July 4th
Harry woke up the next morning with a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach and a mind-crushing headache. He was certain that the vision from the night before was real.
Azkaban had been attacked and the outcome was a positive one for Voldemort. Harry had happily thrilled emotions welling up inside him that wanted to come out but Harry knew far to well that those were not his emotions but Voldemort's. This made Harry's own emotions very doubtful and almost hopeless. For if Voldemort was this happy then Harry was sure to be negatively affected by it. Azkaban had no warning of what was coming, when a simple post from Snape could have at least prepared them of the imminent danger. This made him wonder if Snape, the greasy git, was on watch last night so he could keep him from notifying Dumbledore.
He could hear Hermione's voice in his head.. "He saved your life in first year, he is part of the order, and besides Dumbledore trust him you should too." If she only knew the half-truths Dumbledore had told and how they had impacted is life in so many ways.
He looked around his room and saw that Hedwig was sleeping in her cage. He had just decided he would send her to Hermione's house to see if The Daily Prophet had anything in it about the attack. When all of the sudden a small owl came Shooting in thru the window Running straight into the opposite wall and finally landing with a thud at the end of his bed. After the initial start, Harry realized it was Pig, Ron's owl. Harry reached for the now darting bird and swept it up in the palm of his hand with his seeker quick reflexes. He carefully took a note and a copy of the paper from the now hopelessly struggling Pig. Harry loosened his grip and Pig flew to straight into Hedwig's cage for a drink of water and then darted back out the window. Hedwig gave her customary nod of disapproval before she fell back to sleep.
Harry read the sloppily addressed note first.
Harry,
Thought you might want to see this. I can't believe they couldn't even keep them locked up for a month. The whole wizarding world is fuming mad at Fudge now. If I were you (from what I heard with extendable ears) I would pack up my stuff today and be ready at anytime.
RonHarry didn't even need to read the attached paper. The letter from Ron had proven his vision true. Harry threw down Ron's letter and held the remaining paper in his hands unable to immediately unfold the disaster that no doubt he would encounter.
Harry slowly began to open to the front page when the large headline jumped out at him "Azkaban Defeated". Harry knew he could have gotten help if Snape would have at least listened to him. Harry had another thought " Had Snape been wrong or was he just covering for his true master. Snape was never someone who seemed to take ones word for it. He was someone who would want to check the facts" this thought troubled Harry deeply but he had no one at the moment that he could voice it to. He went back to paper in his hands.
Harry methodically read through the article, it talked about 30 aurors and dept of magical law enforcement employees being killed or that had received the kiss from the Dementors, the 11 recently captured Death Eaters, and a few of the other violent criminals assumed to be joining the Death Eaters, escaped and the rest of the criminals killed or kissed.
Another article on the following page spoke of the Wizengamot and Ministry of Magic Department Heads wanting an emergency vote of removal towards Fudge. It was to be done very quickly with a new election to be held three days later. He wondered if decidingso quickly could be a bad thing and then he remembered that it couldn't get any worse than Fudge.
Harry closed the paper and made his way downstairs to tell the Dursleys he would be leaving sometime today and probably wouldn't be back this summer. He found his cousin and uncle Vernon in the parlor watching the telly and his Aunt Petunia bringing them snacks. As he made his announcements, he received more of a reply than he expected.
"Well I certainly hope those freaky friends of yours don't make a scene or destroy the entire house like they did last time they came for you. Or will they just be sending false documents to deceive hard working normal people." Sniffed Vernon in between mouthfuls of food.
"I'm not sure how they're coming to retrieve me, I guess I will go back up to my room and wait, I'll let you know when I leave" Harry mumbled half to himself
He rapidly climbed up the stairs to his room and fell down into his bed. As the silence of his room crept in on him he once again began to think of Sirius and the prophecy that sealed his own fate. Just as the enormity of everything was pressuring to come out, There was a brilliant flash of fire and light in the center of his room Harry quickly grabbed his wand and pointed it directly where the light had been but flames had disappeared and all that could be seen was a beautiful phoenix. The great bird drifted slowly to Harry's side table next to him. The phoenix was looking directly at him as if to examine him.
"Hello Fawkes do you have a letter for me?" he asked the phoenix.
Fawkes just shrilled a short note and stuck out his leg. Harry recognized the seal and removed the note a read it.
Harry
I know we didn't part on the best of terms, but it is imperative that you trust me on this. Please gather your belongings into your trunk, grab it and Fawkes and he will bring you to me. I feel you may not be safe there after all.
Albus
Harry began to make sure every last item he owned was packed and ready. Making a quick last scan of the small room he suddenly remembered to grab his items from beneath the floorboard "whew, glad I remembered that". Harry then raced full stride out to the top of the stairs and yelled " I'm leaving see you next year" he heard no real reply. He ran back, grabbed his trunk, and used his free hand to grab Fawkes' tail. He looked up at majestic animal and said," let's go" and with another bright flash they were gone.
Harry had barely realized they were in flight. Well if that is what you can call it. He noticed that this felt somewhat like taking a portkey but the main difference was that instead of being pulled somewhere it was like being pushed solidly in the back. In the time it would take to jump off a porch step they were there.
Harry noticed another sudden flash. Fawkes then gently lowered Harry to the ground in the Headmasters office. Harry observed that it looked like it did the very first time he had entered it. He felt sorrow and anger welling up inside of him. Harry worked hard to push these feelings aside; he had no time to be emotional now. He knew he would probably wind up back in this office, but it still caused him pain at the many things he had discovered here.
"Hello Harry I see you arrived earlier than I expected" Dumbledore seem to come out of thin air, but Harry had long since given up trying to figure him out.
"Hello sir" Harry said in a dull tone.
"Lemon Drop?" Dumbledore reached out to offer Harry a brown paper bag filled with the sweets.
"No thank you" Harry waved him off politely and started to look around the room once more.
"Well that does give us a little time to talk before our other guest arrives" Dumbledore Started making his way over to his desk when Harry asked the next question.
"Who" Harry couldn't understand why he would be brought directly into a meeting with his large trunk among other things.
"I'll explain as we go, but there are a few things I would like to talk to you about, first how are feeling?" Dumbledore asked in a sincere and concerned tone.
"I'm fine sir" It really wasn't the truth but Harry couldn't think of any other answer.
" Well I am sure you heard of the fall of Azkaban" Dumbledore Half questioned.
"Yea, I told Snape about it right before it happened" Harry snapped at the Headmaster.
"Professor Snape Harry and he has already told me, we had no reason to think Tom would attack that soon" Dumbledore voice was very stern. It was obvious to Harry that the Headmaster did not want to continue down this path.
"Well maybe next time the geniuses will actually listen to boy with the cursed scar and keep me up to date and in the loop on things and we wouldn't have had so many people killed" Harry felt the need to strike out at someone and the perfect person happened to be a few feet away.
"Harry, I said I was sorry and that I wouldn't keep things from you, I am not perfect as you have learned. I will learn from my misjudgments and try not to repeat them. What else do you wish of me" Dumbledore looked very distraught and very old. Harry almost felt ashamed of himself for lashing out at the man. He was correct that no one is perfect and Harry knew this but the grief of being lied to and kept in the dark about a prophecy referring to him kept him going.
"I want in, I want to be kept in the loop by you, I want in the Order of the Phoenix as a member, not as a token, and most important I want training this summer. Not in everything just DADA, Dueling, Charms, Transfiguration, and Potions and only stuff that will help keep me alive. I also want you to teach me Occlumency and Legilimency and maybe some of the things you and Voldemort did in the Atrium. That was unbelievable I don't know if I could ever fight like that" Harry ended his request with a smile on his face. He noticed that a little of the twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes had returned.
"Ah Harry with time anything is possible. I believe you will find that you can do truly amazing things when you focus yourself on the task" Dumbledore sounded a little amused at his statement.
"Yes sir" Harry nodded.
"Okay, let us see about your list of request. Let me know if I have missed anything. First, Harry I agree I will keep you informed, that is one of the reasons I had you brought here. You see, I believe that in the next few days Minister Fudge will be removed or resign from office. That being the case, I feel we should make sure the new Minister is squarely on the light side of this war" Dumbledore's statements peeked Harry's interest. Just where was he going with this?
"Uh sir how am I going to help accomplish that" Harry timidly asked.
"You are once again a ray of hope for the wizarding world, Harry. You can give an interview about the past year and the conflict that happen at the Ministry in June. Then put in who you think should be the next minister. That would go a long ways in helping to get them elected, If you so decide" Dumbledore made sure that Harry knew he had a choice in the matter.
After a few moments of silence Harry finally spoke, "So I help this person, which I assume you already have picked out, get elected and in return I get a few favors and we have an anti-Voldemort minister" Dumbledore smiled proudly at Harry, with that all to familiar twinkle in his eyes. Dumbledore knew that he was no longer talking to a boy Harry had grown up.
"I know this is a lot to take in right now. Madame Bones is not expected for a couple of hours, why don't you take this wonderful broom of yours out for a quick fly around the grounds and think of what you might need from a new minister" Dumbledore said while pulling Harry's Firebolt from behind his desk.
Harry looked at his broom, a gift from Sirius, and got a huge grin on his face. Harry then jumped up and grabbed his broom and headed straight for the open window. Dumbledore smiled at the happiness in the young man's bright green eyes and was glad to see that at least some things still made Harry happy. Harry was not wasting any time going out the front doors instead he grabbed on tight and leaped from the window in a full freefall, only mounting his broom at the last minute.
He was truly happy just flying around the grounds. He flew over the Quidditch pitch thinking that one favor he would want were all Educational decrees removed along with his lifetime ban in Quidditch. He flew over the greenhouses, the lake with the giant squid sunning itself, and Hagrid's hut. He decided to stop and see if his large friend was home. Harry slowly glided up to Hagrid's door and dismounted. He knocked on the door and didn't hear any noises coming from inside the Hut. Figuring Hagrid was either in the forest with his "little" brother or on a mission for the order Harry climbed back on his broom and continued flying around thinking of things he would like to have this summer and coming year.
Fawkes suddenly appeared beside him, gave a quick shrill of a song and flew towards the Headmaster's office. Figuring that was a sign to head back, Harry followed the beautiful scarlet bird through the window. Landing softly, he dismounted his broom, and leaned it against the wall. He proceeded over to the Headmaster and Madam Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law enforcement.
"Hello Mr. Potter" Madam Bones started. She was coming towards him with her hand out in greeting. Harry shook her hand happily.
"Hello Ms Bones, please call me Harry," He answered.
Madam Bones wasted no time coming to the point. "Okay Harry, Professor Dumbledore has already brought me up to speed on this meeting. I was wondering what kind of requirements you might have"
Harry liked that she was straightforward and she was already earning his respect.
Harry start a little apprehensively "Uh, well all the educational decrees, my lifetime Quidditch ban needs to be lifted, the restriction for underage magic repelled for the six of us that were at the ministry that night, the chance for all of us to learn to apparate and get our licenses, oh Buckbeak the hippogriff pardoned for attacking the little ferret (uh, sorry Draco Malfoy), and most important reopen the case of Sirius Black, he was my godfather and he died that night trying to save me. Peter Pettigrew was the one that betrayed my parents. Kingsley, Mad-Eye, Tonks, Professor McGonagall, Professor Dumbledore, Remus Lupin, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger can all verify this. I would also be willing to show you and Professor Dumbledore in a pensive the night I met Sirius and Peter in the Shrieking Shack and the night Voldemort was reborn if you need me to" making that statement left Harry shaking. He didn't really want to show them but if it meant clearing Sirius then he would. By the end of the request madam Bones was looking at him in awe and Dumbledore was leaned back in his chair with a small but mischievous smile on his face.
Madam Bones just set there thinking about the offer. He wasn't really asking for too much, the hardest thing would be clearing Sirius's name. "Well Harry if Fudge is removed, you give the interview, and I am elected, I will do my very best to fulfill your wishes. I will be honest clearing Mr. Black may take the longest, but I'm sure we can get it done even if we don't capture Peter anytime soon. Everything else will just take a couple of days to get sorted. I want to mention that I cannot guarantee any of this but I can promise to do my best and I feel very confident that these things can all happen in time."
Harry thought about this. He really did respect that she was honest about it all. He was a little nervous but nodded his head in agreement.
"Well Harry I must be on my way. It was a pleasure talking with you." She turned to Dumbledore. "Albus I will see you tomorrow morning"
"Yes I will see you in the morning, Madam Bones" Replied Dumbledore. With a quick nod to both of them she left the room.
Dumbledore spoke first with a slight chuckle in his voice. " I must say Harry I am rather proud and surprised at your request. You didn't ask for anything unreasonable and you even thought of your friends, even ones that are no longer with us"
"What else would I want? My friends are all I have. I have missed them." Harry thought of Ron and the Burrow before he asked his next question. "Professor, I was wondering, where am I staying?"
Dumbledore saw the want for his friends in Harry's eyes and decided to bring his friends to him as soon as it could be arranged. He than answered Harry's question "I thought it might be best for you to spend a couple of days here at the castle. You can stay in your room in Gryffindor Tower; I believe you will find it just as comfortable as the last time you were there. The password is Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes; I thought you would be able to easily remember that. The Password will not change until the start of term. I took the liberty of having your things already taken up. All you will need to carry with you is that magnificent broom. After you have settled in we could work on your Occlumency and you can do a bit of magic here on school grounds with out the ministry interfering " Dumbledore finished.
Harry rushed up the stairs into his room, sat down his Firebolt, and began back down again. He hurried back into Dumbledore's office obviously taking the headmaster by pleasant surprise.
"Harry do you need anything?" he asked obviously wanting to know why Harry would return so soon.
Harry replied determinedly " Can we start with the lessons now?" Harry waited for the older man's response and was very pleased to hear him agree.
"Well lets get started shall we? Harry you must realize the importance of learning this if I am to do as you wish and make you a member and keep you informed" Harry just nodded his reply. Dumbledore could see the determination in the young mans eyes.
"Okay first thing you must be able to do is control your emotions. If you get really happy or very angry Voldemort may be able to see what you are seeing, as you can see what he is doing when his emotions are out of his control. Second, you must try to clear your mind, in the beginning it might be wise to imagine a giant field of grass and concentrate on letting the attacker see that. As you become more adapt at it you will be able to think and block your mind at the same time." he looked hopefully at Harry.
"Ready?"
Harry gripped his wand and thought of a large field of grass. Keeping his mind on the field he nodded his head slowly.
"1, 2, 3, Legillems" Harry felt a gentle probe of his mind, but kept thinking of the field. He struggled to hold on to the vision. This went on for a few seconds before he saw Sirius falling through the veil, casting Crucio on Bellatrix Lestrange, and trashing Dumbledore's office. Opening his eyes he realized he was on the floor breathing hard and his knees would defiantly show the signs of this encounter the next morning.
"Very good Harry you were able to hold the field for about thirty seconds before I was able to break through. Next time when you feel me enter try to expel me with your mind" Dumbledore instructed and as stared proudly at him.
"I will try, this is the first time I have had anything to go on. Snape just said clear your mind and then began forcing his way through my memories." Harry remembered the encounters all too well and was in no hurry to repeat those experiences.
A look of regret grew across Dumbledore's face "I am sorry, I did have faith that he could put away his grudge. I thought that he could teach you knowing how especially important this is for you to learn. Okay, let us get back to the task at hand. Are you ready to try again?"
Harry nodded and took a defensive stance. If he were going to try to block him out, it would take full concentration.
This time Harry was able to hold the field for a bit longer and send a jelly legs jinx at the headmaster. As Dumbledore proclaimed that he had never danced that well in all his life; He also decided that it was enough progress for one day. He passed around the back of his desk and grabbed a book off the shelf. He then handed the book to Harry, Advanced Defense against the Dark Arts.
"Please take time to read over at least part of that before our next training session, you may head up to your room." Dumbledore finished
When Harry entered his room he found all of his things at the foot of his bed with a plate of food and some pumpkin juice on his table. He was happy to be back in Hogwarts. After finishing his delicious meal, Harry made a mental note to stop by and see Dobby the house elf tomorrow and to write letters to his friends. Harry gathered up the book he was going to study. He sat down on his bed taking notes and when he happened across something that caught his eye, he would write it on a separate page. This page held spells he would like to try over the next couple of days. Finding himself nodding off, he put down his book, cleared his mind, and fell quickly to sleep.
In a dimly lit damp room Voldemort gathered his followers. "My loyal Death Eaters it is time for us to get revenge on those who put eleven of you in Azkaban" The man's tone turned from joy to anger quickly. " I should have left you there for not being able to fight a half-blood, mud-blood, squib, and some blood traitors, who are just kids. You failed me greatly and will pay for your insolence, but for now there is work to be done" Voldemort turned to one of his most trusted minions.
"Bella take Rabastan and Rodolphus and finish what you started that night so long ago. I warn you Bella do not fail me again. Malfoy take Crabbe and Goyle find the little mudblood that is friends with potter house, seal it and torch it. Malfoy, I needn't remind you what is on the line if you disappoint me." The dark lord then turned towards another group of his servants "Avery take Flint, Parkinson, and Jugson to the Lovegood home. If that fool wants to side with Potter and Dumbledore let him see the repercussions. Severus you will prove your loyal to me again, you get the best job, take Peter, Dolohov, Macnair, Nott, Mulciber, Rockwood, and Travers to the Weasley home and show them what happens to filthy blood traitors. The ones remaining go have fun with muggles; I want the world to know that we are back. I want to strike fear in the hearts of every witch and wizard when they read the morning paper and hear tales of the suffering and death. I will be attending to a unique task" with a horde of pops, each group headed out to accomplish their evil deeds.
In the middle of the night no one noticed a group of people arrive outside of an empty building. Bella and fellow followers arrived outside St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries and quickly placed the disillusionment charms on themselves. They entered unnoticed and quickly made their way up to Frank and Alice Longbottom ward. When the death eaters finally reached the area they were looking for Bella was thrilled to find the elder Mrs. Longbottom was there visiting. She quietly drew back from the older woman to give her orders.
In barely a whisper Bella spoke "I don't see the youngest boy with the old hag. What a pity we could have wiped out the whole lot of them. Rabastan hit Frank, Rodolphus hit Alice, and I will take the matriarch, as soon as we are done apparate to headquarters" She spat out her last instructions, turned around and headed towards the Longbottom's.
The three slowly crept up to the edge of the beds and with three quick flashes of green light three lives were taken. Right before she disappeared Bella turned and cast the Dark Mark over the beds.
Malfoy, using a ministry official that had taken plenty of his galleons to get the Granger's address, had his group apparate to a nearby park. Less than one block away was the Granger home, once there he sent Goyle to the back, Crabbe to one side, and himself to the front and additional side. They silently cast sealing charms on all the doors and windows making sure there was no means of escape. The three wicked men then started a fire. Then hid in the shadows, watching and waiting for anyone to try to come out of the house. Once the fire had been raging for ten minutes they heard the muggle firemen approaching and after casting the Dark Mark over the house disappeared from the shadows.
Avery's group arrived in the quite town of Ottery St. Catchpole. It did not take the efficient Death Eaters long to find the Lovegood home. It was easy enough unlocking the door, and with a very quick sweep of the house and shop, they found the home completely void of anyone. Deciding to just burn the house and the attached print shop down and leave the Dark Mark hanging over it.
Severus had always known he was in a bad position playing both sides. He was now in a status that might get him killed or captured tonight. He had thought that helping to free the Death Eaters would be enough to satisfy the dark lord, but now here he was in the woods by the Burrow. All his fellow minions were about to attack some of the Headmasters biggest supporters. The rest of his group had spread out waiting for his signal to attack the house. It was in this hesitation that Bill and Fleur stepped out of the house and saw the Death Eaters approaching.
"Death Eaters in the Garden, check the other side of the house" Bill screamed as a flash of green light flew by the left side of his face leaving it black and burned. Ignoring the singing pain on his face he turned and quickly fired off a stunner in the direction the killing curse had come from. Fleur had also regained her wits and started firing off spells in the direction of the enemy as they swiftly made their way back in the house.
Once inside the house they were met with a flurry of Weasley's running around in an effort to defend themselves.
"There are more on this side of the house," Charlie shouted from the kitchen, "I think they have us surrounded"
"Molly take Ron and Ginny and floo to McGonagall's house. Albus has set it up as a safe house for now. We will meet you there as soon as we can. Please be careful." Arthur looked over to his wife and children with worry in his eyes.
Ginny was the first to speak up in protest, "No dad if everyone else is fighting so are we. We are not little children anymore and are more then capable of handling ourselves. We did well in the department of ministries against them before. We are staying!" and with that she turned and headed over to help one of her brothers hex Death Eaters through the living room window. Out side the screams of a very unfortunate Death Eater could be heard as bats attacked his face.
Ron was next to address his father, "She's right dad we can hold our own plus three more wands couldn't hurt" Ron studied his father for a reaction.
"Fine both of you go upstairs and see what you can catch sight of and shout out locations, Fred, George, Percy and Molly take the back door see if you can hold them off long enough for help to arrive. Charlie, Bill, and Fleur keep defending the front. I'm going to try and get Dumbledore on the floo" Arthur gave his orders and turned towards the fireplace.
Fred, George, Percy, and Molly all cautiously crept to the back of the house. Fred then sent an Incendio spell into the trees to shine some light on the back yard. The spell worked brilliantly and the back yard was illuminated enough to make out the shapes of the Death Eaters. The spell had also barely missed a Death Eater who quickly turned and fired a killing curse at the house. Soon spells were reigning in every direction in the garden. Percy was hit but thankfully it was only with a stunner, before the fighting in the back yard abruptly stopped.
Out in the front, things weren't going any better. Ron and Ginny were using their post to shoot off spells from attic window. It appeared that Ron or Ginny had hit a Death Eater with a stunner. While Charlie, Bill, and Fleur were also valiantly defending there home.
" I got a hold of Dumbledore, he and some others are on there way here" Arthur rushed in breathless to in form the combating members of his family.
No one saw the small pathetic rat with a silver front paw scurrying out of the house at these words and heading for the one Death Eater that had remained out of sight.
"Severus, Dumbledore and the others are on their way. What should we do?" Squeaked Peter in a hushed scared voice.
"Fire off the Mark so everyone knows to leave. There is no strategically advantage to getting everyone killed or worse captured when the muggle lover arrives. With a swish of Pettigrew's wand the Mark went flying into the air. All of the Death Eaters rapidly disappeared away from the burrow, knowing that soon they would be paying for their failures.
The sound of rapid popping could be heard around the burrow, some were coming in wands drawn and some were disappearing back into the night from which they came.
Meanwhile in a Little Whinging, Surrey, a man or some may better describe him as a creature was strolling down a street like nothing mattered. Knowing that killing Potter and his family would make the wizarding world lose all hope and fall rather easily under his control. He first stopped to eliminate the squib that lived nearby; no one was going to alert Dumbledore to the danger that the Potter boy was in.
Figuring that the foolish old man had some guards watching the house, Voldemort had Nagini his snake sneak around and find them; sure enough he had one guard watching the front of the house. Nagini struck quickly sinking her fangs into the woman's throat killing her. Nagini was disappointed to find only one but began to bite again into the prize that she did find.
Voldemort hoping that he was right slowly made his way towards the front door of number 4 Privet Drive. When no wards stopped him he knew using Potter's blood had been the best choice. Unlocking the door and walking in Voldermort let out a high cackling laugh overcome with happiness that this boy who had ruined his life for the past fifteen years was about to die.
Harry was walking into the Dursleys house; excited about something he just couldn't put his finger on. He climbed up the stairs overcome with joy; he could barely keep from screaming out aloud. He opens a bedroom door to find Dudley asleep raising his wand he said "Avada Kedavra". He makes his way to another room opens the door to find it empty and clean looking like no one was staying in this room with all the locks on the door. With anger rising up in him he made his way to another room opened the door to see a large fat man and skinny woman lying in bed asleep. Aiming his wand at his uncle, he raised his wand again and sent the killing curse leaving his uncle dead. His Aunt Petunia woke up screaming as Harry asked in a high cold voice, not his own "Where is he? Where is Harry Potter?""I don't know, he left this morning saying he would be back next summer. What did you do to my husband? If you hurt my son you freak…" those were the last words Petunia Dursley ever muttered.
Harry woke up grasping at his forehead, his scar throbbing, "Oh no, I have got to find Dumbledore" he said to himself. Grabbing his robe and running out of his room and down the stairs in a dead run to find the headmaster.
"Potter what are you doing up?" Professor McGonagall asked as she eyed him questionably.
Harry answer in a shaky voice, "Maam I need to speak to Professor Dumbledore, Voldemort just killed my Aunt, Uncle, & cousin." Harry's eyes pleaded for the headmistress' help.
"Harry, I am terribly sorry but Dumbledore isn't here right now and I cannot even disturb him even for something like this. I will tell him as soon as I can. I give you my word, Harry please understand my position. I know that this is very upsetting for you." She reaches into a side table and pulled out a bottle. "Take this potion and go back upstairs and get back into your bed," She said in a compassionate but straightforward manner, which left no room for arguing.
"Yes Maam, I'll do my best" Harry turned around and headed back up to his room with at least the knowledge that he would be able to get some sleep tonight. Harry made his way up the several sets of stairs and back to his room. He crawled back into his four-post bed and took the sweet smelling potion and fell directly into a dreamless sleep. "Where is that old fool hiding you at now Harry?" Voldermort flick his wand set the Dursleys house on fire and sent up the Dark Mark and vanished without a sound.