Chapter 1
Harry Potter looked cautiously around, Cedric was beside him with his wand at the ready and Harry could smell the fear in the air, they slowly moved away from the portkey that had brought them there. Something was niggling at Harry's mind, a sense of Déjà vu, then he realised what was about to happen, and he yelled "back to the cup Cedric, it's a trap". Time seemed to slow as a voice from the darkness calmly said "kill the spare… the spare….spare" and there was a flash of green light.
* * *
Harry awoke with sweat dripping down his ice cold body, he looked around he began to breathe normally again, as he realised he was still in the smallest bedroom, the Dursley's House, Privet Drive. Harry sighed and rolled over to see it was 6:00, a full half hour before he would be called down by his wretched aunt to begin the days backbreaking chores. Harry smiled at the thought of having some time on his own, then grimaced when he remembered why he had awoken so suddenly. The images of Harry's latest ordeal with Voldemort flooded back, and he choked back tears as he remembered offering to tie with Cedric for the cup. Harry examined his room as if checking for anything unusual, and as it happened there were quite a few unusual things about the room. A large wooden trunk stood open in the corner, containing his spellbooks, Hogwarts robes and other gear that made up Harry's life as a wizard, but what caught his eye was the envelope in front of Hedwig's cage. Harry quietly tiptoed over to Hedwig's cage and took the letter and hurriedly opened it
Harry,
How are the muggles treating you? Those threats from Sirius still keeping them in line? Anyway Dad has quit work at the ministry and is working for Dumbledore to help track down Voldemort, its all very exciting, and because dad is helping so much he got a raise and I GOT A NEW BROOM!!! Well, its second hand really, but its still new for me, and it is a Nimbus 500, so not nearly as good as your Firebolt, but it still beats the pants of my old Cleansweep 7. I'm going to try out for keeper this year now that Wood has gone, and the Twins are going to try for co-captain so they are really concentrating on it, harder even that Weasley's Wizard Wheezes! When is Dumbledore going to let you come and stay here anyway, its not like the Burrow isn't safe anyway? Oh, Hermione is turning up in a week, so maybe you should ask Dumbledore if you can come then?
See You Soon(I Hope),
Ron
Harry smiled at Ron's letter and glanced at the clock, he only had fifteen minutes to write a reply and he hastily grabbed a parchment and quill and grabbed some ink.
Dear Ron,
I've only got 15 minutes to write this before I have to get up properly and go downstairs so ill make it brief, that's great bout your dad and your new broom, what's it like, you'll have to show me when I come over. About that, I still haven't got a letter from Dumbledore, so I don't know when I can come over, I hope its soon though mate.
Harry laughed quietly as he thought of Ron and Hermione being stuck at the Burrow for any amount of time without him, and he realised that if Hermione was going to Ron's she wasn't in Bulgaria and wondered what had happened between her and Ron over the summer.
Is Percy still working at the Ministry, and does he believe you or the ministry about what happened to Ce..
Harry grimaced painfully as he thought about Cedric again and scribbled out what he had written about Cedric and drove it from his mind
what happened? I hope the Weasley's get the captaincy, we have to get the cup again this year and I'm sure they would be fun to train under. Well, I hope I can come over soon, so ill write that letter to Dumbledore now to see.
Bye,
Harry
Harry smiled as he got out another piece of parchment to send a letter to Dumbledore, then realised he didn't know whether Ron's Parents had said it was ok for Harry to come over. He hastily scribbled a postscript to Ron's letter
P.S. Hey Ron, it is ok with your mom if I come over right? I don't want to get in the way or put you out
Harry then began his letter to Dumbledore,
Dear Dumbledore,
Ron has offered to let me come to his house for the rest of the Holiday's and I was wondering if it was ok with you, I'm pretty sure the Weasley's are ok with it because I got an invitation from Ron.
Write back Soon,
Harry
It was 6:59, Harry attached both letters to Hedwig's leg and briefly wondered if she would deliver both letters to the right place, he quickly dismissed this thought as Hedwig could deliver mail even if he didn't have an address for the recipient.
* * *
"Harry, come down here NOW" Aunt Petunia called by way of a Good Morning, Harry quickly patted Hedwig's head and opened the window. He ran downstairs to the sight of a mound of presents on the table, and shuddered as he remembered it was Dudley's Birthday today, and he would be left with Mrs. Figg while Dudley and His Smeltings Friends went to an adventure Park. He was fed two pieces of dry toast and told to quickly sweep the front path before Dudley's Friend's arrived. He spent the day pleasantly at Mrs. Figg's house, who still hadn't forgiven her cats. She gave Harry a piece of cake, and this time it wasn't even stale, then she let him watch TV all day while she knitted, which was a welcome change from the chores and work he usually got lumped with at the Dursley's, he even forgot to think about Cedric for a whole day.
* * *
When he got back to his room he found Hedwig asleep in her cage with two letters sitting in front of her. When he opened the cage to retrieve the letters she hooted quietly and ruffled her feathers at him for disturbing her sleep. One letter was from Dumbledore, and the other what looked like one of the older Weasley's. Harry had a moment of indecision before ripping open the letter from Dumbledore
Dear Harry,
I regret to inform you that you will not be able to stay at the Weasley's home for another week and a half while we make it unmappable, and generally protect yourself and them, im sure you understand though I know you will be disappointed.
Enjoy Your Holiday
Prof. Dumbledore
Harry gave a pained look at being kept from the weasley's for another week and a half, but then smiled at those few days that Ron and Hermione would have without him ad wondered what would happen. He then opened the second letter and began to read.
Harry Dear,
You are always welcome at the Burrow, we have already heard from Dumbledore and we will arrange for you to be picked up as soon as we are allowed, in a ministry car this time, don't want to have to go through that terrible business of the fireplace once more. Well dear, I do hope you are being fed well enough and that you aren't being treated too badly. See you soon.
Love,
Mrs Weasely
Harry Blushed at the last lines, but then grinned, he was going to be at the Burrow for his birthday.