Chapter One – Home Sweet Home?

Authors note: This chapter isn't very long or detailed; I just needed to set the story off.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Harry sighed as he stared out of the train window, his breath forming a small patch of mist over the cold glass, giving the passing sunlit scenery a faint haze as though it was raining.

"It'll be alright Harry." Hermione said rubbing his shoulder gently.

"I know, I know." He said miserably, since when were his summers alright?

"Yeah, we'll come and visit mate. And I'll get Mum to persuade McGonagall to let you come to ours, before the wedding." Ron said eagerly.

Harry smiled as he turned to his best friends. "I'll survive, I always do."

"We know, but you shouldn't just survive. Try and have fun as well."

"Maybe, when all this is over."

"Stop beating yourself up, you couldn't have saved him."

"Mmmm. I could've if he didn't freeze me!"

Hermione sighed; they had had this conversation many times already. "Just try and relax this summer, ok."

Harry nodded.

"Promise?"

"Promise."

Changing the subject Ron asked "Anyway, who wants to play exploding snap?"

They played snap until lunchtime, when Ginny, Neville, Luna and the Twins came in to their compartment.

"Hey guys. What you doing?" Ginny asked, whilst Luna just looked dreamily out the window.

"Not much, care to join us?"

"Well, thanks old man" Fred said, sitting down.

"Jolly good form" George sat down too.

"Is there room for all of us?" Ron asked incredulously.

"There will be if Hermione sits on your knee." Ginny said cheekily, winking at Harry.

Ron and Hermione spluttered and protested but Harry levitated Hermione and placed her on Ron's knee, much to their embarrassment and dismay.

Laughing everyone else budged up to make room for Neville, Ginny and Luna.

The rest of the journey past with little happening, it was very quiet without Malfoy leading his goons, Harry thought. Malfoy had run with the Death Eaters after he'd failed to kill Dumbledore and his mad Aunt had taken over.

At the platform, Harry said goodbye to his friends and received a hug from Mrs. Weasley. "Look after yourself dear."

"Where's Mr. Dursley, Harry?" Hermione asked, standing on her tiptoes to look over the crowd. "Is he meeting you on the other side?"

"Errr… No, Sirius is taking me." Just as Harry replied, Sirius and Remus appeared through the gateway, spotting Harry they made their way over.

"Hey Cub." Sirius said, ruffling Harry hair, he had to raise his hand now as Harry had grown quite a bit over the year and was pushing 6ft. He was also a bit more muscular because of Quidditch and his daily workouts in his quest to defeat Voldemort.

"See you."

"Bye."

"Have fun in France!"

"Look after yourself."

Farewells were being shouted out everywhere so when Harry appeared on the Muggle platform he thought he'd suddenly gone deaf, there was no one about.

"Where is everyone?" He whispered.

"The Muggles had a terrorist scare so the station is closed for a week. Why are you whispering?" Sirius replied.

"Was anyone killed?" Harry said, raising his voice a little.

"No, a few injuries but nothing life threatening. It was lucky that there were several wizards around at the time to prevent too much damage."

"Keep your voice down Padfoot." Remus scolded.

The three of them reached to near empty car park and climbed into Remus's battered old Reno.

"You need some new wheels Moony."

"No I don't! I love this car."

"Just drive!" Harry exclaimed. "I'm squashed in the back; I'll have cramp by the time we get there."

"You shouldn't have grown so much then."

Mr. Dursley snarled at Harry as he carried his trunk upstairs. "Come straight back down, we've got some new house rules."

Harry sighed. Why couldn't they leave him alone?

Harry went back downstairs as quickly as he could, just to get it over with.

"Right." Growled Mr. Dursley. "You can go out as long as you do your chores. We want you out of the house as much as possible, but since you have no friends" His sneer was one Draco Malfoy would've been proud of, "stay in your room and be quiet"

Harry nodded, "What are my chores?"

Mrs. Dursley handed him a sheet of paper with instructions on. "Here, I'll tell you if there's anything else. You get your own dinner; you eat on your own in your room."

"Yes Aunt Petunia."

"Oh, and boy. If you keep that blasted owl quiet you can let it out."

Maybe this summer wouldn't be so bad after all.

Please Review!