CHAPTER 2: HOME AGAIN

Harry picked up his bag and Ron followed. Harry's was a nice navy-blue unlike Ron's which was a fury brownish-grey colour and looked like it was few-too-many years old. They wrapped it around their shoulders and left out the bedroom door. Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way downstairs. Hermione had a timid look on her face, and Ron looked rather nervous as they made their way into the living room where Uncle Vernon and Dudley were sitting. Vernon was in his robe reading the newspaper. His bushy mustache twitched every time he came across something he thought to be of non-importance in the paper. Dudley's fat bottom was sitting on the recliner as he was staring absent mindedly at the television, not taking his beady eyes off. Aunt Petunia was in the kitchen making breakfast. Her slim mouth pursed as she was frying the bacon and the eggs. The delightful smell was inviting, but the company; not so much.

Harry entered the living room a little further until it was impossible for Uncle Vernon to ignore his presence. Mr. Dursley looked up at his nephew, a look on his face of boredom. "I suppose your leaving now are you?" Vernon asked with not an actual sense of caring about his leave of absence. "Yes, we are…um…I suppose I won't see you again, so…goodbye." Harry turned to leave not expecting a response.

It felt like a very awkward moment, saying goodbye to them. He knew he had to give them some regard of him leaving, but he wasn't even sure how he should have done it. "…Good luck then…" Uncle Vernon grumbled out of the side of his mouth and returning back to his newspaper.

Harry turned around for a moment surprised at the fact that Vernon had wished him luck; wished that he should accomplish something; wished he defeat Lord Voldemort. Harry had never felt this way towards Uncle Vernon. It was a sort of awkward feeling; it wasn't love. It was more gratitude. For once in his life he felt sort of grateful to have lived with the Dursley's, but that moment surpassed quite quickly. "Um…thanks" Harry said lost for words. He turned back again and went to the hall towards the door and opened it.

Before he knew it they were standing on the step where seventeen years ago, Harry had been left, for the Dursley's to open the door the next morning and find a baby lying on their doorstep. They walked onto the sidewalk and began walking down the street. "So…Harry" Ron started, "Where are we going again? I know you wanted to go to the place where it all started for you…is that still the plan?" Harry had given it plenty of thought and decided on his first idea at the end of last year; to go to the place it all began; Godric's Hollow. Harry answered back "Yeah, like I said I have a feeling I should go there. It couldn't hurt right?" He finished. "Right" Hermione replied.

They walked down the alley way where Dudley and Harry were attacked bydementors almost a year ago.It was deserted and not a muggle in sight. "Ok, I think this is as good a place as any Hermione" Harry stopped and turned facing Hermione and Ron. Ron had a look of confusion on his face, "What are you guys talking about? Good place for what?" Harry smiled shaking his head at Ronald. Hermione had a look of pity on her face. They left Ron standing without an answer until Hermione spoke up, "Ron, I'm going to apparate us all to Godric's Hollow, or at least, as close as I can to it." "Oh, right. You passed your apparition test didn't you? Sorry…I mean I was kind of wondering how we were going to get there in the first place, but it never-" Ron was cut off. "Ok" Hermione started, "Ron get on my right and Harry you on my left. Hold on as tight as possible, ok? If I lose you I'll never hear the end of it." Hermione stood still until Ron and Harry grabbed tight hold of both her arms. Hermione stood for a minute or two, looking like she was doing some deep thinking. She heaved a sigh and closed her eyes. Then without much warning Harry felt that odd feeling behind his navel, like he was being sucked inside out. He couldn't breath and his head felt dizzy, so he closed his eyes.

Before he knew it he was on solid ground again and the air felt rather cold but there was no breeze. It smelt like they were now in a wonderful orchard and Harry could hear the sound of running water not far off. Harry pried his eyes open and looked around vivaciously.

They were near a huge sparkling waterfall; the water beneath it lay a greenish-blue and there were giant boulders surrounding it. It smelt absolutely delightful when Harry had his eyes closed, but now that he had opened them, he felt (if it even possible) even more magnificent. Fresh dazzling water gleamed all around them; flowers of every kind sprang up out from the ground; and the forest of trees surrounding them as well were giant. They were absolutely huge. 'Magic' Harry thought, had to be the reason for it. There were lilies, daffodils, pink and red roses, petunias, tulips, morning glories, daisies and more; some Harry had never seen before. The Everest-green trees stood to the sky, but between them lay a pathway. "So…is this Godric's Hollow?" Harry asked hoping it was. "No, I don't think so. We might be a few ways away from where Godric's Hollow is. I didn't think it wise to pop in exactly where you lived" Hermione told him thoughtfully.

She let go off the two and started rummaging through her bag. She took out what looked like a compass, except it had weird gold markings around the sides of it. It was indeed a very impressive piece of silver, but did it work? "Godric's Hollow" Harry heard Hermione say. It all of a sudden had shown a bright blue and the little arrow in the compass pointed north-east. "Um…What is that Hermione?" Ron asked before Harry could. "It's a dealer's directional compass. I picked it up at Kangler's Odd Collectables years ago. I thought it was neat looking and thought I might need use of it…some day" She smiled. "Does it work?" Harry asked politely.

"Of course it works. I've used it on a few things, like if I ever got lost at school and had to find my class." She said now pocketing the compass. "It doesn't by any chance find objects, does it?" asked Harry again. Hermione laughed "Harry, it isn't going to be that easy to find them you know. I would have told you about it if it did. No it doesn't find objects unfortunately…it can't pinpoint small things like that, only places" She finished.

"So I guess we'll take this path down to the village I suppose…If that's where it leads to" Hermione said sternly. She was sort of looking around taking in her surroundings. They began walking slowly down the path. They noticed once they were in the forest however, the daylight faded away and it suddenly became a little darker, but not enough so that they couldn't see. They made their way through the branches and twigs inconveniently blocking their way until they came out into the open.

There was a huge sign up on two big blocks of wood reading 'Algona Park'. Hermione suddenly had a strange look on her face as she stared down at the ground. "What is it Hermione?" Harry asked curiously. "Huh? ...Oh, umm…nothing. It's nothing" She stuttered but then continued looking around. They turned around and found themselves on top of a hill where down in the valley laid a town. The green-shingled roof tops were all that was visible from where they were standing. The sun still shone as brightly as it did that morning and a warm breeze blew in their faces. A deep rumbling came from Ron's stomach and Hermione and Harry looked over at him. He forced a little grin, "Is it lunch time yet? I'm starving…I haven't eaten since dinner yesterday." "I'm surprised Aunt Petunia even fed us as much as she did. That's the best I've ever eaten with them" Harry told his friends truthfully. "Well come on, maybe there's a pub in town" Hermione replied walking off into town and Ron and Harry followed her.

The houses were made of beige stone and every door had an emerald-green door in front. To the right there was 'Grenades' the famous arch bar and breakfast, (it looked quite elegant and welcoming)and right beside it was 'Crème Handfler's Candies', (outside its store were huge bins and crates of some very nice delectable candies. There was a sign in the window reading 'No Pets'.) and 'Fletcher's Grand Buys On Anything' (it appeared very dumpy and cheap) He looked over to the left and saw 'Heller's Bar and Grill' (a delicious smell was coming from this place inviting anyone who walked by) and beside that 'Shelties Comfort Inn' (it seemed like a very neat place indeed. 'A great place to stay for the night' Harry thought).There were people all around buying nics and nacs, children stuffing their faces with the most delicious-looking candies and chocolates. A sign read high above them 'GODRIC'S HOLLOW'.There were so many little stores that Harry couldn't even name them all. There was a wonderful-looking book store 'Handles and Hobbs' with an old lady standing outside of it insisting people come in and have a look. 'Gangers and Bangers' was a trick and treat shop, and across the street was a huge building called 'Harlot Star Inn'. Woman were buying fruits and vegetables from corner carts and groceries while talking amongst themselves happily, kids running emote chasing each other and playing games, some men were in the pubs drinking with their mates having a cheerful morning. This did indeed look like a wonderful town to grow up in, so it was hard to believe that something as horrible as what had happened to Harry was even possible. Everyone looked…happy; Something Harry would have given anything to be feeling right now; with his parents at least. He was happy in the sense that he was in his home town and he had his best friends with him. He was looking around trying to find a sense of longing ness.As he kept eyeing around nothing was familiar to Harry, but he felt at home at last…

CHAPTER 3: