Chapter 1
Chapter 1: New Neighbours
The sun had fully risen over the rooftops and onto the pristine lawn of number Four Privet Drive. The occupants of the house were only just stirring except for one. Harry Potter a boy of nearly 16 years of age has been awake since before dawn. Harry Potter is not a normal boy. Now this isn't because he doesn't sleep in like other teenage boys, nor is it because he wears clothes ten sizes too big, not even because of his hair that always sticks up at the back. No; those aren't the only reasons why Harry isn't normal. Harry Potter is a wizard. He will be going into his 6th and second last year of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It was the morning of July 30th the day before Harry's birthday and he was sitting at his small desk busily scribbling notes down on a long scroll of parchment. He would occasionally look up; give a puzzled expression, before looking something up in a large textbook and returning to his work. Harry had been trying to keep busy during the first month of holidays trying to get his mind off of the events of last June. Sirius Black's death had hit Harry hard. The first couple weeks were spent up in his room wallowing in guilt and grief, until he couldn't take it anymore and started doing schoolwork to get his mind off it. That was two weeks ago though and even though he still missed Sirius he managed to come to an agreement with himself. It would do him no good to keep blaming himself for Sirius' death, and he realized that Sirius wouldn't want him to blame himself. And After all it was Voldemort who made him think he had to go to the department of mysteries that day. Harry knew the mistake he made and therefore decided he would learn from his mistakes instead of grieving them. Now he tried to enjoy the days as best he could and only did homework in the early mornings.
Harry looked at alarm clock on the bedside table. It was 7:30 am. Breakfast was probably ready. He sighed and started packing up his books and putting them underneath the loose floor board under his bed. He would have to finish his potions essay some other time. He wished he could have just gotten it over with because writing about the effects of adding essence of milkweed to a truth potion instead of bat droppings, really didn't interest him.
The Dursleys were all in the kitchen doing their normal morning routines. Aunt Petunia was at her usual spot at the windowsill looking over the garden fence to the neighbor's house, occasionally sipping her tea through parsed lips. The house next door had went up for sale while Harry was at school and had been sold during the first week of summer. Aunt Petunia had been checking periodically to see if the new neighbors had arrived. Uncle Vernon was sitting at the kitchen table, reading the morning paper while eating a small bowl of fruit salad for breakfast. Dudley was still on his diet and everyone had to follow it, except Harry. The Orders threat at Kings Cross had had a heavy impact on the Dursleys. Harry sat down in front of a plate full of eggs, bacon, sausage and toast. Uncle Vernon was giving him a dirty look while Dudley, who was sitting across the table, was starring at his plate with a hungry look in his eye, having already finished his fruit salad.
Harry finished his satisfying breakfast and went back upstairs to shower and change. Every morning he liked to go for a walk around the neighborhood to clear his mind and get some fresh air. At these times he actually tried to practice occlumency. He was getting quite good at it, or at least he thought so. He wasn't about to let Voldemort get into his head and make the mistake of falling for another trick. He took his usual route to the play park and sat under a tree in the shade for a half hour trying to keep his mind clear of all emotion before heading back down Privet Drive.
As he approached the neighbors house he saw a moving van parked in the drive way and people were carrying furniture and boxes into the house. The new neighbors were finally moving in. He never was as interested in who these people were. Not like Aunt Petunia anyway. But as he walked closer to the van he saw three people who were watching the progress of the movers. That must be them, he thought. As he walked by he was surprised to see that one of them was a girl who looked to be the same age. He stopped to look and saw that the man and woman with her were not her mom and dad but her grandparents. He wondered if her real parents were in the house or if she was an orphan like Harry. Before he could realize he was staring, the girl looked up at him curiously before smiling and walking over.
She was quite tall, but Harry was still a few inches taller. She had long, wavy, thick, light brown hair that reached down to her shoulders. She had darker milk chocolate coloured eyes and a splash of freckles on her cheeks and nose from being out in the sun. Harry thought she looked quite pretty, and when she smiled that thought was confirmed. "Hi!" she said. "Hi said Harry. "What's your name? She asked "Do u live around here? "Yah said Harry, I live right next door, "My names Harry." "My names Amy, Amy Richards. "You live right next door? Oh that's great! I didn't think I would meet anyone that was my age around here," she said with a look of relief. "Where did you move from" asked Harry. "France" she said, my grandparents wanted a change of scene I guess," she said, shrugging. "Hey do you think you could show me around sometime when you're not busy?" Immediately he said "Sure, why don't we go for a walk after supper if that's ok" "I'll come around to your place at around 7:30?" He was surprised that he could talk to her this easily when usually he wouldn't know what to say around girls he didn't know. She agreed with his idea and Harry said goodbye and continued walking up the lane.
He passed the kitchen not wanting to be in the Durley's company any more than he needed to, and went back to his room. He had a regular routine that he followed pretty much every day. After breakfast and a walk he would come up to his room and study anything that he needed practice on. He mainly practiced new Defense against the Dark Arts spells and curses and stuff like that. He quickly recognized this as the most important subject after the return of Voldemort. He often thought about the prophecy and that was one of the two reasons why he was training harder. The other reason was influenced by the battle at the department of mysteries. He knew hardly enough to duel with the Death Eaters so how was he supposed to be the one to defeat Voldemort? Even with his new resolution of not getting depressed about Sirius or the prophesy, Harry couldn't help but grieve or weep about all his bad experiences. He often thought about them while laying in bed and the last memory he relived before he'd fall asleep would be the one he dreamed about. But it was never a good dream. It always ended in someone else getting killed and Harry gets blamed for it. And there was always that cold, cruel high laughter. The laugh of Voldemort.
Harry wanted revenge. He wanted it so bad that if the fate of the wizarding world weren't in his hands he would have gone after Voldemort a long time ago. But instead he stayed at home like every one wanted him too. Like a good boy. He was just looking through his textbook for a new curse or hex to practice when there came a whoosh from the window and Hedwig the snow owl swooped in and landed gracefully on her perch. She was holding a scroll of parchment in her claws, a letter.
Harry took it from her, gave her a treat, and sat down to read it. He recognized Ron's untidy scrawl and immediately unrolled it. To his disappointment but not surprise it was short. All the letters he had received from anyone were short. He understood that they couldn't give him news in a letter in case it was intercepted, but they were keeping a lot more than news hidden from him. It sounded like they were just basically checking to see if he was all right. Didn't they have confidence in him to look after himself? And worst of all Ron hadn't said anything about him coming to the burrow for the summer. There was not even an "I expect we'll be seeing you soon". But as he read this new letter his eyes widened.
Harry, I cant give anything away in a letter, blah, blah, blah, (you know the drill), but I just thought id let you know that you wont be anywhere near the Dursleys come tomorrow. At least till next summer. We all really miss you mate, cant wait to see you! Well I'll see you then!
Ron
Harry couldn't believe it. At first he was a little angry that Ron hadn't mentioned anything until now and at such short notice. But then his anger changed to excitement when he realized he'd be leaving tomorrow, on his birthday! He had been preparing for another dismal birthday with the Dursleys but now he could fully enjoy his birthday in the company of friends. He was going to write back but decided he'd do it later after his walk with Amy when he had some free time. He wanted to get some studying in. He couldn't perform the spells because he was still underage, but he memorized the incantations and the tips his books provided. He was hoping Dumbledore would allow him to continue the DA. It seemed to really help the students who were involved, and they need all the help they can get with Voldemort at full power.
After a couple hours of studying, Harry went downstairs to eat, expecting the usual dirty look from Uncle Vernon and the look of envy from Dudley, as they watched him eat another generous helping of something or other. But when he walked into the kitchen there was a lot more people eating a delicious meal than just Harry. Sitting around the table were three other people. Amy and her grandparents were digging into plates full of roast beef, potatoes and salad when they noticed Harry standing there. "Hi Harry", greeted Amy. "Come and eat, its delicious!" Harry sat down next to her and looked expectantly at the Durleys for an. Uncle Vernon quickly explained, "We invited the Richards for supper tonight boy, we would've told you but you're always locked up in that room of yours." Harry shrugged and turned to Amy. "So are we still going for that walk tonight?" he asked. "Yah" she replied cheerfully.
They finished the meal in silence occasionally asking each other about this and that, or listening to the adults. When dinner was over Harry got up and started clearing the table like normal. After he was done the Richards family seemed to have already left. It was close enough to 7:30 so Harry headed for the door when Uncle Vernon's voice came from behind "Where do you think you're going boy?" "Out" replied Harry, his voice indifferent. Uncle Vernon's face turned that famous purple, mentally debating whether he should let him go and risk making Harry happy or forbid him to leave and risk having those freaks invading their home. The image of Mad Eye Moody's revolving eye overruled Vernon's attempt to make Harry miserable and with a grunt he said "Fine! Don't come back too early", and with that he slumped off back to his seat in front of the television to watch the evening news.
Harry walked down the garden path to pick up Amy but he didn't have to go that far because she was waiting for him on the garden bench next to the path. "Hi" she said, "I didn't have anything to do so I thought I'd wait here for you" "Oh, well where do you want to go"? Harry said. She said, "Well its up to you really, I don't know much about the neighborhood" "OK then I supposed I should show you where the play park is." "I'll show you my favourite tree that I sit under sometimes." So they headed down Privet Drive in an awkward yet somewhat comfortable silence. As they turned down Wisteria Walk, Harry, in an attempt to start a conversation, asked "So did you go to school while you lived in France?" "Well yah, she replied, but you probably haven't even heard of it before" "Try me" Harry said. "It's a boarding school called Beauxbattons."
Well the first chapter is done. I'd like to thank snitch20 for her review it pointed a very important fact that I neglected to keep in mind. I revised this Chapter though so I think it should be OK. Don't forget to review! Knight1304
Chapter 1: New Neighbours
The sun had fully risen over the rooftops and onto the pristine lawn of number Four Privet Drive. The occupants of the house were only just stirring except for one. Harry Potter a boy of nearly 16 years of age has been awake since before dawn. Harry Potter is not a normal boy. Now this isn't because he doesn't sleep in like other teenage boys, nor is it because he wears clothes ten sizes too big, not even because of his hair that always sticks up at the back. No; those aren't the only reasons why Harry isn't normal. Harry Potter is a wizard. He will be going into his 6th and second last year of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It was the morning of July 30th the day before Harry's birthday and he was sitting at his small desk busily scribbling notes down on a long scroll of parchment. He would occasionally look up; give a puzzled expression, before looking something up in a large textbook and returning to his work. Harry had been trying to keep busy during the first month of holidays trying to get his mind off of the events of last June. Sirius Black's death had hit Harry hard. The first couple weeks were spent up in his room wallowing in guilt and grief, until he couldn't take it anymore and started doing schoolwork to get his mind off it. That was two weeks ago though and even though he still missed Sirius he managed to come to an agreement with himself. It would do him no good to keep blaming himself for Sirius' death, and he realized that Sirius wouldn't want him to blame himself. And After all it was Voldemort who made him think he had to go to the department of mysteries that day. Harry knew the mistake he made and therefore decided he would learn from his mistakes instead of grieving them. Now he tried to enjoy the days as best he could and only did homework in the early mornings.
Harry looked at alarm clock on the bedside table. It was 7:30 am. Breakfast was probably ready. He sighed and started packing up his books and putting them underneath the loose floor board under his bed. He would have to finish his potions essay some other time. He wished he could have just gotten it over with because writing about the effects of adding essence of milkweed to a truth potion instead of bat droppings, really didn't interest him.
The Dursleys were all in the kitchen doing their normal morning routines. Aunt Petunia was at her usual spot at the windowsill looking over the garden fence to the neighbor's house, occasionally sipping her tea through parsed lips. The house next door had went up for sale while Harry was at school and had been sold during the first week of summer. Aunt Petunia had been checking periodically to see if the new neighbors had arrived. Uncle Vernon was sitting at the kitchen table, reading the morning paper while eating a small bowl of fruit salad for breakfast. Dudley was still on his diet and everyone had to follow it, except Harry. The Orders threat at Kings Cross had had a heavy impact on the Dursleys. Harry sat down in front of a plate full of eggs, bacon, sausage and toast. Uncle Vernon was giving him a dirty look while Dudley, who was sitting across the table, was starring at his plate with a hungry look in his eye, having already finished his fruit salad.
Harry finished his satisfying breakfast and went back upstairs to shower and change. Every morning he liked to go for a walk around the neighborhood to clear his mind and get some fresh air. At these times he actually tried to practice occlumency. He was getting quite good at it, or at least he thought so. He wasn't about to let Voldemort get into his head and make the mistake of falling for another trick. He took his usual route to the play park and sat under a tree in the shade for a half hour trying to keep his mind clear of all emotion before heading back down Privet Drive.
As he approached the neighbors house he saw a moving van parked in the drive way and people were carrying furniture and boxes into the house. The new neighbors were finally moving in. He never was as interested in who these people were. Not like Aunt Petunia anyway. But as he walked closer to the van he saw three people who were watching the progress of the movers. That must be them, he thought. As he walked by he was surprised to see that one of them was a girl who looked to be the same age. He stopped to look and saw that the man and woman with her were not her mom and dad but her grandparents. He wondered if her real parents were in the house or if she was an orphan like Harry. Before he could realize he was staring, the girl looked up at him curiously before smiling and walking over.
She was quite tall, but Harry was still a few inches taller. She had long, wavy, thick, light brown hair that reached down to her shoulders. She had darker milk chocolate coloured eyes and a splash of freckles on her cheeks and nose from being out in the sun. Harry thought she looked quite pretty, and when she smiled that thought was confirmed. "Hi!" she said. "Hi said Harry. "What's your name? She asked "Do u live around here? "Yah said Harry, I live right next door, "My names Harry." "My names Amy, Amy Richards. "You live right next door? Oh that's great! I didn't think I would meet anyone that was my age around here," she said with a look of relief. "Where did you move from" asked Harry. "France" she said, my grandparents wanted a change of scene I guess," she said, shrugging. "Hey do you think you could show me around sometime when you're not busy?" Immediately he said "Sure, why don't we go for a walk after supper if that's ok" "I'll come around to your place at around 7:30?" He was surprised that he could talk to her this easily when usually he wouldn't know what to say around girls he didn't know. She agreed with his idea and Harry said goodbye and continued walking up the lane.
He passed the kitchen not wanting to be in the Durley's company any more than he needed to, and went back to his room. He had a regular routine that he followed pretty much every day. After breakfast and a walk he would come up to his room and study anything that he needed practice on. He mainly practiced new Defense against the Dark Arts spells and curses and stuff like that. He quickly recognized this as the most important subject after the return of Voldemort. He often thought about the prophecy and that was one of the two reasons why he was training harder. The other reason was influenced by the battle at the department of mysteries. He knew hardly enough to duel with the Death Eaters so how was he supposed to be the one to defeat Voldemort? Even with his new resolution of not getting depressed about Sirius or the prophesy, Harry couldn't help but grieve or weep about all his bad experiences. He often thought about them while laying in bed and the last memory he relived before he'd fall asleep would be the one he dreamed about. But it was never a good dream. It always ended in someone else getting killed and Harry gets blamed for it. And there was always that cold, cruel high laughter. The laugh of Voldemort.
Harry wanted revenge. He wanted it so bad that if the fate of the wizarding world weren't in his hands he would have gone after Voldemort a long time ago. But instead he stayed at home like every one wanted him too. Like a good boy. He was just looking through his textbook for a new curse or hex to practice when there came a whoosh from the window and Hedwig the snow owl swooped in and landed gracefully on her perch. She was holding a scroll of parchment in her claws, a letter.
Harry took it from her, gave her a treat, and sat down to read it. He recognized Ron's untidy scrawl and immediately unrolled it. To his disappointment but not surprise it was short. All the letters he had received from anyone were short. He understood that they couldn't give him news in a letter in case it was intercepted, but they were keeping a lot more than news hidden from him. It sounded like they were just basically checking to see if he was all right. Didn't they have confidence in him to look after himself? And worst of all Ron hadn't said anything about him coming to the burrow for the summer. There was not even an "I expect we'll be seeing you soon". But as he read this new letter his eyes widened.
Harry, I cant give anything away in a letter, blah, blah, blah, (you know the drill), but I just thought id let you know that you wont be anywhere near the Dursleys come tomorrow. At least till next summer. We all really miss you mate, cant wait to see you! Well I'll see you then!
Ron
Harry couldn't believe it. At first he was a little angry that Ron hadn't mentioned anything until now and at such short notice. But then his anger changed to excitement when he realized he'd be leaving tomorrow, on his birthday! He had been preparing for another dismal birthday with the Dursleys but now he could fully enjoy his birthday in the company of friends. He was going to write back but decided he'd do it later after his walk with Amy when he had some free time. He wanted to get some studying in. He couldn't perform the spells because he was still underage, but he memorized the incantations and the tips his books provided. He was hoping Dumbledore would allow him to continue the DA. It seemed to really help the students who were involved, and they need all the help they can get with Voldemort at full power.
After a couple hours of studying, Harry went downstairs to eat, expecting the usual dirty look from Uncle Vernon and the look of envy from Dudley, as they watched him eat another generous helping of something or other. But when he walked into the kitchen there was a lot more people eating a delicious meal than just Harry. Sitting around the table were three other people. Amy and her grandparents were digging into plates full of roast beef, potatoes and salad when they noticed Harry standing there. "Hi Harry", greeted Amy. "Come and eat, its delicious!" Harry sat down next to her and looked expectantly at the Durleys for an. Uncle Vernon quickly explained, "We invited the Richards for supper tonight boy, we would've told you but you're always locked up in that room of yours." Harry shrugged and turned to Amy. "So are we still going for that walk tonight?" he asked. "Yah" she replied cheerfully.
They finished the meal in silence occasionally asking each other about this and that, or listening to the adults. When dinner was over Harry got up and started clearing the table like normal. After he was done the Richards family seemed to have already left. It was close enough to 7:30 so Harry headed for the door when Uncle Vernon's voice came from behind "Where do you think you're going boy?" "Out" replied Harry, his voice indifferent. Uncle Vernon's face turned that famous purple, mentally debating whether he should let him go and risk making Harry happy or forbid him to leave and risk having those freaks invading their home. The image of Mad Eye Moody's revolving eye overruled Vernon's attempt to make Harry miserable and with a grunt he said "Fine! Don't come back too early", and with that he slumped off back to his seat in front of the television to watch the evening news.
Harry walked down the garden path to pick up Amy but he didn't have to go that far because she was waiting for him on the garden bench next to the path. "Hi" she said, "I didn't have anything to do so I thought I'd wait here for you" "Oh, well where do you want to go"? Harry said. She said, "Well its up to you really, I don't know much about the neighborhood" "OK then I supposed I should show you where the play park is." "I'll show you my favourite tree that I sit under sometimes." So they headed down Privet Drive in an awkward yet somewhat comfortable silence. As they turned down Wisteria Walk, Harry, in an attempt to start a conversation, asked "So did you go to school while you lived in France?" "Well yah, she replied, but you probably haven't even heard of it before" "Try me" Harry said. "It's a boarding school called Beauxbattons."
Well the first chapter is done. I'd like to thank snitch20 for her review it pointed a very important fact that I neglected to keep in mind. I revised this Chapter though so I think it should be OK. Don't forget to review! Knight1304