Chapter 9. An impromptu celebration.
Snape heard Harry laugh from the doorway.
"Looks like everything is going well." he said approaching the boy and Minerva.
"She's turned a fly into a hummingbird. And she's told me that when I go to school...Hobart."
"Hogwarts" Minerva corrected.
"That, I'm going to learn to do things like that too."
Snape cleared his throat a little. "Actually you'll be doing much simpler things. Most wizards and witches can't do the transformations she does."
"But I'll be able to learn a lot of things. And if I get good grades no one will be mad at me."
Minerva's gaze hardened.
"All right, Harry. I've got an idea. I've brought some things from your grandparents' house." Snape said.
Snape pulled a couple of items out of a pocket and enlarged them.
"Blimey." said Harry. "It's my mother's trunk. And the bike I saw yesterday."
"I thought you might want to ride a bike. Go out in the back yard and practice a little, and if you do well you can ride to the parking lot at the end of the street, where there are hardly any cars. Do you know how to ride a bike?"
"A little."
"Practice for a while and then we'll see how you do."
"Great." said Harry taking the bike. "I love it, even if it's pink. If it was red it would be perfect."
As he touched it, the bike changed color. Harry looked at it in fright. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
"It's okay Harry, it's just a bit of accidental magic. It happens to all magical children." said Minerva.
"So I'm not going to be punished?"
"Of course not, you can go out into the courtyard." Snape replied.
"Will I be able to use it another day?"
"You'll be able to use it whenever you want. It was your mother's and now it's yours."
"Okay." said Harry still not quite believing it.
Harry walked out into the courtyard and Snape looked at Minerva.
"I'm going to write a report on what I've found out these past few days. I'd like you to add your version of events. I'll ask the same of Poppy."
"Who are you going to address it to?"
"To Albus, but we'll make another copy to send to the Ministry if he doesn't come to his senses."
"I'm going back to Hogwarts, let me know if you need anything."
"I'm going to be busy with this. If you can bring some dinner for the boy and me I'd appreciate it."
"It's Harry's birthday, maybe we could bring him something special."
"As you wish."
Minerva left and Snape began working on the report. He was still drafting it when Poppy came in through the fireplace.
"I've brought potions for Harry, and his new glasses."
Snape glanced over and recognized the potions immediately. Logical, after all, he had brewed them himself.
"I didn't think the skele-gro was necessary."
"His bone mass is somewhat low, probably due to lack of food and being without going outside for exercise for extended periods of time."
Snape nodded. "I'm writing a report about Harry. I'd like your input, including that last thing you just said."
"You can count on me."
"With the report and Harry's testimony we'll convince Albus to find another solution for him that doesn't involve going back to the Dursleys' house."
"I completely agree."
Snape worked through the afternoon, though he did peek out a couple of times to watch what Harry was doing. Poppy had also gone back to school, but decided to return at the same time as Minerva to have dinner with them.
The fireplace was lit and the two women entered through it. They were carrying several platters of food and a cake.
"How many people do you think will be dining here?" Snape asked as he saw them.
"We told the Hogwarts elves that it was Harry's birthday and they insisted on doing something special. You know how bored they are during the school vacations."
"So they decided to make a cake for 20 diners." indicated Snape.
"I suppose it is a big one." admitted Poppy.
"Harry's on the street. Last time I peeked he was playing ball with some kids."
"I'm going to look for him." said Minerva.
"Discreetly, if possible. The neighbors already think I'm weird enough." Snape said .
"Where would they have got that idea from?" she replied. "Don't worry, no one will notice me."
Minerva entered followed by Harry, who was chatting animatedly. As he entered the house he saw the birthday cake on the kitchen table.
"Is it for me?"
"It's your birthday cake, although you'll have to share it." said Poppy with an amused expression.
"Sure, I'm not going to eat it by myself, can I call Dudley?"
"Does he usually share the special meal with you?" asked Snape.
"No, but if I do, maybe he'll be up for it next time. Besides if there's any left over we'll have to throw it away, won't we?"
"No doubt about it, he's Lily's son." Minerva said.
"I'm afraid Dudley can't know you have a birthday cake at the moment." informed Snape.
"All right." said Harry somewhat perplexed.
They sat down to dinner and when it came time for dessert Minerva transfigured matchsticks into birthday candles that emitted colorful sparks when lit.
"This is the best birthday ever." said Harry as he looked at the piece of cake that was placed in front of him.
"And now for the presents." Poppy said.
Harry's eyes widened like saucers. "For me?"
"As far as I know you're the only one here with a birthday today." Snape said. He immediately pulled a book from inside his robes. "Since you seem to like it, I want you to have it."
"But you've already brought me the bike." said Harry.
"The bike was your mother's, this is my present."
"Thank you, Mr. Snape."
Minerva pulled something out of her pocket and enlarged it. It was a figure in the shape of a dragon. When Harry went to take it, it craned its neck and sniffed at the boy.
"Is it real?"
"It's just a toy that can move."
"It's amazing." said Harry.
Snape looked at Minerva raising an eyebrow. "Since I didn't have time to buy anything I asked Filius if he could think of anything."
It was Poppy's turn.
"It's good for children to play outdoors, so here's this ball. It's spelled so it won't get lost, if someone tries to throw it too far the ball will deflect to hit a tree, a fence or it will be deflected as if a current of air had caught it, and if it's in some bushes, as you get closer it will roll towards you slyly. It won't break windows either if someone launches it against them."
Harry laughed. "That's a good idea, but I don't know any other children to play with."
"You were in the street playing with other children just now." Minerva said.
"That's different, because they don't know who I am. I told them I'm visiting my grandparents' house and they invited me. Since Dudley hasn't talked to them he couldn't warn them not to play with me."
"Dudley is your cousin?" Minerva asked.
"Yes, his friends and he play chase me. I'm usually faster, but sometimes they catch up with me and beat me. They say it's so I'll wise up next time."
Severus gave Minerva a look laden with intent, and she nodded, confirming that everything she was hearing would go in the report.
"I also have something else for you." Poppy said handing him the glasses. "Put them on so I can adjust them for you."
Harry took off his glasses, old ones with scratched lenses and somewhat crooked, and put on the new ones. Poppy adjusted them to his size with a wave of her wand.
Harry looked around in amazement. "I see much better." he said smiling.
"How long since you had your eyesight checked?" asked Poppy.
"I've never been taken to the doctor for this. Auntie brought me some old glasses when the teacher told her I couldn't see the blackboard."
Harry took off his glasses sadly. "I can't keep them, my aunt and uncle will notice they are new."
"Wait a minute Harry, we can make them look like the old ones, you'll still see fine though." said Minerva casting a spell on the glasses.
"Thank you. I've never had birthday presents before. I'd like to keep them forever." the boy's face saddened. "But I won't be able to, especially if Uncle Vernon suspects they have magic in them."
"You can leave them here today, and tomorrow they and I will work out a solution so you can keep them." said Snape.
"If you don't make it I can leave them here until I'm older and come and get them?"
"I see no objection." Snape said gravely. "But now I'll take you to your aunt and uncle's house."