'Hermione,
Could you come tomorrow lunchtime? Only something's really ticked off my Uncle and I don't know what yet and I don't really want to hang around and find out. I hope you've had a good summer and I'm looking forward to seeing you and Ron,
Talk soon, Harry.'
Harry folded the letter, (this time on parchment) put in an envelope and gave it to Gaia still perched next to Hedwig who was now wide awake. Both refreshed, fed and watered, Gaia took flight out of his window gliding into the distance. "Just you and me for the moment Hedwig;" said Harry softly to his owl.
Harry, bored now, decided to pack his things in his school trunk. It didn't take him long to gather his things scattered everywhere as it was a cramped bedroom and he knew by experience not to leave his things lying around the house. He sighed heavily now still not looking forward to picking everything up one by one and folding it all neatly into his trunk. Suddenly a memory popped into his head. Three years ago at about this far into the summer holidays, he had been rescued from the Dursley household by an advance guard. A witch among them had helped him quickly pack his things in trunk in a second by using a very simple spell.
Harry withdrew his wooden wand from his jeans pocket and waved it lightly. 'Pack!' Harry said quietly. His books, clothes, photos in the photo frames and odd bits and pieces flew into his open trunk folding and piling themselves as they went. He made a gesture with his hand at the trunk and the lid clamped down. Then Harry said 'Colloportus!' and the lock clicked into place. He could use magic at home now he had finished school and could also apparate, which he had learned to do a year ago. Apparating was a form of teleportation, disappearing with a popping sound and appearing almost instantly in your desired
With a satisfied smile Harry stretched and realised he felt hungry, so he went down the stairs to the kitchen where his fat cousin Dudley was pigging out of the fridge and cupboards. Dudley was the same age as Harry and a little bit taller but almost four times as big. He was also just nearly as big as his father. "What do you want?" growled Dudley.
"I'm hungry and I want to eat something before you eat all of it; and besides I'm going out in a minute."
"Where to? Gonna meet with your freaky friends?"
"Yes actually I am, is that a problem? I'm gonna invite them over for a big party too." Added Harry sarcastically.
"Where are you going to anyway?" he drawled.
"Like that's your business –"
Just as the words were out of his mouth his skinny Aunt Petunia burst in. She was in a raving mood. "This morning," she began, "I found muddy footprints leading in from the front door. Who went out?"
Harry and Dudley both silently gulped. Even though they were of age now, still their guardians were strict about house rules; especially their curfew.
Harry had gone out in his invisibility cloak his father had left to him before he died seventeen years ago though Harry had only been delivered it when he'd deemed responsible seven years go.
Dudley, no doubt, had gone for a night-time smoke with his gang and graffitied the newly done up playground which had only been done up because of them in the first place.
When neither of them answered, she called Uncle Vernon into the room.
"What's the problem Petunia? Has something… happened?" His eyes darted to Harry and then back to his wife.
"One of them went out last night. Neither are saying anything."
"Well then… have none of you got anything to say?"
Dudley and Harry shook their heads in unison.
"Very well… desperate times call for desperate measures I always say… Dudley, you're to go back on your diet;"
"Dad!" whimpered Dudley.
"And you boy, cannot go to your friends house."
"WHAT!" yelled Harry.
"You heard me boy! I forbid you to go!" he said loudly.
"You can't stop me!" Harry screamed.
"I think you'll find I can boy!" he said turning a clear shade of purple.
"Like to see you try!" roared Harry, and he apparated to his room just before Vernon lunged at him.
Panting Harry realised what he had to do: Hermione.
He decided to, when he heard his three remaining relatives storming up the stairs to apparate downstairs again and quickly use the phone.
He heard a howl of fury from upstairs when he'd dialled her number. Pick up, he thought; hurry, answer!
"Hello?" came Hermione's voice.
"Hermione! Can I come now? It's urgent I can bring my trunk to." He whispered.
"Er… ok I'll just ask my mum; why are whispering?"
"Please it's an emergency, I need an answer now!"
"Ok, mum heard you talking on the phone. Are you Apparating?"
"Yes, give me your address and I'll see you in a minute!" he said urgently.
"Ok…" and so she gave her address and they said a quick farewell for now.
Harry heard them nearly at the bottom of the stairs; his uncle had heard the phone be slammed down. "BOY!" he bellowed.
Harry disapparated and appeared in his room; "Hedwig!" He said holding out his arm. She flew onto his harm, he grabbed his trunk by the handle with his free hand, and held Hedwig's cage in the other. "SEE YOU NEXT SUMMER!" Harry yelled out. Just as his Aunt, Uncle and cousin burst in their was a loud crack, and Harry had gone. He had escaped them!
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