The Power Within

~*~ Chapter Two~*~

Back to the Burrow

He found himself sitting up in his bed, his heart pounding for a reason he didn't know. Harry then got the urge to look through the photo album that Hagrid had given him in his first year. He seemed to think that he would find a picture of the girl he had just seen in his dream. There was nothing. Could this have been a warning? Harry had no idea what to think. The dream hadn't been frightening in any way, but he still felt uneasy about it. Harry lay in his bed, starring at the ceiling, until he eventually drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

The next morning Harry woke to find Hedwig, sitting on the windowsill, Ron´s reply tied to her leg. Harry rushed to the window to take the letter. It said;

Dear Harry,
Don't worry about the Floo Powder. Dad said he didn't think it was a good idea either. So, he's borrowed a car from the Ministry. We'll be there today around Five.
See you soon,
-Ron
P.S. Hermione's coming as well, but she'll be here tomorrow.

Harry dressed and went downstairs, only to find his very large cousin Dudley at the table.

"Do you know where Uncle Vernon is?" Harry asked him through a yawn.

"He's in the backyard with my mum... Why?" he added, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Because I want to turn into a frog." Harry said sarcastically. Dudley´s eyes bulged from their sockets and his fork dropped from his mouth and landed on his plate with a clatter. He quickly and cautiously got up from his seat, and rushed from the room, his hand clamped firmly on his fat bottom. He had obviously not forgotten the first time he met a wizard. Harry rolled his eyes and left the kitchen. He went to the backdoor and slid it open.

"Uncle Vernon? The Weasleys are coming to pick me up at five o´clock, tonight. There coming by car." Harry said quickly,

"Very well." said his Uncle Vernon. Harry shut the door and went back into the kitchen, to get something to eat. He sat down at the table to eat his breakfast while Dudley did the same, though still eyeing him suspiciously.

After his breakfast, Harry went back up to his room to check, one more time, that he had everything. His trunk lay in the corner of his room, with his Firebolt, and Hedwig´s cage. He went up to the window and leant against it, feeling the soft, warm airflow across his face. Just then there was a loud crack that made Harry jump and hit his head on the window. He spun around, still rubbing his head, and found Dobby standing in front of him. Dobby was the house elf he had met in his second year at Hogwarts.

"What are you doing here, Dobby?" said Harry,

"Dobby has come to give Harry Potter his Birthday gift and apologize for his lateness, Sir." He stepped forward and handed him a package that felt strangely like many pairs of socks. "Dobby has been busy, preparing for the Start-of-term Feast at Hogwarts, sir. Dobby has had no time to visit Harry Potter, sir." the elf shuffled his feet nervously and awaited Harry´s answer.

"It's Fine. Thank you for the gift." he said

"You are most welcome, sir. But, Dobby must return to Hogwarts, he cannot stay... too many things to be done." and with one last look and a wave to Harry, he left.

"Well...that was kind of weird..." Harry said, while opening his gift. Harry had guessed right. Dobbys gift was socks, many ill-assorted socks, but he appreciated it all the same. Harry checked his watch and saw that it was two o´clock in the afternoon. "Still have three hours to wait." Harry muttered to himself with an air of disappointment.

He got up and wandered around his room, thinking of what to do with his time. After ten minutes of pondering what to do, he decided he would go outside and get some fresh air. Harry walked down Privet Drive, admiring all of the gardens. He passed a particular house that had a very large collection of, what muggles considered, "Gnomes". This made him laugh as he remembered all of the times he'd helped Ron and his brothers De-gnome their garden.

The minutes passed by and soon enough it was time for Harry to head home and get his things ready for when the Weasleys came to get him. He went back to the Dursleys, gathered his belongings, and heaved them downstairs to the door. He only had to wait fifteen minutes before the Weasleys showed up at the front of his house.

"Hey Harry! Ready to go?" Ron asked excitedly,

"Yeah! I've got everything." So, Harry and Ron tugged the trunk into the back of the car and got in themselves.

"Hi Harry!" Mr. Weasley said, "How are things?"

"Oh, there fine! As usual."

The ride to The Burrow was relaxing but felt oddly short. The sun was beginning to set and the sky was turning a light golden yellow, tinged with pink. When they arrived at Ron's house, Mrs. Weasley greeted him with a huge hug and kiss on the cheek, like she usually did when Harry arrived.

"How are you dear?" she asked him as she let go of him,

"I'm fine, thanks!" Harry replied. He took his things up to Ron´s room and flopped down on the bed.

"Only two more weeks until we go back to Hogwarts..." Ron said dreamily. Just then, the door burst open and Fred and George came in with large grins on their faces. "Why are you two so happy?" Ron asked the twins curiously,

"Oh! Well, we've just been experimenting - a bit..." said Fred trying to hold in his laughter,

"Yeah, just a bit... With a new color changing spell... and Percy´s wardrobe!" said George, also trying hard not to laugh. Moments later they heard the yells and furious shouts as Percy discovered that his robes were now pink with purple spots. The four boys burst out with laughter.