Chapter 3
Harry's thoughts were interrupted when he heard the front door close. He saw Mrs. Figg peer out the window. "It's clear. Come now Harry, leave your things here." There was a note of urgency in her voice. Harry followed her outside to Mrs. Figg's car. They got in, and started driving. "You're 15 in a week from now, am I correct?" "Yeah, July 31. Er, where are we going?" "To the Dursleys' home to get your things and then from London, we're going somewhere else." Mrs. Figg pulled into the driveway. Mrs. Figg then took the lead to the front door. She next unmistakably took out a wand after checking nobody was around and said `Alohmora!' and stepped inside the house. Mrs. Figg was really a witch!
Coming back to his senses, Harry followed her inside. "Mrs. Figg, how come you never told me you were a witch?" Mrs. Figg, who was using the reductor charm on Harry's wizarding belongings replied, "Simple. The last time...reducio... was even before you went to Hogwarts. If I told you...reducio... before, you would have never believed me. Anyway, since your fifteenth birthday is... reducio... fast appro
aching, it's time you learned more about your past. Oh, and by the way," she said finally finishing everything up, "that funeral invitation was a fake."
After packing all of Harry's belongings except for his wand, which Harry kept in his pocket, Mrs. Figg and Harry returned to her house. She then turned on the fireplace in her bedroom. "You know how to use Floo Power, right?" "Yeah, I've used it before while staying with the Dursleys," Harry answered. "Good. Then say you're going to Diagon Alley. The Minister of Magic is already waiting. Then I'll dissaparate and meet you there." Harry wasted no time. He took the Floo Powder from Mrs. Figg and threw it into the fire. Stepping into it, Harry clearly said, "Diagon Alley!"
Harry felt himself turning around rapidly several times and then fell forward into a familiar store in Diagon Alley. The presence of books all around him told him he was in Flourish and Blotts. On the other side of the store was the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. "Harry!" Fudge hastily walked up to Harry. "What kept you? You're 5 minutes late!" Harry stood up and readjusted his glasses as well as he could. The fireplace was the only source of light in the store, since it was closed for the day. Just then, Mrs. Figg apparated into the store. She had already put on her robes and was holding the bag in which she had Harry's school things in. "Sorry I took a bit long. I had to make sure my cats would be set for a day or two." Fudge nodded and turned back to Harry.
"The adventure starts tomorrow Harry, but you can have these now." Fudge pulled out two large notebooks out of his robes. "This green journal used to belong to your mother." He gave it and a brown journal to Harry. "The brown one belonged to your father. Both wrote in these from their 5^th year in Hogwarts well into adulthood. Good night then, Harry. Tom will take you to your room in the Leaky Cauldron. Same with you, Mrs. Figg."
Half an hour later, Harry was sitting on the bed of Room 8. He didn't feel like going to sleep yet; it was only 8:30 in the evening. He had just finished reading the Daily Prophet from four days ago. Hedwig was out sending another letter to Ron. He wanted to read the journals tomorrow, but... Harry picked up the brown journal. The book was old and looked as if it were about to fall apart. On the cover, `James Potter' was written in sharp, crooked print.
Harry felt a shiver go down his spine. Like his invisibility cloak, this journal once belonged to his father and now belonged to him. He opened the journal to the first page which had "Year 5 at Hogwarts" written on it. On the other side of the page was James' first entry:
Year 5 at Hogwarts will be starting very soon. Today is September 1, the day the Hogwarts Express Train takes us to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I don't know why I didn't start writing a journal before, but over the holiday, I decided it'd be better to start today than never at all. This year is supposedly going to be very important; Fifth years have to take their O.W.L. exams. I honestly don't see why... Sirius and I hope to open a joke shop of some sort. Sirius is the dearest friend I could ever ask for; my partner in mischief! There's also Peter and Remus. Hogwarts is still a couple of hours away, so I'll keep on writing. Girls? Nobody in particular. Yet. Oh, by the way, I'm in Gryffindor house. I'm also the Seeker for the Quidditch team. Sirius is calling me, so I'll write more tomorrow evening at the latest.
Harry grinned from ear to ear. These were the words of his father. He felt a thrill. Now his dad didn't seem dead anymore. James Potter's life was in the journal. Harry knew he would treasure it until his life was through. Harry put the journal away and picked up his mother's. Her handwriting was small and neat, like Hermione's. The cover read `Lily Evans'. So THAT was her maiden name, Harry thought. He turned to the first page.
Hello, I'm Lily Evans. I'm a prefect at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for Gryffindor House. It's my first year as a prefect, since I am a fifth year. Today was our second day of classes and it was rather tiring. I had Charms, Transfiguration, lunch, then Care of Magical Creatures. After that was Potions. That felt like forever! Mummy gave this to me for being a prefect. She says it's a fireproof journal, so nothing horrible will ever happen to this. This WILL become my life story. James Potter is a fellow prefect, but he dosen't really seem like one. He's ALWAYS making a joke or pulling a prank with Sirius, Peter and Remus. I wish those four would just grow up! Ooh, maybe there's a charm for that! I'll go to the library to check. I'll write again tomorrow.
"I wonder if there's even such a charm for that. Mum must've been desperate." Harry put away the journal as well, feeling very drowsy. Before taking off his glasses, he looked at his clock. It was nearly ten. Yawning, he turned off his light. Before going to sleep, Harry merely thought of what could possibly happen the next day. Tom woke Harry up at 8:30 in the morning. "Wake up now, Harry. Today will certainly be an interesting day for you." Tom winked at Harry, who then sat up. "I must go check on Mrs. Figg See you later downstairs." Harry put his glasses on and then just saw Hedwig fly in through the window with some rats in her mouth and a piece of parchment attached to her leg from Ron. "Morning, Hedwig. He took the parchment from her leg and put it on his desk. He then took a bunch of owl treats and put them inside her cage. Taking his trunk out, Harry changed out of his pajamas and put new clothes. Harry then went downstairs where Tom. Fudge and Mrs. Figg were all
eating their breakfast.
"Hello, Harry." Fudge stood up and escorted Harry to the table. "We're supposed Harry to the table. "We're supposed to really do all this on your fifteenth birthday, but I'm sure you'd very much want to spend it with the Weasleys, am I correct in saying so?" Harry's heart leaped. So that meant he didn't have to go back to the Dursleys' right away! Just then, an important- looking wizard bounded in. "The conference is in an hour from now Minister, thought I'd just let you know." Fudge nodded and the wizard walked off. "Well, I must be going now to prepare for the conference. Mustn't be late now..." He rose from his seat. "Mrs. Figg, please watch over Harry closely today and tomorrow. You will be far from contact with the Ministry. Do take care. Enjoy yourself, Harry." Fudge winked at him, then went off to Diagon Alley's entrance at the back of the Leaky Cauldron.
Tom came from the kitchens with some waffles. "There you go, Harry. Enjoy!" He then walked straight back into the kitchen. Harry thought for a moment, then spoke. "Mrs. Figg, what's the conference for? Has something recently happened?" Mrs. Figg put her cup down. In a grave voice, she said to Harry, "Three days ago, Filch sensed someone had broken into Hogwarts early in the morning. He woke a few teachers up, with Mc Gonagall in the lead to Dumbledore's office where the `someone' was heading. Turns out it was Lord Voldemort. I believe the conference must be about WHY Voldemort broke into Hogwarts. "Voldemort broke into Hogwarts?" Harry was very alarmed at that fact. If Voldemort broke into Hogwarts, then he could most certainly do it again and kill him. Harry also wondered if anything would change at Hogwarts for his protection; in fact, for everyone's protection. Just then, Fudge apparated at the table.
"Sorry I'm back so soon, I forgot to give you your train tickets for the Muggle Underground." He took two tickets out of his pocket and gave them to Harry. "Train leaves at 9:45. Best if you finish your breakfast as soon as possible, Harry. See you in two days!" Then he disapparated once again. Mrs. Figg gestured Harry to show her the tickets. Harry resumed with his breakfast. While Harry ate, Mrs. Figg looked at the destination of the upcoming train ride. "We're going to Godric's Hollow first, Harry. That's where you lived before your parents died." 20 minutes later, Harry was at the entrance of the Leaky Cauldron, packed for the journey. He decided to keep his parents' journals out just in case he would get bored.
In 6 days, Harry would be spending his birthday with the Weasleys; away from the Dursleys! That would be an excellent thought he'd use the next time a Patronus charm would be needed. Tom then came down the stairs with Mrs. Figg's luggage. "Mrs. Figg disapparated looking for to call a cab somewhere. She'll be back soon, in about a minute or so." Then Mrs. Figg apparated beside Tom. "The cab's already waiting outside! Muggles don't like wasting time at all, do they?" She then took her luggage. Thank you so much for your help, Tom. We'll be back in two days, and I'll pay then. Tom grinned. "Anytime, Mrs. Figg, take care. Same with you, Harry!"
Harry and Mrs. Figg then loaded their luggage in the waiting cab. "Where to, now?" the cab driver said pleasantly. Mrs. Figg, who was sitting beside Harry in the back seat answered, "Mug- I mean, the London Underground, please." The cab driver then turned on the ignition and pulled away from the entrance of the Leaky Cauldron. Mrs. Figg took a closer look at the face of the cab driver. "Remus? Is that you after all these years?" The cab then stopped at a red traffic light. The driver turned around. "Arabella! Good to see you again! You've been well?" Mrs. Figg nodded. "And you? You look so much healthier since I last saw you." The light turned green, and he pressed down on the accelerator.
Harry, who had been staring outside the window then, realized who the driver was with a start. "P-p-professor Lupin??" Speaking while driving, Lupin answered, "Harry! Good to see you again. It's been nearly 2 years since I last saw you. Your Patronus has improved greatly from what I've heard from my sources. I suppose you're going to Godric's Hollow today? Sirius is making his way there right now. In his Animagus form, of course, or else the Muggles and Ministry of Magic would be after him. Godric's Hollow is an hour and a half away from here by train, so Sirius left yesterday so that he'll meet you on time there."
"The travel won't be so bad, will it?" asked Harry. "What do you mean so bad?" inquired Mrs. Figg. Right before Harry could answer, Lupin pulled up in front of King's Cross. "You can pay me later, Arabella. Have a good trip, both of you. Keep out of trouble, Harry." Lupin then winked and drove off. As Mrs. Figg and Harry with their luggage disappeared into the bustling crowd, two teenagers were staring dumbstruck where Lupin's taxi was previously standing. "Drive now... pay later... that's an awesome company! We should call that taxi company more often," murmured one of the teenagers.
As they approached Platform 10, Harry gazed longingly at the barrier that led to Platform 9 . He wouldn't be able to walk through it for about another month. Mrs. Figg interrupted Harry's thoughts by ushering him inside the train. Even as they sat down, she could tell Harry was thinking about Hogwarts. "Don't worry, Harry. You'll be there soon enough. It's only about a month away. Now, if you don't mind..." Mrs. Figg pulled out some brightly colored yarn and two needed. "I'll be doing my knitting." Harry laughed as the train pulled away from King's Cross.
Harry's thoughts were interrupted when he heard the front door close. He saw Mrs. Figg peer out the window. "It's clear. Come now Harry, leave your things here." There was a note of urgency in her voice. Harry followed her outside to Mrs. Figg's car. They got in, and started driving. "You're 15 in a week from now, am I correct?" "Yeah, July 31. Er, where are we going?" "To the Dursleys' home to get your things and then from London, we're going somewhere else." Mrs. Figg pulled into the driveway. Mrs. Figg then took the lead to the front door. She next unmistakably took out a wand after checking nobody was around and said `Alohmora!' and stepped inside the house. Mrs. Figg was really a witch!
Coming back to his senses, Harry followed her inside. "Mrs. Figg, how come you never told me you were a witch?" Mrs. Figg, who was using the reductor charm on Harry's wizarding belongings replied, "Simple. The last time...reducio... was even before you went to Hogwarts. If I told you...reducio... before, you would have never believed me. Anyway, since your fifteenth birthday is... reducio... fast appro
aching, it's time you learned more about your past. Oh, and by the way," she said finally finishing everything up, "that funeral invitation was a fake."
After packing all of Harry's belongings except for his wand, which Harry kept in his pocket, Mrs. Figg and Harry returned to her house. She then turned on the fireplace in her bedroom. "You know how to use Floo Power, right?" "Yeah, I've used it before while staying with the Dursleys," Harry answered. "Good. Then say you're going to Diagon Alley. The Minister of Magic is already waiting. Then I'll dissaparate and meet you there." Harry wasted no time. He took the Floo Powder from Mrs. Figg and threw it into the fire. Stepping into it, Harry clearly said, "Diagon Alley!"
Harry felt himself turning around rapidly several times and then fell forward into a familiar store in Diagon Alley. The presence of books all around him told him he was in Flourish and Blotts. On the other side of the store was the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. "Harry!" Fudge hastily walked up to Harry. "What kept you? You're 5 minutes late!" Harry stood up and readjusted his glasses as well as he could. The fireplace was the only source of light in the store, since it was closed for the day. Just then, Mrs. Figg apparated into the store. She had already put on her robes and was holding the bag in which she had Harry's school things in. "Sorry I took a bit long. I had to make sure my cats would be set for a day or two." Fudge nodded and turned back to Harry.
"The adventure starts tomorrow Harry, but you can have these now." Fudge pulled out two large notebooks out of his robes. "This green journal used to belong to your mother." He gave it and a brown journal to Harry. "The brown one belonged to your father. Both wrote in these from their 5^th year in Hogwarts well into adulthood. Good night then, Harry. Tom will take you to your room in the Leaky Cauldron. Same with you, Mrs. Figg."
Half an hour later, Harry was sitting on the bed of Room 8. He didn't feel like going to sleep yet; it was only 8:30 in the evening. He had just finished reading the Daily Prophet from four days ago. Hedwig was out sending another letter to Ron. He wanted to read the journals tomorrow, but... Harry picked up the brown journal. The book was old and looked as if it were about to fall apart. On the cover, `James Potter' was written in sharp, crooked print.
Harry felt a shiver go down his spine. Like his invisibility cloak, this journal once belonged to his father and now belonged to him. He opened the journal to the first page which had "Year 5 at Hogwarts" written on it. On the other side of the page was James' first entry:
Year 5 at Hogwarts will be starting very soon. Today is September 1, the day the Hogwarts Express Train takes us to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I don't know why I didn't start writing a journal before, but over the holiday, I decided it'd be better to start today than never at all. This year is supposedly going to be very important; Fifth years have to take their O.W.L. exams. I honestly don't see why... Sirius and I hope to open a joke shop of some sort. Sirius is the dearest friend I could ever ask for; my partner in mischief! There's also Peter and Remus. Hogwarts is still a couple of hours away, so I'll keep on writing. Girls? Nobody in particular. Yet. Oh, by the way, I'm in Gryffindor house. I'm also the Seeker for the Quidditch team. Sirius is calling me, so I'll write more tomorrow evening at the latest.
Harry grinned from ear to ear. These were the words of his father. He felt a thrill. Now his dad didn't seem dead anymore. James Potter's life was in the journal. Harry knew he would treasure it until his life was through. Harry put the journal away and picked up his mother's. Her handwriting was small and neat, like Hermione's. The cover read `Lily Evans'. So THAT was her maiden name, Harry thought. He turned to the first page.
Hello, I'm Lily Evans. I'm a prefect at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for Gryffindor House. It's my first year as a prefect, since I am a fifth year. Today was our second day of classes and it was rather tiring. I had Charms, Transfiguration, lunch, then Care of Magical Creatures. After that was Potions. That felt like forever! Mummy gave this to me for being a prefect. She says it's a fireproof journal, so nothing horrible will ever happen to this. This WILL become my life story. James Potter is a fellow prefect, but he dosen't really seem like one. He's ALWAYS making a joke or pulling a prank with Sirius, Peter and Remus. I wish those four would just grow up! Ooh, maybe there's a charm for that! I'll go to the library to check. I'll write again tomorrow.
"I wonder if there's even such a charm for that. Mum must've been desperate." Harry put away the journal as well, feeling very drowsy. Before taking off his glasses, he looked at his clock. It was nearly ten. Yawning, he turned off his light. Before going to sleep, Harry merely thought of what could possibly happen the next day. Tom woke Harry up at 8:30 in the morning. "Wake up now, Harry. Today will certainly be an interesting day for you." Tom winked at Harry, who then sat up. "I must go check on Mrs. Figg See you later downstairs." Harry put his glasses on and then just saw Hedwig fly in through the window with some rats in her mouth and a piece of parchment attached to her leg from Ron. "Morning, Hedwig. He took the parchment from her leg and put it on his desk. He then took a bunch of owl treats and put them inside her cage. Taking his trunk out, Harry changed out of his pajamas and put new clothes. Harry then went downstairs where Tom. Fudge and Mrs. Figg were all
eating their breakfast.
"Hello, Harry." Fudge stood up and escorted Harry to the table. "We're supposed Harry to the table. "We're supposed to really do all this on your fifteenth birthday, but I'm sure you'd very much want to spend it with the Weasleys, am I correct in saying so?" Harry's heart leaped. So that meant he didn't have to go back to the Dursleys' right away! Just then, an important- looking wizard bounded in. "The conference is in an hour from now Minister, thought I'd just let you know." Fudge nodded and the wizard walked off. "Well, I must be going now to prepare for the conference. Mustn't be late now..." He rose from his seat. "Mrs. Figg, please watch over Harry closely today and tomorrow. You will be far from contact with the Ministry. Do take care. Enjoy yourself, Harry." Fudge winked at him, then went off to Diagon Alley's entrance at the back of the Leaky Cauldron.
Tom came from the kitchens with some waffles. "There you go, Harry. Enjoy!" He then walked straight back into the kitchen. Harry thought for a moment, then spoke. "Mrs. Figg, what's the conference for? Has something recently happened?" Mrs. Figg put her cup down. In a grave voice, she said to Harry, "Three days ago, Filch sensed someone had broken into Hogwarts early in the morning. He woke a few teachers up, with Mc Gonagall in the lead to Dumbledore's office where the `someone' was heading. Turns out it was Lord Voldemort. I believe the conference must be about WHY Voldemort broke into Hogwarts. "Voldemort broke into Hogwarts?" Harry was very alarmed at that fact. If Voldemort broke into Hogwarts, then he could most certainly do it again and kill him. Harry also wondered if anything would change at Hogwarts for his protection; in fact, for everyone's protection. Just then, Fudge apparated at the table.
"Sorry I'm back so soon, I forgot to give you your train tickets for the Muggle Underground." He took two tickets out of his pocket and gave them to Harry. "Train leaves at 9:45. Best if you finish your breakfast as soon as possible, Harry. See you in two days!" Then he disapparated once again. Mrs. Figg gestured Harry to show her the tickets. Harry resumed with his breakfast. While Harry ate, Mrs. Figg looked at the destination of the upcoming train ride. "We're going to Godric's Hollow first, Harry. That's where you lived before your parents died." 20 minutes later, Harry was at the entrance of the Leaky Cauldron, packed for the journey. He decided to keep his parents' journals out just in case he would get bored.
In 6 days, Harry would be spending his birthday with the Weasleys; away from the Dursleys! That would be an excellent thought he'd use the next time a Patronus charm would be needed. Tom then came down the stairs with Mrs. Figg's luggage. "Mrs. Figg disapparated looking for to call a cab somewhere. She'll be back soon, in about a minute or so." Then Mrs. Figg apparated beside Tom. "The cab's already waiting outside! Muggles don't like wasting time at all, do they?" She then took her luggage. Thank you so much for your help, Tom. We'll be back in two days, and I'll pay then. Tom grinned. "Anytime, Mrs. Figg, take care. Same with you, Harry!"
Harry and Mrs. Figg then loaded their luggage in the waiting cab. "Where to, now?" the cab driver said pleasantly. Mrs. Figg, who was sitting beside Harry in the back seat answered, "Mug- I mean, the London Underground, please." The cab driver then turned on the ignition and pulled away from the entrance of the Leaky Cauldron. Mrs. Figg took a closer look at the face of the cab driver. "Remus? Is that you after all these years?" The cab then stopped at a red traffic light. The driver turned around. "Arabella! Good to see you again! You've been well?" Mrs. Figg nodded. "And you? You look so much healthier since I last saw you." The light turned green, and he pressed down on the accelerator.
Harry, who had been staring outside the window then, realized who the driver was with a start. "P-p-professor Lupin??" Speaking while driving, Lupin answered, "Harry! Good to see you again. It's been nearly 2 years since I last saw you. Your Patronus has improved greatly from what I've heard from my sources. I suppose you're going to Godric's Hollow today? Sirius is making his way there right now. In his Animagus form, of course, or else the Muggles and Ministry of Magic would be after him. Godric's Hollow is an hour and a half away from here by train, so Sirius left yesterday so that he'll meet you on time there."
"The travel won't be so bad, will it?" asked Harry. "What do you mean so bad?" inquired Mrs. Figg. Right before Harry could answer, Lupin pulled up in front of King's Cross. "You can pay me later, Arabella. Have a good trip, both of you. Keep out of trouble, Harry." Lupin then winked and drove off. As Mrs. Figg and Harry with their luggage disappeared into the bustling crowd, two teenagers were staring dumbstruck where Lupin's taxi was previously standing. "Drive now... pay later... that's an awesome company! We should call that taxi company more often," murmured one of the teenagers.
As they approached Platform 10, Harry gazed longingly at the barrier that led to Platform 9 . He wouldn't be able to walk through it for about another month. Mrs. Figg interrupted Harry's thoughts by ushering him inside the train. Even as they sat down, she could tell Harry was thinking about Hogwarts. "Don't worry, Harry. You'll be there soon enough. It's only about a month away. Now, if you don't mind..." Mrs. Figg pulled out some brightly colored yarn and two needed. "I'll be doing my knitting." Harry laughed as the train pulled away from King's Cross.