A/N: I'm back! After months of writers block I'm finally back! so apparently I thought having a free schedule for the summer would help me write but turns out I actually do better when having a full schedule. Who would have thought. Thank you so much for all of the reviews and favorites everyone left while I was gone and to everyone of my readers who is still with me. You were the thing that kept me from abandoning this story. I hope you all enjoy this chapter and I plan more to come soon.
About a week before Harry's birthday, an official looking owl arrived at Grimmauld during breakfast. All three inhabitants eyed it suspiciously as it dropped a scroll onto the table and flew back out of the room. For a second, no one wanted to open the scroll, for fear that it carried more bad news. Then Remus smiled a bit and announced happily, "Oh, Harry, I'd bet it's your O.W.L. results." Sirius and Harry visibly relaxed as Harry reached out and grabbed the scroll.
He untied it and read it while continuing to eat his breakfast. When he finished, he silently dropped the parchment on the table. He was oblivious to the eager stares his Godparents were giving him as he got up and carried his dishes to the sink. Neither man spoke until Harry sat back down and picked up the Daily Prophet.
"Well?" Remus asked once it was clear Harry wasn't going to share.
"How did you do?" Sirius added impatiently.
Harry looked up confusedly. He stared for a second before it donned on him what they were talking about. "Oh!" he said understandingly. " I did ok I guess. I didn't think you'd care that much."
"Of course we care, we're your family." Remus said at the same time that Sirius reached out and grabbed the scroll.
"Oh, Prongslet, this is brilliant! Moony look, the kids a genius!" He said, flinging the parchment to Remus.
Harry laughed. "I wouldn't say 'genius'. I mean, I'm sure it's nowhere near what Hermione got. And … I didn't get the potions grade I needed for N.E.W.T. level. Which means I probably won't be an auror."
Remus read the results and smiled. "First off, not many wizards are as smart as Hermione. Second off, Sirius is right, this is brilliant Harry. Five Es and one O, that's something to be proud of. And, I wouldn't put too much weight on the potions thing. This is about what James got on his O.W.L.s, if I remember correctly, and he got into auror training."
"This is cause for celebration!" Sirius announced joyfully. "I'll send Kreature to get supplies, we'll have a celebratory feast tonight."
As much as Harry laughed and acted indifferent, he was secretly excited, experiencing what it was like to have parents to celebrate his achievements.
Harry's birthday was a week later and was a relatively calm day. He got many letters and gifts by owl. Sirius and Remus celebrated with a small dinner and cake. On top of a joint gift from his guardians, Sirius also gave Harry a handmade gift as well. A knitted wand holster that strapped to his arm.
"You made this?" Harry asked shockingly after opening it.
Sirius blushed and nodded while Remus laughed. "Molly taught me. Last year. While you were at Hogwarts."
"I got a sweater. And a pair of socks for my birthday." Remus said, still laughing at Sirius' embarrassment. Harry rolled up his sleeve and tried it on. It was a simple strap with a tiny pocket sticking out that didn't look big enough to fit a finger let alone a wand.
"It's charmed." Sirius explained. "It's got an extension charm. Big enough to fit your wand without it sticking out and poking your arm or being seen by death eaters."
Harry grabbed his arm and tried it out. As it went into the tiny pocket it disappeared from sight, leaving just enough of a tip sticking out, needed to be retrieved quickly. "Thanks, Padfoot! I love it!"
Sirius smiled sheepishly. "I want you to have your wand on you at all times, Prongslet. We've all seen the dangers you face on a regular basis."
The next day Harry's Hogwarts letter came and he found out he'd made quidditch captain. Sirius had insisted on another celebration dinner and kept saying how proud James would be throughout the day. They made plans to go to Diagon Alley with the Weasley's and Hermione in a week to get his supplies, including a new broom to replace his firebolt that 'Umbridge tainted with her toad germs' as Sirius put it.
The next few days saw the return of Dumbledore to Order meetings. He appeared quieter than normal and kept his hands in the pockets of his robes.
After the meeting finished and the other Order members left, Sirius approached Dumbledore, hoping to get insight into the old man's plans.
"Hello Mr. Black. How has everything been this summer? How has Mr. Potter been since I dropped him off?"
"Hello headmaster." Sirius greeted coldly. " Harry's been fine. More relaxed than I've seen him in the past. Remus and I however, have been a bit curious about something he said. He said you wanted him to take special lessons with you this year. What kind of lessons?"
Dumbledore smiled back. "Nothing you need to worry about Sirius. Just a bit of extra lessons. Things I believe may be of use to him in the future."
Sirius was just about to point out that it is his job to worry about Harry when Dumbledore spoke again. "I must be going now. Lots of work to do to prepare for the upcoming year. Glad to hear your summer has been peaceful." he left without another word.
Sirius was now completely convinced that, whatever they are, Dumbledore's plans for Harry are definitely something to worry about.