Disclaimer: Harry Potter, his friends, enemies and all respective items and characters (beasts or beings) from the novels and novellas of J. K. Rowling are hers by moral right and legal copyright. All new creations are my own fictions by moral right.

This story takes place as an alternative ending to GOF. It begins after Harry takes the rest of the sleeping potion and falls asleep.

Harry Potter – Bad Day in Castle A

Chapter 1 - FAMILY

'Wake up Boy.'

Harry stirred in his sleep muttering. 'I'm up Uncle Vernon' and rolling over began to slide back into that peaceful dreamless sleep.

'Oh No you don't BOY!!! GET UP NOW!!!' Uncle Vernon jarring voice boomed into Harry's ear. Harry reluctantly struggled to sit up. Harry's half opened eyes looking into a blurred bludging red face while he groped about for his glasses. Having them put into his hand, Harry put them on groggily and realised something was very wrong. For directly in front of him his Uncle and Aunt stood in the middle of the schools hospital wing.

The Dursleys have come to Hogwarts!

Previous events began to reconnect in Harry's sleepy memory.

"Thank goodness! At last!' Uncle Vernon exclaimed hoarsely. Slumping down into a chair by the bed.

Madam Promfrey glided over to her confused patient and took his pulse. 'I have sent for the Headmaster. He'll explain everything.' She said just in time for a very tired Dumbledore to walk in the door.

'Awake at last I see. You have had us all very worried Harry.'

The Dursleys looked even more tired than Dumbledore as they silently watched Harry.

Dumbledore sat on the edge of Harry's bed. 'Harry' he said 'you have been asleep for over three days. In fact, we have tried everything to rouse you but you had retreated into yourself and after the recent events that is understandable. But you must face them Harry.'

'But Professor!' exclaimed Harry as he looked from Dumbledore to the Dursleys.

Understanding Harry's puzzlement, Dumbledore went on, 'When we found we could not rouse you by any means, I sent for your Aunt and Uncle, Harry, hoping that they could. And its seems it worked although it has taken them two straight days to accomplish it. It's due to your Uncle and Aunts persistence that you have rejoined us Harry. I think a thank you is in order. Don't you?'

Harry looked in the direction of his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon and said a hesitant 'Thanks for coming and … waking me.'

Uncle Vernon struggled to his feet and stared Harry straight in the eye and said 'Don't you worry boy, we're here now and I intend to put a stop to all this nonsense.' he growled with a side long look in Dumbledore's direction who remained impassive except for the strange gleam in his eyes.

'Now I am sure your Aunt and Uncle will want to get some sleep but you have had quite enough for now. Ahhh heres your cousin just in time.' Dumbledore said standing up as the door open.

And if his Aunt and Uncle weren't enough, in walked Dudley!

'I am sure he will make certain you don't fall back to sleep. In fact why don't you get dressed and get something to eat. I am sure the two of you are quite hungry.' Harry realised as Dumbledore said this that he was indeed starving. Dumbledore showed his Aunt and Uncle out of the hospital wing leaving Harry and Dudley alone.

Dudley regarded Harry silently for a minute and then asked nervously 'Cousin, you're awake at last. Are you really alright?'

'How did you get here, Dudley. Shouldn't you be at your school?' Harry replied.

From the sudden embarrassed look on Dudley face Harry knew he had asked the wrong question. 'I was home from school for a few days …. Anyway that Hagrid character arrived. He said you were sick and mum and dad were needed urgently at Hogwarts and he insisted we all take hold of an old gumboot. We were suddenly swung around and around and when we fell down we were on the ground just outside the gates of this castle. Dad was furious and mum was screaming but that Hagrid helped dad and mum up and told us to walk up to the castle as quick as we could.'

Dudley's eyes were beginning to bulge as much as his fathers while he told his tale almost without drawing breathe. Harry guessed that Hagrid had used a portakey to bring the Dursleys here as quickly as possible. Three days! Harry could scarcely believe it. The events of the last day he could remember were so clear, it was as if Harry was still there, amongst the Deatheaters battling Voldemort. Harry's thoughts suddenly turned to Cedric Diggory's cold open empty eyes and tears welled up in his eyes.

Dudley's expression changed to one Harry had never seen on his cousin's face before, concern. He asked ' Are you all right Harry?' Harry looked away saying 'I'll get dressed and then lets get something to eat.'

Harry was soon dressed in a clean set of clothes and robe he found next to the bed. A little unsteady at first on his feet, he started for the door. Dudley remained were he was. "Dad said not to leave the hospital area Harry.'

But Harry had had quite enough of the place and told his cousin 'Look you can stay if you like, but I am going down to the Great Hall for some food. Just tell them you had to keep an eye on me. I don't care anymore if I'm in trouble or not.'

Dudley seemed scared but followed Harry out of the hospital and joining him, they began to climb down the stairs. Dudley's eyes were trying to take in everything at once, from the moving figures in the pictures to the suits of armour that began to laugh as they passed. Harry had automatically jumped over the trick stair that ensnared his cousin's foot. It must have been quite a sight. A small runty boy trying to lift his much bigger companion out of that trap. Finally managing to free Dudley as they fell backwards.

'Thank goodness you have been on that diet' Harry exclaimed from beneath his cousin and both of them burst out laughing. That was the first time Harry and his cousin had ever laughed at the same thing. Harry felt somewhat better after that, as if the release of tension in his laughing had somehow placed some of the recent events in prospective.

As they continued their journey down to the Great Hall, Harry began to point out the various features he had come to love of the castle and Dudley bombarded him with questions about all the strange sights before them. Then they entered the Great Hall and Dudley was silenced looking up at the ceiling. It was just first light and the ceiling was ablaze with the colours of the dawn.