"You called, headmaster?" Harry asked as he opened the door after his knock.
"Yes, yes, please come in, my boy," Dumbledore smiled at him.
"It is good to have you back," Harry told him, feeling suddenly shy.
"It is good to be back," Dumbledore answered, smiling broadly. "Professor Snape said that it was . . . difficult for you when I was ill."
"It was," Harry admitted, his ears reddening. "Did Professor Snape tell you all of that story?"
"He did," Dumbledore answered kindly. "And he also spoke of how his act of kindness seemed to inspire more respect from you. I believe that the two of you are on better terms now?"
"We are," Harry agreed.
"Even with the punishment he later administered?" Dumbledore asked softly.
"It was fair," Harry replied, squirming a bit at the memory. "Hard, but fair. None of us objected."
"That's good to hear," Dumbledore answered easily. "But it also brings me to what I wished to speak to you about. Before we begin, I wanted to start by letting you know that Professor Snape wished to be here, but I insisted on doing this just between you and me."
"Sir?" Harry asked, confused.
"Professor Snape made you a promise that I am insisting he break," Dumbledore explained, his face grave. "But I think that I have a proposal that you might find tolerable."
"It's about living with the Dursleys," Harry realized. "You want to send me back."
"You have to realize that it's about your protection," Dumbledore explained. "I understand from Professor Snape that that family has treated you poorly, far more poorly than I had realized."
"Yes, they did," Harry answered in a small voice.
"And usually in this situation we would do exactly as Professor Snape promised," Dumbledore explained. "But you know that it is important for you to have a time in that house and for it to still be your home for the charm of your mother's blood to work."
"I understand," Harry answered quietly, blinking back tears. It had really been too much to hope for that he wouldn't have to go back, but he had really hoped that he could go . . . well, just about anywhere else.
"Professor Snape threatened to kidnap you and enroll you in Durmstrang," the Headmaster continued. "When I pointed out that this might jeopardize his employment, he assured me that Durmstrang would also accept him as a professor should he choose. So, we were forced to compromise."
"He did that?" Harry asked, shocked.
"I think you find that though our Professor Snape seems hard and cold, he is incredibly loyal and once he gives his word he keeps it."
"But he can't keep it now."
"He will if you want him to," Dumbledore answered. "I promised that I would tell you that he will keep his word if you insist. But I ask that you listen to the alternative and see if we can come up with a compromise that might retain you here at Hogwarts."
"What alternative?" Harry asked, confused.
"You have to go to the Dursley's house," Dumbledore told him. "But you don't have to be alone."
"What?"
"We're thinking of legally of age wizards, of course," Dumbledore told him, eyes twinkling. "People are actually very eager to volunteer. The Weasley twins, I remind you, are now officially of age."
"Fred and George?" Harry asked, a slow smile spreading across his face. This had real possibilities – especially if they didn't have the trace put on them as Harry did. How would Dudley fancy knowing the two worst pranksters in Hogwarts history? There would be no Harry hunting this summer.
"But Professor Snape said that should you agree to the alternative, he would take the first shift," Dumbledore explained, his eyes twinkling like mad. "He wants the chance to explain the change in circumstances to the muggles."
"I think that this could work," Harry replied, realizing some of the scope and implications of the plan. "It could be fun."
"And then, when you've been there long enough to satisfy the blood magic, you can move to headquarters," Dumbledore told him. "But I can tell you no more until that time."
AN: Thank you to everyone who has read this story to this point. It has been a fun world in which to play. I'm still undecided on a sequel, I think I may start writing and see if it works. I wasn't planning on writing the summer, but leaving it to the imagination of the reader. What do you think Fred and George would do to the Dursleys?