Harry tried to go upstairs but Uncle Vernon caught his shirt and pulled him into the room Aunt Petunia was in. The living room.

He pushed Harry away from him.

"What is this?" Uncle Vernon demanded, waving the letter furiously.

"Well... It does sort of look like a letter." Harry said in mock confusion. "But you know. I could be wrong."

Uncle Vernon swore under his breath. "They are not going to come over..."

"Huh?" Harry said, this time in real confusion.

"Those freaks... they said they were coming over. But I'm not going to allow those people in this house." Uncle Vernon thrust the letter at Harry.

He read:

Harry,

We haven't heard from you for three days. I hope everything is okay. Everyone is worried about you. Arabella said she saw you last night arguing with your uncle. He, your aunt, and your cousin better be treating you right. It won't matter soon though. Moody, Tonks, and I are coming to get you in a half an hour. I hope you are alright.

Remus

That meant they would be here in a few minutes. Harry stared at the letter. He didn't want to leave. He didn't want to go back to Grimmuald Place, or to the Weasley's. He was not going to leave. His few seconds of anger were interrupted by his uncle's rough voice.

"They will not be coming here." ordered Uncle Vernon.

"And who's going to stop them? You?" Harry smirked. He knew even if he told Remus, Tonks, and Moody not to come, they would still be there to pick him up. No one ever listened to Harry.

"Get out right now!"

"Vernon. Let him stay." Aunt Petunia said faintly, surprising both of them. They had forgotten she was there.

"No! I listened to you last year. But I've had enough of him! I want him out of my house right now!" roared Uncle Vernon. He took a few thunderous steps until he was only an inch away from Harry.

"Get out..." Uncle Vernon said.

Harry backed away from him until he was about a foot away from the wall. Vernon only followed Harry, his face as red as a tomato. He pushed Harry against the wall.

Harry reached into his back pocket for his wand, and swore. He had left it in his room. Why do I always do this?

Uncle Vernon yelled in frustration and raised his fists angrily.

Harry heard soft voices coming from the front door. They were becoming louder. No one else seemed to notice them.

"Harry!" a voice said.

He didn't take his hands away from his face, but parted his fingers to see a very worried Remus. Tonks and Moody were standing beside him.

Harry realized that this scene must have looked a little unnerving:

A very pale, very thin, bruised up Harry on the floor, leaning against the wall with his hands hiding his face. And a very angry Uncle Vernon towering over Harry, his hands raised and balled up into fists.

Moody cast a stunning spell on Uncle Vernon, and he fell to the floor, a shocked look upon his face. Aunt Petunia screamed in suprise. She looked at Moody.

"How dare you . . . y-you freaks get out of my house right now!" she said in a terrified voice. Everyone ignored her comment. Tonks whispered "stupefy" and Petunia fell to the floor right beside Vernon..

Harry wondered briefly where Dudley was, but that thought quickly faded when his scar began burning again.

"Harry!" Remus said again, running to his side. "Are you alright?"

"I'm . . . I'm fine." Harry said, uncovering his face.

Remus gasped. He saw two bruises on Harry's face, along with dark bags under each eye. He looked over at Vernon and his face turned from worry to anger.

"Harry-"

"Remus . . ." Harry said quietly, cutting him off.

"Yes?"

"I . . . I -" Harry's vision faded into darkness.