Disclaimer: I am not J.K. Rowling... unfortunately

Chapter One: An Interesting Letter

Harry sat by his window, looking out onto Privet Drive. The Dursleys had forbidden him to visit Ron at the Burrow this year, and not even the threat of Sirius could convince them to change their minds. It was now obvious to Harry that the Dursleys would do anything they could to make him unhappy - it was a creed they lived by.

Having finished all his summer homework and having written endless letters to his friends, Harry was at a loss as to what he might do. He had one more month before the new year at Hogwarts and he was resolved not to spend every minute of it looking out his window. Just then, something on the horizon caught his attention. It was too big to be an owl but it was definitely headed straight towards his window.

Harry opened his window wide as the strange animal came closer. Gradually, he was able to see its detailed features: a long, sharp beak, bright blue feathers, and a tall red crest. "Wait," thought Harry, "this must be a letter from Sirius!" Only Sirius would be anywhere so exotic as to have such an animal deliver Harry an owl. And indeed, once the strange bird landed on the windowsill, Harry could see that it held in its beak a letter on which was scrawled Harry in Sirius' distinctive lettering.

Harry closed the window quickly so the bird wouldn't leave. Hedwig hadn't yet been able to find where Sirius was staying and to deliver any of Harry's letters. This bird, however, had been sent by Sirius and therefore could return with the great wad of letters to Sirius that had been slowly accumulating on Harry's desk.

Harry opened the letter, letting out a jet of steam. He was taken aback and started violently coughing as the smoke entered his lungs. Regaining his balance, however, Harry began to read:

Dear Harry,
I am very sorry that I haven't been able to write sooner and unfortunately this letter will have to be short. I have been on the run these past few months after being tracked down in Madagascar. These new chasers seem to be much more diligent than the past ones and are constantly right on my tail, literally. I have cunningly escaped them many times but they always seem to find me again.
I really can't write much more, I've gotten a bit of a lead on them the past few days and decided to use my dearly-bought time writing to you and explaining my situation. Please don't be afraid because I'm perfectly fine and I shall try to visit you sometime this year at Hogwarts.
I also wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday although I haven't been in one place long enough to get you a birthday present . But I will bring one to you later in the year. I will manage to stuff in some Umolgi Powder in with this letter. Go and talk to the Dursley's, you'll see what it does.
Your Godfather,
Sirius

Without wasting any more time, Harry dug out some ink, parchment, and a quill from his trunk and sat down to write a final letter to Sirius wishing him good luck and pleading for him not to compromise his safety again writing him letters or buying presents. Now that he knew Sirius was all right, that was all Harry needed.

Harry bundled all the letters together with string and bound the package to one of the bird's legs. He then opened the window and sent the messenger on its way. Once he could see the bird no more, Harry opened his door to go downstairs. He wanted to see just what this Umolgi Powder did.