Harry Potter and the Diary of Riddles

Chapter 1 – Dobby's Invitation

Harry laid on the bed in his recently acquired bedroom, reminiscing about the most eventful year he had had in his whole life. Mysterious letters begin arriving for him. Being whisked away to some rocky hovel in an attempt to hide from them, only to have Ruebeus Hagrid break down the door. It was then that Harry had been informed of his lineage. He was a Wizard. His Father was a Wizard, his Mother a Witch. He was to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and that the Dursleys had been hiding it from him his whole life.

Then there was Diagon Alley, Gringotts, and all his school supplies. It was there that he met his best friend, Draco Malfoy. Then he got his wand, with its mysterious connection to the Dark Lord's Wand, the same Dark Lord that killed his parents and who failed to kill him as well.

A month later, he was on a train to Hogwarts. Then there was the Sorting. He found out that Hogwarts was divided into four Houses. Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. He got sorted into Slytherin so he could be with his new friends.

After a friendly, but ill advised, competition with Draco, he found himself on the Slytherin House Quidditch Team. Then there was a troll attack on Halloween of all nights, where he and Draco rescued a classmate, Hermione Granger from said troll. She and Harry became quick friends and she even decided to help him with a little bit of petty revenge on a classmate which Harry didn't not get along with. Ron Weasley.

Ron came from a family with a reputation for being in Gryffindor, so Harry couldn't think of anything more humiliating then having Ron's little sister, Ginny, end up in Slytherin, with him.

Things seemed to return to as normal as Hogwarts got until Harry's first Quidditch match. his broom seemed to go out of control. Rather then staying on a broom that is so desperately attempting to dislodge him, Harry jumped from it and won the game in spectacular fashion.

For Christmas, he had received his father's invisibility cloak, used it to explored the school, unseen, late at night. He discovered the Mirror of Erised, which displayed the deepest desire of whoever looks in it. When he had looked in it he saw his parents alive. Then there was Hagrid's Dragon, the trip into the Forbidden Forest, finding out that the same Dark Lord that had tried to kill him all those years ago had been possessing his Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor all year as well as scheming to steal some sort of arcane relic that Dumbledore had hid inside the school. Well inside the Mirror of Erised more precisely. Try as he might, he had been unable to stop him and Quirrel and the Dark Lord escaped with the Mirror.

Harry had quite the year. Now he was back at Number Four Privet Drive, with his insufferable Muggle relatives. But it was fine. Just a few more weeks at he'd be back at Hogwarts. Even with Uncle Vernon's stupid Dinner tonight with someone important from his company, Harry was in a good mood.

"Boy get down here!" Vernon yelled up the staircase. Harry sighed, his mood was ruined. He ran his fingers across Balthazar's neck before making his way downstairs. His pet Orobo-Raven shuddered lightly and curled up at he laid down for another nap.

As he made his way down the stairs Vernon cleared his throat importantly and said, "Now, as we all know, today is a very important day." Harry looked up, hardly daring to believe it. Had the Vernon actually remembered his birthday? "This could well be the day I make the biggest deal of my career," said Vernon.

Harry rolled his eyes. Of course, he thought bitterly, Vernon was talking about the stupid dinner party. He'd been talking of nothing else for two weeks. Some rich builder and his wife were coming to dinner and Vernon was hoping to get a huge order from him (Vernon's company made drills).

"I think we should run through the schedule one more time," said Vernon. "We should all be in position at eight o'clock. Petunia, you will be —?"

"In the lounge," said Aunt Petunia promptly, "waiting to welcome them graciously to our home."

"Good, good. And Dudley?"

"I'll be waiting to open the door." Dudley put on a foul, simpering smile. "May I take your coats, Mr. and Mrs.

Mason?"

"They'll love him!" cried Aunt Petunia rapturously.

"Excellent, Dudley," said Vernon. Then he rounded on Harry. "And you?"

"I'll be in my bedroom, making no noise and pretending I'm not there," said Harry tonelessly.

"Exactly," said Vernon nastily. "I will lead them into the lounge, introduce you, Petunia, and pour them drinks. At eight-fifteen —"

"I'll announce dinner," said Aunt Petunia.

"And, Dudley, you'll say —"

"May I take you through to the dining room, Mrs. Mason?" said Dudley, offering his fat arm to an invisible woman.

"My perfect little gentleman!" sniffed Aunt Petunia.

"And you?" said Vernon viciously to Harry.

"I'll be in my room, making no noise and pretending I'm not there," said Harry dully.

"Precisely. Now, we should aim to get in a few good compliments at dinner. Petunia, any ideas?"

"Vernon tells me you're a wonderful golfer, Mr. Mason… Do tell me where you bought your dress, Mrs. Mason…"

"Perfect… Dudley?"

"How about —'We had to write an essay about our hero at school, Mr. Mason, and I wrote about you.'"

This was too much for both Aunt Petunia and Harry. Aunt Petunia burst into tears and hugged her son, while Harry glared at his supposed family.

"And you, boy?"

Harry fought from answering with "what?"

"I'll be in my room, making no noise and pretending I'm dead and not there," he said with a grim tone.

Vernon scoffed and shock is head slightly at the boy's dark comment. "Too right, you will." said Vernon forcefully. "The Masons don't know anything about you and it's going to stay that way. When dinner's over, you take Mrs. Mason back to the lounge for coffee, Petunia, and I'll bring the subject around to drills. With any luck, I'll have the deal signed and sealed before the news at ten. Be shopping for a vacation home in Majorca this time tomorrow."

Harry couldn't feel too excited about this. He didn't think the Dursleys would like him any better in Majorca than they did on Privet Drive.

"Right — I'm off into town to pick up the dinner jackets for Dudley and me. And you," he snarled at Harry.

"You stay out of your aunt's way while she's cleaning."

Harry left through the back door. It was a brilliant, sunny day. He crossed the lawn, slumped down on the garden bench, and sang under his breath:

"Happy birthday to me… happy birthday to me…"

He gazed miserably into the hedge. He had never felt so lonely. More than anything else at Hogwarts, more even than playing Quidditch, Harry missed his best friend, Draco Malfoy. Draco was the first person that Harry had enjoyed being around. At first he had reminded Harry of Dudley, but the more Harry had gotten to know him, the more that couldn't be true.

Draco was quick-witted, he was patient, he was deliberate in his words and he wasn't a Muggle. Harry had made more friends that he cherished just as much as Draco, and he was missing them just as much. Blaise Zabini, the academic sort. Theodore Nott, the daydreamer. Even Pansy Parkinson with all of her gossip and drama. These were his housemates; Harry was in Slytherin house, prided for their cunning. With the exception of Pansy they were also his dorm mates. With the help of the Malfoy's house elf Dobby, they had been able to send him birthday cards and gifts. It had mostly been snacks and sweets, which Harry had practically devoured the first day. But a few were more thoughtful. Draco had gotten him a brand-new book on Seeker maneuvers, and Blaise sent him a book and a note. 'Figured you never had these growing up, kind of childish, but thought you would like it.' The Tale of Beedle the Bard. It seemed to be a collection of wizarding children's stories.

Harry even had a friend from their rival House of Gryffindor. Hermione Granger. However with the excitement of the school year ending Harry had never thought to give her his address. Many nights before Harry had been on the point of unlocking Balthazar's cage by magic and sending him to his friends with a letter, but it wasn't worth the risk.

Underage wizards weren't allowed to use magic outside of school. Harry hadn't told the Dursleys this; he knew it was only their terror that he might turn them all into dung beetles that stopped them from locking him in the cupboard under the stairs with his wand and broomstick.

For the first couple of weeks back, Harry had enjoyed muttering nonsense words under his breath and watching Dudley tearing out of the room as fast as his fat legs would carry him. But the long absence from Draco and the others had made Harry feel so cut off from the magical world that even taunting Dudley had lost its appeal.

Not that his whole year at Hogwarts had been fun. At the very end of last term, Harry had come face-to-face with none other than Lord Voldemort himself. Voldemort might be a ruin of his former self, but he was still terrifying, still cunning, still determined to regain power. Harry had slipped through Voldemort's clutches for a second time, but it had been a narrow escape, and even now, weeks later, Harry kept waking in the night, drenched in cold sweat, wondering where Voldemort was now, remembering his livid face, his wide, mad eyes — Harry suddenly sat bolt upright on the garden bench. He had been staring absent-mindedly into the hedge — and the hedge was staring back. Two enormous green eyes had appeared among the leaves.

Harry jumped to his feet just as a jeering voice floated across the lawn.

"I know what day it is," sang Dudley, waddling toward him.

The huge eyes blinked and vanished.

"What?" said Harry, not taking his eyes off the spot where they had been.

"I know what day it is," Dudley repeated, coming right up to him.

"Well done," said Harry. "So you've finally learned the days of the week."

"Today's your birthday," sneered Dudley. "How come you haven't got any cards? Haven't you even got friends at that freak place?"

Harry frowned for a second. The fact that Dudley thought he hadn't gotten any mail bothered him. But Dudley didn't know for certain. "What makes you think I haven't gotten anything for my birthday?" Harry asked coolly as he took a seat on the bench and laid his arms across the back.

Dudley seemed shaken. "Well nothings come through the mail, so you must have gotten nothing" He said seemingly proud of his answer.

Harry smirked. "What makes you think that 'We' would ever use your simple Muggle post service" Harry said faking anger, but making his disgust real. "We have so much better ways. We can have something there one second and gone the next. I could travel from here to London in a flash of Fire. The only reason I'm still here and not with people who actually like me is because, your half-wit of a father locked away my possessions" Harry finished as he stepped towards Dudley now pointing his finger into his chest.

Harry saw the fear in Dudley and decided to push his luck. "But then again I could just to it without my wand. It's a lot harder but I could if I needed to" said Harry.

Dudley stumbled backward at once, a look of panic on his fat face.

"You c-can't — Dad told you you're not to do m-magic — he said he'll chuck you out of the house"

Harry now was actually angry at Dudley. He started cursing him with most idiotic things he could think of…in Parsaltougne. The Snake speak Terrified Dudley. He stumble backward.

"MUUUUUUM!" howled Dudley, tripping over his feet as he dashed back toward the house. "MUUUUM! He's doing you know what!"

Harry paid dearly for his moment of fun. As neither Dudley nor anything else for that matter were in any way harmed, Aunt Petunia knew he hadn't really done magic, but he still had to duck as she aimed a heavy blow at his head with the soapy frying pan. Then she gave him work to do, with the promise he wouldn't eat again until he'd finished.

While Dudley lolled around watching and eating ice cream, Harry cleaned the windows, mowed the lawn, trimmed the flowerbeds, and repainted the garden bench. He had successfully argued his way out of cleaning the car and pruning and watering roses.

The sun blazed overhead, burning the back of his neck. 'Wish they could see famous Harry Potter now' he thought savagely as he spread manure on the flower beds, his back aching, sweat running down his face.

It was half past seven in the evening when at last, exhausted, he heard Aunt Petunia calling him. "Get in here! And walk on the newspaper!"

Harry moved gladly into the shade of the gleaming kitchen. On top of the fridge stood tonight's pudding: a huge mound of whipped cream and sugared violets. A loin of roast pork was sizzling in the oven.

"Eat quickly! The Masons will be here soon!" snapped Aunt Petunia, pointing to two slices of bread and a lump of cheese on the kitchen table. She was already wearing a salmon-pink cocktail dress.

Harry washed his hands and bolted down his pitiful supper. The moment he had finished, Aunt Petunia whisked away his plate. "Upstairs! Hurry!"

As he passed the door to the living room, Harry caught a glimpse of Vernon and Dudley in bow ties and dinner jackets. He had only just reached the upstairs landing when the doorbell rang and Vernon's furious face appeared at the foot of the stairs.

"Remember, boy — one sound —"

Harry shook his head in flippancy as crossed to his bedroom on tiptoe slipped inside, closed the door, and turned to collapse on his bed. The trouble was, there was already someone sitting on it.

Harry managed not to shout out, but it was a close thing. The little creature on the bed had large, bat-like ears and bulging green eyes the size of tennis balls. Harry knew instantly that this was what had been watching him out of the garden hedge that morning.

As they stared at each other, Harry heard Dudley's voice from the hall.

"May I take your coats, Mr. and Mrs. Mason?"

Harry finally stepped into his room and closed the door behind him. "Dobby, what are you doing here? Now is really not a good time." Harry said in a whisper.

"Harry Potter!" said Dobby in a high-pitched voice Harry was sure would carry down the stairs. "Harry Potter remembers Dobby's name!"

Harry glaring daggers at Dobby edged along the wall and sinking into his desk chair, next to Balthazar, who was staring at Dobby intently. Aunt Petunias high, false laugh sounded from the living room. The elf hung his head at the mention of his masters.

"Not that I'm not pleased to see you," said Harry quickly, "but, er, is there any particular reason you're here?"

"Oh, yes, sir," said Dobby earnestly. "Dobby has come to tell you, that the masters have requested your presence at Malfoy Manor. You will be staying with them until the beginning of school this year. They will here to gather you and you're belonging at noon tomorrow."

Harry was baffled. It was one thing to send him Birthday gifts, but now they were inviting him into their home for the remainder of the summer holidays. "You're sure"? Harry had to ask.

Dobby nodded frantically. "Yes, The Lord master made it very clear. Tomorrow, noon. If you were not ready Dobby was to be given a swift beating" Dobby said twisting his left ear in painful anticipation. Harry frowned morosely. As ugly as Dobby was he didn't really want any harm to come to him.

Harry was so pleased. The Malfoy were coming tomorrow to get him and he'd no longer have to be with the Dursleys. He had to hold himself in to prevent whooping and hollering. "Well then. We'll just have to make sure I'm ready. Won't we" Harry said briskly. He stood up, opened the closet door, and grabbed his school uniform, minus his cloak. He smoothed out the wrinkles and laid out his pants on top of the dresser, then plugged in the Dursley's old iron.

He was about to go down stairs and tell the Dursleys that Lucius Malfoy would being coming to pick him up at noon tomorrow when He noticed Dobby staring at Balthazar again. Which made him wonder.

"Dobby, how exactly did you get in my room"? Harry asked as he walked over to Balthazar, slipped two finger inside the cage and stroked the underside of his chin.

Dobby watched in terror as Harry freely put his fingers in the beast's cage and proceeded to touch the snake monster. "Dobby has his ways" Dobby said in a way that made Harry think he wasn't trying to be coy, he just admitted to being able.

"Well what else could you do?" Harry asked. He was now thinking of getting his trunk out and having his belongings. "Can you get me something from a locked cupboard, without making any noise and without breaking the lock?" Harry asked excitedly.

Dobby looked back at Harry. He seemed thoughtful. "For Harry Potter. Anything" He said breaking into a full happy grin. Harry had to admit, he really liked this house elf.

Harry had explained the plan to Dobby that he would need to go downstairs and distract his muggle relatives and their guest then retrieved everything for under the stairs.

Harry was about to open the door and signal Dobby to go when a thought occurred to him. "Dobby, you think you could get the lock on his cage?" Harry asked nodding towards Balthazar. If this went wrong he couldn't have Balthazar at risk.

Dobby looked to Harry and then to Balthazar. He obviously did not like this. He was clearly afraid of Balthazar, which did not surprise Harry in the least. "Please, Dobby" Harry pleaded.

Dobby's eyes seemed to well up with tears. "The great Harry Potter asks Dobby please" he croaked out before wailing and crying. He almost attempted to smash his head into a chair before Harry grabbed him by the shoulders and held him at eye level. Dobby's legs dangled and he looked a little scared.

"Dobby. Don't do that! The muggles here are very cruel and will punish me if there is too much noise coming from this room" Harry explained. "Now then, the lock Dobby?" Harry asked faking a pleading look.

Dobby met Harry's gaze and almost broke down again. "For Harry Potter, Dobby would do anything!" Dobby said as fierce of a voice as his little body could muster. Harry set Dobby down and watched him as he hobbled over to Balthazar's cage and with a snap of his fingers the big pad lock on the cage unlocked.

Harry made two quick steps toward Balthazar's cage and practically tore off the lock and swung open the cage door. Balthazar swooped out of the cage and landed on the nearest bed post where he dug his three quarter inch talons into the wood and spread his wings out completely.

Dobby cowered in fear as Balthazar showed off his impressive four and a half foot wing span. "Much better" Balthazar hissed. With several pops and quick jerks he seemed to have worked out all the kinks in his body. Harry smiled at his companions freedom but remembered the task at hand.

"Now, my things. They're in a cupboard under the stairs downstairs. There are also a group a muggles down there that must not know you're here" Harry went on.

"I need my truck. It has all my belongings that I'll need" Harry told Dobby who nodded intently. Harry motioned to the door. "Dobby, you must not be seen. That is most important. If you gonna get caught come back and try again. Ok?" Harry asked hoping that all went well.

Harry opened the door and peaked his head out. "Go, now" Harry whispered. Dobby bolted from the room and made a quick turn and headed down the stairs. Harry was a little surprised by the lack of noise Dobby's feet made.

He left the door open a crack as he waited for Dobby to come back. He heard a soft crack followed by a crash. He clenched his jaw. He heard Aunt Petunia scramble into the kitchen. "Oh, my. It seems one of the wine glasses fell off the counter. Must have been the wind" she called out to the others. There was a soft thud and Harry saw his truck turn the corner on the staircase.

The trunk itself was floating three feet off the steps with Dobby a foot behind it, both arms raised. Harry opened his door and quickly motioned Dobby inside. Dobby brought his trunk in and slowly landed it in the center of the room.

Harry quietly closed the door and looked back to Dobby. "Great work Dobby" Harry said gleefully. Harry looked at his trunk. Dobby had almost broken out into tears at Harry's compliment. Harry opened his trunk. Everything was just as he left it.

Dobby stood next to the trunk again staring at Balthazar who was staring back. Harry hissed at Balthazar. "Easy now. He's a friend. Not food. You wouldn't be able to eat him anyway" Harry chided Balthazar.

Dobby looked terrified that Harry had 'spoken' to the Orobo-Raven. "Easy there Dobby. I'm a Parceltongue. I can speak with snakes freely. You mustn't tell anybody, not ever your masters. OK?" Harry asked, this time not faking his plead.

Dobby twisted his ear again. "For Harry Potter, Dobby will do this" the house elf said teary eyed.

Harry looked at Dudley's old VCR to check the time. While the TV was completely out of commission, the VCR it came with still worked as a perfectly functional clock. It was only half past 8 . Harry was far to excited to sleep now, but he was also to anxious about tomorrow at noon to be awake for any longer.

Harry let Dobby sit quietly in the corner to catch his breath as moving the trunk had not weakened him right away, but he was feeling it now. Balthazar was hopping back and forth from each of the bed post.

Harry poured some of his drinking water into the iron and started work on his pants. The three just sat in silence while Harry ironed his clothe. The silence was occasionally broken by Petunia's screeching laugh but they ignored it for the most part.

Harry finally finished with uniform and sat down on his bed. "So you're absolutely positive about noon tomorrow Dobby?" Harry asked trying not to get too excited. Dobby seemed ready to fall asleep but managed to nod. He yawned, which seemed to be contagious, as Harry yawned.

Dobbys head started drooping and bobbing. "Dobby, don't fall asleep there" Harry said as he noticed how close to the door Dobby was. If the Dursleys came into his room with Dobby asleep right behind it, it would be bad.

Harry knew certain things about house elves and their habits. Harry walked over to his clothe basket and flattened it down. "Sleep here, Dobby" Harry said as he moved the bin behind his bed, so it could not be seen from the doorway.

Dobby got to his feet and jaunted over to the bin. "Dobby, before you get to comfortable. Are you certain your Masters would be alright with you not returning tonight?" Harry asked as Balthazar curled up in his lap and was being petted.

Dobby yawned again. "Dobby's instruction were to assist Harry Potter in any manner he requested and to assist him in the morning" Dobby replied, pulling a t-shirt over his whole body as a blanket. "Dobby must be here in the morning to prepare Harry Potter's breakfast, to make sure he is dressed, and to get his belongings ready for the Master".

Harry nodded. Balthazar had taken to looking out the window at the night time critters. Harry got up and opened the window for him. "No one can see. Clear?" He hissed. Balthazar nodded and took off into the night sky. Harry had no qualms about him being out in the neighborhood at night. Could be no worse than Hogwarts ground. He left the window open and sat on the ledge for a while just enjoying his new sense of freedom.

Privet Drive just seemed so much smaller now. While the rest of the world seemed so much bigger. Harry dug out his books and laid them all out in front of him. He settled on rereading his Charms text and pulled his lamp closer to the window. With one leg dangling outside the window and his back on the frame Harry started halfway through the book and started reading parts of the book they hadn't covered in class.

The Next Morning.

Harry had eventual fallen asleep some time before 10 o'clock. So when 6 o'clock came around he was bright eyed and bushy tailed. Harry felt bad for walking Dobby to make him breakfast but remember something Theodore had told him about House elves self-punishing if they think they've done something wrong.

With the rising sun Harry had seen Balthazar curled up and asleep on the roof of the Dursely's garage. 'Must have been a good night for him' Harry thought.

Without a sound Dobby came into Harry's room with a plate of bacon, egg, sausage and toast with a cup of tea and a glass of orange juice. Harry stood in awe. The only other place he got food like this was at Hogwarts. He was about to tear into it all but he had a terrifying thought.

"Dobby, what does the Kitchen look like"? Harry asked taking a seat at the desk. He took the plate from Dobby and set it in front of him. No matter the kitchen, he wasn't about to let this breakfast go to waste. He took the tea and juice, then the knife and fork.

Dobby smiled. "Harry Potter's relative's Kitchen is exactly how Dobby found it. Dobby did not clean a single dish for those who would treat Harry Potter so" Dobby said proudly. While Dobby's position on muggles resembled, say perhaps, Dumbledore. It was clear that he held Harry above those views.

Harry grinned a little and then started eating.

With his text books and wand, Harry found his time flying by. When he looked at the VCR it read 10:36. Vernon and Petunia had been up for the last hour or so, lounging about. Harry figured now would be a good time to tell them that he would be leaving for the rest of the summer.

He got dressed in his uniform, minus the cloak and open his door. He first saw Dudley rubbing sleep away from his eyes as he shambled his way into the washroom. 'Didn't even notice me' Harry thought to himself before making his way down the stairs. He walked pass the living room and caught a glimpse of Vernon and Petunia sitting, enjoying their teas.

He walked into the Kitchen and poured himself a glass of water. He drank the water and was about to make his way back before Petunia stepped into the Kitchen and squeaked. "What in the blazes are you doing?" She demanded.

Harry made a frown of confusion. He looked down at himself. "Pardon?" he asked mildly confuse. Nothing about his uniform screamed magic, nothing about his drinking of water announced he was a wizard.

"Why are you wearing that?" She asked seemingly offended. She was about to follow up with another question when Vernon finally walked in. He too had the astonishment of being shocked and surprised that Harry would be wearing his uniform. He didn't say anything at first. He just made a noise something between a snort and cough.

"Boy, what do you think you're doing?" Vernon asked. His hand shaking, making the spoon and tea cup rattle.

Harry finally grew bored. "Oh, you mean my clothe. Well, I'm leaving today" Harry said with a certain amount of nonchalance. Clearly Vernon was not pleased with that answer so Harry went on. "Lord Malfoy, and his son Draco will be here at noon to collect me and my things" Harry explained while watching Vernon change colors.

"I've already collected my things from under the stairs, so you needn't worry about that" Harry went on, knowing full well that Vernon couldn't care less about Harry's thing. "Lord Malfoy will be very disappointed if I'm not ready by the time he gets here. So I'll be in my room preparing, then at quarter to, I'll bring my things down and wait in the living room".

Rather than ducking out at the end of his sentence, Harry stood and watched. Petunia seemed to be working out in her head, what Harry had done wrong and what to shout at him about. Vernon on the other hand. Vernon seemed to have no anger at all.

"You'll be back next summer?" Vernon asked in a low and level voice. Harry had rarely heard it, and never had it been addressed at him before. But Vernon just stood there, waiting for an answer.

Harry gathered his nerve together. "Yes, once school lets out" Harry said as he leaned against the counter wondering what was happening. Even Petunia seemed a bit lost, but still steaming under the hood.

Vernon nodded and put his cup and spoon in the sink. "Good. I'd like to talk to this Malroy, you said?"

"Malfoy" Harry corrected. "Rich and Powerful, Lord Malfoy. Rather high in our Government". He went on knowing that these kinds of things made Vernon remember better.

"I see. You said noon. Right". Vernon looked about. He was seemingly thinking very hard. Harry could see the same look he used for work. "Tell me about this Malfoy. For your kind, would you say he a respectable man?" Vernon asked not looking at Harry.

Harry was extremely confused. Vernon never cared nor took an interest in anything relating to Harry or his world. "Well, yes. He's on our version of the Parliament. He has speaks with our Minister daily" Harry went on, not sure what Vernon was thinking.

Vernon nodded. Petunia also seemed nervous. If it was something concerning Harry she'd be expected to know what was going on. "Harry, go to your room. Quarter to, come down and wait in the living room. No questions, just go" she said in a worried voice, not really looking at Harry.

Harry slowly made his way up the stairs and into his room without a word. Vernon was thinking. Harry hated it when Vernon was thinking instead of just running on impulse. Petunia was more aloof about her displeasure with Harry's existence. And Dudley, well he was just brought up that way, Harry was less than dirt.

Harry tried to push these thoughts out of his head as he started reading over his Potions text. As well as he did this past year in Potions, Harry was sure that Snape was going to be even crueler with their studies. He delved deep into his book. He had gotten to the point where he started making his own notes in it.

Parts where he and Draco discovered short cuts with the most simplest of Potions. Anti-inch salve. One could skip the Oreth Root skinning process by setting it to boil while attending to the Base Mixture for the required time then come back to it and simply pull the skins of and add the Root to the mix with no ill effects. They had first discovered this by accident while sitting next to Neville Longbottom who said his Gran did the same thing while cooking.

He looked at the VCR every now and then, once it was finally 11:30 he packed the last of his books and had Dobby press and iron the rest of his clothe before neatly putting them away. He had off handedly mention not liking the ratty old t-shirt he used to cover Balthazar cage, and with no prodding or inclination Dobby popped out of his room and popped back in with a black silk cover that fit perfectly over Balthazar's cage.

By the time Harry was completely ready to go it was 11:45. He had Dobby levitate his Trunk down while he carried Balthazar in his cage, covered. He got to the living room and found Vernon and Petunia sitting on the couch almost anxious. 'What do they have to be anxious about' he thought with reservations.

He took a seat opposite them and waited. It had only dawned on Harry now that he had no idea how they were getting here. He was about to call Dobby when a loud popping noise could be heard outside. Harry jumped and peered out the window.

Having appeared out of thin air stood all three Malfoys in what Harry only assumed they had thought would be appropriate Muggle attire. Lucius seemed to be in his normal clothing, but had replaced his elegant robe for an equally impressive tail coat. On his arm was Narcissa in a rather simple teal gown and a simple off yellow jacket. Dragging his heels behind them was Draco in an outfit that matched his father's minus the tail coat.

Vernon took a deep breath and puffed out his chest. He walked over to the door and opened it as the Malfoys walked up the driveway. Lucius stepped up to the doorway and was met with Vernon's stoic visage. Vernon took a half step forward then thrust out his hand. "Vernon Dursley, a pleasure" he said with the same pleasing voice Harry had heard him use with the Masons.

It seemed today was going to be one of completely surprise for Harry, as Lucius Malfoy, took Vernon's hand and greeted himself. "Lucius Malfoy. Likewise" he said shaking Vernon's hand. "Ah Harry there you are, all ready?" Lucius asked politely. Harry could do nothing but nod slowly. "Good".

At this point Petunia stepped out from the living and introduced herself. "Petunia, a pleasure." She said with a plastered smile. More surprises than Harry had even begun to expect, Narcissa stepped forward. Her glare seemed to lessen as she approached Petunia.

"Once Petunia Evans, correct?" Narcissa said adjusting her summer scarf over her shoulder. "I went to Hogwarts during a few of Lily's years. Tutored her before graduating myself. Such warmth. It was such a shame to have heard about that Tragedy."

Harry stood shocked and unable to think. He merely watched as Petunia was in a seemingly similar state. "I have lost a sister as well. But I found comfort in making my own family." Narcissa gestured to Draco who stood only close enough to be polite. "I'd imagine your, Dudley, is your joy."

Petunia attempted and failed to casually wipe away a tear, being obvious. "Yes, my Dudley is my whole world."

Hand shaken, pleasantries exchanged. Harry and the Malfoys were just about to leave when Vernon spoke up. "If it's not too much trouble, could I have a word in the other room" Vernon said in a no nonsense voice to Lucius.

Lucius seemed just as surprised as Harry and the others. But seemed to collect himself, he nodded and followed Vernon into the dining room.

Narcissa continued to make small talk with Petunia. Her obvious act was not wasted on Petunia who never guessed that Narcissa despised everything about this house and the people in it. "Boys why don't you wait for Lucius and I out side by the end of the driveway." Narcissa said kindly. "Dobby can handle all of Harry's things."

On que Dobby appeared. After recoiling from Petunia's shriek, Dobby started disappearing and appearing along side Harry's things. Harry was a bit apprehensive to let anyone near Balthazar and had stopped Dobby from disappearing with his cage.

"So what's your uncle want to talk about with father?" Draco asked. He was looking around the Muggle neighborhood, while displeased with being surrounded by muggles he was obviously curious about it all.

Harry shrugged. "No idea. But I don't like it" Harry said leaning against the bumper. "So what's with the clothes?" Harry asked tugging on Draco's sleeve. It wasn't a stretch for witches and wizards to have muggle clothing, but for Pure Blood socialist like the Malfoys. It was just shocking.

Draco shrugged. "Mom had the idea of not wanting to shock your relatives with a big entrance. We weren't even sure if a muggle fire place would be connected to the Floo Network" He explained. "Father knew better then to attempt a Floo, so he and Mother settled on Apparating, and seeing as we'd be seen in a muggle invested area, the 'law' says dress the part". Draco said leaning on the side of the Dursleys' car.

Harry nodded. He looked over to the garage roof and saw Balthazar rear his head. Harry held his arm out and gestured for him to come. Balthazar stretched out and unfurled his wings. With a single leap and a long glide Balthazar reached Harry's outstretched arm.

Draco took a quick half step back. "Gotten big, hasn't he?" He asked looking on a little nervous.

Harry nodded. "I guess, I see him all the time, so I haven't noticed. Although, his summer colors are coming in nicely". Harry said as he drummed two finger against Balthazar's belly. He walked over to

the window, reached in with a free hand and opened Balthazar's cage.

Harry jerked his head toward the cage and brought his arm towards the window. Balthazar hissed lightly at him. "I'll remember this" he hissed. Harry laughed and shrugged his shoulders. Balthazar hopped of and swooped into his cage. Harry pulled the cover around it.

Harry and Draco just stood out next to the car waiting for Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy. They said nothing. Just stood next to each other. Occasionally nudging each other in the ribs and snickering. After a few minutes the front door opened and out came Lucius and Narcissa. They said their goodbyes to the Dursleys and walked to the car.

"Well, all ready Harry?" Lucius asked with a small grin. Harry nodded. Lucius turned to Dobby who bowed as his master was about to address him.

"Dobby, return to the manor and make sure that Harry's room is prepared and have the kitchen elves prepare tea for our arrival" Lucius said dropping all pleasantries he had while talking to Harry. The house elf nodded and disappeared with a small crack.

"Draco, with your Mother." Lucius said standing on the sidewalk in front of the Dursleys' lawn. "Harry are you familiar with Apparating?" Harry could only shake his head. "Well take hold of my arm and try not to vomit."

Harry did as he was told and watched as Narcissa and Draco suddenly vanished. In a few short seconds Harry had an idea of what had happened.