Chapter 1
A/N: Hey, I'd really like to know what you think. I won't bug you too much about review, but I sure would appreciate them! Thanks!
The first few weeks at Privet Drive had been quiet ones. Dudley squealed in terror whenever Harry approached and quickly hid. Aunt Petunia ignored him completely. She even forgot to assign him dozens of wretched chores. Uncle Vernon glared at Harry across the breakfast table and didn't bark at him about his hair. As much as Harry liked not talking to the Dursleys, it was starting to wear on him. Not that Harry missed Uncle Vernon yelling at him or Dudley bullying at him, but it would be nice if he was not treated a s a complete nonentity.
One morning Uncle Vernon stood up at the breakfast table and cleared his throat. "I have an announcement to make," he said. Dudley looked up from the miserly portion of grapefruit his mother still insisted on serving him instantly. Aunt Petunia turned her tearful eyes away from her porky son to look at Uncle Vernon. Even Harry looked up, curious as to what was going on.
"This summer we're going to Majorca for a few weeks. It's high time we had a holiday," Uncle Vernon continued, looking quite pleased with himself. Aunt Petunia clapped her hands and Dudley was delighted. Harry showed no change. He was certain the Dursely's would not hate him any less in Majorca than on Privet Drive. But Uncle Vernon wasn't finished. "You," he said turning to glare at Harry, "will be staying with Mrs. Figg. I've already spoken to her and she has kindly agreed to take in a weirdo like you for a few weeks."
Harry groaned. Mrs. Figg lived two streets away and was quite off her rocker. Her house forever smelled of cabbage and she always made Harry look at pictures of every cat she'd ever had. Last time, he had been allowed to watch television. Mrs. Figg had broken her leg tripping over one of her cats and didn't seem to like them as much.
"Not Mrs. Figg!" he whined.
"Yes, Mrs. Figg," Uncle Vernon replied gruffly.
"Can't I stay with the Weasleys? They invited me over for the summer," Harry pleaded. At mention of the Weasleys, Aunt Petunia turned pale. She hadn't forgotten what the Weasleys did to her house last time they came by. Dudley squeaked. He hadn't forgotten what the Weasleys did to him either.
"NO. If we let those kinds of people come by again, who knows what will happen to the rest of the house!" Uncle Vernon said.
"What about the Grangers? They're Mug- I mean- they're normal. They're dentists." Hermione was currently out of town, but that was a small detail Harry was willing to overlook.
"NO," Uncle Vernon said firmly. "You are staying with that batty old woman and that is that!"
Harry didn't even have to be told to go to his room. He went willingly. He stomped up the stairs and slammed the door behind him. Uncle Vernon must be really pleased with himself now. He had succeeded in guaranteeing that Harry was miserable for weeks. He wrote a letter to Ron complaining about this latest injustice.
Ron, You'll never believe what has happened. The Muggles are going to Majorca for weeks and they've left me with Mrs. Figg! She has a least half a dozen cats and her house smells like cabbage. I hate that place! I asked to stay with you or Hermione. Uncle Vernon refused. Help! Harry
He let his snowy owl Hedwig out of her cage. He stroked her briefly and tied the letter to her leg. "Come back quickly," he told her. "There's no telling when the Dursleys are leaving." She nipped his finger and flew away. Harry sighed and closed the window behind her.
Harry soon found out when the Dursleys were leaving: as soon as possible. When he woke up the next morning, they were in a frenzy as they hurried to pack everything they'd need. Harry stood at the bottom of the stairs gaping at the piles of luggage already by the door. "Don't just stand there! Pack your things! We're leaving this afternoon!" Uncle Vernon growled.
Before Harry knew it, he'd been dumped on Mrs. Figg's doorstep with his trunk and Hedwig's empty cage. "Have a nice time!" Uncle Vernon laughed wickedly. He then sped off leaving Harry alone with the very real prospect of losing his mind during the next few weeks.