The Dursley's

Harry Potter thanked Arthur Weasley for the assistance home…well, back to the Dursley's. Harry had conveniently forgotten to inform his relatives that the Hogwarts Express was arriving early so no one had been at Kings Cross to pick him up. Although he had assumed that he would simply take the Knight Bus home, Mr. Weasley had adamantly refused to allow it. Claiming security reasons, he put a friendly arm around Harry's shoulders and side-along apparated him to the Dursley's front door.

"Now Harry. With times being what they are…"

"I'll be careful Mr. Weasley," Harry interrupted with a sad smile, "I won't run off. I promise."

"Actually Harry," Mr. Weasley smiled in return, "I was thinking of something else. With Albus…and well, everything that's happened lately, I don't much like the idea of you staying with these muggles by yourself."

"I made a promise to the Headmaster, Mr. Weasley. I need to stay here for a little while at least."

"I know Harry. Frankly, the Order was surprised that the magic protection still exists considering Albus is gone. He was some wizard."

Both Harry and Mr. Weasley stared off at nothing. The pain of the last few days was still evident in both of their faces. After a few minutes, Mr. Weasley turned to Harry once again.

"Harry, as soon as you feel that your promise to Albus is satisfied, I want you to come to the burrow. In the meantime, please keep in contact with the Order. But more importantly, Harry. Please don't shut out your friends. Ron and Hermione are hurting too, and they need you. As much as you need them."

Harry didn't say anything. His black-rimmed glasses were unable to hide the haunting pain that seemed to have permanently settled in his green eyes. He simply nodded his acceptance to Mr. Weasley.

"Oh, and Harry. I'm sure Ginny will want to hear from you too."

Harry looked up with surprise, which was almost a welcome contrast to the emptiness he'd felt for the last few days.

Mr. Weasley chuckled. "Don't be surprised Harry. I am her father. I knew you too were dating. The whole world knew, Harry. Unfortunately, it is one of the hazards of being famous."

The haunted look returned to Harry's eyes as he mumbled, "umm…Mr. Weasley, Ginny and I broke it off."

Mr. Weasley smiled knowingly, "I had guessed as much at Kings Cross. And, whatever happened between the two of you should stay between the two of you. But, you should know that Mrs. Weasley and I split up a few times when we were younger. It happens with passionate people."

Harry's cheeks reddened. Having a conversation like this was embarrassing enough but having it at the doorstep of the Dursley's just made it unbearable. If Mr. Weasley noticed his embarrassment, though, he did not let it show. Instead, he gave Harry a quick hug.

"Regardless of whatever happens with you and Ginny, Harry, you will always be a part of our family. Hurry and come home to the Burrow."

With a soft pop, Mr. Weasley disappeared. Instinctively, Harry looked around to make sure no muggles were watching. Other than one of the charcoal cats that belonged to Ms. Figg, no one saw the act of magic. With a sigh, Harry pushed his hair out of his eyes and knocked on the Dursley's front door.

The door was opened by Harry's enormous cousin, Dudley. His huge girth blocked the whole front door, but he took several steps back when he saw Harry. The fear in his face was quickly followed by suspicion.

"What are you doing here. Your school isn't out yet."

"Hey Dudley Do Wrong," Harry said without any enthusiasm. "Aren't you home a bit early too?"

Dudley muttered something about fighting and unfair teachers, but Harry was not really listening. He squeezed between Dudley and the wall noting that Dudley's boxing workouts were really paying off. Although still huge by anyone's standards, he now had big muscles underneath all that flab. Harry had just started up the stairs, when Uncle Vernon's roar shook the windows.

"What the hell? What is he doing here Petunia?"

Harry did not even need to turn around to know that Uncle Vernon's face was a horrid shade of red with a worm-like vein bulging down the center of his forehead. Aunt Petunia, on the other hand would be standing just behind Uncle Vernon's imposing frame with a look of revulsion aimed at Harry and fear aimed at her husband's outburst. Harry took a moment before turning towards his relatives and then nodded to them.

"Vernon. Petunia."

"Guess you got expelled too, huh? Probably deserved it unlike others in this house. Too much of a freak to stay at your school of freaks, huh? So, instead, you come crawling back to cause trouble for my perfectly normal family."

"Dumbledore was murdered," Harry stated in a very controlled voice. "Hogwarts ended early. I won't be here long."

Aunt Petunia's long face whitened at the news, but Uncle Vernon actually smiled.

"So that Dumbly guy finally bit it, eh? Probably deserved it. The way he treated us last…"

Uncle Vernon stopped and took a step back looking horrified at the wand that was now a few mere inches from his nose. Aunt Petunia yelped as her husband stepped on her bony foot. Ignoring his wife, Uncle Vernon's lips quivered in fury and he started spitting as he began to yell.

"How dare you try some unnaturalness with me, boy? After everything I've done for you."

He suddenly took a big swing at Harry. Unlike his son, though, Uncle Dursley was no boxer. With the born reflexes of a Quidditch player, Harry ducked under the punch easily. Harry pocketed his wand with a smirk, which only served to make his uncle more furious. He threw another meaty fist at Harry, but his nephew simply side-stepped the punch. Uncle Dursley's eyes narrowed with hate.

"Go ahead boy. Try some magic. You can't fool me. You are still underage. Those fools that run your lot will put you in that Caravon prison."

"Azkaban," Aunt Petunia corrected him before realizing she was admitting knowledge of that horrible freak world.

For the first time since entering the house, Harry's emotions flared. His hair began to tingle as magic welled inside him. His hands shook as power coursed through his body. With all his effort, Harry suddenly vanquished it.

"You are right, of course, Vernon," he responded with a tired voice. "I am too young to hex you right now. But I won't be for long. I'll be of age in a few months, and I'll be able to cast whatever magic I want."

He stopped and watched his uncle's expression to make sure it was all sinking in before continuing.

"Now things are going to change around here. I'm only going to be here for a short time as I promised Dumbledore. If you guys leave me alone, I'll leave you alone. Before you know it, I'll be gone for good. However, if you bother me in any way, and that goes for any of you, I'll come back one more time. And I'll show you what kind of unnaturalness I've learned at Hogwarts."

Uncle Vernon stood rock still and then gave a barely perceptible nod. Harry turned away from him and walked back up the stairs.

Harry flipped through a book Hermione had owled to him called The Downfall of Dark Wizards. It was a historical accounting of the most powerful dark wizards and their defeats. Although he would have preferred that Hermione had sent him a more hands-on text that detailed spells and such, he had to admit that the several chapters that discussed Grindewald and his defeat by Dumbledore were fascinating. Harry had never really considered the parallels between his own life and the late Headmaster. I shouldn't have been so hard on him, Harry thought. He probably understood a lot more than I gave him credit for.

Harry looked up from the book when he heard a tapping at his window. Drawing his wand, he carefully let the tawny brown owl inside. The owl held out his leg so Harry could unwrap the scroll and looked hopefully for a treat. Harry smiled and gave him a few of Hedwig's treats much to his own pet's apparent dismay. Harry unrolled the scroll and glanced at it.

I'm picking you up in two hours. Be ready. Tonks says to dress nicely. I don't care what you wear as long as you can move quickly in it. You never know who may be watching. Constant Vigilance.

Moody

Harry wondered what this was all about. He had been corresponding with the Weasley's for the past few weeks and knew that they were not expecting him. Each had mentioned that they would like him to come stay but all agreed to wait until he was ready. He looked at the piles of clothes lying around his bedroom with a sigh. He'd be very lucky to find anything clean much less something nice to wear. Deciding he had better do a load of laundry, he started picking up the piles. At least it would give him something to do.

Two hours later, he was waiting by the front door. He hoped the robe he had on would be good enough as his attempt to wash his dress robes had utterly ruined them. Just a few more weeks, he thought to himself. Then, he would be old enough to cast a few cleaning charms. Harry reached for the door when the bell rang, but Uncle Vernon stopped him in mid reach.

"I'll answer my own door boy, thank you very much," he growled. "It's not as if your lot is coming calling. Now slink up the stairs. We don't want any normal people seeing you."

As Harry made as if he were leaving, Uncle Vernon opened the door. Whatever he was going to say froze on his tongue as Alastor Moody, Remus Lupin, and Nymphadora Tonks pushed by him. Remus and Tonks were both dressed nicely although Remus's cloak was a bit shabby and Tonk's yellow spiky hair clashed horribly with her otherwise flattering robe. Moody had not even attempted to dress up and, instead, wore the same weather-beaten cloak that he always wore.

"Wotcher Harry," said Remus with a grin as Tonks cut-off whatever she was about to say. She rolled her eyes and gave Remus a playful shove before giving Harry a big old wink.

"Now, who are you lot and why are you coming to my house dressed like freaks," Uncle Vernon blustered.

"You ready Harry?" asked Moody completely ignoring Uncle Dursley.

"I guess so. If I'm dressed okay."

"You're just fine Harry," smirked Tonks. "A little scrawny still but otherwise quite dashing. Besides, we are only going to the will reading."

"How dare you ignore me in my own house," Uncle Dursley roared.

Harry frowned. Will reading? Who's will? Dumbledore's? Suddenly, he turned to Moody.

"You once told me never to keep my wand in this place. Where was it?"

Moody nodded, "your back pocket boy unless you want to blow off half your arse."

At this, Tonks morphed so that half her rear end disappeared. Harry laughed and could not help but notice that Tonks had quite a shapely behind. Lupin was one lucky bloke.

Nearly purple, Uncle Dursley stepped towards Tonks, "how dare you perform this abnor…uh…craziness in my house. I should pound…"

At this, Rupin placed himself between the petite auror and the blustering walrus. He held out his hand and explained calmly, "This is Tonks, by the way. I'm Remus, her boyfriend. Or would that be were-boyfriend? I'm a werewolf you see."

Uncle Dursley stared at him as if her were joking. When Remus smiled in a way that could only be called feral, Dursley's eyes rolled back in his head and he passed out. Moody watched him fall with a satisfied look.

"Could have caught him I guess, but he looks a bit heavy. Wooden leg and all. I'm sure he understands."

Remus laughed and added, "I think he actually soiled himself. Sometimes, it's no picnic having enhanced senses." Turning to Harry, he added, "Perhaps it times to leave Harry. I think we've overstayed our welcome. Hold on tight now."

As Harry grabbed Remus's arm, he felt the sudden tightness as if the world were closing in around him. It did not bother him this time as it usually did when he side-along apparated. The last few minutes had been the first time he'd laughed in several weeks, and he was not going to let a little traveling awkwardness take that away from him.