Birthday Surprises Chapter Four

Usual disclaimer: Not mine, don't sue. Please. Wish it were mine though. Ah, if only… Lolly, xxx.

Harry thundered down the stairs to living room, carrying the backpack and the babies' basket awkwardly. He gently lowered the children to the floor, before looking up at the Dursleys, who all looked alarmed. "We have to go." He announced, his voice quiet and calm.

"What are you talking about now, Potter?" Vernon bellowed. "We're going nowhere." The triplets began to cry, and Harry itched to pull out his wand and curse Vernon. He kept his cool and stared at his Aunt.

"There's a Deatheater outside. I suggest we go now before he finds me." His Aunt had paled, while Dudley looked scornful.

"A Deatheater, what's that? Coming to get you? Why would anyone want to do that?" Harry did pull his wand this time, though he didn't lose his temper.

"A Deatheater is a fully trained, evil wizard, and yes, he is coming for me. Aunt Petunia, we have to go NOW."

"Where? What do we do?" Harry had never seen his Aunt look quite so helpless, but he took over without another thought.

"We're going to have to Floo to Hogwarts, it's safe there." He told her while he rummaged for the Floo powder.

"We will not go ANYWHERE! Do you expect us to be scared of these Dead-people?"

"Deatheaters. If you had any sense, you would be."

"Nonsense." Vernon roared.

"You aren't scared of them." Dudley pointed out. Harry was quickly losing patience.

"No one ever said I was sensible - not where Voldemort is concerned."

"We will not go ANYWHERE!" Vernon repeated.

"Silencio!" Harry whispered, his voice as cold as ice and as sharp as a sword. Vernon fell silent and Dudley whimpered. Harry saw the Deatheater approaching.

"We don't have much time. Take the triplets. Unless you want to die, I suggest you listen to me."

"What about you?"

"I'll follow you - Professor Dumbledore's office." Harry threw a pinch of Floo powder into the flames, and put his head into the flames. "Professor Dumbledore? We're coming for an unscheduled visit." Harry said. He handed the triplets, in their basket, to Petunia. "Go." He gently pushed her into the flames, watching as she disappeared.

"You next." He told Dudley. He too, disappeared. "And you - or would you rather I left you here to die, because if we stay here, they will kill you." Vernon grudgingly stepped into the fire and promptly disappeared. Harry waved his wand and sealed the house off, hearing the Deatheater tugging at the door. He had revealed himself, but didn't care as he too disappeared in the flames.

Harry was coughing as he stepped out into Professor Dumbledore's office. He had swallowed some ash as he travelled. Professor Dumbledore welcomed him and immediately asked what had happened. The triplets were screaming at this point, and Petunia was too shaken to even think about comforting them. Harry's wrist was almost jumping with the signals that the monitor was giving out.

"There was a Deatheater in Privet Drive." He said as he picked up Leah and handed her to the headmaster. Then he picked up Andrew and Sam, quickly hushing them with a few whispered words and his comforting presence. Leah was still whimpering though, and after Harry put the other two back into their basket, he retrieved the baby girl from the old man's arms. It took a few minutes, but Leah settled down in Harry's arms and went to sleep.

"I thought it was best not to take any chances. No heroics."

"Ah, that's not strictly true, Harry. After all, you did bring you're - ah - relatives with you, did you not?"

"Hmm. Anyway, how did they find me - I thought we were supposed to be safe."

"Ah, you were. Until, that is, you turned 17. As you are no longer a child in the eyes of the ministry, the protection is no longer active."

"I see. Well, what's going to happen now? I daresay it won't take long for the Deatheater to break through the ward I put on the door."

"I don't know - I think perhaps you underestimate yourself - or overestimate the abilities of Voldemort's servants."

"Right. Well, what do we do in the meantime?"

"I don't think it would be wise to return to Privet Drive tonight. You will stay in Gryffindor Tower tonight - Poppy can look after the children. You will stay in your dorm, and I will have Dobby show your relatives where to stay." It was at this point that Harry remembered that he'd silenced his Uncle, and swiftly removed the charm.

"BOY! You will pay for this!" His Uncle raged. Harry simply looked up at him calmly and smiled.

"You're welcome, Uncle Vernon." He said politely, exchanging looks with the Headmaster. "Shall I take the babies down to the hospital wing, then?"

"Yes, you do that Harry - then you may head up to the Tower. The password is heroics."

"How appropriate." Harry muttered dryly. The headmaster chuckled and summoned Dobby as Harry left.