Privet Drive

The week was almost up and the fun they had in Hogsmeade had all but faded from Harry's mind. He wondered if the Aurors would find anything, or had Lucius only been sneaking around or checking on Draco. The latter seemed less likely. Harry wondered if he would even see Iris that much since their meetings in the past all involved being outside and it was not garden weather now. His thoughts, coupled with having a cold, seemed to allow him to fall in to a slump. Students were bustling around packing and talking enthusiastically of their holiday plans.

"Harry, Ron said you haven't packed yet," Hermione commented. Harry didn't reply. "How do you feel?" she asked, handing him a tissue.

"Like I can't breathe and my head is going to explode," he answered honestly.

"Why don't you go and see Madam Pomfrey?"

"Maybe I can get her to give me a sleeping drought and I could snooze through the whole thing." Hermione didn't know what to say, she handed him the box of tissues and got up to leave.

"If you need anything...."

Harry cut her off with a wave, "I know, thanks."

"Harry!" Professor Paetulus shook him awake. Harry was on the common room sofa snoring, "Harry, wake up." He jumped when he saw her face, not remembering where he was.

"What are you doing here?" As she came into focus he realized where he was.

"You need to go and see Madam Pomfrey," she said firmly. Harry took her offered hand to help him up, shaking his head to awaken fully.

"I'm going." He moaned. He knew better than to argue otherwise she would take him there herself.

"I've been expecting you," Madam Pomfrey said in a soothing voice.

"Hello, Harry." Came a voice behind him. Harry made a mental note as to how quickly Dumbledore had shown up.

"Hi Professor, it's only a cold," Harry said, feeling embarrassed.

"Yes, I wanted to speak to you before you left. I have written to your relatives, they will pick you up at Kings Cross." Dumbledore said with his usual calm. Harry drank the Pepperup potion that Madam Pomfrey handed him while listening to the headmaster. "Madam Pomfrey has been kind enough to prepare extra potion for you to take with you. I have your aunt's word that you will be allowed to take it."

Harry agreed to take the potion and to write if he had any problems. He could just imagine the look on his aunt and uncle's face when they received a letter telling them he would be back for the holidays in addition to him taking home a potion.

Having put off the inevitable, Harry entered the dorm his ears still steaming from the Pepperup potion. Hermione was there with Ron, helping with the last bits of packing.

"Oh, good, you went to see Madam Pomfrey," said a relieved Hermione.

"With some potion to spare," Harry said holding up a bottle with a small measuring vial attached to the top, "I almost never get sick."

"I read somewhere that people tend to get sick when there resistance is down, so it's perfectly normal for you to get sick after such a . . . well, a trauma." Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Trauma?" Harry knew that he hadn't really fully dealt with his emotions regarding Cedric and that his getting sick, and apparently more sick than Ron, might very well be the start of him relaxing the barriers, but he wasn't about to have that conversation now and blew off Hermione with a simple response, "I just got a cold from Ron."

The feast was somewhat uneventful. Harry didn't know if it was his cold or the way time seem to speed up when his was dreading something, but it was a quick blur from when he was having fun in Hogsmeade to the time his trunk was loaded on the train. It was a strange feeling to get on the Hogwarts express in December.

"See you in a few weeks 'arry!" Hagrid's voice rose above the crowd. Harry couldn't take the gloomy faces he got when his friends looked at him, so he had Ron tell them about the holidays at the Burrow. It worked; Ron and Ginny were looking forward to having the whole family together for Christmas for the first time in a while. An unwelcome ear was also taking in the latest stories of a past Weasley Christmas. Malfoy appeared in the doorway.

"What were they thinking of having seven of you?" Ron glared at him, struggling not to jump up and scream. It was to Harry and Hermione's surprise that Ron's voice stayed calm.

"Can't have too much of a good thing I guess." He wanted to add; "You're an only child, right?" But realized that everyone in the compartment was also. When no one else rose to his bait, Malfoy gave up his attempt to irritate the Gryffindor group.

When Malfoy was out of earshot Harry hacked a loud cough that sounded a lot like "Mandrake". Neville took his cue and ceremoniously did his impression of Malfoy falling in to the mud. They were soon in a fit of giggles, all except for Ginny who had been sitting too close to Neville and was accidentally hit in the mouth during his grand fall. (For Tina)

Mrs. Weasley had a handkerchief out before Ron and Harry even got near her. "Look at you both, you're sick." Harry could hardly breathe before her death-grip hug.

"They're big boys Mum, let them breathe."

"Bill!" Ron shouted when he spotted his brother. Bill clapped Ron on the shoulder and squeezed him around the neck; he shook Harry's hand.

"Hope you two are keeping out of trouble?"

Mrs. Weasley told Harry to owl her if he was not getting enough food as Bill helped him get his trunk on a trolley.

Harry thanked him for helping as Bill and Harry walked over to Uncle Vernon, who was keeping his distance. Bill kept his eyes on Harry, but spoke so that Mr. Dursley could hear him.

"Take it easy Harry. Take your medicine and send us an owl if you need anything." Mr. Dursley made a noise when he heard owl. Bill slowly looked up to him and back to Harry. "Send an owl even if you don't need anything, that way Mum knows you're OK." Harry nodded; he didn't dare look up at his Uncle.

The first half of the journey to Privet Drive was silent. Uncle Vernon was obviously thinking over what Bill had said. He seemed to be getting redder as they drove.

"You and your kind will not ruin our Christmas."

"Like I want to be here anyway," huffed Harry. Vernon eyed Harry in the rearview mirror.

"You don't look sick to me. You'll get your ruddy medicine, but that's only so you'll have no excuses to slack off your chores."

"Whose chores were they during the last four Christmases?" Harry muttered. Uncle Vernon did not let on he'd heard Harry's last remark.

Harry wasn't sure how he got his trunk up to his room; it seemed to have gotten heavier. The first thing Harry did was go back to the car to see if he'd left anything, of course from there he could get a look around to see if Iris was nearby.

"Home for the holidays, Harry?" Harry nearly jumped out of his skin. The postman apologized for startling him and handed Harry the mail.

"Yeah, thanks."

"Funny," said the postman, looking at the next stack of letters in his hand.

"What's funny?"

"You could have given her this one yourself." The postman held up an envelope that Harry recognized as the note he'd sent to Iris saying he would be home for two weeks.

"Yeah, I guess," said Harry embarrassed.

"Get upstairs," screeched Mrs. Dursley from the front steps. Hello to you too Aunt Petunia thought Harry. She pointed to Harry's wardrobe; Harry noticed there was a small lock on it. "I've been using this room to store Dudley's gifts in. Don't touch them! Dinner is at 6:00, if you expect to eat you'll have the table set by 5:30." As the door shut behind her Harry looked over to the clock on his bedside table.

"Only 13 days and 23½ hours to go." Harry opened his trunk and looked up at the locked wardrobe. "Guess there's no point in unpacking." He pulled out some of his stationery and wrote a quick note to Ron.

Miss you guys already. Say Hi to everybody for me. No sign of Iris yet. Tell Bill I said thank you, he'll understand why. Things are fine here.

Harry

He tied the note to Hedwig and looked out of the window for Iris. It was still light outside but Harry decided he no longer cared if Uncle Vernon saw Hedwig or not.

By the time the Weasley family had returned to the Burrow and all four trunks were unloaded Hedwig was there.

"Hedwig," Ron said. Mrs. Weasley froze. Ron saw his mother's worried expression, "It's OK." Ron handed the note over to her; Molly gave Bill a curious look.

"Thanks for what?" She asked referring to Harry's note. Bill smiled.

"For making sure you keep seeing Hedwig." His Mother returned a weak smile.

"I still worry about him. He could only have been home an hour or so."

"If that," said Bill checking his watch. "Who's Iris?"

"You're back," droned a bored looking Dudley in the doorway.

"Get out," said Harry to Dudley without looking away from the window. Ignoring him, Dudley entered and looked around at Harry's things.

"It's only your room in the summer," said Dudley, as he unlocked the closet with a key he had hidden in the desk in the room. He looked over the gifts to see if any were added since his last peek in the closet. Harry looked up to see the mass that was Dudley, he was taken back to see that he was tall as Uncle Vernon, only rounder. Harry had instinctively patted the side of his leg where his robe pocket would have been to ensure his wand was there. He had started that habit after the Quidditch World Cup match. Feeling only his muggle trousers Harry took his bottle of Pepperup out of his trunk and placed it gingerly, (for effect), on the bedside table. Dudley took a step back relocking the closet feverishly.

During breakfast the next morning Dudley was going on about where they would be going today. Harry stuffed bits of food in his napkin to save for Hedwig. Apparently since Dudley started at Smeltings they did a lot to entertain Dudley during the Christmas holidays. He wasn't sure if they had intended to take him and make him stay in the car, there had been no mention of Mrs. Figg. Harry didn't want to mention her in case it would have a bad effect on his sending post to Iris. When Harry finished the dishes, Aunt Petunia spotted him drying the last spoon.

"You'll not be using my good silver for your, your medicine," she said it as if she had spoken of something foul.

"I don't need one. The potion came with a measuring vial." Vernon cringed at the words potion and vial. Harry thought he had better go. He reached across the table for his napkin that had the food for Hedwig but his uncle was closer and grabbed it.

"I agreed to medicine. I don't have to feed your ruddy owl too." Harry stormed out of the kitchen and kept going out the front door. He sat on the front step mumbling to himself.

"I can't believe I'm related to them at all." He muttered, fumbling for a tissue in his pocket before the sneeze.

"Bless you." Harry started when he heard the soft voice. "I got your note yesterday. It's nice to see you again." Harry winced with a pang of guilt.

"I'm sorry I didn't write to you sooner. I meant to." Iris smiled

"How long are you home for?"

"Two weeks, then I go home."

"You mean school?"

"Yeah."

"We're going out in 30 minutes," bellowed Uncle Vernon. He was taken aback to see Harry talking to Iris on the step.

"Good morning Mr. Dursley. Must be nice to have the boys back for the holidays," Iris said smiling up to him, and elbowed Harry at the same time. Uncle Vernon looked like the vein on his temple was going to burst.

"The boys?" He struggled to reply. "Yes, it's good to have Dudley back." Uncle Vernon shot daggers at Harry, "30 Minutes," he growled and closed the door.

"Ha," said Iris, "I knew it would freak him out if I spoke to him."

"You were just trying to wind him up?"

"I wouldn't talk to him otherwise." Harry's shocked expression gave way to a smile.

"What are you doing in 45 minutes?" Iris shook her head.

"Nothing, aren't you going out with them?"

"I might be able to get out of it." Harry said, grinning.

Harry waited until he heard his uncle coming down the hall before taking the vial of potion.

"Get in the car," Vernon yelled. His eyed nearly bugged out of his head when he saw the steam coming from Harry's ears. "What did you do?" Dudley passed by looking at Harry too.

"AAGGHH!" Vernon looked like he wanted to kill, but wasn't sure if he actually wanted to touch Harry.

"What did you do?" He shouted again.

"I took my po. . . medicine." Harry kept his face straight as possible as he watched his Uncle process this.

"How long until that stops?"

"It lasts about half 45 minutes to an hour," Harry lied, hoping that they would get out of the house before his ears stopped smoking.

Uncle Vernon struggled with his decision of letting Harry stay home or not. It was Dudley who had been the deciding factor. The longer it took for his father to decide the less time he would have at the arcade before he had to meet with them again for lunch. Within ten minutes they were in the car to go, but not before Vernon gave Harry a list of chores he had to do before their return.

Harry was surprised at how well he felt after taking the potion, not to mention thankful that the steam lasted long enough for them to leave. As Harry reached the bottom of the stairs he saw the knob of the front door turn. He froze on the spot. They must have forgotten something.

"Harry?" said the soft voice. He opened the door, and resumed breathing. "I see you managed," said Iris smiling.

"Yes." Harry smiled back at Iris. "Do you want to come in?" Iris looked into the house then nervously looked back at her own house.

"My mum is still trying to relax about you; I don't think she would like it if I did. Do you want to go for a walk?"

As they walked she told him how things were in her school and some friends she had made and about the Christmas traditions they had in her family. "What's your favorite Christmas tradition Harry?" Harry tried to pick from his memory.

"My favorite part? I guess it would have to be when my best friend Ron and I open our presents and we get together with his twin brothers and we're all wearing our sweaters. Ron's mum knits us all a new one every year." Iris looked at Harry with confusion. "I stay at school for most of the holidays." Iris stopped walking

"Why?"

"If you had a choice between Christmas with your best friend at school, or here with Dudley which would you pick?" Iris laughed.

"I see your point. So . . .what made you come back this time?"

"I can't say really, but I'm glad I did." Iris turned away to keep walking.

"I'm glad too." He felt her hand wrap around his and they continued walking. Harry wanted to walk on forever with her warm hand in his; he hadn't paid much attention to how far they had walked. Their blissful journey came to an abrupt end when a large cat jumped in front of them; back arched and his tail thick. Harry felt Iris' grip tighten on his hand when the cat hissed.

"Scat!" Harry hissed keeping Iris behind him. The cat didn't budge. He looked oddly familiar, like one of the cats in Mrs. Figg's photo album. Harry tried to figure out why this cat didn't want him to pass, and then it hit him. They had walked past the point on the grid that Albus showed him kept tabs on him when he was staying in Privet Drive. He couldn't even remember the name of the thing, or where the map ended and he must be past the wards by now. "We should head back," said Harry. As they started back Iris looked over her shoulder and the cat was gone.

Before long they had returned to the familiar driveways.

"You must be Harry." The cold was suddenly much more apparent when her warm hand left his. Even without the introductions Harry recognized Iris' mother, relieved to see that she didn't look angry.

"Iris dear, why don't you get Harry some of the biscuits we made. Harry and I will have a chat." Harry swallowed hard; he wasn't prepared to answer questions about his school and was not entirely sure what Aunt Petunia had said since he had been home last.

"Are you getting good results in school?"

"Yes ma'am." She inspected his face as if looking to see if he was telling the truth. Harry fidgeted. She smiled.

"The reason I got rid of Iris was to ask you a favor." She opened the trunk of her car to reveal a large package, "Could you carry this in for me? I'd ask Iris to help, but it's a Christmas gift and I would like to surprise her." Harry hoped the relief didn't show too much on his face. He carried the package through the back entrance. Iris was waiting in the drive when they returned, holding a tin of biscuits.

"Where did you two go?" Harry opened his mouth and closed it again when he realized he didn't know what to say. Luckily her mother spoke up first.

"Oh, I'm sorry dear, did you get concerned when I took a walk with a boy I just met without telling you?" Maybe he wasn't as lucky as he thought.

"Funny mum", Iris said blushing, "I get it." Harry took this as his cue to leave. He thanked them for the biscuits before doing so.

Harry quickly stashed the tin under his bed and grabbed some stationery

Dear Ron,

Ginny looked on nervously when Fred & George demonstrated a new trick cauldron they were working on, when a familiar snowy owl flew in through the kitchen window.

"Ooo, hello Hedwig," cooed Molly. Ron walked into the kitchen with a rag in his hand.

"I'm full of polish mum, could you get that for me." Molly, admiring the stationery, removed the note from Harry's owl offering it to Ron. "Just leave it on the table; I've got to wash up." Molly glared.

"You needn't polish the broom every day you know," teased Fred.

"Don't make mum wait like that, she going to explode," added George.

"Fine," Ron said scrubbing his hands. "Read it out loud and we'll all see that Harry is OK. How much do you think changed since yesterday?" Fred tore in to the envelope before Ron had even finished his sentence.

Dear Ron,

I'd have made Fred and George proud today. I managed to scare off the Dursley's so they could go on their outing with out me. A well-timed dose of Pepperup potion sent them scrambling out the door. I should have listened to Hermione; I do feel better after taking it.

Fred paused and Ron could tell he was reading ahead. "Get on with it!"

I saw Iris today. We went for a walk she has the softest hands. Between crazed cats and mothers every time I turn around I feel like someone is watching me. Was it this hard before you kissed Hermione for the first time? Write back,

Harry

P.S. Please feed Hedwig

The roar of laughter that erupted sent a shockwave through the house.

~*~To be continued~*~