Harry Potter and the City of Dreams
By Magma

Author's notes: Many thanks to Dragonflower, who is hosting my story on her site, when she gets around to making it. Well, hope you enjoy this edition of Harry Potter and the City of Dreams. I'm terribly sorry it took so long for me to post this. I had writer's block. Argh! The bane of authors! ^_^;:

Chapter Six - A Surprise - it's a good one ^_^

Harry lay on his four-poster bed, idly twirling a feather Fawkes had given him the other day. It appeared that it held great importance to the phoenix, but for what reason, Harry didn't know. To put it in simple terms, Harry was bored. That's right folks, B O R E D. Nothing to do, and too much free time floating around. Dumbledore had told him that he would give Harry a parcel for his birthday, but told him only to open it one hour after his birthday. Harry still had 2 more hours left. Harry sighed in boredom, wondering what Ron and Hermoine were doing. Then, he heard a tapping. Tap tap tap, on the window. Harry walked over to the window, and unlatched the lock.

Hedwig came flying in, looking very pleased with herself. She preened her feathers a bit, and gave Harry an affectionate peck, before flying to her cage and taking a nap. Three parcels lay on Harry's bed, of differing size. The smallest one was wrapped in brown parcel paper, the second-largest in gift wrap, and the largest, a very large box. Harry opened the smallest first, and found a small newspaper clipping, a gift-wrapped box,and a letter. The letter was from Hermoine.

Dear Harry,

I can't believe Sirius was declared innocent! And to believe he already has a job waiting for him! (Harry chuckled at that part) I hope you like your birthday present, and I'm very sorry about your relatives. I'm visited Viktor over the summer, and I must tell you, Bulgaria is quite beautiful! I'm sorry the letter isn't longer, but I just came back, and I had to get this to you by your birthday. I hope you had a Happy Birthday Harry!

Sincerely,
Hermoine

Harry looked at the small present in interest, and proceeded to carefully open it. Inside, laying in red satin, was a necklace. It looked like a broach that had ribbon attached to it. The ribbon was worn thin, but still a vivid color of black, and seemed to be of satin. The bauble that was attached to it appeared to be a translucent gold sphere, which was filled with a silvery, metallic liquid inside. Harry read the note that was attached to it.

Harry,
this necklace is a charm used to warn the wearer of danger. If someone with evil intentions towards you comes within a one-mile radius distance from you, it will grow hot and change colors, to a rainbow color, and glow green.
- Hermoine

Interesting, thought Harry. Could be really useful in the future. Harry reached over to open the second-largest present. It was from Ron. Inside was a letter from Ron, and a book. Unsurprisingly, the book was about quidditch, the history of different broom manufacturing companies, and how Quidditch was it formed. This book wasn't Quidditch Through the Ages, no, not at all. No, this book was written by Catherine Brock, the title, All You Ever Needed to Know About Qudditch.

Harry,
I'm very sorry to hear that your relatives died. I can't imagine that Death Eaters came to your house! Dad told the family all about it, and Mum was worried sick about you. She kept talking about Poor Harry and how sad it was about your relatives dying. Bill came back from his job;it's his vacation time. Mum was positively radiating happiness. And Harry, where are you staying? It'll be a lot easier to send letters and stuff like that if I knew where you were. Have a happy birthday, Harry, and try to meet us in Diagon Alley!
Your best friend,
Ron

Well, it's always nice to know more about Quidditch, Harry thought. He turned to the next parcel, the one from Dumbledore. He could open it, but Harry was suspicious of what the parcel contained within. Finally taking the intiative, he opened the parcel, and to his amazement and surpries, there was a letter from Dumbledore contained within the box, and among many layers of silk, a wooden, engraved box, with a shiny silver lock. Harry read the letter first.

Dear Harry,

Since it is your 16th birthday, this shall be a very special present. Look inside the box, it belonged to your father. What lies within is your gift.

A very happy birthday to you,
Albus Dumbledore

Harry unlocked the box, wondering what was enclosed inside. A very battered and worn piece of parchment met his gaze, and he unfolded it. What was written upon it went like this :

Gryffindor Mansion, belonging to the Gryffindor line, now belongs to Harry James Potter. This estate was given unto him by his father, James Potter, stated in his final will and testament. It was decreed that upon Harry James Potter's sixteenth birthday, he will recieve the papers and rights pertaining to this estate. This deed has been acted and witnessed.

Judith Marsont,
Lawyer of the Branch of Magical and Historical Estates
The Ministry of Magic

"An estate?" thought Harry incredously. "I own an estate?" he cried out, shocked, his voice echoing in the empty room. All these years of wanting to live away from the Dursleys, and here was a opportunity to do so. Incredible.

Just then, Dumbledore walked in, and upon seeing his package opened, smiled happily. "So I see you now know about Gryffindor Mansion?" he inquired, taking seat on a chair next to the wardrobe.

"Yes, I do know," Harry replied, his voice a bit wavery from excitement. "I - I can live there?"

"Of course you can," replied Dumbledore in an happy tone, "You own the estate. It is your choice what you decide to do with the lands and the rights that come with them."

Now that Harry knew this wasn't a dream, he beamed happily, grinning from ear to ear. (Not exactly, but let's just say he was really, really, really happy.)

~*~

Gryffindor Mansion. What to say about it? Abadoned ever since James and Lily Potter died, it had fallen into a state of disrepair. Brightly lit windows and long since gave way to darkness, and tall towers cast long shadows upon the untended lawn. Light no longer dwelled in these halls. Only darkness. Only shadows. Only. . . despair. Pain. Shock. Horror. Sorrow. Regret. All these emotions, and others that cannot be described with words. For this was where James and Lily Potter died, killed on that fateful night. Can such shadows be chased away from these halls? Perhaps. . . It all depends on the residents of the house, or should I say, the future /resident/.

To be continued . . . (added the last paragraph to hopefully clear up some things. Hope it helps.)