(A/n: You already know in the book about Harry's train ride home… I just added a little more to it… I guess you might call it AU, but not really… so I'm just going to skip the part when the Order comes to threaten the Dursleys, and take it from when Harry arrives at Privet Drive.)

Harry slowly dragged his trunk from the trunk (or boot, I think, if I were British) and carried it to his room with some difficulty. Though no one could see it, he was very excited that his mask had worked. In order to do that, you had to be able to clear only a small part of your mind, the part that shows emotions. You could keep emotions to yourself, but no one else would see. He wondered how long it took Dumbledore to learn this art.

It was called Emolegancy. He had found a book called Emolegancy: The Art of Facial and Expressional Concealment in the library, and studied from that. He stole it, and packed it in his trunk, so he could practice it at the Dursleys.

The Dursleys were a great practice subject. They had tempers, hated Harry, and were easily afraid. They quickly got on Harry's nerves, so he had to try to go as long as he could with a clear, calm, unreadable expression on his face, without getting angry and yelling at them.

The book he used was a great textbook. Harry, with nothing else to do, began to practice yet again, and read through the book from the beginning.

After about an hour of practice, he became tired, and fell into a deep, untroubled sleep.

***

When he woke up, Harry quickly checked to see that his mask was still in place, as he was supposed to keep practicing, before looking at his watch. It was just past 8, the next day.

Harry dressed and went downstairs to cook breakfast. He found the three Dursleys already in the kitchen, but they all ignored him. There was no food to be found on the table or the stove, so he assumed they wanted him to cook, and without a word he got out some bacon and eggs, and began to cook.

Vernon, who was reading the paper, grunted, " Hm… more people gone missing. They all most likely got lost, if you ask me. Stupid idiots…"

At the words, "gone missing," Harry turned instantly, though.

" What did you say?" He asked, trembling slightly.

Vernon turned to stare at Harry. " More people gone missing… this doesn't have anything to do with your kind, boy!" Harry rolled his eyes, and was about to protest, when Aunt Petunia beat him to it.

" Actually, Vernon, I think it does." She practically whispered. Vernon and Dudley jumped slightly.

" What?"

She looked at Harry, and he continued. Harry felt that he was once again grateful that Aunt Petunia was his aunt, and knew the dangers of Lord Voldemort.

"As I told you last year, Lord Voldemort is back. And he's finally started to become active, now that the Ministry admits he's back." He said.

All three of the Dursleys looked wide and fearful.

" He's started recruiting." Harry continued. " And, I guess he's started taking people with him, either to brainwash under a curse, or to kill… or worse…"

Vernon was so intent on listening to Harry that he didn't even jump, flinch, or yell when Harry said, "curse".

" Just like he did last time…" Aunt Petunia whispered, and all three men turned to stare at her.

" Aunt Petunia, how much do you know…about… my world?" Harry asked.

She gulped. " I heard—Lily," and she said her name with anger, " talking about it many times. She—she even told me that I was in danger. She and Dumbledore helped hide me…"

" Petunia?" Vernon said, surprised.

" Vernon," She turned to speak directly to him, "We are in danger. The whole world is in danger."

" Mum? What are you talking about? Isn't it just his world?" Dudley asked, fearful for her answer.

" No." she said softly. " Our world too. And if Lord Voldemort wins, we'll never be the same again."

All through this fearful exchange, Harry was grateful for Aunt Petunia understanding, and explaining everything, yet he was also angry, because this kept reminding him of the prophecy. He knew that their lives were in danger because they were hiding and protecting him.

" That's why I wanted to see the news so much last year." Harry said dully. "He's back, and we've all got to stand up to him. Even you Mug--normal people."

" Muggles." Petunia nodded. Harry looked at her again, exasperated.

" How on earth did you remember all of that from my mum and dad?"

Petunia bit her lip, but did not answer. Instead, she asked Harry, " Tell me what happened last year at—at your school. What did Voldemort do? I need to know." Vernon and Dudley were looking at her as if she were a witch also.

" Vernon, we have to know this." She said unexpectedly, noticing this. "Our lives are in danger." Vernon, who finally seemed to understand, though it was obvious he didn't like it at all, nodded and all three of them looked at Harry.

He sighed deeply. This was not going to be easy. " To understand this year, you have to know what happened in my fourth year. That year, Voldemort was not back, but there had been strange disappearances.

" Now, three other people and I were competing in a tournament. The very last task at the end of the year would determine the final winner. To win, you had to reach this large cup at the end of a maze. A boy named Cedric and I got there at the same time, and it was my suggestion that we both take it together, and call it a tie."

Vernon snorted at this; he would never have done anything like that, but Harry ignored this and continued.

" When we grabbed the cup, it was a portkey--when you touch it, it takes you somewhere else. We didn't know it would do that. It took us to a graveyard, where Voldemort killed Cedric, then used my blood and two other substances to get his body back. Then, he called all of his Death Eaters—his followers and supporters-- to him using the Dark Mark. All of the Death Eaters have the Dark Mark burned on their arm. After every battle, the Death Eaters conjure a giant green Dark Mark in the sky. It looks like a snake inside a skull. If you ever see this in the air," Harry added as a dark warning, "run."

"Anyway, when the Death Eaters came, he challenged me to a duel. I—sort of managed to distract him, and escaped.

"When I got back, there was chaos. No one knew what had happened to me, and where I went, and how Cedric died. I told my story to Dumbledore, and he told the rest of the school, but I don't think many of them believed either of us. And, during the summer, the Ministry of Magic didn't believe that Voldemort was back; they were too afraid to believe. So, instead, they wrote articles in the paper on how Dumbledore and I are insane, and just trying to get attention."

Vernon and Dudley snorted again.

" But I wasn't!" Harry said angrily at them. " Then, during the summer, I was attacked by dementors, as you know. I had a trial, and I only got off because of Dumbledore. You have to remember the most of the Wizarding world believes me to be lying about Voldemort and Cedric's death, so they hardly trusted me.

" Well, the year was horrible, mainly because of that, but at the end of the year-" and here he gulped. Here was the hardest part. "I've told you about my godfather, right?" Harry could feel a few tears ready to form. " Well, Voldemort lured me somewhere in the Ministry of Magic. It's a long story how he did that, but he wanted me to get something that only I could get for him. Voldemort also wanted to kill me, and so the Order of the Phoenix—a group of people working for Dumbledore to try and stop Voldemort--came to try to save me. But… but…" His voice broke. He could not speak.

" What does this have to do with your godfather?" Vernon asked impatiently.

" He—he was killed. At the Ministry of Magic. One of the Death Eaters took him by surprise and killed him. But then Voldemort showed up, and he and Dumbledore had a duel. Voldemort disappeared, and so did the Death Eaters that were not captured. But the Ministry of Magic had come to the building to see what was going on, and they witnessed Voldemort in the flesh, so they finally realized that he was back. Now people don't think Dumbledore and I are crazy anymore, but I would trade it all…"

For the first time in his life, Dudley and Aunt Petunia looked sympathetically at him as his tears began to fall. Vernon's mouth dropped open, and he shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He didn't look sympathetic, but he said, " People seem to die around you a lot." Harry wasn't sure if it was meant as an insult or not, but he found that he didn't care.

Behind them, the smell of smoke filled his nostrils. He had forgotten about the now burnt eggs and bacon he was cooking. He turned off the stove and said, " I'm really not hungry." Before walking without another word upstairs to his bedroom, to look at the remains of the two-way mirror again.

*

With nothing else to do, he decided to write a letter to Dumbledore, though he didn't know what to say. Dumbledore was almost like his friend now; someone he could write to, tell him news, how the Dursleys have been treating him, and ask him questions. He just hoped Dumbledore felt the same way with him.

Dear Professor Dumbledore;

Do you read the muggle newspapers? There was an article in the paper that my uncle was reading that said that more people had gone missing… I think it was six. The muggle police have no idea yet if the people have connections with each other, or not, but I've got a feeling in my gut that it's Voldemort.

Has Voldemort been doing anything in the Wizarding world? Please, I really want to know.

When my uncle read the paper aloud today, and I mentioned Voldemort, my aunt knew… everything. She knew what it was like with Voldemort taking over. She asked me what had happened at Hogwarts this year, which really surprised me, but I told her everything from the Third Task to now. No, I didn't mention the prophecy.

Just wanted to tell you about the missing muggles, and wanted any news.

Harry Potter

Harry paused. He also wanted to add how surprised he was that his Emolegancy worked on the train, how proud of himself he was, that he was successful at producing his calm face, and the twinkling eyes, something that he would tell Sirius… but he didn't know how to put it. He also didn't want Dumbledore to take Sirius's place.

He decided on writing a quick ps.

Ps. Do you study Emolegancy? Just out of curiosity…

Folding up the letter, he gave it to Hedwig. "Take this to Dumbledore, Hedwig." She looked at him a little strangely, but nipped him kindly and flew off.

Harry sighed. He didn't want to go back downstairs, but he knew he would have to if he wanted to get any lunch, so he put on his calm face and went downstairs.

When the Dursleys saw him, they looked a little uncomfortable. Harry could tell that they had had a talk while he was in his room. He said nothing to them, and they said nothing to him. Petunia, with a quick glance at Harry, got up and made lunch, and Harry grabbed the newspaper that had the article on the missing persons, and began to read.

There was no more information inside, other then that 6 people were missing, and the police were investigating. Harry would have sighed, but he had his calm face on, and he did not.

Finally, Vernon said, " You seem pleased about something."

 " Do I?" Harry asked.

"Happier then you were before." Vernon grunted softly. Harry was pleased now; it was working. He just sort of wished that he hadn't cried in front of the Dursleys.

The rest of lunch was eaten in silence, and when Harry finished he went wordlessly upstairs, to find Hedwig waiting patiently for him on the windowsill.

" Hey, girl! You're back already? That was fast!" Hedwig held her head up proudly. Harry took the letter from her leg and read,

Harry;

Yes, I do subscribe to the muggle papers, just so I can see if Voldemort may have done something that the magical community overlooked. It seems that no one else subscribes, though, as none of the Order has heard of these disappearances. I'm glad you caught that in the paper.

Now, about your aunt. I believe that she knows more then you would think about the Wizarding world, more then she lets on. I know for a fact that she understands exactually what the threat of Voldemort means, even to muggles. It was wise of you not to tell her the prophecy. Voldemort could somehow find her and use her.

No, in the Wizarding world, Voldemort has not been doing much; these disappearances have been the first thing since that night at the Department of Mysteries. I know now that I should not keep this information from you. (Did you know that on the first night you came to Headquarters, we all waited for you to start yelling at Ron and Hermione? We were starting to wonder what took you so long.)

Speaking of which, I believe I am correct in saying that when you told the Dursleys about everything that happened last year, you mentioned our little trip to the Department of Mysteries, and now you're dwelling on it again? Please don't. I told you once that it does not do to dwell on dreams, Harry. Please remember that.

In answer to your questions from your previous letter, very few of the Order know of the prophecy's contains. The rest only knew that it was essential that we keep the information from Voldemort. The few who do know are Remus Lupin, Alaster Moody, Arthur Weasley, Severus Snape, Minerva McGonagall, and I. It would be best if you burn this letter as soon as you are finished with it, as this is not information we want to fall into Voldemort's hands.

Only these six and I know, and I think you'll find that it is for the best. Think of what Molly Weasley would do if she heard that you were the one to defeat Voldemort.

You will come to you-know-where, as you put it, over the summer. There is no exact date yet. Please bear with me, Harry.

As to your questions about Emolegancy: Indeed, how did you know? My guess is that you have started to study it, and I think that may be a good idea… just don't become too-- er…emotionless. Your friends will worry.

Emolegancy also helps with your Occlumency, as you should already know. Let me know how you are doing with that.

Albus Dumbledore

 Harry almost laughed. It was sort of awkward for Dumbledore to be talking to Harry about Emolegancy… sort of like the great Dumbledore was giving away his secret to Harry, though Harry actually found it out first. Dumbledore was always one of those people who were calm and controlled, and that helped calm other people. Harry had now realized it was sort of an act, and he had learned to mask his emotions. Harry knew his secret now, and he was starting to do the same.

He was also glad that Dumbledore got the muggle paper and read the article. At least the Order was a little more prepared, even though Dumbledore said nothing was going on yet. Harry wrote a reply after placing the letter in the fire:

 Dear Professor Dumbledore;

I'm glad that you get the muggle papers. That's good for the Order

Speaking of newspapers, have there been any articles in the Daily Prophet about you or me? I really hope not… I've had it with that paper.

I'm also sort of glad that only some of the Order knows the prophecy.  I can imagine what Mrs. Weasley would do… please don't tell her. Just one thing: why does Professor Snape have to know? Of course, I'm sure he's thrilled about it.  Did Sirius know?

Yes, I've been studying Emolegancy, and it has helped with Occlumency. I got a book from the library.  I've been working at it, and I'm getting pretty good. It seemed to work on my friends and the Dursleys.

Well, my friends said I looked different. I guess they'll have to get used to it. They said— well, they said I looked like you.

How did you know I was going to yell that night?

My Aunt is a little scary sometimes.

Harry

" Hedwig, would you mind taking this to Dumbledore again?" Harry asked. She gave him a sarcastic look.

Harry smiled.

" Of course you wouldn't. Thanks, Hedwig."

Harry watched her fly out the window. In the meantime, he decided to start on some of his essays for school. Potions, easily the most difficult, he decided to do first. He had to write a four-foot essay on something tedious, which was very Snape like.

Again, he wondered why Dumbledore told Snape the prophecy. After all, Snape was a Death Eater. Couldn't Voldemort drag it out of him?

 But Snape's an Occlumens. He can stop Voldemort from breaking into his memories. Harry reminded himself, and he took out his quill and began.