Author's Note: Sorry for the wait guys. This story isn't really coming easily yet, plus I went on vacation...I hope I can update a little faster now, though. To be honest, I also don't like this story very much; I don't feel as though it's good, so if anyone has any ideas for improvement LET ME KNOW!!!! Thanks to my reviewers...
Rosin Dubh: I have hope for her, too! Let me know what you think, okay?
Star in the Sky: Keep in mind that Petunia had two weeks of Harry being home, plus the letter was meant to be a bit of a trigger. That's why I did it that way...Thanks for the suggestion, though. I hope you keep reading.
Disclaimer: Nothings is mine, blah, blah, blah. All hail J.K. Rowling.
A persistent buzzing sound filled the air around Priviet Drive, getting louder and louder with each progressive second. A few minutes later a large, spinning shape could be seen in the skies. Harry squinted out of his bedroom window, trying to tell what it was by the light of the moon, but that was proving impossible, because it soon disappeared from his view. It seemed as though it had landed in his yard. Pulling on a jumper, Harry raced towards the front of the house, with all his muscles tensed and ready for action. Reaching the front window, he peered into the twilight, but to no avail. Suddenly a rather urgent and familiar whisper could be heard through the door.
"Harry! Harry, it's us! I mean it's me, and Hermione and Lupin and a few others." The whisper belonged to his friend Ron. A deeper voice could then be heard.
"Harry, it's okay, you can open the door." This one was that of Remus Lupin. Still a bit suspicious, Harry carefully opened the door a crack, leaving the chain in place. The opening revealed Ron, Hermione's anxious face, Lupin, Moody, and Molly Weasly , all standing on his doorstep.
How many more surprises could he take this day?, Harry wondered. First he had received his O.W.L. results and hadn't failed all of them, then he discovered that Sirius had a will (which also helped him realize rather forcefully that Sirius was truly dead). Then, out of all things, Aunt Petunia had apologized to him, after fifteen years of pretending he was some revolting little thing that had been forced upon her, and now what seemed to be his best friends in the world were standing on his doorstep.
"How do I know it's really you?" He asked suspiciously.
"A good question. Never can be too careful, especially considering...recent events. Boy may have some common sense after all." Harry recognised this gruff growl as Moody's.
"But how can we prove it?" Ron queried.
"Tell him something that only you guys would know, something you've never told anyone else. That ought to do it." Was Mad-Eye's reply.
"Er...how about that time in fourth year when Hermione went to the kitchens and stirred the House Elves up with her spew stuff?"
"It isn't just stuff, Ron, and it isn't spew either. It's the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare, exactly how many times must I tell you?" Hermione said, sounding indignant.
"Okay, I believe it's you guys, now. No one else bickers quite like you two," said Harry smiling.
"That would do it, wouldn't it?" Lupin asked, smiling also. "Now will you open up and come outside?"
"Did you come to take me away?" Harry asked hopefully.
"Nope. Sorry, kid. Dumbledore says you have to stay here until he works a few more things out. He may come in awhile, but he was pretty busy tonight. No, we're just here to check up on you, make sure you were all right and everything's okay." Mad-Eye's growl had taken a more sympathetic tone, if you could call it that. Harry opened the door the rest of the way and went outside into the moonlight.
"So how's everyone been? What've you all been doing? What's going on now?"
"One question at a time! We've all been fine. Ron and Hermione have been staying at you know where, the rest of us have been in and out. We can't speak plainly here because we don't know who's listening. Mad-Eye's put a spell around so we're guaranteed a little privacy at least, but we can't rely completely on it. As for what we've all been doing, it's the usual stuff, for the most part. Things are a bit easier, what with You-Know-Who in the open and all. Fudge also can't hinder us now, because he's getting the boot out of office for incompetency. Seems that most of the Wizarding world thinks he ought to have listened to Dumbledore and told them...a few more things than he did." Lupin sounded a bit smug.
"Do they have a new Minister nominated yet? I still have subscription to the Prophet, but I haven't gotten a delivery in a week."
"Yes, they're having problems. Everything's getting harder now. So far, You-Know-Who hasn't done anything major; we think he's still smarting from your last encounter, and everyone knowing he's back and all now. But there have been a few things happening. You'll know more later, I assure you."
"And as for minister, well guess what! Dad's been nominated, and so has Madame Bones." Ron said excitedly.
"Really?! That's awesome!" Harry was a bit surprised. Ron's father, while a very nice person, wasn't considered important in the Ministry. At least he hadn't in the former Ministry. Things could change now, seeing as Fudge was getting the sack.
"Yes, he did. We were all quite flabbergasted when we heard. Arthur would have liked to come tonight as well, but he couldn't get away and besides, we couldn't take more than a few people. But he sends his best wishes." Mrs. Weasly looked fondly at Harry. She was the only mother-like figure that he had ever known, and there was something he found comforting about her presence.
"So enough about us, how have you been, Harry? This summer must be awful for you..." Harry noticed that Lupin too had more pronounced lines on his face, and his eyes looked sadder than Harry had ever seen them before.
"I'm, you know, okay, I mean..." Harry stammered, feeling uncomfortable with the attention of all these people on him.
"I understand, Harry." Lupin said quickly.
Fishing around for a change of subject, Harry remembered Aunt Petunia's peculiar behavior of that day. "But something kind of funny happened today," he said, and proceeded to tell them what Petunia had said.
"Yes, Dumbledore told me he had sent her a letter, I believe to incite that very reaction. He will be pleased to hear of that, if he doesn't already know. By the way, did you receive your O.W.L. scores yet?"
"Yeah. Talk about surprising!" He then related his grades.
"Congratulations Harry! That's great!" Hermione burst out. She and Ron had been quiet up until this point, but it seemed like good grades were more than she could handle.
"Nice Divination," Ron smirked. "Not that mine was much better, mind. Amazing Potions, what d'you reckon Snape had to say about that?"
"No clue. Are you taking N.E.W.T. Potions, too?"
"Yeah, so's Hermione. I got an E, like you, and McGonagall wrote that I could take it or not, you know, if I was serious about becoming an Auror."
"Damn it, I'd always hoped we could give it up...two more years with Snape, do you think we can last?"
"I hope so. I imagine he won't be too thrilled with having us in his class, though.
"No, don't think he will." Harry said resignedly. He was far too used to Snape's hatred for him, and after last year, his was even stronger. "Has Dumbledore gotten a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher yet?"
"Not that we know of, though he is looking. I think he has an interview lined up soon." Hermione said. "Of course after Umbridge, anyone will be better." Her face took on that disgusted look of loathing that she saved for Umbridge and Rita Skeeter. Harry had to agree with her.
"I'm really sorry you guys, but we have to get going." Lupin said, glancing at his watch. "We'll try to get by again soon, Harry, meanwhile keep in touch."
"I will. Bye, I'll see you later."
"I do wish we could stay longer dear, but we need to get going. I'm not certain, but Dumbledore said that he might drop by soon, to talk to you."
"Bye Harry!" Ron and Hermione said in unison. Harry felt a deep pang of jealousy as he watched them getting into the car that they had arrived in together. He would give anything to be leaving with them. Waving goodbye, he watched as they all drove away and disappeared into the night. Letting himself back into the house with a greater feeling of emptiness, Harry allowed himself a few tears that ran slowly down his face.
Rosin Dubh: I have hope for her, too! Let me know what you think, okay?
Star in the Sky: Keep in mind that Petunia had two weeks of Harry being home, plus the letter was meant to be a bit of a trigger. That's why I did it that way...Thanks for the suggestion, though. I hope you keep reading.
Disclaimer: Nothings is mine, blah, blah, blah. All hail J.K. Rowling.
A persistent buzzing sound filled the air around Priviet Drive, getting louder and louder with each progressive second. A few minutes later a large, spinning shape could be seen in the skies. Harry squinted out of his bedroom window, trying to tell what it was by the light of the moon, but that was proving impossible, because it soon disappeared from his view. It seemed as though it had landed in his yard. Pulling on a jumper, Harry raced towards the front of the house, with all his muscles tensed and ready for action. Reaching the front window, he peered into the twilight, but to no avail. Suddenly a rather urgent and familiar whisper could be heard through the door.
"Harry! Harry, it's us! I mean it's me, and Hermione and Lupin and a few others." The whisper belonged to his friend Ron. A deeper voice could then be heard.
"Harry, it's okay, you can open the door." This one was that of Remus Lupin. Still a bit suspicious, Harry carefully opened the door a crack, leaving the chain in place. The opening revealed Ron, Hermione's anxious face, Lupin, Moody, and Molly Weasly , all standing on his doorstep.
How many more surprises could he take this day?, Harry wondered. First he had received his O.W.L. results and hadn't failed all of them, then he discovered that Sirius had a will (which also helped him realize rather forcefully that Sirius was truly dead). Then, out of all things, Aunt Petunia had apologized to him, after fifteen years of pretending he was some revolting little thing that had been forced upon her, and now what seemed to be his best friends in the world were standing on his doorstep.
"How do I know it's really you?" He asked suspiciously.
"A good question. Never can be too careful, especially considering...recent events. Boy may have some common sense after all." Harry recognised this gruff growl as Moody's.
"But how can we prove it?" Ron queried.
"Tell him something that only you guys would know, something you've never told anyone else. That ought to do it." Was Mad-Eye's reply.
"Er...how about that time in fourth year when Hermione went to the kitchens and stirred the House Elves up with her spew stuff?"
"It isn't just stuff, Ron, and it isn't spew either. It's the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare, exactly how many times must I tell you?" Hermione said, sounding indignant.
"Okay, I believe it's you guys, now. No one else bickers quite like you two," said Harry smiling.
"That would do it, wouldn't it?" Lupin asked, smiling also. "Now will you open up and come outside?"
"Did you come to take me away?" Harry asked hopefully.
"Nope. Sorry, kid. Dumbledore says you have to stay here until he works a few more things out. He may come in awhile, but he was pretty busy tonight. No, we're just here to check up on you, make sure you were all right and everything's okay." Mad-Eye's growl had taken a more sympathetic tone, if you could call it that. Harry opened the door the rest of the way and went outside into the moonlight.
"So how's everyone been? What've you all been doing? What's going on now?"
"One question at a time! We've all been fine. Ron and Hermione have been staying at you know where, the rest of us have been in and out. We can't speak plainly here because we don't know who's listening. Mad-Eye's put a spell around so we're guaranteed a little privacy at least, but we can't rely completely on it. As for what we've all been doing, it's the usual stuff, for the most part. Things are a bit easier, what with You-Know-Who in the open and all. Fudge also can't hinder us now, because he's getting the boot out of office for incompetency. Seems that most of the Wizarding world thinks he ought to have listened to Dumbledore and told them...a few more things than he did." Lupin sounded a bit smug.
"Do they have a new Minister nominated yet? I still have subscription to the Prophet, but I haven't gotten a delivery in a week."
"Yes, they're having problems. Everything's getting harder now. So far, You-Know-Who hasn't done anything major; we think he's still smarting from your last encounter, and everyone knowing he's back and all now. But there have been a few things happening. You'll know more later, I assure you."
"And as for minister, well guess what! Dad's been nominated, and so has Madame Bones." Ron said excitedly.
"Really?! That's awesome!" Harry was a bit surprised. Ron's father, while a very nice person, wasn't considered important in the Ministry. At least he hadn't in the former Ministry. Things could change now, seeing as Fudge was getting the sack.
"Yes, he did. We were all quite flabbergasted when we heard. Arthur would have liked to come tonight as well, but he couldn't get away and besides, we couldn't take more than a few people. But he sends his best wishes." Mrs. Weasly looked fondly at Harry. She was the only mother-like figure that he had ever known, and there was something he found comforting about her presence.
"So enough about us, how have you been, Harry? This summer must be awful for you..." Harry noticed that Lupin too had more pronounced lines on his face, and his eyes looked sadder than Harry had ever seen them before.
"I'm, you know, okay, I mean..." Harry stammered, feeling uncomfortable with the attention of all these people on him.
"I understand, Harry." Lupin said quickly.
Fishing around for a change of subject, Harry remembered Aunt Petunia's peculiar behavior of that day. "But something kind of funny happened today," he said, and proceeded to tell them what Petunia had said.
"Yes, Dumbledore told me he had sent her a letter, I believe to incite that very reaction. He will be pleased to hear of that, if he doesn't already know. By the way, did you receive your O.W.L. scores yet?"
"Yeah. Talk about surprising!" He then related his grades.
"Congratulations Harry! That's great!" Hermione burst out. She and Ron had been quiet up until this point, but it seemed like good grades were more than she could handle.
"Nice Divination," Ron smirked. "Not that mine was much better, mind. Amazing Potions, what d'you reckon Snape had to say about that?"
"No clue. Are you taking N.E.W.T. Potions, too?"
"Yeah, so's Hermione. I got an E, like you, and McGonagall wrote that I could take it or not, you know, if I was serious about becoming an Auror."
"Damn it, I'd always hoped we could give it up...two more years with Snape, do you think we can last?"
"I hope so. I imagine he won't be too thrilled with having us in his class, though.
"No, don't think he will." Harry said resignedly. He was far too used to Snape's hatred for him, and after last year, his was even stronger. "Has Dumbledore gotten a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher yet?"
"Not that we know of, though he is looking. I think he has an interview lined up soon." Hermione said. "Of course after Umbridge, anyone will be better." Her face took on that disgusted look of loathing that she saved for Umbridge and Rita Skeeter. Harry had to agree with her.
"I'm really sorry you guys, but we have to get going." Lupin said, glancing at his watch. "We'll try to get by again soon, Harry, meanwhile keep in touch."
"I will. Bye, I'll see you later."
"I do wish we could stay longer dear, but we need to get going. I'm not certain, but Dumbledore said that he might drop by soon, to talk to you."
"Bye Harry!" Ron and Hermione said in unison. Harry felt a deep pang of jealousy as he watched them getting into the car that they had arrived in together. He would give anything to be leaving with them. Waving goodbye, he watched as they all drove away and disappeared into the night. Letting himself back into the house with a greater feeling of emptiness, Harry allowed himself a few tears that ran slowly down his face.