Disclaimer: The characters represented in this fiction belong completely to Mrs. J.K. Rowling. I do not take credit for coming up with any of the brilliant characters so masterfully brought forth by Ms. Rowling. All words, places, and characters found in the actual Harry Potter books do not, in any way, belong to me.
Upon arriving at Platform Nine and Three Quarters, Hermione and Ron had sent their bags with the Weasley's and Harry had sent Hedwig to stay at the burrow. They also said their goodbyes to Neville and Luna, saw Ginny off, took the Knight Bus to Privet drive (which was awfully strange without Stan Shunpike aboard), and were now standing on the doorstep of number four, Privet Drive, the house that Harry had come to associate with such feelings as boredom, hatred, and loneliness, among others. .
Their business was clear from the moment Harry had told them. He was to visit number four one last time before his 17th birthday at Dumbledore's orders, which would provide him with protection from Voldemort until he came of age.
During that time which, he explained to Hermione and Ron, "I will pack my things, say my goodbyes, and we'll be off." The three of them had decided to dress in Muggle attire as to not get on the Dursley's bad side.
"Remember, there's no need to say anything except hello and goodbye," added Harry giving a piercing stare to his two best friends. "The two of you can wait in the living room while I go up and pack my things."
"We can go with you, Harry. Ron and I are of age. We can use magic to help you pack." suggested Hermione.
"Yeah, we're of age. Why not?" added Ron. Harry thought it over for a moment and decided that it'd be best to spend as little time as possible at the Dursley's.
"Alright, you can come." he said. With that, he knocked on the door of number four. Before long, the plump outline of Uncle Vernon could be seen through the panes of glass on the front door.
As he opened the door, a look of annoyance filled his eyes. He obviously hadn't expected Harry home so early. The school year wasn't supposed to have been over for another week.
"This is Ron, you've met his family before (Uncle Vernon rolled his eyes), and this is Hermione Granger, her mother and father are dentists," said Harry, Uncle Vernon showing complete surprise upon finding out the occupation of Hermione's parents. He obviously didn't think it possible that a witch could have a seemingly normal mother and father. "I'm here to get my things and say goodbye. I've got a big task ahead of me."
Uncle Vernon was speechless as Harry hurried Ron and Hermione into the house. Aunt Petunia was standing in the hall with her hair in curlers, trying her best to fake a smile at them, but all she could manage was a semi-nervous look.
Without saying anything, Harry dragged his trunk up the first few steps (Hermione used Wingardium Leviosa the rest of the way) and led Ron and Hermione up to his bedroom. Closing the door, he immediately threw his trunk open and began throwing anything of the utmost importance into it.
"Oh come on Harry," said Hermione in a motherly tone as she pointed her wand at the trunk. "Pack!" she cried. The contents already in the trunk put themselves in order as the rest of Harry's belongings flew in. Within two minutes the packing was finished. With a pop Hermione disapparated with the trunk, leaving Harry and Ron alone.
"She must have taken it to the Burrow," said Ron with a smile. "Always a step ahead, she is." Sure enough, Hermione was back a few minutes later telling Harry that his trunk was safe in Ron's room.
Harry lay down on the bed, remembering all the time he had spent in this room, lying down, waiting for exciting things to happen every summer. It had been in this room that he had met Dobby four years earlier, and in this room that Fred, George and Ron, had rescued him in a flying Ford Anglia. This was also where members of the Order of the Phoenix had rescued him after being expelled from Hogwarts before his fifth year.
No matter the experiences he'd had with the Dursley's, he would always remember this room. It had been his first actual room, unless you could call the cupboard under the stairs, which he had stayed in for the first twelve years of his life, a room. It had once had been Dudley's second bedroom in which he kept his broken and unused belongings, but when Harry began to receive acceptance letters from Hogwarts, the Dursley's had decided to move him up there.
Despite the happy memories he'd had in this room, part of him knew that this was the last time he would ever set foot in it. In fact, this would also be the last time he would ever set foot inside number four.
"Well, we'd better get downstairs so I can explain what's going on to my aunt and uncle." said Harry as he stood up from the bed. Hermione and Ron moved towards the door without a word and led the way downstairs into the Dursley's living room.
Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon were sitting on the couch whispering to each other when Harry entered. They stopped immediately as Harry, Hermione, and Ron sat down on the other couch. It seemed Uncle Vernon had something to say, and he didn't hesitate.
"What is the meaning of this?" he asked Harry, holding Aunt Petunia's hand in fear. He was never quite as courageous when he was dealing with wizards.
"The meaning of what?" Harry asked, throwing a glance towards Ron and Hermione. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia looked taken aback, they seemed to think he knew exactly what they were talking about. There was an awkward silence as Harry waited for a response.
"You know boy! What is the meaning of bringing these people into our home, and aren't you supposed to be at school?" asked Uncle Vernon. He seemed to have finally gotten out what he'd been trying to say. Harry let out a small chuckle, but there was nothing funny about what he was about to tell them.
"Well, just to let you know, 'these people' are my friends. I thought we had already clarified that? If using the words 'these people' is implying to wizards, what did you expect? That I'd bring home Dudley and his gang?" Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon looked offended. How could their little precious Dudley be in a gang? No, they concluded that Harry was just making things up as usual and decided it'd be best to let him continue.
"So, about me being home from school so early. Do you remember meeting Professor Dumbledore last summer?" asked Harry, holding back tears. Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon nodded. How could they forget? "Well, he died yesterday. He was murdered by a teacher at our school." At this, Aunt Petunia let out a gasp. Uncle Vernon, however heartless he had seemed in the past, had a mixed look of fear and sadness.
They knew that Dumbledore dying could not be a good thing, as they had known Dumbledore was one of the few people Voldemort was ever afraid of. Aunt Petunia knew more than Uncle Vernon seeing as she'd corresponded with Dumbledore before, but the topic was rarely ever discussed in the Dursley household. After thinking over Harry's words, Uncle Vernon seemed to have found his voice. He could not, however, hide his panic.
"You mean he's dead? Killed by a teacher you say? What kind of school would...? What does that...?" Harry cut him off.
"This means that I am now alone. I've got to take care of Voldemort myself." said Harry. Ron winced at the mention of Voldmort's name, but turned to respond.
"No mate, you're not alone. Hermione and I have already told you we'd be by your side no matter what."
"What this does mean, however, is that both the Wizarding world and the Muggle world are at risk. Voldemort will not hesitate to kill as many people as it takes to gain control." said Hermione. She had spoken directly to the Dursley's, who were very surprised by it. They had never properly met her and didn't think it good manners for someone to speak to them without invitation. No matter, they understood what she was saying and kept silent.
"A war has begun once more and it will not end until either I die, or Voldemort dies," said Harry. "I am sorry to say that this may very well be the last you see of me, as I will set out in search of Voldemort very soon. He has become as close to immortal as anyone can be, and it will take a lot to defeat him. I hate to say this, but I may not make it through alive."
It took a second for Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia to fully comprehend what Harry had said, but they soon realized just how important Harry was. Aunt Petunia stood up and did something she had never done before. She gave Harry a hug and kissed him on the forehead, tears running down her face.
"I'm sorry we have been so horrible to you Harry. I was always jealous of my sister, but I never wanted her to die. I'd never have thought it'd be you who had to defeat He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, but I give you my blessing." Uncle Vernon gave her an inquiring look, as if he had never known this side of his wife, but he too stood up and hesitantly gave Harry a pat on the back.
"I guess this is goodbye," said Harry, as he motioned for Hermione and Ron to stand up. "But I am glad it's a peaceful farewell. Give Dudley my regards and keep your guard up."
Harry led Hermione and Ron to the front door and stepped outside. He felt a small sense of pity for his Aunt and Uncle. He knew how they must be feeling about the way they had treated him all those years, but he had forgiven them. It was now time to set out and put a final stop to Voldemort's evil.
The Dursley's stood at the door, Aunt Petunia waving goodbye as Harry, Ron, and Hermione made their way to the end of the driveway and apparated.
