CHAPTER 10 part 2: THE RIGHT WAY TO SAY GOODBYE
They took each other's hand, and started to walk to Privet Drive. Harry and Hermione walked in silence the entire way there. As they passed the Dursley home they noticed that all three Dursleys were outside. Harry heard Vernon yelling about the window, but he didn't care.
Dudley was the first to notice Harry and Hermione walking across the street. "Dad, look across the way. It's Harry."
"Boy!" Vernon bellowed. "Boy! Look what you did. Get over here, and clean this mess up."
Harry just looked and smiled. Reaching the Figg house he knocked on the door. Arabella opened it and let them in. Everyone was having either tea or butterbeer. Albus was the first to come over.
"Everyone, I have an announcement. Harry. Ms. Granger," he said in his most official voice. "It is my duty and privilege as Headmaster of Hogwarts to tell you, in front of everyone, that you have been selected to be Head Boy and Girl of this your final year. Congratulations to both of you."
"Thank you Professor," both said at the same time.
"Professor have you heard anything about Sirius and Lupin?" Harry asked.
"Yes. Everything is fine my boy. Unfortunately I had to send them on a fact finding mission. We'd like to know how bad of a shape Voldemort is in. I'm sorry. I know you would have liked him to be here."
"Thanks professor. I, um, wanted to ask you if I could get my things now and go to the Weasley's tonight. I just don't want to spend another minute in that house."
"Well I think that would be alright. In fact, I will accompany you. I must speak with your aunt and uncle, and now would be just as a good time as any."
"Thanks," he said. "Would you like to come with me 'Mione?"
"Sure Harry. Let's go."
Professor Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry walked across the street to 4 Privet Drive. Harry knocked on the door, and his Uncle Vernon answered. Harry and the others walked in not bothering to sit.
"Boy? Did you see what that window looks like?" he said ignoring the professor and Hermione.
"Sorry Uncle Vernon. Anyway I thought you'd be happy to hear that I'm leaving for good. I'm going upstairs to get my things. My headmaster wishes to speak with you, and Aunt Petunia." Turning he said, "Good luck professor. Come on 'Mione."
Harry and Hermione climbed the stairs, went into his room and closed the door. "Well, I guess I should repair the window," he said
"You pack. I'll take care of the window love."
Harry quickly packed his things in the open and then took everything underneath the loose floorboard that would hide his school things, presents and food that were sent to him from his friends. Just as Hermione finished repairing the window there was a knock at his door. "Come in," he said.
The door opened and just the face of Dudley appeared. "May I come in cousin?"
This was the nicest Dudley had ever talked to him. "I suppose," he said waiving him in. "Please close the door. Thanks. This is Hermione by the way."
"The guy in the pointy hat and pajamas are talking with me mum and dad. They told me to come upstairs. I heard them say you were leaving. Is that true?"
"Yes. I'm leaving. That reminds me. I have something for you."
"Y-You do?" he asked fearfully.
"Yes. I know it's a few weeks late, but Happy Birthday." Harry handed him a small box with a bow. "I had all the intention of leaving it in your room, but since you're here now. Go ahead and open it."
Dudley didn't waste any time. He ripped open the box, and saw a new video game. "Wow! It's the one I wanted. Mum and Dad said that they couldn't find it anywhere."
"It's a hard game to find. I was lucky."
"Thanks Harry. I mean it. Really, I do. Um…I have something for you too. I found it in the basement when I was moving stuff with mum. She told me to get rid of it, but I brought it up to my room to look through. Hang on I'll go get it." He got up from the chair in the corner and practically ran out the door."
"I wonder what it could be," he said softly.
"I guess we'll find out, love. Can I have a kiss?"
He looked at her with his award winning smile and said, "What? You only want just one?"
"Funny, Mr. Potter. That's real funny," she said dryly.
He smiled again and then leaned down to kiss her before Dudley came back. "That was great. I love you."
She smiled and returned the words. Just then Dudley came back with a medium sized box. "Here it is." He set the box on the floor and opened it. Quickly grabbing the contents he handed it to Harry.
Harry took the smaller box and opened it. There was a small chest about three inches long as well as a large leather covered book with a lion that had wings. Looking at Hermione he said, "Thank you Dudley."
"Wait there's also this. I tried to open it to see what was there, but I couldn't."
"I think that the professor needs to see this stuff. Look it has runes on it. Dudley thanks for bringing it to me."
"One more thing and I'll be out of your hair. I framed this for you. When mom first saw it I heard her crying. She was talking to the picture. She said, 'Why did you have to go. You better take good care of her where ever you are.' I made the frame in shop class. I hope you like it. Goodbye cousin." Dudley was about to walk out of the room when he stopped. He stopped and turned around with his hand extended.
Harry took it and shook his hand. "Goodbye cousin, and thanks again."
Hermione finished putting everything in the trunk as Harry opened up his last gift. He almost started to cry when he saw the picture. Dudley had created a frame that was in the shape of the Hogwarts Crest. He had expanded the shield so that a picture could sit in the middle. It wasn't just an ordinary picture though. It was his parents' wedding photo. It looked as if they were standing at the alter waving to everyone, or so Harry believed. After all it was a muggle photograph.
Looking around he said, "I think we're done here. Let's go see if Professor Dumbledore is finished." He placed his belongings in the middle of the floor, and waved his hand at them. They shrunk down to fit neatly in his pocket. The only things that he left were the box that his present from Dudley came in and his bed. They left the room and walked down stairs.
Professor Dumbledore and the Dursleys were just about done when they came down. "Have you got everything Harry?" asked Dumbledore.
"Yes sir, but there is something I think you need to see." He saw his uncle flinch a little. "I think it would be wise not to show it to you here though. Perhaps in the library though. We may need to find some additional information to go with the text."
"Good thinking Harry. I see that I chose wisely when I made you Head Boy."
Just then Petunia gasped. "D-Did you say Head Boy?"
"Yes I did Mrs. Dursley," he replied. "Why do you ask?"
"I found…um. Hang on I'll get it." She got up from the couch and went upstairs. They heard her throwing things around upstairs and then she came practically running down the stairs. Looking at Harry she said, "Dudley and I were downstairs moving some old boxes. We came across a few things. When I looked in some of the boxes there was nothing really just some old clothes, but when I looked in the last one I found this." She held up a black velvet box handing it to Harry. "I couldn't find a lock and key otherwise I would have opened it. The box that it was in was marked 'Lily Potter' so I was saving it to give to you when you were to leave next summer."
"Thank you Aunt Petunia," he said smiling. "I wond-" just then he was cut off as the box opened. He opened it the rest of the way and tears started to run down the sides of his face.
His knees started to buckle when Hermione and Professor Dumbledore grabbed him. "Harry? Are you alright?" he asked.
"Love, talk to me please," added Hermione.
Harry took a deep breath, stood straight up and looked into Dumbledore's blue eyes. "Professor I was wondering if you sent out the badges yet."
"No Harry. I was going to send them next month. Why do you ask?"
"Well I was wondering if it would be alright for me to wear," he held out the box for him to see, "my dad's instead."
"Of course Harry," he said beaming with pride. "I'm sure James would be very happy about it. Now if there isn't anything else I think we should be going. It's getting late, and you had a very trying afternoon. I think you could do with some rest."
"I agree with the Headmaster." Godric's voice said. "It's not over yet. You need to hone the skills given to you. Voldemort isn't dead. You need to get ready."
"Godric agrees sir."
"Godric? As in Gryffindor?" Hermione asked.
"He's my grandfather. I'll tell you later love. No need to worry." Turning to the Dursleys he said his goodbyes. "I don't know if I'll see you again, but I want you to know this. I hold no grudges against you. My godfather might, but don't worry about it. There is nothing here for me now." He held up his hand to the frame that held his parent's wedding picture, and said, "Duplicatus!" Where there was only one frame and picture now there were two. "Here, Aunt Petunia, this is for you."
"Thank you Harry."
"If, for some reason you need me, there is a snake living in the garden. He will know how to contact me. There is no need to worry about him though. He's an ordinary garden snake, and will not harm you. His name is Cinder. I told him that if you call his name out the back door, he is to answer you. Just write and give him the letter. If something happens to him I'll send you a letter with Hedwig on a different way to contact me." He smiled and again said goodbye. The three again crossed the street and headed to Arabella's house.
"Harry you said that Godric agreed with me?" The professor asked kindly.
"Yes. He said that Voldemort wasn't dead, and I needed to get ready."
"Is that it?"
"Yes sir."
"Then we need to speak with the others. I'll send for Sirius and Remus. They need to get back with us so we can plan."
They returned to find that everyone was still there. Professor Dumbledore told Mrs. Weasley that Harry could spend the rest of the summer at the Burrow. Everyone left the Figg house at 11:30 to either floor or apperated to the Weasley home. Molly had sent word to the Grangers that Hermione was safe and to 'prepare' for Harry's early arrival.