Chapter 1
Harry sighed and looked up at the moon. He had once again been awakened by a dream. He had been having the same one, night after night, ever since he got back from Hogwarts. He woke up, night after night, seeing the duel between Sirius and Lestrange, ending with the look on Sirius' face before he fell through the veil. This was the dream that had woken Harry tonight. Harry put his face in his hands, willing himself not to cry, as the memories of Sirius washed over him like water. When Sirius had risked his life, time and time again to comfort him, or give him advice. Harry eventually raised his head and was startled to see the sun creeping over the horizon.
Harry changed quietly and read a book about Quidditch until he heard Aunt Petunia starting breakfast. He went downstairs and went into the kitchen. He gave his Aunt a small smile, for though he hated living with Uncle Vernon and Dudley, he felt a slight bond and a newfound respect for Aunt Petunia, for she had kept him alive for the past 15 years. She returned the small smile with one as equally small. Harry started to set the table and Uncle Vernon and Dudley came bursting in. They sat down and Harry's Uncle started reading the paper, while Dudley started stuffing his face with the bacon on his plate.
"Mum, do I really have to go to summer school? I mean, you always said I was smart, do you think I'm stupid now?"
"Oh, of course I don't Dudleykins, but your principle said if you want to move onto the next grade, you must go to summer school!"
Harry smiled at the thought that while Harry was outside, enjoying the fresh air; Dudley would be in a stuffy classroom, having to actually use his brain. This thought was so amusing to Harry, he refilled his Uncle's coffee cup without having been asked.
Uncle Vernon eyed his cup apprehensively and asked, "You didn't put anything funny in here did you boy?"
"Of course not Uncle Vernon," Harry said truthfully, but as the meal went on, Uncle Vernon seemed to be sticking with his orange juice instead of his coffee.
Harry bolted down his breakfast and headed upstairs to his room before Dudley started shouting even louder than he was already about school. Harry entered his room to see Pig, Ron's owl, zooming around at top speed, and Hedwig clucking her beak.
"Get down here you git," Harry half-shouted to Pig, who eventually calmed down for a few seconds so Harry could get the letter from him, and after he had, Pig resumed zooming around in circles near the ceiling, until he became so dizzy he landed on his head on Harry's bed. Harry laughed and unrolled the parchment to read Ron's letter:
Harry-
How are you mate? Hermoine's here at the Burrow and we wanted to see if you wanted to spend the rest of summer with us. Dumbledore already said it was fine, so you don't have to worry about him, just the muggles. If they say ok, we'll pick you up on Saturday at noon, and if they say no, we'll pick you up on Saturday at noon.
-Ron
P.S. Dad and I are picking you up by Ministry Cars
Harry smiled and rushed downstairs to ask his Uncle if he could leave.
"Err...Uncle Vernon? My friend wants to know if I can stay the rest of the summer with him and his family. Is that...err...alright?"
"When are they coming?"
"Saturday at noon."
"Will they be busting out of our chimney and ruining my living room again?"
"No, they're coming by car."
"Alright then."
Harry grinned and ran to his room to start packing his trunk. By the time Saturday came around, Harry was all packed, just waiting for noon. When the doorbell rang, he dashed to it and flung it open.
"Hello Mr. Weasley! Hey Ron," Harry greeted.
"Hello Harry, we'll just get your trunk and be off then shall we?"
Harry showed him where his trunk was and the got it in the car. Harry did one last quick search for anything left behind and then went downstairs. He could hear Uncle Vernon muttering something as he passed the living room, but Aunt Petunia was waiting for him by the door. She had a wrapped present in her hands.
"Here," Aunt Petunia said, shoving the package into Harry's hands, "Happy birthday, have a nice summer."
She then clutched him stiffly, in what, he thought, was supposed to be a hug. Harry walked to the car, dazed, wondering what other surprises, even bigger than this, would be in store for him in the coming year.