Harry woke up early the morning of July 31st. For the first time he was
actually looking forward to his birthday. Ever since he had started to
attend Hogwarts, his birthday had become a more joyous occasion. Soon
enough, a few minutes after he had awoken, Hedwig and a half dozen other
owls flew in through the open window. Harry immediately recognized Pig. He
unstrapped the too-large package from the hyper owls leg and placed it on
his bed. Pig set off zooming back and forth around the room. Harry ignored
him and saw to the other owls. Once they had left he had a small pile on
his bed. "Shoo Pig" he said sending the small bird back out the window. He
dropped a few owl treats in Hedwig's bowl and then set to his presents.
From Ron, Harry received the normal box of sweets. Harry smiled as he
thought of Ron trying to restrain himself from eating some of them.
Hermione sent Harry a book of different quidditch maneuvers. Hagrid sent
Harry a birthday cake, as was traditional of him. Two letters at the bottom
of the pile caught his attention. One was from Hogwarts telling him what he
would need for his fifth year but the other was strange. At first Harry
thought it might be from Sirius, but the handwriting was different. Harry
hastily opened it. Harry gasped as he read it. The letter was from Lupin.
The letter told Harry that Lupin would come for him on July 31st.
Dumbledore's orders. Harry looked around. July 31st was today. Harry
dragged his trunk from the corner of his room and stuffed all of his
birthday gifts in it. He pried up the loose board that hid his most
treasured items and threw the contents in the trunk too. Finally he
scrawled a note to Ron and strapped it to Hedwig's leg. " Take this to Ron.
Stay with him, he'll take care of you." He stroked Hedwig and then let her
be on her way. Harry turned around to get his firebolt when he saw someone
staring at him. "Professor Lupin" Harry cried. Lupin smiled. He looked as
tired as he ever had. "Remus, please Harry. I am not a professor anymore."
Harry ducked under his bed and grabbed his firebolt. "We must go, Harry. We
are being watched even now as we speak. I'll explain on the way. " Lupin
grabbed Harrys trunk as Harry grabbed Hedwigs cage. "Now I know you are
underage and not supposed to apparate but we have to do this." Harry
nodded. "Now concentrate and grab onto my hand. " Harry did as he was told
and suddenly felt as though all his body parts were separate from each
other. Then they returned to normal. He opened his eyes and looked around.
The two were inside the basement of Honeyduke's in Hogsmeade. "Hogwarts is
the safest place for you. But since we cant apparate on Hogwarts grounds we
have to get as close as we can to it." Lupin slid back the boxes that
covored the entrance to the tunnel that led to Hogwarts. "Its been a while
since I have gone this way. I suggest you go first" Harry climbed into the
tunnel and started to crawl back towards the castle. "So er Remus why did
you come to get me?" Harry asked. "Well the story begins when you were
little. After your parents died he invoked an ancient magic that would
protect you from Voldemort. As long as you stayed with your aunt and
uncle." Harry nodded. Soon he entered the cubby underneath the witch's
hump. He pressed up and it opened. Then he climbed out. Lupin followed
suit. Harry was exhausted and wanted to collapse on the floor. But Lupin
pressed on. He pushed Harry towards Dumbledore's office. Once they had
reached the gargoyle that Harry knew to be the entrance they stopped.
"Hogwarts" Lupin said. The gargoyle didn't move. "Er
Dragonis….no…um…oh….move." Harry stepped for. "Professor….let me try."
Lupin stepped aside and let Harry try. "Bertie Bott's Every Flavor
Beans….Chocolate frogs" The gargoyle slid aside and the two stepped into
Dumbledore's office. "Hello Harry….Remus" Dumbledore said. "Harry, theres
someone here to meet you." Dumbledore stepped aside and Sirius came up to
Harry. He hugged him and then stepped back to look at him. "You've grown."
Sirius smiled. Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Ah yes. Harry could you
please take your belongings to your common room. The three of us have some
things to talk about." Harry did as he was told. As he made his way up to
Gryffindor Tower he began to suspect that something was terribly ary.
