Harry Potter and the Messengers of Sorrow
Harry Potter blinked open his eyes, then glanced at his alarm clock which read 4:47 a.m. He sighed and rolled over, burying his face into his pillow. Why had he woken up anyway? He concentrated hard, trying to remember the dream he's been having, but the details of it had somehow leaked out of his ears. He did recall one thing, however. The awful, panicky, numbing feeling that started in his stomach and quickly spread, immobilizing him as fast as if the body-bind curse had been placed upon him. The full body bind was one of the handy spells that he had learned at Hogwarts, school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, his school for the past four years. Harry suddenly cringed, remembering what had happened during his previous year at Hogwarts. Another student was killed at the end of a dangerous tournament Harry himself was forced to take part in by a binding of magical contact. Despite the bad memories, Harry longed to return to Hogwarts. Even though it often housed dangerous monsters, early-white ghosts, and dark wizards, Hogwarts was the only place he could remember that had ever felt like home to Harry. Half afraid to sleep in case he had another terrifying dream, Harry willed his eyes to shut until he fell into a fitful slumber....
It was a clap of thunder that woke Harry in his dormitory at Hogwarts. He was about to go back to sleep when he heard a faint tapping at the window. Tiptoeing as to not wake his fellow fifth years he crept to the windowsill and drew the latch. Beating its wings against the blustery wind was a large black screech owl with an envelope tied tightly around one of its spindly leg. Wondering what message would be so urgent that it was delivered in the middle of the night, he let the owl in, along with a blast of wind and rain. Curious to find out whom it was addressed to, he removed the envelope and smoothed it out. His insides froze when he saw the name: Mr. Harry Potter. With trembling fingers, he ripped it open and started to read:
Dear Mr. Potter,
It is with great sorrow that we inform you of the deaths of your parents, James and Lily Potter. The Dark Lord tracked them to their home in Godric's Hollow last night and murdered them. All at the Ministry of Magic will mourn the loss of such fine people. Please correspond by owl post for preferences regarding their funeral and burial.
Sincerely, Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic
Harry stared at the piece of paper, his mind reeling and his robes drenched with rain. He let the letter fall from his limp fingers, and watched it float to the floor. He thought he might be sick. Instead, everything went black, and Harry Potter woke up for the second time that night....
Harry lay in his bed at number four, Privet Drive, his bedsheets soaked in his own sweat. He kept repeating to himself, "It's just a dream, it's just a dream. My parents died fourteen years ago and I know that. It was only a dream." Harry heard the low rumble of thunder in the distance. He sat up, and glanced in the mirror, staring at his messy black hair, which was falling over his forehead, hiding his lighting bolt scar, the scar that Lord Voldemort had given him, and at the same instant, Voldemort's powers to vanish, the night his parents really had died. Harry pushed that last thought from his mind, turning sharply to look at his alarm clock. It now read 6:03 a.m. Harry looked out the window, and saw the faint glow of sunrise peeping out over the end of Privet Drive. "Things always look better in the morning," he reasoned with himself. Harry then realized with a jolt that today was his 15th birthday. The pale features in the mirror lit up with a huge grin. Right on cue, he saw Pigwidgeon, an owl belonging to his best friend Ron Weasley, appear in the sky. Following Pig was his own owl, Hedwig, and a large brown barn owl that appeared to be an owl from Hogwarts, and a small gray owl that Harry did not recognize. After letting them in and removing the packages tied to their legs, the school owl flew immediately back out into the now rosy sky with an important sounding hoot. Harry put Hedwig into her cage, and let the excited Pigwidgeon zoom around his room with a sudden boost of energy. He then turned his attention to the packages with an air of gratitude and picked up the closest one. The correspondent was Hermione Granger, his other best friend. The letter read:
Dear Harry,
Happy Birthday! How have you been? Remember, if your scar hurts again, owl Dumbledore right away. I do hope that your aunt and uncle haven't been too awful this summer. Have you heard from Snuffles lately? Oh, I have the most wonderful news. I got an owl from Hogwarts this morning-I'm a prefect! I am so anxious to start the new term; remember, we take our O.W.L.S. this year. Of course, I've been studying all summer. (Harry gulped. He had forgotten about the O.W.L.S.) If you haven't already heard from Ron, you might want to know that we are meeting in Diagon Alley on August 16th. Will your aunt and uncle drive you there? If not, send Hedwig to Ron or me and we'll assist you. Hope to see you soon!
Love from, Hermione
Harry smiled as he set down Hermione's letter. Yes, he could get the Dursleys to take him to London, now that they knew that his godfather, a.k.a. Sirius Black, a.k.a. Snuffles, a.k.a. Padfoot, was a (supposedly) convicted murderer. Harry did not tell them that Sirius was innocent on purpose.
Harry picked up the parcel from Hermione. Inside were two wrapped packages. Harry picked up the smaller package. It was a tiny book, called: Tips and Tricks for the Advanced Quidditch Player.
"Excellent," Harry murmured, as he flipped through the pages. The book was full of tips on riding, mounting, and caring for your broom. Harry set down the book and reached for the second package. It was oddly shaped. He opened it up. A piece of parchment fell out. Harry read it.
Dear Harry,
This is an O.W.L. helper. It's really amazing. When you're studying for your O.W.L.s, it will tell you what else you need to study, and it will ask you questions that will be on them. Since I knew Ron wasn't studying either-I know you two too well-he got one, also. Well, enjoy the rest of your summer!
Love From, Hermione
Harry studied the O.W.L. helper. It was almost all square, with a rounded top. He placed it on his nightstand and picked up one of Pig's packages. The ink the letter was written in was flashing different colors, making it quite entertaining (but a bit difficult) to read.
Harry-
Happy 15th Birthday! Has your scar been hurting lately? Mum has been out of her mind worrying about you. Guess what? Fred and George have started on a joke shop-no, I'm serious! When we got home for the summer, the showed us a heap of gold they had managed to procure. I guess ol' Ludo Bagman finally came through for them, huh? (Harry smiled, for it had been himself, not Ludo Bagman, that had given the twins the money he had won in the Triwizard Tournament.) They've decided not to open their shop until they graduate, but they have a site reserved near Honeydukes, in Hogsmeade! Dad pulled a few strings at the Ministry to get them that, and they're positively hopping with excitement. Mum nearly fainted when she found out. She still wants them to work at the Ministry, like Dad and Percy, but I think she'll come to her senses soon enough. Can you just imagine Fred and George at the Ministry? Nothing would ever get done! By the way, we're meeting Hermione in the Leaky Cauldron on August 16th at 2 o'clock. If the Muggles give you a hard time about it, owl us and we'll take care of it. I hope Pig gets all of this to you okay. See you soon!
-Ron
Harry laughed as he placed Ron's card next to Hermione's on the nightstand. He couldn't wait to visit Fred and George's joke shop when it was completed. He opened Ron's parcel. Inside was a big bag of dungbombs and a crate of fake wands, canary creams, ton-tongue toffees, and other assorted trick sweets. There was a small package that was labeled "Expanders." A note from Fred and George was pinned to it.
Harry, these Expanders are each shaped like a body part. (i.e. ribs, arm, hand, head, and so forth) Whichever one you choose to eat, your matching body part will expand to three times its normal size for thirty seconds. Cool, huh?
Harry stared at the Expanders. He pulled out one shaped like a foot and slowly put it into his mouth. The strangest sensation came over his left foot...it reminded him of the time when Lockhart inadvertently removed all of the bones in his arm in Harry's 2nd year at Hogwarts. He watched, amazed, as his foot grew...and grew...and grew...until it was larger than Hagrid's. Harry utilized the convenience of having a large appendage while it lasted. He tried to walk around the room, but only got as far as his nightstand before falling back onto his bed. He tried to do this quietly, in case the Dursleys came in and threw him out of the house for being even more of a freak than usual. Which wouldn't be too bad, come to think of it, Harry thought to himself as his foot shrank back to its normal size.
He opened the third letter he had received, and recognized Hagrid's untidy scrawl.
Dear Harry,
Happy Birthday! How've you been? Hope you like your present, wasn't too sure if you would or not. See you at school.
Cheers, hAGRID
Harry excitedly tore open the brown paper. Inside a square frame was what looked like a photograph of Harry starting the first task of the Triwizard Tournament. He saw himself entering a circular stadium filled with students, at the center of which was a huge, vicious-looking dragon. Remembering the tense moment, he lightly touched the figure of himself. Suddenly, the image started to move and he could hear Ludo Bagman's magically magnified voice commentating the match over the faint cheers of the crowd. He saw himself, play-by-play, taking the golden egg from the dragon who guarded it. When it finished, he heard the final roar of the crowd and it instantly flicked back to the opening screen. Amazed, he put it in his Hogwarts trunk. His friends were going to want to see that! There were two letters and a package left. He recognized Sirius's handwriting on the front of one. The letter read:
Dear Harry,
I hope you've had a happy birthday so far. You know that if the Dursleys ever give you any trouble-and I mean any trouble at all-you owl me as fast as you can. I'm currently lying low at an old friend's house-for certain reasons I can't enclose his name, but I think you know who I mean. We've both been extremely worried about you ever since your, er, ordeal at the end of last year. I miss you a lot, and I hope that you will stay safe until you are in the care of Albus Dumbledore once again. Well Harry, I must go, but I hope to see you soon. Keep in touch!
Sirius
Harry knew exactly whom Sirius was staying with-Remus Lupin. Besides being a werewolf, Lupin was one of Harry's old Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers, and another old friend of his father's. The package from Sirius and Remus was immense. Inside was a broomcase big enough for his Firebolt. There was a note attached. The writing was slightly familiar, but he couldn't quite place it.
Harry,
Sirius and I know this will come in handy for all of those Quidditch practices! I wish I could visit you, but I'm sure my appearance will cause something of a stir. Don't worry too much about Lord Voldemort yet, but I must remind you to be alert at all times. Good luck for the school year!
-R.L.
Harry put all of his presents under the loose floorboards in his room. He then saw one last letter. It was from Hogwarts. It reminded him that the new term started on September 1st, and to be at Platform Nine and Three Quarters at 11 o'clock. Also, there was a fifth year supply list. There was even a letter that said Harry was a prefect! Harry grinned as he walked to the kitchen for breakfast. He couldn't wait to see Ron and Hermione at Diagon Alley on August 16th.
Harry Potter blinked open his eyes, then glanced at his alarm clock which read 4:47 a.m. He sighed and rolled over, burying his face into his pillow. Why had he woken up anyway? He concentrated hard, trying to remember the dream he's been having, but the details of it had somehow leaked out of his ears. He did recall one thing, however. The awful, panicky, numbing feeling that started in his stomach and quickly spread, immobilizing him as fast as if the body-bind curse had been placed upon him. The full body bind was one of the handy spells that he had learned at Hogwarts, school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, his school for the past four years. Harry suddenly cringed, remembering what had happened during his previous year at Hogwarts. Another student was killed at the end of a dangerous tournament Harry himself was forced to take part in by a binding of magical contact. Despite the bad memories, Harry longed to return to Hogwarts. Even though it often housed dangerous monsters, early-white ghosts, and dark wizards, Hogwarts was the only place he could remember that had ever felt like home to Harry. Half afraid to sleep in case he had another terrifying dream, Harry willed his eyes to shut until he fell into a fitful slumber....
It was a clap of thunder that woke Harry in his dormitory at Hogwarts. He was about to go back to sleep when he heard a faint tapping at the window. Tiptoeing as to not wake his fellow fifth years he crept to the windowsill and drew the latch. Beating its wings against the blustery wind was a large black screech owl with an envelope tied tightly around one of its spindly leg. Wondering what message would be so urgent that it was delivered in the middle of the night, he let the owl in, along with a blast of wind and rain. Curious to find out whom it was addressed to, he removed the envelope and smoothed it out. His insides froze when he saw the name: Mr. Harry Potter. With trembling fingers, he ripped it open and started to read:
Dear Mr. Potter,
It is with great sorrow that we inform you of the deaths of your parents, James and Lily Potter. The Dark Lord tracked them to their home in Godric's Hollow last night and murdered them. All at the Ministry of Magic will mourn the loss of such fine people. Please correspond by owl post for preferences regarding their funeral and burial.
Sincerely, Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic
Harry stared at the piece of paper, his mind reeling and his robes drenched with rain. He let the letter fall from his limp fingers, and watched it float to the floor. He thought he might be sick. Instead, everything went black, and Harry Potter woke up for the second time that night....
Harry lay in his bed at number four, Privet Drive, his bedsheets soaked in his own sweat. He kept repeating to himself, "It's just a dream, it's just a dream. My parents died fourteen years ago and I know that. It was only a dream." Harry heard the low rumble of thunder in the distance. He sat up, and glanced in the mirror, staring at his messy black hair, which was falling over his forehead, hiding his lighting bolt scar, the scar that Lord Voldemort had given him, and at the same instant, Voldemort's powers to vanish, the night his parents really had died. Harry pushed that last thought from his mind, turning sharply to look at his alarm clock. It now read 6:03 a.m. Harry looked out the window, and saw the faint glow of sunrise peeping out over the end of Privet Drive. "Things always look better in the morning," he reasoned with himself. Harry then realized with a jolt that today was his 15th birthday. The pale features in the mirror lit up with a huge grin. Right on cue, he saw Pigwidgeon, an owl belonging to his best friend Ron Weasley, appear in the sky. Following Pig was his own owl, Hedwig, and a large brown barn owl that appeared to be an owl from Hogwarts, and a small gray owl that Harry did not recognize. After letting them in and removing the packages tied to their legs, the school owl flew immediately back out into the now rosy sky with an important sounding hoot. Harry put Hedwig into her cage, and let the excited Pigwidgeon zoom around his room with a sudden boost of energy. He then turned his attention to the packages with an air of gratitude and picked up the closest one. The correspondent was Hermione Granger, his other best friend. The letter read:
Dear Harry,
Happy Birthday! How have you been? Remember, if your scar hurts again, owl Dumbledore right away. I do hope that your aunt and uncle haven't been too awful this summer. Have you heard from Snuffles lately? Oh, I have the most wonderful news. I got an owl from Hogwarts this morning-I'm a prefect! I am so anxious to start the new term; remember, we take our O.W.L.S. this year. Of course, I've been studying all summer. (Harry gulped. He had forgotten about the O.W.L.S.) If you haven't already heard from Ron, you might want to know that we are meeting in Diagon Alley on August 16th. Will your aunt and uncle drive you there? If not, send Hedwig to Ron or me and we'll assist you. Hope to see you soon!
Love from, Hermione
Harry smiled as he set down Hermione's letter. Yes, he could get the Dursleys to take him to London, now that they knew that his godfather, a.k.a. Sirius Black, a.k.a. Snuffles, a.k.a. Padfoot, was a (supposedly) convicted murderer. Harry did not tell them that Sirius was innocent on purpose.
Harry picked up the parcel from Hermione. Inside were two wrapped packages. Harry picked up the smaller package. It was a tiny book, called: Tips and Tricks for the Advanced Quidditch Player.
"Excellent," Harry murmured, as he flipped through the pages. The book was full of tips on riding, mounting, and caring for your broom. Harry set down the book and reached for the second package. It was oddly shaped. He opened it up. A piece of parchment fell out. Harry read it.
Dear Harry,
This is an O.W.L. helper. It's really amazing. When you're studying for your O.W.L.s, it will tell you what else you need to study, and it will ask you questions that will be on them. Since I knew Ron wasn't studying either-I know you two too well-he got one, also. Well, enjoy the rest of your summer!
Love From, Hermione
Harry studied the O.W.L. helper. It was almost all square, with a rounded top. He placed it on his nightstand and picked up one of Pig's packages. The ink the letter was written in was flashing different colors, making it quite entertaining (but a bit difficult) to read.
Harry-
Happy 15th Birthday! Has your scar been hurting lately? Mum has been out of her mind worrying about you. Guess what? Fred and George have started on a joke shop-no, I'm serious! When we got home for the summer, the showed us a heap of gold they had managed to procure. I guess ol' Ludo Bagman finally came through for them, huh? (Harry smiled, for it had been himself, not Ludo Bagman, that had given the twins the money he had won in the Triwizard Tournament.) They've decided not to open their shop until they graduate, but they have a site reserved near Honeydukes, in Hogsmeade! Dad pulled a few strings at the Ministry to get them that, and they're positively hopping with excitement. Mum nearly fainted when she found out. She still wants them to work at the Ministry, like Dad and Percy, but I think she'll come to her senses soon enough. Can you just imagine Fred and George at the Ministry? Nothing would ever get done! By the way, we're meeting Hermione in the Leaky Cauldron on August 16th at 2 o'clock. If the Muggles give you a hard time about it, owl us and we'll take care of it. I hope Pig gets all of this to you okay. See you soon!
-Ron
Harry laughed as he placed Ron's card next to Hermione's on the nightstand. He couldn't wait to visit Fred and George's joke shop when it was completed. He opened Ron's parcel. Inside was a big bag of dungbombs and a crate of fake wands, canary creams, ton-tongue toffees, and other assorted trick sweets. There was a small package that was labeled "Expanders." A note from Fred and George was pinned to it.
Harry, these Expanders are each shaped like a body part. (i.e. ribs, arm, hand, head, and so forth) Whichever one you choose to eat, your matching body part will expand to three times its normal size for thirty seconds. Cool, huh?
Harry stared at the Expanders. He pulled out one shaped like a foot and slowly put it into his mouth. The strangest sensation came over his left foot...it reminded him of the time when Lockhart inadvertently removed all of the bones in his arm in Harry's 2nd year at Hogwarts. He watched, amazed, as his foot grew...and grew...and grew...until it was larger than Hagrid's. Harry utilized the convenience of having a large appendage while it lasted. He tried to walk around the room, but only got as far as his nightstand before falling back onto his bed. He tried to do this quietly, in case the Dursleys came in and threw him out of the house for being even more of a freak than usual. Which wouldn't be too bad, come to think of it, Harry thought to himself as his foot shrank back to its normal size.
He opened the third letter he had received, and recognized Hagrid's untidy scrawl.
Dear Harry,
Happy Birthday! How've you been? Hope you like your present, wasn't too sure if you would or not. See you at school.
Cheers, hAGRID
Harry excitedly tore open the brown paper. Inside a square frame was what looked like a photograph of Harry starting the first task of the Triwizard Tournament. He saw himself entering a circular stadium filled with students, at the center of which was a huge, vicious-looking dragon. Remembering the tense moment, he lightly touched the figure of himself. Suddenly, the image started to move and he could hear Ludo Bagman's magically magnified voice commentating the match over the faint cheers of the crowd. He saw himself, play-by-play, taking the golden egg from the dragon who guarded it. When it finished, he heard the final roar of the crowd and it instantly flicked back to the opening screen. Amazed, he put it in his Hogwarts trunk. His friends were going to want to see that! There were two letters and a package left. He recognized Sirius's handwriting on the front of one. The letter read:
Dear Harry,
I hope you've had a happy birthday so far. You know that if the Dursleys ever give you any trouble-and I mean any trouble at all-you owl me as fast as you can. I'm currently lying low at an old friend's house-for certain reasons I can't enclose his name, but I think you know who I mean. We've both been extremely worried about you ever since your, er, ordeal at the end of last year. I miss you a lot, and I hope that you will stay safe until you are in the care of Albus Dumbledore once again. Well Harry, I must go, but I hope to see you soon. Keep in touch!
Sirius
Harry knew exactly whom Sirius was staying with-Remus Lupin. Besides being a werewolf, Lupin was one of Harry's old Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers, and another old friend of his father's. The package from Sirius and Remus was immense. Inside was a broomcase big enough for his Firebolt. There was a note attached. The writing was slightly familiar, but he couldn't quite place it.
Harry,
Sirius and I know this will come in handy for all of those Quidditch practices! I wish I could visit you, but I'm sure my appearance will cause something of a stir. Don't worry too much about Lord Voldemort yet, but I must remind you to be alert at all times. Good luck for the school year!
-R.L.
Harry put all of his presents under the loose floorboards in his room. He then saw one last letter. It was from Hogwarts. It reminded him that the new term started on September 1st, and to be at Platform Nine and Three Quarters at 11 o'clock. Also, there was a fifth year supply list. There was even a letter that said Harry was a prefect! Harry grinned as he walked to the kitchen for breakfast. He couldn't wait to see Ron and Hermione at Diagon Alley on August 16th.