Chapter 2: Home sweet Home

'Ah well, home sweet home,' Harry thought, when entering 4 Privet Drive. What would the Dursleys have in stock for him this summer? As soon as everyone gathered in the entrance hall, he knew. Thin air, they ignored him all along. 'Maybe that at least will turn out good'. He hauled his heavy trunk upstairs. Which wasn't easy at all, when he reached the top he was really out of breath. Every day life without magic sucked thoroughly.

The Dursleys kept on looking through Harry, which was fine with him. Nothing was more annoying than Dudley on diet. Whilst his parents tried to make up for the less amount of food he got. Still Vernon would send him to Mrs. Figg, to collect the money Harry was working for. Little did he know about the squib next door. To keep up appearances he had to do some work but nothing hard. At least Harry got a little bit of sun and his mind off of always the same not so pleasant thoughts.

Every afternoon ended with a cup of tea and some stories, mostly of the wizarding world. "You must know Harry for a squib it's hard in the magic world, but for muggles. I remember one guy who reffused to leave when his witch-wife died mysteriously. "Once", she said," he got stuck in an elevator for a whole, day because that sort of elevator could just be moved by wand, for children's precaution. It took a couple of Techmagics to get him out. I wonder how he even got in?" "What happened to him?" "I don't really know, disappeared. Maybe got stuck somewhere else and nobody found him. It would be really funny, if it wasn't that sad."

"I've to go, thanks for the tea. Tomorrow same time?" he mumbled. "Settled than, see ya Harry." She watched him trudging across the street shoulders slumped and shook her head. 'He's not well, definitely not', she mused.

This was the time Harry most dreaded, evenings and nights all alone. He caught himself searching for the Dursleys' company, just to get rid of the endless cycle of thoughts and horrible dreams. He gave up soon, for it was to much to bear. Although aunt Petunia sometimes acted the slightest bit out of habit. Harry wondered if he sometimes detected just a hint of caring in her look.

He even had taken on Hermione's advice to occupy himself and distract his mind at doing some homework. Surprisingly that went quite . - okay let's say he did more then the previous years, which didn't mean a thing, as he had done scarcely anything at all. Well, was he to blame? The Dursleys' hadn't allowed him to. Shutting away all his books and quills. Hermiones stern face flashed to mind, "But you still had the times at he Burrow"

"Yes the Burrow", he sighed. How he longed to be there. He knew now why it was so important to go back to Little Whinging once a year, but that didn't lessen the yearning for his second home.

His friends and all members of the family by choice had gone on a mission to keep him in good mood. Much to Mr. Dursley's dismay, what was somehow one of the best parts. There wasn't a day without at least three owls carrying letters or packages from Hagrid or Mrs. Weasley or Dumbledore even Percy. 'Must feel to have to do al little bit of make up. Now for once he couldn't deny that Voldemort was back', Harry thought bitterly. Speaking of the Unnameable, Harry wondered why they all were allowed to communicate that much. Had Dumbledores care for Harry's psychic well being overridden his concern for their security.

Ginny's letters he enjoyed most. They were free of adult advices and always cheered him up, telling the latest prank of Fred and George or another Luna Lovegood novelty, as they were sort of pen pals. Quite as amusing were the once from Ron and Hermione, always complaining and at the same time inquiring over each other, curios what the other might say. He couldn't help but thinking, ' Carry on now, go for it. It's really about time'.

The Order of the Phoenix members kept their promise. Someone showed up every third day. Mostly Tonks in different disguises and shapes. Moody always scared the shit out of the Dursleys, but Tonks always had some sort of prank on the line. One time aunt Marge paid an unexpected visit. It wasn't until she handed the whole bunch of presents just to Harry, that he recognised it was Tonks. She spent the all afternoon railing about Dudley and praising Harry to the skies. Harry had to gather all his strength not to burst into fits of laughter.

Lupin although didn't look to good. For sure he missed his fellow marauder strongly. Harry wondered where he'd stayed, maybe ad Sirius'. Was it still home to the Order? It could have been his home, if not . and here we are again. Harrys brows furrowed and his fists clenched in anger. Soon tears were running down his cheeks.

Yeah, Harry dwelled on his sorrow and desperately lived his anger. With an intense passion he wrapped himself in painful thoughts. As the muggles would name it: he was stuck in and outgrown depression. He revived ever painful moment again and again, for nothing better than to plaque himself.

Suddenly he shrieked out of his reverie. He knew his aunt and uncle had taken Dudley to the cinema, in order to keep him form eating in front of the television all night. 'What does it help?', he thought 'with that giant basket of popcorn, supersize coke and load of sweets they would buy him there.' 'Focus Harry, unknown noise downstairs. Could be some kind of danger, don't you think, dumbhead?!'

He stood still for a moment listening to the steps coming upstairs, then grabbed his wand and hid behind the door. As it swung open Harry jumped forwards and screamed "Expelliarmus!". Wands flew, nervous whispering and then al strict voice said "Lumos". The light lit up around Prof . McConagall. Sighing Harry let sink his wand. "Damn Harry you scared the shi." "Mind your language" Prof. McConagall said in a harshly. Tonks closed her mouth quickly grinning embarrassed.

Remus Lupin stepped into the light "Didn't pack already Harry? What are you waiting for?" Harry gaped and Remus laughed, "Yeah we thought it would be a nice surprise, isn't it?" Harry just nodded. "Prof. Dumbledore thought, it would be best to get you out of here as soon as possible" Prof. McConagall explained with an disgusted glance around the room, stopping at the many different locks on Harrys door and frowning in disbelief.

We had to secure the place you spend the rest of your holidays by all meanings and also your journey there. We got a ministry tested and approved portkey today, McConagall snorted and much friendlier she continued, "and here we are". Meanwhile the head of Gryffindor was talking, Tonks was busily packing Harrys belongings and had them shrank in no time.

Shaklebolt turned up holding what seemed to be an empty butterbeer bottle and said " We should be going" The others nodded. "You're ready Harry?" Again he just nodded. "At the count of three" As Harry touched the stained glass he felt the usual tug at his bellybutton. When he opened his eyes he was standing in front of the Burrow. At the entrance stood a whole welcoming army, all waving and beaming at the appearing group.