DISCLAIMER: You already know what I'm about to say, so say it with me! JK Rowling owns EVERYTHING and I own PRACTICALLY NOTHING!!!

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This chapter is kinda weird, I guess, but I just wrote whatever came to mind.

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CHAPTER 4: THE HEADMASTER'S HOUSE

Harry fell to the floor, his trunk toppling on top of him. Dumbledore landed gracefully on his feet. He set Hedwig's cage on a nearby desk, and started towards the door.

"Um...Professor?" Harry gasped for breath, for his trunk was crushing his lungs. "A little help?"

"Oh, Harry!" He hurried over and pulled the trunk off of Harry's chest. For someone so old, he was exceptionally strong. Harry climbed to his feet.

"Mylzaya?" he asked, looking around. "Mylzaya, where are you?"

"I'm here, Masssssster," she hissed, slithering out of his shirt and onto his shoulder.

"Harry, is that your snake?" Dumbledore asked, his eyes narrowed.

"Yes, Professor," Harry nodded. "Her name is Mylzaya."

"I see," Dumbledore gave a slight nod. "Lovely name."

"Who'ssssss the old bloke?" Mylzaya asked, examining Dumbledore.

"That's Professor Dumbledore," Harry answered. "He's the Headmaster at Hogwarts."

"Harry, you can leave your things here," Dumbledore said. "Why don't I give you a tour of my humble abode. You can let Hedwig out. I'm sure she'll find plenty of mice."

"What about Mylzaya?" Harry asked. "I'm sure she's hungry."

"I don't think it will be safe for her to be slithering about," Dumbledore said. "I think it would be best to have Hedwig bring a mouse back."

Harry nodded, and approached his owl. "You get to go and do some hunting," he said to the bird as he opened the cage. "But you have to bring something back for Mylzaya." He pointed at the little black snake.

Hedwig clicked her beak with annoyance, but took off.

"Harry, this is my study, as you can probably see," Dumbledore began with the tour. The room was filled with books upon books. On the desk was a globe, and several rolls of parchment. No doubt letters from the Minister of Magic. Dumbledore led Harry into the kitchen, which was spotless. "I don't do any of the cooking. I burn everything I'm afraid," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eys. "Even with magic. My granddaughter does all the cooking."

"Granddaughter?" Harry repeated. "I didn't know you had a granddaughter."

"Not many people know about my family," Dumbledore said. "When you're as famous as me, people want to know everything that goes on in my life. That includes family. As you can tell, I've done a good job hiding that detail. Now, on with the tour."

The living room looked like it was from a ranch. Everything had a south- western United States look to it, like it was from Texas, or Arizona.

Every room in the house was different. The bathroom resembled the ones at Hogwarts, with individual stalls. And the guest room, where Harry was staying, was magnificent.

It was like the room of a medieval castle. A large, canopy bed with curtains and blankets of deep crimson velvet was off to the left. The windows ran along the whole wall, and went from floor to ceiling, covered with matching curtains. Everything in the room was crimson and gold. It reminded Harry a lot of Gryffindor house.

"I hope you like your room," Dumbledore said, placing a hand on Harry's shoulder.

"It's amazing," Harry said, unable to express what he thought of it.

With a wave of his wand, Dumbledore summoned Harry's things. "I'll leave you to unpack," Dumbledore said. "I'll be in the kitchen, attempting to fix myself a snack."

Harry took Mylzaya off his shoulder and placed her on the bed.

"So? What do you think of our room?" Harry asked.

"Thisssss issss our room?" Mylzaya seemed in awe. "It's wonderful. I could easily get lost in it, it's so big."

Harry conjured a large basket (with no lid this time) and placed it on the floor at the end of the bed. He took one of the many pillows of his bed (there must have been a dozen) and placed it in the basket.

"Is this okay for your bed?" Harry asked.

"Yesssss," Mylzaya nodded, and curled up inside.

It only took Harry a few minutes to unpack. His clothes didn't even fill half the dresser, and his books only took up one shelf of the massive bookcase. He opened the window to let in some fresh air, and as he turned to leave, Hedwig flew in, a mouse dangling from her beak by the tail.

"Hey, girl," Harry smiled, stroking the owl's head. He took the mouse and went over to his snake. "Mylzaya? Wake up."

She opened her turquoise eyes and yawned. "Yesssss, Massster?"

"I have food for you," Harry dropped the dead mouse into the basket.

"Thank you," Mylzaya said, licking her lips.

"Don't thank me," Harry said. "Thank Hedwig." He pointed at the snowy white owl.

"She-she won't eat me, will she?" Mylzaya asked nervously.

"Of course not," Harry assured. "I'll see you later."

He headed down to the kitchen, and was shocked at what he found. There was eggs splattered all over the hospital-white walls. A batter of milk, flour, and sugar coated the floor, with chocolate chips scattered here and there. Dumbledore himself was covered from head to toe in flour.

"Professor, what do you-" Harry began, but was cut off by a shrill voice behind him.

"GRANDFATHER! WHAT IN THE NAME OF MERLIN HAVE YOU DONE?!"

Harry spun around, finding him face-to-face with a tall, thin girl a little older than himself. She had long, auburn curls, and bright blue eyes, exactly like Dumbledore's. She had a long nose, but that didn't take away any of her beauty. She had to be Dumbledore's granddaughter; the resemblence was striking. At her feet were grocery bags, which Harry reckoned she had dropped at the sight of the mess.

"Why, hello, Savenna," Dumbledore smiled innocently. "I see you're home."

"Don't even try and change the subject, Grandfather," she said, pushing past Harry, who noticed that she was slightly shorter than himself. "How many times have I told you to stay out of the kitchen? Look at the mess you've made!"

"Now, Savenna, I can clean it up," Dumbledore said, and with a wave of his wand the room was spotless, as were his burgandy robes.

"That's not the point," Savenna said, her hands on her hips. "The point is that you deliberately disobeyed me."

"Savenna, please don't forget that this is my house," Dumbledore said calmy, obviously finding this whole thing rather funny. "And if I were you, I'd show our guest a little more respect." He nodded towards Harry.

"He's just a kid!" Savenna cried. "I'll treat him anyway I want to."

"Oh really? He's just two years younger than yourself," Dumbledore pointed out, his eyes twinkling. "And besides, I thought you, of all people, would show consideration towards Mr. Potter?"

"Mr. Potter?" Savenna echoed, staring at Harry. "You don't mean Harry Potter, do you, Grandfather?"

"That's exactly who he means," Harry spoke up. He pulled back his bangs with a grin. "See? I've got the scar and everything."

"Blimey," Savenna whispered. "I'm sorry I was so rude to you, Mr. Potter."

"Not Mr. Potter," he said. "Just Harry."

"All right," she said, beginning to pick up her spilled groceries. "So you're in your seventh year already?"

"Yeah," Harry nodded. "It's weird."

"So what are you doing here, anyway?" Savenna wondered.

"Harry will be staying with us for the rest of the summer," Dumbledore explained, putting the eggs and milk in the refridgerator. "For safety precautions."

"Oh," Savenna nodded. "Right. What room are you staying in?"

"The medieval castle room," Dumbledore said.

"That's my favorite," Savenna said. "When I first moved in, I wanted that room so badly. But instead I got the oceanside room." She finished putting the dishes away. "So, Grandfather, do you want me to make you and Harry some cookies?"

"If it isn't any trouble," Dumbledore smiled.

"Not at all," Savenna winked. "Now, get out of the kitchen. I don't want you causing anymore mayhem!"

"Come, Harry, let's go to my study," Dumbledore said, and led Harry out of the kitchen."

"No fair!" Savenna called after them. "I'm not allowed in the study, but you let him go?"

"Don't mind Savenna," Dumbledore said, closing the study door. "She's a bit firey, but she's a sweet girl."

"I don't remember ever seeing her at Hogwarts," Harry said, sitting down opposite the wooden desk.

"That's because I didn't send her to Hogwarts," Dumbledore responded, taking the seat behind his desk. "I sent her to Wilingston School of Magic in Ireland. I knew that, although she has a different last name, people would realize that she's family. They would feel I favored her, and I didn't want her to be taunted. I am, after all, her only family, and must look out for her."

"What happened to her parents?" Harry wondered, although he was sure he knew the answer.

"Murdered by Voldemort, I'm afraid," Dumbledore said, confirming Harry's mental guess. "The day before your parents were killed. Poor Savenna, witnessed, and remembers, the whole thing. She was three years old."

"Why-why didn't Voldemort try and kill her?" Harry asked.

"Savenna is a very clever girl," Dumbledore said. "She always was. Even then. She knew what was going on, and she hid. Luckily, Voldemort didn't know Matyn and Anthony had a daughter."

"Matyn, she was your daughter," Harry said quietly.

"Yes," Dumbledore nodded, avoiding Harry's eyes. "Yes, she was. An Auror, and so was Anthony." There was silence. "But we needn't worry about things in the past. We need to worry about the present."

"Professor, wouldn't me being here cause a threat to you and Savenna?" Harry asked.

"Harry, me being here is a threat to Savenna," Dumbledore said simply. "Don't worry about Savenna. She can look after herself. Now, I hope to hear that you stay out of trouble this year. And study for your N.E.W.T.s."

Harry grinned ."Oh, you don't need to worry about that. Hermione will have that taken care of."

"Indeed she will," Dumbledore chuckled. "Now, if you excuse me, I have work to do."

Harry nodded, and retreated out into the kitchen.

"Hiya, Harry," Savenna grinned, straightening up from the oven. "Cookies are in the oven. Want some cookie dough?" She pointed at a bowl on the counter and offered him a spoon.

"Sure," Harry shrugged, and took the spoon. He hopped up on the counter, and she seated herself next to him.

"So, you're Harry Potter," Savenna said, scooping up some dough. "The famous Harry Potter. The student that Grandfather always talks about."

"Really?" Harry asked, swallowing a rather spoonful.

"Oh yeah," Savenna nodded. "He's always talking about you. Whether it be your latest run-in with You-Know-Who, or something crazy you've done at school. You're his favorite student. He talks about you like you're family."

"Wow," Harry said. "I didn't know that."

"Well, of course he wasn't going to tell you. He didn't want you getting bigheaded," Savenna laughed. "So, you're seventeen, then?"

"Yeah," Harry nodded. "Today."

"Really?" Savenna said. "You shoulda told me! I could've made you a cake or something!"

"No, that's okay," Harry felt his cheeks grow warm.

"Are you looking forward to the end of school?" Savenna wondered.

"Not really," Harry admitted. "I mean, Hogwarts is the only place that's ever felt like home."

"I wanted to go to Hogwarts," Savenna said, licking her spoon. "More than anything. But I never told Grandfather that. He knew anyway, of course, but wouldn't let me go. He didn't want people to tease me, for being the Headmaster's granddaughter. So instead I got shipped off to the Wilington School of Magic. A school famous for prissy little rich kids." She sighed. "Grandfather's so protective of me. But I guess he has every reason to be. I'm all he has left. He lost his only daughter - his only child - to You- Know-Who, and he doesn't want the same to happen to me."

"Professor Dumbledore is a great man," Harry said. "He's helped me out loads of times. He's like a grandfather to me."

"That's the thing with him," Savenna said thoughtfully. "He's like everyone's grandfather. He's helped so many people, in so many ways."

She handed Harry the rest of the cookie dough and started on the dishes without another word.