Chapter One
Awards
It was a quiet early night on Number Four, Privet Drive where a young man stood awake at his desk on the second floor. He was a thin looking man with very untidy jet-black hair. He had emerald green eyes behind his round spectacles and upon his forehead was a scar shaped like a thunderbolt. His name was Harry Potter.
Harry Potter was an unusual young man; he hated the summer holidays and the residence he had to stay at. He lived with his only living relatives, the Dursleys. The Dursleys hated Harry for what he is. He was a wizard. Mrs. Petunia Dursley had to take him in, along with the dislike of her husband Mr. Vernon Dursley, since a letter explained what had happened to her sister, Lily Potter.
Harry's parents, James and Lily Potter, were murdered by the most feared wizard in the past century, Lord Voldemort. Lord Voldemort came to the Potter's residence in Godric's Hollow on Halloween Night when Harry was a year old on information from one of his followers. The information contained part of a prophecy that included Voldemort and Harry, but also included another young boy. Voldemort went to the Potter's since he valued pure blood over half-blood above anything else. He went to the Potter's residence and killed both of Harry's parents, his father then his mother, before turning his wand on young Harry. The cursed that had killed many others before Harry returned back toward Voldemort leaving Harry with nothing more than a scar on his forehead. Voldemort fled the ruins of the Potter's residence with something less than a body, but only enough to stay alive.
It has been only days since Harry, the boy who lived, killed Voldemort at the school at which Voldemort had graduated from almost sixty years previously. Harry was torn between relief and grief. He was glad that the terror of Lord Voldemort had ended, but also that the lives of his friends were not harmed in any other way.
Harry stretched as he continued to look out his window at the clear moonlit sky. He saw to figures illuminated by the moon and as they came closer; he realized that two owls came towards him and landed on his desk. One of them was his snowy owl, Hedwig, and the other was a ruffled looking barn owl. He relieved them of their burden and the barn owl left. Harry put his own owl into her cage where she nipped his hand and settled down with her head under one of her wings to sleep after her journey.
Harry was about to open the letter from the barn owl first, but he noticed that a box was attached to the letter. He opened the box and gave out an inaudible gasp. It was a golden medal with the picture of a wizard that Harry had seen before, but could not recall. On the back of the medal was an inscription that read: Order of Merlin, First Class. Harry could not believe that he had received such a prestigious award and he torn open the letter that was attached to the box.
Dear Mr. Potter,
We are pleased at the Ministry of Magic to award you the Order of Merlin, First Class. There was supposed to be an ceremony for you to receive the award, but decided at the wishes of the current Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Albus Dumbledore, to not allow a ceremony until such terror has past. We congratulate you once again on your award.
Amelia Bones
Amelia Bones
Minister of Magic
Harry set aside the letter and his medal and opened he two letters that were brought by Hedwig. The first one was from one of his best friends, Hermione Granger:
Dear Harry,
Harry, I just received the Order of Merlin, First Class from the Ministry of Magic, and I'm sure that you also received the same award too. My parents are happy for me for receiving an award, but they were not very pleased over what had happened before the end of the term. I just sent a letter to Ron to see if he got the Order of Merlin too. I've been busy as usual with homework, but I've been helping my dad's brother and his family move. I was surprised that my parents moved before I returned home and they have hinted that they might move to the south of London. We now live in Mongolia Crescent and I am near your residence. I have told my parents of what your relatives are capable of when they are behind closed doors to you. I told them not to engage you in any conversation if they or your cousin are present. I hope we can meet; there is a park near Mongolia Crescent. Why don't we meet there sometime? I cannot tomorrow since I am busy with helping my relatives move. Sent Hedwig to me so we can set a time to meet. See you soon Harry!
Hermione
Harry could not believe that one of his best friends lived near where he was currently living, but he knew better since his relatives, especially his uncle, would be fuming that one of Harry's kind lived so near their idea of a perfect, normal family. Harry knew that Hermione would be doing her homework now, but he also knew that she would help anyone in need. During Harry's time at Hogwarts, the Dursleys' neighbors at Number Three, Privet Drive had moved towards London and the house was sold the day after Harry returned home.
Harry set aside her letter and opened his next one; which was from Ron.
Dear Harry,
I just received the Order of Merlin, First Class. Mom was ecstatic that I received one at just a young age. Ginny also received one but she got Third Class. I was hoping in asking you if you would like to come to the Quidditch World Cup this year. I already sent Pig to Hermione. I was going to sent him to you, but that was not until Hedwig showed up. Send her to me with your answer.
Ron
Harry would love to go to another Quidditch World Cup since he only been to one and that was during his fourth year. Harry wanted to wait for Hedwig to rest up from her journey and didn't want to angry her. Harry gave out a sigh as the sun's rays started to peak over the horizon. Harry looked at the clock and was surprised that he stayed awake after only a few hours of sleep. He had been having dreams of a brown-haired girl that Harry had seen before, but he could not identify her. He waited for the next hour watching the sun rise before going down for breakfast.
Harry heard movement coming from the next room and he knew that his cousin, Dudley, was waking up. He also heard his aunt and uncle pass his closed door as they made their way toward the kitchen. Harry spent his time slowly changing his clothes before heading down to breakfast with the Dursleys.
