Chapter Two:
Harry stared back into his uncle's eyes, instead of the usual fury or anger he met only a searching gaze, as if, for once, his uncle was appealing to him. The usual forceful nature of Vernon Dursley had been buried, or even banished as he spoke to Harry, instead he saw a man who cared for his family, a father to a son, husband to a wife, a man who would try to support and protect them. With a sigh Vernon rose to leave the room in silence but paused and sat again as Harry began speaking without realising it.
'The night mum and dad died…were killed, a wizard called Voldemort tried to kill me too…he murdered them first, but…but when he attacked me his spell was reflected…it was mum's final gift…she saved me from him…and he was banished away…I came here…' he paused, blinking back a tear, in his mind's eye he saw the spectre of his mother again as she had appeared to him.
'Last year…Voldemort was…he – he came back…he killed Cedric…took my blood…' At this point he unconsciously scratched his scarred arm again, a quick glance told him that his uncle had seen the mark before over the holiday, it wasn't the secret he thought it had been. 'So now he's back…and he's protected and…and I can't fight him anymore…I never wanted to fight him but it was always me…and only a few people would help me…and what chance do they have now…no one can help, not even Dumbledore.' He looked up again and Vernon saw hot tears spilling down the boy's cheeks.
'My world is going to be torn apart…and I can't do a thing about it…and what's worse is people think I can…I'm just a normal boy, I can't do anything…and he'll be after me because he knows that…' At this point he saw a nervous flicker pass through his uncle's eyes. 'Don't worry…he can't get to me here…he's after me but can't get me here…and that means he'll never get you, or Aunt Petunia or Dudley.'
'Why?' Vernon asked softly, his usually loud voice quieter than Harry ever remembered.
'Dumbledore.' Harry stated evenly, his voice extruding confidence for the first time in the conversation. 'He's protecting me somehow, and he'll die before he lets Voldemort get to me…get to us.' He looked up again, straight into his uncle's eyes before continuing, and Vernon saw the tears had stopped, but there was still fear in his nephew's eyes. 'That's why I'm scared…why I haven't done a thing…because if I die then others can fight, but if Dumbledore dies we'll lose…and without anyone left to oppose him…Voldemort will take over all our worlds…and – and I can't watch that happen… hiding in here…I can't watch him destroy more lives…'
Harry let his voice trail away in silence as he stared into his uncle's eyes, what he saw there was sympathy, but also thoughtfulness as he took in the information, after a few minutes he nodded to himself, retrieved the letter, and rose while speaking. 'Thank you…and…try not to worry about it…your Professor mentioned you'd take the burden…don't. I have to go now…discuss this with your aunt.' On the way out the door he gave Harry's shoulder a firm squeeze of reassurance, 'Your headmaster sounds like a sensible…man…take his advice; he says it would be ok for you to visit your friend…Rob?'
'Ron.' Harry replied silently, his face still lost in worry.
'Well, Ron then…anyway, his mother sent me a letter again…' Vernon paused as he remembered the stamp laden envelope being delivered once again, 'they arranged everything with your professor, they'll be here this afternoon.' He put the letter back into his pocket as he left, 'Why don't you go and pack now? Take your mind off of things for a while,' then he let the door swing shut behind him, leaving Harry to sit in the kitchen, his eyes once more focused somewhere else.
It didn't take Harry long to pack, even with new books each year he could put them all into one corner of his trunk, clothes were then strategically placed so he could accommodate all of his treasured possessions. First in was his Firebolt, followed by the servicing kit, still unused on the highly polished broom. Free of its sock prison, the Sneakoscope slotted into a corner with Sirius's penknife, and then there were his birthday presents.
This year only packages had arrived, no letters, as if everyone had sensed his mood. Despite this, and also being off the previous year's diet, Harry had received a cake from the Weasleys, half of which he wrapped carefully and placed beside the Quidditch annual they had given him. On top of this he placed 'A Professional Guide to Dragons' which had arrived courtesy of Hagrid with the usual school letters, these were placed unopened inside the front cover of the book.
Harry had no idea where to pack Hermione's gift which she he assumed she had sent from Bulgaria or wherever she had been this year, although he suspected Viktor Krum had helped her pick it. They had given him an enchanted ice sculpture of a dragon, a Hungarian Horntail, which he had found did not melt after leaving it in full sunlight for a day, but did fight with the miniature he had received in the Triwizard Tournament.
Shrugging he placed it on his shoulder to perch while he put the other in the trunk, safely contained in a box he had purloined from the cupboard under the stairs. Finally he packed his loose quills and parchment on the top, leaving enough space to easily fit his any new schoolbooks he'd buy, and his uniform for the train journey. On top of all of this he placed the piece of paper marking his return to Hogwarts, only 8 squares were left unmarked.
Closing the lid Harry sat down on top of the trunk and opened his right hand to look at the final gifts he had received, sunlight glinting off his glasses as it reflected off of them. the first, and most unexpected of all, had come from Dumbledore.
It was a pin of gold, outlined in the shape of a phoenix rising through a ring of fire.
He didn't know why, but just holding the badge sent an infusion of warmth through his body, easing the pain that he so often felt. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out the Prefect badge, the silver felt cool and hard compared to the golden warmth and softness of the phoenix. With a sigh he put the badge back on his shirt and pinned the phoenix onto his shirt, letting the warmth flow into his chest as he turned to the other gift.
From Sirius, it was a simple gold chain with a pendant hanging underneath, a blood red jewel set in a gold backing that sent rays of light reflecting outwards as they were trapped in its smooth, teardrop like curve. Watching the rays for a second he let the tear twist in the air before putting the chain around his neck and tucking the pendant inside his shirt.
With a small grunt he lifted his trunk, once again he had grown over the summer, not only upward, but also his strength had increased with his improved diet. Preparing to leave the room he instead dove to the floor as he dropped the trunk and his window slammed inwards.
Harry's wand was in his hand even as he realised what had sent the window flying open, feathers settled as Pigwidgeon fluttered dazedly onto the trunk, collapsing with a small hoot as his eyes tried to focus on Harry. Dusting off his robes Harry took the small letter from the owl's leg:
Hi Harry!
This is just a quick note to let you know that Ron, Fred and George are coming by fire at around 4:00, mum didn't know if anyone told your uncle in the letters.
Love Ginny
Smiling Harry stuffed the note into his pocket with the Prefect badge, it was classical Mrs. Weasley to worry like that, checking his watch Harry found it was way before four, but lifted the trunk anyway as 'Pig' launched himself out the window again. With a smirk Harry watched the uneven path he took through the air, narrowly avoiding the trees behind the house before dipping into the distance. Turning back he kicked the door open enough to manoeuvre the trunk through and took it downstairs.
The living room was deserted apart from a roaring fire, putting the trunk down Harry went into the kitchen but found no sign of the Dursleys, walking back upstairs he found Hedwig already perched on his windowsill. 'Flying then?' he asked, stroking the plumage on her chest, with an affectionate nip she spread her wing wide, 'I'll see you at The Burrow,' he said, then watched as she too swooped out of the window, flying purposefully straight until dwindling into the distance.
Grabbing her cage Harry went back downstairs and placed it on top of the trunk, it was only after sitting down on it again he noticed the small letter perched on the fireplace. With a small frown he took it and read it after resuming his place on the trunk:
Harry,
I have taken Dudley and your aunt into town, they weren't too enthusiastic about meeting your friend again. I expect we'll see you next summer at London.
Have a good term,
Uncle Vernon
Harry reread the last line a few times and let a small smile creep onto his face, taking the envelope he put the note onto the fire and watched it burn away, the flames blackening the paper until it crumbled away. With an almost contented air about him he sat down in the chair opposite the fire and watched the flames dance, gradually falling asleep once more.
He awoke when a whooshing sound echoed into the room and he saw the flames flicker and twitch, standing up quickly he was in time to lend Ron an arm as he stumbled out balancing a jar in his arms, looking up at Harry he grinned and Harry saw that his teeth were multicoloured.
'Crazy Colour Candy,' Ron said, 'courtesy of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes', breaking into a smile he embraced Harry warmly. Another whooshing heralded the arrival of Fred, and then George both of whom wore white robes covered in scorch marks and splashes of colour. 'They've been at it all summer,' Ron explained with another grin.
'Yeah, thanks to an anonymous benefactor,' George said with a sly wink at Harry.
'Anyway,' Fred continued, 'we've got to get you back soon, mum's just put on some tea.' Lifting the trunk with George he stepped into the fireplace as Ron threw some Floo powder from the jar into it, with a cry of 'The Burrow!' he disappeared.
Taking Hedwig's cage from Harry, Fred followed a few seconds later, then Ron gave Harry a handful before disappearing once more with the jar balanced in his arms. Taking a last glance around Harry threw the powder into the fire, then watched the Dursleys' living room spin away quickly, tucking in his elbows Harry held the post until the spinning slowed as he neared the Weasleys' fireplace.
But leaning forward too early he found himself sprawling on the floor of an entirely different room.
