A/N: Well, it's a relief to know that most of you don't think she is a "Mary Sue". By the way, no, she isn't me, even though the name is the same. Deandra Alleyan is my pen name (real name Kay) and I often use it for characters until I come up with another name. But I forgot tochange it before I posted this, and I'm sure not going to change it now! (Plus, it would confuse the heck out of you all if her name suddenly changed...)

Chapter 16

Our sixth year had been eventful, to say the least, and we were all glad to see it almost over. Unfortunately, summer meant Harry would have to be going back to the Dursleys, and I couldn't bear the thought of him stuck with those dreadful people. I got Mum and Dad's approval to invite him for all or part of the summer with us, and then we went to see Dumbledore to try and talk him into it.

We knew that part of why Harry had to go to the Dursleys was because of the protection afforded him there, but we were hoping that by his leaving the country they might consider him safe also. Dumbledore listened patiently to our arguments for the plan, then looked at us solemnly over his steepled fingers. "I am willing to allow this, but under one condition. I believe it is essential that Harry have a member of the Order with him. Until the two of you are of age, and can legally do magic outside of school, Harry is extremely vulnerable."

I broke into a grin, "Great! I wanted to invite Remus along too. Now he won't have an excuse to say no!"

The Headmaster nodded, "If Remus will agree to it, that will suffice. However, you will not be able to make the Wolfsbane Potion for him in America, as that is considered magic. Harry will need to go to the Dursleys until Remus is well enough to travel, and return there when Remus has to come back to Hogwarts for the full moon."

We weren't thrilled about that, but Harry figured he could tolerate the Dursleys for a few days. We hurried off to talk to Remus about the plan and make specific arrangements. I wasn't too surprised that Remus was reluctant to impose on my parents, and I could understand his reasons. But he could see how much we wanted Harry to go, which required someone else coming, and he knew we were genuine in our desire that it be him. Finally he agreed on the condition that I warn my parents that he was a werewolf.

"It won't matter," I assured him. "But I'll tell them. Thing is, if I say you're okay, they'll believe me, no matter what reservations they may have. And once they meet you, they'll even forget about their reservations."

"All the same," he reiterated, "tell them about me and make sure they agree to having me there."

Harry and I headed immediately for the owlery to send Hedwig off with the message. Four days later I had their answer back assuring me that any of my friends were welcome there. I showed it to Moony as proof and he finally relented and agreed to come. He arranged to meet us at the Dursleys on July 5th and we would portkey from there.

The other surprise arrangement for the summer break had to do with Draco. Turned out Dumbledore had spoken with the Weasleys and they had reluctantly agreed to have him come to the Burrow for the summer. Dumbledore had explained the situation to them and since Ginny was Draco's only real friend besides me, and because they felt Draco would benefit from a positive home environment for a change, they were willing to have him there. Ron wasn't very keen on the idea, but since his parents had approved it he had no choice but to go along with it. Hermione was invited to come the first few weeks of vacation as well, and I think it mainly had to do with the idea that she might help ease the adjustment of Draco being under Ron's roof. Ginny talked them into having me stay there also until it was time to meet Moony at the Dursleys and head off to America with Harry.

All that was left were our exams and then we would be on our way. Ginny was more stressed than we were since she was facing O.W.L.s, but Draco spent a lot of time coaching her and she felt fairly confident about them. When they were over, she seemed to think she had done pretty well.

We all kind of had mixed emotions on the train ride back to London. Everyone seemed to be in much different circumstances than when we had come to Hogwarts the previous September, and no one was entirely sure how it would all work out.

Harry and I walked hand in hand through the barrier, and waited for the others. From a distance he pointed out the Dursleys, who were looking tense and put out. I turned to Harry and asked quietly, "Do they know you have a girlfriend now?"

He shook his head and grinned, "Not that I was trying to keep you a secret or anything, but I don't keep in touch with them when I'm away at school."

A wicked gleam came into my eyes, "Well, then, it's time they found out!" With that I slid my arms up around his neck and gave him a long and tantalizing kiss. Naturally he responded by wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me closer, prolonging the kiss since he wouldn't get another from me until he saw me again on the 5th. I could hear Ron sniggering and he whispered to Hermione, "Look at the Dursleys! They're about to have apoplexy!"

Hermione struggled to keep a straight face as she caught me by the arm and said, "Come on, you two! You've caused enough trouble!"

Laughingly we pulled away from each other, and I reluctantly told him, "See you soon!" He nodded, unable to speak for a moment. Forcing a grin on his face he picked up Hedwig's cage, put it on the trolley and strolled over toward the Dursleys, looking as nonchalant as possible despite the expressions on their faces.

The rest of us gathered our belongings and followed Mr. Weasley out of the station.

It took almost my entire time at the Burrow to get Ron used to the idea of Draco being there, but I think he finally just gave in to the inevitable. That didn't mean he particularly made any effort to be friendly, but he at least stopped glaring at him whenever he entered a room. Hermione and Ginny did all they could to keep the two apart to prevent any mishaps. It took awhile for Draco to get used to the notion of helping out. His parents had had servants that did pretty much everything, so setting or clearing dishes from a table, working in the garden and such were pretty foreign concepts for him. But Ginny was able to make a game of just about anything, and often he had done a lot of helping without even realizing it.

Finally it came time for me to head for the Dursleys. It had been arranged for me to Floo to Arabella Figg's house and walk from there. She was a pleasant older woman, the daughter of magical parents but with no magical ability herself, who had a penchant for cats and a house that smelled of cabbage, though I couldn't figure out why. I had to look through a few pictures of her cats before she finally gave me directions and sent me off to the Dursleys.

I approached the front door of number four, Privet Drive with a bit of trepidation. I wasn't keen on meeting these people. I had seen them from a distance and I had heard Harry talk about them, and I couldn't think of any reason I would want to know them. But I figured I had to make with the niceties until we could leave. I took a deep breath and knocked.

A woman's thin, pinched face appeared before me. "May I help you?" she asked pleasantly. Although I recognized her as Harry's aunt, it was apparent she did not remember me.

"I'm Deandra Alleyan. I'm here to see Harry."

The smile slipped from her face. "I'm sorry you must have the wrong hou..." she began as she started to close the door.

I put my hand on it and pushed firmly. Quietly I told her, "Mrs. Dursley, I'm here to see Harry. Don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry." She paled visibly and stepped back. I wasn't sure it was an invitation to enter so much as a retreat from the look on my face, but I moved into the hallway and closed the door behind me.

"He's...he's upstairs," she croaked, watching me warily.

"No, I'm here," Harry said, racing down the stairs and sweeping me into a hug. He whispered in my ear, "And he's been listening from upstairs and trying not to laugh!" I pulled my face into a 'why, whatever do you mean, Mr. Potter?' expression and tried to look innocent, which just made it that much harder for the both of us to not burst out laughing.

"Let's go into the living room," he suggested and we walked past his aunt to take a seat on the sofa. She followed us in, but stood nervously by the door.

Dudley wandered in and asked loudly, "So, who's this, Potter?"

Harry replied, "My girlfriend - Deandra Alleyan."

"Girlfriend," Dudley snorted. "Who'd want to be your girlfriend? What did you do, use your magic on her to make her fall in love with you?"

Harry's jaw tightened, but I reached for his hand. "Oh, Harry, this must be that cousin you mentioned...what was his name? Diddley?" Harry grinned as Dudley flushed red and I looked his cousin in the eye, "Did you ever get rid of that tail?" I pulled out my wand and added, "I could remove it for you, if you like."

Dudley began to look panicked and his hands immediately tried to protectively cover his overly large backside. Aunt Petunia let out a shriek, "You put that away! You aren't allowed to do magic outside of school - we know all about your being underage!"

I looked mildly at her and replied, "Oh yes, the 'under age seventeen' law they have in Britain. But you see, I'm from America. We only have to be sixteen there to use magic outside of school."

Dudley made a dash for the door and Petunia scurried quickly out behind him. Harry was choking he was trying so hard not to laugh. "That isn't true, is it?"

"What?"

"About being sixteen to use magic in America."

"Well, actually, yes it is. Though I suppose I probably should have mentioned that I'm governed by British laws when I'm in this country... And of course there is the small matter that I'm still only fifteen until August."

We both collapsed in giggles, not bothering to hide it any longer. "What time will Moony be here?" Harry finally managed to gasp, wiping away tears.

"I'm not sure exactly. Should be any time now," I responded, glancing at my watch that showed it was a little after 4:00. As if on cue, Moony Apparated in front of us with a 'pop' and gave us a warm smile. He looked very tired and we each gave him a big hug.

We all headed for Harry's room where he had his trunk packed and broom ready to go. Moony reached for the broomstick, "Might as well use this for the portkey." He placed the portkey spell on the broom and then reached for one end of Harry's trunk while Harry picked up the other. I grabbed Hedwig's cage and we each grasped the broom handle with our free hand. A moment later, Surrey was long gone.