In Nomine Amoris

Chapter Four: Home Again

Mrs. Weasley came to Ron's room before dawn the next day to wake Harry up. "Mum! The sun's not up!" Ron retaliated, his voice muffled by his pillow.

"I am very well aware of that," Mrs. Weasley replied in a dangerously sweet voice. "And you should be very well aware that Harry's returning to his aunt and uncle's house today."

"Oh, that's right..." Ron said with a yawn, plopping back onto his pillow.

"Ronald Weasley, you will come downstairs and see your friend off," Mrs. Weasley said sternly.

"But Mum--"

"Now."

Mrs. Weasley turned on her heel and left them to get dressed. Harry pulled from under his cot his trunk, which he had not bothered unpacking, since he would be leaving for the Dursleys' so soon, and pulled out some of Dudley's hand-me-down Muggle clothes. Not too much longer, he told himself. Dumbledore only requested I go back for a short while.

"I think Mum's going off the deep-end," Ron muttered.

"Maybe dealing with Bill and Fleur's wedding gave her post-traumatic stress syndrome," Harry offered.

"What's that?"

"Never mind."

The boys finished getting ready and headed downstairs to find Hermione and Ginny already at the kitchen table.

"Hey Hermione," Ron said groggily, sitting down next to her.

Harry took his own seat next to Ginny. "Good morning," he said, smiling slightly.

"Good morning," Ginny said, rubbing her eyes wearily.

Everyone ate quietly, due to lack of enthusiasm, and loss of sleep. When the time came for Harry to leave with Mr. Weasley, Hermione was first to say good-bye to him. She hugged him lightly and said, "Sorry we couldn't come with you."

"It's all right. I understand," Harry assured her. Mrs. Weasley had instructed Ron and Hermione to let Harry confront his family alone, and help her clean up after the party-goers from the day before.

Ron turned to him. "Harry, if Didlow gives you any trouble, owl me right away. I'll set him straight."

"Ron, you'll do no such thing!" Hermione scolded. "We're not supposed to use magic for petty things like that. We need to learn to control our powers." Ron rolled his eyes.

Ginny tapped Harry on the shoulder. "Hey, uh...have fun," she said uncertainly. She leaned in to kiss him, but Harry's eyes shifted to her parents anxiously. She nodded slightly, understanding his meaning, and embraced him instead. It would not help their situation if their relationship became public again.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley did not notice, however.

"Harry, dear, do take care," Mrs. Weasley said, enveloping him in a bone-crushing hug.

"Molly, I think Harry might need to breathe," said Mr. Weasley carefully.

"Oh! Yes, of course." Mrs. Weasley released him.

"So Harry, you're sure your relatives know we're coming?" Mr. Weasley asked.

"I sent a letter through the Muggle post to warn them," Harry replied.

"I really don't think you put enough stamps on it, so don't be surprised if they haven't received it," Mrs. Weasley quipped knowingly.

"Best be off. Our Portkey leaves in a few minutes," Mr. Weasley told Harry, helping him lift his trunk over the threshold.

"Write to us if they aren't feeding you!" Mrs. Weasley managed to shriek to Harry before the door shut.

Mr. Weasley fumbled for something in his pocket and pulled out a computer mouse, whose tail had been torn at the end, revealing various wires. "All right, I'll grab the end with the wires. What do Muggles use this for, Harry?"

"You know about computers, Mr. Weasley?"

"Yes, aren't they fascinating?"

"Well, you use this to move things around on its screen."

"And what's it called?"

"A mouse."

"You don't say? The names those Muggles come up with! But I suppose it does look like one... Oh, grab on now, Harry. Three...two...one!"

Harry felt the familiar pull about his midriff as he was magically transported to 4 Privet Drive, home of the Dursley family.

Mr. Weasley and Harry landed with a thud! next to the low brick wall of the Dursleys' garden. They regained their composure and carried Harry's things up the drive and to the door of Number Four.

A man stepped out from behind one of the hedges and joined them.

"Hello, Alastor," Mr. Weasley greeted him.

"Arthur," Moody growled in acknowledgement. He pushed the doorbell button, and a ring sounded from inside the house.

"Eckeltricity--extraordinary," Mr. Weasley commented.

The door opened to reveal a sleepy-eyed Vernon Dursley. The sight of Harry, however, caused him to start. "You? We were expecting--well, you're early!"

"I know," Harry said.

"I am sorry about that, Mr. Dursley," Mr. Weasley apologized. "You see, we couldn't get a later Portkey. The system's tied up what with the war and all--"

"Portkey? What?" Uncle Vernon asked tiredly.

"You wouldn't be having a problem with our arrival, Dursley, now would you?" Moody said threateningly, coming forward.

"I--I--n--no, sir," Uncle Vernon confirmed sheepishly, stepping aside so Harry could enter the house.

"Good then." Moody gave him a twisted smile.

"We'll be coming by around this time tomorrow to escort Harry back to the Burrow." Mr. Weasley added.

"See you then, Potter," Moody said, turning on his peg leg.

"Good-bye, Harry!" said Mr. Weasley jovially.

Uncle Vernon immediately shut the door and locked it tightly. He wheeled around and headed straight into the living room. Harry started for the stairs, but Uncle Vernon called to him, "In here, boy."

Harry dragged his trunk in Uncle Vernon's wake and followed him to the center of the room.

"Petunia! Dudley! He's here!" Uncle Vernon practically hollered.

Wondering what this was all about, Harry sat down in an armchair. Pajama-clad Aunt Petunia and Dudley entered the room and stood on either side of Uncle Vernon, who was in front of Harry.

"Now," Uncle Vernon began, "the last time we were with you and that Dumbly-do, some things were left quite unclear. We heard about a war, and Voldy-whats-it, but we don't understand how it would involve you, or us for that matter. Therefore, we demand to know what's going on before you leave tomorrow."

Harry's eyebrows disappeared into his bangs. What? They want to know, of all people?

"But why?" Harry asked. "If you're so against my world, why would you have any interest in it?"

"Obviously you've got a big part in it, whatever it is. We have a right to know why our nephew is sought out by that--that--"

"Dark wizard."

All turned to look wildly at Aunt Petunia, who had offered the name. She shrugged weakly, apparently not knowing why she had said it herself.

Harry sighed. This is going to be...interesting.