Chapter 5: Back to the Dursley's
Dumbledore and Hermione arrived at #4 Privet Drive with a soft pop. He released her wrist and took out his wand. He promptly began casting a spell. Hermione checked Crookshanks in his cage then turned back to watch Professor Dumbledore. He soon finished; Hermione thought she had seen a brief flash of light encompass the entire house.
"A modified shield charm Professor?" Hermione asked.
Dumbledore turned to Hermione. "Yes Miss Granger, now The Ministry will be unable to detect magic done within this house. I dare say you both may wish to avoid the Dursley's entirely. Feel free to conjure whatever you may need."
"Yes Sir, I understand."
"Please Owl me when you think Harry is ready to talk to me. I have a proposal that should interest him greatly. Should he choose to accept it he will need to spend much of August practicing."
Hermione looked rather worried at this and Dumbledore remarked, "No, my dear nothing dangerous I assure you."
"Oh, Ok Professor I will do my best."
Dumbledore placed his left hand gently upon her shoulder and met her steady gaze. "I have every faith in your abilities in this matter. Harry's well-being is entirely in your capable hands." With that he turned to Hermione's massive trunk "locomotor trunk" and her trunk began floating several inches off the floor.
Hermione grasped the handle to her trunk and with Crookshanks carrier in the other hand approached the door.
"Go to him, I will deal with them" Hermione nodded her understanding.
Suddenly the door was snatched open by a livid Vernon Dursley. "What is the meaning of this intrusion?" He barked.
Hermione looked at Vernon and demanded in her best Minerva McGonagall voice "WHERE IS HE?"
Vernon was visibly shaken that such a little girl would use so commanding a tone with him. He took a step back and stammered "room" and pointed up the stairs.
Hermione immediately walked in, forcing Vernon to take another several steps backward. She saw Harry's aunt and cousin peering around the corner at the disturbance, frightened expressions on their faces. She walked calmly up the stairs; Crookshanks cage in one hand and her floating trunk in the other.
Vernon turned back to Dumbledore and asked quietly, "What is the meaning of this?"
Dumbledore walked in and said "Living room" he then proceeded to head there himself.
Vernon quickly closed and locked the door and the Dursley's followed in Dumbledore's wake. Once the Dursley's were all in the living room Dumbledore faced them. "I am aware that you can barely stand to have Harry live here. I can assure you that Harry feels the same. Harry must however spend these four weeks under this roof and potentially another four weeks next summer. After that I am sure he will be out of your care."
Vernon looked quite pleased at this prospect but asked. "But what has this to do with that hussie being here?"
Dumbledore suddenly became very angry. Sparks could be seen flitting about him and the entire room seemed charged with energy. When he spoke his voice was cold as ice. "THAT YOUNG LADY IS THE MOST INTELLIGENT WITCH I HAVE EVER HAD THE PLEASURE TO MEET."
Calming a bit he continued. "She is also Harry's best friend and she is here to help him. Harry's godfather was killed in Harry's presence last week. Harry must come to grips with his loss and grieve. Harry must return to the wizarding world strong and ready to face Voldemort or the world will surely become a much crueler place for all of us. Hermione has taken on the task of helping Harry thru this difficult time. You will treat her with respect and she will be staying here until Harry leaves. You may now go back to ignoring Harry. Hermione will see to him!" With a steely glare he was suddenly enveloped in green flame and was gone. As the flames vanished Dumbledore's voice echoed around the room. "I will be watching!"
The Dursley's seemed to realize some time later that they were all sitting on the floor staring at the spot where Dumbledore had stood.