Harry Potter and the Runaway Convict (Books)

by Angelina Johnson

I wrote this chaotic nightmare when I was like 11, but I don't have the heart to delete it. Apparently I thought it was a good idea to post it in 'books' and 'chapters' both, but no one should ever read it so the repetitiveness doesn't matter so much now.

1. Book I: In The Summer

Harry Potter and the Runaway Convict
Book I: In the Summer

Contains:
Chapter 1 The Letter From Sirius
Chapter 2 Uncle Matt's Suprise
Chapter 3 Ginny's Boyfriend
Chapter 4 The Second Letter From Sirius
Chapter 5 In Diagon Alley
Chapter 6 At Hermione's House
Chapter 7 September 1, At Last!

Harry Potter woke up early in the morning on July 31. He groaned as he realized that today was his 15 birthday. He never really was excited about his birthday like other children, because the Dursleys of 4 Privet Drive never gave him any gifts. Harry didn't really expect anything from Dudley, Aunt Petunia, or Uncle Vernon, except for maybe a dirty sock or a coat hanger. This year, however, he was surprised to find a small package with holes that contained a puppy from the Dursleys. It was totally amazing for his mother's sister's family to give him anything so spectacular as this. Harry picked up the puppy just as four owls flew in through his window: one snowy white one, which he recognized as his own Hedwig, a small fluffy owl, which he found familiar, then realized it was the owl Sirius Black had given hid friend Ron Weasley, Marril, and two Harry had never seen before. Each was carrying a package. Harry first grabbed the package which Marril had been carrying, and opened it. Inside were a few packages of Chocalate Frogs, some other wizards candies, and a few copies of The Daily Prophet, all of which had an article about Harry's godfather, Sirius Black. He picked up the letter Ron had sent and read it:
Dear Harry,
I knew you would miss the Wizard world while you were with those horrible Muggles you live with, so I sent you all that Marril could carry. Bless him, he did his best to get them to you. I thought you would find the select copies of the Daily Prophet I sent you interesting, as they are about Sirius. Hope you have a happy birthday!
Your friend,
Ron

The next package Harry grabbed was from Hermione Granger, another of Harry's friends from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He first read the letter:
Dear Harry,
How are you? I hope your summer's been okay, mine sure has. My mum said that if you could, you and Ron could come visit me on the 15 of August. Of course, if it is not a possibility, send me an owl, and I shall see you in Diagon Alley, or if not on the Hogwarts Express. In case you were wondering, that owl is mine; my parents and I stopped and got him in Diagon Alley when we were in London this past month. I hope you enjoy your gift! Have a wonderful birthday!
Love always,
Hermione

Harry ripped the paper off Hermione's gift, and was not surprised to find a book. He looked at the title: The Wizard's Book of World Records. He pushed it aside for a while, intending to go back to it later. Harry grabbed for another package, which turned out to be from Hagrid, the Hogwarts gamekeeper. Harry pulled out the letter and read:
Dear Harry,
I am still Care of Magical Creatures teacher, and this year will be much better for your class now that that darn Malfoy kid is not with ya'll. Your present should come in handy for this year. Happy birthday.
Hagrid

Harry pulled out another book; this one was called Magical Creatures and the Way to Handle them. This one didn't bite like the last book Hagrid had assigned; no, this one talked and made snide remarks. Harry threw the book to the side when it called him scar-face, then grabbed for the envelope with the Hogwarts seal. He tore it open and read:

Dear Mr. Potter,
Please note that the new school year will begin on September the first. The Hogwarts Express will leave from King's Cross station, platform nine and three-quarters, at eleven o'clock.
Fifth years are permitted to visit Hogsmeade Village on certain weekends. If your parent or guardian has yet to sign the enclosed form in the previous years, please get them to do so.
A list of books for the next year is enclosed.
Yours sincerely,
Professor M. McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress

Harry pulled out the book list.

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 5)
Potions for the Advanced Wizards
Dark Arts Protection Guide Volume 5
Death Omens and What They Mean
Advanced Transfiguration

Then Harry finally looked to the last owl: Hedwig. He carefully took the package from her and unwrapped it. He pulled out the letter.
Dear Harry,
How have things been? I hope you haven't been worried about me and Buckbeak, we're just fine. We are still in hiding, although we allowed a few people to spot us (all Muggles), but all in all we are fine. I hope those nasty old Muggles are treating you right. I was trying to figure out a way to send you your gift when old Hedwig showed up, so I sent it with her. I hope to see you again very soon, as it is awfully lonely, being just me and Beaky. Send old Hedwig out to find me anytime. Happy birthday.
Love always,
Sirius

Harry stared at the letter, awestruck. He hadn't heard his godfather, Sirius Black, in ages. He was happy to have heard from him, and was even happier when he opened the long, thin package from Sirius: In it was a Firebolt 2, a broom even greater than his Firebolt, which Sirius had also given him. Unfortunately, Harry's Firebolt had been burned by Lord Voldemort, who had attacked Harry during his final Quidditch match of the year against Ravenclaw that previous spring. Harry stared at the Firebolt 2 for a few minutes, then wrote a thank you letter to Sirius. Finally Harry descended downstairs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When Harry arrived in the kitchen, an unfamiliar sight greeted him; flowers, streamers, and confetti were all over the place, there was a birthday cake, and there was a banner that read 'Happy Birthday, Harry.' Instead of being pleased, Harry was terrified. He tore back upstairs before the Dursleys could see him. He tried to think of what might be causing this, and suddenly it hit him.
"Uncle Matt!" Harry whispered.
"What?" Matt replied.
"Did you put the spell on the Dursleys?"
"Me?"
"Yes, you."
"Of course. Your dad would've loved to see them treatin' you right, and so would your mum, so I'm gonna make it happen."
"Uncle Matt, no! I'd rather be treated like mud again."
"Sure ya' would," Matt muttered sarcastically.
"Just take that spell off them!"
"Sure. It'll all be gone, the cake the puppy........"
"Leave the puppy, take everything else."
"All right, Harry. But before I take the spell off, you'd better ask them if you can go visit Hermione in August."
"No, I'd better wait and ask them that, with them like this they'll want me by their sides forever. They won't let me go."
"Okay, off with the spell then. Femilious!"
"Thank you."
"Bye, kiddo. Oh, and happy birthday." With that Uncle Matt was gone. Harry once again ran downstairs. This time there was nothing unusual about the scene.
"Um, Uncle Vernon?" Harry began nervously.
"What?" Uncle Vernon barked.
"I was wondering....."
"I'm not signing any ruddy forms."
"It's not a form."
"Then what do you want, boy?"
"Could I go visit my friend in London next week?"
"Yes, so long as it gets you away from us. And see if you can stay with him."
"It's a girl."
"Whatever. When is this little outing?"
"August 15."
"Could your friend come pick you up?"
"I suppose. May I call her? Or would you rather I send her an owl."
"No, call her, maybe you can even leave sooner." So Harry set out to call Hermione. He had memorized the number, so he headed to the phone and called her. The phone rang 3 times, and then finally Hermione picked up.
"Granger residence, Hermione speaking."
"Hey, Hermione, this is Harry."
"Harry?"
"Yes?"
"It's so good to hear from you! Can you come the 15th?"
"Yes, the Dursleys said I could. In fact, they wish I could, uh, leave sooner. Do you know if the Weasleys have a phone?"
"Well, duh, they have a phone."
"Do you know the number?"
"Yes."
"Could you give it to me? I'm as eager to get out of here as the Dursleys are to see me leave." So Hermione gave him the number, and he called Ron. But it wasn't Ron who answered, it was Ginny.
"Hello?"
"Hi. Ginny?"
"This is Ginny."
"Is Ron around?"
"Yes, he is. Let me get him for you." In the background he heard Ginny yell to Ron. A minute later, Ron picked up the phone.
"Hey, Ron? This is Harry."
"Harry!"
"Yes?"
"How are those Muggles treating you?"
"Bad."
"Same thing as last summer. I suppose you'd like to be bailed?"
"Yes, please."
"Lemme ask my mum." He heard Ron speak quietly to his mother, then said, "When do we come get you?"
"As soon as possible."
"We'll be right over. Pack your bags, Harry, you're coming back to the Burrow." With that Ron hung up and Harry ran upstairs to pack.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A few hours later, the Weasley's pulled into the driveway of 4 Privet Drive. Ron ran up to the door, and didn't even have to knock; the door was flung open by Harry, who had evidently been waiting for him. Harry picked up his trunk, while Ron took Hedwig and the puppy, which Harry had named Matt, after his uncle. They heaved the trunk into the trunk of the car, and climbed into the backseat where Fred and George were already waiting. They set Hedwigs' cage in the front seat with Mrs. Weasley while Harry put Matt in his lap.
"Who gave you the puppy?" Ron asked.
"My uncle, Matt," Harry replied.
"I didn't know you had an uncle."
"Neither did I, and aparently, neither did Dumbledore."
"Then how do you have an uncle?"
"Well, it's a long story."
"It's a long drive back to the Burrow."
"Okay, well, my dad had a sister who was two years younger than him, Kasey. She went to Hogwarts also. There she met and fell in love with Matt Menendez."
"You mean Professor Menendez?"
"We'll get to that. Anyway, they married after Hogwarts. One night Voldemort ("Say You-Know-Who, will you?") attacked them. Everyone believed both Matt and Kasey had died. It turns out Matt survived. He went into hiding until the fall of Voldemort.("Don't say the name!") Then he began travelling a lot to try and get over Kasey. He knew my mum and dad had been killed, if he'd known I was living with the Dursleys and not Sirius, he'd of come back for me, but he didn't know that, and anyway, Dumbledore wouldn't have let him. So nobody knew he was alive until he applied for the Defense Against the Dark Arts job last year. So at the end of the year, Dumbledore told me the truth about Matt," Harry said.
"Wow," Ron said as they pulled into the the Weasleys' driveway. They ran inside with Harry's things and dragged them up to Ron's room. They were both hungry, so they went downstairs for a snack. Sitting at the kitchen table was Ginny, who was busy writing a letter.
"Who're you writin' to, Gin?" Ron asked.
"None of your business," Ginny muttered.
"Are you writing to your boyfriend?"
"As a matter of fact, yes."
"Who is he?"
"No one. Why should I tell you who my boyfriend is, anyway?" Just then Fred and George walked into the room.
"Ooh, Ginny's got a boyfriend?" Fred said.
"Who is he, Ginny?" George asked.
"Like I said, why should I tell you?" Ginny said
"We're your brothers," George said.
"Come on, who is it, Gin?" Fred asked. George looked at the letter.
"Seamus, ay?"
"WHAT?" Ron yelled.
"Seamus?" Harry asked incrediously.
"Yes, Seamus. What does it matter to you?"
"Nothing," Harry said, but Ron was fuming.
"Uh-oh," Harry whispered, "I'd better take him upstairs before he blows." Ginny giggled while Harry dragged Ron upstairs.
"I can't believe it. My sister and Seamus Finnigan," Ron said angrily, "If he does anything to her.........." Ron ripped the head off of one of his stuffed animals, showing Harry what he would do to Seamus.
"Ron, chill. Seamus is a good guy," Harry said.
"Yeah, but he's so much older than Ginny," Ron whined.
"Yeah, right. He's a year older than her. He's our age, for Pete's sake. It was no different with me and Cho," Harry said.
"Yes it was," Ron replied.
"How?"
"Cho's an older girl. Seamus is an older boy. There is a difference."
"Sure there is, Ron. Listen, I don't know about you, but I'm tired. Goodnight," Harry said as he lay down on one of Ron's twin beds and fell immediately to sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry woke up on a bright, sunny day. Ron was shaking him awake.
"Let me sleep just a little more," Harry moaned.
"No, silly, you must get up!" Ron said.
"Ugh, you sound like Hermione," Harry replied.
"Exactly. Today is the 15th. We're to meet Hermione in Diagon Alley then go and visit Hermione."
"Oh yeah," Harry said, "How could I have forgotten?"
"I dunno. Maybe all that fame has finally gotten to you," Ron replied.
"Oh, shut up!" Harry said through his laughter. He finally got up and got dressed. He and Ron walked down the stairway 5 minutes later, where Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were already eating breakfast.
"G'morning Ron, Harry," Mr. Weasley said as he put down the Daily Prophet.
"Morning Dad," Ron said.
"Good morning Mr. Weasley," Harry said.
"Lookin' forward to seein' Hermione, I expect."
"Yes, sir," Harry and Ron said.
"Good. We'll leave for Diagon Alley as soon as Ginny, Fred and George join us."
"You don't have to wait for me, Dad," Ginny said as she joined them at the table.
"Great Wizards, Ginny, you look awful!" Mrs. Weasley cried, "Do you feel all right?"
"Of course, Mum, I'm not sick, honest."
"Well, perhaps you should take some medicine anyway," Mrs. Weasley said.
"Mum, no! I feel fine, really."
"You still need some medicine."
"Mum! I'm fine! Really. It's got nothing to do with being sick!"
"Ginny, what's going on?"
"I am waiting for an owl from Seamus," she said.
"Ah, your boyfriend?" Fred said as he walked into the room, George behind him.
"Boyfriend, Ginny?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"Yes," Ginny muttered. Her face had turned a deep red. Harry had to use all his self-control not to laugh. Ron, however, had cracked up.
"It's not funny, Ron!" Ginny cried.
"Of course it's not, Ginny. It's terrible. He's older than you," Ron said. He had stopped laughing and was now back to fuming as he had been before.
"Ro-on, chi-ill.............." Harry said.
"Older? How much older?" Mrs. Weasley said.
"He's Ron and I's age," Harry said.
"Okay then. I agree with Harry. You should really calm down, Ron, it's not a big deal," Mr. Weasley said.
"Really, dad, you don't know the guy.........."
"And like that makes a difference? Seamus is......." But they never got to hear what Ginny had to say, because she was interrupted as several owls flocked in. One dropped a letter for Ginny, another dropped a letter into Fred's cereal, a third owl dropped and envelope into George's lap, and the last owl dropped a letter on Harry's plate.
"Now, who would be sending you four mail? Certainly it's not from Hogwarts, you've already gotten your school letters," Mrs. Weasley said.
"Mine's from Seamus," Ginny said, going red again.
"Excellent! Angelina finally wrote back," Fred said.
"Awesome! Alicia wrote back too," George said happily.
"What about you, Harry?" Mr. Weasley asked.
"May I be excused?" Harry said.
"Of course, dear," Mrs. Weasley said. Harry tore out of the kitchen and into Ron's room. Ron followed.
"So, who's it from that you couldn't tell my Mum and Dad about it?" Ron said, looking rather cross.
"Sirius," Harry said, tearing the letter open. He read it aloud to Ron.
"Dear Harry, I got your reply to my letter, glad you had a good day. Have you tried out the Firebolt 2 yet?" Ron gasped.
"You never told me you got a Firebolt 2, Harry!" He cried.
"Sor-e. Anyways, it says, 'I was glad to hear that you were going to stay with the Weasleys', their real good folks. Also it was great to know that Matt made sure you got more than 4 decent gifts, I'm sure the Dursleys' gave you nothing. How is the little puppy, anyway? He sounds adorable from your description. I hope that you are still working on a way to free me, I'm not sure I can remain in hiding much longer. Love always, Sirius."
"Oh, Matt!" Harry called. The golden-retriever puppy came running from downstairs. Harry laughed as he jumped onto the bed.
"Now, what'd ya' say we go join my family, and depart for Diagon Alley?" Ron said.
"Sure thing, Mr. Weasley. Just as long as Matt comes!" Harry said as the puppy licked him playfully.
"Sure thing, Mr. Potter."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry and Ron descended into the kitchen, where all the other Weasleys' were waiting.
"There you boys are!" Mrs. Weasley cried.
"We need to get going," said Mr. Weasley. Mrs. Weasley grabbed the jar of Floo Powder, and handed it out to everyone.
"Guests first," she said, and handed the jar to Harry. Harry took a pinch, said "Diagon Alley," and vanished. He landed in Diagon Alley, where he spotted Hermione almost instantly.
"Harry!" she cried.
"Hey Herm. I'm waiting on the Weasleys, they should be here any second," Harry said. Sure enough, the Weasleys arrived one by one over the next minute.
"Hermione!" Ron yelped when he finally landed in Diagon Alley.
"Hello. I expect you guys still have to go into Gringotts?"
"Yes."
"Well then, let me come with you!"
"Uh, alright. Have you ever been in a Gringotts cart?"
"Well, no." Harry, Hermione, and the Weasleys went into Gringotts and hopped into a cart.
"Yikes!" Hermione cried as the cart took off. She looked ill.
"I warned you, Herm," Harry said.
"My bad," she replied as the cart slowed down.
"Here's our vault," Ron said as Mrs. Weasley swept up some money for their books.
"Now to my vault," Harry said. Hermione groaned as the cart started up again. After a few minutes they reached Harry' vault. He grabbed some money.
One cart ride later the Weasley's, Harry, and Hermione stood in the sun.
"Now, we'll meet at Flourish and Blotts in an hour, you hear?" Mrs. Weasley said. Everyone nodded. Ginny ran off to find Seamus, Fred and George went to find Alicia and Angelina, and Ron, Hermione, and Harry went off their own way.
"That cart ride was miserable," Hermione moaned.
"Can't say we didn't warn you," Ron said. Hermione nodded as they walked into Quality Quidditch Supplies.
"Why are we coming in here?" Hermione moaned.
"We need to check the price of the Firebolt 2," Ron said.
"We do?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Ron said.
"Why?" Hermione asked.
"Because Sirius gave Harry one," Ron said.
"It must have cost a bundle," Hermione said.
"Betcha it did," Ron shot back.
"Excuse me, sir. How much does the Firebolt 2 cost?" Ron asked.
"275 galleons," the clerk said.
"275?" Ron asked.
"Yes, kid." Ron nodded, and walked straight out the door. Next they headed to Flourish and Blott's. Hermione grabbed a big pile of books; she was taking all the courses possible, with the exception of Muggle Studies and Divination. Harry and Ron took all the normal courses and Divination and Care of Magical Creatures. They grabbed their books and walked to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Shop. They treated themselves to an ice cream cone before returning to Flourish and Blott's to meet the Weasley's and the Grangers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After meeting the Weasley's and Granger's, they split up one final time. Harry and Ron went with the Grangers, while the Weasleys retreated to the Burrow.
"I can't wait to read all my new school books to get some idea of what we'll be covering this year!" Hermione said in her usual manner while they were riding to her house. Ron and Harry groaned.
"What?" Hermione asked.
"Never mind," they said in unison.
"We're home, Herm," Mr. Granger said from the drivers seat.
"Oh, good," Hermione said excitedly. She led them into a room full of rays of sunlight.
"I want you to see the letter Hagrid sent me," she said, shoving the letter in their faces.
"Why?"
"I think you'll find it interesting, Harry," Hermione said. Harry read the letter.

Dear Hermione,
I know yer lookin' forward to the new school year, ya' always are. In case you were wond'rin', the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is a woman. She was a friend of Harry's mum, her best friend, to be exac'. Ev'ry one likes her, heck, even Snape! Lookin' forward ta seein' you three back at Hogwarts soon.
Love Always,
Hagrid

"My mum's best friend is teaching at Hogwarts?" Harry asked.
"Oh, no. You remember what happened last time one of your parents friends was at Hogwarts, don't you?"
"Yes," Harry said with a laugh, "how could I forget?"
"Oh, Ron, you always have to go and find the bad side of things!" Hermione exclaimed.
"I don't care," Ron replied, "I was simply stating the obvious."
"Maybe for once we can have a normal year," Hermione said.
"Don't count on it," Ron muttered.
"Oh, Ron, honestly!" Hermione cried.
"Herm! Lunch!" Mrs. Granger called to the trio.
"Yay!" Ron said, forgetting his downcast mood. They ate in silence. Then Hermione ushered them back into the sunroom.
"My mum's friend........ I wonder what she's like," Harry said, his thoughts turning back to the subject. They somehow managed to talk of nothing else all day. The time flew as the friends chatted, and finally it was time for Harry and Ron to return to the Burrow.
"Bye Harry, bye Ron," Hermione said as Mr. Weasley arrived to pick the boys up, "see you September 1!"
"See you, Herm!" the boys called. As they drove home, Harry still had his mothers friend to think about.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Things were hectic the morning of September 1 at the Weasley residence. The Burrow was a mess, people running up and down the stairs. Harry and Ron were bobbing about, gathering their items as they nibbled on toast. Ginny was moaning about her robes; she wanted to look nice, and all she had were second-hand robes.
"She wants to impress Seamus," Ron muttered sarcastically. He didn't realize how right he was.
"Ron, have you seen my lucky socks?" George yelled.
"No, Fred, I haven't!" Ron yelled.
"He's George, I'm Fred!" Fred replied.
"Oh, sorry!" Ron screamed back.
"Have you seen my picture of Seamus?"
"Where's my Transfiguration book?"
"Have you seen my underwear?"
"Has anyone seen my favorite t-shirt?"
"When are we leaving?"
"Are you all ready?"
"I can't find my diary!"
"Has anyone seen my dog?"
"Where are my fireworks?"
"OWW! Harry, I found your dog! He just bit me!"
"Has anyone seen Ginny's diary?"
"Can everybody just shut up?" Mr. Weasley bellowed. Finally, the constant yelling stopped and they all piled into the car.
"Finally we're here," Ron said as he and Harry piled through the barrier.
"Finally is right!" Harry exclaimed.
"There you are," Hermione cried, "I've been looking all over. C'mon, the train's about to leave!" Harry noticed Hermione had on a shiny badge.
"Are you a prefect?" Harry asked.
"Yes, now come on, you don't want to miss the train, do you?" Hermione snapped.
"No."
"Then come on!"
"We're coming, we're coming." So finally they boarded the train, ready, at last, for their fifth year at Hogwarts.