Ok, I know I haven't updated in ages…sorry bout that.  I was in India visiting my relatives for three weeks.  I had a lot of fun.  It was hot, but luckily it started raining, so it cooled down.  So, you see, I didn't have access to a computer.  I didn't because my grandfather doesn't believe in using too much technology.  The most advanced technology in his house is a phone, light bulbs, fans, and a typewriter.  I used the internet at my cousin's house, but I didn't have access long enough to add on to the story. 

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Chapter 2: Friday….

            Harry woke up Friday morning quite excited.  He would finally be able to see his friends again.  He felt the need to be with people who knew more about witches and wizards other than the fact that they could do magic.  Being with Ron and Hermione would give him a chance to talk about how he was feeling.  It was better than keeping it all within himself.  Harry was willing to guess that any psychiatrist would have a field day with him.  But who wants a psychiatrist; who wants to have some person sit there and just ask, "So how do you feel about it?"  At least that's what it seemed to Harry.  He was willing to bet that if Hermione hadn't been a witch, she would grow up to be a psychiatrist.  She seemed to understand everything that went on in other people's heads.  At least she had last year with Cho.

            Thinking about Cho made Harry grimace.  He no longer cared for her, but she had sent him quite a few letters over the summer.  He hadn't responded to any of them.  In his mind, he finally saw Cho as the ditzy girl she'd always been.  He could understand why she had cried over Cedric, but she should have had more tact than to talk to him about it.  It didn't seem to bother her too much that Harry was the one who had seen him die.  And it wasn't like he was just a shoulder for her to cry on.  As Ron said, he really did need someone more cheerful.  But now that Harry thought about it, he also needed someone who understood what he was going through.  Someone who had been through similar pain.  Not that he would want anyone to go through what he had gone through, but still, he wished someone knew what it felt like to be practically chosen or marked.  And someone who wouldn't think he was with Hermione.

            Damn, it was annoying when people put them together.  Viktor had done it, so had Cho.  That was what really annoyed about him about Cho.  Hermione was great as a friend (especially if you needed help on homework), but her idea of a perfect date would probably be on in the library poring over endless volumes of books.  Something more like a study date.  No—not Harry's type of girl.

            Harry went downstairs.  Uncle Vernon was watching the news.  There was something about yet another movie star having an affair with a prostitute and some girl who lost her parents in a fire.  Harry felt bad for the girl, knowing himself what it felt to be an orphan.

            He ate his breakfast and then told his uncle that he was going to Ron's house.

            "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN!" was the reply.

            "Um, what I just said…I'm going to Ron's house today.  His parents said it was ok."

            "Petunia—are you listening to this!"

            Harry didn't know how Petunia couldn't hear.  She was right next to them.

            "Yes."  She didn't sound too happy.  She was probably worried that Tonks with her vivid pink hair would show up and ridicule the Dursleys in front of all their perfect neighbors.

            "And why are you telling us this today?"

            "Well, you never asked before."

            "Don't talk back to me, boy!"

            Harry knew he was pushing his uncle a little too far.  But he felt like getting in a fight.

            "Oh, yes, god forbid I talk back to you."

            "I'm warning you!"

            "Or you'll what!"  Harry was happy, he could feel the fight starting soon.  He loved to see the blood rising to Vernon's face.  Dudley walked in to see his cousin and his dad in a verbal sparring match and quickly waddled to the other side of the kitchen.

            "That's it.  I'm not going to take this from.  You're not going to your friend's house.  I am not going to let you."

            Yes, just where Harry wanted him.  But before he could speak, Petunia suddenly spoke.

            "Are you sure that's smart, Vernon?  I mean, what about those wiz—people at the train station last year.  If they hear that we won't let him go, then…."

            Harry stared at her in disbelief.  So did his uncle and cousin.  But she had made her point, and it worked.  So much for a fight.

            "Very well, you may go.  But if any of you little friends hurts touches any of us…then there will be hell to pay."

            "Whatever."

            "So, when are they coming?"

            "Um…no idea."  Harry didn't realize that until just that moment.

            "Oh, well that's great."

            As if an answer to his question, Pig flew into yet another window.  Vernon didn't look to happy.  He probably last year's onslaught of owls.  Harry walked over and pulled the letter from Pig's leg.

Hey Harry,

            Sorry, I forgot to tell you.  Mom and Dad are gonna go pick you up at noon.  I think some of the Order might pick you up.  Moody seemed pretty excited to go and visit your uncle.  So yeah.  Make sure you're ready when they're there.  They'll be arriving by Portkey.  The Ministry is pretty much letting Dumbledore do what he wants, so he was able to get the Portkey set up.

            See you soon,

                        Ron

            "Well?" Uncle Vernon asked.

            "They'll be coming at noon."

            With that, Harry went up to pack.  He had about two hours until they came.  He felt happier than he had felt in a long time. 

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            Two hours later, Harry was waiting in the kitchen with all his school stuff.  He could hardly wait.  He felt kind of like an idiot, waiting in the spotless kitchen with his Hogwarts stuff, but he had no idea where the Portkey would show up.  The kitchen seemed like the safest bet.

            After a few minutes of waiting, he suddenly heard a bang from upstairs.  Dudley already looked terrified, Petunia looked anxious, and Vernon was trying to look brave.  Harry quickly went upstairs to his room and found Lupin, Moody, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Weasley waiting there for him.

            "Hi, Harry."

            "Um, hi, I was down in the kitchen."

            "Oh, well, if you can bring your stuff back up here we can go."

            Harry noted that they seemed kind of eager to leave quickly.  The next second he understood why.  Uncle Vernon walked into his room, angry at this intrusion.  But the moment he saw Moody, he shut up.  Moody grinned at Vernon.

            "Hi—long time no see."

            Vernon just mumbled.  Harry remembered how intimidated Vernon had been by Moody last time at the train station.

            "Well, I'll just go get my stuff…."  Harry ran out of the room quickly.  He took a few minutes to get downstairs, but that was because Dudley was blocking the stairs and Dudley was one of those people who could grow up to become a road block.  Finally, he managed to get his stuff back up the stairs.  When he got back to the room, there seemed to be a tension between Moody and Vernon, though Moody seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the nervous look on his uncle's face.

            "Ready, Harry?" asked Lupin.

            "Yup."

            "Okay, then.  The portkey is that book on the floor.  Ready.  Ok, then, everybody, let's go."

            And so Harry touched the portkey, feeling that familiar feeling of being tugged. 

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I know it's not that long, but trust me, this is a lot better than the chapter I had written out.  Seriously.  So anyways.  Review PLEASE!!!!!!  I know it isn't anything special yet, but I'm trying.  But school is starting soon, so I'm going to have to do school stuff and yeah.  I'll try to update as often as I can during that time.