Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of it's characters. I do this for my own enjoyment.
AN: I have not written in a long time but I do plan on continuing this story. I'm not sure when I may go back to the others but I wish to continue those as well. If you have read this before I ask you to go back and read it again as all the chapters have been updated and reviewed. Thanks DragonFoxx
Welcome to My Life
Chapter 3 (So long and Thanks)
So long and thanks for all the fish. So sad that we should come to this, we tried to warn you all but oh dear. You may not share our intellect which might explain your disrespect for all the natural wonders that grow around you. So long, So long and thanks for all the fish.
The worlds about to be destroyed, there's no point getting all annoyed. Lie back and let the planet dissolve around you. Despite those nets of Tuna feats, we thought that most of you were sweet, especially tiny tots and your pregnant women. So long, So long and thanks for all the fish.
If I had just one last wish, I would like a tasty fish. If we could just change one thing, we would all have learned to sing. Come one and all, man and animal, side by side in life's great gene pool.
So long, So long and thanks for all the Fish
Joby Talbot – So Long and Thanks for all the Fish – HitchHiker's Guide to the Universe
(June 10th )
Harry looked down at the scroll in his hands. Not knowing what was holding him back he opened the letter. It was from three of his closest friends, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. Apparently Hermione was staying around this summer and not traveling with her parents.
Dear Harry,
I expect that you haven't really been up to letters since… But we wanted you to understand that we are here for you. Now we may not be able to fully understand what you are going through but that doesn't mean that we can't help. We are here if you want to talk to us.
Oh you should know that Dumbledore seems to think you shouldn't receive any mail so has forbidden us to write you. If Hedwig hadn't shown up quietly in Hermione's and my own room then we wouldn't have been able to send this.
Yea, Dumbledore told every one that you were sending him the required letters but wanted to be left alone. It felt a bit strange to me mate but if that is what you want then we'll agree. We will not however let Dumbledore tell us.
Professor Dumbledore Ron, but I agree Harry. Please let us know what you want. Again we're here for you when you're ready. By the way make sure Hedwig knows not to let any one see here around us. We can't let anyone know you're writing to us or us to you. We all feel it would have terrible results. Now that in and of itself is perplexing to us. I'm currently working on research about these feelings and a few other anomalous things that have been happening lately. One possible reason is that both you and Ron are from old families and apparently some gain different abilities around the age of 16. We're going to talk to the twins a bit about it.
Anyways Harry, please write us if you feel up to it. Don't push us away; we all love you very much. You are our friend and we want to help you.
Ginny
Hermione
Ron
Harry was stunned. He was happy to receive a letter from his friends. But didn't like hearing that Dumbledore had said he didn't want mail. Remus had said it too. 'I guess the old man wants to keep me out of the loop this year. Well that ain't going to happen. It sure is a good thing that Hedwig is so smart. Hmm…'
"Hey girl. I'm glad you stopped by Gin and Mione's room. Be sure to get letters from them when you go to Headquarters but don't let any one see you getting or delivering any letters but the one to Dumbledore. It's his turn to be out of the loop, damn conniving old coot." Harry said to his owl. She hooted happily in response.
"Are you up for another letter soon?" Harry asked her. Getting a nod and another hoot in response he smiled. "Well then we shouldn't keep my friends waiting, should we."
Dear Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Fred, George, Remus, and Tonks,
Ok this is just a general letter for all of you. I haven't heard any thing from Dumbledore, but I never did tell him that I didn't want any mail. It has been a week and I have already gotten a letter from Ron, Mione, and Gin as well as from Remus. I would love for that to continue. Maybe this summer will be better than the last ones. Anyway, I don't want Dumbledore to know seeing as he thinks I 'need time to my self.' Apparently he has never lost some one. You need to be around those you love to help you get through your grief. Even I know that.
I plan to send Dumbledore another Order letter and in it I will tell him that I don't want any contact. That will hopefully keep his eyes off me for a little while. Some other things are going on as well here at Privet Drive and it is all due to 'our Dear Headmaster'. I'm sorry if you believe in him but I just can't trust him. He has ruined my life and that of my families in more ways than one. I'll get into all that another time, Aunt Petunia and I are still working through things. Well that is all for now. Hedwig knows not to be seen and I trust you all to be discreet.
Your friend
Harry
With the letter to those he trusted done, Harry called over Hedwig and tied it onto her leg. "Be sure Vernon doesn't see you either girl." One last nod and Hedwig was out the window. Harry on the other hand decided not to move at all. The beating from Vernon had been bad. Aunt Petunia had helped but she couldn't bandage his wounds without Vernon knowing and neither of the subdued two wanted that.
'That's another thing,' thought Harry. 'I'm afraid of a muggle yet not of the worst evil wizard in over a century. Granted he is a huge muggle but I really shouldn't be. So why am I? Merlin I hope I won't ever need counseling.' Harry though over this a little while he laid on his bed. He was quite glad to be wearing only a pair of shorts, even if it had caused his legs to be injured more, it was currently keeping him cool along with the breeze coming in his open window. This summer seemed like it was going to be hot.
The rest of the day was uneventful for Harry. He slept for quite a while in the heat as he could do nothing else because of the wounds caused by Vernon. On the other hand said man had not been seen since he got home from work and it was getting late into the evening. Late enough that it was likely Harry wouldn't have to deal with the man at all today. He was right. Evening turned into night and night into midnight before Harry was able to get some sleep. Not once had he seen his uncle.
The next day would pass nearly the same as the last, with Harry waking up to his aunt opening the locks on his door. But it would be different in many ways, though they did not yet know it.
(June 11th)
It was lunch time on a Friday. Vernon was at work and Dudley was over at a friends. Petunia was on her way up the stairs with a tray full of lunch for Harry when the phone range. Heading back into the kitchen to pick it up she hoped this wouldn't take to long. She didn't really know when Dudley would be home.
"Hello?" She said putting the receiver to her ear.
"Mum! Piers is going to Disney World for his birthday. I'm invited. I can go right? I got a passport already and their leaving this weekend. I can go right?" Dudley said very quickly on the other end.
Petunia didn't take long to think about it at all. "Of course sweetie. Why don't you come home with Piers now and pack your bags. That way you can spend the weekend at their house before they leave. Let me talk to Mrs. Porkens."
"Ok mum." Dudley then handed over the phone. The two women talked a short while on the phone while Petunia was working around in the kitchen to make the lunch she had made for Harry look like it was for her. She also began anther lunch for Dudley and Piers. After the quick talk she hung up the phone and ran upstairs.
"Harry I have to lock you in again. I don't want Dudley to be getting any ideas. It won't be long." Petunia said to the resting young man on the bed.
"It's ok Aunt Petunia, I don't want him in here either. I'll still be here when you open it again. Don't forget you promised me more information on the Evens Line." Harry said with a slight smile.
'More like a grimace.' Petunia thought. 'He still has to be in so much pain. I'll see what I can do for that.' At that point both could hear Dudley outside due to Harry's open window and the general loudness of the over weight boy. With a quick nod to Harry, Petunia closed the door and shut all the locks. She then went into the bathroom and shut the door. Running the water she came out of the bathroom again just after Dudley and Piers closed the door.
"Hello dears. Piers honey, what a wonderful thing to invite my Dudley to your Birthday trip to the States. Dudley dear, why don't you two go pack now. I'll have a lunch for you when you come down." Petunia said to the two as she walked down the stairs. When she turned towards the kitchen the two boys ran upstairs. Both ignored the multiple locks on the extra room. It was a normal occurrence in this house and Piers never even asked.
As Petunia walked back into the kitchen to finish the lunch for Dudley and Piers the phone rang yet again. Giving a small sigh she picked it up. "Hello?" She asked politely.
"Petunia pet. I have great news." Vernon said on the other end.
"Oh my what could it be dear?" She asked trying not to gag on the fake happiness. It was getting more difficult to fake every day.
"I'm getting a raise dear. The only thing is that I have to go to a conference in Belgium for a week and can't take anyone with me. I did try dear but new position isn't high enough for that. I'm really sorry lovely." Vernon said.
"Oh pumpkin (here she grimaced, how could she have done this before?), it's not a worry. It is just great that you got a raise. When do you have to leave for the Conference?" Petunia said re-masking her face so that Dudley wouldn't see, just incase.
"My train leaves tomorrow morning at 4:00am." Vernon said.
"Well you know I wish you the best. I will see you at home for your special dinner. It will be just the two of us. Dudley was invited to the States with his friend Piers Porkins for the young mans birthday. He is spending the night over there before they leave tomorrow morning as well." Petunia 'gushed' over the phone.
"Well that is great for our little Dudley. But you'll have the Boy to worry about there all alone." Vernon said thoughtfully over the phone.
"Oh the Freak is no worry dear. I'll start feeding It again through the flap. It finished all the needed chores already anyways. I won't have too much to do." Petunia said to him.
"Hmm, that is true. Well It's not a worry then. I'll see you for dinner tonight. You will tell our little man of course." Vernon started.
"Oh of course. Here he is now with young Piers for lunch. See you tonight dear. Have a good day at work." Petunia said. The two traded ending pleasantries and Petunia hung up the phone.
"What was that about Mum? Was it Dad?" Dudley asked.
"Indeed it was dear. Your father got a raise. He has to go to a conference in Belgium for the next week but it is a good thing." Petunia said with a smile. "Now here is lunch for you two. Enjoy. I will be outside on the Patio. Don't forget to say goodbye before you leave dear." She said to them before walking out the back door with what was supposed to be Harry's lunch.
Dudley did say goodbye before he left. After which Petunia quickly took some food to her nephew and told him the news.
"With both of them gone it will give us a great opportunity. I have had a plan going since the Old Man's spells started wearing off." She said to Harry.
"Really? What about?" He asked.
"About freedom for both of us."
The two smiled at each other. Yes freedom would be nice.
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