Chapter Four: Birthdays and the Letter:

Ten year old Harry yawned and stretched and woke fully. He looked around his large comfortable room and threw back his blue covers and got up. Quickly making his bed he went to his bathroom to shower and dress for the day and after saying good morning to the empty portrait of headmaster Black he fairly skipped down the stairs to the dining room. Today was Dudley's eleventh birthday and Harry had got him something he knew Dudley would like. He had got him a book on The History of Smeltings as Dudley was headed to the same school his father had gone to. Harry had even wrapped it himself in Dudley's favorite colors, green and gold, Dudley was a bit spoiled but he was an only child, like Harry was, but he still had his parents and he was very, very lucky that way. Harry saw Moody sitting at the table on his fourth cup of coffee, Remus drinking his first both men reading the paper.

"Good morning Harry." Remus said still reading the paper. "Have a good sleep?"

"Yes Uncle Moony." Harry said looking at Moody who was looking far too innocent to Harry's liking. "Okay Uncle Al what did you do?"

"What makes you think I did anything Harry?" Moody said innocently.

"You are far too quiet…." Harry ducked on instinct and with incredible reflexes closed his hand over the small ball. "Or you are loosing your touch sir?"

"Oh?" Moody said looking up at Harry with both eyes. "How is that?"

"I can read you now, I know when you are up to something sir." Harry said.

"Well you have to be prepared, constant vigilance you know." Moody said smiling a bit.

"Yea I do, that and innocent until proven guilty, do not kill unless you must, torture is evil and Veritaserum is your best friend in an interrogation." Harry said. "Oh and when the odds are against you, pray then go down fighting, you just may win."

"That last is not mine boy." Moody said.

"No sir, it is mine." Harry said.

"Smart boy you are." Moody said smiling.

Harry sat down grinning and tucked into his breakfast of porridge with sugar and cream, toast and orange juice. After eating his fill he went to find Kreacher and talk to the old elf about the family he had served. Harry loved hearing the old elf tell about the generations he had served and who was the best master or mistress. Kreacher liked Harry as Harry was a fair and good master, he would not let the elf punish himself, instead he had him come to him or Remus or Moody if he felt he had done something wrong. Most of the time it was nothing Harry or the two men would punish him for and so he would go back to work.

Another reason Kreacher was happy was Abby who after Moody had sold his house (to help with his retirement as he had lost money in some trades) came here to live. She had two little elves by Kreacher and Harry knew it would be at least ten years before he ever saw them as young elves had to be taught by their parents all the magic they would need in life. This was a very private and personal thing and took years to teach. Harry did not mind as he knew the elves would be hard workers when they grew up. Kreacher was deep in a tale about Sirius when Remus came into the room to collect Harry. Harry looked up and stood and realized it was time to go.

"We can finish this story later Kreacher okay?" Harry said.

"Yes master, it would be an honor." Kreacher said bowing low.

"Got everything Harry?" Remus asked.

"Yea, uncle Al coming?" Harry asked.

"He will just be watching, it is your cousin's day." Remus said smiling. "I think your aunt and uncle have a difficult time enough with me there, as a full grown wizard."

"Well if only they knew you were a werewolf." Harry said laughing.

"I think your aunt would have a heart attack." Remus said walking to the fireplace. "Ready?"

"Yea, Miss Figg's house!" Harry called out.

He threw the floo powder on the fire and went through the fireplace with Remus. After a time of whirling around Harry stumbled from the fireplace and found himself in the home of Miss Figg, an older woman who lived in her carpet slippers and old gray dress (neatly pressed), her gray fly away hair was covered with a flowered scarf and she was carrying one of her cats. She smiled sweetly at Harry and winked at Remus as he walked by and out of the house. The two wizards walked the short distance to number four Privet drive and rang the door bell. Mr. Dursley answered the door and motioned Harry in.

"Come pick him up around five." Mr. Dursley said.

"Yes sir, see you then Harry." Remus said.

"Okay Uncle Moony!" Harry said and he walked into the house. "Thank you for having me over Uncle Vernon."

"Yes, well as Dudley wanted his friends over and that included you boy." Mr. Dursley said.

"Hello Harry." Mrs. Dursley said walking into the hall.

"Hello aunt Petunia." Harry said.

"Dudley is in the lounge." Aunt Petunia said.

Harry went into the lounge and found Dudley there with two of his friends from their muggle school. Jack Fenny and Thomas Martin were there and talking and they waved Harry over to join them. Soon after it was time for Dudley to open his presents from his friends (he had opened the presents from family that morning) and so he did. He got a new video game for his play station from Jack and from Thomas a movie he really wanted. He unwrapped Harry's gift and grinned, the book was exactly what he wanted and he loved it.

"He is gonna know all about Smeltings from that." Jack said.

"Yea when I found out he made it to his dad's school I thought he would like this." Harry said.

"I do, thanks Harry." Dudley said.

"So where are you going to school Harry?" Thomas innocently asked.

"St. Andrews Academy, my dad went there." Harry said. "It's in Scotland."

"Good school?" Jack asked.

"Yea, should be, but not as good as Smeltings, I hear it is on a river!" Harry said steering the conversation back to Dudley.

Outside the room Mr. and Mrs. Dursley gave a mental sigh of relief. So far they had not had to deal with Harry speaking about magic at all around them and he was very respectful. He seemed to go out of his way to make their little boy feel special as he really was! Still they knew that one day they would have to put their foot down and not let Harry come around anymore. The only down side to the day was Aunt Marge coming to visit. Aunt Marge was Mr. Dursleys' sister and she looked very much like him, raised dogs in the country and was not the nicest woman. Harry was glad he did not have to stay and he felt sorry for Dudley who did, still he was very polite to her and left exactly at five as promised.

"So how was it?" Remus asked Harry as they walked back to Miss Figg's house.

"Not bad, I am glad you had me to go to Dudley's school uncle Moony." Harry said thoughtfully. "I mean he could have turned out worse, he needed a friend."

"You have been that for him, I had to keep a promise to your parents, that you would know as much about the muggle world as magical."

"Yea and now I will get my letter." Harry said.

"Yes you will." Remus replied.

It was four weeks later that Harry got his letter and he was extremely excited to say the least. Both Moody and Remus took Harry to get his school things in Diagon Alley and Harry was very excited as he got his books and wand and finally went to get fitted for his robes. He found himself standing side-by-side with a pale white-blond hair boy that looked as spoiled and mean as could be. Harry knew who he was from Moody talking to him about the boy's father, this was Draco Malfoy the only child and son of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy.

"I hope I am put in Slytherin, father says it is the best house and mother says all good purebloods go there." Draco said.

"That sounds interesting." Harry said trying so hard to be polite.

"I would hate to be a muggle born, imagine not knowing until you got your letter." Draco said.

Before Harry could reply that his mother was muggle born both boys robes were taken care of and Harry paid for his and met Remus outside the shop. Remus watched as the spoiled Malfoy child walked by and saw Harry looked a bit down. He wanted to speak to Harry about that, but, it was at this time that Moody came up carrying a cage and in it was a large snowy owl. Harry's eyes went wide and he took the cage and looked at the beautiful bird then up at Moody. This was the best present ever to him, he already had a cat and now he had an owl!

"Fer letters an' stuff." Moody said. "You will need her."

"Thank you sir." Harry said smiling. "She is brilliant, she have a name?"

"Shop called her Hedwig." Moody said.

"Then I will call her that." Harry said. "Thank you so much!"

Moody loved to give Harry gifts, Harry loved every gift he got and got such joy out of them. He was not spoiled, most gifts were very practical and could help him out, like Hedwig and Harry loved them. Harry loved to share as well, many times when he got a box of chocolate or sweets he shared them with his friends. He was happiest when he shared and happiest when his friends were happy. He took after his parents, mostly his mother and that was all either men could hope for. Remus saw Harry's mother in him more and more every day and some days it pained him as Harry looked, walked and talked like his father but acted like his mother and had his mother's brains. Moody smiled at the happy boy and realized both he and Remus had managed to raise a good thoughtful boy.

On Harry's birthday he had a party with his good friends Ron Weasley and Neville Longbottom. Neville was a shy boy who's parents had been tortured insane by Bellatrix Lestrange. Moody and Remus had a feeling Neville had seen it happen and that had scarred the young boy. It was that reason he was so nervous and fearful. Still around Harry and Ron he felt braver and wanted as they were good friends. Harry had a birthday cake and presents, he got a satchel with an extendable charm for his books from Moody, from Remus a large box of chocolates and an owl care kit. From Neville Harry got a book on Quadpot and Dudley had got him a video game. Harry could not have been happier at his gifts and he was getting excited for the time he would go to Hogwarts. He was growing up fast and both Moody and Remus were going to miss their boy when he went to Hogwarts…

Yes Harry is a good, kind wonderful child. He has been raised as his mother and father would have wanted and he really is a good child. I want to thank all who have reviewed so far: Tumshie, The Geeky Quill, graypheonix, Lady Clark-Weasley of Books, JWOHPfan, AllMightyPen, DeliaDee, Rainbow2007, Charcoal Hunter Winston, danielle72679. All the reviews are so kind and have made me so happy!