Harry's seventeenth birthday was full of firsts. For the first time, in as long as Harry could remember, he was not awake at midnight. He did not wish himself a happy birthday. Instead he dreamed the same feverish dream he had since the night Albus Dumbledore died.
Another first was the fact that he was not alone. A tall figure stood silently at his side. The mans long white hair shone softly in the moonlight and his half-moon spectacles were perched on his long, crooked nose.
Dumbledore gazed sadly at Harry and reached out as if to rouse him from his nightmare, but his pale hand stopped centimeters from the boys face. It hovered over his scar for a long moment then pulled back.
"Happy Birthday, my boy." He whispered hoarsely.
"I'm truly sorry for leaving you the way I did, but in doing so I gave you a powerful ally in the coming war. Do not hate Severus for what he had to do. Instead realize the asset you now have. Remember that Harry."
As the figure began t vanish Harry awoke to the sound of Owls tapping at his window. He blinked rapidly at the spot where the headmaster had once stood. Harry knew something wondrous had just happened, but he could not remember what.
Dazedly he opened the window and allowed the owls entrance. Pig, followed by a school barn owl and two others he didn't recognize, flew into the room. Harry knew that one of the strange owls was from Hermione. Slowly, he pulled the slip of parchment from the only owl not carrying a package.
'As I was instructed, I have sent this owl at precisely midnight. We must meet soon to discuss the objects you are missing. Send this owl back with a place to meet. It shall be on your terms.'
There was no signature but Harry knew the spiky handwriting by heart. Determination flashed in his emerald eyes as he wrote a reply and sent the owl on its way.
Outside, the ghostly man watched the owl fly into the night and smiled.