Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to Harry Potter or any characters or places in this story, they belong to JK Rowling. I am making no money from this story.

Chapter 2: An Unexpected Visit

It was somewhat out of the ordinary for anyone to come calling after dinnertime at number four Privet Drive. On this day however, Harry received something he had certainly not anticipated, a visitor. He came to the front door staring blankly at his Uncle. Vernon Dursley glared at Harry, his face turning a sharp color of puce. Harry looked out the door to see a tall thin man who was rather aged. The man was dressed in purple robes and had long silver hair; his beard and mustache, which extended to his belt, framed a polite smile. He wore half-moon spectacles on his nose, which was crooked as though it had been broken several times. However the most noticeable feature were the piercing blue eyes that looked over the rim of his glasses. This man was, of course, Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

"Hello Professor Dumbledore." Said Harry.

"Hello Harry," started Dumbledore "I was hoping to take some time to speak with you and your Aunt and Uncle." Turning to Vernon he said, "If you will pardon my intrusion I believe we have some important matters to discuss."

If it was at all possible the shade of Vernon Dursley's face got deeper. Harry was sure that Uncle Vernon was about to explode. Dumbledore however started before Uncle Vernon could answer, "Of course I realize I should introduce myself first. My name is Albus Dumbledore, and I am the Headmaster at Harry's school."

"Ah I see now," Said Vernon, "what trouble has the boy caused now" showing the man inside away from the prying eyes of the neighbors.

"Why none at all." Replied the headmaster. "But please if you'll allow me, I am sure there are things that I must explain to you and your wife."

Vernon was apparently caught off his guard by the cheerful manners of the aged man standing in front of him, as though he had not expected this of one of those people. At that moment Aunt petunia came into the room wondering what was taking so long. She looked taken aback by the sight of the man in front of her as if something frightening had just walked into her home. "P-Petunia dear, this is the headmaster of the boy's school." Vernon stated nervously. "He would like to speak with us." With that he lead the way into the sitting room and offered Dumbledore a chair. Harry found it amusing to see his Aunt and Uncle look slightly shocked and confused. Actually Harry also found it odd to have his headmaster sitting in his Aunt and Uncle's house. At any rate they were at least resigned to listening to what the man had to say.

"Firstly," began Dumbledore, "I would like to thank you for the many years that you have looked after Harry. As I have told you before, in the letter that I left with him on your doorstep, when you took him in you gave him the greatest protection that anyone could offer."

"Well this is a first," Uncle Vernon interjected coarsely, "that someone has offered us any praise for putting up with that boy and his nonsense."

Dumbledore watched quietly for a moment. Harry thought of how often he had been regarded by those calm blue eyes. It was odd how they seemed to penetrate your thoughts, and yet emitted a glow of warmth and kindness. "Indeed you have been quite gracious in continuing to care for Harry although, unless I am mistaken, you would prefer not to have him as a guest. However I am not here to try to change your opinion, as I know such things are not my business. I am here to discuss several changes in Harry's life which you need to be aware of."

Vernon looked perplexed as he was not entirely convinced that he had not just been thanked and insulted in his own house by a man he didn't know, who was wearing purple robes. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with amusement as he began to recount some of the highlights of Harry's last few years at school; including rescuing Sirius, the sorcerer's stone, the Triwizard tournament, Cedric Diggory's death and the return of Voldemort, the trial with the ministry and their persecution of Harry, and also the fact that Harry was an excellent Quidditch player. For his part Harry listened patiently, nodding along in agreement with the headmaster's story, but otherwise remaining silent. Uncle Vernon looked on with mild indignation, Harry was confident that his Uncle was completely uninterested in anything that Dumbledore had to say about Harry's life. Aunt Petunia's expression was hard to read however, it wasn't a look he had seen from her before, not where it concerned him anyway.

"Finally, I would like to tell you of a recent loss Harry has suffered." Harry knew exactly what Dumbledore was going to say and he wasn't sure that he wanted to hear it. He still couldn't say it himself, like it would make Sirius' death final. "As you are aware, Lord Voldemort tried to kill Harry when he was a baby. He has now regained power and has continued his attempts on Harry's life. To his credit Harry has survived five such attacks. During the last attack in June, Harry's Godfather, Sirius Black, was killed." Aunt Petunia clapped a hand over her mouth. Her maternal instinct seemed to get the better of her as she glanced mournfully at Harry. "It would seem," continued Dumbledore, "that Voldemort had several of his followers attack Harry and his friends. Sirius and several other wizards, whom I am told you met King's Cross, tried to rescue the students. However while doing so Sirius was murdered."

Uncle Vernon looked quite disturbed. Harry was sure this wasn't a conversation his Uncle wanted to have in his house, if at all. Harry really didn't care what Uncle Vernon wanted at that moment. "Well, I am not sure what all of this has to do with us." said Vernon in a very flat tone. Harry, at least, could count on Uncle Vernon to not pretend that he was upset.

Dumbledore simply smiled. "Of course then, to the point. When he died Sirius left a will. It will be settled next week. I would like for Harry to attend, and felt that it would be best to ask you."

This was the first Harry had heard or even considered that Sirius had a will, and he was shocked. He wondered what it might contain, but then began to feel guilty. He was uncertain if he wanted to know, to be reminded of his loss. It had been little more than a month since Sirius fell through the veil. Harry had only really spoken to Dumbledore about Sirius' death. Then he was shipped back to Privet Drive. Harry hadn't told anyone about the hole he had inside of him, the place that Sirius had been ripped from.

Dumbledore turned to Harry as if sensing his conflict, "Harry, I believe this may help you to deal with your grief, which is most Important, as I am sure you have had little outlet for your emotions." Harry tried to smile at his Professors kind words, but his face quickly stole into a grimace as he felt the tears begin to surface. He quickly turned his face from them all, as Uncle Vernon began to squirm. Apparently magic wasn't the only topic that made Vernon Dursley uncomfortable.

"Well, I-I suppose," Vernon began, "Err that is to s-say-Alright, the boy can go."

Harry caught a quick gleam in the headmaster's eyes before he continued. "I am sure, if you would prefer, that Harry will be welcome to spend the rest of the holidays with the Weasley family." Harry gave a genuine smile, the first he could remember in some time.

"Very well then." Growled Uncle Vernon.

"Excellent," said Dumbledore as he got up, "I will be by Wednesday morning to take Harry myself. Shall we say 8 O'clock in the morning then?" Vernon nodded. "Very well then. If you will excuse me I must be going. Harry if you don't mind I would like a quick private word before I go." Dumbledore bowed slightly to Petunia and offered a handshake to a rather jumpy looking Vernon, as he said, "until next week," and walked with Harry into the hallway. "Harry remember to continue to practice Occlumency. It is still quite important to block your mind from Voldemort. When we meet next week we will begin to discuss next term and some things that I believe can help you. With any luck we shall resume your lessons in Occlumency soon, and perhaps move on to some more advanced defensive spells." When he finished, Dumbledore gave a quick wink, and said goodbye as he left.