A Summer of Love

Harry awoke early the next morning, still in the habit of waking early for classes. But having to work for the Dursleys each day definitely did not help with sleeping in late.

He changed out of his pajamas and into some jeans and into a T-shirt. Needless to say, it was one of Dudley's old ones. He pulled on some socks, and then his shoes. He walked quietly downstairs into the kitchen.

He was the first one up.

He went into the cupboard and took out their cast-iron frying pan. He placed it on the stove, and set the stove on medium heat. As the pan was heating, Harry went into the refrigerator and got out the bacon and eggs. He set them on the counter next to the stove.

Harry placed some bacon in to pan. The aroma of the meat frying filled the kitchen, and soon started to infiltrate the rest of the house. Harry fried up the usual amount of bacon. Despite what the school nurse had said about Dudley needing to go on a diet, the Dursleys decided to ignore it, and continue to feed Dudley as usual. Besides, he had started to grow up more, rather than out, so he wasn't quite as wide as he was tall.

Once the bacon was finished, Harry placed it in the oven to keep it warm. He would have started on the eggs, but there was no telling when the Dursleys were going to wake up. It was the weekend, after all.

As soon as Harry heard a creaking at the top of the stairs, he cracked an egg in the frying pan. All of the Dursleys like their eggs the same: over-easy. And they liked having two eggs. Unless it was Dudley, who ate more in the neighborhood of four. (It fluctuated from day to day.)

It was Petunia. Harry finished her eggs within two minutes. He put them on her plate with a few pieces of bacon. Then he poured her some orange juice. No words were spoken. Not even a soft thank you from Petunia. Not like Harry had expected one anyway.

Vernon was next. Harry gave him his eggs, and a bit more bacon than he had given Petunia. Harry had already poured Vernon's orange juice. Vernon ignored Harry just as Petunia had.

At last, Dudley came down. Harry asked him how many eggs he wanted, and Dudley grunted, "Four." Harry quickly made Dudley's eggs, then placed them in front of him with the remainder of the bacon. Dudley ignored Harry, just like Petunia and Vernon had.

Once Vernon had finished his breakfast, he said, "Potter, you're going to paint the house now. If you finish within two days, I'll give you five pounds. If you don't finish in two days, each day afterward, your pay goes down a pound a day. Got it?"

Harry nodded. "Yes, sir."

Vernon sniffed with contempt. "Get started. Now."

Harry didn't move. Instead he said, "May I have a word?"

Vernon grunted, and led Harry into the living room. "This is eating into your work time. Get on with it."

"I got a letter from one of my friends. They invited me to go with them this summer," Harry said.

"So?"

"Well, I was wondering if I could go? Because if you won't let me, I may have to write some of my other friends." Harry put just the right amount of emphasis on 'other'. Vernon paled a little.

"You can go. But you have to paint the house first," Vernon said quickly.

Harry nodded, then went into the Dursleys' garage and got some paint and a brush, and started on the long task of painting number 4, Privet Drive.

---

Sometime during the day, Hedwig returned with two letters. At 11:30, Harry had finally stopped, telling himself that he needed to wake early to start painting. However fast he wanted to get to Hermione's, he wanted to get five pounds as well. That way he might be able to buy her something special for her birthday that year.

He washed the paint off of his hands, and exchanged he paint-speckled clothes for his pajamas. He untied both letters from Hedwig's legs. One was from Remus, the other from Hermione. He opened the one from Remus first.

Harry,

It is okay with us that you go. Please be safe, and don't cause them too much trouble.

I'm feeling much better, thank you for the concern. We'll give you any heads-up if there's news back home.

-Remus

So it was okay with the Order. Harry smiled at Remus's attempt to conceal what he was really trying to say. It was pathetic, but had the letter been intercepted, it would have probably worked.

Harry opened Hermione's letter next. It was brief and to the point.

Harry,

I'm glad that you want to come! Professor Lupin sent me a letter saying that it's okay with the Order. Owl me telling me when you want Mum to come and pick you up.

-Hermione

Harry tore a small piece of parchment off of his roll. He scribbled four words, then attached the parchment to Hedwig's leg. He told the bird, "Sorry, girl. But this will hopefully be your last delivery for a few days. Take it to Hermione." Hedwig flew out the window taking the message with her. Looking at his clock, he saw that Saturday was soon to turn into Sunday. The message was simple.

Pick me up Monday.

---

Harry woke up early again Sunday. He didn't bother making breakfast. Leave that to Petunia.

He had managed to apply a single coat to the entire house the day before. He had been quite industrious, fueled by being picked up by Hermione. Harry wanted to get the second coat on the house, then single coat the trim. Like Vernon would notice the difference.

Harry wanted to have enough time to pack that night. And he didn't want to be up until the early hours of the morning doing so.

Harry worked hard until noon, painting the entire front of the house, and entire side, and then painting half of the back of the house. He was on a good pace to finish early. He went inside and got some water, and made himself a quick sandwich. Soon enough, he was painting again.

Harry finished the last of the trim around 9 o'clock. He put his supplies away, then went upstairs and took a shower. He packed everything he would need, leaving out a pair of clothes that he would wear the next day. He made sure that he had all of his books and school supplies, and his broomstick. Then he made sure that Hedwig was secure in her cage.

After doing all this, he went downstairs to the living room, where Vernon was reading his paper. Harry cleared his throat. "May I have my five pounds now?"

Vernon grumbled unhappily and handed Harry the money. Harry took it, and added it to his meager savings. Then he put the money in he trunk.

With everything packed and ready to go, and exhausted Boy Who Lived climbed into bed, and slept.