A week later, Michael and his fellow Gryffindors boarded the Hogwarts Express back to King's Cross, London. Michael had packed his trunk, but still couldn't believe that he was never returning to the Dursleys'. Albus had given him instructions to not say a word to anyone about where he was really going to spend the summer. Albus and Minerva were going to meet Michael at King's Cross Station where they would, as three, confront the Dursleys and separate forever from those Muggles.
Michael had spent the entire time listening to Albus and not believing what was happening. Gone were the days of endless torment from his cousin, Dudley. Gone were the days of his aunt Petunia screeching like a banshee for him to get up. Albus had finished telling him of the miracle, and Michael had wordlessly looked to his mother. She was smiling at him, tears sparkling in her green eyes.
The trip on the train seemed to take a surprisingly short time. Finding an empty compartment, Michael, Ron, and Hermione settled in and fell to talking. Soon, the food trolley rolled by and Michael bought the three of them an ample amount of sweets. Ron tore off the wrapping of the Chocolate Frog and mumbled his thanks to Michael with his cheeks bulging out. Hermione sniffed disapprovingly as she graciously thanked Michael and delicately opened a box of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans.
A while later, Hermione left the compartment and Ron fell into a deep slumber, having exhausted his energies from devouring most of the sweets. Michael made sure the compartment was silent (except for Ron's snores) and slowly brought out his mother's locket. The gold heart-shaped locket was now vacated of his mother's little notes. Michael had stored those carefully in his photo album. Following the last page showing Lily and James Potter holding him as a baby, Michael had used a Permanent Sticking Charm to affix Minerva's letters to him. Michael whispered the incantation and the locket's doors swung open. However, contrary to what Michael thought, there was still something inside: a tiny, moving picture with Minerva holding Michael and Albus hugging Minerva from behind. Michael quickly wiped his eyes with the hem of his sleeve and shut the golden doors once more.
An hour later, the gleaming, scarlet engine of the Hogwarts Express chugged to a halt on Platform 9 ¾. Wizards and witches alike swarmed out, owls hooted, cats hissed, and Michael distinctly heard the hoarse croak of Neville Longbottom's toad, Trevor, as it escaped.
When Michael, Ron, and Hermione stepped on to the platform, there were still several gaping people staring at Michael.
"Look, Mummy! It's Harry Potter!"
"See ya, Potter! Have a great summer!"
"'Bye, Harry!"
Michael gave a single wave to each of the acknowledgements and turned back to Ron and Hermione. Pulling out a piece of parchment, Michael quickly scribbled down twice the address for Albus and Minerva's summer cottage in Essex. Tearing the parchment in half, he handed one each to Ron and Hermione.
"Keep in touch. This is where I'll be staying for the summers from now. Write to me, I'll want to tell you everything."
"We will, Harry," Hermione promised, giving him a quick hug.
"Hope you'll be able to come stay at my place, Harry," Ron said, clapping him on the back. Michael thought of all the letters he would write to them, explaining the whole, complicated thing.
Michael nodded and smiled. He watched as Dr. and Mrs. Granger enveloped Hermione in a crushing embrace, watched as Mrs. Weasley admonished Ron for not responding to her letters, and waved to Ron's little sister, causing her to turn beet red.
Michael was the last person to remain at the station. He wasn't worried; he knew Albus and Minerva would be with him soon. Sure enough, he caught a distinct scent of his mother's chocolate and honey and a merest whiff of Albus' trademark sherbet lemons. Turning, he beamed widely and took a running start into both Albus and Minerva's arms.
"Ahem. We've come to escort you home, boy, and haven't got all day."
Michael released himself gently from his mother and turned to face the puce colored Uncle Vernon. He smiled brightly and looked expectantly at Albus. Albus smiled pleasantly and handed a letter to Uncle Vernon. Uncle Vernon eyed Albus, sizing him up, (and noting the downright wizardish-ness about him) but decided not to comment. Opening the letter, Vernon's small eyes whizzed over the parchment and his vein started to pulse.
"What the BLOODY HELL do you mean, 'Harry will stay with you'…and this…this woman (meaning Minerva) from now on?"
Minerva's eyes flashed dangerously as she drew to her fullest height. Had Vernon been wiser, he would have shut his mouth then and there, but, being overtly indignant about their lot wasting his precious time, he hardly spared Minerva a scathing glance. Aunt Petunia, however, seemed ready to faint. She attempted to shield her Diddykins from the madwoman, but to no avail. As Vernon ended his rant and pushed Michael unceremoniously into the luggage cart, Minerva was seething. Her son had just been roughly brushed aside as though he amounted to no more than a disgusting slug.
Albus remained impassive. Calmly informing Vernon of the lie that he had made, he told the shorter, more plum-complexioned man that due to the wizarding regulations, Harry would not be staying with his "Muggle relations" as it would bring danger to the Dursleys. Uncle Vernon eyed Albus beadily.
"All right, fine. He can bloody stay there forever. Now, if you'll excuse us…" Vernon led his family away, blowing his mustache hither and thither. Aunt Petunia took one last horrified look at Albus and Minerva (whose eyes were snapping flames) and followed her husband.
"Albus, let…me…go…I don't have the underage wizarding tosh strapped to me. Now, I say. If you know what's good for you. I can still get them…"
Michael laughed and Albus shook his head. Minerva flicked her wand and, as the three of them walked away nonchalantly, they distinctly heard Uncle Vernon bellow like a wounded hippo.
Michael looked back interestedly to see what she had done to him. Minerva was looking straight ahead, but Michael could see a tiny smile curving her lips.
"What'd you do to him, Mum?" Michael asked, grinning.
Minerva stopped and burst out laughing. She leaned down close to Michael; her eyelashes tickled his cheek, and whispered in his ear,
"I gave him a pig's tail, dear."
Albus cast a Disillusionment Charm on the three of them as they Apparated to their summer cottage. Just before entering the little cottage, Albus stopped Michael.
"A word to the wise, Mikes. Don't mess with your mother's Scottish temper. It is not something to be reckoned with."
Michael heard his mother's laugh bubble out now like the tinkling sound of fairy bells as she uncast the spell upon them. Michael laughed and followed Albus inside.
He looked toward a brighter summer ahead.
A/N: Okay, this concludes the story! I'm going to write story 2 (summer and second year) soon, but would really appreciate it if you'd review and give me, if possible, any suggestions? Again, thanks for reading, and I hope you've enjoyed the story!
