Stranger Things Have Happened
Lady Starlight so kiss my ass
Chapter Three – Sweet Sixteenth Harry!
Harry glared, as he was shook awake. "What the hell?" He grumbled, staring up into pink eyes. A pink eyed, purple haired Tonks smiled down at him.
"Bro it's time to get up!" She grinned and did the same to Ron and Hermione. Harry glanced at the calendar by the alarm clock…why was there an alarm clock? And noticed the date.
Sunday, July 31, 1996.
"Oh…" he muttered, sleep still clouding his mind. It had been one of the rare times that he didn't see Sirius die in his sleep. One of the full nights of sleep that he didn't often get since the fucker Riddle came back.
Harry sat up and noticed Tonks had moved on from awaking Hermione to Ron. Harry glanced down at the girl and smiled before tugging on her hair, hard.
"HARRY JAMES POTTER YOU ARROGANT ARSE!" She shrieked, obviously she had been awake.
"What Mia? You know as well as I do that Tonks wouldn't have left till she was positive you were awake." He smiled at her, green eyes light. Hermione's brown ones smiled back. She didn't even question about the nickname, though he had used it twice already.
Tonks fumed, glaring, as Ron shoved the pillow on his head. Harry and Hermione grinned at each other. "RONALD ALLEN WEASLEY GET YOUR LAZY ARSE UP!"
"I'm up! I'm up! Don't send the spiders!" Harry and Hermione burst out in laughter at the glare they got. Tonks frowned, wondering why in the world her attempts didn't work.
"Cause we know them better." Harry responded, as if she had spoken allowed. The two Witches and Wizard looked at the Boy-Who-Lived as if he had grown an extra head. He shrugged, still looking at the bewildered Tonks. "It's true!"
Tonks didn't say anything but nodded nonetheless. She feared that Harry's powers would come into play soon. That they would get out of hand. She knew from rumor that it hurt like hell.
The four of them left the office, all their belongings floating behind them. Harry walked into his room and his books dropped on his desk. He grabbed some clothes and a towel before taking a shower. When he came down to breakfast letters and newspapers covered the table.
Harry had canceled his subscription to the papers over the summer. He hadn't wanted to know what the world was saying about him. About what they were saying about his beloved Godfather. His deceased Godfather.
"It's ok Harry," Hermione said. "The Papers are all safe. You're a Hero again." Hermione picked up one of the papers. "The Boy-Who-Lived. The Boy-Who-Wouldn't-Die. Boy-Savior. And the latest one, The Chosen Hero." Hermione sneered, choking back a sob. "They seem to think it is your job and yours alone to fight Voldemort. What bullshit right? I mean, the Ministry's obviously in trouble if they think a sixteen-year-old can do what they can't. What they haven't tried."
'They don't know how right they are.' Harry thought with a mental sigh.
Harry picked up one of the letters and realized they were for him. Dumbledore looked at the now sixteen-year-old with amusement. "Was there a reason you stayed up till midnight last night Harry?" Harry raised a brow at the twinkle in the old mans eye.
"Or was it just habit Harry?" Harry shrugged, smiling slightly. He hadn't realized they had all made sure to stay up till midnight. Hermione laughed, walking into the kitchen and flung her arms around Harry.
"Happy birthday Harry!" She said cheerfully. It was echoed by the Weasley offspring. Hermione piled his mail, complaining about it being all over the table.
"Hey, who's Ebony?" She asked, a strange tint to her voice. Harry shrugged, grabbing the envelope.
"She's in Slytherin, our year." Harry scanned the contents. His cousins and Uncle Zack and Aunty Ari all wished him a happy birthday. Harry glanced up at the Headmaster, silently asking permission. Albus smiled and nodded.
"Ohh…" Hermione muttered. Harry smiled at her and Ron.
"She's my cousin. Her mother, Arianna, was dad's older sister, by three years. Ebony's younger sister, Amelia is starting Hogwarts with her and Blaise, their cousin. But he's from Zack's side." Harry told them Arianna's story, well a shortened version of it, as they ate.
"That's cool," Hermione said. "You have more family, even if they are in Slytherin." Harry shrugged.
"They're no where near as bad as Malfoy and his Goons." The Hogwarts students smirked at each other. Harry looked down at the quill in his hand and frowned at what it had drawn. He added two letters across the center of the shield before darkening the lightening bolt. Hermione leaned over his shoulder and took the quill from his hand. She hastily scribbled something and Harry grinned when he saw it. The Gryffindor lion was etched in the background. A wand and lightning bolt at cross points, sparks around them both. 'DA' was what Harry had written. Ron smirked and stole the quill, he darkened and straightened the lines in and around the shield.
Molly glanced at her youngest son and his friends, wondering what the silent conversation was about. All three looked happy. She didn't asked but kicked everyone out. It was Harry's birthday and she was going to be baking all day. Harry didn't complain, knowing it was useless.
Instead they picked up the letters and presents and brought them all up to Harry's room. Minutes after settling in the door opened again and Tonks and Remus appeared with more boxes. Tonks grinned brightly.
"These are from some of the Order and Teachers. Since sixteen is so important to Muggles and all." The Witch dropped the boxes on the floor and Transfigured up a chair. Remus put his packages down more lightly.
"Seeing as it has been officially found out that you were telling the truth they all decided that you need to look the part of successful hero." Remus sat on a chair that Tonks transfigured for him.
"Most of its clothes bro. Cuz really? What you got sucks." Tonks took her wand out and a present flung itself unto his lap.
"Open that one first. It's from me." Harry did as she asked.
It was a black wooden trunk. It was like the one that Moody had only this one had three locks not seven. Hanging from one of the shiny silver locks was a ring of keys. Harry opened the sections and knew he would be able to fit everything in there. Harry closed it and studied the top. Engraved on the top was 'Harry Potter' with an emerald lightning bolt underlining it. Harry smiled brightly and hugged Tonks.
"Thank you, that will help big time." Tonks nodded and chuckled.
"That's what I hoped kiddo."
Harry looked to the other packages and asked who was all responsible for it. He was surprised at the list. Tonks and Remus, obviously, Molly and Arthur, unsurprisingly. Albus and Hagrid and Madame Maxine as well. Harry was really surprised when Remus told him that McGonagall had participated along with most from the Order.
"She said, and I quote, 'If I see those…RAGS again I will burn them, with or without him in them. Honestly I told Albus sending him to those Muggles was a horrid idea!'" Remus chuckled at the memory. And all the teens in the room soon followed.
"She's a lot looser around you and Siri," Harry said, forgetting where he was. "All the years of pranks must have softened her to you."
"Pranks?" Fred and George said as one. "Professor Lupin? Pranks? LOTS of Pranks?"
Harry smiled sheepishly at Remus before ducking from the glare.
"Harry's got it wrong boys. It was James and Sirius that played pranks."
"Are you sure?" Tonks asked innocently. "I do seem to recall there being four Master Panksters."
'At least my slip was accidental,' Harry grumbled mentally.
"The Marauders. Lupin what were your ties with the Marauders?" The twins asked eagerly. They wanted to know everything possible about their idols.
"Hey Moony, Tonks, we've got a meeting in fifteen." Charlie said as he walked by. "Happy birthday Harry."
"Fifteen minutes huh? Still gives me enough time to kill you." Remus jumped out of his chair and Charlie yelped, "Oh shit," before running down the stairs. When Harry didn't hear the Evil-Bitch-From-Hell-That-Made-Sirius'-Life-Hell yelling off her lungs he asked about the oddly quiet Hell-Demon.
"Actually," Tonks smiled happily. It was only the Trio, her and Ginny still left in the room. Fred and George took off demanding answers from Remus and Charlie. "Before the summer began we finally got her down. Cut her away from the frame. After that we put one up of Siri and Remy and James." Tonks smiled slightly.
"It's really cool actually. It is the three of them at graduation. Your mother was a brilliant artist. Her favorite models were the Marauders."
"Even when mum and dad weren't dating?" Harry asked, remembering all to well Severus Snapes' Worst Memory.
"Yeah, from what I heard your mum often drew the four of them unexpectedly. If I can ever find one of her portfolio's then I will definitely let you have it. She's amazing. Even though all her work was Muggle style."
Harry grinned, remembering the first time he had seen a picture move in the Wizarding World. After that all Muggle pictures seemed unorthodox.
Fred and George walked back into Harry's room looking annoyed. Tonks smirked, and said goodbye and Happy Birthday, because Harry had finished opening the gifts from the Order. The twins took their former spots and Harry was handed the letters first. There were a lot of them, some from those he knew, wishing him a Happy Birthday among other things. He got mail from a lot of other sources as well though.
"Dear Mr. Harry Potter, sir," he read out, a small smile donning his lips.
"My names Amelia Moon and I'm going to Hogwarts next year. I hear all about you from my mummy and sister and cuzin. They believed you last summer. About the 'Moronic-Arsewipe-Fool' being back. Told me that the Minister was a big 'Wanker,' whatever that means. Mummy wouldn't tell me and I heard it from my cousin Blaise. He's really cool. Says you 'kick some serius ass' then gets his butt kicked by my sister Eb. It's funny.
I hope to see you next year. Be safe and don't get hurt.
Love, Amelia Moon."
The students (and twins) fell silent, all smiling as Harry continued to open letters. When he was finally finished he looked annoyed at Hermione. "I'm making you open all the other envelopes Mia!" The girl laughed but didn't decline.
Harry had gotten more then one love letter in that lot.
Fred and George handed him a package with a smile on their identical faces. "This is from our Quidditch team, and Leeeeee." Harry didn't even need to ask. He knew immediately it was: Oliver Wood, Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet, Katie Belle, Fred Weasley, and George Weasley … apparently Lee Jordan as well.
Harry blinked when he opened it. It was a miniature Quidditch field. There were six rings, fourteen players, seven were in red, seven in green, a ball trunk where Harry suspected were four balls. Harry picked up one of the red players and grinned when he saw, Wood, sown into the back of the robes in gold. It was the team Harry was familiar with. He knew no matter what changes took place, when playing with those six he would play even better then his best.
Harry smiled brightly, mentally promising to thank his teammates the next time he saw them. He hoped it was soon.
He got sweets from Ron, Ginny, and Neville. The DA had splurged together and gotten him two books on Advanced Defence. Luckily it was two that he hadn't just bought.
Harry stared at the letter from the DA in shock. "Holy shit! Neville got Outstanding in DADA! So did a lot of others!"
"Told you, you were a brilliant teacher," Hermione muttered. Harry tossed her an impish grin and turned back to the last card. It just had his name scrawled on the front in a familiar messy writing.
Harry –
Hey kid. I got you something but I couldn't give it to you right away. That's why you are getting it now. I already talked to Minnie and I advise you against calling her that. Take it from personal experience. But she says it's okay for you to have it in the castle. Come bug me and I'll give it to yah alright kiddo?
Padfoot.
Harry's mouth fell open. Hermione read over his shoulder and tears welled in her chocolate eyes. "Oh Harry," she sighed, running her fingers through his messy hair.
Harry smiled tightly, ignoring Fred and George's exclamations at finding another Marauder. "I'll talk to Remus," he told his best friends. "Wolf-Man will probably know what this was."
The twins left shortly, dragging Ginny with them. Harry opened the trunk Tonks had just given him while Hermione started folding his new clothes. Ron opened Harry's old trunk and stacked his schoolbooks so they would be with in reach.
Harry took a stack of jeans and pants from Hermione and put them into the bottom section of the trunk. The shirts came next and went beside the pants. When all of Harry's clothes were all secure there was still room. Harry picked up the cardboard box the Pitch came in and ripped it so it was long enough to cover the clothing. On top of that he placed his brooms.
He couldn't wait to see the look on Malfoys' face. Harry frowned, wondering if that thought alone could be considered sadistic. The bottom section was closed and in the next one Harry put all his books in there along with other school supplies. He was surprised to see that the very top section was large enough for his brooms. Both were instantly moved there and the miniature bike followed. Harry put all his presents, that weren't clothes or books, on that shelf. Harry carefully wrapped the mirror in a cloth and put it in one of the corners. He would have to ask Remus about fixing it.
"Dumbledore did say this place was unplottable right?" Harry asked, getting strange looks from his friends.
"Yes it is," Hermione agreed.
"And there is a Quidditch field?" This time the question was directed at Ron. Ron nodded vigorously.
"Though it's not a good as the one at the school."
"It will do." Harry smirked at his two best friends. He opened his window and paused. "Do you think I could borrow Midnight and Pig?" He pulled out some parchment that was in his desk and started scribbling on it. He had already talked to the twins.
Hermione and Ron agreed and went to get their owls. When they came back Harry was ripping parchment in half. He tossed them a smile scribbled something else on the paper. He tied six to Hedwig, talking to her as he went. Hedwig hooted affectionately and took off. Midnight stepped up. Harry did the same thing, though he looked through his letters more carefully. Pig was last and when all three owls were gone a brown owl zoomed in. The trio recognized it as the Twins owl, obsessively named Marauder. Harry pulled the letter off and read it quickly. He gave Marauder a treat and the owl went to find her owners.
"Alright Harry, what is going on?" Hermione asked, tired of the secrets.
Harry blinked and smirked. "On the second we are going to WWW for a very important meeting."
"The DA?" Hermione asked.
"Uh huh, but I want to change the name. I am sure that there will be more idea's now that people have gotten used to it."
"It's still the same gig?" Ron asked and Harry nodded.
"Yes, just with some different people."
"You're inviting those Slytherins."
"They are my cousins Ron." Harry paused before smiling. "You'll like them."
"I'll take your word for it." Ron mutters unbelieving. There hasn't been one Slytherin that he'd come across that he actually liked.
The three of them smiled at each other and soon Tonks reappeared. "Remus gave the OK to take the bike out." Harry picked up the miniature bike and locked his trunk.
"You wanna ride?" He asked Ron and Hermione. "I have Padfoot's flying bike!" 'Mental note: Talk to Remus about Siri's note.'
"Totally!" Ron said enthusiastically. Hermione looked worried but nodded. She followed them out of Harry's room but picked up the full length black leather coat that Bill and Charlie Weasley had gotten him. The four of them left the house and Tonks lead them to the Quidditch Pitch where they met a smirking Remus.
"Wha? You too Remy?" Tonks teased. Remus tossed her a smirk and winked.
"I'm the only one who knows how to work that bloody contraption." He pointed out and enlarged the bike Harry had put on the ground.
"We've flown a car before." Harry pointed out.
"And I do know how to drive Remus!" Tonks snapped. Remus glared at Tonks.
"With the way you drive I'm surprised you still have your license." Tonks grinned, not ashamed and winked at Harry.
"Don't worry bro; I'll make sure to teach you before School start's again."
Remus glared and shook his head in defeat. He took the keys from Harry and put them in the ignition. He instructed them for a few moments before turning to Harry.
"Take Tonks up with you just in case."
Harry nodded and the Auror and the Boy-Who-Lived took to the air. Tonks hooted and grinned as Harry speed up.
He had ridden on a number of different sources and the broomstick was always his favorite. Now it had competition. Harry laughed and sped them around the Quidditch Pitch for a few minutes before landing.
"That is so cool," he told his best friends. When Remus was sure all three teens knew how to ride it safely he bid them a goodnight and left. It was only four and why would… "Full moon!" Harry exclaimed when he was in the air with Hermione clinging to him.
"What?" She called over the engine.
"That's why he left so early! It's the full moon tonight." Hermione rolled her eyes and rested her head on Harry's back as they flew over the house.
Harry relaxed in her grasp and couldn't wait till he had a larger field to fly over. He landed softly and smiled when he noticed Hermione was almost asleep against him.
"Mia, love time to wake up," he said as Ron walked towards them. Harry sighed and moved so that he was carrying her. "Just bring the bike in when you are done," he told Ron and Tonks.
Harry carried Hermione inside and up to the third floor. He opened her door and put her onto her bed. The movement jarred her and Hermione blinked into Harry's emerald eyes. She looked around and blushed deeply.
"Sorry," she whispered.
"It's okay Mia." Harry reassured her.
"I didn't realize I was so tired." Hermione blushed again, not willing to tell Harry the reason she had been so tired was because she had spent most of the summer up worrying about him. Harry smiled at her and leaned down to kiss her cheek.
"Sleep Mia, it'll do you good." He said and walked out.
The blush never left Hermione's face as her palm touched her cheek.
OoOoO
Harry skidded to a stop in front of Remus' room. Sirius' letter in his hand. Harry knocked quickly before entering. Remus looked up at Harry and smiled.
"I was wondering if you were going to come." Harry smiled and held out the letter.
"You know what this is about then?"
Remus nodded and walked towards the door to his office. He pulled it open and a black blur raced at Harry. Harry yelped as a cold nose pressed to his face. When he gained some control he pulled a tiny black puppy off his chest.
"Padfoot didn't like the thought of you being there alone. No matter how many Auror's they place as guards."
Harry stared at the tiny puppy that reminded him of his Godfather and noticed a gold chaion around his neck. It was a 'P' like in the painting. Harry fought with the squirming puppy and finally got the chain off. Remus chuckled in the corner.
"That was from your father. I had forgotten about it until we went to Gringotts. Prongs would want you to have it." Harry glanced up at his Defence teacher and smiled.
"Thank you Moony."
Remus smiled at Harry, glad to see the boy wasn't beating himself up over Sirius' death. Remus finished his potion and shoo'd Harry out of his room. "The puppy is from Padfoot. You are allowed to bring it to school with you." He told the Boy-Who-Lived before saying goodnight.
Harry put the chain in his pocket and carried the puppy to the kitchen where he knew Molly had food for him. Just as he suspected, the moment Harry walked in Molly Weasley was putting dogfood in a container and feeding it to the puppy.
"Do you know what you are going to name it deary?"
"Snuffles," Harry said at once. He blinked and looked down at the puppy again. Definitely Snuffles. The puppy finished eating as Ron and Tonks came in. The Auror handed Harry the mini-bike and Ron picked up the puppy.
"What are you naming him?" The redhead asked. Tonks looked at the puppy and smiled. Of course Sirius would give the kid a puppy. The meaning was obvious to anyone who knew Sirius Blacks secret Animagus.
I'm there with you. I'm there for you.
Such a Siri thing to do.
"Snuffles," Harry answered Ron, even as Tonks thought the name.
XxXTBCXxX
Authors Rambles – REVAMP CHAPTER THREE. The spelling mistakes in Meli's letter were done on purpose. Any other mistakes in this chapter SORRY! I am a horrible speller and I am the one editing this story. I need an editor! Anyway, Review if you can!
Luv ya'll
Lady Starlight:D
