Harry Potter and the Twist in Time
Chapter 11: Of Birthdays and Magic
Harry was quickly growing into a vibrant, playful, happy boy. At nearly two years, he enjoyed everything magical. Harry was always delighted when pictures moved. He was also getting to know all the teachers and some of the students well. Although he enjoyed living with Lupin and McGonagall, Harry missed his parents a lot. He occasionally had nightmares about the night they died. Except for that, Harry loved his life and his new guardians.
Harry's second birthday was coming up quickly. McGonagall and Lupin were busy preparing for it. Because it was during the summer holidays, they didn't have to worry about going to classes. So that ment that everybody could be with Harry on his special day.
When it came to presents Lupin and McGonagall had different ideas. Lupin wanted to give Harry a toy broom. But, as McGonagall pointed out, Harry was still too young for that. They both suspected that Dumbledore would give something Muggle, as Dumbledore had a love of Muggles, especially their Faerie tales.
000
31st July 1982 5am
Harry's birthday dawned on a beautiful summer's day. Lupin was woken by Harry jumping up onto his bed, as was tradition now.
"Wakey, Wakey!" Harry screamed into his ear.
"Harry," Lupin groaned, "it's 5am. It is not time to get up."
"But it's my birthday," Harry said giving Lupin the stubborn lip.
"True, Harry," Lupin replied, "But nobody will be up yet. So why don't you get into bed with me."
Harry shook his head, "No!" he yelled.
"Fine," Lupin sighed. "Why don't you play quietly with your toys then? We are not getting up at 5am to open your presents."
Still giving Lupin the lip, Harry crawled under the blankets with Lupin.
000
7am
Harry was to be found on the floor playing with his toy dragon, when McGonagall opened the door.
McGonagall smiled, "Happy Birthday, Harry!" she called.
Harry got up and ran over to her, lifting up his arms to be carried.
McGonagall picked Harry up and tossed him into the air. "How is our birthday boy today?" she asked, catching Harry again.
Harry squealed with delight and cried, "Prezzies!"
"Not yet Harry," McGonagall said carrying Harry into the lounge area. "Breakfast first. Then, wait for everybody to arrive, so we can give you all of your presents together."
McGonagall placed Harry into his high chair. Turning to the kitchenette, she started preparing to make blueberry pancakes. She had just placed the pancakes in front of Harry when Lupin came in, looking dishevelled.
"You know what we should have Harry for his birthday?" Lupin said with a groan, "An alarm clock so he knows when he can't wake me up."
McGonagall laughed. Harry, with a mouthful of pancake, squealed "Mooey!"
"Hey cub," Lupin replied, kissing Harry on the forehead, "Happy Birthday! Are you opening presents yet?"
McGonagall shook her head. "I thought that we'd wait till everybody is here."
Lupin laughed, "Ha! Asking a two year old to wait, is a lot to ask."
"Maybe," McGonagall said, "but he has to. Whether he wants to or not."
After breakfast, people started to arrive, starting with Dumbledore and Hagrid. They gave Harry presents when they arrived. Harry couldn't contain his excitement, so McGonagall had to give in.
Harry was given each present in turn; starting with Lupin's gift where he got a photo album full of moving pictures of his parents. There were some with Harry in it. Harry, of course, loved it, having no real memories of his parents.
From McGonagall Harry received several magical story books, some new clothes, including some wizarding robes that were emerald green to match his eyes. Also, Harry was given some of his favourite sweets including chocolate frogs.
Dumbledore gave Harry a number of Muggle children's books from a series called Little Golden Books. Included in the present was a bag of lemon drops (which were, of course, Dumbledore's favourite sweet.) McGonagall wasn't entirely happy about this part of the present. But she made no objection.
Hagrid gave Harry a new mouse to go with Harry's mouse "Mousie". There were also some rock cakes and fudge to go with it. McGonagall noted that she would have to put them in the fire to soften them, before she would let Harry eat them.
McGonagall then went to get the cake. It was a chocolate cake shaped in the shape of a snitch. On it was "Happy Birthday Harry" and two candles. Everybody sang "Happy Birthday" and Harry, with the help of Lupin, blew out the candles.
They spent the rest of the day playing games and splashing in the lake, on the grounds of Hogwarts.
000
Days passed and Harry was as happy as could be. Harry enjoyed his new books. He especially loved the photo album that had moving pictures of his parents. At least he had something to remember them by. Each day he grew faster and faster. Because it was school holidays, he was allowed to spend more time around the school. Though, of course, he was only allowed to when he was with an adult. He spent most of the time in Dumbledore's office. Harry was fascinated in Fawkes the phoenix.
One time when Harry was in Dumbledore's office, he was left alone for a short while. Harry, of course, being a curious child, decided to look a bit closer at one of Dumbledore's many objects. Harry picked up one particular object which emitted puffs of smoke. Looking a bit closer, he could see that the smoke made shapes.
Suddenly there was a loud bang, coming from somewhere in the castle. It caused Harry to drop the object, which smashed onto the ground broken. Harry stared at it in shock. Harry started to cry. He picked up the pieces, not knowing what to do. He had broken one of Dumbledore's things. Harry wondered how he was going to fix it. He sat back on the floor. Picking up each piece, individually he concentrated.
Dumbledore just got back into his office to find Harry on the floor. In front of Harry was one of Dumbledore's many objects, broken. Just when he pulled out his wand to repair the object, the object glowed and repaired itself. Dumbledore was surprised. That was a pretty strong bit of magic, to be able to do that at two years old! Dumbledore approached Harry. Who turned around startled. There were tear marks going down his face.
"I…I didn't mean to Alby," Harry cried, "it fell"
Picking up a tearful Harry, Dumbledore reassured the upset toddler, "It's alright Harry. Look, it is all fixed up now. Don't worry about it. It is not your fault," Dumbledore smiled and continued, "How about we take you back to Minerva and Remus and they can explain a few things to you."
Harry nodded, burying his face into Dumbledore's robes.
When they arrived back in McGonagall's suite, McGonagall was already there sipping some tea and organising her classes for the new school year.
"Ah, good, Albus," McGonagall said looking up, "I was about to go and get Harry so he can have his afternoon nap." Then noticing Harry she asked, "What happened?"
"How about you take Harry to bed and I will explain it to you," Dumbledore answered.
After putting Harry to bed for his nap, McGonagall took the seat opposite. "So what's wrong?" she asked again.
"I left my office for a few minutes to do some things," Dumbledore answered. "When I returned I found Harry on the floor. One of my items was broken in front of him. I pulled out my wand and was about to fix it, when Harry, obviously doing accidental magic, fixed it. Harry was quite upset with breaking it. But he is fine. I told him that you would have a chat with him and that he isn't in trouble."
"Sure I will a chat with him," McGonagall said nodding, "He isn't in trouble so it won't be a problem."
"Anyway," Dumbledore continued, "the reason I left for a few minutes is that I got an owl from the Ministry. They decided that they are going to claim that Vernon Dursley is insane. They have him moved to a psychiatric hospital. Hopefully, the Muggles will think that he is crazy and that there is no proof that what he says is real. They have already modified Petunia's memory. Well," Dumbledore said getting up, "I have to go and send an owl back. So I will let you finish what you are doing."
With that Dumbledore left.
AN: Sorry for the wait for this chapter. I am having major computer problems with my laptop and I have no access to it. So I had to rewrite this chapter. I don't know when I will be able to put up the next as my sister is due to have a baby so I will be busy with that. So please be patient.