Harry Potter and the Discovery of Life: Year 6
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter or anything to do with his world.
Author's Note: Well, I'm interested to see if anyone has an interest in this story. I began writing it about 10 years ago - so YES, I am going through and trying to make the writing better (I'm 22 now, so I was writing this when I was 12). Thought I'd start with re-doing the chapters I have written and posting them to see if I can generate any interest and then go on from there... Anyhow, this takes place in Harry's sixth year. Enjoy.
Chapter 1- Gifts
Harry Potter was lying awake in his bed on a particularly hot July night. To be exact, it was Harry's birthday, July 31st. The young wizard was thinking about a night last his only connection to his parents had vanished behind the veil. Sirius Black, Harry's godfather, was dead. And if Harry had it his way, it would be all his fault, but no one would let him think that. Consumed with his thoughts, Harry Potter finally dozed off into a deep, comfortable sleep.
He slipped into a wonderful dream. He was flying through the air on his beloved Firebolt. He did a series of loop-de-loops, feeling the soft morning air whip past him. But then, his dream dissolved into a something new. He was taken back to before he knew he was a wizard, it was kind of like viewing your memories in a movie theater. It was Dudley's birthday and Harry was currently in his cupboard, wishing he was any where but there. Aunt Petunia rapped hard on the door. TAP TAP TAP. "Wake up, come watch the bacon!" TAP TAP TAP. She wouldn't stop tapping until he woke up. Slowly, Harry's dream melted into reality, TAP TAP TAP. He looked around to see what was making the noise.
It appeared that Harry was woken up by an owl tapping on his window. TAP TAP TAP. Groggily, he rubbed the sleep from his eyes and located his glasses on his bedside table. He crossed the room to the window and let the owl in, landing on his desk. Walking over to retrieve the letter, Harry recognized Hermione Granger's handwriting on the letter's envelope. Harry was so happy to see the letter that his hands shook slightly as he ripped off the seal and read Hermione's letter.
Dear Harry,
I do hope that you aren't dwelling on what happened in June too much. We are all very sad, but please do not make it any worse by thinking about it any longer. We all miss him very much. Anyway, that's not why I wrote you, I just felt the need to write it. I was wondering if you've heard from Ron at all? He wrote me once, just saying hi and wondering if my summer's going well. If you hear from him, please send me an owl. Thank you so much!
-Hermione
P.S. An owl with your birthday gift is on the way!
'Why's Hermione so keen to talk to Ron?' Harry pondered this thought quietly. He was just climbing back into bed when he noticed three more owls perched on his window sill. Excited at the thought of more mail, he crossed the room to his open window.
Each owl carried a letter and a small package. After untying each one, he took his mail over to his bed and began opening them. The first letter was from Hagrid. Setting his letter aside, Harry opened the package. It too was from Hagrid - a knife. It was exactly like the one Sirius had given him. Setting aside the packaging and gift, Harry picked up the letter and read it.
Dear Harry,
I hope your summer is going okay, and that the muggles are treating you right. I heard about what happened to your knife last year, so I got you a new one. I know it's not the same, coming from me instead of Sirius, but I thought you'd like it all the same. I can't wait to see you in September. Happy Birthday!
Your Friend,
Hagrid
"Wow, thanks Hagrid!" Harry said under his breath. Harry examined the knife in awe. He couldn't believe it, he finally had something in memory of his godfather. This wasn't any ordinary knife, it could unlock any lock and untie any knot. Remembering the pile of letters and packages on his bed, he set the knife aside and picked up the next letter and package.
The next package had Ron's handwriting on it. Harry ripped off the letter's seal and read the letter.
Dear Harry,
Happy Birthday, Harry! Sorry for not writing you since that one letter in the first week of holidays. Anyway, mum sent along some pies with your gift. Last time I wrote you, I was in Romania with Charlie. Now, I'm back at the Burrow. Last time I heard from Hermione she was doing research for something. Anyway, mum and dad said you could come over for the rest of summer. We'll come and get you at five o'clock on Friday. We'll take a portkey straight to your house (the Minister will let us set up one). I'll see you on Friday then. Happy Birthday!
-Ron
Turning to look at the package, Harry saw yet another owl on his window. This time Harry realized this owl was his own. Hedwig also had a letter and package. Harry called Hedwig down to his bed. After untying her letter and package, he turned to pick up Ron's package. Of course, there was Mrs. Weasley's pies and from Ron was a 'Skiving Snackbox-Variety Pack', a Fred and George Weasley creation. "What am I supposed to 'skive off'? I haven't got Divination anymore. . . oh yeah, I forgot I still have potions!" Harry thought. If he didn't want to be an auror, he would definitely not have potions. He had gotten his results last week. He had gotten 'Exceeds Expectations' in everything, except Divination, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Care of Magical Creatures. In Divination he got a 'Poor' and in Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, and Care of Magical Creatures he got an 'Outstanding'. His new schedule consisted of Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Potions, Care of Magical Creatures, and Transfiguration. One of the toughest schedule's in the school, except perhaps Hermione's of course.
Forgetting about Snackboxes, Harry turned back to his pile of mail. He now had two more packages to open. He picked up a new package and letter. This letter was from his school, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Opening it, he saw the usual letter with his supplies list and an additional note. It was from Dumbledore. It said the following:
Harry-
Professor Lupin has asked me to send your gift from him along with your Hogwarts letter. And from me- Happy Birthday!
~Professor Dumbledore~
Harry excitedly picked up Lupin's package. After opening it, Harry found two large Defense books. "Wow! Thank you, professor!" Harry muttered under his breath. He heard shuffling in the next room and assumed that Aunt Petunia or Uncle Vernon had perhaps awoken to use the restroom. He picked up the next package and then realized that a letter was peaking out of one of Harry's books. Harry noticed this handwriting as Lupin's.
Dear Harry-
How are you doing? I hope that your holidays haven't been too boring. Anyway, you might be surprised to know that I will be coming back to Hogwarts once more. I have decided that I liked teaching and that I would enjoy being back at Hogwarts. So, I am looking forward to seeing you in September.
Yours truly,
Professor Lupin
Harry felt a sudden rush of happiness inside him. Lupin was returning to Hogwarts! He made a mental note to tell Ron and Hermione the next chance he got.
Now, he turned to look at his last gift. The gifts had come and gone so quickly. When he picked up the letter he noticed Hermione's handwriting on the envelope. Harry took a deep breath, then slowly opened the seal, thinking about how his gifts would soon be gone.
Dear Harry,
Happy Birthday! I hope that it's not too bad, spending your birthday with the Dursleys. Don't worry about telling me if you hear from Ron, I already got a letter from him. He's invited me over also! Well, I think you will find my gift interesting, yet very, well I don't know how else to put it, cool. Don't worry, more is on the way! I am looking forward to seeing you at the Burrow! Happy Birthday!
Best Wishes,
Hermione
"What did she get me, Hedwig?" Harry asked his bird playfully, but very quietly at the same time. He then moved onto the package, which was very light. It looked far to big to be so light-weight. After a few moments of silent pondering, he opened the package.
Please review with any comments, suggestions, etc... :)