Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Authors' Note: this is my first story, and I hope you enjoy it. It may contain some 'humour', and will contain some mild bad language. I would appreciate a review at the end so I can know what you think so I can try to improve, thank you.
~Harry Potter and the White Fire~
Author: Cloud Shooter
Chapter one: Birthday surprise
It had been a strange couple of weeks after the events following his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Stranger than usual, if you take into account his relatives despise his very existence. Or the fact Sirius Black, escaped convict from Azkaban prison is innocent, and his godfather. And Peter Pettigrew, rat animagi, and coward - suppose hero is the actual culprit of the crimes Sirius was sent to jail for.
If it was not for the coward rat he would be living with his godfather, and it was without a doubt he would enjoy the holiday's.
Harry James Potter did not know what to make of what was happening to him, and only just noticed the changes. He figured it was most likely just some kind of growth spurt. Sure, it was only an inch or so, but that was not what confused the boy. It was the fact his body felt tight, and his muscles seemed more compressed than he has experienced in all of his life, and he just could not make out what was wrong with him.
His chest felt tight all day and night, and laying on either his back or chest gave him problems breathing.
It was an odd feeling of impending frailty, yet at the same time, a weird strength he could not quite place and it made him feel constantly uncomfortable and unable to receive a proper night's sleep. His eyes bloodshot, and his bones aching.
He had contemplated a few times sending a letter to Albus Dumbledore, the old headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to explain he is not feeling well, and if he could possibly see the schools medi-witch. However, he really did not want to bother anyone just because he was feeling odd.
Harry supposed he could have contacted the Weasley's since they have always been good to him, but decided against worrying them.
He had spent a lot of his time either completing his mountain of homework, or writing to his friends. He was often bored here at no. 4 Privet Drive since he only had his pet snowy owl Hedwig to talk to, and although she is a great listener, she is not one for responding, because she is just an owl and cannot talk.
All he really wanted was someone to talk to and have fun with, but instead for reasons unknown to the young man he had to return to his horrid place every year.
However, he was feeling a little excited since this morning he had been invited to join to Weasley's to the Quidditch World Cup, and will be leaving the Dursley's in several hours – on his birthday – he could scarcely believe his luck. He had only ever had a birthday away from the Dursley's once before, and after his best mate Ron, and his mischief making twin brothers Fred and George rescued him before his second year of school.
It would always be a treat to escape his relatives, since they hated him, and in all fairness he returned their feelings wholeheartedly, though he felt a little pity for their bitterness. If they ever die after having another child, and Harry was the only living member of the family remaining he knew without a doubt that he would take care of the child as if it was his own whether it was muggle or something else to him a kids a kid, and they need looking after. However, it seemed his relatives did not share, and would not share his feelings on this matter.
Harry groaned as he sat up on his small bed, swinging his legs over and placing his bare feet on the rough carpet floor. He shook his dizzying head and took some deep breaths as sweat gently lined his forehead sticking the fringe of his unruly black hair down in places. He raised his right hand a little shakily and swept the hair out of his sparkling emerald green eyes. He would usually be wearing his round rimed glasses, but he has been sweating so much recently the pressure on his face kept producing friction rashes over the bridge of his nose so when alone he leaves them off even though everything without them looks blurred slightly.
He only wore some black baggy, five times too large tracksuit bottoms, and as he looked down at his sweat-drenched chest, he sighed with another frown, something he has been doing a lot recently. Sure, his body used to be quite toned from three years worth of quidditch and practice, but his muscles looked to have at least doubled in the last few weeks without him doing anything strenuous.
Harry was confused and dumfounded, and occasionally wondered if somebody had hexed or charmed him. However, why somebody would use such unknown spells to give him a better-looking body he could not be sure.
Maybe it was just a natural part of growing as a wizard, but if so he had thought someone would have told him. In fact, it was only logical that they would hold a class for young muggleborn wizards explaining things like this. He supposed there might have been a notice up for the class and he missed it since he had many other things on his mind, and he was too embarrassed to write to Ron and ask him.
He supposed Hermione might know if it is something like that, but asking a girl about his body would be even more embarrassing that asking Ron. In addition, Hermione can be quite a handful and fairly bossy, if there was something wrong with him she would demand he see a medi-witch, and probably tell the Weasley's, and then they would force him. He really did not want to bother anyone, and he did not want to potentially spoil the Quidditch World Cup trip, as he was excited to watch an actual professional quidditch match.
Shaking his head again, he checked his alarm clock, and started in surprise – it had been his birthday for just over five minutes already. He was not expecting much except maybe a few cards from his friends. His birthday had never been much of a big deal since he was a year and a half old when the Dark Lord Voldemort murdered his parents and ruined his life. The only consolation would be that Voldemort's killing curse bounced off of Harry and ripped him out of his body.
However, Harry was not stupid and knew the evil git would one day return and try to ruin his life even more. It seemed to the boy that it was an enviable fact, but what annoyed Harry most was that he had no idea why Voldemort wanted to murder an eighteen-month old baby in the first place. Harry knew Albus Dumbledore knew the reason, since he practically told him; his first year, but never gave any reason, which was highly annoying.
Rubbing his tired eyes with his left hand, he suddenly started at a tapping on the window.
Looking up to the glass he let a small smile grace his lips as he spotted a snowy owl tapping with her beak.
Chuckling at her impatiens and glad to see her back, he got to his feet and quickly made his way over to the window, ignoring his dizzying spell. He carefully pushed the window open, and Hedwig flew in surprisingly followed by a few other owls.
Counting as some of the birds landed in various locations around his room, on the bed and on shelves, as well as his desk and chair. All but one carrying some kind of gift and letter, he reckoned the owl without a neatly wrapped gift was from Hogwarts delivering his school lists.
He gave a small tired smile as he looked upon the birds, as they all seemed to want him to relieve him of their burdens. He gave a small chuckle at the sight. "Ok, ok, calm down, calm down before you wake up the whole neighbourhood," he moaned with a roll of his eyes. "Let me do this one at a time," he laughed lazily as the owls all seemed rather impish and quietened to just a few noises.
Shaking his head in amusement he reached out for Hedwig's gift and letter with a smile he untied it from her leg and she returned to her perch after he gave her a gently stroke across her head. He looked at the neat scrawl and smiled as he sat on the edge of the bed opening the letter he read.
Harry,
Happy birthday, Harry – I do hope you're having a good holiday. Ron has invited me to the Quidditch Cup, and said his dad has already sent a letter to your muggles explaining and asking for permission for you to come.
I can't wait, I hear there will be a lot of witches and wizards from all over the planet going – Bulgaria Vs. Ireland – I also hear the teams usually bring mascots from their home country, I can barely wait.
I hope you like the present I got for you, and hope you actually use it!
Love,
Hermione
Harry smiled as he opened her present, tearing through the wrapping – it was definitely a book – Hogwarts A History. He laughed aloud at the stupidity of it. She had been nagging him and Ron to read it for ages now, and neither of them bothered because it sounded both boring, and with a friend like Hermione why bother.
Shaking his head again and giving another tired sigh, he looked over the other packages, and noting the disgruntled looks, the owls were giving him. He quickly took their packages and letters and spread them out on the bed letting the post owls fly off into to the night's sky leaving only his owl Hedwig. He watched the creatures for a moment flying gently as if heading towards the moon.
Smiling as he returned to the bed he picked up the present with messy writing, recognising his best friend Ron's handwriting he smiled wondering how any of the teachers at school ever manage to grade his work with such horrid penmanship.
'Maybe Hogwarts needs a writing class?' he thought to himself in amusement. It could not hurt he supposed to actually have some normal, non-magical classes.
Shrugging those thoughts away, he carefully opened Ron's letter.
Harry,
Happy birthday mate, I cannot wait until the Quidditch World Cup, its going to be a day to remember. I hope you're not too bummed out having to stay with those muggles for so long, but don't worry we're still picking you up at twelve midday.
Fred and George have been pains all summer, as usual, and Percy has started work at the ministry, and I never really thought it possible before but he's become even more pompous than ever. He keeps talking about his boss in hero-worship, and trying to explain the new law they want passed on cauldron thickness. If you ask me he's insane, and its lucky the twins have some good pranks to pull on him otherwise we would all be bored to death.
Hey, mate a word of warning; I think Ginny still has that crush on you. She keeps asking questions, and seems overly happy you're coming over, but she's just my baby sister so don't worry too much.
Well mate, I'll see ya later, and hope you're doing fine.
Regards,
Ron
Harry chuckled lightly as he used his right hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead. It was a little hard reading without his glasses but he managed ok.
Shaking his head clear of cobbled thoughts, he wondered whether Ginny would at least be able to hold a conversation with him. The only time she had ever spoken to him more than a few words without all of the blushing and stuttering was in her first year after Harry saved her in the Chamber of Secrets.
Harry shivered slightly at the thought of that dark chamber; he still sometimes had nightmares about that place, and had no doubt Ginny still did too. If only he took notice of her maybe, the whole thing could have been avoided.
With a sigh of frustration Harry shook away the thought of what if, making a mental note to try and get to know Ginny a little better he ripped open Ron's present to him.
He was a little surprised to find it was a book – a book on chess strategy. He chuckled reading the note taped to it suggesting that if Harry studied from this book he might actually get somewhat better than his normally uselessness at the game. Harry had to agree because before Hogwarts, he had only ever heard of the game, never actually playing or even seen a game played since he had no friends.
Smiling at the book, something he never thought in a million years Ron would ever buy him he put it down and picked up his next present. It was from the twins, and he looked at it, reluctant to open it, -- who could blame him. It just came with a short note explaining that it was just a few prank products they had invented.
Taking hold of all of his courage he quickly tore the package open, and smiled in relief when nothing bad happened to him. It contained several small ordinary boxes labelled with what the sweets inside are called and what they will do to their victims.
Placing the boxes down with a tired smile, he wondered mildly whether he could trick the twins into falling for their own prank sweets.
He looked back to the presents, pulled another forward from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, and ripped it open to reveal a small gray/silver case. Opening it his eyes widened as he smiled – a new pair of glasses along with a note that told him they were self-correcting, repelled water and dust, and even tinted the brighter the weather to keep the sun from blinding him. He looked them over with interest, they were silver framed and rectangular in shape, so much nicer and stylish compared to his old ones.
Closing the case he put them aside happily before reaching for his next gift, which was not as neatly wrapped as the others, but it was most welcome. It was from Hagrid and not big. He opened it to find a new pair of black dragon hide gloves. However, these were a lot different from the standard bulky pair one would normally use at school, as they were skintight. Hagrid's note said they have built in charms to let your skin breath, and to keep your hands at a normal temperature.
'At least he didn't get me another deadly biting book,' he shivered at the thought of that awful book Hagrid sent him last year, which could have gotten him in trouble with the Dursley's as it had a mind of its own.
Next was a present and letter from his godfather Sirius Black, opening the gift first he grinned as he found a beautifully crafted penknife with black handle. He placed the knife down and quickly opened the letter smiling.
Harry,
Happy birthday kiddo, I hope you're having a good holiday. I've been keeping out of ministry hands so don't worry about me.
I hope those blasted muggles have been treating you right, if not tell me and I'll pay them a visit.
Sorry but I can't write much as I should get going now, I cant hang around in one place for to long with the ministry hunting me and all. So I just hope you're taking care, and hopefully I'll see you soon. Be careful.
Love,
Sirius
Ps. From now on you should address me as Snuffles just encase these letters are intercepted.
Harry laughed a little, Sirius seemed to be a little bit of a worrier, and should maybe chill a little.
Shaking his head sadly at the thought of his poor incorrectly accused godfather Harry vowed to somehow get him pardoned, and then Harry knew he would be free of these blasted Dursley's and be able to live a happy life when away from school, like a normal kid.
He would then look forward to the summer holidays, and be able to have friends over, and never be alone again. I would be like actually having a family.
He sighed taking a deep tired breath dropping the letter onto the bed – sometimes the world just seemed out to get him.
The last gift was the smallest he received but knew he would love it all the same as he placed his gloves down and picked it up. He noticed this one came with a letter and smiled as he looked over the name, but did not recognise the handwriting of the purple ink. It was neat and tidy and strangely enough, the letter seemed to smell of lavender.
He opened the present first and let a huge grin spread across his lips. She had gotten him a watch with black leather straps and a scarlet phoenix on the face reminding him of Dumbledore's phoenix Fawkes. He chuckled as he quickly put it on his left wrist before looking back at the letter.
Shrugging he opened the letter and began to read.
Harry,
Happy birthday,
I know we don't really know each other very well, and you just think of me as Ron's baby sister, but I thought it would be nice to get you something for your birthday too, since I heard those muggles you live with don't do anything for your birthday.
I hope you are doing well, and that the muggles are treating you right, if not tell me and I'll come and sort them out for you. I have not got a warning for using magic outside of school so could use that to my advantage.
Anyway, I hear you're coming to ours later today so you wont have to put up with them again until next summer, which I might add is along time away.
I know we haven't spoken much since we've known each other. In fact, the only time we really spoke was in the You-know-Where during my first year, but I hoped maybe we could get to know each other, so don't listen to Ron telling you I have a crush on you, which might or might not be still true.
Your hopeful friend,
Love,
Ginny
Harry read the letter a couple of times over in surprise before smiling a little. Ginny's letter was the longest thing she had ever said to him, even if it was just in writing. He guessed it was not such a bad idea getting to know Ginny even if she does blush a lot around him, she would probably get over it after awhile.
In addition, he could really do with some more friends, Ron and Hermione are great friends an all, but they can be highly annoying a lot of the time with the way they're always bickering. He half wondered whether they did it because it was the only way they could communicate their feelings for each other.
He knew like anyone with eyes and ears that his best friends liked each other a little more than best friends should, and was just thankful Hermione did not like him that way, since he does not even fancy her in the slightest. In fact, if he had to put up with a girlfriend like Hermione, nagging him all the time; he would kill either himself or her. Ron though had a lot of experience of nagging from his mother so had probably built up a large resilience.
He laughed at the thought; he has enough with the Dursley's telling him what to do all of his life without a girlfriend doing something similar.
Rubbing his tired and slightly bloodshot eyes, he thought on that a little. He had never really thought too much about ever having a girlfriend before, and with the Dursley's treating him the way they have it is understandable.
Anyway, who would really enjoy his company enough to want to date him?
He shook his head at that thought, sure he might not be the most interesting person on earth, even if he is famous, there had to be the right girl out there somewhere just for him, maybe even right under his nose, but he's been too busy with all the crap that's happened to him at Hogwarts to notice.
With a sigh he stood up dizzily from his bed and stretched his muscles making a promise to look out for a nice girl, because if Ron and Hermione do admit their feelings and get together, he did not want to watch them making out all the time so will need someone for himself.
He almost laughed at his thoughts. He had never had any like them before; they were almost grown up, and he was proud of him self for not just winging or sulking. He really needed to brake out of the whole brooding thing he does when annoyed and cannot do anything about it.
He suddenly grabbed his chest with wide eyes, as a blazing inferno seemed to smash through his heart, though he could not seem to even manage a scream of pain.
He dropped to his knees heavily gasping for breath and barely getting any as ice suddenly burnt through his skull, as if his brain was a ship and it just ran into an iceberg.
His whole body felt as if it was on fire yet at the same time burnt with ice. The two contrasts did not counteract each other but worked together, stabbing pain through every pore in Harry's body.
He felt as if ice needles were tearing into his body, or a thousand frozen wasps attacked together, stinging every inch of his body at once.
The smell of summer burst through his senses.
The smell of winter followed.
The contrasts weaved powerfully through his senses causing his nervous system untold agony.
A blaze of white flames gently streamed around his skin like a beautiful river neither burning nor freezing, but doing both.
The pain was immeasurable. He felt as if ever part of his body might soon shut down one piece at a time.
He could barely think as his brain was bombarded with what could only be described as knowledge not of his own.
His body was convulsing and contracting with such ferocity, he imagined it would soon tear itself apart, and he would be no more, and he had been worrying about girls. If he could, he would have snorted at the irony.
Then it all stopped and his eyes dropped closed as his mind shut down, and his body ached. He fell forward and knew know more.
Harry James Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived would barely fear the little problems again.
To Be Continued...
Author's notes: Hey! I hope you enjoyed this first chapter of my first fic. So please tell me what you think in a review.
