Return of Evil

Chapter One: Privet Drive

The quiet neighborhood on Privet Drive was ideal for anyone who wanted to keep to themselves. The neighbors all nodded to one another when they passed but didn't interact much more than that. The exception to these niceties was Harry Potter. Harry had spent most of every year, for the past five years, away at a school for criminals. He returned at the end of every June and left usually sometime in July. The neighbors noticed the routine simply by his sudden disappearance. They didn't mind that he was gone and, since July was nearly over, were waiting for him to leave again. While the neighbors speculated as to what Harry had done to end up in a school for criminals, he was in the smallest bedroom of Number Four packing his trunk. His snowy owl, Hedwig was already at the Burrow so Harry collapsed her cage and placed it in his trunk. He looked at the clock and saw that it was nearly five o'clock. He checked the letter he had received earlier that day from the Headmaster. It said he would be picking Harry up at six o'clock and discussing some things before he was taken to the Weasley home. Harry threw the remaining items in his trunk and closed it. He then went downstairs to eat something and wait for the Headmaster.

At six o'clock there was a knock on the door. Harry hurried to answer it and greeted the Headmaster politely, if stiffly. "Harry," the Headmaster began, "I thought we could speak in the sitting room with your aunt and uncle present." Harry, recognizing this as a command rather than a request, grudgingly obliged. When the four people were seated in the sitting room Dumbledore began to speak. "Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, I had placed Harry here on the hopes that you would care for him as a second son. You have failed to uphold the promise you made by accepting him into your house. Therefore, I am removing Harry tonight and he will not return. I have secured housing for him for the remainder of this summer and next. I am telling you this for two reasons, the first is that when we leave here tonight, all the magical protections you have been afforded since Harry was brought here will be removed. If the Death Eaters attack you there will be nobody around to help protect you."

The Dursleys looked at each other and then to Harry. Dumbledore began speaking before the Dursleys could. "The second reason I am telling you this is because you were entrusted with Harry's care, and the means to care for him. I just discovered an account had been set up in your name, Petunia, to pay for all of Harry's expenses while he was here. You failed to access that account. It has been liquidated and the money returned to the account from which it came. The amount of money you lost due to your treatment of Harry and unwillingness to accept the existence of our world is over seven million Pounds." Vernon gasped at the amount of money he had just lost and turned to his nephew.

"I demand that money be returned to me at once. I provided you a shelter, clothing, and food. You will reimburse me or I will take you to court." Dumbledore moved in between Harry and Vernon. With a wave of his hand Vernon Dursley was thrown onto the sofa. Dumbledore then looked at Harry.

"I also must tell you, Harry, we found Sirius' Will. He left everything to you. I will go into detail tomorrow when you come to Hogwarts." Harry started to ask why he was going to Hogwarts the day before his birthday when school wouldn't start for a little over a month but Dumbledore stopped him. "You will be coming to Hogwarts tomorrow to meet with me. It is time I took an active role in your education. We will be starting your Occlumency training. I should have taught you from the beginning and will not make that mistake again. We will also be talking about things you will need to know before the school year begins. A lot has happened since you left Hogwarts a month ago."

Harry nodded and went to get his trunk. When he returned with his trunk Dumbledore flicked his wand and then made sure everything else belonging to Harry was out of the house. When he was satisfied he opened the door but stopped when he heard Petunia speak. "I am sorry Harry," she said, "I should have treated you better and am truly sorry. I will strive to do better. Is there any way I could contact you? Is there any way Dudley can be protected?" Harry looked at Dumbledore who shrugged his shoulders indicating it was Harry's decision to make. Harry walked over to his aunt and spoke.

"If you want to get in touch with me contact Mrs. Figg. I will not initiate any contact because I do not believe you are sorry. If you truly are you may contact me through her. I cannot say anything about protection. I do not wish anything to happen to any of you since you are the only family I have, even though you hate me. It is up to the Headmaster." Harry turned to Dumbledore who nodded and stated there would be guards posted to watch over the Dursley house. "You will be safe, the Headmaster will send good people to watch over you. Goodbye." With that Harry left the house he had lived in since he was just over a year old and had no intention of returning. Dumbledore and Harry left Privet Drive with a pop and Harry found himself looking at the Burrow. He couldn't help but smile, he was where he belonged. Thoughts of Sirius, the Prophecy and Voldemort were far from his mind as he allowed Albus Dumbledore to walk him to the door of the first house he felt at home in.