Rebirth of the Founders

*Yawn*

Harry leaned over and looked at the bedside clock. "One o'clock," he muttered, "Am I ever going to get through a night's sleep without interruption???" He sighed and picked up his diary, and jotted down the time of his awakening. It was Dumbledore's idea for the diary, so Harry could immediately describe his dreams before losing them. It had been in constant use throughout the summer, chronicling everything from Voldemort's plans to nightmares about Hogwarts closing, forcing him to spend the school year with the Dursley's.

"At least I don't have to send an owl to Dumbledore, Sirius, et al this time. Though I expect Ron would be amused at my waking up seconds before Cho revealed anything. Of course, I expect his had the same dream, substituting Hermione for Cho. Ron might get the balls this year to finally ask her out, but I doubt it." Harry and Ron had discussed this thoroughly over owl post at the beginning of the summer, and Ron still wouldn't admit to any feelings for Hermione.

"Speaking of Ron, I wonder if Dumbledore will ever let me leave the Dursley's this summer. Not that I mind having constant interaction with Vernon, Petunia, and Dudley." Harry stifled a laugh. His "interaction" with the Dursley's this summer had been minimal, mainly consisting of them ignoring him at the breakfast table, Aunt Petunia giving him a list of chores for the week, Uncle Vernon dropping him off at work, and Dudley whimpering whenever Harry looked at him. Harry was working, doing yard work for neighbors. It wasn't much, but the neighbors treated him civilly and paid him a decent wage. That plus the fact that he did twice as much work at the Dursley's without getting paid made Harry fine with the work.

Suddenly, Hedwig started tapping on the window. Harry got up and opened the window. Hedwig flew to her perch and waited while Harry detached the letter from her leg and gave her an owl treat. "I wonder why Hermione is writing to me..."

I have some exciting news. Dumbledore has just written my parents to see if they'd be willing to take you in for the summer. Of course they said yes, and we're going to pick you up Friday. My mom is going to call the Dursley's tonight to get their approval, and you can work with me in their office doing odd jobs and homework. I know this isn't the same as going to Ron's, but Dumbledore felt that the Burrow wasn't safe for you. Don't know why- I'd think the house of a ministry official would be safer than my house, not to mention Mrs. Weasley would destroy Voldemort if he tried to hurt you. I can't wait to talk to you; there are some things we really need to discuss. Please don't tell Ron you're coming over here, he might not understand. Mr. Weasley knows about the arrangements, he'll be able to explain it to Ron. Anyway, see you Friday!!!

Hermione

"Well, that was interesting...summer at Hermione's...sounds much better than summer at the Dursley's." With that thought, Harry rolled over and fell into a semi-blissful sleep.

The next morning, Harry awoke to the cacophony of sounds resulting from the awakening of the Dursley's. Aunt Petunia yelling at Harry to get up, Vernon yelling because he couldn't find his best tie, Dudley yelling because rolled over and squashed his secret stash of chocolate during the night, staining his sheets and his pajamas. Harry just sighed, got up and started to dress. This summer had done wonders for his body. Harry had finally gained some muscle definition on his frame and of course he'd grown taller. Harry looked at himself in the mirror, and turned away grinning to look for his socks.

The usual routine prevailed at the breakfast table. Harry got a piece of toast (Dudley's diet was still in effect) and started munching on it absently. He was thinking about Friday when Uncle Vernon snapped, "Where you at this morning?"

"I'm at Mrs. Figg's today, I don't need a ride."

"Bloody decent of you to tell me in advance, I could've already been at work you lousy good for nothing ingrate."

Harry sighed. He wanted to say that the chances of Uncle Vernon going to work early were about the same as Neville making the Quidditch team, but he knew the reference would fly over Vernon's head and get him punished. "The Newton's cancelled on me- their son got in trouble and he's doing the work as punishment. Mrs. Figg had asked me to come over whenever I had a free morning. You know, I could always stay here with Aunt Petunia and Dudley..."

"Boy, watch your cheek...you're lucky I let you work. If Dudley wasn't injured, I'd let him have your job and you'd be stuck here doing whatever your Aunt wanted you to do." Dudley's "injury" was just an excuse for him to avoid work and the exercise mandated by the Smelting's diet.

Harry didn't offer a retort, thinking about Friday. He got up and cleared off his place, and then started toward the door when Aunt Petunia called out, "Be back here in time to do the laundry, and if you shrink Dudley's clothes again, you'll wish you'd never been born1" He ignored her threats, and laughed at her accusations. Dudley's clothes didn't shrink, Dudley was expanding yet again. He opened the door, and just stared...

Looking back at him was a big black dog. Harry was in shock... Sirius, here?!? "Snuffles?" The dog started wagging his tail. "Snuffles, I've got to work. Is it urgent or can it wait until lunch time?" The dog barked and looked down at a leash that was attached to his collar. Harry picked it up and started walking.

Sirius started to lead Harry, taking him to wherever he thought was a safe place to change into human form. They walked for a couple of blocks, and then the dog suddenly turned into a driveway. Harry was startled for a second when he realized that it was Mrs. Figg's house. Maybe Sirius had decided to wait until lunch. Just then the door opened and Mrs. Figg came out.

"Harry dear, why you're here nice and early. Why don't you come in for a spot of tea before work? Bring your dog with you, he looks like a well mannered one, and my cats are upstairs." Harry just stared at her. "If you don't want tea, I have some pumpkin juice in the fridge." Mrs. Figg winked at Harry and held the door open.

"Thank you Mrs. Figg, but tea'll do fine." The second Mrs. Figg closed the door Sirius transformed and enveloped Harry in a huge hug. "Sirius, I've missed you. Why haven't you written??"

"I've missed you too, but I wasn't in a position to write. Surely you'll forgive me?"

"Of course. But why, may I ask, are you here and why is Mrs. Figg offering me pumpkin juice?"

"Sirius let me answer that. Harry, I am a witch. I'm a retired Auror whose been watching over you while you've been at the Dursley's. I couldn't tell you before, but you'll understand in a minute." At this, Mrs. Figg walked into the living room, with Harry and Sirius trailing in her wake.

In the living room, Harry was in for a bigger surprise. None other than Albus Dumbledore and Author Weasley were sitting down and talking over a cup of tea. When Mrs. Figg, Sirius, and Harry walked in, Mr. Weasley immediately stood up and rushed over to Harry.

"Harry, I'm so glad to see you. Molly's been despondent, worrying about how those Muggles have been treating you. How have you been? The twins, Ron, and Ginny send their regards. I'm extremely sorry that you can't spend the summer at the Burrow, but that's something Dumbledore will have to explain." Of course this was said in a span of 5 seconds, but Harry understood what Mr. Weasley was saying.

"Tell Mrs. Weasley that I'm fine and to stop worrying about me."

"Like that'd do any good."

"Harry, I trust you've been enjoying your holiday?" Dumbledore asked with a twinkle in his eye. "I have a feeling, however, that you might enjoy it better if you were to spend the rest of it at the Grangers, correct?"

"Yes sir, but what's wrong with the Burrow?"

At this question, Dumbledore sighed, and sat down. Taking his cue, everyone else sat down and Mrs. Figg poured tea for everyone. After everyone was settled, Dumbledore cleared his throat and began.

"Harry, as you undoubtedly know due to your dreams, Voldemort is gaining more power everyday. Currently, you are protected due to a number of spells placed on the Dursley household. Voldemort is unable to touch you while you are in the care of your relatives. Unfortunately, there is mutual animosity between you and the Dursleys, so you staying there is not a viable option anymore. The incantations have been weakened by this "mutual animosity" and will soon become ineffective. Although Voldemort could not know of this development, it is imperative that you find other living arrangements. I have adapted the incantations protecting you so that they would protect you if you lived with friends, but the adaptations have caused the spells to work only with Muggle guardians. The Burrow is not suitable, but the Granger's is. Therefore, I sent word to the Granger's through Hermione asking for their help. They were more than happy to take you in for the summer. I assume you got Hermione's letter?"

"Yes, and they are picking me up tomorrow."

"Good, now that that's settled, why don't we enjoy some normal conversation, along with this excellent tea? Mary, I must know where you got this tea from..."

Harry, Mr. Weasley, and Sirius immediately started talking about current events, such as Fudge's refusal to act to curb the spread of Voldemort, and more importantly, the Quidditch standings.

"Ron's in a funk, with the Cannons being in last place again. I wish he'd realize that they've always been bad. Yesterday, they lost 450 to 30. Disgraceful."

The conversation lasts for an hour, and then Mrs. Figg rose up. "I think Harry needs to scoot on home, before the Dursley's get suspicious. Take this Harry." She shoved a ten pound note into his hand. "Thanks for all the work you did." She said with a smile.

"Umm, I'll come back tomorrow and weed your garden Mrs. Figg."

"No need to, it's impossible for weeds to grow there. Tell Petunia I said hello. And have fun at the Grangers."

Harry said good bye to Sirius, Dumbledore, Mr. Weasley, and Mrs. Figg and started off to the Dursley's. When he got back, Petunia glared at him and pointed to the laundry room. "Right, right." Harry started the laundry, and went outside to finish up the yard work when Uncle Vernon drove up.

"Petunia dear, would you be as kind as to pour me a glass of water? And you, boy, come over here- I need to talk to you." Uncle Vernon walked into the house and flopped down in the living room. Harry meekly entered and waited for the inevitable tongue lashing he was about to receive, no doubt over some magic that Uncle Vernon had imagined Harry doing.

"Boy, I was talking to a consultant on dentistry drills, a Dr. Granger. She said she was planning to call here tonight, but as I was right there..." he paused for a second as Petunia walked into the room with his water. "Ah, thank you dear...where was I, of yeah, this Dr. Granger asked me if you could come and stay with her and her family...did you know about this???" Uncle Vernon started staring

"Umm, yes, that's Hermione's mom."

"And who is Hermione?"

"One of my best friends from school."

"So you're telling me that this Dr. Granger is abnormal like you?"

"No. Hermione's parents are both mugg...normal...in fact, they're both dentists. Hermione is just like my mother was- no clue about being a wit, err being abnormal until the letter came."

Uncle Vernon pondered this for five minutes. "Do the Granger's have a problem with their daughter being abnormal?"

"No"

"So they support this nonsense? This...magic stuff?"

"I think they don't care what their daughter is, they just love and support her. She is their daughter. What if Dudley told you he was homosexual? Wouldn't you still support him?" Harry immediately realized that was the wrong thing to say, as Uncle Vernon turned red and raised his hands as if to strangle Harry. He thought better of it, and sat down, his face splotched with red and purple spots.

"When are they coming for you?"

"Tomorrow afternoon. I'm not sure of the time, Hermione said her mom was going to call you tonight, but I suppose your meeting today was enough. Am I going?"

"Yes, and if I hear anything about you misbehaving, I'll drag you back here by your scalp and lock you in your room for a year."

The phone rang, and Uncle Vernon answered it.

"Yes, he's here...yes, he can stay with you...please inform me if he acts out of line... hold on." With this, he gestured towards Harry, who took the phone out of Vernon's hand.

"Hello?"

"Hi darling, this is Dr. Granger, I'm just calling to make sure you know that we're coming by tomorrow at 5. My, your uncle is a git, isn't he... here's Hermione."

"Harry!!! I'm so glad you're coming to stay with us. I really need to talk to you, and I know you haven't been enjoying your summer vacation. Hang on until tomorrow, and try not to curse your cousin's ears off, will you?"

"I can't assure you of anything, but I'll try. See you tomorrow...bye"

Harry put the phone down, and said, "Tomorrow at 5, I'll be out of your hair for the rest of the summer...happy?"

"Don't get smart with me boy!"

When the Granger's drove the next day at 5, Harry was about to burst. His last day at the Dursley's was pure hell. Not only did he have to do everything on his chore list before he left, he had to finish another list also. When he finally finished, it was 4:45.

"Good lord, I'm never going to be ready in time for the Grangers." Harry packed up his remaining belongings and jumped in the shower. After taking the fastest shower ever in his lifetime, Harry got out and was horrified to hear the Grangers talking to his aunt and uncle.

"Oh great, I'm holding them up."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that. My dad needs to talk with your uncle." Harry jumped at that voice.

"Hermione, I just got out of the shower. Can't a man get some privacy around here?" Harry grabbed his clothes and ran into the bathroom.

"Harry, don't mind me, I was just anxious to see you. Plus, you're not really a man yet, at least not from what I saw."

"Hermione, it was cold out there and you shouldn't've seen anything at all!"

"Oh relax, I didn't see lil' Harry. Anyway, hurry up, I want to something with you."

"That's the third time you've mentioned that. What's wrong, you need my expert advice on the History of Magic essay, or is it about the Animagi essay we have to do for Transfiguration?"

"Contrary to popular belief, I do talk about other things not regarding schoolwork."

Harry came out of the bathroom pulling a T-shirt over his head and then proceeded to stare at her.

"Well, once in awhile...stop staring at me. Anyway, it's not about school, it's about"

Dudley suddenly stuck his fat face into the room. "My dad's done talking to your mom."

"Thank you Dudley. We'll be done in a second, after we get Harry's stuff."

Harry and Hermione proceeded to gather up his belongings and go downstairs. The Grangers helped them carry the trunk out to the car and Harry turned around to say good bye to the Dursley's.

"I guess I'll see you next summer then."

The Dursleys stared at him in stony silence.

Harry shrugged and got in the back seat with Hermione. As they pulled out of the drive, Harry couldn't shake the feeling that he'd never see the Dursleys again, at least not in this setting.