The Summer of Our Discontent
Takes place immediately after GoF. Harry and Hermione find themselves back at Hogwart's much sooner than they expect.
Rating: PG-13 at the most Pairing: Strictly H/H, maybe some R/? thrown in for good measure Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, but if I did, I would have already paid off university! ;)
Chap 1
The ride back to Privet Drive was quieter than normal, it seemed to Harry. The radio wasn't blasting, as it usually was - a ploy of Dursley's to block out the sound of his nephew's breathing. It wasn't until the drive was half over that he spoke. "In one month's time, you'll be 15, Harry." Harry looked up to catch his uncle's eye in the mirror. He nodded slowly, not knowing quite where this rant was going. "As I've been told to do, I have kept you in my home and protected you," (Harry almost snorted at this) "But I cannot do it anymore. On your birthday, you will leave my house, and you will never come back." Harry glanced up at this, a bit shocked. "Dum - " Dursley broke from the low monotone of his speech and angrily hit the steering wheel. "I don't care what that crazy old coot said! As long as you are in my house, you are a danger to me." Harry nodded again, and in the stillness, he stared out the window at the passing view. He had expected this news, but not quite at this time. It was just one more thing to add on to his worries. He couldn't make himself be sad about it though, or even mad. After all, an escape from 4 Privet Drive was all he'd ever wanted, even more so after he discovered there was something better out there for him. He spoke with sudden revelation. "Once I'm gone, for good, there will be no more protection over your house. If anyone - the wrong anyone - finds out that I'd lived there, that you're even related to me, you could be in serious trouble. And if you are, there will be no one around with the power to help you. Do you understand what I'm saying?" He'd managed to speak quietly, and without meaning to, his words came out in almost a threatening tone. He looked up to catch his uncle's eye in the rearview. "Do you understand, Uncle Vernon? Turn your back on magic, and it will turn its back on you." Dursley was silent again for a minute. "We'll leave Privet Drive. We'll leave and never tell you where we went." His pudgy hands clutched the steering wheel harder, and Harry could see that beads of sweat had broken out across his forehead. Harry shook his head, frowning. "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter, because if he wants you, he will find you. And it would be easier than you might think." He glared at the mirror, daring his uncle to catch his eye, to even glance his way. His sullen mood had been replaced by anger. Anger that this was happening now, and angry that he had a chance to protect some one's life, to save them, and they weren't listening. "Please, just listen to me. Trust me, and do not turn on this." Dursley stayed quiet, staring straight ahead at the road. He doesn't understand. Harry was suddenly itching to speak to his uncle, to divulge the entire story of the past year. He knew, however, that his uncle's reaction would be less than comforting, to say the least. Most likely, he'd scream at the mere mention of Hogwarts. His chance to spill passed as they drove up to the house. Vernon rose out of the car and into the house without even a backward glance. Harry was left alone to lug his heavy trunk out of the boot and up the stairs to his room. A second trip to the car found Hedwig asleep in her cage, beak tucked under a snow-white wing. She woke when he lifted the cage and tittered softly all the way up the stairs. Once locked away in the bedroom, he drew her from the cage and perched her atop the mirror, giving her space to stretch her wings. Harry stood in front of her for a moment, until she bent over to nibble his ear. "Go on, girl." Harry opened the window. "Eat, but be back soon, and I'll have a letter for you." She seemed reluctant to leave at first, but nodded, and hopped out of the window to soar across the backyard. Harry sighed once, then set about unpacking some of his things. Most of it remained in his trunk, waiting for the return to Hogwarts, if not the escape from the Dursleys'. He took out a quill and parchment and stretched out on the cool floor. There was a letter he had to write.
Hermione, A long time it's been since last we saw each other, I know. But I've just come across an interesting bit of news. One month from now, on my birthday, I'm to leave the Dursleys', for good. My uncle says his house is not safe with me in it - he wouldn't listen otherwise. So, it's news, one way or another. I haven't told Sirius - I wanted to tell you first. I'll most likely end up with him and Lupin, for the summer, anyway. How's everything been with you these few hours of freedom? Bet you're already studying for the OWLs, aren't you? Do yourself a favor, and take a break from the books. Hope your mum and dad are well, Write back, Harry When Hedwig returned a few minutes later, he sent her off with the letter. Deciding not to start the next note just yet, he sat at the window and gazed up at the stars, willing himself not to think. At seven that night, he journeyed downstairs to an unannounced dinner. The Dursley's were already at the table. Harry sat quietly, picking at his food. Dudley had already been home for a few weeks, but was being fawned over by his mother as if he'd just arrived. And apparently, the diet had been dropped altogether. "More potatoes, Duddles?" asked Aunt Petunia. Dudley nodded hungrily and was diving into Mt Mashed Potatoes before it landed on his plate. To Harry he seemed more rotund and round than ever, rolls upon his roll's rolls. At dinner, there was little conversation, save the obligatory discussion of Parliament's news, but little else. Dudley definitely knew of Harry's eminent departure, as whenever he looked at his cousin, the dark little pig eye smirked at him from between the mounds of flesh. Every time Harry returned to his supper, ignoring the bait. After dinner Harry ventured out into the backyard and the branches of an old oak tree - his favorite spot in this horrible place. Hidden amongst the thick branches and leaves, no one could ever reach him; no one even knew he was there. When he was younger and had been banished from the house for the night, Harry had always gathered up his blanket and small pillow to take with him to this exact spot. No one could see or hear him there, sitting in the smooth hollow of the old trunk. For the first time since the end of the tournament, Harry was alone. In the silence and emptiness of the old tree's branches, he had no one to be with but himself. Harry was suddenly alone with only his thoughts for company, overwhelming him. Sitting there in his quiet place, surrounded by a great nothingness, the boy who lived, cried.
Takes place immediately after GoF. Harry and Hermione find themselves back at Hogwart's much sooner than they expect.
Rating: PG-13 at the most Pairing: Strictly H/H, maybe some R/? thrown in for good measure Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, but if I did, I would have already paid off university! ;)
Chap 1
The ride back to Privet Drive was quieter than normal, it seemed to Harry. The radio wasn't blasting, as it usually was - a ploy of Dursley's to block out the sound of his nephew's breathing. It wasn't until the drive was half over that he spoke. "In one month's time, you'll be 15, Harry." Harry looked up to catch his uncle's eye in the mirror. He nodded slowly, not knowing quite where this rant was going. "As I've been told to do, I have kept you in my home and protected you," (Harry almost snorted at this) "But I cannot do it anymore. On your birthday, you will leave my house, and you will never come back." Harry glanced up at this, a bit shocked. "Dum - " Dursley broke from the low monotone of his speech and angrily hit the steering wheel. "I don't care what that crazy old coot said! As long as you are in my house, you are a danger to me." Harry nodded again, and in the stillness, he stared out the window at the passing view. He had expected this news, but not quite at this time. It was just one more thing to add on to his worries. He couldn't make himself be sad about it though, or even mad. After all, an escape from 4 Privet Drive was all he'd ever wanted, even more so after he discovered there was something better out there for him. He spoke with sudden revelation. "Once I'm gone, for good, there will be no more protection over your house. If anyone - the wrong anyone - finds out that I'd lived there, that you're even related to me, you could be in serious trouble. And if you are, there will be no one around with the power to help you. Do you understand what I'm saying?" He'd managed to speak quietly, and without meaning to, his words came out in almost a threatening tone. He looked up to catch his uncle's eye in the rearview. "Do you understand, Uncle Vernon? Turn your back on magic, and it will turn its back on you." Dursley was silent again for a minute. "We'll leave Privet Drive. We'll leave and never tell you where we went." His pudgy hands clutched the steering wheel harder, and Harry could see that beads of sweat had broken out across his forehead. Harry shook his head, frowning. "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter, because if he wants you, he will find you. And it would be easier than you might think." He glared at the mirror, daring his uncle to catch his eye, to even glance his way. His sullen mood had been replaced by anger. Anger that this was happening now, and angry that he had a chance to protect some one's life, to save them, and they weren't listening. "Please, just listen to me. Trust me, and do not turn on this." Dursley stayed quiet, staring straight ahead at the road. He doesn't understand. Harry was suddenly itching to speak to his uncle, to divulge the entire story of the past year. He knew, however, that his uncle's reaction would be less than comforting, to say the least. Most likely, he'd scream at the mere mention of Hogwarts. His chance to spill passed as they drove up to the house. Vernon rose out of the car and into the house without even a backward glance. Harry was left alone to lug his heavy trunk out of the boot and up the stairs to his room. A second trip to the car found Hedwig asleep in her cage, beak tucked under a snow-white wing. She woke when he lifted the cage and tittered softly all the way up the stairs. Once locked away in the bedroom, he drew her from the cage and perched her atop the mirror, giving her space to stretch her wings. Harry stood in front of her for a moment, until she bent over to nibble his ear. "Go on, girl." Harry opened the window. "Eat, but be back soon, and I'll have a letter for you." She seemed reluctant to leave at first, but nodded, and hopped out of the window to soar across the backyard. Harry sighed once, then set about unpacking some of his things. Most of it remained in his trunk, waiting for the return to Hogwarts, if not the escape from the Dursleys'. He took out a quill and parchment and stretched out on the cool floor. There was a letter he had to write.
Hermione, A long time it's been since last we saw each other, I know. But I've just come across an interesting bit of news. One month from now, on my birthday, I'm to leave the Dursleys', for good. My uncle says his house is not safe with me in it - he wouldn't listen otherwise. So, it's news, one way or another. I haven't told Sirius - I wanted to tell you first. I'll most likely end up with him and Lupin, for the summer, anyway. How's everything been with you these few hours of freedom? Bet you're already studying for the OWLs, aren't you? Do yourself a favor, and take a break from the books. Hope your mum and dad are well, Write back, Harry When Hedwig returned a few minutes later, he sent her off with the letter. Deciding not to start the next note just yet, he sat at the window and gazed up at the stars, willing himself not to think. At seven that night, he journeyed downstairs to an unannounced dinner. The Dursley's were already at the table. Harry sat quietly, picking at his food. Dudley had already been home for a few weeks, but was being fawned over by his mother as if he'd just arrived. And apparently, the diet had been dropped altogether. "More potatoes, Duddles?" asked Aunt Petunia. Dudley nodded hungrily and was diving into Mt Mashed Potatoes before it landed on his plate. To Harry he seemed more rotund and round than ever, rolls upon his roll's rolls. At dinner, there was little conversation, save the obligatory discussion of Parliament's news, but little else. Dudley definitely knew of Harry's eminent departure, as whenever he looked at his cousin, the dark little pig eye smirked at him from between the mounds of flesh. Every time Harry returned to his supper, ignoring the bait. After dinner Harry ventured out into the backyard and the branches of an old oak tree - his favorite spot in this horrible place. Hidden amongst the thick branches and leaves, no one could ever reach him; no one even knew he was there. When he was younger and had been banished from the house for the night, Harry had always gathered up his blanket and small pillow to take with him to this exact spot. No one could see or hear him there, sitting in the smooth hollow of the old trunk. For the first time since the end of the tournament, Harry was alone. In the silence and emptiness of the old tree's branches, he had no one to be with but himself. Harry was suddenly alone with only his thoughts for company, overwhelming him. Sitting there in his quiet place, surrounded by a great nothingness, the boy who lived, cried.