It was completely quiet in number four Privet Drive. Though it was mid July the air had the calm coolness of weather after a storm. On the deserted street the window shades were drawn, lights extinguished until the dawn. Except for one house at the end of the street. To the casual observer it would appear that someone had left a light in an upstairs bedroom, though upon closer inspection the light seemed eerily dim and wavering. In a small house, on a small lawn, in the smallest bedroom, a boy stared from his window. He leaned heavily upon the frame, a small candle beside him, appearing to be lost in thought. Though if you were to look closer you would be able to see his eyes dart nervously to and fro. His name was Harry Potter, and his eyes searched the dark sky.
Harry was waiting desperately for the return of his snow owl, Hedwig. She had left the morning before, destined for the burrow, Harry's best friend Ron's home. Before the start of the summer Harry had been instructed to send word that he was alright, he had followed instructions, though he put little effort into his letters,
Each letter was exactly the same. He had received many replies from Ron, Hermione, Mr. Weasley, Mrs. Weasley, Remus, and even Tonks. Harry hadn't taken the time to reply to any of them yet. He felt a bit sorry about his lack of a response, but he just didn't have the energy. Several times Ron had complained lightly, asking if Harry had forgotten them. Harry flopped down on his bed in disgust. It had never taken Hedwig this long; she was probably struggling against the load from the Burrow. He was sure each one of them had sent a reply. Harry almost smiled at the thought of poor Hedwig flying lopsided with the weight of all that parchment, almost. Since the beginning of the summer Harry had smiled very little, in fact he barely spoke at all. He sat in his room day after day, receiving meals through the cat flap, and only leaving for the loo. Actually, Harry preferred it this way. It was easier to just lay, in some ways it was relieving. At least at the Dursley's he didn't need to constantly convince people he was alright, the Dursleys could care less. Harry had thought maybe this summer would be different, with the warning from Moody and all. He should have known better, Harry frowned dimly. The family had gone to new lengths to ignore him this summer. Harry rolled over onto his back and stared at the ceiling. He still had trouble thinking of them as family, though he suspected they were, in fact they were all he had. Well, not all, he had……no, it still hurt to think about it. Harry sat back up, rubbing his eyes. He had been trying his best to ignore the dull pain in his heart, as well as his scar. He looked back to the dark window, there were no signs of life. But now the thought had crept in, and he couldn't push it back. Sirius' face struggled into Harry's mind once again. Try as he did to block it out, this had been happening all summer. Each time he saw his face the guilt, anger, and sadness, all came roaring back. Harry raked his fingers through his messy hair. The wind blew into his room, bringing with it the smell of grass. He went back to the window.
He had been at Privet Drive since the beginning of the summer, it was almost his birthday and he still had no word about further summer arrangements. Though he wasn't sure if he really cared where he was. He didn't know how he would feel going back to the burrow, and he definitely didn't want to go back to Grimmauld place. Harry tried to deny it, but in his heart he knew he missed the Weasleys, and everyone else. While he stood at the window Harry heard a noise. He turned cautiously, it had sounded like…no. He looked at the small closet by the door, covered with his quiddich poster. He heard it again. This time he knew he wasn't imagining it, a small, but very distinct hoot.
Harry felt his breath catch; he had been warned that owl post might be monitored. He crept close to the closet straining his ears. A shuffle erupted from inside. Harry picked up his wand tensely. With an enormous effort Harry threw the doors open. Hedwig fluttered out of the closet into his face and Harry tripped over his own foot. He landed with a thud on the floor and looked around, how in the world? He looked into the closet, wand outstretched, it was empty. He turned to Hedwig, who was carrying only one letter. He patted her head and removed it. Hedwig nipped at his sleeve and sailed out into the clear night sky. Harry turned his attention to the small sealed parchment. It had an unfamiliar crest stamped along the back, red with two large orbs inscribed in a wand. Harry broke it open and looked at the strange swirl writing.
Harry's stomach leapt into his throat. He felt his heart skip a beat. He didn't know what to do, should he scream for help? What good would that do, the Dursleys could care less, and would probably be too late anyway. Harry held his wand firmly, maybe it was a joke. He took a step towards the bed, jumping at the creaking floorboards. He reached towards the bedpost; planting his feet firmly he flung the bed to the side. Nothing. Harry sighed and sat down on the floor. He rubbed his head and almost laughed at himself. When he was attacked from behind. Harry yelled as he was knocked over, a hand clamped over his mouth immediately.
"Oi! Harry, do you want to wake the whole bloody neighborhood?" a familiar voice hissed into his ear.
Harry felt his entire body relax, though he couldn't see, as his face was pressed into the floor, Harry could envision the red haired face the voice belonged to. He turned over to find the grinning face of Fred Weasley, eldest twin, (by two whole minutes) of the Weasley family. Harry pulled himself up and straightened his glasses.
"Fred? What in Merlin's name are you doing?" he demanded a bit angrily.
Fred ruffled his hair and laughed, "Calm yourself little one. I and my fellow member have come to retrieve you."
As if on cue George popped out of the closet, "Hullo Harry, doing well?" he pulled Harry's trunk out of the closet behind him.
Harry looked at the twins, he was a bit confused, "What are you doing here? No wait, I know what you're doing here, but why did you send me that stupid letter?"
Fred looked at George with a cocked eyebrow, "What letter?" he asked looking at Harry next.
Harry handed them the letter, feeling a bit put out by the whole charade. The twins looked at the letter and shrugged, "Sorry mate wasn't us," George handed the letter back.
Harry took it looking at the pair hard. "Are you sure? It seems like a Weasley joke to me."
Fred shook his head again, "Normally yes, but tonight we are on official Order business," Fred beamed at Harry, "Full blown members, me and George. We do all kinds of important Order stuff."
George laughed as he dumped books into the trunk, "Yeah, like get the sandwiches."
Fred blushed slightly, "Yeah, well, weakest link right? Anyway Harry, time to go, ready?" he threw Harry's cloak across the room.
"Are we flying?" he asked pulling it around his shoulders while George laughed.
"No way mate, portkey, unauthorized, so it's more fun." He winked at Harry as he pulled out a battered hairbrush.
"It activates at exactly 3:15, so get ready," Fred grabbed Hedwig's cage from the top of the dresser.
Harry was about to ask where exactly they were going, but a flash and a familiar nauseating feeling overtook him. He fell with a thud on a hard floor. Harry grabbed his glasses and stood, blushing, hoping no one noticed his somewhat ungraceful entrance. He blinked as the Burrow's kitchen came into focus. Fred and George were already dragging his trunk up the stairs.
"Bed's all set up in Ron's room mate; suggest you beat it up there before mum gets word you're here," George waved as they disappeared.
Harry sighed and looked around the dim kitchen. It was spotless as usual, scrubbed clean with Molly Weasley's stamp of approval. Harry pulled his cloak off and walked lightly over to the stairs. He didn't want to wake anyone up, especially Mrs. Weasley. Harry trudged up the stairs his head fuzzy over the night's events. Leave it to the twins, he thought with an inward smile. As he rounded the second floor landing he ran into something, knocking him back. Harry grabbed the railing to keep himself from falling down three floors. He looked up, with a small gasp of surprise.
Harry had run straight into a sleepy Ginny Weasley, and she wasn't looking too happy as she struggled up from the floor.
A/N- This is my first fan fic on this site. Those of you waiting for the fluff, trust me IT'S COMING! Just got to put some back ground down. Please review to let me know what you think, and if I made any mistakes! Thanks for reading.