Chapter Text
Harry woke screaming and clutching his head. His wide eyes darted wildly around the room, disoriented from his nightmare. Breathing heavily, he pushed himself up to a sitting position with shaky arms. He pressed a hand over his scar, sweeping his dark, sweaty locks off his forehead as he waited for the pain to subside to a dull ache. Harry had been having nightmares about Voldemort and the graveyard since the first week after the third task, once the shock had fully dissipated, but this was the first time the dream had changed to something else.
It began the same as it always did, with Harry tied to the headstone, and played out as the actual events had that night. However, when he touched the Tri-Wizard cup to return to Hogwarts he landed in a long, dim, nondescript corridor. He arrived without the portkey or Cedric's body, and he walked down the long stretch of empty space but never seemed to get close to the end. Harry was sure he had never been in this place in his waking life, but the corridor felt so real, so he racked his brain for any memory that might help him determine where he may have come across a similar location in his past. His concentration was broken by a loud pounding on the bedroom door.
“Boy! I told you to get yourself under control! If you wake us up one more time with your screaming, you'll be sleeping outside for the rest of the summer!”
Harry could imagine Vernon's bright red face as he listened to the man shout through the door. He heaved a sigh as his shoulders slumped, head dropping until his chin met his chest. Harry never told the Dursleys anything about his time at Hogwarts, and this year was no exception. He didn't expect any sympathy or understanding from the family, not only because he hadn't told them of the horrific end to his Fourth Year but also based on his past experiences with them, but he was hoping to simply be ignored as he had been the prior summer. Unfortunately, his nightmares kept the Dursleys constantly aware of his existence, and their patience was wearing thin.
Harry stood from his lumpy cot, reaching for his glasses on the broken stool next to him, and crossed the small room to look out the window.
'At least Hedwig is free to come and go as she pleases.'
He was glad he didn't have to keep his owl confined in her cage all summer, thanks in no small part to the fact that his godfather was an escaped convict thought to have murdered 13 people. He smiled as he remembered how the Dursleys had reacted to that news at the end of his Third Year. His smile quickly turned downward as thoughts of Sirius brought thoughts of Ron and Hermione, all of whom had yet to respond to any questions he'd asked about the Wizarding World all summer.
He desperately wanted to know what was happening, how the return of Voldemort was being handled by the general public, if Voldemort or his followers had made any moves, and how Dumbledore and the Ministry were fighting him, so he had taken to watching the Muggle news and scavenging Muggle newspapers from the rubbish whenever he could. Surely anything huge would be noticed by Muggles too, right?
Harry was still brooding at the window when he heard the slide of multiple locks. He turned to face his bedroom door, preparing himself for another day of irritation. Vernon pushed the door open once all of the locks were free, pinning Harry with his beady eyes. Face still red with anger, he stomped towards Harry and grabbed him by his collar.
“Get downstairs and start making breakfast boy!” Vernon bellowed as he flung Harry through the doorway and into the hall.
Harry sighed, trudging down the stairs toward the kitchen. He made breakfast, as he had every morning while he was at the Dursleys’ during summer break, and placed the bacon, eggs and toast on the table as Vernon, Petunia and Dudley settled into their chairs. Harry quickly washed the dishes as the Dursleys ate, contemplating what he might be able to scrounge for himself. His stomach growled, and he regretted tossing out the chocolates Hermione and Ron had sent for his birthday a few days ago out of frustration.
Finished with the dishes, Harry tried to slink out of the kitchen, only to be grabbed by the arm and slung around to face Vernon.
“Outside boy. I don't want to see you again until the sun goes down.”
Vernon released him, and Harry quickly headed out the front door. He was thankful he didn't have a list of chores to complete this summer, most likely due to the Dursleys’ fear of Sirius, but that meant that his days were spent in severe boredom. Vernon and Petunia settled in the living room to watch the News as Dudley thundered back up to his room, likely getting dressed to go meet his gang of friends and terrorize the neighborhood. Harry walked around to the side of the house and lay down in the garden, listening to the news station through the open living room window. Vernon took great offense that Harry was suddenly so interested in current events, and enjoyed making it as difficult as possible for him to watch or listen, so Harry was sure to stay out of sight.
Harry lay in the grass, listening halfheartedly to a story about the water rationing due to the persistent heatwave.
'Surely if Voldemort had done something it would be the top story. What is he waiting on?' Harry wondered as he closed his eyes to the glare of the morning sun.
Suddenly a loud crack echoed on the otherwise quiet street. Harry's eyes shot open and he propelled himself into a seated position, recognizing the sound of apparition instantly. He looked around, noticing a cat running out from under a parked car, but did not see anything out of the ordinary. Before he could do any more, Harry's hair was caught in the vice grip of Vernon's meaty hand.
“Boy, we told you no funny business!” He seethed in quiet rage.
The pain in Harry's scalp grew as Vernon seemed to be trying to drag him in through the open window.
“I didn't do anything!” Harry protested as he attempted to get away.
“I know it was one of your freak friends. The neighbors-” Vernon broke off in a sharp cry, as a surge of electricity shot from Harry's head and into his hand, forcing him to quickly release him.
Harry took no time to scramble up and away from the house, running quickly down Privet Drive. He didn’t slow down until he had turned left onto Magnolia Crescent. He walked slowly in the direction of the park at the end of the street, wondering if there was another magical person nearby and who it might be. He stayed alert and aware of his surroundings, listening for the loud crack of apparition in case there was anyone around intent on harming him, which is why Dudley and his gang of friends were unable to get the drop on him.
Harry faced the group of boys as soon as they turned onto the street. He walked backwards, keeping them in his line of sight as they eyed him and bid each other good-bye. He watched as the other boys departed for their homes, leaving Harry and Dudley alone on the street.
“Going to meet your boyfriend, cousin?” Dudley jeered as he approached.
Harry rolled his eyes, “What are you on about?”
“I can hear you screaming his name in your sleep.” Dudley teased. “’Cedric! No Cedric come back!’ what a poofter.” He laughed heartily.
Anger flashed in Harry’s eyes and coursed through his veins, and he balled up his hands. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” He said through gritted teeth.
Harry walked a few steps quickly ahead, breathing deeply to calm himself. Once he was more level-headed, he returned to Dudley’s side. There was a much better chance he’d see an attack coming if he was next to the ringleader after all.
“What ten-year-old did you beat up today Dudders?” Harry couldn't help but antagonize his cousin.
“We threw rocks at cars on the motorway.” Dudley guffawed as he avoided the question.
Harry shook his head, wondering how Vernon and Petunia would react if they knew what their precious son was really up to when he was supposed to be 'having tea' with his friends. He listened to Dudley brag about his misdeeds with half an ear as they entered the alley between Magnolia Crescent and Wisteria Walk, taking a short cut back to Privet Drive.
Dudley suddenly quieted behind him, then asked, “Why is it getting dark?”
Without turning, Harry responded, “That's what happens when the sun goes down Duddikins.” In a patronizing tone.
“But it's too early for the sun to be going down.” Dudley argued.
Harry didn't have any way to tell the time of day, and he turned around to make a sarcastic remark about Dudley not being able to read his fancy watch properly when he felt a sudden chill. He looked around the alley, noticing for the first time that it was unnaturally dim.
“What's happening?” Dudley moaned. He had backed up against one of the walls and slid down to sit on the ground, holding his head in his hands. “It's awful!” He cried in anguish.
Harry heaved a breath, noticing as the air in front of him became foggy. With a cold tingle of fear down his spine, Harry realized what happening.
“Dementors!” He shouted, pulling his wand from his trousers pocket.
Thankfully the Dursleys’ fear of Sirius also resulted in his belongings not being immediately locked up in the cupboard under the stairs when he returned for the summer, and he'd taken to carrying his wand with him every time he left his room. Harry whipped around, finally spotting two floating cloaked figures at the far end of the alley. They shot toward the two boys, one getting uncomfortably close to Dudley, who was wailing in confused fear and despair, as the other quickly closed in on Harry.
Harry squeezed his eyes shut and thought about the night Sirius had asked him to live with him, when he thought they would be able to clear Sirius' name by turning in Pettigrew, and how much hope that had brought him.
“Expecto Patronum!” Harry bellowed.
A silver stag shot out of his wand and galloped around the alley, warding off both Dementors. The figures took flight as Harry's Patronus cantered in front of him, and the atmosphere in the alley quickly returned to normal. Harry stroked the stag in thanks before it disappeared, then went to help a shaking, teary-eyed Dudley to his feet.
“It's okay Dudders, they're gone now.” Harry tried to console his cousin.
“What was it? Where did they come from?” Dudley asked with a shaky breath.
“They're called Dementors. They're nasty creatures that guard Azkaban, the wizard prison, but I don't know how they got here or why.” Harry frowned.
The boys steadily made their way back to the Number Four Privet Drive, Harry keeping his wand out until they reached the front door. Petunia wretched the door open, somehow sensing that Dudley was distraught, and ushered him in as Harry trailed behind.
“My little Diddydum, what's the matter?” Petunia asked, her face pinched in worry.
Vernon glared at Harry, assuming it was somehow his doing. “What did you do boy?” Vernon noticed the wand in Harry's hand and his eyes popped as a vein throbbed angrily on his forehead. He grabbed Harry by his over-sized shirt collar and dragged him forward. “I said no funny business!” He spit, “What did you do to our son?!”
Harry slipped his wand back into his pocket and clawed at Vernon's hand in a vain attempt to free himself. “It wasn't me! I didn't do anything!”
“Then why was that stick in your hand?” Vernon roared. “This is the last straw boy, I want you out of this house this instant! We never should have allowed a freak like you into our home!”
Before Harry could respond, a bright light flashed above the boarded up fireplace mantel. Blinking away spots left by the sudden burst, Harry saw a red envelope floating in the air. He recognized it as a Howler, wondering who had sent it and why.
The envelope unfolded itself in air, and a familiar voice boomed, “PETUNIA DURSLEY, REMEMBER MY LAST!”
Petunia covered her mouth with a hand as Harry and Vernon stared silently at her.
“Harry can stay.” Petunia said in a small voice, offering no other explanation.
Vernon looked between his wife and his ward in irritation before settling on Harry. “What happened?” He asked in a measured tone.
“He saved us. Saved me.” Dudley said quietly.
Vernon turned to look at his son, still gripping Harry tightly. “What do you mean? What happened?”
“I don't know- he said there were these people- these things in the alley, and it was dark and so cold, and I was so sad, I felt like I'd never be happy again, and I just wanted it to end.” Dudley shivered at the memory. “Harry did something, and a bright silver light swirled around and, I guess chased them away.”
Vernon and Petunia turned their attention to Harry, expecting more information. Harry tugged on Vernon's hand where it still gripped his collar and the man released him.
“They were Dementors-” Harry was interrupted by Petunia's sharp gasp. He eyed his aunt, surprised at her recognition.
“De-Dementors? How did they get here? Oh my poor duddles!” She cried as she flung her arms around the still pale boy.
“I don't know how or why they were here but I had to cast a Patronus, a spell-” Vernon made a strangled noise but Harry continued, “to fight them off. They're gone now.”
Vernon seemed torn between laying into Harry for using magic and even saying the word spell, and a begrudging gratefulness for Dudley's safety. Petunia still had her arms full of Dudley, but looked around the mountain of a boy to give Harry a small nod. He knew neither one would thank him, and the nod from Petunia was more than he ever expected.
Harry could hear Dudley murmuring to Petunia about how it felt to be in the presence of a Dementor as he and Vernon stood silent and tense. Before Harry could make a decision about how to extricate himself from the uncomfortable situation, an owl swooped in through the living room window.
“Argh! Bloody Owls!” Vernon exclaimed, waving his hands in the air as a letter was dropped at Harry's feet.
Harry picked up the letter with trepidation as Petunia continued to comfort Dudley and Vernon muttered darkly to himself. Harry read it quickly, unable to process his shock at being expelled for using magic outside of Hogwarts before another owl flew through the still open window and dropped a second letter. Vernon shouted in frustration as he stomped to the window and slammed it shut.
Harry blinked down at the second letter for a few moments before slowly bending down to pick it up. He unfolded the letter with slightly shaking hands, wondering if this was the notification that someone would be along to snap his wand in half. Relief flooded him as he read that the expulsion had been tentatively reversed, in favor of a hearing, to be attended on August 12th at 9AM at the Ministry of Magic.
“Well?” Vernon barked, incapable of holding his irritation in any longer.
Harry let out a breath, “I, erm, have to go to a hearing. To explain the-” Harry was unwilling to anger Vernon further by using the words magic or spell, so he simply waved his hands in the air to explain.
“Hrmph. Go to your room boy, I don't want to see you again tonight.” Vernon growled through gritted teeth.
Harry was more than happy to acquiesce, already planning the letters he would write to Hermione, Ron, and Sirius as soon as he was alone. He walked quickly past the Dursleys and up the stairs, listening as Petunia fawned over her son and Vernon complained about being unable to kick Harry out of his house.
Harry was just as confused about the Howler as Vernon seemed to be, but he had more pressing matters to attend to first. He entered the smallest bedroom and was pleased to see that Hedwig had returned from her hunt at some point that day.
“Hey girl,” He greeted one of his first friends, “are you up to take a few letters today?” Harry stroked her feathered head as she cooed in agreement.
He pet the snowy owl for a few more minutes, then crossed to his school trunk to retrieve parchment, ink, and a quill for his letters. Hedwig clicked her beak as Harry shuffled a bag of owl treats out of the way, and he obliged her with a few before he settled on the floor to use his closed trunk as a makeshift table. He wrote similar letters to Ron and Hermione, telling them briefly what happened and practically begging for information.
His letter to Sirius was quite a bit longer. He told his godfather what happened in detail, including the Dursleys' reaction and the subsequent Howler that Petunia had received. He confessed his worries about the hearing, including wondering how he would even get there, and his fear that he would be expelled and forced to stay with the Dursleys year round until he was of age. Harry hoped that he might end up living with Sirius if he were expelled, but knew it was pointless to commit that to paper right now, as the man was still on the run as an escaped convict.
Sighing, Harry stood and rolled up his letters. Hedwig fluttered across the small room, landing on Harry's trunk, and stuck her leg out. Harry smiled, tying all three letters to her leg after addressing them to their recipients.
“Okay girl, these are going to Ron, Hermione, and Sirius. If you get tired after delivering them, stay and rest for the night somewhere safe.” He stroked her head fondly before she took off into the darkening sky.
Harry was always concerned for Hedwig, and he tried not to send more than one letter at a time so that she didn’t overtax herself. Little did he know, all three recipients were currently staying in the same location.