oh.err. of course. sorry." Harry then forced another smile and trotted behind Fig once again. She started going on about muggle ways and laughing about how blind they were to the whole other world.
Harry followed her into her tiny house. It was clean and fresh. There were no cats that he could see. no cat hair either and Ms. Fig was well known for her cats and relying on them for spies. "Err. Ms. Fig where.." Harry began softly. questionably.
"Arebella, none of this Ms. Fig business I should say." Ms. Fig sang slightly as she started to put her pink china tea pot on a-boil.
"Right. Arebella. where are all your cats?" Harry spat out as though it might be taken rudely.
"Oh, I had to get ride of them. beside, they kept getting weird and stuff with all the magic going on in the house. And I got a dog. She's not here right now I don't think." Arebella answered sharply. It almost seemed as though she didn't like the question or the answer. "At least, she better not be here." She hissed so softly to where she thought Harry couldn't hear her.
As much as he wanted to push the subject of the dog, he didn't and sat down at her long, crisp clean pine table. There was a bunch of wild flowers in the middle and a cake under a cover beside that. "Yes, well now Harry. best get to the Head Master's business." Ms. Fig sat the tea cup and their matching saucers down and led Harry to the living room. She picked up a hand full of powder and threw it into the fire. "Number Twelve Grimmauld Place." Arebella said clearly into the fire, somewhat scared of what will happen as she said it.
In a pop a head appeared in the flames. Ms. Fig jumped back and landed on her butt, half way shaking. "Be careful Figgy!" Snorted a voice.
"Dung, if you saw your ugly face pop out of a beautiful flame, you'd be scared to!" Ms. Fig barked back. She turned on heel and marched back to the kitchen.
"Crazy old bat." Dung called after her, still laughing. "Hello Harry." He said, now directing his attention to him. "Bet you here to talk to Dumbledore, I'll get him." Dung gave one more devious smile and left from view.
Harry sat on his knees, baring his nose as far away from the fire just so the flame would not touch it. The house in which he knew last year looked different. He was sure Arebella had said Number 12, but it did not look like the house of Black he saw last year. The living room was not dark and damp, it was actually cozy and clean and the tapestry yielding the whole Black line was gone. Harry was almost lost in the changes of the room and wondered if the rest of the house looked like this.
"Good evening Harry." Harry jumped back at the address. Startled by the sudden movement he drew his face back a little so he could clearly see the face of Albus Dumbledore. "Sorry to have scared you Harry." Dumbledore added brightly.
"You didn't. what I mean is. you just. oh never mind, it's okay." Harry puffed out.
Dumbledore chuckled slightly then as though just struck by lighting, straightened his face. "I hate rain on a good conversation. But I have bad news." He said sadly. "Harry you are in danger."
"What?" Harry stammered. "How?"
"It is actually very easy. My owls have been getting intercepted and they know that you are staying the rest of the summer with muggles." Dumbledore confused gravely.
"Wait how do you know this?" Harry fought as though trying to accuse Dumbledore of lying.
"Does it make a difference? The fact that I do should be enough. You must stay aware. the Ministry is being very lineate on under age magic right now. Their forces are going toward the Muggle department and the Dark Arts. But you shouldn't use magic for the heck of it, only if you need to."
"But, how bad could it get? It's not like Voldemort is going to come marching down Privet Drive is it?"
"Harry, he has his army. As soon as the Ministry released the information of his return, his arm came flooding back to him; the Dementors and the giants. everyone one of them. And as you know, Dementors can not be seen by Muggles, so it will most likely be them." Dumbledore analyzed more than explain.
"But I can fight the Dementors." Harry started.
"That's not all they are sending after you. Death Eaters. They have a bunch, not as many as they did, they're influences are gone. but there as still some more." He almost whispered as though not wanting anyone behind him to hear. "I just want you to be careful. Don't go anywhere to far away from number four with out a wizard or witch; it is probably dangerous being at Arebella house, also."
Harry sighed. He was actually getting used to eating dinner and having tea with Arebella, and now the only thing worth anything on Privet Drive was being taken away from him. "If you say so." Harry sighed, leaning back on his hands. "Why can't I just come there to the Order and stay? I could help with something. anything."
"Because the safest place for you is with your Aunt; your mom's blood." Dumbledore huffed. "I have to be going Harry, I need to get to Hogwarts and get the new first years lined up. I'll see you later Harry, and just be careful, okay?"
Harry nodded and with a slight smile, Dumbledore was gone. Yet, still Harry sat their, staring at the flames. He wished he still had Sirius. Dumbledore was great and all, but he wasn't like Sirius. He made mistakes and let you make them too and learn from them. Dumbledore told what was right and you can't go against Dumbledore. It's like going somewhere but never taking the time to enjoy the road to get there.
Arebella arrived in the doorway; her eyes sunken and dry. She forced a smile. "Do you want to go home Harry?" She whispered so not the startle him.
"I can't. I don't get to go back to Hogwarts till September." Harry sighed, stood, messed with his hair and walked to the door. It was getting dark, but the sun still fought behind the roof tops to shed light. Harry opened the front door and closed it with a snap. He strolled down the street, hands in pockets and head bowed, not caring if he ran into anything or anyone.
"Ouch!" Something squealed. Harry jumped back to stare at what had made the noise. It was a red head little boy, with pale skin and knobby knees. "Oh, hi Potter."
"Evans." He nodded and continued on.
"Wait, Harry!" Little Mark Evans ran his short legs to keep up with Harry. His green eyes sought Harry's, but failed. "I said wait." He ordered. Harry stopped and faced him, looking down.
"What Mark?" Harry inquired impatiently.
"You dropped this." Mark stuttered.
He extended his hand showing Harry's wand. Harry's eyes bugged out and he snatched it from Mark's grip. "Thanks." Harry whispered. He turned and continued walking.
Mark stopped and stared after him, only to pursue him again. "What is that anyway? A wand?" Mark giggled under his breath.
"It's.. it is a.err. it's a hitting stick. I hit Dudley with it when he tries to steal my food." Harry lied.
"Living with Dudley, you would have to protect your food." Mark giggled again, this time a little high pitched.
"Yeah," Harry muttered, some how thinking he should be annoyed by his company, but oddly enjoying it.
"My mum would flip if she knew I was talking to you." Mark went on. "She thinks you're no good, but I see no reason for that, and neither does my dad. He thinks that Dudley should be going to St. whatever you call it. rather than you. I've gotten beat up about 12 times by that git." Mark laughed again.
"I beat you there." Harry chortled. "I was Dudley's first ever punching bag from the time I was 3 till I was 11. If I didn't get beat up 12 times a day, Dudley was either tiered or felt like being nice to me."
Marked laughed slightly uneasy. "Must have been hell."
"Yeah..look I really got to get home. I'll. I will see you around." Harry waved and ran down the road to number four. He turned back to look at where he left Mark, a while back and saw a red headed kid, staring after him. Harry shook his head. Mark Evans was always the annoying kid, but somehow, talking to him made him forget about Dumbledore's warning. if just for a while.
"Harry,
Now that you know why you must stay with your aunt and uncle, it is much more painless to tell you, it is probable that you will remain there the rest of the summer. Dung and Arebella will be keeping an eye on you, but you have proven you can take care of yourself. Remember to write at least every three days, I do not believe it will be pretty if Mad Eye shows up in Little Whinging. Take care and I will see you September First.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore"
Harry reread and reread the note over and over again. Though he did understand why he had to waste his summer vacation with the Dursleys he didn't have to like it. He laid the note on his bed side table and rolled over. His trunk lay opened at the foot of his bed; books and robes hanging out the side. Hedwig's cage sat in the corner, empty by all means. Harry was alone and as alone as one can be. The sun was flooding in through the ragged curtains and spilled onto the floor. Harry fell into a daze. It was just the end of his second week of vacation. He had yet two more weeks till he turned sixteen and six more weeks before he would ever see Ron and Hermione again.
"Harry, Ms. Fig is here to see you." Aunt Petunia screamed up the stairs. A smile squirmed on Harry's face. After he found out he was a wizard it seemed that he had two lives; two identities; two worlds that spilt him in half. One was Hogwarts- the one he loved and the one that loved him back. Then there was the Dursleys- the half that flinched at the sight of him. Yet lately, it seemed the two worlds and identities had collided.
Harry jump out of bed, messed his hair with his fingers and sprang off down stairs. Ms. Fig stood in the door way. her big carpet bag held in front of her and a smile wedged on her face. "Hello Harry dear." She chimed. "Spot of tea?"
Harry nodded and crossed the living room to the front door. "Bye Aunt Petunia." He said; his back to her. He shut the door with a snap and followed Arebella Figg down Privet Drive.
"Having a good summer Harry?" Arebella chimed merrily.
"I guess. Uncle Vernon and Dudley won't look at me, but that is an improvement, can't see the loath in their eye any more." Harry drove his hands into his pockets. The couple at number 9 just jumped out of their lounge chairs and seized their children dragging them into the house hissing something about "hooligan" and "that Potter Boy" under their breath.
"Oh pay no mind to them muggles, boy. They just fear what they don't understand. After you left news got around that you saved the pig you got for a cousin's hind end. Mainly they were mad because Dudley ain't very popular around here anyway." Ms. Fig laughed loudly at her own joke. Harry smiled slightly and forced a laugh. "Never mind that now Harry, Dumbledore wanted to speak to you about something. You may use my fire place." At this Harry really did smile. perhaps Dumbledore was at the Number 12 Grimmauld Place and he could talk to Ron or Hermione. Just then it accrued to him. why were Ron and Hermione at the Black's house anyway? It wasn't like they were in any danger. or were they? "Harry dear, are you alright?"
Arebella broke his train of thought. Harry shook his head and messed with his hair once again. "Oh.err. of course. sorry." Harry then forced another smile and trotted behind Fig once again. She started going on about muggle ways and laughing about how blind they were to the whole other world.
Harry followed her into her tiny house. It was clean and fresh. There were no cats that he could see. no cat hair either and Ms. Fig was well known for her cats and relying on them for spies. "Err. Ms. Fig where.." Harry began softly. questionably.
"Arebella, none of this Ms. Fig business I should say." Ms. Fig sang slightly as she started to put her pink china tea pot on a-boil.
"Right. Arebella. where are all your cats?" Harry spat out as though it might be taken rudely.
"Oh, I had to get ride of them. beside, they kept getting weird and stuff with all the magic going on in the house. And I got a dog. She's not here right now I don't think." Arebella answered sharply. It almost seemed as though she didn't like the question or the answer. "At least, she better not be here." She hissed so softly to where she thought Harry couldn't hear her.
As much as he wanted to push the subject of the dog, he didn't and sat down at her long, crisp clean pine table. There was a bunch of wild flowers in the middle and a cake under a cover beside that. "Yes, well now Harry. best get to the Head Master's business." Ms. Fig sat the tea cup and their matching saucers down and led Harry to the living room. She picked up a hand full of powder and threw it into the fire. "Number Twelve Grimmauld Place." Arebella said clearly into the fire, somewhat scared of what will happen as she said it.
In a pop a head appeared in the flames. Ms. Fig jumped back and landed on her butt, half way shaking. "Be careful Figgy!" Snorted a voice.
"Dung, if you saw your ugly face pop out of a beautiful flame, you'd be scared to!" Ms. Fig barked back. She turned on heel and marched back to the kitchen.
"Crazy old bat." Dung called after her, still laughing. "Hello Harry." He said, now directing his attention to him. "Bet you here to talk to Dumbledore, I'll get him." Dung gave one more devious smile and left from view.
Harry sat on his knees, baring his nose as far away from the fire just so the flame would not touch it. The house in which he knew last year looked different. He was sure Arebella had said Number 12, but it did not look like the house of Black he saw last year. The living room was not dark and damp, it was actually cozy and clean and the tapestry yielding the whole Black line was gone. Harry was almost lost in the changes of the room and wondered if the rest of the house looked like this.
"Good evening Harry." Harry jumped back at the address. Startled by the sudden movement he drew his face back a little so he could clearly see the face of Albus Dumbledore. "Sorry to have scared you Harry." Dumbledore added brightly.
"You didn't. what I mean is. you just. oh never mind, it's okay." Harry puffed out.
Dumbledore chuckled slightly then as though just struck by lighting, straightened his face. "I hate rain on a good conversation. But I have bad news." He said sadly. "Harry you are in danger."
"What?" Harry stammered. "How?"
"It is actually very easy. My owls have been getting intercepted and they know that you are staying the rest of the summer with muggles." Dumbledore confused gravely.
"Wait how do you know this?" Harry fought as though trying to accuse Dumbledore of lying.
"Does it make a difference? The fact that I do should be enough. You must stay aware. the Ministry is being very lineate on under age magic right now. Their forces are going toward the Muggle department and the Dark Arts. But you shouldn't use magic for the heck of it, only if you need to."
"But, how bad could it get? It's not like Voldemort is going to come marching down Privet Drive is it?"
"Harry, he has his army. As soon as the Ministry released the information of his return, his arm came flooding back to him; the Dementors and the giants. everyone one of them. And as you know, Dementors can not be seen by Muggles, so it will most likely be them." Dumbledore analyzed more than explain.
"But I can fight the Dementors." Harry started.
"That's not all they are sending after you. Death Eaters. They have a bunch, not as many as they did, they're influences are gone. but there as still some more." He almost whispered as though not wanting anyone behind him to hear. "I just want you to be careful. Don't go anywhere to far away from number four with out a wizard or witch; it is probably dangerous being at Arebella house, also."
Harry sighed. He was actually getting used to eating dinner and having tea with Arebella, and now the only thing worth anything on Privet Drive was being taken away from him. "If you say so." Harry sighed, leaning back on his hands. "Why can't I just come there to the Order and stay? I could help with something. anything."
"Because the safest place for you is with your Aunt; your mom's blood." Dumbledore huffed. "I have to be going Harry, I need to get to Hogwarts and get the new first years lined up. I'll see you later Harry, and just be careful, okay?"
Harry nodded and with a slight smile, Dumbledore was gone. Yet, still Harry sat their, staring at the flames. He wished he still had Sirius. Dumbledore was great and all, but he wasn't like Sirius. He made mistakes and let you make them too and learn from them. Dumbledore told what was right and you can't go against Dumbledore. It's like going somewhere but never taking the time to enjoy the road to get there.
Arebella arrived in the doorway; her eyes sunken and dry. She forced a smile. "Do you want to go home Harry?" She whispered so not the startle him.
"I can't. I don't get to go back to Hogwarts till September." Harry sighed, stood, messed with his hair and walked to the door. It was getting dark, but the sun still fought behind the roof tops to shed light. Harry opened the front door and closed it with a snap. He strolled down the street, hands in pockets and head bowed, not caring if he ran into anything or anyone.
"Ouch!" Something squealed. Harry jumped back to stare at what had made the noise. It was a red head little boy, with pale skin and knobby knees. "Oh, hi Potter."
"Evans." He nodded and continued on.
"Wait, Harry!" Little Mark Evans ran his short legs to keep up with Harry. His green eyes sought Harry's, but failed. "I said wait." He ordered. Harry stopped and faced him, looking down.
"What Mark?" Harry inquired impatiently.
"You dropped this." Mark stuttered.
He extended his hand showing Harry's wand. Harry's eyes bugged out and he snatched it from Mark's grip. "Thanks." Harry whispered. He turned and continued walking.
Mark stopped and stared after him, only to pursue him again. "What is that anyway? A wand?" Mark giggled under his breath.
"It's.. it is a.err. it's a hitting stick. I hit Dudley with it when he tries to steal my food." Harry lied.
"Living with Dudley, you would have to protect your food." Mark giggled again, this time a little high pitched.
"Yeah," Harry muttered, some how thinking he should be annoyed by his company, but oddly enjoying it.
"My mum would flip if she knew I was talking to you." Mark went on. "She thinks you're no good, but I see no reason for that, and neither does my dad. He thinks that Dudley should be going to St. whatever you call it. rather than you. I've gotten beat up about 12 times by that git." Mark laughed again.
"I beat you there." Harry chortled. "I was Dudley's first ever punching bag from the time I was 3 till I was 11. If I didn't get beat up 12 times a day, Dudley was either tiered or felt like being nice to me."
Marked laughed slightly uneasy. "Must have been hell."
"Yeah..look I really got to get home. I'll. I will see you around." Harry waved and ran down the road to number four. He turned back to look at where he left Mark, a while back and saw a red headed kid, staring after him. Harry shook his head. Mark Evans was always the annoying kid, but somehow, talking to him made him forget about Dumbledore's warning. if just for a while.