Goddamn it, I hate disclaimers. I own nothing but the plot, and the beast in the first chapter. Got it? Good. This is rated PG for a subject that many people seem to have problems with. If you are one of these mentioned people, please don't flame. This is my work, I can write what I want to, and voice my opinions through characters if I choose to. Thank you.



His pulse shot up, and he started to pant. That was by far the strangest dream he had ever had. He furrowed his brow in thought. All the other dreams he had had were dreamt because of a desire or danger, or just because he had been thinking about it that day. An example of the latter was when he had been thinking all day about why ice cream was called ice cream when it wasn't ice, but very cold hard cream (flavoured, of course). So what was the point of this dream? Did he want cinnamon hearts? No, if the creature's breath smelled like it, he surely did not want it. Did he have to shave? Arrrg, he thought, what is it? He thought, and thought, and then thought some more (think, think, think…), but couldn't come up with anything, so he went back to sleep.

He got up to the sound of Ron yelling up the stairs at Ginny to give him back his lavender scented bubble bath. He sat up and put his glasses on bringing the world back into focus. He was surprised that the ghoul hadn't woken him up, but didn't have time to ponder it. Harry was staying at the Weasleys' for the summer, as the Dursleys wouldn't let him in the house. It wasn't as if he cared. He had all of his things with him, and would rather eat one of Dudley's pairs of underwear than stay there for the summer. He got his clothes, had a quick shower ("Ginny, get out!" "Oh! Sorry Harry!"), and went downstairs for breakfast.

Bill was sitting at the table reading the paper, while Molly was bustling about in the kitchen fixing up breakfast. It was early, though Harry felt he had slept in, it being eight thirty. He woke early for someone sixteen, and it was more surprising that Ron was up. Ron usually slept till ten at least. Where was he? Harry glanced at the clock. Ron's hand was at work. Work? What the hell was that about? He was the last person Harry thought would voluntarily go to work. Oh well, thought Harry, I'll just…read. He went back to Charlie's old room where he was bunking. Charlie had been in Romania so long, they had cleared his stuff to the attic and let the room out. Percy was in Germany at a meeting with the paper (he was promoted, don't you know), and wouldn't be back for quite a while to everyone's relief. Harry inhaled the bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns that Molly placed in front of him, thanked her, and went to sit outside.

Ron came outside to the backyard to find Harry sitting on the swing, reading a book.

"What's that? 'A Series of Unfortunate Events?'"

"It's a series about the unfortunate events these three kids go through. It sounds boring, but it's good. Want to read one?" Harry explained.

" Mmmmm, no. I would rather sit and do nothing."

Harry thought he was kidding, but Ron promptly sat and stared into space. Well, at least he isn't being loud. Harry went back to reading his book. Klaus's glasses had just broken when Harry felt a hand on his leg. His upper leg, very close to an area he'd rather keep to himself.

"Ron! I already told you! Please, I don't want to hurt your feelings, but I'm not gay! I'm fine with you being gay, by all means I encourage it, but please, PLEASE, do not hit on me. I'm your friend," Harry said.

Ron hung his head, and mumbled an okay. Harry would have tried to explain further, but he had already told Ron off several times this summer, so he figured he wasn't going to get across. They heard a shout from the house calling them for lunch.

They scarfed down their sandwiches and drank their ice tea, and went back outside to talk.

"Hermione's comin' in two days, you know," Ron said.

" I know," Harry replied. He was looking forward to it. He had spent so much time with Ron he was welcome to other company.

"You don't sound too excited."

" I am, but it's too hot to make a big fuss about it."

It was hot, hotter than usual for July in England. All the blossoms had opened on the trees, and there was a heavenly scent on the air. The sun was at its peak, and even though they sat in the shade, beads of sweat still cascaded from their brows. Soon both their shirts were drenched with sweat. They had sat in silence for what seemed days, but was only minutes. Harry stood up and dashed inside for some lemonade. He brought it out, and they spent the rest of the day outside on the lawn.

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