(Dumbledore's pov)

I was sitting in my office, staring at the innocent looking red stone that was sitting on my desk. I had been surprised when Mr. Potter had not fallen prey to my rumor. All of the students wanted to sneak into the corridor.

When I set up the wards, I made it so that I could see who all showed up and when. The Slytherin first years, and Miss Granger were the only students that did not try to get into the third floor corridor.

Tomorrow the students would be leaving, and a few nights ago I was woken up by the wards I had placed on the corridor that housed the fabled Philosophers stone.

I had hoped that it was Harry, entering the ward with the two students I set him with. Instead, it was just Quirell, wanting to help his master. I waited for nearly an hour, hoping that the young savior was going to come and save the day, but he never showed up.

I needed up having to stop Tom and save the stone. To say that I am disappointed is an understatement. Perhaps he hadn't been all that interested in the rumor I started?

I thought about the failed plans I had this year. Harry wasn't making proper friends, nor was he the Gryffindor hero the wizarding world needs him to be.

I thought back to the conversation I had with Molly Weasley last week, begging me to let Harry spend the summer with her family. I had to agree that the idea of the boy spending time in the Burrow was a good idea. He could learn about the magical world, and develop strong friendships with a Light family. If I was the one to bring Harry, he would look at me like his savior, and he would feel indebted to me for rescuing him from his abusive muggle family.

I had agreed to bringing Harry to the Weasleys in the middle of July, after I return from the ICW Conference in Spain. I told Molly that he would have to spend the first half of summer with his family because of the wards that protect the boy and his relatives, but that the last half would be with them.

With that in mind I got to work on next years plans.

(Harry's pov)

I sat in my Slytherin bedroom, thinking about the stone that had been in the forbidden corridor. Until recently, that is.

I had been looking at the Marauders map when I saw Quirrel/Voldemort head for the stone, then about an hour later the old coot finally gave chase. I wondered why he had waited so long, unless, he had been expecting me to play hero.

That was probably it. Being the Headmaster, he would know if anything big was happening in the school, especially if it might endanger the students.

It's not my job to protect the stone that Voldemort was after, nor should it be my job to eventually fight and kill a fully trained wizard with much more experience than I could hope to have.

I thought back to everything that had happened this year. It was obvious to me that Dumbledore would do anything it takes to get me under his control, and apparently trying to force me in spending time with the thieving Weasley is part of that plan.

I have the feeling that Dumbledore will try to make me stay with the Gryffindor family for a while this summer. Perhaps I need to find a way to make myself scarce.

I decided to grab my trunks, since I still had to finish packing anyway. Tonight is the Leaving Feast and the Quidditch cup and House cup will be rewarded.

I made sure that my heirloom trunk was prepared for moving, warding the Library, House and Potions lab with multiple wards to keep things from moving or being damaged while I was on the train or otherwise moving the trunk. I put my heirloom trunk in my school trunk, warding it as well, before heading to the feast.

(Next morning)

I looked over the room that has served as my bedroom within the Slytherin Dungeons for the past year, making sure that I had everything packed. I decided to pack up early, not wanting to wait and forget something.

I had already decided to do what I did to come to school. I would shrink my heirloom trunk and keep it in my school trunk until I made it to Kings Cross. I had already gotten a portkey from Gringotts that I can use to get to the woods near Privet Drive.

I met my friends in Common Room for breakfast before we would come here together to collect our trunks.

After a nice, filling breakfast we grabbed our trunks and followed the rest of the school outside to board the train.

It didn't take long for us to find a compartment and get comfortable. From there we spent the whole trip talking about summer plans.

"Father says that you should come over for your birthday, and stay for the rest of summer Harry." Draco ended up saying. " He can pick you up from the muggles house."

"That's sounds good, though your father can pick me up in Diagon Alley. I was going to get my uncle to take me. I want to buy some of the new potions books from Flourish and Blotts. I can tell him that I will be staying with you after that, so he doesn't have to come back for me." I lied smoothly. Not about going to the magical shopping district, but about my uncle's involvement.

I'll let him know that you plan to be in Diagon Alley. I'll owl you to let you know when he will come to pick you up." I agreed and we continued the easy chat among ourselves.

Before we knew it, we had arrived at Kings Cross and it was time to go our separate ways. I watched my friends greet their families. I said hello to the Malfoys, and met Daphne's parents and Blaise's mother.

I quietly made my way to the entrance to the muggle world and out of the train station. A single thought made me smile as I made my way through the muggle crowd.

*I am looking forward to the Weasley and Dumbledore-free summer.*