Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. They belong to J.K. Rowling.
A/N: Ok, so here's the second chapter! I know it's a bit boring, but some important stuff happens- I'm not going to say anymore! Oh yeah… please, please, please review! Thanks-
Chapter Two
The next morning, Harry wandered downstairs for some breakfast. He helped himself to some toast. Aunt Petunia was washing dishes and made no sign that she noticed Harry, although she wrinkled her nose and pursed her lips, like she was washing something particularly foul. Uncle Vernon was reading the newspaper, and didn't look up. Even if the Dursleys weren't ignoring him, Harry doubted Dudley would have noticed him, as Dudley was eating his way through 4 plates of pancakes. Ever since he had been back at Privet Drive, the Dursleys had taken up the old routine of pretending Harry didn't exist. Harry didn't mind much. It made things much more pleasant, truth be told.
"Er- Uncle Vernon?" Harry asked tentatively. No answer. Harry cleared his throat.
"Um… Mr. Weasley is picking me up tomorrow at 3 o'clock. Is that alright?" Still no answer.
"I'll take that as a yes, then," said Harry, standing up to leave.
"Wait one second, boy," said Uncle Vernon, in a particularly nasty tone. Harry stood rooted to the spot, his insides tingling with dread. Dudley stopped shoving pancakes into his mouth so he could listen. Dudley loved it when Harry got yelled at. Uncle Vernon lowered his newspaper and looked at Harry disgustedly. Harry was reminded forcibly of a large beet with a mustache.
"How?" said Uncle Vernon.
"What d'you mean, how?" Harry shot back.
"Don't cheek me, boy," Uncle Vernon snarled. "I want to know how this-this Mr. Wizzly is picking you up."
"Weasley," Harry said, annoyed. "And he's traveling by Floo powder. Can I go now?"
"Floo powder? Floo powder? And what in the ruddy hell is that?" Uncle Vernon asked nastily.
"It's the same thing they used last time, you know, with the fireplace," said Harry.
Uncle Vernon turned a violent shade of magenta.
"What- how- but-" he sputtered. He seemed to be at a loss for words. "NO!" he roared suddenly. "NO WAY IS SOME CRAZY LUNATIC GOING TO COME SHOOTING OUT OF MY FIREPLACE, I TELL YOU, I WONT HAVE IT-"
"Vernon!" Aunt Petunia screeched. "Shhh! The neighbors might hear!"
Harry's brain was working furiously. As Uncle Vernon sat seething in his chair, Harry seized the opportunity to speak.
"Alright then, I'll write to Mr. Weasley and tell him he can't travel by Floo powder," Harry said. "But I'm warning you, Mad-Eye isn't going to like this…" He had said the magic words. Uncle Vernon had turned from a violent shade of magenta to a violent shade of green.
"Arrrgh….FINE!" he bellowed. "But if this Mr. Wizzler gets so much as one spot on our living room floor… it'll be your head on a platter, boy…" And he strode out of the room, muttering angrily under his breath.
The rest of the day passed without great event. Hedwig returned from her hunting, and Harry began to pack his belongings for the next day. Nightfall came, and Harry tried to sleep, but he kept tossing and turning…. He was beginning to feel drowsy…
He was gliding swiftly through a long, blindingly-white corridor. There was a tall, red door at the end of the hall. Suddenly, Harry could hear screams of pain coming from behind the door. He quickened his pace… Whoever was in that room needed help… He had to reach them…. But the door was gliding away from Harry as well, farther and farther… "No!" a woman's voice screamed. "Not Sadie! Not my little girl…"
Harry woke up, drenched in cold sweat. His scar was burning. He laid back down, pressed his hand on his forehead, and fell back asleep. When he woke up, he did not remember his dream at all.
Monday had finally arrived. Harry yawned and headed downstairs. To his surprise, the Dursleys looked like they were leaving.
"Where are you going?" Harry asked them groggily. All three Dursleys jumped. It was clear that they had hoped to leave before Harry woke up.
"We'll be in the car, Vernon," Aunt Petunia squeaked. She seized Dudley and slammed the door shut.
"Uh… we're uh, we're going to a….a movie," Uncle Vernon stammered.
"At 8:00 on a Monday morning?" Harry raised his eyebrows.
"Erm…" said Uncle Vernon. He appeared to be at a loss for words.
"When are you coming back?" asked Harry, confused.
"When you're gone!" Uncle Vernon blurted. "Er-I mean… around 4 or 5 o'clock. Well, anyways.. I'd better going…" He opened the door and stepped outside. Harry stood there, thoroughly bewildered. And then it hit him.
"Wait a second!" Harry shouted at Uncle Vernon's back. "You're not afraid of Mr. Weasley, are you?" he chortled, fighting back laughter. Uncle Vernon turned around.
"Of course not!" he bristled. "Whatever gave you that id-" he stopped in mid sentence. Harry was shaking with silent laughter. "Have a nice term, then," Uncle Vernon snarled, slamming the door in his face.
Well, Harry thought to himself, this is a pleasant surprise. He took a shower, watched television for a bit, and around 2:30 he dragged his luggage downstairs. He stood there and waited. Finally, after what seemed like hours, there was a loud SWOOSH!, and the fireplace was ignited with emerald-green flames. The tall, thin shape of Mr. Weasley became visible.
Mr. Weasley stepped out of the fireplace and brushed the dust off his robes. He smiled at Harry and stepped forward to shake his hand.
"Hello, Harry! How are you?"
"Very well, thanks," Harry smiled back.
"So… is that all, then?" asked Mr. Weasley, pointing at Harry's luggage.
"Yeah," Harry replied. "That's all."
"Great!" Mr. Weasley smiled. "Well, I guess we better-" he paused, and then frowned. "Where are your relatives?"
"Oh…Well, they took off this morning. To be honest, I think they were a little scared… They probably haven't forgotten the Ton-Tongue incident," said Harry, trying to look serious.
"Ah," said Mr. Weasley thoughtfully. "Well, that's a shame… But to be honest, it does make things a bit easier. You know, I'm surprised I got out of here alive the last time…"
"Yeah," Harry grinned. "You have to admit it was funny though…"
"Now, Harry," Mr. Weasley frowned. "Only a little…"
They managed to squeeze all of Harry's luggage in the fireplace. There was another SWOOSH!, and the fireplace was lit up with emerald-green flames once more. Everything was spinning very fast… They were headed to the Burrow.
A/N: I should have the next chapter done by Wednesday. Thanks for reading, please review!
