The Weight of the World

Chapter 1 Back at Privet Drive

The Dursleys knew that something was different about Harry the second he came home. Vernonwould never admit it, but he could tell that something both powerful and possibly evil radiated from the boy the second that he got into the car to head back to Surrey from the King's Cross parking lot. The entire drive back not a word was said from anyone and it wasn't until they pulled into the front of their #4 Privet Drive home, did the silence break. Vernon was at the back of the car pulling Harry's trunk out of the rear of his car when he asked for Harry to come back and help him.

As Petunia and Dudley walked through the front door, Harry closed the back door of the car and walked back to help his uncle with his school things.

"I got a phone call this morning from your Headmaster, Dumbdoor, or whatever his name is," said Vernon.

"Professor Dumbledore," Harry said immediately, correcting him. Harry was surprised that Dumbledore knew how to use a telephone.

"Yes, that's his name is it? Well, he informed me that this summer you had a competition at your school and that you competed in it. He also told me that something went wrong and that.. well, that something bad happened. He said that you and another boy were attacked were you?"

"Something like that," Harry said reluctantly.

"Well what he told me that the other boy was killed and that you had to fight for your life to get back and that you were hurt pretty bad."

"I'll be fine Uncle Vernon," Harry didn't really want to go into this with his uncle at all. He wished it would just end here.

"Harry, I know that your school is different, and just because we don't agree with it, or even what you practice there, we still get concerned about you…. from time to time. I know that we have been rough on you, but it has clearly been for your own good. We have enough to deal with, with Dudley and we have always figured you could fend for yourself which is why we treat you different. It doesn't mean that we don't… like you. But we know that you are different from us and we don't understand it, and honestly don't care to. But I do want to tell you that we are concerned after this phone call. It seems that you may need some help that we won't be able to provide."

"What do you mean?" Harry said abruptly. "I don't need a shrink or any kind of head doctor. I know you would love to get me out of the house, but I won't let you take me to some hospital," Vernon immediately put up a finger to stop him.

"We don't want you to go to a doctor Harry now just SHUT UP A MINUTE AND LET ME FINISH!"

Harry stopped and lowered his head and waited for his uncle to finish his speech.

"All I am saying Harry is that I don't, and that Dumble-whatsit"

"DUMBLEDORE!," Harry shouted.

"Dumbledore..sorry. We don't think it would hurt for you to spend the summer back at your school. He thinks that after what happened, it would be better to have some of. your own kind around you so you can talk about things if you need to."

Harry couldn't believe what he had just heard. Either the fact that his Uncle Vernon actually sounded like he was concerned or the fact that he may be allowed to go back to the school for the summer, both were throwing him off. Was his uncle serious?

"Sir, I understand that you are probably worried that the person who attacked me will come after me here."

"What??" Vernon jumped in, but this time it was Harry who stopped him.

"Please Uncle Vernon, will you let me finish this time? I know that you probably feel like your family is in danger, but I can assure you that they can't find me here. I don't know how much the Professor told you, but the wizard who is after me is the same one that killed my parents. He can't find me here though. I heard him say that I am protected here and that I can't be touched and that would include you too."

Vernon stared at Harry for a second to make sure he was finished then started in again. "Harry, its not that we want you gone, although you probably will think that yes.. anyway your Professor thinks that you'll be better off there for the summer that's all. I am sorry that all of this has happened to you. I wasn't sure if there was anything here at home that you needed, but we'll leave day after tomorrow to meet your professor in London."

With that, Vernon Dursley retrieved Harry's trunk from the car and walked inside, leaving Harry outside to think about what he had been told.

Harry was still so numb from the events of the past month that nothing surprised him at this point. Should he feel sad? Happy? Scared? He wasn't sure. Why would Dumbledore not want him to stay here for the summer? Did he think that Voldemort would find a way to get past the charms that were set here?

Harry walked inside to find the Dursley's all sitting at the dining room table. Obviously Vernon had been talking to them, and Harry imagined that it was about him leaving for the summer. He walked past them grabbing Hedwig's cage as he went up the stairs into his small bedroom. He reached under the loose floorboard and made sure that he didn't have anything stashed away that he had forgotten to take with him after the last year. After that he opened the window of his bedroom, sat down at his desk and took out a few pieces of parchment and his quill and ink.

He sat for a moment then began to write.

Ron,

Dumbledore talked to my uncle and said that he thought it best if I stayed at the school over the summer. Maybe I can some and stay with you for a while as well, if it's not too much trouble. I really don't know why Dumbledore wants me to stay there, but when has he been wrong before?

Talk to you soon.

Harry

He then folded the note to Ron and started on the second letter.

Hermione,

I am going back to Hogwarts for the rest of the summer. Dumbledore wants me there for some reason. If you need to write to me, send your owl there.

I'll write when I get there.

Harry

Then, with the last bit of parchment he stated his last letter.

Sirius,

You may already know this, but I will be staying at school for the rest of the summer on Dumbledore's request. I hope you are safe. Write to me as soon as you can so I don't worry as much.

Harry

He then folded up all three and attached them separately to Hedwig. "Sorry for so many girl, but I need to let them all know that we'll be back at school for the summer," She stared at him with a blank look that he couldn't read. "Don't look so glum, you'll get to stay at the owlery and get to hunt whenever you want."

She hooted, quickly nipped his finger, and went out the open window carrying her letters.

That night Harry lay in bed wide awake. It wasn't that he didn't feel exhausted, he did, but he wasn't sure what type of dreams he would have being back at Privet Drive. At Hogwarts he felt safer. He was in his element there, which made him feel more comfortable. It wasn't that he didn't have nightmares about Cedric and Voldemort, but they weren't quite as bad as they used to be, and he was worried that his four-poster at school helped with that and that he wouldn't have that help tonight. He stared at the dark ceiling for what seemed like hours before he couldn't fight the weight of his eye lids any longer, and fell to sleep.