"You are going to be dead, once and forever, boy, you AND your friends." A
hooded man with beady red eyes glared at Harry, waiting for something.
"No. Never! You won't kill my friends. Never in my life!" Harry said, stepping in front of his best friends, Ron and Hermione, defending them.
"Oh, boy, that can very well be arranged. Yes. arranged very quickly." The hooded man said, grinning with his cat-like teeth. He pulled out his wand, and the next thing Harry knew, Ron was on the floor, gasping for breath. Harry pulled out his wand, but then Hermione was on the ground, not moving.
"Leave them alone! I warn you! Let them be!" Harry said. He raised his arm, but then he woke up screaming, in a cold sweat, and body aching all over like it really happened. He checked his arms and legs and found that they had scratches and bruises on them. He got some ointment and nursed them, and he then noticed that his lightning-shaped scar was burning madly, more than ever before.
Hedwig, his owl that Hagrid had given him for his 11th birthday was in her cage, awake and alert. Harry rubbed his scar and reached under the loose floorboard for his quill, parchment, ink, and a flashlight. His wand was locked up in his trunk, and the trunk was in the locked cupboard in the kitchen, where he couldn't get it. He told Hedwig to eat and rest, so she could take a long flight and started writing. He had wakened up like this 5 times before, so it was time to stop this. He wrote:
Dear Professor Dumbledore,
My scar is hurting again, this is the worst it's ever been, I have been waking up screaming, and sweating, but this time, I have scrapes and bruises. I think he can get into my dreams now. He is getting stronger. I might have a broken bone... I haven't checked yet. Can you send Hedwig to Ron, Hermione or Sirius for me; I can't take care of her in my condition. Professor, I will not lie, I am very scared. My dreams are too bad to explain, but I tell you, Ron, Hermione, and me don't come out too well. Sorry to disturb you, but I had to tell you. I was wondering if I could stay with Ron, Sirius, or Hermione until school starts. Please? I need to talk to someone other than my Aunt and Uncle... They just tell me that I chose this, and it's my fault. Please can I go somewhere else??
Sincerely, Harry Potter
Harry tied it to Hedwig's leg, gave her an Owl Treat and told her to take it to Professor Dumbledore. Hedwig took flight, and soon was out of sight.
Harry just sat on his bed, and looked at the clock. It read 12:30. "Happy Birthday to Me..happy.." Harry said, feeling sorry for his self, his bright green eyes swelled up with tears. "Why does this happen to me... Why does Voldemort want to kill ME? So what if I lived? Doesn't give him a single reason to hate me! I just wish my scar would stop hurting. Harry didn't realize Hermione had wakened up at the exact same time as him and was crying.
******EARLIER WITH HERMIONE******
She woke up screaming and in a cold sweat. She had had the same dream as Harry, and felt her forehead throbbing, and had aches in her body. She started to cry from the pain and the dream. Her best friends died.. She thought. She too had scratches and bruises all over her. She pulled out her wand and healed herself, but she couldn't heal her broken leg. Her forehead was throbbing, the first time ever.
*I thought only Harry had his forehead hurt so much.* She thought. Hemione limped to her mirror, and gasped. The dream had come true. She had escaped Voldemort's curse. and she, Hermione Granger, had a lightening-shaped scar on her forehead. She had to get help.
Not one of them knew that Ron, all the way at his house, was dying, and still gasping for breath. ******BACK WITH HARRY****** Harry was trying to fall back asleep, but right when he was, he heard the all too familiar *plop* *plop* *plop* of apperation. He bolted up and watched as the people surrounded him.
"I didn't do anything!! My wand is all locked up in the cupboard under the kitchen sink! In my trunk, at that!" Harry said, trying not to wake the Dursleys.
"We know, We know, its just that a Hermione Granger said that you, her and Ron Weasely were attacked by Lord Voldemort, and we think its best if we took you over to the Ministry or Magic headquarters. Shall we get your guardian awake, they might want to know-" Arthur Weasly was cut short when Harry heard another *plop* and there was Professor Dumbledore.
"Harry, are you okay, I got Hedwig's letter.. And what do we have here?" Professor Dumbledore saw blood all over Harry, and that he wasn't moving his right leg too much while trying to stand up. "We must get you to a hospital.. Right away. Sit down, Harry." Dumbledore said, looking around.
Harry obeyed and sat down.
"I think Ron Weasely wouldn't appreciate it if he died in his own home. From what Miss Granger told me, he was last seen gasping for breath." He added as Arthur turned pale and made a *plop* and was gone.
"Hermione! Is she okay, where is she? Tell me!!! Now!! Please! "Harry was hysterical. There was a pause, then a *plop* as Arthur Weasely came back into view, then a couple more *plops* then some of the Weasely kids came into view, too, Percy and the two oldest brothers.
"Ron..Ron..Ron.is...he is..dying.We.We.We need.. Help." Arthur said, about to cry.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Weasely... It's my entire fault. I shouldn't have gone to Hogwarts, just stayed with the wretched Dursely's, and then Hermione and Ron wouldn't have known me and gotten into this. This is my fight, and they shouldn't be hurt because of me." Harry said, looking down.
"No, No, dear boy. It's not like that. Ron is alive and going to be well, Hermione is alive and she wants to see you. Do you happen to have any floo powder?" Arthur said. "I don't think I can apperate you, that'd be against the rules." he added.
"No, Dursely's won't let me." Harry said, frowning. He tried to raise his leg, but he just yelled. Everyone looked concerned, and was trying to think of a way to help him. They didn't have the Weasely car, Harry and Ron took care of that their 2nd year, Harry couldn't apperate when his love wanted him. -My love.. Do I love her.. - Harry couldn't keep thinking about Hermione, but instead, thought of a way to get to her. -Well, if it's Voldemort, I guess they could make an acceptation. maybe.- "Could you make an acceptation with the apperating thing, because it's Voldemort?" Harry asked Arthur.
"Well, maybe. just maybe." Arthur Weasely said, looking at Harry like he'd gone and grown another 4 heads. "I never thought of that! Well, boy what are you waiting for? Umm... Percy, go downstairs and open the kitchen cupboard and get Harry's trunk. We'll let him stay with us till school starts. Harry, grab Hedwig's cage, and everything you need for the time you'll be with us, and I'll go and awaken Mr. & Mrs. Dursely telling them what's happening. The rest of you, go to Mrs. Hermione Granger's house and do the same with what we're doing here" Arthur was so frantic, he was sweating.
The rest just -plopped- away. -Um... I think he's very afraid for me and Hermione. What's wrong with Dumbledore? - Harry thought.
Dumbledore was just sitting on Harry's messy bed, thinking. He knew that Voldemort was still a little weak, and couldn't have come here without someone noticing. He never went without his followers, and even then, they would have at least made a little noise or mess, but Harry's room didn't have any mark of the Dark Magic people, not a thing seemed out of place. Dumbledore walked out of the room as Percy came up with the trunk. "I will help Arthur with the Dursely's, Harry. To make them calmer, if needed." Dumbledore said, with a little comforting smile.
Harry nodded, and got Hedwig's cage as the little snowy owl came in the window with a note tied to her leg. -Hermione or someone must have found her. - He thought. A scream emerged from the hallway, and Mr. Dursely came into Harry's room. "What are you doing, boy? Bringing all these-these-these people like you into our house? Why. Why. Why. I wish that thing would've killed you! We'd all be happier! I hope you go to your godfather. Siroos.something like that... and leave us alone!! Why I ought to-" He boomed, waking up Dudley and half the neighborhood along with him.
"Mr. Dursely, we mean you no harm, but to you a great favor. Harry here is being hunted down by a great wizard. Terrible, but great wizard, indeed. We only wish your permission to take him somewhere safer, where you'll be out of danger's way. Please, forgive us and let Harry here go to Mr. Weasely's house for the rest of the summer, and you can have the rest of it with your other family." Dumbledore assured Mr. Dursely, calming the purple uncle down.
"No Harry?" He asked.
"No, I am afraid," Dumbledore said, and Harry laughed, because this is a relief to his uncle. "Not until the next school-year is over." He finished.
"Okay, then." Uncle Vernon said.
Then, without another word, all of the wizards left went away, and Harry knew, to Ron's house. -I guess Mrs. Weasely is taking care of Ron, and Hermione is almost there- Harry thought, as he saw the flying colors, and pretty lights. He was still clutching Arthur's hand with his right, Hedwig's cage with his left. Before he knew it, Harry was in the Weasely's house.
The first thing Harry said was, "Where's Hermione and Ron?" and then the next thing he knew, he saw a blur of hair, and he was on the floor, trampled by Hermione.
"Harry, you okay? Oh, I was so worried!"
"Hermione, will you please get off of me? You scared Hedwig.and.she's got a note I think." Harry said, under Hermione. Hermione got up and looked around for Hedwig. She spotted the un-spotted Owl on the top of the Weasely's kitchen counter getting little bits of toast from the bottom of the toaster. (Duh?) "Hedwig, come here girl!" Harry called, as Hedwig got the last piece of toast.
Hedwig looked up and flew to Harry's shoulder and put out her leg. It was a note from Sirius. "It's from." Harry looked around. Only Dumbledore and Hermione were around. Dumbledore looking at the Muggle items, not paying attention to Harry and Hermione. "It's from Sirius!" Harry said, enough to get Hermione looking over his shoulder, and Dumbledore to look at Harry with interest.
Dumbledore just looked back at the Muggle telephone and picked it up to examine it. He pushed a button and it beeped giving him a more interesting examination of the button "5".
"Well, what does it say?" Hermione said, trying hard to get it from Harry. "Okay, okay!" Harry said, and read the note: "
Dear Harry,
I know what happened with you, Hermione and Ron. Dumbledore told me. By the time you get this, you'll probably know that Voldemort had gotten in a little fight with a Muggle named Freddy Krueger. (Dun dun DUUUNNNN!)"
Harry stopped, and just got a thought. "Who's that?" Hermione asked Harry, slightly confused.
"Freddy Krueger. I saw him on a movie. He can get into people's dreams and kill them in their dreams. Like he can do things in your dream, and it happens in real life. That's how he got to us. That is how he didn't do a thing to our rooms. That's why Ron is struggling to breathe right now!" Harry replied, reading the note, "
Muggle named Freddy Krueger. He gets into your dreams and tries to kill you while you're asleep, so it seems like you died peacefully. Try to fight him, Harry, and try, please try, to stay alive. Don't worry about me; I am trying to get my name cleared so you can stay with me, and not those Dursely's. Keep those hopes high, and fight your way through!
Love, Sirius
P.S. please try not to get into too much trouble this school-year; if you stay at Hogwarts, you need to stay near Dumbledore. You know Voldemort is scared of him."
"He's right Harry, Don't go and do something stupid like the second year and drive something into the Whomping Willow." Hermione said to Harry, bringing the awful memory of the time Ron and himself had driven the Weasely car to Hogwarts when they couldn't get onto the Platform 9 ¾.
"That.That my friend we had to do!" Harry said, looking at Hermione, still looking over his shoulder.
"I bet." Hermione said, taking the note from Harry and sitting on the couch. "Yep, it's true. He is tying to get his name cleared!" Hermione said, "You know, if he DOES get it cleared, you would be able to stay with him?" she said, beaming up at Harry.
"Yeah, that'd be good." He said, looking up at Mrs. Weasely coming down the stairs with something, no, someone in her arms
. -Must be Ron- Harry thought.
"No. Never! You won't kill my friends. Never in my life!" Harry said, stepping in front of his best friends, Ron and Hermione, defending them.
"Oh, boy, that can very well be arranged. Yes. arranged very quickly." The hooded man said, grinning with his cat-like teeth. He pulled out his wand, and the next thing Harry knew, Ron was on the floor, gasping for breath. Harry pulled out his wand, but then Hermione was on the ground, not moving.
"Leave them alone! I warn you! Let them be!" Harry said. He raised his arm, but then he woke up screaming, in a cold sweat, and body aching all over like it really happened. He checked his arms and legs and found that they had scratches and bruises on them. He got some ointment and nursed them, and he then noticed that his lightning-shaped scar was burning madly, more than ever before.
Hedwig, his owl that Hagrid had given him for his 11th birthday was in her cage, awake and alert. Harry rubbed his scar and reached under the loose floorboard for his quill, parchment, ink, and a flashlight. His wand was locked up in his trunk, and the trunk was in the locked cupboard in the kitchen, where he couldn't get it. He told Hedwig to eat and rest, so she could take a long flight and started writing. He had wakened up like this 5 times before, so it was time to stop this. He wrote:
Dear Professor Dumbledore,
My scar is hurting again, this is the worst it's ever been, I have been waking up screaming, and sweating, but this time, I have scrapes and bruises. I think he can get into my dreams now. He is getting stronger. I might have a broken bone... I haven't checked yet. Can you send Hedwig to Ron, Hermione or Sirius for me; I can't take care of her in my condition. Professor, I will not lie, I am very scared. My dreams are too bad to explain, but I tell you, Ron, Hermione, and me don't come out too well. Sorry to disturb you, but I had to tell you. I was wondering if I could stay with Ron, Sirius, or Hermione until school starts. Please? I need to talk to someone other than my Aunt and Uncle... They just tell me that I chose this, and it's my fault. Please can I go somewhere else??
Sincerely, Harry Potter
Harry tied it to Hedwig's leg, gave her an Owl Treat and told her to take it to Professor Dumbledore. Hedwig took flight, and soon was out of sight.
Harry just sat on his bed, and looked at the clock. It read 12:30. "Happy Birthday to Me..happy.." Harry said, feeling sorry for his self, his bright green eyes swelled up with tears. "Why does this happen to me... Why does Voldemort want to kill ME? So what if I lived? Doesn't give him a single reason to hate me! I just wish my scar would stop hurting. Harry didn't realize Hermione had wakened up at the exact same time as him and was crying.
******EARLIER WITH HERMIONE******
She woke up screaming and in a cold sweat. She had had the same dream as Harry, and felt her forehead throbbing, and had aches in her body. She started to cry from the pain and the dream. Her best friends died.. She thought. She too had scratches and bruises all over her. She pulled out her wand and healed herself, but she couldn't heal her broken leg. Her forehead was throbbing, the first time ever.
*I thought only Harry had his forehead hurt so much.* She thought. Hemione limped to her mirror, and gasped. The dream had come true. She had escaped Voldemort's curse. and she, Hermione Granger, had a lightening-shaped scar on her forehead. She had to get help.
Not one of them knew that Ron, all the way at his house, was dying, and still gasping for breath. ******BACK WITH HARRY****** Harry was trying to fall back asleep, but right when he was, he heard the all too familiar *plop* *plop* *plop* of apperation. He bolted up and watched as the people surrounded him.
"I didn't do anything!! My wand is all locked up in the cupboard under the kitchen sink! In my trunk, at that!" Harry said, trying not to wake the Dursleys.
"We know, We know, its just that a Hermione Granger said that you, her and Ron Weasely were attacked by Lord Voldemort, and we think its best if we took you over to the Ministry or Magic headquarters. Shall we get your guardian awake, they might want to know-" Arthur Weasly was cut short when Harry heard another *plop* and there was Professor Dumbledore.
"Harry, are you okay, I got Hedwig's letter.. And what do we have here?" Professor Dumbledore saw blood all over Harry, and that he wasn't moving his right leg too much while trying to stand up. "We must get you to a hospital.. Right away. Sit down, Harry." Dumbledore said, looking around.
Harry obeyed and sat down.
"I think Ron Weasely wouldn't appreciate it if he died in his own home. From what Miss Granger told me, he was last seen gasping for breath." He added as Arthur turned pale and made a *plop* and was gone.
"Hermione! Is she okay, where is she? Tell me!!! Now!! Please! "Harry was hysterical. There was a pause, then a *plop* as Arthur Weasely came back into view, then a couple more *plops* then some of the Weasely kids came into view, too, Percy and the two oldest brothers.
"Ron..Ron..Ron.is...he is..dying.We.We.We need.. Help." Arthur said, about to cry.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Weasely... It's my entire fault. I shouldn't have gone to Hogwarts, just stayed with the wretched Dursely's, and then Hermione and Ron wouldn't have known me and gotten into this. This is my fight, and they shouldn't be hurt because of me." Harry said, looking down.
"No, No, dear boy. It's not like that. Ron is alive and going to be well, Hermione is alive and she wants to see you. Do you happen to have any floo powder?" Arthur said. "I don't think I can apperate you, that'd be against the rules." he added.
"No, Dursely's won't let me." Harry said, frowning. He tried to raise his leg, but he just yelled. Everyone looked concerned, and was trying to think of a way to help him. They didn't have the Weasely car, Harry and Ron took care of that their 2nd year, Harry couldn't apperate when his love wanted him. -My love.. Do I love her.. - Harry couldn't keep thinking about Hermione, but instead, thought of a way to get to her. -Well, if it's Voldemort, I guess they could make an acceptation. maybe.- "Could you make an acceptation with the apperating thing, because it's Voldemort?" Harry asked Arthur.
"Well, maybe. just maybe." Arthur Weasely said, looking at Harry like he'd gone and grown another 4 heads. "I never thought of that! Well, boy what are you waiting for? Umm... Percy, go downstairs and open the kitchen cupboard and get Harry's trunk. We'll let him stay with us till school starts. Harry, grab Hedwig's cage, and everything you need for the time you'll be with us, and I'll go and awaken Mr. & Mrs. Dursely telling them what's happening. The rest of you, go to Mrs. Hermione Granger's house and do the same with what we're doing here" Arthur was so frantic, he was sweating.
The rest just -plopped- away. -Um... I think he's very afraid for me and Hermione. What's wrong with Dumbledore? - Harry thought.
Dumbledore was just sitting on Harry's messy bed, thinking. He knew that Voldemort was still a little weak, and couldn't have come here without someone noticing. He never went without his followers, and even then, they would have at least made a little noise or mess, but Harry's room didn't have any mark of the Dark Magic people, not a thing seemed out of place. Dumbledore walked out of the room as Percy came up with the trunk. "I will help Arthur with the Dursely's, Harry. To make them calmer, if needed." Dumbledore said, with a little comforting smile.
Harry nodded, and got Hedwig's cage as the little snowy owl came in the window with a note tied to her leg. -Hermione or someone must have found her. - He thought. A scream emerged from the hallway, and Mr. Dursely came into Harry's room. "What are you doing, boy? Bringing all these-these-these people like you into our house? Why. Why. Why. I wish that thing would've killed you! We'd all be happier! I hope you go to your godfather. Siroos.something like that... and leave us alone!! Why I ought to-" He boomed, waking up Dudley and half the neighborhood along with him.
"Mr. Dursely, we mean you no harm, but to you a great favor. Harry here is being hunted down by a great wizard. Terrible, but great wizard, indeed. We only wish your permission to take him somewhere safer, where you'll be out of danger's way. Please, forgive us and let Harry here go to Mr. Weasely's house for the rest of the summer, and you can have the rest of it with your other family." Dumbledore assured Mr. Dursely, calming the purple uncle down.
"No Harry?" He asked.
"No, I am afraid," Dumbledore said, and Harry laughed, because this is a relief to his uncle. "Not until the next school-year is over." He finished.
"Okay, then." Uncle Vernon said.
Then, without another word, all of the wizards left went away, and Harry knew, to Ron's house. -I guess Mrs. Weasely is taking care of Ron, and Hermione is almost there- Harry thought, as he saw the flying colors, and pretty lights. He was still clutching Arthur's hand with his right, Hedwig's cage with his left. Before he knew it, Harry was in the Weasely's house.
The first thing Harry said was, "Where's Hermione and Ron?" and then the next thing he knew, he saw a blur of hair, and he was on the floor, trampled by Hermione.
"Harry, you okay? Oh, I was so worried!"
"Hermione, will you please get off of me? You scared Hedwig.and.she's got a note I think." Harry said, under Hermione. Hermione got up and looked around for Hedwig. She spotted the un-spotted Owl on the top of the Weasely's kitchen counter getting little bits of toast from the bottom of the toaster. (Duh?) "Hedwig, come here girl!" Harry called, as Hedwig got the last piece of toast.
Hedwig looked up and flew to Harry's shoulder and put out her leg. It was a note from Sirius. "It's from." Harry looked around. Only Dumbledore and Hermione were around. Dumbledore looking at the Muggle items, not paying attention to Harry and Hermione. "It's from Sirius!" Harry said, enough to get Hermione looking over his shoulder, and Dumbledore to look at Harry with interest.
Dumbledore just looked back at the Muggle telephone and picked it up to examine it. He pushed a button and it beeped giving him a more interesting examination of the button "5".
"Well, what does it say?" Hermione said, trying hard to get it from Harry. "Okay, okay!" Harry said, and read the note: "
Dear Harry,
I know what happened with you, Hermione and Ron. Dumbledore told me. By the time you get this, you'll probably know that Voldemort had gotten in a little fight with a Muggle named Freddy Krueger. (Dun dun DUUUNNNN!)"
Harry stopped, and just got a thought. "Who's that?" Hermione asked Harry, slightly confused.
"Freddy Krueger. I saw him on a movie. He can get into people's dreams and kill them in their dreams. Like he can do things in your dream, and it happens in real life. That's how he got to us. That is how he didn't do a thing to our rooms. That's why Ron is struggling to breathe right now!" Harry replied, reading the note, "
Muggle named Freddy Krueger. He gets into your dreams and tries to kill you while you're asleep, so it seems like you died peacefully. Try to fight him, Harry, and try, please try, to stay alive. Don't worry about me; I am trying to get my name cleared so you can stay with me, and not those Dursely's. Keep those hopes high, and fight your way through!
Love, Sirius
P.S. please try not to get into too much trouble this school-year; if you stay at Hogwarts, you need to stay near Dumbledore. You know Voldemort is scared of him."
"He's right Harry, Don't go and do something stupid like the second year and drive something into the Whomping Willow." Hermione said to Harry, bringing the awful memory of the time Ron and himself had driven the Weasely car to Hogwarts when they couldn't get onto the Platform 9 ¾.
"That.That my friend we had to do!" Harry said, looking at Hermione, still looking over his shoulder.
"I bet." Hermione said, taking the note from Harry and sitting on the couch. "Yep, it's true. He is tying to get his name cleared!" Hermione said, "You know, if he DOES get it cleared, you would be able to stay with him?" she said, beaming up at Harry.
"Yeah, that'd be good." He said, looking up at Mrs. Weasely coming down the stairs with something, no, someone in her arms
. -Must be Ron- Harry thought.