AN: I do not own Harry Potter

Pulling up into the drive Petunia pulled out her wand and flicked it several times in multiple directions, "Time to wake up boys. We're here. Groggily Harry shifted in his seat and looked out the window. The home they pulled up to was small and quaint.

"Is this where we'll be staying?" Harry thought.

Almost immediately Petunia spoke up, "We'll only be here till the end of summer and during the holidays if we leave Hogwarts."

Stepping out of the car Harry eyed the land around them. It was a secluded house, similar to the Weasley's, with land stretching into all directions and leading into wooded areas.

"Whose home is this?" Douglas said as he pulled the trunks out of the boot of the car. "It was mine when I was younger." Petunia said as opened the front door, "I haven't been here in 15 years."

Walking through the entrance Harry was taken back by the rustic charm. Even though his Aunt Petunia said she hadn't been here in many years, it looked immaculate. Immediately off to the right of the vestibule was the dining room, and to the left was the sitting room; in front of the trio was a set of stairs, presumably leading to bedrooms and the like, and a hallway next to the stairs leading back to a kitchen.

Taking a step forward Harry was startled by a loud pop. Looking to his left he saw Mr. Weasley standing by the fire place.

Before he could speak Harry saw his aunt glide over to Arthur and embrace him quickly like old friends.

"Oh Arthur, I thank you so much!" "Not a problem at all. Oh, and look there's Harry. How are you doing there lad? And you must be Douglas! I've heard many good things about you!"

Stepping back Harry stammered, "You… you… know… Aunt Petunia?"

Smiling widely Arthur answered, "She's been my best mate for years Harry! I've known her since our first class at Hogwarts. Ah, potions… the worst class of all." With that both of the adults laughed.

"Anyway, I wanted to make sure you made it here all right and let you know everything went off without a hitch. Minerva is supposed to drop off the paperwork from the hearing once it's over, but from what I hear it's open and shut."

"Thank you Arthur, thank you." With that Mr. Weasley nodded his head towards the boys and then apparated. "Alright, well, up to your rooms to change. We have to get to Diagon Alley soon." Harry, never sure how this day was going to end, stumbled up the stairs and turned to his right, assuming his room to be in this general direction. Sure enough the last door on the left opened to his room. It was furnished almost identically to his room at Privot Dr, just with a little more room and a small open balcony, which Harry would find out, is a staple to every bedroom in this quaint home. He dropped his jacket on the bed and sat for a moment.

"What am I to expect with all of this?" He said aloud as he fell back. Harry thought back reminiscing about the day; the birthday cupcake, the magic, the car ride, Mr. Weasley. All of it felt rather rushed he had to admit. His entire life essentially felt like a lie.

"Every moment has been a lie, or at least most of it." He thought as he ran his finger down his scar. "How much is there to the truth and how little is there to the lie?"

Douglas knocked on Harry's door, before walking in slowly.

"You know, I never was able to say it, but I am sorry." Douglas said as he sat at the foot of the bed. "I don't even have a good enough reason on why. I just did it. I'm sorry, mate." Harry leaned up and shook his cousin's shoulder gently. "We'll get through this. I mean, I've been through worse."

"Mum told me last year about you almost dying. She was on hysterics when she received the owl from your Headmaster describing your run in… with… with… you-know-who…"

"You knew about that?" Harry said in amazement. "Oh yes. Mum pulled me out of Smeltings that day. She broke down and cried. I've never seen her so torn apart. To be honest, I didn't believe that you were that Harry Potter. I thought that maybe, just maybe, you were mistaken for him… that maybe… maybe your parents did die in a car accident…I just… it's terrifying, really."

Harry was taken aback in all honesty. Dudley, er Douglas, was worried for him. He would have never imagined his childhood bully had feelings for him; feelings about him. A knock at the door interrupted them. It was Aunt Petunia. She opened the door slowly and momentarily eyed the two boys. "It's dinner time."

Dinner was a silent affair. Petunia had not created anything special, nor different from their usual menu. It was Thursday. They were having baked chicken, mashed potatoes and broccoli. Harry himself found it funny, in a way at least, the way the evening had gone on in a very normal fashion.

Harry was the first to break the silence as he asked Petunia the one question that had been burning in his brain, "Why did you decide to do this now?"

"What? It's Thursday, Harry. It's always baked chicken, mashed potatoes and-"

"No. That's not what I mean." "Oh."

Petunia put her utensils down.

Douglas had stopped eating as well and looked between the two nervously. He wouldn't lie; it had danced on his thoughts as well. His mother had never brought up Harry, and when he would ask, typically during their last two school supply runs, she would dismiss it and never bring it up again.

"Harry," she hesitated, "there are circumstances in play that I have no current control over. There are secrets, which must remain as they are. There is…hmmm… there is much at play."

She stopped again, almost pleading in a way, "You… are in danger."

Harry huffed, "When am I not in danger?"

Petunia frowned then, "It's a little different this time."

She picked up her fork and grabbed a piece of chicken, "You have far too many enemies for a child, Harry."

"Voldemort doesn't scare me."

Her fork dropped immediately, her mouth agape with, what Harry would assume, the fear of the name. The clang of metal to glass echoed in the home. Petunia stood up quickly, snatching her plate and walking to the kitchen.

"I'm sorry, you-know-who." Harry spat, attempting to keep his aunt's presence in the dining room. "Harry, I do not fear his name, I fear his power. Do not apologize for calling him for what he is. Just understand, it is appropriate to be fearful."

"I will not be afraid of him."

She gave a longing glance at him before turning away./p

"No Harry, you shouldn't. It's your father's company that you should truly fear." She thought as she left the room.