Harry woke early the next day, he had felt his scar prickling throughout the night, but as daybreak came the uncomfortable feeling was turning to pain. Harry rubbed his forehead trying his best not to worry. He had gotten used to his scar hurting more and more since the return of Voldemort. He glanced at his clock and saw that it was just after 6.30. He had a slight conflict with himself on whether or not to get up. Deciding that there was no way he could remain comfortable with feeling in his forehead he swung his legs out of the bed and reached for his glasses which he had lain on the bedside cabinet before he went sleep the night before. Stretching and yawning as he crossed the room and pulled the curtains back to be greeted with the sun already clear in the sky and the sight of some of the neighbours hosing their lawns. The heat wave that had lasted for the last two weeks had forced the local council to issue their usual hose pipe ban, Harry chuckled at the thought of the muggles trying their best to both defy the laws and salvage their prized lawns. Three doors down a man who Harry was sure was called Mr Fergus looked up at Harry's window and saw him staring. Mr Fergus stared open mouthed for one second gawping at Harry before taking to his heels and darting inside his house. Unfortunatley, the hose he was using was still in his hand and five seconds later he reappeared, his clothes obviously soaked through, followed closely by a large women who was obviously his wife. In Mr Fergus' attempt at escape he had obviously blasted his wife with a jet of freezing cold water. Obviously furious she was chasing him round the garden hitting him over the head with what looked like a rolled up magazine. With only one free hand to defend himself, water continued to hit both him and his wife. Harry was struggling from laughing out loud for fear of waking up the Dursleys but his shaking body was clearly visible from the garden where Mr & Mrs Fergus were doing their best impression of some slapstick comedy. Mr Fergus threw the hose down on the lawn and escaped back inside followed immediately by his rampaging wife. Tears were now flowing freely down his cheeks and his sides were beginning to hurt from his attempts at stifling his laughter. Harry sat on his bed trying to compose himself before getting dressed and going downstairs to get breakfast. Once he calmed down he went into the bathroom and got showered, brushed his teeth and put a comb through his hair. It lay flat for about two seconds before reverting to it's usual untidy self. Going back into his room he got dressed quickly and was about to open his door when a he felt something swoop into the room. Turning back, he saw Hedwig perched on top of the wardrobe, a mouse dangling by its tail from her beak. Almost fit to explode with happiness he beckoned her down, gracefully, she swooped down and laded on his shoulder, the mouse banging the side of his face.

"Ughhh! Hedwig" he said in mock indignation with her. He took her prize from her beak and placed it inside her cage. Hedwig hooted happily and nipped him affectionately in the ear. Harry, giggling softly stoked her head.

"I'm glad your back, we're leaving today" he said to her.

Again she gave a soft hoot and Harry was almost sure that she knew that today would be the day they would be leaving Privet Drive, and she was making sure she was not being left behind.

"Why don't you go and have a sleep, I'll be up later to get all our things together."

She soared into her cage and tucked her head under her wing. Harry couldn't describe his feelings towards Hedwig. She was his best friend away from the Wizarding world and without her, life during the summer would be unbearable.

Going downstairs, he chuckled softly again at the hosepipe scene.

Harry sat staring at the clock, time seemed to have slowed down at an alarming rate. It was just after ten o' clock and he still had almost two hours till he would be escaping the hell of Privet Drive. Whenever he tried to busy himself with something to pass time, he would look again and see that only five minutes had elapsed when he felt sure that half an hour had passed at least. For one fleeting moment during the morning he almost convinced himself that Fred and George Weasley were concealed in his room, hidden from his view having a good laugh at some kind of spell they had performed to slow down time. Almost as quickly he banished that idea, as he was sure they would not have been able to keep the joke going this long. He crossed his room and opened his trunk for the fourth time that morning to make sure that he had everything packed, absent-mindedly rubbing his forehead. The pain had been getting steadily worse throughout the morning. He was desperately urging time forward, he would feel more secure when he was back with members of the order. Although he felt some trepidation at going back to Grimauld Place with no Sirius there, he was really looking forward to seeing the Weasleys and Lupin again.

Frustration boiled over as having finished checking the contents of the trunk and glancing at his clock he noticed that it only took seven minutes. Slamming down the lid he stalked across the floor when it happened. A blinding pain, as though someone was pushing tacks into his temples flashed across his head. Falling onto his knees, he could only see a blinding white light. Then the voice came, a voice he had come to hate.

Harrryyyyy!!!!! His high-pitched laugh reverberated within his head. Suddenly the pain ceased and there was blackness. Harry lay lying face down on the floor with his legs bent at odd angles with one arm out at the side, the other stretched past his head. Unconsciousness enveloped Harry that he felt, heard and saw nothing.

Crack, Crack, Crack, Crack,

Harry started to stir, there were people in his room talking in low whispers.

"Is he ok?"

"God, what has happened to him?"

"We must leave now, he is in grave danger, as are we" growled a voice Harry recognised.

Groggily he sat up and looked at the four figures standing over him. Lupin, Mad Eye Moody, Arthur Weasley and Tonks had looks on their faces of fear and worry but when the saw Harry smiles of relief appeared, except for Moody who's magical eye was already whirring into the back of his head while the other one was fixed upon Harry. Lupin was the first to speak.

"Thank goodness you are alright Harry. We came straight here as soon as we heard."

"Heard what?" Harry asked, immediately worried.

"Azkaban is in uproar," replied Tonks. "Everyone has escaped and there are no sign of the Dementors. We think they have joined You-Know-Who"

Harry became alert right away and felt a sudden need to explain what he had felt, looking into Lupins eyes he stammered

"V.V.Voldemort, I.I heard him. He was laughing, he said my name, almost taunting me. I think I must of passed out. The pain was terrible. I n.need to see Dumbledore and let him know."

"He knows Harry" Lupin said in a very calm and reassuring voice. "We are taking you straight to Phoenix Headquarters. I see all of your things are ready. Good, we need to leave now. Time is of the essence"

"Wait. I have to do something quickly before I go. I need to say goodbye to someone."

Moody was about to complain but Lupin never gave him the chance.

"Take your wand Harry, for your own protection"

Harry snatched his wand out of his drawer and ran downstairs. Harry ran out to the garden. Uncle Vernon sort of woke up as Harry flew past him and bellowed, "Slow down boy" then quickly resumed his snoozing. Out in the garden Aunt Petunia looked up as Harry came running out. He quickly explained to his Aunt about who was upstairs and he had to leave right now.

"Are you in danger?" She asked anxiously.

"I don't know, it's happened kind of fast but I really should go. Plus if Uncle Vernon goes upstairs and sees witches and wizards in my bedroom…… Well you could imagine his reaction."

Aunt Petunia smiled, the thought of them did not exactly make Aunt Petunia feel comfortable but she was certainly easier with what Harry was since this time last year. Aunt Petunia's smile faded and all of sudden a look of sadness and worry appeared. Harry noticed.

"I wish I told you earlier about how I felt. Things could have been a lot easier."

Harry nodded and smiled, trying to hide his unease at getting away. "What if I was to come back for a day or two during the Christmas holidays. I'll suffer Uncle Vernon and Dudley for forty eight hours" he said rolling his eyes which made Aunt Petunia laugh.

"Yes, that would be nice but only if you want to."

"Well we're not going to get anywhere if we don't see each other, but I really have to get going."

Aunt Petunia nodded her agreement and said "Let me know when you will be back, I'll try and make it as easy as possible for you".

Harry turned to leave and was about to walk away when he said "I'll send Hedwig with a letter from time to time, just to let you know how I'm doing and you could reply by sending her back with your letter. I'll make sure she delivers it during the day so Uncle Vernon is not here"

"I'll be looking for your first letter". Harry looked at the smile on her face and for the first time in his life he felt he was leaving Privet Drive on good terms.

All of a sudden the temperature dropped. It was getting darker very quickly and a frost had appeared over the flowerbed next to where Aunt Petunia and Harry were standing. Harry looked up and saw several dark figures swooping overhead.

"Whats going on" said a terrified Aunt Petunia.

Harry knew exactly what was going on and could not believe they were here in Little Whinging.

"Harry" Aunt Petunia said, a terrified look on her face.

Get down quickly and cover your face." Harry looked up towards the sky where the Dementors were still swooping. The sky had turned dark and grey, the early morning sunshine was apparent no more. Clouds and nightfall that looked as though it was bringing a wild storm had replaced the summer sky. The wind had built up to a gale. The wind battered against Harry and he had to hold up a hand across his face to partially protect his sight, His clothes were flapping madly due to them being cast off's of Dudley's and many sizes to large for him. His hair was getting extremely tousled in the wind and made it untidier that it normally was. It was getting darker and darker and Harry was immediately reminded of when both Dudley and himself had been attacked in the alley almost this time last year. An eerie silence and the whooshing noise of the Dementors filled the area. Harry heart was hammering in his chest, his eyes following one Dementor then changing to the next one who came into view.

"There are too much of them" he said himself. Fear began to fill him. He had experienced what Dementors could do to you, and with the news that was brought to him less than five minutes ago, he did not know just exactly what the Dementors were capable of now that they were no longer in co-operation of the Ministry of Magic.

Suddenly, a Dementor flew towards Harry. In the excitement and unexpected turn of events Harry realised that he was clutching his wand in his right hand. The Dementor was coming closer to Harry and his Aunt and a great speed. He raised his wand

"EXPECTO PATRONUM"

The darkness was now filled with a magnificent silver glow as Harry's stag patronus burst out of his wand, immediately charging towards the oncoming Dementor. Harry watched the stag charge, and although the circumstance he found himself in was extremely dangerous he couldn't help but admire the beauty of it. The Dementor flew skywards, repelled by the spell. Suddenly along side Harry was Lupin and Mad Eye.

"EXPECTO PATRONUM"

The light from Mad Eye and Lupin spells was almost blinding. Suddenly joining the stag in the battle of light and darkness was some kind of large cat, which Harry thought looked like a tiger and a large eagle. The Dementors stood no chance. Each time they attacked they were immediately repelled. A large howl filled the night sky. The Dementors were retreating. As suddenly as it had started, it ended. Harry looked towards Lupin and Mad Eye.

Lupin merely nodded and said "Harry, We must go now!" Mad Eye's gaze was transfixed on the sky, obviously looking out for the mere sight of danger.

Harry walked over to his Aunt who was still curled up in a ball, trembling furiously. He gently paced a hand on her shoulder. She shivered when he touched her and shot her head up. She looked terrified.

"Is it over? What were they? Are you alright?" The question came tumbling out. She appeared to be in shock.

Suddenly a large roar came from within the house.

"LET ME GO NOW"

"Vernon" Aunt Petunia gasped. Coming out of her reverie she ran into the house to find a strange looking woman with bright pink hair trying to hold him back while Arthur Weasley was fighting a loosing battle trying his best to reason with him, and get him to calm down. Harry who was standing right behind them saw Tonks restraining his Uncle Vernon from getting out into the garden.

"Tonks, it's over. They've gone" Harry said quietly but firmly

"YOU" Uncle Vernon roared. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE THIS TIME". His face was bright red. Uncle Vernon was angrier that Harry had ever seen him, his eyes were boring into Harry with a hatred that he would normally of associated with the looks from Professor Snape. Clenching and unclenching his fists he looked ready to lash out at any moment, he was visibly shaking, whether it was fear of what just happened or rage Harry did not know. What he did know was that the situation had to be somewhat diffused, but he could not see a way to do it.

Lupin moved over to Harry and said "Go upstairs and get the rest of your things sorted, quickly as you can now, we have to go straight to Grimauld Place."

Harry ran upstairs, and pulled his trunk down crashing on each stair as he descended. Leaving it in the hallway he ran upstairs for Hedwig and was back downstairs, ready to go within three minutes. Harry had entered the room to find Uncle Vernon sitting in his chair with a dreamy look in his face. He seemed to be in his own little world. His hair was all roughed up and his tie was half out of his shirt collar, obviously from the struggle with Tonks. He looked at his Aunt Petunia and she seemed to be calmer. She was sitting on the arm of the settee with her hands clasped together resting on her lap. She looked up at Harry, realising for the first time he had entered the room.

"You've performed a memory charm on them!" Harry said aloud.

"Just on your Uncle" Aunt Petunia replied, rising slowly. "I told them that I would not have them perform a spell on me, regardless of the good it could do me."

"It's for her own good" growled Moody. His good eye was staring right at Harry. His face looked even more contorted and twisted, the scars on his face giving him a very sinister look. His hair, untidy and dark grey hanging loosely down his face. Aunt Petunia seemed to be scared of Moody but she walked over to Harry defiantly betraying her own fears.

"Harry, nothing must be done to me that will make me forget the last twenty four hours"

Harry nodded and was about to say something when Aunt Petunia continued.

"This morning will haunt me for the rest of my life, but the thought of my memory being modified and me possibly losing out on my memories is not a risk I'm willing to take."

She was close to tears by now and the only noise in the room came from the whirring of Moody's magical eye.

"Fifteen years ago, you were left on my doorstep by Professor Dumbledore, with a letter asking us to take you in and look after you. We did, but ashamedly so, not to the best of my abilities. I let my sister down there and if the roles had been reversed, Lily would have acted in an entirely different manner to me. Despite the obstacles in the home life we provided before you found out you were a wizard, you have turned into a very fine, handsome young man. Although I've never said it to you I want you to know I am very proud of you. I do not want to forget my feelings and attitude change towards you, ever."

"Mrs Dursley, we can assure you there is nothing to be afraid of and we can ensure that no memory of this summer would be lost, only the last hour" Lupin said softly and reassuringly.

Harry looked unsure, on one hand he wanted his Aunt Petunia to never ever remember what had happened, but on the other hand looking at his Aunt he saw defiance there. She was standing tall and straight, but looked softer and more caring at the same time.

"Harry!" she said in a voice that he immediately mistook for his mother. He had heard his mothers voice while fighting the Dementors three years previously. That was the power the Dementors had. The ability to force their victims to relive their worst memories, no matter how deep they were buried in the subconscious, to re-live them over and over, sucking all the happy thoughts and memories out until there was only despair. Harry's mother and father had been killed and he had relived it all, His fathers voice screaming at his mother to take Harry and run, his mother pleading with Lord Voldemort not to harm Harry, a high pitched laugh and then the flash of green light.

"Harry. Please" his Aunts voice came from far away. Harry, coming out of trance looked into his Aunt Petunia's eyes.

"Are you sure?" he asked. She nodded her head softly but firmly.

"Leave her… please" Harry said looking defiantly at the other adults in the room.

Lupin was looking at Harry with admiration on his face. He had grown even more in maturity over the last month alone. A great deal of affection exploded inside Lupin and he smiled.

"Where's your trunk? We must leave"

Harry, with a relieved look on his face smiled also and said "It's outside in the hallway".

"I have the portkey here" said Tonks. "We'll leave from there". She said looking at Harry

Harry watched as Tonks, Moody, Mr Weasley and Lupin filed out of the living room. Lupin turned as he reached the living room door and said "I'll give you a chance to say goodbye, but hurry" he disappeared from the room and Harry turned to look at Aunt Petunia.

"Will you be OK?" he asked.

"I will be, but as your friends said, you must go. Will he be OK?" she said nodding towards Uncle Vernon. Uncle Vernon who Harry forgot was still in the room was still sitting with a look of great amusement on his face. His eyes were glazed over and had a faraway look about them.

Harry smiled and said "I'm sure he'll be fine"

"I'm glad we got some things sorted over this summer" Aunt Petunia replied softly.

A feeling of warmth swept over Harry. "Are you sure about your memory? You will have forgotten about the attack."

"Harry, everyone has bad memories and demons to deal with. One of my major demons has been beaten this summer with you and I. It's all about facing the bad things and defeating them. Remember that." She was watching Harry closely. "Go now." She bent forward and pecked him on the cheek. Harry turned and headed to the door.

"I'll see you at Christmas" he said smiling. As he closed the door he heard her sob.