Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry got up the next morning still feeling sleepy. After the weird dream he had last night, he had been unable to fall back to sleep and had just laid awake in bed for the morning to come. Harry walked over to his trunk and took out some fresh clothes. His heart rose as he contemplated that today he was going to live with the Weasleys. He had already written to his godfather Sirius a week ago, telling him that he was leaving the Dursleys. In a word, Sirius was ecstatic. He didn't like the Dursleys, and was delighted Harry was going somewhere he felt appreciated.

It was only 6:30 in the morning, but Harry was so excited about leaving, he hummed as he walked down the stairs and, since there was nothing better to do, went outside for an early morning run. He had started doing this lately; it helped clear his head. Harry was a very fast runner, and he loved to race down the street across the road. It was downhill, and if he ran fast enough, the feeling of wind rushing past him and through his hair almost made him feel like he was flying on his beloved broomstick, his Firebolt. He hadn't been able to ride on it for months because of all the muggles he was living with, and sorely missed the wonderful sensation he got when he was flying. He went for a morning run often now, and it was like a daily ritual. It had also made him very muscular and fit. As soon as he was at Ron's, there would be no more hiding his broom away in the closet. He would be able to ride it as often as he liked. He couldn't wait.

Harry spend the rest of the morning packing for his departure. At 1:15, he was waiting in the lounge of the Dursleys' house for his friends to arrive.

Petunia was standing impatiently in the corner, covering her precious Dudley as she stared at Harry like he was a stain on humanity. Vernon was sitting in his armchair, huffing with his eyes narrowed, a vein throbbing in his forehead. His face was turning more and more purple as the time grew. At 1:25, the deathly silence in the lounge was broken by a whimper of Dudley's as some of the atmosphere in the room was shimmering, like the air above a candle. Suddenly, there was a little pop and Mr. Weasley appeared out of nowhere. Petunia and Vernon paled, but

Harry grinned widely and said, "Cool! You apparated."

Mr. Weasley smiled and said, "Hello, Harry! Great to see you again. Mr. and Mrs. Dursley; Dudley." He nodded at the Dursleys in greeting. "Yes, Harry: I did apparate, but just to see that everything's in order before the boys come by Floo Powder to help you back to the Burrow. That's the way you'll be coming. Ah, I see that there's no blockage in the fireplace any more- excellent. I'll go get Ron and the twins."

With that, he disapparated; much to the shock of the Dursleys.

Vernon growled. "He does that again and I'll clobber the freak."

Petunia's knuckles were white from being clenched. She glared furiously at Harry as she muttered incoherent sentences that seemed to revolve around, "In my house...the cheek...how dare he..."

Dudley just stared stupidly at Harry and fearfully inquired, "Wow...can you do that?" Harry shook his head, and Dudley looked immensely relieved.

They waited a moment, and heard a faint whooshing sound issuing from the fireplace. Harry cautioned the Dursleys to stand back as Ron, Fred and George appeared one after the other.

Ron gave him a huge, hearty clap on the back and cried, "Harry! Long time, no see!" as the twins seized his trunks and Hedwig, pulling Harry's luggage into the fireplace.

Fred and George grinned. "Hey, Harry! It's great to see you again. We know you'll have heaps of fun with us this summer."

"Yeah! You'll be here for your birthday, and you get to try out all our new merchandise for our joke shop." At that, both twins fell silent, and gazed in Dudley's direction.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry about that little incident last year. Our bad," Fred mumbled, eyes downcast (although Harry and Ron could see he was trying hard not to laugh).

George brightened noticeably, "But on the upside, you were the first muggle to try our ton-tongue toffees, so you should feel privileged."

Ron explained to Harry in hushed tones, "Dad forced them to apologise," and snickered about something. Exactly what that something was became evident as all four wizards climbed into the fireplace to depart.

Dudley gave a loud, shrill squawk and promptly turned into a bird, one of Fred and George's Canary Creams in one hand...or what used to be his hand.

Vernon rampaged towards the fireplace with a roar, Petunia passed out and the twins cackled maniacally as they quickly shot a reversing spell at Dudley from their wands.

All four grabbed a handful of Floo Powder from the pot Ron was holding and cried, "The Burrow!" as they disappeared with a roar of flames.

Vernon couldn't stop himself and thundered uncontrollably into the ashy fireplace, covering himself with soot. Dudley was back to his former self, and just sat on the floor with horror written on his face.

Petunia came to and whispered, "At last...he's gone."