CHAPTER TWO
At four Privet Dr. Harry Potter woke with a start. He reached for his glasses and looked up to see his owl, Hedwig, tapping on the window. As he opened the window, he tried to remember what he was dreaming about. It had been a nightmare, but that was all he could remember for sure. As he slowly woke up, he thought about how he might be leaving for the Weasley's soon. He couldn't wait; so far his summer with the Dursley's had been the worst yet. Somehow they figured out the Sirius was on the run, and therefore in hiding and unable to come and attack them without the Ministry catching him. With their newfound confidence, they seemed to be getting back at Harry for the last summer.
"Harry, get down here." Harry's Aunt's voice drifted up the stairs. He looked longingly at the letter he had just received, but Aunt Petunia yelled again and he reluctantly started downstairs. As he reached the kitchen it occurred to him just how much like a banshee his aunt sounded like when she screeched like that. Smiling to himself he entered the kitchen. His aunt noticed his grin, "What's so funny?" she screeched, only making Harry smile wider. He expression was so angry, however, that he quickly wiped the grin off his face. "Stop smiling and get to work on your chores." Harry groaned to himself as he thought of his many daily chores. They included everything from mopping the floors to trimming the hedges. He often wondered just how the Dursley's survived while he was at school. Who ended up doing all the housework?
He quickly set to work on his first chore: weeding the garden. It was a point of pride with Aunt Petunia that her garden be better than those of the neighbors. And I'm the one who makes it that way thought Harry as he savagely weeded, watered, and trimmed the garden. He worked quickly because the Dusley's would only feed him if he finished the outdoor chores before lunch. Next he mowed the lawn and set to work repainting the garden fence.
Harry managed to finish just as noon arrived, and ran inside. As the family was still official on Dudley's diet, Aunt Petunia grudgingly allowed Harry as small portion of the salad and cottage cheese they were having for lunch. Eating quickly, Harry used his few spare minutes to run upstairs and read his letter
Harry,
Hey, hope your summer hasn't been too bad so far. Fred and George have been driving me insane. They started up Weasley's Wizard Wheezes again and are testing their new products on Ginny, Percy, and me. Mum can't even control them. Oh, and Percy got promoted. He is now the new director of the Department of International Wizarding Relations. He hasn't stopped talking about it all summer. When you come visit, just ignore him or you might do something you'll regret.
That reminds me, mum said you can come stay with us at the end of the week! You only need to owl me if you can't come because I know how strict your aunt and uncle are about magic. And Hermione's going to pick you up because I don't think your family likes us very much right now.
At this, Harry smiled, thinking what an understatement that was. The Dursley's spent a full week at the beginning of the summer yelling about how terrible all wizards were, particularly those good for nothing wizards who picked up Harry last summer. He continued reading.
Have you heard from Snuffles recently? How is he doing? Let us know when you get here.
See you soon,
Ron Weasley
Reading the last line of Ron's letter, he realized Sirius had not written for a while. I hope he's okay thought Harry. He's probably just far away and hiding. "HARRY!" Aunt Petunia's shout brought him back to reality. Harry groaned and started downstairs to mop the floors, trying to think of a way to tell his relatives that a witch was coming at the end of the week to pick him up. Later that day he approached Uncle Vernon, "Er, I'm leaving to go stay with the W-" Harry stopped himself; the Dursley's hated everything about the magic world, "with a friend." Uncle Vernon looked up quickly, "This friend would be one of … your kind." Harry nodded. "They wouldn't be those freaks who came last year, because if they are I won't… have… them… in… MY… HOUSE." Uncle Vernon was working himself into a rage at the memory, and Harry couldn't help thinking how smart the Weasley's were to send Hermione. He quickly appeased his uncle, "No not them. And she grew up with Mug - , normal people." This seemed to calm Uncle Vernon down and he stated, "Fine. But none of that, that, magic. I'll have non of that here." Harry walked away smiling, counting the days until he left for the Weasley's.
A/N: Sorry, I know nothing happens, but it's a transition. Actually, I really do have a plot planned, so please be patient and keep reading. I'm already writing the next part. And please, please, please review!!! I'm begging here. If you like it let me know what you like, and if it's bad let me know why. Oh, and after I found out that the pen name Hermione was already overused I changed to something more…original. Hope you will like my story!
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J. K. Rowling!