2. Harry's birthday
The next morning Harry was woken up by the loud chirps of Hedwig, Eroll, Pig and an owl that Harry had never seen before. Each owl was carrying a big package. Harry put Eroll in Hedwig's cage and gave her a tonic for owls. "Guess the package was too big for old Eroll", Harry thought. He first opened the package that Hedwig had brought. Inside he found a letter that he quickly identified by the beautiful handwriting that belonged to Hermione.
Dear Harry, Sorry for not writing sooner but I was in Bulgaria at Viktor Krum's. I bought you this antique book from a store in Sofia (The capital of Bulgaria). I hope you'll use it for a good purpose. After getting an owl from Ron I sent you these cakes and some Bulgarian food. Hope you like them. Can we meet with Ron on Diagon Alley? Send an owl and inform me! P.S.: I have been made a prefect.
Love, Hermione
Inside the package Harry found a very old book with golden runes on the margins. Harry read the title: The Book of Curses . "This might come in handy", Harry thought, "when I duel with Draco." Harry opened the book randomly and there he saw the Tormentus curse: one of the most devious curses apart from the unforgivable ones, it inflicts huge pain and it drains life. The caster receives the life that is drained and is healed if necessary. This curse is unknown to most wizards and witches, and cannot be blocked by any known spell except the Secis charm, a very difficult charm that takes a lot of concentration to be cast (see page 713). "Wow!" Harry gasped while looking in the book, "I really should thank Hermione for this, it must have cost a fortune."
Harry passed to the package that Errol had brought, it was from Ron. Harry couldn't believe his eyes when underneath all the wrapping he found a device called WWN (Wizard's Wireless Network) Receiver. Harry had seen these devices in Ron's house and in Diagon Alley. Inside the package there was also a ticket on which was written: WWN license for a year: Just turn the receiver on by pointing your wand and saying Ignitus, then say the password: muggles, and you will be connected to non-stop wizard shows, news and competitions. Harry could barely hold his curiosity, and quickly pointed his wand at the receiver and said Ignitus. Then a skinny witch appeared in a white mist and asked Harry for the password. Muggles! Harry replied happily. Hold on, the woman said and disappeared. Soon in the mist a message appeared: Welcome to WWN your gate to all that is in the wizarding world. After the welcome message the news started:
" THE DARK LORD HAS OFFICIALY RETURNED!" states the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. The Ministry has declared state of emergency and urges all the wizards to buy a phoenix for each house. After long discussions, Cornelius Fudge has finally accepted that He-who-is-not-named has returned.
Harry turned off the receiver by saying "Deignitus", and passed to the letter that was annexed to the package:
Dear Harry,
I thought you would like to be in touch with the wizarding world and sent you this receiver. I will send you some food next week because I agreed with Hermione that I send you food for one week and she sends food the other. Ok? Hope we meet in Diagon Alley! And if that stupid cousin of yours is giving you any trouble just threaten him with a ton-tongue toffee. P.S.: I have been made a prefect. Can you imagine it? ME!
Love Ron
Harry wondered how Ron had been made a prefect along with Hermione but soon his curiosity took over and passed to the small package that Pig was carrying. Pig was Ron's owl and Harry wondered why Ron hadn't used Pig for his package. Harry found a letter and another piece of parchment inside. He decided to read the letter first:
To Mister Harry Potter,
Harry, we want to express our immense gratitude for the gift that you made to us last year, through this letter. We have decided to test our products in the version for Hogwarts of the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. See the piece of parchment. P.S.: We haven't forgotten our promise and we will buy Ron new robes and new books.
From the directors of the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, Fred & George Weasley
Harry didn't regret the gift he had made to the Weasley brothers, the winnings of the Triwizard Tournament. Harry wondered if Fred & George had told Ron about the money they had. Harry read the piece of parchment:
Through this piece of parchment we ask Mr Harry Potter to be our associate in Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Mr Harry Potter has full rights and owns 10% of the company. This pact is magically sealed so Mr Harry Potter has to put his index finger on the blue dot in the upper right corner.
With Thanks from the directors of the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, Fred & George Weasley
This was the thing that Harry expected the least. He was made an associate at the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Now he would have a steady income every month. Ten percent is a lot of money, considering that Fred & George's tricks will sell like hot cakes at Hogwarts.
At last Harry passed to the unknown owl. Harry thought that it belonged to Hogwarts as the brown colour was identical to many of the owls at Hogwarts. He took the letter from the owl, gave her an owl treat and she left. Harry looked at the letter and saw the Hogwarts seal. It was addressed to: Mr H. Potter, Dudley's second bedroom, 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey.
Harry ripped the seal off with haste and took out the letter. He recognised the writing of professor McGonagall:
Dear Mr Harry Potter, It is with great joy that I announce that you have been made a Hogwarts Prefect. Inside the envelope you will find your Prefect badge. You must know that along with this position comes great responsibility, as you know you will be able to take House points from students and this must be done carefully; You must keep the common room quiet and watch over the students from your house so they don't get in trouble. I hope you'll take your position very seriously. P.S.: The list of the books required for the 5th year of study is also in the envelope.
Head of the Gryffindor House, Minerva McGonagall
Incredible! Super! Harry yelled. Me, Ron and Hermione are all prefects. We'll make the greatest trio ever! I could take house points from Draco, Harry grinned. "Mr Draco, no running on the corridors, 15 points from Slytherin." Harry laughed hysterically just at the thought of seeing Malfoy's face when he takes points from him. By the time Harry finished with his presents it was already supper time. While he was going down for another diet meal, Harry was thinking of the reason that kept Sirius, his godfather, from sending him a present. Harry then realised that presents aren't everything. He'd be happy just with a letter telling him that his godfather was fine, because he was still running from the Ministry for the crimes that he hadn't committed.
After a very short meal, Harry went up to his bedroom and said to himself:" This is the greatest birthday ever, I have never got so many beautiful gifts. Harry ate some cakes from Hermione and then, feeling tired he decided to take a nap.
The next morning Harry was woken up by the loud chirps of Hedwig, Eroll, Pig and an owl that Harry had never seen before. Each owl was carrying a big package. Harry put Eroll in Hedwig's cage and gave her a tonic for owls. "Guess the package was too big for old Eroll", Harry thought. He first opened the package that Hedwig had brought. Inside he found a letter that he quickly identified by the beautiful handwriting that belonged to Hermione.
Dear Harry, Sorry for not writing sooner but I was in Bulgaria at Viktor Krum's. I bought you this antique book from a store in Sofia (The capital of Bulgaria). I hope you'll use it for a good purpose. After getting an owl from Ron I sent you these cakes and some Bulgarian food. Hope you like them. Can we meet with Ron on Diagon Alley? Send an owl and inform me! P.S.: I have been made a prefect.
Love, Hermione
Inside the package Harry found a very old book with golden runes on the margins. Harry read the title: The Book of Curses . "This might come in handy", Harry thought, "when I duel with Draco." Harry opened the book randomly and there he saw the Tormentus curse: one of the most devious curses apart from the unforgivable ones, it inflicts huge pain and it drains life. The caster receives the life that is drained and is healed if necessary. This curse is unknown to most wizards and witches, and cannot be blocked by any known spell except the Secis charm, a very difficult charm that takes a lot of concentration to be cast (see page 713). "Wow!" Harry gasped while looking in the book, "I really should thank Hermione for this, it must have cost a fortune."
Harry passed to the package that Errol had brought, it was from Ron. Harry couldn't believe his eyes when underneath all the wrapping he found a device called WWN (Wizard's Wireless Network) Receiver. Harry had seen these devices in Ron's house and in Diagon Alley. Inside the package there was also a ticket on which was written: WWN license for a year: Just turn the receiver on by pointing your wand and saying Ignitus, then say the password: muggles, and you will be connected to non-stop wizard shows, news and competitions. Harry could barely hold his curiosity, and quickly pointed his wand at the receiver and said Ignitus. Then a skinny witch appeared in a white mist and asked Harry for the password. Muggles! Harry replied happily. Hold on, the woman said and disappeared. Soon in the mist a message appeared: Welcome to WWN your gate to all that is in the wizarding world. After the welcome message the news started:
" THE DARK LORD HAS OFFICIALY RETURNED!" states the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. The Ministry has declared state of emergency and urges all the wizards to buy a phoenix for each house. After long discussions, Cornelius Fudge has finally accepted that He-who-is-not-named has returned.
Harry turned off the receiver by saying "Deignitus", and passed to the letter that was annexed to the package:
Dear Harry,
I thought you would like to be in touch with the wizarding world and sent you this receiver. I will send you some food next week because I agreed with Hermione that I send you food for one week and she sends food the other. Ok? Hope we meet in Diagon Alley! And if that stupid cousin of yours is giving you any trouble just threaten him with a ton-tongue toffee. P.S.: I have been made a prefect. Can you imagine it? ME!
Love Ron
Harry wondered how Ron had been made a prefect along with Hermione but soon his curiosity took over and passed to the small package that Pig was carrying. Pig was Ron's owl and Harry wondered why Ron hadn't used Pig for his package. Harry found a letter and another piece of parchment inside. He decided to read the letter first:
To Mister Harry Potter,
Harry, we want to express our immense gratitude for the gift that you made to us last year, through this letter. We have decided to test our products in the version for Hogwarts of the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. See the piece of parchment. P.S.: We haven't forgotten our promise and we will buy Ron new robes and new books.
From the directors of the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, Fred & George Weasley
Harry didn't regret the gift he had made to the Weasley brothers, the winnings of the Triwizard Tournament. Harry wondered if Fred & George had told Ron about the money they had. Harry read the piece of parchment:
Through this piece of parchment we ask Mr Harry Potter to be our associate in Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Mr Harry Potter has full rights and owns 10% of the company. This pact is magically sealed so Mr Harry Potter has to put his index finger on the blue dot in the upper right corner.
With Thanks from the directors of the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, Fred & George Weasley
This was the thing that Harry expected the least. He was made an associate at the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Now he would have a steady income every month. Ten percent is a lot of money, considering that Fred & George's tricks will sell like hot cakes at Hogwarts.
At last Harry passed to the unknown owl. Harry thought that it belonged to Hogwarts as the brown colour was identical to many of the owls at Hogwarts. He took the letter from the owl, gave her an owl treat and she left. Harry looked at the letter and saw the Hogwarts seal. It was addressed to: Mr H. Potter, Dudley's second bedroom, 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey.
Harry ripped the seal off with haste and took out the letter. He recognised the writing of professor McGonagall:
Dear Mr Harry Potter, It is with great joy that I announce that you have been made a Hogwarts Prefect. Inside the envelope you will find your Prefect badge. You must know that along with this position comes great responsibility, as you know you will be able to take House points from students and this must be done carefully; You must keep the common room quiet and watch over the students from your house so they don't get in trouble. I hope you'll take your position very seriously. P.S.: The list of the books required for the 5th year of study is also in the envelope.
Head of the Gryffindor House, Minerva McGonagall
Incredible! Super! Harry yelled. Me, Ron and Hermione are all prefects. We'll make the greatest trio ever! I could take house points from Draco, Harry grinned. "Mr Draco, no running on the corridors, 15 points from Slytherin." Harry laughed hysterically just at the thought of seeing Malfoy's face when he takes points from him. By the time Harry finished with his presents it was already supper time. While he was going down for another diet meal, Harry was thinking of the reason that kept Sirius, his godfather, from sending him a present. Harry then realised that presents aren't everything. He'd be happy just with a letter telling him that his godfather was fine, because he was still running from the Ministry for the crimes that he hadn't committed.
After a very short meal, Harry went up to his bedroom and said to himself:" This is the greatest birthday ever, I have never got so many beautiful gifts. Harry ate some cakes from Hermione and then, feeling tired he decided to take a nap.