Will be able to find you and will certainly attack you. And if you remember the last time

you tried to outrun wizards, I think you'll agree you need help."

There was a brief silence in which the distant echo of Hagrid smashing down a

Wooden front door seemed to reverberate through the intervening years. Aunt Petunia

Was looking at Uncle Vernon; Dudley was staring at Harry. Finally Uncle Vernon

blurted out, "But what about my work? What about Dudley's school? I don't suppose

those things matter to a bunch of layabout wizards –"

"Don't you understand?" shouted Harry. "They will torture and kill you like they

did my parents!"

"Dad," said Dudley in a loud voice, "Dad – I'm going with these Order people."

"Dudley," said Harry, "for the first time in your life, you're talking sense."

He knew the battle was won. If Dudley was frightened enough to accept the Order's help,

His parents would accompany him. There could be no question of being separated from

Their Duddykins. Harry glanced at the carriage clock on the mantelpiece.

"They'll be here in about five minutes, he said, and when one of the Dursleys

replied, he left the room. The prospect of parting—probably forever – from his aunt,

Uncle, and cousin was one that he was able to contemplate quite cheerfully but there was

Nevertheless a certain awkwardness in the air. What did you say to one another at the end

of sixteen years' solid dislike?

Back in his bedroom, Harry fiddled aimlessly with his rucksack then poked a

couple of owl nuts through the bats of Hedwig's cage. They fell with dull thuds to the

Bottom where she ignored them.

"We're leaving soon, really soon," Harry told her. "And then you'll be able to fly

again."

The doorbell rang. Harry hesitated, then headed back out of his room and

Downstairs. It was too much to expect Hestia and Dedalus to cope with the Dursleys on

Their own.

"Harry Potter!" squeaked an excited voice, the moment Harry had opened the

door; a small man in a mauve top hat that was sweeping him a deep bow. "An honor as

ever!"

"Thanks, Dedalus," said Harry, bestowing a small and embarrassed smile upon

the dark haired Hestia. "It's really good of you to do this… They're through here, my aunt

and uncle and cousin…"

"Good day to you, Harry Potter's relatives!" said Dedalus happily striding into the

Living room. The Dursleys did not look at all happy to be addressed thus; Harry half

Expected another change of mind. Dudley shrank neared to his mother at the sight of the

Witch and wizard.

"I see you are packed and ready. Excellent! The plan, as Harry has told you, is a

simple one," said Dedalus, pulling an immense pocket watch out of his waistcoat and

examining it. "We shall be leaving before Harry does. Due to the danger of using magic

in your house –Harry being still underage it could provide the Ministry with an excuse to

arrest him – we shall be driving, say, ten miles or so before Disapparating to the safe

location we have picked out for you. You know how to drive, I take it?" He asked Uncle

Vernon politely.

"Know how to –? Of course I ruddy well know how to drive!" spluttered Uncle

Vernon.

"Very clever of you, sir, very clever. I personally would be utterly bamboozled by

all those buttons and knobs," said Dedalus. He was clearly under the impression that he

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 1068