Chapter 10
The Dursleys Departing

Author's Note: You'll notice some small similarities in portions of this chapter to that of a portion of Deathly Hallows, but like I said, this is going to be very different than what was in the book.

Edit: Had to re-upload the chapter. Made a few mistakes.

(Ron's PoV)

Shortly before five-o-clock the next evening, Ron, Hermione, and those wizards and witches who had volunteered for the mission were standing in the driveway in front of the Burrow. Ginny and Mrs. Weasley were also there to see everyone off. Ron looked around at his companions: besides Hermione, there was his father, Bill, Fleur, Fred and George standing together, as well as Remus, Tonks, Kingsley, and Mad-Eye Moody, as well as Professor McGonagall and Hagrid.

Laying in a neat row in the driveway were several broomsticks. Ron had his own Cleansweep Eleven in his hand. Sirius' old motorbike was standing near Hagrid. Although Ron could not see them, there were also two Thestrals standing in the driveway as well. As Moody had explained the previous day, the companions would be taking these different means of travel into Surrey. Although Apparation was quicker, Moody would not risk arriving in Surrey by that means, for risk of an ambush at the designated Apparation point. That option of travel, however, was the planned way of travel back to the Burrow. Because Harry was still underage until the following Thursday, whoever would be with him when he arrived at the Apparation point, would take him to the Burrow via Side-Along Apparation.

"Everyone understands the schedule?" Mad-Eye said, in a gruff voice, to the group.

Everyone nodded and murmured their acknowledgment. Mad-Eye reached into coat pocket and pulled out an old pocket-watch.

"It is almost five-o-clock," he stated, "In an hour-and-a-half, if the schedule goes smoothy, Hestia and Dedalus will be leaving the neighborhood of Privet Drive, with the Dursley family, on their way to a designated safe-house. If everything goes smoothly as planned we will arrive over Surrey in precisely two hours. It should be close to nightfall at that moment. When the sun meets the horizon, the plan will take effect, and Mr. Potter will be en route to the Apparation point. Questions?"

Nobody spoke up.

"Get to your positions everyone!" Mad-Eye ordered, "We are in the air in less than ten minutes and counting!"

Everyone broke away from the group. Ron set his broomstick down on the ground.

"Up!" he ordered the broomstick, putting his hand over it.

The Cleansweep Eleven slowly rose into the air.

"You first, Hermione," Ron said, looking up at her.

Hermione stared at him, her eyes almost bulging.

"Wh-what?" Hermione asked.

"We're going to Surrey by broomstick," Ron said. "You weren't going to leave my sight, right?"

"I – I – I," Hermione stammered. "But, Ron, you know I am terrified of broomsticks."

"Do you want to stay here then?" Ron asked, crossing his arms against his chest.

Hermione narrowed her eyes. She inhaled and exhaled, then walked over to the broom and straddled it.

"Ron," a timid voice said, behind him.

Ron looked over his shoulder. His mother was standing there.

"I – I c-can't make you change your mind, can I?" she asked.

"No, Mum," Ron said, shrugging.

Mrs. Weasley nodded and threw herself at him, hugging him close to her.

"Please be safe, my boy," she said.

"I promise, Mum," Ron said.

Mrs. Weasley sniffled and backed away. She hugged Hermione, though it was rather awkward because Hermione was gripping tightly to the broom, even though it was only a few feet off the ground.

"I'll look after him, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said.

"I know you will, dear," Mrs. Weasley said.

She backed away, and walked over to Ginny, who looked at Ron. He swallowed and nodded at her.

"I'll bring him here safely, Gin," he said, "I promise."

Ginny nodded. Ron put a leg over his broomstick, and soon he was sitting in front of Hermione. She put her arms around the middle of him. Ron looked around at the rest of his companions. Fred and George, and Remus and Tonks were paired up on two broomsticks. Kingsley and Mad-Eye Moody was on their own. Bill and Fleur were paired up on a Thestral, as was Ron's father and Professor McGonagall. Because Ron couldn't see the Thestral, the four of them looked very odd floating in the air, clutching tightly to air. Hagrid was sitting on the motorcycle, his umbrella sticking out of the side-car.

"Kingsley!" Mad-Eye said, into the silence.

"On my way, Alastor," Kingsley said.

Kingsley rose into the air on his broomstick and soon he was flying high above the rest of them and into the clouds.

"Wait for Kingsley's sign," Moody ordered, "and be ready for the off when it comes!"

A loud rumble of an engine was the only response. The motorbike was starting up.

"You ready, Hermione," Ron muttered over his shoulder.

"Don't let me fall," Hermione whispered, her voice muffled because she was pressing her face into Ron's shoulder-blades.

"Never," Ron said.

Ron felt Hermione's lips on the back of his neck.

"I know," he whispered, to her silent declaration of love, "You too."

Hermione chuckled in acknowledgment, telling Ron she understood.

"Good luck, everyone," Mrs. Weasley said, "Come back to me safely."

Before anyone could answer her, red sparks flew out across the sky.

"Now!" Mad-Eye ordered.

All around Ron and Hermione, broomsticks, thestrals and the motorbike took off into the sky. Ron raised his own broom, and Hermione shrieked at the movement. Ron could feel Hermione's grip tighten around him as he flew off toward the rest of the group. They were all stationary just above the cloud cover. Suddenly, Ron felt a trickle of something wet sink down his neck and toward his back. He thought Hermione's lips were on his neck again, when all of a sudden, his companions around him, including himself seemed to vanish literally into thin air.

"Hermione?" he asked.

"Still here," Hermione said, chuckling, "It's just a -"

"Disillusionment Charms set!" Mad-Eye announced.

"How the bloody hell are we supposed to follow anyone?" Fred's voice asked, voicing what Ron was thinking.

"Just do it!" Mad-Eye said, roughly, "Let's go! We cannot be late! The later we are, the longer Mr. Potter will be alone in the house after Hestia and Dedalus leave!"

Ron heard the sound of whooshing all around him.

"Just follow the noise, Ron," Hermione whispered behind him.

Ron nodded, then stopped, remembering Hermione couldn't see him, and flew ahead in the direction of London and Surrey.

-
(Harry's PoV – An hour and twenty minutes later)

Harry was sitting on the sofa in the Dursley's living room. His trunk, packed with his belongings that he would take with him to the Burrow, was sitting at his feet. Hedwig's cage was sitting on the coffee table just feet away from him; the snowy owl was currently asleep, her head nestled into her wing. Harry stared at Hedwig, as she made soft guttural noises while she slept.

In the hallway Uncle Vernon was pacing back and forth across the floor, muttering to himself. Across the living room, Aunt Petunia was seated in her favorite chair in the room. Her lips were pursed, and she seemed to be chewing on her lower lip. She normally did this when she was trying to bite back an insult at Harry, but Harry couldn't figure out what reason she would want to insult him, unless it had to do with the fact that Hedwig's cage was sitting on her clean coffee table.

"Dudley Dursley, you finish packing and get downstairs this instant!" Vernon roared from the bottom of the stairs.

The outburst caused Hedwig to wake up. Her whole body shook and she stared at Harry, with a very annoyed expression. Harry tried to give her his best apologetic glance.

"I can't find Obliterator Five," Dudley whined from the top of the stairs.

"What in the effing hell is Obligator Five?" Vernon demanded.

"Obliterator Five!" Dudley repeated, "It is my favorite video game!"

"You are not bringing your video games with you, young man!" Vernon growled.

"Aww, Dad!" Dudley whined, "But I'll get bored!"

"Dudley," Petunia said, from her chair, "I know you heard Mrs. Jones when she told you that electricity will not work with magic in the area."

Vernon cursed softly at his wife's use of the word "magic".

"B-b-but-" Dudley stammered, "That means I can't bring my telly or my computer either?"

"Pack the essentials only, Dudley!" Petunia ordered.

"They are essential!" Dudley moaned.

"You heard your mother!" Vernon growled, "Do it! You better be down here in ten – nine -"

Dudley gave a whine and the next thing Harry heard was the distinct thudding sound of luggage being dragged down the stairs.

"Five – four – three -" Vernon counted, "Two -"

"I'm here, I'm here!" Dudley moaned, "Damn it!"

"Dudley Dursley, watch your language!" Petunia said, harshly, then with a whisper, "Where he learned those words, I do not know!"

Suddenly, there was a loud knocking sound on the front door.

"That's Hestia and Dedalus, Vernon," Petunia said, "Get the door."

"Yes, dear," Vernon muttered.

A few moments later, Hestia and Dedalus walked into the living room, followed by Vernon and Dudley.

"Are you ready, Mrs. Dursley?" Hestia said, politely.

"Yes, Hestia," Petunia said, returning the politeness. "Dudley, come say good-bye to your cousin."

Harry expected Dudley to whine. But a moment later, Dudley glanced at Harry, frowning, and, to Harry's surprise, sat down on the couch next to him.

"Er..." Harry said, looking at his cousin in wonder.

"I wish you could come with us," Dudley said.

"What?" Harry asked, unsure of what he had heard.

"I wish you could come with us," Dudley repeated, "It would be less boring with you around."

Harry raised his eyebrows. He was completely floored that Dudley had said this. He looked around at his aunt and uncle. Vernon's mouth was open, looking unsure of what to say. Aunt Petunia looked on the verge of tears.

"Where you're going," Dudley said, "Are you going to be safe?"

"I'll definitely be safe at the Burrow," Harry said.

"And... after that?" Dudley said. "What are you doing after that?"

"But don't you know, boy?" Hestia asked.

"Er... no, he doesn't," Harry said to Hestia, "They never really cared about what I'm going through. To them, I'm just a huge waste of space, but honestly, I'm used to -"

"I don't think you're a waste of space," Dudley grunted.

Harry turned slowly to his cousin. Dudley was looking at him, with a big smile across his face.

"Er – well -" Harry said, blinking, "Thanks, Dudley."

"You saved my life," Dudley grunted.

"Not really," said Harry. "It was your soul the dementor would have taken…"

He looked curiously at his cousin. They had had virtually no contact during this summer or last, as Harry had come back to Privet Drive so briefly and kept to his room so much. Although rather touched he was nevertheless quite relieved that Dudley appeared to have exhausted his ability to express his feelings. After opening his mouth once or twice more, Dudley subsided into scarlet-faced silence.

Aunt Petunia burst into tears. Hestia Jones gave her an approving look that changed to outrage as Aunt Petunia ran forward and embraced Dudley rather than Harry.

"S-so sweet, Dudders…" she sobbed into his massive chest. "S-such a lovely b-boy… s-saying thank you…"

"But he hasn't said thank you at all!" said Hestia indignantly. "He only said he didn't think Harry was a waste of space!"

"Yea but coming from Dudley that's like 'I love you,'" said Harry, torn between annoyance and a desire to laugh.

"Are we going or not?" roared Uncle Vernon, reappearing yet again at the living room door. "I thought we were on a tight schedule!"

"Yes –yes, we are," said Dedalus Diggle, who had been watching these exchanges with an air of bemusement and now seemed to pull himself together. "We really must be off. Harry –"

He tripped forward and wrung Harry's hand with both of his own.

"—good luck," he finished, "I hope we meet again. The hopes of the Wizarding world rest upon your shoulders."

"Oh," said Harry, "right. Thanks."

"Good luck, Harry," Hestia said.

Harry nodded.

"Well – yes – we must really be off now, right?" Vernon said, "Come, Dudley, Petunia."

With one last glance at Harry, Dudley stood up and followed his father out of the room.

"See you, Big D," Harry whispered, as Dudley disappeared into the hallway.

Harry heard his heavy footfalls on the graveled drive, and then a car door slammed.

Aunt Petunia whose face had been buried in her handkerchief looked around at the sound. She did not seem to have expected to find herself alone with Harry. Hastily stowing her wet handkerchief into her pocket, she said, "Well – goodbye" and marched towards the door without looking at him.

"Goodbye" said Harry.

She stopped and looked back. For a moment Harry had the strangest feeling that she wanted to say something to him; She gave him an odd, tremulous look and seemed to teeter on the edge of speech, but then, with a little shake of her head, she hustled out of the room after he husband and son. Hestia and Dedalus were the last in the room.

"Alastor and your escorts will be here very shortly," Hestia said.

"Okay," Harry said.

"Again, good luck," Hestia said.

"Thank you," Harry said, "Both of you. For everything."

"It has been and will be an honor to watch your relatives for you," Dedalus said, bowing.

Harry nodded. Hestia and Dedalus smiled at him and retreated from the room.

Harry exhaled loudly. He then looked at Hedwig, who was staring up at him. He frowned, closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them. He stood up, picked up her cage, and walked toward the back of the house. He went across the patio, and out into the back yard.

"We've had some great memories here, Hedwig, eh?" Harry said, as he looked at the owl.

Harry turned his attention from her to his bedroom window.

"Do you remember?" Harry asked, "Me nearly forgetting you when Ron and his twin brothers rescued me in their flying car. I'm really sorry about that. I also remember you bringing me gifts from Hermione on my fourteenth birthday, when I thought I wouldn't get anything. Right through that window... yeah."

Harry closed his eyes eyes, inhaled and exhaled, and opened his eyes again.

"Some great memories we've had," Harry said, "And now..."

Harry felt his eyes water. The palm of his hand that was not gripped to Hedwig's cage was sweating. He forced it toward Hedwig's cage and opened the door of the cage.

"I have to say goodbye, Hedwig," Harry said.

Hedwig hooted softly and looked up at Hedwig.

"I know," Harry said, "But you have to understand what I have to do. I have to find Voldemort's Horcruxes, and destroy him. Sirius was right when he had said it so many years ago. You're too recognizable. I can't risk taking you with me. So... like I am parting ways with the Dursleys tonight. I must part ways with my greatest, closest friend and connection to the wizarding world I could ever have known."

Harry felt a tear on the bridge of his nose.

"Now, go, Hedwig," Harry said.

Hedwig hooted softly, her beautiful eyes staring up at him in confusion and sadness.

"Go," Harry repeated.

A sound, almost like a purr, emitted from Hedwig's beak.

"Damn it, Hedwig," Harry said, a sob escaping his lips, "Go!"

Hedwig flew out of her cage and took to the air. She circled around just feet above Harry for a couple of minutes, as he watched her. She then flew off into the air.

"Goodbye," Harry whispered.

He brushed a flood of tears from his eyes and cleared his throat of the sobs in his voice. He turned around... and almost walked into Mad-Eye Moody.

"Bloody hell!" Harry growled, "How many times do I have to ask you to stop that!"

"Quiet, Potter!" Mad-Eye said, "Before someone hears you!"

"We did hear him," a very familiar voice said, that almost made Harry fall to the ground in shock.

Two popping sounds were heard somewhere behind Moody, and Harry had to clamp his mouth shut with his teeth so his jaw wouldn't drop to the grass below. Ron and Hermione were standing there... and they looked ready for battle.

-
Well, would you consider this a cliff-hanger? Even if you knew Ron and Hermione were going to be there?

I will admit it right now. Harry's goodbye to Hedwig made me cry! I had legit tears as I was writing it.

I hope you think it is okay that I included parts of the Dursley's goodbye (especially the "not a waste of space" line) from the actual book. I thought it was needed.

This chapter didn't take as long for me to write as I thought. I thought I was going to start in this chapter what will begin in the next chapter. But I wanted to end it right there.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. More to come soon!