Chapter 16

The three of them finally landed in the backyard of a small house in Little Whinging. Harry hurriedly grabbed Buckbeak's ropes and dragged him from the muggle habitat. He turned on a nearby street as he snuck through the bushes with the others not far behind. Suddenly he remembered his past out here. This was Privet Drive. The street and neighborhood Harry had grown up in since his parents had been murdered. He looked down the street and saw that familiar house that was formerly his home.

"Harry," Ron whispered, "What are we doing here? And in broad daylight?" Harry had begun to wonder that himself.

"Ron, do you know where we are?" Harry whispered back. Ron shrugged, "We're in my aunt and uncle's neighborhood."

"Oh. But why are we here?" Ron asked.

Harry didn't answer him. Truly, he came here because this was the only home he knew except for Hogwarts. Grimmauld Place just didn't seem like home. Hermione gave them a quizzical look.

"Alright, I think we should wait until it gets dark. Then we'll go in," Harry said quietly.

"Go in?" Hermione asked disbelievingly, "We're just going to go in?"

"No, Hermione, we'll knock on the door first," Harry said.

"But Harry, I still don't understand, why do you want to go here? Didn't you always wish you were away from the Dursleys?" Hermione asked. Harry sighed and didn't say anything. He couldn't explain what it was. They would never understand.

The four of them shrank into the bushes of a house with a "For Sale" sign in the front yard. Ron looked at it curiously.

"Won't the owners find us?" Ron asked.

Hermione and Harry stifled laughter. Ron looked at them suspiciously.

"What are you on about?" he asked again.

"Nothing," Harry said shaking his head with a smile.

"What is it?" Ron asked irritably.

"It's for sale Ron. You didn't know?" Hermione said.

"What? Why do they have that stupid sign out front?" he insisted.

"It's a muggle thing," Harry said quickly, ending the pointless conversation.

The trio rested under a tree in the backyard. Buckbeak lay beside them, snoozing in the comfortable shade. Harry sat at the end next to Buckbeak staring at the grass. Ron sat beside him with Hermione on the other side. Harry couldn't help but notice Ron's arm seemed to be around Hermione's shoulders. He smiled at the thought that something like that could still be possible.

"Night began to fall and Harry and the others stood up to stretch. Buckbeak made a strange screeching noise that hinted a yawn. Harry stopped to make sure no one would become nosy and look out their windows to spy on whatever had made that noise. Luckily the house came with a tall, brown wooden fence.

As soon as stars filled the sky, Harry headed toward the gate. Ron and Hermione followed without a word. Buckbeak tried to tag along but Harry urged him back in the yard.

They walked across the street and headed toward the front door of number four Privet Drive.

Harry took a deep breath and looked around once they reached the front door. Ron and Hermione nodded and Harry rang the door bell. The car was sitting in the driveway undisturbed. Sounds came from inside the house. They heard a groan and footsteps from the house. The door opened and Uncle Vernon appeared. He squinted his eyes and opened them fully as soon as he knew who it was. He shut the door quickly without another word. Harry heard quick footsteps and whispering.

Harry reached for the doorknob.

"Harry! This is their house! We can't just walk in!" Hermione said.

"Hey, we gave them the opportunity to let us in," Harry responded. Ron laughed and they stepped into the house. Nothing had really changed. They looked around and saw the same old house Harry had grown up in. Harry saw a blonde head with pig-like eyes look around the corner from the kitchen. When Harry caught eye contact the face disappeared.

"Dudley?" Harry asked as he approached the kitchen. Harry slowly advanced in the room and saw Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia standing over by the television. Dudley was trying to hide behind his extremely skinny mother who was holding a broom. Uncle Vernon had a mop. Hermione passed Harry and Ron and strode right over to the terrified trio. She smiled.

"How are you doing this wonderful morning?" she said cheerfully. Harry and Ron exchanged puzzled looks. Uncle Vernon glared at Hermione.

"Don't try anything! I'm armed!" Uncle Vernon yelled holding up his useless mop. Hermione gave him an alarmed look and tried again.

"I assure you we won't hurt you," she said as though she were speaking to a small frightened animal, "We're just here for a visit…and a chat."

Aunt Petunia glared at Harry and eventually let the broom fall to ground. Uncle Vernon looked at her as if she were crazy but finally let his guard down, although he still held on to the mop. Aunt Petunia walked along the walls over to the kitchen.

"So, Potter, what are you doing here?" she asked curtly. Harry ignored her tone and said, "Well, we were wanting to stay here for a bit."

Uncle Vernon chuckled, "You, stay here? That's ridiculous. How can you just come out of no where and expect a home?"

"Please Uncle Vernon, we wouldn't take up much space. We only need to stay here for a little while," Harry insisted.

"I don't want your kind here," Uncle Vernon hissed as he looked at Hermione and Ron. Harry groaned and pulled his wand from his pocket. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia jumped and sank in their seats. Dudley cowered under the table. Harry examined it and pointed it at the few plates on the counter.

"Accio plates," he said calmly and they flew to him. He passed them around as if he hadn't done a single thing out of the ordinary. He reached his hand out again and pointed his wand at the frying bacon on the stove. His uncle, aunt, and cousin gasped as the bacon neatly landed on their plates.

"I WILL NOT HAVE WITCHCRAFT IN MY HOUSE!" bellowed uncle Vernon. Harry simply smiled. He was no longer afraid of his overweight uncle. Ron and Hermione looked at him as if he were crazy.

"That was brilliant wasn't it? Want to see another?" Harry asked as he pointed his wand to Dudley.

"No!" Uncle Vernon yelled as he ran in front of Dudley, "Alright, you can stay in your old room. As long as you clear out the mess." Ron was suppressing hysterical laughter behind him. Hermione grinned as they made their way upstairs.

Harry shut the door and they sat on the old bed.

"Harry that was brilliant!" Hermione exclaimed, "I thought you did wonderful!"

" 'Mazing!" Ron said happily, "I thought you'd gone mental!" They laughed and Harry explained why he had come here.

"Well, I thought it would be a good idea because Voldemort would be less likely to attack here knowing I hate it here and would rarely return," he said.

"But why did you run away in the first place?" Hermione asked.

"Well, because I'm trying to find the rest of the horcruxes," he answered.

"That reminds me, what was the horcrux Dumbledore said he destroyed?" Ron asked.

"I don't know. That was strange," Harry said.

"Oh no not again!" Hermione said loudly, "Harry, just drop it. Ok? Dumbledore is Dumbledore! There's no imposter!"

"But then why didn't he come after me?" Harry asked, standing up. He walked to the window and looked out. Neither one answered his question. He noticed a tiny white animal in the backyard.

"Hermione, tell me, are ferrets common here?" Harry asked.

"Well, I'm not sure. I don't live here so I couldn't possibly- wait, why?" Hermione said.

"Look, Harry pointed out the window and looked at them. He beckoned them forward. He looked out again and the ferret was gone.

"Harry I don't see anything," Hermione said.

"Me neither," Ron added. For a moment Harry began to really think he was crazy but waved the thought aside.

"Harry, maybe you should lie down," Ron suggested.

"Don't treat me like a bloody mental case!" Harry fumed. Hermione was taken aback by his sudden fury. Harry softened his gaze and sat down with his head in his hands.

"Harry, we understand," Hermione cooed.

"No you don't," Harry said. The sound was slightly muffled but was heard.

"So, what are we to do here?" Ron asked.

Harry lifted his head, "Well, this is just going to be our shelter for now. We need to find more clues as to where the other horcruxes are."

"Alright, well Harry, do you know what the horcruxes are?" Hermione asked.

Harry sighed, "Well, something of Hufflepuff, probably the cup. Something of either Ravenclaw or Gryffindor. I don't know."

"Ok," Hermione sighed. Harry glanced up and noticed the wardrobe closet was slightly opened. He stood up and walked over to it. It was always closed. In the Dursley's desperation to keep everything normal, they always wanted Harry's room tidy. They wouldn't have left something as simple as a door be open. He opened it more and was attacked by a small creature. It hugged Harry tightly.

"D-obby," Harry choked, "Let…go!"

"Sorry Harry Potter sir, Dobby just glad to see you," squeaked the house elf.

"Terrible things have happened! Dobby had to make sure Harry Potter was safe!" he said happily.

"What are you talking about?" Harry asked.

"He-who-must-not-be-named has attacked!" Dobby squeaked. Harry could feel his face turning red, "Someone has killed a Death Eater, sir! He-who-must-not-be-named isn't happy, sir!" Harry's face heated up. Hermione and Ron quickly tried to change the subject.

"So Dobby, where have you been? We haven't seen you for ages!" Ron said.

"Dobby has been hiding, sir. Dobby does not want hisself to be caught by you-know-who. Dobby has done bad things! Bad things indeed, sir!"

"What kinds of things, Dobby?" Harry asked.

"Bad things, bad bad things!" Dobby shrieked looking around.

Harry caught on and picked Dobby up. The tiny house elf scrambled to get free.

"Dobby, don't hurt yourself!" Harry said as he struggled to keep Dobby under control. Dobby finally gave up and Harry put him on the floor.

"Dobby, what did you do?" Harry asked. Dobby shook his head.