HARRY POTTER AND THE ONSET OF DARKNESS

ONE
~magic and mourning~

It was a bright sunny day and most people in the town of Little Winging ,Surrey were enjoying back yard barbecue's or retreating indoors to escape the sweltering heat wave that had all ready caused draught for two weeks. Their was one person on Number four Privet drive, however that was not content and certainly not happy. Harry Potter in fact was not only in a bad mood he had been in a bad mood for the whole beginning of the summer holiday.

Harry Potter was currently laying uncomfortably on his Aunts garden bench, thinking about his previous year at school. Harry's first week of summer had been terrible and downright dreadful. The second week of summer had been, if anything considerably worse. It was true that Harry had stopped dismantling his room and pounding his walls until late at night, but his mind ached from simply thinking. Harry's bad mood was caused by the death of his godfather, Sirius Black. Harry vowed to himself that he would train hard to avenge Sirius's death, and bring death to his arch- enemy Lord Voldemort.

Harry was angry at the world for the first week of the holiday and had taken his anger out on everyone. The second day back from school, Dudley, Harry's large cousin had voiced his normal insults at Harry about being abnormal. Harry was feeling so angry he hadn't even thought, he had simply brought his fist back and socked Dudley in the face with all the strength he could muster. Dudley had been knocked out cold for nearly an hour,and Harry had been locked in his room for two days straight. After Harry was let out of his room he had been given yard work for everyday until he was to return back to Hogwarts. The Dursley's had allowed Harry to eat what ever he wanted everyday and actually stayed out of his way as long as all of his work got done. Harry knew the Dursley's were being nicer because of Remus, Moody, Tonks, and Mr. Weasley's warning to them in the beginning of the break.

Harry lifted himself from the garden bench and went into the air conditioned house to take a shower and eat , having just completed his day's work. Harry proceeded up to the upstairs bathroom and took a cold shower to relieve himself from the grime and potting soil he had gotten on himself while re-doing the stone work of his Aunt's garden. Harry stepped out of the shower and put on a pair of loose shorts and a tee-shirt that his aunt had bought Dudley the week before, the clothing had been to small for Dudley and suprisingly Aunt Petunia had given the clothes to Harry.

After Harry had dressed he walked downstairs into the Dursley's large, and meticulously clean kitchen. He fixed himself a large sandwich consisting of everything he could find in his aunts' meat and produce drawer of the refrigerator. Harry sat down at the Dursley's large kitchen table, shooting a withering glare at his cousin, Dudley, who was currently stuffing his face with popcorn while watching a boxing documentary on the television. Dudley had just won the "fight of east UK" in his division before coming home from school for the holiday. Dudley crouched down in his seat upon seeing Harry. Dudley maybe a big boxer but he knew that Harry could get him with magic if he wanted to.

Only the day before, Harry had got a letter from the headmaster of his school, Albus Dumbledore, asking him how he was and telling him that his O.W.L results and supply list would arrive the next day. Dumbledore also informed Harry that in light of Lord Voldemort's return the Ministry of Magic granted permission to all Hogwarts' pupils who were going into sixth or seventh year the right to use magic. Harry was now carrying his wand around with him where ever he was to scare his cousin, and to be prepared for a death eater attack.

After finishing his sandwich, Harry climbed the stairs up to his small bedroom. When Harry opened the door he was greeted by two hooting owls. "Quiet down," Harry told the owls "or Uncle Vernon will kill me." Harry saw that one of the owls was his own snowy white owl, Hedwig, the other was an owl that belonged to Hogwarts. Harry noticed that each owl was holding two packages. He first untied the packages the school owl was carrying. The first parcel was addressed to Harry from his school, and the Ministry of Magic. It read O.W.L results for Harry James Potter. Harry tore open the envelope quickly. The results read:

Defense Against the Dark Arts__Outstanding, plus additional O.W.L for exceptional display of Patronus.

Potions__Outstanding

Herbology__Outstanding

Transfiguration__Outstanding

Astronomy__Satisfactory

Charms__Outstanding

Care of Magical Creatures__Outstanding

History of Magic__Outstanding

Divination__Poor

All results in main classes above acceptable =2 O.W.L's per class
All results in secondary classes ( Divination, and Care of Magical Creatures) above acceptable = 1 O.W.L per class.

Total number of O.W.L's for mr.Potter = 17 out of 18 , plus additional O.W.L for exceptional display of Patronus in Defense Against the Dark Arts examination, making mr.Potter receive 18/18 O.W.L's.

Harry read the paper twice, hardly trusting his own eyes as he read the results. He had got 18 O.W.L s, most of them being Outstanding. In his fifth year Harry had said he wanted to be an auror after he graduated, and he had needed outstanding O.W.L s in his main subjects. Harry did not know whether or not he wanted to be an auror or play professional quidditch, but he was seriously considering being an auror and with these results he was definitely on his way to becoming an auror, or what ever else he could dream of doing.

Harry read another letter from professor Dumbledore that told him he would be taking special defensive training courses at Hogwarts next term to learn to fight Voldemort. Harry read that he would also take N.E.W.T preparatory classes in all of the classes he had achieved O.W.L'S in.

Sincerely;

Professor Albus Dumbledore Harry read the long list of books he needed this year.
Harry couldn't believe how well he had done on his O.W.L's and the long list of books he needed for the upcoming year. Harry forgot all about his problems and Sirius for one minute while he thought about his upcoming year and going back to Hogwarts. Harry grabbed the other parcel from the school owl and opened it , it read:

Dear Mr.Potter

Because of recent events I have been forced to add one prefect to every year, (years 5-7) to ensure order in case of an attack on the school. I have personally chosen you as the third Gryffindor 6th year prefect. Enclosed in this envelope you will find your prefects badge.

Sincerely ,
Professor Albus Dumbledore
& Deputy headmistress Minerva McGonagall

Harry felt mixed emotions at becoming a prefect. On one hand he was very happy to be a prefect, as he had been disappointed last year when Ron and Hermione had been made prefects and he had not been. On the other hand Harry didn't think something so stupid should be so important to him, especially with Sirius gone.