Part 13

The next morning, Harry was woken up by tapping on his window. Immediately, Harry was awake. He couldn't help remembering the summer before their second year when Ron, Fred and George had rescued Harry from his bedroom. Hardly daring to hope, Harry reached automatically for his glasses. Throwing his covers off, Harry stepped onto the cold wooden floor. His too-big pajama bottoms dragged on the floor behind him, almost making Harry trip. Grabbing his chair, Harry looked outside and saw the brown-tawny Daily Post owl tapping at the glass impatiently.

Harry sighed and released a breath he didn't know he had been holding. Quickly, he opened the window and the owl flew in, landing on Hedwig's cage. Holding out its leg importantly, the owl looked away as Harry took it off. Then, it extended its other leg which a purse was tied to, for Harry to put the money in.

Harry ruffled his sleep-tousled hair and looked around for his money bag and the letter that he wanted to send to Hermione. Counting out the right amount, with a little extra, Harry put the money into the owl's purse. The owl however, fixed Harry with its brown-eyed glare and waited.

Harry sighed and pushed his slipping glasses back up his nose. "I know I put too much in," Harry told the owl. "But that's because I want you to make a delivery for me. Will you do it?"

The owl blinked twice which Harry took as assent. After all, what self respecting bird wouldn't want to make extra money?

Harry smiled. "Thank you," he said as he tied the letter to the owl's outstretched leg.

The owl hooted once and then spread its wings as Harry stepped back. With a nod of its proud head, the owl flew out the window and into the still dark sky.

Harry yawned and looked at his bedside clock. It was still early. With another yawn, Harry sleepily made his way back to bed; his pajama's sprawling behind him. Finally, his pajamas caught up with him and tripped him, causing Harry to fall onto his bed. Harry barely even bothered to pull the covers back over himself before falling back asleep.

Part 14

The Dursleys went out again the next day, leaving Harry with the orders to wash the dishes and clean up the rest of the house.

Harry sighed tiredly once he saw the list of chores that Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia had left on the fridge. It was a little strange with how often they were all out lately, but Harry shrugged. Uncle Vernon was getting a lot of new orders for his nails and screws. Aunt Petunia liked going with Uncle Vernon since he was getting rich new clients and they were always throwing garden parties and such.

On the note, it told Harry that Dudley had gone out with friends. Harry was relieved. Ever since he had started at Hogwarts, Dudley had been more reluctant to pick on his cousin, but that didn't mean he wouldn't be braver with all his friends around.

Harry ate his breakfast quickly so he would have time to finish all the chores set for him. After his last bit of egg, Harry put his plate in the sink and turned on the hot water.

"Ouch!" Harry cried as the water burnt him. From under the sink, Harry took some plastic gloves and put them on before putting his hands under the water again.

There were plenty of dishes to wash since his uncle hated washing dishes and preferred leaving them all for Harry to do. He liked treating Harry as more of a chore boy than his nephew and was always encouraging Petunia to leave the cleaning to Harry as well.

By ten o'clock, Harry was finished cleaning up the kitchen and was ready to move to the living room. The last thing that Harry needed to do was dry off the dishes, and just as he was on the last one, the door bell rang.

Immediately, Harry was on his guard. Not many people came visiting during the summer. Checking his back pocket, Harry made sure that his wand was still there. His seventeenth birthday hadn't come yet, but the Death Eaters might be impatient to try something.

Holding the dishrag in one hand and his wand hidden in the other, Harry made his way to the door. "This is one of those times that peepholes come in handy," Harry muttered to himself. Actually, he was surprised that the Dursleys didn't have one; Aunt Petunia was so fond of knowing exactly what was going on at all times.

Harry undid the lock on the door but kept the chain in place. Through the tiny slit, Harry looked out, still wanting to be cautious. All he could see was a pair of feet! Immediately curious, and a little worried, Harry undid the chain and opened the door fully. His green eyes widened in shock and his face paled as he saw who was lying there. The boy's face was hidden but Harry could see the platinum, almost white blond hair and the pale skin. He was unconscious, but Harry still recognized him.

"Malfoy," Harry gasped.