Platform Six At Baldwych

Part 3

Harry looked up into the young man's kindly face to see the all-too-familiar expression of curiosity and the quick glance at his scar. "Yes, I'm Harry Potter," he said. "Who are you?"

Realizing himself, the young man stopped gaping. "Agent Julian Switters, Department of Magical Law Enforcement," and he added with a slightly nervous grin, "at your service."

"The Death Eaters?"

"Well... they got away. Why don't you rest. You're safe now, we've got the situation under control."

Harry couldn't relax; he was too anxious to know what had happened.

"They all got away? Was anyone hurt?"

"No, no one was hurt. Are you all right?"

Harry nodded as he struggled to stand up. Agent Switters hooked his arm underneath Harry's shoulders as he helped him to his feet. "Let's get you out of here," he said.

Slowly, they made their way towards the light of the platform. Harry stopped short of the entrance, choosing to remain hidden in the shadow.

The Dursleys were standing against the wall, looking very pale but calm. The station was crowded with people: Muggles, young and old, Ministry witches and wizards and other magical types, which Harry could only assume were Aurors. He wondered if any of them were reporters.

Agent Switters stood by the front of the train, scanning the crowd.

"Mr. Moody?" he yelled. "Would you come here please?" Harry knew there could only be one person named Moody.

"What is it?" he heard a bark.

The agent looked back at Harry seeming to be at a loss for words. Before he could say anything else, a grizzled old wizard began to make his way through the crowd towards the tunnel entrance. He passed Agent Switters without a word and headed straight to Harry, surveying him with both eyes. Harry tried not to flinch as he remembered the last time he was face to face with the old wizard. But this time, he was undoubtedly looking at the real Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody .

"You all right, Potter?" he said gruffly.

Harry nodded.

Switters couldn't contain his excitement as he explained to Moody, "I was just walking around, seeing if anyone needed help and I saw them. They looked so scared, so I rushed over -"

"Yes, yes. You did a good job Agent ..."

"Switters, Sir! Julian Switters. I've only been with the agency since March when I graduated from -"

"So Harry," Moody interrupted. "That hole in the floor was your handiwork?"

Harry nodded and he proceeded to explain what had happened when the Death Eaters attacked. How he'd made a hole in the floor and led his family to safety by crawling underneath the train. How he'd traded curses with the Death Eaters as he ran further into the tunnel.

"Our men must have shown up as you were being attacked," said Moody. "They assumed the Death Eaters were trying to escape through the tunnel. I would have seen you if I'd gotten here sooner."

"You just got here?" Harry ventured to ask.

"Hmph," Moody scowled. "So much for retirement."

The Dursleys stood by quietly. Some of the color had come back to their cheeks and Petunia was not nearly as frantic.

None of them noticed a middle aged man in blue robes creeping stealthily up behind Moody. The man was wary of the old Auror but curiosity seemed to be pulling him closer to get a better listen. A parchment and quill were clutched in his hands and there was a badge on his chest with the initials 'D.P.'

Suddenly, the man's eyes went wide with excitement.

"Why, it's Harry Potter!" he yelled, which succeeded in gaining everyone's full attention.

Moody turned as quick as a flash and yelled, "Banishura Ulterius!"

The reporter disappeared.

Most of the wizards in the station turned to see what the commotion was about.

"Where did he go?" Harry asked.

"Oh, probably some place in the outskirts of Timbuktu." Moody thought for a moment, "or maybe the Pacific Ocean." He turned to Switters and let out a laugh. "I hope he's a good swimmer!"

Switters grinned but looked uncomfortable. Harry made a mental note to never sneak up behind Mad-Eye Moody.

But the damage had been done. Most of the Law Enforcement Wizards in the station heard the reporter's shriek and were now much more interested in what was going on in the tunnel. They all strained their necks and squinted their eyes into the darkness beyond the train trying to discern if it was indeed the famous Harry Potter. Some of them came closer. Moody turned to meet them. "Yes, yes. It is Harry Potter. No need to come over and get a closer look."

One of the wizards who had come over, a tall black man, looked to be one of the senior agents. He stared at Harry for a moment, then abruptly walked away.

Vernon Dursley, who had been standing quietly against the wall, watched the wizards warily. Finally, he mustered his courage and stepped forward. "I demand to know, I want to know why these ... psychopaths are after my nephew."

Moody took a deep breath to calm his impatience. "Good God man, don't you ever talk to your nephew?"

Vernon didn't shrink from the deformed old man's words. "I'm not interested in the dangerous activities he learns at that school of his. We didn't approve of him going there in the first place. If it was up to us, he would be going to a normal school now."

Julian stared at him. "A normal school?"

"We've only taken care of him out of pity and the goodness of our hearts. We never wanted anything to do with you people. But now, it seems that just because we have him in our care, our lives are endangered! Is that not true?"

No one answered.

Harry bit his lip. He had endangered their lives. As many times as he had fantasized about using magic to turn them into small, slimy creatures, he didn't actually want them hurt, much less dead. He was the target of the attack. It was because of him that the Muggles on the train were hurt. It was all his fault. He felt the edges of his eyes start to prickle.

Vernon continued. "Was this all some elaborate setup? Were they the ones who sent the NHS letter? And what about my car? What else have they done?"

Moody pondered Vernon's question. "There will be a full investigation."

Vernon scoffed, "Well, I'm not going to stand by while my family's lives are threatened by a bunch of lunatics."

"Just what are you getting at Mr. Dursley?" came a voice.

Everyone turned to see Arthur Weasley striding towards them. Harry felt a great sense of relief at the sight of his best friend's father.

Vernon's eyes narrowed. "I don't believe this is any of your business."

Arthur stood his ground. "Well, I'm making it my business. Aren't I?" He turned his back to Vernon and put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "Are you all right, Harry?"

Harry smiled weakly. "Yes, I'm fine Mr. Weasley. What are you doing here? How did you find out?"

"I've got some friends looking out for you."

Moody grinned. "Seems Potter's doing just fine on his own. He managed to slip away from all those Death Eaters."

Julian added, "And he probably saved his relatives' lives in the process."

"SAVED our lives?!" Vernon was indignant. "Well now, we wouldn't be in danger in the first place if it wasn't for him, would we?"

Arthur was livid. "It wasn't his fault!" he shouted at Vernon.

Vernon's face had turned purple. "He's been nothing but trouble ever since he came to us! We've tried to do the best for him but this is too much. I will not endanger my family's life by allowing him to continue to stay with us."

Harry was flabbergasted, "You're kicking me out?!"

Vernon cast his gaze downward avoiding eye contact. "I think it might be best... for everyone."

There was an uncomfortable silence in the group. Arthur gripped Harry's shoulder tightly and glared at Vernon.

Vernon continued, "If these people are after him. These... Dark Wizards," he seemed pained just saying the words. "We can't protect him."

Arthur's questioning gaze turned to Moody.

"Yes," said Moody. "It does appear that his family might not offer him the protection they once did. I don't know how the Death Eaters got to him but they did."

Arthur's face fell. He was obviously very worried about Harry. "You'll come home with me, Harry. Molly will be so glad to see you. And the boys, of course."

Harry tried to mutter a thanks but it seemed to get stuck in his throat.

Moody took a deep breath. "Well, I'm glad you're here, Arthur. I'll just leave it to you then. Goodbye, Harry." He turned to the Dursleys. "I trust you can find your own way out."

Vernon shrunk back from the mangled old wizard and nodded as he walked away. Vernon went back over to his wife and son who were both very subdued. "Come on, dear. Let's go home."

Petunia let Vernon take her arm to steer her towards the stairwell leading up to the station entrance. Neither of them spoke to Harry as they left. Dudley hesitantly followed behind his parents. Suddenly he stopped.

He turned with his mouth open as if he wanted to say something. His eyes met his cousin's. He stood for a moment, seeming to struggle to formulate the words coming out of his mouth. Finally, he managed to speak. "Bye Harry."

Harry stared back. "Bye."

Dudley's gaze lingered on Harry for a moment before he turned to catch up with his parents. Then they were gone.

"Is everything all right, Arthur?"

Another wizard had appeared next to Mr. Weasley. It was the same wizard who had come to investigate Harry in the tunnel.

"Yes, thanks Jake." Arthur smiled broadly as he grasped his hand, "Thanks for everything."

The wizard nodded to him, "Of course."

"Jake, I'd like you to meet Harry Potter."

Harry held out his hand politely and Jake firmly shook it. "I heard you gave the Death Eaters the slip. That was nice work."

Harry shrugged feeling embarrassed but starting to feel some pride at his accomplishment. "Thanks," he said.

Arthur smiled. "Harry's coming home with me."

Harry looked up at Mr. Weasley, "What about Hedwig, my owl? And my stuff? They're at ho... I mean at the Dursleys'."

But Jake didn't let Arthur answer the question, "Don't you worry about that. I'll have someone get your owl and your things and deliver them to the Burrow."

Arthur cocked an eye at Jake, "Are you sure, Jake? I know how busy you are and I don't want to take any manpower away from you."

"Don't give it another thought, Arthur. You know my commitment." A grin suddenly pulled at the corners of his mouth. "Besides, I know the perfect man for the job." He turned to Julian, "Think you can handle that Switters?"

"Yes, sir," said Julian eagerly.

Jake looked at Harry. "What's the address?"

"Number four Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey."

Julian repeated the address quietly to himself.

"And you can find Arthur's address in the directory," said Jake.

"Okay, sir," Switters turned to leave, still reciting the address.

"Switters!"

"Yes?"

"You do realize you'll have to take Muggle transportation?"

"Oh, yes. I'll catch one of those taxis."

"And Switters?"

"Yes?"

"Be discreet. We don't need any more attention on this than there already is."

"Of course, sir." Julian turned to Harry, "Number four Privet Drive, Little Whinging?"

"Yes. Thank you very much, Agent Switters." Harry grinned at him.

Switters smiled back and took off towards the stairs to the street.

Jake watched him walk away. "He's a good man. He'll be a good addition to our cause."

"Oh?" said Arthur. "You're going to bring him in, are you? Have you told him yet?"

"No. I just decided on it." He seemed very pleased with himself. "I'd better get going."

"Right. Thanks Jake." Arthur held out his hand in parting.

"Yes, thank you, sir," said Harry.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Harry. Contact me if you need anything, Arthur."

"I will."

***********

The platform was starting to clear. Many of the Muggles had made their way back to street level and had been pointed to the direction of a working station. The Magical Law Enforcement agents had gone back to their offices. Only a few Aurors remained checking the station for wards and other clues as to where the Death Eaters might have Apparated to.

Arthur turned to Harry, "Ready?"

Harry nodded but kept his eyes to the floor. "I'm sorry to be a burden," he mumbled.

Mr. Weasley squeezed Harry's shoulder. "You're not a burden," he said. "No matter what happens, you always have a home at the Burrow."

Harry looked up into Mr. Weasley's kind face. "What if they come after me again? I can't put your lives at risk, too."

"Harry..." Mr. Weasley shifted uncomfortably. He seemed to be debating his words. "Truth is, our lives are probably at risk whether you're with us or not. But don't worry. We know how to take care of ourselves." He tried to give him a reassuring smile. "We'll be fine. We're all in this together, right?"

Harry didn't speak.

Mr. Weasley smiled, "Besides, the twins will be very excited to get a new guinea pig."

Harry gave him a curious look.

Mr. Weasley continued, " They've somehow acquired a windfall which has allowed them to dabble in all sorts of interesting er... ingredients and such. They've been inventing lots of new products. I dare say, we're all rather tired of being their test subjects. We're more than ready for some new blood."

Harry grinned. Letting his arm drop from the boy's shoulder, Arthur led Harry out of the station, up the stairs to the street towards his new home.

The Burrow.

~THE END~