A year in the life of Harry Potter
Chapter 9: August, 6
This time Harry had to plan things out more carefully. After all he didn't want to be caught again. He couldn't wait to see Henry, Abigail, Francis and the twins again.
After staying up all night Harry crept out of his bedroom as noiseless as he could. The day before he'd memorized which of the steps of the staircase creak and which not, enabling him to step over them instead of making noise.
Harry wasn't sure when the members of the Snape family usually got up, but he didn't think anyone would be awake before five o'clock.
Minutes later he stepped out into the cold morning air, closing the door tight behind him, making sure not to make a sound. Optimistically he started his way towards London, knowing he could meet up with the others at Trafalgar Square at about eight o'clock, giving him roughly three hours to walk there.
An hour later, when he reached the police station he'd been brought to two days ago, his feet were hurting, but he didn't allow himself time to stop and rest. For all he knew someone could see him, someone like a policeman or even Mr. Hatherley.
Finally, at about half past seven he reached Trafalgar Square. His friends weren't in sight yet, and he sat down next to one of the fountains to wait for them. Few people were there at that time of the day.
After an half-an-hour wait Henry, Emmett, Frederick and Francis appeared.
"H-Harry!" Henry exclaimed, surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"I came back," Harry said. "I want to continue living with you all. Where's Abigail?"
"She died," Francis said gloomily, looking on the floor. "Yesterday night. Henry reckons she had tuberculosis."
"Harry, you can't," Henry said firmly, looking hard at the young boy. "You found a home and that's where you belong. Not on the streets."
"But I like it here better!" Harry said, irritated. "Why can't I come back?"
"They'll come looking for you," Frederick said. "Your new parents."
"They're not my parents!" Harry yelled. "I hate them!"
Henry grabbed Harry's shoulders. "Harry, I can see in your eyes that you don't. Believe me, if any of us got offered the chance to be adopted we'd go instantly. Why do you think we ran away in the first place? Because no one wanted us. No one wanted you, so we took you in. But now there is someone who wants you, so you have to go back to them."
"He said himself he doesn't want to take care of me!" Harry screamed, tears glistening in his eyes. He pulled away. " And I thought you were my friends."
"We are your friends, but this isn't your home anymore," Emmett said.
Suddenly Harry started running, but Henry was faster and tackled him down.
"Where do your new parents live?" Henry asked icily. "And believe me, if you pull another stunt like this I won't be so nice anymore."
Reluctantly Harry told him the directions. The twins, Francis and Henry started walking, making sure Harry didn't had any possibilities of running off again.
At about eleven o'clock they reached the villa of the Snape family. Severus, Lucy and Quentin stood outside, ready to sit down in the car.
"Thank god!" Severus exclaimed as he saw the teenagers who pulled Harry along with them. "We just wanted to go looking for Harry."
"We thought it'd be better if we brought him," Henry explained.
"I'll have a talk with my son about this," Severus reassured him, putting his hand on Harry's shoulder. "He won't be running off again."
"I'm not your son," Harry sneered, brushing Severus' hand off, walking into the house.
"Yeah, I know," Severus called after him. "I know that you're not my son."