Disclaimer: I do not own any familiar characters. They belong to the great J.K. Rowling. I do not make money off this, so please don't sue me! Trust me, it's not worth it!

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Chapter 1

Regular Occurrence

In an ordinary city, in an ordinary neighbourhood, in an ordinary house, an extraordinary boy lay in his bed thrashing wildly in his sleep. He bolted upright a few moments later shaking uncontrollably and drenched in an icy sweat. Harry grabbed his glasses from his nightstand and put them on, though with some difficulty since his hand was shaking. He felt like he was going to throw up, and he couldn't seem to get enough oxygen into his lungs. He sat in bed and waited for the feeling to pass, for he knew it would eventually pass. You see, he had been having the same nightmare since the nightmare since the beginning of summer. When he could breathe normally again, he looked at the time and got out of bed. It was only a quarter 'til five, but he knew he wouldn't be able to get back to sleep. He stretched luxuriously and let out a moan of pleasure when he heard his spine crack. He could still see the waxing moon as he gazed out his window, searching the skies for answers to his many questions. He decided to go for a run, for two reasons. One, running somehow helped him see things in perspective, and second, running would clear his head of the image that haunted him in his nightmares; the image of his godfather, Sirius Black, falling into the veil at the Department of Mysteries.

Just as he was leaving, Hedwig flew in through the open window. He took the letter from her and gave her a treat. He knew it was from Hermione instantly because of her neat scrawl. He opened it. It contained a hurried note and four hundred pounds.

Dear Harry,

How are you? I hope those horrid muggles are treating you well. My parent and I were just about to leave on vacation when we got your letter. The galleons you sent are equivalent to four hundred pounds, which I have enclosed. I have to go now or else we'll miss our flight to Egypt. Take care of yourself, and I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer.

Love Always,

Hermione

"That was fast," he thought to himself, surprised since he had sent the letter only last night.

He had taken too much money out of his Gringotts account at the beginning of last year, so he decided to have it converted into muggle money and finally buy himself clothes that actually fit rather than continue to wear his whale of a cousin's hand-me-downs. He put the money away and quietly crept down the stair, careful to jump over the one that creaked. Once he was outside, he began to jog steadily down the street, picking up speed as he went. He ran until he was too exhausted to think about anything, then he returned to the house. The sun was up by now and so were the Dursleys. They had definitely taken the Order's threat to heart and though they didn't go out of their way to be nice to him, at least they were civil to him when they were forced to be in his company. Specifically, during meals. After he showered, he joined his 'family' for breakfast in the kitchen.

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That's chapter one for you. I know it's rather short, but chapter two is already written and just needs some editing. Drop me a review and let me know what you think. Flames are welcome and will be experimented on in my CMB Lab.