Once again… I own no one (except for Brooke) and know no one.

Chapter 2: We Meet Again

It was another scorching hot day in Surrey. At number Four Privet Drive, the guy known as Harry Potter was sprawled across his bed. He was trying desperately to fight off the memories of the past year, of one in particular. 'He's really gone,' thought Harry as he looked out the small window in search of an owl from his beloved godfather, seeing none. 'God, I need to get out of this place,' he continued. Sighing heavily, Harry lazily rolled off the bed and sat up. Having been at Privet Drive a mere week, he had already finished all his summer homework in an attempt to escape the nightmares. 'Hermione would be ecstatic,' he chuckled to himself. Shuffling around the room, he threw another glance out the window only to do a double- take. There sitting majestically on the windowpane was none other than Fawkes. The headmaster's phoenix trilled a greeting towards Harry.

"Fawkes! What on Earth are you doing here?" he exclaimed. 'It's only been a week,' thought Harry, 'surely, nothing's happened yet.' Seeing a note tied to his leg, Harry moved to relieve Fawkes of his burden. Fawkes then let out another soothing tune as Harry opened the letter to read.

Dear Harry,

I hope this letter finds you in good health. Once again, I wish to apologize for the events that transpired in the last year. It was never my intention for things to turn out this way. I do hope that you are well. My reason for this letter is that I wish to inform you that you are free to leave Privet Drive now. You have been there long enough for the magic to take effect. I presume that you wish to go to the Burrow to join the Weasleys, but I am sorry to inform you that that is not possible at this time. However, there is another alternative, but I can only tell you in person. It is of the utmost importance that you trust me. Although, I know there is little reason to. Please be packed and ready by 6 am tomorrow. I will be there personally to escort you to your new location.

Have faith,

Albus Dumbledore

'Have faith!' Harry thought dryly. 'Yeah, that's real encouraging. What's this with a new "location"' he wondered. He was still mad at the old headmaster. Ater all, he had lied to him. Once again, he sighed, 'there's really no other choice now is there?'

Harry looked back up to see Fawkes still staring at him. "Thanks Fawkes," he said, "You can return now, I'll be ready tomorrow," he finished. On that note, Fawkes turned around, trilled a goodbye, and took flight towards home, Hogwarts. Throwing one last look at the retreating bird, Harry turned to start packing.

The next morning was surrounded in morning fog and was somewhat chilly. Harry rose at promptly 5:30 am, just as the sun was rising across the horizon. He knew it would heat up later in the day. Sighing, he opened his door and quietly made his way downstairs. None of the Dursleys were up yet, but he knew that his Aunt and Uncle would be up soon, and Dudley wouldn't be far behind, because he wouldn't want to miss breakfast. Turning on the faucet, Harry put the kettle on to make coffee. As soon as that was done, Harry sat down and waited for the rest of the house to wake. At precisely 6 am, the doorbell rang just as Harry's aunt and uncle were coming down the stairs.

"Who on Earth could that be at this time of day?" asked UncleVernon.

"I have no idea," replied Aunt Petunia.

"Boy, get the door!" ordered Uncle Vernon.

"Yes, Uncle Vernon."

Just as he expected, Harry found none other than Albus Dumbledore waiting on the other side of the door. Looking older and more tired than before, Professor Dumbledore smiled and greeted him, "Good morning Harry, may I come in?"

"Hello. Sure, come on in," came the less cheery greeting.

Leading Dumbledore into the kitchen where his aunt and uncle were in brought a sense of dread to Harry.

'This isn't going to be pleasant,' he thought to himself.

"YOU! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!" roared his Uncle at the sight of the headmaster.

"Good morning Mr. and Mrs. Dursley. I'm sorry to have disturbed you at such an early time, but I'm afraid that this is necessary. May I ask where your son is?" Dumbledore calmly said.

"What do you want with him? Stay away from him!" shrieked Mrs. Dursley as she stared at the headmaster in fear.

"Now, now, there is no need for hostility. I assure you, I am not here to harm you."

"Professor, forget it. There's no use. They're always going to be afraid of us," replied Harry.

"I believe that things can change Harry."

"Can we just leave now Professor?"

"I'm afraid not. There is something else."

"Figures," said Harry under his breath. Dumbledore frowned at this show of disrespect. "Harry," the headmaster started, "I'm afraid, we have to take the Dursleys with us."

"What?" exclaimed the Dursleys and Harry at the same time.

"We have to hurry, there isn't a lot of time. I'll explain once we get there. Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, please go get your son and pack some clothes, quickly now."

"Now hold on, you expect us just to pick up and go with…you?" blubbered Uncle Vernon.

"Yes."

"Now wait just one minute…" Dumbledore just sighed and took out his wand. The Dursleys eyes opened wide at the sight and they both began to cower. "Please, it is a matter of utmost importance," said Dumbledore, "your lives depend on it." Seeing no other choice, the Dursleys relented, both out of fear for their lives and for fear of the magic that Dumbledore could conjure. They raced upstairs, as fast as they could with Uncle Vernon's size, to get Dudley and their things.

Meanwhile, Harry was still in shock at the last few minutes. Dumbledore turned around to see his pupil staring at him in disbelief.

"Professor, but…" Harry sputtered.

"Harry, please not here, not now. I need you to trust me," pleaded Dumbledore. Within a few moments, the Dursleys all came back down with a suitcase in member's hands. "Mum, what is going on? I want to sleep!" whined Dudley, not seeing Dumbledore. As he noticed him, Dudley let out a girlish shriek and ran for cover behind his parents; however, he was unsuccessful in hiding himself, seeing as only half of his colossal body was covered. He looked quite ridiculous with his bum hanging out in plain sight. Dumbledore shrank down Harry's things and gave it to him to put in his pocket. "Ok, everyone, less than a minute now. Please touch this mug, just a finger will do now." The Dursleys looked at him like he was mad and in serious need of a mental institution. Harry, however, knew that it was a portkey, sighed, and took hold of the mug. He saw the others do the same as the familiar swirl overtook him. The last clear image he saw was the Dursleys' look of disgust, then shock when everything started to spin. Then, it stopped. They landed (fell, in the Dursleys' case) in a massive room, sort of like an office. The walls were a soothing cream and mocha color with bookshelves built into the walls itself. Two plasma screen televisions hung from the ceiling and huge bay windows gave way to an impressive view of London. In the center of the room, on the back wall, behind a massive oak desk, hung a coat- of- arms. Suddenly, a voice penetrated the silence.

"Professor Dumbledore? Harry?" said the voice.

Harry froze. He knew that voice, the one that haunted him over the summer, the one he's relied on for five years now. He turned around and saw none other than Hermione Granger, one of his best friends. In an instant, he had his face in a head of cinnamon colored locks as Hermione had pulled him in for a hug. As she pulled away, the door opened and an attractive brunette entered, flipping through her organizer, "Hey, you haven't seen my copy of the schedule, now have you?" said the girl as she looked up. Whoa… funky hat."