Chapter One
Harry's summer vacation had reached an all time low, and that wasn't counting the fact that it was fifty feet under already. As soon as he had come back from his second year at Hogwarts, he'd immediately been locked into his room, his owl taken away and locked in the attic along with his chest. The bars had been re-attached inside and out, making it impossible for him to open the window. His aunt and uncle had a satisfied grin as they tossed him in. And Harry began to wonder if he'd EVER get out.
He was of course, like before, fed three times a day through the slot in the door, and let out to go the bathroom early in the morning and late at night. Harry had lost count of how many days before he had to arrive at Hogwarts, but he knew it was drawing nearer. He wondered desperately if Hedwig, his owl, was okay. But from the scratching and the screeching, not to mention Uncle Vernon's cursing, late at night, he deduced she must be alright. He had given Ron his... or his Aunt and Uncle's phone number, and Ron must have been scared off by now with all their shouting whenever he dialed.
Harry sighed. There had to be a way he could get out, there just had to be! With his things. But how? Sighing, he grabbed a book off the shelf. It had been given to Dudley with the inscription inside the cover. "Good luck with your poetry Dudley, Mrs. Figg." It was something about cats he could tell, but it had been maimed by from the looks of it, food, markers, pencils, gum, and something he couldn't tell, but wasn't about to find out. Everything inside and out had been obliterated.
The pictures, the title, the author and the artist, except for one word on the dust cover, 'Cats', sighing he threw the book into a pile of toys. It was a pity; it might have been a good book. Groaning, he flopped on the bed and waited for something interesting to happen, like maybe Hagrid or Ron coming and rescuing him, maybe on a giant pink elephant? Ron groaned as he slammed the phone down on the receiver again after calling Harry.
All he got was this shrieking and bellowing, and it was getting rather annoying. He tromped over to the table to eat breakfast with his brothers and sister. "Stupid Muggles." He muttered as he attacked his porridge viciously. Percy looked up from his plate to stare at him disdainfully. Ron, already in a bad mood, and not wanting his brother's scolding, flicked a piece of porridge at Percy, his Prefect at Hogwarts. He knew it was wrong, but he need to vent... badly, and mom and dad weren't around to stop him Percy looked back down at his porridge, not paying attention to the fact that he had a smudge of porridge on his nose.
He sighed, he knew Ron resented him because he was Prefect, and very disciplined, unlike the rest of his brothers, although Ginny was showing promise. Didn't they think he had his own mischievous impulses? It ran through the family blood! Eating another spoonful of porridge, he pushed the thoughts out of his mind, and instead focused on Penelope, the Ravenclaw Prefect, and a... close relation.
"What's wrong, Ron?" Asked Ginny, Ron's little sister, and youngest of the Weasly clan, who had a crush on Harry. "Oh... those stupid Muggles that Harry's got for relatives... they probably got him locked up... in his room again. I keep calling to see if he's alright, but they always scream and hang up on me." Ron sighed. Ginny gasped at the thought of Harry being locked up, pictures of a dark cell running through her mind. Percy on the other hand, felt the compulsive mischievous that ran through the family blood rear up again.
Normally he would have just ignored it, and went on with his business, but now... now maybe he'd bend his strict, self imposed rules... just a little. After all, Harry was under his supervision at Hogwarts, and wouldn't a concerned Prefect go check up and aid one of his students? Before he could speak up, Ron continued. "And we can't use the car like last time, since, like Mum's probably blow her top at us." Fred and George nodded in glum agreement. Last year, Harry had been locked in his room after Dobby, an elf who wanted desperately to protect him, had gotten him in enough trouble to be locked up. They'd been flying their car of their dad's, and they went to see Harry and eventually freed him. However using and owning enchanted Muggle belongings was a major offense, and one that caused their dad to lose his job after Ron and Harry crashed it in the Whomping Willow after they missed the Hogwarts Express train. Clearing his throat, Percy placed his bowl in the sink and let it wash itself. He turned his back to the sink and leaned against the counter, letting a mischievous grin sneak up on his face, something which he hadn't done in a long, long, time.
"Well, why don't we just ride our bikes up to Harry's and see if he's alright?" He suggested. Everyone at the table turned, and silverware clattered as it hit the table. His brothers and sister stared at him with shock. Fred and George, the mischievous twins of the household's, gaped at him with open mouths. Percy straightened and looked like his normal dignified self, except for the naughty glint in his eyes. He was really enjoying this. "After all, a Prefect should always check up on their students if they think there's trouble." He said by a way of explanation. By then everyone at the table was grinning. Ginny ran up to Percy and hugged his waist tightly.
"Oh, what a good idea Percy! You're serious... right?" She said giving him puppy dog eyes. Percy rolled his. "Of course! Now are we going to sit around and stare, or are we going to go save Harry?" He said with a smirk. Ron, George, and Fred whooped loudly and ran out to the yard and grabbed their bikes, Percy and Ginny closing up the back. Soon they were all speeding off towards Harry's, a county away. About a half a mile away from home, and now in the local village, Ron paused, and everyone else did too, since he was in the lead.
"Harry's in the next county, we're a whole county away from him, how are we going to get to him in time, it will take ages to get there!" Ron moaned. Percy bit his lip, in all his recklessness; he'd forgotten that little tad bit of information. He dug through his rough denim pants pockets, patches through out. He pulled out several dollars in Muggle money. Father had always said to keep some handy incase you ended up in a strange place, and lots of it, since Muggles were rather greedy. He found he had thirty pounds; just enough to get them to Harry's and close to home." Well obviously we can't use magic." Percy drawled as he parked his bike, and then waved the Muggle money in the air.
Ginny shouted for joy again." You did it again Percy!" She shouted and dropped her bike to in circle him in another hug. Sometimes, her elder brother, for all his straight-laced strictness, was pretty cool. Fred and George grinned." Look Fred, Percy's becoming one of us!" George said with a toothy grin." up, we must have worn off on him." Fred replied. The quintet parked their bikes and secured them tightly to prevent thieves, found a local cab and piled in, Percy in the front seat with the driver. "We want to go to Privet Drive, immediately." Percy said with determination, and then flashing briefly the money he held in his purse. The driver nodded and sped off, apparently knowing where they were going.
It was a long drive up to Privet, but everyone was so anxious that they hardly noticed. They stopped right outside of the Privet Drive entrance, and they departed, and Percy promised more money than the fifteen pounds that had accumulated on the way over, if he waited. So of course the driver stayed. They grouped together on the corner, out of the driver's earshot. "So what's the plan?" Ron whispered anxiously. Everyone looked to Percy." Okay, me and Ginny will knock on their door claiming that we've lost our... what are those funny animals that yap all the time called? Oh yes, that we have lost our dog.
Ginny will be turning on the waterworks, the tears and all, and I doubt they'll be able to resist ignoring us. We'll claim that this dog is sneaky and that we'll have to search the backyard just incase he's hidden back there" Everyone nodded, but Ginny gulped. "I don't know if I can do it Percy, I never really cried on purpose before." She mumbled." Nonsense, remember what happened to Mrs. Norris?" Ginny teared up at the thought of the cat that stalked the halls of Hogwarts, who had been petrified and tied by her tail to a post.
"Good, just keep thinking of Mrs. Norris. Now Ron, you climb the tree or whatever near Harry's window while we've got them distracted and ask Harry where they're keeping his things. Fred, George, Ron will tell you where they are and you two got fetch them, trust me we'll make a complete show of it out in the backyard, and get them outside, along with Harry. We won't be able to break the bars, so you'll have to pick the lock to his door and get him out through the front.
Everyone got it?" Percy asked. Everyone nodded, and Ginny sobbed before they all headed down the street. Fred, George and Ron waited beside the neighbor's fence as Percy holding the hand crying and red faced Ginny up the drive of number 4. Mr. Dursley, Dudley, and Mrs. Dursley were having the most normal day, Harry completely out of their minds. Mr. Dursley read his regular newspaper, Dudley his comics, and Mrs. Dursley was busy chatting away about the neighbor's troubles once again. Just then they heard a knock at the door. Standing, Mr. Dursley went to the door. On opening it, he found a red head boy, about seventeen, holding on to the hand of a hysterical red haired girl of about twelve years." Yes?" He growled.
Percy gulped at the sight of the burly man with no neck, but hid his fear." Sorry to be disturbing you sir, on this fine morning, but my sister Penny here, has lost her puppy, and we think he might have come here, seeing as how fine your house is compared to the rest of the neighborhood, if I do say so myself. And we were wondering if we may search your backyard for our dear pet." Percy said politely, not seeming the ruffian or the odd type at all. Ginny, thank the heavens had made no remark about the fact that he'd called her Penny, but he needed to change it, since Ginny was an odd name, and the plan relied on the fact that they looked perfectly normal.
Ginny sobbed harder. Mr. Dursley looked rather proud at the boy's remark, since he'd always thought that in the first place and now to have that confirmed by a total stranger made his ego swell even larger. But still, he didn't quite trust him. "Ooooh where could my good Tuppence be?" She wailed, large tears in her eyes. She had chosen the name after a Muggle coin her father had shown her. Mr. Dursley gave into the waterworks." Sure my boy you may look, but don't waste time!" He barked.
Percy nodded and pushed Ginny in. He took a moment to stare at Mr. Dursley before gasping in shock. "Oh, have I stumbled upon the great home of Mr. Dursley of the drill company down the road! Please forgive me sir!" He said with great admiration, which was totally and utterly faked. Mr. Dursley puffed up even larger." Yes, that would be me. But how do you know me and what is your name, I haven't met you before have I?" Mr. Dursley said, a bit of suspicion still clinging. "Oh, you're a legend in my family, my father talks about you all the time. Oh, Penny, look up and dry up, it's the great Mr. Dursley." Percy pitched, seeing it work perfectly. Ginny sniffed and look up and gasped and looked shyly at Mr. Dursley, who swelled up even bigger."
Well come in and I'll help you find your dog, you little tykes. Who knows, if you're smart at your school work you might even be able to work as one of my workers." Mr. Dursley said as he ushered Percy and Ginny into the kitchen." Do you really think so?" Percy said excitedly. Then they were in the kitchen where a large blonde boy and a thin blonde woman sat eating at the table. He put on another look of great admiration. "Oh look its Mrs. Dursley, Penny; mother envies her greatly for her fabulous taste in clothes. And oh my! It's Dudley Dursley, one of the most famous and smartest people in Smelting, and rumored in all England." Of course both people bloated with pride at the false compliments." Will you... help me find my puppy...? Tuppence?" Ginny sniffed.
Percy cuffed her gently." Penny, don't ask such a thing of such great people! Where are your manners? Such high people shouldn't be concerned about our situation; they've got much better things to do." Percy scolded. "Oh no, we'll help you, won't we Dudley?" Mrs. Dursley said as she stood up in her robe, her hair in curlers and a net. Dudley groaned, but stood, hoping that maybe he'd receive more praise from this stranger if he did as he asked. Soon they were all out in the backyard." What does this Tuppence look like?" Asked Mr. Dursley.
Ginny and Percy froze, all the dogs they knew had three heads, and surely they couldn't tell that to these Muggles, they'd freak! Ginny gulped and broke into tears. "Oh my poor Tuppence, probably hit by a car... his... his black fur all matted on his small body." Ginny said, using the first color that came to her, leaving Percy grateful that she hadn't thought of pink or orange. Soon Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, Dudley, along with Ginny and Percy were searching through the thick bushes searching for a dog that didn't even exist. Ron and the twins quickly climbed the vine lattice to Harry's barred window, and Ron knocked his hand upon the window, after squeezing it through the bars. There was a pause and Ron wondered if they possibly had the wrong window, but Harry's mess of hair appeared out of a pile of smashed toys which scattered away with the brush of a hand to reveal Harry.
Harry had heard a knocking upon his window, and first he thought it was his imagination, but he decided he was bored enough to check. He yelped with happiness when he saw Ron's familiar face. Ron hushed him quickly and began to study the bars. The bars ran horizontally on the outside, and vertically on the inside, making it impossible for Harry to open them. Not so for Ron. He pulled on the end of the window, but found it was much harder to open than it looked. He looked back to Fred and George. "Any of you got something I can wedge in here to open the window." George pulled a thin metal stick with a flat tip, and a plastic handle. "Yeah, Dad gave this to me; he called it a 'screwdriver'."
George said with a snicker. Ron grabbed in and wedged it inside the jamb and popped it open creating a crack big enough to speak through. "Hey Harry, we're gonna bust you out again, so where they keeping your stuff this time?" Ron asked wasting no time." The attic." Harry replied. Immediately Fred and George scurried up to the top, just below a window slightly cracked open. "How did you get here, and what are you going to do about the Dursleys?" asked Harry after a moment, worried for his friends." Don't worry, Percy and Ginny got him distracted." Ron said with a wink.
Harry gave him a look of disbelief. "I know I never knew Percy had it in him either, I guess he really is my brother, and there wasn't a mix up at the hospital." You don't know how glad I am to see you." Harry said. "But how are you going to get me out?" Don't worry, I'm going up to help Fred and George with your stuff and then we'll free you from the inside and disappear." Ron said with another wink before disappearing. Harry sighed and turned towards the door. "Suppose I should pack my stuff up." He sighed. "Wait... I don't have any stuff here." Harry said then with a shrug went to go wait by the door.
There was a repeated thunk as if something heavy was going down a staircase, which was probably his trunk, and an indignant squawk of Hedwig. He smiled. There was a rattling coming from the door and soon it was swung open to reveal three boys, a trunk on a cart with an owl fluttering about. Harry dashed out and shut the door quietly and they ran to the end of the hall, only to be met by the stairs. They gulped. There was no way they'd get passed the Dudley's while carrying the trunk and Hedwig. All took a deep breath and dashed down the stairs, making a loud thunking sound as they went, and Hedwig began screeching.
They reached the bottom step and Harry ran to the front door and threw open the door and all raced to the sidewalk. Mr. Dursley shouted loudly as he heard Hedwig's screeching. "HARRY!" He bellowed before running inside the house along with Mrs. Dursley. Ginny suddenly brightened. Percy grinned and both ran out the garden gate, leaving a confused Dudley, who went into play his video games instead of trying to figure it out. What Mr. Dursley saw was four fire haired boys, and one fire haired girl, along with a lanky black haired boy, Harry, pushing a trunk and owl. He snarled and chased them up the street, but they were too far ahead of him and he gave up as they began to pile into the taxi and headed back home.
Harry pressed his face against the backseat glass as he saw his Uncle retreating." Yes!" He said before turning around to sit properly in his street. "Thanks... Percy." Harry said with a wry grin. Percy whipped around and glared at him, along with everyone else back there. "If so much as ONE word of this escapade comes out, its thirty points for Gryffindor, clear?" He barked his usual self again. Everyone was slightly disappointed, but made no remark and simply nodded. Percy settled back in his seat, and only then let out a satisfied grin.
Chapter 2
Mrs. Weasly accepted Harry's presence with grace after he explained the situation, and fussed greatly over Hedwig after she heard what happened to her. Often saying, "Oh you poor bird!" when she fed her. Of course, as usual as summer began to end, and school would soon be beginning, and they awaited their letters anxiously. They were just coming down from cleaning up before breakfast. As they all came down the steps they saw Mrs. Dursley with six letters in green script above her head. Soon everyone was rushing around her at the foot "HOLD IT!" Shouted Mrs. Weasly as she pushed the five anxious wizards and witch off of her. "You all go to the table and eat like Percy is, and after you're done I'll give them to you." She said sternly. Everyone groaned and headed to their seats." Like Percy's so perfect." Ron whispered in Harry's ear, causing him to giggle. Soon everyone, except Percy, was wolfing down their food anxious to read their letters.
As soon as they were done and put their plates in the sink, Mrs. Dursley handed each of them their individual letters. Harry ripped into his letter. It explained the usual things, like about catching the train, and somebody had underlined that part even on his, and Harry needn't guess why. Then he came to a very important note. Due to the fact that last year's Professor of the Dark Arts Mr. Lockhart has been found unsatisfactory, everyone will be retaking the course from last year along with these ones in hopes to catch them up. Also we will refund the money paid for last years course books by Mr. Lockhart. We apologize for any inconvenience. Third year students will require the following texts:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade Three)
by Miranda Goshawk
Defending Yourself Against the Dangers of Vampires and Other Night Creatures
by Broomhilda Grime
Possession by Demons and How To Expel Them,
by J. K. Rouse
Advanced Transfiguration OR How To Entertain House Guests and Get Rid of the
Pesky Ones
by Rowling Kent Jameson
The Modern Art of Defense Against Curses
by Victor Grassnak
Ghost, Ghouls, and Banshees and Their Vices
by Hantet Grabtet
Harry sighed in relief when he saw the part where they'd be repaid for the books they bought last year. Mostly because the Weasly's father was unable to get work except for the minimal job which didn't pay well. It was obvious to him that everyone else was relieved also." Well, let's go to Diagon Alley!" Mrs. Weasly said cheerfully. Soon they were lined up at the chimney with a pinch of Floo powder. Now Floo powder was a simple way for one to go from one place to another via chimney.
One blew the Floo into the fire said where they wanted to go and stepped through the flames to the place they wanted to be. Last year, Harry had gotten lost in Knockturn alley, exactly like Diagon, except Knockturn delt in much darker magic. In giant puffs of smoke they disappeared into the fire and into Diagon Alley. Immediately there was a shriek of, "Molly!" Mrs. Weasly turned to see a tall thin black haired witch with brightly colored and patterned dress on and a turban running up to her. "Agatha!" Mrs. Weasly shrieked back and soon they were hugging and chatting like old friends.
After a few moments she remembered the reason they were in Diagon Alley. "You children run along and find the place where Hogwart's is exchanging last year's books and then get yourselves new ones. You're old enough, and no creating havoc!" She shouted as they all ran off, except Percy, who walked, and continued to talk to Agatha. It had not been hard to find out where Hogwart's was exchanging the books; they had a rather large sign hanging in front of the bookstore. Soon their books were exchanged for money which quickly purchased the new books. They all walked out into the street to still see Mrs. Weasly still talking with her friend. "So what do we do now?" sighed Fred." We could explore?"
Everyone readily agreed, wanting to see the new brooms and other such interesting things that could be found." Just don't get into any trouble." Warned Percy sternly. Everyone nodded before Fred and George dashed off to the Tricks store, where they were planning on buying their latest joke material for their next year at Hogwarts. Ginny, Ron and Harry stayed together and began to walk the alley, looking for something interesting. As they passed Gringott's bank, they noticed something odd, and stopped to watch. There were three figures, all in long cloaks with hoods and dark clothing talking together.
The taller two talked to the smaller one who simply nodded. The taller ones left, walking away without waving goodbye to the one, and leaving him or her alone with a wicker trunk on a cart. The smaller one turned and looked around nervously, from what they could tell, since they couldn't see a face. Ginny, being naturally generous, waved her hand and shouted. "Hey! You over there at Gringott's, come over here!" The figure hesitated before joining them. They found him to be fairly small, only as tall as Ginny, not too coming close to Harry, whom he came up to his shoulder.
"What's your name?" Ginny said brightly as she tried to look under the dark black cape with black small silver latches closing it around his throat and chest. The figure ducked his head away, before Ginny could see." My name's..." He or she paused and kicked a pebble with their rawhide boots, which had no soles and was simply leather. "My name's James." He said softly in a high voice. "Who are you?" looking back up, the shadows still hiding his face, no matter how hard they squinted." I'm Ginny, and this is my brother Ron and Harry Potter." Ginny said, ending proudly. James nodded and gave no show of surprise at the mention of Harry's name, which relieved and perplexed him.
"So is this your first year going to Hogwarts?" Ginny asked as she examined the loose black robe made out of coarse woven cotton." Yes... although I'm afraid I'm rather lost, I've never been here before. But I think I'll survive, it can't be that hard." He said softly before melting into a crowd so quickly that it took the three a moment to realize that he'd gone." What a strange fellow." Ron said before he dragged them off to look at the brooms.
The next few weeks passed like a blur for Harry and the Weasly's before it was time to go to the platform nine and three quarters. To reach the platform, one had to run through the brick barrier between platform nine and platform ten. They were all rushing about early that morning, but fortunately they were more prepared than last year and they ran off to the station and arrived ten minutes early for the train. It was there they saw the cloaked figure again, staring at the barrier between the ninth and tenth platform. Ginny waved at him and ran to him, dragging her trunk behind her. Harry and the rest of the Weaslys followed. "Hey you! Why'd you run off? Oh well, don't you know how to get through to the Hogwarts Express?" She chattered. The figure bent his head." Not really, as I said, I'm not really used to all this." he said softly." It's easy!" Ginny said as she dragged the stranger and his trunk to the others.
"You just run through the wall and don't be afraid of crashing into it, and you'll go straight through!" She said happily. Mrs. Weasly stared doubtfully at the stranger." And who is this?" She asked softly, trying to be polite, but her daughter was too trusting at times, like at her first year where she got mixed up He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named from a diary she had found that talked back to her. So naturally she doubted someone wearing a cloak and dark clothing, their face covered." My name is James, just James, madam. Your daughter I met at Diagon Alley a couple of weeks while picking up my supplies to go to Hogwarts, and she kindly offered to assist me, and now she is offering to help me through here.
For you see, I haven't a clue how to get through, I normally don't travel like this." James said clearly and with respect and a hint of nervousness. Mrs. Weasly's face softened." Well, pleased to meet you James. Ginny told you everything you'll need to know. Why don't you two go first?" James and Ginny nodded and soon both had disappeared through the wall. Fred and George were next. Followed by Percy. And as usual Ron and Harry were last. They met up with Ginny on the other side, however James was nowhere in sight." He went to go get his seat." Ginny offered as a way of explanation. Everyone shrugged and headed to the train to do the same. "I wonder why he wears that cloak." Ginny pondered aloud. "Maybe he's hideous and hides his face so he won't frighten the seconds." George laughed." Probably ordered here by Prof. Snape!" Fred snorted.
Harry and Ron shuddered and hoped the twins weren't telling the truth, they hated Snape, and Snape hated them. At least they reasoned it was even, after all it would be weird if they loved him and he hated them, or they hated him and he loved them, wouldn't it?" Harry! Ron! There you guys are!" Hermoine shouted from her window. Ron and Harry dashed off to her compartment and went to go sit by their friend. They took their seat beside her on opposite sides and began chatting about their summer, catching up with each other as they waited for the train to start. Just then James entered. Ron fell silent as he breezed past to sit directly behind them." There went walking death." Ron muttered. Hermoine slapped him lightly." What a rude thing to say." She whispered. "Just because he's wearing a long cloak doesn't mean anything, although he should have waited until we'd started going before changing, but he's probably a first year and doesn't know." Hermoine scolded. Ron scowled."
But he's always wearing that cloak..." He muttered before quieting as the treat tray passed by selling the regular candies and announcing that the train was about to leave. Harry paid for each of them to have some and they gladly began munching away on the Every Flavor beans, hoping not to get a really gross one, like booger or earwax, and the rumored vomit flavored one. They were well along there way when they reached the Chocolate Frogs. Immediately Harry and Ron pulled out the card anxiously looking to see what witch or wizard they got. Ron paused as he stared at the witch on the front. He showed it to Harry."
Please tell me that says Agrippa." He deadpanned. Ron had almost the whole collection except for Agrippa the witch, and the one that would complete his collection. "Yeah, it says Agrippa." Harry replied with a smile. "YEEEESSSSS!" Screamed Ron as he stood and waved the card above his head. However he was interrupted as someone else shouted.
"YAAAAAHHHHHHH!" James screamed jumping straight up into the air. He'd taken off his hood, since he was getting hot, but he quickly flicked it back before anybody could see more. He nervously sat back down, trembling and panting." Okay. Nice to see you're excited." Ron said sarcastically. James looked at him through his hood; silver light was glowing in the darkness of the hood." Sorry... I just don't... react well... to loud noises... and you caught me... by... surprise." James gasped offering it as an excuse as he sank lower into his seat, realizing how close he'd come to be exposed. Ron nodded and sat back." Did you see his face?" He whispered after a few moments. Harry and Hermoine shook their heads