Author's Disclaimer : This story is a work of fiction based on the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. No infringement of any copyright is intended and no profit is being made.
Chapter 2
To move or not to move
"PETUNIA!!"
Harry grabbed his wand and rushed down the stairs. He was rather shocked at the scene before him.
Vernon Dursley was dancing a jig in the kitchen with a letter in his hand and singing "I got it. I got it. I got it." Aunt Petunia was laughing and crying at the same time.
"Got what?" asked Harry.
They all turned to look at him. His uncle smiled. It was probably the single most creepy smile ever. "Why my boy. The promotion of course."
"What promotion?" Harry didn't like the way this conversation was going.
"The promotion to France. Paris to be exact. Twice the salary. Company villa. Company car with chauffeur and a full benefits package."
"And me?" asked Harry.
"I guess you will have to come along. No more Horrorwarts. You will have to go to a regular school though and no freaky magic." replied Uncle Vernon.
"But..But...But" mumbled Harry.
"We'll be selling the house and you have no other family. You have no money. So your only option is to come with us" said Aunt Petunia.
Harry turned around and rushed upstairs. His whole life was about to change again. He was sure Dumbledore would let him come back to Hogwarts. Though Dumbledore did a lot of stupid things sometimes. Maybe he'd have to go to a French school of magic. Maybe even Beauxbatons. Was it an all girls school? Harry thought of Fleur Delacour. She would have graduated but her pretty sister Gabrielle would still be in school.
NO. NEVER. He couldn't leave Hogwarts and all his friends.
He quickly wrote a letter to Dumbledore and appraised him of the situation. "Hedwig. This is an express delivery. Please make sure Professor Dumbledore gets it as soon as possible." Hedwig gave him an annoyed look and took off. He wrote a similar letter to Remus Lupin and sat down to wait for Hedwig to return. He closed his eyes and fell asleep imagining going to the same school as Dudley Dursley.
He awoke to another yell from below. This time he heard Uncle Vernon yell his name "HARRY! HARRY! Come down at once".
He hurried downstairs and was extremely surprised to see Prof. Dumbledore at the door. Uncle Vernon rushed inside as quickly as he could.
"Professor..sorry to have disturbed you." said Harry.
"No problems, Harry. It does an old man good to get out of the castle once in a while. Besides I had to make sure you wanted to go Paris with your family."
"Wait. What? I wanted to go where with my what now?"
"To Paris with your family. Did you not write in your letter that your uncle had been promoted and you were going to Paris with him."
"Yes. NO. I mean yes, my uncle has been promoted and is going to Paris and no, I don't want to go with him."
Dumbledore chuckled " I thought as much. After last year, I just wanted to make sure. As soon as I got your letter I spoke to Arthur and Molly Weasley. They said that nothing would give them more pleasure than to have you live at the burrow for as long as you wish. I have made arrangements for stronger wards around their home. Members of the Order are working on it right now. It will not be as safe as living here but you should be secure there. Do you wish to live with the Weasley's, Harry?"
Harry didn't know whether to hug the man or punch him. He decided to go with the non violent approach and gave Dumbledore a big hug.
"I take that as a yes. I'll arrange to have someone take you there tomorrow. Take care and goodbye."
Harry waited until Dumbledore left and then rushed upstairs. He wanted to write to Ron and Hermione. He was going to spend the summer at the Burrow and would never have to return to Privet Drive ever again. Hedwig had not returned so Harry left the letters on the table and started packing. He put his books in his trunk and pulled out his clothes. He decided to leave most of Dudley's old stuff. He would have to make a shopping trip when he go to the Burrow. It only took him ten minutes to pack and he lay back on the bed thinking of his time at Number 4, Privet Drive. There were very few pleasant memories. Aunt Marge, the balloon floating over London was a nice memory. The twins and Ron helping him escape through his barred window in the flying car. Dudley's four foot long tongue. He sighed and remembered that he had to tell the Dursley's about the news and went downstairs.
The Dursley's were all gathered in the living room and appeared to be waiting for him.
"Uncle Vernon. Aunt Petunia. I will not be going to Paris with you. My headmaster has arranged for me to stay with friends for this summer and the next one too."
Uncle Vernon had a very nasty smile on his face. "So sorry to hear that my boy. We were rather looking forward to your company in Paris. Umm.. so when do you have to leave?"
" Tomorrow." said Harry. He had a nagging feeling that they were not in the least bit sorry.
" Goodbye then."
Harry returned to his room and looked around to make sure that he had not forgotten to pack anything. There was a knock on the door and Aunt Petunia came in.
"Harry. Before you left I wanted to give you something" said his Aunt.
Harry was surprised to see tears in his aunt's eyes.
"This picture was taken when your mother came home for Christmas during her sixth year."
There were two young girls in the picture standing before a Christmas tree. They both seemed very happy. He recognized his mother and his aunt.
"Thank you. Aunt Petunia." said Harry.
"I loved her very much and was devastated when I heard that she passed away. I'm sorry for not treating you as you should have been treated, Harry. I hope you forgive me. Take care of yourself." she hugged him and quickly left the room.
Harry carefully placed the photo in his album and went to bed with tears in his eyes.
It was the end of an era.
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I never expected to get reviews for the first chapter and was overjoyed to get three. Thanks a million to PGharryhermione, X-kid and yellowpages.