A/N: Hehehe, I'm loving these reviews! Thank you all! I hope you are enjoying my story, and will continue to read. The seventh chapter is going to go a bit faster. I think it's about time they got to Hogwarts, but anywho, continue to review. Hehehe, that rhymes! One more note before you read, I was hoping I could get some people to review my other story, Till Death Do We Part. The title is a cliché I know, but I promise the story to be original. Enjoy!
Chapter 6A few hours later, the rest of the Weasley household was up and Harry headed downstairs to join them for breakfast. Hermione came down acting like her normal cheery self, while Ron sat across from him giving him meaningful looks. Ron seemed eager to know what Harry's dream had been about and Harry wanted his input, but the moment never came for him to tell Ron. Shortly after breakfast, Mr. Weasley ushered Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Lightning outside, leaving an unhappy Ginny, Fred, and George inside. Harry and the gang were going to go to the Dursleys' to return Lighting and Mr. Weasley was sure that the Dursleys' would not be happy about the presence of over four wizards and witches in their household. The option of Apparating or using Floo powder was also out of the question. The last travel to the Dursleys' blocked fireplace limited the travel to Apparating. The problem with that was that Mr. Weasley was the only who knew how to Apparate, and because of the ancient magic protecting the house, Apparating was near impossible. The only reason Lupin was able to Apparate was that Lupin obtained special permission from the Ministry to access a four-minute doorway that only Remus Lupin and Harry would be able to use. The planning Lupin had gone through to do this had been done months in advance. The only other option that would be inconspicuous to Muggles would be driving a Muggle car.
To Harry's surprise, Mr. Weasley was able to drive a car quite well. Now when Harry said Mr. Weasley could drive a Muggle car quite well, he meant quite well for a wizard. Mr. Weasley still took roads at a speed that should not even be attempted by people who were immortal, and his use of the brakes were not exactly smooth to say the least. Harry was assured that if the car had been new enough to be equipped with air bags they would have gone off at least ten times between the Burrow and Surrey.
To make matters worse, Lighting wasn't the best traveling dog. He nervously walked across the back seat over Hermione and Harry's laps as he went back and forth between the two passenger windows. Between "oomph's" of having the wind knocked out of her by Lightning, Hermione kept up a steady stream of chatter and worries about the D.A. and her O.W.L.S. Meanwhile, Harry knew Ron was itching to ask about the dream, but even if there had been breaks in between Hermione's endless babble they both knew that Ron couldn't ask for the information while Mr. Weasley was in the car, and even if Ron were to ask in Mr. Weasley's presence, Harry couldn't possible tell Ron what had really gone on. He was being allowed a normal summer by being able to stay with the Weasleys' and Harry wasn't about to ruin it by alarming Dumbledore or the Order so that they would have to send him back to the Dursleys' if there was anything to worry about.
The drive to Surrey was not a short one, especially with an overly excited dog that seemed to have to go to the bathroom every half-an-hour, but they finally made it within a few hours. They entered the neighborhood of Privet Drive at a speed no lower than fifty miles-per-hour causing them to drive past number four twice in a dazzling blur of the pink flours Aunt Petunia grew in the front yard.
Upon reaching the house, Harry was surprised to see that the Dursleys' car was not in the driveway. This was not a good sign.
"Well why don't we see if they're home?" Mr. Weasley said getting out of the car. The minute Mr. Weasley's car door opened, Lightning jumped out of Harry's lap into the front seat where he jumped out the door and happily onto the green grass. Harry, Ron, and Hermione stepped out as well, as Harry stood a moment trying to remove the white hairs that had clasped onto his clothes. Finally giving a sigh of frustration, he followed his friends to the front door.
Mr. Weasley had already raised the knocker and had knocked several times, but no one had answered.
"Do you have another way to get inside, Harry?" Mr. Weasley asked.
Harry nodded and went over to the flowerpot and removed a single key. He slipped the key into the door, waited for the click, and then pulled the door open.
"Ingenious," murmured Mr. Weasley as Harry carelessly threw the key back into the flowerpot. The four of them stepped inside with Lightning trailing happily behind. There was no sign of the Dursleys'.
Hermione looked around, having never been inside before when a sharp bark came from the kitchen. The four headed into the kitchen where Lightning sat eagerly wagging his stubby tail again a bag of dog food. Harry grudgingly rook a cup and poured some food in Lightning's bowl as he ate hungrily.
"Look at this," Ron said standing near the kitchen table. Harry, Hermione, and Mr. Weasley came over to where Ron was standing and holding a piece of paper.
LOST DOG
Purebred Northern Shepard, White
Answers to the name "Lightning"
If found please call: 323-4398
Harry frowned. The Dursleys' were not dumb enough to think that Lightning happened to disappear the day that Harry left which made Harry wonder why they were bothering to put up signs. Harry put the paper down and headed over to the calendar that the Dursleys' wrote practically their whole life on, but caught sight a message by the phone along the way. Call Johnsons' about watering flowers. Harry read it confused. Where the Dursleys' going on vacation somewhere?
"Hey look!" Mr. Weasley exclaimed. Harry turned. "A micrometer!" Hermione stifled a giggle as Mr. Weasley opened the black door and looked inside. Ron was looking at with curiosity.
"A micrometer? What's that?" Ron asked.
"Actually it's called a microwave," Hermione said. Mr. Weasley looked at her fascinated.
"What does it do? Make things smaller?" Mr. Weasley was practically giddy. Harry rolled his eyes as Hermione explained and headed over to the calendar. Harry nearly gagged when he saw what was written on it. Apparently the Dursleys' had gone to visit Aunt Marge, a trip that Harry was all too happy to miss. Unfortunately, it looked like they wouldn't be back till the day that Harry had to leave for Hogwarts, and there was no way that they could drop off Lightning before they reached King's Cross. He was determined not to take Lightning to Hogwarts, even if he was allowed too.
"Bad news, guys," Harry said interrupting Hermione's demonstration of a bag of popcorn being placed in the microwave. He told them the situation.
"I'm sure Professor Dumbledore would okay a dog in this situation, Harry," Mr. Weasley said. Harry inwardly groaned. He didn't want that to be an option.
"Why can't we just leave him here?" Harry mumbled knowing very well that that wasn't possible, even though it would be fun to see how much Lighting could destroy in the Dursleys' absence.
Hermione glared at him. "You know that there are animal rights to non-magical creatures too, Harry." Harry ignored her and suddenly snapped his fingers.
"Mrs. Figg! Maybe she can take care of him till the Dursleys' come back," Harry said excitedly. "Ron and I will go talk to her. Hermione, why don't you finish showing Mr. Weasley how to make popcorn?" Before Hermione could object, Harry had grabbed Lightning and pulled him away from his bowl and headed out the front door followed closely by Ron. The moment that they were outside, Ron was finally able to ask the question about the dream. Harry slowly told the story, and when he was done, Ron looked horrified.
"I know you've always wanted to get back at your cousin, but that dream was intense. An Unforgivable Curse…" Ron let the words hang. Ron himself had never felt the pain of an Unforgivable Curse, but the very name stroke fear. After all, they were now at the age of Voldemort's return where his name wasn't even uttered without being paired with relentless torture.
They continued in silence to Wisteria Walk with Lightning trotting happily beside them. When they reached the house, Harry knocked on the door, and was almost instantly greeted by Mrs. Figg.
"Harry!" She stopped and looked around. "Everything al—Achoo!" She suddenly stopped to sneeze. "Sorry about that. Everything al-alr—Achoo!" She sneezed again. "Confound it!"
"We're fine, Mrs. Figg," Harry said. "My friend Ron and I actually stopped by to wonder if you could take care of Lightning till the Dursleys' get back."
"Lightning? Who's Li-Light—Achoo!" She asked. "Come inside, boys. Achoo!" Harry and Ron stepped inside as Mrs. Figg ran off to get a tissue. Her house was uniquely decorated with shelves upon shelves with dusty books on beginner magic. A cauldron hung over a fireplace bubbling with a bluish substance. Several rocking chairs were laid out among the living room, a pointed hat rested on one of them. The floor was made of hard wood and stained a dark brown. A large iron lamp hung from the ceiling with holders that seemed to be meant to hold wax candles because of the dried white wax that had trickled over the side that currently held electric candles.
"Uh sorry," Mrs. Figg sniffled as she entered the room again wiping her nose. "Who is this Lightning?" Just as Harry was about to answer, the sound of hissing and growling caught their attention. "What in the world?" Mrs. Figg asked as they followed her into the foyer.
Lightning had an orange and white cat cornered. The cat however was holding its ground as it hissed and swiped at Lightning's face, claws out stretched. Lightning was stretched forward in a playful motion with his rear end straight up in the air.
"Merlin's Beard…" Mrs. Figg said rushing to the cat and picking him up. Unfortunately, just as the cat had been lifted up out of Lightning's reach, Mrs. Figg sneezed and the cat jumped free running towards the kitchen with Lightning at the cat's heels. The sound of various objects falling to the floor was evident. The three of them ran into the room. Chairs, cups, and clay containers that held potion ingredients littered the floor as Lightning stood with his head sticking out the cat door, barking.
"Lightning, come here!" Harry ordered. Lightning stiffened and instantly silenced himself as he slowly walked over to Harry with his tail between his legs. "Meet Lightning," Harry said weakly.
"I see," Mrs. Figg said erupting into a fit of sneezes as she attempted to get out her wand.
"Mrs. Figg, I'm really sorry," Harry said looking around at the damage. Ron was already helping to right chairs.
"Oh don't worry," she said. She waved her wand and attempted to repair the broken items, but only succeeded at causing the pieces to hurl at the wall at the opposite side of the room. Harry winced as the pieces hit and shattered even more.
Mrs. Figg blushed slightly. "Could you boys help me pick up the pieces?" Harry and Ron nodded. Harry instructed Lightning to stay as he headed over to pick up the shards of broken glass and place them in the trashcan. Mrs. Figg did what she could, but she was often interrupted by sneezing fits.
When they were done Mrs. Figg thanked them wearily. "I have every fondness for animals Harry, but I don't think I'll be able to take care of Lightning." Harry's heart sank. "I don't think it'd work out with my cats and I think I'm aller—Achoo! I think I'm allergic to dogs," she sniffled, her eyes now starting to turn red and water.
"That's okay Mrs. Figg," Harry said disappointed. "And I'm sorry for all the trouble he caused."
"It's alright, Harry. It was good seeing you again, though. You'll have to visit me more often next summer, without the Dursleys' knowing that you enjoy it of course," Mrs. Figg said grinning before her face contorted into yet another sneeze.
"Thanks Mrs. Figg," Harry said as he, Ron, and Lightning headed for the door. "Have a good year at school Harry. You too Ron, and remember to stay on your guard!" Harry waved as he and Ron headed back to the Dursleys'. Harry turned back only once to find Mrs. Figg watching them from her living room window to make sure their walk went uninterrupted.
Ron couldn't help but burst out laughing at the episode with the cat once they were outside. Harry smiled, but knew what this meant. With no one to watch Lightning, Harry had no choice but to take Lightning to Hogwarts with him.
They arrived back at the Dursleys' where they found Hermione and Mr. Weasley sitting at the television eating popcorn. Mr. Weasley was watching the television in enthrallment as he held the remote and changed the channels at rate of speed Harry didn't know possible. He finally stopped on one of the Spanish channels as he listened confused.
"What are they saying on the, tele-vis-on?" Mr. Weasley pronounced carefully.
"It's Spanish," Hermione said sounding slightly exasperated. "They speak it in many countries in Central America and in Mexico."
Mr. Weasley turned the volume up captivated as Hermione rolled her eyes. She caught sight of Ron and Harry and instantly jumped up, eager to change the topic. "How did it go?" There was a bark from behind them and Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Not well I take it?"
Harry looked at Ron, who like his father was staring at the TV in fascination. "You can say that again," Harry said turning his attention back to Hermione. Harry gave her a quick recount of what happened.
"The poor cat," Hermione said.
"Right, 'poor cat,'" Harry repeated sarcastically. "Always about the animals."
Hermione glared at him. As Harry turned to Mr. Weasley. "Mr. Weasley? I think we're ready to go."
Mr. Weasley looked up at them. "Right, of course. Come along then." He pointed the remote at the TV and watched as it turned off. He stared at it longingly before an "ah-hem" from Hermione got him to put it down.
Mr. Weasley grabbed the bag of popcorn and they headed outside to the car. Ron took the front seat once again, as Lightning jumped onto Hermione's lap in the back seat. Harry and Hermione gave each other weary looks at the idea of being stuck with Lightning again but the look was quickly broken when Mr. Weasley suddenly hit the gas causing them to go forward as the car went backwards. Harry nervously grabbed the door for dear life as Mr. Weasley once again took off down the road.
