AN: I apologize for this taking so long. School got insane, and then I had no muse, and then I had 5 projects all at once, and then I had finals...and those are my excuses.

Anyways, I realize this chapter is shorter than usual, but I wanted to end it at one particular place...and I swear, I'm writing as soon as I post this!

As always...

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

The ride to the Dursley's was absolutely silent. Uncle Vernon shut off the car and unlocked the doors. He walked into the house, so I got my things from the trunk of the car. Hedwig was in her cage in the back seat, but I was worried about how my relatives would be that summer. I unlocked her cage to let her out.

"Go to the Weasleys', Hedwig." She sadly hooted once and flew off. I reluctantly picked up my trunk and went into the house. As I entered the kitchen, I saw Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia standing there. Uncle Vernon's arms were crossed, and Aunt Petunia had a sour look on her face.

"We need to set some rules for this summer, boy!" Uncle Vernon boomed. I set my trunk down on the floor at my feet and waited.

"First, you will do all of the chores we give you," Aunt Petunia began. "No exceptions. Second, you will not be let out of this house this summer unless we give you something to do outside. Third, your school things will be locked up, and you won't be getting them back until the end of the summer. Vernon?"

"Any funny business and you'll find yourself out on the streets," he threatened. I nodded. "Go to your room, then." I went to pick up my trunk, hoping that somehow, they had already forgotten that I wasn't supposed to have my school things, but unfortunately, they did notice. "I'll be taking that," Uncle Vernon said. He grabbed the trunk, opened the door to the cupboard where I used to sleep, and shoved it in there. He put a lock on the door and turned back to me, giving me an evil grin. "You won't be getting away with anything."

I didn't respond. I turned and walked away from my relatives to go to my room.

The summer passed slowly. Every day, I woke up and made breakfast. Aunt Petunia would hand me a list of chores to complete that day, and if I didn't finish, I went to bed without dinner.

Simply put, summer was miserable.

At night, I often was woken up with dreams of what Voldemort was doing at the time. Torturing followers, killing muggles…it was endless. The worst part was, I once woke up screaming. Uncle Vernon pounded on my door yelling at me to shut up. I did my best to avoid screaming after that. So far, I had succeeded.

It was the end of July, specifically July 30. I wasn't given dinner. I had finished all of my chores, but apparently they weren't up to Uncle Vernon's standards. As if he could do any better.

Like usual, I was sitting on the edge of my bed, waiting until midnight when I would officially be 16. After that, there would only be one year left until I could permanently leave the Dursleys and be considered legal in the Wizarding World.

The clock read 11:53. Seven minutes to go.

I sighed and laid down on my back. I gently took my glasses off and rubbed my eyes. The stress of living with the Dursleys was really starting to get to me. I was no longer sleeping well, but it wasn't like they cared.

I rolled onto my side so that I was facing the clock on my bedside table. 11:56. Four minutes until I was 16.

I thought about the last year. Honestly, it had been horrible. One word can explain it all: Umbridge. Since the very beginning of the school year, she had been out to get me into trouble. Was she a Death Eater? I thought it likely.

11:58. Two minutes.

I got restless just lying on the bed, so I stood up and walked over to the window. There were no longer bars on it, thank goodness. Uncle Vernon had never put those back after the Weasleys broke me out. Instead, he always just made sure that I didn't have my school things. Little did he know, I had hidden my invisibility cloak, Marauders' Map, and wand in my jacket before I got off the Hogwart's Express. They were currently under the floor boards of my room.

I looked one last time at the clock. Just as I did, it changed to read 12:00. "Happy birthday, Harry," I muttered to myself. I had just barely said my name when I blacked out.

AN: Tomorrow's my birthday, so you should totally review! It would be one of the best presents ever! Even if you just want to tell me you think I need more description (which I'm doing my best on, really...I'm trying and I am taking your suggestions to heart!), please tell me! :)