CHAPTER ONE



Harry Potter, not being your average boy, awoke from his slumber one morning. And this morning was a special morning. It was Harry's birthday. Of course, his family wouldn't care. To them, Harry was unnatural, a pest best left to its own devises. But Harry did have his friends and school to look forward to. Harry couldn't wait until school. Unlike most children, who dreaded the thought of going school shopping and having to wake up early everyday, Harry counted down the days until he left for school. He had September 1st circled in bright red pen on his calendar.

Harry slipped on his glasses and his world came into focus. He looked around and saw his normal room. He was sickened by it. He hated his room, his house, and his family. He had grown to despise the Dursleys more and more.

The Dursleys hadn't made him do anything that bad this summer. After all, he was 16 and becoming a more powerful wizard by the day. They were scared of him, scared of what he could do to them. But it was still tempting to get rid of the Dursleys. With a simple flick of his wand they could be gone, sent to Siberia. But he couldn't think such thoughts. It would just be too easy to do. And besides, the Ministry of Magic would have his neck if he ever carried out his idea.

Harry got up and fed his owl, Hedwig. She nipped his fingers affectionately and gobbled down her food. Then, he opened his window, waiting for his mail.

As he waited, Harry sat down on his bed and started doing some of his summer homework, reading Animagus, the Dangers and Skills to Mastering the Art. It wasn't his favorite book, but it wasn't the worst he had ever read. The Monster Book of Monsters had to have been the worst. At least he could touch this one.

After about twenty minutes of reading he looked up and realized that Hedwig was very distressed. A small owl was zooming around the room trying to catch Harry's attention.

"Come here, Pig," Harry said to the small owl.

He took off the note from the owl's leg and sent it over to Hedwig's cage for water. Harry opened the note and read what it said:

Dear Harry,

Sorry I haven't written you much this summer. Mum made me get a muggle job. She says with all of the supplies we need to buy this year, I need to buy my own things. I hate being poor. But I got a job at pet store and there is this really pretty girl there. I mean, she is prettier than Fluer. So it isn't all that bad. She has really been warming up to me. In fact, she asked me to come over to her house for dinner this week. Dad wants to drop me off at her house, but I told him no because, well, you know dad. I hope muggle houses aren't too different than home. Got any tips?

I didn't get you anything too special. Just a cake and an enchanted pen that sings when you write. Percy thought it was great. Mom wouldn't let me send them with Pig so I'm going to send them with our new owl, Tony, when he gets back from his other job. Eerol passed away in June. Hope you have fun on your birthday.

Ron

PS Mom says you can come over in a few weeks. Dumbledore wouldn't agree on an earlier date. Sucks, huh?

Harry just smiled at himself, just like Ron to go crazy over the first girl he lays his eyes on. He wasn't at all upset that he would have to wait a while longer for Ron's gift because he had others to open. He also was curious to why he wasn't allowed to go to Ron's sooner. But he trusted Dumbledore. He knew what he was doing.

He took the letters and packages from the other 3 owls that had flown in the window while he was reading and sent them to get water and food from Hedwig's cage. He picked up the letter written in emerald green ink. It was his Hogwart's school list.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock

Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Mr. Potter,

We are glad to see you are coming back to Hogwarts this year. It will be a busy year for you and all the other 5th years. Enclosed is your list of supplies you will need this year. Third years and above are permitted to go to Hogsmade. Please be sure that your parent or guardian signs the proper forms that enable you to go. The term will begin on September 1st. Please be at platform nine and three-quarters at 10 am sharp.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Minerva McGonagall,

Deputy Headmistress

Harry took out the 2nd paper in the letter.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

UNIFORM

Fifth-year students will require:

1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)

2. One pointed hat (black) for day wear

3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)

5. One dress robe (any color)

COURSE BOOKS

Students with your classes will require copies of:

1. Animagus, The Dangers and Skills to Mastering the Art

by Megera Maddie

2. The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 5)

by Miranda Goshawk

3. Deciding the Future: Use Your Skills to Make the Correct Choices

by Polly Jameston

4. Advance Potions: Mixing Dangerous Brews

by Tom Grunsmith

5. Trolls, Ogres, Beast, and Other Fearsome Creatures

by Wert Smerty

How to magically mend the sick and disturbed

by Lucy Eldwin

OTHER EQUIPMENT:

1 wand

1 cauldron (iron, size 4)

1 telescope

1 broom

1 set brass scales

1 set of ink refills

1 set of potion refills

1 standard advance potions kit

5 quills (2 small bird feathers, 3 large bird feathers)

1 bottle of pure dragon's blood

All students please note, all animals other than cats, frogs, and owls will not be permitted on school grounds without proper permission.

After Harry finished reading his list he could see why Ron needed to get a summer job. There was a lot to buy and not all of it was cheap. On top of that, Ron needed to replace a lot of his old supplies that had broken. He imagined Ron saved enough to buy new dress robes.

Harry couldn't wait to go to Diagon Alley to buy his new supplies. He loved to go into the wizarding world. It was always fascinating to him. The only thing that would be hard to find would be the dragon's blood. It would be expensive, too. He wondered which class he would be needing it for.

The next letter he opened was from Hermione. He could tell by the very neat and elaborate handwriting.

Dear Harry,

Happy Birthday! I do hope your family is treating you OK. I really didn't know what to get you so I just got you a trinket from Bulgaria. I went to visit Krum this summer. He sends his regards. I forgot to tell you! Krum will be coming back to Hogwart's this year. He is very excited... just a little nervous about the sorting. I tried to assure him that it isn't bad at all, but he wouldn't listen. Enough about Krum.

I'm going to Ron's next week. Will you be coming? I hope Dumbledore lets you. I can't imagine him forcing you to stay with that awful aunt of yours. Well I hope to see you soon!

Love,

Hermione

Harry ripped open the neatly wrapped package to find a beautiful set of potion bottles. They were finely crafted with carved metal engravings. The seven bottles looked very expensive. He examined them closer and noticed there was a phoenix on each bottle along with a pattern of what looked like pixie dust. Very exquisite. He imagined Hermione had bought them for herself then realized she had forgotten to buy him something. He made a mental note to send her a very long thank you letter. He wondered why she had given him seven, when the only needed four potions bottles for school. Then, he silently debated if he should use them for school, or save them for special occasions.

He looked to his last letter. It was from Hagrid. Short and sweet as always.

Dear Harry,

Hope you have a good birthday. Dumbledore said you can come to school early and help me with my duties if you like. Just write me back and let me know. It would only be for a week or so and then you can go to Ron's.

-Hagrid

Harry wasn't sure if he should go, and then remembered it was spend a week with Hagrid or a week with the Dursleys. His choice was easy. Attached to the letter was a package. It was wrapped even neater than Hermione's gift. He didn't have the slightest idea on what it was.

After he opened it, he found a cake. But it was a Hagrid-made cake. It was store bought. It was green with the words "Happy Birthday Harry" written on it in excellent handwriting. There was another note with the cake.

Harry-

I finally caught on to my own food. So I decided not to make ya suffer this year.

-Hagrid

Harry couldn't stop himself from smiling.

"Well that was totally unexpected," Harry said while writing a quick note to Hagrid that said thank you and he would be delighted to come.

He sent the note back with Hagrid's owl and decided he had better start writing notes to Ron and Hermione.

He took out his quill and wrote Ron a short note that said he was going to Hagrid's for a week then going to his house. He also said he couldn't wait to see his pen (even though he could.)

Next was Hermione's letter. He went into a lot more detail with hers. He spent half a page talking about how lovely the bottles were. Then, he went into how he was going to be at Hagrid's for a week. After that, he sent his letters with their correct owls off to their owners.

Just as Harry had settled Hedwig down from the intrusion on her cage, he looked out the window and saw another owl flying his way. He figured it must be Sirus', seeing that he didn't recognize it and he had already gotten owls from everyone he knew.

With its fearsome, yellow eyes, the owl landed on Harry's window sill and glared at him. It held out its leg, waiting for the letter to be taken from it. Harry was almost scared to touch it.

"Very odd owl for Sirus to send," Harry thought. "He normally sends nice owls."

Harry took the letter and just looked at it. It just had his name written on it, no other signs of identification. That defiantly wasn't Sirus' habit for letters. They were always addressed to him, with at least the town. He opened the letter and looked directly at the signature. He was very surprised.

Author's Note: This is version 1.1 of Chapter One. I made a few spelling changes and added a few more descriptive words. The changes I made were minor and won't affect the plotline. 1/10/02