Disclaimer: I would like to take this moment to say that any people, places, or things mentioned in this story that are familiar to you, belong to the one and only JK Rowling, but any others that I decide to create belong to me.
Author's Note: In this story, Harry is betrayed by those he once trusted with his life during his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The Unexpected Visit
Harry was too stunned to even think. I mean, how could he have just let that stranger get away with his father's Invisibility Cloak. Still stunned, Harry grabbed his Firebolt that Sirius had given him in his third year, and raced towards Dudley's room (his broom allowed him to be quiet and quick). He had just made it in time. The Dursley's just got there after Harry had time to sneak into Dudley's closet. It was really easy to sneak past Dudley considering he was cowering behind his flab. Quickly remembering why he was in Dudley's closet in the first place, Harry glanced over to the place in Dudley's room, where scratch marks had been made all over the floor. Then something shiny caught Harry's eye
… it looked like a feather! That must've been Sirius in Harry's room! So that means Sirius and Buckbeak are hiding behind the Invisibility Cloak. Not sure whether they might be in the closet or not, Harry frantically started feeling his way around. Then he felt something odd. They felt like letters, but Dudley never got letters. He quickly grabbed the letters and stashed them into his pajama pant's pocket. As Harry heard the booming voice of Uncle Vernon, the letters were pushed from Harry's mind.
"Now what's with all of the ruckus, boy!?"
"Mum, dad, I swear it … there was a huge thing in my room!" Dudley shrieked, with his fat jiggling in waves as he yelled.
"What did it look like, Duddikiens?" said Aunt Petunia in a much more sympathetic yet babyish sort of tone.
"Well, it was big, and had a nose … or something, and it had … wings!" Dudley stammered.
"That sounds like Buckbeak," Harry mumbled to himself.
"Dudleypoo," Aunt Petunia said in the same sympathetic voice, "I'm sure it was just a nightmare, now go to sleep. Growing boys need their sleep." Harry sniggered to himself.
waiting another half an hour or so, the sounds of Dudley's snores could finally be heard again. So quietly Harry said "up", and he was on his way back to his room. He zoomed passed the staircase at the top of the loft, wove in and out through imaginary poles before actually making his way towards his room.
"Ah," Harry sighed happily, "I needed that, Hedwig."
Still feeling content from finally being able to fly, Harry rolled over to go to sleep, but just as he did something hard was pressing against his side.
"Oh yeah!" Harry said excitedly, "I had forgotten about these."
Carefully Harry started to open the first of five letters, as if expecting it to explode (which wasn't too uncommon where he spent most of the year). The letter was heavy, old, parchment like he used at school and on the back was the Dursley's address written in loopy, emerald green, handwriting. Harry quickly thought this had something to do with his world, but why would the Dursley's keep such a thing (they hate that kind of stuff you know). Curiously, Harry turned over the parchment to see what coat of arms the ink blot would bear. IT WAS FROM HOGWARTS! Harry hastily started searching to see where the other letters were from. They were all from Hogwarts! Now that he knew for sure that the letter was from Hogwarts, he started opening it with much more caution (realizing that the prospect of the letter blowing up was much more probable). The first letter read …
Dear Vernon and Petunia Dursley,
You will be very happy to know that Harry has been chosen to be in the Triwizard Tournament. He has done very nicely in the first two events, but the third and final event is where we can have friends and family visit the champions. As this is a very important and rare event, I'm sure it'd make Harry very happy to have you come in for the visitation this June. The exact dates are not yet known, but I assure you, we will have the details worked out soon.! If you choose not to participate we will understand, as I will be inviting the Weasley's as well. Perhaps you could take that opportunity to get to know them if you decide to come! Well, we hope to see you there!
Yours truly,
Albus Dumbledore/ headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
"So the Dursley's actually do keep the letters Dumbledore sends," Harry said in awe.
"Here's the next one," Harry said to Hedwig, although she didn't appear to be listening.
Dear Vernon and Petunia Dursley,
I am pleased to announce to you that Harry's house (Gryffindor) has won the school Quidditch cup. There is to be a celebration at the End of the Year Feast, and as this is one of the finest honors one can win, I feel that you should be very pleased at Harry's performance in school. Also, it has come to my attention (through confidential sources that shall remain nameless) that you have been preventing Harry from getting to his school supplies during the summer holidays, and I assure you, if you prevent a young wizard from practicing his spells, there will be dire consequences. So please, I realize you do not support Harry's wizardry, but please … DON'T BE IN THE WAY!
Yours truly,
Albus Dumbledore/ headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
"Oh, so if that was my third year. That means that me telling them about my godfather being a convicted murderer wasn't the only reason they let me continue with my wizardry." Harry said happily to himself.
"Well, let's press on," Harry still talking absentmindedly to Hedwig.
Dearest Dursleys,
I am sad to report that Harry has commited some very serious crimes in the wizarding world. Harry and his friend Ronald Weasley have first of all stolen and driven an illegal flying car. Second of all, with that car they wrecked a very old and valuable tree; the Womping Willow. Anyways, although Harry and his friend will not be expelled, they both will be receiving detentions. We will be expecting better behavior from Harry in the future, and any other mishaps shall lead to expulsion.
Yours truly
Albus Dumbledore/ headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
"Well, at least I was fortunate enough not to have them care," Harry said sarcastically.
"On to the next one," Harry said in a tired tone. His clock now read 2:09AM, and he was starting to feel very drowsy.
Dear Dursleys,
We know you've been hiding from us, but you should know that we have the W.A.N.D., (the Witches Association for tracing Nincompoop Dursleys) basically it's a tracking system we custom make for stubborn mules, not unlike yourselves. In any case, it does no good to hide as the astronomical amounts of letters we're able to make each day will drive you mad. So, unless you would like me to send one of my best and most trusted friends, I suggest you let Harry decide whether he'd like to go to our school or not. We shall expect to see Harry this September.
Yours truly,
Albus Dumbledore/ headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
"Wow, I had never guessed that that was how they traced the people and got their mail. I guess they tell the owls and the owls deliver the mail," This letter had woken Harry up a bit, and it seemed to have sparked Hedwig's attention as well (she was puffing her chest out indignantly).
"Here's the last letter Hedwig," Harry commented to her (she was now listening intently.)
Dearest Vernon and Petunia Dursley,
I know this may come as a shock to you, finding little Harry at your doorstep, but you should understand. Harry's parents, meaning YOUR sister and brother-in-law, have just been killed by the most feared dark sorcerer in the wizarding world; Lord Voldemort. He has spies every where called Death Eaters, and beware, they are just as fatal as Lord Voldemort himself. Voldemort has killed numerous muggles, witches, and wizards, but Harry has somehow managed to make this spell rebound onto Voldemort and cause him and all of his powers to vanquish. As you are Harry's only living relatives, we'd feel it'd be in Harry's best interests if you would keep him safe in your household until he shall be allowed into Hogwarts. Please be careful. There is protection in your neighborhood, however, that I doubt you know about. Miss Arabella Figg shall be Harry's designated guardian whenever needed. There have been protection charms laid all over your household as well. We have added a nice little house elf named Dobby that will be assigned to come and check on Harry every so often. House elves have very strong magical powers. You must understand that this is a very serious matter. Also, we ask that you treat Harry as poorly as possible during his stay at your household. Although this sounds strange, it's just an extra measure we're taking so Harry will be dying to come to Hogwarts when he gets his letter. Also, there is a bear-like stray, that will be checking the area every few months, he is an animigus named Sirius Black, and he is one of the finest wizards I know, so if you could please keep this a secret and help this cause, we'd be much obliged. Thank you for your cooperation in this dreadful time.
Yours truly,
Albus Dumbledore/ headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry