Harry Potter and The Year of Growth

Disclaimer: you know the deal. I don't own any of this except the concept of this story

Chapter Two: Return to the Burrow

"Two minutes to go" Harry Potter said to himself. He smiles as he waits on his bed. He thinks back on what is about to happen to him. He is going to be leaving the Dursley's and then moving into Black Manor.

"One minute" he says out loud again. He starts to get excited for the possibilities once he gets to his new home. He thinks of all of the fun and new things to find in his home.

Harry looks at his watch again. Just when it ticks over to 12:00 there is a light tapping on Harry's window. A big red phoenix stares at him.

"Fawlkes". Harry walks over to the window and opens it up and lets the bird in. The phoenix looks at him for a second and then places a letter in his hand. Harry opens it and it simply says Answer the Door.

Just as Harry finished the last sentence a soft but definable knock came from the downstairs door. He opens his door, hoping that the knock didn't wake the Dursley's. He walks slowly downstairs and unlocks the door. He slowly sticks his head out the door and hears a soft

"Bang, your dead Potter" Harry looks at the person. Its Professor Moody. Harry just shakes his head. Moody growls a little bit and says

"You never know what's going to happen to you Potter. Constant Vigilance!!!"

Harry looks at his and says " I don't think Voldemort or any Death Eaters would use Fawlkes as a messenger, or give me a note that says open the door"

A soft up familiar voice speaks up "He's got you there Alistor" Out from the shadows comes Remus Lupin. "Lo Harry"

Harry smiles at the man and runs at him and hugs him "Lo moony" A few tears leave Harry's eyes. Remus just pats his back a little. A soft cough comes from Moody. "I think we need to get going"

Harry and Lupin both nod as Harry lets go of him. Harry starts to walk back inside. Remus puts a hand on Harry's shoulder.

"Don't worry about it Harry. Its already been taken care of" He points to the sky as Harry sees Fawlkes flying away with what looks like Harry's stuff. Hedwig fly's out the window and drops a cloak and Harry's wand to him. Harry smiles as Hedwig flies away.

"Let's go" says Harry as he puts on his cloak and pockets his wand. Harry then stops and looks at the guys. "Umm how are we getting there"?

Lupin smiles and pulls out old pocket watch. Harry looks at it and then realizes what it is. He shakes his head and says " OH NO.. No portkey" Lupin smiles as Moody shakes his head.

"For someone who seems like he is always in danger, you sure are a wimp" growls Moody.

Harry shakes his head " fine, lets go" Lupin shakes his head and starts to walk down the street. Harry follows him while Moody follows Harry. About two blocks away, Lupin stops and brings out the watch again.

"Are you ready Harry" Harry nods as he takes a hold of the portkey? Harry feels the familiar tug at his navel. He closes his eyes and then feels ground beneath his feet again. He sighs as he looks at the two guys next to him.

"Remember the way to get in Harry?" Harry shakes his head and focuses his thoughts on Number 12, Grimmauld Place. Harry looks up and sees the door that he once had traveled through.

"After you Potter" says moody. Harry sighs and walks to the door. He touches the handle. It glows a soft green and Harry hears it unlock. He opens it slowly and pushes the door open. The soft candlelight shines over the Black Manor. Harry puts his hands over his ears waiting for Mrs. Black to start yelling. A hand comes over Harry's shoulder. Harry jumps a little.

"Sorry Harry about that scare. But we finally got rid of Mrs. Black. Its now Potter Manor" Harry shakes his head " it will always be Black Manor. For Sirius" Lupin nods his head.

"Well Harry. Your stuff is up in the main bedroom all the way up stairs to the main hallway and the bedroom at the far end." Harry nods and hugs Lupin. He smiles at Harry " I hope I will see you again Remus" Remus smiles again.

" Goodbye Potter" Moody holds out his hand. Harry shakes it "good to see you sir" Moody nods his head and Lupin and Moody turn to walk out the door

"Oh Professor Moody?' says Harry

"What is it Potter?" Moody turns around to see Harry wand in his face.

"Bang. Constant Vigilance!" Harry smiles at him as Lupin holds back a laugh. Moody laughs out loud.

" Now you are learning Potter. Good show" Moody turns to walk out with Lupin as Lupin lightly punches Moody's arm. Harry hears a soft " he got you"

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Harry slowly opens the door to the main bedroom, his room. The candles turn on as Harry walks into the room. He looks around the room. It is a light green color. There is a big bed in the middle with four posts sticking out at each corner. On the right side there is his trunk and Hedwig's cage sitting on top of it. The owl is sleeping in her cage. In the left side is a bookshelf with many books on magic. Next to the bookshelf is a closet so Harry can put his stuff in.

The thing that caught Harry's eye the most is the two Katannas hanging over Harry's bed on a mantel. They were both about 3 feet long with red and black handles. He walked up to the swords and places a hand on one of the handles. He slowly pulled lightly on the handle to see if it would come loose. The sword slid silently out of its sheath. Harry placed two hands on the handle and looked at the blade of the sword. It shown brightly like it had its own light. Harry felt natural when he held the blade. He tested its weight and it was light as a feather. He put the sword back and sat on his bed.

He sighed again as he lay back in the bed. Before he knew it, his eyes were closed and he was fast asleep. He once again dreamt of Dumbledore's Army and the fight that took Sirius' life. He saw Bellatrix Lestrange's smiling face after she killed Sirius. He wanted to take her life. He wanted to run after her, but all he could hear was Hermione's voice keep saying "Harry"

" Harry. Harry, wake up mate"

Harry slowly opened his eyes. At first all he saw was a red blur. As his eyes focused it turned into one of Harry's best friends, Ron Weasley.

"Ron.. Holy Shit. Don't scare me like that. Other than that. Great to see you" Harry smiled at Ron and got up from his bed

"How did you get here?" Harry looked at Ron while he looked around the room.

"Her" Ron said as he pointed to the door while still looking around Harry's room.

Harry looked over at the door to see Mrs. Weasley walking into the room.

"Harry its wonderful to see you. We already knew that you were going to move here. So we cleaned it up and painted and cleared things out for you. So don't worry about anything. So come on down stairs and have a spot of breakfast" she said really fast while hugging Harry. Ron turned around at the mention of breakfast and ran downstairs. Harry just laughs.

Harry walks down stairs after he changed his clothes. He walks to the kitchen and opens the door. He is shocked by all the people in the kitchen. There sits the whole Weasley clan minus Charley, Bill and Percy. Also sat someone who shocked Harry. It was Neville Longbottom who was sitting close to Ginny. His eyes then went onto the one person who Harry wanted to see the most. Hermione Granger. He just smiled at all the people in the room who were just eating and talking. He walked slowly forward and said

" I really need to get those locks changed" He smiled at all the people who just turned to look at Harry standing there, who now had a big smile on his face. A loud symphony on "Harry's" were yelled at him as some people stood up to shake his hand and hug him. The twins both shook his hand, as did Mr. Wesley. Neville looked at him and smiles nervously. Harry waved at him and smiled again, which settled him. Ginny hugged him too. Hermione almost tackled him, she hugged him that hard. She looked him in the eye and whispered an "I missed you" she then kissed him on the cheek. No one saw this part. Lucky for Harry.

Harry sat down with his family and had a nice breakfast. He talked to each of them, asking them how they were and what was going on. The one that shocked Harry the most was that Ginny and Neville were dating. After breakfast. Mrs. Weasley told both Ron and Hermione that they both could stay if it was all right with Harry. Harry of course said yes and even invited Ginny and Neville to stay. Which they both said yes to.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley both said bye, as did the twins. Mrs. Weasley told them to behave and have fun. After they left Harry looked at them and took them on a tour on his new house. He showed them the big bathroom that reminded Harry of the prefect bathroom at Hogwarts. He showed them a room that a big library. Hermione's eyes had opened wide when she saw the big library. He then took them to the room that even Harry's mouth opened to. It was a training room with weights and a ring to spare in. at the far way was a wall that was full of weapons from swords to bows to Sais. Ron drooled over the room.

Harry and the gang finally finished the tour of the Manor around 8:00 p.m. The teens settled in the main living room to hang out and relax. Everyone eventually drifted off to sleep. Ginny fell asleep in Neville's arms. Ron fell asleep in the armchair. Hermione ended up falling asleep on Harry's shoulder. All he did was smile and fall asleep too.

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Next chapter: Fun in Diagon Alley

The gang goes to buy their school stuff. And there is an appearance of out favorite Slytherin.

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Thanks: The Dark Lantern