If I survive you survive

Chapter 16: The Burrow

Harry was packed and ready to go when Dumbledore turned up at Privet Drive. Never in his life had he wanted to stay at Privet Drive more than he did now. Tom would never be able to visit him at the Burrow. Dumbledore knew that. It filled him with a slow anger knowing that Dumbledore was trying to keep them apart.

"I am grateful you are helping me tonight, Harry. I don't think our task should take long and then you can enjoy the rest of your holidays with your friends" he smiled at him but there was no twinkle in his eyes.

"Uh huh" Harry was trying not to look at Dumbledore.

"Unless you'd rather stay here?" Harry shrugged. "Did you relay my message to Tom?" Harry's eyes immediately met Dumbledore's.

"He said something along the lines of if the two of you were in the same room only one would walk out" to his surprised Dumbledore chuckled. "How did you know?"

"I knew he would come to you. Tom has always been nosy no matter what phase of life he is in. The order is still keeping tabs on you" Harry felt a burst of anger at these words.

"Why?"

"To ensure your safety" Harry tried to calm himself.

"But whoever was watching let Voldemort Junior into my home." Dumbledore smiled at him and Harry felt the urge to hit him.

"You have value to, as you say, Voldemort Junior right now Harry. He doesn't pose a substantial threat to you yet."

"Yet?" Harry scoffed. Dumbledore inclined his head.

They were both done with this topic of conversation now. Dumbledore held out his arm to Harry who reluctantly took it. The horrible feeling of his surroundings pushing and pulling at him returned briefly. Then he was standing outside a perfectly normal looking house. Well, maybe not perfectly. The gate was hanging on its hinges and door was ajar. Before Dumbledore even asked Harry had pulled out his wand.

They walked slowly through the door and observed the wreckage inside. There was no dark mark over the house, but it certainly looked like something bad had happened. He felt a whisper of nerves creep up him whilst looking at the smashed lights and ripped papers scattered across the floor. Harry also thought he saw blood smeared on the walls.

Dumbledore walked over a big stuffed armchair that was ripped in places with stuffing scattered on the floor. He prodded the chair with his wand and to Harry's surprise it replied with an "ouch". The armchair slowly began to change and mould into the shape of a rather rotund man. Harry just gaped at what was happening in front of him.

"Good grief Dumbledore, I thought you were the death eaters."

"I assumed as much Horace. Shall we tidy up?" both men held up their wands and Harry just watched as glass mended itself, papers stuck themselves back together.

"I'm not coming back to Hogwarts Albus" Horace, as Harry now knew him, was looking sternly at Dumbledore.

"Ah well, I see you can't persuaded. May I just pop to the facilities before we leave," Dumbledore turned and exited the room leaving Harry alone with the man. An awkward silence settled. Harry turned to a bunch of photographs as it was close to him.

"Ah those are some of my students from when I taught potions" Horace had moved to see what he was looking at. When Harry turned to him he heard Horace's breath catch "great scot, you're Harry Potter."

"Yes" his reply was curt. Horace looked down at the photos and picked one up and handed it to Harry. He looked down and saw a girl who was unmistakably his mother. Harry looked at his own green eyes staring up at him.