Chapter 4: To the Burrow at last.
Harry sat in shock for another long while before saying "Come Dobby, we best make our way back to the house". And they got up and slowly began to wander back to the Dursley's in the dark.
Back in Harry's bedroom, Harry was in his pyjamas in bed and Dobby in an old basket Harry had layered with blankets. Though Harry thought it would be really uncomfortable and glad he was not sleeping on the floor, Dobby looked thoroughly pleased with himself that he had obviously got the best deal of all, sleeping near to his master Harry Potter.
"So" started Harry suddenly, coming abruptly out of his reverie "why was it the Winky died, did you manage to find out what she was trying to tell you before she died?" Sadly, Dobby shook his head, though Harry was not in the least surprised, as usual, to find their upper-hand against Voldemort thwarted once again. Why would he have any reason to think they'd find any information 'for' his and Dumbledore's good side? "But" said Dobby nervously, "Professor Dumbledore does suspect Winky may be coming to some sense and may have been wanting Dumbledore to be her new master. And by telling him the secret she thought it would make him her new master with fresh bonds".
"But she never got so far as to tell him though did she?" snapped Harry. "Hang on though, are you trying to say, Dumbledore is trying to guess and may suspect what Winky may have been trying to tell him?"
"Yes Harry".
"So tell me quickly Dobby, what does he suspect?"
"Well, professor Dumbledore sir suspects she was about to tell us who the traitor may have been".
"Ha, thought as much" said Harry triumphantly "And who does he suspect may be crossing over to Voldemort's side?" daring to believe what he was hearing, unable to hope as he had never hoped before.
"Well, Professor Dumbledore sirs, has an inkling, as he says he sometime does, that the perpetrator may be the one and only Professor…
"Snape" cried Harry and Dobby in unison.
Although Harry was surprised, he wasn't in other ways.
So now Harry had even more to think about and worry. What did Snape think he was playing at eh? All kinds of hair-brained questions like these kept buzzing around Harry's mind like an electrically charged broomstick.
*
Over the next two weeks, Harry's mind went wild trying to form plans and schemes against Snape, the slithering slimy git. If only Sirius had known, he would have laughed with glee at how slimy he really was, and probably finished him off for good too whilst he was at it.
On other terms, living with the Dursley's was more bearable as Harry was getting used to having Dobby around. However, the Dursley's were going spare with a blatant magical creature under their very noses, living in their house, plus the fact they couldn't do anything about it or Harry would set Moody on them, and not a painful reminder of magic they wanted off this guy in a hurry.
Finally it was the day of Harry's 16th birthday. He was up, bright and breezy with Dobby and already packed when he went down for breakfast. "And how exactly are those absurd people arriving today?" snapped Uncle Vernon as soon as Harry stepped into the kitchen. "Dunno, but something spectacular knowing them" replied Harry calmly, as he turned round to grin at his uncle with a piece of toast in his hand before taking a big bite.
As it turned out, Harry spent all morning in his bedroom away from the Dursley's, preferring to leave them stew at their own misfortune. He was musing again, as he usually did, about a new certain person by the name of Ginny. Ron would certainly be pleased to hear of such a suitably fitted partner. He Harry on the other hand, thought she may come in useful at some point in the future in his plans to defeat Voldemort, as it was all down to himself to finish him off once and for all. Harry also suspected, on reflection of the past year, his best friends had secretly gotten together whilst Harry had other troubles. He was not concerned by this fact, however, it gave him a good excuse for laughter and torment of his two best friends, to his delight.
It was only when he was disturbed from his reverie by a loud hacking cough, that he was aware someone else was present in the room. On looking round to the source, he found not only one person in his room, but three ginger-haired people: Mr Weasley, Fred and George, and Dobby all waiting for him, arms crossed.
"Hi Harry" whispered Mr Weasley "How are you?"
"Fine" replied Harry, "But why are we whispering?"
"Good to see you Harry" butted in Fred and George quickly before Mr Weasley could get in another word. "We've come to Whisk you away without the Dursley's knowing. Dads spied on them stewing downstairs. We thought it'd be a good joke for them to carry on doing so until they realised you'd just disappeared without them knowing" said Fred.
"Keep you voice down Fred" said Mr Weasley. "Anyway Harry, as you are too young to apparate, that's why only us three are here. Molly has stayed home to look after Ron and Ginny".
The twins sniggered heartily "I think Ginny can look after herself, after this summer" murmured George. Harry was keen to hear what she'd been up to, but one wink from Fred and he knew to keep his silence till later.
"Anyway, My Weasley" said Harry wonderingly, "How am I going to get back as I cannot apparate either".
"Aha, this is the good part" said a grinning Mr Weasley. "We three shall apparate with all your belongings back to the burrow and Dobby has kindly nominated himself to act as a portkey to transport you personally himself back to the burrow. That's a tricky bit of magic, but with Dumbledore's help, it has been managed for Dobby to be able to transport you with his elf-magic, unnoticed on this one off occasion. Right then Harry, take Dobby's left hand, it's nearly 12.30. Once you have gone, the boys and I will follow with all your stuff and leave the Dursley's to stew".
With one last grin at each other the seconds ticked down, three-two-one and Harry immediately felt a tug behind his navel and was whisked by portkey Dobby to 'The Burrow'.
oOo