URGENT! I just figured out that when the 5th Harry Potter book does come out I'm gonna have to change this fanfic to be their sixth year at Hogwarts, SO ANNOYING!(no offence to J.K. Rowling cos I have been waiting for it to come out for AGES but the fact of changing my fanfic is annoying) I started this fanfic as the 5th year but its gonna all change in the actual 5th book and there is no way of I'm going to have this fanfic finished before it comes out! So I'm just gonna have to wait and see what happens in the 5th book and I'll have to change some stuff around. Oh yeah, and I have now officially changed the title to a shadow of dreams.

Ok everyone; this is chapter 5, YAY! I hope you like it! More thanks to themidnightangel, my #1 reviewer, but I would like to praise someone else too, so PLEASE review cos that is what makes me write better and quicker. Thanks!

~*~mysticaldreams

Chapter 5:

Harry, Remus and Sirius arrived at the Dursley's just before sunrise, thankfully without anything but soot covered clothes.

After a last goodbye to the house, Harry and Remus stepped into the old fireplace and flew through the chimney connections (They thought it best if Sirius apparated, since it would be a great shock if the most wanted man in the criminal world was to pop out of someone's fireplace). Harry was a bit nervous at first, thinking of his first travel by floo powder, but when they arrived at the Dursley's still boarded up fireplace he had birds flapping in his stomach.

Sirius helped them get the board off the fireplace, trying not to make too much noise, but the board ended up landing on the floor with a loud thump! They all strained to hear if there was going to be any reaction, but other then a humungous snort coming from upstairs there was nothing more then silence. They all breathed a sigh of relief and, after Sirius had exclaimed he was truly famished, trotted off to the kitchen.

Remus put a silencing charm on the room as Sirius clattered around, trying to find the right sized pan to fry and egg on. He had a grave look on his face, obviously thinking about something, but it was definitely clear to Harry that he was deep in thought when Sirius cracked the egg on the edge of the bench and kept pounding it. Oozing amounts of yolk dripped off the cupboard and onto the floor but neither Remus nor Harry did anything to stop this; they just sat there watching him, half in a daze, Remus with his favorite eyebrows raised look on.

When Sirius had finally realized what he was doing he turned slightly pink and gave Remus an irritated look back.

"I hate it how you look at me like that" he said scowling.

"That, my friend is the irreplaceable look that I can only give to you, a cross between amusement and pity at you pathetic behavior" Remus said smiling.

Despite Harry depressed feeling he had to laugh at this, while Sirius went back to his cooking in silence.

~*~*~*~*~

By the time they had finished their breakfast (the best meal Harry had, had in days!) it was almost 6:00 and Harry dreaded the fact that he knew Remus and Sirius would have to leave soon as the Dursley's got up at 7, and he would be left to slave away under their instructions, miserable again.

They all sat in silence for a while, pondering over the nights events.

"Can't I go with you"? Harry asked softly looking at both Sirius and Remus.

"I'm sorry Harry, it's just not safe" Sirius said sighing, "and we need to do work for Dumbledore, we need to contact the witches and wizards that are still very faithful to him".

"Dumbledore wants you to stay here for a reason Harry; he's not doing it to annoy you"! Remus put in.

"I thought it was because they were the only family I had left" Harry said, his eyes facing down on his lap.

Then suddenly a memory arose in his mind, afresh, it was like he was being forced back in time. Harry was once more propped against Tom Riddles grave, mist all around him, a chill running down his spine as he made out the ring of death eaters in their dark, hooded cloaks, then, just then he heard the high pitched screeching voice that he hoped he would never had to hear again. The voice rang in his ears, surrounding him, caving him in as he felt the excruciating pain in his scar arise....... "he has been protected in ways devised by Dumbledore long ago when it fell to him to arrange the boys future. Dumbledore invoked an ancient magic, to ensure the boys protection as long as he is in his relations care, not even I can touch him there.... The last sentence echoed in Harry's mind and he suddenly realized that he was shaking all over, sweaty and pale.

Sirius lent over to him, worry creased all over his face.

"Harry, what's wrong"?

"Dumbledore put some ancient magic on the house, didn't he"? Harry asked shakily.

"Well yes, but how did you find that out"? Remus questioned.

"Voldemort told the Death Eaters when I was tied to his fathers' grave" Harry said shuddering at the flashback.

"Why didn't you tell us"? Sirius asked.

"I must have forgotten, I only just remembered". "How did you know" Harry asked, curious.

"Dumbledore told us both the night your parents died. Dumbledore and I kept in contact often after I left school and we both exchanged opinions much more after Sirius was put into Azkaban" Remus explained.

Sirius looked at his wrist watch and exclaimed, "Crud! Is that the time"!

"I'm sorry Harry but we have to go" he said regretfully, "I wish we could spend more time with you, but the time always fly's so fast" He said looking at Harry still a bit worried.

"Are you sure you're alright"?

"Yeah, I'll be fine" Harry said saddened.

Remus took the silencing charm off the room and they both told him to be careful and to keep in touch before wishing him a happy birthday for when it came and apparating with a loud pop!

Harry stood there, miserable for a moment at feeling all of a sudden, very lonely.

He trudged quietly up the stairs to his bedroom, suddenly aware of how tired he was. He hoped to get at least half an hour of sleep, to rest his thought before he got woken up by the Dursley's.

~*~*~*~*~

Harry woke within what felt like 2 seconds to the loud screech of an owl at his window and then the booming of his uncle's voice telling him to shut it up!

As Harry fumbled for his glasses on his bedside dresser he became aware of a piece of parchment that was being held down by his hand to his chest. He suddenly remembered the encounters of the night before and felt rather excited, despite his drowsiness as he reached for the silver chain that was still fastened around his neck.

He stroked it lovingly once more before going over to the window and letting in a familiar looking owl and untying the letter that was attached to its leg.

He opened the letter, half in a doze, trying to put last night's events in order properly.

He started to read the letter and as he did his spirits rose dramatically.

Dear Harry

I hope your relatives aren't treating you too bad. I'm still really worried about you Harry, are you feeling any better?

I wrote this letter to ask you if you would like to com to my house for the rest of the summer. Ron was actually the one to ask Dumbledore permission first for you to stay over at his house but Dumbledore suggested that you come over to my place as you-know-who would not suspect me as much as you usually go to the Weasley's for the summer. Just to be safe he also suggested that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley also come along so that you had wizarding protection. I know the way you're looking Harry and I know what you're thinking so just hear me out! I know you don't want to trouble the Weasley's about this but you DO need extra protection because of you-know- who being powerful again, plus they really wanted to come also, you know Mr. Weasley wouldn't stand up a chance to bombard my parents with bizarre questions about the muggle world!

I don't know what your relatives will say if you ask them if you can come but you might want to try anyway.

We will come and pick you up on the Monday of the last week by car, as not to freak your Aunty and Uncle out (we don't want them to have another reaction like they did when the Weasley's came to pick you up last summer).

It's going to be really fun! Anyway, talk to your relatives and send me an answer back as soon as you can and tell me how you are!

Be careful and stay safe, hope to see you soon.

Love Hermione.

A grin broadened across Harry's face and he felt very cheerful. He was a bit disappointed about have to wait until the last week but it was better then never.

As he read over the letter a second time his Aunt came to the door and banged on it while screeching at him.

"Harry Potter, get up, you've slept WAY too long"!

He then jumped as there came a booming "NOW" from Uncle Vernon walking down the stairs.

As he got up and trudged out of his room he tried to think of a simple approach as to how he would ask his Aunt and Uncle if he could go to Hermione's.

He walked to the front door to pick up the mail, and as he did he noticed that the first letter he had picked up was from a Miss Marge Dursley. Harry grinned, knowing that there would be no way the Dursleys would want him around if Aunt Marge came to stay because of the incident she (or to the Durlsey's, Harry) had caused last visit.

Luckily her memory had been modified and she could not remember a moment of her last stay, but, to Harry's disappointment, the Dursleys had. But now it was somewhat of a miracle that they had remembered as he now had even better chances of being able to go to Hermione's house.

Harry strode into the kitchen, placing the letters onto the table, purposely putting the one from Aunt Marge on top.

"Well what took you so long"? Uncle Vernon boomed, "I've been waiting for my coffee for ten minutes".

Harry went to get the coffee while Uncle Vernon picked up the letter.

Harry peeked around the kitchen bench to watch Uncle Vernon while he read the letter.

His face went chalk white and as he handed the letter over to Aunt Petunia, hers did exactly the same.

"What, what is it"? Dudley huffed.

He wobbled over and snatched the letter out of his mother's hand, turning it this way and that, trying to read it.

"Marge wants to come visit for the summer" Mr. Dursley whispered hoarsely looking at Harry.

"But...but she can't, not with him here" Dudley said hopefully, pointing his pudgy finger at Harry.

This was exactly the reaction that Harry had hoped for.

"Well we can't just say no, Vernon, she'll get offended, and you know what Marge is like when she gets offended"! Aunt Petunia exclaimed.

This was Harry's queue, to but in before they could even think of sending him to Mrs. Figg's house.

"Errrm, I just got a letter from one of my friends, asking if I could come over of the last week of the holidays" Harry said, trying to act casual.

Uncle Vernon looked at him skeptically.

"Marge said she would come for the last 2 weeks".

Harry looked very disappointed until he realized that his school holidays were shorter than the muggles.

"Oh but our summer holidays are shorter, I go back to hog--- I mean school on September 1st" he stumbled.

Harry felt like telling the Dursleys to give him a break, he had already gotten his punishment of re-decorating the whole lounge room because of last summers incident with the Wealsleys coming to pick him up.

You could almost see the clock ticking in Uncle Vernon's head.

Harry thought he needed a bit of convincing so he decided to go one step further.

"Her parents are mugg---I mean normal, they don't do ma...." Harry trailed off, thinking it would have been better if he had of stayed quiet.

Uncle Vernon did not react however, as he was too irritated and deep in thought.

He looked up at Harry, studying his face.

"They're not the same idiots who came last time"?

Harry was infuriated at Uncle Vernon calling the Weasley's idiots but made sure he held his tongue, although he could feel his face burning up.

"No, the Grangers are perfectly normal, they said they can come and pick me up on the Monday of the last week by car if it's ok with you" Harry said through gritted teeth.

"None of that abnormal business"? Mr. Dursley questioned, though it sounded more like a warning.

"None whatsoever" Harry said trying to sound convincing.

Uncle Vernon thought hard for a moment longer and ended with a finale, gruff "fine then".

A grin broadened across Harry's face and as much as he tried to hide it he just couldn't stop smiling.

Mr. Dursley looked like he had just been passed up the chance to sell someone a million dollar car.

"But you better work hard boy, you can start by cleaning up Dudley's room, then you can move onto the front garden, and I'm warning you, if you put one toe out of line you won't be going" Uncle Vernon said smugly.

Harry pranced out of the room and up the stairs to Dudley's room feeling extremely bright.

~*~*~*~*~

The days seemed to go drearily slow until the day that Hermione came to 4 Privet Drive and the only thing that could keep Harry going was knowing that he was going to see his friends soon. Though he was very perplexed when an owl showed up with a letter from Ron saying that he would not be getting his presents for his birthday until he arrived at Hermione's, but it also made him curious as to what the present might be if it couldn't be sent by owl post.

The day finally arrived when after 10 minutes of hopeful waiting a bright red Mercedes Benz pulled into the Dursley's driveway.

Harry was overjoyed when a bushy haired girl with chocolate brown eyes got out of the car and looked around nervously. Harry through open the door and Hermione ran up to give him a hug.

They stood there for a while beaming at each other before Mr. and Mrs. Granger came up to the door.

"Mum, Dad, this is my best friend, Harry Potter" Hermione introduced.

Mr. and Mrs. Granger shook Harry's hand.

"Pleased to meet you"

Mr. Dursley came out of the house looking baffled, his piggy eyes were stuck on the car that was parked in his driveway. He couldn't believe it, a Mercedes Benz; this was the most respectable car he had ever seen! These people must be very high class to have a car like this he thought to himself. But no, don't think of them that way, they are just as bad as those abnormal freaks, they couldn't be trusted........but Harry said they weren't freaks, he said they were normal......no Vernon don't get sucked in, they associate with freaks! There daughter is a freak! His conscious kept playing with him. He finally decided that he would be respectful to them and act normally.

"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Granger, I'm Harry's uncle, call me Vernon, and this is my wife Petunia and my son Dudley" he introduced.

Dudley was this time hiding behind his father, holding his hands over his mouth with his bulk poking out either side of Uncle Vernon.

An expression on pure pity swept over Hermione's face as she looked at Dudley hiding behind Mr. Dursley.

"Hi Dudley, My name is Hermione" she said slowly.

Dudley gave a muffled hi before running into the house and into the kitchen, no doubt to the fridge.

"I'm sorry, our son is a little shy" Aunt Petunia said in an unimaginably cheesy voice.

"That's ok" said Mrs. Granger, "we deal with a lot of shy kids, being dentists every kid that walks into the surgery is already nervous" she laughed.

Mr. Dursley was now even more engaged, they were dentists! What a highly respectable job! I must get in touch with them, invite them for dinner, do something! But at that very moment another little voice appeared into his head. No Vernon, don't do this, you will get all tangled up in this riff raff freak stuff, just like Petunia's sister did, and look where she ended. Don't say another word!

"Well we best be going", said Mr. Granger, "it was nice meeting you".

"Yes, yes, you too" said Uncle Vernon hurriedly.

Harry dragged his trunk into the car and Hermione took Hedwig in her cage and put it in the back seat. They all got into the car and with a last sarcastic wave Harry was be ridded of 4 privet drive for a whole year!

#######

URGENT: I have now changed the title to A Shadow of Dreams.

Ok, ok it was a bit of a cheesy ending to the chapter but hey, at least it's posted! Well anyway I hope you liked the chapter, I thought we needed a bit more humor in this one and I don't know why but I absolutely LOVE doing humorous stuff with Sirius and Remus. Well if you do like humorous stuff with Sirius and Remus make sure you read Dates, Pranks and Marauders by Hillary and Jess, it's really good! Well anyways I'll probably have the 6th chapter up before the 5th hp book comes out so I will start them off as in the 6th year when they get to Hogwarts, going on the guidelines of the 5th book (don't worry if you don't understand a word I just said, I'll explain it properly later!)