Harry Potter and the Power of Time

Chapter 7 – Not a Cosby Family Reunion

Harry did have his wand drawn, but not because he wanted to hurt the Dursleys. He just wanted to be able to intimidate them. And after their experience with Hagrid all those years ago, the Dursleys were deathly afraid of the idea of magic being used against them.

With that thought in mind, Harry approached the front door and went to open it, but it was locked. 'Stupid me,' thought Harry, 'Uncle Vernon's at work, and Aunt Petunia must be out somewhere treating her Duddykins to a six scoop ice cream cone or something. And of course they'd try to lock me out.'

Harry was actually glad that the Dursleys weren't at home yet, because now he had time to prepare for their arrival. In the past when the Dursleys locked him out of the house, they expected Harry to sit in the back yard till they got home. Harry didn't have to do that anymore. So with a quick unlocking spell, Harry was inside and had the door shut behind him.

The first thing Harry did was go upstairs to his room and enlarged his trunk. It was placed next to his old battered school trunk, and looked even better then before by comparison. The two trunks, and Hedwig's old owl cage, were the only things Harry owned in the world at that moment. Not for much longer though.

As if she knew that Harry was thinking about her, Hedwig picked that moment to appear in another burst of white and golden flames. Normally she would have flown into her cage to have a drink of water, but she just gave it a look of disgust as she landed on Harry's shoulder.

"I suppose we'll have to get rid of your owl cage, huh Hedwig?" Harry asked his brilliant phoenix.

She nodded and trilled in agreement. Hedwig had always been a bit pompous for an owl, and as a phoenix she was turning out to be even more so. Not that Harry minded.

"Ok then girl, let's see what I can do with it." Harry turned his attention to the cage and pointed his wand at it. "It shouldn't be too hard to transfigure, it's only metal."

Harry had an idea in mind of what to turn her cage into. Phoenixes' needed a special kind of perch that had an under tray, to catch their ashes on burning days. Harry had seen Fawkes go through a burning twice before, and knew it could be messy. So Harry pictured the grand looking perch that Fawkes had in Dumbledore's office, and attempted to transfigure Hedwig's cage into something similar. It took more than one attempt, but three minutes later Hedwig now had a brand new stand to perch upon. It wasn't as fancy as the one Fawkes used, but he promised Hedwig he'd work on his skills until he got better.

"As soon as I learn how to transfigure items into jewels, you'll be the first to know." Hedwig was quite happy with Harry's last statement, even though that level of transfiguration was impossible.

Harry then turned to some of his belongings, and noticed that he and Hedwig weren't alone in the room. Sitting patiently on his desk, with a parchment roll tied to its foot, was a tiny grey owl almost as small as Pig was. Upon finally being noticed, the owl raised its foot towards Harry so he could remove the letter.

"Well, you may be as small as Pig is," Harry thanked the owl, "but you're certainly better trained."

The parchment Harry noticed was closed with a blue wax seal, which Harry had only seen a few times before. It was a personal letter from Dumbledore; not the standard Hogwarts stationary Harry was accustomed to. He knew that something like this would happen, so Harry opened the letter to read exactly what he was expecting.

Dear Harry,

I'm writing this letter in hopes that you will return safely home, and that myself and the Order are not becoming too frantic. It seems that you have managed somehow to slip past our security, and I cannot imagine why. I know that you still must be upset about the events that have happened these past few weeks, but I thought that by now you would have calmed down some since our last meeting.

Please remember that the Order is only trying to protect you, as it has been doing for an entire year now. I know you don't feel you need the extra security, but the Dementor attack against you and your cousin last summer prove that isn't so. Please do not give any Order members you encounter a hard time, as they're only doing their jobs.

As I write this letter, several of us are out looking for you. Including one very angry potions master, I might add. We know you weren't attacked or kidnapped, because no dark magic was detected outside your residence, and your father's invisibility cloak was found missing among your possessions. My only hope is that you return soon, and safely, to find this letter.

When you do, please reply immediately, and I think an explanation of where you've been is in order. If not for my sake, than for Mrs. Weasley's, who believes your muggle relatives have done something awful to you. I know that is not the case, but for some reason she's convinced the Dursleys are at fault.

We won't be stopping our search until the Order either finds you or receives your reply, so please do it as quickly as possible. For your sake, I hope you happen upon this letter before Professor Snape finds you.

Sincerely, with regards to your safety,

Albus Dumbledore

Headmaster of Hogwarts Witchcraft and Wizardry

Harry had expected the Order to notice he was missing, but he didn't think Dumbledore would mobilize all the members to hunt him down. Nor did he think they would search through his private belongings, and that just pissed Harry off. He only hoped it was Moody or Tonks who went through his trunk, and not Snape. Snape would just love to happen across an old letter or something that he could try to embarrass Harry with.

He knew he should reply to the letter soon to calm everyone down, but didn't have time for it right now. He wanted to be ready and waiting for his family when they came home, so the letter would have to wait. Besides, Harry thought they deserved the extra wait for rummaging through his things. He told the small owl he'd reply after dinner, and then turned his attention back to Hedwig.

"Now let's see about changing a few of my things," Harry said.

Harry only had a fifth year understanding of transfiguration, but he already was capable of a lot. He started off by enlarging his bed, turning it from a single into a double mattress, and a soft one at that. Harry also conjured some pillows, like he'd done the night before. Harry wasn't great in his conjuring abilities, and couldn't do anything larger at the moment, but the few small pillows he'd made were simple enough to master.

Harry then opened his old school trunk with a flick of his wand, and dumped all his school supplies onto his bed. He also removed his parent's photo album, his broomstick servicing kit, and all the other things he'd collected over the years that weren't clothes. They all made a huge pile on his bed, but Harry would worry about that later. It was less than an hour before Vernon would be home, probably less for the others, and Harry wanted to be ready.

The only things that remained in Harry's old school trunk now were Dudley's old clothes. Harry wanted to get rid of them as fast as possible, but figured the Dursleys might complain about him wasting ickle Duddy's precious wardrobe. So he'd be returning them to his family, so that he didn't owe them anything anymore.

Harry closed the old school trunk, and dragged it downstairs to wait for his relatives to arrive. He could have levitated it if he wanted to, but Harry enjoyed banging the trunk down the wooden stairs, marking the walls and steps as he went. Once in the family room, Harry sat in the one comfortable seat that wasn't the couch, Vernon's recliner, and waited for his family to return. The trunk was besides him on the floor, and Harry propped his feet up on it while coming up with the things he was going to say to his hated relatives. And he waited.

A little over a half hour later, Dudley and Aunt Petunia returned home, and indeed Dudley did have some kind of sweet smeared all over his fat chins. They didn't notice him at first, and Dudley bounded up the stairs while Petunia checked through the mail at the hall table. However, when she turned to enter the family room, she immediately spotted Harry in his uncle's chair, and became outraged.

"What do you think you're doing, sitting in your uncle's chair? If you know what's good for you, get out now, or else. And how did you even get in anyway? We locked you out this morning! You better have not used any of your abnormalty!" Harry's Aunt Petunia spat.

Harry made no move to get up out of the chair. He remained calm and focused on his task, and looked directly in his aunt's eyes.

"Aunt Petunia," Harry addressed her with confidence she had never heard from him before, "I will not be bullied around anymore. I have a few things to say to you and Uncle Vernon when he gets home. Until then, I'll be remaining in this chair. I won't bother you, but would like a few minutes of your time when Uncle Vernon gets home from work."

Harry's aunt couldn't believe what he was saying. They had argued over the years, but Harry had never point blank refused to do something before, and in such a chilling manner as well.

"How dare you talk to me like that? After all we've done for you, you ungrateful little brat! Do you know one of your freaky friends interrupted dinner last night looking for you? She had purple hair! Purple hair! Standing outside in the yard for all the neighbors to see! You just wait till Vernon hears about this." She was shouting at Harry now, and Dudley came down the stairs to see the latest episode of Harry bashing.

"Mum, what's wrong? What's he done now?" Dudley loved to see Harry being punished; it was one of his favorite pastimes.

"Dudley!" Petunia addressed her son now. "Your good for nothing cousin refuses to get out of Daddy's chair, and he's not listening to me. And he broke into the house while we were out!"

Harry didn't pay much attention to their conversation. He just picked up the fact that someone with purple hair had been looking for him. "Must've been Tonks," Harry thought. "At least it was only her looking in my things."

Dudley only smiled as he walked down the remainder of stairs. Any excuse he could find to rough Harry up he enjoyed, and his mother had just given him a good one. He was now besides Petunia, and moved her away so he stood directly in front of Harry. "Is that so Mum? Well then, I'll make him get out. So how about it freak? Move now, and I won't be forced to move you."

"Dudley," Harry was still cool as a cucumber, "I'm not moving. I told your mum that we'd be having a little family meeting about how things are going to be the rest of the summer, and I'm staying in this chair until your dad gets home. I suggest you relax till then. You only just walked down the stairs, and already you've broken into a sweat."

Dudley turned red at being insulted by his skinny cousin, and cracked his knuckles as he crossed the room to manhandle Harry. Harry had no illusions that Dudley would grab him with his ham-like hands and throw him out of the chair. But yet; he remained calm. Until Dudley was only about six feet from Harry; that's when he moved. A flick of his wrist and his wand was out; this time Harry made sure he'd caught it.

"Stop right there Dudley, or you'll regret it." It was not a request, it was an order.

Dudley had frozen at the sight of the wand. Petunia couldn't see past her beefy son, but wanted to know why Dudley had stopped so suddenly.

"Duddykins, what is it? Go get him!"

It took a moment for Dudley to stutter out a response. "Mummmm-mmy! He's got his st-stick thing ppp-pointed at me!" Dudley couldn't move his feet in fright, but his hands worked their way around to his backside. Harry chuckled as he saw Dudley had gotten so heavy he couldn't even reach it anymore.

"WHAT!" Petunia ran over and wrapped her arms around the stuttering boy. "There, there Duddlyums! I won't let him hurt you." She soothed her son while not even looking at Harry. "It'll be OK. Daddy will be home soon, and he'll take care of everything."

Petunia eased her son onto the couch with a groan from the piece of furniture. She sat besides him, rocking him back and forth, while starring daggers at her nephew.

"You just wait," she spat, "till your uncle gets home! We know you're not allowed to use that thing away from your freaky school. It almost got you expelled last year. You wouldn't risk it again!"

Harry only smiled at his aunt. "I'm sorry to disappoint you Aunt Petunia, but I won't be getting expelled this year. Like I said before, let's just wait until Uncle Vernon gets home, and then I'll explain everything."

Petunia look venomously at Harry now. "As if you could explain anything we would want to hear you snotty little...."

But Harry's Aunt Petunia never got to finish her sentence. Harry knew his aunt didn't think much of him, but wasn't going to take one more insult from her ever again. "Silencio!"

It was quite funny to see the look on his aunt's face as she screamed in silent terror. Her faced was all red, and the veins were popping out all over her horse-like neck, but no sound issued from her mouth. Dudley, who had been a little calmer in his mother's arms, now looked terrified.

"What dd-did you dd-do?" A smart man would have left the room, but no one said Dudley was ever smart.

"I silenced your mum. I'll let her speak again when your dad gets home. And if you insult me or start yelling and screaming, I'll silence....never mind. I'll just silence you now anyways." Harry really was enjoying this. Just to make things more interesting he put a full body bind on the two of them also. They both snapped to attention, and fell over each other leaning against the small sofa.

The next ten minutes were some of the most enjoyable of Harry's life. He sat there not saying a word, while watching Dudley and Petunia struggling against the body bind he'd put on them. It only allowed for tiny movements, and neither of them managed to do anything productive. Both of their eyes looked like the cheap bobble-eyes younger kids play with; going crazy in their heads. Petunia was able to move her head a fraction of an inch, and kept looking between her son and nephew. Dudley's slight movement upset the precarious balance he'd found himself in against the back of the sofa. Seven minutes after being cursed, the balance was finally disturbed enough so that he fell over on top of his mother, whose eyes nearly popped out at the extreme weight just placed on top of her.

Harry laughed. "Guess Dudley's diet isn't working too well, huh Aunt Petunia?" He was teasing them, and he loved it. "I wonder if instead of the talk I have planned, I should just keep you like this all summer long. Hmmmm? What do you two think? No answer? Well, you must like the idea then. I'll have to think about it though. I was planning on building a pig pen in the backyard for Dudley, but this might be more fun."

Dudley was crying now, although the only evidence was the tears streaming down his face. He was still half covering his mother, and Harry couldn't even see Petunia's head anymore. It was this sight that Vernon Dursley came home to just a few minutes later.

"Petunia, I'm home!" He obviously hadn't turned around. "Has the boy come home yet, or...."

He stopped speaking on seeing his family frozen in military attention, one covering the other. Vernon dropped his briefcase and ran over to his wife and son. Vernon Dursley was an extremely normal, ordinary man. And having his family frozen in place, lying together on a sofa certainly wasn't normal.

"Petunia! What's wrong? Dudley? Speak to me!" He shook and questioned them, but they were unable to answer. So Harry answered for them.

"They're frozen in place Uncle Vernon. They got a little rowdy, and I had to immobilize them." Harry's words caused Vernon to leap up off the couch he'd been resting against.

When he found the person behind the voice sitting in his favorite chair, his Uncle Vernon became beet red, and Harry could almost see steam coming out from his ears.

"You! You did this? You can't do this, it's not allowed. Boy, I demand you undo this funny business at once!"

"Uncle Vernon," Harry replied in his cool practiced voice, "I did do it, and I won't be demanded to do anything by you any longer. I planned on having a family meeting to discuss my future in this household, and Aunt Petunia and Dudley didn't think much of the idea. Dudley went to attack me, so I stopped him. If you calm down, I'll release them and we can all sit down and talk about this."

Vernon was outraged. "You can't tell me what to do in my own house! This is preposterous! That's it. I'm kicking you out. Should have done it years ago, but your aunt said...."

"Petrificus Totalus!" With another sweep of his wand, Harry's uncle now joined his aunt and cousin on the very small piece of furniture.

"Like I was saying Uncle," Harry continued, "before I was so rudely interrupted. We're going to be having a family meeting. As you can see, I'm very free to use magic at the moment, and no Ministry owls have come to deliver notes about my being expelled. As I already told Aunt Petunia, that won't be happening again. Now, I'll remove the hexes placed on you if you promise to behave civilly. If you don't, then I'll curse you again, and you won't be able to stop me. I know you can't respond, so blink once if you understand."

Vernon Dursley, as much as he didn't want to, had no choice but to blink.

"Very good then. Finite Incantatum!" Harry ended the body binds placed on all three of his relatives, as well as the silencing spell placed on his aunt. Dudley was still too scared to say anything. Vernon was about to start yelling at Harry again, when he noticed muffled screams coming from his wife who was being smothered to death by their own son. It took almost a full minute for Harry's Uncle Vernon to maneuver the large boy off his wife.

"Now that we're all well and moving again," Harry loved this, "I suggest you all find a comfortable seat. What I have to say won't take too long, but I expect you to make a few interruptions, so I don't know how long this will last."

"Boy, I won't sit here and be lectured like a child! Now you listen here, you will give me that stick right now and maybe I won't punish you for attacking your aunt and me. I'll let you have it back at the end of summer when your return to school, but not before hand." Harry's Uncle Vernon was really getting back his anger now that his wife and son were okay. "You will do the chores your aunt gives you, and spend the rest of the time alone in your room. And that will be the end of this discussion!"

"Sorry Uncle Vernon, that's not the talk I had in mind." Harry smiled as his uncle went to stand up from the couch, and cast a leg locking curse at the three of them. He replaced the silencing charm on all three as well. Being able to not move his legs, Vernon fell back down onto the sofa, and started to shoot dagger-like looks at Harry.

"Now as I was saying, I want to talk about a few things. You have no say in the matter. I could grossly take advantage of you in this situation, but I'm being fair by giving you a chance." Harry paused as he let his words sink into the dense heads of his relatives. "Dudley, do you remember the pig's tail Hagrid gave you for eating my birthday cake?"

Dudley nodded slightly, looking very uncomfortable.

"Well, if I wanted to I could give you a new one, or even turn more of you into a pig. Step out of line this summer, and you'll find out just how good I am at magic." Dudley had no idea that human transfiguration was one of the hardest magics to perform, so Harry enjoyed his bluff.

"Aunt Petunia?" Harry asked. "Do you happen to know that I find you have a very long neck? I used to think you looked like a giraffe. How would you like me to add an extra foot or so to your neck, and give you some spots?"

Petunia looks mortified, and placed her hands protectively around her chin.

"And Uncle Vernon. You're the biggest bastard of the three of you." Harry wasn't laughing anymore, he was dead serious. "I can maybe forgive Dudley for treating me like dirt over the years, but that's only because he's had you as a role model. You have no excuse. I've something special in mind for you."

Harry reached over to the coffee table and grabbed the day's newspaper. He set it on top of his trunk, clearly in view to the three Dursleys, and transfigured it into a roll of toilet paper. It was easy enough to do; one paper product for another. But Harry was counting on his family being ignorant on the complexities of transfiguration.

"Uncle Vernon. If you order me around in any way this summer. If you insult me, or my parents, or any of my friends even, I'll take great pleasure in punishing you. I'll transfigure you into a roll of TP just like this one here," Harry pointed to the toilet tissue, "and I'll spend the rest of the summer wiping my arse with you!"

Vernon went deadly pale. In all his years he'd never been so frightened. Not only was the threat vile, but in Vernon's opinion, if he had to wipe an ass, he didn't want it to be a "freaky" one. Harry knew what he was doing when he had picked out each of the scenarios.

Harry continued. "However, if you leave me be the rest of the summer, I promise not to do anything to you at all. I don't like you any more than you three like me, so let's just ignore each other this summer. I'll be spending most of my time in my room, with the exception of going for a jog outside each day. If you have a question to ask me, ask politely, and I'll respond politely as well. In a few weeks I've be moving out, for good this time. I won't return next summer, and you can give Dudley back his second bedroom. This trunk here even has all of Dudley's old clothes in them, I don't need them anymore. And if you behave yourselves, I might even do something nice for you before I leave.

"Dudley, I can brew a potion to help you lose weight if you want. No more diet, just instant weight loss. Or I could fix all your toys you've broke over the years. You decide what you want, and I'll do it if I can." Harry addressed each of his family members separately now.

"Aunt Petunia, I know how much you like to show off your garden. I can make a fertilizer that will guarantee you first prize in the garden club's competition this year." Harry's aunt's eyebrows raised and she actually looked interested in this. "You can choose that, or I'll make a final supper for everyone my last night here. I promise you'll never taste food as good again." Harry didn't mention the fact that he'd be using magic to cook.

"And Uncle Vernon. I highly doubt you're able, but if you can hold back your temper for just a few weeks, I'll give you the thing you want most in life." Harry had his uncle's attention with this statement. "Do you remember two summers ago when I accidentally blew up your sister Marge?"

Uncle Vernon sneered, but nodded.

"Do you remember the wizards that came after I left, and erased her memory?" Again Vernon nodded.

"They were called Obliviators; it's there job to erase memories of muggles who have accidentally seen magic. There's a spell they use to erase or change a person's memory so that the muggle world won't find out about us. You three have never been obliviated because you're my family, and have always known I'm magical." Harry paused to let this next part sink in.

"I plan on learning that spell this summer. If you manage not to upset me for the few weeks I'm here, if you want, I'll obliviate all three of you. You won't remember me at all, and you'll think I died in a car accident with my parents. Aunt Petunia will be the only one who knows about magic, but I doubt she'd bring it up. You'll have what you always wanted; me gone and a nice normal family."

Harry's uncle was licking his lips with the thought. Harry sincerely doubted that Vernon could hold his temper for so long, but he could see that his uncle was going to try. Either way, Harry wasn't going to be too concerned about mastering obliviation. Harry doubted he would be able to erase fifteen years worth of memories in the few months he'd be at Privet Drive. He doubted he'd be able to learn it in a few years. But if Vernon did somehow miraculously manage to hold in his temper and not curse Harry or his parents, Harry would just erase that part of the deal from his mind. Either way, it worked out.

"I've given you all a lot to think about. I'm going to go have dinner now, and leave you here to think about it. I'll be back afterwards to hear your answer." With that said, Harry picked up the roll of TP and placed it back on the coffee table, right in front of his uncle. He than stood and entered the kitchen to go make his dinner, leaving the three Dursleys on the living room sofa, curses still in place.

Harry purposely had a large dinner. In part because he had only eaten a fast lunch at a fish stand, and in part because he wanted to give his family plenty of time to think over what he had said. Harry knew that Vernon would spend at least the first twenty minutes fuming, and would need the time after that to consider what Harry proposed.

It was mostly a bluff, Harry admitted. Sure, he didn't mind silencing the Dursleys, or putting them in a body bind for that matter, but there was no way he could cause them pain or transfigure them permanently. Harry had just threatened what he thought the Dursleys would respond best to, and he had spent a good deal of time preparing what he would say. The whole conversation was prepared beforehand, and Harry found it ironic that it was easily the longest single conversation Harry had had with all three of the Dursleys.

In fact, the past two days had been virtually non stop prepared speeches, starting with the merchants in Diagon Alley and ending with the Dursleys. The only person Harry had really been himself with was Tom the barkeep, and that was because he knew Tom was trustworthy.

Harry skipped over the large roast in the oven, and settled on a few sandwiches for himself. The roast was tempting, but Harry knew not to push his luck. He'd leave that for the Dursleys. Besides, if the kitchen in his new trunk was really stocked with only the basics, Harry thought that he'd be eating a lot of sandwiches in the upcoming months. He might as well get used to them.

While he ate, Harry spied on the Dursleys through the wall using his new magical lens. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia were silently arguing using their hands, and Dudley was attempting to escape by dragging his body along the floor. Attempting, because it seemed that try as he might, Dudley wasn't strong enough to drag his considerable weight.

Thirty minutes passed, and Harry put his plates in the sink finally and went in to have hopefully the last discussion with his relatives, ever. Dudley had given up trying to flee, and was now lying helplessly about four feet from the sofa. He'd never looked so much like a beached whale as he did right that moment.

Harry retook his position in the recliner, and ended the spells he'd cast earlier. Everyone moved their limbs to stretch them out, and Dudley returned to the sofa, but none of the Dursleys made an attempt to escape. 'That's good then,' Harry assumed, 'that means they'll agree.'

Harry remained silent. In part it was because he wanted the small satisfaction of hearing Vernon admit defeat, but it was also because he was nervous, and didn't want to give that fact away. If the Dursleys refused, or caused trouble drawing the attention of the Order, than Harry's plans were somewhat foiled. His patience paid off however, because Uncle Vernon broke the silence after a few moments.

"Now listen here boy!" Realizing he started to yell at Harry, he calmed down a bit. "It seems you don't give us much choice. We'll leave you alone this summer, but you will leave us alone as well. You won't be allowed to eat with us. In fact, I don't want to even see you unless you're leaving the house. The rest of the time, spend it in your room, and we won't have any trouble. You step out of line once, and there'll be consequences to pay. Understand?"

Harry thought it was funny that Vernon made everything sound like it was his idea, but was smart enough not to laugh. He just nodded, and got out of the chair to head upstairs. Halfway to the second floor Harry turned back to his family, and thanked them.

"Thanks for agreeing to this. I didn't want to have to threaten you, but your history of mistreating me gave me no other choice. In the future, I hope you'll think twice about how you treat other people." And with that last remark, Harry left for his room.

It was now almost eight, and Harry still had a few things he wanted to do before turning in for the night. He planned on opening all his purchases and repacking them into his trunk, and organizing everything too. Harry wanted to get an early start on training tomorrow, and didn't want to be held up at all. But before Harry could pack his trunk or go through the pile on his bed, he still had to reply to Dumbledore.

Harry sat down at his small desk, and stroked the small owl while he thought about what he would tell the Order. They would no doubt want to know a few things. They'd want to know where he had been, why he had gone, and why he felt he had to sneak away as he did.

Harry had no problems telling the order that he didn't want to have much to do with them this summer. But if they got wind of some of the purchases he had made (mostly the dark art books), or the fact that he could now perform magic unnoticed, the Order would drag him back to Grimmauld Place faster than he could say Quidditch. Harry also wanted to keep some things a secret; at least for now. Like Hedwig, and the guardian tattoos. He didn't know with who or when he'd share those things, but he needed time to think about it. It took Harry awhile to come up a believable answer, but he finally did.

Dear Professor Dumbledore,

Sorry I gave everyone a fright, but I had some things to take care of, and didn't think you or the Order would let me leave home. When Hedwig returned from King's Cross Station, she was severely injured and could barely fly. I needed to get to Eeylops Emporium, and fast. I know that I could have sent her with one of you, but I also needed to get away for a bit, to think about what the next months are going to be like for me.

As you know, I was miserable last summer. You kept my friends from writing to me, and wouldn't allow me to visit anyone. After the events of last week, I imagine I'll be under even more restrictions now. To say I'm not happy would be an understatement.

So seeing as how I'll be under house arrest for more than two months, I wanted to go to Diagon Alley to get some books to keep me busy. Don't worry, I used a muggle disguise and only Tom at the Leaky Cauldron recognized me. I stayed there overnight. I purchased my textbooks for next year early, so I'll have something to do with my time this summer. If Snape is really all huffy about being out looking for me, tell him I plan on being prepared for his NEWT level prep class. Of course I don't know if I scored high enough on my OWLs to get in, but I think I did.

Hedwig got bandaged up, but she won't be able to fly for about a month. If you need to get in contact with me, send an owl, and I'll respond. But please don't send too many. Uncle Vernon doesn't like them, and I don't have much to say to you either. If I have any dreams that I think you need to know about, I'll send Hermione a letter by muggle post, and she can forward it to you. I won't be able to send messages every three days like we planned, but I wouldn't worry about that. The Dursleys were quite scared of Moody and the others at the train platform, so I don't think they'll be giving me problems. We just had a little discussion, and we basically agreed to ignore each other this summer.

Don't mistake this letter for an apology of any kind. I'm still upset with the Order, and most of all you. You've kept too much from me over the years, and only tell me when you make a mistake or I find something out on my own. I wonder how much else you know that I should have a right to hear? I'm still not over losing Sirius, and I believe things would have been so much simpler last year if I was informed about Voldemort trying to get into my head. But I've begun to accept that he's gone. I'm only writing to put Mrs. Weasley at ease, and to let you know now that I have the books I wanted, I don't plan on leaving the area again. You can tell Mrs. Figg to expect to see me jogging every day, but that should be the only time I leave the house.

Things are not okay between us, and it will take some time before I trust you like I once did. For your sake, I hope you come clean about anything else you might be keeping from me. I'm old enough to hear it, and I should be able to decide the course of my own life, not you or the Order.

Please forward the three letters I've included to Hermione, Ron, and Ginny, so they know that I'm all right. Don't worry, they don't say anything important, I just wanted to let them know I won't have access to an owl for awhile.

Harry Potter

It was a good thing Harry had been able to write this all in a letter; because there was no way he could lie to the man's face. Harry may not trust Dumbledore much anymore, but the man still exuded confidence and a sense that he already knew what was going on. The letter Harry had written should put everyone at ease, but still not give away any of the secrets that he didn't want them to know. They had no idea he spent most of a day in muggle London. They didn't know about Hedwig becoming a phoenix, or her giving a feather for another wand. And they didn't know about Harry's trip to Knockturn Alley, or the bulk of his purchases. Harry grinned as he thought about how much he had learned about lying and telling half truths the past two days. "They're all going to be in for a big surprise come September," Harry laughed to himself.

Pushing the letter to Dumbledore aside, Harry grabbed three more sheets of parchment to write his friends with. He didn't want to worry them either, but needed to touch base.

Dear Ron,

How's it going? I know we just saw each other a few days ago, but I wanted to let you know Hedwig's been injured, so I won't be writing much this summer. That's why I snuck out of the house; to go get her checked out at Diagon Alley. I'm back now though, so sorry if I worried anyone. Please apologize to your mum for me. If you write, I'll return a letter, but that's the only way I can write you for now.

How are things at the Burrow? I haven't heard about Fred and George since they left school, so what's going on with them? And how's that new shop they opened? And how'd your mum respond to them quitting school? It's a good thing they've been home awhile, otherwise I imagine you'd be hearing a lot of screaming and yelling every day.

That's it for now mate! I hope to hear from you, even if you can't write about anything "informative."

Your friend,

Harry

Dear Hermione,

I don't know if you heard, but I expect you have. Yes I snuck out to go to Diagon Alley, but I had good reason, and I'm back now anyway. Hedwig was injured, and I needed to get her help. I also wanted to buy my textbooks early, seeing as I don't have anything else to do this summer. Better be prepared Hermione, I plan to give you a run for your money this year in classes. Just don't tell Ron!

Because Hedwig is injured, I don't have access to an owl, so I was planning on sending you muggle post if you'll be around this summer. I have your address somewhere in my trunk. Also, I hope you don't mind, but I told Dumbledore if I have any of my strange dreams, I'd send you a letter to forward to him.

That's about it for now. I think I'll be OK this summer. With the work I'll be doing, I don't think I'll be thinking about Snuffles too much. I know you're worried, but don't. I really am getting past it. It's hard, but I've set some goals that I plan on meeting, and it really helps. Let me know what you're up to this summer.

Your friend,

Harry

Dear Ginny,

I know we haven't really written to each other in the past, but with what has happened these past few weeks, I think we've become a bit closer. Hope you don't mind. I was even considering writing Neville and Luna, but don't know where they live or anything. Besides, I know you better.

Anyways, I just wanted to write and say thanks for being with the rest of us at the Ministry. It meant a lot. You held up pretty well too! You're a whole year behind the three of us, and didn't even get as hurt as Hermione or Ron did. How's the ankle by the way?

I'm doing fine, just taking one day at a time. I know you probably heard I ran off the other day, I just needed to think. I'm back now and safe, so please let you mum know I'm sorry to cause a panic. I asked Ron to do the same, but I don't know if he'll remember. Also, I wanted to ask you something personal. What's happened with Percy? I know it's a touchy subject, and I didn't want to risk asking Ron, but now that Fudge agrees Voldemort is back, has Percy apologized to your parents yet? If not, let me know, and I'll plan on writing him a Howler.

Hedwig's been injured (the reason I ran off to Diagon Alley), so I don't expect to have many chances to write. Just take care of yourself, and I'll see you in September. I expect to be riding in a compartment all by myself, because you'll most likely be joining the other prefects.

Your friend,

Harry

Finishing the last letter, Harry was surprised the longest one was to Ginny. Then again, he thought that he'd had the most to say to her because he'd never written her before. He hoped she didn't think it weird of him. Before Harry could change his mind about sending it though, he addressed all four letters and sent them on their way. The four envelopes were a sizable delivery for the tiny owl, but Harry thought it would be fine.

With the letter writing out of the way, Harry turned back to his trunk. He emptied it out of everything he'd bought earlier, and spent almost an hour alone putting everything in piles and taking all the tags off his muggle clothes. It was getting kind of late, so Harry put the huge stacks of books off to one side to wait until morning. Everything else got repacked in the trunk, this time in a more orderly manner.

The first compartment, even being expanded four times the trunk's volume, was just barely large enough to house all his clothes. With the amount Harry had bought; it was no wonder. The ten robes were on the right side, at the bottom, and all the muggle clothes filled the rest.

The second compartment Harry decided would hold all his other normal possessions. His cauldrons, potion supplies, photo albums, and other junk got piled into the trunk in no specific order. When he got his new broom, and maybe his Firebolt back, Harry would also add those to the space.

The books would go in the third compartment tomorrow. Although he hadn't seen it yet, Harry remembered the three bookcases Leeds had mentioned in that room. With the books he purchased in Diagon and Knockturn Alleys, along with the books he'd emptied from his family vault, Harry estimated that he had over four hundred books stacked on the floor.

The one item Harry hadn't packed yet was the ring he'd bought with his watch. Yesterday, Harry wasn't in the mood to calm down an agitated snake. It was still a little before he normally went to sleep, so Harry thought he'd have the time now.

Dressed in his new silk pajamas, Harry crawled into his newly enlarged bed with the small wrapped parcel. Harry unwrapped it slowly, and made sure not to rattle the package. The ring was placed in a small velvet box, like the kind men proposed with Harry knew. It was dark blue in color, and had no markings. Making sure that his door was locked, and a silencing charm was put on it, Harry opened the tiny box to greet the small snake.

"Hello, are you awake?" Harry addressed the small snake. It wasn't moving like it had been the day before, but Harry thought it might have been because of the dark.

"No, I wasn't, but I am now. Where am I? And who are you?" The small snake began to move slowly, clockwise around the ruby.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, but I didn't have time to speak before. You're now in my home. I purchased you yesterday at the store where you were being held. My name is Harry." It was remarkable to Harry how he still didn't notice he was speaking another language, but the snake answering him convinced him quickly enough.

"What isss a name? I do not know that word." The snake was slightly puzzled by Harry's response, and he had to explain.

"Um, a name is a word given to people to be able to tell the difference between them. When I am addressed, people use my name. Don't you have a name? Haven't you ever talked to anyone before?"

"If my understanding is correct, I have no name. The only one I have spoken to wasss my master, but that wasss long ago. I have been handled many timesss since then, but never have I heard another of your kind speak my language. How are you able to, and what do you plan to do with me?" The tiny snake seemed to have just as many questions for Harry as Harry had questions for him.

And that's how Harry spent the next hour and a half before he fell asleep. The two exchanged information about their respective lives. Harry told the snake all about his ability to speak Parseltongue, and how he'd gotten the gift from a dark wizard. He went on to tell the snake about all the encounters he'd had with Voldemort, leading right up until last week. In the past, Harry had always felt uncomfortable talking about his feelings with others; even Ron and Hermione. But for some reason, maybe because it was only an object and not a person, Harry had no problems talking with the snake. It even helped him a bit, as he explained what happed to Sirius, and how he initially blamed himself, but was starting to get past that.

"That isss stupid; you were at no fault. You did not mean for it to happen, so it couldn't have been your doing." The snake's answer was one he'd heard before, but it somehow meant more to Harry coming from someone, or something, that didn't know him that well.

For his part, the snake told Harry about his life. And yes, it was a life. The snake wasn't animated as Harry had initially thought; he was ensouled. His master, whose name the snake didn't know, was a lonely wizard whose family had been killed off years before the ring was made. He crafted the ring and ensouled the snake to keep him company, and the two became friends for the rest of the wizard's life. Eventually the old wizard had died, and the ring was passed from one stranger to another, never being worn because he would always hiss at anyone who tried to put him on.

Harry thought it must have been a really long time, perhaps a few hundred years, when hearing that the snake's previous owner had been able to speak Parseltongue. The snake never knew that it was a rare gift until Harry told him, and that it traditionally belonged to evil wizards.

The snake let Harry know that he did know the difference between good and evil, right and wrong, etc. It's just that he held no opinions about the choices one way or the other. His master, Harry learned, had been considered both good and evil in his time, at different parts of his life, so the snake didn't care what someone was labeled. The old wizard who had made him was the only life the snake had known before he'd met Harry, so the snake seemed to lack certain morals and beliefs.

Eventually it got late, and Harry let the snake know he wanted to go to sleep. The snake agreed, and stopped moving on his finger. The last thing the snake said before Harry drifted of to sleep was, "Tomorrow you shall give me a name, so I'll know when othersss addresss me. Sleep well Harry."

AUTHOR NOTES:

Well, this chapter marks the end of the beginning. The stage has been set, and next chapter Harry begins to train. Tune in to see how Harry uses the time tuner. And I promise, more than a few hours will pass per chapter from now on. How did I handle portraying the Dursleys? Was it realistic, or should I improve on their "manners." Glad that everyone likes Hedwig. I think it's an original idea, and we'll be learning more about phoenixes later in the story. To those that think Harry's conversations were a little out of character for him, I agree. But my version of Harry is toughening up some, and is going to stop taking crap from people. Remember, characters evolve as years pass by. Harry won't be staying the same as he was in his earlier Hogwarts years. Besides, the speech he gave to the Dursleys, as well as to most of the shop keepers he met, were all prepared ahead of time by Harry. He knew in advance he would be doing all this, so that's why he was so concise with his speaking abilities. It's not as if he was talking to Cho here! Expect the next chapter in about a week. Now that the holidays are over, I have to get back to normal working hours, and won't be able to turn out a chapter every 2 or 3 days. Thanks again for reading.

Updated 11/18/04

I know originally my grammar and spelling could have been better, so I've gone through (I had to for the Schnoogle version anyway) and corrected all that I could find. This is the final version, folks! If you would like to reread the entire fic, there's also other stuff I changed to, besides the spelling. Nothing that will confuse a reader if they don't, but just enough to clean up some edges, and fix some mistakes in the mythology I made. Later all!

Ross