Unofficial Portkey Archive

A/N: Thanks for all the kind reviews! I'm sure most of you know, but I'm a newbie on this sight and I'm excited to be here. Just FYI, the first chapters are on the short side but will get longer as time goes on.

Chapter Two

Harry spent the night in much the same way as he had spent the day. He was barely aware of his surroundings. He was barely aware of anything. Snape might have been grudgingly impressed, but now Harry was merely trying to protect himself from his mind-not someone else's.

The sun was quite high but Hedwig had not yet returned. Harry tensed as he heard the creak of a floorboard and suddenly became aware of footsteps moving slowly up the stairs. He reached for his wand just as his door opened.

"Don't worry, Harry, it's just me…" Dumbledore smiled gently as he walked in with Hedwig on his shoulder. She flew to her cage for a much needed rest.

Harry dropped his hand to his side then put the wand back on the table. "What're you doing here?" Harry's voice was a bit gravelly, not having had a drink or having spoken in quite awhile.

"Hedwig seemed to think it a good idea for me to come here. A very persistent and loyal owl you've got there." Dumbledore conjured a goblet of water, which he handed to Harry. Harry took a sip then set it down on the table.

"May I sit down?"

Harry nodded and glanced at the small chair near the window.

"I take it the Dursley's have left you here?"

Harry met Dumbledore's eyes but didn't respond. Dumbledore's gaze became penetrating.

"How much sleep have you had, Harry?

"As much as I can stand," Harry ground out.

Dumbledore stood and looked out the window. "Our mind can be our worst enemy…"

"I'm my worst enemy. Hermione was right…if I'd only…" Harry broke off not sure if he could control his emotions.

Dumbledore continued to gaze out the window. "Yes…if only. If only I had been honest with you about the prophecy. If only I had trained you in Occlumency myself. If only…well, things might be different right now. Some decisions haunt us..."

Harry was ready to change the subject. "How much longer do I have to stay here and where will I go?"

"A little while, Harry," Dumbledore turned to him. "But you'll not be alone for long."

"What d'you mean?"

"Sirius' memorial service is tomorrow night. Remus, Ron, and Hermione will be coming here to collect you. I spoke with each of them this morning. Ron and Hermione are worried that you haven't answered their owls." Dumbledore glanced at the unopened letters in Harry's lap and went on. "Apparently, Hedwig also visited their homes two nights ago seeming to request letters from them."

Harry looked at his feet. "My friends would be better off without me."

"Do you really think so, Harry?"

"They would be safer…"

"Possibly…but you would have been safer staying here instead of attending Hogwarts and I still allowed those letters to be sent to you five years ago. I even sent Hagrid after you." Dumbledore's eyes were grave and he continued slowly. "You have been through some of the most dangerous and terrible situations anyone has ever had to face since then. Would you give up the life you now know to be…safe?"

Harry met Dumbledore's eyes and after a long moment slowly shook his head.

"We all have destinies to meet and I was not going to deny you yours. Would you deny your friends theirs?"

"I watched as they were hurt and killed because of my stupidity!" Harry said through his teeth. "Not because of some destiny they were supposed to meet!" He flicked a tear away angrily.

Dumbledore nodded and replied quietly, "Yes…you made mistakes-as did I…and you are paying dear consequences just as I have in the past."

"I just want it to end…I wish I could go after Voldemort right now so that it could be over one way or another, once and for all." Harry wiped his eyes then raked his fingers through his hair.

"Waiting is the worst part of any situation. Let your friends comfort you…and let them show their strength to you. They have chosen you and they love you. Don't deny them the chance to live the lives they have chosen to the full. None of us knows the time we have been given."

Harry nodded unable to speak and Dumbledore rose from his chair. "As I said, Remus, Ron, and Hermione will be here to take you to Sirius' service tomorrow evening. You should also expect another guest arriving soon after I leave."

Harry lifted his head. "Who?"

"I'll let that be a surprise," Dumbledore's eye's smiled. "Until tomorrow night, then." And with a flourish of his wand, he disappeared.

~>^<~>^<~>^<~>^<~

Harry let Dumbledore's words drift through his mind like a balm. He opened Hermione's letter.

Dear Harry,

Hedwig came and tapped on my window. She looks worried. Are you all right? I hated that we had to let you go with the Dursley's today. Are they being nice? I already miss you. Please write back quickly.

Love From,

Hermione

Then he opened Ron's parchment.

Hello Harry,

I hope you're all right. Hedwig just showed up and pecked at me until I wrote to you. Are the Dursley's treating you well? If they're not, let me know and Fred, George, and I will come and set them straight. Ha!

See You Soon,

Ron

Harry sighed and laid them back on the table. Just then he heard a crack! from downstairs. Harry picked up his wand again and was walking slowly towards his bedroom door when it began to open, seemingly by itself.

"Harry Potter, sir?"

"Dobby…?" Harry looked down to see the House Elf's large green eyes staring back at him.

Dobby bowed. "Dumbledore is sending Dobby to look after Harry Potter. He is saying to take good care of you and of course, Dobby will."

Harry mustered a smile but his heart sank a little. He had been expecting Ron or Hermione. Dobby grinned back. "Dobby is glad to see you, sir."

"I'm glad to see you, too, Dobby and let's drop the `sir'. Please just call me Harry, all right?"

"If that is what Harry Potter wishes," Dobby bobbed his head, then scrutinizing Harry's face. "Would Harry Po-, Harry like something to eat or drink?"

"Not right now, Dobby. But thanks." Harry hastened to add, "maybe a bit later," when he saw the disappointment on the House Elf's face. Harry thought for a moment. "I could use your help with something else…" Dobby's eyes brightened. "My dress robes and shoes are a mess and I'll need them for Sirius' memorial service tomorrow night. Can you take care of them for me?"

"Dobby can, s…Harry!"

"Thanks. They're in my trunk."

Dobby dug around in Harry's trunk and retrieved the robes and shoes. When he found them he smiled and trotted out the door with them.

As soon as Dobby closed the door, Harry sagged back down to his bed. His vision was beginning to swim and he felt weak from the lack of sleep and food. Soon after Harry's head hit the pillow he fell unconscious. His mind left him alone in exhaustion for a bit but after he had slept for a few hours, the same dreams began to plague him. He woke up shivering with tears coursing down his cheeks and his pillow wet.

Harry noticed that his light had been dimmed but left on. He also realized that he was tangled around a blanket. Harry stretched for his glasses and felt them being put into his hand. He started and then remembered. "Dobby?" Harry said blearily.

"Dobby is here. What does Harry Potter need?"

Harry put on his glasses and could now see the concerned House Elf's face. "Nothing, Dobby." Harry could see that his dress robes were hanging in his closet clean and wrinkle-free. He saw his shoes beneath his robes reflecting the low light. Harry's trunk had been unpacked and moved against the wall.

"My clothes look nice, Dobby. Thanks."

"Dobby is happy to help. Does Harry Potter want anything to eat or drink?"

"Not yet, Dobby."

"You is looking peaked, s…Harry. You should come downstairs and sit by the fire."

"Could I have a glass of water?" Harry asked, weary of refusing the Elf.

Dobby looked reproachfully at him. "You is also needing food, Harry Potter."

"I can't eat right now, Dobby…I think it would make me sick. Could I just have some water?"

Dobby nodded and pointed his finger at the bedside table. A goblet appeared full of water.

"Thanks." Harry propped himself up and took some sips then set the goblet on the table. He eased back down, straightened the blanket over him and drew his knees up.

Dobby shook his head sadly as he sat back down on the chair.

Document created with wvWare/wvWare version 1.0.0

-->