Chapter 2

The diary lay on Harry's desk for days, gnawing at the back of his mind. He had talked with his mother, his mother! Harry had been ecstatic for the first few moments, before any other thought could fill his head. Why had she been upset? What did Cass mean their story? And which two people did he remind her of? His father perhaps, but who else? And were they the girls in the picture, with his parents, Sirius, Lupin, and Peter?

Harry was however, nicely distracted from the diary by the arrival of a letter from Hogwarts informing him that he was to attend "Summer School" due to a low score on his O.W.L.S in Potions. Harry was furious. Snape had no right to fail him in Potions! For a few days Harry stormed about the house fuming until Uncle Vernon finally asked him what the matter was. When Harry informed Uncle Vernon rather vehemently that he was to attend summer school, Uncle Vernon couldn't have been more pleased.

"Petunia!" he called gleefully once Harry had finished.

"Yes dear?" Petunia answered, coming into the living room.

"The boy is to go to Summer School. We're getting rid of him for the summer!"

"Summer School?" Petunia asked questionably. "For what? Oh never mind I don't want to know. When do you need to be there? I suppose we must take you, after all we are watching you..."

"Tomorrow," Harry replied sullenly. "I'm to meet at King Cross Station for the eleven o'clock train."

"Very good!" Uncle Vernon said. "We'll take you down nice and early tomorrow morning so you won't miss the train!" The sickly sweet smile on his face was almost too much for Harry; he felt sick.

Harry didn't sleep at all that night. He lay awake glaring at the ceiling, hoping maybe it would catch on fire if he tried hard enough. Summer school? With Snape? What a better way to spend the break. Harry had conveniently forgoten that Snape could not possibly be teaching Summer School since he was on assignment from Dumbledore.

Uncle Vernon was pounding on Harry's door bright and early. The sun hadn't even come up yet as Harry called that he would be down in a few minutes. The letter had said that Harry would be staying for the remainder of the summer, with only one day set aside to travel to Diagon Alley to purchase new school supplies. So, instead of sleeping Harry had packed all of his belongings into his trunk. Hedwig was out taking a letter to Ron, so he left some food for her and another letter to take to Ron, who would be able to send her to Hogwarts.

The car trip to King Cross Station was uneventful, although Harry thought he might jump out the window a few times. Some broken bones would be better than summer school. It was only eight o'clock when uncle Vernon dumped Harry in front of the station and told him to have fun at school. The station was pretty full for that time of the morning, and Harry tried to stay in crowded areas. Voldemort was still out there somewhere, and he did not want to be seen.

As eleven rolled around, Harry began to see a few odd looking families coming through the crowd here and there, obviously wizard families, so he strode off for Platform Nine and three-quarters. Passing through the barrier, Harry was surprised to see how many fifth years were waiting to go to Summer School. At least fifty were standing around the station waiting for the Hogwarts Express.

Running footsteps coming up behind him turned every one of Harry's nerves on and he quickly reached for his wand as he turned around, to be tackled by Ron.

"Harry!" Ron cried." I was hoping you failed something too!"

Harry was too happy to see Ron to say anything in return.

Just then a very shortened version of the Hogwarts Express pulled up at the Station. Ron smiled and ran back to grab his trolley from where he had left it. Pulling it quickly towards the last compartment on the train, Ron motioned for Harry to follow.

Once they loaded everything onto the train, Harry and Ron slumped down opposite each other in the last compartment.

"Long time no see," Ron said. "How has it been going? Your letters don't really say much."

Harry shrugged. Ron acknowledged that Harry wasn't in the mood to talk and turned to look out the window. As the Hogwarts Express steamed away from the station Harry wondered what was in store for them at the Castle.

Finally after a few chocolate frogs and pumpkin cakes Harry decided to pull the diary out of his bag and show Ron.

"Another talking book?" Ron asked skeptically when Harry showed him how the writing on the pages worked.

"Its not bad, it was my moms," Harry said in defense of the open diary that lay in his hands.

Before Ron could mutter another word the whistle blew to announce that they had arrived at Hogwarts.

"That was fast," Harry said as he quickly pulled on his robes and stuffed the diary back into his bag. It would have to wait for later.