Authors note: This is my first fanfic ever written! I'm so happy! This is a
story about myself and Harry Potter (wow, isn't that nice?) Well, anyway, I
hope you enjoy the fanfic!
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Chapter one: The Invitation
It was a hot July day and Harry Potter sat at his desk, looking outside. Nothing had really changed for him that summer; except that he was able to have his school things with him and that he had new neighbors. His new neighbors, he knew were from America, and had lived there for two weeks but what had surprised him that Aunt Petunia had not invited them over so she could meet them He was not honking about the weather, but instead, what was going to happen to him. At the end of previous school year, Lord Voldemort, had returned to power, and he had returned with a vengeance. Harry knew that his life and the life of his friends were in mortal danger. He longing for September the first the day he would return to Hogwarts. He was distracted by a girl coming out of the house and was coming up to his house. Harry sprinted down stairs and answered the door as soon as he heard the doorbell. A girl around his age stood there with a blue skirt with seashells and a peasant top and a braid that ran down her back.
" Oh! Hi! I am Joan, Joan Redwood. I am your new neighbor I guess," she said, smiling. " Hi! I'm Harry Potter. Welcome I guess," replied Harry " Since we are new to the neighborhood, my mom is inviting you and your family to dinner this evening" said Joan. Before Harry, could say anything though, a voice came in form the lounge. " Who is it at the door, boy?" yelled Uncle Vernon, for the lounge. " The new neighbor" replied Joan in the direction of the voice. Suddenly, Petunia appeared out of nowhere. " Hello, I am Petunia Dursley. And you, my dear are?" she said in a false voice. " Hi, Mrs. Dursley. I am Joan Redwood. As I was telling your son here-". At this, Petunia interrupted.
" He is not my son. He is my orphaned nephew who we have to care for," said Petunia, with disgust dripping from her voice. Joan picked up on the feeling but said nothing. " I am sorry, I did not know. Anyway, my mother is inviting you, your husband, your son, and Harry, to dinner at my house this evening" said Joan sweetly. " We would love to come, my dear. Around what time will this take place?" asked Petunia. " At seven o' clock" said Joan. " Seven it is then" said Petunia. " See you then. Bye Harry" said Joan and she turned and went home. Harry closed the door and turned to go up stairs, but Petunia stopped him.
" You could wipe off that smug look off you face boy. You are not going tonight," said Petunia fiercely. " Yes I am. I was invited" Harry shot back. " So? What do I care! You are still not coming!" yelled Petunia. " It is bad manners, to turned down an invitation that I already agreed to attend," yelled Harry. " Well we will just make up an excuse for you" said Petunia. " Sure go ahead and do that. They will find out that you lied and you will lose their trust and they will never tell you their story or gossip again," said Harry, skillfully using his aunt's weakness.
" Fine. You can come. But don't y7ou even think of talking about your abnormality your school or your world" said Petunia. She turned immediately and went into the lounge to tell Vernon and Dudley about those evening's events. Harry quickly sprinted up stairs and locked himself in his room. He started talking to Hedwig, hoping to get some sense of what he did.
" Why did I do that?! I could have sent the whole night working and catching up on homework," he said to Hedwig. " I could've gotten grounded and they could have separated me from all my school things" continued Harry. Hedwig looked a bit sympathetic. " Hey I'll just enjoy myself. This is the first time I have gone out since becoming a wizard. It might be fun and Joan seems like a nice girl," Harry finally concluded. He began doing what homework he could and finally began to get ready at six-thirty.
At seven o'clock, the Dursleys and Harry walked out the front door. The Dursleys had dressed and looked as prim and proper as ever. Harry looked very casual in corduroy pants and a red shirt. When they knocked on the door, Mrs. Redwood greeted them and led them inside to the lounge.
" Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, how nice it is to have you over. I would have asked you sooner but we have been very busy unpacking" said Mrs. Redwood. " Yes, I understood that. I said to myself, ' I will them two weeks then I will invite them over'" said Petunia in a false voice. Harry had stayed outside in the hallway, looking at the pictures on the wall when all of a sudden, Joan bumped right into him.
" Harry! You came!" said Joan in happy voice. " Of course I came. I was invited," said Harry, smiling. " That's not what I meant. I meant that your aunt seemed like she didn't want you talking to anybody," said Joan. " It's a long story, I tell you later. Let's go inside shall we?" he said changing the subject. Joan led him into the lounge. She sat down next to her mother and he sat across from her.
" So you, must be Harry?" said Mrs. Redwood after Harry sat down. " Yes, ma'am" said Harry politely. " When, Harry, where do you go to school?" asked Mrs. Redwood. Before anyone could answer, Harry replied. " Hogwarts" he said. Petunia and Vernon were stupefied. Everyone but Mrs. Redwood noticed.
" What do they teach there?" she prompted. " They teach medicine and animal care," said Harry much to the relief of Petunia. Petunia changed the subject quickly. " And where is Mr. Redwood this evening?" she asked. " My father is in London. He is the United States ambassador to Great Britain. You see he wanted us to be away from all the talk of war and everything, so we found a house here in Surrey" said Joan. Mrs. Redwood and Petunia began talking about cooking and clothes. Joan quickly stood up and started to walk out the door.
" Joan, where are you going?" asked Mrs. Redwood. " I am going to check on dinner and set the table," said Joan. " Can I help?" asked Harry quickly. " Sure, if you want" said Joan. Petunia poked Dudley in the ribs.
" Dudley would like to help also" she said, determined not to let her son be up staged by her good for nothing, freak nephew. Harry and Dudley both looked at her as if she was crazy. " It's alright, Mrs. Dursley. I'm fine with Harry's help," said Joan quickly grabbing Harry by the hand and leading him out of the room. After they had closed the door, she turned around to look at Harry. " Do you really want to help me or did you just want to get out of there?" she asked.
" What would you say if, I told you that I wanted to help?" said Harry. " I normally don't meet guys who are so anxious to help a girl they just met. Unless of course she was really pretty and the guy was trying to get with her. Somehow, I don't think that it is that scenario with you," said Joan, as she pushed her bangs out of her eyes. It was the first time that Harry noticed that they were warm, dark eyes.
" I really want to help. I am sorry if you got a bad impression from me" said Harry apologetically. " It's okay. Anyway the kitchen, is this way," she said, grinning and leading him into the kitchen. Harry looked around quietly, not knowing what to do. " Here, put these on," said Joan, tossing Harry a pair of oven mitts. Harry awkwardly put them on.
" I am going to open the oven and your are going to pull the pan that is in there. Be careful don't get burned" said Joan. Harry careful pulled out the pan. Inside was a dozen or so baked potatoes. Joan helped Harry put the pan on the counter. She climbed up on a little ladder, opened the cupboards and pulled out a porcelain plate. Then she slowly put the potatoes on the plate. " Here grab those bowls and follow me," she said as she grabbed the potatoes plate and led Harry to the dining room. There, Joan gracefully placed all the plates and soon, the whole table was done.
" It is missing something," said Joan. She thought for a while. To Harry, the table looked and smelled wonderful. Suddenly, Joan ran right into the kitchen and out the back door. Harry ran after her. He found her picking some red roses, who had just started blooming. He looked at her thoughtfully. She seemed so delicate and pretty in the light of the full moon. Suddenly she stood up and he noticed what she was wearing, a jean skirt, w designed peasant top, dangling earrings, and her hair was softly braided.
" Ow!" said Joan. " What?" he asked. " I cut myself on the thorn" she said. He saw her wince. He went over to look at the cut. It was only a scratch but it bleed as if it was a deep cut. A trickle of blood went down to her wrist.
" Come on. Let's go and clean that up," said Harry, as Joan walked inside and her picked up the roses she had dropped when she had gotten scratched. They walked in and Harry got a towel and cleaned up the cut for her. Joan showed him where the first aid kit was so she was able to wear a band-aid. Suddenly, Joan looked up at the clock.
" The food!" she said and she ran to the dinning room. She put the roses in a vase straightened up everything. And went into the lounge where the Dorsey's and Mrs. Redwood were still waiting. " Dinner is served" she announced and started back into the dinning room. Harry was still in the dinning room. When she sat down, he sat down next to her. They had a nice dinner. When they had finished, Mrs. Redwood announced that cake and coffee was to be in the lounge. Joan stayed behind to clear the table while Mrs. Redwood got the coffee tray and the cake slices. Harry decided to help Joan.
" Come to help me again, have ya, Potter " said Joan as she saw Harry as he came into the kitchen. " Very cute. So you prefer cleaning to be entertained by my aunt and her family?" asked Harry slyly. " So, you prefer helping me than staying with them don't you? Why is that they are your family. Why do you hate each other so much if you are the only family you have?" asked Joan, smiling as she put dishes in the dishwasher.
" My, aunt hates me because she hated my mom and her life style. She hates me because I am just like my mum and dad?" said Harry, wishing that she wouldn't continue asking him questions about his abnormality. " So your aunt hates you because you are just like your mom? Weird. I wonder, thought, how did you end up at your aunt's place anyway?" asked Joan. " Well, as you heard I am an orphan. When I was a year old, my parents were murdered, on Halloween-" saying those words made Harry stop and think about what he had learned in the past five years. Joan sensed Harry's sad feelings.
" Oh Harry, I am so sorry. I didn't mean to bring back bad memories. I know the feeling," said Joan, who looked a bit sad. " What do you mean? Your mom is in the next room," said Harry. " Well, my mom and dad were victims of a drive by shooting, in Los Angeles, where I was born. They were visiting my aunts and uncle that live there. I chose not to go," said Joan with her eyes tearing up as she remembered that night.
" So who is that woman and the ambassador?" asked Harry, feeling sorry for this girl. " They are my godparents. I almost didn't live with them but, the courts deseeded otherwise," said Joan simply. " How old were you?' asked Harry. " I was seven. I was staying at a neighbor's house. Then the police came and told me. My godparents were there. They were there the whole time," said Joan. Harry pushed his bangs back to get them out of his eyes, reveling his scar. Joan saw it and asked.
" How did you get that scar?" she asked. Harry was nervous. He couldn't tell a muggle about his world, especially about his scar. " Well, er, when I was at school, my cousin threw a pop-up book at me. I have had it since then" said Harry, feeling bad about saying what he had just said. " Figured Dudley Dursley would do something like that," said Joan. " What do you mean? You just met Dudley tonight" asked Harry. " Well, he seems like the type doesn't he?" asked Joan.
" I guess- yeah he is" said Harry. He smirked. They continued to put the dishes in silence. After a while, Joan went to the radio and put on some music. Harry didn't recognize it but Joan did. She soon started singing. She sings pretty good, thought Harry. Then Mrs. Redwood came in and told us to come and relax in the lounge. They dried their hands, turned off the radio, and went to the lounge. Petunia and Vernon gave Harry dirty looks as he came in. he sat down next to Joan. She served him a piece of chocolate cake and a glass of milk. He ate cake but did not listen to the conversation. Vernon was talking to Mrs. Redwood about drills. Petunia ended up talking about the life of everyone on the block. Finally at nine- thirty the Durselys decided to leave. They had to go to London the next day for school things for Dudley. Joan escorted them to the door. As Harry went out the door, Joan pulled him back.
" Can you sneak out of your room and come to my back yard?" asked Joan. " Why?" asked Harry? " So we can talk. So can you?" said Joan with a girlish look in her eyes. " Yeah just give me fifteen minutes," said Harry " Bring a jacket if you want" said Joan as he left.
As soon as Harry got back to his room, he locked his door and opened Hedwig's cage. He told her to fly to the next yard in fifteen minutes. She flew out the window. Harry pulled one if his sweaters that Mrs. Weasley had given him two years before, which had a lion on it. He pulled the window open and slowly climbed out. He fell gently on to the grass. He climbed the fence and slowly eased himself over the fence. At the top, he jumped off and landed in a cat form.
" About time" a voice said behind him. He stood and saw Joan in grey pants, a white shirt and a black sweater. " I had to change and you didn't have to sneak out of your room and climb a fence," said Harry, smiling. " Cool sweater. Where did you buy it?" asked Joan looking at the sweater. " I didn't buy it. My best friend, Ron, his mum made it for me" said Harry. " Coolness" said Joan smiling. " So where are we going to talk?" asked Harry. " Over here" said Joan pointing to a couple of blankets in a corner. They walked over and sat down on the blankets.
" I have surprise for you" said Harry. " What is it?" asked Joan. " Hedwig" he called out. Hedwig came flying to Harry's outstretched hand. Joan was taken aback. " Whoa" was all that Joan could say. She slowly got closer to pet Hedwig and Harry held out his arm. She gently stretched her hand and gently stroked Hedwig. " What's its name?" asked Joan. " Her name is Hedwig," said Harry. " How long have you had her?" asked Joan.
" Five years tomorrow. She was a birthday present. My first real present ever" said Harry, remembering the day that he had received Hedwig. It had been the day of his first trip to Diagon Alley. " Now there is good present to get. Wait a minute! What do you mean it is the 'first real present ever'! Didn't your aunt and uncle ever celebrate your birthday?" asked Joan.
" Of course not. Remember they hated me" said Harry, darkly. He let Hedwig fly off, knowing he would see her soon. " Forgot that. God, you must really hate it. So, I guess you can't wait till you get back to school, huh?" said Joan. " Yeah. It is the first place I ever had friends. I guess you won't know what that is like," said Harry. " As a matter of fact I do. You see when my parents died, everybody went out of their way to treat me nice, make sure I was happy. But I wasn't. I didn't have a real friend. Everybody who hung around me, were told to by the teacher to make sure I was okay. It sucked," said Joan.
" So are you happy here?" asked Harry. " Yeah, actually. Nobody's treating me as if I could break at any moment. Everybody I have met treat me as a person not a porcelain doll. So, enough about me. Tell me about you and your life at school. You kinda give off that feeling of an adventurer for some reason. But let's sit first" said Joan. Harry and Joan sat down on the warm blankets on the grass. Harry told her about Hogwarts but left out all the magical part. He wanted to tell her but he didn't want her to be afraid of him.
They talked for a while. Trading thoughts, ideas, and information. A little before midnight lay down on the grass, on her blanket. At midnight, a few owls, including Hedwig, came towards them. Joan was startled and grabbed Harry's hand to tell him what was coming. " Cool, my letter is here," said Harry as he opened the letter dropped by a barn owl. He put the letters aside and got Ron's letter from Pig. " Are these your owls?" asked Joan, seeing how friendly Harry was with each one.
" No, I only have Hedwig. The barn owl belongs to my school and my friend Hagrid uses it to send my school letters and a birthday card and package. That little owl, he's a minute owl and he belongs to my friend Ron. Oww, Pig!" said Harry, the accidentally hit Pig. " Pig? What kinda name is that?" asked Joan, stroking Hedwig who had landed next to her.
" Well his name is Pigwidgeon, but we all call him 'Pig'. Come here Hedwig," said Harry, smiling. He got the letter off of Hedwig and let her fly off again. " So, do and people in Great Britain have owls?" asked Joan. " No, I'll explain later," said Harry, dodging the subject. He opened Ron's letter. Harry- how's the summer going? It hasn't been good for us. Everyone is scared. They all think that You-Know-Who might kill them. Anyway, Professor Dumbledore wrote to my mum to come and pick you up a day before school starts to take you to London, if you can't get a ride from the muggles. I reckon that you do, though. Mum is scared to even go outside for the laundry. Happy Birthday. I hope you are safe. Write back and I'll see soon. See you soon- Ron
" When do you go back to school, Harry?" asked Joan. " Hold on let me check," said Harry. Harry ripped open the letter he thought was from Hagrid. But it was from Professor Dumbledore himself. Dear Harry, It is to my understanding that you are under no protection from Lord Voldemort. Therefore I grant you permission to use magic, but only under threatening circumstances. I would ask you to stay at your aunt and uncle's house. On the day before the school year starts, I will go and pick you up myself. I request that you be at the Leaky Cauldron on August 31st at three o'clock in the afternoon. Please write back if there are any complications. Enjoy the rest of your summer. Sincerely, Professor Dumbledore P.S. Happy Birthday from myself and Hagrid.
" I return on the first of September but I guess I have to be in London on the 31st. I guess I'll ask Mrs. Weasley to take me. Anyway" said Harry. " Maybe my mom can take you. I'll ask," said Joan. " I wonder what Hermione sent me," said Harry as he grabbed her letter. Dear Harry- I wasn't able to get you anything for your birthday so I'll give you your present either if I see you at Diagon Alley or on the train. Anyway happy birthday and see you when I can Love, Hermione
" Oh well, I guess I'll see her at school" said Harry, a bit sad. " Hermione is your girlfriend?" asked Joan. " No! She is one of my best friends. What made you ask that?" asked Harry. " Well, you seemed, well, excited when you reached for her letter. I just made an assumption and I was wrong. Happy?" said Joan. " Yeah as a matter of fact I am" said Harry.
" So it's your birthday?" asked Joan. " Yeah. I am fifteen," said Harry. " Well then happy birthday" said Joan and kissed Harry on the check. " Er- thanks. What time is it?" asked Harry. Joan pulled her sleeve back and looked at her watched. " Oh, it twelve-thirty" said Joan. " What!" said Harry. " We have got to go. I didn't realize it was so late," said Joan standing up and picking up her and Harry's blanket. Harry began to pick up his letters and his mess that he had made with his envelopes.
" Okay that's all of it. So I'll see you later" said Harry. As he walked over the fence, Joan walked with him. " Thanks for having me over here. It was fun," said Harry. " Sure. You're welcome here any time," said Joan smiling. Harry and Joan stood there for a while feeling a bit weird. Joan opened her mouth to say something but Harry kissed her on the lips. " What was that for?" asked Joan when Harry pulled back. " For liking me and not knowing who I really am" said Harry, who climbed over the fence. When he jumped down, he turned around and watched Joan as she turned to go back into her house. When she had gone in, Harry started to climb up the wall to his room. As soon as he got in he changed into his pajamas and went straight to sleep.
That night he had a strange dream. He saw a girl crying by her self in a place that he had never seen before and that two pale white people that look familiar to him placed their hands on her shoulder. Then the two people looked up at Harry and smiled. Harry realized that the two people were his parents and that the little girl was Joan. His mother smiled at him and said the words " Help her". Then Harry woke up. It was six thirty in the morning. What could it mean? he thought to himself.
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Did you enjoy they story? I hope you did! ^_^ Oh yea, and Please review!!! I would appreciate it if you submitted one.
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Chapter one: The Invitation
It was a hot July day and Harry Potter sat at his desk, looking outside. Nothing had really changed for him that summer; except that he was able to have his school things with him and that he had new neighbors. His new neighbors, he knew were from America, and had lived there for two weeks but what had surprised him that Aunt Petunia had not invited them over so she could meet them He was not honking about the weather, but instead, what was going to happen to him. At the end of previous school year, Lord Voldemort, had returned to power, and he had returned with a vengeance. Harry knew that his life and the life of his friends were in mortal danger. He longing for September the first the day he would return to Hogwarts. He was distracted by a girl coming out of the house and was coming up to his house. Harry sprinted down stairs and answered the door as soon as he heard the doorbell. A girl around his age stood there with a blue skirt with seashells and a peasant top and a braid that ran down her back.
" Oh! Hi! I am Joan, Joan Redwood. I am your new neighbor I guess," she said, smiling. " Hi! I'm Harry Potter. Welcome I guess," replied Harry " Since we are new to the neighborhood, my mom is inviting you and your family to dinner this evening" said Joan. Before Harry, could say anything though, a voice came in form the lounge. " Who is it at the door, boy?" yelled Uncle Vernon, for the lounge. " The new neighbor" replied Joan in the direction of the voice. Suddenly, Petunia appeared out of nowhere. " Hello, I am Petunia Dursley. And you, my dear are?" she said in a false voice. " Hi, Mrs. Dursley. I am Joan Redwood. As I was telling your son here-". At this, Petunia interrupted.
" He is not my son. He is my orphaned nephew who we have to care for," said Petunia, with disgust dripping from her voice. Joan picked up on the feeling but said nothing. " I am sorry, I did not know. Anyway, my mother is inviting you, your husband, your son, and Harry, to dinner at my house this evening" said Joan sweetly. " We would love to come, my dear. Around what time will this take place?" asked Petunia. " At seven o' clock" said Joan. " Seven it is then" said Petunia. " See you then. Bye Harry" said Joan and she turned and went home. Harry closed the door and turned to go up stairs, but Petunia stopped him.
" You could wipe off that smug look off you face boy. You are not going tonight," said Petunia fiercely. " Yes I am. I was invited" Harry shot back. " So? What do I care! You are still not coming!" yelled Petunia. " It is bad manners, to turned down an invitation that I already agreed to attend," yelled Harry. " Well we will just make up an excuse for you" said Petunia. " Sure go ahead and do that. They will find out that you lied and you will lose their trust and they will never tell you their story or gossip again," said Harry, skillfully using his aunt's weakness.
" Fine. You can come. But don't y7ou even think of talking about your abnormality your school or your world" said Petunia. She turned immediately and went into the lounge to tell Vernon and Dudley about those evening's events. Harry quickly sprinted up stairs and locked himself in his room. He started talking to Hedwig, hoping to get some sense of what he did.
" Why did I do that?! I could have sent the whole night working and catching up on homework," he said to Hedwig. " I could've gotten grounded and they could have separated me from all my school things" continued Harry. Hedwig looked a bit sympathetic. " Hey I'll just enjoy myself. This is the first time I have gone out since becoming a wizard. It might be fun and Joan seems like a nice girl," Harry finally concluded. He began doing what homework he could and finally began to get ready at six-thirty.
At seven o'clock, the Dursleys and Harry walked out the front door. The Dursleys had dressed and looked as prim and proper as ever. Harry looked very casual in corduroy pants and a red shirt. When they knocked on the door, Mrs. Redwood greeted them and led them inside to the lounge.
" Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, how nice it is to have you over. I would have asked you sooner but we have been very busy unpacking" said Mrs. Redwood. " Yes, I understood that. I said to myself, ' I will them two weeks then I will invite them over'" said Petunia in a false voice. Harry had stayed outside in the hallway, looking at the pictures on the wall when all of a sudden, Joan bumped right into him.
" Harry! You came!" said Joan in happy voice. " Of course I came. I was invited," said Harry, smiling. " That's not what I meant. I meant that your aunt seemed like she didn't want you talking to anybody," said Joan. " It's a long story, I tell you later. Let's go inside shall we?" he said changing the subject. Joan led him into the lounge. She sat down next to her mother and he sat across from her.
" So you, must be Harry?" said Mrs. Redwood after Harry sat down. " Yes, ma'am" said Harry politely. " When, Harry, where do you go to school?" asked Mrs. Redwood. Before anyone could answer, Harry replied. " Hogwarts" he said. Petunia and Vernon were stupefied. Everyone but Mrs. Redwood noticed.
" What do they teach there?" she prompted. " They teach medicine and animal care," said Harry much to the relief of Petunia. Petunia changed the subject quickly. " And where is Mr. Redwood this evening?" she asked. " My father is in London. He is the United States ambassador to Great Britain. You see he wanted us to be away from all the talk of war and everything, so we found a house here in Surrey" said Joan. Mrs. Redwood and Petunia began talking about cooking and clothes. Joan quickly stood up and started to walk out the door.
" Joan, where are you going?" asked Mrs. Redwood. " I am going to check on dinner and set the table," said Joan. " Can I help?" asked Harry quickly. " Sure, if you want" said Joan. Petunia poked Dudley in the ribs.
" Dudley would like to help also" she said, determined not to let her son be up staged by her good for nothing, freak nephew. Harry and Dudley both looked at her as if she was crazy. " It's alright, Mrs. Dursley. I'm fine with Harry's help," said Joan quickly grabbing Harry by the hand and leading him out of the room. After they had closed the door, she turned around to look at Harry. " Do you really want to help me or did you just want to get out of there?" she asked.
" What would you say if, I told you that I wanted to help?" said Harry. " I normally don't meet guys who are so anxious to help a girl they just met. Unless of course she was really pretty and the guy was trying to get with her. Somehow, I don't think that it is that scenario with you," said Joan, as she pushed her bangs out of her eyes. It was the first time that Harry noticed that they were warm, dark eyes.
" I really want to help. I am sorry if you got a bad impression from me" said Harry apologetically. " It's okay. Anyway the kitchen, is this way," she said, grinning and leading him into the kitchen. Harry looked around quietly, not knowing what to do. " Here, put these on," said Joan, tossing Harry a pair of oven mitts. Harry awkwardly put them on.
" I am going to open the oven and your are going to pull the pan that is in there. Be careful don't get burned" said Joan. Harry careful pulled out the pan. Inside was a dozen or so baked potatoes. Joan helped Harry put the pan on the counter. She climbed up on a little ladder, opened the cupboards and pulled out a porcelain plate. Then she slowly put the potatoes on the plate. " Here grab those bowls and follow me," she said as she grabbed the potatoes plate and led Harry to the dining room. There, Joan gracefully placed all the plates and soon, the whole table was done.
" It is missing something," said Joan. She thought for a while. To Harry, the table looked and smelled wonderful. Suddenly, Joan ran right into the kitchen and out the back door. Harry ran after her. He found her picking some red roses, who had just started blooming. He looked at her thoughtfully. She seemed so delicate and pretty in the light of the full moon. Suddenly she stood up and he noticed what she was wearing, a jean skirt, w designed peasant top, dangling earrings, and her hair was softly braided.
" Ow!" said Joan. " What?" he asked. " I cut myself on the thorn" she said. He saw her wince. He went over to look at the cut. It was only a scratch but it bleed as if it was a deep cut. A trickle of blood went down to her wrist.
" Come on. Let's go and clean that up," said Harry, as Joan walked inside and her picked up the roses she had dropped when she had gotten scratched. They walked in and Harry got a towel and cleaned up the cut for her. Joan showed him where the first aid kit was so she was able to wear a band-aid. Suddenly, Joan looked up at the clock.
" The food!" she said and she ran to the dinning room. She put the roses in a vase straightened up everything. And went into the lounge where the Dorsey's and Mrs. Redwood were still waiting. " Dinner is served" she announced and started back into the dinning room. Harry was still in the dinning room. When she sat down, he sat down next to her. They had a nice dinner. When they had finished, Mrs. Redwood announced that cake and coffee was to be in the lounge. Joan stayed behind to clear the table while Mrs. Redwood got the coffee tray and the cake slices. Harry decided to help Joan.
" Come to help me again, have ya, Potter " said Joan as she saw Harry as he came into the kitchen. " Very cute. So you prefer cleaning to be entertained by my aunt and her family?" asked Harry slyly. " So, you prefer helping me than staying with them don't you? Why is that they are your family. Why do you hate each other so much if you are the only family you have?" asked Joan, smiling as she put dishes in the dishwasher.
" My, aunt hates me because she hated my mom and her life style. She hates me because I am just like my mum and dad?" said Harry, wishing that she wouldn't continue asking him questions about his abnormality. " So your aunt hates you because you are just like your mom? Weird. I wonder, thought, how did you end up at your aunt's place anyway?" asked Joan. " Well, as you heard I am an orphan. When I was a year old, my parents were murdered, on Halloween-" saying those words made Harry stop and think about what he had learned in the past five years. Joan sensed Harry's sad feelings.
" Oh Harry, I am so sorry. I didn't mean to bring back bad memories. I know the feeling," said Joan, who looked a bit sad. " What do you mean? Your mom is in the next room," said Harry. " Well, my mom and dad were victims of a drive by shooting, in Los Angeles, where I was born. They were visiting my aunts and uncle that live there. I chose not to go," said Joan with her eyes tearing up as she remembered that night.
" So who is that woman and the ambassador?" asked Harry, feeling sorry for this girl. " They are my godparents. I almost didn't live with them but, the courts deseeded otherwise," said Joan simply. " How old were you?' asked Harry. " I was seven. I was staying at a neighbor's house. Then the police came and told me. My godparents were there. They were there the whole time," said Joan. Harry pushed his bangs back to get them out of his eyes, reveling his scar. Joan saw it and asked.
" How did you get that scar?" she asked. Harry was nervous. He couldn't tell a muggle about his world, especially about his scar. " Well, er, when I was at school, my cousin threw a pop-up book at me. I have had it since then" said Harry, feeling bad about saying what he had just said. " Figured Dudley Dursley would do something like that," said Joan. " What do you mean? You just met Dudley tonight" asked Harry. " Well, he seems like the type doesn't he?" asked Joan.
" I guess- yeah he is" said Harry. He smirked. They continued to put the dishes in silence. After a while, Joan went to the radio and put on some music. Harry didn't recognize it but Joan did. She soon started singing. She sings pretty good, thought Harry. Then Mrs. Redwood came in and told us to come and relax in the lounge. They dried their hands, turned off the radio, and went to the lounge. Petunia and Vernon gave Harry dirty looks as he came in. he sat down next to Joan. She served him a piece of chocolate cake and a glass of milk. He ate cake but did not listen to the conversation. Vernon was talking to Mrs. Redwood about drills. Petunia ended up talking about the life of everyone on the block. Finally at nine- thirty the Durselys decided to leave. They had to go to London the next day for school things for Dudley. Joan escorted them to the door. As Harry went out the door, Joan pulled him back.
" Can you sneak out of your room and come to my back yard?" asked Joan. " Why?" asked Harry? " So we can talk. So can you?" said Joan with a girlish look in her eyes. " Yeah just give me fifteen minutes," said Harry " Bring a jacket if you want" said Joan as he left.
As soon as Harry got back to his room, he locked his door and opened Hedwig's cage. He told her to fly to the next yard in fifteen minutes. She flew out the window. Harry pulled one if his sweaters that Mrs. Weasley had given him two years before, which had a lion on it. He pulled the window open and slowly climbed out. He fell gently on to the grass. He climbed the fence and slowly eased himself over the fence. At the top, he jumped off and landed in a cat form.
" About time" a voice said behind him. He stood and saw Joan in grey pants, a white shirt and a black sweater. " I had to change and you didn't have to sneak out of your room and climb a fence," said Harry, smiling. " Cool sweater. Where did you buy it?" asked Joan looking at the sweater. " I didn't buy it. My best friend, Ron, his mum made it for me" said Harry. " Coolness" said Joan smiling. " So where are we going to talk?" asked Harry. " Over here" said Joan pointing to a couple of blankets in a corner. They walked over and sat down on the blankets.
" I have surprise for you" said Harry. " What is it?" asked Joan. " Hedwig" he called out. Hedwig came flying to Harry's outstretched hand. Joan was taken aback. " Whoa" was all that Joan could say. She slowly got closer to pet Hedwig and Harry held out his arm. She gently stretched her hand and gently stroked Hedwig. " What's its name?" asked Joan. " Her name is Hedwig," said Harry. " How long have you had her?" asked Joan.
" Five years tomorrow. She was a birthday present. My first real present ever" said Harry, remembering the day that he had received Hedwig. It had been the day of his first trip to Diagon Alley. " Now there is good present to get. Wait a minute! What do you mean it is the 'first real present ever'! Didn't your aunt and uncle ever celebrate your birthday?" asked Joan.
" Of course not. Remember they hated me" said Harry, darkly. He let Hedwig fly off, knowing he would see her soon. " Forgot that. God, you must really hate it. So, I guess you can't wait till you get back to school, huh?" said Joan. " Yeah. It is the first place I ever had friends. I guess you won't know what that is like," said Harry. " As a matter of fact I do. You see when my parents died, everybody went out of their way to treat me nice, make sure I was happy. But I wasn't. I didn't have a real friend. Everybody who hung around me, were told to by the teacher to make sure I was okay. It sucked," said Joan.
" So are you happy here?" asked Harry. " Yeah, actually. Nobody's treating me as if I could break at any moment. Everybody I have met treat me as a person not a porcelain doll. So, enough about me. Tell me about you and your life at school. You kinda give off that feeling of an adventurer for some reason. But let's sit first" said Joan. Harry and Joan sat down on the warm blankets on the grass. Harry told her about Hogwarts but left out all the magical part. He wanted to tell her but he didn't want her to be afraid of him.
They talked for a while. Trading thoughts, ideas, and information. A little before midnight lay down on the grass, on her blanket. At midnight, a few owls, including Hedwig, came towards them. Joan was startled and grabbed Harry's hand to tell him what was coming. " Cool, my letter is here," said Harry as he opened the letter dropped by a barn owl. He put the letters aside and got Ron's letter from Pig. " Are these your owls?" asked Joan, seeing how friendly Harry was with each one.
" No, I only have Hedwig. The barn owl belongs to my school and my friend Hagrid uses it to send my school letters and a birthday card and package. That little owl, he's a minute owl and he belongs to my friend Ron. Oww, Pig!" said Harry, the accidentally hit Pig. " Pig? What kinda name is that?" asked Joan, stroking Hedwig who had landed next to her.
" Well his name is Pigwidgeon, but we all call him 'Pig'. Come here Hedwig," said Harry, smiling. He got the letter off of Hedwig and let her fly off again. " So, do and people in Great Britain have owls?" asked Joan. " No, I'll explain later," said Harry, dodging the subject. He opened Ron's letter. Harry- how's the summer going? It hasn't been good for us. Everyone is scared. They all think that You-Know-Who might kill them. Anyway, Professor Dumbledore wrote to my mum to come and pick you up a day before school starts to take you to London, if you can't get a ride from the muggles. I reckon that you do, though. Mum is scared to even go outside for the laundry. Happy Birthday. I hope you are safe. Write back and I'll see soon. See you soon- Ron
" When do you go back to school, Harry?" asked Joan. " Hold on let me check," said Harry. Harry ripped open the letter he thought was from Hagrid. But it was from Professor Dumbledore himself. Dear Harry, It is to my understanding that you are under no protection from Lord Voldemort. Therefore I grant you permission to use magic, but only under threatening circumstances. I would ask you to stay at your aunt and uncle's house. On the day before the school year starts, I will go and pick you up myself. I request that you be at the Leaky Cauldron on August 31st at three o'clock in the afternoon. Please write back if there are any complications. Enjoy the rest of your summer. Sincerely, Professor Dumbledore P.S. Happy Birthday from myself and Hagrid.
" I return on the first of September but I guess I have to be in London on the 31st. I guess I'll ask Mrs. Weasley to take me. Anyway" said Harry. " Maybe my mom can take you. I'll ask," said Joan. " I wonder what Hermione sent me," said Harry as he grabbed her letter. Dear Harry- I wasn't able to get you anything for your birthday so I'll give you your present either if I see you at Diagon Alley or on the train. Anyway happy birthday and see you when I can Love, Hermione
" Oh well, I guess I'll see her at school" said Harry, a bit sad. " Hermione is your girlfriend?" asked Joan. " No! She is one of my best friends. What made you ask that?" asked Harry. " Well, you seemed, well, excited when you reached for her letter. I just made an assumption and I was wrong. Happy?" said Joan. " Yeah as a matter of fact I am" said Harry.
" So it's your birthday?" asked Joan. " Yeah. I am fifteen," said Harry. " Well then happy birthday" said Joan and kissed Harry on the check. " Er- thanks. What time is it?" asked Harry. Joan pulled her sleeve back and looked at her watched. " Oh, it twelve-thirty" said Joan. " What!" said Harry. " We have got to go. I didn't realize it was so late," said Joan standing up and picking up her and Harry's blanket. Harry began to pick up his letters and his mess that he had made with his envelopes.
" Okay that's all of it. So I'll see you later" said Harry. As he walked over the fence, Joan walked with him. " Thanks for having me over here. It was fun," said Harry. " Sure. You're welcome here any time," said Joan smiling. Harry and Joan stood there for a while feeling a bit weird. Joan opened her mouth to say something but Harry kissed her on the lips. " What was that for?" asked Joan when Harry pulled back. " For liking me and not knowing who I really am" said Harry, who climbed over the fence. When he jumped down, he turned around and watched Joan as she turned to go back into her house. When she had gone in, Harry started to climb up the wall to his room. As soon as he got in he changed into his pajamas and went straight to sleep.
That night he had a strange dream. He saw a girl crying by her self in a place that he had never seen before and that two pale white people that look familiar to him placed their hands on her shoulder. Then the two people looked up at Harry and smiled. Harry realized that the two people were his parents and that the little girl was Joan. His mother smiled at him and said the words " Help her". Then Harry woke up. It was six thirty in the morning. What could it mean? he thought to himself.
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