Chapter 1 The Letter

"Get your butt out of bed!" Harry heard someone screaming in a distant fuzzy voice.

"Harry!" Said the voice, getting steadily closer.

"Ugh," Harry thought. "Maybe if I pretend I'm asleep then the noise will stop."

"HARRY!"

"WHAT!" Harry yelled as he sat upright in bed and collided with a very surprised Ron.

"Blimey Harry..." Ron moaned as he rubbed his forehead and a small lump started forming.

"Sorry Ron. Err...didn't see you there. What were you yelling for anyway?" Harry asked as he massaged his own forehead.

"I've been trying to get you up for the past ten minutes. Mum said breakfast is ready. Besides, were meeting Hermione at Diagon Alley at two. So, we can't be late," explained Ron. "By the way...happy birthday!"

"O yeah...thanks" Harry muttered as he jumped out of bed with a slight spring in his step. He quickly changed clothes and they went down to breakfast. Harry was staying with the Weasleys until the end of the summer, even though Dumbledore said he was to stay at home, where Harry was safe. The only way the Weasleys could convince Dumbledore to let Harry stay with them was if they stayed at the Order of Phoenix Headquarters. It's very safe there since Dumbledore is the secret keeper. Harry had been with the Weasleys for only a couple of days now.

"Good morning you two," Mrs. Weasley said warmly to Ron and Harry as they entered the kitchen.

"G'morning" They answered in reply. Ginny was already seated at the table.

"Your letters have arrived from Hogwarts," Mrs. Weasley told them as she handed the letters to them. "They are a bit thicker than usual this time," said Mrs. Weasley, "since your O.W.L. results have come as well..." she added with a bit of a nervous quiver in her voice.

Harry gasped. This was it. These results would decide whether or not he would be an auror. Ron looked too nervous to say anything. He took his letter as though it were about to explode.

"You first," Ron managed to whisper breathlessly.

Harry reached forward. His hands were slightly trembling. He broke the wax seal and pulled out the contents. There was the usual reminder of what time school starts and a list of his schoolbooks, but there was also another piece of parchment. Harry unfolded it, his heart beating rapidly. Harry read...

Ordinary Wizarding Level (O.W.L.) Test Results

O-Outstanding, E-Exceeds Expectations, A-Acceptable, P-Poor, D-Dreadful, T-Troll

Charms - O

Transfiguration-E

Herbology-E

Defense Against the Dark Arts-O +

Potions-A

Care of Magical Creatures-O

Divination-P

Astronomy-A

History of Magic-T

"Wow..." Harry muttered to himself.

"Let me see yours!" Ron yelled as he yanked the sheet out of Harry's hand. "Seven O.W.L.'s! Damn! How did you get an O plus in Defense Against the Dark Arts? It isn't even possible. Hmm...you've failed divination and history of magic. Great! Now you don't have to take those classes anymore!"

"You've forgot Potions. I don't have to take it anymore either," Harry corrected him. He may be able to be an auror, after all.

"But you passed," Ron said with a confused look on his face.

"But to take Snape's N.E.W.T class you have to make 'Exceeds Expectations on your O.W.L.'" If he made at least five 'Exceeded Expectations' in his N.E.W.T. tests next year, then he could be an auror. Besides, getting to drop Snape's class was his idea of a reward.

"O well, it's a win-win situation," Ron replied. "Snape doesn't have to see your face again, and you don't have put up with his sh...AHH!"

"Ron Weasley! Are you going to look at your results or what?" Exclaimed a very anxious Mrs. Weasley as she shoved the letter in his face.

"O...all right," Ron replied. A very green look had come over his face. He opened his letter, "Not too bad," Ron sighed with relief as he face turn back to its normal color. "E in Charms, E in Transfiguration, A in Herbology, O in Defense Against the Dark Arts, P in Potions, O in Care of Magical Creatures, T in Divination, A in Astronomy, and A in History of Magic. Not too shabby," Ron said with a grin. "I don't see how I passed History of Magic though. I think I'll drop that subject anyway. Another year with Professor Binns would kill me. Look what it did to him!" Harry knew the only reason Ron was dropping was because Harry wouldn't be there, but Harry was grateful for it.

"I'm soo proud of you Ron!" Mrs. Weasley screeched as she hugged Ron to his dismay. "You too Harry!" she said as she attacked him too.

"Good job mate," said Harry though a wide grin. "I wonder how Hermione did."

"Strait O's of course," said Ron without hesitation. "But I doubt even she got an O plus," grinned Ron as he nudged Harry in the side.

"Harry, you've got something else in your envelope," piped in Ginny. Harry dumped out the remaining contents. Out fell a prefect badge and a letter.

"Harry, you're a prefect too! Now we can rule the school!" Ron congratulated Harry. "We'll show Malfoy."

"You know it," Harry laughed said as he picked up the letter. He read...

Dear Mr. Potter,

We are pleased to inform you that you are now a school prefect. In addition to being a school prefect, you are now captain of the Gryffindor quidditch team.

Good luck,

Minerva McGonagall

"I'm quidditch captain!" yelled Harry as he gave a loud whoop and jumped into the air.

"Great! Now you can let me cut practice!" Ron said excitedly.

"Hurry up you two!" said Mrs. Weasley as she gave Harry a wink, "Were going to be late if you don't get a move on."

"Ok, ok, keep your hair on woman," muttered Ron.

"Quickly! You too Ginny!" Mrs. Weasley said as she pushed Ron and Harry into the living room. She shoveled some floo powder into Harry's hand. "You first, dear." Floo powder wasn't Harry's favorite way of traveling.