Harry Potter and the Secret of the Prophecy
Chapter 1
The Boy Who Lived
Harry Potter was not a normal boy in any way. For one thing, he had a scar in the middle of forehead in the shape of a lightning bolt. For another, he was a wizard. He went to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry during the school year and owned an owl, a wand, and more spell books than even he wanted. He also hated summer. This was due entirely to the treatment he received from his aunt and uncle and their son Dudley, whom he'd lived with since he was a baby because his parents had been killed by the dark wizard Voldemort. This dark wizard had tried to kill Harry also, hence the odd-shaped scar.
This summer was just as bad as all the others with the Dursleys. Though he was allowed to send letters to his friends and to do his homework, the Dursley's had made it as clear as possible that if anyone saw his owl, or his wand or his feather, he would once more be locked in the cupboard for the whole summer. This year, though, they were so infuriated about the visit from Professor Dumbledore before his sixth year at Hogwarts, that they would glare at Harry every time the doorbell rang and then walk out of the room, ignoring the poor person at the door, who usually ended up be the muggle post-man.
This morning, as usual, Harry woke up and went down for breakfast. When he walked into the kitchen, all three of the Dursleys glared and walked out. This made Harry quite pleased, now he could have breakfast in peace. Going to the refrigerator, Harry looked to his hidden stash of good food. Ever since Dudley's diet had started a year ago, the Dursleys kept only fruit and vegetables in their kitchen, though Harry could tell that Dudley and Uncle Vernon were cheating, because they both were increasing, not decreasing, in size.
Harry grabbed a chocolate-chip muffin, and, checking that the coast was clear, ran with it up to his bedroom so he could eat without fear of the Dursley's bothering him. He didn't have to worry much about this however, because the Dursley's had obviously decided that if they ignored him, than he would just disappear. So, Harry sat in his room, eating bits off of his muffin while looking through his broom maintenance kit that Hermione had given him years before- one of the few books Harry had managed to hide while his aunt and uncle searched his room to remove all of his things that could be remotely related to magic.
Finishing his muffin, Harry tossed the wrapper into the rubbish bin and, grabbing his wand, which he had also managed to hide, he walked outside into the crisp morning air. He needed a walk to clear his head. All the night before Harry had been thinking of the previous year: Dumbledore's death, Snape's betrayal, and, most of all, Ginny. Even with the terrible things that had happened, Harry could never stop thinking of her. How her beautiful red hair shined in the sun, how her freckles made her face shine, and the shine in her eyes when she was happy. Not being able to at least write her was all but killing Harry. Every night he thought of her, and he was regretting more and more his words to her at the end of last year, telling her that it was took dangerous for them to be together.
"Hey, watch it boy!" Harry's daydreaming was interrupted when he tripped and fell over what appeared to be a large cat. He couldn't get a good look at it because it streaked away as soon as he turned toward it. Looking up, Harry recognized an old, wrinkled face; the face of the person who had helped save him from being expelled in his fifth year.
"Ms. Figg! I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention!" Harry stammered as he helped her collect her numerous bags of cat food.
"Well, I can see that!" puffed Ms. Figg angrily. "Now, pick up the rest of those bags and help me get them to the house."
Harry picked up the remaining bags of cat food and followed Ms. Figg back onto Privet Drive and to her home. Walking in, he found the whole place changed since the last time he had been there.
Seeing is amazement, Ms. Figg said, "Well, now that you know that I'm a squib, I don't have to hide my magical things. I don't care if any of these stupid muggles see, I'm proud to have at least some magic."
Shooing a cat off her kitchen counter, Ms. Figg told Harry to set the bags down, and then place them underneath the counter where the rest of the cats' necessities were kept. Once he had finished, Harry stood up, and, apologizing to Ms. Figg once more, left to continue his walk.
Today was a special day for Harry. It was also the day that, after finding out that the protection he received from living with the Dursley's would end when he turned seventeen, made Harry quiet nervous for many months. Today was his birthday. Technically, it wasn't until tomorrow that he actually turned seventeen, but since he was born so early in the morning, Harry usually celebrated the day before. Not that he had anyone to celebrate with; the Dursleys new habit of ignoring him deprived him of even the usual gift of a pair of old socks, but at least he usually received something from Hermione, Ron, and Hagrid.
Harry sighed. Thinking about his friends, about school, always brought back the memory of Dumbledore gulping the potion, Dumbledore falling from the tower… But he couldn't think of that; he wouldn't. Not now, not when he had finally stopped having the nightmares in which he, instead of Dumbledore, was killed by Snape.
Closing his eyes, Harry, tried to picture Hogwarts as it had been when he first started going to school; the first glimpse of it from the boats on the Black Lake, the thestrals carrying the carriages to the castle. He pictured all the happy moments there, savoring them. Harry did not plan on returning; he didn't even know if it would be open this year.
Harry suddenly heard a scratching at the glass of his window, grabbing his wand, he turned around and looked straight into Severus Snape's face. Harry blinked, not believing what he saw, and realized it was only a very ugly owl scratching to be let in.
Flying in, the owl took a turn around his room, then plopped down on Harry's recently made bed and sat, cleaning his feathers.
"Thanks, now Aunt Petunia will have my head for the mess you'll make." Sighed Harry, "Now, give me my letter, please."
Lazily, the owl stretched its leg out to Harry just as three more owls dive-bombed onto Harry's mattress.
Taking the four letters and three parcels, Harry shooed the owls, one of them being Pig (Ron's owl), one was Hermione's owl, and the other was a very testy Hogwarts owl who thought it was fun to nip at you when you tried to reach for your letter. Sitting on his bed, which was now covered in owl feathers, Harry read the letter from Hermione first, knowing it would cheer him up.
Harry!
Happy Birthday! I hope this gets to you on time, I'm in America with my parents visiting relatives. America is so much different than England! The witches and wizards here are the same, though. I went to a Magic shop in Wichita, Kansas (that's where we're visiting) and you should have seen all the books! It was wonderful! I'll have to tell you all about it when we all get together. Ron and I would like to know when that time will be, by the way. You've kind of kept us in the dark… Well, I hope you write to either Ron or I soon! Hope you are well.
Hermione
PS- Americans are awfully rude. Keeping their hands under the table during meals as if they have something to hide! I suppose that is just part of their culture, but really!
Smiling, Harry opened the package that went along with Hermione's gift. Inside were three packages of American chocolate, a box of chocolate frogs, and a book on American style Quidditch. Taking note to thank Hermione for the presents, Harry moved on to Hagrid's not and gift.
Harry,
HAPPI BIRTHDAE! I hope u r wel, I know I'm not feelin' to good rite now. Good news is that Hogwarts wil be open this yeer after all, McGonagall is takin' over as hedmistres! I cant wate to see u this yeer!
Hagrid
Harry reread the letter, making sure he understood it. Hogwarts would be open this year. And Hagrid was expecting him. He was tempted to just forget about his plans and go back to Hogwarts, the only place in the world that he had ever felt at home. But, He told himself, you promised yourself that you would find the horcruxes! You have to, Dumbledore would want you to. Deciding he could not change his plans, Harry moved on to Hagrid's gift. Opening the paper, he found a stack of chocolate frogs and a large book of magical creatures.
Next, Harry turned to the owl that he didn't recognize. Taking the letter out of it's claws, Harry saw the Weasley seal on the back, and assumed that this was the bird that the Weasley's had gotten to replace Errol after he ran into their window a little too hard.
Harry,
I have thought about what you said earlier about us breaking up, and I've decided I don't care. If you go looking for horcruxs, I'll go with you. I heard Ron talking to Hermione about them going with you, so I will too. I really like you Harry, I almost think I love you; I have since my first year at Hogwarts when you saved me from that Basilisk…
Anyway, I nearly forgot why I sent this- to wish you Happy Birthday! I hope to hear from you, or I'll just have to put a tracing spell on my next letter!
Ginny
PS- I've sent your gift along with Ron's, so it should arrive soon.
Harry's heart fluttered. Ever since he had broken up with Ginny, he had felt somewhat empty. Hating himself for feeling good about Ginny putting herself in danger because of him, Harry turned to Ron's letter and the parcel he had sent.
Hi Harry!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope you enjoy the gift, it took me forever to find, and even longer to get the money for... Ginny sent her gift with it, and she sent a letter separately. Well, I hope to see you soon, Hermione and I need to know when we meet for that thing we're doing this year… Send Pig and Gordon back with a letter!
Ron
Opening the large package, Harry found an antique broom book, with pictures of the antiques, from the oldest on. Flipping through the pages, Harry realized it was not only about the antique brooms, but a history of Quidditch. Setting down Ron's gift, Harry reached into the package for the present from Ginny. Pulling out a small box, Harry unwrapped it to find a locket about the size of his thumb. The locket looked like it was made of silver, with a large S inscribed on its front. Harry knew what this had to be, and looked back at the box to see if there was a note with it. There was.
Dear Harry,
Two years ago when we were at Sirius's house, we found this locket. My mum threw it away, but I saw Kreature grab it out of the rubbish bag. Later that day I got it from his room while he was cleaning the basement. I've had it ever since. I know this is the horcrux you and Dumbledore were looking for, so here it is. I'm sorry I kept it.
Ginny
Looking from the note to the locket in his hand, Harry could hardly believe it. He was actually holding a piece of Voldemort's soul. Harry didn't know what to do with it. He knew he had to destroy it, but he didn't know how. He needed to get to number 12 Grimmauld Place and talk to the Order. They would know what to do.
Later that day, Harry sat down in the kitchen to eat his dinner of steamed broccoli and spinach as he watched the muggle news. Just as the news got fairly interesting- apparently there had been an explosion at a muggle candy shop and candy was strewn for miles- there was a sudden green flash of light outside his home. Tossing his forkful of soggy vegetables on the table, Harry grabbed his wand from his pocket and ran outside.
Outside, all the neighbors had gathered to find out who had made the horrible green light. Harry quickly stuffed his wand into his pants where it wouldn't be seen. Looking around, Harry saw smoke rising from the house next door to his. The house was hidden by trees and bushes, so, getting around all the vegetation, Harry pulled out his wand and looked around. Where there used to be a house, there was only a steaming mound of ash.
Harry searched around the rubble for survivors. There was a very small chance that anyone had survived, but he searched anyways. As he went through the remains of what Harry supposed was the sitting room, he found a small piece of parchment and a quill seemingly untouched by the explosion.
Harry thought it was curious that this muggle family would have parchment and quills anyway. They, like the Dursleys, were as muggle as anyone on Privet Drive, excluding himself and Ms. Figg. Picking up the note, Harry read the scribbled writing on the page.
You are next Potter.
Harry went white. Voldemort knew where he lived, and now he was trying to kill him at home. Harry knew that he couldn't be touched inside his home, but it still made the hairs on the back of his head stand up on end.
Suddenly, Harry heard chainsaws and realized that the muggles were taking down the trees to get to the house. Grabbing the quill and the note, Harry went around to the back of the house and snuck through the shrubbery, made his way over to the back of the Dursley's house and climbed over the fence, going inside to write to Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and the Order.
"Look Ron! Harry sent us a letter!" squealed Ginny, ecstatic to receive a letter from Harry, even if it was addressed to both her and her brother.
"Idonwannagetup." replied Ron, clearly still half asleep.
"RONALD WEASLEY, YOU GET UP THIS MINUTE SO WE CAN READ OUR LETTER FROM HARRY!" Ginny yelled at the top of her lungs, nearly knocking Ron out of bed.
Sitting up, Ron glanced at the clock, and then glared at Ginny. "It's four o'clock in the morning Ginny! We can read the bloody letter in the morning!"
"It says URGENT, Ron! Turn on the light so we can read it!" Ginny glared back hard at Ron until, giving in, he turned over and lit the lamp with his wand.
Ron and Ginny
There is trouble here, Voldemort destroyed the house next door to mine, and he left me a note. I'm afraid to go out; Dumbledore said I was only safe inside the Dursley's until I turned seventeen, which is today… I sent a letter about it to Hermione and the Order, but I don't know what they can do… I hope I'll see you soon… I miss you both. Bye.
Harry
Ron looked at the letter, still half asleep. Ginny, however, had taken in all of it in the first read-through. Springing up, she grabbed a hold of Ron, pulling him up off the bed.
"Ron, we have to go get him!" Ginny said, staring hard at Ron, who was still digesting the letter's contents, "Ron, listen to me! You have to apparate to Harry's and bring him back here! Do you understand?"
Finally, Ron gave a nod, seeming to understand everything now. Walking over to his wardrobe, Ron pulled on some old robes. Then, grabbing his wand off his dresser, and giving Ginny a glare, Ron dissapperated into the night.
9