Harry awoke early the morning of his sixteenth birthday to the insistent tapping on his window. He opened his bleary eyes and lifted his head. He wanted to curse whoever was responsible for awaking him so bloody early in the morning.
He and Daphne had stayed up very late making up for all their lost time. They had talked a lot about Harry's past. Once he'd begun opening up, he didn't want to stop. He wanted Daphne to really know who he was, and what she was getting into.
Harry reached out to the bedside table and fumbled around trying to find his glasses, he shoved them onto his face. All his anger faded as soon as he saw the proud snowy owl tapping at his window.
"Hedwig!" He cried leaping out of his bed and throwing open the window. His beautiful white familiar swept inside, alighting on his shoulder. She nipped at his ear lovingly and Harry rubbed his cheek on the top of her head. Hedwig hoot merrily, and Harry untied the letter attached to her leg and took her to her new perch. Harry dumped several owl treats into her bowl, and smiled.
"It's so good to see you, girl." Harry said happily. He turned his attention to the letter she had brought him, and opened it, recognizing the tidy scrawl.
Dear Harry,
I do hope this letter finds you well. I wish to visit with you and have the conversation I promised that we would have. If you are agreeable, I would like to come by tomorrow evening at six o'clock. We have much to discuss and it may take more than one visit in which to get through everything.
Until then, Happy Birthday, Harry, and do enjoy this day.
Sincerely Albus Dumbledore.
Harry felt a strange sense of foreboding. He had been expecting this conversation for a long time, but now that it was seemingly imminent, Harry couldn't help feeling he would not like what he was going to be told. He stared at Hedwig, who had folded her head under her wing, and gone to sleep. With a sigh, Harry gathered his clothes.
After a long eye opening shower, Harry dressed and proceeded down to breakfast. Today, he was going to experience something he'd dreamed of since he was very small. Visiting an amusement park with friends, and today promised to be extra fun, as half of his friends had never even heard of an amusement park. Today promised to be hysterical.
Harry went down for an early breakfast. He and his friends weren't due to leave until around noon, so he doubted anyone was up quite yet. As he passed the room Neville and Ron were sharing he could hear Ron's snores confirming his suspicions.
When Harry arrived at breakfast he was surprised to see Sirius and Remus talking with someone he hadn't seen since the night of the Ministry.
"HAGRID!" Harry said, running to his half-giant friend.
"'ARRY! Good to see yeh. 'Appy Birthday, eh." Hagrid beamed. "Sirius tells me yer taking yer friends to an amusement park. Should be loads of fun fer yeh."
"What are you doing here?" Harry asked, sitting down.
"Well, I 'ad to come by an' give yeh my present. I'm sorry I couldn't make it to yer party, but I jus couldn't get away."
"No apology necessary, Hagrid." Harry said.
"Hagrid was telling us about his brother." Sirius said, eyeing Harry strangely. "Why didn't you tell me you met him?"
"I'm sorry. I kind of forgot with all the had happened. How is he Hagrid?"
"Coming along. He's still just a young lad, and his concentration isn't tha good, so sometimes it's hard ter get him ter pay attention, but he's doing better."
"Will you be testifying, Hagrid?" Remus asked. Hagrid shook his great hairy head.
"Nah. Dumbledore an' I talked about' it. The courts wouldn't listen to a witless half-breed like me." Hagrid said, dripping with sarcasm.
"Who else is testifying?" Harry asked.
"We don't know. It's all been kept quiet. Probably to keep those witnesses from being bribed by the defense. Since you've been out of the country, there wasn't much to worry about." Remus said.
"Dumbledore will be there o' course." Hagrid smiled.
"Yes, but he'll be unable to rule on the case. As Headmaster, he could be called on as a witness, and since he'll be biased towards the school, and Harry, the law says someone else will act as Chief Warlock." Sirius said.
"It doesn't matter." Remus shrugged. "The evidence against the woman is substantial. It would take quite a lot to get the woman off with less than twenty years."
"Who's getting twenty years?" Asked Hermione as she joined them. "Hi, Hagrid, how are you?"
"Very good, Hermione." the half-giant said, hugging the demure girl, who sat next to Harry when Hagrid released her.
"We're just discussing the trial." Remus informed the girl.
Hermione's face scrunched in distaste. "That woman was absolutely horrible. What she did to us all was unforgivable. If it weren't for Harry, no one would have passed their Defense OWLs."
Harry blushed at the compliment. "Just once, I'd like to have a year at Hogwarts that isn't fraught with danger, and life threatening adventure."
"What?" Sirius asked with mock indignance. "And give up all that fun?"
Sirius ducked as Harry hurled apiece of toast. His laughter was contagious however, and those watching the two began laughing softly.
"It's good to see you boys acting so grown up and mature." Hermione smiled sarcastically.
"So Hermione, are you looking forward to the amusement park?" Remus asked, as he dodged a spoonful of eggs that had been flung.
"Stop it, both of you!" Hermione said sternly at Harry and Sirius. "Dobby worked really hard to make all this food and you're just wasting it."
Remus laughed when he saw how Hermione had made Harry and Sirius look so shameful. The both bent their heads and began eating slowly. Remus hoped Hermione was aware that she had unwittingly made herself a target for some future prank from the two she had just dressed down.
"Well, I better be goin'." Hagrid said, rising from his seat. "I got loads to do back at the castle. I know this sounds a bit paranoid an' all, but I was jus' wonderin' if you planned on takin my class this year. I got some real interesting' stuff planned."
Harry looked at Hermione, who tried to keep the fear from her eyes. He turned to Hagrid, smiling politely.
"I don't really know, Hagrid. I haven't seen my OWL results, and I haven't planned what classes I'll be taking yet. I think it would be a good idea for myself."
"I doubt that I will be able to." Hermione answered honestly.
"Well, I jus' wondered. I expect you'll both be quite busy even if yeh can't take it. But you will visit of course…"
"Hagrid, of that you can be sure." Harry grinned broadly.
The half giant beamed happily, shaking Harry's hand. "Do enjoy yerself, today, 'Arry. And. I hope yeh like yer present."
"I'm so sorry, Hagrid. Wait a moment while I open it." Harry said, as he tore into the wrapped package. Hagrid had gotten Harry a book on dangerous creatures. Harry looked a little apprehensive, while Hagrid chuckled.
"I thought since you've faced so many, maybe you'd like to be a little more prepared in case you run into another one."
Hermione tried to suppress her giggles, while Sirius let his laughter out. Even Remus was smiling. Harry thanked the gamekeeper who left a moment later. Sirius picked up Harry's new book, finding it very interesting. Harry groaned, commenting that Hagrid would probably be showing some of the creatures in his NEWT classes.
Daphne, Tracey, Ginny and Luna all came down together a few moments later. Daphne kissed her boyfriend as she sat down and began eating breakfast. The girls all chatted happily, ignoring the men for the most part, until they were finally joined by Ron and Neville.
"So," Remus said at last when they were all gathered. "We'll be taking you all to the Amusement park in one hour. You will be on your own, so you must be careful. Harry, this goes for you especially. I've made several emergency portkeys in case anything happens that will bring you back here. If anything happens, no heroics, just use your portkey." Remus stared at them all in turn, lingering on Harry the longest.
All the teens agreed, and Remus and Sirius made Harry swear he wouldn't do anything crazy. Daphne stepped in on her boyfriend's behalf promising that she wouldn't let him be the hero today.
The amusement park wasn't gigantic, but it did have more than it's fair share of rides. Harry had known it was going to be fun when he saw the expressions on Ron, Neville, Ginny, and Daphne's faces. They all stared at the rides with fearful apprehension. Hermione had assured them several times that they were not evil deathtraps, to which Harry added that they would only feel like it.
Luna had the most surprising reaction. She wasn't awed by the park in the same way as the other pureblooded wizards. She explained that when she had been eleven, she and her father had been traveling and come across a muggle amusement park. Luna described the experience as being one of her favorite memories.
They walked around a bit, getting a good look at the park and watching some of the rides. Harry and Hermione answered many questions in regards to the thrill rides.
"So, what should we ride first?" Harry asked the group, after they'd walked through the entire park.
Hermione pointed to the biggest of the four roller coasters, a sly smile on her face. Harry nodded and the group got in line for the monster looping coaster. As the line shrank, and they got closer to the inevitable ride, Harry noticed how much tighter Daphne's grip became. He also noticed that Ginny became chattier.
Ron looked incredibly green when he sat down in the car next to Luna who warned him to turn his head the other way if he were going to be sick. Harry swore he heard Neville whimper behind him when the safety bar locked into place.
For never having ever ridden a roller coaster in his life, Harry was surprisingly calm. His adrenaline was up, he could feel it in his veins, and the rate his heart was pumping, but Harry knew that the roller coaster would be nothing compared to a good broom ride.
Then the train was off, clanking it's way upward. Daphne was sitting next to him, repeating over and over, "This isn't scary." Harry knew she was freaking out, but he also knew that she was going to love the thrill ride.
The train began it's run for true now, speeding downward and into the first loop. Everyone on the ride was screaming with the thrill of the ride, but Harry thought that maybe Ron's screams were truly that of fear. He laughed at how girlish the redhead's screams sounded.
As quickly as it began, the ride was over. Two intensely fast, looping, corkscrewing minutes flew by and slowly, the teens peeled themselves out of the coaster. Daphne began hitting Harry's arms, screaming.
"Why do I let you talk me into these things?"
"Come on, Daph," Tracey said laughing as she eased Neville onto a bench. He looked quite pale, but the expression on his face wasn't of fear or anything. In fact, he looked as though he were trying to decide how he felt about the ride.
"Just admit it was fun."
"NO! It was not fun. It was the scariest thing ever." Daphne said sternly.
"It was too fun. Being scary is part of the fun!" Ginny said excitedly. She and Hermione had been in the last car, and had the most fun. "I want to do it again."
"It was alright." Ron said, still looking a little green. "Bit like driving a really fast flying car."
Harry chuckled at the comparison. He and Ron had first hand experience with riding in a flying car.
"Alright." Harry said, holding up his hands so Daphne wouldn't hit him anymore. "You can pick the next ride."
Daphne smiled and pointed to another roller coaster with more twists and turns than the one they'd just left. Harry and the other's laughed at the black haired girl, who smiled along with them. Taking Harry's hand she led the group to the next ride.
And so it went. They rode all the roller coasters in turn, getting back in the line of the last one as soon as they got off it. After the roller coasters, they took a break and tried some of the smaller thrill rides. Ron had not enjoyed the bumper cars, as everyone ganged up on him, and bumped him into a corner. Ginny had not agreed with the Tilt-a-Whirl. The group needed to take a break so the youngest Weasley's head could stop spinning.
They rode everything at least once before they decided to visit the game midway. All three boys were goaded into showing off their skills and win their ladies prizes. Ginny got in on the fun and won a pink teddy bear, which she gave to Hermione. Hermione didn't think it was as funny as the rest of the group.
After a bit, the group decided to break apart and experience things on their own. Hermione and Ginny went back to the first roller coaster, while Luna and Ron continued through the games. Tracey took Neville to the haunted house, which they laughed all the way through.
Daphne and Harry took a walk, visiting some of the attractions. As they walked, Daphne saw a fortune teller, and convinced Harry to go in with her.
"Come on. Let's see how a muggle seer works. It'll be really funny." She smiled brightly at her boyfriend.
Harry thought about it for a moment, and, deciding it could be no worse than Trelawney constantly predicting his death, followed his girlfriend.
The tent was lit by red lights, and in the center sat a small table, with a large crystal ball. On the other side of the table was a young woman with red hair covered by a black hood. Her eyes were brilliant blue, and her lips were bright red. She had a friendly face, and welcomed the young lovers to sit.
"I am Lady Dominique." She introduced herself. "I can see that you two are special. I don't see many with an aura as brilliant as yours, I must confess."
"Thank you?" Daphne said, not sure what was proper in this setting.
"I see in you two so much love. Tell me, are you newlyweds?" Lady Dominique asked.
"No." Daphne giggled. "We're still in school."
"Ah. High school?"
"More like a boarding school." Harry responded quickly.
"Have you been together long?" the fortuneteller asked.
"Nearly a year." Daphne said, her eyes sparkling as she ran a hand through Harry's already messy hair.
"Well, it is a powerful emotional bond you have. Try not to lose it. You can overcome anything if you stand together. Shall we look into the crystal and see what your future holds?"
When the teens nodded, Lady Dominique stared at them for just a moment, then bent her gaze into the large glass orb setting on the table. She peered at it thoughtfully for several minutes, then looked to Harry seriously.
"You have been marked. You're being hunted."
Both Harry and Daphne's smiles began to fade. The gypsy continued, obviously used to the effect she was having on the teens.
"You're being hunted by a terrible man, and he wants you to die, but it's not going to happen. He won't be able to kill you."
"Can you see why?" Daphne asked, curiously.
The gypsy shook her head. "It's unclear. But, I see heartache for you both, sadness and loss. You're going to say goodbye to friends, people who are close to you. But it's only temporary darkness. There will be a reckoning, and you shall triumph, and the both of you will live for a very long time, together."
"Do you see a family?" Daphne asked, her hand squeezing Harry's, her eyes hopeful.
"Yes." the woman nodded, a smile on her young face. "Little black haired children."
Harry watched Daphne as her gaze became far away and her smile became wistful.
When the session was concluded, Harry and Daphne went to find a place to sit. Both were disturbed by what the woman had told them, and needed to discuss it.
"Do you think she was for real?" Harry asked.
"I don't know. She was pretty on the nose for a fraud, don't you think?" Daphne asked.
"It was so strange. Trelawney is always predicting my death, I expected that. Some gruesome way that I'll meet my end. But she seemed to know things…"
"They were pretty vague." Daphne said shrugging lightly.
"So is Trelawney. I saw how you smiled when she told you about kids. Is that something you've thought about? I mean, us being married?" Harry asked.
Daphne's head lowered a bit, allowing her hear to hide her face, but she nodded slowly. Harry took her hand in his and smiled.
"You know, your dad asked me about my intentions." Harry said softly.
Daphne looked up, her face still burning red, but her eyes were as wide as saucers. Harry only chuckled at her embarrassment.
"What…uh, what did you say?" She asked hesitantly.
"I answered honestly. I told him that I had never thought about it. But, the talk with him made begin thinking about it. I love you. You make me feel whole, like I could take on anything. I would be lucky to have you by my side for the rest of my life. No matter how long that may be."
Daphne smiled sweetly at the boy. A small tear on her eyelash. She clutched his hand.
"Are you proposing?" She joked.
"Let's call it an agreement to revisit the subject at a later date, when certain obstacles to our happiness have been removed." Harry grinned slyly. Daphne laughed as well, and they both felt the tension that had begun building over the topic abate.
"There they are." They heard Ron's voice over the crowd. The two young lovers turned to see the rest of their friends approaching.
"Hey, guys." Tracey said as the group joined Harry and Daphne. "What have you guys been up to?"
"We saw a fortune teller." Harry said simply.
"They should all see her." Daphne said quickly. She explained to the group about her and Harry's visit with the faux seer, and how seemingly accurate the young woman had been. There was much skepticism amongst the group, but Harry insisted if they were to do it, to think of it as just a fun experiment.
Once it was agreed that they would not speak of what was said until everyone had gone, the group followed Harry and Daphne back to the fortune teller's tent. There was another discussion on whether to go as in groups or solo. Tracey and Neville wanted to go together, and before anything could be decided, they went into the tent.
After twenty minutes, the young couple emerged looking simultaneously anxious and excited. Ron went next, still thinking that this was going to be a waste of time, however when he emerged, his face and demeanor had become darker, sadder. He sat on a bench and stared at his shoes, as Luna entered next.
Harry was strangely curious what the woman had told his friend. Every so often, Ron would look Harry in the eyes, and he saw determination in his friends gaze.
When Luna emerged, she immediately sat next to Ron, grabbed his face and kissed him deeply, and soundly for several minutes. The rest of the group could only watch in stunned silence, until the two broke apart.
"What was that about?" Ron asked, gasping for breath.
"We said we wouldn't say what we talked about until everyone had gone." Luna grinned as she took Ron's hand. The redhead didn't even try to take his hand back, so deep was his bewilderment. The others were so stunned they didn't notice Ginny slip into the tent.
When the youngest Weasley emerged after her twenty minutes, everyone stared at Hermione, who'd been standing with her arms firmly across her chest. She saw the looks, and huffed. She had been against the idea from the start, stating over and over that Divination was nothing more than poppycock.
Hermione relented however, and entered the tent.
"What do you think she'll tell her?" Daphne asked Harry quietly. Harry shrugged. He couldn't think what the fortune teller might be saying to his rational friend. He became extremely curious when the girl emerged after her session, with a very somber, slightly delighted expression on her face.
As promised, the group didn't speak until they were all seated around a large table. Ginny was the first to speak up.
"She said I had strength. I was going to be strong for those who were at their weakest. She mentioned a reckoning and that I would be able to avenge family." The young redhead girl said. "Do you think she's talking about the war?"
"I think it's more likely the final battle." Neville said. "Do you think she's a witch?"
"Maybe she's like a squib. You know, like a really strong seer but nothing else." Hermione remarked, her voice a little breathy, and her eyes were unfocused.
"What'd she tell you guys?" Daphne asked of Tracey and Neville.
"She said that I had chosen well." Tracey said. "She said I was nearly too late."
"She told me my parents were sad because they couldn't tell me how proud they were, but that they understood when I talked." Neville said softly.
"That's it?" Harry asked. He didn't miss the look they gave each other. Something else had been said that meant something to the pair, but they seemed to not want to speak of it. Harry decided not to press the issue.
"I want to know what she told Luna." Ginny smiled. "What got you to just snog my brother like that?"
"Yeah, I'm more than a little curious about that as well." Harry smiled.
"She just reaffirmed what I already knew. Ron and I are meant to be." Luna smiled. Then her expression fell a bit. "She seemed sad when she spoke about him though. What did she tell you, Ron?"
Harry, who had been extremely curious, watched his friend carefully. His behavior since coming out of the gypsy's tent had been the most curious. Ron shook his head slowly, a strange sort of sadness in his eyes.
"It was stupid. Worse than Trelawney." He frowned. "What about Hermione?"
The bushy haired girl had not been paying close attention. She had seemed lost in thought for a while now. She suddenly realized that the conversation had ended.
"What?" She asked, now aware that everyone was watching her.
"What did she say to you?" Tracey asked.
"Oh," Hermione shrugged. "I'm to be a big part of the coming reckoning. She was surprised that we all had such bright auras. I asked about each, and she said that the black haired boy's was the brightest, but that there was a shadow falling over it. Like she was looking at it through sunglasses.
"She said the redheaded boy had a strong aura, but his own self doubt kept it from becoming what he needed it to be. She also said that as long as we stood together, and let no more pettiness try and break us, we would be unstoppable."
"But what did she say about you, specifically?" Daphne asked impatiently.
"That love was searching for me." Hermione sighed. "She said he's been in front of me the whole time, and that he was something very special. She told me that he would speak to me on the train."
"What if it's Draco?" Ginny asked.
Hermione's blissful expression faded to one of horror. Everyone laughed as Hermione began trying to punch her friend.
"That's not funny, Ginny." Hermione huffed. "I think I would hex my eyes out."
"I'm positive it's not Draco." Harry said. "More likely it's Crabbe or Goyle."
"You're all horrible people." Hermione shouted at her friends who were bent double with laughter. Hermione shook her head and began walking away from the giggling bunch. The rest of the teens recovered and chased after the brainy witch, apologizing for taking the mickey out of the girl.
It was growing late, so the group decided on a few more rides and then they would head home. Harry thought as they were all exiting the park that it had been the very best, if not the most strange, birthday he'd ever had. He couldn't stop thinking about the gypsy's predictions, and wondered not for the first time if he should mention it to Dumbledore when the old man visited the next night.
