Harry Potter and the Green Skull

2. Back to the Burrow

Harry woke up the next morning, feeling very excited. It took him a moment to realise why, knowing it wasn’t his birthday or anything. He was leaving the Dursleys’ house for the summer today! Harry got slowly out of bed, and stumbled into the bathroom. He looked at himself in the mirror, and smiled. He’d grown quite a bit, he thought to himself. He also had bigger muscles, and his legs felt stronger. This was due to exercise, which Harry had been doing regularly in the mornings and afternoons. It had started, when he realised that if he wanted to take on Voldemort again, he should be in shape. He’d recently seen a Muggle fighting film on Dudley’s television, where people could jump through windows, and dodge bullets. Of course, it was only a fictitious film, but the idea of that had appealed to Harry. But, in order to do some of those things, or at least things similar, he’d have to be stronger. So, for the last two weeks, Harry had been working out, by doing exercises in the mornings, mainly stretches and jogs down the road and back, and lifting weights in the evenings at the gym Dudley now went to. Dudley had lost quite a lot of weight over the time Harry had been at Hogwarts, and Dudley had been at Smeltings. He was no longer the size of a baby whale, but he was still a little large, so probably twice the size of Harry. Although, Harry thought, while he now did some stretches, he, Harry, was exceptionally skinny. Although, stopping his stretches to look at himself in the mirror again, he wasn’t skinny in the same way he had been before. His waistline was still thin, but his chest was bigger. And his arms weren’t ropy like they used to be. They were now chunkier, but muscular not fat. His legs were the same way; muscles not fat. Harry then continued with his stretches, leaning from one side to another. He then did some sit-ups, and took a shower. After he had dressed, he exited the bathroom, and headed downstairs for breakfast. When Harry entered the kitchen, Uncle Vernon was sitting at the table, reading his newspaper as always, and Dudley was sitting to Uncle Vernon’s right, playing on a portable video game. Harry sighed, as he made his way to sit down at the table. It was the same every morning. Except, Aunt Petunia was usually in the kitchen, making breakfast and she wasn’t in there right now. Uncle Vernon glanced at Harry, then at the kitchen. “She’s gone to get some bread,” Uncle Vernon said to Harry, seeming to realise Harry was wondering where his Aunt was. Harry sat there for a while, mainly thinking of asking his Uncle about going to the Weasleys. This seemed like a good enough time, Harry thought eagerly. His Uncle, however, seemed to read his mind again, and put his paper down. “So,” he said, eyeing Harry with a suspicious look, “You seem cheerful this morning. Wanting something, maybe?” He looked at Harry, with an interested smile. Dudley put down his video game, intrigued by what was happening, though more malevolent in interest. Harry then asked, in a polite voice, “I was wondering, whether you’d mind if I spent the rest of the summer with the Weasleys again. Is that all right with you?” Dudley whimpered something, having run into the Weasley twins the year before, and having his tongue weigh a ton. Uncle Vernon, however, seemed to be smiling. But, Harry thought worriedly, it was more of an evil, nasty looking smile then a pleasant one. “I see no problem,” he said, and Harry face lit up. “But –“ he added, he evil smile turning into a vicious grin, they can’t step one foot inside this village.” He then chuckled, as did Dudley. So did Harry, annoying them, and making Dudley look a little scared. Uncle Vernon though, said back, through gritted teeth, “What’s so funny?” Harry smirked, and replied, “They don’t even have to leave their house. All I have to do is touch a specific object, and I’m there.” Dudley look amazed, as did Uncle Vernon. But his Uncle came to his senses, and replied, “Fine. But I want you to leave as soon as possible. If you have some kind of exit from our lives and our home, then use it. You hear me?” Harry nodded, as his Aunt Petunia came into the kitchen. She went over to her husband and kissed him, and did the same with Dudley, who made a funny noise and scowled. She then looked bitterly at Harry, and asked him, “When are you going to that weird family?” Harry looked at her, and smiled politely, “After breakfast, I think.”

Harry had brought all his things into the living room, and had carefully place the wrapper on a table in there. When he had explained what the wrapper did to the Dursleys, they had stepped far back from both Harry, and the wrapper. They were all waiting to see Harry off. Harry took his trunk in one hand, and had placed Hedwig’s empty cage’s handle round one his fingers on the hand he was holding his trunk with. He then put out his hand for the wrapper, turned to the panic-stricken Dursleys, and said cheerfully, “See you next summer.” And with that, he put his other hand, the one that wasn’t carrying anything, and grabbed the wrapper. Nothing happened. Harry looked puzzled at it, while the Dursleys started laughing. Harry looked at them, while they stood there and laughed. “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen!” Uncle Vernon said, grabbing his briefcase, which was right next to him. “Well, I’ve got to get to work. If he eventually works out how to use it, make sure he damn well leaves.” He said to Aunt Petunia, and kissed her. Dudley then went past Harry, grinning evilly. Harry let go of his things, and fell into a chair, looking at the wrapper. Maybe it was a joke. Fred and George had really just given Ron a chocolate bar wrapper, and told him it was a Portkey. It would explain why Harry was able to use a piece of paper to lift it up, and not appear in front of the burrow. Just then, as Uncle Vernon made his way towards he front door, there was a knock. He chuckled, about to open it, and said, “That’s probably one of your kind, come to have a good laugh at you. Chocolate wrappers transporting people around the world? Hah!” But as Uncle Vernon opened the door, the smile from his face disappeared. He looked down at something, which Harry couldn’t see, and moved out of the way. He looked terrified, Harry thought, and stood up. Aunt Petunia came into the room, to see who it was at the door, and let out a scream. Harry then noticed what was causing all the fuss. A large black dog had just walked into the house, and was now walking towards Harry. But Harry didn’t scream, or look worried. He grinned at the dog. “D-Do you k-know what t-that thing is?” asked Uncle Vernon, closing the door, and shaking all over. Aunt Petunia was cowering behind Uncle Vernon, and Dudley was now cowering behind her, as he’d probably come to see what all the fuss was as well. Harry then smiled, and patted the dog's head. “Hello Sirius.” He said cheerfully to the dog, and with that, the dog transformed into a person. Aunt Petunia screamed again, and looked like she might faint. Dudley yelled, and ran up stairs, and Uncle Vernon stepped forward, and faced Sirius. Sirius was much taller than Uncle Vernon, and looked better than Harry had ever seen him. He looked very like the man standing next to his father in his photos of them, except Sirius wasn’t smiling. He held out his hand for Uncle Vernon to shake, and said stiffly to him. “Mr Dursley, I presume? I am Sirius Black, Harry’s godfather.” Aunt Petunia now ran from the doorway, and Uncle Vernon looked like he might do the same. Harry grinned, knowing that they knew he was an escaped convict. Uncle Vernon put out his hand, already shaking, and shook hands with Sirius. He then retracted his hand quickly, and stepped back, shaking all over. Sirius then turned to Harry, smiling, and said cheerfully, “Hell Harry. How are you?” Harry beamed at Sirius, and replied, “I’m okay. It’s just...” Harry went to pick up the wrapper, and handed it to Sirius, “This Portkey won’t work.” Sirius examined it, and then looked around. He then said gravely, “Portkeys probably don’t work in here. This place has dark detectors, and you have to Apparate at least a mile outside of this village to get here.” Harry stared at Sirius. He had figured last night, that there were spells protecting him here, but he didn’t realise the extent of the spells, or their effect. “So,” Sirius said, smiling at Harry again, and pulling out his wand, “I’m going to take you to the Weasleys. Mrs Weasley told Dumbledore about what the Weasley twins had done, and she knew, as did Dumbledore and I, that Portkeys and Apparition don’t work unless you’re a mile away from here, just outside the village. Dumbledore contacted me, and informed me of what I had to do.” Harry thanked him, and went to pick up his trunk. “Actually,” Sirius said smiling a bit, “I thought we’d do something about that. Stand out of the way, Harry.” Harry did as he was told, noticing his Aunt and Dudley had appeared back in the door way again, and Uncle Vernon had retreated to the door way with them. They looked terrified, but also curious as into what Sirius had in mind. Sirius then pointed his wand at Harry’s trunk, and the empty cage, and swished his hand over it. They then shrunk to about the size of a dolls’ house furniture piece, and Sirius chuckled. “This should make things easier, Harry. Now – let’s be going.” And Sirius changed back into a dog again. Aunt Petunia made a funny noise, but she didn’t run off this time. But, the Dursleys all jumped out of the way, as Harry walked by, following Sirius, and holding his miniature trunk and owl’s cage in his palm. “See you next summer.” He said again, and went out into the drive, and down the road. He noticed Uncle Vernon pass them in his car, but Harry didn’t look back at the Dursleys’ house, or them again. Harry and Sirius continued to walk down the road, until they walked past Mrs Figg, an elderly lady, who lived a couple of streets away. She looked much younger though, Harry thought, as he saw her walking towards them. She said hello to Harry, then stopped. Harry turned around, to see her staring right at Sirius, who had also stopped, and was looking at her. Can she tell he’s human? Harry wondered, as the two continued to stare. Mrs Figg then patted Sirius on the head, and smiled at him, showing some youth through her old, worn face. “Nice dog you’ve got there, Harry.” She said cheerfully, and was about to continue on her way, when Harry said politely to her, “You’re looking well, Mrs Figg.” She stopped, and turned around. She then felt her face, which seemed to have lost its wrinkles, Harry thought, and she looked alarmed. She hurriedly ran off, not saying another word. Harry stood and watched her run off towards her house. She was running, Harry thought, which was unusual for a women at her age. Except – she’d looked much younger back there. Almost as if she’d taken some kind of anti-ageing potion! Harry then felt a nudge at his leg, which was Sirius edging him on. They continued down he road, Harry only saying, “You wonder whether she could see through your ‘disguise’, Sirius?” he chuckled, and they headed off down the road in silence. When they were almost out side of the village, Harry heard Sirius’s voice. “Quick,” Harry spun around, and noticed Sirius was back in his human form. “What are you doing, Sirius?” Harry hissed, but Sirius thrust the wrapper into Harry’s hand. “Keep walking until you reach the edge of the village. Then, you should disappear and reappear at the Burrow. Good luck, Harry.” “But,” Harry grabbed hold of Sirius, letting his miniature trunk and cage slip and fall to the ground. Sirius shook Harry loose, and said to him sternly, “I got your letter this morning. I can’t tell you anything, Harry. It’s too secret and important. But, It’s good to know an old friend is near, keeping an eye on things.” An old friend? Harry made a puzzled expression at Sirius, and Sirius then smiled. “You’ll know soon enough.” Harry looked at him even more puzzled, but Sirius turned back into a dog. He barked, and ran back towards the village. Harry was going to wait until he was out of sight, but Sirius turned around halfway down the road, and sat, watching Harry. He won’t go until I do, Harry thought, as he picked up his trunk and cage again. He then continued to walk down the road, until suddenly, he felt himself being pulled somewhere. He then landed with a bump, in the middle of a lane.

Harry picked himself up, and looked around. Great, he thought sarcastically, picking up the trunk and cage. All he could see were hills and grass. The lane was a small country one, but he couldn’t tell which way was Ron’s house. That was, if he was anywhere near Ottery St. Catchpole, which he suddenly doubted. Although, he thought hopefully, looking down the lane one way, and then the other, if he went one way, there seemed to be some houses or something that way. But if he went the other way, there didn’t seem to be much at all. Harry knew that the Burrow was a long way outside Ottery St. Catchpole, but he wasn’t sure how far. He’d never actually been to the village itself before. Harry decided, that the best course of action was to get on his broom, and see if he could see the Burrow. He could have sent a message to the Weasleys, or even to Dumbledore or Sirius, but while Hedwig wasn’t here, he couldn’t send anyone anything. He opened his tiny trunk, and then realised his broom was far too small to ride on, and yet when he pulled out what he guessed was the broom, it suddenly transformed into the larger version it was usually. Harry guessed that the magic only worked when it was in the trunk. He mounted his broom, and kicked off from the ground. He’d forgotten how wonderful it was to be flying, and wished he could fly to the Burrow, but he knew that it was dangerous, in case he was spotted by Muggles. He rose until he could see far enough. He could just see a small farmhouse in the direction he thought had gone nowhere. He recognised it as the Burrow, as it had a large yard, and only a wizarding family would live in a house where there was purple smoke coming out of the chimneys. Or was it purple, as the smoke had disappeared now. He descended to the ground again, and put the broom over his shoulder, and set off towards the Burrow. He walked along the path for quite a long time, until he saw a largish farmhouse ahead. He recognised it instantly as the Burrow, and he could see someone running along the path towards him. Harry stopped, and waited for the person to reach him. He could tell by the time she’d got halfway, that it was Ginny. Her hair was flying around, and she was quite small, even though she was a good distance away. She ran up to Harry, and stopped right next to him, leaning on him. She was clearly out of breath. “Hi...Harry...nice to...see you.” She said, catching her breath, then standing up. As she put her hand on Harry’s chest, she felt it slightly. “Ooh!” she cooed, as Harry leapt back. “What’s...going on...here?” Ron said, now arriving, a little out of breath, as Ginny was. He eyed her suspiciously, as she mouthed something at him, turned and smiled at Harry, and walked back. Harry noticed she was moving her behind a little more than usual. He then turned to Ron, who was looking at what Harry had been, and shook his head. “I don’t what she’s playing at, Harry.” He then hit Harry in the arm lightly, breaking Harry’s concentration on Ginny, and said cheerfully, “So, how’ve you been?” he then noticed Harry’s miniature trunk, and before Harry could answer his first question, Ron said smirking, “I see you’re travelling lightly.” He and Harry laughed, as they walked towards the Burrow.

After Harry had settled in for a few days, and Mrs Weasley had stopped kissing him and hugging him, the Weasley brothers: Ron, Fred, George, Charlie and Bill, all decided to play a game of Quidditch. Harry joined them on their way down to the big field where they usually played. Bill and Charlie were captains, and they started picking their teams on the way up. “I’ll have Harry and George.” Bill said defiantly. But Charlie now said, looking even more defiantly, “Fine. I’ll have Fred and Ron.” Why did the teams suddenly seem so unfair? Harry wondered, as he and Charlie mounted their brooms and flew up the hill towards the field. George, who seemed very agitated, soon joined them. “What’s wrong, George?” Harry asked him, and George turned around, and said bitterly, “Bloody Ron just told Bill and Fred something!” Harry looked at the other team, who were all in hysterics. Charlie flew over towards the middle, and dropped towards where Fred and Bill had put the balls. He released the snitch, and threw the Quaffle up into the air. They weren’t using Bludgers, as there weren’t enough people to have beaters as well. And with that, the game began, with Harry and Fred as seekers, George and Ron as chasers, and Bill and Charlie as keepers. The game was going well, Harry thought. Ron was an excellent chaser, and George wasn’t that bad. Bill and Charlie were also, excellent keepers. But Fred wasn’t that good as a seeker. The snitch had been right in front of him, and he hadn’t seen it. But, Harry hadn’t been quick enough to get there, as both times Fred had dived right in front of him, and made Harry swerve off course, so when Harry had regained control, the snitch had gone. He wasn’t sure why Fred kept on doing this, but it seemed to be working. That was – until Fred made a big mistake. After a couple of hours of play, and the score was three-hundred and sixty to three-hundred and forty, in which Harry’s team was losing, Harry saw the snitch once again. Except, this time, it was above Bill. Harry raced past Fred, who was busy taunting George about something, and he raced after the snitch, which was now heading straight for the ground. Harry kept diving, now noticing out of the corner of his eye, that Fred was coming after him. He then pulled up, letting the snitch go further down. Fred and the others were amazed at this, as Fred kept zooming down towards it. But Harry had thought about this one. The snitch then ascended, past Fred who had turned suddenly to grab it, but had failed, and now the snitch was heading straight for Charlie. Harry then zoomed towards it, jumped off his broom, dived down towards the snitch, and landed safely back on his Firebolt. Charlie and George cheered, and even Fred, Ron and Bill thought it was amazing. “That was brilliant!” Charlie yelled at him, as they all landed, and held up Harry. “Even I couldn’t do that!” Charlie yelled, and Ron then yelled at Harry, cheering still, “You’ll beat them flat this year, Harry!” Harry grinned, as Fred and George, who were holding him, carried him round the field. Harry then noticed Ginny running up towards them. “Come to see Harry win? Well, you’re too late. Although a little kiss might make his day...” Ron said, adding the last bit in a teasing way. Harry had noticed that all her brothers liked teasing Ginny about her crush on Harry. But Ginny wasn’t smiling. She looked extremely worried. Harry jumped off of Fred and George’s hold, and ran towards her. “Is everything all right?” he said comfortingly, but she then said, panic stricken, “H-Hermione just o-owled mum. S-she said that...that...” She started sobbing into Harry’s chest, as he held her there. Ron and the twins looked a little uneasy, as Harry knew that they were very protective of their sister, but they said nothing, crowding around them now. Ginny let go, and brushed her eyes. “She says that there was an attack. She managed to escape, as did her parents, but...” Ron then looked more panicked than Harry had ever seen him. He leapt onto his broom, and raced back to the Burrow, without even saying a word. Fred and George mounted their brooms, and said briskly, “We’ll deal with Romeo.” And they raced off after him. Bill and Charlie then leapt onto their brooms, and Bill said sternly, just as he and Charlie were about to race off as well, “This is going to take some time, Harry. You and Ginny should return to the Burrow now, while Charlie and I go to Hermione’s location.” Harry looked pleadingly at them. He wanted to go too! But Charlie, seeming to understand what Harry wanted, said as he flew off, “You just look after Ginny, Harry! We’ll deal with Hermione’s safety!” And the pair of them flew off, as all the other Weasley brothers had done before them. Ginny and Harry were now alone in the middle of the field. They didn’t speak for a very long time, just staring at each other. Images entered Harry’s mind; mainly of flashbacks from the previous four years, but some seemed new. And then he remembered what had just happened. Hermione! Was she all right? He had to find out. “Ginny –“ he said to her, as she seemed to come out of a trance as he said it to her. “Hmm?” she mumbled, looking dreamily into Harry. “We’ve got to...” he started, but she seemed to realise what he meant. “Yeah, sure.” She said, and climbed onto the back of Harry’s Firebolt. Harry stared at her, disbelieving that she’d jumped on it in the first place. He then mounted it in front of her, and they sped off towards the Burrow at great speed.