Harry stared blankly at his Defense Against the Dark Arts book. He was supposed to be reading about an advanced version of protegeo but was having little success. He had his mind on other things, like last night's Quidditch practice for instance.

They were preparing for the next match against Hufflepuff after already having trampled Ravenclaw last month. They really were brilliant; he and Ron were a great team. Well, if he was completely honest with himself Ron was a tad more apt in running the team trough their paces. Harry was the voice and Ron was the genius strategist.

Harry was still amazed at what a wonderful chaser Ginny had turned out to be. She had been good enough as his sit in for seeker, but when she was in a position she was born to play she was unstoppable.

Thinking of Ginny made his mind wander to other people, like Seamus Finnigan for instance. Seeing Seamus flying with his Quidditch team made Harry's blood boil much more than was average for a sixteen year old. He was of the mind to kick Seamus off the team, but that would arouse suspicion with Ron, and Harry felt certain Ginny would kill him.

Harry found it completely ironic Seamus' title as on the Quidditch team was beater, he could see Ginny flinch every time Ron called out for them. At the moment Harry was just trying to avoid his roommate at all costs, lest he lose his temper, and he wasn't sure how much longer he'd be able to go through with it.

After a filling lunch, Double Charms was full of nothing more than idle chatter and gossip. When Harry would catch snatches of the other's conversations, he was pleasantly surprised to hear nothing concerning him.

Dinner that evening wasn't as enjoyable as Harry hoped it would be. He took care to sit as far away from Seamus as possible, only to have his anger tested almost to the breaking point. Ginny was sitting across from Seamus, certainly not showing any of the affection they had previously shared. They spoke in clipped tones and hardly met each other's eyes.

When his anger had diminished slightly, another feeling overcame him, this pang deep in his gut. His mood decidedly lower, he pushed his cabbage casserole through his asparagus moodily.

Ron and Hermione were being unusually unpleasant to one another but Harry didn't have the energy to wonder about it. It would surprise someone how much energy it took out of you to try and get a decent night sleep.

Harry was still determined to have Bill work with him in Occlumency, even if he had to fake cheeriness. This led him to his new best friend… coffee. Hermione wasn't happy with this, but she silenced her reprimand for the moment.

Ron bumped his shoulder and nodded his head towards the head table. Dumbledore was standing waiting patiently for the hall to quiet. After not but a moment the school had turned their attention to the headmaster.

The bearded wizard smiled at them benignly, and cleared his throat. "I believe at the beginning of term, I made an announcement that out sixth year students' families would be invited to attend a sort of open house.

"This is a new tradition, but I feel it will be a valuable contribution if we wish to continue with out harmonious relationship with nonwizard folk. We've decided to do this with sixth years considering that you have no major exams and are reaching the end of your Hogwarts career.

"Your families will be arriving on Friday, tomorrow, and staying in the castle through Sunday evening. I hope you are anticipating the arrival of this new tradition as much as I." Dumbledore clapped his hands together, "That's all then, now off to bed with you."

On the way to the tower Harry momentarily entertained the idea of what a disaster the Dursleys coming would be. He quickly banished the thought, they didn't have enough energy or caring to come anywhere near Hogwarts, and it was just as well.

Bang… bang… bang…

"Harry, please you're drawing attention to yourself," Hermione snapped. This ridiculous comment forced Harry to stop banging his head on the table and look up at Hermione.

"Draw attention to myself?" Harry blabbered, "Draw attention to myself? Are you off your rocker? I think I've got all the attention drawn to myself, not by my incessant head banging, but by the fact that I am the subject being studied in my History of Magic class." This caused her to blush and look back at her notes.

Never the less, Harry ceased his head banging and pulled out some parchment to doodle on as Professor Binns began his lecture.

"While Harry Potter was on vacation with his relatives-"

"Oh, please," Harry, muttered under his breath. He had long gotten over trying to restrain himself from speaking out of turn; he figured he could at least be allowed his occasional outburst.

Binns raised one ghostly eyebrow and continued, "He was visited by Rubeus Hagrid and taken to Diagon Alley to retrieve his school supplies. Harry was taken to Kings Cross Station on September 1st, 1991.

"There he boarded the Hogwarts express and met his two best friends Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger." Hermione's head snapped from her notes in surprise.

Ron made a sort of, "Wha-," sound, his mouth agape.

Dean hooted in laughter, "Well you're a right star now aren't you mate?" he said clapping Ron on the back.

Binns cleared his throat for attention, "Harry's first year Professors included myself, Professor McGonnagal, Professor Snape, Professor Sprout, Professor Flitwick, and Professor Quirrel.

"He also made Hogwarts history by becoming the first seeker chosen in first year for a Hogwarts House Team? in a century. He was discovered when, in a feud with a fellow classmate, he had plummeted to catch a remeberall.

"Professor McGonnagal brought him to the captain of the Gryffindor team at the time, Oliver Wood, and he was immediately inaugurated. He also received a Nimbus 2000 broom with which he would make Quidditch history."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione entered the Potions dungeon after lunch, and set their bags on a table in the back of the classroom. They began to pull out their potions ingredients when Snape appeared in front of their table.

His hand came down on Harry's bag, renderin him incapable of opening it. Snape sneered at him, "Let's not be having any mishaps today, Potter, go to the table in the front of the classroom. Weasley, over there. Granger, by Miss. Parkinson

Harry pulled his bag out from underneath the Potions masters' hand and swung it over his shoulder. He flopped his bag on the table. There was no one else at this desk; Malfoy and Goyle were at the next workbench.

He grudgingly pulled out his tooth of wolf and finely shredded spider legs. Harry could see Hermione out of the corner of his eye, she was sitting as far away from Pansy as possible.

Harry went back to his potion when he was forced to grip the edge of the table in order to maintain his composure. Malfoy was spouting his mouth off, "I must say, I'm rather looking forward to the open house this evening.

"If it wasn't for the fact that they were allowing the mudblood's parents to come, it would be a rather enjoyable affair." Harry looked around to see if Snape had heard this come out of his golden boy's mouth, but conveniently enough the professor had just left for his office.

"And then," Malfoy boomed, "there's those," he cast a cool glance at Harry, "that have no one to come visit at all, or if they do they have no one that cares."

Harry's resolve wavered, "Well, Malfoy," the ferret turned to look at him, "at least my father isn't in prison." Malfoy's face turned ugly rouge. The class had stopped brewing their potions and was now watching the spectacle before them.

Malfoy regained his cool façade, "No, but mine isn't six feet under." There was a collective gasp around the room. Harry's wand was already pointed at Malfoy's face.

Snape had of course chosen that moment to come back to the classroom only to see Harry wielding his wand at Malfoy.

"Potter! Put your wand away this instant!" Harry glared at Malfoy and resignedly stuffed his wand in his robes. "Stay after class!"

"But sir!" said Dean. Harry shook his head in Dean's direction.

"Mr. Thomas, unless your wish to join your classmate I suggest you keep you opinions to yourself!" Dean shot Harry an apologetic glance. Harry went back to his potion.

At the end of what seemed a longer than normal period, the rest of the class hurriedly left the room. Ron and Hermione stood in the doorway.

"Go on, I'll catch you up," waved Harry. Snape was leaning over his desk grading papers.

"Scrape the slugs off the tables," he said, without looking up.

A half hour later Harry was making his was across the grounds to Hagrid's hut. Groups of students were huddled around life-like toy dragons, much like the ones Harry had used to draw for the Triwizard Tournament.

Harry walked up to Hagrid. "Runnin' late 'Arry?"

"Not really, Snape made me stay after to clean up slugs."

"Ah," Hagrid looked disapproving, "Well go join Ron and Her'mione then." Harry nodded to his half-giant friend and went to sit between Ron and Hermione. Ron was having trouble holding down the miniature creature, while Hermione was trying to stuff little leaves in its snout.

When Hagrid signaled for the end of class not moments later, they both released the little dragon in relief. Harry put the creature in the cardboard box with the others and followed Ron and Hermione up to the castle.

Harry went with Ron to the dormitory to clean up for Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. He may not have any family coming, but Ron's parents were as good as. Harry came out of the bathroom and into the main dorm to see Ron arguing with the mirror.

"My hair is perfectly flat, thank you very much!" Ron shouted at the glass.

"No, no dearie. You missed a spot, there to the left, and tuck in you shirt tail, you can't look like a ruffian for your own parents."

"Arghha," Ron growled in irritation.

Harry chuckled, "I'll meet you in the common room." Ron waved his hand in dismissal.

He trotted down the stairs, no one was down yet. Harry took a seat near one of the open windows. There was cross breeze drifting across his face. It was a cool autumn breeze; the trees were swaying by the lake. It all looked so peaceful. The sun was a clear gold over the mountains. The lake was reflecting the light. He took a seat between two open windows. The cross breeze was gentle on his face. Harry watched as the trees by the lake swayed softly in the distance. His hair blew back from his face, allowing his normally suffocated scar to breath. At this instant all seemed calm and pleasant in the world.

He took a breath and allowed his eyes to drift shut for just a moment. Harry stood up when he heard someone coming down the girl's staircase. Ginny and Hermione were giggling about something he apparently had no business knowing.

They only had to wait a few more minutes for Ron, Dean and Seamus to come down to the common room. It made Harry's skin burn at the sight of Seamus chatting merrily with his best friend, Ginny's own brother.

Walking down to the Great Hall, Ginny stood on his right, as far away from Seamus as she could get. He looked down at her in concern and she sent his a sweet smile. Harry let his eyes linger perhaps a bit longer than he should have. When Ginny looked at him curiously, he abruptly looked straight ahead and felt the heat rise in his face.

The closer the neared to the dinning area, the others picked up their pace, anxious to see their families. Even though Ginny was not a sixth year, Dumbledore had said it was perfectly fine for her to join her brother in greeting her family.

Harry suddenly had an overwhelming urge to go back to the common room. He didn't belong here, he was alone, and that was just the way it would always be. He'd feel ridiculous going to visit with someone else's family. Seeing the pitying glances he knew he'd be receiving.

Ginny, Seamus, and Dean had already entered the Great Hall. Hermione and Ron stopped when they realized he was no longer following. They both seemed to understand instantly. That was always the best thing about being the "Golden Trio." You very rarely had to tell the others what you were thinking.

Ron smiled at him, "Harry, get your arse over here. Mum and Dad will be furious if they don't get to see their favorite child." Harry blushed and they entered together.

Seamus and Dean were already with their respective parents. Harry spotted Mr. and Mrs.Weasley instantly and started heading in their direction. He stopped when he felt a hand on his arm causes him to stop. Hermione was holding his upper arm, her mouth agape.

Ron pointed to the far corner of the hall, "Harry," he whispered. Harry followed his friend's finger to the people he was pointing at.

"Shite," he whispered in shock. Vernon and Petunia Dursley were huddled in a corner, eyes darting wildly around the room.

Harry vaguely heard Hermione whisper, "Well, isn't that a surprise."

Ron looked at him warily, "Do you want me to come with you?"

"No, uh you can go on," His eyes had never left the Dursleys.

Ron grabbed his arm, "Harry," he looked at him warily.

"Go on, I'll be fine," He felt his feet carry him to where his relatives stood; he was mere feet from them much sooner than he would have preferred.

He felt his throat working, "Um, hello," he stared at them for a moment, "What are you doing here?" He asked abruptly.

Vernon snarled, "What do you think boy? That we'd come here out of our own free will?"

"You don't have to stay," as a matter of fact I wish you wouldn't, he thought.

"Come with me," his Uncle grabbed his arm tightly, but not tight enough to arouse suspicion. Vernon marched him out of the Hall, followed by a frightened Petunia. Harry recalled passing Dean, Seamus, and Ron on the way out.

When they reached the Entrance Hall, Uncle Vernon released him roughly.

"Believe me boy," the bulk of a man glared at him, "don't think for one minute, we've come here because of some unrequited love we've suddenly found for you."

"Don't worry I reached that conclusion a long time ago," Harry snapped.

"Boy," Vernon grabbed his arm again.

"Alright here mate?" Ron had come out of the Hall.

"Fine," Vernon snarled, his eyes never leaving Harry.

"Actually I was talking to Harry," Ron glared at the man.

"I'm fine, Ron," Harry yanked his arm from his Uncles grasp, and looked at Vernon and Petunia. "Come on I'll show you were we eat."

Dinner that evening was about the most unpleasant affair Harry could think to imagine. Seamus took a seat right next to Mr. Weasley and chatted adamantly about his own "muggle obsession". Mr. Weasley was completely infatuated.

Mrs. Weasley, on the other hand, seemed more interested in chatting up the Dursleys. They of course did not cooperate. Harry was more interested in glaring at Seamus and thinking awful thoughts when no one was paying attention

Keeping Ginny's secret was starting to be too much and he didn't know how much longer he was going to be able to maintain his composure around his roommate. Ginny was sitting on the other side of her mother and keeping to her food. She was probably more irked about Seamus bonding with her father than Harry was.

This ,of course, only made Harry more furious. Next to him, Vernon and Petunia weren't touching their plates; this was fine enough for him. If they could starve him all summer they could certainly manage a weekend.

Through the combination of Mrs. Weasley's constant chatter and his own lack of food, Vernon's patience was quickly dissipating.

Harry, for the first time in a long while, was happy at Dumbledore's unexpected appearance. He didn't want Mrs. Weasley to endure the wrath of an unhappy Vernon.

Dumbledore looked down at the relatives of his students, "Well, I'm sure you all enjoyed the delicious feast," his eyes most obviously wandered to the Dursley's untouched plates. "And I'm sure you're ready to retire, so if you'll follow me I'll take you to your sleeping quarters."

Vernon seemed to be in two minds: trust his most important sleeping arrangements to this queer looking man, or stay with his insufferable nephew. He chose the former, and the Dursleys left the table abruptly.

Many of the students were looking at him curiously now. They were finally getting a look at Harry Potter's life as a muggle, something there was very little known about. He was deliberately avoiding the Slytherin table. Malfoy was sure to be reveling in Harry's turmoil.

After the adult had all left the dinning hall, the students were allowed to head back to their common rooms. Ginny, Hermione, Dean, Ron, Seamus, and Harry left the room together. Harry trailed behind a bit, waiting for the perfect moment.

Just as Seamus stepped back, Harry grabbed his arm. Seamus looked at him suspiciously. Harry waited until the rest had headed up the main staircase and pulled Seamus into a side corridor.

He moved Seamus so his back was against the wall and looked around to make sure there were no teachers approaching. Where was the Marauder's Map when you needed it?

Harry looked at Seamus, "I need to get one thing straight with you, and I want you to take it to heart. You stay away from Ginny, and her family.

"Excuse me?" he asked.

"You don't deserve her," Harry growled, "and you never will. So just keep you distance."

"Ginny is my girlfriend, Potter, and until she says otherwise I will stay her boyfriend, and you best not do anything to compromise that."

With that Seamus stormed off.