Sorry for the long wait. I lost the drive to write during the remaining months of 2016 and January 2017, especially when SWTOR released its expansions, Knights of the Fallen Empire and Knights of the Eternal Throne.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Star Wars.
Chapter XIV: Plot of Terrible and Terrific Things
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It was nearing the end of June and Harry was having a conundrum. On his arm was Hedwig, indignantly and angrily hooting at him. However, her anger was not at him but at what kept on happening to her.
As he had promised to his friends, he wrote letters to each of them, even his Slytherin acquaintances. The annoying thing, though, was that something was interfering with his ability to do so. Every time he sent Hedwig to one of them with a letter, she would later return without a letter and with an angry expression. Considering she was the only living being that knew of his Force powers, she didn't have to make unnecessary gestures to communicate to him. All she needed to do was to let loose her displeasure and anger and he would easily sense it through the Force. However, unlike the other times, where he would soothe her using the Force, she let it known that this was no ordinary matter.
She also wanted him to know the details and not just the obvious fact that she wasn't able to give letters to her master's friends. So, Hedwig, the intelligent owl that she was, conveyed her desire for Harry to peer into her memories and see everything that happened to her. She didn't mind that aspect of his powers After all, he was her master and bonded human. She trusted him and was perfectly willing to let her master use his cognitive powers on her.
He was too interested in the interferences themselves to care about the implications of a human delving into the subconscious of his bonded animal.
In her memories, he found that she would often get blocked by a magic barrier that she can't seem to get through, no matter where she would try to do so, from high in the sky to the streets below. Then, the letter she was holding would be forcibly taken from her and be sent flying to a crowded or dark place where she would lose the assailant. She would then return, angry and dejected.
Harry narrowed his eyes at the situation. Whoever this person was, it's clear that this person didn't want him to communicate with the others. He didn't know why, though. It would have made sense if somebody didn't want him talking just to his Slytherin acquaintances. That would have narrowed the large list of suspects to their families and their allied purebloods, as far as he knew.
But, no, this person didn't want him talking to all of them. He couldn't think of anyone who would want to do that. Even the Headmaster, for all his manipulations, wouldn't prevent him from talking to Hermione, a fellow Housemate, especially after all the positive emotions Harry felt from the Headmaster whenever Harry talked with Hermione. He also couldn't figure out why this person wanted to cut him off from his friends and acquaintances. If it was to make him feel isolated from the magical world, then it was excellently failing. He had already met with a neighboring Housemate, Sophie Roper, and a bunch of magical beings. He also had his school items and Hedwig.
Yeah, he wasn't feeling isolated any time soon.
"Well," Harry finally said to his irate owl, "it looks like we won't be sending any of them letters any time until we find out who's messing with us."
Hedwig glared into Harry's eyes. He knew what she wanted to tell him. I will peck this meddler into a bloody pulp!
+-*/
The next day, seated on his desk, Harry was reading up on another entry from his datapad. As an aside, he was shocked that he still had a long way to go before finishing the datapad. He hadn't even gotten halfway through the pad; Revan and Meetra must have poured every experience they had into the datapad. He could only imagine what teachings the holocrons in the Revanchist vault held.
Suddenly, he heard a crack in his room. Without stopping to consider the intruder, he dropped the pad, grabbed the wand by his side, and pointed it at the source.
"Don't hurt Dobby," a squeaky voice exclaimed at him, "Dobby means no harm!"
Harry slowly lowered his wand and perused his room's new arrival. It was…small; it barely reached his hips. It also had rather pale brown skin and pointy ears, which the figure held over his face using his rather bony arms.
Come to think of it, Harry noticed that the figure was rather malnourished, if the sight of bones on some body parts were telling. Having read up on magical creatures in his spare time, he already knew what being this was.
"You," he started, "You're a house-elf, aren't you?"
The aforementioned elf lifted one ear to let his wide green eye gaze at him. "Yes, sir, Dobby is a house-elf. Is Harry Potter sir not going to harm Dobby?"
"Ah," he chuckled as he put the wand back on the desk, "sorry about that. I wasn't expecting visitors."
By now, Dobby had released his hold over his ears, letting them spread to the sides of his head, his pointy-nosed face looking up at him in awe.
"Dobby understands sir. In these difficult times, Harry Potter sir must be really cautious."
Saving his words for investigation later, Harry stood up and walked over to his bed to sit on it. Placing his wand on his pocket, he pointed a hand at the chair by his desk and said, "Well, since you're here, I guess you should have a seat."
Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say as Dobby let out a loud wail.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Harry placated the loud house-elf, "there's no need to go crazy about it!"
"Harry, I heard some kind of scream," Michael called out from behind his bedroom door, "What's going on in there?"
"A magical creature is in my room and I offered him a seat when he screamed."
Michael felt uncomfortable. "C-can you make him stop? I don't think the neighbours will appreciate hearing screams from our house."
"I'm trying."
"Dobby is sorry, Harry Potter. Dobby has not expected Harry Potter to offer poor Dobby a seat, to treat Dobby like an equal. Dobby has heard of his greatness but not of his goodness."
"You'll find that I'm full of surprises," he dryly stated.
"Thanks, Harry," Michael told him behind the door. "I shouldn't be surprised about supernatural things happening around you but I'm just a normal man, a policeman at that. Strangers suddenly appearing in the house make me jumpy. If you do have them, please tell them to keep it down."
"I'll try. So," Harry started, focusing his eyes back to Dobby, "what is a house-elf doing in my room?"
Dobby sniffled and wiped his pointy nose with his clothes; that is, if you can call it clothes. Only now did Harry notice Dobby's lack of proper clothing. It couldn't be qualified as anything but rags made to look like clothes.
House-elves, Harry remembered, bound themselves to a Wizarding family at some point in their lives. From what the book stated, it didn't matter to the elves what kind of family it was; any family would do. The book, however, didn't really state how or why they bind themselves to Families, only saying that they did so since the time of the Founders.
Considering how Dobby acted and what his attire was, the family Dobby bound himself to wasn't the most…pleasing of families. The families who could be abusive to their servants weren't really a small number, but Harry was sure that most of them were either blood purists or racists, maybe both. With that fact in mind, however, that only served to tell Harry that there's a plot that's about to unravel soon and it'll involve him.
True enough, Dobby looked around conspiratorially and whispered, "There's a plot, Harry Potter, a plot to make terrible things happen!"
"I kind of guessed that," he murmured under his breath.
"Harry Potter must not return to Hogwarts this year!"
Harry sighed. "I'm afraid I can't do that. You see, I like Hogwarts, dangerous as it may be, and want to continue my education there."
Dobby's eyes were wide. "Dobby begs Harry Potter to not! It's very dangerous!"
Harry crossed his arms and raised a brow in defiance. "I don't suppose you can tell me just what exactly is the terrible thing that's about to happen that is very dangerous!"
To his slight surprise, Dobby seemed to physically struggle in answering. "Dobby can't tell you what the plot is, Harry Potter, only that there is a plot." He then ran over to the chair and started banging his head violently against it, shouting, "Bad Dobby," over and over again.
Widening his eyes, Harry held out his hand and Force-pulled the chair away from Dobby. As he caught the chair in flight, he exclaimed, "What are you doing?!" The book didn't say anything about house-elves doing self-harm.
Dobby looked at Harry and said, "Dobby is sorry for that, Harry Potter, but Dobby is supposed to hurt himself when doing bad against the masters."
"Did they tell you to do that or is this something that house-elves do?"
"Both, sir," he tearfully replied, "Dobby sometimes hurts himself when he cannot do what they command but they sometimes order to do extra." Harry put the chair down and watched Dobby carefully. "But the pain Dobby gives himself is worth Harry Potter's safety! That's why he should not return to Hogwarts this year!"
And we're back to that topic. "Look, I understand your concern but there's nothing to worry about. I'm sure that the Headmaster and the other professors can resolve the situation without putting the students in danger. I'm sure you know of Professor Dumbledore?"
Dobby nodded. "Dobby knows of him. Albus Dumbledore is the greatest…wizard…of all...time." He suddenly leapt to his desk and started banging his head again, shouting his usual, "Bad Dobby," with every hit.
Harry ran forward and grabbed the struggling house-elf away from the furniture. "Come on," he grunted, "Let's get you away from anything until you stop doing that." He raised the house-elf to eye-level and arm's length as he said, "I'm going to hold you like this unless you promise to not harm yourself under any circumstances."
With another sniffle, the house-elf stared at Harry with his wide, green eyes. "That would be best, Harry Potter. I apologize again for my actions. My family…" He trailed off.
"I see. So your family is among those who do not see the Headmaster in a respectful light." He tilted his head. "Regardless, my point still stands. Professor Dumbledore will ensure the student body's safety."
Dobby stayed quiet and stared at Harry intently, confusing him.
He's looking at me as if I'm supposed to solve some big mystery. He narrowed his eyes. Considering what we're just talking about, it has something to do with the Headmaster and his ability to keep the students safe. Could this family be able to stop him from doing so? How would they be able to do so? Harry frowned at Dobby. His hard stare is not really helping. The only thing that I know right now is that a Dark family is planning something dangerous for Hogwarts and its students and is able to stop Professor Dumbledore from protecting both. It doesn't tell me what family it is, what they're planning to do, and how they're able to stop the Headmaster. I can't really present this to anyone without proof. Dobby obviously can't act and testify against his master, which negates my only proof.
"Anyway," Harry finally said, "I will return to Hogwarts and nothing will deter me. If not to continue my education, then it's to protect those I call friends against this terrible plot."
To his surprise, Dobby softly replied, "Friends who don't even write to Harry Potter, sir?"
He widened his eyes before he narrowed them. "So it was you who has been intercepting my owl. Hedwig and I don't really appreciate that one bit. I'm going to have to ask you to stop and to give me back the letters you stole."
The house-elf nervously stared at Harry in the eye and stated, "Harry Potter must first promise not to return to Hogwarts. It is not safe for him."
Harry returned with a challenging glare. "I will return to Hogwarts, Dobby, and you are not stopping me. Now, give me back those letters."
"Then, you leave me no choice, Harry Potter. Dobby must imprison you in this house." Dobby then snapped his fingers and the ropes were conjured into existence and wound themselves around Harry's limbs and body, making him let go of Dobby and confining him to his bed.
Harry struggled against his bonds and glared at the house-elf. He was starting to get annoyed at this elf's insistence. He mentally communicated to Hedwig to wait for his signal to do anything. "This will not stop me. I will free myself from these ropes. I will return to Hogwarts. And I will make sure that your family suffers for their audacity."
Dobby gave a sad smile. "Harry Potter is good. Harry Potter is great. But Harry Potter is not strong enough for my family." He was about to raise his hands to snap his fingers but Harry wouldn't have that.
NOW! He shouted to Hedwig through their bond.
The snowy owl gave a loud hoot of approval and burst from her cage and started to harass Dobby. "Ah, Harry Potter's owl," he cried, "Stop attacking Dobby! This is for your master's own good!"
Hedwig ignored the house-elf's cries and continued to attack him. While he was distracted, Harry looked to his desk, where his lightsaber was resting. Calling it through the Force, the hilt flew across to him. It activated in mid-air and cut through the ropes without harming him or anything around him. Freeing himself of the ropes, he quickly deactivated his saber and hid it under his pillows. He stood up, took out his wand, and pointed it at Dobby, casting, "Petrificus Totalus."
The house-elf's arms snapped to his sides, his legs joined together, and he froze ramrod straight. He then fell to the floor with a soft thud.
"Hedwig, that's enough," Harry commanded and his snowy owl immediately obeyed, flying to his shoulder. He slowly calmed himself of his anger as he walked to Dobby. Staring down at the house-elf's wide eyes, he quietly murmured, "You shouldn't have tried to stop me, Dobby." He knelt down beside Dobby. "I'm terribly sorry about this but you left me no choice." He then rummaged through Dobby's rags to look for his letters. He found them tied together by simple strings directly underneath Dobby's shirt. He undid the strings and sifted through the letters. True enough, he found all of his letters that he tried to send to the others. He also found several letters that were intended for him from all of his friends and acquaintances.
He released a sigh and looked down at Dobby. "I don't know what to do with you now. I doubt that you'll leave me alone after all this." He sighed yet another time as he placed his free hand over Dobby's head. "I suppose I'll have to do this." He channelled the Force through to the house-elf and said, "You will leave this house with no memory of what happened in here. You will not attempt to stop me from returning to Hogwarts or convince me to leave Hogwarts after today and will continue with your servitude to your family as if nothing happened."
Then, his curiosity got the best of him as he delved into Dobby's mind. He safely peered into his memories and found what he was looking for. Harry saw a familiar, blond, Slytherin boy in Dobby's memories. Often, this boy was often accompanied by a man and woman who looked like his father and mother. He then saw the abuse the elf went through with his life of servitude and he felt disgusted with them.
He moved deeper into Dobby's memories and finally stopped at what he was looking for.
"Lucius, where are you going?"
"I'm going to the Ministry. Fudge informed of that fool Arthur Weasley's Muggle Protection Act. I'm to argue against it. I might have to resort to another 'donation' to one of Fudge's charity cases to push him in the right direction; you know how slow that pudge is with his decisions. Even with all the votes I have, he will take his sweet time making a decision even with majority votes. Tch, it's all because that Dumbledore is on Weasley's side. It tips scales in his favor so I have to give a really good argument. Still, if this goes south, Narcissa, I want you to go to Gringott's and move all of our artifacts to our safe room in this house and seal it."
"I understand. Elf, get to it!"
"Right away, Mistress Narcissa!"
Harry left Dobby's subconscious and looked down at him, the house-elf's eyes glazing over from being affected by his mind trick. He was about to release his hold on him when he sensed something small coming at him from beyond his window. Harry quickly took Dobby's frozen form and hid him underneath his blanket. After he ensured Dobby was well-hidden from the approaching intruder, he sat by his desk and had to wait for a few seconds before an owl flew into his room and dropped a letter onto his desktop.
The owl then turned around and left through his window and vanished into the night.
Harry raised a brow at the letter and moved to open it. He then narrowed his eyes at its contents.
Dear Mr. Potter,
We have received intelligence that a Full Body-Bind Curse was used at your place of residence this evening at twelve past nine.
As you know, underage wizards are not permitted to perform spells outside school, and further spellwork on your part may lead to expulsion from said school (Decree for Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, 1875, Paragraph C).
We would like to ask you to remember that any magical activity that risks notice by members of the non-magical community (Muggles) is a serious offence under section 13 of the International Confederacy of Warlocks' Statute of Secrecy.
Enjoy your holidays!
Yours sincerely,
Mafalda Hopkirk
Improper Use of Magic Office
Ministry of Magic
Harry frowned as he refolded the letter and returned it to the envelope. He massaged his forehead. He deserved it, he supposed. Dobby got on his nerves with his incessant rambling. It wasn't full-blown anger but it wasn't mere annoyance either. Besides, he wasn't about to let a house-elf confine him to his house after all he's been told. A plot against Hogwarts and her inhabitants was bad enough but interfering with his communications solidified Harry's resolve to not take Dobby's advice on not going back to Hogwarts.
Speaking of Dobby, though, he turned to the frozen house-elf and frowned. The Full-Body Bind Curse has a counter-curse but it would violate the Ministry's vaunted code and would make them send him another letter. He never tried but he could use the Force through release his magical hold on Dobby.
He walked over to the frozen house-elf and placed his hands above his body. He furrowed his brows in concentration as he called upon the Force. He felt Dobby's binds and started loosening them with the Force. He first took the magic holding the bind together and slowly absorbed the Force into his body. Few minutes later, it was fully drained from the bind and it let Harry easily take hold of the bind and destroy it.
Now free of his bind, Dobby slowly sat up and looked at Harry. "Hello, Harry Potter sir, what happened?"
Smiling, Harry replied, "You fell asleep while visiting me, Dobby. It's getting late. You should get back to your Wizarding family."
Dobby stood straight up in horror. "Oh, no, Dobby must get back to his family! They'll be furious if Dobby doesn't clean up their house!"
Deciding to strengthen his mind trick on him, Harry spoke while waving his hand, "Yes. You should return to your family and don't tell them of what you've done here. You also probably shouldn't visit me any time soon to prevent your Wizarding family from getting suspicious."
He nodded enthusiastically. "I will do as you ask, Harry Potter! Dobby will return to his family's house and will not tell them of what Dobby has done here! Dobby will also not return to Harry Potter's home any time soon to stop Dobby's family from getting suspicious!" He beamed wide. "Thank you, Harry Potter sir! Dobby will go now!" He then snapped his fingers and he vanished from Harry's bedroom.
Harry released a deep sigh as he sat down on his bed. That was draining; he needed a drink.
+-*/
He leaned over the kitchen sink as he placed his empty glass in it. He then sensed Michael approaching him.
"Is that visitor of yours gone?"
"Yeah, he left a few minutes ago."
"What was he here for?"
"He heard of me and wanted to see me with his own eyes. That cry you heard was because he wasn't expecting me to be so polite as to offer him a seat."
Michael raised a brow. "He wasn't expecting that?"
"He heard of my greatness, not my goodness," Harry shrugged, "It was rather weird. But he agreed to keep his reactions to the down-low while he's in the room."
"You have my thanks for that." The phone then rang. "Oh, I'll get that." He then left Harry alone in the kitchen. Harry took another glass of water before cleaning his glass and putting it away.
He was about to return to his room when Michael returned. "Oh, who was that?"
"That was Helen. She wants to have another get-together and wants me to join the others to discuss when it will happen. I'll tell you when we will be having that get-together." He walked to his bedroom door and turned to Harry. "But if I do take long, there are some leftovers in the fridge."
Harry nodded. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, Michael."
+-*/
Back in his bedroom, Harry twirled the broken shard of the Mirror of Erised in front of him as he sat at his desk. Stopping his fiddling, he peered into the reflective surface of the mirror and angled it to show the spot over his shoulder. His father's grinning face greeted him. A small smile found its way to Harry's face.
"Hey, Dad," he said.
"How's it going, son," James' voice spoke from behind him, "You look like your mother when something's bothering her."
He hummed in thought. "What do you know of Lucius Malfoy?"
To his surprise, his father's face darkened. "He is no moral man, Harry. Even before he was recruited into Voldemort's service, he believed in blood supremacy and scorned Dumbledore's policy of accepting Muggle-borns and half-bloods into Hogwarts. He once considered transferring to Bulgaria's Durmstrang just to escape them. His father, Abraxas, wouldn't let him."
Harry blinked and turned the chair around to face the bluish form of his father. "Is this Abraxas not blood purist?"
James snorted. "Oh, he is. He just doesn't see them as useless as his son does. At the very least, he sees them as stepping stones for his own motives." He shrugged. "I believe you can consider him like those Sith your master told us about."
"He's like that, huh. What happened to him?"
"As far as I know, he died of dragon pox. It didn't surprise me. Dragon pox is common among the elderly."
"What else can you tell me about Lucius Malfoy? Why was he denied transfer by his father?"
"Who knows? We only know that Lucius wanted to transfer and was denied. Beyond that is a mystery. Lucius was furious for almost a week." He clicked his tongue and crossed his arms. "He is also an intelligent man who uses his wealth and authority wisely to get his way."
"Yeah, I did get that impression from memories of his servant." He frowned. "Could he have the power to stop Dumbledore from protecting the students?"
"With Fudge at his pocket, he could have the power. Fudge is easily swayed by money and authority, a trait he's had since his Hogwarts years; Lucius can have Fudge do whatever he wants."
Harry clicked his tongue. "How a weak man became Minister is beyond me."
"Mind yourself, son," James lightly scolded, "he may not be a good Minister but he's the Minister, nonetheless."
He snorted. "You sound just like Revan." He leaned back on his chair and said, "I should continue my habit of meditating. My emotions are getting the best of me on this month alone."
"That'll be a good idea, Harry. Your mother, fiery as she is, tends to be calm on most occasions, except when she's heard a really degrading insult or something threatens her family." He smiled. "Ah, I miss the days when she became a menace to the enemy during the war."
Remembering something, Harry turned to his father and asked, "By the way, back in Hogwarts, in the Mirror chamber, Mum and Meetra kissed me and some sort of ball moved from their mouths and into mine. After that, you and Revan seemed to entrust me with something but I don't know what it was."
James blinked. Then, he grinned as he said, "Oh, that. Well, this was something that happened years ago. The first happened between you and your mother that night eleven years ago and the second happened between you and your masters during the course of your training. We Mirror ghosts know what it is and made you aware of it. Consider it your birthday present from us, your parents and your masters."
Harry raised a brow. "Normally, a birthday present doesn't involve solving a mystery."
"Well, we aren't normal, are we, kiddo?" He placed a hand to his son's shoulder and said, "Don't worry, Harry. I'm sure you'd uncover what we left you." He grinned. "I guarantee that you'll love it!"
He smiled. "I'll take your word for it." He crossed his arms. "Is there anything else you can tell me about Lucius Malfoy?"
"Aside from being an immoral man who uses his money and authority to get what he wants, he is also an advocate of the Dark Arts. Voldemort considers him one of his most loyal and most ruthless members back during the war and his ruthlessness showed. He freely cast the Unforgiveable Curses on us countless times. He almost hit Lily with a Cruciatus Curse a couple of times."
A surge of anger started to boil within Harry but he quelled it. "Oh? What happened then?"
James grinned. "I swooped over and blocked his attacks like a boss! I even carried Lily to safety from his evil clutches!"
Harry deadpanned. "That's not what happened, is it?"
He sheepishly chuckled and said, "Yeah. Lily took care of herself just fine. She knew how to defend against the Unforgiveables, bar the Killing Curse, and Lucius' Cruciatus was no different. She and I were some of the most dangerous duos during the war."
The light atmosphere gone, Harry looked at his father in the eye and said, "Thanks, Dad, for the info. I'll need to prepare for his plans and to protect Hogwarts against him."
James smiled and knelt down to eye-level. Placing a hand to his shoulder, he said, "I'm proud of you, son. You're turning out to be a fine man."
He blinked. Then, he smiled back. "Thanks, Dad."
Suddenly, the older Potter gave a grin. "Don't forget to look like a badass while saving the school. The chicks love a badass savior!"
Harry slightly blushed and looked away. "Don't let Mum hear you say that."
"I'm sure she'd love the prospect of daughters-in-law and grandchildren." With that said, he vanished from the room, leaving Harry alone in the room.
+-*/
Harry spent most of the day and the day after to read through the letters that Dobby tried to deny him a few days ago. The earliest letters were from Hermione and Neville, followed by letters from Hannah and Susan, and finished by letters from Daphne and Tracey. All of their initial letters were simple conversations and requests. The letters after that were their concerns about his lack of replies; Daphne even wrote that she wouldn't write more letters until she got one in reply, stating that she wouldn't bother writing a letter to someone who wouldn't reply to her.
By the time he'd finished, it had become nighttime. Harry sighed in exasperation. Dobby would have ruined him if he hadn't stopped. He lowered his head to the desk and grumbled, "Hedwig, I hate to ask this of you but can you send letters to them all?"
Hedwig flew to his desk and ruffled his lowered head with her wing. Harry raised his head to look at his familiar, who flapped her wings and hooted. Harry smiled. "Thank you, Hedwig. I just have to write some replies."
He massaged his forehead and opened a drawer on his desk. He took out a few sheets of paper, envelopes, and his ink pen. He started by writing apologies, saying that someone had been stealing their and his letters and that that same someone recently intruded on his home to tell him to not return to Hogwarts for the upcoming term for his safety. Harry then wrote that he managed to convince the intruder to let him be and to return the letters to him. He then added appropriate responses to each to their letters. Afterwards, he sealed them all and addressed them to their respective recipients.
His snowy owl peered at each letter and looked up at him. Harry tied the letters together and presented it to Hedwig. "Can you carry these to them all, Hedwig? Or will it be a bit heavy for you?"
Hedwig glared at him. She flapped her wings and hooted indignantly at him.
He raised his hands to placate her. "I didn't mean it like that, Hedwig. It'll be too tiring if you delivered each letter one by one because you'd have to keep coming back here before heading out. On the other hand, delivering the letters in one go could be dangerous because the combined weight of the letters could impede your flying."
She continued glaring at him as she picked up the letters by the knot that held it together. She puffed her chest proudly at him, making him sigh.
"Oh, Hedwig, ever the proud owl, aren't you? Alright," said Harry as he opened the window to the outside, "there's nothing else keeping you. Fly, Hedwig, and may the Force be with you."
Hedwig gave a nod of the head and took off into the night.
After closing his window, Harry also closed the curtains and moved to deactivate the light. Then, with the only light source being the pale moonlight, Harry moved to the center of the room and sat down on the ground; he prepared for his meditation.
Closing his eyes, he slowly delved into the waves of the Force and expanded his senses. He then proceeded to focus on one particular being for his meditation: his familiar, Hedwig. It wasn't that he didn't trust her. Quite the contrary, he wanted to see if he could maintain his Force presence around another being for as long as possible. He also wanted to join Hedwig in her flight. The night, after all, was still young and she would have to go to very far and very different places before her business was concluded.
Once he established his presence around Hedwig, he felt her surprise at feeling it near her. He, however, wasn't as surprised. With her being the prime and only witness to his Force abilities and her actually allowing him into her memories via the Force, it wouldn't be unheard of for her to gain some form of awareness whenever he channeled the Force around her. After all, as Revan explained to him before, Revan's power crossed halfway across the galaxy to comfort his wife and child while he was imprisoned in the Sith Emperor's grasp and he said that he felt that his wife was somewhat aware of his presence.
Harry let it known through the Force to Hedwig that he was going to be her companion in her travels so she wouldn't feel alone. Hedwig received his message and was elated at being joined by her master.
Aside from being accompanied by her master's presence, Hedwig's flight to her destinations was rather uneventful. The destination themselves were the only variation.
She went to Hermione's home first. Upon reading his letter, Hermione had worriedly said, "Someone has been intercepting our mail? And this same person went to Harry's home? Why? Who could do such a thing?" She then wrote a reply to him and handed it to Hedwig.
Neville's house was next. He too was worried at what Harry wrote. "Blimey, that's why Harry wasn't replying." He too wrote a reply and Hedwig took off with it.
Hedwig flew after to the Bones residence. Within, Susan was with her aunt while she read Harry's letter. The young Bones herself said, "That's…a weird story."
"Indeed," her aunt replied, fixing her glasses on her face. "This friend of yours either has a silver tongue to dissuade such a determined person or there's more to his story than he's letting on."
Susan grimaced. "I'd say both. He has a way with words. But he also gives me the vibes that he would hide information from others unless necessary."
"Oh, he is an interesting one." A smile worked its way on her face. "He's not a bad choice, Susan, if his parentage and what you've told me are anything to go by."
Susan blushed bright pink. "Auntie, it's not like that!"
Looking amused, Susan's aunt tilted her head at Hedwig. "Nevertheless, I believe his owl is waiting for an answer. In the meantime, I will arrange a meeting with Albus about this."
Hannah's home was next. She read Harry's letter with pursed lips as she looked at Hedwig and said, "I-I don't know what to say. I thought Harry didn't reply because of some bad reason. I didn't think it would be like this!" She then hastily wrote a reply and gave it to Hedwig.
Hedwig's next destination was Tracey Davis' house. Once the snowy owl perched on the windowsill, Harry had to focus on something else other than Tracey because the girl in question was just leaving her bathroom wrapped in naught but a towel around her body. She was also drying her hair on another towel when she noticed Hedwig outside her window. She perked up as she rushed to let her in. "Finally, Potter writes back to me!" She crossed her arms. "Really, making a girl wait for a letter isn't the best way to impress a girl, you know!"
The snowy owl replied by taking out her respective letter.
Upon reading it, Tracey laughed. "I don't care if this is true or not! Potter has some funny excuses up his sleeves!" She smirked at Hedwig. "I'm gonna write back. Just give me a sec. I still need to change." Once Tracey moved to her wardrobe, Harry made sure to focus on other aspects of the room so as not to seem rude.
Hedwig, for her part, expressed her confusion at her master's embarrassment. Harry responded by explaining to her the concept of human modesty and likened the concept of nudity to an owl that has no feathers. She understood very quickly and was horrified at the idea. Thankfully, by the time Harry had fully explained it to her, Tracey had finished changing into a sleeveless shirt and shorts.
Tracey dropped to her chair and winced as she started massaging her shoulder. "Training with Dad is always a bummer. He always kicks my bum on the training mat." Then, she looked at Hedwig and said, "Anyway, let's make a letter for your wizard, yeah?"
Hedwig's last destination was the Greengrass residence. Hedwig flew around the massive mansion to look for her target when Harry helped her out by sensing her location and informing her of it. Sending a thank-you to her master, Hedwig headed for Daphne's location: a library on the second floor.
Landing on the windowsill and tapping on the glass surface, Hedwig watched at Daphne looked at her and scowled. Snapping her book shut, she moved to the window and opened it. "Potter best have a good explanation for taking this long to reply to my letters." Hedwig handed her letter over and Daphne read it, her expression turning stony afterwards. "I'm sure Potter's omitting great details about his great persuasion but I find it easy to believe that someone will be intercepting the mail and stopping him from returning to Hogwarts. After what's happened last year, trouble will no doubt pop up in Hogwarts and Potter will be in the middle of it." She sat on the nearby chair and crossed her arms. She sighed. "My mother and father have been holding back on confronting Dumbledore after hearing what Quirrell tried to do. I will have to inform them about this new information. After all, my sister is starting her first year this upcoming term and I don't want any harm to come to her. With any luck, somebody on the Hogwarts faculty will ensure our protection." She wrote a letter back to Harry and handed it to Hedwig. "His reason may be valid but I'm still a bit annoyed at your master's lack of response." She huffed as Hedwig moved to leave her mansion. "Nevertheless, I expect him to have no more reason not to reply back to me." Hedwig gave a slight bow of the head and took off into the night.
Daphne gave another sigh and straightened her dress. She left her room and walked along the hallway to stop at another room. She knocked on it and entered upon hearing confirmation. She found her father seated at his desk and her mother reading a book on the couch.
"Dear, what is it," her mother asked in concern.
She took a deep breath and said, "Mother, father, I have some news to tell you."
+-*/
Harry spent the remaining days of the week replying to them. He, Hermione, and Daphne chatted about the upcoming school term, the danger that was told would happen, and – of course – all the subjects that they would be taking on the next term; he and Susan discussed Wizarding law; he, Hannah, and Neville mostly wrote about Herbology topics; and he and Tracey talked about how her family would go on a trip with her to the woods for a month starting next week.
One particular letter from Hermione got his attention, though, one rather uneventful July 21 afternoon.
Harry,
I know that this is off-topic and all but I'm thinking about a gift for Neville's birthday; it's coming up in a little over a week, after all. I don't know what kind of gift Neville likes. I mean, I know he likes Herbology but there are many Herbology-related gifts that can be gifted to him.
Don't worry, though, Harry. I already know what I can get you for your birthday. It won't be anything too fancy; I know you're not that kind of guy.
Thanks,
Hermione
Harry gave a frown in thought. What could be an acceptable gift for Neville? Perhaps a plant or a book on Herbology might be useful. He wrote as much to Hermione, telling her to choose a book on Herbology to give him and that he'll buy Neville a plant when he gets into Diagon Alley next. After he watched Hedwig fly off to the horizon, Harry returned to the other letters that required his attention.
+-*/
On a July 31 morning, Harry awoke to a hum of Force energy originating from the Mirror shard on his desk. Removing himself from his bed, he walked to his desk, where the shard lay. He picked it up and channeled the Force through it. As before, he sensed the presences of his parents and his mentors behind him.
"Hey," Harry greeted, "you wanted to see me?"
Lily stepped forward, placed her hands on his shoulder, and smiled. "Happy Birthday, Harry," she uttered. She then kissed him. "My baby is already twelve years old. I'm so happy."
He smiled back. "Thanks, Mum."
The rest of them then walked over to him and wished him a happy birthday. James ruffled his son's hair and grinned. "My son's slowly becoming a man! I couldn't be a happier father!"
Harry smiled back before he focused his eyes on Meetra and Revan.
Revan simply gave a nod and said, "Happy Birthday, Harry." Harry nodded back. As expected of Revan to keep it short and concise.
Meetra, for her part, knelt down and took Harry's face in her hands and planted her forehead to his. "Happy Birthday, Harry," she whispered, before she too kissed him. When they separated, Harry could see the hint of a blush on her face.
"Thank you, Meetra." Once they all straightened up, Harry sat on the ground cross-legged with Meetra and Revan following his example, forming a circle of three.
"What are you three doing," James asked.
Meetra replied, "Every year, on Harry's birthday, after a dreadful day with his relatives, we would gather and meditate together like this. We would sync our energies together and just focus on each other through the Force." She smiled kindly at them. "Would you like to join us?"
Husband and wife looked at each other before turning to face them. "We'd love to."
They joined the three and turned the circle to a circle of five.
Revan started, "Since you two have yet to formally meditate through the Force, I shall instruct you." They nodded. "Forget all concepts of magic that you were taught; they will diminish the purpose of this session." He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "Close your eyes. Focus on my voice." The other four obeyed. "Clear your minds of distractions. Reach beyond your senses and feel the energy within the room."
Lily's and James' eyebrows furrowed in concentration. Meanwhile, Meetra and Harry remained cool as cucumbers.
Revan noticed and added, "Imagine the magnificence of Hogwarts, its splendor and mysteries. Imagine the comfort of your House, the belongingness with your friends. Remember what you felt when you met, both positive and negative. Remember the conflicts that made you better people, both won and lost. Remember the time when you were given a son, the joy and anxiety of having a progeny." After a second, he finished, "And finally, awaken."
Husband and wife gave a small gasp as new sensations invaded their minds.
"Is…is this what you feel every day, Harry," Lily asked, "It's wonderful!"
"I don't know why I didn't ask Revan of this sooner!" James exclaimed. "It's like my senses are sharper than ever!"
Harry smiled as Revan continued, "What you are feeling is the Force in motion. This is what initiates experience when first taught to feel the Force. Next, focus on that feeling and grasp it; reach out and take it into yourself." James and Lily took to it easier than earlier. "Good. And now, look upon your son through the Force."
Silence soon descended in the room.
+-*/
Later that night, Harry helped Michael clear the table after dinner when the latter said, "Harry, we're going to Helen's tomorrow to celebrate your birthday."
Harry stood straighter as he digested that information. "A birthday party for me," he asked.
Smiling, his guardian replied, "Yes. Since this is your first birthday away from those horrible relatives of yours, I figured that having a big party would be more memorable that having a birthday celebration with just us."
"I see. So who else will be joining us?"
"The same people from last time will be joining us. I also know that Matthew and Mark are coming." As Michael started to clean the dishes, Harry gave a shrug as he finished clearing the table and returned to his room.
Once there, he finished a reply to Susan's question regarding the use of quills versus the use of pens outside school (he himself had the stance that Hogwarts' stance on using quills on school grounds doesn't apply outside it) and gave it to Hedwig, saying, "When you return, I'll be with Michael in Mrs. Roper's house." Hedwig hooted in understanding and took off into the sky. Harry then moved to his drawer to grab a change of clothes.
+-*/
The house of the Ropers was a fair distance away from theirs, Harry mused. He noticed two other cars nearby as Michael's car joined the line. Leaving the car, the two of them approached the front door and knocked.
Sophie answered the door and smirked at seeing them. "Hey, guys," she greeted, "Come on in!"
She led them into her home and onto the living room, where two boys were sitting, one reading a book and another playing on the Gameboy console.
"Hey, nerds," Sophie called out, her hands on her hips, "Would it kill you two to look up and say hi?"
Both of them looked up and blinked. "Oh, hey," the boy playing the Gameboy greeted with a lazy wave of the hand, "the name's Mark."
"And I'm Matthew," the boy reading the book added.
"Hello," Harry replied, "I'm Harry, a classmate of Sophie's from school."
"She never told us about you," Mark lounged back on the couch seat.
"She and I never met until the previous get-together. Even then, we didn't get to know each other that well."
"So," Matthew interjected, closing his book, "you two go to the same school, huh? She never really told us about this school; she's very tight-lipped about it."
Harry glanced at Sophie, who stared back with eyes that betrayed her anxiety.
"Well, our school is one of those prestigious, private schools that are very specific in its student selection that is all up to the headmaster's discretion. Sophie and I were fortunate to have been eligible for entry and we don't know why we were chosen; we were only told that our records had something that made us eligible," he smoothly replied.
"What do you guys study there that makes it so prestigious?"
With a shrug, he replied, "The core classes include but are not limited to astrology, chemistry, self-defence, botany, and history for each school year. Electives include but are not limited to advanced chemistry, high level mathematics, zoology, and runology."
"Are you serious," asked Mark with a skeptical eye, "Chemistry and astrology since year one?"
"I am serious." Harry gave a small smile. "I did say that this school is prestigious. Its classes should reflect its high standards."
Shaking his head, he murmured, "I have no idea how Sophie got in with those kinds of subjects."
Sophie got over her nervousness and looked smug. "I guess I'm just that awesome!"
"Sure, whatever you say," he dismissed as he returned to his Gameboy and Matthew returned to his book.
"Just ignore them, Harry," Sophie shook her head as she led Harry upstairs. Once there, she ensured that they were alone before saying, "Thanks for that, Harry. I had no idea how to make Hogwarts seem non-magical so I just kept on saying that the professors don't want anyone not part of the school to know the curriculum. And you somehow managed to make it sound non-magical and so unbelievable at the same time."
Harry chuckled. "It's nothing, really. I just have a way with words."
Crossing her arms, Sophie said, "So, how was your summer?"
He shrugged. "I exchanged some letters with my friends. It's nothing exciting."
Sophie went silent at that and Harry sensed slight jealousy well up within Sophie. So, he asked, "Is something wrong? You got quiet all of a sudden."
Sophie looked taken aback and her jealousy made way for shock and alarm. Raising her arms in defense, she exclaimed, "Nothing's wrong! What makes you think that?" Calming down, she huffed. "I just thought that you'd have a more eventful summer than writing letters. It sounds rather boring. I mean, have you gone to any trips other than the get-together?"
Shrugging again, Harry replied, "Michael was busy with his work and any party his organization arranges is for him and his colleagues only." She seemed deep in thought before she suddenly exclaimed, "Oh, yeah! Have you done your summer homework? I'm almost done with mine but I just don't know how to complete Professor Snape's assignment."
Harry replied, "I've done them all. Snape's question was indeed more challenging than the rest but it wasn't impossible."
With a snort, Sophie responded, "Not impossible, my ass. He wants two well-researched essays, one on the possible Potions application of dragon's blood that was not discussed in class and one on the dangers of Potion addiction. And, here, I thought that Professor McGonagall gave us a hard one with her long list of Transfiguration practices." He gave a small laugh, making her glare at him. "I don't get why you don't get mad at the guy. Even though he insults all of us, he always seems to target you. And yet, after an entire year of it, not once have we ever seen you lose control. You don't even glare at him."
He crossed his arms. "To be honest, I pity him more than I dislike him. His contempt for non-Slytherins is bad enough; his fixation on me takes the cake."
She shook her head. "Seriously, what made him so…bad? What happened to the guy to make him hate everyone, especially you?"
Harry kept quiet. He knew why Snape hated him; his mother and father told him as much of their interactions with Snape. Why he hated everyone else was beyond him. He dared not to use the Force to enter his mind to find out. Unlike Lucius' mental defences, which were weaker in comparison and were easily bypassed, Snape's had a more secure defense – such that Harry was sure any attempt at infiltration, no matter how small, would be detected – and had no such weaknesses, at least to anyone not Harry…or Dumbledore, for that matter.
Harry was privy to the information that his mother and Snape were once friends and that their friendship dissolved in a series of events that involved them, Snape's friends, his father, and his friends. From that, Harry guessed that thoughts of his mother could be used – distasteful as that would be – to weaken Snape's defenses. His assumption became a certainty when he was made aware by his Masters of a brief event that happened after Voldemort killed his parents: Snape entered his room and cradled and wept over his mother's lifeless body. At that, Harry immediately concluded that Snape had loved Lily since their friendship and that hadn't faded even after the friendship ended. Harry may be trained by a man who valued results over methods but he wouldn't use someone's deceased love interest like that.
He did pity Snape, though, despite his conclusions. Snape apparently hadn't let go of his hatred for his father, long deceased as he was, and decided to take it out on his son. Whether Snape recognized him as the son of the woman he loved or the son of the man who took her away from him, Harry didn't know. He did know, however, that Snape was more than what he portrayed in Hogwarts. Otherwise, he wouldn't just up and serve the man who killed the woman he loved blindly without suffering thoughts of treachery and betrayal.
"Harry, Sophie," Helen Roper's voice reached their ears, "Where are you, dears? Come to the kitchen. Lunch is ready."
"Coming, Mum," Sophie shouted back, exuding relief at no longer having to delay Harry. "Come on, Harry. We can't let them wait."
Harry followed after Sophie into the dining area where Harry was suddenly bombarded with shouts of 'Happy Birthday.' Harry was then led to the head of the table, where a cake sat. Harry saw the number '11' cake candle atop the cake and felt a measure of gratitude at seeing it.
He called out, "Thank you, everyone. This is my first birthday party with a group this big."
"Make a wish, Harry," said Michael, "and blow out the candle." As the green-eyed wizard turned to him, his guardian smiled. "Happy Birthday, Harry."
"Thank you, Michael," he repeated. He stared into the flame on the candle.
"Come on, Harry," Sophie goaded with an elbow jab, "Make a wish."
He never did understand the concept of making a wish and blowing out a candle, as neither Revan nor Meetra even entertained the thought during their small birthday gatherings – the Dursleys…need he say more? Even the students who had birthdays in Hogwarts took to that tradition. It sounded like superstition and that was saying something coming from a wizard. Nevertheless, it didn't hurt to indulge this superstition as it likely wouldn't bear fruit.
He deeply thought about his wish. Even if he didn't believe it would come true, he wanted to immerse himself into the action, if only to understand how it worked. He wouldn't wish for material possessions as he had the money to get such temporary things and he surely wouldn't wish for the impossible or improbable for him to achieve as there was such a thing as suspension of disbelief. I wish, he started, I wish…I wish to be known as more than the infant who inadvertently and temporarily vanquished a Dark Lord. I wish to be known as someone who, of sound mind and body, defeated the Dark Lord completely and utterly. I wish to build a great legacy that will be remembered for a long time. It shouldn't be so mundane that it would be considered a weak wish and it shouldn't be too impossible to achieve.
He took a deep breath and blew out the candles, drawing claps from the people around him.
Helen cheerily exclaimed, "Now, it's time to cut the cake!" She took out the knife, sliced the cake, and gave portions of it to everyone. "Enjoy the cake, everyone!"
+-*/
Harry and Sophie sat in the patio as they ate their cake. "How's this celebration going so far?"
He smiled softly. "It is…different. After all, I don't really celebrate my birthdays; the Dursleys had never really bothered." Sophie's emotions spiked in anger before settling. "Nevertheless, thank you for having this party."
She grinned. "It's no problem! Mum asked Michael when your birthday was and she suggested hosting a party when the day came. Mark and Matthew kinda got dragged by their parents into this, even if they wanted to get back to their games and books." She huffed as she looked into the window, where aforementioned boys could be easily found on the couch, immersed in their activities. "But, whatever, they can be left there for hours on end and they won't leave their spots. I guess that's one of the few good things about them: they won't leave their spots unless someone forces them to. So they can't really get lost and their parents won't have to look hard to find them."
"Nevertheless, it felt rather nice to truly celebrate my birthday," he took a bite of cake, "I wonder if this will be a regular thing."
"Knowing my mom, it might as well be," she chuckled, "She loves parties and birthday parties are no different. She'll go all out, from the birthday cake and decorations to the presents." She shot up her seat. "Presents," she exclaimed, "I forgot about your present!"
Blinking, he replied, "It's fine. You don't have to-"
"Stay here!" She cut him off as she ran back into the house.
"…do…that…." He trailed off as he sensed her rush past the others and into her room. Her panicked form moved from one corner to the other as she rummaged through her belongings. She started to radiate joy before running back out the room and back out to join him. Her face was flushed and she was panting lightly but she was grinning all the same. Her hands were behind her back as she stared at him.
Her hands moved to her front and Sophie held out her present to Harry. It looked like a gift-wrapped book with a fancy bow on top of it.
"I had no idea what to give you but I figured that the simplest gift is the best." Harry opened his mouth but Sophie continued. "I know I didn't have to but I figured that you would like having your first birthday present." His mouth closed. "Go ahead," she goaded, "Take it."
Harry hesitated for the moment before he slowly took the gift from her. She waited with baited breath for his reaction as he opened the birthday gift. As he expected, the gift was a notebook.
"I figured that you might want to use it as a journal or something," she explained.
He smiled as he held up the notebook. "I'm sure I can make good of this. Thank you. I appreciate this."
She coughed sheepishly as she shrugged and crossed her arms. "It's nothing, really. I wanted to give you something Quidditch-related but I didn't have enough money for it."
"As I said," Harry replied as he put the notebook beside him, "it's fine. I can find more use for this notebook than any Quidditch item. I may like Quidditch but I have other priorities alongside it."
"Don't let Wood or any of his Quidditch friends hear you say that. They'll never forgive you."
He chuckled. "I won't tell them if you won't."
"My lips are sealed," she grinned.
They continued to make small talk until late into the afternoon, after everyone else left for home, when they were interrupted by a hoot from above. Both looked up and saw Hedwig descending from the darkening sky, her beak holding a bundle of letters. She landed daintily on Harry's outstretched shoulder as he took the letters from her. Hedwig moved to Harry's shoulder and briefly glanced at Sophie before returning her gaze to her master.
"Are those," Sophie asked, trailing off near the end.
"Yes," he replied, "I had Hedwig send letters to my friends and acquaintances and told her to find me here if they reply." His owl hooted in agreement.
"I see. Who did you send letters to, exactly, aside from Hermione and Neville?"
"I also exchange letters with Susan Bones, Hannah Abbott, Daphne Greengrass, and Tracey Davis."
She gave a small frown. "I can sort of understand the first two but the last two? Aren't they Slytherins?"
Harry replied with a frown of his own. "Yes, they are. However, they are not like Malfoy. Unlike him and his ilk, they are more accepting of my presence." Those two tend to be more Slytherin-like than Malfoy, after all.
Sophie didn't look convinced but instead said, "Whatever you say. I'll keep an eye on them, regardless."
He shrugged and said, "If you say so." He pocketed his letters and caressed Hedwig, who cooed at his ministrations. "How was your flight, girl? Was it smooth?" Hedwig let out an affirmative hoot, obviously more immersed in Harry's petting than his question. "That's good. You want some food, girl? I think we still have some leftovers in the house." The snowy owl released a vocal hoot, making him laugh. "I'll take that as a yes." He stood up and looked to Sophie. He held out a hand to her and said, "Shall we go?"
She blinked and looked at the outstretched hand. She slowly took his hand and was pulled to her feet by Harry. "Alright, let's go."
The two students walked into the house and approached the dining table, where plates with some leftover food were still left on its surface.
Helen noticed their arrival and focused on Hedwig. She exclaimed, "Oh, is that yours, Harry? It's beautiful!"
Hedwig let out a hoot, making Harry chuckle. "Hedwig's a she, Mrs. Roper. She's a very proud owl."
She giggled into her hand as she said, "Is that so? I'm sorry. I'll remember that for next time."
"Hedwig would like to have something to eat. Is that okay?"
"Of course, dear," she then gestured to the table, "Feel free to give her a meal. We still have some leftovers."
Harry smiled and moved to the table. He took a plate and placed some meat from the platter on it. He placed the plate on the table and Hedwig moved down and started eating. All the while, Harry continued to pet Hedwig as she ate.
Once the plate was empty and Hedwig returned to Harry's shoulder, Michael beckoned Harry over to him. "It's getting late, Harry. We should be going home."
Harry nodded and turned to Sophie. "Thanks for the gift, Sophie. I'll be seeing you around."
Nodding, she replied, "It's no problem. See ya 'round as well."
+-*/
When Harry, Hedwig, and Michael returned home, they were greeted by the sight of a pile of letters on the dining room table, accompanied by two wrapped presents – one in the shape of a book, the other in the shape of some vertical cuboid.
Harry walked to it and examined each of the letters. They were from his friends and acquaintances. Opening each letter awarded him with a bunch of birthday greetings.
"I guess these are from your friends, Harry," Michael commented as he picked up the letter from Hermione. "And this Hermione gave you a gift, a book on…Quidditch?" He looked at Harry questioningly. "What is this Quidditch?"
Harry subtly waved his hand and replied, "It's a Wizarding sport. It involves shooting a single ball to one of the three hoops while avoiding being hit by other players and two other balls that are sent your way. The game ends when a fourth ball is caught by one specific player; anyone else catching that ball is not allowed. Whoever has the most points at the end wins the game."
Under Harry's hypnotic sway, Michael nodded in understanding. "I see. That sounds interesting. Are you a part of a Quidditch team?"
Smiling, he replied, "Yes. I'm in charge of catching that fourth ball." He then focused on the gift that Hermione got him. He unwrapped the gift and looked at the book. Ducking and Diving in Quidditch: Maneuvers for the Beginner and the Professional, it said on the front. He smiled at Hermione's gift before he placed it back on the table to focus on the other gift. Unwrapping it, he was greeted by the sight of a glass case encasing a potted flower plant with petals alternating colors between black with a white spot and white with a black spot.
"That's…unique," Michael commented.
There was a plaque on the front of the case and a letter attached to it. Harry removed the letter and read the inscription on the plaque. 'Chinese Yin-Yang Flower,' the plaque read. He then changed focus to the letter in his hand.
Harry,
Gran and I were shopping in Diagon Alley when I saw this plant on the window of Plants National. I remembered that you liked to meditate and drink tea and do all that Zen stuff so I asked Gran to let me buy it. Considering it was an import and quite uncommon, it was rather pricey. She was hesitant at first but when I said your name, she allowed it (she even allowed me to use funds from my vault instead of what I have on hand), liking the fact that I am extending my friendship with you.
Whatever she says, I know that you'd like this. If you channel some magic to it and meditate with this in the room, it'll release a scent that can help you relax. Its leaves can also be used for tea. I tried the tea out by plucking a leaf off of the plant. The tea it produced was great! I'm sure you'll think so too.
Happy Birthday!
Neville
He smiled as he took the letters and gifts to his room. Once inside, he wrote a reply to Neville.
Neville,
I very much appreciate your gift! It is very unique and I can find much use for it. On the other hand, I have yet to buy you a birthday gift. To remedy that, I will buy you a gift the next time I am in Diagon Alley. Perhaps we could meet up there sometime and you might give me some suggestions for your gift?
Belated Happy Birthday
Harry P.
After he signed it, he handed the letter to Hedwig, who flew off into the night sky. Then Harry closed the windows and put down the blinds before moving to the center of the room. Sitting on the floor, he placed his palms on his knees, closed his eyes, calmed his breathing, and started to meditate.
And that's the new chapter. Again, I'm sorry for not updating any stories. I have lost my motivation to write any chapters and had focused all my energies to other activities.
Read and Review.