Harry stood in front of Number 5 Privet Drive in indecision. He actually dreaded having to walk up to the front door and ring the doorbell. That morning, he had had a difficult time convincing the bus driver to let him on. He didn't have any money on him, as he didn't need any for the fourth task. Finally, he was able to convince the man to let him clean the bus while he drove to his destination in payment. The driver must have taken pity on him as Harry was sure that looked like something the cat had drug in.

Now, he wasn't sure why he even came here. Aunt Petunia would probably never agree to help him anyway. But how else was he supposed to get back to Hogwarts? Straightening his back and lifting his chin, he pulled together that Gryffindor courage and started up the walkway. With a quick jab, he rang the bell before he could change his mind.

It seemed to take a lifetime, but before he could turn and walk away, the door opened revealing his Aunt glaring at him. "You boy! What are you doing here?" She asked in a harsh voice.

"'I'm sorry Aunt Petunia. I was port keyed away from school and am trying to make my way back to Hogwarts. I need a ride to the Leaky Cauldron." She eyed him with her narrowed, beady orbs, taking in his wet robes, dripping from the unceasing rain, and startled as he gave a slight sneeze.

"Well, you might as well come in." She said finally, stepping back and opening the door further. "Go take a shower, quickly. If we hurry, I can get you there and be back in time for Vernon to come home. Dudders is studying with a friend after school." Harry knew from experience not to dawdle so he hurried up to his room. He had left a few of the worst of the hand-me-downs in the closet as he usually just wore his robes at school. Grabbing an outfit, he hurried out into the hall and into the bathroom. It was a quick shower, but he was ever so grateful to be warm, even if only for a few minutes.

All in all, he was in that house for about 10 minutes, as Petunia quickly got ready to leave the house. She didn't want him there any more than he wanted to be there. The ride into London was quiet, with neither saying a word. The traffic wasn't too bad and they made it to Charing Cross Road in good time. Petunia pulled up in front of the Inn and Harry got out. He wasn't even able to say "Thank you" as she stomped on the gas to get away as far as possible. Shrugging his shoulders, Harry hurried into the dingy bar.

Harry was paralyzed in the doorway as soon as he stepped inside. It was chaos. Wizards were crowding the room, leaving no standing room available. They were shouting angrily at one another and poor Tom looked harried as he rushed back and forth with orders of fire whiskey, butter beer, and food. A man in a purple robe looked to be standing on a stool in front of the door leading out into the alley. He was waving his arms and looked to be trying to placate the crowd.

"So you see gentlemen and ladies, please go home, we'll inform you when there are some available." He said in a voice that he probably meant to be soothing but just came out stressed and irritable.

"Do you know who I am?" Demanded a large man in a voice that rose above the rest. "I know you have some stashed away in the ministry. What about other countries?" Even from where he was standing on the far side of the room, Harry could see the spittle flying from his mouth and landing on the purple robes in front of him.

"Mr. Dawlish, I assure you, that you will get one as soon as we can. Please, go home." Now the official just seemed tired. He stepped down off the stool and vanished as the crowd surged forward into the alley. Harry went over to the bar and waited patiently on a stool for Tom to be free for a moment. It took about 20 minutes, but eventually, the bartender noticed him there.

"Mr. Potter! You're okay!" He exclaimed drawing the attention of all the patrons still there.

"Yes sir. Is it possible to floo to Hogwarts from here? I had a mishap with a port key." Harry replied quietly.

"I'll say! It has been all over the radio, your vanishing act. Let me quickly floo the Headmaster and see what we can arrange. I'm afraid that it is not possible to travel by floo to the school directly." Tom said, grabbing a small pot from a shelf hidden from view in front of him. "By the way, where is Mr. Diggory?" Harry's face must have spoken volumes as Tom came out from behind the bar, squeezed his shoulder, and headed to the fireplace on the opposite side of the room. It took about 30 minutes, but Tom eventually rose from his kneeling position in the fire and came back to the bar.

He looked at Harry for a few moments and heaved a great sigh. "What do you know about what has happened since your disappearance yesterday?" He finally asked.

"Nothing, really. I have had to travel by bus and then a car to get here." Harry replied.

"Well, Mr. Potter. Everything is chaos, as I am sure you were able to tell from when you came in. Wands all over England have stopped working. No one knows why. At the moment, the Hogwarts Directors have decided to send students home as they cannot conduct lessons without wands and the school year is almost over. Dumbledore has asked me to help you get back to your relatives."

Harry didn't say anything for a while and Tom returned to serving his customers. Eventually, he returned when there was a break in demand. "Can I stay here for the summer?" Harry asked. "I can help cook and clean to pay for board." Tom just stared at him in astonishment. "It's just that, my Aunt and Uncle, they will not be happy with me coming back early." His voice trailed off in embarrassment. He really didn't want to go into any further detail. Tom looked him in the eyes seriously, seemingly searching for something. Then he sighed deeply.

"Okay, Mr. Potter. Let's get you to a room. You can start tomorrow. You look about ready to collapse."

"Thank you, sir!" Harry said, his quiet tone full of gratitude. Tom nodded and handed him a room key.

"The only room I have is the attic. Small, but comfortable."

"That is just fine. I will be down in the morning!" Harry dragged himself up the two flights of stairs until he found his room. The slanted roof did not give him much headway, but it was unneeded as he fell onto the bed and fell fast asleep.