CHAPTER 2

Monday morning dawned sunny and bright. The Dursleys still hadn't quite got over Cho's letter but things were starting to look up. At least they were glad they'd only need to be in the presence of Harry for less than eight hours. Harry wandered downstairs to come face to face with a grinning Dudley. "What have you..." Began Harry. It was odd seeing his cousin look so happy.

"Oh nothing" said Dudley, still grinning. "I think you'll have quite a pleasant surprise this year at that school of yours."

"Yeah?" Said Harry suspiciously. What did Dudley know? Harry didn't really like the way he said pleasant either.

"Dudders!" Called Aunt Petunia from the kitchen. "Come and have some breakfast!" Dudley waddled off still smirking at Harry's downfall.

Harry went upstairs and flopped on his bed. What was all that about? Whatever he knew wasn't good. Could Dudley possibly know anything about Voldermort, the most powerful and evil wizard of all time? Harry himself had seen him return to his body at the end of his fourth year. Voldermort was back and did Dudley know something about him? Harry pondered over this for quite some time. He let his thoughts wander and wasn't disturbed until a loud, "Boy!" Came calling up from downstairs. Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and Dudley were all in the kitchen. Aunt Petunia was bustling about moping the already spotless floor, Uncle Vernon was adjusting his bow tie in the mirror and Dudley was slumped on a stool, eyes glued to the television.

"They'd better not be blasting our house apart this time!" Spat Aunt Petunia. "It took five hours of cleaning last time they came." Harry sat down on a stool and eyed the cartoon character dancing across the screen of the television.

"And Dudders still hasn't got over the fright of what happened to his tongue!" Growled Uncle Vernon. Dudley sat up in his stool looking nervous. Uncle Vernon clapped him on the shoulder. "They won't be getting here the... the fire way will they?"

"I don't know." Said Harry truthfully. "They might be."

"Might be!" Shrieked Aunt Petunia. "Might be! Do you have any idea what trouble that caused last time! 5 hours..."

She was interrupted however by a loud bang that made the kitchen table vibrate.

"What was that!" Squealed Aunt Petunia hurrying to the kitchen door. Uncle Vernon leapt up and followed her. Dudley remained firmly in his seat, eyes glazed. Harry ran after his aunt and uncle to the sitting room. He flung open the door and hurried in to find both Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon staring transfixed at three rather scruffy looking Weasleys. They hadn't come by floo powder. They couldn't have apperated though.

"Harry!" Yelled Ron and Ginny. Running up to him.

"So sorry about the sudden appearance!" Said Mr Weasley, wiping dust from his hair. "We got here by portkeys." The Dursley's too shocked for words nodded.

"Well," Said Mr Weasley breaking the silence. "Well it's very nice to meet you again," smiling at the Dursleys. "I'm so sorry about last time." At that precise moment Dudley came waddling into the sitting room looking very anxious. "Oh you must be Dudley!" Said Mr Weasley smiling kindly at him. Dudley hurried behind his parents. "Well we'd better be off." Said Mr Weasley. "It's been very, um, nice meeting you. Come on Ron, Ginny. We just need to touch the portkey together. It's rather unauthorised, but I know someone at the ministry who's a genius in things like this." He pulled out a mouldy apple from his pocket.

"Bye." Said Harry to the Dursleys. "See you next year."

"Yes." Said Vernon "Next year."

"Alright," said Mr Weasley. "One, two, three!" Harry grabbed the mouldy apple and at once felt himself spinning. He was spinning through the air getting faster and faster... then BANG. He and the Weasleys had landed spread eagled on the kitchen floor of the Burrow.