I sit and wait, leaning my stinging forehead against the cool glass of the window, my heart thrumming in my chest.

Privet Drive is deserted at this time of night: silent cars parked in driveways and windows dark except for the occasional security light warning potential burglars away.

I can hardly believe this will soon no longer be my home.

A gentle knock at my bedroom door rouses me. I look up to see Dudley's large frame timidly entering my room.

"Harri?" He murmurs, his normal deep voice sounding unnaturally light. "It's time."

Without hesitation, I jump up from my bed and practically fly across the room to him, my body colliding against his.

"I'm sorry," I whisper as he envelopes me in a hug. "I'll miss you."

This is our goodbye. For he, my aunt and uncle are going into hiding. I have no idea if I'll ever see him again, and the thought is so frightening, I feel I cannot breathe.

"I'll miss you too, cuz," he says, holding me a fraction tighter. "But we'll see each other again. I know we will. Families stick together."

His words are so sweet I want to cry. But I also want to laugh because I know my aunt and uncle would rather pluck out their own eyeballs than call me family.

"Thank you," I say, trying not to cry, "for everything."

"COME ON BOY! WE HAVEN'T GOT ALL DAY!"

I wince at Uncle Vernon's loud booming voice from downstairs. I shall not ever miss it.

With one last apologetic look, Dudley lets go of me and leaves.

My heart heavy with sadness, I go back to my bed and stare out of the window as I watch my only family drive away.

"Bye, Dudley," I whisper.

Hedwig gives a hoot, and I glance up at her cage. She flaps her wings and gives me a look which could kill.

I know she is cross with me because I haven't let her out since our return to Privet Drive. I cannot risk it, for I know she won't be safe. I'm currently the most wanted witch, and until I reach the safety of the Weasleys, Hedwig will not be safe either.

I feel sick at the thought of going back to the Burrow. But it's been explained to me that I'm no longer safe at Privet Drive. Apparently my Mother had managed to cast some protective spell over this place which kept me safe from harm. But now with the Durselys on the run, I am unable to call this place my home.

And now I am waiting for my Guard to arrive so that they can escort me safely out of here.

I wonder who they will send. Hopefully Kingsley. I feel safe with him.

What I don't expect is a loud bang outside and a smattering of chatter as though a party has just arrived.

Startled, Hedwig and I look at one another. She hoots loudly and frantically begins to flap her wings again, her cage rattling crazily.

"Shhh," I try and reassure her, "it's just the Guard - they're taking us to our new safe spot."

I feed her some food through the bars, hoping to calm her.

"HARRI?!"

I instantly recognise Tonks' voice and I beam. I like Tonks, she always makes me laugh.

Grabbing Hedwig's cage, I hurry downstairs to greet the welcoming committee, my trunk banging heavily at my heels down the stairs behind me.

I stop short when I enter the kitchen, my heart stilling in my chest.

For there, lounging around the table, is Ron, Hermione, Mr Weasley, Tonks, Lupin, Fleur, Bill, Mundungus, the real Moody, Kingsley, Hagrid, George and... Fred.

It has been over a year since I've seen him.

My cheeks flame at once, and I try not to make direct eye contact with him. "H-hi, everyone," I stammer. "I didn't expect such a crowd."

"When I asked for support to get you to safety," Kingsley says, his eyes gleaming kindly into mine, "I couldn't stop all these lot volunteering their services."

"We want to help you," Hermione says.

"Yeah," Ron immediately agrees, nodding enthusiastically as he beams at her.

"Of course Nymphadora and I would be here tonight," Lupin smiles, as he wraps an arm around Tonk's waist.

"Yeah, you try and keep us away," Tonks agrees.

"I rescued yer the firs' time and I'll rescue yer today." Hagrid says, beaming tearily at me.

"I'm here because Ginny can't be," Bill says, "and Fleur won't leave my side."

Fleur snorts and moves an inch closer to Bill.

"And I'm here under duress," Mundungus complains.

"It's me job." Moody says gruffly.

"Molly made me," Arthur adds.

"Fred and I can't resist a bit of adventure, can we?" George says, smacking his twin on the shoulder. "Especially when it comes to our favourite Slytherin."

My eyes can't help but lock with the only silent person in the room. I feel my stomach knot as his gaze lingers on mine, his expression almost sad.

"Yeah," Fred murmurs, his throat bobbing as he swallows, the intensity of his brown eyes making me look away.

Kingsley stands up and starts to issue orders. But I barely listen due to the presence of the boy who broke my heart.

It's odd because I suddenly don't remember how to breathe properly. Whilst Kingsley goes on and on about safety procedures, all I can do is instruct myself to breathe in, and then out.

In... out... in... out...

"So are you clear on what we are asking you here, Harriet?"

I nod.

In... out... in... out...

"And you give your consent?"

"Sure, yeah, whatever."

I nearly fly a punch at Mad-Eye when he walks up to me and snips a cutting of my hair.

"Hey-!"

"It's not gonna work without a piece of you," he growls, stuffing the strands inside a hip flask.

Whatever it is, it boils and smokes, and it suddenly hits me as to what I've consented to.

"No! You can't do this! You'll all turn into me!"

"That's the general idea," Mad-Eye says gruffly. "There'll be too many of you, and they won't know who to attack. Now line up Potters."

I feel sick. I don't want this.

"They're all old enough to decide this," Kingsley explains kindly upon seeing my horrified expression. "They'll be safe, each with a protector."

That's not actually why I am feeling horrified. "But they're all going to have my boobs!"

"Nothing new to Fred though," Ron snickers.

Fred glowers at him. I suddenly feel so angry with him. Why is he here? Isn't it enough that he broke my heart - now he has to humiliate me by literally turning into me?

"At least, Ronnikins, you will finally get near to a pair," George retorts back. "Have a good feel while you can, little brother."

Oh good God this is so humiliating.

"There will be no groping or experimenting!" Mad-Eye demands. "You drink it, change into the clothing from the bags I have just given to you, and then we move. Understand?!"

"I don't see why Kingsley couldn't have just Apparated me," I grumble sulkily. "Dumbledore did last year."

"Because you still have the trace on you!" Mad-Eye growls. "This is the only way!"

"But my birthday is literally in a few hours time!" I point out. "The minute I turn eighteen I'll lose the trace!"

"Doesn't matter, it has to be now or never. It's been planned for weeks."

A hand lays gently on my shoulder. "Let him do this, Harri," Arthur murmurs quietly behind me. "He's near retirement age and just wants one last hoorah in his career."

I look over at the line up waiting to turn into me: Fleur, Ron, Hermione, Fred and George. On the end is Mundungus looking as sulky about this mission as I feel.

Mad-Eye walks down the line, making sure everyone has a swig of Polyjuice Potion. As Fred takes his, his gaze meets mine, and I feel my heart painfully skip a beat.

It is the freakiest thing in the world seeing them all turn into me. And when they start undressing, I feel utterly horrified. At least Hermione and Fleur will be wearing bras - but the boys?!

"Ugh, don't look at me Bill!" Fleur cries. "I am hideous!"

That bitch. I want to pull her hair if only it wasn't mine.

"Please, stop!" I yell as Ron is about to lift his t-shirt up and reveal my very naked chest to the room. "Please, keep your t-shirts on! Surely the robes Mad-Eye has provided can go over them?!"

"She's got a point," says one of me. And my heart races because that voice is definitely Fred's. "And she's a right to some dignity."

I throw him/me an appreciative look. It's so bizarre looking into my eyes, like some sort of freaky mirror. I wonder briefly what it would be like to kiss Fred as me? And then my face heats because I haven't allowed myself to think about kissing Fred for a long time and I am shocked at how much my body reacts to the mere thought.

I don't know how I'm going to survive the summer being around him. And then there's Bill and Fleur's wedding. Will he dance with other girls in front of me? Has he got a date lined up for it? Will he dance with me?

Questions and scenarios flood my mind - so much so that I don't even register everyone is ready to set off until Mad-Eye orders us out to the front garden.

I linger back, wanting to say one last goodbye to the place which was once my prison but also my home.

I go out to the landing and touch a hand to the door of the cupboard under the stairs.

"Goodbye," I whisper. My chest hurts and I feel a tear fall down my cheek. I can't believe I am feeling this way. It's so fucked up.

I turn my back on my old prison, and startle as I see a figure in the threshold of the open front door, watching me.

It's me.

"Of course you'll feel sad about saying goodbye." Fred's voice speaks from my lips. "It was your home, after all."

I look away, feeling too disturbed by what is going on.

"Let's just go, hey?" I say, keeping my eyes firmly on the ground as I pick up Hedwig's cage.

Fred doesn't move, and I find I have to move right past him. Instead I'm walking right past me - and yet he sounds and smells like Fred.

A hand touches my back and I freeze. Don't look up, don't look up.

"Good luck out there, Harri."

I swallow, silently wishing for him to remove his - my - hand from my back. "Yes, and you." I say quickly.

"HARRI!" Hagrid calls, saving me from this excruciating uncomfortable moment, "over 'ere! I've made the sidecar nice and comfy for yer."

I look at the massive motorbike on the front lawn in horror. "We're not going on a broomstick?" I ask.

Hagrid laughs, deep and booming. "Those twigs won't hold me up! Now come on."

I hear Fred chuckle softly behind me as I shakily make my way towards my godfather's motorcycle.

Moments later, I'm tucked inside the sidecar with Hedwig nestled safely at my feet.

"Are you ready, Harri?" Hagrid asks, revving up the loud engine.

No, but here goes nothing.

******