Chapter 9

Harry awoke in a tangled mess of limbs, hair and duvet, his arm still around Hermione's back and hers over his chest, still with the smile he was wearing as he drifted off. In his eyes, yesterday events could not have been any better, it was the perfect morning, afternoon and evening and he was hopeful that Hermione had the same thoughts in her mind as she started to stir beside him.

'Morning sleepyhead' he whispered to her as her eyes gradually started to peel open.

'Hey Harry' she whispered back 'What time is it?'

'Just before 11 I think'

'What?' Hermione gasped, starting to frantically attempt to tidy up the mess of pillows and duvet 'Oh I don't believe it, I promised mum we'd be up and ready to leave by 10, oh no, oh no, oh no'

'Relax Hermione it's just gone half eight' Harry chuckled, pulling her back down.

'Don't you ever do that again Harry Potter' she huffed, a mixture of anger and laughter in her voice. 'Or I'll…..'

'You'll what?'

'I'll….'

'Tickle you?' Harry interrupted, tickling her waist as they both started giggling. Hermione tried to fight back by hitting him with a stray pillow, which spurred Harry on to pick up his own pillow. Neither of them were aware of Zoe looking fondly at them through the living room door.

'When you two have finished destroying my living room you can come and eat the cooked breakfast that Alex has been cooking this morning' she said after the pair had calmed down a little with mock sternness in her voice.

'Oh gosh, sorry Mum, we'll be right there'

After breakfast had been eaten and the living room tidied, Harry reluctantly started to pack his things into his trunk, albeit with much more difficulty than usual thanks to his birthday gifts from the Granger's as well as his gifts that had arrived by owl, in addition to the abundance of new clothes that he had purchased himself.

Eventually, Harry had finally managed to seal the buckle with a little help from Zoe sitting on the lid in an attempt to squeeze it shut and it was time to return to Privet Drive for just over a week before the Weasley's would be picking him up for his stay at The Burrow before the start of the quidditch world cup.

'I'm terribly sorry that you have to return to that hell-hole Harry, we'd let you stay longer if we could but we've got relatives from Australia visiting us tomorrow and we simply don't have room' Alex said to Harry sincerely as they were loading the boot of the car up with Harry's belongings.

'That's okay Alex, I've lasted 14 years there, I'm sure I can manage one more week' he replied 'besides, they're probably dying to see me again so they don't have to cook their own meals in the evening' he added with a dry laugh.

'Well if anything happens to you whilst you're there don't hesitate to call us, we're always happy to help you out'

'I will, and thank you again for everything, it really has been the best two weeks of my life'

'That's okay Harry, we're glad you could enjoy at least some of your summer, besides you certainly bought a smile to Zoe and I's faces and I won't even get started on how it's made Hermione's summer' Alex said, giving Harry a shy grin on his face. 'I wish I could come and see you off at your house and maybe give an uncle or two an earful about how amazing his nephew is but I'm needed at the practice today. It's been a pleasure Harry' Alex finished, holding his hand out which Harry reached out to shake.

'Goodbye Alex, thanks for everything' Harry replied as he got into the car and set off with Zoe and Hermione back to Privet Drive.

Once the conversation about the plans for rest of the summer had drawn to a conclusion, Harry noticed Hermione gazing out the window, hearing what he thought was a very soft sniffle.

'Hey, you okay?' he asked her, tapping her leg to get her attention.

'Oh…. yes' She replied quietly 'well, no, not really, I know it's only a week or so you have to stay with your relatives but I'm worried about you going back there'

'I'll be okay' Harry replied with a reassuring grin 'besides, we can still talk to each other by mail, or over the phone if the Dursleys are out' placing a hand on her shoulder 'and your dad said that he'd heroically rescue me if things got too bad' he added making Hermione smile and Zoe scoff at the prospect of her husband as a super hero.

The rest of the trip seemed to pass by in an instant and before Harry knew it, he was opening the car door outside number 4.

'Well, I guess this is goodbye Harry' Zoe said solemnly 'I'm probably repeating Alex's words here but it's been a pleasure to have you'

'Thanks Zoe, you already know how much it meant to me' replied Harry, giving a departing hug. As Zoe was getting back in the car he turned around to Hermione. For the first time in two weeks he was at a loss for words as to what to say. Something about being back at the Dursley's bought back Harry's introverted nature that he had been raised to have at number 4. Hermione seemed to be in understanding of this, and simply walked forwards and wrapped her arms around him, a gesture which Harry returned wordlessly.

'I won't forget these two weeks' Hermione eventually whispered in his ear, a tear trickling down the side of her face.

'Me either' an almost silent reply was returned 'I'll see you soon'

'See you soon'

The pair separated and Harry reluctantly headed towards the door to where Uncle Vernon was staring him down with a look telling that Harry had seen many times before, one telling him to get inside before the neighbours saw him.

'Hello Uncle Vernon' he said as he dragged his trunk past the Dursley's car and through the open door. The only response he got was a sort of deep gruff and an upturned nose. It was not long before Petunia's voice was echoing through the house barking orders and chores at Harry which had evidently piled up in his absence.

The rest of the week had passed much in the way the start of the summer had passed. Harry was for the most part ignored, the exception of course being when Petunia needed something doing. He received several letters over the week, one from the Weasley's giving him the details on when they would be picking him up from the Dursley's, the mention of travel wasn't mentioned however which made Harry wonder about how brazen an entrance they just might make. He'd also received one from Sirius checking in on him, he seemed to be enjoying life in a secluded section of south west England for the time being. One letter that did surprise him was from Remus Lupin, the letter contained a picture of himself and James in what seemed to be quidditch gear in their fourth year.

Harry had never even considered the fact that Lupin could've been on the Gryffindor team, according to the letter he played chaser alongside Frank Longbottom. He wrote out a letter thanking him for the picture and made a mental note to give it to Hedwig to send when she returned.

The Granger's had offered to take care of Hedwig for the remainder of the holidays after receiving Harry's most recent letter a few days after he had left their house to save Hedwig having to be caged up in Harry's bedroom when she was not delivering messages. They already had everything they needed to look after an owl since they now had their own, and Apollo and Hedwig were virtually inseparable by the time came for Harry to leave.

The day before the Dursley's were due to arrive, Harry was sat in his room re-reading a book on duelling that Hermione had transformed when out of the corner of his eye he saw a flash of orange out of the corner of his eye. He dismissed it as he thought it was the sunlight passing through his window at a strange angle, but when the light became brighter and closer to him, he had to turn and look.

Outside his window was Dumbledore's phoenix carrying a letter in its beak.

'Fawkes!' Harry exclaimed much louder than he wanted to out of surprise 'what are you doing here?'

The bird that had come to his rescue in his second year trotted towards him and lowered the letter it was carrying. Harry took it and stroked Fawkes' belly gently.

Dear Harry,

The letter started

Hope you are well and enjoying your summer as best you can. I would be delighted if you would join me tomorrow on my annual visit to a place that is very dear to me, and was to your parents.

I've already spoken to Mrs Weasley to adjust the arrangements of your arrival should you wish to come with me. I will arrive at your house at 9am sharp in a manner that will not upset your relatives and drop you off at The Burrow afterwards.

If you wish to join me, return this letter in Fawkes' left talon.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore.

Harry read and re-read the letter making sure he had interpreted it correctly. What did Dumbledore wish to show him? He wondered in what way it would be connected to both Dumbledore and his parents. Maybe it would be connected to the ministry in some way?

He placed the letter in Fawkes' left talon and gave him one last belly rub before the bird departed in a plume of fire.

The next morning Harry woke early and packed the few things that he had taken out of his trunk that he would need for his stay with the Weasley's. Once he had showered and got dressed he sat on his bed waiting for Dumbledore's arrival.

At 9am sharp a very quiet crack broke Harry's concentration on his book and shortly afterwards he heard a knock at his door which was much too quiet to be from one of the Dursley's. Harry got up to open his door and found the headmaster of Hogwarts stood behind it.

'Hello Harry, you look well' came the calm and confident voice that Harry had grown to know from his time at the school.

'Hi sir' he replied, then after a split second of confusion 'just how did you get here without waking the whole house up?'

'I'll show you if you're all packed and ready to leave, Fawkes will take your belongings along to The Burrow'

'All good to go, just, if you don't mind me asking, just exactly where are we going?'

'You'll know when we arrive, now take a firm grasp of my arm, you may feel a little queasy in a moment'

Harry did what he was ordered and at once felt himself being yanked through the air. A split second later and he landed, gasping for breath on a quiet street.

'You handled apparition much better than I would have expected you Harry' came Dumbledore's voice through the windless summer air. 'Once you've caught your breath, I'll show you the reason that I bought you here'

A few deep breaths later and Harry had steadied himself on the pavement and stood up straight. Dumbledore lead him through a few streets, but nothing yet had jumped out at Harry that would've explained why they were here.