Harry Potter and the Age of Deceit

Chapter 4 Hogwarts Again

Harry felt ill when he heard his Aunts scream and ran up the stairs. It seemed impossible that it was another snake. Somehow, Petunia had found Oppy. He ran into his room and opened the door but found no sign of Oppy or Petunia. He turned and was nearly bowled over by Vernon rushing by. Harry followed as quickly as he could to Vernon and Petunias bedroom. There he was greeted with a tragically funny sight. Petunia was standing on a chair as white as a ghost, pointing under the bed. She remained motionless as Vernon crept into the room.

Harry paused for a moment before he decided since Oppy was poisonous he really should see if it was her and thus protect the Dursleys. He darted by Vernon, easily evading his outstretched hands.

"Why you-" Vernon began before stopping. He had obviously decided that Harry was indeed better suited for confronting a potentially lethal creature. Harry ducked down and peered under the bed.

"Oppy," he whispered.

"Hello Harry."

"What are you doing in here?" Harry whispered incredulously.

"It was warmer."

"Well you've gotten me in to a lot of trouble and you have to leave. I'll try to make it warmer in my room." Harry reached a hand out and pulled Oppy clear. He stood up and was greeted by another scream from Petunia.

"AHHHH Snake! He has a snake! Kill it Vernon. Kill it."

"No," Harry protested, "It's mine, she just got out of my bedroom." It took a fraction of a second for that to sink into the Dursleys.

"Boy-" Vernon began only to be cut of by Petunia.

"I absolutely forbid you to have that thing in my house. Vernon take it outside and kill it."

"Careful she's poisonous," Harry said and smiled as both of them jumped backwards. Petunia fell to the ground in an unsightly mess and Vernon tripped on his uncooperative feet and also fell down. Both backed away and cowered while they alternatively glared at Harry and Oppy and then at each other.

"Get rid of it," Petunia said in a frightened angry voice.

"But she's my pet."

"I don't care. You can't have that thing in this house."

"Boy put it down," Vernon said timidly his eyes never leaving Oppy.

Oppy looked up at Harry and spoke; "I do not like these humans."

"I do not like them either," Harry replied, "but they are my family and I am safe here--apparently." Petunia's whimpering drew Harry's attention way from Oppy. Both she and Vernon were pale with fright.

"Unnaturalness," Petunia said in a barely audible whisper.

"Boy, not allowed," Vernon managed in a horse whisper before his voice seized up as well. Harry looked at the two of them cowering in front of him for a moment before he decided that he couldn't be bothered arguing with them. Oppy was staying. He left them cowering and walked back to his room. He caught a glimpse of Dudley peering out of his bedroom as Harry walked to his.

"Boo," said Harry quietly and Dudley disappeared with a loud whimper. Harry smiled and entered his room. He set Oppy down on his bed. "You cannot leave this room without me," he said to her. "If you want to go, I'll take you somewhere. If the others catch you something awful might happen to you." Oppy looked up into Harry's eyes.

"They do not scare me."

"Yes but you scare them and they will not be nice to me if they see you again."

"Then I shall hide even thought it is cold in here."

"Well what if I got some blankets then?"

"What are blankets?" Oppy said. Harry rolled his eyes and left to get a blanket from the cupboard under the stairs. It still contained one or two rags that had previously been his only blankets. He was sure Petunia wouldn't complain at his using them, although the idea of using Petunias finest blanket did appeal to him. He was sure that once it had been used by Oppy, she wouldn't want them back but then she would be even more averse to Oppy's presence than she already was.

He returned to find Oppy on his bed crawling under the blankets. He interrupted her by holding out the blanket for her inspection.

"I got a blanket for you," he said.

Oppy looked at it and Harry could swear he saw her turn her nose up at it before she spoke in a calm voice.

"That one smells bad; this one does not."

"But that's my one," said Harry.

"My need is greater," Oppy spoke in an authoritative voice. Harry looked at her for a moment before he conceded with a slump and thought of obtaining a better blanket for her or perhaps himself. The solution came to him in a flash, his robes, and more importantly his invisibility cloak. She could be warm and hidden from Petunias prying eyes.

"Oppy," Harry began in a voice he hoped was persuasive, "how would like to sleep in my robes. They are warm and this cloak is an invisibility cloak and will hide you from the Dursleys." Oppy looked up at him and seemed to consider the proposition. She moved out of the blanket and squirmed across the bed towards Harry. Upon reaching him she leant up and inspected the offering.

"It smells acceptable but will it be warmer than what I already have?"

"Yes," Harry lied, eager to have his blanket back.

"Very well I shall have the cloak and be warm," she replied and moved towards the cloaks. Harry placed it on the ground under his bed and Oppy slipped off the bed and into them. Harry arranged the invisibility cloak such that it covered most but not all of the mound that was Oppy and cloak. He didn't like the idea of accidentally standing on an invisible and poisonous Oppy. It was entirely possible that she would strike first and ask questions later.

******

Several days later Oppy was quite settled in her new home of Harry's robes under his bed. He had informed Petunia that she was both exceptionally poisonous and prone to bite and after that the Dursleys had acquiesced to her presence surprisingly quickly. Dudley had been absolutely forbidden to enter Harry's bedroom and both Petunia and Vernon showed considerable reluctance to go anywhere near it. That meant Harry was free to do as he pleased in his bedroom.

He was relaxing upon his bed in his new sanctuary when he heard the awful gentle tones of his aunt's voice.

"Harry could you come downstairs please." Harry groaned and complied. He had learnt by now that arguing with Petunia led to nothing good.

"Coming Aunt Petunia," he intoned as he thought of the many cruel things he would rather enjoy doing to her. Shrinking her and having Oppy terrorise her held particular appeal for Harry although he was not at all sure that Oppy would realise it was a game and only pretend to eat his aunt. He walked downstairs and was met at the bottom by Petunia.

"That girl next door wants to see you. I want you to make clear to her that you can't see her anymore. Common thing obviously doesn't know what any normal girl should like," she said not in her usual loud and cheerful tone. This was closer to the true Petunia with a large amount of malice involved. Harry suppressed his smirk as he guessed that she was referring to Angela's reluctance to having anything to do with Dudley.

"Yes Aunt Petunia," he said trying hard not to convey any of the mirth he was feeling.

"Well Harry, be off," Petunia managed in a pale imitation of her usual assumed tone.

Harry ran out the front door and nearly collided with Angela.

"Hello Harry," she began, "how would you like to come over for a little-"

"Yes," Harry interrupted.

Angela smiled and the two of them walked over to her house. They went in and proceeded up to a room that Harry hadn't been in before.

"What room is this?" he asked before she opened it to reveal a games room. It was full of arcade games and bore a striking resemblance to the gaming arcade that Harry had enjoyed at the mall. He shuddered at the thought of how much it must have cost to put together.

"I, er, love games," Angela said and walked in.

"Are these all yours?" an incredulous Harry asked.

"No my father rented them. It is cheaper although it isn't cheap, but then we aren't really worried by such things. My father is very successful. Anyway I thought you would like to have a go at them with me. They are much more fun when you are beating someone."

"Okay," Harry said hesitantly as he recalled being thoroughly beaten by her at the mall. Still it was better than going back to the Dursleys and so he agreed to stay. "I'll stay, I don't really have anything better to do."

Harry and Angela spent the rest of the day playing the many games in the room Harry slowly became more adept at them and started to reverse his losing streak against Angela. Before he came anywhere near levelling the tally, however he realised the time and had to leave. It was late and he dreaded his aunt's response.

Vernon's, "What have you been doing boy," greeted Harry as he entered the door to number four.

"Nothing," was Harry's indignant reply.

"You enjoyed yourself," Petunia accused. It appeared that she was tiring of the pretence and was putting much more of her hatred for Harry into her speech.

"I couldn't just leave. That would have been rude."

"I told you to make it clear that you couldn't see her anymore."

"But I couldn't think of an excuse."

"Go to you room. You've been out of it for too long," she spat at him. Harry ignored every thing else they had to say and walked to his bedroom. The Dursleys were just as evil as ever. Still Angela and Oppy made some difference and with the rest of his friends just an orb call away he supposed his life had improved quite drastically.

Harry entered his room and went for his orbs. He felt like talking to his friends for a change. He pulled he orb out upon activating it waited for a response. It was several minutes before Ron's head appeared in the orb.

"What took you so long Ron," Harry griped although he smiled nevertheless.

"Hermione's bonkers, she won't leave me alone. She's making me study. Completely bonkers as it's still the holidays. There's plenty of time left for homework."

Harry smiled as, for once, he was in Hermione's position of having already completed his homework although he had done it out of sheer boredom, not whatever reason Hermione used. He supposed she did it for the sheer enjoyment.

"So how much have you got left," he asked with a smile.

"Snapes, McGonagalls, Flitwicks and the DADA stuff although I don't know if I should do that. Do you think the new teacher will ask for it?"

"Well I've already done all my homework," Harry said in his best impression of Hermione. Ron started laughing.

"Oh you are lucky Hermione isn't here. That sounded just like her and I don't think she would have liked it. But really how much have you got left"

"None," Harry said and was amused by Ron's expression. It was of utter disbelief and then shock.

"None?" he managed weakly.

"I was bored," Harry complained.

"What and you wanted to be more bored?" Ron asked striving to come to terms with the situation. He looked away at something. "That sounds like Hermione. I don't think she will be happy with me talking to you. I rather promised her I'd do my homework. I suppose I could hide the orb under a book...hmmm."

Harry laughed as Ron tried to hide his orb and was then interrupted by someone. The orb went dark and Harry sat upright in his chair. He wondered if something was amiss before the orb glowed, signalling someone wished to communicate via it. He tapped it and Hermione's face appeared in it.

"Hello Harry," she said as she appeared to fight off Ron, "Ron can't actually speak right now as he's busy doing his homework.

"I am not," Harry heard Ron cry out from behind her. They were struggling for control of the orb.

"So why aren't you doing your homework Harry," Hermione said with something other than interest in her voice.

"I've done it all."

"Oooh Harry have you really, and proof read it too?" she asked before snapping at Ron, "Leave it alone!"

"Well I read it once or twice. I can't be bothered reading it again. If its wrong its wrong," Harry said. Hermione's temperament changed in an instant from joyful to scornful.

"Really Harry there's no point in doing it if you don't do it well. Ron here--no give it to me, I'm speaking to Harry--you should be more like Harry." There was a dead silence and Harry realised that Ron hadn't liked that suggestion at all. He decided that he couldn't help that and drew his attention back to Hermione and shrugged.

"Is done and I'm not about to redo it."

"Honestly Harry you of all people could show a little more passion and effort."

"What do you mean me of all people?"

"Well look at how many people look up to you. You should set a good example. Take Ron for instance, only two weeks left and he's only just started to do his homework. What chance of excelling has he left himself?"

"I'll pass," Ron cried out over Hermione s shoulder.

"Passing isn't good enough," Hermione snapped over her shoulder.

"Lighten up Hermione," Harry added in high spirits, "If he passes he's done alright."

"Well--I--never," Hermione huffed.

"Nothing less than 200% for Ms Smarty-pants here," Ron hollered from the background.

Hermione seethed for a moment before she retorted, "You promised you'd try," in a soft hurt voice. Her expression was pained as she turned from Harry.

"Yeah and I have tried," Ron said but he lacked any conviction.

"We had a deal," Hermione said in a manner that suggested more was being conveyed than Harry was aware of.

"What kind of deal," Harry asked.

"Oh nothing" Hermione snapped quickly. Harry was shocked as it wasn't the Hermione he knew.

"Pardon?" he asked.

"Oh it's nothing really I just promised to do something if Ron here did his homework."

"Do what?" Harry asked and looked at both of his friends. It was obvious they were hiding something from him. "What's going on between you two," he asked.

"Nothing," both of them said together as Hermione couldn't maintain eye contact. Harry continued to stare and eventually Hermione slumped forwards and both Ron and her became visible in the orb.

"I hope you don't mind" Hermione began softly. "It just kind of happened."

"What happened," Harry said in a worried voice

"We, er after the er," Ron mumbled.

"After my house was destroyed I need someone and Ron was...available, please don't be angry," Hermione said.

"What?" Harry said dumfounded but beginning to suspect the unthinkable.

"We are-" Ron began.

"Dating," Hermione finished for him, "or will be once this neanderthal finishes his homework. Mrs Weasley won't let us leave the house until he's done it all."

"I'd be done faster if you'd help."

"I am not going to help you cheat!" Hermione snapped impatiently.

"What?" Harry said as his world came crumbling down around him. It was just not possible.

"We're still friends Harry, that never going to change."

"But..."

"We probably shouldn't have told you like this."

"You can't," Harry said more to himself than the others.

"You are okay with this aren't you?

"I guess," Harry said although the truth of the matter was he didn't he could be less fine with anything. What was to come of the trio? He imagined that the two might prefer their own company from now on rather than hanging out all together.

"We'll still be able to hang out together Harry," Hermione said as she guessed Harry's thoughts.

Ron seemed distracted by Hermione and only nodded agreement.

"So why did you call and distract Ron from his homework," Hermione said trying to change the subject.

"I'm not the distraction," Harry muttered under his breath in disgust. He hadn't meant it for Hermione's ears but she stiffened and signified she had indeed heard it.

"Sorry," Harry mumbled, "Its just we are supposed to be a team and both of you are together and I'm all alone here."

"Come on Harry, only two weeks to go and we'll be back together at Hogwarts" Ron said.

"Are you going to keep talking for the rest of the day?" Hermione interrupted. It looked as if she was still stinging over Harry's previous comment. "Because Ron has to do his homework now."

"No I don't," Ron said before receiving a gaze from Hermione. "Er yes I do," he added in a very small voice. Harry might have laughed but his humour had all but deserted him. Hermione gave him a hesitant glare and turned to Harry. "Anyway Ron's going to be busy for the rest of the day or at least until he's finished his Transfiguration essay.

"But I haven't even sta-" Ron said and paled drastically as Hermione's head snapped around. She reached over and picked up a couple of scrolls as Ron looked increasingly worried. Her face clouded over as she read. She put them down and looked at Ron who appeared apologetic before she turned and faced Harry. Her eyes conveyed that she was not amused as she spoke; "Well it appears that you have lost Ron for the rest of the holidays."

"What!" Harry and Ron cried as one

"It's going to take you that long to do it all," she said to an appalled Ron. "You lied to me. You said you'd finished Snape's essay."

"I've nearly done it. It won't take that long to finish," he said and received an angry glare from Hermione. "How long did it take you Harry?" he asked seeking support for a counterargument.

"Not that long, only a couple of days"

"Yes but how good is it?" Hermione questioned with a knowing look on her face. It appeared she knew Harry too well. "Really Harry you should try harder. It would be good for everyone else if you would set a good example. If you were seen to try hard then they might as well."

"Its not that bad," Harry said although he was careful to not look Hermione in the eye as he spoke lest she see the truth there. "And I can't not be able to speak to Ron for the rest of the holidays. I'll go as insane as Petunia if I'm left alone with her," Harry protested.

"You can always speak to me. I've finished all my homework. Even the extra bits"

"Extra bits?" Ron said as he made a grab for some of his notes behind him "Is there more I haven't seen or," he paused and looked at her in premature disbelief, "did you ask for more homework than we got set? A sort of Hermione bonus thing?"

Hermione took a settling breath as she composed herself. It was obvious to Harry that she hadn't meant to tell them about it. He supposed she thought they might react badly to it.

"We don't have to do it do we?" Ron asked as he ignored the warning signs from Hermione.

"No I asked my professors for extra so I could prepare for this year. They seemed pleased that I was showing such a positive attitude."

"So we don't have to do it?"

"Obviously not."

"So you are just bonkers then."

"Why...this is why I didn't tell you. I knew you'd just make fun of it and me. Do I make fun of you and your technicolour bedroom or your dangerous obsession of trying to kill yourself by falling off a broom or-"

"Hey, normal people like Quidditch and the Cannons are a great team and they're not techniwhatsit they're orange."

"Normal," Hermione seethed in a deathly quite whisper.

"Er yeah normal," Ron said hesitantly as he missed Hermione's point and Harry's look of caution.

For a fraction of a second Hermione's expression showed how hurt she was but then it closed over and she rapidly reddened as she prepared her tirade.

Harry shook his head sadly and he realised with great reluctance that his conversation with his friends was over. As Hermione opened up on Ron he terminated the call and hung his head. It was too strange for him to consider. Hermione and Ron? It was appalling. His friends could not be...intimate. It was wrong. Insecurities surrounded him as he wondered just what the new year had in store for him. Would they reject him? Was the trio really destroyed? He felt very lonely as he got up and lay down on his bed. Life was very definitely not fair.

Harry tried to contact Ron several times later that day but his calls were not answered. He started to suspect that Ron had been forced to place the orb in a drawer or something but the truth of the matter was made clear when on the twentieth or so attempt the orb was answered by an irritated Hermione.

"Really Harry, Ron can't come to the orb now. I'd talk to you but all that talk about homework made me think about how I might improve it so I'm rereading it all. Oh and I've confiscated the orb so you can't distract Ron. Honestly he is so...." Hermione didn't seem to be able to come up with an appropriate term and gave up, "oh I don't know but he's actually doing his homework so you can't interrupt him."

"But-"

"No buts."

"Well let me talk to the twins then."

Hermione thought about this briefly before she said, "That may not be such a good idea."

"Why?"

"Because they have been restrained."

"Restrained?"

"It's a spell that stops them from doing basically any magic without Mrs Weasley knowing about it."

"What did they do?"

"I don't know, I kind of thought you did. It has something to do with you. I overheard their arguing. Something about them knowing better and endangering you," she said becoming very inquisitive as she continued, "So what is going on. What have they done to you?"

"Nothing," Harry said quickly, too quickly as it happened.

"So you do know. Harry you shouldn't follow the twins example. Even you can't expect to get away with every instance of misbehaviour and since you seem to always be involved in the worst kind of misbehaviour you are going to be punished eventually."

"Look whose talking. You were present in most if not all of my misbehaviour."

"That is not at all true."

"Norbert, Buckbeak, Sirius," Harry counted off on his fingers. Hermione looked appropriately chastised as she struggled to maintain the higher moral ground.

"Those were for a good cause."

"And the boomslang skin?"

"That was also for a good cause," she said and looked over her shoulder, "and I don't like talking about it. If anyone found out about it I'd be grounded for life."

Harry hung his head a little. Hermione was his friend but she wasn't a Ron or even a Fred or George. It just wasn't the same.

"Anyway Harry I have to go now. I've got over a hundred pages more to reread. Bye," she said and ended the call. Harry hung his head lower still. His inadvertent slip about the twin's gift had obviously landed them in a large amount of trouble and Hermione had hundreds of pages of homework. He had only just over fifty pages and he had thought that excessive. His friend was obviously far too eager for her own good. That she had banned Harry from talking to Ron because of homework merely confirmed that opinion while making him glummer.

Harry looked around his bedroom as a familiar feeling of loneliness and isolation came over him. He desperately wanted to be staying with the Weasleys. Even if Ron was busy he was sure the others would be fun and he would be surrounded by magic and his own kind. That thought had him pausing. His kind? When had that happened? Harry shook himself in disgust; it had been a thought worthy of Draco. With a deep feeling of self-disgust Harry flung himself onto his bed and grabbed a book from under his bed. It was the spell book Hermione had given him for his birthday, Sneaky Spells and Cunning Curses by Sylvester Wiley. He opened it and began reading. Soon he was engrossed in its pages and the many devious spells it explained. He found himself desperate to attempt them so that he could perfect them by the time he reached Hogwarts but he did console himself with the thought that he only had just two weeks to go until he was allowed to do magic again. He consoled himself by thinking that if he carefully read and memorised the book then casting them later would be much easier.

Having read a large section of the spell book Harry put it down and got up. He realised all of a sudden that it was dark. Very dark, and Harry realised as he groped around for the light switch, much too dark to have be able to read a book. He hung his head as he grabbed the book and inspected it. As he had thought, its pages were hidden in the gloom. He realised it contained no illumination charm and that he had accidentally performed magic after all. A letter would be arriving tomorrow and Vernon would be enraged. Life was not fair. He opened his door and looked down to see that dinner had been left for him. A chipped and dirty plate held a single shrivelled stick of celery. Harry picked it up and put it down inside his room on the floor. It could be returned to the kitchen or rubbish bin at some other time. He went and got a slice of cake from one of his present boxes. It was still fresh, as he had told Ron and Hermione that the last lot had become stale. All of his presents had freshness charms placed on them and Harry was much happier and better fed as a result.

Having eaten Harry went to bed and fell into a restless sleep. His dreams were full of Hermione standing further and further away from him as Ron dressed as a knight came and took her away on a dark winged horse. He woke briefly disturbed by the horse and its eyes. They had been black and that seemed very wrong to him. They should have been another colour but a sudden drowsiness had him soon asleep to even worse dreams.

*****

Wormtail was grovelling before Voldemort.

"Master forgive me I had no way of knowing that arggghh," Wormtail wailed. Voldemort cackled softly as he enjoyed his torture of his wayward servant

"You have displeased me Wormtail. Any other would have surely died by now but I find that your screams appeal to me. Scream for me Wormtail, scream louder." Wormtail screamed louder as Voldemort increased the amount of pain he was delivering. "Excellent," he uttered. Voldemort ended his spell and Wormtail collapsed into a motionless heap. "Take that away...put it outside; let the rain wake it so that I may continue my game. And while I wait let the next come forth and explain their failure," Voldemort said in a disinterested tone. A frail Death Eater came forth.

"Master?"

"Silence! You did not fail me until you came forth. Crucio," Voldemort said with little enthusiasm. The man fell to his knees screaming incoherently and Voldemort continued until the man was jerking uncontrollably on the floor. He continued jerking after the curse had been lifted and as he was dragged from sight. "Next," Voldemort said in a bored tone. It was as if subjecting his servants to the Cruciatus curse was not very entertaining. "Ah Lucius I hear that you were instrumental in the dismal failure that saw two of my servants captured and several valuable creatures and other objects taken from me. Please explain your failure to all who are present," he gestured to the other Death Eaters that formed a half circle in front of him. Lucius was forward of them kneeling very close to the feet of his master.

"Master I tried..."

"Crucio," Voldemort uttered with increased enthusiasm. Lucius' scream rang out and Voldemort paused his torture. "Enough if that is the best you can do."

"I was not to blame. Macnair left by his own will. I told him to stay to hunt for the boy."

"Crucio," Voldemort said once more causing more agony for Lucius. He paused the torture once more and continued "Macnair was doing my bidding."

"But master there were not enough of us."

"Thirty-five Death Eaters were not enough but one more would have been? Crucio." This time he lengthened the duration of Lucius' torment as some of those in the half circle laughed under their breath.

"He had assistance," Lucius wailed.

"I heard of the deaths and I am pleased to hear of the demise those particular enemies but the boy, the boy was the goal. Where is he? Hidden once more by Dumbledore and those other fools. You have squandered a chance that will not arise again. Crucio!" This time he kept the curse on Lucius for several minutes. Lucius collapsed and the curse was removed. "You have one chance at redemption. The boy shall most likely travel by train to Hogwarts. Dumbledore is arrogant enough for that. Derail it; kill everybody including the boy."

"M-my l-ord," Lucius whispered, as he lay sprawled on the ground, "my son will be on the train."

"There are always casualties Lucius but in this case you may be right. Have your son travel in the last car and make certain that no harm befalls those within it. I think that he may well be useful to me yet. Certainly, he cannot be more useless than his father. And one more thing for questioning me, Crucio!" Voldemort's laughter rang out and echoed about the room.

*****

Harry woke shaking with pain and fear from what he had just touched and been witness to. The pain died away slowly and Harry was able to release his blanket from his mouth that he had been biting to bear the pain and to prevent himself from screaming. The shaking died down as well and Harry was able to get up. He knew what he had to do.

Groping about in the darkness he managed to get the orb into his hand and activate it. It took three goes till he got what he wanted; Professor Dumbledore's smiling face in the centre of the orb.

"Hello Harry. Bad dreams?" a wide-awake and cheerful Dumbledore said.

"Very," Harry began as he wondered just how his professor had come to be awake so early in the morning. He shrugged that thought off and carried on to tell Dumbledore of the task that had been set for Lucius Malfoy. When he had finished Dumbledore had lost his smile and seemed very old and weary. Even the twinkle in his eye was dulled.

"Thank you Harry. I will ensure that measures are taken to prevent such a tragedy from occurring. Now I think you should use the rest of the night for sleep rather than, say, reading."

"Sorry I didn't mean to do that it kind of just happened," Harry said as he reddened. Trust Dumbledore to already know of his transgression.

"I am sure it was an accident but it does make hiding you more difficult Harry and it is against the law. I'm afraid there's not much I can do to prevent the inevitable letter from reaching the Dursleys."

Harry failed to suppress the shudder this thought caused. Vernon really was going to be angry.

"Well Harry much as I would like to spend the rest of morning talking I have many important things that I really must do. Happy dreams and good night Harry," Dumbledore said before he winked and then vanished from view.

Harry felt very tired and slunk back into his bed. He thought about reading but was asleep before he could give it much consideration.

The next day flashed by in a blur of tedium that had Harry nose deep in a book for most of it as he managed to read Hermione's gift completely though twice. The event he had been dreading never eventuated although he had seen Vernon reading the letter. He had received a single evil glare from Vernon as he had finished his breakfast, but no punishment had followed. By the time Harry was ready for bed he was rather wishing Vernon had punished him. It would have been something at least.

That night was just like the last, beginning with Hermione and Ron riding off into the sunset followed by Voldemort torturing what seemed to be all of his Death Eaters as one after another was subjected to the Cruciatus curse. He woke bleeding from his mouth where he had bitten his tongue. He couldn't remember anything useful and was left to sleep the rest of the night on a blood soaked pillow.

It was late morning when Harry woke and peeled the pillow from his face, realising just how much he had bled. The pillow was most likely going to have the stain for the foreseeable future as he thought it would take magic to remove it. He was certain no muggle detergent would be up to the challenge. Still he had to try and after he got dressed he placed it and the slip with the rest of his dirty laundry. He sat down and tried to reach Ron but got only a grumpy Hermione.

"Harry I told you Ron is busy and so am I."

"But," Harry protested. She looked intently at him.

"Did you have bad dreams last night?"

"Yes but nothing of importance. Just Voldemort torturing all of his servants."

"All of them?"

"Well all that I could see."

"Doesn't that seem strange?"

"No."

"How many did he torture?"

"I told you. All of them."

"A number Harry."

"Twenty - thirty?"

"Oooh! Has he ever done that before?"

"I suppose so. He always seemed to be torturing a Death Eater but last night he seemed to take extra pleasure from it. I bit my tongue and got blood everywhere it was so bad. Might be the reason I can't remember any important stuff."

"You should tell Dumbledore. Does he always torture all of his servants? And what did you do to your tongue? Is it bad?"

"Enough Hermione; one question at a time. You're just confusing me now. I don't know if he always tortures all of his servants. I suppose though I can't really remember him ever torturing so many. I wonder what they've done wrong. As for my tongue, its okay now, I just bled a little on my pillow," he said and showed an appalled Hermione his pillowslip.

"Harry that's a huge amount of blood. Are you sure you're ok now?"

"Yes."

"Sure?"

"Yes Hermione I am very sure I am ok."

"Good now end the call and talk to Dumbledore. Now Harry."

"But what about-"

"And Ron will be busy for the rest of the day. Honestly he is so infuriating. He thought that he could just copy off mine and then I caught him sneaking in here and trying to cheat of my work. The gall of that oooh-"

"Bye Hermione," Harry said and abruptly ended the call as he rolled his eyes in disgust. He wasn't that bored that he cared to listen to Hermione ranting about Ron or vice versa and he prompted the other orb to contact Dumbledore whom he then told of his dream. He did seem as interested as Hermione and spent a great deal of time going over and over any details Harry remembered. It well past lunchtime when he finished.

Having spent half the day in conversation with his friends, he did not mind that the rest of the day was quieter as he spent it reading and watching Snapper worry Oppy.

"Snapper is just playing," Harry said as he saw Oppy's confusion.

"Is it alive?" Oppy hissed.

"No, well kind of I suppose. He knows fetch."

"What is fetch?"

"I throw something away and he brings it back to me."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"If you throw something away then surely you do not want it back."

"It's a game," Harry said while trying to remain straight faced. Oppy remained quiet for a while as she looked at Snapper. She seemed to be deciding something.

"Is it a pet?"

"Kind of but not really."

"Why?"

"Is not really alive I suppose."

"Does it do what a pet is supposed to do?" Oppy said and Harry got the distinct impression Oppy wanted to know if Snapper was behaving how Harry wanted her to behave.

"Yeah I suppose so. It makes me happy but then you're not just a pet. You're well...I suppose becoming my friend," Harry said.

"I am the friend of the chosen one," Oppy said in definite terms.

"Chosen for what?" Harry asked as he latched onto what Oppy had said.

"To fight the darkness," Oppy explained as if it was obvious.

"What darkness?" Harry asked as a familiar feeling of dread welled up within him.

"The darkness," Oppy said.

"Does it have a name?" Harry asked.

"The darkness," Oppy repeated.

"Another name," Harry asked and waited for the negative response.

"No," Oppy said confirming Harry's suspicions that life was indeed out to get him. He shook his head. Even his Oppy was spewing rubbish about fighting darkness and destiny. Next she would be saying he was destined to kill Voldemort as well. Harry closed his eyes and tried to think about something else. He really didn't like thinking about what was expected of him. It made him feel...powerless. Instead he went back to his reading and dreaming of being able to cast the spells he was memorising.

It was hours later that a thought occurred to him. One that grew so rapidly it had him sitting up as he thought it through. He needed magic. He was a wizard and he needed to be surrounded by it. In addition, since he wasn't allowed to cast magic that meant he'd have to provide it some other way. He needed a magic mirror that talked back to him, a self-organising closet, something he'd overheard Lavender gushing about, and a multitude of other little things he'd seen in at the Weasleys or at Hogwarts. He needed these things to keep him sane and to remind him of who he was.

In an instant he made up his mind. He was going to acquire as many magical things as he could and make certain that he'd not be bored senseless the next time he had to stay with the Dursleys. He smiled as he thought about what they'd say about his plan. His smile deepened as he thought on. They didn't have to know and he mused, it surely couldn't be that hard to keep something hidden from a pack of muggles like the Dursleys. Could it? They didn't dare come into his room since he had Oppy and, convinced he could get away with it, he lay back down and began dreaming of the many things he could have. All of the things he'd seen at the Weasleys that had made it so fun bar of cause the presence of the Weasleys themselves.

Harry sighed, momentarily depressed again. That was what he really wanted, to be with them and be having fun. However, he'd have to make do with his plan. He spent the rest of the day engrossed with his new plan and even went so far as to make a list. One he was sure Hermione would be proud of given she just loved lists.

***

The next day Harry spent reading as well although during the afternoon he got bored and spent much of it packing for Hogwarts. It didn't really matter to him that it was still well over a week away as he was beginning to suspect special means were going to be used to deliver him safely to Hogwarts. He kept the few magical items that he did use regularly separate but he didn't see the point of not preparing the other stuff. Oppy wasn't too happy at losing the use of the robes but she didn't seem to mind the blanket Harry provided as a substitute. Harry just hoped Petunia didn't realise one of her good blankets had gone missing. Overall Harry's anticipation grew rapidly. Soon he found that he was listening intently for the door knock or scream that might signal the arrival of the people who were to take him to Hogwarts. It grew very difficult for him to remain interested in his reading as every sound had him straining to identify it.

It was on the morning of the third day left that the doorbell finally sounded. Harry felt elated as he bounded out of his bedroom and dashed to the front door. His elation however was short lived. It was not Mr Weasley or any other Ministry official that greeted him. Instead, it was Angela who was wondering if Harry could come over and play. Harry hid his disappointment and ducked around an irritated Petunia to join Angela. He ignored whatever his aunt had to say as he and Angela ran back to her house.

They spent the day playing with on her computer and with various weapons including crossbows that Harry was sure were illegal. This didn't really bother him, as he was certain he wasn't going to be caught. Mr Stranger on the other hand seemed o think it was very likely that a neighbour might call the police and insisted that they keep indoors as much as possible. This meant in the end that Harry and Angela ended up playing with blowguns against improvised targets set up inside. No matter how hard Harry tried however Angela seemed to dominate play and Harry started to get the sneaking suspicion hat she wasn't performing to her best. It was rather galling to think that perhaps he wasn't really challenging her at all. Finally, Angela decided to call it a day.

"I think I've beaten you enough for the day, perhaps even your lifetime. I'm quite happy to stop now."

Harry reddened. She really didn't have to rub it in.

"Ok," he said weakly.

"It's been nice playing with you Harry, pity it can't last forever"

"Eh?"

"School Harry."

"Oh right."

"Will you?"

"What?"

"Write."

"Right?"

"Promise you'll write to me."

"Oh ok," Harry said uncertainly. He didn't actually know if it was possible and the idea of writing a letter to anyone was gut wrenching. It just brought back far to many memories of Hedwig the Heroic (as he'd begun referring to her in his mind).

"I've got you something," Angela said with an air of expectation.

"What?" Harry asked. He wondered if he was supposed to give something in return. She reached over and pulled out a small pendant

"Is a friendship necklace," she said and gave it to him as she looked at his expression with great anticipation on her face. Harry looked at the necklace; it was a small gold chain with a small gem attached. On closer inspection, Harry realised that the gem had been broken in half and he only had one of the halves. He looked up at Angela who was fingering the other half. It was attached to an identical chain that she was already wearing. "Go on put it on...do you like it"

"Er yeah," Harry said hoping he really wasn't conveying the strange emotions he was feeling. He could feel his face reddening as he put the necklace on. It hung lightly about him. "Its er nice," he said rather lamely.

"Really?"

"Yes," Harry said losing some of his awkwardness as he came to terms with the unexpected gift. He realised he had nothing to give to her but hoped that wouldn't be a problem.

"You're one of the few friends that I have in this country Harry. I don't want to lose that."

"Oh but you'll make more at your new school."

"But I'm not going to a new school."

"Pardon?"

"Father didn't like the schools in the area. Instead he's decided on private tutors."

"Oh," Harry said not really knowing what to say given Angela's obvious disapproval of the idea.

"He thinks that I won't learn anything useful in any of the schools and well, oh I don't know. I was really looking forward to going to a real school."

"Haven't you-"

"No I've been taught by tutors for most of my life. I did go to a school in South America but it was tiny and there were only three other students and I didn't like them, well they didn't like me but it was the same anyway."

"Oh."

"I thought coming here would make things different but my father hasn't changed. So write to me and keep me from my loneliness."

"Yes," Harry said hesitantly. Angela smiled and Harry felt his insides turn to mush in an instant as it became suddenly apparent to him that Angela was really very attractive and he was in her bedroom of all places. The more he thought about it the redder he became although if Angela noticed she didn't let on.

"I suppose you should be getting back. It's late after all," she said and Harry looked about at the clock on the small bedside table. It was late, much later than Harry had realised.

"It's late," Harry said and then blushed even further. He really was acting like a supreme idiot and Angela was bound to have noticed. Making only hesitant eye contact, he got up and left.

"Bye Harry," Angela said as she got up and followed Harry out of the door.

"Er bye," Harry said as they walked to the front door together. He went to leave but was held back by Angela who grabbed his hand and spun him around. Rather quickly, she moved towards Harry and had kissed both of his cheeks before he really knew what was happening. She looked him in the eye in a manner that sent quivers though Harry's body as his brain strived to come to terms with what had just happened. "Er," he said as his brain still struggled. Angela's smile became sweeter and Harry was transfixed as she moved closer and grabbing both his hands leant forward and kissed him very gently on the lips. Quick as a flash she backed away and with a giggle turned and then Harry was left looking at a closed door.

It was several moments before Harry realised he was staring at a door. He shook himself as he tried to work out what had happened. She'd kissed him--on the lips, and on the cheeks but more importantly on the lips. Harry then he realised that he'd blown it completely by freezing like a scared animal. Was that why she had giggled as she had gone back inside? Harry felt a deep blush forming again. He was an idiot. It had been so--good though he thought. Could he really be blamed for freezing? He knew then that his friends at Hogwarts could never know of how badly he had handled his first real kiss, even as part of him dismissed it as ever being a real kiss. That would have involved kissing her back and that concept latched on to Harry's consciousness. He wanted to kiss her and caught himself reaching for the doorknob. He stopped himself just in time and chastised himself yet again for being an idiot. He really couldn't go and say "Oh Angela I liked it when you kissed me, mind if I kiss you", could he? Harry wasn't entirely certain but after a moments hesitation he reluctantly left and walked the short distance back to number four feeling very lonely.

The Dursleys were having dinner when Harry walked in. He went into the kitchen and they appeared to notice his return for the first time. Harry looked about and realised that they hadn't made any dinner for him. He turned and walked away to his room without a word being spoken by anyone. Upon getting there he made himself a dinner from the remaining food from his birthday and lay on his bed eating it and reliving the kiss how he would have liked it to have gone without him freezing and acting like an idiot. At some point, he fell asleep.

***

Harry woke feeling very content. He couldn't recall having had such a good night sleep in ages and was sure he hadn't been bothered by Voldemort's nastiness. He opened his eyes and sat up. It took him several seconds to realise something was very wrong.

He was at Hogwarts.