Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all of the characters belong to J.K. Rowling,
Prologue
Harry Potter lay on his bed starring up at the ceiling, so far he had counted fifty four squares on the foul paper on the ceiling. It was not to get him to sleep, quite on the contrary, he was trying his hardest not to get to sleep. Every time he closed his eyes he would see Cedric Diggory's lifeless eyes and Voldemort's snake-like features sneering at him.
There was also the fear that if he did fall to sleep he might dream about what Voldemort was actually doing and he didn't want to see that, no matter what help it might be. He couldn't bring himself to do it and he cursed himself for it, he was no Gryffindor to be cowering away like this.
There was a beep as the clock beside the bed turned to twelve; he was fifteen. "Harry Birthday, Harry," he said to himself.
Upon hearing a sound at the window he slipped out of bed and allowed Hedwig to enter, she had been gone for several days, no doubt getting his present from Hermione. She was followed by his best friend, Ron's owl, Pig. Harry managed to grab the little owl before he could wake the Dursleys and put his presents on the bed. He opened Ron's letter and read the following:
Dear Harry,
Dumbledore says you're not allowed to come and stay with us. Mum and Dad know why, but they aren't telling. I've sent you some of Fred and George's latest stuff and I hope the Muggles aren't getting you down.
Ron.
Harry opened the package Pig had brought him and pulled out a box of chocolates. There was a map on the inside of the lid, but they all appeared to have relatively mundane names, surely Fred and George weren't going into the confectionery industry. He absently ran his fingers over the lid, touching the picture of a Walnut Whip, the carefully written script beneath rapidly changed into Beetle Twirl. Harry grinned and wondered when he might try these out on Dudley.
Now he turned to Hermione's letter:
Dear Harry,
Viktor sent me a letter telling me he was on the Vratsa Vultures. Isn't that wonderful, of course that means he's going to be going on tour and I won't be able to stay with him for a few weeks. My mum and dad weren't too keen on that anyway though.
I sent you a book on charms, since you were so very good with your Summoning charm last year. Do you think you'll be made a Prefect Harry? I've been reading up on how they're chosen and apparently it doesn't really matter if you break the rules as long as you have good grades.
There is a girl and a boy Prefect for every year, in every House. Don't tell Ron, but I don't think he has good enough grades. Who do you think the other Houses will have as Prefects? I hope I get picked.
I hope you like your present.
Love, Hermione.
Harry smiled and pulled off the paper from his present from Hermione. Suddenly through his open window a owl fly and landed haughtily on his bed, giving him a sharp look. He promptly removed the letters and package from the owl's foot and it shot off out of the window.
The package was from Sirius and he had sent him a brief letter telling him that if he wanted anything he only need ask. His present was a rather nice watch, it's face was quite odd though, there were planets spinning around the centre and three hands were jumping between them randomly. There was little note enclosed with it telling him that it was an astronomy watch and would be the only thing Harry ever used astronomy and divination for after he left school.
As he starred at the face it did begin to make sense to him. He wasn't entirely sure how it made sense, but he knew that it was ten past twelve and twenty six seconds – twenty seven. He slipped the watch into his pocket and turned to the letter that was from Hogwarts and it was in Dumbledore's handwriting.
Dear Harry,
Due to the events of last year I am afraid that you may not go to stay with the Weasley family. Voldemort's activity is constantly on the rise and he does seem intent on killing you. I have therefore had to arrange some special measures that will keep you safe from him.
I understand that this will upset you deeply, but you are not safe at Hogwarts and therefore you shall not be attending this year. Instead it is being arranged for you to attend a different school. This year you will be attending Stonewall High.
Harry stopped reading the letter and starred in mute shock at the wall for a few moments. Did Dumbledore think he was insane too? Had the Ministry got to him? This couldn't be real, he couldn't be going to Stonewall High, he didn't even know any of the Muggle subjects! He continued reading, hoping to get to the part that told him this was all some joke.
A letter will be sent to your Aunt and Uncle to inform them of this change in your education. Rest assured Harry this is only a temporary measure until I can insure your safety at Hogwarts.
I wish you well in the following year,
Professor Albus Dumbledore.
Harry dropped the letter and sat down heavily on his bed. This couldn't be happening, how was he going to do this for God's sake? This had to be some kind of joke, Malfoy's doing perhaps or even Voldemort's. How could he stay at Privet Drive for longer than the summer? How was he going to do the school work?
He hit the pillows and lay awake thinking of the mundane question of how on earth he was going to get his homework done.
A/N: This is meant to be short, the next chapters will be longer. In the next chapter we'll be jumping to late August/early September, just to get past all of the dull stuff. Reviews will be gratefully received, thank-you.
