A/N: finally another chapter. Sorry it took so long but I've been doing battle with mock exams and friends with family crises. If it's any consolation chapter 8 is well on its way and with any luck will be out by the weekend.

Disclaimer: If you recognise it then it aint mine!

So without further ado, I give you...

Chapter seven - A shock to the system

Harry sat and stared at the front page of the daily prophet. This could not be happening. He'd just keep telling himself that. How on earth could this happen to him?

Caz saw the look of shock and disbelief on his face;

"What is it Harry?" She asked him, "Something wrong?"

Harry couldn't summon the words to answer her. Instead he just slid the news paper across the table for her to see herself. She looked down at the paper and read;

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Family of Muggles Killed in Death Eater Attack

A family of muggles have been found dead this morning in what is reported to have been highly suspicious circumstances. Although the muggle authorities have declared that the three victims died of natural causes, closer inspection by a medi-wizard has revealed the possibility that it was in fact the Avada Kedavara curse that was the cause of death. It will come as a blow to wizards everywhere to find that the muggles in question are none other that Mr and Mrs V Dursley and their young son Dudley Dursley of Surrey England. It was this family that took in young Harry potter when he defeated the Dark Lord Voldemort as a baby 14 years ago in the attack which left him orphaned. This latest development leaves young Harry with no one and one question to be addressed is what happens to him now? The whereabouts of young Harry are at current unknown. He is due to return to Hogwarts for his fifth year in two weeks time however the question is, is Harry safe? The minister for magic Mr Cornelius Fudge refused to comment however he is reported to be taking a length of time of work to relieve himself from the stress of the job, in his absence Alfie Englebury will be assuming the position of Locum Minister. However, rumours are abound that you-know-who is rising and with this, attacks by death eaters, the dark mark appearing all over and with Sirius Black still on the run it is a wonder anyone in the wizarding world is still safe to leave their homes. Something needs doing by the ministry and fast, but what? Unless something drastic happens a major fear among most wizarding folk is the harsh reality that at this rate it is only a matter of time before you-know-who succeeds in his bid for power.

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"Oh, Harry!" It was all Caz could find to say, she knew Harry hated his aunt and uncle but she could tell from the look on his face that he was still very distressed by this latest development.

Sirius snatched the paper from Caz's grasp. He read only the first few paragraphs but it was enough. He looked at Harry with a mix of emotions on his face;

"Harry. I don't know what to say, are you ok?"

What Harry did next shocked everyone. He flew to his feet in a fit of sudden rage.

"Will you all STOP it!!? I don't need this right now!!"

With that Harry disappeared out of the door way and up the stairs.

As he left they all sat there exchanging worried glances with each other. No one knew quite what to do, should someone go after him? Who? Their questions were halted for a minute when Dumbledore and Remus re- entered the room,

"What happened? Where's Harry gone?" Remus asked, and then he saw the newspaper on the side board, "Ah."

"Ah being the operative word Remus. Harry isn't exactly in the best state of mind right now, I think he's upstairs working out whether he is supposed to be upset or not." Sirius read the look of worry on his friends face like a book. He'd seen it before many times. "I'll give him a while then go see if he's ok, whether he liked them or not, they were still his family."

******************

Harry sat on his bed in his room upstairs. He didn't understand. How was he supposed to feel about all of this? Was he supposed to be upset? Angry? Because right now and he knew it was wrong, he felt kind of... relieved. He knew it was wrong to think like that. His aunt and uncle and cousin were dead. But that bit in the back of his mind was telling him how great this actually was. He wouldn't have to go back there and suffer, summer after summer, anymore. There was no way now that Dumbledore could deny him the right to remain with his Godparents after that. He had nowhere else to go. Of course convincing the ministry that Dumbledore had found him somewhere safe would be hard but none the less, he was sure his summers would get better now. Anyway even if Dumbledore didn't ant him to stay with his Godparents, in three months time he would have his parents back.

**KNOCK KNOCK**

He guessed that would probably be Sirius or someone come looking for him, he had kind of stormed out back there but it had just been too much for him. He never had enjoyed people making a fuss all that much although he knew how to milk it for all it was worth, living with Dudley for so long had seen to that.

"Come in!" he yelled through the closed door.

Sirius opened the door and crossed to the bed where Harry sat. he plopped himself on the edge of the bed next to Harry. He could see the look of confusion on his Godsons face. It troubled him to see Harry so worried; it wasn't something that he was used to.

"Harry," he started

Harry looked at him, he knew what was coming, first would be the sympathy, then he would get the questions and after that, the jokes would start. He didn't mind so much that Sirius had come looking for him, he felt he could talk to him at least

"I know Sirius." Harry decided to save Sirius some breath and cut straight in, "I don't want any sympathy; you know we didn't get on. I'm not upset, just, I don't know, confused I guess. Two days ago I knew exactly where I was. My parents were dead and I lived with my aunt and uncle. I might not have had the best home life in the world but at least I knew what was going on. I had some sense of control. Now look at me. I'm hiding out with my godparents who aren't supposed to have me because it isn't safe, I have no family, just the hope that perhaps we can bring my parents back to life but it isn't definite and to top it all off I get the distinct feeling that you expect me to burst into tears around about now and its just not going to happen!" Harry's voice had grown steadily louder as he continued talking. At the end of the outburst he looked straight into Sirius' eyes and did the exact thing he had just sworn he would not do. Harry Potter cried.