Standing within the parameters of a magically conjured square, Harry Potter smiled broadly. He had passed! The moderator on this end of the test gave him a weak smile, as though that was his job...to stand at the end of the test and pretend to be happy for those who passed. Harry didn't care; he was too happy to care.  He had passed!

With the moderator's permission, Harry was able to Apparate back to where the delegation and Dumbledore stood waiting for him.

Mr. Weasley gave Harry a hug. "Knew you could do it!"

Dumbledore also walked up to Harry, and clapping a hand on his shoulder, steered him away from the rest of the group, who were now speaking quietly among themselves.

"Yes, well done Harry, well done. Have you told you aunt and uncle what this test was for?" Dumbledore asked suddenly, but Harry had a feeling he already knew the answer.

"Well, no. I don't think they would have been too thrilled, but they should be glad that I'll no longer need them to take me to, or pick me up from the train each year."

"Yes, yes that's true. Well," Dumbledore cleared his throat "Where would you like to spend your birthday this year? It's only four weeks away."

Caught off guard by the abrupt changes of topics, Harry didn't answer right away.

"Sir?" was all he said.

"Your birthday, Harry. Would you like to spend it in Privet Drive with the Dursleys, or would you rather be at the Headquarters with your friends?"

Harry laughed. "Do you really think I'd choose the Dursleys over everyone in the Order?"

Dumbledore grinned mischievously. "Just thought I'd make sure. I shall be over in a fortnight to accompany you." And with that, plus a nod and another smile, Dumbledore walked toward the delegation.

"Oh, and Harry," added Dumbledore, turning back to him, "I'm sure you can get yourself home just fine."

Harry smiled rapturously as Dumbledore went to have a chat with Mr. Weasley. And with a loud CRACK Harry was gone.

*

Appearing in the middle of his bedroom, Harry felt like giving a loud whoop, but just in time noticed that it was darker than he thought, and the Dursleys were probably asleep. Harry hadn't been this happy in a long time. He was no longer an underage wizard.  He had passed his Apparating test, and he was leaving Privet Drive soon for another year. He couldn't wait to see Ron and Hermione! He knew Ron would share in his delight about getting his Firebolt back, and Hermione would have to be proud of the O.W.L.s he had gotten.

The next two weeks passed by in a blur for Harry. After telling the Dursleys when he would be leaving, Uncle Vernon was in a much better mood. Harry didn't completely understand this until he remembered that he would be gone before Dudley's birthday, and suddenly Harry's mood brightened as well.

Harry actually succeeded in keeping his room clean the whole two weeks, mostly due to the fact that each time he took something out to use it, he put it immediately back when he was finished with it, just in case Dumbledore came for him early. . .which wasn't likely, of course, but Harry felt like being optimistic.

The day of Dumbledore's imminent arrival dawned and Harry, not sure when Dumbledore would get there, spent the whole day waiting in his room, either sitting on his trunk, or pacing the room, this time in excitement. Very soon he would be gone again. Very soon he'd be back with his friends. Back to the world he belonged in. He'd get to see Ron, and Hermione, and Ginny, and Remus, and Sirius – wait, no...he wouldn't get to see Sirius. Harry's euphoria evaporated, and despite the shell he'd put over his emotions lately, he thought he felt a lump forming in his throat and something stinging the back of his eyes.

He missed his godfather terribly. He'd so depended on him the last couple of years. Sometimes it just didn't feel real. Last summer Harry had gotten to see so little of Sirius, that this summer really seemed no different. But he knew that Sirius wouldn't be there when he got to Headquarters this time. He was gone. Just like his parents; stolen away from him before he'd really gotten to know him. That was what hurt the most. He'd gotten less than three years with Sirius, and he would never see him again. Not until death brought them back together, and that was not at all a comforting thought.

Caught up in his reverie, Harry almost didn't hear the distinct CRACK signaling the arrival of Dumbledore. Harry looked up slowly, the pain he was feeling evident on his face.

"Well now, I wasn't expecting such a melancholy reaction to my arrival..." Dumbledore joked, but his face was serious. He seemed to know exactly what the problem was.

"I miss him, professor. Will it always hurt this bad?" Harry looked at the floor, ashamed to show his weakness in front of Dumbledore.

"Not forever, but for a while. You'll always miss him, but the pain will lessen with time. Time can heal many wounds, Harry. But it's never easy." He placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Just give it some time."

"Yeah," mumbled Harry.

"Well, we should get going. Hermione and Ron were simply beside themselves before I left. Let's not keep them waiting."

They were both about to Apparate to the sidewalk outside of Grimmauld Place (they couldn't Apparate inside) when Dumbledore paused for a second. "Too bad we're in such a hurry. I would have loved to meet your aunt and uncle."

CRACK

Harry, suddenly smiling at the thought of the Dursleys someday meeting Dumbledore, followed said professor to the door of number twelve Grimmauld Place.

~*~*~*~

Spaced Out Space Cadet: I'm glad to know that my chapters aren't perceived boring, even when I think they are :)

Hermionegreen: Did I update soon enough?

Coesius: *Shivers in happiness at the length of this review* Thanks for the constructive criticism, and compliments. I'm glad you like it, and I've tried to stop apologizing for myself so often. I can't help it though; I'm an insecure person (just ask my friends!) and I'm always afraid that people aren't going to like my stories, so if I apologize for something, I do it so that people realize that I know it was that way. That made no sense, I'm sure, but I understood it! hehehe

Zol: Thank you!

Denise: Thanks. I'm glad you find my story promising :)

Amber16: Thanks, and I update as soon as I finish a chapter.