Harry tiredly dragged the battered school trunk slowly up the overgrown paved path to the front door, shooing some of the inquisitive brown speckled hens out of the way as he went. As he reached the door of his friend's family home he suddenly realised that he had arrived completely unannounced and that it was still just gone dawn. Mentally berating himself for his selfish thoughts and now unsure what was going to happen now that he had got here Harry set down his school trunk and decided that he would take a quick walk round the house to see if anyone was up.
As Harry slowly trudged around the house he took in the building properly for the first time. The building was a three story higgledy-piggledy type of house that looked as though it had started as a single story farm building but that as the Weasley's had had more children the house had been extended to accommodate. From what Ron had said the Weasley's had always lived at the Burrow as long as anyone could remember and so a lot of the adjustments had been done years ago and no-one felt like smartening it up any. Harry personally thought that this house was the best house he had every seen and though he had been there on several occasions it still amazed him that the place still stood up at all however as he wandered around the side of the building and squeezed past a large Rhododendron he noticed something he had never seen before. As he stared at the joints between the bricks and the walls he noticed a green throbbing glow surrounding all of the major construction pieces and this he assumed was what was holding the whole place together. As he reached the back yard he peered in through the back window into the kitchen and was disappointed to find that there was no one there. It took him a moment to think that no one in their right mind would be up at the crack of dawn for no reason and as he had just shown up totally out of the blue he suddenly thought he was being awfully selfish to think that he could just show up and expect everyone to welcome him with open arms. He knew that with out a doubt the Weasley's would welcome him but he thought that he should at least do some thing to earn his stay seeing as they hadn't prepared for his arrival even if they were planning for him to come later in the summer.
Over the next several hours Harry spent de-knowing and weeding the garden. He started by chasing the pesky critters around the yard and then grabbing their short legs and hurling them over the back fence into the field beyond. He was so caught up in the weeding that he failed to see Hedwig fly overhead in through an open window. Having De-knomed the whole yard he set about doing some of the much-needed gardening. He had originally thought when he had first been to the Burrow that the Weasley's simple liked an untidy garden but having spent the best part of 5 years getting to know them he realised that they simply didn't have the time for the upkeep of their garden as well as controlling their six children and working (Both officially and in the Order) and so Harry thought that it was the least he could do to garden the yard, after all he had had lots of practise at it with the Dursley's. As he was working he did notice some decidedly magical looking purple violets (Due to the fact they were all singing raucously) but years of Herbology (and an incident in his first year) had taught him to steer clear of all magical beings, whether flora or fauna, that he didn't immediately recognise and know how to handle, and whilst he knew that Hermione or perhaps Neville could probably tell he what the purple violets were and how to deal with them they weren't here currently so he just left them singing 'Land of Hope and Glory' loudly in the corner of the Yard.
So it was the Harry was discovered at around six thirty in the morning with dirt on he hands and knees and with various gardening implements lying next to him.
'HARRY. What in the name of Merlin are you doing?' Came a voice from behind him.
'I was just weeding the yard and I've de-knomed the place and was going to paint the fence but I couldn't find the paint, it might be in the garage but that was locked when I tried it earlier,' replied Harry forgetting that he wasn't at Privet drive any more. 'Is there anything else you would li..' Harry was unable to finish the sentence as he was swept into a bone crushing hug by Mrs Weasley who had come down early to start breakfast for Mr Weasley who had to head of into work early.
'But what are you doing at the Burrow? You weren't supposed to arrive here for weeks yet,' Mrs Weasley asked again having released Harry from her motherly embrace.
'I'm sorry if I'm intruding, I can leave if you want, I just didn't know where else to go.'
'What are you on about, of course we don't mind. I was just a little surprised. Come inside and you can tell me everything, OK?' As she said this she led Harry through the back door and seated him at the scrubbed wooden kitchen table that had occupied the same space in the kitchen everytime Harry had been to the Burrow.
'So, Harry dear, what is going on? We've all been so worried about you but I didn't think Professor Dumbledore was going to let you leave and till around you Birthday in a few weeks, this morning Hedwig arrived with a note saying to expect you earlier than expected but I didn't think it would be so soon, I'll tell you something if this had anything to do with the Dursleys then I will hex them so bad they will wish they had never seen a wizard.'
Harry couldn't help but smile at her overprotective attidude on his behalf as well as the irony of her comment about the Dursleys, as far as they were concerned they already wished they had never seen a wizard. However the smile was soon covered by Harry's now perfected veil of indifference that he now pasted on his face as he replied 'He didn't let me leave. Uncle Vernon kicked me out of the house,' for some reason Harry couldn't bring himself to tell Mrs Weasley why he had been kicked out. It would only worry her even more if she knew he was having nightmares and he didn't want to trouble the kind lady any more than he already had. Already she treated Harry like he knew his own mother would of done and he already appreciated it all so much so he couldn't bring any more worry on her when already she had half of her family involved in the order during this time. 'Well anyway he kicked me out about three o'clock this morning and when I was dragging my trunk along the street the first think I thought of was coming here. I hope you don't mind me saying but this is the only place that I have considered home. I mean I have always enjoyed staying at Hogwarts and stuff but nothing beats staying with your friends and family. So I called the night bus and arrived here about an hour later, that would be about two hours ago. When I got here though I realised that you weren't expecting me so I thought I would do some work in the yard while I was waiting and then you could call Dumbledore and ask him where I should go.' With this said Harry look ashamedly down at the floor hoping that Mrs Weasley wouldn't be mad at what he had said. However when he finally looked up there were tears in the red haired woman's eyes and with a muttered 'Oh, Harry' she swept him up into the second fierce embrace of the hour.
'How could you think we wouldn't want you to stay here anytime you like. We don't have much but what is ours is yours as well. And of course I don't mind you thinking of this as your home, and you will always be welcome when ever. Now I am going to send a letter to Professor Dumbledore to let him know you are here although Dumbledore seemed to have an inkling of where you might be the Order seem to have lost you. After that I'll make some breakfast for you and then you can go and get some sleep, the beds in Fred and George's room should be free as there spending all their time at that dreadful shop of theirs, that way you wont disturb Ron and you can get some sleep.' With that see got up and hurried out of the room in search and parchment and some ink.
Several minutes later she returned.
'Harry. I have informed the Order of your whereabouts and I am sure that Professor Dumbledore will wish to speak with you about why you were kicked out by the Dursleys, in fact I wouldn't mind knowing my self, but I am sure he will be happy with the fact that you are safe. Now I will do some sausages and some bacon and then you can go and get some sleep. You must be tired I still can't believe you de-knomed and weeded the entire yard on your own.'
Harry quickly ate and left the kitchen with Mrs Weasley muttering about those 'Mean Hearted Dursley People' and how Dumbledore could ever have made him stay there at all. As he reached the second landing from the kitchen he noticed several doors leading of from the hall, one he knew was another flight of stairs that led upstairs to where the bathroom and Ron's room was located. The next on the left was labelled 'Parents Room – No Children Allowed'. Knowing who slept there he swept he gaze down the beige hall to the Door at the end of the hall that read 'Percy's Room – No One Allowed'. Assuming that Mrs Weasley left this room as it had been in hope that Percy would see the error of his ways and finally apologise for being such a prat last year. Harry's gaze swept back down the right hand wall and saw that Ginny was the only other person on this all way so he assumed that Fred and George's room was behind him. Sure enough as he turned round he noticed a door with the words 'Inventors at work – Beware'. Harry laughed nervously as he entered wondering if the twins had left any of the tricks around to get anyone who might unwittingly enter the room. However as he entered the only thing that happened was that the door creaked eerily shut on its own behind him. Exhausted Harry just collapsed on one of the twin beds and fell straight into a thankful almost dreamless sleep.
Harry awoke next morning feeling refreshed he had had the best nights sleep he had had all summer, he had however had the strangest dream he had ever had about a tall man with a staff who looked like an even older figure of Dumbledore (Not that Harry thought that Dumbledore could look much older without actually being dead he was so old). However Harry put it down to the fact that he had fallen asleep on a full stomach and was just glad it hadn't been his usual nightmares of Voldemort or one of his past experiences.
As Harry dressed he was wondering if Mrs Weasley had told any of the others that he was here. He hoped not as that would give him a chance to scare the pants of Ron during his usual large breakfast. He thought that he may even be able to perform the impossible and put Ron of his food but he doubted it very much. So it was that Harry crept silently down the stairs and slowly crept up behind a feasting Ron. With a quick glance at Ginny who had almost jumped with surprise as she had seen Harry come down the stairs he silently warned her to be quite. Then with one quick motion he grabbed the back of Ron's jumper and gave it a sharp tug. The result of this action was hilarious. Ginny fell off the back of her chair with laughter as Ron jumped about three feet in the air causing the sausage he was in the middle of eating to fly of he fork and ended up down Ron's jumper. Suddenly Ron flung a clenched fist around behind him, that would have connected with Harry's nose if for the fact that he was now rolling around on the floor in silent mirth, the fact that he had missed Harry's now prone form caused him to fall off the chair and onto the floor.
'HARRY. What the hell are you doing here,' Ron spluttered as he got off the floor and helped Harry up.
'Ron! Mind your language,' commented Mrs Weasley as she bustled in with an armful of dirty washing causing Ginny to blush as Harry noticed a pair of pale blue knickers on the top of the pile. 'Harry is here because those ungrateful muggles don't appreciate him. Now eat your breakfast and you can go and do your homework as Harry had kindly de-knomed the garden already. Harry you can do what ever you want.'
'Well, I would do home work with Ron but I already have done it as there isn't anything else to do at the Dursleys.' This wasn't altogether true as there were always plenty of chores to do at the Dursleys home, but Harry didn't think anyone else needed to know. Besides he had managed to do all of his homework. 'Perhaps I'll just go and read a book in the garden while the weathers nice.'
'Ok Harry, I'll bring lunch out if the weather holds and the three of you can have it out there. Now off you go I have plenty of laundry to do and I don't want you in the way.
Having assured Harry that she was quite capable of doing it herself. She shooed them all out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
'So mate, where are you staying as you weren't in my room last night.'
'Well I was in Fred and George's old room as they, apparently, are staying in the flat above their shop.'
'Right. Well I suppose I will see you at lunch as I haven't even touched the mountain of homework we were set. I still can't believe how much we got considering that the staff don't know which subjects were taking yet,' complained Ron before he disappeared up the next flight of stairs leaving Harry and Ginny standing awkwardly on the landing.
'So..Um..What are you going to do Ginny? Do you want to come and talk out side, I have been meaning to ask you about the letter you sent.'
'Well I was going to do some homework but I have almost finished it so it can wait if you want.'
So ten minutes later found Harry and Ginny leaning against the tree talking amiable about their respective summers.
'I can't believe Fred turned your Dad into a canary, I bet you mum had a fit,' replied Harry laughing at he comment Ginny had made about the fact that Fred had offered his dad a Canary Cream claiming that it was a muggle sweet. Mr Weasley had of course jumped at the opportunity to try a muggle object and as such spent the next twenty minutes walking around as a giant yellow canary.
'Actually mum thought it was hilarious, something about wanting to get here own back on him for something or other. It was kind of weird seeing her approves of something the twins had done.'
'Wow, I thought your mum would never approve of them. I am glad though because we really need some laughs this year,' Harry replied, as he grew suddenly solemn again at the thought of what this year had to come. So far something bad always happened towards the end of every year and it always seemed to have something to do with Voldemort.
Ginny, sensing the route his mood was swiftly taking, decided that she needed to lighten the mood slightly. 'Yes, we will need some of their jokes if were going to make the slimy git pay for everything he has ever done. And judging by the way Ron's been acting he might want to be even more careful around Hermione this year, ehh?'
'What do you mean? I seem to remember you hinting at something in your letter but I still have no clue what you're talking about. Care to explain?' replied Harry cluelessly.
Ginny muttered something that sounded suspiciously like 'boys' before continuing. 'Well its obvious isn't it?' she said staring at Harry's blank expression. 'Honestly your as bad as Ron,' she finally cried in exasperation as Harry obviously had no idea what was happening. 'It is really very simple. Ron likes Hermione. Hermione likes Ron.'
'I like them too. I mean were all best friends after all,' Harry stated as if Ginny was of her rocker.
'No Harry they LIKE each other. See I knew you get there eventually,' see said as a light flicked on in his head. Was she saying that his two best friends had a crush on each other? Why then hadn't they said anything about it to anyone? However Harry thought that his lack of knowledge and experience meant that he wasn't that aware of that side of life (as he had shown last year) and so he supposed this was just another of his problems that he would have to deal with over the next few years. 'Sorry Ginny. I haven't known much love in my life. The Dursleys are hardly the type when it comes to me. In fact your family was the first time I had ever experienced love. I mean I know that my parents must have loved me but I can't remember that. Arghhhhh. Its just so bloody complicated,' he finished angrily.
Ginny moved further around the tree so as to be able to comfort he better.' Don't worry Harry,' she responded as she saw the look of depression and sadness. Everyone who ever loved him was dying and that was hurting Harry's ability to come closer to people. However she had never thought that he had gone his entire life without the love every child should feel from a loving family. She herself could hardly imagine what it would be like to grow up without love in your life. She reached an arm out and rubbed his back as she had seen he mum do whenever one of her children was feeling sad. 'Don't worry Harry, you know that my family love you as if you were born a Weasley and no matter what I will always be there for you. As for Ron and Hermione. You would have to lock them up to stop them following you wherever you went. Though knowing Hermione they would still break out. Now stop moping and lets change the subject to something nicer.'
'Thanks Ginny. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't have been here. I am sorry I dumped on you like that I really should have kept that to myself.'
'HARRY JAMES POTTER,' she shouted, in that motherly tone Mrs Weasley always used when she disapproved of something, causing Harry to wince, 'Never, ever, apologise for opening up. I confess I was a little surprised that it was to mean but none the less I am glad you have decided to come out of that thick shell of yours.'
'I guess. I think I opened up to you because you know where I'm coming from on this one. Ohh, I don't know but thanks for listening anyway. Hey, is it me or is it getting brighter over by the house?' asked Harry as he thought he saw a faint white glow emanating from the kitchen window.
'I don't see anything Harry. Want to check it out?' she had no idea what Harry was talking about but he seemed anxious about it and even though everything seemed normal she had come to trust Harry's instincts over the past year.
'No, it's nothing. Let's go back to our books before Mrs Weasley comes to get us for lunch.' However they had barely retrieved their pages when Mrs Weasley came bustling over saying that Professor Dumbledore had arrived and wanted a word with Harry about some issues he had. Therefore Harry steeled himself for a tirade from Dumbledore about the end of last term when Harry had smashed the delicate silver objects in his office, not to mention what had occurred this morning.
Harry knocked on the door of the study that Mr Weasley sometimes used when he was not at work and he immediately heard a reply from the other side.
'Come in,' came a voice from the other side of the wood panelled door. 'Ah Harry. Have a seat.' Harry took the proffered seat and began to apologise from everything he had done at the end of term. He may have still been angry at Dumbledore for the deception he had used over the past few years but that had not given him the right to destroy his Headmasters office. In fact now that he thought about it Harry in his own way had been just as deceptive with his friends over the years and had used similar excuses as Dumbledore about the fact that he had only been trying to protect them. Now he realised that Dumbledore had only had his best interests at heart he found it hard to be cold towards the kindly old man that sat before him now with a frown creasing his forehead.
'Sir, can I just say I am sorry for destroying your office. If you need to get it repaired please take the money out of my vault.'
'No harm done. Everything had been fixed and is back in its rightful place. I feel that you had plenty of good reasons for blowing out on me like that so no hard feelings. Now about you arrangements this summer. Mrs Weasley has kindly arranged to keep you here but after your birthday I would like you and the group that accompanied you last term to stay at Hogwarts for the remainder of the holidays for some advanced training that I fell is well behind schedule. Providing that is ok with you?' he waited for Harry's response with an inward nervousness, he had not done as he should have concerning the boy and he felt that it was about time for him to make it up. He had recently heard, from none other than Serverus no less, what Harry had had to endure at the Dursleys and was mortified to find out the level of abuse that Harry had had to endure through the ten years before he started Hogwarts. He had of course assumed that the Dursleys merely ignored and feed him, he had not known that they had worked him to the bone everyday. In point of fact Dumbledore was surprised to see Harry had made friends as quickly as he had and silently thanked the Weasley's for the kindness they had shown towards Harry. He was brought out of his reverie as he noticed Harry look up as he prepared his answer.
'I would be happy to go back to Hogwarts providing all six of us receive the same training. As Ginny astutely pointed out to me not but five minutes ago. You would have to lock them all away and throw away the key to stop them going with me to face Voldemort and the Deatheaters and even then they would probably find someway to come and though I dislike the idea of anyone else getting hurt immensely I am resigned to the fact that I can't do this alone and so I want them to have the same training level that I have so that I know that they will be ready. Also, if its ok with you I would like to continue with the DA again this year as I fell it really helped those that were involved.'
'Ah, it is good to here that you will be returning early to Hogwarts this year. It is one less thing of an old mans mind. And between you and me the less on my mind the better as it can only handle so much, its not what it used to be. Now as to the DA I agree that you can continue it on the sole condition you allow anyone to join if they show the correct interest in such a venture. There should of course be no problem obtaining the required teacher supervision as the ministry has removed all of the educational decrees from the past year. Speaking of which I believe this belongs to you sir.' With this he pulled out Harry's Firebolt from where he had kept it behind the desk in the small study. 'Now I believe that I should let you go or Molly will be after my blood for keeping you from the wonderful spread she has no doubt put on for you and you friends. I will return in a few days to discuss a few things of a less pleasant agenda, until then keep well and do not worry about the order work at this time.'
With that he rose from the sumptuous leather chair he had conjured and removed it before exciting the room with a small wave towards Harry.