Chapter 14 : The Summer That Binds Us

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The summer sun beat down mercilessly on Platform 9¾ as the Hogwarts Express finally pulled into the station. Denia Lily Potter felt the heat prickling against her skin, her long dark hair sticking to her neck as she disembarked from the train. She glanced around at the crowd of students, parents, and all of them part of the world she was finally feeling at home in.

Harry, stood beside her, scanning the platform for the Dursleys, but as usual, they were late, and it didn’t look like they were in any hurry to collect them. Denia couldn’t help but smirk. “Bet they’re dreading seeing us,” she muttered.

Harry nodded, his expression a mix of relief and irritation. “They’re probably wishing they could leave us here.”

“And we’d be fine with that,” she added with a laugh.

Nearby, they spotted the hulking figure of Hagrid, who had accompanied the first years back to King's Cross and given them a photobook of our parents. He waved a large hand, grinning at them. "Yeh two take care, now! See yeh next year!"

“Thanks, Hagrid!” they both called back, before turning their attention back to the platform.

It didn’t take long before Denia noticed them—Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, and Dudley were standing a few yards away, looking more uncomfortable than usual. Uncle Vernon’s face was already turning purple, whether from the heat or from being so close to magic, Denia couldn’t tell. Petunia had that familiar pinched look of disapproval on her face, and Dudley… well, Dudley just looked miserable.

“Here we go,” Harry muttered under his breath.

Vernon Dursley wasted no time. As soon as they approached, his mustache twitched, and he spat out, “Just remember—no funny business. None of that… that freakishness around us.”

Denia raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. “Trust me, Uncle Vernon, the last thing we want is to ruin your perfectly boring summer.”

Vernon’s face reddened even more, but before he could respond, Aunt Petunia added in her high-pitched, cutting voice, “And don’t think we’ll be taking in any more of your kind! We’ve got enough problems without your unnatural abilities causing trouble.”

Harry clenched his fists but remained silent. Denia, however, couldn’t resist. “Oh, don’t worry, Aunt Petunia. We’re not thrilled about spending time with you either.”

Dudley shifted uncomfortably behind his parents, casting glances at his cousin and Denia with a mixture of fear and confusion. The last year had changed everything between the twins and their relatives, and the Dursleys clearly had no idea how to handle it.

Before the argument could escalate, Denia turned to Harry and whispered, “Let’s just go. We don’t need them ruining the start of our summer.”

Harry nodded, and together, they pushed their way back through the bustling platform towards the barrier that led them away from this part of their lives. They had already been offered an escape: the Weasleys had invited them to spend the summer at the Burrow, and there was nothing the Dursleys could say to change that.

As they disappeared through the barrier, they felt the weight of the Dursleys lift from their shoulders.

---

The Burrow was everything that Privet Drive wasn’t. It was chaotic, warm, and filled with life. From the moment Denia and Harry stepped through the front door, Mrs. Weasley enveloped them both in one of her famous hugs, her motherly warmth making them feel like they had truly come home. “It’s so good to have you here!” she exclaimed, bustling them inside. “Now, go on and make yourselves comfortable. Ron, Fred, George, help them with their trunks!”

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