Harry Potter and The Amulet of Hogwarts: Chapter 2
By ~Misty~
This is the second chapter of my version of the fifth book. To read the first one, click on my name. Thanks! :-)
The house was huge and very old; it looked like a castle. Harry figured it was at least half the size of Hogwarts. There was a brown-haired woman at the stone porch. She ran down, waving happily.
"Petunia, this must be your nephew, hello Harry! So nice to meet you. Do come inside," the woman said, smiling at Aunt Petunia, who hastily got in the car as the Dursleys drove away. "I'm Claire, my daughter Marissa is inside. Something tells me you two will have a lot in common." She winked at Harry and led him inside. Aunt Petunia must not have told her how 'horrible' he was, or Claire wouldn't be acting so nice to him.
"Marissa, Harry Potter is here. Come down, you'll finally meet him!" Claire shouted up the richly carpeted stairs. Suddenly there was a great shriek and a big bang as a pretty girl with straight black hair ran down the stairs.
"My name's Marissa, how do you do?" the girl asked casually. "So sorry about the noise; I tripped over my cat Bangles. I'll be taking him with me to Hogwarts this year. You see, I was in a magic school called Marshfield in Ireland. I've been attending it for six years, but my aunt Minerva works at Hogwarts and said if I wanted I could come to be a fifth year there and be sorted too! I can't wait to meet your friends-especially that girl, Hermeeny or something, that Rita Skeeter said was your girlfriend. Skeeter made her out to be a creep, so she must be nice."
"She's not my girlfriend," Harry protested. "Rita Skeeter is just a nosy git."
"Sure she isn't," Marissa said, obviously not believing him. "Well, anyway, let's go have something to eat."
Claire led them into a dining room where there were stacks of chocolate chip cookies and glasses of lemonade on a huge table. The cookies were still warm, and when Harry bit into one, it was soft, chewy, and delicious. Marissa scooped up a powdery gray cat with darker gray stripes and plopped down in a chair, with the cat purring contentedly in her lap, his greenish-gold eyes half-closed.
"You didn't mean Professor McGonagall is your Aunt Minerva, did you?" Harry asked. As an answer Claire left and returned with a picture of a young, waving, smiling Professor McGonagall. Harry choked on his cookie and downed a glass of lemonade to breathe. "Really? She's always so…"
Marissa smiled. "Stuffy? Yeah, she's like that. It's funny, especially when she tries to play with my little cousins… Aunt Minnie with her hair messed up and her glasses falling off is a sight to see, I can assure you of that! Say, Harry, how about a game of Quidditch in the backyard? Mum grew tall trees so the neighbors can't see… not that there are many neighbors. I've got two Nimbus Two Thousands and one Firebolt. Care to have a go?"
Harry nodded, hardly believing his luck. Marissa led him through a hall full of waving pictures out into a huge backyard surrounded by towering trees. There was a neat little shed where a Quidditch set was kept as well as the brooms.
"Here, since you're the guest, you ride the Firebolt. You have one, right? They're the best!" Marissa said enthusiastically, tossing Harry a sleek Firebolt and mounting a Nimbus herself.
The game was interesting. Marissa crashed into a tree six times. The first time the broomstick lodged in a hole in the tree, and Harry had to fly over and help her get loose. The second time the broom bounced away from the tree, sending Marissa flying into Harry's broom. The third time both Marissa and the broom fell ten feet to the ground, which she announced was very fun. The fourth time she grabbed Harry's broom as she went and they both crashed into the tree. Harry saw little golden Snitches flying around his head after the crashed. The fifth time, Marissa attempted to stand on her broom, flying toward the tree, and jump over a branch, then land on the broom. She jumped-she didn't quite land on the broom, but instead on the branch. Once again, Harry had to rescue her. She also just fell off twice, shrieking with joy as she plummeted toward the ground.
~Misty~: *Slaps Topaz* enough with the falling! (Topaz wrote the falling paragraph)
Topaz: *Sulks* Fine. Be that way.
~Misty~ also fell off her broom
~Misty~: WHAT! This isn't about me!
Topaz: *Evil grin*
"I'm great at Quidditch, aren't I?" Marissa said cheerfully as she dangled by one hand from her broom. Harry nodded weakly. "What fun! Oh, pooh--" Harry choked. "-It's almost six! We've been out here for five hours!"
Harry caught the Snitch easily, and they locked it away, then put the brooms and balls back in the little shed. Marissa's Nimbus was covered with scratches and dents. Harry wasn't surprised.
"Well, Harry, I hope you had fun. Why don't you go up to Marissa's room and talk some more while I zap up some of my bacon soup for you two?" Claire suggested, waving them upstairs.
"Good thing Aunt Minerva isn't here. She'd faint if she knew I had a boy in my room," Marissa snickered. They walked down a richly carpeted hall that led to another set of stairs. Then they walked down a twisty, dark hall with sheet-covered furniture, and up a ladder. Harry gasped and nearly fell off the ladder; the blue walls at the top of the ladder were covered with waving pictures. There were huge windows splattered with raindrops, a blue velvet canopy bed, and a desk with books about magic sprawled everywhere. Marissa took a wand from her desk drawer.
"Isn't it nice? Fourteen inches, willow, with a hair from a unicorn's tail for the core. I've been working on freezing charms and fire charms, stuff like that. Frosto," she said, pointing her wand at the window. Instantly the raindrops turned to ice and fell from the window, shattering on the ground below. "So when are you going to Diagon Alley? Maybe we could meet there."
"Yeah, I'll let you know when," Harry agreed. "That's a cool charm." He looked back at the window and saw a soaked owl tapping on the glass.
Marissa opened the window and the owl flew in, dripping all over her rug. "It's the book list and class selection sheet for me!" Marissa showed the forms, perfectly dry, to Harry. He decided that Dumbledore must have used a water repelling charm on it. "What classes should I choose? Divination, Arithmancy, Muggle Studies, hm… Care of Magical Creatures sounds interesting."
"Ron and I take Divination," Harry said. "Trelawney's a crackpot old fool, but the work is easy. Hermione takes Arithmancy and wouldn't say a word against it, but then Hermione is really smart. She also takes Ancient Runes."
Just then Claire's voice rang out, "Time for dinner, guys and gals!"
Marissa rolled her eyes and jumped down the ladder, Hogwarts letter still in hand. An old clock told Harry it was only five fifty two. When they reached the dining room there were three big bowls of soup.
"Harry, does your aunt know about your magic and all of the Hogwarts rules?" Claire asked curiously, taking a seat.
"All she knows is that I go to Hogwarts. She thinks I'm a freak of nature, just like Uncle Vernon does, but I mostly stay out of their way," Harry replied, shrugging. Claire gaped at him.
"But they must want to know! They have magic, too, don't they? I mean, they are in your family. Wouldn't they want to know…" Claire trailed off, looking bewildered as Harry shook his head no. "Well, really, that's just horrible! But they let you practice magic, right?" She looked even more surprised when Harry shook his head again.
"They're afraid of my magic and think that I'm the shame of my family, it's been that way for… well, years," Harry said. "I don't mind much cause I'm used to it, though. Well, I miss my Firebolt, and I can't do homework until nightfall, and I can't really use my wand. But other than that…" Harry stopped, almost laughing at Claire's horrified expression. "Mrs…"
Oh, yes, of course, Mrs. Underwood," Claire supplied. "Mr. Underwood works with the Ministry of Magic, but please, just call me Claire."
There was a loud honk from outside. "Oh, dear, well, we'll see you at Hogwart's Express then. Goodbye, Harry!" Claire said, showing him to the door with Marissa waving frantically behind her.
"Good bye, and thank you," Harry said miserably as he slid into the Dursley's car.
"Didn't do anything stupid, did you, boy?" Uncle Vernon growled threateningly. Harry shook his head. "Good, don't want you scaring away your aunt's friends, you do enough damage to this family already!" Harry grinned; imagining Aunt Petunia's face at finding out that Claire was a witch. "What's so funny, boy?" his uncle growled angrily. Harry stifled his laugh and sat quietly until they reached number four on Privet Drive.
Lying on Harry's bed was a familiar brown package with Professor McGonagall's handwriting on it. Harry hastily opened the envelope to find the booklist for fifth years and a notice saying school would start on September 1. The booklist said:
Standard Book of Spells Grade Five, by Miranda Goshawk
Unfogging the Future and Beyond, by Frederick Fogg
Defense Against the Dark Arts, by Amanda Grumper
Charming Charms, by Sidney Roosevelt
A Guide to Transfiguration, by Emeric Switch
A Thousand And One Plants, by Phyllida Spore
Harry quickly tucked it under his loose floorboard and lay on his bed, thinking about the new school year to come. Suddenly there was a crack like a whip and an ugly, ragged elf appeared on Harry's chest. He almost yelled in surprise before he realized it was just Dobby, a house elf.
"Harry Potter, Dobby comes to tell Harry Potter that Hogwarts will be destroyed unless, unless brave Harry Potter can stop them. Please, Harry Potter must find the amulet, he is so clever and brave, Dobby knows he will… Hogwarts's existence depends on it!" Dobby said frantically.
"What amulet? Dobby, who will destroy Hogwarts?" Harry asked anxiously. Dobby twisted his little dinner jacket in his knobby hands. Suddenly Dobby broke down crying in high-pitched sobs. "Shhh, I understand that you don't know, okay, that's all right. Please be quiet, Dobby, you'll wake my aunt and uncle."
"Harry Potter must find the amulet!" Dobby sniffed and rubbed his nose. Suddenly the loud whip crack noise filled the air and the house-elf disappeared.
Harry lay back down, Dobby's last words ringing in his ears. What was this amulet and how did it tie into trying to destroy Hogwarts? Just then Aunt Petunia's shriek reached Harry's ears, telling him it was time for dinner.
He sighed and slowly went downstairs. Dudley was shoving his ham dinner into his massive mouth with his eyes glued to the television set. Aunt Petunia handed Harry a glass of water and a place with a small slice of ham on it.
Harry ate half of the slice and saved the rest for Hedwig, then washed the dishes. By seven o'clock he was so bored that he went to bed even though it was early.
Finally he fell into a fitful sleep and almost at once began dreaming. He was standing in the Forbidden Forest with Dobby yelling, "Harry Potter must get the amulet!" over and over again. Then he was in Dumbledore's office. Harry stared at the headmaster, surprised by the sorrow in his face. Professor McGonagall slipped in the door in his dream. "Albus? Harry Potter is dead. It was Voldemort." Another voice said, "Ron Weasley killed Voldemort… Arthur's son… what a happy day!" Suddenly there was a loud explosion, and Harry's dream self gasped. There was his beloved Hogwarts, in ruins, and he heard the mad, high-pitched cackling of Lord Voldemort!
Harry woke up in a cold sweat. His alarm clock said it was five o'clock in the morning. He groaned; still a week to go until Ron came to get him! It seemed months, even years away to Harry. Only a week, Harry thought to himself as he tugged his Herbology book out from under the loose floorboard and began to read.
He heard a tapping noise on the window and opened the window so the large barn owl outside could come in. Harry took the package and opened it; inside was a letter from Sirius.
Dear Harry,
I hope you are all right with Voldemort at large. Please write me if your scar hurts this summer at all. It's very important that you tell me, because there were killings just yesterday in the countryside of England. Mostly old supporters of Voldemort killed, but nonetheless, Harry, be careful! I am very worried, keep your wand with you at all times, even learn a few new spells. I am far away from the attacks so you don't need to worry, remember if you need me anytime I'm only an owl away!
-Sirius
Harry smiled, tucked the letter away under the board, and found a piece of paper.
Dear Sirius,
I think I felt Voldemort killing those people because my scar hurt yesterday morning, but it's been fine since, hope you are well, say hello to Buckbeak for me,
-Harry
Harry opened Hedwig's cage and tied the letter to her leg, then watched her swoop off into the gray morning light. It was 5:30 now. No use in trying to go back to sleep now, Harry thought, picking up his Herbology book and beginning to read again. An hour later, Harry was awakened by birds chirping loudly. He had fallen asleep with his face in his book. Harry got dressed and went down into the kitchen to see if he might be able to eat before Aunt Petunia woke, so that he might have a decent breakfast for once. But his wishes were crushed when he saw Aunt Petunia cooking eggs for Dudley.
"Up earlier this morning? Well, that's very good, I need you to weed the garden, mow the lawn, paint the fence and then you may eat lunch. Eat your breakfast," Aunt Petunia ordered, handing him a plate with a half of a sausage and a lump of runny eggs. Harry helped himself to a piece of toast and began eating it when Uncle Vernon strolled into the kitchen looking extremely smug.
"Hello, Petunia, just got off the phone, and you'll never believe what happened! I just landed a deal that will give us 6,000 pounds!" Uncle Vernon announced, grinning broadly. "This means the Dursleys are going on vacation!"
Aunt Petunia shrieked, dropped the pan she held, and hugged Uncle Vernon.
"Yes, that's right, two weeks in Hawaii!" Uncle Vernon crowed. "Oh, and as for you, boy, tell your 'friends' to pick you up tomorrow. We're not going to have you mess this up." He sneered at Harry. Harry couldn't believe it; he wouldn't have to be with the Dursleys for a whole week after all! He hastily finished his breakfast and then started to go upstairs.
"Just where do you think you're going boy, come back here, you've got chores to do!" Uncle Vernon roared.
"I have to tell them to pick me up, don't I? It will take Hedwig about a day's journey, so I need to send them the letter now," Harry explained, rolling his eyes.
"Well, fine, just hurry. We don't want a freak like you straggling around with us in Hawaii, and I doubt Claire would like to keep you for two weeks!" Uncle Vernon said, chuckling at his own joke.
Harry dashed upstairs, then remembered that he'd already used Hedwig earlier to deliver Sirius's letter. She could never make it back in such a short period of time. Just then there was a familiar fluttering outside Harry's window. Harry looked outside, and there was Pig! "Am I glad to see you!" Harry cried, opening the window. Pig flew in and perched on Harry's bed. This was strange, since usually a wizard would never send an owl in the daytime, so this must be urgent. Harry untied the letter and opened the envelope; inside was a letter from Ron.
Dear Harry,
I need to ask you something; can we pick you up today round seven? I know it's short notice but we want to go shopping in Diagon Alley because we need supplies. Please reply as early as possible, Pig can deliver it in half a day's journey, the hyperactive nutball.
-Ron
Harry smiled and searched for a piece of paper, then wrote:
Dear Ron,
Yes, please come at seven. The Dursleys would like me out of their hair as soon as possible, as I would, because they're going on a vacation in Hawaii tomorrow. See you at seven!
Harry
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry chased Pig until the overactive owl finally settled down enough for him to tie the short note to his leg. Then, after a drink from Hedwig's water bowl, Pig flew off into the bright afternoon sky. Harry ran downstairs in his excitement to find Dudley eating away at half a watermelon for his snack. "Uncle Vernon, they'll come for me and my stuff at seven tonight, the way they did before. You know, through the fireplace," Harry said, wanting to laugh at Dudley's horrified expression.
"Fine, as long as they don't get soot all over my rug, like last time," Aunt Petunia said shrilly. "Honestly, you'd think they would be able to travel like normal people." She began cleaning up Dudley's watermelon juice, which was dripping everywhere. "Well, you can take out the garbage while you're not doing anything and just sitting about." Aunt Petunia handed Harry a garbage bag and shooed him out the door.
For the rest of the afternoon Harry was allowed to watch TV with Dudley, probably because Aunt Petunia couldn't find any more chores to be done and the Dursleys were all in a good mood because of the coming trip to Hawaii. Harry went upstairs and looked at Hedwig's empty cage, feeling quite lonely. He sat on his bed, thinking of all the things he could do at the Weasley's house to cheer himself up.
"Harry get down here, supper time!" Aunt Petunia screeched, sending a chill down Harry's back.
"Coming!" Harry shouted back. He slowly trudging downstairs into the kitchen, where Dudley's five and a half chins wobbling over a plate of steaming spaghetti. Aunt Petunia shoved a small plate full of spaghetti at Harry and sat down next to Dudley.
"Dudders, how do you feel about Hawaii? Won't that be fun? Daddy and I have bought you a sailboat and a nice surfboard! I'm sure everyone will just love him!" Aunt Petunia exclaimed happily. "Oh, this will be a vacation worth waiting for, but we don't have to wait!" Aunt Petunia said merrily.
The whole dinner was spent talking about how great Hawaii was going to be. Harry didn't care; he just slurped his spaghetti rudely, waiting for seven o'clock to come. It was only five thirty; Harry was already done and extremely anxious.
"Stop fidgeting, boy!" Uncle Vernon snapped. "It's rude!"
Dinner dragged on until six thirty, mostly because of the talk of Hawaii. Harry asked to be excused and then dashed upstairs to his room. Hedwig still wasn't back yet; Harry hadn't thought she would be, but still, it was disappointing. Harry lay on his bed and waited for seven o'clock to come, but when it did, no Weasleys appeared. The minutes ticked by as Harry waited and waited. Suddenly, at seven twenty, there was a funny bumping noise. Harry gathered his things and ran down stairs as fast as he could to see the soot-covered Weasleys, brushing themselves off on Aunt Petunia's nice clean rug.
"Harry, how smashing to see you, old chum!" exclaimed Fred Weasley, grabbing hold of Harry's trunk and putting it on the floor.
"Yes, how ecstatically wonderful to see you, old boy!" George Weasley said. He picked up Hedwig's empty cage "I do say, Harry where is that parrot of yours?"
Harry laughed. "Currently delivering a message to Sirius, she'll know where to come though." George nodded, and stepped aside to let Mr. Weasley through. Mr. Weasley was quite a sight all covered in soot. The bald spot on his head was black and shiny, no matter how many times he rubbed it with his hankerchief.
"How are you, Harry, doing fine I hope?" Mr. Weasley said seriously. "Your scar hasn't been hurting lately has it? Anything strange happen lately?"
"Well, it's only hurt once so far, but I feel fine really. I'm really glad to be getting out of here!" Harry exclaimed.
"Harry, I know you'll hate me for suggesting this, but maybe you should go to Hawaii with the Dursleys, he won't ever find you there," Mr. Weasley said anxiously.
"No, he hasn't come after me in England, why should he right now? No, he'll wait until later, besides, I don't know how Voldemort would feel about grass skirts," Harry replied, smiling weakly "I'll be fine."
"Well, let's be off then, good bye Mr. Dursley, Mrs. Dursley, we'll see you next year!" Mr. Weasley said, taking a handful of black floo powder and grabbing Harry's trunk as he disappeared. Harry supposed he left so quickly because of the previous summer events, when the Weasley twins had dropped a Ton Tongue Toffee that had enlarged Dudley's tongue four feet. Needless to say, the Dursleys weren't happy, they were hysterical. Just thinking about it made Harry want to roll on the ground laughing.
"Goodbye, see you next summer," Harry said to the glaring Dursleys. He helped himself to a handful of floo powder, then, stepping in the fireplace, he shouted, "The Burrow!" His last images of Privet Drive that summer was the Dursleys horrified faces.
That's the end of Chapter Two; let me know what you think. Thanks!
~Misty~
P.S. I would like to thank Topaz, once again for helping me with correcting the story, however she is acting like a martyr.
By ~Misty~
This is the second chapter of my version of the fifth book. To read the first one, click on my name. Thanks! :-)
The house was huge and very old; it looked like a castle. Harry figured it was at least half the size of Hogwarts. There was a brown-haired woman at the stone porch. She ran down, waving happily.
"Petunia, this must be your nephew, hello Harry! So nice to meet you. Do come inside," the woman said, smiling at Aunt Petunia, who hastily got in the car as the Dursleys drove away. "I'm Claire, my daughter Marissa is inside. Something tells me you two will have a lot in common." She winked at Harry and led him inside. Aunt Petunia must not have told her how 'horrible' he was, or Claire wouldn't be acting so nice to him.
"Marissa, Harry Potter is here. Come down, you'll finally meet him!" Claire shouted up the richly carpeted stairs. Suddenly there was a great shriek and a big bang as a pretty girl with straight black hair ran down the stairs.
"My name's Marissa, how do you do?" the girl asked casually. "So sorry about the noise; I tripped over my cat Bangles. I'll be taking him with me to Hogwarts this year. You see, I was in a magic school called Marshfield in Ireland. I've been attending it for six years, but my aunt Minerva works at Hogwarts and said if I wanted I could come to be a fifth year there and be sorted too! I can't wait to meet your friends-especially that girl, Hermeeny or something, that Rita Skeeter said was your girlfriend. Skeeter made her out to be a creep, so she must be nice."
"She's not my girlfriend," Harry protested. "Rita Skeeter is just a nosy git."
"Sure she isn't," Marissa said, obviously not believing him. "Well, anyway, let's go have something to eat."
Claire led them into a dining room where there were stacks of chocolate chip cookies and glasses of lemonade on a huge table. The cookies were still warm, and when Harry bit into one, it was soft, chewy, and delicious. Marissa scooped up a powdery gray cat with darker gray stripes and plopped down in a chair, with the cat purring contentedly in her lap, his greenish-gold eyes half-closed.
"You didn't mean Professor McGonagall is your Aunt Minerva, did you?" Harry asked. As an answer Claire left and returned with a picture of a young, waving, smiling Professor McGonagall. Harry choked on his cookie and downed a glass of lemonade to breathe. "Really? She's always so…"
Marissa smiled. "Stuffy? Yeah, she's like that. It's funny, especially when she tries to play with my little cousins… Aunt Minnie with her hair messed up and her glasses falling off is a sight to see, I can assure you of that! Say, Harry, how about a game of Quidditch in the backyard? Mum grew tall trees so the neighbors can't see… not that there are many neighbors. I've got two Nimbus Two Thousands and one Firebolt. Care to have a go?"
Harry nodded, hardly believing his luck. Marissa led him through a hall full of waving pictures out into a huge backyard surrounded by towering trees. There was a neat little shed where a Quidditch set was kept as well as the brooms.
"Here, since you're the guest, you ride the Firebolt. You have one, right? They're the best!" Marissa said enthusiastically, tossing Harry a sleek Firebolt and mounting a Nimbus herself.
The game was interesting. Marissa crashed into a tree six times. The first time the broomstick lodged in a hole in the tree, and Harry had to fly over and help her get loose. The second time the broom bounced away from the tree, sending Marissa flying into Harry's broom. The third time both Marissa and the broom fell ten feet to the ground, which she announced was very fun. The fourth time she grabbed Harry's broom as she went and they both crashed into the tree. Harry saw little golden Snitches flying around his head after the crashed. The fifth time, Marissa attempted to stand on her broom, flying toward the tree, and jump over a branch, then land on the broom. She jumped-she didn't quite land on the broom, but instead on the branch. Once again, Harry had to rescue her. She also just fell off twice, shrieking with joy as she plummeted toward the ground.
~Misty~: *Slaps Topaz* enough with the falling! (Topaz wrote the falling paragraph)
Topaz: *Sulks* Fine. Be that way.
~Misty~ also fell off her broom
~Misty~: WHAT! This isn't about me!
Topaz: *Evil grin*
"I'm great at Quidditch, aren't I?" Marissa said cheerfully as she dangled by one hand from her broom. Harry nodded weakly. "What fun! Oh, pooh--" Harry choked. "-It's almost six! We've been out here for five hours!"
Harry caught the Snitch easily, and they locked it away, then put the brooms and balls back in the little shed. Marissa's Nimbus was covered with scratches and dents. Harry wasn't surprised.
"Well, Harry, I hope you had fun. Why don't you go up to Marissa's room and talk some more while I zap up some of my bacon soup for you two?" Claire suggested, waving them upstairs.
"Good thing Aunt Minerva isn't here. She'd faint if she knew I had a boy in my room," Marissa snickered. They walked down a richly carpeted hall that led to another set of stairs. Then they walked down a twisty, dark hall with sheet-covered furniture, and up a ladder. Harry gasped and nearly fell off the ladder; the blue walls at the top of the ladder were covered with waving pictures. There were huge windows splattered with raindrops, a blue velvet canopy bed, and a desk with books about magic sprawled everywhere. Marissa took a wand from her desk drawer.
"Isn't it nice? Fourteen inches, willow, with a hair from a unicorn's tail for the core. I've been working on freezing charms and fire charms, stuff like that. Frosto," she said, pointing her wand at the window. Instantly the raindrops turned to ice and fell from the window, shattering on the ground below. "So when are you going to Diagon Alley? Maybe we could meet there."
"Yeah, I'll let you know when," Harry agreed. "That's a cool charm." He looked back at the window and saw a soaked owl tapping on the glass.
Marissa opened the window and the owl flew in, dripping all over her rug. "It's the book list and class selection sheet for me!" Marissa showed the forms, perfectly dry, to Harry. He decided that Dumbledore must have used a water repelling charm on it. "What classes should I choose? Divination, Arithmancy, Muggle Studies, hm… Care of Magical Creatures sounds interesting."
"Ron and I take Divination," Harry said. "Trelawney's a crackpot old fool, but the work is easy. Hermione takes Arithmancy and wouldn't say a word against it, but then Hermione is really smart. She also takes Ancient Runes."
Just then Claire's voice rang out, "Time for dinner, guys and gals!"
Marissa rolled her eyes and jumped down the ladder, Hogwarts letter still in hand. An old clock told Harry it was only five fifty two. When they reached the dining room there were three big bowls of soup.
"Harry, does your aunt know about your magic and all of the Hogwarts rules?" Claire asked curiously, taking a seat.
"All she knows is that I go to Hogwarts. She thinks I'm a freak of nature, just like Uncle Vernon does, but I mostly stay out of their way," Harry replied, shrugging. Claire gaped at him.
"But they must want to know! They have magic, too, don't they? I mean, they are in your family. Wouldn't they want to know…" Claire trailed off, looking bewildered as Harry shook his head no. "Well, really, that's just horrible! But they let you practice magic, right?" She looked even more surprised when Harry shook his head again.
"They're afraid of my magic and think that I'm the shame of my family, it's been that way for… well, years," Harry said. "I don't mind much cause I'm used to it, though. Well, I miss my Firebolt, and I can't do homework until nightfall, and I can't really use my wand. But other than that…" Harry stopped, almost laughing at Claire's horrified expression. "Mrs…"
Oh, yes, of course, Mrs. Underwood," Claire supplied. "Mr. Underwood works with the Ministry of Magic, but please, just call me Claire."
There was a loud honk from outside. "Oh, dear, well, we'll see you at Hogwart's Express then. Goodbye, Harry!" Claire said, showing him to the door with Marissa waving frantically behind her.
"Good bye, and thank you," Harry said miserably as he slid into the Dursley's car.
"Didn't do anything stupid, did you, boy?" Uncle Vernon growled threateningly. Harry shook his head. "Good, don't want you scaring away your aunt's friends, you do enough damage to this family already!" Harry grinned; imagining Aunt Petunia's face at finding out that Claire was a witch. "What's so funny, boy?" his uncle growled angrily. Harry stifled his laugh and sat quietly until they reached number four on Privet Drive.
Lying on Harry's bed was a familiar brown package with Professor McGonagall's handwriting on it. Harry hastily opened the envelope to find the booklist for fifth years and a notice saying school would start on September 1. The booklist said:
Standard Book of Spells Grade Five, by Miranda Goshawk
Unfogging the Future and Beyond, by Frederick Fogg
Defense Against the Dark Arts, by Amanda Grumper
Charming Charms, by Sidney Roosevelt
A Guide to Transfiguration, by Emeric Switch
A Thousand And One Plants, by Phyllida Spore
Harry quickly tucked it under his loose floorboard and lay on his bed, thinking about the new school year to come. Suddenly there was a crack like a whip and an ugly, ragged elf appeared on Harry's chest. He almost yelled in surprise before he realized it was just Dobby, a house elf.
"Harry Potter, Dobby comes to tell Harry Potter that Hogwarts will be destroyed unless, unless brave Harry Potter can stop them. Please, Harry Potter must find the amulet, he is so clever and brave, Dobby knows he will… Hogwarts's existence depends on it!" Dobby said frantically.
"What amulet? Dobby, who will destroy Hogwarts?" Harry asked anxiously. Dobby twisted his little dinner jacket in his knobby hands. Suddenly Dobby broke down crying in high-pitched sobs. "Shhh, I understand that you don't know, okay, that's all right. Please be quiet, Dobby, you'll wake my aunt and uncle."
"Harry Potter must find the amulet!" Dobby sniffed and rubbed his nose. Suddenly the loud whip crack noise filled the air and the house-elf disappeared.
Harry lay back down, Dobby's last words ringing in his ears. What was this amulet and how did it tie into trying to destroy Hogwarts? Just then Aunt Petunia's shriek reached Harry's ears, telling him it was time for dinner.
He sighed and slowly went downstairs. Dudley was shoving his ham dinner into his massive mouth with his eyes glued to the television set. Aunt Petunia handed Harry a glass of water and a place with a small slice of ham on it.
Harry ate half of the slice and saved the rest for Hedwig, then washed the dishes. By seven o'clock he was so bored that he went to bed even though it was early.
Finally he fell into a fitful sleep and almost at once began dreaming. He was standing in the Forbidden Forest with Dobby yelling, "Harry Potter must get the amulet!" over and over again. Then he was in Dumbledore's office. Harry stared at the headmaster, surprised by the sorrow in his face. Professor McGonagall slipped in the door in his dream. "Albus? Harry Potter is dead. It was Voldemort." Another voice said, "Ron Weasley killed Voldemort… Arthur's son… what a happy day!" Suddenly there was a loud explosion, and Harry's dream self gasped. There was his beloved Hogwarts, in ruins, and he heard the mad, high-pitched cackling of Lord Voldemort!
Harry woke up in a cold sweat. His alarm clock said it was five o'clock in the morning. He groaned; still a week to go until Ron came to get him! It seemed months, even years away to Harry. Only a week, Harry thought to himself as he tugged his Herbology book out from under the loose floorboard and began to read.
He heard a tapping noise on the window and opened the window so the large barn owl outside could come in. Harry took the package and opened it; inside was a letter from Sirius.
Dear Harry,
I hope you are all right with Voldemort at large. Please write me if your scar hurts this summer at all. It's very important that you tell me, because there were killings just yesterday in the countryside of England. Mostly old supporters of Voldemort killed, but nonetheless, Harry, be careful! I am very worried, keep your wand with you at all times, even learn a few new spells. I am far away from the attacks so you don't need to worry, remember if you need me anytime I'm only an owl away!
-Sirius
Harry smiled, tucked the letter away under the board, and found a piece of paper.
Dear Sirius,
I think I felt Voldemort killing those people because my scar hurt yesterday morning, but it's been fine since, hope you are well, say hello to Buckbeak for me,
-Harry
Harry opened Hedwig's cage and tied the letter to her leg, then watched her swoop off into the gray morning light. It was 5:30 now. No use in trying to go back to sleep now, Harry thought, picking up his Herbology book and beginning to read again. An hour later, Harry was awakened by birds chirping loudly. He had fallen asleep with his face in his book. Harry got dressed and went down into the kitchen to see if he might be able to eat before Aunt Petunia woke, so that he might have a decent breakfast for once. But his wishes were crushed when he saw Aunt Petunia cooking eggs for Dudley.
"Up earlier this morning? Well, that's very good, I need you to weed the garden, mow the lawn, paint the fence and then you may eat lunch. Eat your breakfast," Aunt Petunia ordered, handing him a plate with a half of a sausage and a lump of runny eggs. Harry helped himself to a piece of toast and began eating it when Uncle Vernon strolled into the kitchen looking extremely smug.
"Hello, Petunia, just got off the phone, and you'll never believe what happened! I just landed a deal that will give us 6,000 pounds!" Uncle Vernon announced, grinning broadly. "This means the Dursleys are going on vacation!"
Aunt Petunia shrieked, dropped the pan she held, and hugged Uncle Vernon.
"Yes, that's right, two weeks in Hawaii!" Uncle Vernon crowed. "Oh, and as for you, boy, tell your 'friends' to pick you up tomorrow. We're not going to have you mess this up." He sneered at Harry. Harry couldn't believe it; he wouldn't have to be with the Dursleys for a whole week after all! He hastily finished his breakfast and then started to go upstairs.
"Just where do you think you're going boy, come back here, you've got chores to do!" Uncle Vernon roared.
"I have to tell them to pick me up, don't I? It will take Hedwig about a day's journey, so I need to send them the letter now," Harry explained, rolling his eyes.
"Well, fine, just hurry. We don't want a freak like you straggling around with us in Hawaii, and I doubt Claire would like to keep you for two weeks!" Uncle Vernon said, chuckling at his own joke.
Harry dashed upstairs, then remembered that he'd already used Hedwig earlier to deliver Sirius's letter. She could never make it back in such a short period of time. Just then there was a familiar fluttering outside Harry's window. Harry looked outside, and there was Pig! "Am I glad to see you!" Harry cried, opening the window. Pig flew in and perched on Harry's bed. This was strange, since usually a wizard would never send an owl in the daytime, so this must be urgent. Harry untied the letter and opened the envelope; inside was a letter from Ron.
Dear Harry,
I need to ask you something; can we pick you up today round seven? I know it's short notice but we want to go shopping in Diagon Alley because we need supplies. Please reply as early as possible, Pig can deliver it in half a day's journey, the hyperactive nutball.
-Ron
Harry smiled and searched for a piece of paper, then wrote:
Dear Ron,
Yes, please come at seven. The Dursleys would like me out of their hair as soon as possible, as I would, because they're going on a vacation in Hawaii tomorrow. See you at seven!
Harry
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry chased Pig until the overactive owl finally settled down enough for him to tie the short note to his leg. Then, after a drink from Hedwig's water bowl, Pig flew off into the bright afternoon sky. Harry ran downstairs in his excitement to find Dudley eating away at half a watermelon for his snack. "Uncle Vernon, they'll come for me and my stuff at seven tonight, the way they did before. You know, through the fireplace," Harry said, wanting to laugh at Dudley's horrified expression.
"Fine, as long as they don't get soot all over my rug, like last time," Aunt Petunia said shrilly. "Honestly, you'd think they would be able to travel like normal people." She began cleaning up Dudley's watermelon juice, which was dripping everywhere. "Well, you can take out the garbage while you're not doing anything and just sitting about." Aunt Petunia handed Harry a garbage bag and shooed him out the door.
For the rest of the afternoon Harry was allowed to watch TV with Dudley, probably because Aunt Petunia couldn't find any more chores to be done and the Dursleys were all in a good mood because of the coming trip to Hawaii. Harry went upstairs and looked at Hedwig's empty cage, feeling quite lonely. He sat on his bed, thinking of all the things he could do at the Weasley's house to cheer himself up.
"Harry get down here, supper time!" Aunt Petunia screeched, sending a chill down Harry's back.
"Coming!" Harry shouted back. He slowly trudging downstairs into the kitchen, where Dudley's five and a half chins wobbling over a plate of steaming spaghetti. Aunt Petunia shoved a small plate full of spaghetti at Harry and sat down next to Dudley.
"Dudders, how do you feel about Hawaii? Won't that be fun? Daddy and I have bought you a sailboat and a nice surfboard! I'm sure everyone will just love him!" Aunt Petunia exclaimed happily. "Oh, this will be a vacation worth waiting for, but we don't have to wait!" Aunt Petunia said merrily.
The whole dinner was spent talking about how great Hawaii was going to be. Harry didn't care; he just slurped his spaghetti rudely, waiting for seven o'clock to come. It was only five thirty; Harry was already done and extremely anxious.
"Stop fidgeting, boy!" Uncle Vernon snapped. "It's rude!"
Dinner dragged on until six thirty, mostly because of the talk of Hawaii. Harry asked to be excused and then dashed upstairs to his room. Hedwig still wasn't back yet; Harry hadn't thought she would be, but still, it was disappointing. Harry lay on his bed and waited for seven o'clock to come, but when it did, no Weasleys appeared. The minutes ticked by as Harry waited and waited. Suddenly, at seven twenty, there was a funny bumping noise. Harry gathered his things and ran down stairs as fast as he could to see the soot-covered Weasleys, brushing themselves off on Aunt Petunia's nice clean rug.
"Harry, how smashing to see you, old chum!" exclaimed Fred Weasley, grabbing hold of Harry's trunk and putting it on the floor.
"Yes, how ecstatically wonderful to see you, old boy!" George Weasley said. He picked up Hedwig's empty cage "I do say, Harry where is that parrot of yours?"
Harry laughed. "Currently delivering a message to Sirius, she'll know where to come though." George nodded, and stepped aside to let Mr. Weasley through. Mr. Weasley was quite a sight all covered in soot. The bald spot on his head was black and shiny, no matter how many times he rubbed it with his hankerchief.
"How are you, Harry, doing fine I hope?" Mr. Weasley said seriously. "Your scar hasn't been hurting lately has it? Anything strange happen lately?"
"Well, it's only hurt once so far, but I feel fine really. I'm really glad to be getting out of here!" Harry exclaimed.
"Harry, I know you'll hate me for suggesting this, but maybe you should go to Hawaii with the Dursleys, he won't ever find you there," Mr. Weasley said anxiously.
"No, he hasn't come after me in England, why should he right now? No, he'll wait until later, besides, I don't know how Voldemort would feel about grass skirts," Harry replied, smiling weakly "I'll be fine."
"Well, let's be off then, good bye Mr. Dursley, Mrs. Dursley, we'll see you next year!" Mr. Weasley said, taking a handful of black floo powder and grabbing Harry's trunk as he disappeared. Harry supposed he left so quickly because of the previous summer events, when the Weasley twins had dropped a Ton Tongue Toffee that had enlarged Dudley's tongue four feet. Needless to say, the Dursleys weren't happy, they were hysterical. Just thinking about it made Harry want to roll on the ground laughing.
"Goodbye, see you next summer," Harry said to the glaring Dursleys. He helped himself to a handful of floo powder, then, stepping in the fireplace, he shouted, "The Burrow!" His last images of Privet Drive that summer was the Dursleys horrified faces.
That's the end of Chapter Two; let me know what you think. Thanks!
~Misty~
P.S. I would like to thank Topaz, once again for helping me with correcting the story, however she is acting like a martyr.