Disclaimer: The whole Harry Potter universe was created by JK Rowling. I'm just borrowing her characters for my own entertainment.

A/N: I just wanted to take the time to thank the people who reviewed the first chapter of my story. The reviews made me really happy. Now, I'll answer some questions that you guys had.

Jinxeh: No, this story will not have any slash in it. I don't really like to read slash either.

Black's Phoenix: I hadn't planned on putting Cho in this story. The story will mainly take place during the summer after Harry's fourth year and will concentrate a lot on the relationship between Harry and Dumbledore.

Dragonero: Yes, Snape will make several appearances in this story. Will Dumbledore be able to help Harry? You will just have to read on to see.

I also want to thank Shaw18 and emma for their reviews. Now, on with the story.


Harry stomped angrily through the hallways ignoring the strange looks that the other students were throwing him. It wasn't that he didn't want to leave the Dursleys for the summer. He just wished that he could have had some say in the matter. He also didn't want to have to lie to his friends. He briefly thought about disobeying Dumbledore, but he quickly put that idea out of his head. The Headmaster knew a lot about what went on in the school. Dumbledore would not be pleased with him if he found out that Harry had blatantly gone against his orders.

Finally reaching the Great Hall, Harry spotted his friends already eating breakfast. He walked slowly over to where they were sitting and started to place a small portion of food onto his own plate.

"Hey, Harry," Ron said. "Where were you this morning? You usually aren't up this early."

A couple of other Gryffindors looked over at Harry once they heard Ron's comment. Harry was grateful for their curiosity and Ron's loud voice because this way he wouldn't have to tell the story too many more times. Once they heard what he had to say, word would spread quickly throughout the other Houses.

"I had a visit with the Headmaster. He wanted to tell me that I wouldn't be riding the Hogwarts Express home tomorrow because of security reasons. I will be staying here for a little while after you guys leave, and then I will take alternate transportation," Harry answered. He left out the fact that he had fallen asleep outside only to wake up in the Headmaster's quarters this morning. Not only was it embarrassing, but his friends were already worried enough about him as it was.

"Does he think that You-Know-Who is going to attack the train?" Hermione asked, her eyes growing wide at that thought. Conversation around the trio had suddenly quieted down in order to hear what Harry was going to say. Harry grew nervous because of the focused attention that he was now receiving.

'Bloody hell, Dumbledore. Why are you putting me in this position? Now the whole school is going to have a panic attack and expect to see Voldemort popping up everywhere. Couldn't you have come up with a better excuse?' Harry thought while looking up at the Headmaster's empty chair and throwing it a dirty look.

"Dumbledore is just being a little paranoid, guys. You don't need to be worried about Voldemort attacking tomorrow," Harry said ignoring the flinching that occurred after hearing Voldemort's name. "Everyone is always a bit overprotective when it comes to me." Harry forced out a small laugh.

Some people still looked a bit nervous, but conversation gradually resumed. Ron and Hermione looked like they wanted to keep asking Harry questions about Voldemort and the train ride, but they let it drop.

"Since you talked to Professor Dumbledore this morning, do you know if you will be able to stay at my house any this summer?" Ron asked while stuffing his face with eggs and bacon.

"I don't think that I will be able to, sorry. It's just that Dumbledore," Harry spat out, "seems to think that it would be prudent that I don't."

"Harry!" Hermione admonished. "You need to show the Headmaster some respect. He is only looking out for your well being. You can still write to us, and he may even change his mind before the summer is over."

"Well, we can't write to each other for at least two weeks -once again, safety precautions- but I will send you a letter as soon as my warden gives me the okay," Harry said not paying any attention to Hermione's reprimand.

Ron choked on his pumpkin juice when he heard Harry's flippant remark, and Hermione had to give him a slap on the back. Some of the other students were beginning to look back over at the commotion that the trio was causing, but Harry waved them off and told them that Ron had just drank his juice too fast.

"Harry, I know that you are taking Cedric's death hard, but…"

"Stop, Hermione. I don't want to talk about it. Look, I'm sorry for what I said. I gotta go." Harry promptly stood up and rushed out of the Great Hall. Hermione and Ron just sat there staring wide eyed after their friend.

Harry wandered aimlessly around before his first class started. A small feeling of guilt began to creep into his heart because of the way he had treated Professor Dumbledore and his friends. He knew he shouldn't have walked away from his friends so abruptly or talked that way about the Headmaster, but he was feeling so frustrated.

Harry gave a loud sigh and ran his hand distractedly through his hair. Hearing a drawling voice behind him, he slowly turned around. Malfoy swaggered up to him without his goons in sight.

"I heard, Potter, that you are afraid of riding the train tomorrow. Of course famous Harry Potter would be allowed special privileges concerning his transportation while everyone else has to ride the Hogwarts Express. What's the matter, Potter? Afraid that you might get attacked tomorrow?" Malfoy sneered.

"I'm not scared of your future master, Malfoy. For your information, I saw the Death Eaters, including your father, bowing down to him like idiots and kissing his robes like slaves. They begged him for forgiveness for abandoning him, but he will always remember and won't hesitate to seek retribution later. Between them and me, who acts more frightened?" Harry retorted.

Malfoy's face paled during Harry's tirade, and his eyes narrowed into slits. A scowl replaced the smirk that Malfoy had worn earlier. Before he could respond, however, kids began to fill the halls on their way to class. Malfoy and Harry stared at one another for a few seconds longer in silence.

"You can't run from the Dark Lord forever, Potter. He will find you," Malfoy said before blending in with the crowd.


Harry, Ron, and Hermione didn't have much time to talk throughout the day, but they cornered Harry in the Common Room once dinner ended. They had been shooting him concerned glances during class; however, Harry would just meet their gaze and give a small smile. He didn't want them to leave each other tomorrow without resolving some of their problems.

"Harry, would you like to talk some more about this morning?" Hermione asked a bit timidly. She didn't want him to run off again if he wasn't comfortable with sharing his troubles.

"I really am sorry for what happened this morning. I was just a little bit overwhelmed with all that's been going on. I wasn't too happy with all of the restrictions that Professor Dumbledore put on me, but I guess that I'll get over it," Harry replied.

"That's okay, mate. We're not blaming you. I bet the Dursleys will be glad that you won't be owling us for a little while," Ron said trying to lighten up the mood.

"Yeah," Harry mumbled looking away from his friends' eyes. "You better go pack soon if you don't want to be rushed in the morning."

"You're right, Harry. Just know that Ron and I will always be here for you if you need us. We care about you," Hermione said as she bent down and gave Harry a quick peck on the cheek. She and Ron left Harry sitting alone in the empty Common Room.

Harry lay back on the couch and stared up at the ceiling lost in thought. He hoped that he wasn't just going to be locked up in Dumbledore's house all summer. He knew that the Headmaster at least cared for him, unlike his relatives, but he still wanted to have some freedom. He felt so confused in his feelings towards Dumbledore. The man infuriated him sometimes, but Harry had felt so loved and happy when the Headmaster had taken care of him in the night. No one had ever really done anything like that for him. Mrs. Weasley had given him a hug a few days ago, but she already had seven children. He knew that she considered him as one of her own sons; however, it had just felt different when Dumbledore had carried him and tucked him in.

Harry decided that he would try to work through his feelings about the Headmaster later. It had already been a long day. He wanted to get up and fall asleep in his own bed, but he was too exhausted to move. The fire warmed his body and made him feel even more drowsy. His eyelids bounced up and down a few times as he strived to stay awake.

'Why can't I fall asleep in my own bed anymore?' Harry thought as his eyes finally drifted closed.