Disclaimer: Same as Chapter 1
Chapter 4
Harry lay in the shade of a tree in his Uncle's backyard, his arms resting behind his head. It was a surprisingly quickly summer this year as his Aunt and Uncle took to ignoring him completely. His cousin Dudley was out of the house most of the time, probably trolling the streets with his friends, so he wasn't home to bother Harry. He wasn't sure what was the reason for the change in his family's attitude towards him but he wasn't about to question it. When Shacklebolt escorted him home, he also informed Harry that the ministry had granted him special permission to do magic outside of school so he has been using his free time to practice and study up on any spells or charms he might need. He was no closer to finding the other Horcuxes and either has Hermonie, from her daily letters.
Harry yawn and stretched, sitting up and ready to head back inside when a shadow passed over his head, followed closely but another. Two barn owls appeared, one circling and heading towards him while the other flew towards the house. The owl landed in front of him and waited, a letter in its beak. Harry watch the other owl flying into the kitchen through the window before taking the letter. The owl hooted at him and took off to the skies, joined by the other shortly. Harry eyed the letter warily before noticing the familiar handwriting. He unsealed the envelope and pulled out the letter.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Due to new circumstances that have come to my attention, your stay at 4 Pivet Drive has been shorten. Please get your things ready as a escort will arrive tomorrow at 10 am. I have already sent an owl with the same message to Mrs. Dursley. Please be on time.
Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Harry reread the letter 3 times before putting it down. It was too good to be true. His stay at the Dursley's only lasted a merely 2 weeks? Praise to whatever deity that exists. Harry pushed himself off the ground and quickly made his way into the house. He went into the kitchen to find his aunt at the counter, preparing for dinner. Harry made to approach her, but he wasn't sure what he needed to say. In the end, he just gave up and turned to leave.
"Harry."
Harry stopped in his tracks and turned. None of his family has ever called him by name before. He made his way back into the kitchen.
"Yes aunt Petunia?"
"The letter said you would be leaving tomorrow?"
"Yes."
"Are you planning on coming back to this house?"
"Very unlikely aunt Petunia."
"Good."
Throughout the exchange, not once did she turned to face him or give any indication of his existences aside from her questions. When after the last sentence she didn't continue, Harry made his way out of the kitchen and up the stairs to his room. He closed the door and flopped down onto his bed, the grin on his face so large it was hurting his cheeks. Finally, to be able to leave his place forever. He broke out of his mussing when a letter dropped onto his face. He sat up and found Hedwig landing on top of her cage, and hooted at him softly. Harry threw her an owl treat before opening the daily letter from Hermonie.
Harry,
I am sure you already received the letter from Professor McGonagall regarding your shorten visit at your Uncle's house. I was appointed to be one of your escorts so I'll be seeing you tomorrow. I just receive a letter from Ron and he is sulking that he won't be able to come get you. So that should be fun. I have to finish packing and explaining to my parents. Don't worry, I won't tell them about you know what. Be on time.
Hermonie.
Harry grinned at the letter. He just imagine Ron brooding in a corner somewhere. He looked around the room and decided to start packing, just to make sure he wouldn't leave anything behind. He crawled under his bed and gathered his possessions from under the floor board. He sat on his bed and flipped open the album to a picture of his parents holding him. He watched at they waved at him and cuddled the baby him.
"I hope you're proud of me."
He closed the album and set about packing.
oOOOo
At a quarter to 10, Harry was seen giving his room a final run down, making sure everything was packed into his trunk. After he was sure, he dragged his trunk down the stairs while holding Hedwig's cage in the other. He placed the trunk near the door and let Hedwig out of her cage. She flew around the living room for a minute, much to the carnage of his aunt and uncle, and landed on his shoulder's to rest. Looking at the clock on the mantle, Harry settled himself on the stairs and waited. Meanwhile, his uncle, who was in his best suite, and his aunt in her pink cocktail dress was pacing the living room while his cousin was tucking at his own suite and situated himself at the windows.
"How are these people getting here?" Vernon rounded on his nephew. He then turned and eyed the fireplace, remember the last time someone had came to pick up Harry. Harry shrugged and went back to petting Hedwig while his uncle fumed. At exactly 10, Dudley pointed out the window.
Harry hurried towards the window, with his aunt and uncle closed behind. Traveling down the street was a metallic red Mecredes-Benz CLK550 Cabriolet with it's top down. Recognizing the bushy hair from the passenger seat, Harry grinned and ran towards the door. He swing the door open just as Hermonie got out from the car. Harry waved his hello and watched as the driver get out of the car. It was a young woman with waist length dark hair, her pale skin offset by her dark blue summer dress. She gave Hermonie a small nod and lifted her sunglasses covered eyes to Harry. She gave him a small smile and made their way towards the front door. Hermonie looked carefully around the neighborhood, making sure no one was watching as she pulled out her wand. Before she could cast the spell to allow them entrance through the wards, Harry ran out of the house and engulfed her into a hug. Hermonie rolled her eyes but eventually returned the hug.
"Perhaps we should go inside before continuing this little love fest?" said Hermonie. Harry pulled back sheepishly and led them into the house. Hermonie politely nodded at the other occupants of the house and while the other young woman do the same. Dudley was watching her with a dazed expression on his face as was Vernon. Petunia watched on in silence, her gaze never leaving the young woman who watched her just as intently.
"Shouldn't we be going?" asked Harry, breaking the silence.
Hermonie nodded but rounded on him quickly, so quickly that Harry jumped back causing Hedwig to fly off. Harry backed up a couple of steps and quirked an eyebrow.
"How can you just run out of the house like that?" Hermonie advanced towards him until Harry backed into the wall, "how stupid can you get? What if we were death eaters? You could be lying death in the street right now!"
Harry gave a nervous chuckle and stopped quickly when Hermonie sent him a glare. "I knew it was you, the real you."
"And how may I ask did you accomplished that?"
Harry grinned. "It's your eyes. You are the only person in the world who could look at annoyed with me."
Hermonie sent him another glare before breaking down and smiling. She turned and noticed the young woman watching them and a look of realization pass through her face.
"Harry, this is Astrate."
Harry was about to greet her and his aunt let out a gasped. Everyone turned towards her and found her covering her mouth with her hands, her gazed directed at Astrate. Astrate ignored her and nodded at Harry.
"We should get going."
Hermonie and Harry sent each other an odd look but agreed all the same. His uncle and cousin had gone into the living room and the sounds from the television was heard. Harry shrunk his trunk and Hedwig's cage down and placed them in his pocket. The three moved towards the door when a voice called out.
"Please wait."
Astrate gave a small sigh before she turned. Harry and Hermonie waited by the door and watched as his aunt Petunia approached.
"I just want..."
Astrate, with her back facing Harry and Hermonie, took off her sunglasses and began in a soft voice. "She thanks you for taking care of her child."
Harry watched on in puzzlement while his aunt bursted into tears.
"I...I tried to love him...but I couldn't. He looked too much like him. He and his kind took her away from me. Please tell her I'm sorry. I...I just couldn't."
"Lily understands. She loved you and will always be thankful to you, no matter what."
Hermonie let out a gasp when the name Lily was mentioned and looked towards Harry, his face blank but his hand tightly the grip on the door. With a final nod, Astrate turned and Harry found himself staring into familiar green eyes.
"Y...your eyes..."
Astrate merely nodded and opened the door.
"We'll talk about it later, let's get going."
They made their way to the car and Harry stood for a minute, looking back on the house he grew up in. He gave a slight nod to Petunia who stood at the door and she returned the gesture before closing it. Harry looked around the neighborhood, took a deep breath, and said his goodbye to his childhood before getting into the car.
AN: Okay, I swear I'm getting somewhere with this. Two more chapters and it'll stop jumping around. After that it should go faster. And the sex, we'll get there soon. If anyone has any suggest, feel free to review. Thanks.