Dysfunctional

17 - Dumbledore's Visit

Saturday, August 3

Dumbledore Apparated straight outside the gates of Potter Manor. He pushed open the gate as he took off the Disillusionment Charm on himself and walked forward, admiring the view.

It was a tranquil place, with its lush green grass and the tall pine trees surrounding the plot. A light breeze shattered the silence as it rustled the leaves of the trees and a few birds chirped at the early hour. Dawn was just around the corner as the hidden rays of light fell upon the rippling blades of grass.

Dumbledore could make out a hippogriff flying down and landing on a patch of grass to the side of the house which had to be Buckbeak. Cheerfully swaying daffodils at the front of the house that had not been there the last time he had visited made the house look more welcoming. He walked up the driveway, and for a moment, forgot his many troubles as he breathed in the homely scent of pine trees which reminded him of his beloved school.

He tapped the front door with his wand and the door clattered open. The sound of loud music filled the house incongruously at the ungodly hour as he entered the apparently empty drawing room, which looked warm and welcoming.

He walked into the living area and noticed certain things that had not been there before. There was a bottle of red wine labelled Cabernet Sauvignon on top of the mantelpiece with a set of wine goblets and a couple of books lay on the coffee table. A stack of the Daily Prophet was lying on a desk and also an envelope that lay open with its contents in disarray.

Dumbledore, wondering if he had arrived too early, moved forward and inspected the pictures which had been inside the envelope. They were muggle photographs of Harry and Sirius presumably taken on their recent trip. He had always found the still quality of muggle photographs very endearing - they almost made it look timeless. He wondered who had taken the beautiful pictures when a loud crash made him turn immediately towards the sound.

He found himself amused to see it was Harry in his pyjamas, who seemed to have missed the last step on the staircase and fell into a heap at its bottom.

Harry was cursing under his breath as he put on his glasses "-a racket at six in the morning! How many times do I-"

He promptly yelped, jumping a foot back when he laid his eyes on Dumbledore.

"Professor! What are you doing here?"

"I assume Sirius did not inform you that I was coming?" said Dumbledore a little loudly to be heard over the thumping music.

"No, he didn't!" yelled Harry as he went to the gramophone and turned it off. "How long have you been waiting here?" asked Harry in a normal tone, running a hand through his bed hair trying to make it look somewhat presentable and failing miserably.

"Not more than five minutes, dear boy," said Dumbledore.

Harry motioned towards the dining area. "Do you want to have breakfast while Sirius takes time with his shower? I swear he takes more time than a girl!" said Harry.

Dumbledore chuckled as Harry led him and called for Twitchet, who had snapped her fingers and immediately laid the table with nothing short of a feast.

Dumbledore sat and gestured for Harry to join him while he surveyed the food choices before him with interest. There was the usual toast, fruits, cereal, sausages and eggs, but also croissants, a pot of lavender honey and a tub of creamy blue cheese, probably something they picked up on their holiday.