Disclaimer- I'm only going to write this once, because I think that it's useless to keep repeating myself. I do not own Harry Potter. It is owned by none other than the fabulous writer Miss J.K. Rowling herself.
Harry Potter watched the ceiling as though there was a magnificent circus up there, but he wasn't focused. He was thinking. Thinking about his recently deceased godfather, Sirius Black. Thinking about the horrible prophecy that foretold the meaning of his future. Thinking of how he had let is friends down by leading them into danger just about a month ago. He was not a happy person.
Harry Potter was a wizard. He was a famous wizard to be more precise. At the age of one, he temporarily banished the Dark Lord, Voldemort and survived the evil wizard's killing curse, which, was something unheard of until he came along. He was left with his cruel, and only, relatives, the Dursleys. There was his Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and cousin Dudley. Harry went to the infamous wizarding school, Hogwarts, since he was eleven. But as he was on the summer holidays, he was stuck back at number four, Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey.
Today, Harry was in a horrible mood. Actually, the whole summer so far, he had been in a horrible mood, but he hardly ever let any of his so called family see that. Sirius, the escaped convict, found innocent by Harry and a select few, Harry's godfather, and the best friend of Harry's father, had died. It was all Harry's fault, to his thinking. If he had listened to Hermione, or used the mirror Sirius had given him, perhaps he would still be alive. But no, he didn't do either one and Sirius was dead. Voldemort had lured Harry into the Department of Mysteries to get a prophecy that concerned the two of them, by giving Harry strange dreams, or sometimes called visions, of the corridors leading to the Department and of Sirius in the hands of Death Eaters. Harry, willing to do anything for Sirius, fell for the nasty trap and acted on, as his friend, Hermione, so plainly put it, "his love of playing the hero."
On his way to the Ministry of Magic, where the Department was located, his friends had managed to tag along. Harry felt responsible for the danger they were put in. Hermione had to take a number of potions every day at least until they left school for the holidays, Ron was attacked by a brain and he had deep scars from the thoughts, Neville had a broken nose, Ginny had a broken ankle, and Luna was knocked unconscious at one point. And Harry blamed him self for it all.
And the prophecy. What of the prophecy? He had to kill Voldemort or be killed by him. It was as simple as that. But the question was: how? How was he going to defeat the greatest Dark Lord since Grindlewald? A sixteen-year-old boy defeat him? It was unthinkable! With only five years of magic there was no possible way. He had to work twice as hard this year, was what Harry came up with.
What with no N.E.W.T.s until next year, only regular end of the year exams, he would be able to focus on other things than studying for stupid tests. He would study hexes, curses, jixes, shields. And he wouldn't stop at magic. Oh no, not when Voldemort and him had brother wands. He would learn muggle defenses. Harry would do a lot of reading this summer.
Harry's thoughts were rudely interrupted from a loud buzzing in the next room over. He instinctively grabbed his wand of the bedside table and sat bolt upright. But he relaxed when he realized it was 6:00 and it would be Vernon's alarm clock, reminding him to get up to get ready for another day at work at his drill company.
"Blasted clock!" he heard his uncle grumble loudly as he punched the alarm clock quiet again. Harry heard a rustling of bedcovers, the shuffling of feet across the floor, the closet door sliding open and hangers jostling around before the bedroom door swinging open and closed again, as did the bathroom door. It was all familiar, nothing abnormal. And for that, Harry was grateful. After recent events, he was getting rather paranoid about attacks.
Again in the next room, he heard the shuffling of feet and the closet door and the hangers. It was Aunt Petunia getting ready as well. Though, in Dudley's room, which was just across the hall, he could hear only loud, obnoxious snores. Dudley had taken to sleeping until ten in the morning, getting ready until twelve, having a large lunch (as he claimed he was extra hungry from missing breakfast), then going to a gang member's house (and later all over the neighborhood) until a time at which he saw fit (which was usually about 11:00 at night).
Harry, on the other hand, hadn't left the house at all. Though, he didn't really have any desire to anyway. Practically everything in Little Whinging, Harry gathered from the ride back, was vandalized, Harry assumed by Dudley and his gang. And after the Dursleys were threatened by the Order of the Phoenix, they weren't too happy about letting him leave the premises. Aside from that and the chores he had to do nearly everyday, everything was okay. Harry was served three meals everyday. He also kept his promise to write to the Order every three days. In basics, they all said:
Muggles are treating me fine. I'm okay.
Harry
Harry had completely given up on pestering the lot for answers to any of his questions. He would never get them by owl, if at all. He also didn't ask to be taken away from Privet Drive. Now, after his talk with Dumbledore, he realized why he had to stay there. He figured that he would be there for at least two weeks. But when two weeks passed by, he felt content enough in the muggle residence that he didn't bother to ask to leave. He just followed his routine. But that was all about to change.
He needed to go get books to read. Not muggle ones, of course. Harry needed to go to Diagon Alley to get books about defense against the dark arts, curses and sword fighting. The only problem he saw was getting there.
Harry highly doubted it would work, but he was going to ask Uncle Vernon to take him to London on the way to work. Vernon had a convention to go to in London for drills. He would go in the morning and return with Vernon in the evening. He was sure he would have a lot of spare time, but he felt he could manage. He didn't even know if he could go yet.
Just then, an owl flew through the open window of his bedroom. It was carrying a newspaper and a small bag tied to its foot. Harry gave it a few knuts and took the newspaper. He set it aside to look at later as the bird flew back outside again.
Then Harry got up from his small bed and headed toward his trunk, which he hadn't bothered to unpack. He rummaged through for a short amount of time, before settling on a faded pair of jeans and one of Dudley's shirts from when he was in fourth year. The scary thing was that it was still a bit loose on Harry.
Slowly and carefully, Harry opened the door leading to the hall. He poked his head out to see if anyone was there, which there wasn't. Listening, he heard Petunia already downstairs and in the sitting room cleaning, like usual. Not wanting to bother her, he crept into the hall and shut the door softly. Hearing the click that told him the door was completely shut, he make his way silently down the stairs. Harry was especially cautious at the bottom of the stairs where it creaked slightly if someone stepped on it.
He made his way into the sitting room where Aunt Petunia was fixing the curtains so they stayed open. She peered through the window looking for anyone that would happen to be breaking the law in any way. But of course, she found no one on Privet Drive that was breaking the law, so she finished with the curtains and moved towards the chair a bit to her left. As she straightened out the pillow so it was two inches closer to the side, Harry spoke up.
"Did you want me to make breakfast?" he asked.
Harry couldn't recall anyone ever jumping that high when he talked to them. Petunia put her hand on her chest and started taking deep breathes. "Don't do that!" she said in a hushed tone.
"Sorry," Harry said apologetically.
"It's fine," Petunia said, waving her hand impatiently. "Yes, make breakfast. Just make a bowl of fruit for everyone," Petunia said, going to fold a blanket that was sprawled on one side of the couch. Harry nodded and went into the kitchen.
He took out the cutting board, knife, three bowls and a few selections of fruit including cantaloupe, kiwi, watermelon, apples and oranges. He started with the cantaloupe, dicing it nicely and putting it in the bottom of each of the bowls. Then he went on to the watermelon, following the same procedure and next the apples. The oranges he peeled and pulled apart the slices, then cut those in half. He sliced the kiwi into thin circles and placed those on the very top.
Just as Harry finished setting the table, Uncle Vernon wobbled down the stairs in his dark gray business suit. Petunia came in the kitchen just after Vernon, commenting on how nice he looked. Harry though, thought Uncle Vernon looked like a great gray whale with a mustache. Of course, Harry wasn't going to say that, especially considering the situation.
Everyone sat down and started eating. Vernon was telling Petunia about the interviews he had conducted over the past week, as one of the employees had been offered a job that he seemed to think was a better choice. As soon as he ended the conversation, Harry thought it would be a good time to ask about going to London.
"Uncle Vernon," Harry began slowly. "Do you think that you could drop me off in London on the way to work then pick me up on the way back?" Harry was sure that this was useless.
His uncle narrowed his eyes and looked at the teenager across the table. He was getting a bit purple in the face. Harry could tell he was fighting with in his mind. Reminding himself what Moody said and then remembering that he hated the boy. Finally he answered. "I suppose. But you'd better hurry up, boy! I'm leaving in two minutes!" he called as Harry ran up the stairs to get ready quickly.
Harry was already dressed to go, but he needed a few things. He grabbed his wand and shoved it in the huge pocket on the side of his jeans. Then he got his Gringotts key, as his moneybag was just enough to get all that he wanted. He ran a brush through his hair, but there was no different outcome. As soon as the brush was back on the dresser, he looked back in the mirror to see his hair look exactly the same. So he ran his hand forward through his hair, pressing his bangs over his scar. Then he bolted out of the room, through the hall and down the stairs to find Uncle Vernon opening the door. He saw his uncle frown momentarily as Harry ran down the stairs. "Come on," he said in an irritated voice.
Harry nodded and followed Uncle Vernon out the door. They got into the car, Harry in the back seat because his uncle said he had to, even though he was about to turn sixteen. They pulled out of the drive and headed down Privet Drive and a few side streets and then onto the main road. They drove for an amount of time Harry was unaware of. But soon enough, they reached London. Harry told him where to drop him off (about a half block away from the Leaky Cauldron).
"Now boy, I'll be here at 5:15 sharp," Uncle Vernon said in a strict voice.
"Yes, Uncle Vernon."
"And I don't want to be kept waiting," he continued.
"Yes, Uncle Vernon."
"And no funny business," he said.
"Yes, Uncle Vernon."
Harry got out of the car. Just before he shut the door, he heard Uncle Vernon mumble, "The last thing I need is more of them at my house trying to straighten things out." Harry rolled his eyes and shut the door.
Walking down the sidewalk, Harry took a look at all of the muggles that were there. There weren't as many as a weekend. But being Friday, there were a bunch of teens walking about the city.
Harry got to the Leaky Cauldron within a minute and pushed open the door and stepped inside. It was dark, despite the bright sunlight outside. There were torches along the wall, giving a limited amount of light to the gloomy place. There were a few witches and wizards inside. He didn't recognize any except Elphias Doge from the Order. But he didn't stop to talk, because he was sure he wasn't supposed to be in London by himself. He made his way to the back door and opened it to reveal a brick wall. He tapped a few bricks with his wand and watched as the wall moved to let him into Diagon Alley.
He moved rather quickly, hoping that no one recognized him because he was sure he wasn't supposed to be at Diagon Alley with out surpervision. Then he reminded himself that someone was probably watching at Privet Drive and knew he was here. Hermione had said last year that Order members were tailing him. The only thing Harry could find that might've changed is that there were probably two people instead of one watching him.
Soon, he found himself in Flourish and Blotts. Harry gazed around the room and found an area he had to visit: Defense Against the Dark Arts. There were a few books there that he thought would be interesting. They were A Guide To Defenses by Xavier Parsone, Fighting the Dark Side by Paxton Guerrier, and Defending Yourself Against the Dark Arts by Zoren Deret. Then Harry went to find a book or two about curses and jinxes. He found Jinxes, and Hexes for Fighting the Dark Side by Loren Westren.
Next Harry went to an unusually small part of the bookshop that sounded interesting: Ancient Techniques. It was only a shelf long. But it did look useful. He got a book called Ancient Magic by Alexia Pleart. The book, as well as most of the rest on the shelf, looked as though they hadn't been touched for at least ten years. He dusted the book off and placed it atop the rest.
Last he found two more books called Sword Fighting: Ancient and Modern by Genevieve Watercastle and Apparating by Corbin Sertone. He bought the lot and headed back out of the bookshop.
Looking at his watch, Harry found it was almost ten. He sighed. What would he do for the rest of the day stuck at Diagon Alley? He had no need for anything more. Harry decided he would go to Gringotts to fill his money back as he had only two galleons, three sickles and four knuts left. He retrieved his key from his pocket and headed toward the wizarding bank.
He stepped into the building and found it was much cooler than outside. He found Griphook within a matter of minutes. "I'm Harry Potter, I wanted to make a withdrawal from my vault," Harry said and handed the goblin the key. Griphook nodded.
The ride down was nauseating as usual. Soon, they arrived in front of Harry's vault. Harry put in enough galleons, sickles and knuts to last him at least until next summer. He clambered back into the cart and they rode back up. Then he had a small amount of it exchanged to muggle currency. Harry thanked Griphook and exited the building. It was 10:30 now. He decided that he should go to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor and eat ice cream in the mean time.
Florean Fortescue had taken Harry's order and brought his ice cream for him quickly. Harry took as much time as he could to eat his chocolate mint ice cream. But the day was getting hotter and hotter, so he had to finish his ice cream before it dripped all over himself. It was all of a half hour before he left his seat and wandered over to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. Harry had grown enough that his robes wouldn't fit this upcoming school year. But he was still small for his age.
He got two sets of plain, black school robes. He figured, once he got to school, he could enlarge the robes he had so they fit okay. Then an idea came to him. He could make the muggle clothes he had that used to be Vernon and Dudley's (which were all of them) he could shrink. Why hadn't he thought of that before?
When he was done, it was about 11:00. Harry still had roughly six hours! Harry didn't know what he would do. Maybe go back to Flourish and Blotts? No. He had already gotten everything he needed from there. The Leaky Cauldron, Harry decided. That way he could sit down and read and get some butterbeer.
So he got to the Leaky Cauldron and pulled out his book Ancient Magic. It looked interesting enough. He began reading the introduction.
Ancient Magic is, as it's name implies, an ancient form of magic. But not all of it is available to all witches and wizards. It is a gift, much like Metamorphmagi (people able to change their appearance at will) and Elementas (people that are able to control an element). There are subcategories with in Ancient Magic, like Modern Magic's Transfiguration, Charms, and so forth. (Modern Magic is the form of magic that separates muggles, squibs, witches and wizards.) Some are easier than others. Wandless and Wordless Magic are two of the most difficult forms. Animagic (the form of Ancient Magic that allows a witch or wizard to turn into an animal at will) is available to all witches and wizards.
Why, I must get on to the other parts of the book. If I keep going on like this I won't have any chapters!
Harry chuckled as he finished the introduction. Tom, the bartender had come over just then.
"Good day, Mr. Potter. Could I get you any thing?" Tom asked.
"A butterbeer, please," Harry said.
"Right, I'll be back with that in a minute," Tom said, going back behind the bar.
Harry read the first few chapters. The Wandless and Wordless Magic interested him the most of what he'd read so far. He'd stopped reading though after finishing the first part on Wandless Magic.
Wandless Magic is one of the rarest forms of Ancient Magic, as is Wordless Magic. People that have done accidental magic one or no times at all have no chance at it. (Mind you, there's a difference between accidental magic and magic when you were younger that helped you get what you want. Accidental magic is more often than not, tied to emotions.) Wandless Magic, as it's name states, is magic done with out a wand. The only reason that it is difficult is that a wand is something used to channel magical energy. But it becomes easier to do as one practices the branch of magic. People that are able to do Wandless Magic often use their hand or a movement from the body to help channel the magical energy.
Then there was a part in Wordless Magic, much like the previous that caught Harry's eye.
Wordless Magic is one of the hardest forms of Ancient Magic to master because it is a completely mental process, though the process isn't long. There are no words, so the person has to think of what they want done. There are different ways of doing Wandless Magic. One is to repeat the incantation over and over in one's head. Or if they are very good, they will only have to think the incantation once. The harder way to do it is to think of what you want done. For instance, instead of thinking: Expecto Patronum. One would be able to think something like: Patronus or I need a Patronus. The 'I need' part often helps in urgent cases. While thinking what they want done, they point their wand in the desired direction.
The paragraphs went on to explain the types of Magic. But what Harry had caught was that he might be able to do Wandless Magic. He had done accidental magic before. There was the one time where Aunt Petunia cut his hair and he hated it. The next morning it all grew back. Then there was the ugly sweater that Aunt Petunia tried forcing him to wear. The more she tried to force it over his head, the smaller it seemed to get. But then she blamed it on the wash, so Harry wasn't positive, but was pretty sure it was accidental magic. Then there was the boa at the zoo that Harry set free on accident after he felt angry and a bit scared. There was another time where Harry was scared because he was being chased (again) by Dudley's gang and ended up on the school kitchens with no memory of getting up there. Maybe he had a chance to do Wandless Magic.
Harry was dragged out of his thoughts as Tom arrived with a second butterbeer. Harry smiled. "Thank you," he said.
"No problem at all Mr. Potter," Tom said. Harry looked at his watch. It was already 2:00!
"Do you think I could get something to eat here, Tom?" Harry asked.
"I'll get the menu," Tom said, going back to the bar. He came back just a minute later.
"Thank you," Harry said.
Tom nodded and said, "I'll come back in a minute." Harry nodded as Tom went back to the bar again.
Harry was starving already this summer. But he wasn't going to over do it. Tom came back after a few minutes. "Could I get the chicken sandwich meal?"
"Of course," Tom said, taking the menu and going back behind the bar after telling a waitress the order. About a half chapter later, his meal came: a chicken sandwich with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and mayonnaise. Harry thanked the waitress and ate as he read.
Wandless Magic can be used with all spells. And it is particularly amazing that it is no more, if not less, tiring than using a wand. It is also, on many occasions, much easier than with a wand, as there are no extremely complicated movements that go along with the incantation. Another amazing thing about Ancient Magic is that there is no magical signature, so it is untraceable.
That would be useful during the summer, Harry thought to himself. Maybe he could try later. Harry read a few more chapters before he finished his meal completely. And by that time it was 2:50 according to his watch. Only two hours and 25 minutes left. Wow, Harry thought, time flies when you have fun.
Elementas are wizards and witches that are able to control an Element. 'Elementas' is Latin for 'elements'. The Elements include wind, water, earth and fire. Elementas usually have a longer life span that the average witch or wizard. They are born Elementas, the powers aren't gained by just anyone. Natural disasters that are caused they control, making them less fatal. They are usually on the side of Light, but some of them turn Dark. That gives the Dark side an advantage, as they can cause large disasters killing any number of people. But the Light side's Elementas can even out the disasters and help stop them, or even tip the scales by killing the Dark Elementas before they get too out of hand.
That was interesting. Harry had never before heard of Elementas before now. They sounded cool, yet dangerous at the same time.
Harry read until it was 5:00, occasionally getting something to drink. At that point, he grabbed all of his books and headed out of the front door of the Leaky Cauldron and into muggle London. He looked around. The traffic was heavier than it was earlier in the morning. Harry sighed and started off down the block towards the direction Uncle Vernon pointed out. It didn't take him long before he got there, so he sat on the bench two feet from where he stood.
Briefly, Harry wondered if Uncle Vernon would actually come and get him. It wouldn't take much for him to just pass by. The only thing keeping him from it was Moody's threat and Harry coming back for him when he could do much. Well, for a muggle, that was a lot, he supposed. Harry had nothing to worry about.
Ten minutes after Harry sat down, he spotted Uncle Vernon's car pulling up. Sure enough, Uncle Vernon was inside, impatiently waiting for Harry to get inside so he could take off and catch Harry off guard. Harry tossed his books in the back seat, climbed in, shut the door and immediately put the seat belt in place. As soon as Uncle Vernon heard the door shut, he started leaving. Harry, though, was not caught off guard and merely sat back and watched as the cars on either side of him passed.
Not soon enough, they pulled into the drive of Number 4. Vernon parked the car next to Dudley's favorite birthday present- a '95 Corvette convertible. As soon as the car stopped Harry got his books, unlatched the seat belt and was out of the car before Uncle Vernon even got his briefcase.
Harry murmured a thank you and ran up the stairs to his room, shutting the door behind him. Then he pulled out his books and put them in his trunk, spare Apparating. He was about to dive into the book, very interested in reading about apparating, when he saw a letter on his desk.
The envelope was very thick. On the front it said in green ink:
Mr. H. Potter
The Smallest Bedroom
4 Privet Drive
Little Whinging
Surrey
On the back, there was a wax seal containing the Hogwarts crest. His O.W.L.s, Harry knew it. He opened the letter carefully, wondering how he did. He knew at least he got one O. That was in Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Mr. Potter,
We are very please to inform you of your scores on the Ordinary Wizarding Level tests you took just before the end of the last school year. Please find the enclosed letters. They contain your scores, a form for the classes you will take next year and a book list for your sixth year. Congratulations.
Yours sincerely,
Griselda Marchbanks,
Head of Wizarding Examinations Authority
Eagerly, Harry got hold of another piece of paper that happened to be his scores.
Mr. H. Potter,
Congratulations on your eleven O.W.L.s. If your career choice is still an Auror, then I suggest you take Transfiguration, Charms, Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Herbology couldn't hurt either. I will live up to my promise and help you to become an Auror, of course. But it does not seem that you yet need help. Even though you didn't score Outstanding on your Potions exam, you will be able to take the class. Congratulations again.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
Your results are as follows, highest grade to lowest. Percentages can be obtained by request.
Class.....................................Theory......….../Practical................................Overall
Defense Against the Dark Arts: Outstanding/Outstanding...................….......Outstanding
Herbology:.........................…....Outstanding.......................................…........Outstanding
Care of Magical Creatures........Outstanding.........................................…......Outstanding
Potions:.............................…....ExceedsExpectations…………….................Exceeds Expectations
Charms:.............................…...Outstanding/ExceedsExpectations...............Exceeds Expectations
Transfiguration:...................….ExceedsExpectations/ExceedsExpectations.Exceeds Expectations
Astronomy:........................…...Acceptable....….....................................….....Acceptable
History of Magic:................…..Acceptable....…................................…..........Acceptable
Divination:..........................…..Poor…….….…................................…...........Poor
Harry was overwhelmed. How had he done so well? This was excellent! He might still be an Auror! Five Outstandings and one above that! He didn't care about percentages! He got more O.W.L.s than Fred and George! Wow! This was brilliant! He pulled out the class form.
Mr. H. Potter,
Please fill out the bottom of this form and send it back to Hogwarts by OWL no later than July 31st.
Defense Against the Dark Arts Herbology Care of Magical Creatures Charms Transfiguration Astronomy History of Magic Potions
Harry checked Defense Against the Dark Arts, Potions, Charms and Transfiguration. He sighed happily. Then he realized there were two notes left. There wasn't supposed to be two, just one. He opened one of them.
Mr. Potter,
Congratulations on you O.W.L.s. I would like to tell you that, if you want, you are allowed back on the Gryffindor House Quidditch team and can have your position back. Please send an owl with your answer.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
All happiness missing should have returned to him. But it didn't. He was going to focus on his studies and training. He couldn't do Quidditch, could he? Not if he was trying to focus on other, more important things. However, he wrote:
Professor McGonagall,
I'm not sure I'm going to be on the Quidditch team this year. I'm going to focus on my classes more. If you're looking for a captain, go straight to Ron Weasley. It's his dream and he is a very good strategist. If I feel later I want to be on the team, I'll try out.
Until September 1st,
Harry Potter
He got an envelope and wrote on the front: Professor McGonagall. Then he put his class form and Quidditch letter in it and sealed it.
"Hedwig, I've got a job for you, girl," Harry said softly, waking the snowy owl out of her daydream. She got out of her cage and went to the desk where Harry was. She took the letter in her talons and nibbled Harry's finger affectionately. Then she soared out of the open window.
Harry grabbed the last piece of paper off of the desk and read it.
Books Needed For Sixth Year Students
For All Students:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 6) by Miranda Goshawk
For History of Magic:
A More Complex Study of the History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
For Transfiguration:
An Advanced Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
For Defense Against the Dark Arts:
Defending Yourself Against the Dark Arts by Zoren Deret
All other courses do not require new textbooks
Harry already had the one for Defense Against the Dark Arts. And he didn't need to get the one for History. He already had to send a letter to Lupin tomorrow so he decided he would tell him that he needed to go to Diagon Alley to get books.
Then Harry remembered about Wandless Magic. Maybe he could do it. There were so many times when he did magic with out a wand, yet Harry supposed it could've all been accidental. His eye's searched the room quickly, and then rested on his book about apparation. "Wingardium leviosa!" he whispered, pointing his hand at the book. The book slowly rose a few inches off the table and Harry smiled to himself.
There was a knock on the door and Harry jumped, making the book fall onto the table. Harry instinctively went for his wand, keeping it in his pocket, but gripping it tightly. Before he even got up, he heard Aunt Petunia say irritably, "Dinner's going to be ready in a minute."
"Okay," Harry responded. Though, he doubted she heard him and was probably already back in the kitchen.
Harry made his way into the kitchen and with out being asked, set the table, as usual.
"Is Dudley going to be here?" he asked.
"No, he's with Gordon tonight," Aunt Petunia said, as she shifted the chicken across the pan to a hotter point. Harry nodded.
Uncle Vernon joined them just as the chicken was being taken off of the stove.
"Smells excellent, Petunia, well done," he said, as he sat down. Petunia gave a flicker of a smile and brought the chicken to the table in a new dish. She passed it out, and then the pasta. Then they ate almost in complete silence.
"Are you ever going to cut your hair, boy?" Uncle Vernon asked Harry as they neared the end of the meal.
Harry shrugged. "I don't think so," he said.
The large man let out a puff of air in disapproval. "Petunia," he said, dropping the previous subject, "I'm going to go outside to put an extra part on the car. It's new part that goes on the front; it'll make it look better. I should be back in about a half hour." He excused himself and went outside to the garage.
Harry had finished just after Vernon stopped talking. Petunia was almost done. Harry decided to wait politely for her to finish, as she was being civil. It took her almost a minute and a half to finished. Then, she stood just suddenly, catching Harry by surprise.
"Before Vernon comes back, I want to show you something," she said, urgently. Harry nodded, got up and followed her. They went up the stairs and she went into her bedroom.
"Come here, quick," she said impatiently. Harry obliged. He got to her side to find her standing before he closet over a green, old, dusty trunk. It had the initials 'LE' in gold on them, barely readable from all of the dust. There were seven locks on the trunk.
"This was hers," Petunia said. Harry didn't have to ask who 'her' was. It was his mother. "I'm giving it to you. She told me in a letter to give it to you after you started going to that school. I've never opened it. There's probably something unnatural in it," she said, shuddering. Harry didn't get mad at her for the last comment. He wasn't sure what exactly was in it. And he was sure that he aunt thought anything that had any trace of magic was unnatural. "Take it in your room. I don't want Vernon knowing I still have it though. He thought I threw it out years ago."
All Harry could manage was a small, "Thank you."
"I haven't been able to move it ever, it's too heavy. It appeared there as soon as she died," Petunia said. "I just left it there."
Harry nodded. "Sorry," he said in advance. "Wingardium Leviosa!" he said quietly, doing the same upward motion as before. Petunia jumped a bit and then realized why he apologized.
"She could do that too. With out a... wand, I mean," she said. Harry smiled a bit and walked out of the room, the trunk in front of him.
He took the ten steps to his room, opened the door and walked inside. He set the trunk gently on the floor on the side of his own. His heart was racing. "Alohamora!" he said softly, pointing to the first lock on the trunk. He heard a click. Harry could barely contain the excitement flowing through his veins. He took off the lock and opened the compartment, wondering why it opened with Alohamora and wasn't very powerful.
Inside, it looked like an ordinary trunk. It had all of her schoolbooks in it. He spotted An Advanced Guide to Transfiguration, The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 6), The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 7), a few ones he hadn't heard of and many other books with relating titles to the ones he already had. He didn't have to go shopping after all. Along with books, he found letters with varying recipients. There were some addressed James, Sirius, Remus, Lily's parents, Petunia, and girls named Lorry and Andrea. Then he found a set of eight keys on a big ring. Harry thought seven were for the trunk, but the eight one's use was beyond Harry. Upon closer inspection, Harry found an inscription engraved on the last key. It said in cursive, almost unreadable:
To My Dearest Lily Flower,
The Key To My Heart
James
Harry smiled and flipped the key over. There was an engraved water lily on the back. He slipped his wrist through the key ring. He decided he might read the letters later. After closing the lid on the trunk and locking it, he slid the second key into the next lock. It clicked.
He opened it. There was a ladder that touched the edge of the box. Harry got up and climbed into the trunk. It was about nine feet deep. As soon as he got to the ground, he looked around. The walls were almost scarlet, but darker and there was a golden border around the room. Harry, though, was surprised he could even see it. There were tall bookcases, short ones, and shelves everywhere. Except for one wall that was reserved for a large desk and a couch. In the center of the room there was a knee high table. On it was a stone wizard chess set. He didn't do much more exploring in the room, as he wanted to see the rest of the compartments.
He opened the third compartment to find another room. He climbed down. It was a navy blue room as tall as the previous. On the walls hung all kinds of weapons. The floor was made of black granite. It was very nice. There was an alcove in the far corner. In it was all kinds of exercise equipment. Harry figured it would be nice for the summer. He could get use to a sword as well.
In the fourth compartment was a trunk size area, like the first. He found all kinds of clothes in it. He took the top layer out and hung it on a hanger on his closet door. It was his mother's dress robes. They were extremely pretty. The main color was green, but it had gold embroidery on the sleeves, neck and bottom in the shape of vines and it had a golden clasp in the shape of a leaf. The next layer of clothes was a corresponding pair only way less feminine. It was the cut that was different because these too were green with the same gold embroidery and clasp. The next robes were just as nice, but different styles. There were also plain black ones and things of the like.
The next compartment was empty, save for a collection of diaries. He read the first, and oldest one.
Diary,
I got a letter today, nothing new, right? Wrong! It was delivered by a magnificent owl, diary! It was brown with white specks and looked as if it was still a bit young. But that's not the least of it! The letter it brought was from a school, accepting me. And that's still not all. The most remarkable thing is what the school teaches. Witchcraft and Wizardry! It's called Hogwarts. Isn't that the most peculiar name? Well, they were accepting me and I have to go get my school supplies. I need a cauldron, a pair of dragon hide gloves, and a pointed hat. Can you believe all of this? And the books I need are strange too. Well, I need to go, mum's calling me.
Lily
Harry put the diary back, promising to read more eventually.
The sixth compartment held another room. It was smaller, but still nine feet tall. It was a laboratory sort of area. Harry figured it was for potions. He quivered as the thought of potions led to the thought of Snape. Oh how he hated the git.
The last compartment was a bedroom. The furniture was all cherry wood. The walls were scarlet and the carpeting was off white. There was a large four-poster bed with its headboard against the wall. Scarlet fabric was connecting the large posts and drooping slightly in the middle. The bedspread and pillows were scarlet with gold embroidery. On each side of the bed was a nightstand. On each of those was a light. Left of the bed and a few feet down was a door that led to a closet. In it was, what seemed, all of their clothes. One of the walls was home to a couch and above it were shelves. The shelves were filled with pictures. They were all over the wall. There were six whole shelves filled with pictures of him with different Marauders, Lily, the Order and a few other people Harry didn't recognize. Harry's vision blurred and then settled as tears that nearly fell were wiped away.
He went back up to his room and fell upon his bed. He cleared his mind as best he could and fell asleep in minutes.
Author's Note- Please review!