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Chapter Two: The Weasley's
As he lay awake in his bed, staring at the shadows on the ceiling, Harry could just hear Hermione nagging him:; "Harry, it's important that you get enough sleep. . You're just being stubborn and not getting the proper amount!" or Iif he simply couldn't sleep, he "should at least be doing something productive… like your lessons."
Sleep, it seemed, was something that Harry was getting rather good at doing without. . Sirius falling through the Veil,; a flash ofing green light and then Quadric's Cedric's cold, dead eyes staring up at him,; these were things all too familiar in his dreams these days. . Snape's Occlumency lessons may have dulled Voldemort's influence, but they weren't helping him control his nightmares in the least. .
He sighed as he threw his covers off and stared out the window at the cold, dark sky. . He knew there would be no falling back asleep, not tonight. .
Very quietly, Harry tiptoed across the floor and removed his trunk from the closet. . Creeping slowlyHe then crept towards the loose floorboard, he lifted it, and quietly placed it to the side. . This was Harry's hiding place. . The place where he stored everything he didn't want the Dursleys to know about. . Sometimes he wished he could hide there himself; of course, if wishes came true, he wouldn't be here in the first place. . He would much rather have spent his summer at the Burrow with Ron, or even at 12 Grimmauld Place with Remus. .
Then again, when did Harry ever get what he wanted?
Dumbledore had been adamant that he must stay at the Dursleys for some part of
the summer, otherwise the wards that protected him here would fade. . Harry needed somewhere he could be safe. . He had never considered the Dursleys the safest place in the world, but his feelings weren't what mattered. . They never were.
Harry sighed to himselfgrimaced as he reached in, and lifted the floorboard's contents out. . He realized how few things of meaning he had in his life. His father's Invisibility Cloak that he had received from Dumbledore and his the family album he had received from Hagrid were among the items placed carefully in his trunk. .
Working slowly and quietlyin a slow, careful manner, Harry quickly gathered the the other few possesionspossessions he owned and stored them in the trunk. . Every so often, he stopped to listen tdo the dull roar of Vernon's snoring, confirming he wasere still asleep. .
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The sun was just peeking over the horizon as Harry turned and scanned the contents of his now-packed trunk, checking to make sure he had everything he needed for the school year. . One thing he did not want to happen was to arrive at the Burrow only to find he had left his wand at the Dursley's. .
Satisfied, he carefully shut his trunk and locked it. . He turned to face Hedwig, who hooted softly, ruffling her coat. . He stroked her feathers and murmured quietly, "I'm going to the Burrow today, Hedwig. . Fly ahead and meet me there, okay?"
Hedwig hooted again and bobbed her head. . He opened her cage, and the snowy owl hopped out. and With an affectionate nip of Harry's fingers, she flew off. .
By then, Harry could hear the Dursleys beginning to stir. . Soon, Vernon would be bellowing for his breakfast. . Happy at the prospect of mornings without having to cook another breakfast, he practically leapt down the stairs. .
Going to the refrigerator, he pulled out the ingredients for breakfast. . "Let's see," muttered Harry, "Eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, potatoes, biscuits, milk, tea, orange juice… and a grapefruit for Dudley." He grinned to himself. . This is going to be a grand final breakfast, he thought.
Like a parade of slugs filing out of a garden, the Dursleys performed their morning death march into the kitchen. . "Boy! Where's my break-" yelled Vernon as he began to open the kitchen door. . But he stopped short, his jaw dropping slightly, when he noticed the feast that awaited him already upon the table, his jaw dropping slightly. . Recovering quickly, he turned towards Harry.
"Right! As well as it should be," pronounced Vernon. . "About time you learned to get your lazy carcass up at a reasonable hour. . Too right it is, we shouldn't have to drag you out every morning to get you to earn your keep here! Remember boy, it is only by your Aunt's kindness that you are still here and not at an orphanage where you rightly belong." Vernon rambled on.
Harry had heard the same proclamation every day of his life with the Dursleys. . He knew it was wasted breath to remind his uncle that it was HE that who woke each morning before them, HE that who took showers at night in order for them to be first at it in the morning, and HE that who cooked the breakfast. . No, his only thought was that this would be his last day here.
"Yes, Uncle Vernon." said Harry in a much too agreeable voice. . "Big plans for today?" he asked, "Off and about then are we?"
"Why would you want to know…?" inquired Vernon with a scowl. . on his face. "Planning something are you? Waiting for us to leave so you can contact your little friends are you!! To…to tell them lies about us!".
Now I've gone and done it, Harry thought. . But Vernon wasn't done, "We've done nothing but treat you as a member of ouryou family… taken food from our mouths to feed you… given you the clothes off of Dudley's back! How dare you tell liescontact to those… those… Freaks!"
"Calm yourself Vernon," Petunia said. . "I've made sure that he has sent the notes I've dictated to to… those… people… every three days. . Just as they demanded. . We have kept up our end of the agreement," she said. "I just don't know if… those people… they can be trusted to keep theirs.".
At that point Harry was saved from further interrogation by the sweet shrill ring of the telephone. . As Dudley luimbered over to answer it, Harry quietly prayed that it was for his uncle, as Vernon had built up quite a head of steam and Harry hoped this would distract him.
"Well, who is it for Dudleykins?" inquired Petunia. .
"It…it…it's for the freak! Somebody named Manger or Danger," responded a shocked Dudley. .
Oh no, thought Harry, this is really going to add fuel to Vernon's already stoked tinderbox.
"WH- WH- WHAT!" stammered Vernon. . "Since when did any of them learn to use a telephone? I've told you a thousand times not to have those… those…freaks call this house! Isn't it enough that I tolerate the bloody owl, coming and going at all hours?"
"Yes, Uncle Vernon. . I'll be sure to remind them of that." muttered Harry. . Harry could only think of one name that sounded like Danger, and that was…
"Hello? Hermione?" asked Harry quietly.
"Harry! I'm sooo sorry. . I've gone and gotten you into trouble again," said Hermione. . "I was hoping that I might have a chance at you answering, but, well anyway, I just wanted to see if you were ready for us to pick you up?"
Harry started to ask "Er…Why? Are you on your…" but heard Hermione shout "RON, NO!"
DING DONG
"Hermione, that wouldn't have just been Ron ringing my doorbell, would it?" asked a very nervous Harry.
"Oh, I'm so sorry Harry!" Said Hermione fretfully. . "We thought it best for all if we just stayed outside until you were ready. . My father loaned me his cell phone so we could call, but Mr. . Weasley had been pressing all of the buttons, and then I couldn't get it to work, and then I got it to work, and then…Oh Harry, I'm so sorry! But, Harry, please tell me you are ready, aren't you?"
By this time, Vernon had made his way to the front door with a welcoming smile; opened it, turned three shades of violet, and promptly slammed it shut again. . "WHAT ARE THEY DOING OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSE, BOY!?" roared Vernon.
"Well, you see, they've come to pick me up…" started Harry, but Vernon's tinderbox was now fully stoked and the train had left the station.
"P-P-PICK YOU UP! WHAT, ARE WE A BLOODY TROLLEY STOP NOW! SEND THEM AWAY BOY, BEFORE THE NEIGHBORS SEE THEM! I'LL NOT HAVE THE LIKES OF THEM IN T MY HOME!!" Vernon screamedbellowed, now a quite loively shade of redred.
But before Harry could say anything, the door opened and in sauntered Mr. . Weasley, Ron, Hermione, and the twins: George and Fred. . To say this was akin to the opening of Pandora's Box would be an understatement, as four things immediately occurred. . Hermione squealed and enveloped Harry in a bear hug; while Ron pounded on his back; Dudley bolted for the kitchen at first sight of the twins; and Vernon turned quite a vibrant shade of crimson.
"Good morning, Mr. . and Mrs. . Dursley!" Mr. . Weasley said cheerfully. . "Hope I haven't disturbed you at all?"
Vernon just spluttered. .
"How're you doing, Harry?" George (or at least he thought it was George, it could have been Fred) asked.
"Oh, I'm all right. . How's the joke shop doing?"
The twins grinned. . "Wonderfully! We may be bigger than Zonko's soon!"
The twins turned to Petunia.
"Would it be all right if we got a drink of water? We're a bit parched."
Petunia nodded wordlessly, and the twins trotted towards the kitchen. . Harry wasn't reassured by the mischievous glint in their eyes. . Somehow, he felt he should follow and keep and eye on them, but could only grin as he was almost bowled over by Dudley fleeing the kitchen.
"Harry? Things upstairs?" called Ron. . "Yeah, I'll help you get them." replied Harry in a somber tone. . "Ok, mate. . It's bloody good to see you Harry! Any problems with Dudlykins… you never said anything in your letters… didn't really sound like you either mate… are you sure you're ok? Bloody hell Harry, you look awful! That's why we left mum at home. . Afraid she would--"
"I'm fine!" snapped Harry. . Immediately regretful, Harry added "Let's just get this downstairs so we can leave."
"Right, Harry. . Sorry to badger you like that. . It's just… it's good to see you again mate, that's all." said Ron in a quiet voice.
Harry felt bad now. . He hadn't needed to snap at Ron like that. . "Sorry Ron. . I guess I'm just tense. . You see, I just couldn't bring myself to tell the Dursley's that you were coming. . I kept telling myself that I would wait until the right moment… the next thing I know you're here."
"It's all right Harry. . The sooner we get you from here, the better." replied Ron as he reached over and grabbed one end of the trunk. . Harry looked Ron in the eye as he reached for the other trunk handle and said, "Good to see you too, mate." Harry grinned at his friend and they walked downstairs. .
The sight that met them at the bottom of the stairs was one Harry wanted to fix in his memory forever. . Mr. . Weasley was struggling to hold Hermione back as she brandished her wand threateningly at the Dursley's, who cowered fearfully at the raging witch.
"How dare you treat Harry like that?" she said furiously. . 'You're what give Muggles a bad name! Harry's leaving for the summer and all you can do is yell at him? You ought to be ashamed! He's your own flesh and blood, your nephew, and all you can do is treat him like dirt!" Hermione's face was red and her eyes flashed. . She shook off Mr. . Weasley's arm. . "I won't hex them… they're not worth getting called to the Ministry."
Reluctantly, as Mr. . Weasley released Hermione's arm, she sent one final glare towards the Dursley's then ran over to Harry.
"Oh Harry, are you all right? I've been so worried about you! You didn't answer any of my letters or--"
Harry held up a hand to still the onslaught of words. . 'I'm fine, Hermione. . And I'm sorry I didn't answer any of your letters, I just… didn't feel much like writing."
Hermione nodded understandingly. . Just then, the twins came walking out, grinning madly. . Mr. . Weasley glanced suspiciously at them, but didn't say anything. . Dudley bolted for the kitchen, making the twins grin even wider.
Harry glanced sideways at the twins. . "What did you do?" he said exasperatedly, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly. .
Fred put on an injured air. . "What, us? Do anything? Why, that's unheard of! We'd never do anything, isn't that right, George?"
George nodded vigorously. . "We're completely innocent! I don't know why everyone always thinks we're up to something!"
Hermione said sarcastically, "Oh, I don't know. . Maybe because you always are?"
The twins grinned mischievously. . Harry glanced at Ron. . "Why am I not reassured?" Ron laughed. .
Just then, a crash was heard from inside the kitchen. . The twins' grin widened as they started edging towards the door. . Mr. . Weasley frowned suspiciously at them as he walked quickly towards the kitchen door. . Just as he opened it, a large, fat pig came running out, squealing shrilly. .
Mr. . Weasley turned to stare disbelievingly at the twins. . "You didn't…"
Fred and George grinned unabashedly as they nodded. . "It'll wear off in a few hours."
Arthur quickly glanced at the Dursley's, who were staring horrified at the pig. . Vernon slowly turned, the vein in his head now pulsing at a dangerous level.
"HOW DARE YOU! How dare you come into my house uninvited and do this… this… to my son!!" he slowly advanced on Mr. . Weasley, who put his hands up defensively. .
"I'm terribly sorry, Mr. . Dursley. . Rest assured, my sons will be severely punished--"
"DAD!" The twins exclaimed, horrified. . One glare from Mr. . Weasley silenced their protests. . Grinning at Harry, they darted out the door, yelling over their shoulders, "We'll just be going now!" Sighing, Mr. . Weasley continued.
"As I said, they will be punished, but your son will turn back soon, no permanent harm done."
Vernon growled angrily as he approached Arthur. . "THAT'S IT! I WON'T TOLERATE ANY MORE OF THIS- THIS FREAKISHNESS IN MY HOUSEHOLD!!" He turned towards Harry. . "I'm sick of you and your kind, boy, I want you out, for good this time! You'll not be coming back here any more! Vernon yelled furiously.
Mr. . Weasley glanced nervously at Harry.
"Right then, I think this is as good a time as any to leave," he said, backing towards the door. . "Grab your trunk, Harry," he whispered. . He turned back to Vernon. . "Well, Mr. . Dursley, we'll be leaving now. . I hope you have a good day, and again, sorry about your son," he said quickly as he opened the front door. . The teens quickly hurried through. . Harry turned back just in time to see Mr. . Weasley slam the door in Vernon's face. .
A car was waiting in front of the Dursley's driveway. . As Harry pulled the door open, he heard the twins howling with laughter. . Once everyone was inside, Harry turned to the twins. . "What did you do to him?" he asked incredulously.
The twins beamed. . "Them, actually. It's our new product, Creature Crystals. . You put the crystals into food, a drink, whatever, and when you eat it, it turns you into the animal you most resemble," Fred explained, still chuckling. . George added, "We figured Dudley was a good test subject as any. . After all, we knew what animal he would be!!"
Everyone burst out laughing. . Mr. . Weasley tried hard to conceal his grin as he eyed the twins in the rearview mirror. .
"Now boys, I thought you had learned not to use your products on Muggles! That was very wrong of you, boys, very wrong indeed."
"Oh come on, Dad! You know they deserved it, they're rotten! After all, they just kicked Harry out of the house for something he didn't even do! They're absolute horrors! In fact, it might be worth a spot of trouble to go back and see what Vernon and Petunia's 'inner selves' really are! We're betting on a Elephant Seal for Vernon and a horse for Petunia " Fred exclaimed.
Mr. Weasley glanced at the twins with an exasperated look, "Oh dear, Harry. I think we've gotten you into the thick of it this time."
Hermione turned to Harry.Hermione chimed in "Oh, but Mr. Weasley those… those… terrible people deserve every bit of it. Personally, I think it was brilliant!" to which the twins gave a gallant bow of their heads. Hermione turned to Harry. "Do you really think the Dursley's won't let you back in their house, Harry? I can't imagine they'd be that bad! I'm sure Dumbledore would intercede if it came to that."
Harry shook his head in doubt. . "I don't think so, Hermione. . Once they've made up their mind about something, they're pretty much going to follow through. . Especially something like this."
Fred said, with a tone of regret in his voice, "Sorry about that, Harry." George added, "Yeah, we didn't think they'd go quite that far. We thought they would just be mad at us."
Harry waved it off. . "It's fine, you guys. . Uncle Vernon would have snapped sooner or later. . He was already mad at me for Hedwig delivering my letters. . This was just the final straw." Wanting to end that part of the conversation, he turned to Mr. . Weasley. . 'Mr. Weasley? Where did you find the car? The Ministry?"
Mr. . Weasley nodded in affirmation. . "Yes, they agreed to let us borrow it to come pick you up. . Good thing too, don't know how we would have fit all you kids in here in a regular Muggle car." He glared at the twins. . "Although we could have left you two at home!"
The twins just grinned. .
Within minutes, they were pulling up to the Burrow. . Everyone jumped out. . Harry and Ron grabbed Harry's trunk and lugged it inside.
Mrs. . Weasley greeted them. . "Hello, Harry. . Just put your things in Ron's room, dear." Complying, Ron and Harry grabbed the trunk and went upstairs. .
Entering Ron's room, Harry saw it was still an eye searing orange. . After dropping his trunk, Harry collapsed on the bed. . Ron turned to him with an excited look on his face. . "Harry, come downstairs for a minute. . I want to show you something."
Harry shook his head. . "If it's all the same, I'll stay up here for now. . I kinda don't want to deal with everyone right now."
Ron insisted. . "Come on, Harry, it'll only take a moment or two."
Sighing loudly, Harry pushed himself of the bed and allowed himself to be led downstairs by Ron.
"It's in the living room, Harry." Grumbling to himself, Harry walked quickly over to the door.
"All right, Ron, what is it you just had to-- "
His jaw dropped as he opened the door and looked in. .