CHAPTER FOUR: FIGG, ANYONE

Harry awoke rather early the next morning, almost convinced he'd dreamt the previous evening's events. Ron's snores from the middle of the room immediately told him otherwise. Harry smiled and stretched. He hadn't slept very long, but he'd finally slept soundly. Hedwig returned at some point during the night and had gone straight into her cage. Harry greeted her as he got quietly from his bed and offered her owl biscuits for an early breakfast. He silently gathered clothes and crept from the room so as not to disturb Ron, pulling the door closed softly.

Once dressed, he headed downstairs to the kitchen. The Dursleys wouldn't stir for another couple of hours. Harry would have time to make breakfast, clean up and be out of the way before Aunt Petunia came downstairs.

He opened the refrigerator and to his surprise, found it more full of foods than he'd last noticed. Aunt Petunia hadn't gone shopping yesterday, had she? Then he saw it; a note was taped to a second carton of eggs. It was from Hermione and read:

Harry,

I figured you'd probably be the first one up in the morning and thought it a good idea to cause your aunt and uncle as little distress as possible. For some reason, I believe the mere idea of having to feed us would be too much. I've taken the liberty of supplying some additional provisions. I hope this helps.

Hermione

Harry grinned and started cooking. At a little past six, Hermione joined him in the kitchen. He'd just finished setting the breakfast table when he heard her entering.

"Good morning, Harry," she said. "I woke Ron a little while ago. He should be down shortly."

"Good morning," he replied happily. "And thanks for the extra food. That was a great idea. Everything's done. If you don't mind pouring the coffee, I'll run upstairs to make sure Ron hasn't fallen back asleep."

There was no need, as seconds later they could hear Ron walking slowly and sleepily down the stairs. He entered and plopped down at the table just as Hermione finished pouring coffee for each of them.

"Morning," Ron yawned and happily picked up the coffee cup in front of him. "Wow, Hermione, thanks for conjuring up breakfast. I'm famished."

"When aren't you famished?" she asked playfully in reply. "Besides, I didn't make breakfast; Harry did. And yes, he did it the normal way, you know, the way we Muggles cook."

Ron looked at his food as if he'd never seen bacon, eggs and muffins before. Then he grinned at Harry and said again, "Dad is going to be so jealous."

They tucked in to a hearty breakfast. Hermione helped Harry load the dishwasher and Ron magically cleaned the table and countertops. All the appliances and gadgets might have impressed him, but he wasn't about to do any more manual cleaning now that he was of age.

"Harry," he called. "I'm going to run upstairs and straighten your room. I'll be sure to leave the window open for Hedwig."

"Would you mind bringing my shoulder bag down with you?" asked Hermione. "It's on the chair next to the bureau."

"Will do," he answered and they could here him taking the stairs two and three at a time.

He returned in about five minutes. "The Muggles are stirring," he announced.

Harry, Hermione and Ron moved to the parlor and took seats out of direct line of sight of the foyer. They were talking quietly when they heard Aunt Petunia calling from the base of the landing to see what Uncle Vernon and Dudley wanted for breakfast. She opened the front door and retrieved that morning's milk delivery and paper. Heading down the hall to the kitchen, she turned her head and finally spotted Harry and his friends.

"Good morning, Mrs. Dursley," said Hermione and Ron. Harry said nothing; he just watched his Aunt.

She bristled and looked at Harry. "Are you going to hang around here all day?" she asked in alarm.

"No, Aunt Petunia," he answered. "We've already eaten and will be going out in about an hour."

"Well, okay then," she answered and left for the kitchen without so much a word to Hermione or Ron.

"Ouch," said Ron. "Is she always like that?"

"Pretty much," Harry answered. "Actually, that wasn't bad."

Ron and Hermione exchanged looks but said nothing more about it. They went on to plan their day.

By late morning, Harry had shown them all around Little Whinging. They'd seen his former primary school, and toured the grounds of Stonewall Academy, the secondary school Harry would have been forced to attend had his letter from Hogwarts not arrived. They ended up in the park Harry frequented. He and Hermione almost wet themselves laughing at Ron's attempts to put a basketball through the hoop. He kept asking why the stupid game wasn't played on broomsticks.

It was mid afternoon when they couldn't ignore their growing hunger any longer. "Well, we can go back home and scare the Dursleys into clearing out if they're around. I don't mind cooking again. Now that I don't have to do it for the Dursleys, I actually kind of enjoy it," said Harry.

"I've got Muggle money, Harry," Hermione said. "You know, if you want, we can grab burgers and things."

"That'd be great," Harry answered enthusiastically. " I've got a pouch full of wizard money on me, but it doesn't do me any good here. I should have exchanged some in London but everything with Kingsley moved so quickly, I forgot about it."

"Don't worry about it. Mum and Dad gave me more than enough. I told them we were going to do some traveling with you. They know about your situation with the Dursleys, so they made sure we'd be covered."

Ron always got really sensitive whenever the subject of money came up. Harry's parents and godfather had left him a substantial wizard's fortune. He would gladly give Ron half of it, but knew his friend would never take it, and oddly enough, would be insulted if he offered it. This time however, Ron didn't seem quite as uncomfortable.

"Fred and George gave me money, too," he explained. "They were really decent about it. They knew we were coming to get you and they just pulled me aside and handed me a full pouch. Of course, mine's as useless here as Harry's, but I'll be okay when we're among wizards."

"That's perfect," Hermione said. I'll cover our Muggle expenses; and if necessary, you and Harry can take care of any wizard expenses, later. Deal?"

"Deal," Harry and Ron said together.

They walked to the village center and spent the afternoon and early evening eating at sidewalk cafes, browsing a number of shops, and taking Ron to his first ever movie. It was great fun watching the expressions crossing Ron's face as he sat utterly transfixed by the latest fast paced, action packed film that was taking moviegoers by storm. He made them sit through it twice.

When he finally allowed them to exit, he said breathlessly, "When things are back to normal and I'm on my own, I think I want to live nearer the Muggles. That was the most magical thing I've ever seen."

It was near nine o'clock when they slowly began making their way back to the Dursleys. In route, they saw a number of brightly colored flyers affixed to store front windows and area trees.

Hermione stopped to read one and called, "Harry, come take a look."

The flyer was advertising the start of a carnival in a neighboring Surrey suburb. Harry and Hermione immediately agreed that the carnival would be the perfect place to spend the day tomorrow. Ron didn't quite know what all a carnival entailed, but he was soon looking forward to it as much as his friends as he listened to them describing the sites and attractions. All the while Harry was scanning his surroundings, checking for anything out of the norm. He kept up his end of the conversation as they approached Privet Drive, but he didn't stop his clandestine surveillance until they'd reached the landing of number four. Harry opened and held the door for his friends and took one last look up and down the block before shutting the door behind him.

Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon were watching television in the parlor. It seemed Dudley was still out with his friends.

They looked up as Harry and his friends crossed the foyer.

"We'll just be in my room," Harry said.

Uncle Vernon nodded curtly, but said absolutely nothing as the trio made their way upstairs to Harry's room.

They spent a few more hours talking and laughing before deciding to call it a night. They were anxious to get another early start with their second day's outing.

Harry awoke about half past five the next morning. Hedwig must not have been back long from her nighttime hunt, as she was still awake and turned her amber eyes toward Harry when she heard him stirring. He moved toward the open window and Hedwig left the perch of her cage and landed on his shoulder, hooting softly and contentedly as Harry absentmindedly stroked her feathers. He spent a long time leaning against the windowsill, looking out on the slowly lightening sky and the silent neighborhood. His thoughts seemed to be a thousand miles away and he was so preoccupied that he didn't realize Ron was now awake.

"Harry," said Ron as he stretched in the camp bed, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Harry replied lightly as he moved Hedwig from his shoulder to his lower arm and put her back in her cage. "I was just waiting a bit before waking you and Hermione."

"Well, it's after six now. I say we wake Hermione and get a move on. If we're dressed and out of here within an hour, we can grab breakfast at the café we found yesterday and get to the carnival when it first opens," said Ron brightly.

Harry grinned at his friend's enthusiasm.

"Okay, I'll clean up in here and you can get dressed and then wake Hermione."

The sun was bright and the day already warming when they left Privet Drive that morning. Best of all, they'd managed to avoid running into the Dursleys. Harry could hear them moving about upstairs as he, Ron and Hermione headed out. They would have left sooner, but Hermione insisted on leaving a short note to Aunt Petunia telling her they'd already left and wouldn't be back again until late evening. Harry told her it was not necessary but he couldn't convince her that his relatives wouldn't be concerned by his absence.

Ron remained oddly quiet during this short discussion and chose to wait by the front door while Hermione finished the note.

They reached the village center and found the café already had a couple of early morning customers. The friends took a corner table under a huge shade tree. They ordered a large breakfast and ate leisurely. At half past nine, they began the half hour walk to the carnival grounds.

If yesterday had been enjoyable, it was nothing compared to the day they had at the carnival. Harry had been to the carnival twice, both as class field trips at the end of term. As always, he was shunned or teased by Dudley's pack of friends and avoided by the other students because they didn't want to incur Dudley's wrath. Harry spent both those trips trailing behind either a teacher or a parent chaperon. It hadn't been much fun. Now however, he was fee to enjoy the full experience. He found himself almost as excited as Ron. Well, maybe not quite that excited, he noted with a look toward his friend.

Ron was like a kid let loose in a sweet shop. They spent the first several hours meandering through the House of Horrors, the Fun House and the like. Ron was fascinated by the distorting mirrors and laughed uncontrollably at his reflection in one that suddenly made him look remarkably like Professor Slughorn.

"All I need now is a handle bar mustache," he managed to say between fits of laugher.

After everything they'd seen during the last six years, they understandably thought the House of Horrors was kind of lame, but it was great fun watching little kids' reactions. Hermione spent several minutes trying desperately to calm down the hysterics of a little girl who looked to be about seven or eight. Her older brother was too busy laughing at her to offer much help. He finally came over to retrieve his little sister after Hermione gave him a rather scathing glare.

The rides were the absolute best. Hermione, who hated flying anything, was a source of endless amusement to both Harry and Ron.

"You know, you can just wait here for us if you like," Harry said to her as they approached a line for a rather diabolical looking roller coaster."

"No way," she replied, even though she was turning a most delicate shade of green as she watched and listened to the current riders screaming at the top of their lungs.

"Look Hermione," yelled Ron teasingly once they were seated side by side in a coaster car, "no hands."

Hermione screamed as soon as the coaster reached the top of its long climb. She was holding on for dear life to Harry's left arm and clinging desperately to Ron's right. The wind whipping past them on the steep drop, wicked turns and spirals was enough to bring water to their eyes. Ron exited the ride first and gave Hermione a hand out of the car. Once they began walking toward another ride, Harry noted with a pleasant grin that his friends were still holding hands.

He'd been wondering what was going on between them. At the end of term they'd seemed on the brink of something, but then everything seemed as it always had once they reached Privet Drive. Sure, Ron had looked like he wanted to murder Dudley as he drooled like an idiot each time he saw Hermione, but nothing else was apparent. Harry wondered if they were afraid of ruining their friendship if things didn't work out between them. Then he thought they were purposely being obtuse because they didn't want to upset Harry. They still hadn't really broached the subject of his breakup with Ginny and he believed they might be trying to spare his feelings or something equally crazy. In either case, he was pleased to see that whatever had been brewing was indeed still there. He'd leave them to find their own way on this one.

By mid afternoon, the friends were famished and went to find seats at a huge, tented eatery. They indulged in hotdogs, burgers, fries, lemonade and cotton candy, talking eagerly about the stuff they still wanted to see and do.

It was time for the carnival games. They'd heard some people complaining about the games, even speculating that they were rigged. It didn't seem to matter for Ron or Harry. Ron won a gigantic stuffed bear for Hermione at a horseshoe toss game, and Harry seemed unbeatable at the shooting galleries. He suspected his Seeker skills had given him an unusual edge. There was soon a pile of prizes around him and a crowd of onlookers was beginning to form. Not wanting to draw any unnecessary attention to himself, he asked Hermione to pick out which prize she wanted. Harry and Ron laughed as she gleefully chose a stuffed unicorn. They distributed the remaining prizes to younger kids in the crowd and then hurried off in the opposite direction.

They were exhausted by early evening, but were having too much fun to put an end to their day. They wandered about for another couple of hour, watching the carnival lights and some early fireworks and then decided to head back to the Dursleys. They had about an hour's or so walk ahead of them. Ducking behind an employee tent, Hermione quickly sent the prizes off to Privet Drive.

"Those are rather big and a bit awkward; we'll get back sooner without all of that," she explained.

"Good idea," said Harry.

However, he had his own reasons for thinking so. The hair seemed to be standing up on the back of his neck. He'd experienced the same feeling yesterday.

They laughed and teased each other relentlessly on the walk back to Privet Drive. The sky was darkening rather quickly now. Although Harry was laughing, he was also very much alert. The hand in his right pocket was wrapped carefully around his wand. He was certain someone was watching them from across the street. It was a stranger.

Realizing he'd been spotted, the man nodded toward Harry and jerked his head a bit to the left. Harry turned slightly, and saw Dawlish about a block ahead. His slight bow toward Harry told him the stranger was with either an Auror or Order member and posed no threat. Still keeping pace with his friends, Harry discreetly looked back at the stranger. The man quickly flashed three fingers at his side and continued on his side of the street. Harry understood he had three guards. If Dawlish was up ahead and the stranger to their side, then there was one more guard somewhere behind them. He wondered who it was, but didn't dare turn around. Kingsley was right; he did indeed need them and was glad to have their help.

Once safely back on Privet Drive, the friends were met in the middle of the street by Mrs. Figg.

"Well, hello there," she said to them.

"Hi, Mrs. Figg," said Harry. "I don't believe you've ever actually met my friends, Ron and Hermione."

"No, no, I haven't," she said quickly. "Glad to meet you both," she continued. "Let's keep walking," she said even faster. "I got word you were headed this way. You need to come with me for a few minutes," added Mrs. Figg, as she led them up the walk of her home.

Once inside, she motioned them to her doily covered living room and left them for a couple of moments. Ron and Hermione were looking around in amazement. They'd heard all about Harry's Squib neighbor these last two years. Mrs. Figg returned with a tea server and cookies for them.

"Make yourselves comfortable," she said. "I don't imagine it'll take too long."

Harry was about to ask what wouldn't take too long, when his question was answered. Hedwig arrived down Mrs. Figg's fireplace and dropped a red envelope in Harry's lap. She perched herself comfortably over Harry's shoulder on the back of the wing chair in which he sat. A couple of Mrs. Figg's cats had crept into the room, but one look at Hedwig's imperious glare sent them scampering out again.

Harry's envelope opened of its own accord. Although it was a howler, the voice within was pleasant, though definitely firm. It was Lupin's voice they heard:

Harry,

I'm glad Ron and Hermione are with you. From the reports received today, please know I am also happy to hear you are managing to find some enjoyment during this time.

Kingsley and I were told you spotted your tail earlier this evening and handled yourself impressively. Good job. It's important that you stay alert, no matter what else is going on. Your rear tail thought she saw something suspicious as you were leaving the fair grounds. As we can't be sure of anything at the moment, I need you to listen carefully and do everything I say.

A guard will signal Mrs. Figg when everything is clear. You are not to leave her home until she says so. Tomorrow is your last day with your aunt and uncle and it would be best if you three stayed closer to home. You may hang out in your usual local haunts, just stay clear of the village and the larger Surrey area. We'll be in contact again tomorrow.

If you need to reach me before then, send word with Hedwig or see Mrs. Figg.

I shall see you very soon.

"What tail is he talking about?" asked Hermione almost at once. "You saw someone following us? Why didn't you say anything?" she added, slightly put out.

"Look," said Harry slowly. "I thought I saw someone watching us from across the street. It turns out I was right. I knew he was with the Order or the Ministry when he pointed out Dawlish, who signaled at me. The entire exchange took less than a minute. I thought it best not to draw any unnecessary attention, as I had no idea who or what else might be nearby. I was going to fill you in once we reached the house, but obviously the Order beat me to it."

"Sorry," mumbled Hermione. "I guess I'm a little unnerved that neither of us saw anything."

"Some help we're going to be if we can't even spot a stupid Order tail," said Ron.

"That tail wasn't stupid," replied Harry. "They'd probably been nearby most of the day. I only noticed the one on the way home. I suppose we would have eventually spotted Dawlish, but I have no clue who that third tail was. Do you know who she is or what made her suspicious?" he asked Mrs. Figg.

"No, but I'm sure Remus will fill you in," replied Mrs. Figg. What looked like a brief flash of yellow lightening lit the night sky. "Now enough questions, let's get you home."

They said goodnight to Mrs. Figg at the driveway to number four.

"There's no reason for you to be stuck here tomorrow," she said. "If you don't mind hanging around an old lady, I'd be happy to have you spend the day at my place tomorrow," she offered tentatively.

"That'd be really nice," said Hermione smiling.

"Good, I'll have breakfast ready around eight." Mrs. Figg turned and walked back toward her home.

Harry, Ron and Hermione crossed the entry and could hear the Dursleys in the kitchen. Moments later, they saw Dudley peering around the kitchen doorway.

He ignored Ron, smiled goofily at Hermione and turned to glare at Harry. "Mum and Dad want to see you in the kitchen, now."

Harry knew they wanted to discuss his imminent departure. "You two can go on upstairs," he said to Ron and Hermione. "I'll be up shortly."

Harry followed Dudley back into the kitchen. Hermione and Ron began walking up the stairs, but Ron stopped halfway. "Aren't you coming?" asked Hermione.

"In a minute," said Ron in an oddly flat voice. "I think I'll wait for Harry, you go ahead."

Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but instead nodded and continued to the guest room.

Harry left the kitchen roughly fifteen minutes later. He thought he heard footsteps on the landing, but figured it was probably just Ron and Hermione moving between the rooms. He walked upstairs to his own room. Ron was sitting on Harry's bed, flipping through the photo album of Harry's parents that he kept on his nightstand, just as he kept it on or in his bedside cabinet in their dormitory. He'd never seen Ron peruse the album before.

"So, how'd it go?" asked Ron as he closed the album and returned it to the nightstand.

"As expected," said Harry indifferently. "No more, no less."

"Do you want to pack tonight?"

"No," said Harry. "I don't expect it'll take too long. I can do it tomorrow morning. Where's Hermione?"

"She turned in early," answered Ron with a smirk. "I think that second roller coaster ride wore her out."

Ron pulled out his wand and a couple of butter beers and glasses appeared on the desk. "Would you like one?" he asked Harry as he moved to the desk and began pouring.

"Sure, thanks," said Harry. They drank and talked about utter nonsense until neither could keep their eyes open any longer.