Disclaimer: I do not, nor will I ever, own Harry Potter. If I did, I wouldn't be writing FanFictions, and I would have a much better, faster computer. Not to mention people who would teach my little brother how to behave.
A/N OK people, this is my first FanFic, please review! I know it'll be horrible, but please bear with me. If it really is horrible, please tell me what I'm doing wrong and I'll fix it. If you have any ideas on how I can improve it, tell me. By the way, I'm American, so it might not be as much British as the originals, but I'll try. I've never been to England or anywhere in Europe yet (can't wait till next summer!), so I have no idea how they act/talk or anything. This chapter is dedicated to my wonderful beta reader, Sally, who very nicely took the time out of her busy schedule, and writing her own stories, to beta-read mine. So let's give a round of applause to her!
Harry Potter groaned and turned over. It was 11:45 at night and the Dursleys were asleep, but not Harry. He had been trying to get to sleep since 9, but every time he closed his eyes, he could see Sirius falling into the arch. He could still see the look in Sirius' eyes. Mingled fear and surprise. It had been a month since his godfather had died, but Harry still hadn't gotten the slightest bit over it yet. That picture had haunted him every night before he went to sleep. And when he did go to sleep, he was tormented by dreams. All of them about the same thing. Sirius. He dreamed about the good times they had, but the memories were ruined by Sirius shouting, "Why didn't you learn Occlumency? You knew you were heading into a trap, you knew Voldemort was trying to get to you, you knew you shouldn't have been getting those visions in the first place, but did you listen to your instincts? No. Did you listen to Ron or Hermione, who've never given you bad advice? No. You didn't. And because of your stupid mistake, I AM DEAD!"
He sighed and sat up. It was no use. Besides, in 15 minutes, he would be 16 years old. Sweet 16, what every teenager looked forward to. And it was forgotten again. Well, maybe his friends would be sending birthday cards by owls. He walked to his window and scanned the scene before him, looking for any sign of an owl. He didn't see anything, and turned back to his bed, but something caught the corner of his eye. He looked to the window again. There they were. Three owls. His own beautiful snowy owl, Hedwig, a large tofty owl, and an owl between the two, supported from either side. It seemed to be limp. He laughed softly and wondered when the Weasleys would get a new owl, as poor Errol was old and rather feeble. The Weasleys were his dearest wizarding friends. They were very nice, but also extremely poor. He quickly snapped out of his musing and opened the window to let them in. The owls soared in just as his watch alarm beeped. Midnight. He took the package and letter off of Errol and carried him to Hedwig's cage, which was on his dresser. Next, he relieved the handsome tawny of its burden, and it flew off into the night without taking a drink or a rest. Finally, he turned to his own bird.
"Hey Hedwig," he said softly, not wanting to wake the Dursleys up. He was fortunate to have his trunk and school supplies in his room this summer, which had something to do with the warning the Order had given the Dursleys at the end of last year, but if he woke them up in the middle of the night just because he was greeting his owl, there's no telling what they could do.
She cooed quietly and nipped his finger. Then she stuck her foot out, and Harry untied the package from her leg. She cooed again and flew across the room to join Errol.
Harry turned to his bed, where three packages lay. He decided to open the one that Hedwig had brought. He figured it was from Hermione, since she didn't have an owl of her own. He opened the card and discovered he was right.
Dear Harry,
Hi! How are you? I'm fine. I'm on vacation in Switzerland It's fun skiing and everything, but I miss you and Ron. We're coming home in a week.
Has Dumbledore contacted you yet? The Weasleys are living... there... (I can't say where, in case this owl is intercepted, but you know what I mean), and Ron says they say you'll be coming to visit soon. I hope that includes me, too. Ron says it's bloody boring. Too bad Fred and George (Gred and Forge?) aren't around anymore, they could spice things up a little.
I don't suppose you've been to Diagon Alley yet, have you? I hear Fred and George's joke shop, Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, has been really successful so far. (A/N I don't know if the twins' shop is in Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade, so since Hogmeade already has Zonko's, I'm putting it in Diagon Alley. If anybody knows where it is, tell me please!) I went once, towards the beginning of summer. They have a whole section dedicated to you, Harry, with a plaque that says "Dedicated to Harry Potter, for his donation and encouragement. We couldn't have done it without you!" They've got everything in that store, and I mean everything. From Skiving Snackboxes to Extendable Ears. And old stuff, like fake wands, too.
Anyway, I've got to leave some stuff for when we see each other! Oh, I almost forgot! The whole point of this letter was to wish you Happy Birthday! And I just got around to it! Help me Harry, I think I'm turning to Ron! Anyway, Happy Birthday, Harry! I'm sure you'll like your present. See you later!
Yours Truly,
Hermione
Harry's heart jumped when he saw that he might be visiting Ron and possibly Hermione. The bad thing was that it would be at Number 12, Grimmauld Place, what used to be Sirius' home. It would feel so strange, going there without Sirius living there. Or living anywhere. He decided to put that thought out of his mind, and get on with opening his birthday presents (or so he hoped). Harry opened the package that had come with Hermione's letter, which he supposed was Hermione's present. He started unwrapping it. Underneath the paper was a piece of tissue paper. He tore that off. Under it was another piece. He tore that piece off, too. There was another piece of tissue paper. And another. And another. This torture continued until he had unwrapped at least 500 pieces of tissue paper from the present. (A/N this part was for you, Sally) *I'm going to kill that girl when I get a chance* Harry thought. But then he looked at what was underneath all that paper. There was a golden box, about the size of a small paperback book, only square. It was about a quarter of the size it had been when he had started unwrapping. He took off the top and gasped. There, lying on a bed of cotton (A/N lol it sounds like a piece of jewelry, doesn't it :-P ), was a Golden Snitch. His eyes landed on a piece of paper on the side of it. It was a short note.
Dear Harry,
This is not a real Golden Snitch, just so you know. They didn't have any at Quality Quiddich Supplies when I went there (I don't know why you like that place, it doesn't even have good service!). So I bought a toy one and had Mr. Weasley enchant it so it would act like a real Golden Snitch. (Fred wanted to do it, but I was afraid he would enchant it to act like a bludger or something, so I said no). I would've done it myself, but as we are still considered 'underage' by the Ministry, I decided not to. I rather enjoy being at Hogwarts!
Anyway, enjoy the Snitch, hope to see you soon, don't let the Muggles get to you, and Happy Birthday!
~Hermione~
Harry was amazed that it wasn't a book. A book was usually what Hermione would give, although she had become a bit less of a bookworm over the past year. He put the snitch to the side (in the box), resolving to play with it in the way he had seen his own father do in Snape's Pensieve. He then reached for Ron's letter and package. He, once again, opened the letter first.
Hey Harry!
Surprise! It's Ron! (Well, that probably wasn't a surprise, as I'm really the only one in the family who uses Errol anymore, the only people the family contacts are members of the Order, and they use Floo Powder, if all else fails. Owls are too easily intercepted. Or so Moody says) Well, how are things going? Any more dementor attacks (just kidding)? I heard Moody, Lupin, Mom, and a couple other people talking, they were talking about getting you here soon. I'm sure I heard right, so you should be getting out of there soon!
Well, we finally got this place suitable for inhabiting, we think most of the creatures are out (and, unfortunately, that does not include Kreature). It doesn't look so creepy either. Right now some people are working on taking Mrs. Black's portrait down, good luck to them. They'll need it.
I heard some pretty intrusting stuff here, though. They're talking about a new weapon now. Don't know what the big deal was, the last one was just a prophesy. This one is called "The Green Flame Torch" or something like that. Dunno what it does though.
Well, the main purpose of this letter is to say Happy Birthday! I bet Hermione remembered to say that sooner than the last paragraph, if she didn't she's turning into me!
See you soon,
Ron Weasley
Harry grinned. Ron could always make him feel better. Well, almost always. The last days of school, nobody could make him feel better. But that was the past, and Harry put that out of his mind as he turned towards the package that Ron sent him. It was wrapped in brown paper, and was a most peculiar shape. Harry picked it up. It was rather heavy for its size. Harry eagerly tore open the package, and saw a book-like thing and a box. He examined the book and two notes fell out of it. The first was from Ron, the second was from Fred and George.
Dear Harry,
This is a Muggle diary that Dad picked up in a muggle store. He bewitched it a little, though. It's voice activated, so only you can get inside of it. Write in it and see what happens! I can guarantee you'll be surprised. Dumbledore told us at the end of last year that you needed to let your feelings out, and thinking about last summer makes me agree. These are supposed to be good for that, that way you can let out your feelings without anyone seeing or knowing. You can even make it as a letter to someone. Anyway, have a great summer (not that that's possible with the Dursleys) and we'll see you soon!
~Ron~
Harry decided he would wait to use the diary until he had either the Weasleys or Hermione to show him how to use it. He opened the other letter and read,
Dear Harry,
It's Fred and George. How are you? We are fine. Business is booming. We're giving Zonko's a run for their money. Or so we hear. And it's all thanks to you, little man. Without your help, we could've never done it. In case you haven't heard, we dedicated a part of the store to you. With a plaque and everything. You'll have to see it when you go to Diagon Alley.
We think you'll enjoy our little present. It's the least we can do for the guy who founded our store! The good ones are for you, the tricks are for Dudley. We need a new tester, anyway.
Have fun and don't blow off the roof (we've done that and people don't seem to like it, can't see why)!
~Fred and George~
Harry was now looking apprehensively at the box. He decided he'd wait to open it until he could be sure that nothing would jump out of the box as soon as he opened it. He also didn't want to eat charmed chocolate that could turn him into a canary.
He decided to open the letter from Hogwarts last. As he picked it up, he noticed that it was a bit heavier and thicker than usual. He remembered that the OWL scores were coming. These must be the scores. He held his breath as he broke the seal and unfolded the paper.
TBC
A/N Sorry about the cliffie, I need to know if people are reading this, because I don't want to waste my time writing something nobody likes. So if you're reading this, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE review!!!! I really need reviews to keep me going. Even if it's a totally bad story that deserves to be burned, tell me that. I just need to know that people are reading this. Flames will be used as constructive criticism and then used to roast marshmallows. After I get 1-3 reviews, I will update! And I need ideas on what Ron's diary could do, please give me ideas in reviews! Thanks!
