Harry Potter 7 Parts 1-8

Disclaimer: Although all the mentioned Harry Potter characters belong to J.K. Rowling, the plot of THIS story and any un-mentioned in the Harry Potter book characters are mine and figments of MY imagination. Thanks

Harry straightened up after pushing the last thing into his already overcrowded trunk. Looking fondly around the room, he smiled, remembering all the good times he had had in it. The four poster beds were just the same as they always were, some of the hangings ripped, and a bed or two messy. Harry smiled again, and looked at his own bed where he had slept for the past six years.

In the fall, all of Harry's old room mates would be back, Neville, Seamus, Dean...but two would be missing. Harry and Ron weren't coming back.

As Harry looked over the now empty room, tears unconciously came to his eyes. Harry wiped them away, annoyed at himself for getting teary about a ROOM. A sound in the doorway made him turn. In the doorway, stood one of Harry's best friends in the world. Ron Weasley cleared his throat awkwardly and rumpled his firey red hair. "Um, Harry? We have to leave for the train any minute. Are you ready to go?"

Harry nodded and stroked Hedwig softly before leaving the room. The house elves would take care of the luggage.

Down the winding staircase Harry followed Ron to the Gryffindor common room where other Gryffindors were saying goodbye to their fellow classmates.

"Seems weird to think that we're not coming back next year, doesn't it?" Ron muttered to Harry.

Harry nodded silently, scanning the common room anxiously for a bushy, brown head. He spotted the head in question, talking to someone else and he nudged Ron's arm, pointing to where their other best friend, Hermione Granger was standing. Pushing through the crowd, saying good-bye to others as they went, they finally came to stand by Hermione.

"Ready to go?" Ron asked, placing his hand on Hermione's shoulder, turning her around.

When Hermione turned, both Harry and Ron were surprised to see that her eyes were red and puffy.

"Hermione, are you all right?" Harry and Ron both asked her.

Hermione nodded, brushing the tears in her eyes away with an impatient gesture. "I'm fine, really. I just never thought that it would be so hard to leave Hogwarts when the time came," she explained.

Harry nodded understandingly while Ron shook his head with a puzzled look on his face.

"Girls," he said, "They always get so darn emotional about everything!"

Hermione looked at Ron disdainfully. "Just beacause girls have feelings does NOT make them emotional," Hermione retorted.

Harry ignored both of his friends. He was too used to their bickering by now to mind. It was only if it got out of hand (when they were in danger of not speaking to each other) that Harry intervened.

Looking around the familiar common room, Harry tried to memorize every detail. He looked at the cushy arm chairs by the fire, the paintings with their moving occupants and, of course, the people. Finally, Hermione and Ron finished their heated argument. Looking at her watch, Hermione tugged both Harry and Ron by the robes.

"Come on you two, we have to get out to the train."

Harry stumbled through the portrait hole after Ron and Hermione, taking a last look at the common room before the Fat Lady swung shut behind him, closing him out...forever?

Part 2

The train pulled into the station with a loud whistle. Getting off the train, Harry felt that it was saying goodbye. From the look on the faces of his two friends, they felt that way too.

Quickly, Harry pulled his trunk from the luggage compartment and Hedwig from the seat before placing them on an empty trolley. He waited for Ron and Hermione to get their luggage and then, together, they stepped through the barrier out of Platform 9 3/4.

The sun on the other side of the barrier was bright, making Harry's eyes water. He looked through the crowd to the other end of the station where the Durseley's were waiting for him. Hermione followed Harry's gaze and gave him a pat on the arm.

"It's okay. You'll only be with them for a while."

In August, Harry was going to the Burrow to help the Weasley's celebrate the wedding of their oldest brother.

Harry snorted. "A whole month is NOT a while, especially not when you're with the Dursleys."

Hermione nodded and Ron looked at Harry sympathetically. He knew how bad the Dursley's could be, having had to rescue Harry from his bedroom in their second year.

"Just make sure you can come, mate," Ron said, clapping Harry on the shoulder and looking around for his mother.

He found her when they heard a loud cry of, "Ron, Ginny over here!"

Ron and his younger sister, Ginny smiled at their mother, went over to her, followed by Harry and Hermione.

After hugging her two children, Mrs. Weasley hugged both Harry and Hermione tightly.

"How's Bill?" Ron asked his mother.

Mrs. Weasley beamed. "Bill's doing wonderfully. He is so much better. Fleur is very happy and is eagerly planning the wedding. We're still waiting for the full moon to see how Bill reacts to it though."

Ginny looked a little anxious when she heard that, but quickly plastered a smile back on her face.

"That's great Mum," she said, her voice overly cheery.

Ron, Harry and Hermione all looked at Ginny quickly, but Mrs. Weasley hadn't seemed to notice her daughter's cheery tone.

"Isn't it? But anyway, we have to hurry and get home now. Harry, your aunt and uncle are just over there."

Harry groaned quietly and made his way over to the Dursley's. "Hi," he said.

Uncle Vernon just grunted and, looking at him, Harry thought that his uncle had gotten even beefier. His blonde moustache quivered angrily and his face turned to an ugly puce as if just looking at his nephew made him angry.

Harry followed his family sadly to the car and waved to Ron and Hermione before getting in. It was going to be a long drive home....

Part 3

Hedwig hooted angrily when she saw the house on Privet Drive. Harry petted her in an attempt to soothe her, glancing nervously at his uncle sitting in the front seat.

Uncle Vernon's eyes met Harry's in the rear-view mirror and immediately his beady eyes got even beadier.

Harry looked away. He didn't want to get into an argument with his uncle on his first day home.

When the car stopped, Harry's uncle, aunt and Dudley all got out without even stopping to help Harry with his heavy trunk.

"Typical," Harry muttered to himself as he lugged the heavy trunk up the stairs. Just as he opened the door to his room, Harry heard a loud screeching coming from outside.

Harry almost swore as he dumped his trunk in his room and ran outside to get Hedwig.

"BOY!!!" Uncle Vernon's voice thundered.

Harry winced and carried Hedwig inside. "Yes, Uncle Vernon?" he asked, trying to sound normal.

"What did I tell you about keeping that...bird quiet?" he whispered loudly.

"I'm sorry Uncle, but I left her in the car for a minute. She doesn't like being left alone and-"

"ENOUGH!!!!" Vernon shouted, his blond moustache quivering in anger.

Harry shut his mouth resentfully.

"Just pray that the neighbors didn't hear that bird. If they get curious, there will be hell to pay, boy, mark my words. Now go to your room. No supper!"

Harry nodded and ran up the stairs to his room before he could get an angry retort past his lips.

Harry slammed his door and put Hedwig on his desk.

Hedwig nudged the lock, wanting Harry to let her out.

"I can't Hedwig, I'm sorry," Harry said.

Hedwig hooted angrily and turned her back on Harry.

"Oh come on!" he burst out, "You know what the Dursleys are like. If I let you out...I would get in so much trouble! Especially if you're seen!"

But it didn't make any difference. In frustration, Harry kicked his trunk and then sat down on his bed with his head in his hands. He had only been home fifteen minutes and already he was grounded from supper. If it was this bad already, how bad would it be for the rest of the summer?

Harry sighed and got out his quill and parchment. Writing to Ron and Hermione always made him feel better.

Part 4

"Dear Ron," Harry began, "I've only just got home and all ready in my room. The Dursley's have gotten even more paranoid than usual about being found out. I bet you're glad to be home. How's Bill? And Charlie, and your dad, and mum and Fred and George and Fleur and Ginny and...everybody!! Hedwig is mad at me now because I won't let her out of her cage. I want to, but it's not like she understands that. I've already been grounded from supper. Good thing that I saved some of the Pumpkin Pasties and Chocolate Frogs from the train ride. I'll feast tonight!

Dudley's gotten even larger. I didn't think it was possible. I know he was supposed to be on that diet, but I guess he probably has a stash of candy hidden somewhere too. Either that or his porky friends are supplying him. I guess that's all to tell. I can't wait to see you for Bill and Fleur's wedding! I haven't asked the Dursleys yet but if it means getting rid of me a month early, they'll jump for joy.

That's all to say for now. Can't wait to hear from you, so send Pig back ASAP, okay?

Gotta go write to Hermione now, so bye!

Harry"

Harry sighed and scratched the back of his neck. Leaning over, he petted Hedwig through the bars of her cage. "Listen," he said. "I'll let you out when it's dark, to make some deliveries. You can stay out as long as you want hunting, just please wait till it's dark. And be quiet as you leave, or else the Dursleys will have my hide!"

Hedwig hooted softly and looked at Harry with her beautiful amber eyes. She nipped his finger gently and Harry smiled. "Glad we're friends again," he said.

With one last pat and a look out the window, Harry pulled out another piece of parchment to write to Hermione.

"Dear Hermione,

How are you? Were your parents glad to see you? I bet that you have a terrific summer planned. I guess I'll just have to imagine how much fun you guys are having. You are safe with the Muggles, right? I mean, do you think that...Voldemort will try anything? Oh damn, now I've started worrying. Oh well.

The Dursleys are as wonderful as ever, maybe even more so. In my opinion, they are more paranoid than ever. I've already been grounded from supper, but don't worry, I won't starve.

Hedwig can't wait till it's dark so I can let her out. I don't dare let her out when the Dursleys are still awake. If Uncle Vernon saw her I'd be dead.

Anyway, I hope that you are well and will write back soon. Oh, and send your owl at night so the Dursleys don't see it.

Thanks,

Harry"

Looking at his clock, Harry saw that it was already 5:00. With a sigh, Harry noted that the sun was still high in the sky. He wouldn't be able to send Hedwig out till late. At least this time the Dursley's hadn't locked him in his room and barred his windows. And they hadn't locked up his spell books and trunk and wand which was also a plus.

Harry opened his bedroom door and walked down the stairs quietly, hoping not to draw any attention to himself. Suddenly..."CREAK!" Harry winced and froze but the rumble of conversation from the kitchen didn't stop. Breathing a sigh of relief, Harry tiptoed the rest of the way down the stairs and out of the house.

The warm sun hit his face and Harry smiled. Being out of the Dursley's house was like being free from all his problems. The wind blew through his messy black hair, leaving it more ruffled than before. He could never get it to lie straight. Straightening his glasses, Harry walked down the street to the playground nearby. Dudley and his cronies had been there recently. Already the see-saw was broken and one of the swings was so twisted up, they would need maintenance people to come and fix it. Sighing, Harry sat on the undamaged swing and leaned his forehead against the cool metal. Suddenly, he heard a crack behind him. Harry bolted straight up and reached for his wand that was hidden in his inside jacket pocket. It sounded like someone was apparating or disapparating. Looking around warily, Harry tried to see whether there was anything unusual, anything out of place. He stood motionless for five minutes before finally letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Suddenly, the free environment of outside felt too open. Harry shivered and pulled his jacket tighter around him. Walking quickly, Harry got back to the house in record time. The Dursley's hadn't even finished their supper yet. Quietly, Harry ran back up to his room and sat at his desk, breathing hard. Taking out yet another piece of parchment, Harry dipped his quill in the ink and began to write.

"Dear Sirius," and then Harry stopped. Even though it had been almost two years, Harry still couldn't believe his godfather was really dead. Crossing out the name, Harry instead re-wrote, "Dear Dumbledore," before throwing his quill down in frustration. Dumbledore was dead too! Dead because of Draco Malfoy's school-boy foolishness. Harry paced up and down his room, the tears that he hadn't cried at Dumbledore's funeral ran down his cheeks and past his lips. The people that Harry usually went to for help and advice...they were both gone. Dead and snatched away saving him from Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Harry soon got tired of pacing and lay down tiredly on his bed. He still felt terrible, the tears still were running down his cheeks, but he was tired. And so, the famous Harry Potter, the "Chosen One," cried himself to sleep on his little bed in his room on Privet Drive.

Part 5

Harry was woken up later by Hedwig rattling the bars of her cage. Sitting up and rubbing his eyes, he looked at the clock and was surprised to see that four hours had already passed. "I didn't think I was that tired," Harry muttered, straightening his glasses and getting out of bed.

Hedwig quieted down when she saw that Harry was up.

Taking Ron's letter off his desk, Harry unlocked Hedwig's cage and tied the letter to her leg. "Take this to Ron and come straight back, all right? I want you to be able to give Hermione her letter tonight. After Hermione, you can go wherever you want, okay?"

Hedwig hooted her assent and went to the window.

"Good luck!" Harry whispered. "And be quiet until you get out of Privet Drive!" he added as an afterthought.

After Hedwig left, there was nothing to do but wait. To try to take his mind off his friends, Harry went to see what books were on his shelf. The ones there he had read at least five times before. Getting a chair, Harry stood up and looked at the top of the shelf to see if there was anything up there. Not seeing anything, he almost jumped down, but then something caught him eye. It was a little, leather book that he had never seen before. Sitting down on his bed, Harry opened it and gasped.

In the front of the book, it said, " Property of Lily Evans.”

Turning the front page eagerly, he gasped again, shocked at what he saw. Quickly, he read on. The writing in the book was in Lily Potter's beautiful writing.

It read:

" Dear Diary,

I can’t believe it, I’ve been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! It was such a huge surprise that I almost fainted. Mum and Dad are so happy! Petunia is the only one who is upset though, something is wrong. I’ll have to find out what is wrong with her later, but soon, Mum is taking me down to central London to buy my school supplies. The letter told us to go to a place called Diagon Alley. Apparently, it is only a place that wizards can get to, so hopefully Mum will be able to get in. I can’t believe that I didn’t know I was a witch before. You would think that I would have shown some powers before now, wouldn’t you? According to the letter though, I need to buy some robes and spell books. I can’t wait to start doing magic. It will be hard leaving Petunia and all my other school friends behind. Mum says that I will make lots of new friends at school. I hope that she’s right. But when Mum mentioned new friends, Petunia’s face fell. I have no idea what is wrong with her. She is the older one, but sometimes I feel older. She’s always been the homely one, and I’ve always been the pretty one. And I’m not being vain here, it really is the truth, everyone says that! I still love Petunia though. I’ve always looked after her, and we’ve always been the best of friends. I feel sort of bad about leaving her while I go to Hogwarts, but I’m too excited to feel really bad. We leave tomorrow, I can’t wait!!”

Harry put the little book down with trembling hands. He had just made an amazing discovery. He had just found Lily Potter’s diary!

Part 6

Just as Harry was about to turn to the next entry, Ron’s owl, Pig came flying through the window like a small, furry tennis ball. Harry smiled, but his eyes teared up just looking at Pig. Sirius had given Pig to Ron after he had revealed Scabbers for who he really was.

Grabbing Pig out of the air, Harry took the letter off of Pig’s leg.

Pig hooted excitedly and Harry froze, listening for the Dursleys. “Shhhh!” he lunged at Pig and put him in the cage. “Quiet, all right?” he said, shaking the little bird. Pig hooted quieter than before and Harry was reassured.

Sitting on his bed, Harry read Ron’s messy scrawl.

“Hi Harry, how are you? Hedwig came in just as I was about to send Pig out. I thought that it would be better to read your letter and then send Pig. We are all good here. Bill is doing terrifically and Mum and Fleur are excitedly planning the wedding. It would make me nauseous if it wasn’t so cute.

Charlie hasn’t come back yet, but he’ll be back in time for the wedding, Mum made him promise. Dad is as busy as ever. He is being treated like a hero at work because he never stopped believing in Dumbledore. I’m still finding it hard to believe that Dumbledore…isn’t here anymore. And it’s even harder to believe that we won’t be going back to Hogwarts in September.

Anyway, everything’s good here. It’s nice to be back in the Burrow. Even the ghoul is nice to have around. He’s as loud as ever by the way.

Fred and George should be coming home in a week or so. I keep looking across the hall to their room and expecting to hear an explosion or something. I’m telling you mate, it seems so quiet in the house without them.

Ginny is good as well. She says to say hi to you. Honestly mate, I still think she has feelings for you. But every time I ask her, she denies it, so I’ll leave it at that.

Mum invited Parvati and Padma Patil and their parents to the wedding, I have absolutely no idea why. Mum says it is because they were nice to Fleur when she was at Hogwarts. I’m still having my suspicions. Not that I don’t like the girls of course, but…well…you know. It’s different when your mom is trying to set you up with them.

I can’t wait till you get here mate, there are too many girls for my liking. I’m surrounded!

Percy showed up this afternoon. Mum was so happy to see him that she practically threw herself at him! Dad wasn’t so emotional though. He was stiff and cold, barely even saying hi to the slimy git. Fred and George were at the house for lunch and to welcome us home. They got so red in the face I was scared they were going to hit him! Instead though, they called him a bunch of foul names that Mum got mad at and then used their wands to throw him out of the house. I couldn’t believe it. Then Mum ran outside after Percy, but he was too angry. We heard him say to Mum before he left, “I do appreciate your love, Mother, but obviously I am no longer welcome in this family,” and then he apparated away! Mum started crying and then yelled at us for not giving him a better welcome. She cried for the rest of the afternoon and was still crying by the time dinner came around.

Anyway, that’s all the news, so, hope that the Dursleys will let you out of your room soon.

See you in a couple weeks!

Ron”

Harry smiled at his friend’s letter and read it again. It sounded so much like Ron that Harry could almost see him standing in front, freckles standing out brightly and his red hair messy. Just as he was about to send Pig out the window, a post owl came and landed on the window sill. It was from Hermione!

Harry was even more excited to hear from her than Ron. He tore the letter off of the owl’s leg and immediately, the owl took off.

Not even bothering to open the letter properly, Harry grabbed the letter out and began to read excitedly.

“Dear Harry,

I was so glad to get your letter, and so quickly too. You haven’t always been such a reliable writer. Of course, I know what life must be like with the Dursleys and I figured that you would have gotten into trouble already. Am I right? Of course I am.

Anyway, Mum and Dad were happy to see me. We went out for ice cream after I got off the train and I decided to stop and write you a letter. I’m still in the ice cream shop. Dad has dragged Mum off to get some more dental supplies, leaving me alone to write.

I can’t believe that I won’t see you for a whole month! I miss you already! (and Ron too of course.) Things are going to be so quiet without you two to get me in trouble. Crookshanks wasn’t very happy to be home. I think he liked the wizarding world better. He seems to know that there won’t be any gnomes to chase in our backyard. I also think that he misses Sirius. You know what good friends they were. Sorry, I didn’t mean to remind you.

I talked to Ron and I think that he’s finally gotten over his crush on Fleur. He would have to, his brother is marrying her. I don’t see what he sees in her anyway. She’s too pale in my opinion.

Anyway, I should go now. Mum and Dad have just gotten back. I’ll see you at Ron’s okay? Have a good month with the Dursleys and Harry, for goodness sake, please be careful!

Love,

Hermione”

Harry smiled and decided that it was a good place to stop for the night. Taking off his glasses, Harry stumbled into his pajamas and climbed into bed. Although he knew that somewhere Lord Voldemort was out there somewhere, with such good friends, Harry found it hard to be worried.

Part 7

Harry woke up the next morning when Aunt Petunia banged on his door. “Harry! Harry get up!” she yelled.

Harry sat up, and rubbed his eyes. “Wah?” he said.

“You better hurry up if you want any breakfast, boy,” Aunt Petunia said. “Your uncle is in a foul mood. We have to go out to meet some of his clients and your uncle wants to take Dudley and me along with him to make a good impression. Hurry up, because I’m putting the dishes away and if you’re not down before then….” Aunt Petunia trailed off as she walked away from Harry’s door.

Harry was tempted to lay back down, but his stomach wouldn’t let him. It rumbled loudly, letting Harry know that missing breakfast wasn’t an option. Grumbling, he crawled out of bed and pulled his socks out from where they had been hiding underneath. Pushing his glasses higher on his nose, he opened his room door and walked down the stairs. “Morning,” he said, coming into the kitchen.

Dudley just squinted his beady eyes at Harry while Uncle Vernon grunted from behind his newspaper.

“Here,” Petunia said, putting a plate of eggs down in front of Harry impatiently.

“Thanks Aunt Petunia,” Harry said, digging in with gusto.

Vernon looked out from behind his newspaper. “Did you just put that down in front of him, Petunia?” he asked.

Petunia looked at her husband. “Y-yes Vernon,” she said, her horsy face almost fearful.

“WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU DO THAT?!” Vernon yelled.

“I-I don’t know,” Petunia said, clutching her apron, unsure what she had done wrong.

“If the boy wants food, he can get up and get it for himself. Dudley is your son, serve him breakfast, not Harry,” Vernon said.

Petunia nodded, not meeting Vernon’s eyes as she took Harry’s plate away.

Harry almost rolled his eyes, but didn’t, knowing that that would only anger his uncle further. Getting up, Harry took his plate back from off the counter and sat down at the furthest end of the table from his uncle.

“Hurry up and eat Dudley, we have to go soon,” Vernon told his son.

Dudley glared at his father and moved the food around on his plate. “I want some more salt,” he whined.

Petunia went and stood beside her huge son. “Duddums, we’ve put a lot of salt on there already. I don’t really think that you need any more.”

“I want more!” Dudley said, pounding his fist on the table as if he were five instead of the sixteen years old that he was.

“Dudley, darling, we need to go with your father soon, and the nurse did say that your blood pressure is incredibly high,” Petunia said, trying to avoid a confrontation with her son.

Dudley shoved his plate away from him, knocking over Harry’s orange juice.

“Boy!” Uncle Vernon snarled at Harry as his juice ran over the edge of the table.

“It wasn’t me!” Harry said quickly to his uncle.

“Clean it up,” Uncle Vernon said, and put his paper neatly on his chair. “All right Petunia, Dudley, ready to go?” he asked, standing up.

For the first time, Harry noticed what his uncle was wearing.

It was an ugly orange suit with brown dots. The collar and cuffs were brown as well.

Harry thought his uncle looked ridiculous, but from the way Vernon was preening, he obviously thought he looked good. Harry choked on his orange juice, but managed to make it sound like he was coughing.

Uncle Vernon just glared at Harry. “Stop sputtering like an idiot, boy. Dudley, are you ready to go?”

“My show’s not finished yet,” Dudley whined.

Vernon rolled his beady eyes and hit the T.V. control with one porky fist, turning the screen off. “Now it is,” he said.

“Daaaad,” Dudley whined, but Vernon wasn’t standing for it. With a heave, he pulled his son to his feet.

“Get your coat, boy,” he ordered.

Dudley started to protest, but was silenced by his mother putting a finger to her lips.

“You ready Petunia?” Vernon asked, turning to his wife.

Petunia nodded, putting her coat on. “Ready Vernon. Dudley?” she called up the stairs.

Harry could hear Dudley’s heavy footsteps as he sullenly walked down the stairs.

“Oh Dudley darling, you look perfect! Absolutely the perfect little gentleman, doesn’t he Vernon?” Aunt Petunia asked, turning to her husband.

Uncle Vernon sighed proudly. “You look fine son,” he said, “Just fine.”

Harry, looking through the kitchen door to the foyer didn’t think Dudley looked any different than usual. Sure he was a little chubbier, and his white shirt tucked into his pants looked completely dorky, but other than that, he was the same little porker he had always been.

Catching his uncle’s eye, Harry quickly went back to his breakfast.

Vernon however was not finished with Harry. Walking over, his fancy black shoes making no sound on the carpeted floor, he wagged a pudgy finger at his nephew. “While were gone, you behave boy,” he ordered. His eyes narrowed menacingly. “No…funny business,” he warned, his eyes darting around nervously as if afraid someone would hear. “Got that?”

Harry nodded, still keeping his eyes lowered on his food.

“Did you hear me boy?” Uncle Vernon asked, yanking Harry’s head up.

Harry pulled away. “I heard you,” he growled.

“Good. Now, no messing around with our stuff and if I come back and find one thing out of place…” Uncle Vernon trailed off, leaving the rest to Harry’s imagination. “Now, the neighbors don’t know that you’re back yet, so stay in the house and do not make a sound. We’ll be back this afternoon.”

Harry nodded. “Don’t worry Uncle Vernon, I won’t make a sound,” he said.

Uncle Vernon grunted as if he wasn’t sure whether he should trust the boy.

“Vernon, we have to go. You don’t want to be late, do you?” Petunia called from the front door.

Vernon glared one last time at Harry before grabbing his jacket and following his wife and son out the door.

Part 8

As soon as the front and car doors slammed, Harry breathed a sigh of relief. The whole house seemed to relax with the Dursleys gone. Quickly, Harry changed the channel to the Muggle news. He wanted to see if Lord Voldemort had been up to anything. The regular morning news was on. Nothing unusual seemed to be going on, so Harry went back to his breakfast. He had almost finished when his attention was caught by the name, “Malfoy.” Harry looked back at the television quickly and turned up the volume. The newscaster was reading off his paper, “Recently, the well-respected Lucius Malfoy has gone missing and his manor been closed down. The police are currently searching for him but have found no trace of him or his family as of yet.” The newscaster then went on to a different story about a mass murder in Peru. Harry turned the volume back down and sat back in his chair, stunned. Could Voldemort have turned on his loyal supporters? After all, it was thanks to Draco Malfoy that Voldemort had accomplished his plans at all and managed to kill Dumbledore.

With nothing else to do, Harry went upstairs to write Ron of the news of the Malfoy family.

“Dear Ron,

I was just watching the Muggle news and heard that the Malfoys are missing! Is it true? Do you think that Voldemort has done something to them? I know that I shouldn’t be worried, especially not about a worm like Malfoy, but…I don’t know, its hard not to worry, even though I hate Malfoy. I mean, if Voldemort would do that to some of his most loyal supporters, what would he do to us? Not that I don’t know already, but…never mind.

How are things there? When is Hermione going to arrive? I haven’t managed to ask the Dursleys about coming to Bill’s wedding yet, but I’ll get to it. They haven’t been in the best mood lately, and they’re out till this afternoon. Hedwig’s not back yet. Now that I think about it, I wonder where she could be. I guess she’s enjoying her freedom. After all, she knows that when she gets back, she’ll have to go back into her cage. And its not as if I could send her to you in broad day light now could I? I should get a smaller, more common bird, like a sparrow, then I would be able to send messages to you whenever I like. Not that I would get rid of Hedwig of course, but it would be nice not to have to worry about her being seen.

Anyway, hope you are well.

I’ll send this with Hedwig when she gets back.

See you soon, (hopefully),

Harry”

Harry set down his quill then and stared blankly out his bedroom window. There was no sign of white against the bright blue sky. Harry sighed sadly. The empty house seemed very lonely without another living being inside it. If only there was someone else he could write to, for wisdom, for company, anything! Harry knew that he couldn’t do that though. If he asked Hedwig to try to find Lupin or Moody, or anyone else of the order, it would just lead Voldemort right to their hiding spot.

Harry sighed and rested his head in his hands before getting up again. His eyes lit on the little leather bound book on his bedside table, and Harry smiled. Of course! He could read his mother’s diary.

Settling down on his bed, Harry adjusted his glasses on his nose and picked up the book carefully. Opening it, he read the second entry.

“Dear Diary,

So I’m back from Diagon Alley. It was the most amazing place I had ever been! The bartender at the Leaky Cauldron told us how to get into Diagon Alley. Mother was allowed in, and we were both amazed when the brick wall just opened like that. It revealed the most amazing world. It was so colorful, so vibrant! There were people everywhere and they all looked so different. One woman was trying to sell potions. Her hair was grey and frizzy, but she had a pleasant face, like someone’s grandmother. I didn’t really see anyone who looked like the witches in my story books. None of them were really very ugly, and were it not for knowing that they were magical beings, I would have thought them regular people. I have learned so far that non-magical people are called Muggles. I’m not sure I quite understand how Mother and Father and Petunia are Muggles while I am not but I suppose I should be grateful. I am grateful! I got to meet several other children going to Hogwarts while we were there. One girl, Maude Moonstone was especially nice. I agreed to sit with her on the train. Mother is pleased that I made friends so quickly. So far, I have several new spellbooks, wizard’s robes, a potions kit, astrology kit along with telescope and best of all, a wand! It was like…well magic of course. Holding that wand for the first time…it was amazing! It is willow and 10 1/4". As soon I held it, I knew that it was for me. It felt warm and alive in my hand. It shot off some golden sparks and the wand maker, Mr. Ollivander, smiled in satisfaction. He was a bit of a creepy man; tall, ice blue eyes and crazy white-grey hair. He seemed nice enough, but to tell the truth I was glad to leave the shop.

After we got my wand, we got to go to Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour. Mr. Fortescue was a very kind man. After seeing how much money Mother and I were carrying around, Mr. Fortescue advised us to go to Gringotts, the wizard bank. So far, we had managed to buy my supplies because the people in the shops had been so understanding and changed our money for us. Mr. Fortescue was actually the only one who advised us to go to Gringotts.

Anyway, after ice cream, Mother took me to the bank. It was amazing! It was so large and, going inside, we saw it was entirely made of marble! The doors were huge and it took four goblins just to open them! It was the first time that I had seen goblins before. They looked very sly, but Mr. Fortescue had told us that Gringotts was the safest place to keep money in the world. We were helped by a small, especially sly looking goblin. He changed my money into things called Knuts, Sickles and Galleons. The Knuts were bronze coins, the Sickles silver and the Galleons were gold.

Once we had exchanged my money, the goblin gave me a key to my vault. It was tiny and golden, easy to lose. Mom gave me a little golden chain so I could hang the key around my neck. Then, the goblin took us down to my vault. We went in a speeding cart. It was so fast and the track kept twisting and turning. I didn’t much like it but Mother, who was never one for fast rides, grew positively green. Finally, we arrived down at my vault and I unlocked it with my key. The goblin then helped me put my money inside while Mother gathered some up for me for spending. We left not long afterwards and now I’m home. Papa and Petunia were glad to see me, but…there was a change. After the initial hug, Petunia grew so cold towards me. It hurt a lot, but Mother took my mind off of it by helping me to unpack. It’s so good to be home, and yet I can’t wait to leave!”

Harry lay down the diary with a happy sigh. He felt that he was really seeing what his mother had been like. When she had written in the diary, she was younger than Harry was now!

Reading his mother’s diary had cheered Harry up considerably. Now he felt that he could face anything.

Checking his clock, Harry saw that he still had a few hours before the Dursleys got home. Now he had nothing else to do, Harry got up to see what there was to do around the rest of the house. In the room next door to his was Dudley’s collection of broken toys. Harry went to see, but everything was too broken and run-down to even think of using. With a sigh, Harry went and leaned on the windowsill looking out at the world that he could not walk in freely.

Harry’s thoughts were broken when his elderly neighbor, Mrs. Figg came walking out of her house followed by her usual number of cats. With a jump, Harry remembered that Mrs. Figg was a squib assigned to watch over and protect him.

“Mrs. Figg!” Harry hissed.

Mrs. Figg looked up at the window. “Harry?” she called, adjusting her spectacles. “Is everything all right?” she asked.

“Yes, yes fine. Just, please wait there. I’ll be right down,” Harry said, thundering down the stairs and out the front door.

Mrs. Figg was waiting on the corner by Harry’s house when he came out, looking anxiously about. “What are you up to Harry?” she asked.

Harry shook his head. “Nothing Mrs. Figg. I-I was just…bored,” Harry answered, shuffling his feet, ashamed of how babyish he sounded.

Mrs. Figg rolled her eyes. “Well that’s something that every teenager must face Harry. I should be going back in now.”

“Wait! Mrs. Figg!” Harry cried, grabbing the frail old woman’s arm.

She stopped and turned back.

“Please, I want—I want to know what’s going on in the wizarding world. I have been out of everything!”

Mrs. Figg rolled her eyes again, but didn’t go inside. “Don’t you get the Daily Prophet, boy?”

Harry nodded. “Of course I do! But there’s nothing in there that I didn’t already know! I mean, now that everyone believes that Voldemort is back, there are supposed sightings and killings all over the country. I can’t trust any of them. Of course I suppose that some of them might be true, but I can’t tell the truth from the fiction. Please Mrs. Figg, please tell me what’s going on!”

Mrs. Figg sighed and looked around the street warily. “All right Harry, but let’s at least go inside then.”

After they were inside, and Mrs. Figg was comfortably settled in an armchair, she began. “Well, what do you want to know?” she asked.

“Everything!” Harry replied eagerly, leaning forward in his own chair.

“Well it will be a little hard to tell you everything in the world, now won’t it?” she laughed.

Harry nodded and then thought for a moment. “All right, well, what has the Order been up to?”

Mrs. Figg sighed and stroked the cat that had joined them in the house. “You should know better Harry than to ask me to tell you what the Order has planned. There could be spies anywhere!” she said, looking furtively around.

“Sorry,” Harry mumbled, “I forgot. Okay then, if you can’t tell me anything about the order…are you going to Bill and Fleur’s wedding in August?”

Mrs. Figg nodded proudly. “I got the invitation right off. Are you going too then, Harry?”

Harry shrugged. “I hope so. If the Dursleys will let me go anyway.”

Mrs. Figg placed her hand kindly on Harry’s shoulder. “Well, I’m sure that they’ll let you go, don’t you worry. I’ll have one of the cats here watching you at all times. If you need me, just send one of them over. Maybe you would like one to stay with you?” Mrs. Figg offered.

Harry thought for a moment, then nodded. “I’d like that. At least until Hedwig gets back,” he added.

Mrs. Figg smiled. “All right then. Whiskers, you’ll stay with Harry, now won’t you?”

The cat yowled its assent and climbed into Harry’s lap.

The cat’s weight there felt familiar, and Harry scratched behind the tabby’s ears, remembering the feel of Crookshanks in his lap not three days before.

“If you need me for anything, just send Whiskers over, all right, Harry?” Mrs. Figg said, getting up.

Harry got up too, still holding the cat in his arms. “Thanks for coming over Mrs. Figg.

Mrs. Figg waved Harry’s thanks away. “No trouble Harry, no trouble at all. Just be sure that you stay out of trouble, y’hear?” she warned him, glaring over her glasses at the boy.

Harry nodded. “Don’t worry Mrs. Figg, I never go looking for trouble, it seems to find me.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.”