Chapter Five; Reunion
Harry awoke one morning late in July and was surprised to find that Ron wasn't oversleeping as usual. His bed was empty and neatly made up. The sunlight streaming through the window caught Harry right in the face. He rolled over, shielding his eyes and looked up at the clock on the wall. Ten o'clock? Harry sat bolt upright. He hadn't meant to sleep for this long! Why hadn't Ron woken him?
Fighting off the lethargy, Harry scrambled out of his camp bed and started pulling on his clothes. Half dressed he suddenly stopped and looked around the room. Something was different.
It took Harry a few seconds to realise that Hedwig and Pig were missing. The cages by the window were empty. Not only that, but the ghoul in the attic was quiet. The whole house was silent. There wasn't a sound to be heard.
Harry stood stock still, listening to the silence. Normally the Burrow was a hive of activity and noise. This eerie silence felt very unnatural.
It felt wrong.
Harry went straight to his trunk and pulled out his wand. As soon as he had it in his hand he felt somewhat more confident. He crept to the bedroom door, eased it open and peered down the corridor.
Nothing there.
Quickly and as quietly as he could, Harry went across the landing, then tiptoed down the stairs, pausing on each landing to listen carefully.
But the Burrow was as silent as a tomb. No hooting of owls. No bangs or explosions from Fred and George's room. There wasn't even the scratching of a quill from Percy's room.
'Where is everybody?' Harry muttered under his breath.
He continued his progress down through the silent house to the ground floor. Harry was starting to feel more than a little nervous. His heart was thumping rather fast and it seemed to be unnaturally loud in the still air.
Gripping his wand tightly in his fist, Harry sneaked over to the kitchen. Empty.
By now, Harry was getting more than a bit worried. There didn't seem to be anyone in the house but him. Why? The Weasleys wouldn't have gone out without him, would they? It was highly unlikely.
A horrible thought surfaced in his mind. Death Eaters. Panic seized Harry in an icy grip. What if Voldemort had ordered them to attack the Weasleys?
But that didn't fit though. If the Burrow had been attacked and the Weasleys taken, why had Harry been left behind? There didn't seem to be any evidence of a fight or a struggle. Everything was in its usual place.
'Okay, that pretty much rules that out.' Harry spoke softly to himself to try and relieve the tension he could feel mounting.
Thump!
Harry whipped round, wand raised and pointing out into the hallway. There was something in the living room.
Slowly, Harry walked out into the hallway and proceeded to the living room. He stopped at the doorway. The rest of the house was flooded with the morning sunlight, so why was this room so dark?
Cautiously, Harry stepped over the threshold.
'SURPRISE!'
The lights suddenly snapped on and -
'HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HARRY!'
Harry froze in complete shock and blinked hard as his numb brain took in the scene.
A huge multicoloured sparkling banner, with the words Happy Birthday Harry scrolling across it, was hanging in the air among several balloons of various colours and shapes that altered every few seconds. Clouds of gold and silver streamers were snaking through the air above the heads of all nine Weasleys, Remus, Hermione and -
'Sirius!'
Harry bounced into the room and ran straight into the open arms of his godfather.
The two embraced for a minute before Harry stepped back and turned to look at the Weasleys with an insanely happy grin on his face. Mr and Mrs Weasley were positively beaming at him.
'What is all this?' Harry asked disbelievingly, indicating the marvellous decorations.
'Oh, did we get the date wrong?' Bill asked questioningly. '31st of July is your birthday, isn't it?'
'Yeah, but … why …' Harry trailed off, almost too overcome to speak.
'Like we need an explanation?' Ron grinned.
Sirius threw an arm around Harry's shoulders.
'Happy Birthday, Harry!'
*
It was, without a doubt, the happiest day of Harry's life. Never before had he celebrated his birthday, but today he was among friends and family all wishing him many happy returns.
Harry had a permanent smile on his face all day long.
A barn owl swooped in through the window at midday carrying a parcel wrapped in blue-green paper and a letter for Harry from Hagrid.
Happy Birthday Harry!
Sorry I couldn't make it to yah birthday party but I'm a bit busy right now. I'll be back soon hopefully. See yah at Hogwarts in September. Hope you like the pressie!
Hagrid
PS Olympe says Happy Birthday too.
Harry carefully unwrapped the gift to reveal a beautiful set of Gobstones made of blue marble.
He also received a deck of Exploding Snap cards from Fred and a large box of Dr Filibuster Fireworks from George.
Percy had given him a large jar of specially formulated wand polish that would completely eradicate any greasy finger marks from the wood.
Bill presented Harry with a sacred ibis feather quill from Egypt.
'Very useful, those are, ' he said as Harry examined it. 'They'll write whatever you dictate to them. Cuts back on the number of times you get writers cramp doing homework!'
Ron's present was a copy of Quidditch Through the Ages. 'This way you don't have to wait for ages to get it out of the library.' he said.
Hermione also gave Harry a book. Illusions Made Easy. 'I don't think it's part of the curriculum but I thought you might be interested.' she said nervously as Harry flipped it open to the first chapter; Casting Shadows.
'It's brilliant!' Harry said in earnest, eagerly skimming the pages. He couldn't wait to try out some of the spells.
Hermione glowed with pleasure.
Ginny shyly handed Harry a small parcel wrapped in silver paper. Inside was an emerald green drawstring bag containing a pink coloured stone about the size of an egg.
'It's a rose quartz.' Ginny explained. 'They have healing powers. I'm not sure how strong it is but if you don't like it -'
'That's really thoughtful of you Ginny. Thank you very much!' Harry smiled at her as she blushed bright scarlet, although she looked very pleased with herself.
Charlie's present was a miniature backpack.
'It's an owl-post bag,' he said, as Hedwig fluttered down from the windowsill to inspect it. 'There's an Expansion Charm on it so you can put several items in there. And it's bewitched so that it only weighs as much as a feather.'
Hedwig stood as still as a statue as Charlie showed Harry how to put the pack on her. Once the pack was secure, Hedwig began strutting up and down the living room table like a model on a catwalk, showing it off proudly.
Mr Weasley had bought a shining silver whistle that hung on a scarlet ribbon trimmed with gold thread.
'I've alerted it so only Hedwig can hear it!' he said excitedly. 'It took a while, but I've trained her to come when she hears it.'
Harry couldn't stop stammering his thanks for all the wonderful gifts. He felt quite embarrassed that he couldn't find the words to express his gratitude. But they all seemed to understand.
The lights dimmed as Mr Weasley flicked his wand. Mrs Weasley then entered the living room carrying an enormous cake in the shape of a Quidditch pitch, complete with moving iced players and balls. Fifteen candles blazed brightly in the semi-darkness as everyone started to sing 'Happy Birthday'. Even Hedwig, Pig, Errol and Hermes joined in, hooting in unison.
Harry could feel himself going red, completely embarrassed by the attention.
Mrs Weasley carefully set the cake down on the table in front of him as the song came to an end, and told Harry to make a wish.
Harry had never been able to perform this Muggle tradition before and so he felt that he ought to wish for something really special for his first ever birthday wish.
He looked up at his godfather who was sat beside him with a mischievous grin on his glowing face. Even his eyes were sparkling in the flickering candlelight, not at all like they were when Sirius had escaped Azkaban. On the run for a crime he did not commit, unable to prove that he was innocent …
Harry looked into the dancing flames and wished.
The candles flared brightly as Harry took a deep breath and blew all of them out in one puff.
*
Later that evening everyone was enjoying second helpings of cake and helping themselves to Butterbeers. Fred and George had set off several Filibuster Fireworks, flooding the room with yellow and purple stars. Pig was bordering on hysterical fits of happiness as he zoomed around the room, racing the fireworks through the air and up to the ceiling. Errol had to be placed in the kitchen away from the noise and lights, which he obviously detested. Hermes and Hedwig were sat on the windowsill together, feasting on chocolate owl-treats and dead voles.
Everyone was enjoying the buffet that Mrs Weasley had prepared and Charlie had coaxed Hermione into dancing with him to the latest song by the Weird Sisters. Bill and Ginny were attempting a warped version of the waltz together. Fred and George kept following Percy around and offering him perfectly ordinary food that he wouldn't dare touch.
Harry was happily slurping a large glass of Butterbeer when Sirius tapped him on the shoulder and beckoned him to follow.
Sirius led Harry outside into the back garden, which was lit softly by glowing fairy lights in the bushes. Sirius stepped out onto the lawn and turned to face his godson.
'So, have you enjoyed yourself today?' he asked.
'Yes, definitely! This is the best day of my whole life!' Then he added, 'Especially because you're here.'
Sirius smiled, then drew Harry into a hug.
'I'm glad you've had a good time. You deserve it after everything you've been through.' he whispered. He released Harry and spoke normally. 'Now I've got to give you my present.'
'You don't have to give me anything.'
Sirius chuckled.
'Maybe not, but I want to.' He reached into his robes and pulled out a parcel wrapped in gold paper and handed it to Harry.
Slowly, Harry took the beautiful gift in his hands, feeling its smooth flat surface and sharp edges.
'Thank you.' he said, softly.
'Open it.' Sirius urged him. 'You don't know what you're thanking me for.'
Carefully, Harry slowly unwrapped the gift, Sirius watching in silence.
As the paper fell away, Harry looked down on a handsome leather bound book. There was no title. Harry glanced up at Sirius who indicated that he open it.
Harry opened the cover to the first page and his eyes fell upon a large black and white wizard photograph of Sirius, Remus and his father James, each of them smiling and waving up at him. Not one of them looked a day older than sixteen.
'I know you have photos of your parents but I didn't think you had any of them when they were your age.' Sirius pointed at the photo. 'That was taken during our 'Marauder' years, not long after we became Animagi.'
Completely spellbound, Harry turned the page.
The next photo showed James and Lily standing beside the Hogwarts Express on platform nine and three quarters. James had his arm around Lily who was shyly avoiding looking at the camera. In the background, a sixteen-year-old Sirius was hanging precariously out of the train window right behind them, waving furiously and trying to stay in the picture. Lily turned round and shoved him back into the compartment out of sight, and slammed the window shut in his face.
On the opposite page was one of Lily and James in what looked like the Gryffindor common room playing a game of wizard chess. James slumped in his seat as Lily sent her Queen piece forward to checkmate the King.
The next one showed James on his broomstick flying around in the air with two other students, throwing a Quaffle to each other.
Page after page of photos, each portraying one or another of the Marauders or Lily, either on their own or in a group with other students, all smiling and waving. Harry was not surprised to notice that none contained the image of Wormtail.
Right at the very end of the album was a group photo of James, Lily, Remus and Sirius in a four-way hug, standing on the front steps leading up to the oak front doors of Hogwarts. They looked very happy but also seemed to trying to mask a feeling of sadness. A neatly written label underneath the photo told Harry that it was their very last day at Hogwarts, at the end of their seventh year.
'Do you like it?'
Harry tore his eyes away from the album.
'Like it? No.' Sirius looked surprised. 'I love it!'
Sirius' face relaxed and he looked very relieved.
'I'm glad. Remus found most of the photos, helped me make it in time.' He glanced over Harry's head towards the house. 'Speak of the devil.'
Harry turned to see Remus emerge from the house.
'There you are, I was looking for you, Harry.' He strode over, rummaging around in his robe pockets. Finally, he drew out a big, yellow parchment envelope.
'It's a joint present from both of us.' he said, handing it to Harry.
Intrigued, Harry opened the envelope and pulled out a large blank square of worn old parchment. Harry stared at it for a moment. Slowly, comprehension dawned.
'Is this …'
'Maybe not new, but it's certainly improved.' Remus smiled.
Harry took his wand out of his pocket, touched it to the parchment and said, 'I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.'
At these words, ink lines appeared, spreading out across the parchment, reaching into every corner, forming the infamous Marauders Map.
But as Harry watched, he noticed that there were differences. When he'd last seen the Map there had been seven secret passages leading out of Hogwarts to the nearby village of Hogsmeade. Now though …
'There are five leading out to Hogsmeade and eight passages around the castle.' Remus said, as Harry's eyes darted all over the Map.
'Why weren't they on the Map to begin with?' he asked.
'Well, it was confiscated during our sixth year,' said Sirius. 'We couldn't get the Map back from Filch but that didn't stop us from looking for more passages.'
'Where did you get this?' Harry frowned. He'd leant the Map to Professor Moody, or rather Crouch Jr, earlier that year and hadn't got it back from him.
'When Dumbledore was telling me what had happened, he mentioned Crouch using a map of yours. Obviously he was referring to the Marauders Map so just before I left I swung by the office and snitched it back.' Sirius suddenly looked a more serious. 'But Harry I want you to promise me that you won't go sneaking out of Hogwarts- ' Harry groaned inwardly. 'if Remus or myself aren't there.'
Harry looked at them both in confusion.
'What do you mean?'
'Listen, this year I want to be as close to Hogwarts as possible. It's my duty to watch out for you, Harry. But since I can't guarantee that Dumbledore won't need me to run off somewhere, I've asked Remus to help me out with this.'
Remus smiled warmly at Harry who was staring at both of them. 'Dumbledore knows that we'll be on hand should anything happen. At least one of us will in the vicinity of Hogsmeade at all times.'
'So, in theory, you'll be relatively safe.' Sirius gripped Harry's shoulder firmly. 'Promise me you'll stay in the castle? Unless it's an absolute emergency?'
'I promise,' said Harry firmly. 'Cross my heart.'
*
To Be Continued
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Please review
All comments and constructive criticism are appreciated.
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Authors Notes
Yay! Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is now only five months away! Doesn't sound so bad when you remember we've been waiting three years already. Needless to say, I ordered my copy the next day. ^_^
Evil spapple pie – Hee hee, I used to watch Madeline when I was little! Now I'm going to get a mental image of twelve cats following her in two straight lines whenever I read that chapter, LOL.
Okay, I've been asked twice about this. Shuntbumps is explained in Quidditch though the Ages as a broomstick game. It reads; "Shuntbumps was popular in Devon, England. This was a crude form of jousting, the sole aim being to knock as many other players as possible off their brooms, the last person remaining on their broom winning."
I was taking Oliver Wood seriously when he told Harry, "They're like a pair of human Bludgers themselves." ^_^
Christy – Well, I assume this chapter answered your questions? ^_^
MorganD - *Groans and bangs head on keyboard …repeatedly* Un – be – livable. I must have read that chapter through dozens of times and I still missed that?? I make the silly mistake of reading what I think I've written instead of what's actually there. I don't know; I either use too many words or miss them out of sentences completely, so yes that is an error on my part. On the other hand, I could claim that Fred has developed an awful stutter while empathising the dire need for a new captain – how's that? Think I'll get away with that? ^_^
I've explained Shuntbumps to Evil spapple pie up there if you haven't read that comment already.
See you next time!
~Voltora~