Quiet

Touch

Lingering across his back nearly broke him from the inside. Molly was hugging him, tears on her face as Harry stood still, frozen. He was dreaming, this was a nightmare, he’d been told he could visit with them, told he could sty this summer. No need to go back to the Dursley’s so why were they taking him. Why was Snape steering him that direction. Pushing gently on his shoulder towards the Floo.

Fear wet his eyes and his skin had gone cold. Goose pimples rising on his arms and he could only lok ahead into the green flames. He was held close to something scratchy, it smelled of something burnt, Harry just kept staring. What was Vernon going to do? He had been told not to come back. He was a nuisance, useless. Gods why were they doing this? Were they that stupid? Did they think that this was a GOOD idea? Meddling old bastard.

A swoosh of hot ash flowed up around them, the heat poured down his throat and made his eyes close as he spun in a nauseating whirlwind of noise and green light. Suddenly it was over and hard ground found his unsteady feet, his knees bent and he fell to the carpet, once white.

‘Oh hell’ he thought.

He looked up and saw the smirk on Vernon’s face behind his horrified housewife and stupid gaping maw on his obese son’s face. Harry stood stiffly, knocked forward by the weight of his Professor’s hand on his back.

“Really Potter you would think you were raised by pigs the way you flop through the network.” Harry closed his eyes under his fringe and with his head still bent towards Vernon apologized to the Potions Master.

“Sorry Sir, I will try harder next time Sir.” Vernon just kept smirking at him.

“Thank you Snape for bringing Harry back to us for the rest of his Holidays. I’m sure you are very busy and we will try not to take up any more time than necessary.” Petunia spit through her stretched smile. She didn’t want that ugly man in her house any longer than necessary. Harry had to get started on that carpet right away she feared or a sooty gray would cling to her mantle for the rest of time. She was sure of it.