Chapter Two: The Return to Grimmauld Place

He could hear fire crackling from somewhere near him. The heat from the fire spread throughout his body, as he slowly opened his eyes. The room was dimly lit, only lit by a dim light in the ceiling. He could smell mold; there was a stench in the air, which if he, Harry, didn't know any better, he would have suggested it was blood. His mouth was dry, and his body seemed to ache for some reason. He managed to sit up, and found himself lying on a sofa. The sofa was old, but soft. In front of him was a small table, with what appeared to be a cup of tea, waiting for him. He looked towards the fireplace and then managed to turn himself around to get a better look of the room.

The room was small, but was able to house a sofa, a book shelf, a coat hanger with Harry's jacket hanging on it, and two doors; one Harry took to be the front door, and the other was opposite where Harry was sitting. Harry looked down and saw a small blanket that was spread over his body. He looked towards his jacket once more and remembered that his wand was in the pocket of it. He was unarmed. Whoever had brought him here had a one up advantage on him.

Harry slowly slipped the blanket off of him. His legs ached with every movement, but Harry knew he had to reach his wand. It was of course, his only protection. He slowly managed to get to his feet, and crept towards his jacket. The moment he reached it, he quietly dug into the pocket, and breathed a sigh of relief: his wand was still there.

"I realized—" came a calm female voice from behind Harry. He quickly snatched up his wand, spun around and pointed it towards the direction of the voice. The woman was tall and thin, and had sparkling blue eyes, and her long dark hair fell down to her shoulders. She was wearing a pair of robes of deep midnight blue. She looked fairly young; she looked to be around the same age as Tonks. She was holding a hot cup of tea in her hands. "That if I had removed your wand from your pocket, you would instantly think of me as your enemy," she continued, showing no signs of fear at Harry's wand being pointed at her.

Harry lowered his wand slightly, but still held it firmly. "Who are you?"

"You should not be standing, Harry," the woman continued softly, as she walked from the door towards the sofa. "You have not yet fully recovered,"

Harry did not care about his recovery at the present moment.

"I said who are you!" he said loudly, adding aggression to his voice.

The woman merely closed her eyes for a second, as though Harry had said something rude and disgusting. "Please," she said her voice still calm. "You need not raise your voice. I am not your enemy,"

Harry merely stared at her. He had already figured out she was not his enemy, judging by her decision to leave his wand in his jacket pocket. However, he did not want to take any chances. "Sorry," he muttered.

She chuckled. "It's quite alright. You should drink this," she said, pointing to his cup on the table. "It'll help speed your recovery," she added, taking a sip from her cup.

Harry lowered his wand, and slowly walked back towards the sofa. He sat down, still staring at her. "Who are you?" he asked.

"No one of great importance," she said simply. "But, most call me Evelyn Hillshire," she continued. "I used to work in Diagon Alley, but times are dangerous, and I did not want to risk being killed by those savages called Death Eaters,"

He had never seen this woman in his life. "Where did you work?"

"Mr. Ollivanders," she said.

Harry looked around at her quickly. He had never seen her there before, but yet, he had only visited the shop once, and that was over six years ago. He thought it wise to ask her.

"Have you seen Mr. Ollivander? He disappeared last year,"

She took another sip of her tea. "I have not seen Mr. Ollivander in two years; I left the shop shortly after Dumbledore announced You-Know-Who's return,"

Harry looked slightly crestfallen. He had wondered whether the most acclaimed wand maker was taken hostage by Lord Voldemort. If he, Voldemort, had indeed taken Mr. Ollivander, then Harry knew that Voldemort would find someway of using another wand to fight Harry.

"How did you know where I was?...I thought the Ministry said there was no other witch or wizard in the area except me?"

She smiled. "I'm sure you're clever enough to figure this one out,"

Harry looked at her, but then realized the answer suddenly hit him.

"Dumbledore was a dear friend of mine. He placed me here, shortly before his death," She explained. Harry felt a lump rise in his throat at the mention of Dumbledore's death. "I was brought into the Order of the Phoenix and placed here as an added protection for you. Dumbledore made this house unplottable; the Ministry had no idea it's here. Most of the time, I've been running around as a cat," she explained, sipping her tea once more.

Harry realized that the cat he saw earlier was Evelyn. He smiled, in spite of himself at Dumbledore's genius ideas. He was, however, grateful for it. Harry drank a large portion of his tea, before she continued speaking again.

"Lucky I was out there today," she continued. "I had no idea that You-Know-Who would send Inferi…I'm glad you weren't hurt," she said smiling gently.

Harry smiled. "I'm glad you were there to save my life,"

"It was my pleasure," she nodded. "I'm actually happy to have met you. I wish it were under different circumstances," she continued, laughing slightly. Harry laughed as well.

As he swallowed the last of his drink, he felt somewhat stronger. His body no longer ached. She looked around at him. "I think it wise to take you home. I am sure your Aunt and Uncle are worried about you,"

Harry couldn't help but laugh aloud at this statement. "I'm sure they are worried about me," he said sarcastically.

"Are they really that bad?" she asked, standing to her feet.

"About as bad as the Death Eaters," he said, rising. "If they were in our world, I'm sure they'd be cozy with Voldemort,"

Evelyn closed her eyes for a fraction of a second at the mention of Voldemorts' name. Harry looked at her. "Sorry," he muttered.

"It's quite alright," she said softly, as though recovering from a hearing a disgusting swear word. "I'm just…not used to anyone using his name so openly,"

Harry decided to remain silent on this one. She handed Harry his jacket, and pulled her wand out of her robes. She turned to him.

"I think a Disillusionment Charm might do the trick,"

She tapped Harry on the head (softer than Mad-Eye did two years ago), and Harry felt the familiar tingling sensation travel throughout his body. He looked down and saw that he was now blended in with the background.

"Thanks,"

"As for me, I think it wise to become a furry feline again," she said, as she opened the door with one hand and quickly transformed into the cat she once was. She walked out of the door ahead of Harry, and Harry followed, closing the door behind him. The moment he closed the door, the small house, which was made of brick, and apparently squeezed in between number Eleven and Thirteen disappeared. Harry looked at the sign on the corner: he was on Privet Drive.

Harry looked down at Evelyn. "Dumbledore really wanted you close, didn't he?" he grinned. Evelyn merely rubbed against his legs. The two of them set off down the street. The fog was still thick, and it looked as though it had gotten thicker. Harry kept his hand firmly on his wand as they set off down Privet Drive, towards Number Four.

The trip was short, but Harry appreciated having the extra company. They finally approached Number Four, and Harry's heart sank into the floor. Something was wrong. The front door was partially open. Evelyn quickly resumed her human form. Harry looked at her in shock.

"Someone might be looking!" he said quietly.

"I am a highly skilled witch," she said, keeping her eyes fixed on the front door of Number Four. "I could easily modify someone's memory," she continued. "Harry, keep your wand out," she said quietly. She then tapped him on the head again, and Harry felt that tingling sensation flow through his body. She had removed the Disillusionment Charm.

Harry nodded. They made their way slowly up the walkway, Harry staring at the front door. He knew something had happened…he could feel it in his bones. Evelyn reached the front door, and pushed it open slowly. The hallway was dark; Harry stepped in after her..

"Aunt Petunia?" he called. There was no answer. Evelyn lit the tip of wand, and cast the light down the hall. There seemed to be no sign of forced entry. Everything was as Harry remembered it when he had left. She veered off into the living room, and it was here that Harry really came to the conclusion that something horrible had happened. Dudley lay sprawled out on the floor, his clothes torn and blood stained. Harry rushed towards him, kneeling down upon the floor.

He breathed a sigh of relief. Dudley was still breathing. He rolled him over on his front, with the help of Evelyn.

"Dudley!" Harry called. "Dudley! Wake up!"

"Let me try," Evelyn said. She raised her wand and said "Rennervate," she said softly. A small golden light soared at Dudley. The scratches on his face seemed to have closed up, and the ones on his torso and leg closed as well. He slowly opened his eyes.

"Dudley?"

Dudley began breathing heavy. "Y-Your k-kind did it!" he shrieked, sitting up, nearly knocking Harry and Evelyn back. Dudley backed himself against the now torn up sofa. He was shaking.

"Dudley, calm down," Harry said moving closer towards him.

"Stay away from me!" Dudley shrieked. "Or I'll scream!"

"Young man, please mind your voice," Evelyn said sharply. "Muggles may be listening!"

Dudley looked at her, his eyes widening. "W-Who are you?"

"She's my friend. Dudley, what happened! Who did this?" Harry asked quickly.

Dudley looked back at Harry. "Y-Your people did it!" he said, his voice shaking. "T-they broke in here…and attacked m-me…and mum and d-dad,"

Harry's heart began racing. "They took Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon?"

Dudley nodded. He was still shaking.

"What did they look like? Do you remember?" Evelyn asked, moving closer towards Dudley. Harry was relieved to see that Dudley did not move away.

Dudley looked scared again. "They w-were wearing m-masks—"

"Death Eaters," Harry muttered. "How many of them were there?"

"I d-dunno," Dudley said staring at Harry. "about half a d-dozen," he continued. "T-they used those things on m-me before t-they took mum and d-dad,"

Evelyn looked around at Harry. "I'm going to summon people from the Order," she said. "They have to be notified,"

Harry nodded. "Dudley, we are going to call some of our friends for help," Harry explained. "I know your scared and don't want to be around this, but it has to be done…your in danger," Harry continued, ignoring the look of fear that had just appeared on Dudley's face. Harry knew that he loathed him, but at this time, he could not help but worry about Dudley's safety.

Evelyn raised her wand and a small silvery bird of some sort shot out of it. It soared straight out the front door, and disappeared. Harry remembered that being done by Dumbledore in his fourth year.

"Harry, do you know if Dumbledore set up an anti-apparation jinx around your house?"

Harry shook his head. "I'm not sure," but then he remembered when Mad-Eye and several other members of the Order came to call during the summer of Harry's fifth year. "I think they should be able to come in,"

In less than a second, there were lights at the front door of the house. Harry could hear several voices but they were hard to make out. He saw the tips of wands draw nearer, and then several people enter the threshold.

One was none other than Mad-Eye Moody, limping on his wooden leg; his magical eye dancing wildly in its socket. Behind him was Arthur Weasley; his bright red hair visible through the half lit room. Behind him was Tonks, who's hair was now neon green. Bringing up the rear was Kingsley Shaklebolt, who Harry knew to be a highly experienced Auror. Following him was two people Harry remembered rescuing him two years ago; Elphias Doge and Hestia Jones, both of whom waved at Harry.

"Is that Harry?" Mr. Weasley called, holding his wand up towards Harry and the others.

"That's him alright," Tonks said.

"You sure? It could be a Death Eater—"

"Mad-Eye, not everyone is a Death Eater posing as someone else!" Tonks snapped.

Moody growled. "I have experience—"

"You lot alright?" Shaklebolt asked, cutting Moody off mid sentence.

"Yeah, we're fine. But my Aunt and Uncle were taken by the Death Eaters,"

Moody looked around. "You thoroughly search the house?"

"No," said Harry.

"Tonks, Shaklebolt; Search down here!" Moody barked. "You two, with me upstairs," he added, pointing at Hestia and Elphias.

"Stop bossing us around!" Hestia snapped.

The three of them left the living room and headed upstairs, with Moody's wooden leg banging hard against the floor. Mr. Weasley moved into the living room, kneeling down in front of Dudley, who was shaking violently.

"Its alright," Mr. Weasley said gently. "I'm not going to hurt you,"

Apparently, Dudley remembered Mr. Weasley's last visit to Privet Drive, in which Fred and George played that horrible trick on him.

"Mr. Weasley, why would the Death Eaters take my Aunt and Uncle?" Harry asked.

Mr. Weasley shrugged his shoulders. "I have no idea Harry, but nonetheless, your cousin will have to be taken somewhere safe,"

"Where do you suggest? Grimmauld Place?" Evelyn asked.

"Yes," said Mr. Weasley.

Harry looked around at Dudley. He knew Dudley did not like the idea of being placed in the care of Wizards, but at this point, Harry knew that whatever harsh feelings he had toward Dudley, he would have to put them aside. Voldemort had now gone too far. As much as Harry despised his Aunt and Uncle, he still feared for their safety.

"Dudley, I know you may not like the idea, but you're going to have to come with us," Harry said. "You're in danger if you stay here,"

Dudley was still shaking and he looked at Harry and then the others. "W-What about m-my m-mum and dad?"

"We'll be sending people to look for them," Evelyn said. "But for now, we have to get you out of here,"

Tonks and Shaklebolt returned, at the same time the others were coming down the stairs. Moody came into the living room, looking around and apparently sniffing the air.

"Moody, what are you doing?" Tonks asked.

"Sniffin' for anything that might be lingering," Moody growled.

"The boy has to come with us," Mr. Weasley said, looking up at Mad-Eye, who's magical eye was now dancing wildly in his socket.

Moody looked down at Dudley, who was now terrified at Moody's eye. "A Muggle living in Grimmauld Place?" he said roughly. "I thought I'd never see the day,"

Evelyn and Mr. Weasley helped Dudley to his feet, who was still shaking and keeping his eyes locked onto Moody. Elphias stepped forward.

"Harry, we thought you might want to read this," she said, handing Harry what appeared to be an envelope. Harry took the envelope and his heart began hammering in his chest; Dumbledore's handwriting was on the front. It was addressed to his Aunt Petunia. Harry had never seen this letter in his life…Why had Dumbledore written a letter to his Aunt Petunia?...Harry decided to put the letter in his pocket, and wait until the reached Grimmauld Place to read it.

"Alright everyone! Let's get moving!" Moody barked.